[Letter from John O'Donovan (Gorey) to Eugene O'Curry (32 Bayview Avenue, Dublin), referring to ordnance surveys of the counties of Limerick and Tipperary; domestic and health issues; and the Orange Lodge in the tower of the Castle at Ferns, run by Willia

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[Letter from John O'Donovan (Gorey) to Eugene O'Curry (32 Bayview Avenue, Dublin), referring to ordnance surveys of the counties of Limerick and Tipperary; domestic and health issues; and the Orange Lodge in the tower of the Castle at Ferns, run by William Donovan.]



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Gorey May 23rd 1840

I received a letter from Mr. Larcom on the 20th instant which gives me to understand that we have to do the County of Limerick this year as well as, and probably before Tipperary. I quote his very words: "Limerick and Tipperary are the other counties for this year, and I am getting up the books of them as fast as I can. Lime rick is the most advanced."

You will therefore get your part of the extracts for that County ready as soon as you can.

I am recovering my strength very rapidly, thank God, but I perspire too much in consequence of wear ing flannel, what I never work before, and I am afraid to throw it off as the weather is yet very uncertain.

I visited the old Castle of Ferns, which is a stupen dous ruin and in all probability as old as the time of Dermot Mac Murrogh. It now belongs to one of the HyFigeinte, a Mr. William Donovan, who has a very extensive estate in the neighbourhood, and who is as great an orangemen as King Dermot himself. He keeps an orange lodge in one of

Last edit about 6 years ago by John B Howard
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of the towers of the castle, which he repaired for the purpose! Is it not extraordinary how the descendants of Heber all became anti-Irish when they get rich!

Please to write to me and let me know how the young lads are getting on especially poor Johnny. I know there is no fear of Eugene or the ladies as long as they have you to be bringing them out to the hill of Howth and to Ringstown. Is John O'Sullivan getting on with his Latin? Is there any new account of Sir Gay Olb? ghothack? or any probability of the letter against him appearing? Is Mr. Todd getting any other MS. for you to copy ?

Our house and furniture here are seized upon by the sheriff but we shall move to Ferns to-morrow, if he will allow us, and I suppose he must. We shall remain in the poor city of Mogue for seven days, after which we move to Enniscorthy, where we may remain another week or longer if they have good meat there. The writing of the names and letters will come very heavy on me, but it cannot be helped as they wont do things properly.

I have a letter from an old friend asking me to go with him to the back settlements of America. What answer should I send him ?

Your affectionate friend

John O'Donovan

Last edit about 6 years ago by John B Howard
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