Book 15 — APPENDIX B THE PLACE-NAMES OCCURRING IN THE VERSE

[The “learned terms” in Book vii. are not included.]

Aenloch [Énloch, L.L. 245ᵇ10]. I adopt this form in L.L. which means “bird-lake,” and have supposed it to be somewhere to the north or north-west of Croohan. Elsewhere (See L.L. 31ᵇ29, and Archiv. iii, p. 5) the place of the death and burial of Fergus is called Findloch, “white-lake”; and this, probably, was the lake still called Findloch, about seven miles south-east of Croohan. Énloch for Maig Ai, “Aenloch on Moy Wee,” is mentioned Silv. Gad. i. 256, but its whereabouts is not indicated.

Africa [Affraic]. See Windisch, Táin, p. 819.

Alba [Alba]. Scotland.

Alps. See Appendix E.

Ard A´-had [Ardachad]. “High-field.” There were many places so named. This “High-field” comes next after Ath Gowla in the Itinerary L.L. 56.

Ardcullin [Ard Chuillend, L.L.; Iraird Cuillend, L.U.]. In L.U. we are told that this place is called “Crossa Cúil to-day.” Crossa Cúil may perhaps be the village of Crossakeel in Meath, and the pillar-stone may have been on some adjoining height from which a wide view could be obtained. The boundary of ancient Ulster, which extended from the mouth of the Boyne to the point where County Leitrim touches the sea, may very well have passed through this place.

Ard-keen´-aht [Árd Chiannacht]. The whole of the present barony of Ferrard, in the County Louth, was called Árd Cianachta. (See B.R. p. 186, note). But in the Táin, Árd Ciannacht seems to apply to some one definite spot.

Ards of Ulster. In the Mesca Uladh, L.L. 267ᵇ3, we have the words: Blad briuga mac Fiachna a Temair na hArda, “Blad (= Blai) the brewy, the son of Fiachna from Tara in the Ards.” This, I feel no doubt, was the very fine earthen fort still called Tara, which crowns a hill at the southern extremity of the Ards peninsula to the east of Strangford Lough. This Bruiden or “house of hospitality” of Blai the Brewy was one of the six most celebrated houses of entertainment in ancient Erin. (See L.L. 112ᵃ4).

Armenia. See Appendix E.

Assal. See “Road of Assal.”

Assa-roe´ [Ess Rúaid]. The falls at Ballyshannon in County Donegal.

Ath Carpat [Áth Carpait]. A ford on the Nith. See “Goola Milhy.”

Ath Cleea [Áth Cliath]. The usual Irish name for Dublin. Cf. L.L. 104ᵃ47, Dublind rissaraiter Ath Cliath, “Dublin, which is called Ath Cliath.”

Ath Faerdeeah [Áth Fhir diad]. “The Ford of Faerdeeah,” now shortened to Ardee, the name of a little town on the river Dee (the ancient Nith) in County Louth. O’Donovan says: “The grave of Ferdiah is shown at Ardee, 14 yards long, 9 or 10 feet wide. About two yards of the tumulus in the middle is cut away, so as to be level with the ground. It lies ... about 80 perches west of Ardee.”

Ath Fayna [Áth Féinne]. Not an uncommon ford-name. This may be the same as the Áth fhéne of the Amra Choluim Chille (see L.U. 6ᵃ29).

Ath Frae [Áth Fráich, L.U. 63ᵇ24]. “The Ford of Frae.” Not identified, so far as I know. At L.U. 63ᵇ11 we are told that its former name was Ath Fúait; but it was not therefore necessarily near Sliab Fúait, for the element fúait enters into various place-names.

Ath Gowla [Áth n-Gabla]. This has sometimes been spoken of as a ford on the Boyne, but it was not: the host came past Kells and did not go south of the Boyne. At L.L. 59. 31, we are told that it was at “the turlough of the great forest, northward of Knowth of Kings.” Knowth is about two miles east of Slane. A turlough is a lake which dries up in summer. L.U. 58ᵃ33 (gloss) speaks of the pass (beloch) through the great forest. Was the turlough a flood-like expansion of the little river Mattock?

Ath Greena [Áth n-grena]. The older name of Ath Gowla.

Ath Lahan [Áth Lethain]. A ford on the Nith. See “Goola Milhy.”

Athlone [Áth luain]. “The Ford of the Loin.” The town of Athlone on the Shannon.

Ath na Foraire [Áth na Foraire]. See “Ford of Watching.”

Ath Neermeeda [Áth n-Irmidi]. The older name of Ath Fayna, which see.

Ath Tray [Áth Traiged]. “Ford of the Foot.” Said to be in Tir Mór; but but I cannot identify Tir Mór.

Ath Vaeva [Áth Medbi]. “The Ford of Maev.”

Avvin Maha [Emain Macha]. The ancient capital of Ulster was two miles due west of the present city of Armagh. The great mound, with what remains of its fosse, is now called Navan Ring. A townland to the west of the Ring still bears the name of Creeve Roe. Avvin Maha was destroyed by the three Collas, A.D. 331; and the Ulstermen did not dwell in it afterwards. It has been conjectured that Avvin Maha was Ptolemy’s Regia.

Baeg [Bedg]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified. Bedg means “a sudden spring or start.”

