Contributions to Irish Biography. No. 34. The South Munster Antiquarian Society. Part I: John...

Irish Jesuit Province

Contributions to Irish Biography. No. 34. The South Munster Antiquarian Society. Part I:John WindeleAuthor(s): James ColemanSource: The Irish Monthly, Vol. 26, No. 298 (Apr., 1898), pp. 182-189Published by: Irish Jesuit ProvinceStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20499266 .

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( 182 )

CONTRIBUTIONS TO IRISH BIOGRAPHY.-No. 34.

THE3 SOTUTH MUNSTER ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.

PARr I.-JOHN WINDELE.

W IATEVER might be said as to the attitude of the Irish people as a body in regard to the history and antiquities of

their country-a point on which, as on most Irish topics, the most conflicting opinions exist-it cannot be gainsaid tLat amongst what

may be termed the Irish middle classes, a commendably growing interest is now being taken in these subjects, as shown by the in creasing membership of the Royal Society of Antiquaries (founded in 1849 as the Kilkenny Archieological Society) and the signal success of its excursions, as well as by the recent establishment of kindred societies in Belfast, Cork, Waterford, Kildare, and Limerick, each of whicb, moreover, issues a well-edited quarterly journal of its own.

At all times, in fact, there have fortunately been at least some few persons for wbom Irish history and antiquities have p9ssessed an irresistible attraction; and it is not a little remarkable that the

most eminent amongst them should have been men not Irish either in name or descent, to take, for instance, Sir James Ware, in the 17th century, General Vallancey in the last, and Dr.

George Petrie in the present century, whose labours on behalf of Irish history and Irish archaeology stand so far unsurpassed.

Several societies too, as well as individuals, have from time to time sought with varying success, to preserve and elucidate the history, language, music, literary records, and antiquarian remains of Ireland.

Of the early societies founded for this purpose, two, viz, the Royal Irish Academy and the Royal Society of Antiquaries, still flourish, and need no further mention here. But it may not be amiss to chronicle the names of those that, like the South Munster Antiquarian Society, are now extinct, which were in their way the pioneers of the "c National Literary," " Feis Coil," " Oireacthas," and "Irish Texts'" Societies of to-day, not to speak of their seniors, the Gaelik Society and the Society for the Preservation of



Contributions to Irish Biography. 188

the Irish Language, which are still doing such excellent work. In the year 1740 a number of literary gentlemen became

associated under the name of the Physico-Hiistorical Society; and under their patronage were published Dr. Smith's HEistories of

Waterford, Kerry, and Cork. After this the premier society of its class, another one known as the Uoimtional Gaoidilge, or " Irish Society," was founded in Dublin in 1752, for the publication of Irish tracts, but failed to issue any. Upon the extinction of this society nothing appears to have been done for Irish history and antiquities by any collective body, until 1782, or the year follow ing, when Vallancey's " Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis " having been published, that enthusiastic Philo.celt founded the Society of Antiquaries. The publication of the "c Collectanea," was the means of making the famous Edmund Burke induce Sir John Seabright to present Trinity College, Dublin, with the valuable Irish manuscripts collected by the celebrated Welsh antiquary, Edward Lluyd, included in which are the '" Brehon Laow Commen taries," the " Book of Leinster," and other important volumds.

When the Society of Antiquaries became extinct, the Royal Irish Academy was founded. But as the Academy devoted its attention principally to science, the continued neglect of Irish history and antiquities led a few persons to found in 1807, the Gaelic Society of Dublin-which produced one volume only. Subsequently to the formation of the Gaelic Society another called the Arhkeological Society was founded also in Dublin. In 1818 arose a new institution called the lberno-Celtic Society, under whose auspices appeared one volume, viz., O'Reilly's "Irish Writeis," from which the particulars just given have been taken. In 1840 the Irish

Archaeological Society was founded; and in 1845 the Celtic Society. These were after a time united; and then died out. To the Irish Archaoological Society we are indebted for twenty-three; and to the Celtic Society for four valuable works, on Irish history, antiquities, &c.

