EDITOR'S PREFACE. 



In January, 190 1, the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruc- 

 tion for Ireland decided to take part in the Glasgow International Exhibi- 

 tion, 1 90 1, by erecting an Irish Pavilion in the Grounds, and displaying 

 therein a representative selection of the characteristic products of Irish 

 Industry. It was arranged, at the same date, that an official handbook 

 deahng with Ireland's chief economic resources should be prepared in 

 connection with the Department's Exhibit at Glasgow. This work was 

 entrusted to my charge, and the original issue of what has now grown to be 

 a very full and comprehensive account of Ireland's economic resources, was 

 issued in June, 1901. 



A word as to its scope. It was thought well to take the opportunity 

 afforded by the publication of such a work to make it something more — 

 indeed, something other- — than an ordinary guide to the Irish Pavilion. 

 The book opens with a description of the general geological and physio- 

 graphic features of the country, followed by articles on the climate, flora 

 and fauna of Ireland. An analysis of the economic distribution of the 

 population is then given, preliminary to an account of the internal means 

 of communication, and the banking faciUties of the country. The next 

 Section is devoted to agricultural and technical education and art instruction. 

 As leading up to the functions of the State Departments in regard to agri- 

 culture and industry, an account is given of the splendid work done by 

 some of the great voluntary associations of Ireland in developing the 

 material resources of the country. Two chapters are occupied with a neces- 

 sarily curtailed analysis of the work of the Congested Districts Board, and 

 the powers and constitution of the Department of Agriculture and Technical 

 Instruction for Ireland. The principal institutions of Science and Art, 

 which have now passed under the control of the Department, are briefly 

 described. Special articles deal with agriculture, live stock, sea and inland 

 fisheries, shipbuilding, the linen industry, the modern Irish lace industry, 

 and the Art and Cottage industries of Ireland. The articles to which no 

 names are attached in the Table of Contents were, with one or two excep- 

 tions, prepared by the Editor, or compiled in the Statistics and Intelligence 

 Branch. 



The present issue of IRELAND ; INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL, is 



