p 
 
 *•**., 
 

X5he 
 
 Urisb Dfn&icator 
 
 Both of 
 
 IRace anb Xanouacje 
 
 AN APPEAL TO THE IRISH RACE 
 TO SAVE THE IRISH LANGUAGE 
 
 P. J. O'DALY 
 
 
 iNCSf&EGEUBRARY 
 CHESTNUT HILL, MASS 
 
 1911 
 
 ANGEL GUARDIAN PRESS, 
 
 BOSTON. 
 

 180764 
 
 . 
 
PREFACE 
 
 A dhaoine gkabhan sios agus suas thar an ait seo, 
 Breithnighidh an long so air a' bpoll nil bao'al bathadh 
 Beidh Aelus da saora o stoirm an ghala, 
 Agus Ileitis a'reidheatach na d-tonn le mordkail di. 
 
 FREE TRANSLATION. 
 
 Terambukting bipeds let your minds ne'er alter, 
 Into fear, that this ship will ever sink in the water; 
 As Aeolus will there save it from the rage of the 
 
 storm, 
 And to harmonize waves for it Thetis won't falter. 
 
 The above four Irish lines, in the artistic Irish 
 letter, without a translation, appeared on a minia- 
 ture ship, in a window on Federal St., Boston, several 
 doors north from Kneeland St., on the eastern side, in 
 1872. Not only the artistic letter in which these 
 lines were penned, but also, the language in which 
 they were written, was a mystery to the crowds that 
 collected at that window from time to time for a 
 few days after the lines being placed there. 
 
 The first passer-by who read the lines was Mr. 
 Jeremiah Shaw of So. Boston then, now of Brighton 
 Dist. Boston; and possibly the only man then in 
 Boston, outside of the writer, P. J. O'Daly and 
 one other man, who could read them. 
 
 This incident brought together, the reader of the 
 lines and the writer thereof, and a few others, 
 friends of both, who had an idea of what Ireland 
 had suffered under English misrule; as well as of her 
 ancient greatness, ages before Englishism had any 
 existence in the world. 
 
 This little crowd, whom the above Irish lines 
 
2 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 were instrumental in bringing together, were prac- 
 tical speakers of the Irish language, fully familiar 
 with its idioms and peculiarities — familiar with 
 Tadhag Gaedheadch's Piuos Miscellany, and also 
 with much of the compositions in the Irish language, 
 of the Irish Bards of the last few centuries — in- 
 cluded Michael C. O'Shea, the leading light of the 
 Irish language in his day. He has written pam- 
 phlets tracing English, Greek and Latin to their 
 original roots in the Irish language. Mr. Jeremiah 
 Shaw also, has now, as the result of many years of 
 research, a pamphlet consisting of a few thousand 
 words in English traced to their roots in Irish. 
 
 This bunch thus brought together accidentally 
 knew Irish history, and some of them had been in 
 the premature Rising of 1867 in Ireland. At social 
 meetings thereof, the affairs of Ireland were often 
 discussed, and particularly the Irish language re- 
 ceived a share of attention; as it was clearly de- 
 monstrated that the slanders heaped on the Irish 
 race for centuries could never be refuted without 
 the revival of the Irish language, and familiarity 
 with Irish literature. As a result of these 
 meetings from time to time, there came into exis- 
 tence in Boston, in April 1873, the Philo-Celtic 
 Society, for the study of the Irish language. 
 
 Since that time the Irish language movement 
 has spread all over the world. The Philo-Celtic 
 Society and other Societies and schools which 
 sprang up afterwards for the study of the language 
 in Boston and vicinity have been trying, when 
 reporting their schools or classes in the newspapers 
 from time to time, to put forth the claims of the 
 Irish language to antiquity; and also its utility 
 from an educational point of view. 
 
 The newspapers, as well as the general public 
 being unacquainted with the value of the Irish 
 language from any point of view except the value 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 6 
 
 placed thereon through English literature for cen- 
 turies, that of a jargon, with no literature worthy 
 of the name, considered our claims extravagant, 
 and therefore refused to give them (our supposed 
 extravagant items) publicity. 
 
 Owing to the absurdities which crept into the 
 story of the " Travels of the Gaels," by Irish writers 
 in embellishing the relation thereof, having followed 
 Grecian literature before the geography of the 
 world became generally known; Irish historians 
 who wrote in English since geography became 
 known, were timid about asserting themselves 
 regarding the value of the Irish language, as they 
 did not understand it; or the antiquity and civil- 
 ization of the ancient Irish either, as they knew not 
 the history thereof, being unable to remove the 
 "absurdities;" and as a consequence the slanders 
 of English and pro-English writers on the Irish 
 race, had the field to themselves, and have still. 
 As a result the masses of the Irish people wherever 
 located, as a rule, take the writings of English and 
 pro-English scribes regarding Ireland and her people 
 in days gone by, as Gospel Truth, thus far. 
 
 When 1 read Keating's History of Ireland in my 
 boyhood days, and found the "absurdities" in 
 connection with "the Travels of the Gaels," the 
 idea struck me that there was an explanation for 
 them; and I never lost sight of that idea until I 
 discovered the fact. 
 
 After coming to Boston when opportunity offered 
 I found myself consulting the English translation 
 of the Topographical Dictionaries of the Countries 
 of Continental Europe, Western Asia and Nothern 
 Africa. I met a few points in Topography that 
 strengthened my original idea regarding the "ab- 
 surdities," but/made no headway in accomplishing 
 the ends aimed at, until the fac-similes of the 
 great Irish Manuscript volumes from Dublin, 
 
4 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 Ireland, arrived in our public Library of Boston, 
 some years ago. 
 
 With the aid of these books, and the knowledge 
 I had of the Irish language, particularly, the spoken 
 language, I removed some of the "absurdities," 
 from the "Travels of the Gaels," years ago; and 
 the others have been yielding by degrees, so that 
 at the present day I am in a position to assert the 
 great antiquity of the Gaels before their arrival in 
 Ireland, and am prepared to prove the same in 
 their '"Travels," which will be published in 
 1911. 
 
 Having this knowledge regarding the Irish race 
 and ancestors, and seeing how they have been ma- 
 ligned and slandered by English writers in the far 
 back post, and lately by writers in general: — any 
 Tom, Dick or Harry, "who would write himself 
 into a degree of notoriety, or favor, by effusions of 
 the most consummate ignorance and contemptible 
 Scurrility," in reference to the Gaels; — I deem it my 
 duty to lay the facts before the Irish race, and let 
 that race take action thereon; particularly the or- 
 ganizations thereof. 
 
 Even Irishmen and women today, impelled by 
 these misrepresentations, which are nigh universal 
 at present, are losing the self respect and indepen- 
 dence which characterized their race in times gone 
 by, when they knew their history through their 
 ancestral language. Hence "The Irish Vindicator 
 Both of Race and Language," is published to sound 
 the warning note to the Sea-devided Geals, and all 
 others who may feel interested. 
 
 The few samples given in the foot notes in this 
 little book, to prove the value of a knowledge of 
 Irish as a living language, will convince the classical 
 scholars, that there is a wide field to labor in yet, in 
 the etymological, philological, historical and myth- 
 ological lines: and that the only laborers that can 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 5 
 
 be successful in these lines are the practical speakers 
 of the Irish language. 
 
 It is the duty therefore of the classical scholars of 
 the race and all others interested, be their nation- 
 ality what it may, to aid and encourage by every 
 possible means, the movement for the preservation 
 of Irish as a living language, so that this great field 
 of general knowledge, neglected so long, may be 
 thoroughly cultivated, and the "acme" in educa- 
 tion, otherwise impossible, reached thereby. 
 
 Among those who read my manusrcipt of "The 
 Irish Vindicator both of Race and Language," 
 and made some suggestions whereby I profited, 
 both in arrangement and revision I shall mention 
 Rev. James I. Maguire, S. J., of Boston College, 
 E. A. Grozier, Editor and Publisher of the "Boston 
 Post;" Patrick Ford, Editor and Proprietor of the 
 "Irish World," N, York. Rev. Philip J. O'Donnell, 
 Pastor of St. Philip's Parish Boston; Rev. D. J. 
 Toomey, D. D., and Rev. F. A. Cunningham, Editor 
 of ' 'The Pilot, " to whom I hold myself under obliga- 
 tion; particularly the latter who read the proofs, as 
 they came from the Press. 
 
 To the matter of Financing the Publication, I 
 am indebted to Rev. Philip J. O'Donnell, Pastor 
 of St. Philip's Parish Boston, who became responsible 
 therefor^ and for which I am sincerely thankful to 
 him. 
 
 The subject being of such a peculiar nature — 
 out of the ordinary course of publications, and in 
 fact, that such was possible, incredible to the masses 
 of the Irish race — I deemed it advisable to handle 
 the publication myself. 
 
 That such an* undertaking required some cash is 
 evident to every individual who has any conception 
 of the business; and of those to whom I explained 
 my lack of equipment in that particular line, E A. 
 Grozier Editor and Publisher of the "Boston Post,' ' 
 
6 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 was the only man who responded, with an order for 
 cash on his bank, without bond or security, to be 
 paid at my convenience; an act which I shall never 
 forget. 
 
 P. J. O'Daly. 
 Boston, November 26th, 1910. 
 
 Post Script. 
 
 "The Irish Vindicator, both of Race and Lan- 
 guage," is an entering wedge for the vindication of 
 the Irish race, a subject too long neglected; and the 
 scholars of the race may be depended on to drive it. 
 However an Irish language "ollord," alone, can force 
 it to the extend of bursting the plank it has entered, 
 the plank which has been placed between the Irish 
 race and the light of their ancient civilization, for 
 centuries; and in order to place the book within the 
 reach of the masses of that race, it will be sold 
 at 10c a copy. Well bound copies, 25c. 
 
 P. J. O'D. 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 7 
 
 DEDICATION 
 
 To the Organizations of the Irish race all over 
 the world. "The Irish Vindicator Both of Race, 
 and Language," is dedicated by the author. 
 
 The Organizations of the Irish race, wherever 
 located, although their objects may van-, have in 
 common, pride of race, and love for the Emerald 
 Isle, the land of their ancestors for three thousand 
 six hundred years; and the ardent degree in which 
 they possess these characteristics depends as a 
 natural consequence, upon the historic knowledge 
 they have of their ancestors. 
 
 That knowledge has been denied the Irish race 
 for the last seven centuries by the English govern- 
 ment having suppressed the civilization of that race, 
 a civilization that was not surpassed in the world, as 
 Irish literature and Irish Laws, will prove to-day; 
 nor equalled in point permanency, and all they know 
 as a rule, of that civilization at present is a faint 
 tradition. And were it not for the advanced state of 
 cultivation to which the Gaelic language had reached 
 ages before the Anglo Norman invasion, and the 
 copiousness and variety of its literature, which 
 absorbed the foreign element, as it came, by degrees, 
 for a-long time, despite the laws enacted by England 
 to check such a course, there would not be even a 
 "faint tradition," of that civiliaztion among the 
 masses of the Irish race at the present day. 
 
 The ignoble work of maligning and slandering 
 the Irish was commenced by the English nation in 
 the 12th century, A. D., and continued ever since, 
 but in latter centuries in a more modified degree. 
 A sample from Hume the English historian of the 
 18th century is, in substance, that "The Irish from 
 the commencement of time were steeped in ignorance 
 and babarism." 
 
 But the English nation did not confine itself to 
 
8 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 slanders and misrepresentations of the Irish race 
 all these centuries; the more effective deeds of blood 
 thirsty murders, extirpation and annihilation of 
 that race, both lay and clerical, young and old, male 
 and female, were resorted to. 
 
 As was natural to expect, things grew worse after 
 the reformation, particularly after Queen Elizabeth 
 having ascended the throne; it was then that the 
 clergy were expelled and the images removed from 
 the churches. "All through her reign bishops and 
 priests were slaughtered in great numbers." In 
 1602 Elizabeth issued a proclamation that all priests 
 should leave the country, and to enable them to do 
 so, she promised them a free passage, 51 monks 
 
 accepted this offer, but when they reached mid- 
 ocean, having sailed from Limerick city, they were 
 flung into the sea, in accordance with private in- 
 structions from the Queen (Elizabeth.) 
 
