Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions

o 08 Old Irish Religions.
The CatJiach of the O'Donnels, containing some psalms,
is in a very ancient character. The Leabhar-na-H-Uidhre,
or Book of the Dun Cozv,\\'^'~> 138 pages on vellum. The
Leabhar GabJiala, or Book of hivasmis, is historical. The
Book of Kelts was ascribed to Columba, having its gospels
beautifully illustrated. The Seandius Mor is a storehouse
of information. Psalters are ascribed to Cormac of Cashel,
and others ;
the Psalter of Tara is taken from the one of
Cashel. The latter records the fact that " Trosdan, a
magician, advised the Irish army to bathe in the milk of
one hundred and fifty white crumple-horned cows, as a
sure antidote against the envenomed arrows of the
Britons."
Among the lost MSS. may be named the Calendar of
Cashel the C^nhnenn, or Book of Skins, &c. The Leabhar
Leccan has much about the Tuaths. Historical or mythological
tales are numerous. There are Annals of Ulster,
of Munster, Leinster, Innisfallen, Donegall, Tigharnoch,
Clonmacnois, the Four Masters, 8z:c. The Book of Armagh
is very celebrated for Its Irish character, mixed with Greek
and Latin. There are the Books of Meath, of St. Kevin of
Glendalough, of Leacan, of Kells, of the Isle of Saints, of
Fermoy, of Dianna, of Clonmacnoise, of Mulling, of Dioma,
of Howth, of Durrow, of Ballymote about Tuaths and
Milesians, of ^Leinster, of Lismore, of Clogher, of Dunnseanchus
by Amergin, &c. There are the Book of Rights
or Leabhar na-g-Ceart by St. Benignus, the Yelloiv Book of
Ferns, and the Book of the Angel The Book of Armagh,
containing the Confessions of St. Patrick, has 442 pages.
The Four Masters, with some authorities, dates from the
seventeenth century.
Dr. Petrie dates the Feath Fiudha or Guardsman s Cry,
from the seventh century, though put much later by Todd,
and in the twelfth century by the Rev. W. Kilbride. Of