xlv 



In the Irish MSS. department, Professor Connellan has continued 

 his labours on the Book of Conquests. A volume of the Catalogue of 

 the Academy's Irish MSS., by him and Mr. O'Longan, in continua- 

 tion of that by O'Curry, has been completed, and another is in progress. 

 The compilation of the English Index to 0' Curry's Catalogue, and to 

 the Academy's Irish MSS., which has been for some time in progress, 

 is completed, and volumes of it, embracing letters A to D (inclusive) 

 are already bound and available for use. It is gratifying to the Council, 

 that this work, with its companion Index to initial lines of Irish com- 

 positions, is found to be a most valuable aid to investigators in this 

 department. All the Irish MSS. in the possession of the Academy have 

 been examined in detail, and such as were not in good order have been 

 bound and repaired. A local inventory of the collection is in progress, 

 and Tables have been carefully prepared, indicating the present and 

 previous location of every MS. which had formerly a place in the Library 

 different from that which it now occupies. 



As regards the Museum, we have to report that the number of objects 

 of antiquarian interest, procured within the past year, has been below 

 the usual average. Amongst those obtained under the Treasure Trove 

 Regulations is a handsome gold torque, weighing 8 oz. 5 dwts. 



On the 8th of December last we were informed that the Board of 

 Works was empowered to expend £171 in forwarding the completion 

 of the New Museum, and a Special Committee was appointed to com- 

 municate with that Board with respect to the works to be carried out. 

 Three iron doors have been completed and put up, and locks, keys, and 

 velvet edgings supplied for the doors of the cases in the Drawing-room. 

 The old Council-room is to be fitted up as a Museum for the gold and 

 ecclesiastical antiquities, and, with a view to this, the Board of Works 

 will soon commence the necessary operations for rendering it fire-proof. 

 In the meantime, such of our antiquities as had been stored in that 

 room for some time past have been placed, but without any attempt 

 at arrangement, in the cases in the Drawing-room. 



A portion of the £200 allocated by Parliament for " objects con- 

 nected with the study of antiquities" has been expended in the purchase 

 of some valuable works of reference, which seemed indispensable aids 

 in studying the contents of our Museum, especially that portion of them 

 illustrative of ancient Irish art. 



The Petrie collection has been deposited with us by the Government, 

 but in consequence of the incomplete state of the arrangements relating 

 to our Museum, it cannot at present be exhibited to the public. 



We have to acknowledge a munificent donation, presented to the 

 Academy within the last year, by the Eight Hon. the Earl of Charle- 

 mont, consisting of a series of finely executed busts of Roman Emperors 

 and Empresses, by Yierpyle, which formerly adorned the Library of his 

 lordship's illustrious grandfather, the first President of the Academy. 



Through the influence of Lord Dunraven, and by the kindness of the 

 Right Rev. Dr. Butler, the Academy has had an opportunity of inspect- 

 ing the beautiful chalice and other interesting antiques lately discovered 



E. i. a. proc- — vol. x. . i 



