178 
bell taking advantage of, has used as a medium to turn the whole 
into ridicule. 
During the time that Finghin (Fineen) son of Cu cen-mathair, 
was king of Munster (A. D. 996), flourished a lawgiver named 
Amergin, son of Amalgaid, author of a law-tract on the privileges 
and punishments of various persons. ‘Tiiis tract is to be found in 
the College Library, H. No. 54. 
In the time of Cathal, son of the above-named Finghin, King of 
Munster, who died A. D. 742, flourished the three O’Burechans, 
brothers, named Farann, Baethgal and Maeltuile, one a Bishop, one 
a Judge, and the othera Bard. They were joint authors of some 
laws, which are, probably, intermixed with other manuscripts in the 
Library of our University. 
Contemporary with these brothers was Cearmnadh (Kearmna) 
the poet, author of a law-tract, to be found in the Library of 
Trinity College, class H. No. 54, page 469. 
This is the last Irish lawgiver we find mentioned before the 
Danish invasion, and with him we may close this catalogue. 
VII. Account of ancient Law-tracts that were in the posssession of 
the celebrated Duald M‘Firbis. 
So late as the latter end of the 17th century, there was in exist- 
ence a number of ancient law-tracts, which, it is much to be feared, 
are not now to be found. At that period Duald M‘Firbis, the last 
of the hereditary Antiquaries of Leacan, already mentioned, had 
in his possession a collection of ancient Irish laws, a catalogue of 
which he transmitted to the erudite author of Cambrensis Eversus.* 
* Cambrensis Eversus. Cap. 20. p. 157. et seq. 
