Every writer who attempts to popularise the Gaelic literature of Ireland and Scotland, finds the proper names a serious difficulty. If they are given in their original Gaelic forms, they are not unfrequently unpronounceable and repulsive to the English reader; if they are written phonetically, they are often strange and barbarous looking. In this book, I have not followed any general principle in reducing the names to forms suitable to readers of English. I have dealt with each, as it were, on its own merits. Sometimes--very often, indeed--I have given the original spelling; sometimes I have given the names phonetically; and frequently I have mixed the two modes. But all through I have avoided any great departure from the original forms, as will be seen by a glance at the following list. In all cases the names occurring through the book may be pronounced just as the letters would indicate to the English reader. Aed, _Aedh_, a flame of fire. Ahaclee, _Ath-cliath_, hurdle-ford. Ailna, _Ailne_, beauty, joy. Aina, _Aine_. Allil, _Ailioll_, _Ailell_, or _Oilioll_. Allil Ocar Aga, _Ailell Ochair Aga_. Alva, _Ailbhe_. Balor, _Balar_. Baskin, _Baoiscne_. Begallta, _Beagalltach_, little fury. Ben-Damis, _Beann-Damhuis_. Beoc, _Beóc_, _Dabheóc_, and _Beoán_. Berva, _Berbhe_. Borba, _Borb_, proud. Bran, _Bran_, a raven. Bres, _Breas_. Brian, _Brian_. Brickna, _Briccne_. Bruga of the _Brugh-na-Boinne_. Boyne, Canta, _Cainte_. Carn-Arenn, _Carnn-Airenn_. Carricknarone, _Carraic-na-rón_, the rock of the seals. Clann Navin, _Clann-Neamhuinn_. Cloghan Kincat, _Clochan-chinn-chait_, the stepping-stones of the cat's head. Coil Croda, _Cael-crodha_, the slender valiant [man]. Colga, _Colga_. Colman, _Colman_, little dove. Comgall, _Comhghall_. Conal Carna, _Conall Cernach_. Conan Mail, _Conan Mael_, Conan the Bald. Conang, _Conaing_. Conn, the Hundred-fighter (not Conn of the Hundred Battles, as it is usually translated), _Conn-Cédcathach_. Connla, _Connla_. Coran, _Coran_. Cormac Mac Art, _Cormac Mac Airt_. Corr the _Coir Cos-luath_. Swift-footed, Cuan, _Cuan_ or _Cuadhan_. Culand, _Culand_. Curnan the _Curnan Onmit_. Simpleton, Curoi Mac Dara, _Curoi Mac Dáire_. Dagda, _Dagda_. Dara Donn, _Dáire Donn_. Darvra, Lake, _Loch Dairbhreach_, the lake of oaks. Dathkeen, _Dathchaoin_, bright-complexioned. Decca, _Deoch_.