On this occasion two fires were lit, between which cattle were driven as a preventative or charm against the murrain and other pestilential distempers.

From this custom the feast of St.
Philip and St.James was anciently called Beltinne, or the Day of Bel's Fire.
The third palace, erected by Tuathal, was on the portion of land taken from the province of Ulster.

Here the celebrated fair of Tailtean was held, and contracts of marriage were frequently made.

The royal tribute was raised by exacting an ounce of silver from every couple who were contracted and married at that time.

The fair of Tailtean had been instituted some years before, in honour of Tailte, who was buried here.
This fair, says Keating, was then kept upon the day known in the Irish language as La Lughnasa, or the day ordained by Lughaidh, and is called in English Lammas-day.
The fourth and the most important of the royal seats was the palace of Temair, or Tara: here, with the greatest state and ceremony, the affairs of the nation were discussed and decided.