 The Puritans were followers of John Calvin, the 
 fanatic of Switzerland who protested against the 
 authority of the Pope as did Henry VIII of England 
 and others. They came into power in England 
 and Scotland in the reign of Charles I., who as- 
 cended the English throne in 1625. Lord Claren- 
 don says that the Puritan leaders "had sworn to 
 extirpate the whole Irish nation," and Carte affims 
 that "the lords justices had set their hearts on the 
 extirpatiohn, not only of the mere Irish, but like- 
 wise of all the English families (in Ireland) that 
 were Roman Catholics." Butchering by whole- 
 sale in Ireland, commenced under the leadership of 
 Sir Charles Coote. Three thousand men, women 
 and children were put to death in one night by the 
 Scotch garrison of Carrickfergus, which came upon 
 them suddenly in Island Magee., on the coast of 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 AntrfKkin Ulster, Nov. 1641. This Coote declared 
 that he would not spare even "a babe though it were 
 but a span long." This state of affairs in Ireland 
 brought into existence the organization known as 
 "The Confederation of Kilkenny," which embraced 
 the Anglo Irish as well as the native Irish Catholics. 
 This Confederation to some extent checked the whole 
 sale slaughter, and gave something to do to the 
 government, which was now in the hands of the 
 Puritans; and would in all probality succeed in sub- 
 duing the Puritanic power if they stuch together; 
 but the Anglo-Irish element of the Confederation 
 became somewhat lement towards the king, and, 
 as a consequence the Puritans eventually succeeded. 
 Here are samples of the entreaties that appeared 
 in a political pamphlet published in London in 
 1647, calling for an expedition to deal with the Irish 
 in Ireland. "1 beg upon my hands and knees, that 
 the expedition against them may be undertaken 
 while the hearts and hands of our soldiers are hot, 
 to whom I will be bold to say briefly: Happy is 
 he that shall reward them as they have served us, 
 and cursed is he that shall do the work of the Lord 
 negligently. Cursed be he that holdeth back 
 his sword from blood; yea, cursed be he that 
 
 MAKETH NOT HIS SWORD STARKE DRUNK WITH IRISH 
 
 blood: * * * Let not that eye look for pity, nor 
 that hand be spared, that pities or spares them, and 
 let him be accursed that curserth them not 
 bitterly!!!" 
 
 In two years after these blood-thirsty entreat- 
 ies in August, 1649, Cromwell the Puritan 
 general went to Ireland with 14,000 men to put 
 an end to tfre struggle that existed in the country 
 
10 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 by killing and banishing the Irish race from the 
 island. History tells his career after landing, 
 being remarkable for the amount of blood which 
 he caused to be shed there in a few months. 0^fh^ 
 
 "Thus at Drogheda, although quarter had 
 been promised, the work of slaughter lasted 
 5 days, and the 2000 men composing the garrison 
 were put to the sword, together with 1000 un- 
 resisting victims who had sought refuge in the 
 great church. The few who escaped death 
 were sent as slaves to the Barbadoes, Sept. 11th. 
 
 In his letter to parliament relative to this 
 massacre, Cromwell calls it "a righteous judg- 
 ment of God upon the barharous wretches." 
 and says, "Our rnen were ordered by me, to put 
 them all to the sword. " 
 
 "At Wexford the enemy broke into the town 
 during a truce, and 'no distinction,' says Lin- 
 gard, 'was made between the defenceless in- 
 habitants and the armed soldiers, nor could the 
 shrieks of 300 females who gathered round the 
 great cross, in the market place, preserve them 
 from the swords of these ruthless barbarians. 
 
 "The clergy of every grade and order were 
 driven by the law into perpetual banishment, and 
 if they dared to remain in the kingdom, or re- 
 turn to it again after the first of February 1652, 
 they were condemned to be hanged till half -dead, 
 then cut down alive and beheaded, their heads 
 put upon poles on the highways, and their hearts 
 and entrails publicly burned. A price was set 
 upon each head, (it was the price of a wolf's,) 
 and the money was paid when the bloody eviden- 
 ce of the murder was delivered." — (Irish Mar- 
 tyrs and Confessors.) 
 
 The blood money in those days was £5, which 
 was then equal in value to about $200 of the 
 present day money. This made non-Catholic 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 11 
 
 informers numerous in the country, even history 
 tells us that Portuguese Jews came to Ireland 
 making money as Priest-hunters. Besides the 
 number slain of all ages, in Cromwell's time in 
 Ireland, there were from 60,000 to 100,000 in- 
 cluding the military age, boys, girls and women 
 sent into exile. Many of these were sold as 
 slaves. 
 
 Notwithstanding the wholesale slaughter and 
 banishment of the people by Cromwell, the 
 population was still large; so the Irish govern- 
 ment, controlled by the chief officers of the 
 regicide party, thought of another plan, to get 
 rid of them at least to remove them from the 
 best lands of the country, and make room for 
 the foreigners. The plan is told by Lord 
 Clarendon, thus: — 
 
 "They found the utter extirpation of the 
 nation (which they had intended) to be in itself 
 very difficult, and to carry in it something of 
 a horror, that made some impression on the 
 stonehardness of their own hearts. After so 
 many thousands destroyed by the plague which 
 raged over the kingdom, by fire, sword and 
 famine, and after so many thousands trans- 
 ported into foreign parts, there remained still 
 such a numerous people that they knew not 
 how to dispose of; and though they were declared 
 to be all forfeited, and so to have no title to 
 anything, yet they must remain somewhere. 
 They, therefore found this expedient, which 
 they called an act of grace: there was a large 
 tract of land, even to the half of the province 
 of Connaught,/that was separated from the rest 
 by a long and large river, and which by the 
 plague and many massacres, remained almost 
 desolate. Into this space they required all 
 the Irish to retire by such a day, under the pe- 
 
12 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 nalty of death ; and all who should after that time 
 be found in any other port of the kingdom,, man 
 woman, or child, should be killed by any- 
 body who saw or met them. The land within 
 this circuit, the most barren in the kingdom, 
 was, out of the grace and mercy of the conquerers, 
 assigned to those of the nation as were enclosed 
 in such proportions as might, with great in- 
 dustry, preserve their lives." '(" Clarendon V 
 Life;" vol. 2, p 116). 
 
 The 1st of May 1654, was the date on which 
 the Catholics of Munster, Leinster, and Ulster 
 such of them as then existed — were forced to 
 cross the Shannon into "hell, or Connaught,"as 
 the Cromwillians used the phrase. The total 
 amount of land confiscated from the Catholics 
 of these three provinces, was 7,708,237 acres. 
 
 Even in the latter half of the 16th century 
 when the wars of the Earl of Desmond against 
 the government of Queen Elizabeth in Ireland, 
 were over, the country was in a desolatte con- 
 dition. In the words of Edmund Spencer 
 the English poet, Munster was reduced to "a 
 heap of carcasses and ashes" This was not 
 surprising when we find the English soldiers 
 in the country in those days getting orders "to 
 kill, burn, and destroy without restraint; and 
 so eager were these minions for slaughter, that 
 they spared neither man, woman, nor child, 
 but all were committed to the sword." 
 
 In those days, "unheard of cruelties were 
 committed on the inhabitants of Munster by 
 the English commanders. Great companies 
 of these provincials, men, women, and children, 
 were often forced into castles and other houses, 
 which were then set on fire. And if any of 
 them attempted to escape from the flames, they 
 were shot or stabbed by the soldiers who stood 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 13 
 
 guard outside. It was a diversion to these 
 monsters of men to take up infants on the point 
 of the -pier and whirl them about in their agony 
 apologizing for their cruelty, by saying that if 
 they suffered them to live, to grow up, they 
 would become popish rebels. " 
 
 After such atrocities in the 10th century and 
 continued by Cromwell in the 17 th century 
 with increased bitterness and inhumanity ( if 
 such were possible;) and the introduction of the 
 "penals laws/' in the 18th century, to get rid 
 of the Irish race in Ireland; it was realy miracu- 
 lous to find any Irish people in existence, 
 anywhere, at least in Ireland, afterwards. 
 
 After Cromwell's time and the restoration of 
 the Stewarts, the slaughters were not so com- 
 mon as before; but no stone was" left un- 
 turned by the government from time to 
 time, to get the leaders of the people, who 
 were advocating their rights, into conspiracies 
 for their ruination. We have samples of 
 efforts in this line by the English govern- 
 ment, in Ireland, in the case of O'Neill 
 of Ulster, when the "anonymus letter was drop 
 ped in the Council Chamber of Dublin Castle 
 containing charges of high treason against him 
 and O'Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell, on the 
 ground that they had attended a meeting of 
 Catholic gentleman." As a result these leaders 
 fled to the continent in 1607, knowing what was 
 in store for them. This incident is known as, 
 "The flight of the Earls." 
 
 In the case of Titus Oates of England, an 
 infamous perjurer who charged the Catholics 
 of that country with conspiracy against the 
 king and the protectant religion in 1687, we 
 have another sample; and Ireland had to suffer 
 for this conspiracy said to have been planned 
 
14 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 in England; as the following paragraph will 
 show: — "Although knowing them to be innocent, 
 Desmond, at once disarmed the Catholics (of 
 Ireland,) closed their chapels, suppressed their 
 schools, and commanded all priests to quit the 
 island by a certain day." 
 
 After the unparrallelled efforts in the 16th 
 and 17 centuries, and I may say the 18th, to 
 wipe out the Irish, it is nothing short of a miracle 
 to observe how they multiplied, so that in the 
 first half of the 19th century, they enumerated 
 between & and 9 millions. But the hand of the 
 despoiler came again in the same 19th century, 
 a woman ruler, Queen Victoria, in whose reign 
 1,225,000 of the Irish people died of starvation, 
 and at the same time food stuffs enough to 
 support double the population, leaving the 
 country, to make the rent for the landlords; 
 and over 4,000,000 of the population emigrated 
 — fled from starvation! II 
 
 But if the race is not in Ireland, it is abroad 
 all over the world, in both hemispheres, north 
 and south; and the universal multiplication 
 today, of the Irish race, which went close on 
 extinction as late as two centuries ago, may be 
 an indication that they are destined for some 
 important mission in the future, both at home 
 and abroad. They have a record in the far 
 back past that no nation in the world thus far, 
 is able to produce; and "No people can look 
 
 I forward to prosferity who cannot often look 
 back to their ancestors." 
 
 With the Irish language revival Ireland will 
 become again the School of Europe, as it was 
 before for ages anterior to the Anglo Norman 
 invasion. 
 
 There is a future for the Irish race abroad also, 
 provided that they follow in the footsteps of 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 15 
 
 their ancestors whose name and fame shall yet 
 shine before the civilized world, through a know- 
 ledge of their language and literature, which is 
 absolutely necessary from an educational point 
 of view. 
 
 Those slanders and misrepresentations of 
 English writers have permeated the masses 
 of the Irish race who believe them facts at the 
 present day in the absence of any effort by the 
 Irish race to refute them, for the last 3 centuries. 
 When Camden's Compilation became public 
 property in 1602 the following Irish writers 
 refuted the slanders; Dr. Keating the historian 
 Dr. Lynch, Rev. Father White a Jesuit, and 
 Philip O'Sullivan of Bere Haven. The former 
 wrote in Irish and the latter three wrote in Latin. 
 This list of Irish vindicators upholds the asser- 
 tion that the descendants of the foreigners in 
 Ireland, "become more Irish than the Irish 
 themselves ;" as the former 3 names are descen- 
 dants of foriegners. 
 
 In their works of refutation those Irish writers 
 were successful; but unfortunately for the 
 diffusion of the knowledge which their writings 
 conveyed, the Irish language was then banned 
 and proscribed by English law in Ireland; and 
 the Latin language intelligible only to a few 
 comparatively ; and to add to these disadvantages 
 the tyranny of the English government in the 
 country, in those days, as shown in these pages, 
 was so severe that as a result, the efforts of those 
 Irish champion vindicators of the Seventeenth 
 century were lost sight of. 
 
 Now, "The Irish vindicator Both of Race 
 and Language^" makes its appearance in the 
 tenth year of'the twentieth century, to spread 
 the light among the Sea-divided Gaels, through 
 the medium of the English language which they 
 
16 THE IRISH VINDIVATOR. 
 
 know as a rule — I am sorry to have to say — 
 better than their ancestoral tongue. And as 
 I he misrepresentations are so long in existence 
 it will take an organized effort to supplant them 
 with the truth. 
 
 Happily, however, there is no need of new 
 organizations for this important mission. In 
 every community in which the Irish are factors 
 thereof to any extent in any country, there is an 
 Irish organization; and the assertion that love 
 for Ireland and pride of race have a place in the 
 memory of the members of these organizations 
 is very clearly demonstrated on each recurring 
 anniversary of Saint Patrick's Day, St. Bridget's 
 Day, and the 4th of March. Also, May Day, 
 Midsummer's Day (transferred to St. John's 
 Festival) and All Hallow Eve, are beginning 
 to be observed; particularly the latter. 
 
