Page:Athletics and Manly Sport (1890).djvu/230

Rh shore of the lower lake of Killarney, was titled Donald na Nygeelach, Donald of the Gymnastics, from his wonderful gymnastic skill, which gained him the reputation of a necromancer, or man of superhuman powers. He is the Merlin of the legendary lore of the ancient Kingdom of Kerry, a chief who never died, but rode his silver-shod steed into the lake, and still appears once in every seven years, riding over its surface, viewing his ancient domain."

Teltown (the ancient Tailten) is one of the most famous spots in Ireland; next to Tara, probably it is the most ancient, if not the most notable. The history of Tailten, Pagan and Christian, would be the history of Ireland in symbol,—its fairs, games, laws, sports, poetry, marriages, etc. By the way, it is worth noting that "a Teltown-marriage," often spoken of in Meath to-day, lasted just a year and a day. Sir William Wilde ("Beauties of the Boyne and Blackwater,") describes this singular old-time Irish marriage, which took place at the fair of Tailten:—

"On the northeast side of the great fort (Rath Dubh) the most remarkable of the Teltown ceremonies took place—the marriages or betrothals. Upon one side of the great embankment were ranged the boys, and on the other the girls; the