1 )ix — IViii. Kciinici/^ Kri'onil curliest, hiotvn Dublin I'riulcr. 151) 



years from 1587 takes us to the year 1573, very near to the year in whicli tlic 

 Catechism appeared ; ami the fact that William Kearney was a relative of 

 John O'lvearney, ami knew Irish well, and how Irish type should he made and 

 made use of, suggests that he may have learnt it in Dulilin when that type 

 was sent over here, or previously in Loudon. Of course this is only conjec- 

 ture; hut so far as I know there was no other Irish type in existence at the 

 time, not even aliroad, nor for many years later, from which lie could have 

 learned. The fount of type was prohably cast in London, and perhaps 

 Kearney assisted at its making. He was, it would seem, always descriljed 

 as a jri'intcr; that was his trade or occupation. 



Apparently nothing was done in 1587 nor for some years afterwards; 

 but in October, 1591, being then apparently back again in England, he was 

 permitted to pass with his presses over to Ireland for the purpose of printing 

 Irish Biljles. I should add that he was in fact engaged as a printer or liook- 

 seller, or both, in London dxiring 1590-"91, and even into 1592. Probably, 

 though the warrant was dated October, 1591, he may not have crossed over, 

 or at least left London permanently, until the following year. 



In a form of a State letter (existing amongst the muniments of Trinity 

 College), evidently intended to be sent to each Bishop in Ireland by the Irish 

 Privy Council, there is mention of William Keruey (or Kearney) again. He 

 is described as a native of Ireland, and for twenty years brought up in the 

 art of printing; and the Bishops are called upon to assist in collecting money 

 to defray the cost of printing the New Testament. This letter is undated, 

 but would appear to belong to the year 1593. It was certainly after 1587. 



Kearney also appears to have been employed by the newly started 

 College (Trinity), as there is extant amongst their manuscripts in their 

 muniment-room, proposed terms, bearing date 18th March, " 159ti-7," from 

 the CoUege to Kearney, from which it woukl appear that after having set 

 up his press in the College he had left it, taking away with him his press, 

 type, &c., and also certain shelves, &c., which belonged to the College, as well 

 as the printed sheets which he had bound himself to deliver to them. Kearney 

 must have been akeady at work printing the Irish Testament, as in tlie 

 Calendar of State Papers of Ireland for the year 1595 it is stated that the 

 New Testament was then actually being set up and printed in Irish. It was 

 probably at the end of 1596 or beginning of 1597, as I judge, that Kearney 

 left the College. 



Further, in the edition of the New Testament in Irish (Dublin, 1602), in 

 the Preface or Address to the Eeader (in Gaelic) which follows the title-page 

 the reverend etUtor refers to the project contemplated for so many yeai-s 

 before, and states that live years previously there had actually been set up of 



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