 The observance of remarkable anniversaries 
 of their ancestral land by the organizations of 
 the Irish race in foreign countries is peculiarly 
 characteristic of that race. The "faint tradition' 
 of the name and fame of their race, in the far 
 back past is clinging tenaciously to the mind; 
 and as the light which has been checked for 
 centuries is beginning to gleam, and the truths 
 which have been smothered for ages, are begin- 
 ning to be proclaimed to the world, the organ- 
 izations, now in existence, of that race, malig- 
 ned and slandered, butchered and banished 
 for centuries, by the English nation, may be 
 depended on to become the main instrument 
 in the accomplishment of the work so long de- 
 layed — the vindication of their slandered sires; 
 and thereby place their race for ever more in 
 the proper light before the world. Hence this 
 publication is dedicated to these organizations 
 by the author. P. J. O y Dely. 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 1' 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 In recapitulation it can be seen that the 
 criminal acts of the successive governments 
 of England for centuries, in Ireland, have 
 no parellel for severity in the history of the 
 world. 
 
 It is safe to say that the persent English 
 ruler, George V. is not aware of a twen- 
 tieth of the inhuman attrocities of his 
 predecessors in Ireland and that when he 
 becomes cognisant of samples thereof, he 
 will be seized with pangs of re- 
 morse, that will give him no peace of 
 mind until he relaxes the political grip by 
 which Ireland is suffering still at the hands 
 of his government; and thereby atone to 
 some extent for the acts of his prede- 
 cessors; some of whom yere of his kindred. 
 
 The value of a knoledge of the Irish 
 language is such that it will enable the 
 scholar to reach the "acme" in education, 
 a stage which never can be reached, if 
 that language were allowed to die. Not- 
 withstanding this fact., the English gov- 
 ernment in Ireland, through its West 
 British, and Seoinin (show-neen) elements, 
 is opposed to the Irish language revival — 
 that ancient language, the loss of which 
 would be irreparable to the literary world. 
 Thus the English government stands an 
 abstructionist to advancement in educa- 
 tion. Will the English Crown head bear 
 this serious charge, before the civilized 
 world? 
 
 In fine, the claim of the English Crown 
 head, to govern Ireland, is based on lies. 
 First, the misrepresentation of Ireland to 
 
18 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 the Pope of Rome, by Henry II. King of 
 England, who was himself accessory to the 
 murder of Thomas a Becket, Catholic 
 Archbishop of Canterbury, England, and 
 Next, a spurious Bull, which he claimed was 
 given by Popa Adrian IV., to maintain 
 justice in Ireland, from political and Cath- 
 olic religious standpoints. There is food 
 for thought here for his Majesty George V. 
 
. THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 Both of Race and Language. 
 
 An Appeal to the Irish race in general to 
 save the Irish Language. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Slanders of the English nation, on the Irish race; their 
 object, nature, and universality; refutation thereof by 
 Irish writers. 
 
 After the failure of Henry II, king of England, to 
 subdue Ireland by force of arms in the 12th century, it 
 was considered good policy to make it appear that 
 the Anglo Norman invasion of Ireland was justified in 
 order to civilize the country. With that object in view, 
 Geraldus Cambrenses, called by the eloquent Domini- 
 can Father Tom Burke, " Jerry de Welchman," the 
 right hand man of the king,came to Ireland with the 
 King's son John, and commenced to write "The Topo- 
 graphy of Ireland," which he finished in 3 years; in a 
 couple of years more he wrote a "History of the Conquest 
 of Ireland," in both of which he has slandered and 
 misrepresented the Irish race, most foully; and made 
 it appear as best he could, that the invasion would be 
 a benefit to them. 
 
 Dr. Lynch in his "Cambrensis Eversus," says of 
 these works: "The virulent calumnies levelled on the 
 Irish, in these productions, drew down some censure on 
 the author immediately after their publicatoin" ; 
 
 As an example of the slanders, he (Geraldus Cam- 
 brenses) says that the king of Kinel-Connail, the 
 O'Donnell, used to be inaugurated in the following 
 manner : 
 
 "All the inhabitants of his territory being assembled 
 on a high hill in his domains a white marc was killed 
 
 19 
 
20 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 and put to boil in a large cauldron, in the middle of a 
 field; when it was sufficiently boiled, the king used to 
 lap up the broth with his mouth like a hound or dog 
 and eat the flesh out of his hand, without using a knife 
 or any other instrument to cut it; he then divided the 
 rest of the flesh amongst the assembly and afterwards 
 bathed himself in the broth." 
 
 Dr. Keating, after quoting this in the Preface to his 
 History of Ireland, continuing, says: "This is plainly 
 °n impudent falsehood of Cambrensis, for the annals 
 of Ireland explicitly record the mode of inaugurating 
 the kings of 'Kinel Connaill.' The ceremony was 
 performed thus : 'The king being seated on a hill, in the 
 midst of the nobility and gentry of his own territory, one 
 of the chiefs of his nobles stood before him, bearing in 
 his hand a straight, white wand, which he presented 
 to the king, telling him, at the same time, 'to receive 
 the Sovereignty of his country and to preserve equal and 
 impartial justice between all portions of his dominions.' ' 
 Every century since the 12th produced English 
 writers who followed the example of Cambrensis, and 
 embellished his stories to suit their own prejudices; but 
 the writings of all were confined to manuscripts, till 
 the 17th. century, at the opening of which Camden, an 
 English writer, published a compilation of all the EngUsli 
 scribes, who preceded himself; Cambrensis included, 
 This work, entitled "Our Ancient Historians," 
 (English historians,) contained all the slanders heaped 
 upon the Irish race, as well as the other writings of the 
 slanderers. It is safe to say that Camden omitted none. 
 Owing to the scarcity of literature in those days; and 
 Camden having a reputation through Europe, as a 
 scholar, this compilation of his, written in Latin, was 
 translated into all the languages of continental Europe; 
 and thereby the slanders penned by English historians, 
 on the Irish race, from the 12th, to the 17th, century, 
 were placed before the eyes of the European Continent ; 
 and as a consequence they have been ever since, preju- 
 
THE IRISH^VINDICATOR. 21 
 
 dicial to the interest of the Irish race wherever Iacated; 
 and will be until such time as they are refuted. 
 
 The publication of this work by Camden even, did 
 not prevent the slanders from still making their appear- 
 ance; for we find Hume, the English historian of the 
 18th, century, contributing his mite in substance 
 thus: "The Irish from the commencement of time, 
 were steeped in ignorance and barbarism.!" 
 
 Camden's Compilation was published in Frank- 
 fort in Germany in 1602 A. D., and as soon as it made 
 its appearance in Ireland, Irish writers took up the pen 
 in defense of the ancient Irish, and wrote books in 
 refutation of the slanders. 
 
 Dr. Keating, the Herodotus of Ireland, wrote a 
 history of the country in the Irish language*and in th e 
 Preface he makes the assertion that he would never 
 have undertaken the work except for the express pur- 
 pose of proving the civilization of the ancient Irish 
 race; and thereby refute the slanders of English writers. 
 
 Dr. Lynch wrote his "Cambrensis Eversus," in the 
 Latin language; and therein he proves "Cambrensis" 
 a falsifier. 
 
 Enough had been said by Dr. Keating in the Preface 
 to his history, regarding the slanders, to move the 
 Gaels, with a fair share of the spirit of their race, into 
 activity, (in the refutation thereof;) but the Irish spirit, 
 seemingly, had weakened, and continued weakening 
 ever since, or the Irish language would not be allowed 
 to decline as it did, after Keating's time; and although 
 his history was translated into English over a century 
 
 * Here will follow, in foot notes, samples of proof of the assertions 
 made herein regarding the value of a knowledge of the Irish lan- 
 guage, from etymological, mythological, and historical points of 
 view. 
 
 It may not be generally known nor believed, that the Gaelic 
 language (now known in Ireland and among the Irish race all over 
 the world, as the Irish language) was the first language of Europe; 
 but the analyzation by that language of ancient topograph!- 
 
22 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 a g°> yet, not one in 10,000 of the Irish race today, 
 knows it ; and fewer still of the race, have even heard of 
 the elaborate work of Dr. Lynch; notwithstanding the 
 fact that it was specially written in vindication of the 
 Irish race, and translated into English over half a 
 century ago. 
 
 It is not to be wondered at however, that the Irish 
 spirit weakened in Keating's time, and before and after 
 it; for such acts of tyranny as were then practised on 
 the people of Ireland, for the express purpose of wiping 
 them off the face of the earth, were never known in the 
 world. Even the severity of English tyranny in Ire- 
 land in those days, will never be known in its entirety. 
 Consequently there is a reason and a strong one, for 
 the inactivity of the people of Ireland in those days, 
 concrrning the Irish lauguage; it was banned and pro- 
 scribed by the English government;, and the people 
 hung, butchered and banished for no crime only for 
 being in existence. Therefore it was not of the preser- 
 vation of the Irish language they were thinking in those 
 days. 
 
 There is however,, no excuse for the Irish race today, 
 for their inactivity in the Irish language movement, 
 at least in free America. 
 
 cal names of that continent, what no other language can do, proves 
 the assertion. 
 
 Example: "Trianaicia," the ancient name of the island of Sicily 
 in the Medeterranean Sea, means the country or island of the three 
 points; from "tri," three, "ac," a point, and "ia," a country, or an 
 island. "Aicia" (nikia) which means the country or island of the 
 points, was used as a name at first; and eventually the number of 
 t he points was designated; and therefore, it was called ""Trianaicia. 
 
 Freeman, who wrote a history of Sicily, is at a loss to know what 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 23 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The value of a knowledge of the Irish lanugage, and 
 familiarity with its literature, from the standpoint of the 
 Irish race; and also from an educational point of view 
 
 By means of a knowledge of the Irish language and 
 familiarity with its copious literature, it can be proved 
 that the ancestors of the Irish race, long before the 
 coming of the Milesian Colony to Ireland, laid the 
 foundation of Seythian, Egyptian, and European 
 civilization, ages before theGreeks, had an existence — 
 that Ollamh Fodla (ol-lav foa-la) the great Irish 
 legislator, established a senatorial form of government 
 in Ireland, in the 14th, century, B. C, ages before Solon 
 or Lycurgus, was born to Greece; and before Romulus 
 and Remus came into existence. 
 
 Through a knowledge of that same language and 
 literature, the unaccounted for percentage of the voca- 
 bularies of the English, Greek and Latin languages, 
 can be explained etymologically — the percentage of 
 the vocabularies of these languages with false etymology, 
 can be corrected — the mystic veil can be removed 
 from Grecian and Roman mythology — items of so- 
 called ancient history and geography, rectified — the 
 light of ancient history shed on the era of civilization 
 that preceded that of the Greeks, and the history of 
 the Irish race and its ancestors, can be proved the most 
 ancient and authentic in the world. 
 
 rought the letter V in the middle of the word; but if he knew 
 Irish he would know that by a grammatical principle it was placed 
 before the initial vowel "a" of "aicia," when the other part of the 
 compound was -placed before it. 
 
 Another example is "Lacedaemonia," a long valley surrounded 
 on three sides by mountains, in the south easterly district of Greece 
 It is much in the shape of a bowl, "hollow," but somewhat elong- 
 ated. The name took different forms such as Laconia, Laconica 
 etc.; but Lacedaemon was the original form, being that used by 
 
24 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 Thus we find the ancient Gaels of Egypt, and of 
 continental Europe, were pioneers in civilization from 
 time immemorial; and the civilization of their descen- 
 dants in Ireland, in the days of "Ollamh Fodla," and 
 for ages afterwards, had reached a stage that was never 
 equaled in the world; as Irish literature and Irish laws 
 will prove today. 
 
 In "O'Harts' Irish Pedegrees," appears an article 
 on "Ollamh Fodla" (ol-lav foa-la) the great Irish 
 lawgiver, who flourished as Monarch of Ireland in the 
 14th, century B. C, and who established a senatorial 
 form of government in Ireland, the only country on 
 the face of the globe where such a form of government 
 existed then. In comparing the government of "Ol- 
 lamh Fodla," with that of the Grecian lawgivers, the 
 author (O'Hart) has the following comment: 
 
 "It is remarkable how much men are misled by names 
 of authority; for instance, the ancient lawgivers of 
 Greece have been extolled for centuries as the greatest 
 sages of the world; and every portion of their labors 
 minutely investigated and explained through the ac- 
 cident of their language and philosophy having been 
 studied by the Romans, who led the mind of Europe so 
 long before and after the Christian era; while such 
 characters as that of "Ollamh Fodla," have been neglec- 
 ted and despised through the same caprice of custom. 
 Those who are best acquainted with them contend 
 that the Irish Annals are far more perfect and trust- 
 worthy than those of the Greeks and yet they are utterly 
 unheeded. 
 
