THEIR HEIGHT, FORM, AND STRENGTH. 117 



122. Father O'Reilly of Kilmore-Erris, Mayo: 

 " My parishioners are well developed, generally 

 stout, able, industrious, about 5 feet 9 inches ; have 

 not had the advantage or disadvantage of inter- 

 marrying with strangers." 



123. Father Costello of Crossmolina, Mayo: 

 " My neighbours are equal in physique to any men 

 I have ever seen anywhere." 



124. Father Henry Hewson of Belmullet : "I 

 can only speak for North Mayo. Those who live 

 inland show little, if any, difference in appearance 

 from the peasants of the rest of Ireland, but along 

 the coast we have as fine specimens of tall, stalwart 

 men as could be found anywhere." 



125. Canon Bourke of Claremorris : "The 

 average height of the men of the four maritime 

 counties of Connaught is 5 feet 9 inches ; the 

 O'Dowds who dwell in North Mayo, and in the 

 Southern part of Sligo County, the Merricks, and 

 the Joyces, are a singularly tall, strong-bodied 

 race." 



126. Dr. Healy, Bishop of Clonfert : " July 19, 

 1886. The best and handsomest race in Connaught 

 are, in my opinion, to be found around Sligo, in the 

 Barony of Carbery ; the men average 5 feet 9 

 inches ; the women, especially the girls, before hard 



