54 Mr. Peteie on the History and Antiquities of Tara Hill. 



celebrating that festival near Tara, the Doctor proceeds thus : — " On the follow- 

 ing day, which was Easter-eve, or Holy Saturday, St. Patrick continued his 

 journey, and arrived in the evening at a place called Ferta-fer-feic, now Slane. 

 Having got a tent pitched there, he made preparations for celebrating the festival 

 of Easter, and accordingly lighted the paschal fire about night-fall. It happened 

 that at this very time the king, Leogaire, and the assembled princes, were 

 celebrating a religious festival, of which fire-worship formed a part. There 

 was a standing law, that, at the time of this festival, no fire should be kindled for 

 a considerable distance all around, until after a great fire should be lighted in 

 the royal palace of Temoria or Tarah. St. Patrick's paschal fire was, however, 

 lighted before that of the palace, and, being seen from the heights of Tarah, 

 excited great astonishment. On the king's inquiring what could be the cause 

 of it, and who could have thus dared to infringe the law, the Magi told him 

 that it was necessary to have that fire extinguished immediately, whereas, if 

 allowed to remain, it would get the better of their fires, and bring about the 

 downfall of his kingdom. Leogaire, enraged and troubled on getting this 

 information, set out for Slane, with a considerable number of followers, and one 

 or two of the principal Magi, for the purpose of exterminating those violators of 

 the law. When arrived within some distance from where the tent was, they sat 

 down, and St. Patrick was sent for, with an order to appear before the king and 

 give an account of his conduct. It was arranged that no one should show him 

 any mark of respect, nor rise up to receive him. But, on his presenting himself 

 before them. Here, son of Dego, disobeyed the injunction, and standing up, 

 saluted him, and receiving the Saint's blessing, became a believer. He 

 was afterwards Bishop of Slane, and celebrated for his sanctity. Passing 

 over certain contests between St. Patrick and the Magi, and some partly pro- 

 digious and partly ridiculous fables, we find St. Patrick the next day (Easter 

 Sunday) in the palace of Tarah, preaching before the king and the states 

 general, and disconcerting the Magi. The only person, that on his appearing 

 there, rose up to pay his respects to him was Dubtach, an eminent poet and 

 instructor of Fiech, son of Ere, who afterwards became Bishop of Sletty. Dub- 

 tach was the first convert on that day, and the saint became greatly attached to 

 him. Thenceforth he dedicated his poetical talents to Christian subjects, and 

 some works of his are still extant." — Eccles. Hist. vol. i. pp. 223-5. 



