Ireland we may therefore regard as the original home of the Ossianic romance, which in time diffused itself to the west of Scotland, to the Hebrides, and even to the Isle of Man. And it is significant that while the theatre of the Cuchulinn drama was mainly the north of that country—Ulster and Connaught, that of the Feinn was the south—Leinster and Munster. The leading heroes of this cycle were:— 1. Fionn, son of Cumhail, son of Trenmor, who is represented as having been a druid. 2. Gaul Mac Morna, leader of the clan Morna in Connaught. The first name of Gaul was Aedh Mac Morna, but in the battle of Cnucha he lost an eye and was henceforth known as Gaul, that is, the _Blind_ Mac Morna. In this battle he slew Cumhail, Fionn’s father, the leader of the Leinster band, and though he afterwards served under Fionn, they had no great love for each other. 3. Ossian, son of Fionn, who in later times became famous as the great poet of the Celtic people. 4. Oscar, son of Ossian, and grandson of Fionn, who is represented as handsome and kind-hearted, and generally one of the bravest of the Feinn. 5. Diarmad O’Duibhne, with the beauty spot—“ball seirc”—which compelled any woman who saw it to fall in love with him. 6. Caoilte Mac Ronan, a nephew (or cousin) of Fionn, the swiftest of all the Fenian heroes. 7. Fergus Finne-bheoil, “the eloquent,” who figures as a wise counsellor as well as a great warrior. 8. Conan Maol, the fool and coward of the party. The greater number of the incidents of this cycle are represented as having taken place during the reign of Cormac Mac Art Mac Conn of the hundred battles, and that of his son, Cairbre of the Liffey. The former reigned from 227 to 268 A.D., but it was during the reign of the latter that the battle of Gabhra was fought, in the year 283 A.D., which for ever put an end to the Fenian power. In O’Flaherty’s “Ogygia” it is said, “_Cormac_ exceeded all his predecessors in magnificence, wisdom, and learning, as also in military achievements. His palace was most superbly adorned and richly furnished, and his numerous family proclaim his majesty and munificence; the books he published and the schools he endowed at Temor bear unquestionable testimony of his learning; there were three schools instituted, in the first the most eminent professors of the art of war were engaged, in the second history was taught, and in the third jurisprudence was professed.” There is a famous tract entitled, “The Instruction of a Prince,” ascribed to this king, which has evidently been redacted in Christian times. It is preserved in the Book of Ballymote, and takes the form of question and answer between the son Cairbre and his royal father. “O Grandson of Conn, O Cormac,” said Cairbre, “what is good for a king?”