Bally Al´-yone [Bélat aileáin]. “The Crossway of the Island.” (See “Cooley”).

Banba [Banba]. One of the ancient names for Ireland.

Barna na darriv [Berna na d-tarb]. “The gap of the bulls.”

Barna Tána Bó. (See “Cooley”).

Ben Edar [Bend Etair]. The Hill of Howth, near Dublin.

Bill-awn´ [Bithlán, Bithslán]. “The Ever-full,” or “the Ever-healthful.” One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Billi Vaeva [Bile Medba]. “Maev’s Tree.” Bile means generally a large, venerable or sacred tree.

Bir [Bir]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified. Bir means “a spit.”

Booan [Buan]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified. Buan means “enduring.”

Boyne [Boand]. The river Boyne, which joins the sea at Drogheda.

Bray Ross [Breg Ross]. Evidently the district just north of Ardee.

Bree Aerga [Brí Errgi]. I do not know that this famous place has yet been identified; but I think it should be looked for in County Donegal, not far from Ballyshannon. I take the Raith Argi of Trip. Life, p. 328, to be the same place, and this was in the barony of Tirhugh, County Donegal. Compare Trip. Life, 352, where it is said that the extent of the boundary of St. Patrick’s see was to be: “a pinna montis Berbicis [= probably Benna Boirche, the Mourne Mountains] usque ad montem Mis [= Slemish in County Antrim], a monte Miss usque ad Bri Erigi, a Bri Erigi usque ad Dorsos Breg [= Drum Bray].” If, as I conjecture, Raith Argi and Bri Erigi were the same place, the extent of St. Patrick’s see, as promised by the angel, was practically to coincide with the extent of ancient Ulster.

Bregan’s Tower [Tor m-Breogain]. After the Gaels had come from Scythia to Spain, one of their number, Bregan, erected a tower and city which were named after him, Brigantia. It was from this tower that Ith, his son, in the evening of a winter day first perceived Ireland in the distance! (See L.L. 3 and 4). Brigantia was on the coast not far from the modern Betanzos, in Galicia. See the account of O’Donnell’s visit to Bregan’s Tower in 1602. “He was rejoiced to have landed at that place, for he deemed it to be an omen of good success that he had arrived at the place from whence his ancestor had formerly obtained power and sway over Ireland.” (F.M. 1602).

Brenid [Brenide]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified. It probably means “stinking,” “rotten.” Let us hope that the stream belied its name at the time when Cucullin was bathed in it.

Bressla More [Breslech Mór]. (See the same name, Appendix A.) It must have been somewhere in the northern half of County Louth. Ath Aladh was another name for the same place. Windisch, Táin, p. 337, n. 6.

Britain [Bretain, Breatain]. Those western parts of Great Britain which were inhabited by the Britons.

Bush [Buas]. The river Bush in County Antrim. It was “one of the sovereign waters of Ireland.” See Rev. Celt. xxii. 321.

Caha [Catha L.L. 56ᵇ42]. Apparently a river flowing into the Boyne, some way to the west of Slane.

Cahir Conree [Cathir Conruí]. “The City of Cúrúi.” The remains of this cahir are still to be seen on Slieve Mish, near Tralee, in Kerry. In the Triads (Y.B.L. 415ᵃ2) it is mentioned as one of the Three Doons, or strong places of Ireland, the other two being Dunseverick and Duncermna.

Callan [Calland]. The river which flows past Armagh, and joins the Blackwater near Moy. It is still called the Callan.

Cann Teera More [Cend Tiri Móir]. “The Head of the Great Land.” The same term occurs Rennes 66. I do not understand it.

Carrloig [Carrlóig, L.L. 94ᵇ1]. I think that this place, from which Kehern was to be summoned, was probably an old name for Dun-Ceithirn, now the Giant’s Sconce, in the parish of Dunboe, in the north of County Londonderry. Kehern’s father, Finntan, and his grandfather, Niall Niamhghlonnach, lived at Dún dá bheann, now Mount Sandel, not very far away. The words laoch and carn occurring in the two last lines of Inda’s Lament (Windisch, Táin, p. 639), though they suggest a different etymology, contain, I fancy, an allusion to this place-name. The Carrlaoigh of “Fragments of Irish Annals,” p. 14, and the Cairloegh of F.M. 478, appear to be the same place as the Carrlóig of the Táin.

Carthage. See Windisch, Táin, p. 819.

Cenannas [Cenannas]. Now Kells, in Meath.

City of Moorn [Cathair Muirne]. See the full account in “The Martial Career of Conghal Cláiringhneach” (Irish Texts Soc., vol. v.). Is the story founded on an account of Iceland and its volcano by some very early traveller? Fergus was said to be a fortnight and a month sailing to it from Lochlann (Denmark).

Clahra [Clathra, Clartha]. This may possibly be Clara on the Brosna in King’s County; but it is more likely, I think, to be Caislean Clártha, now anglicised Clare Castle, which “is situated on a conspicuous hill in the parish of Killare, not far from the celebrated but now poor village of Ballymore Lough Sewdy, in the County of Westmeath.” See F.M. 1544, note y.

Cleer Bó Ulla [Clithar bō Ulad]. “The shelter of the cows of the Ultonians.” Probably somewhere towards the centre of County Louth.

