John O'donovan/William Reeves Correspondence

John O’Donovan/William Reeves Correspondence

Listed by Angela Hastings

July 2013

University College Dublin National University of Ireland, Dublin Library Special Collections

John O’Donovan/William Reeves Correspondence Listed by Angela Hastings

Contents

Prefatory note 4

Abbreviations and conventions 4

Letters 5

Additional fragments 40

Prefatory notes

Description: the eighty letters described in this list are all either to or from John O’Donovan (1809-1861). His principal correspondent is William Reeves (1815-1892). One letter is to George Petrie (1789-1866); 3 are to James Henthorn Todd (1805-1869); one letter is to Edmund Getty. There is one letter to O’Donovan from Arthur Blennerhassett Rowan (1800-1861), and one from W. Oldham.

The correspondence with William Reeves often takes an interesting form. Reeves has written to O’Donovan with enquiries about Irish words and place-names. O’Donovan annotates the letter with his answers, and sends it back to Reeves.

In addition to the letters, there are 26 fragments, mostly of questions and answers; some of these may belong with letters, as there is sometimes reference in a letter to queries enclosed.

Abbreviations and conventions: RIA Royal Irish Academy

TCD Trinity College, Dublin

Annals of the four masters: referred to throughout as Annals

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 1 8 March George Petrie, John Discussion, translation of Irish words “Caah” and 1 fld.leaf 1832 21, Great O’Donovan “Cathach”. Sir William Betham quoted as saying (4p.) Charles St. Caah not Irish. O’D has attempted to translate Cormac MacCullenan’s will, disagrees with O’Halloran’s version. Seeks Petrie’s opinion on Irish word (miosach) and authenticity of Cormac MacCullenan’s will. Further note on Irish word (fidhneimhedh) on reverse of letter.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 2 23 May ------John Meaning of passage from Annals year 995. 2 fld. 1832 O’Donovan Compares his translation to Colgan’s and leaves O’Conor’s. Criticises O’Conor for not adhering to (7p.) truth. Analysis of words fidh nemheadh (fidh neimheadh) and further criticism of O’Conor. Extract from Book of Saint Caillin. Discusses Truaghan of Iniskealtra from ms of the Annals in the RIA. Again criticises work of O’Reilly and O’Connor.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 3 8 Oct 1843 James John Transcribes angry letter dated October 5th 1843 1 fld. leaf Henthorn Todd O’Donovan from Owen Connellan sarcastically referring to 49, Bayview O’Donovan’s learning. JO’D recounts his early (3p.) Trinity College Avenue history to explain how he acquired his “bit of Dublin learning”. His schooling, contact with Hardiman, stay with Myles John O’Reilly where he first translated Book of Fenagh and extracts from the Annals. His (JO’D’s) application to Lieut. Larcom for employment and to decision not to enter Maynooth.

*Letter torn. Note on last page: O’Donovan Oct. 8 1843 his personal history.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 4 17 May James Has noted every poem in vol. Laud. 615. Is 1 Fld. leaf 1844 Henthorn Todd sending two poems of Columkille and asks that (3p.) John they be compared to text as printed. Fragment of O’Donovan Nennius in Laud. 610. Some of Columkille’s poems fabrications. Will catalogue Dr. Bandinel’s Irish 19, St. John’s mss. Plans to return to Dublin to finish index to Road, Oxford Hy-Fiachrach and to attack Adamnan’s Vision. Has not seen Mr. Spranger.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 5 26 July W. Reeves John Has received 1st volume of Rerum Hibernicarum. 1 fld. leaf 1845 O’Donovan Scriptores Veteres. Reeves should look at Book of (3p.) 11, Panton Howth in Lambeth Library to ascertain its Square, 8, Newcomen character. Hanmer’s copious extracts from it not

Haymarket, Place, North faithful. Refers to Rot. Pat. 6 Johan M. Dorso in London Strand, Dublin Tower of London Archives for evidence of truth of story of John de Courcy and the French Knight and whether or not de Courcy had son. Thinks Dr.

Smith has garbled evidence of this story. Annals of Ulster: copy in British Museum defective.

O’Donnell’s Life of St. Columkille and collection of poems ascribed to St.Columkille are in Oxford not British Museum. Praises Nation newspaper for

enlightening Irish of all parties. In a note says his Grammar is published. Irish quotation at head of

letter. *Letter torn.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 6 1845/08/2 William Reeves John Note: is returning queries with observations (not 1leaf (1p.) 5 Aug O’Donovan enclosed). Much taken up with the Annals. 1845 Parsonage, Ballymena, Co. 8, Newcomen Antrim Place

JO’D L 7 1845/09/0 William Reeves John Cannot answer queries as libraries closed. O’Neill 1 leaf 6 Sept O’Donovan pedigree: had been in the possession of Dr. (2p.) 1845 MacDonnell of Belfast, O’D believes that Mr. Ferguson has a copy of it. Questions on Reeves’s work on Down and Connor. Asks Reeves to try to locate fragment of the journal of civil wars of 1641 formerly in possession of late Dr. MacDonnell. Robert MacAdam of Belfast, hardware merchant, might know about it. Asks if MacDonnell’s books sold. Two obscure notes at end of letter.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

Is sending batch of queries (not enclosed); praises JO’D L 8 27 Sept John William O’D’s learning. O’D overwrites his reply referring 1 leaf 1845 O’Donovan Reeves Reeves to his letters on County Down to the (1p.) Ordnance Survey. Recalls how sappers converted William Reeves Parsonage, carn of King Slainge into a “Trig.Station”. Recommends that Rev. Mr. Archbold be contacted. Ballymena *Letter stamped and addressed on both sides.

