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THE    JOURNAL 


OP 


THE    ROYAL 

HISTORICAL  AND  ARCHAEOLOGICAL 

ASSOCIATION  OF  IEELAND : 


ORIGINALLY  FOUNDED  AS 


letilfeenuj)  Sltcfj&ological  Society, 


IN  THE  YEAR 


M.DCCC.XLIX. 


VOL  VIII. 

FOURTH    SERIES. 


1887-1888, 


DUBLIN: 
PRINTED    AT    THE    UNIVERSITY    PRESS, 

FOE  THE  ASSOCIATION, 

BY  PONSONBY  AND  WELDRICK. 
1889. 


Zee          " 


THE  Committee  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that  they  do 
not  hold  themselves  responsible  for  the  statements  and  opinions 
contained  in  the  Papers  read  at  the  Meetings  of  the  Association, 
and  here  printed,  except  so  far  as  the  9th  and  10th  Amended 
General  Rules  extend. 


PREFACE. 


UNINTERRUPTEDLY  since  the  period  of  its  first  appear- 
ance, in  1849,  the  Journal  of  the  Royal  Historical  and 
Archaeological  Association  has  been  the  only  publica- 
tion in  Ireland  devoted  exclusively  to  the  illustration 
of  subjects  relating  to  the  ecclesiastical  and  general 
history  of  this  country;  to  descriptions  of  Irish  anti- 
quities, including  almost  every  class  of  monument 
known  to  archaeologists  ;  to  disquisitions  on  the  develop- 
ment of  our  architecture,  pagan  and  Christian ;  and 
to  such  folk-lore  as  (since  the  establishment  of  railways 
and  National  schools)  may  have  been  found  to  linger. 

The  foregoing  remarks  but  simply  enunciate  facts 
which  are  widely  acknowledged,  and,  to  the  honour 
of  our  Association,  not  seldom  referred  to  in  contem- 
porary reviews,  British  and  foreign. 

As  a  rule,  one  striking  feature  in  the  style  of 
matter  published  in  our  Journal  has  long  been  variety. 
That  this  should  be  so  need  not  excite  surprise  in  the 
mind  of  anyone  even  slightly  acquainted  with  the 
amount  of  antiquarian  wealth  of  every  kind  which, 
from  the  remotest  period  of  Western  history,  has  been 
permitted  to  remain,  even  to  our  own  day,  in  this  per- 
haps otherwise  less-favoured  country. 

True  it  is  that  monuments  of  mediaeval  splendour, 
comparable  with  the  majority  of  the  English,  and  even 
Scottish  minsters,  and  royal  or  baronial  strongholds,  are 


iy  PREFACE. 

not  here  to  be  found.  It  should  be  observed,  in  passing, 
that  the  greater  number  of  our  abbey  churches  and  later 
ecclesiastical  remains  are  seldom  of  a  strictly  national 
character — they  may  be  classed  as  Anglo-Irish.  But, 
nevertheless,  their  styles  are  not  devoid  of  interest,  and 
it  may  be  said  that  in  detail,  in  beauty  of  moulding  on 
capital  or  base — indeed,  in  general  chasteness  of  decora- 
tion, they  not  unfrequently  present  features  unexcelled 
in  their  way  though  we  search  the  grandest  of  British 
fanes  for  rivals. 

In  all  other  respects,  however,  Erin  must  be  con- 
sidered, in  a  manner,  the  archaeological  museum  not 
only  of  the  British  Isles,  but  even  of  many  widely 
spread  districts  of  the  neighbouring  continent,  which 
during  the  dawn  of  European  history  were  occupied 
by  people  of  the  Keltic  race. 

Fergusson,  in  his  beautifully  illustrated  work,  en- 
titled, Rude  Stone  Monuments  in  all  Countries,  their  Age 
and  Uses,  appears  to  have  been  indefatigable  in  his 
search  after  examples.  He,  nevertheless,  failed  to  note 
that  in  Ireland  we  possess  varieties  of  the  dolmen,  and 
other  kindred  structures,  which  may  be  considered 
peculiar  to  this  island. 

The  principal  group  of  megalithic  remains  to  be 
found  with  us  occurs  at  Carrowmore,  near  the  town 
of  Sligo.  There,  within  an  area  of  about  a  mile  in 
length,  by  half  that  measure  in  breadth,  may  be  seen 
some  sixty  or  seventy  monuments,  cromleacs,  dolmens, 
circles,  pillar-stones,  earns,  &c.,  of  which  Petrie  has 
remarked  that,  excepting  the  monuments  of  Carnac, 
in  Brittany,  "  they  constitute  the  largest  assemblage 
of  the  kind  hitherto  discovered  in  the  world."  In 
various  parts  of  Sligo  are  other  groups,  and  many 


PREFACE.  V 

isolated  examples.  All  of  these,  as  well  as  the  Carrow- 
more  remains,  and  some  similar  works  situate  in  the 
Island  of  Achill,  have  attracted  the  attention  of  Colonel 
Wood-Martin,  by  whom,  together  with  their  contents, 
they  have  been  measured,  planned,  described,  and  illus- 
trated chiefly  in  the  pages  of  the  present  volume.  The 
contents  of  these  venerable  waifs  of  time,  though  dis- 
turbed, and  embracing  only  debris  of  the  original 
deposits,  are  of  extreme  interest,  and  clearly  indicate 
the  sepulchral  character  of  these  grey,  time-worn  piles. 
Indeed,  Colonel  Wood-Martin  has  been  enabled  to  add 
most  conclusively  to  evidence  already  published,  here 
and  abroad,  that  all  remains  of  the  cromleac,  cist,  and 
circle  class  are  simply  tombs  of  our  early  race,  or  races, 
and  that  the  idea  of  their  having  been  altars,  used 
for  human  sacrifice,  is  unwarranted,  and  utterly  un- 
tenable. 

W.  F.  Wakeman,  Hon.  Local  Secretary  for  Dublin 
and  Wicklow,  sent  a  Paper,  accompanied  by  a  measured 
plan  and  elevation,  on  a  "  Cromleac-like  Altar,  or  Monu- 
ment, at  Tumna,  Co.  Boscommon."  It  stands  in  an 
ancient  Christian  cemetery,  and  is  regarded  by  the 
neighbouring  people  as  the  tomb  of  St.  Heiden,  or 
Eiden,  patron  of  the  place.  The  writer  considers  this 
work  as  a  connecting-link  between  the  pagan  cist,  or 
diminutive  cromleac,  and  a  class  of  graves  used  in 
Ireland  by  early  members  of  the  Church.  He  cites 
examples  to  be  found  on  Ardillaun,  Co.  Galway  (pro- 
bably seventh  century  work) ;  others  at  St.  John's 
Point,  Co.  Down  ;  a  number  at  Kilnasaggart,  Co. 
Armagh ;  and  one  at  Tarmon,  Glen-Columbkille,  Co. 
Clare.  The  Tumna  structure  is  a  perfect  cromleac  of 
the  smaller  class. 


yi  .PREFACE. 

W.  J.  Knowles,  M.R.I. A.,  Hon.  Local  Secretary,  Co. 
Antrim,  gives  a  Paper  on  the  "  Prehistoric  Remains  of 
Portstewart,  Co.  Londonderry."  As  might  be  expected 
from  the  pen  of  this  accomplished  observer,  his  con- 
tributions will  be  found  full  of  interest  by  all  who  would 
trace  certain  phases  of  life  practised  in  Erin  during 
archaic  times.  His  account  of  the  "  finds"  of  flint 
articles,  and  other  manufactured  objects,  flakes,  rubbers, 
hammer-stones,  knives,  scrapers,  arrow-heads,  pottery, 
&c.,  discovered  in  the  sand  dunes  of  the  North-West, 
forms  one  of  the  most  striking  chapters  recently  pub- 
lished in  our  Journal.  A  glance  at  the  plates,  represent- 
ing a  selection  of  chipped  flints  and  other  articles,  picked 
up  by  Mr.  Knowles  at  Portstewart  and  Castlerock,  would 
afford  the  student  in  such  matters  as  great  an  amount  of 
information  as  might  be  derived  from  a  visit  to  some 
well-stocked  archaeological  museum.  Nearly  fifty  illus- 
trations accompany  his  letterpress. 

A  subject,  which  has  hitherto  not  been  specially 
dealt  with  by  archaeologists,  has  been  opened  up  by 
Mr.  Knowles  in  his  Paper  on  "  Tracked  Stones."  He 
draws  attention  to  the  restricted  area  in  the  north-west 
of  Europe,  to  which  these  objects  are  apparently  con- 
fined, and  illustrates  them  by  a  large  number  of  speci- 
mens out  of  his  own  collection. 

The  Rev.  George  R.  Buick  appears  in  an  Article 
"  On  the  Development  of  the  Knife  in  Flint,  as  shown 
by  specimens  common  in  the  county  Antrim."  The 
Paper,  full  of  thought,  and  pregnant  with  most  in- 
teresting suggestions,  will,  doubtlessly,  be  considered  a 
highly  valuable  contribution  to  literature,  illustrating 
what  seems  to  be,  perhaps,  our  earliest  manufacturing 
industry. 


PKEFACE.  Vll 

The  late  E.  T.  Hardman,  H.M.G.S.I.,  at  the  special 
request  of  Colonel  Wood-Martin,  furnished  a  report  of 
"  Australian  Flint  Implements,  and  the  Mode  of  their 
Construction  and  Fitting  for  Use,"  which  appears  in 
this  volume,  in  connexion  with  one  of  the  Papers, 
on  the  "Rude  Stone  Monuments  of  Ireland."  That 
communication  is  of  considerable  value,  illustrating,  as 
it  does,  the  modus  operandi  practised  in  the  formation  of 
their  tools  and  weapons  by  people  who  had  not  yet 
been  accustomed  to  the  use  of  metal. 

All  but  antiquaries  will  think  that  the  question  of  a 
certain  class  of  beads  having  been  discovered  in  Ireland, 
and  particularly  in  the  Northern  districts,  is  a  matter 
of  little  moment  in  connexion  with  the  presumed  status 
of  Ireland  as  an  art-producing  country  in  early  times. 
That  such  a  fancy  is  scarcely  tenable  may  be  inferred 
from  the  peculiarly  local  or  national  character  of  many 
found  in  crannogs  and  burial-places  in  this  island. 
These  often  beautiful  objects  could  only  have  been 
made  by  people  enjoying  a  very  considerable  amount 
of  civilization. 

The  Rev.  L.  Hassd  and  R.  Day  have  each  sent  a 
Paper  "  On  the  Character  of  Ancient  Beads  found  in 
Ireland  and  in  the  Far  East,"  respectively.  The  com- 
munications of  these  esteemed  archaeologists  indicate 
infinite  zeal  and  research  on  the  part  of  their  authors ; 
but  it  may  be  said  that  the  subject  as  yet  remains 
somewhat  obscure,  and  would  seem  to  require  further 
elucidation. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  the  builders  of  our 
megalithic  structures  practised  an  elaborate  style  of 
scribing  on  rocks,  monoliths,  boulders,  and,  not  un- 
commonly, upon  the  walls  of  sepulchral  chambers,  which 


viii  PREFACE. 

is  at  present  attracting  the  attention  of  antiquaries  not 
only  of    these  islands,    but    of    far-distant    countries. 
Ireland  is  supremely  rich   in  this  mysterious  class  of 
work.     It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  within  a  space 
of  a  few   acres,   upon   Slieve-na-Calliagh,  a  mountain 
situate  close  to  Oldcastle,  Co.  Meath,  may  be  seen  a 
greater  number   of   stones  bearing  archaic  devices   of 
the  class  referred  to  than  are  to  be  found  in  Britain, 
Caledonia,  and  Gaul,  united !     Many  examples  occur  in 
Munster,  and  particularly  in  the  county  of  Kerry.     But 
there  is  reason  to  believe  they  are  widely  distributed 
over  the  country,  and  the  list  of  those  known  is  yearly 
increasing.     As  yet  no   key  has  been   discovered  by 
which   their  meaning   can   be   made   apparent.      New 
varieties  are  constantly  occurring,   so  that  it  is  to  be 
hoped  some  clue  to  their  significance  may  yet  be  at- 
tained.    The  question  of  the  nature  of  rock-markings, 
or  scribings,  as  found  in  Ireland,  has  long  occupied  the 
attention  of  the  Right  Rev.  Charles  Graves,  Bishop  of 
Limerick.     Dr.  Graves,  from  time  to  time,  was  followed 
in  the  same  theme  by  the  late  Rev.  James  Graves,  G.  H. 
Kinahan,  W.  F.  Wakeman,  R.  Day,  of  Cork,  the   late 
G.  V.  Du  Noyer,  and  a  few  other  archaeologists ;  but 
the  subject  would  seem  to  be  still  in  its  infancy.     A 
notice,  richly  illustrated,  of  a  profusion  of  deeply  in- 
teresting examples,  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Mevagh, 
Co.  Donegal,  has  been  contributed  to  the  present  volume 
by  G.  H.  Kinahan,  Hon.  Local  Secretary  for  Donegal ; 
and  attention  is  drawn  to  the  same  class  of  memorial 
markings  in  Co.  Tyrone,  by  Seaton  F.  Milligan. 

The  Rev.  Patrick  Power  presents  a  short  but  graphic 
account  of  "  Casey's  Lios,"  a  once  fine  chambered  rath 
in  the  county  Waterford.  Such  Notices  are  of  value,  as 


PREFACE.  IX 

works  like  this  Lios  have  never  been  sufficiently  ex- 
amined or  classified. 

The  Eev.  J.  M.  F.  Ffrench,  of  Clonegal,  describes 
a  most  curious  and  elaborately  sculptured  memorial- 
stone  remaining  in  the  Isle  of  Man.  Its  carving  is 
singularly  symbolical,  and  invites  comparison  with  work 
found  upon  monuments,  which  occur  so  frequently  in 
our  early  Christian  cemeteries.  The  Isle  of  Man,  it 
may  be  observed,  was  once  considered  part  of  Erin. 

A  tombstone  in  the  churchyard  of  Meelick,  Co. 
Mayo,  bearing  in  an  Irish  inscription  part  of  the  name 
of  "  Gricour,"  or  "  Gregory,"  and  an  Ogam-stone  in 
the  Co.  Cavan,  marked  with  three  crosses,  have  been 
described  and  illustrated  by  Thomas  O'Gorman  and 
Charles  Elcock,  respectively. 

J.  G.  Robertson's  Paper,  "  Ancient  Leaden  Works," 
contains  much  information  which  will  be  new,  and 
highly  appreciated  by  Irish  archaeologists.  The  subject 
has  scarcely  hitherto  been  entered  upon,  at  least  by 
antiquarian  writers  of  this  country. 

Colonel  Philip  Vigors  contributes  some  extremely 
interesting  remarks  on  "  Slings  and  Sling-stones,"  as 
used  in  ancient  and  modern  times.  The  sling  was, 
doubtlessly,  known  in  Ireland  as  an  engine  of  offence 
from  a  remote  period  down  to  very  recent  days.  The 
same  author  describes  and  figures,  with  great  precision, 
an  "  Ancient  Grave  in  the  county  Carlo w,"  from  which 
a  beautiful  cinerary  urn,  illustrated  by  W.  F.  Wakeman, 
was  obtained. 

Richard  Langrishe,  Vice-President  of  the  Associa- 
tion, continues  his  valuable  series  of  Papers  on  the 
subject  of  "  Church  Bells  in  Ireland."  His  Notice  of 
the  peal  preserved  in  St.  Audoen's,  Corn-market,  Dublin, 


X  PREFACE. 

is  of  surpassing  interest  to  the  campanologist.  Three  of 
these  bells  bear  inscriptions  in  the  character  of  the 
thirteenth  century,  but  their  actual  date,  as  stamped 
upon  one  of  them,  is  1423,  an.  2.  Hen.  VI.  They  are 
the  oldest  bells  still  hung,  and  in  use,  in  any  church  in 
Ireland,  or,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe,  in  Great 
Britain.  The  notice  is  accompanied  by  facsimile  en- 
gravings of  their  inscriptions,  made  from  rubbings 
taken  by  J.  E.  Garstin,  Vice-President  of  the  Associa- 
tion. Numerous  other  bells,  still  remaining  in  Ireland, 
are  referred  to,  and  more  or  less  described,  in  the  same 
Paper. 

An  account  of  the  "  Church  Plate  in  the  Diocese  of 
Cashel  and  Emly,"  from  the  pen  of  J.  D.  White,  Hon. 
Local  Secretary  for  the  South  Eiding  of  Tipperary, 
contains  many  curious  items,  and  is  welcome  if  only 
as  a  record  of  existing  remains. 

In  a  "  Notice  of  the  Career  of  Shane  O'Neill  (sur- 
named  An  Diomais,  or  '  The  Proud'),  Prince  of  Tirowen," 
by  Thomas  O'Gorman,  will  be  found  a  stirring  chapter 
in  Irish  history. 

"  Notes  on  Kerry  Topography,  Ancient  and  Modern," 
by  Miss  Hickson,  form  a  valuable  continuation  of  that 
indefatigable  writer's  research  in  a  difficult,  and  not 
often  trodden,  field  of  investigation. 

In  "  Notes  on  a  Unique  Monumental  Slab  to  Sir 
Nicholas  Devereux,  Knight  of  Balmagir,  Co.  Wexford," 
Gabriel  O'C.  Eedmond,  M.  D.,  brings  forward  facts 
hitherto  not  generally  known  concerning  one  of  the 
most  prominent  of  a  once  powerful  family.  Of  this 
monument  probably  much  more  remains  to  be  said. 

The  Eev.  W.  Ball  Wright,  M.A.,  describes  a  very 
curious  sepulchral  slab  discovered  by  him  in  Balsoon 


PREFACE.  XI 

graveyard,  near  Navan,  Co.  Meath,  relating  to  Sir  John 
Eliot,  who  died  in  1616. 

A  Paper  by  the  Rev.  Charles  Scott,  M.A.,  on  the 
"  Ancient  Precedence  of  the  See  of  Meath,"  contains 
much  information  which  will  be  valued  by  students  of 
Irish  Church  history. 

Gr.  M.  Atkinson,  M.R.I.A.,  treats  on  a  subject  which 
seems  hitherto  to  have  escaped  the  notice  of  Irish 
antiquaries,  viz.  that  of  our  "  Early  Sun-dials." 

A  curious  and  interesting  Paper  on  the  "  Family  of 
Lattin,"  by  J.  M.  Thunder,  will  be  very  acceptable  to 
all  who  are  interested  in  old  family  chronicles.  The 
same  writer  also  contributes  a  first  Paper  on  "  The 
Kingdom  of  Meath." 

Cecil  C.  Woods  brings  forward  a  letter  dated 
"  Agherim,  July  the  15th,  1691,"  which  bears  testi- 
mony to  the  gallantry  with  which  both  sides  fought 
at  that  celebrated  engagement. 

T.  J.  Westropp  has  a  short  Paper  on  the  "  Abbey 
of  Quin."  There  is  scarcely  a  more  picturesque  or 
better  preserved  structure  of  its  class  to  be  found  in 
Ireland.  The  only  objection  which  can  be  made  to 
the  communication  is  its  brevity. 

Few  of  our  members  or  readers  had  probably,  until 
recently,  heard  of  Irish  Medallists.  Dr.  Frazer,  in 
rescuing  the  reputation  of  a  number  of  distinguished 
Irish  artists  in  that  line,  has  done  honour  to  himself  and 
to  the  country;  and  has  probably  revived  in  the  minds 
of  many  the  names  and  services  of  not  a  few  men  whose 
memories  had,  more  or  less,  been  undeservedly  allowed 
to  pass  into  comparative  obscurity,  if  not  oblivion. 

John  Browne,  M.R.I. A.,  Hon.  Local  Secretary  for 
Londonderry,  forwards  a  Report  on  the  Antiquities  of 


xij  PREFACE. 

that  county.  It  would  be  well  if  we  could  get  similar 
notices  from  other  counties. 

"  A  Glimpse  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  under  Provost 
Hely  Hutchinson,  by  T.  J.  Westropp,  M.A.;  and  a  notice 
of  "  Theobald  Wolfe  Tone  and  the  College  Historical 
Society,"  by  Geo.  Dames  Burtchaell,  M.R.I.A.,  will  most 
agreeably  occupy  the  attention  of  not  a  few  readers. 

In  the  various  chapters  of  " Notes  and  Queries" 
much  valuable  and  suggestive  matter  appears.  Many 
will  follow  with  interest  the  remarks  made  by  Colonel 
Vigors  for  giving  effect  to  the  work  of  preserving  the 
memorials  of  the  dead. 

Hitherto  in  this  Preface  no  reference  has  been  made 
to  three  obituaries  which  the  volume  contains.  Doubt- 
lessly they  will  be  sought  for,  and  it  is  enough  here  to 
state  that  they  emanate  from  the  pens  of  men  who 
enjoyed  the  privilege  of  knowing  our  departed  friends, 
the  REV.  JAMES  GRAVES,  DR.  CAULFIELD,  and  CANON 
HAYMAN,  well  and  long.  It  would  be  unwarrantable  to 
comment  on  such  contributions — let  them  speak  for 
themselves. 

The  Committee  desires  finally  to  record  the  services 
rendered  to  the  Association  by  COLONEL  WOOD-MARTIN, 
in  his  capacity  of  Editor,  during  what  has  been  a  critical 
stage  in  the  existence  of  the  Association.  The  entire 
volume  now  concluded  has  been  edited  by  him,  as  well 
as  a  number  of  Papers  contributed  at  the  Meeting  held 
in  Londonderry.  These  are  already  set  up  in  type, 
but  have  been  held  over  for  future  publication.  The 
thanks  of  the  Association  are  due  to  COLONEL  WOOD- 
MARTIN  for  the  vigour  with  which  he  prosecuted  the 
issue  of  the  Journal  during  the  years  comprised  within 
this  volume. 


CONTENTS, 


PART    I.— 1887. 


PROCEEDINGS : 

January  Meeting,  Kilkenny,  p.  1.  Annual  Report,  p.  3.  Election  of  Members,  p.  4. 
Election  of  Officers,  p.  5.  Eeprints  of  the  Times  and  other  Publications.  Engrav- 
ings of  Medals,  &c.,  of  Ancient  Date,  p.  6.  Beautiful  Gold  Breast-pin,  ib.  Copy 
of  very  Ancient  Document,  p.  7. 

PAPERS : 

In  Piam  Memoriam,  James  Graves,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Royal  Historical 

and  Archaeological  Association  of  Ireland,  formerly  the  "Kilkenny  Archaeological 

Society,  p.  8. 
Irish  Church  Bells  (No.  III.).     By  Richard  Langrishe,  Vice-President,  R.H.A.A.I., 

Member  of  the  Royal  Institute  of  Architects  of  Ireland,  p.  28. 
The  Battle  of  Agherim.     By  Cecil  C.  Woods,  p.  46. 
The  Rude  Stone  Monuments  of  Ireland.     By  W.  G.  "Wood-Martin,  M.R.I.A.,  Fellow 

and  General  Secretary,  R.H. A.A.I.,  p.  50. 
NOTES  and  QUERIES,  p.  94. 


PROCEEDINGS : 

June  Meeting,  Leinster  House,  Dublin,  p.  75.  Members  Elected,  p.  95.  Books  received 
as  Presentations  to  the  Library  of  the  Association,  p.  96.  Presentations  to  the 
Museum,  ib.  Election  of  President  to  the  Association,  p.  97.  Statement  by 
Lieutenant- Colon  el  Wood-Martin,  p.  98.  Address  to  Her  Majesty  Queen  Victoria, 
p.  102. 

PAPERS : 

On  a  Cromleac-like  Altar  or  Monument  at  Tumna,  Co.  Roscommon.  By  W.  F. 
"Wakeman,  Hon.  Local  Secretary  for  Dublin  and  "Wicklow,  p.  107. 

Ornaments  in  Glass  from  Egypt  to  illustrate  those  found  in  Ireland.     By  Robert  Day, 

Jun.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A.,  V.-P.R.H.A.A.L,  p.  112. 
On  a  Bronze  Brooch.    By  Robert  Day,  Jun.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A.,  V.-P.R.H.A.A.L, 

p.  115. 
The  Rude  Stone  Monuments  of  Ireland.     By  W.  G.  "Wood- Martin,  M.R.I.  A.,  Fellow 

and  General  Secretary,  R.H. A.A.I.,  p.  118. 


CONTENTS. 

Notes  upon  Street,  as  a  Restorer-the  Discoveries  at  Christ  Church.     By  J.   G. 

Robertson,  Hon.  General  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  p.  160. 
On  the  Opening  of  a  Sepulchral  Mound  near  Newcastle,  Co.  Wicklow.    By  Major  J. 

M'Eniry,  Curator,  Museum,  R.I.A.,  p.  163. 
Memoir  of  the  late  Canon  Hayman,  B.A.,  M.R.H.A.A.I.    By  Lieutenant- Colonel  T. 

A.  Lunham,  M.A.,  p.  165. 
Memoir  of  the  late  Richard  Caulfield,  LL.D.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.H.A.A.I.   By  Lieutenant- 

Colonel  T.  A.  Lunham,  M.A.,  p.  171. 
Some  Account  of  the  Church  Plate  of  the  Diocese  of  Cashel  and  Emly.    By  John  Davis 

White,  Hon.  Local  Secretary  for  the  South  Riding  of  Tipperary,  p.  176. 
Notices  of  the  Family  of  Lattin.    By  John  M.  Thunder,  p.  183. 
The  Medallists  of  Ireland  and  their  Work.    By  William  Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.,  Member 

of  Council  and  Librarian,  Royal  Irish  Academy,  p.  189. 

NOTES  and  QUERIES,  p.  210. 

PROCEEDINGS : 

August  Meeting,  Enniskillen,  p.  215.  Election  of  Fellows  and  Members,  p.  216. 
Reply  to  Address  presented  by  the  Association  to  Her  Majesty  the  Queen,  p.  217. 
Excursions  to  Devenish,  Ballyshannon,  and  Bundoran,  pp.  218  to  220. 


PAPERS  : 

The  Prehistoric  Remains  of  Portstewart,  Co.   Londonderry.      By  W.  J.  Knowles, 
M.R.I.  A.,  Hon.  Local  Secretary,  County  Antrim,  p.  221. 

The  Ancient  Precedence  of  the  See  of  Meath.  By  the  Rev.  Charles  Scott,  M.A.,  p.  238. 

On  the  Development  of  the  Knife  in  Flint,  as  shown  by  Specimens  common  in  the 
Co.  Antrim.    By  the  Rev.  George  R.  Buick,  A.M.,  p.  241. 

Description  of  Antiquities  under  the  Conservation  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works,  Ireland. 
By  G.  M.  Atkinson,  M.R.I.A.,  p.  249. 

The  Rude  Stone  Monuments    of    Ireland.      By  W.  G.  Wood-Martin,  M.R.I.A., 
Fellow  and  General  Secretary,  R.H.A.A.I.,  p.  254. 

Sleady  Castle  and  its  Tragedy.  Contributed  by  Gabriel  O'C.  Redmond,  Local  Secretary, 
Co.  Waterford,  p.  300. 

The  Medallists  of  Ireland  and  their  Work.    By  William  Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.,  Member 
of  Council,  and  Librarian,  Royal  Irish  Academy,  p.  313. 

Tyrone  History.    By  J.  Carmichael-Ferrall,  Hon.  Local  Secretary,  Co.  Tyrone,  p. 
327. 

Report  for  County  Londonderry.    By  John  Browne,  M.R.I.A,  Hon.  Local  Secretary, 

p.  oo£. 


e'  °r 

NOTES  and  QUERIES,  p.  336. 


CONTENTS .  XV 


PAET    II.— 1888. 


PROCEEDINGS : 

January  Meeting,  Leinster  House,  Dublin,  p.  347.  Election  of  Fellows  and  Quarterly 
Meeting,  p.  349.  Removal  of  Museum,  p.  351.  Election  of  Fellows  and  Members, 
p.  353. 

PAPERS : 

Slings  and  Sling-stones.     By  Colonel  Philip  D.  Vigors,  p.  357. 

The  Rude  Stone  Monuments  of  Ireland.  On  certain  Rude  Stone  Monuments  in  the 
Island  of  Achill.  By  W.  G.  Wood-Martin,  M.R.I.A.,  Fellow  and  General  Secre- 
tary, R.H.A.A.I.,  p.  367. 

Egyptian  and  Irish  Beads.     By  Rev.  Leonard  Hasse,  M.R.I.A.,  p.  382. 

Theobald  "Wolfe-Tone,  and  the  College  Historical  Society.  By  George  D.  Burtchaell, 
M.A.,  LL.B.,  Barrister-at-Law,  M.R.I.A.,  p.  391. 

A  Glimpse  of  Trinity  College,  under  Provost  Hely  Hutchinson  (from  Original  Letters). 
By  Thomas  J.  Westropp,  M.A.,  p.  400. 

On  Ancient  Lead  Works.    By  J.  G.  Robertson,  p.  404. 

Casey's  Lios,  Ballygunnermore,  Co.  Waterford.    By  the  Rev.  Patrick  Power,  p.  407. 

On  a  Unique  Memorial  Slab  to  Sir  Nicholas  Devereux,  Knight,  of  Balmagir,  Co. 
Wexford,  and  his  wife  Dame  Catherine  Power,  of  Coroghmore.  By  Gabriel 
O'C.  Redmond,  M.D.,  Hon.  Local  Secretary  for  Co.  Waterford,  p.  408. 

NOTES  and  QUERIES,  p.  414. 


PROCEEDINGS : 
August  Meeting,  Londonderry,  p.  419.    Election  of  Fellows  and  Members,  p.  421. 

PAPERS : 

The  Mevagh  Inscribed  Stones  and  other  Antiquities.    By  G.  H.  Kinahan,  M.R.I. A., 
Local  Secretary,  Donegal,  p.  427. 

On  an  Inscribed  Monumental  Stone  from  the  Isle  of  Man,  and  some  Customs  of  the 
Cree  Indians.    By  the  Rev.  J.  F.  M.  Ffrench,  of  Clonegal,  p.  438. 

Notes  on  Kerry  Topography,  Ancient  and  Modern.     By  Miss  Hickson,  p.  442. 
A  Notice  of  the  Career  of  Shane  O'Neill  (surnamed  An  Diomais,  or  "The  Proud"), 
Prince  of  Tirowen,  1520-15.67.     By  Thomas  O'Gorman,  p.  449. 

Notes  on  the  Sepulchral  Slab  of  Sir  John  Eliot  in  Balsoon  Graveyard,  Co.  Meath.    By 
the  Rev.  W.  Ball  Wright,  M.A.,  p.  463. 

NOTES  and  QUERIES,  p.  466. 


CONTENTS. 


PROCEEDINGS : 

Quarterly  Meeting,  Cashel,  p.  473.    Election  of  Fellows  and  Members,  p.  475.    Elec- 
tion of  Vice-President,  p.  478. 

PAPERS : 

Statement  of  Services  to  Irish  Archaeology.     By  W.  F.  Wakeman,  Hon.    Fellow, 

p.  486. 
On  an  Ancient  Grave  in  the  County  Carlow,  by  Colonel  P.  D.  Vigors,  J.P.,  Fellow, 

p.  491. 

St.  Grigoir,  of  Corkaguiny.     By  Thomas  O'Gorman,  Member,  p.  495. 
Tracked  Stones.      By  W.  J.  Knowles,    M.R.I.A.,   Hon.   Local  Secretary,   Antrim, 

Fellow,  p.  503. 
Notes  on  an  Ogam  Stone  in  Co.  Cavan.     By  Charles  Elcock,  Member,  p.  503. 

Rough  Flint  Celts  of  the  Co.  Antrim.      By  William  Gray,  M.R.I.A.,  Hon.  Provincial 
Secretary,  p.  505. 

The  Kingdom  of  Meath.     By  John  M.  Thunder,  Member,  p.  507. 

On  some  Cup-marked  Cromleacs  and  Rath  Cave  in  Co.  Tyrone.  By  Seaton  F.  Milligan, 
M.R.I.A.,  Fellow,  p.  526. 


APPENDIX. 

PAGE 

The  Royal  Historical  and  Archaeological  Association  of  Ireland, 1 

Patrons, 3 

President,           ............  3 

Vice- Presidents,            ........••  3 

Committee,         ........  4 

Honorary  General  Secretary  and  Treasurer, . .         4 

Honorary  Curator  of  the  Museum, 4 

Trustees,  ..         ..        4 

Bankers,            4 

Honorary  Provincial  Secretaries,        4 

Honorary  Local  Secretaries, 4 

Fellows  of  the  Association, 5 

Members  of  the  Association, 9 

Members  in  arrear,        ^ 

Members  resigned,       ^ 

Members  deceased,       17 

Societies  in  Connexion,           18 

General  Rulet, "  21 


INDEX  TO  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


An  asterisk  prefixed  indicates  a  Plate. 


PAGE 

1.  The  Bell  of  St.  Audoen,             33 

2.  The  Bell  of  Blessed  Mary  the  Virgin,               34 

3.  The  Bell  of  the  Holy  Trinity  and  All  Saints,             ib. 

4.  Ground  Plan  of  No.  53  Monument,  Carrowmore,  Fig.  63, 51 

5.  No.  53  Monument,  diminutive  Cromleac,  view  looking  south,  Fig.  64,     . .  ib. 

6.  Fragment  of  Pottery  from  No.  53  Monument,  Carrowmore,  Fig.  65,         . .  50 

7.  Ground  Plan  of  No.  56  Monument,  Carrowmore,  Fig.  66, 53 

8.  Ditto,        No.  57        ditto,            ditto,        Fig.  67, 55 

9.  Ditto,         No.  58        ditto,            ditto,        Fig.  68, ib. 

10.  Ditto,        No.  59        ditto,            ditto,        Fig.  69, ib. 

11.  Fragment  of  "Worked  Bone,  Fig.  70, 56 

12.  Ditto,          ditto,           Fig.  71, ib. 

13.  Ditto,          ditto,            Fig.  72, ..          . .  ib. 

14.  No.  62  Monument,  Barnasrahy,  Carrowmore  Series,  Section  of  Cam,         . .  58 

15.  Sketch  Plan,  by  the  late  Dr.  Petrie,  of  No.  63  Monument,  Barnasrahy, 

Carrowmore  Series,  Fig.  74,           . .          . .          . .          . .          . .          . .  59 

16.  Plan  of  No.  63  Monument,  by  C.  B.  Jones,  County  Surveyor,  Fig.  75,  . .  ib. 

17.  Urn  from  Barnasrahy,  Fig.  76,             60 

18.  Plan  of  Sepulchral  Chamber,  CloverhiU,  Fig.  77, 70 

19.  Carving  on  Edge  of  No.  1  Stone  of  Sepulchral  Chamber,  CloverhiU,  Fig.  78  ib. 
Carving  on  Interior  Surface  of — 

20.  No.  1  Stone  of  Sepulchral  Chamber,  CloverhiU,  Fig.  79,         ..         ..  71 

21.  No.  2                           ditto,                                Fig.  80,         . .         . .  72 

22.  No.  7                            ditto,                               Fig.  81,         . .         . .  73 

23.  "Holed"  Stone,  called  Clock-  b  hreac,  or  Cloch-lia,  at  Tobernavean,  near 

Sligo,  Fig.  82,           74 

24.  "  Holed"  and  Sculptured  Stone  at  Mainister,  Aran  Island,  Fig.  83,         . .  76 

25.  "  Holed"    Stone   at    Teampull-na-bhfear,    Island    of     Inismurray,    Co. 

Sligo,  Fig,  84, 77 

26.  "Holed"  Stone  near  Teampull-na-mban,  or  the  "  Church  of  the  Women," 

Island  of  Inismurray,  Co.  Sligo,  Fig.  85,         . .         . .          . .         . .  ib. 

27.  The  Soled  Stone,  near  the  village  of  Doagh,  Co.  Antrim,  Fig.  86,. .         . .  78 

28.  "  Holed  "  and  Scribed  Stone  in  the  Churchyard  of  Castle  Dermot,  Fig.  87,  79 

29.  Ditto      PiUar-stone  at  Stennis,  near  Kirkwall,  Orkney,  Fig.  88,          . .  80 

30.  Ditto       and  Cup-marked  Stone  at  Lochgilphead,  Argyleshire,  Fig.  89,  81 

31.  Ditto      Dolmen,  or  Cromleac,  at  Rujunkolloor,  in  the  Deccan,  Fig.  90,  82 

b 


Xviii  INDEX   TO  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

32.  General  View  of  Mitgaun  Meav,  on  the  summit  of  Knocknarea,  looking 

West,  Fig.  91,          ••       84 

33.  Euined  Circle  (No.  1)  at  the  foot  of  the  Great  Cam  on  the  summit  of 

Knocknarea,  looking  North,  Fig.  92,         86 

34.  Plan,  showing  general  distribution  of  the   various  Monuments  on  the 

summit  of  Knocknarea,  Fig.  93, •       8? 

35.  *Flint  Implements  found  in  the  Co,  Sligo,  now  in  the  collection  of  His 

Grace  the  Duke  of  Northumberland,  at  Alnwick  Castle,  Fig.  94,         . .       89 

36.  *Flint  and  Stone  Implements  from  Western  Australia,  Fig.  95,   ..         . .       91 

37.  Buins  of  Ancient  Church,  and  Cromleac-like  Altar,  or  Monument,  in  the 

Cemetery  of  Tumna,  Co.  Roscommon,       . .         . .         . .         . .         . .     109 

38.  Ground  Plan  of  Altar  or  Monument, ib. 

39.  'Ornaments  in  Glass  and  Enamelled  Glass  from  Ireland  and  Egypt,  . .     113 

40.  Bronze  Brooch  found  in  a  Crannog  near  the  Town  of  Cavan,         . .          . .  115 

41.  Reverse  on  back  of  ditto,          ..          ..         ..          ..          ..          ..          ..  116 

42.  General  View  of  Cam,  on  Cam's  Hill,  near  Sligo,  looking  West,  Fig.  96,  120 

43.  General  View  of  Stone  Circle  in  Abbeyquarter,  within  the  Borough  of 

Sligo,  Fig.  97,  ..         ..122 

44.  Ground  Plan  of  Monument  in  Abbeyquarter,  Fig.  98,         123 

45.  "Supposed  Megalith,  Cottage  Island,  Lough  Gill,  Fig.  99, 124 

46.  Ground  Plan  of  Rude  Stone  Monument  on  Keelogyboy  Mountain,  Fig.  100,   126 

47.  'General  View  (by  the  late  E.  T.  Hardman,  H.M.G.S.)  of  the  Rude  Stone 

Monument,  Magheraghanrush,  or  the  Deerpark,  Co.  Sligo,  Fig.  101,  . .     127 

48.  'Ground  Plan  (by  the  late  E.  T.  Hardman  H.M.G.S.)  of  the  Rude  Stone 

Monument,  Magheraghanrush,  or  the  Deerpark,  Co.  Sligo,  Fig.  102,  . .     129 

49.  'General  View  of  the  Deerpark  Monument,  looking  East,  Fig.  103,          . .     130 

60.  Flint  "  Chisel"  found  in  the  Deerpark  Monument,  Co.  Sligo,  Fig.  104,  . .  136 

61.  Ground  Plan  of  smaller  Monument  in  the  Deerpark,  Fig.  105,  ..  137 

62.  Ground  Plan  of  "  Giant's  Grave  "  in  the  Townland  of  Drum,  Fig.  106,  . .  138 

63.  Ground  Plan  of  Rude  Stone  Monument  in  the  Townland  of  Drumkilsellagh, 

Fig.  107 :  139 

64.  Ground  Plan  of  Rude  Stone  Monument  in  the  Town  of  Castlegal,  Fig.  108,  140 
55.  'General  View  of  Ruined  Cromlcac  at  Cloghcor,  looking  East,  Fig.  109    . .     142 

66.  'Ground  Plan  of  Ruined  Cromleac  in  the  Townland  of  Cloghcor,  near  the 

Village  of  Raughley,  Fig.  110, u,, 

67.  General  View  of    "Giant's  Grave,"   near  Drumcliffe,  looking    South, 

^  HI,        .         ..     143 

68.  Ground  Plan  of  Rude  Stone  Monument,  Drumcliffe,  Fig.  112 ib. 

69.  'General  View  of  Clocha-breaca,  Townland  of  Streedagh,  Fig.  113,"         .' .'     145 

60.  'Ground  Plan  of  Monument,  styled  Ckcha-breaca,  in  the  Townland  of 

Streedagh,  Fig.  114, ib 

61.  'General  View  of  Stone  Circle  in  the  Sandhills,  Streedagh,' looking  West 

Fig-115,        147 

Around  Plan  of  Stone  Circle  and   Cist  in  the  Sandhills,    Streedagh, 

63.  Fragment  of  Bone  Pin  from  the  Streedagh  Cist,  Fig/117,  *  148 

64.  'Ground  Plan  of  Tomban-wor,  or  the  "Giant's  Grave,"  in  the  Townland 

of  Cartronplank,  near  Cliffoney,  Fig.  118,          ..  149 

66.  'Unique  arrangement  for  the  support  of  Headstone  in*  «  Giant's  Grave  "  at 
Cartronplank,  Fig.  119,       ..        ;. 


INDEX   TO  ILLUSTRATIONS.  XIX 

PAGE 

66.  General  View  of  Cist  in  the  Townland  of  Creevykeel,  Fig.  120,    . .         . .  150 

67.  Ground  Plan  of  Cist  at  Creevykeel,  near  Cliffoney,  Fig.  121,         . .         . .  150 

68.  Cup-marked  Flag  found  at  Drumlion,  near  Enniskillen,  Fig.  122,            . .  151 

69.  *Cup-marked  Flags  from  Drumnakilty,  Co.  Fermanagh,  Figs.  123,  124, 

and  125,          153 

70.  General  View  of  Remains  of  Monument  in  the  Sandhills,  near  Mullagh- 

more,  looking  "West,  Fig.  126,            ..                 ..         ..         ..  ib. 

71.  Ground  Plan  of  Remains  of  Monument  in  the  Sandhills  near  Mullaghmore, 

Fig.  127,         ib. 

72.  Ground  Plan  of  "  Giant's  Grave,"  in  the  Townland  of  Bunduff,  Fig.  128,  154 

73.  General  View  of  Kistvaen  and  Stone  Circle  on  the  Cliffs  near  Bundoran, 

looking  North-West,  Fig.  129, 157 

74.  *Ground  Plan  of  Kistvaen  and  Stone  Circle  on  the  Cliffs  near  Bundoran, 

Fig.  130,         ib 

75.  General  View  of  a  Eude  Stone  Monument  near  Bundoran,  Fig.  131,         ..  158 

76.  "  The  Prehistoric  Sites  of  Portstewart  "— 

*  Plate  I.,  Figs.  1-19, 231 

77.  *       Plate  II.,  Figs.  20-37, 232 

78.  *       Plate  III.,  Figs.  38-50,              233 

79.  *       Plate  IV.,  Fig.  51,          234 

80.  "  The  Development  of  the  Knife  in  Flint" — 

*  Plate  I.,  Figs.  1-6,          242 

81.  *       Plate  II.,  Figs.  7-12, 246 

82.  *       Plate  III.,  Figs.  13-16, 247 

83.  "  Description  of  Antiquities  under  the  Conservation  of  the   Board  of 

Works,  Ireland"— 

*  Plate  I.,  Dial  of  Kilmalkedar,               249 

84.  *       Plate  II.,  Terminal  Ornaments,             252 

"  The  Eude  Stone  Monuments  of  Ireland  "— 

85.  Part  VI.,  Figs.  154-172,  257-276 

86.  Part  VII.,  Figs.  173-188,  279-296 

87.  *0n  "Slings  and  Sling-stones,"          361 

"  The  Eude  Stone  Monuments  of  Ireland"— 

88.  Part  VIII.,  Figs.  189-204,         369-381 

89.  ^Monumental  Slab  of  Sir  Nicholas  Devereux,  Knight,  of  Balmagir,  and 

his  "Wife,  Lady  Katherine  Power,  Figs.  1  and  2,             413 

90.  ««  On  the  Nevagh  Inscribed  Stones  and  other  Antiquities,"  Figs.  1-6,     429-435 

91.  *Sketch  of  an  Inscribed  Stone  from  the  Isle  of  Man,             439 

92.  Ground  Plan  of  a  Grave  in  Co.  Carlow,         491 

93.  *Cinerary  Urn  from  Grave  in  Co.  Cavan,        493 

94.  Tombstone  in  the  Churchyard  of  Meelick,  Co.  Mayo,         495 

95.  *Tracked  Stones, 499 

96.  An  Ogham  Stone  in  the  County  Cavan,         503 


THE    JOURNAL 

OF 

THE    ROYAL 

HISTORICAL  AND  ARCHAEOLOGICAL 

ASSOCIATION  OF  IRELAND: 


ORIGINALLY  FOUNDED  AS 


iKilfcenny  2lvd)&ological  Society, 

IN  THE  YEAR 

M.DCCC.XLIX. 
THIRTY-SEVENTH   SESSION, 

1887, 


If  any  there  be  which  are  desirous  to  be  strangers  in  their  owne  soile,  and  forrainers 
in  their  owne  Citie,  they  may  so  continue,  and  therein  flatter  themselves.  For  such 
like  I  have  not  written  these  lines  nor  taken  these  paines. — CAMDEN. 


YOL.  VIIL— PAET   I. 

FOURTH    SERIES. 


DUBLIN: 

PRINTED    AT    THE    UNIVERSITY    PRESS, 

FOB,  THE  ASSOCIATION, 

BY  PONSONBY  AND  WELDRICK. 

1887. 


THE  Committee  wish  it  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that  they  do 
not  hold  themselves  responsible  for  the  statements  and  opinions 
contained  in  the  Papers  read  at  the  Meetings  of  the  Association, 
and  here  printed,  except  so  far  as  the  9th  and  flOth  Amended 
General  Rules  extend. 


THE  JOURNAL 

OF 

THE  ROYAL 

HISTOKICAL  AND  AECHJEOLOGICAL  ASSOCIATION 

OP  IRELAND, 
FOR  THE  YEAR  1887. 


AT  the  LEINSTER  ANNUAL  GENERAL  MEETING,  held  at  the 
Museum  of  the  Association,  Kilkenny,  on  Wednes- 
day, January  the  5th,  1887 ; 

The  Very  Rev.  the  DEAN  OF  OSSORY,  D.D.,  in  the 

Chair ; 

The  following  Members  were  present : — The  Very 
Rev.  the  Dean  of  Ossory,  D.D.  ;  the  Rev.  Charles  A. 
Vignoles,  A.M.,  Chancellor;  Colonel  P.  D.  Vigors,  J.P.  ; 
Messrs.  Peter  Burtchaell,  C.E.  ;  Robert  Cochrane,  C.E., 
M.R.I.A.  ;  George  D.  Burtchaell,  B.L.  ;  J.  G.  Robertson, 
Secretary;  John  Blair  Browne;  Edward  Fennessy;  and 
M.  W.  Lalor. 

The  Minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read  and  con- 
firmed. 

Mr.  Robertson  submitted  the  following  Report : — 

"  Mr.  CHAIRMAN — It  has  been  usual, on  the  occasion  of  our  annual 
meetings  to  give  a  report  on  the  condition  of  the  Association,  of  its 
gains  and  of  its  losses.  I  need  hardly  remind  Members  present  that  the 
latter  have  been  very  great — in  fact,  I  might  say,  almost  overwhelming. 
For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  Association  our  Annual  Meeting 
assembles  without  the  Rev.  James  Graves,  the  Founder  of  the  Society ; 
and  such  was  the  energy  and  knowledge  which  he  brought  to  bear  in  the 

B2 


4  PROCEEDINGS. 

working  of  it,  that  we  cannot  but  feel  that  it  requires  great  efforts  on  the 
part  of  all  Members  to  enable  the  Editor  to  carry  on  the  Journal  with  credit. 

"Parts  64  and  65,  which  have  been  recently  issued  to  Members,  have 
been  most  favourably  reviewed  by  the  Press  in  general,  and  letters  have 
been  received  from  many  subscribers  expressing  very  great  satisfaction 
with  both  letterpress  and  illustrations. 

"These  remarks  have  carried  me  away  from  detailing  our  serious 
losses  by  death,  which  include  the  names  of  Sir  Samuel  Ferguson  and 
Rev.  Canon  Samuel  Hay  man— two  names  very  eminent  in  the  world  of 
letters,  and  of  archeology  in  particular.  Canon  Hayman  was  the  author 
of  the'  History  of  Yough'al,  and  contributor  of  several  important  Papers 
to  our  Journal.  We  have  also  to  deplore  the  loss  of  the  Rev.  Richard 
Deverell,  who  was  an  old  Member,  took  much  interest  in  our  work,  and 
was  rarely  absent  from  our  meetings.  I  am  happy  to  say  that  we  gained 
several  new  Members,  and  I  hope,  that  in  accordance  with  the  expressed 
wishes  of  many,  we  shall  be  able  to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  Association. 
We  continue  to  receive  the  Transactions  of  many  societies  in  connexion 
with  us  in  exchange  for  ours. 

"  Our  funds,  notwithstanding  that  an  accumulation  of  work  had  to 
be  paid  for,  are  in  a  sound  condition.  Some  Members  have  honourably 
discharged  their  arrears  of  subscriptions;  others, proh pudor!  have  allowed 
the  words  '  bad  debt'  to  be  affixed  to  their  names. 

"  You  will  be  called  upon  now  to  revise  (according  to  custom)  the 
list  of  office-bearers  and  to  appoint  Auditors.  I  would  suggest  that  Mr. 
Burtchacll  and  Mr.  J.  Blair  Browne  be  requested  to  act  as  Auditors. 
Mr.  Burtchaell  is  not  only  a  Trustee,  but  also  one  of  the  joint  Treasurers. 
As  I  am  the  Acting  Treasurer,  I  consider  it  right  that  one  of  my  asso- 
ciates should  have  the  opportunity  of  learning  everything  connected 
with  the  Accounts  of  the  Association." 

The  Rev.  C.  Vignoles  proposed  the  adoption  of  the 
Report,  which  was  seconded  by  Colonel  Vigors,  and  on 
being  put  to  the  meeting  was  unanimously  adopted. 

The  following  new  Members  were  elected  : — 

The  Rev.  Thos.  Bryan,  Clonmore  Rectory,  Hacketts- 
town;  T.  S.  F.  Battersby,  B.L.,  3,  Upper  Mount-street, 
Dublin;  Morgan  William  O'Donovan,  B.A.,  Magdalen 
College,  Oxford;  Miss  Louisa  Vignoles;  J.M.Wilson,  J.P., 
Currygrane,  Co.  Longford;  William  Frazer,  M.D.,  M.R.I.A., 
20,  Harcourt-street,  Dublin ;  Goddart  H.  Orpen,  B  L  , 
Kppingham,  Bedford  Park,  Chiswick,  London;  Captain 
J.  W.  Armstrong  R.N.,  Chaffpoole,  Ballyinote,  Sligo; 
Wynne  Hazlewood,  Sligo;  Lieutenant- Colonel 
Hollybrook,  Sligo;  Alexander  Percival,  Temple 


PROCEEDINGS.  5 

House,  Ballymote,  Sligo ;  Alex.  Lyons,  J.P.,  Rathellen, 
Sligo ;  Edward  Fennessy,  High  Sheriff,  city  of  Kil- 
kenny; Samuel  Hickey,  C.E.,  Cavan;  Professor  Davy 
Thompson,  Gal  way. 

Colonel  Vigors  said  that  he  was  glad  to  see  so  many 
new  Members  joining  the  Society,  and  that  Colonel 
Wood-Martin  had  sent  in  so  good  a  list  from  his  own 
county. 

The  list  of  office-bearers  was  then  submitted. 

Mr.  Lalor  proposed  that  the  Dean  of  Ossory  be 
elected  an  additional  Vice-President  for  the  province  of 
Leinster. 

The  Eev.  C.  Vignoles  seconded  the  proposition,  which 
was  passed  unanimously. 

On  the  motion  of  Mr.  Browne,  seconded  by  Mr. 
Robertson,  Mr.  Day  was  unanimously  elected  an  addi- 
tional Vice-President  for  Munster. 

Mr.  Lalor  said  he  would  propose  that  Colonel  Lunham, 
M.A.,  J.P.,  Ardfall,  Douglas,  Cork,  be  elected  a  Member 
of  the  Committee.  Colonel  Lunham  had  for  a  long  time 
been  closely  associated  with  the  late  lamented  Canon 
Hayman,  and  was  an  enthusiastic  antiquary,  and  an 
influential  supporter  of  the  Association  in  the  South. 

Mr.  Browne  seconded  the  proposition,  which  was 
passed  unanimously. 

The  following  were  then  appointed  as  the  Com- 
mittee : — Barry  Delany,  M.D.  ;  Rev.  Philip  Moore,  P.P.  ; 
Rev.  John  O'Hanlon ;  W.  H.  Patterson;  Rev.  C.  A. 
Vignoles;  W.  Frazer,  M.D.;  Colonel  P.  D.  Vigors;  Robert 
Cochrane,  C.E.,  M.E.I. A.  ;  The  O'Conor  Don;  Colonel 
Lunham,  M.A.,  J.P.  ;  George  Dames  Burtchaell,  B.L.  ; 
and  the  Rev.  W.  Healy,  c.c.,  Coon. 

The  following  resolution  was  proposed  by  Mr.  Robert- 
son, seconded  by  Mr.  Browne,  and  passed  unanimously: — 

"  That  Mr.  Malcomson  of  Carlo w  be  requested  to  reconsider  his 
intention  of  resigning  his  connexion  with  the  Association,  and  to  con- 
tinue as  a  Member  of  the  Committee,  and  to  give  his  valuable  services 
as  of  old." 


6  PROCEEDINGS, 

Mr.  Browne  proposed,  and  Colonel  Vigors  seconded 
the  following  : — 

"  Resolved,— That  the  Journal  of  the  Koyal  Archaeological  Association 
be  not  sold,  or  sent  in  future  to  newspapers,  till  Members  and  Fellows 
have  been  supplied  with  their  copies;  and  then  only  sold  to  non-members- 
at  a  cost  of  5«.  per  Part— to  be  sold  only  by  the  Secretary,  or  by  Messrs. 
Hodges  &  Figgis." 

Colonel  Vigors  said  that  some  expression  of  satisfac- 
tion ought  to  be  conveyed  by  the  Association  to  Colonel 
Wood-Martin  for  the  able  way  in  which  he  had  edited 
the  last  two  Numbers  of  the  Journal;  the  six  months  for 
which  he  had  accepted  the  Editorship  must  now  be 
nearly  terminated,  and  they  ought  to  ask  him  kindly 
to  continue  to  hold  the  office. 

It  was  proposed  by  Colonel  Vigors,  seconded  by  Mr. 
G.  Burtchaell,  and  unanimously  resolved:— 

"  That  the  thanks  of  the  Association  be  given  to  Colonel  "Wood- 
Martin  for  his  exertions  as  Editor  of  the  Journal,  and  that  he  be 
requested  kindly  to  continue  the  work." 

Colonel  Vigors  exhibited  reprints  of  the  Times  and 
other  publications,  engravings  of  medals,  &c.,  of  ancient 
date ;  facsimiles  of  the  death-warrants  of  Mary  Queen  of 
Scots  and  of  Charles  I.  ;  a  model  of  the  great  bell  in  St. 
Peter's,  Rome;  some  beautiful  old  pins;  the  jawbone 
(containing  two  teeth)  of  the  extinct  species  of  the 
gigantic  kangaroo  (Disprotodon  Australia),  from  Queens- 
land ;  a  bone  of  the  extinct  wingless  bird,  the  Moa, 
from  New  Zealand ;  beautiful  specimens  of  Burmese 
weights,  &c.,  and  Hindoo  idols ;  greenish -coloured  and 
other  stone-axes  and  spear-heads ;  a  sling  and  sling- 
stones  from  one  of  the  South  Sea  Islands,  the  only 
locality  in  which  the  sling  is  now  used ;  a  fossil  piece  of 
wood  from  Van  Dieman's  Land;  and  some  beautiful 
specimens  of  silver  and  copper  work  from  Burmah. 

Dr.  Barry  Delany  exhibited  a  beautiful  gold  breast- 
pin, the  head  being  the  figure  of  a  cavalier  in  silver,  of 
the  time  of  Charles  II. 

Mr.  Robertson  said  that  he  had  been  lent  a  book  by 
Mrs.  Reade,  of  Birchfield,  the  widow  of  an  old  school- 


PROCEEDINGS.  7 

fellow  of  his,  in  which  he  found  the  copy  of  a  very 
ancient  document.  The  book  had  belonged  to  Josias 
Haydock,  Commissioner  or  agent  to  the  Duke  of 
Ormonde,  and  the  document  found  in  it  was  a  prayer 
to  His  Grace  to  relieve  the  petitioner  from  his  duties. 
The  document  was  as  follows : — 

"  To  His  Grace,  JAMES,  DUKE  OF  OEMONDE,  Lord  Lieutenant  Genl.,  and 
Genl.  Govr.  of  Ireland.  The  humble  Petition  of  Alder.  Josias  Hay- 
dock,  your  Grace's  Eeceiver  Genl. 

"  Most  Humbly  Sheweth — That  yor.  Petr.  attended  in  Dublin  these 
six  weeks  last  past,  in  order  to  close  his  accounts  both  of  the  cant  and 
rents,  and  deliver  up  vouchers  of  several  years  accounts  which  remain  in 
his  hands,  but  by  some  means  or  other  the  same  has  been  hitherto 
delayed.  That  his  long  attendance  here  does  not  only  endanger  his 
health,  but  heap  a  great  expence  on  him,  as  well  as  retard  that  part  of 
your  Grace's  affaires  in  the  country  which  is  under  his  care,  and  the 
vouchers  of  his  accounts  being  for  several  great  sums,  if  any  of  them 
should  happen  to  be  lost  or  mislayed,  may  be  of  fatall  consequence  to 
your  Petr.  May  it  therefore  please  your  Grace  to  consider  the  Premises, 
and  to  grant  an  order  that  your  Petrs.'  accounts  may  be  forthwith  audited 
and  passed,  his  vouchers  taken  up,  and  a  discharge  given  him  for  the 
said  vouchers  and  accounts,  and  he  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray,  &c. 
To  the  Et.  Honoble.  Sir  Eichd.  Cox,  Knt. ;  Sr.  William  Eobinson,  Knt. ; 
the  Honoble.  Antho  Upton,  and  William  "Worth,  Esqrs.,  my  commis- 
sioners, etc.,  or  any  two  or  more  of  them. 

"  Upon  consideration  of  the  within  petition  of  Alderman  Josias  Hay- 
dock,  my  Eeceiver- General,  I  do  hereby  authorize  and  desire  you  with 
all  convenient  speed  to  audit  and  pass  his  accounts,  and  on  his  passing 
the  ballance  thereof  for  my  use  to  Benjamin  Burton,  Esq.,  and  Francis 
Harrison,  my  bankers,  that  you  take  up  all  the  vouchers  of  his  said 
accounts  ;  to  the  end  I  may  give  him  a  free  discharge  for  the  same.  For 
doing  whereof  this  shall  be  your  warrant.  Dated  the  sixth  day  of 
November,  1703. —  ORMONDE.  Witness,  Fran.  Wright — Copia  vera,  Ex- 
amined 12th  die  November,  1703,  per  Thomas  Cooke,  notary  public." 

Mr.  Robertson  continued — I  have  been  unable  to 
find  out  anything  about  any  of  the  Commissioners  ap- 
pointed. There  was  a  Mr.  Edward  Worth,  of  Blanch- 
field,  Rathfarnham,  elected  to  represent  Knocktopher  in 
the  Irish  Parliament  of  1695-1703-1727.  Sir  Chris- 
topher Robinson  was  a  Justice  of  the  King's  Bench,  his 
former  patent  being  revoked,  and  the  renewal  dated 
1761.  Josias  Haydock  was  Mayor  of  Kilkenny. 


In  $tam  JHetnortam 


SECRETARY  AND    TREASURER 

OF   THE 

historical  and  Archaeological  Association:  of  toland, 

FORMERLY   THE 


The  REV.  JAMES  GRAVES  was  so  completely  identified 
with  the  progress  and  interests  of — to  use  its  original 
name — the  Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society,  that  any 
account  of  his  life  must  be,  more  or  less,  a  history  of 
the  rise  and  progress  of  that  now  influential  and  Royal 
Association. 

James,  elder  son  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Graves,  was 
born  in  the  city  of  Kilkenny,  "  under  the  shadow  of  the 
cathedral,'*  on  the  llth  October  (St.  Canice's  Bay), 
1815.  He  died,  in  his  71st  year,  on  Saturday,  20th 
March,  1886,  at  his  residence,  Inisnag,  situated  about 
eight  miles  from  the  place  of  his  birth. 

In  a  letter  to  the  writer  of  this  notice,  penned  on  his 
70th  birthday,  he  says  :  uMy  old  nurse  was  always  in- 
dignant that  I  was  not  named  Kenny!  I  am  sorry  my 
father  preferred  the  Apostolic  cognomen  of  his  father — 
more  shame  for  him  !  He  was  Vicarius  Choralis  Colkgii 
Sancti  Canici,  and  ought  to  have  reverenced  his  patron 
saint.  The  Rev.  Canice  Graves  would  have  looked  well, 
and  been  out  of  the  common;  but  as  I  suppose  it  would 
have  been  reduced  to  <  Kenny,'  perhaps  it  is  as  well  as 
it  is." 

The  subject  of  this  Memoir  was,  in  many  respects,  a 
singular  man.  In  personal  appearance  he  was  tall  and 
thin;  but  though  apparently  not  possessed  of  much 
physical  strength,  he  had  great  powers  of  endurance, 


IN   PIAM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES    GRAVES.  9 

which  he  attributed  to  his  total  abstinence  from  tobacco 
and  alcohol.  At  the  end  of  the  longest  day's  excursion 
he  would  seem  quite  fresh  ;  and  during  the  expedition 
to  the  Giants'  Causeway  in  July,  1885,  he  astonished 
many  younger  men  by  the  agility  with  which  he  ascended 
the  steep  path  from  the  sea,  after  having  had  a  swim  be- 
fore breakfast.  This  was  in  his  TOth  year.  His  ener- 
getic temperament,  methodical  habits,  and  almost  restless 
activity  of  mind  enabled  him  to  get  through  an  amount 
of  work,  literary  and  other,  which,  to  many,  seemed 
marvellous.  Although  devoted  to  antiquarian  pursuits, 
he  was  never  a  bore  on  that  subject,  for  he  never  ob- 
truded his  speciality  upon  those  who  did  not  affect  an 
interest  in  it ;  he  could  talk  well  and  entertainingly  on 
many  subjects,  and  unless  the  occasion  was  one  on 
which  antiquarian  matters  were  on  the  tapis,  his  con- 
versation was  simply  that  of  a  highly-informed  gentle- 
man. As  an  invariable  rule  he  avoided  politics, 
personalities,  and  matters  of  acrimonious  controversy ; 
this  enabled  him  to  mix  with  people  of  every  mode 
of  thought,  and  of  every  rank  and  calling,  without 
making  a  single  enemy. 

In  1863  the  late  Bishop  O'Brien  presented  Mr.  Graves 
to  the  small  living  of  Inisnag,  near  Stoneyford,  about 
eight  miles  from  Kilkenny.  Here  he  lived  till  his  death, 
cordially  respected  by  rich  and  poor,  and  ministering 
diligently  to  his  parishioners.  Inisnag,  which  means 
the  Island,  or  Holm  of  the  Crane,  is  a  parish  lying  on 
both  sides  of  the  Callan,  or  King's  river,  near  its  junction 
with  the  Nore.  Mr.  Graves  often  observed  to  the  writer 
that  the  place  did  not  now  deserve  the  name,  as  he 
hardly  ever  saw  a  crane  (heron)  in  the  locality.  Visitors 
to  Inisnag  will  remember  Mr.  Graves'  love  of,  and 
practical  acquaintance  with,  the  culture  of  flowers.  The 
large  orange-tree  which  stood  in  a  square  tub  inside  the 
sunny  porch  was  a  sight  not  easily  forgotten  when 
covered  with  fruit ;  and  even  more  remarkable  was  the 
immense  Wardian  case  of  Killarney  fern,  which  for 
health  and  beauty  could  not  be  surpassed,  none  of  which 
is  now  to  be  met  with  in  the  part  of  Kerry  where  it 
had  been  obtained,  for  collectors  and  tourists  have 


10  IN   PIAM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES. 

proved  too  much  for  this  fern.  Mr.  Graves  was  noted 
also  for  bis  fine  strain  of  fuchsias,  cinerarias,  cycla- 
mens, and  primulas :  many  have  observed  with  amuse- 
ment the  heads  of  his  fuchsias  tied  up  in  muslin  hoods, 
to  prevent  cross-fertilization,  by  means  of  bees  or  flies, 
after  he  had  impregnated  them  with  some  particular 
pollen,  by  the  aid  of  a  camel' s-hair  brush.  In  the  open 
o-arden  he  was  proud  of  his  roses,  and  his  collection 
of  gladioli  and  dahlias  included  some  of  the  choicest 
varieties. 

With  much  trouble,  and  skilful  engineering,  he  had 
contrived  a  hardy  fernery  on  the  escarpment  ^of  the 
rocky  brow  overhanging  the  King's  river,  on  which  the 
glebe-house  was  situated.  Water  was  brought  hereto 
by  ingenious  arrangements,  and  a  plentiful  supply  was 
at  hand,  even  in  summer.  Many  uncommon  Japanese 
and  North-American  ferns  flourished  here  ;  nearly  all 
of  the  numerous  varieties  of  the  lady  fern  (Athyrium 
FiUx-fwmina) — one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  our  larger 
deciduous  ferns — as  also  the  beech,  oak,  holly,  and 
parsley  ferns  grew  luxuriantly  under  his  fostering  care. 
In  early  spring  he  would  point  out  how  abundantly  the 
narcissus  minor  grew  in  the  fields  near  the  river — seem- 
ing to  be  indigenous.  Unlike  many  florists,  he  was  most 
generous  in  sharing  with  friends,  and  was  always  ready 
to  give  slips,  offsets,  or  bulbs  to  those  who  appreciated 
them.  There  are  many  Co.  Kilkenny  people  who  can 
call  to  mind  one  or  more  good  things  in  their  gardens, 
for  which  they  are  indebted  to  the  liberality  of  Mr. 
Graves.  He  was  singularly  successful  in  budding  roses — 
an  operation  requiring  neatness,  dexterity,  and  patience. 
He  was  a  close  observer  of  atmospheric  phenomena, 
noted  the  rainfall  and  variations  of  temperature  at 
Inisnag,  and  his  reports  were  frequently  to  be  seen 
recorded  in  the  meteorological  intelligence.  He  was 
acquainted  with,  and  took  much  interest  in,  the  periodi- 
cal visits  of  birds  of  passage  to  his  district,  and  had 
some  instructive  notes  regarding  the  annual  arrival  of 
the  cuckoo.  With  entomology  he  had  some  acquaint- 
ance ;  he  was  always  particularly  anxious  to  identify 
insects  referred  to  in  old  writings  under  Irish  names,  and 


IN   PIAM    MEMORIAM    EEV.    JAMES    GRAVES.  11 

to  ascertain  their  modern  names,  and  something  of  their 
habits.  We  often  discussed  the  subject  of  the  connochs, 
or  murrain  caterpillars,  of  which  two  figures  are  given 
in  a  Paper  on  "  Irish  Medical  Superstition,"  by  the  late 
John  Windele.1  Cattle  formed  the  principal  portion  of 
ancient  wealth  in  Erin — they  were  consequently  the  me- 
dium of  barter,  of  paying  tributes  arid  stipends — in  short, 
they  represented,  to  a  considerable  extent,  a  currency, 
and  were  the  object  and  prize  of  war,  of  endless  forays, 
and  much  strife ;  the  reward  of  enterprise,  courage,  and 
daring.  On  May  eve  the  herds  and  flocks  were  sup- 
posed to  be  peculiarly  subject  to  the  sinister  influences 
of  the  "  good  people,"  for  the  murrain  was  regarded  as 
a  plague  emanating  from  fairy  malice ;  the  remedy, 
however,  was  very  simple,  if  attainable.  Ostensibly  the 
disorder  proceeded  from  the  connoch,  or  caterpillar, 
swallowed  by  the  animal,  producing  internal  disease, 
very  frequently  of  a  fatal  character.  A  plentiful  pota- 
tion of  water,  in  which  had  been  immersed  the  powerful 
amulet  called  the  "Murrain  Stone,"  was  generally  looked 
upon  as  a  sovereign  remedy  for  this  complaint.  The 
figures  of  two  of  the  connochs*  represent  clearly  enough 
larvae  of  the  larger  sphinx  moth ;  one  is  very  like  that 
of  the  elephant-hawk  moth  ( Chcero-campa  eljpenor),  com- 
mon in  Ireland — the  other  like  that  of  the  death's  head 
hawk  moth  (Acherontia  atropos).  Both  of  these  amulets 
were  found  in  the  Co.  Cork — one  in  the  old  burying- 
place  of  Timoleague  Abbey,  the  other  near  Doneraile. 
Both  are  formed  of  silver,  in  which  is  imbedded  a  series 
of  crystals,  amber-coloured  and  azure,  and  they  are 
about  three  inches  in  length.  Mr.  Graves  told  me  it 
was  rare  to  find  a  caterpillar  of  the  death's  head  moth 
in  the  Co.  Kilkenny,  so  general  was  the  practice  among 
the  peasantry,  when  they  found  one,  to  insert  it  in  the 
cleft  of  a  young  ash  sapling ;  and  this  soon  put  an  end 
to  the  caterpillar,  whatever  effect  it  may  have  had  upon 
the  murrain  ! 

Mr.  Graves,  although  not  an  Irish  scholar  himself, 
yet  made  great  efforts  to  have  the  language  taught  long 

1  Journal,  R.H.A.A.I.,  vol.  vin.,  p.  306.  2  Ibid. 


12  IN   PIAM   MEMORIAM    REV.   JAMES    GRAVES. 

before  the  present  movement  in  favour  of  its  revival 
was  initiated.  He  was  a  member  of  the  "  Celtic  Society" 
from  its  foundation,  in  1847,  and  appears  on  the  list  of 
its  Council  in  1850.  The  Report  of  Council  to  the 
Annual  General  Meeting,  held  on  Tuesday,  26th  Feb- 
ruary, 1850,  mentions  that  Mr.  Graves  had,  in  the  most 
liberal  manner,  offered  to  edit,  for  the  Celtic  Society,  an 
abstract  of  the  Liber  Primus  Kilkennice.  The  illustrations 
of  the  early  volumes  of  this  Journal  show  that  Mr.  Graves 
was  quite  an  artist  in  his  younger  days,  and  he  always 
retained  a  quick  eye  for  colour  and  outline.  In  fine 
weather  he  was  never  tired  of  expatiating  upon  the  view 
from  his  hall-door,  looking  down  the  course  of  the  King's 
river  gliding  through  its  valley  between  the  woods  of 
Annamult  and  Norelands,  to  join  the  Nore,  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  further  on ;  opposite  were  visible  the 
rising  grounds  towards  Bennett's  Bridge,  and,  in  the 
distance,  the  graceful  slopes  of  Mount  Leinster.  Inside 
the  house  were  to  be  seen  choice  water-colour  drawings 
by  Burton  and  Petrie,  and  sketches  by  Du  Noyer,  along 
with  curious  old  prints,  handsome  photographs  of  archi- 
tectural subjects,  and  books  in  great  variety.  The  para- 
phernalia of  literary  work  were  strictly  confined  to  his 
study,  to  which  only  a  favoured  few  had  access,  and 
where  a  sedate  cat,  of  immense  size,  kept  watch  and 
ward,  occupying  his  chair  in  her  master's  absence.  He 
professed  a  great  dread  of  a  certain  tidying  process  to 
which  it  was  necessary  to  submit  this  room  twice  a-year. 

A  hospitable  welcome  was  ever  ready  for  visitors, 
more  especially  if  that  visit  was  in  any  way  connected 
with  archaeological  inquiry.  Living  much  secluded  from 
personal  intercourse  with  the  outer  world,  he  enjoyed 
occasional  visits  from  those  who  were  more  mixed  up 
with  it.  He  had  no  family,  and  was  consequently  able 
to  give  himself  up  the  more  completely  to  his  favourite 
pursuits.  All  the  energy  of  his  mind  was  devoted  to 
the  spread  of  the  Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society,  and 
to  the  furtherance  of  its  objects ;  with  it  his  life  and 
labours  are  inseparably  entwined. 

The  inception  of  the  Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society 
was  on  this  wise.  On  the  19th  February,  1849,  a  meet- 


IN   PIAM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES.  13" 

ing  was  held  in  Kilkenny,  at  the  private  residence  of 
the  Kev.  James  Graves,  and  afterwards  adjourned  to 
the  Deanery ;  the  Very  Rev.  the  Dean  of  Ossory  was 
in  the  Chair.  At  this  meeting  it  was  resolved  that  a 
public  meeting  be  held,  in  order  to  organize  an  Archaeo- 
logical Society  for  the  county  and  city  of  Kilkenny  and 
its  surrounding  districts.  The  members  at  this  meeting 
were  : — The  Very  Rev.  the  Dean  of  Ossory,  the  Rev. 
Luke  Fowler,  the  Rev.  John  Browne,  LL.D.  ;  Rev.  James 
Graves,  Rev.  Philip  Moore,  Messrs.  Robert  Cane,  M.D.  ; 
John  James,  L.R.C.S.I.  ;  and  John  G.  A.  Prim.  Of  these 
eight,  only  one  now  survives — the  Rev.  Philip  Moore, 
Canon,  P.P.,  Johnstown.  The  first  General  Meeting 
was  held  in  the  Tholsel  Rooms,  3rd  of  April,  1849, 
Robert  Cane,  Esq.,  M.D.,  Mayor  of  Kilkenny,  in  the 
Chair ;  and  at  this  meeting  the  adhesion  to  the  project 
of  a  number  of  noblemen  and  gentlemen  was  announced. 
The  Rev.  Philip  Moore,  then  C.  C.  of  Rosbercon,  had 
the  honour  of  reading  the  first  communication — on 
"  Giants'  Graves."  The  corporation  of  Kilkenny  met 
the  young  Society  in  the  most  kind  and  liberal  spirit. 
By  their  permission  the  meetings  of  the  Society  (which 
for  some  years  took  place  every  second  month  instead 
of  quarterly)  were  held  in  the  Tholsel  Rooms  up  to  the 
year  1853,2  when  the  Society  rented  apartments,  in 
conjunction  with  the  Literary  and  Scientific  Institution. 
One  of  the  fundamental  rules  (No.  7)  of  the  new  Society 
was  as  follows: — "  All  matters  connected  with  the  reli- 
gious and  political  differences  which  exist  in  our  country 
shall  be  excluded  from  the  Papers  to  be  read,  and  the 
discussions  held  at  these  meetings,  such  matters  being 
foreign  to  the  objects  of  this  Society,  and  calculated  to 
disturb  the  harmony  which  is  essential  to  its  success." 
This  wise  rule  was  the  suggestion3  of  the  Right  Rev. 
James  Thomas  O'Brien,  D.D.,  F.T.C.D.,  Bishop  of  Ossory, 
Ferns,  and  Leighlin,  who  was  an  original  member,  and 
one  of  the  Patrons  of  the  Society.  At  the  close  of  its 
first  year  (1849)  the  Society  numbered  fifteen  Roman 


Journal,  R.H. A.A.I.,  vol.  i.,  p.  11.  2  Ibid.,  vol.  vin.,  p.  5. 

3  Ibid.,  vol.  xin.,  p.  310. 


14  IN    PIAM    MEMORIAM    REV.    JAMES    GRAVES. 

Catholic  clergymen  among  its  total  of  one  hundred  and 
forty-nine  members. 

Mr.  Graves,  and  his  relative,  Mr.  John  G.  A.  Prim, 
were  the  original  Secretaries,  and  it  may  here  be  ob- 
served that  this  Society  has  never  expended  any  of  its 
income  on  salaries,  it  having  always  been  a  distinguish- 
ing mark  of  it  that  all  its  officers  were  honorary.  Mr. 
Prim's  influence  with  the  local  Press  was  of  the  greatest 
use  when  the  Society  was  unable  to  issue  a  Journal  of  its 
own.  The  columns  of  the  Kilkenny  Moderator,  with 
which  Mr.  Prim  was  professionally  connected  before 
he  became  the  proprietor  of  that  Paper,  were  always 
open  for  record  of  the  proceedings  of  its  meetings.  In 
consequence  of  the  smallness  of  their  funds,  the  earlier 
volumes  of  the  Society's  publications  comprised  merely 
a  selection  of  the  matters  brought  before  the  various 
meetings,  full  reports  of  which  were  afforded  by  the 
local  newspaper  Press  alone.  On  14th  February,  1857, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Graves,1  at  the  Annual  General  Meeting,  laid 
on  the  table  a  large  folio  volume,  containing  the  news- 
paper reports  of  the  Society's  Proceedings,  from  its  for- 
mation in  February,  1849,  to  the  end  of  the  year  1853. 
These  reports  had  been  collected,  arranged,  and  bound 
by  the  late  Mr.  Richard  Hitchcock,  and  were  then,  in 
pursuance  of  his  expressed  intentions,  presented  to  the 
Society  by  his  widow. 

Mr.  Graves,  to  the  duties  of  Editor  and  Secretary, 
added  also  that  of  Treasurer,  on  the  death,  in  1858, 
of  Robert  Cane,  Esq.,  M.D.,  who  had  filled  that  office 
from  the  foundation  of  the  Society. 

About  the  date  of  the  birth  of  this  Society  there 
were  stirring  times  in  Kilkenny,  and  it  must  have  been 
frequently  difficult  to  observe  Bishop  O'Brien's  wise  rule 
(No.  7),  in  its  spirit  as  well  as  its  letter.  Dr.  Cane,  as 
has  been  noticed,  was  in  the  Chair  at  the  first  General 
Meeting  in  the  capacity  of  Mayor  of  the  "  faire  and 
antient  cittie  of  Kilkenny  "-and  this  was  the  second 
°iCCafT*VW1  thm*hree  year»>  upon  which  he  had  been 
Mayor.  Dr.  Cane  was  a  mainstay  of  the  "  Celtic 

1  Journal,  R.H.A.A.I.,  vol.  iv.,  p.  245. 


IN   PIAM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES.  15 

Union,"  as  was  Mr.  Graves  of  the  Archaeological  Society. 
Dr.  Cane  for  nine  years  was  Treasurer  of  the  latter, 
whilst  Mr.  Graves  had  a  seat  on  the  Council  of  the 
"  Celtic  Union;"  indeed  the  co-existence  of  the  "  Celtic 
Union"  cannot  have  simplified  the  difficulties  of  starting 
the  Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society. 

Mr.  Graves  shared  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of 
Hon.  Secretary,  with  his  relative,  Mr.  John  G.  A.  Prim, 
up  to  the  year  1875.  The  lamented  death,  in  that  year, 
of  Mr.  Prim,  brought  double  toil  upon  his  fellow-Secre- 
tary, who  was  at  the  same  time  Treasurer,  and  Mr. 
Graves'  health  broke  down  under  stress  of  work.  In 
consequence  of  his  serious  illness,  no  meetings  were  held 
in  July  or  October,  1877.  Although  to  all  appearance 
he  recovered  his  usual  health  and  spirits,  he  soon  began 
to  suffer  from  a  serious  form  of  dyspepsia,  attended 
with  loss  of  sleep.  This  culminated  in  an  incurable  and 
painful  disease  of  the  stomach,  which  proved  fatal  on 
the  20th  March,  1886.  From  the  meeting  at  which  he 
originated  this  Society  (19th  February,  1849)  down  to 
that  of  13th  January,  1886,  the  last  at  which  he  was 
present  (nine  weeks  and  three  days  before  his  death), 
he  was  always  at  his  post,  with  the  exception  of  his  brief 
retirement  from  active  work  in  1877. 

Mr.  Graves  was  ever  ready  to  sacrifice  himself  in  the 
interest  of  the  Society.  In  1862  it  had  been  decided 
unanimously  that  his  expenses  should  be  defrayed  for 
attendance  at  an  Archaeological  Congress  about  to  be 
held  on  25th  August,  and  five  following  days,  at  Truro, 
in  Cornwall ;  but  he  proceeded  thither  at  his  own  cost, 
declining  to  charge  his  expenses  to  the  funds  of  the 
Society.  Lord  Dunraven  and  Mr.  Graves  were  the  only 
Irishmen  present  on  that  occasion ;  and  the  latter  availed 
himself  of  the  opportunity  of  establishing  friendly  rela- 
lations  and  interchange  of  publications  with  the  Royal 
Institution  of  Cornwall,  and  the  Wiltshire  Archaeological 
and  Natural  History  Society.  On  his  return,  Mr.  Graves 
reported1  that  the  antiquities  of  the  district  were  specially 
interesting  to  an  Irish  archaeologist.  The  stone  forts, 
cromleacs,  artificial  caves  (called  fogou\  tumuli,  and 

1  Journal,  R.H. A.A.I.,  vol.  iv.,  N.S.,  p.  183. 


16  IN    PIAM    MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES    GRAVES. 

stone  hut-circles  of  the  aborigines,  were,  as  might  be 
expected,  alike  in  both  countries  ;  but  what  chiefly 
attracted  his  attention  was  the  fact  that  the  stone  huts 
and  hut-circles  were  clustered  on  the  south-western  hills 
and  cliffs  of  England,  just  as  they  are  found  abounding 
on  the  western  mountain  sides  and  cliffs  of  Ireland. 
Here  (in  his  opinion)  was  proof  that  the  race  which  built 
them  were  a  race  fighting  against,  and  retreating  before, 
an  exterminating  enemy,  that  they  were  finally  driven 
across  the  Irish  Sea,  found  shelter  in  Ireland  for  a  time, 
and  were  at  last,  it  might  be  said,  hurled  over  the  cliffs 
of  Kerry  and  Arran  into  the  Atlantic.  He  thought  it 
impossible  for  anyone  to  stand  on  the  Cornish  or  Kerry 
hills  and  not  have  this  idea  forced  upon  the  mind. 

On  the  18th  March,  1863,  a  Special  Meeting  of  the 
Society  was  convened  by  the  President,  the  Very  Rev. 
the  Dean  of  Ossory,  in  compliance  with  a  requisition 
numerously  signed  by  the  leading  gentry  and  clergy 
(Catholic  and  Protestant)  of  the  county  Kilkenny,  to 
consider  the  propriety  of  presenting  Mr.  Graves  with  a 
suitable  testimonial  of  their  appreciation  of  his  services 
as  Treasurer  and  Hon.  Secretary.  The  requisition  alludes 
to  the  obligations  the  members  were  under  to  Mr.  Graves 
for  his  "  unceasing  and  unremunerated  exertions  in  the 
promotion  of  the  objects  of  the  Society  since  its  founda- 
tion." The  letters  from  members  who  were  unable  to 
attend,  but  who  approved  of  the  project,  form  a  mass  of 
written  testimony  to  his  services,  which  proves  what  an 
important  factor  he  was  in  the  vitality  of  the  Association. 
Mr.  Prim  read  letters  from  Col.  the  Right  Hon.  W.  F. 
Tighe,  the  Earl  of  Courtown,  Lord  James  Butler,  Sir 
Erasmus  Burrowes,  Sir  James  Langrishe,  the  Very  Rev. 
the  Dean  of  Leighlin,  Rev.  Philip  Moore,  P.P.,  Johns- 
town ;  Rev.  John  Francis  Shearman,  c.c.,  Dunlavin  • 
Rev.  Samuel  Hayman,  Youghal ;  the  Right  Hon.  John 
Wynne.  Hazlewood ;  and  many  others  unanimous  in 
approval  of  a  mode  of  expressing  their  appreciation  of 
Mr.  Graves'  services  to  Irish  Archaeology.  A  subscrip- 
tion list  was  opened,  and  a  large  sum  of  money  was 
soon  collected.1 

1  Journal,  R.H.  A.A.I.,  vol.  iv.,  N.S.,  p.  293. 


IN   PI  AM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES.  17 

The  Society,  in  1849,  had  started  with  the  local  title  of 
the  "Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society."    On  16th March, 
1853,  it   was  carried  unanimously,  on   the  motion   of 
Herbert  Francis  Hore,  Esq.,  of  Pole  Hore,  county  Wex- 
ford,  that  the  name  of  the  Society  should  be  the  "  Kil- 
kenny and  South-East  of  Ireland  Archaeological  Associa- 
tion."1   Mr.  Hore  promised  a  large  accession  of  members 
from  among  the  nobility  and  gentry  of  Wexford  upon 
their  county  being  thus  recognised  as  coming  within  the 
district  of  the  Society's  operations.     On  22nd  January, 
1868,  the  members  having  increased   to   over  600   in 
number,  residing  in  all  parts  of  Ireland,  a  corresponding 
change  of  name  was  felt  to  be  desirable,  and  it  was 
changed  (for  the  third  time)  to  that  of   "  Historical  and 
Archaeological  Association   of   Ireland."    Other   radical 
alterations  were  made  on  this  occasion,  viz.  the  annual 
subscription  was  raised  from  5s.  to  10s.,  and  Hon.  Pro- 
vincial Secretaries  were  appointed.     Among  the  latter 
was  George  V.  Du  Noyer,  Esq.,  who  was  elected  Hon. 
Provincial  Secretary  for  Ulster.  This  invaluable  member 
died  suddenly  (3rd  January,  1869)  while  engaged  in  the 
revision  of  the  Geological  Survey  of  the  North  of  Ireland. 
He  was   a   great  loss  to  the  Society.     Trained  under 
Portlock  and  Larcom  in  the  Ordnance  Survey  of  Ireland, 
he  was  one  of  that  band — including  Petrie,  Todd,  Reeves, 
O'Donovan,  and  0' Curry — who  have  made  Irish  archae- 
ology a  study  worthy  of  serious  men.     A  pupil  of  the 
accomplished  artist  Petrie,  he   equalled   his   master  in 
truth  of  touch  and  the  minute  accuracy  with  which  he 
rendered  the  details  of  a  subject,  no  matter  how  difficult, 
whilst  the  true  "  feeling"  of  the  artist  pervaded  every 
production  of  his  pencil.    In  the  course  of  the  year  1869, 
the  Association  was  fortunate  enough,  through  the  exer- 
tions of  Mr.  Graves,  to  secure  for  their  Library  the  large 
and  valuable  collection  of  archaeological  drawings  and 
sketches,  the  result  of  his  life-long  labours,  at  the  price 
fixed  on  by  the  friends  of  his  widow.     Regulations  for 
the  custody  and  management  of  the  Du  Noyer  drawings 
were  proposed  by  Mr,  George  H.  Kinahan,  Honorary 

1  Journal  R.H. A.A.I.,  vol.  n.,  p.  355. 

4TH  SER.,  YOL.  VIII.  C 


18  IN   PI  AM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES. 

Provincial  Secretary  for  Connaught,  and  adopted,  and 
thanks  were  given  to  the  non-members  of  the  Associa- 
tion, especially  to  his  colleagues  of  the  Geological  Survey 
of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  who  had  subscribed  towards 
the  purchase  of  the  drawings. 

On  27th  December,  1869,  the  prefix  Royal,  together 
with  the  privilege  of  electing  Fellows,  was  granted  by 
Queen's  letter.  The  thirty-seven  original  members  then 
living  were  made  Fellows  without  payment  or  election  j1 
but  time  has  since  made  wide  gaps  in  that  band,  of 
whom  remain  now  (March,  1887)  not  more  than  about 

eight. 

The  original  patrons  of  the  Society — for  several  years 
three  in  number — were  local  notabilities,  the  Marquis  of 
Ormonde,  the  Bishop  of  Ossory,  and  the  Right  Hon.  W. 
F.  Tighe.  In  1855,  the  Prince  Consort  was  elected  a 
life  member,  having  contributed  to  the  funds  of  the 
Society  the  sum  of  £25,  five  times  the  usual  life  composi- 
tion. He  considered  the  Journal  worthy  of  a  place  in 
his  private  library,  but  the  list  of  members  did  not 
include  his  name,  because  he  had  made  a  rule  to  allow  it 
to  appear  only  in  connexion  with  metropolitan  societies. 
After  his  death,  in  1861,  Sir  Charles  Phipps  was  com- 
manded to  inform  the  Rev.  James  Graves  of  the  Queen's 
wish  that  the  Journal  should  continue  to  be  forwarded 
regularly,  addressed  to  C.  Ruland,  Esq.,  Buckingham 
Palace.2 

In  1864,  His  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales 
was  graciously  pleased  to  become  patron-in-chief  of  the 
Society,  and  he  sent  double  the  amount  of  the  ordinary 
composition  for  life  membership.  In  1855,3  the  Earl  of 
Carlisle  was  pleased  to  become  a  member  and  patron  of 
the  Society,  and  his  example  has  been  followed  by  sub- 
sequent Lords  Lieutenant.  When  the  Association  became 
a  Royal  one,  the  rule4  was  made  that  all  lieutenants  of 
counties  become  patrons,  ex  officio,  on  election. 

The  Association  increased  in  numbers  and  importance, 


1  Journal,  X.H.A.A.I.,    vol.    I.,    4th  3  Hid.,  vol.  iv.,  p.  1. 

'J"  P-  4-    .  4  Ibid.,  vol.  i.,  4th  Ser.,  p.  7. 

*  ll\d.t  vol.  iv.,  N.S.,  p.  141. 


IN    PIAM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES.  19 

including  within  its  scope  the  whole  of  Ireland,  and  Mr. 
Graves  brought  its  influence  to  bear  upon  matters  of 
great  public  utility,  such  as  the  preservation  of  historical 
buildings,  the  punishment  of  vandalism,  and  the  restora- 
tion of  edifices  injured  by  time  and  weather.  His  prompt 
action  in  the  case  of  the  Clonmacnoise  outrage  was  at- 
tended with  good  effects,  although  the  Crown  prosecu- 
tion resulted  in  a  disagreement  of  the  jury.  On  22nd 
May,  1864,  some  persons  on  a  pleasure  party  at  "  the 
•Churches  "  defaced  some  of  the  sculptures  on  the  ancient 
megalithic  crosses  and  of  the  carved  ornamentation  of  the 
doorways.  This  conduct  having  been  at  once  reported 
by  the  Rev.  P.  R.  Young,  c.c.,  and  also  by  Mr.  Vignoles, 
the  rector,  Mr.  Graves,  immediately  brought  it  under 
the  notice  of  Sir  Thomas  Larcom  (Under  Secretary  of 
State).  The  case  was  tried  at  the  King's  County  Summer 
Assizes,  1864,  before  the  Lord  Chief  Justice.  Mr.  Ball, 
Q.C.,  was  specially  retained  by  the  Kilkenny  and  South- 
East  of  Ireland  Archaeological  Society  to  aid  the  Crown 
prosecutors  and  to  watch  the  trial,  which  resulted  in  a 
disagreement.  The  Government  declined  to  prosecute  a 
second  time,  but  the  proceedings  had  the  wholesome 
effect  of  showing  clearly  to  mischievous  people  that  the 
.amusement  of  knocking  noses  off  old  figures  was  one 
liable  to  be  attended  with  serious  danger  to  their  per- 
sonal liberty.  The  Society  made  an  honorary  member 
of  Mr.  T.  L.  Cooke,  Sessional  Crown  Prosecutor  for  the 
King's  County,  in  order  to  mark  their  approval  of  his 
praiseworthy  exertions  in  the  matter  of  the  "  Clonmac- 
noise outrage."  The  balance  which  remained  in  hand 
of  the  "  Prosecution  Fund"  was  applied  to  the  restora- 
tion, as  far  as  possible,  of  the  injuries  sustained  by  the 
monuments. 

This  episode  kindled  a  lively  interest  in  the  ruins  at 
Clonmacnoise,  and  in  the  following  year  (April,  1865) 
the  Society  undertook  to  repair  some  of  the  buildings 
there.  A  fund  of  £71  5s.  was  collected  for  that  purpose, 
and  Dean  Vignoles,  Mr.  Du  Noyer,  and  Mr.  Graves 
visited  the  place  to  see  what  was  required.  The  account 
of  the  outlay  may  be  seen  in  vol.  v.,  N.S.,  p.  367,  where 
there  is  also  an  exciting  description  of  the  exhumation* 

C2 


20  IN   PIAM   MEMORIAL   REV.   JAMES   GRAVES. 

stone  after  stone,  of  every  portion  of  a  magnificent  Hi- 
berno-Romanesque  doorway— a  most  unlooked-for  dis- 
covery, as  not  the  smallest  portion  of  the  arch  had  been 
known' to  exist  before  the  excavations  were  commenced. 
The  restoration  of  the  conical  cap  of  the  lesser  round 
tower  at  Clonmacnoise— attached  to  Temple  Finghin,  and 
commonly  called  Mac  Carthy's  tower— was  another  good 
deed  effected  by  the  Society,  which   expended  nearly 
£200 l  on  the  reparation  and  protection  from  further  in- 
jury of  the  seven   churches  at  Clonmacnoise.     Similar 
works  of  national  utility  were  carried  out  in  the  splendid 
Cistercian  Abbey  of   Jerpoint   and   in   the  Franciscan 
Abbey  of  Kilkenny.     The  condition  of  the  churches  at 
Glendalough,  county  Wicklow,  was  brought  under  notice- 
shortly  before  being  vested  in   the  Board   of  Works. 
At  the  instigation  of  Mr.  Graves  the  influence  of  the 
Association  pressed  upon  the  Commissioners  of  Church 
Temporalities  the  importance  of  making  national  monu- 
ments of  all  the  round  towers  and  the  most  interesting 
of  the  churches  and  crosses  of  Ireland.2 

In  the  year  1869,3  the  Association  caused  a  fount  of 
ogham  type  to  be  cast.  Every  representation  of  this 
character  previously  attempted  by  any  individual  or 
society  had  been  imperfectly  effected  by  means  of 
" rules"  or  " hyphens"  used  in  ordinary  Roman  type ; 
the  Association  can  therefore  claim  to  have  been  the  first 
to  cast  ogham  type. 

The  editing  of  the  Journal  WB,a  by  no  means  the  light- 
est of  Mr.  Graves'  labours.  How  much  he  contributed  to 
its  pages  may  be  seen  by  looking  over  the  list  of  his  forty- 
seven  communications,  of  which  the  titles  and  number 
of  the  volume  they  are  in  may  be  found  in  Appendix  A. 
The  style  of  Mr.  Graves'  writing  varied  with  his  theme, 
but  it  was  always  grave  and  concise,  authoritative  and 
stately.  The  illustrations  in  the  first  volume  are  principally 
his  own  work,  for  he  drew  accurately  on  stone.  Among 
these  illustrations  are  "  Old  Houses,  High-street,  Kil- 
kenny;" "  Entrance  to  Rothe's  House;"  "  Sedilia  and 


1  Journal,  R.H.  A.A.I.,  vol.  xr.,  page  »  Ibid.,  vol.  iv.,  4th  Ser.,  p.  174. 

3  Ibid,  vol.  i.,  4th  Ser.,  p.  5. 


IN    PI  AM   MEMORIAM    REV.    JAMES    GRAVES.  21 

Aumbry,  Jerpoint  Abbey  ;"  "  Sedilia,  Piscina,  and  Aum- 
bry, Bally  larkin  Church;"  "  Sedilia  and  Piscina,  Callan 
Abbey."  These  sedilia — of  different  styles  of  architec- 
ture— are  thus  preserved  to  us  by  his  pencil  free  from 
the  disfigurement,  inseparable  from  exposure  to  the 
weather,  as  well  as  from  the  more  speedy  and  certain 
injury  of  mischievous  persons.  In  vol.  i.  are  also  repre- 
sentations of  three  cromleacs,  and  of  the  Tory  Hill 
supposed  Pelasgian  inscription  from  the  original  stone 
preserved  at  Woodstock,  county  Kilkenny. 

When  first  founded,  in  1849,  it  did  not  appear  pro- 
bable that  the  income  of  the  Society  would  at  any  period 
suffice  for  printing  the  papers  read  at  its  several  meetings, 
which  at  that  time  were  held  every  second  month  ;  the 
columns  of  the  local  newspapers  were  its  only  means  of 
record.     Among  its  original  members  was  Joseph  Burke, 
Esq.,  Barrister-at-Law,  who  then  held  an  official  position 
•connected  with  the  county  Kilkenny.    Mr.  Burke  became 
one  of  its  most  zealous  supporters  and  one  of  the  most 
•energetic   members   of  its   managing  committee.     The 
other  founders  of  the  Society  had  not  looked  to,  or  hoped 
for,  the  extension  of  its  influence  beyond  the  limits  of 
the  district  whose  name  it  bore,  and  had  never  contem- 
plated  in  their  original   design  the  publication  of   its 
Proceedings  in  any  other  form  than  as  they  might  appear 
in  the  reports  of  the  local  newspapers. 

At  the  end  of  the  first  year  Mr.  Burke  startled  his 
fellow-members  of  the  committee  by  a  proposition  for 
publishing  the  Society's  Transactions  in  an  illustrated 
volume,  to  be  followed  annually  by  a  similar  issue ;  he 
asserted  that  the  papers  read  were  too  valuable  to  be  left 
buried  on  old  newspaper  files,  and  that  they  were  of 
sufficient  importance  to  establish  the  Society's  reputation 
throughout  Great  Britain.  This  suggestion,  at  first 
looked  upon  as  chimerical,  was  yet,  when  carried  out, 
attended  with  the  result  its  proposer  had  foretold.  It  is 
no  longer  a  mere  county  or  provincial  society,  but,  under 
the  patronage  of  Eoyalty,  counts  its  supporters  and  con- 
tributors from  amongst  the  learned  men,  not  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland  alone,  but  also  of  the  continent  of 
Europe. 


22  IN  PIAM   MEMORIAM   REV.   JAMES   GRAVES. 

By  means  of  the  exchange  of  its  printed  publications 
the  Society  is  now  in  connexion  with  42  scientific  bodies : 
11  in  London ;  22  in  England  and  Wales  ;  4  in  America ; 
2  in  Scotland ;  2  in  Dublin ;  and  1  in  Copenhagen.— 
Nascitur  eziguus,  at  opes  acquirit  eundo.  Mr.  Burke,  who 
might  be  styled  the  father  of  the  Journal^  continued 
an  active  member  of  the  Society  up  to  his  death,  in 

1864.1 

The  printing  of  the  Transactions  having  been  decided 
on,  the  committee  entrusted  the  duty  of  editing  them  to 
the  honorary  secretaries.  The  impression  for  1849  was- 
limited  to  250  copies;  for  1850,  to  300;  that  for  1851, 
to  500.  The  "Transactions"  for  these  three  years, 
1849-1851,  bound  together,  form  the  first  volume.  ^  It  is 
extremely  scarce,  more  from  the  difficulty  of  obtaining 
Part  1  for  1849  than  from  the  scarcity  of  Parts  2  and  3. 
Part  1  has  been  long  out  of  print — indeed  as  long  ago  as- 
1853.  It  is  rare  to  be  able  to  obtain  a  copy  of  vol.  i.  at 
any  price. 

With  the  year  1856  a  new  series  of  the  Society's- 
Journal  was  commenced.  This  step  was  rendered  neces- 
sary by  the  unwillingness  of  new  members  to  place  on 
their  shelves  an  imperfect  series  of  the  Society's  publi- 
cations. The  impression  of  the  new  series  (second) 
amounted  to  850  copies ;  yet  so  numerous  had  been  the 
accessions  to  the  Society,  that  in  January,  1857,  there 
remained  but  150  copies  on  hand.  This  second  series 
ran  to  six  volumes.  A  third  series,  with  an  impression 
of  800  copies,  commenced  with  the  year  1868.  Another 
(fourth)  series,  consisting  of  1000  copies,  commenced 
with  the  year  1870;  the  seventh  volume  of  this  series  is- 
now  completed  and  in  the  hands  of  the  Fellows  and 
Members.  In  Appendix  B,  the  volumes  issued  up  to  the 
present  date  are  numbered  consecutively  from  the  begin- 
ning, and  in  parallel  column  the  corresponding  ones  of 
the  several  series,  so  that  it  can  be  seen  at  a  glance  how 
far  short  they  are  of  a  complete  set. 

The  writer  of  this  memoir  will  ever  look  back  with 
feelings  of  pleasure  to  three  special  occasions  (among 


1  Journal,  R.H. A.A.I.,  vol.  v.,  N.S.,  p.  221 


IN   PIAM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES.  23 

many  others)  on  which  he  spent  entire  days  with  Mr. 
Graves,  engaged  in  those  employments  in  which  he  shone 
to  most  advantage.  One  of  the  days  was  spent  in  ex- 
ploring amongst  the  foundations  of  a  dwelling-house  of 
the  ancient  but  long  extinct  town  of  Jerpoint,  near  the 
ruins  of  the  Abbey  of  that  name  ;  another  was  devoted 
to  an  investigation  of  the  cave  of  Dunmore,  and  an  ex- 
amination of  the  bones  therein  ;  the  third  was  passed  in 
the  great  sepulchral  tumulus  of  New  Grange,  county 
Meath. 

Association  with  a  man  of  such  varied  cultivation  of 
mind,  who  abounded  in  practical  information  on  matters 
of  history,  architecture,  geology,  and  botany,  and  who 
was  full  of  folk-lore  and  native  traditions  wherewith  to 
beguile  the  time,  was  a  privilege  as  well  as  a  source  of 
great  enjoyment. 

PAX  MANIBUS. 


ARTHUR  WYNNE  FOOT,  M.D. 


[APPENDIX. 


24  IN   PIAM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES. 


APPENDIX    A. 

Communications  of  REV.  JAMES  GRAVES  to  JOURNAL,  with  references 

to  locality. 

VOLUME    I.— 1849,    1851. 

1.  Ancient  Street  Architecture  in  Kilkenny  (p.  41). 

2.  Ancient  Corporation  By-laws  (p.  47). 

3.  Ancient  Encaustic  Flooring  Tiles  (p.  83). 

4.  Ancient  Seals  and  Seal-Rings  (p.  88). 

5.  Cromleac  (p.  129). 

6.  The  Bay  and  Town  of  Bannow.     No.  1.  (p.  187). 

7.  Ancient  Irish  Stained  Glass  (p.  210). 

8.  The  Ancient  Tribes  and  Territories  of  Ossory.     No.  1.  (p.  230). 
9    Observations  on  the  Excavation  of  a  Cam  at  Cloghmanty  Hill 

(p.  289). 

10.  On  the  supposed  Pelasgian  Inscription  of  Tory  Hill  (p.  300). 

1 1 .  Extracts  from  the  Household  Expenses  of  James  Earl  of  Ossory 

(p.  415). 


VOLUME    II.— 1852,    1853. 

12.  Ancient  Tapestry  of  Kilkenny  Castle  (p.  3). 

13.  On  the  Cross-legged  Effigies  of  the  County  of  Kilkenny  (p.  63). 

14.  The  Pagan  Cemetery  at  Ballon  Hill,  County  of  Carlow  (p.  295). 


VOLUME    III.— 1854,    1855. 

15.  Extracts  from  the  Private  Memorandum-book  of  Captain  George 

Gafney,  of  Kilkenny,   an  Officer  in  the  Army  of  James  II. 
(p.  161). 

16.  Notes  on  the  Topography  and  History  of  the  Parish  of  Hook, 

County  of  Wexford.     Part  I.  (p.  194). 

17.  A  List  of  the  Ancient  Irish  Monumental  Stones  at  present  exist- 

ing at  Clonmacnoise  (p.  293). 


VOLUME    IV.  — 1856,    1857. 
(VOLUME  I.     NEW  SERIES.) 

18.  The  Records  of  the  Ancient  Borough  Towns  of  the  County  of 

Kilkenny  (p.  84). 

19.  The  Surrender,  in  March,  1649-50,  at  Ballysonan,  in  the  County 

of  Kildare,  to  the  Parliamentary  Forces  (p.  110). 

20.  On  the  Landing-place  of  Henry  II.  in  the  Harbour  of  Waterford 

(p.  385). 


IN    PIAM   MEMOKIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES.  25 

VOLUME  V.— 1858,   1859. 
(VOLUME  II.     PART  I.     NEW  SERIES.) 

21.  Register  of  Historical  Portraits  (p.  232). 

22.  The  History,  Architecture,  and  Antiquities  of  the  City  of  Kil- 

kenny (p.  322). 

VOLUME    VI.  — 1860,     1861. 
(VOLUME  III.     NEW  SERIES.) 

23.  "What  we  learn  from  Wilde's  "  Catalogue  of  the  Antiquities  in 

the  Museum  of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy"  (p.  247). 

24.  Continuation  of  above  (p.  266). 

25.  A  Journey  to  Kilkenny  in  the  year  1709.     From  the  MS.  Notes 

of  Dr.  Thomas  Molyneux,  edited  by  the  Rev.  James  Graves 
(p.  296). 

26.  The  Taking  of  the  Earl  of  Ormonde,  A.D.  1600  (p.  388). 


VOLUME    VII.  — 1862,    1863. 
(VOLUME  IV.     NEW  SERIES.) 

27.  Extracts  from  the  Journal  of  Thomas  Dineley,  Esq.,  giving  some 

Account  of  his  Visit  to  Ireland  in  the  Reign  of  Charles  II. — 
Continued,  with  Notes  by  the  Rev.  James  Graves  (p.  103). 

28.  Register  of  Historical  Portraits  (continued  from  vol.  v.,  p.  238), 

(p.  138). 

29.  Anonymous  Account  of  the  early  Life  and  Marriage  of  James, 

1st  Duke  of  Ormonde  (p.  276). 


VOLUME    VIII.  — 1864,    1866. 
(VOLUME  V.     NEW  SERIES.) 

30.  Extracts  from  the  Journal  of  Thomas  Dineley,  Esq.,  giving  some 

account  of  his  Visit  to  Ireland  in  the  Reign  of  Charles  II. — 
Continued  (p.  268). 

31.  On  a  Boulder  with  presumed  Pagan  Carvings  at  Clonfinlough, 

King's  Co.  (p.  354). 


VOLUME  IX.— 1867. 
(VOLUME   VI.     NEW    SERIES.) 

32.  Extracts  from  the  Journal  of  Thomas  Dineley,  Esq.,  giving  some 
Account  of  his  Visit  to  Ireland  in  the  Reign  of  Charles  II. — 
Continued  (p.  73). 


26  IN   PIAM   MEMORIAM   REV.    JAMES   GRAVES. 

33  Extracts  from  the  Journal  of  Thomas  Dineley,  Esq.,  giving  some 

Account  of  his  Visit  to  Ireland  in  the  Reign  of  Charles  II.— 
Completed  (p.  176). 

34  Some   Additional  Facts   as  to  the  Marriage  of  James  Viscount 

Thurles,  afterwards  Duke  of  Ormonde,  and  the  Lady  Elizabeth 
Preston  (p.  232). 

VOLUME    X.— 1868,    1869. 
(VOLUME  I.     THIRD  SEEIES.) 

35.  Notice  of  a  book  entitled,  "  Beware  the  Cat,"  by  Kobert  Mal- 

comson,  Esq.   With  Notes  by  the  Kev.  James  Graves  (p.  187). 

36.  Unpublished  Geraldine  Documents  (p.  459). 

VOLUME    XI.— 1870,    1871. 
(VOLUME  I.     FOUETH  SERIES.) 

37.  Unpublished  Geraldine  Documents. — Continued  (p.  591). 

VOLUME    XII.  — 1872,    1873. 
(VOLUME  II.     FOTTRTH  SERIES.) 

38.  Notes  on  an  Autograph  of  the  Fair  Geraldine  (p.  561). 

VOLUME    XIII.  — 1874,    1875. 
(VOLUME  III.     FOURTH  SERIES.) 

39.  The  Church  and  Shrine  of  St.  Manchan  (p.  134). 

VOLUME    XIV.— 1876,   1878. 
(VOLUME  IV.     FOURTH  SEMES.) 

40.  Unpublished  Geraldine  Documents  (p.  14). 

41.  Unpublished  Geraldine  Documents  (p.  157). 

42.  On  Cup  and  Circle  Sculptures  as  occurring  in  Ireland  (p.  283). 

43.  Bronze  Shields  (p.  487). 

VOLUME    XV.— 1879,    1882. 
(VOLUME  V.     FOITRTH  SERIES.) 


IN    PIAM    MEMORIAM   KEV.    JAMES    GRAVES.  27 

VOLUME    XVI.  — 1883,    1884. 
(VOLUME  VI.     FOURTH  SERIES.) 

44.  On  a  Sepulchral  Slab  found  at  the  Reefert,  Glendalough,  bearing 

an  Irish  Inscription,  and  also  one  in  Greek  letters  (p.  42). 

45.  The  Damhliag  of  Achadhabhall  (p.  72). 

46.  Excursions   to   Muckross   Abbey   and   Innisfallen ;  Ardfert  and 

Barrow-n-Eanach  ;  Aghadoe  and  Dunloe  (p.  310). 

47.  Excursion  to  Emania,  Tynan  and  its  Crosses,  and  Caledon  Hill 

Demesne  (p.  409). 


APPENDIX    B. 

To  show  the  Relation  between  the  different  Series  of  the  JOURNAL,  and  the- 
Volumes  numbered  consecutively,  ab  initio. 


VOL.    I.,  .  .  1849,  1850,  1851. 

„    II.,  ....  1852,  1853. 

III.,  ....  1854,  1855. 

„    IV.,  ....  1856,1857,  .  .  VOL.   I.,  2nd  Ser. 

V 1858,  1859,  .  .  „  II.,   „ 

„    VI.,  ....  1860,  1861,  .  .  „  III., 

„   VII.,  ....  1862,  1863,  .  .  „  IV., 

„  VIII.,  .  .  1864,  1865,  1866,  .  .  „  V., 

„    IX., 1867,  .  .  „  VI.,   „ 

X.,  ....  1868,  1869,  .  .  „  I.,  3rd  Ser. 

XL,  ....  1870,  1871,  .  .  „  I.,  4th  „ 

„   XII.,  ....  1872,  1873,  .  .  „  II., 

„  XIII.,  ....  1874,  1875,  .  .  „  III., 

„  XIV.,  .  .  1876,  1877,  1878,  .  .  „  IV., 

„   XV.,  1879,  1880,  1881,  1882,  .  .  „  V., 

„  XVI.,  ....  1883,  1884,  .  .  „  VI., 


(     28     ) 

IRISH    CHUECH   BELLS. 

(No.  III.) 

(Continued  from  p.  482,  VOL.  VI.) 
BY    RICHARD    LANGRISHE, 

VICE-PKESIDENT,     K.  H.  A.  A.  I., 

Member  of  the  Royal  Institute  of  Architects,  Ireland. 

THE  ancient  Church  of  St.  Audoen,  in  Com  Market, 
Dublin,  contains  six  bells,  amongst  which  are  three  of 
the  oldest  now  hanging  in  any  steeple  in  Ireland,  if  not 
the  oldest  of  all  our  cast  bells,  and  therefore  of  surpass- 
ingly great  interest  to  the  campanologist. 

The  Rev.  Alexander  Leeper,  D.D.,  who  has  been  for 
many  years  Rector  and  Prebendary  of  St.  Audoen's, 
when  applied  to  for  permission  to  examine  these  bells 
for  the  purposes  of  this  Paper,  cordially  responded,  and 
supplied  me  with  his  Handbook  to  the  Church  and  its 
Monuments.  This  book  contains  copies  of  the  inscrip- 
tions on  five  of  the  present  six  bells,  also  of  that  on  the 
former  second  bell — which  was  recast  some  years  ago — 
from  rubbings  taken  by  John  Ribton  Garstin,  LL.B.; 
F.S.A.,  which  verify  those  made  by  myself. 

The  Rev.  Christopher  T.  M'Cready,  M.A.,  of  St. 
Patrick's  Cathedral  —  who  has  been  Curate  of  St. 
Audoen's  for  several  years — has  also  most  kindly  placed 
the  old  Vestry-book  (lately  recovered  by  him)  at  my 
disposal,  together  with  a  considerable  amount  of  infor- 
mation collected  by  him,  during  a  number  of  years  past, 
from  the  more  recent  Vestry-books,  and  other  sources. 
A  good  deal  of  this  information  has  lately  been  published 
in  a  series  of  very  interesting  articles  in  The  Irish  Builder, 
and  attention  has  thus  been  drawn  to  points  which 
otherwise  might  have  been  overlooked.  I  propose  to 
take  the  bells  in  their  ringing  order,  from  No.  1,  or 
treble,  to  No.  6,  or  €  tenor,  which  will  prevent  their 
chronological  order  being  adhered  to ;  this,  however, 
is  unavoidable. 


IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS.  29 

The  earliest  reference  to  the  bells,  in  the  Vestry- 
book,  is  in  1638,  and  others  occur  from  time  to  time: — 

"  The  Curfew  Bell. — In  a  meetinge  of  the  Prebend  and  parishioners 
of  St.  Audoen's,  it  is  agreed  that  the  body  of  the  church  in  both  lies 
shalbee  paved  uppon  the  charges  of  those  monnies  remaininge  uppon  the 
collector's  hands  of  the  monnie  that  was  heretofore  cessed  for  the  steeple — 
And  it  is  further  agreed  that  the  clarke  of  the  parish  shall  have  sixe 
o'clock  belle  tolled  every  morning  and  evening  at  the  hour  of  sixe  of  the 
clocke  from  henceforth,  and  the  two  small  bells  to  ring  at  eleven  of  the 
clock  every  day  accordinge  to  the  auncient  custom,  and  that  curfew  shalbee 
rung  at  eight  of  the  clocke  at  night  from  Michaelmas  until  Easter  eve 
yearly,  in  consideration  whereof  the  said  clarke  is  to  have  3d.  of  every 
parishioner  that  paies  five  shillings  or  upwards  by  the  yeare  unto  the 
parson  over  and  besides  the  nine  pound  due  unto  the  said  clarke  for  his 
Easter  duties. 

"Dated  this  14th  of  August,  1638." 

"  Chr.  Davis,  Prelendarie ;  Wm.  Talbott,  John  Bamber,  Church- 
wardens; Thacly  Duffe,  Christr.  White,  Win.  Ussher,  Wi.  Bagott, 
Christr.  Bryce." 

The  ringing  of  the  curfew  bell  was  discontinued  at 
the  commencement  of  the  present  century. 

"1658,  August  31st.  This  day  the  churchwardens,  with  some  of  the 
Parishioners,  mett  in  the  church,  and  itt  was  concluded  that  the  organ 
pipes  which  weare  left  (many  havinge  been  lost,  and  noe  account  being 
to  be  gotten  of  them)  should  be  sold,  and  the  money  to  be  converted 
toward  the  new  castinge  of  two  Bells,  which  are  now  putt  into  the 
founder's  hands ;  and  the  sayd  pipes  weare  accordingly  sold  to  Mr.  Webbe 
the  pewterer,  in  High  Street,  in  Dublin,  att  8d.  per  pound,  amounting  to 
eleven  pounds  eight  shillings,  with  which  summe  they  charge  themselves." 

"  Ordered  the  same  day  that  the  aforesayd  two  Bells  be  forthwith 
cast ;  and  the  carpenter  and  smith  be  agreed  withal,  for  soe  much  as  con- 
cerns their  worke,  in  relation  to  the  hanging  of  them.  v  And  the  Parish- 
ioners are  hereby  assessed  in  the  severall  summes  to  their  names 
respectively  annexed  for  the  defraying  of  the  sayd  charge,  and  for  the 
hangings  of  the  other  three  Bells,  lof tinge  the  steeple,  &c." 

"William  Lightburne  (Minister);  Warner  Westenra,  John  Cade 
(Churchwardens) ;  John  Forrest,  Samuel  Saltenstall,  John  Samon, 
Geo.  Gilbert,  Dr.  Westenra,  Sam.  Bradwaye." 

"May  3,  1660.  At  a  meetinge  this  day  in  the  parish  Church,  the 
Minister  chose  Aid.  Peter  Wybrant  for  one  of  the  Churchwardens  for  the 
present  yeare,  and  the  Parish  chose  Sr.  Wm  Usher,  Kt.  for  the  other 
Churchwarden." 

"  Agreed  then  y*  ye  sayd  Churchwardens  shall  call  ye  late  Church- 
wardens, and  all  other  y*  have  not  accounted,"  and  state  and  auditt  their 
severall  Accounts,  and  especially  yr  Accounts  concerninge  ye  castinge  of 


30  IRISH   CHURCH    BELLS. 

the  Bells,  and  reparation  of  the  steeple,  and  to  see  how  the  sayd  Bells 
may  be  cast  in  a  sufficient  manner,  or  the  moneyes  collected  to  y1  purpose 
repayed  to  the  Parish." 

"  April  21,  1663.  Ordered  that  the  Churchwardens  out  of  ye  assess- 
ment for  Rcpaires  pay  Mr.  Der.  Westenra  the  sum  of  £17  13s.  5d.,  for 
money  disbursed  by  him  for  the  use  of  the  Church,  when  he  was  Church- 
warden (as  appears  by  his  Account),  and  to  secure  the  Bell  metall  now 

in  his  hands. 

LIGHTBUENE,  Prebend" 


Derrick  Westenra  had  been  churchwarden  in  1659. 

In  the  churchwarden's  account,  from  25th  March, 
1667,  to  the  25th  March,  1668,  are  the  following  entries 
having  reference  to  the  bells : — 

£   s.   d. 

11  For  nails  and  mending  ye  bell  wheeles, .  .  .010 
To  Mr.  Snalem  ye  Smith  for  Iron  worke  for  ye  bells, 

and  Hookes  and  chains  for  ye  fire  poles,  .  .5170 
To  ye  Ringers  when  wee  were  sworn,  .  .  .026 
For  nails  great  and  small,  at  severall  tymes  to  mend 

ye  frame  and  bell  wheeles,  .  .  .  .  .  0  0  11 
For  stuff  to  mend  ye  bell  wheele,  .  .  .  .026 
For  new  bell  roapes  and  mending  ye  frame,  .  .0112 

For  stuff  for  bell  wheeles, 200 

Gave  to  ye  ringers,  .         .         .         .         .         .026 

To  more  paid  att  severall  times  to  je  ringers  for 

sweringe  the  Churchwardens  and  sidesmen,  a  stan- 

dish  for  ye  Church  paper,  basketts,  brooms,   .         .     4  10     9" 

"  16?$,  March  7.  Agreed  that  Mr.  Philip  Castleton  and  St.  Dutton, 
and  Mr.  John  Davis,  for  the  Upper  Ward,  and  Mr.  Waller,  Mr.  David 
Fawkner,  and  Capt.  Walter  Mottley  in  the  Lower  Ward,  are  chosen  and 
requested  by  the  Prebendary  and  the  parishioners  to  collect  and  gather 
up  the  charitable  benevolencies  and  contributions  of  all  well-disposed 
persons,  toward  the  repair  of  the  steeple  and  spire  of  St.  Audoen's, 
together  with  the  repairs  of  the  Bells,  and  to  add  a  new  tenor,  and  to  fit 
up  the  clock  with  chimes. 

"CHARLES  WALSH,  Prebend." 
"  GEO.  GILBERT,  j 

ERES,     i 


"  1693,  April  17th.  Att  a  Vestry  then  held  by  the  Prebend,  Church- 
wardens, and  Parishioners,  it  was  unanimously  agreed  and  accepted  of, 
by  the  said  parish  aforesaid,  of  Mr.  Tho.  Somerville,  and  Mr.  Clement 
Millward,  as  their  Sidesmen  and  Churchwardens,  findes  the  sum  of 
Eleaven  pounds  tenn  shillings  sterl.  and  for  ever  hereafter  to  be  excused 
from  the  services  of  either  Sidesman  or  Churchwarden,  the  said  Eleaven 
pounds  to  be  lodged  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  William  Baker  untill  further 
order  for  y  purchasing  of  a  Bell  for  the  use  of  the  said  Parish ;  and  that 


IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS.  31 

Mr.  Donrinick  Ryan  be  chosen  as  Sidesman  and  Mr.  James  Mitchell  in 
Room  of  the  above  Mr.  Thomas  Somerville  and  Mr.  Clement  Millward,  as 
witness  our  hands. 

"  JNO.  FINGLASSE. 

"  WILLIAM  BAKER,  WILL.  TURNER,  Churchwardens." 

11 1694,  April  ye  23rd.  Att  a  Vestry  then  held  in  the  parish  Church  of 
St.  Audoen's,  Dublin,  by  the  Licensed  Curate,  Churchwardens,  and 
parishioners,  it  was  agreed  that  the  five  and  twenty  hundred  weight  of 
Brass  Mettal  given  by  the  Right  Honourable  Henry,  Lord  Yiscount 
Sydney,  late  Lord  Lieutenant  of  this  Kingdom  (1690-95)  to  the  use  of 
the  said  Church  for  the  founding  a  new  Bell  be  forthwith  put  into  the 
hands  of  Major  Henry  Paris,  to  be  by  him  cast  into  two  Bells,  that  is  to 
say,  one  tenor  and  one  treble ;  and  that  all  the  costs  and  charges  for  cast- 
ing the  same  be  defraied  by  the  said  parishioners,  except  fifteen  guineas 
now  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  William  Baker,  and  five  guineas  now  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  William  Ford,  which  by  act  of  vestry  are  to  be  applyed  to 
that  use. 

"  FRAN.  HIGGINS,  Curte. 


"  ALEXANDER  KEANE,  )  m      ,        ,      ,, 
«  WM.  FORD,  j  Churchwardens" 


I  "  1699,  April  ye  10th.  Att  a  Yestry  legally  called,  and  this  day 
assembled,  it  was  unanimously  agreed  by  the  Licensed  Curatt,  Church- 
wardens, and  Parishioners  of  the  parish  of  St.  Audoen's,  Dublin,  that 
Mr.  Patrick  Forbus  be  exempted  from  serving  Sidesman  and  Church- 
warden in  the  said  parish,  that  the  said  money  be  paid  into  the  hands  of 
Alderman  William  Gibbons,  William  Stowel,  William  Ford,  and  Thomas 
Somerville,  to  be  applied  by  them  to  the  use  of  the  Bells  to  be  hung  in 
the  steeple  of  the  parish  Church  of  St.  Audoen's.  The  summe  of  Five 
pound  fifteen  shillings  is  now  currant,  being  paid  to  Alderman  Gibbons, 
as  treasurer,  by  the  said  Patrick  Forbus. 

"  THO.  POUNTNEY,  Curatt. 

11  JOHN  QUAILE,   )    >~7       ,        7 

-WM.  PARRY,     |    Churchwardens." 

£    s.    d. 
"1786,   May  31.      The   Churchwardens  to  pay  the 

ringers  as  they  merit,  .         .         .         .         .600 

The  ringers  when  the  Churchwardens  are  elected  to 

office, 055 

Paid  Francis  Davis  for  bell-ropes,     .         .         .         .353 

1787,  Nov.  23.     Cash  paid  Henry  Rorke  in  full  for 
hanging  the  bells,  and  attorney's  fee,   .         .         .  18  17     4 

1788,  March  3.     Paid  to  the  Ringers  on  the  King's 
recovery,  .         .         .         .         •        •  055" 

"  1790,  Feb.  16.  It  was  unanimously  agreed  that  Mr.  Richard 
Wilson  be  employed  to  cast  a  new  treble  Bell,  he  charging  the  Parish 
the  sum  of  one  shilling  and  five  pence  per  pound  for  said  bell.  At  the 
same  time  it  was  agreed  with  said  Mr.  Wilson,  that  he  do  allow  the 


32  IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS. 

Parish  ten  pence  per  Ib.  for  old  Bell  in  exchange  for  new  Bell ;  he  also 
engages  the  same  bell  to  be  tuneable." 

£    s.    d. 
"1790,  April  15.     Paid  for  weighing  the  old  Bell,  .     014 

29.     Richard  Wilson  for  new  bell  and 
Sundries     .  -25  15     6" 

Having  now  gone  through  all  the  entries  referring  to 
the  bells  in  general,  we  come  to  that  concerning  the 
first,  or  treble.  It  is  29f  inches  in  diameter,  weighs 
about  6  cwt.,  and  bears  the  following  inscription, 
roughly  engraved  over  the  sound-bow  in  letters  \\ 
inch  high,  the  founder  having  evidently  forgotten  to 
stamp  it  on  the  mould  before  casting  the  bell: — 

"REV.  THOMAS  CRADDOCK,1  PREBENDARY;  LEWIS  HODGSON, 
"THO.  HACKETT,  CHURCHWARDENS.     1790." 

This  bell  appears  to  be  the  successor  of  at  least 
two  earlier  trebles,  for  the  extracts  already  given  from 
the  Vestry-book  show  that  there  were  two  small  bells 
existing  in  1638,  and  that  in  1658  steps  had  been  taken 
to  have  two  bells  newly  cast,  which  were  then  to  be  put 
into  the  founder's  hands.  It  seems,  however,  from  the 
order  made  in  1660,  as  if  there  had  been  some  delay 
or  uncertainty  as  to  the  bells  having  been  properly  cast. 

The  next  order  (of  date  1663)  would  seem  to  imply 
that  the  bells  had  been  cast  at  the  proper  time,  but  that 
some  metal  had  remained  over  in  the  churchwardens' 
hands.  In  1669-70,  the  bells  still  seemed  to  be  in  need 
of  repairs,  and  a  tenor  bell  was  wanting.  This  shall  be 
referred  to  again  later  on. 

The  next  mention  of  the  treble  bell  is  in  1694,  when 
a  new  one,  and  a  tenor  were  ordered  from  Henry  Paris : 
the  former  must  have  been  that  re-cast  by  Richard  Wilson, 
and  now  hanging  in  the  steeple. 

We  now  come  to  the  second  bell,  32  inches  in 
diameter,  and  which  is  a  re-cast  made  some  years  ago 
by  John  Murphy  of  Thomas-street,  Dublin,  out  of  the 
metal  of  the  old  second,  which  appears  to  have  dated 

1  Thomas  Cradock  was  installed  in  St.  erected  to  his  memory  in  the  south  aisle 

Patrick's  Cathedral,  as  Prebendary  of  St.  of  the  choir.  —  Monck-Mason's  History 

Audoen's,  on  the  2nd  November,  1776,  of  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral. 
and  died  in  1827,  aged  86.     A  tablet  was 


IRISH    CHURCH    BELLS.  33 

from  1658.  There  is  nothing  particular  to  be  said  about 
the  present  bell,  but  it  is  well  to  record  the  inscription 
on  its  predecessor,  as,  strange  to  say,  it  has  not  been 
reproduced  on  the  new  bell.  Mr.  M'Cready  fortunately 
copied  it,  and  states  that  it  was — 

SOLI  DEO  DETUR  GLORIA.     1628.    DANIEL  WELDE, 
VERGER  AND  SEXTON  OF  CHRIST  CHURCH. 

It  seems  more  probable  that  the  date  was  u  1658," 
for  the  figure  "  5"  was  sometimes  made  in  such  a  way 
that  an  unpractised  observer  might  easily  mistake  it  for 
a  "  2."  Dr.  Leeper  has  suggested  that  the  bell  had 
been  obtained  from  Christ  Church,  as  the  Verger's  name 
appeared  on  it,  but  the  more  probable  surmise  is  that 
he  was  the  founder  of  it,  and  having  been  Verger  from 
1628  to  1662,  might  have  made  it  at  either  date 
named.  Had  the  bell  been  cast  for  Christ  Church, 
that  Cathedral  would  most  probably  have  been  referred 
to  as  "HVIVS  I  ECCL  •  "  and  not  by  name,  as  will  be  seen 
in  the  case  of  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral. 

We  have  seen  "  the  other  three  bells  "  referred  to  in 
the  order  of  1658,  and  we  now  come  to  the  most  inte- 
resting of  all  St.  Audoen's  Church  bells,  although  there 
are,  we  may  say,  no  records  about  them,  except  the  in- 
scriptions they  bear,  and  which  tell  us  little  beyond  the 
date  at  which  they  were  cast. 

The  smallest  of  these  ancient  bells,  which  is  now  the 
third  bell  in  the  present  ring  of  six,  is  similar  to  the 
other  two  in  every  way,  except  in  size.  It  is  33-J-  inches 
in  diameter,  and  probably  weighs  8  cwt.,  is  of  pro- 
portionate height  and  thickness,  and  well  moulded,  with 
the  high  rounded  canons  always  found  on  very  old  bells. 
It  bears  round  the  shoulder  the  following  inscription, 
in  letters  of  thirteenth  century  character,  about  l^inch 
in  height,  which  have  been  drawn  to  a  scale  of  one- 
sixth  full  size : — 


"The  Bell  of  Saint  Audo3n. 

4TH  8ER.,  VOL.  VIII. 


34 


IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS. 


There  are  spaces  of  several  inches  between  the  words, 
to  spread  them  round  the  circumference,  which  measures 
four  feet  nine  inches ;  there  is  a  border  of  four  fillets  on 
each  side  of  the  inscription,  the  whole  forming  a  band 
three  inches  in  width. 

The  fourth,  which  is  also  one  of  the  ancient  bells, 
is  37£  inches  across  the  mouth,  and  bears  the  following 
legeiul  (placed  between  borders  of  four  fillets)  in  letters 
made  with  the  same  stamp  as  those  on  the  third  bell. 


"The  Bell  of  Blessed  Mary  the  Virgin." 

The  fifth  bell,  which  is  42  inches  in  diameter,  has 
the  date  placed  over  the  band  which  contains  the  legend 
as  follows : — 


***   HW10 


41  The  Bell  of  the  Holy  Trinity  and  all  Saints." 

These  three  bells,  being  similar  in  their  moulds,  and 
having  their  legends  recorded  in  characters  formed  with 
the  same  stamps,  or  types,  were  certainly  all  cast  by  the 
same  hands,  and  at  the  same  time,  in  the  year  1423, 
an.  2  Hen.  VI.  They  are  of  fine  tone,  and  must  be  of 
very  fine  metal,  to  have  remained  perfect  for  four 


IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS.  35 

hundred  and  sixty-four  years.  No  bells  of  fheir  size 
and  age  remain  in  constant  use  in  any  other  church  in 
Ireland,  nor  probably  even  in  Great  Britain,  and  it  is 
passing  strange  how  little  interest  appears  to  be  taken  in 
them,  though  they  are  of  priceless  value  in  the  eyes  of 
the  campanologist. 

Judging  from  the  legends,  they  would  appear  to 
form  a  complete  set,  the  smallest  being  dedicated  to 
St.  Audoen,  the  next  to  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and 
the  largest  to  the  Holy  Trinity  and  all  Saints;  there 
would  seem,  therefore,  to  have  been  no  one  else  left 
worthy  of  having  a  bell  dedicated  to  him.  The  only 
difficulty  in  arriving  at  this  conclusion  is,  that  taking 
them  in  musical  or  reverse  order  they  form  the  2nd, 
3rd,  and  4th  notes  in  the  diatonic  scale,  wanting  the 
keynote,  or  tenor  bell,  which  was  supplied  by  the  one 
cast  by  Henry  Paris  in  1694,  and  it  is  quite  possible 
that  when  these  three  bells  had  been  made  in  1423  there 
were  not  funds  to  provide  a  tenor  for  them,  and  that 
this  want  remained  unsupplied  until  1694.  It  seems  that 
the  order  of  1658  for  casting  two  new  bells,  and  rehang- 
ing  the  other  three,  did  not  contemplate  providing  a 
tenor;  the  order  of  1663  shows  that  one  was  still 
deficient,  that  the  vestry  were  desirous  to  acquire  a 
sufficient  supply  of  bell-metal,  and  when  they  had  pro- 
cured it  they  set  about  getting  a  peal  of  six  completed. 

Henry  Paris's  tenor  bell  having  become  cracked,  it 
was  re-cast  in  1732,  as  recorded  on  its  successor :  a  copy 
of  the  inscription  which  was  on  it  had  fortunately  been 
kept  by  the  Rev.  C.  T.  M'Cready.  It  ran  thus  :— 

THIS  BELL  WAS  RE-CAST  BY  ROGER  FORD,  A.D.  1732.     ROBERT 
GRATTAN,    PREBENDARY;    THOMAS   DOYLE   AND  WILLIAM, 
COATES,  CHURCHWARDENS 

This  bell  weighed  over  14  cwt.,  and  was  doubtless 
about  45  inches  in  diameter:  the  present  one,  cast  by 
the  late  J.  Murphy  of  Dublin,  is  considerably  shorter, 
and  half  an  inch  less  in  diameter,  than  the  bell  of  1423 
above  it,  and  quite  possibly  does  not  weigh  12  cwt., 
having  been  made  as  much  thinner  in  proportion,  as  it 

D2 


36  IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS. 

is  too  small  in  diameter,  in  order  to  get  the  proper  note 
from  it,  and  this  thinness  of  course  spoils  the  quality  of 

the  tone. 

The  old  tenor  bell,  which  used  to  be  rung  as  the  six 
o'clock  bell,  morning  and  evening,  while  it  lasted,  was, 
according  to  the  sexton,  known  by  the  name  of  the 
«  Old  Cow." 

St.  Patrick's  Cathedral  Church,  Dublin,  seems  to 
have  been  long  furnished  with  large  bells.  In  Monck- 
Mason's  fine  history  of  that  Cathedral,  references  are  to 
be  found  to  them  in  the  instructions  given  with  the 
Patent  of  Edward  VI.,  A.D.  1544,  "to  give  four  of  the 
smaller  bells"  for  the  use  of  the  parish  church  which 
was  to  be  set  up  within  the  Cathedral,  also  in  the 
(Economist's  accounts  the  following  entries  occur,  A.D. 
1555  :— 

"  Xd  solutis  uni  carpentris  qui  emendavit  '  le  frame'  secimdi  campana 
A.D.  1555.  de  lYs  solutis  Johanni  Love  reparanti  secundam  campan  et  de 
XVId  solutis  pro  ii  'stockes'  pro  campana  parvi  campanilis  :  et  de  Xs 
VId  solutis  Johanni  Love  pro  erectione  dictarum  campanarum,  et  de  Vs 
solutis  pro  ii  'cordes'  ad  dictas  campanas:  .  .  .  et  Xs  solutis  pro  repa- 
ratione  ii  linguarum  pro  campanis  in  magno  campanile  .  .  .  de  XXIIIs 
sol.  pro  ii  *  baudcrkins'  et  reparatione  magnarum  campanarum  :  de  XIIIs 
I  Yd  pro  fabricatione  machine  campani  Sti.  Johannis :  .  .  ." 

There  was  a  bell-cot  on  the  western  gable  of  the 
nave,  which  may  have  been  the  "  parvum  campanile  "- 
Monck-Mason's  transcript  of  the  Latin  has  been  accu- 
rately followed.  There  were,  therefore,  in  the  cathedral 
at  that  period  most  probably  eight,  or  possibly  ten  bells, 
which  may  have  been  cast  at  the  same  time  as  the 
ancient  bells  we  have  been  treating  of,  for  the  name  of 
John  Prene,  who  was  Dean  in  1423,  was  inscribed  on 
one  of  the  bells  cast  in  1670. 

Richard  Talbot  was  archbishop  in  1423,  and  St. 
Audoen's  formed  part  of  the  corps  of  Treasurer's  Pre- 
bend, as  it  had  been  established  by  Archbishop  Henry 
de  Loundres.  It  was  not  until  1467  that  it  was  erected 
into  a  separate  prebend  by  Archbishop  Michael  Tregury, 
who  granted  to  the  Treasurer  half  the  Prebend  of  Luske 
in  exchange.  It  does  not  appear  possible  to  discover 
who  was  Treasurer  and  Rector  of  St.  Audoen's  in  1423 : 


IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS.  37 

Cotton  gives  William  Archdekyn  as  holding  that  dignity 
in  the  15th  century,  probably  between  1405  and  1471. 
Monck-Mason  does  not  mention  anyone  as  Treasurer 
between  John  de  Gate  in  1349,  and  Richard  Eustace  in 
1471.  He  states  that  "  almost  all  the  ancient  bells  were 
re-cast  in  1670,"  but  the  Act  of  Chapter,  of  the  19th  of 
June,  1669,  implies  that  they  were  all  re-cast,  and  it  is 
very  improbable  that  the  Purdues,  who  were  brought 
over  from  Salisbury  for  the  purpose,  would  have  thought 
it  worth  while  to  splice  in  one  or  two  of  the  old  smaller 
bells,  for  they  brought  the  " sweeps"  or  templates  for 
moulding  the  bells  with  them,  and  these  had  most 
probably  been  already  brought  to  the  proper  sections  for 
forming  a  ring  of  eight  " tuneable"  bells;  they  would 
not  therefore  have  been  likely  to  alter  them  to  suit  older 
bells. 

By  the  kindness  of  the  Very  Rev.  John  West,  D.D., 
Dean  of  St.  Patrick's,  I  have  been  permitted  to  make 
copies  of  the  Acts  of  Chapter  made  with  reference  to  the 
bells,  and  they  shall  speak  for  themselves.  That  above 
referred  to  is  in  the  following  terms : — 

"  Whereas  Edward  (?  Purdue)  Bell  Founder  come  to  this  Citie  to  new 
cast  the  Bells  of  this  Cathedral  &  Christ  Church ;  it  is  ordered  by  ye  sd 
Dean  &  Chapter  that  the  bells  of  this  Cathedral  be  taken  down  and  left 
an  the  Yerger's  hands  in  order  to  have  them,  new  cast  according  to  agree- 
ment made  with  the  said  Bell  Founder  as  apprs.  by  this  article." 

I  can  only  account  for  Purdue  being  called  "  Edward" 
by  supposing  it  to  have  been  a  clerical  error  in  transcrib- 
ing the  order. 

The  casting  of  the  bells  cost  £280,  as  reported  and 
agreed  to  by  the  Chapter  in  1670.  The  treble  of  the 
eight  bells,  not  being  that  cast  by  the  Purdues,  the  order 
recorded  in  the  Chapter-book  for  re-casting  should  be 
given  before  describing  it : — 

"20th  day  of  November,  1724.  Ordered,  that  the  Eev.  Mr.  Wynne 
and  Mr.  Synge  do  agree  with  some  skilf ull  founder  for  a  new  bell  instead 
of  the  Bell  that's  cracked  in  the  steeple." 

There  is  no  further  allusion  in  the  Chapter-book  to 
the  carrying  out  of  this  work,  and  the  account-books  of 


33  IRISH   CHURCH    BELLS. 

the  period  do  not  seem  to  be  forthcoming,  which  is  to  be 
regretted,  as  the  name  of  the  founder  might  be  dis- 
covered in  them,  for  it  does  not  appear  on  the  bell, 
which  is  very  like  the  Limerick  treble,  cast  by  Tobias 
Covey  in  1703,  being  30f  inches  in  diameter,  and  29 
inches  in  height  to  the  shoulder.  It  is  also^similar  to 
the  bell  at  Athlone,  made  by  him  in  1684,  for  it  was  cast 
without  canons ;  those  now  hanging  it  are  of  wrought- 
iron,  rivetted  into  the  crown,  which  is  flat,  in  order  to 
fit  closely  to  the  stock. 

These  are  the  only  bells  I  have  yet  seen  cast  with- 
out canons,  and  I  am  strongly  inclined  to  think  that  they 
were  cast  by  the  same  man.  The  legend  runs  round  the 
shoulder,  and  is  placed  between  four  fillets ;  the  letters 
are  of  the  same  form  as  those  already  described  on  the 
Galway  and  Limerick  bells,  and  are  about  one  inch  in 
height,  not,  however,  made  with  the  same  stamps  :— 

DVRET  ;  ILLAESA  :  AD  j  PRECES  :  EXCITANS  : 
VSQVE  :  AD  ;  SONITVM  |  SVPREMAE  :.TVBAE* 
1724* 

"  May  this  Bell  remain  sound,  calling  (the  faithful)  to  Prayer  till  the 
sound  of  the  Last  Trumpet." 

On  comparing  the  rubbing  of  this  inscription  with 
that  of  the  legend  on  the  bell  at  Hollymount,  described 
in  a  previous  Number  of  this  Journal,  the  stamp  of  vine 
leaves  and  grapes,  which  is  used  on  both,  is  evidently 
the  same,  although  the  letters  are  not,  and  it  is  most 
probable  that  they  were  cast  by  the  same  person.  If 
this  was  Tobias  Covey,  he  did  not  use  the  same  letters 
or  marks  as  on  the  Galway  bells  of  1726.  The  beautiful 
prayer  inscribed  on  this  bell — whether  composed  by  the 
founder,  or  by  the  reverend  dignitaries  who  were  ap- 
pointed to  superintend  the  casting  of  it — still  goes  up  to 
Heaven,  as  Sunday  after  Sunday  it  leads  the  joyous  peal, 
whilst  they  rest  awaiting  that  trumpet  call. 

The  celebrated  Jonathan  Swift  was  then  Dean.  The 
Rev.  John  Wynne,  A.M.,  was  Prebendary  of  Swords, 
1715-27,  of  St.  Audoen's,  1727-30,  and  Precentor, 
1730-62,  when  he  died. 


IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS.  39 

The  Rev.  Edward  Synge,  A.M.,  was  Prebendary  of 
St.  Audoen's,  1719-27,  Chancellor,  1727-30,  Bishop  of 
Clonfert,  1730-1,  of  Cloyne,  1731-5,  and  translated  to 
Ferns  1735-. 

The  second  bell,  which  is  31|  inches  in  diameter, 
and  29^  inches  in  height  to  the  crown,  bears  the  names 
of  two  worthies  of  whom  no  particulars  can  be  procured. 
These  may  have  been  copied  from  an  older  bell,  or  their 
owners  may  have  been  connected  with  the  cathedral  in 
some  capacity  at  this  time.  The  inscription  is  in  Roman 
capitals,  similar  to  those  on  the  treble,  though  not  so  well 
cut :  it  runs  as  usual  between  four  fillets  : — 


#  #  IVLY  •;  THE  :  I  •  ANNO  •  DOMINI  \  1670  :  GIDEON  j 
DELAVNE  :  SAMVEL  :  HOLT  :  # 

It  is  preceded  by  two  sprays,  and  the  circle  is  completed 
to  meet  them  by  eight  stamps  of  fleur-de-lys  pattern.  It 
is  plain  that  the  legend  commences  with  the  date  and  not 
with  the  name,  as  given  by  Monck-Mason,  and  by  Dr. 
Leeper  in  his  Handbook. 

The  third  bell,  which  is  32^  inches  in  diameter,  is 
inscribed  with  the  name  of  the  verger  and  the  initials 
of  the  founders,  William,  Roger,  and  John  Purdue,  with 
their  usual  mark — a  bell — between  the  letters  (as  may  also 
be  seen  on  many  of  their  bells  in  England),  and  the  date 
between  four  fillets,  as  on  the  other  bells. 

ROBERTVS  BRADY,  VIRGER,  1670.    WAPARAPAIAP. 

The  words  are  divided  by  fleur-de-lys  scrolls  instead  of 
the  usual  points. 

The  fourth  bell  is  34^  inches  in  diameter.  The  in- 
scription contains  only  the  date  and  the  founders'  initials, 
as  on  the  last  bell,  with  scrolls  between  every  second 
letter  of  the  date,  the  letters  being  placed  together  in 
pairs,  and  bells  between  each  of  the  initials,  as  on  the 
third  bell— 

AN  NO  DO  MI  NI  1670  A  WAPARAPAlAPA  ~). 


40  IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS. 

The  fifth  bell  is  a  late  re-cast  of  the  one  which  bore 
the  legend  given  in  Monck-Mason's  history : — 

"  Henry  Paris  made  me  with  good  sound, 
To  be  fift  in  eight  when  all  ring  round, 
At  the  charge  of  Dean  Lindsey  of  St.  Patrick's,  1695." 

This  was  doubtless  the  same  Henry  Paris  who  cast 
the  treble  and  tenor  for  St.  Audoen's  Church  in  the 
previous  year ;  and  if  the  sound  of  his  bell  was  not  better 
than  that  of  its  successor  it  was  not  cracked  a  day  too 
soon. 

Our  late  honoured  Secretary,  the  Rev.  James  Graves, 
in  writing  to  the  author  about  him,  said  :  "  Henry  Paris 
was  a  brass  and  metal  founder,  and  a  sort  of  ancestor 
of  mine.  The  Rev.  Paris  Anderson,  who  wrote  the  ac- 
count of  the  '  Beresford  (Tyrone)  Ghost,'  was  a  grand- 
son of  his." 

The  present,  fifth  bell,  was  re-cast,  in  1864,  for  Sir 
Benjamin  Lee  Guinness,  and  it  bears  the  following  in- 
scription— 

"Spes  mea  in  Deo— B.  L.  G.     1864.     John  Murphy— Dublin." 

Thomas  Lindesay  was  made  Fellow  of  Wadham  Col- 
lege, Oxford,  in  1678;  Dean  of  St.  Patrick's  in  1693; 
and  Bishop  of  Killaloe  in  1695 ;  translated  to  Raphoe  in 
1713,  and  to  Armagh  in  1714.  He  died  in  Dublin  in 
1724. 

The  sixth  bell  was  re-cast  at  the  same  period,  and  is 
the  successor  of  the  one  made  by  the  Purdues,  on  which 
was  the  following  inscription  : — 

AN  j  DOM  :  1670  :  JOHANNES  :  DODSON  :  JOHANNES  :  PREENE  : 
NON  :  CLAMANS  j  SED  :  AMANS  :  IN  :  AVRE  :  DEI  :  ' 

Here  we  meet  with  two  names  not  to  be  found  amongst 
those  of  the  members  of  the  Chapter  of  this  date,  yet 
their  owners  may  have  been  minor  canons  or  vicars 
choral. 

The  seventh  bell  was  also  re-cast  from  the  one  made 


IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS.  41 

by  the  Purdues  in  1670,  and  the  old  inscription  was  re- 
produced on  it;  it  ran  thus : — 

FEARE  :  GOD  :  AND  :  HONNOR  j  THE  :  KING  | 
FOE,  :  OBEDIENG  :  IS  !  A  j  VERTVOVS  :  THING  | 

ANNO  :  DOMINI  i  1670  j    AWAPARAPAlAPA. 

The  first  of  these  lines  is  to  be  found  on  a  bell 
at  Carhampton  Church,  Somerset,  followed  by  ROGER 
PURDEY  1684,  a  member  of  the  same  family,  if  not  the 
very  same  ROGER,  whose  initials  are  here  found.  On 
many  of  the  bells  cast  by  these  worthy  men  such  like  senti- 
ments were  inscribed ;  and  the  following  was  added  on 
that  to  which  we  now  refer  : — 

RECAST  A.D.  1809.  REVD.  JAMES  VERSCHOYLE,  LL.D.,  DEAN: 
THE  REV.  THOMAS  CRADOCK,  LL.D.,  PREB.  OF  ST.  AUDOEN, 
PROCTOR.  CAST  BY  JAMES  WELLS,  ALDBOWRN,  WILTSHIRE, 
AND  REHUNG  UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OF  FRANCIS  JOHNSTON, 
ARCHITECT,  DUBLIN,  IN  THE  50-TH  YEAR  OF  THE  REIGN  OF 
KING  GEORGE  III. 

We  now  come  to  the  tenor  bell  which  has  happily 
survived  the  misfortunes  that  befell  the  fifth,  sixth,  and 
seventh  bells,  It  is  identical  in  size  with  the  Limerick 
tenor,  both  being  49  inches  in  diameter,  and  similarly 
moulded.  The  inscription  commences  with  the  date,  and 
not  with  the  contraction  of  "  Reverendissimo,"  as  given 
in  Monck -Mason's  history  and  Dr.  Leeper's  Handbook, 
in  both  of  which  the  date  is  placed  in  the  middle  of  the 
Dean's  titles  in  the  second  line,  whereas  it  stands  in  the 
first  line ;  a  number  of  sprays  are  introduced  to  show 
where  the  lines  begin  arid  end,  the  consecutive  words 
being  divided,  as  usual,  by  three  dots  placed  vertically 
over  each  other.  The  lettering  is  in  Roman  capitals, 
similar  to  those  on  the  Limerick  and  Galway  bells ;  it 
runs  round  the  shoulder  in  three  lines,  the  last  one  being 
completed  by  fleur-de-lys  scrolls. 


*  *  *  *  A  \  D 
ARCH  i  DVB  :  ET 
THO  :  SEELE  j  SS 


1670  i  RDMO  :  IN  :  XTO  :  PAT  \  MICH  |  D 
TOT  :  HIB  :'  D  j  GANG  :  NECNON  \  R  j  V 
TH  :  PROF  :*****  HVIVS  |  ECCL 


DECANO  i  ET  :  R  :  V  i  10  i  PARRY  :  EIVSD  :  PR^CEN  :  ET 
PROCVRANTE  :  HAS  j  CAMPANAS  :  *  *  '*  FVDIT  j  G 
PVRDVE  :  CVM  :  SOCIIS  :  36  36  (repeated  to  complete  the  line). 


42  IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS. 

The  Most  Reverend  Michael  Boyle  had  been  trans- 
lated to  the  Archbishopric  of  Dublin  in  1663,  having 
been  made  Bishop  of  Cork  in  1660;  he  was  the  eldest 
son  of  Richard,  Archbishop  of  Tuam,  who  was  first  cousin 
to  the  great  earl  of  Cork.  His  only  son,  Murrough,  by 
his  wife,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Murrough  O'Brien,  first 
Earl  of  Inchiquin,  was  created  Viscount  Blessington. 
Archbishop  Boyle  was  translated  to  Armagh  in  1678  ;  he 
died  in  December,  1702,  aged  93,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Earl  of  Cork's  vault  in  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral.  The 
Archbishop's  grandson,  Charles,  2nd  Viscount  Blessing- 
ton,  who  died  in  1732,  left  no  male  heir,  so  the  title  and 
that  branch  of  the  Boyle  family  became  extinct. 

According  to  Monck-Mason,  Thomas  Seele,  who  ob- 
tained the  deanery  by  letters  patent,  in  March,  1666, 
was  the  son  of  a  sexton  and  verger  of  Christ  Church 
Cathedral ;  he  was  elected  a  Junior  Fellow  of  Trinity 
College,  Dublin,  in  1633,  and  became  a  Senior  Fellow  in 
1637.  In  1647  his  name  occurs  as  Vice-Provost  of  the 
University,  but  he  does  not  appear  to  have  acted  during 
the  Commonwealth.  He  was  collated  to  the  Prebend  of 
Rathmichael  in  1648.  He  was  eminently  distinguished 
as  a  preacher,  and  his  freedom  of  expression  was  by  no 
means  agreeable  to  the  Government,  so  that  on  the  15th 
of  December,  1658,  the  Lord  Deputy,  Henry  Cromwell, 
and  the  Council  made  an  order  "  that  Mr.  Seele,  who 
officiates  in  St.  Nicholas'  church,  Dublin,  do  desist  to 
preach  or  exercise  any  ministerial  function  in  the  same, 
after  the  19th  of  this  month,  not  having  past  any  tryal 
of  his  ability,  or  other  qualifications  for  the  duty ;  nor 
hath  received  any  allowance,  or  approbation  from  this 
board." 

At  the  Restoration  he  was  promoted  to  the  Provost- 
ship  of  the  College,  although  he  was  a  married  man  ;  his 
Majesty  promoted  him,  as  he  expresses  it,  on  account  of 
the  ample  testimony  he  had  received  of  his  learning  and 
piety,  as  also  of  his  ability  and  fitness  to  exercise  this 
office  of  Provost,  &c. 

Soon  after  the  Restoration,  if  not  before  the  termina- 
tion of  the  Commonwealth,  Seele  was  promoted  to  the 
Chancellorship  of  St.  Patrick's,  for  he  appeared  at  Chapter 
in  that  capacity  on  the  22nd  of  October,  1660. 


IRISH   CHURCH   BELLS, 

In  1668,  Dean  Seele  and  his  chapter  commenced  to 
repair  the  cathedral,  which  had  become  much  dilapidated 
during  the  time  of  the  Commonwealth.  The  roof  was 
in  a  dangerous  state,  threatening  to  fall  in,  so  that  it  was 
ordered  to  be  taken  down  and  the  organ  to  be  removed. 
It  was  whilst  the  work  of  newly  roofing  the  cathedral 
was  being  carried  out  that  the  bells  were  re-cast,  by  the 
most  famous  founders  of  the  day,  at  a  cost  of  £280. 

Dean  Seele  died  on  the  2nd  of  February,  1674,  and 
was  buried  in  the  chapel  of  Trinity  College.  It  would 
seem  that  he  was  a  poor  man,  for  on  the  20th  of  March, 
1687,  the  Chapter  of  Christ  Church  made  an  order  "  to 
give  five  pounds  to  his  widow  for  her  present  support." 
And  in  the  same  year  she  was  voted  £10  by  the  Provost 
and  Senior  Fellows  of  Trinity  College,  to  enable  her  to 
go  to  England. 

John  Parry,  son  of  Edward  Parry,  Bishop  of  Killaloe, 
was  Bishop  of  Ossory  1672-77,  and  held  the  Precentor- 
ship  of  St.  Patrick's  in  commendam;  it  was  chiefly  through 
his  exertions  that  the  six  bells  for  the  cathedral  of  St. 
Canice,  Kilkenny,  were  cast,  and  at  his  own  cost  princi- 
pally. He  was  succeeded  in  the  See  of  Ossory  by  his 
brother  Benjamin,  who  had,  through  his  influence,  ob- 
tained the  Deanery  of  St.  Patrick's  on  the  death  of  Dean 
Seele ;  but  he  only  enjoyed  the  deanery  for  three  years, 
and  the  Bishopric  of  Ossory  for  a  few  months,  as  he  died 
at  Kilkenny  in  1678.  Bishop  Parry  of  Killaloe,  and  hifi 
sons,  successive  bishops  of  Ossory,  were  all  buried  in  St. 
Audoen's  Church,  Dublin. 

The  last  name  on  the  tenor  bell  is  that  of  William 
Purdue,  for  there  is  no  doubt  that  Gr.  stands  for  Gruliel- 
mus,  as  is  nearly  always  the  case  when  the  legend  is  in 
Latin.  William  Purdue  was  the  elder  of  the  company  of 
founders ;  he  did  not  live  to  see  their  labours  in  Ireland 
completed,  as  we  know  from  "  Dineley's  Tour,"  already 
published  in  this  Journal.  It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to 
record  his  epitaph  once  more — 

"  Here  a  Bell-founder,  honest  and  true, 
Till  the  Resurrection  lies  Purdue." 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  stone  on  which  this  was- 


44  IRISH   CHURCH    BELLS. 

cut  has  disappeared  from  the  floor  of  Limerick  Cathedral. 
Similar  epitaphs  have  been  placed  over  other  members  of 
this  family  of  "  cunning"  founders  of  so  many  "  tuneable" 
peals  of  bells.  May  their  works  last  till  they  rise  again ! 
The  former  bells  of  St.  Canice's  Cathedral,  Kilkenny, 
have  been  so  often  referred  to,  it  may  be  well  to  record 
the  inscriptions  they  had  borne,  and  which  have  been 
reproduced  on  the  present  six,  cast,  in  1851,  from  the 
old  metal,  by  Thomas  Hodges  of  Dublin.  The  treble 
was  32£  inches  in  diameter,  and  weighed  7  cwt.  1  qr. 
10  Ibs.  The  legend  on  it  was  as  follows  : — 

D  -  0  :  M  -  IX  •  VSVM  j  ECCLESLZE  :  S  •  CANICI  :  KILKENNLE  j 
10  :  PARRY  :  S  |  T  :  P  j  TVNC  :  EPISCOPO  |  OSSOR   3  £    OMNE  j 
EESPIRAXS  i  LAVDET  :  DOMINVM  j  PSAL  :  6°L  |  VERSV  : 
VlARAPAFVDERE  j  G  i  COVEY  :  CVM  |  SOCIIS  •  A  j  D  • 
MDCLXXIV  : 

The  second  bell  was  33  inches  across  the  mouth ;  it 
weighed  7  cwt.  3  qrs.,  and  bore  the  following  : — 

"ROGERUS  PURDUE  ET  GULIELMUS  [COVEYJ  FUDERUNT" 
"XOS  OMXES.     1674." 

The  third  bell  was  37  inches  in  diameter,  and  weighed 
9  cwt.  26  Ibs. ;  it  had  on  it  merely  initials  and  date  as 
follows : — 

RAPAWACA  ANNO  DOMINI  1674. 

The  fourth  bell  was  39  inches  in  diameter,  and 
weighed  10  cwt.  2  qrs. 

The  fifth  bell  measured  43^  inches  across  the  mouth, 
and  its  weight  was  13  cwt.  These  two  bells  had  been 
re-cast,  and  both  bore  the  following : — 

"THO.  VESEY  BART°EPISC.  ROB.  MOSSOM.  S.  T.  P.  DECANO." 
"  JOSUA  KIPLING  FUDIT.  A.D.  1724." 

Joshua  Kipling  was  a  bell-founder  in  Portsmouth ;  his 
name  is  to  be  found  on  some  bells  in  that  neighbourhood. 
Possibly  it  was  he  who  cast  the  treble  at  St.  Patrick's, 
Dublin.  The  tenor  bell  measured  (according  to  the  late 


IRISH    CHURCH   BELLS.  45 

Rev.  James  Graves)  49|  inches  in  diameter,  and  3  feet 
in  height,  so  that  it  was  practically  identical  in  size  with 
its  sister  bells  in  Dublin  and  Limerick.  The  legend  on 
it  was  as  follows — 

D  :  0  :  M  :  IMPERANTE  CAROLO  SECUNDO.  HUGONE  DRYS- 
DAILE  ARCHIPIACO  OSSORIENSI.  NOS  FUDIT  ROGERUS  PUR- 
DUE CUM  SOCIJS  A.D.  1675.  10.  PARRY  S  :  T  •  P  !  OSSOR. 
EPISCOPO.  PROCURANTE. 

Benjamin  Parry  was  at  this  time  the  Dean  as  well  as 
being  Dean  of  St.  Patrick's ;  he  also  held  the  rich  rec- 
tories of  Aghaboe  in  Queen's  county,  and  Call  an  in  the 
county  Kilkenny,  so  that  his  brother  John  had  provided 
well  for  him. 

In  the  Ossory  Chapter-book  of  this  period  there  are 
several  entries  about  the  bells,  all  of  which  have  been 
published  in  the  "History  of  St.  Canice's  Cathedral,"  and 
need  not  be  here  repeated.  Dean  Benjamin  Parry  does 
not  appear  to  have  interested  himself  about  them ;  but 
Bishop  John  Parry  certainly  defrayed  the  greater  part 
of  the  cost. 

It  is  probable  that  Henry  Paris  cast  a  number  of 
church  bells,  for  some  with  the  initials  H.  P.  on  them 
have  been  mentioned  of  late. 

The  Rev.  William  O'Neill  Lindesay,  of  Waringstown, 
county  Armagh,  has  favoured  me  with  a  rubbing  of  the 
inscription  on  a  small  bell  which  was  lately  re-cast  for 
Donaghcloney  church.  It  had  been  cut  in  Roman 
capitals : —  ^ 

I  BELONG  TO  DONOGHCLONY  PARISH. 
:  SVM  :  PARVA  :  AC  :  SONABILIS  :  CAMPANA  :  II  P  84  : 
"I  am  a  small,  but  clear- sounding  bell." 

Its  diameter  was  about  19^  inches,  and  the  weight  about 
1  cwt.  2  qrs.  It  is  said  to  have  been  sunk  for  a  consider- 
able time  in  the  River  Lagan,  but  being  sound  when 
taken  out,  it  was  re-hung  in  Waringstown  church.  Some 
time  ago  it  had  to  be  re-cast ;  the  inscription  has,  how- 
ever, been  engraved  upon  the  new  bell.  This  parish  also 
possesses  a  larger  bell,  cast,  in  1750,  by  Abel  Rudhall  of 
Gloucester. 


THE    BATTLE    OF    AGHEBIM. 

BY  CECIL  C.  WOODS. 

THE  original  of  the  following  letter  was,  I  believe, 
addressed  to  a  member  of  the  old  family  of  Brown,  of 
Kinsale ;  it  is  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  Jonas  Jones, 
A.B.,  rector  of  Tullagh,  county  Cork,  who  lately  very 
kindly  allowed  me  to  make  a  transcript  for  publication 
in  this  Journal  Very  pleasing  is  the  testimony  which 
it  bears  to  the  gallantry  with  which  both  sides  fought  at 
Agherim.  On  the  back  of  the  original,  in  a  similar 
hand  to  that  in  the  body  of  the  letter,  is  written  "  Battle 
of  Aghrim,  July  12th,  1691,"  and  it  is  worthy  of  note 
that  the  name  of  the  battle  is  spelled  " Agherim"  each 
of  the  four  times  it  occurs  in  the  letter,  but  on  the  back 
Aghrim." 

Agherim,  July  the  15th,  1691. 
Hon'd  Sr 

The  Enemy  were  very  advantageously  posted  with  a  Large  bog 
and  Entrenchrate  made  before  them.  We  having  but  2  passages,  one  on 
y'  Right,  the  other  on  the  Left.  That  of  our  Right  had  the  Castle  of 
Agherim  well  Manned  by  the  Enemy  wth  2  pieces  of  Cannon,  Trenches 
Lin'd  behind  and  before  it  with  foot  and  Several  Squadrons  of  horse,  and 
Dragoones.  The  Main  body  of  Horse  in  a  hollow  behind  it  they  had,  wth 
a  design  to  break  over  the  plaines,  to  force  uppon  our  Cannon,  not  Doubting 
their  Success.  They  had  taken  all  care  imaginable  to  cut  all  ditches 
from  before  their  Camp,  to  march  wthfull  Battalions  of  foot  and  Squadrons 
of  horse  without  any  denies  to  us  and  their  Trenches.  Our  Generall 
perceaveing  the  Enemy  to  be  so  ney  posted,  Drew  out  the  lines  for 
Encampinge  our  Army ,  not  thinking  it  proprto  give  them  Battle  y*  night,  our 
Guns  not  being  all  come  up,  and  we  strangers  to  the  Ground,  the  Gener11 
advanceinge  forward  upon  a  hill  to  take  a  View  of  the  Enemy,  an  Out 
Guard  of  theirs  appear' d,  vppon  wh,  he  order'd  some  Dragoones  to  March 
Towards  them,  and  horse  to  follow,  but  not  to  Engage  the  Enemy  Yet 
However  (the  Dragoones  being  too  forward)  Advanced  up  and  fired  uppon 
them  they  returned  the  like,  uppon  which  the  Dragoones  pursued  a  little 
further  uppon  an  Ambush  of  theirs  lying  in  a  bog  who  fired  Vppon  our 
Dragoones.  By  this  time  Several  of  our  Dragoones  got  together  vndr  a 
hedg,  Dismounts,  and  advances  towards  the  Ambush  and  Kill'd  most  of 
them,  then  their  Horse  march'd  down  in  Very  Considerable  Bodys ;  on  wh 


THE   BATTLE   OF  AGHERIM.  47 

the  Ge11  order'd  the  horse  on  ye  Left  wing  to  March  downe  :  after  them 
the  Danish  foot,  and  uppon  the  right  wing  the  horse  &  foot  and  12  pieces 
of  Cannon,  wch  were  come  up  by  this  time,  and  play'd  uppon  the  Enemy, 
at  six  in  the  Eveninge  began  the  fight,  Kirks  and  Gustavus  Hamiltons 
Eegmts  then  Marching  out  on  the  right  to  a  ditch  before  the  Castle. 
Sr  Harry  Bellasy's,  and  my  Ld  George  Hamiltons,  agst  all  ye  lin'd  hedges 
and  ditches  who  Making  first  to  one  hedge,  perceaving  the  broad  way, 
where  their  horse  should  come  downe  as  is  sd  before  upn  our  Cannon, 
we  Cross'd  and  Barrocadoed  it  wth  turnpikes,  and  both  Regts  joyninge  to 
one  another  close  wth  out  Intervale,  Ynanimously  went  together  over  a 
plain  field,  and  receav'd  the  Enemy's  fire,  likewise,  theirs  from  the 
Castle,  And  took  possession  of  their  works,  wch  ye  Enemy  perceavinge 
would  not  stay  to  Charge,  but  imediately  retreated,  here  poor  Jellet  was 
kill'd:  By  this  time  Coll.  Erie  and  Brewer  on  our  Left  Advanced 
through  the  bog :  Vppon  wch  the  Enemy  fell  downe  againe  uppo  the  & 
us  wth  bodys  of  foot,  &  Squadrons  of  horse,  wch  Caused  both  Erie  and 
Brewer  to  Retreate,  they  being  not  able  to  std  their  force,  Here  Coll 
Erie  wth  Capns  Bingham  &  Gookeing  of  his  Regim*  were  taken  prisoners, 
but  rescued  afterwards  by  our  horse  who  passed  a  defile  one  by  one 
through  a  boggy  Trench,  if  the  way  had  been  broader  for  the  horse,  it 
might  have  proved  Unsuccessfull :  for  the  Enemy  would  have  then  come 
from  behind  the  Castle  uppon  our  Cannon,  where  our  horse  were  posted, 
from  whence  they  would  have  gone  up  the  Hill  Towards  the  Left  wing, 
but  that  ditch  hinder 'd  them.  And  the  Enemy  perceiveing  our  horse 
standing  at  the  Cannon,  tooke  their  way  towards  their  right  wing  to 
come  down  the  plains.  By  this  time  oure  horse  we  ready,  and  having 
passed  the  defile,  fell  in  among  them,  and  the  Battalions  y*  retreated  of 
foot  advanced  wth  them  and  put  the  Enemy  to  the  Rout.  We  lost  one 
Coll.  wch  was  Herbert,  and  Cut  to  pieces  after  (Quarter  Majr  Colls  Devenish 
&  Fox  were  all  Kill'd.  One  thing  in  this  is  observable,  which  is,  y*  if 
the  Dragoones  had  obey'd  their  ordrs  and  not  have  fir'd  and  fain  on  ye 
Enemy,  wch  was  possitively  ag*  ye  Genlls  ords  the  Battle  had  not  been. 
Such  Small  Accidents  sometimes  hazards  great  body's. 

'Tis  thought  wee  shall  Invest  Gallway  on  Sunday  next,  what  happens 
there  you  shall  have  an  account  of,  from 

Sr 

Yr  most  humble  Serv* 

R.  F. 


[LINE  OF  BATTLE,  &c, 


48 


THE   BATTLE   OF  AGHERIM, 


LUTE  OF  BATTLE  OF  AGHERIM,  SUNDAY,  JULY  THE  12TH,  1691, 


Right  wing  of  the  first  line, 
Enterlined  wth  foot. 

Coll.  Levisons  Dragoones,  2  squadrons. 

Coll.  Cunninghas  Dragoones,  2  squadrons. 

Ld  Oxfords  Horse,  2  squadrons. 

Coll.  Gustu»  Hamiltons  foot,  1  Battalion. 

Coll.  Langstons  Horse,  2  squadrons. 

Ld  Meaths  foot,  1  Battalion. 

May  Ge"  Ruviniee  Horse,  2  squadrons. 

Coll.  Herberts  foot,  1  Battalion. 

Brigadr  Villiers  Horse,  3  squadrons. 


Main  body  1st  line. 


Kirk, 

L1  Hamilton, 

Bellasis, 

Erie, 

Gribong, 

Belcastle, 

Camboon, 

La  Melonire, 


8  Battalions. 


J 


Left  wing  1st  line. 


Right  wing  of  the  2d  line, 
Enterlined  wth  foot. 

Coll.  Wynne  Dragoones,  2  squadrons. 

Sr  Jn  Lanier's  Horse,  3  squadrons. 
Owesly's  horse  1*  6  Troopes,   2  squadrons. 

Brewer's  foot,  1  Battalion. 

Foulk's  foot,  1  Battalion. 

Creightons  foot,  1  Battalion. 

Byarlies  Horse,  2  squadrons. 

Owsley's  2d  6  Troopes,  2  squadrons. 


Maine  body  2d  line. 

Stewart,  ~] 

Ld  Lisbourn, 

Tiffin, 

Sl  Johns,  }>     .          7  Battalions. 

Prince  of  Hess,        I 

Ld  Cutts, 

Count  Nassau,        j 


Left  wing  2d  line. 


La  Torrest                   Horse,  2  squadrons. 
La  Prince  Christian    foot,      1  Battalion. 
Donopp                        Horse,  2  squadrons. 
La  Prince  Fredrick     foot,      1  Battalion. 
Lerladz                        Horse,  2  squadrons. 
Danish  Guards             foot,      1  Battalion. 
Boncour                       Horse,  2  squadrons. 
Ld  Portland                  Horse,  3  squadrons. 
Eppingers  Dragoones,              3  squadrons. 

Ginckell's  horse, 
Scacks  horse, 
Fuon,     .     .    ) 
Juland,  .     .     > 
Lecland      .    ) 
Newhewsen,  } 
Rivien,  .     .    } 
Reitiell,      .    \ 
Montpilian,     ) 

2  squadrons. 
2  squadrons. 

Bait  or1 
squadrons. 

Bait  or1 

squadrons. 

Batt  or* 

squadrons. 


A  LIST  OF  THE  KILLED  AND  WOUNDED  OF  THE  ENGLISH  SIDE 
AT  AGIIEEM,  JULY  12™,   1691. 


2  Colls. 

4  Maj" 
12  Captn» 

9  Lieuts. 

12  Ensignes 

337  Souldiers 


Kill'd. 


5  Colls. 

3  L'  Colls. 

3  Majo" 
23  Captn» 
33  Lieut9 
HEnsignes 
781  Souldiers 


>•     "Wounded. 


Of  the  Enemy  Computed  to  be  Kill'd  Eight  Thousand  25  Generall 
Offic"  and  Colonells  Kill'd  Taken  and  wounded.  As  for  Captns  and  sub- 
alterns, the  number  not  yet  known.  Monsieur  S*  lluth,  the  French 
Generall,  had  his  head  shot  of  with  a  Cannon  Ball ; 2  nine  pieces  of 
Cannon,  40  Collours  and  Standards,  All  their  tents,  baggage  train 
horses  and  Ammunition  taken. 


1  "  Batt  or"  thrice  repeated  are  not  in  2  "  Ball"  was  originally  "  Bullet,"  but 

the  original  hand.  the  alteration  is  an  old  one. 


THE   BATTLE   OF   AGHERIM. 

A  LIST  OP  THE  IRISH  ARMY  AS  THEY  WERE  THE  DAY  BEFORE 
THE  BATTLE. 


Eegimts  of  Horse. 


Dragoones. 


Regimts  of  foot. 


Horse  Guards.                         Nugent.     \p  Kings  Guards,  Dorrington.  Ivagh. 

Tyrconnell.                             Reily. 

/?Majr  Generall  Hamilton.     Eneskillen. 

Galmoy.                                  0  Neale. 
•Ld  Killmalock.                        Carroll. 

Marcus  Talbott.                 &Rely. 
Clanrickard.                      p  Slane. 

Coll.  Lutterell.                        CHfford. 

Antrims.                             p  Gal  way. 

Purcell.                                   Lutterell. 

Poore.                                p  Boffin. 

Sunderland.                        p  Maxwell. 

Prince  of  "Wales.                  0  Connor. 

Abercorn.                                Rely. 

Shaxby.                            p  Bourk. 

"West  Meath. 

Gormanstowne.                  k  Grace. 

0  Bryen. 

Nugent.                                Brown. 

Merry  on. 

p  Belle  w.                                 0  Gara. 

Dulaney. 

Tuite  Brigade 

Dillons.                               Tool. 

Oxbrugh. 

Louth.                                  Kingland. 

&OMore. 

Memorand  8  Regimts  mentioned  in  this 

p  Gordon  0  Neale,  Brigadr.    Fitzgerrald. 
Butler. 

list  were  not  in  the  fight,  5  were 

k  Felix  0  Neale.                  k  Mc"Gillacuddy 

in  Limbrick,    3    in    Gallway.   this 

^?Mc"Carty. 

account  given  by  Coll.  Bourk,  pri- 

Cormuck 0  Neale.                0  Donnell. 

son1  wth  us. 

Hugh  M~Mahon.                 ORourke. 

July  the  15*. 

k  Art  M  ~  Mahon.                     0  D  ogherty  . 

Portumna,  Loghreagh,  Banaghr, 
andEollalow  in  our  possession. 

M~Guyer.                             Creagh. 
0  Cahan.     Geoghegan.       Scott, 

4X11  SEll.,  VOL.  VIII. 


THE  EUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IEELAND. 

BY  W.  G.  WOOD-MARTIN,  M.R.I.A.,  FELLOW  AND  GENERAL 
SECRETARY,  R.H.A.A.I. 

[Continued  from  YOL.  YIL,  page  594.] 
III. 

No.  53.  OF  this  circle,  the  few  stones  noticed  by  Dr. 
Petrie  in  1837  have  since  been  removed ;  but  its  dimi- 
nutive cromleac  is  still  intact,  though  now  partially 
covered  by  the  clearings  of  the  field.  The  accompany- 
ing ground  plan  (fig.  63,  page  51),  and  view  (fig.  64) 
of  the  monument  will  convey  a  good  idea  of  its  ap- 
pearance. An  excavation  was  made,  with  the  following 
results : — 

(a]  The  bones,    according  to  W.    Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I., 
are  all  human,  and  had  been  imperfectly  burned ;  they 
belonged  to  an  adult,  advanced  in  years,  judging  from 
the  teeth  and  a  fragment  of  the  jaw  with  two  molars 
and  three  incisors  much  worn  down;  there  were  also 
portions  of  crania,  thigh  bones,  &c. 

(b)  A  fragment  of  rude  pottery,   yellowish-drab  in 
colour,  and  one  inch  in  thickness,  being  evidently  part 


Fig.  65.— Fragment  of  Pottery  from  No.  63  Monument,  Carrowmore. 
One-third  real  size. 

of  a  large  vessel  imperfectly  burned,  and  for  the  purpose 
<rfgiving  consistency  to  the  material,  small  pieces  of  shells 


£2 


52  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

and  pebbles  had  been  mixed  with  the  clay  of  which  it  was 
composed ;  the  fragments  of  shells  and  stones  are  not 
apparent  on  the  surface  of  the  vessel,  but  become  visible 
only  where  it  has  disintegrated,  or  has  been  chipped 
or  fractured.  This  specimen  of  pottery  exhibits  six 
rows  of  rudely-punched  depressions  made  at  an  angle, 
downwards,  from  the  former  rim  or  lip  of  the  vessel; 
the  two  lower  lines  had  evidently  been  punched  with  an 
implement  of  larger  size  (TV)  than  the  upper  (T2F).  This 
fragment  is  in  every  respect  a  contrast  to  fig.  46  (ante, 
vol.  vii.,  p.  578),  found  in  No.  27  Monument,  to  which  a 
mixture  of  micaceous  clay  appears  to  have  given  great 
consistency. 

(c)  Fragment  of  a  flint-flake. 

(d)  Shells  of  Mytilus  edulis  (mussel).    Litorina  litorea 
(periwinkle).     Litorina  rudis  (one   specimen).      Cardium 
cdule  (cockle). 

(e)  An  irregular  mass  of  yellowish  quartz,  weighing 
1  Ib.  2  oz. 

No.  54.  The  few  stones  yet  remaining  of  those  which 
had  originally  formed  this  monument  may  now  be  seen 
in  the  fences  around  a  neighbouring  cottage. 

No.  55.  This  circle,  with  its  cromleac,  which  Petrie 
states  was,  in  1837,  tolerably  perfect,  is  now  so  covered 
with  stones — the  clearing  of  the  fields — which  had  been 
thrown  on  it,  that  a  description  is  impossible.  It  forms 
a  conspicuous  mound,  close  to  the  road,  and  is  the  last 
link  of  the  external  chain  of  circles  which  commences  at 
No.  1  Monument.  If  any  intermediate  circles  formerly 
existed  they  have  now  been  removed,  either  to  form 
the  road  itself,  or  to  clear  a  site  for  the  cottages  on 
either  side. 

No.  56  is  situated  about  seventy  paces  N.  of  the  earn 
of  ListoghiL  The  diameter  of  the  circle  is  36 feet;  the 
cap-stones  of  the  central  kistvaen  are  gone ;  the  general 
form  of  the  tomb  is  that  of  the  figure  of  eight,  with  a 
narrow  opening  between  the  compartments  (see  fig.  66), 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN  SLIGO.  53 

ihe  longest  axis  N.N.E.,  and  S.S.W.  (magnetic).     The 
interment  had  evidently  been  greatly  disturbed. 

(a)  Above  the  calcined  remains  at  the  N.N.E.  end  of 
the  cist  a  secondary  and  unburnt  interment  was  found. 
The  atlas  and  lower  jaw  of  an  adult  were  nearly  perfect, 
with  four  back  teeth  and  three  incisors  ;  there  were  also 
portions  of  a  cranium. 

(b)  Six  bones  of  a  young  child. 

(c)  A  few  bones  of  a  small  rodent ;  and 

(d)  As  the  excavation  proceeded,  fragments  of  cal- 
cined human  remains  were  turned  up.    They  consisted  of 
eight   hundred   and   seventy-three   small  fragments   of 


Fig.  66. — Ground  Plan  of  No.  56  Monument,  Carrowmore.    (Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

bones,  one  sound  lower  molar  tooth,  and  two  pieces  of  a 
skull.  The  bones  had  been  imperfectly  burned ;  several 
fire-marked  and  partially-carbonized  bones  were  observ- 
able (as  well  as  others  in  a  fragmentary  condition),  such 
as  the  anterior  half  of  the  axis  (second  cervical  vertebra). 
Pieces  of  the  right  and  left  halves  of  the  body  of  the 
lower  jaw,  the  right  half  containing  a  sound  firmly- 
implanted  first  molar  tooth,  the  left  half  containing 
the  roots  (all  sound)  of  the  first  molar,  two  bicuspids 
(premolars),  and  the  canine  teeth.  Four  pieces  of  the 
flat  bones  of  the  skull  (parietal  or  frontal).  Human 
teeth,  i.  e.  four  fragments  of,  and  four  complete  incisors, 


54  KUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

two  bicuspids  and  four  lower  molars,  the  crowns  of  each 
molar  sound.  Amongst  the  eight  hundred  and  seventy- 
three  fragments  which  formed  the  bulk  of  this  collec- 
tion there  were  many  which  showed  the  crack-like 
marks  noticed  in  the  contents  of  other  graves — in  fact 
some  of  the  bones  appear  as  if  they  had  been  subjected 
to  greater  heat  than  others. 

At  the  lowest  level  of  the  side-stones  of  the  cist — 
which  were  of  the  average  height  of  four  feet — a  floor 
or  flagging  of  calpy  limestone  slabs  was  found ;  it  was 
on  this,  which  overlay  the  undisturbed  i  i  till "  that — in  the 
opinion  of  the  late  Rev.  James  Graves,  who  assisted  at 
the  exploration — the  body  or  bodies  had  been  originally 
cremated,  portions  of  the  floor  showing  marks  of  fire; 
also  semi-burnt  wood  was  in  places  found  intact  with 
the  layer  of  calcined  bones  above.  It  was  plainly  evi- 
dent— according  to  the  same  authority — from  the  floor 
and  burned  bones  extending  in  " pockets"  under  the 
side-stones  of  the  cist,  that  the  latter  had  been  con- 
structed over  the  funeral  pyre,  that  the  calcined  remains 
were  the  primary  interment,  and  that  they  had  not  been 
placed  within  an  already  completed  chamber.  Although 
the  soil  in  the  cist  was  carefully  excavated  and  sifted, 
no  flint  implements,  ornaments,  or  traces  of  fictilia  were 
observable ;  yet,  despite  this,  the  exploration  seems  to 
throw  great  light  on  the  manner  in  which  these  primitive 
"  cremationists "  burned  their  dead.  In  the  present 
defective  state  of  antiquarian  knowledge  on  the  subject,. 
a  great  amount  of  uncertainty  exists  respecting  the 
manner  in  which  the  process  was  conducted:  this  can 
only  be  cleared  up  by  careful  examination  of  every 
interment,  and  of  the  conditions  under  which  they  have 
been  found,  not  only  in  this,  but  also  in  other  countries. 

No.  57.  This  circle  (fig.  67),  about  eight  paces  E.  of 
the  preceding,  is  quite  perfect,  and  consists  of  thirty- 
three  stones,  all  of  very  large  size;  the  central  monument 
is,  however,  destroyed.  The  result  of  searches,  in 
various  spots  within  the  circumference  of  the  ring,  was- 
but  a  few  uncalcined  bones  not  worth  submitting  for 
scientific  examination,  also  a  small  fragment  of  worked 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN    SLIGO.  55 

flint  (see  ante,  vol.  vii.,  p.  580,  Plate  II.,  fig.  6),  and  a 
flint-flake  or  spear-head  (find.,  fig.  2). 


0 

Tig.  67. — Ground  Plan  of  No.  57  Monument,  Carrowmore.    (Scale,  40  feet  to  1  inch.) 

No.  58  (fig.  68),  situated  thirty  paces  to  the  N.  E.  of 
No.  57,  consists  of  an  oblong  cist  or  enclosure,  which  was 
probably  at  one  time  covered  ;  if  it  were  ever  surrounded 
by  a  circle,  it  has  been  long  since  destroyed.  This  site 
was  most  carefully  searched,  yet  no  fragments  of  bone 
could  be  discovered,  neither  were  there  any  signs  of 
charcoal.  A  fine  flint-flake,  or  knife  (see  ante,  vol.  vii., 
p.  580,  Plate  II.,  fig.  1)  was  here  unearthed,  but  its 
point  was  missing,  possibly  it  may  have  been  severed 
by  the  spade  when  digging. 


Fig.  68. — Ground  Plan  of  No.  58  Monument,  Fig1.  69. — Ground  Plan  of  No.  59  Monument, 

Carrowmore.    (Scale,  20  feet  to  i  inch.) 


Carrowmore.      (Scale,  20  feet  to  i  inch.) 


No.  59.  This  monument  lies  but  a  few  paces  E.  of 
the  preceding.  It  seems  to  have  been  originally  a  rect- 
angular cist,  of  which  four  side-stones  alone  remain  in 
situ  (see  fig.  69) ;  its  longest  axis  is  about  N.N.E.  and 


56  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

S.S.W.  (magnetic).  Remains  of  human  bones  were  found 
only  under  and  about  one  of  the  fallen  side-slabs  (second 
from  bottom  of  plan,  E.  side  of  cist);  these  had  evidently 
been  overlooked  by  previous  explorers,  who,  perhaps, 
did  not  think  it  worth  while  to  lift  the  fallen  stone,  and 
thus  there  became  disclosed  to  view  enough  residuum  to 
show  that — in  the  opinion  of  the  late  Rev.  James  Graves 
— the  usual  plan  of  cremation  or  torref  action  of  the  dead, 
and  also  erection  of  the  cist,  had  been  followed  in  this 
instance.  Two  small  fragments  of  worked  bone  (figs. 
70  and  71)  were  discovered,  which  had  been  evidently 
the  head  or  termination  of  some  object  or  objects;  they 
are  similar  in  general  character.  Fig.  71  was  in  separate 
pieces,  the  fractured  parts,  however,  fitted  together 
exactly;  a  semicircular  fragment  of  bone,  resembling 
fig.  70,  was  found  in  No.  1  Monument.  It  has  been 
suggested  that  these  were  parts  of  a  musical  instrument, 


Fig.  70.— Fragment  of  Worked       Fig.  71.— Fragment  of  Worked  Fig.  72.  —  Fragment  of 

Bone.    Full  size.  Bone.    Full  size.  Worked  Bone.  Full  size. 

but  it  seems  more  probable  that  they  had  been  connected 
with  the  adornment  of  the  clothing  of  the  dead,  or  some 
utilitarian  purpose,  say,  as  dress-fasteners.  There  was 
also  a  fragment  of  a  very  white  and  highly  calcined 
object  (see  fig.  72),  with  a  sharply-incised  hole,  not, 
however,  penetrating  quite  through ;  it  might  be  possibly 
semi-opal,  or  hydrated  silica. 

(a)  The  other  remains  found  in  this  cist  consisted  of 
two  and  a-half  Ibs.  weight  of  greyish -white  bones,  seem- 
ingly calcined;  amongst  them  fragments   of  those   of 
birds  and  animals  were  noticeable,  some  showing  a  dark- 
blue  colour  (vivianite)  on  the  inside. 

(b)  Small  finger-tops,   probably  those   of   a   young 
person  or  child,  tooth  of  a  child,  also  one  of  an  adult. 

(c)  Fragment  of  a  calcined  cranium. 

(d)  Some  bones  of  a  dog,  a  fragment  of  a  lower 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  57 

jaw,  and  other  animal  remains1  of  a  peculiar  white 
colour. 

(e)  A  few  uncalcined  bones. 

(/)  Four  pieces  of  fractured  white  quartz ;  the  two 
largest  weighed  2  oz.  and  1^  oz.,  respectively. 

(g]  Two  specimens  of  Cyathophyllum,  a  coral  from, 
the  Sligo  limestone. 

No.  60.  This  monument  lies  to  the  S.  of  one  of  the 
roads  leading  from  Sligo  to  Cloverhill.  It  is  a  large 
circular  enclosure,  ninety-two  paces  in  diameter  from 
N.  to  S.,  and  about  the  same  from  E.  to  W.,  originally 
surrounded  by  a  circle  of  large  stones;  most  of  them 
have  been  removed  to  clear  the  land,  and  those  which 
still  remain  are  half  covered  by  earth.2  The  interior 
forms  a  gently  rising  hillock,  known  throughout  the 
district  of  Cml-irra  as  the  Caltragh,  or  ancient  disused 
burial-place ;  this  expression  is  chiefly  confined — accord- 
ing to  P.  W.  Joyce — to  the  western  portion  of  Ireland. 
Owing  to  the  quantity  of  human  remains  turned  up  when 
the  grassy  surface  was  broken  for  tillage,  it  is  stated 
to  have  been  soon  again  laid  down  by  the  tenant,  who 
imagined  the  crop  of  potatoes  to  be  too  oily  in  taste ! 
There  is  no  tradition  of  a  church  having  ever  been 
erected  near  the  Caltragh,  neither  has  there  been  an  in- 
terment in  it  within  the  memory  of  anyone  living,  nor 
is  there  any  tradition  of  such  having  ever  occurred ;  it 
evidently  dates  back  to  pagan  times,  and  is  but  an 
enlarged  and  developed  reproduction  of  No.  8  Monu- 
ment. It  had  been  most  probably  the  general  bury  ing- 
ground  for  the  "  commonalty"  of  the  district,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  the  sepulchres  within  the  stone  circles, 
which  would  appear  to  be  those  of  a  family,  or  of  a 
chief.  For  the  purpose  of  making  a  careful  examina- 

1  Skulls  and  bones  of  dogs  were  also  tilled,  and  is  said  to  have  been  full  of 
found  amongst  the  human  remains  exca-  human  remains.     In  one  small  spot  in 
vated  by  Colonel  Meadows  Taylor  from  the  slope  of  the  hill,  from  which  the  sod 
the  rude  stone  monuments  of  the  Deccan,  had  been  stripped  by  cattle,   fragments 
but  there  were  no  traces  of  either  horses  of  calcined  and  uncalcined  bones,  peri- 
or  cattle. —  Transactions,   E.  I.  A.,   vol.  winkle   shells,  a  fragment  of  fractured 
xxiv.,  p.  346.  white  quartz,  and  animal  teeth,  both  cal- 

2  Some  three  years  ago  part  of  the  field  cined  and  uncalcined,  were  picked  up. 
outside  the  periphery  of  the  Caltragh  was 


53  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

tion  of  the  remains  a  trench  would  require  to  be  driven 
across  the  mound — a  proceeding  that  would  entail  a 
considerable  outlay. 

The  series  of  monuments  commonly  known  as  the 
"  Carrowmore  Group,"  has  now  been  passed  in  review  ; 
there  are,  however,  a  few  situated  more  to  the  south, 
which  were  overlooked  by  Dr.  Petrie.  It  is,  however, 
thought  better  in  this  instance  to  follow  the  same  route 
pursued  by  the  first  explorer. 

No.  61  is  the  first  of  the  northern,  or  detached 
cluster  of  circles ;  it  is  situated  in  the  townland  of 
Barnasrahy,  near  the  road  leading  from  Eathcarrick 
to  Sligo.  There  remain  but  five  stones,  each  about 
5  feet  in  height,  and,  from  the  arc  of  the  circle  which 
they  describe,  it  may  be  concluded  with  certainty  that 
the  enclosure  was  of  unusual  extent.  Taking  one  arc, 
the  diameter  would  have  been  75  feet,  and  by  the  other 
it  would  have  been  110  feet. 

Nos.  61  a  and  61  b.  Two  intermediate  circles — un- 
noticed by  Petrie — have  now  almost  totally  disappeared. 
Their  position  is  marked  by  two  crosses  on  the  Map, 
vol.  vii.,  page  485. 

No.  62  is  a  earn  of  stones,  popularly  known  as 
Cruckan-a-curragh,  i.e.  the  Little  Hill  of  the  Marsh — a 
very  descriptive  appellation.  Its  dimensions  (see  fig.  73) 
are  as  follows  :— Circumference  at  base,  135  feet;  length 


Fig.  73.— No.  62  Monument,  Barnasrahy,  Carrowmore  Series.     Section  of  Cam. 
(Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

of  slope,  19  feet;  diameter  at  top,  11  feet.  As  is 
usual  in  sepulchral  earns,  its  summit  is  rather  hollowed, 
the  depression  in  the  centre  being  1  foot  6  inches,  and 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO. 


59* 


the  saucer-shaped  hollow  is  well  defined  by  a  circle  of 
carefully-arranged  stones.  This  tumulus,  to  all  appear- 
ance, has  never  been  opened. 

No.  63  is  situated  about  twenty  yards  to  the  S.  E. 
of  the  earn.  In  1837  the  circle,  72  feet  in  diameter, 
was  quite  perfect,  but  the  stones  which  formed  portion1 
of  the  outer  ring  have  been  recently  removed  by  the 
tenant  for  repair  of  his  walls  ;  fortunately  the  depres- 
sions which  they  had  occupied  are  still  distinctly  visible. 
"  The  interior  of  the  circle,"  observed  Dr.  Petrie  in  his 
letter  to  Larcom,  "  is  remarkable  for  a  peculiar  arrange- 
ment of  stones,  of  which  the  annexed  plan  (fig.  74)  will' 


! 

0 


'^oS 


o 

Q 

I 

0 

o 


Fig..  74.— Sketch  Plan,  by  the  late  Dr. 
Petrie,  of  No.  63  Monument,  Barnas- 
rahy,  Carrowmore  Series.  (Scale, 
about  50  feet  to  i  inch.) 


Cpoo 


ig.  75. — Plan  of  No.  63  Monument,  by 
C.  B.  Jones,  County  Surveyor.  (Scale, 
40  feet  to  i  inch.) 


give  you  a  correct  idea."  This  sketch  seemed  so  very 
peculiar,  that  a  detailed  map  of  the  monument  was  con- 
sidered to  be  desirable,  and  two  days  were  occupied  in 
clearing  the  earth  from  off  the  stones  and  excavating 
the  cists.  Fig.  75  is  due  to  careful  measurements  made 
by  C.  B.  Jones,  County  Surveyor,  and  it  will  be  seen 
at  a  glance  that  it  differs  in  almost  every  respect  from 
fig.  74.  As  the  stones  forming  the  central  monument 
became  apparent,  one  of  the  workmen  was  the  first  to 
perceive  its  meaning — he  exclaimed:  " It  is  a  crissy  cross ; 
I  saw  one  like  it  in  Ulster."  There  can  be  no  doubt 
that  this  grave  represents  a  very  peculiarly-formed 


<)0  RUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

cross,  the  only  one  so  shaped  which  the  writer  has  met 
with.  Although  the  site  of  the  central  monument  was 
most  carefully  gone  over,  no  trace  of  an  interment  was 
discovered,  save  one  uncalcined  bone,  pronounced  by 
A.  W.  Foot,  M.D.,  not  to  be  human.  A  few  small  frag- 
ments of  calcined  bones  were  found  on  the  floor  of  the 
E.  cist  (fig.  75,  A),  which  was  formed  by  a  single  slab,  and 
(fig.  75,  cjmarks  the  site  of  a  cist  destroyed  by  the  tenant; 
D3  D,  D,  holes  left  by  stones  removed  by  him  into  the  ad- 
joining fences ;  and  E,  E,  E,  denotes  where  he  exhumed 
calcined  bones  and  charcoal.  The  people  of  the  neigh- 
bourhood allege  that  about  the  year  1797  a  bronze  sword 
was  here  found. 

