Introduction to History and Antiquities of Dublin

It has taken me about three months - about two hours a day - to scan and proof this book. It was an absolute pig and I am surprised that I persevered - there must be some backbone there after all!

At an early stage I decided to leave the “antient” spelling as it was, the only alternative was to rewrite it. What I have done is to change the old English, i.e. “business” for “businefs”, “weakness” for “weaknefs”. Where I’ve found it completely impenetrable I’ve left a note which always starts and finishes with square brackets []. (Wherever you find these [] you’ll know that it is me and not the author)

The book is reproduced in its entirety but without two or three of the lengthier Latin pieces - these are translated - as I have only the smallest knowledge of Latin. Also missing for the moment is a final section on the “Rentall of the Estate of the City of Dublin in 1763” - this will be inserted when I return from holidays.

It’s not a book to start out with, try Joyce’s “Neighbourhood of Dublin” instead, but once you’ve got into Dublin history this is essential.

I normally read the books before I scan them but I made an exception for this one because it was so difficult. I proofed the Introduction at the very end of the process and it confirmed something which I had suspected for a while - there are at least two, possibly more, authors (this opinion is partly based on style of writing, but also on the differences in spelling).

The whole process has taught me a very salutary lesson - the next book I scan is going to be quite short, easily scanned, and of more general interest.

If anyone knows more about Walter Harris I would be “moft interefted in hearing from you”

Enjoy,

Ken Finlay, June 2000 **

The History and Antiquities of the City of Dublin,**

From the earliest accounts:**

Compiled from

Authentick Memoirs, Offices of Record, Manuscript Collections, and other unexceptionable Vouchers.

By the late Walter Harris, Esq.**

With an Appendix,

Containing

An History of the Cathedrals of Christ-Church and St. Patrick, the University, the Hospitals and other Public Buildings.

Also two Plans, one of the City as it was in the Year 1610, being the earliest extant; the other as it is at Present, from the accurate Survey of the late Mr. Rocque; with several other embellishments.

• permulta in urbe nostra, juxtaque urbem, non oculis modo, sed ne auribus quidem novimus; quae se tulisset Achaia, Aegyptos, Asia, aliave quaelibet miraculorum ferax commendatrixque terra, audita, perlecta, lustrata, haberemus. Plin. Ep. lib viii. Ep. ad Gallum.

Ardua res est vetustis novitatem dare, obsoletis nitorem, obscuris lucem, dubiis fidem.

DUBLIN**

Printed for Laurence Flinn, in Castle -street; and James Williams, in Skinner-row.** **

Preface**

An introduction to an acquaintance with the original and progress of this now great metropolis cannot, we think, fail of being acceptable to every inquisitive reader, bust must prove the source of uncommon satisfaction to the patriot native: when he is informed of and reflects on the many alterations in the face of things and places, the vast improvements and enlargements, most of them the work of less than a single century, we may with exact propriety apply the words of the poet to the amazed and delighted citizen.

Miratur molem Aenas mapalia quondam,

Miratur portus strepitumque & strata viarum.

It is not intended here, a practice too common, to break the reader’s patience and exhaust his and our own time, in a needless and unavailing narrative, of the many excellencies to be found in the following history and annals; this shall be submitted to his own determination: besides, the literary world have been so often imposed on in this regard, that the smallest degree of credit is not to be expected, especially by persons mercenary, interested, and often prejudiced, as the generality of editors have been found.

Mr. Harris’s indefatigable industry, as well as his uncommon opportunity of information, are so well known, that there is little need to enlarge on them in this place; he was possessed of many useful and interesting materials, in no hands but his owns; particularly the manuscript history of Robert Ware, esq; son of the celebrated annalist; from which every thing, whether of value or curiosity, has been culled and transplanted into the following work.

The public are here only to expect what was intended as part of a more extensive design, in which our author had engaged himself, with two (See Harris’s Hibernica, Part I, p. 137) gentlemen of known abilities in the respective departments which they had undertaken. The whole was to have been entitled, “The ancient and present state of the city and county of Dublin, ecclesiastical as well as civil, and also the natural history of the same county.”

The civil history and antiquities alone are here presented; and we cannot say to what accident or cause the disappointment of the remainder is to be charged. As to the papers, some judicious friends pronounced them valuable, as it was thereupon determined that they should see the light.

We would not be thought to recommend even what is here offered as an unexceptionable production; on the contrary we are of opinion it never received the author’s last hand, and that much more might have been said on so fruitful an occasions; but as that gentleman has furnished the contour, this publication may, nay probably will, be productive of this happy effect (beside the pleasure afforded to every lover of Irish antiquities) to prove an incitement, to some able writer, to set about the completion of a piece on so entertaining and use a subject.

To Chapter I. Harris Contents.