Erris, in the 'Irish Highlands,' and the 'Atlantic Railway.'

Front matter

ERRIS r v PHI "IRISH HIGHLANDS," _»Nr. me " ATLANTIC RAILWAY." :v P. KNIGHT, C. E. .1 ■ I ; L F. OF THE I.VSTITimoN OF CIVIl EKGrXEBRS Of U ■ »xd or me ceologjcai, societv ok huhlix. DUBLIN: MARTIN KEENE AND SON, 6, COLLEGE-GREEN. LONOMAX, RBKS, ORME, BROWN, CREEV, & CO. USDOS. Ml) I'M 1 I II VI. Printed by Street. TO WILLIAM HENRY CARTER, ESQ. Sir, In giving to the public an account of a por tion of the County of Mayo, (which at one period I intended to continue, barony by barony, over the whole,) in which you are the principal proprietor, I cannot omit the opportunity of inscribing it to one who, from the first time he saw the situation and capabilities of it, set out at once to develope its resources, and lay the foundation of permanent im provement ; the ultimate result of wliich can only be seen in future ages.

That governments can do much good, is true ; but that landlords can, individually, do more than any legislature, however well-intentioned, I am perfectly satisfied of, when accompanied by sound judgment, liberal views, and steadiness of purpose. Some one says, that the man who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before, deserves more praise than a thousand brawling patriots. If this be true, how much more does he deserve, who has raised up, as if by magic, a town in a wilderness — an oasis in the desert, by which cultivation has been extended in a short space of time beyond the most sanguine imaginings. The history of the present state of Erris will, in a few years, become only matter of curiosity, as comparing it with progres sive improvements. To an individual who has been one of the great causes of its commencement and steady advance, after ages will be grateful, and he himself will retire from this stage of existence with the happy consciousness of being a benefactor of his fellow creatures, and that he leaves behind him a successor, who has the judgment and good sense to pursue those well-laid plans, which are the foundation of all improvement. I am Sir, With the greatest respect, Your most obliged, Humble servant, P. KNIGHT.

Preface

. The " Irish Highlands" have latterly become the theme of writers of no ordinary talent. The " O'Briens and O'Flahertys" have shewn off the wilds of Connemara under the able pen of Lady Morgan ; and the " Letters from the Irish Highlands," from other fair hands, have given the same district equal eclat with lovers of the wild and fanciful ; and they may have been the cause of drawing forth the " Wild] Sports of the West," from the gifted author — jealous, no doubt, that his own portion of the "Highlands" had not had its rank in works of genius which it so justly deserved, and which, under his inspira tion, has surpassed the previously far-famed scenes of Connemara. It is fortunate that the " Wild Sports" relate to the very district of which a plain, "unvarnished tale" is now offered to the public. As they will be

PREFACE.

. VI then read with more zest ; having, in this publica tion, the map of the very country before you — the rocks, the bays, the mountains, the corries of tbe wild deer, the rivers, streams, and fishings, the very names which fix the attention ofthe readers of that splendid work of genius. Every man of the coun try is familiar to the author of this. The Priest, his " honored friend," and every character drawn by that master hand, as true to the life as if they were now standing before him- It is strange, but not less true, that it is not until within these few days that I read entirely through these delightful " Wild Sports." I saw some " extracts," but no more. Mine must be the task of plodding in another road to combine my " utile" with his " dulce," but between both to endeavour to rouse the attention of the government and the public to a portion of our native country which hitherto had been left almost " unnoticed and unknown."

The following notice of Erris was written chiefly in the year 1832 : Notes in the Appendix have been since added after a recent visit; in 1834, it was intended to be, in fact, one of nine others, for each barony in Mayo, but professional avocations whichcalled away the author to another part of Ireland prevented, for the present, the completion of the design. His chief object being to draw attention to this interesting portion of Ireland, when plans for her improvement are

PREFACE.

. VII rife from every pen, if any further good can accrue to this portion of his country by clearly shewing its resources, his object will be gained. Early associations and recollections of friends, as well as of scenery never to be forgotten, make it dear to him ; and that he may be the humble instrument of any good to that portion of his country, is one of the fondest wishes oshis heart. Plans for improvement crowd upon us. Scarcely had the above been written, but not sent to press, when the projecf of the great Atlantic Railway across Ireland, as a step to connect England with America, was broached, with a strong probability of its being carried into execution. Erris stands decidedly foremost for a termination of this step, both from its seaward position and its magnificent harbours. Before this book will meet the public eye, the survey will have been commenced ; and an impartial government, guided by scientific men, must at once give the preference to such great natural capabilities as Erris affords.