arc principally b1'!0t·d t>ll "A History uf the Dioccoe of Raphoe," (Canon Maguire), The (;rand Jury Presentments for County Donegal, "Dha Choad de Cheoltaibh Uladh", (E:iri O'Muir- :gheasa), ".Cloic Ceann Folaidh". (S~amus O'Searcaigh), "O'Chamhaoir go Clap-Sholas", (Seaghan MacMeanman), supplemented by additional information very kindly supp:ie'd me by the last-named au.thor - and who knows his naUv·e Glenfinn ;J:::etter than Seaghan Ban? I prefaced my description of the Glassagh O'Donne:ls by "it is said", and the quoting of "Dha Chea::l de Cheaoltai:bh Uladh"- a standard work of reference that is so wide'.y known-made it obvious that I was speaking of tradition. Dr. McNeill tells us that "tradition is but t'he people's memory"; but apparently the voi:e of G:enfinn never penetrated the feudal walls of far off Brownhall. The Glassagh O'Donnells a e well known beyond the limits of Glenfinn. Seamus O'Searcaigh published "Doiminic Ruadh na Glaisghe" that was recorded in Rann na Feiste. I have heard frequent mention of the Family ·in The Rosses and elsewher·e. Sea,ghan MacMeanman Wl;'ites how they sacrificed every- ,thing to alleviate the distress in Famine times. He says that they had a man working ni·ght 1and day killing and skinning animals for broth for the starving people until the entire hill was cleared of stock and they spent all they possessed. } am very grateful <to Capt.:.in Hamilton for the kindness. hospitality and :he1p so generous446. iy extcnrlcd tl•. me when I called on him one winter's evening in 1946 and first made his 1acquaintence. I was seeking information concerning the ·O'Donnells and it was t;'.1en that I learned 1that his Fintown property did not extend to the Glassagh, which was on the adjoining Sty:es estate. AltJhough I was ll.ving in Lifford at this period I was almost continuously out of the County and thereby prevented from following the matter up. Shortly afterwards I moved permanently to Co. Wexford, and wit1'.1 the change has gone all possibility of pursuing ~t further. Who will carry on? .Mise, le meas, Rupert S. O'Cochlain. Editor's Note-I think that both the above writers 'are mistaken in assuming that Captain Hamilt011 scorns all Glenfinn tradition. My interpretation of his letter was that he deplored the fiction which flowed as folklore into some of the literature upon which Mr. O'Cochlain based his remarks on the O'Donnells of Glassagh. I agree with Captain Hamilton that the time has come to eradicat.c some of these inaccuracies but on the othe:: hand, I also agree with Mr. O'Cochlain that these O'Donnells were an important branch of t·he clan and I should be grateful if the parties concern.~ ed and readers would suspenQ judgment until our next publication when I hope to be able tc carry on Mr. Cochlain's. good work; and at the same time to satisfy Captain Hamilton's curiosity. J. C. McD.
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