Examines descriptions of the banqueting hall at Tara in medieval Irish sources (particularly the Suidigud Tige Midchúarta poem, prose and seating plan) with a view to discovering how their authors understood its form and function, and argues that the association of the linear monument now known as Tech Midchúarta and the banqueting hall was a later development.

Entitled Cétáin in braith. Edition, with English translation and textual notes, and a discussion of its structure and sources.

Offers a new analysis of Noínden Ulad and of the legend of Macha Mongrúad, and argues that of the four female characters called Macha in early Irish literature, only Macha Mongrúad and Macha, daughter of Ernmas, are genuine in the tradition, while Macha, wife of Nemed, and Macha, wife of Cruinniuc, are late literary inventions.

Examples extracted from De causis torchi Corc’ Óche.

Evaluates the possibility (suggested by K. McCone, in Sprachkontakt und Sprachwandel, pp. 395-435) that OIr. fannall and Basque enara, ain(h)ara are etymologically connected.