Gaulish Megaliths in Ireland? Gall in Sanas Cormaic

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Abstract

The paper considers an entry in Sanas Cormaic, an early (possibly ninth-century) Irish glossary, which presents four meanings of the word gall, one of which, 'standing stone marking property', is said by the glossary's author, Cormac Mac Cuilenáin, to be derived from Gall meaning 'Gaul'. The author discusses the possible derivation of the word and its meanings, concluding that Cormac Mac Cuilenáin was wrong in associating it with the word 'Gaul' and that debates on the implications of this entry for Irish Celtic identity, or for Celtic or Gaulish associations with megaliths, are therefore unfounded. Dodds, Damaris
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-50
Number of pages10
JournalCambrian Medieval Celtic Studies
Volume55
Publication statusPublished - 01 Jul 2008

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