The  openings  for  the  doors  can  still  be  traced  in  the  enclosing
mound;  and  curiously  enough,  one  is  so  nearly  obliterated
that  it  is  difficult  still  to  say  whether  there  were  six  or  seven
openings  on  each  side.  The  building  was  seven  himdred  and
sixty  feet  long,  and  originally  nearly  ninety  feet  wide,
according  to  Petrie's  measurements.  There  was  a  double
row  of  benches  on  each  side,  running  the  entire  length  of  the
hall.  In  the  centre  there  was  a  number  of  fires  in  a  line
between  the  benches,  and  over  the  fires  was  fixed' a  row  of
spits  depending  from  the  roof,  at  which  a  very  large  number
of  joints  might  be  roasted.  There  is  in  the  Book  ofLeinster
a  ground-plan  of  the  building,  and  tho  rude  figure  of  a  cook
in  the  centre  turning  the  spit  with  his  mouth  open,  and  a
ladle  in  his  hand  to  baste  the  joint.  The  king  of  Erin  took
\is  place  at  the  head  of  the  hall  on  the  south  surrounded  by
the  provincial  kings.  The  nobles  and  officers  were  arranged
on  either  side  according  to  their  dignity  down  to  the  lowest,
or  northern  end  of  the  hall,  which  was  crowded  with
butlers,  scullions,  and  retainers.  They  slept  at  night  on  the
couches,  but  not  unfrequently  under  them.
The  appearance  of  Cormac  at  the  head  of  this  great  hall

'  See  Petrie's  Antiquiiiei  of  Tara  Hill,  p.  129.
22


IRISH  SCHOLAES  BEFOEE  ST.  PATRICK.
is  thus  described  in  an  extract  copied  into  the  Book  of  Bally-
mote  from  the  older  and  now  lost  Book  of  Navan^ : —

"Beautiful  was  the  appearance  of  Cormao  in  that  assembly.
Flowing  and  slightly  curling  was  his  golden  hair.  A  red  buckler
with  stars  and  animals  of  gold,  and  fastenings  of  silver  upon  him.