Cletty [Cleittech]. This was a famous royal residence “above the brink of the Boyne” not far from Slane.

Clon-ard´ [Cluain Iraird]. On the Boyne about ten miles above Trim. See the account of it in Wilde’s “Beauties of the Boyne.”

Clō-na-Darriv [Clodh na d-tarb]. “The dyke, or earthen wall, of the bulls.”

Clonmacnoise [Cluain-mic-Nois]. On the Shannon about nine miles below Athlone.

Connallia Mweerhevna [Conailli Muirthemni]. See “Moy Mweerhevna.”

Connaught [Connacht]. The ancient Connacht included the present County of Clare. See O’Mahony’s Keating, p. 88.

Cooley [Cualnge]. In dealing with the topography of Cooley we are met by two difficulties. The first lies in our ignorance of the exact extent of the ancient Cooley, the Cooley of the Táin. It would seem to have included not only the mountainous Carlingford peninsula in County Louth, but also Slieve Gullion in County Armagh, and the Mourne Mountains in County Down.

Compare 1. Echtra Nerai (Rev. Celt. x. 224), where there is a poem containing the line i m-Bairchi hi Cuailgniu, “in Bairchi in Cooley.” Bairchi seems to mean the Mourne Mountains, the old name of which was Benna Boirche (or Bairche).

2. Cóir Anmann, 269 (I.T.) where Glenn Samaisce is said to be in Cooley. In the Táin we are told that it is in Slieve Gullion.

3. Y.B.L. 53ᵃ26, where we are told that the bull on returning to Cooley, “went upon the Road of Meedlougher into Cuib. It is there that he used to be with the dry kine of Dawra.” Cuib is “Moy Cova” in the baronies of Upper and Lower Iveagh in County Down. Hence it seems likely that the house of Dawra may have been on one of the northern slopes of the Mourne Mountains.

Our second difficulty lies in this: we have three versions of the harrying of Cooley. The first is contained in L.L. 69ᵃ44-69ᵇ46. It is the simplest and clearest; but much of the most interesting material is omitted. The other two accounts are in L.U., whose redactor in his usual scholarly manner gives them successively, so that the reader may compare them for himself. The second of these two L.U. accounts is chiefly in poetry, archaic and difficult, and it perhaps represents the oldest Táin-material which has come down to us. To reconcile the topography of these three versions is impossible, though there are some points wherein they seem to agree. Thus, up to the present we have been able to identify hardly any of the places in Cooley. I can only make the following suggestions:—

Drumenna [Druim En L.L., Druim Féne L.U.]. I think this was perhaps the wooded height now called Trumpet Hill, near Ballymascanlan, County Louth. In the very interesting old “map of County Down” by Gerard Kremer-Mercator this hill is marked Drommena, and an old woman living near the place told me that in her childhood Irish-speakers called it by this name. The situation would fit the story: it was just on the borders of Cooley and Connallia.

Slieve Fauhan [Sliab Ocháine]. If Trumpet Hill was Druim En, Slieve Fauhan, whence Cucullin hurled at the camp, must have been one of the higher mountains to the east of it. Now, in Mercator’s map one of these mountains is marked Slew Wyaghno, a name which might easily be a corruption of Sliab Ocháine. Perhaps the name applied to the whole line of mountains between Ballymakellett and Piedmont. Does it still survive? I failed to find it.

Glen Fauhan [Glend Focháine]. If the identification of Slieve Fauhan is right, Glen Fauhan was probably the valley of the little river which joins the sea a short mile to the east of Bellurgan Station.

Glass Crond [Crond; Glaiss Cruind]. It seems likely that this may have been the stream now called the Piedmont River. It issues from the mountain just below the Windy Gap (at “the Long Woman’s Grave”) by which the roadway crosses the Carlingford Peninsula, and it falls into Dundalk Bay.

Barna Tana Bo Cooley. If the Piedmont River is Glass Crond, then the famous pass which Maev caused to be made is the above-mentioned Windy Gap.

Glass Colpa [Glaiss Colptha]. This seems to be the same as the Aband cholpthai i cualngiu of L.L. 110ᵇ33 (the story of Goll and Garb). But I cannot identify it.

These are all the suggestions I can make.

The account of the harrying of Cooley which I give in Book viii. is a much abbreviated conflation of the three versions described above. Those, therefore, who wish to work at the topography of Cooley, will not find help in it; they must work from original sources.

Cool Shibrilly [Cúil Sibrilli, Cúil Sibrinni]. Said in the Táin to be south-west of Kells. According to F.M., A.M. 3991, Dún Chuile Sibrinne was an old name for Kells.

Cool Shillinny [Cúil Silinne]. Now Kilcooley, only four miles or so to the south-east of Croohan. See F.M. 1418.

Corann [Corann]. This territory is now represented by the barony of Corran in County Sligo.

Corcum-roe´ [Corcumruad]. Now represented by the barony of Corcumroe in County Clare; but in ancient times the territory of Corcumroe included Burren.

(The) Corry of Glenn Gatt [Dub cairiu glinni Gatt. L.U. 65ᵃ21]. See “Cooley.”

(The) Craggs of Manann [Cairrge Manann]. Rocks on the coast of the Isle of Man.

