Name: The beauties of the Boyne, and its tributary, the Blackwater
Author: W. R. (William Robert) Wilde (1815–1876)

Massacre of the O'Conors at Carrick-Oris Castle (1305)

Carrick · townland · Kildare · 1305

On Trinity Sunday 1305, Sir Pierce Bermingham (Mac Feorais) invited Murtagh O'Conor, King of Offaly, his brother Calwagh, and twenty-nine companions to a feast at his castle of Carrick-Oris, then murdered them as they rose from the table. The Irish chieftains later complained to Pope John XXII that no justice could be obtained from the English king against Bermingham.

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Murtagh O' Conor, King of Offaly, and his brother Calwagh, with twenty- nine of their companions, were slain here by Jordan Comin, and Sir Pierce Mac Feorais, the latter of whom had invited them to a feast on Trinity Sunday at his castle, " apud Carricke in Carberia" In Mageoghegan's translation of the Annals of Clonmacnoise, the murder is thus alluded to : "A. D. 1305, Murtagh O'Connor of Offallie, Mulmorrey, his brother, and Calvagh O'Connor, with twenty-nine of the choicest of their family, were treacherously killed by Pyers Birmyngham, within the Castle of Carrickffeorus." In the Remonstrance just alluded to it is said: "The instant they stood up from the table he cruelly massacred them, and sold their heads at a dear price to their enemies ; and when he was arraigned before the King of England, the present king's father, no justice could be obtained against such a nefarious and treacherous offender." Can we wonder at the Irish people acknowledging the power, and seeking the interference of the Pope, when they could not obtain redress nearer home?
This Pierce Bermingham was the progenitor of the Mac Feoris.J These references serve to fix the site of a very memorable locality hitherto unnoticed.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 35

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Carrick, a castle stood where one of the most treacherous acts of its age took place. On Trinity Sunday in 1305, Sir Pierce Bermingham, known as Mac Feorais, invited Murtagh O'Conor, King of Offaly, to a feast at his castle. Murtagh came with his brother Calwagh and 29 companions. The Annals of Clonmacnoise name Mulmorrey as another brother, and say that 29 of the choicest of their family were among the guests. The Remonstrance of the Irish chieftains says "the instant they stood up from the table he cruelly massacred them, and sold their heads at a dear price to their enemies." The Annals of Clonmacnoise record that they were "treacherously killed by Pyers Birmyngham within the Castle of Carrickffeorus." Jordan Comin also took part. When Bermingham was arraigned before the King of England, the king's father, no justice could be obtained "against such a nefarious and treacherous offender." Unable to find redress nearer home, the Irish sought the intervention of the Pope. This Pierce Bermingham was the progenitor of the Mac Feoris.

St. Patrick lights the paschal fire at Slane

Slane · town · Meath · 433

According to the Lives of St. Patrick compiled by Ussher and Colgan, Patrick pitched a tent at Slane and lit the paschal fire on Easter night 433, at the very time King Loeghaire and the assembled princes were celebrating a fire-worship festival. A standing law prohibited any fire before the king's, making Patrick's act a defiant gesture marking the arrival of Christianity.

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The early Irish name of Slane was Ferta-fear-Feig, the graves of the men of Feig,* and one of the first notices of it which our annals contain relates to a most remarkable epoch in the history of this country. We mentioned that Patrick landed at the Boyne's mouth ; he afterwards passed up that river's bank a day's journey into Meath. Although some months in the island, it is not said that he made any extensive or remarkable conversions to Christianity till the Easter of 433, on the Thursday night before which we read the following account of him, as collected from the various Lives of St. Patrick by Ussher and Colgan, and thus condensed by the learned Dr. Lanigan : — " Having got a tent pitched there (Slane), he made preparations for celebrating the festival of Easter, and accordingly lighted the paschal fire about nightfall. It happened that, at this very time, the King Loeghaire and the assembled princes were celebrating a religious festival, of which fire-worship formed a part. There was a standing law that, at the time of this fes-
* Where these graves are has not yet been determined ; perhaps they formed part of the great neighbouring cemetery of Brugh-na-Boinne, for in an ancient MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, called " Irish Triads," enumerating three of each of the most remarkable objects in Erin, — as the three mountains, the three cataracts, the three plains, and the three rivers, — it is stated that the three darkest caves of Ireland are Uaimh Cruachna, i. e. the cave of Croghan ; Uaimh Slaine, i. e. the cave or crypt of Slane ; and Dearc Fearna, i. e. the cave of Dunmore, near Kilkenny. See also the Annals of the Four Masters, A. D. 928, and the Dublin Penny Journal, vol. i. p. 73. Can New Grange be the cave of Slane ?

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 111

As the companion tells it

The old Irish name for Slane was Ferta-fear-Feig, the graves of the men of Feig, and one of the first notices of it in the annals relates to a remarkable moment in this country's history. Patrick had landed at the Boyne's mouth and afterwards passed up that river's bank a day's journey into Meath. He had been some months in the island, but it is not said that he made any extensive or remarkable conversions to Christianity till the Easter of 433. On the Thursday night before Easter, the account collected from the various Lives of St. Patrick by Ussher and Colgan, and condensed by Dr. Lanigan, reads that having got a tent pitched there at Slane, he made preparations for celebrating the festival of Easter, and accordingly lighted the paschal fire about nightfall. It happened that at this very time King Loeghaire and the assembled princes were celebrating a religious festival, of which fire-worship formed a part. There was a standing law that at the time of this feast no fire should be lit before the king's.

Siege of Tyrrell's barracks at Clonard during the Irish Rebellion

Clonard · town · Meath

During the Irish Rebellion, twenty-seven persons including Mr. Tyrrell's two young sons defended a dwelling-house used as a barracks at Clonard against a large insurgent force. After hours of fierce fighting, including the smoking-out of a turret that killed several defenders, reinforcements arrived from Kinnegad and drove off the attackers.

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sisting at the time of but twenty-seven persons, two of whom, sons of Mr. Tyrrell, were mere boys. The place to be defended resembled, in a remarkable manner, that portion of the field of Waterloo to which we have already likened it, consisting of a dwelling-house, then occupied as a barrack, and surrounded by a court-yard and garden, enclosed by a high wall, on one side of which there was a turret commanding the bridge and great western road ; in front was the river, on the left a millrace, and behind it some wooded rising ground. The advance of the besiegers was so rapid that the gate of the court-yard was closed with considerable difficulty. After several hours' hard fighting, during which the slaughter of the rebels was immense, and the courage, both of the besiegers and besieged, severely tested, the garden was lost ; and thus the Tyrrell yeomanry became divided. The insurgents then turned their chief attention to the turret, from which they had sustained the hottest fire. The six men whom it contained, thus cut off from their fellows, drew up the ladder and ascended to its topmost story, and fought so determinedly, and fired so effectually, that it is stated twenty-seven of the assailants were killed within and about the ground floor of it during this portion of the contest. The attacking force, finding it impossible to gain access through the floor, at last lighted a quantity of straw within and around the turret, and literally smoked out its occupants. While it was enveloped in smoke and flames, two of the band attempted to rush through the crowd of assailants, but were instantly shot ; yet the other four, leaping from one of the upper windows, escaped to their comrades in safety. Still the conflict raged for six hours without intermission; the valour of the handful of determined spirits within the barracks continuing unsubdued, the vengeance of the attacking party remaining unsatiated ; till at five o'clock in the evening the siege was raised by the arrival of twenty-one additional men from Kinnegad, when Mr. Tyrrell and his party sallied forth, and drove the insurgents from the garden with great loss. God avert such fearful scenes from being again enacted in our land ! and — shall we not add ? — forgive the rulers who could, by misgovernment, drive, or the selfish leaders who could seduce, the people into a similar condition!*

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 42

As the companion tells it

Clonard, in Meath, saw one of the fierce episodes of the Irish Rebellion. A dwelling-house here, occupied as a barracks and surrounded by a court-yard and garden, was defended by twenty-seven persons. Two of them were Mr. Tyrrell's sons, and they were mere boys. The place had a high wall, and on one side a turret commanding the bridge and the great western road. In front was the river, on the left a mill-race, and behind it wooded rising ground. The besiegers advanced so rapidly that the gate of the court-yard was closed with considerable difficulty. After several hours of hard fighting, during which the slaughter of the rebels was immense, the garden was lost, and the Tyrrell yeomanry became divided. The insurgents then turned on the turret, from which they had sustained the hottest fire. The six men inside drew up the ladder and ascended to the topmost story. They fired so effectually that twenty-seven of the assailants were killed within and about the ground floor. Finding it impossible to gain access through the floor, the attackers lighted straw within and around the turret and smoked out its occupants. Two of the men tried to rush through the crowd and were instantly shot. The other four leapt from an upper window and escaped to their comrades. The conflict raged for six hours without intermission. At five o'clock in the evening the siege was raised by the arrival of twenty-one additional men from Kinnegad. Mr. Tyrrell and his party sallied forth and drove the insurgents from the garden with great loss.

St. Erc's Hermitage and the legend of the goose eggs

Slane · town · Meath

A twelfth-century tale describes Bishop Ere of Slaine living as a hermit beside the Boyne, standing immersed in the river daily with his Psalter and eating an egg and a half each evening. King Domhnall's stewards seized his store of goose eggs for a banquet, prompting Ere to curse the feast, which led to the Battle of Magh Rath.

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" And the collectors went forth throughout Meath, in search of the eggs, until they came to a small Duirtheach [hermitage}, in which was one woman with a black hood upon her head, and she praying to God. The king's people saw a flock of geese at the door of the Duirtheach ; they went into the house and found a vessel full of goose eggs. ' We have had great success,' said they, ' for should we search Erin, there could not be found more goose eggs together in one place than are here.' ' It will not be good success,' said the woman, ' and it will not redound to the happiness of the banquet to which this small quantity of provisions will be brought.' ' Why so?' said they. ' It is plain,' said the woman ; ' a wonder-working saint of God's people dwells here, namely, Bishop Ere, of Slaine,* and his custom is to remain immersed in the Boinn, up to his two arm-pits, from morning till evening, having his Psalter before him on the strand, constantly engaged in prayer; and his dinner every evening on returning hither is an egg and a half, and three sprigs of the cresse of the Boinn ; and it behoves you not to take away from him the small store of food which he has. But the proud people of the king made no reply to her, — for they were plebeians in the shape of heroes on this occasion, — and they carried away the property
* " This is an anachronism, for Bishop Ere, of Slaine, who was contemporary with St. Patrick, died in the year 514 (Ussher's Primordia, p. 442), and this battle was fought in the year 638, that is 124 years after Erc's death ! The probability is, that the original composer of the stoiy had written Comharba [i. e. successor] of Ere, of Slaine ; but all the copies to which we have access at present agree in making the saint Ere himself." See " The Banquet of Dun na n-Gedh, and the Battle of Magh-Rath, an ancient historical Tale, now first published from a Manuscript in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, with Translation and Notes, by John O'Donovan, for the Irish Archaeological Society."

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 109

As the companion tells it

Slane, in Meath, holds an old story of Bishop Ere, who lived as a hermit beside the Boyne. His custom was to stand immersed in the river up to his arm-pits from morning till evening, his Psalter before him on the strand, constantly engaged in prayer. Each evening on returning, his dinner was an egg and a half and three sprigs of the cresse of the Boyne. King Domhnall's collectors went throughout Meath searching for eggs for a banquet. They came to a small hermitage where one woman with a black hood upon her head was praying to God. They saw a flock of geese at the door and went in and found a vessel full of goose eggs. They said they had had great success, for should they search all Erin, there could not be found more goose eggs together in one place. The woman told them it would not be good success, and would not redound to the happiness of the banquet. She said a wonder-working saint of God's people dwelled there, Bishop Ere of Slaine, and they should not take from him his small store of food. But the proud people of the king made no reply and carried away the eggs. Ere cursed the feast, and that curse led to the Battle of Magh Rath.

Dearvorgilla's death at Drogheda monastery

Drogheda · town · Louth · 1193

According to the Annals of the Four Masters, Dearvorgilla, wife of Tiernan O'Rourke, died in the monastery of Drogheda (Mellefont) at the age of eighty-five in 1193. She was the legendary figure whose elopement with the King of Leinster preceded the Norman invasion of Ireland.

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O'Rourke was on a pilgrimage at Croagh-Patrick at the time, and not at Lough-Dearg, as has generally been stated; and the Irish historians inform us that the Princess of Brefney left her husband's roof, and fled with the King of Leinster, taking with her her ornaments and her cattle, with the knowledge and even at the instigation of her own brother, O'Melaghlin, son of the King of Meath. The Annals of the Four Masters inform us that " Dearvorgilla (i. e. the wife of Tiernan O'Rourke), daughter of Murrough O'Melaghlin, died in the monastery of Drogheda [Mellefont], in the eighty-fifth year of her age." A. D. 1 193.f It should be remembered also that Mac Morough was not expelled from his kingdom for several years after.
Civil wars, family feuds, and the rivalry and jealousy of clans and chieftains, seem, therefore, to have had as marked an influence on the destiny of our unhappy country at that time, as the jealousy of husbands and lovers.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 21

As the companion tells it

The town of Drogheda holds an old end for a woman whose flight changed Ireland. The Annals of the Four Masters record that Dearvorgilla, wife of Tiernan O'Rourke and daughter of Murrough O'Melaghlin, died in the monastery of Mellefont in 1193, at the age of eighty-five. Years before, O'Rourke had been on pilgrimage at Croagh-Patrick when Dearvorgilla left her husband's roof and fled with the King of Leinster, taking her ornaments and her cattle. Her own brother, O'Melaghlin, son of the King of Meath, knew of it and even urged it. Mac Morough was not expelled from his kingdom for several years after. The old historians saw that civil wars, family feuds, and the rivalry of clans and chieftains shaped the country's destiny as much as the jealousy of husbands and lovers.

Supernatural swelling of the Boyne at Rossnaree

Rossnaree · townland · Meath

King Cormac Mac Art forbade burial at the pagan cemetery of Brugh, asking instead to be buried at Ros-na-Eigh. When servants attempted to cross the Boyne to Brugh, the river supernaturally swelled three times, forcing them to bury him at Rossnaree as he wished.

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We are now in a position to inquire after the site of Brugh na Boinne, the royal cemetery of " the Fort of the Boyne." About two miles below Slane the river becomes fordable, and several islands break the stream. Here, upon the left, or southwestern bank of the river, is the place called Eossnaree, the ancient Ros-na-Eigh, or the Wood of the Kings, and upon the opposite swelling bank of the river occur a series of raised mounds, raths, forts, caves, circles, and pillar-stones, bearing all the evidence of ancient Pagan sepulchral monuments, which, there can now be little doubt, was the Irish Memphis, or city of tombs, already so frequently alluded to. The following reference from the History of the Cemeteries, already referred to, will, we think, set the question at rest, and fix the site of Brugh-na-Boinne here, and not, as has been conjectured, at Stackallan. We already mentioned, in describing Clady, that King Cormac Mac Art died at the house of Cletty. His burial is thus detailed: "And he (Cormac), told his people not to bury him at Brugh (because it was a cemetery of idolaters) ; for he did not worship the same God as any of those interred at Brugh ; but to bury him at Ros-na-Eigh, with his face to the east. He afterwards died, and his servants of trust held a council, and came to the resolution of burying him at Brugh, the place where the kings of Tara, his predecessors, were buried. The body of the king was afterwards thrice raised to be carried to Brugh, but the Boyne swelled up thrice, so as that they could not come ; so that they observed that it was violating the judgment of a prince to break through this testament of the king ; and they afterwards dug his grave at Eos-na-Eigh, as he himself had ordered." And again, " The nobles of the Tuatha De Danaan were used to bury at Brugh."
From this it is evident that the place where the servants of Cormac endeavoured to cross the river with his body was

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 115

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Rossnaree, the ancient Ros-na-Eigh, the Wood of the Kings, the Boyne once rose against the wishes of men. Brugh na Boinne was the royal cemetery of the Fort of the Boyne, a place of raised mounds and raths and forts and caves and stone circles and pillar-stones, bearing all the evidence of ancient pagan tombs. It was called the Irish Memphis, a city of tombs. King Cormac Mac Art died at the house of Cletty. Before his death he told his people not to bury him at Brugh, because it was a cemetery of idolaters. He said he did not worship the same God as any of those interred there. He asked them to bury him at Ros-na-Eigh, with his face to the east. After he died, his trusted servants held a council and resolved to bury him at Brugh, where the kings of Tara, his predecessors, lay buried. The body of the king was raised 3 times to be carried to Brugh, but the Boyne swelled up 3 times, so that they could not cross. They saw that it was violating the judgment of a prince to break through the testament of the king. They dug his grave at Ros-na-Eigh, as he himself had ordered. The nobles of the Tuatha De Danaan were used to bury at Brugh.

King Muircheartach burned in the House of Cletty near Clady

Clady · townland · Antrim · 266

According to Irish annals, King Muircheartach Mac Earca was burned to death in the House of Cletty by his mistress Sheen after the battle of Kirb. St. Cairneach of Dulane cursed the place and it was soon deserted. The site is linked to Clady on the Boyne, above the river and near Tara.

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Two of the most celebrated Irishmen of early times died on the Boyne's bank : Finn Mac Cumhaill, the renowned warrior, popularly known as Fin -ma- Cool, who was killed with a dart or gaff by a fisherman named Athlach, at Ath-Brea or Rath- Breagha,f and also his father-in-law, King Cormac Mac Art, the grandson of Con of the Hundred Battles, who died from a fish-bone having stuck in his throat. The circumstances attending the death of the latter are here worth recording. He was one of the most renowned, just, and wise of the monarchs of Tara, and is said to have been the third person who accepted Christianity in Erin before the time of Patrick. One of his eyes having been destroyed by the warrior Engus Gaibhuaibhnech, he afterwards generally resided at Acaill (now Skreen), at Kells, or at the House of Cletty (Cletigh, Cleiteach, or Cletech), as "it was not lawful that a king with a personal blemish should reside at Tara."J Two years after the loss of his eye, he was suffocated, from the bone of a salmon having stuck in his throat, at this House of Cletty, the site of which has not yet been determined by topographers. The name, the situation, and the remains at Clady, afford us, however, some clue to it. In several Irish manuscripts, both in prose and verse, this house is alluded to as being over or above the Boyne (" Cletig supra Boin"), and in the vicinity of Tara, to both of which circumstances this place accurately answers ; but furthermore we learn something of its precise locality from the account given of the death of King Muircheartach Mac Earca, nearly two centuries and a half after the time of Cormac. He was burned to death in the House of Cletty, by his mistress Sheen, after the battle of Kirb, — a spot believed to be Assey, upon the opposite side of the Boyne. St. Cairneach, of Tuilen (now Dulane, near Kells), cursed the place, and it was soon after deserted. His prophecy is recorded in the Annals of Tighernach. King Cormac's death took place, according to the Four Masters, A. D. 266, " at Cleiteach, the bone
* See the Dublin Penny Journal, vol. iii. p. 350.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 73

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here is the site of the House of Cletty, a place remembered for two royal deaths. Irish manuscripts describe this house as being above the Boyne and near Tara, and the name, the situation, and the remains at Clady all point to this spot. King Cormac Mac Art, grandson of Con of the Hundred Battles, was one of the most renowned and just monarchs of Tara, and said to be the third person to accept Christianity in Erin before the time of Patrick. His eye was destroyed by the warrior Engus Gaibhuaibhnech, and because it was not lawful for a king with a personal blemish to reside at Tara, he lived instead at Acaill, now Skreen, at Kells, or here at the House of Cletty. Two years after losing his eye, he died in the year 266, suffocated when the bone of a salmon stuck in his throat. Nearly two and a half centuries later, King Muircheartach Mac Earca met his end in the same house. He was burned to death by his mistress Sheen, after the battle of Kirb, a spot believed to be Assey on the opposite side of the Boyne. St. Cairneach of Tuilen, now Dulane near Kells, cursed the place, and it was soon after deserted. His prophecy is recorded in the Annals of Tighernach. The site itself has not yet been determined by topographers, but everything about Clady answers to what the old manuscripts describe.

