A Folklore Survey of County Clare ( Concluded )

FAIRY forts and mounds have been dealt with in Section iv.r haunted houses in Section viii., and foundation sacrifices in Section xi.Forts.-Thering walls and mounds in County Clare are pro bably residential, or, more rarely, sepulchral, but certainly not military.They consist of one or more walls (or banks), usually slightly oval, and the earthworks have fosses and traces of stone facing.They are named dun, lis, rath, and even caher (cathair) r but the last name is usually reserved for the dry stone ring -walls.Ooan (uamh) is used both for forts and for artificial caves in them, and also, for a fort-souterain, in 1317 in the Cathreim Thoirdhealbhaigh (History of the Wars of the O'Briens and de Clares).The country people have no limited views as to the makers of the 2400 forts in Clare.Croaghateeaun near Ballinalacken is attributed to the ancient deities, the Danann, and one should cross oneself in entering its garth. 1 Mohernagartan and Mohernaglasha were made by the smith god Lon,-the latter for the grey "cloud and rain cow," the Glas.Oisin the poet lived in Caherussheen near Corofin, and the great stone fort on Turlough Hill probably belonged to the "Irish Militia" (Finn's warriors).Chonan, one of Finn's men, dwelt in the now levelled fort on Keentlae {ceann tsleibh) on Inchiquin Hill 2 Three contemporaries, Crochaun (lumped hill), Dahlin, and Sail (the brine), made the forts bearing their names at Loop Head, and one at Cahernaheanmna near them for their sister the beloved of the hero Dermot O'Duine. 4 Oircheannaigh " of the golden cap " made the vast triple Moghane for his " fighting ring."* A giant dwelt in the promontory fort of Doonaunmore at Ballinahown who lost his magic staff and was 1

Archaeology · Folklore · Geography · Historical Studies of British Isles · History