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Ireland of this enterprising and enlightened people, our remote res 
cords make repeated mention. 
I have incorporated my thoughts upon Druidism with the present 
account of the Isles of Aran, because these Isles abound with the 
most unequivocal vestiges of that famous religion, evident ‘as they 
are in the customs, traditions, and mode of thinking of the inha- 
bitants, as well as in the numerous fire-temples which every where 
meet the eye. Perhaps in no portion of the Celtic world could one, 
at this time, be more powerfully and faithfully reminded of the 
primitive manners and religious notions of the Celts. ; 
SECTION FIFTH. 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 
It seems to have been an invariable rule with the early mission- 
aries of Christianity, in all countries, to erect the temple and for- 
ward the worship of the Almighty, most particularly, on the site of 
the altar of heathenism. The Isles of Aran are in strict evidence of 
this fact. ‘The islanders were converted to Christianity in 420 by 
St. Ibar, one of the four Irish bishops, who propagated the Gospel 
in Ireland, before St. Patrick. He was born in Ulster, and directly 
descended from the Kings of that province. On arriving in his 
native country, where he zealously laboured in the holy purpose of 
his mission, the first object of his care was the conversion of the 
people of Aran, then eminently distinguished as the much resorted 
school of Druidism. His next residence was on the plains of Gesell, 
where he converted many, and was respected by all. After a well 
spent life, uninteruptedly devoted to the best offices of religion, this 
VOL. XIV. T 
