^50 The Sepulchral Structures and 



strong case to support this theory. The late president of the 

 Royal Irish Academy, Sir Samuel Ferguson, contributed a paper 

 on the transactions of that society, in which he freely criticised 

 the arguments for and against the theory of Mr. Conwell. The 

 lecturer proceeded to describe and show views of the cairns and 

 chambers on the Slieve na Calliagh Hills, near Lough Crew. 



An aenach or fair was held at Tailtin from B.C. 1 200 to the 

 eleventh century of our era. These senachs or fairs originated 

 in funeral feasts and games, given in honour of deceased kings 

 and chiefs, and were celebrated annually or triennially after- 

 wards to perpetuate the memory of the person for whom they 

 were originally instituted. The fair of Tailtin commenced in 

 the middle of July, and lasted about three weeks. There were 

 sports, and contests similar to those held at the Olympic Games, 

 as wrestling, boxing, running, also horse and chariot races. 

 The people were entertained with shows and rude theatrical 

 exhibitions. The king and chiefs sat on the burial mounds as 

 judges, and afterwards distributed the prizes to the victors. 

 These fairs were attended by the men and women of a province, 

 both married and single, who pitched their tents or booths, 

 in which to live during the period of the fair. The laws that 

 regulated them were strictly observed. The women had sepa- 

 rate quarters assigned them during the fair, from which the 

 opposite sex were prohibited, the penalty for violating the rule 

 being death. The last great fair of Tailtin was held in the 

 reign of Roderick O'Connor, the last monarch of Ireland. The 

 annals of the Four Masters record :— " On this occasion the fair 

 of Tailtin was celebrated by the King of Ireland and the people 

 of Leath Chuin (northern half of Ireland), and their horses and 

 their cavalry were spread out on the space extending from 

 Mullaghaidi to Mullagh Tailtin." A description of the fair was 

 given, including the betrothal of the young men and maidens, 

 which was one of the events of the fair looked forward to with 

 the greatest interest. The Cemetery of Relig-na-Ree, the 

 burial place of the kings of Connaught, was next described, and 

 a view shown of the tomb of Dathi, the last Pagan monarch of 



