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THE ROUND TOWERS OF IRELAND
THE ROUND TOWERS OF IRELAND
Henry O’Brien Author of “The Round Towers of Ireland.” THE ROUND TOWERS OF IRELAND OR THE HISTORY OF THE TUATH-DE-DANAANS BY HENRY O’BRIEN A NEW EDITION WITH INTRODUCTION, SYNOPSIS, INDEX, ETC. London : W. THACKER & CO., 2 Creed Lane , E.C. Calcutta : THACKER, SPINK & CO. 1898 [ All Rights Reserved ] 750 Copies only of this Edition have been printed for Sale and the Type distributed, of which this is No. 324. ...
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
“When all is dark, who would object to a ray of light, merely because of the faulty or flickering medium by which it is transmitted? And if those round towers have been hitherto a dark puzzle and a mystery, must we scare away O’Brien, because he approaches with a rude and unpolished but serviceable lantern?”— Fraser’s Magazine for August 1835. Henry O’Brien, the most daring and ingenious explorer of that recondite mystery, the origin and purpose of Irish Round Towers, was born in 1808. On both h
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SYNOPSIS
SYNOPSIS
CHAPTER I ( Pp. 1-15) The book opens with a preliminary statement, in general terms, of the object which its author has in view. It is to prove that the round towers date from a more remote antiquity than that usually assigned to them; that they were, in fact, erected long before Christianity reached these islands, and even before the date of the Milesian and Scandinavian invasions. In support of this view, he contrasts the materials, architecture, and costliness of their construction with those
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PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
In Fraser’s Magazine for the month just expired, there has appeared an article headed the “Arcana of Freemasonry,” which will save me the trouble of an introductory dissertation. The style is quaint, but that will be overlooked; its author is evidently a true mason and a good man; and, initiated as he is in all the fundamentals of his fraternity, he will be the more ready to recognise the truth of my disclosures, as well as to admit the originality of the proofs which I adduce. To him, therefore
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
“A lively desire of knowing and recording our ancestors so generally prevails, that it must depend on the influence of some common principle in the minds of men. We seem to have lived in the persons of our forefathers; our calmer judgment will rather tend to moderate than suppress the pride of an ancient and worthy race. The satirist may laugh; the philosopher may preach; but reason herself will respect the prejudices and habits which have been consecrated by the experience of mankind.” [41] Of
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
This chivalrous son of Mars, more conversant, I should hope, with tactics than with literary disquisitions, has started with a position which he is himself, shortly after, the most industrious to contradict; namely, “that the gods, to punish so much vanity and presumption, had consigned to everlasting oblivion the founders, names, dates, periods, and all records relating to them.” [48] Surely, if they were intended for the despicable dungeons which the Colonel would persuade us was their origin,
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Observe, then, the structures which he compares are altogether different; one being square , and the other round. Nor, in the whole compass of possible analogies , is there a single feature in which the two classes of edifices could be said to correspond, but that they both have their doors—which, by the way, are different in their form—at a distance from the ground. The Pyramids of Egypt bear the same correspondence,—their entrance being one-third of the height from the surface,—and why does no
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
Having thus disposed of the word “Cloic-teach,” which Dr. Ledwich so relied upon, as determining the character of these antique remains, I take leave, evermore, to discard the misnomer, and draw attention to a name which I have never seen noticed as applied to any of those pyramidal edifices. That which I allude to is “Cathoir ghall,” which means the “Cathedral or temple of brightness” (“and delight ” [60] ); not, I must premise, from any external daubing with which modern Vandalism may have tho
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Nimrod, the son of Cush, “the mighty hunter before the Lord,” was the first person, [75] according to Vossius, [76] who introduced the worship of the sun as a deity. Disgusted with the roving character of his previous life, and tired of peregrination, he resolves to build himself a permanent abode, and persuades his followers to embark in the design, “lest they be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” [77] Mankind had already relapsed into the follies of their antediluvian ancestor
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
