5° 



[Proc. B.N.F.O., 



impressive tumulus. It contains the same sort of passage and 

 chamber, the latter divided into seven niches by great stones 

 placed upright, sideways, and in the form of seats. Not the least 

 remarkable thing about them is the enormous number and variety 

 of inscriptions on the stones — viz., cup-markings — cups singly and 

 in groups, cups surrounded by circles, quadrilateral figures, lines, 

 zigzags, rayed circles, &c. Mr. Conwell recorded the amazing 

 number in the various tombs as 1,393 separate devices. They are 

 much weathered, and it is doubtful if now they could be 

 accurately counted. Numbers of megalithic monuments are quite 

 close by, and the surrounding country is studded with moats, 

 standing stones, stone circles, souterrains, &c. One asks, who 

 built and used the tumuli, and at what time ? They are said to be 

 the resting-places of the kings of Ulster from long prior to the 

 Christian era. The Four Masters say that Ollambh Fodhla died 

 in 1277 B.C., and that he was buried at Faillten (which is 

 considered to be this necropolis), and his descendants down to 

 Conchobbhar, perhaps better known as "Connor Mac Nessa," 

 who is supposed to have died in 33 a.d., at Tara, and who 

 wished after death to be carried to a place " between Slea and 

 Sea " and buried with his face to the east on account of the faith 

 he had embraced. In the " History of the Cemeteries," one of 

 the most ancient of the Irish MSS., we read — 



" The three cemeteries of the idolaters are 



The Cemetery of Faillten the Select, 



The ever-clean Cemetery of Cruachan, 



And the Cemetery of Brugh. 

 " The Host of Great Meath are buried 



In the middle of the lordly Brugh ; 



The great Ultonians used to bury 



At Faillten with great pomp." 

 The paper was illustrated by measured drawings, photo- 

 graphs, and rubbings by the lecturer. A most interesting 

 discussion followed, in which Messrs. Dickson, R. Welch, E. J. 



