Scholar’s 19th century letters discovered

A COLLECTION of letters written by famous 19th century Gaelic scholar John O’Donovan has been found in a house in Tipperary.

The Royal Irish Academy is negotiating the purchase of the letters with Tralee-based antiques collector Maurice O’Keeffe.

The 28 letters are still in good condition. They span period 1841 to 1851 and give insights into famine times.

“The academic world will love to see these letters because they are a new, primary source of information about a very interesting period,” Mr O’Keeffe said.

He would not disclose the identity of the family that had the letters, but said they were in the family’s possession for a very long time.

Mr O’Keeffe has been involved in recording the memories of elderly people in the west and south and has launched the Irish Life and Lore Collection.

“I was told about the letters while I was working on the life and lore series in North Tipperary.

“I believe the letters are extremely important. I also believe they should be in the public arena and should stay in Ireland.”

John O’Donovan worked on ordnance survey reports and completed a translation of the Annals of the Four Masters, for which he was awarded a gold medal by the Royal Irish Academy.

“The weight of the medal was the equivalent of four sovereigns and, while Mr O’Donovan achieved a great deal in his life, he always appeared to be very poor and had very little money,” Mr O’Keeffe said.

The beautifully hand-written letters formed correspondence with his brother, Patrick, in Waterford, and another brother, William, in New York.

Mr O’Keeffe said he was hopeful negotiations would be concluded shortly with the Royal Irish Academy.