This  is  most  probably  the  monument  in  which  was  dis- 
covered the  "Food  Vessel  from  Barnasrahy,"  now  in  the 


Fig.  76.— Urn  from  Barnasrahy.     (About  three-eighths  real  size.) 

collection  of  the  Duke  of  Northumberland  at  Alnwick 
Castle,  and  of  which  his  Grace  has  most  kindly  furnished 
a  sketch  and  photograph.  The  urn  in  question  is  perhaps 
the  most  highly  finished  of  all  the  sepulchral  fictilia  as 
yet  known  to  have  been  found  in  the  county  Sligo ;  a 
good  representation  of  it  is  given  on  Plate  XV.  in  the 
Descriptive  Catalogue  of  Antiquities  at  Alnwick  Castle— a 
work  printed  for  private  use  of  the  Duke  of  Northumber- 
land. The  urn  resembles  the  class  designated  "  Food 
Vessels"  by  English  antiquaries;  it  differs  from  the 
usual  style  of  sepulchral  urns  characteristic  of  the  South 


RUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS   IN  SLIGO.  61 

of  England,  though  somewhat  similar  to  those  found  in 
Northumberland.  It  is  rough,  hard-burned,  and  light  - 
red  in  colour;  measures  4  inches  in  height,  and  5  inches 
across  the  mouth.  The  colour  is  uniform  throughout, 
internally  and  externally,  showing  no  special  traces  of 
fire  inside. 

The  northern  portion  of  the  east  arm  of  the  cross  in 
No.  63  monument  was  literally  filled  with  pieces  of  angular- 
shaped  white  quartz ;  thirty  examples  varied  in  weight 
from  -|-  oz.  to  1-J-  Ibs. ;  there  were  also  two  hammer- 
stones  of  the  same  material,  as  well  as  three  others  very 
much  fractured.  It  is  remarkable  that  fragments  of  quartz 
accompanied  almost  every  interment  in  Carrowmore ; 
in  No.  4  Monument  there  was  a  black  stone  ;  in  Nos.  15 
and  27  a  rose-coloured  one;  in  No.  53,  with  an  adult 
of  advanced  age,  there  was  a  large  mass  of  yellowish 
quartz,  &c. — in  short,  quartz  was  found  in  almost  every 
interment,  more  especially  in  those  which  appear  to  have 
been  but  little  disturbed,  and  these  quartz  stones  serve 
to  identify  the  human  remains  as  belonging  to  a  very 
ancient  period  of  interment. 

At  the  bottom  of  one  of  the  cists  in  the  celebrated 
pagan  cemetery  of  Ballon  Hill,  county  Carlow,  a  funeral 
urn  was  found  in  an  inverted  position.  "Beneath  it  were 
seen,  placed  in  a  triangular  position,  three  small  smooth 
pebbles,  surrounded  by  a  few  pieces  of  burned  bones, 
and  a  little  impalpable  white  powder :  of  the  pebbles, 
one  was  white,  one  black,  and  the  third,  which  is  much 
smaller  than  the  other  two,  of  a  greenish  tinge,  spotted 
with  a  darker  shade.  All  appear  to  be  sea-shore  pebbles, 
and  numbers  of  a  character  similar  to  the  speckled  one 
described  above  may  be  picked  up  on  the  Wexford 
coast  of  the  Waterford  harbour,  near  Duncannon.  I 
believe  the  markings  on  both  to  be  derived  from  mag- 
netic iron  ore.  These  stones  were  probably  valued  as 
charms  or  amulets."1 

To  Arthur  Wynne  Foot,  M.D.,  the  writer  is  indebted 
for  drawing  attention  to  the  following  remarks  bearing 
on  the  subject — in  Scottish  interments — and  which  are 

1  Transactions,  Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society,  vol.  n.,  p.  298.— Rev.  J.  Graves. 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

.to  be  found  in  an  interesting  work  by  C.  F.  Gordon 
Gumming,  In  the  Hebrides,  page  45,  "  Half-way  across 
the  moss  rises  a  large  earn,  built  of  rounded  water-worn 
stones,  and  surrounded  by  stunted  trees.  This  has  re- 
cently been  excavated,  and  in  the  heart  of  ^  the  tumulus 
were  found  two  megalithic  chambers,  containing  human 
remains  and  urns ;  also  divers  white  quartz  stones,  such 
as  various  pagan  nations  were  wont  to  bury  with  their 
deac[ — possibly  as  emblems  of  immortality,  and  of  sin 
forgiven  or  cancelled,  as  when  the  Greeks  of  old  symbo- 
lized a  release  from  some  obligation  by  the  giving  or 
receiving  of  a  white  stone — a  custom  probably  alluded 
to  in  the  Book  of  Revelation,  in  the  promise,  '  To  him 
that  overcometh  ...  I  will  give  a  white  stone,  and  in 
the  stone  a  new  name  written.'  In  the  present  instance 
the  white  stones  were  arranged  in  pairs,  on  a  ledge  of 
rock  projecting  above  the  urns,  a  single  stone  being 
placed  at  each  end  of  this  double  row ;  another  single 
white  pebble  was  found  inside  one  of  the  urns.  A  con- 
siderable number  of  similar  pebbles  of  white  quartz  have 
recently  been  discovered  in  various  old  British  tombs 
on  the  Isles  of  Cumbrae,  as  also  within  the  Sacred  Circle 
on  the  Isle  of  Man — a  circle,  by  the  way,  which,  from 
time  immemorial,  has  been  held  in  such  reverence,  that 
to  this  day  the  Parliament  of  the  island  is  there  con- 
vened. These  pebbles  were  also  found  in  most  of  the 
old  tombs  recently  excavated  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Dundee :  in  fact,  so  frequent  was  their  presence  that  it 
was  common  for  the  workmen  employed  in  excavating 
to  exclaim :  <  Here  are  the  two  stones  ! — now  we  will 
get  the  bones. ": 

Rock  crystal  is  sometimes  found  in  lieu  of  the  white 
quartz,  and  such,  we  have  seen,  was  also  the  case  in 
Carrowmore  (see  No.  27  Monument,  vol.  vii.,  p.  575).  In 
the  year  1850  three  glass  (crystal)  balls  were  exhibited 
by  the  Royal  Irish  Academy  and  by  Lord  Rossmore 
in  the  Archaeological  Court  of  the  Great  Exhibition 
in  Dublin ;  that  belonging  to  Lord  Rossmore  was  found 
in  a  bog.  The  balls  were  clear  as  crystal,  and  perfectly 
round.  ^  Montfaucon  remarks  that  it  was  customary  in 
*early  times  to  deposit  crystal  balls  in  urns,  or  sepul- 


RUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS  IN    SLIGO.  63 

chres.  Thus  twenty  were  found  in  Rome  in  an  ala- 
baster urn  ;  and  one  was  discovered,  in  1653,  at 
Tournai,  in  the  tomb  of  Childeric,  King  of  France, 
who  died  A.D.  480. 1 

A.  H.  Rhind,  in  a  communication  to  the  Archceological 
Journal,  descriptive  of  an  examination  of  a  "  Picts' 
house"  at  Kettleburn,  in  Caithness,  Scotland,  states — 
"  That  smooth  stones  of  various  shapes  and  sizes,  such 
as  may  be  picked  up  from  the  sea-beach,  were  found 
in  several  of  the  chambers,  among  the  ashes  and  shells. 
.  .  .  With  these  may  be  mentioned  a  pretty  variegated 
and  polished  pebble.  ...  It  is  somewhat  curious  that 
a  pebble  of  precisely  similar  appearance,  though  larger, 
possessed  an  extraordinary  reputation  as  a  curative 
agent,  until  very  recently,  among  the  more  supersti- 
tious of  the  Caithness  peasantry.  It  has  remained  in 
the  same  family  for  many  generations,  having  been 
handed  down  as  a  valuable  heir-loom  from  father  to 
son."  This  custom  of  burying  white  water -worn 
stones,  or  pieces  of  fractured  quartz  or  crystals,  may 
therefore  have  been  practised  contemporaneously  both 
in  Scotland  and  Ireland.  The  smooth,  white,  clean, 
and  polished  stones  were  probably,  to  the  ancient 
pagan- mind,  emblematic  of  some  religious  idea,  at 
present  a  mystery  to  the  antiquary. 

In  Hamlet,  Shakespere  makes  the  priest  to  say,  when 
.attending  the  body  of  Ophelia  to  the  grave — 

*         *          *      "  her  death  was  doubtful, 
#*##*#          *         * 

She  should,  in  ground  unsanctined,  have  lodged, 
Till  the  last  trumpet ;  for  charitable  prayers, 
Shards,  flints,  vxA  pebbles  should  be  thrown  on  her." 

i.e.  in  a  case  of  (supposed)  self-destruction,  the  corpse 
being  unworthy  of  the  rites  of  the  Christian  Church, 
pagan  observances  should  suffice. 

Two  examples  of  this  ancient  peculiarity  of  sepulture 
were  observable  in  the  townland  of  Carrownagark, 
jDarish  of  Tawnagh,  county  Sligo.  An  EsJcer,  or  hill, 

1  Transactions,  Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society,  vol.  n.,  p.  293.     1852-3. 


64  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

composed  seemingly  of  good  gravel  and  sand,  has  been 
utilized  as  a  gravel-pit  during  the  past  half  century. 
The  upper  surface  of  the  soil,  which  appears  in  no 
place  to  be  more  than  18  inches  in  depth,  was  thickly 
studded  with  human  and  animal  bones,  the  excavations 
made  for  sand  and  gravel  giving  a  perfect  section  of  this 
interesting  Caltragh.  About  one  foot  under  the  surface- 
sod  two  human  skulls  were  observed ;  over  one  lay  a 
hammer-stone  formed  of  sandstone,  and  over  the  other 
lay  a  flint-flake,  and  several  pieces  of  charcoal.  Sand- 
stone and  flint  are,  both  of  them,  foreign  to  this  district. 

With  regard  to  the  remains  found  in  these  primitive 
burials,  it  may  be  remarked  that  interments  under  the 
flagging  in  cists,  though  only  occurring  in  two  instances 
in  Carrowmore,  yet  were  noticeable  in  several  chambers 
of  the  Loughcrew  earns.  There,  each  floor  consisted  of 
a  square  flag,  on  which  rested  a  quantity  of  calcined 
bones;  on  lifting  the  slab  in  a  central  group,  which 
consisted  of  four  cists,  charred  bones  lay  underneath, 
and  in  the  first  opened,  a  bead  and  a  pendant  were 
found,  both  of  stone,  thus  presenting  a  curious  re- 
semblance to  Nes.  49  and  56  Graves  of  the  Carrowmore 
Series. 

Under  certain  conditions  the  large  bones  of  man 
and  of  other  mammalia  are  comparatively  indestruc- 
tible. Animal  matter  is  abundant  in  the  human  bones 
of  Egyptian  mummies,  known  to  be  upwards  of  3000 
years  old.  Buckland  made  soup  from  bones  of  the 
extinct  British  cave  hyena,  and  jelly  was  extracted 
from  those  of  the  Ohio  mammoth.  Bones  committed 
to  the  ground  will  be  preserved,  or  perish,  in  accord- 
ance with  natural  laws,  which  cannot  as  yet  be  clearly 
defined  without  a  greater  amount  of  specific  information 
than  we  at  present  possess  as  to  the  particular  circum- 
stances in  regard  to  the  opening  of  ancient  tombs.  It 
may,  however,  be  fairly  assumed,  that  the  exclusion  of 
water  is  a  special  requisite;  and  cromleacs,  or  cists,  over- 
laid with  great  tabular  slabs,  or  with  large  covering 
mounds  of  earth  or  stones,  and  the  smaller  and  more 
unobtrusive  "field  grave,"  protected  by  flags  and  stiff, 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  65 

tenacious  clay,  being  impervious  to  moisture,  doubtless, 
to  some  extent,  fulfil  that  condition. 

With  reference  to  the  several  parcels  of  osseous  frag- 
ments from  Carrowmore  examined  by  A.  W.  Foot,  M.D., 
the  following  is  a  synopsis  of  the  opinions  formed  by 
him: — "It  maybe  remarked  that  bones  are  not  necessarily 
human  because  they  are  found  in  an  ordinary  place  of 
interment,  or  vice  versd.  The  real  difficulty  in  the  pre- 
sent case  arises  from  the  fact  of  the  fragmentary  con- 
dition of  those  submitted  for  report.  The  greatly  and 
universally  comminuted  condition  of  the  bones  from 
Carrowmore  has  destroyed,  beyond  recognition,  the 
means  for  identification  of  a  plurality  of  individuals. 
Although  one  skeleton  might  be  so  broken  up  as  to  pro- 
duce a  collection  of  fragments  as  numerous  as  is  the  case 
in  some  of  the  interments,  still  the  probability  is  that 
several  of  these  represent  the  remains  of  more  than  one 
person.  There  are  bones  of  different  periods  of  burial 
among  them,  but  the  majority  have  the  appearance  of  vast 
antiquity.  The  greater  portion  have  been  burned  im- 
perfectly, i.  e.  short  of  incineration,  and  their  subsequent 
impregnation  with  calcium  carbonate  has  altered  them 
very  much.  When  compared  with  bones  fully  calcined, 
which  are  porous,  light,  and  very  fragile,  they  are  found 
to  be  compact,  heavy  (most  unusually  so),  and  hard  as 
stone — in  fact  petrified.1  There  were  one  or  two  small 
fragments,  exactly  like  bits  of  a  chalk  pencil,  which  had 
escaped  the  petrifying  process.  Evidence  of  exposure 
to  fire  was  presented  in  the  charred  and  blackened  con- 
dition of  many  of  the  fragments,  and  the  presence  of 
pieces  of  charcoal." 

The  word  cremation  is  apt  to  insensibly  convey  to 
the  mind  an  idea  of  swift  and  complete  destruction  of  a 
body  by  fire.  In  the  modern  Siemen's  method — hot 
flame  produced  by  a  mixture  of  gaseous  hydro-carbons 
and  air — a  body  weighing  227  Ibs.  can  be  reduced  to 


1  "In  clearing  out  this  chamber,"  re-  the  earth  at  the  bottom.  Two  of  these  I 
marts  Mr.  Eugene  A.  Conwell,  in  describ-  present  as  specimens,  as  they  appear,  as 
ing  his  examination  of  one  of -the  earns  of  all  the  others  found  here,  to  have  assumed 
the  Loughcrew  group,  "several fragments  an  unusual  degree  of  hardness." — Pro- 
of charred  bones  were  found  mixed  with  ceedings,  E.I. A.,  yol.  ix.,  p.  366. 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  F 


66  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 

5  Ibs.  of  ashes  in  fifty-five  minutes,  but  the  method  of 
placing  the  body  on  a  pile  of  wood  is  necessarily  often 
imperfect  in  its  results.  These  bones  must  have  been 
broken  into  the  small  pieces  they  are  in  at  present^  long 
before  they  became  petrified,  and  while  still  retaining 
their  brittleness  ;  they  are  now  as  hard  and^firm  as  they 
ever  were.  The  curious  crack-like  marks,  or  nicks  on  many 
of  the  bones  seem  to  be  the  result — a  mechanical  one — of 
unequal  contraction  of  the  bone  in  cooling ;  they  cannot 
be  marks  of  scraping,  for  they  are,  almost  without  ex- 
ception, transverse,  whilst  scrapes,  if  intended  to  strip 
the  bone,  would  be  longitudinal.  They  also  extend 
through  the  entire  thickness  of  the  bones  in  many  in- 
stances, and  show  on  the  interior  of  the  median  canal ; 
and  they  are  also  found  on  pieces  of  the  flat  bones  of 
the  skull.1  The  human  teeth  in  the  Carrowmore  in- 
terments, in  but  very  few  instances  exhibited  traces 
of  decay,  the  enamel  being  bright  and  glistening ;  their 
crowns,  however,  were  worn  down  to  flat,  smooth  sur- 
faces, probably  from  the  habitual  use  of  coarsely-ground 
meal  and  hard  food.  "It  has  been  constantly  remarked 
by  those  who  are  familiar  with  the  examination  of 
ancient  skulls  how  seldom  the  teeth  in  them  are  un- 
sound ;  and  the  belief  has  even  been  entertained  that 
dental  disease  was  unknown  to  our  hardy  ancestors, 
and  that  it  is  a  modern  privilege  acquired  by  a  high 
state  of  civilization." 

With  reference  to  caries  in  teeth  that  were  dis- 
covered near  Donny brook,  county  Dublin,  in  a  large 
sepulchral  mound,  supposed  to  be  referable  to  the  tenth 
century,  W.  Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.,  writes :  —  "  The  teeth, 
as  a  rule,  are  found  to  be  unusually  strong  and  healthy, 
but  toothache  was  not  altogether  unknown.  Sufficient 


1  "Although  burning   (the  dead)  was  vailed  in  Britain  many  ages  previous  to 

known  to  the  Greeks  at  the  time  of  the  the  Roman  invasion ;  the  Gauls  practised 

Trojan  war,  Pliny  and  Cicero  expressly  cremation  in  Caesar's  time.     According  to 

affirm,  and  the  same  may   he   inferred  Olaus  Wormius,  inhumation  and  burning, 

from  Plutarch,  that  it  was  only  intro-  as  each  obtained,  marked  a  distinct  period 

duced  in  Rome  at  a  later  period,  probably  in  the  history  of  Scandinavia.     We  have 

not  till  the  time  of  Sylla ;  but  it  went  sufficient  evidence,  however,  in  Ireland, 

early  out  of  fashion,  and  was  superseded  from  the  examination  of  our  tumuli,  &c. , 

by  inhumation  burial  in  the  fourth  cen-  that  after  the  latter  mode  of  interment 

tury.    The  use  of  the  funeral  pyre  pre-  had  been  introduced  here,  both  kinds  of 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  67 

examples  of  diseased  fangs1  and  even  a  perforation  of 
the  jawbone,  from  abscess  at  the  root  of  a  tooth,  could 
be  recognised." 

On  the  opening  of  a  sepulchral  mound  in  King's 
•County,  the  discoverer  was  greatly  struck  by  the  regu- 
larity with  which  the  teeth  were  worn  down,  as  if  by 
the  grinding  action  of  some  very  hard  kind  of  food, 
for  the  form  of  degradation  was  observable  also  in  the 
teeth  of  a  child  not  exceeding  seven  years  of  age.2 

Bell,  when  writing  On  the  Teeth,  remarks,  "  That  the 
gradual  abrasion  of  the  teeth  may  be  materially  in- 
fluenced by  the  nature  of  the  food,  is  proved  by  the 
fact  that  the  teeth  of  sailors  who,  during  the  greater  part 
of  their  lives  are  accustomed  to  live  upon  hard  biscuits, 
are  often  found  to  be  so  much  worn  down  by  the  constant 
friction  produced  by  this  diet,  that  a  very  small  part 
only  of  the  crown  of  the  teeth  remains  above  the  edge 
of  the  gum  ;  yet  no  exposure  of  the  cavities  takes  place, 
as  they  gradually  become  filled  up  by  new  bone,  and  still 
afford  a  solid,  continuous  surface  for  mastication." 

Colonel  Meadows  Taylor  observes  that  the  human 
remains  exhumed  by  him  from  the  Rude  Stone  Monu- 
ments in  the  Deccan  were  all  remarkable  for  "  the  great 
thickness  of  the  cranium,  and  large  size  of  the  teeth,  of 
which  in  many  instances  the  bright  enamel  was  still 
perfect."3 

Of  the  Carrowmore  Series,  there  remains  another  tomb 
to  be  noticed  which,  although  small,  yet  is  of  importance 
as  forming  a  connecting-link  between  the  period  of  the 
erection  of  this  remarkable  group  of  monuments  and 
those  of  the  same  class  in  other  parts  of  Ireland,  but 

Tmrial  were  practised  coevally.   The  earn,  founded."  —  Transactions,  Kilkenny  Ar- 

the  laght,  the  dumha,  or  mound,  continued  chseological  Society,  vol.   n.,  page  232, 

still  to  mark  the  external  form  of  the  monu-  1852-  3. — John  Windele. 

ment,  no  matter  what  the  mode  of  dis-  l  In  the  Newry  Magazine,  vol.  ii.,  page 

posal  of  the  body  might  have  heen.    Some  234,   it  is  stated,  "That  in  drawing  a 

of  our  historians  allege  that  cremation  had  tooth    from   an  under  jaw  belonging  to 

been  abolished  in  Ireland  by  the  monarch  human  remains  found  in  a  earn  at  Knock- 

Uochaidh  some  centuries  before  the  Chris-  namir,  county  Monaghan,  it  was  found 

tian  era — but  this,  it  is  suspected,  requires  red  at  the  extremity  of  the  fang." 

confirmation.   The  opinion  which  has  also  2  Ulster  Journal  of  Archeology,  vol.  i., 

been  advanced,  that  the  practice,  when  page  278. 

adopted,  was  confined  to  the  opulent  and  3  Transactions,  E.  I.  A.,  vol.  xxiv.,  p. 

the  distinguished,  may  have  been  better  345. — "  Antiquities." 

F2 


68  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 

more  especially  with  the  great  pagan  sepulchres  on  the 
banks  of  the  Boyne,  at  New  Grange,  Dowth,  Loughcrew, 
and  elsewhere.  On  the  lands  of  Cloverhill,  and  situated 
about  200  yards  due  E.  of  Laghtareal  Hill,  there  are 
carvings  of  peculiar  character  on  the  interior  surface  of 
the  slabs  forming  a  cist ;  and  this,  when  first  stripped  by 
the  plough,  about  the  year  1830,  was  entirely  flagged 
on  the  bottom,  or  floor — in  that  respect  differing  from 
another  smaller  cist  immediately  adjoining,  which  pre- 
sented only  an  earthen  surface.  In  the  larger  chamber 
were  calcined  bones  and  a  cinerary  urn ;  but  it  is  not  known 
what  became  of  the  latter.  If  the  brooch-pin,  previously 
figured  and  described,  were  found  in  this  cist,  there  would 
not  be  anything  very  surprising  in  the  fact,  as  the  sculp- 
tures on  the  sides  of  the  chamber  show  the  first  rude 
germs  of  the  work  so  often  styled  Opus  Hibernicum.  A 
bronze  implement  was  discovered  in  the  bog  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  grave.  The  exact  character  of 
the  previous  external  appearance  of  the  monument  could 
not  be  definitely  determined,  but  from  what  could  be 
learnt  it  had  not  (as  supposed  by  the  first  describer)  been 
originally  surrounded  with  a  stone  circle.  The  earth 
on  the  floor  of  the  chamber  was  carefully  sifted  by 
the  writer,  but  not  even  a  fragment  of  bone  was  dis- 
covered. The  ground-plan  of  this  monument  is  of  some- 
what oval  form  ;  the  stones  touch  each  other,  and  average 
about  4  feet  in  height.  These  had  been  originally 
covered  by  an  immense  flag.  The  first  intimation  of 
the  existence  of  the  chamber  was  owing  to  a  plough 
coming  in  contact  with  the  slab,  which  was  covered  with 
a  mound  of  earth.  In  the  accompanying  plan  (fig.  77), 
drawn  by  W.  F.  Wakeman,  the  stones  are  all  numbered 
for  easier  reference  to  the  sculptures.  It  is  greatly  to  be 
desired  that  the  sculptured  portion  should  be  removed  to 
a  museum,  as  the  lengthened  exposure  to  climatic  influ- 
ence has  already  played  sad  havoc  with  the  designs. 
The  same  process  of  decay  in  the  outer  laminae  of  scribed 
slabs  was  observed  by  Mr.  Eugene  A.  Conwell  on  the 
Loughcrew  examples.  He  states  that,  "  On  the  stones 
which  have  been  long  exposed  to  the  destructive  effects 
of  the  atmosphere,  the  punched  or  other  work  is  often 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  69 

much  obliterated,  but  on  those  lately  exposed  the  work  of 
the  tool  is  almost  as  fresh  and  as  distinct  as  at  the  period 
•of  its  execution."  The  Cloverhill  chamber,  5  feet 
9  inches  long  by  3  feet  6  inches  broad,  now  consists 
of  nine  stones,  for  it  is  not  thought  that  one  situated 
to  the  S.  of  the  entrance  had  originally  formed  part  of 
the  structure  (see  fig.  77,  p.  70).  The  longest  axis  of 
the  cist  is  E.N.E.,  and  W.S.W.  (magnetic). 

No.  1  stone  has  two  sets  of  scorings — the  one  upon 
its  edge,  the  other  upon  its  interior  surface.  The 
markings  on  its  edge  (see  fig.  78,  p.  70)  consist  of  small 
<cup-like  dots,  each  enclosed  in  a  circle,  also  two  hori- 
zontal lines,  thus  resembling  the  scorings  on  a  re- 
markable pillar-stone  at  Muff,  county  Deny. 

The  carving  upon  the  interior  surface  (of  No.  1 )  is 
very  singular ;  for  an  exact  idea  of  its  appearance  the 
reader  is  referred  to  fig.  79,  p.  71):  No.  2  stone  also 
bears  traces  of  carvings  of  a  style  which  antiquaries 
refer  to  the  bronze  age  (see  fig.  80,  p.  72);  Nos.  3, 
4,  5,  and  6,  stones  are  devoid  of  ornamentation ;  No.  7 
.stone  is  one  of  the  most  curiously  carved  (see  fig.  81, 
p.  73). 

These  archaic  markings,  whether  on  cliffs,  on  simple 
•earth-fast  rocks,  or  on  rude  stone  sepulchral  monuments, 
may  probably  have  been  the  outcome  of  some  primitive 
-symbolical  or  mystical  ideas  of  the  savage  mind,  and 
thus  was  perpetuated  on  the  most  durable  materials  to 
hand,  the  meaning  sought  to  be  conveyed,  until  the  cus- 
tom became  characteristic  of  an  early  class  of  interment. 
Its  meaning  or  original  symbolism,  now  buried  in  obli- 
vion, may,  perhaps,  be  ultimately  unravelled  by  means 
of  careful  research,  comparison,  and  analysis  of  these 
primitive  scribings. 

This  may  be  said  to  be  the  last  of  the  monuments  of 
ihe  Carrowmore  Series  that  bears  a  strictly  sepulchral 
•character ;  but  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  the 
Barnasrahy  group  there  are  two  fort-like  mounds  which 
from  their  small  size  are  probably  of  a  mortuary  charac- 
ter ;  their  real  nature,  however,  could  not  be  determined 
without  an  excavation. 

There  are  two  other  objects  which  deserve  notice, 


JcaJ.t 


Fig.  79. — Carving  on  Interior  Surface  of  No.  1  Stone  of  Sepulchral  Chamber, 

Cloverhill. 


Fig.  80.-C*mng  on  Interior  Surface  of  No.  2  Stone  of  Sepulchral  Chamber, 

Cloverhill. 


Fig.  81. — Carving  on  Interior  Surface  of  No.  7  Stone  of  Sepulchral  Chamber, 

Cloverhill. 


74  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IEELAND. 

the  first  being  (see  Map,  fig.  1)  No.  64,  a  remarkable 
stone,  which  may,  perhaps,  be  of  coeval  antiquity  with 
the  sepulchral  remains.  It  marks  the  point  of  junction 
of  the  three  parishes  of  the  district  formerly,  and  still 
by  the  country  people,  designated  Cuil-irra.  This  boun- 
dary mark  is  a  thin  limestone  flag,  set  on  edge :  it  is 
9  feet  in  height  and  10  feet  in  breadth  above  ground. 
The  little  stream  which  issues  from  Tobernavean — or 
Tolar-na-lhFian,  the  "  Well  of  the  Warriors" — laves  its 
base,  which  must  be  deeply  buried  in  the  earth.  Towards 


Fig.  82.— "Holed"  Stone,  called  Ckch-bhreac,  or  Cloch-lia,  at 
Tobernavean,  near  Sligo. 

the  east  side,  this  flag-stone  is  pierced  by  a  squarish, 

or  rather  an  oblong  perforation,  3  feet  in  length  by 

2  feet  in  breadth.    From  its  mottled  appearance,  this 

slab  is  popularly  called  Cloch-bhreac,  or  the  "Speckled 

A*  i- als?.CW-^>  or  the  "Gray  Stone." 

At  Minchin  Hampton,  in  Gloucestershire,  there  is  an 

ancient  stone  menhir,  or  tolmen,  called  the  Long  Stone. 

its  lower  end  is  a  perforation  through  which  children 

used  to  be  passed  for  cure,  or  prevention,  of  measles, 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN   SLIGO.  75- 

whooping-cough,  and  other  infantile  ailments.  Similar 
stones  in  Cornwall  are  said  to  be  employed  in  the  same 
way,  as  also  in  India.  Writing  on  the  subject,  Dr. 
Petrie  observes : — "  They  have,  probably,  an  eastern 
origin,  for  Mr.  Walford  informs  us  in  the  Asiatic  Re- 
searches, vol.  vi.,  p.  562,  that  perforated  stones  are  not 
uncommon  in  India;  and  devout  people  pass  through 
them  when  the  opening  will  admit,  in  order  to  be  re- 
generated. If  the  hole  be  too  small,  they  put  the  hand 
or  foot  through,  and  with  a  sufficient  degree  of  faith  it 
answers  nearly  the  same  purpose."  The  following  de- 
scription of  a  custom  which  prevailed  at  Ardmore, 
county  Waterford,  greatly  resembles  an  Eastern  rite; 
the  stone,  however,  in  this  instance  can  scarcely  be 
considered  a  "  holed  stone,"  as  there  was  no  aperture 
in  it,  the  passage  being  underneath,  i.  e.  between  it  and 
the  rock  upon  which  it  rests : — The  Cloch-Nave-Deglane 
(Clock  naoimk  Deaglain)  lies  amongst  the  rocks  on  the 
strand  at  Ardmore,  and  "  is  the  centre  of  great  attraction 
on  St.  Declan's  patron  day ;  the  pilgrims,  after  their 
'  rounds '  at  it,  as  part  of  the  ritual,  are  obliged  to 
squeeze  themselves  under  it  three  times.  This  stone  is 
noted  for  several  cures,  especially  for  pains  in  the  back ; 
but  it  is  believed  that  no  one  with  anything  on  them 
either  borrowed  or  stolen  can  ever  get  themselves  safe 
through  from  under  it.  I  have  several  times  seen  this 
operation  performed  both  by  males  and  females,  though 
with  much  difficulty,  as  the  stone  lies  on  low  sharp  rocks, 
pretty  close  to  the  ground."1 

In  memorials  of  the  u  holed  stone"  class,  the  earliest 
perforations  appear  to  have  been  the  largest,  and  they 
gradually  dwindled  down  from  upwards  of  a  foot  in 
diameter  to  such  as  would  little  more  than  admit  a 
finger.  In  connexion  with  ecclesiastical  buildings,  in- 
stances occur  in  localities  widely  apart,  as  for  example, 
in  the  cemetery  of  Kilmalkedar,  county  Kerry ;  at  Kil- 
fountain,  county  Cork  ;  and  at  Mainister,  Aran  Island,  of 
which  latter  the  accompanying  illustration  (fig.  83)  was 
made  by  W.  F.  Wakeman,  at  the  time  of  the  Ordnance 

1  Journal,  R.H.A.A.I.,  vol.  i.,  New  Series,  p.  43,  1856-7.— E.  Fitzgerald. 


76  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

Survey.  The  ornamentation  under  the  perforation  seems 
to  partake  of  the  characteristics  of  a  crux-ansata.  This 
specimen  stands  about  5  feet  above  the  soil.  O'Donovan 
states  that  there  were  superstitious  rites  held  in  con- 
nexion with  it,  but  does  not  specify  their  nature. 

The  Island  of  Inismurray,  county  Sligo,  presents  two 
valuable  examples  of  " holed  stones"  (figs.  84  and  85); 
the  one  measures  4  feet,  the  other  5  feet,  in  height. 
In  the  present  day  the  postulants  kneel,  passing  their 
thumbs  into  the  front  and  their  fingers  into  the  side 
orifices,  thereby  obtaining  a  firm  grasp  of  the  angles 


Fig.  83.— "Holed"  and  Sculptured  Stone  at  Mainister,  Aran  Island. 

of  the  stone.  Cross-inscribed  "  holed  stones"  may  pro- 
bably have  been  so  sculptured  by  the  earliest  mission- 
aries amongst  the  Irish,  with  the  object  of  thus  diverting 
the  prayers  of  the  pagan  into  Christian  channels.  It 
seems  most  difficult  to  imagine  that  the  perforations  in 
rude  pillar-stones  could  possibly  have  been  derived  from 
any  point  of  belief  or  ceremonial  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  "holed  stones,"  being 
unquestionably  of  pagan  origin,  were  anciently  connected 
with  religious  rites  of  some  kind ;  it  has  also  been  sug- 


Fig.  84. — "  Holed"  Stone  at  Teamfull-na-  Fief.  85. — "Holed"  Stone  near  Teampull-na-mlan, 

or  the  "  Church  of  the  Women,"  Island  of  Inis- 


bhfear,  Island  of  Inismurray,  county  Sligo. 


murray,  county  Sligo. 


78 


KUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 


gested  that  they  may  have  been  used  for  interchange  of 
oaths,  promises,  &c.,  or  in  commemoration  of  some 
event  such  as  a  battle  or  a  treaty ;  also  that  they  were 
raised  as  boundary  marks.  This  last  idea  would  be  speci- 
ally applicable  in  the  case  of  the  Carrowmore  example,  for 
it  defines  the  spot  where  three  parishes  meet,  the  parishes 
themselves  being  probably  but  ancient  pagan  denomina- 
tions of  lands,  afterwards  in  Christian  times  re-named 
in  honour  of  St.  John,  and  the  Bishops  Bronus  and 
Mac  Owen ;  i.  e.  St.  John's,  Killaspugbrone,  and  Kil- 
macowen  parishes.  In  the  Brehon  Law  Tracts,  vol.  iv. , 


Fig.  86.— The  Hole  Stone  near  the  Village  of  Doagh,  county  Antrim. 

p.  143,  a  monument  of  this  class  is  called  "a  stone 
mark/'  i  e.  a  district  which  is  marked  by  a  stone  of 
worship,  or  an  immovable  stone. 

Like  the  Carrowmore  example,  many  pillar-stones 
are  thin  flat  flags  of  irregular  form ;  others  seem  to  be 
rudely  quadrangular;  some  again  are  simply  boulders 
placed  on  end.  On  a  rocky  eminence,  about  a  mile 
from  the  village  of  Doagh,  county  Antrim,  stands  a  larg-e 
whmstone  slab  called  the  Hole  Stone  (fig.  86).  It  is  upwards 
of  5  feet  in  height  above  the  ground,  and  near  the  base 


JRUDE   STONE    MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  79 

6  feet  8  inches  in  circumference,  and  10  inches  in  thick- 
ness. At  about  3  feet  from  the  ground  there  is  a  round 
hole  perforated  through  it,  sufficient  to  admit  an  ordinary 
sized  hand:  this  has  evidently  been  made  by  art,  but 
there  is  neither  record  nor  tradition  respecting  the 
purpose  for  which  it  was  formed.  It  is  said  that  not 
long  ago  a  large  stone  with  a  hole  through  it  stood  on 
a  hill  near  Cushendall,  in  the  same  county.  The  accom- 
panying illustration  (fig.  87)  represents  a  stone  of  this 
class,  remaining  in  the  churchyard  of  Castledermot,  and 
which  it  is  alleged  is  inscribed  with  ogham  characters. 
There  is  a  remarkable  perforated  stone  of  this  descrip- 
tion— also  inscribed,  it  is  said,  with  ogham  scores — 


Fig.  87.—"  Holed"  and  Scribed  Stone  in  the  Churchyard  of  Castle  Dermot. 

near  the  church  of  Kilmalkedar,  one  mile  from  Smer- 
wick  Harbour,  in  the  county  Kerry.  At  the  foot  of  the 
round  tower  near  Inniskeen,  a  small  village  in  the  barony 
of  Farney,  county  Monaghan,  was  found  a  very  large 
stone  of  porphyry,  with  a  hole  in  the  centre  large 
enough  to  thrust  the  arm  through,  and  it  was  once  used 
for  superstitious  purposes.  In  more  modern  times  a  pole 
was  placed  in  the  hole,  up  which  the  young  country  folk 
used  to  climb  at  Easter  for  some  trifling  prize.1  In  Ross- 
shire,  Scotland,  there  is  a  stone  resembling  the  Doagh 

1  Proceedings,  Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society,  vol.  in.,  p.  377,  1854-5. 


80 


BUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 


monument ;  and  near  Kirkwall,  Orkney,  at  a  place  called 
Stennis,  is  a  large  pillar-stone  (fig.  88),  8  feet  high, 
3  feet  broad,  and  9  inches  thick,  with  a  hole  through  it. 
The  site  on  which  it  stands  was  deemed  a  place  conse- 
crated to  the  meeting  of  lovers,  and  when  they  joined  hands 
through  the  stone,  the  pledge  of  love  and  truth  then  given 
was  held  sacred.  In  his  tale  of  "  The  Pirate  "  the  stone 
circle  of  Stennis  is  specially  mentioned  by  Sir  Walter 
Scott,  who  was  an  antiquary  as  well  as  novelist.  "  It  is 
quite  certain  that  the  oath  to  Wodin  or  Odin  was  sworn 


Fig.  88.— "Holed"  Pillar-stone  at  Stennis,  near  Kirkwall,  Orkney. 

by  persons  joining  their  hands  through  the  hole  in  this 
ring-stone,  and  that  an  oath  so  taken,  although  by  Chris- 
tians, was  deemed  solemn  and  binding."1  This  ceremony 
was  held  very  sacred,  so  that  anyone  breaking  it  was 
ostracised  from  society;  and  so  late  as  the  year  1781 
a  traveller  in  the  Orkney  Islands  relates  that  a  "  young 
man  was  called  before  the  session,  and  the  elders  were 
particularly  severe.  Being  asked  by  the  minister  the 
cause  of  so  much  severity,  they  answered :  *  You  do  not 

1  Ferguson's  Rude  Stone  Monuments,  p.  255. 


KUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  81 

Imow  what  a  bad  man  this  is ;  lie  has  broken  the  promise 
to  Odin,'  and  further  explained  that  the  contracting 
parties  had  joined  hands  through  the  hole  in  the  stone. " 
There  is  a  "  holed"  stone  at  Lochgilphead  in 
Argyleshire,  represented  by  fig.  89,  copied  from  the 
Sculptured  Stones  of  Scotland;  no  description  of  it,  how- 
ever, could  be  found  in  the  text ;  it  is  not  merely 
"  holed,"  but  also  "  cup-marked,"  and  its  position  is 
€lose  to  a  stone  circle.  A  slab  that  appears  to  have 
been  intended  for  a  " holed"  stone  was  found  by  Mr. 


Fig.  89.—"  Holed"  and  Cup-marked  Stone  at  Lochgilphead,  Argyleshire. 

Eugene  A.  Con  well  in  his  examination  of  the  ancient 
sepulchral  earns  on  the  Loughcrew  Hills,  county  Meath, 
and  in  connexion  with  a  stone  circle.  It  is  thus  de- 
scribed by  him:  —  "No.  8  contains  a  circular  hole, 
6^-  inches  in  diameter,  cut  vertically  with  much  pre- 
cision and  smoothness,  to  a  depth  of  3  inches.  For 
what  use  this  may  have  been  intended  it  would  be 
difficult  to  conjecture,  if  we  do  not  suppose  that  the  stone 
itself  had  been  unfinished,  or  not  completely  pierced 
through.1" 

At  Plas  Newydd,  in  Wales,  there  is  a  chamber  or 

1  Proceedings,  B.I.A.,  vol.  ix.,  p.  376. 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  G 


82  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

cist  where  the  slab  which  closed  the  entrance  is  pierced 
with  two  holes  which  had  been  originally  circular,  and 
about  10  inches  in  diameter:  a  good  illustration  of  it  is 
*nven  in  Ferguson's  Rude  Stone  Monuments,  p.  167.  Holed 
stones  may  also  be  noticed  in  France,  of  which  that  at 
Trie,  Oise,  and  that  at  Grandmont,  in  Bois  Languedoc, 
are  characteristic  examples ;  there  is  also  another  in  the 
interior  of  a  sepulchral  chamber  at  Kerlescant,  Carnac. 
This  chamber  is  divided  into  two  equal  compartments 
by  two  stones  cut  away  in  the  centre,  so  as  to  leave 
an  aperture  1  foot  6  inches  wide,  by  S^feet  high.  ^  "A 
similar  but  smaller  hole  exists  on  the  side,  and  is  iden- 
tical with  those  found  in  the  long  barrows  at  Rodmarton 
and  Avening,  in  Gloucestershire."1  The  "  holed"  dol- 


Fig.  90. — "  Holed"  Dolmen,  or  Cromleac,  at  Rujunkolloor,  in  the  Deccan. 

mens  found  on  the  shores  of  the  Crimea,  or  in  the  Cau- 
casus, seem  to  be  rudely  dressed.  Such  " holed"  stones 
are  very  frequent  in  eastern  dolmens :  in  the  district  of 
Bellary  alone,  out  of  a  classification  of  2129  rude  stone 
monuments,  527  were  dolmens  pierced  on  one  side  with 
a  circular  aperture.  Colonel  Meadows  Taylor,  in  his 
description  of  the  cromleacs,  kistvaens,  and  earns  at 
Rujunkolloor  in  the  Deccan,  states  that  one  holed  dol- 
men had  a  top  slab  12  feet  by  10  feet  6  inches,  and 
9  inches  to  1  foot  thick,  the  side  slabs  being  12  feet 
2  inches  long  by  8  inches  broad  (fig.  90) :  in  all  these 
the  aperture  is  in  the  southern  side.  The  limestone 
of  which  the  various  tombs  in  this  district  are  formed 

1  Ferguson's  Rude  Stone  Momments. 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  83 

lies  naturally  in  laminae,  which  are  from  a  few  inches 
to  two  feet  in  thickness ;  it  is  easily  quarried,  and  can  be 
broken  with  a  hard  stone  into  flags  of  any  size,  and  this 
accounts  for  the  uniform  and  seemingly  hewn  appear- 
ance of  the  cluster  of  tombs.1 

With  regard  to  the  sepulchral  remains  in  Sligo,  it 
was  the  opinion  of  the  late  R.  C.  Walker  that,  in  his  day, 
the  then  existing  vestiges  furnished  evidence  sufficiently 
strong  to  warrant  the  conclusion  that  the  chain  of  Carrow- 
more  monuments  had  anciently  extended  so  far  in  a 
N.W.  direction  as  to  connect  them  with  the  great  earn 
on  the  summit  of  Knocknarea,  about  one  mile  and  a-half 
distant.  This  earn,  even  from  a  considerable  distance, 
forms  a  very  striking  feature  of  the  landscape,  standing 
distinctly  against  the  sky  line ;  it  commands  a  splendid 
panoramic  view  of  sea  and  land,  the  mountains  of 
Donegal,  as  well  as  the  entire  Sligo  range,  being  dis- 
tinctly visible  from  its  summit.  Mr.  Eugene  A.  Con  well 
states  that  the  mountains  overhanging  the  bays  of  Car- 
lingford  and  Sligo  are  visible  from  Sliabk-na-CailUghe, 
giving  a  telescopic  view  of  Ireland  from  sea  to  sea,  at 
about  its  narrowest  part,  and  he  adds:  "I  have  little 
doubt  that  the  earns  on  the  Loughcrew  Hills  are  but  a 
portion  of  a  chain  of  such  remains,  terminated  on  the 
east  by  the  great  mounds  of  Knowth,  New  Grange,  and 
Dowth ;  and  that  a  fuller  and  more  careful  examination 
of  the  country  will  prove  that  chain  to  have  extended 
westward  to  the  Atlantic."2  The  earn  on  Knocknarea 
was  described,  in  1779,  as  an  enormous  heap  of  small 
stones,  in  figure  oval,  its  circumference  650  feet  at  the 
base ;  on  the  one  side  a  slope  of  79,  and  on  the  other 
of  67  feet;  the  area  on  the  top  100  feet  in  its  longest 
diameter,  and  85  feet  in  its  shortest.  When  Petrie 
visited  it  in  1837  it  was  only  590  feet  in  circumference, 
and  the  longest  diameter  on  the  top  80  feet ;  it  had  in 
the  interval  been  used  as  a  quarry.  It  is  at  present  about 
590  feet  in  circumference,  its  longest  diameter  on  the 
top  80  feet,  its  shortest  75  feet,  and  it  is  34*25  in  height. 

1  In  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,   Dublin,       Kildare  and  of  Ormonde  to  shake  hands 
the  oaken  door  is  still  preserved  in  -which      together,  in  evidence  of  reconciliation. 
a  hole  was  cut  to  permit  the  Earls  of          2  Proceedings,  R.I.A.,  vol.  ix.,  p.  378. 

G2 


84  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

This  huge  pile  is  called  Misgaun  Meadhbh — pronounced 
by  the  country  people  Misgaun  Meaw — and,  according  to 
tradition,  it  is  reputed  to  be  the  tomb  of  the  great  Queen 
Meav ;  there  is,  however,  proof  to  the  contrary,  in  the 
direct  testimony  of  a  commentary  written  by^  Moelmuiri, 
that  "  Meav  was  buried  at  Rathcroghan,  which^was  the 
proper  burying-place  of  her  race,  her  body  having  been 
removed  by  her  people  from  Fort  Meav ;  for  they  deemed 
it  more  honourable  to  have  her  interred  at  Croghan." 
As  the  Book  of  the  Cemeteries  confirms  this  account,  there 
seems  no  reason  for  doubting  the  fact. 


Fig.  91. — General  View  of  Misgaun  Meav,  on  the  Summit  of  Knocknarea,  looking 
West.    From  a  Photograph  by  R.  B.  M'Neilly. 

Meadhlh  has  found  her  way  into  English  fairyland 
under  the  title  of  Queen  Mab  j1  but  the  date  when  she 
first  appeared  there  has  not  been  cleared  up.  Ben 
Jonson  and  Herrick  introduce  her  into  their  poetry, 
whilst  Shakespere  gives  her,  even  in  her  disembodied 
shape,  too  diminutive  a  form,  when  he  espouses  her  to 
Oberon  as  his  fairy  queen.  "  This  great  personage,  the 
ancestress  of  the  O'Farrells,  Mac  Rannells,  and  O'Conors 
of  Kerry,  was  of  the  Milesian,  or  Scotic  race,  and 
flourished  about  A.D.  62.2  Her  acts  are  blazoned  in  the 
Tain-bo-  Chuailnge  in  the  wildest  style  of  poetical  exagge- 

1  Yonge  remarks  that ' '  the  name  Martha,  has  since  become  the  queen  of  the  fairies : 

as  used  in  Ireland,  is  only  an  equivalent  Martha  for  Queen  Mab !  " 
for  the  native  Erse,  Meadhbh,  Meav  or          »  Ogyaia.  Part  III.,  chap.  46. 
Mab,  once  a  great  Irish  princess,  and  who 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN  SLIGO.  85 

ration,  and  she  is  vividly  remembered  in  the  traditions  of 
the  mountainous  parts  of  Ireland  as  Meadhbh  Cruachna 
(Meav  of  Croghan),  or  Queen  Mab — and  many  places 
are  called  after  her ;  but  though  sometimes  introduced 
into  modern  elegies,  she  does  not  appear  to  have  ever 
been  as  affectionately  attached  to  the  old  Milesian 
families  as  Aoibhinn^  and  the  older  banshees  of  the 
Tuatha-de-Danann  race.1  The  reason  of  this  is  not  very 
clear ;  but  from  the  stories  told  of  her  by  the  Irish 
shanachies,  she  appears  to  have  been  regarded  rather  as 
a  quean  than  a  queen.'72 

In  Ireland  earns  are  very  numerous ;  there  are  few 
districts  in  the  kingdom  in  which  one  or  more  of  them 
may  not  still  be  seen,  or  where  they  are  not  known  to 
have  formerly  existed,  and  the  word  earn  (as  noticed 
by  P.  W.  Joyce)  forms  u  the  whole,  or  the  beginning, 
of  the  names  of  about  three  hundred  townlands,  in  every 
one  of  which  a  remarkable  earn  must  have  existed, 
besides  many  others,  of  whose  names  it  forms  the 
middle,  or  end."  Wilson,  in  his  Prehistoric  Annals, 
makes  use  of  almost  the  same  language  with  regard 
to  Scotland,  stating  that  earns  are  to  be  found  in 
nearly  every  parish,  and  that  the  prefix  in  the  names 
of  places  in  Aberdeenshire  is  very  general.  Many  of 
these  earns  are  of  great  size,  and,  when  opened,  have 
disclosed  stone  chambers,  resembling  those  discovered 
from  time  to  time  in  similar  monuments  in  Ireland. 
They  are  not  peculiar  to  the  British  Isles,  but  are  also 
met  with  in  northern  Europe. 

Around  the   base   of   the   earn  on  Knocknarea  lie 


1  The  race  of  the  Tuatha-de-Danann,  Shakesperian  Queen  Mab  (the  Connacian 
•when  in  their  turn  conquered  by  the  Queen  Meadhbh}  is  "  in  shape  no  bigger 
Milesians,  are  fabled  to  have  retired  to  than  an  agate-stone."  Ben  Jonson  de- 
underground  dwellings,  and,  by  magic  scribes  her  as  "the  mistress  fairy"; 
arts,  to  have  existed  in  the  interior  of  whilst  Herrick  gives  her  an  unamiable 
raths  and  green  knolls,  gradually  dwind-  character  as  well,  for  if  the  careless  house- 
ling  in  size  by  living  underground.  They  wife  displease  her,  "  Mab  will  pinch  her 
•were  then  called  ' '  good  people,' '  or  fairies,  by  the  toe." 

and  were  dreaded,   but  not  reverenced  :  2  Journal,   R.H. A.A.I.,    vol.   I.,    2nd 

indeed,  the  amount  of  mischief  ascribed  Series,  p.  128:  "Elegy  on  the  death  of 

to  them  was  wonderful,  considering  the  the   Rev.   Edmond   Kavanagh,"  by   the 

very  small  stature  assigned  to  these  fairies.  Rev.    James    O'Lalor,    edited    by    John 

In  British  folk-lore  the  same  metamor-  O'Donovan,  LL.D. 
phosis  seems  to  have  also  occurred.    The 


86  RUDE   8TONE  MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

numerous  megalithic,  as  well  as  microlithic  monu- 
ments, which  form  a  rude  alignment  pointing  nearly 
due  N.  and  S.  No.  1  (see  fig.  93)  is  a  ruined  circle ; 
diameter,  about  20  feet.  No.  2  is  a  microlithic  circle, 
consisting  of  small  limestone  chips,  or  shivers;  diameter, 
19  feet.  No.  3,  same  formation  as  No.  2;  diameter, 
40  feet.  No.  4  is  a  ruined  circle,  of  which  eight  stones 
only,  and  four  of  the  cist,  now  remain — fig.  92  gives  a 
good  idea  of  its  general  appearance.  No.  5,  to  the  N. 
of  the  great  earn,  is  a  circle  composed  of  small  lime- 
stone shivers,  with  larger  stones  appearing  here^  and 
there.  No.  6  is  the  remains  of  a  small  stone  circle, 
touching  the  larger  monument  (No.  7) ;  diameter,  about 


Fig.  92. — Ruined  Circle  (No  1)  at  the  foot  of  the  Great  Cam  on  the  Summit  of 
Knocknarea,  looking  North. 

6  feet ;  it  is  hollow  in  the  centre,  and  resembles  the 
one  which  adjoins  No.  46,  of  the  Carrowmore  Series, 
and  also  one  in  Achill,  hereinafter  to  be  described :  an 
excavation  was  made,  but  without  results.1  No.  7  is 
the  largest  of  the  structures  around  the  great  earn ;  its 
diameter  is  100  feet.  The  outer  circle,  or  mound,  con- 
sists of  limestone  shivers ;  various  large  stones  appear 
here  and  there,  but  the  cist  in  the  centre  has  been  com- 
pletely demolished,  the  large  covering-slab  having  been 
thrown  to  some  distance  from  its  original  position,  and 
other  stones  scattered  about  the  enclosure.  A  few  cal- 
cined and  uncalcined  animal  bones  were  found  under 


1  In  the  neighbourhood  of  Minard,  in  ferriter  and  Teeravane,   to  the   west  of 

the  county  of  Kerry,  there  are,  or  were,  Dingle,  are  also  two  small  stone-circles — 

a  few  years  ago,  two  or  three  perfect  stone  the  one  measuring  9  feet  3  inches,  and 

circles ;  and  between  the  villages  of  Bally-  the  other  5  feet  in  diameter. 


on, 

A-B.— Section  of  Cam. 

C.— Small  Carn  erected  by  the  Ordnance  Survey  Staff. 
D.— Site  of  probable  Cist. 

E,  E,  E,  E.— Original  Circumference  of  Carn,  about  660  feet. 

F,  F,  F,  F.— Present  Circumference  of  Carn,  about  590  feet. 

G,  G.— Diameter,  80  feet. 
H,  H. — Diameter,  about  60  feet. 


Fig.  93. — Plan  showing  General  Distribution  of  the  various  Monuments 
on  the  Summit  of  Knocknarea. 


88  RUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

one  of  these  slabs.  "  From  their  situation  it  seems 
hardly  possible  to  doubt  that  these  smaller  tombs  are  con- 
temporaneous with,  or  subsequent  to,  the  great  earn  ; 
and  if  this  really  were  the  tomb  of  Queen  Meave,  it 
would,  if  opened,  throw  some  light  on  this  subject.  The 
great  earn  has  not,  however,  been  dug  into  yet,  and  till 
that  is  done  the  ownership  of  the  tomb  cannot  be  defi- 
nitely fixed." l 

All  the  megalithic  and  microlithic  monuments 
which  lie  at  the  foot  of  the  great  earn  on  Knocknarea 
had  (as  previously  stated)  been  examined  by  R.  C.  Walker 
and  Dr.  Petrie,  and  "  human  remains,"  as  also  u  se^  eral 
rude  ornaments  and  implements  of  stone,"  were  found 
in  them.  Unfortunately  no  description  was  given  of 
either  of  these  two  classes  of  " finds."2  However,  the 
collection  of  flints — from  the  Carrowmore  district- 
almost  compensates  for  this  loss  to  archaeology,  and 
that  collection  interests  specially,  by  the  fact  that  it 
presents  two  very  distinct  colours  of  material,  the  one 
being  of  Antrim  chalk-flint,  varying  in  shade  from 
white  to  cream-colour,  bluish-white,  and  yellow;  whilst 
the  other  is  an  impure  silex  of  a  dark  greyish-black 
colour,  pronounced  by  W.  J.  Knowles,  and  by  W. 
Frazer,  F.K.C.S.I.,  to  be  a  variety  of  Antrim  flint :  the- 
latter  designates  it  "  black  flint,"  such  as  was  formerly 
employed  in  the  formation  of  gun-flints.  Although  flint 
is  not  generally  met  with  in  Sligo,  yet  it  may  be  some- 
times picked  up  in  nodules :  one  such  was  found  on 
the  sand-hills  of  Mullaghmore,  county  Sligo  (perhaps 
on  the  site^of  an  ancient  kitchen  midden),  and,  when 
fractured,  it  displayed  the  characteristics  and  same 
colour  as  the  majority  of  the  specimens  of  flints^ 
from  Sligo,  now  at  Alnwick  Castle,  i.e.  greyish-black. 
The  nodule  above  noticed  was  probably  a  waif  from 

»  Ferguson's    Rude  Stone   Monuments,  who  worked  with  him,  were  too  little- 

P*  a v  -     i-  aware  of  tne  importance  of  these  material 

Ferguson,  in  his  Rude  Stone  Monu-  points  of  evidence  to  be  careful  either  to- 

tnts,  p.  184,  remarks :—'«  At  the  time  collect  or  to  describe  the  contents  of  these 

3  wrote  (1837)    these   (i.e.  imple-  graves;  and  as  all,  or  nearly  all,   have- 

ments  of  bone,  or  stone)  were  not  valued  been  opened,  that  source  of  information, 

or  classified,  as  they  have  since  been  ...  may  be  cut  off  for  ever." 
indeed  I  am  afraid  that  Petrie,  and  those 


PLATE  IV. 


To  face  page  89. 


Fig.  94.— Flint  Implements  found  in  the  county  Sligo,  now  in  the  collection  of 
II is  Grace  the  Duke  of  Northumberland,  at  Alnwick  Castle. 


EUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  89* 

some  disintegrated  chalk-bed,  and  exhibited  all  the  ap- 
pearance of  having  been  long  rolled  in  the  sea. 

These  implements  present  nearly  every  variety  of 
form  fabricated  by  the  primitive  flint-working  folk. 

Plate  IV.,  No.  9,  of  the  triangular  type,  is  hollowed 
at  the  base  for  reception  of  the  shaft ;  one  of  the  wings 
has  been  fractured ;  it  is  carefully  chipped,  and  dark 
sepia  in  colour.  No.  6,  somewhat  of  the  same  type, 
hollowed  for  reception  of  the  shaft,  is  carefully  chipped, 
but  has  lost  one  of  its  wings ;  it  is  in  colour  yellow, 
with  a  brown  tint. 

Nos.  7,  8,  13,  and  14  are  of  the  stemmed  variety, 
having  a  tang,  or  projection  for  sinking  into  the  shaft, 
and  wings  on  either  side,  which  in  No.  8  descend  on  a 
level  with  the  extremity  of  the  tang;  one  of  the  wings  of 
No.  13  is  broken  off;  No.  7  is  in  colour  a  warm  grey; 
No.  8  is  of  a  yellowish  tinge,  having  a  transparency  re- 
sembling amber ;  No.  13  is  a  light-brown  grey,  with 
one  whitish  streak  across;  and  No.  14  is  a  whitish- 
grey  in  colour. 

With  the  exception  of  No.  11,  the  remainder  of  the 
implements  belong  to  the  leaf -shaped  variety  of  flints, 
and  are  chipped  over  with  great  care.  No.  1  is  warm 
grey  in  colour,  with  two  streaks  of  red ;  No.  2,  a  dark, 
greyish-brown ;  No.  3  resembles  the  preceding ;  No.  4 
is  a  greyish-brown ;  No.  5,  a  greyish-yellow;  No.  10, 
an  indefinite  greenish-grey;  No.  12,  dark,  greyish- 
brown  ;  No.  15,  a  dark-grey.  All  these  are  more 
simple  in  shape  than  those  previously  described,  but 
they  have  been  thus  placed  so  as  to  illustrate  the 
finer  and  more  perfect  manufacture  of  No.  11 — a  spear- 
head, found  in  Carrowmore,  in  the  cist  of  the  earn  of 
Listoghil  (see  ante,  vol.  vii.,  pp.  486  and  594).  This 
javelin,  or  lance-head,  formed  of  flint,  in  colour  yellow, 
with  a  brownish  tint,  is  4^  inches  in  length ;  the  faces 
are  polished.  Sir  William  Wilde,  referring  to  Irish  ex- 
amples, states  that  arrows  of  flint  are  never  polished,  but 
javelins  are;  the  arrow  showing  the  perfection  of  chip- 
ping, the  spear  of  polishing.  Mr.  Evans,  in  his  Ancient 
Stone  Implements,  further  remarks,  that  the  class  having 
both  faces  polished,  though  still  only  chipped  at  the 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

,  like  fig.  27,  Catalogue,  Museum,  E.  I.  A.  (which  is 
of°the  same  class  as  the  object  now  under  considera- 
tion), has  not,  to  his  knowledge,  occurred  out  of  Ireland. 
To  liis  Grace  the  Duke  of  Northumberland  the  writer 
is  indebted  for  photographs  of  the  collection  of  Sligo 
implements ;  and  to  John  Brown,  artist,  Abbot's  Tower, 
Alnwick  Castle,  Northumberland,  for  descriptive  par- 
ticulars, and  coloured  drawings  of  the  same. 

It  is  most  interesting  to  compare  the  Irish  flint  im- 
plements found  at  Carrowmore  with  some  remarkable 
specimens  from  the  Antipodes,  and  it  is  only  by  a  com- 
parison of  the  waifs  of  antiquity  with  kindred  objects 
in  other  countries  throughout  the  globe,  that  we  can 
form  conjectures  as  to  the  social  state  of  Ireland  during 
the  pre-Christian  period,  for  advanced  civilization  sweeps 
away  from  view  those  characteristic  traits  by  which  the 
various  early  races  may  have  been  distinguished.  E.  T. 
Hardman,1  H.M.G.S.I.,  at  special  request  of  the  writer, 
furnished  the  following  highly  interesting  observations 
on  the  similarity  of  some  native  Australian  stone  wea- 
pons and  implements  to  those  of  prehistoric  times  in 
Ireland. 

While    engaged   on    the    geological  survey   of  a   part  of  "Western 
Australia — the  Kimberley  district — I  met  with  many  parties  of  natives, 

1  E.  T.  Hardman  lived  only  eight  days  labours,  which  received  the  special  thanks 
after  completion  of  this  interesting  ac-  of  the  Government,  he  discovered  the 
count  of  Australian  flint  implements.  In  Kimberley  gold-fields,  which  have  re- 
the  letter  which  accompanied  his  MS.,  he  cently  attracted  so  much  attention.  Mr. 
states  that  he  had  felt  too  ill  to  forward  it  Hardman  was  elected  Fellow  of  the 
.at  an  earlier  date,  according  to  promise.  Chemical  Society  of  London,  was  Fellow 
By  his  death  science  has  lost  a  valued  and  Member  of  the  Council  of  the  Royal 
member,  whose  already  very  successful  Geological  Society  of  Ireland,  and,  in 
career  gave  much  promise  for  the  future,  1879,  was  appointed  Examiner  in  Geology 
and,  it  is  to  be  feared,  his  projected  work  and  Physical  Geography  under  the  Board 
on  Western  Australia  will  not  now  see  of  Intermediate  Education  (Ireland) .  In 
the  light.  Mr.  Hardman  was  a  native  of  addition  to  the  numerous  reports  which 
Drogheda,  and  distinguished  himself  at  he  published  officially,  he  was  also  the 
an  early  age  by  gaining  a  Government  author  of  many  valuable  contributions  to 
Exhibition  in  the  Royal  College  of  Science,  the  British  Association,  the  Royal  His- 
Dublin.  Having  taken  his  Diploma  in  the  torical  and  Archaeological  Association  of 
Faculties  of  Mining  and  Manufactures,  and  Ireland,  and  other  scientific  societies.  He 
numerous  prizes  and  distinctions  in  the  was  called  upon  to  assist  in  the  arrange- 
College,  he  was  appointed  in  1870  to  the  ment  of  the  Australian  collection  at  the 
Geological  Survey  of  Ireland,  in  which  recent  Colonial  Exhibition  in  London, 
capacity  he  resided  in  Sligo  for  some  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  had  a  pros- 
time;  and  was  subsequently  selected  to  pect  of  an  early  return  to  Western 
.report  upon  the  geology  and  minerals  of  Australia  as  the  head  of  its  Geological 
Western  Australia.  In  the  course  of  his  Department. 


PLATK  V. 


To  fixe  page  91. 


Fig.  95.  Flint  and  Stone  Implements  from  Western  Australia.     Full  size, 
except  No.  6,  which  is  about  one-ninth  real  size. 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN    SLIGO.  91 

and  had  opportunities  of  examining  their  implements  of  warfare,  &c., 
.and  of  learning  their  uses,  and  the  mode  of  manufacture.  Those  formed 
of  stone,  flint,  agate,  and  trap  rock,  diorite,  &c.,  strikingly  resembled 
many  that  have  been  found  in  our  ancient  barrows,  graves,  and  "kitchen 
middens;"  and  I  therefore  endeavoured  to  obtain  as  much  information 
.as  possible  on  the  subject. 

The  stone  implements  of  Australia  are  chiefly  confined  to  the  northern 
part  of  the  continent,  and  are  seldom  found  south  of  lat.  22°  S.  They 
consist  of  spear-heads,  celts,  or  hatchets,  and  small  chisels,  exactly  re- 
sembling our  well-known  "thumb-stones,"  or  scrapers.  In  this  northern 
district  there  are  extensive  deposits  of  agate,  and  of  various  species  of 
flint  and  jasper,  often  forming  ranges  miles  in  extent;  and  that  the 
summits  of  many  of  these  hills  have  been  used  as  manufactories  is 
evidenced  by  the  quantity  of  flint  flakes  lying  about,  and  which  are  in 
shape  almost  exactly  similar  to  those  of  Antrim.  In  the  river-beds, 
besides  flint,  &c.,  large  pebbles  of  pure  rock  crystal  abound ;  these  also 
are  utilized  by  the  natives,  who  form  from  them  very  beautiful  spear- 
heads, as  well  as  knives  which  are  employed  in  the  process  of  circum- 
cision and  other  similar  rites. 

With  the  progress  of  civilization  a  third  material  for  the  fabrication 
of  spear-heads  has  been  introduced — that  is,  bottle  glass.  The  natives 
have  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  afforded  by  the  profusion  of 
brandy  bottles  in  certain  districts,  and  have  succeeded  in  making  from 
them  some  very  beautiful  spear-heads.  One  specimen  I  obtained  was  of 
leaf  shape,  about  2  inches  long,  and  brought  to  a  fine  sharp  point,  very 
similar  to  that  shown  in  Plate  V.,  No.  3,  and  having  the  same  finely- 
worked  serrated  edges.  This  serrated  form  much  resembles  that  to  be 
observed  in  many  flint  arrow-heads  of  the  Irish  prehistoric  period. 
Spears  thus  headed  are  used  chiefly  as  projectiles,  being  thrown  from 
the  hand,  assisted  by  a  throwing-stick — Gna-la-ling — at  the  end  of 
which  there  is  a  hook  to  be  inserted  into  the  butt  of  the  spear  ;  it  acts, 
to  some  extent,  as  a  primitive  bow,  in  giving  considerable  initial  velo- 
city. 

These  spear-heads  almost  exactly  reproduce  the  highest  form  of  pre- 
historic javelin-barbs.  A  figure  in  Lubbock's  Prehistoric  Man  closely 
xesembles  the  shape  of  these  Australian  weapons,  and  the  inferences 
drawn  that  the  prehistoric  weapon  was  used  as  an  arrow,  or  javelin,  is 
fully  corroborated  by  the  usages  of  the  Australians,  as  above  mentioned. 

If  we  judged  from  the  specimens  figured  in  Plate  V.,  N~os.  1  and  3, 
we  might  be  inclined  to  regard  them  as  of  different  periods;  quasi 
Palaeolithic  and  Neolithic.  But,  in  point  of  fact,  there  may  be  but  an. 
interval  of  a  few  days,  or  weeks  at  most,  between  their  ages.  The 
process  of  manufacture  is  very  simple ;  having  procured,  either  from, 
the  hills  or  the  agate  pebbles  of  the  river-beds,  suitable  material,  the 
native  sets  to  work  to  reduce  it  to  the  rough  shape  shown  in  No.  1. 
This  is  done  by  knocking  off  flakes,  with  a  rounded  pebble  of  the  rough 
sandstone  so  common  throughout  Australia.  He  reserves  these  roughed- 
out  sketches  for  finish  at  his  leisure.  A  native's  "kit,"  which  consists 
of  a  piece  of  "  paper  bark,"  from  the  Melaleuca  leucodendron,  or  caje- 
put-tree,  always  contains  a  few  of  these  roughly- chipped  spear-heads 
(N~o.  1),  to  be  afterwards  worked  up  into  the  delicately-serrated  form  of 

:NO.  3. 


92  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

I  induced  a  native  to  show  me  the  process  on  a  portion  of  a  broken- 
bottle.  Knocking  off  a  piece  of  suitable  size,  he  then  procured  a  rounded 
sandstone  pebble,  which  he  slightly  rubbed  on  another  stone  to  give  it  a 
"  bite,"  or  "  tooth  ;"  and  the  next  requisite  was  a  small  piece  of  wood. 
Now  seating  himself,  he  placed  the  wood  beneath  his  toes,  with  the 
glass  resting  edgeways  on  it,  between  his  first  and  second  toes.  With 
light  blows,  adapted  to  the  nature  of  the  flake  he  wished  to  strike  off,  he 
then  deftly  chipped  the  glass  into  its  first  rude  leaf-shaped  form  :  this 
being  accomplished,  lighter  blows  were  given,  until  a  certain  amount  of 
finish  was  obtained.  Then,  by  slight  taps  from  a  small  and  flat-edged 
stone,  the  fine  points,  and  the  finely-serrated  edge,  were  gradually 
formed.  The  whole  operation  did  not  occupy  more  than  half  an  hour, 
and  the  specimens  are  rude  in  appearance,  having  been  made  very 
hurriedly  in  order  to  explain  the  process.  Still  it  is  wonderful  that  a 
material  so  brittle  and  treacherous  as  glass  could  be  worked  into  this 
form  by  such  simple  means.  I  have  purposely  selected  this  specimen  as 
a  connecting-link  between  Nos.  1  and  3,  although  I  obtained  other  beau- 
tiful symmetrical  glass  heads — one  very  fine  example  being  now  in  the 
Museum  of  the  Royal  Dublin  Society. 

Dr.  Evans  points  out  the  facility  with  which  flakes  may  be  produced 
from  flint  by  means  of  a  rounded  pebble  used  as  a  hammer,  and  not 
necessarily  attached  to  a  handle,  but  simply  held  in  the  hand.  He  also 
notices  that  "  proper  attention  has  not  been  paid  to  the  hammer-stones, 
which,  in  all  probability,  occur  with  the  chippings  of  flint."  This  latter 
conjecture  is  fully  corroborated  by  the  occurrence  of  these  hammer- 
etones  with  flint  chips  in  Australia,  and  their  known  use  ;  and  also  from 
their  having  been  discovered,  in  at  least  one  instance,  under  similar  cir- 
cumstances in  Ireland.  Yery  lately  Mr.  M 'Henry,  M.K.I. A.,  who  explored 
the  prehistoric  deposits  of  White  Park  Bay,  Ballintoy,  obtained  with  the 
flint  implements  several  rounded  hammer-stones,  which  I  had  no  hesita- 
tion in  identifying  as  exactly  similar  to  those  used  by  the  Australians : 
indeed,  there  cannot  be  the  slightest  doubt  that  they  were  intended  for 
the  same  purpose. 

In  some  localities  in  the  northern  territory  of  South  Australia  and 
North  Queensland  the  natives  are  content  with  flakes  obtained  by  striking 
the  flint  on  a  larger  stone,  by  which  means  they  can  sometimes  obtain  a 
sharply -tapering  flake ;!  but  they  are  mostly  of  very  rude  construction. 
However,  I  saw  in  the  Melbourne  Museum  some  specimens  from  the 
northern  territory  closely  resembling  No.  1,  though  there  were  none 
showing  the  high  finish  of  those  of  Kimberley. 

The  spear-heads — whether  of  flint  or  glass — are  attached  to  the  shafts 
by  means  of  a  tenacious  cement,  manufactured  from  the  "  spinifex  grass," 
Triodia  irritam,  which  exudes  a  peculiar  gummy  substance.  A  ' '  nigger's  " 
kit  always  contains  a  lump  of  this  cement ;  it  is  easily  softened  by  heat,, 
and,  when  cool,  the  spear-head  remains  firmly  fixed. 

The  shafts  are  from  10  to  15  feet  in  length.  One  half  is  composed 
of  heavy  acacia  wood,  rudely  straightened,  the  butt  being  formed  of 
bamboo,  which  serves  to  steady  the  flight  of  the  weapon,  on  the  same 
principle  that  a  reed  with  a  nail  inserted  in  the  head  forms  (as  all  boys 

1  Evana,  op.  cit.t  p.  24,  and  Anthropological  Itev.,  vol.  iv.,  p.  104. 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN    SLIGO.  93 

know)  an  efficient  substitute  for  a  feathered  arrow.  These  spears  can  be 
flung  with  accuracy  to  a  distance  of  50  or  60  yards. 

Stone  Hatchets. — These  resemble  almost  exactly  the  ancient  British 
and  Irish  Celt  (see  Plate  Y.,  Nos.  4  and  5).  They  are  usually  of  an 
oval  or  egg-shape,  about  4  inches  long,  2£  inches  wide,  and  1  inch 
thick.  I  found,  however,  one  specimen,  about  7  inches  long,  the  shape 
of  which  was  that  of  some  of  our  Irish  stone  hatchets,  or  adzes,  i.  e. 
gradually  diminishing  2£  inches  from  the  edge,  to  the  other  extremity 
at  1%.  This  specimen  showed  the  well-known  opposite  obtuse  and  acute 
angles  of  the  edge ;  unfortunately  it  was  lost  in  the  sand  when  shifting 
camp.  These  instruments  are  in  general  formed  of  fine-grained  trap- 
rock  (basalt  or  diorite),  although  I  obtained  one  specimen  made  of  fine 
hard  grit,  and  almost  exactly  the  counterpart  of  some  that  have  been, 
found  in  the  bogs  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Lough  Neagh. 

The  mode  of  manufacture  seems  to  be  essentially  the  same  as  that  of 
the  spear-heads ;  but  there  is  a  further  process  of  grinding  the  edge, 
which  is  brought  to  a  fine  degree  of  sharpness;  and  this  must  be  the 
result  of  great  labour  and  perseverance.  So  far  as  I  could  learn,  these 
hatchets  are  never  used  in  warfare — or  at  least  they  are  not  intended 
primarily  as  lethal  weapons.  They  are  chiefly  used  in  mechanical  opera- 
tions, such  as  cutting  out  portions  of  trees  from  which  to  construct 
wooden  implements  and  weapons,  also  to  cut  notches  in  trees  by  aid  of 
which  the  natives  can  ascend  to  capture  opossum,  &c.,  and  rifle  the 
nests  of  wild  bees.  On  one  occasion  I  noticed  a  tree  nearly  nine  inches 
in  diameter,  which  had  evidently  been  cut  down  by  the  aid  of  one  of 
these  instruments. 

The  manner  of  fixing  the  head  is  peculiarly  simple  and  interesting. 
A  slip  of  acacia  wood,  about  the  diameter  and  thickness  of  a  barrel  hoop 
(wooden),  is  doubled  by  the  aid  of  heat  into  a  loop,  and  in  this  loop  the 
hatchet  is  fixed  with  spinifex  gum ;  the  two  sides  of  the  handle  are  then 
brought  together,  and  fastened  firmly  with  ligatures  of  Kangaroo  sinew, 
the  length  of  the  handle  being  usually  about  16  to  18  inches.  (Plate  V., 
:Ko.  6.) 

Stone  Chisels. — These,  again,  are  very  much  like  the  Irish  form  of  the 
implements  supposed  to  have  been  used  in  scraping  and  dressing  skins. 
I  brought  home  some  specimens  exactly  similar  to  those  found  in  the 
deposits  at  Ballintoy.  However,  these  Australian  instruments  could  not 
possibly  be  referred  to  such  a  use,  seeing  that  the  Kimberley  natives  go 
perfectly  naked,  and  do  not  use  the  skins  of  animals  as  a  protection  from 
the  weather.  These  chisels  are  often  fastened  with  gum  into  a  short 
handle,  and  are  chiefly  employed  in  making  ornamental  markings  on 
their  shields,  and  other  wooden  instruments.  (Plate  Y.,  No.  7.) 

"We  might,  perhaps,  legitimately  speculate  on  the  possibility  of  the 
Irish  aborigines — in  some  cases,  at  least — also  using  these  supposed  skin, 
scrapers  as  tools  for  finishing  off  their  wooden  ware. 

A  circumstance  worthy  of  remark  is,  that  the  natives  carry  on  a 
regular  system  of  barter  between  the  different  tribes — even  when  hostile — 
for  materials  with  which  to  construct  these  weapons,  ornaments,  &c. 
Thus  there  is  an  interchange  according  to  the  natural  products  of  the 
districts,  of  flint,  or  basalt,  or  spinifex  gum,  or — a  most  important  matter — 
red  and  white  wilgie  (red  ochre  and  white  pipe-clay),  for  the  ornamentation 
of  their  bodies  at  their  great  festivals  or  coorollorees.  Often  this  com- 


94  RUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

mercc  occurs  between  tribes  more  than  a  hundred  miles  distant  front 
each  other.  This  custom  may  throw  some  light  on  the  fact  that  Colonel 
Wood-Martin,  M.R.I.A.,  has,  in  many  of  his  explorations  in  the  county 
Sligo  &c.,  found  pieces  and  flakes  of  true  Antrim  chalk-flint ;  and  it  is 
difficult  to  account  for  this  fact,  unless  there  was  a  commerce  in  such, 
and  other  necessary  articles,  between  the  western  and  northern  Celtic 

°  0?  the  whole,  it  must  be  admitted  that,  between  the  Celtic  primitive 
weapons  and  implements  and  those  of  the  Australian  savages  of  to-day,, 
the  resemblance  is  both  remarkable  and  interesting. 


(To  be  continued.} 


KOTES    AND    QUERIES. 

As  late  as  the  year  1693  the  English  infantry  were  clothed  in  gray,  the 
drummers  being  in  scarlet ;  therefore  the  change  recently  proposed  to  be 
made  in  the  colour  of  the  regimental  uniform  of  our  line,  and  which  was 
the  subject  of  much  discussion,  would  be,  after  all,  but  reverting  to  an 
older  fashion.  In  the  previous  civil  war  various  colours  had  been  in  use  : 
Hampden's  men  wore  green,  Colonel  Meyrick's  gray,  and  Lord  Saye's 
blue.  As  a  general  rule,  however,  the  army  of  the  Commonwealth  was- 
clothed  in  red — at  least  if  we  are  to  accept  Hudibras  as  an  authority  : — 

"  So  Cromwell,  with  deep  oaths  and  vows, 
Swore  all  the  Commons  out  of  th'  House ; 
Vowed  that  the  redcoats  would  disband — 
Ay,  marry,  would  they,  at  command  ! 
And  trolled  them  on,  and  swore,  and  swore, 
Till  the  army  turned  them  out  of  door." 


PBOCEEDINGS  AND  PAPERS. 


A  GENERAL  MEETING  of  the  ASSOCIATION  was  held  on 
Wednesday,  June  the  1st,  1887,  at  Leinster  House, 
Kildare-street,  Dublin ; 

LORD  JAMES  BUTLER  in  the  Chair ; 

The  following  were  amongst  the  Members  present: — 
E.  Langrishe  ;  W.  Gray,  M.R.I.A.  ;  W.  Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.  ; 
Rev.  P.  A.  Yorke;  Rev.  Canon  Grainger,  D.D.  ;  Robert 
Malcolmson,  M.A.  ;  J.  Johnston  Westropp,  M.A.  ;  G.  H: 
Kinahan,  M.R.I.A.;  Rev.  H.  W.  Lett,  M.A.  ;  Edward 
Atthill ;  Dr.  Joly ;  J.  G.  Robertson ;  W.  F.  Wakeman ; 
Lieut. -Colonel  Wood-Martin,  &c. 

The  following  new  Members  were  elected  : — 

Rev.  Bartholomew  Scanlan,  c.c.,  St.  Brendan's;  St. 
John  Henry  Donovan,  J.P.,  Seafields,  Tralee ;  Stephen 
Huggard,  Clerk  of  the  Crown  and  Peace  for  Kerry, 
Lismore  House,  Tralee  ;  Rev.  W.  Ball  Wright,  31, 
Waterloo-place,  Dublin;  E.  Marmaduke  Sellers,  M.A., 
Barrister,  10,  St.  Mary's-road,  Dublin;  William  Edward 
Ellis,  LL.B.,  Barrister,  38,  Harrington -street,  Dublin; 
John  Cooke,  B.  A.,  51,  Morehampton-road,  Dublin; 
Walter  Hore,  Rathwade,  Bagnalstown,  Co.  Carlow; 
the  Right  Rev.  John  Healy,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Goad. -Bishop 
of  Clonfert,  Palmerston  House,  Portumna;  Owen  Phibbs, 
D.L.,  Corradoo,  Ballinafad,  Co.  Sligo ;  John  Laird,  M.D., 
Wine-street,  Sligo ;  M.  C.  Douglas,  Carlow ;  John  Wil- 
loughby,  Kilkenny;  B.  H.  M'Neilly,  Sligo;  the  Very 
Rev.  J.  W.  Murray,  LL.D.,  Dean  of  Connor;  T.  M. 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  H 


95  PROCEEDINGS. 

Thunder,  6,  Upper  Mount-street,  Dublin ;  Owen  Smith, 
Nobber,  Meath;  J.  E.  L.  Dowman,  16,  Cook-street,  Cork; 
Charles  Elcock,  19,  Hughenden  Avenue,  Belfast;  T.  J. 
Alexander,  Castledawson,  Co.  Deny ;  J.  J.  Mahony, 
Secretary  Cork  and  Bandon  Railway,  Cork;  Rev.  P. 
Hurley,  c.c.,  North  Presbytery,  Cork ;  Joseph  Wright, 
F.R.G.S.,  Donegal-street,  Belfast ;  Major  James  Campbell, 
R.A.,  Crannmore,  Sligo;  George  Taylor,  Boyle. 

The  following  Books  were  received  as  Presentations  to 
the  Library  of  the  Association :— "  History  of  Paganism 
in  Caledonia,"  by  Dr.  T.  A.  Wise  (from  the  Author) ; 
Vol.  L.  Part  1,  of  "  Archseologia "  (from  the  Society 
of  Antiquaries  of  London);  "  Proceedings  of  the  Society 
of  Antiquaries  of  Scotland,"  vol.  viii.,  New  Series 
(from  the  Society)  ;  "  Proceedings  and  Transactions 
of  the  Royal  Institute  of  British  Architects"  (from 
the  Institute);  " Numismatic  Journal"  (from  the  Nu- 
mismatic Society) ;  "  Third  Annual  Report  of  the 
Bureau  of  Ethnology  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution"  (from  J.  W.  Powell,  Director); 
"  Fifth  Annual  Report  of  the  United  States  Geological 
Survey"  (from  J.  W.  Powell,  Director) ;  "  Ancient  and 
Modern  Methods  of  Arrow  Release,"  by  Edward  S. 
Mosse,  Director  Peabody  Academy  of  Science  (from 
Peabody  Academy  of  Science,  Salem,  Mass.) ;  "  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Canadian  Institute,  Toronto  (from  the 
Institute);  "  The  Ancient  Life  of  St.  Molyng,"  edited 
by  P.  O'Leary  from  a  Translation  of  a  MS.  in  Marsh's 
Library  (from  the  Editor). 

The  late  Rev.  James  Graves  had  obtained  a  copy 
of  this  MS.  with  the  intention  of  publishing  it. 

W.  J.  Gillespie  made  the  following  presentations  to 
the  Museum : — 

Several  medals,  in  white  metal,  commemorative  of 
the  visit  of  George  IV.  to  Ireland,  and  well  described 
by  W.  Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.,  in  a  recent  Number  of  the 
Journal. 

A  very  sharp  impression  of  the  head  of  the  late 
Dean  Dawson  (also  in  white  metal). 


PROCEEDINGS.  97 

A  medal  with  head  of  Dargan,  to  commemorate  the 
^National  Exhibition. 

A  shilling  and  a  sixpence  (Irish)  of  James  L,  now 
rather  rare. 

Some  copper  twopenny  tokens  of  Irish  tradesmen, 
and  the  silver  threepenny  token  of  Ben  Bowen,  Dublin, 
all  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and  now  very  rare.  Only 
four  tradesmen  in  Ireland  seem  to  have  issued  silver 
threepenny  tokens,  viz. : — Alexander  Morton,  Armagh ; 
Sam  Mackie,  Armagh ;  Ben  Bowen,  Dublin ;  John 
Overend,  Portadown.1 

Mr.  Robertson  exhibited  a  tradesman's  token  of  the 
seventeenth  century — that  of  John  Beaver,  Kilkenny — • 
having  recently  discovered  the  following  allusion  to  it. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  Corporation  of  Kilkenny,  held  on 
the  1st  of  July,  1670,  "  An  order  was  made  that  Beaver's 
pence  be  cried  down  if  he  does  not  give  security  to  give 
good  money  for  them." 

For  a  very  interesting  Paper  on  "  Kilkenny  Trades- 
men's Tokens,"  Mr.  Robertson  referred  anyone  desirous 
to  learn  all  about  the  history  of  the  issues  to  a  Paper, 
by  the  late  John  Gr.  A.  Prim,  contained  in  vol.  ii.  of  the 
Transactions  of  the  Association. 

It  was  proposed  by  R.  Langrishe,  Vice-President, 
and  seconded  by  Canon  John  Grainger,  D.D.,  that  Lord 
James  Wandesford  Butler  be  elected  President  of  this 
Association  for  the  remainder  of  the  current  year. 

The  proposer  spoke  in  suitable  terms  of  the  great 
loss  sustained  by  the  Society  in  the  death  of  the 
late  President,  the  DUKE  OF  LEINSTER,  who,  though  a 
scholarly  man,  and  endowed  with  considerable  scientific 
attainments,  was  of  a  retiring  nature.  He  had  the  in- 
terests of  his  country  and  of  this  Association  thoroughly 
at  heart,  and  did  many  good  works  in  so  quiet  and  un- 
ostentatious a  manner,  that  few  beyond  his  immediate 
neighbourhood,  and  those  actually  benefited  by  his 
acts,  were  aware  of  them. 

The  resolution  was  passed  unanimously. 

1  Mr.  Gillespie  possesses  the  first  three,       coveted  prize,  it  would  confer  a  great 
but  "  Overend"  has  escaped  his  anxious      favour  on  a  very  ardent  and  generous 
search  for  the  last  twenty  years,  so  that       collector. 
if  anyone  can  assist  him  in  procuring  this 

H2 


93  PROCEEDINGS. 

In  acknowledging  the  compliment,  Lord  James  Butler 
said  it  was  gratifying  to  him  to  follow  the  example  of 
his  brother,  the  Marquis  of  Ormonde.  It  was  also  an 
honour  following  the  hereditary  enemy  of  the  house  of 
Butler,  the  Duke  of  Leinster,  a  personal  friend  of  his 
(Lord  James's)  own  (a  laugh).  He  was  inclined  to  think 
that  though  they  considered  him  a  fit  person  for  the  post, 
it  might  be  found  that  he  was  not  sufficiently  acquainted 
with  the  details  of  the  work.  He  was  willing  to  accept 
office,  but  he  wished  to  say  that  they  must  look  upon 
him  somewhat  as  a  beginner.  He  would  try  to  master 
his  duties,  and  he  would  gladly  advocate  the  interests 
of  a  society  with  which  he  had  been  so  long  con- 
nected, and  in  which  he  took  the  greatest  possible  in- 
terest (applause). 

Lieut.-Colonel  Wood-Martin  then  made  the  follow- 
ing statement:— 

After  the  death  of  our  late  lamented  Secretary, 
the  Rev.  James  Graves,  in  March,  1886,  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Association  became  completely  disarranged, 
no  Quarterly  Meetings  having  been  called  together. 
Without  such  meetings  it  would  be  almost  impossible- 
to  carry  on  the  issue  of  the  Journal  with  any  degree 
of  regularity,  for  these  reunions  serve  to  keep  alive 
the  interest  of  Members  in  their  Association,  and 
thus  stimulate  them  to  write  Papers  for  it  on  various 
archaeological  subjects.  At  the  time  of  the  decease  of 
the  Rev.  James  Graves  the  issue  of  the  Journal  was  con- 
siderably in  arrear,  and  the  Papers  read  at  previous 
Quarterly  Meetings  remained  in  the  hands  of  his  execu- 
tors, whereby  great  delay  of  necessity  arose  before  they 
could  be  restored  to  the  custody  of  the  Association. 
Fortunately  a  most  interesting  MS.  Monograph,  by 
W.  F.  Wakeman,  on  the  "  Island  of  Imrismurray" 
(which  had  been  originally  intended  for  an  Annual 
Volume),  lay  then  at  the  University  Press,  and  the 
Committee  having  authorized  its  use  in  the  Journal,  this 
proposed  Annual  Volume  was  sacrificed  in  order  to  pro- 
vide for  the  emergency.  W.  Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.,  con- 
tributed a  Paper  on  a  subject  hitherto  much  neglected — 


PROCEEDINGS.  99 

"  The  Medallists  of  Ireland."  Other  gentlemen  also 
furnished  Papers,  but  there  still  remained  a  want  of 
sufficient  available  material  to  supply  arrears,  and  bring 
the  issue  of  the  Journal  up  to  date ;  it  therefore  became 
needful  to  sacrifice  another  Annual  Volume.  The  late 
Rev.  James  Graves  had  arranged  that  "  The  Rude 
Stone  Monuments  of  Ireland"  (and  the  antiques  dis- 
covered in  them)  should  be  described  by  counties  ; 
everything  that  had  heretofore  been  written  on  the 
subject,  both  in  our  Journal,  and  in  the  Proceedings  and 
Transactions  of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy  and  kindred 
societies,  to  be  collected  and  arranged ;  our  local  secre- 
taries to  be  called  on  to  furnish  reports  of  all  the  mega- 
lithic  remains  in  their  respective  districts.  In  this 
manner  he  (Mr.  Graves)  trusted  he  should  be  enabled 
to  provide  a  work  that  would  probably  have  done  more 
for  the  advancement  of  archaeolgy  than  anything  pre- 
viously published  by  this  Association.  Of  this  contem- 
plated work,  portions  of  the  first  part — treating  of  "The 
Rude  Stone  Monuments  of  Sligo" — have  already  been 
utilized  for  the  purpose  of  completing  some  of  the  lately 
published  Numbers  of  the  Journal.  I,  however,  took 
upon  myself  the  responsibility  of  causing  250  additional 
copies  to  be  printed,  in  case  it  should  be  the  wish  of 
the  Committee  to  adhere  to  the  original  intention  of 
our  late  lamented  Secretary. 

Our  Association  has  never  been  in  a  more  healthy 
condition — it  only  wants  now  a  somewhat  more  ener- 
getic organization ;  and  with  this  object  in  view,  I  would 
beg  most  respectfully  to  throw  out  the  following  sug- 
gestions : — 

1.  That   there   be   three    Secretaries  appointed   for 
the  working   of  the   Association — one  for    care  of  the 
Finance,    one  for  Editing  the   Journal,  and  one  whose 
duties  should  be  to  organize  regular  Quarterly  Meetings, 
and  otherwise  bring  the  Proceedings  of  the  Association 
prominently  before  the  public. 

2.  That  a  Committee  be  formed  for  the  special  pur- 
pose of  completing  the  organization  of  the  Association, 
the  three  counties  of  Cavan,    Leitrim,  and  Westmeath 
being  at  present  unrepresented  by  Local  Secretaries. 


100  PROCEEDINGS. 

3.  That  it  be  impressed  on  Members  that,  when  a 
ballot  is   demanded,    Fellows  alone  have   the   right  of 
voting  at  meetings,    and  that,  therefore,  Members  de- 
sirous of  taking  part  in  the  working  of  the  Association 
should  cause  themselves  to  be  placed  as  such  on  the 
Roll. 

4.  That  our  Association  being  entitled  to  bear  the 
prefix  "Royal,"  and  this  being  Jubilee  Year,  an  appli- 
cation should  be  made  to  Government  for  a  small  grant, 
and,  if  successful  in  this  application,  the  valuable  ser- 
vices of  W.  F.  Wakeman  might  be  secured  as  Editor. 
At  present  there  are  not  funds  to  pay  such  an  officer, 
up  to  the  present  all  the  work  of  the  Association  having 
been  carried  on  by  voluntary  service. 

After  a  lengthened  discussion,  it  was  proposed  by 
Dr.  J.  H.  Joly,  seconded  by  Canon  John  Grainger,  D.D.,. 
and  passed  unanimously : — 

"  That  Lieut. -Colonel  Wood-Martin's  suggestion  as  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  three  Secretaries,  each  with  a  defined  department,  be  adopted." 

It  was  proposed  by  Rev.  H.  W.  Lett,  seconded  by 
W.  Gray,  and  passed  unanimously  : — 

"That  J.  G.  Robertson  be  Finance  Secretary;  Lieut. -Col  on  el  Wood- 
Martin,  Editing  Secretary;  and  W.  F.  "Wakeman,  Executive  Secretary" 

It  was  proposed  by  the  Rev.  H.  W.  Lett,  seconded 
by  W.  Gray,  and  passed  unanimously : — 

"  That  Quarterly  Meetings  be  held  according  to  the  Rules  of  the- 
Association." 

It  was  proposed  by  W.  Gray,  seconded  by  G.  H. 
Kinahan,  and  passed  unanimously  : — 

"  That  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Association  be  held  in  Dublin  ; 
that  one  of  the  Quarterly  Meetings  be  held  in  Kilkenny ;  that  the  other 
two  Meetings  be  Provincial  Meetings,  the  exact  localities  to  be  deter- 
mined by  the  Committee." 

It  was  proposed  by  W.  Gray,  seconded  by  J.  R, 
Joly : — 

"  That  the  next  Quarterly  Meeting  be  held  at  Enniskillen,  and  that 
the  Local  Secretary  be  requested  to  make  the  needful  arrangements,  and 
communicate  with  the  Secretaries  of  the  Association." 


PROCEEDINGS.  101 

It  was  proposed  by  R.  Langrishe,  seconded  by  E. 
Atthill,  and  passed  unanimously : — 

"  That  the  Yice-Presidents  and  Local  Secretaries  do  form  a  Sub- 
Committee  to  promote  the  organization  of  the  Association,  and  to  obtain 
new  Members — more  especially  in  the  counties  of  Cavan,  Leitrim,  and 
Westmeath." 

It  was  proposed  by  W.  Gray,  seconded  by  the  Rev. 
H.  W.  Lett,  and  passed  unanimously  : — 

"  That  the  Provincial  Secretaries  be  ex  officio  Members  of  the  Com- 
mittee." 

It  was  proposed  by  R.  Langrishe,  seconded  by  E. 
Atthill,  and  passed  unanimously: — 

"  That  the  Annual  Volume  of  '  The  Rude  Stone  Monuments  of  Sligo 
and  the  Island  of  Achill'  be  proceeded  with  in  the  Journal,  and  after- 
wards reprinted  in  volume  form ;  and  that  the  one  referring  to  the 
*  County  Dublin'  should  follow  as  soon  as  possible  in  separate  form." 

It  was  proposed  by  Lieut.-Colonel  Wood-Martin, 
seconded  by  Rev.  H.  W.  Lett,  and  passed  unani- 
mously : — 

"  That  copies  of  the  Journal  be  sent  to  the  Press  for  review." 

It  was  proposed  by  Robert  Malcolmson,  seconded  by 
R.  Larigrishe,  and  passed  unanimously  : — 

11  That  Lord  James  Butler  and  Dr.  Joly  be  requested  to  make  in- 
quiries, and  report  to  the  next  Meeting  of  the  Association,  the  possi- 
bility, and  best  mode  of  publishing,  in  a  suitable  manner,  the  late  Q-.  V. 
Du  Noyer's  Tracings  from  the  Charter  of  Waterford,  temp.  Richard  II." 

It  was  proposed  by  W.  Gray,  seconded  by  W.  F. 
Wakeman,  and  passed  unanimously : — 

"  That  the  Committee  should  furnish  a  report  to  the  next  Quarterly 
Meeting  as  to  the  condition  of  the  property  of  the  Association,  in  blocks, 
sketches,  antiques,  &c." 

Dr.  Joly  said  as  this  was  the  Royal  Archaeological 
Association,  he  thought  they  should  follow  the  example 
of  other  societies,  and  draw  up,  in  the  Jubilee  year  of 
Her  reign,  a  loyal  Address  to  Her  Majesty  the  Queen. 
He  moved : — 

"  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  draw  up  an  Address  to  Her 
Majesty  on  the  occasion  of  Her  Jubilee ;  that  Lord  James  Butler,  W. 
Frazer,  F.E.C.S.I.,  and  the  proposer  of  the  resolution,  be  the  Committee, 
with  power  to  add  to  their  number,  and  to  carry  out  this  proposal." 


102  PROCEEDINGS. 

R.  Langrishe  seconded  the  resolution,  which  was 
carried  unanimously,  and  the  following  Address  was 
adopted : — 

"  TO  HER  MAJESTY  QUEEN  VICTORIA. 

"MAY   IT   PLEASE   TOUR   MAJESTY, 

"We,  the  President,  Yice-Presidents,  Officers,  and  Members  of  'THE 
ROYAL  HISTORICAL  AND  ARCHJSOLOGICAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  IRELAND,'  whose 
Members  belong  to  every  district  in  this  island,  desire  to  express  our 
loyal  devotion  to  your  Majesty's  Person  and  Throne. 

"  During  your  prolonged  reign  we  recognise  such  remarkable  ad- 
vances in  Art,  Science,  and  Education  as  render  it  the  most  illustrious 
in  our  annals.  Still  we  believe  that  neither  this  unprecedented  pro- 
gress, nor  the  circumstance  that  your  Majesty's  sceptre  extends  far 
beyond  the  limits  ever  before  granted  to  Royal  or  Imperial  sway,  will 
hereafter  constitute  your  highest  glory.  That  is  best  shown  by  the 
place  you  have  secured  in  the  affections  of  your  subjects,  second  to  none 
of  your  long  line  of  ancestors,  and  the  deep  feelings  of  respect  awarded 
to  you  by  foreign  nations. 

""We  trust  that  the  Divine  disposer  of  events  may  long  continue 
your  Majesty's  reign  over  us  in  peace  and  prosperity. 

"  Signed,  on  behalf  of  '  THE  ROYAL  HISTORICAL  AND  ARCHAEOLOGICAL 
ASSOCIATION  OF  IRELAND,' 

"JAMES  WANDESFORD  BUTLER." 

J.  G.  Robertson  stated  that  he  had  received  a  collec- 
tion of  old  coins,  brooches,  beads,  &c.,  representing 
various  remote  periods,  and  discovered  in  various  parts 
of  Ireland.  He  then  read  "  Notes  upon  a  Paper  by 
Thomas  Drew,  architect,  R.H.A.,  entitled,  *  Street  as  a 
Restorer/  The  discoveries  at  Christ  Church,"  for  which 
interesting  and  valuable  Paper  the  thanks  of  the  Meeting 
were  voted  to  Mr.  Robertson. 

Papers  were  communicated  also  by  Mr.  Thomas  J. 
Westropp  on  u  The  History  of  the  Franciscan  Monas- 
tery of  Quin,  Co.  Clare "  ;  and  by  Mr.  Thomas  Davis 
White  on  "  The  Church  Plate  of  the  Diocese  of  Cashel 
and  Emly." 

Lord  James  Butler  said  he  had  lately  written  with 
the  object  of  securing  from  Government  to  the  widow 
of  the  late  Rev.  James  Graves  the  pension  paid  to  her 


PROCEEDINGS.  103 

husband  during  the  closing  years  of  his  life.  He  was 
not  sure  that  his  letter  would  be  productive  of  any  good 
result;  but  it  might  have  a  different  effect  if  the  Society 
authorized  him  to  forward  a  memorial  to  Lord  Salisbury 
on  behalf  of  Mrs.  Graves. 

Several  Members  expressed  their  warm  approval  of 
the  suggestion,  which  was  adopted. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  Wood-Martin  exhibited  numerous 
relics  from  the  rude  stone  monuments  of  the  county 
Sligo,  and  some  from  a  crannog  discovered  by  Mr.  Owen 
Smith,  near  Nobber,  Co.  Meath ;  also  seven  Roman 
coins,  said  to  have  been  found  in  the  county  Leitrim. 
These  latter  are  the  property  of  W.  Lucas,  M.D.,  who 
states  that  they  were  alleged  to  have  been  dug  out  of  a 
rath  close  to  the  Church  of  Killenumery.  The  reputed 
discoverer  of  these  coins  is  now  dead ;  however,  per- 
sons in  the  neighbourhood  assert  that  they  "  re- 
membered Johnston  finding  a  lot  of  old  copper  tied 
up  in  a  boot  (?)  some  years  ago."  It  is  stated  that 
upwards  of  one  hundred  specimens  were  then  disin- 
terred. 

W.  Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.,  who  examined  the  coins,  pro- 
nounced the  collection  to  consist  of  seven  examples  of 
.small-sized,  or  third  brass  Roman  coins,  all  different. 
They  are  coins  of  the  Emperors — 

ELorian  (A.D.  276),       .  .  .         Reverse,     Concordia  Militum. 

Probus  (A.D.  276-282),  .  .              „  Fides  Militum. 

Cavinus  (A.D.  283-4),  .  „              „           „ 

Diocletian  (A.D.  284-305),  .  .              ,,  Jovi  Conservator!  Aug. 

Maximian  (A.D.  286-310),  .  .              ,,  Concordia  Militum. 

-Constantine  the  Great  (A.D.  323-357),       ,,  Providentia  Aug. 

,,                 ,,  „  ,,  Votis,  etc.  (obliterated). 

Dr.  Frazer  further  remarked  that  the  discovery  of 
Roman  coins  in  Ireland  was  so  exceptional  as  to  demand 
a  strict  investigation  into  each  instance  of  their  alleged 
occurrence ;  there  was  no  evidence  of  the  extension  of 
Roman  civilization  to  Ireland;  and,  considering  our  close 
proximity  to  their  settlements  in  Britain,  the  positive 
absence  of  all  antiquities  bearing  the  slightest  relation 


104  PROCEEDINGS. 

to  that  powerful  dominant  race  was  most  remarkable. 
That  the  gentleman  who  forwarded  these  coins  was  told 
of  their  discovery  in  a  rath  is  not  sufficient  verification ; 
and  the  story  of  the  old  boot  as  a  receptacle  for  these 
copper  coins  of  trivial  value  is  such  a  palpable  absurdity 
that  it  stamps  the  entire  narrative  as  the  invention  of  the 
individual  who  sold  them.  They  are  such  a  gathering 
as  a  tyro  in  numismatics  might  purchase  for  a  mere  trifle 
in  an  English  shop. 

A  story  had  long  circulated  about  the  discovery  of 
Roman  coins  near  Clondalkin.  Circumstances  led  Dr. 
Frazer  to  investigate  the  legend,  and  the  coins  dwindled 
down  to  a  solitary  second  brass  of  Antoninus  Pius,  picked 
up  in  a  garden,  where  it  was  with  good  reason  considered 
to  have  been  dropped  by  children  at  play.  It  is  now  in 
Dr.  Frazer's  possession. 

When  the  old  copper  coinage  was  withdrawn  from 
circulation  some  years  since,  several  bronze  Roman  coins 
came  into  Dr.  Frazer's  hands,  contributed  by  persons 
desirous  to  get  rid  of  them  to  charity  collections — no 
doubt  they  thought  the  banks  would  replace  them  by 
current  coin — and  with  them  were  also  foreign  coins  of 
different  ages  and  countries. 

The  alleged  finds  of  Roman  coins  recorded  in  this 
land  are  not  numerous,  and  most  of  them  will  be  found 
in  the  pages  of  the  Journal  of  our  Association,  or  in  the 
Ulster  Journal  of  Archaeology. 

Mr.  J.  Carruthers  states  that  in  1820  about  three 
hundred  Roman  silver-coins  were  got  near  the  Giant's 
Causeway,  of  which  one  belonging  to  the  Empress 
Matidia  came  into  his  possession.  It  is  a  pity  this  col- 
lection was  not  examined  by  a  skilled  numismatist,  and 
the  particulars  of  the  "  find"  properly  verified.  Another 
record  is  still  more  unsatisfactory. 

April,  1830. — Five  hundred  Roman  coins  found  by 
James  Quig  in  the  townland  of  Ponduff,  one  mile  from 
the  Giant's  Causeway,  and  all  sold  to  strangers  visiting  the 
Causeway.  The  demand  for  antiquities  from  tourists 
visiting  this  district  is  so  notorious,  and  the  demand 
can  be  supplied  with  such  facility,  that  it  is  a  matter 
of  surprise  why  a  larger  trade  is  not  carried  on. 


PROCEEDINGS.  105 

Dr.   Frazer  looks   on   this   alleged  discovery   as   most 
suspicious. 

Isolated  coins,  which  have  been  picked  up  by  chance, 
are  worthless  to  the  scientific  investigator:  if  really  found, 
they  were  in  all  probability  dropped  there  by  accident, 
and,  perhaps,  not  very  long  before  their  discovery. 
Should  the  story  be  told  by  a  dealer  of  their  having 
turned  up  in  a  rath  or  old  castle,  it  will  probably  depend 
on  the  brilliance  of  his  imagination,  and  his  desire  to 
enhance  their  value  with  a  credulous  purchaser.  Of  such 
isolated  discoveries  the  following  are  examples : — 

1850,  a  Eoman  coin  of  Augustus  (!)  was  found  in 
Tyrone. 

1851,  two  Roman  coins,   one  of  Gordian  III.,  and 
one  of  Antoninus  Pius,  were  found  near  Templemore. 

Dr.  Frazer  would  not  be  understood  as  denying  the 
possible  occurrence  of  Roman  coins  in  Ireland,  but 
wishes  to  caution  the  public  against  accepting  rash  and 
unsupported  statements  of  such  discoveries  as  if  they 
were  reliable.  One  deposit  of  genuine  character  appears 
on  record,  and  it  is  so  exceptional  as  to  give  additional 
weight  to  this  meaning. 

"  April,  1854.  In  the  townland  of  Ballinrees,  parish 
of  Macosquin,  near  Coleraine,  Londonderry,  2000  silver 
Roman  coins,  and  200  ozs.  15  dwt.  of  silver  fragments, 
were  obtained;  68  were  coins  of  Julian  II.;  two  of 
Jovian ;  34  of  Valentinian ;  48  of  Valens ;  68  of  Gratian ; 
27  of  Valentinian,  junior ;  33  of  Victor ;  41  of  Theodosius 
Magnus ;  52  of  Magnus  Maximus ;  37  of  Eugenius ; 
22  of  Constantine  II. ;  132  of  Arcadius ;  112  of  Honorius ; 
2  of  Constantine  in  Britain,  and  1305  variously  clipped. 
The  fragments  consisted  of  portions  of  broken  plate 
and  two  ingots,  stamped  with  the  names  of  Roman 
mint  masters. 

This  "  find"  carries  with  it  undoubted  evidence  of  its 
truth :  it  may  have  constituted  the  plunder  of  a  f  reeboot- 
ing  expedition.  Dr.  Frazer  possesses  some  of  these  coins, 
and  considers  the  presence  of  such  a  number  of  clipped 
coins  (utterly  useless  as  objects  of  sale  or  curiosity)  to 
be  one  of  the  strongest  features  in  its  favour.  He  would 
gladly  ascertain  what  has  become  of  the  rest  of  this- 
collection. 


106  PROCEEDINGS. 

Dr.  Frazer  would  refer  to  the  Transactions  of  the 
Royal  Irish  Academy  of  the  year  1841,  p.  184,  for  de 
tails  of  Roman  Denarii,  exhibited  by  Prof.  M'Cullagh, 
and  stated  to  have  been  found  near  the  Giant's  Cause- 
way ;  also  to  some  subsequent  observations  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Drummond  upon  Roman  coins,  alleged  to  have  been 
discovered  in  this  island  at  different  times. 

The  above  desultory  remarks  must  not  be  assumed 
as  exhausting  all  the  alleged  tales  of  Roman  coins  found 
in  Ireland.  They  will,  however,  serve  as  illustrations 
of  the  necessity  of  carefully  weighing  such  reports  before 
accepting  them  for  truth. 

A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Chairman  having  been  passed 
unanimously,  the  Meeting  then  adjourned. 


(     107    ) 


ON  A  CEOMLEAC-LIKE  ALTAE,  OE  MONUMENT,  AT  TUMNA, 
CO.  EOSCOMMON. 

BY  W.   F.    WAKEMAN, 

Hon.  Local  Secretary  for  Dublin  and  Wicklow. 

ON  the  Eoscommon  side  of  the  Shannon,  at  a  site  now 
popularly  called  Tummina — situate  at  a  distance  of  about 
one  mile  and  a-half  from  the  town  of  Carrick-on-Shannon 
— may  be  seen  the  ruins  of  two  churches,  surrounded  by 
a  mur,  or  circular  wall  composed  of  earth  and  stones, 
and  now  only  just  traceable.  Such  enclosures,  we  have 
evidence  to  believe,  very  frequently  formed  a  leading 
feature  amongst  the  architectural  arrangements  of  our 
earliest  ecclesiastical  establishments. 

The  cellce  at  Tummina,  thus  environed,  cannot  be 
supposed  to  possess  any  features  of  more  than  ordinary 
archaeological  interest.  They  are  in  plan  small  oblong 
quadrangles.  Their  walls  in  many  places  have  been 
ruthlessly  shattered  and  levelled  ;  and  almost  every 
coigne,  or  ope  frame,  has  been  torn  away  and  applied  to 
purposes  different  from  those  for  which  they  had  been 
designed.  The  masonry  presents  no  feature  of  early 
style  :  it  is  throughout  such  as  is  found  in  the  majority 
of  our  later  mediaeval  churches,  and,  upon  the  whole,  is 
somewhat  poor  of  its  class.  At  first  glance  an  archaeo- 
logist might  fancy  that  in  these  little  structures  he  had 
found  a  study  relating  to  primitive  Christian  antiquities, 
but,  after  even  a  slight  examination  of  the  remains,  he 
will  see  that  first  impressions  are,  at  times,  apt  to  de- 
ceive. 

It  is  certain  that  the  rath-like  work  referred  to,  and 
the  presence  within  its  bounds  of  two  churches,  and  of 
a  most  remarkable  altar  or  monument,  which  I  shall 
presently  notice  at  length,  would  suggest  an  idea  that  the 
place  had  been  occupied  in  early  Christian  days  as  the 
site  of  a  monastic  establishment  of  a  greater  or  less  note. 
In  a  letter,  dated  July  28th,  1837,  and  addressed  from 
Elphin,  by  the  late  Doctor  O'Donovan,  to  Lieutenant,, 


108  ON  A  CROMLEAC-LIKE  ALTAR,  CO.  ROSCOMMOtf. 

afterwards  General,  Sir  Thomas  Larcom — who  at  that 
time  was  superintendent  of  the  Irish  Ordnance  Survey 
Department — the  following  notice  of  the  place  will  be 
found.  The  original  is  preserved  in  the  Library  of 
the  Royal  Irish  Academy,  amongst  the  Ordnance  re- 
cords there  deposited: — "  The  patron  saint  of  Toomnaa 
is  the  virgin  St.  Heidin,  or  Eidin  (Goaom),  and  her 
grave  is  pointed  out  in  the  churchyard,  with  curious 
stones  over  it  called  oeicneabcnp,  or  decades."  I  have 
never  before  heard  of  this  holy  woman,  and  the  only 
reference  I  have  seen  to  Toomnaa  as  a  church  is  the 
following  from  the  Four  Masters : — 

"  A.D.  1246 — Mulkieran  O'Lenaghan,  a  noble  priest 
of  Tuaim  mnd,  died  on  his  way  to  Ardcarna,  and  was 
interred  with  pomp  and  honor  on  Trinity  Island  in 
Lough  Key."  "It  is  believed  in  the  country  that  the 
meaning  of  Toomnaa  is  Uucrnn  an  Qit,  the  noise  of  the 
ford,  because  it  lies  near  the  lower  river  Boyle ;  but  if 
the  authorities  given  by  the  Four  Masters  be  correct,  it 
cannot  admit  of  this  interpretation ;  for  Tuaim  mnd 
means  the  tomb  (tumulus)  of  the  woman,  and  seems  to 
have  been  the  name  of  the  place  before  there  ever  was 
a  church  in  the  locality." 

A  most  interesting  essay  might  be  written  on  the 
subject  of  the  transition  from  pagan  to  Christian  forms 
of  burial  as  practised  in  Erin.  Our  earliest  mauso- 
leums are  doubtlessly  the  cromleacs,  or  simple  cist, 
formed  of  four  stones  covered  by  a  flag.  The  chambered 
earn  was  but  an  enlargement  of  this  idea.  It  would 
seem  that,  as  in  primitive  Christian  times  in  Ireland,  in 
church  and  dwelling,  immemorial  styles  of  structure 
prevailed — so  was  it  in  the  last  resting-places  of  the 
people.  Our  earliest  Christian  graves  are  simply  formed 
of  thin  flagstones,  set  edgeways,  and  covered  by  a  slab. 
In  no  manner  do  they  differ  from  the  pagan  urn-bearing 
cist,  with  the  exception  that  the  latter  are  usually  in 
form  more  or  less  a  perfect  square.  Examples  of 
Christian  cists  have  been  pointed  to  in  widely  separated 
localities.  Sometimes  these  graves  are  found  to  form  a 
circle,  their  ends  converging  to  a  common  centre,  as  at 
that  singularly  interesting  primitive  church  (unhappily 


Ruins  of  Ancient  Church  and  Cromleac-like  Altar,  or  Monument,  in  the  Cemetery 
of  Tumna,  Co.  Eoscommon. 


I          2        3         4         5        6  FEET 
Ground  Plan  of  Altar,  or  Monument. 


110  ON  A  CROMLEAC-LIKE  ALTAR,  CO.  ROSCOMMON. 

not  yet  identified  with  the  name  of  a  patron  or 
founder)  at  St.  John's  Point,  county  Down,  and  at 
the  celebrated  cross-inscribed  pillar-stone  at  Kilna- 
saggart,  not  far  from  Moira,  county  Armagh.  Cists 
purely  pre-Christian  in  character,  but  certainly  not 
older  than  the  latter  part  of  the  seventh  century  (and 
possibly  later),  were  examined  by  myself  in  Ardilaun, 
off  the  coast  of  Connernara.  Such  graves,  clearly 
Christian,  are  by  no  means  of  rare  occurrence.  Besides 
these  earth-enveloped  cists,  a  few  monuments  which 
partake  largely  of  pagan  design  still  remain  in  connec- 
tion with  a  few  of  our  more  early  church  sites.  Perhaps 
the  most  remarkable  of  these  occurs  at  Tarmon,  near 
Glencolumkille,  county  Clare.  It  consists  of  four  large 
flagstones,  set  in  oblong  form,  and  converging  upwards, 
but  not  touching  each  other.  Their  height  above  ground 
is  at  present  more  than  four  feet ;  it  may  have  been 
originally  greater.  Whether  at  one  time  capped  by  a 
table  or  covering  stone  cannot  now  be  determined. 
Remains  of  a  similar  monument  may  be  seen  in  the  very 
ancient  cemetery  on  the  Hill  of  Slane,  county  Meath. 
Other  instances  might  be  brought  forward. 

The  so-called  tomb  of  St.  Heidin,  or  Eiden,  still 
stands,  no  doubt  as  it  was  seen  by  O'Donovan,  It  is 
now,  by  the  neighbouring  people,  known  as  the  tomb  of 
St.  Gidin,  and  is  considered  a  very  sacred  object. 
Stations,  I  was  informed,  used  to  be  held  at  it ;  but  such 
observances  would  seem  to  have  been  long  discontinued. 
In  appearance  the  monument  is  a  perfect  cromleac,  and 
if  found  at  Carrowmore  or  Moytirra,  or  in  connexion 
with  any  other  group  of  pagan  sepulchral  remains,  would 
pass  unchallenged  as  one  of  them.  Unlike  the  generality 
of  Christian  graves,  it  lies  directly  north  and  south.  It 
stands  at  a  distance  of  several  yards  outside  the  eastern 
end  of  the  present  church,  but  may  possibly  have 
been  within  the  area  of  an  older  building.  Its  length 
on  the  interior  is  barely  five  feet,  but  there  is  reason 
to  believe  that  the  northern  end  may  have  been  some- 
what curtailed.  The  structure  must,  I  think,  remain 
a  great  puzzle  to  antiquaries ;  and  yet,  if  properly  con- 
sidered, may  suggest  a  most  interesting  connecting-link 


ON  A  CROMLEAOLIKE  ALTAR,  CO.  ROSCOMMON.  Ill 

between  a  mode  of  sepulture  usually  in  these  countries 
considered  prehistoric,  and  that  which  we  know  prevailed 
in  Ireland  during  the  earlier  ages  of  Christianity.  Tradi- 
tion makes  it  a  tomb ;  but  that  it  was  also  used  as  an 
altar  there  can  be  but  little  doubt,  the  globular  swearing- 
stones  (decades),  which  rest  upon  its  table,  pointing  irre- 
sistibly to  that  idea. 

Before  closing  this  short  Paper,  I  may  place  on 
record  a  most  curious  and  valuable  "find,"  of  which  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  mysterious  Tuaim  mnd  (I  adopt 
the  name  as  given  by  the  Four  Masters)  was  the  scene. 

It  appears  that  about  thirty  or  forty  years  ago  Mr. 
Edward  Hayden,  a  farmer,  who  still  lives  close  to  Carrick- 
on-Shannon,  was  digging  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  hill 
to  that  on  which  the  tomb  or  altar  is  situated,  and  he 
found  close  to  the  surface  eight  hollow  balls,  varying  from 
two  to  three  inches  in  diameter,  and  each  having  an  aper- 
ture pierced  through  its  shell.  These  balls,  or  beads, 
a  Dublin  goldsmith  pronounced  to  be  formed  of  gold, 
and  they  were  purchased  by  him  from  Mr.  Hayden  for 
the  sum  of  £70.  They  were  supposed  by  the  finder  to 
have  been  in  some  way  connected  with  the  ancient 
churches  of  the  place,  possibly  as  the  necklace  of  a 
memorial  statue,  or  carved  figure  of  a  saint.  It  is  pro- 
bable, however,  that  their  date  is  older  than  the  intro- 
duction of  Christianity  into  Ireland.  They  were  disposed 
of  in  Dublin,  and  are  in  all  likelihood  at  present  preserved 
amongst  the  golden  glories  of  ancient  Erin,  which  so 
excite  the  wonder  and  admiration  of  all  visitors  to  the 
Museum  of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy.  I  may  add,  in 
conclusion,  that  I  am  not  without  hope  of  being  able  to 
identify  at  least  a  portion  of  this  interesting  "  find,"  and 
of  figuring  the  relics  in  the  pages  of  our  Journal. 


4TH  8ER.,  VOL.  VIII. 


ORNAMENTS  IN  GLASS  FROM  EGYPT  TO  ILLUSTRATE 
THOSE  FOUND  IN  IRELAND. 

BY  ROBERT  DAY,  JUN.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A.,  V.-P.,  R.H.A.A.I. 

I  HAVE  much  pleasure  in  placing  before  the  Society  some 
objects  that  have  been  brought  from  the  Nile  Valley  by 
my  son,  who  has  returned  home  after  spending  the 
winter  in  Upper  Egypt.  These  illustrate,  in  a  remark- 
able way,  some  of  our  Irish  antiquities. 

In  the  Fifth  Volume  of  this  Journal,  4th  Series,  page 
532,  among  the  glass  ornaments  described  by  W.  H. 
Knowles  is  one  (fig.  8,  Plate  II.)  of  a  well-known  Irish 
design,  namely,  a  bead  (circular)  of  black  glass,  in  which 
are  settings  of  vitreous  paste  of  various  colours,  and 
without  any  defined  pattern.  Here  are  some  of  pre- 
cisely the  same  character  (that  might  have  been  made 
in  the  same  workshop,  and  fashioned  by  the  same  hand) 
that  were  purchased  from  an  old  Arab  at  Luxor,  who 
probably  brought  them  across  the  river  from  Thebes. 
The  mode  of  purchase  was  not  upon  the  one-price  prin- 
ciple, but  was  conducted  upon  a  plan  of  huxtering  that 
would  throw  the  bargaining  of  an  Irish  fair  or  market 
far  into  the  shade.  The  Arab,  after  showing  one  bead, 
sat  down  with  his  customer,  who,  in  order  to  get  the  old 
trader  into  a  good  humour,  produced  a  cigarette-case, 
and  both  smoked  and  bargained.  The  price  first  asked 
was  ten  shillings,  about  the  same  as  a  county  Antrim 
dealer  would  now  attach  to  a  similar  glass  ornament  if 
offering  it  for  sale.1  This  was  responded  to  by  my  son's 
"  raising"  the  bidding  to  half  a  piastre,  value  about  one 
penny  farthing.  This  was  bringing  Mr.  Arab's  "  nobles 
to  ninepence,"  and  did  not  appear  to  put  him  out  in  the 
least,  for  another  cigarette  was  smoked,  and  another 
half  hour  consumed,  and  finally  the  bead  was  secured 

1  At  a  recent   sale  of  a  collection  of  and  undecorated,  sold  for  £10  10*.  to  Mr. 

Irish   antiquities  in   Belfast  (March  17,  Holland,  a  dealer,  who  has  since  informed 

1887),  formed  by  the  late  Mr.  Glenny  of  me  that  he  had  already  sold  six  of  the 

Newry,  "  Lot  72,"  a  string  of  one  him-  number  for  as  many  pounds  sterling, 
dred  beads,    many  of  which  were  plain 


O 


ORNAMENTS    IN    GLASS 

FROM     IRELAND    AND    EGYPT. 

COLLOTYH.     8Y    W.oa.OG.. 


OENAMENTS  IN  GLASS  FKOM  EGYPT.        113 

at  the  total  cost  of  one  piastre  and  two  cigarettes — and 
toth  buyer  and  seller  were  satisfied. 

Now  the  finding  of  these  beads  away  up  the  Nile 
Valley,  400  miles  from  Cairo,  and  digging  up  their 
counterparts  in  a  North  of  Ireland  dried-up  lake  dwell- 
ing, is  both  suggestive  and  instructive.  It  goes  a  long 
way  to  prove  that  the  most  beautiful  of  all  our  ancient 
glass  ornaments  (those  with  the  enamel  settings)  are  not, 
as  has  been  by  some  supposed,  of  Irish  manufacture. 
Their  birthplace  must  be  looked  for  in  some  of  the  old 
trade  centres  upon  the  Mediterranean  shore,  from  which 
they  were  borne  north  and  south,  east  and  west ;  or 
possibly  in  Egypt  itself,  where  such  countless  thousands 
of  vitrified  beads  have  been  found  in  the  tombs  and 
temples.  I  have  quite  a  score  of  beads  of  the  same 
variety  in  my  own  collection  identical  with  those  from 
Luxor.  There  is  no  defined  pattern  in  any  of  these 
enamelled  beads;  the  vitreous  paste  is  inserted  unequally, 
and  without  any  attempt  at  design,  in  the  surface  of  the 
glass ;  and  as  a  rule  the  brightest  and  most  diverse 
colours  were  used.  I  have  selected  one  from  Luxor 
(No.  1),  and  one  from  the  Co.  Antrim  (No.  2),  to  illustrate 
my  subject  (see  Plate).  In  W.  H.  Knowles's  Paper,  al- 
ready referred  to,  he  finds  a  difficulty  in  the  fact  that  the 
character  of  the  beads  from  the  British  Islands  are  not 
in  every  way  identical,  the  examples  from  Anglo-Saxon 
graves  differing  from  those  that  are  discovered  in  ancient 
Irish  tumuli.  But  the  wave  of  population  that  migrated 
to  the  south  and  east  of  England  were  Teutons,  Scandi- 
navians, and  Frisians,  differing  widely  from  the  Celtic 
immigrants  who  struck  upon  the  south  and  west  of 
Ireland,  and  the  south  of  Wales,  and  who  worked  their 
way  from  Cape  Clear  to  Down  and  Antrim,  and  crossed 
from  thence  to  Scotland,  carrying  with  them  their  own 
peculiar  ornaments,  weapons,  and  tools,  which  although 
bearing  a  general  resemblance  to  those  of  their  Teutonic 
neighbours,  yet  differed  in  many  well-marked  pecu- 
liarities. 

In  addition  to  these  enamelled  beads,  there  are  others 
resembling,  in  their  construction  and  form,  those  found 
in  Ireland,  one  of  which — a  blue  bead — is  a  very  com- 

12 


114        ORNAMENTS  IN  GLASS  FROM  EGYPT. 

mon  variety,  made  as  if  two  beads  were  joined  in  one. 
More  than  a  dozen  such  are  in  my  collection,  both  dual, 
triple,  and  quadruple.  It  is  probable  that  these  beads 
were  made  in  a  continuous  length,  and  were  cut  off 
one  from  the  other  during  the  process  of  cooling.  An 
Egyptian  bead,  and  one  from  Ireland,  are  numbered 
3  and  4  in  the  illustration  for  comparison. 

With  these  I  have  illustrated  a  remarkably  fine 
Anglo-Saxon  cylindrical  glass  bead,  of  a  brick-red 
colour,  with  wavy  yellow  lines  passing  through  two 
circular  beads  of  green  (No.  5).  And  two  very  fine 
examples  from  the  county  Westmeath — one  like  that 
figured  (Plate  II.,  No.  4)  by  W.  H.  Knowles,  but  that  the 
nipple-like  projections  are  blue  upon  a  red  ground-work, 
and  within  circles  of  yellow  (No.  6) ;  and  the  other  of 
the  same  design,  but  upon  a  black  body.  It  measures 
-J-th  inch  diameter  x  |-th  inch  in  thickness  (No.  7). 

The  Arabs,  both  at  Thebes  and  at  the  Pyramids,  are 
adepts  in  the  art  of  counterfeiting  antiquities,  more 
especially  Scarabei.  A  favourite  mode  of  giving  these 
the  rubbed  and  polished,  dulled  and  blunted,  appear- 
ance of  age,  is  to  "  cram"  an  unhappy  goose  or  turkey 
with  a  few,  which  after  undergoing  a  certain  number  of 
revolutions  in  the  gizzard,  are  recovered,  and  sold  as 
relics  of  the  shepherd  kings,  or  later  dynasties.  I  am 
not  aware  that  the  Arabs  manufacture  glass  ornaments, 
or  try  to  improve  or  manipulate  the  modern  beads  into 
those  resembling  the  antique  varieties ;  so  that  collectors 
of  these  have  less  to  fear  than  the  young  aspirant  to 
Numismatic  fame,  for  the  show  places  in  Egypt  are 
simply  sown  broadcast  with  English  forgeries  of  Roman, 
Greek,  and  other  coins.  As  a  proof  of  the  worthless- 
ness  of  these,  and  that  the  source  from  whence  they 
came  is  well  known,  an  Arab  could  not  have  his  feelings 
more  outraged  than  in  giving  him  one  such  as  "back- 
sheesh." 


ON  A  BEONZE  BBOOCH. 

BY  ROBERT  DAY,  JUN.,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A.,  V.-P.,  R.H.A.A.I. 

THE  bronze  brooch,1   of   which    illustrations    are  here 
given,  came  into  my  collection  in  July,  1886,  shortly 


after  its  haying  been  found  in  a  crannog  near  the  town 
of   Cavan.     The  bronze  of  which  it  is  made  is  hard, 

1  For  a  brooch  of  the  same  variety,  vide  vol.  in.,  part  i.,  4th  Series,  p.  158. 


116 


ON  A   BRONZE  BROOCH, 


and  of  a  close  grain ;  and  while  having  a  peculiarly 
dark  patination,  it  has  also  the  appearance  of  having  a 
larger  proportion  of  tin  than  usual  in  its  composi- 
tion. 

The  pin  is  of  a  lighter  colour  and  coarser  texture, 
and  is  an  ancient  mending  or  restoration,  the  original 


acus,   which  probably  was   ornamented,   having  been 
broken  or  lost. 

The  brooch,  in  the  character  of  its  ornament,  has- 
.some  resemblance  to  the  "  Dublin  University  Brooch " 
(reproduced  in  fac  simile  by  Waterhouse  &  Co.)  in  its 


ON   A   BRONZE    BROOCH.  117 

interlacing  of  animals'  legs,  and  in  their  general  treat- 
ment. In  the  Dublin  brooch  these  animals  are  worked 
up  in  the  casting,  and  rest  upon  a  solid  ground.  But  in 
this  they  form  an  open-work  margin  to  the  outer  rim  of 
the  ornament,  inside  which  is  a  rope-work  fillet,  the 
whole  enclosing  serpents  twisted  into  an  interlaced  pat- 
tern in  the  usual  manner  of  the  Celtic  art  craftsmen 
of  the  twelfth  century. 

The  reverse,  or  back  of  the  brooch,  has  engraved  lines, 
forming  the  segment  of  a  circle,  which  cuts  off  its  angles, 
and  the  arch  or  outer  circle  of  the  ornament  terminates 
in  heads  that  resemble  those  of  the  fresh-water  eel  or 
conger  (see  illustration,  p.  116). 

The  lacustrine  dwellers  must  have  drawn  largely 
upon  the  resources  of  the  surrounding  water  for  their 
food  supply,  and  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that,  in 
accordance  with  their  taste  for  fish  and  fishing,  the 
symbols  of  that  seductive  art  should  find  a  fitting  place 
upon  their  decorative  ornaments. 


THE  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

BY  W.  G.  WOOD-MARTIN,  M.R.I.A.,  FELLOW  AND  GENERAL 
SECRETARY,  R.H.A.A.I. 

[Continued  from  page  94.] 

IV. 

To  those  who  have  made  ancient  Celtic  tales  and  poems 
their  study  it  has  become  an  established  conviction  that 
they  had  been  composed  to  commemorate  real  personages; 
but  in  the  decadence  of  the  bardic  profession,  or  before 
these  tales  had  been  committed  to  writing,  much  of  the 
truth  was  lost  or  obscured ;  the  substance  alone  was 
preserved,  and  in  this  state  some  of  them — perhaps 
examples  of  the  survival  of  the  fittest — have  struggled 
for  existence  even  to  our  own  times.  "  One  of  the  many 
indications  of  that  synthetic  and  reconstructive,  rather 
than  analytic  and  destructive  tendency,  which  marks  this 
second  half  of  the  nineteenth  century,  is  the  fact  that  his- 
torical scholars  are  beginning  to  look  on  popular  legends 
and  romances,  not  certainly  with  the  uncritical  credulity 
of  the  days  before  Niebuhr,  but  with  the  belief  of  find- 
ing in  them  such  records  of  historical  events  as  will 
repay  the  trouble  of  investigating  them." 

From  Misgaun  Meadhbh,  on  the  summit  of  Knocknarea, 
can  be  seen,  at  a  distance  of  about  two  miles  to  the 
eastward  of  Carrowmore,  two  large  earns,  situated  on 
two  hills  overlooking  Lough  Gill,  and  which  monuments 
give  name  to  the  townland  of  Cams,  formerly  styled 
na-  Carna,  an  elevated  tract  overlooking  the  lake.  These 
earns  are  mentioned  in  the  Dinmenchus,  a  celebrated 
ancient  Irish  MS.,  supposed  to  have  been  compiled,  in  the 
sixth  century,  by  Amergin,  chief  bard  of  King  Diarmid. 
In  the  sixth  century  of  our  era,  therefore,  the  sepul- 
chral character  of  rude  stone  monuments  was  evidently 
well  understood,  for  the  two  earns — Carn  Romra  and 
Cam  Omra — were  in  that  MS.  reputed  to  mark  the 


RUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  119 

graves   of  two   chiefs   so   named.1      The   legend  is   as 
follows : — 

In  former  times  two  chiefs,  yclept  Romra  and  Omra, 
lived  on  the  plain  now  occupied  by  the  waters  of  Lough 
Gill.  Romra  had  a  daughter,  who,  from  the  clear  bright- 
ness of  her  skin,  obtained  the  name  of  Grill.  Omra 
asked  her  in  marriage,  but  she  rejected  him.  Shortly 
afterwards  she  proceeded  to  lave  her  fair  skin  in  a  well 
on  the  plain.  After  having  disrobed,  she  beheld  in  the 
limpid  water  the  reflection  of  her  rejected  wooer  stand- 
ing above.  She  died  of  shame  ;  and  her  nurse,  on  dis- 
covering Grill's  body  lying  lifeless  in  the  well,  poured 
out  such  a  flood  of  tears  that  they  formed  a  lake,  which 
thus  derived  its  title  from  Gill,  the  daughter  of  Romra. 
In  revenge  for  the  death  of  his  daughter,  Romra  killed 
Omra,  and  the  former  died  of  grief.2  Gill  is  not  the  only 
Irishwoman  who  is  stated  in  legendary  lore  to  have  died 
of  shame  ;  for  (as  pointed  out  by  P.  W.  Joyce)  Fial,  the 
wife  of  Lewy,  son  of  1th,  the  uncle  of  Milesius,  gave 
name  to  the  River  Feale,  in  Kerry.  Her  husband  unex- 
pectedly came  in  sight,  while  she  stood  naked  after 
bathing  in  the  stream,  and  she,  not  recognizing  him, 
immediately  died  through  a  paroxysm  of  mingled  fear 
and  shame.  The  Sligo  legend  does  not,  however,  specify 
which  is  Cam  Romra  and  which  Carn  Omra.  That 
situated  on  Cams  Hill  (see  fig.  96)  has  a  circumference 
of  about  180  paces,  and  a  diameter  of  36  paces  on  the 
summit,  which  is  slightly  cup-shaped.  There  is,  seem- 
ingly, a  ruined  cist  on  the  S.S.E.  portion  of  the  periphery 
of  the  pile,  and  there  are  traces  of  a  facing  of  stones  at 


1  The  following  notice  of  a  earn,  pre-  for  himself." — The  Round  Towers  of  Ire- 

served  in  the  Book  of  Lecan,  fol.  247  a,  land,  p.  107. 

conveys  a  distinct  idea  that  some  of  those  2  MS.  letters  Ordnance  Survey. — "  This 

monuments  were  raised  by  the  chief  dur-  story,"  remarks  P.   W.    Joyce,  "would 

ing  his  lifetime,  and  had  been  also  used  be  of  great  interest — (1)  if  the  legend  is 

as  a  spot  for  the  annual  meeting  of  the  really  in  Dinnsenchus  ;   (2)  if  the  earns  be 

people,  called  in  Irish  Oenach: — "  Carn  properly  identified.      There  is  a  similar 

Amhalgaidh,  i.e.  of  Amhalgaidh,  son  of  well-known  Greek  story,  not  similar  in- 

Fiachra  Elgaidh,   son   of  Dathi,  son  of  deed,  but  exactly  the  same,    with    only 

Fiachra.     It  is  by  him  that  this  earn  was  change  of  names."     There  can,  however, 

formed,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  a  meet-  be  little   doubt  about  the  proper  inden- 

ing  of  the  Hy-Amhalgaidh  around  it  every  tification  of  the   earns,    as  there  are  no 

year,  and  to  view  his  ships  and  fleet  going  others  in  the  vicinity  of  Lough  Gill, 
and  coming,  and  as  a  place  of  interment 


120 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF   IRELAND. 


the  west  side :  about  12  feet  further  in  there  is  another 
wall,  built  with  great  exactness.  It  would  thus  appear 
as  if  the  monument  had  been  terraced;  but  it  is  nowjim- 
possible  to  determine  whether,  in  the  original  design, 
these  terraces  were  observable  or  had  been  covered. 

In  a  Paper  entitled  "  Typical  Specimens  of  Cornish 
Barrows,"  a  very  similar  description  has  been  given 
by  W.  C.  Borlase,  F.S.A.  ;  it  is  as  f ollows : l— "An  outer 
ring  of  well-selected  granite  blocks  was  first  encountered, 
of  which  twenty  to  thirty  appeared  on  the  surface  in 
different  places  round  the  mound.  From  the  fact  that 
three  or  four  of  these  were  found  lying  one  above  the 
other,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  very  pos- 


; 


Fig.  96. — General  View  of  Cam  on  Cam's  Hill,  near  Sligo,  looking  West. 

sible  that  similar  stones,  arranged  in  layers  or  steps, 
were  once  placed,  pyramid  fashion,  around  it,  so  as  to 
encase  the  whole.  There  are  traces  also,  as  I  think,  of 
a  detached  circle  of  single  stones  having  surrounded  this 
earn.  At  a  distance  of  fourteen  feet  inside  this  first 
ring  we  came  upon  a  rude  perpendicular  wall  four  feet 
high;  three  feet  inside  that  again  was  a  second,  and 
at  a  like  distance  a  third."  The  Cornish  explorer  ar- 
rived at  the  conclusion  which,  in  the  Sligo  example,  is 
also  apparently  self-evident,  that  the  earn  had  been 
raised,  or  added  to,  either  as  part  of  the  original 

1  Archceologia,  vol.  xlix.,  p.  106. 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  121 

design,  or  at  different  periods ;  that  the  interior  wall 
marked  the  former  exterior  of  the  primitive  place  of 
sepulture,  and  that  each  subsequent  circumvallation  was 
an  addition  to  the  original  nucleus. 

The  diameter  of  the  summit  of  the  second  earn, 
(situated  on  Belvoir  Hill),  would  appear  to  be  about  the 
same  as  its  companion  monument.  Its  circumference 
at  base  could  not  be  ascertained,  owing  both  to  the 
uneven  nature  of  the  ground  and  to  its  being  surrounded 
by  trees,  and  a  close  undergrowth  of  briers,  furze,  &c. 
It  appears  to  be  of  greater  height  than  the  mound  on 
Carns  Hill,  but  is  in  a  more  dilapidated  condition  ;  its 
S.S.E.  side  has  been  utilised  as  a  quarry.  Scattered 
amongst  the  stones  forming  both  these  monuments,  sea- 
shells  and  fragments  of  uncalcined  bones  were  picked  up. 

About  half  a  mile  due  south  of  these  earns  are  two 
cashels,  distant  two  hundred  yards  from  each  other  ;  that 
to  the  westward  has  a  N.  and  S.  diameter  of  100  feet, 
that  to  the  eastward  66  feet ;  both  are  nearly  level  with 
the  ground,  the  materials  of  the  walls  having  been  pro- 
bably used  to  form  the  fences  around  the  fields ;  directly 
to  the  south  of  each  is  a  ruined  monument  of  seemingly 
sepulchral  character.  In  close  proximity  to  the  more 
westerly  cashel  there  is  a  ruined  circle,  38  paces  in  N. 
and  S.  diameter,  with  traces  of  an  inner  circle,  whilst  also 
to  the  southward  of  its  companion  cashel  there  is  a 
slightly  raised  mound  that  had  originally  been  surrounded 
with  a  circle  of  stones,  of  which  a  few  on  its  northern 
circumference  still  remain.  It  is  about  40  feet  in  diameter 
from  E.  to  W. ;  to  the  S.  are  the  remains  of  what  appears 
to  have  been  a  cist,  and  at  some  feet  distant  there  is  a 
solitary  stone,  perhaps  the  trace  of  an  outer  circle ;  but 
the  monument  altogether  is  in  such  a  state  of  dilapida- 
tion that  it  would  be  useless  to  give  a  map  of  it.  To 
the  west  the  soil  composing  the  mound  has  been  carried 
away,  possibly  for  agricultural  purposes,  and  rabbits  are 
now  rapidly  completing  its  destruction. 

The  summit  of  the  earn  on  Belvoir  Hill  commands 
one  of  the  most  picturesque  views  in  the  county  Sligo, 
and  being  within  twenty  minutes  walk  from  the  town  is 
the  most  accessible  and  advantageous  point  from  which  a 


122 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 


stranger  may  view  a  great  extent  of  the  county.  Descend- 
ing the  hill  on  the  side  facing  the  water  there  may  be 
observed,  close  to  the  path,  a  large  erratic  boulder,  its 
upper  surface  presenting  a  depressed  cup-shaped  hollow, 
with  three  small  circular  holes.  This  was  pointed  out 
as  a  "  Druid's  Altar."  It  does  not  seem  like  the  remains 
of  a  "  Giant's  Grave" ;  the  boulder  has  all  the  appearance 
of  having  been  eroded  by  natural  weathering. 

At  a  short  distance  from  Cams  Hill,  in  the  townland 
of  Abbeyquarter,  and  within  the  bounds  of  the  borough 
of  Sligo,  there  is  a  stone  circle  (see  fig.  97),  situated  on 
a  rising  ground,  about  fifty  yards  from  the  southern 
bank  of  the  river  Garvogue — or  Sligo  river — and  close  to 
the  walls  of  the  county  prison.  Strange  to  find  a  pagan 


Fig.  97.— General  View  of  Stone  Circle  in  Abbeyquarter,  within  the  Borough    .iff 

of  Sligo. 

burial-place  in  such  a  position,  within  hearing  of  the  hum 
of  the  now  busy  town,  and  the  constant  shriek  of  the 
steam-whistle  that  obtrusively  remind  us  of  the  present, 
and  of  the  thousands  of  years  that  have  probably  elapsed 
since  the  human  remains  we  were  disinterring  had  been 
here  deposited  in  the  calm  solitude  of  a  primitive  land- 
scape. The  circle  of  boulders  is  nearly  perfect,  forming 
a  ring  on  a  raised  mound  65  feet  in  diameter ;  the  inside 
surface  is  perfectly  level.  On  the  north  there  are  two  stones 
seemingly  the  remains  of  an  inner  circle ;  in  the  same 
direction,  but  on  the  exterior  of  the  circle,  there  are  three 
large  boulders,  which  had  probably  belonged  to  the  outer 
ring  or  fence,  but  have  been  rolled  out  of  their  place. 
Of  the  cist  or  cromleac  only  two  stones  remain,  one  of 
these  being  of  the  usual  dimensions  ;  the  other  is  a 


EUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO. 


123 


mere  slab.  An  excavation  was  made  at  the  foot  of 
the  solitary  remaining  support ;  traces  of  the  flooring  of 
the  cist  were  discovered,  and  on  it  were  some  bones,  of 
which  the  greater  portion  were  calcined ;  the  interment 
had  been  greatly  disturbed.  The  locus  examined  was 
probably  but  a  septum,  or  division  of  the  original  sepulchre, 
as  a  glance  at  the  plan  (fig.  98)  will  show  that  it  is  not 
in  the  centre  of  the  circle.  The  miscellaneous  "  finds" 
— submitted  to  W.  Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.,  for  examination — 


« P          V          2?        3C 


*f<-^. 


Fig.  98. — Ground  Plan  of  Monument  in  Abbeyquarter.     (Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

were  mixed  up  together  in  inextricable  confusion,  and 
lay  but  a  few  inches  beneath  the  surface  of  the  soil; 
they  consisted  of  If  Ibs.  of  calcined  bones,  seemingly  all 
human,  but  in  a  very  fragmentary  state,  2^  oz.  of  un- 
calcined  human  bones,  three  molars,  and  one  incisor 
tooth  of  a  young  individual,  the  tooth  of  a  goat,  and 
another  probably  of  a  dog,  also  the  bones  of  a  goat  or 
sheep. 

Just  in  front  of  the  south  entrance  of  the  small  ruined 
church,  situated  on  Cottage  Island,  in  Lough  Gill  (see  fig. 
99),  there  is  a  curious  arrangement  of  stones  ;  the  blocks 
are,  however,  in  such  a  confused  position  that  it  would 
be  unsafe  to  hazard  a  positive  assertion  as  to  its  having 
originally  formed  a  cist  or  cromleac,  for  it  may  be 


Fig.  99.— Supposed  Megalith,  Cottage  Island,  Lough  GUI. 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  125 

portion  of  a  mur  which  formerly  encircled  the  church. 
An  excavation  could  hardly  decide  the  point,  unless 
calcined  bones  were  discovered. 

Dr.  Petrie,  in  his  Round  Towers  of  Ireland  (p.  450), 
notices  the  similarity  existing  between  pagan  and  early 
Christian  sepulchres,  the  graves  of  the  first  converts  to 
Christianity  being,  in  point  of  fact,  connecting-links 
between  the  old  and  the  new  faith.  He  remarks  that 
"  the  tombs  of  the  early  saints  present  a  variety  of  forms, 
as  in  those  on  Aran,  which  are  often  rude  sarcophagi, 
somewhat  similar  to  pagan  cromleacs  or  kistvaens,  while 
at  other  times  they  are  small  earns,  enclosed  by  a  circu- 
lar or  quadrangular  wall.'7  Similarly  the  ancient  pagan 
cashel  surrounding  primitive  churches  on  the  Island  of 
Inismurray,  off  the  Sligo  coast,  presents  the  curious 
example  of  a  primal  monastic  establishment,  enclosed 
within  a  wall  as  old  as  the  celebrated  Staigue  Fort  in 
Kerry,  Dun  Conor,  and  other  cashels  in  various  parts  of 
Ireland,  all  of  which  are  universally  acknowledged  by 
antiquaries  to  belong  to  ante-Christian  times  in  Ireland. 

About  five  miles  from  the  town  of  Sligo,  and  near 
the  summit  of  Keelogyboy1  Mountain,  in  a  locality 
called  Aultnacaha,2  there  is  a  curious  grave  which, 
though  of  the  rudest  description,  is  interesting  on  ac- 
count of  its  general  arrangement.  The  stones  forming 
it  are  small  in  size,  and  are  placed  in  two  impinging 
circles,  the  larger  or  northern  one  being  about  20  feet 
in  diameter,  and  the  smaller  about  10  feet.  No  re- 
mains of  an  interment  were  discoverable  in  the  larger 
enclosure,  but  traces  of  a  rude  cist  were  apparent  in 
the  smaller  circle,  close  to  where  it  touches  upon  the 
larger  one.  The  osseous  remains  were  submitted  to  W. 
Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.,  who  states  there  were  no  evidences  of 
adult  interment,  save  two  incisors  (large  size),  and  three 
molars,  the  rest  all  belonging  to  a  child ;  the  set  of  teeth 
(incisors  not  being  shed)  points  to  an  age  before  seven, 


f  l  Pronounced  Keelogabwee ;  it  is  con-  ing— where  the  women  used  to  winnow 

tinuation  of  the  Castlegal  range.  corn.     The   name    is    modern.      It    has 

2  This  name  signifies  (according  to  P.  also    been   translated   (by   another   Irish 

W.   Joyce)  the  height  of  the  winnow-  scholar)  "the  height  of  the  showers." 


126  RUDE    STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

and  the  bones  also  appeared  to  belong  to  that  age.  There 
were  six  molars,  three  incisors  (one  canine),  twelve  uncut 
tops  of  teeth,  fragments  of  child's  ribs,  two  vertebrae,. 


Fig  100.— Ground  Plan  of  Rude  Stone  Monument  on  Keelogyboy 
Mountain. 


parts  of  the  skull,  one  portion  of  temporal  bone,  with 
auditory  process,  finger-  and  toe-bones,  forearm  and  leg, 
portions  of  pelvis — all  in  a  fragmentary  condition. 

The  county  Sligo  numbers  amongst  its  rude  stone 
monuments  one  of  the  most  remarkable  primitive  struc- 
tures in  Ireland.  A  model  of  it  is  to  be  seen  in  the 
Museum,  R.I. A.,  and  from  it  a  sketch  was  taken  that 
appears  in  the  Museum  Catalogue;  this  sketch  is  some- 
what misleading,  and  does  not  show  the  trilithons,  its 
most  distinguishing  feature.  At  first  sight  it  would 
appear  inappropriate  to  compare  the  grand  circular 
monument  of  roughly-hewn  stones  on  Salisbury  Plain 
with  an  arrangement  of  boulders,  such  as  is  repre- 
sented by  fig.  101,  or  to  compare  trilithons  of  such 
diminutive  elevation  with  those  of  Stonehenge,  one 
of  which  measures  16  ft.  3  in.,  another  17  ft.  2  in.,  and 
the  central  trilithons  21  ft.  6  in.  in  height.  Geoffrey 
of  Monmouth,  who  wrote  circ.  1147,  states  that  Stone- 
henge was  erected  by  Ambrosius,  with  the  aid  of  the 
wizard  Merlin,  who  actually  transported  the  monument 
from  Ireland. 


4TH  8EK.,  VOL.  Till. 


128  HUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   OF    IRELAND. 

In  the  year  1187,  Giraldus  Cambrensis  further  states 

and  this  is  the  most  important  part  of  his  narrative,  as 

he  probably  saw  the  monument  referred  to  with  his  own 

eves that  in  Kildare  "  similar  stones"  to  Stonehenge, 

and  erected  in  a  similar  manner,  were  to  be  seen  in  his 
day.  After  separating  the  wheat  of  the  legend  from 
the  chaff,  the  conclusion  may,  perhaps,  be  drawn,  that 
the  design  of  the  English  monument  was  of  Irish 
origin. 

The  late  James  Ferguson  was  of  opinion  that  the  tri- 
lithon  is  certainly  exceptional  in  Europe,  and  its  origin 
not  easily  traced,  his  impression  being  that  it  was  merely 
an  improved  dolmen,  standing  on  two  legs  instead  of  three 
or  more.  However,  the  three  trilithons  l  still  to  be  seen 
in  the  Deerpark,  county  Sligo,  have  been  seemingly 
the  entrance  or  portals  of  the  cists,  of  which  the  re- 
mainder, and  more  especially  the  roof-flagging,  has, 
to  a  great  extent,  collapsed.  This  Sligo  monument 
crowns  the  summit  of  a  hill  standing  some  500  feet 
above  the  sea  level,  and  from  it  a  wide  extent  of 
€ountry  can  be  viewed;  it  bears  directly  east  of,  and 
points  towards,  the  great  earn  on  the  summit  of  Knock- 
narea.  The  structure  in  question  lies  about  four  miles 
east  of  the  town  of  Sligo,  a  short  distance  off  the 
road  leading  to  Manorhamilton,  and  in  the  townland  of 
Magheraghanrush ;  the  locality  in  which  it  is  situated  is 
now  commonly  known  as  the  Deerpark,  the  property  of 
Owen  Wynne,  Esq.  A  glance  at  the  ground  plan  of  the 
monument  (fig.  102)  at  once  attracts  attention  to  the 
rudely-symmetrical  method  displayed  in  the  construction 
of  this  enclosure ;  its  primitive  architects  were,  indeed, 
not  particular  about  the  difference  of  a  few  feet,  but^as 
the  following  measurements  demonstrate — they,  in  their 
rude  way,  had  some  well-defined  purpose  in  the  arrange- 

1  Trilithons  were  not  unknown  to  the  marked  :  "the  most  curious  point,  how- 
Romans.  In  De  Vogue's  work  three  ex-  ever,  connected  with  these  monuments  is 
ttmples  are  engraved  :  one  of  them,  which  the  suggestion  of  Indian  influence  which 
dates  from  A.D.  222,  is  very  like  a  refined  they,  especially  at  Elkeb,  give  rise  to. 
Stonehenge  example.  Dr.  Barth  observed  The  introduction  of  sloping  jambs,  de- 
several  trilithons  at  a  place  called  Ksaea,  rived  from  carpentry  forms,  can  be  traced 
forty-five  miles  from  Tripoli.  There  are  back  in  India,  in  the  caves  of  Behar,  and 
.good  representations  of  such  in  Ferguson'  a  the  Western  Ghauts,  to  the  second  cen- 
liude  Stone  Monuments,  where  it  is  re-  tury  before  Christ." 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  131 

ments.  At  either  end  there  is  a  slightly-defined  mound, 
about  20  feet  in  diameter.  The  principal  "  aisles"  are  each 
27  feet,  and  the  third  24  feet  long.  The  central  enclosure, 
about  50  feet  long,  is,  roughly  speaking,  twice  the  length 
of  the  "  aisles."  The  scarcely  traceable  circular  mound 
with  a  few  stones  appearing  here  and  there,  and  situated 
at  each  extremity  of  this  curious  monument,  had  originally 
some  symmetrical  arrangement  which,  however,  cannot 
now  be  correctly  mapped ;  the  general  appearance  alone 
is  marked  (fig.  103).  Doubtless  these  mounds  formed  an 
adjunct  of  the  original  structure,  and  they  are  of  very 
nearly  similar  dimensions,  the  eastern  being  about  20  ft., 
and  the  western  21  feet  in  E.  and  W.  diameter.  The 
entire  monument  has  an  over-all  length  of  about  144  feet, 
and  consists  primarily  of  a  rude  oblong,  or  blunted  oval, 
bounded  by  rough  stones,  set  on  edge.  This  oval  has  a 
length  of  about  50  feet,  by  28  feet  in  width  at  its  broadest 
part.  At  each  extremity  of  this  are  what,  for  want  of 
a  better  term,  may  be  called  "aisles":  indeed  it  is 
curious  to  observe  the  general  resemblance  of  the  plan — 
taken  in  its  entirety — to  that  of  a  modern  cathedral : 
the  western  end  may  be  said  to  represent  the  chancel,  the 
central  enclosure  the  portion  under  the  dome,  whilst  the 
eastern  extremity  is  not  without  analogy  to  the  nave  with 
side  "  aisles  ";  the  bearing  of  its  longest  axis  is  approxi- 
mately, 55°  W.  of  N.  At  the  western  end  of  the  monument, 
the  single  " aisle" — 27  feet  long,  and  12  feet  6  inches 
wide — inclines  slightly  to  the  N.,  and  is  not  quite  a  pro- 
longation of  the  axis  of  the  remainder  of  the  structure, 
being  45°  W.  of  N. ;  it  is  consequently  somewhat  defec- 
tively given  on  the  plan  (fig.  102),  made  by  the  late  E. 
T.  Hardman.  About  equi-distant  from  the  two  extremi- 
ties, this  "  aisle"  is  divided  by  two  low  stones,  having  a 
space  between  them,  and  the  western  end  of  the  structure 
is  closed  by  two  immense  blocks,  the  outer  one  leaning 
against  the  inner:  these  are  about  6  feet  high,  7  feet 
long,  and  2  feet  thick.  The  exterior  stone  appears  to 
be  one  of  the  displaced  covering-slabs  of  this  now  dis- 
mantled cist.  The  western  " aisle"  opens  into  the  main 
enclosure  by  a  trilithon  of  two  rude  upright  stones,  and 
a  long  cap-stone ;  the  height  of  the  ope  is  3  feet  to  the 


132  RFDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

under  side  of  the  cap-stone,  and  about  5  feet  6  inches  to 
the  upper  part,  the  cap-stone  itself  being  about  8  feet  in 
length.  From  the  above  description  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  Deerpark  monument  is  but  a  diminutive  repre- 
sentative of  that  class  of  remains  of  which  Stonehenge 
is  the  grand  exemplar.  Near  the  centre  of  the  southern 
side  of  the  principal  enclosure  are  some  stones,  arranged 
in  such  a  position  as  to  convey  the  impression  that  they 
had  been  originally  so  placed  for  the  purpose  of  forming 
an  entrance.  They  are  four  in  number,  two  being  on 
each  side,  and  having  a  space  between  them  5  feet  in 
width,  and  about  10  feet  in  length ;  one  is  a  limestone 
block,  6  feet  wide,  and  4  feet  6  inches  high. 

At  the  eastern  end  of  the  central  compartment  two 
"  aisles "  open  into  it  by  means  of  rude  doorways, 
or  opes,  composed  of  trilithons,  each  formed  by  two 
upright  stones  covered  by  a  cap-stone,  all  being  nearly 
of  the  same  dimensions.  The  uprights  measure  about 
3  feet  to  the  under  and  5  feet  to  the  upper  surface  of 
the  cap-stone.  The  over-all  measurement  of  the  eastern 
"  aisles  "  is  approximately  the  same  as  the  western,  i.  e. 
about  27  feet ;  they  are  respectively  8  feet  and  9  feet 
6  inches  in  width,  and  are  separated  from  each  other  by 
a  space  of  5  feet  6  inches,  not,  however,  opening  into 
the  central  enclosure,  but  cut  off  from  it  by  a  large 
upright  flagstone.  The  two  eastern  "  aisles"  resemble 
the  western  in  being  divided  nearly  midway  by  twa 
stones  standing  opposite  to  each  other,  and  near  the 
outer  walls ;  it  is  quite  possible  that  they  also  may 
have  had  cap-stones.  A  careful  excavation  of  both  the 
western  and  eastern  "  aisles"  demonstrated  the  fact  that 
they  had  been  originally  roofed  with  covering-slabs  ; 
indeed  the  remains,  in  a  broken  state,  of  such  slab& 
was  so  obvious,  as  to  attract  the  comments  of  one  of 
the  workmen. 

The  stones  used  in  the  construction  of  the  monu- 
ment are  of  limestone,  and  "  have  been  apparently 
obtained  from  the  beds  of  rough,  rubbly  limestone,  which 
crop  out  at  the  surface  in  the  vicinity,  unlike  many 
other  prehistoric  structures  which  are  often,  in  Ireland, 
formed  of  erraticblocks  of  a  stone  foreign  to  the  neighbour- 


RUDE    STONE    MONUMENTS    IN    SLIGO.  133 

hood.  Its  builders  must,  therefore,  have  had  some  idea 
of  quarrying,  and  have  had  sufficient  mechanical  con- 
trivances to  enable  them  to  first  displace,  and  then  set 
in  position,  the  large  blocks  of  rock  they  used ;  at  the 
same  time,  the  rude  appearance  of  the  rocks,  and  in- 
difference shown  as  to  size  or  arrangement,  although 
there  is  symmetry  in  the  general  structure,  would  seem 
to  point  to  a  more  primitive  age  than  that  of  Stone- 
henge — unless,  indeed,  we  are  to  suppose  the  Irish  of 
that  period  were  behind  their  British  neighbours  in 
civilization." 

The  late  E.  T.  Hardman,  H.M.G.S.I.,  who,  in  1879, 
thus  described  this  unique  structure  (in  the  Journal, 
R.H.A.A.I.),  suggested  "  that  it  was  the  place  of  a  cere- 
monial observance  of  some  kind.  It  is  clearly  not  a 
sepulchral  structure,  seeing  that  the  solid  rock  occurs 
within  a  foot  or  so  of  the  surface."  That,  however,  forms 
no  argument  in  disproof  of  its  mortuary  character,  as  the 
majority  of  interments  unearthed  during  this  later  ex- 
amination seem  to  have  been  originally  deposited  almost 
on  the  former  surface  of  the  soil,  and  the  writer  is  also 
aware  that  E.  T.  Hardman  had  subsequently  consider- 
ably modified  his  original  theory.  The  late  James 
Ferguson,  in  his  Rude  Stone  Monuments,  pp.  234—5,  is 
very  specific  in  his  statement  that  he  did  not  consider 
this  monument  to  be  of  a  mortuary  character.  He  says : 
"  It  would  be  tedious  to  enumerate  the  other  dolmens 
in  Ireland,  which  have  neither  dates  nor  peculiarities  to 
distinguish  them  from  others  of  this  class ;  but  there  is 
one  monument  of  a  megalithic  character  in  Ireland  which 
must  be  described  before  leaving  the  country,  though  it 
certainly  is  not  a  dolmen,  and  its  date  and  use  are  mys- 
terious at  present.  .  .  .  The  three  entrances  from  the 
central  to  the  side  apartments  are  trilithons  of  squared 
and  partially-dressed  stones,1  and  would  remind  us  of 

1  In  the  writer's  opinion  these  stones  but  the  lateral  pressure   is  sufficient  to 

do  not  show  the  slightest  signs  of  dress-  prevent  its  fall.     As  this  crack  must  have 

ing,  hut  there  are  evident  traces  of  weather-  been  due  to  the    effects  of  weathering 

ing — a  fact  noticed  also  by  the  late  E.  T.  since  the  block  was  placed  in  its  present 

Hardman,  who  remarked  that  "the stone  position,  it  is,   I  think,  an   evidence   in 

capping  the   entrance   into  the   northern  favour    of    the    great  antiquity   of  this 

*  aisle'    has    been    fractured   across   the  monument." 
centre,  the  fissure  being  some  inches  wide, 


134  KUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

Stonehenge,  were  they  not  so  small.  They  are  only 
three  feet  under  the  lintel,  and  you  must  bow  low  indeed  to 
pass  under  them.  Indeed,  when  speaking  of  these 
enclosures  as  apartments,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
one  can  enter  anywhere  by  passing  between  the  stones, 
and  stepping  over  the  walls,  which  are  composed  of 
stones  hardly  ever  touching  each  other,  the  highest  being 
only  3  or  4  feet  high.  Many  of  them,  though  massive, 
have  only  half  that  height.  What,  then,  is  this  curious 
edifice  ?  It  can  hardly  be  a  tomb,  it  is  so  unlike  any 
other  tomb  which  we  know  of.  In  plan  it  looks  more 
like  a  temple  ;  indeed  it  is  not  unlike  the  arrangement  of 
some  Christian  churches ;  but  a  church  or  temple  with 
walls  pervious,  as  these  are,  and  so  low  that  the  con- 
gregation outside  can  see  all  that  passes  inside,  is  so 
anomalous  an  arrangement  that  it  does  not  seem  admis- 
sible. At  present  it  is  unique.  If  some  similar  ex- 
ample could  be  discovered,  perhaps  we  might  guess  its 
riddle." 

S.  F.  Milligan,  in  a  lecture  delivered  to  the  Bel- 
fast Natural  History  and  Philosophical  Society  in 
February,  1887,  combated  the  opinion  of  Messrs.  Hard- 
man  and  Ferguson,  that  this  monument,  in  general 
ground  plan,  resembled  a  cathedral ;  and  he  proceeded 
to  show  its  likeness  to  the  rude  outline  of  a  giant  figure, 
cut  in  the  ground,  and  outlined  with  huge  standing- 
stones  ;  the  head  turned  to  the  west,  and  the  limbs  of 
the  figure  at  the  eastern  end  pointing  to  the  rising 
sun. 

Excavations  made  in  the  four  smaller  divisions,  at  the 
eastern  and  western  extremities  of  the  monument,  clearly 
demonstrated  the  fact  that  they  had  been  formerly  covered 
like  ordinary  Jcistvaens  with  roofing  slabs,  as  these  were 
found  lying  in  the  ground  in  a  fragmentary  state,  when 
the  sod  was  turned  up.  In  these  four  excavations  human 
and  animal  bones  were  discovered,  all  uncalcined ;  with 
them  was  a  flint-flake  (see  fig.  104,  p.  136). 

Explorations  in  the  central  enclosure  were  not  attended 
with  equally  decisive  results;  for  although  in  two  in- 
stances some  traces  of  osseous  remains  were  found,  yet 
in  other  spots  the  soil  appeared  to  be  undisturbed.  The 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  135 

conclusion,  therefore,  may  be  with  safety  drawn,  that  the 
eastern  and  western  "aisles"  are  simply  uncovered  kist- 
vaens ;  that  they  were  erected  when  inhumation  burial 
was  practised,  and  when  flint  implements  were  in  use ; 
but  whether  the  central  enclosure  had  been  used  for 
burial  or  merely  for  ceremonial  observances  before  com- 
mitting the  bodies  to  the  tomb  could  not  be  determined 
with  any  degree  of  certainty. 

The  following  are  the  results  of  excavations  made  at 
different  periods  by  explorers  in  this  interesting  monu- 
ment : — In  the  year  1884,  the  late  Rev.  James  Graves 
visited  the  locality,  and  made  a  slight  excavation ;  the 
osseous  remains  were  submitted  to  A.  W.  Foot,  M.D.,  who 
stated  that  there  were  sixteen  fragments  of  animal  bones, 
dry,  white,  apparently  long  dead,  and  bearing  no  sign 
of  burning,  or  petrifaction.  Recognizable  among  them 
were  a  dorsal  vertebra,  small  portions  of  skulls,  a  piece 
of  the  lower  jaw,  and  several  fragments  of  the  long  bones 
of  the  limbs — all  human. 

S.  F.  Milligan  also  "  made  excavations  in  the  interior 
of  the  structure  at  three  different  places,  and  in  every 
instance  found  a  quantity  of  human  bones,  together  with 
those  of  animals.  The  bones  had  been  examined  by 
Dr.  Redfern,  of  the  Queen's  College,  Belfast." 

According  to  A.  W.  Foot,  M.D.,  the  result  of  the 
writer's  exploration  was  as  follows: — The  osseous  re- 
mains from  the  western  kistvaens,  or  "aisles,"  were 
mostly  human,  and  uncalcined,  some  being  bones  of  a 
young  child  and  of  an  old  man ;  also  there  were  a  great 
many  bones  of  deer. 

The  osseous  remains  from  the  eastern  kistvaens,  or 
"  aisles,"  showed  evidence  of  three  individuals,  one  of 
them  quite  a  young  child ;  there  were  likewise  fragments 
of  human  and  deer  bones,  all  uncalcined ;  no  sign  of  fire 
on  any ;  also  some  bones  of  birds,  a  tooth  of  an  ungulate 
quadruped  (?  horse),  helices,  &c.,  and  a  flake,  formed  of 
dark-grey  flint,  but  coated  over  with  a  thick  crust  caused 
by  weathering,  giving  it  a  perfectly  white  appearance ; 
the  material  was  only  recognizable  by  its  having  been 
cut  in  two  by  the  spade  (see  fig.  104).  It  belongs  to 
the  class  of  implements  that  Wilde  (p.  27,  Catalogue, 


136  RUDE   STONE    MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 

Museum,  R.I. A.)  places  under  the  heading  of  flint-chisels, 
"  approaching  in  form,  but  not  altogether  taking  the 
shape  of,  a  stone  celt."  The  implement  shows  traces 
of  careful  chipping  for  a  short  distance  round  the  segment 
of  a  circle  which  forms  its  cutting  edge,  the  remainder 
of  the  tool  being  left  in  a  rough  unfinished  state,  with 
thick  blunt  sides. 

From  the  labourers  engaged  in  this  excavation  the 
information  was  gathered  that  two  heaps  of  small  stones 
lying  close  to  the  central  monument  had  originally  formed 


Fig.  104. — Flint  ''Chisel"  found  in  the  Deerpark  Monument, 
Co.  Sligo.     (Full  size.) 


part  of  it  (possibly  were  used  in  "  spalling"  the  interstices 
in  the  low  walls) ;  but  being  scattered  in  confusion,  both 
inside  and  outside  the  monument,  the  late  Right  Hon. 
John  Wynne  had  them  carted  away,  in  order  to  allow 
a  clearer  idea  to  be  formed  of  the  original  shape  of 
the  structure.  The  late  Sir  William  Wilde  stated  that 
several  of  the  stones  were  manifestly  placed  across  the 
others,  like  those  in  Stonehenge ;  but  the  monument  had 
been  much  damaged  some  years  previously,  by  persons 
seeking  for  treasure  supposed  to  be  hid  beneath  the  surface. 
The  monument  was  formerly  called  "The  Giant's  Grave;" 
also  more  particularly  Leacht  Con  Mic  Ruis — the  grave  of 
Con  the  son  of  Rush. 

About  300  yards  to  the  S.  of  this  strange  megalithic 
pile  there  is  a  "  Giant's  Grave."  It  will  be  seen  by  a 
glance  at  the  ground-plan  (fig.  105)  that  it  appears  to  have 
originally  consisted  of  an  arrangement  of  four  (almost 
parallel)  rows  of  slabs.  The  central  space  alone  now 
shows  traces  of  having  been  covered  over,  and  a  dis- 
placed covering-flag  still  remains  at  either  extremity. 

An  excavation  was  made,  and  the  osseous  remains 
submitted  to  A.  W.  Foot,  M.D.,  who  states  that  they  were 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN  SLIGO.  137 

a  portion  of  an  adult  (male)  sacrum,  some  bones  of  a 
child,  evidence  of  two  individuals  besides  the  child,  and 
probably  of  different  sexes,  a  fragment  of  a  platycnemic 
tibia  and  of  a  pilasteric  femur :  in  other  words,  pieces  of 
very  strong  bones  of  an  ancient  race.  All  who  were  pre- 
sent at  the  examination  of  this  grave  were  much  struck 
by  the  great  size  of  the  bones ;  there  occurred  also  re- 
mains of  deer  and  shells  from  the  sea-shore.  Almost  in 
a  line  between  these  two  megaliths  in  the  Deerpark 
there  are  traces  of  a  cashel  with  a  souterrain. 


Fig.  105. — Ground  Plan  of  smaller  Monument  in  the  Deerpark. 

At  the  foot  of  Cope's  Mountain,  to  the  W.  of  the  road 
leading  from  Sligo  to  Glencar,  and  in  the  townland  of 
Drum,  there  is  another  monument  of  the  same  class 
as  the  smaller  one  in  the  Deerpark;  it  is,  however, 
more  diminutive  and  in  a  more  dilapidated  condition. 
Its  Irish  name  is  not  remembered ;  it  is  known  merely 
as  the  "  Giant's  Grave." 

Not  many  years  ago  it  narrowly  escaped  total  oblite- 
ration. A  countryman,  having  dreamt  twice  successively 
that  a  crock  full  of  gold  was  buried  under  the  monument, 
waited  impatiently,  before  commencing  operations,  for 
the  dream  to  be  repeated  a  third  time,  as  this  would  have 
completed  the  charm;  however,  it  never  did  recur,  and 


138  KUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

consequently  the  tomb  escaped  destruction.  Bucolic 
discoverers  of  cinerary  urns  were  formerly  under  the 
delusion  that  the  calcined  bones  and  ashes,  with  which 
they  were  sometimes  filled,  were  in  reality  gold  ingots 
and  gold  dust,  which,  through  the  magic  of  the  "  good 
people,"  assumed  that  delusive  appearance,  in  order  to 
hide  the  treasure  from  the  ken  of  ordinary  mortals.  "Fairy 
Doctors"  recommended  the  sacrifice  of  a  black  cat  on  the 
tomb,  with  the  object  of  propitiating  the  spirit  supposed 
to  guard  the  hoard ;  and  the  contents  of  the  urn,  if  care- 
fully watched  till  midnight,  would,  under  these  circum- 
stances, again  assume  its  real  character;  an  amusing 
anecdote  of  this  nature  is  related  at  p.  378  of  the  Journal 
R.H.A.A.I.,  for  the  years  1852-3. 


Fig.   106.— Ground  Plan  of  "Giant's  Grave"  in  the  Townland  of  Drum. 
(Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

About  twenty  years  ago,  owing,  as  our  informant 
believed,  to  a  tale  which  appeared  in  the  columns  of  the 
Nation  newspaper,  a  story  became  prevalent  amongst 
the  country  people  of  a  member  of  the  O'Rorke  family 
having  concealed  his  treasures  in  one  of  the  tombs,  or 
"  Giant  Graves"  in  the  neighbourhood,  previous  to 
some  great  battle  in  which  both  he  and  his  favourite 
henchman  were  killed;  consequently,  the  secret  of  the 
buried  gold  was  lost.  Imagining  this  monument  to 
have  been  the  one  selected  as  the  "hiding-place,"  some 
of  the  country  people  excavated  the  west  cist  to  a  con- 
siderable depth ;  but  the  result  of  the  search  could 
not  now  be  ascertained.  In  the  present  instance,  an 
excavation  was  made  under  the  only  covering-stone  still 
in  situ  ;  but  little  was  found,  save  a  few  calcined  bones, 


RUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS   IN  SLIGO.  139 

large  fragments  of  charcoal,  shells  of  oyster  and  cockle, 
and  some  uncalcined  human  bones,  found  together  in  a 
heap,  "  for  all  the  world,"  as  the  labourer  remarked,  "  as 
if  he,"  i.  e.  the  occupant  of  the  tomb,  "  had  been  buried 
in  a  sitting  position."  Owing  to  their  soft  condition, 
few  of  the  bones  could  be  extracted  from  the  soil ;  but 
these  were  submitted  to  W.  Frazer,  F.R.C.S.I.,  who  states: 
"  There  were  a  few  fragments  of  burned  long  bones, 
which  were  probably  human,  but  they  cannot  be  identi- 
fied with  absolute  certainty,  being  only  portions  of  the 
shafts  of  bones  with  clay  and  masses  of  charcoal  adhering. 
The  grave  must  have  been  disturbed  long  ago,  and  only 
a  few  fragments  of  the  original  interment  left,  for  there 
is  no  connexion  between  the  "  finds."  Judging  by  ap- 
pearance, some  of  the  animal  remains — notably  the  bones 
of  a  cow — are  unquestionably  of  a  more  recent  date." 

On  the  summit  of  a  hill,  overlooking  this  megalith, 


Fig.  107.— Ground  Plan  of  Rude  Stone  Monument  in  the  Town  and  of  Drumkilsellagh. 
Cross  enclosed  within  dotted  line  shows  former  position  of  Stone,  similarly 
marked.  (Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

and  in  the  townland  of  Drumkilsellagh,  there  is  a  curious 
monument,  in  form  oblong  (see  fig.  107),  and  consisting  of 
two  parallel  compartments,  which,  though  not  at  present, 
had  been  formerly  connected  with  each  other  by  a  con- 
tinuous line  of  stones :  this  central  space  is  rather  hol- 
lowed. In  the  townland  of  Kilsellagh,  about  half  a  mile 
distant,  there  is  a  similar  monument,  nearly  the  same 
size,  i.  e.  10  paces  long  by  6  broad :  close  to  this,  but 
higher  up  the  mountain  slope,  there  is  a  singular  arrange- 
ment of  cists,  five  in  number,  and  but  a  few  yards  apart ; 
the  alignment  runs  approximately  N.  and  S. ;  the  longer 
axis  of  the  cists  being  about  E.  and  W.  It  presents  the 


140  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS    OP  IRELAND. 

appearance  of  a  pagan  cemetery.  Two  of  the  kistvaens 
have  evidently  been  thoroughly  explored,  and  all  are  now 
devoid  of  covering-stones. 

Close  to  a  gravel-pit  in  the  hill-side,  in  the  townland 
of  Castlegal,  there  is  another  megalith,  of  which  the  ac- 
companying plan  (fig.  108)  will  give  a  good  idea ;  but  it  is 
in  such  a  very  dilapidated  condition  that  its  former  shape 
is  hardly  discernible.  It  is  to  be  remarked  that  this 
cluster  of  monuments,  nine  in  number,  are  all  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  Cashelgal — the  name  is  thus  pro- 
nounced by  the  country  people,  not  Castlegal  as  given 
on  the  Ordnance  Maps.  Little  save  the  mere  site  of  this 


Fig.  108.— Ground  Plan  of  Rude  Stone  Monument  in  the  Townland  of  Castlegal. 
(Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

ancient  cashel  now  remains :  its  disappearance  need  not 
excite  wonder,  considering  (as  our  informant  averred) 
that  all  the  houses  in  the  neighbourhood  are  built  of  the 
stones  of  which  it  had  been  formerly  composed. 

In  the  townland  of  Cloghcor — pronounced  by  the  coun- 
try people  Cloghcur — there  is  a  megalith,  situated  close 
to  the  ruins  of  the  Castle  of  Ardtarmon,  near  Raughley, 
and  about  200  yards  S.  of  the  road.  It  is  marked  on  the 
Ordnance  6"  Sheet  as  a  BruiU'S  &ltar,  and  appears  origi- 
nally to  have  consisted  of  three  lofty  uprights,  surmounted 
by  a  covering-slab;  the  two  remaining  pillars  are  upwards 
of  nine  feet  in  height  above  the  present  surface  of  the 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN  SLIGO.  141 

soil ;  the  third  had,  at  some  remote  period,  succumbed 
either  to  violence  or  atmospheric  action,  and  lies  fractured 
beneath  the  covering-slab,  which  has  fallen  outwards  and 
to  the  westward.  The  greatest  length  of  this  slab  is  12 
feet  6  inches  from  E.  to  W.,  and  it  is  upwards  of  2  feet 
in  thickness.  In  the  construction  of  this  monument  a  really 
difficult  engineering  feat  was  the  lifting  and  proper  placing 
on  its  three  uprights  of  the  heavy  mass  of  stone  forming 
its  roof ;  and  it  is  thought  that  the  plan  suggested  by  the 
King  of  Denmark,  in  a  paper  read  at  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  Society  of  Northern  Antiquaries,  as  that  practised 
by  the  primitive  constructors  of  similar  monuments,  may 
have  been,  in  this  instance,  the  one  adopted,  that  is  to 
say — Beams  would  be  placed,  side  by  side,  on  an  inclined 
plane,  raised  as  high  as  the  upper  edge  of  the  uprights, 
in  such  a  way  that  the  one  end  would  project  beyond  the 
edge  as  much  as  the  length  of  the  great  stone  required ; 
while  the  other  would  pass  under  the  stone  as  it  was 
brought  up.  By  the  help  of  levers  and  wedges  the  block 
was  raised  a  little  from  the  beam  which  carried  it,  and 
rollers  were  introduced.  These  preparations  being  com- 
plete, the  raising  of  the  stone  might  commence,  and  with 
the  aid  of  wedges,  levers,  rams,  and  the  strength  of  men 
and  of  beasts  of  draught,  the  block  could  be  rolled  up  the 
inclined  plane  as  far  as  the  stones  which  were  to  form  its 
supports;  these  last,  being  stayed  by  earth,  could  not 
shift  either  way,  and  the  tram-road  itself,  along  which 
the  load  was  drawn,  resting  also  on  a  solid  base,  would 
not  break  down.  An  accident  of  this  kind  could  happen 
only  when  the  great  upper  stone  had  entirely  passed  the 
inclined  plane  and  gone  beyond  the  point  of  support,  or 
the  edge  of  the  stones ;  but  even  then  the  stone  would 
fall  into  its  place,  and  the  broken  ends  of  the  beam  could 
be  removed  (see  footnote  at  conclusion  of  Chapter). 

Scarcely  two  hundred  yards  to  the  westward  of  the 
village  of  Drumcliif,  and  close  to  the  northern  bank  of 
the  river,  there  is  another  u  Giant's  Grave,"  very  similar 
to  the  smaller  monument  in  the  Deerpark  (ante,  fig. 
105),  as  regards  length,  breadth,  and  general  arrange- 
ment, though  it  is  in  a  much  more  perfect  condition. 
It  still  retains  two  of  the  original  covering  flagstones 


.  W9. General  View  oi  Ruined  Cromleac  at  Cloghcor,  looking  East. 


Fig.  110. — Ground  Plan  of  Ruined  Cromleac  in  the  Townland  of  Clochcor,  near  the 
Village  of  Eaughley.  (Scale,  4  feet  to  I  inch.)  Cross  marked  on  Stones  in  Plan 
show  that  they  do  not  belong  to  the  Original  Structure. 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO. 


at  either  extremity  (fig.  Ill  gives  a  good  idea  of  its 
general  appearance;  fig.  112  of  its  ground  plan).  The 
late  Rev.  James  Graves,  during  a  visit  to  Sligo,  in  1880, 
was  informed  of  the  then  recent  exposure  of  a  human 


Fig.  111. — General  View  of  "  Giant's  Grave"  near  Drumcliffe,  looking  South. 

skeleton,  in  consequence  of  the  falling  of  the  earthen 
bank  of  the  river  in  close  proximity  to  this  monument. 
When  first  discovered,  the  skeleton  was  decorated  with  a 
bead  necklace,  which  was  removed  by  the  country  people; 


Fig.  112. — Ground  Plan  of  Rude  Stone  Monument,  Drumcliffe.    (Scale,  TJ<j-) 

but,  as  far  as  could  be  ascertained,  the  beads  appear  to 
have  been  formed  of  baked  clay,  or  perhaps   steatite, 


4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII. 


L 


144  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 

being  described  as  "  marbles  such  as  children  play  with." 
The  length  of  the  skeleton  indicated  a  height  of  5  feet  2 
or  3  inches :  the  remains  (that  of  an  old  woman)  were 
considered  by  the  late  E.  T.  Hardman  to  be  of  the 
Prehistoric  Age. 

Not  far  distant — in  the  townland  of  Cashelgarron — is 
Cashel  Bawn.  It  is  almost  circular  in  form,  the  difference 
in  diameter  from  N.  to  S.,  and  from  E.  to  W-  being  but 
about  two  feet.  The  inner  face  of  the  wall  is  perfect  to 
the  height  of  six  or  eight  feet,  and  it  appears  to  have 
been  originally  12  feet  in  thickness;  the  principal  en- 
trance was  at  the  eastern  side  :  a  few  large  stones  which 
formed  the  ope  yet  remain  in  situ,  and  to  the  right  hand 
as  one  enters  there  are  slight  vestiges — still  apparent — 
of  the  spring  of  the  steps  which  formerly  led  to  the 
summit  of  the  wall.  Inside  the  cashel  there  is  a  depression 
occasioned  by  a  souterrain  which  has  fallen  in  ;  and  on 
the  western  and  exterior  face  of  the  rampart  there  is  a 
small  ope  in  correspondence  with  it.  This  would  appear 
to  be  a  diminutive  reproduction  of  the  singular  entrances 
(described  by  W.  F.  Wakeman)  in  the  cashel  on  the 
Island  of  Innismurray.1 

In  the  townland  of  Streedagh,  parish  of  Ahamlish,  there 
is  a  very  curious  monument  (figs.  113, 114),  which  is  styled 
by  the  country  people  Ckcka-breaca,  i.  e.,  the  speckled 
stones.  The  boulders  forming  it  are  on  a  mound  of 
oblong  form,  about  110  paces  in  outside  measurement. 
Its  condition  is  so  dilapidated  that  it  is  scarcely  possible 
to  be  certain  of  the  original  plan,  which,  however,  as  far 
as  can  now  be  judged,  appears  to  have  consisted  of  a  series 
of  cists,  running  nearly  due  E.  and  W.  To  the  N.E.  will 
be  observed  the  segment  of  a  circle,  and  this  circle — too 
large  to  show  on  the  plan — could  be  throughout  distinctly 
traced.  In  several  places  it  is  still  faced  with  stones,  the 
diameter  being  about  33  paces. 

In  the  same  townland  there  is  another  "  Giant's 
Grave"  situated  on  the  sandhills,  close  to  the  sea-shore 

1  See  Journal,  R.H.A.A.I.,  vol.  vn.,  pp.  193-7. 


Fig.  113. — General  View  of  Clocha-breaca,  Townland  of  Streedagh. 


Fig.  114. — Ground  Plan  of  Monument,  styled  Clocha-breaca,  in  the  Townland  of 
Streedagh.  -  (Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 


1  16  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

(see  fig.  115  for  general  appearance).  The  circle  enclos- 
ing the  cist  is  36  feet  in  diameter,  formed  of  small  stones, 
and  just  inside  of  the  exterior  one  there  appears  to  have 
been  a  second  circle,  composed  of  still  more  diminutive 
stones.  The  inside  length  of  this  grave  is  9  feet ;  the 
breadth  2  feet  6  inches  at  head,  but  only  2  feet  at  foot, 
a  difference  probably  occasioned  by  one  of  the  slabs 
having  fallen  in,  as  the  breadth  would  appear  to  have 
been  originally  uniform.  The  earth  in  the  cist  was 
about  13  inches  in  depth  ;  the  bottom  was  flagged  regu- 
larly with  limestone  slabs.  The  arrangement  approxi- 
mates to  the  general  style  of  the  Carrowmore  series,  but 
the  grouping  of  the  stones  around  the  cist  appears  pecu- 
liar, and  there  was  no  trace  of  the  covering-slab  or  slabs. 
This  sepulchre  had  been  entirely  buried  in  the  sand  until 
the  commencement  of  the  present  century,  when  it  was 
laid  bare  by  a  violent  storm,  which  changed  the  configu- 
ration of  the  sandhills  and  swept  away  the  drift,  thus 
exposing  the  former  surface  soil.  There  exists  no  tra- 
dition of  its  having  been  rifled,  but  that  such  had  been 
the  case  was,  on  examination,  self-evident. 

The  calcined  bones  were  a  collection  of  fragments, 
chiefly  of  small  size,  and,  with  few  exceptions,  it  was  im- 
possible to  refer  to  any  special  bone ;  calcined  and  uncal- 
cined  fragments  were  mixed  together,  the  soil  having 
evidently  been  greatly  disturbed. 

The  uncalcined  human  bones  can  all  be  referred  to 
one  person,  an  adult,  well  developed,  with  marked  platy- 
cnemic  tibias,  and  projecting  interfemoral  ridges;  possibly 
the  two  human  teeth  belonged  to  this  body.  Upon  re- 
sifting  the  clay  the  following  additional  human  remains 
were  found :  lower  end  of  an  arm  bone,  fragment  pro- 
bably of  thigh  bone,  marked  front  ridge  of  leg  bone 
(tibia),  half  of  the  pelvis,  small  shoulder-blade  (source 
undetermined),  portion  of  finger  bone.  All  the  bones 
appear  to  have  been  broken  when  in  a  brittle  state  and 
long  after  interment ;  they  bore  no  appearance  of  being 
gnawed  by  animals. 

There  were  two  lower  jaws  of  a  large  dog  or  wolf, 
also  portions  of  three  lower  jaws,  being  left  sides  of  jaws 
of  young  dogs  or  wolves,  the  remains  of  cubs  from  one- 


Fig.  115. — General  View  of  Stone  Circle  in  the  Sandhills,  Streedagh,  looking  W. 


o 
o     y 


o 


°o 

0 


00 


o 

0 


0 


Fig.  116.— Ground  Plan  of  Stone  Circle  and  Cist  in  the  Sandhills,  Streedagh. 


148  RUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 

third  to  one-half  grown,  and  traces  of  one  of  much 
smaller  size.  Fragment  of  the  lower  jaw  of  a  small 

rodent  and  a  rabbit ;  gnawed  and 

r^y^^BBBLJia        broken  bones  of  a  goat  and  of  a 

Fig.  «7.-F««,ent  of  Bone    cow  of  small  size  ;  bone  of  a  hare  ; 

(Haifrr°e1ltsiezeS)reedash(:ist'     several   bones  of   fowl,  probably 

goose  or  swan;  shells  of  limpets 

(Patella  vulgaris)]  a  couple  of  flat  fish-scales,  similar  to 
the  plates  of  sturgeon  ;  fragment  of  bone  pin,  with  head 
pierced1  (fig.  117). 

In  the  townland  of  Breaghwy,  and  close  to  the  police 
barracks,  there  is  a  grass-covered  earn,  about  100  paces 
in  circumference  at  base;  on  its  S.S.E.  slope  are  traces 
of  what  appears  to  have  been  the  entrance  to  a  cist,  but 
which  is  now  partially  blocked  up.  About  300  yards 
distant,  and  due  S.S.E.  from  it,  there  is  another  earn. 

In  the  townland  of  Cartronplank,  not  far  from  the 
village  of  Cliff oney,  there  are  the  remains  of  a  "  Giant's 
Grave,"  called  by  the  Irish- speaking  natives,  Tombau-na- 
wor,  "  the  tomb  of  the  (great)  men."  It  had  been  seemingly 
of  oblong  form  (fig.  118),  originally  divided  into  three  cists, 
septa,  or  divisions ;  the  N.  one  is  nearly  complete ;  the 
stones  which,  in  all  probability,  had  formerly  divided  the 
S.  portion  into  two  lie  against  the  E.  side.  The  present 
position  of  some  of  the  boulders  is  shown  by  a  cross ;  the 
shaded  stones  indicate  the  places  they  occupied  until 
recently  disturbed  by  the  tenant,  who  dug  up  portion  of 
the  grave,  with  the  hope  of  finding  treasure.  To  the  S.E. 
the  arrangement  of  boulders  appears  like  the  remnant  of 
a  circle,  of  which  some  of  the  stones  may  be  seen  in  the 
fence  near  the  tenant's  house.  Fig.  119  gives  a  good  idea 
of  a  peculiar  arrangement  for  the  support  of  the  head- 
stone. 

Near  the  village  of  Cliffoney,  and  in  the  townland  of 
Creevykeel,  the  remains  of  another  " Giant's  Grave" 
presents  no  feature  of  interest ;  it  is,  in  all  probability, 

1  Report  by  W.  Frazer,  P.B.C.S.I.,  M.H.I.A. 


Fig.  118. — Ground  Plan  of  Tomban-na-wor  "  Giant's  Grave"  in  the  Townland 
of  Cartronplank,  near  Cliffoney. 


Fig.  119. — Unique  Arrangement  for  the  support  of  Headstone  in  "  Giant's 
Grave"  at  Cartronplank. 


150 


RUDE  [STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 


merely  a  small  portion  of  a  more  extensive  arrangement 
of  cists  (fig.  120).  No  inducement  could  prevail  on  the 
tenant  to  make  an  excavation ;  he  and  his  father  before 
him,  he  stated,  had  refused,  although  "  untold  gold"  had 


Fig.  120.— General  View  of  Cist  in  the  Townland  of  Creevykeel,  looking  N. 

been  offered!  However,  some  few  days  afterwards,  having 
occasion  to  verify  the  compass  bearings,  a  return  to  the 
spot  was  needful,  when  it  became  evident  that  in  the 


Fig.  121.— Ground  Plan  of  Cist  at  Creevykeel,  near  Cliffoney. 

interval  the  grave  had  been  dug  out  to  the  depth  of  four 
or  five  feet.     In  short,  the  suspicious  yokel,  imagining 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO. 


151 


that  the  contemplated  search  was  for  a  "  crock  of  goold," 
had  determined  to  retain  the  treasure  for  himself.  The 
debris  thrown  out  by  the  would-be  gold  digger  was  care- 
fully sifted,  but  nothing  was  found  save  numerous  frag- 
ments of  charcoal,  no  trace  of  bones  being  apparent.  A 
man  who  was  with  the  treasure-seeker  during  a  portion 
of  his  excavation,  stated  that  the  floor  of  the  cist  was 
flagged,  and  on  it  rested  a  thick  layer  of  charcoal,  but 
nothing  else.  The  flagstones  that  had  formed  the  floor- 
ing were  pointed  out ;  one  of  them  bore  a  cup  pattern  : 
this  specimen  was  20  inches  in  length  by  14  inches  in 


Fig.  122. — Cup -marked  Flag  found  at  Drumlion,  near  Enniskillen. 

breadth,  and  2|  inches  in  thickness ;  but  being  too  heavy 
to  carry  off  with  comfort  at  the  time,  it  was  unfortunately 
left  behind,  and  the  next  day,  when  sought  for,  it  had 
disappeared,  and  cannot  since  be  traced.  It  resembled 
the  cup-marked  stones  described  by  W.  F.  Wakeman  in 
a  former  Number  of  the  Journal,  R.H.A.A.I.,  and  it  is 
much  to  be  regretted  that  this  relic  has  vanished,  parti- 
cularly as  no  special  note  or  drawing  of  it  had  been 
made.  As  far  as  memory  serves,  it  was  an  almost  exact 


152  RUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

replica — although  a  diminutive  one — of  the  cup-marked 
leac,  discovered  on  the  slope  of  Drumlion,  at  a  distance 
of  little  more  than  a  mile  from  Enniskillen,  and  of  which 
fig.  122,  gives  an  excellent  idea.  It  measures  2  feet 
4  inches  in  length  by  1  foot  11  inches  in  breadth, 
averaging  about  8  inches  in  thickness,  so  that  it  will 
be  seen  to  be  considerably  larger  than  the  Sligo  example. 
u  The  entire  surface  of  the  face  of  the  flag,"  writes  W. 
F.  Wakeman,  "  which,  as  usual,  is  composed  of  hard, 
red  sandstone,  has  been  carefully  worked  over,  and,  as 
shown  in  the  illustration,  presents  twelve  cup  hollows, 
measuring  respectively  about  three  inches  in  diameter. 
Two  of  these  are  partially  enclosed  by  lines,  evidently 
intentional,  and  each  forming  a  rather  rudely  executed 
segment  of  a  circle.  The  hollows  vary  in  degree  of 
depth ;  but  all  are  well  defined,  and  are  certainly  arti- 
ficial." Figs.  123,  124,  and  125  represent  cup-marking* 
from  a  rude  stone  monument  at  Drumnakilty,  Co.  Ferma- 
nagh. These  slabs  measure  respectively  14  inches  by 
11  inches,  and  10  inches  by  6  inches,  and  formed  a 
portion  of  the  floor  of  a  cist,  which  contained  a  mag- 
nificent burial  urn,  placed  mouth  downwards,  and  filled 
with  calcined  human  bones.  Two  other  cupped  stones, 
supporting  urns,  were  found  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 

The  slight  remains  of  the  monument  (fig.  126,  longest 
axis  N.  and  S.),  situated  in  the  sandhills  near  Mullagh- 
more,  about  two  miles  from  Creevykeel,  are  depicted, 
not  that  they  present  any  feature  of  interest,  but  that 
they,  together  with  another  stone  about  40  yards  distant, 
form  at  present  the  only  apparent  traces  of  a  cluster  of 
monuments.  A  countryman  stated  that  before  bent  had 
been  planted  on  the  sand-hills,  a  storm,  by  changing  the 
general  configuration,  frequently  laid  bare  stone  circles 
and  other  strange  arrangements  of  boulders. 

