earthquake and tidal wave that split into three Inis Fitæ[1] on the same coast (a.d. 799-802), incline one to believe in a basis for the legend. In Nonghaval is a fort called Liskeentha, from "fairy songs" heard there. Not far away, in Kilfenora Parish, we have a Boughil or "petrified boy," and in Carran Parish a Farbreag or "petrified man"; such names, originating in strangely-shaped rocks, are rather common. A third Firbolg brother, Daelach, gives his name to the little river Daelach and the townland Ballydeely. In Carran and Kilmanaheen the belief in the phooka or púca, a demon horse or goat, is stamped on the Poulaphucas, one of which has a fine dolmen; such monuments all over Ireland are found connected with the malignant prototype of Puck, Lisfarbegna- gommaun, "the fort of the little men (playing at) hurling," commemorates fairy sports.
Ibrickan.—Poulaphuca in Kilfarboy is, so far as I know, the only mythic name, but Doolough Lake (Nigricantis) is named in the early "Life of Senan"[2] as the prison of the fearful "Cata" of Iniscatha, while the "Legend of the sons of Thorailbh mac Stairn"[3] locates the cavern whence the ferocious "Faracat" launched itself on the heroes' spears, beside its waters. Dunbeg Bay is the scene of a curious merman story.[4]
Moyarta.—At Loop Head, the south-western extremity of the county, we find a Poulnapeiste and a line of forts,—Cahercrochain, Cahersaul, Dundahlin, and Cahernaheanmna,—connected with the monster killed by Dermod O'Duine and the brothers Crochaun, Sal, and Dahlin, whose sister ("the one (lone) woman") gave her title to the last fort.<ref"Adventures of the sons of Thorailbh"; see also Ordnance Survey Letters, Co. Clare, Killballyowen Parish, (MS., R.I. Academy).</ref> Iniscatha commemorates its dragon, and Lisnarinka fort the "dances" of its fairy dwellers.
Clonderlaw.—Turning inland, up the Shannon and Fergus
- ↑ Now Inniscaeragh or Mutton Island, Illaunwattle, Inismatail, or Mattle Island, and Carrickaneelwar. The first two are named Iniskereth and Inismatail in a charter of 1216.
- ↑ Colgan, op. cit. (March 8).
- ↑ A romance of about 1750, by Michael Comyn.
- ↑ Crofton Croker, Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland, 1825, vol. ii., p. 31, (The Soul Cages).