Crannig [N. Crandach; G. Crandche; D. Crandaig]. In making Crannig the old name of Faughard, I was relying on L.L. 73ᵃ47-51; but in reality Crandach, “the Woody Place,” seems to be used somewhat vaguely; and it may have been applied to a good stretch of country.

Crithny [Cruithnech]. The Land of the Picts. The Irish Picts were settled in the ancient Dál araidhe, namely, the southern half of County Antrim and the northern part of County Down.

Croagh Patrick [Cruach-Phádruig]. A high mountain on the southern side of Clew Bay in County Mayo. On a clear afternoon it may be seen from Rath Croohan, fifty miles to the east of it.

Cromma [Cromma]. Apparently a river flowing into the Boyne a little to the west of Slane.

Croohan [Cruachan or Rath Cruachan]. The ancient capital of Connaught, now Rathcroghan, near Bellanagare in County Roscommon. Many mounds and raths are still to be seen there, as well as the ancient royal burial-field and the pillar-stone over the grave of Dawthy.

Cullin [Cuilend]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Is it the Cully Water which flows southward from County Armagh into County Louth to the west of Forkill?

Cumung [Cumung]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified. Cumung means “narrow,” “constricted.”

Dalriada [Dál riada]. The northern part of County Antrim. See the account of it, Reeves, p. 318.

Deehaem [Dichaem]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Delind [Delaind]. A river crossed by the hosts on their way eastward to Kells. Not identified.

Delt [Delt]. A river crossed by the hosts on their way eastward to Kells. Not identified.

Delt [Delt]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. It may possibly have been the Doailte in Crich Roiss which is mentioned F.M., A.M. 4169. Crich Roiss was partly in the barony of Farney in County Monaghan, and partly in the adjoining portion of County Louth.

Dooglass [Dubglass]. “The black stream.” One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Doolough [Dubloch]. “The black lake.” Somewhere between Kilcooley and Slieve Bawne in County Roscommon.

Doon Borrig [Dún Borraig]. This famous fortress was on the headland of Torr in County Antrim, a point at which there are only about twelve miles between the coasts of Ireland and Scotland. It would now be pronounced “Dunwarry” or “Dunvarry.” See the very interesting account, O’Lav. iv. 479 and 520.

Doon Dalgan [Delga L.U. 68ᵃ8; go Dun Dealgan C.R.R. 66]. Now anglicised Dundalk. The ancient doon, now called the Castletown Moat, is about a mile inland.

Doon Feea [Dún-fidhgha; Dûn fiodhaigh]. “The doon of the wood, or thicket.” Perhaps near Loch Etive.

Doon Finn [Dún Finn]. “The white doon.” Perhaps near Loch Etive.

(The) Doon of the Sons of Nahta Scaena [Dún mac Nechtáin Scéne]. O’Curry says this was “on the right bank of the little river Mattock, where it falls into the Boyne.” See M. and C. ii., p. 292. This doon is mentioned in the Dindsenchas. See Rev. Celt. xvi., p. 83; but outside the Táin, I remember no other reference to it.

Drong [Drong]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Drum Bray [Druimne Breg T.E. § 38.] = Slieve Bray [Sliab Breg]. A line of low heights stretching across the barony of Upper Slane in Meath and the barony of Ferrard in Louth, and forming the northern watershed of the Boyne.

Drumenna. See under “Cooley.”

Drum Keen [Druim Cáin, L.L. 56ᵇ20]. “The fair or beautiful ridge.” There were many places so named.

Drum Leek [Druimm Licci]. “The ridge of the flagstone.” Somewhere near Slane.

Drum-na-darriv [Druim na d-tarbh]. “The ridge of the bulls.”

Drum Saulinn [Druim Salaind, L.L.; Druim Sálfind, L.U.]. Is this Drumshallon about six miles north of Drogheda? It seems possible.

Dunseverick [Dún Sobairche]. About three miles east of the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim. One of the Three Doons of Ireland. (Triads, Y.B.L. 415ᵃ2).

Duv [Dub]. “The Black.” The first river passed after leaving Kells. Therefore, almost certainly, the Blackwater.

Edon More [Eo dond mór]. “The great brown tree.” Somewhere towards the middle of County Louth. Probably the same place as that in which the battle of Euduind móir was fought. See F.M. 590.

Erin [N. Eriu; G. Erend; D. Erind] Ireland. I have adhered to the dative form, which has already been adopted in English.

Farney [Fernmag]. “The plain of alders.” Now the barony of Farney in County Monaghan.

Faughard [Fochaird]. The height still called Faughard about three miles north of Dundalk.

Fauhan. See under “Cooley.”

Fawl [Fál]. An old name for Ireland. See L.L. 261ᵃ37. Sometimes we have Inis Fáil, “the Island of Fál.” The name was derived from the Fál or Lia Fáil in Tara, “the stone that used to roar under the feet of every king that would take possession of Ireland.” See Rev. Celt. xv. 281 and 285.

Fedain Collna [Fedain chollna, Y.B.L. 50ᵃ28]. This must have been somewhere near Clahra, which see.

Fĕven [Femen]. The Plain of Femen was in the south of Tipperary. It is now the barony of Iffa and Offa East. I do not know whether the famous Sheemound of Bove has been identified or not; but see Ac. na Sen. 2775, where we are told that in somewhat later times it was called Sidh ban find, “the Shee-mound of white women.” O’Donovan says that Sliabh na mban bhfionn, “the mountain of the white women,” was the ancient name of Slieve-na-man; so, probably, it was this striking mountain which was the residence of Bove.

