Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

304 Old Irish Religions.
ideas of this question, as has been given upon other subjects
treated of in this book.
Some Irish authorities, hke not a few Welsh ones, are
ready to accept without hesitation a narrative written by
their countrymen, as if it were a point of patriotism to do
so. Others, not so credulous, are desirous to explain away
any seeming errors or incongruities, especially if regarded
in the interest of a Church, or the exigency of a political
party. Then, there are a few, influenced by the modern
spirit of inquiry, or scepticism, prepared not only to reject
what are palpable absurdities, but, sometimes, unreasonably
to deny what is not immediately capable of proof.
Too much praise cannot be given to many, such as Sir
Charles Gavan Duffy, who are trying to popularize ancient
Irish literature.
It is harsh, indeed, to say, as Dr. Ledwich does in his
Antiq7iities of Ireland, after quoting a list by Ware and
Keating— " It savours, as all Irish MSS. do, of modern
forgery." But no student of history can exempt the
annals of Ireland from the charge of misrepresentation of
facts, or absolute invention of falsehoods.
who considered the old Irish " a
Prof. Harttung,
distinctly unhistorical and
unsettled people," has this opinion of their ancient literature—
" Imagination and the works of scholars, especially
after the tenth century, supplied that which was painfully
wanting in actuality."
No better illustration can be given than the remarkable
series of books on the lives of St.
Patrick and St. Columba.
One's faith is tried thereby to the uttermost, leading not a
few to deny the very existence of the two missionaries.
That early Irish literature was afterwards much corrupted
may be admitted, without throwing doubt upon all records
because of interpolations
zeal, or love of the marvellous.
and changes, through indiscreet