Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

—
26o Old Irish Religions.
;
" In Ireland, in the royal precincts of Tara, cir. B.C. 582-3,
there was a Hebrew system and transplanted Jerusalem,
set up in a sort of abeyance in sanctuary ;
actual, operative,
but unknown ;
real, but for some wise purpose kept out of
sight ; a throne set up by a Hebrew prophet (Jeremiah)
reset in sanctuary." Some pious friends of the Anglo-Israel
movement have desired a digging search over Tara, now a
wilderness region, to discover the missing treasures from
Solomon's temple.
The romance connected with Tara we thus perceive still
blossoming at the end of the nineteenth century.
It began
with heathens, was discoursed on by Catholics, is reverenced
by Protestants. We still dream and sing of " The harp
that once through Tara's halls."
The Rath on the slope, between the hill of Tara and the
river Boyne on the west, was the site of the burial of the
heroes of the Battle of Gavra. The grave of Oscar is still
shown.
" We buried Oscar of the red arms
On the north side of the great Gavra."
The palace of Teamair, or Tara, was held by the Tuatha.
The chief college of the Druids was at Tara. There was
held the national convention of the Teamorian Fes. It
was associated with the marriage sports of the Tailtean.
The foundation is attributed to the wise 011am Fodhla.
O'Hartigan, of the tenth century, the author of the Book
of Ballymote ^ spoke of it
" Fair was its many-sided tower,
Where assembled heroes famed in stor>^
Many were the tribes to which it was inheritance.
Though decay lent a green grassy land."
He sang Its praises under Cormac O'Cusinn, when it was
a fortress ; when, at banquets, three hundred cup-bearers