Findabair. (See under “Cooley”).

Finncarn. (See under “Slieve Mourne”).

Finnglass [Finnglais]. “The white stream.” One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Finnglass [Finnglass Assail]. A river crossed by the hosts. Not identified. See “Road of Assal.”

Finngower [Fingabair]. Probably in Slieve Foo-id; for at L.L. 89ᵇ26 Fingin is said to be at Leccain Sleibe Fúait.

Fo-dromma [Fodromma]. This seems to be a river flowing into the Boyne very close to Slane.

Ford of Bercna [Áth Bercna]. Probably to the north-west of Croohan, near Bellanagare or Frenchpark. See also Ac. na Sen. 7862.

Ford of Coltna [Áth Coltna]. This seems to be connected with Coltain L.L. 56ᵇ15, and Móin Coltna L.L. 58ᵃ17. It must have been somewhere near Slieve Bawne, and south-east of Croohan.

Ford of Moga [Áth Moga]. A ford over the river Suck. Now Ballymoe, about ten miles south-west of Croohan.

Ford of Shlissen [Áth Slissen]. A ford over the Owenure River, near Elphin, now Bellaslishen Bridge. See F.M. 1288. It is about six miles to the north-east of Croohan.

Ford of the two Magic Deeds [Áth da Ferta, Y.B.L. 55ᵃ23, cf. vadum duarum virtutum (Mirabilium), An. Ulster 818]. At L.L. 79ᵇ7 this ford is said to be in Slieve Foo-id. Elsewhere it is said to be in Moy Mweerhevna. Therefore, probably, it was at a point where the hills (Slieve Foo-id) join the plain (Moy Mweerhevna) on the southern border of the barony of Upper Fews in County Armagh.

Ford of Watching [Áth na Foraire]. This was evidently on the road between Avvin Maha and Loch Ahtra (Lake Muckno). Outside the Táin I remember no reference to Áth na Foraire; but there are many references to Carn na foraire, “the Cairn of Watching”; and the latter may perhaps be identified with Carnagh, a hill about four miles south of Keady. This hill must have commanded a wide view towards the territory of Mourne and the sometimes hostile sub-kingdom of Farney in the south.

Gan´-a-win [Gáinemain]. “The sandy.” One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Gaul. See the remarks by Dr. Kuno Meyer, Rev. Celt. xi. 438.

Gawrig [Gárech, dat. Gárig]. I think the site of the great battle was near Ballymore, in Westmeath. See “Clahra.”

Glass Colpa [Glaiss Colptha]. See under “Cooley.”

Glass Crond [Crond; Glaiss Cruind]. See under “Cooley.”

Glass Gatlig [Glaiss Gatlaig]. See under “Cooley.”

Glen´-a-win [Glenamain]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Glen Bray [Gleunn mBreogaind, T.E. § 39]. A glen between Drum Bray and the Boyne. Moy Bray, Glen Bray, &c., are said to have been named after Bregan, the builder of Bregan’s Tower.

Glen Daw Roo [Glenn Da Rúadh]. Said to be Glendaruel, in Argyle. For an account of the various glens in Argyle, supposed to be those which are described in Daerdra’s song, see “Loch Etive and the Sons of Uisneach,” by the late Dr. Angus Smith.

Glendomna. See “Imlee of Glendomna,” Appendix A.

Glen Etive [Glenn Eitchi]. Glen Etive in Argyle.

Glen Faer-bay´ [Glend Firbaith, L.U. 74ᵃ11]. This must have been close to Faughard.

Glen Fauhan [Glend Focháine]. See under “Cooley.”

Glen Gatt [Glend ngat, L.U. 65ᵃ23]. See under “Cooley.”

Glen Law´-ee [Glend Láid]. Said to be Glenlochy in Argyle.

Glen Massan [Glend Masain]. Said to be Glenmasan, at the head of Loch Striven, in Argyle.

Glen Samaska [Glend na Samaisce]. “Glen of the heifers.” This must have been close to Slieve Gullion, in County Armagh.

Glen Taul [Glend Táil]. See under “Cooley.”

Glen Urkeen [Glend Urchán, Orchaoin]. Said to be Glenorchy, in Argyle.

Glore [Gleóir]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Goola Milhy [Guala Muilchi]. On the river Dee (the ancient Nith). Is this the townland of Drumgoolestown between Dromin and Stabannan in County Louth?

Gower [Gabair]. Perhaps to the west of Loch Neagh. See Fir Gabrae, Trip. Life, Index.

Granard [Granard, L.U. 57ᵃ30 gloss]. The town of Granard, in the east of County Longford.

Great Greece. See Appendix E.

Great Snowy Land. See Appendix E.

Greece. See Appendix E.

Grellah Cul´-găry [Grellach Culgairi]. “The miry place of the chariot-noise.” One gathers from Táin Bo Regamna that this was the old name for Grellah Dollud, which see.

Grellah Dollud [Grellach Dolluid]. O’Donovan (F.M. 693, note) suggests that this place was Girly near Kells. But Tochmarc Emire and Táin Bo Regamna show clearly that it was somewhere in Moy Mweerhevna.

