50 Proceedings of the lioyal Irish Academy. 



whose identifications for this district are contradictory, 1 arid in some cases 

 impossible, are too often used by certain present-day antiquaries to oppose 

 original search and progress in local topography. This needs strong protest 

 on our part to try and prevent the dicta becoming stereotyped. 



Knockainey (Ordnance Survey Map, No. 31). 



First, as briefly as possible, let us see the traditions of this remarkable 

 ridge. Many records about Cliu or "Cliach" do not necessarily belong to it, 

 though identified with it by compilers. The battles of the two " High Kings," 

 Eochu, in "a.m. :;772 and 4422*' (B.C. 1428 and 778) in Clfu are the same 

 event uncritically dated by various euhemerizers. The battles of Cormac 

 mar Aii t in "Cliu" refer to the large district in south-east Limerick and its 

 continuation in Co. Tipperary, reaching from Glin on the Shannon and 

 Temair Luachra past the Qaltees. The most important legend, evidently 

 pre-Christian, is embodied in a comparatively late poem by Ua Chiarmaic's 

 bard, about 1080-1120— '"Aine's history tell to me."' 



Five tribes of the Firbolg — "The Dilraighe, Margraighe, Sibenraighe, 

 Calraighe, and Gargraighe" 1 — dwelt round the hill and got firewood from 

 "rampart (cladh) girt Druim Collchoilli (hazel ridge) that dominates the 

 Mnnster tribe called Mail tini'. who weir accomplished warriors." Uainide and 

 E g ibal, sons of Donn, of (Jisnech, sought to settle there and were repulsed. 

 They bad been advised by Nechtan [the god of Sid Neclitain and husband of 

 the Royne goddess] t" win "a pleasant hill.' the cool Cnoc'Aine." The fair- 

 haired daughter of Eogabal,' 'Aim-, promised to save bloodshed if the hill 



w.-n- given t" her till the end of the World. The pledge was given, and by 

 her spells she drove the five battalions into Luachaii. The victors divided 

 the hill; Uainide held the north, facing Uisnech, his old home; Ferfi 

 (Eof in "the -.,11th. with his dwelling in a comely cairn " ; Eogabal 



was at the western, and "'Aine at the eastern point." This has important 

 bearing on the identity of the existing remains. The wives of these gods 

 were Emer, Cacht [the ISacht of a later cited tale] and Eter ; 'Aine was 

 unmarried. 



1 Sec his unrevised letters and contradictory statements in O. 8. Letters, vol. i, cited 

 sbore. 



1 Silva Gad. (Appendix), vol. ii, p. 575, from Egerton UB, 02f , 37b. 



-where the Dilraighe are called Clilraighe, the Gargraighe, Gregraighe, and the 

 uaighe, Seinrnighe. (List ,.f Aithech Tuatha, Egerton M8.92f,37b ; Revue Celtifiue, 

 vol. xx, p. 336). 



' i.e. "a ceremonial hill": cf Ancient Laws of Ireland, "Book of Acaill," vol. iii, 

 p. 296W, and the Tuatha IK\ in the "pleasant hills." 

 ■ DnrgaHl in AgaUunh, p. 225. 