John O’Donovan

8, Newcomen Place, North Strand, Dublin

JO’D L 9 27 Oct John William Several queries to O’D. O’D has inserted answers. 1 fld. leaf 1845 O’Donovan Reeves At end, warns Reeves of “ignorant pedantry” of (4p.) Lynch on Colgan and Michael O’Clery’s translation William Reeves John of Fiach’s Hymn. Dr. O’Conor’s stupidity “deserves O’Donovan no mercy”.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 10 22 Nov William Reeves John Has been trying unsuccessfully for years to prove 1845 O’Donovan locality of Drumtarsy; feels it was on Killowen side of Coleraine. Quotation referring to castle from the 1 leaf 8, Newcomen Annals of Ulster. Says Petrie found ruins of Cill (2p.) Place, North Sanctan near mound at Mt. Sandall. Refers to St. Strand, Dublin Tiu, who was of Rubha (Rue) in Ard Uladh.

JO’D L 11 9 Jan 1846 John William First page missing. Long list of queries mainly on 1 fld. leaf O’Donovan Reeves derivation and meaning of Irish place-names.O’D (4p.) has inserted answers; note at end of letter in which William Reeves John he mentions his ‘squib at the Times’ Commissioner” O’Donovan which was in the Freeman’s journal 1st January 1846.

JO’D L 12a [s.d.] Fragment: extract in Irish on Edward Bruce from Fragment Annals of Connaught in RIA Library. of 1 leaf

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 13 28 March John William Sending queries to O’D. Looking forward to 1 fld. leaf 1846 O’Donovan Reeves appearance of Glossary of Cormac and Annals. Mr. (3p.) Hanna pleased with information he got in Dublin. William Reeves John Praises Hanna's antiquarian interests. Six queries O’Donovan on translation of Irish words and place-names; O’D has inserted answers. On reverse of letter a list of years 1272-1279.

JO’D L 14 [15 March William Reeves John Returning queries (not included). Regrets amount 1 leaf 1846] O’Donovan of time he is spending on Annals. (1p.) Parsonage, (franked) Ballymena,

Co. Antrim

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 15 5 May William Reeves William Requests English translation of certain extracts. 1 fld. leaf 1846 Reeves Looks forward to appearance of Glossary of Cormac (4p.) John and Annals. Is printing own literary effort. O’Donovan Ballymena Postscript: question on succession of bishops. Translations by O’D written in. Note initialled JO’D “I found this letter the other day looking for papers August 25 1846”.

25 Aug John 1846 O’Donovan

JO’D L 16 26 Aug William Reeves John Replies to queries, rejects offer of payment. 1 fld. leaf 1826 O’Donovan Annals consuming much of his time. Regrets (2p.) Ballymena[gh] committing himself to doing them; they will be “of 8, Newcomen no credit or emolument” to him. Money he was Plce, North paid was many years previously. He would like to Strand, Dublin abandon them but this not possible.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 17 31 Aug William Reeves John Answers queries on Irish names and places. Irish 1 fld. leaf 1846 O’Donovan Calendar of the O’Clery’s. Writes out and translates (4p.) the inscription on “The Bell”. Says Petrie has a copy 8, Newcomen but would not like to ask him for it. Comments in Place, North detail on some Irish words, refers to his Grammar. Strand, Dublin Stuart’s account of inscription unsatisfactory and O’Reilly’s translation faulty. Criticises O’Reilly’s scholarship; Owen Connellan a “meer Irish peasant” [sic].

JO’D L 18 9 Sept John William Went to Belfast and transcribed again inscription on 1 fld. leaf 1846 O’Donovan Reeves Mr. McClean’s bell so that he would have version he (4p.) could swear to. Asks if JO’D would still read William Reeves John transcription in same way. Further questions on the O’Donovan subject of the inscription. Story about “Cauldron of ?Brechain”. O’D has inserted answers.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 19 16 Sept William Reeves John Version of Coire Brecain from Cormac’s Glossary in 1 fld. leaf 1846 O’Donovan Irish and English. Name of artifex of bell now (3p.) Parsonage clear: U. Inmainen House, 8, Newcomen Place, North Ballymena, Strand, Dublin Co. Antrim

JO’D L 20 9 Oct 1846 [John William Requests translations of Irish extracts and place- 1 fld. leaf O’Donovan] Reeves names. O’D has inserted answers; also at end of (3p.) letter, he translates Tamhlacht as burial place for William Reeves [John number of people carried off by plague, thus origin O’Donovan] of name Tallaght near Dublin.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 21 1 Dec William Reeves John Discussion of Irish tribes and their territories. 1 fld. leaf 1 1846 O’Donovan Printing of Annals is progressing. (2 /2 p.), top of last 8, Newcomen sheet Place, North missing Strand

JO’D L 23 8 March John William Queries concerning Irish names and place-name. 1 fld. leaf 1847 O’Donovan Reeves Answers at the end of the letter signed JO’D. (3.p.) *Letter edged in black and torn across top. William Reeves Parsonage,

Ballymena

John O’Donovan

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 24 17 March William Reeves John Refers to bell in the Metrical will of St. Patrick. 1fld. leaf 1847 O’Donovan Thanks Reeves for extract from pedigree of (4p.) Clannaboy O’Neills, discusses French John 8, Newcomen [O’Neill]’s ancestry. Long note at end of letter on Place, North

