Wkstkopp — Ancient Sanctuaries of Knockaineij and Clogher. 53 



(Gur), and Maig (Bruree). Last of all, we are told that St. Patrick visited 

 Ihuini Gollchoilli or 'Aine Cliach, about a.d. 440.' It is not named in the 

 older" Lives," but the saint evidently liked to beard paganism in its sanctuaries 

 and palaces. 



In the historic period little bears on the remains. We hear of a battle 

 of the Arada and Ui Fidgeinte there, and are elsewhere told that the Saimer 

 River was the mearing of their territory, 2 and it flows not far to the south- 

 west of the hill. King Mathgamain of Cashel, brother of Brian, ravaged the 

 Ui Enna (O'Heney), princes of 'Aine, who got presents from the King of 

 Cashel on May Day. 3 Later, in the early twelfth century, the Ui Chiarniaic 

 were its kings, in 1115 and 1123. Buaidri, the last titular "High King," 

 visited it in 11G7 and 1168. After the death of Domhnall mor Ua Briain, 

 King of Minister, in 1194, the Normans acquired south-eastern Co. Limerick, 

 and established a castle and manor at Ainey. Castel L> Any and its " fair," 

 probably the ancient 'Ocnach, are mentioned in 1226 ami 1295, and also in 

 the Desmond Inquisitions, 1583. 4 The place rose again to some importance, 

 and two castles were built by the Geraldiues in the fifteenth century ; but its 

 interest centres in its legends, folk-lore, and the remarkable remains of the 

 sanctuary of the goddess 'Aine on its hill. 



Ieish Gods and their Shrines. 



The older theorists have made modern antiquaries afraid to use the words 

 "god," "temple," or "sanctuary" in Irish matters. Still, keeping on scientific 

 lines, it becomes necessary to render Sid as "god," or "god's mound." Nothing 

 but confusion and false suggestion arises from any other form. The (lemon 

 chariot, or fairy chariot is better called the supernatural or divine chariot, for 

 the other equivalents suggest rather the supernatural beings of the Inferno 

 or of the Midsummer Night's Dream than gods like those of Olympus. 

 "Banshee" suggests a hideous, ominous hag, not a bright, kindly, and 

 glorious goddess, like Juno or Minerva, or, I may add, 'Aine of Knockainey, 

 and Aibinn of Craglea. 



A few notes on this obscure, but most important, subject, are necessary 

 to our present study. 'Aine has been identified with the mother goddess Ann.' 



1 Agallamh, p. 570. 



2 Story of Mongan in " Inn-am Brain, The Voyage of Bran" (ed. Meyer aud Nutt), 

 p. 50. 



3 Book of Rights, pp. 78, 87, 89, t»3. 



4 Inq. 10, " una feria tencbatur ad Any " ; also 158V (Fiant 5032). 



3 Ana or Dana. See Sanaa Chormaio, p. t. The Kerry "Paps" ("Two breasts of 

 Ana," "Dana" or "the Morrigu ") and Es Danainne Fall, at Doonass, attest her cultus 

 in Minister. The first name also attaches to t innuli .it Brugh. Finn saw two Set-mounds 

 open at the Paps. 



