Lectures and appendix - Eugene O'Curry - Google Books

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contents of a workbag formed only a small part of a lady's personal

ornaments. References to dyeing, weaving, embroidering, etc., in

the ancient laws regulating Distress; objects connected with those

arts for the recovery of which proceedings might have been taken

under those laws. Coloured thread and wool paid as rent or tribute,

The dye-stuffs used were of home growth. Legend of St. Ciaran

and the blue dye stuff called Glaisin. Summary of the processes in

the textile arts mentioned in the extracts quoted in the lecture.

Reference to embroidery in the tale of the Tochmarc nEimire, and

in the Dinnseanchas. Coca the embroideress of St. Columcille. The

knowledge of the Gaedhils about colours shown by the illuminations

to the Book of Kells. Reference in the Book of Ballymote to the

colours worn by different classes. Cloth of various colours formed

part of the tributes or taxes paid as late as the ninth and tenth cen-

turies. Tributes to the king of Caiseal according to the Book of

Rights from: Ara; Boirinn; Leinster; Uaithne; Duibhneach and

Drung; Corcumruadh; the Deise; Orbraidhe. Stipends paid by the

king of Caiseal to the kings of Kerry; Raithlenn; Ara. Tributes to

the king of Connacht from Umhall; the Greagraidhe; the Conmaicne;

the Ciarraidhe; the Luighne; the Dealbhna; Ui Maine. Stipends

paid by the king of Connacht to the kings of: Dealbhna; Ui Maine.

Tributes to the king of Aileach from: the Cuileantraidhe; the Ui

Mic Caerthainn; Ui Tuirtre. Stipends paid by the king of Aileach

to the kings of: Cinel Boghaine; Cinel Enanna; Craebh; Ui Mic

Caerthainn; Tulach Og. Stipends paid by the king of Oriel to the

kings of Ui Breasail; Ui Eachach; Ui Meith; Ui Dortain; Ui

Briuin Archoill; Ui Tuirtre; Feara Manach; Mughdhorn and Ros.

Stipends paid by the king of Uladh to the kings of: Cuailgne;

Araidhe; Cobhais; Muirtheimne. Tributes to the king of Uladh from:

Semhne; Crothraidhe; Cathal. Gifts to the king of Tara. Stipends

paid by the king of Tara to the kings of: Magh Lacha; Cuircne; Ui

Beccon. Tributes to the king of Tara from the Luighne; the Feara

Arda; the Saithne; Gailenga; the Ui Beccon. Stipends paid by the

king of Leinster to the: Ui Fealain; the chief of Cualann; Ui

Feilmeudha; king of Kaeilinn; Ui Criomhthannan. Tributes to the

king of Leinster from the: Galls; Forthuatha; Fotharta; men of

South Leinster. Gifts from the monarch of Erinn to the king of

Emain Macha. Stipends of the king of Emain Macha to the kings

of: Rathmor; Ui Briuin; Conmaicne. Gifts bestowed on the king of

Leinster by the monarch of Erinn whenever he visited Tara. Gift

of the king of Leinster on his return from Tara to the king of

Ui Fealain. Gifts of the monarch of Erinn to the king of Caiseal

when at Teamhair Luachra. Stipends given by the king of Caiseal

at the visitation of the monarch of Erinn to the: Deise; Ui Chonaill.

Stipends paid by the king of Connacht to the kings of: Ui Maine;