Strand battle in RIA between scientists and antiquarians over library acquisitions. Names Betham, Hudson, Mallett, Apjohn and

MacCullagh. Suggests Reeves contact Mr. O’Neill of Ballymoney re documents he possesses.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 25 21 March William Reeves John Acknowledges receipt of letter on the pedigree of 1fld. leaf 1847 O’Donovan the O’Neills of Clannaboy, discusses pedigree further. Irish place-names including location of (4p.) 8, Newcomen Sliabh Breagh. Discusses jealousy of Mallet, Place, North Apjohn and Jellet and their opposition to Strand antiquarian research in RIA; Mr. Graves’s support for historical and antiquarian research. O’D says

he is fond of science – his first paper was an essay proving arithmetical principles. How he proceeded from mathematics and philosophy to Irish manuscripts and genealogy.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 26 2 June William Reeves John Discusses grammar of Irish motto for Reeves’s 1fld. Leaf 1847 O’Donovan book. Irish journal of 1641? Only authority he knows for location of O’Lyn’s fortress. Beann and (4p.) 8, Newcomen Beinnin. Bankruptcy of Mr. Geraghty because of Place, North attempt to publish the Annals supported by the Strand Nation newspaper and the Young Irelanders. Geraghty deserves his fate because he attempted to undermine OD’s years of hard work and to take material from the publications of the [Kilkenny]Archaeological Society without acknowledgement. Also criticises notes made for it by Dr. MacDermott.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 27 9 Aug William Reeves John Reeves’s research on the O’Neills of Bracart. 1fld. leaf 1847 O’Donovan Thanks Reeves for his book, says it has been highly praised by all with exception of an attorney named (4p.) 8, Newcomen Morrin of Hatchells Office, Four Courts, Dublin. Has Place, North had arguments with this man: he (Morrin) Strand, challenged him in public about history of Sir John Dublin de Courcy, accused Petrie of being ignorant and championed Henry O’Brien’s scholarship on round towers. O’D had said O’Brien was a madman. Morrin criticised Reeves for giving the public a taxation by the Pope of 13th century “of no manner of use”, and questioned Reeves’s ability to read medieval Latin correctly, stating that only lawyers such as himself could do so. OD feels that Reeves should know about Morrin. Irish phrases and translations at head of letter.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 28 17 Sept William Reeves John Is returning curious letter from Charles O’Neill of 1fld. leaf 1847 O’Donovan Bracart. Has Reeves got information on descendant of Turlough Brassilogh. Says his (O’D’s) opus (4p.) 8, Newcomen magnum just printed but that the Geraghty party Place, North threaten to prevent its publication. Race of Strand Turlough Brassilogh reduced to poverty and obscurity. Note at end of letter querying correctness of Charles O’Neill’s pedigree.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 29a 26 Feb William Reeves John Does not know when Book of Rights will be out, 1fld. leaf 1847 O’Donovan however “magnum opus” out in November. Pedigree of O’Donnell and family’s achievements on (4p.)

the continent have been added. Fear that O’Neill pedigree will be the antithesis to it. Wishes that

Reeves might get the required information from Neal John O’Neill. John O’Neill of Clonlum descended from Turlough Brasillogh who is difficult to trace. Asks Reeves to send him copy of a specific extract from the Rolls of James the First. Hopes that Reeves will review Annals.

JO’D L 29b [28 Sept William Reeves, [John Wish that Reeves would review Annals. Feels he 1 leaf 1847] M.B. O’Donovan] would do it better than Ferguson. Will talk to (1p.) (franked) Smith. *no signature Ballymena

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 30 17 Jan William Reeves John Has been ill and very depressed with regard to 1fld. leaf 1848 O’Donovan future prospects. Now recovered but feels if Parsonage harvest fails this year he should emigrate to United (3p.) House, 8, Newcomen States. Would be more at home among Red Indians Place Ballymena than in pacific civilised Ireland. Discusses translation of various Irish words in the Annals. Reeves’s book will be of great use in the first part of the Annals. Ancestor of the Clannaboy. Mention of further correspondence on ancient names of churches in Armagh. Asks for advice on plan of indexing first part of Annals. Asks for help in proof- reading which he will acknowledge. Asks about Neal John O’Neill. *Letter torn.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 31 7 April William Reeves John Discusses letter from Henry Alexander querying 1 leaf 1848 O’Donovan Charles O’Neill of Bracart’s pedigree and other (1p.) Parsonage claims of the O’Neill family. Thinks French John House 8, Newcomen O’Neill was a card-maker. Place, North Ballymena, Strand Co. Antrim

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 32 13 May William Reeves John Discusses his amendments to extracts sent by 1fld. leaf 1848 O’Donovan Reeves. Answers queries relating mainly to Irish names. Petrie paid £70 for the autograph copy of (4p.) 8, Newcomen the second part of Annals. Laments lack of interest

