A

PUBLISHED BY JAMES DUFFY, 25, ANGLESEA STREET.

1844.

PRINTED BY THOMAS 1. WHITE, FLEET-STREET, DUBLIN.

PREFACE.

ONE of the most important works that have ever been written respecting Ireland, is the history of the Abbé Mac-Geoghegan. It may be a matter of surprise to the unthinking, that this most valuable and interesting history has not before this been translated into English; but this surprise must be lessened when we reflect, that, besides the distracted situation of this country, and the passions that have agitated her different sects and parties, there were other more powerful causes which might have prevented the publication of the great truths contained in this rare history of Ireland.

Under such circumstances it cannot be wondered at, that an impartial history, which has made known to France and to the Continent the wrongs and the sufferings of Ireland, and one that has accurately displayed the conduct of her enemies, and the struggles of her friends, should, even to this period, be unknown to the English reader.

The elegantly written calumnies of Hume have been generally circulated, while the plain truths of Mac-Geoghegan have been suppressed.

The circumstances which have given an impetus to the circulation of fiction, and the discountenancing of fact, are now at an end. The bad passions of Irishmen are subsiding, and the settlement of a great question, (Catholic Emancipation) has taken away from all parties, an interest in the concealment of what was just, while it has given to the people of all classes an inducement to know the truth alone, and nothing but the truth. With these objects solely, the translation of the work of the Abbé Mac-Geoghegan has been undertaken.

The history of Ireland is generally complained of even in Ireland, while the ignorance of it in England, has entailed upon Irishmen great and innumerable calamities. It is only by a knowledge of our country, that Englishmen can know how to estimate its worth, and until a full and accurate knowledge of all its circumstances are attained, can the country expect justice to be done to it. Those, therefore, should be deemed the best friends to Ireland, who exert

themselves to induce their fellow men to study her character, to know her situation, and to appreciate her value.

With such objects has the author of this Translation undertaken the risk of giving to both countries, the work of the Abbé Mac-Geoghegan; and from Irishmen at least, he looks with confidence for that support and patronage which patriotism alone should induce them to afford him.

He begs the liberty, therefore, of subscribing himself their very humble and devoted servant,

PATRICK O'KELLY.

N.B. Some portions of this valuable history were unavoidably omitted in the former edition, translated by Mr. O'Kelly, but they shall be inserted in this edition which has been carefully revised, and corrected by the Translator.