Luighne. Colours of winds, according to the preface to the Seanchas

LECTURE XXV. OF DRESS AND ORNAMENTS IN ANCIENT ERINN

(VIII.) DRESS AND ORNAMENTS (continued). Of Conaire Mór,

monarch of Erinn (circa B.c. 100 to B.c. 50) and the outlawed sons

of Dond Dess, according to the ancient tale of the Bruighean Da-

derga; the sons of Dond Dess associate with the British outlaw Ing-

cel to plunder the coasts of Britain and Erinn; the monarch, in re-

turning from Corca Bhaiscinn in the Co. Clare, being unable to reach

Tara, goes to the court of Daderg; Ingcel visits the court to ascer-

tain the feasibility of plundering it; he gives descriptions on his re-

turn to his companions of those he saw there, and Ferrogain iden-

tifies them; Ingcel's description of the Ultonian warrior Cormac

Conloinges and his companions; of the Cruithentuath or Picts; of

the nine pipe players; of Tuidle the house steward; of Oball, Oblini,

and Coirpre Findmor, sons of Conaire Mór; of the champions Mal

Mac Telbaind, Muinremor, and Birderg; of the great Ultonian cham-

pion Conall Cearnach; of the monarch himself, Conaire Mór; of the

six cup bearers; of Tulchinne, the royal Druid and juggler; of the

three swine-herds; of Causcrach Mend; of the Saxon princes and

their companions; of the king's outriders; of the king's three

judges; of the king's nine harpers; of the king's three jugglers; of

the three chief cooks; of the king's three poets; of the king's two

warders; of the king's nine guardsmen; of the king's two table

attendants; of the champions Sencha, Dubthach Dael Uladh, and

Goibniu; of Daderg himself; of the king's three door keepers; of

the British exiles at the court of the monarch; of the three jesters

or clowns; of the three drink bearers. Summary of the classes of

persons described. The exaggerations of such descriptions scarcely

affect their value for the present purpose; very little exaggeration on

the whole in the tales of the Bruighean Daderga and Táin Bó

Chuailgne. Antiquity and long continued use of the colour of cer-

tain garments shown by the tale of the Amhra Chonrai, by Mac

Liag's elegy on Tadgh O'Kelly, and also by a poem of Gillabrighde

LECTURE XXVI. OF DRESS AND ORNAMENTS IN ANCIENT ERINN

(VIII.) DRESS AND ORNAMENTS (continued). Very early mention

of ornaments of gold, etc., e. g. in the description of Eladha the

Fomorian king, in the second battle of Magh Tuireadh. Champions

sometimes wore a finger ring for each king killed. Allusion to

bracelets in an ancient poetical name of the river Boyne. Ornaments

mentioned in a description of a cavalcade given in an ancient preface

to the Táin Bó Chuailgne, and in the description of another caval-

cade in the same tract. Some of the richest descriptions of gold and

silver ornaments are to be found in the romantic tale of the "Wan-

derings of Maelduin's Canoe" (circa A.D. 700). Bronze Buidne for

the hair in Dr. Petrie's collection. Ornaments described in the tale

of the Tochmarc Bec Fola. Story of Aithirne Ailgisach, king Fergus

Fairge, and the gold brooch found at Ard Brestine; the finding of

ornaments unconnected with human remains explained by this tale.

Mention of a large sized brooch in the legendary history of Queen

Edain. Ancient law respecting the mode of wearing large brooches.

Large brooches mentioned in the tale of the "Wanderings of

Maelduin's Canoe". Thistle headed or Scottish brooches; reference

to Scottish brooches in the story of Cano son of Gartnan. Carved

brooches mentioned in the tale of the Bruighean Daderga. Refer-

ence to a carved brooch in the Book of Munster. Another reference

to a carved brooch in a poem ascribed to Oisin. Brooches of bronze

and Findruine. Chased gold pins used down to the beginning of the

thirteenth century. Of the different kinds of rings. The Fainne

used to confine the hair. Hair rings used in the seventeenth cen-

tury. Fails were worn up the whole arm for the purpose of bestowing

them upon poets, etc.; example of this from the Book of Lismore.

Of the bracelet called a Budne, Buidne, or Buinne.

