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IV. 



NOTES ON AN UNPUBLISHED MS. INQUISITION (a.d. 

 1258), RELATING TO THE DUBLIN CITY WATER- 

 COURSE. FROM THE MUNIMENTS OF THE EARL 

 OF MEATH. By HENRY F. BERRY, m.a. 



[Read February 24, 1901.] 



In the year 1244, Maurice FitzGrerald, then Chief Justiciary of 

 Ireland, issued a writ directing an inquiry as to the best and most 

 suitable place fi'om which water might be diverted from its course, and 

 conveyed to the city of Dublin. The citizens, who appear to have badly 

 needed an additional supply, were prepared to pay the costs of the 

 necessary works, and special enquiries were to be made as to loss and 

 injury to property consequent on the formation of a watercoui'se, which 

 must necessarily run through the lands of divers persons. The under- 

 taking was duly carried out, and the ancient city watercourse, as we 

 still know it, from its "head " beyond Templeogue, where the river 

 Dodder is diverted, was constructed in pui'suance of the Justiciaiy's 

 writ. 



Prior to this period, low lying portions of the city and suburbs 

 depended on the waters of the Poddle, which, flowing from Tymon 

 and the green hills of Tallaght, through Harold's Cross, lazily 

 meandered through the Liberties into the river Lirffey. The more 

 ancient portion of the city, built on high ground, was supplied by 

 wells, and that the Castle itself had no other resort, is proved by an 

 entry in a Pipe Roll, 12 and 13 Henry III. In Easter Term, 1228-9, 

 the Sheriff of the Vale of Dublin made a payment of 2s. for a bucket 

 for the well of Dublin Castle. 



It is certain that the authorities and the residents within the 

 precincts of the Castle were anxious to acquire a more abundant 

 supply of water, as in the year 1245 (a year subsequent to the issue 

 -of the above mandate), the King directed John FitzGeffi-ey, then 



