Discovery of the Tomb of Ollamh Fodhla, Ireland's Famous Monarch and Law-maker

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Legend of the Cailleach Bheara and the three cairns

   Carnbane · townland · Meath

   A wild legend tells how the old hag Cailleach Bheara came from the north and dropped cairns from her apron while leaping between Carnbane, Slieve na Cally, and a third hill a mile distant, attempting a magical feat. She slipped on a fourth leap and fell in Patrickstown, breaking her neck, and was buried there.

   Read the passage

   "There are three hills about a mile asunder in this parish, having three heaps [earns] of stones on their summits, with which the following wild legend is connected. A famous old hag of antiquity, called Cailleach Bheartha (Calliagh Vera), came one time from the north to perform a magical feat in this neighbourhood, by which she was to obtain great power, if she succeeded. She took an apron full of stones, and dropped a ca7'n on Carnbane ; from this she jumped to the summit of Slieve Na Cally, a mile distant, and dropped a second earn there : from this hill she made a second jump, and dropped a earn on another hill, about a mile distant. If she could make another leap, and drop the fourth earn, it appears that the magical feat would be accomplished ; but in giving the jump, she slipped and fell in the townland of Patrickstown, in the parish of Diamor, whi re she broke her neck. Here she was buried; and her grave was to be seen not

   48 A})j)endix.

   Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

2. Founding and burning of Donegal Franciscan Monastery

   Donegal · town · Donegal · 1474–1601

   The Donegal monastery was founded in 1474 by Hugh Roe O'Donnell and his wife Finola; in 1601 it was occupied by 500 English soldiers, besieged by O'Donnell, and largely destroyed by fire on 19 September that year.

   Read the passage

   August, 1636." This, though substautiallj, cannot be literally correct ; for the convent was a ruin for upwards of thirty years before the work was commenced. At a short distance from the town of Donegal the remains of the monastery ai^e still to be seen. It was founded in 1474 by Hugh Roe, son of Niall Garbh O'Donnell, Chief of Tyrconnell, and his wife, Fiuola, daughter of Conor na Srona O'Brien, king of Thomond. On 2nd of August, 1601, it was occupied by a garrison of 500 English soldiers. Shortly after O'Donnell laid siege to this garrison. On the 19th of September following the building took fire ; and, with the exception of one corner, was completely destroyed. After the restoration of Eory O'Donnell, the brotherhood were permitted to return and live in cottages near the monastery ; and it must have been in one of these cottages that the work was compiled.

   It has not been accm'ately determined at what period the practice of recording public events in the shape of Annals commenced in Ireland. We have, however, a very remarkable proof of the general trustworthiness and accuracy of the old records (many of which, now lost, were transcribed into MSS. we still possess), in the precision with which the compilers of the Annals of Tighernach and Ulster have transmitted the account of an eclipse of the sun, which took place a. d. 664. Venerable Bede, who is followed by the Four Masters, mentions the solar eclipse as having occurred on the 3rd day of May, having evidently calculated the time according to the Dionysian cycle, the error of which had not been detected in his time ; while the Annals of Tighernach and Ulster have preserved the exact day and hour (1st of May, about 10 o'clock), having copied the entry from the record of some eye-witness, who, without any necessary acquaintance with the laws of Astronomy, had simply seen the eclipse, and noted it at the time of observation.*

   Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Donegal town, the remains of a Franciscan monastery still stand a short distance away. It was founded in 1474 by Hugh Roe, son of Niall Garbh O'Donnell, Chief of Tyrconnell, and his wife Finola, daughter of Conor na Srona O'Brien, king of Thomond. For over a century it stood, until the 2nd of August 1601, when a garrison of 500 English soldiers occupied it. Shortly after, O'Donnell laid siege to that garrison. On the 19th of September the building took fire, and with the exception of one corner was completely destroyed. After the restoration of Rory O'Donnell, the brotherhood were permitted to return and live in cottages near the monastery. It must have been in one of those cottages that a great work was compiled, for by August 1636 the convent had been a ruin for upwards of thirty years, and the friars who returned could only have lived in those cottages beside what was left. The Annals compiled there were part of a long Irish tradition of recording public events. There is a proof of how trustworthy those old records could be. The compilers of the Annals of Tighernach and Ulster recorded a solar eclipse that took place in 664. Venerable Bede, followed by the Four Masters, gave the date as the 3rd of May, calculating by the Dionysian cycle, whose error had not yet been detected. But the Annals of Tighernach and Ulster preserved the exact day and hour, the 1st of May, about 10 o'clock, copied from the record of some eyewitness who had simply seen the eclipse and noted it at the time.

3. Fionn Mac Cumhaill transformed at Slieve Gullion

   Slieve Gullion · townland · Armagh

   According to the legend recorded by O'Donovan, the hag turned Fin Mac Cooil into a grey old man at Slieve Gullion, and his soldiers dug through the mountain until they drove her from her cave and forced her to restore him.

   Read the passage

   " She is now a Banshee in some parts of Ireland, and is represented in some elegies as appearing before the deaths of some persons. I know nothing more about her, but that on one occasion she turned the celebrated Fin Mac Cooil into a grey old man ; but his soldiers dug through the mountain of Slieve Guillion in Armagh until they drove her out of her cave, and forced her to restore Fin to his former beauty and symmetry.

   "Does her name, Giblin blieupca ingin ^^i^'^'ti^) appear in the genealogies of the Tuatha De Dananns ?

   Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

4. Cailleach Bheara's connection to Slieve Gullion

   Slieve Gullion · townland · Armagh

   The same old hag whose legend is tied to Loughcrew is said to still haunt the lake and cairn of Slieve Gullion in County Armagh, where she is also known as a Banshee figure appearing before deaths.

   Read the passage

   " This is the very old lady whose shade still haunts the lake and earn of Slieve Guillion in the county of Armagh. Her name was ^c^jw, and it would appear from some legends about her that she was of De Danannite origin.

   " She is now a Banshee in some parts of Ireland, and is represented in some elegies as appearing before the deaths of some persons. I know nothing more about her, but that on one occasion she turned the celebrated Fin Mac Cooil into a grey old man ; but his soldiers dug through the mountain of Slieve Guillion in Armagh until they drove her out of her cave, and forced her to restore Fin to his former beauty and symmetry.

   Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

5. Calliagh Bera's Chair on Slieve na Cally

   Slieve na Calliagh · hill or hills · Meath

   On the summit of Slieve na Cally is a rude stone chair called Calliagh Bera's Chair, a large stone about two tons in weight with a cross cut into the seat, large enough for three to sit together. The back of the chair was broken by a human enemy of the old hag.

   Read the passage

   " There is an eminence in the townland of Knocklough called Slieve Guillion, and a rude atone chair on the summit of Slieve Nacally called cacaoip na caillige beupcG, i. e. Calliagh Hera's Chair. It is a large stone, about two tons weight, ornamented with a cross sunk (cut) into the seat of the chair, in which three might sit together. This hollow seems to have been made in the stone with a hammer : the cross is probably the work of a modern stonecutter. The back of the chair was broken by some human enemy to old Evlin."

   As It may serve to render the map at page 22 more intelligible, and probably also prove interesting and useful to the general reader, or antiquary who may visit the place, which is most accessible by railway route to Oldcastle, we here subjoin a succinct account of the remains of the other cams indicated on the map by the letters of the alphabet.

   Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

6. Stone basin and sepulchral deposit uncovered in presence of Archbishop Errington

   Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1865

   On 19 September 1865, in the presence of Mr Naper, Mr Hamilton, Archbishop Errington and ladies, the excavators lifted a large stone basin in Cairn L's chambers, revealing charred bones, charcoal, and beneath the earth over 900 pieces of charred bone, 48 human teeth, bone pins, polished stone balls and a jet-like ornament.

