[45] Cruachan or Croghan in the north of the present Co. Roscommon, the ancient palace of the kings of Connaught: see page [52].
[46] Slewmargy, now Slievemargy, a low range of hills in Queen's County.
[47] Only a few of his adventures are given here: but the whole story of the voyage is in "Old Celtic Romances": see page [164], farther on.
[48] Thomond, North Munster, namely the present county Clare and parts of Tipperary and Limerick.
[49] Curragh, a boat made of basket or wicker work, covered with hides. Curraghs were generally small and light: but some, intended for long voyages, were large and strong, and covered with two, or three, layers of hide one outside another. Sometimes the hides were tanned into leather to give additional strength.
[50] For the Book of the Dun Cow and the Yellow Book of Lecan, see p. [118].
[51] St. Brendan of Clonfert in Kerry, commonly called Brendan the Navigator: born in Kerry in 484. He sailed from near Brandon mountain in Kerry (which is named from him) on his celebrated voyage of seven years on the Atlantic, in which it is related he saw many wonderful things—quite as wonderful as those of Maildune.
[52] The Isle of Finn: i.e. of Finn Mac Cumaill: Ireland (see p. [92]).
[53] Fiesole in Tuscany, Italy: pronounced in four syllables: Fee-ess'-o-lĕ.
[54] In the "Child's History of Ireland" there is a picture of the round tower and church ruins on this little island.