The  "  Giant's  Grave,"  situated  in  the  townland  of 
BundufP,  close  to  the  sea-shore,  near  the  bounds  of  the 
county,  is  almost  perfect,  wanting  only  the  covering 
flagstone ;  it  faces  the  cardinal  points,  the  longest  axis 


I 


_ 

II 


8! 

I* 


II 


bb 

s 


154  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

being  E.  and  W.  (fig.  128).      Permission  to  excavate  was 
refused  by  the  landlord,  the  Hon.  Evelyn  Ashley. 


I    1    I    I    I 


Fig.  128.— Ground  Plan  of  "  Giant's  Grave  "  in  the  Townland  of  Bunduff. 

In  the  valley  of  Gleniff  there  is  a  locality,  marked  on 
the  Ordnance  Map  as  "Jiermoli  antr  ©rattme's  iSefc,"1 
and  an  expedition  was  made  to  the  spot,  under  the  im- 
pression that  probably  the  discovery  of  a  fine  cromleac 
might  reward  our  exertions;  it  was  found,  however, 
that  the  celebrated  cavern  of  GlenifP,  situated  high  up 
on  the  mountain  side,  was  the  locus  indicated  on  the 
Ordnance  Sheet.  This  seems  to  be  the  only  instance — 
at  least  within  the  county  Sligo2 — in  which  the  story  of 
the  celebrated  runaway  couple  is  connected  with  any 
object,  save  a  rude  stone  monument,  and  it  is  here 
mentioned  because  it  differs  in  representing  the  cavern 
as  the  permanent  residence  of  Finn  Mac  Cumhaill  and 
his  faithless  wife,  and  not  the  mere  shelter  for  the  night, 
erected  by  Dermod  O'Dyna  for  Grainne,  whilst  the  fugi- 


1  "These  caves  were,   some  of  them  E.  T.  Hardman. 

certainly,  formerly  inhabited."    Memoirs  2  According  to  the  version  of  the  "  Pur- 

of  the  Geological  Survey,   42  to  43.     A  suit  of  Dennat  and  Grania,"  translated 

bronze  celt  formerly  in  the  writer's  posses-  from  the  Gaelic  by  P.  W.  Joyce,  the  run- 

sion,  now  in  the  Museum,  E.I.  A.,  was  here  away  couple  resided  for  some  time  in  a 

found  in  a  mass  of  stalagmite,  and  under  cavern  in  a  mountain  overlooking  Dingle 

the  present  floor  of  the  cavern  bones  of  Bay. — See  Old  Celtic  Romances,  pp.  296- 

recent  animals  were  dug  up  by  the  late  305. 


KUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  155 

tive  couple  were  flying  from  the  pursuit  of  the  enraged 
Finn.  The  legend  is  as  follows : — The  cavern  was  the 
residence  of  the  famous  giant,  Finn  Mac  Cumhaill  and 
his  beautiful  wife,  Grainne.  The  latter  possessed  not 
only  the  witchery  of  beauty,  but  the  practical  gift  of 
witchcraft;  and  at  such  times  as  she  desired  to  enjoy 
the  society  of  Dermod,  she  could,  by  the  simple  but 
effective  process  of  crossing  her  thumbs,  lay  a  spell  upon 
her  husband,  compelling  him,  at  one  time,  to  gather 
seaweed  and  burn  kelp  on  the  sea-shore;  at  another  to 
cut  rushes  in  the  valleys,  to  make  mats  ;  and  again,  send 
him  to  distant  mountains,  after  supposititious  strayed 
cattle.  Our  peasant  guide  expressed  himself  uncertain 
as  to  the  final  result  of  the  intrigue ;  he  only  knew  that 
it  ended  in  there  being  "  a  terrible  row  entirely"  in  this 
mountain  cavern. 

It  is  hazardous  to  build  theories  on  apparent  etymo- 
logical similarity  in  names,  still  the  coincidence  is  very 
striking  between  the  names  Adonis  and  O'Dyna,  and 
between  Grainnk  and  Grian ;  indeed  one  writer1  is  of 
opinion  that  it  is  impossible  to  doubt  the  story  of  O'Dyna 
being  an  Irish  version  of  the  legend  of  Adonis.  "  They 
are  both  cautioned  against  hunting  the  wild  boar ;  both 
are  slain  by  that  animal;  and  in  both  cases  the  wild 
boar  is  a  rational  being,  metamorphosed2  into  that  shape 
for  the  express  purpose  of  effecting  the  destruction  of 
the  hunter;  add  to  this  that  the  corpses  of  both  are 
sought  with  loud  mourning,  and  both  are  again  raised  to 
life."3 

A   similarity  between   Irish,    Greek,    and    Oriental 

1  James  O'Laverty. —  Ulster  Journal  of  should — in   consequence  of  his   father's 
Archceology,  vol.  vn.,  p.  341.  cruel  deed — meet  his  death  hy  the  tusks 

2  This    metamorphosis,    according    to  of  that  animal.      To  frustrate  this  pro- 
"The  Pursuit  of  Dei-mat  and  Grania,"  phecy,  Dermod  was  forhidden  ever  to  hunt 
as  translated  hy  P.  W.  Joyce  in  Old  Celtic  a  wild  hoar. 

Romances,    was    occasioned  hy   Dermod  3  Then  Angus   said  : — "  I   will  hring 

O'Dyna's  father  having  killed  Dermod's  the  hody  of  Dermat  with  me  to  Bruga  of 

foster  hrother,   who   was   a   son  of  his  the  Boyne;  and  I  will  keep  him  on  his 

steward.  He  was  jealous  that  the  steward's  hier,  as  if  he  lived,  and  though  I  cannot 

son  was  more  popular  amongst  the  house-  indeed,   restore  him  to  life,  yet  I  will 

hold  than  his  own.     The  steward  striking  hreathe  a  spirit  into  him,  so  that  for  a 

the  dead  hody  of  his  son  with  a  magic  little  while  each  day  he  shall  talk  with 

wand,  turned  him  into  a  great  hristly  me." — Old  Celtic  Romances,  P.  W.  Joyce^ 

wild  hoar,  having  neither  ears  nor  tail,  pp.  249—250. 
and  he  foretold  that   Dermod   O'Dyna 


156  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

legends  is  attempted  to  be  traced  by  the  same  writer, 
and  in  "  Le  cycle  mythologique  Irlandais  et  la  mythologie 
critique,"  a  work  lately  published  by  Jubainville,  he  also 
seems  to  advocate  the  same  theory. 

It  having  been  stated  that  on  the  summit  of  Benbulben 
there  was  a  "  Giant's  Grave,"  called  Ooey,  an  expedition 
thither  resulted  in  the  discovery  of  a  limestone  cavern — 
much  smaller  than,  yet  resembling,  that  of  Gleniff.  On 
the  descent,  an  arrangement  of  stones  in  the  townland  of 
Cloyragh  was  inspected,  which  appeared  somewhat  like 
the  vestiges  of  a  rude  stone  monument. 

In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Bundoran,  county 
Donegal,  there  are  a  few  megalithic  remains,  which  are 
here  mentioned,  not  only  because  they  in  a  striking  man- 
ner resemble  some  already  figured  and  described  in 
the  county  Sligo,  but  also  because  the  district  in  which 
they  are  situated  was  of  old  considered  to  be  attached 
now  to  Sligo,  now  to  Tirconnell — as  Donegal  was  for- 
merly designated — according  as  the  Tirconnellians  or 
Connacians  happened  to  achieve  temporary  ascendency ; 
in  ancient  times  it  was  debateable  ground  between  the 
populations  of  the  northern  and  western  provinces  of 
Erin. 

The  first  monument  noticed  was  a  stone  circle,  about 
three  miles  from  the  boundary  of  the  county  Sligo,  and 
one  mile  from  Bundoran,  the  boulders  only  just  showing 
above  the  surface  of  the  soil  (fig.  129).  It  would  seem  to 
have  been  originally  about  TO  feet  in  diameter,  but  the 
greater  portion  of  its  site  has  been  swallowed  up  by  the 
Atlantic — a  result  expedited  in  some  degree  by  quarry- 
ing at  the  base  of  the  cliff.  The  longest  axis  of  the  cist  is 
about  N.N.W.,  and,  as  will  be  seen  on  reference  to  the  plan 
(fig.  130),  it  does  not  appear  to  have  occupied  the  centre 
of  the  circle.  It  had  been  apparently  divided  into  septa  or 
divisions,  for  just  above  the  surface  soil  two  stones  which 
formed  the  separating  barrier  are  still  visible.  Many 
years  ago,  bones,  ashes,  and  a  cinerary  urn  were  found 
in  this  tomb.  Due  east,  and  close  to  the  neighbouring 
cottage,  there  are  vestiges  of  another  megalith,  but  not 


Fig.  129.— General  View  of  Kistvaen  and  Stone  Circle  on  the  Cliffs  near 
Bundoran,  looking  N.-W. 


8 


0 
0 


o 
Q^ 

O  °°    o    O 

Fig.  130. — Ground  Plan  of  Kistvaen  and  Stone  Circle  on  the  Cliffs  near  Bundoran. 


158 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 


sufficient  to  enable  a  correct  idea  to  be  formed  of  the 
original  ground  plan;  it  is  about  21  feet  in  ^length  by 
9  feet  in  breadth  —  ten  stones  are  still  in  position.  For 
a  general  view  of  this  monument,  see  fig.  131. 


Fig.  131. — General  View  of  remains  of  a  Rude  Stone  Monument  near  Bundoran. 

About  two  miles  from  Bundoran,  on  the  Ballyshannon 
side,  and  in  the  townland  of  Finner,  there  are  remains  of 
a  earn,  with  exposed  cist  and  circle  of  upright  stones. 
A.  W.  Foot,  M.D.  (who  on  this  occasion  accompanied  the 
writer),  ventured  into  the  chamber,  and  emerged  bearing 
with  him  several  human  bones. 

A  few  years  ago,  Colonel  J.  Ffolliott,  of  Hollybrook, 
had  given  directions  for  the  erection  of  a  wall  on  this 
portion  of  his  estate,  and  the  workmen  employed  utilized 
the  materials  of  this  earn.  After  some  time  they  came 
upon  a  large  stone  which  they  sledged  to  pieces,  when  the 
cist  became  exposed  to  view;  it  contained  a  large  quantity 
of  human  bones,  amongst  which  were  several  skulls  in 
fine  preservation.  Before,  however,  any  intelligent 
person  had  been  made  aware  of  the  discovery,  the  place 
was  invaded  by  a  number  of  treasure-seeking  roughs 
from  Ballyshannon,  who  broke  the  crania  in  pieces  and 
scattered  the  other  remains.  That  the  bodies  which 
tenanted  this  cist  had  been  subjected  to  the  action  of 
fire  was  evidenced  by  the  scorched  appearance  of  many 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  15D 

of  the  bones,  and  by  the  presence  in  the  soil  (amongst 
the  small  and  large  stones  by  which  they  were  surrounded) 
of  pieces  of  charcoal  in  perfect  preservation.  At  a  little 
distance  from  the  chambered  earn  the  workmen  had, 
some  time  previously,  broken  into  a  grave  which  was 
found  to  contain  human  ashes,  calcined  bones,  charcoal, 
and  a  fine  cinerary  urn,  of  which  some  fragments  only 
have  been  preserved. 

It  is  stated,  that  not  long  ago  there  were  still  traces 
of  a  stone  circle  and  portion  of  another  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity :  these  could  not  now  be  found ;  they 
have  probably  been  destroyed;  but  about  fifty  paces 
distant  there  is  a  rude  cist,  14  feet  6  inches  long  by  6 
feet  in  breadth.  None  of  these  remains  call  for  remark ; 
they  are  of  the  most  primitive  description, 


NOTE  to  p.  141. — V.  Ball,  at  pp.  163, 164  the   deceased's   family    are    prepared  to 

of  Jungle  Life  in  India,  gives  a  most  in-  stand,  a  greater  or  less  number  of  men 

teresting   description   of  the   manner  in  assemble,  and  proceed  to  the  spot  where 

which  the  flagstones   to   form  the   rude  the  stone  is   to   be  raised.     If  the   flag 

stone  monuments   of   some   of  the  abo-  selected  be  not  very  heavy  it  is  placed 

riginal  tribes  of   India   are   brought   by  on  a  wooden  framework,  and  so  carried 

them  to  their  destination.     His  account  on    men's  shoulders   to   its   destination  ; 

is  as  follows: — "The  rivers  where  the  when,  however,    the   stone  is   of  large 

stones   are  raised  are  not,  unfrequently,  size,  it  is  placed  on  a  kind  of  truck,  with 

several  miles   distant   from   the  villages  enormously    massive    wheels,    which   is 

near  which  the  menhirs  and  dolmens  are  specially    constructed    for  the    purpose, 

erected.     The  transport  of  the  stones  is  Sometimes  it  is  necessary  to  make  a  road 

effected  in  the  following  manner: — Partly  for  the  passage  of  such  a  truck ;  at  others 

according  to  the  estimation  in  which  the  the  pushing   and  pulling   with  ropes   is 

deceased  was   held,   partly   according  to  sufficient   to   carry   it   over   all    the   ob- 

the  amount  of  refreshments — chiefly  rice  stacles    which    are   encountered   on    the 

Leer — which  the  surviving  members   of  way." 


(To  be  continued.') 


4in  SEII.,  VOL.  viri.  M 


(     160     ) 


NOTES  UPON  STREET  AS  A  RESTORER— THE  DISCOVERIES 
AT  CHRIST  CHURCH.1 

BY  J.  G.  ROBERSTON,  HON.  GENERAL  SECRETARY  AND  TREASURER. 

I  HAVE  for  some  time  back  been  desirous  of  making  a 
few  observations  on  the  above  Paper,  confining  myself 
to  the  latter  part  of  the  subject.  I  was  a  very  early 
visitor  to  Christ  Church  Cathedral,  Dublin,  whilst  the 
excavations  were  in  progress,  and  I  had  the  advantage 
of  being  accompanied  by  an  accomplished  artist,  who 
brought  with  him  a  copy  of  a  map,  which  showed  that 
the  ruins  recently  exposed  had  been  measured  and  drawn 
to  scale  about  the  end  of  the  last,  or  beginning  of  the 
present  century.  The  map  was  published  about  that  time 
in  one  of  the  magazines  printed  in  Dublin. 

In  examining  the  remains  of  the  Chapter-room  I 
was  much  struck  with  the  fragments  of  what  had  been 
a  splendid  window,  bearing  a  close  resemblance  in  design 
to  the  style  of  ornamentation  carried  out  in  the  remark- 
able doorway  in  the  north  transept  of  St.  Canice's 
Cathedral,  Kilkenny,  i.  e.  columns  in  short  lengths,  with 
richly -moulded  bands.  The  resemblance  does  not  stop 
here,  as  I  find  that  the  stone  used  in  this  richly-carved 
work  is  the  same  in  both  buildings.  Whence  it  was 
brought  seems  a  much  -  disputed  point.  Mr.  Street 
maintained  that  it  was  Caen  stone.  Mr.  Drew  rather 
ridicules  the  idea  that  it  was  brought  from  Caen,  but  he 
does  not  even  hint  at  any  other  locality. 

This  useful  kind  of  stone,  so  much  employed  in  the 
finer  carvings  of  St.  Canice's  Cathedral,  is  also  to  be 
found  in  the  Abbey  of  Graigue-na-managh ;  in  St.  Mary's 
Church,  New  Ross ;  and  in  the  ancient  Church  of  Bannow, 
county  Wexford,  where  it  is  used  in  the  ring-stones  of 
the  chancel  arch,  which  has  a  broad  chamfer,  most  pro- 
bably decorated  in  former  times  with  a  pattern  in  red 
colour,  such  as  was  found  on  the  chamfered  ring-stones 

1  A  Paper  in  The  Dublin  University  Iteview,  June,  1886,  by  Thomas  Drew,  Esq., 
Architect,  R.II.A. 


NOTES  UPON  STREET  AS  A  RESTORER.       161 

of  the  arch  (now  reconstructed)  which  led  into  the  Lady- 
Chapel  of  St.  Canice's  Cathedral ;  the  tint  of  this  stone 
being  well  suited  for  showing  out  a  coloured  design. 

The  ancient  masons  appear  to  have  been  economical 
in  the  use  of  this  expensive  stone.  We  are  therefore 
surprised  to  find  that  the  quoin-stones  of  Grennan  Castle, 
near  Thomastown,  county  Kilkenny,  are  composed  of  it. 
For  such  a  massive  building  the  headers  and  stretchers 
are  unusually  small ;  but  they  are  very  neatly  wrought, 
fitted,  and  chamfered. 

The  late  Mr.  John  Gr.  A.  Prim,  in  one  of  the  series 
of  Papers,  entitled  "  Nooks  and  Corners,"  thus  alludes 
to  Grrennan  Castle: — "  But  look  above  where  the  quoins 
yet  remain,  and  see  how  beautifully  they  are  cut ;  and 
observe,  that  they  are  of  Caen  stone,  which  must  have 
been  imported  for  the  purpose.  It  was  no  mean  feudal 
chieftain,  believe  us,  who  raised  this  tower  in  the  days 
of  chivalrous  adventure,  nor  was  its  erection  long  after 
the  Anglo-Norman  Conquest.  Grrennan  is  evidently  the 
oldest  remains  of  English  military  architecture  existing 
in  our  county." 

I  may  observe  that,  in  the  year  1864,  Mr.  Harrison, 
the  well-known  architectural  carver — who  was  then  en- 
gaged at  the  restoration  of  St.  Canice's  Cathedral — made 
several  experiments  (at  which  I  was  present),  with  a  view 
to  find  out  the  locality  whence  the  kind  of  stone  in 
question  was  brought.  He  fractured  and  pulverized  it, 
and  arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  it  was  not  from  Caen ; 
he  pronounced  it  to  be  from  Ancaster  in  Lincolnshire ; 
and,  notwithstanding  some  objections  which  I  have 
raised,  he  gives  me  to  understand  that  he  is  of  that 
opinion  still.  I  regret  that,  after  a  comparison  of  the 
stones,  I  cannot  agree  with  a  man  of  so  much  experience 
and  practical  knowledge.  I  exhibit  a  piece  of  an  ancient 
capital  from  St.  Canice's,  and  a  piece  of  Ancaster  stone, 
sent  to  me  by  Mr.  Harrison ;  and  also  another  piece 
direct  from  Ancaster,  which  the  vicar  of  the  parish  sent 
to  me :  it  seems  of  finer  grain  than  Mr.  Harrison's  speci 
men.  I  leave  the  subject  much  where  I  began,  that  is, 
in  doubt ;  but  I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  state  that  I  have 
recently  heard  that  an  attempt  to  trace  the  locality  of  this 

M2 


162       NOTES  UPON  STREET  AS  A  RESTORER. 

stone  has  been  made  by  Mr.  Sharpe,  who  found  some- 
documentary  evidence  referring  to  it,  and  then  visited 
the  quarry  indicated,  viz.  Doulting,  Yorkshire.  However, 
as  he  has  communicated  his  information  to  a  very  high 
authority  (Mr.  Gr.  H.  Kinahan,  F.G.S.),  I  need  not  say  more. 
A  trifling  matter,  but  of  some  interest,  connected  with 
the  recent  discoveries  at  Christ  Church  Cathedral  appears 
to  have  escaped  Mr.  Drew's  notice.  I  allude  to  the 
lowest  or  base  length  of  one  of  the  columns,  which  had 
been  at  one  time  of  wood :  this  formed  a  case  for  a  coat- 
ing of  fine  plaster,  and  repeated  coats  of  distemper 
colour,  so  that  it  passed  as  being  of  stone,  like  the  re- 
mainder of  the  column.  The  timber  had  decayed 
previous  to  the  excavations  being  commenced,  but  the 
shell  or  covering  of  plaster  remained,  and  retained  its 
shape.  My  friend  and  I  were  just  in  time  to  see  it,  as 
I  presume  that  it  soon  crumbled  away.  I  may  here  re- 
mark, that  all  the  lengths  of  the  columns  of  the  beautiful 
windows  of  what  had  been  the  Lady  Chapel  of  the  Priory 
of  St.  John's,  Kilkenny — now  the  parish  church — are  of 
timber,  but  covered  with  repeated  coats  of  distemper 
colour;  and,  as  the  stone  work  has  been  frequently 
washed  with  the  same,  they  all  appear  to  be  of  the  same 
material. 

There  is  one  passage  in  Mr.  Drew's  Paper  from  which 
I  am  disposed  to  differ.  He  says  that  the  limestone 
effigy  of  a  female,  "when  exposed  to  the  foul  air  of 
Dublin,  immediately  scaled  off  and  disintegrated."  I 
cannot  think  that  any  malarious  air  could  have  such  an 
effect,  particularly  upon  a  material  of  a  nature  so  sound 
as  limestone.  I  should  be  more  inclined  to  think  that 
the  disintegration  was  caused  by  the  style  of  workman- 
ship that  had  been  bestowed  upon  the  effigy;  as  I  have 
remarked,  in  the  Priory  of  St.  John's,  in  the  case  of  the 
effigy  of  "  Margaret  Purcell,"  that  in  the  covering  of  the 
neck,  which  is  of  the  same  piece  as  the  horned  head-dress, 
where  the  sculptor  has  minutely  worked  the  stone  into  a 
diaper  pattern,  and  where,  no  doubt,  he  struck  innume- 
rable light  blows,  thereby  disturbing,  as  it  were,  the 
cohesion  of  the  stone — there,  I  say,  I  have  observed  the 
stone  scaling  off. 


(     163    ) 


ON  THE  OPENING  OF  A  SEPULCHRAL  MOUND  NEAR  NEW- 
CASTLE, CO.  WICKLOW. 

BY  MAJOR  J.  MACENIEY,  CURATOR,  MUSEUM,  E.I.A. 

ON  the  6th  September,  1872,  a  quantity  of  calcined 
human  bones  and  a  bronze  fragment  were  deposited  in 
the  Academy  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Irwin  of  Prospect,  Co. 
Wicklow,  who  stated  that  they  were  discovered  two  days 
previously  in  a  mound  situated  in  a  field  about  a  mile 
distant  from  the  town  of  Newcastle  in  the  above  county. 
Having  been  assured  that  the  locality  was  well  deserving 
of  a  personal  inspection,  I  visited  the  spot  three  days 
later,  and  there  obtained  the  following  details.  In  the 
mound,  which  rises  somewhat  abruptly  from  the  sur- 
rounding field,  an  excavation  had  been  recently  made  to 
a  depth  of  nearly  9  feet  from  the  summit,  exposing  to 
view  some  large  rough  flagstones,  the  covering  of  a  rudely 
constructed  oval  chamber  or  cist,  on  the  clay  floor  of 
which  had  been  found,  gathered  into  a  heap,  the  calcined 
bones,  and  lying  on  these  a  fragment  of  bronze.  On 
removing  the  flags  (three  in  number)  the  wall  of  the  cist 
was  seen,  formed  of  seven  stones,  each  stone  averaging 
in  height  and  girth  respectively  18  and  54  inches. 
These  stones  were  placed  contiguously,  enclosing  a  space 
42  inches  long  and  2  feet  wide ;  the  average  measure- 
ment of  each  flagstone  was — length,  32  in.;  width,  21  in.; 
and  thickness,  4  in.  In  the  earth  heaped  on  and  about 
the  cist  to  a  height  of  3  feet  was  imbedded  a  bone,  appa- 
rently of  some  large  animal.  Above  the  earth  was  placed, 
30  inches  in  depth,  a  layer  of  small  stones,  extending 
around  to  a  distance  of  some  5  feet  from  the  centre  of 
the  mound;  a  thick  coating  of  vegetable  mould  sur- 
mounted all,  the  whole  forming  a  hillock,  at  present 
nearly  9  feet  above  the  level  of  the  surrounding  field, 
but  which,  I  was  informed,  had  been  twenty  years  ago 
at  least  10  feet  higher.  A  second  excavation,  within 
3  feet  of  the  first  and  of  a  similar  depth,  was  made  in  my 
presence;  during  its  progress  several  stones  were  found,  of 


164      SEPULCHRAL  MOUND  NEAR  NEWCASTLE,  CO.  WICKLOW. 

much  the  same  size  as  those  of  the  cist;  also  animals'  teeth, 
clay  mixed  with  mucous  matter,  and  near  the  level  of 
the  floor  of  the  cist  charcoal  in  considerable  quantities. 
As  to  the  probability  of  further  excavations  disclosing 
other  objects  of  interest  I  offer  no  opinion  ;  I  may  state, 
however,  that  such  is  the  conjecture — indeed  almost  the 
conviction — of  the  gentleman  with  whom  originated  the 
idea  of  exploring  this  mound,  and  to  whose  courtesy  I 
am  much  indebted  for  the  facilities  afforded  me  in 
collecting  the  foregoing  details. 


(     165     ) 

MEMOIK  OF  THE  LATE  CANON  HAYHAN,  B.A.,  M.R.H.A.A.L 
BY  LIEUT.-COLONEL  T.  A.  LUNHAM,  M.A. 

AMONGST  the  numerous  removals  by  death  during  the 
past  twelve  months,  few  will  be  felt  more  keenly  by  the 
readers  of  this  Journal  than  that  of  the  late  Canon  Hay- 
man,  Rector  of  Douglas,  county  Cork,  for  many  years 
one  of  our  most  valued  contributors.  It  is  purposed  in 
the  present  Paper  to  attempt  a  brief  sketch  of  his  life, 
his  publications,  and  his  connexion  with  this  periodical. 

The  family  of  Hayman  is  of  ancient  origin,  and, 
according  to  the  article  in  Burke' s  Landed  Gentry  (sub 
voc.  "  Hayman"),  "  of  Norman  descent;  and  their 
genealogical  roll  embraces  a  period  of  nine  centuries." 
Leaving  such  inquiries  to  the  curious  or  the  interested, 
we  find  the  branch  of  the  family  with  which  we  are  at 
present  concerned,  settled  at  Youghal,  county  Cork,  early 
in  the  seventeenth  century.  From  it  descended,  in  a 
direct  line,  the  subject  of  the  present  Memoir,  who  was 
born  at  the  family  seat,  South  Abbey,  Youghal,  27th 
July,  1818.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Matthew  Hay- 
man,  Esq.,  by  Helen,  third  daughter  of  Arundel  Hill, 
Esq.,  of  Doneraile.  Educated  at  Youghal,  sub  ferula 
Rev.  Thomas  Nolan,  and  subsequently  at  Clonmel,  by 
Rev.  R.  Bell,  D.D,  he  entered  Trinity  College,  Dublin, 
as  a  fellow-commoner,  October  18,  1835,  and  graduated 
B.A.  July  2,  1839. 

He  was  ordained  Deacon,  at  Cork,  September  19, 
1841  ;  and  Priest,  at  Killaloe,  August  14,  1842. 

From  1841  to  1847  he  officiated  as  curate  of  Grlan- 
worth ;  from  1847  to  1849  as  curate  of  Grlanmire ;  and 
from  the  latter  date  to  1863  as  curate  of  his  native 
town. 

He  married,  on  26th  September,  1854,  at  St.  Anne's, 
Belfast,  Emily,  daughter  (by  his  first  wife,  Henrietta, 
daughter  and  co-heiress  of  Samuel  Jackson,  Esq.)  of 
the  Rev.  Marcus  Cassidy,  Chancellor  of  Kilfenora,  and 
Incumbent  of  Newtownards,  county  Down,  by  whom  he 
had  issue  an  only  child — Emily  Henrietta  Aline. 

For  an  account  of  the  very  ancient  family  of  Hay- 


166       MEMOIR  OF  THE  IATE  CANON  HAYMAN. 

man,  Heyman,  or  Haimon,  vid.  Rev.  Atkin  Hayman, 
Vicar  of  Ballyclogh,  Cloyne,  who  was  the  great  grand- 
father of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Hayman. 

In  1863,  Bishop  John  Gregg  appointed  Mr.  Hayman 
to  the  living  of  Ardnagihy,  and  in  1867  offered  him  the 
rectory  of  Doneraile,  where  he  remained  until  1872, 
when  the  extensive  parish  of  Carrigaline,  county  Cork, 
including  the  chapelry  of  Douglas,  becoming  vacant, 
through  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  John  Watkins  Benn, 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Hayman  was  unanimously  elected  to  that 
important  cure.  Great  inconvenience  having  arisen 
from  the  size  of  the  parish,  distance  of  the  places  of 
worship  (five  miles),  as  well  as  other  collateral  causes,  it 
was  decided,  with  the  full  consent  of  the  bishop  and 
parishioners,  to  separate  Carrigaline  from  Douglas, 
which  was  accordingly  effected  in  1875,  when  the  latter 
was  raised  to  a  distinct  benefice. 

The  unsatisfactory  condition  of  his  new  charge,  in 
some  respects,  engaged  the  earnest  attention  of  the 
recently-appointed  ector  immediately  upon  his  induc- 
tion. The  want  of  a  suitable  residence  for  the  clergy- 
man had  long  been  felt,  while  the  unsightly  appearance 
of  the  sacred  edifice  itself  was  a  matter  of  deep  concern 
to  his  feelings.  At  the  pressing  instance  of  the  late 
bishop  of  the  diocese — the  lamented  Right  Rev.  John 
Gregg,  D.D.,  who  had  ever  evinced  the  kindest  interest 
in  all  matters  concerning  the  parish  and  its  welfare — 
and  assured  of  the  co-operation  and  sympathy  of  the 
parishioners  and  friends,  Mr.  Hayman  undertook  the 
.serious  task  of  restoring  the  church,  or  rather  rebuilding 
it,  and  erecting  a  glebe-house.  So  strenuously  did  he 
exert  himself,  and  so  thoroughly  were  his  efforts  seconded, 
that  the  new  church  was  in  great  measure  completed, 
and  ready  for  divine  service,  in  August,  1875.  It  was 
consecrated  on  the  27th  of  that  month  by  the  Lord 
Bishop,  who  had  contributed  most  munificently  to  its 
funds,  and  in  memory  of  whose  generosity  the  south 
transept  is  styled  "  Bishop  Gregg's,"  where,  high  up  in 
the  gable,  his  armorial  bearings  appear,  impaled  with 
those  of  his  See,  emblazoned  in  a  handsome  quarterfoil 
light.  The  outlay  on  the  building,  thus  far  completed, 
exceeded  £3000,  great  portion  of  which  was  collected 


MEMOIR  OF   THE  LATE  CANON  HAYMAN.  167 

by  the  rector  himself.  Since  then  the  work  has  further 
advanced :  the  nave  has  been  restored  to  its  true  pro- 
portions ;  a  fine  western  window,  and  the  first  storey  of 
the  tower  added — both  in  the  rector's  lifetime,  and 
through  his  instrumentality.1 

The  providing  a  rectory  house  next  occupied 
Canon  Hayman's  attention,  and  in  this  likewise  he  was 
eminently  successful.  Devoting  himself  with  untiring 
energy  to  the  work,  he  was  soon  permitted  to  see  the 
fruit  of  his  labour  in  the  completion  of  a  handsome  and 
commodious  dwelling.  Towards  the  cost  of  this  the 
Board  of  Public  Works  advanced  the  sum  of  £1100  ;  the 
remainder  was  furnished  from  voluntary  contributions — 
the  major  portion  being  gathered  by  the  indefatigable 
efforts  of  the  incumbent. 

Canon  Hayman's  pen,  during  the  intervals  of  paro- 
chial duty  in  the  several  parishes  where  his  lot  was  cast, 
was  seldom  idle.  He  contributed,  from  time  to  time, 
various  articles,  in  prose  and  verse,  to  periodicals  and 
otherwise,  more  especially,  however,  to  the  Dublin  Univer- 
sity Magazine,  with  whose  then  editor — the  gifted  Charles 
Lever — he  was  on  most  intimate  terms  of  friendship. 
The  Christian  Examiner,  the  Gentleman7 s  Magazine,  and 
the  Patrician — of  which  latter  work,  indeed,  the  fifth 
volume  was  inscribed  by  the  editor,  Sir  Bernard  Burke, 
Ulster,  "  to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Hayman,  as  one  of  the 
ablest  contributors  to  the  Patrician,  and  a  constant  co- 
adjutor in  the  author's  genealogical  works.'7  He  also 
published  the  following : — "  The  Annals  of  Youghal." 
First  Series.  Youghal :  1848;  12mo;  pp.  44.  "An 
Account  of  the  present  state  of  Youghal  Church  (includ- 
ing memorials  of  the  Boyles),  the  College,  and  Sir 
Walter  Raleigh  s  House."  Youghal:  1850;  12mo  ;  pp. 
52.  We  may  observe,  obiter,  that  Canon  Hayman  in 
formed  the  writer  that  this  so-called  Raleigh's  House  was 
originally  the  lodging  of  the  warden  of  the  adjacent 
college,  and  had  been  occupied  for  many  years  by  the 
Hayman  family.  He  used  to  exhibit  a  fine  copy  of 


1  The    completion  of    the    tower  and      siderable  sum  has  heen  already  subscribed 
spire  is  contemplated  as  a  befitting  me-       for  that  object, 
jnorial  to   Canon  Haymau,   and  a  con- 


168  MEMOIR  OF  THE   LATE  CANON  HAYMAN. 

Peter  Comester's  Historia  Scholastica  (a  small  folio,  well 
printed  in  black  letter,  with  rubricated  capitals),  dis- 
covered behind  the  wainscot  of  one  of  the  rooms,  and 
probably  part  of  the  warden's  library.  The  college  was 
founded  December  27,  1464,  by  Thomas,  Earl  of  Des- 
mond, and  possessed,  among  other  endowments,  that  of 
Carrigaline  (to  which  Canon  Hayman  was  subsequently 
appointed).  Thus  we  read  that  in  1591  "  Ecclesia  de 
Bevcr  spectat  ad  Colleg.  de  Youghell  (sic.)  Edmundus 
M'Brean  curat."  Bever,  or  Beaver,  is  a  corruption  for 
Beauvoir,  in  allusion  to  the  beauty  of  the  local  scenery. 
Again,  in  1615,  "  Bever,  als.  Carrigaline,  Rector,  Coll. 
de  Youghall."  The  earliest  allusion  to  the  benefice  we 
can  find  is  in  1291. 

To  return,  however,  to  our  author's  further  publica- 
tions, we  find  the  following  : — "  The  Annals  of  Youghal." 
Second  Series.  Youghal,  1851.  "  The  Annals  of  Youghal." 
Third  Series  (Hand-book  for  Youghal).  Ibid.,  1852. 
Cr.  8vo ;  pp.  xvi  and  96.  "  Notes  and  Records  of  the 
Ancient  Foundations  at  Youghal,  County  Cork,  and  its 
Vicinity."  1854;  8vo;  pp.  60.  Again,  1855-9,  "  Annals 
of  Youghal."  Fourth  Series.  8vo ;  pp.  xxxvi  and  76. 
"  Guide  to  Youghal,  Ardmore,  and  the  Blackwater "; 
with  a  map,  and  sixty  illustrations.  1860  ;  Fcap  4to  ; 
pp.  90.  "  The  Illustrated  Guide  to  the  Blackwater  and 
Ardmore";  with  twenty-five  illustrations.  Ibid.,  1861  ; 
sm.  4to  ;  pp.  44.  "  The  Illustrated  Guide  to  St.  Mary's 
Church,  and  the  other  Ancient  Religious  Foundations  at 
Youghal."  1862  ;  sm.  4to.  "  Memorials  of  Youghal." 

Canon  Hayman  published  many  sermons,  addresses, 
and  latterly  several  larger  works,  chiefly  of  a  devotional, 
or  practical  character.  His  earlier  writings,  especially 
those  of  a  topographical  description,  or  of  local  interest, 
are  scarce,  and,  we  believe,  out  of  print. 

In  the  Journal  he  was  for  many  years  an  able  and 
constant  writer.  In  the  Appendix  to  this  article  a  list  of 
his  publications  will  be  found. 

Of  a  singularly  gentle  and  unobtrusive  disposition, 
modest  and  retiring,  he  might  almost  have  been  accused 
of  shyness — but  it  was  the  shyness  of  the  student  and 
the  author.  His  sympathetic  and  sensitive  nature  was 
ever  touched  by  the  suffering,  and  the  wants  of  the 


MEMOIR   OF  THE  LATE  CANON  HAYMAN.  169 

afflicted  and  the  needy,  while  his  large-handed  charities 
were  bestowed  alike  on  all  who  required  them.  His 
varied  and  curious  information  on  most  points  of  archaeo- 
logical lore,  together  with  a  rich  fund  of  anecdote,  ren- 
dered him  a  most  agreeable  and  instructive  companion. 
Generous  alike  with  his  time,  his  money,  and  his  books, 
he  was  never  happier  than  when  assisting  others.  His 
theological  attainments,  and  work  as  a  minister,  it  is 
scarcely  within  the  scope  of  this  Paper  to  discuss ;  but 
the  writer  may  be  forgiven  for  paying  a  passing  tribute 
to  the  faithful  and  affectionate  manner  in  which  his 
pulpit  duties  were  performed. 

For  a  number  of  years  Canon  Hayman  had  been 
officially  connected  with  various  public  societies  and 
local  institutions,  in  which  he  continued  to  take  the 
greatest  interest  to  the  last.  His  services  to  the  * i  Home 
for  Protestant  Incurables"  (of  which  he  acted  as  Hon.  Sec.) 
were  of  a  most  important  description,  and  no  sacrifice  of 
time,  trouble,  or  money  was  too  great  for  him  in  its 
behalf.  Ever  zealous  in  his  Master's  cause,  his  best 
energies  were  devoted  to  the  propagation  of  religious 
knowledge  through  the  different  associations  established 
for  that  object.  By  all  these  his  loss  will  be  deplored 
— his  place  with  difficulty  supplied. 

His  literary  ability  was  considerable ;  his  style  simple, 
but  polished  ;  graceful,  but  unaffected. 

The  excellent  health  enjoyed  by  Canon  Hayman  led 
his  friends  to  anticipate  for  him  many  years  of  useful- 
ness, and  a  green  old  age — sed  aliter  visum.  His  strength 
had  been  failing,  more  or  less  imperceptibly,  during  the 
past  twelve  months,  and  towards  the  close  of  1886  his 
condition  became  such  as  to  warrant  the  gravest  ap- 
prehensions. These  were,  unfortunately,  but  too  well 
founded.  Dangerous  symptoms  rapidly  manifested 
themselves,  and  it  became  apparent  to  all  that  the 
end  was  at  hand.  Surrounded  by  those  he  loved  best 
upon  earth,  his  sufferings  alleviated  by  all  that  skill  and 
affection  could  administer,  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  most 
perfect  peace,  and  in  the  sure  and  certain  hope  of  a 
happy  eternity,  he  entered  into  his  rest  December  15, 
1886— 

"  In  seterna  memoria  erit  Justus." 


170  MEMOIR  OF    THE   LATE  CANON    HAYMAN. 

APPENDIX. 

Papers  communicated  to  the  JOURNAL,  B.H.A.A.L,  ly  CANON  HAYMAW. 
VOLUME    III.— 1854,    1855. 

1.  The  Ecclesiastical  Antiquities  of  Youghal. 

(a)  St.  Mary's  Church  (Collegiate).     With  illustrations  (pp.  27). 

2.  The  Ecclesiastical  Antiquities  of  Youghal. 

( ft)  The  Nunnery,  or  Chapel  of  St.  Anne.  The  Franciscan 
Friary,  commonly  called  the  South  Abhey.  The  Domini- 
can Friary,  commonly  called  the  North  Abbey.  With 
illustrations  (pp.  10). 

VOLUME    IV.  — 1856,    1857. 
(VOLUME  I.     NEW  SERIES.) 

3.  The  Ecclesiastical  Antiquities  of  Youghal. 

(y)  Conclusion — St.  John's  House  of  Benedictines.  The  College 
of  Youghal.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh's  House.  Illustrated 
(pp.  14).  

VOLUME  VI.— 1860,  1861. 
(VOLUME  III.     PAET  I.     NEW  SERIES.) 

4.  A  Notice  of  two  Inedited  Youghal  Tradesmen's  Tokens.     With 

woodcuts  (pp.  2). 

VOLUME  XV.— 1879-1881. 
(VOLUME  V.     FOURTH  SERIES.) 

5.  Library  of  Franciscan  Friars  at  Youghal  described;  also  Youghal 

"  Money  of  Necessity."    With  a  lithograph  illustration  (pp.  3). 

6.  Observations  on  a  Crannog  at  Ardmore.    With  a  drawing  (pp.  2). 

7.  Flag  of  the  Volunteers  described. 

8.  Remarks  on  a  Drawing,  by  Grose  the  Antiquary,  of  a  Cross-legged 

Effigy,  formerly  in  the  Dominican  Abbey,  Youghal,  and  on  a 
curious  Stone  Relic. 

9.  The  Geraldines  of  Kildare  (a  most  important  Paper) :  with  trans- 

lation from  original  Irish.     Edited,   with  preface,   by   Canon 
Hayman  (pp.  53). 

VOLUME   XVII.— 1885. 
(VOLUME  VII.     FOURTH  SERIES.) 
10.  The  Geraldines  of  Kildare. — Continued  (pp.  26). 


MEMOIR  OP  THE  LATE  KICHAKD  CATJLFIELD,  LL.D., 
F.S.A.,   M.E.H.A.A.I. 

BY  LIEUT.-COLOKEL   T.   A.    LUNHAM,    M.A. 

AFTER  a  short  illness,  Richard  Caulfield,  LL.D.,  passed 
away  quietly,  on  the  3rd  February,  1887,  at  his  residence, 
Royal  Cork  Institution.  His  loss  is  in  some  respects 
irreparable;  for,  apart  from  the  grief  which  must  be  felt 
by  a  wide  circle  of  friends,  to  whom  his  warm-hearted 
and  affectionate  character  had  much  endeared  him,  his 
extensive  learning,  and  accurate  information  upon  all 
matters  of  archaeological  and  antiquarian  research  con- 
stituted him  an  authority  unsurpassed  in  his  peculiar 
province  of  knowledge.  As  a  genealogist  he  had  few 
rivals,  and  great  was  the  assistance  he  afforded  to  others 
engaged  in  this  and  kindred  pursuits.  His  aid  was  con- 
stantly sought,  and  never  unsuccessfully,  by  many  from 
every  part  of  the  kingdom,  while  his  courteous  and  un- 
selfish disposition  never  shrank  from  any  personal  sacrifice 
of  trouble  or  time. 

Born  in  Cork,  April  23rd,  1823,  he  was  educated 
under  Dr.  Browne,  at  the  Bandon  Endowed  School, 
from  whence  he  entered  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  in 
1841 ;  commenced  B.A.,  1845  ;  proceeded  LL.B.,  1864, 
and  LL.D.  JEst.,  1866.  While  in  College  he  attended 
Divinity  lectures,  amongst  others  those  of  the  cele- 
brated William  Archer  Butler,  the  well-known  author 
of  "  Lectures  on  Ancient  Philosophy,"  &c.,  obtaining 
the  Testimonium  in  due  course.  From  his  early  years 
Dr.  Caulfield  had  evinced  a  very  decided  taste  for  those 
studies,  the  results  of  which  are  now  before  the  public ; 
and  in  1853  he  published  his  Higilla  Ecclesice  Hibernicw 
Illustrata — the  Episcopal  and  Capitular  Seals  of  the  Irish 
Cathedral  Churches,  illustrated,  8vo.,  pp.  iv.  and  48,  with 
plates.  He  next  edited  for  the  Camden  Society  (London, 
1857)  the  "  Diary  of  Rowland  Da  vies,  Dean  of  Cork, 
1689_90."  Embracing,  as  it  does,  the  stormy  period  of 
the  Revolution,  this  work  is  full  of  interest,  whilst  the 


172          MEMOIR  OF  THE  LATE  RICHARD  CAULFIELD. 

valuable  notes  with  which  the  diary  is  illustrated  and 
enriched  contain  an  amount  of  curious  and  important 
historical  and  genealogical  lore  scarcely  elsewhere  ob- 
tainable. In  addition  to  other  matters  will  be  found 
one  of  the  best  accounts  of  the  siege  of  Cork  in  1690, 
at  which  Dean  Davies  was  present.  This,  as  well  as  the 
preceding  work,  is  now  out  of  print  and  very  scarce. 

In  1859  Dr.  Caulfield  was  chosen  a  Member  of  the 
Society  of  Antiquaries  of  Normandy,  and  the  same  year 
his  Rotulus  Pipce  Clonensis  ex  orig.  in  Reg.  Oath.  Clonen. 
asservata;  or,  "  Pipe  Roll  of  Cloyne"  appeared.  In 
1862  the  Society  of  Antiquaries  of  London,  recognising 
his  strong  claims  to  that  honour,  elected  him  a  Fellow 
of  their  distinguished  Association.  In  the  same  year  he 
also  visited  London  and  Oxford,  where  he  received  that 
courteous  attention  and  cordial  hospitality  to  which  his 
many  qualifications  entitled  him.  In  the  latter  University 
he  discovered,  in  the  Bodleian  Library,  the  curious  MS. 
life  of  St.  Finn  Barre,  which  he  copied  and  subsequently 
published  (London,  1864).  His  next  production  was  a 
u Lecture  on  the  History  of  the  Bishops  of  Cork" 
(delivered  before  the  St.  Peter's  Working  Men's  Society). 
This  is  an  able  and  attractive  account  of  the  See  of  Cork, 
and  its  occupants,  from  the  founder  to  the  late  much  re- 
spected and  beloved  Eight  Eev.  John  Gregg,  D.D.,  to 
whom  the  lecture  is  inscribed. 

Dr.  Caulfield  had  already  published  "  The  Autobio- 
graphy of  Sir  Richard  Cox,  Bart.,  Lord  Chancellor  of 
Ireland,  from  the  original  MS." :  London,  1860  ;  and 
in  1876  appeared  his  important  edition  of  the  "  Council 
Book  of  the  Corporation  of  Cork,  1609-1643,  and  from 
1690  to  1800,  with  Annals  and  Appendices  extracted 
from  public  and  private  Records":  Ghiildford,  1876;  an 
8vo;  volume  of  1,191  pages.  In  1877  the  Register  of  the 
parish  of  Christ  Church  was  printed,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing year  the  "  Council  Book  of  the  Corporation  of 
Youghal,  1610-1659,  and  1666-1687-1690-1800,  with 
Annals  and  Appendices  from  public  and  private  Records  ": 
Guildford,  1878 ;  pp.  Ixiv  and  637.  This  was  followed 
by  the  "  Council  Book  of  the  Corporation  of  Kinsale, 
with  Annals,  Appendices,  etc.,"  similar  to  the  others,  and 


MEMOIR  OF  THE  LATE  RICHARD    CAULFIELD.  173 

covering  the  period  from  1652  to  1800 :  Gruildford, 
1879  ;  pp.  xcii  and  447.  In  addition  to  the  foregoing, 
he  was  author  of  "  Annals  of  St.  Finn  Barre's  Cathedral"  : 
Cork,  1871;  "  Annals  of  the  Cathedral  of  St.  Colman, 
Cloyne":  Cork,  1882;  and  "  Handbook  of  St.  Finn 
Barre's  Cathedral,"  1881.  His  contributions  to  "  Notes 
and  Queries,"  Journal,  E.ff.A.A.L  (including  the  index) 
— of  which  he  was  for  some  time  a  joint  editor — as 
well  as  many  other  publications,  are  too  numerous 
to  mention. 

An  indefatigable  student  himself,  his  zeal  in  the 
acquisition  of  knowledge  was  only  equalled  by  his 
willingness  to  impart  it  ;  and  his  frequent  and  in- 
teresting Papers  on  Folk-lore  will  be  remembered  with 
pleasure  by  many. 

His  intimate  acquaintance  with  books,  as  well  as  his 
great  capacity,  recommended  him  for  the  post  of  Librarian 
to  the  Queen's  College,  Cork,  to  which  he  was  accord- 
ingly appointed,  under  the  royal  sign  manual,  in  1876, 
and  the  duties  connected  with  which  he  continued  to 
discharge  until  his  death.  He  had  occupied  a  similar 
position  at  the  Royal  Cork  Institution  from  the  year 
1864. 

Dr.  Caulfield's  connexion  with  the  Cathedral  of  St. 
Finn  Barre  was  of  a  most  intimate  description,  and  only 
terminated  with  his  life.  Ever  feeling  the  deepest  in- 
terest in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  ecclesiastical  history 
and  antiquities  of  the  Diocese,  he  was  united  by  the 
closest  ties  to  the  church  of  the  ancient  Founder.  An 
enthusiastic  admirer  of  architecture,  he  identified  himself 
with  that  great  effort  which  resulted  in  the  erection  of 
the  present  edifice ;  and,  as  a  member  of  the  Building 
Committee  and  Select  Vestry,  his  services  were  invalu- 
able. He  delighted  in  church  music,  and  from  his  boy- 
hood, until  increasing  infirmities  interfered,  was  a  regular 
attendant  at  the  Cathedral. 

"  He,  too,  is  blest  whose  outward  eye 

The  graceful  lines  of  art  may  trace, 
"While  his  free  spirit,  soaring  high, 

Discerns  the  glorious  from  the  base  ; 
Till  out  of  dust  his  magic  raise 
A  home  for  prayer,  and  love,  and  full  harmonious  praise. 


174  MEMOIR   OF  THE   LATE   RICHARD    CAULFIELD. 


far  away,  and  high  above, 

In  maze  on  maze  the  tranced  sight 
Strays,  mindful  of  that  heavenly  love, 

Which  knows  no  end  in  depth  or  height, 
While  the  strong  breath  of  music  seems 
To  waft  us  ever  on,  soaring  in  blissful  dreams." 

In  1882  the  Royal  Academy  of  History,  Madrid^ 
elected  Dr.  Caulfield  an  honorary  member  of  their 
Society,  which  was  the  last  public  distinction  conferred 
upon  him.  "I  do  not  regret  anything  I  ever  wrote," 
he  remarked  to  the  writer,  a  short  time  before  his  death, 
and  truly  he  had  no  occasion.  All  his  writings  are- 
characterized  by  erudition,  as  thorough  as  it  is  un- 
assuming. 

The  writer  of  the  above  brief  sketch,  while  fully 
conscious  of  its  inadequacy  to  do  justice  to  the  memory 
of  one  who,  to  be  appreciated,  must  have  been  known, 
cannot  allow  this  opportunity  to  pass  without  recording, 
however  imperfectly,  his  deep  sense  of  gratitude  for  the 
many  advantages  derived  from  an  unbroken  friendship 
of  five-  and-  twenty  years.  An  excellent  classical  scholar 
himself,  Dr.  Caulfield  spared  no  efforts  to  imbue  the 
minds  of  his  pupils  with  a  love  for  those  masterpieces  of 
antiquity  in  the  study  of  which  consists  the  truest  educa- 
tion. Nor  were  his  exertions  confined  to  one  department 
of  instruction  :  all  knowledge  was  to  him  an  object  of 
solicitude. 

In  accordance  with  his  wish,  expressed  to  the  writer 
(when  the  latter  happened  to  be  churchwarden  of  the 
parish)  some  years  previous  to  his  death,  he  is  buried 
at  Douglas,  county  Cork.  It  is  a  pretty  rural  spot,  which 
he  always  much  admired  — 

"  Inter  oves  locum  praesta, 
Et  ab  haedis  me  sequestra, 
Statuens  in  parte  .dextra." 

Would  that  we  were  able  to  conclude  in  the  language 
of  the  poet  he  loved  !  — 

"  Exegi  monumentum  aere  perennius." 


MEMOIR   OF   THE   LATE   RICHARD   CAULFIELD.  175 

KOTE. — With  a  view  to  perpetuating  Dr.  Caulfield's  memory  by  some 
appropriate  local  memorial,  a  public  meeting  was  held  in  Cork  on  March 
8th,  the  Lord  Bishop  presiding,  and  a  number  of  influential  gentlemen 
and  friends  being  present.  The  Right  Rev.  Chairman  alluded  in  feeling 
language  to  the  irreparable  loss  sustained  by  the  city  and  county,  as  well 
as  the  Cathedral,  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Caulfield,  and  after  some  suitable 
remarks  upon  his  many  excellent  qualities  of  head  and  heart,  stated  the 
object  of  the  meeting.  The  following  resolution  was  then  proposed  by 
Anderson  Cooper,  seconded  by  Francis  Hodder,  and  passed  unanimously: — 

"  That  a  Subscription  List  be  opened  to  erect  a  suitable  memorial  in 
St.  Finn  Barre's  Cathedral  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Richard  Caulfield, 
LL.D.,  F.S.A.,  &c. ;  and  that  it  be  also  contemplated  to  erect  a  monument 
over  his  grave  in  Douglas  churchyard." 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  carry  out  the  above,  and  a  considerable 
amount  was  subscribed  in  the  room. 


APPENDIX. 

Communications  of  E.  CAULFIELD,   A.B.,  Cork,  to  the  JOUENAL  of 
the  R.H.A.A.I. 

VOLUME    III.— 1854-55. 

1 .  Copy  of  the  Cost  of  the  Wake  and  Funeral  of  Anthony  Ronayne, 

Esq.,  of  Ronayne's  Court,  in  the  county  of  Cork  (p.  215). 

2.  Other  curious  Documents,  op.  cit.  (p.  323). 

YOLTJME    IV.— 1856-57. 
(VOLUME  I.    NEW  SEEIES.) 

3.  Transcripts  of  two  curious  Original  Documents  (p.  75). 

4.  On  the  City  Insignia  of  Cork  (pp.  105,  165). 

5.  On  the  Ancient  Jewel-box  of  Cork  (p.  167). 


VOLUME    XV.— 1879-1882. 
(VOLUME  V.     FOUETH  SEEIES.) 

6.  On  the  Round  Tower  of  Kinneigh  (p.  16). 

7.  The  Silver  Official  Oar  of  Castlehaven  (p.  265). 

8.  Three  Volumes  of  MSS.  relating  to  County   and  City  of   Cork 

(p.  269). 

9.  Lord  Mountcashel's  Elegy  (p.  732). 

VOLUME    XVI.  — 1883-84. 

(VOLUME  VI.     FOFETH  SEEIES.) 
10.  Observations  on  the  Franciscan  Abbey,  Cork  (p.  182). 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII,  N 


(     176     ) 


SOME  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  CHURCH  PLATE  OF  THE  DIOCESE 
OF  CASHEL  AND  EMLY. 

BY  JOHN  DAVIS  WHITE, 
Son.  Local  Secretary  for  the  South  Riding  of  Tipperary. 

THE  subject  of  Church  Plate  having  begun  to  engage  attention,  it  occurred 
to  me  that,  as  I  was  for  many  years  officially  connected  with  the  Diocese 
of  Cashel  and  Emly,  an  application  made  by  me  to  the  clergy  for  infor- 
mation on  the  subject  would  not  be  disregarded.  I  have  obtained  a 
number  of  returns,  from  which  I  propose  to  extract  the  required  parti- 
culars, and  to  describe  them  as  far  as  I  am  able. 

I  could  only  seek  this  information  from  the  clergy  of  my  own  Church, 
and  therefore,  with  one  important  exception,  this  account  will  treat  only 
of  the  plate  held  in  the  diocese  by  the  clergy  of  the  Church  of  Ireland. 

I  was  informed  by  Mr.  James  O'Heney,  that  the  reason  the  clergy  of 
his  Church  have  not,  in  general,  very  ancient  church  plate  is,  that  it  had 
been  a  rule  when  such  articles  became  worn  and  old  that  they  should  be 
broken  up,  melted,  and  sold. 

It  was  not  uncommon  for  chalices  to  be  buried  along  with  the  priest 
who  had  used  them.  I  formerly  possessed  one  which  had  been  taken 
out  of  a  grave  under  the  Church  of  St.  Mary's,  Clonmel.  It  was  of 
inferior  metal,  probably  pewter,  and  had  been  greatly  crushed  together. 
It  was  stolen  from  me  more  than  twenty  years  ago. 

W.  F.  "Wakeman,  in  his  Handbook  of  Irish  Antiquities,  men- 
tions as  one  of  the  most  singular  relics  in  the  collection  of  the  Royal 
Irish  Academy  a  chalice  of  stone,  of  which  he  gives  a  woodcut.  He 
says,  ''it  is  well  worthy  of  observation,  though  formed  of  so  rude  a 
material.  There  is  nothing  in  its  general  form,  or  in  the  character  of 
its  decorations,  to  warrant  a  supposition  that  it  belongs  to  a  very  early 
period.  Few  chalices  of  an  age  prior  to  the  twelfth  century  remain  in 
Ireland,  and  any  of  a  later  period  which  have  come  under  the  observa- 
tion of  the  writer  are  not  very  remarkable.  A  chalice  of  silver,  found 
in  the  ruins  of  Kilmallock  Abbey,  was  melted  by  a  silversmith  of  Limerick, 
into  whose  hands  it  had  fallen.  Cups  of  stone  appear  not  to  have  been 
uncommon  among  the  Irish.  An  ancient  vessel  of  that  material,  of  a  tri- 
angular form,  remains,  or  very  lately  remained,  by  the  side  of  a  holy  well 
in  Columkille's  Glen,  in  the' county  of  Clare,  and  another  was  found  in 
the  county  of  Meath,  near  the  ruins  of  Ardmulchan  Church." 

Abington. — An  alms  dish,  inscribed  on  front,  "Parish  of  Abington, 
Dio.  of  Cashel,  1779;"  and  on  back,  "Gift  of  Rev.  John  Seymour, 
Rector."  A  chalice  and  a  paten,  each  inscribed,  " Parish  of  Abington, 
Dio.  of  Cashel,  1779."  A  spoon,  bearing  the  inscription,  "Abington 
Church,  1829  ";  and  a  flagon,  inscribed,  "Abington  Church,  1879,  pre- 
sented by  Sir  Croker  Barrington,  Bart."  All  are  of  solid  silver. 

Aney — A  Communion  chalice  (hall-marked),  with  the  following  inscrip- 
tion engraved  on  the  body :  "  The  Guift  of  the  Right  Honorable  Rachell, 


ON  THE  CHURCH  PLATE  OF  CASHEL  AND  EMLY.    177 

Oountess  Dowager  of  Bath,  To  her  Chappel  att  Loughgur  in  the  Kingdom 
of  lerland,  Anno  Dom.  1669."  l  A  large-sized  paten,  with  inscription 
round  the  rim,  same  as  on  the  chalice ;  also  I.H.S.,  surrounded  by  a 
"glory,"  engraved  in  the  centre.  The  antique  spelling  and  capitals 
{same  in  both)  are  exactly  as  given  above.  I  believe  it  is  not  known  how 
this  plate  came  into  the  possession  of  Aney  parish.  A  plain  chalice,  with 
the  following  inscription :  "The  Guift  of  his  Grace  William  Ld.  Arch- 
bishop of  Cashell  to  the  Church  of  Awney,  1701,"  and  (probably)  from 
the  same  donor,  a  small  paten,  plain,  no  inscription,  but  the  word 
"  Awney  "  engraved  on  the  stand  underneath. 

Ardmayle. — Silver-plated  chalice  and  paten,  each  dated  1819.    Latten 
forass  alms-dish,  dated  1883. 

Athassel. — A  flagon,    chalice,    and   paten.      Inscription    on    each, 
"  Athassel  Parish,  1863." 

This  plate  was,  I  believe,   presented  to  the  parish  by  the  former 
rector,  Rev.  J.  M.  Poole,  and  his  friends. 

Ballinlanders. — A  chalice  and  paten,  each  inscribed,  "  Ballinlondry 
Church,  1850." 


?. — The  incumbent  writes  : — "  There  is  a  silver  flagon, 
which  was  purchased  by  money  collected  by  Mrs.  R.  U.  Bayly  for  an 
east  window  in  Dundrum  Church ;  but  that  plan  fell  through,  and  the 
money — about  £20 — was  given  to  the  Dean  of  Cashel  to  purchase  a 
flagon  for  the  use  of  this  church.  The  inscription  is,  "  Presented  to 
Ballintemple  Church,  diocese  of  Cashel,  Christmas,  1879." 

There  are  two  cups  of  much  older  date,  but  the  year  not  mentioned. 
The  inscriptions  run  as  follows  :  "  The  Gift  of  the  Honbl.  Thomas  Ralph 
Maude  to  the  Parish  Church  of  Ballintemple,  county  Tipperary."  "  The 
Gift  of  Anthony  Maude,  Esquire,  to  the  Parish  Church  of  Ballintemple." 
This  latter  is  evidently  the  more  ancient. 

The  paten,  which  is  also  of  silver,  has,  curiously  enough,  the  word 
"  Thurles"  graven  underneath. 

(There  are  other  cases  in  which  plate  belonging  originally  to  one 
parish  has  yet  been  found  in  another.  Most  probably  the  minister,  on 
getting  new  plate,  presented  what  was  no  longer  required,  to  a  parish 
which  had  not  been  previously  supplied.) 

Ballylrood. — A  paten,  cup,  and  flagon,  all  dated  1814. 

Ballysheehan. — A  silver-plated  chalice  and  paten,  each  dated  1864. 
A  latten  brass  alms-dish,  dated  1870. 

Borris. — A  cup  and  paten,  each  inscribed  "Paul  Higgins,  Minister 
of  the  Union  of  Drume. — James  Willington,  Thos.  Loyd,  Churchwardens." 
Also  a  silver  salver,  "  Littleton  Church,  1794." 

Drom  being  part  of  the  corps  of  the  treasurership,  the  plate  was 
transferred  to  Borrisleigh,  or  Littleton,  the  head  of  the  Union,  upon  the 
Church  of  Drom  being  shut  up  and  disused.  The  Rev.  Paul  Higgins 


1  Rachel,   daughter  of  Francis  Fane,       Bourchier,   Earl  of   Bath.     He  died  in 
Earl  of  Westmoreland,   married  Henry       1654. 

ira 


178         ON   THE  CHURCH  PLATE   OF  CASHEL  AND   EMLY. 

lived  at  Clonakenny,  near  Killea,  about  140  years  ago;  his  will  was  in 
the  Diocesan  Registry,  and  I  remember  having  to  produce  it  on  a  Record 
at  Nenagh,  about  the  year  1841,  when  there  was  much  amusement  on 
Mr.  Brewster  (afterwards  Lord  Chancellor)  reading  out  the  bequest  of 
"  my  Nagg  Button."  Sixty  years  ago  the  Rev.  Robert  Forsayeth,  rector  of 
Kilfithmone,  performed  the  occasional  duties  of  Drom  parish,  which 
adjoined  his  own.  Willington  and  Lloyd  are  names  well  known  in  that 
district. 

Cahirconlish. — Paten  and  cup,  dated  1837. 

Cahercorney. — A  chalice,  bearing  the  following  inscription:  "The 
Guift  of  Edward  Croker,  Esq.,  to  ye  Church  of  Cahircorny,  1725."  A 
small  paten,  plain,  no  inscription,  but  merely  the  word  "Cahircorny" 
on  the  stand  underneath. 

Cashel. — A  silver  flagon,  cup,  and  paten.  Inscription,  "Ex  Dono, 
Reverissi  in  Christo  Patris  Ac  du  T.  F.  nuper  Cassalen,  Archiepiscopi 
qui  objit  31  Die  Martis  Ano  dni,  1667.  Mt  sui.  74." 

Thomas  Fulwar,  D.D.,  was  consecrated  Bishop  of  Ardfert  in  1641, 
translated  to  Cashel,  1660,  and  is  buried  in  St.  John's  churchyard;  his 
tombstone  was  recently  placed  against  the  wall  of  the  Diocesan  Library, 
in  order  to  prevent  the  inscription  being  defaced  by  the  foot-tracks. 

A  large  flagon,  two  large  cups,  two  patens,  all  of  solid  silver,  and 
bearing  the  following  inscription :  "  This  plate  was  given  for  ye  use  of 
ye  Cathedrall  Church  of  Cashell,  by  Mrs.  Mary  Palliser,  wife  of  ye  most 
Reverend  father  in  God,  doctor  Willm.  Palliser,  Lord  Archbishop  of 
Cashell,  this  27th  day  of  September,  1715." 

From  the  Very  Rev.  Dean  Quirke,  parish  priest  of  Cashel,  I  obtained 
the  following  information  relating  to  plate  now  in  his  possession.  A  very 
fine  silver-gilt  chalice,  of  an  old  and  convenient  form ;  inscription,  "Ad 
usum  Ecclesiae  Cathedralis  Sancti  Patricy,  Cassellensis,  1647."  A  small 
silver  Gothic  chalice ;  inscription,  "  Orate  pro  anima  Donati  Fogarty 
Sacerdotis  qui  me  fieri  fecit,  A.D.  1641."  A  chalice  in  Rosegreen  ;  the 
inscription  put  on  long  subsequently,  "  This  chalice  belongs  to  the  parish 
of  Cashel,  1838.  Pray  for  Elenor  Joph.  Jolly."  A  large  silver  chalice, 
1820.  There  are  patenas  with  all  these  chalices. 

The  first  of  these  had  been  only  a  short  time  procured  when  it  was 
"  looted"  by  Inchiquin's  soldiers,  when  the  Rock  was  taken  on  the  15th 
September,  1647. 

It  is  not  likely  that  this  chalice  was  given  to  the  then  Protestant 
Archbishop  of  Cashel,  for,  had  it  been  available  for  use,  it  is  improbable 
that  his  successor,  Thomas  Fulwar,  would  have  bequeathed  money  to  pro- 
cure Church  plate  for  the  parish. 

It  is  stated  that  Archbishop  Agar,  more  than  100  years  after  its  being 
taken,  returned  the  chalice  to  the  parish  priest  of  Cashel.  It  is  most  probable 
that  he  purchased  it  from  the  descendant  of  the  party  who  had  taken  it, 
in  order  that  he  might  do  a  graceful  act. 

"With  regard  to  the  chalice  in  Rosegreen,  further  particulars  will  be 
found  under  Fethard  parish. 

Clonbeg. — The  Communion  plate  belonging  to  Clonbeg  Church  con- 
sists of  a  cup,  and  a  paten,  both  inscribed,  "  The  Gift  of  James  Dawson, 
Esq.,  to  Clonbeg  Church,  1731." 


ON  THE  CHURCH  PLATE  OF  CASHEL  AND  EMLY.    179 

Clanoulty. — A  silver  chalice  of  good  size.  Inscription  on  it,  "  The 
-Gift  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Judkins,  to  ye  Parish  Church  of  Clonoulty."  It 
seems  old,  but  bears  no  date.  A  small  silver  paten;  inscribed,  "The 
Gift  of  Richd.  Lehunte,  Esq.,  to  ye  Parish  Church  of  Clonoulty,  in  ye 
County  of  Tipperary,  1740." 

The  Lehunte  family  have  large  estates  in  the  parish  of  Clonoulty. 
The  Judkins  owned  the  townland  of  Torah. 

Cullen. — A  paten  and  a  cup,  each  inscribed,  "  The  gift  of  the  late 
Rev.  Morgan  Hickey  to  the  Parish  of  Cullen." 

The  Rev.  Morgan  Hickey  was  curate  of  Toem  in  1719.  He  was 
collated  Prebendary  of  Newchapel  January  30,  1737.  He  was  likewise 
curate  of  Kilmore,  and  Yicar-General  of  the  diocese.  In  1744  he  re- 
signed his  prebend,  and  accepted  the  benefice  of  Fethard.  He  was  a 
liberal  benefactor  to  the  poor,  to  the  schools,  and  to  the  Church,  as  will 
be  seen  by  the  following  extract  from  his  will : — "I  bequeath  all  my 
Plate  to  be  sold,  and  the  money  arising  thence  to  be  applied  to  buy 
Church  Plate  for  such  churches  of  this  diocese  as  my  Executors,  the  sur- 
vivor, or  survivors  of  them,  shall  think  fit,  by  and  with  the  consent  and 
approbation  of  the  Archbishop  of  Cashel  for  the  time  being." 

Hereinafter  will  be  seen  the  parishes  which  had  the  benefit  of  this 
legacy. 

Doon. — A  chalice  and  paten  of  sterling  silver,  each  inscribed,  "Doone 
Church,  1822."  Two  plated  salvers  for  collecting  alms,  both  inscribed, 
"  Presented  by  Laurence  Marshall,  Esq.,  of  Toomoline  House,  to  Doon 
Church." 

Donohill. — The  cup  and  paten  bear  this  inscription:  " Presented  for 
the  use  of  Donohill  Church,  by  the  lady  who  built  it,  1855"  The 
flagon  has  simply  the  word  "  Donohill." 

In  or  about  the  year  1855  an  English  lady  staying  at  Colonel  Pure- 
foy's,  of  Greenfield,  took  pity  on  the  miners  working  at  Holyford,  who 
had  no  church  nearer  to  them  than  Toem,  and  she  said  she  would  give 
£500  to  build  a  church  where  Donohill  Church  now  is.  I  have  been 
unable  to  ascertain  her  name 

Fethard. — The  plate  of  Trinity  Church,  Fethard,  consists  of  a  massive 
silver  two-handled  cup,  having  the  following  inscription :  "This  Cup  was 
given  to  the  Church  of  Fethard  by  Mrs.  Ellenor  Jolly,  in  consideration  of 
a  piece  of  ground  given  by  the  Minister  and  Churchwardens  for  a  burying- 
place  for  her  family  anno  1711."  A  silver  cup  and  paten,  evidently  old, 
but  bearing  no  date:  the  cup  has  the  inscription,  "ParochiadeFeathard." 
A  silver-handled  knife,  silver  spoon,  and  silver-handled  cork-screw,  all 
bearing  the  inscription,  "Feathard  Church."  The  hall-mark  appears 
to  be  old,  but  the  inscription  has  a  more  modern  appearance,  and,  except 
for  the  spelling  of  Fethard,  is  almost  identical  with  that  on  the  cup.  A 
cup  and  two  plates  of  the  pattern  supplied  by  the  late  Eccl.  Comrs. ;  no 
-date;  inscription  on  cup,  "Fethard  Church."  Two  alms  plates  (plated) 
presented  by  the  late  William  Surges,  Esq. 

The  Journal  of  the  Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society,  published  in 
1863,  contains  an  interesting  Paper,  from  which  I  extract  the  following: — 

The  inscription  upon  the  tomb  of  Robert  Jolly  is  as  follows  : — "Here 


180    ON  THE  CHURCH  PLATE  OF  CASHEL  AND  EMLY. 

Tinder  foot  lyeth  interred  the  body  of  Robert  Joly,  formerly  of  Theobalds 
Hereforesh,  in  England,  and  late  of  Knockelly,  Esquire,  who  died  the- 
20th  day  of  August,  1709,  and  in  ye  52nd  yeare  of  his  age." 

A  biographical  sketch  of  Eobert  Jolly  is  rather  romantic.  He  was  a 
private  soldier  in  a  horse  regiment,  stationed  in  Fethard,  in  the  year 
1680.  At  the  same  time  there  lived  in  that  town  a  young  orphan  girl 
named  Ellen  Meagher,  under  the  guardianship  of  Mrs.  St.  John.  Young 
Jolly  and  this  girl  formed  an  acquaintance,  which,  however,  was  soon 
broken  off  by  Jolly's  regiment  being  suddenly  sent  off  on  foreign  service. 
Ellen  Meagher,  soon  after,  went  with  a  young  English  lady,  as  companion 
and  attendant,  to  London.  While  living  with  this  lady  she  attracted  the 
notice  of  a  very  rich  Jew.  Some  state  that  she  was  either  married  to  the 
Jew,  or  lived  with  him  as  housekeeper  and  confidential  manager ;  how- 
ever, this  old  gentleman  perceiving  his  end  approach,  and  having  no 
issue,  made  her  sole  heir  of  all  his  property,  and  died  in  a  few  days. 
Ellen  Meagher,  now  possessed  of  great  wealth,  when  passing  in  her  carriage 
one  day  by  the  barrack-square,  recognised  her  old  friend  Jolly  walking 
up  and  down  on  guard.  She  instructed  him  to  call  at  her  residence,  and 
having  done  so,  she  purchased  his  discharge,  and  gave  him  her  hand  in. 
marriage.  They  then  carried  their  wealth  to  Ireland,  and  came  to  reside 
in  Mrs.  Jolly's  native  town,  when  they  chose  Knockelly  for  their  resi- 
dence, where  they  lived  a  long  time,  and  had  three  daughters,  who 
ultimately  married  three  barristers,  viz.  Mr.  Gahan  of  Coolquil  Castle ; 
Mr.  Meagher  of  Kilmore,  near  Clonmel ;  and  Mr.  O'Callaghan,  ancestor 
to  Lord  Lismore.  It  is  stated  that  when  the  latter  gentleman  made  his 
proposal  to  Mrs.  Jolly  for  one  of  her  daughters  he  was  accompanied  by 
Toby  Butler  (a  well-known  character  of  the  day).  The  business  upon 
which  they  had  come  being  stated,  Mrs.  Jolly  inquired  from  Mr. 
O'Callnghan  the  extent  of  his  property  :  "  Put  out  your  tongue,"  said 
Toby  Butler  to  O'Callaghan,  and  he  did  so.  "  Madam,"  said  Butler, 
"that  is  the  extent  of  his  property." 

Galbally. — A  chalice  and  paten.  There  is  no  inscription  on  the 
paten,  but  it  is  evidently  very  ancient ;  the  diameter  is  over  nine  inches. 
Inscription  on  chalice  :  "  This  Chalice  was  given  by  Elizabeth  Irby  to 
ye  Church  of  Duntryleague,  in  the  King-dome  of  Ireland,  as  a  Grateful 
acknowledgement  to  Almighty  God  for  her  safe  Returne  to  her  Native 
Country,  and  finding  her  Husband  &  Father  in  good  health,  which 
Mercy  she  hopes  never  to  forget." 

"Antony  Irby,  M.A.  (D.D.  1696),  collated  Treasurer  of  Cashel  Nov. 
17,  1674.  In  the  next  year  be  became  a  Prebendary  of  Emly,  and  held 
both  these  preferments  till  his  death  in  1706.  He  was  collated  Preben- 
dary of  Kilneleige,  or  Killenellick,  Dec.  16,  1675."— Cotton's  Fasti. 

Grean. — A  plated  flagon,  chalice,  and  paten,  without  any  inscrip- 
tion. A  silver  chalice  and  paten,  inscribed,  "  Given  by  Rev.  Richard 
Burgh  to  the  Parish  Church  of  Cullen,  A.D.  1745." 

Holy  cross. — Inscription  on  chalice,  "Ex  Dono  Reuerendissim  Gulielim 
Archiopis  Cassellensis,  1699." 

The  paten  that  accompanies  this  chalice  seems  to  be  of  the  same- 
style  and  age,  but  it  bears  no  date.  Archbishop  Palliser  was  the  donor. 


ON  THE  CHURCH  PLATE  OF  CASHEL  AND  EMLY.    181 

Eilbehenny. — A  cup  and  paten.  Inscription  on  both  is,  "  Kilbehenny 
Church,  1840." 

Kilcooly. — A  silver  cup  and  a  silver  paten,  each  bearing  as  inscrip- 
tion, "  The  Gift  of  Sir  "William  Barker,  Bart.,  to  the  Parish  of  Kilcooly, 
May,  1777."  A  large  silver  flagon.  Inscription,  "  Parish  of  Kilcooly, 
1813." — 55  oz.  12dwt.  Two  large  silver  plates;  inscription  on  each, 
"Parish  of  Kilcooly,  1813."— 18 oz.  15dwt.  each. 

The  last  three  articles  cost  £44,  and  were  purchased  out  of  parish 
funds,  according  to  entry  in  Vestry-book. 

Killenaule. — A  cup  and  paten  of  solid  silver,  with  the  following  in- 
scriptions on  each,  "  The  Gift  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Biall,  LL.B.,  to  the 
Church  of  Killenaule,  1791." 

Eilfitlimone. — A  cup  and  paten,  having  upon  them  the  letters 
"B.I.C." 

[Most  probably  these  were  the  gift  of  members  of  the  Garden  family, 
the  letters  standing  for  "  Benjamin  and  Indiana  Garden."] 

Killoscully. — "Presented  by  The  Right  Honble.  Lady  Bloomfield  to 
the  Church  of  Killoscully  Parish  (on  Christmas  Day,  1829*.") 

Kilvemnon. — A  flagon  and  paten.  Inscription  on  each,  "  The  Gift  of 
Isaac  Homan  to  the  Parish  of  Kilvemnon,  1805."  A  chalice,  with  in- 
scription, "The  Gift  of  Rev.  Thomas  Sheppard,  Rector,  to  the  Church 
of  Kilvemnon,  1771." 

Killomery. — A  chalice  and  paten.     Inscription,  "Killamery  Church." 
Lismalin  and  Ballingarry. — No  inscription. 

Mogorlan. — A  silver  paten  and  chalice.  Inscription,  "  The  Gift  of 
Charles  Brodrick,  D.D.,  Archbishop  of  Cashel,  to  the  Parish  of  Mogorban, 
1821." 

Moyne. — A  cup  and  paten  of  plated  copper,  old,  worn,  and  without 
inscription. 

Newchapel. — A  two-handled  goblet,  used  as  a  Communion  cup,  bears 
the  following  inscription:  "This  Oration  Prize,  the  legacy  of  Dr.  Hooper, 
adjudged  to  Richard  Moore,  by  Trinity  College,  Cambridge,  1771."  On 
the  reverse  side  is  inscribed,  "  Given  by  the  said  R.  M.,  Dean  of  Emly, 
to  the  Parish  of  Newchapel,  in  the  Diocese  of  Cashel,  for  Sacram.  use, 
1809." 

St.  John's,  Newport. — A  chalice  and  paten,  without  inscription. 

Templemore. — A  large  silver  plate  with  dove  on  it,  and  underneath, 
"  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  &  on  Earth  Peace  good  will  to  men. — 
Luke,  ch.  2,  ver.  14";  also  a  silver  paten.  These  two  seem  old,  but  the 
donors  are  unknown.  An  electro-plated  flagon,  and  on  it,  "  Temple- 
more  Church,  1845."  Two  electro -plated  chalices,  with  same  inscription 
as  flagon. 

Templeneiry.— The  inscription  on  the  church  plate  is  "  Templeneiry 
Church,  1845." 


182    ON  THE  CHURCH  PLATE  OF  CASHEL  AND  EMLY. 

TempletuoJiy. — A  cup  and  paten  of  hammered  silver ;  the  cup  weighs 
16oz.  3  dwts.,  and  it  has  two  stars  of  sixteen  points  upon  it,  which 
enclose  the  letters  "  I.  H.  S.,"  with  a  cross  above  the  H,  and  three  nails 
below  it. 

In  the  church  there  is  a  mural  tablet,  on  which  the  inscription  states 
that  the  church  was  built  by  Archbishop  Agar  in  1810,  and  probably  the 
plate  may  have  been  his  gift. 

Toem. — A  paten  and  cup,  both  being  inscribed,  "  The  Gift  of  the 
Rev.  Morgan  Hickey  to  the  Church  of  Toem."  No  date  on  either. 

Tipperary. — A  chalice. — "  In  usum  Ecclesiaa  de  Tipperary,  D.D.,  A.D. 
1821.  Yerney  Lovett,  S.T.P.,  Coll.  Trin.  Cantab.  Parochiae  Indigena." 

There  is  a  monument  to  Yerney  Lovett  in  Lismore  Cathedral.  Lieut. 
Yerney  Lovett  Cameron,  the  African  explorer,  is  a  descendant  of  the  donor. 

A  chalice  of  massive  silver,  and  inscribed,  "  The  Gift  of  E.  D.  to  ye 
Church  of  Tipperary  (evidently  older  than  the  chalice  previously  de- 
scribed). A  paten. — Coat-of-arms;  no  motto  or  inscription;  old-fashioned; 
stands  on  three  legs  (massive  silver).  The  coat-of-arms  is  that  of  the 
Rev.  Morgan  Hickey,  who  left  plate  to  several  other  parishes.  A  flagon, 
electro-plated ;  no  inscription. 

Thurles. — A  modern  flagon,  inscribed,  "  Thurles  Parish  Church."  A 
chalice,  inscribed,  "  The  Gift  of  the  Rev.  Morgan  Hickey  to  the  Church 
of  Thurles,  1748." 

The  paten  bears  merely  the  coat-of-arms  of  the  Rev.  Morgan  Hickey. 

Tuogh.— Electro-plated  chalice  and  paten,  "Tuogh  Church,  1848." 
Electro-plated  flagon,  "  Tuogh  Church,  Cappamore,  Co.  Limerick,  1879." 

The  latter  was  presented  by  Robert  William  Stein,  Esq.,  Raglan- 
road,  Dublin. 


(     183     ) 


NOTICES   OF   THE   FAMILY   OF   LATTIN. 
BY  JOHN  M.   THUNDER. 

THE  family  of  Latton,  variously  spelt  Latin,  Latyn,  Latoun,  and  Latten, 
are  believed  to  have  derived  their  origin  from  the  house  of  Estouteville, 
or  Stutville,  a  noble  race  so  called  from  a  borough  of  that  denomination 
in  Upper  Normandy.  Of  this  family  was  William  de  Stutville,  who  was 
made  Cardinal  by  Pope  Eugenius  IV.,  1439.  He  died,  1482. 

After  the  Conquest  the  Stutvilles  were  Barons  of  Lydedale  in  Cum- 
berland ;  created  Earls  of  Yorkshire,  and  held  large  possessions  in  Rut- 
land,  Lincoln,  and  Warwick.  From  such  a  remote  period  it  is  difficult 
to  trace  family  origin,  or  to  place  entire  reliance  on  genealogical  research. 
However  it  is  asserted  that  one  Walter  assumed  the  name  of  Latton, 
retaining,  however,  the  armorial  bearings  of  the  Stutvilles 

Wiltshire  appears  to  have  been  the  original  home  of  the  Lattons,  but 
the  leading  branches  of  that  family  settled  in  Berkshire,  of  whom  we 
have  much  information  in  Ashmole's  "Antiquities"  of  that  county. 
William  de  Latton  came  to  Upton  in  Berkshire  in  1325,  which  fact  is 
stated  in  the  Herald's  office.  He  married  Joan,  daughter  and  sole  heir 
of  Walter  de  Percy,  who  was  grandson  of  William  de  Percy,  a  younger 
branch  of  the  house  of  Northumberland. 

William  de  Latton  assumed  the  Percy  arms  in  compliment  to  his  wife, 
but  the  succeeding  generations  of  his  family  resumed  the  Stutville  arms. 
The  principal  manors  of  the  Lattons  in  Berkshire  were — 

Upton.  Inglefield. 

Chilton.  Hockburn. 

Blewbery.  Oke. 

Wantage.  Draycot  Park,  held  from  Saint 

Sing.  John's    College   in   Oxford, 

Latton' s  Downs.  was  for  many  years  in  the 

Fawley.  Latton  family. 

John  Latton  of  Chilton,  was  High  Sheriff  of  Berkshire,  22nd  year  of 
Queen  Elizabeth.  The  last  residence  of  the  family  in  Berkshire  was  at 
Kingston,  in  the  Hundreds  of  Oke,  which  seat  and  manor  was  purchased 
by  John  Latton  of  Chelton,  33rd  year  of  Henry  VIII.  The  Lattons 
held  large  possessions  in  Oxfordshire,  Gloucestershire,  Hampshire,  Devon, 
Dorset,  Essex,  Kent,  Norfolk,  Middlesex,  and  Surrey. 

The  descent  of  the  family  is  given  in  the  Herald's  _  office  for  twenty 
generations,  fourteen  of  which  owe  their  birth  to  Berkshire. 

The  Lattons  of  Surrey  had  their  chief  residence  at  Esher.  John 
Latton,  son  of  Thomas  Latton  of  Kingston,  in  Berks,  purchased  the 
former.  He  was  a  particular  favourite  of  King  William  III.,  who 
bestowed  upon  him  several  offices  of  distinction.  He  was  Equerry, 
Master  of  the  Buckhounds,  Master  of  the  Game  in  Hampton  Court  Chase, 
of  the  Lodge  in  Richmond  Park,  with  a  lease  of  the  lands  belonging 


184  NOTICES   OF  THE  FAMILY   OF   LATTIN. 

thereto  for  thirty  years ;  Stewart  of  the  Manor  of  Richmond,  and  Keeper 
of  Windsor  House  Park. 

John  Latton  of  Esher  died  1727.  Previous  to  his  death  he  resided 
at  Burwood,  and  sold  Esher  to  the  Duke  of  Newcastle.  By  his  second 
wife  Anne,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Pye  of  Faringtpn,  Berks,  he  had  ten 
children,  one  of  whom  was  page  of  honour  to  William  III. 

Before  we  notice  the  Latton  family  in  Ireland,  a  few  extracts  from  the 
last  will  and  testament  of  Anne  Latton  of  the  Chilton  branch  will  be  of 
interest,  given  as  it  is  in  the  quaint  diction  of  the  Elizabethan  period  : — 

The  LAST  WELL  and  TESTAMENT  of  MRS.  ANN  LATTON,  Daughter  of 
JOHN  LATTON  of  CHILTON. 

"In  the  name  of  God,  amen,  the  6th  day  of  November,  1584,  and 
26  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lady  Elizabeth,  by  the  Grace  of 
God,  Queen  of  England,  France,  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith. 

"  I,  Anne  Latton,  one  of  the  daughters  of  John  Latton  of  Chilton,  in 
Co.  of  Berks,  Esq.,  deceased,  being  sick  in  body,  but  in  good  and  perfect 
remembrance  (thanks  be  given  to  God),  do  make  and  ordain  this  my  last 
will  and  testament  in  manner  and  form  following: — That  is  to  say, 
renouncing,  revoking,  and  annihilating  first  and  foremost  all  former 
Wills  heretofore  by  me  made,  either  by  word  or  writing. 

"And  principally  I  bequeath  my  Soul  to  Almighty  God,  my  Heavenly 
Father,  surely,  and  most  steadfastly  believing  through  the  merits  of  his 
dear  Son's  Passion  only  to  be  saved,  and  my  body  I  render  to  the  earth 
from  whence  it  came,  with  a  desire  to  be  buried  in  the  parish  Church  of 
Blewbury,  as  near  unto  the  place  as  may  be  where  my  late  Father  lieth 
buried.  I  give  to  the  poor  inhabitants  of  Wantage  Parish  twenty  two 
pounds  of  lawful  money  of  England,  to  be  delivered  unto  them  within 
five  years  after  my  decease,  by  the  discretion  of  my  executors.  I  give 
the  poor  inhabitants  of  Upton  twenty  shillings."  [Then  follow  various 
grants  of  charity  to  different  parishes.]  "  My  mind  and  intent  is,  that 
my  executors  shall  bestow  100  smocks,  or  200  ells  of  canvas  of  the  price 
of  Wd.  an  ell,  unto  and  upon  100  poor  women  dwelling  within  the 
villages  and  parishes  next  above  said.  My  mind  and  will  is,  that  my 
executors  shall  bestow  and  distribute  these  my  legacies  upon  some 
Friday  and  Friday  in  their  several  parish  Churches  of  the  aforesaid, 
desiring  them  to  give  God  thanks  for  all  his  benefits."  [Then  follows 
donations  towards  repairing  the  churches  of  Upton,  Chilton,  &c.]  "I 
give  unto  every  one  of  my  sisters  one  ring  of  gold,  and  one  silver  spoon. 
I  give  unto  Anne  Legatte,  my  sister's  daughter,  £7  10*.  of  lawful  money 
of  England,  to  be  paid  within  five  years."  [Next  comes  various  small 
bequests  to  her  nephews  and  sisters.]  "  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  John 
Welbeck,  and  Richard  Welbeck,  my  sister's  sons,  £5  a-piece,  to  be  paid 
within  five  years  of  my  decease.  I  give  unto  the  same  Richard  Welbeck 
an  iron-bound  chest;  also  I  give  unto  the  same  Richard  Welbeck  the 
lease  and  term  of  years  of  that  land  in  Henred  which  I  bought  of 
Iveringham.  I  give  to  Anne  Welbeck  one  diaper  cloth,  six  napkins, 
one  towel,  and  a  quilt.  I  give  unto  my  brother,  John  Latton,  one 
goblet  of  silver.  I  give  unto  my  cousin,  John  Latton  of  Kingston,  one 
silver  cup,  and  unto  every  one  of  his  children  one  silver  spoon  a-piece. 


NOTICES   OF   THE  FAMILY   OF   LATTIN. 


I  give  unto  my  cousins,  George  Tippinge  and  Bartholomew  Tippinge, 
one  silver  spoon  a-piece.  I  give  unto  my  cousin,  Dorothy  Wiseman,  one 
jewel,  called  the  ''Two  Maidens."  I  give  unto  my  cousin,  Elizabeth 
Jennings,  my  girdle,  studded  with  gold.  I  give  to  my  cousin,  Anne 
Holloway,  one  diaper  cloth.  I  give  unto  my  cousin's  son,  Edward,  20 
wether  sheep.  I  give  unto  Mary  Pawling,  my  sister  Spier's  daughter, 
one  feather  bed  furnished;  and  whereas  her  husband  oweth  me  £13  6s. 
8d.,  my  mind  and  will  is,  that  my  executors  shall  receive  the  same  money, 
and  deliver  him  his  bond,  and  give  the  same  unto  the  said  Mary  Spier's 
children,  and  £10  to  be  equally  divided  among  them.  I  give  unto  every- 
one of  my  god-children  10s.  a-piece.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  R.Welbeck, 
my  sister's  son,  and  unto  Latton  Welbeck,  and  to  their  heirs  and  assigns, 
all  my  lands,  tenements,  in  county  of  Essex  for  ever.  I  give  to  my 
servant,  William  "White,  10  wether  sheep.  I  give  unto  Eichard  Tall, 
10  wether  sheep,  and  a  mourning  coat.  I  give  unto  the  12  men  who 
carry  me  to  the  grave  a  mourning  coat." 

Ashmole,  in  his  Antiquities  of  Berkshire,  says,  that  from  the 
Wiltshire  Lattons,  like  those  of  Berkshire,  are  descended  the  Lattons  of 
the  Naas,  a  town  and  ancient  barony  in  the  county  of  Kildare  ;  and  adds 
that  they  came  to  Ireland  in  the  reign  of  King  John.  In  Burke' s 
History  of  the  Commoners  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  1838,  it  is  stated 
that  from  the  Lattons  of  Latton,  in  North  Wilts,  diverged  several 
branches  seated  in  various  parts  of  England,  and  enjoying  high  respecta- 
bility, the  Lattons  of  Upton,  and  Esher,  &c.,  as  well  as  the  family 
which,  obtaining  from  King  John  considerable  grants  of  land  in  Ireland, 
settled  there,  and  became  seated  at  Morrist own- Latton,  in  Kildare. 
[The  first  notice  of  the  name  in  Ireland  I  have  been  able  to  discover  is 
in  the  year  1295.]  "  Geoffry  de  Latton,  for  unjust  occupation  of  the 
King's  Chapel,  fine,  Dublin  %  a  mark."  ("  State  Papers,"  Ireland.) 
Dalton,  in  King  James's  Army  List,  mentions  that  the  surname  Lattin 
(I  shall  now  adopt  the  modern  spelling)  appears  in  Irish  Records,  1386, 
in  William  Latoun.  John,  the  son  of  William,  was  a  merchant  in  jNTaas 
at  the  close  of  the  sixteenth  century,  and  confidential  trustee  to  the 
Wolfe  family.  Among  the  Petitioners  of  the  Gentry  of  the  Pale  to  the 
Lord  Deputy  in  1605  was  ~N.  "N.  Latin;  and  Stephen  Latyn  was  a 
member  of  the  Naas  Corporation  at  the  same  period.  In  1590, 
William  Lattin  of  Morristown,  and  his  wife,  Anne  Luttrell  of  Lut- 
trellstown,  founded  at  Naas  an  alms-house  for  poor  women.  Several 
members  of  the  Lattin  family  bequeathed  small  sums  in  perpetuity  for 
the  support  of  its  inmates,  and  there  is  at  present  a  charge  on  the  Lattin 
estate  of  £20  per  annum  for  that  purpose,  and  still  regularly  paid.  This 
house  was  twice  pulled  down — first  in  1787  to  widen  the  street,  and 
again  in  1798,  during  the  Rebellion,  to  enable  the  artillery  to  put  their 
guns  in  position.  The  Government,  in  1802,  allowed  a  small  sum  to  re- 
build the  house.  There  are  three  inscribed  stones  set  in  the  front  wall. 
The  first  bears  the  names  of  the  founders,  and  date  of  foundation,  "  Gul. 
Latton  de  Morristown  et  Anna  Luttrell  de  Luttrellstown  me  fiere  f ecerunt 
Anno  MDXC."  The  inscription  on  the  second  stone  is  not  decipherable. 
On  the  third  we  have  a  scriptural  text,  "  Wealth  maketh  many  friends, 
but  the  poor  man  is  separated  from  his  neighbour,"  Prov.  xix.  4.  When 
the  house  was  pulled  down,  in  1798,  Mr.  Thomas  Plunkett,  sub-agent  of 
the  property,  took  charge  of  these  stones,  and  had  them  restored  when  it 


186  NOTICES   OF   THE   FAMILY   OF   LATTIN. 

was  rebuilt.1  William  Lattin  sat  in  Parliament  for  the  borough  of  Naas 
in  1621.  Among  the  monumental  inscriptions  at  St.  David's  Church, 
N"aas,  we  find,  "  Gulielmus  Lattin  de  Morristown,  Anna  Luttrell  de 
Luttrellstown  quorum  miserere  Deus — me  fiere  fecerunt  —  S.  P.  Q.  S. 
Domum  eternam.  The  former  stone,  erected  by  W.  Lattin  and  Anne 
Luttrell  of  Morristown,  in  the  year  1600,  being  broken,  this  was  fixt  by 
Patrick  Lattin,  and  Jane  Alcock  of  the  same  place,  Anno  1719.  Here 
lyeth  the  body  of  John  Lattin,  eldest  son  of  the  above  Patrick  Lattin, 
who  departed  this  life  the  7th  day  of  July,  1731,  in  the  21st  year  of  his 
age.  Here  also  lyeth  the  body  of  said  Patrick  Lattin  of  Morristown, 
Esq.,  who  departed  this  life  the  19th  day  of  June,  1732,  in  the  64th 
year  of  his  age.  Also  the  body  of  his  son  George  Lattin,  L.  Lattin,  Esq., 
who  died  8th  July,  1773,  aged  59.  Also  the  body  of  his  wife,  Catherine 
O'Ferrall  of  Ballyna,  who  died  November  12th,  1800,  aged  66  years." 

Of  the  Morristown  Lattin  family  was  James  Lattin,  born  in  Kildare, 
1581.  He  entered  the  Jesuit  Order  in  Rome,  and  laboured  as  a  missionary 
in  Dublin,  1642.  He  was  imprisoned  in  1643.2  Among  the  list  of 
Irish  priests  and  Jesuit  students  at  Douai,  mentioned  in  a  letter  to  the 
Archduchess  of  Austria  in  1613,  is  James  Lattin.  John  Lattin,  in  the 
year  1641,  was  seised  of  Morishtown,  Moynagh,  400  acres;  Lowstown, 
30  acres,  and  4  tenements  ;  Westowne,  80  acres,  the  castle  of  Molestown, 
and  30  acres;  Rathash,  22  acres,  the  grazing  of  12  cows  and  bull  upon 
the  Common  of  Newtown,  in  the  barony  of  Naas,  100  acres,  with  a  castle 
and  4  tenements,  in  Craddockstown,  and  1  castle  and  8  tenements ;  also 
one  house  and  back  side  in  the  town  of  Naas.3 

The  direct  ancestor  of  William  Lattin,  who  represented  Naas  in 
Parliament,  1621,  was  William  Lattin,  who  married  one  of  the  Caddell 
family ;  his  son,  Patrick  Lattin,  married  Jane,  daughter  of  William  Alcock 
of  Clough  (now  Wilton),  county  Wexford,  and  had  issue : — 

1.  John,  who  left  no  issue. 

2.  George,  who  succeeded  his  father. 

1.  Jane,  married  Alexander  Eustace  of  Craddockstown  (whose  son, 
Colonel  Eustace,  died  unmarried ;  two  daughters,  Mary,  and  Anne ;  the 
former  married  Sir  Duke  Gifford,  and  the  latter,  John  Caulfield). 

2.  Begnet,  married  Fitzgerald  of  Baltenoran. 

3.  Another  daughter,  married  —  Kennedy,  Esq. ;  died  without  male 
issue. 

4.  A  daughter,  married  —  Fitzgerald,  Esq. 

5.  Elizabeth,    married    James    Archibald    of    Eadestown,    Kildare. 
Patrick  Lattin  died  1732,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  George,  who 
married  Catherine  O'Ferrall  of  Ballyna,  and  had  issue  : — 

1.  Patrick. 

2.  Ambrose,  d.  in  the  Austrian  Service,  1 789. 

1 .  Mary,  m.  Patrick  Lambert  of  Carnagh. 

2.  Jane,  m.  Major  Fitz  Gerald,  Co.  Kilkenny. 

1  "Historical  Notice  of  Naas."— Eev.      the  Faith." 

M.  Comerford,  M.R.I. A.  3  "Inquisitions  (Lagenia),  Record  Pub- 

2  See  Rev.  Brother  Foley,  s./.,  "  Col-      lications  " 
lectanea"  ;  and  O'Reilly's  "  Sufferers  for 


NOTICES   OF   THE   FAMILY   OF   LATTIN.  187 

3.  Anne,  m.  Le  Marquis  de  La  Yie,  of  Bordeaux. 

4.  Begnet,  m.  James  Lambert,  of  Bantry  Lodge,  "Wexford. 

5.  Eleanor. 

6.  Frances. 

George  Lattin  died  1773;  his  brother,  who  was  known  as  Jack  Lattin, 
is  said  to  have  been  a  celebrated  dancer,  and  there  is  an  old  rhyme  pre- 
served in  the  family,  which  says : — 

"  Jack  Lattin,  dressed  in  Satin, 
Broke  his  heart  of  dancing  : 
He  danced  from  Morristown 
To  Castle-Brown."1 

Patrick  Lattin,  who  succeeded  his  father,  George,  was  born  at  Morris- 
town  Lattin,  county  Kildare,  1762.  He  was  educated  at  the  College, 
Henry  IY.,  Paris,  and  at  the  University  of  Turin  ;  was  a  Captain  in  the 
Irish  Brigade,  and  aide-de-camp  to  General  Count  Dillon.  Patrick  Lattiu 
married,  1792,  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Eobert  Snow,  of  Drum- 
downey,  county  Kilkenny,  and  had  issue — Paulina,  who  married,  1817, 
Alexander  Mansfield  of  Yeomanstown,  county  Kildare.  Patrick  Lattin  was 
a  man  of  high  intellectual  attainments,  unsurpassed  in  the  brilliancy  of 
his  wit  and  talent  as  a  raconteur.  Lady  Morgan,  who  knew  him  well, 
declared  that  in  his  presence  "  Shiel  was  silent,  and  Curran  dull."  In 
her  Book  of  the  Boudoir  she  speaks  of  Lattin  as  a  raconteur  whom  it 
was  a  boast  to  know,  and  who  in  his  residence  at  Morristown,  and  at  his 
pretty  hotel  in  the  Chaussee  D'Autin,  delighted  his  guests  by  his  rela- 
tion of  anecdotes  in  French,  which  rivalled  the  purisme  of  Madame  de 
Genlis.  Thomas  Moore  was  a  frequent  guest  of  Mr.  Lattin' s  in  Paris, 
and  the  former  frequently  mentions  him.  in  his  "  Journals."  Moore  was 
dining  in  Paris  one  night  in  Lattin's  company :  Lattin  amused  his  audience 
by  telling  them  that  he  had  just  met  a  Frenchman  who  declared  he  had 
never  read  the  history  of  France,  but  had  guessed  it.  On  another  occa- 
sion Moore  was  dining  with  Lattin :  the  company  included  the  Lords 
Holland,  John  Russell,  Thanet,  and  Trimleston :  the  host  entertained 
his  guests  by  telling  them  of  the  feelings  of  the  Irish  for  Napoleon 
Bonaparte.  He  said  when  he  was  last  in  Ireland  he  was  taken  to  the 
secret  part  of  the  cabin  of  one  of  his  poor  tenants,  who  whispered,  "  I 
know  you  will  not  betray  me,  sir,  but  just  look  there,  and  tell  me 
whether  that  is  the  real  thing"  pointing  at  the  same  time  to  a  soi-disant 
portrait  of  Napoleon,  which  turned  out  to  be  a  print  of  Marshal  Saxe. 
At  this  dinner  Lattin  proposed  the  health  of  Moore's  father  and  mother, 
and  declared  the  pleasure  it  gave  him  to  witness  the  triumph  of  the 
elder  Moore  at  the  great  celebration  given  at  Dublin  in  honour  of  his 
gifted  son. 

Lord  Cloncurry,  in  his  "Memoir,"  gives  us  his  portrait  of  Lattin, 
and  the  close  friendship  which  existed  between  them.  He  says  that 
Patrick  Lattin  was  in  company  with  Count  Dillon  at  the  time  of  his 
murder,  and  that  he  resigned  his  commission,  and  returned  to  Morris- 
town  Lattin,  where  he  lived  many  years,  the  centre  of  a  circle  of  friends, 

1  Now  Clongowes  Wood  College. 


188       NOTICES  OF  THE  FAMILY  OF  LATTIN. 

•whom  he  delighted  by  the  brilliancy  of  his  wit  and  eminent  social 
qualities.  Lord  Cloncurry  obtained  from  Marshal  Berthier  permission, 
from  Napoleon  for  Lattin  to  return  to  Paris,  and  to  reside  in  a  house, 
of  which  he  was  the  owner,  in  the  Rue  Trudon.  Lattin  translated 
Voltaire's  Henriade  into  English  verse,  the  proceeds  of  which  were  given 
towards  helping  an  emigre  friend.  He  also  published  "  Observations  on 
Dr.  Duigenan's  Fair  Representation  of  the  Present  Political  State  of 
Ireland"  (1805).  Dr.  Duigenan  answered  in  a  libellous  pamphlet, 
which  caused  Lattin  to  take  proceedings  against  him.  The  case  was 
tried  in  the  Court  at  Westminster.  Lattin  recovered  large  damages  from 
an  English  jury. 

The  present  representative  of  the  Lattins  is  George  Patrick  Lattin 
Mansfield,  D.L.,  Morristown  Lattin,  grandson  of  the  subject  of  our 
Memoir,  who  inherits  the  Lattin  property  by  right  of  his  mother  (the 
daughter  of  Patrick  Lattin).  Mr.  Lattin  died  in  Paris  1836,  leaving  no 
male  issue.  The  name  is  also  represented  by  Lattin  Thunder,  Kingston 
Lodge,  county  Meath,  great-grandson  of  Patrick  Lattin  (maternally). 


(     189     ) 


THE  MEDALLISTS  OE  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 
BY  WILLIAM  FRAZER,  F.R.C.S.I., 

Member  of  Council  and  Librarian,  Royal  Irish  Academy. 

[Continued  from  VOL.  VII. ,  page  619.] 
NO.    III.— THE    WOODHOUSES. 

JOHN  WOODHOUSE,  son  of  "William  Woodhouse  (whose  works  as  a  medallist 
I  have  already  described),  was  born  in  Dublin  in  1835,  and  educated  in 
that  city.  He  entered  the  Art  Schools  of  the  Royal  Dublin  Society  in 
1851,  under  Mr.  Neilan.  Next  year  he  was  occupied  at  Cork  in  striking 
his  father's  medals  at  the  Art  Exhibition  held  there,  and  obtained  a  first 
prize  for  his  drawing  of  the  Dying  Gladiator  from  the  Royal  Dublin 
Society,  and  a  Certificate  of  Proficiency  in  the  junior  class  for  Artistic 
Anatomy.  In  1853  he  was  employed  in  cutting  his  first  steel  die — the 
harp  for  the  reverse  of  the  "  Dargan  "  medal  made  by  his  father  ;  he  also 
prepared  a  miniature  medallet,  representing  the  head  of  Dargan,  copied 
from  the  larger-sized  medal.  He  was  awarded  the  silver  medal  of  the 
Royal  Dublin  Society  for  Artistic  Anatomy,  and  the  Local  Medal  and 
National  Medallion  for  his  execution  of  four  heads  modelled  in  low  relief; 
these,  with  an  impression  of  the  medal  of  Sir  Benjamin  Brodie,  are  pre- 
served in  a  frame  in  the  possession  of  the  Irish  School  of  Art.  I  understand 
there  were  only  four  of  these  National  Medallions  ever  issued  for  Irish 
competition. 

In  1854  he  again  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  Local  Medal  for  a  model 
of  the  head  of  the  Queen,  intended  to  be  used  for  a  medal  by  the  Queen's 
University ;  this  was  copied  after  the  portrait  engraved  on  the  Corona- 
tion Medal  made  by  Wyon.  The  die  for  this  medal  was  engraved  by  his 
father.  When  undergoing  the  process  of  hardening,  a  crack  appeared  across 
the  face  of  the  portrait,  which  did  not  interfere  with  its  being  used  to  strike 
medals  until  some  time  had  elapsed,  when  Mr.  Woodhouse  re-engraved  it. 
The  impressions  from  the  first  die  are  recognised  by  having  the  letter  "  w" 
on  the  Queen's  neck.  Medals  made  from  the  second  die  are  marked  WOOD- 
HOUSE  F  underneath  the  bust,  and  the  lettering  of  the  inscription  is  in  dif- 
ferent characters.  About  1876  a  third  die  was  required,  which  John 
Woodhouse  made.  In  this  medal  the  Queen's  head  is  represented  of  larger 
size,  and  it  has  underneath  the  words  J  WOODHOUSE. 

In  1862  the  Prize  Medal  of  the  Royal  Hibernian  Academy  was  pre- 
sented to  Mr.  J.  Woodhouse  for  his  skill  in  modelling,  and  in  the  course  of 
the  next  year  he  was  elected  to  the  rank  of  an  Associate  Academician. 
His  talents  as  a  medallist  can  be  judged  by  studying  his  works,  and  the 
number  of  medals  he  executed  will  testify  to  the  diligence  with  which  he 
pursued  his  profession.  Unfortunately,  in  the  midst  of  his  career,  he  was 
attacked  by  a  dangerous  and  severe  illness,  which  has  incapacitated  him 
from  pursuing  his  usual  avocation  j  after  some  months  of  suffering,  he  has 


190       ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

so  far  improved  in  health,  that  his  friends  hope  they  may  again  see  him 
engaged  in  the  active  prosecution  of  his  attractive  art.  It  is  with  much 
regret  that  I  state,  from  my  own  knowledge,  how  little  his  talents  have 
profited  him.  Like  many  of  Ireland's  brilliant  sons,  we  are  proud  of  his 
abilities,  but  fail  to  reward  them  with  more  than  empty  praise  and  words, 
not  acts  of  sympathy. 

DABGAN  MEDALLET. — Head  to  right ;  behind  it  DAEGAN.  Reverse. — 
Blank. — A  white  metal  proof  in  my  possession,  made  for  practice  in  die- 
sinking  when  sixteen  years  of  age.  Size,  *9. 

MEDALLET  OF  CUPID  IN  CHAINS,  leaning  on  a  hoe,  to  right.  Engraved 
after  a  gem  of  Pichler's.  "White  metal ;  unique  impression,  in  my  collec- 
tion. Size  '9. 

MEDALLET  OP  HOESE. — In  white  metal;  an  early  study,  and  rare; 
in  my  possession.  Size,  *9. 

SIE  BENJAMIN  BEODIE. — A  finely-modelled  head  (copied  from  the 
English  medal  of  this  distinguished  surgeon),  looking  to  left,  behind 
BEODIE.  On  the  neck  j  w.  Reverse. — An  olive  wreath.  Size,  2'0.  This 
medal  was  made  as  an  art  study.  I  have  an  impression  in  bronze. 

DANIEL  O'CONNELL. — Bust  with  neck  of  coat,  and  portion  of  well- 
known  cloak  to  left.  DANIEL  O'CONNELL  BOEN  ATJGT  6TH  1775  DIED  MAY 
15TH  1847.  Beneath  is  the  "  Patent  Registration  mark"  between  two 
shamrocks  ;  and  on  the  arm  of  the  bust  w  WOODHODSE.  Reverse. — Foley's 
model  for  the  Monument  now  erected  in  Sackville- street ;  on  base  H.  FOLEY 
E  A  ;  and  beneath,  in  small  letters,  j  WOODHOUSE.  The  inscription  is,  TO 

COMMEMOEATE     THE     CENTENAEY     OF     o'cONNELL's    BIETH    AUGUST    6TH    1875. 

Size,  2-1. 

This  was  the  last  medal  made  by  "William  "Woodhouse  before  going  to 
the  country  ;  and  its  reverse  the  first  die  published  with  his  son's  name ; 
struck  in  white  metal.  About  six  dozen  impressions  were  struck. 

DANIEL  O'CONNELL  (Erection  of  the  Monument). — A  replica  of  the  last 
described  medal,  but  the  monument  has  the  date  1881 ;  and  the  inscrip- 
tion on  two  raised  ribbons  is  TO  COMMEMOEATE  THE  EEECTION  OF THE 

O'CONNELL  MONUMENT  IN  DUBLIN.  Size,  2-1.  Struck  in  white  metal.  I 
have  an  impression. 

DANIEL  O'CONNELL  (Centenary  of  Birth). — Bust  to  right ;  on  neck  w  w. 
Inscribed  DANIEL  O'CONNELL  M  p,  BOEN  AUG  6TH  1775  DIED  MAY  1847. 
Reverse. — Round  tower,  harp,  and  wolf-dog,  with  sun  rising  over  the  sea. 

Above,      CATHOLIC  |  EMANCIPATION   |  EEPEAL.        In     CXergUC,      CENTENAEY  | 

1875.  I  In  small  letters  under  tower,  j.  w.     Size,  T4. 

Portrait  copied  from  Mr.  "W.  "Woodhouse's  model.  Of  this  medal,  1 1,000 
sold  within  a  few  weeks.  I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 

DANIEL  O'CONNELL  (Erection  of  Monument). — Copy  of  last  head, 
marked  WOODHOUSE  on  neck,  and  underneath,  DUBLIN.  Reverse. — Irish 
cross  with  harp,  dog,  and  distant  round  tower ;  around  top  of  cross, 

CATHOLIC    EMANCIPATION.       Inscription,    COMMEMOEATE  THE  EEECTION  OF  THE 


THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.         191 


1881,  in  exergue.  Size,  1*4;  in  white  metal. 
Occurs  also  with  date  altered  to  1882.  Similar  to  the  last  described 
medal,  it  was  largely  sold. 

ARTHUR  JACOB,  M.  D.,  F.  R.  C.  S.  —  Bust  to  left,  draped  ;  marked  be- 
neath w  WOODHOUSE,  F.  and  behind  the  figure,  JACOB.  Reverse  —  A  laurel 
wreath,  outside  which  is  inscribed  ARTHUR  JACOB  M.  D.  F  R  c  s  PEOF  OF  AN  AT 

&  PHYS  EOT  COL  OF  SURG  IN  IRELAND  ;    and  within,    IN   |  COMMEMORATION  |   OF 
I  EMINENT    SEETICES  |  EENDEEED  TO   |   SCIENCE  |  AND   |  THE    MEDICAL  PROFES- 

SION  |  IN  |  IRELAND  |  1860.     Size,  2-6. 

Dr.  Jacob's  long  association  with  the  Royal  College  of  Surgeons  and 
his  valuable  services  to  the  College,  and  the  profession  of  Surgery  in  Ire- 
land, rendered  his  friends  desirous  of  presenting  him  with  a  service  of  plate, 
which  he  declined  to  accept,  and  in  its  stead  this  medal  was  prepared  and 
struck  for  subscribers  to  the  "  Jacob  Fund."  About  120  were  distributed, 
one  impression  being  in  silver,  which  was  given  to  his  brother,  Dr.  Jacob 
of  Maryborough.  It  is  needless  to  recall  Dr.  Jacob's  high  surgical  and 
scientific  attainments  ;  his  name  will  always  be  associated  with  the  dis- 
covery of  the  "  Membrana  Jacobi"  in  the  structure  of  the  eye  —  and  remem- 
bered as  editor  of  the  Medical  Press.  He  died  in  1874,  aged  84  years, 
having  retired  to  England  some  years  previously.  Though  bearing  the 
initials  of  his  father,  this  medal  was  the  work  of  Mr.  J.  Woodhouse.  I 
have  a  good  impression  of  this  medal  in  bronze. 

TRINITY  COLLEGE.  —  A  replica  of  Mr.  W.  "Woodhouse's  medal.  Portrait 
well  executed,  and  of  larger  size  ;  distinguished  by  J  w  on  the  sleeve. 
Size,  1-6. 

Only  one  bronze,  and  a  few  white  metal,  proofs  were  struck  before  the 
die  broke  ;  of  these  I  have  a  white  metal  proof  impression.  It  is  recog- 
nised by  several  minute  differences  in  the  ornamentation  of  the  dress  from 
the  die  subsequently  engraved.  Reverse.  —  A  wreath. 

TRINITY  COLLEGE.  —  This  medal  bears,  like  the  last,  the  bust  of  Eliza- 
beth, and  inscription  COLL.  ss.  ET  INDIVID  TEIN  EEG  ELIZABETHS  IUXTA 
DVBL.  1591.  Reverse.  —  The  College  arms  on  a  field,  diapered,  and  semee 
with  shamrocks  ;  at  side  the  Tudor  rose  and  portcullis.  Struck  in  gold, 
it  is  given  for  various  moderatorships,  and  has  different  inscriptions. 
That  before  me  bears  ETHICIS  ET  LOGICIS  FELICITER  EXCULTIS,  and  the  name 
of  the  recipient  engraved,  JOHANNES  F  FRAZER  1873,  having  been  obtained 
by  my  son,  the  late  Rev.  John  Findlay  Frazer,  Sch.,  T.  C.  D. 

TRINITY  COLLEGE  LATIN  MEDAL.  —  Roma  draped  and  armed,  holding 
Yictory  on  outstretched  hand,  seated  on  a  cuirass,  with  shield  ;  underneath 
these  J  WOODHOUSE.  In  exergue,  ROMA.  Reverse.  —  College  arms,  &c.,  as 
last  medal  ;  inscription,  PROPTER  LITERAS  LATINAS  FELICITER  EXCTJLTAS. 
Size,  1-4. 

The  die  is  copied  from  a  fine  first-brass  coin  of  Nero.  It  was  intended 
as  a  companion  prize  to  Wyon's  Greek  Berkeley  Medal  made  in  1874,  and 
constitutes  the  Yice-Chancellor's  Prize  Latin  Medal,  one  or  two  being 
awarded,  struck  in  gold,  in  each  session.  A  few  proofs  of  this  medal 
were  struck  in  bronze  ;  of  these  no  less  than  three  have  found  their  way 
to  my  cabinet. 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  0 


192      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

THEOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OP  TRINITY  COLLEGE,  DUBLIN. — A  shield  bearing- 
the  College  Arms,  with  Tudor  rose  and  portcullis  at  the  sides ;  above  in- 
scribed, FOUNDED  |  1837.  All  inclosed  within  a  thick  laurel  wreath, 
outside  which  is,  THEOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  or  TRINITY  COLLEGE  DUBLIN. 
Reverse. — Blank,  with  wreath  of  olive  and  oak  leaves.  Size,  2*1. 

I  have  early  proofs  of  this  medal,  struck  in  white  metal  and  in 
bronze. 

PHILOSOPHICAL  SOCIETY  or  THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  DUBLIN. — A  shield  with 
the  arms  of  the  University  on  a  diapered  ground  semte,  with  shamrocks ; 
at  side  the  Tudor  rose  and  portcullis.  Around  all,  PHILOSOPHICAL  SOCIETY 
OF  THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  DUBLIN,  FOUNDED  1854.  Reverse. — Blank  centre,  for 
inscription,  with  olive  wreaths ;  underneath,  in  small  letters,  J  w.  Size,  1  *9. 

I  have  an  impression  in  silver,  with  ring  for  suspension. 

TYRRELL  MEDAL. — Bust  to  left,  marked  j  w  on  neck.      Inscribed, 

WILLIAM  GERALD  TYRRELL  BORN  NOV  28TH  1851  DIED  AVG  28™  1876.    Reverse 

A  shield  with  the  University  arms,  Tudor  rose,  and  portcullis,  and  within, 
an  olive  wreath,  outside  which,  DULCES  ANTE  OMNIA  MUSAE.     Size,  1*6. 

The  premature  death  of  this  promising  young  man  was  much 
regretted  by  his  companions  in  College.  There  was  an  intention  of 
commemorating  his  death  by  instituting  a  College  medal,  which  was  not 
carried  out.  I  believe  only  two  impressions  of  this  medal  were  struck, 
of  which  I  have  one  in  bronze.  The  portrait  is  well  executed. 

THE  QUEEN'S  UNIVERSITY  IN  IRELAND. — Thus  inscribed  above  a  dia- 
demed head  of  the  Queen,  to  left ;  on  the  neck,  in  small  letters,  j  WOOD- 
HOUSE,  and  underneath,  FOUNDED  1850.  Reverse. — The  arms  of  the 
Queen's  University,  with  shamrocks  at  side,  on  a  shield,  with  space  round 
edge  for  inscription.  Size,  1-6. 

This  prize  medal  was  struck  in  gold  and  silver;  it  is  distinguished 
from  the  medals  made  by  W.  "Woodhouse,  by  the  portrait  of  the  Queen 
being  of  larger  size,  and  by  the  inscription  on  the  neck.  Seen  in  an 
early  impression,  it  is  a  fine  piece  of  work.  I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 

PHILOSOPHICAL  SOCIETY  OF  THE  CORK  COLLEGE. — Head  of  the  Queen, 
inscribed,  VICTORIA  REGINA.  Reverse. — An  engraved  inscription.  Size,  2'0. 

Presented  as  a  prize  by  the  Vice-President  of  the  College  in  the  year 
1877-8. 

KOYAL  COLLEGE  OF  SURGEONS,  IRELAND. — The  arms  of  the  College, 
with  supporters.  Motto,  on  a  ribbon  underneath,  CONCILIO  MANUQUE, 
and,  in  small  letters,  J.  w.  Reverse. — A  blank  centre  for  engraving, 
around  this,  ROYAL  COLLEGE  OF  SURGEONS  IN  IRELAND.  Size,  1'6. 

Issued  in  gold  and  silver  for  prizes  by  Sir  Charles  Cameron,  Professor 
of  Chemistry,  and  late  President  of  the  College.  I  have  a  white  metal 
proof,  and  also  an  impression  in  an  unfinished  condition.  The  supporters 
are  modelled  "nude,"  in  Mr.  Woodhouse's  usual  manner  for  securing 
accurate  proportion  when  delineating  the  human  figure,  the  drapery  being 
a  subsequent  addition. 

SIR  PATRICK  DUN'S  HOSPITAL  MEDAL.— The  arms  of  Sir  Patrick  Dun, 
with  his  motto,  CELER  ATQUE  FLDEUS,  on  a  ribbon,  and  underneath,  in 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.       193 

minute  letters,  i  w.     Around  the  arms,  PATR  DUN  EQ  AUR  NOSOCOMII  SCHOL.E 
MEDICINE  IN  HIBERN  FUND*.     Reverse. — A  blank  centre  for  inscription, 

With,  AWARDED  TO   FOR  THE  SESSION.       Outside  this,  HAUGHTON  CLINICAL 

MEDAL  INSTITUTED  AD  1868.       Size,  2'0. 

This  medal,  founded  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Haughton,  is  struck  in  silver, 
and  awarded  to  the  best  students  examined  on  medical  and  surgical 
cases  treated  during  the  year,  and  reported  by  themselves.  Those  who 
are  familiar  with  the  subject  of  medical  education  in  Ireland  are  aware 
how  much  the  Medical  School  of  the  University  of  Dublin  is  indebted  to 
Professor  Haughton  for  its  present  distinguished  position,  and  its  success 
in  promoting  the  study  of  medicine  and  surgery  on  a  scientific  basis. 
My  example  of  this  medal  is  a  white  metal  proof. 

SIR  PATRICK  DUN'S  HOSPITAL  MATERNITY. — The  medal  is  inscribed 
with  these  words,  around  the  figure  of  a  woman,  who  holds  an  infant, 
and  at  whose  side  is  a  young  child ;  in  the  exergue  are,  j  WOODHOUSE,  in 
minute  letters,  and  FOUNDED  1867.  Reverse. — A  blank  centre  for  inscrip- 
tion, with  AWARDED  TO.  Surrounding  this,  HAUGHTON  MATERNITY  MEDAL 

INSTITUTED  A  D  1869.       Size,  2'0. 

This  maternity,  besides  its  usefulness  as  a  local  charity,  has  trained  a 
number  of  efficient  nurses,  many  of  whom  became  employed  in  regiments 
at  home  and  abroad.  Usually  two  silver  and  a  few  bronze  medals  are 
issued  each  year  and  given  after  examination.  My  specimen  is  in  bronze. 

CITY  OF  DUBLIN  HOSPITAL  MEDAL. — A  shield  bearing  above  the  arms 
of  the  City  of  Dublin,  and  underneath  the  Good  Samaritan  with  a 
wounded  man,  resting  on  a  field  semee  with  shamrocks,  j  w  in  small 
letters  underneath.  Inscription,  CITY  OF  DUBLIN  HOSPITAL  .  FOUNDED 
1832.  Reverse. — Blank,  with  olive  wreaths.  Size,  2-0. 

This  medal  is  issued  as  a  premium  ;  struck  in  silver.  My  specimen  is 
in  bronze. 

CARMICHAEL  MEDICAL  SCHOOL. — Bust  of  Mr.  Carmichael,  draped,  to  left. 
Underneath  on  the  bust,  j  WOODHOUSE  AR  H  A,  in  small  letters.  Inscription, 
RICHARD  CARMICHAEL.  Reverse. — A  blank  centre  for  engraving,  around 

Which,  CARMICHAEL  SCHOOL  OF  MEDICINE  FOUNDED  1828.       Size,   1'6. 

Richard  Carmichael,  born  1779,  was  accidentally  drowned  at  Sutton 
in  1849.  Having  acquired  a  large  fortune,  he  liberally  endowed  the 
Medical  School  in  North  Brunswick-street,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
original  founders,  and  also  left  bequests  to  be  distributed  by  the  Royal 
College  of  Surgeons,  and  to  the  Benevolent  Medical  Association  of  Ire- 
land. In  1879,  the  school  built  by  Mr.  Carmichael's  bequest  in  North 
Brunswick-street  was  closed,  and  a  new  school  built  in  Aungier-street. 
The  bust  on  this  medal  is  copied  from  one  in  marble  in  the  College  of 
Surgeons,  and  from  a  former  medal  made  in  electrotype  from  an  en- 
.graved  seal.  The  medal  is  given  to  different  classes  in  this  school  for 
prizes  at  examinations. 

MATER  MISERICORDL^  HOSPITAL. — Inscribed  with  these  words  and 
DUBLIN  around  the  centre,  which  bear  the  letters  CLINICAL  MEDAL.  Re- 
verse.— Blank,  with  olive  wreaths.  Size,  1*6. 

Given  as  a  prize  medal  by  the  late  Dr.  Hayden ;  struck  in  gold  in 
1881  I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 

02 


194      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

JERVIS-STREET  HOSPITAL,  FOUNDED  1718. — The  medal  bears  this  in- 
scription round  a  blank  centre  for  engraving.  Reverse. — A  wounded 
man,  leaning  against  a  tree,  is  attended  by  a  surgeon  ;  behind,  a  horse  is 
represented,  and  in  the  distance  a  person  is  seen  hurrying  away.  It 
appears  to  be  intended  to  represent  the  Good  Samaritan.  In  exergue, 
MISERIS  SUCCURRERE.  The  artist's  initials,  J  w,  are  beneath  the  horse's, 
fore-feet.  Size,  1-6. 

Made  in  1885,  as  a  prize  medal.     I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 

LEDWICH  SCHOOL  OF  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. — This  inscription  appears 
round  the   centre,    which  has,    PRESENTED   |  BY  |  THE   LECTURER  |  ON  | 
CHEMISTRY.     Reverse. — Oak  leaves  and  Royal  Crown,  within  which,  PRIZE 
MEDAL.     Size,  2 '6. 

Struck  in  silver  as  a  premium  for  pupils  attending  the  classes  on 
Chemistry  and  Materia  Medica. 

LEDWICH  SCHOOL  OF  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY. — A  similar  medal  of' 
smaller  size.  Reverse. — Two  olive  wreaths,  with  blank  centre.  Size, 
1-6. 

Struck,  in  1882,  for  premiums,  in  gold  and  silver.  I  have  a  white 
metal  proof  impression. 

LEDWICH  SCHOOL  OF  MEDICINE  AND  SURGERY,  DUBLIN,  inscribed  around 
a  blank  centre.  Reverse. — A  bearded  bust  of  ,/Esculapius ;  in  front,  a 
serpent  twined  around  a  rod,  and  behind,  .ESCULAPIUS ;  j  w  in  small 
letters  on  the  neck  of  bust.  Size,  1-6. 

Made  in  1885,  to  be  given  for  medical  and  surgical  prizes.  I  have 
an  impression  in  white  metal. 

LAW  STUDENTS  DEBATING  SOCIETY. — THE  O'HAGAN  PRIZE  FOR  ORATORY, 
inscribed  within  an  olive  wreath,  and  outside,  LAW  STUDENTS  DEBATING 
SOCIETY  OF  IRELAND.  Reverse. — Elevation  view  of  the  King's  Inns, 
Henrietta-street.  In  exergue,  SOCIETY  FOUNDED  1830.  Size,  1*6. 

This  medal,  struck  in  gold  and  silver,  was  given  by  the  late  Lord  Chan- 
cellor O'Hagan.  It  is  awarded  each  year  for  oratory.  I  have  proofs  in 
bronze  and  white  metal. 

LAW  STUDENTS  DEBATING  SOCIETY  (Law  Medal  of  Chief  Baron  Palles). — 
Bust  of  Cicero  to  left,  marked  j  w  on  neck ;  above,  MARCUS  TULLIUS  CICERO. 
Reverse. — Blank  centre  for  inscription,  with  olive  wreath,  around  which 

is,  LAW  STUDENTS  DEBATING  SOCLETT  OF  IRELAND.       Size,   1*6. 

This  medal,  struck  in  gold,  was  awarded  for  Legal  Debates,  one 
in  each  year  for  1877,  1878,  and  1879.  The  bust  is  well  executed. 

LAW  STUDENTS  DEBATING  SOCIETY  (Armstrong  Medal  for  Oratory}. — 
A  hand  grasping  a  thunderbolt,  VOLAT  IRREVOCABILE  VERBUM.  Reverse. — 
Blank  centre  and  olive  wreath,  outside  which,  LAW  STUDENTS  DEBATING 
SOCIETY.  Size,  1*5. 

This  medal  was  presented  by  the  late  Serjeant  Armstrong.  Only 
one  medal,  in  gold,  was  issued  in  the  year  1876.  My  example  is  a  white 
metal  proof. 

^  LAW  STUDENTS  DEBATING   SOCIETY   (Plunlcet  Medal  for   Oratory}. — 
Within  a  wreath   of  shamrocks  is  inscribed,   PLUNKET  |  PRIZE  |  FOR  | 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  fHEIR  WORK.       195 

-ORATORY  |  PRESENTED   |  BY  |  DUNBAR     PLUNKET     BARTON.        Reverse. Blank 

centre,  with  olive  wreath,  outside  which,  LAW  STUDENTS  DEBATING  SOCIETY 

OF  IRELAND.       Size,   1'6. 

Struck  in  gold  since  1880,  and  presented  for  excellence  in  legal 
debates.  I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 

LAW  STUDENTS  DEBATING  SOCIETY  (Professor  Jelletfs  Medal}. — FLAVIUS 
JUSTINIANUS  IMPERATOR. — Head  and  bust  to  right,  with  fillet  diadem ; 
underneath,  j.  w.  Reverse. — An  olive  wreath.  Size,  T6. 

Presented  by  Professor  Jellett,  Q.C.,  in  1878.  I  have  a  proof  in 
white  metal,  being  the  second  impression  taken  from  the  die. 

LEGAL  AND  LITERARY  DEBATING  SOCIETY. — A  shield  with  the  arms  of 
Dublin,  and  beneath  an  open  book,  inscribed  LAW,  and  a  roll  marked 
LITERATURE  ;  on  each  side  olive  branches  ;  above,  an  Imperial  Crown,  an 
Irish  motto  on  a  ribbon  beneath.  The  inscription,  LEGAL  AND  LITERARY 

DEBATING  SOCIETY  DUBLIN.     INSTITUTED   1871.       M0VW86. Blank,  With  olive 

wreath.     Size,  1*6. 

Five  or  six  medals  were  given  as  prizes,  and  then  discontinued.  I 
-have  white  metal  and  bronze  proof  impressions. 

SOCIETY  OF  ATTORNEYS  AND  SOLICITORS  OF  IRELAND. — Arms,  a  shield 
with  Harp  and  Crown  ;  above,  a  small  figure  of  Justice  ;  supporters,  two 
Irish  greyhounds  ;  the  motto,  on  a  ribbon  beneath,  VERITAS  VINCIT,  and 
under  this  j  w.  .Reverse. — A  blank  centre,  surrounded  by  olive  wreath, 
outside  which  is  THE  SOCIETY  OF  THE  ATTORNEYS  AND  SOLICITORS  OF  IRE- 
LAND, INST  1841.  INCORP  1852.  Size,  1'6. 

The  medal  is  presented  to  those  students  who  pass  a  distinguished 
-examination.  I  have  a  bronze  proof  impression. 

ROYAL  IRISH  ACADEMY,  CUNNINGHAM  PRIZE  MEDAL. — This  is  intended 
to  be  a  replica  of  the  work  executed  by  the  elder  Mossop,  which  I  have 
-already  described,  the  dies  having  become  worn  out  by  frequent  use.  It 
can  be  recognised  by  the  small  letters  on  the  arm  of  Lord  Charlemont, 
w.  MOSSOP,  F  .  J .  w.,  by  three  small  crowns  placed  within  the  star  on  his 
breast,  and  by  the  lettering  of  the  inscription,  which  is  somewhat  larger 
sized  than  in  the  original  medal.  On  the  reverse,  also,  in  addition  to 
w.  MOSSOP,  F,  are  the  letters  j  w.  The  shape  of  the  round  tower  is  better 
denned,  and  a  few  other  minor  details  may  be  detected.  Size,  2-2. 

The  engraving  of  this  medal  was  the  last  work  Mr.  J.^Woodhouse 
completed  before  his  illness.  It  bears  favourable  comparison  with  Mossop' s 
medal,  its  execution  affording  ample  proof  of  the  artist's  skill  in  repro- 
ducing a  portrait  of  the  highest  class,  both  in  workmanship  and  finish. 
Besides  using  an  early  proof  of  Mossop' s  medal,  Mr.  Woodhouse  availed 
himself  of  the  original  medal,  in  wax,  of  Lord  Charlemont's  portrait  that 
Mossop  prepared  before  engraving  it,  and  which  is  in  my  possession.  I 
have  the  only  impression  struck  in  soft  metal  from  the  dies  previous  to 
being  hardened,  and  also  a  silver  proof  made  specially  for  me  from  the 
finished  dies  after  annealing. 

EOYAL  DUBLIN  SOCIETY  MEDALS. — There  are  at  least  three  medals 
made  by  Mr.  J.  Woodhouse  for  this  Society  which  require  mention. 


196      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

No.  1 .  A  medal,  the  obverse  of  which  is  filled  by  the  arms  of  the- 
Society,  with  supporters  and  motto,  underneath,  in  small  letters,  being 
j  WOODHOUSE  |  A.E.H.A.  There  is  no  flange  at  the  exterior,  merely  a  circle 
of  dots.  Reverse  has  a  similar  border  with  the  inscription,  EOYAL  DUBLIN 
SOCIETY,  having  olive  wreaths  inside,  and  a  blank  centre  for  engraving. 
Size,  2-2. 

No.  2.  Similar  obverse,  with  arms.  Reverse. — Mare  and  colt.  In 
exergue,  HORSE  SHOW,  and  above,  the  name  of  the  Society  in  old  English 
letters.  Size,  2*2.  This  was  made  in  1883.  I  have  a  soft  metal  proof 
impression. 

No.  3.  Similar  obverse,  with  arms.  Reverse. — A  horse  to  left,  above, 
in  small  square  letters,  EOYAL  DUBLIN  SOCIETY,  and  in  exergue,  HOESE  SHOW  ; 
the  portion  outside  blank  for  engraving.  Size,  2-2. 

The  initials  j  w  are  seen  behind  the  horse's  hind  feet.  The  "  Horse  " 
was  copied  from  a  fine  statue  by  Kiss  of  Berlin,  of  a  favourite  Arab 
belonging  to  Napoleon  I.,  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  O'Reilly  of  Booters- 
town,  county  Dublin.  I  have  the  first  white  metal  impression  taken 
from  the  finished  dies. 

ROYAL  HIBERNIAN  ACADEMY  or  AETS.  Head  of  Queen  Yictoria,  with 
coronet,  to  right ;  on  the  neck,  in  small  letters,  WOODHOUSE  ;  and  above, 
VICTOEIA  BEGIN  A  ;  outside  this  is  a  second  compartment,  with  the  words, 
EOYAL  HIBEENIAN  ACADEMY  OF  AETS,  1823-1861.  Reverse. — "Wreaths  of 
oak  and  Imperial  Crown.  Inscription,  PEIZE  MEDAL  ;  a  blank  border  for 
engraving.  Size,  2*5. 

The  Royal  Hibernian  Academy  have  instituted  examinations  each 
July  of  the  works  of  students  attending  their  Art  School,  at  which  medals 
are  given  to  successful  competitors.  In  addition  to  the  medals  thus 
awarded,  a  very  limited  number  of  proof  impressions  were  struck  by 
Mr.  J.  Woodhouse  in  bronze ;  that  which  I  have  was  made  for  T.  M. 
Ray,  Esq. 

ROYAL  IEISH  ACADEMY  or  Music. — Head  of  the  Queen,  with  diadem,  to 
right,  inscribed,  VICTOEIA  EEGINA;  underneath,  in  small  letters,  WOOD- 
HOUSE  F.  Reverse. — A  blank  centre  for  engraving,  and  Irish  harp,  from 
which  rises  two  wreaths  of  olive,  outside  being  the  words,  EOYAL  IEISH 

ACADEMY  OF  MUSIC.       Size,   1'8. 

The  Queen's  head  on  this  medal  is  struck  from  Mr.  "W.  "Woodhouse's 
die  made  for  the  Queen's  visit  to  Ireland  in  1848.  In  the  year  1878 
eight  impressions  of  this  medal  were  made  in  bronze.  I  have  a  white 
metal  proof,  being  the  first  taken  from  the  dies. 

INSTITUTION  OF  CIVIL  ENGLNEEES. — Bust  to  right,  marked  on  neck  j  w, 
and  behind,  on  the  field,  MULLINS.  Reverse. — INSTITUTION  OF  crm,  ENGI- 
NEERS OF  IEELAND  ESTD  1835,  iECOED  1877.  Size,  1'6. 

This  medal  is  awarded  for  communications  on  subjects  of  Engineer- 
ng  importance;  struck  in  gold.  It  was  made  November,  1879.  I 
have  a  white  metal  impression,  being  the  first  struck  from  the  die ;  also 
a  wax  impression  of  the  bust  before  the  inscription  was  sunken. 

FEIENDLY  BEOTHEES'  MINIATUEE  MEDAL. — This  pretty  little  medal  is 
similar  to  that  struck  by  Mossop.  It  was  intended  to  be  made  in  gold 
and  silver-gilt.  I  have  a  unique  white  metal  proof.  Size  1*0. 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.       197 

ROYAL  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY  OP  IRELAND. — Mr.  J.  "Woodhouse  re- 
engraved  the  inscriptions  for  the  dies  made  by  his  father  on  the  larger 
and  smaller  medals  in  February,  1880,  by  turning  the  edge  and  adding 
fresh  lettering. 

IBISH  BEEKEEPERS'  ASSOCIATION-. — This  medal  represents  one  of  the  old- 
fashioned  straw  hives  on  a  pedestal,  which  has  a  harp  crowned,  and  motto, 
INDUSTRIA  ET  LABORS.  In  exergue,  EST  1881.  The  inscription  is,  IRISH 
BEEKEEPERS  ASSOCIATION.  Reverse. — Two  olive  wreaths,  with  blank  centre. 
Size,  2-0. 

Struck  for  prizes  to  be  given,  in  1882,  at  an  exhibition  held  by  this 
Society.  I  understand  these  prizes  were  instituted  under  Canon  Bagot's 
influence.  I  have  a  white  metal  impression,  and  also  a  fine  proof  in 
bronze. 

IRISH  RIFLE  ASSOCIATION. — A  shield,  representing  Hibernia  holding 
an  olive  wreath,  with  harp  and  wolf  dog ;  above,  an  Imperial  Crown ; 
for  supporters  an  Irish  bowman  with  bow,  and  figure  of  Major  Leech 
with  his  rifle.  Motto  on  ribbon,  PRO  PATRIA  ET  REGE  ;  and  underneath,  in 
minute  lettering,  JOHN  WOODHOUSE  ARHA.  Reverse. — A  thick  olive 
wreath,  with  blank  centre  for  inscription ;  outside,  THE  IRISH  RIFLE  ASSOCIA- 
TION FOUNDED  1867.  Size,  2'5. 

This  medal  was  made  in  1867.  Four  struck  in  bronze,  and  one  in 
silver,  were  intended  to  be  given  each  year  as  prizes  to  different  rifle 
clubs  in  Ireland.  The  figure  of  the  rifleman  is  a  good  representation  of 
Major  Leech,  who  was  the  principal  originator  of  the  Rifle  Association. 
The  bowman  is  copied  from  the  figure  of  an  Irish  gallowglas  procured 
from  Kilkenny. 

EXHIBITION  OF  MANUFACTURES,  MACHINERY,  AND  FINE  ARTS,  1864. — A 
medal  thus  inscribed  around  a  shield,  bearing  the  arms  of  the  Royal 
Dublin  Society  above,  and  underneath  those  of  the  city  of  Dublin ;  at 
upper  part  a  Royal  Crown.  On  a  ribbon,  NOSTRI  PLENA  LABORIS  ;  below 
the  shield,  in  small  letters,  J  w.  The  reverse  represents  a  crowned  female, 
bearing  a  copia,  and  leaning  on  harp  to  represent  Hibernia;  in  the  back- 
ground a  lighthouse  and  steamer,  railroad,  with  train,  &c.  In  exergue, 
j  WOODHOUSE.  Size,  1*7. 

I  have  a  bronze  proof  impression.  There  were  few  copies  of  this 
medal  struck,  and  these  were  in  white  metal. 

DUBLIN  EXHIBITION,  1865. — Head  of  Prince  Albert  to  left,  ALBERT 
EDWARD  PRINCE  OF  WALES,  and  underneath,  in  small  letters,  j  WOODHOUSE 
ARHA.  Reverse. — A  front  view  of  the  Exhibition  Building,  with  flag, 
inscribed,  DUBLIN  INTERNATIONAL  EXHIBITION.  In  exergue,  in  three  lines, 
OPENED  THE  9iH  OF  MAY  1865  BY  HRH  THE  PRINCE  OF  WALES  ;  beneath  the 
building  to  left  is  the  artist's  name,  j  WOODHOUSE.  Size  1-9. 

Several  hundreds  were  struck  in  white  metal,  and  one  or  two  in  bronze. 
It  has  become  rather  difficult  to  obtain  an  impression  of  this  medal. 

GUINNESS  ART  EXHIBITION,  1872. — In  the  centre  is  a  seated  winged 
figure,  raised  on  a  pedestal,  who  places  wreaths  on  the  heads  of  two 
females,  one  with  a  painter's  palette,  who  represents  art,  and  the  other 
with  hammer  and  anvil,  signifies  manufactures.  The  pedestal  is  deco- 
rated with  shamrocks,  and  below,  on  a  small  shield,  are  the  arms  of  Dublin ; 


198      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

underneath,  in  minute  characters,  J  WOODHOUSE  ARHA.     The  inscription 

is,     EXHIBITION    OF    ARTS    INDUSTRIES    AND     MANUFACTURES.         In     exergue, 

DUBLIN  1872.  Reverse. — A  thick  wreath  of  roses,  shamrocks,  and  thistles, 
having  above  an  Imperial  Crown,  and  below  a  ribbon,  with  TRIA  JUNCTA 
IN  UNO.  Size,  1*7. 

Struck  in  bronze.  About  120  were  distributed  as  prizes,  and  one 
made  in  silver,  was  presented  to  Lady  Gort,  for  an  exhibition  of  porcelain. 
The  dies  cost  £60.  I  have  a  bronze  impression. 

CASHEL  ART  EXHIBITION,  1874. — Thus  inscribed,  with  date  in  centre. 
Reverse. — Blank.  Size,  1*3. 

This  medal  was,  I  believe,  used  as  a  season  admission  ticket  to  the 
Exhibition.  A  specimen  was  specially  struck  for  me  by  my  friend,  the 
late  Eev.  Dr.  Adams  of  Santry,  in  silver.  It  was  issued  in  bronze. 

CASHEL  AET  EXHIBITION,  1884. — Similar  to  the  last  described  medal, 
but  made  in  bronze,  in  which  metal  I  have  an  impression. 

EXHIBITION  OF  IRISH  ART  AND  MANUFACTURES,  1882. — Medal  with  this 
inscription  outside  wreaths  of  shamrocks  and  olives,  within  which, 
AWARDED  TO,  with  blank  space  for  engraving  name.  Reverse. — A  falling 
man  near  an  anvil  is  being  raised  by  a  female  figure;  above  are  the 
words,  SELF-RELIANCE,  and  in  exergue,  LABOR  OMNIA  VINCIT.  Size,  2*1. 

For  the  exhibition,  held  in  Cork,  this  medal  was  given  as  a  prize.  I 
have  an  impression  in  bronze. 

EXHIBITION  OF  IRISH  ART  AND  MANUFACTURES,  1882. — A  view  of  the 
Exhibition  Building  erected  in  the  Park  at  Blackrock,  near  Cork.  In- 
scription, IRI&'H  NATIONAL  |  EXHIBITION  |  1882.  Reverse. — Pemale  seated 
with  distaff,  and  man  working  at  anvil ;  behind  is  the  rising  sun,  also  a 
factory,  ship,  &c.  At  top,  RESURGAM,  and  in  exergue,  IRISH  MANUFACTURE. 
Size,  i-6. 

Struck  in  bronze  and  white  metal,  as  a  memorial  of  the  Exhibition. 

DUBLIN  ARTIZANS'  EXHIBITION,  1885. — An  elaborate  piece  of  workman- 
ship, with  four  round  spaces,  representing  Painting,  Sculpture,  Building, 
and  Manufactures,  by  emblematic  figures,  resting  on  a  wreath  of  olives, 
the  interspaces  filled  by  Celtic  ornamentation  and  fancy  work.  Reverse 
inscribed,  IRISH  ARTIZANS  EXHIBITION  .  DUBLIN,  in  large  letters  on  a 
field  of  shamrocks.  In  centre  a  harp  and  Celtic  knots,  over  which  is  a 
blank  label  for  engraving,  and  the  date,  1885.  Size,  2 '2. 

This  was  given  to  the  successful  exhibitors  at  the  Artizans'  Exhibi- 
tion. I  have  an  early  proof  medal  in  bronze. 

DUBLIN  ARTIZANS'  EXHIBITION,  1885. — TO  COMMEMORATE  THE  IRISH 
ARTIZANS'  EXHIBITION,  1885,  inscribed  around  the  centre,  which  repre- 
sents, on  four  shields,  the  arms  of  the  provinces  of  Ireland ;  between  each 
shield  is  a  shamrock,  and  in  small  letters  above  are  the  names  of  the 
provinces.  Reverse. — A  well-executed  female  head  to  left,  wearing  a 
mural  crown,  behind  which  is  EBLANA  ;  on  the  neck  of  the  figure,  in  small 
letters,  j  WOODHOUSE  |  DUBLIN.  Size,  1-4. 

This  commemoration  medal  was  designed  to  be  sold  at  the  Exhibition, 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.        199 

It  was  struck  in  white  metal  and  bronze.     I  have  the  first  white  metal 
impression  taken  from  the  dies. 

NATIONAL  DOG  SHOW,  DUBLIN. — Inscribed  in  old  English  letters, 
around  a  blank  centre  for  engraving.  Reverse. — Heads  of  eight  varieties 
of  dogs,  each  in  a  medallion ;  in  centre  a  harp  crowned,  also  in  a  medallion, 
surrounded  with  shamrocks;  beneath  the  harp,  in  small  letters,  J.  w. 
Size,  1-8. 

This  was  issued,  in  silver  and  bronze,  in  the  year  1873,  for  prizes.  I 
have  a  bronze  proof  impression.  It  may  possibly  have  been  employed 
afterwards  for  similar  exhibitions. 

DUBLIN  INTERNATIONAL  DAIRY  SHOW,  1882. — Inscribed  outside  wreaths 
of  corn ;  the  centre  blank  for  engraving.  Reverse. — Cow  standing,  and 
calf  lying  down.  In  exergue,  in  small  letters,  WOODHOUSE  FECIT.  Size, 
1-6. 

The  reverse  was  taken  from  a  medal  of  the  Royal  Dublin  Society, 
made  by  W.  Woodhouse.  I  have  a  white  metal  impression.  It  records 
one  of  the  earlier  efforts  of  Canon  Bagot,  and  some  energetic  friends  of 
his  to  excite  an  interest  in  the  improved  process  of  dairy  farming. 

PHOTOGRAPHIC  SOCIETY  OF  IRELAND. — Inscribed  outside  olive  wreaths, 
with  blank  centre  for  engraving.  Reverse. — A  seated  female  figure  to 
left,  placing  her  hand  on  a  camera  to  withdraw  its  covering ;  around  are 
photographic  and  chemical  apparatus.  In  exergue,  INSTITUTED  |  AD  1854 ; 
and  in  minute  letters,  w  w  to  left  of  base,  and  j  w  to  right.  Size,  1*5. 

This  medal  was  made  for  Sir  Jocelyn  Coghill,  at  that  time  President 
of  the  Photographic  Society.  About  ten  were  struck  in  silver,  and  a 
few  bronze  proof  impressions,  of  which  I  possess  an  example. 

PHOTOGRAPHIC  SOCIETY  OF  IRELAND  . — Inscription  similar  to  last,  around 
centre,  composed  of  an  ornamented  quarterfoil,  with  shamrocks,  contain- 
ing four  shields,  bearing  the  arms  of  the  provinces  of  Ireland.  Reverse. 
— Olive  wreaths,  with  blank  centre  for  engraving.  Size,  2*1. 

The  Society,  having  been  re-organized,  caused  this  medal  to  be  struck 
a  few  years  since.  I  have  a  bronze  medal,  and  a  white  metal  proof. 

DUBLIN  METROPOLITAN  AMATEUR  REGATTA. — This  medal,  made  several 
years  since,  was  inscribed  with  those  words  outside  a  coil  of  knotted  rope, 
within  which  was  a  racing  gig  in  full  course,  to  left.  Reverse. — Wreaths 
of  olive,  with  two  oars  crossed  at  lower  part,  and  a  small  flag  ;  the  centre 
blank  for  engraving.  Struck  in  gold.  Size,  1*3. 

IRISH  CHAMPION  ATHLETIC  CLUB. — CHAMPION  WRESTLER  thus  inscribed, 
around  blank  centre  for  engraving  name.  Reverse. — Two  athletes  engaged 
in  wrestling ;  j  w  in  small  letters  at  base  to  right. 

One  medal  was  struck  in  gold,  and  six  in  silver.  I  have  a  white  metal 
proof  impression.  A  "Badge"  was  also  struck  for  this  Club,  consisting 
of  an  Irish  cross,  with  arms  of  equal  length  upon  a  circle,  bearing  the 
words,  IRISH  |  CHAMPION  |  ATHLETIC  |  CLUB  |  .  It  was  pendant  from  a  bar, 
with  Imperial  Crown  and  shamrocks.  Struck  in  bronze,  of  which  I  have 
a  proof. 


200      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK* 

FITZWILLIAM  LAWN  TENNIS  CLUB  A  D.  MDCCCLXXVII. — Inscribed  round 
centre,  which  consists  of  an  oval  shield,  with  harp  and  crown  resting  on  a 
star,  bearing  shamrocks.  Reverse. — Blank.  Size  TO. 

A  "  Champion  "  medal  in  gold,  weighing  11  dwt.,  was  struck  in  1884., 
I  have  the  white  metal  proof. 

COMMEECIAL  ROWING  CLUB,  SUGG. — Inscribed  in  small,  square  letters 
round  blank  centre.  Reverse. — The  arms  of  Sligo :  a  square  tower  and  tree ; 
at  base  a  hare  running,  held  by  an  oyster  at  its  foot,  and  six  other  oysters 
around  on  the  shore.  In  the  distance  the  sea  is  represented.  Size,  1'3. 

This  medal  was  struck  in  July,  1880 ;  six  made  in  silver,  and  twelve 
in  white  metal.  I  have  a  white  metal  proof  impression. 

LIMERICK  GAELIC   ASSOCIATION. — Inscribed  around  a  shield  with  the 
arms  of  Limerick :  an  old  castle  and  gate,  behind  which  is  a  dome,  with 
cross.  Under  this  in  minute  letters  i.  w.  DUBLIN.  Reverse. — CHAMPIONSHIP 
|  MEDAL,  with  raised  border  bearing  shamrocks.    Size,  1'3. 

I  have  a  white  metal  impression.  I  do  not  know  the  history  of  this 
Association. 

E.  DWYER  GRAY  MEDAL. — This  medal  bears  the  following  lengthy 
inscriptions: — AUGUST  16TH  1882  |  E  DWYER  GRAY  ES<I.  MP  |  HIGH  SHERIFF 

OF  DUBLIN  CITY  |  COMMITTED  TO  RICHMOND  PRISON  BY  |  MR  JUSTICE  LAWSON 
FOR  THREE  MONTHS  |  FINED  £500  AND  ORDERED  TO  FIND  |  BAIL  IN  £10,000 
OR  BE  IMPRISONED  FOR  |  A  FURTHER  THREE  MONTHS  FOR  |  "  CONTEMPT  OF 

COURT"    I  -    — . .       SEPTEMBER    30TH  MR    GRAY   WITHOUT   |   SOLICITATION 

LIBERATED  BY  THE   |    SAME  JUDGE  ON  PAYMENT  OF   |   THE    FINE,  WHICH    HAD   I 

BEEN  PROVIDED  BY  |   PUBLIC  SUBSCRIPTION.     Reverse. OCTOBER  24TH  1882  | 

RIGHT  HON  W  E  GLADSTONE  |  PRIME  MINISTER  DECLARED  IN  THE  |  HOUSE  OF 
COMMONS,  IN  REFERENCE  TO  |  MR  GRAYS  CASE  THE  INTENTION  OF  |  GOVERN- 
MENT TO  INTRODUCE  A  BILL  IN  THE  |  COMING  SESSION  TO  AMEND  THE  |  LAW 

REGARDING   |    "CONTEMPT    OF    COURT" PRESENTED    TO  |   THE    HIGH 

SHERIFF,  |  IN  COMMEMORATION  OF  THESE  |  EVENTS.  BY  THE  |  GRAY  |  INDEM- 
NITY COMMITTEE  DEC.  1882. 

There  was  a  single  impression  struck  in  gold.  Size,  2*0.  I  obtained 
the  rare  proof  taken  in  white  metal,  and  the  dies,  being  of  no  artistic 
value,  were  destroyed.  It  is  needless  to  give  any  details  of  the  circum- 
stances recorded  by  these  inscriptions.  The  subsequent  history  of  the 
medal  is,  however,  worth  describing.  It  was  given  to  the  Corporation  of 
Dublin,  by  Mr.  Gray,  to  be  attached  to  the  High  Sheriff's  Chain  of  Office. 

THE  BOYCOTT  EXPEDITION. — Inscribed  under  an  Imperial  Crown  IK- 
HONOUR  |  OF  THE  |  LOYAL  &  BRAVE  |  ULSTERMEN.  Reverse. THE  BOYCOTT 

EXPEDITION  |  LOUGH  MASK  |  1880,  with  blank  space  for  inscription ;  wreaths 
of  olives,  and  underneath  WEST  &  SON  in  very  small  letters.     Size,  1-6. 
The  following  extract  will  describe  the  history  of  this  medal : — 

"  A  silver  medal  has  been  struck  to  commemorate  the  Boycott  Expedi- 
tion. Each  person  who  took  part  in  the  expedition  is  to  be  presented  with 
one,  his  name  being  engraved  thereon,  and  a  specimen  is  to  be  presented 
to  the  British  Museum."  Fifty  TJlstermen  were  engaged  in  this  historic- 
campaign.  I  obtained  the  first  proof  impression,  made  in  white  metal, 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.       201 

from  the  unpolished  die.  Messrs.  West  &  Son,  whose  names  appear  on 
the  medals,  were  the  Dublin  silversmiths  through  whom  they  were 
supplied. 

MASTER  MAGEATH. — On  the  death  of  this  celebrated  greyhound,  the 
property  of  Lord  Lurgan,  its  body  was  duly  brought  to  the  Medical 
School  in  Dublin  University,  and  examined ;  the  heart  was  observed  to 
be  of  exceptional  size.  Mr.  J.  Woodhouse,  who  was  much  devoted  to 
coursing,  prepared  a  small  die  for  a  scarf-pin ;  and  as  the  resulting  figure 
was  successful,  he  made  it  into  a  medal,  and  struck  me  a  white  metal 
proof.  Under  the  dog  is  inscribed  M°GRATH  1868  &  69,  in  small  letters. 
The  reverse  is  blank.  Size,  1*3.  I  believe  only  one  impression  was 
struck. 

MASONIC  EOTAL  ARCH  MEDAL. — On  one  side  of  this  medal  are  inter- 
laced triangles  and  an  inscription  A  iNV-3381.  On  reverse,  around  a  triple 
tau,  are  H.T.W.S.S.T.E.S.  Size,  1'6. 

The  dies  were  not  hardened  after  engraving.  A  single  impression  was 
struck  in  bronze  for  Royal  Arch  Room,  Dublin,  for  masonic  purposes,  in 
February,  1879 ;  and  I  obtained  the  white  metal  proof  which  was  made 
from  these  dies. 

MASONIC  ORPHAN  BOYS'  SCHOOL,  IRELAND. — This  inscription  is  placed 
round  a  wreath  of  acacia  and  olive  branches,  with  blank  centre  for  en- 
graving. Reverse. — Solomon  and  Hiram  consulting  about  the  erection  of 
the  Temple ;  behind  are  pillars,  cut  stones,  &c.  In  exergue,  i.  CHRON 
xxii ;  to  the  right,  under  Hiram,  j  w.  Size,  1'6. 

This  prize  medal  was  made  in  the  year  1878.  One  was  intended  to 
be  given  in  silver  each  year.  I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 

MASONIC  ORPHAN  (GIRLS')  SCHOOL,  IRELAND. — View  of  the  new  school 
built  at  Merrion-road.  Inscription,  MASONIC  FEMALE  ORPHAN  SCHOOL.  In 
exergue,  OF  IRELAND.  Underneath  the  building  to  right,  in  small  letters,  J  w. 
Reverse. — SCHOOL  FOUNDED  1792  NEW  BUILDING  MERRION  ROAD  OPENED  1882. 
In  centre,  FOUNDATION  STONE  |  OF  NEW  SCHOOL  LAID  |  ON  |  ST  JOHNS  DAY 

1880   |  BY  |  HIS  GRACE  THE  DUKE  OF  |   ABERCORN  K  G.   |  M  W.    |   GRANDMASTER. 

Masonic  emblems  at  top  and  bottom.     Size,  1*6. 

Mr.  "Woodhouse  contributed  these  medals  to  a  most  successful  bazaar, 
which  was  instituted  on  opening  the  school.  I  have  an  impression  in 
white  metal  from  the  unfinished  die  before  the  building  was  fully  engraved, 
also  white  metal  and  bronze  proofs. 

MASONIC  ORPHAN  (GIRLS')  SCHOOL,  IRELAND. — A  similar  medal,  with 
view  of  the  school.  Reverse. — Wreaths  of  acacia  and  olive,  with  crown 
above  and  masonic  emblems  below.  Inscription,  FOR  SUCCESS  IN  ART 

AWARDED  TO.       Size,   1'6. 

Intended  to  be  given  as  a  prize  for  diligence  in  art  studies,  by  Mr. 
Woodhouse. 

ERASMUS  SMITH'S  SCHOOLS  PRIZE  MEDAL. — A  head  of  Minerva  with 
helmet,  and  armour  on  .upper  part  of  bust ;  beneath,  in  small  letters, 
j  WOODHOUSE  A.R.H.A.  The  inscription  being  INGENIO  VIRTUTE  LABORE. 
Reverse — A  shield,  which  is  supported  and  rests  on  an  anchor,  bearing  the 


202        ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

arms  of  Erasmus  Smith,  having  palm  wreaths  at  the  sides.    The  motto  is, 

MUNIFICENTIA  ERASMI  SMITH.       Size,   1'8. 

This  medal,  which  is  struck  in  silver,  and  engraved  with  the  name  of 
the  pupil  and  of  the  school  he  belonged  to,  is  a  repetition  of  that  made  by 
William  Woodhouse.  The  head  of  Minerva  is  more  finished,  and  differs 
in  some  trifling  details.  Six  of  these  medals  were  to  be  distributed ;  of 
late  years  the  number  has  been  considerably  increased.  They  are  given 
to  the  schools  at  Galway,  Ennis,  Drogheda,  and  Tipperary,  and  also  to 
the  High  School,  Harcourt- street,  Dublin.  I  have  an  impression  in 
silver. 

CHURCH  OP  IRELAND  YOUNG  MEN'S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION. — The  medal 
has  this  inscription  around  a  blank  centre  for  engraving  the  name,  &c. 
Reverse. — A  shield,  with  the  arms  of  the  See  of  Dublin ;  above  is  an  open 
Bible,  and  underneath  a  ribbon,  inscribed,  PROVE  ALL  THINGS,  HOLD  FAST 
THAT  WHICH  is  GOOD.  Below  this,  in  small  letters,  «r.  w.  Size,  1*8. 

This  medal  was  first  issued  in  1876.  It  is  awarded,  struck  in  silver, 
each  year.  I  have  a  white  metal  proof,  being  the  second  made  from  the 
dies. 

BOARD  OF  RELIGIOUS  EDUCATION,  GENERAL  SYNOD,  CHURCH  OF  IRELAND. 
— This  medal  has  the  inscription  around  a  centre,  having  an  open  Bible, 
resting  on  an  heraldic  Irish  cross,  above  being  a  mitre,  and  at  the  sides 
two  crossed  croziers.  Reverse. — ASSOCIATION  FOR  PROMOTING  CHRISTIAN 
EDUCATION,  with  the  words  AWARDED  TO  at  top  of  blank  centre.  Size,  1*4. 

Made  in  the  year  1886.  Intended  to  be  struck  in  gold  and  silver  for 
premiums.  I  have  a  bronze  proof  impression. 

CHURCH  OF  IRELAND  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  MEDAL. — Two  open  books,  marked 
HOLY  BIBLE  and  COMMON  PRAYER,  and  above  a  mitre,  with  the  words 
CHURCH  OF  IRELAND  ;  on  a  ribbon,  underneath,  PROVE  ALL  THINGS,  and  some 
shamrocks.  Reverse. — Blank,  with  a  palm  wreath.  Size,  1'8. 

I  possess  a  bronze  proof  of  this  medal.  It  was  intended  by  Mr.  Wood- 
house  to  be  used  as  a  premium  for  Sunday  School  scholars.  I  also  have  an 
early-struck  white  metal  impression  (made  in  1876),  with  shamrock 
wreath  on  the  reverse. 

CHURCH  OF  IRELAND  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  MEDAL. — A  similar  medal,  with 
Mr.  Woodhouse' s  obverse  of  open  books,  mitre,  &c.  Reverse  struck 
from  a  die  made  by  Carter  of  Birmingham,  representing  the  "  Good  Shep- 
herd," with  sheep,  and  carrying  a  lamb ;  beneath,  in  small  letters,  CARTER 

BIRM.    Motto,  HE  SHALL  GATHER  THE  LAMBS  IN  HIS  ARMS  |   THE  GOOD  SHEP- 
HERD.    Size,  1-8. 

I  have  an  impression  in  white  metal.  The  circumstances  attending 
the  striking  of  this  medal  are  not  known  to  me.  It  was  probably  struck 
in  large  quantities  at  Birmingham. 

MEDAL  OF  THE  ROYAL  SCHOOL,  DONEGAL. — This  bears  a  bishop's  mitre, 
with  Greek  inscription,  EPEYNATE  TA2  TPA<I>A2  InANN.  v.  39. 
Below  the  mitre,  in  minute  letters,  j  WOODHOUSE  A.R.H.A.  Reverse. — SCHOLA 

EEGIA  DONEGALENSIS — REV.  T.  A.  WELR  PRECEPTOR.       Size,   1*8. 

The  Raphoe  Royal  School  was  founded  in  the  reign  of  Charles  I.    I 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.        203 

have  a  finished  bronze  proof  impression  of  the  medal,  and  also  one  struck 
in  white  metal,  with  the  mitre,  &c.,  and  reverse  blank,  with  shamrock 
wreath. 

POETOEA  SCHOOL  MEDAL. — Head  of  young  man  to  right.  Inscription, 
FREDERICK  STEELE  DIED  5  Nov  1866  ;  on  the  neck,  in  small  letters,  j  WOOD- 
HOUSE.  Reverse. — Blank,  with  oak  and  olive  wreaths.  Size,  2*1. 

The  Royal  School  at  Enniskillen  was  founded  in  the  reign  of 
Charles  I.  A  son  of  Rev.  W.  Steele,  D.D.,  Head  Master,  was  drowned 
when  boating  on  Lough  Erne  ;  in  remembrance  of  this  accident  the  Steele 
Memorial  Prize,  "  value  £12,"  is  annually  awarded,  and  this  medal  was 
struck  as  a  record  of  his  death.  I  have  a  bronze  impression. 

LONDONDEEEY  SCHOOL  MEDAL. — A  view  of  the  buildings ;  above  is 
inscribed,  LONDONDEEEY  ACADEMICAL  |  INSTITUTION  |  1868  |  and  in  exergue 
CK  TraiSeias  euSws  |  SCHOOL  MEDAL.  The  letters  J  w  to  left  of  school. 
Reverse. — An  oval  shield,  with  orange-tree,  and  motto  on  ribbon,  EK 
IIAIAEIAS  AIAO3,  and  also  two  square  shields,  with  the  arms  of  the 
city  of  Derry  and  of  Ulster ;  outside,  a  blank  space  for  engraving. 
Size,  1-6. 

Two  medals,  struck  in  silver,  and  one  in  gold,  were  issued  in  January 
1880,  with  a  blank  reverse,  of  which  I  have  a  white  metal  proof.  In 
October,  1880,  the  reverse  was  added  ;  and  of  this  also  I  possess  a  white 
metal  proof  impression. 

THE  NOETON  MEDAL. — The  medal  represents  Captain  Norton  standing 
in  a  country  scene,  with  trees,  &c.,  throwing  a  spear  in  Australian 
fashion  from  a  rest ;  in  exergue,  PEIDE  IN  HIS  POET  |  DEFIANCE  IN  HIS  EYE. 
Reverse. — Oak  and  olive  wreaths,  outside  which  is,  PEESENTED  TO  THE  BEST 

SPEAE    THEOWEE    AT    THE    SANTEY    SCHOOL,    and    in    Centre,    THE  I  NOETON  ] 

MEDAL  I  AIEN  API2TEYEIN.     Size,  1-6. 

This  is  a  medal  of  exceptional  rarity.  About  twenty  impressions  were 
struck  in  silver,  of  which  nineteen  were  remelted,  and  one  issued,  as  some 
accident  occurred  from  the  spear  throwing,  which  led  to  its  being  aban- 
doned, and  further  competition  stopped.  There  were,  I  believe,  two  bronze 
proofs  made,  and  the  copy  in  white  metal  which  was  specially  struck  for 
my  cabinet. 

SCHOOL  MEDAL. — Helmetted  head  and  bust  of  Minerva  in  armour ;  to 
left  marked  j  w  in  minute  letters.  Reverse. — Wreaths  of  fruit  and  corn- 
heads.  Size,  1-6. 

Issued  as  an  ordinary  school  premium.  I  have  a  white  metal  im- 
pression. 

POETAELINGTON  MEDAL. — Arms  of  Lord  Portarlington,  with  support- 
ers, motto,  &c. ;  HENEICUS  COMES  DE  POETAELINGTON  in. ;  in  minute  letters 
on  the  ribbon  with  motto,  J.  w.  Reverse. — Elevation  of  Tullamore  College, 

With  J  W   to  left,  IN    COLLEGIO    TULLIOLANO  SOC   JES   |   SCIENTIAEUM  EAUTOE  | 

D.D.D.     Exergue,  blank  for  engraving.     Size,  2-6. 

Presented  in  silver  gilt,  one  each  year,  and  in  1878,  for  the  first  time^ 
in  silver.  I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 

POETAELINGTON  MEDAL.— A  medal  for  athletic  sports  ;  obverse  similar 
to  last.  Reverse. — Draped  figure  of  Hercules  with  club  ;  surrounded  by 


204      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

olive  wreaths,  and  inscribed  ATHLETIC  PRIZE  in  old  English  characters. 
Size,  2-1.  Struck  in  silver. 

ST.  STANISLAUS'  JESUIT  COLLEGE,  TULLAMOEE. — Elevation  of  the  College 
buildings,  surrounded  by  a  fancy  wreath,  j.  w.  to  left,  FOESTEE  &  co  to 
right.  Inscription,  soc  JESU  COLLEG  TULLIOLAN  SANCTI  STANISLAI,  in  old 
English  letters.  Reverse. — A  blank  centre,  with  olive  wreaths,  and 
around  this,  VIETUTI  AC  DILIGENTIA  BENE  MEBENTI.  Size,  2*1. 

This  prize  medal  was  struck  in  silver.     I  have  no  copy  of  it. 

JESUIT  COLLEGE,  GALWAY. — View  of  the  church  ;  inscribed,  COL- 
LEGIUM s.  IGNATH  soc  JESU  GALviENSE  ;  and  underneath,  j  WOODHOUSE.  In 
exergue,  A  M  D  G.  Reverse. — Blank.  Size,  2-6. 

Struck  in  silver  for  premiums.   I  possess  a  bronze  proof  impression. 

ST.  VINCENT'S  COLLEGE,  CASTLEKNOCK. — A  view  of  the  college  build- 
ings ;  COLLEGIUM  SANCTI  VINCENTII  |  APUD  |  CASTLEKNOCK  |  MDCCCXXXTV  | 

In  exergue,  in  small  letters,  RELIGIONI  ET  SCIENTIAE  ;  the  initials  J  w 
under  left  of  building.  Reverse. — Two  large  olive  wreaths  ;  and  on  the 
ribbon,  in  small  letters,  j  w.  Within  is  inscribed,  IN  |  DOCTEINA  |  CHRIS- 
TIANA |  ET  HISTOEICA  |  ECCLESIASTICA  |  LAUEEAM  MEEUIT,  Size,  2'1. 

Four  medals  silver-gilt  and  three  of  silver  were  struck  in  1881. 
I  have  bronze  and  white  metal  proof  impressions. 

CLONGOWES  COLLEGE. — A  view  of  the  college  buildings.  Inscription, 
COOPT.IN.  CONG  B  v  MABLE  AP  COLL  CLUEN.  In  exergue,  in  minute  charac- 
ters, j  WOODHOUSE.  Reverse. — Figure  of  the  Virgin,  with  outstretched 
hands,  standing  above  a  serpent ;  MARIA  SINE  LABE  CONCEPTA  ORA  PRO 
NOBIS.  The  name  j  WOODHOUSE,  is  also  placed  under  the  figure. 
Size,  1-4. 

I  have  one  of  these  medals  made  in  silver.  Sixty  were  struck  in 
1868. 

FRENCH  COLLEGE,  BLA.CKROCK,  Co.  DUBLIN. — COLLEGE  FRANJJAIS  DE 
L'  IM*  CCEUR  DE  MARIE — BLACKEocK  DUBLIN.  Within  are  two  olive  wreaths 
and  two  of  lilies,  with  flowers  ;  in  centre  a  heart  in  flames,  pierced  by 
a  sword,  and  surrounded  by  a  row  of  roses  ;  above  this  a  rayed  triangle 
with  dove.  Reverse. — Two  olive  wreaths  ;  outside,  ON  THE  VOTE  OF  HIS 

COMEADES,  SUBJECT  TO  THE  APPEOVAL  OF  HIS  MASTEES.  In  Centre  Space, 
AWARDED  |  TO FOE  |  GOOD  CONDUCT.  Size,  1'8, 

The  impression  in  my  cabinet  is  a  bronze  proof. 

CONVENT  SCHOOL  MEDAL. — Seated  nun  teaching  children ;  above  a 
cross  with  rays.  On  pedestal  j.  w.  |  BEOWNE  &  NOLAN.  In  exergue, 
PEO  DOCTBINA  CHRISTIANA.  Reverse. — A  thick  wreath  of  shamrocks. 
Size,  1-6. 

I  have  a  proof  taken  in  white  metal.  It  was  struck  in  1883  for  Mr. 
Browne  (of  the  firm  of  Browne  &  Nolan,  Nassau-street),  as  a  pre- 
mium for  convent  schools. 

DUNHEVED  COLLEGE,  LAUNCESTON. — This  is  one  of  the  few  medals 
struck  in  Ireland  for  use  in  England.  The  inscription  is  as  given,  with 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.        205 

POUNDED  1873,  around  a  shield,  having  armorial  bearings ;  on  a  ribhon 
is  the  motto  BENE  OKASSE  BENE  STUDISSE,  surrounded  by  roses,  sham- 
rocks, and  thistles.  Reverse. — Blank,  with  palm  wreaths.  Size,  1/8. 
There  are  bronze  and  white  metal  proofs  of  this  medal  in  my 
possession. 

HEADFORD  AGRICULTURAL  MEDAL. — Arms  of  the  Marquis  of  Head- 
ford,    with   supporters,   &c.      Motto,  CONSEQUITUR   QUODCUNQUE  PETIT. 
Above,  the  word  HEADFOKD,  and  in  exergue,  FBOM  THE  |  LANDLORD  |  TO  | 
HIS  IMPROVING  TENANT,     j  w  on  the  ribbon,  with  motto.     Reverse. — 
Wreath  of  shamrocks  and  blank  centre.    Size,  1/8. 

Made  in  silver  in  1875  ;  to  be  given  each  year.  I  have  a  white 
metal  proof  impression. 

LANSDOWNE  AGRICULTURAL  MEDAL. — Armorial  bearings  of  the  Mar- 
quis of  Lansdowne,  with  supporters,  and  motto,  VIRTUTE  NON  VERBIS. 
Under  this,  in  very  small  letters,  j  WOODHOUSE,  and  in  exergue,  FROM 
THE  |  LANDLORD  |  TO  |  HIS  IMPROVING  TENANT  |  .  Reverse. — Blank  centre, 
surrounded  by  olive  wreaths.  Size,  1/8. 

This  medal  was  issued  struck  in  silver.  I  have  a  white  metal  proof 
impression. 

BALLINASLOE  DISTRICT  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. — Thus  inscribed 
around  a  blank  centre  for  engraving.  Reverse. — A  sheep  with  two 
lambs,  beneath  which,  to  right,  is  j  WOODHOUSE. 

This  medal  was  struck  in  1882.     I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 

BANBRIDGE  FARMING  SOCIETY. — Farm-house  and  yard,  with  domestic 
cattle.  At  base  to  right  side,  j  w.  Inscription  above  the  farm-house, 
BANBRIDGE  FARMING  SOCIETY,  and  in  exergue,  A.D.  1878.  Reverse. — A 
blank  centre,  surrounded  by  corn  wreaths,  having  two  sickles  at  their 
junction.  Size,  2-0. 

I  have  a  white  metal  proof,  the  first  impression  taken  from  the  die. 

AGRICULTURAL  MEDAL. — Mare  and  foal ;  in  small  letters  at  base,  j  w. 
Reverse. — Blank  centre,  with  wreaths  of  palm,  olive,  and  oak.  Size,  1/8. 

This  was  made  for  general  use,  and  struck  October,  1880.  I  have 
a  white  metal  proof. 

AGRICULTURAL  MEDAL. — Hayrick  and  farm-house  to  left ;  in  front  a 
cow,  on  which  a  female  rests  her  hand ;  and  a  modern  plough,  where  a 
young  man  is  seated.  There  is  a  harrow  and  fowl  in  the  foreground, 
also  sheep,  pig,  &c.  Near  the  edge  of  medal,  j  WOODHOUSE.  Reverse. — 
Blank,  with  olive  wreaths.  Size,  2fO. 

The  impression  I  have  of  this  medal  was  specially  made  for  me  on 
softened  thick  leather ;  for  after  twenty-four  medals  were  struck,  in  the 
winter  season  of  1874,  the  die  suddenly  cracked  into  several  pieces 
during  the  night-time,  the  weather  being  unusually  cold.  This  disrup- 
tion of  an  annealed  steel  die  may  be  due  to  internal  crystallization 
of  the  metal,  and  to  irregular  tension  during  sudden  exposure  to  low 
degrees  of  temperature.  Mr.  Woodhouse  informed  me  that  he  found  it 
liable  to  occur  with  certain  descriptions  of  steel,  which  he  carefully 
avoided  using. 


206        ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

CLONES  UNION  FARMING  SOCIETY. — The  medal  bears  this  inscription 
outside  two  olive  wreaths  enclosing  a  blank  centre.  Reverse. — A  ram 
of  the  improved  Leicester  breed,  and  in  the  exergue,  in  small  letters, 
j  WOODHOUSE.  Size,  2*0. 

This  medal  was  made  in  January,  1879.  Mr.  Woodhouse  went  to 
considerable  trouble  in  obtaining  a  correct  representation  of  the  Lei- 
cester ram.  It  may  be  gratifying  to  an  agriculturist ;  but  the  utter 
absence  of  artistic  beauty  in  the  animal  is  remarkable,  which  resembles 
an  over-stuffed  pillow,  supported  by  four  little  feet.  I  have  a  white 
metal  proof  impression. 

Other  agricultural  medals  were  made  and  struck  by  J.  Woodhouse, 
of  which  I  possess  no  record  or  examples. 

QUEEN'S  COUNTY  HORTICULTURAL  SOCIETY.  —  An  Irish  harp,  sur- 
mounted by  an  Imperial  Crown  ;  underneath  are  two  copias  crossing, 
filled  with  fruits  and  flowers  ;  above,  on  a  ribbon,  is  UTILE  DULCI.  A 
raised  embossed  border,  with  shamrocks,  surrounds  the  centre  part.  Re- 
verse.— Blank,  with  wreath  of  corn  and  fruits.  Size,  1'8. 

Issued  in  silver,  as  a  prize  medal,  some  years  since.  I  have  a  white 
metal  proof. 

TEMPERANCE  MEDALS. — Several  varieties  of  dies  were  employed. 
Those  of  which  I  possess  examples  are  : — 

HIBERNIAN  BAND  OF  HOPE  UNION. — Hibernia,  with  harp  and  wolf- 
dog,  presents  two  children  to  a  seated  female,  whose  robe  is  marked 
TEMPERANCE.  In  exergue  is,  SAVE  THE  CHILDREN.  Reverse. — Shamrock 
wreaths,  temperance  pledge,  and  a  quotation  from  Scripture.  Size,  1-6. 

Issued  in  hundreds  ;  struck  in  white  metal ;  of  this  I  have  an  im- 
pression ;  and  one  was  made  in  bronze,  which  is  in  my  cabinet. 

CHURCH  OF  IRELAND  TEMPERANCE  ASSOCIATION.  —  Thus  inscribed 
around  the  temperance  pledge  ;  underneath  are  wreaths  of  shamrocks. 
On  reverse,  St.  Patrick  holding  a  book,  and  displaying  the  shamrock  ; 

WATCH     &    PRAY    THAT   YE    ENTER    NOT    INTO     TEMPTATION.    MATT,    XXVI.    41. 

Size,  1-4. 

Largely  issued  in  white  metal.   The  die  was  made  December,  1879. 

CHURCH  OF  IRELAND  TEMPERANCE  ASSOCIATION,  PARISH  OF  BRAY. — A 
fish-shaped  medal  thus  inscribed  in  eight  lines.  Reverse. — Blank.  Has 
a  ring  for  suspension.  Size,  1-2  by  0-9. 

Issued  in  white  metal,  of  which  I  have  an  impression. 

DERRY  AND  EAPHOE,  DIOCESAN  TEMPERANCE  SOCIETY.  —  Inscribed 
around  a  blank  centre  on  a  fish-shaped  medal,  with  loop  for  suspension. 
Reverse. — Centre  blank,  and  outside,  FREE  CHURCH  ASSOCIATION.  Size  as 
last. 

KINGSLAND  PARK,  DUBLIN. — Inscribed  around  a  temperance  pledge. 
Reverse. — An  open  Bible  resting  on  the  world  as  a  globe ;  outside, 

METHODIST   BAND   OF   HOPE.       Size,  1'4. 


6N  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.        207 

SOUTH  GREAT  GEORGE'S- STREET. — A  similar  medal  to  that  last  de- 
scribed. Both  medals  issued  in  white  metal. 

EUAN  TEMPERANCE   SOCIETY. — Inscribed  RUAN  above  a   shamrock, 
Outside  is,  TEMPERANCE    SOCIETY   A.M.D.G   ESTABLISHED  JAN*  23KD  1876. 
Reverse. — Bust  of  Father   Mathew  to  left ;    on  arm,   j  WOODHOUSE  | 
DUBLIN.     Inscription,  THE  VERY  REVD  THEOBALD  MATHEW.     Size.  1-8. 

Struck  in  white  metal,  of  which  I  have  a  specimen.  Euan  is  a  post- 
town  near  Ennis. 

ST.  PATRICK'S  JUVENILE  TEMPERANCE  SOCIETY. — Inscribed  around  an 
ornamented  Irish  cross  (the  Monasterboice  Cross).  In  exergue,  j  WOOD- 
HOUSE  |  DUBLIN.  Reverse. — 'St.  Patrick  to  left,  with  mitre  and  crozier, 
holding  a  shamrock  ;  behind  are  a  round  tower  and  mountains,  with 
the  sun  rising  over  the  sea.  SAINT  PATRICK  APOSTLE  OF  IRELAND  PRAY  FOR 
us.  Underneath,  A  D  432  ;  and  on  a  stone  j  w.  Size,  1-7. 

I  have  a  white  metal  proof.  This  medal  was  made  in  1878.  Two 
thousand  were  struck  for  the  Eev.  the  Eector  of  Phibsborough. 

OSSORY  TOTAL  ABSTINENCE  ASSOCIATION. — Obverse,  similar  to  reverse 
of  last-described  medal,  but  engraved  on  a  smaller  die  ;  inscription  as 
given,  and  underneath,  ST  PATRICK  APOSTLE  OF  IRELAND  PRAY  FOR  us.  In  ex- 
ergue, AD  432.  Reverse. — A  representation  of  the  Crucifixion  ;  around 
this  the  pledge,  i  PROMISE  TO  ABSTAIN  'FROM  ALL  INTOXICATING  DRINKS 
DURING  MY  LIFE  |  1880  |  Above  the  date  is  inscribed,  i  THIRST.  Size,  1*5. 

I  have  a  white  metal  impression.  This  medal  was  struck  in  large 
numbers. 

GUILD  OF  ALL  SAINTS. — Thus  inscribed,  with  crown  and  shamrocks, 
beneath  two  crossed  palm  branches.  Reverse. — A  decorated  cross,  and 
the  words  NO  CROSS,  NO  CROWN.  A  fish-shaped  medal  for  suspension, 
1*8  by  1*0.  Made  in  white  metal  and  bronze,  in  1875,  for  Eev.  Dr. 
Maturin,  parish  of  Grangegorman.  I  have  an  impression  in  white 
metal. 

Oval  and  fish-shaped  white  metal  medals,  struck  for  Religious  Asso- 
ciations and  Confraternities. 

Mr.  Woodhouse  made  several,  of  which  I  have  examples.  It  ap- 
pears needless  to  describe  them,  as  they  are  not  important  or  in- 
teresting. 

IRISH  HOME  EULE  LEAGUE. — A  four-rayed  star,  with  centre  bearing 
a  shamrock,  over  a  circle  with  four  shields  of  small  size,  having  the  arms 
of  the  provinces  of  Ireland ;  inscription,  in  small  letters,  IRISH  HOME 

KULE   LEAGUE. 

About  500  were  struck  in  bronze  for  the  Home  Eule  Procession  in 
1879.  I  have  an  impression. 

MASONIC  ORPHAN  SCHOOLS,  DUBLIN. — Inscribed  on  a  raised  border, 
resting  on  a  star  of  two'triangles,  crossing ;  in  centre,  Charity,  as  a 
female,  is  represented  with  three  children,  one  of  whom  has  an  anchor, 
and  another  carries  a  cross.  Made  with  ring  for  suspension. 

4TII  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  P 


208        ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

This  star  was  made  for  the  Masonic  Schools  for  premiums.  I  have 
a  bronze  impression. 

Badges  or  stars  were  also  made  for : — 

Royal  Academy  of  Music. 

Dublin  University  Athletic  Club. 

Irish  Champion  Athletic  Club. 

Queen's  Institute,  Dublin  ;  founded  A.  D.  1861. 

Morehampton  House  School,  Dublin. 

Miss  Creighton's  school,  Dublin. 

I  also  possess  a  long  list  of  important  official  seals,  engraved  by  Mr.  J. 
Woodhouse  for  dignitaries  of  the  Protestant  and  Catholic  Churches  in 
Ireland,  for  Public  Boards,  Institutions,  and  Corporate  Bodies :  in  fact, 
with  few  exceptions,  all  such  dies  were  made  by  him  which  were  required 
for  many  years  past  in  this  kingdom. 


209     ) 


KOTES  Otf  THE  FAMILY  OF  GROVE  OF  BALLYHYMOCK 
AND  KILBYRNE,  CO.  CORK. 

BY  CAPTAIN  GROVE  WHITE. 

THE  first  member  of  this  branch  of  the  Grove  family  that  settled  in  the 
county  Cork  appears  to  have  been  Ion  Grove  of  Hendon,  Middlesex.  He 
may  have  been  connected  with  the  Grove  family  of  Wiltshire,  as  James 
Grove,  son  of  Ion  Grove  of  Ballyhirnock,  in  making  his  will  in  1773,  used 
a  seal  with  the  same  crest  and  arms  as  are  borne  by  that  family,  viz. : 
crest,  a  talbot  dog,  statant ;  arms,  Erm.  on  a  chevron,  three  escallops. 

Ion  Grove  rented  Cardowgan  Castle,  near  Doneraile,  from  Lord  Roche 
in  1603.  By  a  decree,  dated  10th  July,  1633,  Thomas  Grove  of  Roscike, 
in  the  county  Cork,  and  John  Grove  of  the  parish  of  Cardowgan  in  said 
county,  are  described  as  Plifs.,  and  Richard  Williamson,  and  Grissel  his 
wife,  as  Defts.  It  is  decreed  that  the  Plifs.  shall  be  established  in 
possession  of  the  Castle,  and  of  Cardowgan  in  the  county  Cork,  and  so 
much  of  the  eight  Plowlands  of  the  same  as  Ion  Grove,  father  of  the 
Plifs.,  conveyed  to  his  son  Henry,  and  also  certain  rents  due  out  of  two 
and  a-half  Plowlands  of  same,  demised  to  William  Grove,  &c. 

Major  Ion  Grove,  son  of  William  Grove,  was  a  1649  officer,  and  in 
1666  obtained  the  following  grant  of  property  in  the  county  Cork,  viz., 
West  Drinagh,  alias  Kilursin,  bar.  Orrery  and  Kilmore:  Ballyhymock 
(Annesgrove)  :  Keatingstowne  :  Ballynemongree,  alias  Ballynumare : 
Ballytolosy,  alias  Ballytantasy :  Ballytrasna :  Kilbirne,  alias  Kilboirne, 
alias  Kilbyrne,  bar.  Fermoy :  Ballymcmurragh,  bar.  Duhallow :  total 
quantity  1487A.  3n.  20p.  plant.  (R.O.D.). 

By  deed,  dated  17th  April,  1667,  Major  Ion  Grove  gave  Kilbyrne  to 
his  brother  John  Grove,  whose  daughter  and  heiress  Grace  Grove  married 
in  1694,  James  White,  Jun.,  described  in  the  Mar.  Lie.  Bond  as  of  Dro- 
managh,  Barony  of  Descese,  county  Waterford.  The  descendants  of  this 
marriage  still  possess  Kilbyrne.  In  the  deed  of  gift,  Major  Ion  Grove  is 
described  as  of  Lisgriffin  Castle.  This  place  is  about  six  miles  west  of 
Doneraile,  and  the  ruins  are  still  in  existence. 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  Census  of  Ireland,  1659,  county 
Cork:— " Parish  of  ' Ballyclough ' — Lisgriffine— 52  people— Ion  Groves 
—4  Eng.,  48  Irish." 

Major  Ion  Grove  appears  to  have  had  two  sons  and  one  daughter. 
The  elder  son  Ion  inherited  his  estates  and  family  place  of  Ballyhimock, 
and  his  elder  son,  Robert,  married  Mary,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Richard 
Ryland  of  Dungarvan,  county  Waterford  (see  Ryland  Pedigree,  p.  365, 
vol.  v.,  Fourth  Series,  Journal,  R.H.A.A.L}.  She  died  at  Cork,  1st 
June,  1758,  leaving  one  child,  Mary  Grove,  who  married,  1776,  Francis 
Charles,  2nd  Viscount  Glerawley,  created  Earl  of  Annesley  in  1781. 
Ballyhimock  is  still  in  possession  of  General  Annesley' s  descendants. 

It  would  seem  the  only  families  that  now  trace  descent  from  "  Grove 
of  Ballyhimock  and  Kilbyrne"  are  the  descendants  of  Ellinor,  dau.  of 
Robert  Grove  of  Ballyhimock,  and  the  descendants  of  James  White,  Jun., 
and  Grace,  dau.  of  John  Grove  of  Kilbyrne  (see  Pedigree  of  Earl  of 
Clare,  p.  722,  vol.  v.,  Fourth  Series,  Journal,  R.H.A.A.I.  In  that  pedi- 
gree Isabella,  dau.  of  John  Grove,  should  be  corrected  to  Ellinor  dau. 
of  Robert  Grove). 


(    210    ) 


NOTES    AND    QUERIES. 

Is  the  year  1765,  Captain  George  Glas  (a  native  of  Scotland)  sailed  in  the 
good  ship  Sandwich,  from  Oratava,  for  London.  The  Sandwich  had  treasure 
on  board  to  the  amount  of  about  one  hundred  thousand  pounds  ;  and  this 
attracted  the  cupidity  of  the  crew,  some  of  whom  conspired  together  to  ob- 
tain it.  The  captain  thwarted  their  designs  for  three  successive  nights. 
At  last  on  Saturday,  November  30th,  1765,  the  four  assassins  killed  the 
captain,  and  then  the  two  sailors  who  were  not  in  the  conspiracy,  together 
with  Glas,  his  wife,  and  daughter.  These  murders  took  place  in  the 
British  Channel,  and  the  miscreants  changed  the  vessel's  course  and 
steered  for  Ireland,  where,  on  Tuesday,  December  3rd,  they  arrived  within 
ten  leagues  of  the  harbour  of  Waterford  and  Ross.  They  loaded  the  cock- 
boat with  dollars,  and  then,  knocking  out  the  ballast-port,  quitted  the  ship 
with  fiend-like  nonchalance,  leaving  the  two  boys  (the  only  survivors 
then  left)  to  perish  in  the  doomed  vessel.  Before  they  lost  sight  of  the 
ship  they  saw  it  heel  over.  All  witnesses  to  their  atrocious  deeds  thus 
destroyed,  they  rowed  up  the  river  or  estuary,  and  landed  two  miles  from 
the  port  of  Duncannon,  in  the  Co.  Wexford,  where  they  buried  most  of 
their  treasure  between  high  and  low  water-mark.  Next  day  they  pro- 
ceeded to  Ross,  where  at  a  public-house  they  exchanged  1200  dollars  for 
current  gold,  purchased  pistols,  and  hired  six  horses  and  two  guides  to 
take  them  to  Dublin.  What  a  touch  of  the  times  we  here  get !  No  roads, 
only  paths,  and  these,  no  doubt,  in  places,  not  safe  against  highwaymen. 
Meanwhile  a  totally  unlooked-for  event  took  place.  The  good  ship 
Sandwich  did  not  sink,  but  was  driven  ashore  in  the  Co.  "Waterford,  and 
having  no  one  on  board,  and  still  bearing  witness  to  scenes  of  violence 
having  been  committed,  was,  from  these  causes,  connected  with  the  strange 
travellers  who  had  been  so  reckless  and  extravagant  with  their  money  in 
Ross.  An  express — which  then  meant  a  messenger  mounted  on  a  fleet 
horse — was  at  once  despatched  to  Dublin,  with  the  result  that  two  of  the 
murderers  were  apprehended  the  same  day,  and,  being  examined  separately, 
confessed  the  murders,  and  gave  full  particulars  of  the  occurrences.  The 
third  man  was  seized  in  Dublin,  as  he  was  receiving  payment  from  a  gold- 
smith for  £300  worth  of  dollars ;  and  the  fourth,  who  had  set  out  in  a 
postchaise  for  Cork,  in  order  to  take  ship  to  England,  was  captured  at 
Castledermot,  Co.  Kildare.  Thus,  in  ten  days  from  the  destruction  of  the 
Glas  family  the  murderers  were  caught ;  the  treasure  was  subsequently 
found,  and  the  murderers  met  with  their  deserts.  A  more  pathetic  and 
frightful  tale  could  scarcely  be  conceived  by  the  most  sensational  writer 
of  nautical  fiction.  One  point  is  noticeable — the  murderers  spent  more 
than  the  money  alleged  to  be  missing  from  the  treasure,  therefore  a  quan- 
tity of  Glas's  private  means  must  have  been  found.  There  is  also  appa- 
rently lost  to  posterity  a  MS.  relative  to  the  west  coast  of  Africa,  which 
Glas  had  been  about  to  publish,  and  which  he  mentions  in  his  work  on  the 
"  Canary  Islands."  Captain  George  Glas's  book  was  printed  in  London, 
1764 — a  year  before  he  was  murdered — so  he  probably  had  not  time  to 
issue  his  work  on  the  Coast  of  Africa.  The  questions  here  arise: — 
1.  Are  there  any  traditions  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Duncannon  about 
the  treasure  and  the  murders?  2.  Are  any  of  the  "dollars"  to  be 
found  among  the  people  in  the  neighbourhood?  3.  What  became  of 
the  papers  found  on  the  wreck  ? 