   Read the passage

   After the interior chambers had been cleared of all the loose stones, &c., which had tilled them up, on Tuesday evening, 19th September, 1865, in presence of Mr. Naper, Mr. Hamilton, Archbishop Errington, and a number of ladies, we turned up this remarkable stone basin, and beneath it were revealed to view several splinters of charred and blackened bones, with about a dozen small pieces of charcoal lying in various directions. On carefully picking the damp stifi" earth underneath it, we found imbedded in it upwards of 900 pieces of charred bones ; forty-eight human teeth in a very perfect state of preservation; the pointed end of a bone pin, five and a quarter inches long, and a quarter of an inch tliick ; a fragment, about an inch in length, of a similar bone pin ; a most perfectly rounded syenite ball, still preserving its original polish — nearly two and three- quarter inches in diameter ; another perfectly round stone ball, streaked with white and purple layers, and about an inch in diameter ; another stone ball, upwards of three-quarters of an inch in diameter, of a brown colour, dashed with dark spots ; a finely-polished jet-like object, oval in shape, an inch and a quarter in length, and three-quarters of an inch broad ; eight white balls (carbonate of lime), which had become quite soft ; but which gradually dried, on exposure, to a suflicient degree of hardness to enable us to take them away in a tolerable state of preservation.

   These latter, as well as the five similar ones found in cam H (see p. 52), we consider were " brain balls," won and worn as trophies during life by the champion laid here to his rest, and finally, after death, deposited with his ashes. We here present engravings of two of them (b and c) in their present actual size.

   Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

7. Annals of the Four Masters compiled at Donegal Franciscan Convent

   Donegal · town · Donegal · 1632–1636

   The Annals of Ireland were compiled at the Franciscan Convent of Donegal, begun on 22 January 1632 and finished 10 August 1636, though the convent itself had been a ruin for over thirty years by that time, its remains still visible near the town of Donegal.

   Read the passage

   August, 1636." This, though substautiallj, cannot be literally correct ; for the convent was a ruin for upwards of thirty years before the work was commenced. At a short distance from the town of Donegal the remains of the monastery ai^e still to be seen. It was founded in 1474 by Hugh Roe, son of Niall Garbh O'Donnell, Chief of Tyrconnell, and his wife, Fiuola, daughter of Conor na Srona O'Brien, king of Thomond. On 2nd of August, 1601, it was occupied by a garrison of 500 English soldiers. Shortly after O'Donnell laid siege to this garrison. On the 19th of September following the building took fire ; and, with the exception of one corner, was completely destroyed. After the restoration of Eory O'Donnell, the brotherhood were permitted to return and live in cottages near the monastery ; and it must have been in one of these cottages that the work was compiled.

   It has not been accm'ately determined at what period the practice of recording public events in the shape of Annals commenced in Ireland. We have, however, a very remarkable proof of the general trustworthiness and accuracy of the old records (many of which, now lost, were transcribed into MSS. we still possess), in the precision with which the compilers of the Annals of Tighernach and Ulster have transmitted the account of an eclipse of the sun, which took place a. d. 664. Venerable Bede, who is followed by the Four Masters, mentions the solar eclipse as having occurred on the 3rd day of May, having evidently calculated the time according to the Dionysian cycle, the error of which had not been detected in his time ; while the Annals of Tighernach and Ulster have preserved the exact day and hour (1st of May, about 10 o'clock), having copied the entry from the record of some eye-witness, who, without any necessary acquaintance with the laws of Astronomy, had simply seen the eclipse, and noted it at the time of observation.*

   Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Donegal town, the remains of a Franciscan monastery stand nearby, where one of the great works of Irish history was written. The Annals of Ireland were begun here on 22 January 1632 and finished on 10 August 1636, compiled by the Four Masters. But by then the convent had been a ruin for over thirty years. Hugh Roe, son of Niall Garbh O'Donnell, Chief of Tyrconnell, and his wife Fionnuala, daughter of Conor na Srona O'Brien, king of Thomond, founded the monastery in 1474. On 2 August 1601 it was occupied by a garrison of 500 English soldiers. O'Donnell laid siege to them, and on 19 September the building took fire and was completely destroyed except for one corner. After the restoration of Rory O'Donnell, the brotherhood were allowed to return and live in cottages near the ruined monastery, and it must have been in one of these cottages that the Annals were compiled. The compilers drew on older records, many now lost, that had been transcribed into manuscripts still surviving. Their accuracy can be tested. Old annals recorded a solar eclipse in the year 664 on 1 May at about 10 o'clock, copied from an eye-witness who simply saw it and noted it. Bede, whom the Four Masters followed, dated it to 3 May, working from a calculation whose error had not yet been detected.

8. 'Brain balls' interpreted as trophies in Cairn L and H

   Loughcrew · townland · Meath

   White balls of carbonate of lime found in both Cairn L and Cairn H were interpreted by the excavators as 'brain balls', trophies won and worn by a champion during life and buried with his ashes, drawing on ancient Irish legend for support.

   Read the passage

   These latter, as well as the five similar ones found in cam H (see p. 52), we consider were " brain balls," won and worn as trophies during life by the champion laid here to his rest, and finally, after death, deposited with his ashes. We here present engravings of two of them (b and c) in their present actual size.

   The ball (ft) has been previously referred to at page 52, and is here given simply to show the coralline character of its structure. Of the soft white balls the best preserved specimen [b) is here accurately represented ; and most of the others have become rubbed down very much to the size and appearance of (c).

   Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

9. Cairn L - the great tomb with cyclopean masonry roof

   Loughcrew · townland · Meath

   Cairn L, forty-five yards in diameter and surrounded by 42 large stones, was found to have remarkable dry cyclopean masonry roofing of overlapping slabs, some cracked from lack of bonding stones. The passage and seven quadrangular chambers were carefully measured during clearance.

   Read the passage

   Finding a large flag on the top of the mutilated earn, we removed it and two others before we observed that we were actually taking to pieces what remained of the original construction of the roof. The principal portion of the overlapping flags which formed the roof over the chambers had disappeared, leaving them filled up with tlie loose stones which had fiillen in. When the chambers were carefully cleared of these small stones, they exhibited in situ about forty of the large plinths which formed the matchless, dry, cyclopean masonry of the roof. This dome was constructed of large slabs overlapping one another, and bevelled slightly upwards, having most ingeniouslyinserted between them thinner slabs, which, on receiving the superincumbent weight, became crushed, and formed a bond for the whole. Wherever this precaution of placing thinner slabs or smaller stones between the larger ones was omitted, the larger slabs themselves are now found ci-acked across. What at present remains of this unique roofing rises twelve feet above the level of tht; floor, wliich is even with the ordinary surface of the ground. The breadth of the passage at the commencement is one foot ten inches, which increases to upwards of three feet about the middle, and contracts again to one foot nine inches where it terminates. The passage itself is twelve feet long ; and the entire length, from the commencement of the passage to the extremity of the western chamber, is twenty-nine feet. The greatest breadth across the chambers is thirteen feet two inches, measured from nearly north and south points, diminishing to ten feet four inches where the passage terminates.

   The seven chambers composingthe interior of this great tomb are quadrangular and nearly square ; the first on the left-hand side, at the termination of the passage, is four feet eight inches in breadth ; the second three feet six inches ; the third two feet two inches ; the fourth four feet three inches ; the fifth five feet ten inches ; the sixth three feet five inches ; and the seventh two feet six inches.

   Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

10. The Hag's Chair carn on the highest peak, proposed as Ollamh Fodhla's Tomb

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1865

    The author describes the large stone seat known as 'The Hag's Chair' set within a well-preserved carn on the highest peak of the Loughcrew range, photographed and cleared of earth in 1865; he proposes naming this carn 'Ollamh Fodhla's Tomb' and the seat 'Ollamh Fodhla's Chair', with six surrounding smaller carns attributed to his sons and grandsons.

