verse. Irish tradition ascribes it to Amergin
MacAmalgaid, who lived in the 6th century, but if the kernel of the work
goes back as early as this it must have been altered considerably in the
course of the centuries. Both prose and verse forms of it are contained
in LL. A kindred compilation is the _Coir Anmann_ (Fitness of Names),
which does for personal names what the _Dindsenchus_ does for
geographical names. We further possess a versified compendium of
geography for educational purposes dealing with the three continents,
from the pen of Airbertach MacCosse-dobrain (10th century).

History.

No people on the face of the globe have ever been more keenly interested
in the past of their native country than the Irish. This will already
have been patent from the compositions of the _filid_, and now we may
describe briefly the historical works in prose which have come down to
us. The latter may be divided into two classes, (1) works containing a
connected narrative, (2) annals. Closely allied to these are the sagas
dealing with the high-kings. Even in the serious historical compositions
we often find the manner of the sagas imitated, e.g. the supernatural
plays a prominent part, and we are treated to the same exaggerated
descriptions. The earliest of these histories is the wars of the Gael
and Gall (_Cogad Gaedel re Gallaib_), which gives an account of the
Viking invasions of Ireland, the career of Brian Boroime and the
overthrow of the Norsemen at the battle of Clontarf. This composition, a
portion of which is contained in LL., is often supposed to be in part
the work of MacLiac, and it is plain from internal evidence that it must
have been written by an eye-witness of the battle, or from materials
supplied by a person actually present. Numerous shorter tracts dealing
with the same period exist, but as yet few of them have been published.
_Caithreim Cellachain Caisil_ treats of the conflicts between the
Vikings and the Irish, and the _Leabhar Oiris_ gives an account of Irish
history from 979 to 1027. Compilations relating to local history are the
Book of Fenagh and the Book of Munster. Another ancient work also partly
preserved in LL. is the Book of Invasions (_Leabhar Gabhala_). This
deals with the five prehistoric invasions of Ireland (see IRELAND:
_Early History_) and the legendary history of the Milesians. The most
complete copy of the _Leabhar Gabhala_ which has been preserved was
compiled by Michael O'Clery ab