Now if there be any one point of Irish antiquity which our historians insist upon more than another, it is that of our ancestral connection with the Egyptian kings. In all their legends Egypt is mixed up—in all their romances Egypt stands prominent, which certainly could not have been so universal without something at least like foundation, and must, therefore, remove anything like surprise at the affinity our ancient religion bore, in many respects, to theirs, since they were both derived from
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
To wind up the matter, steadily and unequivocally I do deny that the Round Towers of Ireland were fire receptacles. I go further, and deny that any of those eastern round edifices which travellers speak of, were ever intended for fire receptacles: that they were all pagan structures—and temples too—consecrated to the most solemn and engrossing objects of human pursuit , however erroneously that pursuit may have been directed, I unhesitatingly affirm. What then, I shall be asked, was their design
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
What is it, then, that we see here elucidated? Just conceive. For the last three thousand years and more, the learning of the world has been employed to ascertain the origin of the doctrine of Budhism. The savants of France, the indefatigable inquirers of Germany, the affected pedants of Greece and Rome, and the pure and profound philosophers of ancient India and Egypt, have severally and ineffectually puzzled themselves to dive into the secrets of that mystic religion. [118] “The conflicting op
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Thus far have Ireland and Persia kept company together, both equally rejoicing in the common name of Iran . But now, when we descend to particulars, this harmony separates. Ireland being an island surrounded on all sides by water—which Persia is not—it was necessary it should obtain a denomination expressive of this accident; or, at all events, when the alteration was so easily formed as by the change of the final an into in — an meaning land , and in island —the transition was so natural as at
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Pharaoh , [172] the titular appellation of the monarchs of Egypt, being but the local modification of this our Irish Phearagh , the mind is instinctively directed towards that great storehouse of bygone consequence. And as the best authority that we can command in gaining any insight into its reverses is through the medium of its own historians, let us hear what Manetho, a priest of the country, thus transmits:— “We had formerly,” says he, “a king named Timæus, in whose reign, I know not why, bu
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
I come now, with the same view, to consider the destination of their famous “Pyramids.” [187] In this pursuit the first thing that strikes us is the uniform precision and systematic design apparent in their architecture. They all have their sides accurately adapted to the four cardinal points, as the four apertures near the summit of most of ours indicate a similar regard to fidelity to the compass. In six of them which have been opened, the principal passage preserves the same inclination of 26
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
Another characteristic, to which I would fain attract the reader’s regard, is the circumstance of their being erected in the vicinity of water . At Glendalough, what a magnificent lake salutes the Tower? In Devenish and at Killmalloch, is not the same the case? In other parts of the country, also, we find them similarly located. And even where nature has not been so lavish of her inland seas , yet is water, of some shape, always to be seen contiguous to our towers. What use, it will be asked, do
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
The universal ignorance which prevails throughout the East as to the origin of those antiquities which excite the wonder of every traveller makes it necessary that we should again direct our course towards that hemisphere, to redeem, if possible, its venerable remains from that moral night which successive ages have accumulated around them. Persia [206] was the source which poured its vivifying light into the mental obnubilation of our European ancestors. By a reverse of those casualties from wh
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
The objections against the Dabistan being thus superseded, and the idea of its being an “invention” [213] having never crossed anyone’s thoughts, I shall now give a bird’s-eye view of its tenour in Sir John’s own summary thereof. “It has been before observed,” says he, “that the idolatrous religion which Mohsin Fani ascribes to the ancient Persians, bears no resemblance to the worship of the Hindoos: it seems nearest that which was followed by a sect of Sabians , who, we are told, believed in Go
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
“Woman, the poetry of Nature,” says an elegant writer of the present day, “has ever been the theme of the minstrel, and the idol of the poet’s devotion. The only ideas we entertain of a celestial nature are associated with her; in her praise the world has been exhausted of its beauties, and she is linked with the stars and the glories of the universe, as if, though dwelling in a lowlier sphere, she belonged to a superior world.” This deification of the female character was the true substance of
