The ancient Irish, also, used slighter, pointed spears (the slegh and the laighin) for both thrusting and throwing; some splendid bronze specimens of these are preserved in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy.
No. 3.— BRONZE SWORD.
(Similar weapon used by ancient Romans, Scandinavians and Irish.)
The weapons mentioned as having been used in the first battle of Magh Tuireadh (B. C. 1272) are the craisech or pointless spear; the fiarlanna, or curved, pointless blade (see No. 31, page 209); swords and maces; the manias, or broad thrusting spear (see pp. 186, 187 and 217); the slegh, or pointed casting-spear (see pages 226 and 227). Later, we find the fogha, or short spear; the saighead-bolg, or belly-dart; and the lic-tailme or sling-stone (see page 196).
Besides this latter curious missile (doubtless exactly like that with which David killed Goliath), the Irish used a round stone for throwing, which they carried in a strap inside their shields.
In the year B. C. 307 there was added "the broad green spear," undoubtedly of green bronze (see No. 32, page 216); and in B. C. 123, at the battle of Ath Comair, we find the lia lamha laich, or champion's hand-stone. (See next page.)