In December, 1851, was founded the "1 Society for the Preservation and Publication of the Melodies of Ireland; " but after the publication of a portion of the collection of . Irish

Music, formed by Dr. (George Petrie, that society, too, came to naught. On St. Patrick's Day, 1853, was founded the Ossianic Sooiety .for the Preservation and Publication of Manuscripts in the Irish Language, illustrative of the Fenian period of Irish littory,



184 The Irish Monthly.

&c., with literal translations and notes. Seven years later it could boast of 746 members; it had published six volumes and had six

more in preparation; it possessed what might be described as branches in New York, Canada, and Australia; yet before another year was past the Ossianic Societv had ceased to exist. A like brief span of existence (1878-86) was all that the Ossory Archeological Society was fated to enjoy, having received its death stroke on the departure of its founder, Bishop (now Cardinal) Moran for the Australian Mission. Considering the large number and influential character of their members, and the eminent authors who wrote their books, the collapse of the four Dublin societies last named seems all but inexplicable. The various volumes which they issued, however, are still highly prized by the Irish antiquary, whilst the impetus they gave to Irish archaeological studies continues to be felt; and we have yet happily amongst us three at least of their

most active and efficient members who might be said, in. a sense, tq still carry on their work, viz., Sir John T. Gilbert, LL.D., Dr. Sigerson, and Mr. Standish Hayes O'Grady.

The present Cork Archeological Society, too, is, to a great extent, continuing the work of the South Munster Society. But never perhaps before or since was there such an earnest and devoted band of Irish antiquaries as this little society formed, numbering hardly more than a dozen members in all, priests, parsons, and

professional men, mostly of mature age, who, at a period when

neither railways nor bicycles were available, thought it no toil or trouble to wend their way afoot, often over considerable distances, in order to visit and explore some round tower, ancient mound,

Druid altar, Ogham stone, ruined church, or other antiquarian relic of which there are still so many notable specimens remaining in

Cork and the adjacent counties. The South Munster Antiquarian Society appears to have had

no fixed rules, nor to have kept any formal record of its proceed ings; and it is only from out-of-the-wav sources that we can now catch glimpses of its antiquarian rambles and researches to which were due the valuable topographical books and pamphlets, now gettifng very scarce, of which so large a proportion of its members were (as will be seen) the authors.

The, mere enumeration of their names-John Windele, Richard Sainthill, Richard Brash, Williaim Hackett, Abraham Abell, 'Francis Jennings, William IKelleher, William Willes, Rev. M.



Contributions to Irish Biography. 185

Horgan, Rev. R. Smiddy, Rev. Justin M'Carthy (brother of the late Bishop of Cloyne), Rev. D. Coleman, Rev. Dominick Mhurphy, the Rev. Messrs. Bolster, Jones, Rogers, and Lawless-will show that they were at least worthy contemporaries of the remarkable and better known men of whom Cork city and county were so prolific in the first half of the present century, such

as Crofton Crok3;er, "the Father of Irish folklore," Dr. Maginn, Maclise, and " Father Prout; " John Lindsay, the Numismatist,

Richard Dowden, the botanist, North Ludlow Beamish, the biographer, J. J. Callanan, Fergus O'Connor, Dan Callaghan, the

merchant prince, Thomas Davis, Daniel Owen Madden, O'Neill

Daunt, Michael Joseph Barry, John Francis Maguire, Rev. Pierce Drew, Rev. Samuel Hayman, Dr, Caulfield, John George Mc0arthy, Count Murphy, and many more; and when Cork counted

amongst her adopted citizens Father Mathew, Jrames Roche, Owen Connellan and Sir Robert Kane.

But however deserving of a biographical sketch each of the South Munster antiquaries may have been, the requisite materials, save in a few instances are not now to be obtained; and are none

too abundant in regard to Windele, Brash, Sainthill, Lindsay,

Hackett, Fathers Horgan and Smiddy, to brief notices of whom the

present paper is consequently confined. The ablest, and beyond question the most enthusiastic arebre

ologist amongst them was JOHN WIND ELE, from a copy of whose obituary notice, kindly lent by his grandson, the Rev. Mark

Leonard, (IC., SBallincollig, Cork, the subjoined particulars

relative to his life and antiquarian work are chiefly derived.

John Windele was born at Cork in 1801. He belonged to a

Kerry family, who spelt their name Windle, and though long settled in Ireland, seem to have originally come from England.

Early in life Windele showed an intense love for antiquarian

pursuits. Whilst yet a boy he visited all the ancient remains

within his reach, such as old abbeys, churches, castles, &c., making

sketches of all that impressed him in this way; and when grown

to manhood his interest in, and his study of the history, language,

literature and arts of his native land became the ruling passion of

his life. His first published paper is said to be that, which under

the curio as pseudonym of i" Trismagistus MacSlatt " he contributed

to" Bolster's Cork Magazine,""* of which he was editor. lHis con

*Its first number was issued in February> 1826, and its last in March 1830.