    Read the passage

    This great stone seat has been in latter times only known by the name of " The Hag's Chair" ; and we have given this name to it on the map, with the view of its being easily found by the archaeological tourist. In order to give an idea of the state in which we founcl it, immediately before we commenced to clear away the earth and stones from about it, thus revealing its inscribed characters, from a photogi'aph taken by Charles W. Hamilton, Esq., we here present, arrayed in its lichen garb, and just as it then appeared, a very correct engraving of it.

    " The Age of the World, 3943. The first year of the reign of Slanoll,' son of Ollamh Fodhla, over Ireland."

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

11. Slanoll's incorrupt body found at Tara after forty years

    near Tara · hill or hills · Meath

    Slanoll, son of Ollamh Fodhla, died at Tara after seventeen years as king under mysterious circumstances, his body found dead but unchanged in colour; when disinterred forty years later by his son it had remained without rotting, a great wonder to the men of Ireland.

    Read the passage

    " The Age of the World, 3959. The seventeenth year of Slanoll in the sovereignty ; and he died, at the end of that time, at Teanihair [Tara], and it is not known what disease carried him off; he was found dead, but his colour did not change. He was afterwards buried ; and after his body had been forty years in the grave, it was taken up by his son, i. e., Oilioll mac Slanuill; and the body had remained without rotting or decomposing during this period. This thing was a great wonder and surprise to the men of Ireland."

    For further particulars as to the reigns of the descendants of Ollamh Fodhla, see " Annals of Ireland by the Foiu- Masters," Vol. I. p. 55, &c.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

12. Thousands of inscribed bone implements recovered at Loughcrew

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    From cairn H, thousands of bone flakes and implements were recovered, many ornamented with fine parallel lines or engraved compass work, including combs and a rare depiction of an antlered stag, totalling 4884 pieces.

    Read the passage

    In the whole collection there is but a single instance of any attempt to delineate any living thing. The following, made up of two fragments joined together, we take to be intended for the representation of an antlered stag ; and we have made very diligent, but unsuccessful search among the inscribed fragments for as much as would complete the outline of the animal.

    Autlered Deer.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

13. Cairn F cruciform chambers and burial finds

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    Cairn F at Loughcrew was cleared to reveal interior chambers arranged in the form of a cross, with a stone basin, bone pin, flint flake, and an ironstone ball found within, along with scattered bone fragments and eight sculptured stones.

    Read the passage

    About five feet in height of the original earn still remain. Its diariieter is sixteen and a half yards. Clearing away the loose stones and earth which filled the centre showed the arrangement of the interior chambers to be in the form of a cross, the shaft, denoting the passage to the chambers represented by the top and arms of the cross, having a beai'ing of E. 10° N. The length of the passage is eight feet, and it is two feet two inches broad. The entire length from the commencement of the passage to the extremity of the opposite chamber is fifteen feet, and the breadth from the extremity of the southern to the extremity of the northern chamber is nine feet four inches. The commencement of the passage is not closed up by a block of stone, but merely by small loose stones laid against it. Only one of the roofing flags, covering the commencement of the passage, remains in its original position. Across the entrances of the southern and western chambers are laid stones, about a foot in height, and from four to five inches in thickness. On the floor of the northern crypt rests a rude sepulchral stone basin, three feet five inches long, two feet four inches broad, and five inches thick. Under this basin were found a portion of a bone pin and a flake of flint. In the southwestern corner of the southern chamber, and about a foot from the bottom, was found, imbedded among the clay and stones which filled it up, a brown ironstone ball, three inches in diameter, and well rounded. Several fragments of bones lay scattered indiscriminately here and thei'e upon the floor.

    Eight of the stones in these ch,gmbers are sculptured, and on the south side, three of the original boundary stones enclosing the cam are still standing.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

14. Cairn S with cruciform chambers and flint arrow-head

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    Cairn S at Loughcrew is formed by thirty-three standing stones in a circle, with its passage entering from the west rather than the usual direction; excavation found a leaf-shaped white flint arrow-head, charred bones, a bone dagger, and a silicified bent bone tool.

    Read the passage

    S is only five yards to the west of T, and fifty-one yards from R'. Thirty-three large stones standing on ends form a circle, eighteen and a half yards in diameter, round the present remains. The apex of this earn is completely gone, leaving exposed the tops of the upright stones forming the chambers, the arrangement of which here differs from the others in having the passage or entrance from the west — exact bearing W. 10° N. The entire length of the passage and chambers taken together is fifteen feet. The passage itself, which varies in breadth from two feet three inches to two feet seven inches, is divided by transverse upright stones into two compartments, each about two feet square. Immediately outside the entrance of the passage was found a perfect specimen of a leaf-shaped arrow-head, in white flint, an inch and a half long, and nearly three-quarters of an inch broad. Dr. Thurnam, who has seen it, pronounces it to be somewhat larger than those of the same unbarbed type found by him in the Wiltshire barrows. The two small compartments into which the passage itself is divided were filled up to the height of eighteen inches with charred bones, broken into small fragments. On the top of these, in the first chamber, a piece of bent bone, tooled and rounded at one end, and nine inches in length, was found to be silicitied. In the second chamber, and also on the top of the charred bones which filled the compartment, a roughly finished bone dagger was found, seven inches long and nearly an inch broad at the extremity of the handle, its widest part. Nearly covering the entire floor in each compartment rested a thin flag, vinderneath whicli were found splinters of burned bones, intermixed with small stones and pieces of charcoal.

    Six of the chamber stones here are inscribed.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

15. The Moat of Oldcastle (Mount Fortune)

    Oldcastle · town · Meath

    A quarter mile south of Oldcastle stands the artificial mound known as the Moat of Oldcastle, marked on the Ordnance Map as Mount Fortune, twenty feet high with a crescent-shaped plateau on its north-west side. It is believed to have been used in ancient times for promulgating laws, with the lawgiver standing atop and the people assembled on the glacis below.

    Read the passage

    The height of this artificial mound of earth, constructed in the form of a truncated cone, is twenty feet, and its circumference round the base measures 222 feet, the diameter on the flat top, which, no donbt, was originalljr ckcular, varying- from thirty-nine to forty-three feet. On its north-west side there is a crescent -shaped plateau of raised earth, about five feet higher than the surrounding ground. The trench which surrounds the Moat, and separates it from the pLateau, is from nine to fourteen feet wide, five feet deep at the side adjoining the plateau or glacis, and seventeen feet deep from the top of the Moat. The concave or inner boundarj^ of the crescent-shaped plateau is 120 feet in extent, while its convex or outer boundary measures 324 feet; and the greatest distance between the curved boundaries of the glacis is sixty feet, measured in a north-westerly direction from the Moat. That this Moat, as well as all others of its kind, was constructed in ancient times for the promulgation of various laws, ordinances, and enactments, there can be no manner of doubt, the lawgiver standing on the top of the Moat, and those who were to receive and carry out the law standing on the glacis in front of him, and facing the sun one of the divinities probably worshipped at the time of its erection.

    The name is said to be derived from the Celtic word TTIobp (pronounced Mauglit)^ meaning Court of Justice, meeting, or assemUy. We find the word still used in the Scottish Highlands ; and the most idiomatic Gaelic for "The Day of Judgment'', is La mhoit) (pronounced voyi). In Scotland these mounds are often called Mote-hills; and, as we are informed in Macpherson's " Antiquities of Scotland," p. 169, in the Scottish Highlands they are called Mute-hills, i. e.. Word-hills, or places for deliberation. Such hills of assembly in Meath will at once be recognised not only in the one under present consideration, but also in the Moats of Dervor, Donaghpatrick, Navan, and some others.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

16. Book of the Dun Cow linked to Cooley cattle raid tale

    Cooley · locality · Louth

    The Leabhar na h-Uidhri (Book of the Dun Cow) contains the celebrated tale of the Tain Bo Chuailgne, the Plunder of the Cows of Cuailgne, a district now called Cooley in County Louth stretching along Carlingford Bay.