Place, North in Gaelic literature partly due to failure of potato Strand, crop and political situation – “fear of Mitchell”. Mention of Mr. MacDonnell. First part of Annals to Dublin be out in November and [O’D] will then be out of

work. Regrets involvement with

[Irish] Archaeological Society and Celtic Society. Criticises Ferguson’s review of the Annals which he feels misrepresented him [O’D] and was also the occasion for a misplaced attack on Dr. Whately. Ferguson misquoted O’Donovan’s pedigree. Historic note on Hy Donovain [sic] sept.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 33 14 July 1848 William Reeves John O’Donovan Answers Reeves’s queries. Dr. O’Conor’s errors. Antiquarian 1fld. Leaf studies not popular in present political climate. Mentions Jim Parsonage House, 8, Newcomen Lalor, Tom Meaghar, James Gavan Duffy, T. Devin Reilly. Says (3p.) Place, North Smith O’Brien would be the only man followed at present. Ballymena, Wishes that Reeves would compare Gaelic with classical Strand, Dublin languages. Irish literature never fostered by England however Co. Antrim Ussher, Ware, Lombard, Petrie and Reeves have kept alive memory of the Irish race which English government would wish to obliterate. Criticises Ledwich’s History and says his distortions now revealed (by Lanigan and Petrie). Ussher, Ware, Colgan, O’Flaherty, Petrie and Reeves investigated truth without prejudice. Knows of no work on affinities of Celtic and classical languages. Has Pictet’s work and mentions Dr. Prichard. No doubt Vita Columbae written by Adamnan. Note cross-written on second page bitingly criticises Jim (Lalor). Visit of William Connor looking for work on Greek rhythm by Mr. O’Brien of TCD. Connor very “John Martin in principles”

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 34 15 Aug John William Request for interpretation of Irish passage (not 1fld. leaf 1848 O’Donovan Reeves enclosed). Note answered and signed by O’D. O’D mentions enclosed interpretation sent to Dr. (4p.) William Reeves Ballymena Ingram by Dr. Todd. Irish passage quoted and John interpreted. Refers to a note from a Miss Arnold. O’Donovan Worsening economic and political situation. Prudent step by Catholic clergy in interfering with “rebellion

drunk peasantry”. O’D sees no future in Ireland and wishes to emigrate when Annals are finished.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 35 1 Dec William Reeves John Thanks Reeves for box. Topographical index and 1fld. leaf 1848 O’Donovan indexing of subjects. Reeves’s “affinities” and French language. Irish borrowings from Latin. May (4p.) 8, Newcomen be joining “infidel” college of Cork to give lectures Place, North on Irish language etc. Worried about friends’ Strand, Dublin reaction, particularly John [MacHale] of Tuam. Asks Reeves’s advice. Feels Maynooth’s proposal of Irish dictionary “too heavy”.

JO’D L 36 28 Feb William Reeves John Identification of Monastery of Slanore (Snamh 1 fld. leaf 1849 O’Donovan Luthair) in Co. Cavan. Puzzled by Irish place-names Parsonage in Co. Armagh. Regrets that priests unable to (3p.) House, 8, Newcomen explore antiquities in their parishes because of Place, North Ballymena, poverty, lack of education. Precarious state of Strand, Dublin Celtic Society which owes its existence to Mr. Co. Antrim Hudson. Dr. Gray and payment of dues to the Pope.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 37 9 April William Reeves John Refers to translation of extracts of foreign Irish ms 1fld. Leaf 1849 O’Donovan and Mr. Ferguson’s reading of St. Gall passage. Story in Josephus (Antiquities Book 6) about David (4p.) 8, Newcomen feigning madness. O’D’s association with “godless Place, Dublin colleges” and fear of criticism of “Pope of Connaught”. St. Bernard’s comments on the Ovighialla and on the Romans. Annals printed: 1200 pages. Worry about index.

JO’D L 38 9 Aug William Reeves John Overwhelmed with work. It would be cruel to allow 1fld. Leaf 1849 O’Donovan Reeves to assist with index as it is such hard work. Parsonage O’D’s nephew assisting him. O’D depressed about (2p.) House, 8, Newcomen appointment to college in Belfast not Cork. Only Place, North consolation, he will be near Reeves and other Ballymena, Co. Strand, Dublin Antrim friends.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 39 21 Jan William Reeves John Use of word Ceapach. Castle building by O’Neills 1fld. Leaf 1850 O’Donovan and monastery building by O’Conors, O’Briens and MacCarthys. Letter from MacDonnell in difficulties (4p.)

8, Newcomen about money. Should he write to Dr. Henry re Place, North Belfast. Cormac’s Glossary and difficulties with it. Strand, Dublin Regrets Ussher and Ware did not get it translated or that Colgan didn’t do it. O’Rody’s regret that

certain volumes not translated when those able to

do so were still alive. Only work so translated is Colgan’s Tripartite Life of Saint Patrick though no

Description

Addressee Sender translated life of Saint agrees with it. Lynch’s Extent Number Date translation of Keating perfect though Irish modern. Note at end “Are [you] DD yet?”

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 40 July 1850 William Reeves John Thanks for note of congratulation and for work on 1fld. Leaf O’Donovan O’D’s behalf. Recognition of his work by Board of TCD will make him less popular with his “own (4p.) 8, Newcomen party”. Discusses queries on place names including Place, North comments by Rev. George Hill. “Index Nominorum” Strand, Dublin finished. Fear of another potato blight. Death of Peel. *Letter torn some words missing.

