1884-1885.] 347 



ration might possess knowledge and information as to how 

 their ancestors spent their time and life, how long they were 

 successively in the lordship of their countries, in dignity or in 

 honour, and what sort of death they met. I, Michael O'Clerigh, 

 a f>oor brother of the Order of St. Francis (after having been for 

 ten years transcribing every old material which I found con- 

 cerning the saints of Ireland, observing obedience to each pro- 

 vincial that was in Ireland successively), have come before you, 

 O noble Farrell O'Gara. I have calculated on your honour 

 that it seemed to you a cause of pity and regret, grief and sor- 

 row (for the glory of God, and the honour of Ireland). How 

 much the race of Gaedhael, the son of Niul, have gone under a 

 cloud and darkness without a knowledge of the death or obit 

 of saint or virgin, archbishop, abbot, or other noble dignitary 

 of the Church, of king or prince, lord or chieftain [and] of the 

 synchronism or connection of the one with the other. I 

 explained to you that I thought I could get the assistance of 

 the chroniclers for whom I had most esteem, for writing a book 

 of annals, in which the aforesaid matters might be put on 

 record ; and that should the writing of them be neglected at 

 present, they would not again be found to be put on record, or 

 commemorated to the end and termination of the world. 

 There were collected by me all the best and most copious books 

 of annals that I could find throughout all Ireland (though it 

 was difficult for me to collect them to one place) to write this 

 book in your name, and to your honour, for it was you that 

 gave the reward of their labour to the chroniclers by whom it 

 was written ; and it was the friars of the convent of Donegal 

 that supplied them with food and attendance in like manner. 

 For every good that will result from this book in giving light 

 to all in general, it is to you that thanks should be given, and 

 there should exist no wonder or surprise, jealousy or envy at 

 [any] good that you do, for you are of the race of Heber Mac 

 Mileadh, from whom descended thirty of the Kings of Ireland 

 and sixty-one saints ; and to Tadhg mac Cein mac Oilella 

 Oluim, from whom eighteen of these saints are sprung, you can 



