Matheson Collection > Deirdire; and, The lay of the children of Uisne

INTEODUCTORY
The story of Deirdire was written down
on 16th March 1867, from the recital
-'^'l of John Macneill, known as ' Iain Donn/
brown John, cottar at Buailefnam-l ^ I "^
c,<x|*l bodach in the island of Barra. The
reciter said that he was then eighty-
three years of age — ' the same age as
c<vf^| General Macneill, were he living, the
last of the ancient Macneills of Barra.' -•*/-/
;o^l John Macneill was rather under than
over medium height, wonderfully well
featured and well proportioned, and
possessed an active perceptive mind.
He was not known as a reciter of
tales, but his brother Alexander was.