Mass burial at Rathcore found during railway cuttings

Rathcore · townland · Meath

During railway construction between Enfield and Clonard, a battle-field at Rathcore in Newcastle townland, County Meath, was exposed revealing a large pit filled with human bones and iron weapons. The author suggests these may be remains of gallowglasses, heavy Irish soldiery employed from the tenth to fifteenth centuries.

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In the cuttings that were made along the banks of the canal, between Enfield and Clonard, for the progress of the railway, a most interesting battle-field was opened at Eathcore, in the townland of Newcastle, county of Meath, and such a quantity of human bones exposed, that the entire bank was literally white with them. They were found in every possible position, but had evidently been thrown into a large pit, without order, and not surrounded by any form of sepulchral monument. The most superficial part of this ossific stratum was scarcely two feet beneath the surface : and along with these bones were found some iron spear-heads, hatchets, and other weapons, which incline us to believe that these remains may be those of the gallowglasses, or heavy Irish soldiery employed in this country from the tenth to the end of the fifteenth century. Such, however, may be the speculations which men will yet form when similar exhumations occur on the fields of Cressy, Poictiers, or Agincourt, or, in a few centuries to come, perhaps even Waterloo. Some of these weapons have been placed in the national collection of the Academy.
The Annals of the Four Masters have afforded us the following references to this locality :

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 52

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, at Rathcore, railway cuttings between Enfield and Clonard opened up what the author calls a most interesting battlefield. The cuttings were made along the banks of the canal for the progress of the railway. When the ground was opened, such a quantity of human bones was exposed that the entire bank was literally white with them. The bones were found in every possible position, but had evidently been thrown into a large pit without order, and not surrounded by any form of sepulchral monument. The most superficial part of this layer of bones was scarcely two feet beneath the surface. Along with the bones were found some iron spear-heads, hatchets, and other weapons. These incline the author to believe the remains may be those of the gallowglasses, the heavy Irish soldiery employed in this country from the 10th to the end of the 15th century. The author remarks that similar speculations may yet be formed when exhumations occur on the fields of Cressy, Poictiers, or Agincourt, or, in a few centuries to come, perhaps even Waterloo. Some of these weapons have been placed in the national collection of the Academy.

Oral tradition of Dagobert at Slane Abbey

Slane · town · Meath · 653–673

Oral tradition held that Dagobert, the young King of Austrasia, was banished to Ireland and received into the abbey of Slane, where he was educated for twenty years before being recalled to France. A tomb in the graveyard was locally identified as his, but examination reveals it to be that of an Irish ecclesiastic named W. J. Kirwan.

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Dagobert, King of Austrasia (part of France), when at the age of only seven years, was taken by Grimoald, mayor of the palace, and by his direction he was shorn a monk, " rendered unfit to hold the reins of government, and banished into Ireland. From oral information we learn that he was received into this abbey, where he obtained an education proper for the enjoyment of a throne; he continued here during the space of twenty years, when he was recalled into France, and replaced in his government." By what means the author of the Monasticon obtained this latter information, or what oral traditions, referring back for such a length of time, should be received as history, we cannot now pause to discuss. Among the several tombs around the abbey the stranger's attention is pointed to one, said to bear the fleur-de-lis upon it, and this, " from oral information, we learn" is the tomb of the son of the King of France ! — but any one accustomed to examine such objects, at once recognises it as the tomb of an Irish ecclesiastic, being figured with a cross, each arm of which ends in a leaflike ornament, and also having upon it a chalice ; and beneath the foot of the cross the name W. J. Kir wan may still be deciphered. Several other curious old tombs may be observed here; one, in particular, to the south of the church, is of a remarkable form, and, in all probability, of greater antiquity than any Christian tomb in Ireland, except a similarly constructed one which we are given to understand exists in the churchyard of Saul, near Downpatrick, and that to which we already referred at Donaghpatrick, a fragment of which occupies a precisely similar position with respect to the adjoining church there. This tomb at Slane, of which the accompanying is a sketch, consists of two large gableshaped flags, about three feet of which rise above "HANU%^i)7 the ground, and separated
by an interval of about six feet. Each of these stones is grooved exactly like the gable of a house, the grooves appearing to be intended for the reception of the ends of horizontally inclined

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 112

As the companion tells it

Slane carries an old story about a boy king from far away. Dagobert was King of Austrasia, a part of France, and he was only 7 years old when Grimoald, the mayor of the palace, took him. By Grimoald's direction the child was shorn a monk, rendered unfit to hold the reins of government, and banished into Ireland. Oral tradition says he was received into the abbey here, where he obtained an education proper for the enjoyment of a throne. He stayed for twenty years, and then was recalled to France and replaced in his government. What the author of the Monasticon drew on for that claim, or what oral traditions reaching back so far should be received as history, the writer of this account says he cannot now pause to discuss. Among the tombs around the abbey, one is pointed out to visitors, said to bear the fleur-de-lis, and from oral information said to be the tomb of the son of the King of France. But anyone accustomed to examining such objects recognises it at once as the tomb of an Irish ecclesiastic. It bears a cross, each arm ending in a leaflike ornament, and a chalice, and beneath the foot of the cross the name W. J. Kirwan may still be deciphered. Several other curious old tombs stand here. One to the south of the church is remarkable in form and may be of greater antiquity than any Christian tomb in Ireland, except one at Saul near Downpatrick and another at Donaghpatrick. This tomb consists of two large gable-shaped flags, about 3 feet rising above the ground, separated by an interval of about 6 feet. Each stone is grooved like the gable of a house, the grooves appearing intended for the reception of horizontally inclined stones.

O'Rourke's pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick during wife's flight

near Croagh Patrick · mountain or mountain range · Mayo

When Dearvorgilla fled with the King of Leinster, O'Rourke was on a pilgrimage at Croagh Patrick, correcting the commonly held belief that he was at Lough Derg. Irish historians record that the Princess of Brefney left with her ornaments and cattle, at the instigation of her brother O'Melaghlin.

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O'Rourke was on a pilgrimage at Croagh-Patrick at the time, and not at Lough-Dearg, as has generally been stated; and the Irish historians inform us that the Princess of Brefney left her husband's roof, and fled with the King of Leinster, taking with her her ornaments and her cattle, with the knowledge and even at the instigation of her own brother, O'Melaghlin, son of the King of Meath. The Annals of the Four Masters inform us that " Dearvorgilla (i. e. the wife of Tiernan O'Rourke), daughter of Murrough O'Melaghlin, died in the monastery of Drogheda [Mellefont], in the eighty-fifth year of her age." A. D. 1 193.f It should be remembered also that Mac Morough was not expelled from his kingdom for several years after.
Civil wars, family feuds, and the rivalry and jealousy of clans and chieftains, seem, therefore, to have had as marked an influence on the destiny of our unhappy country at that time, as the jealousy of husbands and lovers.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 21

As the companion tells it

Croagh Patrick is the mountain where Tiernan O'Rourke was on pilgrimage when his wife Dearvorgilla fled. The common belief places him at Lough Derg at the time, but Irish historians tell us he was here at Croagh Patrick instead. The Princess of Brefney left her husband's roof and ran with the King of Leinster, taking with her her ornaments and her cattle. This was done with the knowledge and even at the instigation of her own brother, O'Melaghlin, son of the King of Meath. The Annals of the Four Masters record that Dearvorgilla, daughter of Murrough O'Melaghlin, died in the monastery of Drogheda, Mellefont, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Mac Morough was not expelled from his kingdom for several years after. Civil wars, family feuds, and the rivalry and jealousy of clans and chieftains had as marked an influence on the destiny of the country as the jealousy of husbands and lovers.

The War of the Fillip at Trim

Trim · town · Meath

An oral account by Dudley Firbisse describes the origin of the 'War of the Fillip' (Cogadh an Caimin), which began when the Treasurer of Meath's son struck the nose of Mac Fforais (Bermingham) in the town of Trim. The Berminghams and O'Conors retaliated by burning much of Meath.

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this name arose is peculiar and worthy of remark. Pierce De Bermingham was one of the early English settlers, and received a large grant of land in Leinster. The surname was dropped by the Irish-speaking people, and the Christian name, Pierce, or Peter, translated into Gaelic, as Horish, or Feorais, a name which the descendants of the Berminghams still bear to the present day. The Clan-Feorais — the tribe-name of the family of Bermingham— applied the Irish appellation to their territory, which was coextensive with the barony of Carbury, and extended along the Boyne, both in Kildare and King's County, as far as the borders of Meath.* In process of time this Anglo-Norman stock became more Irish than the Irish themselves ; they joined with the 0' Conors of Offally, and other Irish chieftains, and made fierce war upon the English settlers within the Pale at different times. We have an account of the cause of one of these wars, given us by Dudley Firbisse: "That warr was called the warr of caimin, that is, an abuse that was given to the son of the Chiefe of the Berminghams (Hibernice, to Mac Ffeorais, his son), in the great court in the town of Ath-truim, by the Thresurer of Meath, i. e. the Barnwall's sonn, so that he did beate a caimin (i. e. a stroke of his finger) upon the nose of Mac Fforais, or Bermingham's son, which deede he was not worthy of, and he entering on the Earle of Ormond safe guard ; so that he stole afterwards out of the town, and went towards O' Conor Ffaly, and joined together ; and it is hard to know that ever was such abuse better revenged than the said Caimin ; and thence came the notable word (Cogadh an Caimin)."^ During this war the Berminghams and O'Conors "preyed and burnt a greate part of Meath."
Sir John de Bermingham, Earl of Louth, founded an abbey in the year 1325, for conventual Franciscans, at Totmoy, in Offaly, the ancient name of this territory ; and from the Irish name of this chieftain it was called Monaster-Feoris. In 151 1,

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 29

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Trim, there is an old story behind the name of a war that began here. Pierce de Bermingham was one of the early English settlers, granted large lands in Leinster. The Irish-speaking people dropped his surname and turned his Christian name into Gaelic, calling him Horish or Feorais. His descendants still bear that name. The Clan-Feorais held territory coextensive with the barony of Carbury, stretching along the Boyne through Kildare and King's County to the borders of Meath. In time this Anglo-Norman family became more Irish than the Irish themselves, joining with the O'Conors of Offaly and other chieftains to make fierce war upon the English settlers within the Pale. Dudley Firbisse gives this account of how one such war began. It was called the war of caimin, that is, a fillip, an abuse given to the son of the chief of the Berminghams in the great court in the town of Trim. The Treasurer of Meath's son, a Barnwall, struck a caimin, a stroke of his finger, upon the nose of Mac Fforais, Bermingham's son. The deed was one he was not worthy of, and the young man was under the Earl of Ormond's safeguard. He stole out of the town afterwards and went to O'Conor Ffaly, and they joined together. It is hard to know that such abuse was ever better revenged. From this came the name Cogadh an Caimin, the War of the Fillip. During this war the Berminghams and O'Conors, as the record says, "preyed and burnt a greate part of Meath."

De Lacy's divided remains and the Bective Abbey dispute

Bective · townland · Meath · 1186–1205

After his death, De Lacy's body was buried at Bective Abbey while his head was taken to the Abbey of St. Thomas in Dublin. This division sparked a fierce dispute between the two abbeys, referred ultimately to the Pope, who decided the body should join the head in Dublin around 1205.

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De Lacy's body was detained for several years by the Irish, who then attacked the castle, but it was at last restored, and buried with great solemnity at Bective Abbey, while his head was carried to Dublin, and interred in the Abbey of St. Thomas, in the tomb of his wife, Rosa de Monmouth. This division of the remains of the unfortunate De Lacy gave rise to a fierce dispute between the two abbeys, as to which should possess both, and the controversy arose to such a pitch that the matter was referred to the supreme Pontiff at Eome. It was finally decided that the body should go along with the head ; and it is supposed to have been removed to Dublin about the year 1205. Gerald of Cambria thus described this remarkable man:
" If you will know what manner of man Hugh de Lacie was, you shall understand his eies were blacke and deepe, and his nose somewhat flat, like that of an ape ; and the right side of his face, from the chin upwards, by a mischance, was schrewolie skalled ; his neck was short, and his bodie hairie, as also not fleshie, but sinewish and strong compact ; his stature was but small, and his proportion deformed; but in construction he was verie sober, trustie, and modest. He was verie carefull in his own private matters, but in causes of government and in all public affairs he was most vigilant and carefull: and albeit he were a verie good souldier, and one of great experience in martial affairs ; yet in his sundrie adventures, wherein he was sometimes rash and verie hastie, he sped not alwaies best, nor has the best success. He was verie greedie and covetous of wealth and possessions, but over much ambitious of honours and reputation."

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 60

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, the remains of Hugh de Lacy once lay, buried with great solemnity at Bective Abbey. After his death, his body was detained for several years by the Irish, who had attacked his castle. At last the body was restored and brought here for burial. But his head was carried to Dublin, and interred in the Abbey of St. Thomas, in the tomb of his wife, Rosa de Monmouth. This division of his remains gave rise to a fierce dispute between the two abbeys, each wanting to possess both. The controversy rose to such a pitch that the matter was referred to the supreme Pontiff at Rome. It was finally decided that the body should go along with the head, and the remains are supposed to have been removed to Dublin about the year 1205. Gerald of Cambria described Hugh de Lacy in these words. His eyes were black and deep, his nose somewhat flat, "like that of an ape." The right side of his face, from the chin upwards, was scarred by a mischance. His neck was short, his body hairy, not fleshy but sinewy and strong. His stature was small, his proportion deformed. Yet in character he was sober, trusty, and modest. He was careful in his own private matters, but in government and public affairs most vigilant. He was a good soldier of great experience, though sometimes rash and hasty in his adventures, and not always successful. He was greedy and covetous of wealth, but overmuch ambitious of honours and reputation.

Legend of Queen Boan and Nechtain's mystical well at Carbury

Carbury · townland · Kildare

The Boyne is said to originate at the Well of the Blessed Trinity at the foot of Carbury Hill, anciently called Sidh Nechtain. Queen Boan defied the well's prohibition and was overwhelmed by three waves that mutilated her and pursued her to the sea, giving the river her name.

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The well of the Blessed Trinity, at which the Boyne rises, is at the foot of the hill of Carbury, anciently called Sidh Nechtain, the fairy hill of Nechtain. There was a celebrated poet and king of Leinster, called Nechtain, or Nuada-Neacht, in the first century, who had a secret well in his garden, one of the miraculous virtues of which was, that any one who approached it, except the monarch and his three cup-bearers, Flesg, Lesg, and Luam, was instantly deprived of sight, their eyes bursting, as the manuscripts describe it. Female curiosity, however, was not to be disappointed, and Boan, the queen, was determined to test the mystical powers of its waters ; she, therefore, arrogantly, not only approached the well, and defied its powers to mar her beauty, but passed three times round it

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 23

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, at the foot of the hill of Carbury, anciently called Sidh Nechtain, the fairy hill of Nechtain, there is the well of the Blessed Trinity where the Boyne rises. Nechtain, or Nuada-Neacht, was a celebrated poet and king of Leinster in the 1st century. He had a secret well in his garden. Its miraculous virtue was that anyone who approached it, except the monarch and his three cup-bearers, Flesg, Lesg, and Luam, was instantly deprived of sight, their eyes bursting, as the manuscripts describe it. Female curiosity, however, was not to be disappointed. Boan, the queen, was determined to test the mystical powers of its waters. She arrogantly approached the well, defied its powers to mar her beauty, and passed three times round it.

Bleeding ash tree miracle at St. Kieran's Well

Castlekeeran · townland · Meath · 1839

Around 1839 a report spread over Meath and surrounding counties that St. Kieran's ash tree was bleeding, drawing thousands of people with vessels to collect the miraculous fluid. Many believed the fluid could perform cures beyond the ability of ordinary doctors.

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About ten years ago a report spread over Meath and the surrounding counties, that Saint Kieran's ash tree vras bleeding, and thousands of people flocked to the place to witness the wonder, and many brought with them vessels and bottles in which they hoped to carry away a portion of the miraculous fluid. With this it was hoped they might perform cures such as " common doctors" could not even attempt.
" The holy wells — the living wells — the cool, the fresh, the pure — A thousand ages rolled away, and still those founts endure ; And while their stainless chastity and lasting life have birth Amid the oozy cells and caves of gross material earth, The scripture of creation holds no fairer type than they — That an immortal spirit can be linked with human clay ! How sweet, of old, the bubbling gush — no less to antlered race, Than to the hunter and the hound that smote them in the chase ! The cottage hearth, the convent Js wall, the battlemented tower, Grew up around the crystal springs as well as flag and flower ; The brooklime and the water-cress were evidence of health, Abiding in those basins, free to Poverty and Wealth : The city sent pale sufferers there, the faded brow to dip, And woo the water to depose some bloom upon the lip ; The wounded warrior dragged him towards the unforgotten tide, And deemed the draught a heavenlier gift than triumph to his side. The stag, the hunter, and the hound, the druid and the saint, And anchorite. are gone, and even the lineaments grown faint, Of those old ruins into which, for monuments, had sunk The glorious homes that held, like shrines, the monarch and the monk."*

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 87

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here in Castlekeeran, a report spread around 1839 that Saint Kieran's ash tree was bleeding. Thousands of people flocked to the place to witness the wonder. Many brought vessels and bottles, hoping to carry away a portion of the miraculous fluid. With it, they hoped to perform cures that "common doctors" could not even attempt. The story ran over Meath and the surrounding counties, drawing people with every kind of container, all believing that what came from that tree could do what medicine could not. The book goes on to reflect on holy wells in a passage of verse. It speaks of wells that have endured for a thousand ages, their water pure and lasting, linked to the earth yet somehow immortal. Cottage hearths, convent walls, and battlemented towers grew up around crystal springs. The brooklime and the water-cress were evidence of health, free to Poverty and Wealth alike. The city sent pale sufferers there to dip their faded brows and woo the water to depose some bloom upon the lip. The wounded warrior dragged himself toward the unforgotten tide and deemed the draught a heavenlier gift than triumph. The stag, the hunter, and the hound, the druid and the saint and the anchorite are gone, the book says, and even the lineaments have grown faint of those old ruins into which the glorious homes had sunk that held, like shrines, the monarch and the monk.

