difficulties and anxieties attendant on navigation at this early period, Ith landed at the place above-mentioned, on that lovely morning. His devotions over, he ascended the cliff, and, with his footsteps brushing the dew off the verdant turf, proceeded to the summit of a gentle eminence, from which he beheld the first glimpse of Erinn. The whole face of the country acknowledged the lavish kindness of Nature. Forests of stately trees, oaks, larches, elms, and beeches, ran along the hill sides, herds of lowing cattle fattened on the plains, and prosperity and quiet content reigned in the hamlets of the peasantry.

At this period the country was in the possession, as has been stated, of the Tuatha de Danains, and, in reply to Ith's inquiries, he was informed by the people that their ruling princes were then at Oileag-Nead* (Aileach). Escorted by one hundred of his soldiers, he proceeded to Aileach, where, on his arrival, he was honourably received by the princes above-named, who, perceiving he was a man of much wisdom, appointed him arbiter in a difference which existed between them as to the right of succession. Ith settled their differences to their own satisfaction, congratulated them on the fruitfulness of the soil and the healthiness of the climate, and took his leave. But his wisdom, or rather his exercise of it in this case, proved his ruin, for the De Danians, in dread that going to his own country he might speedily raise an army to subdue them, pursued and overtook him at Moy-Ith,† where an engagement took place, in which Ith was wounded. He died on his voyage homewards, and his son carried the body to Spain to inspire his people with revenge against the princes of the western isle. The Milesians im

* Oileag-Nead means, literally, The Swan's Nest. This is MacGeoghegan's account of it.

Dr. O'Donovan says "Maighe-Ithe was the name of a place near Lough Swilly, in the barony of Raphoe, and county of Donegal; but it is now obsolete. Magh-Ithe is the name of a plain in the barony of Raphoe, along the River Finn.” He likewise says "Inishowen was anciently a part of Tir-Eoghain or Tyrone." Tir-Eoghain, of course, means, literally, the country or territory of Eoghain, not simply the present county Tyrone. The situation of the plain where Ith was wounded has given rise to some controversy. Some say it was MaghIth, along the river Finn; others that it was in the county of Tyrone. It is most likely the incident in question occurred near Lough Swilly, in the place more anciently known as Maighe-Ithe; not on the plain of the Finn, which seems to have been named after it; nor in what is now known as the county of Tyrone; though, doubtless, when Inishowen was part of Tir-Eoghain, Maighe-Ithe was also a part of it.

mediately equipped a fleet of sixty sail, in which the whole colony embarked and sailed for Ireland. Arriving at the south coast they were overtaken by a fearful hurricane, which scattered their fleet, so that not two of them remained together. Donn perished with his entire crew, Arannan was driven to sea, Ir was drowned, and his body found near Dingle, in Kerry, Airach and Colpa were wrecked in Drogheda Bay, Heremon landed at the mouth of the Boyne, and Heber, Amergin, and their attendants, landed in Kerry.

The dangers from wind and wave over, they next encountered the hostile De Danains, first at Slieve Mish, in Kerry, under the princess Eire, where they (the Milesians) obtained a victory; next at Tailton, in Meath, where, after a hard-fought battle, the De Danains were completely defeated, and their three princes killed. Thus were the De Danains overthrown, after having governed Ireland for 197 years. On the division of the country by the Milesians, the north was given to Heber-Donn, the son of Ir, whose descendants were called Irians, and who resided in Elagh until the time of Kimbaath, who, at the desire of his queen, built the palace of Emhuan-Macha, near Armagh, and made it his abode. The first of the Irians who attained the dignity of monarch of Ireland was Rory, surnamed the Great, 87 years before the birth of Christ. They were so proud of this monarch's glory that they named the whole sept after him Clanna Rory—children of Rory.* The Clanna Rory reigned, almost uninterruptedly, in Ulster till the fourth century of the Christian era. In 323 the three Collas, sons of EochaDubhlein, usurped the government of Ireland, having made war against the monarch, in which they were successful, and the oldest of the three was proclaimed in his stead; but, after a reign of four years, they were obliged to quit the country, and take shelter with the King of the Picts. Hearing afterwards that the King of Ireland became merciful to them, they

* From the Clanna-Rorys are descended the MacGinnises, the MacCartans, the O'Mordhans (O'More), O'Connors-Kerry, O'Loghlins, O'Farrells, MacGranuills or MacRanells, Mac-an-Bhairds (Wards), O'Lawlors, Magilligans, Scanlans, Brosnaghans, O'Cathils, O'Conways, Casies, Tiernys, Nestors, O'MacCachains, O'Lyns, O'Hargans, O'Flahertys, Dorcys, O'Huallachains, Mac Sheanloichs, O'Morrains, O'Rodachains (Rody), O'Duains, O'Mainings, MacGilmers, O'Kennys, O'Kenellys, O'Keithernys, MacEochaids, O'Carrollans, the Mac-anGaivnions (Smith), and others.—MacGeoghegan's Ireland, chap. 7, p. 118.

returned and obtained his pardon. Having no possessions, the monarch advised them to establish themselves in some part of the kingdom, by right of conquest, and, as he had an old grudge against the people of Ulster, he directed them to enter that province, sword in hand, and reduce it, promising to assist them with troops. On their arrival they were joined by malcontents to the number of 7,000; with these and the monarch's troops they commenced action, and, after a seven days' fight, FergusFodha, King of Ulster, was killed, his army cut to pieces, and the field remained in possession of the conquerers. Forthwith they ruined the palace of Eamhain, and formed the kingdom of Oriel, comprising the present counties of Louth, Armagh, Monaghan, and part of Down and Antrim, and drove the Clanna Rory into Derry, Tyrone and Donegal.