    Read the passage

    " The first of these ancient books that merits notice, because it is the oldest, is that which is known by the name of Leabiiar xa h-Uidhri, or the Book of the Dun Cow : — said to have been so called from the fact of St. Ciaran having written down in a book, which he had made from the hide of his pet cow, one of the principal tracts contained in Leabhar na H-UiDHRi, A'iz., the celebrated tale of the 2 a/« i^o Chuailgiie, or 'Plunder of the Cows of Cuailgne' (a district now called Cooley, in the county of Louth, stretching along the bay of Carlingford). This cow from its colour was called Odhar, or dark grey, oi dun ; and the form Uidhri being the genitive case of the word Odhar, the book was ever afterwards known, from this circumstance, as Leah Jiar na h-Uid/tri, or 'Book of the dun (cowj.' See ' O'Curry's Lectures,' page 30.

    '' Of the original compiler and writer of Leabhar na h-Uidhri, I have been able to learn nothing more than a brief and melancholy notice of his death in the Annals of the Four ^Masters, at the year 1106. A memorandum in the original hand, at the top of folio 45, clearly identifies the writer of the book with the person whose death is recorded in the passage in the Annals.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 1

17. Evidence of cremation on passage flagstone in Cairn L

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    A long flag extending along the floor of the passage in Cairn L showed blackened earth around its western end, interpreted by the excavators as evidence that cremation had been performed on this very stone.

    Read the passage

    Extending along the floor of the passage, completely covering it, and inclining a little way into the space surrounded by the interior chambers, seven in number, lies a flag cigh't feet nine inches long, three feet six inches broad, and about sixinches thick. Close around the western end of this stone the earth on the floor, to a depth of about two inches, was perfectly black, arising, it appeared to us, from the presence of blackened ashes ; from which it may probably be inferred that the process of cremation was performed on this stone.

    On the floor of the second chamber, and shut in by an upright stone of a foot high and four inches thick, rests a quadrangular stone basin, hollowed out from the sides towards the centre, to a depth of three and a quarter inches, and having apiece tnken out of one of its sides. It measures two feet eleven inches in length by two feet broad, and is about six inches in thickness. Mixed with the earth under this sepulchral basin were found many fragments of charred bones and several human teeth. Above we present a view of the fifth or opposite chamber.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

18. Rathbran's granary cave and Fingall's resting stone

    Rathbran · townland · Wicklow

    On the hill of Rathbran in Meath there is a small artificial cavern traditionally called 'the granary,' resembling ancient rice-storage chambers. The same hill also holds a great stone under which the giant Fingall and his wolf-dog Bran are said to have rested during a pursuit.

    Read the passage

    * Several of Ihe raths of Ireland have been found to contain caves, with narrow passages leading to them, in which it is supposed that stores and corn were kept. Tacitus describes the Germans as having similar repositories for their provisions ; while Csesar says that the Gauls placed their consecrated spoils in such caves. The custom of preserving corn and rice in such subterranean chambers is still practised in Persia and in India. On the iiill of Rathbran, in Meath, there is a small artificial cavern traditionally called " the granary," which corresponds exactly with the description of the cave made for keeping paddy or rice, given by Dr. Buchanan in his " Journey in Mysore, &c." ; and on this hill is also still to be seen the great stone under whose shelter Fingall and his faithful wolf-dog, Bran, rested, when, in pursuit of a giant, Fingall is said to have walked one morning from Kildare to Sliabh GuUion.

    4 hiscovery of the

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

19. The great carn at Patrickstown hill destroyed for building fences

    Patrickstown · townland · Meath

    The author suspects the large carn on the hill of Patrickstown was the tomb of Queen Taillte, but most of its stones have been carted away to build adjoining fences; it was formerly the most conspicuous carn on the hills, especially when viewed from the great rath at Telltown.

    Read the passage

    It would be reasonable to suppose that Queen Taillte's last restingplace should be found in the cemeteiy named after her ; but we have been unable, so far as our present investigations have gone, to point to any one of the earns as Taillte's tomb, although we strongly suspect that the large earn on the peak now called the hill of Patrickstown, the stones constituting which have been nearly all carted away for the puipose of building adjoining fences, was such ; for there are many still living who describe this earn, before its recent destruction, as the most conspicuous of all upon the hills, particularly when viewed from the great rath at Telltown, the probable site of one of her principal residences, as we have before seen. Had this earn been situated on Mr. Naper's property it would in all likelihood have escaped desecration and destruction.

    Having learned, from the extracts above quoted, the names of some of those who were buried at the ancient cemetery of Taillten, it becomes legitimate for us to inquire, if, among these remains, there be any positive or distinctive peculiarities by which they could be indicatively associated with the memory of any of those stated in the foregoing extracts to have been buried at Taillten. It will be seen that the first mentioned as interred at Taillten was Ollamh Fodhla, * the great law-giver

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

20. Book of Lecan compiled by Mac Firbis in County Sligo

    Lackan · townland · Sligo · 1416

    The Book of Lecan was compiled in 1416 by Gilla Isa Mor Mac Firbis at Lecan Mic Fhirbhuigh in County Sligo, one of the great schools of that celebrated locality.

    Read the passage

    " This Book was compiled in the year 1416, by Gilla Isa Mnr Mac Firbis, of Lecan 3Iic Fhirhuigh, in the county of Sligo, one of the great schoolof teachers of that celebrated 1< cality, and the direct ancestor of the learned Duhhaltach [or Duald] Mac Firbis. This Book, which belongs to the Library of the Royal Iri^h Academy, contains over 600 pages, equal to 2400 pages of the Gaedhlic text of the ' Annals of the Four Masters.' It is beautifully and accurately written on vellum of small folio size, chiefly in the hand of GiUa Isa Mac Firbis, though there are some small parts of it written, respectively, in the han(]s of Adam O" Cuirnin (the historian of Breifne, or Briefney) and Morogh Riabhac O' Cuindlis. And here I may perhaps be permitted to observe, that I believe the families of Forbes and Candlish in Scotland are the same as, and indeed directly descended from, those of Mac Firbis and O'Cuindlis in Ireland.

    " The first nine folios of the Book of Lecan were lost, until discovered by me a few years ago, bound up in a volume of the Seabright Collection, in the Library of Trinity College.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, the Book of Lecan was compiled in 1416 by Gilla Isa Mor Mac Firbis, at Lecan Mic Fhirbhuigh in County Sligo, one of the great schools of that celebrated locality. He was the direct ancestor of the learned Duald Mac Firbis. The book belongs to the Library of the Royal Irish Academy and contains over 600 pages, equal to 2400 pages of the Gaelic text of the Annals of the Four Masters. It is beautifully and accurately written on vellum of small folio size, chiefly in the hand of Gilla Isa Mac Firbis, though there are some small parts of it written in the hands of Adam O Cuirnin, the historian of Breifne, and Morogh Riabhach O Cuindlis. The author of this passage believes the families of Forbes and Candlish in Scotland are directly descended from those of Mac Firbis and O Cuindlis in Ireland. The first nine folios of the Book of Lecan were lost, until discovered by the author a few years ago, bound up in a volume of the Seabright Collection in the Library of Trinity College.

21. Excavation of cairn D at Loughcrew, 1865-1868

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1865–1868

    Cairn D, the largest of the range with a base diameter of sixty yards, was excavated by labourers under Mr Naper and Mr Hamilton beginning 4 September 1865 and continuing in 1868, cutting through the cairn in search of interior chambers, but the chambers were never found, leaving it the only unexamined cairn.

