[See a curious note on Mazers, used as large drinking-cups, or goblets,
in Walter Scott's _Poetical Works_, p. 488., edit. 1848.]
_Traditions from remote Periods through few Hands_ (Vol. iii., p.
237.).--The following facts may not be uninteresting on this subject.
The late Maurice O'Connell of Derrynane, co. Kerry, died early in 1825, and
would have completed 99 years on the 31st of March in that year. The writer
hereof has heard him tell anecdotes derived from the conversation of Daniel
M^cCarthy, of the same co., who died about 1740, aged at least 108 years.
This Daniel M^cCarthy was commonly known by the nick-name of "Dhonald
Bhin," or "Yellow Dan," and was the first man that ran away from the battle
of Aughrim. There is a short account of him in Smith's _History of Kerry_,
in which he is mentioned as lately deceased. You have thus a period of over
200 years, the traditions of which might be derived through three persons,
the survivor of whom, your correspondent, is but middle aged. I remember
being told in the co. Clare, circiter 1828, of an individual then lately
deceased, who remembered the siege of Limerick by General Ginkle, and the
news of the celebrated treaty of Limerick. It is to be wished that your
readers who reside in, or may visit Ireland, would take an interest in this
subject. I am certain that in remote parts of the country much curious
tradition could be thus brought to light; and it would be interesting to
compare the accounts of great public events, as remembered and handed down
by the peasantry, with those which we take on the faith of historians.
As relating to this subject, I may refer to the allusion made in page 250.
of the same Number to the Countess of Desmond, who was said to have lived
to so great an age. I have seen the picture alluded to at Glanlearne in
Valencia, the seat of the knight of Kerry; and it must have been taken at a
comparatively early period of life, as the Earl of Desmond was outlawed,
and his estates confiscated, in the reign of Elizabeth. Some record of how
this old lady's jointure was provided for might yet be discovered, and the
period of her decease thus ascertained.