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XXII. 



THE CAHEES OF COUNTY CLARE : THEIR NAMES, 

 FEATURES, AND BIBLIOGRAPHY. By THOMAS J. 

 WESTROPP, M.A. 



[Eead February 25th, 1901.] 



Claee occupies so conspicuoiis a place among the caher-abounding 

 districts of Ireland that I venture to lay before the Royal Irish Academy 

 a list of the names, with short descriptions, and a few notes on the 

 more interesting of those stone forts so exceptionally abtmclant in that 

 part of the ancient Thomond. The total of forts of all kinds in the 

 county is no less than 2420 (or roughly speaking one fort to 342 acres), 

 the highest proportion among the counties of Munster, and only exceeded 

 by Sligo among the districts of our western coast. 



Ancient legend has concerned itself very little with these particular 

 structures. The tale of the sons of Huamore tells how Adhar settled 

 at Magh Adhair, near Quin, where a large mote remains which became 

 the place of inauguration for the Dalcassian Princes of Thomond. Dael 

 settled on the Daelach, and Ennach built a fort (dun) at Tech-n-ennach 

 near him. The present river Daelach runs into the Atlantic near 

 Lehinch ; and as we find the large rock-cut fort of Doon on a ridge at 

 its source, we may provisionally suppose it connected with the legend. 

 Irghus settled at Rind Boirne or Ceann Boirne, where the fort named 

 on the maps " Caherdoonf ergus " is called by the people Caherdooneerish, 

 and possibly bears the name of the legendary hero. Alestair, according 

 to another section of the Dind Seanchas, dug a rath on mount Callan, 

 but it caimot be now identified. The forts of Cahercrochaun, and 

 Lisdundalhen have been connected with the Tuatha de Danann 

 heroes, Crochan and Dal, the latter of whom was the lover of Echtghe 

 " the awful," who gave her name to Slieve Aughty. He was also 

 Sengan's and Grennann's cupbearer. 



Two other fort-names, Duntorpa and Caherloughlin, may be 

 derived from Torpa, King of Thomond, 750 (or Torpa, chief of Cor- 

 comroe, about the same time), and Lochlain, chief of Corcomroe, 980, 

 while the beautifully situated Grrianan of Lachtna, on a grassy shoulder 

 of Craglea, the mountain home of Aoibhell, the banshee and guardian 



E.I. A. PEOC, SEE. Ill,, VOL. VI. 2 H 