Blackcastle mistress tricks rival at Athlumney into destruction

Blackcastle · townland · Meath

According to local tradition, the haughty mistress of Blackcastle, situated on the opposite bank of the river from Athlumney, deceived her sister into destroying Athlumney Castle by lighting dry brushwood on her own tower as a false signal, leaving Blackcastle standing proudly above the woods.

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* Tradition gives us another, but by no means so probable a story about Athluniney castle, -which refers to an earlier date. It is said that two sisters occupied the ancient castles of Athluniney and Blackcastle, -which latter -was situated on the opposite bank of the river ; and the heroine of the latter, jealous of her rival in Athluniney, took the following means of being revenged. She made her enter into an agreement, that to prevent their mansions falling into the hands of Cromwell and his soldiers, they should set fire to them at the same moment, as soon as the news of bis approach reached them, and that a fire being bghted upon one was to be the signal for the conflagration of the other. In the mean time the wily mistress of Blackcastle had a quantity of dry brush-wood placed on one of the towers of the castle, -which, upon a certain night, she lighted ; and the inhabitants of Athlumney perceiving the appointed signal, set fire to their mansion, and burned it to the ground. In the morning the deception was manifest. Athlumney was a mass of blackened, smoking ruins, while Blackcastle still reared its proud form above the woods, and still afforded shelter to its haughty mistress.
134 NAVAN.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 84

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here once stood Blackcastle, on the opposite bank of the river from Athlumney. Tradition says two sisters occupied these two ancient castles. The mistress of this place was jealous of her sister in Athlumney, and she found a way to be revenged. She made her sister agree that to prevent their mansions falling into the hands of Cromwell and his soldiers, they should set fire to them at the same moment, as soon as news of his approach reached them. A fire lit on one was to be the signal for the conflagration of the other. But the wily mistress had a quantity of dry brushwood placed on one of the towers of her castle. Upon a certain night, she lit it. The inhabitants of Athlumney saw the appointed signal and set fire to their own mansion, burning it to the ground. In the morning the deception was plain. Athlumney was a mass of blackened, smoking ruins, while the other castle still reared its proud form above the woods and still afforded shelter to its haughty mistress.

Burning of venerated crucifix at Ballyboggan, 1538

Ballyboggan · townland · Meath · 1538

In 1538, during the Reformation, a crucifix held in great veneration was publicly burned at Ballybogan priory. The nearby holy well Tober-Crogh-neeve may derive its name from a connection to this event.

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Ware's Annals inform us that in 1538 a crucifix which was held in great veneration was here publicly burned ; and Tober- Crogh-neeve, or the Well of the Holy Cross, at the foot of the hill of Carrick, mentioned at page 45, may, perhaps, have derived its name from some connexion therewith. At the same time the reformers burned the celebrated image of the Virgin Mary at Trim, and St. Patrick's Staff (crozier) at Dublin.
The abbey and surrounding lands at present belong to Lord Lansdowne, who has most creditably placed several buttresses

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 40

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, in 1538, a crucifix held in great veneration was publicly burned. Ware's Annals record it. Tober-Crogh-neeve, the Well of the Holy Cross, at the foot of the hill of Carrick, may perhaps have taken its name from some connection with the burning. At the same time, the reformers burned the celebrated image of the Virgin Mary at Trim, and St. Patrick's Staff, his crozier, at Dublin.

Dowth ransacked by Danes under Amlaff

Dowth · townland · Meath · 800–899

Local tradition held that the mound of Dowth was ransacked by the Danes during one of their ninth-century inroads, under a leader named Amlaff. A gap on the western face of the mound was speculated to be the passage originally broken open by these plunderers.

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We mentioned that Dowth, or Dubhadh, had been ransacked by the Danes, during one of their inroads in the ninth century ; where they broached the mound, or whether they examined all its chambers, it is now difficult to say. A considerable gap existed in the western face of the mound, caused by large quantities of the stones of which it is composed having been removed at different times to erect buildings or to break up into macadamizing materials for the road which passes at its foot. It has been said, we hope without truth, that the grand jury of the county on one occasion presented, in form, for the stones of Dowth, to improve the condition of their roads. In this excavation, on the western side, a passage somewhat similar to that of New Grange had long remained exposed ; but, from the falling in of its sides and roof, it was not possible to follow it for more than a few yards on either side. Whether this passage was that originally broken open by Amlaff and his plundering Danes, it is difficult to determine.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 126

As the companion tells it

Close to Dowth, the mound called Dubhadh was ransacked by the Danes during one of their inroads in the ninth century. Where they broached the mound, or whether they examined all its chambers, is now difficult to say. A considerable gap existed in the western face of the mound, caused by large quantities of the stones of which it is composed having been removed at different times to erect buildings or to break up into materials for the road that passes at its foot. It has been said, we hope without truth, that the grand jury of the county on one occasion presented, in form, for the stones of this mound to improve the condition of their roads. In this excavation on the western side, a passage somewhat similar to that of New Grange had long remained exposed. From the falling in of its sides and roof, it was not possible to follow it for more than a few yards on either side. Whether this passage was that originally broken open by Amlaff and his plundering Danes is difficult to determine.

Hugh de Lacy slain at Durrow castle

Durrow · parish · Offaly · 1186

Hugh de Lacy was killed at Durrow in 1186 while inspecting his newly built castle. Contrary to the popular story that an Irish labourer murdered him, the Annals of Kilronan and Four Masters record that Gilla-gan-innaher O'Meyey, a young soldier in the household of O'Caharney ('The Fox'), struck off his head with a concealed battle-axe and fled to the wood of Kilclare.

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castle there, having a countless number of the English with him, for he was King of Meath, Brefny, and Oriel, and it was to him the tribute of Connaught was paid, and he it was that won all Ireland for the English. Meath, from the Shannon to the sea, was full of his castles and English followers. After the completion of this work by him, that is, the erection of the castle of Durrow, he came out to look at the castle, having three Englishmen along with him. Then came there one youth of the men of Meath up to him, having his battle-axe concealed, namely, Gilla-gan-innaher O'Meyey, the foster-son of the Fox (O'Caharney) himself, and gave him one blow, so that he cut off his head, and he fell, both head and body, into the ditch of the castle." — Annals of Kilronan, T. CD."*
And the Four Masters take up the narration of this event, and inform us that Gilla-gan-innaher escaped by flight into the neighbouring wood of Kilclare, where the Irish chieftains were awaiting him.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 60

As the companion tells it

The parish of Durrow is where Hugh de Lacy met his end in 1186. He was King of Meath, Brefny, and Oriel. The tribute of Connaught was paid to him, and he won all Ireland for the English. Meath, from the Shannon to the sea, was full of his castles and English followers. He had just completed the castle there and came out to look at it, with three Englishmen along with him. Then a youth of the men of Meath came up to him, with his battle-axe concealed. His name was Gilla-gan-innaher O'Meyey, the foster-son of the Fox, O'Caharney. He gave de Lacy one blow and cut off his head. Head and body fell into the ditch of the castle. The Four Masters add that Gilla-gan-innaher escaped by flight into the neighbouring wood of Kilclare, where the Irish chieftains were awaiting him.

Legend of two sisters and Athlumney Castle's destruction

Athlumney · townland · Meath

Tradition tells of two sisters occupying Athlumney and Blackcastle on opposite banks of the river. The mistress of Blackcastle tricked her rival into burning Athlumney Castle by lighting a decoy fire as the prearranged signal, while Blackcastle remained unscathed.

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* Tradition gives us another, but by no means so probable a story about Athluniney castle, -which refers to an earlier date. It is said that two sisters occupied the ancient castles of Athluniney and Blackcastle, -which latter -was situated on the opposite bank of the river ; and the heroine of the latter, jealous of her rival in Athluniney, took the following means of being revenged. She made her enter into an agreement, that to prevent their mansions falling into the hands of Cromwell and his soldiers, they should set fire to them at the same moment, as soon as the news of bis approach reached them, and that a fire being bghted upon one was to be the signal for the conflagration of the other. In the mean time the wily mistress of Blackcastle had a quantity of dry brush-wood placed on one of the towers of the castle, -which, upon a certain night, she lighted ; and the inhabitants of Athlumney perceiving the appointed signal, set fire to their mansion, and burned it to the ground. In the morning the deception was manifest. Athlumney was a mass of blackened, smoking ruins, while Blackcastle still reared its proud form above the woods, and still afforded shelter to its haughty mistress.
134 NAVAN.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 84

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Athlumney, tradition tells a story about the castle that once stood here. Two sisters occupied the ancient castles of Athlumney and Blackcastle, which sat on opposite banks of the river. The mistress of Blackcastle was jealous of her rival, and she found a way to be revenged. She made her sister agree to a plan. To prevent their mansions falling into the hands of Cromwell and his soldiers, they would set fire to them at the same moment, as soon as word of his approach reached them. A fire lit on one castle was to be the signal for the other. But the wily mistress of Blackcastle had already placed a quantity of dry brushwood on one of her own towers. On a certain night she lit it. The inhabitants of Athlumney saw the appointed signal and set fire to their mansion, burning it to the ground. In the morning the deception was plain. Athlumney was a mass of blackened, smoking ruins, while Blackcastle still reared its proud form above the woods and still afforded shelter to its haughty mistress.

Newgrange: the Great Pyramid of the West

Newgrange · townland · Meath

Newgrange is described as the most splendid specimen of a dome-roofed stone chamber within an earthen tumulus in Central or North-western Europe, termed the Great Pyramid of the West. When first opened, two entire unburnt skeletons were found on the floor, but no remains survived to the present day.

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had a footing in Ireland. With the various English invasions in more modern times every reader of Irish history is familiar. We shall now demonstrate some of the human remains of the first or earliest inhabitants found in this country, and detail the circumstances under which they have been discovered. At the beginning of the last century, the distinguished physician, Sir Thomas Molyneux, was the first to investigate this interesting subject, which, from his day until the publication of the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy a few years ago, remained forgotten and neglected; and the very prejudices and superstitions of the lower orders of our countrymen who might accidentally open any of the ancient burial-places, led them to secrete or destroy any human remains found within them. Owing partly to this cause, and partly to the circumstance of their value not being understood from the days of Molyneux until within the last dozen years, there does not appear to have been any regard paid by antiquaries to the preservation or description of human remains. The folio wing nummary includes an account of the various forms of burial made use of by our aborigines, at least so far as we have any authentic account of them: — First and most notable is a dome-roofed stone chamber, containing the remains of one or more bodies, and approached by a covered way, the whole being enclosed in a large earthen tumulus or barrow, and generally surrounded by a circle of upright pillarstones. This is the true pyramid, modify it as we please, of which the type is to be found in those great oriental monuments, with the characters of which all are acquainted. The most splendid specimen of this description, which we know of in Central or North-western Europe, is the magnificent mausoleum at New Grange, which may well be denominated the Great Pyramid of the West. When New Grange was first opened, a great many years ago, we are told that " two entire skeletons, not burnt, were found on the floor ;" but what characters these bones presented, or with what emblems that might mark the date of their interment, we know not, as none of the remains discovered in this vault have come down to the present day. We only hear that the bodies were buried entire, and not burned. In 1839, the account of a tumulus of a similar character, found near Rush, in this county, was presented to the Royal Irish Academy by Lieutenant Newenham. This barrow, called Knochlea, consisted of a chamber about eight feet long and

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 137

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here is Newgrange, described as the most splendid specimen of a dome-roofed stone chamber within a large earthen tumulus, approached by a covered way and surrounded by a circle of upright pillar stones. One writer called it the true pyramid, comparing it to the great oriental monuments, and named it the Great Pyramid of the West. When it was first opened, a great many years ago, it was recorded that "two entire skeletons, not burnt, were found on the floor." The bodies were buried entire and not burned. But what characters these bones presented, or what emblems might mark the date of their interment, is unknown. None of the remains discovered in this vault have come down to the present day. The writer notes that Sir Thomas Molyneux, a distinguished physician, was the first to investigate the subject of human remains in Ireland, at the beginning of the last century. From his day until the publication of the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy a few years ago, the subject remained forgotten and neglected. The prejudices and superstitions of the lower orders of the country who might accidentally open ancient burial places led them to secrete or destroy any human remains found within them. Owing partly to this, and partly to the value of such remains not being understood from the days of Molyneux until within the last dozen years, antiquaries paid no regard to their preservation or description.

Superstitious stone basin at Clonard monastery

Clonard · town · Meath

A square stone trough, probably the ancient monastery lavatory, was buried in the Clonard graveyard near the church tower. The peasantry believed its water never dried up, caused illness and death in geese and other animals that drank it, and was an infallible cure for warts.

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The third stone to which we alluded is a square trough, probably the lavatory of the ancient monastery. It is rude and undecorated, with a cavity two feet two inches long, by twenty-one inches wide, and about fifteen inches in depth. It remained, until we had it taken up, very lately, almost completely buried in the grave-yard, near the present church tower. Like several other hallowed stones, such as piscinas, bolt-holes, and steps or bases of crosses, which are met with on the sites of many of our old churches and religious houses, peculiar superstitious reverence attached to this ancient washing basin as long as it remained over ground. Like the " Deer-stone" at Glendalough, it was said to have contained water at all times, and to this water peculiar properties were attributed by the peasantry; it was believed to cause the illness and death of geese and all animals which drank it, and it was sought for as an infallible remedy — one of the hundred infallible cures — for warts.*
At what precise period during the present century those time-honoured ruins at Clonard were completely effaced, or to what base uses they were applied, it is now difficult to say. The chief dilapidation certainly occurred within the last fiveand- twenty years. Ruins such as these are the landmarks of

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 46

As the companion tells it

The town of Clonard holds the remains of an ancient monastery. Among its stones was a square trough, probably the monastery's lavatory, rude and undecorated, with a cavity two feet two inches long, twenty-one inches wide, and about fifteen inches deep. It lay almost completely buried in the graveyard, near the church tower, until the author had it taken up. Peculiar superstitious reverence attached to this ancient washing basin as long as it remained above ground. Like the "Deer-stone" at Glendalough, it was said to have contained water at all times, and to this water the peasantry attributed peculiar properties. They believed it caused the illness and death of geese and all animals that drank from it. It was also sought as an infallible remedy for warts, one of the hundred infallible cures. The time-honoured ruins at Clonard have been effaced. The chief dilapidation occurred within the last twenty-five years, and it is now difficult to say to what base uses those ruins were put.

Teltown divorce ritual at Rath Dubh

Teltown · townland · Meath

Couples married under the Teltown custom could divorce after a year and a day by returning to Rath Dubh (the Black Fort). Standing back to back in the centre of the fort, one facing north and the other south, they walked outwards and became a divorced couple, free to try the Lug-an-Eany betrothal again.

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town ceremonies took place — the marriages or betrothals. Upon one side of this great embankment were ranged, it is said," the boys," and on the other "the girls;" the former ogling, the latter blushing ; for human nature is, we suppose, the same at all times and in all places, among our forefathers and mothers at Teltown upwards of a thousand years ago, or in a modern drawing-room, or at a flower-show or review. They then, having had a good view of each other, passed down a little to the south, where there is a deep hollow in the land, evidently formed artificially, probably the ditch of one of the ancient forts, and called Lug-an-Eany, where they became separated by a high wall, which prevented their seeing each other. In this wall, say the local traditions, there was a door with a small hole in it, through which each young lady passed her middle finger, which the men upon the other side looked at, and if any of them admired the finger he laid hold of it, and the lass to whom it belonged forthwith became his bride ; so that we find a fair and pretty hand, a delicate and taper finger, with its snowy skin and delicately formed nail, were even more captivating among the Irish lads and lasses some twelve hundred years ago than they are at the present day. He took her for better for worse, but the key-hole or wooden ring was not as binding as the modern one of gold ; for, by the laws of Tailtean, the marriage only held good for a year and a day. If the couple disagreed during that time they returned to Tailtean, walked into the centre of Rath Dubh, stood back to back, one facing the north, and the other the south, and walked out of the fort, a divorced couple, free to try their luck again at Lug-an-Eany.* What a pity there is no Teltown or Black Fort marriage in the present day ! What numbers would take advantage of it !

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 94

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Teltown, the old ceremonies of marriage and betrothal took place. On one side of a great embankment stood the boys, and on the other the girls, eyeing each other across the divide. Having had a good view, they passed a little to the south to a deep hollow in the land, artificially formed, probably the ditch of one of the ancient forts, called Lug-an-Eany. There a high wall separated them, and in that wall was a door with a small hole in it. Each young lady passed her middle finger through, and the men on the other side looked at them. If a man admired a finger, he laid hold of it, and the lass to whom it belonged became his bride. He took her for better for worse, but the arrangement was not as binding as a modern ring of gold. By the laws of Tailtean, the marriage held good for a year and a day. If the couple disagreed during that time, they returned to Tailtean and walked into the centre of Rath Dubh, the Black Fort. They stood back to back, one facing north and the other south, and walked out of the fort, a divorced couple, free to try their luck again at Lug-an-Eany.

Tradition of Hugh de Lacy's burial beneath the cloister arches at Bective

Bective · townland · Meath · 1186–1195

After Hugh de Lacy was murdered at Durrow in 1186, his body was recovered in 1195 and interred at Bective Abbey, while his head was buried at St. Thomas's, Dublin. Tradition says de Lacy was buried beneath one of the pointed cinquefoil arches separating the cloister from the courtyard on the southern side of the abbey.