LECTURE XXVII. OF DRESS AND ORNAMENTS IN ANCIENT ERINN

(VIII.) DRESS AND ORNAMENTS (continued). Anonymous notice

of Irish Torques; description of two found at Tara; accounts of

Torques found in England; no account of Torques in the works of

older Irish antiquaries; those found at Tara bought in 1813 by Alder-

man West of Dublin; the author does not agree with the anony-

mous as to the mode of production of the Tara Torques. Uses of the

Tara Torques; reference to such a ring of gold for the waist in an

ancient preface to the Táin Bó Chuailgne; another reference to such

a ring in an account of a dispute about the manner of death of

Fothadh Airgteach between king Mongan and the poet Dallan For-

gaill from the Leabhar na h-Uidhre; Cailte's account of his mode of

burial; a hoop or waist-torque among the ornaments placed on

Fothadh's stone coffin. Story of Cormac Mac Airt and Lugaidh

Laga, showing one of the uses of rings worn on the hands. Orna-

ments for the neck; the Muinche; first used in the time of Muine

amhon (circa B.c. 1300); mentioned in a poem of Ferceirtne on Curoi

Mac Daire; also in account of the Battle of Magh Leana. The

Niamh Land or flat crescent of gold worn on the head, as well as

on the neck. The Neck-Torque of Cormac Mac Airt. Descriptions

of the dress and ornaments of Bec Fola. The Muinche mentioned

in the tale of the "Wanderings of Maelduin's Canoe", and in the

story of Cano. Muinche and Land used also for the neck ornaments

of animals and spears. Use of the term Muintores. Of the Mael-

Land mentioned in the Táin Bó Fruich. The ferrule of a spear

called a Muinche in the account of the Battle of Magh Leana; dis-

covery of such a ring in Kerry; the term also used for the collars

of grayhounds, chiefly in Fenian tales. Mention of the Torc in its

simple form in the Book of Leinster. Of the Land or lunette; it

formed part of the legal contents of a lady's workbag, and of the

inheritance of daughters. The Land was worn on the head as well

as on the neck, as shown by the descriptions of Conaire Mór's head

charioteer and apprentice charioteers; and also of his poets.

LECTURE XXVIII. OF DRESS AND ORNAMENTS IN ANCIENT ERINN

(VIII.) DRESS AND ORNAMENTS (continued). Of Ear-rings: the

Au Nasc mentioned in Cormac's Glossary, and in the accounts of

Tulchinne the druid and juggler, and the harpers in the tale of the

Bruighean Daderga. Of the Gibne: it was a badge of office, especially

of charioteers; it is mentioned in the description of Rian Gabhra,

Cuchulaind's charioteer; and also in a legend about him in Leabhar

na h-Uidhre; the word Gibne is explained in an ancient glossary in

a vellum MS.; the story of Edain and Midir shows that the Gibne

was not worn exclusively by charioteers. The spiral ring for the hair

mentioned in the "Wanderings of Maelduin's Canoe". Men as well

as women divided the hair. Hollow golden balls fastened to the

tresses of the hair; mention of such ornaments in the tale of the

Bruighean Dader ga; curious poem from the tale of Eochaidh

Fedhleach and Edain (foot note); golden balls for the hair also men-

tioned in the "Sick Bed of Cuchulaind"; two such balls mentioned

in the tales of Bec Fola and Bruighean Daderga, and only one in that

of the "Sick Bed". The Mind oir or crown not a Land or crescent;

it is mentioned in the Brehon Laws, and in a tale in the Leabhar na

h-Uidhre; the second name used in the tale in question proves that

the Mind covered the head. The Mind of Medb at the Táin Bó

Chuailgne. The Mind was also worn in Scotland, as is shown by the

story of prince Cano. Men also wore a golden Mind, as appears

from the Táin Bó Chuailgne; this ornament called in other parts of

the tale an Imscind. The curious Mind worn by Cormac Mac Airt

at the meeting of the States at Uisnech.

