[VII.]
Prince Cuglas.
In the list of the historic tales mentioned in the Book of Leinster, and which is given in O’Curry’s appendix to his 152 “Lectures on the MSS. Materials of Ancient Irish History,” “The Cave of the Road of Cuglas” finds place. O’Curry has the following note:––
“Cuglas was the son of Donn Desa, King of Leinster, and master of the hounds to the monarch Conairé Mor. Having one day followed the chase from Tara to this road, the chase suddenly disappeared in a cave, into which he followed, and was never seen after. Hence the cave was called Uaimh Bealach Conglais, or the cave of the road of Cuglas (now Baltinglass, in the County of Wicklow). It is about this cave, nevertheless, that so many of our pretended Irish antiquarians have written so much nonsense in connection with some imaginary pagan worship to which they gravely assure the world, on etymological authority, the spot was devoted. The authority for the legend of Cuglas is the Dinnoean Chus on the place Bealach Conglais (Book of Lecain). The full tale has not come down to us.”
[VIII.]
The Herald.
“Here comes a single champion towards us, O Cuchulain,” said Laegh (Cuchulain’s charioteer). “What sort of a champion is he?” said Cuchulain. “A brown-haired, broad faced, beautiful youth; a splendid brown cloak on him; a bright bronze spear-like brooch fastening his cloak. A full and well-fitting shirt to his skin. Two firm shoes between his two feet and the ground. A hand-staff of white hazel in one hand of 153 his; a single-edged sword with a sea-horse hilt in his other hand.” “Good, my lad,” said Cuchulain; “these are the tokens of a herald.”––Description of the herald MacRoath in the story of the Tain bo Chuailgné.––O’Curry’s “Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish,” Vol. II., p. 301.