JO’D L 41 10 Feb William Reeves John Can’t answer Reeves’s query re Annals. Smith 1851 O’Donovan gloomy about them, does not wish to use Reeves’s Ballymena prospectus. Glossary stopped through lack of 1fld. leaf 8, Newcomen money. Father Kelly editor Irish place-names. Jack (4p.) Place, North the Giant-killer in England; threatened Strand, Dublin excommunication of Ribbonmen by Paul of Armagh. Putting together thoughts on Celtic dialects. Dr. Wall’s theory on the origins of Sanskrit.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 42 21 March William Reeves John Asks Reeves to decipher the MacDonnell deed so 1 fld. leaf 1851 O’Donovan that he can compare it with his own and MacAdam’s version. Grammar of Irish words. (4p.) 8, Newcomen Census: MacAdam feels people will conceal their Place, North Irish from fear. Catholic priests trying to eliminate Strand, Dublin Irish language with exception of MacHale. Other linguistic queries of Reeves. Commiserates with him on having to index Ussher’s works.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 43 6 May William Reeves John Arrival in Belfast. Will lecture on Celtic languages 1fld. leaf 1851 O’Donovan however asks Reeves not to come as Mr. Getty Belfast unable to receive him. O’D staying at O’Hanlon’s (3p.) opposite railway station. Cannot trace Mrs. Cooey. Will stay a month though very lonely. Note at end referring to Neal John O’Neill and Charles ?W. O’Neill of Blessington St. Dublin who is employed

by him (N. J. O’N). Refers to forged pedigree, thinks Edmond the Gauger is forger and not Neal John. Regrets his and Reeves’s involvement with it. Asks for help in writing lectures on the introduction of Christianity to Ireland.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 44 7 June William Reeves John. O’D’s work on book of Irish surnames. Present bad 1fld. leaf 1851 O’Donovan times. Charles MacDonnell: his inheritance of land from Mr. Hanlon, his debts and subsequent sale of (4p.) 8, Newcomen the property, further debts and jail in Liege. Place, North Release through help from friends, finally position Strand, Dublin as tutor with friend’s family in Russia. Note on side of page that MacDonnell wrote to Graves of TCD from Russia. O’D refers to O’Curry’s lack of income and his reliance on support from his son employed on the census. Note about Irish labourers .

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 45 17 March William Reeves John. Printing errors (?in Annals) and translation of 1fld. leaf 1853 O’Donovan passage in Irish. Reeves’s work on Adamnan and his helping the Ulster journal. Asks who is (3p.) preparing Annals of Ulster and says there are two mss in British Museum one a continuation of the other Cod. Clarend tom 49 and tom 20. Feels there is not the spirit in Ulster (neither has Lord O’Neill, nor O’Rourke nor Neal John [O’Neill] the spirit) to get Clarend. Tom 20 copied. Dreads another winter like 1852-53. On verso “to be returned”.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 46 10 June William Reeves John. Will contact Cardinal Wiseman through Daniel 1fld. leaf 1853 O’Donovan MacCarthy (Donald McCartie). Refers to his (O’D’s) Ballymena ‘legal studies’. Asks for return of “the Epistles”. (3p.) O’Curry trying for membership of RIA, O’D fears that Haughton and Jellett will blackbean him because of his increasing papishness. O’D regrets O’Curry’s declining health and the fact that O’Curry’s son has lost his position in the Custom House. Signed Johannes Donnovanides

JO’D L 47 10 Feb William Reeves John Asks for help with translation of Irish place-names. 1 leaf 1854 O’Donovan Resolution to bring out the Cogadh. (2p.) 36, Upper Buckingham Street, Dublin

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 48 11 June William Reeves John Refers Reeves to passage about the Lee and Carn 1fld. leaf 1854 O’Donovan Eolairg in Annals, year 557 and also to year 478. Tradition of great battle at Moin Mor (Moneymore). (4p.) 36, Upper Transcription of Laws nearing completion. O’D will Buckingham be in London or Oxford in July but still hopes that Street, Dublin Commissioners may be able to borrow the mss.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 49 14 Sept William Reeves John Still transcribing Leges [Laws]; reports on own and 1fld. leaf 1854 O’Donovan O’Curry’s progress (O’Curry now transcribing law Dublin tract from Book of Ballymote). In about 30 days (4p.) transcription of all tracts in Ireland will be complete. They then go to England if Commissioners cannot borrow mss. Has added many words to Dictionary, but has not much faith that it will be published. Name Sirinus (O’Siridhin, O’Sheereen). Counsellor Sherrin, modern Irish and classical scholar whom O’D knew in1824, who taught him Ovid and Sallust. Discussion, translation of Irish place-names. Is going to teach Irish to Dr. Rupert Thomas Siegfried of University of Berlin (pupil of Franz Bopp), - he will teach O’D German, Sanskrit. Asks to be remembered to his (O’D’s) critic Mr. King.

DD in large black letters after Reeves’s name.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 50 30 July James John Has looked at ms. life of St. Columkille in Bodleian; 1fld. leaf 1855 Henthorn Todd O’Donovan would take him too long to copy. Gives idea of number and length of columns, distance between (4p.) Oxford lines; ms. includes poems, prophecies. Has made extracts which he will give on his return. Colgan has given substance of it but has edited some stories and omitted some . Has copied all memoranda bearing on history of the work, also description of Cathach which Colgan intentionally mistranslated. Has met Archdeacon Williams. O’D’s work (in England) is finished, 437 written pages. Columkille ms so clearly written that anyone could copy it. If he was editor would compare it with Colgan. Note at top of letter “Gill will murther me!”.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 51 31 Aug Edmund John Arrived in Dublin 1st August 1855. Is sending 1fld. leaf 1855 O’Donovan Belfast maps and (O’D’s) readings of names, Getty discusses some in detail. O’Curry is not in Dublin, (4p.) 36, Upper an Irish scholar of vast experience though his Buckingham knowledge of “Palaemon’s art” and Greek, Latin, Street, Dublin French and English grammar is a blank. O’Curry’s papism and his raging against “heretics” particularly Robert King of Armagh. Says O’Curry

wishes to make Ultramontanism triumphant in connection with Newman. Further translation of Irish names. Note: “Private!”.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 52 8 Sept William Reeves John Discussion of word drui or drai. Druids, St. Patrick’s 1fld. leaf 1855 O’Donovan abolition of some of their practices; well of Magh Finn. Adamnan and faults in O’Donnell’s (4p.) 36, Upper translation. Reeves’s identification of Dobhar. Buckingham Street, Dublin