Voc. xxvi. No. 298, 14



186 The Iri8h Monthly

nection with that j ournal led Windele to form the acquaintanoe of such

kindred souls as Abraham Abell, William Willes, Father Horgan, of Blarney, Father Prout, of Glenville, and others, who made Irish archaoology their special study. It was their custom to make excursions through the county, sketching its military and ecole tiastical ruins. cromlechs, pillar-stones, stone-circles, and round towers, and excavating its tumuli and raths, &c. With such congenial companions Windele was in his element; and, long after these his early associates had pabsed away, he still oontinued their

work with unabated ardour and enthusiasm. His favourite pursuit, however, was Ogham stone-hunting.

For him these mysterious memorials of early Irish civilization had an indescribable charm. Many existing Ogham stones were discovered by him, and many saved from destruction by their removal to his residence, where they formed what be termed his " megalithic library." His ardour in this pursuit was astonishing. The smallest hint sent him off in search of new discoveries, no matter how remote or inaccessible the spot where they were said to exist. Oftentimes the supposed Oghams proved to be nothing

more than weather-marks or ploug,h-scratches; but these dis appointments did not daunt him in the least; and not unfrequently they led to the unexpected discovery of a stone-circle, cromlech, or other object of antiquarian interest. The many thick quarto volumes of sketches and notes which he formed attest the extent of his labours in this direction.

A good Gaelic scholar, he collected a considerable number of Irish manuscripts; and was a constant patron of the Irish scribes, then pretty numerous, for whom he further obtained employment, by inducing his friends to get them to transcribe the ancient Irish manuscripts of which a much larger number existed in his time than now. In 1839 Windele published his bestknown and most important book, " Historical and Descriptive Notices of the City of Cork and its Vicinity-Gougane Barra, Giengariff, and Killarney," of

which three further editions were issued in 1842, 1846, and 1849, and an edition, 1848, restrieted to Cove and Cork Harbour, edited by the late Dr. Scott, of Queenstown, with geological and meteor ological notes from his pen. The reliable information and antiquarian lore to be found in this "c South of Ireland Guide," by Windele, render it still a valuable possession; whilst it forms the ground work of all subsequently issued Cork Guide-books.



Contribution. to ITrish Biography. 187

In 1860 he edited and issued, but onlv for private circuilation, "t CaPer Conri," which will be referred to more fully later on.

Windele was also a contributor to the Dublin Penny Journal, in its brief day the great repertory of Irish antiquarian and topographical information. To the LTlster Journal (old series) he contiibuted the following papers-" Present Extent of the Irish Language " (vol. v., No. 19, 1857); " Caher Conri, Co.

Kerry " (vol. viii., No. 30, 1860); " Ancient Irish Gold " (vol. ix.,

No. 36, 1861); and " Ancient Irish Gold and its Origin" (vol. ix., No. 35, 1861).

He was likewise a contributor to the Journal of the Kilkenny Archaiological Society.

Of the now defunct Cork Cuverian Society he was a member

from the beginning; and its records contained many valuable papers by him. He wrote the section on Ogham stones in Mr. and Mrs. Hall's " Ireland and its Scenery;" and up to the time

of his death he was engaged in editing a volume for the Ossianic

Society, "Agallam-Na-Seanoiside," or, "The Dialogue of the Sages," an H-istorical work in prose and poetry, full of rare

information on the achievements of the Fianna Eirionn, copied from the fourteenth century manuscript, known as " The Book of Lismore." Owing to the break-up of the Ossianic Society this volume was never published; but in its fifth volume issued in 1860, the editor, Professor Owen Connellan, then of the Queen's College, Cork, speaks of the Ossianic Society as being indebted fozathat volume to John Windele, so much help did he render in its production.

Independent of his personal contributions to Irish antiquarian literature, Windele was unsparing in his efforts to afford informa tion to those seeking it at his hands. To every student or writer

interested in Irish topography or archaology, his valuable library and MSS, his notes and drawings, were freely accessible. The important services he rendered in this way were often availed of

in print without acknowledg,ment, but being, one of the most unselfish of men he cared little about that; his great passion being

to spread abroad a taste for the cultivation of the ancient literature

and archaeology of lreland. In person Mr. Windele was under the middle height, but

strongly built. He was a famous pedestrian, thinking nothing, when in his prime, of walking thirty or forty miles a day, whilst



188 fThe Irish ofonthly.

out on his favourite antiquarian rambles. For many years he held a position in the Sheriff's Office, Cork,

which yielded him a moderate income. His death, resulting from paralysis, took place at his residence Blair's Hill, Cork, on the 28th of August, 1865. Ov-er his remains in the Mathew Cemetery, his fellow citizens erected a massive Celtic cross, which bears the sole inseription " John Windele."

