MacNeill — Early Irish Population- Groups. 95 



Dal Araidi who are the I'icts, Dal Fiatach who are the Ulaid, Dal Eiatai, 

 Dal Nat Corp who are the Lagin. Other six in Mug's Half, viz. Dal Eogain, 

 Dal Fiachach, Dal Fiatach, Dal Cete, Dal Barddeiii, Dal Cais. These are the 

 free tuatha of Ireland." 



108. The foregoing statement is of great antiquity. Apart from the 

 spelling, which has changed in transcription, the few distinctive forms belong 

 to the Old Irish period, and are consistent with even the oldest written usage. 

 Compared with the tenth-century account of the free and tributary states in 

 the Book of Eights, this is evidently much earlier. 



109. Dal Cein = Cianachta. It may also possibly include Luigne, Galling, 

 and Saithne, all claiming descent from Tadg son of Cian. In the Book of 

 Eights, these states are tributary to Dal Cuinn, i.e. to the Ui Neill and 

 Ui Briuin, the superior states of Ailech, Meath, and Connacht. In this respect 

 they are on a level with Umall, Grecraige, Gonmaicne, Ciarraige Connacht, 

 Delbna, Desi Breg, Cuircne. In the early annals, Cianachta Breg are evidently 

 a very strong state, often hostile to the kings of Meath and Brega. Cp. AU 

 534, 776, 816, 849, 850. 



110. The inclusion of Dal Nat Corp (Neth Corb, Niath Corb, Niad Corb) 

 in Conn's Half reflects the traditional claim of Dal Cuinn to the Borama 

 tribute from Leinster. Dal Niad Corb was the ruling race over Leinster during 

 most of the early documentary period. Leth Moga in the passage cited is 

 synonymous with Munster alone. 



111. Dal Eogain = Eoganachta. Dal Fiachach was the dynastic people of 

 Desi Muman. I can find no Dal Fiatach in southern Ireland, and take it to 

 be a mistake for Dal Fiachach Ele, also called Corcu Echach (i.e. F^chach) 

 Ele. There is frequent confusion between the genitives echach, of Eochu, and 

 \^f\echach, of Fechu, Fiachu, in genealogies, etc. The conventional writing of 

 silent f is not customary before the ninth century. A twofold pedigree of 

 Dal Fiachach Ele = Corcu Echach Ele (Lecan 457) illustrates this confusion : — 



G^ene/ach Ele Descirt amiso. Duineochaich mac Echach Ele cuius /rater 

 Ccllach m. Dungaile m. Beicci 



m. 



Cermada 



m. 



Conaill No 



Conall 



m. 



Bleidine 



mi. 



Ncndtacaif 



meic Airt 



m. 



Enna 



VI. 



Aililla 



m. Fiacha[ch] 



m. 



Bresail Milairi 



m. 



Echach 



m. Neill Naigiallaich 



m. 



\_Maic'\ Cairthinn 



m. 



Feidlimid Rechtmair 





112. The most interesting names in the list of the free tuatha of Ireland 

 are Dal Cete and Dal Barddeni. Neither is even mentioned in the Book of 

 Eights. Of the location of De^I Barddeni, we only learn that it was at 



