3*4 



[Proc. B.N.F.C., 



Lcinster. Again, classical writers tell us the Gauls often wore 

 helmets with horns and other devices to frighten their enemies ; 

 and two specimens of such have been found, one in the Thames 

 and one in Scotland. They are both utterly different, the Scotch 

 one being the more unique. They belong to the first century of 

 our era. In the " Tain " no less than four different warriors bear 

 the nickname " Firkend," " man with horns," and we are expressly 

 told that this referred to horns on the helmet. In two cases the 

 name is " man with bronze horns," and the Scotch helmet is 

 bronze, and the "Tain" we are told dates from the first century, 

 so that therefore archaeology and tradition fit in here again. Our next 

 point deals with a well-known Celtic custom — the etiquette of 

 assigning choice joints to honoured guests. All through Irish 

 literature the pig is the highest delicacy, and the order of helping 

 was as follows : — The leg to kings, the haunch to queens, the 

 steaks to literary men, the shinbone to young lords, and the head 

 to charioteers. It is remarkable that when food was buried with 

 the honoured dead of the Celts it was nearly always part of a pig 

 that was buried, generally foreleg or shoulder, sometimes the head, 

 sometimes the whole animal ; sometimes goats were buried. It is 

 possible the part of the animal buried may have indicated the 

 rank of deceased, or at all events the respect in which he was 

 held. This custom has been noticed in Gaul, Bavaria, Yorkshire, 

 and Scotland. In connection with the frequent allusions to 

 chariots in Irish literature it is worth noting that the descriptions 

 of them in the "Tain" (first century) correspond closely with 

 remains of chariots found on the Continent, and belonging to the 

 Celtic period 500 B.C. to 100 a.d. Other instances of agreement 

 might be quoted, but it is evident from the above that a thing might 

 be told in a fabulous manner, and yet be substantially accurate in 

 outline. Further, that, at whatever date writing was introduced 

 into Ireland, the spoken traditions could be accurate and faithful, 

 and that, in spite of additions, corruptions, and mistakes, Irish 

 history is not imaginary, but based on fact. No other country in 



