A Descriptive Catalogue of the Antiquities in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy Volume 1, PT. 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 edition. Excerpt: ...descending like a gown or skirt to the ankles. He also wears a long and rather pointed beard, according to the ancient custom of the Irish. The whole figure resembles some of those represented in the Nineveh sculptures. Strutt asserts, but does not state on what authority, that the chieftain's robe was "light pink." Behind their chief ride two mounted warriors, also armed with spears, and with the Ireland some years ago was the " Jock-coat," often of frieze, a long great-coat, with sleeves, a hood or cape, and a broad belt which fastened it round the waist. It was worn by both sexes, and, for a time, became fashionable in the upper ranks, even as now the ancient Irish brooch is admitted to polite society, and the crimson cloak of the Claddagh is esteemed becoming. In addition to the various references already given, the reader is referred to articles on "The Ancient Dress of the Irish," in "The Celt" for 1858, pp. 46 and 65; and in the Ulster Journal of Archaeology, vol. v., p. 93, and vol. vi., p. 316. Wearing the beard long, as we know the ancient Irish did, scrves to account for the circumstance of no ancient bronze razors having been discovered in this country, while such articles, as well as tweezers, are found in Denmark in the greatest abundance. They decrease in frequency ns they approach the north. hoods of their cloaks drawn over their heads, they present all the characters of the fiercest Bedouin tribes. One ancient specimen of native art still remains in the country; the curious fresco painted on the wall of the Abbey of Knockmoy, near Tuam, county of Galway; a full-sized copy of which, made by Mr. Macmanus for the Dublin Exhibition in 1853, now hangs in the tea-room of the Academy. It...