AN GAODHAL.
113
INAUGURATION OF THE KINGS OF AN-
CIENT IRELAND.
Even in A.M., 3075, as Giolla Caomhghin (Gil-
la K eevin) says, When a king, whether
monarch or provincial prince, was to be inaugura-
ted, the princes, nobles (amongst whom were the
druids, bards and scholars, the prelates) met at a
given place, (such as Tara, for the paramount
king) and, having elected him, they did him hom¬
age by bending the knee, as at a levee in St.
James’s palace, London; they then yielded them-
selves and their estates to him, as he sat on a
throne in the middle of them, one of the highest
rank having advanced towards the Ruler, having
taken his sword from him, and having presented
him with a long, white, unknotty wand, said
"Receive, Sire, the auspicious sign of your digni-
ty, and remember to imitate in your life end gov-
ernment, the whiteness, and straightness, and un-
knottiness of this rod: to the end that no evi
tongue may find cause to asperse the candor of
your actions with blackness nor any kind of cor-
ruption, or tie of friendship be able to pervert
your justice. Take, therefore, upon you in a
lucky hour, the government of this people, and
this power, given you hereby, with all freedom
and security.” After this Mionn Riogha, a “Roy-
al Cap," made of gold and precious stones, was
placed, by the Grand Marshall, on his head. So
far Giolla and Cormac Mac Cullinan in the “Psal-
ter of Cashel” writes that, 958 years before Christ,
this was the practice; he adds that the crown was
of gold, that at that time a crowned king got
many helmets made, having neck-pieces and fore-
pieces of gold. All our native annalists, and
they are the only veritable witnesses in matters
of ancient Ireland, agree that this was the prac-
tice up to Christianity, but that then the Christian
mode was adopted. However, our antiquarians
tell us, the ceremony of the white wand con-
tinued up to the English invasion; the bishops,
the sub-kings, and princes were the electors, both
as regarded monarchs and provincial dynasts.
O’Farrell and O'Gallagher were the grand offi¬
cers who used to inaugurate “The O'Donnell” of
Tyrconnell, the former gave him the sceptre, and
the latter, as Marshall, placed the crown on his
head. Gratian, or Lynch, in his “Cambrensis Ev-
ersus," and Peter Walsh, in his “Prospect" — p. 4
21, most clearly show that the mode of inaugura-
ting “The O'Donnell' was most solemn, august,
and thoroughly Catholic. Against such national
records the fictions of men, ignorant of Irish
manners, habits and language, should have no
weight. Moreover, it has been the custom of op-
pressors to blacken the character of the oppressed,
in order to throw the cloak over their guilt — that
pretended barbarism might be a pretext for their
ambition and rapacity. Hence, English writers
distorted facts to strive to justify the conduct of
our task-masters.
THE GAELIC UNION.
A meeting of the Council of the Gaelic Union
took place at No. 24 D’Olier St. Dublin :— Michael
Cusack Esq. presiding ; also present ;— Rev.
Maxwell H. Close, M. A., M. R. I. A., Messrs.
J. O'Mulrenin, John Fleming, John Morrin, Da-
vid Comyn and Rev. John E. Nolan, O. D. C.,
Hon Sec. The meeting of Council had been sus-
pended for some weeks owing to the absence of
several resident members, and the consequent
difficulty of forming a quorum. It is to be ho-
ped that the meetings in future be more regularly
held, especially as the Council has obtained per-
mission to use the above rooms which are central
and convenient. The old address, No. 19 Kildare
Street will continue to be used for correspondence,
and No 4 Gardiners Place for the Irish classes.
The Hon. Sec. announced the receipt of the fol-
lowing donations for the Gaelic Union Prize fund:
National Military Home, Dayton, Ohio, U. S. A.
(per. General M. B. Patrick) 10 £ 5s 4d ; do. (per.
J. Gibson Esq.) £4 1s 11d ; Rev. Euseby D. Clea-
ver, M. A., Romford, Essex, a Vice President of
the Gaelic Union (second donation) £10. — do. (for
special prize fund) £10. The thanks of the Coun-
cil are due to the Rev, Mr. Cleaver for his contin-
ued generous aid to all their undertakings. The
regulations for the Special prize fund have not
yet been drawn up, but will be published when
the fall amount shall have boen subscribed. It
was decided to continue the prizes this year for
Intermediate Students (independently of this
fund). The very Rev. Joseph A. Phelan, Pres. of
St. John’s College Waterford, and patron of the
"Eugene O'Curry’ Branch of the Gaelic Union I as
been appointed a member of the Council. He
had encouraged in every way the Gaelic move-
ment now so flourishing in Waterford College.
The following resolution was proposed by Mr.
O'Mulrenin, seconded by the Rev, Mr. Close, and
adopted unanimously :— Resolved, that the Gaelic
Union desire to express their sorrow at the great
loss sustained by their Society in the death of the
much respected priest, very Rev. Daniel Canon
Brannan P. P. Kilmacow, Diccese of Ossory, who
distinguished himself by his practical interest in
the Irish language, and who was so highly esteem-
ed for his personal virtues! The meeting then
adjourned to Wednesday next at 4 P. M. Same
address.
New Books.
Mr. Thomas Kelly of New York has just pub-
lished a Biography of Dean Swift by Thos. Clarke
Luby. It is a very entertaining volume, full of
spicy anecdotes, and of the remarkable sayings of
the Dean. As would be expected, coming from
the pen of Clarke Luby, a spirit of nationality
pervades its pages; we know of no book more en-
tertaining. The published price in paper is fifty
cents.
