IRELAND, FROM THE PERIOD OF THE ENGLISH PRINTED BY J. CHRISTIE, 16, ROSS-LANE. 1809. INTRODUCTION. THOUGH the ancient History of Ireland, as comprising the period of her glory and independence, may be generally more flattering to the feelings of Irishmen, yet the period since the English invasion is more interesting and instructive to the mixed race who now inhabit this island. The turbulence, the almost constant wars, the perpetual struggle between the invaders and the invaded, the one contending for power, the other for independence and property; the massacres, confiscations, famine, and other cruel methods resorted to, are distressing to a feeling mind: but, narrated with impartiality and judgment, it will afford a most instructive lesson to statesmen and to people; teaching the remedy of present ills from the experience of the past ages. Governors may therein learn the impolicy and weakness of the former system of ruling Ireland, acknowledged by her ablest statesmen when debating on the Union; and the people may learn to mitigate the asperity of religious prejudice, on seeing that English and |