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
“Chilly as the climate of the world is growing—artificial and systematic as it has become—and unwilling as we are to own the fact, there are few amongst us but who have had those feelings once strongly entwined around the soul, and who have felt how dear was their possession when existing, and how acute the pang which their severing cost. Fewer still were the labyrinths unclosed in which their affections lay folded, but in whose hearts the name of woman would be found, although the rough collisi
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
When I cast back my eye upon this narrative, through the long perspective of ages which it involves, I confess I feel incommoded by some misgivings of self-distrust. When I consider the mighty individuals, of transcendent powers and almost inexhaustible resources, who, having reconnoitred its coast, either perished in the impotency of effecting a landing, or, more wisely, receded from it as impregnable, I am thrown back , as it were, upon myself, and impeded by the comparison of my own littlenes
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
The Tuath-de-danaans , or Mahabadeans, being thus far proved as the first occupiers of Iran, it may be asked, How happens it that no Persian historians, anterior to Mohsan Fani, have noticed their existence? In the first place, I answer that they all have mentioned them, however unconsciously by themselves, or inadvertently by others. And even had this not been the fact—had not a single syllable been recorded, bearing reference to their name, the remote era, in itself, of their detachment from t
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
But you will say that I have ventured nothing like proof, of the paradoxical affirmation propounded a short while ago, as to the Tuath-de-danaans having been mentioned, by all Eastern writers, in connection with Persia; and yet unnoticed, the while, by themselves, not less than unheeded by their readers? True: I but awaited the opportunity which has just arrived. Are you not aware, then, how that all Oriental writers, when referring to Budha, who was born at Maghada, in South Bahar, state that h
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CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
I have stated that it was from the Pish -de-danaans or Yavana philosophers of Egypt that Moses had learned the allegories of the Deluge and of the Fall. I now add, that it was by them also he had been instructed in that consolatory assurance which told him that the “Seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head.” [315] In truth, it was this very promise made to the ancestors of those people in Paradise , which is but another name for Iran , [316] that gave rise to the schism between them an
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CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
I would have my reader pause upon the substance of the terms with which the last section concluded—“Not only to live with more comfort, but to die with better hopes!” Have you read them? Have you digested them? And are you not ashamed of your illiberality? From what pulpit in Christendom will you hear better or more orthodox truths? Where will you find the Gospel more energetically enunciated? And, with this testimony staring you in the face—in defiance of inner light—and imperiously subjugating
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CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
A very industrious contributor to the Asiatic Researches has afforded scope for some jests at his expense, because of the attempt which he has made to identify the British islands with certain Western localities commemorated in the writings of the Hindoos. Had he but known, however, the coincidence of our monuments with those mysteries which the Puranas record, how they mutually support and dovetail into each other, he could not only have laughed to scorn the traducers of his services, but fixed
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CHAPTER XXIV.
CHAPTER XXIV.
The regal figures, which I promised, as belonging to the Nubian temple, and corresponding to the Knockmoy frescoes, are the following:— You will, furthermore, observe how that they all wear the philibeg , like our crucified effigy at p. 296, and our war-god, Phearagh, at p. 138. Each of them, also, is adorned with the cross , as the passport of their redemption: while the three divinities , delineated in the Irish scenes, have these as their counterparts in the temple of Nubia. Abbe Pluché state
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CHAPTER XXV.
CHAPTER XXV.
On the east side of the river Shannon, about ten miles distant from Athlone, in the barony of Garrycastle, and King’s County, is situated the Sanctuary of Clonmacnoise. Within the narrow limits of two Irish acres, are here condensed more religious ruins, of antiquarian value, than are to be found, perhaps, in a similar space in any other quarter of the habitable world. Nine churches, built respectively by the individuals whose names they bear, namely: (1) that of Macarthy More; (2) that of Melag
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CHAPTER XXVI.
