Kane — Additional Researches on Black Ptff's Dyke. 563 



designation as given on the Ordnance Survey Map would naturally suggest 

 that it took its name from thorn bushes, but the story of the magical pig 

 having been associated with it, " coming from the north to the west," induced 

 me to make further inquiries. I found that the rock at the top of the hill 

 " Oarraig na Muiee " was a natural outcrop, but that there is also an upright 

 pillar-stone standing on a ridge of the hill, about 4 feet high and 2 feet wide 

 at the base, and tapering to the top. On its south-west face are a number of 

 what seem to be small cup-cuttings apparently arranged in designed order 

 and distances. It is apparently a Liggan or monumental grave-stone, and 

 as the old Mss. referring to Fert Sciach indicate the position of Cuchulain's 

 sickbed as having been not far from the camp of Medb, and within a 

 moderate distance from the battlefield, it seems very probable that the 

 Liggan in question marks the fert or grave of Sciach, daughter of Deagadh. 

 About four miles away is the village of Eathskeagh (so spelled in the 

 Ordnance Map), which may possibly have been the rath of the daughter of 

 Deaghadh in question. The three bald hills of Meath, whose tops were 

 siipposed to have been cut off by Fergus's sword, are yet to be identified. I 

 know of only one in that neighbourhood. It goes by the name of (Jroc na 

 Maoil, or sometimes Cnoc na Maoilin. This lies just between the Hill of 

 Seiath and Eathconrath. In the extreme north of the county, south-east of 

 Lough Sheelin and north of the Eiver Glore, is also a conspicuous truncated 

 hill called the " Hill of Mael " in the Ordnance Survey Map. But this 

 could scarcely be one of the three whose tops were fabled to have been 

 cut off just before Fergus retired from the battle. " The tliree Moyles of 

 Connacht" truncated by Cuchullin on that occasion were on the far side of 

 the Shannon and near Athlone. That district, however, is unknown to me. 



My hearty thanks are due to Professor Hyde, Mrs. Hutton, and 

 Miss Dobbs for their invaluable assistance as to Irish texts, &c. 



Note added in Press. — I -have just received a letter from Mr. Henry Morris, the well- 

 known antiquary and contributor to the Louth Archaeological Journal, which states that 

 lately at CuUyhauna in the Co. Armagh he met with local testimony still surviving which 

 confirms the statements of this document. His informant, an intelligent young man, 

 mentioned that he had learned from traditional sources that the present fortifications of 

 the Dorsey are only a portion of what once existed in that neighbourhood, namely, a 

 great wall or rampart, which had been demolished, but of which he can yet distinguish 

 some traces. 



K.I. A. PROC, VOL. XXXIII, SECT. C. 



[80] 