NOTES  AND   QUERIES.  211 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Corporation  of  Kilkenny,  held  the  9th  February, 
1609,  the  following  Bye-law  was  passed  : — 

"  To  avoid  excessive  gossiping  (sic.} : — That  no  maid,  wife,  or  widow 
come  to  any  lying-in  woman  for  salutation,  gratulation  or  entertainment 
to  be  given  or  received,  save  the  godfathers  and  godmothers,  the  mother 
and  mother-in-law,  sisters  and  sisters-in-law  of  the  woman  delivered,  the 
parish-priest  of  the  parish  and  his  clerk,  and  that  they  shall  not  receive 
or  take  any  entertainment,  except  brewed  ale,  Bragett  (?)  wine  and  aqua- 
vite  (sic.\  and  this  not  sitting  as  at  dinner  or  supper,  but  as  a  repast  only, 
and  that  at  their  departure  they  shall  not  carry  away  any  piece  or  pieces 
of  bread  or  cheese  commonly  called  junketts,  nor  shall  have  it  sent  unto 
them  on  pain  of  10s.  forfeit,  or  imprisonment  for  a  month.  Any  midwife 
or  servant  inviting  any  person  other  than  the  above  mentioned  to  forfeit 
13s.  4d.,  or  six  weeks'  imprisonment.  It  shall  be  lawful  for  the  lying-in 
woman  to  give  one  dinner  or  supper  to  the  persons  above  mentioned. 
Dinner  or  supper  is  allowed  to  be  provided  and  sent  by  the  above  licensed 
persons  to  the  house  of  the  lying-in  woman,  and  if  any  of  them  be  absent 
at  said  dinner  or  supper,  that  the  lying-in  woman  shall  then  give  another 
to  those  that  were  absent,  whether  provided  by  the  lying-in  woman  or 
sent  by  the  persons  aforesaid.  If  the  lying-in  woman  transgresses,  she  to 
suffer  two  months'  imprisonment  or  pay  20s.  City  officers  to  inspect  the 
houses  of  all  women  lying-in,  and  no  lying-in  woman  to  give  any  other 
entertainment,  dinner,  or  supper,  within  the  month. 

"  No  woman  to  go  to  the  banquet  at  the  Mayor's  house  on  Michaelmas 
day  and  Whit-Sunday  but  the  wives  of  the  aldermen." 

"Flint  Jack" — Counterfeit  antiques  are  by  no  means  uncommon,  for  a 
tendency  to  dishonesty  has  been  characteristic  of  every  age.  The  most 
celebrated  forger  of  flint  implements  was,  undoubtedly,  the  well-known 
character  "Flint  Jack."  Born  in  the  year  1816,  of  humble  parentage,  he  in 
after  life  went  by  a  hundred  aliases.  The  skill  he  displayed  was  such,  that 
(it  is  said)  he  included  on  his  list  of  dupes  the  then  curator  of  the  British 
Museum  ;  some  collectors  on  whom  he  had  palmed  off  his  forgeries  were 
again  deceived,  even  after  the  discovery  of  their  first  "take  in."  Jack, 
however,  never  succeeded  in  discovering  the  art  of  surf  ace- chipping,  which 
he  declared  was  a  barbarous  art  that  had  died  with  the  flint-using  folk ; 
hence  his  flint  forgeries  are  easy  of  detection.  He  attained  to  such  skill 
at  his  business  (for  to  such  proportions  did  his  trade  extend)  that  he  could 
make  and  sell  fifty  flint  arrowheads  in  a  day  ;  and  this  accounts  for  the 
extraordinary  supply  of  forged  flint  weapons  with  which  almost  every 
museum,  public  or  private,  was  then  provided.  It  is  quite  probable  that 
the  "  Benn  Collection  "  in  the  Belfast  Museum  may  contain  many  speci- 
mens of  his  handiwork ;  but,  undoubtedly,  that  was  not  the  only  collection 
he  was  successful  in  "  enriching ;"  for  Jack,  at  one  time  considering  that 
his  English  customers  would  be  improved  by  a  "rest,"  started  on  a  tour 
through  Ireland,  confining  his  travels,  however,  almost  entirely  to  Ulster, 
where  he  states  that  he  did  well. 

Crannog-liJce  Fishing  Huts  on  the  Bosphorus. — It  is  stated  that  the 
crystal  clearness  of  the  waters  of  the  Bosphorus  was  evidenced  by  the 
rude  and  simple  apparatus  of  the  Turkish  fishermen.  A  few  poles  being 


212  NOTES  AND   QUERIES. 

driven  into  the  bed  of  the  stream,  and  a  hut  of  the  rudest  description 
constructed  thereupon,  nets  were  then  stretched  across  the  banks  of  the 
stream,  and  such  was  the  transparency  of  the  water,  that  the  fishermen 
from  their  huts  could  see  the  fish  in  their  nets  and  haul  them  up  without 
any  further  trouble.  By  this  simple  contrivance  large  captures  of  the 
finny  tribe  were  made,  the  fishermen  with  true  Eastern  gravity  smoking 
their  pipes  in  the  huts  above  while  the  nets  were  filling. 

Origin  of  the  saying  "ly  hook  or  by  crook." — In  the  early  period  of 
England's  history  the  land  was  everywhere  clothed  with  forest,  and  the 
inhabitants  were  few  and  far  apart.  The  possessors  of  the  lands  gave 
permission  to  their  dependents  to  cut  and  lop  the  branches  as  far  as  the 
hook  and  crook  would  reach ;  but  should  it  be  discovered  that  the  trees 
had  been  cropped  higher  than  an  ordinary  man  could  reach,  this  privilege 
was  withdrawn,  and  they  could  no  longer  gather  their  fuel  "by  hook  or 
by  crook."  A  neighbourhood  where  this  privilege  prevailed  was  always 
sought  by  new  settlers ;  but  inasmuch  as  it  was  uncertain  whether  the 
trees  had  been  already  topped,  the  men  could  never  be  certain  of  obtain- 
ing the  needful  fuel.  Antiquaries  have  discovered  old  stones,  that  are 
supposed  to  have  been  boundary  marks,  with  the  hook  plainly  discover- 
able upon  them ;  and  this  is  believed  to  have  been  the  ancient  way  of 
recording  that  the  district  possessed  the  privilege. 

This  explanation  appears  much  more  rational  than  the  tradition  which 
attributes  to  Strongbow  the  expression,  "  I  shall  take  "Watcrford  ly  hook  or 
ly  crook."  That  he  never  uttered  these  words  is,  in  my  opinion,  rendered 
quite  apparent  by  the  late  llev.  James  Graves  in  an  article  on  the 
"  Topography  and  History  of  the  Parish  of  Hook,  County  Wexford," 
which  was  published  in  the  Proceedings  and  Transactions  of  the  Associa- 
tion in  1854.  In  this  the  learned  writer  states  that  the  point  of  land, 
now  known  as  the  "  Hook,"  was  not  so  called  at  the  time  of  the  Anglo- 
Norman  invasion,  but  was  designated  by  the  Irish  Rinn-dulhain,  which 
means  the  "  point  of  the  hook"  (Rinn,  a  point  or  peninsula;  dulhain, 
a  fishing-hook)  ;  and  that  gradually  the  English  colonists,  as  they 
gained  ground,  adopted  the  translated  title,  and  the  peninsula,  became 
known  as  the  Point  of  the  Hook,  oiHook  Point.  In  order  to  place  reliance 
on  Strongbow's  traditional  saying,  we  must  presume  him  to  have  been 
acquainted  with  the  Irish  language,  and  to  have  gone  to  the  trouble  of 
rendering  into  his  own  tongue  the  Irish  name  Rinn-dubhain ;  and  as  he 
spoke  Norman-French,  and  not  English,  the  argument  is  entirely  against 
the  probability  of  his  having  ever  given  utterance  to  the  oft-repeated 
expression. 

GABBIEL  O'C.  REDMOND,  Local  Secretary,  Co.  Waterford. 

THE  following  transcripts  of  two  old  documents  show  the  usual  manner  of 
engaging  preceptors  and  servants  at  the  beginning  of  the  last  century. — 

I. 

"An  agreem*  made  Between  "William  Bayly,  Gen1,  and  Charles  Stanton, 
dancing  master  the  21  of  October,  1718. 

"It  is  agreed  that  the  said  Charles  Stanton  shall  teach  the  said 


NOTES  AND   QUERIES.  2l3 

"William  Baylies  Children  to  the  Number  of  four  to  dance  until!  they 
perfectly  Understand  Jygs,  Minutes,  Hornpipe  and  Country  dances,  and 
such  dances  to  dance  very  well,  as  one  of  understanding  in  that  respect 
shall  Adjudge. 

"  In  Consideration  whereof  the  said  William  Bayly  shall  pay  unto  the 
said  Charles  Stanton  the  sum  of  two  Gynnies,  or  six  and  twenty  shillings, 
when  taught  perfectly  as  aforesaid  and  Not  before.  In  witnesse  whereof 
the  parties  above  Named  have  Interchangeably  set  theire  hands  and  scales 
the  day  and  yeare  above  written. 

"  Memorand  that  it  is 
further  agreed  that  since 

the  youngest  may  not  per-  "  CHARLES  STANTON." 

form  to  be  ready  as  soon 
as  the  rest,  that  then  mr 
Bayly  will  consider  that 
part,  the  said  Stanton 
doing  his  endeavor  to  for- 
ward the  said  Child.  On  the  back  is — 

'  <  Being  prsent  <  <  Mr  Stantons 

"  DARBY  DONOVANE,  agreem*  for 

"  WILL  HEAS."  teaching  to  dance." 

II. 

"  &{m  gttfcewtee  Made  the  first  day  of  September  anno  domini  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  Eighteen,  BETWEEN  William  Bayly  of  Bal- 
lincolly  in  the  Barony  of  west  Carbery  in  the  County  of  Corke,  Genfc, 
and  Elizabeth  Coughlan  daughter  of  John  Coughlan  late  of  Skubbereene, 
defunct  WITNESSETH  that  the  said  Elizabeth  Coughlan  with  the  Consent 
of  her  Nurse  Margaret  Neale  (her  father  and  mother  being  dead)  hath 
and  doth  sett  and  put  her  selfe  an  apprentice  unto  him  the  said  William 
Bayly  and  Lucy  his  wife,  for  and  during  the  space  time  and  term  of  five 
yeares  beginning  from  the  day  of  the  date  hereof,  and  them  after  the 
manner  of  an  Apprentice  to  serve  faith  fully,  and  honestly  during  the 
said  term,  she  shall  not  give  away  or  Imbezle  any  of  theire  goods,  but 
shall  take  Care  to  Keepe  and  secure  all  to  the  best  of  her  power,  she  shall 
not  Commit  fornication,  or  absent  her  selfe  without  her  Master  or  Mis- 
tresses leave  during  the  said  time  and  term  day  or  night.  The  said  William 
Bayly  and  his  said  wife  shall  during  the  said  time  of  five  yeares  provide 
and  finde  for  the  said  Elizabeth  sufficient  Meat,  drinke  and  Cloathes 
wollen,  and  Linnen,  And  at  the  end  of  the  said  term  shall  give  unto  the 
said  Elizabeth  two  sutes  of  Apparell  the  one  for  holy  dayes  and  the  other 
for  working  dayes,  Also  shall  give  her,  the  said  Elizabeth  an  Incalfe  cow. 
IN  WITNESS  whereof  the  parties  above  Named  have  interchangeably  put 
theire  hands  and  scales  the  day  and  year  first  above  written. 

"  Signed  sealed  and  de-  s V^ 

livered  in  the  prsence  of  tt ,,      .  p  „   /  A 

"  WILL  HEAS."  ELIZ  '  Lo(mLA*'     I    SBAH 

"  RICHARD  CORBETT."  V  I 

On  the  back  is— "  The  Counterpart  of  Betty  Coughlans  Indenture." 


214  NOTES   AND 

FUNERAL  EXPENSES  IN  THE  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY. 
To  Nesserrys  at  the  Funerall  of  Mr  Tho*  Fife  Simons,  June  ye  2lst  1748. 

ToaShroude, £0  13     6£ 

To  a  Yelvett  Pall, 0  11     4£ 

To  12  paire  of  mens  Kidd  gloves  a1  1s  6d  »       .     .     .  018     0 

To  7  pr  of  womens  D°, ,  0  10     6 

To  17  pr  of  mens  Shammey  a1  1s  ld  ? 018     5 

To  8  pr  of  womens  D°, 088 

To  7£  yd8  of  Cambrick  a1  58  6d  v 213 

To  2£  yds  of  Muslin  a*  58  f        0126 

To  Bibon  to  D08, 010 

To  8  Cloaks, 080 

To  2  Conductors, 044 

To  a  Coach, 066 

To  the  use  of  a  hatband  to  the  manager,     ....  0     1     1 


£7  15     2 

Recd  the  Contents  of  the  "With  In  Ace*,  being  for  full  of  all  Accts  to 
this  23  of  June,  1748. 

JOHN  HOCKDLLL. 
£7  15     2 


To    MR  CHRISTOPHER  FITZ  SIMONS.  Dr. 


For  36  Masses,      

.     .     .  £1   19 

0 

For  31  Priests  who  Assisted  at  the  Office,  . 
For  the  Priest  who  Sung  the  high  mass,      . 
For  the  Deacon  &  Sub-deacon,      .... 

...     4     3 
...           2 

2 

11, 

8, 

?r 

For  two  Canters,    .     .          .          . 

5 

5 

For  Mr  Cashell,     

.     .     .           9 

2 

For  "Wax  Lights,  

13 

;; 

For  Mould  Candles,    

1 

8 

For  Bills  for  the  Office,  .               .... 

5 

5 

For  4  Conductors,      

.     .                 4 

4 

For  porterage,        

1 

q 

£8     8  10 
By  Cash  Beceived  7  Guineas,  .     .     .£719     3 

By  Do.,        1   18     8 

By  Do.,        10  10 


£10  8     9 
Deed1  as  above,          .     .     .     8     810 


Ball"  due,    .     .     .     1  19  11 
8     8  10 
1     0     9 
1     2     9 


£10  12    4         lled  and  Gave  an  Ace*  of  the  Above 
his  29  of  June,  1749. 

For  my  brother 

THOMAS  Fz  SIMON, 


PKOCEEDINGS  AND  PAPERS. 


A  QUARTERLY  MEETING   was  held  in  the   Town  Hall, 
Enniskillen,  on  Tuesday,  August  23rd,  1887; 

The  REV.  CANON  GRAINGER,  D.D.,  M.R.I. A.,  Vice- 
President,  in  the  Chair. 

The  following  Members  were  present : — 

W.  F.  Wakeman,  Executive  Secretary ;  Edward  Atthill, 
J.P.,  Local  Secretary;  W.  J.  Knowles,  M.R.I.A.  ;  Rev. 
George  R.  Buick,  A.M.,  Cullybackey ;  Carmichael  Ferrall, 
Augher  Castle;  S.  K.  Kirker,  C.E.  ;  Rev.  G.  H.  Willey, 
Gracehill ;  Charles  B.  Jones,  County  Surveyor,  Sligo  ; 
Rev.  L.  G.  Hasse*,  M.R.I.A.  ;  Robert  Gairdner ;  William 
Purdon,  C.E.  ;  Thomas  Plunkett,  M.R.I.A.  ;  Rev.  James 
Bradshaw,  &c. 

The  Minutes  of  the  last  Meeting  having  been  read 
and  confirmed,  the  Chairman  remarked  that  this  was  the 
second  time  they  had  met  in  Enniskillen.  The  former 
was  a  good  meeting,  for  they  had  in  it  the  vital  spirit  of 
the  whole  Institution,  now,  alas,  taken  from  them.  He 
(the  Chairman)  referred  to  their  late  indefatigable  Secre- 
tary of  the  Association,  the  Rev.  James  Graves.  Great 
kindness  also  had  been  shown  to  them  by  the  late  Earl 
of  Enniskillen — another  Patron  removed  since  their  first 
re-union  in  this  town.  There  were,  however,  many 
persons  of  archaeological  talent  in  the  neighbourhood, 
from  whom  they  might  expect  help.  That  very  morning 
a  stone  hatchet  had  been  found  near  the  bridge  at  the  old 
ford  of  Enniskillen,  and  he  hoped  that  more  evidences  of 

4TH  BER.,  VOL.  VIII.  Q 


216  PROCEEDINGS. 

the  ancient  inhabitants  might  be  discovered.  He  was 
sure  they  would  have  a  successful  meeting.  Perhaps 
during  their  sitting  they  could  obtain  some  information 
from  those  who  live  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  be  able 
usefully  to  exchange  ideas.  Founded  originally  as  the 
Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society,  the  enlargement  and 
development  of  its  undertakings  led  to  the  present 
Association  receiving  a  Queen's  letter,  incorporating  the 
body,  and  authorizing  it  to  elect  Fellows  and  Members, 
since  which  time  it  has  been  known  by  the  wider  title  it 
now  so  worthily  bears.  It  has  for  its  President  Lord 
James  Butler,  a  nobleman  respected  for  his  research  in 
matters  of  science,  as  well  as  for  his  capacity  in  the 
conduct  of  public  business ;  and  instead  of  the  opera- 
tions of  the  Association  being  confined  to  a  single 
county,  its  sphere  extends  now  throughout  the  entire 
kingdom. 

The  Rev.  George  R.  Buick,  A.M.,  Cullybackey,  and 
the  Rev.  L.  G.  Hasse*,  M.R.I. A.,  were  unanimously  elected 
Fellows  of  the  Association ;  also  the  following  new 
Members  were  proposed  and  elected  : — 

E.  Perceval  Wright,  LL.D.,  M.R.I.A.  ;  Joseph  Dollard, 
Dame-street,  Dublin ;  Professor  H.  Hennessy,  Donny- 
brook  ;  Sir  E.  Sullivan,  Bart.,  Dublin  ;  T.  Mason, 
Parliament-street,  Dublin;  Henry  R.  Joynt,  Merrion- 
square,  Dublin ;  Rev.  G.  T.  Stokes,  T.C.D.  ;  Rev.  G. 
M'Cutcheon,  M.A.,  Kenmare ;  Thomas  Plunkett,  Ennis- 
killen;  G.  Mansfield,  Naas ;  A.  M'Arthur,  Knox's-street, 
Sligo ;  Thomas  Lough,  Chiswick ;  John  Wray,  C.E., 
Enniskillen  ;  J.  W.  Dane,  Enniskillen  ;  0.  Ternan, 
M.D.,  Enniskillen  ;  W.  Purdon,  C.E.,  Enniskillen;  Rev.  J. 
Bradshaw,  Maguiresbridge ;  Hugh  H.  Moore,  Bingfield, 
Crossdoney,  Cavan  ;  James  Gillespie,  M.  D.,  Clones; 
George  Lord,  Jun.,  Heathlands,  Prestwick,  Manchester ; 
Rev.  Patrick  J.  Horgan,  p.p.,  Kilworth,  Diocese  of 
Cloyne ;  G.  T.  White,  33,  Lansdowne-road,  Kensington 
Park,  London,  W.  ;  William  M.  Simpson,  15,  Hughen- 
den-avenue,  Belfast ;  William  J.  Robertson,  University- 
square,  Belfast;  John  A.  Hanna,  Bank  Buildings,  Belfast 


PROCEEDINGS.  217 

With  reference  to  the  resolution  passed  at  the  last 
CJ-eneral  Meeting  of  the  Association  held  in  Dublin — 

"  That  Lord  James  Butler  and  Dr.  Joly  be  requested  to  make  in- 
quiries, and  report  to  the  next  Meeting  of  the  Association,  the  possi- 
bility, and  best  mode  of  publishing,  in  a  suitable  manner,  the  late  G.  Y. 
Du  Noyer's  '  Tracings  from  the  Charter  of  Waterford,  temp.  Richard  II.', " 

the  following  communication  from  the  President  (Lord 
James  Wandesford  Butler)  was  read : — 

"  I  have  made  such  inquiries  as  I  was  able  concerning  the  l  MS.  and 
Illustrated  Charter  of  Richard  II.,'  with  the  disappointing  result,  that 
although  it  is  of  the  date,  or  nearly  so,  of  the  fourteenth  century,  the 
decayed  state  in  which  it  is,  and  the  all-but-unintelligible  letterpress, 
make  it  of  very  little  value,  except  such  as  the  illustrations  possess. 
J.  T.  Gilbert,  M.R.I. A.,  very  kindly  went  into  the  matter  with  me,  and  as 
it  was  through  his  hands,  as  I  may  say,  that  the  four  plates  published 
in  his  latest  volume  on  Irish  MSS.  passed,  he  is  the  most  competent 
judge.  I  am  therefore  not  inclined  to  come  forward  in  the  matter. 
J.  T.  Gilbert  seems  to  think  that  all  that  would  be  attractive,  viz.  the 
four  he  selected,  having  been  already  published,  it  would  be  waste  of 
money  to  do  more." 

The  President  also  forwarded  the  reply  received  to 
the  Address  of  congratulation  presented  by  the  Associa- 
tion to  the  Queen,  upon  the  occasion  of  Her  Most  Gracious 
Majesty  attaining  the  50th  year  of  her  reign  : — 

"  WHITEHALL,  23rd  July,  1887. 
"MY  LORD, 

"  I  have  had  the  honour  to  lay  before  the  Queen  the  loyal  and 
-dutiful  Address  of  the  President,  Vice-Presidents,  Officers,  and  Members 
of  '  THE  ROYAL  HISTORICAL  AND  ARCHAEOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  IRELAND,'  on 
the  occasion  of  Her  Majesty  attaining  the  Fiftieth  Year  of  Her  reign ; 
and  I  have  to  inform  your  Lordship  that  Her  Majesty  was  pleased  to 
receive  the  same  very  graciously. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  my  Lord, 

"  Your  Lordship's  obedient  servant, 

"  HENRY  MATTHEWS. 
"LORD  JAMES  WANDESFORD  BUTLER, 
"  18,  Eutland-square,  Dublin." 

A  number  of  Papers  were  read  and  illustrated  by 
exhibits  of  various  forms  of  ancient  flint  implements. 

Q2 


218  PROCEEDINGS. 

Rev.  G.  R.  Buick  treated  of  "  The  Development  of 
the  Knife  in  Flint,"  which  he  illustrated  by  a  series  of 
implements  from  Mid- Antrim. 

W.  J.  Knowles  gave  an  interesting  description  of  the 
pre-historic  sites  of  Portstewart,  and  he  exhibited  a  large 
collection  of  objects  found  there  by  himself. 

Papers  were  read  on  the  following  subjects: — "A 
Primitive  Ancient  Dwelling  found  within  the  Waters  of 
the  Co.  Donegal,"  by  G.  H.  Kinahan,  H.M.G.S.I.,  M.R.I.A.  ; 
"  Sledy  Castle,"  sent  by  Gabriel  Redmond,  Co.  Waterford; 
"  Ogam  Inscribed  Stones  and  other  Antiquities  from 
the  Co.  Kerry,"  by  George  M.  Atkinson,  London ;  "  The 
Ancient  Precedence  of  the  See  of  Meath,"  by  Rev. 
Charles  Scott,  M.A.,  Belfast;  and  an  interesting  episode 
in  "  Tyrone  History,"  by  Carmichael  Ferrall. 

The  exhibits  included  an  inscribed  bullaun,  by  W.  F. 
Wakeman,  who  also  showed  two  Irish  inscriptions,  as  yet 
unedited.  C.  Ferrall  exhibited  a  very  old  and  rare 
version  of  a  Syrian  Bible.  E.  Atthill  showed  remains 
of  ancient  Indian  pottery,  pipes,  &c.,  dug  up  by  him  in 
Canada,  and  which  singularly  correspond  in  character 
with  remains  found  in  this  country. 

The  meeting  adjourned  for  luncheon,  and  an  excursion 
was  arranged  by  Mr.  Plunkettfor  the  purpose  of  visiting 
Devenish  and  of  viewing  the  canoes  lately  found  at  St. 
Angelo  and  Killadeas,  on  the  property  of  Mr.  Pomeroy 
and  Colonel  Irvine.  The  members  were  charmed  with 
the  beautiful  scenery  of  the  lake,  and  were  greatly  in- 
terested in  the  ruins  and  relics  on  Devenish  Island.  On 
leaving  that  locality,  a  start  was  made  for  St.  Angelo, 
where  the  first  canoe  was  to  be  seen,  and  the  visitors 
carefully  examined  this  interesting  specimen. 

A  meeting  was  held  in  the  evening,  at  8  o'clock,  in 
the  Town  Hall,  Enniskillen,  Canon  Grainger,  D.D., 
M.R.I.A.,  Vice-President,  in  the  Chair. 

In  the  absence  of  W.  F.  Wakeman,  Executive  Secretary, 
W.  J.  Knowles,  M.R.I.A.,  was  appointed  to  act  pro  tern. 

Mr.  Plunkett  then  read  a  Paper  on  "  Canoes  recently 
found  on  the  shores  of  Lough  Erne."  The  President 
having  requested  Mr.  Plunkett  to  favour  the  Association 
•with  some  details  of  his  recent  explorations  and  discove- 


PROCEEDINGS.  219 

ries  in  the  surrounding  neighbourhood,  he  first  exhibited 
a  wooden  vessel  of  curious  formation,  which  was  found 
in  a  bog  several  feet  below  the  surface ;  also  shoes  of  a 
very  ancient  type ;  relics  from  crannogs  and  caves,  con- 
sisting of  stone,  bronze,  and  flint  implements,  the  most  in- 
teresting being  those  found  near  East  Bridge,  during  the 
progress  of  the  drainage  works.  He  also  submitted  to 
the  Association  an  inscribed  stone,  the  characters  on 
which  are  supposed  to  be  Runic.  The  Bishop  of  Limerick, 
a  learned  antiquary,  had  requested  an  opportunity  of 
examining  it,  and  it  is  hoped  he  may  be  able  to  decipher 
the  inscription. 

Two  Papers  from  Gr.  H.  Kinahan,  "  The  Mevagh 
Inscribed  Stones,"  and  "  The  Barnes  Dallans,  or 
Standing  Stones,"  were  read. 

Rev.  George  R.  Buick  furnished  a  note  on  "  A  Find 
near  Larne." 

The  following  resolution  proposed  by  Rev.  Leonard 
Hasse*,  M.R.I.A.,  seconded  by  W.  J.  Knowles,  was  carried 
unanimously : — 

"  That  this  Meeting  desires  to  express  its  recognition  of  the  very 
efficient  services  rendered  by  Lieut.-Colonel  WOOD-MARTIN  to  the  Asso- 
ciation, in  the  editing  of  the  Journal,  and  expresses  the  hope  that  the 
Committee  will  give  him  every  assistance  in  the  continuance  of  the 
•work." 

It  was  recommended  that  Derry  or  Larne  be  selected 
for  the  next  Summer  Meeting — the  Mid- Antrim  Members 
to  give  every  assistance  in  getting  it  up. 

A  vote  of  thanks  to  T.  Plunkett  for  the  assistance 
given  by  him  during  the  day  was  carried  by  the  members 
rising  to  their  feet;  for,  indeed,  to  his  presence,  his 
marvellous  energy,  vast  experience,  and  great  knowledge, 
the  visitors  owed  in  a  large  measure  the  pleasure  and 
profit  which  resulted  from  their  gathering.  He  was 
amicus,  host,  guide,  and  instructor.  The  enthusiastic 
manner  in  which  the  members  collectively  passed  the 
resolution  of  thanks  to  him,  and  the  tone  in  which  they 
individually  spoke  of  his  successful  efforts  to  enlighten 
and  entertain  them,  revealed  their  thorough  appreciation 
of  what  he  had  done  in  their  behalf. 


220  PROCEEDINGS. 

Arrangements  were  made  for  an  excursion  to  Bally- 
shannon  and  Bundoran  on  the  following  day. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned,  and  on  Wednesday  the 
Members  of  the  Association  visited  Bundoran,  where  they 
viewed  some  old  settlements  situated  above  the  river, 
between  Ballyshannon  and  Bundoran  ;  they  found  there 
a  great  variety  of  flint  implements,  including  arrow- 
heads, scrapers,  saws,  knives,  &c. 

As  on  the  previous  day,  the  Members  of  the  Associa- 
tion were  deeply  indebted  to  Mr.  Plunkett,  without 
whose  personal  assistance,  archaeological  knowledge,  and 
local  experience,  the  meeting  would  have  been  far  from 
the  pleasant  and  successful  gathering  it  proved  to  be. 


(     221     ) 


THE  PREHISTORIC  SITES  OF  PORTSTEWART,  COUNTY 
LONDONDERRY. 

BY  W.  J.  KNOWLES,  M.R.I.A., 
Honorary  Local  Secretary,  County  Antrim. 

AT  the  Portrush  Meeting  in  1885  I  read  a  Paper  on  the 
"  Prehistoric  Sites  at  White  Park  Bay,  County  An  trim,' ' 
which  appeared  in  the  Journal  for  July  of  that  year ; 
and  I  then  intimated  that  the  Paper  would  be  followed 
by  notices  of  other  places  which  had  been  explored  by 
me.  I  will  now  give  a  revised  account  of  various  "  finds" 
from  the  sand-hills,  near  Portstewart,  and  other  neigh- 
bouring sites  of  a  similar  kind.  The  first  sand-hills 
which  I  explored  were  at  Portstewart.  The  discovery 
that  they  were  implement-bearing  was  made  in  1871, 
owing  to  a  friend  telling  me  that,  while  walking  over 
them,  he  had  found  an  arrow-head.  This  induced  me 
to  make  an  examination,  and  I  found,  to  my  surprise, 
several  large  pits,  or  hollows,  among  the  sand-hills, 
over  the  surface  of  which  were  spread  great  quantities 
of  flakes,  cores,  hammer-stones,  scrapers,  arrow-heads, 
broken  pottery,  bones,  shells,  &c.  The  first  pit,  examined 
attentively,  was  a  large  hollow  space  about  fifty  feet 
in  depth,  and  fully  one  hundred  paces  broad  at  the 
bottom.  In  the  centre  there  was  a  mound  ten  yards  in 
diameter,  on  the  top  of  which  rested  about  a  dozen  small 
boulders,  such  as  one  could  easily  lift,  and  the  surface 
all  around  was  closely  covered  with  the  flakes  and  other 
objects  mentioned.  I  brought  away  upwards  of  fifty 
manufactured  objects  on  my  first  visit,  and  shortly  after- 
wards went  again,  when  I  discovered  other  pits,  some  of 
which  were  smaller  in  size,  though  all  were  nearly  similar 
in  character.  There  was  generally  a  little  mound  in 
some  part  of  each  pit  with  a  few  boulders  on  the  top, 
and  flakes  and  other  objects  lying  scattered  over  the 
surface  for  some  distance  from  the  centre.  My  visits 
were  repeated  at  short  intervals  during  the  next  three 
years,  and  a  great  quantity  of  manufactured  flints  were 
collected,  besides  pottery,  teeth,  bones,  shells,  &c.  The 


222         ON   THE   PKEHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART. 

liunt  after  these  objects  was  most  fascinating.  The  pits 
never  seemed  to  get  exhausted,  for,  if  cleared  out  to-day, 
a  new  lot  was  sure  to  be  found  on  my  next  visit.  At 
first  the  place  was  a  perfect  puzzle  to  me :  there  was  the 
little  mound  in  the  centre  of  each  hollow  with  the  few 
boulders  on  the  top,  which  had  evidently  been  used  as 
hearth-stones,  and  all  around  there  was  evidence  of  a 
busy  trade  having  been  carried  on  in  the  manufacture 
of  flint  implements.  Nothing  seemed  displaced,  and 
everything  favoured  the  idea  that  the  place  had  not  been 
long  deserted.  I  soon  found  out,  however,  that  things 
had  not  always  remained  as  I  saw  them.  In  some  places, 
at  the  sides,  could  be  observed  little  platforms  with  a 
floor  more  solid  and  of  darker  material  than  the  surround- 
ing sand :  objects  of  a  similar  kind  to  those  near  the 
hearth-stones  were  found  on  the  surface  of  this  floor, 
which  extended  round  the  sides  of  the  pit,  in  some  places 
appearing  as  a  black  layer  in  the  sand.  On  the  top  of 
this  layer  there  was  a  covering  of  sand  varying  in  depth 
from  two  feet  up  to  fifty,  and  this  was  protected  by 
a  growth  of  bent,  grass,  moss,  or  bracken,  which  pre- 
vented the  sand  from  being  blown  away ;  but  the  sides 
of  the  pits  which  had  no  vegetable  covering  were  con- 
stantly suffering  denudation,  and  the  pits  were  daily 
becoming  wider,  owing  to  the  wind  removing  material 
from  those  unprotected  parts.  In  digging  into  the  black 
layer  there  were  flint  implements,  pottery,  bones,  shells, 
&c.,  similar  to  those  found  on  the  surface,  and  I  was  led 
to  the  conclusion  that,  until  a  very  recent  period,  the 
pits  had  been  filled  with  sand;  that  the  black  layers 
represented  the  surface  of  the  sand-hills  at  the  time  of 
the  occupation  of  that  place  by  the  flint  implement 
makers ;  and  that  the  covering  of  sand  was  not  heaped 
up  suddenly,  but  by  a  slow  and  gradual  process,  which 
was  dependent  on  the  rate  of  growth  of  the  vegetation. 
The  objects  discovered  in  the  pits  had  therefore  dropped 
from  the  black  layers.  The  hearth-stones  represented 
the  sites  of  dwelling-places,  and  the  various  objects  men- 
tioned as  being  found  in  greatest  abundance  around  those 
sites  would  naturally  lie  close  to  such  spots.  The  hut 
sites  were  not  necessarily  always  placed  on  a  mound ; 


ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART.  223 

the  stones  and  flakes  would  give  protection  to  the  sand 
below  them,  whilst  removal  of  the  sand  would  go  on  freely 
all  around,  and  cause  the  protected  part  to  take  the  form 
of  a  mound.  Such  is  the  interpretation,  given  by  me  on 
several  occasions,  of  the  nature  and  origin  of  the  remains 
found  at  Portstewart  and  elsewhere,  and  further  re- 
searches— made  even  up  to  the  present  time — fully  con- 
firm all  I  had  previously  said  on  the  subject.  Notes  of 
descriptions  of  the  various  pits  which  yielded  manufac- 
tured objects — and  which  were  written  down  on  the 
spot  during  my  visits  previous  to  the  end  of  1874 — 
formed  part  of  my  first  Paper  on  the  subject,  which 
was  read  at  the  Belfast  meeting  of  the  British  Asso- 
ciation in  that  year.1  As  the  pits  have  changed 
considerably  in  appearance  since  then,  those  early 
descriptions  may  be  worth  recording.  The  numbering 
begins  at  the  side  nearest  Portstewart.  I  entered 
the  sand-hills  from  near  the  termination  of  the  road 
that  goes  down  to  the  shore  past  the  spa- well,  and 
after  walking  about  twenty  perches  came  to  the  pit 
€alled  by  me  No.  1,  and  which  was  about  ten  yards  in 
diameter  at  the  bottom.  The  sides  of  the  pit  (on  the 
south-east)  were  fully  twenty  feet  in  height;  to  the 
north-west  it  opened  out  almost  on  a  level  with  lower 
ground.  In  the  centre  were  several  large  basaltic  stones 
{evidently  hearth-stones)  and  flakes,  scrapers,  bones, 
pottery,  and  shells  were  lying  exposed  round  about  them. 
From  the  action  of  the  weather  the  higher  side  of  the 
pit  was  gradually  crumbling  down,  and,  as  it  did  so, 
exposed  two  old  surfaces,  the  upper  about  ten  feet  from 
the  present  surface,  and  the  other  about  three  feet  lower. 
These  appeared  like  two  blackish  layers  a  few  inches 
thick  in  the  sand  which  formed  the  sides  of  the  pit. 

Proceeding  farther  in  the  same  direction,  I  came  to 
the  pit  called  by  me  No.  2.     It  was  about  twenty  yards 


1  The  Secretary  of  the  Anthropological  returned  to    me    through  Mr.   William 

Department  requested  liberty  to  publish  Gray,  of  Belfast,  who  stated  that  he  was 

the   Paper  in    the    "Journal"    of    the  instructed  to  say  that  the  Institute  had 

Anthropological  Institute,  and  I  handed  not  room  for  it.     My  first  Paper  was, 

it  over  to  him  for  that  purpose,  but  after  therefore,  never  published, 
keeping  it  for  some  time  the  Paper  was 


224          ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART. 

in  diameter  at  the  bottom,  and  the  black  layer  was  some 
twenty  feet  below  the  present  surface.  In  this  pit  a 
portion  of  the  black  layer  was  thoroughly  bared,  but 
at  one  side  the  action  of  the  wind  had  cut  through  the 
layer  and  excavated  a  hollow,  in  which  many  hammer- 
stones,  cores,  flakes,  scrapers,  arrow-heads,  pottery, 
and  bones,  were  discovered.  Two  kinds  of  pottery 
were  observable  in  this  pit,  one  being  similar  in 
quality  to  ordinary  sepulchral  urns,  the  other  much 
harder  and  of  a  grey  colour.  It  was  only  here  that 
I  found  this  latter  kind  of  pottery,  and  it  lay  ex- 
posed on  the  surface.  One  piece — the  rim  of  a  vessel 
with  stout  projecting  part  for  handle — has  a  diameter 
of  3|  inches.  It  would,  therefore,  be  a  rather  small 
vessel,  and  I  am  not  sure  that  it  is  of  the  same  age 
as  the  flints.  A  little  farther  on,  the  next  pit  (No.  3) 
was  still  larger,  being  upwards  of  one  hundred  yards 
in  diameter.  It  was  divided  by  a  jutting  portion, 
and  it  might  have  been  looked  upon  as  two  pits,  a 
larger  one  and  a  smaller.  In  the  larger  portion  the 
sand  had  in  one  place  been  excavated  below  the  old 
surface,  and  a  portion  of  the  black  layer — with  the 
covering  sand  removed — stood  out  as  a  sort  of  platform  : 
as  this  platform  crumbled  down  into  the  space  below, 
several  black  layers  close  to  one  another  were  seen.  I 
found  the  beautiful  arrow-head  (fig.  13,  Plate  I.)  in  this 
part  of  the  pit,  and  also  hammer-stones,  scrapers,  a  flat 
stone,  which  had  been  used  for  rubbing  or  grinding, 
and  several  other  objects. 

In  the  centre  of  the  smaller  portion  of  No.  3  there 
was  a  small  mound  covered  with  flakes,  shells,  arrow- 
heads, scrapers,  broken  pottery  (some  of  it  nicely  orna- 
mented), flakes  of  a  black  material,  supposed  to  be 
obsidian,  or  pitch-stone,  portion  of  a  stone  hatchet  made 
of  close-grained  rock,  and  several  flakes  of  the  same 
stone,  some  being  partly  polished.  On  the  surface  of  this 
mound,  and  near  to  it,  have  also  been  found  three  or  four 
dozen  small  beads  (about  -J-  to  £  in.  in  diameter),  which 
are  made  of  a  beautiful  greenish  stone;  they  are  generally 
broader  on  the  one  surface  than  the  other,  and  the  per- 
foration being  wider  on  the  broader  surface,  and  tapering 


ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART.          225 

down  to  a  narrow  opening  on  the  other,  gives  them 
a  dish-shaped  appearance.  A  few  of  them  were  irre- 
gular in  outline,  as  if  a  small  chip  had  been  polished 
and  bored,  though  possibly  considered  too  precious 
to  be  reduced  in  size,  and  so  the  irregularities  of 
the  edge  were  not  rounded  off.  Two  beads  of  this 
class  are  shown  in  No.  47  of  the  Journal,  Plate  L, 
figs.  10  and  12;  and  three  are  now  shown  in  fig.  46, 
Plate  III.  The  stone  from  which  these  beads  were 
made  does  not  appear  to  have  been  found  in  the 
neighbourhood.  Gr.  H.  Kinahan,  M.  R.  i.  A.,  to  whom 
some  of  the  beads  were  submitted,  considers  that  the 
mineral  is  Saussurite  jade,  and  it  may  be  found 
in  veins  of  the  metamorphic  rocks  of  the  county 
Donegal.1  These  minute  objects  were  procured  by 
very  closely  examining  the  surface  of  the  mound,  and 
the  old  surface  being  of  more  than  the  usual  thickness, 
was  sometimes  dug  up  and  allowed  to  stand  some  days 
when  beads  were  usually  found,  but  they  were  not 
obtained  direct  from  the  layer  itself.  I  believe,  how- 
ever, that  they  are  of  the  age  of  the  flint  implements. 
No.  4  pit  was  reached  in  proceeding  from  No.  3  in  the 
direction  of  the  mouth  of  the  river  Bann.  It  was  in 
form  a  large  oval  hollow,  having  a  rim  of  pretty  equal 
height  all  round  it,  and  in  one  corner  there  was  a 
mound  of  sand,  with  flakes,  numerous  teeth,  and  broken 
bones,  spread  over  it.  There  were  also  shells  in  con- 
siderable quantities,  chiefly  Littorina  and  Patella,  which, 
besides  being  strewn  over  the  surface,  were  sometimes, 
while  digging,  found  in  little  heaps.  Several  scrapers 
were  procured  here,  and  fragments  of  coarse  pottery, 
one  piece  being  ornamented.  I  also  found  several  bored 
stones,  and  a  small  anvil-stone.  Turning  now  a  little 
backward,  and  in  the  direction  of  the  sea,  pit  No.  5  was 
reached.  It  is  shallow,  and  the  bottom  is  entirely  com- 
posed of  boulders  of  the  raised  beach :  among  the  stones 
were  found  several  scrapers,  three  hollow  scrapers,  and 
two  arrow-heads.  As  far  as  could  be  made  out,  this  was 


1  A.  M'Henry,  M.R.I.A.,  sent  me  a  piece  He  found  it  in  the  metamorphic  rocks  at 
of  mineral  very  similar  in  appearance  to  Ballycastle,  county  Antrim,  and  called 
that  from  which  the  heads  are  formed.  it  "  Ballycastle  jade." 


226         ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART. 

the  pit  in  which  the  first  arrow-head  was  discovered, 
but  the  finder  was  not  able  to  make  me  quite  sure  on 
that  point.1  Fig.  24,  Plate  II.,  shows  an  arrow-head 
which,  though  not  found  at  Portstewart,  is  similar  in 
form  to  the  first  one  found  there.  It  has  the  point  at 
the  broad  end,  and  belongs  to  a  fairly  abundant  type. 

No.  6  pit  was  a  large  oval  hollow,  situated  farther  on 
towards  the  mouth  of  the  Bann.  It  was  about  one  hundred 
and  twenty  yards  in  length,  by  eighty  in  breadth,  and  the 
sides  were  in  some  places  from  forty  to  fifty  feet  in  height. 
This  was  the  pit  first  discovered  by  myself,  and  I  obtained 
from  it  many  arrow-heads,  scrapers,  knives,  hammer- 
stones,  and  cores :  this,  and  the  smaller  portion  of  No.  3, 
yielded  more  implements  and  other  manufactured  objects 
than  all  the  others  put  together.  It  had  the  mound  in  the 
centre,  with  hearth-stones  on  the  top,  and  the  flakes,  cores, 
hammer-stones,  and  other  objects,  lying  round  about.  In 
a  large  pit  like  this  one  could  the  more  easily  see  how, 
on  moving  away  from  the  mound,  the  flakes  and  other 
objects  became  less  numerous,  and  that  very  soon  scarcely 
any  were  observable.  The  workers  must,  therefore, 
have  carried  on  their  daily  occupation  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  huts  here,  as  at  White  Park  Bay.  At 
one  side  of  this  pit,  a  few  feet  from  the  bottom,  the  black 
layer  appeared  thicker  and  blacker  than  usual,  and  in 
one  part  of  it  a  great  many  bones,  and  also  portions  of 
antlers  of  the  red  deer,  were  found  cut  or  sawn,  the 
sawing  having  been  done  in  the  irregular  way  that  one 
would  expect  to  see  if  a  flint  flake  were  used  instead 
of  a  metal  tool.  The  long  bones — as  in  all  the  other 
pits — were  broken  and  split,  in  order,  it  is  believed,  to 
obtain  the  marrow. 

No.  7  was  an  oval  pit,  thirty  to  forty  yards  in  length, 
and  ten  yards  in  breadth.  Many  large  bones  and  teeth, 
several  scrapers,  and  a  few  pieces  of  the  top  of  a  quern, 
were  here  found.  In  excavating  a  portion  of  the  old 
surface-layer  on  the  side  of  this  pit,  I  found  a  little  nest 
of  scrapers,  evidently  just  as  they  had  been  laid  down 
by  the  maker  after  manufacturing  them. 

1  I  was  always  anxious  to  obtain  this  who  must  in  turn  have  disposed  of  it  to 
arrow-head  ;  but  the  finder,  after  keeping  some  of  the  English  collectors.  I  have 
it  a  considerable  time,  sold  it  to  a  dealer,  not  been  able  to  trace  it. 


ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART.          227 

No.  8  was  a  shallow  pit,  and  (except  at  the  edges)  the 
sand  was  not  loose,  as  in  the  other  pits.  Bent  and  other 
grass  had  taken  hold  at  the  bottom,  and  was  growing  up 
through  the  flakes  and  implements.  I  here  obtained 
several  arrow-heads  and  scrapers,  an  oval  tool- stone,  and 
a  flint  knife  (fig.  37,  Plate  II.). 

There  were  several  other  pits  of  smaller  size  in  the 
lower  ground  towards  the  mouth  of  the  Bann  :  from 
them  I  obtained  scrapers,  cores,  flakes,  and  hammer- 
stones  ;  but  within  about  a  mile  of  the  mouth  of  the  river 
I  found  that  the  pits  among  the  sand-hills  ceased  to  yield 
anything  of  the  nature  of  flint  flakes  or  implements. 
The  explanation  of  this  appears  to  be  that,  since  the  flint 
implement  manufacturers  occupied  the  locality,  the  Bann 
had,  by  bringing  down  material,  formed  a  small  delta, 
which  later  on  became  covered  with  sand-hills.  Some 
are  of  opinion  that  the  Bann  at  one  time  flowed  into  the 
sea  at  a  place  that  would  seem  to  divide  the  implement- 
bearing  from  the  non-implement  -  bearing  sand-hills. 
This  may  have  been  partly  the  case,  as  when  a  delta 
is  being  formed  there  are  generally  several  mouths,  the 
main  flow  of  water  occasionally  shifting  from  one  to 
another. 

On  the  land  side  the  farmer  has  encroached  on  the 
sand-hills :  at  one  time  they  extended  farther  inland, 
the  sandy  covering  gradually  thinning  out.  We  there- 
fore find  the  old  prehistoric  surface  a  few  feet  down  in 
some  of  the  cultivated  fields  adjoining.  I  have  examined 
hollows  which  had  been  scooped  out  by  the  wind  in 
several  fields,  and  have  obtained  from  them  scrapers, 
flakes,  and  hammer-stones,  sometimes  accompanied  with 
modern  clay-pipes,  and  pieces  of  crockery,  which  had 
been  carried  out  in  the  manure.  About  three  years  ago 
a  very  interesting  object,  formed  of  baked  clay,  was 
dug  up  in  one  of  those  fields ;  it  is  very  similar  in 
material  and  finish  to  the  fragments  of  pottery  found 
with  the  flakes  and  other  objects  in  the  sand-hills.  It 
is  either  a  lamp  or  a  crucible ;  but  as  it  does  not  seem 
to  have  stood  any  excessive  degree  of  fire,  the  weight  of 
opinion  is  in  favour  of  its  being  a  lamp.  It  is  6  inches 
long,  4f  inches  broad,  and  1£  inch  deep ;  the  shape  is 


228         ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART. 

oval,  and  there  is  a  neat  spout  at  one  end,  in  which  a 
wick  could  lie.    At  one  side  of  the  spout  there  is  a  portion 
blackened,  evidently  by  fire :  the  regular  burning  of  a 
wick  would,  no  doubt,  produce  this  discolouration.  It  was 
dug  out,  I  believe,  by  Mr.  William  Oke,  of  Portstewart, 
from  whom  it  was  procured  by  the  Rev.  Gr.  R.  Buick, 
who  has  kindly  allowed  me  to  figure  it  (see  fig.   44, 
Plate  III.).     I  have  examined  the   spot  where   it  was 
found,  and  am  of  opinion  that   it   came   from   an   old 
surface  below  the  present  one,  and  had  remained  beyond 
reach    of   the   spade   until   recently    turned    up.      Mr. 
Buick  exhibited  it   at  the  Armagh  meeting  in    1884; 
but  without  carefully  examining  the  object,  those  who 
ought  to  have  been  better  judges  gave  lectures  on  the 
forged  pottery  in  the  Benn  collection,1  and  made  such 
insinuations  against  this  excellent,  genuine,  and,  I  think, 
unique  little   vessel,   that  it  also  was  looked  on   as   a 
forgery,  and,  so  to  speak,    hooted  out  of  court.     The 
late  Mr.  Graves,  seeing  the  mistake  that  had  been  made, 
offered,  after  the  meeting  was  over,  to  figure  the  lamp, 
and  insert  the  notice  which  had  been  prepared  for  the 
Journal,  but  seeing  that  his  well-meant  information  was 
treated  with  ridicule  by  leading  men  of  the  Association, 
Mr.  Buick  withdrew  the  Paper  which  he  had  read,  and 
the  object  has  lain  on   the    shelf    ever    since   without 
further  notice  being  taken  of  it. 

Dr.  Arthur  Mitchell,  in  The  Past  in  the  Present,  de- 
scribes and  figures  the  "crusie,"  or  oil  lamp,  of  Scotland. 
He  says  that  thirty  or  forty  years  ago  there  were  probably 
many  thousands  of  them  in  Scotland,  and  now  they  have  a 
place  in  collections  of  antiquities,  and  can  only  be  bought 
at  a  considerable  price,  paraffin  having  swept  them  out  of 
existence.  In  form  the  "  crusie"  is  not  unlike  our  Port- 
stewart lamp ;  it  has  a  wide  basin-like  part,  and  a  spout 
for  the  wick,  and  if  we  could  trace  the  "  crusie"  back- 
ward, it  would,  no  doubt,  reach  to  prehistoric  times. 


1  The  late  Mr.  Benn,  in   his   old  age,  certify  that  it  possesses  no  likeness   to 

was  basely  deceived  hy  an  unscrupulous  genuine  prehistoric  pottery.     The  vessels 

dealer.     The  forged  pottery  referred  to  are  of  most  fantastic  forms,  and  if  placed 

should  not  have  deceived  anyone.   I  have  in  water  would,  no  doubt,  dissolve  before 

seen  it  eiuoc  Mr.  Benu's  death,  and  I  can  our  eyes. 


ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART.         229 

The  shape  of  our  present  iron  hammers  bears,  in  many 
cases,  a  very  close  resemblance  to  our  ancient  hammers 
of  stone,  and  most  probably  the  pattern  has  come  down 
in  unbroken  succession  from  prehistoric  times  to  our 
own.  We  can  speak  in  a  similar  way  of  our  axes, 
knives,  &c. :  the  pattern  of  the  stone  tools  has  been 
reproduced  in  metal,  and  in  many  cases  there  is  scarcely 
any  variation  from  the  old  forms.  We  cannot  imagine 
that  the  early  occupiers  of  the  sand-hills  near  Port- 
stewart  would  spend  the  winter  nights  in  darkness,  and 
lamps  like  the  one  described  would,  doubtless,  be 
employed.  The  Esquimaux  and  the  Chukches  use 
lamps,  and  these  people  are  looked  on  as  stone-age 
savages,  who  still  exist  in  out-of-the-way  corners  of  the 
globe.  One  of  the  Chukch  lamps  is  figured  by  Norden- 
skiold  in  his  Voyage  of  the  Vega  (vol.  ii.,  p.  22),  and  only 
that  it  is  semi-lunar  in  form,  it  is  not  unlike  our  Port- 
stewart  specimen.  The  Chukch  lamp  is  1^  inches 
longer  than  that  found  at  Portstewart,  but  the  breadth 
is  about  the  same. 

Exactly  similar  sand-hills,  with  implement-bearing 
black  layers,  are  found  on  the  other  side  of  the  river 
Bann,  at  a  place  called  Grangemore,  about  one  mile  and 
a-half  from  Castlerock.  I  have  discovered  as  many  as 
two  hundred  manufactured  objects  in  one  day,  and  my 
wife  and  sons  have  at  different  times  added  considerably 
to  my  collection  by  finds  of  arrow-heads  and  other  objects 
at  this  place.  I  have  several  beautiful  arrow-heads, 
hollow  scrapers,  a  polished  stone-hatchet,  scrapers,  slugs, 
and  borers  from  this  side  of  the  Bann,  besides  pottery 
and  other  objects  exactly  similar  to  those  found  on  the 
Portstewart  side.  Over  one  thousand  scrapers  have  been 
obtained  by  myself  from  those  two  places,  which  may  be 
looked  upon  as  one  settlement.  The  arrow-heads  which 
have  come  into  my  own  possession  only  amount  to  fifty 
in  number,  but  many  more  have  been  found  by  the 
fishermen  about  Portstewart,  and  sold  to  collectors  in 
various  parts  of  Ireland  and  England. 

Until  my  Paper  on  this  subject  was  read  at  the  British 
Association  in  Belfast,  Portstewart  was  an  unknown 
place  for  flint  implements,  and  the  old  surfaces  which  I 


230         ON   THE  PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF  PORTSTEWART. 

discovered  had  never  been  heard  of.  After  that,  how- 
ever, we  had  excursions  to  it,  and  several  gentlemen 
soon  became  as  well  acquainted  as  myself  with  its  several 
pits  and  black  layers.  I  was  anxious  for  everything  to 
remain  in  the  shape  I  found  it,  with  the  hope  that 
scientists  might  wish  to  examine  the  place,  but  others 
who  had  now  become  acquainted  with  it,  not  having  a 
like  desire,  lost  no  time  in  digging  everything  over 
in  search  of  implements.  The  method  of  investiga- 
tion, which  they  soon  discovered  to  be  least  trouble- 
some, was  to  employ  little  boys  to  dig  over  the 
portion  of  sand  thought  most  likely  to  be  profitable, 
and  then  wait  till  the  wind  would  blow  off  the  loose  sand, 
before  making  a  search.  On  various  occasions  I  dug 
over  portions  of  the  old  surface  with  a  little  garden 
spade,  very  carefully  examining  every  spadeful  with  my 
own  hands,  and  in  1879  gave  a  report  of  this,  and  similar 
work  elsewhere,  to  the  British  Association.  Cores,  flakes, 
hammer-stones,  scrapers,  anvil-stones,  pottery,  bones, 
and  shells,  similar  to  those  lying  loose  on  the  surface, 
were  obtained  by  me,  but  my  labour  was  not  so  well 
rewarded  at  Portstewart  as  at  White  Park  Bay.  I  was 
enabled,  however,  to  show  that  the  majority  of  objects 
found  on  the  present  surface  could  also  be  discovered  in 
the  old  surface-layer.  Although  the  grant  made  to  me 
by  the  British  Association  was  not  renewed  after  1879, 
I  did  not  relax  my  efforts  on  that  account,  but  went 
regularly  to  Portstewart  and  Castlerock  to  gain  further 
information,  always  doing  some  more  digging  and  find- 
ing out  from  the  fishermen  what  had  been  procured  by 
them  in  my  absence.  Had  the  grant  been  continued,  no 
doubt  much  fuller  knowledge  could  have  been  obtained 
by  means  of  the  larger  series  of  objects  that  would  have 
been  procured  direct  from  the  black  layer  or  old  surface  : 
even  as  it  is,  the  study  of  these  and  other  sand-hills  has 
considerably  widened  our  knowledge  of  the  pre-historic 
Irish  people. 

I  have  referred  to  most  of  the  implements  when 
describing  the  several  pits,  but  it  is  necessary  to  say 
something  further  by  way  of  explanation.  The  scrapers 
are  principally  of  the  horse-shoe  pattern,  though  a  few 


PLATE  I. 


To  face  page  231 


12 


18 


19 


1-19. — Arrow-heads— Portstewart  and  Castlerock. 
(Scale,  one-half  linear  measure.) 


ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART.          231 

are  longish  in  shape ;  occasionally  one  may  be  found  that 
has  a  small,  somewhat  pointed  scraping-end  with  broad 
base ;  but  this  class,  which  is  abundant  at  White  Park 
Bay,  is  rare  here.  None  of  the  scrapers  are  very  large, 
and  many  are  small.  Some  are  not  larger  than  a  finger 
nail.  Figs.  20,  21,  and  25,  Plate  II.,  shown  half  size, 
give  a  fair  idea  of  them,  fig.  20  being  one  of  the  smallest, 
and  fig.  25  being  of  fairly  large  size.  Fig.  34,  Plate  II., 
shows  one  of  the  hollow  scrapers. 

Figs.  1,  2,  3,  and  10,  Plate  I.,  are  leaf-shaped 
arrow-heads,  or  small  spear-heads.  Fig.  10  has  a 
twist,  the  edges  not  being  in  one  plane.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  this  kind  may  have  been  made  for  rotat- 
ing, but  I  am  rather  inclined  to  believe  that  the 
shape  is  due  not  to  any  special  design  on  the  part 
of  the  maker,  but  rather  to  a  natural  twist  in  the 
flake  from  which  it  was  made.  We  may  find  a  small 
number  of  twisted  arrow-heads  in  large  collections, 
but  they  are  too  few  to  justify  us  in  saying  that 
they  were  a  type  of  arrow-heads  manufactured  for  a 
special  purpose.  Fig.  4,  Plate  I.,  is  diamond-shaped, 
a  variety  found  in  considerable  abundance  in  the  north 
of  Ireland.  We  have  indented  arrow-heads,  as  in  figs. 
5,  7,  and  12,  Plate  I. — one  very  deeply  indented,  and  the 
others  less  so.  The  barbs  in  this  kind  stand  out  when 
shafted,  and  appear  as  effective  as  in  those  having  a 
central  tang.  The  barbed,  with  central  tang,  or  stem,  are 
the  most  numerous,  ten  examples  of  that  type  being 
shown  on  Plate  I.  However,  if  we  examined  a  larger 
series  we  would  probably  find  the  three  leading  types, 
leaf-shaped,  indented,  and  stemmed,  more  nearly  equal. 
I  find  in  my  own  collection  of  fully  1500  arrow 
heads,  obtained  from  different  parts  of  the  north  of 
Ireland,  that  those  three  types  (if  all  their  varieties 
be  included)  do  not  show  any  wide  difference  in  point 
of  numbers.  Some  of  the  arrow-heads  appear  to  me 
to  have  been  only  partially  finished.  Fig.  8,  picked 
up  by  my  son  on  the  Castlerock  side  of  the  Bann,  would 
be  as  effective  as  any  of  the  more  perfectly  formed, 
but  it  has  still  the  ridge  of  the  original  flake  remaining, 
and  is  only  dressed  round  the  edge  after  the  manner  of 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  R 


232          ON   THE  PREHISTORIC  SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART. 

our  modern  forgeries ;  its  porcelaneous  glaze,  however, 
shows  it  to  be  a  perfectly  genuine  specimen.  Fig.  15 
also  appears  to  have  been  unfinished.  Though  quite 
symmetrical  round  the  edges,  and  perfect  at  the  point, 
yet  if  another  series  of  small  flakes  had  been  taken  round 
both  edges  and  on  both  sides,  it  would,  I  expect,  appear 
very  like  fig.  13  shown  in  the  same  row  of  Plate  I.  Fig. 
14  has  the  tang  dressed  into  a  gable  form.  I  find  a  con- 
siderable number  of  arrow-heads,  with  beautifully  dressed 
gable-shaped  tangs,  and  this  kind  may  be  looked  upon 
as  an  intentionally -made  variety  of  barbed  and  stemmed 
arrow-heads.  Fig.  19,  a  beautiful  little  obsidian  arrow- 
head, is  another  variety  of  the  stemmed  and  barbed 
arrow-heads,  of  which  I  possess  some  very  handsome 
specimens.  Fig.  1 6  is  peculiar  in  shape ;  it  may  have 
been  used  as  a  borer,  the  edges  near  the  point  having 
lost  the  sharpness  which  we  usually  find  in  arrow-heads. 
There  are  three  knives  with  tang,  dressed  back,  and 
cutting  edge,  shown  in  figs.  29,  30,  and  31,  Plate  II.,  and 
there  are  other  objects  which  might  be  called  knives; 
one  shown  in  fig.  32,  Plate  II.,  with  small  end  dressed  as 
a  scraper,  and  a  beautifully  curved  knife,  is  shown  in 
fig.  37,  Plate  II.  Fig.  36,  in  same  plate,  is  one  of  those 
flakes — dressed  neatly  over  the  back  and  plain  on  flat 
side — described  as  knives  by  Canon  Greenwell,  F.R.S. 
(see  British  Barrows,  pp.  285,  380,  &c.).  This  specimen 
has  neatly-rounded  ends  dressed  like  scrapers,  the  end 
to  the  left  being  specially  scraper-like.  Fig.  28,  on 
same  plate,  is  also  a  knife-like  flake,  trimmed  at  one 
edge. 

Figs.  22  and  23  are  unmistakably  small  chisels:  in  both 
of  them  the  cutting  edge  is  very  sharp,  and  the  sides 
and  ends  are  dressed  for  the  purpose  of  shafting.  The 
cutting  edge  appears  above  in  these  specimens,  the 
artist  having  unintentionally  reversed  them.  Fig.  26, 
Plate  II. ,  is  a  spear-like  flake,  neatly  dressed  along  both 
edges  to  a  point ;  and  fig.  33  is  possibly  intended  as  a 
short,  broad,  spear-head.  It  has  been  made  by  a  few 
bold  strokes.  Fig.  27,  Plate  II.,  shows  a  small  core ; 
and  fig.  35,  an  arrow-head  in  an  early  stage  of  manu- 
facture. 


PLATE  II. 


To  face  page  232. 


21 


27 


35 

Figs.  20-37.— Scrapers,  Knives,  &c.— Portstewart  and  Castlerock. 
-(Scale,  one-half  linear  measure.) 


PLATE  III. 


To  face  page  233. 


47 


Figs.  38-50.— Pottery,  Beads,  Bronze  Pin,  Lamp,  &c.,  Portstewart. 
(Scale,  one-half  linear  measure.) 


ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART.  233 

Several  flat,  circular  discs  have  been  found  with  holes 
l)ored  through  the  centre.  I  possess  one  pretty  large 
specimen  five  inches  in  diameter,  and  a  smaller  example, 
partly  broken,  is  shown  in  fig.  50,  Plate  III.  A  few  oval 
tool-stones  have  been  found,  some  of  which  are  broken — 
as  at  White  Park  Bay — and  a  few  anvil-stones,  with  slight 
pits  on  one  or  both  sides  (see  fig.  49,  Plate  III.). 

The  fragments  of  pottery  are  not  so  numerous  as 
at  White  Park  Bay,  nor  have  so  many  patterns  been 
observed  in  the  ornamentation  ;  but  such  as  have 
been  discovered  could  all  be  matched  by  specimens 
found  there.  One  pattern  was  puzzling ;  it  was  some- 
what similar  to  marks  that  might  be  made  by  the  milled 
edge  of  a  shilling  being  rolled  over  wet  clay  (see  fig. 
39,  Plate  III.).  I  now  believe  such  marking  to  have 
been  made  by  a  cord  twisted  so  much  that  the  folds, 
instead  of  running  in  a  slanting  direction,  appear  to 
cross  the  cord  at  right  angles.  The  shape  of  some  of 
the  vessels  can  be  made  out,  one  kind  appearing  some- 
what barrel- shaped,  whilst  others  show  a  wide  neck, 
but  nearly  all  seem  to  me  to  have  been  different  in 
shape  from  sepulchral  pottery.  On  some  specimens  there 
are  projections  which  appear  like  little  catches  for 
assisting  in  lifting  the  vessel.  Several  pieces  of  a 
hard  greyish  pottery,  already  referred  to,  were  dis- 
covered on  the  surface  of  one  of  the  pits ;  but  I  only 
found  this  kind  at  one  place ;  and  whether  it  be  of  the 
same  age  as  the  other  pottery  or  not  I  cannot  decide. 
One  piece  has  a  projecting  portion  which  may  also  have 
served  as  a  handle,  possibly  on  one  side  only,  as  the 
vessel,  from  the  apparent  size  of  the  mouth  (3-j-  inches 
in  diameter),  could  not  be  larger  than  a  small  mug,  and 
would,  therefore,  not  be  likely  to  have  two  handles. 
The  projecting  handle,  with  piece  of  rim  attached,  is 
shown  in  fig.  40,  Plate  III. 

Various  pieces  of  haematite  were  obtained  here — as 
at  White  Park  Bay — ground  and  rubbed  on  several 
sides,  evidently  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  paint. 

Several  cut  bones  were  found,  the  cuts  evidently 
having  been  made  with  flint  flakes,  as  none  of  them 
show  such  regularity  in  the  sides  as  would  be  made 

R2 


234          ON   THE  PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART,. 

with  a  metal  tool.  By  examining  any  of  these  cut* 
we  can  clearly  see  that  they  were  made  with  very 
short  instruments,  and  that,  after  a  little  progress, 
there  was  a  fresh  start  on  new  ground.  Some  people- 
have  argued  that  these  bones  were  not  cut  with  flint ; 
that  they  are  only  ordinary  beef  bones,  cut  with  a  metal 
saw.  I  must  say  that  my  view,  that  the  cutting  was  done 
with  flint  saws,  was  always  supported  by  those  who 
were  the  highest  authorities  in  England,  and  had  large 
experience.  However,  in  order  to  test  the  cutting  pro- 
perties of  flint,  I  tried  an  ordinary  flake  on  a  piece  of 
common  beef  bone,  and  found  that  by  using  it  as  a 
saw,  and  adding  a  little  water  occasionally,  the  flint  cut 
remarkably  well.  Several  deep  cuts  were  made  in  a 
very  short  time ;  but  for  the  sake  of  testing  what  could 
be  done  in  a  given  time,  I  took  a  new  part  of  the  bone 
and  cut  through  it  in  fourteen  minutes,  though  part  of 
my  time  was  taken  up  in  frequently  clearing  out  the 
matter  that  was  clogging  the  flake,  and  also  in  adding 
water.  I  found  an  antler  of  the  red  deer,  with  several 
tines  cut  off,  and  some  bones  manufactured  into  objects 
of  use.  One  bone  has  two  prongs,  which  may  have  been 
a  tool  used  in  thatching ;  there  is  a  similar  implement 
in  use  at  the  present  day  called  a  "spurtle."  It  may, 
however,  have  been  used  in  digging  up  shell-fish ;  it  is 
shown  in  fig.  47,  Plate  III.  There  is  also  a  cylinder  of 
bone,  somewhat  wider  and  shorter  than  a  cylinder  of 
that  material  discovered  by  me  at  White  Park  Bay 
(see  fig.  48,  Plate  III.).  I  also  found  a  small  portion  of 
a  curved  bone,  which  must  have  been  part  of  a  bracelet. 
It  is  partly  pierced  longitudinally,  and  then  diagonally 
through  the  longitudinal  boring,  so  as  to  make  con- 
nexion with  another  piece.  It  is  shown  in  fig.  45,  Plate 
III.  I  have  been  able  to  make  similar  holes  in  bone  with 
sharp-pointed  flakes.  Another  piece  of  bone,  dressed 
somewhat  like  a  pin,  is  shown  in  fig.  43.  Plate  IV. 
shows  a  section  through  a  sandpit,  the  old  surface  ap- 
pearing as  a  black  band  bifurcate  at  the  sides  of  the  pit. 
It  is  represented  in  this  way  to  show  how  two  layers, 
when  found  one  above  another,  soon  become  merged 
into  one. 


PLATE  IV. 


To  face  page  234. 


ON   THE   PREHISTORIC   SITES  OF   PORTSTEWART.  235 

The  material  principally  used  in  manufacturing  the 
flint  implements  was  the  flint  nodules  obtained  on  the 
•shore,  and  in  the  raised  beach,  as  may  be  seen  from  ex- 
amination of  the  flakes  and  cores.  That  the  supply  of 
flint  was  not  abundant  is  evidenced  by  their  working  up 
other  material.  I  have  found  flakes  of  the  Portrush  lias, 
numerous  small  flakes  of  a  close-grained  rock,  supposed 
to  be  pitch- stone,  or  obsidian ;  also  several  flakes  that 
had  been  struck  from  a  piece  of  a  close-grained  stone 
hatchet.  Two  of  the  arrow-heads,  figured  18  and  19,  are 
made  of  this  supposed  obsidian.  I  have  a  large  series 
of  black  arrow-heads  from  different  parts  of  the  county 
Antrim,  and  seeing  that  the  prehistoric  inhabitants  of 
the  stone  age  did  not  confine  themselves  to  flint  in  mak- 
ing arrow-heads,  I  have  formed  the  opinion  latterly  that 
the  old  flint- workers,  in  places  where  they  could  not  find 
flint,  would  use  the  chert  from  the  carboniferous  lime- 
stone. Seeing  the  scarcity  of  flint  implements,  as  we 
proceed  southwards,  from  the  flint-bearing  rocks,  it 
appears  to  me  that  we  must  either  find  arrow-heads  and 
other  implements  of  chert  in  districts  which  do  not 
yield  flint,  or  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  south 
and  west  of  Ireland  was  not  inhabited  by  a  bow-using 
people. 

There  is  evidence  here — as  at  White  Park  Bay — of 
a  series  of  flint  objects  older  than  the  scrapers  and  arrow- 
heads found  there.  They  were  all  deeply  weathered 
before  they  were  last  used  for  re-working  into  scrapers  and 
other  flint  implements.  I  have  several  old  cores  and 
some  flakes  of  the  older  series  from  Portstewart.  The 
older  flakes  are  much  thicker  and  coarser  than  those  of 
the  newer  series. 

One  of  the  fishermen  before  referred  to  sold  me  a 
bronze  pin  found  by  him  lying  on  the  surface  of  the 
sand,  near  the  extremity  of  that  part  of  the  hills  yielding 
the  manufactured  flints.  He  procured  also  a  small  ring 
of  bronze  near  the  same  place  (see  figs.  41  and  42, 
Plate  III.).  Since  writing  my  Paper  on  White  Park 
Bay,  which  appeared  in  No.  63  of  the  Journal,  a  bronze 
pin  was  there  found  on  the  surface  of  the  sand-hills 
by  the  Rev.  L.  Hasse*,  M.R.I.A.  ;  and  my  son  got  an 


236          ON  THE  PREHISTORIC   SITES   OF   PORTSTEWART. 

almost  similar  pin  from  a  herd,  who  stated  that  he 
discovered  it  near  the  same  place.  In  consequence* 
of  these  "  finds,"  some  are  inclined  to  believe  that  the 
bronze  and  flint  objects  found  in  these  places  were  in 
use  at  the  same  time ;  but  we  must  remember  that  bronze 
has  not  yet  been  found  in  the  old  surface  layer ;  and 
these  stray  "  finds"  of  bronze  on  the  present  surface  do 
not  prove  the  flints  and  bronze  to  be  contemporaneous, 
any  more  than  finding  a  coin  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  or  one 
of  Queen  Victoria,  could  prove  the  flints  to  belong  to 
either  of  those  periods. 

In  thinking  of  the  mode  of  life  of  the  dwellers  on  the 
sand-hills  during  this  later  flint  age,  we  are  helped  in 
arriving  at  a  conclusion  by  accounts  of  the  life  of  savages- 
in  the  present  day.  The  description  given  by  Nor  den - 
skiold  of  the  life  of  the  Chukches  should  give  us  some 
insight.  Tribes  of  them  dwell  in  tents  in  dunes  of  fine 
sand  near  the  coast.  "  Marks  of  them  are  therefore 
met  with  nearly  everywhere,  and  the  dune  is  accord- 
ingly bestrewed  with  broken  implements  or  refuse  of 
the  chase."  "  They  still  almost  belong  to  the  Stone 
Age,"  and  though,  from  trading  with  civilized  nations, 
the  principal  part  of  their  weapons  has  now  come  to  be 
of  metal,  yet  they  have  still  some  stone  and  bone  im- 
plements, the  mounting  of  which  (as  shown  by  the 
drawings  in  the  Voyage  of  the  Vega,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  112  and 
123)  is  curious  and  instructive.  Their  dwellings  on  the 
sand-dunes,  near  the  sea,  skin-covered  huts,  or  tents, 
the  use  of  the  bow,  the  skin  dress,  and  the  lamps,  which 
are  occasionally  made  of  clay,  would  suggest  to  me, 
more  or  less,  the  manner  in  which  the  Stone  Age  in- 
habitants spent  their  lives  on  the  sand-dunes  near  Port- 
stewart. 

There  appeared  an  article  in  the  Cornhill  Magazine, 
March,  1886,  entitled  "  The  Story  of  the  one  Pioneer 
of  Tierra  del  Fuego "  —  descriptive  of  a  man  who 
lived  some  time  among  the  Fuegians — which  is  also 
instructive.  The  men  are  represented  as  expert  at  mak- 
ing flint  arrow-  and  spear-heads ;  the  women  do  all  the 
work ;  the  men  lie  about  the  huts.  When  in  hunting 
they  obtained  a  dead  animal,  all  immediately  fell  upon 


ON   THE  PREHISTORIC    SITES   OF  PORTSTEWART.  237 

it,  tore  it  to  pieces,  and  ate  it  raw.  If  a  dead  seal  was 
cast  ashore  they  ate  it  in  the  same  manner,  gorging 
themselves  on  the  putrid  flesh  and  blubber.  Some- 
times the  tribe  with  which  he  lived  would  march  for 
five  or  six  days,  then  settle  down  for  several  weeks; 
sometimes  they  lived  on  the  sea-shore,  subsisting  chiefly 
on  raw  mussels  and  other  shell-fish.1  Accounts  like 
these  are  very  useful  in  helping  us  to  form  an  idea  of  the 
way  in  which  the  Portstewart  flint  implement-makers 
lived;  but  I  would  be  inclined  to  think  that  the  old 
Portstewart  natives  were  more  settled  and  less  savage 
than  the  Fuegians.  The  more  kindly  and  peaceable 
Chukches,  as  described  by  Baron  Nordenskiold,  would 
fit  in  better  with  my  ideas  of  the  ancient  people  of 
White  Park  Bay  and  Portstewart. 


1  For    further    information   respecting       Naturalist,  pp.  204-234. 
the  Fuegians,  see  Darwin's  Voyage  of  a 


(     238    ) 


THE  ANCIENT  PKECEDENCE  OF  THE  SEE  OP  MEATH. 
BY  THE  KEY.  CHARLES  SCOTT,  M.A. 

FROM  a  very  early  date  the  See  of  Meath  has  enjoyed  a 
peculiar  precedence.  The  occupants  of  the  other  suffra- 
gan Sees  ranked  according  to  date  of  consecration,  but 
Meath  always  took  precedence  next  after  the  archbishops. 
Ware  says:  "  As  to  the  order  of  sitting  among  the 
suffragan  Bishops  of  Ireland  in  Councils  and  elsewhere, 
the  Bishops  of  Meath  had  the  first  place."  In  recent 
times,  when  the  style  of  address  became  settled,  the 
Bishop  of  Meath  had  the  same  style  of  address,  "  Most 
Reverend,"  usually  given  to  archbishops. 

No  reason  is  assigned  by  the  authorities  for  this 
peculiarity ;  it  seems  to  be  set  down  to  immemorial 
usage.  But  every  ancient  custom  is  founded  upon  some 
reason.  From  the  very  persistence  of  this  custom,  one 
might  fairly  presume  that  it  was  at  one  time  considered 
of  very  great  importance.  I  could  only  think  of  two 
possible  reasons,  either  that  the  bishop  of  Meath,  as  the 
Bishop  of  Royal  Meath — one  of  the  ancient  provinces — 
had  the  same  honour  as  the  chief  bishops  of  the  other 
provinces,  or  that  as  being  in  some  sort  the  representa- 
tive of  two  great  Irish  saints,  Columba  and  Kieran  of 
Clonmacnoise,  he  took  a  superior  place. 

It  would  seem,  however,  that  the  first  reason  is  nearer 
to  the  truth,  as  I  have  found  a  statement  which  appears 
to  set  the  matter  at  rest. 

In  the  Calendar  of  Documents  relating  to  Ireland,  1252- 
1284,  mention  is  made  of  a  document  connected  with  a 
controversy  which  had  been  going  on  from  the  reign  of 
Henry  II.,  between  the  Crown  and  the  Archbishops  of 
Armagh,  with  regard  to  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the 
Primacy.  In  this  Paper  we  find  the  reason  of  the 
peculiar  precedence  of  Meath. 

King  Edward  I.  writes  (August  19,  1284)  to  the 
Sheriff  of  Louth,  and  sends  a  writ  of  summons  to  be 
forwarded  to  the  Archbishop  of  Armagh,  commanding 


ON  THE  ANCIENT  PRECEDENCE  OF  THE  SEE  OF  MEATH.       239 

the  archbishop  to  be  present  at  Drogheda  on  the  9th  of 
September,  when  articles  were  to  be  proposed  against 
him.  The  first  charge  against  the  archbishop  was  that 
he  had  appropriated  certain  vacant  bishoprics  and 
abbeys,  "  especially  in  regard  to  Meath,  being  metro- 
politan, is  in  the  King's  hand  in  vacancies."  The  second 
charge  was,  that  the  primate  had  consecrated  a  bishop 
for  Meath  without  Royal  licence,  and  without  fealty 
.given. 

The  contention  of  the  Crown  is,  that  Meath  occupied 
a  special  position ;  and  whatever  might  be  alleged  with 
regard  to  the  other  Sees  referred  to,  viz.  Derry,  Raphoe, 
and  "  Cudlac"  (sic.),  the  Primate  could  make  no  pretence 
to  Meath,  as  it  was  itself  a  Metropolitan  See,  and  there- 
fore unquestionably  "  in  the  King's  hand  in  vacancies." 

We  see  from  this  statement  that  Meath  was  at  this 
time  recognised  as  a  Metropolitan  See,  and  thus  retained 
the  position,  even  after  the  smaller  Sees  of  the  province 
were  suppressed  and  formed  into  rural  deaneries,  as 
we  know  they  were  by  the  Synod  of  Newton,  Trim,  in 
1216.  The  Bishop  of  Meath,  then,  as  the  ecclesiastical 
head  of  the  ancient  province  of  Meath,  took  rank  with 
the  heads  of  the  other  provinces  ;  but  as  Meath  lost  at  an 
early  date  its  civil  rank,  its  bishop  never  became  an 
archbishop  like  the  others.  So  we  find  the  Archbishop 
of  Cashel  styled  Primate  of  Munster,  and  the  Archbishop 
of  Tuam  Primate  of  Connaught.  Meath  only  retained 
style  and  precedence,  and,  like  Nicsea  and  Chalcedon  and 
Jerusalem  in  the  East,  had  precedence  but  not  power. 

This  document  gives  us  the  testimony  of  the  Crown, 
and  its  admission  of  the  fact  as  an  element  in  its  claim 
as  against  the  demands  of  the  primates.  It  is  therefore 
a  testimony  of  the  highest  importance,  inasmuch  as  it  is 
not  adduced  by  Meath,  but  advanced  by  the  Crown  in 
its  own  controversy. 

In  a  communication  from  the  learned  Dr.  Reichel, 
Bishop  of  Meath,  relating  to  this  matter,  he  calls  my 
attention  to  another  instance  of  the  same  kind  in  the 
Eastern  Church : — 

"  I  do  not  know  whether  you  are  aware  of  another 
and  more  remarkable  precedent  in  the  ancient  Eastern 
Church.  The  Archbishop  of  Ephesus  was  counted  as 


240   ON  THE  ANCIENT  PRECEDENCE  OF  THE  SEE  OF  MEATH. 

such,  and  was  a  primate,  though  he  had  no  bishops 
under  him  after  the  bishoprics  of  Cyprus  were  removed 
from  his  jurisdiction." 

The  Vice-President  of  our  Association,  Dr.  William 
Reeves,  Bishop  of  Down  and  Connor  and  Dromore,  who 
must  be  recognised  as  the  authority  upon  every  question 
of  this  kind,  kindly  communicated  to  me  the  following: — 

"  Your  view  of  the  expression  ut  metropolitana  seems 
correct,  and  harmonizes  very  well  with  the  provisions  of 
the  Synod  of  Rathbresail,  which  in  defining  the  provinces 
(four)  did  not  include  the  diocese  of  Meath  or  its 
representatives  in  any  one  of  the  four,  but  placed  the 
Churches  of  Duleek  and  Clonard  together,  as  a  quasi 
province  in  themselves.  These  two,  with  Kells,  are,  in 
my  opinion,  the  three  dioceses  which  are  grouped  on  the 
Meath  seal.  (The  Meath  seal  displays  three  mitres.) 
Clonmacnoise  was  a  perfectly  distinct  See  in  itself  until 
1568,  when,  by  an  Irish  Act  of  Parliament,  temp. 
Elizabeth,  it  was  annexed  to  Meath. 

"The  Primate  who  is  referred  to  in  the  writ  to  the 
Sheriff  of  Louth  was  Nicholas  Mac  Molisa  (1272-1303), 
whose  opposition  to  an  English  or  Norman  nominee  kept 
the  See  of  Meath  open  from  1282-1287,  till  the  weight 
of  the  Papal  interference  enabled  the  king  to  make  good 
his  appointment  of  Thomas  de  Sancto  Leodagario  (St. 
Leger),  who  was  consecrated,  not  in  Armagh  province, 
but  by  the  Archbishop  of  Dublin,  assisted  by  the  Bishop 
of  Ossory,  in  St.  Canice's  of  Kilkenny,  Nov.  3,  1287." 

From  all  these  considerations,  we  are  able  to  under- 
stand the  peculiar  position  of  the  See  of  Meath.  We 
find  that  it  did  not  rank  with  other  suffragan  Sees, 
because  it  represented  an  ancient  province,  that  the 
Crown  claimed  it  as  being  Metropolitan,  and  that  the 
Crown  succeeded  in  its  contention  as  against  the  Primate. 
We  find,  too,  that  though  the  ecclesiastical  province  was 
suppressed,  the  precedence  of  the  See  was  retained,  and 
that  several  Metropolitan  Sees  of  the  Eastern  Church 
occupied  the  same  position.  Therefore  this  letter  of 
King  Edward  I.,  which  definitely  asserts  the  ancient 
precedence  of  Meath,  must  take  an  important  place 
amongst  the  documents  of  the  See  of  Royal  Meath. 


(    241     ) 


ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  KNIFE  IN  FLINT,  AS 
SHOWN  BY  SPECIMENS  COMMON  IN  THE  COUNTY 
ANTEIM. 

BY  THE  REV.  GEORGE  R.  BUICK,  A.M. 

THERE  is  an  Aztec  myth  to  the  effect  that  a  flint  knife, 
born  of  a  goddess,  fell  from  heaven  ;  from  it  there 
sprang  the  many  gods  of  the  Mexican  mythology, 
who,  having  received  a  particular  bone  from  the  Lord 
of  Hades,  mixed  its  fragments  with  blood  drawn  from 
their  own  persons,  and  so  made  man.  Without  going  so 
far  as  this,  we  may  safely  admit  that  the  knife  has  played 
an  important  part  in  human  history;  the  story  of  its 
development  is  the  story,  in  brief,  of  human  progress. 
The  finished  product  of  the  Sheffield  cutler's  handiwork 
is  but  the  outcome  of  ideas  and  efforts  born  thousands  of 
years  ago.  The  end  proposed  to-day  is  identical  with 
that  to  the  attainment  of  which  Palaeolithic  man  bent  his 
fresh,  adventurous  energies,  viz.  the  production  of  a 
perfect  cutting  implement,  fitted  for  use  in  the  hand,  and 
the  modern  knife  is,  perhaps,  as  near  the  realization  of 
that  ideal  as  it  is  possible  to  come.  But  the  thought  of 
which  it  is  the  expression  goes  back  to  the  beginnings  of 
human  history,  and  the  stages  by  which  its  perfection 
has  been  reached  mark  out  for  us  the  long  path  by  which 
the  world  has  travelled  from  the  far-off  starting-point  in 
prehistoric  times  to  the  progress  and  success  of  this 
nineteenth  century. 

I  do  not  propose,  at  present,  to  discuss  all  these 
various  stages.  I  confine  myself  to  a  single  depart- 
ment of  the  subject — the  development  of  the  knife  as 
manufactured  out  of  flint.  And,  what  I  have  to  say 
shall  have  special  reference  to  specimens  found  in  the 
North  of  Ireland. 

The  primitive  knife  was  a  flake  or  splinter  with  a 
sharp  edge.  Any  kind  of  hard  stone,  breaking  with 
more  or  less  of  a  conchoidal  fracture,  would  do  for  its 
production ;  but  flint,  for  several  good  and  sufficient  rea- 
sons, was  the  one  almost  universally  selected.  A  flake 
of  this  material  held  in  the  hand  cuts  well,  and  serves  a 


242   ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  KNIFE  IN  FLINT. 

variety  of  useful  purposes.  But  with  all  its  usefulness  it 
has  its  disadvantages.  For  one  thing,  the  edge  produced 
by  natural  fracture  soon  loses  its  keenness  when  in  use ; 
for  another,  since  it  has  usually  a  sharp  edge  all  round 
its  circumference,  or  almost  so,  the  parts  not  in  actual 
use  for  cutting  would  incommode  or  injure  the  hand  in 
which  it  was  held.  The  efforts  made  to  overcome  these 
disadvantages  led  to  the  development  of  the  knife  in  two 
very  different  directions. 

(1).  To  remedy  the  defect  through  loss  of  sharpness, 
the  edge  of  the  flake  employed  was  carefully  chipped. 
In  this  way  fresh  keenness  was  given  to  it — a  keenness 
more  permanent  than  that  of  the  natural  edge — and 
when  this  in  turn  was  lost  through  further  use,  it  could 
easily  be  restored  by  repeating  the  process.  The  advan- 
tage gained  in  this  way  soon  led  to  the  extension  of  the 
chipping  all  over  the  upper  or  ridged  surface  of  the 
flake.  The  result  was  a  thinner  and  sharper  blade,  flat, 
or  nearly  flat,  on  the  under  surface — which  as  a  rule  was 
not  interfered  with — and  slightly  convex  on  the  upper 
surface,  which  was  usually  trimmed  or  chipped  all  over 
(see  Plate  I.,  figs.  1  and  2).  This  is  the  kind  of  knife 
so  frequently  found  associated  with  other  "finds"  in 
earns  and  barrows. 

In  many  instances  the  flakes  which  are  thus  dealt  with 
are  not  straight,  as  might  be  expected,  but  curved  (fig.  13, 
Plate  III.);  some,  indeed,  are  almost  semicircular  in  shape 
— the  convex  surface  being  the  one  which  has  received  the 
dressing.  At  first  sight  it  might  be  supposed  that  the 
curve  is  an  accident.  When  we  consider,  however,  not 
only  the  large  number  of  these  blades,  but  the  fact  that 
much  straighter  flakes,  to  operate  upon,  could  easily  have 
been  obtained  if  desired,  we  are  led  to  the  very  opposite 
conclusion.  The  curve  in  each  is  a  matter  of  deliberate 
design,  and,  doubtless,  for  this  reason,  that  a  blade  so 
shaped  would  cut  a  circular  or  semicircular  pattern  out 
of,  say,  leather  or  hide,  in  a  neater  and  altogether  more 
workmanlike  manner,  than  a  knife  which  was  perfectly 
straight. 

Chipping  the  flake  on  one  side  naturally  led  to  chip- 
ping it  on  both.  In  this  way  a  fresh  advance  was  made ; 


PLATE  I. 


To  face  page  242. 


Fig.  1.— Knife  formed  from  flake  by  chipping  it  on  one  side.  Fig.  2.— Do.  Fig.  3-6.— 
Knives,  with  edges  formed  by  natural  fracture  of  the  flint,  whilst  the  tangs  and 
backs  are  formed  by  chipping.  Fig.  3  is  left-handed ;  figs.  4,  5,  6,  right-handed, 
(Size,  f ) 


ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  KNIFE  IN  FLINT.   243 

a  still  finer  blade  was  obtained,  and  the  limit  of  treat- 
ment practically  reached.  This  latter  advance,  however, 
I  am  sorry  to  say,  does  not  appear  to  have  been  made  to 
any  very  appreciable  extent  in  Ireland.  Only  one  really 
good  specimen  has  been  met  with,  and  it  is  now  in 
the  Royal  Irish  Academy.  The  specimen  in  question 
is  3  inches  long,  but  1  inch  of  this  length  belongs  to  the 
handle.  It  is  described  in  the  Catalogue  (where  it  is 
figured  at  page  14),  as  the  most  perfectly-shaped  flint 
knife  yet  found  in  Ireland  or  any  other  country.  The 
advance  referred  to,  though  not  fully  realized  in  this 
country,  was  early  reached  in  Denmark  and  Scandinavia. 
There,  the  treatment  of  such  a  hard  and  brittle  material 
as  flint  was  carried  out  with  a  degree  of  artistic  skill  and 
beauty  of  form  truly  marvellous.  Daggers  and  knives — 
some  of  them  from  a  foot  to  over  eighteen  inches  in 
length,  and  not  much  thicker  throughout  than  a  penny — 
were  produced,  the  ripple  work  on  which  is  exquisite. 
When  the  primitive  artist  had  succeeded  in  working  such 
a  blade,  with  a  haft  of  flint  attached,  along  which  a  series 
of  raised  frills  ran  by  way  of  ornamentation,  the  power 
of  his  hand,  deft  and  subtle  as  it  was,  could  go  no  farther. 

(2).  The  second  line  of  development  of  the  knife  grew 
out  of  the  fact  that  the  original  flake  had  a  keen  edge  at 
other  parts  of  its  margin  than  that  expressly  made  use  of 
in  cutting.  These  parts  were  liable,  as  already  remarked, 
to  incommode  or  injure  the  hand  in  holding,  or  using  it, 
a  disadvantage  which  was  overcome  in  a  variety  of  ways. 
The  remedy  first  thought  of  seems  to  have  been  this— 
the  part  of  the  flake  to  be  held  in  the  hand  was  wrapped 
round  with  skin,  or  fibre  of  some  kind,  which  allowed 
pressure  to  be  applied  without  danger  of  wounding.  A 
flake  treated  after  this  fashion — and  which  was  found  in 
the  bed  of  the  river  Bann — was  exhibited  at  the  Paris 
Exhibition  in  1867 ;  the  butt  was  wrapped  round  with 
moss  and  fibre. 

But  even  such  a  remedy  as  this  was  not  altogether 
satisfactory ;  the  wrapping  itself  was  liable  to  cut,  and 
in  case  it  did  so,  the  difficulty  and  danger  reappeared, 
therefore  the  next  step  apparently  taken  was  to  set  the 
flake  in  a  piece  of  wood,  in  such  a  way  that  the  part  of 


244      ON   THE   DEVELOPMENT   OF    THE   KNIFE  IN   FLINT. 

the  edge  intended  for  cutting  with  was  the  only  part 
uncovered.  Sometimes  the  flake  was  simply  inserted 
lengthwise  in  a  split  in  the  wood,  and  then  secured  by 
means  of  a  wrapping  of  sinew  at  either  end;  in  other 
cases  it  was  kept  in  its  place  by  means  of  some  kind  of 
pitch.  From  the  Lake  Dwellings  of  Switzerland  examples 
of  this  last  mode  of  hafting  are  common  (they  are  often 
called  saws,  but  are  really  knives).  I  am  not  aware, 
however,  that  any  specimens  set  in  wood  after  this 
fashion  have  been  found  in  Ireland. 

In  the  two  ways  just  noticed  of  fitting  the  simple 
flake  for  use  as  a  knife,  it  will  be  observed  that  the  flake 
itself  was  left  untouched.  The  end  sought  was  obtained 
by  the  addition  to  it  of  a  protection  for  the  hand  in  the 
shape  of  a  wrapping  of  hide  or  fibre,  or  else  by  means  of 
a  covering  of  wood.  By-and-by  it  was  found  that  the 
same  end  could  be  secured  by  operating  on  the  flake 
itself;  accordingly,  the  parts  not  required,  and  which 
were  inconvenient  or  dangerous  through  their  sharpness, 
were  chipped  away.  At  first  the  point  alone  was  dealt 
with.  A  little  piece  was  cut  away  so  as  to  truncate  or 
round  off  the  upper  edge,  and  leave  a  convenient  rest 
for  the  forefinger  when  the  flake  was  grasped  in  the 
hand.  The  object  of  thus  obtaining  a  rest  for  the  fore- 
finger evidently  was  to  allow  of  pressure — after  a  safe 
and  natural  manner — being  applied  to  the  knife  when  in 
use.  This  in  itself  was  a  great  improvement,  and  it  is 
worth  while  to  observe  that  it  is  an  improvement  which 
passed  over  into  the  age  of  bronze.  Blades  of  peculiar 
shape  were  found  in  the  Lake  Dwellings  of  Switzerland 
(figs.  15  and  16,  Plate  III.).  What  we  call  the  back  has 
a  hollow,  or  indentation,  just  at  the  spot  where  the  fore- 
finger would  press  on  handling  the  implement.  Keller 
figures  several  (see  Lake  Dwellings,  vol.  ii.  Plates  LII.  and 
LIII.),  and  notes  that  they  are  knives  rather  than  razors, 
as  some  have  described  them.  He  believes  the  hollow 
was  designed  to  receive  the  forefinger  and  thus  to 
facilitate  the  management  of  the  knife,  and  there  can  be 
little  doubt  as  to  the  correctness  of  this  supposition. 
When  the  blade  was  intended  for  use  in  the  hand  with- 
out the  addition  of  a  handle,  the  hollow  is  farther 


ON   THE   DEVELOPMENT   OF   THE   KNIFE   IN   FLINT.       245 

away  from  the  butt  than  it  is  when  the  blade  was  meant 
to  be  attached  to  a  haft.  In  this  latter  case  it  is  almost 
close  to  the  portion  forming  the  tang,  and  in  both  cases 
it  is  always  at  the  proper  distance  for  the  forefinger  to 
reach.  The  advantage  gained  from  a  rest  for  the  fore- 
finger such  as  this  is  evident  at  once. 

To  come  back,  however,  from  bronze   to  flint:  the 
sharp  flake  rounded  off,  or  truncated  at  the  point,  was 
constantly  used,  we  may  be  sure,  immediately  and  by 
itself  in  the  hand.    At  the  same  time,  it  was  often  set  in  a 
handle  of  wood,  or  perhaps  horn,  after  the  style  of  an  ordi- 
nary dinner  knife.  When  so  set,  the  butt-end  was  chipped 
down  to  a  convenient  thickness  for  insertion — i.  e.  a  tang 
was  formed.  The  whole  of  the  edge,  too,  not  designed  for 
cutting  was  removed,    and   in  this   way   a   blade  was 
obtained,  having  a  strong  back  and  a  fairly  keen  edge, 
admirably  adapted  to  serve  as  a  knife.     Knife-blades  of 
this  sort  are  very  common  in  Mid. -Antrim.     I  have  in 
my  collection  over  three  hundred  specimens,  all  obtained 
in  the  course  of  a  few  years.     Many  of  them  were  found 
by  myself  at  Glenhue.     They  have  also  been  discovered 
at  the  pre-historic  sites  near  Ballintoy  and  Portstewart ; 
and  at  Bundoran,  county  Donegal,  two  specimens  have 
recently  been  picked  up  not  far  from  the  large  earn  over- 
looking the  sand-dunes.      Under  a  misconception  as  to 
their   intended    use,    these   knives   have  hitherto   been 
described   (when   described   at  all),  even   by   the   best 
authorities,   as  single-winged  or  lop-sided  arrow-heads. 
A  few  specimens,  indeed,  might  pass  as  such,  but  of  the 
great  majority  it  maybe  said,  without  fear  of  contradic- 
tion, that  they  have  never  pointed  an  arrow,  and  never 
were  intended  to  do  anything  of  the  kind.     They  are 
altogether  unsuited  for  effective  employment  in  any  such 
way.     Many  have  the  point  so  rounded  off,   either  by 
chipping  or  grinding  (see  fig.  10,  Plate  II.),  as  to  render 
them  entirely  useless  as  implements  for  piercing;  and 
more,  perhaps,  are  of  such  a  shape  that  any  one  of  them, 
instead  of  being  an  effective  addition  to  an  arrow,  would 
practically  render  it  worthless.     Moreover,   almost   all 
of   them   present   evidences   of   wear   and   tear:    these 
evidences  are  always  found  at  the  one  place,   viz.  the 


246   ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  KNIFE  IN  FLINT. 

cutting  edge.  Here  they  are  hacked  and  worn  in  a 
manner  which  conclusively  establishes  the  use  to  which 
they  were  formerly  put.  It  is  pleasing  to  note  that  Sir 
William  Wilde,  when  he  arranged  the  collection  in  the 
Royal  Irish  Academy,  put  them  in  their  proper  place. 
He  says,  at  page  15  of  the  Catalogue,  "  On  the  sixth  row 
are  nine  knife-bladed  articles — right  and  left-handed — 
five  for  the  right  and  four  for  the  left.  The  majority  of 
these  are  of  reddish-coloured  flint;  they  have  been 
chipped  on  both  sides,  although  the  natural  face  has 
been  to  a  certain  extent  preserved  on  the  concave  aspect. 
The  greater  number  of  them  are  If  inch  long."  And 
then  he  adds :  "  Had  there  been  but  one  or  two  of  these 
objects  found,  it  might  be  supposed  they  were  accidental 
or  defective  arrow-heads ;  but  an  examination  of  the  nine 
specimens  of  the  same  variety  will  convince  the  inquirer 
to  the  contrary." 

Whilst  the  average  size  is  that  stated  by  Wilde,  there 
is  a  considerable  degree  of  variation.  I  have  one,  little 
more  than  an  inch  in  length,  tang  and  all,  the  cutting 
edge  of  which-  measures  only  half  an  inch,  whilst  others 
in  my  collection  are  from  three  to  four  inches  long  (see 
PI.  II.  figs.  7  and  8).  Wilde  also  speaks  of  the  specimens 
in  the  Royal  Irish  Academy  as  right-  and  left-handed. 
Perhaps  it  would  be  more  accurate  to  say  that  some  were 
intended  for  cutting  towards  the  person,  and  others  for 
cutting  from  the  person.  These  two  varieties  were 
produced  by  a  difference  of  choice  on  the  part  of  the 
maker  as  to  the  particular  edge  of  the  original  flake  best 
fitted  to  make  a  sharp  and  useful  blade.  Suppose  we 
take  a  flake  and  lay  it  before  us  with  the  butt  next  us 
and  the  flat  or  concave  surface  downwards,  we  can  easily 
see  that  if  the  left-hand  margin  is  chosen  for  the  edge  of 
an  intended  knife,  and  the  other  margin — that  towards 
the  right  hand — chipped  away,  say  into  the  mid-rib  or 
centre,  the  resulting  blade  will  be  right-handed,  or 
specially  fitted  for  cutting  towards  the  person.  If, 
however,  the  right-hand  margin  is  chosen  for  the 
cutting  edge,  the  blade  will  be  left-handed,  or  one  best 
adapted  for  cutting  away  from  the  person.  Figs.  4,  5,  6, 
8,  and  10  represent  right-handed  knives ;  figs.  3,  7,  9, 
left-handed  ones. 


PLATE  II. 


To  face  page  246. 


Fig  7,  8,  9,  10. — Flint  Knives  made  from  narrow  flakes  ;  the  backs  and  tangs  formed 
by  chipping;  the  edge  by  natural  fracture.  Figs.  9  and  10  have  the  point  rounded 
off.  Fig.  11. — Shoemaker's  old  Knife;  the  blade  of  iron;  the  handle  of  wood. 
Fig.  12.— Flint  Knife  set  in  handle  (supposed  method).  (Size,  f ) 


PLATE  III. 


To  face  page  247 


Fig.  13. — Side-view  of  curved  Knife.  Fig.  14. — Small  blade  set  as  a  Fleam  (sup- 
posed method).  Fig.  15. — Bronze  Knife,  with  hollow  in  back,  for  use  in  the 
hand;  unhafted,  after  Keller.  Fig.  16. — Bronze  Knife,  with  hollow  in  back,  and 
hafted,  after  Keller.  Figs.  15  and  16  are  for  comparison. 


ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  KNIFE  IN  FLINT.    247 

The  shape  of  the  knife,  therefore,  depended  to  a 
certain  extent  upon  the  particular  margin  of  the  flake 
chosen  for  the  cutting  edge.     It  depended  also  on  the 
shape  of  the  original  flake  itself.     If  this  was  long  and 
narrow,  the  resulting  blade  was  similar  in  character,  e.  g. 
figs.  7  and  8,  Plate  II.,  and  if  it  was  short  and  broad,  the 
knife  in  turn  was  short  and  broad.     When  it  happened 
to  be  very  broad  in  proportion  to  its  length,  the  result 
was   a  blade  with  the  edge  almost  at  right  angles  to 
the  back  and  tang.     Fig.  3,  Plate  L,  shows  one  of  this 
kind.      Some  of  these  shorter  knife-blades  have  little  or 
no  dressing  on  the  under  or  concave  surface ;  the  back, 
looked  at  from  that  side,  presents  the  appearance  of  an 
unchipped  edge  produced  by  natural  fracture.     In  most 
instances,  however,  the  back  is  dressed  on  the  one  side 
as  well  as  on  the  other,  and,  as  a  rule,  the  cutting  edge 
is  never  chipped.     The  tang  is  sometimes  rounded,  but 
more  generally  it  is  flat,  and  it  seems  to  have  answered 
admirably  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  intended.     In 
several    large    collections    to    which   I    have    access   I 
have    noticed   but  very   few   broken   across,    either  at 
or  near  the  tang.     When  the  tang — round   or   flat,    as 
the  case  might  be — was  inserted  in  a  handle,  the  knife 
would  present  the  appearance  of  the  ordinary  one  used 
at  present  by  shoemakers  for  cutting  leather.     Fig.  1 1 , 
Plate  II.,  represents  a  shoemaker's  old  knife  (iron),  and 
Fig.    12,  Plate  II. ,  one  of  flint,  mounted  in  the  same 
manner.     It  can  be  seen  at  a  glance  how  closely  they 
approximate  in  form,  and  we  may  reasonably  conclude 
from  this,  that,  in  all  likelihood,  they  were  intended  to 
serve  similar  uses.     Such  a  knife  as  that  shown,  fig.  12, 
Plate  II.,  would  answer  remarkably  well  for  cutting  the 
skins,  from  which  the  clothing  of  its  original  owner  was 
made.     I  fancy  also  that  many  of  the  smaller  sizes  were 
used  as  fleams  for  bleeding  cattle.      In  this  case  they 
would,  no  doubt,  be  hafted  after  a  somewhat  different 
fashion  ;    possibly    they    were    set   in   wood   or    horn 
in   some   such    way    as   that   represented  by  fig.    14, 
Plate  III. 

And  now,  having  described  this  somewhat  peculiar 
kind  of  knife,  the  question  presents  itself :  What  is  its 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  Till.  S 


248    ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  KNIFE  IN  FLINT. 

proper  chronological  place  ?  To  what  precise  age  does 
it  belong  ?  The  facts  from  which  the  answer  is  to  be 
deduced  are  somewhat  contradictory.  For  instance,  Dr. 
Joseph  Anderson  figures  a  specimen  in  his  book,  Scotland 
in  Pagan  Times,  p.  246,  fig.  245.  This  he  himself  found 
in  a  chambered  earn  at  Ormiegill  in  Caithness,  and  he 
refers  both  it  and  the  earn  to  the  Stone-age.  But  then, 
on  the  other  hand,  no  tool  of  this  description  has  been 
found  elsewhere  associated  with  structures  or  grave 
"  finds,"  referable  unmistakably  to  that  age;  neither 
has  any  barrow  nor  crannog  belonging  to  the  Bronze 
age  in  Britain  or  Ireland  yielded — so  far  as  I  am  aware 
— a  single  specimen.  The  Lake  Dwellings  of  Switzer- 
land are  equally  barren,  and  it  seems  strange  that  this 
should  be  the  case  if  the  method  of  making  these  knives 
was  known  and  practised  in  Neolithic  times.  There  is 
some  reason,  therefore,  for  concluding  that  they  belong 
to  the  transition  period,  when  the  age  of  Bronze  was 
passing  over  into  the  age  of  Iron.  If  so,  they  were 
fashioned  after  the  pattern  of  the  bronze  or  iron  knife, 
i.  e.  they  were,  in  fact,  reproductions  in  stone  of  imple- 
ments in  metal,  which  were  necessarily  scarce  and  costly, 
and,  in  consequence,  not  easily  obtained. 

At  the  same  time,  it  is  only  fair  to  say  that  the 
positive  evidence  furnished  by  the  Caithness  specimen  is 
very  strong  and  not  easily  set  aside.  More  facts  are 
necessary  to  settle  the  matter  conclusively.  Perhaps, 
now  that  attention  has  been  called  to  the  subject,  some 
other  member  of  our  Association  may  be  able  to  throw 
further  light  upon  it,  and  so  help  to  answer  satisfactorily 
a  question  not  without  interest,  at  any  rate,  to  the  Irish 
Archaeologist. 


Jour.R.H.A.A.I Vol.VHI.4-  fc>  I 


WestNewman  &  Co.  photo-hth . 


DIAL    at    KILMALKEDAR. 


(     249     ) 


DESCRIPTION  OF  ANTIQUITIES  UNDER  THE  CONSERVATION 
OF  THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLIC  WORKS,  IRELAND. 

BY  G.  M.  ATKINSON,  M.R.I.A. 

I  HAVE  the  pleasure  of  presenting  copies  of  sketches 
taken  by  my  friend  Mr.  James  Brenan,  R.H.A.,  in  the 
summer  of  1886.  Some  of  these  objects  are  reproduced, 
with  additions,  in  the  accompanying  Plates.  Plate  I. 
The  cross,  or  dial,  at  Kilmalkedar.  Plate  II.  Two  re- 
markable terminal  forms,  that  once  ornamented  the  gables 
of  Kilmalkedar  Church,  and  Tempullgeal  Oratory. 

I  am  anxious  to  record  the  changes  effected  in  this 
locality  by  the  Board  of  Public  Works,  Ireland,  and  to 
attract  the  attention  of  Members  of  our  Association,  and 
of  all  persons  interested  in  the  history,  art,  and  civiliza- 
tion of  Ireland,  who  are  bound  to  investigate  every 
change — particularly  when  the  work  is  done  under,  and 
by  the  authority  of,  such  a  body — which  cannot  be 
always  correct,  as  the  abominable  crotchet  terminal 
put  on  Ardmore  Round  Tower  testifies. 

The  remarkable  group  of  monuments  at  Kilmal- 
kedar, barony  of  Corcaguiney  (Ordnance  Sheet  No.  42), 
situated  about  four  miles  north  of  Dingle,  county  Kerry, 
are  well  known.  The  oratory  was  described  in  this 
Journal,  vol.  v.,  1864-5,  p.  29.  The  ogam  stone  which 
is  there,  is  given  in  Brash's  Ogam  Monuments,  p.  243. 
This  so-called  cross,  holed-stone,  or  sun-dial  (Plate  I., 
fig.  1),  is  very  interesting.  At  my  request  Mr.  Brenan 
made  inquiry  from  the  Clerk  of  Works  (Mr.  F.  J.  Murphy) 
employed  by  the  Board  to  undertake  the  restoration, 
and  he  very  kindly  sent  me  the  following  informa- 
tion:— "  The  cross  found  by  me,  doing  duty  as  the 
head-stone  to  a  modern  grave,  in  the  burying-ground 
at  Kilmalkedar,  was  fixed  in  the  base,  and  verified 
by  Mr.  Brenan.  We  placed  it  against  the  west  wall 
of  the  church.  ...  It  was,  in  my  opinion,  what^  we 
here  call  a  chalice  cross,  with  a  betrothal,  or  swearing- 
hole,  in  it.  Similar  holes  are  found  in  very  many 
crosses  throughout  Ireland."  ...  u  I  do  not  know  the 


250  ON   SKETCHES   OF  ANTIQUITIES. 

particular  attitude  that  the  people  put  themselves  in 
when  the  oath  was  administered,  but  it  was  very  com- 
mon among  the  Irish,  when  a  clergyman  could  not  be 
obtained  to  celebrate  a  marriage,  that  the  couple — the 
bride  and  bridegroom — came  here,  put  a  finger  each 
through  this  hole,  and  pledged  themselves,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  witnesses.  This  stood  good  until  a  reverend 
gentleman  was  available.  ...  I  have  seen  the  stone  you 
allude  to  at  Kilcoman,  county  Mayo ;  another  at  Saul, 
county  Down.  There  are  no  marks  or  letters  on  the 
stone  or  portion  of  circular  slab  that  formed  the  base  of 
the  cross  ;  nothing  to  indicate  the  hour  conspicuous  on 
the  horizon  or  elsewhere."  This  was  in  answer  to  my 
inquiry,  if  there  were  any  natural  marks,  or  pyramids 
of  stones,  that  the  sun,  passing  over,  would  thereby 
indicate  the  time,  as  in  Iceland — or  circles  of  stones, 
as  at  Rushen,  Isle  of  Man ;  and  at  Wallsend,  Northumber- 
land. The  hole  does  not  go  through,  and  the  orna- 
ment is  similar  on  both  sides.  Of  course  this  hole 
held  the  metal  gnomon,  now  gone.  Mr.  Brenan  did 
not  sketch  the  back  of  the  dial.  I  fill  up  the  plate  with 
the  ornament  on  the  back  (fig.  2)  and  side  (fig.  ft) — 
taken  from  a  plate  by  my  friend  the  Rev.  Daniel  H. 
Haigh,  and  given  in  a  learned  communication  on  sun- 
dials, published  in  the  Yorkshire  Archaeological  Journal, 
vol.  v.,  1879.  He  instances  this  and  others  in  Ireland 
as  evidence  that,  in  early  times  in  Ireland,  the  ancient 
Octaval  system  of  dividing  time  into  eight  periods  was 
employed.  "  Here,  then,  we  are  introduced  to  a  system 
of  time  division — day-night  into  eight  equal  parts,  sub- 
divided sixteen,  and  again  subdivided  thirty-two— 
quite  distinct  from  that  of  the  primitive  Chaldeans  into 
twelve,  that  of  the  Book  of  Enoch  into  eighteen,  that 
of  the  Greeks,  Latins,  and  Egyptians  into  twenty -four, 
and  that  of  the  Hindus  into  thirty.  And  the  remarkable 
fact  is  presented  to  us,  that  this  system  was  in  use  in 
Ireland  as  well  as  in  England  twelve  hundred  years  ago. 
Were  our  horizon  limited  by  these  Isles  of  the  West, 
it  might  be  a  question  whether  our  fathers  learned  it  in 
Ireland  or  introduced  it  there ;  but  if  we  ascend 
Elburz,  and  take  a  wider  range,  we  shall  see  that  it  must 


ON   SKETCHES   OF   ANTIQUITIES.  251 

be  referred  to  an  antiquity  compared  with  which  the 
seventh  century  of  our  era  is  but  as  yesterday  ;  for  not 
only  have  the  Norsemen,  later  immigrants  into  Northern 
Europe  than  the  Angles,  observed  this  system  from 
the  earliest  period  to  which  their  history  reaches  down 
to  the  present  century.  Even  in  Hindustan  and 
Burmah,  notwithstanding  the  introduction  of  a  later 
system,  very  considerable  traces  of  this  more  ancient  one 
remain."  As  a  possible  connection  with  the  interlacing 
on  the  back  (fig.  2),  I  put  on  the  plate  a  form  (fig.  4)  that 
I  have  often  seen.  Some  thirty  years  ago  it  was  very 
generally  used  in  the  South  of  Ireland  on  the  17th  of 
March,  and  called  "  St.  Patrick's  Cross ;  "  it  was  cut  out 
of  paper,  and  pinned  to  the  cap  of  boys  and  on  the 
right  shoulder  of  girls.  Many  times  have  I  seen  a 
small  cut  branch  of  a  tree  doing  duty  for  a  pair  of  com- 
passes to  strike  out  the  form,  which  was  about  four 
inches  in  diameter,  and  proud  was  the  boy  who  possessed 
a  box  of  paints,  enabling  him  to  fill  in  the  forms. 

I  would  be  obliged  if  any  Members  of  our  Associa- 
tion could  inform  me  of  other  swearing- stones  besides 
this,  and  the  ogam-stone  at  Kilmalkedar,  the  ogam-stone 
at  Tempullgeal,  or  Ballymuiragh  (given  in  Brash's  Ogam 
Monuments,  p.  206,  Plate  XXV.),  Rathanglish,  Reask, 
Kilogrone  (near  Cahirciveen),  and  Ballyferriter  (near 
Dingle),  Co.  Kerry ;  at  Ballyveruish,  parish  of  Kil- 
bride,  Co.  Antrim  ;  the  "  Cloch-a-Phoill,"  parish  of 
Aghade,  and  at  Castledermot  churchyard,  Co.  Carlow ; 
the  "  Holed  Stone,"  called  "  Cloch-na-Pecaibh,"  at 
Kilquane  graveyard  (near  Mallow) ;  and,  in  the  same 
neighbourhood,  one  at  Lackendarragh,  parish  of  Kil- 
colernan,  Co.  Cork  ;  at  Inishcaltra,  on  the  Shannon ; 
and  at  Tubbernuveen,  Co.  Sligo. 

The  dials  in  Ireland,  noticed  in  a  Paper  by  the 
late  Mr.  Albert  Way — and  compiled  from  the  notes 
and  drawings  of  the  late  Mr.  George  V.  du  Noyer — in 
the  Journal  of  the  Archaeological  Institution,  vol.  xxv., 
p.  213,  can  be  seen  at  Inishcaltra,  or  Holy  Island,  in 
Lough  Derg,  river  Shannon,  on  the  top  of  a  slab, 
measuring  five  feet  in  length,  by  sixteen  inches  in 
breadth ;  it  consists  of  a  simple  semicircle,  divided  by 


252  ON  SKETCHES   OF  ANTIQUITIES. 

radiating  lines,  into  four  nearly  equal  parts,  the  five 
lines,  giving  the  five  great  canonical  hours — Matins 
(6  A.M.),  Nones  (9  A.M.),  Prime  (or  Noon),  Tierce  (3  P.M,) 
and  Vespers  (6  P.M.).  St.  Gamin  founded  an  abbey 
there,  and  died  A.D.  653. 

The  one  under  consideration  at  Kilmalkedar  church- 
yard is  cut  out  of  a  thick  slab  of  grit ;  its  form  is  that 
of  an  inverted  semicircle,  resting  on  a  rectangular  shaft. 
The  horse-shoe  form,  called  Khaphir,  the  Tierce,  indi- 
cated by  three  lines,  and  the  Greco -Irish  fret  ornament, 
are  each  commented  upon. 

At  the  south-east  side  of  the  old  church  at  Clone, 
near  Ferns,  Co.  Wexford,  two  holes  in  the  dial  show 
that  there  the  gnomon  was  formed  with  a  diagonal 
brace,  or  support.  At  Kells,  Co.  Meath,  there  is  one 
in  the  graveyard,  but  not  in  its  original  position ;  also 
in  the  graveyard  of  the  old  church  of  Saul,  Co.  Down 
(near  the  little  village  of  Rahalt),  and  at  Kilcummin, 
near  Killala,  Co.  Mayo. 

About  the  terminal  forms  (see  PL  II.,  figs.  1  and  2) 
Mr.  Murphy  writes: — "  The  crosses  at  Tempullgeal  and 
Kilmalkedar  were  set  in  the  apices  of  gable  barges.  They 
are  curious  enough  indeed.  The  terminal  cross  at  Kil- 
malkedar (fig.  2)  measures  from  arm  to  arm  two  feet  six 
inches,  and  seven  and  a-half  inches  thick,  and  stood  on 
the  western  gable.  I  never  saw  exactly  the  same." 
Tempullgeal,  i.  e.  the  White  Church,  is  in  a  keel,  or,  as 
it  is  called  in  the  locality,  a  cealuragh,  townland  of 
Ballymuiragh,  and  parish  of  Dingle  (Ord.  Sh.  No.  43). 
The  ogam-stone  already  referred  to,  and  a  description 
of  the  Well  of  St.  Monachan,  with  the  information  of  its 
virtues,  as  given  to  our  late  Member,  Mr.  John  Windele, 
will  be  found  at  p.  207  of  the  Ogam  Monuments  by  R. 
E.  Brash.  While  looking  over  the  work  of  the  late  Lord 
Dunraven,  Notes  on  Ancient  Irish  Architecture,  edited  by 
Miss  M.  Stokes,  I  found  a  similar  form  on  the  photograph 


(PL  No.  LXV.,  p.  127),  and  have  reproduced  it  on  tl 
plate  (fig.  3).  It  is  at  Tober-na-Dru,  a  well,  about  one 
and  a-half  miles  north-east  of  Freshford,  townland  of 
Clontubrat,  parish  of  Lisdowny,  county  Kilkenny.  The 
doorway  faces  east ;  the  roof  rises  to  a  point,  formed  by 


ON   SKETCHES   OF  ANTIQUITIES.  253 

stones  laid  horizontally,  projecting  each  beyond  the 
other,  but  dressed  to  the  pitch.  "  At  the  side  stands 
one  of  those  remarkable  stones  which  formed  an  orna- 
ment for  the  apex  of  the  gable,  such  as  has  been  already 
observed  in  the  description  of  the  ruins  of  Leaba 
Molaga."  On  referring  to  the  description,  a  figure,  some- 
thing similar,  is  given  on  Plate  at  p.  62  ;  and,  on  p.  63, 
"  are  two  spherical  stones,  of  rude  form,  but  one  was 
ornamented  by  two  deeply  incised  lines,  which  cut  each 
other  at  right  angles.  These  stones  were  preserved  on 
the  altar,  and  held  by  the  people  to  be  of  miraculous 
origin."  At  St.  John's  Well,  in  Morwenstow,  Cornwall, 
there  is  a  somewhat  similar  form,  given  by  J.  T.  Blight, 
Ancient  Crosses,  p.  82.  The  only  object  I  ever  saw  like 
them  was  (in  1866)  on  the  eastern-nave  gable  of  the 
cathedral  at  Lund,  Sweden ;  it  was  a  terminal  form  in 
the  shape  of  the  female  figure,  i.e.  the  upper  portion 
— trunk  without  arms.  But  these  bear  a  greater  re- 
semblance to  the  Terms,  or  Hermes,  well  known  in 
connection  with  the  worship  of  the  powers  of  nature. 
Being  desirous  to  record  the  existence  of  an  ogam 
stone,  just  found  by  Mr.  Murphy,  near  the  bed  of  the 
river  running  to  Miltown,  Dingle,  I  send  a  drawing  of 
it,  made  by  Mr.  Brenan.  When  the  stone  has  been 
deposited  in  one  of  the  museums,  I  hope  to  be  enabled 
to  say  something  about  the  inscription  which  it  bears. 


(    254     ) 


THE  EUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND.1 

BY  W.  G.  WOOD-MARTIN,  M.R.I.A.,  FELLOW  AND  GENERAL 
SECRETARY,  R.H.A.A.I. 

\_Continuedfrompage  159.] 

VI. 

AFTER  close  consideration  of  the  bardic  legends  relat- 
ing to  the  second  battle  of  Moytirra  little  doubt  can 
apparently  remain  that  either  there  had,  in  reality,  been 
only  one  battle  of  Moytirra,  or  if  there  were  two  contests, 
then  both  would  seem  to  have  taken  place  at  Moytirra, 
county  Sligo.  From  the  legendary  accounts  of  the  first 
battle  of  Moytirra  (Moytirra,  Cong)  we  gather  thatEochy, 
the  Firbolg  king,  left  the  battle-field  with  a  body-guard 
of  one  hundred  men,  followed  by  a  party  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  of  his  opponents,  led  by  the  three  sons  of 
Nemedh,  who  carried  on  the  pursuit  as  far  as  Traigh-Eothaile, 
now  Beltra,  near  Ballysadare,  county  Sligo.  Whilst 
crossing  that  strand  the  Firbolgs  were  overtaken  by 
their  pursuers ;  a  fierce  combat  ensued  ;  King  Eochy  was 
killed,  and  the  same  fate  befel  the  three  sons  of  Nemedh, 
leaders  of  the  Tuatha  de  Danann.  The  latter  were  buried 
at  the  west  end  of  the  strand,  at  a  spot  since  called  Leca- 
Mic-Nemedh,  or  the  Grave-stones  of  the  Sons  of  Nemedh, 
whilst  King  Eochy  was  buried  where  he  fell ;  and  the 
megalith,  the  site  of  which  is  known  to  this  day  as  the 
monument  of  Traigh-Eothaile,  was  raised  over  him  in  the 
district  of  Cuil-Cnamh,  i.  e.  the  Corner  of  the  Bones — an 
ancient  denomination  of  land  which  was  almost  coexten- 
sive with  the  present  parish  of  Dromard.  This  megalith 
existed  in  the  year  1858,  when  it  was  destroyed ;  it  had 
formerly  ranked  among  the  Mirabilia  Hibernice.  Beranger, 
at  the  time  of  his  artist-antiquary  tour  through  Ireland, 
made  a  sketch  of  this  monument,  which  he  supposed  to 
be  Cuchullin's  grave  ;  his  statement  is  "  stopped  to  draw 
a  plan  and  view  of  Cuchullin's  tomb — a  circle  of  stones 

1  Part  V.,  descriptive  of  the  Monuments  in  the  District  of  Moytirra,  or  Moytura, 
Co.  Sligo,  has  already  appeared  in  the  Journal,  4th  Series  No.  60,  October,  1884. 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN    SLIGO.  255 

27  feet  in  diameter,  but  much  covered  by  the  sand  which 
the  waves  carry  on  it." 

In  strange  corroboration  of  the  legend  of  the  burial 
of  the  Firbolg  king,  a  small  circle  composed  of  earth  and 
stones  was  pointed  out  on  the  island  of  Inishhullion  on  the 
opposite,  that  is  to  say,  the  Cuil-irra  side  of  Ballysadare 
bay.  The  country  people  recounted  how  a  great  battle 
was  formerly  fought  on  the  shore,  and  the  two  "  Gene- 
rals "  were  killed,  one  being  buried  at  Beltra  (i.  e.  Traigh, 
Eothaile),  and  the  other  in  this  island.  For  a  distinguished 
leader  the  monument  in  question  is  of  mean  workman- 
ship, and  small  size,  measuring  only  21  feet  in  over-all 
diameter  :  a  few  paces  distant,  however,  there  is  an  erra- 
tic boulder  which,  to  judge  from  present  appearances,  may 
perhaps  have  formed  the  covering-stone  of  a  cromleac. 

It  is  clear  that  the  pursuit  of  a  retreating  force  could 
hardly  have  been  kept  up  a  distance  of  fifty  miles  from 
Cong,  in  the  county  Mayo,  to  Ballysadare,  whilst,  on  the 
other  hand,  a  routed  host  might  be  easily  followed  thither 
from  Moytirra,  in  Sligo,  not  more  than  nine  miles  distant. 
Jubainville,  a  recent  French  writer,  in  Le  Cycle  My- 
thologique  Irlandais,  confidently  affirms  his  belief  that 
these  narratives  are  simply  twisted  and  distorted  alle- 
gories, representing  the  contests  between  the  powers 
of  Light  and  Darkness,  or  of  Good  and  Evil,  the  former 
being  represented  by  the  Tuatha  de  Danann,  the  latter 
by  the  Firbolgs  ! 

If  we  place  dependence  on  the  statement  in  the 
Libellus  de  Matribus  Sanctorum,  contained  in  the  Book  of 
Leinster,  it  would  appear  that  Carn-Eothaile  was,  at  a 
subsequent  period,  used  as  a  place  of  meeting ;  the  notice 
of  it  is  as  follows  : — u  And  all  these  saints  met  in  a  synod 
at  the  earn  of  Traigh-Eothaile,  and  they  made  a  covenant 
of  union,  and  they  said  of  whosoever  shall  break  that 
union  on  earth  that  his  soul  should  not  reach  heaven, 
and  he  shall  not  recover  his  station  on  earth  ;  and  as  for 
this  earn,  at  which  we  have  met,  the  sea  shall  never  cover 
it,  until  it  overflows  the  surface  of  Tireragh."  In  the 
present  day  this  prophecy  sounds  strange,  for  in  the  year 
1858  a  rampart  was  built  across  the  strand,  and  thus, 
from  the  greater  part  of  Traigh-Eothaile  the  sea  is  now 

4TH    8ER.,    VOL.    VIII.  T 


256  RUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

excluded,  so  that  were  it  ever  to  break  its  way  through 

this  rampart,  the  prediction  might  be  said  to  be  fulfilled. 

A  popular  tradition  relating  to  Beltra  strand  is,  that  a 

woman  named  Hele'  (some  say  Helen  of  Greece)  set  out 

in  search  of  her  own  tribe,  the  Fians,  who  had  gone  on 

an  expedition  to  a  foreign  country.    When  crossing  these 

sands  she  met  a  man,  from  whom  she  made  inquiries 

about  her  people.  He  answered,  "  They  are  above,  lying 

under  the  trees,"  pointing  to  the  district  of  Coillte-Luighne 

(the  wood  of  Leyny).    On  receiving  this  reply,  she  said : 

"  Alas  !  I  can  follow  them  no  further  ;  I  now  lay  aside 

all  hope  of  ever  meeting  them  again :  were  they  my 

people,  each  of  them,  if  lying  down,  would  reach  from 

the  trees  to  where  I  stand,"   and  in  her  despair  she 

dropped  down  dead !     Two  earns  were  raised  over  her 

on  the  strand,  opposite  Coillte-Luighne;  the  large  earn 

rested  over  her  head,  and  was  called  Carragin  O'hele;  the 

other,  resting  over  her  feet,  was  called  Carragin-beg.  These 

monuments  were  about  two  hundred  yards  distant  from 

each  other,  which  affords  a  good  idea  of  Helens  stature  ! 

Another  legend  recounts  that  a  combat  took  place 

between  two  heroes  on  the  strand,  of  whom  a  warrior 

called  Groll  was  one :  that  Hel^  looked  on,  and  seeing 

her  loved  one  fall,  she  dropped  dead  through  excess  of 

grief ;  and  over  her  one  earn  was  erected,  the  other  over 

her  luckless  lover.1 

There  are  two  "  Giants'  Graves"  in  the  townland  of 
Tanrego  West,  and  to  the  left  of  the  lane  leading  to  the 
sea  from  the  Ballina  road.  The  first  of  these  graves  is 
situated  about  10  yards  distant  from  the  fence :  the  plan 
and  view  of  the  monument  (figs.  154  and  155)  will  give 
a  good  idea  of  its  general  appearance.  Two  of  the  up- 
rights still  remaining  are  each  about  6  feet  in  height : 
the  very  large-sized  covering-slab  has  been  thrown  off. 
At  a  distance  of  about  200  yards  is  the  other  megalith, 
now  in  a  very  dilapidated  state.  Fig.  156  is  taken  from 
a  carefully-made  survey.  Of  both  these  monuments  the 
longer  axis  is  almost  due  E.  and  W. 

On  the  left-hand  side  of  the  road,  leading  to  Long- 
ford House  (the  residence  of  Sir  Malby  Crofton,  Bart.), 

1  MS.  Letters,  Ordnance  Survey. 


Fig.  154— General  View  of  "Giant's  Grave"  in  the  Townland  of 
Tanrego  West,  looking  S.E. 


O 


Fig.  155.— Ground  Plan  of  "  Giant's  Grave  "  in  the  Townland  of  Tanrego  "West 
(Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 


oO 


Fig.  156.— Ground  Plan  of  Second  "  Giant's  .Grave"  in  the  Townland  of 
Tanrego  West.     (Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 


T2 


258  KUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS   OF    IRELAND. 

there  is  a  slightly  raised  mound,  now  covered  with  trees, 
but  which  had  been  formerly  encircled  with  boulders.  It 
is  stated  that  "  the  place  in  old  times  was  called  Cool- 
crave,  that  it  took  its  name  from  a  battle  fought  close  by, 
and  after  the  fight  the  dead  were  buried  there."  The 
mound  measures  about  57  feet  from  N.  to  S.,  and  45  feet 
from  E.  to  W. 

Scarcely  half  a  mile  due  N.  of  the  sepulchre  on  Inish- 
hullion  (so  called  by  the  country-people,  but  marked  Inish- 
more  on  the  Ordnance  Map,  sheet  20),  on  the  northern 
shore  of  Ballysadare  bay,  and  in  the  townland  of 
Breeogue,  there  is  a  large  circular  enclosure  consisting 
of  two  concentric  earth  en- circumvallations,  intermixed 
with  large  boulders,  having  an  over-all  diameter  of  190 
feet,  the  diameter  of  inside  circle  being  95  feet ;  the  in- 
terior bank  is  still  in  places  9  feet  in  height,  and  each 
alternating  bank  and  hollow  appears  to  have  been  about 
15  feet  in  breadth.  This  monument  has  the  characteristic 
features  of  a  rath,  and  its  sepulchral  nature  would  pro- 
bably have  remained  unsuspected,  had  not  the  tenant, 
in  order  to  repair  a  fallen  fence,  made  some  excavations 
on  the  northern  periphery  of  the  inner  vallum,  inside, 
outside,  and  under  which  he  discovered  a  quantity  of 
human  bones,  quite  close  to  the  surface,  all  apparently 
uncalcined ;  with  them  were  teeth  of  animals,  together 
with  shells  of  various  crustacese,  fragments  of  oyster  shells 
predominating ;  the  soil  in  which  they  were  embedded 
was  black  and  greasy,  evidently  consisting  of  decom- 
posed animal  matter. 

Due  east  of,  and  distant  about  150  yards  from,  the 
monument  there  is  a  field  still  called  the  Caltragh;  no 
trace  of  the  enclosure  now  remains ;  it  has  been  many 
years  levelled.  A  countryman  stated  that  a  hundred  and 
fifty  years  ago  this  locality  (Breeogue)  was  unreclaimed, 
ana  in  a  state  of  nature  ;  but  since  that  period  the  land 
has  been  divided  into  holdings,  and  a  large  portion  of  it 
has  been  brought  under  cultivation  only  within  living 
memory.  The  demolition  and  obliteration  of  similar 
sepulchres  are  events  of  common  occurrence,  and  their 
entire  disappearance  may  at  no  distant  period  be  antici- 
pated if  agricultural  improvements  continue  to  progress 
in  the  same  ratio.  The  designation  Caltragh  is,  in  Sligo, 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO. 


259 


by  no  means  uncommon :  there  is  a  townland  of  the  name 
within  the  borough  bounds,  another  in  the  parish  of 
Easky ;  there  is  a  site  called  Caltragh  Fort  in  the  town- 
landof  Drumraine,  parish  ofKilmacallen,  and  many  other 
instances  could  be  adduced. 

Directly  over  Primrose  Grange  schoolhouse — which 
is  situated  at  the  foot  of  Knocknarea — there  is,  on  the 
spur  of  the  hill,  a  rude  stone  circle  with  a  central  cist. 
The  entire  arrangement  of  the  boulders  is  primitive  in 
the  extreme,  and  the  cist  bears  the  appearance  of  having 
been  excavated. 

Not  far  from  the  old  church  of  Killaspugbrone,  in  tn« 


Fig.  157. — Ground  Plan  of  Labbynawark.     (Scale,  -8\-.) 

neighbouring  sandhills  near  the  little  village  of  Strandhill, 
there  is  a  "  Giant's  Grave"  called  Labbynawark1  (fig.  157). 


1  The  late  Dr.  Todd,  in  a  Paper  read  be- 
fore the  Royal  Irish  Academy,  drew  atten- 
tion to  an  Irish  inscription,  of  the  close  of 
the  fourteenth,  or  commencement  of  the 
fifteenth,  century,  in  which  there  is  an 
unquestionable  example  of  the  use  of  the 
word  leaba  (teAbAig)  i.e.  bed  ;  and  he 
thus  traces  back  the  application  of  that 
term  —  still  given  by  the  peasantry  in 
every  part  of  Ireland  to  the  rude  stone 
monuments  —  to  an  inscription,  in  black 
letter,  on  a  slab  inserted  in  the  wall  of 
the  choir  of  the  Abbey  of  Knockmoy,  Co. 
Gal  way  :  — 


ofceallaid 

do  |  rt  |  mwaini  |  agas  | 
laind  |  inge  [  icboncbuir  | 
matba  |  ocogu  |  m  \  leabaijg;  |  sea." 

("For    Muleachlaind  O'Keallaid,   for 
the  King  of  Hy-Maini,  and  for  Finola, 


the   daughter    of    O'Conchuir,    Mathew 
O'Cogu  made  this  bed.") 

DualdMac  Firbis,  writing  circum  1662, 
states  that  "it  was  the  English  that 
erected  all  the  bawn  of  Longphort  (Long- 
ford) except  Leaba- an- Eich  Bhuidh,  which 
was  erected  by  Sen  Brian  O'Dowd,"  i~e. 
between  A.D.  1278-1354.  This  Sligo  ex- 
ample, together  with  the  inscription  from 
the  Abbey  of  Knockmoy,  create  interest 
by  showing  that  the  natives  of  the  country 
thoroughly  understood  the  rude  stone 
monuments  of  Ireland  to  be  places  of  rest, 
i.e.  sepulture,  and  not  merely  altars,  &c., 
for  ceremonial  observances.  These  sepul- 
chres were,  to  the  mind  of  the  primitive 
race,  who  reared  them,  most  probably  as 
truly  the  habitations  of  the  spirits  of  the 
dead,  as  were  their  dwellings  the  abode 
of  the  living ;  they  were  the  "beds"  into 
which  all  the  members  of  the  clan,  ox 
family,  were  ultimately  to  be  laid  in 
their  long  repose. 


260  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

Its  over-all  length  is  21  ft.  by  6  ft.  in  breadth  :  it  appears 
to  have  been  originally  divided  into  two  compartments 
of  equal  size,  but  the  westerly  one  is  formed  of  the 
largest  stones,  and  is  in  the  best  state  of  preservation. 
The  head-stone  of  this  cist  is  4  feet  2  inches  high  on  the 
inside ;  that  on  the  N.  4  feet ;  that  on  the  S.  3  feet 
9  inches ;  the  remainder  of  the  stones  scarcely  average 
2  feet  in  height.  The  slabs  appear  as  if  either  quarried 
or  selected  with  great  care. 

In  many  primitive  mortuary  structures  in  Ireland, 
stones  have  been  observed  of  considerable  size,  and  yet 
presenting  a  smooth  surface.  This  fact  has  often  excited 
surprise,  when  taking  into  consideration  the  very  defec- 
tive appliances  at  command  of  their  constructors.  There 
is,  however,  a  process — as  explained  in  the  Ulster  Journal 
of  Archaeology — by  which,  in  all  probability,  the  people  of 
even  the  "  stone  period  "  may  have  been  enabled  to  pro- 
duce this  effect.  Having  decided  as  to  the  part  of  the 
rock  which  might  most  readily  be  cleft,  they  cut  a  groove 
in  it — which  they  could  perfectly  well  do  with  their  flint 
tools  and  their  stone  axes — into  this  groove  water  might 
be  poured,  let  lie,  and  the  stone  be  heated  by  fire  placed 
under  or  around  it.  The  points  of  wedges,  in  sufficient 
number,  and  formed  of  seasoned  oak  or  of  stone,  could  be 
inserted  in  the  grooves  and  driven  home  with  wooden  or 
stone  mallets.  By  these  simple  means,  large  blocks  of 
the  limestone  of  the  country  could  be  split  into  pieces 
presenting  a  perfectly  smooth  surface. 

There  is  a  "  Giant's  Grave"  situated  about  half  way 
between  Ballysadare  and  Sligo,  in  the  townland  of 
Drumaskibbole,  and,  like  many  others  in  the  county,  it  is 
not  marked  on  the  Ordnance  Map.  Seat  on  F.  Milligan, 
who  first  drew  the  writer's  attention  to  this  example, 
had  made  a  slight  excavation,  and  found  some  bones 
seemingly  bearing  traces  of  fire ;  but  on  his  return  early 
in  the  following  week,  to  complete  his  exploration,  he 
found  that  the  country -people  had  employed  themselves 
on  the  previous  Sunday  in  digging  in  the  interior  of  the 
monument,  thereby  displacing  several  of  the  stones.  Be- 
fore this  semi-destruction  it  had  been  a  fine  specimen  of 
an  elongated  cist,  apparently  divided  into  four  septa  or 


RUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS  IN   SLIGO.  261 

compartments.  Its  longer  axis,  measuring  about  25  feet, 
is  approximately  E.  and  W.,  its  average  width  being 
15  feet.  Even  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  its  ex- 
istence was  scarcely  known,  as  until  a  comparatively 
recent  period  it  had  been  concealed  from  observation  by 
briers,  bushes,  and  ivy.  The  few  Irish-speaking  natives 
in  the  vicinity  called  it  "  Tumban"  (i.e.  little  tumulus), 
but  they  possess  no  tradition  with  regard  to  it.  The 
debris  thrown  out  of  the  interior  was  examined,  but 
nothing  came  under  notice  save  a  few  calcined  and 
uncalcined  bones  and  a  piece  of  quartz. 

In  or  about  the  year  1859,  when  the  railway  from 
Longford  to  Sligo  was  in  course  of  formation,  a  row  of 
cists — stated  to  have  been  then  called  u  Giants'  Graves" 
— were  demolished  in  the  townland  of  Springfield  or 
Carrowmire,  parish  of  Ballysadare,  barony  of  Tirerrill. 
A  man  who  was  present  at  the  destruction  described  these 
cists  as  "  stone  coffins"  from  4  to  5  feet  high.  They 
would  appear  to  have  been  aligned,  and  close  together  ; 
nothing  save  dark-coloured  greasy  earth  was  found  in 
them.1 

Fruitless  search  for  a  reputed  sepulchre  was  made  in 
the  townland  of  Knockmuldoney ,  i.  e.  the  hill  and  the  whirl- 
pool of  the  Domnans,  said  to  have  been  a  tribe  of  the 
Firbolgs.  At  the  base  of  this  hill  the  Ballysadare  river 
forms  a  deep  pool,  having  a  slight  eddy  caused  by  the 
waterfall  above ;  and  in  the  pool  vessels  to  this  day  lie, 
as  did  probably  the  ships  of  the  Fomorian  invaders  of 
Erin,  before  the  battle  of  Moytirra,  upwards  of  2000 
years  ago. 

The  search  thus  made  was  occasioned  by  a  statement 
that,  many  years  ago,  an  urn  had  been  found  in  the 
vicinity  of  Ballysadare,  and  that  the  "  Giant's  Grave," 
situated  formerly  in  the  townland  of  the  name  (Ordnance 
6 "  Sheet,  No.  20),  had  been  swept  away,  probably  in 

1  There  was,  in  the  same  townland,  were  the  foundations  and  ruins  of,  seem- 
another  locality,  where  the  railway  passed  ingly,  some  kind  of  ecclesiastical  build- 
through,  an  old  graveyard,  near  which  ing. 


262  RUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

the  formation  of  the  railway.  It  was  alleged  that  the 
urn  had  been  deposited  in  the  Museum,  R.I. A.  On 
reference,  however,  to  the  official  catalogue,  it  appeared 
that  the  cinerary  vessel  in  question  is  said  to  have  been 
discovered  at  a  place  called  Ballagradone,  but  no  such 
locality  can  be  identified  as  occurring  in  the  county 
Sligo.  It  may  possibly  be  a  corruption  of  Ballajadare. 
which  name  if  written  with  a  long  "  s  "  might  have  thus 
appeared  when  in  MS.  The  urn  (fig.  158)  is  labelled 
as  "  found  in  a  stone  chamber,"  and  it  has  been  partially 
encrusted  with  carbonate  of  lime — "  possibly  the  drip- 


Fig.  158.— Cinerary  Urn,  "found  in  a  Stone  Chamber," 
at  "Ballagradone,"  Co.  Sligo. 

ping  of  stalactites — a  material  which  has  done  good 
service  in  preserving  cinerary  urns."  It  bears  a  great 
resemblance  to  a  vessel  found  on  the  summit  of  the  hill 
of  Tallaght,  near  Dublin,  but  it  is  devoid  of  ornamen- 
tation on  its  base.  It  presents  a  great  variety  of  designs, 
decorated  bands,  chevrons,  dots,  and  lines ;  it  is  about 
4  inches  high,  5|-  wide,  and  4-$-  inches  across  the  mouth. 

Not  far  from  the  village  of  Collooney,  and  in  a  bend 
of  the  river  Unshin,  is  situated  the  townland  of  Cloon- 
mucduff,  i.  e.  the  holm  of  the  black  pig,  a  legendary 
animal  whose  deeds  and  death  form  a  fruitful  subject 
for  the  Shanachies,  not  only  of  this  locality,  but  of  several 
other  places  in  Sligo.  This  animal,  said  to  have  been 


RUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  263 

killed  close  to  Collooney,  must,  like  the  proverbial  cat, 
have  had  seven  lives,  as  it  is  stated  to  have  been  slain 
in  so  many  different  localities.  In  the  townland  of 
Cloonmucduff,  and  close  to  the  river,  there  is  a  circular, 
fort-like  elevation  about  6  feet  in  height  and  50  paces 
in  diameter ;  its  periphery  appears  to  have  been  formed 
with  flagstones.  In  the  centre  is  an  almost  quadran- 
gular limestone  block,  5  feet  8  inches  by  5  feet  4  inches, 
and  2  feet  4  inches  in  thickness ;  on  the  top  it  is  pierced 
by  a  circular  aperture  with  a  cleft  passing  outwards ; 
this,  however,  does  not  seem  to  be  artificial,  but  rather 
the  effects  of  weathering.  By  the  country  people  this 
rock  is  styled  "  Patrick's  Altar,"  and  throughout  the 
area  of  the  enclosure  are  scattered  large  stones,  which 
may  formerly  have  marked  graves.  The  hillock  appears 
to  be  of  sepulchral  character,  but  careful  excavation 
would  be  necessary  before  arriving  at  a  definite  conclu- 
sion. If  it  be  a  "  Caltragh,"  or  burying-ground,  it  is 
one  of  the  very  rudest  to  be  met  with  in  the  county  Sligo. 

In  the  parish  of  Kilross,  townland  of  Arnasbrack,  and 
barony  of  Tirerrill,  there  is  a  sepulchral  monument  (fig.  159) 


Fig.  159.— Ground  Plan  of  Rude  Stone  Monument,  called  Cloghmore, 
in  the  Townland  of  Arnasbrack.     (Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

designated  Cloghmore (the  Great  Stone),  which  is  situated 
on  a  slight  eminence  overlooking  Castledargan1  lake. 
It  appears  to  have  originally  consisted  of  an  oblong 

1  Castledargan,  the  Caislerilocha  Dergan,       still  observable    on    the    height  on  the 
mentioned  in  the  Irish  Annals  at  the  year       southern  shore  of  the  lake. 
1516.     The   remains   of  the   edifice   are 


264  RUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

enclosure  erected  on  a  mound,  and  lying  nearly  due  E. 
and  W.,  its  length  being  55  feet,  divided  into  septa,  or 
divisions;  it  is  at  present  partly  hidden  by  briers  and 
undergrowth,  which  renders  the  survey  difficult. 

About  300  yards  due  E.  of  this  megalith,  in  the  town- 
land  of  Carrownagh,  parish  of  Killery,  there  is  a  somewhat 
similar,  though  smaller,  "  Giant's  Grave"  (fig.  160);  the 
longest  axis  of  this  grave  lies  the  same  as  that  previously 
noticed,  i.  e.  about  due  E.  and  W.  ;  it  is  only  27  feet  in 
length.  Although  (on  the  Ordnance  6"  Sheet,  No.  21)  it 
is  marked  as  a  fjrm&'a  ^Ite,  yet  it  is  styled  leaba- 
Dhiarmada-agus- Grainne  by  the  country  people,  one  of 
whom  said  that  it  was  the  grave  of  a  man  called 
Darby !  another  stated  that  in  old  days  two  people 
called  Dermod  and  Grainn£  lived  here :  the  lady  was 


Fig.  160.— Ground  Plan  of    "  Giant's  Grave"  in  the  Townland 
of  Carrownagh.     (Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

not  Dermod's  wife,  but  our  informant  could  not  tell 
what  brought  her  there;  Dermod  was,  however,  he 
said,  a  very  strong  man — in  fact  a  giant ;  for  one  day 
when  his  horses  went  up  the  adjacent  mountain  side, 
and  got  sunk  in  the  bog,  he  pulled  them  out,  and  carried 
them  home,  one  under  each  arm ! 

Not  far  distant  is  the  townland  of  Ballygrania,  or 
GrainnPs  land,  and  in  the  popular  legend — still  current 
in  the  county  of  the  death  of  Dermod  through  being 
gored  by  a  boar  on  the  heights  of  Benbulben — it  is  re- 
counted that  it  was  to  a  rath  in  this  locality  that  the 
outraged  husband,  Finn  Mac  Cumhail,  brought  the  head 
of  Grannies  lover,  which  he  cut  off,  as  a  present  to  his 
runaway  bride.  There  are  thus,  at  least,  three  localities 
in  the  county  Sligo  in  which  the  name  Grainne'  forms  a 
component  part,  i.e.  the  townlands  of  Graniamore  and 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  265 

Graniaroe  in  the  parish  of  Drumrat.1  The  remains  of  the 
celebrated  prehistoric  fortress  of  Cashelore  (incorrectly 
written  Castleore  on  the  Ordnance  Map),  situated  about 
a  mile  E.  of  the  " Giant  Graves"  just  described,  present 
a  good  example  of  cyclopean  work.  The  entrance  faces 
E.,  and  appears  to  have  been  protected  by  an  outwork. 
The  structure — on  a  commanding  position — is  oval  in 
form,  the  inside  diameter  being  30  paces  from  E.  to  W., 
and  22  from  N.  to  S.  At  Cashelore  Dermod  andGrainn^ 
would  have  had  much  better  quarters  than  in  the  leaba 
assigned  to  them  by  popular  local  tradition. 

About  200  yards  W.N.W.  of  the  cashel  there  is  a 
collection  of  stones  simulating  a  ruined  cist,  and  at  the 
same  distance  due  E.  there  is  another,  which  somewhat 
resembles  a  very  dilapidated  "  Giant's  Grave ; "  however, 
a  few  carefully  " planted"  questions  elicited  from  a 
countryman  the  information  that  his  father  could — in 
the  words  of  Edie  Ochiltree — "  mind  the  bigging  o't." 

Four  hundred  yards  to  the  S.E.  of  the  cashel  there  is  a 
genuine  monument  which,  about  fifty  years  ago,  had 
been  greatly  dilapidated,  and  its  materials  utilized  in 
the  neighbouring  fences  ;  those  stones  that  still  remain 
in  position  were  spared,  not  from  any  antiquarian  scruple, 
or  superstitious  dread,  but  on  account  of  their  greater 
size,  rendering  more  difficult  the  transfer — from  their 
original  purpose  of  guarding 
the  ashes  of  the  dead — to  the 
vulgar  and  utilitarian  purpose 
of  strengthening  the  boundary 
wall.  As  will  be  seen  by  a 
glance  at  the  ground  plan 
(fig.  161),  the  monument  ap-  v 
pears  to  have  originally  con-  V 
sis  ted  of  a  stone  circle — its  \ 

former     Size,    and     the    position     F;g.l6l_GroundPlan  of  Rude  Stone  Menu- 

of  the  flagstones  were  pointed    ^^^lando{C 

out  by  a  countrym  an — to  which 

was  attached  an  elongated  cist  about  14  feet  in  interior 


1  P.  W.  Joyce  is,  however,  of  opinion      ference  to  the  heroine  of  the  earliest  of 
that  Grania,  in  these  names,  has  no  re-       Celtic  romances. 


266  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 

length,  and  this  probably  had  been  divided  into  septa 
or  compartments  :  the  longer  axis  of  this  portion  of  the 
megalith  lies,  roughly,  E.  and  W.  The  western  end  of 
the  cist  had  been  most  probably  terminated  by  a  circle 
corresponding  to  that  attached  to  its  E.  extremity,  as  in 
a  similar  monument  (fig.  144)  observed  near  the  village 
of  Highwood,  barony  of  Tirerrill,  and  also  one  in  the 
island  of  Achill,  hereinafter  to  be  figured  and  described. 

Three  urns,  or  rather  fragments  of  urns,  were  found 
in  the  district:  unfortunately  little  has  been  recorded 
save  the  mere  fact  of  their  discovery.  The  summit  of 
the  hill  in  the  townland  of  Carrickbanagher,  parish  of 
Bally sadare,  is  crowned  with  a  large  cashel,  and  not  far 
from  this,  an  elaborately  ornamented  cinerary  vessel 
was  found  imbedded  in  the  ground,  at  a  depth  of  3  feet ; 
the  slab  covering  it  was  "  shaped  like  a  mill-stone.'7 


Fig.  162.— Cinerary  Um  found  in  the  Townland  of  Carrickbanagher. 

The  vessel — dark  brownish-grey  in  colour — is  3f  inches 
in  height  and  5£  inches  in  diameter  across  the  mouth. 
The  body  of  this  vase  may  be  described  as  being  divided 
into  numerous  compartments  and  fillets,  which  are  adorned 
alternately  by  chevrons,  or  curvilinear  details,  clearly 
and  sharply  executed.  The  base  of  the  urn  is  very 
artistically  decorated. 

In  the  year  1827,  an  urn  (fig.  163),  and  fragments  of  two 
others,  were  found  near  Ballymote.  The  best  preserved 
specimen  is  5f  in.  in  height,  and  5|  in.  across  the  mouth ; 
the  colour  light  drab.  The  neck  displays  what  may  be 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN    SLIGO. 


267 


considered  as  either  a  chevron,  or  lozenge  design,  re- 
sembling work  seen  upon  the  stones  of  the  great  pagan 
cemetery  of  Newgrange,  on  the  Boyne.  The  bands  or 
fillets  are  in  low  relief,  but  as  a  whole  are  very  effective. 


Fig.  163. — Cinerary  Urn  found  near  Ballymote. 

Figs.    164  and  165   represent  portions  of  the   cinerary 
vessels  found  with  fig.  163.     Fig.  164,  drawn   full  size, 


Fig.  164. — Fragment  of  Cinerary  Urn 
found  near  Ballymote. 


Fig.  165. — Fragment  of  Cinerary  Urn 
found  near  Ballymote. 


is  of  a  faded   red  tint,  and  fig.  165  (drawn  to  same 


268  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

scale)  resembles  the  previous  fragment  in  colour.  These 
cinerary  fictilia,  together  with  those  found  in  the  Car- 
rowmore  group  of  Rude  Stone  Monuments,  seem  to 
have  been  the  outcome  of  a  good  school  of  Irish  pre- 
historic design,  for  in  not  a  few  of  their  decorative 
arrangements  they  present  a  variety  rarely  met  with 
except  in  the  west  and  north-west  of  Ireland. 

Several  discoveries  of  archaeological  importance  took 
place  in  the  historic  neighbourhood  of  Ballymote.  In 
the  year  1856  the  Rev.  Constantine  Cosgrave  presented 
to  the  Museum  at  Kilkenny  a  bead  of  a  necklace,  and 
some  human  teeth  which  were  found  in  an  ancient  in- 
terment in  the  vicinity  of  Kesh,  near  Ballymote,  county 
Sligo,  in  a  locality  of  which  the  Irish  name  signifies 
Myles'  Carn.  The  monument  consisted  of  an  immense 
flagstone,  resting  on  slabs  set  deeply  in  the  ground, 
their  upper  extremities  being  only  slightly  elevated 
above  the  surface.  The  weight  of  the  covering-stone 
was  distributed  equally  on  its  supports,  and  it  was  so 
heavy  that  its  removal  was  considered  to  be  impracticable 
without  very  great  manual  assistance;  advantage  was 
therefore  taken  of  the  gaps  between  the  supports,  and 
through  these  spaces  the  excavation  was  carried  on. 
The  flagged  flooring  was  soon  reached;  "  and  on  this 
were  arranged,  in  several  regular  rows,  a  number  of 
small  circular  enclosures  formed  by  flat,  upright  stones, 
and  each  overlaid  by  a  thin  slab  of  the  same  material. 
In  these  enclosures  were  placed  large  quantities  of  bones 
—all  except  the  teeth,  presenting  a  charred  appearance." 
The  explorer  only  preserved  a  few  of  the  human  remains, 
amongst  which  was  found  "  a  sort  of  rude  necklace  which 
appeared  to  consist  rather  of  some  partially  petrified 
substance  than  of  actual  stone.  The  beads  of  which  it 
consisted  seemed  carefully  wrought  and  polished ;  their 
substance  being  of  a  somewhat  laminated  texture,  it  was 
difficult  to  find  one  so  entire  that  it  had  not  parted  with 
some  of  its  exterior  plates."1 

Near  Ballymote  there  are  raths  containing  chambers, 
and  some  good  examples  of  forts  (or  perhaps  tumuli), 

1  Journal,  R.H.A.A.I.,  vol.  i.,  New  Series,  p.  52. 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  269 

ramparted  and  moated ;  also  a  curious  mound,  of  sugar- 
loaf  form,  and  seemingly  of  sepulchral  character ;  it  is 
called,  in  Irish,  Sidhean-a-Gkaire,  the  "  Fairy  Mount  of 
Laughter."  In  the  neighbourhood  can  be  seen  traces  of 
a  couple  of  demolished  earns  ;  and  near  Chaffpool  (the 
residence  of  Captain  J.  W.  Armstrong,  R.N.),  are  two 
megaliths,  still  observable. 

To  R.  A.  Duke  the  writer  is  indebted  for  the 
following  account  of  some  monuments  and  "finds" 
in  the  baronies  of  Corran  and  Tirerrill : — "  The  earn 
on  the  bowl-shaped  Hill  of  Doo  (i.  e.  Dumha,  a 
sepulchral  mound)  is  a  conspicuous  object  both  from 
its  size  and  situation,  measuring  240  feet  in  circum- 
ference at  base,  40  feet  on  the  side,  and  at  top  there 
is  a  truncated  cone  about  12  feet  in  diameter.  It  is 
constructed  of  loose  stones,  with  a  covering  of  soil 
and  grass,  so  as  to  present  a  fairly  uniform  slope  all 
round.  Its  position  is  close  to  the  high  road  leading  from 
Drumfin  to  Ballymote,  in  the  townland  of  Doomore, 
parish  of  Kilmorgan,  barony  of  Corran.  The  same 
barony  can  boast  of  another  large  earn  on  the  hill  of 
Kesh — at  a  height  of  some  1200  feet  above  the  sea-level 
— and,  similarly,  composed  of  loose  stones  roughly  piled 
up  and  bare  to  the  view ;  the  measurements  are  280  feet 
round  the  base,  36  feet  on  the  side,  and  24  feet  across 
the  top.  There  are  also  several  earns  on  the  summits  of 
the  hills,  situated  on  the  western  shores  of  Lough  Arrow, 
opposite  to  the  district  of  Moytirra."1 

On  a  hill,  in  the  townland  of  Ballinaclassa,  a  short  way 
west  of  Doomore,  we  find  a  small  earthen  circumvallation 
which  once  surrounded  a  earn.  Early  in  the  century,  on 
the  stones  being  removed  for  fencing  purposes,  a  cist  was 
laid  bare,  which  contained  a  couple  of  urns  that  were 


1  In  the  Proceedings  of  the  Kilkenny  generality  of  its  kind ;  and  at  a  distance 

Archseological  Society  (vol.  in.,   p.    58,  from  it  of  about  9  feet  is  a  cromleac  of 

1854),  it  is  stated  that  the  Rev.  Constan-  corresponding  proportions.     The  superin- 

tine  Cosgrave,  P.P.  of  Kesh,  Ballymote,  cumbent    slab    is    in  the  usual  sloping 

drew  attention  to  the  district  of  Doona-  position,  and  possesses  all  the  character- 

veeragh,  in  the  county  Sligo,  "  in  one  of  istics  of  the  class  of  antiquities  to  which 

the  valleys  of  which  (called  Carrick-na-  it  belongs,  although  deeply  marked  by 

horna)  stand  a  number  of  huge  primeval  the  decaying  hand  of  time."     Only  one 

monuments  .  .  .  The  most  prominent  of  of  these  monuments  came  under  notice  of 

these  is  one  known  as   "The  Rocking  the  writer,  and  that  was  an  unimportant 

Stone  "   which  is  massive    beyond    the  grave  in  the  townland  of  Whitehill. 


270  RUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

taken  possession  of  by  the  tenant  of  the  farm.  The 
ultimate  fate  of  these  interesting  relics  is  not  known,  but 
they  may  have  found  their  way  to  the  Museum  of  the 
K.  I.  A.  (possibly  those  already  described,  ante,  p.  267). 
In  connexion  with  this  subject,  it  may  be  mentioned 
that  on  the  townland  of  Killaraght — a  part  of  the  Co. 
Sligo  that  runs  like  a  promontory  into  the  Co.  Ros- 
common,  three  miles  west  of  Boyle — may  be  observed  a 
large  grassy  earn  placed,  not  on  an  elevation,  as  usual, 
but  in  a  hollow  between  two  hills.  A  countryman,  ques- 
tioned as  to  its  supposed  origin,  replied,  "  The  old  people 
say  that  when  the  Danes  were  fighting  over  in  this 
country  long  ago  they  put  up  one  of  these  mounds 
wherever  a  chief  or  '  high-up  officer '  fell,  and  they  say 
it  would  be  worth  a  man's  while  to  '  root '  into  them  for 
the  gold  and  silver  they  wore  on  their  regimentals  "  ! 

"  In  the  summer  of  1880,  while  some  relief  works  were 
in  progress  in  the  barony  of  Leyny,  a  cutting  was  made 
(for  the  purpose  of  lowering  a  hill)  at  a  spot  where  the 
road  crossed  a  large  circular  rath.  At  a  depth  of  several 
feet  the  stone-work  of  portion  of  the  structure  was  cut 
through  to  the  bottom  in  two  places,  and  it  was  found 
to  consist  of  several  bee-hive-shaped  chambers,  connected 
by  a  gallery.  The  former — about  3-|-  feet  in  diameter 
at  the  base,  4^-  to  5  feet  high,  and  20  to  30  feet  apart — 
were  almost  filled  with  debris — clay  and  ashes — in  which 
were  found  teeth  of  sheep  and  smaller  animals  (rabbits?), 
with  pieces  of  charred  wood,  and  other  indications  of 
burning.  The  connecting- gallery  (of  stone,  like  the 
chambers)  had  a  rectangular  cross-section,  some  30  inches 
by  18,  and  it  formed  a  rude  sort  of  communication  all 
round  with  the  series  of  chambers.  Three  or  four  of 
these  chambers  were  destroyed,  and  two  or  three  that 
had  been  apparent  in  cross- section  at  the  side  of  the 
road  were  soon  walled  up  when  making  good  the  fences. 
The  measurements  given  are  approximate,  and  from 
memory.  The  late  E.  T.  Hardman,  who  was  present, 
made  a  few  sketches  at  the  time  in  his  note-book." 

About  a  mile  from  the  village  of  Coolaney,  and  opposite 
the  glebe-house  attached  to  Rathbarran  church,  there  is 
a  lofty  circular  mound,  the  summit  environed  by  two 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO. 


271 


concentric  rings.  It  appears  of  sepulchral  character, 
and  it  is  considered  to  be  the  locality  in  which  was  found 
(many  years  ago)  the  urn  now  in  the  Museum,  R.  I.  A. 

This  urn  is  of  graceful  form,  and  enriched  about  the 
middle  with  five  raised  bands,  more  or  less  ornamented 


Fig.  166. — Cinerary  Urn  found  in  the  Townland  of  llathbamm. 

with  chevrons,  and  wavy,  oblique  lines.  It  is  catalogued 
as  "  discovered  at  Rathbarran,  five  miles  west  of  the 
village  of  Collooney,  on  the  summit  of  an  ancient  rath," 


Fig.  167. — Mica-slate  Disc  found  in  the  interior  of  a  Cinerary  Urn. 

in  a  "  square  coffer"  of  flagstones  placed  on  edge;  the 
vessel  contained  calcined  bones,  as  also  a  small  mica- 
slate  disc  (fig.  167  represents  it  two-thirds  real  size).  The 

4TH  6ER.,  VOL.  VIII.  IT 


272  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

urn  is  4|  inches  high,  6  inches  broad,  and  5f  wide  in  the 
mouth.  It  is  indented  all  over  with  a  serrated  tool,  and, 
like  some  of  the  oldest  specimens  in  the  Museum,  R.  LA., 
it  is  also  slightly  tooled  over  at  the  lip.  The  interior  of 


Fig.  168.— Celt,  formed  of  Shale,  found  with  the  Cinerary  Urn  in  the 
Townland  of  Rathbarran. 

the  neck  is  enriched  by  a  fillet  of  straight  lines ;  the  base 
is  plain,  and  in  colour  the  vessel  is  of  a  light  greyish 
drab  ;  with  it  was  found  a  shale  celt,  3^  inches  long, 
(see  fig.  168). 

The  townland  of  Rathbarran  appears  to  abound  in 
mortuary  and  other  pre-historic  remains.  About  five 
years  ago,  while  a  field  belonging  to  John  Colman  was 
being  tilled,  a  stone  encountered  by  the  plough  was 
about  to  be  removed,  when  the  crowbar  used  in  raising 
it  slipped  from  the  labourer's  grasp  into  a  cavity  beneath, 
that  turned  out  to  be  a  cist,  in  which  was  found  an  urn. 
Before,  however,  it  had  been  seen  by  anyone  competent 
to  pronounce  an  opinion  on  it,  the  urn  was  broken  and 
the  fragments  afterwards  came  into  the  possession  of  the 
late  E.  T.  Hardman,  who  was  then  engaged  on  the  Geo- 
logical Survey  of  the  county  Sligo.  The  plough  is  a 
frequent  factor  in  the  discovery  of  these  unobtrusive 
"  field  cists ;  "  of  this  the  Cloverhill  scribed  tomb  is  a  good 
example,  whilst,  in  the  year  1840,  at  Loughanmore,  in 
the  county  Antrim,  a  horse  suddenly  sank  to  the  knees 
in  a  deep  hole,  when,  on  examination,  it  was  found  that 
he  had  put  one  of  his  feet  into  a  fine  sepulchral  urn, 
which  was  of  course  totally  destroyed;  but  two  other 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN  SLIGO.  273 

specimens  of  cinerary  fictilia  were  exhumed  in  a  perfect 
state  of  preservation.1 

About  five  years  prior  to  this  find  at  Rathbarran, 
another  cist — situated  on  a  hill  called  Sheeawn — had 
been  uncovered,  which  contained  two  urns,  one  inside  of 
the  other,  the  smaller — stated  to  have  been  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  late  E.  T.  Hardman — was  perfect,  but  the 
larger  one  was  in  fragments. 

About  two  miles  from  the  village  of  Coolaney,  on 
the  slope  of  the  Ox  Mountains,  and  in  the  townland  of 
G-ortakeeran — by  the  country  people  pronounced  Gurta- 
heeran — there  are  two  megaliths ;  but  the  one  near  the 
road  is  greatly  dilapidated  :  it  would  appear  to  have  been 
a  simple  oblong  enclosure,  about  18  feet  in  length,  the 
longest  axis  approximately  S.E.  The  other  monument 
(ground  plan,  fig.  169,  is  the  result  of  a  careful  survey), 


Fig.  169. — Ground  Plan  of  Monument  in  the  Townland  of  Gortakeeran. 
(Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

situated  higher  up  the  mountain,  consists  of  a  series  of 
cists,  the  longer  axis  nearly  due  E.  and  W. ;  towards  the 
latter  extremity  it  is  terminated  by  the  remains  of 
several  cists,  thus  approximating  to  a  cruciform  arrange- 
ment or  rather  a  T-shaped  grave,  and  resembling  one 
observed  in  the  district  of  Moytirra  (fig.  135). 

When  Sir  William  Wilde  wrote  his  Beauties  of  the 


i  Proceedings,  R.I.A.,  vol.  n.,  p.  163.       Drumnakilly,   county  Tyrone.-Jourml, 
A  very   similar  discovery  occurred  at       R.H.A.A.I.,  vol.  n.,  4th  Series,  pp.  115 
Cool,  in  the  county  Kilkenny  ;    also  at      and  499. 


274  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 

Boyne  and  Blackwater,  he  appears  to  have  been  of  opinion 
that  at  the  time  no  sepulchres  of  the  T  or  hammer-shape 
had  been  found  in  Ireland ;  for  he  draws  attention  (p.  228) 
to  that  form  of  grave,  found  in  Denmark,  but  of  which 
he  states  there  is  no  example  in  this  country. 

In  the  adjoining  townland  of  Cabragh  there  are  two 
megaliths  :  the  one  situated  below  the  road  seems  to  have 
originally  consisted  of  a  circle  about  thirty-three  paces 
in  diameter ;  the  central  cist  occupies  most  of  the  enclo- 
sure, and  its  longer  axis  bears  about  E.  and  W.  The  second 
monument  is  on  higher  ground :  it  consists  of  a  series  of 
cists  resembling  the  arrangement  displayed  in  fig.  169  ; 
but  no  transverse  compartments  were  observable.  Its 
over-all  length  is  27  feet ;  its  longer  axis  lies  E.  35°  S. 
It  is  environed  by  a  heart-shaped  arrangement  of  flag- 
stones— not  boulders — set  on  edge ;  in  this  respect  it 
somewhat  resembles  fig.  54,  in  Fergusson's  Rude  Stone 
Monuments  ;  the  longest  diameter  is  40  feet. 

These  four  megaliths  in  the  townlands  of  Gortakeeran 
and  Cabragh  are  very  distinct  in  character ;  in  the  two 
latter  the  circle  is  subordinate  to  the  monument,  and  not 
(as  is  more  generally  the  case  in  Carrowmore)  the  central 
monument  subordinate  to  the  circle  or  enclosure,  and  in 
the  original  design  the  flag-stones  appear  to  have  formed 
a  continuous  fence  without  intervals  between  the  slabs. 

In  Knockadoo  there  is  a  good  specimen  of  a  earn ; 
from  it  the  townland  derives  its  name. 

On  the  Ordnance  Map  a  "  standing- stone  "  is  marked 
in  Carrowmurray,  but  it  could  not  be  identified ;  a  small 
circle  simulating  sepulchral  remains  was  however  disco- 
vered :  the  stones  of  which  it  is  composed  are  of  small 
size,  its  diameter  not  more  than  15  feet. 

On  the  borders  of  the  parishes  of  Achonry  and  Killoran, 
just  within  the  bounds  of  the  latter,  and  in  the  townland 
of  Knockatotaun1  (pronounced  Cnochatutchaun  by  the 
country  people),  a  fine  specimen  of  a  "  Giant's  Grave" — 

1  Enockalotaun,  i.e.  "  The  Hill  of  the  Conflagration" — a  modern  name. 


RUDE    STONE   MONUMENTS  IN   SLIGO.  275 

which  is  sometimes  called  simply  leac,  i.  e.  the  flagstone- 
was  inspected.  The  view  (fig.  170),  looking  E.,  gives  a 
good  idea  of  this  interesting  megalith.  The  covering-slab 
is  nearly  if  not  quite  horizontal,  and  it  now  rests°upon 
only  four  supports,  although  it  seems  to  have  had  origi- 


J''::?S%:;"OT^gr%-:^^-= 


Fig.  170. — General  View  of  "  Giant's  Grave"  in  the  Townlaad  of  Knockatotaun, 

looking  E. 

nally  many  more.  It  measures  11  feet  from  N.  to  S.,  and 
a  little  more  than  9  feet  from  E.  to  W.,  the  extreme 
height  from  the  ground  to  the  upper  surface  of  the  slab 
being  4  feet  3  inches ;  its  average  thickness  is  but  nine 
inches. 

In  a  field  at  Wellmount,  parish  of  Achonry,  and  barony 
of  Leyny,  there  is  what  appears  to  be  a  sepulchral 
circle,  showing  traces  of  a  central  monument,  and  close 
to  it  is  a  burying- ground,  called  by  the  country 
people  Caltragh,  wherein  children  and  strangers  are 
still  buried  :  until  very  lately,  even  adults  of  the  neigh- 
bourhood were  laid  in  it;  there  is  neither  fence  nor  trace 
of  fence,  such  as  one  might  suppose  would  have  sur- 
rounded the  last  resting-place  of  the  dead ;  cattle  rove 
unheeded  over  the  open  space.  No  enclosing  wall  has 
been  considered  needful — perhaps  on  the  principle  that 
those  inside  cannot  get  out,  and  those  outside  do  not 
want  to  get  in ! 


276  RUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 

Overlooking  the  road,  in  the  townland  of  Castlecar- 
ragh,  now  called  Castlerock,  there  are  some  vestiges  of 
the  fortress  of  Castlecarragh,  erected  in  days  of  old  to 
guard  the  important  pass  into  the  barony  of  Tireragh, 
along  the  edge  of  that  beautiful  sheet  of  water,  Lough 
Talt.  Near  the  ruins  of  the  castle  can  still  be  seen  an 
ancient  monument  (fig.  171)  marked  on  the  Ordnance 
Map  as  "  Dermod  and  Grainne°s  Bed."  Our  guide, 


Fig.  171. — Ground  Plan  of  "  Dermod  and  Grainne's  Bed"  in  the 
Townland  of  Castlerock.     (Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

while  giving  it  the  same  name  (in  Irish),  said  it  was 
the  burial-place  of  two  people  who  formerly  lived  in 
the  neighbourhood,  on  the  shores  of  Lough  Talt.  The 
grave  lies  approximately  E.  and  W.,  the  east  end  being 
now  nearly  obliterated  owing  to  an  excavation  made  for 
the  formation  of  a  limekiln,  to  which,  perhaps,  the  ter- 
minal stones  had  been  consigned. 

In  the  townland  of  Rathscanlon,  just  outside  the 
village  of  Tubbercurry,  there  is  a  "  Giant's  Grave,"  con- 
sisting of  two  cists,  the  longer  axis  of  both  being  nearly 


O 


0°c3 


fl 


Fig.  172.—  Ground  Plan  of  "  Giant's  Grave  "  in  the  Townland  of  Rathscanlon. 
(Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 

E.  and  W.  ;  they  are  on  an  oblong  mound  slightly  raised  ; 
fig.  172  is  a  ground  plan  of  these  structures,  which,  how- 
ever, possess  no  very  distinctive  features. 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  277 


VII. 


IN  the  barony  of  Tireragh  there  is  a  earn,  which 
O'Donovan  was  of  opinion  could  be  identified  with 
an  historical  epoch.  Ruadh,  i.e.  Rufina,  daughter  of 
Air  tech  Uichtleathan,  and  wife  of  the  celebrated  King 
Dathi,  died  in  giving  birth  to  Fiachra  Ealach,  and  she  was 
buried  (according  to  the  historian,  Duald  Mac  Firbis),1 
under  a  earn  situated  on  the  summit  of  a  hill,  named  after 
her  Mullacli  Ruadha,  or  Mullaroe,  in  the  parish  of  Skreen. 
The  barony  of  Tireragh  derives  its  name  from  her  son, 
i.  e.  Tir  Fiachrach  (Fiachrach's  land).  On  this  subject 
O'Donovan  writes  : — 


"  It  should  be  here  added  that  the  district  lying  round  the  Eed  Hill  of 
Skreen  was  originally  called  Cnoc-na-Maili,  and  afterwards  Muttach 
JRuadha,  which  is  now,  strange  to  say,  applied  not  to  the  hill  itself,  but 
to  a  small  townland  lying  to  the  east  of  it,  but  the  name  was  never  so 
applied  until  the  original  Ballybetagh  was  subdivided  into  half -quarters, 
which  constitute  the  present  townlands,  when  the  names  were  very 
strangely  confounded.  Thus  the  half-quarter  on  which  the  church 
stands  received  the  appellation  of  Skreen  from  the  church,  the  division 
to  the  south  of  it  was  called  Lecarrow,  i.  e.  Ceiu  ce&c|mni&,  the  half- 
quarter,  from  its  quantity ;  the  hill  itself,  which  originally  gave  name  to 
the  whole  district,  or  Ballybetagh,  was  called  Cnoc  Ruadha,  i.  e.  Rufma's 
Hill,  now  incorrectly  translated  Red  Hill,  while  Mullach  Ruadha,  the 
more  ancient  appellation,  was  transferred  to  a  subdivision  to  which  it 
is  by  no  means  applicable,  inasmuch  as  it  is  not  a  mullach,  or  summit,  in 
relation  to  the  other  subdivisions,  and  contains  no  monument  of  the  Lady 
Rufina,  with  whose  name  it  is  compounded.  In  this  manner,  however, 
have  ancient  names,  in  many  instances,  been  transferred  and  corrupted. 
The  earn  erected  over  the  body  of  Ruadh,  or  Rufina,  the  wife  of  Dathi, 
still  remains  on  this  hill,  but  is  not  on  its  very  summit — as  Duald  Mac 
Firbis  writes.  It  is  thus  described  by  Robert  Jones,  Esq.,  in  a  letter  to 
R.  C.  Walker  (Christmas,  1843): — 'I  made  a  search  for  the  earn  of 


The  Genealogies,  Tribes,  and  Customs  of  the  Hy-Fiachrach,"  pp.  97  and  416-417. 


278  RUDE   STONE    MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

Knockroe,  or  Mullaghroe,  and  have  discovered  it.  I  enclose  a  sketch  from 
the  Ordnance  Map,  Sheet  19.  In  the  townland  of  Mullaroe  there  is 
nothing  of  the  sort ;  but  the  district  up  the  hill  is  all  called  Cnockroe,  or 
the  Red  Hill,  and  there  is  a  large  stone  fort  shown  in  the  Ordnance 
Survey,  called  the  Red  Hill.  This,  however,  is  not  the  earn,  but  lower 
down  the  hill  I  discovered  the  earn,  which  had  been  opened  and  con- 
tained several  small  chambers ;  the  principal  one  has  still  the  covering- 
stone  on  it,  but  filled  with  smaller  stones  underneath.  The  earn  is  of  an 
oval  form,  96  paces  round.  The  entire  hill  is  a  light  soil  on  a  limestone 
rock,  which  everywhere  protrudes.  The  earn  is  formed  of  these  stones  ; 
the  first  chamber  has  a  double  covering  of  large  limestone  flags,  the  sides 
being  formed  of  upright  flags  of  the  same  material,  like  a  small  cromleac, 
and  is  about  six  feet  square.  There  appear  to  be  several  other  smaller 
ones,  which  have  been  opened,  and  the  rubbish  thrown  back  again.'  " 


In  the  townland  of  Grangebeg,  parish  of  Templeboy, 
there  is  a  "  Giant's  Grave,"  of  which  fig.  173  is  a  carefully 
surveyed  plan.  It  is  of  oblong  type,  and  presents  no 
feature  of  interest. 

In  the  townland  of  Belville,  parish  of  Kilmacshalgan, 
there  is  a  curious  arrangement  of  stones,  formerly  called 
by  the  country  people  clocha-breaca,  i.  e.  the  speckled 
stones  ;  but  the  monument  is  now  known  in  a  semi- 
Anglicised  form  as  "  The  Bracked  Stones."  It  is  in  a 
condition  so  dilapidated  that  a  ground  plan  would  be 
useless.  The  view  (fig.  174)  taken  from  the  neighbouring 
fence,  and  looking  N.E.,  gives  a  good  idea  of  the  remains, 
which  appear  to  have  formed  originally  either  a  series  of 
cists  or  cromleacs,  or  perhaps  two  cromleacs  connected 
by  intermediate  compartments,  the  two  terminal  septa 
being  the  largest ;  however,  the  covering-slabs  of  both 
are  displaced  :  the  one  in  the  foreground  is  five 
feet  two  inches  above  the  soil ;  that  in  the  background 
four  feet. 

The  following  description  (accompanied  with  a  sketch- 
map)  of  a  circle  (fig.  175) — situated  about  two  miles  south 
of  JJromore  West  Workhouse — was  communicated  by 
J.  Carnegy.  It  was  discovered  by  him  (under  7  feet 
of  peat),  in  July  or  August,  1881,  when  he  was  engaged 
in  making  a  bog-road  for  J.  L.  Brinkley,  Esq.,  in  Bun- 
crowey.  The  extreme  outer  diameter  of  the  circle  was 
50  feet,  and  from  top  of  bank  to  top  of  bank  30  feet.  In 


'v; 


Fig.  173.— Ground  Plan  of  "  Giant's  Grave"  in  the  Townlaiid  of 
Grangebeg.     (Scale,  20  feet  to  1  inch.) 


Fig.  174.— General  View  of  "  The  Bracked  Stones"  in  the  Townland  of  Belville. 

looking  N.E. 


50 


Fig.  175.— Sketch-Map  of  Sepulchral  Monument,  found  under  a  great  depth  of  Peat, 
in  the  Townland  of  Knockaunbaun.     From  a  Drawing  by  J.  Carnegy. 


280  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS    OF  IRELAND. 

the  centre  was  a  pile  of  boulders,  the  top-stone,  about  5  feet 
in  height,  being  placed  on  a  level  platform ;  next  came  a 
hollow  excavation,  and  then  the  outer  vallum  or  bank,  on 
which  were  four  piles  of  stones  arranged  at  regular  dis- 
tances, and  in  the  same  form  and  manner,  though  not  so 
large  in  size  as  the  central  pile.  The  stones  were  all 
rough  mountain  boulders,  long  and  narrow  in  shape. 
The  outer  circle  consisted  of  a  bank  of  red  clay,  with  a 
hollow  excavation,  and  depression  both  inside  and  out- 
side. There  was  nothing  discovered  within  the  circle 
except  the  heaps  of  stones,  which  were  steadied  in  their 
places  with  loose  clay. 

In  the  summer  of  1887,  when  the  road  was  being 
continued  further  into  the  bog,  other  interesting  facts 
came  under  notice.    At  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred 
perches  from  the  circle  just  described,  traces  of  numerous 
fires  were  discovered  at  from  5  to  7  feet  beneath  the 
present  surface  of  the  bog.     These  sites  were  all  paved 
with  small  stones  for  the  purpose  of  forming  the  hearth  ; 
6  inches  of  black  mould  lay  between  the  paving  and  the 
red  clay.    The  labourers  cut  across  the  track  of  a  group 
of  small  fires,  and  also  a  large  one,  the  hearth  in  the 
latter  being  semicircular  in  shape,   and  30  feet  in  dia- 
meter.    Under  it  lay  about  three  cartloads  of  paving- 
stones  ;   but  from  the  combined  action  of  fire  and  water 
they  all  crumbled  to  pieces  when  shovelled  up  to  the 
surface.    In  sinking  a  drain,  the  site  of  a  very  large  fire- 
place, 40  feet  in  length,  became  exposed.     It  was  paved 
with  the  same  kind  of  stones,  covered  with  a  quantity  of 
charcoal  and  ashes.  In  early  ages  the  locality  would  seem 
to   have  been   well    wooded,    as    numerous  roots    and 
branches  (principally  of  alder  and  oak)  were  met  with ; 
however,  strange  to  say,  no  trunks  of  trees  were  noticed. 
From  the  quantity  of  ashes,  and  the  burnt  state  of  the 
stones,  it  is  certain  that  fires  must  have  been  in  use  for  a 
long  period ;  possibly  it  was   a  camping-ground,  as  in 
it  were  found  the  remains  of  stakes,  well  pointed  with 
a  hatchet,  and  driven  deeply  into  the  earth ;  or  the  site, 
perhaps,  may  have  been  one  of  the  Falachda-na-Feine, 
i.e.  "  Encampments  of  the  Fenians,"  or  cooking-places, 
so  frequently  discovered  in  nearly  every  part  of  Ireland, 


RUDE    STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  281 

and  descriptions  of  which  are  to  be  found  in  the  Journal ', 
R.H.A.A.I.,  and  in  the  Ulster  Journal  of  Archaeology1. 

J.  Carnegy  stated  that,  in  a  little  valley  about  400 
yards  from  the  buried  circle,  there  is  a  cromleac  or 
"  Griddle,"  as  these  monuments  are  called  in  the  district, 
the  top  stone  of  which  is  of  great  size.  He  also  adds 
that  in  the  townland  of  Clooneen  there  had  been  the 
remains  of  a  "  Griddle"  in  a  dilapidated  state,  and  not 
of  any  great  size ;  it  consisted  of  six  supports,  and  a 
covering-slab.  These  were  blasted  with  gunpowder  to 
clear  the  ground  for  agricultural  purposes. 

In  the  Demesne  of  Fortland  there  are  several  raths 
of  the  ordinary  form  and  dimensions,  also  a  small  crom- 
leac in  excellent  preservation,  and  a  "  Giant's  Grave," 
13  feet  in  length,  by  5  feet  in  breadth,  and  which  is  sur- 
rounded by  boulders  set  on  edge. 

Some  years  ago  a  fine  specimen  of  a  polished  flint 
axe  (now  to  be  seen  in  the  Museum,  R.I. A.)  was  found  in 
Fortland,  during  the  excavation  of  a  ditch. 

Close  to  the  village  of  Inishcrone,  and  situated  be 
tween  the   castle   and   the    sea,    may  be  observed  the 
remains   of  a  stone   circle  about   50  feet  in  diameter. 
Towards  the  N.W.  14  stones  still  remain  in  position,  as 
also  two  supports  of  the  central  kistvaen. 

1  A  very  similar  discovery  to  that  made  it  had  suffered  some  injury ;  several  of 
in  Buncrowey  is  described  by  George  Siger-  the  stones  had  been  removed,  or  broken, 
son,  M.D.,  as  having  been  noticed  by  him  and  a  fence  had  been  run  through  it.  ... 
in  the  townland  of  Knocknahorna,  in  the  Be  it  remarked  that  the  circle  of  flag- 
county  Tyrone  (Proceedings,  JR. I.  A,  1870-  stones  was  situated  on  a  gentle  knoll,  or 
9): — "I  came  with  my  guide  to  a  large  eminence,  so  that  there  could  have  been 
circle  of  flag-stones  raised  on  end.  To-  no  formation  of  marsh  or  flow  bog.  .  .  . 
wards  the  E.S.E.  was  an  entrance  passage,  The  question  of  the  antiquity  of  these 
with  flag-stones  on  either  hand,  and  one  monuments  of  ancient  civilization  is  bound 
laid  across,  whose  edge  just  appeared  up  with  the  question  of  the  rapidity  of 
above  the  soil.  What  is  peculiarly  re-  the  growth  of  bogs,  concerning  which 
markable  about  this  (which  is  not  set  nothing  definite,  I  believe,  is  known." 
down  on  any  map)  is,  that  it  had  been  Little  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to 
disinterred  in  the  process  of  turf -cutting.  the  westward  of  the  earn,  on  Topped 
My  guide  had  himself  been  cutting  turf  Mountain,  county  Fermanagh,  on  a  spur 
over  it  some  fifty  years  ago.  There  were  of  the  hill,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  "  cut- 
two  feet  of  bog  above  the  top  of  the  flag-  away  "  bog,  a  fine  stone  circle  is  observ- 
stones,  which  are  three  feet  high.  When  able.  A  few  years  ago  it  was  completely 
they  dug  down  upon  it  the  circle  was  covered  by  several  feet  of  peat,  and  even 
perfect,  all  the  stones  standing,  and  in  now  the  original  level  of  the  enclosure 
good  order.  When  we  saw  it  last  January  does  not  appear  to  have  been  reached. 


282 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS    OF   IRELAND. 


In  the  townland  of  Tawnatruffaun,  and  parish  of  Kil- 
macshalgan,  may  be  seen  a  fine  example  of  a  cromleac  ;  but 
unfortunately  the  support  at  its  N.W.  termination  has 
fallen  inwards,  thus  diminishing  the  average  height 
above  ground  of  the  level  of  the  under  surface  of  the 


Fig.  176. — General  View  of  the  Cromleac  in  the  Townland  of  Tawnatruffaun. 

covering-slab,  which  had  been  originally,  in  all  proba- 
bility, upwards  of  6  feet.  The  table-stone  measures 
11  ft.  6  in.  by  about  9  ft.,  and  is  from  1  ft.  9  in.  to  2  ft. 
9  in.  in  thickness  (fig.  176). 

Thirty -five  paces  due  N.  of  the  "  Griddle "  (as  this 
gigantic  megalith  is  called)  there  is  a  ruined  cist,  of  which 
the  covering-slab,  now  split  into  several  fragments,  is 
nearly  on  a  level  with  the  surface  of  the  ground.  Its 
longest  axis,  14  feet,  points  nearly  E.  and  W.  The  frac- 
ture of  the  covering-slab  was  occasioned  by  bonfires, 
which  the  young  lads  of  the  neighbourhood  were  in  the 
habit  of  lighting  upon  it,  yearly,  on  St.  John's  eve  (23rd 
of  June)  ;  but  up  to  the  present  the  larger  table-stone  of 
the  cromleac  has  remained  in  safety,  the  custom — at  any 
rate  in  that  locality — having  at  present  fallen  into 
desuetude. 

When  about  to  leave  the  spot,  and  taking  a  last  look 
at  this  characteristic  monument,  the  tenant  on  whose 


RUDE   STONE    MONUMENTS    IN    SLIGO. 


283 


land  it  stands  offered  to  show  the  mark  of  a  "horse's 
hoof"  on  a  stone  close  to  it.  Fig.  177  gives  a  good  idea  of 
this  sculpture,  which  is  a  deeply-incised  "dot  and  circle," 
the  depth  of  the  inner  circle  being  nearly  2  inches  ;  whilst 
fig.  178  represents  another  carving  of  the  same  style,  but 
only  slightly  depressed.  These  ornamental  devices  were 
on  stones,  partly  built  into  the  present  fence,  which,  as 
will  be  seen  from  the  sketch  (fig.  176),  touches  the  cromleac 
at  the  extremities  of  its  longer  axis.  Both  flagstones 
had  been  fractured,  unfortunately,  just  at  a  point 
which  renders  these  curious  primitive  scribings  slightly 
defective.  The  tenant  stated  that  he  was  told  by  his 
father  that  in  his  father's  time  there  had  been  another 
u  Griddle"  on  the  land,  which  was  destroyed.  These 
sculptured  stones  may,  perhaps,  have  formed  part  of  that 


Fig.  177. — "  Dot  and  Circle  "  on  a  Fragment  of 
a  Flagstone  in  the  Townland  of  Tawna- 
truffaun.  (About  one-fourth  real  size.) 


Fig.  178.—"  Dot  and  Circle "  on  a  Frag- 
ment of  a  Flagstone  in  the  Townland  of 
Tawnatruffaun.  (About  one-fourth  real  size.) 


monument.  The  slabs  somewhat  resemble  two  portions 
of  rude  millstones,  and  the  reader  is  referred  to  the 
account  of  the  discovery  of  a  cinerary  urn  at  Car- 
rickbanagher  (ante,  p.  266),  where  the  cover  of  the  cist 
was  "  shaped  like  a  millstone."  The  description  of  pri- 
mitive ornamentation  graven  on  these  fragments  of  rock 
seems  to  be  in  every  age  the  natural  outcome  of  the 
savage  mind.  The  writer  has  seen  bone  ornaments  and 
shells  from  the  Isles  of  the  Pacific  similarly  marked ;  and 
William  Frazer,  F.  R.c.  s.i.,  draws  attention  to  a  rude 
decorative  pattern,  consisting  of  a  number  of  small  in- 
dented circles,  each  with  a  central  depression,  on  a  pair 
of  heavy  ivory  leg-rings  or  manacles,  removed  from  the 
ankles  of  a  slave  captured  by  a  cruiser  on  the  Zanzibar 
coast.  W.  Frazer  further  observes  that  similar  little 
circles  are  of  frequent  occurrence  on  some  of  our  early 


284  RTTDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

Irish  antiquities.1     Figs.  179, 180, 181,  and  182  are  cup- 


Fig.  179. — Cup-marked  Stone  from  Ryfad,  Co.  Fermanagh.     No.  1. 

marked  stones  from  Ryfad,  county  Fermanagh,  described 
by  W.  F.  Wakeman  in  the  Journal,  E.H.A.A.I.2 


Fig.  180. — Cup-marked  Stone  from  Ryfad,  Co.  Fermanagh.    No.  2. 

"It  is  not  necessary,"  observes  the  Rev.  G.  Rome 

1  Proceedings,   R.  I.  A.,  vol.   n.,   2nd  length;  fig  181  measures  7  feet  in  length, 
Series,  p.  457.  by  3  feet  in  breadth  ;  fig.  182  measures 

2  Fig.  179  measures  11  feet  in  length,  3  feet  4  inches  in  height,  and  the  same  in 
by  7  feet  in  breadth ;  fig.  180  measures  length. 

3  feet  9  inches  in  height,  by  6  feet  in 


Fig.  181. — Cup-marked  Stone  from  Ryfad,  Co.  Fermanagh.     No.  3. 


Fig.  182. — Cup-marked  Stone  from  Ryfad,  Co.  Fermanagh.    No.  4. 


286  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

Hall,  F.S.A.,  when  writing  on  cup-marked  slabs  from 
North  Tyndale,  "  to  believe  that  these  incised  stones 
have  been  graven  by  tools  of  metal ;  a  sharp -pointed  im- 
plement of  flint,  or  even  angular  fragments  of  native 
limestone  such  as  were  found  with  the  inhumated  chief 
would  answer  the  purpose — as  a  practical  master  mason 
at  Birtley  assures  me.  .  .  .  Sir  J.  Y.  Simpson  describes1 
a  successful  experiment  made  by  him  with  a  flint  and  a 
wooden  mallet.  The  question  was  also  practically  solved 
during  the  International  Anthropological  Congress  held 
in  Paris  in  1867."  Cup-markings  and  concentric  ring- 
sculptures  occur  in  Scotland,  Northumberland,  Brittany, 
Scandinavia,  and  on  the  American  continent.  "  These 
rude  outlines  of  primitive  men  in  various  countries," 
remarks  H.  M.  Westropp,  "  like  the  rude  attempts  at 
drawing  by  children,  cannot  but  bear  a  family  resem- 
blance to  one  another." 

