70 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



been imjustly and "wrongfully attempted to be blackened. This may- 

 be shown in various ways, such as some great misfortune happening 

 to the scandalizer, or in ease of theft the real thief being discovered, &c." 



O'Donovan does not mention that on the altar there is also a very 

 curious stone basin, with rounded bottom, two handle-holes and a groove 

 cut all round the side, in which votive oSerings are placed by all 

 visitors to the island. 



"On the north-west side of Caher Island there is a holy well, 

 which is also prayed at and held in great veneration by the pilgrims." 

 ... A kind of cloghan or road is shown under the waves leading from 

 this blessed island in the direction of the Eeek. It is called Boher na 

 neeve — via sanctorum — because it was passed by St. Patrick, by his 

 charioteer Bionnan, the widow's son (who was buried on the Eeek), 

 by St. Bridget, and other saints who were along with the apostle. 



YII. HlSIOET. 



A report of this nature would be incomplete without some sketch 

 of the histoiy of the people that it may be seen what changes or 

 admixture the population may have undergone. Unfortunately, how- 

 ever, the materials for such a sketch are extremely scanty, the islands 

 having received very little mention. 



The whole surrounding district, north and south, as well as the 

 islands, were inhabited anciently by a Damnonian (Firbolg) tribe, the 

 Clan Huamoir, one of whose chiefs, llodha, gave his name to Inis 

 Modha, or the Clew Bay islands. In the second century, Tuathal 

 Teachtmar, a Milesian or Seotic king, conquered and enslaved the 

 Clan Huamoii', and occupied their territory. From this on, there is a 

 great gap in the records ; there is nothing known about the territory 

 except the records of the deaths of some of the chiefs, and a mention 

 in the 9th century of the incursions of pirates (probably Scandinavian). 

 In the 10th century, after the establishment of surnames in Ireland, 

 we find the O'Malleys, descendants of Conn of the Hundred Battles,^ 

 established as rulers and lords of Umhall, a district whieh comprised 

 the present baronies of Burrishoole, or llurrisk, and here they have 

 remained ever since. In the 14th centuiy we get mention of the 

 O'Malleys as being famed as sailors, a reputation they long held. 



^ "Another shoot of the race of Conn is the Clann ilailli, valiant the hranch. 

 (eveiy country is heard selecting them)." Duald Mc Firhis, Genealogies, Tribes, 

 &c., of Hv Fiachrach. 