In a letter to Mr. IDaniel MacCarthy (Glas.)' dated March 27, 1848, Win dele makes the following interesting reference to his Ogham researches:-" Your friend, Dr. Graves, has sent down a young man here to copy all our Oghams. I do not complain that he

has sent him into my preserves-preserves wrought by me at much labour and expense. But I would have preferred that his very laudable desire to investigate this, so long-neglected department of our antiquities, was directed towards those portions of Irelancd which had no labourers to work its fallow fields. However, I do really so love our national antiquities that I will not grieve that so able and zealous a gentleman as the Doctor has taken this matter in hand,. although his so doing must necessarily clash with my special operations. I understand he read a paper in June last to the Royal Irish Academy on Oghams."

The Dr. Graves alluded to in this letter is evidently the present Protestant Bishop of Limerick, then a T.C.D. Professor, who is now generally considered to be the greatest living authority on Oghams, but whose long-promised book on this recondite subject has not yet appeared,; whilst the "c young man " he sent down to

CJork, was doubtless, the Richard Hitchcock, a native of Kerry, a most promising Irish archeologist, who died in 1856, at the early age of 31, ofE whoim a brief memoir appears on page 54, of Brash's "Ogham Inscribed Monuments of the Gaidhil," 1879. t

The latter work might in a sense well be regarded as a monu ment to John Windele, from the frequent and honourable mention of his name throughout its pages. On page 15, the author designates Windele as "The Father of Oghama Discovery in the South of Ireland."

* See a biographical sketch of this distinguished Irishman in our Number

for August, 1897 (vol. xxv.)

f The late Sir Samuel Ferguson, it will be remembered, also published a work on Ogham Inscriptions (Edinburgh, 1887,} on which subject scarcely second as an

authority is a Co. Cork priest, the Rev. E. Barry, P.P., Rathcormac. The latest

writer on Oghams is Mr. R. S. A, Macalister, London, whose " Studies in Irish

Epigraphy, Part I.," is of recent issue.



He'T knoteth beat. 189

WindelW's MSS. were, on his death, purchased. by the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin; they form in all 170 vols., of which 42 vols. are wholly in the Irish language*. Portions of his topo graphical papers (copied thence) are now being published in rather haphazard fashion in the Cork Archceologweal Journal; but without the slighteet introductory information having been afforded as to their author, the talented, devoted, and patriotic Corkman and antiquary, John Windele.t

JAMES COLEMAN.

HE KNOWETH BEST.

' \{O! no!" I cried. "I will not have that cross " 'Tis heavy, and hard, and bare.

"Give me a rose, a ring, a pearl whose gloss " Light makes more fair,"

Out of my life His gifts I flung away, Because I would not get

The thing I asked for, as I knelt to pray With lips tight set.

And reckless down a rosy slope I went, From thraldom free;

The hours that made my little day are spent, And night meets me.

Into its ebon darkness, Lord, I go.

Oh, my lost prayer! I searched my heart and soul for you, and lo!

A cross was there.

Gently and lovingly on my shoulder laid By Hand Divine,

He sayeth: " Best for thee; be not afraid "A Cross was mine."

MARY JOSEPHINE ENRIGHIT,

* Vide " Cork Journal," Vol. II., page 118.

f To the Kilkenny Arch ological Journal his contributions were :?Voll. (1849

page 142, "

Ogam Inscriptions "

; page 159, " Ancient Irish Watermills

" , pages

307 and 317, "Age of Ogam Writers "

, page 328, "Ring Money in Ancient

Ireland." Vol. II. (1852) page 2b0, "The Ancient Cemetery at Ballymacann, Co. C irk." Vol. III. (1854) page 151,

" Runic Crosses in the Isle of Man "

; page

229, Ogams at Rathdrum." \ol IV. (1866) page 196, "

Round Tower of Ardrum

and its Siege in 1642 "

; and page 370, " The Book of MacCarthy Reagh."

A son of Mr. Windele, now in California, and three daughters, Mrs. Leonard, Mrs, Killen, and Mrs, MacDonnell, still survive.



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