    Read the passage

    This has been the largest of all the earns in the range, the diameter of its base being sixty yards. The north and east sides have been left untouched j but on the south and west for nearly 100 y.ards round the base, and extending inwards to a distance of twenty-four yards from the circumference towards the centre, the dry loose stones composing the earn have been entirely removed. The height of what remained of the earn, before commencing any operations upon it, measured twenty-eight paces in sloping ascent from the base to the summit. The original circle of fifty-four large flag stones, laid on edge round its base, is still perfect ; and on the eastern side these marginal stones curve inwards for twelve paces in length towards a point indicated by E. 20° S., denoting where the entrance or passage to the interior chambers is to be found. As the earn at this point — which, judging from the analogy in the construction of the other earns, would indicate the direction of the passage or entrance — appeared not to have been previously disturbed, Mr. Naper and Mr. Hamilton had from the first strong hopes of finding the interior chambers and their contents in their original state, such exactly as they had been left in by the builders of this megalithic pile. Accordingly, on Monday morning, 4th September, 1865, about a dozen laboui'ing men commenced to remove the stones, and to make a passage inwards from this point. As they advanced in this way into the earn, the loose stones composing it occasionally fell in dangerous masses, filling up excavations already made ; so that it was at length determined to make a cutting right through the earn, running east and west, and commencing on the top. After two weeks spent in this labour,

    * " Memoire siir les Blonumens Primitifs," p. 17, par A. Carro : Paris, 18G3.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

22. Loughcrew Hills identified as Taillten cemetery

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    Fergusson and the author argue that the extensive cairns on the Loughcrew Hills, rather than the modern Telltown, represent the true site of the ancient royal cemetery of Taillten. The absence of pagan burial remains at Telltown itself supports the identification of Loughcrew as Ollamh Fodhla's necropolis.

    Read the passage

    A little further on we hope to be able to help Mr. Fergusson to a solution of some of the doubts and difficulties which he feels in establishing his hypothesis; and, in the meantime, we must say that we entirely agree with him in thinking that he has truly identified the ancient royal cemetery of Tailltcn with the series of earns on the Loughcrew Hills. So far as we can see there is no other way of accounting for the extensive remains of so large a necropolis at that place ; and, if a better hypothesis can be established, no one will more sincerely rejoice at it than Mr. Fergusson and ourselves. If, however, this is not the site of the cemetery of Taillten, of the existence of which we have such positive documentary evidence, icliere is it ? or by tvhat other name can this great cemetery he called ? for there are no indications of pagan burial at, or nearer to, the place we now call Telltown.

    That this latter place may have been the scene of the celebration of various games, aquatic sports, races, and, according to tradition, the far-famed "Telltown marriage" ceremony, f we see no reason to dispute.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

23. Ollamh Fodhla's death and burial at Tara, and his house Mur-Ollamhan

    near Tara · hill or hills · Meath

    According to the Four Masters, Ollamh Fodhla died at his own house (mur) at Teamhair (Tara) after forty years as king, having established the Feis-Teamhrach and built Mur-Ollamhan there; he also appointed chieftains and brughaidhs over the land divisions.

    Read the passage

    " The Age of the World, 3922. Ollamh Fodhla, after having been forty years in the sovereignty of Ireland, died at his own mnr (house), at Teamhair.'' He was the first king by whom the Feis-Teamhrachs was established ; and it was by him Mur-Ollamhan was erected at Teamhair. It was he also that appointed a chieftain over every cantred.^ and a Brughaidh over every townland, who were all to serve the king of Ireland.' Eochaidh was the first name of Ollamh Fodhla; and he was called Ollamh (Fodhla) because he had been first a learned Ollamh, and aftci'- wards king of (Fodhla, i. e. of) Ii eland."

    "The Age of the World, 3923. This was the first year of the reign of Finnachta, son of Ollamh Fodhla, over Ireland."

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

24. Stone bead and pendant found in Cairn H compartment

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    In the eastward-facing compartment of Cairn H, a polished stone bead and a perforated pendant were discovered on a layer of finely broken stones, believed to be portions of a necklace comparable to one found in the Tumiac tumulus in Morbihan.

    Read the passage

    In the compartment which exactly faces the east, and on the surface of these finely broken stones we found two stone ornaments — a bead and a pendant. The bead lay about the centre of the space, covered by the flag ; and the pendant under, but close to the extremity of the flag, on the right hand side, and near the back of the compartment. The bead has been highly polished, and its being narrower on one side than the other will show that it was worn In a circular form. We conjecture that both arc portions of a necklace such as has been found In 1853 by M. L. Galles in the tumulus of

    Appendix. 69

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

25. Discovery of the Royal Pagan Cemetery at Loughcrew

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    It was shown that the greatest, oldest, and most important of the Ancient Royal Pagan Cemeteries of Ireland existed on and around the Loughcrew Hills, land belonging to J. L. W. Naper.

    Read the passage

    Our very grateful thanks are pre-eminently due to the late J. L. W. Naper, Esq., D. L., who, from the time we commenced our antiquarian researches on the Loughcrew Hills, in 1863, uniformly encouraged and aided us in supplying the amount of manual labour necessary for carrying on the explorations, without which friendly encouragement and patriotic help, whilst others laughed at what appeared to them the foolish and childish occupation of a " visionary antiquary" turning over old stones, no practical result would probably ever have been arrived at. Had he lived to see it shown that the greatest, the oldest, and the most important of the Ancient Royal Pagan Cemeteries of Ireland existed on and around his own hills, we can only imagine the amount of self-satisfaction with which he wovild have looked back upon the part he took in contributing to restore the historic memories of the place.

    See Vol. I., Ser. II., Pol. Lit. and Antiq,, page 72, &c.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 1

26. Excavation of Cairn H debris yields ornaments and bone tools

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1868

    In June 1868 the debris removed from the bottom of Cairn H at Loughcrew was picked over again, revealing polished bone implements, bronze rings, glass beads, a flint nodule, and a whale bone fragment. These finds were left at Loughcrew House.

    Read the passage

    All the foregoing articles were found during our first examination of this ruined earn in September, 1865; and on Tuesday evening, 9th June, 1868, we commenced to pick over slowly and carefully the debris which, after a previous careful picking, had been thrown out from the bottom of the cam in which this highly interesting collection ofantiquarian objects had been obtained in 1865. Assisted by tAvo men, we continued the picking the following day, and our labour was I'ewarded by finding some perfect, and several hundred fragments of, polished bone implements, five of them being beautifully ornamented; a dozen of small open bronze rings of different sizes, several limpet and cockle shells, and white sea-pebbles ; half of an iron ring, and a piece of iron attached by rust to a broken ofi'end of one of the bone implements ; a small stone bail, about the size of a boy's ordinary marble, having a white vein, such as is seen in agate, running across it; a thin rectangular piece of smoothed stone, about an inch long, and consisting of alternate layers of pink and bluish grey shades of colour ; two bone beads ; a green and also a blue glass bead ; an object in glass, such as in the Catalogue of the R. I. A., p. 163, fig. 118, is called a " double bead,'' half an inch in length, without any hole passing through it, somewhat in the shape of an hour-glass, without being so attenuated in the middle, and displaying an exquisitely soft shade of green colour when held up to the light ; a ring about half an inch in diameter and neai'ly worn across

    Iron Tools.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

27. Michael O'Clery born at Kilbarron near Ballyshannon

    Kilbarron · townland · Donegal · 1580–1643

    Michael O'Clery, chief of the Four Masters, was born in the parish of Kilbarron near Ballyshannon about the year 1580, descended from a family of hereditary scholars, and died in 1643.

    Read the passage

    1. Michael O'Clery, the chief of the Four Masters, was born in the parish of Kilbarron, near Ballyshannon, about the year 3.580, and was descended from a family of hereditary scholars. He is said to have received, if not his classical, at least his

    * Pronounced Dinshanahus. t " O'Curry's Lectures," p. 188.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Michael O'Clery was born about 1580. He became chief of the Four Masters and was descended from a family of hereditary scholars. He died in 1643.

