The Catechism, or Christian Doctrine by way of Question and Answer. Drawn Chiefly from the Express word of God, and other Pure Sources [An Teagasg Críosduidhe De Réir Ceasda agus Freagarta]. English & Irish Text. [With]: Bonaventure O’Hussey’s rhyming Irish catechism and ‘The Elements of the Irish Language’ by Hugh MacCurtain at end. Paris: Printed by James Guerin, at S. Thomas of Aquin’s in S. James Street, 1742. First Edition. Pp lvi, 518. Early calf boards, rebacked, raised bands with title in gilt on spine, and library number. Irish title page with a little loss to margin (not affecting text), otherwise contents pages in very good condition.

Originally from Co. Sligo, Donlevy was rector of the Irish College in Paris and this catechism was designed for the instruction of the great masses of Irish people who knew no English. As he states in the preliminary advertisement he was prompted to write this book by ‘the great scarcity of those large Irish Catechisms published upwards a hundred years ago.. and the Consideration of those great evils which arise from ignorance, partly from want of instructive books, together with a great desire of contributing to the Instruction of the poor Irish youth..’

The English and Irish are printed on facing pages. ‘The Elements of the Irish Language’ by Hugh MacCurtain was included for the benefit of those who wished to learn and read Irish. The attractive Irish type was first used in Begley & MacCurtain’s Irish-English Dictionary published, Paris in 1732.