207 



vinces of Connaught, Leinster, Meath, and Ulster ; and a tax 

 called Scraball, equal to about three-pence per head, was laid upon 

 all adults to provide a fund for that purpose.* 



Fire worship having been persevered in by the King Lugaid, the 

 son of Laogaire, his death by lightning was considered as a direct 

 punishment from heaven for having preserved the Baal-Thiene in 

 opposition to the preaching of St. Patrick.-f- 



It is recorded in Irish history that Rosa Failgee, the son of Ca- 

 thair More, who was made monarch of all Ireland, A.D. 175, was 

 a prince deeply learned in all the knowledge of his times, and that 

 he built the tower of Rosenallis, which derives its name from him, 

 a proof of the antiquity of this tower at least.;}: 



Bede, in his life of St. Cuthbert, observes, that there were still 

 many of these receptacles of fire in Ireland, and that they were the 

 only part of the heathen idolatries which then remained. 



In several towers the floors, which are usually on a level with the 

 door, have, on examination, been found to contain a quantity of 

 wood ashes,§ presumptive evidence of the previous occurrence of 

 fires within. 



Phoebus, the ruling power among the gods ! 

 Whom first we serve, whose woods of unctuous pine 

 Burn on thy heap, and to thy glory shine. II 



♦ Psalter of Tara, by Comerford, p. il — Cited Parochial Surveys, III. p. 319. — A genuine 

 copy of this Psalter is said to be now in the British Museum. — Trans. Iberno Celtic Society, 

 p. xxii, 



|- Psalter of Cashel, p. 68 Cited Parochial Surveys, III. p. 320. —The original Psalter of 



Cashel is now in the British Museum, It was compiled from more ancient documents, by 

 Cormac Archbishop of Cashel and King of Munster, who was killed in battle, A. D. 908.— Ibid. 

 p. LX. 



X Parochial Surveys, III. p. 328. 



§ Survey of Down, p. 290. 



II Dryden's Virgil. » 



