Recent Archaeological Explorations in Co. Sligo. 51 



structures. In the next field, still nearer the lake, there is a 

 great pit 75 feet long and 30 feet wide at the broadest part. It 

 is filled with hundreds of loads of loose stones ; from one part 

 of it the stones have been removed to a depth of six feet. On 

 a portion of the northern side are upright stones outlining this 

 place in a similar way to many sepulchral structures I have 

 seen. It occurs to me that our ancient history throws some 

 light on these graves and their date. 



The Annals of the Four Masters relate that in the year 535 

 a great battle was fought between Eoghan Bel, King of Con- 

 naught, and the Clanna Nial from Ulster, at a place called 

 Crinder. The Annals state that at this battle, which was fought 

 with great fury, the River Sligeach bore to the sea the blood of 

 men with their flesh. Another ancient manuscript, translated by 

 John O'Donovan, states — "That Eoghan Bel was mortally 

 wounded, and his troops beaten by the Ulstermen ; that he 

 lived for three days. He told his people to bury him on the 

 hill at the base of which the Ulstermen flee when pursued by 

 the armies of Connaught ; that he was to be buried in a stand- 

 ing posture, with his red javelin in his hand and his face 

 towards Ulster, that he might watch over his countrymen when 

 engaged in battle." It is further related, so long as his body 

 remained in this position the Connaughtmen were victorious ; 

 but the Ulstermen coming to know of it, came with a great 

 army and removed the body, and carried it northward across 

 the Sligeach river, and buried him with his face downwards at 

 Aenach Locha Gille — thus destroying the talismanic effect of 

 the former interment. The present river running from Lough 

 Gill to the sea, a distance not exceeding four miles, was 

 anciently called the Sligeach. It is on the southern side of 

 this river, and close to it, that the eighteen graves and the 

 large pit is situated. 



The large cairn, or what is known as Cams Hill, is on higher 

 ground, overlooking the lake and river. The battle must have 

 been fought here, as the Annals state the slain were carried to 

 the sea by the river. On the hill above the river the cashels 