"  A  traditional  sanctity  may  have  attached  to  them 
through  succeeding  ages,  because,"  remarks  the  same 
writer,  u  we  find  them  placed  occasionally,  as  ' survivals' 
of  a  past  religious  observance,  on  the  walls  or  upon  the 
floors  of  dwellings  in  Romano-British  times."  The 
examples  still  existent  of  cup-marked  slabs  among  the 
Romanized  Britons  bring  these  scribings  down  to  the  first 
century  of  the  Christian  era ;  thus  the  early  examples 
may  have  been  cut  with  flint,  the  later  with  bronze  or 
iron  implements.3 

On  referring  to  fig.  78,  ante,  p.  70,  it  will  be  seen  that 
the  cup-like  dots  on  the  Cloverhill  scribed  tomb  are  each 
enclosed  in  a  circle,  accompanied  by  two  horizontal 
lines,  and  in  general  appearance  bear  a  strong  resem- 
blance to  those  now  under  consideration ;  but  some 

1  Archaic  Sculpturing,  p.  122.  the  hollows  were  designedly  arranged  in 

2  Vide  Archceologia  Acliana,  vol.  xn.,  certain  alignments.     A  huge  block  found 
pages  281-2,  for   a  list  of  cup-marked  at    Loher,    near   Derrynane,    exhibiting 
stones.  some   of  these   hollows,    served    as    the 

3  In  a  Paper  read  before   the  Royal  covering-stone  of  a  sepulchral  chamber. 
Irish   Academy   in    1860,   Dean    Graves  Monuments  in  the  Island  of  Valencia,  at 
described     monuments     with     inscribed  Cahirciveen,  at  Waterville   Bridge,   and 
circles,  or  groups  of  concentric   circles,  at  Sneem,  exhibit  the  same  symbols, 
having  in  the   centre   small  cup-shaped  "In  Ireland  cup-markings  have  been 
hollows.     Again,  in   1864,  he  mentions  found  accompanied  by  representations  of 
thecovering-stonesofsomelargecromleacs,  penannular  fibulae  and  the  cross,  but,  in 
in  which  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  general,  alone,  or  with  concentric  circles. 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN    SLIGO.  287 

scribings  on  slabs  forming  a  cist  on  the  summit  of  Knock- 
many  Hill,  parish  of  Clogher,  county  Tyrone,  present,  if 
possible,  an  even  closer  similarity  to  the  Cloverhill 
markings,  one  of  the  circles  being — as  in  the  Sligo  ex- 
ample— accompanied  by  two  horizontal  lines ;  the  dia- 
meter of  each  is  apparently  15  inches.  An  arrangement 
of  like  nature  was  noticed  in  the  cavern,  called  "  Gillie's 
Hole,"  at  Knockmore,  county  Fermanagh;  the  discoverer 
states  that  there  were  "  a  couple  of  lines,  which,  though 
placed  at  some  distance  above  them,  may  possibly  be 
associated  with  the  group  of  crosslets  already  noticed."1 
Such  coincidences  are  inexplicable,  except  on  the  hypo- 
thesis that  the  characters  represented  ideas  then  known 
to  the  sculptors  ;  but  on  the  difficult  subject  of  the  eluci- 
dation of  these  symbols  little  can  be  done  till  all  known 
sepulchral  scribings  have  been  carefully  copied  and  pub- 
lished. 

Until  about  sixteen  years  ago  there  was  no  road  into 
the  townland  on  which  the  "  Griddle  "  (fig.  176)  stands, 
and  adjoining  it  is  an  even  wilder  tract  of  country  called 
"  Caltragh,"  i.  e.  the  burying- ground.  This  latter  town- 
land  may  be  said  even  yet  to  be  roadless,  for  it  takes 
almost  an  hour's  walk  across  the  bog  to  reach  two  monu- 
ments which,  however,  well  repaid  us  for  the  visit. 
Night  was  falling  fast,  so  that  time  did  not  permit  of  a 
detailed  plan  being  made  of  the  principal  megalith,  but 
(fig.  183)  gives  a  good  idea  of  its  general  appearance. 
It  is  styled  Griddle-more-na-  Yean,  i.  e.  "  the  Big  Griddle 
of  the  Heroes,"  and  consists  of  two  contiguous  septa,  the 
nearer  compartment  being  open,  and  the  other  still 

In  Denmark  cup-markings  are  often  found  reported  the  discovery  of  similar  rock 
sculptured  without  other  symbols;  they  sculpturings  in  Northland,  as  well  as 
are  sometimes  combined,  however,  with  South  Sweden ;  it  was  difficult,  he  ad- 
the  cross  within  a  circle ;  sometimes  with  mitted,  to  fix  their  age,  for  even  the  pre- 
rude  figures  of  men  and  ships.  At  the  sent  Swedish  peasantry  had  some  kind  of 
Stockholm  Congress  of  Prehistoric  Archae-  veneration  for  them,  and  made  offerings 
ology,  1874,  M.  Desor,  remarking  on  on  them.  An  Icelandic  Saga  makes 
similar  cup-markings  found  in  Switzer-  mention  of  a  cup-marked  stone  in  Ice- 
land and  Sweden,  on  stones,  compared  land,  where  it  could  only  have  been 
them  with  undoubted  rock  sculpturings  carved  by  Norsemen." -Jour.  Jt.H.  A.  A.I. 
of  the  bronze  age.  M.  Soldi  remarked  vol.  iv.,  4th  Series,  pp.  295-6. 
that  they  could  only  have  been  made  *  Proceedings  E.LA^  vol.  x.,  p.  397. 
with  metal  tools.  M.  Helvebrand,  senior, 

4TH  SBR.,  VOL.  VIII.  X 


288  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS    OF  IRELAND. 

covered.  In  the  background  will  be  seen  a  confused 
mass  of  stones,  at  one  time  forming  a  prolongation  of  the 
"  Griddle  "  in  that  direction. 


y 
I 


Fig.   183.  —  General  View  of  Griddle-more-na-Vean.     Height  from  Capstone  to 
ground  about  5  feet  6  inches. 

About  300  yards  distant,  on  the  slope  of  a  hill  over- 
looking a  mountain  torrent,  there  is  a  very  similar  monu- 
ment, styled  Griddle-beg  -na-  Vean,  or  "  the  Little  Griddle  of 
the  Heroes."  The  stones  composing  it  are  smaller  in  size, 

et  it  appears  to  be  longer  than  its  companion  megalith. 

ts  extreme  length  is  30  feet,  and  it  consists  of  a  series  of 
cists,  seemingly  four  in  number  ;  three  of  the  covering 
slabs  still  remain,  but  they  are  slightly  displaced.  The 
longer  axis  of  these  two  monuments  do  not  appear  to 
coincide.  By  the  time  these  observations  were  completed, 
not  alone  was  night  fast  falling,  but  it  was  ascertained 
that  the  compass  had  been  lost.  It  seems  ludicrous  that 
two  expeditions  to  these  Rude  Stone  Monuments,  although 
separated  by  an  interval  of  upwards  of  120  years,  should 
have  been  each  attended  by  a  series  of  petty  misfortunes. 
The  account  of  the  one  undertaken  by  Gabriel  Beranger, 
circ.  ann.  1760,  would,  with  trifling  variation,  do  for  that 
at  present  under  notice.  Beranger's  Diary  runs  as 
follows  :  — 

"  June  9th.  Set  out  with  Colonel  Irwin,  interpreter,  and  servants  on 
horseback,  to  draw  a  famous  cromleac,  called  Tinmacool's  Griddle,' 


RUDE    STONE    MONUMENTS    IN    SLIGO.  289 

situated  in  a  bog  ten  miles  long,  and  about  three  broad.  Took  two  guides 
on  the  verge  of  said  bog.  Went  by  various  windings,  until  arrived  at  a 
small  hill,  on  which  this  old  monument  is  fixed.  Drew  a  plan  ;  but  Mr. 
Irwin,  looking  at  his  watch,  and  seeing  dinner-time  approach,  asked  our 
guides  for  a  short  cut  to  go  to  Portland — which  he  knew  there  was. 
They  seemed  ignorant  of  it,  but  undertook  to  try  and  find  it  out.  We 
followed,  when,  all  of  a  sudden,  my  horse  sunk  under  me  in  the  bog. 
This  stopped  us ;  and,  as  he  could  not  get  out,  the  guides  were  sent  for 
assistance  and  spades  to  dig  him  out.  We  left  our  interpreter  and  servants 
on  the  spot ;  and  the  Colonel,  trusting  to  his  memory,  undertook  to  guide 
me,  and  we  set  forward  on  foot,  making  many  zig-zags  on  the  worst 
ground  I  ever  trod  on,  sinking  at  every  step  half-way  up  my  boots,  and 
being  obliged  to  walk,  or  rather  run,  pretty  fast,  for  fear  of  sinking. 
After  an  hour's  travelling,  we  could  see  nothing  but  the  heavens  and  the 
bog,  and  the  ground  became  softer  and  wetter,  so  that  we  could  not 
advance  without  sinking  in  it.  We  tried  to  the  right,  then  to  the  left, 
and  twined  and  twined  so  much  that  we  knew  not  which  way  to  go,  the 
Colonel  having  lost  sight  of  his  landmark.  We  continued  moving  on, 
as  the  Colonel  told  me  that  we  should  be  lost  if  we  ceased  moving  one 
moment.  I  confess  here  that  I  thought  it  my  last  day.  The  anxiety  of 
the  mind,  the  fatigue  of  the  body,  the  insufferable  heat  of  the  day,  and 
the  intolerable  thirst  I  felt,  made  me  almost  unable  to  proceed  ;  but  re- 
membering that  to  stop  a  moment  was  instant  death,  I  followed  Mr. 
Irwin,  putting  my  foot  from  where  he  withdrew  his,  as  nearly  as  I  could 
on  the  ground,  which  was  now  quite  liquid,  and  appeared  a  lough  to  me. 
Two  hours  more  were  we  in  this  situation,  when  Mr.  Irwin  got  sight  of 
some  other  mark,  which  gave  me  new  courage ;  and  little  by  little  the 
ground  grew  firmer,  and  we  made  for  some  stacks  of  turf,  and  so  forth  on 
firm  ground  unto  Portland,  where  we  arrived  at  seven,  having  been  since 
three  o'clock  wandering  in  this  horrid  wilderness." 

In  the  townland  of  Scurmore,  parish  of  Castleconnor, 
there  is  a  locality  marked  on  the  Ordnance  Map  with  the 
singular  title  "  Children  of  the  Mermaid."  On  visiting  the 
spot  it  was  ascertained  that  this  designation  applies  to  some 
large  stones — stated  to  be  seven  in  number — on  theN.  E. 
periphery  of  a  circular  rampart,  surrounding  a  fine 
tumulus1  called  Cruchancornia,  situated  in  a  plantation 
close  to  the  road.  The  position  of  these  boulders  does 
not  convey  the  impression  of  any  specific  plan,  but  the 


1  The  following  legend,  stated  to  have  alluded  to,  may  perhaps  be  the  tumulus 

been  translated    from    the   Dinnsenchus  now    under    consideration  : —  Triul    the 

(and,    as    far    as   the    writer's   memory  Wise,  King   of  Ireland,    arrived   at  the 

serves,  extracted  by  him  from  the  Ord-  mouth  of  the  Moy,  then  called  the  Inver 

nance  Survey  Correspondence),  thus  ac-  of  Garnglas ;  there  he  was  met  by   his 

counts  for  the  name   Magh  .Tibrath — a  foster-mother,  Tibrath,  daughter  of  Cas- 

locality    situated   at  the   mouth  of  the  Clothach,  of  the  race  of  the  Tuatha   de 

River  Moy— and  the  Tulchan,  or'  hillock,  Danann.     Tibrath  led  the  monarch  to  her 


290  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF   IRELAND. 

following  legend,  relative  to  their  origin,  is  still  recounted 
by  the  country  people : — 

In  old  days,  when  the  O'Dowds  were  Lords  of 
Tireragh,  the  then  chief,  when  walking  early  in  the 
morning  along  the  sea-shore,  discovered  amongst  the  rocks 
a  mermaid  lying  asleep,  enveloped  in  a  gorgeous  mantle. 
Now  everybody — or  at  least  everybody  in  that  locality — 
knows  that  if  one  can  only  get  possession  of  this  special 
article  of  a  sea-nymph's  costume  she  at  once  loses  her 
aquatic  nature,  both  as  regards  form  and  disposition, 
and  degenerates  into  an  ordinary  mortal ! 

O'Dowd,  therefore,  stepped  forward  stealthily,  and  be- 
came the  happy  possessor  of  the  magic  mantle.  In  this 
case  the  wooing  was  not  long  in  doing,  for  the  chief  took 
the  metamorphosed  nymph  home  as  his  bride,  and  care- 
fully concealed  the  gorgeous  garment.  Retribution,  how- 
ever, finally  overtook  him.  His  seven  children  were  nearly 
grown  to  maturity,  when,  one  day  his  youngest-born  saw 
him  abstract  the  mantle  from  its  hiding-place  to  deposit 
it  where  he  imagined  it  would  be  still  more  secure.  The 
youth,  struck  by  the  manner  in  which — as  he  gazed  on 
it — the  garment  flashed,  glistened,  and  changed  hues,  ran 
off  to  describe  its  beauties  to  his  mother,  who,  thereupon 
seized  with  a  sudden  yearning  to  return  to  her  native 
element,  inquired  where  her  husband  had  left  it.  On 
resuming  possession  of  her  long-lost  garment  she  bade 
her  children  follow  her  to  the  sea-shore,  and  being  now 
re-endowed  with  all  the  attributes  of  a  mermaid,  she 
touched  each  of  her  children  in  succession  with  her  magic 
wand,  and  thus  changed  them  into  seven  stones,  whilst 
she  herself  plunged  into  the  ocean,  and  has  never  again 
been  seen  in  Tireragh. 

There  is  an  Esquimaux  legend  which  bears  a  singular 
resemblance  to  this  story.  A  hunter  is  said  to  have 


dun,  or  dwelling,  then  called  Magh  Glas;  near  the    strand— and    from  her  Magh 

there  the  king  sickened,  and  died.     His  Tibrath  is  named.     Tulchan-na-ngairthe, 

subjects  carried  off  the  body,  for  interment,  i.e.  the  "Hillock  of  Lamentation,"  de- 

to  the  pagan  cemetery  at  Croghan.     The  rives  its  name  from    the  keening  of  the 

grief  of  Tibrath,  for  the  death  of  her  foster-  people  of  the  bhaile,or  locality,  bewail- 

eon,  was  so  great,  that  she  threw  herself  ing  the  death  of  the  king  and  his  foster- 

into  the  sea ;  her  body  was  cast  ashore  mother, 
by  the  waves,  and  buried  in  the  plain 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLIGO.  291 

captured  a  "  sea  -  girl "  before  she  had  time  to  resume 
her  original  form,  and  she  lived  with  him  as  his  wife — 
he,  however,  promising  never  to  kill  gray  gulls,  as  they 
were  of  her  race.  This  compact  he  one  day  forgot, 
upon  which  his  wife  shook  the  feathers  from  the  slain 
birds  over  herself  and  her  children,  thereby  transforming 
them  all  into  Kittiwakes. 

In  the  Annals  of  Loch  Ce  it  is  recounted  that  in  the  year 
1118  two  mermaids  were  caught  by  Irish  fishermen,  the 
one  at  Lis  Airglinn,  the  other  at  Waterford.  The  narra- 
tive is  more  guardedly  given  in  the  Annals  of  Ulster, 
where  it  is  mentioned  as  "  a  wonderful  story  which  the 
pilgrims  relate."  In  the  year  887,  a  mermaid  is  stated 
to  have  been  cast  ashore  in  "  the  country  of  Alba,"  and, 
according  to  the  MS.,  she  measured  195  feet,  having 
fingers  7  feet  long,  nose  of  same  length,  and  a  skin  of 
pure  swan-white  colour.  The  dimensions  of  this  wonder- 
ful creature  are  rivalled,  however,  by  the  sea  serpent  of 
the  nineteenth  century ! 

Strange  fantastic  names  have  been  bestowed  by  the 
imaginative  Celt  on  rude  stone  monuments,  or  even  mere 
earth-fast  rocks,  situated  in  the  most  widely-severed  loca- 
lities in  Ireland.  There  are  designations  such  as  "Finger- 
stone,"  "  Lifted-stone, "  "  Stone  of  the  Champions," 
"Griddle,"  "Giant's  load,"1  "Hag's  bed,"  "Giant's 
bed  ;  "  poetical  designations,  such  as  Leaba-an-Sidh,  the 
"Bed  of  the  Fairy;"  "Finn  Mac  CiunhaiPs  Finger- 
stone;"  also  names  purely  local,  such  as  the  "Goat's 
stone,"  the  "Ass's  manger;"  or  simply  descriptive,  such  as 
the  "Grey  stone,"  the  "  Speckled"  or  "Bracked  stone," 
the  "  Holed  stone."  These  quaint  descriptive  expressions 
are  yet  firmly  rooted  in  the  minds  of  the  peasantry :  their 
history,  when  traceable,  is  of  interest,  for  they  may  be 
regarded  as  fossilized  ideas  ;  and,  as  in  the  strata  of  the 
rocks  we  find  traces  of  extinct  genera  and  species,  so  in 
these  expressions  fossilized  forms  of  old-world  fancies 
become  apparent.2 

1  At   Ballymacscanlon,   in  the   ccnmty  2  For  a  list  of  curious  names  given  to 

Louth,  there  are  three  great  pillars  sup-  megaliths,  see  (a  part  of)  the  Dind-senchus 

porting  a  ponderous  impost,  and  the  struc-  of  Uriu,  translated  by  J.  O'Beirne  Crowe, 

ture  is  called  the  "Giant's  load." — Dublin  A.B.,  vol.  n.,  4th  Ser.,  Jour.  R.H.A.A.I., 

University  Magazine,  vol.  LXXVI.,  p.  144.  page  139. 


292  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OP   IRELAND. 

In  the  immediate  neighbourhood  of  Scurmore  there 
is  a  tumulus  which  is  styled  "  the  Grave  of  the  Black 
Pig ;  "  and  from  this  mound  is  derived  the  name  of  the 
townlandof  Mucduff,  stated  to  have  originally  comprised 
that  of  Carrowcarden.  This  tumulus — or,  perhaps,  earth- 
covered  earn — is  about  125  feet  in  circumference,  8  feet 
in  height,  39  feet  in  N.  and  S.,  and  35  feet  in  E.  and  W. 
diameter.  About  fifty  years  ago  one  of  its  slopes  was 
slightly  damaged  by  people  seeking  for  treasure. 

The  legend  regarding  the  name  of  the  tumulus  is  as 
follows : — 

Many  years  ago  there  was,  in  the  North  of  Ireland, 
an  enormous  magical  boar  which  committed  great  devas- 
tations throughout  the  country,  so  much  so  that  all  the 
hunters  of  the  kingdom  assembled  with  the  determination 
to  pursue  the  animal  until  they  succeeded  in  killing  it. 
The  chase  was  sustained  until  the  boar,  finding  the  pro- 
vince of  Ulster  to  be  uncomfortable  quarters,  made  off 
from  it,  but  was  overtaken  in  the  "  Valley  of  the  Black 
Pig,"  a  little  vale  in  the  county  Sligo,  situated  partly  in 
the  townland  of  Mucduff,  and  partly  in  the  neighbouring 
denomination.  Here  the  boar  turned  at  bay,  and  was 
slain  on  the  spot  where  he  was  subsequently  buried ;  his 
pursuers  stood  around,  leaning  on  their  spears,  and 
viewing  with  amazement  the  vast  proportions,  and  the 
length  and  strength  of  the  bristles  with  which  he  was 
covered.  One  of  the  hunters  incautiously  stroked  the 
skin  the  wrong  way,  thereby  causing  a  venomous  bristle 
to  prick  his  hand,  and  he  at  once  fell  down  writhing  in 
agony,  and  beseeching  his  companions  to  bring  him 
water  from  a  neighbouring  well  to  assuage  his  unbearable 
thirst.  None,  however,  could  succeed  in  conveying  to 
him  the  liquid,  for  by  some  magical  property  attached 
to  the  spring,  no  human  being  could  carry  water  away 
from  it  in  the  hollow  of  the  hands,  as  it  always  escaped 
through  the  fingers;  and  for  this  cause  the  well  has 
ever  since  borne  the  name  of  Tubbernawuston.  It  is 
quite  evident  that  this  legend  is  merely  a  slightly  modi- 
fied version  of  the  death  of  Dermod,  as  recounted  in  the 
"  Pursuit  of  Dermod  and  GrainneV 

The  prefix  mucky\.  e.  swine,  is  attached  to  eighty-one 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   IN   SLTGO.  293 

townland  names  throughout  Ireland,  and  to  three  in 
Sligo,  that  is  to  say,  the  one  under  consideration ; 
Muckelty,  in  the  Barony  of  Leyny,  and  Muck  Island, 
in  the  Barony  of  Tirerrill.  The  recounter  of  the  Sligo 
legend  said  that,  a  woman  from  the  North  of  Ireland, 
who  had  lodged  in  his  house  some  time  previous  to  our 
visit,  stated  that  the  same  story  was  told  of  a  locality 
named  Mucduff,  near  to  where  she  lived,  and  that  the 
two  "  Graves  of  the  Black  Pig"  were  identical  in  shape, 
size,  and  material.  There  is,  however,  according  to  the 
Ordnance  Survey,  only  one  other  denomination  of  land 
of  the  same  name  in  Ireland,  i.  e.  the  townland  of  Muc- 
duff  (Upper  and  Lower)  in  the  county  Wicklow. 

In  the  "late  Celtic"  period  the  figure  of  the  boar 
was  used  as  a  decoration  ;  and  there  is  a  representation 
of  one  on  a  highly  ornamented  bronze  shield  found  in 
the  river  Witham.1  The  boar  is  stated  to  be  a  well-recog- 
nised Celtic  symbol :  M.  de  la  Saussaye — in  the  Revue 
Numismatique  for  1840,  p.  91 — states  that  this  animal 
is  represented  on  the  coins  of  every  part  of  Gaul,  as  well 
as  on  those  struck  by  the  cognate  races  of  Britain,  Spain, 
Illyria,  and  Galatia.  In  English  coins  it  appears  even 
on  those  of  Cunobelin,  although  refined  and  modified  to 
suit  Roman  taste.2 

There  was  found  at  Lieches town,  Banff  shire,  a  swine's 
head  of  bronze,  8^  inches  in  length,  with  round  disc 
attached  to    its   base.      It   has 
been  described  by  John  Alex- 
ander Smith,  M.D.,3  who  stated 
that  it  u  may  perhaps  have  been 
also   used    in   accordance   with 
some  early  superstitious  customs 
of  the  Celts." 

Representations  of  the  animal 
in  bronze  have  been  occasionally 
found  in  Ireland  ;  fig.   184  depicts  a  bronze  boar  (half 
the  real  size)  which  may  be  seen  in  the  Museum,  R.I.A. 
A  Porcine  legend  is  thus  told  by  W.  Hackett : — Long 


1  Sorce  Ferales,  PI.  XVI.,  p.  190.  3  Proceedings  of  the   Society  of  Anti- 

2  I&id.,  p.  86.  quaries  of  Scotland,  vol.  vn. 


294  RUDE    STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

ages  ago  the  race  of  pigs  increased  throughout  Erin  to  such 
an  extent  that  at  length  the  people  assembled  and  de- 
stroyed them  all  except  a  boar  and  two  sows  that  lived 
at  Imokilly,  in  the  south  of  Ireland.  These,  being  ma- 
gical pigs,  escaped  all  snares  laid  for  them,  and  kept 
the  surrounding  country  in  terror  by  their  depredations. 
When  the  first  of  the  Geraldines  came  to  Ireland  he 
determined  to  kill  the  monster,  and  he  succeeded  in  his 
attempt,  but  unfortunately  left  the  dead  animal  unin- 
terred,  and  the  decay  of  the  carcass  occasioned  a  pesti- 
lence which  swept  away  the  people  by  thousands.  The 
remains  of  the  boar  were  then  buried,  and  a  large  mega- 
lithic  monument  was  erected  over  it  at  Kilamucky,  near 
Castle  Martyr,  the  ancient  seat  of  the  Fitz  Geralds  of 
Imokilly.  This  monument,  however,  was  destroyed  in 
the  year  1844. 

We  learn  also  that  in  the  time  of  the  Firbolgs, 
Ireland  was  overrun  with  pigs  which  committed  vast 
depredations,  but  when  the  Tuatha-de-Danann  became 
masters  of  the  kingdom  they  extirpated  all  these  animals, 
with  the  exception  of  one  furious  herd  which  devastated 
the  maritime  districts  of  the  county  Clare.  Their  destruc- 
tion was  beyond  the  mere  human  energies  of  the  Tuatha- 
de-Danann,  who,  therefore,  had  recourse  to  magic,  and  at 
length  succeeded  in  their  efforts;  but  for  a  time  one 
ferocious  boar  withstood  all  their  efforts.  In  oral  legends 
we  find  Finn  MacCumhail  slaying  boars  in  various  parts 
of  the  kingdom ;  we  have  thus  strong  indications,  in 
tradition  and  folk-lore,  that  in  ancient  times  the  boar 
was  held  in  great  dread,  or,  perhaps,  in  great  estima- 
tion :  one  writer  even  goes  so  far  as  to  say  that  "  The 
prominence  given  to  this  animal,  in  our  topographical 
nomenclature  and  legendary  tales,  suggests  the  idea  that 
the  boar  may  have  been  identified  with  that  system  of 
animal-worship  which  we  have  some  reason  for  believ- 
ing once  existed  in  this  country."1  Kemble  states  that 
among  the  Germans  and  Anglo-Saxons,  swine  were 
sacred  animals.2 


1  Journal,  E.  H.  A.  A.  I.,  vol.  i.,  3rd          2  Hora  Xerales,  p.  68. 
Series,  pp.  120-5.— Richard  R.  Brash. 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   IN  SLIGO. 


295 


In  the  year  1842,  Dr.  Todd,  V.-P.,  R.I.A.,  gave  a 
short  abstract  of  the  contents  of  an  ancient  Irish  MS. 
preserved  in  the  Bodleian  Library,  Oxford.  It  is  a  large 
quarto,  on  vellum,  that  was  formerly  in  the  collection  of 
Archbishop  Laud,  and  previously  in  that  of  Sir  George 
Carew.  What  interests  chiefly  is  that  at  fol.  58,  The 
History  of  MacDatho^s  hog  is  given,  and  the  partition  of 
the  carcass  of  this  animal  had  the  same  effect  in  Irish 
as  the  presentation  of  the  apple  in  classical  mythology. 
There  are  also  two  copies  of  this  legend  in  the  Library 
of  Trinity  College,  MS.  H.  2.  18,  and  H.  3.  18.  The 
story  is  as  follows  :  —  MacDatho,  King  of  Leinster, 
in  the  first  century  of  the  Christian  era,  invited  the 
Kings  of  Connaught  and  Ulster  to  a  feast,  when  he 
caused  to  be  served  up  an  enormous  hog,  the  cutting  up 
of  which,  and  the  assigning  to  each  chieftain  his  proper 
share,  became  a  matter  of  fierce  contention  between  the 
guests,  and  produced  the  effect  intended  by  their  crafty 
entertainer.1 

Bovine  are  even  more  general  than  Porcine  legends, 
and  there  are  few  districts  de- 
void of  tales  of  magical  cows. 
Before  leaving  this  subject  of 
enchanted  animal-lore,  it  is  well 
to  draw  attention  to  a  represen- 
tation in  bronze  of  a  bovine  head, 
to  be  seen  in  the  Museum,  R.  I.  A 
The  art-characteristic  of  this  or- 
nament (fig.  185)  is  strictly  Celtic, 
the  metal  composing  it  is  of  very 
fine  quality,  and  of  a  golden 
colour.  It  was  formed  by  a  pro- 
cess of  casting ;  great  care  seems 
to  have  been  taken  to  spare  the  Fig  ^.-Representation  of  Bovine 

nrtn4-/-v»ir>l  /^v»Kr     f\rm     OTTO  crvr»lrof          Head    in   Bronze,  in   the  Museum, 

material,     uniy  one  eye-socKei      R.I.A.  (Half  real  size.) 
remains;   it  is  shallow,  but  still 

sufficiently  deep  to  have  held  an  eye,  composed  pro- 
bably of  glass,  vitrified  paste,  or  enamel  of  some  kind. 
The  head  is  open  at  the  back ;  and  that  it  had  been 


Proceedings,  R.I. A.,  vol.  11.,  p.  347- 


4TII  8EH.,   VOL.  Till. 


Fig.  186. — Dagger-blade  of  Bronze,  found  in  a  Tumulus  in  Castleconnor. 
Weight,  16^  dwt.     (Half  real  size.) 


Fig.  187. — Dagger-blade  of  Bronze — locality  of  discover}'  unknown 
(Half  real  size.)  * 


Fig.  188.— General  View  of  "  Giant's  Table  "  near  Ballina. 


RUDE   STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  SLIGO.  297 

attached  to  some  object  is  sufficiently  clear  from  the  fact 
that  the  sides  are  pierced  with  a  row  of  small  apertures, 
that  held  pins  by  which  the  neck  was  secured.1 

A  small  dagger-blade  of  bronze  (fig.  186)  was  found 
in  a  tumulus  in  the  parish  of  Castleconnor,  county  Sligo 
— with  calcined  bones — in  the  year  1874.  It  is  covered 
with  a  green  patina.  The  holes  for  rivets,  by  which 
a  handle — probably  of  wood  or  bone — was  attached,  are 
still  to  be  seen,  and,  when  first  discovered,  one  short 
rivet  was  in  its  place.  The  locality  in  which  fig.  187 
was  discovered  is  now  unknown,  and  it  is  given  simply 
for  purposes  of  comparison,  as  it  appears  to  belong  to 
the  true  bronze  age,  and  has  also  traces  of  two  rivet- 
holes.  The  blade  is  6f  inches  long,  and  1^  broad. 

Near  Carrowhubbock  is  a  subterranean  chamber, 
with  several  smaller  openings  off  it,  and  the  main 
passage  extends  for  a  considerable  distance  under 
ground.  Not  far  distant  are  three  mounds  resembling 
grass-covered  earns. 

Before  concluding  the  description  of  the  Rude  Stone 
Monuments  of  Sligo  we  shall  make  an  excursion  into 
the  neighbouring  county  Mayo  —  for  a  distance  of 
about  two  hundred  yards — to  where  there  is  a  remarkable 
cromleac2  supported  by  three  stones,  of  which  fig.  188 
gives  a  perfect  representation,  taken  from  a  photograph 
as  well  as  a  sketch.  It  is  now  popularly  called  "The 
Giant's  Table,"  but  by  the  Irish-speaking  natives  Clocli- 
an-Togbhail.  The  cap-stone,  which  is  nearly  hexagonal 
in  form,  and  now  practically  horizontal  in  position — one 
of  the  supports  having  slightly  given  way —measures 
about  9  feet  by  7.3  This  monument  interests  chiefly  as 
being,  according  to  the  late  John  O'Donovan,  the  only 
megalith  in  Ireland  which  can  be  satisfactorily  connected 
with  history.  The  story  is  as  follows  : — 

In  the  life  of  St.  Ceallach,  it  is  related  that  Eoghan 


1  It  is  quite  possible  that  this  antique  rock,  but  it  probably,  at  no  period,  had 
may  belong  to  a  class  of  typical  ecclesias-  any  connexion  with  the  monument.     It 
tical  ornamentation,  and  attention  is  di-  bears    distinct    traces    of    having    been 
rected  to   the   case   of  Molaise's   Gospel  blasted    with  gunpowder,  and   the  holes 
(R.I. A.),   on  which  this  device  appears,  in  which  it  was  inserted  are  still  visible, 
apparently  as  one  of  the  four  evangelical  3  A    ground  plan   of  this   cromleac  is 
symbols.  given  by  Fergussun  in  Rude  Stone  Monu- 

2  Close   to   it   there  is  a  fragment   of  ments,  p.  233. 

Y2 


298  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF   IRELAND. 

Bel,  King  of  Connaught,  when  dying:  from  the  effects  of 
wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Sligo  (fought  in  the 
vear  A.D.  537),  counselled  the  Hy  Fiachrach  to  elect  his 
son  Ceallach  to  be  king  in  his  stead.  This  Ceallach 
was  the  great-grandson  of  king  Dathi,  whose  red  pillar- 
stone  at  Rath  Croghan,  erected  A.D.  428,  is  still  pointed 
out.  According  to  the  King's  dying  injunction  mes- 
sengers were  sent  to  Ceallach  at  Clonmacnoise,  and  he 
accepted  the  proffered  dignity,  despite  the  remonstrance 
and  threats  of  St.  Kieran,  under  whose  tuition  he  was 
there  residing.  The  saint  thereupon  solemnly  cursed  his 
pupil,  and  although  a  reconciliation  afterwards  took 
place,  and  Ceallach,  entering  the  priesthood,  attained 
Episcopal  dignity,  the  curse  was  still  efficacious,  and 
could  not  be  revoked.  King  Guaire  Aidhne  conceived  a 
mortal  hatred  of  the  Bishop,  on  account  of  his  having 
been  elected  to  the  sovereignty,  and  Ceallach  in  conse- 
quence resigned  his  See  and  retired  to  the  seclusion  of  an 
island  on  Lough  Conn,  where,  at  the  King's  instigation, 
he  was  murdered  by  four  of  his  pupils,  or  foster-brothers ; 
and  thus  St.  Kieran's  curse  was  fulfilled.  Cucoingilt 
(brother  of  Bishop  Ceallach)  succeeded  in  capturing  the 
murderers,  and  carried  them  in  chains  to  a  place  in  the 
county  Sligo,  since  called  Ardnaree,  where  he  slew  them 
on  the  banks  of  the  Moy.  The  hill,1  on  the  Sligo  side 
overlooking  the  river,  was  hence  called  Ard-na-riadh,  i.  e. 
"  The  Hill  of  the  Executions,"  and  this,  in  turn,  gave 
name  to  a  village  (situated  on  the  east  side  of  the  stream), 
which  may  be  considered  a  suburb  of  the  town  of  Ballina. 
The  bodies  of  the  four  murderers  were'carried  across  the 
river,  and  interred  on  the  summit  of  an  eminence,  on 
the  Mayo  bank,  subsequently  called  Ard-na-Maol  (the 
Height  of  the  Maols),  or  Leacht-na-Maol  (the  Tomb  of  the 
Maols),  from  the  four  murderers  of  St.  Ceallach  having 
had  the  prefix  Maol  attached  to  their  names.  A  more 
circumstantial  account  of  the  execution  and  interment  is 
given  in  the  Dinnsenchus,  fol.  246. 

This  is  the  story  related  to  account  for  the  Megalith ; 
but  does  it  not  seem  strange  that,  after  the  date  of  the 


1  Immediately  adjoining  the  hamlet  to       from  a  fortalice  which  stood  on  it  in  times 
the  south.     It  is  now  called  Castlehill,       comparatively  modern. 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS    IN    SLIGO.  299 

introduction  of  Christianity,  men  who  had  murdered  a 
bishop  of  the  Church  should  yet  have  been  interred  with 
such  outward  marks  of  distinction  as  would  be  implied 
by  the  special  erection  of  a  cromleac  over  their  bodies  ? 
Possibly  an  examination  of  the  interior  of  the  structure 
might  result  in  showing  a  carnal  interment  overlying 
calcined  remains,  and  thus  in  some  degree  prove  the 
truth  of  the  legend ;  that  is  to  say,  it  might  thence  be 
inferred  that  the  murderers  of  the  bishop,  being  con- 
sidered unworthy  of  the  rites  of  Christian  burial,  were 
therefore  consigned  to  a  pagan  tomb ;  though,  as  has 
been  demonstrated,  carnal  interments  have  been  found  in 
purely  pagan  cemeteries,  and  overlying  calcined  remains. 

It  would  also  appear  as  if  the  native  Irish,  long  after  the 
introduction  of  Christianity,  sometimes  continued  to  bury 
in  ancient  pagan  cemeteries :  at  least  such  an  inference, 
it  is  thought,  may  be  drawn  from  an  entry  in  the  Annals 
of  Loch  Ce,  under  date  1581 : — "  Brian  Caech  O'Coinne- 
gain,  an  eminent  cleric,  and  keeper  of  a  general  house  of 
guests,  died,  and  the  place  of  sepulture,  which  he  selected 
for  himself,  was,  i.  e.  to  be  buried  at  the  mound  of  Baile- 
an-tobair "  (05  Durha  baile  cm  cobaip).  The  compilers 
of  the  Annals  add  the  following  remark: — "  And  we 
think  that  it  was  not  through  want  of  religion  Brian 
Caech  made  this  selection,  but  because  he  saw  not  the 
service  of  Grod  practised  in  any  church  near  him  at  that 
time." 

The  Rude  Stone  Monuments  in  the  county  Sligo  have 
now,  it  is  hoped,  been  fully  described ;  of  those  which 
have  been  injured  or  destroyed,  the  descriptions  were 
taken  either  from  acpounts  written  prior  to  their  dilapi- 
dation or  annihilation,  or  from  people  who  had  actually 
seen  them.  As  every  precaution  was  taken  to  ensure,  if 
possible,  perfect  accuracy,  and  every  megalith  still  extant 
and  herein  mentioned  has  been  personally  visited  and 
examined  by  the  writer,  it  seems  scarcely  possible  that 
any  monument  of  importance  can  have  escaped  notice. 

In  the  next  Number  of  the  Journal  a  short  account 
will  be  given  of  some  of  the  sepulchres  to  be  seen  in 
the  Island  of  Achill,  off  the  Mayo  coast,  and  hitherto 
unknown  to  the  general  public. 


SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY. 

CONTRIBUTED  BY  GABRIEL  O'C.  REDMOND, 

Local  Secretary,  Co.  Waterford. 

(AUTHOR'S    NAME    UNKNOWN). 

IN  a  secluded  part  of  the  county  Waterford  (in  the  parish  of  Modelligo) 
stands  the  lonely  ruin  of  Sleady  Castle,1  which,  though  unnoticed  by 
tourists  and  sketchers,  was  celebrated  in  its  day  for  a  tragedy  of  real  life, 
marked  by  features  of  romance,  and  connected  with  the  civil  discords  of 
Ireland  in  the  seventeenth  century.  It  is  a  fragment  of  local  history  now 
fast  passing  from  tradition.  But  the  castle  is  not  favourably  situated  for 
attracting  attention,  though  within  a  few  miles  of  the  town  of  Cappoquin. 
It  stands  on  a  slight  elevation,  at  a  short  distance  from  a  road  little  fre- 
quented, leading  from  Cappoquin  to  Clonmel,  and  in  an  uninteresting 
landscape,  consisting  simply  of  ground  a  little  undulating,  a  sprinkling 
of  plantation,  the  shallow  river  Finisk2  winding  beside  the  way,  and 
peeps  of  low  hills  in  the  distance. 

The  tall,  dark,  square  ruin,  with,  its  many  gables  and  high  chimneys, 
less  resembles  a  castle  than  a  bawn,  as  we  call  in  Ireland  a  stone  dwell- 
ing, strongly  and  defensively  built,  but  not  regularly  castellated.  It  is 
a  lone  and  naked  object ;  there  is  no  graceful  veil  of  ivy,  no  umbrageous 
tree  near  it.  The  edifice  is  in  the  form  of  a  double  cross,  the  eight  limbs 
all  of  equal  length,  and  each  finished  by  a  tall,  large  gable,  crowned  by  a 
high  chimney.  Of  these  gables  seven  remain  perfect,  the  eighth  has 
fallen.  The  castle  is  placed  diagonally  on  its  site — a  circumstance  which 
added  considerably  to  its  defensive  capabilities.  It  is  of  rough  stone, 
plastered  over,  and  every  corner  is  faced  with  cut-stone.  The  walls  are 
very  thick,  and  still  partially  covered  with  a  steep  stone-roof.  The  windows 
are  irregularly  placed — rather  small,  oblong  squares,  divided  into  panes 
by  slight  stone  mullions  and  transoms.  The  entrance  is  completely 
demolished,  but  its  two  square  flanking  towers,  one  at  each  side,  still 
remain.  That  on  the  left  (as  the  spectator  faces  the  castle)  has  a  para- 
peted and  battlemented  platform,  with  a  machicolation ;  the  other  is  of 
inferior  size,  with  remains  of  stone  stairs,  midway  in  which  is  an  opening 
— a  small  round  arch  of  cut-stone.  The  broken  stairs  lead  to  a  small,  ill- 
lighted  stone  room,  the  "  ladye's  bower  "  of  the  olden  times,  and  thence 
up  to  the  turret  top. 

The  interior  of  the  castle  is  a  mere  shell,  and  the  ground  is  covered 
with,  ruins  and  rubbish,  overgrown  with  nettles  and  rank  weeds  ;  but  it 
is  still  evident  that  there  were  four  storeys,  with  three  floors  supported 
on  plain  stone  corbels.  On  the  ground  floor  may  be  traced  the  kitchen, 

1  Pronounced  Slay-dy.  The  place  is  "Water:  "  from  Fionn  (pronounced  Finn), 

called  in  Irish  Curach-na- Sleady,  i.e.  the  fair,  and  Uisge  (pronounced  Ish-ga), 

"  Bog  of  the  Quagmires."  water. 

a  In  Irish,  Fionn  Uisge,  i.e.  the  "Fair 


SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY.          301 

with  its  ample  fireplace,  and  an  arched  recess  beside  it :  this  apartment 
adjoins  the  machicolated  flanking  tower.  Of  other  rooms  nothing  can  be 
distinguished.  The  whole  building  is  very  plain  ;  solidity  and  security 
seem  to  have  been  the  sole  aim  of  the  founder. 

The  entire  was  surrounded  (according  to  tradition)  by  a  moat,  furnished 
with  a  drawbridge  :  of  these  no  vestiges  remain. 

But  it  is  time  to  pass  from  the  description  of  Sleady  Castle  to  its  his- 
tory, and  that  of  its  original  possessors,  the  M'Graths. 

In  very  early  times,  the  ancient  family  of  M'Grath l  held  large  estates 
in  the  western  part  of  the  county  Waterford.  They  richly  endowed  the 
Augustinian  Abbey,  at  Abbey  side,2  near  Dungarvan,  among  the  ruins  of 
which,  under  a  low  window  at  the  east  end,3  is  an  ancient  tomb, 
inscribed,  "  Donald  M'Grath,  1400."  For  the  defence  of  the  abbey  this 
family  built,  beside  it,  a  lofty  square  castle,  some  ruins  of  which  still  re- 
main. Local  tradition  affirms  that  the  M'Graths  also  built  Fernane  Castle4 
(of  which  scarce  a  fragment  now  exists),  near  Sleady,  and  Castle  Clonagh,6 
Castle  Connagh,  and  Castle  Eeigh,  all  near  the  boundary  line  between  the 
counties  of  Waterford  and  Tipperary. 

At  the  close  of  the  sixteenth,  and  commencement  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  the  most  remarkable  person  of  the  family  was  Philip  M'Grath, 
commonly  called  in  Irish  Philib-na-Tsioda  (pronounced  na-Teeda],  that  is, 
"  Silken  Philip,"  meaning  polished  or  elegant.  The  country  people 
relate  that,  at  this  period,  one  of  the  family  estates  comprised  seven 
townlands,  within  a  ring  fence.  Philip  had  two  brothers,  of  whom  one, 
named  John,  is  said  to  have  built  the  old  and  now  ruined  castle  of 
Cloncoscoran,6  near  Dungarvan  ;  the  other,  named  (I  think)  Pierce,  is 


1  This  name  occurs  in  old  records,  with  3  It  formerly  stood  at  the  north  side, 
various     orthographies — Cragh,     Creigh,  near  the   altar — the   usual   situation   for 
Creagh,*  M 'Cragh,   M'Craith,   Magrath,  the  tomhs  of  founders  of  religious  edi- 
and  M'Grath.    I  have  adopted  the  latter,  fices. 

as  in  use  in  the  districts  where  the  family  *  Near  Fernane  now  stands  a  modern 

flourished.      Dr.    Lanigan   says:     "Our  house,  called  Mountain  Castle,  in  memory 

old  writers  allowed  themselves  too  great  of  the  ancient  stronghold. 
a  latitude  in  spelling  proper  names,  so  as  5  Castle  Clonagh  in  the  (county  Tip- 

often  to  excite  doubts  as  to  the  identity  of  perary)  is  a  circular  structure,  command - 

one  and  the  same  person.     Hundreds  of  ing  the  Glen  of  Eossmore,  through  which 

instances  might  he  adduced." — Ecclesias-  runs  the  boundary  line  of  the  counties  of 

tical  History,  vol.  ii.  "Waterford  and  Tipperary.     Castle  Con- 

2  The    remains   of  this   building    (the  nagh  stands  on  a  high  rock  over  the  river 
wall,    tower,    entrances,    and    windows)  Nier ;  it  is  square,  and  is  protected  on  the 
show  it  to  have   been  of  great  beauty.  side  next  the  river  by  two  round  towers. 
The  light  Gothic  tower  is  sixty  feet  high,  Castle  Connagh  and  Castle  Eeigh  are  in 
and  the  arch  that  supports  it  is  greatly  the  county  Waterford,  in  the  barony  of 
admired  for  the  elegance  and  skill  of  its  Glenaheira. 

construction.     The  oak   timber  used   in  6  This  castle  is  in  a  very  low  situation  ; 

turning  the  arch,  though  much  exposed  it  has  a  moderately  elevated  square  tower 

to  the  wet,  is  still  in  good  preservation,  at  one  end,  and  has  much  the  appearance 

after  a  lapse  of  six  centuries.  of  a  religious  structure. 


*  The  author  has  erred  in  stating  that  Oreagh  is  a  form  of  M'Grath.  According 
to  a  tradition  amongst  the  Creaghs  themselves,  their  name  was  originally  O'Neill,  and 
they  obtained  the  cognomen,  Cf\AobAC,  i.e.  Ramifer,  from  one  of  the  family,  who 
carried  a  green  branch  in  a  battle  in  which  he  distinguished  himself.— Note  by 
GABRIEL  O'C.  REDMOND. 


302         STEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY. 

stated  to  have  built  the  old  castle  of  Kilmanehin,  in  the  barony  of 
Glenaheira. 

The  personal  grace  and  accomplishments  of  Silken  Philip  found  favour 
in  the  eyes  of  a  noble  maiden,1  Mary  Power,  or  Poer,  daughter  of  John  le 
Poer,  then  5th Baron  of  Curraghmore.  She  surmounted  the  opposition  of  her 
family,  and  married  him  ;  and  Philip  brought  home  his  bride  to  the  old 
castle  of  Fernane,  where  he  then  resided.  "  Omnia  vincit  amor,"  says 
Virgil ;  but  in  this  instance  love  had  not  subdued  all  the  pride  of  the  high- 
born fair :  she  despised  her  husband's  dwelling  as  soon  as  she  saw  it,  and 
positively  refused  ever  to  enter  it,  saying  that  her  father's  stables  would  be 
a  more  befitting  residence  for  a  lady.  She  ordered  dinner  to  be  served 
on  a  rocky  hillock  that  overlooks  the  river  Finnisk;  and  when  the 
repast  was  over  she  returned  to  her  father's  seat,  and  there  determined  to 
remain  till  her  husband  should  have  built  for  her  such  an  abode  as  she 
could  esteem  worthy  of  her  presence.  She  further  required  that  it 
should  be  erected  on  her  own  jointure  lands  of  Cur  ach-na- Sleady,  to  secure 
herself  in  the  use  of  the  intended  castle  during  her  life.  Philip  at  first 
refused  to  build  the  desired  residence ;  but  his  wife  insisted  with  such 
vehemence  that  a  serious  misunderstanding  took  place  between  them, 
and  the  lady  vowed  never  to  be  reconciled  until  she  obtained  her  wish. 
The  bridegroom,  seeing  his  domestic  comfort  at  stake  for  ever,  yielded  at 
length,  and  commenced  the  work.  His  friends  and  relatives  came 
forward  to  his  assistance ;  and  the  numerous  tenants  of  his  family  and 
their  connexions  not  only  gave  voluntary  labour,  but  also  brought  such 
large  contributions  of  every  kind  towards  defraying  the  expenses  of  the 
building,  that  when  the  castle  of  Sleady  was  finished  Philip  M'Grath 
found  himself  much  richer  than  when  he  commenced — a  circumstance 
worthy  to  be  recorded  of  an  Irish  gentleman !  A  quantity  of  fine  oak 
timber  was  used  in  the  construction  oj  the  castle  ;  but  not  a  vestige  of  it 
now  remains,  having  been  all  carried  away  piecemeal  by  the  peasantry 


1  This  lady's  sister,  Catherine,  married  first  Earl  of  Grandison.  The  relationship 
John  Fitzgerald  of  Dromana  (county  will  be  easily  understood  by  a  reference 
Waterford),  and  was  grandmother  of  the  to  the  following  extract: — 


JOHN   POWER,    = 
5th  Lord  Power 
and     Curragh- 
more. 

=    RUTH,  daughter  and  heiress 
of  Robert  Phypoe,  of  St. 
Mary's  Abbey. 

Richard  Power  6th    Hon.  Katherine  Power,  = 
Lord,  whose  grand-         w.,  1658. 
daughter,    Lady 
Katherine    Power, 
*».,    in    1707,    Sir 
Marcus   Beresford, 

=  Sir  John  Fitz-     Hon.  Mary  Power, 
gerald  of  Dro-       m.  Philip  M'Grath 
mana.                    of  Sleady  Castle. 

Katherine  Fitzgerald  =  1677,  the  Hon.  Edward 

of  Dromana,  Lady  I        Villiers,   son  of    the 

of  The  Decies.  Viscount  Grandison. 

John  Villiers,  6th  Viscount, 
created  Earl  of  Grandison. 

(Note  by  GABKIEL  O'C.  REDMOND.) 


SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY.         803 

subsequent  to  its  desolation ;  and  in  one  of  the  principal  apartments  was 
placed  a  handsome  marble  chimney-piece,  with  the  name  of  the  founder 
and  the  date  of  the  completion  of  the  building:  "  Philippua  M'Grath, 
1628."  That  memorial  was  extant  for  about  a  century  after  the  deser- 
tion of  the  castle,  but  is  not  now  to  be  found.  Tradition  says  that  the 
building  of  Sleady  Castle  occupied  seven  years,  during  which  period  the 
lady  of  Philip  M  'Grath  presented  him  with  four  children :  the  three 
elder  were  daughters,  named  (in  the  order  of  their  birth)  Margaret, 
Catherine,  and  Mary  ;  the  youngest  was  a  son,  named  Donnell  (Anglice 
Daniel). 

The  castle  being  at  length  finished,  and  the  lady's  pride  gratified,  she 
came,  with  her  husband  and  children,  to  take  possession,  and  the  now 
happy  couple  looked  forward  to  many  years  of  enjoyment.  But  scarcely 
had  five  years  elapsed  from  the  completion  of  the  castle,  when  Philip 
M'Grath  was  snatched  away,  in  the  prime  of  life.  On  his  death,  the 
heir,  his  son  Donell,1  a  child,  was  removed  by  his  guardians  to  Dublin, 
for  his  education  ;  but  the  widow,  with  her  daughters,  remained  at  Sleady. 
She  was  a  clever  woman ;  and  all  things  that  devolved  to  her  manage- 
ment throve  so  well,  that  Sleady  Castle,  forlorn  as  it  now  looks,  was 
famed  for  its  ample  stores  of  rich  plate,  fine  linen,  handsome  furniture, 
and  well-filled  money-chests. 

Another  sorrow,  however,  afflicted  her  not  long  after  the  loss  of  her 
husband.  Her  son,  Donell  M'Philip  M'Grath  (as  he  is  styled  in  old 
records),  died  in  his  minority,  between  the  years  1633  and  1641.  The 
estate  of  Sleady,  or  at  least  a  principal  part,  seems  then  to  have  vested  in 
the  next  male  heir,  Pierce  M'Grath  (probably  the  brother  of  Philip) ;  but 
the  widow  still  continued  at  the  castle  with  her  daughters,  who  were 
possessed  of  large  fortunes.  The  widow  was  endowed  with  many  excel- 
lent qualities  :  time,  sorrow,  and  the  exercise  of  a  strong  understanding 
had  chastened  all  her  feelings,  and  her  merits  were  universally  acknow- 
ledged. She  gave  her  daughters  a  good  education,  according  to  the 
fashion  of  the  times,  and  they  grew  up  to  womanhood,  remarkably  handsome 
and  attractive,  and  had,  as  may  well  be  supposed,  innumerable  admirers, 
not  less  on  account  of  their  beauty  and  accomplishments  than  of  their 
wealth.  Tradition  relates  that  the  eldest  (Margaret)  had  inherited  the 
pride  of  her  mother  in  her  youthful  days.  The  youngest  (Mary)  is  said 
to  have  been  mild  and  winning  :  so  kind,  so  gentle,  so  full  of  feeling,  so 
lovable,  that  she  was  commonly  called  in  Irish,  Maire  milis  ni  Philib  na 
Tsioda  (pronounced  Mayra  meelish  nee  Philip  na  Teeda),  i.  e.  "  Silken 
Philip's  sweet  Mary."  The  three  sisters  were  fond  of  society,  and  they 
frequently  visited  Clonmel,  which  was  then,  as  now,  a  military  station. 

The  commotions  of  the  seventeenth  century  were  favourable  to  the 
gangs  of  outlaws  who  infested  the  rural  districts,  robbing  and  murdering 
by  night,  and  taking  shelter  by  day  in  bogs,  or  among  rocks,  or  in  moun- 
tain recesses.  The  part  of  the  county  Waterford  of  which  I  write  (the 
parish  of  Modelligo,  in  the  barony  of  Decies-Without-Drum)  was  fre- 
quented by  a  band  of  robbers,  whose  captain  was  a  desperado  called  in 
Irish  Uaithne  (pronounced  Oo-a-nee),  which,  being  translatable  into 


1  By  an  Inquisition,  taken  at  Cappo-       M 'Philip  M'Grath  was  found  to  be  seised 
quin,  the  10th  of  September,  1633,  Donell       of  Sleady,  &c. 


304         SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY. 

''Green,"  I  shall  term  him  by  that  name  for  the  convenience  of  readers 
unacquainted  with  the  Irish  language.  This  man  had  long  desired  the 
plunder  of  Sledy  Castle ;  but  all  his  plans  for  effecting  an  entrance  were 
defeated  by  the  caution  of  the  widow,  who,  quite  alive  to  the  dangers  of 
the  times,  kept  garrison  with  unrelaxing  vigilance.  The  gate  was  always 
locked,  and  the  keys  in  the  lady's  possession  ;  the  moat  was  always  full, 
and  the  drawbridge  never  lowered,  without  strict  precaution  ;  no  ingress 
or  egress  was  permitted  to  any  person  whatever  after  nightfall.  To 
attempt  swimming  the  moat  would  induce  the  double  risk  of  being 
drowned,  or  espied  and  shot  by  the  sentinel ;  and  the  height  and  narrow- 
ness of  the  castle  windows  precluded  escalade.  Eut  Green  knew  that  the 
pillage  of  Sleady  would  amply  repay  time  spent  and  pains  lavished,  and 
he  determined  to  await  his  opportunity. 

At  this  period  he  had  established  his  head-quarters  at  a  "Lis"  (a 
circular,  flat,  green  mound,  surrounded  by  an  earthen  grass-grown  ditch) 
on  the  borders  of  a  stream,  and  lying  four  or  five  miles  distant  from 
Sleady.  Experience  had  proved  to  him  that  he  had  little  chance  of  suc- 
ceeding in  his  design  upon  the  widow's  stronghold  without  the  aid  of 
domestic  treachery.  The  servants  generally  were  faithful,  being  fol- 
lowers or  fosterers  of  the  family.  There  was,  however,  amongst  them  a 
kitchen-maid,  on  whom  he  hoped  to  work,  through  the  means  of  love  and 
vanity.  Green  had  among  his  band  a  son,  who  acted  as  his  lieutenant — 
a  remarkably  handsome  young  man ;  him  the  outlaw  tutored  to  throw 
himself  in  the  way  of  the  maid,  as  she  went  and  returned  from  Mass,  and 
to  profess  himself  her  lover.  They  met  thus  on  Sundays  and  holidays  ; 
and  the  fine  words  and  fine  person  of  the  pretended  suitor  gained  so  much 
on  the  wretched  woman,  that  she  entered  into  all  his  views,  and 
promised  to  watch  the  first  favourable  opportunity  for  his  stealing  into 
the  castle,  and  make  it  known  to  him  by  a  preconcerted  signal.  In  con- 
sequence of  this  agreement,  Green  the  elder  moved  his  band  nearer  to 
Sleady  for  their  night  quarters,  establishing  them  about  a  mile  from  the 
castle,  at  a  huge  rock,  called  in  Irish  Carrig  na  Chodla  (pronounced 
Carrig  na  Hullah],  i.  e.  "Rock  of  the  Sleep,"  and  popularly  termed  in 
English  "  The  Sleepy  Eock,"  which  is  a  corruption  of  "The  Sleeping 
liock  " — a  name  given  to  the  place  by  the  peasantry,  from  the  circum- 
stance of  Green  taking  his  repose  there  while  his  sentinels  were  on  the 
watch  for  the  promised  signal  from  the  castle.  The  Sleepy  Rock  is  the 
chief  of  a  group  of  stratified,  conglomerate  rocks,  laid  bare  near  the 
summit  of  Eagle  Hill.  These  rocks  lie  on  the  site  of  the  ancient  road 
between  Clonmel  and  Dungarvan,  and  they  present  numerous  shelves 
and  recesses,  shaded  by  superincumbent  masses,  and  partially  clothed  with 
tufts  of  heath  and  fern,  grass  and  wild  flowers.  It  is  about  a  mile  from 
Sleady.  Upwards  of  three  miles  from  the  rock  is  a  kind  of  pass,  called 
the  Dhu  Clee  (Dubdh  Cloidh],  i.  e.  the  "  Dark  Fence,"  which  seems  to 
have  been  a  kind  of  fortified  road  between  two  woods;  from  thence 
Green's  "  Lis  "  is  a  mile  distant. 

Among  the  wild  crags  of  the  Sleepy  Rock,  the  outlaws  made  their 
midnight  lair  besifle  their  watch-fire.  The  whole  district  was  then 
densely  wooded,  and  frequented  by  the  wolf1  and  wild  cat,  the  fox, 

1  The   last  presentment   for  killing  a       (and  the  last,  I  think,  in  Ireland),  was  in 
wolf,  in  the  neighbouring  county,  Cork       1710. 


SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY.          305 

badger,  hedgehog,  and  weasel,  the  eagle,  raven,  hawk,  and  kite,  and 
occasionally  visited  by  wild  geese,  ducks,  cranes,  and  sea-gulls.  All 
of  these,  except  the  wolf  and  wild  cat,  are  still  denizens  or  visitors  of 
the  locality.  The  night  scene  at  the  Sleepy  Rock  must  have  been  one 
worthy  of  a  pencil  such  as  Salvator  Eosa's  :  the  dark  thick  woods, 
the  savage  crags,  the  still  more  savage  figures  grouped  amongst  them, 
round  their  fire,  with  their  wild  glibs  of  hair  hanging  over  their  faces, 
their  pointed  barrad  caps,  their  straight  trouse,  rude  brogues,  and 
long  frieze  coats,  with  skirts  divided  into  four — the  pistols  and  skean 
(dagger-knife)  in  the  girdle  ;  and  over  all  the  ample  frieze  cloak,  of 
which  Spenser  speaks  so  angrily — "  The  Irish  mantle,  a  fit  house  for  an 
outlaw,  a  meet  bed  for  a  rebel,  an  apt  cloak  for  a  thief.  .  .  .  The 
outlaw  being,  for  his  many  crimes  and  villainies,  banished  from  the  towns 
and  houses  of  honest  men,  and  wandering  in  waste  places  far  from 
danger  of  law,  maketh  his  mantle  his  house,  and  under  it  covereth 
himself  from  the  wrath  of  heaven,  from  the  offence  of  the  earth,  and  from 
the  sight  of  men.  When  it  raineth  it  is  his  pent-house ;  when  it  bloweth 
it  is  his  tent ;  when  it  freezeth  it  is  his  tabernacle."  Wrapped  in  such 
mantles,  the  banditti  at  the  Sleepy  Kock  reposed  round  their  fire,  while 
the  wakeful  sentinel  kept  watch  for  the  long-expected  signal  from  their 
ally  in  the  castle. 

Leaving  these  worthies,  we  shall  return  to  the  fair  sisters  of  Sleady. 
They  had  become  acquainted  at  Clonmel  with  three  English  officers, 
whose  names  and  rank  tradition  has  not  preserved,  though  one  of  them  is 
said  to  have  been  a  member  of  a  noble  family.  The  acquaintance  soon 
ripened  into  mutual  and  warm  attachment,  which  promised  to  terminate 
happily ;  for,  upon  the  suitors  laying  their  pretensions  before  the  mother 
of  the  fair  maidens,  they  were  favourably  received. 

It  was  now  the  summer  of  the  year  1641 — a  year  memorable  for  the 
great  rebellion  in  the  month  of  October.  Margaret,  the  eldest  of  the 
sisters,  could  not  have  been  more  than  twenty,  Catherine,  eighteen  or 
nineteen,  and  Maire  milis — the  sweet  Mary  —  about  seventeen.  The 
three  officers  having  received  an  invitation  from  the  widow  to  become 
her  guests  at  Sleady  Castle,  they  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  a  few 
days. 

It  not  being  the  fashion  in  the  seventeenth  century  for  English  officers 
to  disguise  themselves  as  civilians,  the  guests  from  Clonmel  appeared  in 
their  military  dress :  the  heavy  and  encumbering  portions  of  it  were 
laid  aside,  but  the  breastpiece  gleamed  beneath  the  stout  buff  coat, 
with  its  deep  cuffs  and  collar,  and  silver  buttons  ;  the  casque  shone 
upon  the  head ;  the  broad  scarf  crossed  the  figure  from  shoulder  to 
hip  ;  the  trusty  belt  sustained  the  heavy  sword ;  the  gorget  protected 
the  throat,  the  iron-fingered  gauntlet  the  hand  and  wrist ;  and  the  high 
horseman's  boot,  with  the  spur  on  heel,  encased  the  leg.  After  each 
officer  rode  his  servant,  with  his  master's  cloak-bag  and  valise,  or  small 
travelling  mail. 

While  "all  went  merry  as  a  marriage  bell"  in  the  state  apart- 
ments of  the  castle,  there  was  no  lack  of  rude  revelry  and  hospi- 
tality in  the  servants'  hall.  The  domestics  of  Sleady,  according  to 
their  ideas,  considered  that  the  most  proper  way  to  welcome  the 
strangers'  servants  was  to  treat  them  to  whiskey  at  a  public-house  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  castle.  On  this  festive  occasion,  the  vigilance  of  the 


306         SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY. 

widow  had  relaxed,  and  she  entrusted  the  keys  to  another  hand.  Per- 
haps she  thought  that  the  addition  of  six  men  trained  to  arms  formed  so 
strong  a  reinforcement  to  her  garrison  that  she  need  fear  nothing  during 
their  stay.  A  faintly-remembered  tradition  states  that  Pierce  M'Grath 
(the  inheritor  of  the  entailed  estates  after  the  death  of  the  minor,  Donell), 
who  was  present  at  this  fateful  visit,  was  the  person  to  whom  the 
matron  confided  her  keys.  The  Sleady  servants  petitioned  him  to  permit 
them  a  short  absence  to  "  treat  "  their  new  acquaintances,  engaging  that 
the  kitchen-maid  would  carefully  attend  to  the  drawbridge  during  their 
temporary  evasion.  Pierce  M'Grath  suffered  himself  to  be  persuaded. 
He  unlocked  the  gates,  the  servants  cautiously  lowered  the  drawbridge, 
and,  under  cover  of  the  night,  all  stole  out  to  the  neighbouring  public- 
house,  leaving  behind  them  only  the  perfidious  maid,  who,  with  an  affec- 
tation of  good-nature,  had  volunteered  to  watch  the  lowered  bridge  till 
their  return.  However,  scarcely  had  they  departed,  when  she  hurried  to 
the  top  of  the  flanking  tower,  and  there  displayed  a  light  in  the  manner 
preconcerted  between  her  and  young  Green.  The  light  was  speedily 
descried  by  the  sentinel  at  the  Sleepy  Rock,  and  Green  the  elder  collected 
his  men,  and,  favoured  by  the  darkness,  they  set  out  silently  for  the 
betrayed  castle. 

The  lady  and  her  happy  little  party  had  concluded  the  social  supper, 
when  suddenly  the  sound  of  stealthy,  yet  heavy  footsteps,  caused  them  all 
to  turn  their  eyes  towards  the  door.  It  opened.  The  doorway  and  the  pas- 
sage behind  were  crowded  with  ferocious-looking  ruffians,  armed  to  the 
teeth,  and  seeming  the  more  terrible  from  their  indistinctness,  as  but  par- 
tially revealed  by  the  light  of  the  candles  on  the  supper-table. 

The  officers  attempted  to  seize  their  swords ;  but  the  banditti,  rushing 
forwards,  overpowered  and  disarmed  them,  and  held  pistols  to  their  heads. 
The  widow,  recognizing  Green,  flung  herself  on  her  knees  before  him, 
exclaiming,  "  I  know  you,  and  I  know  your  purpose  ;  but  I  do  not  ask 
you  to  spare  my  property  ;  I  only  make  one  prayer  to  you — oh  !  for  the 
love  of  heaven  !  harm  not  my  daughters." 

"  Madam,"  replied  the  outlaw,  "  you  are  worthy  to  have  your  request 
granted,  for  you  bear  a  good  name ;  and  it  shall  be  granted,  if  your  guests 
here  remain  quiet,  and  give  us  no  trouble.  Hark,  ye,  boys  !  "  (turning  to 
the  gang,  and  holding  out  a  pistol),  "  if  the  best  among  you,  even  my  own 
son,  dares  lay  a  hand  on  that  lady  or  her  daughters,  so  long  as  these 
soldiers  are  quiet,  he  shall  receive  the  contents  of  this  through  his 
brains." 

The  matron  surrendered  all  her  keys  at  the  demand  of  Green,  who, 
with  his  men,  quitted  the  room  to  begin  their  pillage,  but  leaving  his 
son,  with  some  of  the  fiercest  of  the  band,  to  stand  guard  over  the  officers. 

And  where,  it  will  be  asked,  was  Pierce  M'Grath  the  while  ?  Tradi- 
tion says  he  was  present  during  the  whole  scene,  but  does  not  state  that 
he  took  any  active  part  or  offered  any  remonstrance. 

After  a  lapse  of  time,  the  heavy  tread  of  the  robbers  was  heard  ap- 
proaching. They  entered,  laden  with  plunder ;  and  Green,  addressing  the 
guards  whom  he  had  left  behind,  said  :  **  Come,  boys,  it  is  time  to  return 
to  our  quarters :  we  have  got  as  much  as  we  can  carry ;  so,  come  away, 
and  bring  your  prisoners  with  you." 

At  these  terrible  words,  the  lady  and  her  daughters  fell  at  the  feet  of 
Green  and  his  son,  imploring  them  to  release  their  prisoners,  and  offering 


SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY.          307 

large  ransoms,  which  they  promised  should  be  left  at  any  place  the  bandit 
would  appoint. 

"No,  madam,"  said  Green  to  the  widow;  "  my  own  safety  requires 
that  I  should  take  charge  of  these  Saxon  soldiers." 

Again  the  weeping  women  besought  the  robber.  Green  was  inex- 
orable ;  and  at  length,  bursting  into  a  rage,  he  swore,  with  a  tremendous 
oath,  that  if  he  were  thus  pestered  any  longer  he  would  blow  out  his 
prisoners'  brains,  and  hold  himself  freed  from  his  promise  to  the  widow. 
The  threat  prevailed,  and  the  robbers  left  the  apartment,  with  their 
captives  in  the  centre  of  the  band. 

Unspeakable  was  the  consternation  of  the  officers'  servants,  on  their 
return  from  the  public-house  with  the  other  domestics,  to  find  the  castle 
plundered  and  their  masters  carried  off  by  ruthless  miscreants. 

That  was  a  miserable  night  at  Sleady.  At  the  first  gleam  of  light  the 
officers'  servants  mounted,  and  gallopped  back  to  Clonmel,  to  report  their 
masters'  misfortune  to  their  corps.  The  strictest  search  was  instantly 
made  by  both  civil  and  military  authorities  to  discover  the  robbers  and 
their  prisoners  ;  but  the  former  had  abandoned  the  Sleepy  Rock  and  the 
"  Lis,"  and  could  not  be  traced  ;  and  no  ingenuity,  no  activity,  not  even 
the  proclamation  of  a  large  reward,  availed  to  procure  the  least  clue  to 
the  fate  of  the  ill-starred  officers.  For  some  time  the  sorrowing  sisters 
tried  to  hope  that  they  were  yet  safe,  that  Green  had  only  confined  them 
in  some  remote  and  secret  nook,  till  he  could  release  them  without  danger 
to  himself  or  his  band.  Though  Sleady  Castle  had  been  pillaged  of  money, 
plate,  and  jewels,  to  an  extent  that  seriously  injured  the  family,  they  dis- 
regarded their  loss  in  their  anxiety  for  their  absent  friends. 

At  length,  as  time  passed  on,  and  still  brought  no  intelligence  of  the 
missing  officers,  the  sisters  began  to  yield  to  the  miserable  conviction  that 
their  betrothed  had  been  murdered  and  buried  in  some  secret  spot  that 
defied  discovery.  The  search  relaxed,  and  was  then  given  up  as  hopeless. 
A  year  had  now  elapsed.  The  civil  war  that  had  broken  out  in  October, 
1641,  was  raging  throughout  the  country,  and  the  family  of  Sleady  were 
denounced  by  the  Government  as  rebels,  on  account  of  the  outrage 
committed  under  their  roof  on  English  officers.  At  the  close  of  this 
wretched  twelvemonth,  a  cowherd,  who  was  in  search  of  a  strayed 
heifer,  came  to  a  dark  and  solitary  glen,  watered  by  a  stream  that  rises 
in  an  adjacent  turf-bog,  and  falls  into  the  Colligan  river.  There,  in  a  deep 
pool,  in  the  bed  of  the  stream,  he  perceived  some  unusual  appearance.  He 
went  to  examine  it,  and  discovered  the  bodies  of  the  three  ill-fated  officers, 
still  clad  in  their  military  array.  He  hastened  to  Clonmel,  declared  his 
discovery  to  the  authorities,  and  claimed  the  promised  reward.  A 
detachment  was  sent  to  the  spot,  from  the  garrison,  to  remove  and  ex- 
amine the  bodies,  which,  being  but  little  decayed,1  were  still  capable  of 
complete  identification ;  and  it  was  clearly  discernible  that  they  had  been 
barbarously  murdered.  The  bodies  were  removed,  and  consigned  to  a 
consecrated  grave,  with  due  rites  and  honours ;  and  the  part  of  the  stream 
where  the  mortal  remains  were  found  is  called  to  this  day  Ath-na-Soighi- 
diura  (pronounced  Augh-na-Seedhura),  i.  e.  "the  Soldier's  Ford."2  It  lies 

1  Bogs  have   preservative   power  over  2  The   "Soldier's  Ford"  is,  I  am  in- 

animal   matter,    and  the    rivulet  above      formed,  half  a  mile  nearer  to  the  source 
mentioned  is  a  bog  stream.  of  the  stream  than  as  marked  on   the 


308         SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY. 

a  mile  from  the  "  Lis"  of  Green,  and  upwards  of  six  miles  from  Sledy. 

Of  Green  and  his  comrades,  I  have  been  unable  to  learn  anything  cer- 
tain. Some  assert  that  they  escaped  safely  out  of  the  country ;  others 
maintain  that  they  were  hunted  down  and  exterminated — some  of  them 
being  shot,  and  others  captured  and  hanged. 

The  tragedy  of  Sleady  Castle,  occurring  as  it  did  at  the  fatal  era  of 
1641,  gave  rise  to  very  serious  charges  against  the  M'Grath  family.  The 
outrage  committed  on  royalist  officers  within  the  castle,  in  the  presence 
of  its  owners,  and  by  the  treachery  of  the  household,  who  not  only 
afforded  ingress  to  the  assassins,  but  previously  lured  away  the  attendants 
of  the  victims,  leaving  the  latter  no  help  in  the  hour  of  danger ;  the  gates 
being  unlocked  by  Pierce  M'Grath  himself ;  his  non-interference,  though 
the  atrocity  was  proceeding  before  his  eyes  :  a  neutrality  which  was 
attributed  not  to  dread  of  the  ruffians,  but  to  acquiescence  with  them — 
his  own  personal  immunity — the  horse  and  sledge  which  dragged  the 
victims  to  the  slaughter  having  been  supplied  from  the  offices  of  the  castle 
— all  these  facts  appeared  condemnatory  to  the  authorities  engaged  in  the 
investigation,  who  considered  the  servants  of  Sleady  and  the  outlaws  as 
acting  in  concert  with  the  heads  of  the  family.  It  also  appeared,  in  the 
course  of  examination,  that  on  the  day  of  the  officers'  arrival  the  steward 
of  Sleady  was  riding  near  Green's  "Lis,"  when  he  was  met  by  the  robber, 
who  asked  was  there  anything  new  at  the  castle  ?  The  steward  replied 
that  three  English  officers  had  come  to  Sleady,  and  it  was  thought  they 
would  be  married  to  the  young  ladies.  He  added  that  he  was  then  going 
to  the  wood  of  Graigue-na-gowerl  to  make  some  provision  for  the  evening's 
entertainment.  As  he  turned  to  depart,  he  heard  Green  say  to  a  com- 
panion— "  Then  will  Uaithne  avenge  himself  on  the  soldiers  of  the  Sas- 
senach (Saxon),  and  rescue  from  them  the  fair  daughters  of  Morya  Philib," 
i.  e.  Mary  Philip — for  so  the  widow  of  Philip  M'Grath  was  popularly  called 
in  Irish.  It  was  asked  why  did  the  steward,  after  hearing  this,  permit 
the  servants  to  leave  the  castle  ?  All  extenuating  points  were  overlooked  ; 
the  grief  of  the  sisters  was  disregarded ;  the  pillage  of  the  castle  was 
either  disbelieved  or  considered  as  got  up  by  collusion,  for  effect.  Those 
were  days  of  passion  and  prejudice  on  all  sides  ;  and  the  whole  occurrence 
was  held  to  be  a  piece  of  deliberate  treachery  for  the  destruction  of  ser- 
vants of  the  English  crown,  and  was  consequently  adjudged  to  be  an  act 
of  treason  and  rebellion.  A  decree  of  forfeiture  went  forth  against  the 
M'Graths,  which  affected  all  their  property  :  the  estates  vested  in  Pierce, 
the  widow's  jointure  lands,  her  daughters'  inheritance,  all  were  con- 
fiscated, and  apportioned  by  the  Government  amongst  strangers. 

The  lady  and  her  children,  on  expulsion  from  their  residence,  retired 
to  a  humble  cottage,  little  more  than  half  a  mile  from  the  castle.  It  is 
still  in  existence,  though  in  a  state  of  decay.  They  were  reduced  very 
low,  and  were  just  saved  from  pauperism  by  some  small  resources — the 
fruit  of  the  matron' s  former  good  management,  which  she  had  preserved  from 

Ordnance    Survey   Map.      A  faintly-re-  a  sword  was  still  grasped  in  the  hand  of 

membered  tradition  states  that  the  un-  one  of  the  corpses. 

fortunate  officers  had  effected  their  escape  l  Graigue-na-gower  (i.e.  the  "Brambly 

from  the  rohbers,  and  were  making  their  Hill-side  of  the  Goats")  is  on  the  banks 

way  to  Clonmel  by  this  ancient  pass  when  of  the  river  Nier,  in  the  barony  of  Glena- 

they  were  overtaken  and  murdered  at  the  heira. 

ford.  It  is  asserted  that,  when  discovered, 


SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY.          309 

the  general  wreck — and  they  lived  in  their  altered  circumstances  with  a 
pious  resignation  that  gave  dignity  to  misfortune.  Although  leading  a 
life  of  great  retirement  they  were  not  forgotten,  and  the  fame  of  the 
sisters'  beauty  was  enhanced  by  the  admirable  manner  in  which  they  sus- 
tained their  trials. 

Part  of  the  Sleady  estate  had  fallen  to  the  lot  of  the  Osborne  family, 
the  head  of  which  was  Sir  Richard  Osborne,  who  had  come  over 
from  England  early  in  the  seventeenth  century,  was  created  a  baronet 
in  1629,  and  had  acquired  considerable  property  in  various  parts  of 
the  kingdom.  His  son,  who  became  the  second  Sir  Richard  Osborne, 
but  not  till  long  after  the  date  of  our  narrative),  inspired  with  the  gene- 
rous wish  of  restoring  one  of  the  innocent  sufferers  of  Sleady  to  a  share  of 
her  lost  affluence,  resolved,  with  rare  disinterestedness,  to  seek  a  wife  from 
amongst  the  impoverished  but  still  respected  family.  And  now  I  have  to 
relate  a  most  curious  and  unique  wooing,  in  the  recounting  of  which  I 
shall  "tell  the  tale  as  'twas  told  to  me"  by  an  aged  man,  who  had 
received  it  from  his  mother,  a  relative  of  the  M'Gfraths. 

One  morning,  soon  after  sunrise,  Mr.  Osborne,  attended  by  a  single 
servant,  set  out  from  his  residence  at  Cappagh,  near  Dungarvan,  and 
directed  his  course  towards  Cur ach-na- Sleady.  When  he  approached  the 
end  of  his  ride,  he  sent  his  attendant  to  wait  for  him  at  an  appointed  place, 
and  proceeded  alone  to  the  cottage  that  then  sheltered  the  last  M'Graths 
of  Sleady  Castle.  It  was  breakfast  hour  when  he  arrived  there,  and  the 
matron  herself  came  to  the  door,  and  invited  him  to  dismount  and  enter. 

"  I  thank  you,  madam,  for  your  courtesy,"  he  replied  ;  "  but  I  may 
not  alight  or  enter  till  I  know  if  I  shall  be  a  welcome  guest.  It  is  my 
ambition  to  be  the  husband  of  one  of  your  daughters,  but  I  come  to  woo 
as  a  plain  man,  in  all  sincerity,  and  without  holiday  phrases.  Suffer  me 
to  prefer  my  suit  to  your  eldest  daughter  in  my  own  brief  way.  A  few 
simple  words  will  settle  all.  If  I  am  accepted,  it  will  then  be  fitting 
time  for  me  to  enter  your  habitation,  but  not  before." 

The  widow  smiled,  but  indulged  the  suitor  in  his  eccentric  fancy ;  and, 
re-entering,  she  persuaded  her  daughter  Margaret  to  appear  to  their 
visitor,  and  hear  him.  He  at  once  made  the  offer  of  his  hand,  earnestly 
and  politely,  declaring  how  happy  and  honoured  he  should  feel  by  her 
acceptance. 

Margaret  firmly,  but  not  ungraciously,  declined  his  proposal,  alleging 
that,  blighted  as  her  fortunes  had  been,  she  could  not  endure  to  enter  his 
family  a  portionless  bride.  She  had  too  much  delicacy  to  allude  to  her 
former  unfortunate  engagement,  or  to  urge  any  personal  objection  ;  but 
it  is  asserted  that  she  afterwards  acknowledged  to  her  friends  that  she 
refused  Mr.  Osborne  because  he  was  but  a  "new  man"  in  the  country. 

"I  have  sped  but  ill,"  said  the  gallant  to  the  matron,  when  her 
daughter  had  retired ;  '  *  yet  my  desire  of  marrying  into  your  family  re- 
mains the  same.  Permit  me  an  audience  of  your  second  daughter ;  per- 
haps I  may  be  more  successful  with  her." 

The  widow,  who  appreciated  the  value  of  the  connexion  to  her  unpro- 
tected girls,  complied,  and  led  forward  her  daughter  Catherine,  to  whom 
the  gentleman  addressed  himself  in  much  the  same  terms  as  he  had  used 
to  her  sister.  She  likewise  negatived  his  offer  in  nearly  the  same  words 
as  Margaret  had  spoken. 

"Well,   madam,"  observed  the  rejected  wooer,  "this  is  but  sorry 


310  SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY. 

encouragement  to  a  farther  essay;  "yet  I  have  one  remaining  chance: 
allow  me  to  try  it  with  your  youngest  daughter." 

The  lady  acquiesced,  and  presented  Mary,  who  was  addressed  by  the 
persevering  gallant  as  her  sisters  had  been.  Mary  apparently  thought  she 
could  more  easily  conduce  to  her  mother's  comfort  as  the  wife  of  a  wealthy 
man,  whose  disinterestedness  demanded  her  gratitude,  than  as  a  helpless 
mourner  over  the  irretrievably  lost.  She  listened  to  the  proposal  with 
blushes,  and  when  the  speaker  had  concluded  she,  with  grace  and  modesty, 
accepted  his  proffered  hand.  Instantly  springing  from  his  horse,  he  caught 
her  in  his  arms,  and  ratified  the  treaty  with  an  energetic  salute  thus  ter- 
minating his  suit  as  unceremoniously  as  he  commenced  it.  "  And  now  in 
to  breakfast,"  said  he,  "  since  I  can  enter  in  the  character  that  I  wished 
— that  of  one  of  your  family."  And  he  gallantly  led  in  his  promised 
bride. 

After  "  sweet  Mary  "  became  the  wife  of  the  wealthy  Osborne  she  had 
ample  opportunities  of  indulging  her  natural  benevolence ;  and  to  this 
day  the  country  people  dwell  with  fondness  on  many  traditional  anec- 
dotes of  her  munificence  and  her  charities,  which  were  so  unbounded  that 
her  husband  was  often  obliged  to  limit  her  powers  of  bestowing,  otherwise 
her  generosity  would  have  exceeded  even  his  ample  means.  It  is  related 
of  her  that  in  her  affectionate  zeal  to  give  her  mother  consequence  she 
prevailed  on  her  husband  to  pass  to  his  Sleady  tenantry  receipts  for  their 
rents,  in  the  name  of  her  parent,  in  order  to  preserve  for  her  a  semblance 
of  authority,  and  a  shadow  of  her  former  rights  to  deck  her  fallen 
fortunes. 

In  some  time  after  Mary's  marriage,  Margaret  M'Grath  became  the 
wife  of  a  gentleman  of  her  own  county,  and  of  sufficiently  long  standing 
to  satisfy  her  pride  of  pedigree.  She  is  remembered  as  a  religious  woman  ; 
and  I  have  been  shown  by  her  descendants  a  silver  chalice,  which  she 
caused  to  be  made  for  the  celebration  of  private  Masses  in  her  house. 
Round  the  base  is  the  following  inscription  : — "  Margaretha  Cragh  uxor 
Joannis  Power  de  Clashmore  Equitas  me  fieri  fecit,  in  honor  em  Sancta  Tri- 
nitatiz  Beataque  V.  Marice,  A.  D.,  1668."  * 

The  remaining  sister  (Catherine)  was  also  married,  but  to  whom  I  am 
unable  to  say  with  any  certainty.  To  the  romantic  and  sentimental  it 
will  appear,  no  doubt,  quite  a  spoiling  of  the  legend  that  the  sisters 
should  have  ever  married,  after  the  tragical  fate  of  their  first  loves. 

Sleady  Castle  was  deserted  from  the  time  of  the  forfeiture,  and  it  fell 

1  "Margaret  Cragh,  wife  of  John  Power,*       of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  in  the  year 
of  Clashmore,  Knight,  caused  me  to  be      of  our  Lord  1668." 
made  in  honour  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  and 


*  John  Power  of  Clashmore,  who  married  Margaret  M'Grath  of  Sleady ,  was  son  and 
heir  of  John  Power  of  Clashmore,  who,  in  consideration  of  a  fine  of  £20,  was  granted 
the  lands  of  Clashmore,  Cooleboe,  Eallymaclassy,  in  the  Decies,  dated  3rd  January, 
1684.  This  John  Power  is  supposed  to  be  the  same  person  as  John  Power,  Baron  of 
Donhill,  Lord  of  Kilmedan,  who  was  dispossessed  of  his  estates  by  Cromwell.  Mr. 
De-la- Poer,  of  Gurteen-le-Poer,  says,  "  that  after  the  restoration  the  Baron  was 
amongst  those  named  to  be  restored  to  portion  of  his  estates,  and  Donoyle  was  to 
have  been  given  back  to  him,  Sir  John  Cole,  to  whom  it  had  been  granted,  being  first 
'reprised.'  This,  however,  was  not  carried  out,  and  it  seems  very  probable  that  the 
lands  of  Clashmore,  &c.,  were  granted  to  him  instead." — Note  by  GABRIEL  O'C. 
REDMOND. 


SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY.          3 1  1 

to  ruin  by  slow  degrees.  Occasionally  some  poor,  houseless  person  took 
up  his  abode,  unpermitted,  yet  unforbidden,  among  the  empty  chambers. 
The  last  lonely  dweller  there  was  a  country  schoolmaster,  about  seventy 
years  ago,  when  the  castle  was  much  more  perfect  than  at  present ;  he 
taught  his  ragged  scholars  in  the  kitchen,  but  chose  for  his  own  use  a 
room  on  the  upper  floor.  •  He  was  the  descendant  of  some  old  follower  of 
the  M'Graths,  whose  former  greatness  was  his  favourite  theme.  He  wrote 
a  kind  of  chronicle  of  that  family,  containing  a  great  deal  of  local  history, 
and  some  curious  information.1  Some  gentlemen  of  that  period,  who  had 
seen  the  manuscript,  were  anxious  it  should  be  published  ;  and  the  school- 
master made  several  efforts  to  get  it  printed  at  Clonmel  (Dublin  being 
then  beyond  reach  of  men  in  his  humble  sphere);  but  he  was  unsuccessful. 
I  have  been  unable  to  learn  what  became  of  the  MS.  after  the  death  of 
its  writer. 

After  the  schoolmaster's  decease,  Sleady  Castle  remained  wholly  deserted. 
Short,  indeed,  had  been  the  period  of  its  palmy  state  :  from  the  completion 
of  the  building  to  the  day  of  its  desolation,  by  the  decree  of  forfeiture,  it 
had  scarce  numbered  twice  seven  years.  This  ancient  family  of  the 
M'Graths  has  passed  away ;  their  place  knoweth  them  no  more  ;  their 
lands  are  held  by  other  lords,  their  strongholds  and  mansions  are  in  ruins, 
their  very  name  has  now  but  a  legendary  existence — • 

"  Omnia  tempus  edax  depascitur,  omnia  carpit ; 
Omnia  sede  movit,  nil  sinit  esse  diu." 

[Sleady  Castle  is  now  the  property  of  Richard  Power,  Esq.,  M.P.] 


1  The  Irish,  in  olden  times,  were  fond  lost,   until   an  imperfect  copy   was  dis- 
of    preserving    pedigrees,    and    writing  covered  hy  John  0' Donovan,  and  is  now 
family  chronicles.     Various  hooks  of  this  in  the  library  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin, 
kind  are  still  extant,  in  MS.,  written  by  There  is  (or  was)  a  "  Book  of  Kilronan," 
the    hereditary    bards   and   annalists    of  a   different  work,   being   a   chronicle   of 
ancient  races,  e.g.    "The   Book  of  the  events  written  by  the  clergy  of  Kilronan 
O'Kellys  of  Hy-Maine"  (a  district  that  Church,    and   commencing  at  A.  D.  900. 
comprised  the  present  county  of  Gal  way,  "The  Book  of  Bally  mote,"  written  under 
and  part   of   Roscommon),  compiled  for  the  patronage   of   Tomaltach   M'Donagh 
that  family,  in  whose  hands  it  remained  (chief  of  a  district  now  comprised  in  Sligo, 
till  1757.     Amongst  a   variety   of  other  Leitrim,  and  part  of  Roscommon),  at  his 
matter,  it  contains  pedigrees  and  accounts  residence,  Ballymote,  containing,  amongst 
of  the  chief  races,  derived  from  Nial  of  a  mass  of  other  matters,  pedigrees  of  the 
the  Nine  Hostages  ;  a  list  of  the  princes  ancient  families  of  Ireland — as  the  Hy- 
of  Hy-Maine,  from  Ceallach,  the  great  BriuinHeremonians,  the  O'Connors,  Clan- 
ancestor  of  the  O'Kellys,  down  to  1427  ;  Colla,  &c.     Early  in  the  seventeenth  cen- 
pedigrees  of    the    principal    families   of  tury  Muireadach  O'Daly  wrote  a  poem 
Ulster ;  filiations  of  the  races  descended  on  the  Fitzgerald  family,  recording  both 
from  Heber ;  many  historical  poems,  &c.  the  chief  and   the  minor  branches — the 
"The  Book  of  Fermoy,"  containing  ac-  name  of  the  head  of  each  tribe  that  branched 
counts  of  the  possessions  of  the  Roches  off  from  the  main  stock — the  principal  ac- 
of  Fermoy,  with  some  historical  tracts.  tions  of  the  family — the  castles,  abbeys, 
'The  Book  of  the  O'Duigenans,  or  Annals  and  monasteries  they  built,  &c.^    At  the 
of  Kilronan,"  a  family  chronicle  of  the  same  period  Mac  Bruodin,  hereditary  poet 
Mac  Dermott's,  compiled  by  the  O'Duige-  of  the  O'Gormans,  wrote  a  poem  on  that 
nans,   hereditary  historians  of"  Kilronan.  family,  tracing  their  pedigree,  and  show- 
It  begins  at  A.D.  1014,  and  ends  at  A.D.  ing  the  tribes  that  sprung  from  the  same 
1571.     This  work  was  supposed  to  be  root. 

4TH    8ER.,    VOL.    VIII.  -2 


312        SLEADY  CASTLE  AND  ITS  TRAGEDY. 

The  foregoing  interesting  particulars  relating  to  "  Sleady  Castle" 
came  to  my  knowledge,  some  years  ago,  in  the  form  of  a  printed 
pamphlet,  but  the  author's  name  is  to  me  quite  unknown. 

As,  however,  the  ruins  of  the  old  castle  are  situated  in  this  district, 
and  I  have  frequently  heard  the  story  corroborated  by  the  people  of  the 
locality — even  to  the  details — I  have  thought  it  my  duty,  as  Hon. 
Secretary  of  the  Society,  to  lay  the  story,  in  its  entirety,  before  the 
members  of  the  Association,  at  the  same  time  that  I  do  not,  in  any 
way,  claim  to  have  written  it. 

The  different  localities  mentioned  in  the  narrative  are  quite  familiar 
to  me.  The  description  of  the  castle  ruins  is  very  accurate,  although, 
indeed,  it  is  now  a  mere  shell.  Green's  "Lis"  can  still  be  faintly  traced; 
and  the  people  of  the  locality  point  out  "  Carrig-na-Chodla,"  or  The  Sleepy 
Rock,  and  the  spot  where  it  is  supposed  the  sentinel  watched  for  the 
signal.  Ath-na-Soighiduira,  the  "  Soldier's  Ford,"  is  also  clearly  iden- 
tified ;  and  I  believe  three  large  stones  mark  the  spot  where  the  bodies 
were  found.  It  is  a  great  pity  that  the  names  of  the  officers  have  not 
been  handed  down  to  us.  It  is  the  only  "  flaw"  in  an  otherwise  perfect 
traditional  record  of  the  seventeenth  century.  I  hope,  before  long,  to 
make  sketches  of  the  castle  and  the  places  of  interest  in  connexion  with 
the  story. 

GABRIEL  O'C.  REDMOND, 

Hon.  Local  Secretary,  Co.  Waterford. 


(     313     ) 

THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 
BY  WILLIAM  FRAZER,  F.R.C.S.I., 

Member  of  Council  and  Librarian,  Royal  Irish  Academy. 
[Continued  from  page  208.] 
No.  IV. 

MEDALS  COMMEMOKATIVE  OF  DEAN  SWIFT. — It  appears  desirable  to  collect 
together  all  the  medallic  records  of  Jonathan  Swift,  Dean  of  St.  Patrick's  ; 
they  are  far  from  numerous,  but  possess  that  special  interest  which 
invests  every  subject  connected  with  his  life  and  literary  history, 
especially  to  natives  of  Ireland. 

REV.  J.  SWIFT,  D.S.P.D. — Bust,  with  three-quarter  face  turned  to  left, 
in  wig  and  canonicals ;  contained  within  a  small  oval  frame,  supported  by 
a  winged  child  on  clouds.  Minerva  underneath,  seated  to  the  left,  having 
behind  her  a  Gorgon  shield,  and  at  her  side  a  shield,  with  Irish  harp,  to 
which  she  points ;  to  the  right  is  a  female,  with  her  arm  resting  on  a  pile 
of  books,  who  crowns  the  Dean  with  a  wreath.  Above  is  a  winged  figure 
of  Fame,  with  crescent  on  the  forehead.  Inscription  on  a  scroll  under  the 
bust.  Reverse. — Hibernia,  seated,  to  left  with  harp  and  olive-branch  ;  in 
the  background  a  shepherd  and  his  flock,  and  view  of  the  sea,  with  ships. 
In  exergue,  MDCCXXXVIII — I.E.  FECIT. 

Size,  1*5.  This  is  a  rudely- executed  medal,  cast  in  silver;  the  obverse 
is  copied  from  an  engraving  by  P.  Simms,  on  the  title-page  of  a  volume 
of  Swift's  works,  published  in  1734.  It  is  stated  in  the  British  Museum 
Catalogue  to  be  "  very  rare."  I  have  a  good  specimen. 

IONAT  SWIFT,  S.T.P.  ET.  D.S.P.  IN  Hib. — A  three-quarter  faced  bust  of 
Swift,  to  waist,  in  full  wig,  and  with  canonicals  ;  head  towards  the  right ; 
executed  in  high  relief ;  beneath  the  bust  are  the  words  NON  PAREIL. 
Reverse. — Blank,  with  the  letters  I.P.F. 

An  oval  portrait,  measuring  3'05  by  2'4.  Cast  in  iron,  with  polished 
letters.  The  portrait  is  a  close  copy  of  Virtue's  engraving,  from  which  it 
is  taken,  being  the  frontispiece  to  Swift's  works,  published  by  Faulkner, 
in  1735.  It  is  stated  by  the  writer,  in  the  "Medallic  Illustrations  of 
British  History,"  to  have  been  made  by  "  Isaac  Parkes,"  a  well-known 
die-sinker  and  medallist  in  this  city;  but  I  do  not  feel  disposed  to  accept 
the  statement.  The  original,  and  I  believe,  unique  specimen,  in  the  British 
Museum  was  purchased  at  a  sale  of  the  late  Dr.  R.  R.  Madden' s,  and, 
owing  to  the  kindness  of  the  Museum  authorities,  I  obtained  an  excellent 
replica.  Dr.  Aquilla  Smith  possesses  an  impression — a  round,  not  oval — 
made  in  gutta-percha,  which  he  took  from  the  original  iron  mould  or  die 
that  was  in  the  possession  of  Sir  "William  Wilde,  who  purchased  it  in 
Dublin,  and  which  was  broken  by  him  in  his  endeavouring  to  obtain  im- 
pressions. The  fragments  were,  I  understand,  thrown  away  or  lost.  I 

Z2 


314       ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

consider  this  die  was  made  about  the  time  of  the  last-described  medal,, 
and  the  unique  iron  casting  made  from  it  for  some  special  object — pos- 
sibly for  the  lid  of  a  box. 

See  Madden's  "  Sale  Catalogue,"  1865,  where  he  describes  it  as 
11  unique  and  valuable,"  and  conjectures  it  was  made  in  Prance. 

DEAN  SWIFT. — A  medal  intended  by  "William  S.  Mossop  to  form  one 
of  his  projected  series  of  illustrious  Irishmen,  which  he  never  completed. 
The  die  of  this  medal  was  left  unhardened,  and  without  inscription.  I 
have  already  described  it. 

DEAN  SWIFT.  —A  little  medallet,  with  portrait  of  the  Dean,  who  is 
represented  late  in  life,  attired  with  full  wig,  bands,  and  robes  to- 
waist.  He  is  full-faced,  and  looks  to  the  left.  Inscribed,  j.  s.  D.  D. — 
s.  P.  D.  Reverse. — Blank. 

Size,  '6.  Struck  in  silver.  This  exceptionally  rare  medal  is,  I 
believe,  the  work  of  one  of  the  Mossops.  The  die  is  lost.  I  have  a 
good  specimen. 

DEAN  SWIFT. — In  a  framed  collection  of  impressions  of  seals  in  wax, 
belonging  to  the  Mossops,  was  discovered  the  original  portrait  from 
which  the  last-described  medallet  was  copied.  It  was  extremely  well 
cut,  and  appears  to  have  been  a  striking  likeness.  I  got  it  reproduced 
in  silver  by  electrotyping,  and  wish  to  record  it  to  prevent  mistakes 
hereafter.  The  costume  differs  somewhat,  and  is  more  in  detail.  OvaL 
Size,  1-1  by  -9. 


THE  LOUTH  ELECTION,  IST  Nov.,  1755. — A  rock  rises  from  the  sea,  on 
which  Hibernia  stands,  holding  a  harp  ;  the  four  winds  How  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  rock.  Inscription,  FIRM  TO  OUR  COUNTRY  AS  THE  ROCK  IN  THE 
SEA.  Reverse. — BY  OUR  |  STRICT  |  UNION  IN  LOUTH  J  WE  DISAPPOINTED  THE 

|  HOPES  OF  OUR  ENEMIES  |   ON  THE  1   OF  NOVEM   |    1755  IN  THE    29  YEAR  |   OP 
TITE    REIGN  OF   |   K  GEO  THE  II   |   WHOM  GOD  LONG   |   PRESERVE   |    .       Above  is    a 

heart,  with  two  hands  united  together,  and  around  the  inscription,  MAY 

THE  LOVERS  OF  LIBERTY  NEVER  LOSE  IT. 

Size,  1*75.  Struck  in  silver ;  and  some  years  since  one  in  lead  appeared 
for  sale  in  a  catalogue.  It  is  not  a  common  medal,  and  was  made  for  the 
Louth  Independent  Club,  which  succeeded  in  returning  Thomas  Tipping 
and  Hon.  W.  Fortescue  as  members  of  Parliament,  in  opposition  to  Mr. 
Bellingham.  It  resembles  the  work  of  Thomas  Ping,  who  probably 
struck  it. 

COUNTY  WESTMEATH  ELECTION,  25in  JULY,  1768. — Liberty,  embracing 
a  pillar  with  her  right  arm,  and  supporting  herself  by  it ;  her  left  resting 
on  a  shield ;  casque  and  other  emblems  lying  at  her  feet :  VINCIT  AMOR 
PATRIAE  ANNO  1768.  Reverse. — A  hand  presenting  a  civic  crown — PRE- 
SENTED TO  THE  RIGHT  HONOURABLE  A  MALONE  BY  THE  FREE  AND  INDEPENDENT 
ELECTORS  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTMEATH  IN  ACKNOWLEDGMENT  OF  HI» 
STRENUOUS  &  SUCCESSFUL  SUPPORT  OF  THEIR  INTERESTS  ON  THE  25  OF  JULY, 
1768. 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.        315 

As  I  have  not  this  medal,  the  description  is  imperfect.  Anthony  Malone, 
n  in   1700,   represented  Westmeath  for  several  years.     In  1757,  he 

became  Chancellor  of  the  Irish  Exchequer,  and  afterwards  a  member  of 

the  Privy  Council.     He  died  8th  May,  1776. 

THE  TRUE  PATRIOT  SOCIETY,  1754  ?— A  bust,  with  bald  head,  on  a 
pedestal  to  right.  Motto :  DULCE  ET  DECORUM  EST  PRO  PATRIA  MORI.  Reverse. 
— Hibernia,  represented  standing,  holding  an  Irish  harp,  inscribed 

LIBERTAS    ET  NAT  ALE  SOLUM. 

Size,  1-6.  Struck  in  silver.  There  is  an  impression  in  the  Royal  Irish 
Academy.  I  know  nothing  of  its  history.  In  Sanders'  Sale  Catalogue 
it  is  ascribed  to  the  "  True  Patriot  Society." 

MEDAL  OF  THE  CHARITABLE  MUSICAL  SOCIETY. — Pero  is  represented 
nursing  her  father,  Cimou,  within  a  prison.  Inscription,  i  WAS  IN  PRISON 
AND  YE  CAME  UNTO  ME.  Reverse. — An  open  music-book,  with  several 
musical  instruments,  and  outside  a  name  is  engraved  of  the  owner,  within 
a  border. 

Size,  1*5.  Struck  in  bronze.  I  possess  two  different  medals  ;  one  of 
much  earlier  workmanship,  and  rude  execution,  with  large  letters  ;  it  has 
the  name  of  ROB  STEPHENSON  ESQ.  The  second  medal  is  of  better  fabrica- 
tion, and  later  date  of  manufacture  ;  of  this  I  have  two  examples  with  the 
names  of  IOHN  CVRTIS  &  RICHD  NELSON. 

There  is  frequent  mention  in  Faulkner's  Journal  of  "  The  Charitable 
Musical  Society  for  the  benefit  and  enlargement  of  poor  distressed  prisoners 
for  debt  in  the  several  marshalseas  of  the  city  of  Dublin."  This  was  held  in 
the  Bull's  Head  Tavern  in  Fisharnble- street,  and  removed,  in  1741,  to  their 
great  music-hall  in  the  same  street.  It  was  only  one  of  a  numerous  fol- 
lowing, such  as  the  Charitable  Musical  Society,  held  at  "  The  Bear,"  iu 
College-green;  the  Charitable  Musical  Society,  in  Yicar-street,  for  en- 
larging the  fund  for  the  reception  of  the  sick  and  wounded  poor  of  this 
kingdom  into  Dr.  Steevens's  Hospital ;  the  Charitable  Musical  Society 
in  Crow-street;  and  the  Musical  Society  in  Werburgh -street.  There  were 
likewise  similar  Associations  founded  in  Cork,  Drogheda,  &c.  ;  but  the 
Fishamble-street  Society  appears  to  have  been  the  principal  one,  and  had 
the  honour  of  taking  a  prominent  part  in  inviting  Handel  to  visit  Dublin, 
in  1741.  It  probably  experienced  the  usual  vicissitudes  of  Irish  societies, 
and  declined  until  1757,  when  Lord  Mornington  revived  it  so  effectually 
that,  by  the  loan  of  small  sums  of  money,  it  relieved  nearly  1300  distressed 
families.  Finally  it  developed  into  the  "  Charitable  Musical  Loan,"  which 
still  exists,  though  marshalseas  and  their  wretched  inhabitants  have  long 
since  disappeared. 

ASSOCIATION  OF  PAINTERS  AND  SCULPTORS. — A  boy  is  represented  sculp- 
turing a  bust,  and  behind  him  another  with  pallet  and  colours ;  in  the 
background  a  column  with  capital.  Reverse. — Marked,  EXHIBITION  TICKET. 

This  Association  nourished  about  1756.  It  erected,  with  the  assistance 
of  a  parliamentary  grant,  an  exhibition-room  in  William-street,  but  was 
not  incorporated,  and  falling  into  difficulties,  was  ejected  in  1800  from  the 
rooms,  which  became  the  "  City  Hall."  Probably  it  was  one  of  these 
medals  which  is  described,  in  a  sale  catalogue  in  Edinburgh,  as  "  belonging 
to  a  Dublin  Society  of  artists,  with  figures  emblematic  of  sculpture  and 


316        ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

painting.     Presented  to  N.  Eevelt,   5th  March,  1771,"  with  hook  for 
suspension. 

FRIENDLY  BROTHERS  OF  ST.  LUKE — There  is  in  the  Royal  Irish  Academy 
an  engraved  medal  in  copper,  having  this  inscription,  and  a  representation 
of  St.  Luke  as  a  painter,  and  behind  him  a  bull's  head. 

Size,  2-5.  There  is  no  record  of  this  association,  so  far  as  I  can 
ascertain;  it  was  probably  one  of  the  minor  artistic  clubs  of  Dublin 
about  1760. 

PRIMATE  ROKEBT. — A  bust  similar  to  that  in  Mossop'e  medal,  to  right ; 
inscribed,  RICH  HIBERN  PRIMUS  BARO  ROKEBY  DE  ARMAGH.  Reverse. — A  view 
of  the  Library,  Armagh,  TO  TH2  *YKH2  IATPEION ;  and  in  the 
exergue,  BIBLIOTH  ARMAC  |  MDCCLXXI  |  KIRKE  r  |  . 

Size,  1*5.  A  bronze  impression  in  Koyal  Irish  Academy.  The  Pri- 
mate was  born  in  Yorkshire,  in  1709  ;  became  primate  in  1765,  and  was 
subsequently  created  Baron  Rokeby  ;  he  died  10th  October,  1794.  This 
medal  commemorates  his  erection  of  the  Library  in  Armagh.  That 
struck  by  Mossop  records  his  gift  of  the  Observatory.  The  artist,  John 
Kirke,  was  a  pupil  of  Dassier's,  and  obtained  premiums  from  the  Society 
of  Arts ;  he  became  a  member  of  the  Incorporated  Society  of  Artists, 
and  exhibited  medals  at  their  annual  exhibitions.  He  died  in  London, 
27th  November,  1776. 

DEBATING  SOCIETY,  TRINITY  COLLEGE. — I  have  described  two  early- 
struck  medals  of  the   "  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY,"  in  connexion  with 
the  works  of  the  elder  Mossop.     Owing  to  the  kindness  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Carson,  the   following  medal  of  THE   DEBATING   SOCIBTY  |  TRINT  COLL"  | 
DUBLIN,  is  recorded.     It  bears,  in  addition,  the  words,  ADJUDGED  THL* 

MEDAL   TO   I  BOB*  HICKSON   |  FOR    HIS   DISTINGUISHED   |   MERIT    IN  |   ORATORY  | 

JUNE  19TH  1795  |  .     Reverse. — A  wreath  of  oak  and  laurel.     Motto,  NEC 

ABEST   |  FACUNDIS  |  GRATIA  |  DICTIS. 

Size,  1*5.  Struck  in  silver,  with  loop  for  suspension.  The  inscription 
is  engraved;  but  it  appears  deserving  of  record  in  relation  to  the  history 
of  the  literary  societies  of  Trinity  College. 

UNION  BETWEEN  GREAT  BRITAIN  AND  IRELAND. — Two  emblematic 
figures  of  females  are  represented  with  joined  hands  ;  one  bears  a  cadu- 
ceus  and  shield  of  arms  ;  the  other  has  a  copia  and  olive  branch.  Motto,. 

IUNGUNTOR   OPES.    FIRMATUR  IMPERIUM.    I.  JAN  MDCCCI. 

Size,  2*1.  Struck  in  silver,  copper,  and  copper-gilt.  As  I  have  not 
this  medal  the  description  is  incomplete. 

UNION  BETWEEN  GREAT  BRITAIN  AND  IRELAND  (2nd  Medal). — Two 
female  figures,  emblematic  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  with  blazoned 
shield  and  harp  resting  against  an  altar,  support  a  bundle  of  fasces, 
to  which  they  are  binding  an  olive  branch ;  behind  is  a  pyramid,  in- 
dicating solidity.  Motto,  FRIENDSHIP  UNION  AND  PEACE.  In  exergue, 
the  date  1800  ;  and  in  small  letters,  HANCOCK  on  base  line.  Reverse. — 
Above,  an  open  volume,  inscribed  ONE  |  LAW,  lying  on  a  sceptre  and 
olive  wreath,  GREAT  |  BRITAIN  |  AND  IRELAND  |  UNITED  |  MDCCC  |  .  Beneath, 
a  lion  resting  on  an  anchor,  with  scales  of  justice;  to  right  an  oak,  and 
to  left  a  shamrock ;  p  K  underneath. 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.          317 

Size,  1-55.  There  is  a  silver  impression  in  the  Royal  Irish  Academy.  I 
have  a  bronze  proof,  and  have  seen  one  in  white  metal,  in  the  possession 
of  Mr.  Robertson  of  Kilkenny.  The  artist,  J.  G.  Hancock,  executed 
several  good  medals,  and  excelled  in  engraving  portrait  dies  towards  the 
end  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

UNION  BETWEEN  GREAT  BRITAIN  AND  IRELAND  (3rd  Medal). — Time, 
standing  on  a  section  of  the  globe,  drops  its  hour-glass,  and  receives 
another  from  a  hand  in  the  clouds.  Marked,  in  small  letters,  HANCOCK. 
Reverse. — The  shamrock,  rose,  and  thistle,  with  inscription,  MAT  THIS  AND 

EVERY  FUTURE  AGE  WITNESS  THE  PROSPERITY  OF  THE  UNITED    KINGDOMS  ;    and 

in  exergue,  JANUART  1"  1801. 

Size,  1*65.     Struck  in  white  metal.     Royal  Irish  Academy. 

DEFEAT  OF  THE  FRENCH  FLEET,  OCTOBER,  17 98. — Bust,  in  naval  uniform, 

to  right,   SIR  J  B  WARREN  BART  K  B  REAR  ADMIRAL  OF  THE  BLUE  ;  On  the    arm, 

in  small  letters,  HANCOCK.  Reverse. — Hibernia,  turned  to  the  left,  is  seated, 
playing  on  a  harp,  and  holding  with  one  hand  an  olive  branch ;  shield 
at  her  side  with  cannon,  balls,  &c.  ;  British  ship  and  two  smaller  vessels 
at  a  distance.  Above,  on  a  raised  rim  is  inscribed,  ATTACKED  AND  DEFEATED 

THE    FRENCH   SQUADRON    ON    THE    COAST  OF  IRELAND.      In  exergue,  OCTR    12™ 

1798. 

Size,  2-5.  Struck  in  bronze  ;  in  Royal  Irish  Academy.  The  admiral 
was  no  relation  to  Sir  J.  Borlase  Warren,  of  Co.  Cork,  who  was  born  about 
the  date  of  this  battle,  and  baptized  after  the  name  of  his  distinguished 
namesake.  Another  medal,  which  is  "  anonymous,"  was  struck  in  com- 
memoration of  the  same  victory,  and  may  be  appropriately  considered 
here. 

DEFEAT  OF  THE  FRENCH  FLEET  (No.  2). — Three-quarter  bust,  in  naval 
costume,  to  left.  SR  J  B  WARREN  BARONET.  KB.;  and  in  small  letters,  below 
the  bust,  THE  LORD  OF  HOSTS  is  WITH  us.  Reverse. — Two  war  ships  en- 
gaged. Inscription,  THE  SISTER  COUNTRY  AGAIN  RESCUED  FROM  INVASION. 
In  exergue,  BREST.  SQUADRON  DEFEAT"  |  OFF  TORY  ISLAND  |  OCTOBER  12. 
1798, 

Size,  1-65.  Struck  in  bronze,  of  which  I  have  an  impression.  Sir 
J.  B.  Warren  captured  the  "  La  Hogue  "  and  four  large  French  frigates. 
He  was  Ambassador  to  St.  Petersburgh  in  1802,  and  died  in  1822. 

There  are  a  few  medals  respecting  which  I  have  obtained  imperfect 
information,  and  would  place  them  on  record  in  the  hope  of  hereafter 
acquiring  further  knowledge  respecting  their  history. 

RICHARD  KIRWAN,  LL.D.,  F.R.S. — In  the  year  1792  a  medal,  struck 
in  Irish  gold,  was  presented  to  him  by  the  Dublin  Society,  in  recognition 
of  his  exertions  in  procuring  for  that  Society  the  Leskean  collections  of 
minerals  and  other  objects  of  natural  history,  for  which  purpose  a  vote 
of  £1200  was  granted  by  the  Irish  Parliament;  and  to  obtain  their 
possession  he  went  to  Germany,  and  afterwards  arranged  the  minerals. 
He  had  previously  obtained  the  Copley  Medal  of  the  Royal  Society  for 
his  chemical  researches,  and  was  elected  president  of  the  Royal  Irish 
Academy  in  October,  1797,  which  he  continued  to  hold  until  his  death, 
in  1812.  His  portrait  is  preserved  in  the  council-room  of  the  Academy ; 


318      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

and  an  excellent  memoir,  published  by  Michael  Donovan,  M.R.I.A.,  is 
contained  in  the  Appendix  to  the  4th  volume  of  their  Proceedings.  I 
have  not  succeeded  in  obtaining  further  information  about  this  medal. 

AUNGIER- STREET  THEATRE,  DUBLIN. — On  May  8th,  1733,  this  theatre 
was  commenced,  four  foundation  stones  being  laid  by  the  Right  Hon. 
Richard  Tighe,  Hon.  General  Napier,  William  Tighe,  Esq.,  and  Hon.  Sir 
Edward  Lovett  Pearce,  Surveyor-General  of  the  King's  Works  in  Ireland. 
Each  stone  was  laid  to  the  sound  of  trumpets,  bands  of  music,  &c.  ;  and 
under  each  of  them  were  placed  "  medals,"  struck  for  the  occasion  by  the 
managers  of  the  old  Theatre  Royal.  Wine  and  ale  were  freely  dis- 
tributed, presents  made  to  the  workmen,  and  all  the  proceedings  wound 
up  by  a  dinner.  See  the  Irish  Builder  of  April  1,  1879. 

I  am  not  aware  of  any  record  of  these  medals  except  the  notice  above 
given. 

SLIGO  SOUP  TICKET. — Struck  in  brass,  with  blank  reverse.  Size,  '9. 
This  little  medallet  was  probably  made  in  the  year  1798,  when  soup 
shops  were  opened  under  Government  to  relieve  the  prevalent  distress  of 
the  poor  ;  but  there  is  no  certain  knowledge  of  its  history  to  record. 

THE  RT.  HOBBLE.  JOHN  POSTER. — Three-quarter  bust,  in  full  robes 
and  wig,  as  Speaker  of  the  Irish  House  of  Commons ;  turned  towards 
right.  On  the  sleeve,  in  minute  letters,  D  B  HILL  F.  Reverse,  inscribed 

SPEAKER  |   OF  THE   |  IRISH   HOUSE   |   OF  |   COMMONS  |    1799. 

Size,  1-6.  This  is  a  pewter  medal,  of  rather  rude  workmanship.  The 
specimen  which  I  have  is  the  only  one  that  has  fallen  under  my  notice, 
and  it  appears,  therefore,  to  be  of  rare  occurrence.  The  name  of  its 
fabricator  is  not  contained  in  the  city  directories  of  the  time,  and  I  know 
nothing  of  him. 

JAMES    BRUSH. 

JAMES  BRUSH  is  designated  in  Watson's  Dublin  Directory  for  1797  as  a 
jeweller  and  Madeira  wine  merchant,  residing  at  7,  Andrew-street.  We 
have  an  advertisement  of  his  appearing  in  the  Dublin  Chronicle  news- 
paper on  January  6th,  1789,  which  states:— "  In  the  seal  line,  he 
presumes  to  say  that  no  person  in  this  city  can  equal  him  for  neatness 
and  durability  of  the  settings.  He  has  engaged  an  eminent  seal-engraver 
from  London,  specimens  of  whose  work  are  ready  for  inspection  ;  among 
them  is  a  striking  likeness  of  Mr.  Grattan."  Engraved  portraits  of  the 
popular  patriot  were  in  demand ;  and  from  a  ring  in  my  possession,  with 
the  likeness  engraved  on  bloodstone,  Mr.  Brush's  assertion  of  the  high 
quality  of  his  work  appears  to  be  fully  sustained.  He  was  treasurer  to 
the  Masonic  Female  Orphan  School  (founded  in  the  year  1797,  by  Lodges 
190  and  15)  in  1800,  at  which  time  it  was  located  in  Cullenswood,  and 
he  then  handed  it  over  to  the  charge  of  Grand  Lodge.  His  connexion 
with  Irish  medallic  history  depends  on  the  two  following  medals  that 
bear  his  name.  They  are  stigmatized  by  Dean  Dawson,  in  his  Paper 
on  Irish  Medals  and  Medallists,  as  "miserable  in  point  of  design  and 
workmanship;"  but  the  expression  is  rather  strong,  and  they  possess 
interest  regarded  as  historic  records. 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.        319 

ORANGE  SOCIETY. — William  the  Third  is  represented  on  horse,  to 
right,  within  a  border  of  flowers,  probably  lilies.  On  a  scroll  above, 
THE  GLORIOUS  MEMORY  ;  and  underneath,  ZING  AND  CONSTITUTION.  Reverse. 
— A  sword  and  sceptre  crossed;  behind  a  crown,  within  wreaths  of  leaves, 
bearing  lilies  ;  and  below,  on  a  scroll,  GOD  SAVE  THE  KING.  Marked,  in 
small  letters,  BRUSH,  underneath  the  wreaths. 

This  medal  is  of  oval  shape,  with  ring  for  suspension,  measuring  1*5 
by  1'4.  Struck  in  silver.  Dean  Dawson  is  of  opinion  that  this  was 
the  original  badge  of  the  Orange  Association,  and  struck  soon  after  it  was 
founded  in  17 97-98. 

I  have  allowed  the  above  statement  to  remain  unchanged,  but  fear, 
like  many  other  alleged  "facts"  in  Irish  history,  it  is  not  correct. 
The  history  of  Orange  societies  remains  to  be  written.  As  a  contribution 
to  the  subject,  I  would  refer  to  p.  236  of  Charles  Topham  Bowden's 
Tour  through  Ireland  for  Two  Months,  commencing  23rd  August,  1790  ; 
published  in  Dublin  in  1791.  He  states,  when  at  Belfast,  "I  was 
introduced  to  the  Orange  lodge  by  a  Mr.  Hyndeman,  a  merchant  of  the 
town.  This  lodge  is  composed  of  about  three  hundred  gentlemen, 
amongst  whom  are  the  Hon.  Mr.  O'Neil,  the  Marquis  of  Antrim,  the 
Marquis  of  Downshire,  the  Earl  of  Hillsborough,  and  many  others  of  the 
first  consequence  and  property.  Mr.  Hyndeman  informed  me  this  lodge 
was  founded  by  a  Mr.  Griffith." 

BATTLE  OF  COLOONY. — The  arms  of  Limerick.  A  gate,  with  two 
castles  ;  and  behind,  a  turret  with  flag  flying ;  within  wreaths  of  olive 
and  palm.  Marked,  CORPORATION  AND  CITIZENS  OF  LIMERICK.  Reverse. — 
A  Royal  crown,  within  olive  wreaths,  TO  THE  HEROES  OF  COLOONY  5TH  SEP* 
1798  ;  and,  in  small  letters,  BRUSH. 

Size,  1-6.  Struck  in  silver,  to  commemorate  the  engagement  of  a 
detachment  of  Limerick  Militia  corps  of  yeomanry  and  four  curricle 
guns,  under  Colonel  Yereker,  against  General  Humbert,  commanding  the 
invading  French  troops  and  Irish  insurgents.  The  detachment  under 
Colonel  Vereker's  command  did  not  exceed  300  ;  though  obliged  to  retire, 
they  saved  Sligo,  and  thus  defeated  Humbert's  attack. 

DUBLIN  SOCIETY. — Seated  and  plumed  figure  of  Minerva,  with  copia 
and  shield,  on  which  is  represented  a  harp,  surrounded  by  the  motto, 
NOSTRI  PLENA  LABORis,  in  very  large  letters.  Reverse,  blank  for  engraving. 

An  oval  medal,  struck  in  silver,  with  loop  for  suspension.  Size,  1-7  by 
1-5.  The  example  I  have  is  dated  1793  ;  and,  from  the  similarity  of  the 
lettering  used  in  the  motto  with  Brush's  other  medals,  I  would  ascribe  it 
to  the  same  workman  who  made  them — possibly  some  die-sinker  or 
button-maker  employed  by  Brush,  as  a  matter  of  trade — for  it  is  not 
probable  that  a  "  jeweller  and  Madeira  wine  merchant"  either  fabricated 
dies  or  had  a  press  for  striking  medals.  I  have  a  record  of  this  medal 
being  given  also  in  1795  to  William  Robertson,  kindly  communicated 
to  me  by  the  Secretary  to  the  Royal  Historical  and  Archaeological 
Association,  J.  G.  Robertson,  Esq.,  of  Kilkenny. 


320        ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 


JOHN    JONES. 

JOHN  JONES. — This  medallist  would  deserve  slight  notice  except  for 
his  continuing  to  strike  medals  from  Mossop's  designs  and  dies  after  the 
death  of  that  great  artist.  He  is  reported  to  have  come  from  Liverpool, 
and  commenced  his  career  "by  pulling  the  rope  for  Mossop's  coining  press. 
He  died  about  1880.  At  one  period  of  his  life  he  went  to  America  and 
made  some  money.  Strange  stories  are  told  of  the  mode  in  which  he 
dissipated  his  earnings. 

QUEEN  VICTORIA. — Head,  to  left,  with  coronet;  marked,  in  small 
letters  on  the  neck,  JONES.  F. 

An  unfinished  die,  copied  from  the  head  on  army  medals,  and 
purchased  with  other  dies  by  Mr.  Woodhouse.  I  have  a  lead  proof. 
Size,  1-6. 

O'CoNNELL. —  Head  and  bust,  to  right,  D  O'CONNELL  ESQ*  M  p  THE 
UNDAUNTED  ASSEETOE  OF  IEELANDS  EIGHTS;  below  the  bust,  in  small  letters, 
JONES.  Reverse. — Figure  of  Hibernia,  seated,  with  spear  and  cap  of 
Liberty.  EMANCIPATION  OBTAINED  APEIL  13.  1829.  In  exergue,  JONES  F. 

The  portrait  is  copied  from  Mossop's  medal  of  O'Connell,  of  reduced 
size.  The  reverse  is  an  unblushing  appropriation  of  Mossop's  reverse 
for  the  Centenary  of  the  House  of  Hanover,  with  the  addition  of  a  spear 
and  cap  of  Liberty,  and  a  risen  sun  substituted  for  that  rising  above 
the  ocean.  I  have  a  bronze  medal  and  white  metal  proof.  Size,  2-0. 

O'CONNELL  (No.  2). — Head  and  bust,  as  last.     Reverse. — O'CONNELL — 

EUTHVEN — & EEPEAL — OF  THE LEGISLATIVE — UNION,    Within    Wreath.8   of 

shamrocks. 

Size,  2*0.     I  have  examples  in  bronze  and  white  metal. 

O'CONNELL  (No.  3).— Obverse  as  last.  Reverse. — An  urn,  with  flames 
at  top ;  and  at  the  sides  weeping  willows,  rising  from  a  pedestal ;  in- 
scribed, D  O'CONNELL — BOEN  AUG  6TH  1775 — DIED  MAY  15  1847  ;  and  in 
exergue,  JONES — DUBLIN. 

Size,  2-0.     In  white  metal,  which  I  have. 

OEANGE  MEDAL. — William  the  Third,  on  horse.  A  repetition  of 
Mossop's  medal,  with  JONES  .  F  in  exergue.  Reverse. — Royal  arms,  with 
lion  and  unicorn  ;  KING  AND  CONSTITUTION,  at  upper  part  of  medal.  Lower 
portion  blank.  Also  struck  from  a  Mossop  die. 

Size,  1'7.     Bronze. 

OEANGE  MEDAL  (No.  2). — William,  on  horseback.  THE  GLOEIOUS  ANI> 
IMMOETAL  MEMOEY.  In  exergue,  JONES  .  F.  Reverse. — Royal  arms,  KINO 
AND  CONSTITUTION  ;  and  below,  JONES  F. 

Size,  1-4.  This  I  have,  struck  in  bronze  and  white  metal.  The 
obverse  is  Mossop's  die.  The  reverse,  one  of  his  dies  re-hubbed  with 
trifling  variations. 

OEANGE  MEDAL  (No.  3). — In  centre,  a  bust  of  William,  in  armour,  to 
left.  Two  rows  of  inscriptions  ;  outside,  PEOTESTANT  CONFEDEEATION — 

1360  1535  1688  1801 

NON  NOS  SED  GEATIA  DEI ;  within,  WICKLIFF,  EEFOEMATION,  WILLIAM,  UNION 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.       321 

beneath  the  head,  in  minute  letters,  JONES  F.  Reverse. — An  open  Bible, 
with  rays,  HOLY  BIBLE  4  OCT  1535.  1  PE.  CH  2.  vs  17,  within  a  tri- 
angle ;  ORDER,  LOVE,  TRUTH,  at  the  sides  ;  around  all,  a  garter ;  and  above 
a  Royal  crown. 

Size,  2-0.  In  white  metal,  of  which  I  have  an  impression  ;  and  in 
bronze,  in  the  Royal  Irish  Academy. 

IRISH  CONSTABULARY  MEDAL. —  Harp,  with  Imperial  crown;  under- 
neath are  wreaths  of  oak  and  shamrock  ;  REWARD  OF  MERIT.  IRISH  CON- 
STABULARY. Reverse. — Blank,  with  wreaths  of  olive  and  shamrock. 

Size,  1*5.  Presented  in  silver  to  officers  and  men,  who  distinguished 
themselves  during  the  Fenian  disturbances  in  1868,  by  the  Lord 
Lieutenant.  I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 

ROYAL  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY  OF  IRELAND. — A  harp,  crowned ;  and 
underneath,  in  small  letters,  INSTITUTED  1841.  Reverse. — Blank,  with 
wreaths  of  palm,  olive,  and  oak;  underneath,  JONES. 

Size,  1*5.  The  impression  in  my  cabinet  is  in  white  metal.  It  was 
issued  in  silver. 

NORTH-EAST  SOCIETY  OF  IRELAND. — Cattle,  with  view  of  distant  hills  ; 
in  exergue,  ESTABLISHED  |  1826.  Reverse. —  A  blank  centre,  with  corn 
wreaths,  and  above,  ADJUDGED  TO.  JONES,  in  small  letters,  inscribed  on 
both  sides. 

Size,  2'0.  I  have  fine  bronze  proofs.  Dean  Dawson  designates  this 
as  his  "  premium  medal."  If  really  his  own  handiwork,  it  is  well 
finished  and  deserving  of  the  dean's  praise,  being  in  taste  and  execution 
a  very  beautiful  performance. 

FARMING  SOCIETY. — Is  inscribed  beneath  wreaths  of  corn,  with  blank 
centre  for  inscription.  Reverse,  also  blank,  with  a  plough  at  upper  part, 
and,  in  small  letters,  JONES  F. 

Size,  1-6.  Struck  in  silver.  That  which  I  have  is  engraved 
"Tipperary  Union,  1856." 

TEMPERANCE  MEDAL. — Shield,  with  lamb  and  IHS;  above,  a  cross, 
with  rays.  Supporters,  a  man  and  woman  with  banners,  inscribed, 
SOBRIETY — DOMESTIC  COMFORT.  The  man  is  being  crowned  by  a  flying  angel, 
underneath  are  two  seated  children,  with  shamrock,  rose,  and  thistle. 
Inscription,  IN  HOC  SIGNO  VINCES.  In  exergue,  in  small  letters,  JONES. 
Reverse. — A  cross  inscribed  with  the  temperance  vow,  and  FOUNDED  10™ 
APRIL,  1838.  Around  are  the  words,  THE  TOTAL  ABSTINENCE  SOCIETY  OF 

IRELAND. THE  VERY  REVD  T  MATHEW  PRESIDENT. 

Size,  1-7.  Struck  in  silver.  Engraved  around  the  edge  of  this 
medal  is,  PRESENTED  TO  DAVID  M  HENNESSY  BY  THE  VERY  REVD  THEOBALD 
MATHEW  OCTR  1841.  Imitating  the  regal  example  of  giving  a  medal  to 
persons  who  sought  relief  from  "  king's  evil,"  Father  Mathew,  too, 
liberally  decorated  those  he  wished  to  rescue  from  a  far  worse  affliction  ; 
his  liberality  entailed  disastrous  results,  leading  to  such  difficulties  as 
shortened  the  life  of  this  most  estimable  man.  I  have  a  manuscript 
volume,  compiled  from  original  letters  and  documents  by  his  private 
secretary  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  temperance  movement  under  Father 


322      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

Mathew.     Jones  struck  other  temperance  medals,  with  slight  differences 
in  the  inscriptions. 

TEMPERANCE  MEDAL.  — Similar  to  last,    but  both  figures  are  being 
crowned  by  angels ;  and  in  exergue,  JONES  DUBLIN. 
Size,  1*3.     I  have  a  silver  impression. 

SCHOOL  MEDAL. — I  have  a  bronze  medal,  withMossop's  inscription  of 
Barrett  and  Bernes'  school ;  and  on  the  reverse  are  olive  wreaths,  with 
blank  centre  ;  marked,  in  small  letters,  JONES. 

Size,  T6.  Struck  in  bronze.  It  was  probably  struck  as  a  show- 
piece or  pattern  by  Jones. 

SCHOOL  MEDAL. — A  copy  of  Mossop's  seated  Minerva,  with  MERIT  HAS 
ITS  REWARD  ;  in  exergue,  JONES.  Reverse.  — Wreaths,  same  as  last- 
described  medal. 

Size,  1'6.     I  have  a  bronze  impression. 

SCHOOL  MEDAL. —  A  group  of  globe,   lyre,   books,   &c.  ;    marked  in 
exergue,  JONES.     Reverse. — Blank  centre,  with  wreaths  as  last. 
Size,  1*7.     The  impression  I  have  is  a  bronze  proof. 

SCHOOL  MEDAL. — Smaller  size,  similar  to  last ;  also  a  bronze  proof 
impression.  Size,  1*5. 

The  design  on  obverse  of  these  medals  I  would  attribute  to  Mossop, 
junior. 

IRISH  MISSIONARY  |  SCHOOL  |  BALLiNASLOE  [  MATT  9.  27.  28.  Inscribed 
within  olive  wreaths. 

This  die  was  purchased  by  Mr.  "Woodhouse  with  the  residue  of  Mr. 
Jones's  stock,  containing  a  large  number  of  the  Mossop  dies.  I  do  not 
know  the  history  of  this  medal,  of  which  I  have  only  a  lead  impression. 
It  has  every  appearance  of  being  executed  by  one  of  the  Mossops. 
Size,  1-6. 

ACADEMIC  INSTITUTE. — REV  JA"  RICE,  PRINCIPAL,  inscribed  around  centre, 
which  bears  the  words,  FOR  DISTINGUISHED  ANSWERING  IN AT  EXAMINA- 
TION HELD — .  Reverse. —  Mossop's  die  for  the  Feinaglian  Institution, 
with  his  name  removed  from  the  pillar,  and  JONES  substituted. 

Size,  1-7.      I  have  a  white  metal  proof. 


GEORGE    MILLS. 

An  English  artist,  born  1793.  He  received  three  gold  medals  from 
the  Society  of  Arts,  and  was  an  exhibitor  at  the  Koyal  Academy  from 
1816  to  1823.  He  executed  several  of  Mudie's  series  of  national  medals ; 
also  patterns  for  coins,  and  died  at  Birmingham,  28th  January,  1824. 
There  is  one  Irish  medal  which  he  fabricated,  and  the  reverse  for 
B.  Wyon's  medal  of  George  lY.'s  visit  to  Ireland. 

LISMORE  SCHOOL. — A  view  of  the  castle  and  woods  at  Lismore  rising 
above  the  river,  with  distant  bridge,  &c.  In  the  exergue,  in  minute 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.        323 

letters,  MILLS  .  r.     Reverse. — Inscribed,  ALUMNO  |  SCHOLJE  LISMORIENSIS  | 

OB  LITERAS   |   FELICITER  EXCTTLTAS  |   GULIELMUS  DUX    DEVONI^]   |  D.D.       Around 

this  is  a  plain  ring,  and  outside,  in  upper   part,   SUNT  HIC  ETIAM  STJA 

PR.EMIA  LAUDI. 

Size,  2-25.  I  have  an  electrotype  of  this  medal,  copied  from  one 
struck  in  copper.  A  specimen  was  sold,  April,  1878,  with  the  duplicate 
medals  of  the  Bank  of  England. 


THE  WYONS. 

This  distinguished  family  of  die-sinkers  have  contributed  some 
valuable  dies  to  the  series  of  Irish  medals,  a  record  of  which  is  indispens- 
able in  describing  the  history  of  these  productions. 

THOMAS  WYON,  junior,  was  born  in  1792,  at  Birmingham,  his  family 
being  of  German  descent.  He  was  educated  in  London  and  apprenticed 
to  his  father,  who  was  engraver  of  his  Majesty's  seals;  and,  under  the 
training  of  Mr.  K".  Marchand,  he  acquired  a  correct  taste  for  the  antique. 
He  obtained  the  medals  of  the  Royal  Academy,  and  premiums  from  the 
Society  of  Arts,  for  whom  he  engraved  the  head  of  Isis,  which  was 
utilised  for  their  prize  medal.  At  the  early  age  of  16  years  he  made  his 
first  medallic  die,  for  a  medal  given  to  Lieutenant  Pearson,  R.  N.,  for 
saving  life,  presented  by  a  society  of  ladies.  In  1811  he  was  appointed 
probationary  engraver,  and  in  1815,  chief  engraver  to  the  Mint.  He 
died  September  22,  1817,  aged  25  years.  A  memoir  and  list  of  his 
principal  works  is  contained  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  for  February, 
1818,  and  another  account  published  in  Mr.  Sainthill's  Olla-podrida. 

CORK  BRUNSWICK  CENTENARY  MEDAL. —  A  finely-modelled  head  of 
George  III.  to  right,  laureated ;  THE  ILLUT*  HOUSE  OF  BRUNSWICK  ASCD  THE 
THRONE  OF  GT  BRITAIN  AUGT  1T  1714 ;  and  underneath  the  neck  of  bust,  in 
minute  letters,  T  WYON  JUN.  s.  Reverse,  inscribed  THE  |  CENTENARY  |  OF 

THE  ACCW  OF  THE  |  HOUSE  OF  BRUNSWICK  |  TO  THE  THRONE  OF  |  GREAT 
BRITAIN  |  WAS  CELEBRATED  IN  THE  |  CITY  OF  CORK  |  ON  THE  1T  2D  &  3D  OF 
AUGT  1814  [  IN  THE  54H  YR  OF  THE  REIGN  |  OF  KING  GEORGE  THE  3D  |  SR 

DAVID  PERRIER  |  MAYOR.  The  entire  surrounded  by  a  broad  wreath  of 
shamrocks. 

Size,  2'0.  Struck  in  bronze.  Mr.  Sainthill  gives  the  following 
account  of  this  medal : — "  The  Corporation  of  Cork  having  determined  to 
celebrate  the  anniversary  of  the  Centenary  of  the  Accession  of  the  House 
of  Brunswick  to  the  Throne  by  three  days'  public  rejoicing,  I  suggested 
to  Sir  D.  Perrier  to  have  a  medal  struck  to  record  the  event  and  to  wear 
on  the  occasion.  Sir  David  immediately  acceded  to  the  plan,  and 
authorized  me  to  invite  Mr.  Wyon  to  engrave  one  with  his  Majesty's 
bust  from  Marchand's"  (see  Mr.  Sainthill's  Olla-podrida,  vol.  i.,  p.  29, 
where  there  is  an  engraving  of  the  obverse  of  the  medal).  I  have  an 
impression  with  the  blue  ribbon  and  rosette  used  when  worn,  still 
remaining  attached. 

BENJAMIN  WYON,  born  in  London,  in  1802  ;  a  younger  brother  of 
Thomas  "Wyon,  under  whom  he  studied.  He  succeeded  his  father  as 
engraver  of  the  Eoyal  seals,  and  engraved  the  Great  Seal  of  William  the 


324      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

Fourth,  the  Crimean  medal,  and  several  other  important  works.  He  died 
November,  1858. 

VISIT  OF  GEORGE  THE  FOURTH  TO  IRELAND. — Head  of  George  IY.  to 
left ;  in  minute  letters  on  the  neck,  B  WYON.  Inscription,  GEORGIUS  mi 
D  G  BRITANNIARUM  REX  FD.  Reverse. — George  is  represented  landing  in 
full  court  dress,  with  cocked  hat  in  hand,  greeted  by  a  female  with  harp 
and  wolf-dog ;  behind  her  are  some  distant  buildings  to  represent  Dublin ; 
and  the  boat  from  which  the  king  steps  bears  a  Royal  standard.  In 
the  exergue,  IN  COMMEMORATION  OF  HIS  MAJESTYS  |  MOST  GRACIOUS  VISIT  TO 
IRELAND  I  1821  I  w  HAMY  DiREX.  This  medal  is  marked,  MILLS  F,  at 
side. 

Size,  2'1.  This  medal  was  got  up  by  the  firm  of  Hamy  and  Mann, 
silversmiths  in  Dublin.  Wyon's  work — the  head  of  George  IV. — is  well 
designed  and  executed.  The  reverse  of  the  medal  was  made  by  George 
Mills,  who  executed  many  celebrated  medals,  such  as  those  of  Sir  John 
Moore,  "Watt,  Chantry,  &c.  The  reverse,  like  all  Mills'  work,  is  well 
done,  but  the  design  was  probably  the  idea  of  some  amateur ;  at  all 
events,  the  fat  and  smiling  Adonis,  in  full  court  dress,  who  pays  his 
addresses  to  the  young  and  rather  demonstrative  lady,  is  vulgar  and 
quite  unworthy  of  commemorating  a  Royal  visit. 

I  have  a  bronze  impression,  the  edge  of  which  is  inscribed,  IRISH 
COPPER  FROM  THE  MINES  IN  THE  COUNTY  OF  wiCKLow,  in  small  letters ;  and 
also  a  white  metal  one  without  this  inscription. 

WICKLOW  AGRICULTURAL  MEDAL.  Thus  inscribed  in  exergue.  A  sheep 
on  a  grassy  hill,  with,  in  front,  a  plough;  WYON,  in  small  letters,  to  left 
Reverse. — Blank  centre,  with  olive  wreaths. 

Size,  1*7.  There  is  a  bronze  proof  in  the  Museum  of  the  Royal  Irish 
Academy,  and  also  another  copy  of  the  medal  without  the  name  of  Wyon. 

LEONARD  CHARLES  WYON,  born  in  1 826  ;  he  studied  his  art  under  tho 
tuition  of  his  father,  William  WTyon,  R. A.,  whom  he  succeeded  as  modeller 
and  engraver  to  the  Mint  in  1851.  He  has  executed  most  of  the  military 
and  naval  medals  struck  since  his  appointment,  and  also  several  series  of 
colonial  and  foreign  coinages. 

RICHARD  SAINTHILL,  OF  TOPSHAM,  DEVONSHIRE,  NUMISMATIST,  BORN 
JAN.  28,  1787.  Thus  inscribed  around  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Sainthill;  be- 
neath the  neck  is  the  date  1835,  and,  in  minute  letters,  L  c  WYON  FT. 
Reverse. — Three  emblematic  figures ;  Numismata,  typified  by  a  female, 
standing,  who  draws  back  a  curtain  and  reveals  an  aged  man,  the  emblem 
of  time  past,  seated  on  a  treasure  box,  marked  with  inscribed  square  and 
Greek  letters ;  in  front,  a  young  female,  emblematic  of  present  time,  joins 
hands  with  the  central  figure.  In  exergue,  NUMISMATA,  and  in  small 
letters,  L  c  w.  Inscription,  HERALDING  THE  PRESENT.  RESTORING  THE  PAST. 

Size,  2*4.  This  is  an  extremely  beautiful  example  of  what  a  good 
medal  should  be.  The  figures,  which  are  in  low  relief,  are  engraved  in 
superior  style,  and  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Sainthill  leaves  nothing  to  be 
desired.  I  owe  my  impression  to  the  kindness  of  Alderman  Day,  of  Cork, 
who  obtained  it  from  Mr.  Sainthill's  relatives.  It  was  struck  for  private 
distribution  by  the  well  known  author  of  Olla-podrida,  a  learned  numis- 
matist and  genealogist.  The  impression  is  a  bronze  proof. 


ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK.        325 

REVD.  THEOBALD  MATHEW. — A  bust  of  Father  Mathew  to  the  shoulders, 
draped.  Reverse. — A  kneeling  crowd,  which  is  blessed  by  him.  Inscription, 

HE  REASONED  ON  TEMPERANCE. 

Size,  2-4.  ^  Struck  in  bronze,  and  probably  in  silver.  I  have  no  im- 
pression of  this  medal.  My  description  is  therefore  less  full  than  I  could 
wish.  The  bust  was  modelled  from  life,  by  L.  C.  Wyon,  when  in  Cork, 
in  1846.  See  Sainthill's  Olla-podrida,  vol.  n.,  p.  405. 

JOSEPH  SHEPHERD  WYON,  son  of  Benjamin  Wyon,  born  1836.  His  first 
important  medal  was  a  likeness  of  James  Watt,  and  subsequently  he 
engraved  the  great  Seal  of  England  for  Queen  Victoria,  and  that  of 
Canada.  He  succeeded  his  father  as  chief  engraver  to  the  Mint  in  1858, 
and  died  August,  1873. 

A.  B.  WYON,  also  a  son  of  Benjamin  Wyon. 

TRINITY  COLLEGE  GREEK  MEDAL,  BERKELEY  PRIZE.  The  arms  of 
Trinity  College  on  a  shield.  Above  a  portcullis,  and  at  the  sides  Tudor 
roses;  all  on  a  diapered  ground,  semee,  with  shamrocks.  Inscription, 
THIN  :  COL  :  DUBLIN  *  vos  EXEMPLARiA  GBAECA*.  Reverse. — A  horse  (Pe- 
gasus ?)  in  full  flight— AIEN  API2TEYEIN.  In  exergue,  G*B  |  1752. 
In  minute  letters  to  right,  J  s  &  A  B  WYON.  s  c. 

Size,  1-5.  Issued  struck  in  gold  as  the  "  Berkeley  Prize."  I  have  a 
white  metal  proof .  This  medal  was  made  about  1867.  It  is  reported 
that  when  it  reached  Ireland  the  Greek  P  was  found  represented  by  a 
Roman  R,  which  had  to  be  altered  before  issuing  the  medal. 

The  above  medal  was  struck  to  replace  worn-out  dies  of  BISHOP 
BERKELEY'S  GREEK  PREMIUM,  founded  in  A.  D.  1734.  It  represents  a 
galloping  horse,  and  has  for  motto,  AIEN  API2TEYEIN.  Reverse. — 
A  laurel  wreath,  and  the  words,  vos — EXEMPLA-RIA-GRAECA. 

Described  and  figured  in  the  British  Museum  Catalogue.  It  is  a 
rare  medal.  In  the  year  1751  Dr.  Berkeley  ordered  his  initials,  G.  B., 
to  be  placed  under  the  horse  ;  and  the  name  of  the  medallist  was  also 
added,  KIRK  FECT.  Next  year  he  gave  the  dies  to  Trinity  College,  with 
£120  to  strike  two  gold  medals  annually.  These  were  given  to  Middle 
Bachelors,  attending  the  Greek  Lectures  of  the  Regius  Professor  of 
Divinity,  until  1856.  Since  this  time  they  are  awarded,  by  examina- 
tion, open  to  all  candidates. 

STEETEN'S  HOSPITAL  MEDAL. — JAMES  WILLIAM  CUSACK  BORN  1788  DIED 
1861.  Bust  to  right,  in  high  relief,  and,  in  minute  letters  underneath, 
j  s  WYON  s  c.  Reverse. — A  view  of  the  front  of  the  hospital,  inscribed 
above,  DB  STEEVENS  HOSPITAL  DUBLIN.  In  the  exergue  are  two  shields  with 
armorials,  and  the  letters  CUSACK — PRIZE — FOUNDED  1861.  Underneath 
the  building,  to  right,  in  small  lettering,  j  s  WYON  s  c. 

Size,  3*1.     I  possess  a  bronze  proof  impression. 

This  is  an  excellent  likeness  of  Dr.  Cusack,  in  whose  School  of  Medi- 
cine, in  Park-street,  I  studied  my  medical  and  surgical  work,  and  had  the 
privilege  of  commencing  life  as  his  colleague  in  teaching  and  lecturing 
my  former  fellow-students.  His  connexion  with  the  school  at  that  time  was 
confined  to  delivering  a  course  on  practical  operative  surgery,  and  I  still 
remember  his  addresses,  .distinguished  as  they  were  by  sound  informa- 
tion, conveyed  in  a  manner  that  rendered  his  slightest  words  of  invaluable 
worth. 


326      ON  THE  MEDALLISTS  OF  IRELAND  AND  THEIR  WORK. 

AWARDED  BY  THE  BOARD  OF  INTERMEDIATE  EDUCATION,  IRELAND. — In 
centre  a  shield  with  harp  and  Imperial  crown  above  it,  surrounded  by 
trefoil  arches,  the  lower  ones  bearing  shamrocks,  and,  in  minute  letters,  j  s 
&  A  B  .  WTON  ;  outside  are  ornaments  and  shamrocks.  Reverse. — A  very 
wide  border  of  olive  leaves  and  shamrocks,  en  closing  a  space  the  size  of  a 
shilling  for  inscription ;  at  the  lower  part  the  names  of  the  artists  in 
minute  letters. 

Size,  2-2.     Struck  in  silver,  weighing  upwards  of  two  ounces. 

GALLE. 

This  distinguished  French  medallist  must  be  mentioned  in  connexion 
with  his  medal  of  Henry  Grattan. 

HENRY  GRATTAN. — "Bust,  draped  to  right,  inscribed  with  the  name, 
marked  in  small  letters,  GALLE,  F.  Reverse. — IN  MEMORY  |  OF  |  THE  SHORT 
PERIOD  |  OF  |  IRELAND'S  INDEPENDENCE  ;  and  then  follow  two  lines,  i  SAT 

AT  ITS  CRADLE  |  I  FOLLOWED    ITS  HEARSE   |   GRATTAN. 

Size,  2'0.     I  have  an  impression  in  bronze. 

Dr.  R.  R.  Madden,  in  his  sale  Catalogue,  1860,  states  that  sixty  medals 
only  were  struck  before  the  die  broke  ;  but  in  Moore's  Diary  we  read : — 

"  October,  1821— Went  to  Mossop,the  medallist,  who  did  the  fine  head 
of  Grattan,  from  which  Denon  is  having  a  model  taken  for  me  (Memoirs, 
vol.  in.,  p.  285).  And,  again : — 

"  Paris,  May,  1822 — Denon  told  me  that  the  medal  of  Grattan  was 
nearly  finished.  By-the-bye,  when  Lord  Holland  was  in  Paris,  I  men- 
tioned the  plan  I  had  for  ten  persons  subscribing  five  pounds  each  to  have 
a  medal  inscribed,"  &c.  (Memoirs,  vol.  in.,  p.  352).  In  the  diary,  under 
September  23,  1822,  mention  is  made  of  a  visit  to  Denon's,  to  pay  the 
medallist  one  thousand  francs,  the  price  agreed  for  the  medal ;  but  the 
medallist  insisted  on  fifty  louis,  and  was  paid  that  sum,  in  English  money 
about  £50.  Finally,  in  the  Diary,  28th  October,  1822,  Moore  mentions 
having  gone  to  the  Mint,  received  his  fifty  medals,  and  having  the  "  die 
broken"!  (Memoirs,  vol.  in.,  p.  12.) 

It  is  difficult  to  refrain  from  stigmatizing  these  extracts  in  the  terms 
they  deserve  ;  from  beginning  to  end  they  exhibit  Moore's  conceited  igno- 
rance and  blundering  stupidity.  He  deliberately  visits  an  Irish  artist, 
fully  the  equal  of  Galle,  appropriates  one  of  his  beautiful  creations — the 
head  of  Henry  Grattan — and  carries  it  off  to  have  a  replica  executed  in 
France,  of  somewhat  larger  size,  and  pays  a  French  artist  for  aiding  him 
in  this  act  of  plunder,  whilst  an  Irish  genius  who  made  the  work  was 
starving  for  want  of  proper  recognition.  I  have  both  medals  before  me, 
and  that  of  Galle  is  simply  a  replica  of  Mossop's  original  handiwork. 

BORREL. 

DANIEL  O'CONNELL. — Portrait  to  left.  In  small  letters,  under  neck,  the 
artist's  name.     Reverse. — IL  NE  DOIT  |  PLUS  ETRE  FAIT  |  DE  DISTINCTION  | 

ENTRE  LE  PEUPLE  |  D*ANGLETERRE   j   ET  CELUI  |  D'lRLANDE   |  O'CONNELL. 

Size,  1.  Struck  in  a  pale  golden  bronze.  I  have  an  impression.  The 
portrait  is  well  engraven,  but  not  a  likeness  of  O'Connell.  It  is  one  of  the 
few  medals,  referring  to  Irishmen,  struck  in  France. 


(     327     ) 

TYRONE  HISTORY. 
BY  J.  CARMICHAEL-FEERALL,  HON.  LOCAL  SECRETARY,  Co.  TYRONE. 

THE  following  curious  facts  relating  to  the  period  immediately 
succeeding  the  colonization  of  Ulster  are  taken  in  the  main  from  a  book 
published  in  1811,  and  called  "A  Breefe  Memoriall"  of  Dr.  James 
Spottiswood,  taken  from  a  MS.  in  the  library  of  Auchinleck,  in  Scotland, 
edited  by  A.  B.  (one  of  the  Bos  wells  of  that*  place  and  grandson  of  Lord 
Auchinleck).  We  are  informed  that  Lord  Balfour,  second  son  of  Sir 
James  Balfour,  of  Pittendreich,  &c.,  in  Fife,  had  obtained  from  Sir 
Thomas  Ridge waye  (afterwards  Lord  Ridge waye)  a  mortgage  of  the  Castle 
and  Demesne  of  Augher;  that,  having  been  in  debt  to  the  Bishop,  he  offered 
him  them  for  £800,  which  the  Bishop — having  neither  lands  nor  housea 
left  him  by  his  predecessor — accepted ;  and  as  Sir  James  Areskin  (Erskine) 
came  over  with  a  blank  grant  to  make  some  nobleman  an  earl,  about  this 
time,  a  bargain  was  struck,  whereby  the  reversion  in  the  mortgage  was 
sold  to  Sir  James  and  2500  acres  in  possession,  adjacent  to  the  castle — 
Sir  James  to  assure  Lord  Ridgewaye  of  the  honour.  Bishop  Spottiswood 
had  then  only  two  children,  a  son  and  a  daughter ;  so  Sir  James,  by  Lord 
Balfour's  advice,  made  overtures  to  marry  his  son  to  the  Bishop's 
daughter,  on  whom  he  would  settle  the  lands  of  Augher ;  but  as  the 
contract  was  about  to  be  drawn  up,  Sir  James  made  such  extravagant 
demands  that  it  was  broken  off.  However,  one  day  when  the  Bishop  had 
company  at  dinner,  and  his  wife  was  attending  her  sick  son,  the  Erskines 
bribed  a  maid  to  bring  Miss  Spottiswood  to  the  street,  and  they  enticed 
her  to  Sir  James's  room,  where  a  debased  minister  celebrated  the 
marriage.  Lord  Balfour's  part  in  this  was  little  suspected  by  the 
Bishop,  and  he  advised  the  Bishop  to  marry  his  son  to  the  niece  of 
Viscount  Valentia — discoursing  much  on  Sir  James's  decayed  estate — and 
he  succeeded  in  his  plan,  though  it  seems  he  had  no  good  will  to  either 
the  Bishop  or  his  children.  The  Bishop's  life  seems  to  have  been  embittered 
by  quarrels  with  different  people,  and  among  others  Sir  John  Wimbes, 
who  owed  him  some  rent.  Unfortunately  a  scuffle  took  place  between 
some  of  Sir  John's  and  some  of  the  Bishop's  retainers,  in  which  Sir  John 
was  mortally  wounded.  Sir  William  Cole  came  to  Portora,  where  the 
Bishop  then  was  ;  and  after  a  good  deal  of  talking,  the  Bishop,  for  peace 
sake,  entered  into  a  recognizance  for  £1000,  and  his  son,  Mr.  Archibald 
Erskine,  for  £500,  for  the  appearance  of  the  servants  at  the  assizes.  The 
servants  were  induced  not  to  appear;  so  he  lost  the  case:  besides  which,  when 
he  appeared  before  the  judges— Lord  Angiers,  the  Master  of  the  Rolls,  and 
Mr.  Philpott — they  intimated  to  him  to  forbear  sitting  with  them  on  the 
bench ;  and  when  he  asked  if  they  would  have  divine  service  before  they 
began,  they  professed  themselves  indifferent,  and  the  Bishop,  after  several 
persons — including  one  Mr.  Hatton,  curate  of  Clogher  and  tutor  to  Sir 
William  Stewart's  children — had  refused  to  preach  before  them,  preached 
himself.  The  recognizances,  having  been  estreated,  were  granted  under 
the  English  Great  Seal  to  James  Carmichael,  carver  to  the  King  (after- 
wards Lord  Carmichael  of  Carmichael,  in  Lanarkshire),  by  patent,  which 
was  brought  by  his  son  William  (afterwards  master  of  Carmichael)  to 
Dublin,  and  sold  to  the  Bishop  in  Trinity  Term,  1627.  Next  year  the 
Bishop  began  to  settle  himself  at  Clogher,  which  had  originally  two 

4TH  8BR.,  VOL.  VIII.  2  ^ 


328  TYRONE   HISTORY. 

churches  and  a  good  number  of  inhabitants,  but  had  been  ruined  in  the 
late  wars  so  much  so  that  when  he  came  to  reside  there,  some  ten  or 
twelve  poor  people  living  in  huts,  patched  up  with  scraws  or  wattles, 
constituted  its  sole  population.  The  Bishop  began  to  build  in  the  above 
year  a  house  for  himself,  to  repair  the  church,  build  an  inn,  stables, 
barns,  kiln,  mill,  &c.  The  income  he  had  from  the  Bishopric  was  worth 
£1500  a-year,  after  getting  in  various  outlying  lands  of  the  See,  i.e,, 
Devenish  Island,  in  Lough  Erne,  from  Lord  Hastings,  and  Inishmore 
Island  from  Sir  Ealph  Gore,  Bart. ;  as  also  the  Quarter  of  Drumkenna- 
dagh.  He  died  in  1664,  having  had — besides  his  son  above  alluded  to,  Sir 
Henry  and  Mrs.  Erskine — three  other  children,  James,  Elizabeth,  and 
Mary,  of  whom  the  latter  married  Abraham  Creighton,  Esq.,  ancestor  of 
the  Erne  family,  connected  (the  editor  of  the  MS.  supposed)  through  the 
Creightons  of  Lugton  to  the  Bishop  on  his  mother's  side. 

LIST  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF   TYRONE  IN  PARLIAMENT. 

1613.     Sir  Thomas  Ridgway,  Knight  and  Bart.  (Treasurer  at  War), 
Tor  Mohan,  Devon. 

Sir  Francis  Roe,  Knight,  Mount  joy. 
1634.     Sir  James  Ereskyn,  Knight,  Favour  Royal. 

Sir  Henry  Tichborne,  Knight,  Blessingborne. 
1639.     Toby  Caulfield,  Esq.,  Charlemont,  Armagh. 

Audley  Mervyn,  Esq.,  Castle  Mervyn. 
1661.     Sir  Audley  Mervyn,  Knight,  Castle  Mervyn. 

Sir  Arthur  Forbes,  Bart,  Castle  Forbes,  Longford. 
1692.     Henry  Mervyn,  Esq.,  Trillick. 

James  Hamilton,  Esq.,  Donalonge. 
1695.     Henry  Mervyn,  Esq.,  Trillick. 

James  Hamilton,  Esq.,  Donalonge. 
1703.     Richard  Stewart,  Esq. 

Audley  Mervyn,  Esq. 
1713.     Richard  Stewart,  Esq. 

Audley  Mervyn,  senior,  Esq. 
1715.     Audley  Mervyn,  Esq,  after  deceased. 

Charles  Stewart,  Esq. 

Audley  Mervyn,  Esq. 
1727.     Hon  Richard  Stewart. 

Henry  Mervyn,  Esq. 

Robert  Lindsay,    Esq.,  in  place  of  Hon.  Richard   Stewart, 
deceased. 

Hon.  James  Stewart,  in  place  of  Hon.  Robert  Lindsay,  Justice 
of  Common  Pleas. 

Galbraith  Lowry,  Esq.,  in  place  of  Henry  Mervyn,  Esq. 

"William  Stewart,  Esq.,  in  place  of  Hon.  Jas.  Stewart,  deceased. 
1761.     Galbraith  Lowry,  Esq. 

"William  Stewart,  Esq. 
1769.     Armar  Lowry  Corry,  Esq. 

James  Stewart,  Esq. 
1776.     Armar  Lowry  Corry,  Esq. 

James  Stewart,  Esq. 

Nathaniel  Montgomery,  Esq.,  in  place  of  Armar  Lowry  Corry, 
created  Lord  Baron  Belmore. 


TYRONE   HISTORY.  329 

1783.     James  Stewart,  Esq. 

Nathaniel  Montgomery,  Esq. 
1790.     James  Stewart,  Esq.,  of  Killymoon. 

Hon.  Thomas  Knox. 
1798.     James  Stewart,  Esq. 

Hon.  Somerset  Lowry  Corry,  commonly  called  Lord  Viscount 
Corry. 

John  Stewart,  Esq.,  of  Athenree,  county  Tyrone,  vice  Viscount 

Corry,  created  Earl  of  Belmore. 
1802.     James  Stewart,  Esq.,  of  Killymoon. 

John  Stewart,  Esq.,  of  Athenree. 

1806.  James  Stewart,  Esq.,  of  Killymoon. 
Thomas  Knox,  Esq.,  Dungannon. 

1807.  James  Stewart,  Esq.,  Killymoon. 
Thomas  Knox,  Esq.,  of  Dungannon. 

1812.     Thomas  Knox,  Esq.,  of  Dungannon. 

Sir  John  Stewart,  Bart.,  of  Bally gawley. 
1818.     Sir  John  Stewart,  Bart.,  Greenhill,  county  Tyrone. 

William  Stewart,  Esq.,  Killymoon. 
1820.     Sir  John  Stewart,  Bart.,  Greenhill. 

"William  Stewart,  Esq.,  Killymoon. 
1825.     "William  Stewart,  Esq.,  Killymoon. 

Henry  Thomas  Lowry  Corry,  Esq.,  of  Athenis,  county  Tyrone, 
and  Castlecoole,  county  Fermanagh,  vice  Sir  John  Stewart, 
accidentally  killed. 

1830.  Henry  Corry,  Esq.,  of  Castlecoole,  county  Fermanagh. 
Sir  Hugh  Stewart,  Bart.,  Ballygawley. 

1831.  Sir  Hugh  Stewart. 
Henry  Corry,  Esq. 

1833.     Henry  Thomas  Lowry  Corry,  Esq.,  of  Aughenis. 

Sir  Hugh  Stewart,  Bart.,  of  Ballygawley. 
1835.     Lord  Claud  Hamilton,  Baronscourt. 

Henry  Thomas  Lowry  Corry,  Esq.,  of  Castlecoole. 
1837.     Henry  Thomas  Lowry  Corry,  Esq. 

Lord  James  Du  Pre  Alexander,  Viscount  Alexander. 
1839.     Lord  Claud  Hamilton,  vice  Viscount  Alexander,  created  Earl 

of  Caledon. 

1841.     Henry  Thomas  Lowry  Corry,  Esq. 
1841-68.     Lord  Claud  Hamilton. 

1873.  Captain  William  Lowry  Corry,  Castlecoole,  vice  Henry  Thomas 

Lowry  Corry,  Esq.,  deceased. 

1874.  J.  W.  Ellison  Macartney,  Esq. 
Captain  William  H.  Lowry  Corry. 

1880.  J.  W.  Ellison  Macartney,  Esq. 
Edward  F.  Litton,  Esq.,  Dublin. 

1881.  Thomas  Dickson,  Esq.,  Dungannon. 

I  would  also  call  the  attention  of  the  Association  to  the  following  copy 
of  a  letter,  written  in  1665,  by  Rev.  Andrew  Stewart,  minister  of 
Donaghadee,  to  his  cousin,  Robert  Stewart,  of  the  Irry,  High  Sheriff  of 
Tyrone,  the  original  of  which  my  friend  Canon  Grainger  will,  I  trust,  be 
induced  to  show  us  at  some  future  time  : — 

"  Worshipfull  Cusin,  The  infirmity  of  body  which  of  ten  holds  me  at 

2A2 


330  TYRONE   HISTORY. 

this  tyme  of  the  yer,  the  hadness  of  the  waye,  and  length  of  the 
journey,  have  concurred  to  forbid  my  own  travell  at  this  tyme ;  but 
because  I  have  had  notice  of  my  unckle's  death  and  that  he  was  pleased 
to  remembr  that  I  was  a  Kinsman,  I  have  sent  the  bearer,  my  own  boy, 
Alexander  Crookshankes,  to  carry  this  testamony  of  my  respect  to  you 
and  all  other  my  friends  whom  I  can  noe  other  wayes  respect  in  my 
present  condition,  but  to  love  and  honour  and  wish  you  weel.  And  I 
shall  profess  this  hourly  in  God's  sight  there  could  not  any  earthly 
thing  be  mere  acceptable  to  me  nor  the  happyness  and  welfare  of  all 
my  friends  especially  of  yourself  and  your  neerest  relations  and  if  I  could 
I  would  set  you  on  the  way  to  it,  but  the  Lord  hath  barred  up  my  way 
that  I  cannot  I  may  not  I  dare  not  be  usefull  as  I  would  to  you  or  any 
else.  Meantyme  dearest  cusin  you  have  had  in  your  short  tyme  many 
examples  which  may  be  commentaryes  to  the  word  of  God  (and  I  ame  not 
doubtful  you  make  that  chiefly  your  study).  You  have  much  good 
example  from  many  to  imitate  and  much  bad  example  also  not  to  follow 
but  to  escue  and  I  hop  God  hath  given  you  grace  to  chuse  the  good  and 
escue  the  evil  which  if  you  do  God  will  bless  you  above  the  blessings  of 
your  fathers  who  are  now  at  their  rest.  I  pray  you  labour  to  be  upright 
with  God  and  downright  with  men  and  let  religion  and  reason  guide  your 
counsels  and  advyces.  Thus  you  shall  have  the  blessings  of  your  fathers 
fulfilled  in  your  own  person.  Your  greatgrandfather  and  his  father  my 
Lord  of  Ochiltree1  were  eminent  seekers  of  God.  Your  own  grandfather 
I  think  surely  had  surely  the  fear  of  God  whatever  hum'  preveald 
and  your  own  father  I  can  witness  how  much  inward  light  and  conviction 
was  in  him  a  man  whom  I  highly  pryced  yet  wer  ther  som  things  in  all 
these  which  you  would  avoyd,  and  the  Lord  bless  you  so  as  to  walk  in  this 
way.  I  have  heard  that  my  unckle  has  devoted  £20  to  me  as  a  token  of 
his  love  at  his  death,  and  I  hop  I  need  noe  mor,  but  to  send  my  boy  for 
it  since  you  are  there,  whoes  justice  and  kyndness  will  see  that  part  of 
his  test  executed  with  the  first.  If  yu  need  acquittance,  Mr.  John 
Abernethie  will  satisfie  you.  My  unckle  also  promised  me  the  written 
book,  qr  in  he  observed  many  thing  may  be  he  hath  forgot;  but  I  ame 
even  fully  confident  that  though  he  had  left  it  to  somebody  else  you  will 
procure  it  and  send  it  to  mee  as  being  more  useful  for  mee  than  almost  to 
any  others  of  his  so  neer  relations,  and  if  thear  be  any  other  books  of  his 
which  you  think  might  be  fittly  bestowed  on  mee,  leave  it  upon  yourself; 
and  now,  dear  cusin,  I  need  say  no  more,  but  the  Lord  sanctifie  all  our 
case  and  carriage,  and  make  us  the  remnant  of  that  poor  family  to  serve 
him  in  feare.  Remember  my  best  respects  to  your  wife,  though  I  have 
not  seen  her,  and  the  Lord  himself  guyd  you  in  your  privat  and  publyk 
employments.  My  love  to  all  your  brethren  and  sisters.  The  Lord  be 
with  you.  I  rest,  sir,  your  respectiv  cousin, 

"A.  STEWART. 
"  Killathies,  Feby.  19, 1665." 

(Stewarts  of  Castle  Stewwt,  pp.  243,  244.) 


1  This  was  Andrew,  2nd  Lord,  com-  minds  one  of  Obadiah ;  one  of  the  leading 
monly  called  "the  Good  Lord  Ochiltree,"  characteristics  of  Lord  Ochiltree  being  to 
whose  position  in  the  court  politics  re-  do  right,  impugn  it  who  list. 


TYRONE   HISTORY.  331 

Memoranda  taken  from  a  MS.  book  in  the  writing  of  Andrew  Car- 
michael,  Provost  of  Dungannon ;  some  extracts  from  it  have  already 
appeared  in  the  Journal,  R.H.A.A.I.,  the  last  of  which  related  to  the 
appointment  of  a  Public  Lapper.  The  following  is  the  certificate  of 
Robert  Lowry,  Esq.,  J.P.  for  county  Tyrone,  about  the  character,  &c., 
of  William  Holmes,  who  had  been  appointed  : — 

"  I  do  hereby  certify  that  I  have  diligently  enquired  into  the  character 
of  the  above-named  Win.  Holms,  Dealer  in  Linnen  Cloath,  and  find  him 
to  be  a  person  truly  deserving  the  character  given  him  in  ye  above  certificate. 
I  have  likewise  enquired  into  the  character  of  the  persons  whose  names 
are  subscribed  to  the  above  certificate  and  find  them  to  be  Inhabitants  in 
the  county  of  Tyrone,  and  that  they  are  either  weavers,  Bleachers,  or 
Dealers  in  Linnen  Cloth,  and  men  of  good  Reputation  and  Credit  in  their 
Dealings,  as  witness  my  hand  this  1st  Day  of  Feb.,  1719." 

The  following  is  the  preamble  of  a  pleading  in  the  Court  Equity  Ex- 
chequer, which,  as  the  Court  is  extinct,  may  be  of  interest. 

"  To  the  R*  Honble  the  Chancellor,  Treasurer,  Lord  Chief  Baron,  and 
the  Rest  of  the  Barons  in  His  Matie"  Court  of  Exchequer  in  Ireland,  In 
most  humble  manner  complaining  sheweth  unto  yor  Honrs  your  suppliant 
and  daily  orator,  James  Smith,  of  Dunmore,  in  the  county  of  Roscommon, 
Esqr,  His  Matie"  Debtor  and  Farmer,  as  may  appear  by  the  Receipt  of  His 
Matiei Excheqr,  etc." 


(  332  ) 


REPORT  FOR  COUNTY  LONDONDERRY. 

BY    JOHN   BROWNE,   M.R.I.A. 
Hon.  Local  Secretary. 

I  WISH  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  members  of  this  Association  to  the 
fact  that  the  lulldn  stone,  known  as  "  St.  Columba's  Font,"  and  which 
was  originally  in  the  graveyard  connected  with  the  old  church  of  Desert- 
Toghill,  near  Garvagh,  county  Londonderry,  has  by  some  means  been 
removed,  and  now  rests  in  an  adjoining  field.  Desertoghill  or  Desert 
Otwarchyll — O'Tuohill's  Desert — is  so  called  from  the  family  that  for- 
merly resided  there  :  Rory  More  O'Tuohill  is  traditionally  remembered  as 
the  last  chieftain.  Their  descendants  (now  called  Toghills)  are  still  to  be 
found  in  this  part  of  the  country.1  St.  Columbkill  is  stated  to  have  here 
founded  an  abbey,  which  afterwards  became  parochial.  In  the  Topo- 
graphical Dictionary ,  published  by  Lewis,  is  the  following  reference  to 
the  font  now  in  question  : — "  A  curious  stone,  wherein  are  two  small  and 
rude  fonts — considered  by  the  peasantry  to  be  the  impress  of  the  knees  of 
St.  Columbkill,  while  praying — stands  in  the  churchyard." 

The  question  suggests  itself  to  me,  could  these  bulldn  stones  have  been 
intended  for  the  reception  of  exposed  children  ?  For  as  far  back  as  the  time 
of  Justinian  houses  of  mercy  for  children  were  founded  by  him.  The 
churches  and  church  charities  became  refuges  for  this  unfortunate  class, 
and  Christian  charity  attempted  to  alleviate  the  great  evil  which  the  law 
could  not  correct,  nor  the  usual  spirit  of  humanity  prevent.  A  marble 
vessel  was  provided  for  exposed  infants  at  the  door  of  each  church ;  but  at 
a  later  age  this  simple  provision  of  humanity  was  imitated  in  a  manner 
which  produced  great  evils  in  the  well-known  "  turning  slide"  (tour)  of 
French  asylums  for  foundlings.  In  that  time  of  cruelty  and  hardness, 
however,  the  church  receptacle  was  for  these  infants  the  alternative  to 
servitas  aut  lupanur. 

Any  of  the  members  of  our  Association  who  have  visited  Belfast  are, 
no  doubt,  acquainted  with  the  appearance  of  St.  George's  Church,  at  the 
foot  of  the  High  Street  in  that  town.  The  portico  is  all  that  remains  of 
Ballyscullion  House.  I  may  mention  that  Ballyscullion  is  a  parish  partly 
in  the  barony  of  Upper  Toome,  county  Antrim,  but  chiefly  in  that  of 
Loughinsholin,  county  Londonderry.  The  splendid  palace,  built  by  the 
Earl  of  Bristol,  when  Bishop  of  Derry,  was  scarcely  finished  at  his  Lord- 
ship's death,  and  it  was  taken  down  and  the  materials  sold :  the  only 
portion  that  had  been  preserved  entire  being  the  beautiful  portico,  which 
was  purchased  by  Dr.  Alexander,  Bishop  of  Down  and  Connor,  who  pre- 
sented it  to  the  parish  of  St.  George,  Belfast,  as  an  ornament  to  that 
church. 

Being  Honorary  Local  Secretary  of  our  Association  for  the  county 
Londonderry,  but  living  on  the  borders  of  the  county  Tyrone,  I  was 
invited  by  the  Rector  of  Desertcreight — Desert-da-  Chrioch  (F.  M.),  the 
11  Hermitage  of  the  Two  Territories  " — to  visit  his  rectory,  situated  at  the 
foot  of  Tullyhogue  Fort,  and  known  as  Ballymully  Glebe.  During  the 
spring  of  1886,  a  lawn-tennis  court  was  being  made  at  the  Rectory,  and 

1  See  Bishop  Reeves'  Cotton' t  Vititation  of  the  Diocese  of  Derry. 


REPORT  FOR  COUNTY  LONDONDERRY.        333 

the  men  employed  in  levelling  the  ground  came  upon  a  covered  passage, 
which  apparently  ran  in  the  direction  of  the  fort.  They  removed  a  few  of 
the  stones  forming  this  souterrain,  and  in  so  doing  found  an  iron  spear- 
head and  a  piece  of  glass,  along  with  some  human  bones.  Unfortunately 
the  men  could  not  be  induced  to  follow  up  this  passage.  The  spearhead 
and  piece  of  glass  I  now  have  the  pleasure  of  exhibiting  to  the  present 
meeting  through  our  Executive  Secretary,  W.  F.  Wakeman. 

At  Donerisk,  in  the  parish  of  Desertcreight,  stood  the  priory  of  that 
name,  founded,  in  1294,  by  one  of  the  O'Hagan  family.  Of  this  priory 
nothing  remains  but  the  cemetery,  remarkable  as  the  burial-place  of  the 
sept  of  O'Hagan,  and  more  recently  as  that  of  the  ancient  family  of 
Lindesay  and  Crawford,  of  whom  there  are  several  tombs,  the  most 
remarkable  being  that  of  Robert  Lindesay,  chief  harbinger  of  King 
James.  This  Robert  obtained  from  James  I.,  in  1604,  the  grant  of  Tully- 
hogue,  &c.,  where,  and  at  Loughry,  the  family  have  ever  since  resided. 
Their  house  and  documents  were  burnt  during  the  civil  war  of  1641  ;  the 
tomb  was  also  mutilated  and  covered  over,  and  in  that  condition  it  re- 
mained till  1819,  when,  in  sinking  a  vault,  it  was  discovered.  Numerous 
ornaments  of  gold,  silver,  and  copper,  also  various  military  weapons,  have 
been  found  here  :  the  latter  seem  connected  with  the  camp  and  fortress 
of  Tullyhogue,  the  chief  residence  of  the  sept  of  O* B.a/rd/hagin,  or  O'Hagan, 
where  the  kings  of  Ulster,  from  the  most  remote  period,  were  inaugurated 
with  the  regal  title  and  authority  of  the  O'Nial. 

It  might  not  be  out  of  place  to  mention  that  Cookstown,  the  post- town 
-of  our  district,  is  situated  in  that  part  of  the  parish  of  Derryloran,  i.  e.  the 
grove  or  oak  wood  of  Loran,  which  is  in  the  barony  of  Dungannon,  county 
Tyrone,  and  takes  its  name  from  its  founder,  Allan  Cook,  who  had  a  lease 
for  years  renewable,  under  the  See  of  Armagh,  upon  whose  land  the  old 
town  was  built  about  1609.  It  is  situated  on  the  mail  road  from  Dun- 
gannon  to  Coleraine,  and  consists  of  one  street  more  than  a  mile  and  a 
quarter  long,  with  another  street  intersecting  it  at  right  angles.  The 
present  town  was  built,  about  the  year  1750,  by  Mr.  Stewart,  its  then  pro- 
prietor. A  patent  for  a  market  and  fairs  had  been  granted  to  Allan 
Cook,  August  3,  1628.  Closely  adjoining  the  town  is  Killymoon,  origi- 
nally the  residence  of  W.  Stewart,  Esq.,  for  some  time  the  proprietor  of 
the  town  and  the  land  immediately  adjacent.  The  house  was  built  in 
the  pure  Saxon  style,  from  a  design  of  Mr.  Nash,  and  it  is  situated  in  a 
demesne  containing  very  fine  timber.  Not  far  distant  are  situated 
Loughry,  the  residence  of  Lieut.-Col.  Lindesay;  and  Lissan,  the  seat  of 
Sir  Nathaniel  Staples,  Bart.  Tho  former  demesne  contains  about  200 
acres,  well  wooded  and  watered  by  the  river  Loughry.  The  estate,  as 
already  mentioned,  was  granted,  in  1604,  by  James  I.  to  Sir  Robert 
Lindesay,  his  chief  harbinger,  and  it  has  ever  since  been  the  residence  of 
the  senior  branch  of  that  ancient  family,  which  is  among  the  claimants  of 
the  Earldom  of  Crawford  and  Lindesay.  Lissan,  or  Lisane  parish,  is  partly 
in  the  barony  of  Dungannon,  county  Tyrone,  partly  in  that  of  Loughin- 
sholin,  county  Londonderry ;  and  it  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Slieve 
Gallion.  In  the  war  of  1641,  the  castle — which  was  at  that  time  the  pro- 
perty of  the  Staples  family,  to  whom  it  was  granted  at  the  Plantation  of 
Ulster— was  seized  by  Nial  O'Quin  for  Sir  Phelim  O'Nial,  who  plundered 
the  house  of  Sir  Thomas  Staples,  while  rendezvousing  at  Moneymore 
Oastle,  and  he  compelled  the  men  employed  in  the  iron- works  on  Lissan 
water  to  make  pikeheads  from  the  stores  of  their  master. 


(     334     ) 


NOTES  ON  THE  FRANCISCAN  ABBEY,  MANISTER  CUINCRE, 
OR  QUIN,  CO.  CLARE. 

BY  THOMAS  J.  WESTROPP. 

THE  most  perfect  of  our  abbeys,  and  one  of  the  finest  in  our  island,  stands 
over  the  little  stream  of  Rine,  near  the  village  of  Quin ;  the  place  is  well 
described  by  Luke  Wadding  : — 

"  Exstructus  est  totius  exmarmore  polito,  in  Clancoelen, 
Loco  amceno,  ad  ripam  prseterlabentis  rivuli." 

The  name  of  the  founder  and  the  origin  of  the  abbey  are  lost  in  doubt ; 
many  seem  to  confuse  the  old  church,  Cil  Cuinche,  with  the  abbey  Hamster 
Cuinche.  The  former  is  undoubtedly  very  ancient :  it  has  a  plain  three- 
light  east  window,  massive  buttresses,  and  huge  gutters,  which  bespeak 
age,  as  does  also  the  record  of  the  disastrous  battle  of  Quin  in  1278,  when 
Donogh,  son  of  Brian  Roe,  defeated  the  Earl  de  Clare.  The  Four  Masters 
relate  how  the  Irish  burned  the  church  over  the  heads  of  his  people  and 
caused  indescribable  destruction.  Macgeoghegan,  in  his  translation  of 
The  Annals  of  Clonmacnoise,  adds  the  expression  of  his  regret  for  De  Clare's 
escape.  The  old  church  was  taxed  in  1306,1  but  little  further  is  told 
about  it. 

The  abbey  stands  on  the  ruins  of  a  very  massive  Norman  fortress. 
The  east,  and  originally  the  south  wall  of  the  church,  were  adapted  from 
its  curtain  walls  ;  the  ancient  entrance  exists  beneath  the  belfry,  and  three 
half-demolished  bastions  are  at  the  east  and  south-west  corners.  Foun- 
dations of  buildings  appear,  in  all  directions,  in  the  field  in  which  the 
abbey  stands.  Wadding  places  the  date  of  its  foundation  before  1350, 
and  the  older  parts  can  scarcely  be  later  than  1320.  I  put  forward  as  a 
mere  conjecture  that  the  De  Clares,  seeing  the  value  of  Quin  as  a  central 
station,  commenced  the  fortress  after  the  disaster  of  1278,  and  that  after 
their  annihilation,  at  Dysertodea,  in  1318,  the  Macnamaras  (who  had  been 
confirmed  in  Clancullen  by  the  O'Briens  for  their  valuable  aid)  gave  the 
desolate  castle  to  the  monks  as  a  thank-offering .  The  latter  inserted 
windows  in  the  castle-walls,  and  built  their  church  and  domicile  out  of 
the  remainder,  so  that  little  exists  of  the  west  and  north  flanks.  Possibly 
the  church  belongs  to  the  earlier,  and  the  cloisters,  &c.,  to  the  latter  half 
of  the  fourteenth  century  (1318-1402),  while  the  transept  and  belfry 
date  from  1433,  and  some  of  the  details  even  later. 

Sioda  M'Namara,  son  of  Maccon,  and  chief  of  Clancullen,  was  fond  of 
building,  as  the  church  of  Tulla  and  castle  of  Rosroe  testified.  He,  in  1402, 
turned  his  attention  to  Quin,  and  so  complete  was  his  edification  of  itr 
that  in  popular  belief,  and  even  by  annalists  and  antiquaries,  he  has  been 
accounted  the  founder.  His  work  was  continued,  in  1433,  by  his  younger 
son,  Maccon,  who  in  that  year  obtained  a  Bull  from  Pope  Eugeniusto 


1  "  Calendar  of  State  Papers." 


NOTES  ON  THE  FRANCISCAN  ABBEY,  CO.  CLARE,     33 £ 

reform  the  house  and  establish  the  observant  there.  It  was  the  first 
reformed  convent  in  Ireland.  A  copy  of  the  Bull  is  extant  among  Maccon's 
descendants.  It  became  the  great  burial-place  of  the  Macnamaras,  instead 
of  Croghane,  on  the  hill- slopes  near  Bunratty  and  Ennis  Abbey.  Quin  was 
dissolved  in  1541,  and  granted  two  years  later  to  Conor,  Baron  Ibracken, 
who,  like  all  his  family,  protected  the  monks.  Five  years  later — 1548, 
September  18 — the  abbey  and  its  grounds  were  granted  to  Teig  M'Conor 
Brien  and  Tirlagh  O'Brien  of  Dough.  It  consisted  of  "  The  precincts  of 
the  late  house  of  Frances  Friars  at  Queyne  in  Thomond,  conteyninge 
1  acre  in  which  is  one  great  church  now  ruinose  covered  with  sclate, 
&  stepill  greatlie  dacied,  a  church  &  cloister  &  1  great  haull  fower 
chambers,  two  cellars,  &  ruinous  cloister,  with  an  orchard  and  other 
edifices  &  also  1  water  mill  ruinose  &  prostrate  &  ten  cottages  in 
Queyn  village."  On  October  2nd,  1578,  Queen  Elizabeth,  in  a  letter 
from  "Windsor,  directs  Sir  Henry  Sidney,  the  Lord  Deputy,  to  confirm  the 
Earl  of  Thomond  in  the  Friaries  of  Ince  and  Cohenny  (Ennis  and  Quin).1 
In  1584,  the  friars  were  still  in  possession,  possibly  by  the  favour  of  the 
Earl  of  Thomond  whom  Bruodinus  describes  as  "  nominally  a  heretic, 
but  really  a  Catholic  at  heart."  In  this  year,  December  15th,2  it  was 
renewed  to  Tirlagh  O'Brien  and  his  heirs,  "  provided  they  did  not  conspire 
with  rebels."  It  was  restored  by  the  monks  in  1604,  and,  in  1643, 
possessed  eight  hundred  students ;  but,  in  1652,  the  college  was  broken 
up,  and  several  of  the  monks  executed.  The  monastery  must  have 
again  revived,  for  in  1681  Dyneley  notes  it  as  "lately  harbouring 
Friars  of  the  Order  of  Seynt  Francis,"  and  his  sketch  shows  the  gables 
crowned  with  huge  and  ornate  metal  crosses.  The  monks  fled  to  Drim, 
not  far  distant,  where  the  last  of  them,  John  Hogan,  died,  in  1820. 

John  Hooper  of  Dublin  published  an  excellent  engraving  of  the  place 
in  1794,  and  this  was  republished  in  Grose's  Antiquities.  I  am  told 
that  an  order  of  a  Vandal  grand  jury  is  extant  for  demolishing  part  of  the 
ruins  to  mend  the  neighbouring  roads,  but  this  was  rendered  inoperative 
by  the  superstition  (too  harsh  a  name  in  this  case)  of  the  peasantry,  and 
so  the  building  was  preserved  to  our  time.  It  is  now  vested  in  the  Board 
of  Public  Works,  and  by  them  most  ably  conserved  in  1881,  at  a  cost 
of  some  £1700. 


1  "  State  Papers."  2  MS.  in  Trinity  College,  Dublin. 


(     336     ) 


NOTES    AND     QUERIES. 

Jubilee  Offering  to  the  Queen. — A  very  interesting  presentation  was 
made  to  Her  Majesty  on  the  occasion  of  her  Jubilee.  It  consisted  of  an 
original  Irish  arrowhead,  mounted  in  a  shaft  of  gold,  in  the  form  of 
a  brooch.  The  arrowhead  was  a  beautiful  specimen  in  mottled  grey 
flint,  selected  for  the  purpose  out  of  Mr.  W.  J".  Knowles'  large  collection 
of  Irish  antiquities.  It  was  one  and  three  quarter  inches  long,  and  was 
delicately  serrated  at  the  edges,  and  perfect  in  form  and  shape  at  the 
point  and  the  barbs.  The  brooch  itself,  with  arrowhead  and  shaft,  is 
three  and  three  quarter  inches  long,  and  on  the  reverse  side  the  letters 
Y.R.I,  and  the  date  of  the  Jubilee  are  engraved. 

The  presentation,  accompanied  by  an  Address,  was  made  by  the 
members  of  the  Bally  menaArcha3ological  Society — W.  J.  Knowles,  M.R.I.A., 
President ;  John  Grainger,  D.D.,  M.R.I. A.,  Vice-President ;  George 
Raphael,  George  R.  Buick,  M.A.  ;  Alexander  Thomas  Kirkpatrick,  M.A.  ; 
George  Kirkpatrick,  A.  H.  Beattie,  J.  H.  Willey,  J.  W.  Frazer,  J.P.  ; 
Marcus  J.  Ward,  Leonard  G.  Hasse,  M.R.I.A.,  Secretary.  Ballymena, 
county  Antrim,  June  21st,  1887. 

The  Address — tastefully  engrossed  on  vellum — contained  the  emblems 
of  the  rose,  the  thistle,  and  the  shamrock  in  appropriate  distribution,  and 
the  capitals  were  filled  in  with  the  device  of  royalty  and  the  gracefully 
laced  forms  of  mediaeval  Irish  ornamentation. 

The  presentation  was  acknowledged  by  SIR  HENRY  PONSONBY  in  the 
following  letter : — 

"  WINDSOR  CASTLE,  July  15,  1887. 

"  SIR, — I  am  commanded  by  the  Queen  to  request  that  you  will 
thank  the  members  of  the  Ballymena  ArchaBological  Society  for  the  very 
interesting  and  valuable  present  of  the  mounted  flint  arrowhead  which 
they  have  so  kindly  presented  to  Her  Majesty.  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  HENRY  F.  PONSONBY. 

"Rev.  L.  Hasse." 

SIR  HENRY  PONSONBY  added  the  remark  that  the  Queen  was  extremely 
pleased  with  the  present. 


Note  on  White  Stone  in  Grave. — A  fanner  called  Tipping — who 
resides  at  Killyglen,  a  townland  not  far  from  Larne,  county  Antrim — 
when  planting  potatoes  last  spring,  in  a  field  not  before  under  cultiva- 
tion, came  upon  a  spot  the  soil  of  which  seemed  very  different  to  that 
in  the  other  parts  of  the  field.  Wondering  why  it  should  be  so,  he  dug 
the  soil  out,  and  the  portion  excavated  proved  to  be  a  grave,  about 
7  feet  long,  and  4  feet  broad,  which  had  been  made  in  the  boulder  clay, 
or  till.  At  the  bottom  he  found  a  small  piece  of  pottery  (which, 
unfortunately,  was  not  preserved),  a  chip  of  flint,  and  two  round 


NOTES   AND   QUERIES.  337 

stones.  The  larger  one  is  of  flint ;  it  is  seemingly  a  natural  nodule, 
which  has  been  hammered  a  good  deal  all  round.  Seven  or  eight  small 
chips  have  been  detached  from  the  surface  ;  it  is  2£  inches  in  diameter. 
The  other  pebble  is  of  limestone,  and  it  is  somewhat  flattish,  being  about 
half  an  inch  in  thickness,  whilst  on  the  face  it  is  rather  more  than  an 
inch  across.  It  is  pierced  in  the  direction  of  its  longer  diameter ;  the 
hole,  which  is  two-eighths  of  an  inch  across,  is  apparently  natural,  not 
artificial,  and,  to  get  it  as  near  the  centre  as  possible,  the  stone  seems  to 
have  been  scraped  and  cut.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  originally  the 
pebble  was  a  small  sponge  from  the  chalk,  in  which  case  it  is  easy 
accounting  for  the  hole  ;  or  it  may  have  been  a  piece  of  limestone  bored 
by  a  pholas,  and  afterwards  dressed  to  make  a  pendant,  to  hang  on  the 
corpse  of  the  person  in  whose  grave  it  was  found.  The  grave  itself  was 
within  about  forty  perches  of  the  "  Mullagh-Sandal  Standing-Stone." — 
OEOEGE  E.  BUICK. 


Indian  Dolmens. — "  The  Lurka  Kols,  or  as  they  prefer  to  call  them- 
selves, the  Hos,  are  with  rare  exceptions  only  to  be  found  in  the  portion 
of  Singhbhum  known  as  the  Kolehan  or  Hodesum,  as  it  has  been  called. 
There  they  live,  shut  out  from  all  Aryan  influences,  observing  a  most 
rigid  conservatism  with  regard  to  the  language  and  traditional  customs 
of  their  race.  Notably  among  these  customs,  as  being  one  that  must 
force  itself  on  the  notice  of  every  traveller  in  this  district,  is  the  erection 
of  stone  tablets  and  slabs  (Menhirs  and  Dolmens)  over  the  graves,  and  to 
the  memory  of  the  deceased.  Although  it  is  only  within  the  limits  of 
the  Kolehan  that  these  monuments  are  erected  at  the  present  day,  they 
are  to  be  found  scattered  throughout  Chutia  Nagpur,  and  to  some  ex- 
tent in  the  Orissa  Tributary  States  (occasionally  in  localities  upwards 
of  one  hundred  miles  distant  from  the  Kolehan),  which,  in  all  probability, 
have  not  been  inhabited  by  Hos  for  many  centuries.  There  are  few 
parts  of  the  Kolehan,  where  an  extensive  view  of  several  villages  can  be 
obtained,  which  do  not  include  several  groups  of  upright  monumental 
stones.  These  groups  may  include  any  number,  and  there  is  no  restriction 
to  odd  numbers,  as  is  said  to  be  the  case  in  the  Khasia  Hills.  The  stones 
.selected  for  erection  are  generally  more  or  less  rectangular  or  cylindrical 
in  form  ;  but  sometimes  they  are  of  very  fantastic  shapes.  These  latter, 
however,  it  is  important  to  observe,  are  not  due  to  either  freak  or  design 
on  the  part  of  the  people.  They  are  the  natural  forms  of  the  flags, 
which  they  assume  in  their  exposed  positions  in  the  rivers.  Beyond 
being  forced  from  the  beds  by  means  of  crowbars,  they  are  not,  as  a  rule, 
touched  with  any  tools.  I  have  often  come  across  the  spots  in  the  river 
sections,  whence  stones  for  this  purpose,  and  also  larger  ones  intended  for 
dolmens,  had  been  raised.  The  geological  formations  in  the  Kolehan 
consist  in  part  of  schists  and  slates,  which  supply  an  abundance  of  flags 
suited  to  the  purpose.  In  portions  of  the  country  not  now  occupied  by 
the  Hos,  when  the  rocks  are  granite,  and  flag-like  masses  can  seldom  be 
obtained,  the  ancient  monuments  are  less  tabular  in  shape  and  of  smaller 
size.  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  the  geological  formation  may  have 
had  something  to  do  in  determining  the  selection  of  the  Kolehan  as  the 
final  resting-place  of  the  race."— Jungle  Life  in  India.  By  V.  BALL,  pp. 
162,  163. 


338  NOTES   AND    QUERIES. 

Antiquarian  Discovery  at  Lochleven. — Considerable  interest  has  quite 
recently  been  excited  in  Kinross-shire  by  the  discovery  of  the  remains  of 
an  ancient  "  crannog,"  or  lake  dwelling,  in  the  bed  of  Lochleven. 
Several  years  ago  an  ancient  canoe  was  found  embedded  in  the  lake,  and 
this  clearly  indicated  a  pre-historic  settlement  in  the  district.  At  length 
attention  was  drawn  to  a  peculiar  accumulation  of  wood  and  stones  lying 
at  the  bottom  of  the  loch  to  the  south  of  the  old  churchyard  of  Kinross. 
On  careful  examination  of  the  mound,  which  was  then  from  three  to  four  feet 
under  water,  it  presented  all  the  appearance  of  the  remains  of  an  ancient 
crannog,  and  so  soon  as  the  waters  subsided  to  their  summer  level,  intelligent 
and  trustworthy  workmen  were  directed  to  turn  over  carefully  as  much  of 
the  accumulation  as  the  shallowness  of  the  water  permitted  them  to  reach. 
It  yielded  results  which  completely  establish  the  character  of  the  structure. 
The  articles  found  consisted  of  animal  remains — bones  and  teeth — along 
with  portions  of  a  clay  hearth,  with  ashes  adhering  to  it ;  several  pieces 
of  charred  wood,  and  a  considerable  number  of  fragments  of  coarse,  thick, 
hand-made  crockery.  The  only  other  "find"  of  an  artificial  character 
was  a  piece  of  wood,  conjectured  to  be  the  handle  of  a  rude  heckle  for 
dressing  flax.  It  is  difficult  to  give  an  exact  description  of  the  crannog, 
as,  with  the  exception  of  the  small  portion  already  referred  to,  it  is  still 
entirely  under  water,  varying  from  one  to  two  feet  in  depth.  As  nearly, 
however,  as  can  at  present  be  ascertained,  it  has  consisted  of  an  oblong 
platform,  lying  parallel  with  the  shore,  measuring  about  thirty  yards  from 
east  to  west,  and  abouttwenty  yards  from  north  to  south.  Thisplatform  was 
composed  of  undressed  trunks  of  trees  several  yards  in  length,  and  from 
nine  inches  to  a  foot  in  diameter,  supported  on  piles,  and  across  these  logs 
there  have  been  laid  smaller  branches,  placed  close  together,  which  were 
covered  with  an  immense  quantity  of  brushwood.  On  the  top  of  all  is  a 
layer  of  stones,  gathered  from  the  loch,  but  evidently  selected,  as  they 
are  larger  and  more  uniform  in  size  than  the  stones  which  lie  scattered 
along  the  shore.  The  piles  supporting  this  platform  are  fully  nine 
inches  square,  and  they  had  been  at  least  twelve  feet  high,  as  the  water 
round  the  crannog  must  have  been  nine  or  ten  feet  deep.  The  piles  have 
apparently  been  broken  over  at  the  root,  for  only  a  foot  or  eighteen  inches 
of  the  pointed  ends  are  to  be  found  at  the  bottom  of  the  loch.  The 
timber  is  reduced  almost  to  a  pulp ;  in  many  instances,  however,  the  bark 
still  adheres,  and  presents  the  same  natural  appearance  and  colour  as  if 
only  now  removed  from  the  tree.  The  crannog  had  been  erected  at  a 
distance  of  from  sixty  to  seventy  yards  from  the  land,  and  it  had  been  con- 
nected with  the  north  shore  of  the  loch  by  a  gangway,  which,  judging  from 
the  remains  of  the  piles  on  which  it  was  supported,  must  have  been  fully 
twelve  feet  in  breadth.  Beyond  the  south  edge  of  the  "  crannog"  there 
can  be  traced  at  the  bottom  of  the  loch  a  rude  encircling  breakwater  of 
stone,  crescent-shaped,  and  about  two  feet  in  height.  This  had  enclosed 
the  structure  on  the  south  or  lochward  side,  and  was  thus  clearly  intended 
to  lessen  the  force  of  the  waves  before  they  reached  the  supporting  piles. 
The  "  find"  is  a  highly  important  one,  from  an  antiquarian  point  of 
view. 