28. O'Donovan's account of the holy well at Loughcrew

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1836

    Near the church at Loughcrew there is a holy well retaining the name of St Kieran, which O'Donovan says should be called Tober Kieran on the Ordnance Map. The parish itself derives its name from a lake called Loch Craoibhe, the lake of the bush or tree.

    Read the passage

    "Near the church there is a holy well which retains the name of the great Saint Kieran, and should be called Tober Kieran on the Ordnance Map. The parish has derived its name from a lake called Loch Cpoibe, i.e. the lake of the bush or tree. It contains one island planted with beautiful large sallow or willow trees, but the lake has not derived its name from these. Everj' place in Ireland bearing the name of creeve had originally a sacred tree ofiviclely extending brane/ies, planted for the purpose of inauguration, or to commemorate tlie death of some famous personage, houghcreeve would be the most analogical spelling of this name ; but custom has too well established lioughcreiv for us to attempt a change of it.

    "There are three hills about a mile asunder in this parish, having three heaps [earns] of stones on their summits, with which the following wild legend is connected. A famous old hag of antiquity, called Cailleach Bheartha (Calliagh Vera), came one time from the north to perform a magical feat in this neighbourhood, by which she was to obtain great power, if she succeeded. She took an apron full of stones, and dropped a ca7'n on Carnbane ; from this she jumped to the summit of Slieve Na Cally, a mile distant, and dropped a second earn there : from this hill she made a second jump, and dropped a earn on another hill, about a mile distant. If she could make another leap, and drop the fourth earn, it appears that the magical feat would be accomplished ; but in giving the jump, she slipped and fell in the townland of Patrickstown, in the parish of Diamor, whi re she broke her neck. Here she was buried; and her grave was to be seen not

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

29. Panoramic view from Sliabh na Caillighe across eighteen counties

    Slieve na Calliagh · hill or hills · Meath

    The author describes how, from the peaks of Sliabh na Caillighe, elevations in eighteen of the thirty-two counties of Ireland can reportedly be seen in clear weather, with the highest peak at 904 feet commanding a view of at least 37 miles.

    Read the passage

    From them the mountains overhanging the bays of Carlingford and Sligo are visible, thus giving a telescopic view of Ireland from coast to coast at the narrowest part of the island. Moreover, persons well acquainted with the general face of the country are accustomed to point out, from the peaks of Sliabh na Caillighe, with the aid, of course, of a clear atmosphere, elevations in eighteen out of the thirty-two counties in Ireland ! This ceases to surprise us when we recollect that the square-root of once and a half the height in feet of any elevation on the globe's surface is equal to the distance of the offing, or sensible horizon, in miles : hence, the highest peak of Sliabh na Caillighe, having an altitude of 904 feet, must command a view of, at least, 37 miles all around, in a perfectly clear horizon ; and atmospheric refraction will increase this distance by about three miles.

    Now, taking Sliabh na Caillighe as a centre, and with a radius of 40 miles, sweeping a circle on the map of Ireland, we find that this circle will include the counties of Meath, Westmeath, Longford, Cavan, and Monaghan ; the greater portions of Dublin, Kildare, King's County, Roscommon, Leitrim, Fermanagh, Armagh, and Louth ; and will include small portions, or very nearlj^ touch the confines, of Wicklow, Queen's County, Galway, Sligo, Tyrone, and Down. Following out the same process of calculation, any mountain attaining the height of 2000 feet, under favourable circumstances, might be visible from Sliabh na Caillighe, if not more than 92 miles distant; and this would include every mountain of 2000 feet and upwards in height in everj' county in Ireland, except in Cork and Kerry.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

30. Quatrain of Cailleach Bheara recited at Carnbane

    Carnbane · townland · Meath

    O'Donovan records a quatrain attributed to Cailleach Bheara, still repeated at Carnbane, in which she claims to have seen Carnbane as a lake though it is now a mountain.

    Read the passage

    " A quatrain of her poetic composition is yet repeated at Carnbane, but I calculate it is a post-original : —

    ITIipe Caillea6 bh6u]ica bocc lom&a icnsnaft t)' aiiiapcap piaiii Chonaiceaf Cdpn ban 'na loc 5ib 50 bpuil anoip 'na fliab.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

31. Rude pottery fragments with perforations found in Cairn L

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1868

    Among 1010 bone fragments and 154 pottery fragments recovered from Cairn L, some pieces showed perforations near the rim, a type the excavators believed was previously unrecorded in Ireland, prompting correspondence with Canon Greenwell about similar English 'incense cups'.

    Read the passage

    We believe the specimens now found are new in this country — at least ■we have not seen, nor have we heard of any such having been found in Ireland before this date.

    Extending along the floor of the passage, completely covering it, and inclining a little way into the space surrounded by the interior chambers, seven in number, lies a flag cigh't feet nine inches long, three feet six inches broad, and about sixinches thick. Close around the western end of this stone the earth on the floor, to a depth of about two inches, was perfectly black, arising, it appeared to us, from the presence of blackened ashes ; from which it may probably be inferred that the process of cremation was performed on this stone.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

32. Seven inscribed stones and chambers described in Cairn H

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    Cairn H at Loughcrew was found to contain seven inscribed stones and seven interior chambers, with nettle roots damaging some engraved stones before they could be recorded. The entrance faced due east and the passage measured eight feet six inches long.

    Read the passage

    This earn is 64J yards to the east of F, 63 yards S. W. of L, and is 21 yards in diameter. The apex of the earn itself has disappeared, leaving from four to five feet only in height of the original structure, wanting the slabs by which the interior chambers had been covered. These crypts had become filled up with small stones, by the removal of the roof. Directly over the chambers a thick crop of luxuriant nettles flourished, and struck their roots down into the interstices of some of the laminated flagstones forming the chambers. During the progress of clearing out the interior, we had thus the mortification of seeing portions of some of the engraved stones crumble down, forced out by these nettle roots, before we were able to make any record of the devices on them. The direction of the entrance is due east. The passage alone is eight feet six inches long, and four feet six inches wide ; and the distance from the commencement of the passage to the back of the opposite chamber is twenty-two feet ; the diameter across the chambers north and south measures thirteen feet. The interior arrangement consists of seven compartments, formed by flagstones standing out towards the centre of the structure. The breadth of the first chamber on the left-hand side, which faces the north. Is two feet eight inches ; of the second, three feet six inches ; of the third, shaped somewhat in the form of a triangle, three feet seven inches at the back, its widest part ; of the fourth, three feet eight inches ; of the fifth, three feet seven inches at the rear, and like the third chamber, narrowing considerably towards the entrance ; of the sixth, three feet ten inches ; and of the seventh, or last chamber, two feet eight inches.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

33. Cucogry O'Clery removes to Ballycroy and dies there

    near Ballycroy · population centre · Mayo · 1664

    Cucogry (Peregrine) O'Clery, head of the Tyrconnell sept of the O'Clerys, wrote a life of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, removed to Ballycroy in the barony of Erris, County Mayo, and died there in 1664.

    Read the passage

    3. Oucogry or Peregrine O'Clery was the head of the Tyrconnell sept of the O'Clerys. In addition to various other contributions to Irish literature, he wrote in Irish a life of the celebrated Hugh Eoe O'Donnell, who died in Spain in 1602. Having removed to Ballycroy, in the south of the barony of Erris, in the county of Mayo, he died there in 1664, leaving by his will his books, which were his chief treasure, to his two sons, Dermot and John."

