13 



To those literary friends who liave kindly favoured me with their 

 opinions on these documents I feel indebted, particularly to John 

 D' Alton, Esq. Barrister at Law, the highly gifted author of the 

 poem of " Dermid, or Erin in the days of Boru," and other ta- 

 lented productions relating to Ireland ; to Thomas Furlong, Esq. 

 who, with poetical genius of a superior order and the heart of a 

 patriot, is deeply skilled in the history of his native land ; and to 

 Mr. James Scurry of Dublin, whose critical knowledge of our ancient 

 language is, perhaps, not excelled.* The valuable assistance of 

 the latter, in the translations, deserves my warmest acknowledg- 

 ments. The few notes which are given may be found useful by 

 the historical student. Finally, I shall feel more than repaid, for 

 any labour I may have had, should this communication answer 

 any of the purposes for which it was intended, and accord with the 

 views, or meet the approval of the Academy. 



* It i8 anxiously hoped by many of Mr. Scurry's friends, that his capabilities may be called 

 forth, in the national task of translating the Brehon laws, the greatest desideratum, next to the 

 publication of the Annals, in Irish literature. 



