THE

HISTORY

OF

IRELAND.

BY JOHN O'DRISCOL.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR

LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN,

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

1827.

ΤΟ

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

JAMES ABERCROMBIE, M. P.

SIR,

It is an ancient privilege of authors to dedicate their works - and I am inclined to think, that, like the privileges of other and greater public characters, it ought to be considered as a trust for the benefit of the Public, which might sometimes be usefully employed, and ought not to be entirely surrendered.

The lighter productions of taste are, with great propriety, frequently dedicated

to private friendship; but graver works, which from their nature might perhaps be considered national, ought to be inscribed with names of public worth.

It is my good fortune to unite the public object and the private purpose. I do no more than record the judgment which the voice of the public has pronounced of Mr. Abercrombie,

as one of the purest of public characters, and one of the truest friends of Ireland and bear witness that the judgment is true.

Many circumstances concurred to induce me to attempt a brief History of Ireland. Such a work was wanting. The public called for it. Not for a heavy detail of Irish grievances and disasters; but for a clear and distinct outline, drawn without prejudice or favour, of the great events of Irish history. I was solicited by several, whose opinions I valued highly, to undertake such a work. Many might be found whose talents were equal to the task; but there were few, perhaps, whose studies and pursuits had fitted them for

such a labour, that were placed like myself, as it were, in a central position between the two great parties which divide Ireland connected with both, and the slave of neither.

I had obtained some reputation for impartiality. The chief object of my humble efforts in literature had always been to suppress faction, and to raise up in its stead one great national interest in Ireland; to root out party spirit; to cultivate national attachments, especially in the gentry of that country; to unite these with the popular feelings; and to bind the whole round the throne and island of Great Britain.

I have reason to know and rejoice, that I have not been entirely unsuccessful in this my favourite object; and I look confidently to the time, as now near at hand, when, the main obstacles which have hitherto impeded every effort for the improvement of Ireland being removed, all those who have honestly laboured in her service may expect to reap a full measure of success.