Items related to The Antiquities of County Clare: Ordnance Survey Letters...
Synopsis
The Antiquities of County Clare is derived from the Ordnance Survey Letters compiled in 1839, and is based on a typescript of the original manuscripts for County Clare, which were prepared in 1928 under the direction of the Rev. M. O'Flanagan. The Clare material is of special interest as two of the greatest Gaelic scholars of all time, Eugene Curry from Kilbaha, County Clare and John O'Donovan from Slieve Rua in County Kilkenny, participated in the survey. The letters give detailed accounts of every parish in County Clare, with the information included ranging from origin of place names to local lore and legends.
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From the Publisher
In his introduction to the Ordnance Survey Letters for County Kerry, which were published by Royal Carbery Books in 1983, John B. Keane wrote 'no one who professes interest in the Kingdom can afford to be without a copy'. The same comment holds good for The Antiquities of County Clare and Dr. William Nolan, Geography Department, U.C.D. in his scholarly introduction writes 'this collection breathes life into the landscape and serves as a measure of both loss and survival'. It is appropriate as we reach the end of the century and millennium that we remember the heroic rescue work accomplished by Curry and O'Donovan some one hundred and fifty years ago. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in local studies of County Clare.
About the Author
John O'Donovan, Irish scholar and historian, was born at Attateemore, County Kilkenny in July 1809. His father died quite young, but his uncle saw to it that he had a good education. In 1826 John secured a position in the Records Office, Dublin, classifying and translating Irish manuscripts. Moving to the office of the Ordnance Survey a few years later, he became involved in the first countrywide field survey. The winter of 1839 was spent in County Clare working under difficult conditions. The result of his examination of local antiquities and origins of place-names, in a series of letters written from various centres, were made available in typescript by Rev. Ml. O'Flanagan under the title of Ordnance Survey Letters in 1928. O'Donovan was to the forefront in revealing the importance of old Irish manuscripts as source material for future scholars, and his industry helped to lift the spirit of those keen to give Ireland a cultural identity. One of his greatest achievements was the marathon task of editing the Annals of The Kingdom of Ireland (familiarly known as the Annals of the Four Masters), a task which he completed in the space of four years. John O'Donovan contemplated emigrating to America at one stage, but when the Brehon Law Commission was set up in 1852 he was given employment there. His contribution to literature was rewarded with an honorary Doctorate of Law by Trinity College. He died in 1861 just six months before his co-scholar and friend Eugene Curry, and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. Eugene Curry was born in Dunaha, County Clare in 1794. He was fortunate to have a father who had a vast knowledge of Irish literature, and of the traditions and antiquities of Ireland. This store of knowledge was passed on from father to son, and our country owes both men a huge debt. Despite receiving little formal education Eugene took an interest in Irish manuscripts at an early age. Initially he worked on the small family farm and then spent four or five years trying to earn a living as a teacher. Following his brothers to Limerick around 1824, he gained employment as a common labourer and later became overseer. After a time as Warden at the Mental Home in Limerick his scholarship was recognised and he was invited to join the Ordnance Survey Staff in 1835. Here, Curry was principally engaged on the study and interpretation of Irish manuscripts for the historical and topographical work and although most of his work at this period was done in the office and libraries, he also did some work in the field. An invitation from Cardinal Newman to take the chair of Irish History and Archaeology when the Catholic University was set up in Dublin in 1854, finally recognised the great genius of Curry. His lectures were published in 1861. They gave a comprehensive account of the principal Irish mediaeval manuscripts which contained historical romances, chronicles, tales and poems. A further series of lectures, Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish appeared posthumously in 1873. Curry's industry was exceptional: he made facsimile copies of many lengthy manuscripts and transcribed others in a distinct and beautiful hand. Curry's publications were few compared with those of O'Donovan, but his contribution to Irish learning was a major one and his assistance, given freely to his contemporaries Stokes, Petrie, Todd, Reeves and O'Donovan, was enormous. Curry died on July 30th, 1862 leaving an incredible legacy to his beloved country. He must be considered one of the most outstanding Clareman that every lived.
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- PublisherIrish Books & Media
- Publication date1997
- ISBN 10 1900545039
- ISBN 13 9781900545037
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Edition number1
- Number of pages323
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