178 Mr. Petrie on the History and Antiquities of Tara Hill. 



The same legend is told by Joceljm, but in far better language and order of 

 narration. — See Trias Thaum., and Swift's translation of Jocelyn, p. 67. The 

 boy Blnen, or as his name was Latinized, Benignus, was afterwards placed over 

 the church of Armagh by St. Patrick, in 455, He resigned this dignity in 465, 

 and died in 468. 



The feature next to be noticed was also evidently situated within the boun- 

 dary of the churchyard, or perhaps a little to the south of it, namely, the House 

 of Mariseo. The poem states, that this house was situated to the north, on the 

 brink of the well Neamhnach ; and the prose account agrees. It is stated to 

 have been high at its northern and western sides, and low at the eastern — a 

 description which would apply to its locality on the side of the hill. The poem 

 states, that Mariseo was the female of greatest beauty in all Ireland ; and the 

 prose adds, that she was a widow who was cotemporary with Cormac. 



The poem adds an interesting particular connected with this locality, that 

 from this house out towards Meath, that is, along the side of the hill to the east 

 of the road, the houses, or dwellings of Temur, were spread. 



Proceeding in the order of the prose description, the monuments next to be 

 noticed are the three stones which marked the graves of the druids, Mael, Blocc, 

 and Bluicnl. These stones were situated at the side of the Rath of the Synods, 

 to the north ; and with respect to each other, that of Mael to the east, Blocc to 

 the south, and Bluicnl to the north. The poem states, that these stones had 

 been cast or thrown here by the great Mai of Macha. This Mai, according to 

 the Annals of Tighearnach, was king of Emanla, or Emhain Macha, for thirty- 

 three years, and commenced his reign in the year 130. 



It would appear from a legendary story of very great antiquity, preserved by 

 Duald Mac Flrbls, that two of these stones were supposed to have served a 

 higher purpose than as mere gravestones ; and that they acted a part in the 

 royal drama of the coronation not less Important, though less noisy, than the Lia 

 Fail itself. This story Is as follows : 



Q m-bacrap Caijin, ocup Cineul Cuinn When the Lagenians and the race of Conn of the 



CeuD-chachaij aj oenairi pij i D-Ueathaip Hundred Battles were electing aking at Temur after 



cap eip GiDeppjed, baoi capbac pi5 i o- Ederscel, there was a king's chariot at Temur, under 



Ceaihpai^ no jaboaoip oa eac aonoaca, nao which were yoked two horses, of one colour, which 



pajbaioip piarii po'" 5-capbac. Qn ci nao had never been yoked under a chariot before. This 