Grey Lake [Lind Liath]. Somewhere in Slieve Foo-id.

(The) Height of Willows [Árd na Sáilech]. Now Armagh, cf. Trip. Life, ii. 473.

(The) Hill of Usna [Uisneach]. In the barony of Rathconrath, in Westmeath. “The reputed centre of Ireland.”

Ilgawrig [Ilgáirig]. See “Gawrig.”

Imlee of Glendomna. See Appendix A.

Immil. See “Loch Laery.”

Innish Cooscree [Inis Cuscraid]. Now Inch, near Downpatrick.

Innish Draiguen [Inis Draigen]. Perhaps “a projecting rocky land called Ruadh nan Draighnean,” near Bunawe, in Argyle. See “Loch Etive and the Sons of Uisneach.”

Inn´-yone [Indeóin]. This was the old name of the Dungolman River, which separates the baronies of Rathconrath and Kilkenny West, in Westmeath. It seems to mark the southern limit of “the long devious course” by which Fergus led the hosts.

Inver Colpa [Inbher Colptha]. The estuary of the Boyne.

Iona [I Choluim Chille]. An island off the Ross of Mull in Scotland. Of great fame in connexion with St. Columba.

Irrus Domnann [Irros Domnand]. Now the barony of Erris in County Mayo.

Islands of the Athishec. See Appendix E.

Islands of the Foreigners } [Insi-Gall]. The Hebrides, or Western Isles of Scotland.

Islands of the Gall }

Isles of Gat [Indsi Gaid, Y.B.L. 46ᵃ27]. When writing, I understood these to be the same as the Insi Cadd of C.R.R. p. 10, and the Insi Cat of G. and G., p. 152, namely, the Shetland Islands; and I recast the passage. But Dr. Windisch (Táin, p. 722) quite rightly, I think, understands them to be the Islands of Cadiz. The sentiment expressed by Fergus is not affected by the difference!

Isles of Orc [Indsi Orcc, Y.B.L. 46ᵃ26]. The Orkney Islands.

Kell Cooan [Caill Cuan]. “The Wood of Cooan.” I cannot identify this; but there was a high road leading to it from Moy Mweerhevna. Cuan means “a harbour.”

Kyle Cooan [Caill Cuan]. Somewhere in Argyle. I don’t know whether it has been identified.

Knowth [Cnogba]. A great tumulus on the Boyne, a couple of miles east of Slane. In the Triads the Cave of Knowth is one of the three Dark Places of Erin.

Land of Sorca [Tír na Sorcha; Tír Sorcha]. A supernatural country, the same as Tír Tairngiri, “the Land of Promise.” In the story called Serglige Conculaind (L.U. 43-50) it is described in very beautiful poetry: the name occurs at L.U. 48ᵃ41.

(The) Larguey [Lerga]. Lerga means “a slope,” “a hillside,” and is found in very many place-names in Ulster. The Larguey of Book xi. must have been close to the place afterwards called the Bressla More.

Leek More [dat. ic Líic Móir]. Not identified.

Leesa Leek [Liasa liac]. See under “Cooley.”

Le-Glass [Lethglais, Dún Leithglaisse]. Now Downpatrick. The great doon of Keltar, which has given its name, “Down,” to the whole country, may still be seen there.

Leinster [Lagen]. An ancient name for Leinster was Gailean. In the Táin the men of Leinster are called the Galeóin.

Letteree [Leitir-Ruige]. Unfortunately I have not read the Cath Leitreach-Ruige, of which there is a copy, R.I.A. 23 k. 37. It may supply data for the identification of this place.

Lind Format. See Appendix E.

Loch Ahtra [co Fertais Locha Echtrand]. Now Muckno Lake, County Monaghan. See F.M., A.M. 2535, note t.

Loch Etive [Loch Eitche]. Loch Etive in Argyle.

Loch Laery [Loch Laoghaire, Haliday’s Keating, p. 390]. This must have been Belfast Lough. Compare “Death-Tales of Ulster Heroes” by Dr. Kuno Meyer, p. 22, and “Deaths of some Irish Heroes” by Dr. Stokes, Rev. Celt, xxiii, pp. 320, 325, 335: from these passages we learn that the house of the great Laery the Victorious was on the brink of Loch Lái, Loch Laogh, Loch Láig, Loch Lóig, all various spellings of the old name for Belfast Lough. The country near his house was called Críoch Láoghaire Bhuadhaigh, “the Territory of Laery the Victorious.” In the Táin the name of his rath is variously given as Immiailli, Impail, Ráith Imbil, Ráith Impail, &c., a name which possibly, I think, contains an allusion to its situation on the edge of the sea, for Imbel means “an edge,” “a border.” I would suggest that it may have been at Carnalea, the last syllable of which name is probably derived from the ancient name of the Lough.

Loch-na-darriv [Loch-na-d-tarb]. “The lake of the bulls.”

Loch Ree [Loch Rí]. Lough Ree, an expansion of the Shannon.

Loo´-a-her [Luachair]. Perhaps Slieve Lougher near Castleisland in County Kerry.

Loolohta Lōha [dat. Luglochtaib Loga]. In “The Battle of Magh Rath,” p. 52, we are told that the bruighean of Forgall Mona was i taeb Lusca “beside Lusk” (County Dublin).