LECTURE XXIX. OF DRESS AND ORNAMENTS IN ANCIENT ERINN

(VIII.) DRESS AND ORNAMENTS (continued). Story of a Mind

called the Barr Bruinn in the tale of the Táin Bó Aingen. Another

legend about the same Mind from the Book of Lismore; another

celebrated Mind mentioned in the latter legend; origin of the ancient

name of the Lakes of Killarney from that of Len Linfhiaclach, the

maker of this second Mind. The ancient goldsmiths appear to have

worked at or near a gold mine. Len the goldsmith appears to have

flourished circa B.c. 300. The names of ancient artists are generally

derived from those of their arts, but that of Len is derived from a

peculiarity of his teeth; this circumstance shows that he was not the

legendary representative of his art, but a real artist. Gold orna-

ments found in a bog near Cullen in the county of Tipperary; cir-

cumstances under which they were found, and enumeration of the

articles found-note. Cerdraighe or ancient territory of the gold-

smiths near the present Cullen. Pedigree of the Cerdraighe of Tu-

lach Gossa; this family of goldsmiths are brought down by this pedi-

gree to circa A.D. 500; the eldest branch became extinct in St. Mo-

themnioc, circa A.D. 550; but other branches existed at a much later

period. The mineral districts of Silvermines and Meanus are not far

from Cullen. The At and the Cleitme. The Barr, Cennbarr,

Eobarr, and Righbarr. The goldsmith in ancient times was only an

artizan; other artizans of the same class. Creidne the first Cerd or

goldsmith; his death mentioned in a poem of Flann of Monaster-

boice; this poem shows that foreign gold was at one time imported

into Ireland. The first recorded smelter of gold in Ireland was a

native of Wicklow. References to the making of specific articles not

likely to be found in our chronicles; there is, however, abundant evi-

dence of a belief that the metallic ornaments used in Ireland were of

native manufacture.

LECTURE XXX. OF MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN ANCIENT

(IX.) OF MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. Antiquity of the

harp in Erinn. The first musical instrument mentioned in Gaedhelic

writings is the Cruit, or harp, of the Daghda, a chief and druid of

the Tuatha Dé Danann; his curious invocation to his harp; the three

musical feats played upon it; examination of the names of this harp;

the word Coir, forming part of the name of the Daghda's harp, came

down to modern times, as is shown by a poem of Keating on Tadgh

O'Coffey, his harper. The Daghda's invocation to his harp further

examined; the three musical modes compared to the three seasons

of the year in ancient Egypt; myth of the discovery of the lyre; Dr.

Burney on the three musical modes of the Greeks; the three Greek

modes represented by the Irish three feats; conjectural completion

of the text of the Daghda's invocation; what were the bellies and

pipes of the Daghda's harp; ancient painting of a lyre at Portici,

with a pipe or flute for cross-bar, mentioned by Dr. Burney. Legend

of the origin of the three feats, or modes of harp playing, from the

Táin Bó Fraich; meaning of the name Uaithne in this legend. No

mention of strings in the account of the Daghda's harp, but they are

mentioned in the tale of the Táin Bó Fraich. Legend of Find Mac

Cumhaill; Scathach and her magical harp; Scathach's harp had

three strings; no mention of music having been played at either of

the battles of the northern or southern Magh Tuireadh; this proves

the antiquity of those accounts. The Daghda's harp was quadran-

gular; a Greek harp of the same form represented in the hand of a Gre-

cian Apollo at Rome; example of an Irish quadrangular harp on the

Theca of an ancient missal. Dr. Ferguson on the antiquity and origin

of music in Erinn; musical canon of the Welsh regulated by Irish

harpers about A.D. 1100; his account of the Theca above mentioned,

and of figures of the harp from ancient Irish monumental crosses

which resembled the old Egyptian one; he thinks this resemblance

supports the Irish traditions; Irish MSS. little studied twenty years

ago, but since they have been; from this examination the author

thinks the Firbolgs and Tuatha Dé Danann had nothing to do with

Egypt, but that the Milesians had. Migration of the Tuatha De

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