memory of this distinguished Irish poet. Among the contributors to the
Memorial Fund are Cardinal Newman, Cardinal MacCabe, Cardinal MacClosky;
Most Rev. Dr. M'Gettigan, Most Rev. Dr. Croke, Most Rev. Dr. Butler, and
many of the Irish Clergy; Lord O'Hagan, the Marquis of Ripon, Archbishop
Trench, Judge O'Hagan, Sir. C. G. Duffy, Aubrey de Vere, Sir Samuel
Ferguson, and Dr. J. K. Ingram.

Subscriptions will be received by the Lord Mayor, Mansion House,
Dublin; by Dr. James Brady, 38 Harcourt-st; Mr. W. L. Joynt, D. L.,
43 Merrion-square; Rev. C. P. Meehan, SS. Michael and John's; or by
any Member of the Committee.




PREFACE.


This volume contains, besides the poems published in 1850 and 1857,[1]
the odes written for the centenary celebrations in honour of O'Connell
in 1875, and of Moore in 1879. To these are added several sonnets and
miscellaneous poems now first collected, and the episode of "Ferdiah"
translated from the 'Tain Bo Chuailgne.'

Born in Dublin,[2] May 26th, 1817, my father, while still very young,
showed a decided taste for literature. The course of his boyish reading
is indicated in his "Lament." Some verses from his pen, headed "My
Wishes," appeared in the "Dublin Satirist," April 12th, 1834. This was,
as far as I can discover, the earliest of his writings published. To
the journal just mentioned he frequently contributed, both in prose and