14 Mr. H. C. Lawlor on 



or that it was in prehistoric times the residence of a Sept 

 called O'Hatty. Ballylesson in its ])resent form is merely the 

 townland of the small lis or fort. This cannot apply to the 

 Giant's Ring. Two other suggested interpretations of Ballylesson 

 have been put forth : one that it is a contraction of Bally-lis-owen 

 or the townland of the lis of Owen ; the other that the ' an ' or 

 ' on ' terminating the word Ballylesson is a modern contraction 

 from the old Irish Oenach or festival with games, and that the 

 . name means the ' place of enclosure of the games." This trans- 

 lation is very tempting, but unfortunately does not lend itself to 

 gaelic etymology. The form of the name of this townland in 

 the 17th century inquisitions was Ballynalissan. We may assume 

 that the Bally is comparatively modern, say mediaeval, but un- 

 fortunately we cannot up to the present trace any earlier reference 

 to the place in ancient literature. If it is referred to, as it may 

 be, it is by some name that has not yet been identified as apply- 

 ing to it. 



The townland of Edenderry, "The slope of the oak trees," 

 touches on the Ring on the south side. The oak tree has always 

 been associated with Drnidical worship. Some sixty years ago a 

 few stunted oaks still remained on the Giant's Ring, and it is 

 quite possible that they were the descendants of an ancient grove 

 of oaks connected with Druidical ceremonial. 



The Vallum is divided by seven depressions into seven arcs. 

 That these are part of the original design there can be little 

 doubt. Mr. Borlase in his description of the Ring refers to this 

 fact, and points out that similar depressions or gaps are a 

 notable feature in certain very similar and even larger prehistoric 

 enclosures in Ohio, known as the "Mound builder's works." 



It is curious that from one spot only outside the Ring can a 

 view be had of the inside ; this is a certain point on a ridge 

 about 100 yards from the vallum on the north side, and on the 

 spot is an old thorn bush known locally as the fairy thorn. It 

 lies N.E. of the cromlech. 



The fascinating mystery of this ancient monument has for 



