The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans (ePub)

Henry O'Brien was an Irish author and antiquarian, best known for his work on the round towers of Ireland. Born in the early 19th century, O'Brien developed a keen interest in Irish history, mythology, and architecture. His scholarly pursuits led him to write 'The Round Towers of Ireland; or, The History of the Tuath-De-Danaans,' a book which made significant contributions to the study of Irish antiquities. In this seminal work, first published in 1834, O'Brien postulated that the round towers, whose origin was then a subject of debate, were built by the Tuatha Dé Danann, a legendary race said to have inhabited Ireland before the arrival of the Celts. His theories were influenced by comparative mythology and the study of Eastern civilizations. Though his hypotheses were met with skepticism during his time and have since been superseded by subsequent archaeological research, O'Brien's book remains a valuable artifact for understanding the evolution of Irish historiography and the romantic nationalism that characterized much of the scholarly work in the 19th century. His literary style, marked by a blend of empirical research and speculative narrative, provided a foundation for future studies on Ireland's ancient structures, reflecting the intellectual curiosity of the era. Despite the controversial reception of his theories, O'Brien's dedication to the subject matter has cemented his legacy as a significant figure in the field of Irish cultural studies.