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An arcade of pointed cinquefoil arches, supported by light clustered pillars, decorated with elegantly carved capitals, separates the cloister from the court-yard or quadrangle, on the southern side ; and beneath one of these tradition says that the great Lord Palatine was buried. The carving of this colonnade is, from the hardness of the Ardbraccan stone, of which it is built, and the sharpness of the cutting, in fine preservation, and well worthy the attention of the archaaological and antiquarian student. On the extreme western pilaster
* See Grace's Annals of Ireland. A portion of this abbey of St. Thomas, now Thomas's Court, was remaining within the memory of man. In the incident related above, we have quoted the circumstances as they are set forth in records acknowledged to be authentic ; but, at the same time, we are inclined to question the chronology of the documents relied on by Irish historians, for if the body and head of De Lacy were thrown into the ditch, and endeavoured to be concealed by the Irish, it is not likely that they could have been identified nine years after ; and the very fact of the head having been removed to Dublin, while the body was carried elsewhere, induces us to believe that the interment of both took place immediately after the murder- It is possible, however, that the body may have been originally interred at the cemetery at Durrow.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 71

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Bective, tradition holds that one of Ireland's most powerful men was laid to rest. Hugh de Lacy, called the great Lord Palatine, was murdered at Durrow in 1186. 9 years later, in 1195, his body was recovered and brought here for burial, while his head was taken to St. Thomas's in Dublin. The abbey's southern side has an arcade of pointed cinquefoil arches, carried on light clustered pillars with elegantly carved capitals, separating the cloister from the courtyard. Beneath one of these arches, tradition says de Lacy was buried. The carving survives in fine preservation because the Ardbraccan stone is hard and the cutting was sharp. But there is reason to question the chronology. The records relied on by Irish historians say the body and head were thrown into a ditch and the Irish tried to conceal them. If that is so, it is not likely they could have been identified 9 years after the murder. The fact that the head was removed to Dublin while the body was carried elsewhere suggests both interments may have taken place immediately after the killing. It is possible the body was first buried in the cemetery at Durrow.

Silver bullets at the siege of Ticroghan Castle

Ticroghan · townland · Meath · 1650

Local peasants near Ticroghan Castle related a tradition that during the 1650 siege, the garrison was reduced to firing silver bullets, revealing their desperation. This discovery encouraged the Parliamentary forces to renew the attack and take the castle.

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* The peasants in the neighbourhood relate a story that the siege was about to be abandoned when the besiegers discovered that the soldiers in the fortress were firing silver bullets: encouraged by this proof of the extremity in which the beleaguered were, the Parliamentary forces continued the attack with renewed energy, and soon succeeded in reducing the castle.
76 THE BOYNE FROM CLONARD TO TRIM.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 53

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ticroghan, a story lingers from the 1650 siege. Local peasants tell that the Parliamentary forces were about to give up when they discovered the garrison was firing silver bullets. That proof of desperation encouraged them to press the attack with renewed energy, and they soon succeeded in reducing the castle.

Battle of Moytura and the Tuatha De Danaan

near Moytirra · monument · Sligo

An old Irish manuscript records a celebrated battle fought on the plains of Moy Turey, where the Tuatha De Danaan king completely routed the Firbolgs. Tumuli and barrows still remain on the battlefield over the early pagan remains.

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of the celebrated battle fought on the plains of Moy Turey, in the county of Sligo, when Nuada Airgeat Lamh, the king of the Tuatha De Danaan, completely routed the BelgaB or Firbolgs, a vast number of whom are said to have been slain ; and on that battle-field, the Marathon of Irish history, we have still remaining the tumuli or barrows erected over the remains of our early Pagan progenitors. Dr. Petrie detailed to the Academy, in the year 1838, an account of a most remarkable collection of cairns, cromlechs, and stone circles, at Carrowmore, in the vicinity of Sligo, all containing human remains. " Such monuments," he stated, " are found in all the battlefields recorded in Irish history, as the scene of con test between the Belgians or Firbolgs and the Tuatha De Danaan colonies, and he considers these monuments to be the tombs of the Belgians, who, after their defeat in the battle of southern Moy- Thuree, had retreated to Cuil-Iorra, and were there again defeated, and their king Eochy slain in crossing the strand of Ballysadare bay, on which a cairn rising above high water still marks the spot on which he fell." To these Tuatha De Danaan, or metal workers, we are inclined to assign a Celtic origin, and to their art and ingenuity to attribute the workmanship of those beautiful bronze or antique-metal ornaments and weapons, formed by a mixture of copper and tin, so generally found over the face of the country, and now swelling our national collection at the Royal Irish Academy.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 136

As the companion tells it

Somewhere about Moytirra, the old manuscripts place one of the most celebrated battles in Irish history. On the plains of Moy Turey, in the county of Sligo, Nuada Airgeat Lamh, king of the Tuatha De Danaan, completely routed the Firbolgs. A vast number of the Firbolgs were said to have been slain. The battlefield has been called the Marathon of Irish history, and the tumuli and barrows still standing there were raised over the remains of early pagan dead. In 1838, Dr. Petrie gave the Academy an account of a remarkable collection of cairns, cromlechs, and stone circles at Carrowmore, in the vicinity of Sligo, all of them containing human remains. He stated that such monuments are found on all the battlefields recorded in Irish history as scenes of contest between the Belgians, or Firbolgs, and the Tuatha De Danaan. He considered these monuments to be the tombs of the Belgians, who, after their defeat in the battle of southern Moy-Thuree, retreated to Cuil-Iorra. There they were defeated again, and their king Eochy was slain crossing the strand of Ballysadare bay. A cairn rising above high water still marks the spot where he fell. The Tuatha De Danaan were metal workers, and their art and ingenuity are credited with the beautiful bronze ornaments and weapons formed from a mixture of copper and tin, found widely across the country and now held in the national collection at the Royal Irish Academy.

King Loeghaire's standing burial at Tara

Tara · parish · Meath

King Loeghaire, contemporary with St. Patrick, was interred in a standing position with his weapons and war dress in the external rampart of the rath at Tara, his face turned southward toward the Leinstermen. This burial custom reflects ancient pagan traditions of warrior interment.

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There were several royal burial places in Ireland in early Pagan times, eight of which have been enumerated. In the Senchas-na-Relec, or the History of the Cemeteries, contained in the Leabhar na h-Uidhre, a work compiled at Clonmacnoise, in the twelfth century, we learn that among these chief cemeteries were Cruachan, now Rathcroghan, in the county of Roscommon, where there are still considerable remains ; Tailltean, Teamhair Erann, or Tara, and Oenach Colmain ; so from these it would appear that the monarchs were sometimes buried iti the immediate vicinity, or perhaps within the enclosure of their dwellings, like King Loeghaire, who was contemporary with St. Patrick, and who was interred in a standing position, with his weapons and war dress upon him, in the external rampart of the rath which bears his name at Tara, with his face turned southward, towards his enemies, the Leinstermen. But by far the most celebrated and extensive of all the Irish cemeteries was that denominated Brugh, or Brugh na Boinne, the Burgum Boinne, the fort or town of the Boyne, of which an account is given, not only in the work already alluded to, but in another Irish manuscript of great antiquity, the Dinrseanchus, a tract contained in the great Speckled Book of Ballymote; and to this place references continually occur in almost every ancient Irish manuscript. This was the great royal cemetery of the Kings of Tara ; and from an examination of the various authorities which describe it, as well as the monuments themselves which still exist, it is manifest that Brugh na Boinne was no other than the assemblage of mounds, caves, pillar-stones, and other sepulchral monuments, forming the great necropolis which extends along the left or northern bank of the river, from Slane to Netterville. " The nobles of

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 113

As the companion tells it

The road takes you through the parish of Tara, a place that was once a seat of kings and a burial ground of the old pagan kind. Ancient Ireland had several royal cemeteries, eight of them counted by the old records. A history called the Senchas-na-Relec, kept in the Leabhar na h-Uidhre, a manuscript compiled at Clonmacnoise in the 12th century, names the chief ones: Cruachan, now Rathcroghan in Roscommon, where remains still stand; Tailltean; Teamhair Erann, which is Tara; and Oenach Colmain. From these it appears the monarchs were sometimes buried in the immediate vicinity of their dwellings, or perhaps within the enclosure itself. That was the manner of King Loeghaire, who was contemporary with St. Patrick. He was interred in a standing position, with his weapons and his war dress upon him, in the external rampart of the rath that bears his name at Tara. His face was turned southward, towards his enemies, the Leinstermen. The most celebrated and extensive of all the Irish cemeteries was Brugh na Boinne, the fort or town of the Boyne. It is described in the Dinnseanchus, a tract in the Speckled Book of Ballymote, and references to it appear in almost every ancient Irish manuscript. This was the great royal cemetery of the Kings of Tara. The monuments that still exist show it was an assemblage of mounds, caves, pillar-stones, and other sepulchral monuments extending along the northern bank of the river, from Slane to Netterville.

St. Patrick curses the River Sele (Blackwater)

Teltown · townland · Meath

According to the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, the river now called the Blackwater was originally named Abhainn Sele. After Patrick cursed it following an insult from the sons of Carbre and Loeghaire near Tailtean, its waters turned dark and it became known as Abhainn Dubh.

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the south.* In the topographical description of the Boyne at the commencement of this work, we hazarded a conjecture (p. 25), that the river called Finnabhainn [i. e. White River] in the very ancient histories was no other than that now denominated the Blackwater of Meath, because it is said to have its source in Sliabh-Guaire,| a district in the vicinity of Lough Ramor, to which we have already alluded ; and a small stream which flows into this lake of Cavan lends support to this idea, and is in all probability the true source of the river, in the same manner as the Shannon, though said to rise in Lough Allen, has its real source in the neighbouring mountain of Sliabh an Iarainn. Abhainn Sele was the name of this river till the time of St. Patrick, who, having cursed it, its waters are said to have assumed a peculiar dark hue, and it has ever since been known by its present name of Abhainn Dubh. The circumstance is thus recorded in a passage in the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, \ which likewise serves to fix the situation of Tailtean or Teltenia: "Prima autem feria venit Patricius adTalteniam: ubi regiae nundinae et publici regni ludi et certamina quotannis servari solebant. Ibique convenit Carbreum Nielli filium, et Laogarii Regis fratrem fratrique animi ferocia et incredulitate similem. Huic S. Patricius verbum vitae praedicaret viamque salutis ostenderet, vir adamantini cordis, non solum recusavit prEedicatae veritate credere, sed viam vitae proponenti machinabatur mortem: et in vicinio fluvio nomine Sele Sancti viri socios flagellis excepit, quia Patricius eum appellavit inimicum Dei." — Trias Thaum. p. 129. Colgan adds in a note : " Fluvio nomine Sele, cap. 4, hodie fluvius hie Abha-dhubh id est fluvius niger, appellatur."
We shall have occasion again to refer to this insult offered by the sons of Carbre and Loeghaire to Patrick, when we come to describe Teltown.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 87

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Teltown, a river runs that was once called Abhainn Sele. The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick records what happened here. Patrick came to Taltenia, where royal fairs and public games were held every year. There he met Carbri, son of Niall and brother of King Loeghaire, a man like his brother in fierceness and disbelief. Patrick preached the word of life and offered the way of salvation, but this man of adamant heart not only refused to believe the truth preached to him, he plotted death against the one who offered him life. Near the river called Sele, he had Patrick's companions whipped, because Patrick had called him an enemy of God. And Patrick cursed the river. Its waters are said to have taken on a dark hue, and it has been known ever since as Abhainn Dubh, the black river. The ancient histories called this river Finnabhainn, the White River, and it is thought to be the same as the Blackwater of Meath, because it was said to rise in Sliabh-Guaire, near Lough Ramor in Cavan. A small stream flowing into that lake is probably its true source, just as the Shannon, though said to rise in Lough Allen, has its real source in the neighbouring mountain of Sliabh an Iarainn. Colgan adds a note: the river called Sele is now called Abha-dhubh, the black river.

Teach Miodhchuarta and the Feis Teamhrach at Tara

Tara · parish · Meath

The Teach Miodhchuarta, or great Banqueting Hall, at Tara is a deep excavation where the Feis Teamhrach, or solemn assembly, was traditionally held. Bardic histories describe how kings, warriors, bards, druids, and other officials gathered here in ancient times.

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Retracing our steps for a short way from Rivers town, we meet another ruined fortress at the cross-roads of Castletown, and now we commence the ascent of Tara by the ancient road leading to the north, the Slighe Fan na g- Carbad, or Slope of the Chariots, which has been mentioned in the old topographical descriptions of this renowned locality. The first object which demands attention is the Teach Miodhchuarta, or great Banqueting Hall, the chief monument of all, which runs north and south, a deep excavation, with parallel sides, rising up a gentle ascent of the hill, 360 feet long, and 40 wide, the sides being formed by a raised mur, or earth embankment, in which a number of excavations or gaps may be observed, corresponding to the doors which led into the great hall, " the house of the thousand soldiers," the locality where the Feis Teamhrach, or solemn assembly of Tara, was held. Standing at the top or southern extremity of this remain, and bearing in mind the various prose and bardic histories of the Irish annalists, one cannot help reverting to ancient heroic times, and again, in imagination, peopling it with its early occupants. Here sat in days of yore kings with golden crowns upon their heads; warriors with brazen swords in their hands ; bards and minstrels with their harps ; grey-bearded ollamhs; druids with their oakleaf crowns ; learned historians ; wise brehons and subtle lawyers; the physicians; the smiths, artificers, charioteers, huntsmen, architects; the chess-players and cup-bearers, together with crowds of servants and retainers, whose places are all specified in the ancient annals relating to Tara.* Sneer not at the Irishman's veneration for this spot ; the history of its "long-faded glories" is still preserved; the memories of Tara have remained a silver thread in the garment of sackcloth he has worn for centuries.
* We wish our space permitted of our introducing here some of the poems of the Book of Rights, describing the feasts at Teamhair, lately published by the Irish Celtic Society. It should be consulted by every visitor to Tara.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 76

As the companion tells it

The parish of Tara holds the Teach Miodhchuarta, the great Banqueting Hall, the chief monument of this renowned place. It is a deep excavation running north and south up a gentle ascent of the hill, 360 feet long and 40 wide, its parallel sides formed by a raised earth embankment. Gaps in the embankment mark where doors once led into the great hall, called the house of the thousand soldiers. This was where the Feis Teamhrach, the solemn assembly of Tara, was held. The old prose and bardic histories of the Irish annalists fill this ground with figures. Kings sat here with golden crowns upon their heads. Warriors stood with brazen swords in their hands. Bards and minstrels carried their harps. Grey-bearded ollamhs were present, and druids wore oakleaf crowns. Learned historians, wise brehons and subtle lawyers took their places, along with physicians, smiths, artificers, charioteers, huntsmen, and architects. There were chess-players and cup-bearers, and crowds of servants and retainers. The ancient annals relating to Tara specify the places of all of them. The road approaching this place follows the old path called the Slighe Fan na g-Carbad, the Slope of the Chariots, named in the old topographical descriptions. The history of its long-faded glories is still preserved. The memories of Tara have remained, as the old book says, a silver thread in the garment of sackcloth worn for centuries.

Teltown betrothal custom at Lug-an-Eany

Teltown · townland · Meath

At the hollow called Lug-an-Eany near Teltown, local tradition held that a wall with a small hole was used for a betrothal ritual. Young women passed a finger through the hole, and if a man on the other side admired it and seized it, the woman became his bride for a year and a day under the laws of Tailtean.

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town ceremonies took place — the marriages or betrothals. Upon one side of this great embankment were ranged, it is said," the boys," and on the other "the girls;" the former ogling, the latter blushing ; for human nature is, we suppose, the same at all times and in all places, among our forefathers and mothers at Teltown upwards of a thousand years ago, or in a modern drawing-room, or at a flower-show or review. They then, having had a good view of each other, passed down a little to the south, where there is a deep hollow in the land, evidently formed artificially, probably the ditch of one of the ancient forts, and called Lug-an-Eany, where they became separated by a high wall, which prevented their seeing each other. In this wall, say the local traditions, there was a door with a small hole in it, through which each young lady passed her middle finger, which the men upon the other side looked at, and if any of them admired the finger he laid hold of it, and the lass to whom it belonged forthwith became his bride ; so that we find a fair and pretty hand, a delicate and taper finger, with its snowy skin and delicately formed nail, were even more captivating among the Irish lads and lasses some twelve hundred years ago than they are at the present day. He took her for better for worse, but the key-hole or wooden ring was not as binding as the modern one of gold ; for, by the laws of Tailtean, the marriage only held good for a year and a day. If the couple disagreed during that time they returned to Tailtean, walked into the centre of Rath Dubh, stood back to back, one facing the north, and the other the south, and walked out of the fort, a divorced couple, free to try their luck again at Lug-an-Eany.* What a pity there is no Teltown or Black Fort marriage in the present day ! What numbers would take advantage of it !

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 94

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here is a hollow called Lug-an-Eany, where an old betrothal custom played out for centuries. At Teltown, the young men and women would gather on opposite sides of a great embankment, looking each other over. Then they moved a little south, down into the deep hollow of Lug-an-Eany, where a high wall separated them so they could no longer see one another. In that wall there was a door with a small hole in it. Each young woman passed her middle finger through the hole. The men on the other side looked at the fingers, and if one of them admired what he saw, he laid hold of it. The woman it belonged to became his bride then and there. A fair hand and a tapering finger were as captivating then, twelve hundred years ago, as the writer thought them in his own day. But the marriage was not as binding as a ring of gold. Under the laws of Tailtean, it held good for a year and a day. If the couple disagreed in that time, they came back to Teltown and walked into the centre of Rath Dubh. There they stood back to back, one facing north and the other south, and walked out of the fort. They were divorced, and free to go back to Lug-an-Eany and try their luck again.

Athlumney Castle burned and estate forfeited in 1700

Athlumney · townland · Meath · 1700

The last occupant of Athlumney Castle watched his mansion burn to ruins on a summer night, then fled to the Continent following his royal master, never to return. The castle and estate were forfeited in 1700.

