Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

CHAPTER III: THE IRISH INVASION MYTHS 105another mortal lover, who was not, however, slain, a Fitzgerald,to whom she bore the famous wizard Earl. 100 Many of thearistocratic families of Munster claimed descent from this union. [128]Her name still clings to the “Hill of Ainé” (Knockainey), nearLoch Gur, in Munster. All the Danaan deities in the popularimagination were earth-gods, dei terreni, associated with ideasof fertility and increase. Ainé is not heard much of in thebardic literature, but she is very prominent in the folk-lore ofthe neighbourhood. At the bidding of her son, Earl Gerald, sheplanted all Knockainey with pease in a single night. She was, andperhaps still is, worshipped on Midsummer Eve by the peasantry,who carried torches of hay and straw, tied on poles and lighted,round her hill at night. Afterwards they dispersed themselvesamong their cultivated fields and pastures, waving the torchesover the crops and the cattle to bring luck and increase for thefollowing year. On one night, as told by Mr. D. Fitzgerald, 101who has collected the local traditions about her, the ceremonywas omitted owing to the death of one of the neighbours. Yet thepeasantry at night saw the torches in greater number than evercircling the hill, and Ainé herself in front, directing and orderingthe procession.“On another St. John's Night a number of girls had stayedlate on the Hill watching the cliars (torches) and joining in thegames. Suddenly Ainé appeared among them, thanked them forthe honour they had done her, but said she now wished them togo home, as they wanted the hill to themselves. She let themunderstand whom she meant by they, for calling some of the [129]girls she made them look through a ring, when behold, the hill100 Gerald, the fourth Earl of Desmond. He disappeared, it is said, in 1398,and the legend goes that he still lives beneath the waters of Loch Gur, andmay be seen riding round its banks on his white steed once every seven years.He was surnamed “Gerald the Poet” from the “witty and ingenious” verseshe composed in Gaelic. Wizardry, poetry, and science were all united in oneconception in the mind of the ancient Irish.101 “Popular Tales of Ireland,” by D. Fitzgerald, in “Revue Celtique,” vol. iv.