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St. Martin's Eve 100 St. Patrick and the Snakes 100 St. Patrick's Day 56 St. Stephen's Day 102 Sunburst of Erin 103 Tanistry 56 Tara 56 Tenants' Defense League 57 Tenant League 57 Thierna-Dubh's Raid 58 Thomas-an-Aehig 61 Tithes 61 Tithes Artificial Famine 62 Toothache Cure 103 Treaty of Limerick 62 Turn Coats 62 United Irishmen 62 White Boys 63 Wicker Baskets 63 Wild Geese 64 Wreck of "Port-Yorack" 64 Witches 103

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INTRODUCTION.

According to leading Irish historians, close on three thousand years ago, Ireland was fairly well peopled. Of the several tribes that settled in the country, the most important colony was the Milesians. Dr. Keating, the Irish historian, says that race of people landed in Ireland thirteen hundred years before the birth of Christ, while McGeoghegan put this event down for 1029 B. C., and O'Flaherty, one thousand years before the Christian Era.

At the time of the landing of the Milesians, Ireland was governed by three Dedaanan Kings, viz: MacCull, MacKecht and MacGrena, whose Queens were Eire, Fodla and Banba.

The Milesians.—There were many battles fought between invading Milesians and the older settlers. Probably the first notable battle ever fought in the country, was that which took place between the Tuatha-de-Danaans, who possessed Ireland for over two hundred years previously, and the invading Milesians. This battle is said to have taken place about one thousand years before the Christian Era, and was brought about by the following circumstances: The Milesians, having left Scythia, settled in Spain, where they lived for several generations. One of their chiefs, named Ith, having on one occasion sailed in the direction of Ireland, unexpectedly touched the country, where he landed, with the result that he was attacked and wounded. Although he was carried away alive in his ship, he died on sea, and his remains were conveyed to Spain. To avenge his death the sons of Milesius assembled a large force, and headed by their mother, Queen Scota, eight of them with a fleet of thirty ships, landed in Ireland.

Having marched into the country and demanded battle or submission, the De-Danaans complained that they were taken by surprise and treated unfairly, and if the invaders re-embarked and retired from the shore, and if the Milesians were then able to effect a landing, the country should be given to them. The very moment the Milesians were on the high sea, a great storm blew, which scattered and wrecked the fleet. Four of Queen Scota's sons perished on the coast of Kerry. When the storm ceased, Queen Scota and her two sons made good a landing in Tralee Bay, which in olden times was called "Lough-Foirdreamhuin," and marched inland to Slieve-Mish. Here Queen Scota met a part of the De-Danaan army, led by one of the De-Danaan Queens, called Eire, with the result that a great battle was fought on the mountain of Slieve-Mish, in the County of Kerry, in which the Milesians were victorious, but the Queen fell.

After this victory the Milesian army marched towards 'Tara, where they defeated and killed the three De-Danaan Kings, MacCull, MacKecht and MacGrena. The Milesians then took possession of the country, which they divided between them, and gave a long line of kings to Ireland, many of whom fell in battle and few died a natural death.

The Milesian kings, princes and chiefs ruled the country for over 2,140 years. Roderick O'Connor was the last High King