415 
century, exclusive of those in the Irish and other Celtic languages, as 
such documents may, on a future occasion, be proposed by the Academy 
as a subject of investigation; every statement to be supported, not by 
reference only, but by extracts in the form of notes or an appendix; 
and it is expected that every accessible source of information shall be 
examined, under the above limitation.” Besides the prize in money, 
the Cunningham Medal was to be given for the best essay on this last 
subject, and additional premiums to others possessing positive merit. 
The Cunningham medal, with the prize of £80, was awarded to 
John D’ Alton, Esq., and an additional prize of £40 to Thomas Carrol, 
M. D., for his essay on the same subject. Mr. D’Alton’s essay is printed 
in vol. xvi. of the Transactions. The full prize of £50 was adjudged 
to Miss Beaufort for her essay ‘‘On the state of architecture and anti- 
quities in Ireland previous to the landing of the Anglo-Normans,” 
which is printed in vol. xv. of the Transactions. 
A special prize, not exceeding £20, was offered in June, 1827, for 
the best essay ‘‘On the inflections of the nouns and verbs in the Irish 
language, and the proper mode of ascertaining’ the same; especially 
with reference to the analogy of the languages with which the Irish is 
supposed to be originally connected.” No essay on this subject appears 
to have been sent in. 
The following subjects were proposed in 1828 :— 
1. “To investigate the authenticity of the poems of Ossian, both as 
given in Macpherson’s translation, and as published in Gaelic (London, 
1807), under the sanction of the Highland Society of London; and, on 
the supposition of such poems not being of recent origin, to assign the 
probable era and country of the original poet or poets.” 
2. “Whether we have reason to believe that a change has taken 
place in the climate of Ireland; and, if such change has occurred, 
through what period can we trace it, and to what causes shall we 
assign it ?” 
A sum of £40 was offered for the best essay on each of these sub- 
jects. The full prize was awarded to the Rev. W. H. Drummond, for 
his essay on the poems of Ossian; and an additional prize to Edward 
O'Reilly, Esq., for his essay on the same subject. Both these essays 
are printed in vol. xvi. of the Transactions. 
Two writers competed for the prize on the climate of Ireland; but 
the Council were of opinion that the question had not been fully an- 
swered by either of them. 
It was therefore again proposed, the same prize being offered, as 
was also the question relating to the reign of Henry II., £60 being 
offered for the best essay on the latter subject. 
The former prize was obtained by Dr. M‘Sweeny, of Cork, whose 
essay is printed in vol. xvii. of the Transactions ; and a sum of £20 was 
voted to Mr. J. D’ Alton, for his essay on the reign of Henry II. 
In August, 1829, it was resolved by the Council that the 1st of 
November in each year should be fixed as the day for receiving prize 
compositions. 
