43 



In Leinster, . 



In Ulster, 



In Desmond, . 



In Thomond, . 



In Midth, 



In Connauglit, 



In the Brennies, 



31 cantreds equivalent to 930 bailebetaghs. 



35 „ „ 1,050 



35 „ „ 1,050 



35 „ „ 1,050 



18 „ „ 540 



35 „ „ 900 



13 „ „ 400 



Total, 



202 



Total, 



5,920 



The Abbreviate states that these divisions were made before the 

 conquest in 1172. 



I consider it only right to point out these discrepancies, in the expec- 

 tation that my friend Dr. Eeeves, who was first in the field, may inves- 

 tigate all the authorities, trace the origin of the error, and on some fu- 

 ture occasion explain and correct it before the Academy. 



There is another division of the island, which, although ancient, is 

 not so much so as those I have particularized ; and yet, as the ofi'spring 

 of Christianity, merits special distinction. It is the allotment into pa- 

 rishes and dioceses. These formations were intended, and through a 

 long period used, for purely ecclesiastical purposes. Their increase 

 and spread, which were gradual, denote the slow, though sure, deve- 

 lopment of our common religion. Parishes are now used for civil as 

 well as ecclesiastical purposes ; and their area as to surface and popu- 

 lation are strikingly different. 



Eut to return, after this long territorial divisional digression, to town- 

 land MS. mapped surveys, it is manifest from all the charters and grants 

 by the crown of England that have fallen under my observation, from 

 an early period to late in the reign of Elizabeth, as well as from the in- 

 quisitions taken before the escheators of Leinster, Ulster, Munster, and 

 Connaught, and returned as before observed into the courts of Chancery 

 and Exchequer, that no townland survey admeasurement by chain and 

 scale, and consequently no plot or mapped expression thereof, was made 

 or even thought of. Territories and lands were conquered, seized upon, 

 escheated, and passed away by grant in gloho ; they were won with, 

 and measured and defended by, the sword. 



There exist, no doubt, as the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, 

 the State Paper Office, the British Museum, and other like English record 

 depositories, testify, many MS. charts and sketches of kingdoms, pro- 

 vinces, bays, forts, encampments, battles, and other features representing 

 strength, attack, and defence, — the rough industrious evidences of mili- 

 tary precaution, foresight, and skill ; but I do not consider these cu- 

 rious and not uninteresting remains of the olden time applicable to, or 

 falling within the scope of, a memoir intended only to exhibit the origin 

 and progress of townland surveys in Ireland. 



And now arises an important question, which, solved aright, at once 

 discloses the cause and reason of the introduction of land surveyiuginto 

 this country; and that question is, What was the apparent necessity for 

 such surveys ? 



