38 Mr. PETEIE'S Inquiry into the Origin and 



The assertions to which I have alluded are as follows : 



1. " The object for which the towers were built is distinctly mentioned in the ancient history 

 called the Psalter of Cashel, and that of Tara to be for the preservation of the sacred fires of Baal, 

 ' the Baal-Theine.' 



2. " It is stated in the Psalter of Tara, that in the year A. D. 79, there was a solemn convoca- 

 tion at Tara, where it was ordained that the sacred fire should be exhibited from the tower of 

 Thlachtga in Munster, and from all other fire repositories, on the thirty-first of October ; and that if 

 by any accident the holy flame had been extinguished, it should be relighted from thence. It was 

 also enacted that a tower for fire should be built in each of the other provinces of Connaught, 

 Leinster, Meath, and Ulster ; and a tax called Scraball equal to about three-pence per head, was 

 laid upon all adults to provide a fund for that purpose. (Psalter of Tara, by Comerford, p. 41 

 Cited Parochial Surveys, III. p. 319 A genuine copy of this Psalter is said to be now in the British 

 Museum Trans. Iberno Celtic Society, p. xxii.) 



3. " Fire worship having been persevered in by the King Lugaid, the son of Laogaire, his death 

 by lightning was considered as a direct punishment from heaven for having preserved the Baal- 

 Thiene in opposition to the preaching of St. Patrick. (Psalter of Cashel, p. 68. Cited Parochial 

 Surveys, III. p. 320. The original Psalter of Cashel is now in the British Museum. Ibid. p. LX.) 



4. " It is recorded in Irish history that Eosa Failgee, the son of Cathair More, who was made 

 monarch of all Ireland, A. D. 1 75, was a prince deeply learned in all the knowledge of his times, 

 and that he built the tower of Rosenallis, which derives its name from him, a proof of the antiquity 

 of this tower at least. (Parochial Surveys, III. p. 328.)" Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, 

 vol. xv. pp. 206, 207. 



These bold assertions would seem sufficient to set the question for ever at 

 rest, and with uninquiring readers, must doubtless have had great weight ; 

 but, I beg leave to ask, where are either the Psalters of Cashel or Tara now to 

 be found? Miss Beaufort answers, " in the British Museum," and gives as her 

 authority for the fact, the Transactions of the Iberno-Celtic Society. But that 

 work, which was compiled by my friend, the late Mr. O'Reilly, merely states, 

 that they are said to be in that national depository ; and, speaking of the 

 Psalter of Tara, he adds, "perhaps not truly" Well, indeed, might he make 

 that admission, for there is not the least evidence to support such a hearsay, 

 as he was himself obliged in conversation to confess to me. 



It may, however, be very properly said that, though no entire copies of 

 those celebrated works can now be found, authenticated extracts may exist, 

 which should be taken as evidence ; and that Miss Beaufort's authorities may 

 be of this description. Let us inquire, then, how far they are worthy of attention. 



1. For the first assertion, that the object for which the Towers were built, 



