Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

114 Old Irish Religions.
Jubalnville's Cours de lalitterature Celtiquedo&s not omit
mention of these wonder-workers. He calls to mind the
fact that, like the Greeks of the Golden Age, they became
invisible, but continued their relations with men that
;
the Christian writers changed them into mortal kings in
chronicles ;
that their migrations and deities resemble those
of Hesiod'; that they continue to appear in animal or
human forms, though more commonly as birds; that
ancient legends record their descent to earth from the
blue
heavens.
He brings forward a number of the old Irish stories
about the Tuaths. When defeated by the sons of Mile,
they sought refuge in subterranean palaces. One Dagan,
a word variant of the god Dagde, exercised such influence,
that the sons of Mile were forced, for peace' sake, to make
a treaty with him. His palace retreat below was at Brug
na Boinne, the castle of the Boyne. The burial-place of
Crimtham Nia Nair, at Brug na Boinne, was chosen because
his wife was a fairy of the race of Tuatha. In the Tain bo
Cuailnge there is much about the Sid, or enchanted palace.
Dagde had his harp stolen by the Fomorians, though it
was recovered later on.
The son of Dagde was Oengus. When the distribution
of subterranean palaces took place, somehow or other,
this young fellow was forgotten. Asking to be allowed
to spend the night at one, he was unwilling to change his
quarters, and stayed the next day. He then absolutely
refused to depart, since time was only night and day;
thus retaining possession. The same Tuath hero fell in
love with a fair harper, who appeared to him in a dream.
The search, aided by the fairies, was successful in finding
the lady, after a year and a day.
It was in his second battle that Ogme carried off the
sword of Tethra, King of the Fomorians.
This sword had