Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

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Ii'isJi Gods.
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In an article, contributed to an antiquarian periodical, in
1785, concerning the Irish mountain Sliabh Croobh, wc find
the following :
''On its summit still remain the vestiges of Uruid
worship, the rude altar, and the sacred well, and that
during the era of Druidlcal government, their
priests were
not only the judges, but executioners of those who were
doomed to death either as delinquents, or victims of
sacrifice. I am inclined to suspect that it was anciently
styled Sliabh cro abk ; cro signifying death, and abk the
point of a weapon,—and as a spot destined for human
slaughter, might bear the appellation of the mountains of
final death. A stone hatchet, and undoubtedly a sacrificial
one, belonging to the Druids, was dug up at the foot of
this mountain a few years ago, and is in Lord .Aloira's
possession."
To show how wide-spread was the custom of human
sacrifices, we may quote the list of nations adopting it, as
given in the work htdo-Aryans, by Rajendralala Mitra.
This includes the " Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Druids,
Scythians, Greeks, Trojans, Romans, Cyclops. Lami;u,
Sestrygons, Syrens, Cretans, Cyprians, Assyrians, Egyptians,
Jews, Aztecs, Khonds, Toltecs, Tezcaucans, Sucas, Peruvians,
Africans, Mongols, D}'aks, Chinese, Japanese,
Ashantis, Yucatans, Hindus." He adds— "The Persians
were, perhaps, the only nation of ancient times that did not
indulge in human sacrifices."
If, then, O'Curry, and other Irish writers, object to such a
charge being made against their rude forefathers, it must
be allowed that the latter would have been in, at least,
respectable and numerous company.
over.
The astronomical side of idolatry should not be passed
It has been maintained, with much learning, that all