382 



has recently been published through the munificence of that patriotic 

 nobleman. 



In the front of these evidences we find, the dedication of the, 

 Avhole work to Fergal O'Gara, Lord of Moy O'Gara and Coolavin, in 

 the County of Sligo, the chieftain, under whose patronage, and for 

 whose use the Annals were compiled ; and this dedication, not a copy 

 in the hand of an ordinary scribe, but committed to the peculiar 

 durability of parchment, and wholly in the hand-writing and signed 

 with the proper signature of Michael O'Clery, the chief of the Four 

 Masters, who were employed in its compilation. As this dedication 

 throws much light on the history of the work, and has not been 

 hitherto published entire, I shall take leave to introduce it here, as 

 literally translated by the venerable Charles O'Conor. 



" I invoke the Almighty God that he may pour down every blessr 

 ing, corporal and spiritual, on Ferall O'Gara, Tiern (Lord) of Moy 

 O'Gara and Culavinne, one of the two knights elected to represent 

 the County of Sligo in the, parliamept jt^eld iij Dublin, this present 

 year of our Lord, 1634. > ■ .,' ' ,■ >,? ' 



-ffr"In every country enlightened by civilization, and confirmed 

 therein through a succession of ages, it has been customary to record 

 the events produced by time. For sundry reasons, nothing was 

 deemed more profitable or honourable than to study and peruse the 

 works of ancient writers, who gave a faithful account of the great men 

 who figured on the stage of life in preceding ages, that posterity 

 might be informed, how their forefathers have employed their time, 

 how long they continued in power, and how they have finished their 

 days, 



" I, Michael O'Clery, brother of the Order of St. Francis, (through 

 ten years employed under obedience to my several provincials ir) col- 

 lecting materials for our Irish Hagiology,) have waited on you, noble 



