land Irish, although it is plainly influenced at times by the speech of the less accurate section of the population. The revival of Irish literature depends on such as he. The story at the end of Part II. is not by him, but may prove of interest, if not for its own sake, at least for the idioms which it contains.
I would have the reader bear in mind that this book is by no means exhaustive of its subject. A mastery of its contents will, no doubt, place in his hands the key to the Irish of the district, but even one day’s experience will suffice to convince him that much still remains to be garnered. It would be difficult to exaggerate the wealth and variety of the Irish of East Munster.
The speakers to whom I am chiefly indebted are Máire Ní Ḃriain (go ndéanaiḋ Dia trócaire ar a hanam ⁊ ar gaċ n-aon), Tomás Ó Muireaḋaiġ, Tomás an Cráineaċ, Máiġréad Graves, Briġid Ní Ġearailt, Nóra Ní Ċinnéide. To these and to many others whose patience I must have sorely tried, I desire to express my gratitude.
The proofs have been read by Dr. Henebry, Mr. P. McSweeney, Fermoy, and Father O’Connor, C.C., Dungarvan. Many of their suggestions have been inserted over their initials (Dr. H. or De H., McS., O’C.). My obligations to them for much valuable criticism and for their promptness in returning the proofs cannot, I feel, be discharged with a passing word. Sister M. Regis, of the Ursuline Convent, Waterford, kindly gave me the English names of some seventy plant-specimens which I sent her. Mr. Moore, Curator of the Botanic Gardens, also gave me assistance. I should not omit to mention that the Cló-Ċumann, who undertook to print the entire work within a month, have honourably kept their word.