 Homer. "They (the names) are usually derived from a mythical 
 hero, Lacon or Lacedaemon; but some modem writers think that 
 the root Lac is connected with Lakos, Lakkos, Lacus, Lacuna 
 and was given originally to the central district from its being deep 
 ly sunk between mountains." 
 
 The component parts of the word are Irish; "leaca," is the cheek , 
 or a slope of a mountain, "doimhain," or "doimhin," deep, and 
 "ia," a country; meaning the country of the deep cheek, or slope 
 of a mountain. The Greeks gave the aspirated "m" in the Irish 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 25 
 
 "If we were to compare the labors of 'Ollamh Fodla,' 
 with those of Lykourgus (or Lycurgus) and Solon (who 
 came into existence 5 or 6 centuries later) we think it 
 would not be difficult to prove their great superiority 
 in all that is truly estimable. His system of govern- 
 ment was as remarkable for its enlarged liberal and 
 gentle adaptation to the wants and interests of the people 
 and its encouragement and cultivation of their highest 
 qualities, as theirs was for an arbitrary, limited and 
 harsh policy, which aimed at repressing the most amiable 
 attributes of man's nature and only fostered his sterner 
 and least estimable feelings. His was fitted for all 
 mankind; theirs, but for a small community. 
 
 "Owing to the internal dissensions of the state, the 
 operation of his system was interrupted for some time 
 after his death; but was revived in precisely the same 
 form, and continued unchanged in its chief points for 
 many centuries: thus excelling even that of Greece in 
 point of permanency." 
 
 Nevertheless, owing to the slanders of the English 
 nation since the 12th century, the universal belief today 
 is that the ancient Irish were barbarians; and in 
 the absence of any effort by the Irish race to refute those 
 slanders, since Dr. Keating s time, the masses o] the 
 Irish people themselves, at present, and for some time 
 past, as is natural to expect, take it for granted that 
 English writers told the truth regarding the Irish race! 
 
 Is not this a deplorable state of affairs; the masses 
 of the Irish people, wherever located, believing in the 
 calumnies heaped upon their ancestors for centuries, 
 
 word for deep, its radical sound. 
 
 Also, another example is ' ' Charybdis," a name in Grecian 
 literature for a whirlpool near the east coast of Sicily, which was 
 considered very dangerous to boats in the palmy days of Greece 
 anc\ Rome. It istlerived from two Irish words "caire," a cauld- 
 ron and "badh" (bau) a bay, or arm of the sea. In this whirl- 
 pool the water is agitated the same as boiling water in a kettle or 
 pot; so that it gut a suitable name, "bay cauldron." 
 
 Take the termination "is" which is peculiarly Grecian from 
 
26 
 
 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 and the same idea still prevailing in consequence of their 
 own unnatural indifference towards the language and 
 literature of their race. 
 
 the word and you have "charybd," "bd" of which is contracted 
 from "badh," a bay; the "d" final of "badh" having got its 
 radical sound, and the "a" being omitted. The English word 
 "bay", an arm of the sea, is an Anglecised form of the Irish word 
 "badh" (bau) "y" being used in place of the "d" aspirated, or 
 "dh" in the Irish word. But English lexicographers say it (bay) 
 is contracted from the root of Sax. "bygle," an angle. This is 
 an example of how English etymologists deprived the Irish Ian- 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 27 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 An appeal to the sea-divided Gaels, to vindicate 
 their slandered sires, by the perservation of the Irish 
 language — to the existing organizations theroef, to 
 take the initiative steps therefor. English education- 
 alists supporting the slanders of Cambrensis and Co. 
 Gaelic mainly instrumental in building up the English 
 vocabulary. 
 
 Let there be a halt called to this, though non-cogni- 
 sant, slavish course of the race. Let the sea-divided 
 Gaels, wake up to a sense of tlieir duty towards the vin- 
 dication of their slandered Sires — towards tJie removal 
 of the stigma resulting from the calumnies of the past, 
 from themselves and their descendants; and towards 
 the educational advancement of the nations with whom 
 they have been identified; while the means wherewith to 
 accomplish these ends, are still at their disposal — the 
 Irish language and its literature. 
 
 Let the existing organizations of the race throughout 
 the world take the initiative steps in this laudable 
 movement — let them make the movement what it 
 should be, as they are equipped for the work, being 
 orgainzed — let them show their patriotism and pride 
 of race; and prove them, by flinging the banner of 
 ''vindication" to the breeze, and let the wealthy and 
 well to-do elements of the race, outside of organiza- 
 
 guage of the credit due to it for building up the Anglo Saxon tongue 
 and its superstructure the English language. 
 
 The ancien^ language of the Gael had received cultivation be- 
 fore it came to Europe, and when the dialects which sprang from 
 it eventually, in that coontinent, commenced to receive cultivation 
 they did not adapt themselyes, as a rule to the aspirate, or second- 
 ary sound system of the ancient alphabet, which consisted of 16 
 letters; and later 17, by the addition of "p" — closed f — to the 
 
28 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 tions, see to it that the practical workers for the ends 
 aimed at, do not stand in need of any financial aid. 
 
 Even the educational department of the English 
 nation labored strenuously to support the historical 
 department in multiplying the slanders on the Irish 
 race, and in maintaining them as truth, and they have 
 well succeeded so far. 
 
 When the Anglo Saxons came to Britain in 449 A. D. 
 they were illiterate, and the Irish being far advanced 
 in civilization then, took compassion on this unlettered 
 people, to the extend that they taught them the alphabet 
 the Irish alphabet — and educated their youth, and 
 the literary inclined of their race, for several centuries 
 afterwards, in the institutions of learning in Ireland, 
 free of charge. 
 
 During those centuries that the Anglo Saxons, and 
 also the early English were educated in Ireland, by the 
 thousands, they were borrowing from the copious 
 vocabulary of the Irish language, to supply the deficien- 
 cy in their own limited vocabulary. We may infer 
 from this fact that the Gaelic, or Irish language was 
 mainly instrumental in building up the Anglo Saxon 
 tongue, and its superstructure the English language 
 during the greater part of the "middle ages." 
 
 No such intercourse, as that with the Irish, existed 
 between the Anglo Saxons and early English, and any 
 other people, that spoke Latin and Greek either as 
 living or dead languages, except the intercourse they 
 had with these tongues, in the Catholic Church, as 
 dead languages; and that naturrally limited the bor- 
 
 original number; and as a consequence new letters were invented 
 to represent the secondary sounds of the nine mutable consonants 
 of the original alphabet. 
 
 Then came into existence "v'\ "w," "y" etc.; in the lan- 
 guages of Europe. The loss of the Irish language — the only 
 language which has preserved the original alphabet — would there 
 fore be detrimental to all the languages of Europe; more parti- 
 cularly to the English language, whose vocabulary was mainly 
 made up from it; during the major part of the "middle ages." 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 29 
 
 rowing power of the Anglo Saxons and early English 
 from Latin and Greek, to church literature. 
 
 Notwithstanding these facts, English lexicographers 
 have votunleered the information that the English 
 language was mainly made up from Latin and Greek. 
 This was part and parcel of the slanders inaugurated 
 by Geraldus Cambrensis, in the 12th, century at the 
 instigation, it is said, of Henry II. King of England. 
 
 The Gaelic was the first language of Europe; and as 
 a consequence all the languages that sprang up in the 
 European continent, since the advent of the Gaelic 
 thereinto, are dialects thereof. The Greek and Latin, 
 therefore, being dialects of the Gaelic, contain, as is 
 natural to expect, a large percentage of the word-ma- 
 terial therein; So English etymologists, in arranging 
 the etymology of their own language; with their minds 
 made up to misrepresent the Gaelic language, and 
 thereby support the slanders of Cambrensis and Co., 
 gave to the Latin and Greek, the credit due to the 
 Gaelic, or Irish language, for building up the English 
 vocabulary. 
 
 It does not require a great amount of reasoning 
 power to understand the invalidity of English etymolo- 
 gists, in thus exposing themselves to criticism, by giving 
 credit to Greek and Latin, in the absence of any inter- 
 course by their people with those who spoke Greek and 
 Latin, except through the medium of the Catholic 
 church; and then only with those who spoke them as 
 dead languages; while their intercourse with those 
 who spoke the parent of Greek and Latin, as a living 
 language, was to the extent that they were educated 
 therein jor several centuries in Ireland. 
 
 From facts already stated; it must be admitted that all words 
 in the English Janguage which contain any of these new letters, 
 require explanation as to the form, or value of the letters that ori- 
 ginally held the places which these modern letters now occupy. 
 Here the English etymologist is at sea without a knowledge of the 
 Irish language; and hence the false etymologies so common in the 
 vocabulary of the English language. 
 
30 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 There are today over 5000 words of the English 
 vocabulary unaccounted for by lexicographers; and 
 perhaps as many more among the doubtful, and also 
 a large percentage with false etymology; and why 
 should this be so, if the English vocabulary, as they 
 tell us, was mainly made up from Latin and Greek ? 
 The fact is, the literary world has been deceived by 
 English educationalists in their efforts to support the 
 slanders of the English historians, regarding the Irish 
 race, and as a result the onward march of the Gaelic, 
 or Milesian civilization has been woefully retarded for 
 seven centuries. 
 
 Following are samples of words in use in the English language, 
 with false etymology, or with none at all; or only partially explained: 
 
 "Academy" a school of education, which the Greeks tell us, is 
 derived from "Academus," the owner of the grove in which Plato 
 instructed his pupils in Greece, in the fifth century B. C. The 
 name cannot be analyzed in Greek, nor in any other language 
 except in Irish, which is a strong indication that it came originally 
 from that source. It is from "acaidh," an abode or habitation; 
 and "damn" (dauv) a learned man; or of learned men, being a 
 
THE IRISH VINDICAROT. 31 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Condemnation of the false doctrine of English ety- 
 mologists. The duty devolving on the organizations 
 of the Irish race, to save the Irish language; and also on 
 the representative press of the race. The indifference 
 of the Irish towards their language and lierature, 
 l s criminal. 
 | It is about time, that this false doctrine, which has 
 been promulgated so long, and so far a barrier in the 
 way of progress in the educational line, in the world 
 should be condemned; the truth proclaimed, and this 
 venerable language of antiquity, recognized and en- 
 couraged. 
 
 Under such circumstances, as herein developed so far, 
 can any organized body of the Irish race point out any 
 object other than the one by which a livelihood is obtained 
 that should take precedence of that for the vindication 
 of the race to which its members belong] and whose foul 
 misrepresentations are spread all over Europe, 
 within the last few centuries'? Let each organi- 
 zation of the Irish race, wherever located, answer this 
 question for itself. 
 
 The indifference of the Irish, as a race, towards the 
 preservation of the Irish language, concerning which 
 there is so much at stake from the race standpoint, is, 
 not only a shame and a disgrace, it is a crime. This 
 indifference is growing stronger every day; the Irish 
 
 noun of the first declension. Both words compounded make "aca- 
 damh" (akadauv,) the aspirated "d" of 'acaidh" being eliminated 
 — meaning the abode or habitation of a learned man; or of learned 
 men.) By giving the "m" its radical sound, and adding the ter- 
 mination "ia.'^we have the Latin form of the word, "academla;" 
 and by adding "y" we have the English form "academy." 
 
 The Greeks, a long time before this, have been accused of in- 
 venting the names of persons, places and things from which to 
 derive their language, when the. language itself was unable to make 
 the analyzation. 
 
32 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 language is fading fast ; and its loss would be irreparable 
 to the vindication of the Irish race: and the elevation 
 of nations from an educational point of view. 
 
 Therefore, let the organizations of the race, all over 
 the world, be a party to this indifference no longer; let 
 them proclaim the slogan for the preservation of the 
 Irish as a living language; let them devote a portion 
 of the time at meetings, for obtaining by all possible 
 means, a practical knowledge thereof. 
 
 Let each organization of the race, wherever located, 
 appoint an Irish language Committee of 5 members, 
 to conduct the language movement for the body; with 
 power to add to its number from time to time; those 
 best calculated for aiding the movement; let a portion 
 of the time at regular meetings be devoted to the langua- 
 ge; and meetings held oftener by the committee in the 
 interest of the language as soon as advisable. 
 