    4. Nothing is known of the fourth Master, Ferfeasa O'Mulconry, except that he was a native of the county of Roscommon and a hereditary antiquary.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 1

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Ballycroy, in the barony of Erris, this is where Cucogry, or Peregrine O'Clery, came to live and where he died in 1664. He was the head of the Tyrconnell sept of the O'Clerys, and among his contributions to Irish literature he wrote a life of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, who died in Spain in 1602. By his will he left his books, which were his chief treasure, to his two sons, Dermot and John.

34. Quartz pillar near cairn D broken, possibly by lightning

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    A pillar of quartz eight feet high stood near cairn D on the escarpment of the hill at Loughcrew, but is now broken across near the ground, probably by lightning, with the upper portion lying where it fell.

    Read the passage

    At a distance of 105 feet to the north-west of this earn, and on the very point of the escarpment of the hill, stood a pillar of quartz, eight feet high, three feet broad, and two feet thick. How far it may have entered the ground when being placed there originally, we have not ascertained. At present it is broken across a little above the ground, probably by lightning, and the upper portion now lies as it fell. At a very slight cost it could be raised to its original erect position, which we would very much desire to see.

    E.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

35. Antiquarian Explorations on the Loughcrew Hills from 1863

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1863–1873

    The author began antiquarian researches on the Loughcrew Hills in 1863, aided by J. L. W. Naper who supplied manual labour for the explorations, despite being mocked by others as a 'visionary antiquary'.

    Read the passage

    Our very grateful thanks are pre-eminently due to the late J. L. W. Naper, Esq., D. L., who, from the time we commenced our antiquarian researches on the Loughcrew Hills, in 1863, uniformly encouraged and aided us in supplying the amount of manual labour necessary for carrying on the explorations, without which friendly encouragement and patriotic help, whilst others laughed at what appeared to them the foolish and childish occupation of a " visionary antiquary" turning over old stones, no practical result would probably ever have been arrived at. Had he lived to see it shown that the greatest, the oldest, and the most important of the Ancient Royal Pagan Cemeteries of Ireland existed on and around his own hills, we can only imagine the amount of self-satisfaction with which he wovild have looked back upon the part he took in contributing to restore the historic memories of the place.

    See Vol. I., Ser. II., Pol. Lit. and Antiq,, page 72, &c.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 1

36. 1865 Excavation Finds Donated to Royal Irish Academy

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1865

    Articles found during the 1865 explorations of the cairns at Loughcrew were presented to the National Museum of the Royal Irish Academy on behalf of the landowner, J. L. W. Naper, who agreed to part with them for the nation's benefit.

    Read the passage

    They were presented by us to the National Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, on the part of the late lord of the soil, J. L. "W. Naper, Esq., who consented to part with them, for the Nation's sake, with an amount of public patriotism and high minded generosity which reflected credit upon his large and liberal heart.

    ^AM

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

37. Cairn I/J excavation near Loughcrew

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    Cairn J, located twenty-three yards north-east of H and three yards from L, was found disturbed inside with loose stones and rubbish. A roughly finished brown stone ball was found near the passage entrance, and three of its stones bear inscriptions.

    Read the passage

    This earn is twenty-three yards N. E. of H, and only three yards distant from L. It is fifteen and a half yards in diameter, and its present remains from four to five feet in height, with twelve large stones still in the circumference. The interior had been much disturbed, but left filled up with loose stones and rubbish. The passage, having a bearing of K. 10° S., is seven feet six inches in length, without any upright stone closing its entrance. A roughly-finished brown stone ball, about an inch in diameter, was found near the opening of the passage Into the interior chambers.

    Three of the stones in this cam are inscribed.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

38. Loughcrew Cairns Surveyed for Ordnance Maps

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1865–1868

    Charles William Hamilton alerted the Ordnance Survey that the cairns at Loughcrew were not recorded on the maps, leading to a resurvey by Sapper Thomas Pearson in September 1865 while the antiquities were being examined. The resulting map was zincographed in 1868.

    Read the passage

    No less deeply grateful can we feel for the steps taken by liis agent, Cliai'les William Hamilton, Esq., J. P., Hamwood, well known to be ever ready to lend a helping hand to scientific progress. He not only fi'om the first enthusiastically entered into our views by being practically present, and by taking an active part in all the operations ; but, when we pointed out that the cams at Loughcrew were not recorded on the Ordnance Maps, he at once communicated with Major- General Sir Henry James, R. E., F. E,. S., Director of the Ordnance Survey, calling his attention to the omission, and with praiseworthy alacrity a highly accomplished Sapper, Mr. Thomas Pearson, was sent from the Ordnance Department, Phoenix Park, with instructions to resurvey the hills, and to insert the antiquities, while our examination of them was in progress, in September, 1865, on a map 25'344 inches to a statute mile. This map, under the title of " Plan of the Sepulchral Cams of Loughcrew, in the county of Meath" (sheets 9 and 15, Part I. and Part II.), was afterwards zincographed in 1868, at the Ordnance Survey Ofiice, Phoenix Park, under the direction of Captain Wilkinson, E.. E. ; and copies of it, in two parts, can be obtained from Hodges, Foster, and Co., 104, Grafton-street, Dublin.

    It will be gratifying intelligence to all those who have the preservation of archaeological remains at heart to know, that the present proprietor of Loughcrew, J.L.Naper, Esq., D. L., has intimated to us, since the following pages were printed, his intention of haviug all necessary steps taken for the due care and preservation of the highly interesting remnants of antiquity on his property.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 1

39. Northern Chamber's Beehive Roof and Its Deterioration

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1873

    The northern chamber of the cairn has a beehive roof formed by five projecting flags covered by a horizontal stone bearing finely cut chevron lines. The upright stones forming the chamber walls have become depressed by the weight of loose stones above, threatening collapse if not repaired.

    Read the passage

    The chamber has a beehive roof, formed by five flags projecting inwards, and covered in by a horizontal one, on which are cut in very fine lines, less than a quarter of an inch asunder, among other devices, four remarkable chevron lines, about one foot in length. The characters sculptured on the lower surface of the lintel and of the roofing stone are very carefully represented in the above woodcut.

    The stone here represented forms the left-hand oi' western side of

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

40. The ancient cemetery of Taillten identified with Loughcrew Hills

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    The author argues from Leabhar na h-Uidhri that the royal cemetery of Taillten, described as 'the select', was located on the range of hills now called Sliabh na Caillighe (Loughcrew Hills). Fifty hills or carns are said to have stood in the Oenach Taillten, and the ruins of more than half that number can still be found on the Loughcrew Hills.

    Read the passage

    The ruins or sites of more than half the above number of cams set down as being at Taillten can still be pointed out on the Loughcrew Hills.

    Out of the list of the ancient Royal Cemeteries of Ireland before given, the sites of two only, ^iz. Croghan, about the middle of the county Eoscommon, and Brugh, in Meath, a few miles west of Drogheda, are definitely known. The sites of the remainder, so far as we know, have yet to be established.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

41. The great rath at Telltown as Queen Taillte's residence

    Teltown · townland · Meath

    The great rath at Telltown is identified as the probable site of one of Queen Taillte's principal residences, from which the conspicuous carn at Patrickstown could be viewed.

    Read the passage

    It would be reasonable to suppose that Queen Taillte's last restingplace should be found in the cemeteiy named after her ; but we have been unable, so far as our present investigations have gone, to point to any one of the earns as Taillte's tomb, although we strongly suspect that the large earn on the peak now called the hill of Patrickstown, the stones constituting which have been nearly all carted away for the puipose of building adjoining fences, was such ; for there are many still living who describe this earn, before its recent destruction, as the most conspicuous of all upon the hills, particularly when viewed from the great rath at Telltown, the probable site of one of her principal residences, as we have before seen. Had this earn been situated on Mr. Naper's property it would in all likelihood have escaped desecration and destruction.

