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Notes
Aedh Curucha (Aedh Crochtha), Hugh, the "suspended" or "hung up." As Aedh means
also a fire-spark as well as the modern name Hugh, Aedh Curucha means the hung
up or suspended fire-spark.
Alba, former name of Scotland.
Bar an S�an, "pin of slumber." met with frequently in Gaelic mythology, is found
among the Slavs, but not so often. It appears in a Russian story,- one of the
most beautiful in European folklore.
Cesa MicRi na Tulach, " Cesa, son of the king of the hill," said by my Donegal
informant to be a small dark-gray bird.
C�rucha na Gros (Crochtha na g-cros), "hung on the crosses," is a very
interesting name, as is also that of the father of Fair, Brown, and Trembling,
Aedh Curucha, q.v.
Con�n Maol MacMorna, the Gaelic Thersites, always railing, causing trouble,
unpopular, and attracting attention. This species of person is as well known in
the mythology of the North American Indians as in Aryan myths.
Diachbha (pronounced Dye�achva), "divinity," or the working of a power outside
of us in shaping the careers of men ; fate.
Diarmuid (pronounced Dyeearmud), the final d sounded as if one were to begin to
utter y after it), one of the most remarkable characters in Gaelic mythology, a
great hunter and performer of marvellous feats. The prominent event of his life
was the carrying off of Grainne, bride of Fin MacCumhail, at her own command.
After many years of baffled pursuit, Fin was forced to make peace; but he
contrived at last to bring about Diarmuid's death by causing him to hunt an
enchanted boar of green color and without ears or tail. The account of this
pursuit and the death of Diarmuid forms one of the celebrated productions of
Gaelic literature. Diarmuid had a mole on his forehead, which he kept covered
usually; but when it was laid bare and a woman saw it, she fell in love with him
beyond recall. This was why Grainne deserted Fin, not after she was married, but
at the feast of betrothal. The evident meaning of the word is "bright" or
"divine-weaponed." It is very interesting to find Diarmuid called also Son of
the Monarch of Light, in another story.
Donoch Kam cosa, " Donoch, crooked feet."
Draoiachta (pronounced Dre�achta), "Druidism," or "enchantment."
�rineach, or Eirineach, "a man of Erin."
Gil an Og, "water of youth."
Gilla na Grakin (Gilla na g-croicean), "the fellow (or youth) of the skins," -
i. e., the serving man of the skins. This word " Gilla" enters into the
formation of many Gaelic names, such as Gilchrist, Gilfillin, MacGillacuddy.
Gr�agach (pronounced Gr�oagach), "the hairy one," from gr�ag, hair. "We are more
likely to be justified in finding a solar agent concealed in the person of the
laughing Gruagach or the Gruagach of tricks than in many of the sun-myths put
forth by some modern writers.
Inis Caol, "light island," - i. e., not heavy.
Iron-back-without-action (Ton iaran gan tapuil).
Knock an �r, " hill of slaughter," a mountain near the mouth of the Shannon in
Kerry.
Lun Dubh MacSmola, "blackbird," son of thrush.
Mal MacMulan. Mulcan in this name is evidently Vulcan, substituted for some old
Gaelic myth-power.
Oisin. In the Gaelic of Ireland this name is accented on the last syllable ; in
that of Scotland on the first, which gives in English Ossian, the poet made
known to the world by Macpherson. The poems of Ossian are of course nothing more
nor less than the ballads of Fin MacCumhail and the Fenians of Erin, taken from
Ireland to Scotland by the Gael when they settled in the latter country, and
modified in some degree by Macpherson. Oisin is pronounced Ush�en in Ireland, u
sounded as in but.
Ri Fohin (Ri fo thuinn), " king under the wave."
Sean Ruadh, "John the Red," pronounced Shawn Roo.
Tiscan (pronounced Tishy�n; as in pan), " envy." Son of King Tisean means "Son
of King Envy."
Urfi�ist. rhis word is made up of Ur and p�ist. Ur is kindred with the German
Ur, and in a compound like this means the " original '' or '' greatest.'' P�ist
-worm,'' ' beast," " monster'' is changed to f�ist here, according to a rule of
aspiration in Gaelic grammar.