It was by Luga that the celebrated yearly assembly of Tailltenn was instituted, in honour of his foster mother Taillte, after whom the place was called. ([See note page 93, supra.])
[Note 8.] —The Land of Promise: Fairyland.
In ancient Gaelic romantic tales, mention is often made of Tir Tairrngire, the Land of Promise, Fairyland, as being one of the chief dwelling-places of the Dedannans or fairy host. In many passages this Land of Promise is identified with Inis-Manann, or the Isle of Man, which was ruled over by Mannanan Mac Lir, the sea-god, and named from him.
[Note 9.] —Balor of the Mighty Blows.
Balor was king of the Fomorians from Lochlann in the north; his wife was Kethlenda; and his son, Bres. Balor is often called Balor of the Mighty Blows; and also Balor of the Evil Eye, for he had one eye which would strike people dead or turn them into stone, so that he kept it covered, except when he wished to use it against his enemies. Balor is remembered very vividly in tradition by the peasantry of Ireland, especially in Donegal and in Tory Island, where a very high, tower-like rock is called to this day Balor's Castle.
[Note 10.] —Eric.
The eric was a fine paid as compensation for murder or homicide. The friends of the murdered person might accept an eric, or they might refuse it and seek instead the death of the murderer. An eric was often paid for other crimes or injuries against the individual, as well as for homicide.
[Note 11.] —Battle of Moytura.
There were two great battles, each called the battle of Moytura.
First Battle of Moytura. When the Dedannans came to invade Erin, they found the country occupied by the Firbolgs, who were by no means inclined to give up quiet possession to the newcomers. After some parleying and manœuvring, a great battle was fought between them, a.m. 3303, at Moytura, near Cong, in Mayo, lasting for four days, in which the Firbolgs were defeated with great slaughter, and their king slain; after which the Dedannans took possession of the country, leaving Connaught, however, to a powerful remnant of the Firbolgs who survived the battle. This is called the First Battle of Moytura, or the Battle of the Southern Moytura. On the plain where it was fought, there are still great numbers of mounds, cromlechs, and other sepulchral monuments. (See Sir William Wilde's "Lough Corrib," page 210.)