Volcanic  Eruptions  and  Earthquakes. — "  The  direct  cause  of  earth- 
quakes and  volcanic  eruptions  seems  to  be  thus  : — The  earth's  crust  is- 
undergoing  shrinkage  consequent  on  the  gradual  cooling  of  the  interior, 


NOTES   AND    QUERIES.  339 

and  cracks  and  faults  take  place  along  lines  of  weakness,  which  are 
fairly  well  denned.  Through  these  openings  water  finds  access  to  the 
depths  of  fusion.  The  heat  may  be  increased  by  decomposition  of  the 
water  and  oxidation  of  the  metals ;  but  in  any  case  great  disturbance 
would  take  place,  resulting  in  violent  explosions  and  the  formation  of 
enormous  volumes  of  steam  and  water  vapour.  These  explosions  and  the 
effort  of  steam,  water  vapour  and  heated  lava  to  escape  would  be  produc- 
tive of  those  forces  from  which  earthquakes  appear  to  result.  Should 
the  force  generated  be  sufficient  to  overcome  resistance  at  a  weak  point, 
then,  at  that  point,  a  volcano  would  break  forth.  The  stress  within  the 
earth  having  thus  been  relieved,  earthquake  shocks  would  decline  until 
the  seismic  forces  again  collect  and  were  unable  to  find  escape.  In  the 
case  of  Stromboli  that  escape  is  always  possible ;  but  should  circumstances 
occur  to  prevent  that  relief,  then  that  volcano,  or  a  neighbouring  one, 
would  finally  break  out  into  violent  eruption.  So  long  as  Vesuvius  is 
in  frequent  activity  earthquakes  are  not  severe,  and  the  eruptions  are 
mild  compared  to  those  which  occur  after  a  period  of  repose." — E. 
WETHEKED,  F.G.S.,  F.C.S.,  F.R.M.S. 


The  following  extracts  are  from  the  " Salvetti  Correspondence"  : — 

LONDON,  IStJi  February^  1626. — "  The  Coronation  of  King  Charles  took 
place  yesterday  in  Westminster  Abbey,  but  without  the  customary  Royal 
cavalcade,  and  comparatively  without  the  magnificence  characteristic  of 
the  ceremonial. 

"  The  day  before  the  Coronation  the  ceremony  of  creating  sixty  knights 
of  the  Order  of  the  Bath  was  performed,  with  no  diminution  of  splendour, 
notwithstanding  the  pest.  The  knights  were  mostly  men  of  title  and 
well-born  gentlemen.  They  rode  in  their  mantles  (of  crimson  velvet  and 
ermine,  embroidered  with  certain  white  stripes),  each  knight  being 
between  two  esquires,  also  on  horseback,  and  with  a  mounted  page  in 
front,  bearing  the  sword  and  gilt  spurs  of  his  master.  They  were  also 
attended  by  grooms  and  other  officials.  On  arriving  at  the  palace  they 
were  introduced,  with  great  ceremony,  into  the  hall,  and  were  there 
knighted  by  his  Majesty,  who  touched  each  on  the  shoulder  with  an 
unsheathed  sword.  The  new  knights  were  then  girt  with  gilt  swords, 
and  were  invested  with  a  crimson  ribbon,  with  a  medal  of  gold  attached, 
bearing  a  device  of  three  crowns  in  its  centre,  and  the  motto,  "  Tria 
juncta  in  uno."  Lastly  the  spurs  were  fixed  by  a  noble  friend  and  an 
assistant,  and  this  completed  the  ceremony.  Next  Sunday  the  king  will 
create  a  number  of  earls  in  honour  of  the  Coronation.  It  is  a  dignity  of 
the  highest  class,  conferred  only  on  great  personages,  and  with  much 
pomp  and  solemnity." 

LONDON,  6th  March,  1626. — "  The  Persian  ambassador  arrived  here  on 
Saturday,  and  the  first  audience  was  appointed  for  Monday,  after  dinner. 
In  the  meanwhile  he  accidentally  met  Sir  Robert  Shirley,  an  Englishman, 
who  has  been  here  for  more  than  three  years  endeavouring  to  open  a  silk 
trade  with  Persia.  The  two  ambassadors  from  words  came  to  blows,  and 
in  the  encounter  his  Excellency,  Sir  Robert  Shirley,  had  the  worst  of  it, 
whilst  the  Persian  not  only  would  not  recognise  him  as  an  ambassador, 


340  NOTES   AND   QUERIES. 

but  tore  up  the  credentials  which  the  Englishman  showed  in  proof  of  his 
mission.  In  consequence  of  this  incident  the  audience  had  not  taken 
place.  I  do  not  see  how  it  can  end,  except  in  proving  that  one  or  other 
is  an  impostor.  There  can  be  no  reception  till  the  matter  is  cleared  up." 

LONDON-,  26th  March. — "  The  new  Persian  ambassador  has  at  last  had 
an  audience  of  his  Majesty,  during  which,  besides  the  usual  compliments, 
he  explained  his  instructions  to  invite  this  nation,  together  with  the 
Dutch — to  whom  another  ambassador  had  been  sent  similarly  instructed 
— to  open  a  trade  in  silk  with  Persia,  with  promises  of  the  most 
favourable  conditions.  He  also  had  an  audience  of  the  Queen,  and  is 
now  waiting  to  communicate  with  commissaries  with  whom  to  commence 
business  negotiations.  This  proposed  trade  must  depend  upon  the  good- 
will of  the  leading  merchants,  and  it  must  involve  a  great  expense,  even 
to  make  a  beginning.  It  will  not,  therefore,  be  surprising  if  after  some 
time  spent  in  discussion  it  should  end  in  smoke." 

"  As  for  the  other  ambassador,  Shirley,  who  carried  off  such  a  load  of 
fisticuffs  from  his  newly-arrived  rival,  I  believe,  as  I  have  already  said, 
that  he  had  better  remain  quiet,  as  there  appears  to  be  no  remedy,  and  as 
he  is  under  the  shadow  of  a  suspicion  that  he  has  for  a  long  time  pretended 
to  be  what  he  is  not." 

LONDON,  27th  March,  1626. — "  The  new  Persian  ambassador  presented 
his  Majesty,  on  the  occasion  of  his  audience  of  Monday,  with  several 
long  and  wide  carpets  made  in  his  country,  with  I  know  not  what 
quantity  of  gold  and  silver  brocade.  It  is  said  of  the  value  of  about  five 
thousand  crowns.  There  are  as  yet  no  commissioners  appointed  to  consult 
with  the  ambassador  on  his  proposals." 

"  As  to  the  other  ambassador,  the  Englishman,  Shirley,  it  is  proposed 
to  send  a  person  expressly  to  Persia  to  ascertain  if  he  is  recognised  by 
the  King ;  and  perhaps  they  will  send  him  also,  in  company  with 
the  messenger,  at  his  own  special  request.  In  the  meanwhile,  his  rival 
will  be  detained  here  till  his  return,  or  till,  by  some  means,  the  real  facts 
are  ascertained." 

LONDON,  1st  May,  1626. — "The  Persian  ambassador,  who  arrived  last, 
went  to  Dover  on  Sunday  to  catch  a  vessel  belonging  to  the  East  India 
Company,  in  which  to  return  to  his  country ;  but  it  sailed  before  his 
arrival,  and  he  returned  to  London  to  await  another  opportunity." 

' '  Sir  Robert  Shirley,  also  Persian  ambassador,  is  about  to  proceed  to 
Persia,  with  his  Majesty rs  sanction,  in  company  with  Sir  Dodmore  Cotton, 
with  the  title  of  Ambassador,  to  inquire  whether  Shirley  is  actually  the 
Persian  ambassador,  and  above  all  to  ask  for  satisfaction  on  account  of 
the  insolent  conduct  of  the  Persian  who  assaulted  a  well-born  gentleman 
who  had  been  recognised  by  his  Majesty  as  Persian  ambassador." 

The  Segger&on  or  Seckerston  Family  in  Ireland. — In  the  Introductions 
to  the  First  and  Second  Series  of  the  "  Lismore  Papers,"  edited  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Grosart,  it  is  stated  on  the  evidence  of  entries  in  the  diaries  of 
the  1st  Earl  of  Cork  (Sir  Richard  Boyle),  deeds,  wills,  &c.,  that  his 
cousin,  Elizabeth  Boyle,  married,  1st,  Edmund  Spenser,  the  poet;  2dly, 
Roger  Seckerston ;  and  3rdly,  Captain  Robert  Tynte ;  and  that  by  her 


NOTES  AND  QUEKIES.  341 

second  husband  she  had  a  son,  Eichard,  the  godson  and  nameson  of  the 
"  Great  Earl."  In  a  letter  written  by  the  second  wife  of  Boyle  to  her 
husband  (Second  Series,  "Lismore  Papers,"  vol.  i.,  p.  84)  she  desires 
to  be  commended  to  her  "Cousin  Seggerson,"  and  Dr.  Grosart  questions 
whether  this  is  meant  for  ft  Seckerston."  There  can  be  little  doubt  that 
this  is  the  case.  In  the  depositions  relating  to  the  year  1641  (in  Trinity 
College  Library)  the  name  is  spelt  indifferently — Seckerston,  Seggerson, 
and  Segerson.  Between  1 640  and  the  early  part  of  the  present  century  a 
family  named  Segerson  lived  in  Iveragh  and  Dunkerron,  in  the  south- 
west of  Kerry,  and  held  property  and  also  a  good  position  among  the 
gentry  thereabouts.  I  think  the  family  is  now  extinct  in  Kerry  in  the 
male  line  ;  but  some  sixty  or  seventy  years  ago  a  female  member  of  it 
married  the  late  Rev.  Denis  Mahony,  of  Dromore  Castle,  near  Kenmare, 
and  had  a  son  and  heir,  the  present  Eichard  Mahony,  Esq.,  D.L.,  of 
Dromore  Castle.  In  the  deposition  of  Tirlogh  Kelly,  printed  in  Ireland 
in  the  17  th  Century;  or,  the  Irish  Massacres  of  1641,  vol.  n.,  p.  128, 
mention  is  made  of  a  Mr.  Segerson,  an  "  English  Eoman  Catholic,"  who 
was  with  the  Irish,  until  taken  prisoner  by  Sir  Edward  Denny's  troops 
at  Ballinskelligs,  in  Iveragh.  The  words,  " English  Eoman  Catholic," 
in  the  language  of  that  time,  did  not  necessarily  imply  that  Segerson  was 
a  native  of  England,  but  that  he  was  an  Englishman  by  descent.  There 
were  very  many  of  the  1st  Earl  of  Cork's  English-descended  tenants  in 
Waterford  and  Cork ;  some  moved  into  Kerry  :  amongst  them,  I  suppose, 
were  Segersons  or  Seckerstons — Spenser's  connexions.  I  do  not  know 
whether  any  of  their  male  descendants  still  exist  in  Kerry  or  Cork;  but 
some  years  ago  a  friend  in  Dublin  wrote  to  me,  stating  that  a  Dr. 
Segerson  had  asked  him  to  ascertain  from  the  Dublin  Public  Eecord 
Office  and  the  Eegistry  of  Deeds  Office  particulars  about  families  of  his 
name.  I  had  nothing  to  tell  at  that  time ;  but  the  notices  of  Elizabeth 
Spenser's  second  husband,  Eoger  Segerson,  and  her  children  by  him,  and 
the  mention  of  their  family  name  in  the  Kerry  depositions  of  1641,  have 
recalled  my  attention  to  my  friend's  inquiries. — MAET 


Pile  Dwellings  in  New  Guinea. — "  Kaili  (450  inhabitants)  is  charm- 
ingly situated  at  the  head  of  a  spacious  bay.  This  is  the  second  entirely 
marine  village  I  have  visited.  It  consists  of  forty  houses,  built  on  long 
poles  in  shallow  water.  There  are  four  rows  of  these  dwellings,  the 
teacher's  being  the  last.  The  church,  which  stands  apart^ between  two 
rows,  is  connected  with  Eeboama's.  The  road  to  church  is  merely  one 
row  of  poles  stuck  in  the  sea,  cross  sticks  connecting  the  sacred  edifice 
with  the  first  series  of  aerial  dwellings.  It  must  be  a  ticklish  thing  to 
walk  to  church  by  such  a  road.  There  is  no  communication  between  the 
other  rows  except  by  canoes  or  swimming.  "We  entered  one  or  two 
curious  dwellings  ;  their  valuables  consisted  of  grass  petticoats,  armlets, 
spears,  clubs,  axes,  and  nets,  with  a  few  earthenware  pots  for  cooking. 
"We  laughed  at  seeing  a  fine  hog,  in  a  pen,  between  two  houses.  The 
teacher  feeds  his  poultry  on  the  platform  of  his  dwelling.  The  only 
reason  assigned  for  erecting  these  marine  villages  is  fear  of  their  inland 
foes,  and  that  their  fathers  did  so  before  them.  .  .  .  These  sea  villages 
have  one  obvious  advantage  over  those  built  ashore — they  are  free  from 
mosquitoes.  ...  At  the  back  of  the  range  of  hills  facing  Kaili  is  a 


342  NOTES   AND  QUERIES. 

warrior  tribe,  named  Manukols.  Farther  inland  still,  on  the  Astrolobe, 
are  the  Koiari —  not  very  numerous,  who  are  kind  to  strangers.  Utterly 
unlike  the  coast  natives,  they  neither  beg  nor  steal — they  are  thorough 
mountaineers.  They  are  supposed  to  be  the  original  lords  of  the  soil, 
and  are  the  makers  of  the  stone  adzes.  .  .  .  Passing  on  our  way  east- 
ward we  saw  a  number  of  old  piles,  indicating  the  original  site  of  Kaili 
before  they  were  driven  away  by  the  Manukols.  Later  on  we  anchored 
at  the  village  of  Kapa-Kapa,  consisting,  in  truth,  of  two  hamlets  half 
a  mile  apart,  thirty-three  miles  east  of  Port  Moresby.  This  is  my  third 
Swiss-lake-like  village  in  New  Guinea.  It  has  a  population  of  450.  .  .  . 
I  was  struck  with  a  hut  standing  apart  from  all  others,  in  the  middle  of 
the  bay,  and  learned  that  it  was  built  by  a  man  who  had  quarrelled  with 
all  his  friends !  Fowls  and  hogs  are  fed,  and  evidently  thrive  in  these 
remarkable  dwellings  (and  a  fine  plantation  of  yams,  bananas,  and  sweet 
potatoes  lies  opposite  to  the  village).  Our  boat  was  pulled  between  the 
rows  of  dwellings,  Mr.  Chalmers  occasionally  throwing  a  handful  of  small 
pieces  of  tobacco  into  the  sea.  Men,  women,  and  children  all  dived 
down  for  the  coveted  prize,  and,  in  a  friendly  way,  contended  with  each 
other  for  it.  This  Papuan  Venice  consists  of  forty  houses.  .  .  .  Hula, 
like  Tupuselei,  Kaili,  and  Kapa-Kapa,  is  built  in  the  sea.  It  contains 
about  400  people.  With  our  clerical  friend  I  went,  in  a  canoe,  through 
this  long  village,  or  rather  two  villages.  Wishing  to  look  at  some  of 
these  houses,  we  climbed — not  without  some  difficulty — up  on  to  a  plat- 
form ten  feet  above  the  sea;  on  this  wretchedly-insecure  place  they 
dance  every  night  by  torchlight.  By  day  the  younger  members  of  the 
family  sit  and  smoke  there,  regardless  of  the  hot  sun.  Beyond  is  a 
shaded  place  for  the  parents.  Climbing  up  a  short  ladder  you  enter  by 
a  small  door  into  their  only  sleeping  apartment,  which  is  very  dark.  A 
portion  of  it,  however,  is  marked  off.  Here  the  daily  cooking  is  done, 
the  accumulated  ashes  preventing  the  house  from  catching  fire.  The 
flooring  is  made  from  the  sides  of  old  canoes,  well  adzed,  and  secured  to 
the  framework  of  the  house  by  rattan  cane.  One  would  surmise  that 
their  bones  would  be  sore  with  lying  through  the  night  on  bare  boards  : 
such,  however,  is  not  the  case.  Their  ornaments  and  petticoats,  weapons 
and  chatties,  hooks,  lines,  and  seines,  are  all  in  their  proper  place.  The 
thatch  is  either  of  sago  or  nipa-palmleaf .  All  along,  outside  the  ridging, 
sprouting  cocoa-nuts  are  kept  ready  for  use.  Ornaments  occasionally 
dangle  from  the  extremity  over  the  doorway.  .  .  .  Each  dwelling  at 
Hula  is  connected  with  the  next  by  means  of  a  single  loose  plank.  A 
rail  sometimes  assists  the  hand  in  steadying  the  body  of  the  adventurous 
traveller.  It  was  interesting  to  observe  how  they  ran  from  one  house 
to  another  in  perfect  safety.  We,  too,  achieved  the  feat — not,  however, 
without  fear  of  getting  a  ducking."  —  Work  and  Adventures  in  New 
Guinea,  pp.  281-5.  By  James  Chalmers  and  W.  Wyatt  Gill. 


Discoveries  at  Enniskillen  Bridge. — The  cutting  of  the  channel  at  the 
East  Bridge,  Enniskillen,  has  brought  to  light  several  things  of  interest. 
The  bridge  crosses  the  old  ford,  and  both  Mr.  Best,  the  contractor  for 
the  work,  and  Mr.  T.  Plunkett,  M.E.I.A.,  were  on  the  look-out  for  any 
relic  of  the  past.  The  workmen  were  careful  in  turning  over  the  stuff, 
and  thus  it  happened  that  several  coins  were  found.  Mr.  Plunkett  was 


NOTES  AND   QUERIES.  343 

so  fortunate  as  to  find  nine  stone  hatchets,  one  of  them  being  of  the 
elliptical  kind,  said  by  some  antiquaries  to  have  been  used  for  hollowing 
out  ^  canoes.  The  presence  of  the  hatchets  in  the  old  ford  shows  its 
having  been  frequented  in  remote  antiquity. 

One  of  the  coins  obtained  by  Mr.  Best  is  dated  1672,  and  bears  the 
representation  of  St.  George  and  the  dragon.  Thus  are  we  brought  to 
the  time  of  Charles  II.  ;  but  it  is  most  likely  it  was  flung  into  the  river, 
at  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  from  the  old  bridge  of  seven  arches,  which 
then  spanned  the  strait.  What  a  story  it  might  relate  if  it  could  but 
speak.  What  hand  flung  it  into  the  water  ?  Was  it  one  of  the  English 
soldiers  sent  to  relieve  Inniskilling,  who  came  from  Ballyshannon 
under  Major-General  Kirke  ?  or  came  it  from  some  of  the  band  which 
sallied  forth  across  the  narrow  bridge  to  the  relief  of  Crom  ?  Mayhap 
some  English  officer  of  the  King's  (James  II.)  flung  it  in  in  idle  jest,  or 
as  an  intended  gift  for  the  warders  who  kept  the  guard-house  on  the 
bridge,  and  it  slipped  into  the  water  below.  The  lowering  of  the  lake 
has  revealed  many  interesting  objects,  but  none  more  so  than  those 
discovered  in  the  channel  at  the  East  Bridge. 


Discoveries  at  Pompeii. — At  Pompeii  fresh  efforts  have  been  made 
recently  to  unearth  the  secrets  of  the  past.  A  wooden  case  was  dis- 
entombed, containing  a  complete  set  of  surgical  instruments ;  also  four 
beautiful  silver  urns,  together  with  four  smaller  cups,  eight  open  vases, 
four  dishes,  ornamented  with  foliage  and  the  figures  of  animals,  and  a 
statue  of  Jupiter.  But  there  still  remains  a  great  mine  of  antiquarian 
treasure  to  be  recovered.  We  do  not  know  what  secrets  modern  explo- 
ration will  yet  reveal ;  but  we  are  aware  that  within  the  past  century 
its  prosecution  has  filled  our  museums  with  specimens  of  ancient  art. 
It  is  now  beginning  to  be  understood  that  the  only  authentic  history 
of  the  world  lies  buried  beneath  its  surface.  As  the  world  ages,  its 
knowledge  increases.  By  slow  degrees  we  are  recovering  ancient  his- 
tory. But  there  still  remain  many  gaps  to  be  filled  up.  The  vacant 
spaces  in  the  map  of  the  earth's  history  are,  however,  steadily  grow- 
ing fewer,  and  it  may  be  that  before  many  years  the  wonderful  panorama 
will  be  completed. 

Counterfeit  Antiquities. — For  years  past  some  of  the  so  thought  most 
important  remains  disinterred  from  the  lake -dwellings  of  Switzerland 
have  been  spurious  antiquities,  manufactured  by  a  gang  of  forgers,  for 
the  purpose  of  imposing  on  the  soi-disant  savants  who  have  devoted 
themselves  to  the  subject  of  pre-historic  man.  It  has  been  observed  that 
of  late  the  "finds"  have  been  increasing  in  number,  and  antiquaries 
have  been  fairly  puzzled  by  the  plethora  of  material.  A  copper  shield, 
and  various  horn  implements,  were  among  the  most  notable  of  these 
discoveries.  These  horn  implements  bore  rude  carvings,  and  seemed  to 
be  of  the  highest  possible  interest  and  value. 

All  these  antiquities  (?)  have  been  discovered  to  be  counterfeits.  The 
shield  was  made  of  modern  metal,  and  the  remnants  of  a  "horn  age" 
were  fabricated  by  the-  jack-knives  of  Nuremberg  toy-makers.  This 
scandalous  trade  is  a  not  unnatural  outcome  of  the  zeal  of  antiquaries, 

•ITH  SER.,  VOL.  vin.  2  B 


344  NOTES    AND    QUERIES. 

and  the  growth  of  interest  in  the  subject.  This,  it  must  be  remembered, 
is  not  the  first  time  that  there  has  been  an  exposure  of  a  similar  kind. 
In  America  the  utmost  care  has  to  be  exercised  in  order  not  to  be 
deceived  by  "  bogus  "  relics.  In  Mexico  there  is  a  great  deal  more  sham 
Aztec  pottery  and  other  "  curios"  sold  than  there  is  of  genuine  anti- 
quities. The  foreign  demand  for  "American  antiquities"  is  now  so 
great,  that  one  manufacturer  concentrates  his  attention  on  "  mound 
builders'  pipes."  A  large  business  is  done  in  hematite  axes  and  gorgets 
cut  from  blue  slate.  The  artists  who  made  "  pre-historic  pottery"  so 
over-did  the  trade  that  it  no  longer  pays.  From  all  parts  of  the  world 
comes  the  same  tale.  Ingenious  knaves  are  everywhere  sedulously 
devoting  their  talents  to  the  fabrication  of  ancient  implements. 


Vitrified  Forts. — These  structures  have  excited  a  great  degree  of 
curiosity,  and  must  continue  to  be  objects  of  wonder,  from  their  magni- 
tude and  singular  construction.  "  The  dry  stone  walls  of  the  original 
hill-fort  were,  by  a  process  of  vitrification,  rendered  a  mass  of  impreg- 
nable rock ;  but  the  means  used  to  effect  this  change  can  only  be  guessed 
at.  It  seems  agreed  that  the  people  who  raised  these  works  were 
ignorant  of  the  use  of  lime  or  other  cement,  and  it  is  not  improbable 
that  accidental  conflagration  may  have  at  first  given  the  hint  for  so 
peculiar  a  mode  of  architecture ;  but  whether  a  process  like  the  burning 
of  kelp,  or  the  addition  of  any  particular  substance  to  the  part  exposed 
to  the  heat,  produced  the  fusion  of  the  mass  is  not  known." 


Attack  on  a  Crannog. — In  a  letter  written  by  Sir  R.  Bingham  to 
Burghley  (published  in  the  Calendar  of  State  Papers],  dated,  Athlone, 
16th  December,  1590,  occurs  the  following  interesting  account  of  the 
siege  and  capture  of  a  crannog  by  the  troops  of  Elizabeth  : — "  A  new 
fort,  erected  in  the  strait  of  the  Curlews,  doth  good  service.  There  was 
one  Dualtagh  O'Connor,  a  notorious  traitor,  that  of  all  the  rest  continued 
longest  as  an  outlaw  of  power  to  do  mischief.  He  had  fortified  himself 
very  strongly,  after  their  manner,  in  an  island,  or  crannog,  within 
Lough  Lane,  standing  within  the  county  of  Eoscommon,  and  on  the 
borders  of  that  county  called  Costelloghe.  A  few  days  ago,  as  opportu- 
nity and  time  served  me,  I  drew  a  force  on  the  sudden  one  night,  and 
laid  siege  to  the  island  before  day,  and  so  continued  seven  days,  restrain- 
ing them  from  sending  any  forth  or  receiving  any  in  ;  and  in  the  mean- 
time I  had  caused  divers  boats  from  Athlone,  and  a  couple  of  great  iron 
pieces,  to  be  brought  against  the  island,  and,  on  the  seventh  day,  we 
took  the  island,  without  hurt  to  any  on  our  side  save  my  brother  John, 
who  got  a  bullet- wound  in  the  back.  When  our  men  entered  the  island 
there  was  found  within  it  26  persons,  whereof  7  were  Dualtagh' s  sons 
and  daughters  ;  but  himself,  and  1 8  others,  seeking  to  save  them- 
selves by  swimming,  and,  in  their  cot,  to  recover  the  wood  next  to  the 
shore,  were,  for  the  most  part,  drowned.  Some  report  that  Dualtagh 
was  drowned,  but  the  truth  is  not  known.  It  was  scarce  daylight,  and 
the  weather  was  foggy,  when  they  betook  themselves  to  flight.  The 
Irishry  held  that  place  as  a  thing  invincible." 


NOTES   AND    QUERIES.  345 

C  unions  EPITAPHS  COPIED  BY  LIEUTENANT  F.  A.  MOYSEY,  R.N.,  11* 
THE  NAVAL  CEMETERY  AT  MALTA. 

Here  lie  the  remains  of  a  toil-worn  stoker, 
Whose  body  Avas  weak,  but  his  spirit  brave, 

His  shipmates  in  him  always  found  their  joker, 
But  now  his  body  lies  cold  in  the  grave. 

I  pray  let  him  rest,  may  his  sins  be  forgiven, 

And  may  Christ  be  his  balm  in  the  glory  of  Heaven. 


Although  my  body  lies  here  to  rot, 
I  hope  that  I  am  not  forgot 
By  all  my  messmates,  whom  I  love  well, 
That  on  board  the  "  Queen"  do  dwell. 


Here  a  sheer  hulk,  this  poor  Peter  Tor, 
In  prime  of  life  was  doffed, 

Stranger,  on  him  don't  cast  a  slur, 
But  hope  his  soul's  aloft. 


Here  lies  retired,  from  busy  scenes, 
A  private  of  the  Eoyal  Marines, 
"Who  served  in  Spain  with  gay  content, 
And  marched  wherever  he  was  sent. 
Now  stripped  of  all  his  warlike  show, 
Confined  in  box  of  elm  below  ; 
Confined  to  earth  in  narrow  borders, 
Not  to  rise  'till  further  orders. 


James  King  at  last  has  sailed  out  of  this  world, 
His  shrouds  are  cast  off,  and  his  topsails  are  furled, 
He  lays  snug  in  Death's  port  without  any  concern, 
And  he's  moored  for  a  full  due  ahead  and  astern. 
Through  the  compass  of  life  he  has  merrily  run, 
His  reckoning  is  paid,  and  his  voyage  is  done, 
When  summoned  before  the  great  Judge  of  all, 
His  living  in  life  will  condemn  or  approve. 

This  world's  an  Inn,  and  I  a  Guest, 
I've  eat,  and  drank,  and  took  my  rest 
Awhile  with  her ;  and  now  I  pay 
Her  lavish  bill,  and  go  my  way. 


Praises  on  tombs 

Are  trifles  vainly  spent, 
A  man's  own  good  name 

Is  the  best  monument. 


346  NOTES  AND   QUERIES. 

For  as  deep  was  their  grief  as  the  calm  ocean's  bed, 
And  as  silent  the  tear  which  they  sorrowing  shed 
For  his  early  tomb,  while  they  smoothed  his  rock  pillow, 
And  laid  in  his  last  berth  this  son  of  the  billow. 


All  you  that  do  pass  by  this  grave 

Stop  here,  and  do  relent, 
Here  Fisher's  life — it  was  but  short, 

He'd  not  time  to  repent. 
For  this  was  on  a  Sunday  morn, 

He  on  the  cross-trees  stood, 
To  press  the  yard  out  from  the  mast, 

He  fell  and  spilt  his  blood. 
A  mother  and  sister  he  has  got, 

They're  his  relations  all, 
And  we,  his  shipmates,  do  regret 

That  he  died  by  this  fall. 


EPITAPHS  COPIED  IN  THE  NAVAL  CEMETEBY  AT  BERMUDA, 

JAMES    SUTHEKLAND, 
OCT.   18TH,  1819. 

Peaceful  sleep  out  the  Sabbath  of  the  tomb, 
And  wake  to  raptures  in  a  life  to  come, 
See  and  confess,  one  comfort  still  must  rise — 
'Tis  this,  tho'  man's  a  fool,  yet  God  is  wise. 


JAMES    EEKKLEY, 

SEPT.  27Tn,   1818. 

To  this  sad  shrine,  whoe'er  thou  art,  draw  near, 
Here  lies  the  friend  most  loved,  the  son  most  dear, 
Who  ne'er  knew  joy,  but  friendship  might  divide, 
Or  gave  his  parents  grief  but  when  he  dyed. 
Oh  !  let  thy  once-loved  friends  inscribe  thy  stone, 
And  with  a  parent's  sorrow  mix  their  own. 


WILLIAM    SIMPSON, 
JUNE  10TH,  1845. 

It's  age,  nor  youth,  nor  wealth  cannot  withstand, 
Or  shun  the  power  of  Death's  impartial  hand  ; 
Life  is  a  cobweb,  be  it  e'er  so  gay, 
And  death  the  broom  that  sweeps  us  all  away. 


PROCEEDINGS  AND  PAPERS 


THE  ANNUAL  MEETING  of  the  Association  was  held  in 
Leinster  House,  Kildare-street,  Dublin,  on  January 
4th,  1888  ; 

E.  LANGRISHE,  Vice-President,  in  the  Chair. 

The  following  Fellows  and  Members  were  present:  — 

Eev.  Canon  Grainger,  Colonel  Vigors,  Dr.  Joly, 
Lieut. -Colonel  Wood-Martin,  Eev.  Canon  O'Neill,  Dr. 
H.  King,  Eev.  Leonard  Hasse",  Thomas  Westropp,  Eev. 
W.  Ball  Wright,  Eev.  T.  Twigg,  Eichard  A.  Gray,  W. 
E.  Molloy,  E.  Cochrane,  W.  F.  Wakeman. 

William  E.  Kelly,  C.E.,  J.P.,  Melcomb,  Newport,  Co. 
Mayo,  was  unanimously  elected  a  Fellow  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. 

The  following  new  Members  were  proposed  and 
elected : — 

James  E.  O'Doherty,  M.P.,  Londonderry,  and  Mill- 
burn,  Buncrana ;  Eev.  W.  Falkner,  Kilmessan  Glebe, 
Co.  Meath  ;  Eev.  John  Healy,  LL.D.,  St.  Columb's,  Kells, 
Co.  Meath. 

Lord  Arthur  Hill  and  Lord  Carlingford  were  elected 
Vice-Presidents  for  Ulster ;  and  Dr.  Joly  was  appointed 
a  Member  of  the  Committee. 

Lieut. -Colonel  Wood-Martin  and  W.  F.  Wakeman 
were  elected  Hon.  General  Secretaries  ;  and  J.  G. 
Eobertson  was  re-elected  Curator  of  the  Museum,  and 
Hon.  Treasurer. 

4l'H  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  2  C 


348  PROCEEDINGS. 

The  following  were  elected  as  additional  Hon.  Local 
Secretaries : — J.  M.  Thunder  for  Dublin  ;  J.  H.  Fuller- 
ton  for  Armagh  ;  Colonel  Vigors  for  Carlow  ;  James  A. 
Mahony,  of  Ramelton,  for  Donegal ;  Rev.  T.  S.  Chap- 
man for  Cavan  ;  T.  Plunkett  for  Fermanagh  ;  Rev. 
Edward  Hewson  for  Kilkenny ;  Rev.  Dr.  T.  Healy  and 
T.  H.  Moran  for  Meath,  Mr.  Garstin  having  retired ; 
W.  E.  Kelly,  J.P.,  for  Mayo,  vice  E.  Glover;  E.  Glover 
for  Kildare;  R.  Langrishe  for  Roscommon;  Rev.  W. 
Healy  for  Queen's  County. 

Colonel  Vigors  and  R.  Cochrane  were  appointed 
Auditors. 

A  number  of  highly  interesting  Celtic  antiquities, 
found  in  Ireland,  also  a  collection  of  arms  and  imple- 
ments, from  Australia  and  elsewhere,  were  exhibited  by 
Colonel  Vigors. 

Rev.  Canon  Grainger  laid  on  the  table,  for  exhibi- 
tion, three  cinerary  urns,  which  had  been  found  in  a 
cist  near  Kilmuckridge,  county  Wexford,  when  digging 
a  foundation  for  the  porch  of  a  house. 

Papers  were  read  on  the  following  subjects  : — 
"  Ancient  Beads,"  by  the  Rev.  Leonard  Hasse*;  "  The 
Use  of  Slings  and  Sling-stones,"  by  Colonel  Vigors ; 
"  Some  Ancient  Monuments  in  Meath,"  by  Rev.  W. 
Ball  Wright;  "Hunting  the  Wren  on  St.  Stephen's 
Day,"  by  George  M.  Atkinson. 

Two  Papers — one  of  them  referring  to  "  Canon's 
Island  Abbey";  the  other  to  "  Certain  Letters,  1780- 
90,  relating  to  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  under  Provost 
Hely  Hutchinson" — were  contributed  by  Thomas  J. 
Westropp. 

The  Rev.  Canon  O'Neill,  P.P.,  Clontarf,  exhibited  a 
specimen  of  ancient  printing,  being  a  book  of  sermons 
in  Latin,  published  A.  D.  1493  ;  also  an  original  deed,  exe- 
cuted by  thirty-four  private  soldiers  of  Crom well's  army 
in  Ireland,  conveying  to  their  officers  the  parcels  of  land 
(in  county  Tipperary)  allotted  to  them  in  lieu  of  money- 
payment  for  their  military  services  in  the  Cromwellian 
wars.  This  deed  was  published  by  Mr.  Prendergast  in 
his  Cromwellian  Settlement.  The  soldiers  had  merely 


PROCEEDINGS.  349 

affixed  their  marks,  only  five  or  six  of  them  being  able 
to  write  their  names  in  full. 

It  was  proposed  by  Colonel  Vigors,  and  seconded 
by  the  Chairman,  "  That  the  Committee  consider  the 
subject  of  the  preservation  of  the  memorials  of  the 
dead." 

Lieut.-Colonel  Wood-Martin  handed  in  a  Notice,  to  be 
taken  into  consideration  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Association. 


A  QUARTERLY  MEETING  of  the  Association  was  held  in 
Butler  House,  Kilkenny,  on  Wednesday,  the  4th 
of  April,  1888  ; 

LORD  JAMES  BUTLER,  President,  in  the  Chair. 

The  following  Members  were  present : — 

The  Right  Rev.  the  Lord  Bishop  of  Ossory,  D.D.  ; 
Colonel  Vigors  ;  Rev.  C.  A.  Vignoles,  A.M.,  Chancellor; 
Rev.  E.  F.  Hewson;  Rev.  M.  Ffrench;  R.  Langrishe ; 
W.  F.  Wakeman  ;  William  Gray,  Hon.  Local  Secretary 
for  Ulster ;  R.  Cochrane,  c.  E.  ;  Peter  Burtchaell,  c.  E.  ; 
G.  D.  Burtchaell,  M.A.,  B.L.  ;  J.  B.  Browne;  David  H. 
Creighton  ;  Patrick  Watters,  M.  A.  ;  Dr.  C.  E.  James ; 
P.  M.  Egan,  Mayor ;  M.  Hogan. 

LORD  JAMES  BUTLER,  when  opening  the  General 
Meeting  of  the  Association,  stated  "  that  it  was  the  first 
time  he  had  met  them  as  President  since  they  had  done 
him  the  honour  of  electing  him  for  that  high  position, 
but  he  would  do  his  best  to  carry  out  the  duties  con- 
nected with  it,  and  hoped  that  this,  his  first  essay,  would 
be  looked  upon  with  kindness.  There  was  a  subject  to 
be  laid  before  them  now  which  required  serious  con- 
sideration, and  it  had  been  discussed  a  few  hours  pre- 
viously at  a  Committee  meeting.  The  proposition  was, 

\S        2C2 


350  PROCEEDINGS. 

that  negotiations  should  be  entered  into  with  Dr.  Ball — 
who  has  charge  of  the  Museum  of  Science  and  Art  in 
Dublin — to  take  over  the  Museum,  R.H. A.A.I.,  and  the 
objects  of  interest  attached  to  it,  all  these  to  be  held  under 
the  Crown,  in  the  name  of  the  Association,  and  to  be 
housed  in  a  room  in  Leinster  House,  where  they  would 
be  open  to  inspection  of  a  greater  number  of  the  public. 
The  articles  might  be  considered  to  be — not  a  gift — but 
a  loan,  as  in  the  case  of  the  fine  picture,  by  Sir  Edwin 
Landseer,  which  had  been  lent  by  the  National  Gallery 
of  England  to  the  National  Gallery  of  Ireland,  on  per- 
petual loan.  The  articles  in  question,  when  placed 
amongst  the  Dublin  collection,  could  all  be  labelled,  for 
there  were  many  Members  who  still  feel  great  pride  in 
having  an  Archaeological  Society  in  Kilkenny,  and  in 
having  its  name  perpetuated.  The  opening  proceedings 
connected  with  this  important  subject  had  been  carried 
out,  and  it  was  hoped  that  the  present  meeting  would 
sanction  them,  or  suggest  means  of  improving  the  plan 
laid  before  them  for  consideration.  Several  Papers  had 
been  sent  in  to  be  read  before  the  Meeting — some  of 
them  being  of  considerable  length,  and  in  manuscript ; 
it  would,  therefore,  seem  desirable  that  these  should  be 
referred,  with  a  report  from  the  Committee,  that  they 
are  well  worthy  of  consideration.  He  (the  President) 
felt  great  interest  in  the  Society,  as  did  also  his  brother, 
the  late  Lord  Ormonde.  He  could  not  but  consider 
himself  part  and  parcel  of  it,  as  being  one  of  the 
modern  additions  to  this  important  Archaeological  Asso- 
ciation." 

The  Minutes  of  the  previous  Meeting  were  then 
read. 

Mr.  Browne  said  that,  as  stated  in  the  Minutes,  the 
Annual  Meeting  had  been  held  in  Dublin;  but  in  1878 
a  resolution  was  passed  to  the  effect,  "  that  the  Annual 
Meeting  should  be  held  in  Kilkenny,"  and  that  resolu- 
tion not  having  been  rescinded,  the  last  Meeting  could 
not  have  been  the  Annual  Meeting.  He  merely  drew 
attention  to  this  point,  being  himself  most  anxious  that 
the  headquarters  should  now  be  in  Dublin ;  the  change, 
however,  should  be  effected  regularly. 


PROCEEDINGS.  351 

The  Minutes  were  then  signed,  with  the  following 
attached : — 

EESOLVED, — "  That  we  consider  the  holding  of  the  last  January  Meet- 
ing in  Dublin— the  Annual  Meeting— was  a  mistake,  as  the  Annual 
Meetings  are,  by  former  resolution,  confined  to  Kilkenny ;  and  till  the 
resolution  be  rescinded,  on  due  notice,  the  Annual  Meeting  cannot  be 
held  elsewhere  than  in  Kilkenny." 

The  President  said  that  the  next  subject  to  be 
brought  under  their  consideration  was  Colonel  Wood- 
Martin's  notice  of  motion,  which  was  as  follows : — 

"  At  the  next  Quarterly  Meeting  of  the  Association  I,  or  some  Fellow 
of  the  Association,  on  my  behalf,  will  move — (1)  That  after  the  inven- 
tory of  the  books,  contents  of  Museum,  and  other  property  of  the  Associa- 
tion in  Kilkenny  is  taken  and  valued,  they  be  offered  for  sale  to  the 
Science  and  Art  Department  at  Leinster  House,  or  any  other  public  body, 
where  they  will  be  open  to  the  inspection  of  the  general  public ;  or  (2) 
that  they  be  lent  to  the  Science  and  Art  Department,  Leinster  House,  in 
return  for  a  yearly  grant  to  the  Association." 

Mr.  Langrishe,  on  behalf  of  Colonel  Wood-Martin, 
proposed,  and  Mr.  Cochrane  seconded,  the  motion. 

Mr.  Gray  said  that  the  question  had  been  much  dis- 
cussed outside  Kilkenny  and  Dublin.  There  were  many 
Members  of  the  Association  who  knew  nothing  about 
the  collection,  and  it  was  the  first  time  that  he  himself 
had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  Museum,  which  con- 
tains a  variety  of  articles  that  ought  to  be  properly 
arranged,  so  as  to  be  available  to  the  greatest  number 
of  Members  of  the  Association  throughout  the  Kingdom. 
For  that  reason  he  thought  the  Museum  should  be  trans- 
ferred to  Dublin,  provided  that  arrangements  can  be 
made  that  will  be  satisfactory  to  the  Committee.  It 
was  simply  impossible  for  them  to  provide  the  large 
sum  of  money  requisite  for  keeping  up  the  collection 
so  as  to  be  available  for  educational  purposes,  and  it  was 
therefore  best  to  transfer  it  to  the  care  of  the  Crown. 

Rev.  Mr.  Ffrench  considered  that  it  would  be  like 
"  sending  coals  to  Newcastle'7  to  send  the  collection  to 
Dublin  ;  there  it  could  only  serve  to  add  to  a  museum 
which  was  already  full,  whereas  if  it  could  be  put  on  a 
satisfactory  footing  in  Kilkenny,  it  might  occupy  an 


352  PROCEEDINGS. 

important  educational  position.  Doubtless,  however, 
the  Committee  had  given  this  matter  their  most  careful 
consideration. 

The  Mayor  expressed  himself  glad  to  support  the 
observations  made  by  Rev.  Mr.  Ffrench  with  regard 
to  the  resolution  before  the  Meeting.  They  were,  of 
course,  aware  that  the  treasure-trove,  when  carried  to 
Dublin,  would  be  labelled  "  Kilkenny" — but  that  would 
be  small  consolation.  Able  and  learned  men  had  founded 
the  Association  in  Kilkenny,  and  respect  for  their  me- 
mory should  prevent  the  removal  of  this  monument  of 
their  labours  from  the  locality  where  they  had  spent  so 
much  of  their  lives. 

Mr.  Gr.  D.  Burtchaell  was  of  opinion  that  the  best 
way  to  preserve  and  to  honour  the  memory  of  its- 
founders  would  be  by  making  the  Museum  more  gene- 
rally known. 

Mr.  Browne  said  that  it  was  with  great  reluctance 
he  was  compelled  to  differ  from  the  Mayor,  because  in 
Dublin  one  hundred  persons — not  inhabitants  of  Dublin 
— will  see  the  different  items  of  the  Museum,  for  one 
person  who  could  see  them  in  Kilkenny.  The  Associa- 
tion had  grown  to  be  the  Archaeological  Association, 
not  of  Kilkenny,  but  of  Ireland ;  and  consequently  the 
capital  of  the  Kingdom  ought  to  be  the  home  of  its 
Museum. 

Mr.  Langrishe  stated  that  it  was  in  consequence  of 
the  financial  difficulty  of  maintaining  the  Museum,  and 
having  it  looked  after  in  Kilkenny,  that  they  now  pro- 
posed to  have  it  removed  to  Dublin  for  safe  custody. 

The  President  felt  warranted  in  explaining  that  there 
really  were  not  funds  forthcoming  that  would  enable 
them  to  retain  this  Museum  in  Kilkenny.  He  was 
aware  that  Mr.  Graves  had  been  most  desirous  to  put 
the  Association  on  a  higher  footing,  but  he  could  not 
see  his  way  to  have  a  suitable  building  erected,  and  the 
needful  staff  maintained,  for  its  guardianship.  If  the 
Museum  could  be  transferred  to  the  management  of  the 
Crown,  it  would  be  more  accessible  for  the  public  gene- 
rally than  it  could  possibly  be  in  Kilkenny. 

The  Bishop  of  Ossory  explained  that  it  was  not  un- 


PROCEEDINGS.  353 

common  in  large  museums  to  receive  a  number  of  articles 
belonging  to  one  or  more  individuals  and  to  keep  them 
together  intact.  A  valuable  collection  of  things  had 
been  given  by  a  celebrated  Egyptologist  to  the  British 
Museum,  on  the  condition  that  they  should  be  placed 
together,  and  kept  in  a  room  by  themselves.  He  was 
himself  acquainted  with  other  instances  in  which  similar 
arrangements  had  been  made;  and,  therefore,  if  the 
Kilkenny  Museum  were  to  be  transferred  to  Dublin,  all 
could  be  kept  in  a  separate  room,  and  labelled,  "  The 
Museum,  R.H.A.A.I."  Then  any  person  feeling  special 
interest  in  that  Society  would  feel  gratified  by  the  in- 
spection. 

The  Mayor  then  proposed  as  an  amendment — 

"  That  the  resolution  be  not  considered." 

This  was  afterwards  modified  by  him  to  the  terms — 

"  That  the  Museum  be  retained  in  Kilkenny.5' 

Mr.  Hogan  seconded  the  amendment. 

The  President  put  Colonel  Wood-Martin's  resolu- 
tion and  the  Mayor's  amendment  to  the  meeting, 
when  the  former  was  carried,  there  being  only  two 
dissentients. 

Mr.  Langrishe  said  that  he  had  a  matter  to  bring 
before  them  on  which  there  could  be  no  difference  of 
opinion.  He  moved — 

"  That  steps  be  now  taken  to  erect  a  suitable  memorial  to  the  memory 
of  our  late  lamented  Secretary,  the  KEY.  JAMES  GKAVES,  in  St.  Canice's 
Cathedral,  Kilkenny ;  and  that  the  Very  Rev.  Dean  Hare,  D.D.;  the  Rev. 
C.  Vignoles,  Peter  Burtchaell,  J.  Gr.  Robertson,  P.  Watters,  Rev.  E.  F. 
Hewson,  M.  W.  Lalor,  and  Richard  Langrishe,  be  appointed  a  Committee 
to  carry  out  the  work." 

The  resolution  was  passed  unanimously. 

Count  Plunket,  M.R.I.A.,  B.L.,  2,  Upper  Fitzgibbon- 
street,  Dublin,  and  Very  Rev.  Dean  Humphreys,  The 
Glebe,  Quin,  were  elected  Fellows;  and  Deputy  Surgeon- 
General  Henry  King  (already  a  Member)  was  also 
elected  a  Fellow. 


354  PROCEEDINGS. 

The  following  were  elected  Members  of  the  Associa- 
tion:— Joseph  Gorman,  Cavan;  Thomas  H.  Longfield, 
F.S.A.,  M.R.I. A.,  Harcourt-street,  Dublin  ;  Rev.  M.  Comer- 
ford,  Rosglas,  Monasterevan ;  Rev.  W.  S.  Wilcocks,  Dun- 
leckney  Glebe,  Bagnalstown ;  Hugh  H.  Johnston,  15, 
Trinity  College,  Dublin ;  Rev.  William  Carrigan,  c.c., 
Ballyragget ;  Edward  Walshe  Kelly,  Summerhill,  Tra- 
more ;  S.  Healy,  Tramore ;  W.  E.  Wilson,  Rathowen ; 
J.  J.  Philips,  Architect,  Belfast  ;  Charles  Falconer, 
Dublin  ;  C.  G.  F.  Chute,  Leicester- square,  Rathmines ; 
and  James  Colemari,  Southampton. 

A  resolution,  proposed  by  the  Mayor,  and  seconded 
by  Mr.  Browne,  was  unanimously  passed : — 

"  That  a  list  of  the  Donors  to  the  Museum  be  sent  to  the  local  papers 
for  publication  at  the  earliest  convenience." 

Mr.  Robertson  stated  that  since  the  beginning  of  the 
year  a  number  of  books,  reports  on  branches  of  geology, 
&c.,  had  been  received  from  several  places,  including 
A  merica ;  also,  Mr.  John  Davis  White,  of  Cashel,  had  for- 
warded, for  the  Kilkenny  Library,  three  portions  of  his 
work  on  Local  Antiquities  in  the  County  Tipperary. 
An  order  was  then  made,  granting  him  the  loan  of 
some  woodcuts  belonging  to  the  Association  (for  which 
he  had  applied),  for  the  purpose  of  illustrating  a  work 
on  which  he  was  then  engaged. 

Colonel  P.  D.  Vigors  brought  under  notice  of  the 
Meeting,  the  National  Society  founded  at  Norwich  in 
1881,  for  preserving  the  memorials  of  the  dead,  and  he 
strongly  represented  the  necessity  for  one  of  a  similar 
nature  in  this  country,  thus  relieving  the  English  Society 
from  the  care  of  Irish  monuments.  Organization  was  all 
that  was  required,  and  he  felt  that  the  R.H.A.A.I.  was 
bound  by  its  name,  and  by  its  duties,  to  endeavour  to 
check  the  further  destruction  of  memorials  of  the  dead. 
Much  could  be  done  through  their  Hon.  Local  Secretaries, 
with  the  aid  of  the  bishops  and  clergy  of  all  denomina- 
tions. County  organization,  he  considered,  would  be  the 
best  starting-point.  Lists  of  their  tombs  and  monu- 


PROCEEDINGS.  355 

ments,  together  with  copies  of  their  inscriptions,  should 
be  made  :  indeed,  at  a  very  trifling  expense,  much  that 
would  prove  to  be  of  interest  and  value  could  be  effected. 
He  trusted  the  matter  would  not  be  allowed  to  drop. 

Mr.  Langrishe  seconded  the  proposition  of  Colonel 
Vigors,  and  suggested  that  if  a  short  circular  were  drawn 
up,  stating  the  facts  of  the  case,  it  would  be  of  benefit, 
and  might  tend  to  arouse  greater  attention  to  the  subject. 

The  Rev.  E.  F.  Hewson  said  that  it  might  interest 
the  President  to  know  that,  a  few  miles  from  Kilkenny, 
monuments  of  his  own  family  were  to  be  found,  broken 
and  scattered  about.  There  were  also,  at  Gowran,  in- 
teresting old  monuments  of  many  other  families. 

The  President  said  that  what  Colonel  Vigors  had 
stated  was  worthy  of  consideration,  and  he  would  have 
pleasure  in  joining  the  body  to  consider  the  matter. 

The  motion  was  adopted  unanimously. 

Papers  were  taken  as  read  on  the  following  sub- 
jects : — "  Inscribed  Monumental  Stones  in  the  Isle  of 
Man,"  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Ffrench  ;  "  Ancient  Leaden 
Works,"  by  J.  G.  Robertson ;  and  "  Ancient  Graves 
lately  discovered  in  the  County  Carlow,"  by  Colonel 
Vigors. 

Mr.  Gray  proposed,  and  Mr.  Browne  seconded  a 
resolution,  which  was  passed  unanimously- 

"  That  the  next  Quarterly  Meeting  should  be  held  in  Derry,  on  the 
first  "Wednesday  in  July." 

Colonel  Vigors  exhibited  some  curious  rings,  one  of 
which— the  Zodiac  ring— was  found,  in  1880,  on  the 
west  coast  of  Africa.  He  also  produced  a  document, 
granting  a  commission  in  the  army  to  one  Tobias  Purcell, 
signed  in  the  reign  of  William  and  Mary ;  the  date  was 
26th  October,  1691.  Another  document  contained  a 
lease,  by  William  III.,  of  «44  acres  of  the  lands  of 
Curraghmore,  dated  5th  December,  1701. 

Mr.  Wakeman  exhibited  a  rubbing  taken  from  a 
bronze  sword-sheath,  one  of  four  found  in  the  crannog 
of  Lisnacroghera,  county  Antrim.  These  sheaths  are 


356  PROCEEDINGS. 

now  preserved,  by  Canon  Grainger,  in  his  Museum  of 
Irish  antiquities  at  Broughshane. 

Mr.  Langrishe  said  that  as  Mr.  Robertson — whose 
kindness,  whilst  amongst  them,  they  would  all  remember 
— was  about  to  leave  Kilkenny,  and  resign  his  post  in 
the  Association,  he  would  now  propose  that  Mr.  Cochrane 
be  appointed  their  Treasurer,  and  this  being  duly 
seconded  by  Colonel  Vigors,  the  President  stated  that, 
"  in  accordance  with  the  proposition  of  Mr.  Langrishe, 
he  begged  leave  to  move  that  Mr.  Cochrane  be  the 
successor  to  Mr.  Robertson  in  the  responsible  office  of 
Treasurer  of  the  Royal  Historical  and  Archaeological 
Association.  He  regretted  that,  as  years  passed  on,  Mr. 
Robertson  scarcely  found  himself,  perhaps,  quite  equal 
to  the  duties  that  had  fallen  on  him,  and  that  had  accu- 
mulated from  time  to  time.  With  his  family  and  his 
name  he  (the  President)  had  been  acquainted  as  long 
as  he  could  remember.  He  regretted  the  parting  with 
Mr.  Robertson,  but  trusted  that  whatever  his  career 
might  be  henceforward,  the  recollections  of  those  with 
whom  he  lived  and  worked  would  not  be  unsatisfactory 
to  himself."  The  appointment  of  Mr.  Cochrane  as  Hon. 
Treasurer  of  the  Association  was  passed  unanimously. 

Mr.  G.  D.  Burtchaell  seconded  Mr.  Gray's  proposi- 
tion, that  Mr.  Robertson  should  continue  to  be  Curator 
of  the  Museum  during  the  next  few  weeks ;  and  Mr. 
Browne  seconded  the  proposition  of  Rev.  C.  Vignoles, 
that  Mr.  D.  H.  Creighton  should  act  as  Curator  after 
Mr.  Robertson. 

These  resolutions  passed  unanimously,  and  the  busi- 
ness being  thus  concluded,  the  Meeting  was  adjourned. 


(     357     ) 


SLINGS    AND    SLING-STONES. 
BY  COLONEL  PHILIP  D.  VIGORS. 

PARTICULAR  weapons,  it  is  well  known,  belong  to  certain 
nations,  or  countries;  for  example,  the  boomerang  to 
Australia ;  the  kries,  to  the  Malay ;  the  sumpitam,  or 
blow-pipe,  to  the  Dyaks — natives  of  Borneo ;  and  other 
instances  might  be  adduced. 

In  this  Paper  I  shall  consider  only  the  sling  and  its 
projectiles,  as  used  in  war;  and  it  appears  wonderful  that 
they  have  not  been  more  generally  adopted  by  primitive 
nations.  No  doubt  certain  conditions  are  desirable,  if 
not  essential,  to  their  general  use.  The  country  where 
sling-stones  would  be  effective  should  be  open,  not 
densely  wooded  with  tropical  virgin  forest  and  under- 
wood. There  should  be  a  facility  for  obtaining  ammuni- 
tion, i.e.  either  sea  or  other  water-worn  pebbles,  or  a 
geological  formation  yielding  stones  capable  of  being 
readily  formed,  and  suitable  to  the  sling.  They  should 
be  soft  when  first  cut,  weighty,  and  abundant.  One 
would  suppose  that  they  should  have  been  discovered  in 
large  quantities  on  some  of  the  battle-scenes  of  this 
island,  or  in  and  about  the  raths  and  other  ancient  Irish 
works,  if  they  had  been  in  general  use.  I  very  much 
doubt  their  ever  having  been  so. 

To  begin  at  the  beginning,  we  must  draw  on  the 
sacred  writings  of  the  Old  Testament.  The  stories 
therein  told,  and  the  mention  made  of  slings  and  slingers, 
and  the  work  they  performed,  are  no  doubt  familiar  to 
most,  if  not  all,  my  readers. 

BIBLE  KEFERENCES  TO  SLINGS  AND  SLING-STONES,  &c. 

We  read  of  the  20  and  6000  Benjaminites  that  drew 
the  sword,  besides  the  inhabitants  of  Gibeah,  700  chosen 
men:  "  Amongst  all  this  people  there  were  TOO  chosen 
men,  left-handed;  every  one  could  sling  stones  to  an 
hair-breadth,  and  not  miss"  (Judges  xx.  16). 


358  SLINGS   AND   SLING-STONES. 

Amongst  the  companies  that  came  to  King  David 
were  mighty  men,  armed  with  bows,  who  could  "use 
both  the  right  hand  and  the  left  in  hurling  stones  and 
shooting  arrows  out  of  a  bow"  (1st  Chronicles,  xii.  2). 

Again,  in  xxvi.  14,  of  2nd  Chronicles,  we  read  that 
Uzziah,  the  king,  had  a  host  of  fighting  men,  and  pre- 
pared for  them  shields,  and  spears,  and  helmets,  and 
habergeons,  and  bows,  "and  slings  to  cast  stones,"  also 
engines,  "invented  by  cunning  men,  to  shoot  arrows 
and  great  stones  withal." 

Again,  in  xxv.  29,  of  1st  Samuel,  we  find  Abigail 
pacifying  David,  and  saying:  "  The  souls  of  thine  ene- 
mies, them  shall  he  sling  out,  as  out  of  the  middle  of  a 
sling"  (this  was  1060  years  before  Christ).  Again,  the 
term,  "  sling  out  the  inhabitants,"  is  used  by  the  prophet 
in  Jer.  x.  18. 

The  story  of  David  and  the  Philistine  giant,  Goliath, 
as  told  in  the  17th  chapter  of  1st  Book  of  Samuel,  is  too 
well  known  to  all  to  make  it  necessary  to  go  into  details 
here  of  the  flight  of  the  Philistines  from  the  result  of 
the  sling- stone — one  of  the  five  smooth  stones  he  took 
out  of  the  brook.  "  His  sling  was  in  his  hand,"  it  is 
said. 

In  Proverbs  (xxvi.  8)  we  find  mention  of  the  sling : 
"As  he  that  bindeth  a  stone  in  a  sling,  so  is  he  that 
giveth  honour  to  a  fool."  Also,  in  the  2nd  Book  of 
Kings  (iii.  25),  the  slingers  are  again  mentioned ;  and, 
lastly,  in  the  Book  of  Job  (xli.  28),  we  read:  "  The  arrow 
cannot  make  him  flee ;  sling-stones  are  turned  with  him 
into  stubble." 

Passing  from  sacred  to  profane  writers,  we  find, 
amongst  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  that  slings  and  sling- 
stones  were  in  use  ;  and  although  there  is  no  mention  of 
them  in  the  Iliad,  yet,  according  to  Herodotus,  20,000 
slingers  were  offered  by  Gelon  to  the  Greeks,  against 
Xerxes.  The  inhabitants  of  some  parts  of  Greece  were 
reputed  more  famous  than  others  for  their  perfection  in 
the  use  of  this  weapon.  Three  thongs  of  leather  were 
used  to  form  the  Achaean  sling.  The  manner  of  throw- 
ing the  stone  differed  essentially  from  that  of  the  natives 


SLINGS   AND   SLING-STONES.  359 

of  New  Caledonia,  judging  from  the  figures  representing 
it.  The  mode  of  carrying  the  stones  was  also  different. 
The  New  Caledonians,  living  in  a  tropical  climate,  wear 
no  "  pallium,"  but  carry  their  sling-stones  in  a  bag  worn 
round  the  waist.  "  Metal  missiles,  cast  in  moulds,"  were 
also  used.  Lucretius  describes  them  as  being  in  shape 
between  that  of  "an  acorn  and  an  almond."  Probably 
these  were  hand-projectiles.  They  have  been  found 
at  Marathon,  and  in  other  parts  of  Greece,  and  are 
remarkable  for  the  description  and  devices  they 
bore,  such  as  thunderbolts,  names  of  persons,  and 
the  Greek  word  AEEAI  ("  Take  this")  — a  very 
appropriate  inscription.  The  Libyans  carried  no  other 
weapons  than  three  spears  and  a  bag  of  stones  (Dio- 
dorus  Siculus — III.  49).  Xenophon  refers  to  the 
use  of  the  sling  in  the  retreat  of  the  ten  thousand 
(Anabasis).  Early  Egyptian  paintings  represent  the 
sling-bag  worn  over  the  shoulder.  There  is  no  mention 
of  its  use  by  the  Persians.  The  Greeks  are  said  to  have 
employed  mounted  slingers  in  battle.  The  Jews  (Fos- 
broke  tells  us)  were  very  expert  slingers.1  Pliny  attri- 
butes the  invention  of  the  sling  to  the  Phoenicians, 
but  other  writers  ascribe  it  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Balearic  Isles  (Majorca  and  Minorca) ;  they  were  famous 
for  their  dexterity  in  the  use  of  the  sling.  Florus  and 
Strabo  say:  "  These  people  bore  two  kinds  of  slings, 
some  longer,  others  shorter,  which  they  used  according 
as  their  enemies  were  nearer,  or  more  remote."  Diodo- 
rus  Siculus  adds:  "  The  first  served  them  for  a  head- 
band, the  second  for  a  girdle,  and  the  third  was 
constantly  carried  in  the  hand.  In  fight  they  throw 
large  stones  with  such  violence,  that  they  seemed  to  be 
projected  from  some  machine,  insomuch  that  no  armour 
could  resist  their  stroke.  In  besieging  a  town  they 
wounded  and  drove  the  garrison  from  the  walls,  throw- 
ing with  such  exactness  that  they  seldom  missed  their 
mark.  This  dexterity  they  acquired  by  constant  exer- 
cise, being  trained  to  it  from  their  infancy,  the  mothers 
placing  their  daily  food  on  the  top  of  a  pole,  and  giving 

1  Encyclopedia  of  Antiquities,  vol.  ii. 


360  SLINGS   AND   SLING-STONES. 

tli em  no  more  than  they  beat  down  with  stones  from 
their  slings.  The  Roman  slingers  came  from  the  Balea- 
ric Isles,  and  they  are  represented  in  some  of  the  ancient 
sculptures.  This  art  is  still,  in  some  measure,  preserved 
by  the  shepherds  of  these  Islands." 

I  find  it  said  that  the  invention  of  the  sling  has  been 
erroneously  ascribed  by  some  writers  to  the  inhabitants 
of  England.  Froissart  (vol.  i.,  chap.  85)  gives  an 
instance  in  which  slings  were  employed  for  the  English 
by  the  people  of  Brittany,  in  a  battle  fought  in  that 
province,  during  the  reign  of  Philip  de  Valois,  between 
the  troops  of  Walter  de  Mauni,  an  English  knight,  and 
Louis  d'Espagne,  who  commanded  600  men  on  behalf  of 
Charles  de  Blois,  when  competitor  with  the  Earl  of 
Montfort  for  the  duchy  of  Brittany.  The  Anglo- 
Saxons  are  said  to  have  used  slings,  and  it  is  recorded 
that  they  were  used  in  England  as  late  as  the  beginning 
of  the  fifteenth  century.  According  to  another  author, 
they  were  also  used  in  naval  combats.  In  1572,  slings 
were  used  at  the  siege  of  Saucerne  by  the  Huguenots,  in 
order  to  save  their  powder.  D'Aubigne*,  who  records 
the  fact,  says,  that  "  they  were  hence  called  Saucerne 
harquebusses."  Slings  were  made  of  different  materials, 
chiefly  flax ;  hair  and  leather  were  also  used,  woven  into 
bands,  or  cut  into  "  thongs,"  broadest  in  the  centre  for 
the  reception  of  the  stone,  or  baked  clay  ball,  or  metal 
projectile ;  the  slings  tapered  gradually  towards  both 
ends ;  and  with  one  of  these  slings  a  good  slinger  would, 
it  is  said,  throw  a  stone  600  yards.  An  ancient  Icelandic 
treatise,  supposed  to  have  been  written  about  the  twelfth 
century,  mentions  slings  fixed  to  a  staff.  The  use  of  both 
slings  and  hand-stones  by  the  ancient  Irish  is,  I  believe, 
fully  established.  They  are,  I  think,  mentioned  by  the 
late  Sir  R.  Wilde,  also  by  0' Curry  and  other  writers,  on 
the  manners  and  customs  of  the  ancient  Irish.  Balls  of 
concrete  and  of  metal  were  also  in  use,  both  for  slings 
and  for  the  hand.  The  death  of  Meadbh,  or  Mab,  the 
Queen  of  Connaught,  is  recorded  as  having  been  caused 
by  a  sling-stone  thrown  at  her  across  the  Shannon ;  but, 
as  I  have  already  remarked,  I  cannot  but  think  that  if 
sling-stones  had  been  in  general  use  in  Ireland,  more  of 


To  face  page  361. 


Fig.  1. — Metal  Mould,  in  the  Museum,  Royal  Irish  Academy,  Dublin.  Supposed 
to  have  been  used  to  form  projectiles  for  Sling-  or  Hand-stones.  Full  size, 
S1?  x  2£  x  1J  inches. 


Fig.  2. — Sling-stones  used  by  the  Natives  of  New  Caledonia. 

Length  of  Four,  measured  2£  inches  each.     Width  of  Eight,  measured  1  inch. 

"Weight,  l£  oz.  to  If  oz.     (Soap-stone.) 


Illustrating  Paper  "  On  Sling  and  Sling- Stones,"  by  COLONEL  P.  D.  VIGORS. 


SLINGS   AND    SLING-STONES.  361 

them  would  have  been  found.  We  have  drawings  of 
various  kinds  of  weapons,  and  of  people  using  them ;  but 
I  am  not  aware  that  there  is  any  drawing  or  carving 
representing  a  sling,  or  a  person  in  the  act  of  using  one, 
amongst  the  ancient  Irish. 

There  is  in  the  Museum  of  the  Eoyal  Irish  Academy, 
in  Dawson-street,  a  bronzed  mould  (closely  resembling 
fig.  1),  which  is  supposed  to  have  been  used  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  projectiles — perhaps  of  baked  clay — 
for  use  in  war.  From  the  size  I  do  not  consider  they 
were  sling-stones ;  hand-stones  they  may  have  been,  but 
I  think  we  require  further  evidence  before  we  can  say 
they  were  used  as  projectiles  at  all.  The  length  of 
the  mould  inside  is  3£  inches,  its  width  2-J-  inches,  its 
depth  about  1^  inches;  the  thickness  of  the  edge  of 
the  mould  is  about  ^-inch,  if  my  memory  serves  mo 
right. 

Mr.  G.  A.  Prim,  in  an  article  contained  in  the 
Archaeological  Journal  for  1852,  says  (at  p.  122): — 
"  Amongst  other  articles  discovered  at  the  opening  of 
a  rath  at  Dunbel,  county  Kilkenny,  they  found  some 
piles  of  round  pebbles  evidently  intended  to  be  used  as 
sling-stones ;  they  varied  from  the  size  of  a  hen's  egg  to 
that  of  a  pigeon's  egg,  but  were  more  globular." 

Some  specimens  have  been  placed  in  the  Museum  in 
Kilkenny.  Globular  stones  were  also  found  (by  Mr. 
Wakeman)  in  the  crannogs  of  Drumdarragh,  county 
Fermanagh,  supposed  to  be  sling-stones  by  some,  and  by 
others  hammers.  They  varied  "from  the  size  of  an 
orange  to  a  moderately-sized  plum,  some  formed  by  art, 
others  merely  water-worn  pebbles." 

Having  touched  on  slings  and  slingers  of  olden  days, 
I  shall  now  endeavour  to  describe  an  instance  of  slings 
being  used  in  war  at  the  present  time.  Some  years 
since,  during  a  cruise  amongst  the  South  Sea  Islands  in 
H.  M.  S.  Havannah,  under  the  command  of  the  late 
Admiral  John  E.  Erskine,  we  visited  New  Caledonia, 
and  spent  about  a  month  there.  We  landed  at  several 
places  along  the  coast,  from  Balade,  on  the  N.  E.,  to 
Gitima,  near  the  S.W.  end  of  this  great  island.  _  It  was 
during  one  of  our  trips  on  shore  that  I  first  noticed  the 


362  SLINGS   AND    SLING-STONES. 

peculiar  weapon  used  by  the  natives,  namely,  the  sling 
and  sling-stone;  and  this  weapon  appeared  to  be  the 
one  most  valued  by  the  natives  of  the  island,  conse- 
quently they  are  more  expert  in  its  use  than  in  that  of 
their  other  weapons — the  bow  and  arrow,  spear  and 
club.  Though  no  mean  performers  with  these,  the  club 
is  generally  used  to  finish  the  work  begun  by  the  spear, 
or  sling-stone.  Their  slings  are  about  six  feet  in  length ; 
they  have  a  tuft  at  one  end,  and  a  double  loop  at  the 
other.  This  loop  is  about  four  inches  long,  and  is 
intended  to  be  twisted  round  the  fingers  to  keep  that 
end  of  the  sling  from  leaving  the  hand  when  the  other 
end  is  released.  In  the  centre  the  sling  is  double  for 
the  length  of  about  three  inches — this  is  to  receive  the 
sling-stone — and  it  is  plaited;  the  rest  of  the  sling  is 
twisted.  It  is  made  from  some  strong  fibre,  probably 
the  bark  of  a  tree.  They  have  fishing-nets  and  lines, 
very  neatly  made  from  the  same  description  of  material. 
The  stone  is  kept  in  its  place  by  the  thumb  and  fore- 
finger of  the  left  hand,  the  left  arm  being  at  its  full 
extent,  and  nearly  level  with  the  shoulder.  The  right 
arm  is  bent,  and  the  right  hand  kept  near  the  right  ear, 
the  head  being  partly  turned  towards  the  right  side. 

The  attitude  of  the  slinger  before  throwing  the  stone 
is  one  that  develops  the  muscles,  and  is  most  manly  and 
attractive.  A  single  swing  of  the  stone  round  the  head 
is  all  the  impetus  the  stone  gets;  when  opposite  the 
right  side,  the  tuft  end  of  the  sling  is  released  from  the 
palm  of  the  hand,  and  the  stone  proceeds  with  great 
velocity  and  wonderful  certainty  towards  the  object 
aimed  at.  There  are  not  the  many  revolutions  round 
the  head  that  our  schoolboys  formerly  made  when  using 
a  sling ;  neither  was  there  such  grace  or  nobility  in  their 
action  as  in  that  of  the  New  Caledonian  stone-slinger. 
Both  at  Balade  and  at  Yengen,  on  the  east  coast  of  this 
island,  I  saw  numbers  of  the  natives  with  marks  of 
injuries  from  sling- stones.  Some  of  these  wounds  must 
have  been  very  severe.  On  the  side  of  the  thigh  of  a 
native,  who  was  in  the  boat  with  me  one  afternoon,  I 
noticed  a  mark  so  like  what  one  would  expect  to  see 
from  the  wound  of  a  bullet,  that  I  asked  him  about  it. 


SLINGS  AND   SLING-STONES.  363 

He  at  once  took  a  sling-stone  from  the  bag  he  carried 
and  put  the  point  of  the  stone  to  the  wound ;  then  he 
showed  me  a  corresponding  wound  on  the  inside  of  his 
leg,  where  he  explained  to  me  that  the  stone  had  gone 
through.  I  would  not  have  believed  this,  had  I  not  seen 
the  wound  and  heard  his  explanation  (in  broken  English). 
Hearing  ^  also  the  way  they  made  the  stones  "  whistle'*' 
in  the  air,  like  a  bullet  in  its  flight,  impressed  me  with 
an  idea  of  the  great  velocity  and  power  they  were  able 
to  give  to  them. 

Fig.  2,  p.  361,  will  explain  the  shape  of  the  stones 
used.  The  ends  are  round-pointed.  I  measured  several, 
and  they  varied  very  little  in  their  dimensions.  Their 
length  was  from  1TV  to  2| inches;  their  diameter  exactly 
1",  and  did  not  vary  TV  of  an  inch.  Their  weight  was 
from  1^-  to  If  ounces.  They  appear  to  be  composed  of  a 
sort  of  "  steatite,"  or  soap-stone.  The  natives  sometimes 
use  rough  stones,  which  I  found  came  very  near  the  above 
in  their  dimensions.  The  stones  shaped  by  the  natives 
seem  well  adapted  for  their  purpose,  being  soft,  and 
therefore  easily  worked ;  while  their  weight,  being  con- 
siderable for  their  size,  adds  much  to  their  effect. 

Some  little  distance  from  the  mouth  of  the  Yengen 
river,  on  its  left  bank,  I  found  a  large  table  of  rock, 
"  honey  combed"  with  circular  holes.  Its  novel  appear- 
ance attracted  my  attention,  and  I  found  on  inquiry 
that  the  holes  were  formed  in  the  process  of  making  the 
sling-stones.  Thousands  of  these  must  have  been  made 
here,  to  judge  from  the  number  of  holes.  The  holes 
were  about  one  inch  in  depth. 

It  has  occurred  to  me  that  some  of  the  rocks  found 
in  Ireland  with  cup  and  other  shaped  holes  in  them, 
and  about  the  origin  of  which  I  believe  considerable  un- 
certainty hangs,  may  have  been  formed  in  a  somewhat 
similar  manner  and  for  a  like  object:  I  allude  to  the 
mysterious  cup-shaped  markings  noticed  by  Mr.  Wake- 
man  near  Youghal,  and  described  in  the  Journal  of  this 
Association  for  1887;  or  those  found  near  Enniskillen; 
also  those  at  Ballykean,  county  Wicklow,  and  Bally- 
brennan,  county  Wexford ;  also  in  Norway,  Wales, 
India,  Switzerland,  &c.  Could  they  have  been  used  for 

4TH    SER.,   VOL.    VIII.  2  D 


364  SLINGS  AND    SLING-STONES. 

grinding  up  minerals  for  Pigments  ?  or  reducing  gold 
or  other  ores  for  smelting  ?  I  am  not  myself  in  a  posi- 
tion to  answer  the  question,  as  I  have  never  seen  these 
cup-marked  stones ;  therefore  I  merely  throw  out  the 
suggestion. 

I  shall  now  describe  the  bag  used  by  the  New  Cale- 
donians to  carry  their  supply  of  sling-stones.  It  is  about 
10  inches  long  by  5  wide,  and  is  made  of  closely  woven, 
or  netted  cord,  having  bands  of  the  same  material  about 
2  inches  wide,  and  double  ;  these  go  round  the  waist  and 
keep  the  bag  in  its  place;  they  also  serve  to  hold  an 
additional  supply  of  stones.  Between  the  bag  and  the 
waist-straps  about  fifty  stones  could  be  carried. 

From  the  marks  on  some  of  the  sling-stones  obtained 
by  me,  they  appear  to  be  first  rudely  shaped  with  the 
native  jade-axes  used  by  the  aborigines  of  New  Cale- 
donia, some  of  which  rival  those  of  New  Zealand: 
although  I  think  the  jade  stone  of  that  country  is  of  a 
greener  and  purer  colour  than  the  "  Nephride  "  of  New 
Caledonia,  judging  from  the  pieces  I  saw.  After  the 
sling-stones  have  been  shaped  as  nearly  as  possible  to 
the  proper  size  with  the  axes,  they  are  finished  in  the 
holes  in  the  rocks  I  have  already  described,  or  in  similar 
ones. 

I  lately  obtained  an  old  print  (dated  1809),  repre- 
senting: "  The  Massacre  of  Part  of  the  Crew  of  the 
Vessel  of  Perouse  at  Maouna,  one  of  the  Navigation 
Islands"  in  the  Pacific.  It  is  stated  that  " in  the  un- 
fortunate affray  Captain  de  Langle  and  nine  seamen 
were  massacred."  The  engraving  represents  the  natives 
attacking  two  of  the  ship's  boats  with  hand-stones  and 
sling-stones,  and  the  description  says:  "  The  inhabitants 
of  the  Islands  of  the  Navigators,  of  which  Maouna  is 
one,  are  very  dexterous  with  their  slings,  and  when  they 
take  aim  rarely  miss  their  object."  On  the  left  of  the 
picture  one  of  them  is  seen  carefully  adjusting  a  stone 
in  his  sling,  fearless  of  danger,  though  threatened  by  his 
enemies. 

It  may  be  remembered  that  La  Perouse,  who  is  here 
mentioned,  was  the  French  circumnavigator  who  sailed 
from  Botany  Bay,  in  Australia,  in  1788,  with  the  ships 


SLINGS  AND    SLING-STONES.  365 

Boussole  and  Astralobe,  and  who  was  never  afterwards 
seen,  nor  his  ships ;  neither  was  anything  known  about 
their  fate  till  1826,  when  Captain  Peter  Dillon,  in  the 
ship  St.  Patrick,  discovered  a  quantity  of  things  which 
fully  established  the  fact  of  the  two  unfortunate  French 
ships  having  been  lost  at  the  Island  of  Vanikolo  (now 
also  called  La  Perouse's  Island,  in  honour  of  the  com- 
mander of  the  ship.  China,  silver  spoons,  and  other 
articles  marked  with  a  fleur-de-lis,  French  money,  brass 
guns,  &c.,  were  found  by  Dillon,  and  taken  by  him  to 
Paris.  The  natives  said  the  ships  had  been  lost  in  a 
dreadful  hurricane  many  years  before ;  most  of  the  crews 
were  drowned,  some  were  killed  by  the  natives,  others 
built  a  small  boat  and  left  the  island,  but  were  never 
again  heard  of. 

The  natives  of  New  Zealand — so  far  as  I  am  able  to 
find  out — no  longer  use  the  sling ;  and  when  I  was  there 
(some  twenty-five  years  since)  I  saw  no  trace  of  any  such 
weapon.  The  "  Pakaha  Maori,'7  the  author  of  "  Old 
New  Zealand,"  writing  about  1863,  says,  in  speaking  of 
the  hill  forts  constructed  by  the  natives:  "  When  an 
enemy  attacked  one  of  these  places,  a  common  practice 
was  to  shower  into  the  place  red-hot  stones  from  slings, 
which,  sinking  into  the  dry  thatch  of  the  houses,  would 
cause  a  general  conflagration,"  p.  201. 

I  have  endeavoured  to  discover  if  sling- stones  were 
still  used  in  any  of  the  South  Sea  Islands,  except  in  New 
Caledonia. 

The  Eev.  Dr.  R.  H.  Codrington,  of  Wadham  College, 
Cambridge,  who  has  only  just  returned  from  the  South 
Pacific,  says  that  in  the  Banks  Islands  slings  are  used  by 
boys  as  an  amusement  for  killing  birds.  "  In  former  days 
they  were  used  in  war  by  those  who  were  skilful  in  their 
use,  principally  for  sending  stones  along  the  paths  by 
which  a  village  might  be  attacked  in  the  night.  From 
time  to  time  stones  were  slung  down  these  paths  in  the 
darkness.  The  stones  were  not  shaped,  only  chosen  of 
suitable  weight.  A  sling  is  called  talvava." 

"  In  the  Solomon  Islands  slings  are  used  chiefly  as  an 
amusement.  But  a  native  of  Florida  Island  told  me  that 
in  his  younger  days  they  were  not  known  in  his  village, 

2  D  2 


366  SLINGS  AND   SLING-STONES. 

and  that  they  had  since  come  into  use  as  good  weapons 
for  assaulting  the  tree-houses,  to  which  the  natives  of 
the  Island  of  Ysabel  retire,  as  to  forts.  The  Florida 
name  of  a  sling  was  taken  from  that  of  these  tree- 
houses."  Dr.  Codrington  also  said  that  he  could  not 
remember  to  have  seen  any  Milanesian  slings,  but 
thought  that  "  Savage  Island"  was  a  great  place  for 
slings. 

The  Rev.  Alfred  Penny,  in  reply  to  my  inquiries, 
states  that  he  always  considered  it  a  strange  fact  that 
the  use  of  the  sling,  as  a  weapon,  is  entirely  unknown 
in  the  islands  of  the  Solomon  group,  with  which  he  was 
familiar,  viz.  San  Cristoval,  Malayta,  Gruadalcanar,  the 
Floridas,  and  Ysabel ;  but  he  adds  that  he  once  read 
that  slings  were  used  in  the  islands  at  the  north-west 
extremity  of  the  Solomons;  and  further  says  he  has 
never  seen  the  sling  employed  except  as  a  toy  of  the 
rudest  kind.  Although  well  acquainted  with  the  New 
Hebrides,  the  Loyalty  Islands,  Banks,  and  Santa  Cruz 
islanders,  he  had  never  heard  of  the  sling  being  in  use 
there.  I  can,  in  a  good  measure,  confirm  this,  having 
myself  visited  most  of  the  islands  above  named. 

The  spear,  cross-bow,  and  club,  are  the  weapons  of 
these  islanders.  Mr.  Penny  says  that  in  the  Santa  Cruz 
group,  archery  is  carried  to  perfection. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  say  that  it  is  only  too  pro- 
bable that  as  civilization  advances,  and  spreads  through 
the  many  groups  of  lovely  coral-bound,  or  volcanic 
islands,  of  that  great  southern  expanse  of  water  which 
has  become  known  to  us  under  the  pleasant-sounding 
name  of  the  Pacific  Ocean — though  at  times  and  seasons 
it  ill  deserves  the  name — and  as  the  white  man  barters 
for  the  tortoise-shell,  sandal-wood,  ebony,  and  other  pro- 
ducts of  those  islands,  and  pays  the  ignorant  natives  in 
tomahawks,  and  such  HkQ,  a  few  years  more,  and  per- 
haps before  this  century  closes,  we  may  hear  of  slings 
and  sling-stones  merely  as  things  of  the  past  —  to  be 
found  only  in  the  museums  of  civilized  nations. 


(     367     ) 


THE  BUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

ON  CERTAIN  RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  THE  ISLAND  OF  ACHILL. 

BY  W.  G.  WOOD-MARTIN,  M.R.I.A.,  FELLOW  AND  GENERAL 
SECRETARY,  R.H.A.A.I. 

[Continued  from  page  299.] 

VIII. 

IF  the  state  of  peace  and  tranquillity  of  a  locality  be 
judged  by  the  non-appearance,  in  disturbed  times,   of 
its  name  in  the  records  of  the  kingdom,  then  the  Island 
of   Achill  during   the   early,    the   Danish,    and   Anglo- 
Norman  epochs  must  have  been,  when  compared  with 
other  portions  of  the  west  of  Ireland,  a  veritable  para- 
dise.   Only  once — as  far  as  the  writer  could  discover — 
is  it  mentioned,  when,  in  the  year  1235  (according  to 
the  Annals  of  Loch  Ce\  Eccuill,  i.e.  Achill,  was  plundered 
by  the  Irish  allies  of  Maurice  Fitzgerald.     Eccuill  sig- 
nifies  Eagle    Island,   but  it  might  now-a-days  be   ap- 
propriately named  Insula  phocarum,   the  "  Isle   of   the 
Seals'7;  for  although  during  their  stay   on  its  shores, 
neither  W.  F.  Wakeman  nor  the  writer  found  "  phocae 
slumbering  on  the  beach, "  yet  strangers  from  afar  visit 
Achill  to  en  joy  the  sport  of  seal-shooting  in  the  caverned 
depths,  situated  at  the  ocean-laved  foot  of  the  granite 
mass  of  giant  SUevemore,  which  stands  as  if  to  u  sentinel 
enchanted  land." 

The  island  is  still  in  a  very  primitive  condition,  and 
though  slowly  changing  for  the  better,  yet  the  old  order 
of  things  lingers  on.  Fifty-two  years  ago  the  late  Sir 
William  Wilde  thus  describes  the  customs  of  these  pri- 
mitive people : — 

"  There  are  several  villages  in  Achill,  particularly  those  of  Keeme 
and  Keele,  where  the  huts  of  the  inhabitants  are  all  circular  or  oval,  and 
built,  for  the  most  part,  of  round  water- washed  stones,  collected  from  the 
beach,  and  arranged,  without  lime,  or  any  other  cement,  exactly  as  we 
have  good  reason  to  suppose  the  habitations  of  the  ancient  Firbolgs  were 
constructed,  and  very  similar  to  many  of  the  ancient  monastic  cells 
and  oratories  of  the  fifth  and  sixth  centuries,  which  religious  veneration, 


368  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS  OF  IRELAND. 

and  the  wild,  untrodden  situations  where  they  are  located,  have  still  pre- 
served in  this  country.  Those  of  our  readers  who  have  ever  passed  the 
Minaun,  or  Goat's  Track,  on  the  towering  cliff  that  rises  above  the 
village  of  Keele,  with  the  glorious  prospect  of  Clew  Bay,  and  the  broad 
swell  of  the  western  Atlantic  before  them,  and  have  looked  down  upon 
the  pigmy  dwellings,  resembling  Indian  wigwams,  scattered  over  the 
beach  beneath,  may  call  to  mind  the  scene  we  describe.  During  the 
spring  the  entire  population  of  several  of  the  villages  we  allude  to  in 
Achill  close  their  winter  dwellings,  tie  their  infant  children  on  their 
backs,  carry  with  them  their  loys — and  some  carry  potatoes,  with  a  few 
pots  and  cooking-utensils — drive  their  cattle  before  them,  and  migrate 
into  the  hills,  where  they  find  fresh  pastures  for  their  flocks  ;  and  there 
they  build  rude  huts  and  summer-houses  of  sods  and  wattles,  called  booleys, 
and  then  cultivate  and  sow  with  corn  a  few  fertile  spots  in  the  neigh- 
bouring valleys.  They  thus  remain  for  about  two  months  of  the  spring 
and  early  summer,  till  the  corn  is  sown ;  their  stock  of  provisions  being 
exhausted,  and  the  pasture  consumed  by  their  cattle,  they  return  to  the 
shore,  and  eke  out  a  miserable,  precarious  existence  by  fishing.  No 
further  care  is  ever  taken  of  the  crops :  indeed  they  seldom  ever  visit 
them,  but  return,  in  autumn,  in  a  manner  similar  to  the  spring  migration, 
to  reap  the  corn,  and  afford  sustenance  to  their  half-starved  cattle.  With 
these  people  it  need  scarcely  be  wondered  that  there  is  annually  a  partial 
famine." 

This  "  partial  famine  "  still  occurs  almost  every  year. 

In  the  townland  of  Keele  West,  we  found  three 
ancient  shell-mounds,  just  above  high-water  mark,  and 
in  close  proximity  to  each  other  ;  these  remains  of 
the  repasts  of  primitive  toilers  of  the  sea  had  been 
almost  entirely  removed  by  the  peasantry,  who  burned 
the  shells  for  the  purpose  of  reducing  them  to  lime  for 
whitening  their  homesteads.  This  process  has  been  going 
on  for  years,  so  that  the  original  size  of  the  refuse  heaps 
must  have  been  very  great ;  two  of  them,  however,  had 
not  been  quite  so  much  explored  as  the  first  we  came 
upon.  Here,  at  various  times,  were  found  a  half -formed 
"  spindle  whorl";  a  bead  of  green  opaque  glass;  a 
hammer-stone,  now,  it  is  believed,  in  the  museum  of 
Canon  Grainger ;  a  bone  of  Cervus  elaphus  (or,  perhaps, 
of  a  small  ox),  which  showed  unmistakable  marks  of 
cutting  implements.  Traces  of  charcoal,  bones  of  the 
Cervus  elaphus,  teeth  and  bones  of  Sus  scrofa,  and  of 
ray -fish,  were  observable  ;  there  were  also  shells  of 
various  marine  species — oyster,  mussel,  cockle,  limpets, 
&c.  Nothing,  however,  of  metal  was  discovered. 

In  a  work  entitled,  A  Tour  in  Connaught,  published, 
in  18^9,  by  the  Rev.  Caesar  Otway,  he  thus  alludes 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  ISLAND  OF  ACHILL.          369 

(pp.  370-372)  to  the  Achill  rude  stone  monuments  :— 
"  My  attention  was  directed  to  some  more  than  usually 
grassy  slopes  on  the  side  of  the  hill  (Slievemore\  when  I 
at  once  recognized  a  whole  assemblage  of  antiquities— 
a  Druidical  circle,  two  cromlechs,  an  artificial  cave,  and 
what,  all  over  Ireland,  wherever  I  have  met  one,  is 
called  a  '  Giant's  Grave.'  The  circle  of  pillar-stones 
was  not  large,  one  of  the  cromlechs  was  perfect,  the 
cave  was  torn  open  and  its  covering  removed,  and  the 
grave  was  as  much  destroyed  as  the  people  could  afford 
without  expending  more  labour  than  was  convenient." 

The  monuments  reposing  under  the  shelter  of  this 
mountain  have  hitherto  almost  escaped  the  notice  of 
archaeologists,  and  yet  the  several  megalithic  remains  on 
the  Island  of  Achill  are  most  interesting,  and  present  to 
observation  nearly  every  variety  of  ancient  sepulture. 
It  is,  perhaps,  a  tolerably  safe  statement  to  make  that 
as  yet  free-standing  cromleacs  or  dolmens,  with  circles 
at  their  terminations,  or  with  parallel  rows  of  stones 
leading  from  these  circles  to  the  cromleacs,  or  dolmens, 
are  principally  confined,  as  far  as  it  is  at  present 
known,  to  the  west  of  Ireland,  although  they  may  very 
possibly  occur  elsewhere  in  the  kingdom  ;  indeed  there 
is  an  example  in  the  county  Cavan. 

Little  more  than  a  mile  (in  a  S.  W.  direction)  from 


Fig.  189.— General  View  of  "  Giant's  Grave,"  situated  about  one  mile  from  Doogort. 

the  Protestant  missionary  settlement  at  Doogort — which 
is  the  principal  village  in  Achill — we  noticed  the  first 


370 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 


sepulchre ;  it  is  situated  on  the  right  of  the  road  leading 
to  an  ancient  burial-ground.  The  monument  is  much 
dilapidated,  only  six  stones  being  in  situ.  It  seems  to 
have  been  an  ordinary  cist,  pointing  N.  and  S.,  and 
presenting  no  very  distinctive  features.  Fig.  189  gives  a 
good  idea  of  the  general  appearance  of  the  megalith.  In 
the  ground-plan  (fig.  190)  the  stone  numbered  (1)  is  4  feet 
4  inches  long,  8  inches  thick  and  8  feet  high ;  No.  (2) 
is  9  feet  9  inches  long  and  6^  inches  thick ;  No.  (8)  is 
3  feet  3  inches  long  and  6^  inches  thick  ;  No.  (4)  is  10 
feet  5  inches  long  and  9  feet  3  inches  in  width  ;  No.  (5) 
is  5  feet  1±  inches  in  length  and  3  feet  9  inches  thick ; 
No.  (6)  is  4  feet  5^  inches  long  by  3  feet  9^  inches  in 
breadth. 

About  one-third  of  a  mile  south-west  of  the  "  Giant's 
Grave"  just  described,  there 
is  a  circular  structure  of  dry 
stone-work,  called  Slievemore 
Caher  (fig.  191).  It  seems, 
however,  more  akin  to  the 
sepulchral  than  to  the  mili- 
tary class  of  buildings.  The 
vallum  is  quite  17  ft.  thick, 


Fig.  190.— Ground  Plan  of  "  Giant's 
Grave." 


Fig.   191. — Ground  Plan  of  Slievemore 
Caher. 


and  is  still,  in  places,  from  4  to  5  feet  in  height,  the 
internal  diameter  being,  as  nearly  as  could  be  ascertained, 
43  feet.  There  appears  to  have  been  an  ope  in  the  wall, 
and  outside  (to  the  left  as  you  enter)  are  the  remains  of 
two  small  enclosures ;  it  is,  however,  difficult  to  decide 
now  whether  these  are  modern  additions,  or  had  formed 
part  of  the  original  plan. 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  ISLAND  OF  ACHILL.        371 

Distant  about  twenty  perches  from  this  circular 
structure  may  be  seen,  to  the  south-west,  a  group  of 
sepulchral  remains,  marked  on  the  Ordnance  Map  as  a 
"  Pagan  cemetery."  Of  these,  the  one  represented  by 
fig.  192,  and  called,  by  the  Irish-speaking  natives, 
Clochan-na-stooca,  i.e.  "  The  Stone  House 
of  the  Stooks,  or  Pointed  Stones,"  is  -*. 

certainly    the    most    extensive,    the    re-  V^/ 

mains   of    this    much-ruined    monument 
being,  even  yet,  about  200  feet  in  length.        1     »J    ! 
It  appears  to  have  been  constructed,  with         >     '  J 
its  longer  axis,  a  little  E.  of  N.  (magnetic), 
where  there  had  been  a  circle,  8  feet  in 
diameter,    and   from   which,    in    parallel 
lines  extended,  in  a  slightly  south-westerly  •«**,<£ 

direction  to  a  distance  of  52  feet,  two 
rows  of  stones  about  10  feet  apart ;  next 
came  a  seemingly  oblong  enclosure,  and 
then  one  of  quadrangular  form,  measur-  I 

ing  about  26  feet  6  inches  by  25  feet  6  / 
inches.  From  thence  extended,  in  a  / 
slightly  south-westerly  direction,  two  lines 
of  stones,  being  a  prolongation  of  the  pas- 
sage  connecting  the  northern  circle  with 
the  central  chamber,  or  enclosure.  What  may  be  de- 
signated as  the  south-eastern  line  has  been  destroyed, 
within  the  memory  of  a  man  now  living  on  the  spot, 
who  stated  also  that  formerly  there  had  been  a  circle 
at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  structure,  although 
no  traces  of  it  now  remain.  This  circle,  as  may  be  seen 
by  a  glance  at  the  plan,  fig.  192,  would  bring  the  ar- 
rangement of  the  monument  into  perfect  symmetry,  i.e. 
a  large  central  compartment,  connected  by  parallel  rows 
of  stones  (formerly,  perhaps,  divided  into  septse  or  cells), 
with  two  circles,  one  at  either  extremity,  and,  as  is  usual 
with  sepulchres  thus  shaped,  it  points  almost  due  N. 
It  may  be  considered  certain  that  the  long  parallel  rows 
of  stones  observable  in  this  and  other  monuments  of  the 
same  class  had  never  been  covered  over. 

In  the  same  direction,  and  within  a  few  minutes'  walk  of 
Clochan-na-stooka,  there  is  another  megalith  (figs.  193, 194), 


372 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 


very  much  dilapidated,  and,  as  far  as  could  be  discovered, 
bearing  no  special  name.  It  consists  of  an  ordinary 
cist — some  of  the  original  covering-stones  are  still  in 
position — with  a  circle  at  either  extremity,  and  it  closely 
resembles  a  monument  at  Highwood,  county  Sligo.1 

Near  the  "  Giant's  Grave"  just  described  there  is 
another  in  the  form  of  a  T,  or  perhaps  double  I  (fig.  195). 
It  measures  53  feet  in  its  longest  direction,  and  would 
appear  to  have  been  originally  surrounded  by  a  circular 
or  oval  arrangement  of  stones.  No  covering-slabs  re- 
main. This  tomb  also  closely  resembles  one  near 
Highwood,  county  Sligo. 

The  next  grave  (fig.  196),  bearing  the  Irish  desig- 
nation Tonalorcha,  is  situated  a  short  distance  from  the 
preceding.  With  the  exception  of  the  northern  curve 
of  the  circle,  it  is  formed  of  small-sized  stones.  About 
thirty-two  stones  of  the  circle  remain,  and  forty- 
three  of  the  alignment,  which  is  90  feet 
in  length.  It  points  almost  due  N.,  and  at 
its  southern  extremity  it  probably  termi- 
nated in  a  circle  corresponding  to  that  on 
the  N.,  which  is  80  feet  in  diameter. 

The  grave  (fig.  197) — distant  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  the 
last  described — is  on  the 
slope  of  Slievemore.  It 
had  no  special  designa- 
tion, and  is  in  a  state 
of  great  dilapidation.  It 

^>  would  seem  to  have  been 

^jp  a  simple  cist,  or  rectan- 

/  2  5  4.  s  6  Fe£r  gular  sepulchre. 

The  next   monument 

-Ground  Plan  of  ruined  Cist.         (fig>  ^  ^  ^  rf  ft  ^^ 

situated  also  on  the  slope  of  the  mountain,  and  marked 
on  the  Ordnance  Sheet  as  tumulus,  cromleac,  Danish  ditch, 


1  See  p.  459,  vol.  vi.,  Jour.  R.H.A.A.I. 
The  Sligo  example  measures  about  66  feet 
in  length ;  the  Achill,  52  feet  6  inches  ; 
hoth  point  almost  due  N.  and  S.,  but  in 
the  Achill  structure  the  circles  are  of 


greater  size,  being  about  20  feet  in  dia- 
meter ;  and  the  largest  of  the  stones 
covering  the  cist  is  3  feet  3  inches  in 
length,  by  somewhat  over  2  feet  in 
breadth. 


Fig.   193. — Ground  Plan  of  Megalith  near  Clochan-na-stooka. 


Fig.  194. — General  View  of  Megalith,  with  Circles  at  either  extremity. 

f 


\ 


Fig.  195.— Ground  Plan  of  T  orl  -shaped 
Grave. 


Fig.  196.— Ground  Plan  of  Megalith  at 
Tonalorcha. 


Fig.  198.— General  View  and  Ground  Plan  of  Cup-marked  Cromleac. 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  ISLAND  OF  ACHILL. 


375 


&c.,  respectively.  The  blocks  of  stone  that  remain  had 
evidently  formed  the  supports  of  the  ancient  covering- 
slab,  which  has  now  disappeared.  The  cup-markings 
on  the  largest  of  the  remaining  supports  present  a  pecu- 
liar feature,  these  marks  being  rare  on  cromleacs  or 
dolmens,  although  not  uncommon  on  stones  forming 
portion  of  mound-covered  sepulchral  chambers,  like 
those  of  New  grange,  Dowth,  Sliabh-na-cailligJie^  Knockmany, 
&c.  On  a  structure  of  the  cromleac,  or  uncovered  class 
of  monuments,  cup-markings  have  not  been  elsewhere 
found  in  Ireland,  except  in  rare  instances — as,  for  ex- 
ample, on  one  at  Clochtogle,  near  Lisbellaw,  county  Fer- 
managh. In  both  instances  the  cup-markings  are  equal 
in  number,  and  diminish  in  size  as  they  extend  from 
left  to  right ;  this  arrangement  clearly  indicates  inten- 
tion, and  the  strong  likeness  existing  between  work  upon 
sepulchral  structures  so  widely  separated  is  worthy  of 
note. 

The  monument  (fig.  199)  immediately  adjoins  the 


Fig.  - 199.— General  View  of  Labby. 

cup-marked   cromleac,    and   is   called    by  the   country 
people  Labby,   i.e.   the  "  Bed   or  Grave."     It  may  be 


376 


RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS    OF   IRELAND. 


described  as  a  double  cist,  and  seems  to  have  remained, 
comparatively  speaking,  undisturbed.  The  dotted  lines 
on  the  ground-plan  (fig.  200)  denote  the  shape  of  the 
two  covering-slabs. 

Near  the   above  cist  N 

there  is  a  small  stone 
circle  (fig.  201),  about  15 
feet  in  diameter,  which 
is  peculiar,  inasmuch  as 
the  cist,  or  interior  ar- 
rangement of  the  se- 
pulchre, appears  to  have 


I     2     3     4      5     6     7    FEET 


Fig.  200. 
Ground  Plan  of  Lobby. 


Fig.  201.— Ground  Plan  of  Stone  Circle, 
with  Circular  interior  arrangement. 


been  likewise  circular  in  character,  and  to  have  been 
placed  not  (as  is  usual)  in  the  centre  of  the  enclosure, 
but  nearly  touching  the  interior  and  northern  circum- 
ference. The  unshaded  stones  have  evidently  been 
disturbed  and  do  not  occupy  their  original  position. 

Close  to  the  circle  there  is  a  earn  25  feet  in  length, 
by  17  feet  in  breadth,  the  longer  axis  extending  N.  and 
S.  (fig.  202).  This  monument  was  carefully  examined, 
and  the  conclusion  arrived  at,  that  it  originally  con- 
tained a  cist  or  chamber,  which  had  been  broken  up  and 
destroyed,  probably,  by  treasure-seekers.  This  earn 
forms  portion  of  the  sepulchral  group  of  cromleacs, 
circles,  and  cists  situated  close  to  it. 

The  next  monument  to  be  noticed  is  about  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  distant  from  Slievemore  graveyard,  and  close  to  the 
road  (fig.  203).  It  had  been  formerly  a  tumulus  or  earn, 


Fig.  202. — General  View  of  ruined  Cam. 


as>      jo- 


Fig.  203.— Ground  Plan  of  denuded  Cam,  showing  arrangement  of  Cists. 


378  RUDE   STONE   MONUMENTS   OF  IRELAND. 

composed  of  earth  and  stones ;  its  diameter  is  about  96 
feet.  The  stones  have  been,  to  a  great  extent,  utilized  for 
building  fences,  &c.  ;  and  thus  became  exposed  to  obser- 
vation the  peculiar  arrangement  of  the  interior  cists, 
consisting  of  a  cross-like  device,  the  arms  being  divided 
into  septae  or  compartments.  Each  of  these  had  probably 
held  a  separate,  or  possibly  several  interments,  for  the  two 
cists  (marked  in  black)  had  been  cleared  out  some  years 
ago  by  treasure-seekers,  who,  however,  found  nothing, 
it  is  said,  but  "  bones"  to  reward  their  search.  These 
chambers,  each  side  formed  by  a  single  flagstone,  are 
nearly  square  in  shape,  being  4  feet  6  inches  by  5  feet 
in  length,  and  they  would  seem  originally  to  have  been 
5  feet  deep.  At  its  southern  extremity  the  figure  is  ter- 
minated by  two  circles,  the  interior  one  being  10  feet 
and  the  exterior  21  feet  in  diameter.  It  is  strange  to 
find  such  an  elaborate  design  concealed,  as  it  were,  from 
observation,  cross-shaped  graves  being  generally  exposed 
to  view.  This  form  of  the  central  chambers  of  cists  en- 
closed within  earns  is  not  peculiar  to  Achill,  for  on  clear- 
ing away  the  loose  stones  and  earth  which  filled  the 
central  compartment  in  one  of  the  earns  of  the  Lough - 
crew  Group,  county  Meath,  the  arrangement  of  the 
interior  was  shown  to  be  in  the  form  of  a  cross. 

About  three-quarters  of  an  hour's  walk  from  the 
village  of  Doogort,  there  is  a  sandy  point  called  Porteen, 
i.e.  the  "  Little  Landing-place"  ;  here  a  circular  ar- 
rangement of  stones  (fig.  204)  was  discovered  between  two 
sand-hills,  in  a  hollow  cleared  out  by  the  storm-winds  of 
the  Atlantic,  down,  evidently,  to  the  original  surface  of 
the  ground.  Stones  and  circle  were  both  of  small  size, 
the  latter  being  but  5  feet  4  inches  in  diameter. 

With  the  exception  of  fig.  202,  and  the  great  earn, 
fig.  203,  all  the  sepulchres  noted  in  Achill  belong  to  the 
"  free-standing,"  or  sub-aerial  class — of  course  not  taking 
into  consideration  the  miniature  circle  just  described, 
which  had  been  alternately  both  covered  and  uncovered 
by  the  winds  of  heaven. 

Before  closing  this  account  of  the  Rude  Stone  Monu- 
ments of  the  county  Sligo,  and  of  the  Island  of  Achill, 
it  may  not  be  amiss  to  note  a  few  of  the  ideas  suggested 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  ISLAND  OF  ACHILL. 


379 


to  the  mind  during  the  progress  of  examination.  As  no 
authoritative  account  exists  of  the  erection  of  these  pre- 
historic structures,  all  who  feel  interested  in  the  subject 
should  be  considered  free  to  form  their  own  speculative 
theories,  either  from  personal  explorations,  or  careful 
perusal  of  the  observations  made  by  others  in  the  same 
line  of  research.  It  is  certain  that,  in  Ireland  at  least, 
the  monuments  in  question  were  places  set  apart  for 
purposes  of  sepulture,  and  not  for  mere  ceremonial  or 


Fig.  204. — Diminutive  Circle  in  the  Sand-hills  at  Portecn. 

sacrificial  observances — an  idea  that  so  long  lingered 
with  regard  to  remains  of  like  nature  in  Great  Britain 
and  elsewhere. 

It  is  not  improbable  that  the  varieties  of  form  observ- 
able in  the  outline  of  these  monuments  of  primitive  man 
were  emblematic  of  their  deities— of  the  one,  perhaps, 
whose  protection  was  thereby  invoked ;  and  such  may 
have  been  the  origin  of  the  custom  that  prevailed 
during  the  earliest  age  of  the  Christian  Church/  for 
nations,  families,  or  individuals  to  select  as  guardian 


4TH    8ER.,    VOL.    VIII. 


2E 


380  KUDE  STONE   MONUMENTS  OF   IRELAND. 

some  special  saint,  or  holy  person,  to  watch  over  and 
protect  them  from  evil  influences.  Again,  the  varieties 
of  outline  may  also  be  viewed  as  signs  of  tribal  distinc- 
tions ;  that  is  to  say,  certain  forms  in  a  locality  might 
have  been  used  as  marks  to  denote  the  last  resting- 
place  of  neighbouring  septs  or  families,  even  as  in  later 
ages  a  crest  or  coat- of -arms  served  a  similar  purpose. 

The  greatest  jealousy  and  excitement  are,  up  to  the 
present  day,  aroused  by  the  suspicion  of  any  encroach- 
ment by  one  family  on  the  supposed  boundary  of  the 
burying-ground  appropriated  to  another  family  ;  so  that 
in  the  early  ages  distinctive  outlines  must  have  been 
essential  in  order  to  preserve  the  claim  either  of  septs 
or  individuals. 

It  is  remarkable  that,  in  the  county  Sligo,  the  charac- 
teristic features  of  the  megaliths  varied  according  to 
districts  :  for  example,  in  Carrowmore  the  circular  form 
was  almost  universal,  whereas  in  Northern  Carbury  an 
oblong  arrangement  appears  to  predominate.  Again,  in 
the  Deerpark  Monument,  the  general  architectural  prin- 
ciples displayed  at  Stonehenge  can  be  traced. 

Cremations  and  bodily  interments  have  been  found 
intermixed  in  a  manner  to  lead  to  the  belief  that  both 
forms  of  burial  prevailed  contemporaneously.  Urns  to 
contain  the  ashes  of  the  dead  were,  possibly,  used  as  a 
special  mark  of  honour ;  also,  perhaps,  to  facilitate  the 
conveyance  of  the  human  remains  from  a  distance  to  the 
chosen  place  of  interment.  In  a  country  wherein  were 
thick  woods  and  long  stretches  of  bog  to  be  traversed, 
the  passage  of  funeral  processions  must  have  been  at- 
tended with  delays  and  difficulties. 

In  many  instances,  so  great  an  amount  of  charcoal- 
remains  have  been  discovered  that,  there  seems  reason 
to  believe  the  bodies  were  burned  at  the  place  of  sepul- 
ture ;  and  from  the  quantity  of  animal-bones  found  inter- 
mixed with  the  human,  it  cannot  but  be  inferred  that 
an  ample  supply  of  "  funeral  baked  meats"  was  pro- 
vided for  those  who  attended  the  obsequies. 

Amongst  the  Irish  peasantry  the  custom  still  survives 
of  providing  refreshment  not  merely  for  persons  who  are 
present  at  the  place  of  interment,  but  for  friends  and 


RUDE  STONE  MONUMENTS  IN  ISLAND  OF  ACHILL.         381 

neighbours  who  assemble  to  watch  at  night  beside  the 
corpse  during  the  intervals  occurring  between  the  dates 
of  death  and  burial;  and  these  "  wakes"  (as  they  are 
called),  although  supposed  to  betoken  respect  for  the 
dead,  are  often  scenes  of  unseemly  feasting  and  carous- 
ing. 

Climate,  the  productions  of  the  country  in  which 
they  dwell,  and  the  habits  of  life  thereby  engendered, 
influence  strongly  the  character  and  acts  of  a  people, 
.and  although  the  general  instinctive  feeling  of  primi- 
tive man  led  him  to  honour  the  last  resting  place  of  his 
dead,  yet  the  memorials  thus  erected  necessarily  depend 
upon  the  kind  of  material  at  hand  available  for  the  pur- 
pose. The  geological  nature  of  the  surroundings  must 
be  taken  into  consideration,  not  merely  with  regard  to 
megalithic  structures,  but  also  to  cashels,  some  of  which, 
according  to  the  districts  in  which  they  were  found,  had 
been  constructed  with  stones  of  very  small  size,  whilst 
in  other  instances  the  stones  were  of  greater  magnitude. 


2E2 


(     382     ) 


EGYPTIAN    AND    IRISH    BEADS. 
BY  REV.  LEONARD  HASSE,  M.R.I.A. 

AMONG  the  objects  discovered  by  the  Egypt  Exploration  Fund  during 
the  winter  and  spring  of  1885-86,  and  exhibited  by  the  Committee, 
in  September,  1886,  in  the  Rooms  of  the  Royal  Archaeological  Institu- 
tion of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  was  a  large  collection  of  glass  beads, 
amounting  to  about  five  or  six  hundred,  exclusive  of  stone  beads,  and  the 
common  green  or  blue  porcelain  beads,  which  numbered  several  thousands. 
I  was  anxious  to  see  the  collection  before  it  was  dispersed,  in  order  to 
institute  a  comparison  between  Egyptian  and  Irish  beads,  and  by  this 
means  to  obtain  some  data  for  determining  the  relative  age  of  the  latter. 
I  went  to  London  with  this  view ;  and  though  the  Exhibition  was 
already  closed  to  the  public,  I  obtained  the  kind  permission  of  Mr. 
Flinders  Petrie  to  examine  the  collection  at  my  leisure.  My  work 
was  greatly  facilitated  through  the  extreme  courtesy  of  Mr.  Llewelyn 
Griffith,  Mr.  Petrie' s  assistant,  in  the  field  of  discovery,  and  I  had  the 
further  advantage  of  obtaining  from  Mr.  Griffith,  both  at  the  time  and 
subsequently,  much  personal  information  about  the  sites  and  circum- 
stances of  the  various  finds.  Shortly  after  my  return  I  read  a  report 
of  my  observations  at  a  meeting  of  the  Ballymena  ArchaBological  Society. 
Mr.  Day's  instructive  Paper  on  "  Ornaments  in  Glass  from  Egypt,  to 
illustrate  those  found  in  Ireland" — contained  in  the  last  Number  of  the 
Journal — having  drawn  attention  to  the  connexion  between  Egyptian 
and  Irish  beads,  I  am  induced  to  offer  the  following  contribution  to  the 
subject,  as  the  result  of  my  examination  of  the  above  collection,  and  tc~ 
combine  with  it  the  inquiry  into  the  antiquity  of  our  Irish  beads. 

I. 

The  Egyptian  beads  were  procured  whilst  excavating  at  Tell  Nebesheh, 
not  far  from  Tanis,  and  at  Tell  Defenneh  (the  Hebrew  Tahpanhes, 
and  the  Greek  Daphnse),  on  the  road  to  El-Kantara.  The  majority  of 
the  beads  of  the  Defenneh  section  were  brought  in  by  the  Arabs,  and 
were  probably  obtained  from  Ramesside  ruins  of  the  twentieth  dynasty, 
which  exist  within  a  distance  of  about  ten  miles  from  this  site ;  these 
are  of  blue  or  green  porcelain.  There  are,  however,  Ptolemaic  and 
early  Roman  remains  at  Defenneh  itself.  At  Nebesheh  beads  were 
found  "  by  the  pound  weight."  There  are  a  few  remains  of  the  twelfth 
dynasty,  and  more  of  the  eighteenth,  nineteenth,  and  twenty-sixth 
dynasties ;  the  Ptolemaic  and  Roman  periods  are  well  represented.  At 
Gemayemi,  three  miles  from  Nebesheh,  a  glass-worker's  factory  was 
discovered,  with  moulds  and  bars  of  coloured  glass.  (See  The  Academy, 
vol.  xxix.,  pp.  153,  262,  458 ;  vol.  xxx.,  p.  4330 

The  great  difficulty  in  instituting  a  comparison  between  Irish  and 
Egyptian  beads  lies  in  the  long  duration  of  time  over  which  the  manu- 
facture of  beads  in  Egypt  extended.  Leaving  the  period  of  the  native 
Empire  till  the  end  of  the  twenty-sixth  dynasty  entirely  aside,  and 


EGYPTIAN   AND  IRISH    BEADS.  383 

reckoning  only  from  the  time  when  Naukratis  was  thrown  open  to  Greek 
merchants  in  the  seventh  century  B.C.,  there  are  many  "Egyptian  beads" 
which  are,  in  reality,  of  Persian  (525-332  B.C.),  or  Grecian  (332-30  B.C.), 
or  Eoman  (30  B.C.-395  A.D.)  date.  Beads  found  in  Theban  tombs  may 
be  of  any  age  up  to  the  first  century  B.C.  The  city  was  laid  in  ruins  by 
Ptolemy  Lathyrus,  87  B.C,  and  since  that  time  they  have  been  undis- 
turbed, but  the  same  patterns  which  we  encounter  on  Theban  beads  sur- 
vived into  the  period  when  Egypt  was  under  Eoman  rule,  and  at  no 
great  distance  from  Thebes,  Christian  anchorites  lived  and  died  from  the 
close  of  the  third  century  A.D.  It  follows  that  the  value  of  dated 
Egyptian  beads  is  extremely  great. 

There  were  two  classes  of  dated  beads  in  the  collection.  At  Nebesheh 
a  large  number  were  obtained  in  the  ruins  of  a  house,  which  coins, 
bronzes,  and  other  objects  showed  to  have  belonged  to  the  Ptolemaic 
period — about  200  B.C.  The  house  had  been  burned,  and  some  of  the 
beads  showed  traces  of  the  conflagration.  Close  to  Nebesheh  also  were 
found  a  number  of  beads,  which  had  evidently  once  formed  a  necklace, 
with  a  large  central  pendant  in  bronze,  and  these  were  dated,  by  coins 
found  along  with  them,  as  belonging  to  the  period  of  Constantine  II., 
337-340  A.D.  Beads  from  other  Roman  remains  were  also  found  at 
Nebesheh. 

As  we  have  to  deal  with  beads  of  varying  sizes,  it  will  be  well  to 
adopt  some  convenient  expression  for  approximately  fixed  dimensions. 
Thus,  beads  measuring  ^-inch,  either  in  length  or  in  diameter,  I  call 
No  1  size  beads ;  f-inch,  No.  2  size;  -f-inch,  No.  3  size;  i-inch,  or  more, 
No.  4  size.  It  will  also  be  of  use  to  follow  the  classification  of  Mr.  W. 
J.  Knowles,  in  his  Article  on  "  Ancient  Irish  Beads  and  Amulets," 
published  in  the  Journal,  vol.  v.,  4th  Series,  1881. 

1.  The  majority  of  the  beads  were  of  No.  1  or  No.  2  size ;  on  the 
Constantine  II.  necklace  there  were  a  few  No.  3  size,  from  Nebesheh, 
and  a  few  single  beads  of  this  size  from  the  same  locality.     The  large, 
No.  4  size,  did  not  occur  at  all. 

2.  The  nearest  approach  to  the  "  scribbled  beads,"  with  wavy  or 
zigzag  pattern  (Mr.  Knowles'  first  class),  was  among  the  beads  belong- 
ing to  the  tomb  of  Constantine's  date.      None  were  so  large  as  those 
figured  on  Mr.  Knowles'  second  Plate,  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  and  the  figure  of 
the  scrawl  was  not  so  close  as  on  the  Irish  specimens.     I  observed  five 
"beads   of  this  class:    one   had  the  white  enamel  or  blue  ground,  the 
others  had  the  ordinary  dark  bottle-glass  ground.     Of  these  the  zigzag 
pattern  was  in  one  case  white,  in  another  light-green.     A  fourth  bead 
had  yellow  markings,  enclosed  between  red  borders;  and  a  fifth  had 
yellow  and  green  zigzag  lines  crossing  each  other  alternately.     The  rela- 
tive age  of   this  class   of  beads  is  attested  by  a  specimen,  figured  in 
Mestorf's  Vorgeschichtliche  Alterihuemer  aus  Schleswig-Hoktein  (Hamburg, 
1885),  Plate  LV.,  No.  677,  which  is  extremely  like  the  Irish  scribbled 
beads.     It  represents  a  fine  large  brown  bead,  with  a  wide  hole,  and  the 
yellow  enamel  running  well  over  the  surface.     It  belongs  to  the  great 
finds  of  the  Torsberger  Bog  in  Schleswig,  which  are  marked  by  Roman 
coins,  from  the  time  of  Nero  to  Septimius,   as  being   of   a  date  later 
than  211  A.D.     There  is  nothing  in  the  wavy   or  zigzag  ornamenta- 
tion in  itself  to  prevent  the  scribbled  bead  from  being  of  much  earlier 
origin ;  the  pattern  occurs  on  glass  vessels— found  in  Cyprus  and  else- 


384  EGYPTIAN  AND  IRISH  BEADS. 

where — which  Perrot  assigns  to  a  period  long  before  the  Christian  era. 
The  only  question  is  at  what  time  the  pattern  was  put  on  beads  ; 
and  this  must  be  determined  by  dated  finds.  The  design  is  seen  on 
beads  from  the  Hallstadt  cemetery,  but  those  figured  by  Yon  Sacken 
(Plate  XVIII.,  Nos.  34,  35,  37)  are  not  the  same  as  the  Irish  specimens 
of  this  class. 

3.  There  were   no  "  knob-beads,"  nor   any  with   the   spiral-thread 
pattern,    or  with   any   Tariation   of  this   type,    which   constitutes   Mr. 
Knowles'  second  class.1 

4.  Mr.  Knowles'  third  class  consists   of  "  blotch  beads,"  or  "  spot 
beads,"   of  which  Mr.  Day  figures  a  specimen  from  Thebes.     I  found 
several  beads  of  this  pattern  among  the  number  obtained  in  the  Ptole- 
maic House  at  Nebesheh.     Only  a  few  were  of  No.  3  size  ;  the  majority 
were  smaller,  and  they  had  not  so  wide  a  hole  as  the  Irish  specimens. 
The  body  of  the  beads  was  composed  of  a  thick  consistent  glass  paste, 
uniform  in  colour,  and  of  coarse  quality — as  several  broken  fragments 
showed.     The  beads,  whilst  in  a  semi-fused  condition,  appear  to   have 
been  rolled  over,  or  sprinkled  with  assorted  grains  of  glass  of  different 
colours,  which  adhered  to  the  beads,  and  formed  the  blotches  or  spots 
upon  them.     The  bead  was  then  re-heated,   and,  with  greater  or  less 
pressure,  was  put  over  a  grooved  mould  of  stone  or  metal ;  by  this  means 
the  grains   were   imbedded   in  the  bead.      Sometimes  the  particles,   so 
applied,  had  fallen  out,  or  been  rubbed  off,  leaving  the  matrix,  in  which 
they  had  originally  lain,  still  perceptible.     The  Irish  beads  were,  no 
doubt,  made  in  the  same  manner.     The  process  thus  described  would 
account  for  the  occasional  excrescences  of  the  spots  above  the  proper 
surface  of  the  bead  ;  these  would  be  formed  where  a  large  grain  of  glass 
adhered  to  it,  and  the  pressure  in  rolling  it  was  slight,  especially  in 
putting  it  on  and  removing  it  from  the  mould.     The  simple  rotation  of 
the  rod  would  partially  diffuse  the  melting  particle  of  glass,  but  it  would 
not  imbed  it  in  the  body  of  the  bead  :  for  this  the  mould  was  requisite. 
The  same  process  also  explains  how  two  colours  may  overlap  one  another 
without  destroying  the  contour  of  the  bead.     I  have  one  specimen,  which 


1  It  is  remarkable  how  few  specimens  and  countries  " ;  among  these  there  are 

analogous  to  our  Irish  beads  are  found  in  three  large  knob  beads,  and  one  fine  blue 

the  great  Egyptian  collections  at  the  British  blackberry  bead;  No.  553  is  a  face  bead. 

Museum.     I  enumerate,  for  comparison,  The  number  of  melon  beads  in  the  Orien- 

those  which  I  have  examined  ;  some  of  tal  sections  is  also  surprisingly  small.   See 

them   were  first  pointed  out   to   me   by  in  I.  Egyptian  Room,  Case  E,Nos,  16376 

Mr.  Knowles.  In  the  II.  Egyptian  Eoom  (blue)  and  6278  (yellow) ;   Case  D,  No. 

No.  16711  represents  tbe  class  of  "knob-  16706  (yellow) ;  No.  56  Case,  14451.    In 

beads";  Nos.  16706  and  6288  belong  to  II.  Egyptian  Room,   No.   16714   (small 

tbe  scribbled-beads ;  Nos.  16704  and  16857  size,    blue    or    blue -green).       In    III. 

to  the  blotch-beads;  Nos.  16859  and  6287  Egyptian  Eoom,  No.  14743  (two  beads, 

are  a  sub-type  of  the  "eye  bead,"  and  small).      In    the  Assyrian  Eoom,   Case 

resemble  some  Irish  forms;  No.   16708  next  to  "  C,"  opposite  to  Nos.  64,  63, 

is  something  like  the  "face  bead,"  Jour.,  on  the  glass-cases  along  the  wall,  with 

1881,  Plate  II.,  No.  10  ;  No.  16383,  a  title,     "  Assyria,    principally    Parthian 

plain,  large  blue  ball-bead,  occurs  in  the  Period,    250    B.C.,"   one  specimen.     In 

same  size,  and  smaller  in  Irish  collec-  the   I.  Vase  Eoom,    Case  A,   there  are 

tions.     In  the  III.  Egyptian  Eoom  Nos.  three    melon  beads  from    Kamiros,  and 

2890  and  2889  are  knob  beads.     In  the  one  from  lalysos ;  also  some  single  speci- 

Glass  and  Majolica  Eoom,  in   Case   F,  mens. 
there  are  beads  marked  "various  ages 


EGYPTIAN   AND   IRISH   BEADS.  385 

has  so  many  minute  grains  of  different  coloured  glass  on  the  whole  sur- 
face that  no  other  means  of  applying  them  suggests  itself  than  that  of 
rolling  the  bead  among  particles  of  glass,  or  of  sprinkling  the  grains  on 
to  the  bead  whilst  still  in  a  viscid  state.  In  comparing  the  beads  of  the 
Egyptian  collection  with  our  Irish  specimens,  I  found  the  former  to  be 
generally  inferior  in  size  and  execution. 

5.  Of   other  well-known  types  of  Irish  beads,  three  deserve  some 
notice — the  dumb-bell  bead,  the  melon-bead,  and  the  cylindrical  ring- 
bead.     I  found   five   specimens  of  the  dumb-bell  shape  of  translucent 
glass,  but  I  have  no  memorandum  of  the  section  to  which  they  belong. 
They  were  blue  in  colour,  very  coarsely  made,  and  were  inferior  to  our 
Irish  beads. 

6.  I  did  not  find  many  beads  of  the  melon-shaped  pattern  ribbed  in 
the  direction  of  the  axis.    Those  that  I  saw  were  of  No.  2  size ;  none  were 
as  large  as  the  beads  of  this  class  found  in  Saxon  graves,  and  abundantly 
represented  in  the  British  Museum.     There  was  a  small  specimen,  dull- 
blue  in  colour,  made  of  opaque  paste,  and  exactly  like  a  bead  from  Thebes, 
in  my   possession,    which   had   belonged  to   the    collection   of  the  late 
Egyptologist,    Samuel    Sharpe  ;  it   differed   slightly  in  shape  from  our 
Irish  beads,  and  represents  an  earlier  form.     In  general  the  melon-bead 
is  not  found  frequently  in  Egypt.     It  characterizes  the  early  Roman 
period  of  Egyptian  history,  and  is,  I  believe,  widely  distributed  over  the 
continent  of  Europe.     I  saw  two  blue  melon-beads  made  of  translucent 
glass,  rather  less  than  No.  2  size,  of  an  oval  shape,  and  resembling  the 
Saxon  grave  type,  but  very  much  smaller.     They  were  very  perfectly 
made,  and  appear  to  be  late  Eoman.     As  far  as  I  remember  they  belong 
to  the  Nebesheh  section. 

7.  I  was  greatly  struck  with  what  appeared  to  be  the  original  form 
of  one  of  our  translucent  glass  beads,  the  long  blue  ring  beads  of  cylin- 
drical form,  ribbed  transversely  to  the  axis,  of  which  Mr.  Day  figures 
an  Egyptian  and  an  Irish  specimen.  The  Egyptian  beads  were  of  a  gritty 
paste,  entirely  opaque,  and  were  of  the  common  greenish  colour  which 
prevails  on  articles  of  Egyptian  faience.  They  varied  in  length  from  four 
to  nine  rings ;  the  longest,  however,  did  not  exceed  the  dimensions  of  a 
six-ringed  Irish  specimen,  which  I  possess.  These  beads  were  numerous, 
and  had  generally  a  diameter  across  the  axis  as  large  as  the  majority  of 
the  Irish  beads  of  this  class.  The  opaque  beads  appear  to  go  back  to  the 
time  of  the  eighteenth  dynasty,  but  they  held  their  place  into  Grecian 
times;  the  translucent  ones  are  probably  of  the  Christian  era. 

I  imagine  that  the  Irish  beads  were  rolled,  when  the  tube  of  glass  was 
on  the  metal  rod,  over  a  flat  surface  with  slightly  elevated  ridges  at  right 
angles  to  the  rod,  and  that  the  incisions  so  made  produced  the  rings.  It 
is  possible  that  each  bead  was  cut  singly  off  the  tube  by  a  diamond  and 
was  made  separately— marks  of  cutting  with  a  diamond  were  found  on 
the  glass  at  Gemayemi  ;  this  was  probably  the  case  when  any  ornamenta- 
tion was  laid  on  the  bead.  If  the  bead,  however,  was  plain,  a  succession 
of  upright  ridges,  raised  at  intervals  above  the  level  of  the  others,  would 
serve  equally  well  to  cut  the  bead  to  the  rod  in  different  lengths  as 

^  A  similar  process  may  account  for  the  origin  of  another  class  of 
Irish  beads.  Although  the  familiar  "blackberry  bead"  is  probably  of 
very  late  date,  yet  I  think  the  pattern  is  ancient ;  the  same  remark  applie 


386  EGYPTIAN   AND   IRISH   BEADS. 

to  the  very  recent  small  melon-shaped  bead  and  to  the  polygonal 
bead.  (See  Perrot,  History  of  Art  in  Phoenicia,  vol.  ii.,  Plate  X.)  The 
blackberry  bead  has  been  made  by  rolling  the  tube  of  glass  over  a 
flat  surface,  indented  with  little  cells.  On  the  finished  bead  these  stand 
out  in  line,  like  the  excrescences  of  the  fruit  in  question.  Projecting  ridges 
on  the  mould,  at  right  angles  to  the  rod,  seem  to  have  cut  the  single  beads, 
and  the  marks  of  the  rotary  movement  at  the  ends  of  the  bead  are  generally 
distinctly  visible.  I  saw  some  beads  of  this  type,  probably  manufactured  in 
a  similar  manner,  made  of  a  blue  opaque  paste.  They  were  dotted  with 
small  erections  of  the  same  colour  as  the  body  of  the  bead,  rather  more 
thickly  set  than  on  our  translucent  specimens,  and  not  in  such  regular 
lines,  yet  reminding  one  at  first  sight  of  the  analogous  Irish  pattern. 

The  recognition  of  this  method  of  rolling  the  tube  of  glass  over  a 
surface,  furnished  with  moulds  cut  in  semicircular  grooves  or  in  triangles 
and  squares,  explains  the  formation  of  other  well-known  types  of  our 
Irish  beads,  and  their  peculiar  shapes. 

9.  The  majority  of  the  glass  beads  were  the  common  so-called  "  eye- 
beads,"  or  "Phoenician  beads."     They  were  especially  represented  in  the 
Nebesheh  section,  containing  the  remains  of  the  Ptolemaic  House,  circa 
200  B.C.  ;  the  class,  however,  continued  into  Roman  times.     The  ground 
colour  was  generally  a  bright  blue.     On  this  white  crescents,  or  sometimes 
completely  circular  figures  were  laid  on  ;  frequently  the  enamel  was  blue, 
on  a  dark  bottle-glass  ground.     The  beads  varied  from  below  No.  1  size 
to  No.  3,  and  were  very  much  like  those  figured  in  Perrot,  op.  cit.,  vol.  ii., 
p.  382.     The  small-sized  eye  bead  is  probably  the  most  typical  of  the 
pre-Christian  period  ;  its  occurrence  in  Ireland,  if  existing  at  all,  must  be 
very  rare.     It  has,  I  believe,  been  met  with  among  Roman  remains  in 
England,  but  in  seven  Irish  collections1 — amounting  to  about  2500  glass 
beads — with  which  I  am  familiar,  I  have  not  observed  a  single  specimen 
of  genuine  style.     The  nearest  representative  that  I  have  seen,  beyond 
those  which  are  found  in  Mediterranean  countries,  was  on  a  beautiful 
string  of  ancient  beads  from  the  Vindya  Mountains  in  India,  now  in  the 
possession  of  Rev.  G.  R.  Buick,  M.A. 

10.  Casting  up  the  results  of  my  examination  of  the  whole  collection, 
I  found  that  those  "  Egyptian"  beads,  which  were  most  like  the  Irish, 
were  either  such  as  characterize  Roman  imperial  times,  or  such  as  had 
survived  into  Roman  times :  the  particular  forms  of  the  scribbled  beads, 
described  above,  belong  to  the  former  class,  the  blotch  beads  to  the  latter. 
I  recognized  inferior  specimens  of  the  dumb-bell  and  of  the  melon  bead, 
and  seemed  to  observe  the  parent  form  of  the  ring  and  of  the  blackberry 
beads,  both,  however,  being  made  of  paste,  and  not  translucent.     I  found 
none  with  the  knob  ornamentation,  or  with  the  spiral-thread  pattern.      I 
also  noticed  what  appears  to  be  the  complete  absence  from  Ireland  of  the 
true  "  Phoenician  beads  "  with  the  eye-pattern. 

11.  It  would  be  premature,  in  our  present  state  of  knowledge,  to 
pronounce  a  final  opinion  on  the  antiquity  of  our  Irish  beads ;  at  the  same 
time,   the  cumulative  evidence  of  the  various  facts  under  consideration 
seems  to  point  to  the  conclusion  that,  speaking  generally,  the  earliest  date 

1  The  collections  referred  to  are  those  of  Mr.  Knowles,  Canon  Grainger,  Mr. 
of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy,  the  Benn  George  Raphael,  Rev.  G.  R.  Buick,  and 
Collection,  Belfast,  and  the  collections  my  own. 


EGYPTIAN  AND   IRISH   BEADS.  387 

which  can  be  assigned  to  the  Irish  glass  beads  is  that  of  the  last  century 
of  the  Roman  Republic,  or  the  first  century  of  the  Christian  era.  We 
have,  relatively,  few  paste  beads  of  coarse,  gritty  quality,  like  the  melon- 
beads.  I  know  of  only  twenty-eight  specimens  of  this  material  in  the 
seven  collections  above  referred  to  ;  nor  does  it  necessarily  follow  that 
those  of  this  class  which  we  do  possess  are  always  the  most  ancient.  The 
majority  of  our  beads  are  translucent,  and,  even  where  opaque,  are  distinctly 
of  glass.  The  glass  bead  is  a  development  of  the  paste  bead,  which,  how- 
ever, still  continued  to  be  made  long  after  the  advance  to  glass  had  been 
effected.  It  seems  to  differ  from  the  paste  bead,  not  only  in  the  freer 
use  of  mineral  potash,  but  also  in  the  fineness  of  the  silicious  powder 
which  was  employed,  and  in  the  consequent  higher  degree  of  fusion 
obtained  in  the  process  of  smelting  ;  a  more  skilful  and  ornamental  method 
of  treatment  accompanied  the  development.  The  clear  translucent  glass 
appears  to  have  been  essentially  Roman. 

It  now  remains  to  supplement   this   examination   of  the   Egyptian 
collection  with  some  observations  made  nearer  home. 


II. 

It  is  difficult  to  bring  the  Irish  beads  into  relationship  with  the 
different  "ages"  of  pre-historic  times ;  nor  are  we  yet  in  a  position  to 
group  our  materials  for  a  proper  survey  of  the  Irish  Stone,  Bronze,  and 
Iron  Periods,  in  so  orderly  and  comprehensive  a  manner  as  Dr.  Anderson 
has  done  in  his  great  work  on  Scotland  in  Pagan  Times.  I  cannot,  how- 
ever, ascertain  that  glass  beads  have  been  found  in  Ireland  in  cinerary 
urns  or  along  with  grave  goods,  belonging  distinctly  to  the  Stone  or  the 
Bronze  Age.  A  late  well-known  Ballymena  dealer  has  stated  privately, 
that  in  one  case  a  single  bead,  and  in  another  a  string  of  beads,  of  which 
he  had  one  for  sale,  were  discovered,  respectively,  in  a  burial  mound  and 
in  a  cinerary  urn ;  but  the  particulars  of  the  finds  are  not  known,  and 
no  record  of  the  circumstances  exists.  I  am  also  informed  that  in 
an  urn  placed  within  a  larger  one,  which  was  excavated  in  the  county 
Down,  and  is  now  in  the  collection  of  Canon  Grainger,  a  single  glass 
bead  of  a  blue  colour  was  originally  discovered.  As,  however,  the 
practice  of  cremation  survived  in  all  probability  into  the  first  centuries 
of  the  Christian  era  (Sullivan  in  O'Curry's  Manners  and  Customs  of  the 
Ancient  Irish,  vol.  i.,  p.  320),  the  presence  of  a  cinerary  urn  is  not 
evidence  in  itself  that  the  burial  belonged  to  the  Stone  or  the  Bronze  age. 
The  glass  and  amber  beads  found  in  1847,  in  the  interior  of  one  of  the 
chambers  in  the  Hill  of  Dowth,  were  accompanied  by  the  bronze  pins  of 
fibulas,  and  by  iron  knives  and  rings  (Dublin  University  Magazine,  vol. 
xxx.,  p.  743).  Dr.  Sullivan  does  not  consider  the  tumuli  on  the  Boyne 
to  be  pre-historic  in  the  sense  of  lying  outside  the  traditions  ot  the 
country,  but  rather  to  belong  to  the  cycle  of  the  heroic  poems  and  tales 
which  are  still  preserved  in  Irish  Manuscripts,  t.  e.  they  may  well  De  < 
an  age  approximate  to  the  beginning  of  the  Christian  era  (0  Curry,  op. 
cit  vol  i ,  p  328).  It  would  be  exceedingly  interesting  to  ascertain 
whether  any  allusions  to  glass  beads  occur  in  early  Irish  literature :  some 
•Celtic  scholar  might  well  investigate  the  point.  I  cannot  find  any 
i-eference  to  the  subject  in  O'Curry  (op.  cit.\  or  in  Sullivan's  introduction. 


388  EGYPTIAN    AND  IRISH  BEADS. 

I  may  mention,  in  passing,  that  the  Celtic  words  glain,  gloin,  and 
glaine,  known  in  the  form  of  the  "  glain  neidyr,"  or  snake  bead  (Wallace- 
Dunlop,  Glass  in  the  Old  World,  p.  203^"),  for  which  a  Phoanician 
etymology  was  once  current,  are  derived  by  Diefenbach  and  Waldman, 
as  quoted  by  Schrader  (Handelsgeschichte  und  Warenkunde,  p.  84),  from 
a  Teutonic  source,  through  the  intermediate  form,  glasin.  The  word  in 
some  such  original  form  as  glaxa  must  have  first  indicated  amber ;  from 
it  the  Latin  glesum,  and  the  Anglo-Saxon  glas  are  derived ;  then  when 
glass  beads  became  known,  the  term  was  transferred  to  the  new  article, 
both  for  its  translucency  and  for  its  character  as  an  object  of  personal 
adornment.  Whether  the  word  glain  is  a  loan  word,  taken  over  at  the 
stage  when  in  its  original  form  it  indicated  amber  only,  or  at  a  stage 
when  it  embraced  glass  and  amber  alike,  I  cannot  tell.  The  word  "bead" 
with  the  meaning,  attaching  to  it  now,  is  of  late  origin;  the  earliest 
example  given  in  Murray's  New  English  Dictionary  is  from  Piers  Plow- 
man, c.  1377,  whereas  in  its  original  sense  of  "  prayer,"  it  is  as  old,  in 
English  Literature,  as  Alfred's  time.  One  would  like  to  know  what  term 
was  in  use  (berry  ?  or  pearl  ?  cf.  Germ.  "  glas-perle  ")  before  the  change 
of  meaning  took  place.  The  term  "  amber  "  came  in  with  Norman - 
Prench  ;  it  first  appears  circa  1400,  as  the  name  of  the  fossil  resin. 

"We  may  learn  something  of  the  antiquity  of  glass  beads  in  Ireland 
from  examining  the  conditions  under  which  they  appear  in  Scotland. 
They  do  not  seem  to  be  found  with  remains  of  the  Stone  Age.  In 
Anderson's  Stone  and  Bronze  Age  more  than  two  hundred  and  ninety-one 
specimens  of  beads  and  plates  of  jet  or  lignite,  as  well  as  a  smaller  num- 
ber of  amber  beads  are  mentioned,  but  this  is  no  record  of  the  occurrence 
of  glass  beads.  On  the  other  hand,  in  speaking  of  "the  Brochs  and  their 
contents,"  in  his  volume  on  The  Iron  Age,  glass  beads  are  enumerated, 
and  a  specimen  figured  (p.  233,  fig.  204)  is  so  exactly  identical  with  Irish 
beads  in  private  collections  and  with  a  bead  from  Lagore,  in  the  Royal 
Irish  Academy,  figured  in  Colonel  Wood-Martin's  Lake  Dwellings  of 
Ireland  (p.  123,  fig.  163),  that  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  bead  in 
question  was  an  article  of  trade  in  both  countries  at  one  and  the  same 
time ;  the  age  of  the  Brochs,  however,  is  post-Roman  (Anderson,  op.  cit.t 
p.  259).  A  woman's  grave  of  the  Yiking  Period — from  the  eighth  to  the 
end  of  the  tenth  century,  A.D. — found  on  the  island  of  Islay,  disclosed  a 
number  of  beads,  some  of  which  resemble  the  later  forms  of  Irish  speci- 
mens (Anderson,  op.  cit.,  pp.  28-37). 

The  great  majority  of  glass  beads  in  Scotland  and  Ireland,  procured 
in  distinct  finds,  of  which  the  relative  age  could  be  determined,  have 
been  discovered  in  crannogs ;  of  these  thirty-one  specimens  are  figured 
in  Colonel  Wood-Martin's  above-mentioned  work,  and  eleven  in  Munro'a 
Ancient  Scottish  Lake  Dwellings.  All  the  Scotch  beads  could  be  matched 
with  Irish  specimens;  we  encounter  the  familiar  shapes  of  the  melon  bead, 
the  dumb-bell  bead,  and  the  spiral-thread  bead  (pp.  48, 137).  I  do  not  find 
any  indication  of  the  scribbled  bead,  or  of  the  blotch  bead  in  Munro  or 
Anderson.  Munro  includes  glass  beads  among  the  objects  found  in  the 
Scotch  crannogs,  which  betray  a  Romano-British  origin ;  he  ascribes 
the  construction  of  the  crannogs  on  a  comprehensive  scale  to  the  fifth 
century,  and  their  general  abandonment  to  the  tenth  century,  A.D. 

Colonel  Wood-Martin  takes  his  illustrations  from  nine  Irish  crannogs,  in 
which  glass  beads  have  been  found ;  others,  no  doubt,  could  easily  be  added 


EGYPTIAN  AND  IRISH  BEADS. 

to  the  list,  but  those  enumerated  are  very  good  representatives  of  the  whole 
class.  At  whatever  period  they  may  originally  have  been  constructed, 
there  is  good  reason  for  believing  that  the  crannogs  in  question  were  still 
in  a  state  of  occupation  during  the  period  which  Munro  has  assigned  to 
the  Scotch  lake  dwellings.  In  the  case  of  Lagore  there  is  historical 
evidence  to  this  effect.  Ardakillen  and  Lough  Ravel  were  tenanted  up 
to  a  much  later  date,  and  the  character  of  the  objects  found  in  the  cran- 
nogs discloses  the  same  fact  with  regard  to  the  sites  at  Randalstown 
(op.  cit.,  pp.  167,  68),  Lough-na-glack  (p.  195),  and  Drumkeery  (p.  201). 
The  period  of  the  abandonment  of  the  crannogs  at  Lisnacroghera,  Ballin- 
derry,  in  county  Westmeath,  and  Lough  Eyes  cannot  be  so  immediately 
determined ;  iron  was,  however,  plentifully  represented  in  the  two  former 
crannogs ;  the  date  of  the  occupation  of  the  islands  in  Lough  Eyes  is  less 
certain. 

If  we  allow  the  age  of  the  Scotch  lake  dwellings  to  have  been 
correctly  fixed  by  Munro — and  Anderson  concurs  in  ascribing  them 
to  a  period  subsequent  to  the  Koman  Conquest  (The  Iron  Age,  pp.  269- 
70) — the  probable  antiquity  of  the  Irish  crannogs,  in  which  beads  of  the 
same  type  have  been  found  as  those  met  with  in  Scotland,  affords  us  no 
substantial  grounds  for  resisting  the  conclusion  that  the  Irish  glass  beads, 
so  procured,  are  either  all  or  in  greater  part  remains  of  the  Christian 
era. 

It  is  probable  that  all  the  different  classes  of  Irish  beads  are  more  or 
less  represented  in  English  finds ;  the  illustrations  and  descriptions  given 
of  English  beads  seem  to  indicate  this  ( Wallace -Dunlop,  op.  cit.,  pp.  205, 
207) ;  in  what  proportion,  however,  they  may  occur  it  is  difficult  to 
ascertain.  The  large  melon  bead,  as  already  said,  is  frequently  found  in 
Saxon  graves ;  the  dumb-bell  bead  has  been  met  with  in  more  than  one 
locality  in  Lincolnshire  (Wallace-Dunlop,  op.  cit.,  Plate  IV.,  fig.  5); 
variants  of  the  scribbled  bead  (Wallace-Dunlop,  Plate  IV.,  fig.  6,  and 
Je  witt's  Half -hours  Among  English  Antiquities,  fig.  285),  the  knob  bead 
and  the  spiral-thread  bead,  seem  also  to  exist.  I  have  no  doubt  that  a 
careful  examination  of  some  half-dozen  local  museums  in  England  would 
greatly  tend  to  set  the  question  of  the  antiquity  of  our  Irish  beads  at  rest. 

With  regard  to  the  earliest  distribution  of  glass  beads  in  Britain, 
Canon  Greenwell's  excavations  among  the  wolds  of  Yorkshire  are  highly 
important  (British  Barrows}.  Although  he  expressly  states  that_  else- 
where in  England  glass  beads  have  been  found  belonging  to  the  period  of 
the  round  barrows  of  the  wolds,  that  is,  before  the  introduction  of  iron 
(p.  52  ».),  yet  none  were  discovered  in  the  three  hundred  and  seventy- 
nine  burials,  which  represent  the  Stone  or  the  Stone  and  Bronze  Period  in 
Yorkshire  (pp.  52,  212).  At  Cowlam,  along  with  a  bronze  armlet  and  a 
bronze  fibula  with  an  iron  pin,  a  necklace  was  found  made  up  of  seventy 
small  glass  beads  of  a  deep-blue  colour,  with  a  zigzag  pattern  in  white, 
and  of  a  single  large  bead,  with  inlaid  enamel  circles  (p.  208) ;  beads  of 
the  same  character  have  been  found  at  Arras.  The  Cowlam,  Arras,  and 
a  few  similar  burials,  Canon  Greenwell  assigns  to  the  period  \'  which 
elapsed  between  the  introduction  of  iron  and  the  time  when  Britain  came 
more  or  less  under  Roman  rule  and  influence  "  ;  and  he  considers  this 
period  to  have  been  one  of  short  duration  (p.  212) ;  it  embraces  the  last 
century  of  the  Classical  age  and  the  commencement  of  the  Christian  era 
in  North  Britain  and  Ireland.  In  a  barrow  of  post-Roman  date,  in  West- 


,390  EGYPTIAN   AND   IRISH   BEADS. 

moreland,  a  single  glass  bead,  apparently  of  the  blotch  pattern,  was  found 
inside  of  a  tree-coffin  along  with  bronze  remains  (p.  384),  and  a  neck- 
lace of  amber  and  glass  beads  was  discovered  along  with  bronze  fibulas, 
in  a  secondary  interment,  in  an  Anglian  grave  in  the  East  Riding  of 
Yorkshire  (p.  178). 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  there  are  varieties  of  age  among  the 
different  classes  of  Irish  beads  :  some  appear  at  first  sight  of  earlier,  others 
of  later  origin.  There  are  not  only  distinct  characteristics  of  design  and  or- 
namentation, which  may  with  little  hesitation  be  pronounced  to  belong  to 
different  periods,  and  to  indicate  different  prevailing  tastes' ;  but  there  are 
also  differences  of  art,  which  seem  to  betray  divergent  methods  of  manu- 
facture, and  different  appliances.  It  is  also  quite  possible  that  different 
sources  of  importation  or  of  production  may  be  discovered;  as  regards  the 
latter  contingency,  the  use  of  glass  for  ornamental  purposes  on  the  Cross 
of  Cong,  the  Tara  Brooch,  the  Crozier  of  Clonmacnoise.  and  the  Ardagh 
Chalice,  is  strong  presumptive  proof  that  the  glass- worker's  art  was  well- 
known  in  Irish  monasteries  in  mediaeval  times.  It  would  be  a  matter  of 
interest  to  follow  up  progressively  the  order  of  age  in  the  Irish  beads;  but 
to  enter  on  this  investigation  would  exceed  the  proper  limits  of  the  present 
Paper. 


(     391     ) 


THEOBALD  WOLFE  TONE  AND  THE  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL 

SOCIETY. 

BY  GEORGE  D.  BURTCHAELL,  M.A.,  LL.B.,  BARRISTER- AT- LAW,  M.R.I.A. 

IN  the  life  of  Theobald  "Wolfe  Tone,  written  by  himself,  he  refers  to  the 
fact,  that  during  his  sojourn  in  Trinity  College,  Dublin,  he  had  obtained 
"  three  medals  from  the  Historical  Society,  a  most  admirable  institution, 
of  which  (he  says)  I  had  the  honour  to  be  Auditor,  and  also  to  close  the 
Session  with  a  speech  from  the  Chair — the  highest  compliment  which  that 
Society  is  used  to  bestow." 

The  Historical  Society,  at  the  time  Tone  was  a  member,  was  at  the 
height  of  its  fame.  It  had  then  been  established  on  a  permanent  basis 
in  College  for  thirteen  years.  "  The  Club,"  founded  by  Edmund  Burke 
and  four  companions,  is  the  oldest  College  Debating  Society  in  the  United 
Kingdom  of  which  any  account  remains.  The  Minute  Book  of  the  Club, 
the  greater  part  of  which  is  in  Burke's  own  handwriting,  is  now  preserved 
among  the  records  of  the  Historical  Society.  Other  Debating  Societies 
succeeded,  the  records  of  which  have  unfortunately  been  lost.  The  study 
of  history  which  did  not  at  that  period  form  part  of  the  University  curri- 
culum was  considered  essential,  as  the  debates  were  altogether  upon 
political  and  historical  subjects ;  hence  these  successive  Societies  were 
known  as  "Historical"  Societies.  Not  having,  however,  a  fixed  place  of 
meeting,  they  appear  to  have  enjoyed  only  a  fitful  existence  until  the  year 
1770,  when  thirteen  students,  having  obtained  from  the  Fellows  the  use 
of  the  Common  Room,  in  which  to  hold  their  meetings,  formed  themselves 
into  "The  College  Historical  Society,"  for  the  exercise  of  History, 
Oratory,  and  Composition.  The  Society  rapidly  grew  and  prospered,  and 
became  the  training  school  of  the  alumni  of  the  University,  who  rose 
to  eminence  in  the  Senate,  in  the  Church,  and  at  the  Bar ;  nor  was  the 
medical  profession  unrepresented  among  its  distinguished  members. 

A  dispute  with  the  Board,  in  1794,  led  to  the  banishment  of  the  Society 
from  the  College  ;  but  it  was  immediately  re-formed  upon  new  lines  and 
continued  within  the  walls  until  1815.  On  the  1st  February,  in  that 
year,  the  Society  adjourned  sine  die,  believing  the  restrictions  sought  to 
be  imposed  upon  it  by  the  Board  were  calculated  to  injure  its  usefulness. 
At  the  end  of  five  years  an  attempt  was  made  to  form  a  Society  outside 
College,  and  in  some  shape  or  form  it  continued  to  exist  till  1844.  But 
having  no  permanent  abode,  the  difficulty  of  carrying  out  its  objects  was 
very  great,  and  the  tendency  to  split  up  into  rival  societies  more  than 
once  caused  confusion.  In  1843,  however,  arrangements  were  made  with 
the  Board,  by  which  the  Society  was  once  more  established  within  the 
College,  and  has  so  continued  till  the  present  day. 

The  Society  possesses  an  unbroken  series  of  records  from  1770  to  1815, 
and  from  1843  to  the  present,  as  well  as  some  of  the  Minute  Books  of  the 
period  of  its  exile,  between  1830  and  1843. 

It  was  formerly  the  custom— 1770  to  1794— for  each  member,  on 
taking  his  seat  in  the  Society,  to  sign  a  declaration  giving  his  assent  to 
the  laws;  and  the  roll  of  signatures  (976  in  number),  includes  the  auto- 


392          WOLFE  TONE  AND  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

graphs  of  the  most  prominent  Irishmen  of  the  end  of  the  last  and  com- 
mencement of  the  present  century. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  19th  November,  1783,  "  Mr.  Tone  was  pro- 
posed for  admission  by  Mr.  Miller,1  seconded  by  Mr.  Plunket."8  The 
following  Wednesday  he  was  ballotted  for,  and  admitted,  and  took  his 
seat  on  that  night  week,  3rd  December.  His  signature  is  the  364th 
upon  the  roll.  He  appears  to  have  been  a  regular  attendant  at  the 
meetings,  and  was  occasionally  fined  by  the  Chairman — a  fate  which  befel 
very  many  members,  for  slight  breaches  of  order. 

The  officers  of  the  Society  were  then  elected  for  periods  of  three 
months  each,  and  it  appears  to  have  been  the  custom  for  each  outgoing 
officer  to  propose  the  names  of  three  members  from  whom  to  choose  a 
successor.  An  important  change  was  proposed  on  21st  April,  1783,  by 
Mr.  Lee  :3  "  That  the  3rd  Law  of  the  3rd  Chapter  be  amended  as  follows : 
— That  the  night  preceding  the  expiration  of  the  offices  of  Auditor, 
Treasurer,  and  Librarian,  the  Society  shall  proceed  to  ballot  for  four 
gentlemen,  out  of  whom  the  successor  shall  be  chosen  the  ensuing  night." 
This  was  carried  by  twenty-four  votes  to  twenty-one,  Mr.  Tone  being 
teller  for  the  "  Ayes."  The  next  night,  in  pursuance  of  this  resolution,  the 
Society  proceeded  to  nominate  four  gentlemen,  out  of  whom  on  the  succeed- 
ing night  to  elect  one  to  fill  the  office  of  Treasurer  for  the  ensuing  period, 
and  on  ballot  the  following  were  nominated : — Mr.  Warren,  Mr.  Tone, 
Mr.  Lee,4  Mr.  Driscol.  The  ballot  was,  however,  set  aside  the  following 
night,  and  the  practice  of  nomination  by  the  outgoing  officers  reverted  to. 
Mr.  Tone  was  not  one  of  those  nominated  by  the  outgoing  Treasurer,  Mr. 
Abraham  Stewart. 

His  first  appearance  in  the  debates  was  on  the  9th  June,  1783.  The 
question  appointed  was:  "  Is  an  Absentee  Tax  admissible  in  a  free  State  ?" 
and  the  "pleaders"  were  Mr.  Euxton  and  Mr.  Tone.  The  question 
was  carried  in  the  affirmative,  nem.  con.  The  same  night  it  was  decided 
instead  of  the  question  "  Was  the  Restoration  of  advantage  to 
England?"  to  substitute,  on  the  following  Wednesday,  "Whether, 
under  the  British  Constitution,  Octennial  or  Triennial  Parliaments  are 
preferable ; "  and  Mr.  Tone  and  Mr.  Stawell  were  appointed  pleaders. 
On  the  question  being  put,  "  That  Octennial  Parliaments  are  preferable," 
there  were  thirteen  "  Ayes"  (Teller,  Mr.  Tone),  and  twenty-one  "  Noes." 

On  30th  June,  1784,  "  The  Auditor,  Treasurer,  and  Librarian,  having 
examined  the  returns  for  Oratory,  reported  as  follows :  — 

"  That  Mr.  E.  JEPHSON6  had  196  returns, 
"  That  Mr.  STAWELL        had  151      „ 
"  That  Mr.  TONE  had      4      „ 

"  The  Chairman  accordingly  declared  that  Mr.  R.  Jephson  and  Mr. 
Stawell  were  entitled  to  medals,  and  that  Mr.  Tone  was  entitled  to 


1  Afterwards  F.  T.  C.  *  Afterwards  King's  Counsel. 

2  Afterwards  Lord  Plunket.  5  Afterwards  Baronet,    and    Judge  at 

3  Afterwards  M.  P.  for  county  Water-       Gibraltar. 


WOLFE  TONE  AND  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY.  393 

the  remarkable  thanks  of  the  Society,  for  their  distinguished  merit  in 
debate." 

At  the  commencement  of  the  next  Session,  1784-85,  Tone  was  for 
some  time  absent.  On  5th  January,  1785,  the  Vice- Auditor  proposed  the 
following  gentlemen  as  Presidents  (Chairmen)  for  the  four  ensuing  nights 
of  meeting,  viz : — Mr.  Bushe,1  Mr.  Tone,  Mr.  Conway,  Mr.  Sharkey.  The 
Society  accordingly  proceeded  to  ballot,  when  Mr.  Tone  was  elected 
unanimously,  and  the  other  three  gentlemen  were  elected.  On  26th 
January,  Mr.  R.  Jephson,  Yice-Auditor,  nominated  for  the  office  of 
Auditor  Mr.  Quaill,  Mr.  Thorp,2  Mr.  Miller,  and  Mr.  Tone,  Mr.  Thorp 
being  the  successful  candidate.  The  result  of  the  Oratory  returns  for  the 
period  was  declared  on  the  30th  March,  as  follows  : — 

Mr.  GEORGE  MILLER,  315  returns, 
Mr.  GooLD,3  210       „ 

Mr.  TONE,  209       „ 

Mr.  BUSHE,  142       „ 

The  first  two  were  declared  entitled  to  medals,  and  the  others  to  "the 
remarkable  thanks  of  the  Society,  and  to  have  their  names  entered  on  the 
Journals,  in  return  for  their  distinguished  merit  in  debate."  But  on  the 
following  night  it  was  proposed  by  Mr.  Graves,4  seconded  by  Mr.  Goold, 
"  That  an  extra  medal  be  presented  to  Mr.  TONE  for  his  exertions  in 
Oratory  during  the  last  period,"  which  was  passed  in  the  affirmative, 
nem.  con. 

On  27th  April  Tone  was  again  nominated  for  the  Auditorship,  the 
other  candidates  being  Messrs.  George  Miller,  sen.,  Mr.  Graves,  and  Mr. 
Matthew  Hamilton,  and  on  this  occasion  Mr.  Miller  was  elected.  _ 

It  was  at  that  time  customary  to  open  and  to  close  each  Session  with 
a  speech  from  the  Chair.  The  member  selected  to  deliver  the  speech  was 
generally  one  of  senior  standing,  and  who  had,  as  a  rule,  previously  held 
office,  or  obtained  a  medal.  On  the  15th  June,  1784,  Mr.  Tone  pro- 
posed, and  Mr.  Goold  seconded,  "  That  Mr.  John  Jephson,  our  present 
worthy  Chairman,  do  take  the  Chair  to-morrow  evening,  in  order  to  close 
the  Session  with  a  speech." 

While  the  earlier  portion  of  each  night  of  meeting  was  devoted  first 
to  an  Examination  (conducted  by  the  Chairman)  in  an  appointed  portion 
of  history,  and  secondly  to  the  debate  of  some  question  previously  agreed 
upon,  the  chief  interest  centered  round  the  business  subsequently 
transacted.  The  proposal  of  new  laws  or  the  impeachment  of  officers 
then,  as  now,  called  forth  the  debating  powers  of  the  members.  It  would 
seem  that  disorderly  interruptions  had  become  very  general,  as  on  the 
first  night  of  the  Session,  25th  October,  1785-86,  Mr.  Tone  proposed, 
"  That  when  any  member  interrupts  another  under  the  pretence  of  rising 
to  order,  he  shall  specify  to  the  Chair  wherein  he  conceives  the  member 
interrupted  to  have  been  disorderly;  the  Chairman  shall  then  decide  the 

1  Afterwards  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  'Afterwards  Serjeant -at -Law,  and 

Trpland  Master  in  Chancery. 

'  Afterwards  Chief  Justice  of  Sierra  *  Afterwards  F.T.C.,  Dean  of  Ardagh. 
Leone. 


394          WOLFE  TONE  AND  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

point,  and  his  decision  shall  be  for  that  night  final."  This  was  seconded 
by  Mr.  Driscol,  and  unanimously  agreed  to. 

On  the  2nd  November,  1785,  the  Auditor,  Mr.  George  Miller,  having 
obtained  leave  to  resign  that  office,  proposed  the  following  gentlemen  : — 
Mr.  Gabriel  Stokes,  Mr.  Abraham  Stewart,  Mr.  Tone,  and  Mr.  Bushe ; 
and  on  the  next  night  Tone  was  elected  Auditor.  In  January  following 
he  obtained  medals  both  in  Oratory  and  History  for  this  period.  In 
Oratory,  Mr.  Jebb1  had  139  returns,  and  Mr.  Tone  103.  In  History,  Mr, 
Burleigh  and  Mr.  Tone  had  1 1  returns  each ;  Mr.  John  Dickson  and 
Mr.  Hawkesworth  9  each.  The  two  latter  were  awarded  the  "  remark- 
able thanks  of  the  Society." 

During  the  last  month  of  his  Auditorship  Tone  was  absent,  and  on 
8th  February,  1786,  Mr.  Magee,2  Yice- Auditor,  on  behalf  of  Mr.  Tone, 
resigned  the  office  of  Auditor,  and  proposed  Messrs.  Goold,  Radcliffe,3  R. 
Jebb,  and  C.  Ward.  On  the  following  night  it  was  carried  by  37  to  34, 
"  That  one  of  the  gentlemen  nominated  for  the  office  of  Auditor  being- 
incapable  of  filling  that  office,  the  present  Auditor  do  nominate  another  in 
his  place."  Tone,  who  was  then  present,  nominated  Mr.  Francis  William 
Greene,  who  was  elected  to  the  office. 

We  pass  over  the  details  of  the  next  Session.  The  interest  in  the 
regular  debates  appears  to  have  declined  to  such  an  extent  that  on  5th 
November,  1788,  a  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  C.  Bushe,  and  seconded  by 
Mr.  Garnett,  "That  a  committee  of  seven  be  appointed  to  take  into  conside- 
ration the  most  effectual  means  to  excite  emulation  among  the  members  of 
the  Society,  and  to  prevent  the  alarming  decline  of  debate."  During  this 
Session  we  find  the  subject  fixed  for  debate  on  the  10th  December : — 
"  Whether  an  Union  with  Great  Britain  would  be  of  advantage  to  Ire- 
land?" and  the  appointed  pleaders  (who,  however,  did  not  speak),  were  Mr. 
Power  and  Mr.  Butt,  father  of  the  late  Mr.  Isaac  Butt,  M.P.  The  question 
was  passed  in  the  negative,  nem.  con. 

On  28th  January,  1789,  Tone  was  presented  with  the  two  medals 
gained  for  Oratory  on  former  occasions,  and  on  4th  February  he  received 
the  medal  for  History. 

On  15th  April,  1789,  a  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Tone,  and  seconded 
by  Mr.  C.  Bushe,  "  That  an  extra  silver  medal  be  given  to  the  author  of 
the  best  Poetic  Composition  on  the  late  happy  recovery  of  his  present 
Majesty,  to  be  delivered  on  or  before  this  night  month." 

This  Session  appears  to  have  been  a  stormy  one,  as  it  was  marked  by 
more  than  one  impeachment ;  and  that  the  members  had  grown  careless  in 
pursuing  the  objects  for  which  the  Society  had  been  founded,  is  sufficiently 
attested  by  the  fact  that,  on  29th  April,  no  less  than  fifty- two  were  fined 
for  not  answering  in  History. 

On  18th  June,  Mr.  Schoales,4  Auditor,  moved,  and  Mr.  A.  Stewart 
seconded,  "  That  Mr.  Tone  be  requested  to  come  prepared  with  a  speech 
to  close  the  Session  on  1st  July  next,"  which  was  agreed  to. 

On  Wednesday,  July  1st,  1789,  Mr.  Theobald  Wolfe  Tone  in  the  Chair, 
there  were  sixty-eight  members  present.  Mr.  Tone  having  closed  the 
Session  with  a  speech  from  the  Chair,  Mr.  Auditor  moved  (at  the  request 

1  Afterwards    Judge    of    the    King's          3  Afterwards  Judge  of  the  Prerogative 
Bench.  Court,  P.C. 

2  F.T.C.  ;  Archbishop  of  Dublin.  *  Afterwards  King's  Counsel. 


WOLFE  TONE  AND  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY.         395 

of  the  Chairman),  seconded  by  Mr.  Radcliffe,  «  That  the  Senior  Member 
do  take  the  Chair."     Agreed  to  nem.  con. 

MR.  GEORGE  MILLER,  P.T.C.,  in  the  Chair. 

A  motion  was   made  by  Mr.  Auditor,  seconded  by  Mr    Radcliffe 
"That  the  remarkable  thanks  of  the  Society  be  given  to  our  late  Chair* 
man  for  his  excellent  speech  from  the  Chair."     And  the  question  bein* 
put,  it  was  carried  in  the  affirmative,  nem.  con. 

A  motion^was  made  by  the  Auditor,  seconded  by  Mr.  Radcliffe,  "That 
our  late  Chairman  be  requested  to  furnish  the  Secretary  with  a  copy  of 
his  speech,  that  the  same  may  be  entered  on  the  Journals  of  the  Society"  • 
and  the  question  being  put,  it  was  carried  in  the  affirmative,  nem.  con. 

THE   SPEECH   OF  MR.   THEOBALD    WOLFE  TONE,    C  a  AIRMAN  OF  THE 
HISTORICAL  SOCIETY,  AT  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  TWENTIETH  SESSION. 

"GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY, — 

"At  the  close  of  a  troublesome  and  tempestuous  Session,  which 
has  been  marked  by  a  variety  of  important  incidents,  I  have  the  honour 
to  meet  you  in  the  situation  to  which  your  goodness  has  raised  me.  In 
appointing  me  to  take  a  review  of  the  transactions  of  this  Society,  you 
have  decidedly  shown  that  it  is  not  exalted  ability  or  splendid  eloquence 
which  you  require.  I  am  fond,  therefore,  to  hope  that  in  your  present 
Chairman  you  sought  to  find  what  in  your  present  situation  you  most 
need,  a  severe  and  impartial  examinator  of  your  late  conduct ;  one  who 
has  not  sufficiently  mixed  in  your  recent  debates  to  be  tainted  by  party 
or  prejudice  ;  yet  is  not  so  far  detached  as  to  have  lost  his  original  warm 
regard  for  your  interest  and  your  honour ;  who  should  censure  indecency 
and  impropriety  without  consideration  whom  he  might  offend,  and  boldly 
tell  you  your  faults,  though  at  the  certain  forfeiture  of  your  favour.  Under 
this  impression  I  have  accepted  the  Chair,  and  under  this  impression  I 
shall  proceed  to  state  my  opinion  of  your  conduct  this  Session. 

"The  task  will  be  to  me  very  irksome;  my  duty  will  confine  me 
chiefly  to  your  faults ;  but  even  so,  it  is  time  for  the  plain  voice  of  un- 
adorned truth  to  be  heard  from  the  Chair  ;  the  season  of  compliment  and 
flattery  is  over.  Were  I  to  attempt  to  palliate  or  disguise  your  alternate 
Insanity  and  Lethargy ;  your  giddy  and  eager  pursuit  of  the  idle  fantoms 
of  Legislation  and  Impeachment  that  every  night  start  up  to  delude  you  ; 
your  total  and  absolute  neglect  of  the  great  principles  of  our  institution, 
I  should  but  ill  requite  the  confidence  you  have  reposed  in  me.  Adulation 
on  your  late  conduct  would  be  equally  dishonourable  and  useless,  for  the 
feelings  of  every  man  who  hears  me  would  recoil  from  a  fiction  so 
monstrous  as  no  degree  of  self-love  could  tolerate.  Many  of  my  prede- 
cessors have  in  various  shapes  and  with  great  ability  tried  the  experiment 
of  shaming  the  Society  into  rectitude  by  ironical  commendations  of 
imaginary  virtues ;  but  if  such  experiments  failed  when  this  Chair  was 
filled  by  a  Ball  and  a  Butler,  when  the  faults  of  this  Society  were  com- 
paratively few  and  unimportant,  when  some  shame,  at  least,  was  to  be 

4TJI  SEH.,  TOL.  VIII.  2  F 


396         WOLFE  TONE  AND  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

detected  by  diligent  inquiry  among  us  ;  if,  I  say,  such  a  weapon  failed  in 
their  hands,  far  be  from  me  the  idle  attempt  to  draw  it  against  you, 
advanced  and  confirmed,  as  I  now  think  you,  and  veterans  in  enormity. 

"  The  time  has  been,  and  not  a  very  remote  time,  when  the  Historical 
Society  was  looked  up  to  as  the  brightest  star  in  this  Constellation  of  Lite- 
rature ;  when  the  breast  of  every  member,  proud  of  the  then  honourable 
distinction  of  being  so,  glowed  with  an  ardent  zeal  to  support  the  past, 
and  add  future  glory  to  an  institution  which,  like  the  parent  earth, 
rewarded  the  diligent  cultivator  at  once  with  intellectual  treasures  and 
mental  health,  the  offspring  of  mental  exercise ;  the  hurricanes  of  un- 
governable passion  were  unknown,  the  unwholesome  blight  of  party 
malevolence  was  neither  felt  nor  dreaded ;  in  such  a  soil,  under  such  a 
climate,  is  it  wonderful  if  this  Society  should,  with  an  exuberant  fertility, 
throw  up  the  strong  and  vigorous  shoots  of  genius,  which  we  have  seen 
in  every  department  arrive  at  perfection?  How  many  names,  now  high 
in  the  estimation  of  their  country,  crowd  on  my  recollection,  whose  early 
and  honest  pride  it  was  to  give  and  to  receive  in  this  Institution  instruc- 
tion and  delight !  Men  who  now  proceed  in  a  prosperous  career  to  the 
highest  honours  of  their  profession,  yet  still  elevated  as  they  are  above 
us,  do  not  disdain  by  their  example,  their  attendance,  their  advice  to 
regulate  the  wild  disorder  of  our  conduct,  and  pay  to  their  successors  part 
of  the  debt  of  gratitude  they  owe  to  this  Society. 

"But  why  do  I  recur  to  the  glories  that  are  past?  Why  recall  to 
your  memory  examples  which,  were  I  to  form  my  judgment  from  your 
present  state,  I  should  not  hesitate  to  say  you  were  no  more  desirous 
than  able  to  emulate  ?  Let  me  not  consider  what  the  Historical  Society 
has  been,  let  me,  painful  as  it  is,  lay  before  you  what  you  are. 

"In  the  long  detail  of  your  follies  and  your  faults  there  is  one 
which  pre-eminently  cries  aloud  for  the  most  unqualified  and  decided 
condemnation — I  mean  the  vindictive  spirit  of  sanguinary  personal 
resentment  which  has  through  this  whole  Session  disgraced  your  pro- 
ceedings, and  would,  if  prosecuted  with  the  same,  acrimony  in  which  it 
commenced,  have  degraded  you  into  a  mob  of  gladiators.  Others  of 
your  misdeeds  affect  the  form,  but  this  strikes  at  the  life  of  the  Insti- 
tution. 

"  What !  Shall  the  Historical  Society  be  no  more  mentioned  but  as 
a  theatre  of  war  and  tumult?  Shall  the  civil  magistrate  never  rest 
from  our  broils,  or  must  an  eternal  succession  of  bail  bonds  and  recog- 
nizances perpetuate  our  disgrace  ?  Shall  the  laws  of  the  country  be  in- 
sulted, the  discipline  of  the  University  contemned,  and  disorder,  and 
misrule,  and  anarchy  be  let  loose  on  us,  at  the  will  of  any  hot-headed, 
giddy  young  man,  who  may  chose  these  walls  as  the  scene  of  his  riotous 
valour,  and  turn  the  seat  of  science  into  a  field  of  blood  ?  Not  for  such 
heroes  was  this  Society  instituted ;  not  such  were  the  views  of  our  wise 
and  able  founders ;  not  such  was  the  practice  of  this  Assembly  while  the 
Historical  Society  deserved  that  name,  while  we  moved  obedient  in  our 
proper  orb  round  the  centre  of  our  institution,  not  as  we  have  of  late 
appeared  breaking  our  order,  and  shooting  wildly  across  the  system, 
glaring,  and  fiery,  and  portentous ! 

"  It  is  now  time  to  tell  the  hot  and  inflamed  spirits  who  kindle  at  any 
provocation,  or  at  no  provocation,  that  the  wretched,  solitary  excuse  for 
such  outrageous  impropriety  defeats  itself.  It  may  be  thought  that  this  is 


WOLFE  TONE  AND  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY.         397 

a  convenient  place  to  establish  a  reputation  of  courage  ;  but  perhaps  when 
gentlemen  reflect^  that  it  is  easier  and,  of  course,  less  glorious  to  bully  a 
crowd  than  an  individual ;  that  there  is  much  safety  in  quarrelling 
before  a  hundred  gentlemen,  any  one  of  whom,  by  calling  the  Sheriff, 
may  prevent  the  combat,  and  that  a  bloodless  battle  across  the  table  is  at 
best  a  very  equivocal  proof  of  courage  ;  such  reflection  may  tend,  perhaps, 
a  little  to  abate  this  feverish  thirst  for  flame  by  showing  that  it  is  a 
suicide  and  destroys  itself. 

"  It  has  been  my  fortune  to  have  been  an  unwilling  witness  to  many 
quarrels  in  this  Society,  very  few  of  which  came  to  a  termination  in  the 
field ;  and  in  none  did  any  serious  mischief  occur,  except  to  the  reputa- 
tion of  this  Institution.  Indeed,  at  one  period  they  were  so  frequent  as 
to  become  ludicrous,  until  so  many  abortions  of  duels  brought  discredit 
on  the  practice.  Gentlemen  seemed  at  last  ashamed  of  playing  a  quarrel 
in  public  ;  the  temple  of  Janus  was  shut  by  common  consent.  I  did,  with 
great  satisfaction,  congratulate  myself  that  the  demon  of  duelling  was 
laid,  though  not  in  a  red  sea,  and,  as  I  hoped,  would  walk  within  these 
hallowed  walls  no  more.  But  those  halcyon  days  of  peace  were  but  a 
deceitful  prelude  to  the  storm :  the  evil  genius  of  the  Society  sickened  at 
our  tranquillity,  unread  the  spell  which  fettered  our  old  arch  enemy,  and 
let  him  loose  among  us  with  renovated  rage.  What  have  been  his 
triumphs  ?  Have  we  not  seen  with  horror  the  very  pillars  of  our  Insti- 
tution slope  to  the  ground  beneath  his  touch  ?  Have  we  not  waited  in 
anxious  silence  for  the  sentence  of  a  body  that  could  with  a  word  annihi- 
late us,  with  scarce  a  hope  of  that  clement  mitigation  which  every  man 
of  us  was  conscious  we  did  not  deserve  ?  Did  we  not  despair  of  ever 
again  meeting  beneath  this  roof  ?  and  were  we  not  at  the  moment,  seeing 
the  immense  value  of  what  we  had  forfeited,  forced,  in  the  bitterness  of 
remorse,  to  confess  that  we  were  unworthy  of  the  jewel  we  had  rashly, 
and  peevishly,  and  contemptuously  flung  from  us,  and  that  mercy  ex- 
tended to  us  would  be  the  clemency  of  folly  ? 

"  The  storm  has  wonderfully  blown  over!  And  now,  let  me  ask,  if 
any  such  disaster  should  again  befall  us,  should  we  again  by  the  same 
means  incur  the  censure  we  have  so  very  narrowly  escaped?  Let  me 
ask,  I  say,  what  right  has  any  single  individual  to  set  at  hazard  the 
common  property  we  all  boast  to  have  in  the  existence  of  this  Society  ? 
How  shall  any  man  dare  to  risk  the  sacrifice  of  our  great,  and  wise,  and 
glorious  Institution,  at  the  bloody  shrine  of  his  own  moody  sullenness  or 
arrogant  presumption  ?  What  reparation,  what  answer  could  such  a  man 
make  to  the  strong  demands  of  the  orderly  and  regular  members  of  ^the 
departed  body,  when  they  should  say  to  him,  '  Sir,  we  admitted  you  into 
an  assembly  high,  and  deservedly  high,  in  the  estimation  of  the  Univer- 
sity and  of  the  Kingdom ;  we  held  forth  to  your  exertions  honours  and 
rewards  ;  we  received  your  efforts  with  candour  and  with  patience  ;  why, 
in  return,  did  you  raise  your  hand  against  the  bosom  that  was  disposed  to 
foster  and  cherish  you  ?  Why  did  you  not  leave  us  at  least  as  you  found 
us  ?  and  since  you  did  not  add  much  to  our  stock  of  reputation,  why  did 
you  study  to  deprive  us  of  advantages,  the  value  of  which  you  had  not, 
perhaps,  sense  or  feeling  to  conceive  V  What  answe  rcould  such  a  man 
make  in  such  an  event?  What  could  he  do  but  hide  his  degraded^head 
in  infamy  and  silence  ?  The  destruction  of  the  Temple  of  Ephesus  is  yet 
remembered  with  regret,  and  the  incendiary  devoted  to  eternal  detesta- 

2F2 


398        WOLFE  TONE  AND  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

tion.  But  such  is  the  fate  of  human  undertakings.  "What  art,  and  in- 
dustry, and  taste,  and  genius  had  laboured  for  years  to  accomplish,  a 
bold  booby,  with  no  better  implement  than  logs  and  brushwood,  could 
consume  in  an  hour! 

"  Unwillingly  I  am  compelled  thus  to  observe  on  the  dangerous  spirit 
of  contention  which  has  this  Session  haunted  your  debates ;  it  is  now  my 
duty  to  see  whether  you  have  carried  the  same  active,  ardent  spirit  into 
the  necessary  and  essential  parts  of  your  business,  into  History,  Compo- 
sition, and  Oratory.  What  is  the  result  of  the  inquiry  ?  In  all  these 
obsolete  pursuits  your  faculties  have  been  chilled  and  torpid ;  but  when 
the  hot  fit  returned,  your  desperate  and  paralytic  exertion  of  strength 
was  exhausted  either  in  a  silly  or  contemptible  impeachment,  or  a  more 
baneful  and  destructive  personal  quarrel.  But  let  me  come  to  particulars. 
"What  has  been  your  attendance  at  History  ?  A  wretched  evasion  of  the 
spirit  of  your  laws  by  a  thin  attendance  of  members,  not  half  prepared, 
endeavouring  to  distribute  the  poor  modicum  of  information,  which  one 
or  two  had  collected,  among  the  needy  remainder,  and  so  to  impose  on 
the  chairman  and  save  sixpence  ! 

"  What  have  been  your  debates  ?  Night  after  night  have  they  been 
begun  and  concluded  by  the  two  pleaders,  not  infrequently  by  one  single 
pleader;  and  if  they  extended  beyond  those  narrow  limits,  instead  of 
clear  and  spirited  investigation  of  the  question,  running  out  into  common- 
place harangues,  or  more  ruinous  contention  and  invective.  And  here 
let  me  warn  those  gentlemen  who  sometimes  take  a  part  in  the  debates 
of  this  Society  against  a  notion  which  has  obtained,  and  supports  itself 
with  some  on  no  better  grounds  than  its  immense  absurdity,  that  the 
perfection,  at  least  the  most  useful  part  of  Oratory  is  personal  abuse. 
Let  such  look  to  the  low  scurrility  of  a  Demosthenes  against  an  ^Eschines, 
the  pitiful  sarcasms  of  a  Cicero  against  an  Antony,  the  contemptible 
ribaldry  of  a  Grattan  against  a  Flood,  and  see  how  those  mighty  geniuses 
fall  into  contempt  and  ridicule  when,  with  a  hand  able  to  grasp  the 
thunderbolt,  they  descend  to  the  infamy  of  wielding  a  dungfork !  On 
the  subject  of  Composition,  silence  is  mercy — this  is  not  your  era  for 
Composition ! 

"  It  is  a  strong  and  striking  proof  of  our  degenerate  state  when  the 
three  great  branches  of  our  Institution — every  one  rapidly  on  the  decline — 
form  but  a  secondary  object  for  my  observation  and  your  amusement, 
when  it  is  the  duty  of  your  chairman  to  exhort  you,  not  to  the  cultiva- 
tion and  improvement,  but  to  the  preservation  of  the  very  existence  of 
your  Institution.  And  here  let  me  pause  and  view  the  meagre,  emaciated 
figure  of  what  was  the  Historical  Society,  harassed  and  broken  by  intes- 
tine commotion,  alternately  raging  in  a  paroxysm  of  vindictive  impeach- 
ment and  personal  quarrel,  or  subsiding  into  a  morbid  and  listless  apathy 
of  dull  debate,  flat  composition,  and  absolute  historic  ignorance.  A 
melancholy  speculation,  and  yet  more  hopeless  when  I  reflect  that  in 
this  very  Chair,  this  very  Session,  you  have  had  at  once  the  strongest 
precept  and  the  most  splendid  example  to  show  what  this  Society  has 
been — what  it  yet,  perhaps,  may  be.  Dark  and  gloomy  as  are  our  pro- 
spects, I  do  not  yet  despair  of  the  republic.  Let  us  set  ourselves  seriously 
to  the  work  of  reformation.  In  pointing  out  what  I  have  thought  wrong 
in  our  past  proceedings,  I  have  in  effect  laid  down  the  rules  which  I 
would  have  you  pursue.  Fly,  like  the  pestilence,  the  spirit  of  private 


WOLFE  TONE  AND  COLLEGE  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY.         399 

quarrel.  If  any  troublesome  and  petulant  member  breaks  the  good  order 
of  the  Society  with  his  personal  resentment,  instantly  remove  the  evil 
thing  from  amongst  you,  and  dismiss  him  to  his  proper  station — the  bear- 
garden. Let  not  the  sacred  fire  of  your  resentment  be  dragged  forth  on 
every  trivial  occasion,  nor  the  censure  of  the  Society  be  a  weapon  in  the 
hand  of  every  peevish  individual  who  may  raise  himself  into  imaginary 
consequence  on  the  stilts  of  an  impeachment.  Be  assiduous  in  history  ; 
be  bold,  yet  temperate,  in  debate  ;  be  candid  and  cautious  on  the  merits 
of  compositions.  Think  of  your  past  glories,  the  infamy  of  desertion,  the 
greatness  of  reward,  the  easiness  of  acquisition.  This  do,  and  ye  shall 
live !  Omit  it,  and  ye  are  nothing  !" 

END  OF  THE  20TH  SESSION. 


(     400     ) 


A  GLIMPSE  OF  TRINITY  COLLEGE,  DUBLIN,  UNDER  PROVOST 
HELY  HUTCHINSON.     (FROM  ORIGINAL  LETTERS.) 

BY  THOMAS  J.  WESTROPP,  M.A. 

IN  writing  this  Paper,  my  object  is  not  to  give  an  elaborate  essay  on  the 
state  of  the  College  in  the  last  century,  but  to  lay  before  the  Association 
a  few  curious  old  letters  throwing  a  gleam  of  light  on  the  then  Provost, 
as  he  appeared  to  the  students  and  townsmen.  These  letters — taken 
from  a  large  collection  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Richard  Stacpoole,  of 
Edenvale,  county  Clare — comprise  some  460  papers,  the  majority  being 
letters,  of  which  many  excite  very  little  interest;  some  130,  however, 
are  of  considerable  value,  containing  accounts  of  political  events,  such 
as  the  organization  of  the  Irish  Volunteers,  the  struggle  of  Grattan  and 
the  Patriots,  elections  and  jobbery  in  Clare  and  Dublin,  quarrels  and 
scandals  of  public  and  private  persons,  and  much  quaint  social  information, 
especially  about  Western  Ireland. 

As  is  well  known,  John  Hely  Hutchinson,  a  brilliant  orator  and 
ambitious  politician,  was,  to  the  great  anger  of  the  Fellows  of  T.C.D., 
appointed  Provost,  although  he  was  a  layman.  This  selection  was 
strenuously  assailed  by  Dr.  Patrick  Duigenam  (Fellow,  and  Professor  of 
Laws)  in  a  tract  entitled,  Lachrymce  Academics. 

The  first  letter  here  quoted  shows  a  street  quarrel  between  these  two, 
in  which  the  Hon.  Phil.  Tisdall,  Attorney-General  (who  was  M.P.  for 
the  College,  and  had  unseated  the  Provost's  son,  John  Hely  Hutchinson) 
was  also  involved.  The  letter,  dated  from  Dublin,  April  19th,  1777, 
is  from  George  Stacpoole  (a  Dublin  barrister)  to  his  brother  "William,  in 
county  Clare. 

"  DEAR  BROTHER. — This  day  a  most  extraordinary  fracas  happened  at 
the  Courts.  Mr.  Provost,  in  passing  by  Mr.  Dignam  (late  Fellow  of  the 
College)  happened  to  rub  against  him,  whereupon  Dignam  called  him  a 
green-eyed  rascal,  and  threatened  to  knock  his  head  against  the  wall. 
The  Provost  did  not  reply  to  D.,  who  soon  after  went  off,  but  he,  the 
P.,  immediately  went  to  the  Court  of  Chancery,  and  called  the  Attorney- 
General,  who  walked  with  him  into  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas;  the 
judges  being  risen,  the  following  dialogue  ensued,  as  I  have  it  from  the 
best  authority : — 

Provost. — '  Sir !  I  have  been  insulted  by  one  of  your  understrappers, 
and  I  have  called  upon  you  to  let  you  know  that  I  will  hold  you  account- 
able for  his  conduct.' 

Attorney-General. — 'Sir!  I  assure  you  I  will  not  be  accountable  for 
any  man's  conduct :  it  is  enough  for  me  to  account  for  my  own.' 

Provost. — '  Harkee,  old  man !  I  have  already  insu  Ited  you,  and  shall 
not  now  abuse  you  by  words,  nor  chastise  you  as  you  deserve  (here 
shaking  his  fist) ;  but  I  desire  you  may  consider  yourself  as  abused  and 
chastised.' 


TEIN.  COLL.,  DUEL.,  UNDER  PROVOST  HUTCHINSON.        401 

Attorney-General. — 'I  assure  you  I  shall  not  consider  myself  as  either 
abused  or  chastised,  and,  Mr.  Provost,  I  will  not  break  the  peace.' 

"Here  they  parted.  Mr.  Attorney,  with  all  the  composure  imagin- 
able, went  into  the  Exchequer  and  pleaded  with  his  usual  judgment  and 
accuracy  on  a  nice  law  point.  Is  not  this  brave  sport  ?  " 

The  Provost  endeavoured  to  modernize  the  somewhat  monastic  Uni- 
versity ;  he  established  two  Professorships  of  Modern  Languages,  encou- 
raged athletics,  also — as  his  enemies  said — duelling.  The  next  letter, 
while  giving  a  quaint  sample  of  a  lady's  taste  a  century  ago,  shows  the 
Board — under  the  energetic  Provost — figuring  as  a  court  of  honour. 
Fancy  the  present  grave  and  learned  body  in  a  similar  position. 

"April  9th,  1785.  MY  DEAR  FATHER, — The  coach  is  painted  green, 
as  you  desired;  it  is  not  the  most  fashionable  colour  .  .  .  The  only 
thing  that  hinders  its  being  finished  is  they  don't  know  the  colour  of  the 
Stamer  Arms ;  I  tryed  everywhere  and  could  not  find  them,  unless  you 
choose  to  give  a  guinea  and  a-half  at  the  Herald's  office.  My  mother 
wished  to  have  orange-coloured  linings  and  blue  tassels,  which  can  be 
got  .  .  .  There  was  a  duel  lately  fought  here  between  Mr.  Hutchinson 
and  Mr.  Parsons  ;  but  as  they  behaved  brave,  the  Board  would  not  punish 
them ;  but  one  man  sent  a  message  to  the  same  H.,  after  he  had  fought, 
but  afterwards  flinched,  and,  as  he  did  so  cowardly  an  action,  he  was 
both  flogged  by  H.  and  afterwards  both  publicly  admonished  and  rusti- 
cated .  .  . 

To  WM.  STACPOOLE,  Esq.,  Edenvale."       "GEORGE  WM.  STACPOOLE. 

A  few  years  later  this  correspondent  himself  entered  College,  and  his 
letters  to  his  father  conclude  this  Paper. 

"January  llth,  1789.  MY  DEAR  FATHER, — "We  left  Donass  last 
Thursday  and  came  here  on  Friday.  I  went  early  on  Saturday  to  Mr. 
Burrowes,  stayed  some  time  with  him,  when  I  met  Mr.  Fitzgerald  and 
gave  him  your  letter,  which  he  afterwards  showed  to  Mr.  B.,  who  said 
he  was  to  attend  lectures  and  the  Board.  I  stayed  in  his  rooms  until  he 
came  back  at  3  o'clock.  "We  went  to  Dr.  "Waller,  the  Senior  Lecturer, 
who  examined  me  in  the  YIII.  Book  of  Homer  and  the  2nd  Book  of  the 
Epistles  of  Horace,  bestowed  many  encomiums  on  me,  and  asked  me  in 
what  school  I  was  educated?  who  was  my  father?  and  soforth.  He 
shut  the  books.  I  paid  the  entrance  money,  which  was  35  guineas.  I 
got  20  pounds  at  the  Bank.  To  get  a  gown  is  next  to  an  impossibility. 
We  came  post  in  one  day  from  O'Brien's  Bridge  to  Monasterevan  .^ .  . 
The  snow  is  so  great  here  that  a  bigg  boy  was  buried  in  it  this  morning, 
but  was  taken  out  of  it  before  he  was  dead,  and  part  of  the  river  Liffey, 
near  Essex  Bridge,  was  frozen  over. — Your  very  dutiful  and  affectionate 
son,  GEO.  WM.  STACPOOLE. m 

1  The  Fellows  of  the  College  named  in  Waller,  Fellow,  1768  ;  D.D.  1779.    Doo- 

the  letter  are,  Robert  Burrowes,  Fellow,  nass  was  the  residence  of  W .  Stacpoole  s 

1782;  D.  D.    1792;    Gerald   Fitzgerald,  brother-in-law,  Sir  Hugh  Dillon  Massy, 

Fellow,    1765,    D.D.    1778;    and  John  M.  P.  for  Clare. 


402        TRIN.  COLL.,  DUEL.,  UNDEE  PROVOST  HUTCHINSON. 

"  Jan.  llth,  1789.  MY  DEAR  FATHER, — Astley  has  come  to  town, 
and  has  brought  over  beautiful  scenes.  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  buy 
a  gown,  almost  new,  for  three  guineas.  Last  Wednesday  a  gentleman 
shot  a  boy  in  the  Library  for  throwing  snowballs  at  him." 

"DUBLIN,  Feb.  13th,  1789,  Friday.  MY  DEAR  FATHER,— A  few 
Freshmen  deprived  the  foot  police  of  their  arms  last  Wednesday,  not 
without  first  receiving  some  severe  wounds,  to  revenge  which  a  number 
of  the  lads,  armed  with  swords  and  sticks,  attacked  the  combined  forces 
of  the  horse  and  foot  police  at  the  Parliament  House,  and  deprived  them 
of  their  firelocks,  swords,  pistols,  and  helmets.  The  horse  made  a 
vigorous  attack,  but  were  soon  forced  to  retire,  cut  in  the  most  shocking 
manner.  The  Speaker  used  the  lads  very  ill ;  but  he  will,  I  suppose, 
soon  repent,  for  they  intend  to  cut  the  traces  of  his  carriage,  to  take  him 
out  and  pump  him.  I  did  not  think  that  their  proceedings  were  proper, 
BO  I  did  not  join.  The  reasons  they  assign  for  their  conduct  are  because 
the  Speaker  will  not  allow  any  of  the  lads  to  be  admitted  before  he  takes 
the  Chair ;  then,  as  the  gallery  is  too  crowded,  he  orders  the  doors  to  be 
shut." 

"DUBLIN,  Tuesday,  June  9th,  1789.  MY  DEAR  FATHER, — Commons 
on  Trinity  Sunday  were  very  pleasant ;  geese  thrown,  trenchers  broke, 
and  everything  tore  and  broke,  &c." 

"  DUBLIN,  May  24th,  1790.  MY  DEAR  FATHER, — The  city  election 
ended  without  any  extraordinary  occurrence,  except  the  loss  of  a  few 
lives  in  a  riot  on  that  night  with  the  police,  who  have  not  ventured  to 
stir  out  of  the  guard-houses  until  last  night.  A  proclamation  has  been 
issued  offering  a  large  reward  to  any  person  or  persons  who  shall  lodge 
Mr.  Devonshire  and  his  brother,  Mr.  Newenham,  in  any  jail  in  Ireland. 
He  is  accused  of  murdering  a  man  by  giving  him  repeated  strokes  on  the 
head  with  a  loaded  whip,  for  beseeching  him  not  to  ride  through  his 
garden.  He  threatened  also  to  serve  a  clergyman  in  the  same  way  for 
attempting  to  interfere." 

"Friday,  June,  1790.  TRINITY  COLLEGE. — I  answer  for  my  last 
exam,  in  College  on  next  Monday,  being  the  day  on  which  I  am  to  dis- 
pute. The  forms  of  disputation  you  have,  I  presume,  been  long  ac- 
quainted with,  consisting  in  a  certain  number  of  syllogisms  composed  by 
the  candidates  for  degree  of  B.A.,  or,  rather,  certain  principles  laid 
down,  the  truth  of  which  is  to  be  supported.  Except  composing  a  Greek 
and  Latin  theme,  these  are  the  principal  matters  required." 

