The year OF liberty, is as nearly as possible what the title imports — namely, a period of recreation after toil. During many entire seasons the Author, rod in hand, had rambled over the length and breadth of Ireland, seeing much and learning much, on all matters connected with his favourite sport. With the advantage of past experience, he again visited the island in 1865, pausing for a time at nearly all the first-class salmon rivers and lakes, arriving at each when in the highest order for angling. This plan often necessitated passing more than once through districts previously traversed, but as sport was the primary object of his visit, this was of little moment, for what was lost in order was more than compensated by success. Whatever faults the work may possess, the writer at least lays claim to accuracy. That which he saw, he endeavoured to describe faithfully, and any reader who follows in his steps, and visits the various waters at the periods referred to, may safely calculate on sport.
