The Monks of the Screw, p. 102.—Curran belonged to a small convivial society in Dublin known by this name in the latter part of the last century. It included some of the most famous Irishmen of the time, and Curran was prior, and called his residence at Rathfarnham “The Priory” on that account.
To a Young Lady, etc., p. 132.—From The Shamrock, or Hibernian Cresses, 1772, a collection of poems edited and largely written by Samuel Whyte, the schoolmaster of Moore, Sheridan, etc.
Daniel O’Rourke, p. 175.—This was written for Crofton Croker by Dr. Maginn, together with other stories, and as they were included in the former’s Fairy Legends without a signature, they have been always assigned to Croker.
Kitty of Coleraine, p. 188.—This very popular song is based on an old story, of which one version will be found in “La Cruche” by M. Autereau, a contemporary of La Fontaine, the fabulist, which is included in some editions of the latter’s works.
Brian O’Linn, p. 198.—This version is made up from several in the possession of Mr. P. J. McCall, of Dublin.
Bellewstown Hill, p. 228.—An inferior song on the same subject was written by Richard Sheil, a Drogheda printer and poet.
The Peeler and the Goat, p. 231.—This famous song, thought written at the time of, or very soon after, the establishment of the Irish police force, is still popular in Ireland. A version of it will be found in Gerald Griffin’s Rivals, 1835.
Nell Flaherty’s Drake, p. 239.—Many versions of this ballad are to be found in the Irish ballad-slips. They are all corrupt and generally very gross.
Father Tom’s Wager with the Pope, p. 267.—This is extracted from the story of “Father Tom and the Pope,” which, though attributed to Dr. Maginn, John Fisher Murray, and others, was really written by Sir Samuel Ferguson. It appeared anonymously, in May 1838, in Blackwood’s Magazine, at the time of a famous controversy between a Father Maguire and the Rev. Mr. Pope.
Molly Muldoon, p. 273.—This poem was written about 1850, and its authorship has always been a mystery. An American journal once ascribed it to Fitzjames O’Brien, the Irish-American novelist.