But it is better not to pursue these observations farther here, as it would be only anticipating what will be found in the body of the book. This book is the last of a series of three, of which the second is abridged from the first, and the third from both. The First--“A Social History of Ancient Ireland” (2 vols., richly gilt, both cover and top, in 31 chapters, with 361 Illustrations)--contains a complete survey of the Social Life and Institutions of Ancient Ireland. All the important statements in it are proved home by references to authorities, and by quotations from ancient documents. The Second--“A Smaller Social History of Ancient Ireland” (1 vol., cloth, gilt, 598 pages, in 27 chapters, with 213 Illustrations)--traverses the same ground as the larger work; but, besides condensation, most of the illustrative quotations and nearly all the references to authorities are omitted. This Third book--“The Story of Ancient Irish Civilisation”--gives in simple, plain language, an account of the condition of the country in the olden time; but as it is here to speak for itself, I need not describe it further. For all the statements it contains, full and satisfactory authorities will be found in the two larger works. I have done my best to make all three readable and interesting, as well as instructive. The ordinary history of our country has been written by many, and the reader has a wide choice. But in the matter of our Social History he has no choice at all. For these three books of mine have, for the first and only time, brought within the reach of the general public a knowledge of the whole social life of Ancient Ireland. P. W. J. LYRE-NA-GRENA, _February, 1907_. The old Irish writers commonly prefixed to their books or treatises a brief statement of “Place, Time, Person, and Cause.” My larger Social History, following the old custom, opens with a statement of this kind, which reappears in the Preface to the Smaller Social History, and which may be appropriately repeated here:-- _The Place, Time, Author, and Cause of Writing, of this book, are:--Its place is Lyre-na-Grena, Leinster-road, Rathmines, Dublin; its time is the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven; the author is Patrick Weston Joyce, Doctor of Laws; and the cause of writing the same book is to give glory to God, honour to Ireland, and knowledge to those who desire to learn all about the Old Irish People._ CONTENTS. CHAPTER. PAGE I. HOW THE ANCIENT IRISH PEOPLE WERE GOVERNED BY THEIR KINGS AND CHIEFS 1 II. HOW THE WARLIKE OLD IRISH CONQUERED FOREIGN LANDS 8 III. HOW KINGS, CHIEFS, AND PEOPLE WERE SUBJECT TO THE BREHON LAWS 17 IV. HOW THE ANCIENT IRISH LIVED AS PAGANS 24