Chapter 1
The abbot of the Monastery of Moville sent word to the
story-tellers of Ireland that when they were in his neighbourhood
they should call at the monastery, for he wished to collect and
write down the stories which were in danger of being forgotten.
"These things also must be told," said he.
In particular he wished to gather tales which told of the deeds
that had been done before the Gospel came to Ireland.
"For," said he, "there are very good tales among those ones, and
it would be a pity if the people who come after us should be
ignorant of what happened long ago, and of the deeds of their
fathers."
So, whenever a story-teller chanced in that neighbourhood he was
directed to the monastery, and there he received a welcome and his
fill of all that is good for man.
T
