BEARTA CRUADHA.

AN REACHTÚRACH.

Bhíos ag cuardughadh láimhsgríbhinne 'san acadamh
indiu agus theangmhaigh liom beart leabhar 'na bhfuil
dánta Uí Cheardhalláin is an Bhairéadaigh, an tSuibhnigh
is an Reachtúraigh. Is dócha ná faca an Craoibhín acht
an leabhar R.I.A. 23.O.9. 'na bhfuil deilbhín an
Reachtúraigh. Is truaigh soin mar atá tuairisg bheag
agus dánta na bhfilidhe úd sa chuid eile. Deir an
Craoibhín ("Abhráin atá leagtha ar an Reachtúire."
1903) gur i dtimcheall na bliladhna 1784 do rugadh an
file. Tá cunntas níos cruinne i gceann dos na
leabhraibh seo (R.I.A. 23. O. 42. — Feuch L. 145) —
"Anthony Rafferty (who composed the following
Poems and Songs) was blind from the age of five
years. He was born on 30th March, 1779, at
Cultemagh, Co. Mayo, died 25th December, 1835, near
Loughrea, Co. Galway. He was a minstrel by pro-
fession, played the violin tolerably; and was accustomed
to recite his own poems, as well as other old Irish
compositions, and to sing his own songs accompanied
by the music of his violin. I knew him. He was an
honest man. James Hardiman. Staraídhe cúramach
do b'eadh Seamus Ua hArgadáin agus is cosmhail go
raibh fios fáth an sgéil aige.

SÉAMUS UA CASAIDE.

24.viii.1907.