J’OD L 53 29 Sept. William Reeves John Dobhar, and other Irish words. Impossibility of 1 fld. leaf 1855 O’Donovan completing Annals of Tighearnach. O’Donnell’s Life (4p.) of Columkille contains passages omitted or purged Dublin by Colgan. Has sent examples of suppressions to Dr Todd

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 54 10 March William Reeves John Fears it will be inconvenient for Reeves to attend 1fld. leaf 1856 O’Donovan election on 15th March 1856 to vote for Dr. Todd. Junior Fellows of TCD against Todd and for Dr. (4p.) 36, Upper Upjohn. Dr. Wilde on Committee to influence Buckingham voters. Discussion of Cuilebadh of Columkille; Street, Dublin wicked Tiernan O’Rourke.

JO’D L 55 2 June William Reeves John Seven Brussels mss containing Cain Adamnain and 1fld. leaf 1856 O’Donovan life of Adamnan arrived. Reference to collection of Dublin, annals made for Dr. John Lynch in which there are (3p.) notices of St. Columkille and Adamnan. Long Trin. Col. translated extract concerning Lochlann hosts and their leader Hingamund. Success of men of Alba in battles because of assistance of St. Columkille. Advises Reeves to get the full authority for above, also for life of Adamnan and notices about him in same collection of annals. Full Latin title quoted.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 56 25 Oct John William Has found ms on Adamnan in Cotton Library. Ms 1fld. leaf 1856 O’Donovan Reeves has lain undiscovered for 121 years until found by ?T. Madden. List of queries answered by O’D mainly (4p.) London relating to Adamnan. JOD replies

JO’D L 57 22 July William Reeves John Receipt of letters of old Charles O’Connor and of 1fld. leaf 1857 O’Donovan Reeves’s cheerless epistle. Own condition and the misery and despair surrounding him. Has finished (4p.) map for George Smith, now starts letters of Shane O’Neill for Ulster journal. Has given Stokes letter of introduction to Reeves to see Book of Armagh. Praises Stokes’s scholarship. Hopes Reeves will see better times, refers to his need for a rich living because of his large family.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 59 17 Nov William Reeves John Mention of Scottish names. Irish women’s names. 1 fld. leaf 1857 O’Donovan Place-names. Is sending a proof of the Registry of (3p) 36, Upper Clonmacnoise and asks Reeves to ?check it against Buckingham his index as it is for Graves of Kilkenny. Will do as Street, Dublin Reeves desires as regards the RIA

JO’D L 60 25 Nov William Reeves John Has received proof from London corrected by his 1fld. leaf 1857 O’Donovan namesake [John William O’Donovan? See summary of letter 66 below]. Cites examples of his readings of (4p.) 36, Upper various words. He (JW’D) reads handwriting of Mac Buckingham Firbisigh very well and suspects that another hand is Street, Dublin superinscribed on it possibly James Ware. Could it be Bishop Dopping. Harris’s description of Clonmacnoise and Dopping’s addition. Dr. P-‘s Clonmacnoise; he [Dr. P-] will be not be pleased to see Registry printed. Extract from Book of Hy Many which he copied in 1844

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 61 9 Feb William Reeves John Discussion of some Irish tribes. Situation of Magh 1fld. leaf 1858 O’Donovan Rath. Sam Ferguson not moved by Hanna’s reasonings. When will Reeves be moving, Meath (4p.) will be curious subject for topographical studies. Reeves will be near Colt (unidentified fort) and topography of Bregia will be of interest. JO’D has largely given up topography in favour of philology.

JO’D L 62 11 Feb William Reeves John Discussion of translation of Domhnach, Carn and 1fld. leaf 1858 O’Donovan other Irish words. Reference to slow withdrawal from topography and advance into philology. Zeuss (4p.) 36, Upper stimulating. Annoyance with Whitley Stokes for Buckingham his contempt of “our” philological exertions. St., Dublin Criticises Stokes’s lack of scientific linguistic knowledge. Note at top of letter “I have annoted the second part of ?Donneley’s Tours for which I will be anathematized” [sic]

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

Request for translation of passage from Zeuss. JO’D L 63 22 May J. O’Donovan William Hope that JOD has wound up affairs successfully in 1fld. leaf 1858 Reeves Belfast. Will call to TCD following Monday for (2p.) translation? Irish extract overwritten in translation Vicarage with note at end of letter by [O’D]. Lusk

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 64a 4 Aug William Reeves John Regret Reeves not in good health. Reference to 1fld. leaf 1858 O’Donovan Berichter of Tullylease in Annals, confusion over his date of death. Can find no record in other annals (4p.)

36, Upper though suggests that there may be a reference in Buckingham the Annals of Dudley Firbisse. [Mac Firbisigh] In St., response to Reeves’s request has no copy of Clarke’s versified edition but is sending O’Brennan’s Dublin edition. Says that John O’Connell was a layman,

not a bishop as both Clarke and O’Brennan assert. O’Connell had little historical knowledge or critical

discrimination but that no doubt he records the

tradition of Tullylease.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 64b John Letter fragment giving Irish version and English O’Donovan translation of O’Connell’s poem. Mentions John O’Connell, Dr. Todd, Dr. Graves and Whitely Stokes and their approach to linguistic studies. Signed J. O’D.