 Let a special fund be established by every organiza- 
 tion, and placed in charge of its own Treasurer, for 
 the use of the language committee only; and let the 
 committee report progress, quarterly, to the organi- 
 zation. Some Societies may not have Irish speakers, 
 or Irish scholars among them, but they can be secured 
 by paying them for their services.f This is partly 
 what the "special" funds are for; and now comes the 
 
 f The absence of practicle speakers of the Irish language 
 in societies and communities, for teaching Irish is now hap- 
 pily supplied by the Irish-speaking phonograph established in 
 the College of Irish Gaelic in Sqranton, Pennsylvania, last 
 year, — 1909; and another by the Gaelophone Co. of New 
 Hav^n, Conn. 
 
 "Amazon," is another word to which the Greeks gave a false 
 etymology: "a" without, and "mazos" the breast; meaning 
 without a breast. A legend was coined which stated that those 
 Amazons, or women soldiers, destroyed the left breast, in order 
 the better to be able to shoot the arrow therefrom; but the legend 
 was exploded a long time ago, as the Amazons are represented by 
 the artists of their day, as perfect as any other women. The Cen- 
 tury Dictionary says it is a foreign word of unknown meaning; that 
 is its etymology. It was derived from "amus" an Irish word for 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR 33 
 
 field for the utilization of the practical speakers of the 
 language; and the opportunity for placing a value on 
 a knowledge of that language which has been banned 
 and proscribed for centuries, and for demonstrating 
 the patriotsim and pride of race of the contributors 
 to the funds as well as the members of the organizations. 
 
 This action of the organizations of the Irish race, in 
 place of being any barrier to the original objects threeo), 
 will demonstrate their usefulness; and as a consequence, 
 their ranks will swell with the element heretofore in- 
 different concerning them; and thereby tlieir energies 
 and usefulness will increase all round. 
 
 The vindication of the race so much maligned and 
 so long neglected is a Sacred duty. Now is the time 
 for millionaires of the Irish race or of any other race 
 to immortalize their names by contributing freely as 
 plenty of financial aid will ensure success in the pre- 
 servation of the Irish language. 
 
 How can the Irish be preserved a spoken language 
 in communities where only a few comparatively are 
 able to speak it? Answer. By utilizing that "few" by 
 every possible means in transmitting a knowledge of 
 the language to others; and securing an Irish -speaking 
 Phonograph where Irish speakers could not be had. 
 
 The masses of the Irish race heretofore, have been 
 careless concerning the Irish language, for the reason 
 that they knew not its value from any point of view, 
 nor the duty that devolved upon them in connection 
 therewith. Now that some light has been shed as to 
 the value of a knowledge of the language, let the re- 
 
 a soldier; and "bean," a woman. In the union of both words 
 the initial "b" of "bean," became asperated, and eliminated; 
 and the "s" made '*z" by the Greeks to suit the legend. 
 
 "Bacon", the flesh of Swine, cannot be analyzed in English* 
 The great London* Dictionary, on Historic Principles, commenced 
 half a century ago, and is not half finished yet, says it is to be found 
 in EngHsh literature of the 13th, or 14th, century, in the form "ba- 
 coun;" but knows nothing of its derivation. It comes from 2 
 Irish words "bac" a hog, and fc "un" flenh "bacun," hog flesh. 
 
34 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 preservative press of the race everywhere, advocate the 
 language movement, and enlighten the people as to 
 their responsibility relative to this national heirloom 
 of their ancestors ; the only means left them for the vin- 
 dication of the race and the preservation of Irish nation- 
 ality. And as a knowledge of the Irish language is of 
 inestimable value from an educational point of view, it 
 is the duty of the American Press in general, to aid and 
 encourage the movement. 
 
 The papers that want to advance this movement will 
 publish simple lessons in Irish, at least once a week,, 
 for the use of the "language Committees" of the or- 
 ganizations, and have them in the every-day letter which 
 every one knows. 
 
 To commence with, let the names of objects, small 
 and large, in a household, be collected, and a short 
 phrase framed around each, as, for example, "Ta an 
 bord fada," the table is long. "Las an lompa;" light 
 the lamp . A beginner can thus talk intellegently 
 about "table," and "lamp;" and so on with all the 
 other objects, by coining a short expression for each. 
 
 Let School Children be assembled Saturday after- 
 noon, for an hour or longer, in the parochial School, 
 the public School, or in a hall, and let a practical speaker 
 of the language read these short Irish expressions for 
 them from the paper, and they wont be long picking 
 them up. 
 
 No person can say that the course outlined here is 
 impracticable, All that is necessary is some practical 
 speakers of the language and some money. The former 
 
 It has been the tendency in all languages to supply the softer con- 
 sonants for the harder ones of the same class; so for a long time 
 ' *g" has taken the place of "c" in this word among Irish-speakers 
 and writers — "bagun." 
 
 " Cadmus:" this is the name of the man who is said by some 
 to have brought letters into Greece, from Phonecia; others say 
 from other places; neither can those so-called ancient writers agree 
 as to the period in which this map flourished. Helis said in Irish 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 35 
 
 are to tbe had in all large centres of population through- 
 out the United States, Canada, Australia, South America 
 and wherever Irishman are to be found, or get an Irish 
 phonograph; and the latter can be had through the 
 "special" funds of the organizations. It is needless 
 to say that the "special" funds will be swollen not 
 only by those of the race that can best afford it, and 
 whose business may not allow them to be otherwise 
 active in the vindication movement; but also, by all 
 shades of worthy American citizens. 
 
 Let those unable to speak Irish, but who desire to 
 become practical speakers thereof, make themselves 
 throughly familiar first, with the assertive forms of the 
 verb to be, present, "ta, is; past, "bhi° (vee,) was; and 
 future "beidh" (b e-i) will be. It must be borne in 
 mind thatjJie^verbbegins the sentence in Irish^ as a rule. 
 As soon as an assertive idea in English, strikesthe mind, 
 they can use "ta", "bhi," or "beidh," to start with, 
 for a transaction, according as the idea is present, 
 past, or future. 
 
 To render the English expression, "the day is fine," 
 into Irish, it can be seen that it is the present tense, 
 therefore, "ta" or "is" must be used and it begins the 
 translation; next comes the definite article, "an" and 
 the noun "day," "la" follows, and the qualifying word 
 "fine," "breagh " after it; so the translation is "ta 
 an la breagh." By a careful examination of these 
 simple expressions it can be seen that by taking the 
 Irish first, there are certain rules governing the cons- 
 trustion of the English lranstation. The definite article 
 
 History to be the chief druid or high priest of the Gaelic colony 
 that came from Egypt to the island of Crete, South of Greece, a 
 few centuries before 2000 years B. C. 
 
 The Irish language gives a plausible derivation of the name 
 "cad" means high, or holy, and •'damn" (dauv) a learned man 
 In the union of both the initial "d" of "damn," becomes as- 
 pirated and eliminated; and "m" gets its radical sound, thus: 
 "cadam."f This compound, with the classic termination "us," 
 and contracted a little, becomes "Cadmus," which mean high, 
 
36 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 if expressed in the original, comes first, next the noun, 
 then the verb, and the qualifying word or words after. 
 Thus by degrees and by careful attention, non-speak- 
 ers of Irish can become practical speakers thereof. 
 
 There are two forms of the verb tobe, assertive present 
 in the Irish language; "ta" and "is." This second 
 form in Irish is the one used in English. Of the two 
 Irish forms, "is" is the more assertive. 
 
 or holy, learned man, a character which he must possess in order to 
 be chief druid. 
 
 "Cover;" something placed over an object to conceal it from 
 view. The Great London Dictionary occupies over two pages in 
 trying to explain it, etymologically; but knows nothing of its com- 
 ponent parts. The word is from the Irish "Cob," a pall or cloak: 
 and from "bar," (baur) an Irish word for top, or upper part. 
 
 In the union of both words the "b" initial of "bar," becomes 
 aspirated, taking the sound of "v," or "w," and "b" final of 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR, 37 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 : Regret that the Romans did not invade Ireland. 
 Suppression of Irish civilization by the English nation. 
 Embers of that civilization yet existing in every tongue 
 that speaks the Irish language. A suggestion to collect 
 them together in their respecsive communities, and lay 
 the foundation for the resuscitation of the grandest 
 civilization that ever existed in the world. Duty of 
 Irish-speaking parents to use the Irish language in the 
 household. Prizes in money to children who can talk 
 the Irish language; and to others for proficinecy in a 
 knowledge thereof. 
 
 The Irish take pride in being able to say that the 
 Roman legions did not set foot on Irish soil, although 
 being in Britain for over 400 years. It may be a cause 
 of regret, however, and loss to the literary world, and 
 to civilization in general that Agricola, the Roman 
 general of Britain did not invade Ireland when he pre- 
 pared for it in the first century of the Christian ear; 
 for it is natural to expect that the Romans would have 
 done in Ireland what they did in Greece, to encourage 
 the study of the language and literature of that country. 
 
 This demonstrates the civilization of the Romans 
 when they invaded Greece; but unfortuatetely for 
 Ireland, and for progress in civilization, the invasion 
 thereof was reserved for a people who were so barbarous 
 
 'cob" is eliminated. Then we have "cobar," with the aspirate 
 mark on the "b", and by using "▼," in place of that "b." and 
 making "e" of "a," we have the word as used today in the English 
 language. 
 
 The fact that the old Spanish and old French languages have 
 "b" in the middle of this word, sustains the Irish derivation. 
 
 This vocabulary could be continued in alphabetical order, and 
 mutliplied; for it is safe to say that on an average, every alternate 
 folio of the English Dictionary, can supply material for revision; 
 
38 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 that they did not appreciate the value of the civilization 
 they found therein, and as a consequence, they commen- 
 ced the suppression thereof. 
 
 But although it is 7 centuries since the suppression 
 of Irish civilization was commenced by Henry II, king 
 of England; and his successors ever since, up to ana 
 including the present government, have followed in 
 his footsteps to complete the suppression, yet, in spue 
 of their endeavours for 7 hundred years, there exists 
 today warm embers of that civilization in every tongue 
 that speaks the Irish language. Let the Irish race 
 therefore, bring these embers together in their respect- 
 ive communities, foster them, and lay the foundation 
 for the resuscitation of the grand civilization of their 
 ancestors — the grandest that ever existed in the world 
 and thereby vindicate the race and elevate, educationally 
 the nations with whom they are connected, to a stage 
 which they could have never reached otherwise. 
 
 The most valuable members of the Irish race today, 
 for the accomplishment of these ends, are the Irish- 
 speaking parents; on them alone, with the other cus- 
 todians of the language, depends its preservation and 
 the salvation of the race. Let that element therejore, be 
 utilized by every possible means. 
 
 This important duty, inaugurated in the 17th, cen- 
 tury, by Drs. Keating, Lyuch, and others, has been 
 delayed for 3 centuries, owing to circumstances; but 
 now it calls on the race for a united action before it is 
 too late. Will any member thereof be found wanting? 
 Let Irish-speaking parents wherever located, com- 
 
 but our limited space here, calls for some of the most important 
 Samples. 
 
 "Academy," and "Amazon," have a false etymology; Dm the 
 Greeks are responsible therefor. They are not, however, respon- 
 sible for numerous false etymologies we have in our English Dic- 
 tionaries, one of which is that of "woman"; also "Soldier," two 
 very common names in the world; and to make a trio, will add 
 "man," a name that is also very common on this round shell of 
 the universe. But the derivation of it is not known by our 
 scholars, because they know not the Irish language. 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 39 
 
 mence with the new year (1911) and continue hencefor- 
 ward to make general use of the Irish anguage in the 
 household, so that their children will become practical 
 speakers therof. By this means these children wil} 
 produce successful candidates for High Schools and 
 Colleges, and for Hibernian Scholarships, and event- 
 ually will produce the element that will revise and 
 correct our distionaries of the English, Latin, and Greek 
 languages — that will explain the secrets of mythology, 
 and correct items of history and geography in the an- 
 cient world. 
 
 Let the "language committees" give small prizes in 
 money, quarterly, to the children of members, under 
 7 years who can talk the Irish language, prizes semi- 
 annually., to higher grades for proficiency in the lan- 
 guage; and annually, for proficiency therein in each 
 district of a city or town. There is no better way for 
 encouraging the movement than these prizes; so that 
 the contributors to the "special" funds may consider 
 themselves of great value for aiding in the preservation 
 of the language. 
 
