that there were formerly in Ireland feveral eminent schools or universities, to which the Gauls and Saxons, as well as the Irish and Britons reforted, as at Armagh, Clonard, Rofs in Carbery, antiently called Rofs-Ailithri, Beg-Eri, Clonfert, Bangor, Rathene in Fercal and Lifmore. (See Bede Ecclef Hift. lib. 3, cap. 7. lib. 4, cap. 26. Alcuin vita S. Willibrordi lib. 2, cap. 4. Eric of Auxerre, de Miraculis Germanis, lib. i. cap. ult. and the life of Sulgenus. See alfo Butler's Lives of the Saints, publifhed by J. Morris, and fold by C. Talbot, in Parliament-ftreet.) With respect to other antient feats of learning, as Cafhel and Down, there is a hint of them given by a manufcript in Dublin College Library, in an epiftle of Florence Carty, written to Donat earl of Thomond. The established religion is the fame in Ireland as in England, both in doctrine, difcipline, worship, and ceremonies. Chriftianity, was first planted in this kingdom in the fourth century by fome miffionaries from Britain, as Ufher fhews; but the general conversion of the nation was referved for St. Patrick, from the year 432 to 492, when from the great number of faints, martyrs, and confeffors, fome hiftorians have called this island Infula Sanctorum. The present government of the proteftant church as by law eftablished, is under four archbishops, who have under them 18 fuffragan bishops, whose fees are well endowed, viz. ARCH ARCHBISHOP S. Armagh, Dr. Richard Robinfon, who is primate of all Ireland. Dublin, Dr. Robert Fowler, primate of Ireland. Cafhel, Dr. Charles Agar, primate of Munfter. Tuam, Dr. Jemmet Browne, primate of Connaught, and bishop of Ardagh. BISHOP S. Clogher, Dr. John Garnet. Clonfert and Kilmacduagh, Dr. Walter Cope. Cloyne, Corke and Rofs, Dr. Ifaac Mann. Derry, Rt. Hon. and Rev. Earl of Bristol. Elphin, Dr. Charles Dodgson, F. R. S. Killaloe & Kilfenora, Dr. Charles Chinnery. Killalla and Achonry, Dr. Samuel Hutchinfon. Leighilin & Ferns, hon. Dr. J. Deane Bourke. Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe, Dr. Wm. Gore. Meath, Hon. Dr. Henry Maxwell. Offory, Dr. John Hotham. Raphoe, Dr. John Oswald. Waterford & Lifmore, Dr. Wm. Newcome. LAN LANGUAGE. The language of the Irish is fundamentally the fame with the antient British and Welsh, with a dialect of the Celtic, and differ principally by provincial alterations from them from time to time, by which they have been more or lefs refined or polished. Yet the Scotch highlanders oppofite the Irish coafts and the native Irish in their converfations are perfectly intelligible to each other. The prefent Irish language even at this time is allowed to be peculiarly fublime, expreffive, and beautiful. Some attempts have been made lately to induce the learned to regain this almoft loft but comprehensive language, for the facilitating of which, an effay on its antiquity, &c. and a grammar, by Major Vallancy, have been published. As a fpecimen of the Irish language is subjoined the Lord's prayer. The Lord's Prayer in the Irish language. Ar Nathair ata ar Neamh: Naomhthar hainm. Tigeadh do Rioghachd: Deantar do thoil aran talamh, mar do nithear ar neamh. Ar naran lao tham hail tabhair dhuinn a niu. Agus maith dhuinn dhifiaca, mar mhaitmidne dar hfeitheamhnaibh fein. Agus ne léig Siun accathuhadh, achd Saor inn ô olc. Oir is leachd féin an Rioghachd, agus an cumhachd, agus an ghloir go fiorruighe, Amen. Irish Dr. Stukely in his work of Abury fays, that Dr. Pocock, who fome time fince pubished his travels into Egypt, made mention that when he was in Ireland he observed a wonderful conformity between the antient Irish and the antient Egyptians in a great many inftances; refpecting their manners, &c. Exemplo patrum commotus amore legendi Ivit ad Hibernos, Sophia mirabili claros. Nur Nurtur'd from youth in learning's mazy ftore, He fought, for wisdom fam'd, Hibernia's fhore. The MONARCHS OF IRELAND. Year of the world. 2029 Hiarbnell-Faidhe, who arrived in Ireland with the Nemedian colony. 2934 Amergin, brother to Heber and Heremon, the prince or king of the Milefians. 3937 Conquovar Mac Neffan, King of Ulfter. * 3942 Siorlamb, i. e. the Long Hand, Year of Chrift. mounted the throne of Ireland. I 95 Feredach Tathuach. 253 Cormac. 503 Murtogh I. 846 Melfechlin I. Mac-Mælruan.' 862 Hugh O'Neill, commonly called Finliath. 879 Flan Mac-Mellechlin. 916 Neill Glundub Mac-Hugh Finliath. 919 Donat II. Mac Flan. 944 Congelach Mac Mælith. 956 Donald O'Neill. 980 Melfechlin II. Mac Donald. 1003 Bryen Mac-Kenedy, commonly called Bryen Boiroimhe. VOL. I. E 1014 * See Mr. O'Flaherty's Ogygia, p. 216. |