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Edair, Forcheirn, or Ferceirtne, son of Deaghaidh (Deaghy) and 
Neide, Son of Adhna, all of whom, it is said, composed Dlighidh 
Neimhidh, some fragments of which are said to be still in existence. 
What was the nature of the laws, said to have been communicated 
by those poets, we are not told; but it is most probable, that they 
were for the regulation of the Bardic tribe, who at that time ge- 
nerally executed the office of Brehon, and who had rendered them- 
selves so odious to the people by their insolence, their oppressions, 
and arbitrary decisions, regardless of justice and contrary to the 
established laws of the land, that they were expelled from the 
provinces of Leinster and Munster. In this exiled and wretched 
condition, they sought protection from the Ulster King, who, though 
guilty of numerous faults, was a powerful prince, and the constant 
and bountiful patron of genius and learning. Conor received them 
into his protection; but knowing, that a reformation in their 
order was absolutely necessary, as well on their own account, as to 
satisfy the people of the other provinces, he determined upon re- 
ducing their assumed power, and subjecting them to proper restric- 
tions. This he performed by the aid of some of the Bards them- 
selves, amongst whom the persons above mentioned were the most 
celebrated ; and, by these means, he brought about the reestablish- 
ment of the order in the other provinces under the necessary limita- 
tions. From these circumstances we may be allowed to conclude, 
that the laws, said to be composed by these persons, were for the 
regulation of ranks in society, of which the poets were one of 
great importance. If this conclusion be correct, the title of 
Dlighidh Neimlidh, or laws of degrees given to their compositions 
was appropriate, and it is not improbable that they are now em- 