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ports, he beheld the last timber in his noble mansion blazing and nickering in the calm summer's night, then crash amidst the smouldering ruins ; and when its final eructation of smoke and flame was given forth, and the pale light of morning was stealing over that scene of desolation, with an aching and a despairing heart he turned from the once happy scene of his youth and manhood, and, flying to the Continent, shortly after his royal master, never returned to this country. All that remained of this castle and estate were forfeited in 1700. Many a gallant Irish soldier lost his life, and many a noble Irish gentleman forfeited his broad lands, that day. We wish their cause had been a better one, and the monarch for whom they bled more worthy such an honour.*
The inhabitants of Navan, like those of most Irish towns through which a river runs, have turned their backs upon the stream, scarcely a glimpse of which can be obtained from any of its narrow streets. There is here a picturesque weir, and immediately below the bridge which crosses it on the Drogheda road, the Boyne receives the Blackwater, which is there nearly as large as the stream into which it flows. There are also two valuable and extensive flour mills at this point.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 84

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Athlumney, a castle stood here once, and its last occupant burned it himself on a summer night. He watched the last timber of his noble mansion blazing and flickering in the calm of the night, then crashing down amidst the smouldering ruins. When the final smoke and flame had died away, and the pale light of morning was stealing over the scene of desolation, he turned away with an aching and despairing heart. This had been the happy scene of his youth and manhood. He fled to the Continent, following shortly after his royal master, and never returned to this country. All that remained of the castle and estate were forfeited in 1700. Many a gallant Irish soldier lost his life that day, and many a noble Irish gentleman forfeited his broad lands. The writer of the old book wished their cause had been a better one, and the monarch for whom they bled more worthy of such honour.

Bee-hive subterranean chambers discovered near Bective

Bective · townland · Meath

Two subterranean bee-hive domed chambers built of unhewn stone without mortar were discovered near Bective church after a cow pressed in a top stone. The author speculates they may be part of a troglodyte village used as granaries and hiding-places by Firbolg or Tuatha De Danaan peoples, and notes hollow-sounding ground nearby suggesting further souterrains.

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those of the sepulchral class. There can be little doubt that they are to be referred to Pagan times, before the use of the arch, or the advantages of mortar, were known, and were probably employed by some of the very early people of this island as places of security, temporary habitations, and granaries, for which latter purpose their dryness well fitted them. The two chambers and the passages just described are, in all probability, but portions of a large collection of other souterrains adjoining; and some elevations of the ground in the neighbouring plantation, which have a remarkably hollow sound, lend probability to this conjecture. It is not unlikely to have been a troglodyte village, used as a granary as well as a hiding-place, by some of our Firbolg or Tuatha De Danaan aborigines. The place is well worthy of further investigation in these days of scientific antiquarian research ; and we are sure the proprietor would willingly aid such an undertaking.
Several subterranean chambers and passages, some of them similarly constructed, exist in Connaught and Munster; they are generally formed in the raised embankment, or within the precincts of an ancient fort or rath, and are by the peasants invariably attributed to the Danes, although we have no authority whatever for such a supposition. Within some of these have been found quantities of animal remains, those of goats and oxen in particular, besides quantities of charcoal, and very often small tobacco-pipes. Sir Thomas Molyneux gave a very accurate description of these caves and galleries, upwards of 120 years ago, in his " Discources concerning the Danish Mounds, Forts, and Towers in Ireland."* Most probably a rath existed here in former times, but the planting and the very great alteration of the surface at present prevents its being discerned. A somewhat similar chamber may be seen in the vicinity of Navan, somewhat lower down upon the Boyne. It is figured in Mr. Wakeman's Archasologia Hibernica,*j* and

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Bective, two subterranean chambers were found, built of unhewn stone without mortar, their roofs domed in the shape of a bee-hive. They came to light when a cow pressed in one of the top stones near the church. The chambers date from Pagan times, before the use of the arch or the advantages of mortar were known, and were probably employed by some of the very early people of this island as places of security, temporary habitations, and granaries. Their dryness well fitted them for that last purpose. The two chambers and the passages are, in all probability, but portions of a large collection of other souterrains adjoining. Some elevations of ground in the neighbouring plantation have a remarkably hollow sound, lending probability to that conjecture. It is not unlikely to have been a troglodyte village, used as a granary as well as a hiding-place, by some of the Firbolg or Tuatha De Danaan aborigines. Similar subterranean chambers and passages exist in Connaught and Munster, generally formed in the raised embankment or within the precincts of an ancient fort or rath. The peasants invariably attribute them to the Danes, although there is no authority for such a supposition. Within some of these have been found quantities of animal remains, those of goats and oxen in particular, besides charcoal, and often small tobacco-pipes. Sir Thomas Molyneux gave a very accurate description of these caves and galleries upwards of 120 years ago, in his Discourses concerning the Danish Mounds, Forts, and Towers in Ireland. Most probably a rath existed here in former times, but planting and alteration of the surface prevents it from being discerned. A somewhat similar chamber may be seen in the vicinity of Navan, lower down upon the Boyne, figured in Wakeman's Archaeologia Hibernica.

Bells of Ardmulchan thrown into the Blue Hole

Ardmulchan · townland · Meath

Local tradition holds that the bells of Ardmulchan church were cast into a deep pool in the River Boyne called Lug-Gorrom or the Blue Hole, opposite Taaffe's lock, at the time of the Reformation. The story connects the ruined church above the river to this submerged site.

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Ardmulchan belonged at one period to the Earl of Kildare. By an inquisition taken in the tenth year of the reign of James I., it was found that in the parish church of St. Mary (Ardmulchan) was a perpetual chantry of one priest, who was constantly to celebrate service therein, and this chantry was a body corporate. It at present belongs to the rectory of Painstown. A very beautiful well below this spot is worthy of attention ; and a short distance beyond the church we meet with an ancient military fort, consisting of a circular mound, enclosed with a fosse and rampart. A grove of ash- trees now covers the entire, their tall, slender stems permitting the outline of this ancient relic to be seen at a considerable distance, while their feathery tops form an umbrageous shadow to the whole. Miss Beaufort, in her learned "Essay upon the State of Architecture and Antiquities previous to the landing of the Anglo-Normans in Ireland,"! informs us that a kistvaen or small stone chamber was discovered at Ardmulchan some years back, by a gentleman, in removing an artificial tumulus. It contained several skeletons, urns, and some golden ornaments. Into a deep pool in the river, opposite Taaffe's lock, called Lug-Gorrom, or the Blue Hole, it is said that the bells of this church were thrown at the time of the Eeformation.
Dunmoe Castle stands on a commanding eminence, above one of the fords upon the Boyne, and must have been originally a position of considerable strength. The stones, however, with which it is built, are remarkably small, in consequence of which it is yearly crumbling into a shapeless mass of ruins. It is an oblong pile, with circular flanking towers on its river face, which measures seventy-three feet.J It was

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 103

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ardmulchan, the bells of the old church here are said to lie at the bottom of a deep pool in the River Boyne. The pool is called Lug-Gorrom, or the Blue Hole, opposite Taaffe's lock. Local tradition says the bells were thrown in at the time of the Reformation. Ardmulchan once belonged to the Earl of Kildare. By an inquisition taken in the tenth year of the reign of James I, the parish church of Saint Mary at Ardmulchan had a perpetual chantry of one priest, who was constantly to celebrate service there. This chantry was a body corporate. The church now belongs to the rectory of Painstown. There is a beautiful well below the church. A short distance beyond it stands an ancient military fort, a circular mound enclosed with a fosse and rampart. A grove of ash trees covers the whole of it now, their tall slender stems letting you see the outline of the fort from a distance, their feathery tops casting shadow over all. Miss Beaufort, in her essay on architecture and antiquities before the landing of the Anglo-Normans in Ireland, records that a kistvaen, a small stone chamber, was discovered at Ardmulchan some years back. A gentleman found it while removing an artificial tumulus. It contained several skeletons, urns, and some golden ornaments. The ruined church above the river and the deep pool below are tied together by the story of those bells, cast into the water and never recovered.

Burning of celebrated Virgin Mary image at Trim, 1538

Trim · town · Meath · 1538

At the same time as the crucifix burning at Ballybogan, Reformation reformers publicly burned a celebrated and venerated image of the Virgin Mary at Trim, an act of iconoclasm against a place-specific religious tradition.

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Ware's Annals inform us that in 1538 a crucifix which was held in great veneration was here publicly burned ; and Tober- Crogh-neeve, or the Well of the Holy Cross, at the foot of the hill of Carrick, mentioned at page 45, may, perhaps, have derived its name from some connexion therewith. At the same time the reformers burned the celebrated image of the Virgin Mary at Trim, and St. Patrick's Staff (crozier) at Dublin.
The abbey and surrounding lands at present belong to Lord Lansdowne, who has most creditably placed several buttresses

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 40

As the companion tells it

Trim was the scene of a striking act in 1538. Reformers publicly burned a celebrated image of the Virgin Mary here, an image long venerated. It happened at the same time as the burning of a crucifix held in great veneration, and the burning of St. Patrick's Staff, his crozier, at Dublin. These acts marked the reach of the Reformation into Ireland's religious traditions. Ware's Annals record the events.

Cinerary urn found beside skeleton at Dunamase

Park or Dunamase · townland · Laois

A cinerary urn was discovered on the south side of the Rock of Dunamase, close beside a skeleton within a stone kist. It was described as one of the most beautiful urns of its kind ever found in Ireland.

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south side of the Eock of Dun-Masg, or Dunamase, in the Queen's County. Close by the side of the skeleton was found a cinerary urn, with one exception the most beautiful of its kind, either in design or execution, ever discovered in this country*
The fourth and last form of burial is what may be termed the urn sepulchre, in which we have manifest traces of the burning of the bodies having taken place ; but to what age or to what people in particular we are to refer this ancient heathen rite, cannot, we think, be determined ; for the cinerary urn, containing the remains of burned human bones, has been found not only as a separate and distinct form of burial, but also in connexion with the cairn, the cromlech, and the kistvaen or small stone chamber. Moreover, we have instances of bones being found partially or completely burned in some of the larger sepulchres, without any trace of the urn whatsoever. Urns containing human remains have been long known in this country, and were first well described by Molyneux, whose remarks upon them have since been copied by Harris into Ware's, and most of the publications that treat of the antiquities of Ireland. In June, 1842, Mr. J. Huband Smith communicated to the Royal Irish Academy a description of the recent discovery of a vast number of cinerary urns at the " Hill of Eath," within a few miles of Drogheda. In the progress of working a quarry at the foot of the hill a farmer discovered

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 142

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Park or Dunamase, on the south side of the Rock of Dunamase, a cinerary urn was found lying close beside a skeleton. The urn was described as, with one exception, the most beautiful of its kind ever discovered in Ireland, whether in design or in execution. The burial was what the source calls the urn sepulchre, the fourth and last form of burial, showing clear traces of the burning of bodies. The passage says it cannot be determined to what age or to what people this ancient heathen rite should be attributed. The cinerary urn, containing the remains of burned human bones, has been found not only as a separate and distinct form of burial, but also in connection with the cairn, the cromlech, and the kistvaen, or small stone chamber. There are also instances of bones being found partially or completely burned in larger sepulchres, without any trace of an urn whatsoever. Urns containing human remains have been long known in Ireland. They were first well described by Molyneux, whose remarks were copied by Harris into Ware's and most of the publications that treat of the antiquities of Ireland. In June 1842, Mr. J. Huband Smith communicated to the Royal Irish Academy a description of the recent discovery of a vast number of cinerary urns at the Hill of Rath, within a few miles of Drogheda.

Danish plundering of Knowth cave, 862

Knowth · townland · Meath · 862

According to the Annals of Ulster and the Four Masters, the cave of Cnodhba (Knowth) was searched and plundered by the Danes in 862 AD, during a campaign in which the three Norse kings Amlaff, Imar, and Auisle were plundering the territory of Flann son of Conaing.

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mids; but the type and purpose in all is the same. From Llhwyd's description we learn, that when New Grange was examined in 1699, it was found much in the same state which it now presents; that " under foot there were nothing but loose stones of every size, in confusion, and amongst them a great many bones of beasts, and some pieces of deer's horns." Neither in this account, nor in that published in Boate's Natural History of Ireland, does he make any mention, either that "the bones of two dead bodies, entire, not burned, were found upon the floor, in all likelihood the relics of a husband and his wife, whose conjugal affection had joined them in their grave as in their bed!" as related twenty-five years afterwards by Molyneux; nor of the "slender quarry-stone, five or six feet long, shaped like a pyramid," which the latter author states lay on the floor. That these rude bowls or typical urns originally contained human remains, we have little doubt ; but from a careful examination of the authorities which refer to the accidental opening of New Grange, at the end of the seventeenth century, we feel convinced that this monument had been examined long prior to that date; and, therefore, we derive little information from modern writings as to what its original condition was. That the Danes were well aware that these tumuli contained caverns, and probably knowing that gold and treasure was to be found within them, rifled several of those ancient sepulchres, we have undoubted authority ; for in the Annals of Ulster we read the following memorable account of an instance of this description ; and although New Grange (which, as already stated, is a mere modern name, which gives no reference either to its use or locality) is not specified, it may fairly be inferred that it formed one of the group of the Boyne pyramids rifled by the plundering Northmen, a. d. 862. " The cave of Achadh Aldai, and of Cnodhba (Knowth), and the cave of the sepulchre of Boadan, over Dubhad (Dowth), and the cave of the wife of Gobhan (at Drogheda), was searched by the Danes — quod antea non perfection est — on one occasion, that the three kings, Amlaff, Imar, and Auisle, were plundering the territory of Flann, the son of Conaing." The Annals of the Four Masters thus record the same circumstance: "The cave of Achadh Aldai in Mughdhorna-Maighen [Breagh] ; the cave of Cnoghbhai ; the cave of the grave of Bodan, i. e. the shepherd of Elcmar over Du-

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 123

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here lies the cave of Cnodhba, the place we now call Knowth. In the year 862, the Danes searched it and plundered it, along with several other ancient caves in this stretch of the Boyne. The Annals of Ulster record what happened in a single memorable entry. The cave of Achadh Aldai, and of Cnodhba, and the cave of the sepulchre of Boadan over Dubhad, which is Dowth, and the cave of the wife of Gobhan at Drogheda, were all searched by the Danes. The annalist adds a Latin note, as though to mark how unheard-of the act was, saying it had not been done before. This happened, the annals tell us, while the three kings Amlaff, Imar, and Auisle were plundering the territory of Flann, the son of Conaing. The Annals of the Four Masters tell the same story, naming the cave of Cnoghbhai among those broken into. The Northmen knew these great earthen mounds held caverns inside them, and they likely knew that gold and treasure could be found within. So they rifled the ancient sepulchres, taking what the dead had been laid to rest with. The book that preserves this account notes that New Grange, though not named in the annals, may well have been one of the group plundered that same year. The caves had held their contents for centuries before the three Norse kings came through Flann's territory, and in 862 that long silence was broken.

King Loeghaire's 'short road to hell' at Donaghpatrick

Donaghpatrick · townland · Meath

Local legend holds that St. Patrick consigned the heathen King Loeghaire to a dark pit near the river at Donaghpatrick, called 'an t-aithghearr go h-Iffrionn' or 'the short road to hell.' When foolhardy people attempted to dig mooreen from the spot, a terrible roaring issued from the earth and a venomous serpent with a horse-sized head rose from the pit, frightening them away.

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Many of the legends told of Patrick by the people nere are evidently but paraphrases of his " doings" at Tara. The Shadrach, Aleshach, and Abed-nego story about the fire trial between the servant of Patrick and the servant of the Druid gets here a new dress, with new names and "entirely new scenery, machinery, decorations, and processions." King Loeghaire or Leary (not Cairbre), who was a wonderful Druid and powerful magician entirely, is the chief personage in the Tailtean fables. After being defeated in various trials of skill and necromancy with the saint, who could make no hand of him at all, Patrick was forced to put him down into a dark " condemned hole," near the river, called to this day, " an t-aithghearr go h-Iffrionn," " the short road to hell," where the heathen king, Loeghaire, is still believed to be, if he never got any farther. Some fool-hardy people went a few years ago to lift mooreen out of this spot, but they had scarcely broke the scraw that covered the soft surface of the hollow, when a terrible roaring was heard coming up out of the bottom of the earth, and presently a most vinimous sarpint, with a long mane and a head as big as a horse, riz up out of the pit, and looked about him ; but when he saw nobody, for all the men had run away, lie drew himself down again, and no one ever attempted to make any inquiries after the ould king of the black rath since. But all that is nothing to what happened at the building of Donapatrick Church hard by. Every one knows that Prince Conall gave the saint one of his beautiful raths there to build a church upon, and that the workmen engaged in the erection of it came very short of provisions one hard summer, — just, for all the world, like the year before last. TTell, Loeghaire when he heard that, sent him a furiously wicked bull that was the terror of the whole country, and used to be horning and aiting every body that came next or nigh him, — he was as cross and as thievish as the ould king himself, — in hopes that he'd finish the blessed man all out. The baste was sent over to the other side of the water, and when he saw St. Patrick, he stopt bellowing and snorting all of a sudden, and was as quiet as a sucking calf. ' Kill him,' says the saint; so they made a great feast

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 95

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, close to Donaghpatrick, there is a dark hollow near the river that people still call 'an t-aithghearr go h-Iffrionn' — the short road to hell. The story goes back to King Loeghaire, a heathen king who was also said to be a powerful Druid and magician. After being defeated by St. Patrick in various trials of skill and necromancy, Patrick was forced to put him down into a dark condemned hole near the river, where Loeghaire is still believed to be, if he never got any farther. A few years ago, some foolhardy people went to lift mooreen out of this spot. They had scarcely broken the scraw that covered the soft surface of the hollow when a terrible roaring was heard coming up out of the bottom of the earth. Presently a most venomous serpent, with a long mane and a head as big as a horse, rose up out of the pit and looked about him. But when he saw nobody, for all the men had run away, he drew himself down again. No one ever attempted to make any inquiries after the old king of the black rath since. Hard by, Donaghpatrick Church was built on one of Prince Conall's beautiful raths, given to the saint for that purpose. One hard summer the workmen came very short of provisions. Loeghaire, when he heard that, sent a furiously wicked bull that was the terror of the whole country, horning and eating everybody that came near him, as cross and thievish as the old king himself, hoping he would finish the blessed man. The beast was sent over to the other side of the water. When he saw St. Patrick he stopped bellowing and snorting and was as quiet as a sucking calf. 'Kill him,' said the saint, and they made a great feast.

Miracle of the resurrected bull at Donaghpatrick Church

Donaghpatrick · townland · Meath

Legend recounts that King Loeghaire sent a vicious bull to St. Patrick during a food shortage among the workmen building Donaghpatrick Church. After the bull was killed and eaten, Patrick ordered the bones bound in the skin and thrown into the river, where the bull sprang back to life and swam to the king.

