352 



my own mind, and (I believe) on the minds of others too, than even 

 the literary and antiquarian interest of those curious and valuable 

 details (such as the Hymn of Patrick, and the particulars respecting 

 the Lia Fail, or ancient Coronation Stone of Ireland,) brought for- 

 ward in the present Essay. I shall not venture here to give utterance 

 to any opinion respecting the extent to which the once common and 

 still lingering prejudice against the value and authenticity of Irish 

 Manuscripts, almost against the very existence of any ancient History 

 or Literature of Ireland, may have been removed or exposed before, 

 by the labours of other antiquaries. But it may be allowed me to 

 express a conviction, that it is only by pursuing some such plan as that 

 exemplified in Mr. Petrie's Essay, namely, by a diligent examination 

 of existing Irish Manuscripts, and of existing Irish Remains, and by an 

 unreserved publication of all which may be found in the one and in 

 the other, that full historic certainty can be attained, respecting the 

 ancient state of Ireland. And that if, on the other hand, this dili- 

 gent search be made, and this full and free publication, they will not 

 fail to produce a clearness and convergence of opinions, among all 

 who attend to these subjects ; and will throw such a steady light, 

 not on Irish History alone, but on other cognate histories, as will 

 repay the labour and expense required for such an enterprize. 



The Royal Irish Academy has already, from its limited means, 

 contributed much to accomplish this object, or to prepare materials 

 for accomplishing it. By purchase or transcription, we have gra- 

 dually collected originals, or carefully collated copies, of many of 

 the most valuable manuscripts which are extant, in the ancient 

 Irish language. At a no slight expense, our volumes of Transactions 

 have been and still continue open to receive such fruits of diligent 

 and judicious research, in this department of study, as are contained 

 in the paper on Tara. The sum which, by a recent vote, has been 

 placed at the disposal of the Council, will enable them to push on 

 with vigour the printing and engraving of that other elaborate work 

 of the same author, which was honoured with the award of a medal 

 here some years ago, — the Essay (by Mr. Petrie) on the Round 

 Towers of Ireland. And the liberality of Members concurs with 

 that of extern Subscribers to place, from time to time, upon our 

 table, such splendid donations of ancient Irish Relics, as the Cross 

 and the Torques of this evening. 