 "Mo" is an Irish name for man. By using the possessive 
 pronoun singular 'mo" my, before it, the initial "m" will take a 
 secondary sound, that of "w," as for example "mo mho," (mu 
 woa) my man, o* husband. A feminine termination in Irish is 
 "mon," corresponding with "ess" in English; as in princess, 
 the female of prince; so by adding "mon" to "wo," a man, we 
 have, "womon," the female of man. "Mo" aman, is the root 
 of the Latin "homo," 
 
 "Soldier," a man who serves or fights for pay; and is so-called, 
 
40 THE IRISH VINDICATOR, 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Irish writers in embellishing the story of the travels of 
 their ancestors, from Scythia to Ireland, before the geog- 
 raphy of the world became, generally known were led 
 astray, by following Grecian writers. Absurdities crept 
 into the "story" in consequence thereof. Samples 
 of the "absurdities." The "absurdities" caused the 
 Irish race to lose faith in their ancient history since the 
 geography of the world became generally known. 
 Removal and explanation of the "absurdities," through 
 a knowledge of the Irish language, in "The Travels of 
 the Gaels," not yet published. A knowledge of the 
 Irish language and literature will revolutionize the 
 literary world and place the Irish race foremost in 
 civilization, in by gone days, with the history of that 
 race, and ancestors, the most ancient and authentic 
 in the world. 
 
 Irish writers — those who wrote in the Irish language 
 in Ireland, during the centuries from the 10th, to the 
 15th, compiled elaborate books, collecting therein 
 various subjects, and scattered manuscripts, that had 
 been written for centuries past. A number of these 
 books still exists, such as the Book of Bellymote; Book 
 of Leinster; Book of Munster; Book of Leacan; Book 
 of the Dun Cowj. &c. Some of these great books were 
 published through the Photo-zinco-graphing process, 
 
 we are told from *'sol," or "solidus," a coin among the Romans, 
 n which the Roman soldiers were paid. It must be borne in mind 
 that men fought for pay ages before the Romans had an existence. 
 The first fighting outside of the hand to hand fisticuff, or missiles, 
 was arrow shooting; and this system was in vogue thousands or 
 years before Romilus and Remus were born. 
 
 "Soighead," is an Irish name for arrow; and "Soigheadoir" 
 for the man who shoots the arrow; and he was the first fighter that 
 did service for pay, ages before the time of the Roman Empire 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 41 
 
 at the expense of the British government; but no trans- 
 lation of them. 
 
 Among the ancient documents inserted into some 
 of these books, was the story of the travels of the Gaels 
 before coming to Ireland. Ollamh Fodla, the great 
 Irish legislator, who florished in the 14th, century, 
 B. C, is said to have writen this "story" with his own 
 hands. So also did other Irish leaders in Pre Christian 
 Ireland. 
 
 The compilers of these great books, undertook to 
 embellish the "story," by following Grecian geographers 
 and historians, and that at a time before the geography 
 of the world became generally known. As a result of 
 taking as authority Grecian writers who did not exist 
 for a thousand years, or more, after the time of the 
 Gaels in Scythia, and Southern Europe, Irish writers 
 went completely on the wrong track; and as a conse- 
 quence, "absurdities" crept into the "story." 
 
 A sample of the "absurdities" was that Asia (the 
 continent) was circumnavigated by the Gaels. Another 
 was that the Gaels, being in Southern Europe, in the 
 neighborhood of Italy, traveling in boats, are placed in 
 the next breadth, in the Baltic Sea, in the North of 
 Europe. 
 
 It is safe to say that those "absurdities" met with in 
 Keating's history of Ireland after the geography of 
 the world became generally known, discouraged Irish 
 writers from prosecuting the refutation of the slanders 
 on the lines laid out by Drs. Keating, Lynch, and others; 
 or on any other lines; and as a consequence the labors 
 
 and its coins. The ancient French language has no "1" in the 
 word; so that English etymologists went out of their way to give 
 credit where it was not due. 
 
 "Man," the male human being; where was the name found; 
 or where did it originate? The London English Dictionary de- 
 votes 5 pages to the name, but does not know where it came from. 
 
 This longstanding prejudice against the Irish language, through 
 English literature; and by those who can give no valid reason there- 
 for today, only that it exists, has placed a barrier in the way of 
 
42 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 of those able champions in the cause of the vindication 
 of the ancient Irish, was lost sight of altogether. 
 Hence, the indifference of the Irish race, as a rule, 
 outside of Ireland (and there are too many indifferents 
 there also) to language and literature, vindication 
 and education; from the Irish view point. 
 
 Let it be borne in mind nevertheless, that the same 
 slanders and misrepresentations which aroused the 
 Irish champions in refutation thereof, in the 17th, 
 century, are still on the pages of European literature and 
 oday more universal than ever before, through the 
 migrations of some of the different peoples of Europe; 
 and being so long in existence, it will take a determined 
 effort on the part of a united Irish race, to supplant them 
 with the truth. 
 
 The time has arrived however, for starting the settle- 
 ment of these questions relative to the "story" of the 
 Gaels. The writer of this pamphlet, whose researches, in 
 this particular line, for the most part of two generations 
 since he read Keating's history — has succeeded in 
 remoivng the "absurdities," and in explaining them, 
 in "The Travels of the Gaels," which will reach the 
 publisher's hands before 1911 is past. 
 
 The discoveries which paved the way for the removal 
 and explanation of the "absurdities," and which could 
 never have been made only, through a practical know- 
 ledge of the Irish language, enhance the value of that 
 language, to the extent that a living knowledge thereof, 
 and familiarity with its copious literature will revolution- 
 ize the literary world, and place the Irish, or Gaelic 
 
 progress in the educational line for centuries. This old language 
 was the first language of Europe; a cultivated language coming 
 there, It is the parent of all the other languages of Europe, living 
 and dead; it is an older sister than the Sanscrit as internal evidence 
 in both proves; and it is a living language today, although its youn- 
 ger sister was dead two centuries before the Christians era. Is it 
 not natural to expect, therefore, that anything we are ignorant of in 
 the literary line, ought be sought in that language and for the sake 
 o) knowledge bury the prejudice} 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 43 
 
 race, in the fore front of the nations of the earth; with 
 their history or "story", the most ancient and authentic 
 in the world. 
 
 'An/' is an Irish name for man, the male human being, and 
 by placing the possessive pronoun singular "mo," my, before it, 
 we have "m'an," what a woman would say in Irish, speaking of 
 her male companion, or husband — "man," my man, or hus- 
 band — the mark* of the elimination of the vowel "o" of "mo," 
 having disappeared long ago. 
 
 The vowel "a" in "man," a male being, is pronounced, as a 
 rule, like "a" in "fan;" but in the Irish expression, "man," my 
 mau or husband, the "a" has the sound of "a" in "than;" and 
 
44 THE IRISH VINDICATOE. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The duty that devolves upon Board, sand Commit- 
 tees of Education, in their respective communities 
 and districts, concerning the Irish language. 
 
 Opposition to that language caused by the slanders 
 of the English nation on the Irish race. The duty of 
 the Irish race in their respective localities where they 
 are in the majority, relative to their ancestral language. 
 Boston is to set the example as it did before. Value of 
 the Irish language for the vindication of the Irish race, 
 and from an educational point of view. Necessity of 
 preserving the Irish language abroad, rather than be 
 sending students to Ireland, to the National University 
 to learn it. The utilization of facilities for learning 
 Irish and thereby move on the onward march of civil- 
 ization retarded for centuries. A weekly publication 
 the best means for advancing the Irish language move- 
 ment. 
 
 A knowledge of Irish and familiarity with its copious 
 literature, being indispensable to the explanation 
 etymologically, of the unaccounted for percentage of 
 the vocabularies of the English, Greek and Latin lan- 
 guages — indispensable to the removal of the mystic 
 veil from Grecian and Roman mythology — to the 
 correction of items of ancient history and geography 
 handed down by the so-called ancients — to the shed- 
 
 a Lowland Scotchman in using English will give "a" in "man," 
 a male being, the same pronunciation as in the Irish expression. 
 
 "Hyperboreans;" who these people were, and where located , 
 has been and still is, a disputed question. Webster in his Dic- 
 tionary, says: "The ancients gave this denomination to the people 
 and places to the northward of the Scythians, people and regions 
 of which they had little, or no knowledge. The Hyperboreaus 
 then, are the Laplanders, the Samoiedes, and the Russians near 
 the White Sea." They are not. The Irish language will settle 
 this disputed question. 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 45 
 
 ding of the light of ancient history on the era of civil- 
 ization that preceded that of the Greeks; it is the duty 
 of all educational Boards and Committees throughout 
 the English-speaking nations, at least, to interest 
 themselves in the spreading of a knowledge of that 
 language in their respective communities. 
 
 The opposition to the Irish language in all educational 
 bodies, has been, and still is, the result of the slanders 
 of the English nation. Let the Irish race, all over the 
 world therefore, make explanation and argument in 
 their respective communities, in favor of the language; 
 and where they are in the majority break down, if 
 occasion requires, those false barriers, by demanding 
 a recognition of this ancient and valuable language 
 from this forth; at least in the higher grades of public 
 Schools, to start with. 
 
 Let Boston which started this present movement for 
 the study and spread of a knowledge of the Gaelic, or 
 Irish language, and the literature therein, 37 years ago, 
 set the example for the race throughout the country; 
 and elsewhere. 
 
 Let each Section of the City — Charlestown, E. 
 Boston, So. Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, Jamaica 
 Plain, Brighton, Back Bay, and Boston Proper, call 
 for an Irish language Class, in its Evening High School, 
 at least one evening in the week for a commencement; 
 and insist on getting it, as a knowledge of that language 
 is necessary, not only for the vindication of the Irish 
 race, but also for the advancement of the American 
 nation from an educational point of view. This will 
 
 No one disputes that "Hibernia" was Ireland, according to the 
 Romans; but the component parts of the name are not so well 
 known. "Ibh," means a country, or tribe of people in a country . 
 'Eire" is an Irish name for Ireland, and "Eireann" the gentive 
 form thereof? join "ibh", and "Eireann," place the aspirate 
 "H" before them; the Latin termination "ia" after them; and 
 give "b" in "ibh" its radical sound and you have "Hibernia," 
 which means the country of Ireland. 
 
 " Hyperboreans" is the Greek form of the same Roman name 
 
46 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 set a value on a knowledge of the Irish language, and 
 encourage the societies of the race, to study it, and also, 
 its copious literature. 
 
 The Irish element being in the majority in Boston, 
 these classes will soon be established, provided that 
 they desire to vindicate their race, and elevate the 
 American nation educationally. 
 
 As the new National University of Ireland will 
 impart a thorough knowledge of the Irish language and 
 its literature to its students; and thereby elevate them 
 in the educational line above those of any other insti- 
 tutions where such knowledge is not imparted; Ameri- 
 cans cannot afford to be behind their kin and cousins 
 of the British Islands, in the literary line; and they 
 need not be, while the same facilities are here in Boston, 
 and also in other places throughout the Union. So 
 the sooner we commence to utilize these facilities, which 
 have been ignored through prejudice, and ignorance 
 and which as a consequence, stayed the onward march 
 of civilization for centuries; the sooner will we reach a 
 stage in education which will demonstrate the great 
 value of a practical knowledge of the Irish language to 
 the literary world. 
 
 Even with the Irish classes established in the Evening 
 High Schools, and the Irish Societies active in the study 
 of the language no real headway can be expected 
 without a weekly publication in the interest of the 
 movement, with lessons in convversational Irish every 
 week, and reports from school and classes in Irish 
 language. 
 
 of Ireland; (but the Greek term was in use long before the Roman 
 term) with the exception of using "y" in place of "J" after the 
 aspirate "H"' and using "p" in place of M b, M as the Greeks did 
 as a rule; and "bor" was added as a characteristic of the people 
 of the country; the meaning of the term being, great, noble, or 
 wealthy. So the "Hyperboreans," according to the Greeks, 
 were the great, noble, or wealthy people of Ireland. 
 
 Now let us deal a little with mythology. 
 
 "Athena" was one of the Great divinities of the Greeks from 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 47 
 
 However, invaluable as the preservation of Irish 
 as a living language is to the Irish race, and to ad- 
 vancement in education, to which the race have 
 been devoted from time immemorial, untill 
 their progress in that line was checked by John 
 Bull, whose forefathers they elevated from illiter- 
 acy and barbarism which they brought with them 
 to the British Islands; yet there are today of the 
 race, only a few comparatively, here and there, in 
 the countries where they have settled since they 
 fled from starvation and misery, manufactured 
 by that same John Bull, that show any interest in 
 the Irish language revival. 
 
