the charioteer of the hero was clothed in a tunic of deerskin.  This statement, taken in connexion with the fact above-mentioned, is another evidence that increased knowledge is daily producing increased respect for the veracity of those who transmitted the accounts of our ancestral life, which, at one time, were supposed to be purely mythical.  Skin or leather garments were in use certainly until the tenth century, in the form of cloaks.  It is supposed that Muircheartach obtained the soubriquet “of the leathern cloaks,” from the care which he took in providing his soldiers with them; and it is said that, in consequence of this precaution, there was not a single man lost in this campaign.

[Illustration:  ANCIENT BOOT.]

We give a specimen of an ancient shoe and boot, from the collection of the Royal Irish Academy.  It would appear as if the Celt was rather in advance of the Saxon in the art of shoemaking; for Mr. Fairholt has been obliged to give an illustration selected from Irish remains, in his history, although it is exclusively devoted to British costume.  In illustrating the subject of gold ornaments, he has also made a selection from the same source.  Some curious specimens of shoes joined together, and therefore perfectly useless for ordinary wear, have also been discovered.  Sir W. Wilde conjectures they may have been used by chieftains as inauguration shoes.[269]

[Illustration:  ANCIENT SHOE.]

Saffron was a favourite colour, though it does not appear evident how the dye was procured.  There is no doubt the Irish possessed the art of dyeing from an early period.  Its introduction is attributed to King Tighearnmas, who reigned from A.M. 3580 to 3664.  It is probable the Phoenicians imparted this knowledge to our ancestors.  Although our old illuminations are not as rich in figures as those from which English historians have obtained such ample information regarding the early costume of that country, we have still some valuable illustrations of this interesting subject.  These representations also are found to correspond faithfully, even in the details of colour, with the remains which have been discovered from time to time.  Our ancient crosses give immense scope for antiquarian research, though the costumes are principally ecclesiastical, and hence are not of so much general interest.  But the Book of Rights[270] affords ample information, as far as mere description, of the clothing of a higher class.  While the peasant was covered with a garment of untanned skin or fur, however artistically sown together, the bards, the chieftains, and the monarchs had their tunics [imar] of golden borders, their mantles [leanna] or shirts of white wool or deep purple, their fair beautiful matals, and their cloaks of every colour.  If we add to this costume the magnificent ornaments which still remain to attest the truth of the bardic accounts of Erinn’s ancient greatness, we may form a correct picture of the Celtic noble