JO’D L 64c ? Fragment giving Irish version and English translation of O’Connell’s poem. Handwriting not identified.

JO’D L 64d [John Fragment giving Irish version and variation of O’Donovan] English translation of O’Connell’s poem. At end: From John O’Connell’s poem on the antiquities of Ireland, printed by a Mr. Clarke, about 35 years ago and lately by Martin A. O’Brennan. John O’Donovan’s handwriting.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 65 2 Oct 1858 William Reeves John Apologises for forgetting appointment with Reeves. 1fld. leaf O’Donovan Outlines pedigree of William Ogilby High Sheriff of Tyrone. Is sending pedigree, is convinced it will (4p.) 36, Upper remain among Reeves’s genealogical lines of the Buckingham Cinel Eoghain Race. Queries on Irish place-names. St., Regrets that Stokes thinks only of Irish grammar of period when all is uncertainty. Dublin

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 67 1859/11/2 William Reeves John Finished portion of Vita Tripartita Patricii which 1fld. leaf 7 O’Donovan Reeves left, is expecting more copy. Compares Colgan’s and Jocelyn’s translations. Says he [JOD] (4p.) 36, Upper has given literal interpretation throughout. Agrees Buckingham that translation may be submitted to Stokes but St., insists that grammatical inflections must be Dublin medieval and consistency observed. Language of Bodleian Ms. very old, hopes fragments in Rawlinson 505 will supply the hiatus. If this is not the case mss in TCD or RIA should be consulted. O’D had set aside several fragments in Rawl. 505 on life of St. Patrick and has asked Dr. Bandinel not to disturb them. Stokes will therefore be able to see at a glance whether these fragments will supply the hiatus. Hopes Irish of Vita Tipartita Patricii can be made as perfect as Colgan’s copy. Irish in it is perhaps next oldest specimen to that contained in Book of Armagh.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 68 3 Feb William Reeves Arthur Talks of being seduced into antiquarian work. Has 1fld. leaf 1860 Blennerhasset written to O’Donovan and enclosed cheque. Asks t Rowan Reeves to leave ?vol at University Club or RIA. (3p.) Mentions his theory of explanation for “prodigiousae fabulae”(?) of Brendan’s voyage and Belmont asks Reeves’s opinion.

JO’D L 69 5 Feb William Reeves John Has received cheque from Archdeacon, should he 1fld. leaf 1860 O’Donovan accept it. Asks Reeves’s advice. Dejected as three of his boys are ill, one near death. (3p.)

JO’D L 70 3 March William Reeves John Has left for Reeves at Buckingham St. fair copy and 1 leaf 1860 O’Donovan translation of the tract relating to Culdei-Celide De. (2p.) Asks Reeves to read it. Very obscure and unintelligible in places. Gives permission to submit it to Stokes for criticism. If printed he will compare it to ms. Stokes used. (Stokes only a tyro at reading mss).

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 71 10 March William Reeves John Quotes letter from Robert MacAdam. Has 1fld. leaf 1860 O’Donovan answered Lusk (4p.) 36 Upper saying Dr. Reeves has written an article on the Buckingham manuscript and Dr. Reeves should communicate

St., with MacAdam. Has received transcript of the Life of St. Patrick however scolds Reeves for not Dublin marking pages and folios or giving details of the source ms.

Wonders if he is to translate transcript. Has sent Reeves newspaper article from MacAdam and says he should give short account of Cambridge ms for next journal.

*letter edged in black

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 72 20 April William Reeves John Asks Reeves for letter from Charles MacDonnell 1fld. leaf 1860 O’Donovan (now Count) on subject of a seal of Col. William Donovan of the Polish Service. Wishes Reeves (4p.) 36 Upper would write short memoir of Dr. O’Conor, author of Buckingham Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores Veteres for the St., Universal biography as Dr. Waller had asked him Dublin (O’D) to do it. Pedigree of Charles O’Conor.

JO’D L 73 4 April William Reeves John Returns Count’s letter. Left translation of two 1fld. leaf 1860 O’Donovan 36 topographical poems for Reeves. Asks that he will Upper add from Pope Nicholas’s Taxation and any other (4p.) Buckingham sources anything which further defines tribes and St., territories in poems. Doubts their authenticity. Preface not yet finished. Pedigrees of the few Irish Dublin families which are known to a certainty should be briefly noticed.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 74 9 May William Reeves John Refers to Dinnsenchus of Armagh. Full of 1fld. leaf 1860 O’Donovan misprints, advises looking at Book of Lecan. Belfast Translation must have been made by O’Curry some (4p.) time ago. Advises showing it to him before working Ulster Railway from it. Reeves should allude to story entitled Hotel. Cernaighin ulad or “pangs of parturition” described in O’Curry’s catalogue in RIA and in Cat. Mss TCD. Says he is lonely.

