An Essay on the Druids, the Ancient Churches and the Round Towers of Ireland (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1871. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... chapter ii. the druids. Sacrifices Of The Druids.--The Animals Sacrificed.--The Sacred Animals.--Dress Of The Druid At Sacrifice.--His Movements, Prayers, And IncantaTions.--The Famous Egg Or Badge Of The Druid.--The Serpent, And Serpent Worship.--The Fairies, And How They Could Not Pass Over A Running Stream.--Traditions About Them At The East Ferry.--The Four Great Religious Festivals Of The Druids.--Nuadhullig, Or Christmas.--The Mistletoe, Or Allheal, The Sacred Plant Of The Druids.--The Festival Of Beil-tinne, That Is, The Fire Of Beal In May.--Remnants Of It Still Existing.--The Festival Of Lugh-nas, Or Lammas In August.--The Festival Of Samhain In November.--The Great Idol, Crom.--The Festival Of Beineid, Or Minerva--The Carrying Home Of The Spoils Of The Enemy.--The Names Of The Four Seasons Of The Year In Irish.--The Several Orders Or Classes Of The Druids.--Their Education And Literary Acquirements.--The Priests, The Judges, The-Physicians, The Astrologers, The Bards.--the Dress Of The Druids And Of The Celts.--A Druid Named Abaris Visits Greece, And A Description Of Him By Greek Writers.--At What Time The Druids First Came To Ireland.--The Celtic Names Of Ireland, Of England, And Of Scotland.--The East, The Original Country Of The Druids.--Their Conversion In Ireland To Christianity. A sacrifice is an offering made to the Deity of a thing destroyed in his honour, to acknowledge his sovereign authority over all things. Sacrifices consisted, generally, of things useful to man, of animals and of their produce, and of the fruits of the earth. Of human victims also, as sacrifices, there were instances to be found among almost all Pagan nations. In the Irish language there are various names for a sacrifice, and from one of these, in my opinion, is derived t...