2.  The  Annals  of  the  kingdom  of  Ireland  by  the  Four  Masters
from  the  earliest  period  to  the  year  1616  were  compiled  between
January  22nd,  1632  and  August  loth,  1636  in  the  convent  of
Donegal,  from  Old  Irish  Annals,  most  of  the  original  MSS.  of
which  are  now  lost.  The  work  is  dedicated  to  Fergal  O'Gara,
lord  of  Moy  O'Gara  and  Coolavin,  in  co.  Sligo,  who  patronized
the  undertaking  and  paid  the  antiquaries  engaged  in  the  task,
while  the  convent  housed  and  fed  them.  The  Four  Masters
were  Michael  O'Clery,  Conary  O'Clery,  Cucogry  O'Clery,  and
Ferfeasa  O'Mulconry.  They  did  not  themselves  assume  the
appellation  of  the  Four  Masters ;  the  title  was  given  to  them
afterwards,  and  was  suggested  by  the  designation  Quatuor
Magistri^  ''applied  by  medical  writers  of  the  middle  ages  to
the  Four  Masters  of  the  medical  sciences  "  (O'Donovan).  The
Annals  are  written  in  Goidelic,  and  the  selections  are  from
the  translation  of  O'Donovan  published  in  185 1,  as  also  are
those  from  the  Annals  of  Innisfallen,  which  are  quoted  in  his
notes.
On  the  whole  considerably  less  is  said  in  the  Four  Masters
about  the  English  invasion  than  might  have  been  expected :
indeed  the  excerpts  here  given  comprise  practically  all  the
connected  pieces  of  interest  on  the  subject ;  though  there  are
short  entries  besides  from  time  to  time.     The  rest  consists  at


THE   IRISH  ANNALS.  205

this  period  mainly  of  the  record  of  a  network  of  "predatory
incursions,"  feuds,  usurpations,  depositions,  and  assassinations,
which  apparently  go  on  as  usual  with  undiminished  vigour  in  the
presence  of  the  invader :  the  internecine  strife  being  but  rarely
suspended,  and  only  during  some  few  brief  and  spasmodic
coalitions  against  the  foreigners.
