Note 255 — Chapter IV · ETHNOLOGY OF BRITAIN.

The name Bruidhe appears among the kings of O’Faly in Leinster, and in the Annals of the Four Masters in the form of Bruaideadh. We find in Ireland analogous names to these of the thirty Brudes applied to districts. In Leinster we have Tola and Fortola (An. IV. M. 571). In Ulster in Tirconnell, Guill and Irguill (ib. 718). In Alban, Dobhar and Irdobhar. In this list Cal and Urcal, etc., and in one of the Welsh pedigrees Cein, son of Gwrcein, son of Doli, son of Gwrdoli, son of Dubhn, son of Gwrdubhn. In the Manumissions of Bodmin we have as Cornish forms Guest, Wurguest, Ceint, Wurceint. This will show the exact position of this form as between Irish and Cornish. The author is inclined to think that this legend of the thirty Brudes whose names were given to their portions of land is based upon the Irish system of land denominations, as that of the seven sons of Cruithne evidently was. There were thirty townships or baile betaghs in a barony or triocha ced, and the Irish Annals tell us that the mythic King Ollamh Fodla ‘appointed a Taoisech over every triocha ced and a Brughaidh over every baile.’—An. Four Masters, vol. i. p. 53.