1884-1885.] 351 



jects by the different colours in their dress, as one colour in the 

 garment of a slave, two colours in the garment of a peasant, 

 three in that of a soldier, four in that of a brughaidh, five in 

 that of the chieftain of a territory, and six in that of an ollav 

 [ollam], chief professor, and in those of kings and queens. This 

 introduction of parti-coloured clothes, or tartans, as a mark of 

 social rank, is by the Four Masters attributed to King Eochaidh, 

 who commenced to reign eight years after the death of the 

 King just named. Again, in the year of the world 3817 we are 

 told that silver shields were made by Enna Airgtheach, at 

 Airget Ros — that is, the silver wood. It is situated on the 

 River Nore, in the County of Kilkenny, '' and he gave them to 

 the men of Ireland, as well as chariots and horses." In 3882 

 gold rings were first worn upon the hands of chieftains in Ire- 

 land. Fiacho, who died in a.m. 3991, was the king in whose 

 reign wells for water were first dug in the earth. In 4176, 

 Roitheachtaigh, who had reigned for seven years, was killed by 

 lightning at Dunseverick. It was by him that chariots of four 

 horses were first used in Ireland. Under the date of a.d. 9, the 

 death is recorded of Crimhthan in the sixteenth year of his 

 sovereignty, at Dun Crimhthan, at Edair (Howth), after return- 

 ing from the famous expedition on which he had gone. The 

 Annals relate that it was from this expedition he brought with 

 him the wonderful jewels, among which were a golden chariot, 

 and a golden chessboard inlaid with a hundred transparent 

 gems, and the cedach-crimhthainn, which was a beautiful cloak 

 embroidered with gold. He brought a conquering sword, with 

 many serpents of fine massy gold inlaid in it ; a shield, with 

 bosses of bright silver ; a spear, from the wound inflicted by 

 which no one recovered ; a sling, from which no erring shot 

 was discharged ; and two greyhounds, with a silver chain be- 

 tween them, which chain was worth three hundred cumbals ; 

 with many other precious articles. It is needless to quote fur- 

 ther ; every page of the Annals contains what is matter of in- 

 terest for us. I may conclude this very imperfect notice by 

 a reference to King Cormac, the son of Art, and grandson of 



