Picturesque Ireland : a literary and artistic delineation of the natural scenery, remarkable places, historical antiquities, public buildings, ancient abbeys, towers, castles, and other romantic and attractive features of Ireland . il that of TaraHill was first visible. Theking demanded who had daredto break the law. The Druidsreplied, that they knew who had made the fire, and if it were not extinguishedbefore morning it would never be extinguished ; and that the man who had kin-dled it would surpass kings and princes. We will go forth and slay him who * Dr. OConor { Scrip., vol. i.)
Picturesque Ireland : a literary and artistic delineation of the natural scenery, remarkable places, historical antiquities, public buildings, ancient abbeys, towers, castles, and other romantic and attractive features of Ireland . il that of TaraHill was first visible. Theking demanded who had daredto break the law. The Druidsreplied, that they knew who had made the fire, and if it were not extinguishedbefore morning it would never be extinguished ; and that the man who had kin-dled it would surpass kings and princes. We will go forth and slay him who * Dr. OConor { Scrip., vol. i.), labors to show that this festival was that of Belliiine or Bealtaine, andDr. Petrie, in his Essay on Tara Hill, appears to adopt that view; but Dr. ODonovan, in his remarks on the division ofthe year among the ancient Irish, in the introduction to the Book of Rights, proves that there is no authority for this,opinion, and that in fact the fire of Beltinne wss always lighted at the hill of Uisneach, in Westmeath. JNI. F. Cusack,Life of St. Patrick, p. 253, adopts this view. The festivity which Laoghaire was celebrating, was prob-ibly that of hisown birthday, as is stated in tlie Life of St. Patrick in the Book of Carvings on the Font of Kilcarn. MEA TH. 265 made the fire, cried the king and attended by Druids and chiefs went forbidden any to rise or show respect to the stranger, the king orderedthe Christians before him. When St. Patrick and his priests appeared—notwith-standing the kings mandate—Ere, the son of Dego, rose to salute him, offeredhim his place, and having given eager attention, became a Christian. This Erewas subsequently bishop of Slane ; and his hermitage, a romantic ruin in a groveof ancient yews, within the present demesne of Slane Castle, the seat of the Mar-quis of Conyngham, is an object of great interest at this day. St. Patrick was invited to attend at Tara on the next day to discuss with theDruids ; the king secretly plannin
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidpicturesquei, bookyear1885
