254 Guide to Belfast. 



The greatest of all the forts is Dunceltchair, or Dun-da- 

 leth-glass, at Downpatrick, and it is rendered particularly 

 interesting by the known history attached to it. Celtchair 

 was one of the heroes of the Croibh-ruadh, or Red Branch 

 Knights of the heroic period of Irish history, similar in time 

 to the legends of King Arthur. Before De Courci's time 

 the name was changed to Dun-da-leth-glass (the fort of the 

 broken fetters). It subsequently gave the name, in Christian 

 times, to the city of Ireland's patron saint, Downpatrick 

 (Dunpatrick). Here King John stayed in 1220, and it was 

 sacked and burned by Edward Bruce in 1316. This rath 

 is of vast size, situated on the level banks of the River Quoyle, 

 and has quite the appearance of a natural hill. 



Rathmore, near Antrim town, was also burned by Edward 

 Bruce ; and close beside it is Rathbeg. Both of these forts 

 are mentioned in ancient history. 



Numberless forts of all known varieties — conical, flat, 

 round, and even square — are to be found here, there, and 

 everywhere over the northern counties. Emania, near 

 Armagh, is the most celebrated, on account of its historical 

 associations with the Red Branch Knights. Many legends 

 circle round its extensive ramparts, and the earliest traditions 

 are associated with its site. In many respects it is the 

 northern Tara. 



F. J. B. 



Crannoges. 



These lake dwellings are fairly numerous, and in recent 

 years several of them have been systematically examined, 

 with the most satisfactory results, which have been fully 

 described in the Proceedings of the learned societies. It may 

 be noted in passing that there is clear evidence that these 

 residences were in occupation up till the time of Queen 

 Elizabeth. 



There are several in the neighbourhood of Ballymena, 

 and others near Toomebridge, which have been thoroughly 

 investigated, yielding stone, bronze, iron and wooden imple- 

 ments in abundance. 



