Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards. Interspersed with Anecdotes of, and Occasional Observations on, the Music of Ireland. Also, an Historical and Descriptive Account of the Musical Instruments of the Ancient Irish. And a Appendix, Containing Several Biographical and other Papers, with Select Irish Melodies. Dublin: White, 1786. First Edition. Pp, 166; Appendix. Rebacked, retaining original half calf marbled boards. Ex library copy, with an number of neat ink stamps; light shelf-wear to covers, contents pages in fine bright condition.

Illustrated with engraved vignettes, heads & tails pieces & a folded plate, with 4 pages of music to rear. [Note: lacks the frontispiece portrait as called for].

The Appendices as follows: (1) Inquiries Concerning the Ancient Irish Harp in a Letter to the Author. By Rev. Edward Ledwich. (2) A Letter to Joseph C. Walker on the style of the Ancient Irish Music. (3) an Essay on the Poetical Accents of the Irish, by William Beauford. (4) Dissertazione Del Signor Canonico Orazio Maccari Di Cortona. (5) Memoirs of Cormac Common. (6) The Life of Turlough O’Carolan. (7) An Account of Three Brass Trumpets, found near Cork: With Remarks Thereon. (8) An Essay of the Construction and Capability of The Irish Harp, in its Pristine and Present State. By William Beauford. (9) Select Irish Melodies. 

One of the earliest historical works written on Irish music Walker gives a history of Irish bards, together with poetry, music and musical instruments. Throughout the book, the histories are complimented by extracts from old Irish legends and poems, as well as some sketches of musical instruments.

An appendix of letters, essays and memoirs appears at the end of the book, with titles as above.