Macai.istek — The History and Antiquities of Inis Cealtra. 115 



arterial drainage, and the like, ought to have been an exhaustive monograph 

 that would have had a permanent value as a contribution to the early 

 ecclesiastical history of Ireland. Such an ideal could be attained only by the 

 establishment of a special bureau for archaeology, to co-operate with the 

 Ordnance Survey in the special matters alluded to above, with the Board of 

 Works in the care of ancient monuments, and with the Eoyal Irish Academy 

 and the National Museum in developing and extending the collection of 

 national antiquities. 



I will be told that I am advocating a counsel of perfection, which, by a 

 freak of language, seems to be looked on as an objection to any scheme to 

 which the criticism is applied ! My answer to such a criticism is the obvious 

 one that I am quite aware of this, and that is the very reason why I advocate 

 it. For the antiquities of Ireland are of an exceptional importance, of far more 

 than merely national interest ; and they are exposed to so many dangers that 

 the machinery for their recording, study, and protection should be as perfect 

 as possible. I testify with pleasure and sincerity that the work done in 

 recent years under the auspices of the Board of Works in caring for ancient 

 monuments stands on a totally different plane from their early experiments, 

 such as were carried out at Inis Cealtra, the Aran Islands, and elsewhere ; 

 nevertheless, a system that subordinates the ancient monuments of Ireland 

 to other interests is radically imperfect, no matter how good the work done 

 may be. I repeat once more, emphatically, that I am making no attack on 

 anyone ; but owing to the paramount importance of Irish monuments, I am 

 frankly and consciously advocating a counsel of perfection in dealing with 

 them, because I feel we should not rest satisfied with anything less. 



For copies of the following letters relating to the transfer of the island 

 from Clare to Galway, as mentioned at the beginning of this paper, I am 

 indebted to Mr. Crawford : — 



(I) 



Springvale, Tynagh, 6th March 1849. 



Sir, — By the proclamation dated 9th February 1842, the townlands of CappadufTand 

 Knockafirth, in the parish of Iniscaltra, were proclaimed from the county of Clare into 

 tlie barony of Leitrim and county of Galway. Another townland, Inniscaltra or Holy 

 I.sland, which has been surveyed and valued into the county of Galway, has not been 

 proclaimed by the Lord Lieutenant and CounciL The consequence is, the proprietor, 

 Mr. Philip Reade, refuses to pay the public cess to the county of Galway, as he says 

 lie is placed in an illegal position, and could not recover his own rights. Under these 

 circumstances I take the liberty of referring to you as to the course I should adopt. 



I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, 



Francis W. Lynch, 

 High Constable of the Barony of Leitrim, Co. Galway. 

 Richard Griffith, Esq. 



