Discovery of Native Gold in Ireland. 37 
deranged in his intellects ; however, the idea of this treasure 
did at last actually derange him. 
John Byrne told me, that about 11 or 12 years ago, when 
he was a boy, he was fishing in this brook, and found a piece 
of gold, of a quarter of an ounce, which was sold in Dublin ; 
but that, upon one of his brothers telling him it must have 
been dropped into the brook by accident, he gave over all 
thoughts of searching for more. Charles Toole, a miner at 
Cronbane, tells me, he heard of this discovery at the time, but 
gave no credit to it, as he never found any gold, and lives 
very near the place. I am credibly informed too, that a gold- 
smith in Dublin has, every year, for 11 or 12 years, bought 4 
or 5 ounces of gold, brought constantly by the same person, 
but not John Byrne. 
Thus, Sir, you have all I could learn respecting this im- 
portant event ; which is at your service to lay before the 
Royal Society, should you not have been furnished with an 
account from an abler pen. 
I am, &c. 
JOHN LLOYD. 
P. S. I am told the name of the brook, where the gold is 
found, is, in Irish, Aughatinavought. 
