[90] Fear.—­“In spem magis quam ob formidinem.”

[91] Merchants.—­“Melius aditus portusque per commercia et negotiatores cognitis.”

[92] Island.—­Vita Julii Agric. c. 24.

[93] Year.—­Hist.  Rer.  Angl. lib. ii. c. 26.

[94] Aitheach Tuatha.—­The word means rentpayers, or rentpaying tribes or people.  It is probably used as a term of reproach, and in contradiction to the free men.  It has been said that this people were the remnants of the inhabitants of Ireland before the Milesians colonized it.  Mr. O’Curry denies this statement, and maintains that they were Milesians, but of the lower classes, who had been cruelly oppressed by the magnates of the land.

[95] State.—­“Evil was the state of Ireland during his reign:  fruitless the corn, for there used to be but one grain on the stalk; fruitless her rivers; milkless her cattle; plentiless her fruit, for there used to be but one acorn on the oak.”—­Four Masters, p. 97.

[96] Morann.—­Morann was the inventor of the famous “collar of gold.”  The new monarch appointed him his chief Brehon or judge, and it is said that this collar closed round the necks of those who were guilty, but expanded to the ground when the wearer was innocent.  This collar or chain is mentioned in several of the commentaries on the Brehon Laws, as one of the ordeals of the ancient Irish.  The Four Masters style him “the very intelligent Morann.”

[97] Woods.—­Four Masters, p. 97.

[98] Magh Bolg.—­Now Moybolgue, a parish in the county Cavan.

[99] Teachtmar, i.e., the legitimate, Four Masters, p. 99.—­The history of the revolt of the Attacotti is contained in one of the ancient tracts called Histories.  It is termed “The Origin of the Boromean Tribute.”  There is a copy of this most valuable work in the Book of Leinster, which, it will be remembered, was compiled in the twelfth century.  The details which follow above concerning the Boromean Tribute, are taken from the same source.

[100] Polished.—­Keating, p. 264.

[Illustration:  ORATORY AT GALLARUS, CO.  KERRY.]

CHAPTER VII.

Tuathal-Conn “of the Hundred Battles”—­The Five Great Roads of Ancient
Erinn—­Conn’s Half—­Conaire II.—­The Three Cairbres—­Cormac Mac
Airt—­His Wise Decision—­Collects Laws—­His Personal Appearance-The
Saltair of Tara written in Cormac’s Reign—­Finn Mac Cumhaill—­His
Courtship with the Princess Ailbhe—­The Pursuit of Diarmaid and
Grainne—­Nial “of the Nine Hostages”—­Dathi.