Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

3o6 Old Irish Religions.
before the twelfth century. Toland, in his History of the
Druids, agrees with O'Curry in the statement that Irish
MSS. are older and more numerous than Welsh. Many
are scattered in the libraries of Europe, particularly in
Paris, Spain, Copenhagen, and the Vatican.
Leland, time of Henry VIII., accounts for some destruction
of MSS. As the Norman conquerors of Ireland
built churches wherever they established themselves, Leland
says that the native Irish made a practice of burning
churches in their hatred to the new men. As the pious
Normans were great patrons of monasteries, these buildings
often shared a similar fate from the like cause, and vast
collections of Irish MSS. so perished in the flames. The
Danes, in the pillaging of Armagh, and other centres
of ancient learning, were responsible for much of the
Vandalism.
A curious story is told by Christopher Anderson. " In
the reign of Elizabeth," says he, " the King of Denmark
applied to England for proper persons who might translate
the ancient Irish books in his possession ;
and an Irishman
in London, then in prison, being applied to on the subject,
was ready to engage in the work. But, upon a council
beins: called, a certain member, it is said, who may be
nameless, opposed the scheme, lest it should
• • 1
be prejudicial
to the English interest."
Of one thing there can be no doubt ;
viz. that Irish
scholars find great difficulties in reading and translating
Irish MSS. They are so obscure and rude, have been so
often interpolated at various periods, and are so liable to
be misunderstood by the most conscientious and painstaking
student, that outsiders are puzzled by the contradictory
results of examination.
It is generally allowed that the Fenian poems are the most
classical.
Hardiman, in Irish Minstrelsy, is " fully convinced