 Even in Ireland, the fountain head, and home of 
 the Gaels, and their language for 3,600 years, the 
 Gaelic League, which is in existence for 17 years, 
 and led by "the noblest Roman of them all," Dr. 
 Douglas Hyde, is yet in the minority, not only in 
 the Anglecised sections of the country, but also, in 
 the Irish-speaking districts; and it may be inferred 
 from the following extract from an editorial in the 
 "Claidheamb Soluis," of Dec. 10th. 1910, what ele- 
 ments of the population of those districts, where 
 the language still lives, and where the effort to 
 preserve it can be successful, are remiss in their 
 duty towards its preservation, in order thereby to 
 save the race and nationality: — "We must by a 
 gentle but strong pressure force Irish upwards in 
 the schools and Churches of the Irish Speaking 
 districts, or we shall fail altogether. If the teachers 
 and priests of these districts realized the power they 
 might wield in saving the language we feel sure that 
 they would be more active, and earnest in its cause. ■ 
 A forward movement within the teaching body, 
 and a similar movement among the clergy in Irish 
 Speaking districts would by force of example alone 
 save Irish amongst the people. 
 
 whom the city of Athens, the capital of Greece, was called. She 
 is represented as the daughter of Zens, the chief of the gods; and 
 that she was born from his head. 
 
 The Irish word "aithne" (aih-in-ne) means knowledge: it was 
 deified, and given as a name to this woman who was remarkable 
 for her knowledg'e and wisdom; and as we are told in mythologi- 
 cal literature that she was born from the head, the seat of know- 
 ledge, it does not require much reasoning power to conceive the 
 idea that Athena, the Greek deity is aithne (knowledge) person, 
 ofied. 
 
48 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 "The League must continue to strengthen and 
 perfect its organization, and the individual member 
 must become the active, untiring missionary. It 
 is the spirit that tells in the end. The proper spitit 
 will make us aim at perfect organization and prop- 
 aganda, but it will also compel us to give the Irish 
 language the place of honor in our homes, in our 
 Churches, in our Schools, and in our tongues at all 
 times. The loyalty of the individual Irish speaker 
 to the duty of using Irish in public and private, 
 will save the language. It is the opinion of Eoen 
 Mac Neill, that Irish should be as universally 
 spoken 10 years hence, as it was 50 years ago." 
 
 From the above extract it is plain to be seen that 
 after 17 years of existence and active work by the 
 Gaelic League, to wake the Irish race in Ireland to 
 a sense of their duty towards the preservation of 
 the Irish language for the vindication of their 
 slandered sires, for the removal of the stigma re- 
 sulting from the slanders of the past, from their 
 race of the present day and of the future, and for 
 advancement in education, there are still some of 
 the most influential classes of the race, giving the 
 Gaelic League and its appeals, a deaf ear, and the 
 percentage of those classes doing so, is in the majori- 
 Do the individuals of this majority realize the 
 slanders heaped on their race for centuries by English 
 historians; and do they realize that a refutation of 
 those slanders would be an impossibility if the Irish 
 language were allowed to die? "A forward move- 
 ment within the teaching body, and a similar 
 movement among the clergy of Irish speaking 
 districts, would by force of example alone save Irish 
 amongst the people;" and those classes in Ireland, 
 or the majority thereof yet on the fence, or rather 
 on the offside yet, will not make that move for 
 saving it! 
 
 "Volcano," a burning mountain, is from "failc" (fauilk) a 
 chasm, or opening; and "ten," fire. In joining these words," t" 
 initial of "ten," takes an aspirate sound, and is eliminated, leav- 
 ing us "failcen" in the compound; meaning the "chasm fire." 
 In the dative case, the initial "f" in Irish, is eclipsed by "b," 
 aspirated, which takes the sound of "v;" so in the phrase "on 
 bhfailcen," from the chasm fire "f" is entirely eclipsed, and the 
 phrase is phonatically, "on vailcen;" and vailcen, made volcan, 
 with the Greek termination "o" is volcano a chasm fire. The term 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 49 
 
 Mo naire dhearg e y a Clanna na Tire, 
 
 Oidi 'gus Sagairt a d'easgair o Mhile, 
 
 Ca bhfuil bhur meanmain preabaidh 'go leidmheach, 
 
 Saoraigh' d'bhur m-Buime an FineachasGaedhealach. 
 
 Ireland in bygone days, rebuking her children, 
 for their indifference towards the language and 
 literature of their ancestors, will apply now to 
 those "yet on the off side of the fence." Here is 
 the substance of it in English: — 
 
 I ask thee Munster of druidical boasts, 
 Heber's great offspring of grand heavy hosts; 
 When withered and faded my fame you saw, 
 Why then did you wean and from me withdraw? 
 
 Answer my grief noble Counacht the grand, 
 
 Of the smooth green plains and the sweet- toned band ; 
 
 Why so little known of thine olden tales, 
 
 Thro* Meabh's gaily Cruachan of the fine dales? 
 
 Determined Ulster, for red battles famed, 
 In which Emania's hosts of yore were trained; 
 Did not those sheddings tha thave chilled thy might, 
 Prejudge of the fame of each Red Branch Knight? 
 
 Proud Linster of plains and of vales of green, 
 With the gems of the bards of old thou'st been; 
 Have not you forsaken those mental lays, 
 Of Tara of the Kings in ancient days ? 
 
 My heart, my chest oppressed, my waist and bones, 
 My eye, my side, my harpstrings feel my moans; 
 My foot, my steps, my leap, my strength — they all! 
 My Gaelic spouse, the free, the fair, the tall? 
 
 Me hath shun! — and my loving lays of old, 
 My noble men, to them, in books, seem cold; 
 Yon stands the Gaelic lore, a bard's desire, 
 Unsought, unread, and ready to expire! 
 
 vailcen, or vulcan, was deified, and known in mythological litereture 
 as the god of subteraneous fire; also, known as the smith of hell. 
 
 "Cyclopes," these are vulcan 's workmen, said to be giants 
 with one eye only in the middle of the forehead. Take away the 
 termination "e^" from "Cyclopes," and you have 2 plain Irish 
 words; "ce," the earth (the Greeks have "ge" for the earth;) 
 and "dab" an open mouth; the compound "ceclob," therefore 
 means an open mouth of the earth. The Greeks used a "p" in 
 place of the "b" in the Irish word, as in Hyperboreans; and 'y" 
 
50 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 My prolonged wail, I pray thee, cure dearclanns, 
 I'm weak and aged, gray from myriad banns; 
 A nation's speech, her soul and grace, once fled, 
 Strife, stealth, and blight and blindness reign 
 instead." 
 
 Under existing circumstances in the Emerald 
 Isle, it appears that the salvation of the spoken 
 Irish is not secured, although the Gaelic League is 
 doing herculean work for its preservation, English 
 influence is telling against it. Can the Irish race 
 in general realize how readily the arm of the Eng- 
 lish law could be brought heavier on the Irish lan- 
 guage movement, in the home of the Gaels, at the 
 whim of John Bull? In the event of such coming to 
 pass, which might be possible at any time, what 
 remedy could the Irish race abroad apply to save 
 the language and literature, and thereby the race 
 from extinction, as the Gaels at home in such a 
 case, would be powerless. 
 
 There is one remedy in the hands of the Irish 
 abroad, at least in the great American Republic, 
 for the preservation of Irish as a living language. 
 That remedy is, to organize Irish-speaking Colonies 
 of the race, for settlement on sections of the un- 
 occupied lands in the West and Middle West, 
 where those Colonies would grow up bilingual and 
 where John Bull and his West British influence 
 could not interfere. 
 
 In every large centre of population throughout the 
 United States, such as Boston, New York, Phila- 
 delphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia 
 and in Canada, and South America, such a 
 Colony can be organized, and in addition to 
 saving the language, the literature, and the race, 
 by doing so, the scheme would place the colonists 
 themselves, in an independent position, take them 
 from where too many of the race, are already in 
 poor circumstances, with very little hopes of better- 
 instead of the "e'\ These "Cyclopes," are the volcanoes — open 
 mouths of the earth — and when they emit fire, or smoke, they are, 
 as it were, blowing the bellows for the man below — vulcan — aad 
 therefore, they are his workmen; and stout men at that; — giants — 
 and thecrater or "dab" is the "one eye," in the forehead of each. 
 
 "Annals," histories digested into years, is a sample of the per- 
 centage of words in use in the English language, and also in other 
 languages, which are only partially explained, etymologically, and 
 cannot be fully without a knowledge of the Irish language. 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 51 
 
 ing their condition, and advance education to a stage 
 which it could never have reached otherwise; 
 and eventually Greater Ireland would become a 
 reality in the Western World. This Scheme is 
 for getting the upper hand of John Bull without 
 firing a bullet at him; for he does not want the Irish 
 language revived. 
 
 When the Irish language was sanctioned in the 
 public Schools of Ireland, 29 years ago, for which 
 credit is due to Mat Harris, that noble Irishman 
 from the West of Ireland, the English government 
 had no idea that it would be a success; and the men 
 at the helm in Ireland had then, the same idea. 
 That the government did not want it to be a suc- 
 cess, is proved by the fact that not many years ago, 
 when the progress that was being made in the lan- 
 guage movement, through the instrumentality of 
 the Gaelic League, was observed, the financial sup- 
 port was withdrawn from the Irish language move- 
 ment by the English government. Does any in- 
 dividual want any stronger proof of the unfriendly 
 feeling of the English government towards the 
 Irish Language, than this? However, fearing the 
 criticism of continental scholars who know the 
 value of Irish from an educational view point, the 
 financial support was eventually returned; but the 
 conduct of the government officials in Ireland to- 
 day, towards the Irish language, proves conclusively 
 that the government is opposed to the language 
 revival — that its desire is to kill it. Then the 
 Irish would be West Britons in Ireland and Anglo- 
 Saxons abroad, whether they like it or not. 
 
 Now is the time to place a check on this long de- 
 sign of the English government, by establishing 
 those Irish-speaking Colonies abroad. The think- 
 ing and influental elements of the Irish race 
 be they Irish speakers or not, will take a hand , in 
 
 English etymologists tell us that the English word "annals", 
 is derived from the Latin "annus" a year, but know nothing of 
 the latter part of the word. 
 
 It is from the Irish words "an" a year, and "dala" historic 
 relations, "andala*" in Irish, therefore, means yearly historic 
 relations. In the union of these two words the "n" of "an' 
 eclipses the "d" initial of "dala," so that the combination "nd" 
 in the compound approx mates to the sound of "nn;" hence the 
 double."n" in this word in all the languages of Europe except the 
 Irish. 
 
52 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 their formation, in their respective communities, 
 ad ly ccirg tc. lie pieseivaticn of the Irish race 
 « r d all it Macs fcr is jeeured. Ncbcdy knows how 
 hirgs rray tun in favcr cf the idea. There is 
 n ".crcy creigh rrrer.g the Irish lace in /rreriea to 
 •(tile !(ne Jich Celeries, en ireecupied lards, 
 /gitatien n eerr.edien with tie scheme, may de- 
 Atier rratteis lo tie cMert ef mahirg the idea a 
 icpular (re. It is {cajahle; ard it is a receesity, 
 let erly f u rr a lace surer cint, as ro ere I news 
 vhen Jcrn Ei 11 nay call a 1 alt to tre Irish language 
 n ca( mer.t in Irelard, tut aho, it is a recessity fiem 
 en e ducat ieral peirt cf view. 
 
 Let all Iii<h spcahcre mairicd ard sirgle wake up, 
 (c r their ewn irteifst, arc! utilize tie language fcr 
 the futuie, and thereby prepare themselves for 
 bettering their condition by getting on the land. 
 However, those on the firing line in Ireland, must 
 not be forgotten while John Bull allows them to 
 work fori the language preservation, they must 
 be upheld from abroad. 
 
 With this word so common in Irish literature from time imme- 
 morial, is it likely that the Anglo Saxons educated in Ireland from 
 the middle of the fifth century, long before they knew any Latin, 
 waited to get this word from the Latin language to use it in their 
 own? 
 
 "Science," this word which means "knowledge," cannot be 
 analyzed by our English lexicographers, with all their knowledge 
 of the classics; but our English etymologists tell us it is derived 
 from the Latin "Scio," to know; and Noah Webster says in his 
 Dictionary that "Scio is probably a contracted word" 
 
 "San" is an Irish word meauing "self," and "fios" is another, 
 meaning "knowledge;" Sanfhios, (sanios) therefore means self 
 knowedge. This is the word presumably, that was corrupted 
 a little in its spelling and made "Science;" for the knowledge must 
 be possessed by the individual; no hearsay "knowledge. 
 