About the end of the fourth century the rule of the Collas* in Ulster was put an end to by the four sons of the monarch, Niall the Great, who entered the northern country in arms, and took possession of Tyrone and Donegal, with the neighbouring territories. To Carbre was allotted Tefnia, Enna received Kinnel-Enna, and Owen and Conal Gulban divided the County of Donegal between them. This peninsula was a portion of Eoghain's or Owen's territory; hence its name, Ennis-Owen, or the island of Owen, though, strictly speaking, and, as before observed, it is not an island, for the Foyle and Swilly, which bound it on the east and west respectively, are separated by an isthmus nearly four miles wide. The rest of Owen's possessions was Kinel-Eoghain, a portion of Northern Hy-Niellia, comprising the County of Tyrone, afterwards the domain of the O'Neills, who were descended from him. The remainder of County Donegal fell to Conal Gulban, and was named Tirconnell. Prince Eoghain repaired the ancient castle of Elagh, in which he afterwards resided, and from which he governed the mixed races of Irians and Hy-Nialls with much happiness and· tranquillity.

*From the Three Collas are descended the MacDonnells of Ireland and Scotland, the MacMahons, Maguires, O'Hanluans, Magees, O'Floinns-Tuirtre, O'Ceallaigs (O'Kellys), O'Maddins, O'Niallains, MacEagains, Neachtains, Shiehys, McDowels, Kerrins and Nenys.Mac Geoghegan's Ireland, chap. 7, p. 118.

CHAPTER III.

Religion of the Ancient Irish-Cromleachs-Cromleach of Magheramore-Cromleachs of Culdaff Cromleach of Drung Of the "Scalp”—Druidical Tèmples and Circles-Temple of Larahirl-of Carrowmore, Glentogher of GreinanCaves associated with Druidical Remains-Pillar Stones or Dallans-Pillar Stones and Caves in Donagh---Pillar Stones and Caves in Culdaff-Mechanical Arts of the Ancient Irish-Cairns-Lisses.

The ancient Irish were Fire Worshippers; and their superstitions consisted in believing the hills, rocks, and woods, peopled with hosts of fairies. They chose the summit of a hill or eminence for sacrificing upon, probably with the view of having the sacred fire visible at distant places, and here they erected the temple, cromleach, circle, or pillar stone. Cromleach meant stone or altar of their god; it might also mean a slanting stone from crom, a downward slope, and leach, a flagstone. They were usually dedicated to the sun. They vary in size, but consist generally of an altar-stone, lying nearly horizontal, and supported by three upright ones, with an open passage underneath for cattle and children to pass under the sacred fire. 'Twas this sort of worship which prevailed among the Israelites when they were reproached for passing their sons and daughters under the fire to Moloch, one of the names given to the sun. At Magheramore, in the parish of Clonmany, is a very perfect specimen of the cromleach, consisting of a table stone of above 30 tons, supported by three upright pillars. It is here called Fionn M'Cool's finger-stone.

It

The following observations on the cromleach are taken from Hall's Ireland :-"The altar known to English antiquaries by the Greek name of Trilithon (three stones), received in Ireland the appropriate name of Cromleac, or stone of Crom, and a particular class of the priesthood was named Crumthear. consisted of a great incumbent rock, or flag, in its rude state, untouched by chisel or hammer, and rested on a number of pillar stones; sometimes we find the altar-stone resting at one end on the ground, whilst the other was lifted upon a single supporter; and again, but rather rarely, the natural rock is adopted as the basis."

But to return to the cromleach of Magheramore. In after times, when Christian sects hated each other for the love of

God, and when the weak were obliged to fly from the oppres sion of the strong, this same stone often served as an altar fo offering thereon the Catholic Mass. A garden convenient, ye known by the name of Garra-na-sogarth, was the priest' hiding-place, and scouts were posted on the hills, to give notic of the approach of danger, while the people knelt at thei devotions beneath the blue vault of heaven.

There is no locality in the north of Ireland, as I believe richer in druidical remains than the parish of Culdaff. A a place named Doon-Owen, near Carthage, in this parish, ther is a magnificent cromleach. It is situated on a cliff; it face the east, and overlooks the ocean. In this parish, too, i another cromleach, named Cara, or Cloughtogal. It consists o

an altar stone, about two tons weight, supported by four upright ones, four feet high. The temple in connexion with this altar is in a good state of preservation, and consists of three separate apartments-that occupied by the altar, and two outer ones-and the whole was enclosed by a wall. At Drung, in the parish of Upper Moville, are the remains of a cromleach, and on the mountain named the Scalp, in the parish of Upper Fahan, there is one in excellent preservation.

On the left hand side of the road from Culdaff to Moville, and at the distance of a few hundred yards from Bocan Catholic Church, is a beautiful specimen of the Druidical Temple. It is situated on a rising ground, which commands a view of the sea and the adjoining country. It consists of a number of stones placed in a perpendicular and circular form. Druidical Temples were circular, for the principal deity of the Druids was the sun; and, like the ancient Germans, they entertained such a sublime idea of the majesty of the deity that they did not confine him within the limits of space, hence their temples had no roof, and the stones which formed the circle, in almost all cases, stood at short intervals from each other. The circle was availed of for other purposes: thus it served as a court of justice and as an observatory, in which they marked the rising and setting of the heavenly bodies, the seasons of the year, and periods of the day and night. In the locality last named, in the Parish of Culdaff, there seems to have been an assemblage of Druidical temples, for at Larahirl are a number of stones, which stand at intervals from one another, and which form an oblong temple, 27 feet in length by 12 feet broad. This oblong is surrounded by a circle of 70 yards in circumference, the