Footnotes
[1] Knocksheogowna signifies “The Hill of the Fairy Calf.”
[2] “Called by the people of the country ‘Knock Dhoinn Firinne,’ the mountain of Donn of Truth. This mountain is very high, and may be seen for several miles round; and when people are desirous to know whether or not any day will rain, they look at the top of Knock Firinne, and if they see a vapour or mist there, they immediately conclude that rain will soon follow, believing that Donn (the lord or chief) of that mountain and his aërial assistants are collecting the clouds, and that he holds them there for some short time, to warn the people of the approaching rain. As the appearance of mist on that mountain in the morning is considered an infallible sign that that day will be rainy, Donn is called ‘Donn Firinne,’ Donn of Truth.”—Mr. Edward O’Reilly.
[3] Literally, the great herb—Digitalis purpurea.
[4] Correctly written, Dia Luain, Dia Mairt, agus Dia Ceadaoine, i. e. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
[5] And Wednesday and Thursday.
[6] Act ii. sc. 1.
[7] Book i. canto 10.
[8] The term “fairy struck” is applied to paralytic affections, which are supposed to proceed from a blow given by the invisible hand of an offended fairy; this belief, of course, creates fairy doctors, who by means of charms and mysterious journeys profess to cure the afflicted. It is only fair to add, that the term has also a convivial acceptation, the fairies being not unfrequently made to bear the blame of the effects arising from too copious a sacrifice to Bacchus.