Ireland, printed in the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy; and EDWARD LAWSON, ESQ., whose talents and learning are well known; to these gentlemen the writer has to record his grateful acknowledgments, for the zeal with which they co-operated to render this collection worthy of public acceptance. In justice, however, to his respected friends, he must acquit them of any participation in the prose parts of the undertaking. For these, which were mostly written before the late conciliatory acts, and which, if now to be done, might, perhaps, remain for ever so, the writer alone has to entreat indulgence. In conclusion, he has only to add, that as his sole object was the preservation of even so much of the neglected poetry of his native land, he has presented the entire to the worthy publisher, Mr. ROBINS; and sincerely hopes it may not prove an unproductive gift to a man, whose liberal press and generous exertions in our national cause, at a late momentous

crisis, deserve well of the people of Ireland.

MEMOIR OF CAROLAN.

ANECDOTES of genius have always been favorably received by the public; hence it is hoped, that the following detail of the life and compositions of this favorite Irish bard, may not be unacceptable to his countrymen. Though not hitherto published, the particulars may be depended upon as authentic, having been derived from the best sources of information now extant. It was originally intended, if space allowed, to introduce, under the general title of CAROLANIANA, many notices of the bard and his contemporaries, which might prove interesting, as illustrative of some old customs peculiar to Ireland, but these are reluctantly postponed for another opportunity.

TURLOGH O'CAROLAN, the well known subject of the present memoir, was the son of John O'Carolan*, a

* This surname, which is generally used without the Irish adjunct O, not occurring in the Topographical poems of O'DUGAN, or O'HUIDHRIN, or in any genealogical tables anterior to the fifteenth century, is supposed to have been assumed after that period by some branch of the Mac Bradys, a considerable clan of East Breifny, who were anciently called Cearbhallach, and who inherited large possessions in that territory. The extensive

respectable descendant of an ancient tribe of East Breifny, a district now forming part of the counties of Meath and Westmeath. He was born about the year 1670, at a place called Newtown, near Nobber, in the county of Meath.

tracts of Carolanstown, in the barony of Foure, co. Westmeath; and Carolanstown, near Kells, co. Meath, still bear the name. In 1550, Terence O'Kerrolan, rector of Knogh, co. Meath, was sued under Stat. 28 Henry VIII. for not keeping a Parochial School to "teche the English tong." He laconically pleaded, that he was always ready to "teche;" but that no children would come to "larn." In the same year, an information was exhibited against Edward O'Kerrolan, for that he, being of "the Irish nation de les O'Kerrolans," held that benefice, within the English pale, contrary to Stat. 13 Hen. VI. His plea was, that he purchased a licence, 34 Hen. VIII. of freedom from the Irish yoke, and that he might enjoy the English laws, privileges, &c. In 1607, Shane, (John,) Grana O'Carrolan, “chief of his sept," became bound to the King in £100 and 100 marks, for the appearance of "certain of the Carrolans, his kinsmen." But having been afterwards himself committed prisoner to the castle of Dublin, the others, "affrighted, omitted their appearance," and his recognizance became forfeited. The king, (James I.) by concordatum, 24 july, 1614, remitted these forfeitures, because of "the many acceptable services performed by the said Shane Grana, in the late wars; and that many of the said persons are sithence dead and executed." These memoranda are taken from the Exchequer rolls of these respective years. This Shane Grana is stated to have been the grandfather of John, the father of the bard. His descendants were utterly deprived during the civil wars. Patrick Carolan, the bard's paternal uncle, appears, however, in 1691, to have possessed the lands of Muff, 300 acres, in Nobber parish, forfeited by Lord Gormanston, for adhering to JAMES II., and Neale Carolan, his second cousin, was, at the same time, in possession of the lands of Rabranmoone, 325 acres, in Stackallen parish, forfeited by Lord Slane.-Returns of Forfeitures, ExCHEQUER. The bard's father appears to have been totally stripped at this period. Numerous families of the name still reside in the districts here mentioned; and among them are many respectable householders and farmers.

Though gifted with a natural genius for music and poetry, he evinced no precocious disposition for either. He became a minstrel by accident, and continued it more through choice than necessity. "He was above playing for hire," says his friend, the venerable Charles O'Conor; who always respected him as one of those reduced Irish gentlemen, who were plundered of their birthright, during the troubles of the seventeenth century. He was not, therefore, one who could be humiliated by adopting the "idle trade." Respectably descended, he possessed no small portion of old Milesian pride, and entertaining a due sense of his additional claims as a man of genius, he always expected, and invariably received, that attention to which, in every point of view, he was so eminently entitled. At the houses where he visited, he was welcomed more as a friend than as an itinerant minstrel. His visits were regarded as favors conferred, and his departure never failed to occasion regret. He lived happy and respected; and under one of the greatest privations incident to humanity, this amiable and ingenious individual has shewn that true genius, properly directed, is able to triumph over difficulties, under which ordinary minds generally sink in despair.

But to return to our narrative. Carolan's father, with thousands of his countrymen, was reduced to a state of poverty, while the revolutionary puritans of England rioted through the plundered domains of their ancestors. Obliged to emigrate from his native spot, and aided by the friendship and advice of his countrywoman Lady St. George, he bid adieu to Meath, and settled at Carrickonshannon, in the county of Leitrim. This lady died soon after, but the ancient and respectable family, of M'Dermott Roe, then resident at Alderford, in the county of Roscommon, made ample amends for her loss. Our bard, who had by this

time become a comely and interesting boy, of a mild and obliging disposition, attracted the attention of Mrs. M'Dermott. He soon became a favorite with that lady, and a frequent visitor at Alderford House; she had him instructed with her own children. He learned to read his native language, which, at that time, was universally taught. He also made some proficiency in English, and shewed an inclination for history. These particulars, and others which follow, were given by an intelligent old man of the name of Early, whose father lived for many years, during Carolan's time, at Alderford. To this respected family our bard was attached through life, by the tenderest ties of gratitude and affection. They were his earliest friends and patrons. With them he chiefly lived; under their hospitable roof he breathed his last, nor was he separated from them in death, for his ashes mingle with theirs in their ancient burial-place in the church of Kilronan. For them were composed some of his sweetest strains. The delightful tunes of "M'Dermott Roe;" "Mrs. M'Dermott Roe;"" Anna M'Dermott Roe;" and "Mr. Edmond M'Dermott Roe," prove how earnestly he exerted his musical talents in their praise.

About this period, our youth became acquainted with the distinguished Irish family of Belanagare, in the county of Roscommon; and commenced an intimacy, which ended only in death. Old Denis O'Conor, before the restoration of part of his ancient inheritance, by the Court of Claims, was obliged to quit the residence of his ancestors, and remove to a farm at Knockmore, near Ballyfarnon. Here this venerable descendant of Ireland's ancient kings, himself handled the plough, and inculcated maxims of humility and moderation to his family; observing, that although he was the son of a gentleman, they were to consider them