    Having learned, from the extracts above quoted, the names of some of those who were buried at the ancient cemetery of Taillten, it becomes legitimate for us to inquire, if, among these remains, there be any positive or distinctive peculiarities by which they could be indicatively associated with the memory of any of those stated in the foregoing extracts to have been buried at Taillten. It will be seen that the first mentioned as interred at Taillten was Ollamh Fodhla, * the great law-giver

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

42. The Moat of Patrickstown tumulus

    Patrickstown · townland · Meath

    At the base of the eastern peak stands the Moat of Patrickstown, a tumulus measuring 115 paces round its base and forty-five feet in slant height, covered in earth and grass and crowned by a mutilated whitethorn tree; it is said to contain stone chambers within.

    Read the passage

    At the base of the eastern peak, on the south side, stands the Moat of Patrickstown. It measures 115 paces round the base, forty-five feet in slant height, and forty paces round the circumference at the top, which is flattened. This tumulus is situated on the top of a small sloping eminence in a green field, and is crowned by a mutilated whitethorn tree, growing on its eastern border. It is covered with earth and grass, but it is said to contain stone chambers in the interior.

    At what remote, or even recent period, these ancient tombs have been subjected to demolition, it would be difficult to determine. We have heard, however, from old men who were engaged at the work of exploration, that they recollected, before quarries were generally opened in the country, that persons were in the habit of coming from distances of twenty and thirty miles round about, to procure from these archaic structures slabs suitable for domestic or other purposes, and, in this way, it is probable that many, if not all, the missing roofing stones of the passages and chambers have disappeared.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

43. Cairn K described with pillar stone nearby

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    Cairn K, sixteen and a half yards in diameter, had its central chambers found in disorderly condition upon clearing. Thirteen stones remained round its margin, and a large pillar stone six feet long lay twenty feet to the south-east; two chamber stones are inscribed.

    Read the passage

    K is twelve and a half yards N. E. from L, and is sixteen and a half yards in diameter. When the interior was cleared out, the large flagstones forming tlie central chambers were found in a rather disorderly condition. The bearing of the entrance is E. 15° N. Thirteen stones remain round the margin, and no object of antiquarian interest was found here. At a distance of twenty feet to the soutli-east now lies a pillar stone, six feet long, two feet broad, and one foot thick.

    Two of the chamber stones are inscribed.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

44. Cairns and standing stones at Clonsilla

    Clonsilla · townland · Dublin

    In the townland of Clonsilla, near the Hill of Lloyd, remains of two cairns and several large upright stones stand close together, suggesting that ancient cavalry gatherings would have stood around these tombs.

    Read the passage

    Approaching still nearer to Lloyd, and about four miles distant from it, we have in the townland of Clonsilla the remains of two earns and some large upright stones, all within a few perches of one another; so that, while the "horses and cavalry," above referred to, occupied this valley, they were actually standing around some of the tombs.

    It is a very remarkable coincidence that up to a recent period, and, indeed, not yet quite given up, a large annual gathering of the people, or "Patron,'' extending westwai'ds from St. Kieran's Church and Well, was held in this plain daring the first week of August (the period of the year for the celebration of the famous Fair of Taillten) : and this is the more remarkable inasmuch as the festival of St. Kieran, which would be the day naturally and usually set apart for the celebration of the " Patron,'' in honour of the patron Saint of the parish, occurs on the 14th June, the recorded date of Saint Kieran's death.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

45. Warning of Ruin at Loughcrew Cairn Without Repair

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1873

    The author warns that the historic cairn at Loughcrew risks becoming a wreck for archaeology unless simple, inexpensive repairs are made soon. He recommends temporarily removing loose stones over the northern and western chambers, resetting the uprights and broken lintel, then replacing the stones.

    Read the passage

    It would be an irreparable loss to archaeology if this historic pile were now allowed to become a wreck, for want of a little timely and inexpensive repair. The only thing necessary to be done would be to remove temporarily the loose stones over the northern and western chambers ; and, after carefully and skilfully resetting the uprights and broken lintel, to replace the loose stones in their original position, as their weight could only serve to give firmness to the structure, should the parietal stones be properly poised.

    It is to be hoped that the various articles found during our explorations of the earns at Loughcrew, in 1865, will be soon arranged and classified, so that antiquaries may be able to examine and refer to them, as might be required.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

46. Brugh na Boinne as burial place of kings after Taillten's abandonment

    near Brú na Bóinne · monument · Meath · 33

    The text explains that once Taillten was abandoned as a royal cemetery, following the death of Conchobhor, kings began to bury their dead at Brugh, near Drogheda, with Crimthann noted as the first of his line buried there.

    Read the passage

    Cemeteries of Meath. In fact, it was not until Taillten was abandoned that the kings began to bury at Brugh, in the neighbourhood of Drogheda.

    In the poem before qvioted there is an epithet applied to the cemetery of TaiUten which strikes us as very remarkable. The line runs : —

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

47. The vanished Fair of Balgree

    Balgree · townland · Meath

    The Fair of Balgree was formerly held on the plain toward Sliabh na Caillighe, extending from near Virginia Road Station to Cloughanrush, a distance of about two miles. Although no fair has been held there within living memory, it continued to be listed in published fair schedules.

    Read the passage

    On the same plain, still further westward, and in the direction of Sliabh na Caillighe, the Fair of Balgree was formerly held. It extended from within half a mile east of the Virginia Poad Station, on the Oldcastle branch of the Dublin and Drogheda Kail way, to Cloughanrush — a space of about two statute miles in length. No Fair, however, has been held here within the memory of the oldest inhabitant, although it continues to be published in tlie advertised lists of Fairs.

    Approaching nearer to Sliabh na Caillighe, on the same plain, we find that the ancient Oenach has transmitted its memories to us in the modernly spelled name of the townland of Enagh, on the Cavan estate of the Marquis of Headfort, there being also two other townlands of the same name not far distant.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2

48. Stone urn found in cairn W

    Loughcrew · townland · Meath

    Cairn W contained a single round interior chamber built by digging into the earth, lined with charred bones and containing a rude stone urn near its centre, with more charred bone splinters found beneath it.

    Read the passage

    W is 128 yards east of T. Its present remains appear nearly level with the ground, and are seven yards in diameter. The single interior chamberwhich this earn contained is round, or well-shaped ; and unlike all the others, which appear to have been erected on the bare surface of the ground, the earth seems to have been dug away for the construction of this chamber, six feet nine inches in diameter, formed by eight flagstones placed on ends, fitting closely together, except in two instances, and all having an inclination inwards at the bottom. A layer of charred bones, six inches in thickness, was found to cover the bottom of this chamber ; in the clearing out of which was brought to light, resting on the floor, a rude stone urn, hollowed on top to a depth of four and a half inches, one foot in height, and two feet eleven inches long by two feet six inches wide. On raising this urn, which evidently occupied its original position near the centre of the earn, some splinters of charred bones were found beneath it. The point which appears to have been the entrance to this chamber has a bearing due south.

    Five of the chamber stones in this earn are inscribed.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 3

49. Townland of Enagh preserves memory of ancient Oenach

    Enagh · townland · Cavan

    On the Cavan estate of the Marquis of Headfort, the townland of Enagh is said to preserve in modernised spelling the memory of the ancient Oenach (fair or assembly), with two other townlands of the same name nearby.

    Read the passage

    Approaching nearer to Sliabh na Caillighe, on the same plain, we find that the ancient Oenach has transmitted its memories to us in the modernly spelled name of the townland of Enagh, on the Cavan estate of the Marquis of Headfort, there being also two other townlands of the same name not far distant.

    It has not, we believe, been satisfactorily ascertained where queen Taillte, was buried; and, in the absence of any proof to the contrary, we think it is very likely that her tomb was placed upon one of the summits known as Sliabh na Caillighe ; and that from this fact the cemetery may have been called The Cemetery of Taillte.

    Internet Archive discoveryoftombo00conw, Chapter 2