radition engraven in the popular mind, that
the cromlechs are still called the "Beds of Diarmaid and Grainne," and
shown as the resting-places of the fugitive lovers.

There are many other tales of a purely imaginative character, which, for
interest, might well rival the world-famous Arabian Nights'
Entertainments; and, for importance of details, illustrative of manners,
customs, dress, weapons, and localities, are, perhaps, unequalled.

Nial of the Nine Hostages and Dathi are the last pagan monarchs who
demand special notice. In the year 322, Fiacha Sraibhtine was slain by
the three Collas,[107] and a few short-lived monarchs succeeded. In 378,
Crimhthann was poisoned by his sister, who hoped that her eldest son,
Brian, might obtain the royal power. Her attempt failed, although she
sacrificed herself for its accomplishment, by taking the poisoned cup to
remove her brother's suspicions; and Nial of the Nine Hostages, the son
of her husband by a former wife, succeeded to the coveted dignity. This
monarch distinguished himself by predatory warfare against Albion and
Gaul. The "groans"[108] of the Britons testify to his success in that
quarter, which eventually obliged them to become an Anglo-Saxon nation;
and the Latin poet, Claudian, gives evidence that troops were sent by
Stilicho, the general of Theodosius the Great, to repel his successful
forays. His successor, Dathi, was killed by lightning at the foot of the
Alps, and the possibility of this occurrence is also strangely verified
from extrinsic sources.[109]

[Illustration: GAP OF DUNLOE, KILLARNEY.]

[Illustration: ARMAGH.]

FOOTNOTES:

[101] _Roads_.--Those roads were Slighe Asail, Slighe Midhluachra,
Slighe Cualann, Slighe Dala, and Slighe Mor. Slighe Mor was the Eiscir
Riada, and division line of Erinn into two parts, between Conn and
Eoghan Mor. These five roads led to the fort of Teamair (Tara), and it
is said that they were "discovered" on the birthnight of the former
monarch. We shall refer to the subject again in a chapter on the
civilization of the early Irish. There is no doubt of the existence of
these roads, and this fact, combined with the care with which they were
kept, is significant.

[102] _Magh Lena_.--The present parish of Moylana, or Kilbride,
Tullamore, King's county.

[103] _Reuda_.--Bede, _Eccl. Hist_. p. 7.

[104] _Lance_.--O'Curry, p. 45. This quotation is translated by Mr.
O'Curry, and is taken from the Book of Ballymote. This b