"  DUBLIN,  Jan.  2Sth,  1791. — Examination  on  Saturday,  22nd.  .  .  .  My 
judgements  were  only  read  yesterday.  Dr.  Hodkinson  examined  my 
division.  .  .  .  Politicians  were  engaged  at  the  Popery  Bill.  It  is  said 
that  the  pious  intention  of  the  Government  is  to  take  part  with  the 
Eoman  Catholics,  with  the  sole  intention  of  causing  disturbances,  which 
they  think  will  bring  about  an  union  with  England." 

11  April  11th,  1791,  Saturday. — As  the  heap  of  sciences  would  not 
allow  Mr.  Elrington  (our  principal  examiner)  to  make  out  the  different 


TRIN.  COLL.,  DUEL.,  UNDER  PROVOST  HUTCHINSON.    403 

judgements  before  the  Board  day,  contrary  to  the  usual  custom  we  had 
Dr.  Fitzgerald,  a  Senior  Fellow,  to  examine  us  in  Greek  and  Latin,  while 
the  others,  to  use  his  own  phrase,  '  switched  us '  in  science.  ...  A  long 
advertisement  appeared  in  the  Dublin  Evening  Post,  setting  forth  the 
extraordinary  conduct  of  the  Provost,  who,  in  addition  to  his  other  mani- 
fold breaches  of  the  statutes,  has  assumed  to  himself  the  power  of  trans- 
ferring lads  to  any  Fellow  he  pleases.  It  was  the  custom,  when  any 
Fellow  went  out  on  a  living,  to  transfer  his  pupils  to  whatever  Fellow 
he  approved  of,  or  his  pupils  wished ;  in  consequence  of  which  there  is 
to  be  an  application  made  to  the  Vice-Chancellor  and  Visitors  to  redress 
the  many  grievances  which  the  Fellows  and  students  at  present  sustain. — 
GEO.  W.  STACPOOLE." 

The  letters  and  diary  of  Mr.  Stacpoole  are  curious  records  of  that 
stirring  period. 


(     404     ) 


ON  ANCIENT  LEADEN  WORKS. 
BT  J.  G.  KOBERTSON. 

ALTHOUGH  at  the  present  time  lead  is  no  longer  used  in  an  ornamental 
manner,  the  case  was  different  in  the  Middle  Ages,  when  it  was  made  to 
receive  the  impress  of  the  hand  of  the  art-workman,  in  common  with 
other  materials,  which  appear  to  be  more  fitted  for  the  purpose,  and  many 
varied  objects  composed  of  this  metal  were  so  treated.  Outside  build- 
ings, the  gutters  were  sometimes  formed  of  leaden  troughs,  stamped  with 
u  flower  pattern — as  at  Lincoln  Cathedral — and  the  ridges  of  the  roof  were 
crested  with  a  running  fleur-de-lis  design  in  lead — as  at  Exeter.  Abroad 
there  exist  also  finials  and  vanes  similarly  composed,  and  fixed  to  iron 
cores;  even  statues  were  constructed  of  plates  of  this  metal,  soldered 
over  wooden  images,  and  afterwards  placed  outside  edifices,  where  stone 
would  soon  perish.  Leaden  coffins,1  now  so  hideous,  were,  in  medieval 
times,  often  richly  ornamented ;  those  in  the  Temple  Church,  London, 
of  the  twelfth  century,  were  fine  specimens  of  art.  The  cists  discovered 
at  Lewes,  and  which  contained  the  bones  of  "William  de  "Warenne,  and 
Gundrada,  the  daughter  of  the  Conqueror,  were  decorated  with  a  diamond- 
shaped  design,  formed  by  the  impression  of  ropes  on  the  sand-mould,  used 
for  the  casting. 

In  English  domestic-work  lead  continued  to  be  employed  ornamentally 
down  to  a  very  recent  date.  "When  rain-water  pipes  were  introduced, 
the  heads  were  often  embellished  with  a  coat-of-arms,  or  the  initials  of 
the  owner,  or  bore  a  date.  Cisterns  were  also  objects  of  much  decora- 
tive art,  an  excellent  example  being  still  in  use  at  "  The  Cedars, 'r 
Croydon.2  Fonts  of  lead  are  met  with  both  on  the  Continent  and  in 
England ;  in  the  latter  country  there  are  probably  about  thirty.  Thus 
far  I  have  availed  myself  of  a  preamble  to  a  Paper  upon  a  "  Leaden 
Font,"  published  some  years  ago  in  the  "  Collections  of  the  Surrey 
Archaeological  Society";  and  although  I  have  not  heard  of  any  leaden 
font  being  in  Ireland,  I  find  that  we  have  in  our  own  county,  i.e.  Kil- 
kenny, examples  of  some  of  the  objects  mentioned  in  the  Paper,  and 
which  I  shall  endeavour  to  describe. 

I  take  coffins  first,  as  being  the  most  ancient  leaden  works,  and  of 
these  two  or  three  were  found  upon  opening,  in  1864,  the  vaults  which 
are  under  the  floor  of  the  east  end  of  the  chancel  of  St.  Canice's  Cathedral, 
one  at  each  side  of  the  communion-table.  As  well  as  my  memory  serves, 
only  one  coffin  was  ornamented,  the  ornamentation  consisting  of  the  face 
and  bust  of  a  woman,  in  low  relief,  upon  the  lid.  The  coffin  was  6  feet 
8  inches  long,  and  measured  1 7  inches  across  the  shoulders,  and  1 5  inches 
at  the  feet.  In  the  other  vault — supposed  to  be  that  of  the  Ormonde 

1  Modern  leaden  coffins  are  not  intended  Eobertson  need  not  have  gone  to  England 

to  be  seen,  being  concealed,  or  covered,  for  an  example  of  a  decorated  leaden  cis- 

with  handsome  outer  cases  of  polished  tern,  as  he  had  found  a  very  fine  one  in 

oak  or  mahogany.  the  yard  of  the  house  now  occupied  by 

3  The    Chairman    remarked    that   Mr.  him  'in  Rutland-square,  Dublin. 


ON  ANCIENT   LEADEN   WORKS.  405 

family — were  found  wooden  coffins,  the  escutcheons  on  one  of  them 
apparently  showed  the  arms  of  the  last  Duke  of  Ormonde. 

In  one  corner  of  this  vault  stood  a  fluted  leaden  urn  of  classic  design. 
"The  first  impression  which  was  formed  on  beholding  it  was  that  it 
might  be  the  receptacle  of  the  heart  of  James,  the  ninth  Earl  of  Ormonde, 
who  died  of  poison,  treacherously  administered  to  him  whilst  at  a 
banquet  at  Ely  House,  Holborn,  London,  in  the  year  1564.  By  his- 
directions,  his  body  was  interred  in  London,  but  his  heart  was  conveyed 
to  the  cathedral  of  St.  Canice.  However,  the  top  of  the  urn  is  closed 
with  a  brass  plate,  on  which  is  engraved  an  escutcheon,  bearing  what 
appeared  to  be  the  arms  of  the  family  of  Howard  of  Effingham — exactly 
the  arms  borne  by  the  Duke  of  Norfolk  at  the  present  day.  On  the 
sinister  side  of  the  shield  there  is  an  impalement  of  the  Butler  arms — 
which  serves  to  account  for  the  urn  being  found  in  the  Ormonde  vault — 
viz.  1st  and  4th,  a  chief  indented ;  2nd  and  3rd,  three  covered  cups. 

"  Mr.  Robert  Malcolmson,  one  of  our  Fellows,  who  is  so  well  informed 
in  all  that  relates  to  the  history  of  his  country,  discovered  that  Balph 
Stan  dish  Howard,  Esq.,  of  Standish  Hall,  Lancashire,  married  Mary, 
eldest  daughter  of  George  Butler,  Esq.,  of  Ballyraggett,  grandson  of 
Edmond,  4th  Yiscount  Mountgarrett ;  and  Lodge  records  of  this  gentle- 
man that  he  died  of  smallpox,  at  Kilkenny,  in  April,  1735.  It  is 
probable  that  his  body  was  disemboweled  in  Kilkenny,  in  order  to  be 
embalmed,  and  sent,  in  a  leaden  coffin,  to  his  family  burying-place  in 
England,  whilst  the  heart  and  viscera  were  placed  in  the  leaden  casket, 
and  deposited  here  in  the  vault  of  his  wife's  family."1 

Next  in  order  of  antiquity  may  come  down-pipes  and  their  heads, 
examples  of  which  were  found  when  Kilkenny  Castle  was  being  restored 
some  fifty  years  ago.  The  present  leaden  down-pipes  and  heads  are 
copies  of  the  old,  the  heads  having  been  cast  in  moulds,  taken  from  the 
originals  by  a  very  ingenious  plumber  (John  Gray),  who  was  for  many 
years  in  the  employment  of  William  Bobertson,  architect. 

The  down-pipes  are  almost  square,  and  the  heads  have  upon  them  the 
Ormonde  crest,  and  date  1682,  in  good  relief.  These  are  the  only 
examples  of  this  kind  of  work  in  lead  which  have  come  under  my  notice 
in  Ireland. 

The  last  kind  of  work  in  lead  which  I  am  enabled  to  describe  is  that 
of  statues,  which  were  probably  contemporaneous  with  the  heads  of  the 
down-pipes  at  Kilkenny  Castle.  It  would  appear  that  the  demesnes  and 
houses  of  the  Irish  gentry  were  occasionally  decorated  with  works  of  this 
kind,  both  as  groups  and  single  figures.  Some  seventy  years  ago  there 
might  have  been  seen,  in  the  grounds  of  Kilcreene  House  (now  the 
residence  of  Edmond  Smith  wick,  Esq.)  a  leaden  group,  representing 
"  Cain  slaying  Abel."  The  figures  have  long  since  disappeared,  but  the 
very  substantial  cut-stone  pedestal  still  remains ;  and  I  have  recently 
discovered,  in  the  possession  of  a  member  of  an  old  Kilkenny  family,  a 
fine  head  formed  of  lead,  which  is  called  the  "^Head  of  Cain";  and 
although  the  possessors  of  it  do  not  know  why  it  is  so  called,  I  am 
myself  disposed  to  look  upon  it  as  the  head  of  the  Kilcreene  Cain. 

There  are  still  to  be  seen  in  this  county  two  single  figures  in  a  very 
good  state  of  preservation.  The  one  (which  represents  Diana,  I  think) 

1  Extracted  from  the  Kilkenny  Moderator  of  14th  and  17th  September,  1864. 


406  ON   ANCIENT   LEADEN   WORKS. 

stands  upon  a  good  cut-stone  pedestal,  in  a  field  at  the  other  side  of  the 
road,  but  opposite  to  Danesfort  House,  the  residence  of  Major  Otway 
Wemyss.  The  other,  a  small  figure  representing  a  knight,  clad  in 
armour,  stands  in  a  niche  in  the  front  of  Castleblunden  House,  immedia- 
tely over  the  portico;  it  is  a  very  neatly-cast  figure,  and  is  uninjured. 
"Within  the  last  few  days  an  antiquary  in  England  obtained  from  a 
clergyman  an  ornamented  leaden  coffin,  which  had  contained  the  bones 
of  a  Roman  lady  ;  these  remains  were  reverently  re-buried,  but  the  coffin 
is  to  be  preserved,  where  it  may  be  seen. 


(     407     ) 

CASEY'S  LIOS,  BALLYGUNNERMORE,  CO.  WATERFORD. 
BY  THE  REV.  PATRICK  POWER. 

ON  the  townland  of  Ballygunnermore,  about  three  and  a-half  miles  from 
the  city  of  Waterford,  and  to  the  right  of  the  road  leading  to  Dunmore 
East,  stands  (or  rather  stood,  for  it  is  now  in  a  ruinous  condition)  a  fine 
specimen  of  the^  stone-lined  and  stone-roofed  rath-chamber.  A  pecu- 
liarity about  it  is  that  it  seems  to  have  been  constructed,  not  in  the 
centre  of  the  enclosure,  but  in  the  thickness  of  its  earthen  wall.  The 
chamber  remained  perfect  till  a  few  years  ago,  when  the  vandal-minded 
farmer,  upon  whose  land  it  stood,  thinking  its  stones  suitable  for  build- 
ing purposes,  began  its  demolition.  He  had  not  proceeded  far,  his  neigh- 
bours relate,  when  lo  !  the  usual  ill-fate  overtook  him — his  cattle  died, 
his  son  was  killed,  and  other  misfortunes  following  fast,  he  was  obliged 
to  sell  out,  and  his  end  was  the  Workhouse.  The  circular  wall  of  the 
rath  is  now  almost  destroyed,  save  where  a  portion  had  been  incorporated 
in  the  neighbouring  fence ;  its  diameter,  evinced  by  a  slight  depression 
in  the  surface  of  the  field,  was  about  fifty-eight  yards.  The  ruined 
chamber,  in  the  thickness  of  the  existing  portion  of  the  earthen  wall  of 
the  lios,  towards  its  eastern  point,  is  oval  or  elliptical  in  shape — about 
12  feet  6  inches  long  by  7  feet  broad,  and  it  lies  north  and  south.  It  is 
impossible,  without  excavating,  to  give  exact  measurements  owing  to  the 
accumulation  of  rubbish  in  the  interior,  and  the  destruction  of  part  of 
the  side  wall  of  the  chamber.  The  height  of  the  cave,  or  chamber,  as  it 
at  present  stands  (and  it  does  not  appear  ever  to  have  been  much  higher) 
is  about  6  feet.  Its  wall,  curved  inwards  in  the  usual  way,  was  to  form 
a  vault,  closed  at  top  by  a  large  flag  or  flags,  now  displaced.  A  con- 
siderable portion  of  this  wall  at  one  side  is  wanting.  The  masonry,  it 
is  needless  to  say,  does  not  exhibit  the  use  of  either  mortar  or  cement. 
The  stones  are  all  of  small  size,  but  the  arrangement  of  their  flat  surfaces 
makes  a  peculiarly  smooth  front.  At  the  northern  point  of  the  oval 
chamber  was  the  entrance  through  a  cyclopean  doorway,  2  feet  2  inches 
wide  at  the  top ;  but  whether  it  widens  towards  the  base  is  impossible  to 
say,  it  being  blocked  up  by  delris,  amongst  which  appear  the  large  slabs 
that  had  formed  the  cap.  The  lintel  of  this  doorway  is  a  piece  of  rough 
conglomerate,  3  feet  long  by  9  inches  deep.  The  chamber  itself  seems 
to  have  been  the  termination  of  a  passage  through  the  earthen  wall,  of 
which  there  now  stands  only  the  portion  immediately  adjoining  the 
mound  that  covers  a  portion  of  the  chamber.  The  mound,  in  part,  at 
least,  consists  of  small  round  stones,  seemingly  field-stones :  they  may 
have  been  thrown  there  during  farming  operations, 

Taken  altogether,  this  chamber,  which,  as  far  as  I  know,  has  not 
been  hitherto  noticed,  is  most  interesting  as  a  specimen  of  the  lios  cave, 
with  stone-lined  sides,  and  cyclopean  doorway,  perfect  as  far  as  they  go. 
A  few  years  more  will  probably  see  it  destroyed.  I  may  add,  that  of  all 
the  raths  in  the  neighbourhood,  this  one,  called  "  Casey's,"  from  a 
quondam  owner  of  the  land  on  which  it  stands,  is  looked  upon  with  the 
greatest  reverence  by  the  peasantry.  An  old  man,  who  was  working  in 
a  field  close  by,  informed  me  that  he  once  discovered  the  entrance  to  a 
subterranean  passage  within  the  same  rath  circle ;  but,  feeling  afraid,  he 
closed  it  up  again  in  the  same  state  as  he  had  found  it. 


(     408     ) 


ON  A  UNIQUE  MEMORIAL  SLAB  TO  SIR  NICHOLAS  DEVE- 
REUX,  KNIGHT,  OF  BALMAGIR,  CO.  WEXFORD,  AND  HIS 
WIFE,  DAME  CATHERINE  POWER,  OF  COROGHMORE. 

BY  GABRIEL  O'C.  REDMOND,  M.D., 
Hon.  Local  Secretary  for  County  Waterford. 

THE  study  of  the  various  classes  of  sepulchral  monuments,  and  memorial 
stones,  in  use  in  this  country  since  the  first  advent  of  the  Norman  race, 
towards  the  close  of  the  twelfth  century,  as  well  as  previous  to  that  era, 
is  full  of  interest  and  instruction ;  and  any  addition  to  what  is  already 
known  on  the  subject  cannot  fail  to  be  acceptable. 

The  exceedingly  curious  and  interesting  memorial  slab,  of  which 
the  engravings  on  page  413  furnish  an  exact  representation,  was  found 
many  years  ago  in  the  old  Castle  of  Adamstown  (barony  of  Bantry, 
Bounty  of  Wexford),  a  fortress  of  the  Devereux  family.  The  slab  is  in 
many  respects  worthy  of  careful  attention ;  and  not  the  least  point  of 
interest  attaching  to  it,  is  the  fact  that  so  few  relics,  coffin -lids,  inscrip- 
tions, or  monumental  stones,  relating  to  the  old  and  numerous  Anglo- 
Norman  families  of  the  county  Wexford,  have  been  preserved  to  our  day. 
Those  which  have  escaped  the  ravages  of  time,  the  hand  of  man,  and 
the  general  destruction  from  revolution  and  strife,  as  well  as  from  the 
occasional  indifference  of  descendants  to  the  records  of  their  ancestors, 
ought  to  be  preserved  with  zealous  care.  It  is  with  this  object,  that  I 
have  made  the  Devereux  memorial  stone  the  subject  of  this  Paper. 

The  seal  in  the  heraldic  dexter  side  of  the  front  face  of  the  stone 
(see  fig.  1,  page  413)  is  that  of  Sir  Nicholas  Devereux,  knight,  of  Bal- 
magir,  barony  of  Bargy,  county  of  Wexford,  founder  of  the  Castle  of 
Adamstown.  And  the  inscription,  in  black-letter  character,  on  the 
sinister  side,  is  commemorative  of  that  brave  knight  and  his  lady,  Dame 
Katherine,  daughter  of  Sir  Richard  Power,  Knight,  Lord  of  Coroghmore, 
who  was  created  a  Peer  of  Ireland  by  Patent  dated  13th  September, 
1535,  when  he  was  raised  to  the  dignity  and  title  of  Baron  de  le 
Power  and  Coroghmore,  and  was  the  first  Lord  Power  and  Corogh- 
more. The  reverse  side  (see  fig.  2,  page  413)  presents  an  incomplete 
inscription  running  along  two  edges  of  the  stone,  the  two  corresponding 
sides  showing  no  marks  of  any  kind.  The  character  of  this  inscription  is 
quite  distinct  from  the  one  on  the  front  face,  the  letters  approaching  in 
type  to  the  Celtic  form,  totally  dissimilar  to  the  black-letter  inscription, 
of  which,  however,  it  is  a  continuation,  as  I  shall  presently  point  out. 

On  the  reverse  side  is  sculptured  also  a  representation  of  a  floriated 
cross,  with  a  prolonged  shaft  or  stem,  which  gradually  widens  in  uni- 
formity with  the  outside  edges  of  the  stone,  and  terminates  at  the 
sculptured  border,  showing  no  pedestal  or  steps  at  the  foot.  Near  the  top 
of  the  stem,  and  under  the  arms  of  the  cross,  is  an  ornamentation  in  the 
shape  of  a  double  ring  in  relief.  The  stem  and  floriated  extremity — 
rudely  representing  a  cross — are  also  cut  in  relief,  and  probably  are  on  an 
exact  level  with  the  inscribed  border.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the 


MEMORIAL  SLAB  TO  SIR  NICHOLAS  DEVEREUX,  ETC.       409 

•central  stem  is  meant  for  a  cross :  the  pious  nature  of  the  inscription  with 
which  it  is  in  juxtaposition,  forbids  one  to  suppose  that  it  could  be  any 
profane  symbol  or  warlike  weapon. 

It  will  attract  notice  that  the  stone  tapers  somewhat  towards  one 
•end ;  also  that  the  reverse  side  is  narrower  than  the  front.  The  form  of 
slab,  tapering  from  head  to  foot,  was  introduced  by  the  Anglo-Norman 
invaders,  who  also  carved  effigies  on  their  monuments;  whereas  true 
Celtic  tombstones  were  not  tapered,  and  instead  of  an  effigy  they  invari- 
ably bore  a  cross  with  a  short  inscription.  In  this  slab  I  would  draw 
attention  to  the  fact  that  a  combination  of  both  forms  appears,  viz.  Anglo- 
Norman  and  Celtic.  -The  black-letter  character  and  the  seal,  showing 
the  coat-of-arms  and  supporters  in  effigy,  are  of  the  Norman  type ; 
whereas  the  reverse  is  more  Celtic  in  workmanship,  showing  a  cross  of  a 
peculiar,  though  not  unusual  form,  and  letters  approaching  to  the  Irish 
in  character. 

The  most  remarkable  peculiarity  about  this  slab  is,  that  the  inscription 
is  continued  from  the  front  to  the  lack,  or  reverse  side  of  the  stone ;  and  the 
fact  cannot  fail  to  attract  the  attention  of  students  of  sepulchral  and 
monumental  architecture.  The  Rev.  Charles  Boutell,  M.  A.,  in  his  work 
on  Christian  Monuments,  does  not  give  a  single  instance  of  an  inscription 
that  was  continued  from  one  to  the  other  side  of  slabs,  coffin-lids,  incised 
or  monumental  slabs.  It  is  scarcely  probable  that  the  under  side  of  a 
coffin -lid,  would  be  elaborately  ornamented  with  arms,  or  inscription;  and 
if  not  a  coffin-lid  or  slab,  what  was  it  ?  The  inscription  and  position  of 
the  seal,  clearly  show,  that  it  was  meant  to  be  read  sideways,  and  the 
inference  I  have  drawn  from  close  and  careful  consideration  of  it  in  all 
its  bearings  is,  that  it  was  a  memorial  raised  to  commemorate  the  erection 
of  the  Castle  of  Adamstown,  after  the  death  of  the  founder,  and  his  wife,  and 
that  they  very  probably  were  interred  under  it.  The  most  rational  explana- 
tion of  its  use  is,  that  it  was  built  into  an  aperture  in  the  wall  of  the 
chapel,  attached  to  the  castle  in  such  a  manner  that  the  front  face,  show- 
ing the  arms  and  names  of  the  founders,  could  be  seen  and  read  from  the 
outside,  whilst  the  reverse,  with  the  floriated  cross,  and  pious  prayer  for 
the  repose  of  their  souls,  was  situated  on  the  inside  wall  of  the  chapel 
immediately  over  their  tomb.  It  therefore,  in  my  opinion,  combined  the 
dual  purpose  of  a  memorial  of  the  foundation  of  the  castle,  and  a  monu- 
ment to  the  founder  and  his  lady  ;  in  all  probability  it  was  placed  in  the 
position  it  occupied  immediately  after  the  death  of  Lady  Devereux,  who 
outlived  her  husband  five  years.  (See  Note  A,  page  411.) 

The  seal  on  the  front  face  (fig.  1,  page  413)  is  worth  a  passing 
notice.  In  the  centre  are  represented,  somewhat  rudely,  the  arms  of  Sir 
Nicholas  Devereux,  Knight,  of  Balmagir,  which  bear  some  similarity  to 
those  at  present  borne  by  the  Viscounts  Hereford,  in  England,  and  the 
family  of  Devereux.  The  former  bear  Arg :  a  fesse.  gu  :  in  chief  three 
torteaux ;  the  latter  Erm  :  a  fesse.  gu :  in  chief  three  torteaux. 

The  arms  on  the  seal  in  fig.  1  undoubtedly  show  the  fesse  with  two 
hexagonal  charges  in  chief,  which  very  probably  are  meant  for  torteaux, 
though  they  really  have  more  the  appearance  of  the  modern  heraldic 
JSstoile  or  star  with  six  wavy  rays.  The  rays,  however,  have  a  line  of 
circumference,  which  approximates  them  to  the  torteaux.  Below  the  fesse 
in  dexter  base,  sinister  base,  and  middle  base,  are  three  crosses,  apparently 
engrailed  (they  might  be  meant  for  daggers ;  but  the  cross  was  more 
frequently  borne  in  the  middle  ages  owing  to  the  Crusades). 


410        MEMORIAL  SLAB  TO  SIR  NICHOLAS  DEVEREUX,  ETC. 

On  these  premises  I  venture  to  hazard  a  guess  at  the  blazon  of  this 
shield,  which  is,  of  course,  open  to  criticism.  The  shield  was  probably 
Argent,  same  as  the  Herefordshire  family.  ^  Therefore  the  heraldic 
description  I  offer  is — Arg :  a  f esse  gu :  in  chief  two  torteaux,  in  base 
three  crosses  engrailed  two  and  one.  Around  the  external  border  of  the 
shield  is  a  scroll,  buckled,  with  the  legend  in  black-letter  character  : 

"  S.  Nicolai  Devereux  Militis." 

On  the  external  circumference  of  the  scroll,  or  belt,  are  delineated  two 
peculiar,  and  unusual-looking  creatures.  They  resemble  rats,  or  mice 
more  than  any  other  quadruped.  Had  they  been  depicted  on  the  other 
side  of  the  slab,  one  might  infer  that  they  were  so  placed  to  recall  to  mind 
the  gloom  and  darkness  of  the  vault;  but  appearing  as  they  do  on  the  seal 
of  the  knight,  it  is  most  reasonable  to  presume  that  they  are  the  supporters 
of  the  arms.  Supporters  are  figures  placed  in  the  attitude  of  protecting 
or  holding  up  a  shield,  and  they  invariably  appear  in  pairs,  one  on  the 
dexter,  the  other  on  the  sinister  side  of  the  shield.  In  modern  days 
they  are  generally  distinct,  but  formerly  they  were  alike,  as  in  the 
instance  before  us,  where,  however,  they  are  placed  outside  the  scroll, 
instead  of  in  proximity  to  the  shield;  nevertheless,  they  are  in  the  attitude 
of  supporting  it.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  these  animals  are  meant  to 
represent  talbots,  a  sort  of  hunting  dog,  between  a  hound  and  a  beagle, 
having  a  large  nose,  round,  thick,  and  long  ears ;  this  surmise  I  have 
grounded  on  the  facts  that  one  of  the  crests  of  the  Devereux  family  is — 
out  of  a  ducal  coronet,  or,  a  talbofs  head,  arg :  erased  gu  ;  also  that  the  dexter 
supporter  of  the  arms  of  Viscount  Hereford  (Robert  Devereux)  is  a  talbot 
arg :  eared  gu.  In  all  probability,  therefore,  the  supporters  on  the  seal  in 
fig.  1  are  talbot  dogs,  as  very  frequently  the  crest  and  supporters  were 
similar. 

The  inscription  in  black-letter  character  on  the  front  face  of  the  slab 
is  shown  on  accompanying  illustration. 

"  Pray  for  the  souls  of  Nicholas  Devereux,  Knight,  and  the  Lady 

Katherine  Power,  his  wife,  who  built  this  castle,  A.  D.  1 ."  The 

date  has  been  obliterated,  but  I  am  fortunately  able  to  supply  it.  There 
was  a  close  connexion  at  that  period  between  the  Power,  Devereux,  and 
Redmond  families,  as  shown  in  accompanying  extract  (see  Note  B,  p.  411); 
and  I  find  it  recorded  in  family  papers  that  Adamstown  Castle  was  founded 
in  1556  by  the  Knight  and  his  Lady. 

"With  regard  to  the  inscription  on  the  reverse,  the  legend  is  obscure, 
and  apparently  incomplete.  It  is  as  follows  : — 

-IOC  :  cujus  anime  propitietur  Dims." — 


"  Upon  whose  souls  may  God  have  mercy." 
The  two  inscriptions  together  read  thus : — 

"Pray  for  the  souls  of  Nicholas  Devereux,  Knight,  and  the  Lady 

Katherine  Power,  his  wife,  who  built  this  castle,  A.D.   1 .     Upon 

whose  souls  may  God  have  mercy." 


MEMORIAL  SLAB  TO  SIR  NICHOLAS  DEVEREUX,  ETC. 


411 


The  tautology  displayed  in  tlie  repetition  of  the  word  "  souls"  leads 
me  to  think  that  the  ruder  and  more  incomplete  inscription  on  the  reverse, 
was  executed  some  years  subsequently  to  the  seal  and  long  inscription, 
and  by  a  less  skilful  hand. 

The  custom  of  using  seals  was,  I  believe,  confined  to  nobles,  knights, 
and  ecclesiastics.  Sir  Nicholas  Devereux  was  knighted  for  distinguished  ser- 
vices in  protecting  his  native  county  against  the  attacks  of  the  Kavanaghs 
and  other  Irish  clans.  He  had  been  a  ward  of  the  Lord  of  Wexford — 
the  Earl  of  Shrewsbury — who  put  him  to  school  in  England,  where  he 
was  a  schoolfellow  of  Lord  Burghley's.  I  hope  to  give  a  historical  sketch 
of  the  Devereux  family  before  long ;  but  in  connexion  with  the  Castle  of 
Adamstown  and  the  curious  slab  of  its  founders,  these  few  notes  will  be 
found  explanatory  and  interesting;  and  for  that  reason  I  have  selected 
them  for  insertion  here. 


NOTE  A. 

Sir  Nicholas  Devereux  had  livery  of  Ms  estate,  21st  May,  31  Hen.  VIII.  (1540). 
He  succeeded  Ms  grandfather — his  father  having  died  Vita  Patris.  His  will  is  dated 
3rd  April,  1575,  and  he  died  on  the  25th  October,  1576.  His  wife  survived  him 
some  years,  and  died  5th  February,  1581.  Alexander  Devereux,  the  last  Abbot  of 
Dunbrody  Abbey,  was  uncle  of  this  Sir  Nicholas  Devereux.  Some  years  since  the 
matrix  of  the  Seal  of  the  Abbot  was  in  the  possession  of  the  family  of  Devereux,  of 
Carrigmenan,  county  Wexford — the  senior  representatives  of  the  ancient  House  of 
Balmagir — who  are  now  extinct. 


NOTE  B. 

Sir    Richard   Power  ==  Lady  Katherine    Sir  Nicholas  Devereux  =  Eleanor      Sir  John  Redmond 


(ist   Lord   Power          Butler 
and     Corogh- 
more),  d.  1539. 

of   Balmagir,     died 
before  1540  v.  P. 

Keatinge, 

of  "The  Hall," 
called   "  The 
Hospitable 
Knight";    died 
1521- 

Sir  John  Power  = 
(3rd  Ld.  Power 
and     Coro^h- 
more),       died 
1592. 

/ 

=  Lady  Eleanor 
Fitz  Gerald, 
3rd   dau.  of 
1  4th  Earl  of 
Desmond. 

t 

Edmond  Power  - 
ofMothel.Co. 
Waterford, 
was    the    last 
Abbot  of  Mo- 
thel. 

Nicholas  Powei 
ofMothel,gent 
living  1584. 

=  ?        Katherine 
Power  of 
Corogh- 
more,  d. 
1581. 

t 

1                   1              1 
=  Sir  Nicholas    Jane  =  Robert 
Devereux,     died        Redmo 
Knight  of     1542.       of    "  T 
Balmagir,                    Hall," 
died  1576.                    Co.  We 
ford,Ej 
\                                           and  of 
"The 
Hooke 

—  A  dau.      Robert  Redmond, 
,                        4th  and  youngest 
son.       Secretary 
to  the  Bishop  of 
Waterford     and 
Lismore. 

Alex.  Redmond 
eldest  son  anc 
heir,  of  "  The 
Hall,"      Esq. 
and    of   "  The 
Hooke";  diec 
April  ist,  1577 

Alexander  Redmond,  the  eldest   son  of  Robert  Redmond  and  Jane  Devereux,  is 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  2  €r 


412        MEMORIAL  SLAB  TO  SIR  NICHOLAS  DEVEREUX,  ETC. 

mentioned  in  several  Deeds  of  Sir  Nicholas  Devereux.  I  subjoin  two  from  the  Patent 
and  Close  Rolls  :— 

Elizabeth  R.  Membrane,  2.  (1°)  7:—"  Deed  whereby  Nich :  Deverowx  of  IM- 
raagir  in  the  Co.  Wexford  Kn*.  conveyed  to  Edwd  (Edmond)  Power  of  Mothyll  in 
the  Co.  "Waterford  ;  Walter  Whytey  of  Ballytege,  Alexander  Redmond  of  the  Hooke, 
and  Edward  Walshe  of  the  City  of  "Waterford  the  Manor  of  Balmagir  and  other 
lands  in  Co8.  Wexford  and  Kilkenny  to  hold  in  trust  for  the  use  of  the  said  Sir  Nicholas 
Devero?<x  for  life — remainder  to  Dame Katherine  his  wife  with  other  remainders." — 
Sept.  3,  12  Eliz. 

(2°)  "  Deed  whereby  Sir  Nicholas  Deveroux  of  Belmagir  conveyed  to  John 
Rawcetter  of  Rathmacknee,  Alexander  Redmond  'of  the  Hooke' — Richard  Whitty 
and  Jn°  Deveroux  of  Norristown,  the  Manor  of  Adamstown  in  Bar :  of  B.  feake  in 
Co.  of  Wexford,  to  hold  for  ever  in  trust  for  use  of  Sir  Nicholas  for  life,  and  after  his 
decease  to  such  uses  as  shall  be  expressed  in  his  last  Will  and  Testament. — March, 
1575." 

In  his  will,  dated  April,  1575,  he  leaves  his  lands,  castles,  &c.,  to  his  sons  in  suc- 
cession, viz. :  1st,  Nicholas;  2nd,  James;  3rd,  Richard.  James,  the  second  son,  was 
knighted  on  the  22nd  June,  1599,  by  Robert  Devereux,  Earl  of  Essex  and  Viceroy  of 
Ireland,  on  which  occasion  he  tarried  three  days  at  Balmagir,  where  he  was  entertained 
right  royally.  According  to  tradition,  Sir  James  Devereux  "sold  three  townlands  to 
pay  for  three  days  open  house,  and  all  the  gentry  of  the  county  Wexford  passed  under 
the  Portcullis  of  Balmagir." 


Fig.  1.— Front  face  of  Slab. 


Fig.  2.— Reverse  of  Slab. 


Monumental  Slab  of  Sir  Nicholas  Devereux,  Knight,  of  Balmagir,  and  his  wife, 
Lady  Katherine  Power,  found  in  the  ruins  of  Adamstown  Castle,  Co.  Wex- 
ford. 


(     414     ) 


NOTES    AND     Q  U  E  E  I  E  S  . 

IN  support  of  the  movement  to  found,  in  Ireland,  a  society  for  the 
"Preservation  of  Memorials  of  the  Dead,"  Colonel  Vigors  cites  a  number 
of  cases  of  mutilation  and  desecration  of  ancient  monuments. 

In  England  there  had  been  fonts  thrown  out,  or  sold  as  waste  mate- 
rials ;  monumental  slabs  covered  over  by  modern  tiles,  with  cement  and 
mortar;  marble  figures  from  churches  adorning  gardens  ;  brasses  removed 
and  lost ;  shameful  destruction  (in  1855)  of  old  monuments  at  Nantwich, 
in  Cheshire;  the  coach-house  of  a  vicarage  in  Somerset  flagged  with 
tombstones — and  a  similar  case  had  occurred  in  Cheshire ;  injury  done 
at  so-called  "restorations"  of  churches;  the  Earl  of  Carnarvon's  state- 
ment of  monumental  brasses  being  disposed  of  for  old  metal ;  the  marble 
tomb  of  Sir  Richard  Gardiner,  a  former  Chief  Justice  of  Ireland  (1619), 
broken  up  at  Bury-St. -Edmonds,  and  the  loss  irreparable ;  also  Athel- 
stane's  tomb  at  Malmesbury,  with  many  other  instances  of  neglect  and 
misuse. 

Amongst  cases  that  occurred  in  Ireland  was  the  noble  effigy  of  de 
Cauteville,  lying  buried  for  over  five-and-twenty  years  at  Kilfane,  county 
Kilkenny ;  and  the  sculptured  and  broken  figures  at  Jerpoint  Abbey, 
Gowran  Abbey  Church,  and  Graigue-na-managh,  in  the  same  county. 
Quite  recently,  at  Bagnalstown,  county  Carlow,  the  doorways  of  a  public- 
house  were  formed  of  two  beautifully- carved  and  fluted  triple-headed 
stones,  reputed  to  have  not  long  since  belonged  to  the  Abbey  Church  at 
Gowran.  There  was  also  the  fine  sixteenth  century  Barn  wall  monu- 
ment, at  Lusk  Church,  county  Dublin,  said  to  be  going  to  destruction 
for  want  of  the  sum  of  £6  (two  of  which  had  been  promised  by  the 
National  Society  of  England) ;  but  it  is  hoped  the  Society  would  soon  be 
relieved  from  works  of  that  nature  in  Ireland. 

Colonel  Vigors  also  refers  to  the  shameful  state  of  the  noble  tombs 
of  Kilmallock ;  to  Mr.  Hitchcock's  notice  of  the  sad  condition  of  the 
"  Knight  of  Kerry's  tomb,"  in  a  farmyard  near  Ardfert  ;  to  Mr.  R. 
Brash's  Paper  on  the  "Tombs  in  Mittevant  Abbey";  and  likewise  to 
the  excellent  Paper,  by  Mr.  Wakeman,  on  the  "  Tombs,  &c.,  of  Innis- 
murray." 


Folk-lore. — In  one  of  my  summer  walks  near  the  romantically- situated 
watering-place  of  Crosshaven,  Cork  Harbour,  I  met  a  peasant  who  is 
known  for  many  miles  around  as  "  Paddy  the  Doctor,"  and  who  enjoys 
the  well-earned  reputation  of  being  skilled  in  the  practice  of  medicine ; 
for  although  his  medicine-chest  may  not  be  filled  from  the  Apothecaries' 
Hall,  or  by  any  of  the  pharmaceutical  chemists  in  Cork,  yet  it  contains 
the  simple  extracts  drawn  from  the  herbarium  of  his  native  fields,  and 
heather-grown  cliffs  ;  and  as  my  story  tells,  it  will  be  seen  that  when  a 
poultice,  blister,  or  plaster  is  required,  he  has  no  necessity  to  fall  back 
upon  the  Spanish  fly,  linseed-meal,  or  "  Alcock's  Porous." 

^  As  it  requires  no  formal  introduction  in  order  to  be  familiar  with  an 
Irish  peasant,  I  opened  the  conversation  with  "  Good-morrow,  Paddy." 

"  Good-morrow,  kindly,  sir;  I  hope  your  honour's  well?" 


NOTES   AND   QUERIES.  415 

"  "Well,  thank  you ;  but  wouldn't  you  rather  see  me  on  the  sick-list, 
that  you  might  enjoy  the  gratification  of  curing  me  ?" 

"  Wisha,  then,  if  I  thought  that  you'd  give  me  the  chance  of  feeling 
your  pulse,  or  looking  into  your  mouth  when  you  are  sick,  'twould  be 
something  to  be  looking  forward  to ;  but  with  Dr.  Pearson  below  in  the 
village,  small  hope  I'd  have  of  operating  upon  the  likes  of  you,  let  alone 
the  possibility  of  your  giving  me  a  chance ;  for  sure  you're  the  very  picture 
of  health,  God  bless  you." 

"  Tell  me,  Paddy,  how  was  it  you  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine 
and  surgery?" 

"  Well,  sir,  I  was  born  upon  a  Good  Friday,  and  the  priest  said  if  I 
was  christened  between  the  first  and  second  Mass  on  Easter  Sunday  I 
would  be  a  wonderful  doctor,  and  able  to  cure  all  diseases." 

"  I  am  told  that  you  confine  your  attention  to  particular  complaints — 
that,  in  point  of  fact,  you  are  what  is  known  in  the  profession  as  a 
'  Specialist,'  and  that  you  have  done  more  good  by  limiting  your  powers 
of  healing  to  a  few,  rather  than  to  the  many,  diseases  of  which  we  are 
all,  more  or  less,  the  victims." 

"  Quite  right,  sir ;  the  complaints  I  am  most  at  home  in  are  the 
' Evil ' — God  between  us  and  harm — and  the  *  Farsee.'  " 

"  You  mean,  I  suppose,  the  disease  known  as  the  '  King's  Evil,'  and 
the  complaint  from  which  horses  suffer  in  the  throat  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  last  summer  a  hooker,  with  three  men,  came  all  the  way 
from  the  county  Waterford,  and  took  me  there  to  cure  these  disorders." 

"  And  did  you  succeed  ?" 

"  To  be  sure  I  did;  I  am  now  just  after  spending  a  whole  month  in 
Queenstown  with  a  woman  who  had  the  'Evil/  and  I  left  her  completely 
cured  and  recovered." 

"Now,  without  inquiring  too  closely  into  the  secrets  and  mysteries 
of  your  profession,  would  you  tell  me  what  treatment  you  adopt  for  the 
cure  of  the  'Evil'?" 

"  Well,  sir,  the  most  certain  is  a  pup.  You  get,  if  possible,  the  first 
pup  of  the  first  litter ;  but  if  this  can't  be  secured,  any  one  of  the  pups 
will  do,  and  you  divide  the  pup  from  the  nose  to  the  tail.  You  must  split 
the  tail,  and  then  you  apply  one-half  to  the  part  affected.  The  patient 
can  never  stand  it  more  than  two  hours,  'tis  so  fetching  ;  'tis  a  wonderful 
cure  entirely." 

"  Have  you  any  charms  or  incantations?" 

"  In  throth,  I  have,  sir.  Sure  the  cures  would  have  no  effect  without 
them — and  they  are  all  in  the  Irish." 

This  man  appeared  to  be  thoroughly  in  earnest,  and  absorbed  with 
the  belief  in  his  powers  of  healing.  He  has  the  exceptional  character  of 
speaking  without  cursing,  swearing,  or  using  profane  language,  and  has 
the  reputation  of  never  having  soiled  his  lips  with  an  oath.  The  race  of 
such  practitioners  has  almost  passed  away  from  Ireland.  The  National 
Schools,  and  the  increase  of  education,  are  doing  their  sure  and  certain 
work,  and  "  Paddy  the  Doctor,"  when  he  lays  aside  his  recipes  and  Old 
World  cures,  will  leave  no  successor  in  his  immediate  locality  upon  whom 
his  mantle  of  healing  will  have  descended. 

I  have  attempted  to  give  this  conversation  just  as  it  occurred,  plead- 
ing as  my  only  excuse  the  importance  of  preserving  in  the  pages  of 
our  Journal  such  bits  of  folk-lore  as  it  contains. — ROBERT  DAY,  F.S.A, 


416  NOTES   AND   QUERIES. 

The  following  letter,  contributed  by  George  T.  "WTiite,  from  hia 
numerous  documents,  illustrates  the  difficulty  in  transmitting  money, 
120  years  ago,  even  to  London;  and  it  is  evident,  from  the  hesitation 
of  the  sender,  that  he  was  doubtful  as  to  whether  the  carrier  or  the  Post 

xx  nr» -«    4-1~*  s\    or»-Prii»    oViariYlol    * 


Office  were  the  safer  channel : — 

"  To  MR.  CHARLES  HOWARD,  SOHO,  LONDON. 

"MiDDLETON,  March  19th,  1767. 
"  DEAE  CHAELES, 

"  I  recd  yr  letter  this  day  sennight,  wh  made  me  very  uneasy.  I 
got  a  thirty  pound  bill  of  a  Kirby  Tradesman  ye  Thursday  after  old 
Candlemas  day,  and  he  promis'd  to  put  ye  Letter  into  ye  Post  Office  ye 
Sunday  after  with  ye  bill  inclos'd,  but  he  has  been  some  way  negligent 
ab*  it,  and  1  thought  he  might  have  been  trusted.  I  hope  you  have  got 
it  ere  now.  I  desire  you  to  send  me  a  speedy  answer  to  satisfy  me  ab* 
it.  This  from  yr  affectionate  Uncle, 

"  THOMAS  To  WEES. 

"I  took  this  way  for  it  because  it  was  reckon'd  a  better  way  than 
sending  it  with  ye  carrier." 


EXTEACTS   FROM    "  JuNGLE   LlFE   IN    INDIA."        BY    V.    BALL,    M.A.,    F.R.8., 

formerly  of  the  Geological  Survey  of  India,  now  Director  of  the  Science 
and  Art  Museum,  Dublin. 

Lake  Dwellings. — As  seen  from  the  sea,  the  village  of  Malacca, 
Nankowri  Island,  Nicobar  Group,  presents  a  very  picturesque  appear- 
ance. "  The  bee-hive-shaped  houses  are  all  supported  on  posts  near  the 
high-water  line,  the  height  of  the  floors  above  ground  being  from  six  to 
seven  feet." 

Kitchen-middens  and  Graves  in  the  Nicobar  Islands. — "Close  to  the 
villages  (Nankowri  Island)  there  are  refuse-heaps,  veritable  kitchen- 
middens,  in  which  cocoa-nut  husks,  the  ddbris  of  pandanus  fruits 
clam  and  cockle-shells  and  hog's  bones  are  thrown  together.  Generally, 
too,  there  are  graveyards  in  the  vicinity.  Over  each  grave  crossed 
sticks  are  erected,  upon  which  the  clothes  and  other  property  of  the 
deceased  are  suspended.  Alluding  to  this  custom,  Dr.  Kink  writes : — 
'  When  I  first  came  to  the  village  of  Malacca,  or  Nankowri,  the  manner 
in  which  the  natives  had  ornamented  the  grave  of  an  English  sailor-boy 
(who  had  lived  with  them  several  years,  and  had  adopted  their  customs) 
with  his  axe  and  his  open  trunk,  made  quite  a  touching  impression. ' 
The  complicated  and  singular  funeral  ceremonies  of  the  Mcobarese  are 
described  by  Dr.  Eink,  and  in  the  account  of  the  Novara  voyage." 

Flint  Flakes,  $c. — Flakes  of  cherty-quartzite  were  found  lying  on 
the  surface  of  the  ground  near  the  village  of  Chukardhurpur;  and  a  well- 
shaped  and  partially-polished  celt  between  Gomria  and  Eoghar.  "  It  was 


NOTES   AND   QUERIES.  417 

of  particular  interest,  as  being  the  first  example  of  the  so-called  neolithic 
type  which  had  been  met  with  in  Bengal." 

In  the  bed  of  the  Narbada,  close  to  Birman  Ghat,  are  certain  pebble 
conglomerates ;  whilst  at  Bhutra  "  the  important  discovery  in  these 
beds  of  stone  implements,  of  undoubted  human  origin,  was  made  by 
Mr.  Hacket,  of  the  Geological  Survey,  thus  affording  incontestable 
evidence  of  the  existence  of  man  at  a  time  when  now  extinct  species  of 
elephant,  Steaodon,  Hexaprotodon,  Tetraprotodon,  deer,  buffalo,  wild  cattle, 
tiger,  and  bear,  inhabited  this  region.  The  remains  of  the  deer  and 
buffalo  show  a  close  affinity,  if  they  are  not  identical,  with  species  found 
existing  in  India  at  the  present  day." 

Flint  and  Glass  Lancets,  Andaman  Islands. — Y.  Ball  had  proposed 
to  make  special  inquiries  on  the  spot,  in  the  Andaman  Islands,  upon  the 
method  practised  by  the  inhabitants  in  the  fabrication  of  flint  and  glass 
flakes.  It  fortunately  happened  that  on  observing  a  group  of  Anda- 
manese  he  saw  a  woman  making  flakes,  which  she  skilfully  chipped  off 
a  piece  of  dark  bottle-glass  with  a  quartz  pebble.  "  Having  struck  off  a 
flake  of  suitable  character,  she  forthwith  proceeded,  with  astonishing 
rapidity,  to  shave  off  the  spiral  twists  of  hair  which  covered  the  head 
of  her  son.  Mr.  Homfray  informed  me  that  the  Andamanese  can  still 
manufacture  the  flakes  of  flint,  which  they  effect  by  first  heating  the 
stones  in  a  fire,  that  being  found  to  facilitate  the  breaking  in  the  required 
direction.  Thus  we  have,  at  the  present  day,  a  race  practising  an 
art,  the  widespread  knowledge  of  which,  in  pre-historic  times,  is  proved 
by  frequent  discoveries  in  all  quarters  of  the  globe.  The  Andamanese 
are,  however,  advancing  beyond  their  Stone  Age.  In  one  corner  of  the 
building  a  woman  was  occupied  in  polishing,  and  wearing  down  into 
shape,  an  iron  arrow-head.  It  was  a  most  formidable  affair,  heart- 
shaped,  and  from  2^-  to  3  inches  in  diameter." 

Articles  of  Soap-stone,  India. — "  In  addition  to  the  metalliferous  ores, 
.  .  .  the  rocks  of  the  sub-metamorphic  series  (near  Dumria  and  Khatra) 
contain  other  mineral  products  of  economic  value.  The  principal  of  these 
are  several  varieties  of  pot-stones,  and  impure  soap-stones.  These  are  in 
many  places  quarried,  and  manufactured  into  plates  and  bowls,  which 
are  apparently  preferred  by  the  Hindus  to  vessels  of  pottery ;  and  large 
quantities  of  these  articles  are  despatched  from  Manbhum  to  Burdwan, 
and  thence  to  Calcutta.  In  the  Kanigunj  coal-field  similar  platters  are 
manufactured  from  a  fine  sandstone ;  but  these  are  less  highly  esteemed. 
The  natives  have  found  out  that  the  vessels  made  of  certain  varieties  of 
these  pot-stones  will  stand  heat ;  and  these  are,  of  course,  more  valued 
than  those  which  crack  on  being  placed  upon  the  fire." 

Tombs  in  India. — "  The  camp  at  Bussutpur  was  in  a  grove  which  had, 
in  former  times,  been  used  by  the  Lurka  Kols  as  a  cemetery,  and  con- 
tained a  number  of  ancient  stone  monuments.  The  major  part  of  these 
had  a  sort  of  truncate  pyramidal  shape,  and  were  marked  superficially 
with  groovings,  which  may  possibly  have  some  signification;  they  re- 
called to  recollection  the  ancient  Ogam  inscriptions  of  Ireland,  though 
not  actually  similar  to  them  in  form." 


418  NOTES   AND   QUERIES. 

V.  Ball  states  also  that  in  Indian  dolmens  a  circular  arrangement 
is  seldom  seen ;  generally  the  stones  are  either  ranged  along  a  straight 
line,  or  form  the  arc  of  an  ellipse.  The  only  localities  where  he  had  seen 
an  attempt  at  sculpture  on  stone  monuments  was  in  the  western  part  of 
Hazarebagh,  on  the  borders  of  Palamow,  and  at  Bussutpur,  in  the  same 
district.  In  both  places  the  stones  had  the  appearance  of  great  anti- 
quity, and,  whether  rightly  or  wrongly,  were  attributed  by  the  people 
of  the  neighbourhood  to  an  ancient  settlement  of  Kols. 

At  several  places,  more  especially  between  Pugar  and  Sorodah,  were 
to  be  seen  groups  of  stone  monuments,  the  sole  remnants  of  former 
colonies  of  Lurka  Kols  or  Hos.  Some  of  them,  unlike  those  erected  at 
the  present  day,  were  dressed  into  shape  with  cutting-tools,  and  one  or 
two  resembled  a  form  commonly  used  for  head-stones  in  English  grave- 
yards. 

Volcanoes. — The  mighty  volcano  of  Mauna  Loa,  in  the  Island  of 
Hawaii — situated  in  the  Pacific  Ocean  about  2000  miles  distant  from 
San  Francisco — is  thus  described  by  Captain  Dutton,  of  the  American 
Geological  Survey: — "In  the  aggregate  of  its  eruptions,  Mauna  Loa  is 
unrivalled.  Some  of  the  volcanoes  of  Iceland  have  been  known  to  dis- 
gorge, at  a  single  outbreak,  masses  of  lava  fully  equal  to  them ;  but  in 
that  land  such  extravasations  are  infrequent,  and  a  century  has  elapsed 
since  any  of  such  magnitude  have  been  emitted,  though  several  of  minor 
extent  have  been  outpoured.  The  eruptions  of  Mauna  Loa  are  all  of 
great  volume,  and  occur  irregularly,  with  an  average  interval  of  about 
eight  years.  Taking  the  total  quantity  of  material  disgorged  during  the 
past  century,  no  other  volcano  is  at  all  comparable  to  it.  A  moderate 
eruption  of  Mauna  Loa  represents  more  material  than  Vesuvius  has 
emitted  since  the  days  of  Pompeii.  The  great  flow  of  1855  would  nearly 
have  built  Vesuvius  ;  and  those  of  1859  and  1881  were  not  greatly- 
inferior." 


PROCEEDINGS  AND  PAPERS. 


A  QUARTERLY  MEETING  of  the  Association  was  held  in 
the  Council  Chamber  of  the  Corporation,  London- 
derry, at  3  o'clock,  p.  M.  ,  on  Thursday,  August  2nd, 
1888  ;  adjourned  from  July  4th,  1888. 

The  VERY  REV.  CANON  GRAINGER,  D.D.,  M.R.I.A.,  in  the 

Chair. 

The  Hon.  Treasurer,  Mr.  Cochrane,  M.R.I. A.,  acted  as 
Hon.  Secretary,  assisted  by  Mr.  Gray,  M.R.I. A.,  Hon. 
Provincial  Secretary. 

The  following  Fellows  and  Members  were  present: — 

Richard  Langrishe,  F.R.I. A.I. ,  Vice- President ;  S.  Kerr 
Kirker,  Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Cavaii ;  John  Browne,  M.R.I.A., 
Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Londonderry ;  W.  J.  Knowles,  M.R.I. A., 
Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Antrim;  Thomas  Watson,  Hon.  Local 
Sec.,  Derry  City ;  John  A.  Mahony,  Hon.  Local  Sec., 
Donegal;  Edward  Atthill,  J.P.,  Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Fer- 
managh; Arthur  Wynne  Foot,  M.D.  ;  Henry  King,  M.B., 
M.R.I. A.  ;  Rev.  Narcissus  Gage  Batt,  A.M.  ;  Rev.  George 
R.  Buick,  A.M.  ;  Rev.  A.  Hamilton  Beattie ;  Seaton 
F.  Milligan,  M.R.I. A.  ;  W.  J.  Browne,  M.R.I. A.  ;  Rev. 
Edward  J.  Hartrick,  M.A.,  T.C.D.  ;  John  Matthewson ; 
Rev.  Canon  Bennett;  William  A.  Traill,  M.A.,  Ing., 
F.R. G.S.I.  ;  George  Norman,  M.D.,  F.R.M.S.  ;  Very  Rev.  A. 
Ferguson  Smyly,  Dean  of  Derry ;  Dr.  Walter  Bernard  ; 
Joseph  Colhoun;  Robert  Cochrane,  C.E.,  M.R.I.A.,  Hon. 
Gen.  Sec.  and  Treasurer;  William  Gray,  M.R.I.A.,  Hon. 
Provincial  Sec.,  Ulster. 

The  notice  convening  the  Meeting  was  read,  and  the 
Minutes  of  last  Meeting  having  been  read  and  confirmed, 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  2  H 


420  PROCEEDINGS. 

the  Honorary  Treasurer  placed  on  the  table  the  following 
publications,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  was  unanimously 
passed  to  the  donors  : — 

"  Transactions  of  the  Gaelic  Society  of  Inverness," 
vol.  xiii.,  1886-87.  Presented  by  the  Society.  "  The 
Magazine  of  the  Honourable  Society  of  Cymmrodorion." 
Presented  by  the  Council.  "  The  Gododin  of  Aneurin 
Gwawdrydd."  Presented  by  the  Honourable  Society  of 
Cymmrodorion.  "  Memoires  de  la  Societe  Royale  des 
Antiquaires  du  Nord."  By  the  Royal  Society  of  North- 
ern Antiquaries,  Copenhagen.  New  Series,  1887.  "Aar- 
boger  for  Nordisk  Old  Kyndighed  og  Historic,"  2  parts, 
1887;  1  part,  1888.  "  Report  of  the  United  States 
National  Museum,"  under  the  direction  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution,  for  1884.  Presented  by  the  Board  of 
Regents.  "  Journal  of  the  Architectural,  Archaeological, 
and  Historic  Society  of  Cheshire,"  part  xii.,  Dec.  2. 
Presented  by  the  Society.  "  Journal  of  the  Royal  Insti- 
tution of  Cornwall,"  vol.  ix.,  part  ii.,  Dec.,  1887. 
Presented  by  the  Institution.  "  Proceedings  and  Ex- 
cursions of  the  Oxford  Architectural  and  Historic  Society 
for  the  year  1884."  Presented  by  the  Society.  New 
Series,  No.  30.  "Inaugural  Address  of  the  President,  and 
List  of  Members  of  the  Cambridge  Antiquarian  Society. 
1888."  Presented  by  the  Society.  "  Archselogia,"  vol. 
LI.,  part  i.,  1888.  Presented  by  the  Society  of  Anti- 
quaries, London.  "  Journal  (No.  18,  vol.  iv.,  New  Series) 
Royal  Institute  of  British  Architects."  Presented  by  the 
Institute. 

Proposed  by  Robert  Cochrane,  C.E.,  Hon.  Treasurer, 
seconded  by  R.  Langrishe,  F.R.I.A.I.,  Vice-President : — 

RESOLVED — "That  in  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  the 
Committee,  the  following  Memhers  be  transferred  to  the  rank  of  Fellow, 
they  being  qualified  for  that  distinction.  Stip.  cond. : — 

J.  W.  Agnew,  M.D.,  Hobart  Town,  Tasmania. 
George  Anderson,  C.E.,  35,  Great  George-street,  Westminster. 
The  Most  Rev.  Dr.  Browne,   Bishop  of  Ferns,  Wexford. 
Rev.  Arthur  Eden,  Ticehurst,  Hurst-green,  Sussex. 
William  Gray,  O.E.,  M.R.I.A.,  Mountcharles,  Belfast. 
William  J.  Gillespie,  Whitehall,  Stillorgan,  Dublin. 


PROCEEDINGS.  421 

The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Graves,  Bishop  of  Limerick. 

Rev.  E.  J.  Hartrick,  the  Rectory,  Ballynure,  Belfast. 

Mitchell  Henry,  J.P.,  D.L..  Kylemore  Castle,  Co.  Galway. 

The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Arthur  Hill,  M.P.,  Hillsborough  Castle. 

George  Henry  Kinahan,  C.E.,  M.K.I.A.,  132,  Leinster-road,  Dublin. 

James  Martin,  M.D.,  Portlaw. 

Sir  Herbert  Eustace  Maxwell,  Bart.,  M.P.,  Monreith,  Wigtonshire. 

The  Right  Hon.  The  O'Conor  Don,  M.E.I. A.,  D.L.,  P.C.,  Clonalis, 

Castlerea. 

The  Yen.  Archdeacon  O'Rorke,  D.D.,  P.P.,  M.E.I. A.,  Collooney,  Sligo. 
Col.  Sir  John  Robinson,  Bart.,  C.B.,  D.L.,  Rokeby  Hall,  Dunleer. 
The  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Reeves,  M.E.I.A.,  Bishop  of  Down,  Conway  House, 

Dunmurray,  Co.  Antrim. 
Thomas  F.  C.  Trench,  J.P.,  Millicent,  Naas. 

The  Right  Rev.  W.  P.  "Walsh,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Ossory,  Kilkenny. 
Thomas  A.  Wise,  Thornton  House,  Upper  Norwood. 
D.  Carolan  Rushe,  Church- square,  Monaghan. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  then  elected  Members 
of  the  Association : — 

Frederick  Franklin,  Architect,  Westbourne,  Tere- 
nure,  Dublin ;  J.  Ousley  Moynan,  M.A.,  B.E.,  County 
Surveyor,  Greenhill,  Longford;  Rev.  Alexander  George 
Stewart,  Bogay,  Londonderry;  W.  J.  Robinson,  C.E., 
City  Surveyor ;  Thomas  Drew,  R.H.A.,  Architect,  Dublin; 
George  Norman,  M.D.,  Bath  ;  Rev.  Canon  Bennett, 
Raphoe ;  Joseph  Colhoun,  Strand,  Derry  ;  Dr.  Bernard, 
Londonderry. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  elected  Fellows  on 
payment  of  the  usual  entrance-fee,  £2  : — 

S.  K.  Kirker,  C.E.,  Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Cavan;  P.  M. 
Egan,  Mayor  of  Kilkenny;  Seaton  F.  Milligan,  M.R.I.A., 
Royal-terrace,  Belfast ;  The  Very  Rev.  A.  F.  Smyly, 
Dean  of  Derry. 

The  Secretary  reported  the  following  Members 
deceased  since  last  April  Meeting : — 

April,  1888. — Rev.  Canon  Moore,  P.P.,  Johnstown, 
Kilkenny,  an  original  Member,  a  contributor  and  mem- 
ber of  Committee ;  Henry  Bruce  Armstrong,  Union 
Club,  Trafalgar-square,  London ;  Rev.  P.  A.  Yorke,  c.c., 
Summerhill-parade,  Dublin. 


422  PROCEEDINGS. 

June  8th,  1888.— Sir  Francis  Hastings  Doyle,  Pro- 
fessor of  Poetry,  Oxford. 

July,  1888. — Robert  Clayton  Browne,  D.L.,  Browne's 
Hill,  Carlow ;  Sir  Denham  Norreys,  Bart.,  M.R.I.A., 
Mallow  Castle,  Co.  Cork. 

The  following  Letter  was  then  read : — 

"July  20^,  1888. 

"  To  the  CHAIRMAN  of  the  Meeting  of  the  ROYAL  HISTORICAL 
AND  ARCHAEOLOGICAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  IRELAND,  to  be  held  in 
Londonderry  on  the  2nd  of  August  next. 

"  SIR — For  reasons  which  were  described  at  the  Meeting  of  our  Asso- 
ciation, held  in  Kilkenny,  in  April  last,  I  now  resign  my  position  of  Hon. 
Secretary.  I  hope  and  trust  that  for  years  to  come  I  may  have  the  honour 
to  continue  my  connection  with  an  Association  so  distinguished  as  ours 
has  been  from  the  day  of  its  formation.  My  heart  is  still  in  the  old 
work. 

"  Believe  me  to  remain, 

"  Yours  most  faithfully, 

(Signed)  "  W.  F.  WAKEMAN. 

"  6,  Seafort-parade, 

"Blackrock,  Dublin." 

The  Meeting  having  considered  this  letter,  and  several 
Members  having  referred  in  complimentary  terms  to  the 
service  rendered  the  Association  by  Mr.  Wakeman,  it 
was  proposed  by  the  Rev.  Canon  Grainger,  D.D.  ; 
seconded  by  William  Gray,  M.R.I.A.  ;  and 

RESOLVED — "  That,  in  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  the 
Committee,  a  subscription  list  be  opened  to  present  Mr.  Wakeman  with  a 
testimonial.  That  the  Association  contribute  £6  (six),  and  that  the  Com- 
mittee considers  the  possibility  of  obtaining  from  the  Literary  Pension 
Fund  a  pension  similar  to  that  enjoyed  by  our  late  Secretary  and  Trea- 
surer, the  Rev.  James  Graves,  and  that  a  statement  setting  forth  Mr. 
"Wakeman's  claim  for  consideration  be  prepared  and  circulated." 

The  following  subscriptions  were  obtained  for  Testi- 
monial Fund: — u Royal  Historical  and  Archaeological 
Association  of  Ireland,"  £6  ;  Rev.  Canon  Grainger, 
D.D.,  £2  2s. ;  R.  Langrishe,  £1  ;  R.  Cochrane,  £1 ; 
William  Gray,  10s.;  Col.  Vigors,  J.P.,  10s. 


PROCEEDINGS.  423 

Proposed  by  R.  Langrishe ;  seconded  by  W.  Gray : — 

RESOLVED — "  That  Mr.  Wakeman  having  resided  the  office  of  General 
Secretary,  Mr.  Cochrane,  Hon.  Treasurer,  be  appointed  General  Secretary, 
thus  uniting  these  offices  as  heretofore." 

Proposed  by  R.  Langrishe ;  seconded  by  W.  Gray  : — 

RESOLVED — "  That  the  best  thanks  of  this  Association  be,  and  are,  hereby 
given  to  Mr.  Wakeman  for  the  zeal  which  he  has  always  displayed  in 
promoting  ArehaBological  Science,  from  which  this  Association  has  derived 
such  great  benefit." 

Proposed  by  R.  Cochrane;  seconded  by  William 
Gray;  and 

EESOLVED — "  That  in  recognition  of  Mr.  "Wakeman's  services,  he  be 
elected  an  Honorary  Fellow  of  the  Association,  and  that  Mr.  J.  G. 
Robertson,  74,  Stephen' s-green,  Dublin,  one  of  the  original  and  founding 
Members  of  the  Association,  who  had  acted  as  Curator  of  the  Museum  for 
twenty-nine  years,  and  as  Treasurer  for  two  years,  be  also  elected 
Honorary  Fellow." 

The  following  letter  was  read  : — 

"  ST.  KIERAN'S  COLLEGE,  KILKENNY, 
"  May  I4th,  1888. 

"  DEAR  SIR — At  the  request  of  many  citizens  who  take  an  interest  in 
the  collection  of  objects  of  local  interest  at  present  in  the  Museum  of  the 
Kilkenny  Archaeological  Society  here  in  Kilkenny,  I  make  application  to 
you  to  have  these  objects  transferred  to  the  Museum  we  have  in  the 
College,  where  they  will  be  safely  preserved,  and  in  a  convenient  place 
for  the  citizens  of  Kilkenny  to  inspect  them.  We  have  a  fine  collection 
already,  principally  objects  belonging  to  the  Diocese  of  Ossory — chalices, 
vestments,  beads,  reliquaries,  &c.  It  is  the  opinion  of  many  in  this  dis- 
trict that  the  College  is  a  most  suitable  place  for  the  objects  pertaining  to 
the  history  of  this  country  and  city. 


"  To  the  SECRETARY." 


"  Faithfully  yours, 
(Signed)  "  M.  BARRY,  President. 


After  full  consideration,  it  was  proposed  by  William 
Gray  ;  seconded  by  R.  Langrishe ;  and 

RESOLVED — "That  the  letter  now  read  be  entered  on  the  Minutes,  and 
that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barry  be  informed  that  inasmuch  as  the  Association  now 
look  upon  their  collection  as  a  National  one,  they  are  not  prepared  to  alter 
the  arrangements  for  the  disposal  of  the  collection  now  being  made  by  the 
Committee." 


424  PROCEEDINGS. 

RESOLVED — "  That  the  arrangements  made  by  the  Committee  for  future 
Meetings  be  approved  of,  viz. : — On  the  applications  of  the  respective 
Hon.  Local  Secretaries,  the  Meetings  for  Munster  be  held  at  Cashel,  on  3rd 
October  next,  and  at  Limerick,  on  5th  July  next ;  and  that  the  January 
Meetings  of  the  Association  continue  to  be  held  in  Dublin,  in  accordance 
with  the  resolution  passed  at  a  General  Meeting  of  the  Association,  held 
June  1st,  1887." 

The  Hon.  Treasurer  intimated  that  Postal  Orders  had 
been  received  from  Belfast,  Omagh,  Carrick-on-Suir,  and 
London,  the  senders  omitting  to  give  name  or  address. 
If  any  Member  residing  in  those  places  had  not  received 
receipts  for  Postal  Orders  sent,  he  should  communicate 
with  the  Treasurer,  stating  amount  and  date  of  remit- 
tance. 

During  the  interval  between  the  Afternoon  and 
Evening  Meetings  a  large  party  of  visitors  was  very 
kindly  conducted  over  the  Cathedral,  the  City  Walls,  and 
other  places  of  interest  by  The  Very  Rev.  A.  F.  Smyly, 
Dean  of  Derry. 

EVENING  MEETING. 

A  crowded  Meeting  was  held  in  the  evening  at  eight 
o'clock,  in  the  Council  Chamber  of  the  Corporation  Hall, 
at  which  The  Rev.  Canon  Grainger,  D.D.,  presided. 

The  President,  in  addressing  the  Meeting,  congratu- 
lated the  Members  on  their  admission  to  the  Maiden  City. 
He  thought  they  might  anticipate  that  all  their  other 
Ulster  Meetings  would  be  as  nothing  compared  with  the 
present,  for  they  had  all  the  grand  characteristics  and 
features  of  their  former  Ulster  Meetings.  If  Belfast  is 
populous,  so  is  Derry.  If  Ballymena  is  industrious,  so 
is  Derry.  If  Armagh  had  its  associations  with  St. 
Patrick,  had  not  Derry  also  associations  with  the 
apostle  of  North-West  Ireland  ?  If  Enniskillen  was 
historic,  he  was  sure  Derry  was  not  behindhand  in 
that  respect ;  and  if  Portrush  was  beautiful,  he  thought 
Derry  had  even  greater  beauty.  He  congratulated  them 
also  on  the  fact  that  Derry  was  the  place  where  began 
the  real  scientific  treatment  of  Irish  antiquities.  They 
were  aware  that  about  fifty  years  ago  the  Government 
of  the  country  voted  a  sum  of  money  for  making  a 


PROCEEDINGS.  425 

proper  archaeological  and  geological  examination  of 
Ireland.  Every  parish  in  the  kingdom  was  at  that  time 
thoroughly  and  diligently  surveyed  by  engineers  of  the 
very  highest  character,  who  were  sent  round  the  whole 
country.  The  records  of  their  work  still  exist,  the 
Ordnance  Office,  Phoenix  Park,  and  the  Royal  Irish 
Academy  sharing  the  custody  of  the  manuscripts,  the 
printing  and  publication  of  which  was  declined  by  the 
Government,  the  only  exception  being  the  portion  relat- 
ing to  the  parish  of  Templemore,  of  which  a  splendid 
and  altogether  model  survey  is  published.  Perhaps  their 
Association  might  do  something  towards  urging  on  the 
Government  to  complete  the  work  of  publishing  these 
valuable  papers,  which  really  formed  the  ground-work 
of  most  of  the  parish  histories  now  extant,  and  altered 
the  system  by  which,  when  extraordinary  monuments 
were  discovered,  powerful  imaginations  attributed  them 
to  the  Phoenicians  or  the  Druids.  Their  Society  was  a 
daughter  of  this  survey,  and  had  carried  on  the  work 
of  Historical  and  Antiquarian  research,  unassisted  by 
the  public  funds.  In  conclusion,  the  President  referred 
to  the  presence  in  that  neighbourhood  of  the  monument 
of  Grianan,  of  which  one  of  their  own  sons  had  loving 
care,  and  for  which  they  thanked  him  heartily. 

After  the  Chairman's  Address  the  following  Papers 
were  read: — "  The  Priory  and  Castle  of  Rathmullen," 
by  Rev.  M.  G.  Batt ;  "  Notes  on  Raphoe,"  by  Rev.  Canon 
Bennett;  "  Small  rough  Flint  Celts  of  Antrim,"  by 
William  Gray,  M.R.I.A.  ;  "  Cup-markings  on  Cromlechs 
in  County  Tyrone,"  by  Seaton  F.  Milligan,  M.R.I.A.  ; 
"  Tracked  Stones,"  by  W.  J.  Knowles,  M.R.I.A. 

As  the  reading  of  the  above  Papers  and  the  very 
animated  discussion  which  followed  occupied  so  much 
time,  it  was  proposed  by  Canon  Grainger  ;  seconded  by 
William  Gray ;  and 

RESOLVED — "  That  the  following  Papers  contributed  to  this  Meeting  be 
taken  as  read,  and  that  they  be  referred  to  the  Editor  for  publication, 
subject  to  revision  "  : —  . . 

"  Smooth-leaved  Holly,"  by  G.  H.  Kinahan,  F.G.S.  ; 
"  The  Stone  Circle  at  Beltinne,  near  Raphoe,"  by  Charles 


426  PROCEEDINGS. 

Elcock;  "  Notes  on  Ogham  Stones  in  County  Cavan," 
by  Charles  Elcock ;  "  List  of  Rude  Stone  Monuments 
at  Desertoghill,  County  Deny,"  by  Robert  Johnston ; 
"  Mistaken  Identity  as  to  the  Birthplace  of  St.  Patrick," 
by  Rev.  Sylvester  Malone;  "  Ballintubber  Castle,  County 
Roscommon,"  by  The  O'Conor  Don ;  "  Fairy  Lore  of  the 
County  Antrim,"  by  Rev.  A.  Brennan  ;  "  Notes  on  the 
Armada  Ships  lost  on  the  Coast  of  Clare  in  1588," 
by  Thomas  Johnston  Westropp,  M.A.  ;  "  Report  of  the 
County  Derry,"  by  John  Browne,  M.R.I.A. 

In  response  to  the  invitation  of  Lord  Arthur  Hill, 
Vice-President  for  Ulster,  and  Hon.  Secretary  of  the 
Irish  Exhibition  in  London,  the  following  members  of 
Committee  assisted  in  getting  up  the  Archaeological  col- 
lection from  Ireland,  viz.  : — Dr.  Frazer,  Robert  Day; 
J.  G.  Robertson ;  Robert  Cochrane. 

Dr.  Frazer  and  Mr.  Day  went  over  to  London  and 
arranged  the  exhibits  of  the  Association — which  were 
insured  for  £300 — they  consisted  chiefly  of  finds  from 
the  Dunbell  Raths,  County  Kilkenny. 

Dr.  Frazer  wrote  the  introduction  to  the  Irish  Anti- 
quities in  the  Official  Catalogue  of  the  Exhibition,  and  in 
it  refers  to  the  exhibits  of  other  members  of  our  Associa- 
tion, viz. : — W.  J.  Knowles  ;  W.  H.  Patterson  ;  George 
H.  Kinahan  ;  Count  Plunkett,  &c. 

In  the  Catalogue,  the  Exhibition  Committee  have 
acknowledged  their  obligations  to  those  gentlemen,  and 
also  to  the  Association,  for  without  their  valuable  as- 
sistance, the  Archaeological  Exhibits  would  have  been 
a  very  meagre  and  unsatisfactory  representation  of 
Irish  Antiquities. 


(     427     ) 


THE    HEVAGH    INSCRIBED-STONES    AND    OTHER 
ANTIQUITIES. 

BY  G.  H.  KINAHAN,  M.E.I.A.,  LOCAL  SECRETARY,  DONEGAL. 

THE  first  locality  is  situated  between  Mevagh  hamlet 
and  the  small  head  called  Crannog  Point,  in  ^Ross- 
guile  (Wooded  Promontory),  near  the  north-west  shore 
of  Mulroy  Bay,  county  Donegal.  In  the  same  town- 
land  is  an  old  church,  formerly  the  Parish  church, 
with  a  standing  carved  cross ;  and  on  a  neighbouring 
height  is  the  ruin  of  a  caher,  of  a  type  very  common 
in  the  county  Donegal — small  diameter  and  high  wall. 
Crannog  Point  may  possibly  be  a  name  to  excite  in- 
terest, suggesting  that  there  was  once  a  "lake  dwelling" 
in  the  neighbouring  portion  of  Mulroy  Bay :  this,  how- 
ever, is  a  very  vague  idea,  as  the  term  "crannog"  is 
often  used  also  to  denote  stepping-stones.  That  Mevagh 
was  once  a  place  of  note  seems  probable  on  account  of  the 
ruins  already  mentioned,  while  in  the  county  Donegal 
there  are  various  structures,  unrecorded  on  the  maps, 
very  similar  to  those  described  by  Wilson  in  north- 
western Scotland;  they  being  fosleacs,  Insects,  and  other 
pre-historical  structures,  all  of  which  point  to  an  early 
occupation  of  the  country,  by  a  race,  probably,  of 
fishermen,  the  habitations  being  more  or  less  similar  to 
those  of  the  Lapps,  which  are  described  and  figured  by 
Du  Challieu  in  the  Land  of  the  Midnight  Sun;  and  by 
Baron  Nordenskjold,  in  The  Voyage  of  the  "Vega"  Some 
of  the  old  structures  of  the  county  Donegal  have  already 
been  listed  in  previous  reports,  and  further  lists  are  in 
preparation. 

A  little  south  of  the  hamlet  (now  temporarily  used  as 
a  Coastguard  Station),  and  westward  of  the  boat-house, 
there  is  a  long  crag,  formed  by  a  massive  felstone  dyke, 
and  on  a  surface  of  this,  about  sixty  feet  long,  and  of 

4TH  8ER.,  VOL.  VIII.  2  I 


428  ON   THE   MEVAGH   INSCRIBED-STONES,    ETC. 


widths  varying  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  feet,  there 
are  numerous  inscriptions,  generally  more  or  less  in 
groups,  while  others  are  scattered  about  separately. 
Indeed,  in  other  places  on  the  crag,  single  inscrip- 
tions were  detected,  but  so  indistinct  and  isolated  that 
they  attracted  little  notice.  My  attention  was  first 
directed  to  the  locality  by  my  colleague,  S.  B. 
Wilkinson. 

The  rock  surfaces  are  very  much  weathered,  and  in 
places  are  clothed  with  a  thin  peat  ;  some  of  the  mark- 
ings on  the  flat  top  surface  of  the  crag  are  so  far  effaced 
that  no  attempt  was  made  to  copy  them,  the  rubbings 
taken  being  of  the  best  preserved  and  most  noticeable 
groups. 

From  the  rubbings  it  will  be  seen  that  the  scribings 
in  general  consist  of  combinations  of  circles,  cups,  and 
furrows,  sometimes  a  cup  being  surrounded  by  circles, 
but  often  the  former  having  a  channel  leading  from  it. 
In  some,  however,  the  cup  is  replaced  by  a  ball.  Oc- 
casionally the  circles  are  combined  with  a  cross  ;  in  one 
place  a  cross  is  combined  with  cups  ;  whilst  in  a  few 
places  there  are  other  forms. 

Kubbing  No.  1  (fig.  1)  represents  the  largest  and 
best  preserved  group  observed.  It  is  on  a  surface  slop- 
ing about  south-east.  Above  there  is  a  peculiar  and 
unique  scribing,  while  below  it  are  elaborate  combina- 
tions of  circles,  &c.  To  the  westward  are  remarkable 
crosses  in  circles  ;  a  similar  cross  was  also  found  to  the 
south-east,  as  recorded  on  rubbing  No.  5  (fig.  3),  while 
there  maybe  others,  as  hereafter  mentioned.  A  curious 
scribing,  like  a  circle,  open  at  one  side,  and  with  curved 
outward  arms,  occurs. 

A  rubbing  was  taken  from  the  same  rock-surface  as 
No.  1,  with  which  it  is  nearly  continuous.  The  scrib- 
ings of  most  interest  are  a  combination  of  circles,  with 
an  easterly  furrow  from  the  cup,  and  an  open  circle, 
with  arms  like  that  previously  mentioned  on  No.  1. 
A  considerable  portion  of  this  group  was  covered  with 
a  peat  growth  that  had  to  be  removed.  Immediately 
south  of  the  east  portion  of  this  latter  group  there  is  a 
large  circle  system. 


I 

I 


212 


430 


ON   THE   MEVAGH   INSCRIBED-STONES,    ETC. 


Rubbing  No.  4  (fig.  2)  was  taken  from  an  isolated 
surface  some  distance  south-west  of  No.  1.  It  will  be 
seen  from  its  appearance  that  the  surface  is  very  much 
weathered ;  but  the  scribings  are  remarkable,  being  of 
smaller  dimensions,  while  one  resembles  a  Latin  cross, 
with  a  cup  at  the  north  end  of  the  long  arm.  A  some- 
what similar  cross  will  be  mentioned  when  describing 
the  Barnes  dalldns. 


Fig.  2.— Mevagb,  Rossquile,  Co.  Donegal.     Rubbing  No.  4. 

Rubbing  No.  5  (fig.  3)  has,  besides  elaborate  circles, 
with  their  cups,  a  cross  like  that  on  No.  1,  while  in  two 
other  places  there  may  be  similar  crosses,  too  much 
obliterated,  however,  to  make  them  out  satisfactorily. 

On  an  examination  of  the  various  rubbings  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  scribings  are  not  after  a  preconceived 
design.  Some  were  apparently  cut  regardless  of  posi- 
tion; and  as  there  was  not  space  to  complete  those 


I 


432  ON   THE   MEVAGH  INSCRIBED-STONES,  ETC. 

adjoining,  the  latter  were  modified  to  suit  circumstances. 
This  is  conspicuous  in  rubbing  No.  1  (fig.  1).  Across  the 
portion  of  the  surface  represented  by  rubbing  No.  1,  the 
young  natives  have  made  a  stone  slide — a  species  of 
tobogging,  in  which  you  sit  on  a  stone  instead  of  a  sleigh, 
and  you  slide  down  a  surface  of  stone  instead  of  ice. 
This  sliding  has  produced  a  polished  surface,  which  seems 
to  have  preserved  the  markings. 


THE  BARNES  "DALLANS,"  OR  STANDING-STONES. 

These  dalldns  are  found  to  the  northward  of  Kilma- 
crenan,  and  about  half  a  mile  east  of  the  south  end  of 
Barnesbeg  (Little  Gap).  The  county  hereabouts,  in  pre- 
historic times,  must  have  been  a  place  of  importance, 
as  scattered  about  are  various  structures  and  places  of 
note.  The  most  remarkable  is  named  Termon — situated 
where  the  new  Roman  Catholic  chapel  now  stands — 
which  shows  that  in  this  locality  there  must  once  have 
been  a  Pagan  "  City  of  Refuge."  South-east  of  the 
dalldns,  in  the  townland  of  Goldrum,  there  is  a  so-called 
cromleac,  having  in  its  horizontal  covering-stone 
numerous  cup-marks,  while  in  its  vicinity  there  is  a 
system  of  luscas  in  the  form  of  a  T. 

The  two  Barnes  dalldns  are  near  together,  but  not  on 
the  same  line  or  facing  one  another,  which  is  so  com- 
monly the  case.  The  largest,  to  the  southward,  is  a 
massive  flagstone,  seven  feet  high  above  the  ground, 
and  seven  feet  wide ;  the  smaller  one,  which  is  six  feet 
high,  by  five  feet  in  the  widest  part,  seems  to  have  been 
worked  to  represent  the  head  of  a  huge  spear.  This  is 
very  conspicuous  when  its  sides  are  exposed  down  to 
the  old  surface  of  the  ground,  which  was  about  2*5 
feet  below  the  present  one.  (See  diagrammatic  sketch, 
fig.  4.) 

On  the  western  face  of  the  large  dalldn  there  is  one 
£up,  and  a  faintly-marked  cross,  which  is  evidently  a 
modern  reduced  copy  of  the  cross  hereinafter  noted  on 
the  western  face  of  the  smaller  dalldn  (fig.  4). 


ORIGINAL         SURFACE 


Fig.  4. — Diagrammatic  Sketch  of  small  dalldn, 
Kilmacrenan,  Co.  Donegal. 


434 


ON   THE   MEVAGH    INSCRIBED-STONES,    ETC. 


On  the  eastern  face  there  is  very  elaborate  sculptur- 
ing, down  to  a  foot  and  a-half  below  the  present  surface, 
and  at  the  lower  south-east  margin  there  is  a  curious 
combination  of  circles,  furrows,  and  cups  (rubbing 


Fig.  5.— Barnesbeg,  Kilmacrenan,  Co.  Donegal.    Rubbing  No.  1. 

No.  1,  fig.  5).  More  or  less  similar  combinations  have 
been  figured  and  described  elsewhere — in  the  north  of 
England,  &c. 

Rubbing  No.  2,  fig.  6,  which  nearly  joins  on  to  No.  1, 
represents  the  sculpturings  that  occupy  the  upper  por- 
tion of  the  northern  side  of  the  eastern  face,  or,  at  least, 
a,  considerable  part  of  it.  The  conspicuous  group  con- 
sists of  cup  and  saucer  designs,  connected  by  furrows,  the 
whole  effect  giving  an  appearance  as  if  they  were  a  spray 
of  aesthetic  flowers.  The  row  of  seven  cups,  in  a  nearly 
horizontal  line,  may  have  some  meaning,  as  also  the 
circle  of  cups  round  the  cup  and  saucer  to  the  south. 
This  circle  is  not  well  represented  on  the  rubbing,  which 
had  evidently  moved  while  it  was  being  taken. 


436  ON   THE   MEVAGH    INSCEIBED-STONES,    ETC. 

Rubbing  No.  3  gave  all  the  markings  on  the  eastern 
face  of  the  small  dalldn ;  while  No.  4  represents  the 
principal  markings  on  the  western  one  (see  fig.  4).  In 
addition  to  those  on  the  sketch,  there  are  some  six  or 
eight  cup-markings  underneath,  and  partly  below  the 
present  surface-level.  The  cross  appears  as  if  it  might 
be  more  modern  than  the  cups,  which  it  seems  to  me  to 
be ;  at  the  same  time  there  is  a  certain  degree  of  re- 
semblance between  it  and  the  cross  on  the  No.  4  Mevagh 
rubbing  (fig.  2),  which  there  seems  to  be  part  of  the 
design. 

As  has  been  mentioned  in  previous  reports,  scribed 
stones  are  not  uncommon  in  the  eastern,  or  rather  north- 
eastern, portion  of  the  county  Donegal,  but  in  general 
they  consist  solely  of  cup-markings.  In  a  Paper  laid 
sometime  since  before  the  Association,  was  figured  and 
described  the  dalldn  at  Muff,  near  Lough  Foyle,  on 
which  there  is  a  combination  of  cups,  circles,  &c. ;  while 
in  Lewis's  Topographical  Dictionary,  vol.  ii.,  p.  669, 
occurs  the  following : — "  In  the  parish  of  Errigalkeroge 
is  a  flat  stone,  set  upright,  about  three  feet  broad,  and 
of  the  same  height  above  ground,  having  one  side 
covered  with  carvings  of  a  regular  design,  consisting  of 
waving  and  circular  lines  ;  it  had  been  the  covering  of  a 
vault  formed  of  flags  set  edge- way.  In  the  vault  were 
found  two  earthen  vessels  containing  ashes."  These 
records  evidently  refer  to  stones  more  or  less  sculptured, 
like  those  at  Mevagh  and  Barnes. 

The  Donegal  cup-markings  are  sometimes  numerous, 
but  usually  there  are  only  seven,  called  "  giant's  finger- 
marks," as  they  are  said  to  be  the  impression  of  his 
fingers  when  pushing  the  stone,  which  is  often  called  a 
"  giant's  finger-stone."  The  cup-marks  are  found  on 
natural  rock  surfaces — as  on  the  summit  of  Culbwe  and 
the  hill  south-west  of  Lough  Salt;  on  erratics,  as  at 
Trintagh  and  elsewhere;  on  "  standing-stones,"  as  on  the 
hill  near  Litter;  on  "  cover-stones"  of  cromleacs,  as  at 
Goldrum  ;  and  on  flat  stones  in  ancient  structures. 
Roughly-rounded  stones  on  which  more  or  less  cup- 
marks  occur,  are — numerous  cups  on  the  stone  called 
"  St.  Columbkill's  Bed,"  in  the  parish  of  Gartan,  and 


ON   THE   MEVAGH    INSCRIBED-STONES,    ETC.  437 

west  of  Lough.  Akibbon  ;  in  the  same  parish,  very  many 
on  a  stone  at  the  side  of  the  road  from  Churchhill 
to  Glen  do  wan ;  and  on  a  stone  in  the  old  deerpark  of 
Castleforward.  The  last  was  described,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  century — by  Dr.  M 'Parian,  in  his  Statistical 
History — as  standing  on  uprights.  It  is  now  dismantled, 
broken  in  two,  and  one  half  carried  away. 

The  Mevagh  scribings,  although  not  so  elaborate  in 
design,  yet  resemble  in  a  slight  degree  those  in  the 
tombs  of  the  De  Danaan  at  Lough  Crew,  and  also  those  in 
the  sculptured  caves  of  the  Fermanagh  Hills.  The  cup 
and  saucer  designs  of  the  Barnes  dalldns  are  somewhat 
allied,  but  more  elaborate,  to  the  so-called  "St.  Patrick's 
knee-marks"  on  "  St.  Patrick's  Chair,"  south-west  of 
Westport,  where  he  used  to  pray  on  his  way  to  Croagh- 
patrick ;  these  latter,  however,  are  not  connected  with 
furrows. 


(     438     ) 


ON  AN  INSCRIBED   MONUMENTAL   STONE  PROM  THE  ISLE 
OF  MAN,  AND  SOME  CUSTOMS  OF  THE  CREE  INDIANS. 

BY  THE  REV.  J.  F.  M.  FFRENCH,  OF  CLONEGAL. 

ALTHOUGH  the  Royal  Historical  and  Archaeological  Asso- 
ciation devotes  its  time  especially  to  the  study  of  subjects 
connected  with  Ireland,  yet  I  have  observed  that  from 
time  to  time  it  admits  within  the  limits  of  its  consideration 
subjects  relating  to  the  archaeology  of  other  countries, 
when  those  objects  serve  to  illustrate  home  antiqui- 
ties. With  that  purpose  in  view,  I  lay  before  the 
Association  a  sketch  of  an  inscribed  Monumental  Stone 
from  the  graveyard  of  the  church  of  Andreas,  or  St. 
Andrew,  in  the  Isle  of  Man.  This  stone  is  about  fifteen 
inches  long,  and  is  carved  in  low  relief  with  a  bold  and 
well-formed  cross,  one  side  of  which  has  been  very  much 
injured  and  the  stone  broken  away,  but  enough  remains 
to  enable  us  to  mentally  reconstruct  it.  I  have  not  been 
able  to  find  an  Irish  cross  similar  to  it  among  the  many 
engravings  that  I  have  looked  over ;  but  although  I 
could  not  find  any  exactly  resembling  it,  yet  its  details 
have  been  separately  produced  in  many  Irish  crosses : 
for  instance,  the  general  outline  is  the  same  as  that  of 
the  cross  of  Durrow,  if  the  circle  binding  the  arms  of 
that  cross  together  were  removed.  In  the  centre  of 
the  cross  there  is  a  small  circle,  similar  to  that  displayed 
on  many  of  the  monuments  figured  by  Mr.  Wakeman 
in  the  description  of  the  "  Antiquities  of  Innismurray," 
published  by  him  in  the  64th  Number  of  the  Journal  of 
the  Association  (see  figs.  68  and  80).  Outside  the  cross, 
at  the  bottom  of  the  stone,  there  is  a  style  of  interlacing 
ornamentation  which  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  what 
is  sometimes  called  the  Greek  fret :  it  also  is  like  the 
ornamentation  sketched  by  Mr.  Wakeman  in  the  same 
Number  of  the  Journal,  figs.  50  and  51.  Above  this 
there  is  a  rude  carving  of  the  figure  of  a  man,  doubtless 
of  the  ecclesiastic  over  whom  the  monument  had  been 
erected,  with  a  book  (probably  the  Gospels)  in  one  hand, 
and  a  cross  in  the  other.  This  man  seems  to  be  engaged 


Sketch  of  an  Inscribed  Stone  from  the  Isle  of  Man,  illustrating  Paper  by  the 
Rev.  J.  F.  M.  FFRENCH. 


440       INSCRIBED  MONUMENTAL  STONE,  ISLE  OF  MAN,  ETC. 

in  a  contest  with  two  evil  spirits  in  the  form  of  serpents : 
one  of  them  he  is  trampling  under  foot,  and  the  other  is 
still  above  his  head.  But  perhaps  the  most  remarkable 
of  the  symbols  carved  on  this  stone  is  the  representation 
of  a  fish.  We  know  that  the  idea  of  this  symbol  was 
derived  from  the  Greek  word  for  fish  (ix^s),  which 
contains  the  initials  of  the  words  (which  stand  in  Greek 
for)  "  Jesus  Christ  the  Son  of  God  the  Saviour."  This 
Christian  symbol,  which  was  so  common  in  the  Catacombs 
at  Rome,  ceased  to  be  used  in  Italy  in  the  fifth  century ; 
and  although  it  is  found  more  than  once  in  our  early 
manuscripts,  it  is  said  to  occur  on  only  one  tomb  in 
Ireland.  On  the  monumental  stone  from  the  Isle  of  Man 
there  is  observable  a  small  cross  inscribed  on  the  shaft 
of  the  large  one,  and  which  seems  to  rise  out  of,  and 
stand  on,  the  body  of  an  intwined  serpent:  the  arms 
of  this  cross  are  strangely  interlaced  in  a  manner  which 
I  believe  is  peculiar  to  the  Isle  of  Man.  I  am  indebted 
to  the  kindness  of  the  Rev.  T.  T.  Smith,  of  Southport, 
for  the  sketch  of  this  monument,  which  I  produce.  He 
also  mentioned  to  me  a  curious  circumstance  regarding 
three  churches  in  the  island.  The  churches  of  Rushen, 
Lezayre,  and  the  Dhoon,  are  all  dedicated  to  the  Holy 
Trinity,  and  are  called  Kirk  Christ.  These  churches 
were  doubtless  founded  by  the  Norse,  or  Northmen,  who 
governed  the  Isle  of  Man,  at  first  as  independent  kings 
or  princes,  and  afterwards  as  kings  subject  to  the  over 
lordship,  first  of  the  kings  of  Scotland,  and  afterwards  of 
the  kings  of  England,  until  Edward  III.  deposed  the 
last  Danish,  or  Norse  Queen.  I  believe  the  Isle  of  Man 
was  at  one  time  included  in  a  Norwegian  diocese.  Now 
we  have  in  Ireland  a  notable  church  which  was  founded 
by  Scandinavian  rovers;  it  was  dedicated  to  the  Holy 
Trinity,  and  that  church  is  now  commonly  called  Christ 
Church  Cathedral,  Dublin.  Is  it  a  peculiarity  of  these 
foundations  to  be  dedicated  to  the  Holy  Trinity,  and  to 
be  called  Christ  Church  ? 

I  submit  for  inspection  of  this  meeting  of  the 
R.H.A. A.I.  a  coin  struck  in  the  Isle  of  Man  during  the 
period  that  the  Dukes  of  Athol  were  kings  of  that 
island. 


INSCRIBED  MONUMENTAL  STONE,  ISLE  OF  MAN,  ETC.       441 

At  the  Waterford  Meeting,  Mr.  Robert  Day  ex- 
hibited a  very  beautiful  collection  of  flint  arrow-heads 
from  America.  Many  of  them  were  similar  to  those 
found  in  Ireland.  It  has  always  been  a  difficulty  to 
me  to  understand  how  these  arrow-heads  were  fastened 
into  the  shafts,  there  being  apparently  no  way  of  lashing 
them  on,  or  otherwise  securing  them. 

To  the  Rev.  T.  T.  Smith  I  am  indebted  also  for  some 
observations  regarding  the  Cree  Indians  (amongst  whom 
he  once  lived),  which  illustrate  the  customs  that  pre- 
vailed in  this  country  in  pre-historic  times. 

The  Indians  shoot  wild  duck  with  blunt  arrows 
which  have  a  little  knob  on  the  top  of  the  shaft,  and 
these  arrows  are  fired  with  such  force  that  they  stun  the 
birds,  and  in  this  manner  they  are  caught. 

An  Indian  brought  one  01  these  arrow-heads  to  Mr. 
Smith,  who  asked  him  how  it  was  fastened  to  the 
shaft.  The  Indian  told  him  that  the  "  old  people"  who 
used  flint  arrow-heads  inserted  them  in  a  slit  made  in 
these  blunt  shafts  by  piercing  the  knob  at  the  top  (in 
much  the  same  way  as  we  would  insert  anything  we 
wished  to  preserve  in  a  clip),  and  when  they  fired  at  any 
large  game,  such  as  deer,  the  force  with  which  the  arrow 
struck  inserted  the  flint  head  in  the  animal,  and  the 
shaft  dropped  off  uninjured,  and  was  picked  up,  when- 
ever possible,  for  future  use.  Doubtless  arrow-heads 
were  used  in  the  same  way  in  Ireland. 

Mr.  Smith  also  mentioned  that  these  Indians,  when 
they  could  not  procure  suitable  utensils  from  the  traders, 
were  in  the  habit  of  boiling  meat  in  vessels  made  of 
birch-bark  sewn  with  the  fibrous  roots  of  the  pine.  These 
vessels  they  filled  with  water,  and  then  boiled  the  meat 
by  dropping  in  hot  stones.  This  they  were  readily  able 
to  do,  although  birch-bark  is  a  highly  inflammable 
substance.  Now  that  method  of  cooking  is  exactly  the 
same  in  principle  as  had  been  sometimes  adopted  in 
Ireland,  when  meat  was  cooked  in  skin  bags. 


(     442     ) 


NOTES  ON  KERRY  TOPOGRAPHY,  ANCIENT  AND  MODERN. 

Continued  from  page  500,   Vol.   VII.,  Fourth  Series.} 
BY  MISS  HICKSON. 

OP  the  next  rural  deanery  of  Ardfert  Diocese,  only  the  two  first  letters 
of  the  name  are  decipherable  in  the  Papal  Taxation  of  1291-1300  ;  but  it 
evidently  comprehended  the  western  and  south-western  portions  of  Corca- 
guiny  from  Dunquin,  bordering  on  the  Atlantic  to  the  neighbourhood  of 
Castlemaine  or  Killorglin,  and  the  western  side  of  the  Brandon  Mountains. 
Amongst  the  earlier  records  in  London  there  is  a  grant  of  "  Ossuerus 
Cantred,"  in  Kerry,  from  King  John  to  Fitz  Nicholas,  either  a  Fitz  Gerald 
or  a  Fitz  Maurice.  The  word  "  Ossuerus"  maybe  a  corruption  of  0' Sheas, 
a  tribe  that,  in  the  twelfth  century,  possessed  a  large  portion  of  Corca- 
guiny,  as  we  shall  hereafter  see. 

DEC  DE  Os  .... 

£    3.  d. 

Eccia  de  Donetyn, 400  decia  8*.  Od. 

Eccia  de  Fly  ...  aghit,           .         .         .         .  180  decia  2*.  9Jrf. 

Eccia  de  Kendromma,        .         .         .         .         .  0134  decia  Is.  4rf. 

Eccia  de  Rath  (1)  eyn, 0  10     0  decia  Is.  Qd. 

Eccia  de  Dunaghny, 100  decia  2s.  Qd. 

Eccia  de  Bungles, 100  decia  2s.  Qd. 

Eccia  de  Kilmelkedar  p.  vicario   Rec.    ejusdem 

eccie  Philip  Cancellar  Arthfert  ilia  rectoria 

e.  ej.  pbendem,           168  decia  2s.  8d. 

Eccia  de  Iveragh, 168  decia  2s.  8d. 

Eccia  de  Gorienath, 168  decia  2s.  8d. 

Eccia  de  Kinard  p.  vicario,        .         .         .         .  0  10     0  decia  Is.  Qd. 

Eccia  de  Mynard  p.  vicario,       .         .         .         .  050  decia  Os.  Qd. 

Eccia  de  Ardnegaltin, 068  decia  Os.  8d. 

Eccia  de  Villa  Pontis, 0134  decia  Is.  4d. 

Eccia  de  Inse  p.  vicario 045  decia  Os.  b^d. 

Sm.  taxacois  £14  10s.  9d.     Inde  decia  £1  9s.  pb.  &c. 

^  The  Eccia  de  Donetyn,  at  the  head  of  this  list,  I  was  inclined  to  iden- 
tify with  the  ancient  church  of  Dunquin  parish,  in  the  extreme  west  of 
Corcaguiny.  But  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Reeves,  Lord  Bishop  of  Down  and 
Connor,  thinks  that  the  Donetyn  is  a  corruption  of  Daingean,  the  old 
Irish  name  of  Dingle.  If  Dingle  was  in  1291— before  the  creation  of  the 
earldom  of  Desmond  and  the  palatinate,  as  it  has  been  since  A.  D.  1400 — 
the  chief  town  of  the  barony  and  a  prosperous  little  port,  its  church 
would  probably  have  been  the  highest  rated  on  this  list  as  Donetyn  is. 
But  it  seems  probable  that  Smerwick  was  the  chief  port  of  Corcaguiny  in 
very  early  times,  as  Fenit,  not  Tralee,  was  the  chief  port  of  Trughen- 
acmy  barony.  The  oldest  Irish  records  of  Dingle  call  it  Daingean  ui 
Chuis;  and  in  the  16th  century  its  chief  burgesses  told  Sir  Nicholas 
White  that  the  original  name  was  Daingean  de  Cousa,  after  an  old 
English  settler,  De  Cousa,  who  had  a  castle  there.  In  this  case  it  is 
likely  that  the  final  words  would  not  have  been  omitted  from  the  name  in 
the  Taxation,  but  that  it  would  have  been  called  Ecclesia  de  Donetyn  ui 


NOTES  ON  KERRY  TOPOGRAPHY,  ANCIENT  AND  MODERN.  443 

Chuis,  or  Eccia  de   Donetynes,  or  some   similar   attempt  at  the   Irish 
name,  such  as  the  scribe  attempted  in  the  case  of  many  other  churches. 
It  is  also  to  be  noted  that,  in  this   Corcaguiny  list,   the  names  of  the 
churches  on  the  mainland,   from   the  church  of  Kendromma — i.e.  -the 
modern  Kildrum  parish — seem,  to  have  been  set  down,  one  after  the  other, 
from  the  west  to  the  east.     However  this  maybe — and  Dr.  Reeve's  great 
learning  and  careful  examination  of  the  original  MS.  give  his  opinion, 
needless  to  say,  immense  weight  (although  I  believe  he  is  not  familiar 
with  the  district  between  Dunquin  and  Dingle,  from  having  personally 
examined  its   antiquities) — Dunquin  parish  was,   in  very  early  times, 
evidently  an  important  centre   of  missionary  work.      The  ruins  of  its 
ancient  parish  church  stood  on  the  townland  of  Ballintemple  ;  and  near  it 
is  a  place  called  Vicarstown,  the  ecclesiastical  ruins  of  which  are  said  to 
have  been  extensive,  but  they  have  been  swept  away,  like  those  of  the 
church,  to  build  modern  cottages  and  fences.     There  is  a  "  calluragh"  at 
Vicarstown,  and  a  penitential  station  and  stone  cross,  with  gallauns.    On 
Coomenole — a  townland  of  Dunquin,  but  bordering  on  a  portion  of  Ballin- 
voher  parish,   which  (in  modern  times,   at  least)  is  oddly  sandwiched 
between  Dunquin  and  Ventry  parishes — are  a  number  of  cloghauns  and  a 
calluragh.     On  the  adjoining  townland  of  Glenfahan,  which  now  forms 
part  of  this  outlying  portion  of  Ballinvoher  parish,  but  which  in  ancient 
times  may  have  been  part  of  Dunquin  (rede,  Dun  caoin,  Beautiful  Fort)  is 
the  extraordinary  collection  of  cloghauns  and  stone  enclosures,  the  veri- 
table pre-historic  city  of  Fahan.  described  by  Curry  in  his  lectures  on  the 
Manners  and  Customs  of  the  Ancient  frisk;  also  by  Lord  Dunraven,  and 
by  Petrie.     A  little  to  the  east  of  Fahan  are  the  ruined  church  of  Team- 
pull  Beg  and  several  gallauns.     The  next  church  on  the  list,  Eccia  de 
Fly  .  .  .  aghit,  is  probably  a  barbarous  corruption  of  Ecclesia  de  Fionn- 
traigh,  or  Fionn-traght,  the  modern  Ventry.    In  the  copy  of  the  Taxation 
which  I  obtained  from  the  London  Public  Record  Office  in  1880,  the 
official  copyist  found  this  second  name  on  the  above  list  beyond  his  power 
to  decipher,   time  and  wear  had  rendered  it  so  illegible ;    but  in  the 
Calendar,  edited  by  the  late  Mr.  Sweetman,  continued  by  Mr.  Handcock, 
and  printed  in  1886,  it  is  set  down  by  the  former  as  "  Fly . . .  aghit,"  and 
corrected  by  the  latter  to  "Fynnaghit"  (v.  Cal.,  text  p.  297,  corrigenda 
p.  xviii.).     The  almost  certainty  is,  that  whichever  of  the  two  spellings 
be  that  of  the  old  MS.,  the  church  meant  is  the  church  of  Fionn-traigh, 
now  Ventry.     The  old  scribe  put  a  y  for  the  i,  and  may  have  omitted  the 
t  at  the  beginning  of  the  last  syllable,  although  he  preserved  the  second 
at  the  end.     Old  Ventry  church,  in  ruins,  stands — or  stood  a  few  years 
ago — close  to  the  harbour  of  the  Fionn-traigh,   i.e.  the  white  strand. 
There  is  another  older  Teampull  Beg,  a  holy  well  dedicated  to  St.  Bran- 
don, and  a  calluragh,  a  little  to  the  north-west  of  Ventry  church. 

The  Eccia  de  Kendromma  of  the  Taxation  was  evidently  the  church 
of  the  parish  now  known  as  Kildrum,  lying  to  the  north  and  west  of 
Dingle  and  Ventry  parishes.  On  the  Ordnance  map  of  Kildrum  two 
ancient  churches  are  marked,  many  forts,  gallauns,  calluraghs,  and  wells 
of  more  or  less  sanctity  in  popular  estimation.  On  the  townland  of  Kil- 
fountain  are  (recte  Cill  Fintari)  a  ruined  church,  a  calluragh,  and  monu- 
mental pillar.  On  the  neighbouring  townland  of  Ballyeightragh  is  the 
ruined  church  of  Teampull  Managhan,  with  St.  Manchan's  grave,  and  a 
monumental  pillar.  Close  to  these  is  Toiler  Managhan.  Is  this  the 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  Till.  •          2  K 


444  NOTES  ON  KERRY  TOPOGRAPHY,  ANCIENT  AND  MODERN. 

Manchan,  the  disciple  of  St.  Patrick,  u  mrum  sanctum  et  in  scripturis 
egregie  versattim,"  of  whom  an  account  is  given  in  the  Rev.  J.  Shearman's 
interesting  "Loca  Patriciana,"  No.  X.,  in  the  4th  volume  of  the  4th 
series  of  the  Journal  ?  According  to  that  Paper,  Manchan  was  a  fellow- 
student  of  St.  Patrick  in  Gaul,  accompanied  him  to  Focluyd,  and  was 
subsequently  superior  of  the  school  founded  by  him  at  Rossnant  in  South 
Wales,  called  by  the  Irish  Gill  Muine,  the  Church  of  the  Brake  or 
Shrubbery,  and  by  Latin  writers  Menevia.  The  Rev.  J.  Shearman's 
theories  respecting  the  later  years  and  the  death  of  Manchan  at  Kildare 
are,  of  course,  quite  inconsistent  with  the  tradition  that  he  was  buried  at 
Teampull  Managhan  in  Corcaguiny.  But  Mr.  Shearman  does  not  put  them 
forth  as  more  than  theories  and  speculations,  based  on  certain  passages 
which  he  found  in  different  old  MSS.  and  in  Colgan.  A  little  to  the 
south  of  St.  Managhan's  Well  are  two  others,  called  respectively  Tobler- 
breda  (Bridget's  Well  ?)  and  Tobereendoney,  which  Dr.  Joyce  interprets 
the  Well  of  the  King  of  Sunday  (Irish  Names  of  Places,  1st  series,  p.  108). 

The  Eccia  de  Rath  .  .  .  which  follows  that  of  Kendromma  on  the  list, 
was  probably  a  church  which  stood  in  or  near  Hath  Fhionain,  now 
Rahinnane,  in  the  extreme  west  of  Ventry  parish,  bordering  on  Marhin 
parish.  This  is  not  the  Finan  of  Innisfallen  and  Swords,  but  another 
saint  of  that  name,  who  was  born  in  Corcaguiny,  of  the  royal  race  of 
Duibhne,  who  gave  his  name  to  the  barony,  grandson  of  Conaire  II., 
King  of  Munster,  A.D.  123.  This  St.  Finan' s  church  or  oratory  is  still 
to  be  seen  at  Lough  Ctirrane,  in  Iveragh,  near  Derrynane,  which  place  was 
also  called  after  him,  Daire  Fhionain,  i.  e.  the  Oak  Grove  of  Finan.  John 
Hill  Burton,  the  learned  historian  of  Scotland,  in  his  delightful  little 
volume,  The  Book-hunter,  in  the  course  of  some  instructive  remarks  on 
the  ancient  ruined  churches  of  Scotland  and  Ireland,  says  : — "  I  shall 
not  easily  forget  how,  once  accompanying  a  piscatorial  friend  on  the 
Lough  of  Currane,  near  Ballinskelligs,  in  Kerry,  I  stepped  on  a  small 
island  to  visit  a  Norman  ruin  there,  and  saw,  beside  that  ruin  and  a  stone 
cross,  one  of  those  small  rough  domes,  testifying,  by  its  venerable  sim- 
plicity, that  it  had  stood  there  three  centuries  before  the  Norman  church 
rose  beside  it."  (Book-hunter,  p.  373.) 

Archdall,  in  his  notice  of  Kinnity  Abbey,  in  King's  County,  another 
foundation  of  St.  Finan — Caum  as  he  was  called — says  that  he  was  a  pupil 
of  St.  Brendan  of  Clonfert,  the  Trughenacmy  saint,  and  that  he  died  circa 
655,  so  that  his  oratory  or  church  at  Lough  Currane  was  built,  not  three, 
but  probably  five  centuries  before  the  English  invasion,  and  prior,  of 
course,  to  the  famous  synod  of  Whitby,  where  the  Irish  clergy  asserted 
their  spiritual  descent  from  the  Eastern  Churches  of  St.  John,  and  refused 
to  adopt  the  ecclesiastical  usages  of  Latin  Christianity.  An  interesting 
account  of  the  stately  ruined  castle  of  Rahinnane  (owned  in  1590  by  the 
Knights  of  Kerry,  and  which  stands  within  the  ancient  Rath  Fhionain) 
will  be  found  in  the  Kilkenny  Archaological  Journal  for  1854-55,  with 
an  admirable  picture  of  both  castle  and  fort.  Mr.  Handcock  has  corrected 

Mr.  Sweetman's  Eccia  de  Rath to  Eccia  de  Rath .  .  .  (l)eyn  ;  but  the 

I  in  his  parentheses  was  probably  an  ill- written  /  in  the  original,  making 
Rathfeyn — the  old  English  scribe's  attempt  at  Rathfhionain  (v.  Joyce's 
1st  series  of  Names  of  Places,  p.  144).  There  are  caves  and  long  sub- 
terraneous passages  beneath  Rathfhionain  which  have  never  been  fully 
explored.  They  are  supposed  by  the  peasantry  to  communicate  with  the 


NOTES  ON  KERRY  TOPOGRAPHY,  ANCIENT  AND  MODERN.      445 

townland  of  Ballineanig  nearly  two  miles  distant,  in  the  parish  of  Marhin. 
There  are  monumental  stones,  gallauns,  an  ancient  rained  church,  and  a 
well  called  Tubbermolaga,  in  Marhin  parish,  which  does  not  appear  (under 
that  name  at  least)  in  the  Taxation  of  1291.  It  may,  at  that  time,  have 
been  included  in  Ventry  parish,  The  Eccia  de  Dunaghny  of  the  Taxation 
was  probably  the  church  of  the  present  parish  of  Dunurlin,  lying  to  the 
north  of  Dunquin  and  to  the  west  of  Smerwick  harbour.  Dunurlin  parish 
church  has  long  been  swept  away ;  but  the  district  around  its  site,  and  on 
the  shores  of  Smerwick  harbour,  is  full  of  remains  most  interesting  to  the 
antiquary  and  the  historian,1  One  of  the  townlands  of  Dunurlin  is  called 
Ballyaglisha  (the  Town  of  the  Church),  and  near  it  is  a  penitential  station, 
with  a  stone  cross,  and  the  site  of  a  church  called  Kilbeg ;  while  the 
neighbouring  graveyard  of  Kilmore  shows  that  two  churches  probably 
existed  there  in  ancient  times.  On  the  neighbouring  townland  of  Bally- 
ferriter  are  a  stone  cross  and  holy  wells,  one  of  which  is  dedicated  to  St. 
Brendan. 

The  sixth  church  on  the  above  list,  Eccia  de  Du  .  .  .  .,  appears  in  Mr. 
Handcock's  Corrigenda  as  "  Eccia  de  Dungles,"  which  I  cannot  help 
thinking  is  an  attempt  at  Dinglechuis,  the  corruption  of  Daingean  ui 
Chuis.  According  to  Archdall,  there  was  a  monastery  at  Dingle  in  very 
early  times,  a  cell  from  the  abbey  of  Killagh — to  be  noticed  herafter, 
Modern  "improvements"  (?),  rural  and  urban,  have  cleared  away  many 
of  the  antiquities  of  Dingle  parish,  but  a  few  gallauns,  lioses,  and 
cloghauns  remain.  At  the  west  side  of  Dingle  harbour — near  Burnham 
House,  the  seat  of  Lord  Ventry — is  a  monumental  pillar,  a  "  station," 
and  holy  well  dedicated  to  St.  Michael ;  and  on  the  east  side  are  townlands 
called  Ballintaggart  (the  Town  of  the  Priest),  Kilnegleragh  (the  Wood  of 
the  Clergy,  or  more  probably  the  Church  of  the  Clergy),  and  Garrana- 
braher  (the  Garden  of  the  Friars).  The  last  is  mentioned  in  the  list  of  the 
forfeited  possessions  of  the  Dominican  friary  of  Tralee,  taken  in  1587,  as 
consisting  of  two  acres,  with  a  house  in  decay  thereon.  It  was  probably 
the  site  of  the  old  Dingle  monastery  of  Canons  Eegular,  which  was 
granted  by  Desmond  to  the  Dominicans ;  and  Kilnegleragh  may  have  been 
another  portion  of  the  Canons'  possessions. 

The  Eccia  de  Kilmelkedar  is,  of  course,  the  well-known  fine  ruin  near 
Smerwick,  described  by  Mr.  Hill  in  the  Journal,  R.H.A.A.I.,  byPetrie, 
by  Lord  Dunraven,  and  others.  The  eighth  church  in  the  list  is  set 
down  in  Mr.  Handcock's  Corrigenda  as  Eccia  de  Iveragh.  The  three  last 
letters  "  agh  "  were  all  that  Mr.  Sweetman  could  decipher  ;  and  they  are 
all  that  appeared  in  the  copy  made  for  me  in  1881.  One  would  have 
expected  to  find  the  chief  church  of  Iveragh  barony  in  the  deanery  of 
Aghadoe — to  be  noticed  hereafter — yet  it  is  not  unlikely  that  it  was 
really  included  among  the  Corcaguiny  churches.  In  the  curious  map  of 
Iveragh  barony,  drawn  between  1590  and  1600  (and  preserved  in  the 
Carew  MSS.,  Lambeth  Library),  there  are  a  great  number  of  churches 
marked.  By  referring  to  the  fac-simile  of  this  map  in  my  second  volume 
of  Old  Kerry  Records,  printed  in  1874,  it  will  be  seen  that  Logh  Currane 


1  Here  at  Smerwick,  the  Little  Revenge,  ballad,  did  her  first  good  service  against 

Drake's  ship  in  the  Armada  fight,    and  the  Spaniards  in  1580. — See  the  curious 

Grenville's   in  the  fight   off  the  Azores,  picture  of  the  fleet  at  Smerwick,  preserved 

celebrated    in    Lord    Tennyson's    finest  in  the  Record  Office,  London. 

2K2 


446    NOTES  ON  KERRY  TOPOGRAPHY,  ANCIENT  AND  MODERN. 

is  there  called  Logh  Legh ;  and  that  on  the  island  in  the  logh,  the 
church  of  St.  Finan  Caum,  of  Corcaguiny,  with  a  large  cross  on  its  gable, 
is  conspicuous.  Iveragh  (rede,  Ui  Rathach}  was,  according  to  O'Donovan, 
the  ancient  territory  of  the  0' Sheas,  who,  with  the  O'Falveys,  were  of 
the  race  of  Corcaduibkne.  The  same  high  authority  tells  us  (v.  his  notes 
to  O'Heerin's  Topography)  that  the  O'Falveys,  shortly  after  1172,  possessed 
Corcaguiny  as  far  as  Ventry;  while  their  kinsmen,  the  0' Sheas,  were 
lords  of  Iveragh.  Under  those  circumstances,  it  was  natural  that  the 
Logh  Currane  church  of  St.  Finan  Caum,  a  native  of  Corcaguiny,  should 
be  included  in  the  rural  deanery  of  that  barony. 

The  Eccia  de  Gorienath  of  the  Taxation  was  probably  the  old  church  of 
Garfinnagh  parish,  to  the  east  of  Dingle,  and  long  in  ruins.  Around  it 
are  many  cloghauns,  lioses,  and  gallauns.  One  of  the  Hoses  is  called 
Liosgallach  (the Lios of  the  Standing  Stones);  another  is  Liossawalla.  But 
the  most  interesting  remains  in  Garfinnagh  are  a  monumental  pillar,  and 
a  well  dedicated  to  St.  Martin  and  called  Tubber  Martin.  Close  by  these, 
but  in  the  next  parish  of  Kinard,  on  a  townland  called  Churchfield,  is  the 
ancient  Church  of  St.  Martin.  This  church,  which  Lord  Dunraven 
believed  to  have  been  built  in  the  eighth  century,  may  have  been  that 
mentioned  in  the  Taxation  ;  but  another  ruined  church  stands  on  a  town- 
land  called  Tobbermoodane,  south  of  Churchfield.  A  little  to  the  north  of 
St.  Martin's  Church  is  a  fine  fort  called  Fohernanallanagh,  with  pillar- 
stones.  The  word  seems  to  be  the  Fort  of  the  Albanach,  i.e.  Scotchman 
(v.  Joyce,  2nd  series,  p.  121).  The  next  parish  to  the  east  of  Kinard  is 
Minard  ;  but  the  Eccia  de  Mynard  of  the  Taxation  is  not  easy  to  identify. 
There  is  a  large  central  townland  of  Minard  parish  called  Aglish,  which 
shows  that  a  church  once  stood  thereon,  bnt  no  trace  of  it  remains, 
although  an  old  graveyard  (still  used)  probably  indicates  its  site.  Near 
this  graveyard  are  gallauns,  a  curious  stone  circle,  and  a  monumental 
pillar.  In  the  south-east  corner  of  Minard  parish  is  a  townland  called 
Kilmurry,  on  which  is  a  ruined  church  of  the  same  name ;  and  close  by 
is  St.  John  the  Baptist's  well,  which  is  visited  twice  in  the  year  by 
devotees  from  all  parts  of  the  district  around  Dingle.  The  name  of  the 
ruined  church  of  Kilmurry  (according  to  Dr.  Joyce,  Cill-Mhuire,  i.e.  the 
Church  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary)  does  not  appear  in  the  Taxation  ;  so  I 
am  inclined  to  think  that  the  Eccia  de  Mynard  which  it  does  mention  was 
an  ancient  church  on  Aglish  large  townland,  in  the  centre  of  Minard  parish ; 
and  that  the  Kilmurry  church,  which  is  close  to  the  ruined  Geraldine 
fortress  of  Minard  Castle,  was  erected  by  that  family  after  1307,  when, 
perhaps,  the  Eccia  de  Mynard  on  Aglish  had  fallen  to  decay,  or  become  too 
small  for  the  district. 

The  Eccia  de  Ardnegaltin  of  the  Taxation  may  have  been  a  church 
on  the  western  verge  of  Glannagalt,  but  it  seems  possible  that  the  word 
is  a  corruption  of  Ardnagallaun,  and  that  it  refers  to  some  church  which 
once  stood  on  the  townland  of  Ardnamore,  near  Aglish  townland.  There 
are  several  curious  groups  of  gallauns  on  Ardnamore,  and  on  the  next  town- 
land  of  Aghacarrible  is  a  fort  called  Liosnakilla.  A  little  to  the  south  of 
this  fort  are  several  cloghauns.  The  Eccia  de  Villa  Pontis  is  still  more 
difficult  to  identify.  No  Bridgetown,  or  Ballindreghid — the  English  and 
the  Irish  equivalents  of  this  word — now  appear  in  Corcaguiny,  or  (as  far 
as  I  am  aware)  in  Iveragh,  Trughenacmy,  or  Magunihy.  One  townland 
alone,  lying  in  Ballinacourty  parish,  adjoining  Minard  parish,  may  be 


NOTES  ON  KERRY  TOPOGRAPHY,  ANCIENT  AND  MODERN.      447 

taken  as  representing  in  very  early  times  the  Villa  Pontis  of  the  Taxation, 
that  is,  Ballinclare,  as  it  is  now  called,  where  a  well-known  Kerry  fair 
is  held.  Dr.  Joyce  says  (Irish  Names,  2nd  Series,  p.  218)  that  in  old 
Irish  the  word  clar,  which  means  literally  a  plank,  was  sometimes  applied 
to  a  plank  bridge  over  a  ford,  and  he  adds  that  the  people  of  the  village 
of  Clare,  on  the  river  Fergus,  have  a  tradition  that  the  place  owes  its 
name  to  such  a  bridge,  which  once  crossed  that  river,  and  that  ultimately 
the  name  was  transferred  to  the  whole  county  (Irish  Names,  1st  Series, 
p.  389).  It  is  true  that  he  seems  to  think  that  the  name  Ballinclare,  in 
Munster,  generally  means  the  town  of  the  level  plain,  "the  old  form 
claar,  glossing  tabula"  being  sometimes  applied  to  a  plain.  Eut  the 
Corcaguiny  Ballinclare  cannot  be  said  to  be  on  a  level  plain,  and  as  a 
good-sized  river  the  Owenascaul,  swelled  by  two  or  three  tributaries, 
flows  through  a  small  townland  called  Gurteen  (i.e.  the  Little  Field), 
adjoining  the  present  Ballinclare,  but  which  probably,  in  ancient  times, 
formed  part  of  it,  the  strong  probability  is,  that  a  claar,  or  ancient  plank 
bridge  once  existed  here,  and  that  close  to  it  was  the  Villa  Pontis  of  the 
Taxation  of  1291.  Dr.  Joyce  observes  that  those  ancient  plank  bridges 
were  generally  placed  over  a  ford,  either  directly  from  bank  to  bank,  or 
else  resting  on  rocks  in  the  water  (Irish  Names,  2nd  Series,  p.  218),  and 
he  says  that  Anascaul,  the  modern  village  on  the  Owenascaul  river,  seems 
to  be  the  * '  Anglicised  representative  otAth-na-scal,  the  Ford  of  the  Heroes  " 
(ibid.,  p.  105).  A  glance  at  the  Ordnance  Townland,  or  Parish  Map 
(No.  44)  of  Corcaguiny  will  show  that  the  present  village  of  the  Ath-na- 
scal,  or  Anascaul,  stands  on  the  said  little  townland  of  Gurteen,  imme- 
diately adjoining  Ballinclare,  but  which,  as  I  have  said,  probably  formed 
part  of  it  in  1291.  The  present  Protestant  church,  and  the  late  Roman 
Catholic  church  of  Anascaul  stand  close  to  the  stone  bridge,  which  now 
spans  the  Ath,  or  ford,  and  just  above  this  modern  bridge  is  a  row  of 
stepping-stones,  or  rocks,  on  which  the  ancient  Claar  probably  rested. 
Ballin  (the  town)  Claar  (the  plank  bridge),  over  the  ford  on  the  Owenscal 
river  would  therefore  seem  to  be  identical  with  the  Villa  Pontis,  or  Town 
of  the  Bridge,  of  the  Taxation.  No  other  place  in  Corcaguiny  corresponds 
with  the  old  Latin  name.  There  is  a  holy  well  at  Ballinclare,  called 
Tullernacrosha  (the  Well  of  the  Cross),  and  nearly  on  aline  with  it,  a  few 
yards  to  the  west,  is  a  fine  triple-fenced  dun  called  Doonclaur,  on  the 
before-mentioned  Ordnance  Map,  beyond  which,  a  little  further  westward, 
is  another  holy  well  called  Tublereendoney ,  i.e.  the  Well  of  the  King  of 
Sunday.  Those  names  indicate  an  early  ecclesiastical  settlement  at 
Ballinclare.  The  old  glebe  lands  of  Anascaul  lay  partly  in  Gurteen,  and 
partly  in  Ballinclare  townland.  Both  are  in  the  present  parish  of  Ballina- 
courty,  but  it  seems  probable  that  this  name  was  only  given  to  the 
district  in  1329,  more  than  thirty  years  after  the  Taxation  of  Pope 
Nicholas  was  made.  In  that  year  Maurice  Fitz  Thomas  Fitz  Gerald  was 
created  Earl  of  Desmond,  with  a  royal  jurisdiction,  or  palatinate,  in  Kerry. 
In  right  of  this  jurisdiction  he  held  courts,  presided  over  by  his  own 
seneschals,  or  judges,  in  certain  towns  throughout  the  county,  and,  from 
the  existence  of  one  of  those  courts  near  Anascaul,  the  district  seems  to 
have  obtained  the  half  English,  half  Irish  name  of  Ballynacourty,  the 
Town  of  the  Court.  After  Gerald,  Earl  of  Desmond's  forfeiture  and  death, 
in  1584,  Ballynacourty  passed  to  Sir  Richard  Boyle,  and  we  read  in 
public  and  private  records  so  late  as  1710  of  persons  acting  under  Boyle's 


448  NOTES  ON  KERRY  TOPOGRAPHY,  ANCIENT  AND  MODERN. 

descendants  as  seneschals  of  Ballynacourty,  but  needless  to  say  with  very 
limited,  if  not  merely  nominal,  powers.  The  ruined  church  of  Ballyna- 
courty still,  I  believe,  exists  to  the  north  of  Anascaul ;  but  of  the  date  of 
its  erection,  I  can  say  nothing. 

The  Eccia  de  Inse,  which  closes  the  Corcaguiny  list,  may  have  been  a 
church  near  Inch  Island,  or  isthmus,  on  the  sea-coast  beyond  Anascaul ; 
but  it  is  more  likely  to  have  been  the  ancient  church  on  Blasquet  Mor, 
the  Great  Blasquet  off  the  south-west  coast  of  Corcaguiny,  Inse  being  the 
corruption  of  the  Latin  Insula,  or  the  Irish  Inis,  i.  e.  island.  The  Eev. 
J.  Shearman  has  an  interesting  notice  of  the  connection  of  St.  Grigoir, 
or  Gregory,  a  native  of  Corcaguiny,  with  the  Blasquet  Islands  and  the  Isles 
of  Aran.  Off  both  island  groups  there  is  a  strait  or  sound  called  St. 
Gregory's  Sound,  and  this  Corcaguiny  saint  was  probably  the  patron  of 
the  ancient  church  on  Blasquet  Mor.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Shearman  says 
(Journal,  vol.  iv.,  Fourth  Series,  p.  243)  that  St.  Grigoir,  or  Gregory  of 
the  Corcaduibhne,  lived  nearly  two  centuries  later  than  Pope  Gregory  the 
Great,  although  by  a  mistake  of  modern  times  they  are  said  to  have  been 
contemporaries.  But  in  a  preceding  page  Mr.  Shearman  gives  a  brief 
pedigree  of  St.  Grigoir,  which  makes  him  tenth  in  descent  from  Conaire, 
King  of  Ireland  in  A.  D.  212-220.  According  to  the  received  rule  which 
allows  thirty  years  to  each  generation,  this  pedigree  would  bring  us 
to  A.D.  520  as  the  year  of  St.  Grigoir's  birth.  Gregory,  Bishop  of 
Rome,  became  Pope  in  A.D.  590,  so  that  it  is  just  possible  that  St. 
Grigoir  of  Corcaguiny  may  have  been  a  contemporary  of  the  Pope  who 
sent  St.  Augustine  to  convert  the  southern  English  in  A.D.  597.  But  as 
Pope  Gregory's  legate's  letters  unquestionably  show  that  the  Irish 
Church  of  A.D.  597-650  refused  to  hold  communion  with  Augustine  and 
his  followers,  it  is  extremely  unlikely  that  Grigoir  of  Corcaguiny,  or  his 
countryman  and  brother- cleric,  Dagaman  (mentioned  in  the  said  letters) 
held  much  intercourse  with  Pope  Gregory  the  Great  or  was  called  after 
him.  If  the  pedigree  allowed  us  to  believe  that  Grigoir  did  live  (as  Mr. 
Shearman  states)  in  A.D.  797  or  A.D.  800,  we  could  of  course  admit  that 
he  probably  assumed  the  name  of  the  great  Pope  who  laboured  so 
zealously  for  the  conversion  of  the  southern  English.  But  the  pedigree, 
as  given  by  the  Rev.  J.  Shearman,  seems  to  be  quite  inconsistent  with 
his  further  statement  that  St.  Grigoir  was  living  circa  A.D.  800.  He 
adds— no  doubt  quite  correctly — that  St.  Grigoir  was  the  patron  of  an 
ancient  church  at  the  now  famous  Glanbegh,  in  Iveragh,  but  that  the 
feast  of  Gregory  the  Pope  is  now  observed  as  the  "  patron"  day  of 
that  parish  on  March  12th.  It  is  very  easy  to  understand  how,  after  the 
union  of  the  English  and  Irish  Churches  in  the  eighth  century,  still  more 
after  the  English  invasion  of  1172,  the  memory  of  the  old  Corcaguiny 
St.  Grigoir  of  the  sixth  century  became  eclipsed  by  that  of  his  more 
celebrated  namesake,  Gregory  the  Great,  whom  both  churches  then 
recognized  as  the  supreme  head  of  the  Christian  Church. 


(To  be  continued.) 


(     449 


A  NOTICE  OF  THE  CAREER  OF  SHANE  O'NEILL  (SURNAME!) 
AN  DIOMAIS,  on  "  THE  PROUD  "),  PRINCE  OF  TIRO  WEN, 
1520-1567. 

BY  THOMAS   O'GORMAN. 

FROM  the  days  of  Henry  II.  of  England  till  those  of  his  eighth  name- 
sake nearly  four  hundred  years  of  war,  rapine,  and  disorder  had  passed 
over,  and  the  conquest  of  Ireland  was  not  yet  an  accomplished  fact. 

Though  the  general  purport  of  history  would  lead  us  to  imagine  that 
the  kings  of  England  at  this  period  ruled  Ireland  as  they  did  their  native 
domain,  the  State  Papers  left  by  English  officials  of  the  day  tell  a  different 
tale,  and  indicate  that  after  the  expenditure  of  much  blood  and  treasure, 
through  many  centuries,  the  power  of  England  in  Ireland,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  sixteenth  century,  was  in  a  precarious  position.  Thus  we 
tind  the  Anglo-Irish  Council,  in  its  communications  to  London  head- 
quarters, acknowledging  the  "great  decay"  into  which  the  English 
kings'  authority  had  fallen  in  the  land  they  were  called  on  to  govern, 
and  that  neither  the  English  order,  tongue,  nor  habit  was  used,  nor  were 
the  English  kings'  laws  obeyed  beyond  the  district  of  the  English  Pale, 
which,  it  is  to  be  observed,  had  been  gradually  encroached  upon  by  the 
Irish,  till  it  included  only  one-half  of  its  original  size,  viz.  half  of  the 
counties  Louth,  Meath,  Dublin,  and  Kildare1.  But  even  within  this 
English  Pale  itself  the  symptoms  of  a  break-up  were  apparent.  Sir 
William  Darcie,  in  his  Paper  on  the  "  Decay  of  Ireland"  (1515),  pre- 
sented to  the  English  kings'  Council  at  Greenwich,  says,  when  speaking 
of  the  Pale,  or  the  four  shires,  which  should  obey  the  kings'  laws,  "  all 
the  kings'  subjects  be  near  hand  Irish,  and  wear  their  habits,  and  use 
their  tongue,  so  as  they  are  clean  gone  and  decayed."1  The  Anglo-Irish 
Council  further  remark  that  the  whole  country  had  in  effect  become 
Irish,  and  worse  still,  that  black  rent  and  tributes  were  paid  by  the 
kings'  subjects  to  the  Irish  princes.2 

These  statements  (and  there  are  many  similar  remaining  in  the  State 
Papers  of  the  time)  convey  very  little  idea  of  real  conquest :  indeed  it  is 
pretty  clear  that  a  general  and  cordial  union  of  the  native  princes  and 
their  forces  was  alone  required  to  drive  the  invaders  from  their  soil.  But 
such  a  union  was  not  to  be  found  amongst  Irishmen — their  own  petty 
feuds  and  apparent  interests  received  their  first  care,  and  in  their 
suicidal  strifes  their  country  was  forgotten. 

This  fatal  want  of  union  amongst  the  Irish  clearly  arose  from  the 
clan  system  of  government  under  which  they  had  lived  from  time 
immemorial,  and  to  which  they  adhered  with  the  utmost  tenacity  up  to 
the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century.  One  of  the  consequences  of 
that  system  was  the  splitting-up  of  the  country  into  a  great  number  of 
petty  states,  necessarily  without  power  or  consideration,  each  being  the 
rival  or  open  enemy  of  the  other.  Thus  the  patriotism  of  each  petty 
prince  and  his  people  was  bounded  by  their  own  diminutive  territory, 


Carew  MSS.,"  1515-74.  2  Ibid. 


450         A   NOTICE    OF   THE   CAREER    OF   SHANE    O?NEILL. 

outside  of  which  the  world  had  little  interest  for  them;  beyond  that 
petty  strip  of  land  its  people  had  no  country  to  love,  and  beyond  their 
petty  chieftain  no  sovereign  to  honour.  To  the  feelings  springing  from 
such  a  system  may  be  traced  that  apparent  disunion  which  formed  so 
disastrous  a  characteristic  in  the  conduct  of  the  Irish  princes.  Another 
evil  connected  with  it  was  the  frequent  civil  wars  which  sprung  from 
the  fact  of  the  several  little  principalities  being  elective,  hence  the  near 
relatives  and  general  kindred  of  the  last  prince  were  almost  certain  to  be 
in  contention  for  the  coveted  prize.  The  outcome  of  this  state  of  things 
was  to  weaken  the  strength  of  the  clan,  and  render  it  an  easy  prey  to 
either  invader  or  native  enemy. 

There  had  been,  indeed,  in  ancient  times  a  provincial  king  who 
governed  the  clan-princes  of  his  province ;  also  an  Ard-Righ,  or  High 
King  of  Ireland,  who  governed — or  rather  was  supposed  to  govern — all 
the  other  kings.  As  a  general  rule,  however,  the  only  obedience  either 
description  of  king  obtained  was  due  to  the  length  of  his  sword.  At 
the  time  of  which  we  treat,  both  ard-righ  and  provincial  kings  had 
long  ceased  to  exist,  and  the  Irish  princes  and  their  people,  clinging  to 
laws  and  customs  suited  only  to  a  former  age,  torn  by  their  own  intestine 
feuds,  and  without  any  guiding  central  authority,  or  genuine  spirit  of 
nationality,  were  powerless  to  take  advantage  of  any  opportunity  pre- 
sented to  them  by  the  distress  of  their  invaders. 

Want  of  action  on  the  part  of  the  Irish  enabled  the  English  officials 
in  the  country  to  take  heart,  and  look  their  position  steadily  in  the  face. 
Papers  on  the  "  Reformation,"  or  ''Decay  of  Ireland,"  became  the  order 
of  the  day,  and  laws  were  promulgated,  and  schemes  devised,  for  better- 
ing the  state  of  their  affairs  and  for  extending  their  sway  over  those 
portions  of  the  country  in  which  it  was  either  unheeded  or  unknown. 

Before  proceeding  further  it  may  be  well  to  take  a  glance  at  the 
relations  which  existed  between  the  English  Crown  and  the  Irish  princes. 
The  English  monarch  affected  to  rule  Ireland  by  laws  emanating  from  his 
English  and  Anglo-Irish  Council  Boards,  whilst  the  Irish  princes  governed 
actually  (each  in  his  own  territory)  according  to  native  laws,  handed 
down  to  them  from  ancient  times.  Utterly  ignoring  the  existence  of  the 
soi-disant  lord  of  Ireland,  they  made  peace  and  war  with  each  other  at 
their  own  good  pleasure,  considering  themselves  to  be  sovereign  princes 
— as  indeed  they  were — though  of  very  small  calibre.  There  can  be  no 
doubt  that  the  great  majority  of  them  had  been  either  induced  or  com- 
pelled, as  occasion  favoured,  to  give  "  submissions"  to  the  English  king, 
by  which  they  may  be  said  to  have  abdicated  their  princely  functions, 
and  acknowledged  themselves  his  subjects,  the  first  item  in  these  docu- 
ments generally  being  a  promise  to  be  "a  faithful  liege  subject  to  the 
king."1  Yet  in  these  very  submissions  the  sovereign  power  of  the 
princes  was  acknowledged  in  fact,  though,  perhaps,  not  in  words.  Thus 
we  find  their  messengers  were  acknowledged  to  be  "ambassadors,"2  or 
" nuncios,"3  and  one  of  the  objects  of  their  mission  "to  treat  for  peace." 
Sometimes  the  document  itself  is  termed  a  "  Treaty  of  Peace."4  Amongst 
other  items  we  frequently  find  one  to  the  effect  that  "he  (the  Irish 


1  "  Carew  MSS.,"  12th  May,  1536.  3  Ibid.,  1st  July,  1535. 

2  Ibid.,  6th  May,  1531.  *  Ibid.',  12th  May,  1536. 


A   NOTICE    OF    THE    CAREER   OF    SHANE    O'NEILL.         451 

prince)  will  allow  the  kings'  subjects  to  pass  through  his  dominions  with- 
out molestation ;  and  the  Lord  Deputy  will  make  proclamation  that  all 
persons  coming  from  his  dominions  to  the  English  parts  shall  not  he 
molested,  &C.1  These  notices — taken  from  the  State  Papers  of  the  day — 
indicate  that  in  making  such  submissions  the  Irish  chiefs  did  not  con- 
sider they  were  resigning  their  princely  functions  ;  these  indentures, 
however,  were  regarded  by  the  English  as  the  submissions  of  rebellious 
subjects. 

If  the  reader  of  Irish  history  of  the  period  under  notice  will  consider 
the  effects  of  the  number  of  petty  states  into  which  Ireland  was  divided, 
each  having  different  interests  and  aspirations,  the  anomalous  position  of 
their  princes,  at  once  sovereigns  and  subjects,  together  with  the  clan 
system  of  government,  he  will  cease  to  wonder  at  the  apparent  want  of 
national  feeling,  and  at  much  of  the  conduct,  which  without  reference  to 
the  above  factors  must  appear  either  discreditable  or  incomprehensible. 

Of  all  the  portions  of  our  Island,  Ulster  appears  to  have  been  that  in 
which  the  English  name  or  power  was  least  felt  or  known  during  the 
early  part  of  the  16th  century.  Baron  Finglas,  in  his  paper  on  the 
Reformation  or  Decay  of  Ireland  (1515) — written  for  the  information  of 
Henry  VIII. — after  noticing  the  decayed  state  of  the  other  parts  of  the 
country,  says  that  "in  the  time  of  King  Henry  VI.  all  Ulster  was  clean 
lost,"  and  that  in  the  present  day  the  king  "  hath  no  profit  at  all  therein, 
saving  only  the  Manor  of  Carlingford."  Yet,  strange  to  say,  that  province 
had  been  at  a  very  early  period  of  the  Invasion  almost  as  much  English 
as  the  territory  known  as  the  Pale.  But  by  the  middle  of  the  16th  cen- 
tury the  settlers  planted  there  by  the  De  Courcys,  De  Lacys,  and 
De  Burgos  had  become,  as  the  phrase  went,  "  degenerate,"  that  is,  in  the 
lapse  of  time  they  had  ceased  to  exist  as  settlers  :  they  had,  in  fact, 
assumed  the  Irish  dress  and  manners,  obeyed  Irish  laws,  and  had  become 
Uriaghts  (sub-chiefs)  to  the  neighbouring  Irish  princes;  or  if  refusing  this 
latter  role,  they  had  been  entirely  uprooted  and  driven  away.  The 
potent  house  of  O'Neill — notwithstanding  sundry  acts  of  so-called  sub- 
mission to  the  English  Crown — had  re-asserted  its  ancient  sway  over  the 
province,  and  exacted — with  banners  displayed,  if  necessary — its  custo- 
mary tributes  from  the  Maguires,  MacMahons,  O'Cahans,  and  other  great 
lords  who  were  its  Uriaglits,  and  no  English  sheriff  or  other  officer  dared 
to  show  himself  in  the  territory  ruled  by  it.  Of  this  family  a  State  Paper, 
written  in  1539,  says  : — "  While  the  neighbouring  princes  had  given  hos- 
tages for  their  quiet  behaviour  O* Neill  More  was  at  peace  by  indenture 
(alias  a  treaty  of  peace),  and  could  not  be  prevailed  on  by  any  means 
short  of  actual  war  to  give  hostages" — and  war  with  him  was  felt  to 
be  a  doubtful  game,  for  under  his  command  must  march  the  forces  of 
nearly  three-fourths  of  the  princes  of  Ulster,  despite  their  hostages  and 
indentures  with  the  English. 

Such  was  the  general  state  of  Ulster  when  Con  Baccagh  (the  Lame) 
O'Neill  ruled  over  the  Kinel-EogTiain.  But  Ulster  had  no  exemption 
from  the  miserable  feuds  and  petty  wars  so  common  to  the  other  parts 
of  the  country,  and  O'Neill  had  an  opponent  not  to  be  despised  in 
O'Donel,  prince  of  the  neighbouring  territory  of  Tyrconel. 


Carew  MSS.,"  12th  May,  1536. 


452         A  NOTICE    OF  THE  CAREER    OF    SHANE    O^NEILL. 

The  princes  of  Tyrone  and  Tyrconel,  though  sprung  from  a  kindred 
source,  were  constantly  at  war  with  each  other,  and  might  be  looked 
upon  as  hereditary  foes,  the  one  demanding  tribute  and  the  other  denying 
it.  O'Neill,  however,  was  the  strongest,  and  in  consequence  O'Donel  had 
to  seek  for  aid  from  a  more  powerful  source  than  any  of  the  native  chiefs, 
and  so  we  find  him,  in  the  summer  of  1520,  a  visitor  at  Dublin  Castle, 
proclaiming  his  determination  "to  serve  the  king,"  l  and  promising  to 
"  invade  O'Neill  on  his  side." 

The  English  Councils  of  London  and  Dublin  had  become  thoroughly 
awake  to  their  position  in  Ireland,  and  watched  with  keen  eyes  for  every 
opportunity  of  extending  their  nominal  sovereignty  over  those  districts 
where  their  power  or  pretensions  were  unknown.  O'Donel,  therefore, 
was  received  with  open  arms,  any  little  injuries  his  raids  had  caused  the 
English  or  their  friends  were  forgiven,  and  the  Lord  Deputy,  glad  of  the 
opportunity  of  showing  himself  in  Ulster,  marched  towards  O'Neill's 
territory,  either  to  parley  with  or  invade  him  as  seemed  good.  The  Irish 
prince  and  the  English  deputy  appear  to  have  met  in  friendly  guise — the 
former  made,  or  promised,  submission  to  the  English  King  (A.D.  1520), 
who  was  so  well  pleased  with  the  general  result  of  his  deputy's  move- 
ments that  he  expressed  his  willingness  to  confer  the  honour  of  knight- 
hood on  the  Irish  prince,  together  with  a  golden  chain.2 

This  parley  was  followed  by  others,  which  again  were  followed  by 
invasions  of  Tyrone  and  reprisals  on  the  Pale  ;  and  so  time  wore  on  till 
the  English  king  proclaimed  his  headship  of  the  Church,  and  called  on  all 
his  liegemen  to  forswear  the  usurpations  of  the  "  Bishop  of  Borne." 
This  action  of  the  king  did  not  meet  with  the  approval  of  O'Neill,  who — 
perhaps  more  out  of  dislike  for  the  English  than  any  great  love  for  the 
would-be-deposed  Pope — took  up  arms  in  the  name  of  religion,  called  the 
northern  princes  to  his  aid,  and  burst  with  fury  into  the  Pale,  plundering 
and  burning  everything  in  his  route.  The  force  at  command  of  the  lord 
deputy  was  not  sufficient  to  meet  this  invasion  at  first,  and  accordingly 
O'Neill  proceeded  unopposed,  and  in  the  usual  fashion,  till  he  reached  the 
historic  Hill  of  Tara,  where  he  reviewed  his  troops,  and,  satisfied  with 
the  damage  he  had  done  to  his  enemy,  commenced  his  return  homewards. 
The  deputy  had,  in  the  meantime,  collected  a  force,  with  which  he  hung 
on  the  rere  of  the  Irish  army,  till,  finding  his  opportunity,  he  engaged  a 
portion  of  it,  at  disadvantage,  at  a  place  called  Bellahoe,  and  inflicted  a 
disastrous  defeat  (A.D.  1539). 

The  English  in  turn  invaded  Tyrone,  and  so  a  desultory  warfare  was 
continued  for  some  time,  which  told  heavily  on  the  prince  and  his  people. 
At  length  O'Neill,  feeling  the  pressure  arising  from  these  invasions,  and 
troubled  with  enemies  even  in  his  own  family,3  and  amongst  his  sub- 
chiefs,  enfeebled  by  advancing  age,  and  also  being  desirous  of  aggrandizing 
an  illegitimate  son  whom  he  loved,  listened  to  proposals  made  to  him  by 
the  then  English  deputy  (St.  Leger) — in  accordance  with  a  late  devised 
policy — for  giving  up  his  native  sovereignty,  and  accepting  from  the 
English  king  a  title,  and  the  permanent  enjoyment  of  his  territories  under 
feudal  tenure.  In  the  year  1542,  Con  Baccagh  consummated  this  act  of 
treason  against  the  laws  of  his  country — through  which  alone  he  held  the 

1  "  Carew  MSS.,"  23rd  July,  1520.  »  Particularly  of  his  tanist— Nial  Oge 

a  Ibid.,  September,  1520.  O'Neill. 


A  NOTICE  OF   THE   CAREER  OF  SHANE  O?NEILL.         45$ 

rank  of  prince  or  king  over  the  Einel-Eoghain — by  going  to  London,  for- 
swearing his  national  title  of  O'Neill-more,  and  returning  to  Ireland  as 
the  first  Earl  of  Tyrone,  and  the  liegeman  of  the  English  king.  He  was 
very  desirous  that  his  title  should  have  been  that  of  Earl  of  Ulster ;  but 
to  this  Henry  would  not  consent,  as  it  was  a  dignity  belonging  to  his 
own  style. 

The  government  of  the  Pale  were  much  pleased  with  this  stroke  of 
statecraft,  as  evidenced  by  one  of  their  letters  to  London,  written  shortly 
after  the  occurrence : — "  Yt  cannot  be  knowen  that  ever  any  O'Neile 
repay  red  in  person  before  this  into  England,  to  any  of  the  king's  noble 
progenitors,  but  hitherto  usurped  to  call  themselves  Prynces  of  Ulster  as 
adversaries  to  his  regality  and  monarchic." 

Con  Baccagh  had  a  large  family  of  legitimate  sons,  and  one,  at  least, 
about  whose  legitimacy  there  was  some  doubt.  At  the  time  he  received 
his  English  title,  his  eldest  son,  Felim,  had  been  slain,  and  during  the  same 
year  two  other  of  his  sons  had  died,  or  most  probably  they  also  were 
slain — natural  deaths  being  at  the  period  rather  unusual  events  in  noble 
families  in  Ireland.  A  fourth  son  was  in  holy  orders,  and  consequently 
removed  from  the  stage  of  Irish  politics.1  Other  sons  he  had,  but  they 
were  too  young  to  require  notice  here — and,  at  all  events,  they  make  but 
little  figure  in  history.  There  still  remained  two  sons  to  be  taken  account 
of,  viz.  Shane,  or  John,  his  next  eldest  living  legitimate  son — the  subject 
of  this  notice,  and  Ferdorcha,  called  by  the  English  Matthew — whose 
legitimacy  (as  already  mentioned)  was  considered  to  be  doubtful.  This 
latter  son  was,  however,  the  favourite  of  his  father,  being,  says  Campion — 
"A  lusty  horseman,  well  beloved,  and  a  tried  soldier" — whilst  Shane 
was  a  mere  youth.  When  Con  Baccagh  was  created  an  English  earl  he 
caused  the  remainder  to  his  title  to  be  made  out  in  Ferdorcha' s  favour, 
on  whom  also  was  bestowed  the  lesser  dignity  of  Baron  of  Dungannon. 

This  latter  act  of  Con  Baccagh  was  fraught  with  much  of  evil  to  his 
country  and  family,  for  besides  substituting  the  feudal  law  of  the  invader 
for  the  old  Celtic  law  honored  by  the  people,  it  introduced  into  his  own 
family  dissensions  which  ended  in  bloodshed,  and  brought  on  his  country 
all  the  horrors  of  civil  war. 


CAREER  OF  SHANE  O'NEILL — A.D.  1520-1558. 

Shane  O'Neill,  known  in  history  as  an  Diomais,  or  the  Proud,  was  the 
son  of  Con  Baccagh,  Prince  of  Tir  Eoghain  (Tyrone),  and  his  wife  Alison, 
daughter  of  Mac  Donel,  Lord  of  the  isles.2  There  is  no  need  to  descant 
on  the  ancient  glories  which  encircle  the  honoured  name  of  0 '  Neill, 
suffice  it  to  say  that  Con  was  the  representative  of  a  long  line  of  princes, 
who  had  filled  the  history  of  their  country  with  their  fame  as  rulers 
either  of  their  own  native  territory,  or  as  Ard-Righs,  or  High  Kings  of  the 
entire  island.  The  date  of  the  birth  of  Shane  does  not  appear  to  be  known 
with  any  certainty — it  was  possibly  some  time  about  the  year  1520,  as  the 
first  mention  made  of  him  in  the  Annals  of  the  Four  Masters  is  under  date 


1  He  was  afterwards  Roman  Catholic          2  Mr.  Froude  says  that  Shane  was  il- 
Bishop  of  Down.  legitimate. 


454    A  NOTICE  OF  THE  CAREER  OF  SHANE  O'NEILL. 

1531,  at  which  time  he  was  in  fosterage  with  O'Donelly  of  Bally-donelly,1 
when,  from  the  nature  of  the  notice,  we  may  assume  him  to  have  been 
some  ten  or  eleven  years  of  age.  "With  the  O'Donelly — an  offshoot  of  his 
own  house — the  young  Shane  passed  his  early  years,  and  from  his  con- 
nexion with  them  received  his  first  surname  of  Donelagh.  To  what 
extent  his  fosterers  attended  to  his  education  does  not  appear  :  it  is  pro- 
bable he  knew  more  of  the  chase  and  warlike  matters  than  of  learning, 
though  he  was  certainly  better  in  this  latter  respect  than  his  father,  who 
is  stated  to  have  been  unable  to  write  his  own  name ;  several  letters,  how- 
ever, still  exist  which  prove  Shane  to  have  accomplished  that  feat. 

The  tanist,  or  next  in  succession  to  Con  Baccagh  as  the  O'Neill-more, 
was,  according  to  Irish  law,  Nial  oge  O'Neill,  who  was  nephew  to  Con 
through  an  elder  brother.  From  some  cause,  not  now  apparent,  Nial  was 
the  open  enemy  of  his  uncle  and  chief ;  possibly  he  thought  himself  better 
entitled  to  that  dignity  than  its  present  bearer ;  at  all  events,  the  conse- 
quence of  their  enmity  was  a  war,  during  which,  in  the  year  1531,  The 
Four  Masters  tell  us  that  Nial  oge,  the  son  of  Art,  son  of  Con  O'Neill, 
attacked  the  town  of  O'Donelly,  stormed  his  castle,  and  carried  off  the 
young  Shane  ;  at  this  time  it  may  be  assumed  he  was  about  ten  or  eleven 
years  of  age.  How  long  the  lad  continued  in  the  custody  of  Nial,  or  by 
what  means  he  was  enlarged,  is  not  certain,  neither  have  we  any  account 
of  how  he  passed  his  time  from  the  above  date  till  the  year  1548,  when 
lie  appears  to  have  commenced  one  of  the  most  stormy  careers  noticed  in 
Irish  history,  and  when  he  may  have  been  from  twenty-seven  to  twenty- 
eight  years  of  age.  It  is  most  likely  he  was  learning  the  art  of  Irish 
warfare,  as  exemplified  in  the  forays  and  ravages  usual  at  the  time. 

In  the  year  1548,  the  Four  Masters  tell  us,  he  led  a  predatory  incursion 
into  the  territory  of  the  kindred  clan  of  Hugh  Boy  O'Neill  (Clanaboy),  in 
which  he  killed  Brian  Fertagh  O'Neill — "  a  brilliant  star  of  the  tribe  to 
which  he  belonged."  This  is  the  first  entry  in  the  Four  Masters  in  which 
he  figures  as  a  leader  in  war,  and  to  do  so  he  must  have  had  some 
authority  in  the  clan,  beyond  being  the  son  of  the  chief.  The  annalists 
above-mentioned  say  that  Nial  oge,  the  tanist  of  Con  Baccagh  had  died 
some  three  or  four  years  prior  to  this  raid,  viz.  1545 ;  and  it  is  probable 
that  Shane  had  been  elected  by  the  clan  to  the  vacant  office.  This  suppo- 
sition is  borne  out  by  the  following  facts  : — Shane  stated  to  the  English 
authorities  some  years  later,  in  explanation  of  certain  portions  of  his  con- 
duct, that  he  was  his  father's  lawful  successor  by  Irish  law,  which  clearly 
means  that  after  the  death  of  Nial  oge,  who  was  Con's  successor  by 
tanistry,  or  Irish  law,  he  (Shane)  had  been  elected  to  that  office  ; 
while  the  force  he  was  always  able  to  command,  and  the  position  he 
assumed  in  Tyrone,  point  him  out  as  tanist  to  his  father,  and  as  such  he 
should  be  regarded  until  he  steps  into  the  vacant  chief  ship  on  the  deposi- 
tion, or  death  of  Con  Baccagh. 

In  the  next  year  (1549)  we  hear  of  Shane  leading  a  hostile  incursion 
into  the  territory  of  Maguire,  Prince  of  Fermanagh,  for  which  the  latter 
stated  he  had  no  just  cause.  Maguire  was  one  of  the  Uriaghts  of  O'Neill, 
though  of  late  he  had  transferred  his  fealty  to  the  English,  which 
certainly  gave  O'Neill  good  cause  for  displeasure.  He  was,  besides, 


1  Now  Castle  Caulfield,  in  county  Tyrone. 


A   NOTICE   OF    THE    CAREER    OF    SHANE    O'NEILL.          455 

married  to  a  sister  of  Shane's,  who  declined  to  live  with  him,  and  left 
his  protection — we  do  not  clearly  know  for  what  reason.  These  two 
items,  however,  will  easily  account  for  Shane's  invasion  of  Fermanagh. 
As  usual  the  inhabitants  suffered,  for  Shane  spoiled  the  country  through 
which  he  marched,  and  before  he  retired  killed  eleven  of  Maguire's 
servants  and  followers. 

Shane  had  now  reached  to  man's  estate,  and  it  was  not  to  be  expected 
that  he  could  look  with  a  friendly  eye  on  his  brother  Ferdorcha,  who  had 
ousted  him  from  his  father's  love,  and  from  succession  to  his  English 
title,  possibly — also  as  far  as  English  power  could — from  the  headship  of 
his  clan.  Shane  and  Ferdorcha  were  at  daggers  drawn,  but  after  a  little 
the  father  withdrew  his  favour  from  the  latter,  possibly  through  the  in- 
fluence of  Shane's  mother,1  who  naturally  espoused  the  cause  of  her  own 
son.  The  quarrel  ended  in  open  warfare  between  the  parties  by  which, 
as  the  State  Papers  tell  us,  their  unfortunate  country  was  reduced  "  to 
such  extream  myserie  as  there  is  not  ten  plowes  in  all  Tyroon,"  and  in 
consequence  "  hundreddis  this  last  yere  and  this  somer  died  in  the  field 
throghe  famen." 

In  this  unnatural  and  cruel  struggle  Ferdorcha  was  on  the  losing  side, 
and  as  he  was  an  English  baron,  he  of  course  turned  to  England  for  aid. 
In  1551  he  is  found  preferring  a  number  of  charges  of  disloyalty  against 
his  father,  before  the  lord  deputy,  which  whether  true  or  false  were 
gladly  listened  to  by  that  official,  and  soon  acted  upon.  Con,  though  an 
English  nobleman,  was  still  too  powerful,  as  an  Irish  prince,  to  be  arrested 
openly,  so  he  was  inveigled  into  a  meeting  with  the  Deputy,  who  was  on 
some  civil  or  military  tour  through  the  Pale,  and  was  by  him,  "  through 
gentle  entertainment,  trained  from  place  to  place,  and  so  at  last  to 
Dublin,"  where  he  was  arrested;2  and  it  is  to  be  noted  that  when  the 
wife  of  O'Neill  called  to  visit  him  she  also  was  arrested,  and  confined  in 
the  Marshalsea.  Lord  Chancellor  Cusack  afterwards  excused  this  double 
treachery  by  asserting  that  "indeed  it  was  the  anxiety  to  prevent  him 
(Con)  from  wasting  and  destroying  of  his  country" — besides  some  "  in- 
decent words  "  which  he  heard  that  Con  had  made  use  of.  The  act,  how- 
ever, bore  bitter  fruit ;  for  no  sooner  had  information  of  the  arrest  reached 
Tyrone,  than  Shane,  and  the  younger  sons  of  the  prisoner,  flew  to  arms, 
and  wreaked  vengeance,  by  fire  and  sword,  on  any  of  the  friends  of 
Ferdorcha,  or  of  the  English  who  were  within  their  reach. 

The  government  of  the  Pale  sent  an  army  into  Tyrone,  under  the 
command  of  Sir  Nicholas  Bagenal,  to  compel  the  younger  O'Neills  to 
quietness,  but  Bagenal  and  his  army  were  unable  to  make  any  impression 
on  them.  Shane  had  evidently  sprung  into  place  as  leader  of  his  power- 
ful clan,  and  he  now  stood,  sword  in  hand,  under  the  banner  of  his  house, 
ready  to  do  battle  with  foreign  or  native  foe.  In  order  to  impede  the 
advance  of  the  enemy,  he  broke  down  the  great  bridge  over  the  river 
Blackwater,  which  was  the  principal  entrance  into  Tyrone,  dismantled 
the  castle  of  Dungannon  and  some  neighbouring  strongholds,  to  prevent 
them  from  being  of  use  to  the  English,  appropriated  plate  and  valuables, 
belonging  to  his  father,  to  the  extent  of  some  £800  (a  large  sum  in  those 


1  State  Papers  of  the  time  say  that  Con          2  Cox  says  he  was  arrested  at  Ardmagh. 
Baccagh  was  much  ruled  hy  this  lady. 


456    A  NOTICE  OF  THE  CAREER  OF  SHANE  O'NEILL. 

days),  to  enable  him  to  carry  on  his  warfare,  and  offered  such  effectual 
resistance  to  Bagenal,  that  the  latter  was  forced  to  retire  in  haste  within 
the  Pale. 

A  second  time  the  enemy  attempted  to  invade  Tyrone  ;  but  meanwhile 
Shane  had  strengthened  himself  by  effecting  alliances  with  the  Scots 
(under  his  relative  MacDonel),  and  also  with  the  various  clans  of  his  own 
family,  including  that  of  Hugh  Boy.  "With  all  these  united,  he  again 
drove  back  the  English,  causing  them  the  loss  of  two  hundred  men. 

During  the  progress  of  one  of  these  incursions  into  Tyrone,  Shane 
had  a  narrow  escape  of  his  life  or  liberty  from  his  rival,  Ferdorcha,  who 
was  serving  with  the  English  army.  In  a  letter  from  Sir  Nicholas 
Bagenal  to  the  Lord  Deputy,  dated  27th  October,  1551,  he  says  that  on 
a  certain  day  the  Baron  of  Dungannon  (Ferdorcha),  who  knew  well  the 
country  through  which  they  were  passing,  "  desired  that  he  might  have 
licence,  with  certain  horsemen  and  kerns  to  break  out  and  see  what  he 
could  do  ;  and  as  they  were  in  the  foray  he,  with  four  horsemen  in  his 
company,  being  far  before  their  fellowes,  found  Shane  upon  a  hill  in  his 
country,  invironed  with  woods,  and  accompanied  with  eighteen  horsemen 
and  three  score  kerne  ;  and  perceiving  the  Baron  with  so  small  a  corn- 
panic  to  be  there,  said,  '  An'  the  King  were  where  thou  art,  he  were 
mine  !  '  The  Baron  making  no  stay  thereat,  but  coming  forward,  '  I  am 
here  but  the  King's  man,  and  that  thou  shalt  well  know  !  '  Then  broch- 
ing  his  horse  with  the  spurs,  thrust  into  the  press.  Shane  fled  with  his 
companie  to  the  woods,  the  Baron  followed  ;  and  having  no  opportunitie 
to  strike  him  neither  with  speare  nor  sword,  the  woods  being  too  thick,  as 
he  gripped  to  have  taken  hin  by  the  neck,  a  bough  in  the  pass  put  the 
Baron  from  him,  and  almost  from  his  own  horse  ;  so  Shane  escaped  a-foot, 
and  the  Baron  returned  with  Shane's  horse  and  spere  ni  —  as  trophies  of 
his  prowess. 

But  it  was  not  long  before  Shane  was  enabled  to  retaliate,  for  early 
in  the  next  year  (1552),  as  the  English  for  the  third  time  attempted 
to  invade  the  territory  of  the  O'Neill,  Ferdorcha  prepared  to  assist  his 
friends,  and  accordingly  mustered  a  force  for  that  purpose.  He  had  all 
but  effected  a  junction  with  them,  when  Shane,  who  was  watching 
his  movements,  made  a  sudden  night  attack  on  his  camp,  utterly  routed 
him,  and  slew  a  number  of  his  troops.  How  Ferdorcha  succeeded  in 
escaping  is  not  known. 

Meantime,  Con  Baccagh  was  still  retained  a  prisoner  in  Dublin  Castle. 
He  had  been  captured  during  Lammastide  of  1551,  and  was  so  held  for 
some  fifteen  or  sixteen  months.  While  his  father's  imprisonment  continued, 
Shane  expressed  his  feelings  after  no  very  doubtful  fashion.  "  He  and  his 
allies  and  the  Clan  Hugh  Boy  "  —  according  to  the  Four  Masters  —  "  con- 
tinued waging  war  with  the  Baron  and  the  English."  Indeed,  the  energy 
displayed  by  Shane  while  his  father  remained  in  captivity  appears  to 
have  astonished  the  advisers  of  the  young  English  King  (Edward  VI.),  to 
whom,  it  is  evident,  he  had  already  become  a  dread,  as  they  wrote  to  the 
Lord  Deputy  Crofts  (in  November,  1551),  while  Con  was  in  durance, 
directing  the  latter  to  be  sent  over  to  England  with  his  son  Shane,  "  if 
ye  can  obtayne  hym  anywise."  It  is  clear  that  the  progress  of  the  war 


1  Quoted  in  Ulster  Journal  of  Archaeology,  1855,  p.  104. 


A    NOTICE    OF    THE    CAREER    OF    SHANE    O'NEILL.          457 

was  more  in  Shane's  favour  than  against  him,  for  on  May  Day,  1552,  the 
English  found  it  necessary  to  parley  with  him  ;  and  on  that  occasion  the 
Lord  Chancellor  Cusack  reports  that  he  could  perceive  nothing  in  the 
gallant  young  Irishman  but  "  pryde  and  stubbornness." 

The  release  of  Con  Baccagh  appears  to  have  taken  place  about  the  end 
of  December,  1552  ;  and  it  had  the  effect  of  causing  a  temporary  lull  in 
the  storm  which  had  raged  so  [long  throughout  Tyrone  ;  he  was  forced, 
however,  to  leave  his  wife  and  his  son  Henry  as  hostages  in  the  hands 
of  his  captors.  As  a  further  precaution,  the  English  Deputy  planted  a 
garrison  in  Armagh,  the  command  of  which  he  conferred  on  his  ally 
Ferdorcha,  with  orders  to  look  to  the  peace  of  the  country,  whereby,  says 
the  Lord  Chancellor,  it  ' '  was  kept  from  being  raven  as  before  was 
used."1 

We  next  hear  of  Shane  in  1554,  when  he  induced  his  relative  the 
Earl  of  Kildare,  the  Baron  of  Delvin,  and  other  nobles,  to  assist  him  in  a 
"  little  war"  against  a  kinsman  named  Felim  Roe  O'Neill.  This  noble- 
man is  described  as  Felim  Roe  Mac  Art  Mac  Hugh,  and  he  belonged  to 
the  Pews  branch  of  the  O'Neill  family.  His  father,  Art,  had  been 
elected  The  CfNeill-more  in  1509,  on  the  death  of  Donal,  who  belonged  to 
the  Tyrone  branch.  Art  died  in  1514,  when  the  headship  reverted 
again  to  the  Tyrone  family  through  the  action  of  Irish  law.  It  is  not 
unlikely  that  Felim,  as  his  son,  considered  he  had  some  claim  to  the 
coveted  dignity — at  least  according  to  English  law.  Then  Felim  claimed 
certain  territories  by  right  of  inheritance  from  his  father,  which  O'Neill 
denied;  and  the  consequence  was  war.  In  addition  to  the  political 
aspect  there  were  family  matters  which  served  to  increase  the  bitterness. 
It  has  been  already  mentioned  that  a  daughter  of  Con  Baccagh  had 
married  Maguire  of  Fermanagh,  but  fled  from  her  husband,  and  took 
refuge  with  Felim  Roe,  under  whose  protection  she  appears  to  have 
remained.  This  unfortunate  incident  must  have  been  held  by  Con's 
family  as  a  cause  of  enmity,  and,  taken  in  connexion  with  the  political 
matters  above-mentioned,  will  account  for  the  persevering  hostility  with 
which  Shane  pursued  Felim  Roe  throughout  his  career.  Hence,  also,  the 
English,  in  pursuance  of  the  divide-and-conquer  policy,  protected  him  to 
the  utmost  of  their  power. 

The  expedition  of  Shane  and  his  friends  against  Felim  Roe  was 
defeated  with  the  loss  of  three  hundred  men. 

Meantime,  Con  Baccagli  amused  himself  by  making  a  similar  little 
war  on  the  "  Clan  Hugh  Boy,"  which  had  so  bravely  and  effectually 
assisted  his  sons  against  the  English  during  his  incarceration. 

In  the  course  of  the  following  year,  Con  Baccagh  became  apprehen- 
sive of  the  growing  power  of  the  Scotsmen  of  the  Isles,  who,  under  the 
leading  of  the  MacDonels,  were  effecting  settlements — "making  con- 
quests," the  Four  Masters  say — in  the  territory  of  the  Clan  Hugh  Boy ; 
and  on  the  advent  of  Thomas  Radcliffe,  Earl  of  Sussex,  as  Lord  Deputy, 
he  prevailed  on  that  official  to  march  the  English  forces  into  the  districts 
occupied  by  the  intruders,  with  a  view  to  their  expulsion.  Sussex  com- 
menced his  expedition  about  the  end  of  June,  and  continued  it  for  six 
weeks.  He  is  said  to  have  defeated  his  enemy  with  the  loss  of  some  two 


1  Cusack's  "Letter,"  8th  May,  1553. 


458    A  NOTICE  OF  THE  CAREER  OF  SHANE  O'NEILL. 

hundred  men ;  but  the  Four  Masters  tell  us  that  he  obtained  no  submission 
from  him ;  and  evidently  the  expedition  failed  to  accomplish  anything 
worth  notice,  except  that  Shane  is  charged  by  the  English  with  having 
not  only  refused  to  attend  their  Lord  Deputy  with  his  forces,  but  "most 
unnaturally  and  traitorously"  fought  in  the  ranks  of  the  Scotsmen  against 
them.1 

This  was  strange  conduct  on  the  part  of  the  son  of  the  chieftain  who 
had  solicited  the  aid  of  the  English ;  but  there  may  have  been  some 
method  in  it  notwithstanding.  It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  old  O'Neill, 
having  recently  taken  his  son  Ferdorcha  again  into  favour,  the  fact  was 
viewed  as  nothing  short  of  a  declaration  of  war  against  Shane,  who  is 
consequently  to  be  found  acting,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  in  the  ranks 
of  the  enemies  of  his  father  and  brother.  But  although  Shane  lent  his 
aid  to  the  Scots  in  the  present  instance,  he  had  as  little  desire  as  his 
father  to  see  them  located  in  Ulster,  over  which  he  had  views  of  his 
own ;  and  it  is  quite  as  certain  he  had  no  wish  that  the  English  should 
interfere  in  its  affairs.  Shane  must  therefore  have  regarded  with  pleasure 
the  war  between  the  English  and  Scottish  intruders  into  his  country 
in  the  hope  that  it  might  result  in  the  destruction  of  both.  To  forward 
so  desirable  an  event  he  lent  his  aid  to  the  weaker  party,  considering  that 
the  English  once  disposed  of  he  could  afterwards  deal  single-handed  with 
the  Scots. 

After  the  retreat  of  the  Earl  of  Sussex,  Shane  commenced  prepara- 
tions for  the  future  movements  contemplated  by  him  against  his  foreign 
and  domestic  enemies,  at  both  of  whom  he  intended  to  strike  in  his  own 
good  time.  The  garrison  which  the  Lord  Deputy  Crofts  had  planted  in 
Armagh  must  by  this  time  have  been  withdrawn,  as  Shane  was  enabled 
to  gather  into  that  city  large  quantities  of  provisions  and  warlike  stores, 
and  at  the  same  time  he  increased  his  military  force  by  enlisting  as 
many  soldiers  as  he  could  meet  with.  Desirous,  however,  of  gaining  as 
much  time  as  possible  for  maturing  his  plans,  he  made  a  hypocritical 
application  to  the  authorities  of  the  Pale  for  pardon  for  his  late  offence, 
explaining  the  object  of  his  present  military  preparations  as  being  in- 
tended to  be  better  able  to  serve  her  Majesty  when  called  upon.  The 
required  pardon  was  given  with  the  same  facility  as  it  was  asked  for ; 
and  it  was  duly  enrolled  in  the  Courts  of  Dublin  under  date,  5th  Sept., 
1556.2 

A  foray  against  the  O'Briens  of  Thomond  and  the  holding  of  a  Parlia- 
ment in  Dublin  occupied  the  time  of  Sussex  (after  his  return  from  Ulster) 
till  the  middle  of  the  next  year  (1557) ;  but  he  had  not  forgotten  his  late 
bootless  attempt  against  the  Scots,  and  in  the  meantime  had  made 
preparations  to  pay  them  another  visit.  Accordingly  a  hosting  was 

1  See  Proclamation  of  High  Treason  Shane  had  here  a  very  narrow  escape 

against  Shane — Ulster  Journal  of  Archceo-  from  being  taken  prisoner,  and  he  lost 

logy,  1857,  p.  261.  his  shield  in  the  melee. 

This  action  appears  to  have  taken  place  2  It  has  heen  stated  that  Shane  made 

at  a  pass  called  "  Balloche  McGille  Cor-  this  submission  in  person  at  the  Deputy's 

roughe,  otherwise  Balldromm  Clashahe,"  house,  Kilmainhain;  but  it  is  doubtful  if 

which  was  strongly  held  by  the  Scots,  but  the   wary   Irishman  would  have  trusted 

stormed  by  the  Deputy's  troops,  headed  himself   so  far    into  the  power  of  the 

by  the   celebrated   Thomas   of   Ormond.  English. 
The  "CarewMSS."  (1556)  tell  us  that 


A   NOTICE   OF   THE   CAREER   OF   SHANE    O?NEILL.         459 

proclaimed  against  them,  and,  amongst  other  persons  of  note,  Shane  was 
called  on  to  attend  with  his  forces,  the  Lord  Deputy  naturally  consider- 
ing that  after  his  late  pardon  he  would  be  one  of  the  first  to  present 
himself.  Sussex,  however,  had  miscalculated,  for  Shane  refused  to  attend 
him — "  upon  eney  protection"1  he  could  offer — until,  as  the  English 
army  advanced  northwards,  a  division  of  it,  under  command  of  the  Earls 
of  Kildare  and  Ormond,  commenced  to  move  through  his  country ;  and 
then,  "  for  feare  of  lessyng  of  his  goods,"2  he,  at  length,  presented  him- 
self, with  a  few  troops,  in  the  English  camp,  but  made  a  stay  of  only 
two  or  three  days,  when,  on  pretence  of  want  of  provisions,  he  suddenly 
left,  and  not  only  returned  no  more,  but,  as  on  the  former  occasion, 
"  combyned  "  with  the  Scots,  undertook  the  care  of  their  goods  and 
cattle,  eventually  joining  them  in  open  fight  against  the  Deputy,  who 
was  driven  back  within  the  Pale  by  his  Scottish  enemies  and  their  Irish 
allies.  The  inhabitants  of  the  Pale  were  next  made  to  feel  some  of  the 
evils  of  war ;  for  Shane  is  charged  by  the  English  authorities  with  having 
caused  his  soldiers  "to  prey  and  borne  the  possessyons  of  dyvers  of  her 
Majestee's  true  and  faythful  subjects  within  the  English  Pale" — where 
his  troops  appear  to  have  remained  for  some  time,  doing  what  damage 
they  could  to  the  enemy. 

In  the  meantime  Shane's  violent  temper  had  broken  out  against  both 
his  father  and  his  brother  Ferdorcha,  whom,  according  to  the  Proclama- 
tion of  his  Treason,  he  "expulsed  from  their  just  and  lawful  territories 
and  possessyons  ;"  and  he  then  stood  forth  as  the  ruler  de  facto  of  Tir- 
owen.  It  has  been  said  that  he  went  the  length  of  imprisoning  his 
father ;  but  if  so,  it  is  very  unlikely  that  such  a  fearful  act  would  have 
been  omitted  from  the  catalogue  of  his  evil  deeds,  as  set  forth  in  the  State 
Paper. 

Where  Con  Baccagh  succeeded  in  concealing  himself  from  his  terrible 
son  does  not  appear;  but  probably  he  fled  to  Dublin,  where  he  made 
such  representations  as  hastened  a  new  expedition  against  Shane. 

About  the  22nd  of  October,  1557,  Sussex  was  again  in  the  field.  He 
is  said  to  have  laid  out  for  himself  the  role  of  pacificator  of  Ireland,  which 
accounts  for  his  activity  on  this  and  other  occasions,  as  well  as  for  the 
enmity  with  which  he  pursued  Shane  during  the  whole  term  of  his 
government.  By  the  24th  of  same  month  he  had  reached  Dundalk, 
where  Shane  appears  to  have  been,  and  from  whence  the  Deputy  drove 
him  to  Armagh.  The  wild  troops  of  Ulster  were  no  match  for  the  well- 
armed  and  disciplined  forces  of  Sussex,  who,  on  the  next  day  (25th  of 
October),  entered  that  city,  and  partially  burned  and  plundered  it,  but 
not  without  receiving  one  or  two  alarms  from  the  Irish.  On  the  27th 
he  again  applied  the  torch,  and  burned  the  remaining  portions  of  the 
doomed  city,  the  cathedral  excepted,  in  which  he  had  taken  up  his 
quarters. 

During  these  days  of  fire  and  ruin  to  the  unfortunate  inhabitants, 
Shane's  stores  of  provisions  and  war  materials  were  destroyed,  his  plans 
utterly  foiled  (according  to  English  accounts),  and  his  father  and  brother 
restored  to  their  properties  and  honours.  On  the  28th  of  October  Sussex 
had  returned  to  Dundalk,  where  he  learned  that  Shane  was  encamped 


1  Proclamation  of  High  Treason  against  Shane.  2  Ibid. 

4TH  8ER.,  VOL.  VIII.  2L 


460        A   NOTICE   OF  THE   CAEEER   OF   SHANE   OJNEILL. 

about  three  miles  from  him,  after  having  plundered  and  burned  a  town 
belonging  to  Sir  J.  Garland  within  the  Pale  itself.  But  Sussex  took  no 
notice  of  him ;  and  by  the  30th  of  the  month  he  had  returned  to  Dublin, 
whence  he  soon  after  sailed  for  England. 

The  restoration  of  Con  Baccagh  and  his  son  Ferdorcha  to  their  proper- 
ties and  honours  could  have  existed  only  in  the  English  despatches.  The 
real  state  of  affairs  was  very  different ;  for  beyond  the  destruction  of 
his  provisions  and  war  material,  little  impression  was  made  on  Shane, 
whose  light  troops  evidently  harassed  the  return  march  of  Sussex,  and 
pursued  him  as  far  as  Dundalk. 

Shortly  after  this  outbreak,  Shane  is  said  to  have  "  made  ernest  and 
humble  sute "  to  Sir  Henry  Sidney,  Lord  Justice  in  the  absence  of 
Sussex,  to  be  again  received  into  favour,  and  again  was  a  pardon  for  him 
enrolled  in  the  Dublin  Courts  (6  &  7  Mary).1 

Being  at  peace  with  the  English,  Shane  was  enabled  to  turn  his 
warlike  energies  into  another  direction,  one  which  promised  to  advance 
his  own  power  by  weakening  that  of  a  rival.  Some  time  previously 
serious  dissensions  had  been  introduced  into  the  family  of  The  O'Donel  of 
Tirconel.  Calvagh  O'Donel  had  deposed  and  imprisoned  his  father,  the 
reigning  prince,  and  had  assumed  that  dignity  himself.  He  was  opposed 
by  his  brother  Hugh  and  other  members  of  the  family,  but  with  so  little 
success  that  Hugh  and  his  friends  were  obliged  to  take  refuge  in  Tyrone 
with  Shane,  whose  aid  they  implored. 

Shane  was  uncle  of  this  Hugh,  and  was,  at  the  same  time,  son-in-law 
of  Calvagh.  But  kinship  had  little  weight  with  him  against  what  he  con- 
sidered to  be  his  interest.  He  saw,  in  this  family  dispute,  a  means 
whereby  a  rival  territory  and  clan  could  be  weakened,  and  his  own 
supremacy  over  both  asserted.  With  this  object  in  view  he  took  up  the 
cause  of  the  refugees  with  his  usual  impetuosity,  and  mustered  a  large 
force,  both  of  English  and  Irish — in  fact,  every  free  sword  he  could 
engage  between  Dundalk  and  the  river  Finn — with  which  he  invaded 
the  territory  of  Tirconel,  declaring  he  would  compel  submission  to  his 
authority,  so  that  there  should  be  but  one  king  in  Ulster  for  the  future* 
These  latter  words  clearly  point  to  the  goal  Shane  had  in  view. 

At  the  head  of  his  formidable  army  Shane  crossed  the  river  Finn, 
close  to  Raphoe,  marched  through  the  Lagan — a  district  comprising  the 
modern  parishes  of  Taughboyne,  Ryemoghy,  and  All  Saints — and 
encamped  close  to  the  town  of  Balleghan,  in  perfect  security  as  he 
considered ;  for  the  O'Donels,  under  Calvagh,  finding  themselves  unable  to 
meet  the  Tiro  wen  army  in  the  field,  slowly  retired  before  it,  watching 
anxiously  for  an  opportunity  to  take  it  at  advantage.  Shane's  camp 
at  Balleghan  is  described  as  quite  a  holiday  affair.  There  was  great 
buying  and  selling  of  rich  clothes,  and  armour,  and  wines.  The  account 
given  by  the  Four  Masters  of  the  surroundings  of  Shane  in  his  bivouac  is 
worth  noting  for  its  barbaric  magnificence.  They  tell  us  that  his  tent 
was  pitched  in  the  centre  of  the  encampment ;  before  it  blazed  a  great 
fire  during  the  night ;  a  torch,  thicker  than  a  man's  body,  threw  light 
around  equal  to  day ;  while  sixty  gallowglasses,  armed  with  their  terrible 
battleaxes,  and  sixty  Scots,  holding  their  unsheathed  broadswords  in  their 
hands,  kept  watch  and  ward  over  the  son  of  O'Neill. 

1  Morrin's  Calendar.  *  The  Four  Masters. 


A  NOTICE  OF  THE  CAREER  OF  SHANE   O'NEILL.  461 

An  undue  sense  of  security,  however,  bred  a  want  of  caution,  of 
•which  Calvagh  O'Donel  took  advantage.  A  couple  of  spies,  whom  he 
had  sent  into  the  Tirowen  camp,  made  good  use  of  their  eyes,  and 
returned  to  their  employer  with  such  an  account  of  the  supineness  of  the 
invaders  as  induced  him  to  make  a  night  attack  on  Shane  and  his  force. 
Acting  on  the  information  given  him,  O'Donel  swooped  down,  in  the 
stillness  of  a  dark  and  rainy  night,  on  the  unsuspecting  camp,  and 
effected  a  thorough  surprise.  Cutting  down  or  overthrowing  all  who 
opposed  them,  the  O'Donels  made  direct  for  the  tent  of  Shane ;  a  few 
moments  sufficed  to  kill  or  disperse  his  bodyguard,  but  they  also  sufficed 
to  enable  him  to  make  his  escape  through  a  rent  cut  in  the  opposite  side 
of  his  tent.  Meantime  the  Tirowen  army  was  scattered  in  wild 
confusion,  great  numbers  were  slain,  and  the  success  of  the  surprise  was 
complete. 

Shane,  half -naked  and  on  foot,  pursued  his  flight  by  devious  paths. 
Accompanied  by  two  companions,  he  swam  the  rivers  Deel,  Finn,  and 
Derg,  and  by  the  next  night  he  had  reached  Termonamonghan,  where 
he  procured  a  horse,  and,  at  break  of  the  following  day,  halted  at  Erigal- 
JTeroge,  near  Clogher,  where,  being  so  far  advanced  into  Tirowen,  he  at 
length  felt  himself  safe  from  pursuit. 

By  their  well-planned  attack  the  O'Donels  acquired  immense  spoils 
of  every  description,  amongst  which  was  a  favourite  horse  of  Shane's, 
called  the  Son  of  the  Eagle. 

To  a  man  of  Shane's  overbearing  character  this  defeat  must  have 
proved  a  great  humiliation ;  but  after  the  lapse  of  a  little  time  he  was 
enabled  to  take  an  ample  revenge  for  it. 

The  defeat  and  destruction  of  Shane's  army  would  have  offered  a 
tempting  opportunity  to  the  English  had  they  been  then  in  a  position  to 
attempt  an  attack  on  him ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  found  it  difficult 
enough  to  hold  their  own.  Indeed,  about  this  very  time,  the  Lord 
Justice  Sydney  wrote  to  his  principal,  Sussex,  earnestly  requesting 
immediate  succours  for  the  English  in  Ireland,  if  it  was  not  to  be  lost 
entirely,  and  concluding  his  letter  by  stating  that  it  would  be  more  for 
her  Majesty's  honour  "to  be  called  home  than  driven  home."1 

Meantime,  Shane's  enmity  to  his  father  and  Ferdorcha  had  rather 
increased  than  abated ;  but  as  they  were  supported  by  England,  and  as 
he  himself  was  not  yet  prepared  to  throw  off  the  mask,  he  suffered  family 
matters  to  take  their  course  in  quietness,  so  far  as  he  was  concerned ;  and 
on  the  return  of  Sussex  to  Ireland,  he  even  wrote  to  that  official 
expressing  his  readiness  to  serve  her  Majesty,  and  wishing  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  prove  his  words.  Some  military  preparations  which  he  was 
engaged  in  he  ascribed  to  this  laudable  purpose  ;  but,  as  a  contemporary 
document  tells  us,  they  were  in  reality  "  to  make  himself  strong."  In 
the  September  of  this  year  Sussex  had  sailed  with  an  expedition  against 
the  Scots  of  the  Isles,  during  which  he  taught  them  a  severe  lesson  ;  and 
on  his  return — intending  a  similar  visitation  for  their  brethren  in 
Ireland — he  proclaimed  a  hosting,  and  called  upon  Shane  to  attend  his 
camp  with  his  forces  (as  offered) ;  but  Shane  became  conspicuous  by  his 
absence,  and  the  circumstances  of  the  time  did  not  permit  Sussex  to 
notice  this  open  contempt  as  he  would  have  desired. 


Quoted  in  Ulster  Journal  of  Archeology,  vol.  vii.,  p.  49. 

2L2 


462        A  NOTICE  OF  THE  CAREER  OF  SHANE  OJNEILL. 

Shortly  afterwards  Shane  learned  that  Queen  Mary  was  dying,  and 
that  public  affairs  in  England  were  likely  to  undergo  such  serious 
changes  as  would  give  the  Government  occupation  enough  at  home.  He 
therefore  considered  that  the  time  had  come  for  showing  himself  in  his 
true  colours,  and  of  overthrowing  all  opponents.  His  brother  Ferdorcha 
was  the  first  to  feel  the  effects  of  his  ire,  falling  a  victim  to  a  very  simple 
device  set  on  foot  by  his  foster- brethren,  the  O'Donellys.  According  to 
Campion  (in  his  History  of  Ireland],  they  raised  "  hue  and  cry  at  the  side 
of  a  castle  where  he  lay  that  night ;  when  the  gentleman  ran  suddenly 
forth  to  answere  the  cry  as  the  custome  is,  they  betrayed  and  murdered 
him."  And  so  the  unfortunate  Baron  of  Dungannon  and  his  pretensions 
vanished  from  the  path  of  Shane. 

Although  there  is  no  mention  of  his  having  actually  taken  part  in  the 
murder  of  Ferdorcha,  yet  it  is  difficult  to  disassociate  Shane  from  it.  It 
was  the  work  of  his  foster-brothers,  who  were  his  chief  advisers  and 
supporters  throughout  his  career.  He  was  the  party  most  benefited  by 
the  murder ;  and  in  after  days,  when  making  terms  with  the  English, 
one  of  the  conditions  was  that  he  should  not  be  called  on  to  account  for 
it,  which  looks  very  like  an  acknowledgment  of  complicity  in  the  deed. 

His  unfortunate  father  was  the  next  to  feel  his  vengeance.  Shane 
did  not  exactly  murder  him;  but,  Camden  tells  us,  he  "  so  plagued  and 
vexed  (him)  with  injurious  indignities  whiles  he  went  about  to  deprive 
him  of  his  seigniories,  disseized  him  of  his  dwelling-house,  and  stripped 
him  out  of  all  he  had,  that  the  old  man,  for  very  thought  and  grief  of 
heart,  pined  away  and  died."  "What  he  really  did  with  his  father  is  un- 
certain. There  is,  however,  no  doubt  that  he  relegated  him  from  the 
cares  of  state  in  some  way ;  and  having  him  in  his  power,  he  then  hurried 
off  to  the  inaugural  stone  of  Tullyhog,  where,  despite  English  laws, 
deputies,  and  soldiers,  O'Cahan  cast  the  shoe  over  his  head,  the  crowding 
clans  shouted,  "Lamb  dearg  Erinn" ;  and  from  that  day  till  his  death 
Tir  JEoghain,  and  indeed  all  Ulster,  bowed  to  Shane  as  Prince  and  Chief. 

These  events  appear  to  have  taken  place  towards  the  latter  end  of  the 
year  1558. 


(To  be  continued.) 


(     463     ) 


NOTES  ON  THE   SEPULCHRAL   SLAB   OE   SIR  JOHN  ELIOT, 
IN  BALSOON  GRAYEYARD,  CO.  MEATH. 

BY  THE  EEV.  W.  BALL  WEIGHT,  M.A. 

ON  the  5th  of  December,  1887, 1  paid  a  visit,  between  trains,  to  the  parish 
of  Kilmessan,  county  Meath,  in  order  to  find  out  what  remains,  if  any, 
there  might  be  of  the  old  house  of  Balsoon,  the  residence  of  Primate 
Henry  Ussher  and  of  the  descendants  of  his  eldest  son,  Marcus  ;  also,  to 
see  if  there  were  in  the  ruined  church  or  graveyard  of  Balsoon  any  tombs 
of  the  Usshers.  The  Rector  of  Kilmessan  kindly  sent  me  in  his  trap  to 
Balsoon,  which  is  two  miles  distant  from  Kilmessan  station ;  and  a  son 
of  Mr.  Blandford  (who  at  present  holds  Balsoon  under  John  Preston,  Esq., 
of  Bellinter  Park)  took  me  over  the  place.  Balsoon  is  situated  on  a  steep 
hill  above  the  Boyne,  opposite  to  Bective  Abbey,  and  a  little  higher  up 
than  Clady.  The  present  house  is  built  out  of  the  materials  of  the  former 
residence  of  the  Usshers.  There  is  also  another  house  close  by  which  may 
possibly  be  150  years  old.  Behind  Mr.  Blandford's  house  there  are  some 
curious  old  cellars,  called  by  the  country  people  "kennels,"  said  to  be 
the  last  remains  of  Archbishop  Ussher's  castle.  Some  time  ago,  Mr. 
Blandford,  while  having  a  sewer  made  to  the  Boyne,  came  on  an  old 
pavement  lying  between  the  cellars  and  the  river  ;  and  this  summer  there 
were  observable  in  the  grass  some  marks  of  old  walls,  as  of  a  dwelling.  The 
orchard  and  garden  are  partly  surrounded  by  very  old  walls.  Behind  the 
house  and  cellars  are  the  old  graveyard  and  the  ruined  church  or  chapel 
of  Balsoon,  a  building  of  the  simplest  description,  though  in  the  church- 
yard there  are  many  mouldings  of  windows,  which  are  well  cut.  As 
Primate  Henry's  grandson,  the  Rev.  Marcus  Ussher,  1698,  and  many 
others  of  the  family,  were  buried  in  this  church,  I  thought  it  possible  a 
monument  might  be  there,  but  discovered  none  of  any  kind.  On  care- 
ful search  in  the  churchyard,  however,  I  noticed  a  stone  at  the  head  of 
a  grave  which  appeared  to  be  of  superior  style  to  its  neighbours  ;  and 
on  pulling  away  the  grass  and  earth,  I  found  it  was  a  fragment  of  a  fine 
old  sandstone  slab.  I  raised  it  up  with  the  aid  of  my  companion ;  and 
having  obtained  some  paper,  we  took  a  rubbing  with  grass.  Notwith- 
standing a  very  close  search,  it  was  not  till  I  was  just  leaving  that  I 
found  a  second  portion  of  slab  at  the  head  of  a  grave  near  the  gate.  This 
we  got  up  with  considerable  difficulty,  and  found  it  to  be  a  larger  frag- 
ment of  the  same  slab.  Of  this,  also,  I  took  a  rubbing  with  grass ;  and 
after  my  return  to  Dublin  I  was  able  to  make  out,  on  the  second  frag- 
ment, the  words, ."  Et  Ismaya  de  Rupefort"  ;  and  on  the  first,  two  shields 
of  arms  impaled,  with  the  letters  "  Smart"  above  the  left-hand  one,  and 
a  piece  of  another  two  impaled,  with  "  Rochfort "  written  above  the  left. 
On  the  larger  fragment  there  were  two  shields  impaled  (the  upper  edge 
being  broken),  and  under  them,  "Da  :  Ele  :  Uscher,"  written  above  the 
Ussher  arms  impaled,  with  an  unknown  shield  of  four  quarters,  which 
also  appeared  on  the  right  in  the  other  three.  "  Obiit  ilia"  was  plainly 
observable  on  the  smaller  fragment.  As  I  could  make  out  nothing  at  the 
Ulster  Office  or  elsewhere,  owing  to  the  imperfect  state  of  the  slab,  I 


464         ON  SEPULCHRAL  SLAB  OF  SIR  JOHN  ELIOT,  ETC. 

paid  another  visit  to  Balsoon  on  December  14th,  when  the  Rector  kindly 
helped  me  to  obtain  a  better  rubbing ;  and  while  poking  about  I  pulled 
away  some  stones  from  a  grave,  under  which  I  found  in  a  hole  another 
fragment  which  bore  on  it  the  remainder  of  the  lower  shields.  We  carried 
the  three  fragments  into  the  old  ruin,  placed  them  together,  and  saw 
there  was  still  a  large  piece  deficient  at  the  top.  The  next  day  I  took 
another  rubbing  of  part,  and  also  searched  well  for  the  remainder  of  the 
slab,  which,  no  doubt,  is  hidden  from  view  somewhere  under  the  soil.  As 
soon  as  I  was  able,  I  consulted  the  famous  MS.  Book  of  Pedigrees  (F.  4. 
18  in  Trinity  College,  Dublin),  in  which  is  a  pedigree  of  the  Rochforts 
of  Kilbride,  and  from  this  I  learned  that  Ismay  Rochfort,  daughter  of 
Christopher  of  Kilbride,  was  m.  to  Sir  John  Elyot,  Knt.,  3rd  Baron  of 
the  Exchequer;  and  that  Thomas  Eliot,  of  Balriske,  near  Balsoon,  father 
of  Sir  John,  m.  Elizabeth  Smart.  I  next  looked  out,  in  the  Ulster  office, 
the  funeral  entry  of  Sir  John  Eliot,  which  runs  thus  : — "  Sir  John  Eliot, 
3rd  Baron  of  the  Exchequer  dec.  ye  x  of  January  1616:  his  first  wife 
was  Joan  dr*  of  Tho.  Might ;  his  second  was  Ismay  dr.  of  Christopher 
Rochford  of  Kilbride ;  his  third,  Eleonore  dr.  of  Rob*.  Ussher  of  Sauntrie 
(widow  of  "Walter  Ball  of  Dublin,  Alderman,  Maior) ;  his  fourth  was  Ales 
dr.  of  Hugh  Kenedie  of  Dublin,  widow  of  John  Arthure,  Alderman, 
Maior  of  Dublin ;  he  left  issue  only  by  his  second  wife,  viz.,  Thomas, 
Henry,  Christopher,  and  Oliver." 