CHAPTER XXVI.
It will be borne in mind that everything hitherto advanced on the various topics which we have been discussing, was the sheer result of internal reasoning and of personal circumspection—that, wherever extrinsic aid was brought forward in support of this unbeaten track, it was uniformly in the shape of conclusions deduced from the premises of reluctant witnesses. I rejoice, with delight unspeakable, that I have it at last in my power to range myself side by side with an author whose testimony in
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CHAPTER XXVII.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Having promised early in this volume to identify our island with the Insula Hyperboreorum of antiquity, I shall, without further tarrying, produce the extract referred to, from Diodorus; and, lest I may be suspected of adapting it to my own peculiar views, it shall appear minutely in Mr. Booth’s translation, viz.:— “Amongst them that have written old stories much like fables, Hecatæus and some others say, that there is an island in the ocean, over against Gaul, as big as Sicily, under the arctic
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
You ask me for the proofs of this early grandeur? I point you to the gold crowns, the gold and silver ingots, the double-headed pateræ or censers, the anklets, lunettes, bracelets, fibulæ, necklaces, etc., which have been repeatedly found throughout all parts of Ireland, evidently the relics of that “Sacred” colony who gave their name to this island, and who, to the refined taste which such possessions imply, united also the science which appears in their workmanship. [460] But these are scanty
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CHAPTER XXIX.
CHAPTER XXIX.
“The Scoto-Milesians,” says Dr. Hales, [489] “reckon twenty-three generations from Feni an fear soid, ‘the Phœnician wise man,’ their ancestor, to Heber and Heremon, who established the last settlement from Spain, as observed before; which, at the usual computation of three mean generations to a century, would give 766 years from Fenius to Heber. But we learn from Coemhain, that the sons of Milesius (this should have been Gallamh ) [490] were coeval with Solomon, and that the Gadelians [491] cam
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CHAPTER XXX.
CHAPTER XXX.
Before we descend to language, I shall collect the historical concordances that bear upon this investigation. Beo, a poetess of Delphi, mentions in the fragment of a poem, quoted by Pausanias, that three individuals, sons of Hyperboreans, and named Olen , Pagasus , and Agyeus , had founded the oracle of Delphi. Will it be credited that those three names are but representatives of three several orders of our Irish priests, viz. Ollam, Pagoes, and Aghois? [511] At Delos the same tradition is to be
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CHAPTER XXXI.
CHAPTER XXXI.
“They shall be astonished, and shall humble their countenances: and trouble shall seize them, when they shall behold the Son of Woman sitting upon the throne of his glory. Then shall the kings, the princes, and all who possess the earth glorify him who has dominion over all things—him who was concealed : for, from the beginning, the Son of Man existed in secret , whom the Most High preserved in the presence of his power, and revealed to the elect .” [543] So speaks one of the most extraordinary
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The principle of all mysteries having been already elucidated, it only remains, that in this concluding chapter, I point out a few more instances of their practical application. In the Gospel, then, according to St. Matthew, I find the words, “ O generation of vipers , who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” [593] And in that according to St. John, the following, “We be not born of fornication ; we have one Father, even God.” [594] The juxtaposition of these texts, one with another,
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LIST OF IRISH ROUND TOWERS AND CROSSES.[619]
LIST OF IRISH ROUND TOWERS AND CROSSES.[619]
An asterisk (*) is prefixed to the names of the most remarkable. I. TOWERS. Aghaboe (Queen’s Co.). Aghadoe (Kerry), only 12 or 15 feet left. Its masonry greatly superior to that of the church near it (167). Aghagower (Mayo), near Westport. Imperfect. Aghaviller (Kilkenny), six miles south of Thomastown. Imperfect. Annadown (Galway), only 7 feet of a very fine base left. * Antrim (Antrim), one of the most perfect, but of the smaller class. Aranmore (Galway), base only. Ardfert (Kerry), site only.
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