Maeda of the Bird [Méide ind eóin]. } These places must have been near the middle of the County Louth. Méide means “a neck.”

Maeda of the Squirrel [Méide in togmaill]. }

(The Three) Maels of Meath [na tri Maela Mide]. There is a reference to these Silv. Gad. i. 308; but I cannot identify them.

(The Three) Maels of Connaught [na tri maoláin Atha Luáin, “the three Maels of Athlone”]. These must be three hills close to Athlone, on the Connaught side.

Meath [Mide]. The ancient Meath contained the present counties of Meath and Westmeath and much territory besides. See O’Mahony’s Keating, p. 86.

Meedlougher. See “Road of Meedlougher.”

Meelic [Miliuc]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Mone Coltna [Móin Chóiltrae, L.U. 57ᵃ9]. This seems to be the same place as the Coltain of the Itinerary L.U. and L.L. Apparently a moor between Slieve Bawne and the Shannon.

Mooah [Muach]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Mound of Ercmon [Sid Ercmon, Celt. Zeit. 241]. In the unedited Coga Fergusa agus Conchobar, “Wars of Fergus and Conor,” R.I.A. 23 k. 37, there is a Síodh Ealcmar, which may be the same place; but I cannot identify it.

Mourne [a Moduirn atúaid, L.L. 98ᵃ42]. It seems likely that this territory of Munnrower son of Guerkind was Mughdhorn Breagh, “Mourne of Bray,” which was partly in Cavan, partly in Meath. Munnrower met his death “in his own lake,” Loch Munreamair (Rev. Celt. xxiii, 327) now Lough Ramor, County Cavan. At L.L. 114ᵃ38 he is called Munremur lond Locha Sáil; and Loch Sáil seems to be Loch Sailind, now Lough Sheelin, not far from Lough Ramor.

Movilla [Magh bhile]. Near Newtownards in County Down.

Moy Bray [Magh Breagh]. Used vaguely for the whole of the comparatively level country between Dublin and Kells and Dundalk.

Moy Cova [Magh Cobha]. The plain north-west of the Mourne Mountains, in the baronies of Upper and Lower Iveagh, County Down.

Moy Cronn [Magh Cruinn]. This would seem to have been part of Moy Wee.

Moy Innish [Magh Inis]. Now the baronies of Upper and Lower Lecale in County Down.

Moy Linny [Magh Line]. Chiefly in the barony of Upper Antrim, County Antrim.

Moy Mweerhevna [Magh Muirthemne]. The level plain in the north of County Louth.

Moy-na-darriv [Magh-na-d-tarbh]. The plain of the bulls.

Moy Thooaga [Mag Tuaga]. Somewhere in Connaught.

Moy Traega [Mag Trega]. The level country in the barony and county of Longford.

Moy Twirra [Mag Tuireadh]. Near Lough Arrow in the barony of Tirerrill, County Sligo. See F.M., A.M. 3330, note s.

Moy Wee [Mag Ái, Mag Aei]. The plain in County Roscommon on which Rath Coohan was situated. It extended from Ballymoe to Elphin, and from Bellanagare to Strokestown.

Munster [Muma].

Murrisc [Muiresc]. The barony of Murrisk in County Mayo.

Nemud [Nemud]. Somewhere in Slieve Foo-id. It may be the same place as the nemed in Trip. Life, p. 240.

Nith [Nith]. The ancient name of the river of Ardee. See F.M., A.M. 4169, note. Now called the Dee.

Ohawn [Ochun, Ochuind]. This seems likely to be the Ochonn of Meath, where Niall of the Nine Hostages was buried. (See Rev. Celt. xv, p. 295.) I don’t know whether it has been identified.

Ollbinni [Ollbine, Ailbine. T.E. § 46]. The river Delvin, which falls into the sea at Gormanstown a little north of Balbriggan. See Reeves, Col., p. 108, note d.

Ooanub [Uanabh, Uanuib]. Is this the White River between the baronies of Ferrard and Ardee in County Louth?

Oorawn Garad [Uarán Garad]. In O’Donovan’s map of Hy Many this is marked due south of Croohan. Our old literature contains some singularly charming references to this well.

Orkill [Oircel, Orcel]. Now Forkill; the valley of the Forkill river, west of Slieve Gullion in County Armagh.

Oughter Netmon [Ouchter Nedmon]. Somewhere a little to the north of Drum Bray.

Partry [Partraigi]. Does this name still survive a little to the south-west of Kells?

Pass of Awny [Belach náne, L.U. 63ᵇ7]. Belach being a neuter noun, I take the following n to be “transported.” Not identified so far as I know.

Poopal Vaeva [Pupall Medba]. “Maev’s tent.”

Raeda Lōha [Réde Loche]. See under Cooley.

Rath Aerheer [Ráith Airthir]. “The Eastern Fort.” There was a Ráith Airthir close to Taltin (See Trip. Life, p. 70), but this was not in Farney, of which Owen was king.

Rath Immil. See “Loch Laery.”

Rathlin [Rachriu]. A large island off the northern coast of Antrim. An old name for it was Inis Cuilinn.

Rath-na-darriv [Ráith na dtarbh]. “The rath of the bulls.”