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of him. Next day the king came down to the river side, just walking along mighty easily, letting on as if he didn't want to know anything about what happened, but hoping all the while that the bull had made a meal of some of the good Christians. He wasn't long there when some of the saint's servants bid him the time of day, and told him how much they enjoyed the bull, which, we may be sure, was no ways pleasing to his majesty; but to convince him, not only of the truth of the story, but to give him a taste of his power, St. Patrick ordered his servants to bring out the well-picked bones, and to tie them up in the skin, and to throw them into the river to Leary. That was easy enough, but then comes the miracle. The bundle had hardly touched the water, when out of it rose the bull, well and harty, large as life, bone to bone, and sinew to sinew, and swam over to the king. And yet, for all this, history records that the old reprobate died in his mother Church, and was buried in the hill of Tara, in a standing position, accoutred in his battle dress. Conversions of old people or grown up men and women are not as common or as easy as people imagine.
A short distance above Teltown the river is crossed by Bloomsbury Bridge; but the tourist will find greater and more frequent objects of attraction on the northern bank, till he reaches Donaghpatrick, about a mile and a quarter lowerdown.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 95

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Donaghpatrick, a church was being built, and the workmen ran short of food. King Loeghaire, the old story says, sent a vicious bull to St. Patrick, meaning it to do harm. The bull was killed and eaten by the workmen. The next day the king came down to the river side, walking along easy, letting on as if he did not want to know anything about what had happened, but hoping all the while that the bull had made a meal of some of the good Christians. He was not long there when some of the saint's servants bid him the time of day and told him how much they enjoyed the bull, which was no ways pleasing to his majesty. But to convince him, not only of the truth of the story, but to give him a taste of his power, St. Patrick ordered his servants to bring out the well-picked bones, and to tie them up in the skin, and to throw them into the river to Leary. That was easy enough, but then comes the miracle. The bundle had hardly touched the water when out of it rose the bull, well and hearty, large as life, bone to bone and sinew to sinew, and swam over to the king. And yet, for all this, history records that the old reprobate died in his mother Church and was buried in the hill of Tara, in a standing position, accoutred in his battle dress.

The Kinnegad Slashers melody and local ladies

Kinnegad · town · Westmeath · 1798

Tyrrell's corps from Kinnegad earned the soubriquet 'the Slashers' for cutting down rebels at Clonard in 1798. A lively melody called 'The Kinnegad Slashers' was named in their honour, and three celebrated ladies in the neighbourhood were also given this nickname.

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moirs of Joseph Holt, General of the Irish rebels in 1798, edited byT. Crofton Corker, Esq., 1838, who adds in a note : " The Kinnegad infantry [Tyrrell's corps] received for their conduct, in cutting down the rebels on this occasion, the soubriquet of ' the Slashers ;' and a lively melody, still popular in Ireland, was named ' The Kinnegad Slashers,' in complimentary commemoration of the achievements of that corps at Clonard." Three celebrated ladies in that neighbourhood were also called " The Kinnegad Slashers." Holt acknowledges that he commanded 3000 men at Clonard, and that number was only a portion of those engaged. The rebel loss was upwards of 150. The leaders at Ballingarry should have studied the history of Irish rebellions more attentively.
* See Petrie's Essay on the Eound Towers, and O'Brien's Irish Dictionary. But it is stated by Archdall that the original name of Cluain Ioraird was Ross-Finnchuill," the Wood or Shrubbery of the White Hazel," an appellation which we can readily suppose was highly characteristic of this spot in early times.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 42

As the companion tells it

Kinnegad is a town the road passes through. In 1798, Tyrrell's corps from here earned the name the Slashers for cutting down rebels at Clonard. Joseph Holt, who commanded 3000 men there, acknowledged that number was only a portion of those engaged. The rebel loss was upwards of 150. A lively melody, still popular, was named The Kinnegad Slashers in complimentary commemoration of that corps at Clonard. Three celebrated ladies in the neighbourhood were also called the Kinnegad Slashers.

Wellington's ancestor picking potatoes after crows in Meath

Meath · county · Meath

Richard Colley, ancestor of the Duke of Wellington, was said by O'Connell to have been 'picking potatoes after the crows in the county of Meath' before succeeding to the Wellesley estates of Dangan in 1728. The oral anecdote reflects the humble origins of a family that rose to the highest aristocracy.

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" VI. Richard Colley, Esq., who, according to O'Connell, ' used to be picking potatoes after the crows in the county of Meath.' He succeeded in 1728 to the estates of his cousin, Garrett Wellesley, Esq., of Dangan, county of Meath, the head of an Anglo-Irish family of ancient respectability, and assumed the name and arms of Wellesley. He was elevated to the peerage of Ireland the 9 th of July, 1746, by the title of Baron Mornington. He married, in 1719, Elizabeth, daughter of John Sale, Esq., Registrar of the diocese of Dublin ; and, dying in 1758, left,
" VII. Garrett, second Baron of Mornington, who, on the 2nd of October, 1760, was raised to the dignities of Viscount Wellesley of Dangan Castle, and Earl of Mornington. He died in 1781. He married, on the 6th of February, 1759, Anne, daughter of Arthur, first Viscount Dungannon, and had,

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 27

As the companion tells it

As the road takes you through Meath, there is a story about the family that produced the Duke of Wellington. O'Connell said of Richard Colley that he "used to be picking potatoes after the crows in the county of Meath." That was before 1728, when he succeeded to the estates of his cousin, Garrett Wellesley of Dangan, here in Meath. Garrett Wellesley headed an Anglo-Irish family of ancient respectability. Richard Colley took the Wellesley name and arms. In 1719 he had married Elizabeth, daughter of John Sale, Registrar of the diocese of Dublin. On the 9th of July, 1746, he was elevated to the peerage of Ireland as Baron Mornington. He died in 1758. His son Garrett, second Baron, became Viscount Wellesley of Dangan Castle and Earl of Mornington on the 2nd of October, 1760. He married Anne, daughter of Arthur, first Viscount Dungannon, in 1759, and died in 1781.

Booleying seasonal migration on Achill Island

near Achill · parish · Mayo · 1835

The inhabitants of several Achill villages practiced seasonal transhumance, closing their winter dwellings in spring and migrating to the hills with cattle and tools to build temporary sod-and-wattle huts called booleys. After sowing corn, they returned to the shore when provisions and pasture were exhausted.

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* We cannot forbear mentioning the following circumstance as corroborative of this opinion. Shortly after the British Association met in Dublin, in 1835, we spent a -week in the island of Achill, and there witnessed some scenes and modes of life which it coidd scarcely be credited were passing at one end of this small kingdom, while at the other the savans of Europe and America were met to discourse on science. There are several villages in Achill, particularly those of Keeme and Keele, where the huts of the inhabitants are all circular or oval, and built for the most part of round, waterwashed stones, collected from the beech, and arranged, without lime or any other cement, exactly as we have good reason to suppose the habitations of the ancient Firbolgs were constructed ; and very similar to many of the ancient monastic cells and oratories of the fifth and sixth centuries, which religious veneration and the wild, untrodden situations where they are located, have still preserved in this country. Those of our readers who have ever passed the Minaune or Goat's Track, on the towering cliff that rises above the village of Keele, with the glorious prospect of Clew Bay and the broad swell of the western Atlantic before them, and have looked down upon the pigmy dwellings, resembling an Indian wigwam, scattered over the beach beneath, may call to mind the scene we describe. During the spring, the entire population of several of the villages we allude to in Achill, close their winter dwellings, tie their infant children on their backs, earn- with them their loys, and some corn and potatoes, with a few pots and cooking utensils, drive their cattle before them, and migrate into the hills, where they find fresh pasture for their flocks ; and there they build rude huts, or summer-houses, of sods and wattles, called booleys, and then cultivate and sow with corn a few fertile spots in the neighbouring valleys. They thus remain for about two months of the spring and early summer, till the corn is sown ; their stock of provisions being exhausted, and the pasture consumed by their cattle, they return to the shore, and eke out a miserable and precarious existence, by fishing, &c. Xo further care is ever taken of the crops ; indeed they seldom even visit them, but return in autumn, in a manner similar to the spring migration, to reap the corn and afford sustenance to their half-starved cattle. With these people it need scarcely be wondered that there is annually a partial famine.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 59

As the companion tells it

This is Achill, a parish the road passes through. In 1835, a traveller spent a week on the island and witnessed a way of life that seemed to belong to another age, while at the other end of the kingdom the savants of Europe and America were gathered in Dublin to discourse on science. Several villages here, particularly Keeme and Keele, had huts that were circular or oval, built of round water-washed stones gathered from the beach, laid up without lime or any cement. They were built, the writer said, much as the habitations of the ancient Firbolgs were thought to have been, and similar to the old monastic cells and oratories of the fifth and sixth centuries. Each spring, the entire population of several villages closed their winter dwellings. They tied their infant children on their backs, took their loys and some corn and potatoes, a few pots and cooking utensils, and drove their cattle before them into the hills. There they found fresh pasture for their flocks, and there they built rude huts of sods and wattles, called booleys. They cultivated a few fertile spots in the neighbouring valleys and sowed them with corn. They stayed for about two months, through spring and into early summer, until the corn was sown. When their stock of provisions was exhausted and the pasture consumed by their cattle, they returned to the shore and lived by fishing and whatever else the coast could offer. No further care was taken of the crops. They seldom even visited them. In autumn they returned, in a manner like the spring migration, to reap the corn and to feed their half-starved cattle. With these people, the writer noted, there was annually a partial famine.

Breifne raiders strip chief poet O'Daly at Clonard

Clonard · town · Meath · 1136

In 1136 the inhabitants of Breifne plundered and sacked Clonard, stripping O'Daly, Ireland's chief poet, even to his skin. They also sacrilegiously took from the abbey vestry a sword that had belonged to St. Finian, the founder.

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Ireland, even to his skin, and leave him in that situation ; and amongst other outrages, they sacrilegiously took from the vestry of this abbey a sword, which had belonged to St. Finian, the founder." It was sacked and plundered by Dermot Mac Murrough, and his English allies, in 1170. The English settlers appear, however, subsequently to have located themselves in the town of Clonard, which must then have been considerable, and they are even mentioned as having rebuilt some of the edifices. Besides the abbey of Regular Canons, there was also a nunnery, endowed by O'Melaghlin,* to which, in after times, immense revenues and very extensive lands were attached.
In 1206, Simon Rochford, an Englishman, — for English ecclesiastics ruled in Ireland then, as well as now, — who assumed the title of Bishop of Meath, removed the episcopal chair from Clonard to Newtown, near Trim, where he founded the celebrated abbey of Augustinian Monks. Clonard is frequently mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, and all the ecclesiastical histories of Ireland, and some of the most distinguished Irish prelates are said to have been buried there.f There was also a castle at Clonard, erected by Hugh de Lacy, but, unless Ticroghan be the spot, even its foundations have long since been obliterated.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 44

As the companion tells it

In 1136, the inhabitants of Breifne plundered and sacked the town of Clonard. They stripped O'Daly, the chief poet of Ireland, even to his skin, and left him in that condition. They also sacrilegiously took from the vestry of the abbey a sword that had belonged to Saint Finian, the founder. In 1170, Dermot Mac Murrough and his English allies sacked and plundered the town again. English settlers later established themselves in the town, which must have been considerable, and they rebuilt some of the edifices. Besides the abbey of Regular Canons, there was a nunnery endowed by O'Melaghlin, to which immense revenues and extensive lands were attached in later times. In 1206, Simon Rochford, an Englishman who assumed the title of Bishop of Meath, removed the episcopal chair from the town to Newtown near Trim, where he founded the celebrated abbey of Augustinian Monks. The town is frequently mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters and the ecclesiastical histories of Ireland, and some of the most distinguished Irish prelates are said to have been buried there. Hugh de Lacy erected a castle in the town, but unless Ticroghan is the spot, even its foundations have long since been obliterated.

Legend of the Maiden Tower at the Boyne's mouth

near Mornington · town · Meath

Tradition holds that a fair lady erected the Maiden Tower to watch for her betrothed's return from a far-distant country. A prearranged signal was misunderstood, and the knight displayed a red flag, whereupon the maiden cast herself from the tower top to her death.

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distance from it inland is placed a small pillar of solid masonry, called The Finger. They are evidently landmarks, erected before light-houses were employed in this country. The tower, which is at least three hundred years old, may also have been originally used as a look-out station, for which purpose it is admirably adapted. There is a winding staircase in the centre, and the top, which is nagged, is reached by a small aperture, which could easily be covered with a large stone, so that it might, in case of siege, be rendered inaccessible from within. There are many " old stories" related about this tower, — tales of love, of maiden faith and knightly honour, and, in latter days, of mystery also. Tradition says it was erected by a fair lady, to watch the return of her betrothed from a far-distant country, whither he was obliged to journey upon the eve of their nuptials. It was agreed beforehand that, if the lover returned successful, he should hoist a milk-white banner ; but if the contrary, a red nag should float from his mast-head. The preconcerted signal was forgotten, and the knight, seeing the tower, — which his true love had erected during his absence to
264 THE MAIDEN TOWER.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 158

As the companion tells it

The road takes you through Mornington, where the Boyne meets the sea. Here stands the Maiden Tower, a round tower of solid masonry at least 300 years old, with a winding staircase inside and a flagged top reached through a narrow aperture that could be sealed with a large stone. Some distance inland stands another pillar called the Finger. Both were landmarks, put up before lighthouses were used in this country. The tower may also have served as a look-out station, for which it is well suited. But the old story goes deeper. Tradition says a fair lady built the tower to watch for her betrothed, who had been obliged to journey to a far-distant country on the eve of their wedding. They agreed on a signal beforehand. If he returned successful, he would hoist a milk-white banner. If not, a red flag would fly from his mast-head. The preconcerted signal was forgotten. The knight, seeing the tower his true love had raised during his absence, displayed a red flag. The maiden, believing all was lost, cast herself from the top of the tower to her death.

Sir Launcelot Dowdall burns Athlumney Castle

Athlumney · townland · Meath · 1690

According to local tradition, Sir Launcelot Dowdall, the last lord of Athlumney Castle, burned down his home upon hearing of the Battle of the Boyne's outcome. He vowed that the Prince of Orange would never rest under his ancestral roof.

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Of the history of the castle of Athlumney and its adjoining church, there is little known with certainty ; but, standing on the left bank of the Boyne, opposite this point, we cannot help recalling the story of the heroism of its last lord, Sir Launcelot Dowdall, who, hearing of the issue of the battle of the Boyne, and the fate of the monarch to whose religion and politics his family had been so long attached, and fearing the approach of the victorious English army, declared, on the news reaching him, that the Prince of Orange should never rest under his ancestral roof. The threat was carried into execution. Dowdall set fire to his castle at nightfall, and, crossing the Boyne, sat down upon its opposite bank, from whence, as tradition re-
* This fine old tower is now draped with ivy, planted by the hand of Miss Edgeworth.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 83

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Athlumney stood a castle on the left bank of the Boyne. Little is certain about its history, but tradition remembers its last lord, Sir Launcelot Dowdall. In 1690, when word reached him of the outcome of the Battle of the Boyne, and the fate of the monarch whose religion and politics his family had long served, he feared the victorious English army's approach. He declared that the Prince of Orange should never rest under his ancestral roof. He carried the threat out. At nightfall he set fire to his castle, crossed the Boyne, and sat down on the opposite bank, from where, as tradition tells, he watched it burn.

St. Patrick and St. Loman found abbey at Trim

Trim · town · Meath · 432–433

According to tradition recorded by Tirechan and quoted by Ussher, St. Loman arrived at the ford of Trim in 433 AD, baptized Foirchern son of Feidlimid, and remained there until Patrick came and built a church twenty-two years before the foundation of the Church of Armagh.

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" A. D. 433. When Patrick, in his holy navigation, came to Ireland, he left St. Loman at the mouth of the Boyne, to take care of his boat forty days and forty nights ; and then he (Loman) waited another forty, out of obedience to Patrick. Then, according to the order of his Master (the Lord being his pilot), he came in his boat against the stream, as far as the ford of Trim, near the fort of Feidlimid [Felimy], son of Loiguire [Leary]. And when it was morning, Foirchern, son of Feidlimid, found him reciting the Gospel ; and, admiring the Gospel and his doctrine, immediately believed : and, a well being opened in that place, he was baptized by Loman, in Christ ; and remained with him until his mother came to look for him ; and she was made glad at his sight, because she was a British woman. But she likewise believed, and again returned to her house and told to her husband all that had happened to her and her son. And then Feidlimid was glad at the coming of the priest, because he had his mother from the Britons, — the daughter of the King
* Archdall, Monasticon Hibernicum.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 56

As the companion tells it

In Trim, tradition says a church stood here that Patrick built. The year was 433 when Patrick came to Ireland in what the old record calls his holy navigation. He left Loman at the mouth of the Boyne to watch his boat forty days and forty nights. Loman waited another forty, in obedience. Then, with the Lord as his pilot, he took the boat upriver against the stream as far as the ford of Trim, near the fort of Feidlimid son of Loiguire. When morning came, Foirchern, the son of Feidlimid, found Loman reciting the Gospel. He admired the Gospel and the doctrine and believed at once. A well was opened in that place, and Loman baptized him there in Christ. Foirchern stayed with him until his mother came looking for him. She was a British woman, and she was glad to see him. She believed too, and went home and told her husband everything that had happened to her and her son. Feidlimid was glad at the priest's coming, because his own mother came from the Britons, the daughter of a king. Patrick came after and built a church at Trim, twenty-two years before the founding of the Church of Armagh.

Fair of Tailtean and its surviving Patron

Teltown · townland · Meath · 1769–1819

The ancient fair of Tailtean continued up to about eighty years before the book's writing, with vestiges of its sports, including fighting, surviving at a Patron held on the opposite side of the river. This Patron was not dedicated to any saint but was held on Lammas Day, confirming its connection to the old Teltown sports.

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where this joins the modern main road there is another hollow, still containing some water, pointed out as the site of one of the artificial lakes. The fair of Tailtean was continued up to about eighty years ago, and some vestiges of the sports, particularly the fighting, existed within the memory of man at a Patron which used to be held on the opposite side of the river.*
The Great Fort, or Rath Dubh, measures round the outer wall of circumvallation 321 paces, having openings in it nearly due north and south. The height of the surrounding earthen embankment varies from fifteen to twenty feet. Standing in the centre of this great fort we again obtain one of those refreshing views which we have so often attempted to describe when following the course of the Boyne. Looking up towards the north-west, the hill of Lloyd presents a grand and imposing object. Below it the eye rests upon the steeple and round tower of Kells, appearing to rise out of the woods of Headford; while in the extreme distance the round hills of Cavan bound the horizon. Immediately around us is a country of immense fertility and with a gently undulating surface, divided into fields of great size, — that in which Ave stand contains nearly 100 acres, — bordered by rows of well-grown timber, rising out of tall quickset hedges. There is scarcely a cottage, or even a farmer's house, to be seen. All seems one vast pasture farm, through which the Sele winds in pleasing curves, presenting glimpses of its dark blue waters among the flowery meadows which stretch along its brink. The wooded hill of Foughan rises up beyond it to the south-west, and following its track by the little ruined church of Teltown, by the heights of Donaghpatrick, over the woods of Liscarton, above which the old castle in that locality topples, and by the plantations of Kathaldron, the eye rests upon the hills of Skreen and Tara in the extreme north-eastern distance.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 94

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, the old fair of Tailtean was held. The fair continued up to about eighty years before the book was written, and within living memory of the author's time, something of it still survived. A Patron was held on the opposite side of the river, and vestiges of the old sports lingered there. The fighting in particular remained, carried on at this Patron as the last trace of the contests that once belonged to this place. This Patron was not dedicated to any saint. It was held on Lammas Day, and that detail confirms its connection to the old Teltown sports. A gathering without a saint's name, tied instead to Lammas, points to its roots in the old fair rather than in any saint's day. The hollows near here still hold some water, and they are pointed out as the site of one of the artificial lakes. The little ruined church of Teltown stands nearby. The river the Patron sat across from still winds through this country of immense fertility, its dark blue waters glimpsed among the meadows. The land is quiet now. It is given over to large fields bordered by tall hedges, with scarcely a cottage to be seen. All seems one vast pasture farm. But the fair of Tailtean and its surviving Patron remain part of what this ground remembers, long after the crowds and the fighting have gone.

