290 



The mortality among the cattle in 986,* is another evidence to this 

 point; and Giraldus-f- notices sheep also as very frequent in the island 

 before his time. The use of tillage is testified by the great quantities 

 of corn said to have been exported from Ireland soon after the Danish 

 invasion, J while Caradocus of Lhancarvan records that " in 897 the 

 kingdom of Ireland suffered extremely by locusts, who consumed all 

 the corn and the grass through the whole country." There are some 

 internal evidences that this agriculture was carried on by the agency 

 of slaves, and Buchanan mentions, that about the year 994, some 

 Scottish islanders sought subsistence in Ireland by their daily labour.^ 



Of roads, &c. Tigernach mentions the construction of the road 

 of Athlone, by Cathal O'Conor and Malachy O'Melaghlin in 1001, 

 but no external evidence can be expected of such events. 



The practice of working the precious metals, is again evidenced 

 beyond the necessity of external testimony, by the quantity of golden 

 ornaments, crowns, cups, gorgets, bracelets, broches, rings, &c., that 

 have been found in the country. The Irish histories frequently speak 

 of such, and as has been remarked at the year 921, the Danes that 

 devastated Clonmacnois, are said to have taken "great spoil of gold 

 and silver and many precious ornaments."|| The Danes used to make 

 presents of these, particularly when wrought into rings.** It is also 

 to be observed, that the Book of Columbkill is allegedf f to have been 

 adorned with gold, and the harp attributed to Brien Boroimhe, pre- 

 sents much carving and chasing of brass, silver, Scc^X Donatus says 



* See ante, p. 266. f See post, section 6 of this Period. 



X Betham's Antiq. Research, part i. p. 5. 



§ " Ut in Hiberniam plurimi discederent, et ibi mercenaria opera victum qusererent." — 

 Hist. Scot. 



II Ante, p. 263. ** Ant Celt. Scand. pp. 144 and 147. 



ft ^nte, p. 268. ♦+ See Vallanc. Coll. de Beb. Hib. No. 13. 