Reedonn [Rígdond]. Is this the same place as that in which St. Patrick afterwards founded his church of Domnach Rígduind, “The church, or cathedral, of Rígdond”? Domnach Rígduind was in the south of County Derry, between Slieve Gullion and Loch Neagh. See Trip. Life, p. 169, and Reeves, p. 294. At Y.B.L. 47ᵇ45, the place whence Rohee came is called Brig dumae.

Rind [Rind]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Road of Assal [Slighe Asail]. One of the great high roads of ancient Ireland. It ran from Tara westwards, at least as far as Tig Lommain (now Portloman) on the western shore of Lough Owel, in Westmeath. See L.U. 6ᵃ31-33.

Road of Meedlougher [Slighe Midhluachra]. One of the great high roads of ancient Ireland. It ran northward from Tara; and from various passages in the literature (especially Y.B.L. 53ᵃ26) we are able to gather that it went through the western part of Cooley—perhaps through the Moyry Pass—and so past Newry into Moy Cova.

Sawss [Sás]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Saxon land [Saxain]. England. But the Saxons had not come to Britain at the time when the Táin took place. The first mention of Saxons in F.M. is under the year 683 A.D.

Sayer [Saighir]. Now Seir-kieran, about six miles to the east of Parsonstown, in the King’s County.

Scythia. See Appendix E.

Seel [Síl]. Somewhere in Lecale, in County Down.

Shannon [Sionainn]. The river Shannon.

Slahta [Slechta]. To the south-west of Kells. Does the name survive?

Slane [Sláne]. The town of Slane, on the Boyne.

Slane of Meath [Slemain Mide]. “Now divided into Slanebeg and Slanemore, two townlands in the parish of Dysart, County Westmeath.” An. Ulster i., p. 33, note. An adjoining townland is called Slanestown. This district is about three miles to the west of Mullingar.

Slawnga [Slánge]. The ancient name of Slieve Donard, the highest of the Mourne Mountains.

Slieve Bawne [Badbgna]. “A mountainous territory extending from Lanesborough to Rooskey, on the west side of the Shannon, in the County of Roscommon.” F.M. 678, note.

Slieve Bray [Slíab Breg]. See “Drum Bray.”

Slieve Fauhan [isin tsléib tuath ochaíne, L.U. 67ᵃ15]. See under “Cooley.”

Slieve Findabair [Findabair Slebe]. There were many places named Findabair. I cannot identify this one. The name is usually anglicised Fennor.

Slieve Foo-id [Slíab Fúait]. This name seems to have been applied vaguely to almost all the mountainous country west and north-west of Slieve Gullion, in the southern half of County Armagh. One could make a long list of names of places which in our old literature were said to be “in Slieve Foo-id.”

Slieve Gullion [Sliab Culind]. A striking mountain in the barony of Upper Orior, County Armagh. See under “Cooley.”

Slieve Mourne [Sliab Moduirn]. A country of low hills in the southern part of the barony of Cremourne, County Monaghan. Finncarn, “the white cairn,” must have been on a height which commanded a wide view towards the south.

Spain [Espain].

Suir [Siúir]. The river which forms the northern boundary of County Waterford.

Tahg [Tadg]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Taltin [Taltiu; dat. Tailtin]. Now Teltown, on the Blackwater between Kells and Navan. A very famous place in ancient Erin.

Tamlaht Orlam [oc Tamlactain órláib, L.L. 68ᵃ28]. Said in L.L. to be to the north of Disert Lochad, but where was this? Tamlachta means a plague-grave. Near Drumshallon, to the west, there is a townland called Kiltallaght. Was this the place?

Tara [Temair]. The ancient capital of Ireland. In the barony of Screen, County Meath.

Tara in the Ards. See “Ards of Ulster.”

Tara of Cooley. See under “Cooley.”

Teffia [Tethba]. North and south Teffia were large territories, the boundaries of which doubtless varied at different periods. In early times the river Inny, which flows into Lough Ree, divided north Teffia from south Teffia. See B.R., p. 11.

Telamet [Telaméit]. One of Cucullin’s rivers of healing. Not identified.

Thromma [Tromma]. A river evidently flowing into the Boyne close to Slane. In F.M. 512 there is mention of a Sidh Truim close to Slane. The names are probably connected. Sidh Truim is also mentioned L.U. 47ᵃ33.

Toom Mona [Tóm Mona, Tuaim Mona]. Now Toomona, two or three miles south of Rath Croohan. See the interesting note, F.M. 1488, note a.

Tyrrhene Sea [Muir Toirrian]. See Appendix E.

Ulster [Ulaid]. The boundary of ancient Ulster extended from the estuary of the Boyne to the river Drowes, which flows from Lough Melvin into Donegal Bay. In the Táin, however, Ulaid is occasionally used in a more restricted sense, and seems to apply only to the north-eastern corner of Ireland, Antrim and Down and Armagh.

Wave of Cleena [Tond Chlidna]. In Glandore Harbour, County Cork. See the very interesting note by O’Donovan, F.M. 1557.

Wave of Rury [Tond Rudraige]. In the Bay of Dundrum, County Down. This place was also called Inbhear n-Gaoth, “the River-mouth of Winds.” See I.T.S. v. 168.

Wave of Thooig Inver [Tond Tuage Inbir]. At the mouth of the Bann, in County Derry.