[ [135] In Gaelic, a farm is called “baile,” a town.
[ [136] The red wind, a magical wind said to blow in Ireland, and to be very destructive.
[ [137] The Fenian poetry to which the Dean has attached the names of the authors, is now all given. We proceed with those whose authors’ names are not attached to them. Many of these are manifestly of the same period with the others, and they may with equal accuracy be attributed to Ossian or others of the Fenian bards.
[ [138] This is a curious episode in Fenian history. Maighineas was the wife of Finn according to Irish writers on Fenian history. The daughter of Deirg was the mother of Ossian, and consequently another of Finn’s wives.
[ [139] Sasunn, “England,” after the Saxon invasion.
[ [140] It is difficult to say what this is. “Crom” was a Celtic deity. Here the word seems to indicate a banner. The word “Crom nan cairge” will be found in the second volume of the publications of the Ossianic Society of Ireland, pp. 53, 58.
[ [141] This is a curious piece. The dog without doubt entered largely into the mythology of the ancient Celts. Some have supposed that it was an object of worship with them. Mr. O’Curry informs the editor that the “Concheannaich or Dogheads were an ancient race who inhabited Magh O’Coin-chinn, now Moygonihy, in Kerry. They were said to be great enemies of Finn. This poem may really describe an attack upon them.” One of the Irish kings was called “Cairbar Cinn Chait,” or Cairbar of the Cat’s-head. The latter portion of the poem, referring to the banners of the Feine, has been preserved in tradition, although the editions of it are various.
[ [142] This seems to have been an imaginary monarch, like many of those in the “Ursgeuls,” or prose tales of the Highlands. At least the Editor has not met with the name elsewhere.
[ [143] Finn’s banner had inscribed upon it, according to this bard, “Dealbh Ghréine,” or The image of the Sun. This word has been corrupted by tradition to “Deo ghréine,” said to be the sunbeam, though upon no authority, “deo” in no case signifying “a beam.”
[ [144] The Editor has not attempted to translate these and several others of the emblems of the Fenian leaders. He has given the words as he found them, except when the meaning was obvious and unquestionable.