JO’D L 75 11 May William Reeves John Has found life of St. Patrick in one of MacAdam’s 1 leaf 1860 O’Donovan vellum mss which had belonged to Thaddaeus (2p.) Roddy of Fenagh. Where is hiatus so he can assess Ulster Railway how this ms may supply the information. Hotel, Belfast

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 76 9 June William Reeves John Discussion of Irish names for days of week, with 1fld. leaf 1860 O’Donovan Latin translation written in pencil. Meaning of didin. Lusk Trin Coll Is working on the Vita Patricii in Leabhar Breach. (3p.) LB much older than any life except Book of Dublin Armagh. (On top of sheet: See ?Gillash 10401

JO’D L 77 13 June William Reeves John Mentions letter to Dr. Todd on Irish word for a 1fld. leaf 1860 O’Donovan disease. Reeves to look out for name Hughes in Ulster. Discussion on the name follows, says he is (4p.) 36 Upper engaged in a controversy about it. Appalled at Buckingham mistranslation and Anglicisation of Irish Surnames. St., Vita Patricii translated. Note on top of letter: has Dublin worked 16 hours every day, is very tired.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 78 17 June William Reeves John Translation of Vita Patricii (Leabhar Breac) finished 1 fld. leaf 1860 O’Donovan as is part of the life from MacAdam’s ms. Has (3p) promised to return to MacAdam part copied in 36 Upper translation. Would like to be able to do more for Buckingham Reeves but has much to do and his eyes are failing. St.,

Dublin

JO’D L 79 [s.d] William Reeves John Letter fragment: queries chiefly regarding O’Donovan translation of Irish phrases, Irish place-names. Which of Brussels Latin mss. should be copied. Mr. French working on St. Brendan the Navigator. Published by Bollandists? Working on Banshees for Kilkenny Archaeological Society.

Number Date Addressee Sender Description Extent

JO’D L 80 [s.d] John W. Oldham Tracing of the characters scratched on the back of O’Donovan a broach. O’Donovan gives explanation. Explanation is signed JOD although only part of it looks to be in O’Donovan’s hand

Additional Fragments

Number Description

JO’D A 1 Queries numbered 1 – 49, chiefly relating to Irish words, Irish forms of English words, Irish place-names translation into English of Irish phrases. (? Reeves’s hand).

Answers at side of pages, initialled JOD. Leaf torn.

JO’D A 2 Queries numbered 1 – 6, further queries unnumbered, chiefly relating to dates, translation into English o Irish words and phrases, translation into Irish of English words, location of places. Answers at side of pages, J O’Donovan’s hand.

Number Description

JO’D A 3 Fragment: queries chiefly relating to translation into English of Irish words and phrases, Irish place- names and family names. Answers, J O’Donovan’s hand.

Fragment: extracts from ?Annals ?. John O’Donovan’s hand.

JO’D A 4

JO’D A 5 Leaf marked “No. 1”. Queries chiefly relating to translation into English of Irish words and extracts, translation and derivation of Irish place-names. Answers at side of pages, John O’Donovan’s hand.

JO’D A 6 Leaf marked “No. 2”. Queries chiefly relating to translation into English of Irish words and extracts, translation and derivation of Irish place-names. Latin translation of some extracts given. Final 2 extrac translated and compared with Lynch’s. Answers, John O’Donovan’s hand

Number Description

JO’D A 7 Fragment: queries some numbered chiefly 1 fld . leaf (4p.) relating to derivation of Irish place-names, translation of Irish words and extracts. Answers, John O’Donovan’s hand.

JO’D A 8 Fragment: queries relating to references in 1fld. leaf (4p.) Colgan, translation of Irish passages. Answers, John O’Donovan’s hand, some initialled. Small fragment stuck to top of first page.

J O’D A 9 Fragment: queries numbered 1-18 relating to 1 leaf (2p.) translation of Irish words, location of Irish places, history of Hugh Boy. Answers, John O’Donovan’s handwriting.

Number Description

JO’D A 10 Fragment: queries relating chiefly to location of Irish places, translation of Irish place-names, translation of Irish extracts. Answers, John O’Donovan’s hand

JO’D A 11

Fragment: queries numbered 1-64 chiefly relating to Irish forms of names and place-names, location of Irish places, translation of Irish place names, translation of Irish extracts. Answers, John O’Donovan’s hand

JO’D A 12 Irish extract about ?Colum Cille.

JO’D A 13 Fragment: extract in Latin. 1252 at end. William Reeves’s hand?

JO’D A 14 Fragment: extract in Irish, one phrase in Latin

Number Description

JO’D A 15 Fragment: extracts in Latin and Irish with English translation. John O’Donovan’s hand.

JO’D A 16 Fragment: Irish extract with English translation. Fragment of 1 leaf John O’Donovan’s hand.

JO’D A 17 Fragment: Irish verses, English translation. Irish Fragment of 1 leaf words occurring in a Ms. of Horace, English translation written beside them. Signed J. O’D.

JO’D A 18 Fragment: extract from Tigernach, anecdote Fragment of 1 leaf about a whale in Irish with English translation. Translation in John O’Donovan’s hand.

JO’D A 19 Fragment: queries numbered 1-4. Presumed Fragment of 1 leaf Reeves’s hand. Irish forms of words, Scotch words. Answers signed J.O’D. (2p.)

Number Description

JO’D A 21 Fragment: extracts from Adamnan Book II ch 12 and Book II ch. 4 . English translation with some discussion of Irish and Latin words. John O’Donovan’s hand.

JO’D A 23 Fragment: ms. and other references to Fragment of 1 leaf, written on both sides. Convocation. John O’Donovan’s hand

JO’D A 24 Fragment: ms. and other references to Fragment of 1 leaf. Convocation. Written on one side John O’Donovan’s hand.

Newspaper cutting (?Saturday magazine): JO’D A 25 anecdote regarding an O’Donovan namesake and 2 fragments stuck together to form 1p. the O’Donovan mark – webbed toes. Article signed W.F.W.

JO’D A 26 Essay on the origins of the word termon and the 2 fld. leaves (8p.) corresponding celtic term Nemed or nemh-iath. Further discussion of meaning of fidh nemhed. Criticises Dr. O’Conor’s mistranslations.