Ferguson — On Ancient Cemeteries in Ireland. 



117 



have been transported from its original site, so that some probabilities 

 point to this spot as being the sepulchre of Dathi. It is a little mound 

 of about 18 feet in diameter. The earthen field fence has been diverted 

 so as to avoid passing through it. The tumulus itself hardly rises 

 above the surrounding embankment. 



Pillar of Dathi, Eathcroghau. 



As if conscious that, for so great a personage, this must seem a 

 very inadequate memorial, the old writers have been careful to assign 

 a reason for its insignificance and obscurity. The reason suggested for 

 the meanness of his sepulchre is that the ex-king and hermit, For- 

 menius, in storming whose cell Dathi met his death by fire from 

 heaven, had prayed, on that . occasion, that Dathi's reign might be 

 short, and his monument not conspicuous. On this it may be remarked, 

 that although the hillock answers well enough to the imprecation, the 

 pillar-stone is the largest block remaining in or around Relig-na-ree; 

 standing six feet high from the ground, in which it is sunk three or 

 four feet. It is a rude plate of red sandstone, either brought from 

 a distance or found as a boulder on the surface of the limestone; but 

 the former suggestion is the more probable, as it shows no marks of 

 water-weariug. 



On the opposite or north-western side of the "Relig" there exists a 

 minor cemetery, also circular. This, too, has had its mounds and 

 chambers of like character. Two of the chambers are found to unite, 

 and form a kind of double entrance or ante- grotto to a cave of consider- 

 able extent, partly natural and partly artificial. (See ground plan, 

 " Proceedings," R. I. A., Vol. ix., p. 162.) In the construction of 

 these chambers and passages the builders have employed flag-stones 

 and pillar stones apparently removed from some cemetery ; for two 

 of the long stones now forming the roof bear ogham inscriptions, 

 which evidently have been carved prior to their insertion in the 



