Wkstkopp — Assemblij -Place nf'Oenach Cairhre and Sid Asail. 373 



In the field to the east is a featureless ring inoniid, o to over 4 feet 

 high, with large hawtliorns here and there on its circuit, and no raised gartb. 



The name SheenaKnnoge, " the mound of the Koystou crows," may he a 

 casual name. On the other hand, recalling that the local princes claimed 

 a descent from Maclia (who, with her two sisters, the goddesses of war, 

 embodied themselves as such birds), it may have a more recondite meaning. 

 The confusion of identity between the spirits and tlie birds is absolute. One 

 manuscript says^ " it is false that the banshees are not demons ; it is false that 

 the roystou crows {fcndoga) are not hellish but aery demons." Yet we are 

 told " the foxes and wolves double their cries, the fendoga double their- 

 screams, when Badb, Macha, and (Neman) the Morrigu approach." - Dairine 



\%^\ToToryHin 

 TO Tort^^ \Spuvm viAr^vl 

 EliiabelW, ^^■ 



^555>C5Fie e na f inno'^ 



^' Ring fort 



CAHERDUFF .-'■ 



Ring fort 



Fio. I. 



and Dergthene are the same in local pedigrees, and the former is identified 

 with Macha,' Nith, Neman, and the Badb. While, as the " Wars of the 



out. So those joining in the procession at Knockainey have to look lirst for the moon, 

 or they cannot find their wiiy home till iifter snnviao. I fuuiul iki s\ii>crii,itiiral tale at 

 Clogherbeg or ttlagh Adair. 



'm,s., T.C.U., H. 3, 18, in ms., H. 2, 17, the three '-go to the Hill of Hostages" 

 at Temair. Npiiiand confounded armies, Macha revelled among the slain, and the 

 Morrigu (like Pallas in the Iliad) gave strength to her favourites. 



^W. Maunsell Honuossy on " Irisli War tjoddo.sscs," Kev. Celt., i., pp. ;>t> .si|c|., and 

 Proc. R. I. Acad., x, pp. 425 scju. 



■'Rev. Celt., xxii, p. 58. 



