explained. I do not, however, on that account doubt but that there were really ancient legends connected with the places, but only think it probable that its place-name superseded that of a goddess. Local names often supersede personal ones, as titles do surnames at present.[1] The number of alias names of Boand, the Boyne, show that one river goddess, perhaps named Segais, was called after several streams in Ireland, and we know that Lug was called “Dumias” or “Dumiatus” at his great temple on the Puy de Dôme, where stood his huge bronze statue.[2]
This perhaps is true of Lug’s foster-mother, from whom the great Óenach Tailltinn was said to be named—Tailltiu,[3] “so call her now, her other name is heard no more in heaven.” The place-name was probably of her temple, so it was used reverentially instead of the more sacred personal name, if the place gave its name to the patroness, not she to it. She was wife of Magmor, or MacUmoir,[4] last king of the Fir Bolg. The Clann Umoir seem to be a divine race[5] and figure in variant legends, the best known being that of which O’Donovan and Petrie made such exaggerated use in their theory of the ring forts.[6] In the
- ↑ Dumias and Vassocaletus supersede the personal name Lougus in Gaul. Boand and Sinann probably that of the goddess Segais in Ireland. For the last, see Metrical Dind. S. x. p. 37; Erin, vii. p. 21, viii. 216. Segais is evidently the true name, cf. the Gaulish god-names, Segomo, Segisama, also Segontius, Segovici and Segomar, and the Irish mountain Segais.
- ↑ The human sacrifices there are notable; see Tertullian and Rev. Historique, xxxv. p. 255. For the image, see Pliny, Nat. Hist. xxxv. 18.
- ↑ See M. Loth’s “Le Dieu Lug,” Rev. Archéol. xxiv. (ii.) pp. 205-230.
- ↑ Agallamh (Silva Gad. ii. p. 169) and Ann. Four Masters, A M 3370; Rev. Celt. xvi. p. 71.
- ↑ Oengus mac Umoir and other members of it are at times said to be of the Tuatha Dé, while the other children of Umor, Eriu, Maistiu, Cimb and Adair, have often divine features. Maistiu is sister of Oengus mac Umoir and embroideress to Oengus of the Brugh in variant myths; she, Adair and Oengus are connected with great forts and mounds.
- ↑ “The Lay of Carn Chonoill” (attributed to King Brian’s poet, MacLiac, circa, A.D. 1000), Metrical Dind. S. x. p. 41. The Resent Umoir and Mac Umoir were non-Milesian tribes (see List of the Ailech Tuatha, Revue Celtique, xx. p. 330).