 Through a knowledge of the Irish language we find that when 
 the Gaels came through Europe, on their way to Ireland — the 
 promised land — Mount Vesuvious in Italy was in active opera- 
 tion; and afterwards there came a lull, and a long one during which 
 the cities of Pompeii and Hereulaeneum grew up at the foot cf the 
 mountain. And that lull continued so long that trees of the largest 
 size were growing in the crater, or "clab," when it broke ou t 
 again and destroyed the above cities in the first century of the 
 Christian era, There could be no better proof of the antiquity 
 of the Gaels in Europe than this fact about Mount Vesuvious. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 Of all the samples of proof of the civilization of 
 the Ancient Gaels, given in "The Irish Vindicator/ 1 
 both directly and indirectly, the following, relative 
 to the Sepulchral Mounds of the era of civilization 
 that preceded the^Grecian era, may be as convinc- 
 ing as any: — 
 Ancient Irish Civilization Proved by Irish 
 Records. 
 
 Ireland leads the world in the antiquity of 
 Systematic records. In ancient tmes, before 
 Grecian civilization, nations honored their great 
 men, whether legislators, warriors, sages, or men 
 of literary genius, by erecting after their death, 
 Sepulchral monuments to their memory, in the 
 shape of Cromlecas, Barrows, Dolmens, or Cists. 
 
 Those Sepulchral monuments can be seen through- 
 out all the ancient European countries at the pres- 
 ent day, but not a nation of Europe has kept a 
 record of any of them, except the Irish nation. 
 I will quote in reference to the Irish National 
 Records and the mound-raising period, the History 
 of Ireland, by O'Grady, who even questions if there 
 was a nation in the world so far as can be ascertained, 
 that was as systematic as regards its National 
 Records, as the Irish nation. 
 
 He says, "I think Ireland alone among the nations 
 of the world, exhibits as to its history, the same 
 progress from the mythological and heroic, to the 
 mundane, not even excepting Greece which comes 
 next. In the history of Greece there occurs be- 
 tween the two regions an era of mere barren names, 
 which indicate that here is debatable and uncer- 
 tain land. On one side is the purple light of imag- 
 ination, amid which loom and glitter the heroes 
 
 53 
 
54 THE IRISH VINDICATORS 
 
 and the gods — a land illuminated by the mind of 
 Hesiod and Homer, and the tragedians; on the 
 other the clear light of history prevails. We see 
 clearly that one is history, and the other fiction. 
 But in the progress of the Irish National Record, the 
 purple light is never absent. The weird, the super- 
 natural, the heroic, surround characters as certain 
 as Brian Boru-events as trustworthy as the Norman 
 invasion. The bards never relinquished their 
 right to view their history with the eyes of poets 
 to convert their kings into heroes and adorn battles 
 and events with hues drawn from mythology; hence 
 the great stumbling block (in separating history 
 from mythology) in Irish literature. 
 
 "Scattered over the surface of Europe may be 
 found sepulchral monuments, the remains of pre- 
 historic times and nations, and of a phase of life 
 and civilization which has long since passed away. 
 No country of Europe is without its Cromleacs," 
 'Dolmens,' huge earthen tumuli, great flagged sep- 
 ulchres, and enclosures of tall pillar stones; and 
 no country of Europe has kept any record of any 
 of these except Ireland, which by virtue of a 
 marvelous strength and tenacity of the historical 
 intellect, and of filial devotedness of the memory of 
 the:r ancestors, there have been preserved down 
 into the early phases of mediaeval civilization, and 
 then committed to the sure guardianship of manu- 
 scripts, the hymns, ballads, stories and chronicles, 
 the names, pedigrees, and even character of those 
 ancient kings and warriors, over whomthose mas- 
 sive 'Cromleacs,' were erected, and great 'Cams' 
 piled. 
 
 "There is not a conspicuous sepulchral monument 
 in Ireland the traditional history of which is not 
 recorded in our ancient literature, and of the heroes 
 in whose honor those monuments were raised. In 
 the rest of Europe there is not a single 'Barrow,' 
 
THE IRISH VINDICHTOR. 55 
 
 'Dolmen,' or 'Cist' of which the ancient traditional 
 history is recorded. In Ireland there is hardly one 
 of which it is not. And those histories are in many 
 cases as rich and circumstantial as those of men of 
 the greatest eminence who have lived in modern 
 times. 
 
 "Foreigners are surprised to find the Irish claim 
 for their own country an antiquity and a history 
 prior to those of the neighbouring countries. 
 Herein lie the proofs and the explanation. The 
 traditions and history of the mound-raising period 
 have, in other countries, passed away. Foreign 
 conquest, or less intrinsic force of imagination and 
 pious sentiment have suffered them to fall into ob- 
 livion; but in Ireland they have been all preserved in 
 their original fullness and vigour; hardly a hue has 
 faded, hardly a minute circumstance, or articulation 
 been suffered to decay." 
 
 The reader may be led to infer from this quota- 
 tion that the Gaels in Ireland had not the use of 
 letters, until "the early phases of mediaeval civil- 
 ization," but the fact is that the Gaels had the use 
 of letters from the time of their great ancestor 
 Fenius Fearsa, King of Scythia (not the Scythia 
 of Herodotus), who is said to have invented the 
 alphabet, and established Gaelic schools in his 
 Kingdom 2500 years before the Christian era. 
 
 They held these letters during their sojournings 
 in Egypt and Europe, and brought them to Ireland 
 1699 years before the Christian era. Being isolated 
 by themselves in the Emerald Isle, they progressed 
 rapidly in civilization, as their literature anoV laws 
 will prove; so that they were always able to keep 
 records, and in the third century after landing in 
 Ireland, -ftiere was established under the leader- 
 ship of Ollamh Fodla, a Senatorial form of govern- 
 ment, a system not yet improved on in the world. 
 
 The ancient literature of Ireland in which the 
 
56 THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 
 
 history ^of those mounds and of the personages over 
 whom they were erected, are to be found, has been 
 for the last two or three centuries, like "sealed 
 books, in the keeping of the Irish language." there 
 being only a few comparatively able to read them; 
 owing to the fact that the national language of 
 Ireland and the literature therein, were banned 
 and proscribed by English law in the country for 
 centuries; so that the exact location of any particu- 
 lar monument is a difficult task to discover at the 
 present day. 
 
 In the neighborhood of 50 years ago, however, 
 an Inspector of National Schools in Ireland, named 
 Eugene Alfred Conwell, interested himself in this 
 particular line, and as a result of his labors discov- 
 ered at Loughcrew Hills, in Co. Meath, the monument, 
 or mound, erected to the memory and over the re- 
 mains of Ollamh Fodla (ol-lav foa-la) the great 
 Irish lawgiver, who established at Tara, in the 14th 
 century B. C. a senatorial form of government, the 
 first of its kind in the world, presumably, at least in 
 Europe, being 500 years before Lycurgus, the first 
 Grecian lawgiver, was born. 
 
 The various summits of Loughcrew Hills, also 
 known by the Irish name of "Sliabh na Caillighe," 
 (sliav na kail-lee,) hags mountain, for two miles in 
 extent, are studded with the remains of ancient 
 earns, or tombs. This district was known in ancient 
 times as the Pagan Cemetery of Tailte. 
 
 A variety of inscriptions — a cypher system, 
 presumably — is on a number of the flags in Ollamh 
 Fodla's tomb; but the key for deciphering the in- 
 scriptions is not yet discovered. 
 
 Following are extracts from Con well's book on 
 Ollamh Fodla's Tomb: — "The original shape of 
 this earn still remains comparatively perfect, 
 consisting of a conical mound of loose stones, nearly 
 all apparently fragments of the native rock, Lower 
 
THE IRISH YINDICATOR. 57 
 
 Silurian grit. It is 383^, yards in diameter 
 at the base, having an elevation of 21 paces in slant- 
 height from base to summit. A retaining wall, 
 consisting of 37 large flags laid on edge, and varying 
 in length from 6 to 12 feet, surrounds the base ex- 
 ternally; and on the eastern side, this surrounding 
 circle of large stones curves inwards for a distance of 
 8 or 9 yards on each side of a point where the passage 
 to the interior chambers commences. 
 
 "The interior of this earn had been so well 
 plundered at some former period that no remains 
 of the actual mode of Sepulture were found in it; 
 but, judging from the quantities of charred human 
 bones, broken urns, inscribed bone flakes, polished 
 stone balls, articles of bronze and iron, bone, glass 
 and amber beads, etc., collected from the other 
 earns during our examination of them in September, 
 1865, two important facts would appear to be clearly 
 established therefrom, viz: that cremation of the 
 dead was practised on Sliabh na Caillighe up to 
 the Christian era, at the commencement of which, 
 as previously shown, the use of this cemetery was 
 given up; and that, during the period the cemetery 
 was in actual use, the people must have been ac- 
 quainted with the use of articles made not only of 
 stone and of bronze, but of iron, glass, amber and 
 bone. 
 
 "If, however, nothing has come down to us im- 
 mediately associated with the remains of the orig- 
 inal interment in this earn, future history may have 
 something far more interesting to record, when 
 some successful student in archaic Sculptures shall 
 have, been fortunate enough to discover the key for 
 interpreting the meaning, whether ideographic or 
 symbolic, or/ merely ornamental, intended to be 
 conveyed by the curious, and at present mystic 
 characters inscribed upon the stones forming the 
 interior chambers. There is little doubt tn a t 
 
58 the irish Vindicator. 
 
 should. one of the old sculptors of these devices, by 
 any possibility be able once more to 'revisit the 
 glimpses of the moon,' and be confronted with an 
 inscription on one of our modern sepulchral monu- 
 ments, the reading of which to us is so plain and 
 simple, and so conformable with the science of 
 grammar, he would be as much puzzled, probably 
 more so, to make sense or meaning out of our 
 characters, as we are to-day out of his! 
 
 "A basaltic slab, not 3 feet square, turned up 
 near Rosetta, on the western mouth of the Nile, 
 by a French officer of Engineers in the month of 
 August, 1799, at present preserved in the British 
 Museum, and now commonly known as 'The 
 Rosetta Stone,' has, from its fruitful contents, led 
 to the deciphering and reading of what had then 
 become mysitc characters on the pyramids of 
 Egypt." 
 
 There is proof in this Appendix of the advanced 
 state of civilization of the Irish race in Ireland; in 
 fact that they led the world in civilization in the pre- 
 Grecian era; and yet they are the most abused and 
 maligned people in the world to-day, and for cen- 
 turies past, in books, in papers, magazines, annals, 
 encyclopedias, etc. To give a sample of the slan- 
 ders, let me quote from the "New Standard En- 
 cyclopedia," published in N. York City, 1905, by 
 the American Magazine Association, by which it 
 was Copyrighted in 1903. 
 
 This work was edited by Wm. A. Colledge, 
 Dean American School of Correspondence, Armour 
 Institute, Chicago; and Editor Technical World; 
 and Nathan Haskell Dole, A. U. ; Editor American 
 Dictionary and Encyclopedia. 
 
 "The beginning of the history of Ireland is envel- 
 oped in fable. Among the ancients it was known 
 at least as early as the time of Aristotle (in the 4th 
 century, B. C.,) who calls itlerne, yet theinformation 
 
THE IRISH VINDICATOR. 59 
 
 to be found about Ireland in the works of the an- 
 cient geographers and historians is altogether very 
 scanty. 
 
 The vernacular language of the Irish proves that 
 they are a part of the great Celtic race which was 
 once spread all over Western Europe. The oldest 
 and most authenticated Irish records were written 
 between the 10th and 12th centuries; some of them 
 go back with some consistency as far as the Chris- 
 tian era; but there is no evidence that the Irish had 
 the use of letters before the middle of the fifth cen- 
 tury when Christianity and Christian literature 
 were introduced by St. Patrick." 
 
 Men and women of the Irish race, don't blame 
 yourselves for not being in arms in refutation of 
 those wilful slanders, because, as a rule, you did not 
 know that they existed, nor did you know that your 
 ancestors were so remarkable for their advanced 
 state of civilization in the world from time immem- 
 orial. Now you are convinced of both, so you 
 will wake up and do your duty towards yourselves 
 and your descendants — also your ancestors, whose 
 spirits seem to appeal to you from their ancient 
 cities of the dead, to refute the columnies heaped 
 upon them for centuries, by placing before the 
 world again those grand heirlooms handed down 
 by them to you, their decendants, to care for and 
 cherish — the Irish language and Irish literature, 
 and thereby place your race in the proper light 
 before the world; and elevate the nation with which 
 you are identified, educationally, to a stage which 
 it could never reach otherwise. 
 
 The best effort must be directed towards utilizing 
 the Irish speakers in their respective communities, 
 and giving* prizes in money to small children who 
 can talk the language. If you cannot talk Irish 
 and are in a community where there are no Irish 
 speakers, you can aid in securing an Irish phono- 
 graph. 
 
f 
 
1 
 
 » 
 
 •• 
 
\ 
 
 **H 
 
18076* 
 
 BOSTON COLLEGE 
 
 3 9031 025 66618 1