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discover who were the builders of them, and for what purpose 

 they were erected. Here tradition tails us, beyond the general 

 statement that they belong to the u good people," and that it is 

 unlucky to interfere with them in any way. Let us approach 

 the subject then with becoming caution, for here, surely, if 

 anywhere, we are in fairyland. 



We frequently hear these raths incorrectly spoken of as 

 Danish forts. This is a complete misnomer ; the Danes had 

 nothing to do with them. Digging earth-works was not one 

 of their methods. They infested the coasts of Ireland during 

 the ninth and tenth centuries as amphibious pirates, making 

 many raids inland to rob the monasteries ; and though they 

 obtained for a time strongholds on land, as at Dublin, Water- 

 ford, Limerick, and Cork, they never scattered themselves over 

 the country as an occupying population. King Brian Boru (or 

 Brian of the tribute) ultimately forced them to confine them- 

 selves to these ports, and to pay him tribute for permission 

 to trade there. They thus seem to have become the first 

 importers of foreign produce in Ireland, as we learn, they 

 were required to pay their tribute in wine. For instance, the 

 Danes of Dublin had to pay annually 500 pipes of wine, those 

 of Limerick 300 pipes of red wine, and other ports in proportion, 

 all to be delivered at Kincora in good order and condition. 

 These quantities of wine may seem to us, in these degenerate 

 days, a right royal allowance for the palace, but when we 

 remember the large number of clergy maintained by the King, 

 all no doubt grateful to King Brian for having delivered them 

 from their Danish persecutors, and willing on all suitable 

 occasions to drink his majesty's health, there probably was not 

 a drop too much ! 



We find these raths giving their names to a large number of 

 townlands and other localities in Ireland, such as Rathcormac, 

 Rathmullan, Rathfriland, &c. Even more frequently the form 

 lis is used, as Lisbellaw, Lismore, Lisnagade, &c. Occasionally 

 we find the word lis ending such names as in Kenlis, the old 

 name of Kells, in Co. Meath. Kenlis means the head fort or 



