30 Antiquities^ Social Customs^ &c. 



study, with their old-world customs and modes of thought so 

 different from that of the 19th century elsewhere. Just now 

 they have commenced a transition stage ; the steamboat and 

 the tourist are invading their retreats. Emigration to America, 

 and particularly the return of emigrants to visit their native 

 islands, all these combine to produce a change in the habits and 

 customs of the people, so that it may be expected further 

 changes will take place, and those interesting customs will 

 disappear. At present they fish in coracles similar to those 

 used by the ancient Britons made of a wooden frame work, the 

 only difference being that tarred canvas is now used for covering 

 instead of cow hides. They do not wear boots and shoes as we 

 do, but a sandal they call pampoodies, made of cow hide, with 

 the hair outside and tied across their instep by a thong. They 

 make all their own textiles, they spin the wool of their sheep, 

 weave and dye it suitable for the garments of either sex. Mr. 

 Milligan exhibited specimens of cloth, which is most durable 

 and well suited to its purpose. The men wear loose trousers 

 to the ankle, a vest, and sleeved homespun tweed jacket, and 

 for a head-dress a Tam o' Shanter cap, knitted by the women 

 on the island. The women wear homespun, their petticoats 

 usually dyed red. The material is pure wool, and most enduring. 

 They all wear pampoodies, and can walk over the rocks and 

 stony ground of their Islands with a firm, elastic tread ; even 

 the old men walk out with a springy, youthful step. The Irish 

 language is spoken invariably amongst themselves, but a great 

 many talk English to visitors. The largest island, Innishmore, 

 is nine miles long and about i^ miles broad. The population 

 at the last census was 1,996. Innishmaan, or the Middle Island, 

 is separated from Innishmore by a channel 2^ miles broad. It is 

 2^ miles long, and had a population ot 456 in 1891. Innisheer, 

 the South Island is two miles long, and had a population of 455. 

 It is separated by a channel four miles broad from Innishmaan, 

 called the Foul Sound. The total population is about 3,000, 

 and the rental ;^2,o85 los 6d. The landlord is Mr. John W. 

 Digby, of Landenstown, County Kildare, The people live 



