Preface to Volume 5.

PREFACE

The Council desires to preface this volume with the following explanation.

Howth and its Owners, published as an Extra Volume by the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, forms Part V of Dr F. Elrington Ball’s “History of County Dublin.” The previous volumes of the History were published as follows Part I, commencing with the parish of Monkstown, in 1902, Part II, in which Donnybrook was the first parish described, in 1903; Part III, commencing with the parish of Tallaght, in 1905; and Part IV, Clonsilla being the first parish described, in 1906.

“Howth and its Owners” differs from the preceding Parts in dealing with a single parish, one that possesses great interest on account of its position and its traditions. The Castle of Howth, perhaps the most beautifully situated residence in County Dublin, is of much historic importance. Its owners, the feudal Barons of Howth, played a notable part in the various scenes of Irish history. Their chief manor was conterminous with the present parish of Howth. It is one of the few manors that have remained in the hands of its original Lords from the time of the Anglo-Norman Conquest.

The long delay between the appearance of Part IV and the present volume is due to a request made to the author, in 1908, to undertake the publication of an edition of Swift’s Letters upon which Mr. Caesar Litton Falkiner was engaged at the time of his death. No editor so well qualified as Dr. Ball could be found, and he generously laid aside his History to take up that work.

When the author found himself once more free to resume his History, the European War had broken out, and his own outlook had been darkened by the death of those who had been beside him in the inception of the book, especially one most near to himself who was hoping to see its completion, and who was taken from him on the eve of the publication of the last volume of Swift’s Letters. For a time these circumstances prevented the consideration of any literary undertaking.

But the “History of County Dublin” was too important a work to be allowed to stand unfinished longer than was absolutely necessary; and on the solicitations of his friends Dr. Ball consented to consider seriously its completion. He has now entered on the task; but for the reasons which, by his own wish, have been only briefly touched upon, he decided that the publication of the further volumes should take a different form from the previous ones.

The present volume was, therefore, offered to our Society to be brought out as an Extra Volume, with this important difference from other Extra Volumes - that the whole expense of publication has been defrayed by the author, and that the Society has not been called upon in any way. The Society is greatly indebted to Dr. Ball, who has further intimated his intention of completing the History in two more volumes, with a general review and index, which he likewise intends to be published by our Society on the same generous terms as the present work.

The Council has been asked by the author to convey his most grateful thanks to all who have given him assistance. To the late and to the present owner of Howth he is indebted in an especial degree. Without the assistance of the late Earl of Howth, and of his successor, Commander J. C. Gaisford St. Lawrence, the volume could not have been written. To Lady Margaret Domvile he is under much obligation for the kind manner in which she placed her knowledge of the history of her family at his disposal. To Miss Mahaffy he is no less indebted, and the volume owes much to her intimate acquaintance with the peninsula and its traditions. Finally, the author has requested the Council to record his deep sense of the generous friendship of Mr. T. J. Westropp, the President; Mr. E. C. B. Armstrong, Professor B. A. S. Macalister, and the Honorary General Secretary, Mr. Charles MacNeill.

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