Celtic Mythology and Religion

CELTIC BURIAL. 249
Neid, King of Munster in the second century of our
era ; it says
'
The grave of Mog-Neid is on Magh Tualaing,
With his lance at his shoulder,
With his club, so rapid in action,
With his helmet, with his sword."
King Dathi, in the fifth century, was buried
according to his wish—with his red javelin in his
hand in the grave, and his grave facing the Ulstermen,
and his face turned towards them. And so
long as his face was towards the Ulstermen they
were defeated, and it was not until they turned
Dathi's face mouth downward that they could
conquer his people. We thus infer that warriors,
at least great warriors, were buried with their faces
to their foes, and sometimes standing straight up.
In Welsh mythology the head of King Bran was
buried facing France, and prophecy said that so
long as it was there and facing so, no invasion could
be successful. But Arthur, in his self-confidence,
exhumed the head of Bran, feeling capable of defending
his country without such aid. But, alas !
his successors failed, and the Britons lost their
kingdom.
The heroic tales and ballads of the Scottish Gael,
though taken down from oral
recitation since Macpherson's
time, yet contain valuable and authentic
references to ancient customs.
death of the demi-god Cuchulinn, his
In the story of the
foster-father,
Conall, is represented as having sworn that whosoever