King Eochy's Death at Ballysadare Bay

Ballysadare Bay · bay · Sligo

After defeat at southern Moytura, the Firbolgs retreated to Cuil-Iorra where they were again defeated. Their king Eochy was slain crossing the strand of Ballysadare Bay, marked by a cairn that still rises above high water.

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of the celebrated battle fought on the plains of Moy Turey, in the county of Sligo, when Nuada Airgeat Lamh, the king of the Tuatha De Danaan, completely routed the BelgaB or Firbolgs, a vast number of whom are said to have been slain ; and on that battle-field, the Marathon of Irish history, we have still remaining the tumuli or barrows erected over the remains of our early Pagan progenitors. Dr. Petrie detailed to the Academy, in the year 1838, an account of a most remarkable collection of cairns, cromlechs, and stone circles, at Carrowmore, in the vicinity of Sligo, all containing human remains. " Such monuments," he stated, " are found in all the battlefields recorded in Irish history, as the scene of con test between the Belgians or Firbolgs and the Tuatha De Danaan colonies, and he considers these monuments to be the tombs of the Belgians, who, after their defeat in the battle of southern Moy- Thuree, had retreated to Cuil-Iorra, and were there again defeated, and their king Eochy slain in crossing the strand of Ballysadare bay, on which a cairn rising above high water still marks the spot on which he fell." To these Tuatha De Danaan, or metal workers, we are inclined to assign a Celtic origin, and to their art and ingenuity to attribute the workmanship of those beautiful bronze or antique-metal ornaments and weapons, formed by a mixture of copper and tin, so generally found over the face of the country, and now swelling our national collection at the Royal Irish Academy.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 136

As the companion tells it

Ballysadare Bay is the place where an old Irish story says a king met his end. After the battle on the plains of Moy Turey in the county of Sligo, the Tuatha De Danaan under their king Nuada Airgeat Lamh routed the Firbolgs. That battle has been called the Marathon of Irish history. Tumuli and barrows still remain on the field, raised over the dead. In the year 1838, Dr. Petrie told the Academy about a remarkable collection of cairns, cromlechs, and stone circles at Carrowmore, near Sligo, all of them containing human remains. He said such monuments are found on every battlefield recorded in Irish history where the Firbolgs and the Tuatha De Danaan fought. He considered them the tombs of the Belgians, or Firbolgs. After their defeat in the battle of southern Moytura, the Firbolgs retreated to Cuil-Iorra, and there they were defeated again. Their king Eochy was slain crossing the strand of Ballysadare Bay. A cairn rising above high water still marks the spot where he fell. The Tuatha De Danaan were metal workers, and to their art and ingenuity have been attributed those bronze ornaments and weapons, formed from a mixture of copper and tin, found so widely across the country and now held in the collection at the Royal Irish Academy.

King William observed and was wounded at Oldbridge ford

Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

Eyewitness George Story describes King William riding to the pass at Oldbridge, where he stood on the river bank within musket-shot of the ford to observe the Irish camp. The author claims careful examination of the locality identified the exact spot where the king was subsequently wounded by Irish artillery.

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"His majesty rid on to the pass at Oldbridge, and stood upon the side of the bank, within musquet-shot of the ford, there to make his observations on the enemies' camp and posture ; there stood a small party of the enemies' horse, in a little island within the river; and on the other bank, there were several hedges, and little Irish houses almost close to the river, there was one house likewise of stone, that had a court, and some little works about it; this, the Irish had filled with souldiers, and all the hedges and little houses we saw, were lined and filled with musqueteers; there were also several brest- works cast up to the right, just at the ford. However, this was the place through which his majesty resolved to force his way ; and, therefore, he and his great officers spent some time in contriving the methods of passing, and the places where to plant our batteries. After some time, his majesty rid about 200 yards further up the river, nigh the west of all the enemies' camp ; and whilst his army was marching in, he alighted, and sate him down upon a rising ground, where he refreshed himself; whilst his majesty sate there we observed five gentlemen of the Irish army ride softly along the other side, and make their remarks upon our men as they marched in ; those, I heard afterwards, were the Duke of Berwick, my Lord Tyrconel, Sarcefield, Parker, and some, say Lauzun. Captain Pownel, of Colonel Levison's regiment, was sent with a party of horse and dragoons, towards the bridg of Slane ; and whilst his majesty sate on the grass (being about an hour) there came some of the Irish, with long guns, and shot at our dragoons, who went down to the river to drink, and some of ours went down to return the favour, then a party of about forty horse advanced very slowly, and stood upon a plowd field, over against us, for near half an hour, and so retired to their camp ; this small party, as I have heard from their own officers since, brought two field-pieces amongst them, dropping them by an hedg on the plowd land undiscovered ; they did not offer to fire them, till his majesty was mounted; and then, he and the rest, riding softly the same way back, their gunner fires a piece, which killed us two horses and a man, about 100 yards above where the king was ; but immediately comes a second, which had been almost a fatal one, for it graized upon the bank of the river, and in the rising, slanted upon the king's

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 149

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around Oldbridge, in 1690, King William rode to the pass and stood on the river bank within musket-shot of the ford, to observe the Irish camp. On a little island in the river stood a small party of Irish horse. The other bank had hedges and little Irish houses close to the water, and one stone house with a court and works about it, which the Irish had filled with soldiers. All the hedges and houses were lined with musketeers. Breastworks had been cast up to the right, just at the ford. The king resolved to force his way through this place, and he and his great officers spent time contriving methods of passing and where to plant batteries. Then he rode about 200 yards further up the river, near the west of the Irish camp. He alighted and sat on a rising ground to refresh himself. While he sat there, five gentlemen of the Irish army rode softly along the other side, making remarks on William's men as they marched in. They were the Duke of Berwick, Lord Tyrconnel, Sarsfield, Parker, and some say Lauzun. About an hour passed. Some Irish with long guns shot at William's dragoons who went down to drink. A party of about 40 horse advanced slowly and stood on a ploughed field opposite, for near half an hour, then retired. This party had brought two field-pieces, dropped by a hedge undiscovered. They did not fire until the king was mounted. As he and the rest rode softly back, their gunner fired one piece, killing two horses and a man about 100 yards above the king. Then came a second shot, which grazed upon the river bank and in the rising slanted upon the king, wounding him.

St. Patrick's hymn sung as he approached Tara amid pagan enemies

Tara · parish · Meath

A hymn attributed to St. Patrick was believed to have been composed and sung by the Saint and his attendants as he approached the seat of monarchy at Tara, surrounded by his pagan enemies, immediately after his arrival in Ireland. Published by Dr. Petrie from the ancient Liber Hymnorum, it is considered the oldest Christian Irish document extant.

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While our limits forbid our entering at all upon the records of Tara, — for the account which Ave could here afford to give would be so meagre, that we feel it would rather obscure than elucidate its true history, — we cannot forbear, in concluding this brief itinerary, quoting, in the subj oined note, the following hymn of St. Patrick, composed, it is believed, at the time he visited Tara, immediately after his arrival in Ireland, and which is supposed to have been sung by the Saint and his attendants as he approached this seat of monarchy surrounded by his Pagan enemies. It is not of so much consequence here, whether it really was composed by Patrick, or not until some two or three centuries after his death ; its authenticity as a very ancient document has been fully established, and it exhibits in a remarkable manner the purity of faith of the early Irish Christian Church. It has been published by Dr. Petrie from the celebrated Liber Hymnormn, preserved in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, a manuscript which, in the opinion of Archbishop Ussher, as expressed in a letter to Vossius, was in his time a thousand years old. It is written in the very ancient Irish dialect in which the Brehon laws are preserved, and seems to be oldest Christian Irish document extant.*
* The translation is as follows :

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 79

As the companion tells it

This is the parish of Tara, in Meath. A hymn attributed to St. Patrick is believed to have been composed at the time he visited Tara, immediately after his arrival in Ireland. It is supposed to have been sung by the Saint and his attendants as he approached this seat of monarchy surrounded by his pagan enemies. Whether it was truly composed by Patrick himself, or perhaps not until two or three centuries after his death, its authenticity as a very ancient document has been fully established. It exhibits in a remarkable manner the purity of faith of the early Irish Christian Church. It has been published by Dr. Petrie from the celebrated Liber Hymnorum, preserved in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. Archbishop Ussher, in a letter to Vossius, expressed the opinion that this manuscript was in his time a thousand years old. It is written in the very ancient Irish dialect in which the Brehon laws are preserved, and it seems to be the oldest Christian Irish document extant.

St. Patrick's Staff (crozier) burned at Dublin, 1538

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1538

During the Reformation iconoclasm of 1538, St. Patrick's Staff, a venerated crozier, was publicly burned at Dublin alongside other celebrated religious images, marking the destruction of a major object of pilgrimage and devotion.

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Ware's Annals inform us that in 1538 a crucifix which was held in great veneration was here publicly burned ; and Tober- Crogh-neeve, or the Well of the Holy Cross, at the foot of the hill of Carrick, mentioned at page 45, may, perhaps, have derived its name from some connexion therewith. At the same time the reformers burned the celebrated image of the Virgin Mary at Trim, and St. Patrick's Staff (crozier) at Dublin.
The abbey and surrounding lands at present belong to Lord Lansdowne, who has most creditably placed several buttresses

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 40

As the companion tells it

In 1538, the road passes through Dublin, where reformers publicly burned St. Patrick's Staff, the celebrated crozier. It was a venerated relic, and its destruction marked a deliberate end to the devotion it drew. Ware's Annals record that a crucifix held in great veneration was burned at the same time, and that the reformers also burned the image of the Virgin Mary at Trim. A well called Tober-Crogh-neeve, the Well of the Holy Cross, at the foot of the hill of Carrick, may perhaps take its name from some connection with that burning.

Ancient gable-shaped tomb and funeral custom at Slane

Slane · town · Meath

South of the church at Slane stands a remarkable tomb consisting of two large gable-shaped flags separated by about six feet, possibly of great pre-Christian antiquity. At all funerals of the poorer classes, the people carry the corpse round the graveyard and lay it down briefly at this spot, following ancient custom.

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flags which formed the roof. That this is a tomb of great antiquity, and to which peculiar reverence attaches, may be learned from the fact that, at all the funerals of the lower orders here, the people, in carrying the corpse round the graveyard, according to ancient custom, invariably lay it down for a short time at this spot. Within the enclosure of the burial-ground, and to the north of the abbey, is the well of Tober Patrick, formerly in great repute, and which the people say not only rises and falls with the floods of the Boyne, but sometimes has bits of bulrushes floating in it. This rising and falling of the water in this holy well is not peculiar ; several similar circumstances are related of other holy fountains. (See Nennius).
The noble pointed window, in the highly decorated style denominated flamboyant, over the round arched doorway in the western side of the tower, together with the many rare examples of architecture, of great elegance of design, both in the ruins of the church and the adjoining monastery, not forgetting the prim face of a nun, sculptured in a stone, built up in the wall which now encloses the grave-yard, and the wide range of prospect obtained by climbing the tower itself, are "veil worthy a morning's visit to Slane. The church is somewhat more than 100 feet long by eighteen wide. Within it, among the nettles and rank weeds, may, if carefully looked for, be found the ancient font. It is unornamented, octagon in shape, and the basin, as usual, twenty- two inches in diameter. The ruins of the monastery, which are very extensive, are quite detached from the church, and to the north-east of it.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 112

As the companion tells it

Slane holds a tomb of great antiquity, south of the church, made of two large gable-shaped flags standing apart by about six feet. Peculiar reverence attaches to it. At every funeral of the poorer classes here, the people carry the corpse round the graveyard, following ancient custom, and invariably lay the body down for a short time at this spot before going on. Within the burial-ground enclosure, north of the abbey, stands the well of Tober Patrick, once held in great repute. The people say the water rises and falls with the floods of the Boyne, and that sometimes bits of bulrushes float in it. The book notes this is not unique, as similar stories are told of other holy fountains. The church runs more than 100 feet long and 18 wide. Among the nettles and rank weeds inside, if carefully looked for, the ancient font may be found. It is unornamented, octagon in shape, with a basin 22 inches in diameter. The monastery ruins are extensive and quite detached from the church, to the north-east of it. A noble pointed window in the flamboyant decorated style sits over a round-arched doorway in the western side of the tower. By climbing the tower itself, a wide prospect is obtained. The face of a nun, sculptured in stone, is built into the wall that now encloses the graveyard. The book calls all this well worthy a morning's visit to Slane.

Clonard abbey repeatedly destroyed by fire and plunder

Clonard · town · Meath · 1045

Clonard's church and adjoining buildings were consumed by fire fourteen times, and the place was pillaged twelve times, five of those by the Danes. In 1045 the town of Clonard was wholly consumed by fire, being set ablaze three times within a single week.

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Numerous disasters befell this place. It was pillaged and in part destroyed no less than twelve times, on five of these occasions by the Danes. The church and adjoining buildings were fourteen times consumed by fire ; indeed, this destructive element appears to have marked these structures for its particular fury, for we read that, in 1045, " the town of Clonard, together with its churches, was wholly consumed, being thrice set on fire within one week." In 1 136, " the inhabitants of the Breney (Brefney) plundered and sacked Clonard, and behaved in so shameless a manner, as to strip O'Daly, then chief poet of
* In that most meagre and incorrect historical account of Iona, by Mr. Maclean,— the only guide-book, we are sorry to say, with which travellers visiting that sacred isle are furnished, — he has the ignorance and bad taste to say : " In the year 563, one Colum M'Felim M'Fergus, latinized Columba, a Scotsman, set out from Ireland in a currah, and landed at Kebudse," &c. Now, the birthplace and parentage of St. Columb are both well known, and are mentioned in all the lives of this saint ; nay, the very passage in Adamnanus, to which he refers, is quoted incorrectly ; but we need not wonder at this in an author who embellishes his title-page with a veritable Gaelic quotation from Ossian !

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 44

As the companion tells it

Clonard in Meath suffered more disaster than most places could endure. The church and its adjoining buildings were consumed by fire fourteen times. The place was pillaged twelve times, and five of those plunderings were carried out by the Danes. Fire seems to have singled these structures out for particular fury. The worst of it came in 1045, when the town of Clonard, together with its churches, was wholly consumed, being set on fire three times within a single week. That is not a gradual decline over centuries. That is a place burning, being rebuilt, and burning again, in the space of days. The people here lived under a repetition of destruction that is hard to grasp. Each time the buildings rose again, fire found them once more. The Danes came five times to take what they could. Others came too, again and again. What stands here now, whatever it is, stands on ground that was cleared by flame and theft far more times than any town should have to bear.

Dabella the lapdog turned to rocks at the Boyne's mouth

Drogheda · town · Louth

Dabella, the lapdog of Queen Boan, was swept out on the waves of the Boyne to the sea and transformed into the rocks called Da Billian, which rise above the water at the river's mouth. The legend is recorded in the Book of Ballymote by the poet Kenneth O'Hartigan.

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Dabella, the lapdog of Boan, shared, it is said, the fate of its mistress, and was swept out on the rushing waves of the Boyne to the sea, where it was transformed into the rocks since called Da Billian, which rise above the water at the Boyne's mouth. Notwithstanding the watery grave thus assigned by the poet Kenneth O'Hartigan, in the Book of Ballymote, to the wife of Nectain, her monument is recorded by the ancient poets and topographers among those of the great royal cemetery of Brugh na Boinne. Thus in the Senchas na Relec, or History of the Irish Cemeteries, we find enumerated : " The grave of Boinne, the wife of Nechtain ; it was she took with her the small hound called Dabilla, from which Gnoc Dabilla is called." So many versions of this story have come down to us, that, without attaching any credence to the legend, we are forced to receive the fact of the name of the river having been derived from an Irish princess named Boinn, Boan, or Boann. Similar legends are related of the origin of Lough Neagh, and several other lakes and rivers.
The well is famed for its medicinal virtues, and there is a Pattern, or Patron, still held there on Trinity Sunday.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 24

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Drogheda, the River Boyne flows on toward the sea, and at its mouth rocks rise above the water that old stories say were once a living creature. Dabella was the lapdog of Boan, wife of Nectain. The poet Kenneth O'Hartigan, writing in the Book of Ballymote, tells how the little hound shared its mistress's fate and was swept out on the rushing waves of the Boyne to the sea, where it was transformed into the rocks since called Da Billian. Yet the same ancient poets and topographers who give Dabella this watery grave also record Boan's monument among those of the great royal cemetery of Brugh na Boinne. The Senchas na Relec, the History of the Irish Cemeteries, enumerates the grave of Boinne, the wife of Nechtain, and notes that it was she who took with her the small hound called Dabilla, from which Gnoc Dabilla takes its name. So many versions of the story have come down that, legend or not, the river's name seems to derive from an Irish princess called Boinn, Boan, or Boann. Nearby, a well is famed for its medicinal virtues, and a Pattern is still held there on Trinity Sunday.

Kistvaen excavation at Newgrange

Newgrange · townland · Meath

A small kistvaen, described as a miniature New Grange, was opened on the western side of the Newgrange hill. The chamber contained human and animal bones, and the vitrified stones at the bottom indicated that the dead body or victim was burned within the grave.

