23 
word Banshee, “the White Woman.” We should then have 
Banaven meaning the White Water, or Haven. In this case it 
would serve as the literal translation of the name of a neighbouring 
Cumbrian town; but besides the fact that the name of White- 
haven is most probably of English, not of Keltic derivation, and 
has an altogether different meaning, its claims to be considered 
St. Patrick’s birthplace are further barred by there being no river 
there, by there being no natural feature which would deserve to be 
called White, and what is more important, by there being no 
ancient fortification or settlement nearer than Moresby or Egre- 
mont. Under its former and more probable meaning then, as the 
mouth of a river, the name Banaven would apply equally well to 
the Derwent at Workington, or to the Ellen at Maryport, The 
latter has undoubtedly been an ancient haven or harbour. It 
would be quite deep enough for the light galleys of the period, and 
would be well protected both by its natural configuration and by 
the fortifications of Mote Hill and the Camp. We might notice 
too that Ellen and Aven both mean precisely the same thing ; they 
are two of the commonest Keltic names forariver. The old name 
Ellenfoot and Banaven are thus identical in meaning; though I 
should not like to assert that they are on that account interchange: 
able. 
A local antiquarian of considerable repute has advanced good 
reasons for believing that the original name of our camp was the 
*‘Glanoventa” of the Itinerary of Antonine. Now it is well known 
that Keltic derivations are a great snare,—veritable pitfalls to the 
unwary explorer of ancient records. The cynical have even been 
known to hint that a Keltic name may be twisted into almost any 
meaning. I dare not enter on such debateable ground. But I 
would just suggest whether it might not be possible—with liberal 
help, of course, from Grimm’s laws and the other resources of 
perplexed etymologists—to identify the ‘‘Banaven” of St. Patrick’s 
story with the ‘“Glanoventa” of the Itinerary. If it could be done 
it would throw light upon two most interesting problems—the 
name of our ancient Camp, and the birthplace of St. Patrick. Ido 
not venture to be dogmatic on such a point, but merely throw it 
