216 
The place which is traditionally pointed out as the site of Brian’s 
abode is a small island, in the middle of a marshy basin at Inishrush, 
called the Green Lough.* This spot was really the Imp puip, “ Is- 
land of the Wood ;”’ and though it has long since ceased to bear this name 
par excellence, it comes in for a share as part of the townland of Inish- 
rush, as adjacent to the hamlet so called, and as included in the Perpe- 
tual Cure of Inishrush. And the reason why this inconsiderable speck 
gave name to the surrounding district, was its importance in the sixteenth 
century as the seat of the chieftain’s fortress: just as In Ua Ploinn, 
the now obliterated crannoge near Desertmartin, gave the name of Loch 
Imp Ua Phtoinn, first, to the small lake it existed on, and then, in the 
form of Loughinsholin, to one of the largest baronies in Ulster. 
The Green Lough was drained some years ago by the father of Hugh 
MacLoughlin, the présent tenant. Previously to that it was a sheet of 
water, about half a mile in circumference, and used to receive the surplus 
water of the Black Lough; but, by means of a deep cut,its contents were 
carried into the Clady River, and it was completely drained. About the 
middle, in the position shown on the Ordnance map, was a circular 
eminence artificially formed of clay and gravel, the edge of which sloped 
down to the water. Inside this marginal embankment was a circle of oak 
piles, most of which still remain, about seven perches in cireumference. 
In the upper ends were mortised horizontal beams of oak, and upon this’ 
framework, as a foundation, rested a wooden house, which was securely 
connected with the supporting timbers. Such was the edifice which tra- 
dition describes as the residence of Brian Carrach O’ Neill. The approach 
was from the western margin of the lough, where an artificial causeway 
was formed, which came within a short distance of the island. I expected 
to hear of many articles of antiquity being found during the process of 
draining, but the only one which was remembered was a piece of iron 
chain-mail. At present, owing to neglect of the drain, the basin contain- 
ing the island has been to some extent again submerged, so that, on the 
18th of October last, an effort which I made to reach the island failed, as 
I sank above the knees before I had taken many steps. However, the 
island, though considerably impaired in outline, still remains prominent 
and green, and produces a cock of hay every year. The apple-trees 
which are growing on the top were planted there a few years ago. 
The road to Tamlaght skirts the Green Lough on the south, and on 
* As distinguished from the larger sheet of water called the Black Lough, which lies 
a little to the north-west, but which has no island.—Ordnance Survey of Londonderry, 
sheet 33. 
In the fourth Ulster map in the Trin. Coll. collection, Brian Caroth is placed on the 
Antrim side; but on the Derry side of his territory, south of the Slut Donogh, is the 
mark of a very small lake, with a diminutive island, no doubt intended for the one in 
question. Speed, Jannson, and Blaeu, mark the Clady River, which they call the 
Shinne flu., and on the north side of it they correctly place the little lake with its island, 
which they call Lo. Rush. 
+ See my communication in the Proceedings, p. 359, supra. 