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Not only in the surrounding plain, but even on the hill of New Grange itself, do we meet small sepulchral caves and mounds. The whole is one vast cemetery. On the western side of the natural hill sloping from this mound, we some years ago were present at the opening of a small kistvaen, reached by a narrow stone passage, — a sort of miniature New Grange ; in it were a quantity of human bones and those of small animals, pigs, sheep, dogs, and fowl; some burned, and some not bearing any marks of fire ; but the most remarkable circumstance about it was, that the bottom of this little chamber was lined with stones, the upper surfaces of which bore evident marks of fire, — in fact were vitrified, — showing that the victim, or the dead body, was burned within the grave.
In the north-eastern margin of New Grange is a curiously constructed crypt, like a hermit's cell, but of comparatively modern date. It is, however, worth inspection.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 124

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Newgrange, on the western side of the hill, a small kistvaen was opened some years ago. It was reached by a narrow stone passage, a sort of miniature New Grange. The whole of this place is one vast cemetery, with small burial caves and mounds scattered across the surrounding plain and even on the hill itself. Inside the chamber were a quantity of human bones, and the bones of small animals, pigs, sheep, dogs, and fowl. Some were burned, and some bore no marks of fire at all. But the most remarkable thing was the bottom of the little chamber. It was lined with stones whose upper surfaces showed evident marks of fire. They were vitrified. This showed that the victim, or the dead body, was burned within the grave itself.

Parliament at Trim bans Irish dress customs

Trim · town · Meath · 1446

The Black Friary of the Dominicans in Trim was founded in 1263 by Geoffrey de Geneville, Lord of Meath. Several parliaments were held at the friary, including one in 1446 which enacted that the Irish should cut their beards according to the English fashion and not wear yellow shirts.

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The Black Friary of the Dominicans was founded by Geoffrey de Geneville, Lord of Meath, in 1263, to which he subsequently retired on the accession of Roger de Mortimer, his heir in right of his wife in that territory. SeveralParliaments were held here, in one of which, in 1446, it was enacted that the Irish should cut their beards according to the English fashion, and not wear yellow shirts. Some meagre remains of this friary still exist near the site of the abbey-gate, on the northern side of the town, and without the ancient wall. It is much to be regretted that more of the history of the illustrious founder of this abbey has not come down to modern times. Geoffrey de Geneville, or De Joinville, was of noble birth, a native of Champagne, and brother to the celebrated Jean de Joinville, the companion and historian of St. Louis. Geoffrey was a most distinguished statesman, and the confidential friend of Edward I., by whom he was employed in most of the great diplomatic affairs of England at that time, both at home and abroad. About the middle of the thirteenth century he joined the Crusaders, and remained for some time in the Holy Land. After his return in
86 GEOFFREY DE GENEVILLE.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 57

As the companion tells it

The town of Trim was once home to a Dominican house called the Black Friary, founded in 1263 by Geoffrey de Geneville, Lord of Meath. Geoffrey later retired to the friary when his heir, Roger de Mortimer, came into the lordship through Geoffrey's wife. Several parliaments were held at this friary. In one of them, in 1446, it was enacted that the Irish should cut their beards according to the English fashion and not wear yellow shirts. Some meagre remains of the friary still stand near the site of the abbey-gate, on the northern side of the town, outside the ancient wall. Geoffrey de Geneville, or De Joinville, was of noble birth, a native of Champagne, and brother to the celebrated Jean de Joinville, the companion and historian of St. Louis. Geoffrey was a distinguished statesman and the trusted friend of Edward I, who employed him in most of the great diplomatic affairs of England at that time, both at home and abroad. About the middle of the thirteenth century he joined the Crusaders and remained for some time in the Holy Land.

Wrestling matches at Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park · electoral division · Dublin

The author often witnessed wrestling matches between men of Kildare and Dublin held in the Phoenix Park. These encounters resembled the ancient Dornghal, or boxing-battle, of Bri-Eile described in the Annals of the Four Masters.

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exhibit their powers in wrestling matches with the men of Kildare and Dublin in the Phoenix Park. We often witnessed these encounters, which resembled the Dornghal, or boxing- battle, of Bri-Eile, described in the Annals of the Four Masters, A. D. 468.
The last great patron of Irish wrestling was the witty and eccentric Brennan, the writer of the Milesian Magazine, generally known among the lower orders as the " wraslin-doctor," while among his professional brethren he was commonly denominated " Turpentine Brennan," who used to preside over and sometimes partake in the wrestling matches which took place on a Sunday morning at the Broadstone harbour.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 20

As the companion tells it

Phoenix Park in Dublin was a place where men of Kildare and Dublin met to wrestle. The author often witnessed these encounters, which resembled the Dornghal, or boxing-battle, of Bri-Eile, described in the Annals of the Four Masters under the year 468. The last great patron of Irish wrestling was Brennan, the witty and eccentric writer of the Milesian Magazine. Among the lower orders he was known as the wraslin-doctor, while his professional brethren called him Turpentine Brennan. He used to preside over and sometimes take part in wrestling matches held on a Sunday morning at Broadstone harbour.

Carrowmore Tombs of the Firbolgs

Carrowmore · townland · Sligo · 1838

Dr. Petrie detailed to the Academy in 1838 a remarkable collection of cairns, cromlechs, and stone circles at Carrowmore containing human remains. These monuments are considered the tombs of the Belgians or Firbolgs defeated by the Tuatha De Danaan.

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of the celebrated battle fought on the plains of Moy Turey, in the county of Sligo, when Nuada Airgeat Lamh, the king of the Tuatha De Danaan, completely routed the BelgaB or Firbolgs, a vast number of whom are said to have been slain ; and on that battle-field, the Marathon of Irish history, we have still remaining the tumuli or barrows erected over the remains of our early Pagan progenitors. Dr. Petrie detailed to the Academy, in the year 1838, an account of a most remarkable collection of cairns, cromlechs, and stone circles, at Carrowmore, in the vicinity of Sligo, all containing human remains. " Such monuments," he stated, " are found in all the battlefields recorded in Irish history, as the scene of con test between the Belgians or Firbolgs and the Tuatha De Danaan colonies, and he considers these monuments to be the tombs of the Belgians, who, after their defeat in the battle of southern Moy- Thuree, had retreated to Cuil-Iorra, and were there again defeated, and their king Eochy slain in crossing the strand of Ballysadare bay, on which a cairn rising above high water still marks the spot on which he fell." To these Tuatha De Danaan, or metal workers, we are inclined to assign a Celtic origin, and to their art and ingenuity to attribute the workmanship of those beautiful bronze or antique-metal ornaments and weapons, formed by a mixture of copper and tin, so generally found over the face of the country, and now swelling our national collection at the Royal Irish Academy.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 136

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here at Carrowmore, Dr. Petrie described to the Academy in 1838 a remarkable collection of cairns, cromlechs, and stone circles, all containing human remains. He considered these monuments to be the tombs of the Belgians, or Firbolgs. The story reaches back to the battle fought on the plains of Moy Turey in County Sligo, when Nuada Airgeat Lamh, king of the Tuatha De Danaan, completely routed the Belgians or Firbolgs, and a vast number of them were slain. That battlefield has been called the Marathon of Irish history, and the tumuli and barrows still standing there were erected over the remains of early pagan progenitors. Such monuments, Petrie stated, are found on all the battlefields recorded in Irish history as scenes of contest between the Belgians or Firbolgs and the Tuatha De Danaan colonies. After their defeat in the battle of southern Moy-Thuree, the Belgians retreated to Cuil-Iorra, where they were defeated again. Their king Eochy was slain crossing the strand of Ballysadare bay, and a cairn rising above high water still marks the spot where he fell. The Tuatha De Danaan, or metal workers, are given a Celtic origin, and to their art and ingenuity are attributed the workmanship of those beautiful bronze or antique-metal ornaments and weapons, formed by a mixture of copper and tin, found over the face of the country and now swelling the national collection at the Royal Irish Academy.

Cattle swum across Boyne at Lugaree as fairy charm

Stackallan · townland · Meath

At a Patron formerly held at Stackallan Bridge, people swam their cattle across the Boyne at a deep pool called Lugaree (the king's hole) as a charm against fairies and certain diseases. The practice was compared to the older custom of driving cattle through the Gap of Tara.

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The broad reach of the river below the bridge at Stackallan has been supposed by some antiquarians to be in the vicinity of Brugh-na-Boinne, one, if not the chief of the royal cemeteries, and where the monarchs of Tara were interred of old ; but we think the evidence is in favour of a locality lower down beyond Slane, to which we shall presently refer. A deep pool, immediately below the bridge, receives the name of Lugaree, the king's hole, where the river well deserves the name of the " Broad Boyne," which it still retains. Some ancient pagan remembrances and superstitions attached to this locality, up to a very recent date ; and, at a Patron which used to be held here some years ago, it was customary for the people to swim their cattle across the river at this spot, as a charm against fairies and certain diseases, as in former times they drove them through the Gap of Tara.*
* The same practice is still observed at Newtown-Trim upon the first Sunday in August. St. Sinchea's well, Tober t-Sinne, is said to be in the neighbour-

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 106

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, below the bridge at Stackallan, the Boyne runs deep and broad through a pool called Lugaree, the king's hole. The river here well deserves the name it still carries, the Broad Boyne. Some antiquarians once thought this reach lay near Brugh-na-Boyne, the chief royal cemetery where the monarchs of Tara were interred of old, though the evidence points to a locality lower down beyond Slane. What sets this pool apart is an older memory. Ancient pagan remembrances and superstitions clung to this spot up to a very recent date. At a Patron that used to be held here some years ago, it was customary for people to swim their cattle across the river at this very place, as a charm against fairies and certain diseases. The practice recalled a former custom, when they drove cattle through the Gap of Tara. The Patron is gone now, but the deep water stays, and the name stays with it: Lugaree, the king's hole.

Fothadh Airgthech's grave near Larne

near Larne · town · Antrim · 285

Caeilte, foster-brother of Finn Mac Cumhail, killed Fothadh Airgthech at the battle of Ollarba near Larne in AD 285. Caeilte later described the grave's location, noting a stone chest containing the body with silver rings, bracelets, and a silver torque, identifying the site by a round stone and the buried spear-head.

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Did our space permit, or if the object for which this book is written allowed it, we could, from abundant materials now at hand, record the modes of interment as well as the exact burial-places of many of the Pagan Irish chieftains and warriors, together with their mode of death, and many other most interesting particulars connected with this subject. It is related that Caeilte, the foster-brother and one of the generals of Finn Mac Cumhail, killed Fothadh Airgthech in the battle of 01larba, near the Larne, in the county of Antrim, A. D. 285, with a spear, the iron head of which passed through him, and was left buried in the earth. The grave of the vanquished is afterwards recognised by Caeilte, who, it would appear, threw the spear or dart at his enemy from a rock in the neighbourhood. He thus describes the locality : " The round stone from which I made that shot will be found, and east of it will be found the iron head of the spear buried in the earth ; and the ulidh [cairn] of Fothadh Airgthech will be found a short distance to the east of it. There is a chest of stone about him in the earth. There are two rings of silver and his ounne doats [bracelets!] and his torque of silver on his chest, and there is

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 114

As the companion tells it

Near Larne, in County Antrim, there is a grave that holds a warrior killed in the year 285. Caeilte was the foster-brother and one of the generals of Finn Mac Cumhail. He killed Fothadh Airgthech in the battle of Ollarba, near Larne, with a spear. The iron head of that spear passed through Fothadh Airgthech and was left buried in the earth. It seems Caeilte threw the spear from a rock in the neighbourhood. Long after, he recognised the grave and described the locality himself. His words were these: the round stone from which he made the shot will be found, and east of it the iron head of the spear buried in the earth. The cairn of Fothadh Airgthech will be found a short distance to the east of it. There is a chest of stone about him in the earth. There are two rings of silver and his bracelets and his torque of silver on his chest. So the slain warrior lay with his silver, marked by a round stone and the spear-head left in the ground where he fell.

Local traditions of conflict at Kinnafad

Kinnafad · townland · Kildare

Kinnafad Castle is situated beside a shallow in the River Boyne. Local traditions maintain that this ford was often the scene of fierce conflicts, a belief seemingly corroborated when workmen recently discovered human and horse remains alongside iron and bronze weapons in the riverbed.

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care and forethought. Thus at every ford and pass, or bridge, if such existed at the time, some castle was erected. This was in all probability the cause of the position of Kinnafad Castle, which stands beside a shallow in the river, which the local traditions say was often the scene of fierce conflict. # A few months ago, in deepening the bed of the river, and in some places altering its course altogether, so as to cut off the angles and render its stream-way straighter, as we already observed, near Edenderry, the workmen dug up here some human remains, as well as those of a horse, and several weapons of exceeding interest indeed. Through the kindness of a friend, we are enabled to have some of these figured in this work.*
The remains consisted of the skeleton and iron shoes of a horse, several portions of human skeletons, and two very perfect skulls. With these were found divers iron and bronze weapons, — a circumstance of considerable interest, for although it was rumoured that such

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 31

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, Kinnafad Castle stands beside a shallow in the River Boyne. Castles were often built at fords and passes, places where crossings had to be defended, and the position of this one beside the shallow suggests it was no different. Local traditions say this ford was often the scene of fierce conflict. That belief was corroborated not long ago. Workmen were deepening the bed of the river, and in some places altering its course altogether, cutting off the angles to render its stream-way straighter. They dug up human remains, as well as those of a horse, and several weapons. The remains consisted of the skeleton and iron shoes of a horse, several portions of human skeletons, and two very perfect skulls. With these were found divers iron and bronze weapons. The discovery of those weapons alongside the bones gives the old traditions of fighting at this ford a weight that stories alone could not carry.

Newgrange as a Druid temple and site of human sacrifice

Newgrange · townland · Meath · 1700–1799

Eighteenth-century antiquaries fancifully believed the great dome-roofed chamber at Newgrange was a Druid temple, or Antrum Jfythrce, where sacred Pagan rites including human sacrifices were performed. While the author dismisses these ideas as wild fancies, he admits the mysterious atmosphere of the cavern makes such imaginative flights understandable.

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The passage leads to a large dome- roofed chamber. As all is perfect darkness within this cavern, it is necessary to illuminate it in order to form any just idea of its figure or extent. When about half lighted up, and we begin to perceive the size and character of this great hive-shaped dome, and its surrounding crypts, formed by stones of such immense size, half revealed to us by the uncertain light of our tapers, an air of mystery steals over the senses, — a religious awe pervades the place; and while we do not put any faith in the wild fancies of those antiquaries of the last century, who would make the world believe that this was a great Druid temple, an Antrum Jfythrce, in which the sacred rites of Paganism,
with its human sacrifices, were enacted, we wonder less at the flight which their imaginations have taken. This cavern is nearly circular, with three offsets, or recesses, from it, — one opposite the entrance on the north, and one on each side, east and west, so that the ground plan, including the passage, accurately represents the figure of a cross.

Internet Archive beautiesofboyne00wild, Chapter 120

As the companion tells it

Close to Newgrange is a great dome-roofed chamber reached by a passage, in total darkness until it is illuminated. When half lighted, the size and character of this great hive-shaped dome and its surrounding crypts begin to appear, formed by stones of immense size, half revealed by the uncertain light of tapers. An air of mystery steals over the senses. A religious awe pervades the place. Antiquaries of the last century had wild fancies about this site. They would make the world believe it was a great Druid temple, an Antrum Jfythrce, where the sacred rites of Paganism with its human sacrifices were enacted. The author does not put faith in these ideas, but wonders less at the flight their imaginations took. The cavern is nearly circular, with three recesses: one opposite the entrance on the north, and one on each side, east and west. The ground plan, including the passage, represents the figure of a cross.

The beauties of the Boyne, and its tributary, the Blackwater

The stories, best first

Massacre of the O'Conors at Carrick-Oris Castle (1305)

St. Patrick lights the paschal fire at Slane

Siege of Tyrrell's barracks at Clonard during the Irish Rebellion

St. Erc's Hermitage and the legend of the goose eggs

Dearvorgilla's death at Drogheda monastery

Supernatural swelling of the Boyne at Rossnaree

King Muircheartach burned in the House of Cletty near Clady

Mass burial at Rathcore found during railway cuttings

Oral tradition of Dagobert at Slane Abbey

O'Rourke's pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick during wife's flight

The War of the Fillip at Trim

De Lacy's divided remains and the Bective Abbey dispute

Legend of Queen Boan and Nechtain's mystical well at Carbury

Bleeding ash tree miracle at St. Kieran's Well

Blackcastle mistress tricks rival at Athlumney into destruction

Burning of venerated crucifix at Ballyboggan, 1538

Dowth ransacked by Danes under Amlaff

Hugh de Lacy slain at Durrow castle

Legend of two sisters and Athlumney Castle's destruction

Newgrange: the Great Pyramid of the West

Superstitious stone basin at Clonard monastery

Teltown divorce ritual at Rath Dubh

Tradition of Hugh de Lacy's burial beneath the cloister arches at Bective

Silver bullets at the siege of Ticroghan Castle

Battle of Moytura and the Tuatha De Danaan

King Loeghaire's standing burial at Tara

St. Patrick curses the River Sele (Blackwater)

Teach Miodhchuarta and the Feis Teamhrach at Tara

Teltown betrothal custom at Lug-an-Eany

Athlumney Castle burned and estate forfeited in 1700

Bee-hive subterranean chambers discovered near Bective

Bells of Ardmulchan thrown into the Blue Hole

Burning of celebrated Virgin Mary image at Trim, 1538

Cinerary urn found beside skeleton at Dunamase

Danish plundering of Knowth cave, 862

King Loeghaire's 'short road to hell' at Donaghpatrick

Miracle of the resurrected bull at Donaghpatrick Church

The Kinnegad Slashers melody and local ladies

Wellington's ancestor picking potatoes after crows in Meath

Booleying seasonal migration on Achill Island

Breifne raiders strip chief poet O'Daly at Clonard

Legend of the Maiden Tower at the Boyne's mouth

Sir Launcelot Dowdall burns Athlumney Castle

St. Patrick and St. Loman found abbey at Trim

Fair of Tailtean and its surviving Patron

King Eochy's Death at Ballysadare Bay

King William observed and was wounded at Oldbridge ford

St. Patrick's hymn sung as he approached Tara amid pagan enemies

St. Patrick's Staff (crozier) burned at Dublin, 1538

Ancient gable-shaped tomb and funeral custom at Slane

Clonard abbey repeatedly destroyed by fire and plunder

Dabella the lapdog turned to rocks at the Boyne's mouth

Kistvaen excavation at Newgrange

Parliament at Trim bans Irish dress customs

Wrestling matches at Phoenix Park

Carrowmore Tombs of the Firbolgs

Cattle swum across Boyne at Lugaree as fairy charm

Fothadh Airgthech's grave near Larne

Local traditions of conflict at Kinnafad

Newgrange as a Druid temple and site of human sacrifice