Of  the  eight  impaled  coats,  then,  the  upper  ones  on  the  right  are 
those  of  Thomas  Eliot  and  his  wife  Elizabeth  Smart;  the  upper  on  the 
left  are  those  of  Sir  John  Eliot  and  Might ;  the  lower  on  the  right,  Sir 
John  Eliot  and  Rochford  ;  the  lower  on  the  left,  Eliot  and  Ussher.  There 
are  probably  two  more,  of  which  one  may  be  Eliot  and  Kenedie. 

The  inscription,  as  remaining,  is  : — •'  Aronii  sacii,  et  Ismaya  de  Rupe- 
forte  uxor  eius,  hanc  capellam  construxerunt,  obiit  ilia." 

Sir  John  Eliot  was  knighted  1610,  and  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Eliot, 
of  Balriske,  near  Balsoon  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth  Smart :  Mary  Eliot, 
sister  of  Sir  John,  was  wife  of  Primate  Henry  Ussher,  first  Fellow  and 
Vice-Provost  of  Trinity  College,  of  which  he  obtained  the  first  charter 
from  Queen  Elizabeth. 

In  the  Rolls  of  Chancery  there  are  several  Meath  Inquisitions  of  Eliot. 
Thus,  in  temp.  Jac.  I.,  "  Robt.  Rochfort  of  Kilbride  seised  of  certain 
lands  in  1603,  20  May  feoffed  Thos.  Elyot  of  Balriske  son  of  Sir  J.  E. 
of  them  for  certain  uses."  Again:  "John  Eliot,  late  of  Balriske,  knt., 
was  seised  of  1  castle,  1  hall,  six  messuages,  4  gardens,  200  acres  arable, 
20  acres  meadow,  16  acres  jampor,  40  pasture  in  Balriske,  Stunbriges- 
lande  in  Ennaghstown  and  Gartrym,  80  acres  called  churchland  in  Bals- 
towne,  &c.,  10  acres  in  Elyots  ton  read,  vulgarly  Ellestonread.  20  July 
1616  Sir  J.  E.  made  his  will  as  follows.  He  d.  11  Jan.  1616.  Thos. 
Elyot  his  son  and  heir  was  then  aged  30  odd  years  and  mard.  In  1622 
Thos.  Elyot  is  mentd."  Again  :  "  Henry  Eliot  late  of  Balriske  levied  fines 

As  to  the  wives  of  Sir  J.  Eliot,  the  Thomas  Might,  father  of  the  first, 
is  probably  the  same  who  was  for  some  time  Surveyor  of  the  Victuals  in 
Ireland,  and  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Andrew  Bruereton  ;  but  the  mar- 
riage was  dissolved  because  he  had  a  wife  in  England  at  the  time  of  the 
marriage,  unknown  to  her  parents  and  friends.  She  married,  secondly,  Sir 
Nicholas  White,  who  died  1590. 


ON  SEPULCHRAL  SLAB  OF  SIR  JOHN  ELIOT,  ETC.  465 

The  funeral  entry  of  the  wife  of  Henry  Might,  Esq.,  is  dated  1621 ; 
and  the  arms,  "  Az.  2  annulets  in  fess  interlaced  or,  between  3  eagles' 
legs  erased  a  la  quise  of  the  last." 

Of  the  second  wife,  Ismay  Rochfort,  besides  this  tomb  and  the  ruined 
church,  there  is  a  touching  and  interesting  note  in  MS.  B.  3,  12  T.  C.  D., 
a  beautifully  written  and  illuminated  breviary  of  Sir  John  Eliot,  in  the 
calendar  of  which  he  wrote  several  memoranda  :  "15  Maii,  '  nupsi  Ismay 
Rochfort  apud  Palmerston  A°  1581  A°  R.  R.  Elizabeth  23.'  " 

Another  entry  is:  "13  Sept.,  '  Obit  us  dni  Patricii  Smart  Canonici 
mo'st'  beate  ma  de  Trym  q'  obijt  xiij°  Septembr.  a°  1577,  cuius  ame. 
propitietur  Deus.'  "  This  was  probably  an  uncle  of  Sir  John  Eliot. 

The  third  wife  of  Sir  J.  Eliot,  Elenor  TJssher,  by  her  first  husband, 
"Walter  Ball,  was  a  direct  ancestress  of  the  writer.  She  married, 
secondly,  Dr.  Robert  Conway,  Master  of  Chancery  ;  and,  thirdly,  Sir  John 
Eliot.  Her  first  husband  died  1 598  ;  and  she  deceased  the  5th  December, 
1613.  Her  father,  Robert  TJssher,  of  Santry,  was  the  senior  male  repre- 
sentative of  the  house  of  Ussher. 

The  arms  of  the  fourth  wife,  Ales  Kenedie,  are  given  in  the  3rd.  vol. 
of  the  Funeral  Entries  as  "three  esquires'  helmets  on  a  ground  sable." 

The  arms  of  Sir  John  Eliot  are  given  as : — "  1st  and  3rd  quarterings 
a  bar  gules  betw:  2  fesses  waved  sable,  3  pellets,  sable  above,  2nd  and 
4th  quarterings  a  chevron  gules  between  2  castles  or  of  1st,  1  of  2nd." 
In  the  Funeral  Entry  the  1st  and  3rd  are  given  as  the  Eliot  arms;  2nd 
and  4th  unknown ;  but  my  learned  heraldic  friend,  Mr.  Arthur  Yicars, 
kindly  searched  for  me  in  a  rare  old  MS.  book  of  heraldry  belonging  to 
him,  and  found  that  Sir  John  Eliot's  quarterings  are  those  of  the  Eliots 
of  Coteland  in  Devon,  and  afterwards  of  St.  Germains,  or  Port  Eliot,  in 
Cornwall.  According  to  Bridges'  Collins'  Peerage,  Edward  Eliot,  of  Cote- 
land,  was  descended  from  Walter  Eliot,  one  of  the  Devon  gentry,  in  1433. 
According  to  the  Devon  Yisitation  of  1620,  James  Eliotte  de  Co.  Devon 
was  husband  of  Johanna,  daughter  of  John  Bouvile,  of  Chute,  in  county 
Devon.  Their  son,  Edward  Eliott,  of  Coteland,  was  husband  of  Alicia, 
daughter  of  Robert  Guy,  of  Kingsbridge,  by  whom  he  had  two  sons, 
John  Eliot,  of  St.  Germains,  twice  married,  and  Thomas,  husband  of 
Joan,  daughter  of  John  Norbrooke,  of  Exeter.  The  famous  Sir  John 
Eliot,  of  Port  Eliot,  born  1590,  was  grandson  of  Thomas  and  Joan. 
Before  James  Eliot's  time,  an  Eliot  must  have  married  a  Coteland  heiress. 
Richard  Eliot,  son  of  Thomas,  of  Coteland,  exchanged  the  lands  of  Cote- 
land for  the  site  and  lands  of  St.  Germains,  with  the  family  of  Champer- 
nowne  (cf.  Inquis.  p.  m.  Jac.  i.  Dev.  Yis.  1620). 


(     466     ) 


NOTES    AND     QUERIES. 


Remarks  on  the  Memorial  Slab  to  SIB  NICHOLAS  DEVEBEUX,  ETC.,  BY 
GEORGE  J.  HEWSON. — Dr.  Redmond's  Paper  on  this  memorial  slab  is  very 
interesting,  and  it  is  much  to  be  wished  that  Members  should  contribute 
such  Papers  to  our  Journal  on  any  ancient  memorials  or  inscriptions 
existing  in  their  neighbourhood. 

In  some  respects,  however,  I  think  it  desirable  that  the  writer  should 
have  given  more  detailed  information  as  to  particulars. 

First  of  all,  it  would  be  well  to  have  it  recorded  where  the  slab  is  at 
present,  as  from  Dr.  Redmond  advancing  a  theory  as  to  the  position  in 
which  he  supposes  it  was  originally  built  into  the  wall  of  the  chapel 
attached  to  Adamstown  Castle,  it  would  appear  that  it  is  not  now  in  a 
position  which  it  could  originally  have  occupied,  and  for  anything  the 
reader  may  know,  this  castle,  in  which  the  slab  "  was  found  many 
years  ago,"  may  now  be  entirely  demolished. 

Next,  there  is  a  very  great  omission  in  not  giving  the  dimensions  of 
the  slab. 

On  looking  at  the  engraving  of  the  smaller  side  of  the  stone,  I  notice 
some  particulars  on  which  I  wish  very  much  for  further  information ; 
for  instance,  in  the  engraving  the  border  round  the  edge  of  the  stone  is 
marked  with  a  number  of  parallel  lines,  which  show  mitreing  at  the 
angles.  Do  those  lines  actually  exist  on  the  stone,  showing  the  marks 
of  chiselling,  or  are  they  merely  used  as  shading  in  the  drawing  ?  and  if 
so,  do  they  show  that  the  border  is  chamfered,  and  lower  at  the  outer 
than  at  the  inner  edge  ? 

The  remark  is  made,  "the  stem  and  floriated  extremity,  rudely 
representing  a  cross,  are  also  cut  in  relief,  and  probably  are  on  an  exact 
level  with  the  inscribed  border."  This  "probably"  strikes  me  as  an 
extraordinary  expression ;  if  Dr.  Redmond  made  the  drawings  from  the 
stone  itself,  he  should  know  whether  they  are  on  an  exact  level  or  not, 
and  say  so ;  if  he  did  not  make  the  drawings  himself  from  the  stone,  it 
would  be  very  desirable  to  know  when,  how,  and  by  whom  they  were 
made,  as  a  great  deal  depends  on  the  amount  of  confidence  that  can  be 
placed  in  their  absolute  accuracy. 

Another  point  on  which  I  would  wish  for  further  information  is  this : 
in  giving  the  inscription  on  this  side,  Dr.  Redmond  begins  it:  — IOC  : 
Does  the  dash  imply  that  the  beginning  of  some  word  is  obliterated  ? 
The  inscription,  as  given  in  the  text,  would  lead  one  to  suppose  that 
such  was  the  case,  while  the  engraving  would  be  undoubtedly  taken  to 
show  that  it  was  not,  and  that  no  letters  ever  existed  on  it  but  those 
which  are  given. 

But  for  the  raised  border  (I  suppose  it  is  raised)  being  shown  so 
distinctly  across  the  wider  end  of  the  stone,  I  would  say,  without  a 
moment's  hesitation,  that  the  stone  was  originally  longer,  and  was  a 
monumental  flag,  the  wider  end  of  which,  containing  the  top  of  a 
floriated  cross,  and  the  name,  &c.,  of  the  deceased,  had  been  broken  or 
cut  off,  and  which  had  been  re-inscribed  on  the  reverse,  and  used  as  a 


NOTES  AND   QUERIES.  467 

memorial  stone  to  build  into  some  part  of  the  castle  in  which  it  was 
found. 

The  object  in  the  centre  is  not  a  cross  in  the  sense  in  which  Dr. 
Eedmond  takes  it,  but  it  is  the  lower  termination  and  shaft  of  a  cross  of 
a  very  usual  type.  Mr.  Redmond  himself  remarks  that  such  slabs  taper 
from  head  to  foot — the  italics  are  his — and  the  cross  was  certainly  not 
turned  upside  down  ;  then  the  form  of  the  letters  on  this  side  of  the 
stone,  and  the  fashion  of  the  cross,  are  earlier  than  the  date  which  he 
gives  for  the  inscription  on  the  other  side,  and  to  which  the  form  of 
letters  used  in  it  corresponds.  By  the  way,  he  does  not  say  whether 
this  inscription  is  incised  or  raised.  I  do  not  see  how  the  inscription 
can  be  a  continuation  of  the  latter,  as  one  is  in  the  plural  and  the  other 
in  the  singular.  In  one,  the  prayers  of  the  reader  are  asked  for  the 
souls  of  Sir  N.  Devereux  and  wife,  the  founders  of  the  castle  ;  the  prayer 
expressed  in  the  other  is  for  the  soul  of  some  person  now  unknown. 

As  I  said  before,  there  would  be  no  manner  of  doubt  about  the  matter 
if  there  was  not  a  raised  border  across  the  wider  end  of  the  stone ;  but 
though  the  engraving  shows  it,  and  the  description  implies  it,  there  are 
omissions  in  the  description,  and  uncertainties  about  the  drawing  and 
engraving,  which  leave  room  for  doubts  in  my  mind  as  to  whether  it 
actually  is  on  the  stone. 

That  this  stone  was  inscribed  on  both  sides  to  Sir  Nicholas  Devereux 
and  wife  seems  to  me  to  be  extremely  improbable,  as  Dr.  Eedmond 
remarks  such  a  stone  would  be  unique ;  and  the  mode  in  which  he 
suggests  that  it  was  fixed  in  an  aperture  in  the  wall  of  the  castle  chapel, 
like  a  pane  of  glass  in  a  window,  would  also  be  quite  unique ;  then  the 
monumental  stones,  which  tapered  from  head  to  foot,  were  always  either 
the  lids  of  stone  coffins  or  slabs,  intended  to  represent  them,  and  laid  in 
a  horizontal  position  over  the  grave — a  stone  would  never  have  been  cut 
to  this  shape  for  the  purpose  of  being  placed  in  such  a  position  as  Dr. 
Redmond  suggests.  The  inscription  also  on  one  side  is  in  the  plural, 
and  on  the  other  in  the  singular,  and  the  letters  used  are  entirely  unlike 
those  on  the  smaller  side  of  the  stone,  which,  according  to  Dr.  Redmond's 
theory,  form  the  latter  part  of  the  legend,  being  the  earlier.  If  the 
object  on  it  were  a  cross  in  the  sense  in  which  Dr.  Redmond  takes  it — the 
stone  tapering  from  head  to  foot — the  cross  would  be  reversed,  which 
certainly  was  not  the  case ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is  exactly  like 
the  shaft  and  lower  termination  of  numerous  crosses  on  such  tapered 
stones. 

Another  thing  which  helps  to  show  that  the  smaller  side  of  the  stone 
was  the  original  upper  sculptured  surface  is  its  being  the  smaller  side. 
This  was  very  frequently  the  case  with  such  stones,  the  edges  being  cut 
sloping,  but  the  upper  surface  was  never  the  larger. 

The  stone  certainly  looks  rather  long  to  have  had  much  taken  off  the 
end  of  it,  but  such  stones  were  sometimes  very  narrow  in  proportion  to 
their  length,  and  on  such  narrow  stones  the  head  of  the  cross  was  com- 
paratively small ;  and  the  dimensions  of  the  stone  not  being  given,  and 
the  drawing  most  probably  not  having  been  made  to  scale,  the  stone 
itself  may  not  be  really  quite  so  long  in  proportion  as  the  engraving 
would  lead  one  to  suppose. 

The  top  of  the  original  monumental  slab  may  not  have  been  cut  off 
for  the  purpose  of  reinserting  the  reverse  as  a  memorial  stone  to  Sir 


468  NOTES  AND   QUERIES. 

Nicholas  Devereux ;  it  may  have  been  an  old  stone,  the  top  of  which  had 
been  broken  off  and  lost  long  before  ;  and  it  is  quite  possible  that  it  was 
as  little  known  in  1556  to  whom,  it  had  been  originally  inscribed  as  it  is 
now. 

It  is  very  desirable  that  the  matter  should  be  cleared  up,  and  the 
fact  placed  beyond  doubt,  as  to  whether  or  not  the  raised  border  exists 
across  the  wider  end  of  the  stone  in  such  a  way  as  to  preclude  the  possi- 
bility of  part  of  the  slab,  containing  the  top  of  a  cross  and  part  of  an 
inscription,  having  been  cut  away. 

Dr.  Redmond  would  do  good  service  by  further  examining  the 
.stone,  making  careful  rubbings  from  it,  as  well  as  drawings  to  scale, 
supplying  the  omissions  of  description  which  I  have  mentioned,  and 
biinging  the  matter  again  before  the  Association. 

As  to  the  supporters  to  the  arms,  I  think  it  is  impossible  that  they 
can  be  intended  for  Talbots,  or  any  other  dogs :  as  given  in  the  engraving 
they  are  unmistakable  rabbits — a  little  too  long  and  rat-like  in  the 
muzzles,  but  still  rabbits,  and  nothing  more — except  possibly  hares — 
and  I  think  that  if  Dr.  Redmond  had  not  been  so  well  up  in  heraldry  he 
would  have  said  so  himself. 

1  hope  very  much  that  he  will  give  additional  information  as  to  the 
present  locality  and  exact  state  of  this  most  interesting  memorial  slab, 
and  of  any  others  which  may  come  under  his  observation. 


REPLY,  ly  GABRIEL  O'C.  REDMOND,  to  a  number  of  Queries  and  Objections 
referring  to  Remarks  on  the  Memorial  Slab  to  SIB,  NICHOLAS  DEVEBEUX 
OF  BALMAGIR,  which  appeared  in  the  July  Number  of  this  "  JOUBNAL." 

1.  In  reply  to  Mr.  Hewson's  desire  to  have  it  recorded  where  the 
slab  is  at  present,  whether  the  Castle  of  Adamstown  is  now  entirely 
demolished  or  not,  and  the  dimensions  of  the  slab,  I  think  the  simplest 
way  to  give  the  information  desired  is  to  explain  that  the  etching  of 
the  slab  in  the  Journal  was  done  by  me  from  an  old  and  nearly  obliterated 
plate  engraving,  which  I  found  among  some  old  family  papers,  and  which 
had  no  descriptive  account  of  either  the  castle,  or  the  slab  itself.    The 
dimensions  of  the  slab  are  not  given,  nor  can  I  say  where  it  is  at  present ; 
but  I  understand  that  the  Castle  of  Adamstown  is  quite  demolished.     I 
believe  that  the  slab,  covered  with  rubbish  and  debris,  was  found  in  the 
ruins  of  the  castle  about  the  commencement  of  the  present  century,  and 
I  connected  the  drawing  of  the  slab  with  the  Castle  of  Adamstown,  by 
my  knowledge,  from  authentic  records,  that  the  castle  was  founded  in 
1556  by  a  Sir  Nicholas  Devereux  and  his  wife,  Lady  Eatherine  Power, 
whose  names  are  inscribed  on  the  plate  of  the  slab. 

2.  In  reply  to  Mr.  Hewson's  remarks  about  the  parallel  lines  show- 
ing mitreing  at  the  angles  marked  round  the  edge  of  the  reverse  side  of 
the  stone,  my  opinion  is  that  they  are  merely  used  as  shading  in  the 
drawing — they  are  facsimile  representations  of  the  old  plate,  from  which 
I  sketched  the  drawing.    I  believe,  from  the  shade  lines  running  at 
right  angles  to  each  other  at  the  four  corners,  that  the  outer  edge  is 
meant  to  be  represented  as  lower  than  the  inner— that  is  to  say,  that  the 
inscription  commencing  IOC  cujus,  &c.,  was  on  a  slant. 


NOTES   AND    QUERIES.  469 

3.  I  merely  presumed  that  the  cross  on  the  reverse  side  was  cut  in 
relief,  and  that  the  space  between  it  and  the  shaded   sides  was  on  a 
somewhat  lower  level  than  it  and  the  sides. 

4.  The  dash  in  front  of  IOC  was  not  meant  to  imply  that  the  begin- 
ning of  a  word  was  obliterated,  but  intended  to  convey  that  it  was  a 
continuation  of  the  front  inscription. 

5.  Mr.  Hewson  thinks  that,  but  for  the  raised  border  at  the  wider 
end,  the  stone  was  originally  longer.     I  copied  the  drawing  faithfully, 
and  unless  the  stone  had  been  broken,  and  re-sculptured  at  the  border, 
it  could  not  have  been  longer.     I  cannot  say  whether  the  inscription  is 
incised  or  raised.     The  inscription  at  the  back  is  in  the  plural,  accord- 
ing to  the  Rev.  James  Graves,   "aiiima:"  followed  by  two  dots,  being 
an    abbreviation;  but   I   must  acknowledge  that  it  would  require  the 
adverb  "  quorum"  to  agree  with  "  animabus." 

It  is,  doubtless,  very  much  to  be  regretted  that  more  light  cannot  be 
thrown  on  the  matter.  As  the  whereabouts  of  the  stone  is  unknown, 
and  its  dimensions  not  recorded,  of  course  the  matter  remains  in  olscuro, 
and  I  think  that  by  copying  the  old  drawing  accurately,  and  present- 
ing it  to  the  readers  of  the  Journal,  with  a  few  remarks  about  it,  I 
have  done  all  in  my  power  to  preserve  it  from  oblivion.  I  would 
suggest  that  the  Hon.  Local  Secretary  for  the  county  "Wexford,  Mr. 
J.  E.  Mayler,  be  requested  to  institute  inquiries  about  it,  and  also 
about  the  Castle  of  Adamstown.  This  very  stone  may  be  lying  some- 
where in  the  locality — built  into  a  farm-house,  or  a  wall,  or  used  as 
a  hearth-stone — and  it  would  well  repay  any  trouble  if  the  original  were 
brought  to  light. 

Regarding  the  supporters  of  the  arms,  I  must  adhere  to  my  opinion 
that  they  are  a  rude  representation  of  Talbot  dogs,  and  not  rabbits  or 
hares,  for  the  reasons  given  in  my  Paper.  Considering  that  one  of  the 
supporters  and  one  of  the  crests  of  the  Devereux  family  at  the  present 
day  is  a  Talbot  dog,  I  think  my  surmise  in  this  respect  almost  beyond 
discussion. 

I  hope  that  the  above  discussion  may  have  the  effect  of  eliciting 
further  information  about  this  curious  stone.  I  take  a  very  lively 
interest  in  it,  and  should  be  glad  to  have  the  uncertainty  regarding 
it  cleared  up. 

Additional  Note  ly  GEORGE  J.  HEWSON. — I  have  read  Dr.  Redmond's 
rejoinder  to  my  remarks,  and  have  no  further  observations  to  make ; 
but  that  as  Dr.  Redmond  seems  to  have  no  authority  about  the 
slab  in  question,  save  an  old  plate  engraving  without  any  description, 
or  anything  whatever  to  show  to  what  it  relates  but  the  inscriptions 
sculptured  on  the  slabs  figured  thereon,  I  do  not  see  any  sufficient 
reason  for  assuming  that  those  figures  do  not  represent  two  different 
slabs,  and  not,  as  Dr.  Redmond  supposes,  different  sides  of  the  same  slab. 
It  has  also  now  struck  me,  for  the  first  time,  that  if  the  slab  was 
sculptured  on  both  sides,  and  set  in  a  wall  in  the  manner  suggested  by 
Dr.  Redmond,  the  inscription  on  one  side  must,  of  necessity,  be  turned 
upside  down.  As  to  the  assertion  that  "  the  inscription  on  the  back  is 
in  the  plural,  'anima:'  followed  by  two  dots  being  an  abbreviation," 
"cujus,"  which  agrees  with  "anima:"  in  number,  shows  that  it  is 
singular  in  this  case. 


470  NOTES   AND  QUERIES. 

Additional  Note  by  GABRIEL  O'C.  KEDMOND.— The  inscription  (ante 
page  413)  is  an  exact  transcript  of  the  original  found  in  the  old 
Castle  of  Adamstown,  county  Wexford.  It  formerly  belonged  to  the 
Devereux  family,  of  which  the  following  account  is  to  be  found  among 
the  Records  of  Nicholas  Devereux  of  Balmagir  :  —  married  Eleanor, 
daughter  of  James  Keating,  by  whom  he  had  issue  Sir  Nicholas 
Devereux  of  Balmagir,  Knight,  who  married  Katherme,  daughter  of 
Richard  Lord  Power  of  Corroghmore.  It  also  appears  by  an  extract, 
from  the  records  quoted  in  Lodge's  Peerage,  that  this  Sir  Nicholas  was 
joined  in  commission,  for  the  administration  of  martial  law,  with  Lord 
Mountgarret,  in  the  year  1558. 

The  following  is  the  inscription :— On  the  seal-  •"  S.  Nicolai  Devereus 
militis."  Inscription—"  Orate  p  aiab,  Nicolai  Devereus  militis  et  dne 
Katrine  Power  ej9  uxoris  quihoc  maneriu  condiderut  a°  d1  i=". 

On  the  reverse  the  legend  is  so  obscure  as  scarcely  to  afford  room  for 
probable  conjecture:  the  following  is,  however,  hazarded:— 

—  OC  cujus  anime  :  propitietur  Dnus." 


Folk-lore. — Mr.  Day,  in  his  very  interesting  sketch  of  "Paddy  the 
Doctor,"  expresses  the  opinion  "  that  the  race  of  such  practitioners  has 
almost  passed  away  from  Ireland."  But  that  they  have  successors  else- 
where, who  use  old  Irish  cures  and  charms,  the  following  extract  from  a 
Canadian  paper,  of  the  date  of  June  27,  will  show  : — 

"  SAVED  FROM  HYDROPHOBIA. — The  mad-stone  successfully  applied  to  a 
cowboy. — Tom  Harris,  a  cowboy  from  the  Staked  Plains,  Texas,  is  lying 
in  Kansas  City,  recovering  from  an  attack  of  hydrophobia.  One  Satur- 
day night  he  was  bitten  by  a  '  hydrophobia  cat '  while  away  from  the 
ranche  gathering  up  stray  cattle  in  the  Indian  territory.  As  the  fatal  result 
of  such  bites  is  well  known  in  those  parts  of  the  country,  the  man  left  the 
herd  at  once,  and  rode  to  Fort  Elliott,  Texas,  in  search  of  a  mad-stone  ; 
but  failing  to  find  one,  he  started  for  Kansas  City,  where  he  arrived  on 
Wednesday  morning,  with  his  left  hand  and  arm  swollen,  suffering  intense 
pain.  Dr.  J.  M.  Dickson  of  that  city,  who  possesses  a  pair  of  mad-stones, 
which  his  grandfather  brought  from  Ireland,  was  at  once  sent  for,  and 
began  treatment.  The  wound  is  a  very  small  and  harmless-looking  one, 
consisting  of  three  tiny  teeth-marks  on  the  inside  of  the  third  finger  of 
the  left  hand.  The  madstones  have  drawn  more  or  less  pus  from  the 
wound  since  they  were  applied  yesterday  morning,  as  much  as  half  an 
egg-shellful  at  one  time.  The  swelling  has  decreased  in  proportion,  and 
the  doctor  thinks  now  that  the  case  is  under  control. 

"Dr.  J.  M.  Dickson  has  two  stuffed  specimens  of  the  cat  at  his  resi- 
dence. He  says  it  is  an  entirely  distinct  species,  different  from  the 
skunk,  or  polecat,  with  which  it  is  often  confounded.  The  animal  is  no 
larger  than  an  ordinary  grey  squirrel,  with  red  eyeballs,  and  its  long 
shaggy  hair  and  feelers  standing  upwards  and  forwards.  Its  bite  is 
always  poisonous,  and  fatal  if  not  attended  to.  The  doctor  attributes 
the  frequency  of  hydrophobia  in  this  western  country  to  the  prevalence 
of  this  animal.  It  is  found  in  Texas,  Indian  Territory,  Kansas,  Arkan- 


NOTES   AND   QUEEIES.  471 

sas,  and  Western  Missouri.  Often,  and  especially  in  severe  weather,  the 
'  hydrophobia  cat '  will  make  its  way  into  houses,  dug-outs,  and  stables, 
biting  people  and  animals  it  may  come  in  contact  with,  and  many  cases 
of  hydrophobia  in  domestic  and  wild  animals  are  due  to  its  bite.  Very 
frequently  hydrophobia  patients  come  in  from  Staked  Plains  in  Texas 
and  Indian  Territory  to  be  treated  with  the  mad-stone.  Among  Dr. 
Dickson's  former  patients  was  Chief  Keokukowa,  of  the  Sac  and  Fox 
tribe,  in  the  Indian  Territory,  who  was  a  grandson  of  the  old  Chief 
Keokuk,  after  whom  Keokuk  la  was  named." 

The  above  shows  that  Irish  folk-lore,  and  Irish  popular  cures  and  charms 
have  been  transplanted  to  the  far  west  of  the  other  hemisphere  and  have 
there  taken  root  and  flourished.  In  this  connexion  I  may  mention  that 
a  "  Charm"  for  farcy — one  of  "  Paddy  the  Doctor's  "  specialties — which 
has  been  used  for  generations,  and  is  still-used  by  members  of  a  family  in 
the  Co.  Limerick,  is  now  used  by  a  member  of  that  family  on  the  horses 
in  the  great  ranching  country  within  the  shadow  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, in  the  north  west  territory  of  Canada. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  know  how  the  mad-stones  were  used  in 
Ireland  as  a  cure  for  hydrophobia,  and  if  any  are  now  so  used  in  this 
country ;  perhaps  some  member  may  have,  or  be  able  to  make  out,  some 
information  on  the  subject,  and  give  it  publicity  in  our  "  Notes  and 
Queries." — GTEOEGE  J.  HEWSON. 


"  Holed- Stone"  in  the  County  Carlow. — Since  the  description  of  the 
"  Holed-stone  "  near  Tubbernavean,  Sligo,  was  given  (ante,  p.  74),  the 
writer  has  received  fromE.  Clayton  Browne,  Jun.,  of  Browne's  Hill,  Carlow, 
the  following  interesting  information  concerning  a  very  similar  specimen 
that  maybe  seen  in  that  county  : — This  stone,  called  Cloghafoyle  (Hole- 
stone),  or  Cloch-a-Phoill  (the  Stone  of  the  Hole)  is  situated  in  the  corner 
of  a  field  in  the  parish  of  Aghade,  near  Mr.  Clayton  Browne's  residence. 
The  stone  is  marked  on  the  Ordnance  6"  Sheet,  No.  13.  It  projects,  in 
a  semi-recumbent  position,  7  feet  6  inches  above  ground,  is  5  feet  8  inches 
in  width,  1  foot  6  inches  in  its  thickest  part,  and  it  is  pierced — nearly 
equally  distant  from  the  sides  and  top — with  a  round  hole  11£  inches  in 
diameter.  Formerly  children  were  passed  through  this  aperture  either 
as  a  cure  for,  or  a  preventative  against,  the  malady  called  rickets. 

There  is  still  a  tradition  amongst  the  country  people  that  a  son  of  one  of 
the  Irish  kings  was  chained  to  this  stone,  but  that  he  contrived  to  break 
his  chains  and  escape.  One  of  the  contributors  to  the  Ordnance  Survey 
reports,  and  who  evidently  had  a  firm  and  unshaken  belief  in  ancient 
tradition,  states  : — "  There  are  marks  left,  caused  by  the  friction  of  the  iron 
on  the  stone.  We  would  at  once  conclude  that  it  was  a  bull,  or  some  other 
animal,  that  was  chained  here,  and  not  a  human  being,  were  not  the  tradi- 
tion confirmed  by  written  history,  the  verity  of  which  we  are  not  dis- 
posed to  contradict."  This  is  a  reference  to  a  legend  in  the  Book  of 
Ballymote  (fol.  77,  p.  b,  col.  b),  in  which  this  stone  is  mentioned,  as  well 
as  the  name  of  the  district  (now  parish)  in  which  it  is  situated,  i.e. 
&cp,t)&c,  Athfada  (Aghada)  =  the  long-ford.  The  following  is  a  literal 
translation  as  taken  from  the  Ordnance  Survey  Correspondence  : — 

"  The  punishment  of  Eochaidh,  son  of  Enna   Cennsealach  (King  of 
Leinster). — Eochaidh,  the  son  of  Enna  Censealach  on  a  time  repaired  to 


472  NOTES   AND    QUERIES. 

the  south  to  his  own  country.  He  determined  on  going  to  the  house  of 
the  poet  of  Niall  of  the  Nine  Hostages  to  ask  for  victualls,  i.  e.  to  the 
house  of  Laidginn,  son  of  Baircead,  who  was  Niall's  poet.  The  youth 
was  refused  entertainment  in  the  poet's  house.  He  returned  back  again 
from  the  south  and  burned — after  being  as  an  hostage  from  his  father  in 
the  hands  of  Niall  of  the  Nine  Hostages — the  poet's  residence,  and  killed 
his  only  son.  The  poet  for  a  full  year  after  that  continued  to  satirize  the 
Lagenians,  and  bring  fatalities  on  them,  so  that  neither  corn,  grass,  nor 
foliage  grew  unto  them  to  the  end  of  a  year. 

"  Niall  made  an  expedition  to  the  Lagenians,  and  vowed  that  he 
should  not  depart  from  them  until  Eochaidh  should  be  given  up  as 
an  hostage,  and  they  were  compelled  so  to  do.  And  he  was  carried  to 
Athfadat,  in  Fothartaibh  Fea,  on  the  banks  of  the  Slaine,  where  he  was 
left  after  them  with  a  chain  round  his  neck,  and  the  end  of  the  chain 
through  a  perforated  rock.  Then  there  came  to  him  nine  champions  of 
the  champions  of  Niall  for  the  purpose  of  killing  him. 

"  '  Bad,  indeed,'  said  he,  and  at  the  same  time  he  gave  a  sudden  jerk, 
by  which  he  broke  the  chain.  He  then  took  up  the  iron  bar  that  passed 
through  the  chain  (at  the  other  side  of  the  stone),  and  faced  them.  He 
so  well  plied  the  iron  bar  against  them  that  he  killed  the  nine.  The  men 
(i.  e.  the  Hy  Niall)  retreat  before  him  to  the  Tulach  (now  Tullow),  the 
Lagenians  press  after,  slaughtering  them,  until  they  had  left  the  country." 
— W.  G  W.  M. 


Extracts  translated  from  "  Septima  Vita,  S.Patricij"  Lib.  II.  Colgan 
Trias.  Thaum.,  p.  140 — xcvi.  "From  there  going  along  the  sea  shore  of  the 
district  of  Hui  Fiachrach,  he  (Patrick)  came  to  a  certain  river  at  S. 
Antistes,  on  which  he  pronounced  the  curse  of  unfruitfulness  when  he 
was  not  able  to  cross  it  on  account  of  the  great  muddiness  of  the  water. 
However,  he  made  a  delay  near  the  margin  of  the  river  in  a  place  called 
Buaile  Phadruic,  in  which  a  cross  is  seen  situated  near  a  mound.  While 
he  was  delaying  in  this  place  there  came  to  him  St.  Bronius,  Bishop  of 
Cassel-irra  (Killaspugbrone),  and  S.  Mac-rime,  guardian  of  the  Church 
of  Corca  Raoidhe,  and  there  he  wrote  the  (?  Koman)  alphabet  for  them. 
1  And  I  heard, ^  says  an  ancient  author,  c  from  someone,  that  there  he 
gave  one  of  his  teeth  to  Bishop  Bronius,  because  he  was  beloved  by 
Patrick.' "... 

"  xcvni.  Going  on  his  journey  by  the  sea  shore  of  northern  Connaught, 
Patrick  came  to  a  river  called  Sligeach  (Sligo).  There  he  wished  to 
refresh  his  wearied  body,  and  he  asked  the  fishermen  to  spread  their  nets 
wherever  they  pleased,  and  by  the  aid  of  their  art,  to  provide  some  fish 
for  a  meal,  by  which  he  mig;ht  relieve  the  present  need  of  his  body. 
They  answered  that  although  it  seemed  difficult  in  winter,  yet,  in  return 
for  the  favour  of  having  such  a  guest,  they  would  like  to  try  it.  They 
cast  their  net  and  caught  a  large  salmon,  which  with  great  ioy  they 
brought  to  the  man  of  God.  He  thanked  them  for  their  kind  attention, 
e  prayed  for  a  blessing  on  them,  and  he  blessed  the  river,  praying,  and 
whilst  praying  foretelling  that  fish  would  never  fail  in  the  river.  The 
actual  state  of  affairs  has  always  afforded  proof  of  this  prophecy ;  for  ever 
since  that  time  the  river  so  abounds  in  salmon,  that  in  every  time  of  the 
year  fresh  salmon  are  found  in  it." 


PROCEEDINGS  AND  PAPERS, 


A  QUARTERLY  GENERAL  MEETING  of  the  Association  was 
held  in  the  Court  House,  Cashel,  at  3  o'clock,  p.  M., 
on  Wednesday,  3rd  October,  1888. 

The  (^DONOVAN  OF  LISARD,  J.P.,  D.L.,  M.A.,  T.C.D., 

Senior  Vice -President  for  Munster,  in  the  Chair. 

The  other  Vice-Presidents  for  Munster  were  also 
present,  viz.: — Maurice  Lenihan,  J.P.,  M.R.I. A.;  H. 
Villiers-Stuart,  J.P.,  D.L.  ;  Robert  Day,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A. 

The  following  Fellows  and  Members  attended  : — 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Pakenham  Walsh,  Bishop  of  Ossory ; 
Colonel  Philip  D.  Vigors,  J.P.,  Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Carlow ; 
Thomas  Plunkett,  M.R.I.A.,  Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Fermanagh  ; 
John  Davis  White,  Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Tipperary ;  Rev. 
J.  T.  M.  Ffrench,  Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Wicklow  ;  Very  Rev. 
Arthur  H.  Leech,  Dean  of  Cashel ;  P.  J.  Lynch,  C.E., 
Architect,  Tralee;  J.  J.  F.  Browne,  C.E.,  Architect, 
Limerick ;  Edmund  Walsh  Kelly,  Tralee ;  Very  Rev. 
Canon  Courtenay  Moore ;  M.  J.  C.  Buckley,  London ; 
Henry  King,  M.B.,  A.M.,  M.R.I.A.,  Deputy  Surg.-General ; 
Samuel  Guilbride,  Newtownbarry ;  Patrick  O'Leary, 
Graiguenamanagh  ;  Very  Rev.  Canon  Lloyd,  Kilkishen, 
Co.  Clare ;  Major  Allen  Neason  Adams,  King's  Own 
Borderers,  Kidderminster;  George  Norman,  M.D.,F.R.M.S., 
Bath;  Julian  G.  Butler,  18,  Rutland-square,  Dublin; 
David  H.  Creighton,  F.R.G.S.,  Hon  Curator  of  Museum, 
Kilkenny ;  Robert  Cochrane,  M.INST.C.E.I.,  Architect, 
M.R.I.A.,  Hon.  General  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.   VIII.  2  M 


474  PROCEEDINGS. 

The  Chairman,  in  opening  the  proceedings,  congra- 
tulated the  Association  on  its  improved  financial  position. 
A  little  more  than  a  year  ago  their  best  friends  doubted 
the  possibility  of  carrying  on  the  work,  but,  thanks  to 
the  new  and  vigorous  management,  the  present  condition 
was  better  than  it  had  been  for  many  years.  During 
the  present  year  they  had  had  a  most  successful  meeting 
in  Derry,  and  he  congratulated  Cashel  on  their  represen- 
tative meeting  that  day.  It  showed  what  a  lively  inte- 
rest had  been  awakened  in  the  work  of  the  Association. 
As  there  was  much  work  to  be  done  he  would  not 
trespass  further  on  their  time. 

The  Notice  convening  the  Meeting  was  read,  and  the 
Minutes  of  last  Meeting  were  confirmed  and  signed. 
The  Hon.  Secretary  placed  on  the  table  the  following 
publications,  and  proposed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  donors, 
which  was  passed  unanimously  : — 

"Anales  del  Museo  Nacional  Republica  De  Costa 
Rica,'7  Tomoi.,  AFio  do  1887.  "  Bulletin  Des  Proces- 
Verbaux,  De  la  Societe  D'Emulation  D' Abbeville." 
Irish  Builder,  parts  688-691.  "  Anthologia  Tipperariensis," 
and  a  "  Guide  to  the  Rock  of  Cashel."  From  the  author, 
J.  ^Davis  White.  "  Journal  of  the  Royal  Institute  of 
British  Architects,"  Parts  xix.  and  xx.  From  the  Insti- 
tute. Pamphlet,  "Hints  to  Workmen  engaged  in  the 
Restoration  and  Preservation  of  Ancient  Monuments." 
From  Institute  of  British  Architects.  "Journal  of  the 
Chester  Archaeological  and  Historical  Society,"  1887, 
Part  i.,  New  Series.  From  the  Society.  "  Journal  of 
the  Anthropological  Institute  of  Great  Britain  and 
Ireland,"  for  August,  1888.  From  the  Institute. 

Dr.  Redmond,  Cappoquin,  presented  to  the  Museum 
the  following  copper  coins : — 

A  penny  token,  A.D.  1812.  Halfpenny,  reign  of  James  n.,  date  1689, 
and  a  large  copper  coin  found  in  townland  of  Ballintaylor,  Union  of  Dun- 
garvan,  Co.  Waterford.  Dr.  Redmond  mentioned  the  latter  coin  might 
possibly  be  Roman,  having  the  word  PUBLIC  marked  on  it;  but  close 
inspection  shows  the  words  UTILITATI  PUBLICS,  and  it  must  be  referred  to 
a  period  not  later  than  the  last  century,  when  a  great  manv  medals  and 
tokens  were  struck  in  copper. 


PROCEEDINGS.  475 

Dr.  Eedmond  also  sent  for  exhibition  a  silver  brooch 
made  from  a  Spanish  coin,  dated  1792. 

In  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  the  Com- 
mittee, and  on  the  proposal  of  Hon.  Sec.,  the  following 
Members  were  advanced  to  the  rank  of  Fellow,  they 
being  qualified  for  that  distinction,  stip.  cond. : — 

The  Very  Rev.  Edmond  Barry,  P.P.,  M.R.I. A.,  Rath- 
cormac  ;  Robert  Day,  F.S.A.,  M.R.I.A.,  Cork;  Arthur  Hill, 
B.E.,  F.R.I.B.A.,  Cork;  H.  Villiers-Stuart,  J.P.,  D.L., 
Dromana. 

On  the  motion  of  Hon.  Sec.,  the  following  were 
advanced  to  the  rank  of  Fellow: — 

Rev.  Patrick  Power,  Cobar,  New  South  Wales ;  His 
Grace  the  Duke  of  Abercorn ;  His  Eminence  Cardinal 
Moran,  Archbishop  of  Sydney;  The  Most  Rev.  Lord 
Plunket,  Archbishop  of  Dublin ;  Colonel  Vigors,  J.P., 
Hon.  Local  Sec.,  Carlow;  Major-General  Stubbs,  R.E. 

On  the  motion  of  Dr.  Frazer,  the  Rev.  Charles  Law- 
rence, of  Lawrencetown,  Co.  Gal  way,  was  elected  a 
Fellow. 

On  the  motion  of  Robert  Cochrane,  Hon.  Sec.,  Lord 
Walter  Fitzgerald,  Kilkea  Castle,  Mageny,  was  elected  a 
Fellow. 

The  following  new  Members  were  declared  duly 
elected : — 

Robert  Welch,  Esq.,  40  Lonsdale-street,  Belfast ; 
Francis  J.  Bigger,  Esq.,  Solicitor,  Belfast.  Proposed  by 
William  Swanston,  Esq. 

Michael  R.  O'Connor,  Esq.,  M.D.,  Limerick ;  Robert 
Hudson,  Esq.,  M.D.,  Tralee.  Proposed  by  P.  J.  Lynch, 
Esq. 

Thomas  Hamilton,  Esq.,  Raphoe;  Joseph  Ballantine, 
Esq.,  Londonderry ;  R.  S.  Smith,  Esq.,  Londonderry. 
Proposed  by  Thomas  Watson,  Esq. 

2M2 


476  PROCEEDINGS. 

J.  H.  Pentland,  Esq.,  Ormonde-road,  Dublin.  Pro- 
posed by  Dr.  Frazer. 

Mrs.  Fairholme,  Comeras,  Kilmacthomas ;  Arthur  A. 
Harris,  Esq.,  King's- square,  Mitchelstown ;  Maurice 
Armour,  Esq.,  Kingston  College,  Mitchelstown.  Pro- 
posed by  Philip  Raymond,  Esq. 

William  N.  J.  Clarke,  Esq.,  Windsor-road,  Dublin ; 
Very  Rev.  Arthur  H.  Leech,  Dean  of  Cashel.  Proposed 
by  J.  Davis  White,  Esq. 

Miss  Rowan,  Tralee.     Proposed  by  Miss  Hickson. 

Henry  Brett,  Esq.,  C.E.,  Roscrea.  Proposed  by  J. 
M.  Thunder,  Esq. 

Alfred  Henshaw,  Esq.,  J.P.,  St.  Philip's,  Miltown, 
Co.  Dublin ;  John  Panton,  Esq.,  25  St.  Andrew-street, 
Dublin;  Thomas  Davis,  Esq.,  Cairn  Hill,  Foxrock, 
Dublin;  Archibald  S.  Cooper,  Esq.,  Holywood  House, 
Palmerstown  Park,  Dublin.  Proposed  by  W.  J.  Gil- 
lespie,  Esq. 

Colonel  Geo.  C.  Spaight,  Beaufort  House,  Killarney ; 
Surgeon  Anthony  Hickman  Morgan  (Army  Medical 
Staff),  Skibbereen;  Major  Allen  Neason  Adams,  King's 
Own  Borderers,  Brookdale,  Kidderminster ;  Rev.  George 
Deacon,  A.M.,  Rectory,  Dunmanway,  Cork ;  Mrs.  Clarke, 
Graigenoe  Park,  Holy  cross,  Thurles ;  Rev.  John  O'Brien, 
p.p.,  Holy  cross,  Thurles.  Proposed  by  The  O'Donovan. 

Rev.  Thomas  N.  Jones,  c.c.,  Holy  cross,  Thurles. 
Proposed  by  Rev.  J.  T.  M.  Ffrench. 

John  O'Leary,  Esq.,  Grosvenor-road,  Rathmines; 
Thomas  Beaumont,  M.D.,  Deputy  Surgeon-General, Wood- 
view,  Blackrock,  Dublin.  Proposed  by  Deputy  Surgeon- 
General  King,  M.R.I. A. 

Mrs.  Annie  Sloane,  Moy,  Co.  Tyrone ;  and  56  Port- 
land-place, London.  Proposed  by  John  Moran,  Esq.,  LL.D. 

J.  Cornwall  Brady,  Esq.,  J.P.,  Myshall  House,  My- 
shall,  Co.  Carlow.  Proposed  by  Colonel  Vigors,  J.P. 

Julian  G.  Butler,  Esq.,  18  Rutland-square,  Dublin. 
Proposed  by  Robert  Cochrane,  Hon  Sec. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Morton,  B.A.,  Kilkenny;  A.  G.  Boyd, 
Esq.,  Solicitor,  Callan,  Co.  Kilkenny.  Proposed  by 
D.  H.  Creighton,  F.R.G.S. 


PROCEEDINGS.  477 

M.  J.  C.  Buckley,  Esq.,  29  Southampton-street,  Strand, 
London,  W.  Proposed  by  H.  Villiers- Stuart,  Esq.,  D.L. 

The  Hon.  Sec.  intimated  the  receipt  of  a  number  of 
letters  from  Fellows  and  Members  elected  at  last  Meeting, 
thanking  the  Association  for  the  honour  conferred  on 
them. 

The  following  objects  of  antiquarian  interest  were 
exhibited  and  explained : — 

ByMr.J.D.  White: 

Eight  celts,  of  various  forms,  in  bronze. 

Seven  arrow-heads  of  various  forms. 

One  very  fine  spear-head,  from  Castlebar,  with  socket. 

One  bronze  knife,  with  worked  handle. 

By  the  Dean  of  Cashel ; 

One  silver  flagon,  one  silver  cup,  one  silver  paten,  1667,  with  inscrip- 
tions, the  gift  of  Archbishop  Pulwar,  who  is  buried  in  the  churchyard 
here;  also  a  silver  25-oz.  VEIEGE,  made  in  Kilkenny,  in  1726,  for  this 
cathedral;  cost  £9  17s.  6d. 

By  the  Dean  and  Chapter  of  Cashel : 

The  Seal  of  the  Dean  and  Chapter,  in  silver ;  about  200  years  old ;  also 
the  Seal  of  the  College  of  the  Vicars  Choral  of  Cashel,  in  brass ;  date  about 
1666 ;  also  the  grant  made  by  James  n.  to  the  then  Duke  of  Ormonde  of 
the  rent  of  all  the  forfeited  lands  in  the  Co.  Tipperary  for  one  year. 

The  Dean  and  Chapter  also  exhibited  a  fine  old  oak  chair,  made  in 
1668,  one  of  eleven  made  for  the  Dean  and  Chapter,  and  costing  £2  2$. 
for  all.  In  excellent  preservation. 

The  Seal  of  the  Corporation  of  Cashel,  in  silver,  dated  1683  ;  exhibited 
by  J.  D.  White  ;  the  property  of  Mrs.  Going,  of  Ballinonty.  (Since  pur- 
chased by  Mr.  Robert  Day.) 

The  Town  Commissioners  of  Cashel  exhibited  the  Charter  of  King 
Charles  i.,  and  also  that  of  James  n. ;  the  latter  is  richly  illuminated  with 
the  Arms  of  the  aldermen  of  the  time.  Seal  attached,  in  perfect  order. 

Colonel  Vigors  exhibited  a  copper  plate,  about  five  inches  square,  re- 
presenting "  Death  and  the  Queen,"  said  to  have  been  dug  up  at  Eoscom- 
mon;  also  a  silver-mounted  "mull,"  made  from  a  sheep's  horn,  and  having 
an  agate  stone  set  in  the  top,  with  initials  on  it ;  also  two  Claddagh  gold 
wedding  rings,  two  silver  rings  with  hearts  joined,  and  with  a  crown  over 
them,  from  Normandy,  used  by  the  peasants  for  wedding  rings;  an 
engagement  ring  in  gold,  hands  entwined  ;  a  very  early  silver  ring,  with 
cornelian  stone,  said  to  have  been  dug  up  at  the  Hill  of  TaraT 


478  PROCEEDINGS. 

The  Hon.  Secretary  read  a  letter  from  M.  de 
Jubainville,  editor  of  the  Revue  Celtique,  requesting  the 
Association  to  enter  into  friendly  relations  with  the 
Society  of  Antiquaries  of  France,  and  exchange  publica- 
tions. He  paid  a  high  compliment  to  the  work  of  our 
Association.  Mr.  Cochrane  said  that  they  had  ex- 
changed their  publications  with  Mons.  de  Jubainville,  as 
editor  of  the  Revue  Celtique.  If  we  sent  our  Journal  to 
the  Society  of  Antiquaries  we  should  get  their  publica- 
tion in  exchange,  and  therefore  he  would  have  great 
pleasure  in  moving  that  the  Society  enter  into  friendly 
relations  with  the  Society  named. 

Mr.  Lenihan  seconded  the  motion,  which  was  passed. 

The  text  of  an  address  was  submitted  by  Hon. 
Secretary,  and  approved  of,  to  be  presented  to  the  late 
esteemed  Hon.  Treasurer,  Mr.  J.  G.  Robertson. 

Colonel  P.  Vigors  laid  the  following  recommendation 
before  the  Meeting  :— 

"  That  the  Treasurer  be  instructed  to  prepare  for  the  next  Annual 
Meeting  of  the  Association,  in  January,  a  statement  showing  the  probable 
receipts  for  the  ensuing  year,  as  based  on  the  receipts  of  this  and  former 
years,  to  enable  the  Meeting  to  judge  what  expenditure  would  be  justi- 
fied for  the  publication  of  the  Journal  of  the  Society  for  1889." 

The  Committee  were  of  opinion  that  such  a  resolu- 
tion as  this  should  be  carried  to  enable  the  Treasurer 
and  the  Committee  to  ascertain  what  funds  they  would 
have,  and  to  fix  their  expenditure  in  proportion  thereto. 
Mr.  Cochrane  would  be  able  to  arrive  at  an  estimate 
from  former  receipts,  and  to  find  out  the  cost  of  the 
publications  and  illustrations,  the  latter  being  the  most 
expensive  item  of  their  Quarterly  Journal. 

The  Lord  Bishop  of  Ossory  seconded  the  proposition, 
which  was  passed. 

Mr.  Cochrane  proposed  the  following  resolution : — 

"  That  His  Eminence  Cardinal  Moran  be  elected  to  the  position  of 
Vice-President  of  the  Association  for  the  province  of  Leinster." 

^  Mr.  Cochrane,  in  moving  the  adoption  of  his  motion, 
said  that,  apart  from  the  exalted  position  of  Cardinal 


PROCEEDINGS.  479 

Moran,  his  great  archaeological  and  historical  knowledge, 
as  well  as  the  great  interest  he  had  always  taken  in  the 
work  of  the  Association,  not  only  during  his  residence 
in  Kilkenny  when  Bishop  of  Ossory,  but  at  all  times, 
fully  entitled  his  Eminence  to  this  acknowledgment  at 
the  hands  of  the  Association.  His  Eminence  had  been  a 
Member  of  the  Association  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century,  and  his  election  to  this  position  would  also  be  a 
compliment  to  the  large  number  of  our  Members  residing 
in  the  colonies,  who  took  the  greatest  interest  in  the 
publications  and  proceedings  of  the  Association. 

Mr.  Lenihan  seconded  the  election  of  Cardinal  Moran, 
which  was  passed  unanimously. 

The  Hon.  Secretary  said  the  next  business  was  to 
consider  Local  Secretaries'  Reports.  They  had  got  an 
interesting  report  from  the  Hon.  Secretary  of  the  Co. 
Carlow,  Colonel  Vigors,  and  as  he  was  present  he  might 
read  it  for  the  Meeting. 

Colonel  Vigors  then  read  his  Report,  which  was  as 
follows : — 

"  I  regret  to  have  to  report  the  fall,  on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  the 
17th  of  June  last,  of  a  considerable  portion  of  the  famous  'Black  Castle,' 
of  Leighlinbridge,  Co.  Carlow.  The  whole  of  the  south-west  angle  is 
gone,  except  a  few  feet  over  the  ground,  and  it  has  carried  with  it  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  the  west  and  south  walls,  and  of  the  arched  floor  of 
the  first  storey.  The  accompanying  sketch  will  give  an  idea  of  the  present 
appearance  of  this  fine  old  ruin,  the  remaining  portion  of  which  might 
probably  be  preserved  for  centuries  at  a  small  outlay  of  money.  Two 
buttresses  would  be  required,  as  well  as  the  pointing  (with  cement)  of  the 
crevices  and  open  joints  of  the  walls,  and  the  removal  of  the  larger 
plants  of  ivy.  This  historic  castle  is  too  well  known  to  require  any 
description  from  me.  The  '  Carew  Papers,'  the  *  Domestic  State  Papers/ 
*  Grosees's  Antiquities  of  Ireland,'  *  Prendergast's  Idrone,'  published  in 
our  Journal  many  years  since,  as  well  as  many  other  works,  have  spoken 
of  it,  and  of  the  important  part  it  played  in  past  ages.  Some  other  portion 
of  this  fortress  and  of  the  attached  (?)  monastery  still  remains  in  fair 
preservation,  thanks  to  the  goodness  of  the  mortar  and  the  consequent 
difficulty  of  removing  the  stones.  One  of  the  enclosing  walls  is  about 
seven  feet  in  thickness.  The  remains  of  one  of  the  flanking  towers,  a 
round  one,  stand  at  the  south-east  corner  of  the  enclosure.  Some 
uncertainty  exists  as  to  the  original  builder  of  the  castle  and  fortress.  It 
is  stated  to  have  been  the  work  of  King  John.  '  Cox '  says  it  was  built 
by  Hugh  De  Lacy ;  also  other  writers.  Its  probable  date  may,  I  think, 
be  put  down  as  between  A.D.  1180  and  1200  or  thereabouts." 


480  PROCEEDINGS. 

Continuing,  Colonel  Vigors  said  that  he  thought  steps 
should  be  taken  to  bring  this  old  historic  ruin  under  the 
notice  and  care  of  the  Board  of  Works.  He  believed  the 
Board  of  Works  had  money  for  the  repairing  of  such 
structures,  and  if  any  steps  could  be  taken  in  the  matter 
it  would  certainly  be  a  great  advantage  to  the  preserva- 
tion of  this  very  old  ruin. 

The  Chairman  said  it  was  their  duty  to  have  atten- 
tion called  to  the  matter,  and  he  was  sure  their  repre- 
sentations would  have  weight  with  the  Board  of  Works. 
He  thought  it  should  go  on  the  Minutes  that  such  a  course 
was  recommended. 

Ultimately  the  following  resolution,  moved  by 
Colonel  Vigors,  seconded  by  the  Chairman,  was 
passed : — 

"  This  Meeting  having  heard  the  report  of  the  Carlow  County  Sec- 
retary, is  of  opinion  that  the  state  of  *  Black  Castle,'  of  Leighlinbridge, 
Co.  Carlow,  calls  for  immediate  attention,  and  the  Hon.  Sec.  is  requested 
to  bring  the  matter  under  the  notice  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Works,  in  order  that,  if  possible,  the  necessary  steps  may  be  taken  to 
protect  it  from  further  dilapidation." 

The  Meeting  adjourned  at  4.15  P.M.,  and  the  Mem- 
bers proceeded  to  visit  the  interesting  ruins  on  the  "  Rock 
of  Cashel,"  conducted  by  the  Hon.  Local  Secretary, 
Mr.  J.  Davis  White,  Cashel. 

The  Hon.  Sec.,  Mr.  Cochrane,  gave  the  dimensions  of  the  round  tower 
as  follows : — Height  from  base  to  bottom  of  cap,  77  feet;  from  base  of  cap 
to  apex,  14  feet  6  inches;  total  height,  91  feet  6  inches;  diameter  at  base 
17  feet  2  inches ;  diameter  at  top,  13  feet  6  inches.  He  also  drew  atten- 
tion to  the  remarkable  fact  that  at  Eattoo,  Co.  Kerry,  the  dimensions  of 
the  round  tower  there,  as  to  height,  are  almost  identical  with  that  at 
Cashel,  the  height  at  Eattoo  being  77  feet  3  inches  from  base  to  bottom  of 
cap ;  1 3  feet  6  inches  from  base  of  cap  to  apex — that  is  a  total  height  of 
90  feet  9  inches,  being  only  9  inches  shorter  than  at  Cashel.  This  is  the 
only  instance  on  record  of  two  round  towers  being  so  like,  as  they  are 
generally  found  to  be  most  divergent  in  measurement,  ranging  from  the 
smallest  at  Teampul  Finian,  or  Pinghin,  at  Clonmacnoise,  which  is  only 
60  feet  in  height,  to  the  tallest,  measuring  119  feet  high,  at  Kilmacduagh. 
The  tower  on  Tory  Island,  Co.  Donegal,  is  said  to  have  been  only  about 
40  feet  high  ;  but  this  is  mere  surmise. 

The  ruins  on  the  "  Eock  "  are  in  the  parish  of  "  St.  Patrick's  Eock," 
and  the  townland  of  the  same  name.  Cashel  was  taken  possession  of 
about  the  beginning  of  the  fifth  century  by  Core,  King  of  Munster,  who 


PROCEEDINGS.  481 

built  a  stone  fort  on  the  rock,  and  changed  its  name  from  Sidh-dhruim 
(Sheedrum — fairy  ridge)  to  Caiseal,  or  Cashel,  a  word  from  the  same  root 
as  Castellum.  The  "Rock"  has  been  from  a  very  early  period  occupied  by 
ecclesiastical  buildings,  which  have  been  added  to  from  time  to  time,  and 
now  present  an  epitome  of  Irish  ecclesiastical  architecture  in  which  every 
age,  except  perhaps  the  very  earliest,  is  represented.  Nothing  is  known 
of  the  date  of  the  round  tower,  which  is  in  very  perfect  condition,  and  is 
a  good  specimen  of  that  class  of  structure,  of  a  date  apparently  inter- 
mediate between  the  earliest  and  latest  in  time  of  construction.  It  is 
built  chiefly  of  sandstone,  some  portions  of  the  masonry  being  of  almost 
cyclopean  character,  with  off-sets  in  the  interior,  apparently  for  supporting 
floors ;  a  round-headed  doorway,  some  feet  above  the  ground,  and  four 
angle-headed  openings  at  the  top,  the  heads  of  which  are  singular,  as  being 
cut  out  of  the  solid  stone.  There  is  a  doorway  from  the  passage  in  the 
wall  of  the  north  transept  into  the  tower. 

In  1127  Cormac  MacCarthy,  King  of  Desmond,  and  also  Bishop  of 
Cashel,  founded  the  chapel  known  as  Cormac' s  chapel,  anciently  Teampul 
Cormaic,  which  was  consecrated  in  1134.  This  is  the  most  remarkable 
example  of  purely  Irish  Romanesque  still  remaining.  It  consists  of  a  nave 
and  chancel,  each  covered  by  a  steep-pitched  stone  roof,  each  having  a 
chamber  between  the  external  stone  roof  and  the  internal  stone  vault. 
At  the  junction  of  the  nave  and  chancel  are  two  square  towers,  having 
their  stages  marked  by  exterior  off-sets  and  string-courses.  The  north 
tower  has  a  conical  cap,  the  other  an  embattled  coping.  The  whole  sur- 
face of  the  walls,  both  inside  and  out,  is  covered  by  varied  ornamentation, 
much  of  which  has  been  seriously  injured  by  weather  and  reckless  altera- 
tions ;  but  enough  is  preserved  to  show  clearly  the  original  design.  The 
chapel,  as  well  as  the  round  tower,  is  built  of  sandstone,  but  in  regular 
ashlar  courses. 

In  1169  Donald  O'Brien,  King  of  Limerick,  is  said  to  have  founded 
a  new  church  on  the  site  of  the  present  cathedral ;  and  as  Henry  II. 
received  here  the  homage  of  Donald  O'Brien  in  1172,  and  held  a  general 
synod  of  the  Irish  clergy,  under  the  presidency  of  the  Pope's  Legate,  and 
then  bestowed  on  the  Archbishop  and  Chapter  of  the  city  of  Cashel  a 
large  tract  of  the  adjoining  country,  it  is  natural  to  presume  that  the 
predominant  English  influence  caused  the  new  buildings  to  be  carried  out 
in  accordance  with  the  style  then  prevalent  in  England  and  France.  The 
new  cathedral  is  placed  between  the  round  tower,  which  it  grasps  by  the 
north  transept,  and  Cormac's  chapel,  which  is  connected  with  it  by  a 
doorway  in  the  south  transept.  It  is  of  a  very  simple  early  English 
character,  its  most  remarkable  feature  being  the  absence  of  aisles  and 
triforium,  and  the  majestic  proportions  of  the  long  lancet-headed  win- 
dows. A  bold  tower  crowns  the  intersection  of  the  cross,  and  there  is  a 
fine  porch  at  the  south  side  of  the  nave.  At  some  period  the  western 
portion  of  the  nave  was  adopted  for  the  residence  of  the  Archbishop,  and 
while  there  are  some  features  which  show  that  some  part  of  the  present 
west  end  is  of  the  same  date  as  the  rest  of  the  cathedral,  other  portions 
are  much  later.  In  1495  the  cathedral  was  burned  by  Gerald,  eighth  Earl 
of  Kildare,  through  hostility  to  David  Creagh,  then  Archbishop,  and  the  act 
was  defended  by  him  on  the  ground  that  he  thought  the  Archbishop  was 
in  it.  This  is  not  the  only  place  about  which  a  similar  story  is  told ;  but 
of  the  burning  there  is  no  doubt ;  and  the  nave  and  western  parts  of  the 


482  PROCEEDINGS. 

building  generally  exhibit  proofs  of  rebuilding  at  the  period  immediately 
succeeding  the  date  assigned  to  the  burning,  at  which  time  also,  most 
probably,  the  windows  were  reduced  in  height  by  the  introduction  of  the 
flat  arched  heads  under  the  original  heads.  The  buildings  on  the 
southern  boundary  of  the  enclosure,  known  as  the  Vicar's  Hall,  were 
erected  apparently  in  the  fifteenth  century.  They  seem  to  have  been 
terminated  on  the  west  by  a  gateway  tower,  of  which  some  trace  still 
remains.  There  are  no  traces  of  the  original  wall  of  the  Caiseal,  but 
some  portions  of  an  enclosure  of  a  late  date  still  remain ;  they  extend 
from  the  present  gateway  to  the  bastion  at  the  south-west  angle,  and  for 
some  distance  along  the  western  boundary  of  the  enclosure,  and  from  the 
corbels,  &c.,  there  would  seem  to  have  been  buildings  against  the  wall. 
The  principal  buildings  have  been  thoroughly  repaired,  and  measures 
have  been  taken  to  resist  any  further  dilapidation  from  weather,  &c., 
without  any  attempts  at  restoration  further  than  replacing  what  had 
become  displaced.  A  very  singular  cross  stands  in  front  of  the  south  side 
of  the  nave,  which  is  apparently  of  the  same  date  as  Cormac's  chapel ;  it 
bears  a  life-sized  figure  of  St.  Patrick  in  the  act  of  benediction  on  the 
east  side,  and  the  figure  of  our  Saviour,  fully  clothed,  on  the  west  side. 
This  interesting  group  of  ruins  is  vested  under  "  National  Monuments 
Act "  in  the  Board  of  Works,  in  whose  custody  they  now  are.  A 
resident  caretaker,  who  has  a  neat  lodge  near  the  buildings,  looks  after 
the  place. 

EVENING  MEETING. 

At  6  o'clock  the  Members  dined  together  at  Dunne's 
Hotel,  the  O'Donovan  presiding;  and  in  the  evening, 
at  8  o'clock,  P.M.,  re-assembled  in  the  Courthouse,  for  the 
reading  of  Papers,  when  there  was  a  large  attendance  of 
the  principal  inhabitants  of  Cashel  and  neighbourhood. 

The  Chair  was  occupied  on  this  occasion  by  H. 
Villiers-Stuart,  J.P.,  D.L.,  Dromana,  Vice-President  for 
Munster. 

Mr.  Robert  Day  exhibited  an  interesting  collection  of 
stone  implements,  and  said  : — 

"  Through  the  courtesy  of  J.  C.  Bloomfield,  Esq.,  D.L.,  of  Castle  Cald- 
well,  County  Fermanagh,  I  have  the  honour  to  exhibit  a  stone  axe  which 
he  has  presented  to  me,  that  was  found  on  his  property  during  the  past 
summer.  It  is  remarkable,  and,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  unique,  in  the  fact 
that  a  large  portion  of  the  original  gum,  or  mastic,  in  which  the  timberhandle 
was  imbedded,  remains  upon  its  surface.  This  mastic  is  of  a  dark-brown 
colour,  and  burns  with  a  clear  flame,  producing  an  aromatic  perfume,  and 
leaving  a  liquid  gelatinous  residuum.  I  have  had  no  opportunity  of 
getting  it  chemically  analyzed ;  but  to  illustrate  its  mode  of  attachment, 
I  have  brought  an  axe  from  Western  Australia,  which  is  secured  to  its 


PROCEEDINGS.  483 

handle  in  a  similar  way.  This  Fermanagh  celt  was  used  as  a  wedge, 
probably  for  splitting  timber,  because  the  cutting  edge  is  equally  bevelled 
on  both  sides,  and  the  base  of  the  implement  is  flat,  and  has  clear  and 
well-defined  marks  of  having  been  struck  with  a  hammer  or  mallet.  It 
is  5  in.  long,  and  3  in.  wide,  and  measures  If  in.  across  the  head.  It  is 
made  of  hard  green  sandstone,  and  is  of  the  type  usually  found  in  the 
locality.  The  handle  gripped  it  round  the  centre,  where  there  is  a  slight 
depression,  which  is  filled  with  the  mastic,  leaving  the  cutting  edge  and 
head  quite  free.  To  further  illustrate  this,  I  have  brought  some  other 
examples  from  Ireland  that  are  polished,  except  in  the  centres,  which  are 
roughened  to  more  firmly  hold  the  handle ;  and  a  small  collection  from 
Switzerland,  New  Zealand,  Tonga,  Fiji,  New  Guinea,  the  Andamans,  the 
Lamberi,  &c.,  all  of  which  are  secured  in  different  ways,  and  will  show 
how  possibly  the  various  forms  of  stone  implements  were  handled  at  a 
remote  period  in  this  country. 

Mr.  Day  also  exhibited  the  Silver  Mace  of  the  Cor- 
poration of  Castlemartyr,  and  read  a  most  interesting 
historical  and  technical  description  of  it,  and  after- 
wards read  a  valuable  Paper  on  the  late  Dr.  Caulfield's 
collection  of  MSS. 

Mr.  John  Davis  White,  Solicitor,  Hon.  Local  Secre- 
tary for  Tipperary  South,  read  an  interesting  Paper  on 
"  Illustrations  of  National  Proverbs,  Common  Sayings, 
and  Obsolete  Words  and  Customs." 

Mr.  Thomas  Plunkett,  M.R.I.  A.,  read  a  Paper  on  " Notes 
on  Ancient  Canoes  found  in  Lough  Erne  in  the  Summer 
of  1887  ;"  "  Description  of  Ancient  Huts,"  found  9  feet 
under  peat  at  Redhills,  Co.  Cavan ;  also  a  short  notice 
of  "  Giants'  Graves,"  110  feet  long,  with  circles  at  ends, 
in  Co.  Cavan,  and  a  description  of  a  nicely-formed 
"  yoke,"  found  12  feet  under  peat.  All  of  Mr.  Plunkett's 
Papers  were  illustrated  by  sketches. 

Very  animated  and  interesting  discussions  followed 
the  reading  of  the  foregoing  Papers,  which  occupied 
much  time ;  and  on  the  motion  of  the  Bishop  of  Ossory, 
it  was 

RESOLYED — '  *  That  the  following  Papers  contributed  to  this  Meeting  be 
taken  as  read,  and  be  referred  to  Committee  for  examination  and  publi- 
cation, if  approved  of  after  revision" : — 

"  Notes  of  an  Ancient  Breech-Loading  Cannon,"  found 
at  Passage,  Co.  Cork,  by  George  M.  Atkinson. 


484  PROCEEDINGS. 

"  Ancient  Font  in  Cormac's  Chapel,  Rock  of  Cashel,"  by 
George  M.  Atkinson.  "  Folk-Lore,  Co.  Cork— The 
Ox-fly,"  by  Cecil  Woods,  Blackrock,  Co.  Cork.  "  The 
English  Navy  in  1588,"  by  George  D.  Burtchael,  M.A., 
B.L.,  M.H.I.A.  "  History  of  Ennis  Abbey,  1540-1617 " 
(Part  L),  by  Thomas  J.  Westropp,  M.A.  "  Notes  on  Geo- 
logical Formation  of  N.E.  Coast  of  Ireland,  from  Belfast 
to  Londonderry,"  by  W.  J.  Binnie,  C.E.,  B.A.,  Trinity 
College,  Cambridge. 

The  Hon  Secretary  exhibited  a  series  of  large  Plate 
Photographs,  illustrative  of  the  buildings  situate  on 
"  The  Rock  of  Cashel,"  and  Drawings  of  Holycross 
Abbey  and  Athassel  Priory.  Mr.  Day  and  Mr.  J.  D. 
White  exhibited  and  described  the  numerous  antique 
objects  of  interest  on  view,  as  before  mentioned.  Tea 
was  served  in  the  Grand  Jury  Room,  and  the  Meeting 
shortly  after  adjourned. 

THE  EXCURSION. 

The  Members  started  on  Thursday  morning,  4th 
October,  and  with  Mr.  J.  D.  White  acting  as  Guide  and 
Conductor,  the  party  visited  Doon  Fort,  Castle  of  Golden, 
the  Priory  of  Athassel,  and  the  Castles  of  Ardmoyle, 
Castlemoyle,  and  Nodstown.  Arrived  at  Holycross,  they 
were  met  at  the  ruins  of  the  Abbey  by  a  deputation  of 
the  principal  inhabitants  of  the  district,  including  Rev. 
John  O'Brien,  P.P.  ;  Rev.  Thomas  N.  Jones,  c.c. ;  Rev. 
Mr.  Drought,  Mrs.  Clarke  (Craigenoe  Park),  &c.  &c. 

After  luncheon,  which  was  provided  in  the  Abbey, 
the  Rev.  J.  O'Brien,  P.P.,  presented  the  following 
Address : — 

"  HOLYCBOSS  ABBEY,  October  4th,  1888. 

"  O'DoNovAN  AND  GENTLEMEN, — On  our  part,  and  in  behalf  of  the  people 
of  Holycross,  we  thank  you  for  the  honour  you  have  conferred  on  us  by 
visiting  this  far-famed  ruin  of  the  Abbey  of  Holycross,  and  we  bid  you  a 
hearty  welcome.  To  your  society  more  than  any  other  class  is  due  the 
preservation  of  those  monuments  of  ancient  art  and  science,  and  the  dis- 
covery of  those  treasures  that  lay  buried  beneath  their  ruins ;  and  we 
therefore  deem  it  a  privilege  to  wait  on  such  distinguished  visitors  as  the 
representatives  of  your  antiquarian  and  historical  society.  We  esteem 


PROCEEDINGS.  485 

your  patriotic  object  in  making  a  tour  through  the  country  for  the  purpose 
of  studying  in  the  silent  ruins  and  olden  relics  of  the  land  the  history  of 
our  country's  greatness  in  the  days  of  old.  You  ara  therefore  investing 
the  present  with  the  glory  of  the  past,  and  recalling  from  oblivion  the 
storied  associations  linked  with  the  famous  name  of  Erin  in  ages  long  gone 
by.  In  your  visit  to  this  hallowed  shrine,  this  gem  among  the  ruins  of 
Ireland,  we  feel  certain  that  you  will  see  architectural  beauties  that  will 
enhance  your  visit,  and  though  nought  remains  of  its  former  splendour 
save  the  crumbling  stone  and  the  mouldering  wall,  yet  we  think  that  in 
the  gilded  halo  hovering  round  decay  you  will  find  much  to  gratify  your 
antiquarian  taste,  and  increase  your  admiration  of  the  magnificent  ruins 
with  which  our  country  is  studded. 


0'BniEN,  P.P.,  Holycross. 
"  THOS.  IS".  JONES,  C.C.,  Holycross. 
11  WM.  TUOHY,  Grange. 
"  THOS.  MOLONY,  Holycross." 

The  O'Donovan,  as  Chairman,  suitably  replied.  Mr. 
White  and  Mr.  M.  J.  C.  Buckley  pointed  out  the  features  of 
interest  in  the  Abbey,  and  the  Members  examined  care- 
fully the  "  Tomb  of  the  Good  Woman's  Son,"  about 
which  so  much  controversy  has  raged.  This  shrine  is 
illustrated  and  described  in  earlier  volumes  of  the  Journal 
of  the  Association. 

The  proceedings  in  connexion  with  the  Cashel 
Meeting  were  then  brought  to  a  close.  The  local 
arrangements  of  the  meeting  and  the  excursions  were 
in  charge  of  the  Hon.  Local  Secretary,  Mr.  J.  D.  White, 
Cashel,  to  whom  the  best  thanks  of  the  Members  present 
are  due.1 


1  Antiquarian  Works  of  local  interest,  nicana,  &c.  &c.      Part  Third  (price  Is.} 

published  by  Mr.  J.  D.  White,  and  to  be  contains  Extracts  from  the   Corporation 

obtained  at  the  Office  of  the  Cashel  Gazette,  Records.     A  Guide  to  the  Rock  of  Cashel. 

are  the  following  : — Cashel  of  the  Kings  :  By  John  Davis  White.    With  many  illus- 

being  a  History  of  the  City  of  Cashel.  trations,  price  1*.  6d. ;  without  illustra- 

By  John  Davis  White.  Part  First,  second  tions,  Qd.     A  Short  Account  of  Holycross 

edition  (price  1*.  6^.),   contains  Original  Abbey,  price  'Id.     Publishing  in  Parts  at 

Matter,  and  Extracts  from  Archdall's  Jfiw-  Is.  each.     With  illustrations.   Anthologia 

asticon,  Petrie's  Hound  Towers,  Ware  and  Tipperariensis :  being  an  Account  of  the 

Renehan's  Histories  of  Irish  Bishops,  &c.  Abbeys,    Castles,    and    Churches  in  the 

Part  Second  (price  Is.)  contains  Extracts  Co.  of  Tipperary.     By  John  Davis  White, 

from   the  Annals  of  the   Four  Masters,  Hon.  Local    Secretary,   R.H.A.A.I.,  for 

MSS.    in   Library   of    Trinity     College,  the  South  Riding  of  the  County  of  Tip- 

Dublin  ;   Cartes'  Ormond,  Hibernia  Domi-  perary. 


(     486     ) 


STATEMENT  BY  "W.  F.  WAKEMAN,  HON. 

THE  following  sketch  recording  my  ^  services,  such  as 
they  have  been,  to  Irish  Archaeology  is  the  result  of  a 
request  of  the  Committee  of  our  Association  kindly  made 
to  the  writer. 

In  narrating  some  circumstances  which  led  to  the 
production  of  a  few  of  the  Essays  shortly  to  be  noticed, 
I  trust  that,  under  the  circumstances,  readers  will  not 
hold  me  guilty  of  wilful  egotism. 

When  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  in  1837,  I  was,  and  had  for  some 
time  been,  a  pupil  in  drawing  to  the  late  Dr.  Petrie.  He  very  soon  used 
his  influence  with  Lieut,  (afterwards  General  Sir  Thomas)  Larcom,  then 
the  Director  of  the  Ordnance  Survey  in  Ireland,  to  procure  me  a  position 
as  Draughtsman  and  Assistant  in  the  Topographical  Department  of  the 
Survey.  This  office  was  chiefly  superintended  by  my  friend  and  master, 
Petrie,  assisted  by  the  late  Dr.  John  O'Donovan.  Part  of  my  duty  for 
several  years  was  to  accompany  O'Donovan,  and,  under  the  direction  of 
Lieut.  Larcom,  to  draw,  measure,  and  help  to  describe  all  classes  of 
antiquities  which  the  districts,  then  being  examined  by  the  future 
translator  of  the  "  Annals  of  the  Four  Masters,"  presented.  In  this  way 
I  accompanied  O'Donovan  through  many  portions  of  Galway,  Waterford, 
Kilkenny,  Wexford,  Clare,  Tipperary,  and  other  counties.  Much  of  our 
work,  which  was  intended  to  form  material  for  a  great  memoir  of  Ireland, 
is  now  deposited  in  the  Library  of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy.  At  a  very 
early  period  much  of  my  time  was  occupied  in  making  drawings  on  wood 
for  Petrie' s  great  work  on  the  ecclesiastical  antiquities  of  Ireland,  and  for 
his  volume  on  the  remains  on  TaraHill.  Many  of  the  subjects  then  used 
were  from  my  own  private  sketches,  some  from  those  of  Petrie  himself,  and 
others  were  from  the  ordnance  gatherings. 

At  length  came  a  day  when  our  office  was  to  be  disbanded.  For  a 
time  I  supported  myself  as  a  draughtsman  on  wood,  and  as  a  painter  in 


"  In  spite  of  the  troubles  in  Ireland,  archaeology  is  in  any  way  popular  in 
the  Royal  Historical  and  Archaeological  Ireland,  it  is  mainly  owing  to  the  hooks 
Society  continues  to  do  good  work.  hy  Mr.  W.  F.  Wakeman.  But  works  of 
Although  impecuniosity  prevails  through-  that  kind  never  make  a  man  rich,  and, 
out  the  island,  the  Society  possesses  a  like  many  a  puhlic  servant,  Mr.  Wake- 
balance  in  the  hank,  and,  notwithstand-  man  is  compelled  to  apply  for  aid  to  the 
ing  the  hard  times,  the  funds  invested  in  Literary  Fund.  At  the  request  of  the 
Government  Stock  have  remained  un-  Committee  of  the  Royal  Historical  and 
touched.  The  meetings  of  the  Society  Archaeological  Society  he  has  written  a 
during  the  present  year  will  be  held  in  short  biography,  which  is  to  be  printed 
Dublin,  Kilkenny,  and  Limerick.  Kil-  and  circulated  in  behalf  of  his  claim, 
kenny,  it  must  be  said,  has  taken  more  Mr.  Wakeman  merits  pension  from  the 
interest  in  archaeology  than  any  other  State."— From  The  Architect,  4th  Jan., 
town  or  city  in  Ireland.  If,  however,  1889. 


STATEMENT   BY   W.    F.    WAKEMAN.  487 

water-colours,  occasionally  taking  pupils  ;  but  finding  little  to  be  had  in 
Dublin  from  such  sources,  I  moved  to  London,  where  I  resided  as  an  art 
student  for  about  four  years.  Though  by  no  means  unemployed  all 
that  time  in  the  great  City,  I  felt  eminently  miserable  and  unhappy,  ever 
thinking  of  the  difference  between  the  surrounding  wilderness  of  foggy 
streets,  and  the  glorious  districts  of  the  "West,  in  which  I  had  in  a  manner 
been  brought  up.  Thoughts  of  old  friends,  too,  would  come.  Just  at  a 
moment  which  seemed  darkest,  I  was  invited  to  accept  the  post  of  Art- 
master  to  the  College  of  Saint  Columba,  then  situated  at  Stackallen,  County 
Meath.  This  offer,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  came  through  the  kind 
interest  of  my  old  friends,  Doctors  Petrie  and  Todd.  Of  course  a  new 
life  seemed  to  open,  and  the  appointment  was  joyfully  accepted.  Once 
settled  at  St.  Columba,  and  having  some  leisure,  my  old  ordnance  sur- 
veying instincts  broke  forth.  The  result  was  a  "  Handbook  of  Irish 
Antiquities."  After  having  been  about  four  years  at  St.  Columba's, 
shortly  after  the  removal  of  that  College  to  its  present  site — nearly  three 
miles  beyond  Kathfarnham — I  resigned.  The  salary  had,  necessarily,  I 
believe,  been  reduced  nearly  one-half ;  the  place  was  at  an  awkward  dis- 
tance from  Dublin ;  and  there  were  other  reasons  for  my  leaving — not  the 
least  of  which  was  the  rule  of  a  most  disagreeable  Warden.  Some  time 
afterwards,  however,  I  became  appointed  artmaster  to  the  Portora  Iloyal 
School.  In  that  capacity  it  was  my  fortune  to  remain  for  nineteen  years, 
during  thirteen  of  which  I  was  also  attached  in  a  similar  capacity  to  the 
District  National  Model  School  at  Enniskillen.  This  was  the  golden 
period  of  my  life,  during  which  I  had  time  and  opportunity  to  present 
gratuitously  about  fifty  essays  on  subjects  hitherto  untouched,  or  scarcely 
considered,  to  Archaeological  Journals,  and,  most  particularly,  to  that  of 
our  Association.  Of  the  chief  articles  written  for  and  published  in  the 
Journal  of  the  Association  I  here  append  a  list : — 

1.  Drumgay  Lake  Dwelling,  or  Crannog. 

2.  A  second  Essay  on  same. 

3.  The  Crannog  of  Ballydoolough,  and  its  Antiquities. 

4.  Lough  Eyes  Lake  Dwellings,  and  Antiquities. 

5.  A  second  Paper  on  same. 

6.  Drumdarragh  Crannog,  and  its  Antiquities. 

7.  Lisnacroghera  Crannog,  and  its  wonderful  Contents. 

8.  A  second  Paper  on  same. 

9.  Essay  on  the  principal  Lake  Dwellings  in  the  N.W.  of  Ireland. 

10.  On  Devenish  Island,  Lough  Erne. 

11.  On  White  Island,  Lough  Erne,  its  Church  and  Effigies.. 

12.  On  Clones  :  its  Hound  Tower  and  Ecclesiastical  remains. 

13.  On  Three  Primitive  Churches  in  County  Sligo. 

14.  On  the  Curaeh,  or  Boats,  formed  of  Skins  and  Willows. 

15.  On  Bone-hafted  Bronze  Swords  and  Rapiers  found  in  Ireland. 

16.  On  Arms  and  Implements  of  Iron  from  Cornagall  Crannog. 

17.  On  an  Exquisite  Brooch  of  Eindruine  found  in  Cavan. 

18.  On  the  Sculptured  Megalith,  Knockmany. 

19.  On  the  Carvings  on  Prehistoric  Tomb,  Castle- Archdall. 

20.  On  the  Sculptured  Rocks  at  Boho,  County  Fermanagh. 

21.  On  the  Tumuli  and  Scribed-stones  at  Toam,  near  Blacklion. 

22.  On  the  Pagan  Cemetery,  Urns,  &c.,  Drumnakilly,  Omagh. 


488  STATEMENT   BY  W.    F.    WAKEMAN. 

23.  On  certain  Antiquities  of  Flint  found  in  County  Tyrone. 

24.  On  certain  Antiquities  of  Bronze  found  in  same  County. 

25.  On  the  Alignment  and  Circles  on  Toppid  Mountain. 

26.  On  an  Ogham -in  scribed  Stone,  found  in  a  earn,  same  place. 

27.  On  the  Ogham  Pillar  and  other  remains  at  Aughascribba. 

28.  On  the  Urn-bearing  Cists,  same  locality. 

29.  On  "  Giant's  Graves"  at  the  Barr  of  Fintona. 

30.  On  certain  Urn-bearing  Cists  and  Cams,  same  locality. 

31.  On  a  Classification  of   the  Kock-scribings  found  in  the  N.W.  of 

Ireland. 

32.  On  certain  Holy  "Wells  found  in  the  N.W.  of  Ireland. 

33.  On  Three  Irish  Inscriptions  at  Kilcoo,  County  Fermanagh. 

34.  On  an  Irish  Inscription  on  White  Island,  Lough  Erne. 

35.  On  Cromleac-like  Tomb  of  St.  Gillen,  near  Carrick-on- Shannon. 

36.  On  a  Tomb  of  a  branch  of  the  O'Neills,  at  Killskeery. 

37.  On  the  Star-shaped  Cam  at  Doohat,  near  Florencecourt. 

38.  On  the  great  Prehistoric  Fort  at  Dunnamoe,  near  Belmullet. 

39.  On  the  principal  Castles  of  the  "  Plantation,"  County  Fermanagh. 

40.  On  a  Unique  Vessel  of  Oak,  richly  ornamented,  found  near  Toppid 

Mountain. 

41.  On  Ancient  Irish  Boats. 

42.  On  an  Early  Irish  Vessel,  formed  of  Iron,  found  in  a  bog  near 

Ederney  ;  with  remarks  on  the  classification  and  respective 
ages  of  such  utensils. 

43.  On  Wooden  "  Yokes  "  from  the  JT.W.  of  Ireland. 

All  the  above-named  Essays,  with  the  exception  of  two,  which  I 
believe  are  at  present  in  the  Printing-office,  have  appeared 
in  our  Journal.  I  had  also  the  honour  of  reading  before 
Meetings  of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy  four  Papers,  which 
may  be  added  to  the  list  of  my  gratutious  contributions  to 
archasological  literature.  They  are  as  follows  : — 

44.  On  the  "  Lettered  Caves,"  Knockmore,  County  Fermanagh. 

45.  On  the  "  Lettered  Cave"  of  Loughnacloyduff,  County  Fermanagh. 

46.  On  the  Antiquities  of  Knockninny,  County  Fermanagh. 

47.  On  certain  Rock  Basins,  usually  styled  Bulldns,  with  special  refer- 

ence to  an  Inscribed  example  which  occurs  at  Kill-o'-the-Grange, 
county  Dublin. 

48  and  49.  I  also  contributed  to  Gaskin's  " Irish  Varieties"  an  article 
on  the  "  Castles  of  Bullock  and  Dakey;"  and  wrote  for  the 
Architectural  Society  of  Oxford  the  very  first  notice  of  the 
Megalithic  Remains  and  Carvings  at  Slievenacalliagh  which 
appeared.  This  Paper  was  read  for  me  before  the  Society  by 
J.  H.  Parker,  C.B.,  &c. 

50.  Mr.  Charles  Roach  Smith,  of  London,  had  from  me  one  or  two 
Papers  for  his  Collectanea  Antiqua,  which,  with  my  Illustrations, 
appear  in  that  publication. 

So  far  for  my  voluntary  and  unpaid-for  contributions  to  the  archaeo- 
logical press. 


STATEMENT   BY    W.  F.    WAKEMAN.  489 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  works  which  have  been,  more  or  less, 
Illustrated  by  my  pencil : — 

1.  Ireland  :  its  Character  and  Scenery,  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  C.  Hall. 

2.  Irish  Penny  Journal,  published  by  Gunn  &  Cameron. 

3.  Petrie's  Ecclesiastical  Architecture  of  Ireland,  Round  Towers,  &c. 

4.  Petrie's  Antiquities  of  Tar  a  Sill. 

5.  Sir  W.  "Wilde's  Boyne  and  Blackwater.     All  the  Illustrations  are 

mine  but  two. 

6.  Sir  W.  "Wilde's  Lough  Corrib.     All  the  Illustrations  are  mine  but 

two. 

7.  Sir  W.   Wilde's    Catalogue   of  the    Antiquities    preserved  in   the 

Museum  of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy.  More  than  half  of  the 
Illustrations  of  this  work  are  mine. 

8.  Parishes  of  Ballysodare  and  Kilvarnet,  County  Sligo,  by  the  Ven. 

Archdeacon  O'Rorke.     All  the  Illustrations  are  by  me. 

9.  Work  on  Lough  Derg,  by  the  Eev.  D.  O'Connor.     All  the  Illustra- 

tions are  by  me. 

10.  About  200  Illustrations  for  Canon  O'Hanlon's  Lives  of  Irish  Saints. 

11.  Colonel  Wood-Martin's  work  on  Irish  Lake  Dwellings.     Nearly  the 

whole  of  the  numerous  Illustrations  in  this  volume  I  have  drawn. 

The  following  publications  I  have  largely  contributed  to  with  both 
pen  and  pencil : — 

1.  Dublin  Saturday  Magazine,  published  by  Mullany. 

2.  Duffy's  Hibernian  Magazine, 

3.  Chamney's  Literary  Gazette. 

4.  Journal  of  the  Royal  Historical  and  Archaeological  Association  of 

Ireland — some  hundreds  of  Plates  and  Cuts. 

I  now  name  the  principal  works  of  which  I  am  both  Author  and 
Illustrator  : — 

1.  Three  Days  on  the  Shannon. 

2.  Guide  to  Dublin.     (Hodges  &  Smith,  publishers.) 

3.  Lough  Erne,  &c. 

4.  Official  Tourist's  Guide  to  Ireland.     (Purdon  &  Co.,  publishers.) 

5.  Illustrated   Eailway   Chart   to   the   North,    South,    and   West   of 

Ireland. 

6.  Handbook  of  Irish  Antiquities,  Pagan  and  Christian,  from  which 

the  Commissioners  of  Irish  National  Education  have  borrowed  a 
number  of  Chapters  and  Illustrations  for  the  use  of  their 
schools. 

These  extracts  were  taken  without  my  knowledge.  Upon  discovering 
what  had  been  done  I  did  not  apply  for  any  compensation ;  being  then, 
in  a  manner,  in  the  employment  of  the  Board  as  teacher  of  drawing,  it 
seemed  to  me  unwise  to. do  so.  But  I  have  thus  the  honour  of  my  name, 
as  an  unpolitical  author,  being  known  over  Ireland  more  than  that  of 
any  living  writer  or  artist. 

My  thirteen  years'  service  at  the  Model  School  should  have  brought 
me  (on  disturbance  of  office)  some  compensation  ;  and  it  may  be  seen  by 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII.  2  N 


490  STATEMENT   BY  W.    F.    WAKEMAN. 

an  accompanying  letter  from  the  Commissioners  that  such  was  to  be  ex- 
pected. However,  the  Lords  of  the  Treasury  of  the  time  would  not 
consider  the  recommendation,  and  I  got  nothing. 

It  was  the  same  with  Portora  after  my  nineteen  years'  service.  I  had  to 
leave  because  there  remained  no  pupils ;  and  though  the  head  master  had 
said  for  years  that  when  the  school  should  be  disestablished  (as  he  was 
sure  it  would  be),  my  claim  for  disturbance,  in  common  with  that 
of  other  masters,  would  be  allowed,  I  could  not  wait ;  it  was  quite  a 
case  of  "  Live,  horse,  and  you  will  get  grass." 

The  latest  work  of  any  importance  in  connexion  with  our  Association 
is  a  "  Monograph  of  Inismurray."  This,  it  will  be  remembered,  was 
intended  as  an  Annual  Volume. 

I  should  add  that  since  my  return  to  Dublin  (now  about  four  years 
ago)  I  found  it  very  difficult  to  get  on.  Everything  had  changed  for  the 
worse,  owing  to  the  general  non-payment  of  rents  and  soforth.  I  hope, 
however,  that  we  have  seen  the  worst.  My  latest  contribution  to  the 
Press  was  a  series  of  articles  on  "  Old  Dublin."  This  was  a  great  success, 
but  a  weak  crutch  to  lean  on.  Excuse  the  length  of  this  communication  ; 
but  I  am  sure  you  would  blame  me  if  I  did  not  sufficiently  explain  all. 

Yours,  most  faithfully, 

W.  F.  WAKEMAN. 
To  R.  COCHEANE,  Esq., 

Hon.  Secretary,  Royal  Historical  and  Archaeological 
Association  of  Ireland. 

P.S. — When,  some  years  ago,  candidate  for  the  office  of  Inspector  of 
National  Monuments  under  the  Board  of  Works  (Ireland),  I  had  the 
honour  of  receiving  a  number  of  very  gratifying  testimonials  from  dis- 
tinguished archaeologists,  who  had  known  me  from  boyhood.  These 
documents,  but  for  want  of  space,  I  would  gladly  here  reproduce.  Let 
me^  however,  append  the  names  of  their  respective  writers: — The  late 
Major-General  Sir  T.  A.  Larcom;  the  late  Earl  of  Enniskillen  ;  the  late 
Rev.  James  Graves ;  the  Right  Rev.  Charles  Graves,  Bishop  of  Limerick  ; 
Lord  Talbot  De  Malahidc  ;  the  late  Sir  William  Wilde ;  the  Right  Rev. 
Dr.  Reeves,  Bishop  of  Down,  Connor,  and  Dromore ;  Sir  Edward  Sullivan 
late  Master  of  the  Rolls ;  the  late  Sir  Samuel  Ferguson  and  others.— 

W.  F.  W. 


(     491     ) 


ON  AN  ANCIENT  GKAYE  IN  THE  COUNTY  CARLOW, 
BY  COLONEL  P.  D.  VIGORS,  J.P. 

IN  the  summer  of  1884  I  was  asked  by  Mr.  John  Bren- 
nan  and  his  brother  to  examine  an  ancient  grave  on  their 
land.  It  was  situated  a  little  more  than  half  a  mile  from 
the  village  of  the  "  Royal  Oak,"  near  the  southern 
bounds  of  the  County  Carlow,  on  the  main  road  from 
Carlow  to  Kilkenny,  in  the  barony  of  "  Idrone,"  or 
"Idrone  West,"  and  in  the  parish  of  Wells,  about  300 
yards  east  of  the  ruins  of  the  parish  church,  and  about 
the  same  distance  from  the  river  Barrow,  on  the  east. 

The  field  in  which  is  the  grave  is  level  and  under  cul- 
tivation. There  is  no  sign  of  a  mound  having  been  on  it, 
nor  is  there  any  "  Rath  "  nearer  than  about  half  a  mile. 

The  grave  consisted  of  three  chambers,  the  general 
direction  of  which  was  north  and  south,  in  their  longer 
axis. 

At  a  depth  of  about  10  inches  under  the  natural 
surface  of  the  ground,  a  large  granite 
stone  was  found,  of  the  following  shape 
and   dimensions  :  —  6   ft.    9  in.    long,  JL 

3  ft.  7  in.  wide  at  the  west  end,  and  \ 

about  11  in.  thick,  roughly  flat  on  both 
sides,  but  having  no  sign  of  tools,  or 
marks  of  any  kind,  save  some  ap- 
parently recent  ones,  caused  by  the 
iron  of  a  plough  scraping  the  upper 
side. 

This  stone  rested  on  four  others, 
composed  of  limestone,  and  nearly 
square  in  form,  but  not  " dressed"  in 
any  way.  They  were  placed  as  here 
shown  (fig.  1),  and  formed  a  cist  or 
chamber  of  the  following  dimen- 
sions:— about  3  ft.  4  in.  E.  and  W., 
by  2  ft.  5  in.  N.  and  S.  A  flat  stone 
or  flag,  about  2^  in.  thick,  formed  part 
of  the  covering  of  this  chamber,  in  addition  to  the 
granite  block  already  noticed. 

2N2 


Fig.  i. — Granite  Stone. 


492      ON  AN  ANCIENT  GRAVE  IN  THE  CO.  CARLOW. 

At  the  south  end  was  a  large  limestone  block  about 
3ft.  square :  on  raising  it  (it  is  marked  A  in  the  above 
sketch)  we  discovered  a  second  chamber  31  in.  long  by 
12  in.  wide,  and  about  13  in.  deep.  The  bottom  was 
composed  of  a  flat  stone ;  the  N.  E.  and  S.  sides  were 
formed  of  stones,  and  the  west  side  had  only  a  thin  flag. 

The  cinerary  urn  (fig.  2)  was  found  within  this 
chamber,  which  was  about  3  ft.  6  in.  under  the  level  of 
the  field. 

At  the  south  end  of  this  chamber  we  came  on  a  wall, 
and  a  large,  heavy  covering-stone,  27  in.  by  25  in.  x 
10 in.  thick;  on  clearing  away  the  clay,  and  raising  it, 
we  found  chamber  No.  3.,  formed  with  stones,  placed  as 
here  represented.  This  chamber  was  only  11  in.  wide 
at  the  north  end  and  14  in.  at  the  south  ;  it  was  on  the 
same  level  as  the  other  two  chambers. 

Near  the  S.  E.  corner  of  it  I  discovered  a  skull  almost 
perfect,  apparently  that  of  a  child,  and  also  several  bones, 
teeth,  &c. ;  a  jaw  (lower)  of  a  child  about  one  and 
a-half  year  old;  a  left  thigh-bone;  a  portion  of  the 
forearm ;  a  rib,  and  portion  of  the  pelvis. 

In  the  second  chamber,  which  had  contained  the  urn, 
there  was  found  the  upper  part  of  the  hip-bone  of  an 
adult,  and  portion  of  a  shin-bone,  together  with  many 
other  fragments  not  identified. 

It  therefore  appears  to  me  that  this  was  the  burial- 
place  of  a  chieftain,  his  child,  and  probably  his  wife, 
which  might  account  for  the  three  chambers. 

The  superstitious  workman,  being  afraid  to  put  his 
hand  into  the  second  chamber  when  it  was  first  dis- 
covered, had  pushed  in  the  handle  of  his  pick  before  it 
was  opened,  and  thus,  as  I  was  informed,  broke  the  fine 
urn  previous  to  my  visit  to  the  spot. 

I  was  also  told  that  the  chamber  No.  1  had  been 
opened  "  about  50  years  ago."  I  failed  to  discover  what 
had  been  found  in  it ;  but  it  was  said  that  an  urn  and 
some  bones  had  been  then  taken  away. 

The  large  granite  covering-stone  must  have  been 
brought  from  a  distance  of  probably  more  than  a  mile, 
and  across  the  river  Barrow !  How  this  immense  block 
had  been  transported  here  it  is  difficult  to  imagine. 


Scale  of  Inch  AS. 


Fig.  2. — Cinerary  Urn. 


494  ON  AN  ANCIENT  GRAVE  IN  THE  CO.  CARLOW. 

The  urn  (fig.  2)  which  had  been  found  in  No.  2 
chamber  is  between  4|in.  and  4f  in.  in  height,  5|  in. 
across  the  mouth,  and  the  base  has  an  external  diameter 
of  2£  in. 

It  is  richly  ornamented  with  thirteen  bands  of 
designs,  some  of  which  appear  to  differ  much  from  the 
markings  on  the  cinerary  urns  discovered  at  Ballin,  Co. 
Carlo w,  and  also  from  those  found  at  White  Park  Bay, 
Co.  Antrim  (July  1885),  and  figured  in  former  Numbers 
of  this  Journal. 

I  failed  to  discover  anything  else  of  interest  in  or 
about  this  ancient  burial-place. 


(     495     ) 

ST.  GRIGOIR  OF  CORKAGUINY. 
BY  THOMAS  O'GORMAN. 

IN  the  last  Number  of  our  Journal  (pp.  447—8)  there  is 
reference  in  "  Notes  on  Kerry  Topography"  to  a  St. 
Grigoir,  or  Gregory,  of  Corkaguiny,  who  lived  in  the 
early  days  of  Irish  Christianity,  and  who  had  also  some 
relation  to  the  Isles  of  Aran. 


Tombstone  in  the  Churchyard  of  Meelick. 

This  reference  recalled  to  my  mind  that  many  years 
ago  I  had  seen  a  tombstone  in  the  churchyard  of  Meelick, 
County  Mayo,  bearing  an  Irish  inscription,  beginning 
with  the  usual  Ol?  OO,  and  of  which  the  first  three 
letters  (^l11)  °f  the  name  of  the  person  to  be  commemo- 
rated would  suggest  it  to  have  been  Gricour,  or  Grigoir — 


496  ST.    GRIGOIR   OF   CORKAGUINY. 

viz.  Gregory.  The  latter  letters  are,  however,  more  or 
less  obliterated,  apparently  from  the  footsteps  of  former 
generations  pressing  upon  it,  as  if  it  had  been  used  as 
a  doorstep. 

The  name  Gregory  is  not  one  often  to  be  met  with 
in  Irish  matters,  and  I  lost  sight  of  the  Meelick  tomb 
till  I  saw  the  last  Number  of  the  Journal  R.H.A.A.L 

A  sketch  of  this  tombstone,  as  it  existed  some  twenty 
years  ago,  or  more,  was  made  on  the  spot.  It  is  now 
rather  worn  by  friction,  but  still  conveys  a  fair  idea  of 
the  relic. 

Referring  to  this  sketch,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  next 
letter  after  <§pi  appears  to  be  a  c  rather  than  a  5.  This 
it  was  that  first  threw  me  off  further  inquiry ;  but  I  have 
since  learned  that  5  and  c  in  Irish  are  commutable,  and 
it  is,  therefore,  not  very  improbable  that  this  stone  com- 
memorates some  person  of  the  name  of  Gricour,  Grigoir, 
or  Gregory. 

Now,  as  the  St.  Grigoir  mentioned  had  relation  to 
the  Isles  of  Aran,  he  may  possibly  have  visited  the 
mainland,  died  there,  and  been  carried  to  Meelick  for 
burial.  Meelick,  in  early  days,  was  evidently  a  place 
of  note.  Its  churchyard  contains  the  remains  of  a  fine 
round  tower,  the  field  adjoining  which  is  called  by  the 
people  Park  an  easpug  ("  Bishop's  field"),  in  which 
human  bones  have  been  frequently  found.  Close  to  the 
tower  are  some  ancient  walls,  while  scattered  through 
the  graveyard  are,  or  were,  to  be  seen  cut  stones,  evi- 
dently of  the  Hiberno-Romanesque  period.  It  therefore 
may  not  be  out  of  reason  to  say  that  this  stone  once 
covered  the  remains  of  Saint  Grigour  of  Corkaguiny ;  at 
least  it  might  be  worth  the  notice  of  some  of  our  mem- 
bers skilled  in  Irish  Hagiology  inquiring  into  the  matter. 


(     497     ) 


TKACKED   STONES. 
BY  W.  J.  KNOWLES,  M.R.I.A.,  HON.  LOCAL  SECRETARY,  Co.  ANTRIM. 

IN  any  extensive  collection  of  Irish  antiquities  we  shall 
be  almost  sure  to  find  a  few  oval  pebbles  of  quartzite, 
with  a  track  of  varying  depth  along  one  or  both  faces  of 
the  stone.  As  the  use  to  which  these  stones  have  been 
applied  is  still  somewhat  doubtful,  I  have  adopted  the 
name  by  which  they  are  generally  known  about  Bally - 
mena,  namely,  "  Tracked  Stones,"  as  the  term  carries 
with  it  nothing  that  is  suggestive.  Sir  William  Wilde, 
Catalogue,  Museum,  R.I.  A.,  shows  one  in  fig.  56,  page  75, 
and  classes  it  and  stones  of  similar  shape,  but  without 
tracks,  as  slingstones.  They  are  referred  to  in  Evans7 
Stone  Implements  and  Ornaments  of  Great  Britain,  pp.  243, 
244,  and  are  supposed  to  be  a  species  of  whetstone; 
Anderson  in  Scotland  in  Pagan  Times  (The  Iron  Age) 
figures  one  at  page  220,  also  another  at  page  224,  and 
calls  them  point  sharpeners.  They  have  been  found  in 
Denmark  and  Sweden,  and  are  considered  by  Nilsson 
(Primitive  Inhabitants  of  Scandinavia),  pp.  10,  11,  as  ham- 
mer-stones. 

I  am  not  able  to  say  anything  very  definite  regarding 
these  curious  objects,  but  I  hope  my  present  observations 
(which  are  rather  of  the  nature  of  notes  and  queries)  may 
elicit  further  information  from  some  competent  observer. 
My  own  collection  contains  over  80  of  these  pebbles ; 
Canon  Grainger  has  about  40 ;  Rev.  G.  R.  Buick,  Rev. 
Leonard  Hasse*,  and  Mr.  George  Raphael,  have  each  a 
few,  so  that  I  have  (within  easy  reach)  about  150  speci- 
mens, besides  some  from  Scandinavia,  to  compare  with 
each  other.  Among  our  Irish  examples  we  have  some- 
times the  simple  pebble,  which  may  be  irregular  in  shape, 
with  a  very  slight  track,  perhaps,  on  only  one  side.  This 
kind  leads  up  to  a  more  numerous  series  which  have  been 
made  into  a  more  or  less  symmetrical  form,  with  a  groove 
or  track  on  each  face.  Some  of  these  have  had  consider- 
able labour  bestowed  on  them,  being  of  a  regular,  oval 
shape,  with  an  edge  all  round,  and  slightly  pointed  at 


498  TRACKED   STONES. 

the  ends  (see  Plate,  figures  6  and  8).     However,  although 
generally  oval  in  form,  a  few  may  be  found  which  are 
nearly  circular,  as  fig.  9.     The  indented  mark  is  often  in 
the  direction  of  the  longer  axis  of  the  stone,  but  frequently 
it  has  a  diagonal  course.     When  we  see  the  mark  in  this 
position  on  one  side,  we  invariably  find  that  the  mark  on 
the  other  side  does  not  coincide  with  it,  but  crosses  it, 
and,  if  carried  through  the  stone,  the  two  marks  would 
be  found  to  form  a  cross  somewhat  like  the  letter  X. 
The  indentation  is  sometimes  very  slight.    Even  in  some 
highly  finished  examples,  several  lightly  marked  tracks 
can  be  seen  running  parallel  to  each  other  on  the  same 
side ;  but  though  the  tracks  are  slight,  the  centre  of  the 
stone  may  have  undergone  a  slight  hollowing  (see  section, 
figure  8).     In  well-marked  examples,  however,  the  track 
is  generally  about  an  inch  in  length,  though  it  is  some- 
times one  and  a-half  inches,  and  occasionally  less  than  an 
inch.    When  the  track  is  deepest,  the  rubbing  that  formed 
it  must  have  gone  on  backwards  and  forwards  in  that 
short  space,  as  a  sort  of  stopridge,  or  distinct  boundary, 
is  apparent  at  one  or  both  ends  of  the  track.    In  my  own 
ordinary  specimens  the  deepest  track  is  about  T3T  of  an 
inch,  but  I  have  an  example  (fig.  3)  which  has  an  un- 
usually large  goove,  being  2-^  inches  long,  -f-  of  an  inch 
wide,  and  f  of  an  inch  deep.     The  stone  is  a  pure,  milk- 
white  quartz  pebble,  and  the  indentation  has  no  finer 
lines  running  from  either  end  towards  the  margin  of  the 
stone,  such  as  one  might  expect  to  see  if  the  indentation 
had  been  formed  by  the  rubbing  backwards  and  forwards 
of  a  pointed  instrument.     In  every  instance  the  bottom 
of  the  groove  has  the  same  polished  appearance  as  the 
other  parts  of  the  surface.     On  looking  at  the  grooves 
on  a  series  of  such  stones,  one  sees  in  some  a  slight  in- 
dentation, then  in  others  deeper  marks  with  occasionally 
pointed  terminations ;  and,  again,  we  find  a  portion  of 
the  centre  of  the  stone  greatly  worn  away,  as  if  from 
violent  and  long-continued  rubbing,  as  is  the  case  in  the 
example  shown  in  figure  2.     We  can  observe  a  whole 
series  of  indentations  varying  from  the  very  slight  up  to 
the  deeply  worn,  so  that  one  readily  comes  to  the  con- 
clusion that  the  grooves  must  have  been  formed  by  the 


500  TRACKED   STONES. 

repeated  rubbing  backwards  and  forwards  of  some  metal 
tool,  and  to  describe  them  as  point  sharpeners  is  a  very 
natural  interpretation.  I  have  lately  tried  to  make  a 
track  on  a  quartzite  pebble,  similar  to  those  I  have  de- 
scribed, by  rubbing  the  point  of  a  steel  blade  along  it, 
but  was  not  able  to  make  an  indentation  on  the  stone.  I 
then  tried  the  edge  of  a  cold  chisel,  but  with  a  like  result: 
an  indentation  would  not  form,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that, 
after  very  considerable  labour,  I  had  made  no  impression. 
I  found,  too,  as  the  result  of  my  experience,  that  quartz 
rock  and  quartzite  are  not  good  sharpeners ;  that  a  good 
edge  cannot  be  formed  by  rubbing  on  such  rocks. 
Quartzite  pebbles  are,  however,  good  burnishers.  Rub- 
bing with  them  will  brighten  up  metal  blades,  and 
smooth  down  scratches  such  as  have  been  made  by 
sharpening  on  sandstone.  I  am,  therefore,  doubtful 
regarding  these  stones  having  been  used  as  whetstones, 
or  sharpeners,  though  at  present  I  am  unable  to  suggest 
a  better  theory. 

The  majority  of  the  "  Tracked  Stones"  with  which  I 
am  acquainted  in  this  country  were  found  in  the  county 
Antrim ;  only  a  very  few  are  from  the  counties  of  Down 
and  Derry.  Mr.  Evans,  in  Stone  Implements  and  Orna- 
ments of  Great  Britain,  p.  244,  says  he  has  never  met  with 
one  in  England,  and  those  figured  in  Anderson's  Scotland 
in  Pagan  Times  were  found  in  Brochs,  situated  in  the  ex- 
treme north  of  Scotland — one  in  Sutherlandshire,  and 
the  other  in  the  Orkneys.  The  Brochs  are  circular, 
tower-like  structures,  and  contain  stone,  bronze,  iron, 
and  glass  objects.  In  Ireland,  I  do  not  know  of  an  in- 
stance of  one  of  these  stones  being  found  in  association 
with  any  other  object.  They  were  all  chance  finds  by 
the  farmers,  while  cultivating  the  fields.  One,  it  is  true, 
was  found  by  Canon  Grainger,  when  exploring  with  me 
among  the  Sandhills  at  Dundrum,  county  Down,  but  it 
was  not  so  intimately  associated  with  other  stone  objects 
that  we  could  decidedly  say  that  it  belonged  to  the  stone 
age.  In  Denmark  stones  with  similar  grooves  have  been 
found  with  iron  objects,  but  notwithstanding  this,  Nilsson 
believes  them  to  be  of  the  stone  age.  He  admits  that 
some  have  been  found  associated  with  iron  objects,  but 


TRACKED    STONES.  501 

hints  that  such  may  have  been  amulets.  That  they  were 
hammer-stones  used  in  chipping  stone  objects  he  consi- 
ders proved  by  the  marks  of  hammering  on  their  edges. 
Among  our  Irish  examples,  some  have  abraded  ends, 
showing  that  they  have  been  used  as  hammer-stones,  and 
I  have  one  with  a  hammered  indentation  in  the  centre. 
In  this  example  there  is  the  usual  long  track  on  one  side, 
and  the  roughened  hollow  on  the  other.  I  have  several 
specimens  which  are  squared  at  the  ends  and  edges  like 
some  whetstones,  showing  that  they  have  been  used  in 
polishing  other  objects.  Some  of  the  more  highly  finished 
specimens  are  made  of  handsome  stone  with  streaks  or 
patches  of  red  or  brown  over  the  surface. 

Although  some  of  the  Scandinavian  tracked  stones  are 
in  form  like  those  found  in  Ireland,  yet  a  great  many  of 
the  former  have  a  wide  groove  round  the  outline,  for  the 
purpose,  it  is  supposed,  of  tying  something  round  the 
stone,  in  order  that  it  might  be  carried  about  easily  by 
suspending  it  from  the  belt  or  girdle.  I  have  elsewhere1 
suggested  that  those  Irish  specimens  which  have  an  edged 
outline  may  have  been  so  made  that  they  could  fit  easily 
into  a  frame  or  binding  of  leather  for  the  purpose  of  being 
similarly  carried  about. 

The  distribution  of  these  stones  is  worth  noting — 
Sweden,  Denmark,  and  Slesvig,  North  of  Ireland,  and 
northern  extremity  of  Scotland.  The  prehistoric  antiqui- 
ties of  Scotland  and  those  of  the  North  of  Ireland  have  a 
marked  resemblance,  and  the  tracked  stones  are  no  ex- 
ception to  the  rule,  as  those  figured  in  Dr.  Anderson's 
work,  The  Iron  Age,  appear  exactly  like  many  Irish  speci- 
mens ;  but  why  those  found  in  Scotland  should  be  so  far 
separated  from  their  fellows  in  Ireland,  and  found,  too, 
in  structures  that  are  peculiar  to  Scotland,  is  puzzling. 

I  may  mention,  in  conclusion,  a  sort  of  belief  regard- 
ing these  stones  which  I  have  heard  expressed  on  more 
than  one  occasion,  but  what  the  origin  of  the  belief  is  I 
cannot  say,  i.e.  that  they  were  objects  of  worship.  An 
old  dealer  invariably  says  to  me  when  he  gets  a  tracked 


1  Proceedings,  R.I.A.,  2nd  Series,  vol.       1881,  page  111. 
ii.  Polit.  Lit.  and  Antiq.,  No.  3,  Dec., 


502  TRACKED   STONES. 

stone: "I  have  got  an  idol  for  you!"     I  have  also 

heard  them  spoken  of  in  such  a  way  by  intelligent  col- 
lectors, as  if  they  believed  that  the  ancient  people  who 
used  them  regarded  them  as  emblems  of  fertility.  Whe- 
ther these  views  may  have  had  good  foundation  or  are 
pure  inventions  I  cannot  say — I  give  them  for  what  they 
are  worth.  Probably  such  notions  may  be  akin  to  the 
belief  in  stone  axes  being  thunderbolts,  and  arrow-heads 
elf-stones. 


EXPLANATION  OF  PLATE,  PAGE  499. 

Fig.  1 . — A  pebble  of  quartzite  banded  with  white  and  dark  layers,  and 
track  on  one  side  only.  It  is  3  inches  long,  2  broad,  and  was 
found  near  Dunloy,  county  Antrim. 

Fig.  2.— A  quartzite  pebble,  2£  inches  long,  by  2£  broad.  It  has  been 
subjected  to  a  great  deal  of  friction,  and  a  considerable  por- 
tion of  the  centre  of  the  stone  on  each  side  is  worn  away. 
Several  tracks  are  visible  on  the  worn  surfaces. 

Fig.  3. — Is  a  pebble  of  milky  white  quartz,  found  near  Sandy  Braes, 
county  Antrim.  It  is  3£  in.  long  by  2f  in.  broad,  and  has  a 
track  on  only  one  side.  The  track  is  exceptionally  large.  It 
is  2i  in.  long,  £  in.  broad,  and  f  of  an  inch  deep. 

Fig.  4. — Front  and  edge  views  of  a  pebble  which  has  had  its  ends  abraded 
by  being  used  asahammer-stone.  The  edge  view  shows  that  the 
pebble  had  been  held  in  an  oblique  direction  when  hammering, 
which  left  a  ridge  between  the  hammered  spots.  The  stone 
is  of  quartzite,  3f  in.  long  by  2£  in.  wide.  It  is  tracked  on 
both  faces. 

Fig.  5. — Shows  evidence  by  its  squared  ends  and  sides  of  having  been 
used  as  a  whetstone  or  polisher.  It  is  of  quartzite,  2f  in.  long 
by  2  in.  broad,  and  is  tracked  on  both  faces. 

Fig.  6. — A  quartzite  stone  variegated  with  brown  streaks.  It  has  been 
ground  to  a  bluntish  edge  all  round,  and  is  pointed  at  the 
ends.  It  is  similarly  tracked  on  both  faces,  and  a  section 
through  its  widest  part  is  shown  below.  It  is  3f  in.  long  by 
2£  in.  broad,  and  was  found  near  Glarryf ord,  County  Antrim. 

Fig.  7. — A  quartzite  pebble  with  deep,  well-defined  tracks,  is  2f  in.  long 
by  2£  in.  wide.  It  was  found  near  Freestone  Quarry,  county 
Antrim. 

Fig.  8. — Is  a  very  regularly  formed  object  of  dark-red  quartzite,  with  an 
edged  outline,  3±  in.  long  by  2£  in.  wide.  There  is  no  well- 
defined  track,  but  several  faint  marks  are  visible.  The 
centre  is  slightly  hollowed.  A  section  through  its  widest 
part  is  shown  below. 

Fig.  9. — Is  almost  circular,  2  inches  in  diameter,  and  is  flattened  and 
smooth  on  the  faces,  as  if  those  parts  had  been  used  in 
polishing. 


(     503     ) 


NOTES  ON  AN  OGAM  STONE  IN  THE  COUNTY  CAVAN. 
BY  CHARLES  ELCOCK. 

IT  is  possible  that  the  stone  which  forms  the  subject  of 
this  note  may  be  well  known  to  many  of  the  members 
of  this  Association ;  but,  after  much  searching,  the  fact 
of  my  having  failed  to  meet  with  any  account  of  it,  even 
amongst  the  Ordnance  Letters,  to  which  I  was  kindly 
allowed  access  by  the  Royal  Irish  Academy,  must  form 
my  excuse,  if  one  is  needed,  for  venturing,  with  some 
diffidence,  to  introduce  it  to  public  notice. 


Having  had  occasion  to  go  from  Oldcastle  to  Kilnaleck, 
I  observed,  when  about  two  miles  on  the  way,  and  about 
200  yards  within  the  boundary  of  the  Co.  Cavan,  a  pointed 
pillar-stone,  carved  with  a  cross.  On  examining  it  I 
found  there  were  two  inscribed  crosses  on  the  south  side. 


504    NOTES  ON  AN  OGAM  STONE  IN  THE  CO.  CAVAN. 

one  on  the  east,  and  one  on  the  north,  the  west  side  being 
uncarved.  There  are  also  (running  up  the  angles  of  the 
stone)  the  remains  of  what  was  once  a  deeply-cut  Ogam 
inscription,  which  now,  through  weathering,  and  the 
cattle  using  the  stone  as  a  rubbing-post,  has  become 
quite  illegible,  all  continuity  being  destroyed.  As  an 
Ogam  inscription  the  stone  is,  on  this  account,  value- 
less ;  but  as  marking  when  Ogams  were  used,  it  is  not 
without  interest,  there  being,  I  believe,  only  one  other 
known  in  the  Co.  Cavan. 

The  dimensions  of  the  stone  are  as  follows : — Height 
above  ground,  63  in. ;  width,  say  20  in. ;  thickness,  say 
16  in.  The  stone  faces  north,  being  roughly  square, 
with  a  cut,  pointed  top.  It  is  known  by  the  name  of 
Cloc  Scuca.  It  stands  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the 
road,  in  a  field  called  "  Campbell's  Field,"  Lower  Dun- 
pmmin,  Kilbride  parish,  and  it  is  not  far  from  the 
Clocalabapca,  in  Faran-na-g-cloch. 

The  farmer  who  lives  close  by  says  that  when  his 
father  was  building  the  house  they  came  upon  a  number 
of  graves  and  gravestones,  also  the  shaft  of  a  cross 
(which  latter  he  showed  me  built  into  the  wall),  and  he 
stated  that  there  used  to  be  a  graveyard  round  about 
there,  which  may,  perhaps,  account  for  the  crosses  being 
cut  upon  the  stone.  "  People  said,  years  ago,  there  was 
a  great  man  buried  under  that  stone,"  meaning  Cloc 
Scuca.  The  sketch  pretty  fairly  represents  its  present 
state.  It  is  situated  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  high 
road  from  Oldcastle  to  Kilnaleck,  about  10  yards  from 
the  road,  and  two  miles  from  Oldcastle,  in  the  Co.  Meath. 


(     505     ) 

BOUGH  FLINT  CELTS  OF  THE  COUNT  Y  ANTRIM. 
BY  WILLIAM  GRAY.,  M.R.I.A.,  HONORARY  PROVINCIAL  SECRETARY,  ULSTER. 

THE  celebrated  Salmon-leap,  near  Coleraine,  is  overshadowed  by 
Mount  Sandal — one  of  the  most  prominent  features  on  the  banks  of  the 
lower  Bann,  and  one  of  the  most  important  monuments  connected  with 
the  early  history  of  the  North  of  Ireland.  The  high  and  comparatively 
level  ground  at  the  back  of  the  Mount  from  the  river  has  been  under 
cultivation  for  many  years,  and,  no  doubt,  many  objects  of  interest  have 
been  turned  up  by  the  spade  and  plough  that  have  escaped  the  attention 
of  the  farmers'  workmen,  who,  as  a  rule,  are  ignorant  of  the  value  of 
such  objects. 

Of  late  years,  however,  there  has  been  much  done  in  collecting 
and  describing  various  forms  of  rude  flint  and  stone  implements,  and, 
owing  to  the  absurdly  high  prices  too  often  paid  for  such  articles,  farmers 
and  farm  labourers  are  beginning  to  recognize  their  value,  and  to  preserve 
what  they  find — not,  perhaps,  for  the  ethnological  importance  of  the 
objects,  but  for  the  good  prices  over-zealous  collectors  are  sometimes 
willing  to  pay  for  them.  This  mercenary  motive  is  happily  not  always 
the  incentive  to  collecting  "  curios";  for  sometimes  we  find  among  the 
farming  class  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  the  value  of  anything  that  is 
calculated  to  throw  light  upon  the  habits  or  customs  of  their  forefathers. 
It  was  in  this  spirit  that  the  broken  ground  just  referred  to  has  been 
examined,  and  a  large  number  of  worked  flints  have  been  obtained,  some 
of  them  well  formed,  and  some  so  rough  as  to  render  the  artificial 
character  questionable. 

By  the  care  and  intelligence  of  the  owner  and  his  workmen  a  large 
number  of  flint  implements,  celts,  picks,  scrapers,  cores,  flakes,  &c.,  has 
been  collected.  Of  these  I  have  secured  several  small  rough  celts,  almost 
constant  in  the  peculiarities  of  their  size  and  character.  They  are  on  an 
average  three  inches  long,  and  about  one  inch  wide  ;  very  roughly  chipped 
all  over  into  the  shape  of  ordinary  celts ;  some  are  more  pointed  at  one 
end  than  the  other,  and  therefore  are  more  like  picks,  whilst  some  have 
a  chisel-shaped  end,  such  forms  being  apparently  intentional,  and  not  the 
accidental  result  of  rough  chipping.  As  usual,  where  finds  of  this  kind 
occur,  the  common  forms  of  flakes,  cores,  and  scrapers,  are  also  found  in 
more  or  less  abundance. 

Almost  immediately  below  Mount  Sandal,  at  the  river,  and  about  one- 
third  of  the  way  from  the  Leap  to  the  Bridge  at  Coleraine,  there  appears 
to  be  the  remains  of  a  ford  that  once  crossed  the  river  Bann.  At  this 
ford  a  large  number  of  worked  flints  were  found,  and  their  general 
character  very  much  resembled  the  worked  flints  from  the  field  at  the 
back  of  Mount  Sandal,  and  the  peculiar  form  of  rough  celts  of  flint  was 
well  represented  here.  The  dredges,  too,  on  the  Bann,  below  the  bridge, 
have  very  frequently  taken  up  from  the  bottom-mud  flakes,  scrapers, 
and  celts" of  the  very  same  material  and  form,  differing  only  in  colour; 
for  whereas  the  worked  flints  from  the  surface-land  gravels  or  earth  are 
light  in  colour,  the  worked  flints  from  the  river  are  very  dark — often 
almost  quite  black. 

4TIT  SKll.,  VOL.  VIII.  2  0 


506  ROUGH   FLINT   CELTS   OF   CO.    ANTRIM. 

During  the  spring  of  1886  an  intelligent  workman  observed  some 
flints  on  a  space  (bared  of  sand)  forming  the  sand  dunes  that  occur  be- 
hind the  houses  fronting  the  Portrush  Railway  Station,  and  having 
examined  the  spot,  it  proved  to  be  the  site  of  an  ancient  settlement,  in- 
dicated by  the  occurrence  of  very  many  worked  flints,  including  an 
unusual  number  of  cores,  together  with  several  small  rough,  flint  celts, 
identical  with  the  forms  picked  up  at  Mount  Sandal. 

The  deposit  of  worked  flints  at  Portrush  was  discovered  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  native  rock,  usually  deeply  covered  with  sand,  but  which  was 
bared  during  a  storm  that  occurred  shortly  before  the  flints  were  observed. 
A  similar  deposit  became  exposed  to  the  left  of  the  road  leading  from  the 
station  to  the  Railway  Hotel ;  at  this  latter  spot  a  large  quantity  of 
flakes  occurred,  as  well  as  cores,  that  closely  resembled  the  worked  flints 
dredged  from  the  Bann,  or  collected  at  the  ford  and  sand-dunes.  "We 
have,  therefore,  in  this  locality  four  very  distinct  stations,  each,  yielding 
similar  forms  under  different  circumstances.  At  Mount  Sandal  the  flints 
are  found  in  the  open  cultivated  fields  ;  on  the  river  Bann  they  occur  at 
a  probable  ford,  and  also  scattered  over  the  bed  of  the  river.  At  Portrush 
they  are  met  with  below  the  sand-dunes,  on  probable  sites  of  ancient 
settlements. 

Of  all  the  forms  of  worked  flints  thus  found,  the  small  rough  celt  is 
the  most  characteristic ;  and  celts  of  this  type  have  been  also  collected 
from  the  raised  beach-gravels  of  Carnlough,  Larne  and  Holywood ;  of 
these  some  have  been  figured  and  described  in  the  Journal  of  the  Royal 
Historical  and  Archaeological  Association  of  Ireland. 

NOTE. — Mr.  Gray  also  described  the  site  of  an  ancient  factory  of  rough 
trap-celts,  discovered  on  Rathlin  Island,  where  a  considerable  number  of 
roughly-chipped  unpolished  celts  of  trap  or  basalt  were  found,  together 
with  a  quantity  of  chips,  indicating  that  at  this  spot  there  had  been  an 
ancient  manufactory  of  stone  celts. 


(     507     ) 

THE    KINGDOM    OP    MEATS. 

BY  JOHN  M.  THUNDER,  MEMBER. 

I. — Ancient  Meath. 

"  I  found  in  the  great  fortress  of  Meath 
Valour,  hospitality,  and  truth, 
Bravery,  purity,  and  mirth — 
The  protection  of  all  Ireland." 

— Poem  of  the  Saxon  King  Aldfred. 

THE  Gaelic  word  for  Meath  is  Midlie,  so  called  (according  to  Keating) 
because  it  was  the  Meidhe,  or  neck  of  each  province,  that  Tuatlial  the 
Welcome  formed  as  the  mensal  land  of  the  monarchs  of  Ireland.  Another 
derivation  for  Meath  is  said  to  be  from  Midhe,  son  of  JBratha,  who  was 
the  principal  druid,  or  high-priest,  of  the  royal  family  of  Neimhidh.1 

The  sons  of  Neimidh  granted  the  district  around  Uisnech*  to  this  arch- 
druid,  and  from  him  it  received  its  name.3  The  boundaries  of  Meath,  as 
laid  down  by  Tuathal,  extended  from  the  Shannon  eastward  to  Dublin, 
and  from  Dublin  to  the  river  Rye  ;  from  the  Rye  westward  to  Cloncon- 
ragh,  thence  to  French-Mills  Ford  (hodie  Frankford),  thence  to  Clonardr 
thence  to  Tochar-Carlri  (i.  e.  the  Causeway,  or  bog  of  Carbre — now  Bal- 
lintogher,  King's  County),  from  that  to  Geshil,  to  Drumcullm^  to  the  river 
Cara,5  and  so  to  the  Shannon.  Northward  to  Loch  Rilh  (Lough  Ree), 
all  the  islands  of  which  belong  to  Meath  ;  all  the  Shannon  as  far  as  Loch- 
Bo-Deirg,  and  from  Loch-Bo-Deirg  to  Mochil,  thence  to  Athlone,  thence 
to  Upper  Scariff,  to  Drumlahanf  from  that  to  Moy,  and  so  onward  to 
Clones,  to  Loch-da-en,  to  Knowth,  to  Dufferin,  to  the  pool  at  the  Blind 
Man's  Ford  on  Slialh  Fuaidh?  to  Magh  Cosnamaigh,  near  Killeavy,  to 
Snamh  Egnacharf  to  Comber,  county  of  Down,  and  thence  to  the  Liffey. 
The  boundary  of  this  ancient  kingdom  has  been  thus  proclaimed  in  verse : 

"  From  Loch-Bo-Deirg  to  Birr  a, 
From  Sena,9  eastward  to  the  sea, 
To  the  Comar  of  Cluain-Irard, 
And  to  the  Comar  of  Cluain-Ard"  10 

Meath  at  this  period  contained  18  cantons,  or  districts,  30  townships 
in  each  canton,  12  ploughlands  in  each  township,  and  six  score  acres  in 
each  ploughland,  so  that  every  canton  contained  360  ploughlands.11 


1  Neimhidh  and  his  followers  are  said  "  Keating,"  p.  87). 

to  have  arrived  in  Ireland  the  age  of  the  6  Drom  -  Lethan,    on    the    borders    of 

world,  2850  (Four  Masters),  vol.  i.  p.  9.  Leitrim  and  Cavan  (ibid.}. 

2  Uisnechhodie  •  Ifsny,    now    barony   of  7  Fuad's  Mountain,  Co.  Armagh  (ibid.). 
Kathconrath,  "West  Meath.  8  Perhaps  Carlingford  Lough  (ibid.). 

3  Keating.  9  Shannon. 

4  Geshil   and    Drumcullin,   in    King'  10  Subdivision  of  the  provinces  of  Ire- 
County,  land.— Keating,  p.  86,  et  seq. 

5  Probably  the  little   Brosna,  flowing  "  Keating's  History  of  Ireland,  trans- 
between  Frankford  and  Birr  (see  Mahony's  lated  by  Mahony,  p.  87. 

202 


508  THE  KINGDOM   OF  MEATH. 

Keating  concludes  his  chapter  of  the  division  of  Midhe  by  informing  us 
that  in  the  8th  century  Aedh  Oirnide,  king  of  Ireland,  divided  Meath 
between  the  two  sons  of  Donchadh,  son  of  Domnal,  who  had  been  his  pre- 
decessor. 

The  Belgae,  or  Firbolgs,  appear  to  have  settled  in  Meath,  and  some  of 
their  kings  reigned  at  Teamhair  (Tara).  Stanihurst,  in  his  description  of 
Ireland,  tells  us  that  "  there  arrived  in  Ireland  five  brethren,  that  were 
1  valiant  and  martiall  gentlemen,'  to  wit,  Gandius,  Genadius,  Sagandus, 
Rutheragus,  and  Slanius.  They  divided  the  realm  between  them  :  out 
of  their  own  portion  they  allotted  a  territory  to  the  fifth,  Slanius,  and 
that  partition  took  the  name  '  Media,''  '  Meeth.'1  Slanius  eventually 
obtained  the  whole  monarchy2  of  Ireland.  This  Slanius  is  entombed  at 
a  hill  in  Meath,  which  of  him  is  named  Slane."  We  find  in  the  four 
Masters  that  in  the  age  of  the  world  3303,  the  tenth  year  of  the  reign 
of  the  Firbolg  King  Eochaidh,  the  Tuatha-De-Dananns  invaded  Ireland. 
This  race  is  said  to  have  brought  the  Lia-Fail,  or  Stone  of  Destiny,  to 
Ireland,  and  placed  it  at  Teamhair.  An  old  tradition  declares  that  it 
used  to  groan  under  every  monarch  of  the  rightful  line  who  sat  upon  it. 
It  was  during  the  sovereignty  of  the  De  Dananns  that  the  celebrated 
Fair  of  Tailltiu  was  instituted  by  one  of  their  kings,  viz.  Lugh  Lamh- 
fhada  (Lewy  of  the  long  hand),  in  commemoration  of  Taillte,  the  king's 
foster-mother.  "When  the  sons  of  Miledh  arrived  on  our  shores  they 
were  met  with  hostility  from  the  De  Dananns,  but  the  latter  were  de- 
feated at  the  battle  of  Tailltean,  in  which  engagement  they  lost  their 
three  leaders — M'  Coill,  Ml  Ceacht,  and  Ml  Greine.  The  battle  lasted  for 
a  long  time,  until  M' Ceacht  fell  by  JSiremhon,  M'Cuill  by  HJimhear,  and 
M 'Greine  by  Amhergin.3 

II.— The  Reign  of  Tuathal. 

The  Milesian  princes  divided  the  kingdom  of  Ireland  between  them ; 
their  names  were  Heber  and  Heremon.  In  the  year  A.M.  3501  a  dis- 
pute arose  between  these  two  brothers  regarding  the  boundaries  of  the 
kingdom,  and  a  battle  was  fought  at  Geshill,  at  which  battle  Heber  was 
slain  by  Heremon.  The  sixth  in  descent  from  Ir,  brother  to  the  kings, 
was  Eochy,  better  known  in  history  as  Ollamh  Fodhla,  the  twentieth 
prince  of  the  Milesian  line  who  held  kingly  sway  in  Ireland.  The  age 
of  the  world  3883  is  given  by  the  Four  Masters  as  the  first  year  of  the 
reign  of  Ollamh  Fodhla.  He  instituted  the  Pers  at  Tara,  which  was  a 
national  assembly  of  princes  and  chieftains.  All  the  subordinate  princes, 
scholars,  and  historians,  attended  the  triennial  assemblies.  The  proceed- 
ings were  inaugurated  by  a  great  banquet,  particular  care  being  taken 
that  the  ceremonial  should  be  one  of  great  pomp,  and  each  person  had 
his  place  assigned  according  to  his  rank. 

We  shall  now  treat  of  that  period  which  forms  the  beginning  of 
Meath  history,  the  reign  of  Tuathal  the  Acceptable.  The  death  of  this 

1  "  Apud  Hollingshed  Chronicles."  (Ogygia,  p,  16)— the  age  of  the  world, 

a  Gandius  and  Genadius  reigned  jointly  3273. 

four  years,  until  carried  off  by  a  plague  3  Annals  of  the  Four  Masters  (age  of 

at  Premmon  (a  mountain  of  Westmeath  the  world  3500),  vol.  i.,  p.  25. 


THE  KINGDOM   OF  MEATII.  509 

monarch,  is  placed  at  A.D.  106.  It  was  he,  as  we  have  before  men- 
tioned, who  formed  Meath  into  a  kingdom.  Keating  tells  us  of  the  event. 
"  TuatJial  TeacJitmhar,  king  of  Ireland,  reigned  thirty  years  ;  he  was  of 
the  posterity  of  Heremon,  and  he  received  the  name  TuatJial  Teachtmhar, 
from  that  state  of  plenty  and  public  tranquillity  which  he  settled  over  the 
whole  kingdom.  He  called  together  a  great  Assembly  at  Teamhair,  and 
was  promised  support  and  fealty  by  all  present.1  In  this  assembly  TuatJial 
separated  a  tract  of  land  from  each  of  the  four  provinces,  which  met 
together  at  a  certain  place,  and  of  that  part  which  he  took  he  made  the 
county  of  Meath  as  it  appears  at  this  day."2  In  the  tract  taken  out  of 
Munster  TuatJial  built  TlachtgJia,  and  the  palace  of  UisneacJi  from  the  tract 
taken  out  of  Connaught.  The  king  of  Connaught  claimed  at  the  festivals 
of  UisneacJi  a  horse  and  arms  from  every  lord  of  a  manor,  as  an  acknow- 
ledgment for  the  land  taken  for  Meath.  Tailltiu  was  taken  as  a  portion 
from  Ulster,  Tara  from  Leinster.  Meath  became  in  TuatJial'' s  reign  the 
men  sal  land  of  the  Ard-Righ — or  special  portion  of  the  king's  table — 
"  Fearann  Righ  Erion"  In  Camden  we  find  Meath  thus  described  : — 
"  The  country  reaches  from  the  Irish  Sea  to  the  river  Shannon,  having 
(as  Barthol.  describes  it)  a  soil  which  yields  plenty  of  wheat,  and 
pastures  well  stocked  with  herds,  abounding  with  fish,  flesh  and 
other  provisions,  butter,  cheese  and  milk,  and  well  watered  by 
rivers.  The  situation  of  it  is  delightful,  and  the  air  healthy ;  the  woods 
and  marshes  in  its  extremities  defend  its  approaches,  and  from  the  num- 
ber of  people,  the  strength  of  its  castles  and  towns,  and  the  peace  which 
it  enjoys  in  consequence  hereof,  it  is  commonly  called  the  Chamber  of 
Ireland."3  The  plain  of  Meath  was  known  by  the  name  MagJi  Breagh,  i.e. 
the  "  magnificent  plain,"  or,  as  translated  by  Dr.  O'Connor  (Campus 
Brigantium),  the  plain  of  Brigantes,  from  being  possessed  by  the  Brigantes, 
whom  the  Irish  called  Clanna  Breogain.  A  part  of  this  territory  was 
called  Fingal,  from  the  Danes  or  Norwegians,  who  planted  a  colony  there 
in  the  tenth  century,  along  the  coast  between  Dublin  and  Drogheda.  The 
plain  of  Bregia  extended  from  Dublin  to  Drogheda,  and  thence  to  Kells, 
and  contained  the  districts  about  Tara,  Trim,  Navan,  Athboy,  and  Dun- 
boyne.  An  ancient  poet  tells  us  : — 

"The  extent  of  Midhe  I  shall  point  out, 
And  of  the  beauteous  plain  of  Breagh, 
We  know  that  it  reaches  to  the  sea 
From  the  Sena*  of  fair  fields. 

"The  men  of  Tebtha5  guard  its  northern  frontier, 
With  those  of  Carbri,6  of  well-won  fights, 
Famed  for  sages,  and  for  bards, 
The  men  of  Breagh  dwell  thence  to  Casan"  7 

From  the  Four  Masters  we  take  the  following  references  to  the  plain 


1  "They  swore  by  the  sun,  moon,  and  4  Shannon. 

all  the  elements  visible  and  invisible,  that  5  Teffia,  the  western  portion  of  Meath, 

they  would  never  contest  the  sovereignty  including  part  of  Longford. 

of  Ireland    with  him   or    his"   race" —  6  Carbri-Gabra,  situated  in  the  county 

(O'Donovan)  —  Note    to    Four    Masters,  Longford. 

vol.  i.,  p.  99.  7  These  verses  are  given  in  Keating's 

2  Keating.  Ireland  (Mahony's  translation,  p.  88). 

3  Camden,  Brittannia, 


510  THE  KINGDOM   OF  MEATH. 

of  Bregia,  and  the  battles  fought  there.  A.D.  322  "  Fiachra  Srailhtine, 
after  having  been  thirty  years  as  king  over  Ireland,  was  slain  by  the 
Collas  in  the  battle  of  Dubchomar  in  Crioch-Rois,  in  Breagh"  Keating 
says  Dubchomar  is  near  Tailltiu.  The  territory  of  Crioch-Rois  embraced 
a  portion  of  the  barony  of  Farney  in  Monaghan,  and  some  of  the  adjoining 
districts  of  Meath  and  Louth.  In  the  Annals  of  Tighernach  this  battle 
is  named  from  the  king's  Druid  Dubh-Chomar,  who  was  slain  there. 
This  interpretation,  however,  is  likely  to  be  legendary.  A.D.  528  "The 
battle  of  Ailbhe,  in  Breagh,  by  Tuathal  Maelgarlh  against  the  Cianachta l 
of  Meath."  Ailbhe  (says  O'Donovan)  is  now  called  Cluan-Ailbhe :  it  is 
situated  in  the  barony  of  Upper  Duleek.  We  find  the  incursion  of  Bran 
Dubh  into  Bregia  thus  quaintly  recorded  in  the  Annals,  A.D.  597.  "  The 
sword-blows  of  Bran  Dubh  in  Breagh ; "  it  means  no  doubt  that  Bran 
Dubh  overran  Meath  with  the  sword.  The  death  of  Domhnall,  son  of 
Murchadh,  who  was  the  first  king  of  the  Clan-Colmain,  is  placed  under 
the  year  A.D.  758.  He  was  buried  at  Dearmhaigh  (Durrow).  Of  him 
was  said — 

"  Until  the  hour  that  Domhnall  was  brought  to  Dearmhaigh 
There  was  no  avenging  conflict  or  battle  on  the  plain  of  Breaghmhagh" 

In  the  Annals  of  Ulster  DomhnalVs  death  is  entered  A.D.  762.  The 
Annals  of  Clonmacnoise  tell  us: — "King  Donell  was  the  first  king  of 
Ireland  of  Clann  Colman,  or  $' Melaghlyns,  and  died  quietly  in  his  bed,  the 
12th  of  the  kalends  of  December,  in  the  year  of  Our  Lord  God  759." 
Passing  into  the  9th  century,  we  find  notice  of  the  death  of  Haelfinnia, 
son  of  Flanagan,  Lord  of  Breagh,  A.D.  898.  "  Maelfinnia,  a  man  without 
haughtiness,  Lord  of  Breagh,  a  torch  over  the  fortresses." 

We  must  now  return  to  the  history  of  Tuathal  Teachthmar,  who  is  said 
to  have  erected  four  royal  palaces  in  Midhe,  viz.  Teamhair?  Tailltiu* 
Tlachtgha*  and  Uisneach.5  He  renewed  the  royal  games  and  fair  at 
Tailltiu,  and  held  two  convocations  for  the  protection  of  trade — the  one 
at  Cruachan  in  Connaught,  the  other  at  Emania  in  Ulster.  Tuathal  was 
slain  by  the  chieftain  Mai,  who  succeeded  to  the  throne  ;  he  in  turn  was 
killed  by  Felemy  Rechtmar,  son  of  Tuathal* 


III.— The  River  Boyne. 

"  Sweet  flows  the  Boyne  to  Trim,  then  makes  its  way 
To  join  at  Drogheda  the  briny  spray." 

The  origin  of  the  name  Boyne  (says  the  late  Sir  William  Wilde)  is 
rather  obscure.  Ptolemy  calls  this  river  Buvinda :  in  Cambrensis  it  is  spelt 
Boandus,  while  in  Grace's  Annals  we  find  it  Boundi  fluvii.  The  Boyne 
rises  at  Carbury,  county  Kildare,  at  the  well  of  the  Blessed  Trinity,  near 

1  The    territory    of   Cianaehta-Breagh  *  The  Hill  of  Ward,  near  Athboy. 
comprised  the  baronies    of    Upper  and  •  Usney,  barony  of  Rathconrath,  West- 
Lower  Duleek.— O'Donovan.  meath.    " 

|  Tara-  6  Tuathal  died  A.D.    106.—  Annals  of 

s  Now  Teltown,  near^Kells.  the  Four  Masters. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  MEATH.  511 

the  fairy  hill  of  NecTitain.1  Lugad  O'Clery  tells  us  in  verse  that  upon  the 
occasion  of  the  birth  of  Conn  of  the  Hundred  Battles  the  Boyne  burst 
forth— 

"  On  the  same  night,  as  old  tradition  tells, 
Burst  forth  the  Boyne,  that  copious, 
Sacred  flood." 

A  strange  legend  is  preserved  of  the  Leinster  poet  Nechtain  and  his 
sacred  well.  No  one  was  permitted  to  approach  this  well ;  the  penalty  for 
so  doing  was  blindness.  Queen  Boan,  moved  no  doubt  by  feminine 
curiosity,  determined  to  visit  the  well,  incredulous  as  to  the  report  which 
informed  her  that  her  beauty  would  vanish  :  she  approached  the  well,  and 
upon  so  doing  the  "  waves  suddenly  arose,  breaking  one  of  her  eyes  "  (as 
the  old  chronicler  expresses  it).  "  Boan  fled  towards  the  sea  to  hide  her 
deformity,  and,  in  company  with  her  lap-dog  Dabella,  was  swept  out  in 
the  rushing  waves." 2 

The  Boyne  was  called  High,  which  means  the  wrist  or  forearm. 
Queen  Boan  used  to  wear  bracelets  on  her  arm  ;  hence  the  name.  Again 
we  find  Bo,  a  cow,  and  Alainn,  a  river,  given  as  derivation  for  the  Boyne. 
In  the  boyish  exploits  of  Finn,  published  by  the  Ossianic  Society,  we  find 
the  following  allusion  to  the  river : — "  He  (Finn)  bids  farewell  to  Crimall, 
and  goes  forward  to  Finneces  (who  lived  at  the  Boyne)  to  learn  poetry  .  .  . 
Seven  years  Finneces  remained  at  the  Boyne  watching  the  salmon  of  Linn- 
Feic?  for  it  had  been  prophesied  that  he  would  eat  the  salmon  of  Fee,  and 
that  he  would  be  ignorant  of  nothing  afterwards  "  (Ossianic  Society,  vol. 
iv.  p.  301).  The  term  Boyne  of  Science  has  been  applied  to  the  river, 
and  Spenser  called  it  the  "Pleasant  Boyne."  The  Annals  of  the  Four 
Masters  refer  under  the  year  A.M.  5160  to  the  reign  of  Conaire,  during 
which  period  the  sea  annually  cast  its  produce  ashore  at  Inbhear  Boinn  (the 
mouth  of  the  Boyne),  and  a  great  abundance  of  nuts  was  found  upon  the 
Boinn  at  this  period."  The  next  notice  in  the  Annals  is  at  A.D.  283 — 
"  Finn  (MacCumhail)  was  killed,  it  was  with  darts,  with  a  lamentable 
wound,  he  fell  by  Aichlech,  at  Ath-Brea  on  the  Boyne." 4 

In  527  the  Annals  record  the  death  of  King  Muircheartach,  who  had 
been  twenty-four  years  in  the  sovereignty  of  Ireland,  at  Cleiteach  over  the 
Boyne  (he  was  supposed  to  be  near  Stackallen  Bridge,  Cletty),  after  being 
drowned  in  wine.  The  Annals  of  Clonmacnoise  refer  at  length  to  the 
death  of  this  king,  and  place  the  event  A.D.  533.  "  King  Moriertagh 
having  had  prosperous  success,  as  well  before  he  came  to  the  crown  as 
after,  against  these  that  rebelled  against  him,  he  was  at  last  drowned  in  a 
kyne  of  wine  in  one  of  his  own  manor  houses  called  Cleytagh,  near  the 
Boyne,  by  a  fairie  woman  that  burned  the  house  over  the  king's  head  on 
Holland-tide.  The  king,  thinking  to  save  his  life  from  burning,  entered 
the  kyne  of  wine,  and  was  so  high  that  the  wine  could  not  keep  him  for 
depth,  for  he  was  fifteen  foot  high !  This  is  the  end  of  the  king  Morier- 

1  Boyne  and  Blaclcwater. — Sir  "W.  E.       the  ancient  Ferta-fer-Feic. 

"Wilde.  4  In  the  Dublin  copy  of  the  "Annals  of 

2  The  well  is  famed  for  its  medicinal  Innisf alien"  it  is  stated  that  Finn  Mac 
virtues,  and  a  Pattern  used  to  be  held  Cumhail  fell  by  the  hand  of  Athlach,  a 
there  on  Trinity  Sunday  (Wilde).  treacherous  fisherman,  who  slew  him  with 

3  Linn-Feic,  i.  e.  the  "Pool  of  Fiac,"  a  his  gaff  at  Rath-Breagha,  near  the  Boyne. 
deep  pool  in  the  river  Boyne,  near  Slane, 


512  THE  KINGDOM  OF  MEATH. 

tagh,  who  was  both  killed,  drowned,  and  burned  together,  through  his 
own  folly,  that  trusted  this  woman  contrary  to  the  advice  of   Saint 

AVe&find  that  an  Abbot  of  Monasterboice,  named  Dulhdairibher,  was 
drowned  in  the  Boyne  A.D.  762  (Four  Masters).  In  836  a  fleet  of  the 
Norsemen  or  Danes  entered  the  Boyne.  841,  "  The  plundering  of  Birra 
(Birr)  and  Saighir  by  the  foreigners  of  the  Boyne.  As  we  proceed  in  the 
history  of  Meath  we  shall  have  many  opportunities  of  again  referring  to 
the  Boyne,  on  whose  banks  so  many  battles  were  fought,  and  so  many 
monasteries  and  churches  erected.  In  the  Book  of  Bights  we  are  told  that 
salmon  from  the  Boyne  was  one  of  the  prerogatives  of  the  Irish  kings. 

"  Venison  from  Naas, 
Salmon  from  the  Boyne, 
And  Cresses  from  the  Erosnach.1 " 


IV.— Saint  Patrick  in  Heath. 

Saint  Patrick,  on  his  journey  to  Meath,  landed  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Boyne,  at  Inlhear  Colpa,  near  Drogheda.  He  partook  of  the  hospitality 
of  Sesgnen  (lord  of  a  principality  in  Meath),  and  baptized  him,  with  his 
entire  family.  One  of  Sesgnen's  sons,  the  Apostle  called  Benignus,  was 
afterwards  Saint  Patrick's  successor  in  the  See  of  Armagh.  After  leaving 
the  house  of  Sesgnen,  Saint  Patrick  proceeded  to  Ferta-fer-Feic*  (Slane). 
There,  on  Easter  Sunday,  he  lit  the  Pascal  fire  on  the  lofty  hill  which 
commands  an  imposing  view  of  Tara  and  the  surrounding  districts.3 
King  Leoghaire  at  this  time  was  holding  his  court  at  Tara  ;  he  witnessed 
with  amazement  the  fire  on  Slane  Hill.  There  was  a  special  law  in  force 
that  no  fire  should  be  kindled  until  the  Tara  fire  appeared.  The  king 
assembled  his  councillors  about  him,  and  enquired  from  the  chief  druid 
who  the  person  might  be  that  dared  to  disobey  the  royal  mandate.  The 
answer  he  received  from  the  druid  is  thus  given  in  the  Book  of  Armagh 
(Collectanea  Tirechani) : — "Rex  in  asternum  Yive  Hie  Ignis  quern  Vi- 
demus,  quique  in  hac  nocte  accensus  est  antequam  succenderetur  in  domu 
tua,  id  est  in  Palatio  Temoriae  nissi  extinctus  fuerit  in  nocte,  hac  quia 
accensus  est,  nunquam  extinguetur  in  sternum."  Leoghaire  set  out  with 
his  retinue  for  Slane,  in  order  to  summon  Saint  Patrick  to  his  presence. 
Strict  orders  were  given  that  no  one  should  salute  or  honour  the  stranger. 
When  Patrick  appeared  before  the  king  he  was  interrogated  as  to  his 
mission,  and  his  disobedience  of  the  king's  order.  Then  Ere,  the  son  of 
Dego,  stood  up,  and  saluted  Patrick.  Being  instructed  in  the  doctrine  of 
Christianity,  he  was  afterwards  baptized  at  the  Fountain  of  Loigles — a 
well  within  the  fort  or  enclosure  of  Tara.  Saint  Patrick  preached  at  Tara 
on  Easter  Sunday,  2nd  April,  A.D.  433.  On  that  occasion  the  only  person 
who  rose  up  to  do  him  honour  was  Dubthach,  an  eminent  poet,  and  tutor 

1  Brosnach,  the  Brosna  river.  with   St.  Patrick's    mission    in    Meath, 

2  The  graves  of  the  men  of  Fee  (now  Aeclessia-Cerne    (hodie    Kilcairne,    near 
Slane).  Archdall  says  that  Slane  was  also  Navan) ;  also  Aisse,  called  by  the  Four 
known  by  the  name  Ballyeo,  which  had  a  Masters  tbe  Ford  of  Sighe.     (See  Notes, 
similar  meaning.  Documenta  de    S.   Patricia,   E.    Hogan, 

3  In  the  Book  of  Armagh  "  (Collectanea  B.I.}. 
Tirechani")  it  mentions,  in  connexion 


THE  KINGDOM  OF   MEATH.  513 

of  Fiacc,  who  was  afterwards  Bishop  of  Sletty.  Dulthach  is  believed  to 
have  been  the  first  convert  at  Tara,  and  henceforward  he  devoted  his 
poetic  talent  to  Christian  subjects.  In  some  lives  of  Saint  Patrick  it  is 
said  that  King  LeogJiaire  was  baptized,  but  this  opinion  is  not  borne  out 
by  the  statement  given  by  the  Saint  in  his  Confession.1  Patrick  pro- 
ceeded from  Tara  to  Tailltean  (Teltown)  on  Easter  Monday.  He  preached 
to  Cairbre,  the  brother  of  Leoghaire,  who  refused  to  be  instructed,  and 
who  insulted  the  Apostle  by  scourging  his  companions  in  the  river  Sele.2 
Conall,  another  royal  brother,  was  baptized,  and  he  gave  his  house  at 
Rath-A.irthic  to  Patrick  for  a  church,  which  became  known  as  Domnach 
Patrick  The  Apostle  is  said  to  have  founded  a  church  at  Druim  Cor- 
corthi — now  Drumconrath,  in  the  barony  of  Slane — over  which  he  placed 
his  nephew  Diermit.  He  continued  his  mission  in  Meath  for  about  a  year, 
and  directed  his  steps  to  Westmeath,  to  the  districts  of  Delvin  and  Moya- 
shill.  He  met  with  opposition  from  a  man  named  Feargus.  He  proceeded 
to  the  celebrated  Hill  of  Uisneach :  the  territory  adjacent  belonged  to 
two  brothers,  named  Finch  and  Enda  ;  the  latter  of  whom  was  baptized. 
Enda  entrusted  the  care  of  his  son  Cormac  to  Saint  Patrick,  who  superin- 
tended his  education. 

After  visiting  Longford,  and  various  parts  of  Connaught  and  Ulster, 
he  again  visits  Meath  ;  and  having  instructed  the  inhabitants  of  the 
northern  parts  of  that  province,  arrived  at  JBiU-Tortan,  near  Ardbraccan, 
and  is  said  to  have  laid  the  foundation  of  a  church  afterwards  called 
Domnach-Tortan.*  Over  this  church  he  placed  Justin.  Patrick  then  re- 
visited Slane  and  the  surrounding  districts. 

NOTE. — The  kingdom  of  Meath,  in  its  ecclesiastical  division,  had  eight  dioceses — 
Duleek,  Clonard,  Kells,  Trim,  Ardbraccan,  Dunshaughlin,  Slane,  and  Fore.  At  the 
Synod  presided  over  by  Cardinal  Paparo  these  Sees  were  made  suffragan  to  Armagh, 
and  Meath,  since  that  period  (1152),  has  belonged  to  the  ecclesiastical  province  of 
"Ulster.  Meath,  says  Dr.  Lanigan,  contained  a  greater  number  of  dioceses  or  Sees  than 
any  other  in  Ireland.  Eugene,  Bishop  of  Clonard,  who  died  in  1194,  was  the  first  who 
styled  himself  Bishop  of  Meath.  The  diocese  of  Duleok  owes  its  origin  to  St. 
Kienan,  who  was  baptized  by  St.  Patrick,  and  consecrated  bishop  about  A.D.  472  ;  he 
died  488  (Four  Masters}.  St.  Finian  was  the  founder  of  Clonard,  and  took  up  his 
abode  there  about  A.D.  530.  St.  Secundinus,  first  bishop  of  Dunshaughlin,  was 
nephew  to  St.  Patrick ;  he  died  A.D.  448,  and  was  buried  in  bis  own  church  at 
Dunshaughlin.  St.  Ere  was  Bishop  of  Slane ;  he  was  a  Munster  man,  and  was 
caUed  "The  Sweet-spoken  Judge." 


V.—The  O'Melaghlins  and  the  Danes. 

The  kingdom  of  Meath  was  destined  to  suffer  (like  so  many  other 
parts  of  Ireland)  from  the  incursions  of  the  Danes,  or  Northmen.  Its 
maritime  position  and  great  fertility  attracted  the  fierce  invaders  to  this 
province.  Before  we  trace  the  inroads  of  the  Danes  in  the  plain  of  Bregia, 
it  would  be  well  to  notice  the  great  tribal  family  who  ruled  over  Meath 
at  that  period,  and  who,  through  varying  fortunes,  held  their  estates  and 


1  See  Lanigan's  Eccles.  Hist.,   vol.  i.,      Virginia,  in  Cavan. 

p.  232.  3  Four  miles  east  of  Kells. 

2  Now  the  Blaokwater,  which  rises  at          4  Lanigan. 


514  THE  KINGDOM  OF  MEATH. 

position  till  the  close  of  the  seventeenth  century.  The  O'Melaghlins, 
kings  of  Meath,  were  descended  from  Conall  Crimthinn,  son  of  Nial  of 
the  Xine  Hostages.  They  took  the  name  of  Clan  Colmain  from  Colman 
Mor,  grandson  of  Conall,  and  they  were  generally  known  as  the  Southern 
Hy-Nial.  It  was  not  until  the  ninth  century  that  the  Clan  Colman 
assumed  the  surname  0*  Maoheachlainn,  or  Melaghlin.  These  princes  had 
four  royal  residences  in  Meath,  i.  e.  Tara,  Tailltean,  Tlachtgha,  and  Uis- 
neach.  From  the  Annals  of  Clonmacnoise  we  have  taken  the  following 
references  to  the  Methian  kings,  and  the  dates  of  their  death : J — A.D.  597  : 
"  Sweeney,  son  of  Colman,  was  killed  by  King  Hugh  Slane,  at  the  river 
called  Swainion."  In  the  year  632  is  recorded  the  battle  of  Ath-Goan, 
near  the  Liffey.  Mac  Enna  Mac  Sweeny,  king  of  Leinster,  was  slain. 
In  the  same  battle,  on  the  other  side,  fought  Mac  Sweeny,  king  of 
Meath,  who  gained  the  victory.  Ath-Goan,  or  Goan's  Fort,  is  not 
identified.  A.D.  642  :  "  Uaisle  (in  English  gentle),  daughter  of  Sweeney, 
son  of  Colman,  king  of  Meath,  queen  of  Leinster  (she  was  wife  to  Faelan, 
king  of  Leinster),  died ;  Moyledry  Mac  Sweeney,  king  of  Meath,  died 
A.D.  649."  A.D.  761  :  "  Neale,  king  of  Meath,  died."  At  this  period  the 
Annals  state  that  "  there  reigned  famine  and  many  diseases  in  this  kingdom, 
until  they  were  succoured  by  the  prayers  of  King  Neale  and  his  bishops." 

"We  are  informed  that  in  A.D.  763,  Donogh  (KingDonnell's  son),  second 
monarch  of  the  O'Melaghlins,  succeeded  after  King  Neale.  The  year  773 
is  memorable  for  a  great  convention,  held  in  the  king's  palace  at  Tara, 
"whore  there  was  a  reverent  assembly  of  many  worthy  and  venerable 
anchorites  and  scribes,  of  all  which  assembly  Dowliter  was  chief." 

A.D.  799:  "  Moriegh  Mac  Donnell,  king  of  Meath,  died."  Under  the 
same  date  the  Annals  of  Clonmacnoise  mention  the  arrival  of  Aedh  Oird- 
nidhe,  king  of  Ireland,  into  Meath.  Aedh  divided  Meath  into  two  parts ; 
one  part  he  gave  to  Connor,  son  of  King  Donough,  and  the  other  part  to 
his  brother  Ailill.  As  we  proceed  further  we  shall  again  notice  King 
Aedh  Oirdmdhe,  who  made  other  incursions  into  Meath.  It  shall  come 
under  our  description  of  the  Barony  of  Moyfenrath.  A.D.  823  :  "  Dermott 
Mac  Neal,  Prince  of  South  Moy-Breagh,  died."  In  832  "King  Neale 
preyed  and  spolyed  all  Meath  to  the  house  of  Moyle  Conoge,  Prince  of 
Delvin  Beth™."*  The  year  862  records  the  death  of  Moyleseaghlyn  (recte 
Melaghlin}  Mac  Neil,  king  of  Half  Moy-Breagh.  He  was  treacherously 
killed  by  a  Dane,  called  Vwlffe.  Flann  0' Melaghlin  was  king  of  Meath 
A.D.  872  ;  he  reigned  thirty-three . years.  "He  had  all  the  pledges  and 
hostages  of  Ireland,  which  he  did  let  go  at  his  pleasure,  and  took  again 
by  force."  A.D.  915  :  "Donnogh  Mac  Flynn,  of  the  O'Melaghlins  of  Meath, 
began  his  reign  this  year,  and  reigned  twenty-five  years."  A.D.  :  921  : 
"  Moylescagly n  Mac  Moyleronie,  Arch-Prince  of  Tara,  died." 

The  Danish  invasion  of  Meath  must  now  occupy  our  attention,  and 
the  career  of  Malachy  Melaghlin,  who  defeated  the  invaders  at  the  battle 
of  Tara.  In  the  year  837  there  arrived  a  great  Norwegian  fleet ;  sixty  of 
their  ships  entered  the  river  Boyne,  and  sixty  entered  the  Liffey,  which 
two  fleets,  it  is  stated  in  the  Annals  of  Clonmacnoise,  "  spoiled  and 

1  Through  the  courtesy  of  the  Council  2  In    harony    of    Garry  castle,    King's 

of  the  Royal  Irish  Academy,  I  obtained  County,  M'Coughlan's  country ;  a  Meath 

permission  to  consult  the  Annals  of  Clon-  tribe, 
macnoise. 


THE   KINGDOM  OF  MEATH.  515 

destroyed  all  the  borders  of  the  Liffey  and  Moy-lreagh  altogether." 
Turgeis  or  Turgesius,  the  Danish  chieftain,  assumed  the  sovereignty  of  the 
foreigners  in  the  north  of  Ireland  A.D.  839. 1  In  1845  he  plundered  the 
monasteries  of  Meath  and  Connaught.  It  is  generally  asserted  that  Tur- 
geis was  taken  prisoner  by  Malachy  Melachlin,  for  we  find  in  the  "  Wars  of 
the  Gaedhill  with  the  Gaill,"  A.D.  845,  it  was  in  this  year  Turgeis  was 
taken  prisoner  by  Maelseachlainn,  and  he  was  afterwards  drowned  in  Loch 
Uair"  (Ennil).  Malachy  II.  ascended  the  throne  of  Ireland  A.D.  980.  He 
was  great  grandson  of  his  namesake  Maelseachlainn,  or  Malachy  I.  He 
waged  a  fierce  warfare  against  the  Danes,  and  completely  overthrew  them 
at  the  battle  of  Tara  A.D.  979.  In  this  engagement  the  foreigners  lost 
5000  men.  On  the  Irish  side  fell  the  heir  of  Leinster,  the  lord  of 
Morgallion'2'  and  his  sons,  the  lords  of  Fertullagh  and  Cremorne,  and  a  host 
of  their  followers.  It  was  a  genuine  pitched  battle,  a  trial  of  main 
strength,  each  party  being  equally  confident  of  victory,  till  the  tide  of 
success  followed  King  Malachy.  After  the  death  of  Brian  JSoru,  at  the 
battle  of  Clontarf,  Malachy  was  re-instated  upon  the  throne  of  Ireland, 
which  he  had  so  generously  abdicated  to  make  way  for  the  ambition  of 
Brian.  He  died  on  one  of  the  islands  of  Lough  Ennil,  near  Mullingar, 
A.D.  1023.  In  the  Annals  of  Clonmacnoise,  Malachy  is  called  the  last 
king  of  Irish  blood  that  held  the  crown. 

"  After  the  happy  Melnghlin, 
Son  of  Donald,  son  of  Donogh, 
Each  noble  king  ruled  over  his  own  tribe, 
But  Erin  owned  no  sovereign  lord." 

The  O'Melaghlins,  as  kings  of  Meath,  had  their  chief  residence  at  Dun- 
Na  Sciathj  or  Fortress  of  the  shields,  on  the  banks  of  Lough  Ennil.  Mur- 
chadh  O'Melaghlin  was  king  of  Meath  on  the  arrival  of  the  Normans,  but 
was  deposed  to  make  way  for  Hugh  de  Lacy.  Besides  being  kings  of 
Meath  this  great  tribe,  as  we  have  seen,  had  been  monarchs  of  Ireland, 
princes  of  Bregia,  kings  of  Tara,  and  lords  of  Clan  Colmain.  From  the 
10th  to  the  16th  century  the  O'Melaghlin  chieftains  figure  in  history. 
They  held  their  possessions  in  Westmeath  for  a  very  long  period.  Some 
of  them  took  part  both  in  the  Cromwellian  and  "Williamite  wars,  after 
which  time  their  estates  were  confiscated,  and  the  tribe  gradually  fell  into 
oblivion.  The  O^Melaghlins  founded  Clonmacnoise,  Bective,  Clonard,  and 
Newry.  In  1133  Murrogh  O'Melaghlin  destroyed  the  bridge  and  citadel 
of  Athlone.  In  1667  Dermod  O'Melaghlin  attended  the  Synod  of  Athboy. 
In  1570  Campion  mentions  the  O'Melaghlins  as  of  the  noblest  families  of 
Meath.  In  1646  Maurice  O'Melaghlin  was  one  of  the  chiefs  of  Leinster 
who  seceded  from  the  peace  closed  by  Ormonde,  and  leagued  with  the 
Nuncio.3 

It  is  said  that  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne  the  name  was  changed  to 
MacLoughlin  or  O'Loughlin. 


1  See  The  Wars  of  the  Gaedhil  with  the  Gaileanga,  descended  from  Cormac  Gaile- 
Gaill,  edited  by  Dr.  Todd,  p.  9.  an?,  of  the  race  of  Oilioll  Olum. 

2  The  barony  of  Morgallion  in  East  3  Proceedings,  Royal  Irish  Academy, 
Meath,    where    were    seated    the    tribe 


516  THE   KINGDOM    OF   MEATH. 


VI.  _  Hugh  de  Lacy  and  the  Normans. 

In  A.D.  1171  Henry  II.  undertook  the  conquest  of  Ireland.  On  the 
18th  October  of  that  year,  with  a  fleet  of  400  transports,  he  landed  at 
Crook,  county  Waterford,  having  with  him  500  knights,  and  an  army 
usually  estimated  at  4000  men-at-arms.  Among  those  who  came  over  to 
share  the  spoil  was  Hugh  de  Lacy,  sometime  constable  of  Chester.  He 
was  fortunate  in  obtaining  from  his  royal  master  a  rich  tract  of  territory, 
which  he  divided  among  his  confreres.  Cambrensis  has  left  us  the  follow- 
ing portrait  of  De  Lacy: — "Of  dark  complexion,  with  black  and  deep- 
seated  eyes,  a  flat  nose,  and  his  right  cheek  sadly  scarred  by  an  accidental 
burn.  He  was  short-necked,  muscular  in  chest,  and  of  low  stature  .... 
His  character  firm  and  resolute." 

The  grant  of  Henry  II.  to  Hugh  de  Lacy  ran  thus :— "  Henry,  by 
the  Grace  of  God,  King  of  England,  Duke  of  Normandy  and  Aquitaine, 
nncl  Earl  of  Anjou.  To  the  Archbishops,  Bishops,  Abbots,  Earls,  Barons, 
and  all  the  officers  and  faithful  servants,  French,  English,  and  Irish, 
Greeting.  Know  that  I  have  given  and  granted,  and  by  this  my  Charter 
confirmed,  to  Hugh  de  Lacy  for  his  service,  the  land  of  Heath,  with  all  its 
appurtenances  by  the  service  of  50  men  to  him,  and  his  heirs,  to  have  and 
to  hold  of  me  and  my  heirs,  as  Murchad-Hua-Melaghlin  held  it,  or  any 
other  before  or  after  him." 

Up  to  this  period  there  lived  in  the  Kingdom  of  Meath  chieftains 
known  as  the  Four  Tribes  of  Tara :  their  names  were  O'Hart,  O'Regan, 
O'Kelly,  and  O'Connolly.  At  the  Conquest  they  were  obliged  to  seek 
refuge 'in  other  districts.  Carbury,  in  the  county  Sligo,  is  said  to  have 
been  the  place  to  which  they  migrated.  To  the  following  knights  De 
Lacy  partitioned  Meath: — "  Unto  my  intrinsicke  friend,  Hugh  Tyrrell, 
Castltknock ;  unto  William  Petit,  Castlebreck ;  unto  the  valiant  Meyler 
FitzHenry,  Mayhereneran.  To  Jocelyn  Nangle,  the  JN"avan  and  the  lands 
of  Ardbraccan ;  unto  Kichard  Tuite,  '  faire  possessions ; '  unto  Robert  de 
Lacy,  Rathwer ;  unto  Adam  Feipo,  Skryne ;  Gilbert  de  Nugent,  Dekin ; 
Hose  or  Hussy,  Dees  (JDeece] ;  Kichard  and  Thomas  Fleming,  Crandon  and 
other  districts  ;*  Adam  Dollard,  Dullenavarty"  &c. 

Henry  II.  appointed  De  Lacy  Governor  of  Dublin,  so  he  is  regarded 
as  the  first  Irish  viceroy  who  received  that  position  from  a  king  of  Eng- 
land.2 The  territory  of  Meath  bestowed  on  De  Lacy  is  supposed  to  have 
amounted  to  800,000  acres,  including  "Westmeath,  with  parts  of  King's 
County  and  Longford.  Tiernan  O'llourke,  who  had  obtained  possession 
of  East  Meath  from  Roderick  0' Conor,  determined  not  to  submit  to  the 
encroachment  of  De  Lacy :  a  conference  between  the  rival  claimants  was 
agreed  to,  and  Tlachtgha,  now  the  Hill  of  Ward,  near  Athboy,  was  the 
place  chosen  for  the  meeting.  Both  sides  had  guarded  against  surprise, 
and  held  in  reserve  a  troop  of  armed  men :  they  met  at  the  summit  of  the 
hill ;  O'Rourke  raised  his  battle-axe  to  strike  De  Lacy ;  this  act  was  re- 
garded as  a  signal  for  both  troops  of  guards  to  advance.  De  Lacy,  in 
attempting  to  make  his  escape,  was  twice  felled  to  the  ground.  Fitz- 


i  The  Flemings  obtained  Slane,  built          2  See  Gilbert's  History  of  Irish  Vice* 
the  castle,  and  resided  there  for  centuries.       roys. 


THE  KINGDOM  OF  MEATH.  517 

gerald  and  Griffith,  his  nephew,  hastened  to  his  rescue,  and  attacked 
O'Rourke:  the  latter  was  struck  down  and  mortally  wounded  by  Griffith's 
spear.1  The  head  of  Tiernan  O'Rourke  was  brought  to  Dublin  in 
triumph,  and  spiked  over  the  gate  of  the  fortress.  Shortly  after  this 
event  Roderick  O'Conor,  with  a  numerous  army,  invaded  Meath,  and  put 
to  flight  the  Norman  garrisons  from  the  castles  which  they  had  erected 
at  Trim  and  Duleek.  The  Hy-Nidl,  prince  M'Lauglilin,  with  the  men 
of  Kinel  Owen  and  Oriel,  attacked  the  castle  of  Slane,  which  was  held 
for  De  Lacy  by  Fleming.  The  Norman  garrison  and  inmates,  to  the 
number  of  500,  were  put  to  the  sword :  this  affair  caused  such  conster- 
nation among  the  Normans,  that  on  the  following  day  they  abandoned 
three  other  castles  they  had  erected  in  Kells,  Galtrim,  and  Derrypatrick, 
in  Meath.  A  short  time  after  the  encounter  at  the  Hill  of  Ward,  De  Lacy 
was  summoned  to  England  by  King  Henry,  to  join  him  with  all  the  forces 
that  could  be  spared  from  Ireland,  which  were  needed  by  the  king  in 
Normandy.  In  De  Lacy's  absence  Strongbow  assumed  the  governorship 
of  the  country.  In  1179  De  Lacy  returned  to  the  governorship  of  Dub- 
lin, and  married  about  this  time,  as  second  wife,  a  daughter  of  Eoderick 
O'Connor,  which  alliance  is  said  to  have  been  displeasing  to  Henry  II. 
The  ambition  of  the  lord  of  Meath,  as  De  Lacy  was  termed,  excited  the 
jealousy  of  his  royal  master,  for  he  was  looked  upon  as  a  sovereign  ruler. 
De  Lacy  was  recalled  to  England  for  a  few  months  in  1180  ;  again  in  1184 
he  was  stript  of  power,  and  De  Courcy  and  Philip  de  Braosa  were 
appointed  justiciaries  in  his  place. 

The  ambitious  lord,  however,  received  Henry's  pardon,  and  we  find 
him  for  a  third  time  appointed  a  justice  in  Ireland,  and  deputy  to  Prince 
John,  Earl  of  Moreton,  who  visited  Ireland  in  1185.  The  prince,  with 
sixty  ships,  landed  at  "Waterford,  paraded  the  country  with  much  osten- 
tation, and  is  said  to  have  insulted  the  Irish  chieftains  by  plucking  their 
beards.  De  Lacy  had  now  styled  himself  King  of  Meath,  and  received 
tribute  as  such  from  Connaught :  he  caused  a  diadem  to  be  made  for  him- 
self. He  was  far  from  being  on  friendly  terms  with  the  native  Irish, 
who  at  this  period  invaded  Meath,  but  were  defeated  by  "William  Petit,  a 
liegeman  of  De  Lacy's.2  Meath  became  the  stronghold  of  the  English 
Pale — which  name  signifies  a  fence  or  enclosure — and  was  confined  to 
Dublin,  Meath,  Louth,  and  Kildare.  De  Lacy  was  constantly  engaged 
in  the  erection  of  castles,  and  forts,  and  met  with  his  death  while  over- 
seeing one  of  these  buildings — a  fort  at  Durrow,  upon  the  site  of  a  lately 
ruined  Abbey.  The  Irish  looked  on  with  dismay  at  the  profanation  of 
this  ancient  seat  of  devotion,  the  residence  of  one  of  their  most  renowned 
Saints.3  As  De  Lacy  was  stooping  down  in  one  of  the  trenches,  a  man 
named  O'Meyey  approached  him,  seized  a  battle-axe  which  he  had  con- 
cealed under  his  long  mantle,  and  at  one  blow  struck  off  De  Lacy's  head.4 
O'Meyey  fled,  and  made  his  escape  to  the  woods  of  Kilclare.  It  is  said 
that  it 'was  at  the  instigation  of  Fox  and  O'Breen  that  O'Meyey  killed 
the  lord  of  Meath.  When  the  news  spread  that  De  Lacy  was  killed  the 
rejoicing  of  the  people  was  universal.  Cambrensis  represents  De  Lacy 
as  "  verie  greedie  and  covetous  of  wealth  and  possessions,"  and  adds  that, 

1  The  Four  Masters  say  that  O'Rourke  2  Haverty,  History  of  Ireland. 

was  "treacherously  slain  by  Hugh  de          3  St.  Columba. 
Lacy."  4  Liber  Munerum. 


518  THE  KINGDOM  OF  MEATH. 

after  the  death  of  his  wife,  "  he  gave  way  to  habits  of  profligacie." 
De  Lacy  resided  at  Trim,  where  he  built  a  spacious  castle  in  the  year 
1173.  He  left  two  sons,  Walter  and  Hugh,  the  children  of  his  first 
wife,  and  a  son,  "William,  by  his  second.  De  Lacy,  during  his  career  as 
lord  of  Meath,  penetrated  into  Analy,1  and  killed,  in  skirmish,  Donald 
O'Farrell,  prince  of  that  country.  The  O'Melaghlins  at  this  period  com- 
plained that  Henry  II.  had  not  kept  faith  with  them,  as  he  promised  to 
protect  their  rights.  Instead  of  doing  so,  he  allowed  De  Lacy  to  deprive 
them  of  their  kingdom.2 

De  Lacy  was  buried  with  great  pomp  in  Bective  Abbey,  while  his 
head  was  placed  in  the  Abbey  of  Saint  Thomas,  Dublin.  A  dispute  arose 
about  the  custody  of  his  body.  It  was  finally  settled  in  favour  of  the 
monks  of  Saint  Thomas's  Abbey.  After  De  Lacy's  death  the  Norman 
Barons  asserted  their  power  in  such  a  manner  as  to  cause  alarm  to  King 
John.  "Walter  De  Lacy  —  who  succeeded  to  the  lordship  of  Meath,  at  his 
father's  death  —  was  among  the  number  of  those  whom  King  John  deter- 
mined to  subdue.3 

In  1210  the  king  arrived  in  Ireland  for  the  second  time,  and  prepared 
immediately  for  the  subjugation  of  Meath,  and  the  overthrow  of  "Walter 
De  Lacy.  Cathal  O1  Conor  aided  John  in  this  enterprise  ;  they  succeeded 
in  driving  "Walter  out  of  Meath,  and  the  latter  took  refuge  with  his  bro- 
ther, the  Earl  of  Ulster.  John  pursued  the  fugitives  through  Louth,  to 
Carlingford  Lough.  The  De  Lacys  retreated  to  Carrickfergus,  from  that 
place  made  their  way  to  Scotland,  and  they  finally  fled  to  Prance.  A 
strange  change  of  fortune  now  overtook  the  brothers  Walter  and  Hugh  : 
they  sought  employment  as  gardeners  at  the  Abbey  of  Saint  Taurin, 
Evreux.  The  Abbot  after  a  short  time  discovered  who  they  were,  and  the 
position  which  they  had  previously  filled  in  Ireland.  Compassionating 
their  fallen  fortunes,  the  Abbot  decided  to  negociate  in  their  favour  with 
King  John  for  restoration  to  their  estates. 

Walter  De  Lacy  agreed  to  pay  a  fine  of  2,500  marks  for  his  lordship 
in  Meath,  and  Hugh  4,000  marks  for  his  possessions  in  Ulster.  On  their 
return  the  De  Lacys  brought  with  them  a  nephew  of  the  Abbot's  to 
Ireland;  on  him  they  afterwards  conferred  the  honour  of  knighthood,  and 
property  as  well.  In  1213  King  John  restored  to  Walter  his  English 
and  Welsh  properties,  with  the  exception  of  Ludlow  Castle,  and  in  two 
years  time  he  got  back  his  Irish  lands.  Unlike  his  brother,  Hugh  De  Lacy 
did  not  come  to  terms  with  the  English  king.  Walter  was  named  one 
of  the  trustees  of  the  king's  will  ;  and  nine  days  previous  to  the  king's 
death,  his  wife,  Marguerite  De  Lacy,  obtained  the  grant  of  a  large  tract 
in  the  royal  forest  of  Acornbury,  in  Herefordshire.4 

In  1241  Walter  De  Lacy  died  without  male  issue.   His  two  grand- 

daughters, the  children  of  Gilbert  De  Lacy,  who  pre-deceased  his  father, 

succeeded  to  his  estates.    They  were  both  married—  one  to  Lord  Theobald 

de  Vernon,  the  other  to  Sir  Geoffrey  de  Genville.     Walter  is  described  as 

the  most  bountiful  foreigner  in  studs,  attire,  and  gold,  that  ever  came  to 


by  order  of  the  king.     Hugh  de  Lacy 
(Walter's  brother)  succeeded  to  the  t 
liam  Burke  at  this  period  threw       of  Earl  of  Ulster 

off    his    allegiance  to  King  John,    and  *  Irish    Viceroys,   by    J.   T.   Gilbe 

ravished  Connaught.    De  Courcy  refused      F.S.A.,  p.  79. 

homage  likewise,  and  was  made  prisoner 


THE  KINGDOM  OP  MEATH.  519 

Erin,  dying  infirm  and  blind  in  1241."1  Meath  was  partitioned  between 
the  two  heiresses :  the  manor  of  Trim  was  allotted  to  Sir  Geoffrey  de 
Genville,  who  in  1263  founded  in  that  town  the  Dominican  Monastery. 
In  1308  Sir  Geoffrey,  tired  of  the  cares  and  tumult  of  the  world,  resigned 
the  lordship  of  Meath,  and  took  the  habit  of  the  Dominicans,  in  the 
monastery  which  he  had  founded,  and  died  there  A.D.  1314.  De  Genville 
was  a  confidential  friend  of  Edward  I.,  and  in  his  earlier  career  was  em- 
ployed by  that  monarch  in  secret  negociations  of  great  importance.  When 
he  became  a  monk  he  resigned  his  inheritance  to  his  grand-daughter  and 
her  husband,  Roger  de  Mortimer. 

The  next  event  of  importance  in  the  history  of  Meath  is  the  career  of 
Richard  de  Burg,  known  as  the  "  Red  Earl.'1'1  He  was  nearly  connected 
by  blood  with  the  De  Lacys  and  0' Conors,  and  had  great  power  in  Meath 
and  Connaught.  The  junior  branch  of  the  De  Lacys  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  "  Red  Earl."  These  De  Lacys  were  of  the  stock  of  Robert  de 
Lacy,  cousin  to  the  first  Hugh,  who  had  granted  him  the  lands  of  Rathwer, 
in  the  barony  of  Farbill,  Westmeath.  The  De  Lacys  saw  with  dislike 
the  lordship  of  Meath — founded  by  their  kinsman — divided,  through  de- 
fault of  male  issue,  between  the  De  Yernons  and  de  Mortimers.  The 
"Red  Earl"  allied  himself  with  the  De  Lacys,  and  with  his  troops 
besieged  De  Yernon  at  Athlone,  and  advanced  his  banner  to  the  town  of 
Trim.  De  Yernon,  leagued  with  the  Geraldines,  in  1294  took  de  Burg 
and  his  brother  William  prisoners.  Their  release  was  however  ordered  by 
a  Parliament  which  was  held  in  Kilkenny,  and  peace  was  restored  be- 
tween the  two  powerful  houses.  During  the  campaign  of  Bruce  (in  the  year 
1315),  the  Scottish  leader  marched  through  Meath,  passed  JSTobber  and 
Kells,  to  Pinnagh  mWestrneath,  proceeded  to  Granard  and  Lough- Sendy. 
In  the  latter  place  Bruce  spent  Christmas.  Bruce  gained  a  victory  over 
Mortimer,  and  put  him  to  flight  at  the  battle  fought  at  Kells.  The  defeat 
was  attributed  by  the  English  to  the  defection  of  some  of  their  men, 
especially  the  De  Lacys.2  At  the  battle  of  Dundalk,  where  the  Scottish 
forces  were  overthrown,  two  of  the  De  Lacys  were  found  dead  by  the 
side  of  Edward  Bruce. 

VII. — Modern  Meath — The  Barony  of  Navan. 

During  King  John's  visit  to  Ireland  in  1210,  Meath  was  mapped  out 
as  a  county  or  shire.  The  division  of  East  and  West  Meath  took  place3 
in  the  thirty-fourth  year  of  Henry  VIII.  East  Meath  is  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Monaghan  and  Louth,  east  by  the  Irish  sea,  south  by  Dub- 
lin, Kildare,  and  King's  County,  west  by  Westmeath.  The  greatest 
length  north  to  south  is  40  miles,  and  greatest  breadth  47  miles,  com- 
prising an  area  of  579,861  acres,  of  which  146,334  are  under  tillage, 
386,374  in  pasture,  9,597  in  plantation,  and  34,310  acres  waste,  bog, 


1  Hugh  de  Lacy,  Earl  of  Ulster,  died  3  "  Media,  called  by  the  English  Meath, 

1243 ;  he  was  a  renowned  military  com-  in  our  memory ;  divided  into  East  and 

mander,  and  founder  of  churches.  He  West  Meath.  In  East  Meath  is  Tredagh 

had  no  male  issue :  his  only  daughter  (Drogheda),  a  faire  and  well-inhabited 

married  Walter  de  Burg,  nominal  lord  of  town ;  Trymme,  a  town  on  the  confines 

Connaught  (Gilbert,  Irish  Viceroys}.  of  Ulster,  having  a  stately  castle"  (Fyne's 

-  Haverty,  History  of  Ireland,  p.  282.  "  Morison.") 


520  THE  KINGDOM   OF   MEATH. 

and  mountain.  Meath  contains  18  baronies,  146  parishes,  1626  town- 
lands ;  the  capital  is  Trim,  with  a  population  of  1,556 ;  Navan,  popu- 
lation 3,873  ;  Kells,  2,822  ;  Athboy,  748  ;  Duleek,  581.  The  number  of 
persons  who  can  read  and  write,  47,879,  and  the  number  who  can  speak 
both  English  and  Irish,  3,531.  The  entire  population  of  East  Meath  in 
1871  was  95,558  ;  in  1881,  87,469.1 

In  Cromwell's  Tour  in  Ireland2  we  have  the  following  description  of 
the  habits  of  the  Meath  people  : — "  The  Protestants  are  observed  to  dress 
and  fare  more  generously  than  their  Romish  brethren  of  even  higher 
rank  and  greater  wealth ;  potatoes,  oatbread,  and  stirabout,  with  or  with- 
out buttermilk,  and  occasionally  butter  and  eggs ;  but  few  of  the  poorer 
sort  ever  partake  of  animal  food,  the  small  farmers  even  seldom  tasting  it 
except  on  festival  days.  Their  apparel  is  home  manufactured  frieze ; 
they  wear  an  overcoat  called  a  Trusty.  The  genius  of  the  poorest  is  in 
general  acute,  and  their  disposition  kind  ;  the  language  most  in  use  is  the 
Irish,  or  rather  a  jargon  compounded  of  English." 

The  custom  of  swimming  horses,  on  the  first  Sunday  in  the  month  of 
August,  as  a  lucky  omen  for  the  remainder  of  the  year,  was  up  to  recent 
times  observed  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Trim.  The  funeral  dirge,  at  one 
time  so  frequently  heard  in  many  parts  of  Ireland,  has  quite  ceased  of 
late  years  in  Meath.  The  Irish  language  is  not  very  generally  spoken 
in  East  Meath ;  it  is  confined  to  districts  on  the  borders  of  Louth.  In  the 
reign  of  Henry  VI.  castles  for  protection  were  erected  in  Meath  by 
Richard  Duke  of  York.  In  the  reign  of  Henry  VIII.  Con  Buclcagh 
O'Neill  invaded  Meath,  but  withdrew  at  the  approach  of  an  army,  under 
the  Lord  Deputy,  Earl  Surrey.  Until  the  time  of  James  I.  Meath  was 
called  the  Pale,  and  enjoyed  English  protection  and  English  laws. 

We  shall  now  treat  of  the  various  places  of  antiquity  in  Meath,  begin- 
ning with  the  barony  of  Lower  Navan.  The  town  of  Navan,  though  not 
the  capital  of  the  county,  holds  premier  rank  in  population,  size,  and  ge- 
neral importance ;  it  is  distant  7  miles  from  Trim,  and  23  from  Dublin. 
In  consequence  of  its  central  position,  Navan  became  a  stronghold  of  the 
Pale, and  was  walled  and  fortified  by  Hugh  de  Lacy.  He  bestowed  the 
town,  with  the  lands  of  Ardbraccan,  upon  his  valiant  knight,  Jocelyn  De 
Angulo,  or  Nangle.  Navan  was  incorporated  by  charter  9th  of  Edward 
IV. ;  it  also  possesses  charters  9th  Henry  VII.,  21st  James  I.,  and  13th 
Charles  II.  The  corporation  (according  to  charter)  was  called  the 
Portreeve,  Burgesses,  and  Freemen,  of  the  town  or  borough  of  Navan. 
An  act  of  Henry  VIII.  directed  "that  every  ploughland  within  the 
county  of  Meath  and  Westmeath,  used  to  be  charged  with  subsidie,  and 
not  free  from  imposition,  shall  be  during  the  term  of  four  years  charged 
with  the  sum  of  3*.  4d.  towards  building  the  walls  of  the  town  of  Navan." 
The  town  was  plundered  in  1539  by  Con  O'Neill  and  Manus  O'Donnell, 
in  their  expedition  against  the  Pale,  and  "  they  carried  away  with  them 
much  spoil."  At  the  close  of  the  12th  century,  the  Abbey  of  Navan  was 
founded  by  Jocelyn  Wangle,  for  Canons  Regular  of  Saint  Augustine.  It 
was  under  the  invocation  of  the  Assumption  of  the  Blessed  Virgin.  In 
1450  John  Bole,  then  Abbot,  procured  from  the  Pope  a  Bull  granting 
certain  indulgences  to  all  persons  undertaking  pilgrimages  to  the  Abbey, 

'  Thorn's  Directory.  Cromwell.     (London:  1820). 

3  Excursions  through  Ireland.     Thomas  *  Ware  MSS. 


THE  KINGDOM   OF   MEATH.  521 

or  contributing  towards  its  repair  or  adornment.  Bole  was  afterwards 
Archbishop  of  Armagh.  In  the  Abbey  there  was  an  image  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  and  to  this  shrine  people  assembled  from  all  parts  of  Ireland.  In 
1454  an  Act  of  Parliament  was  passed  in  Dublin,  which  granted  pro- 
tection, by  letter  patent  from  the  king,  to  all  those,  whether  rebel  or 
otherwise,  who  undertook  a  pilgrimage  to  the  Monastery  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin  at  Navan.1  The  last  Abbot  was  Thomas  Wafre.  On  the  19th  July, 
1539,  the  Commissioners  of  Henry  VIII.  summoned  the  monks  of  Navan 
to  surrender  all  the  possessions  of  their  Monastery.  In  the  reign  of 
James  I.  the  site  of  Navan  Monastery  was  granted  to  Sir  Arthur  Savage, 
knight,  A.D.  1613.  The  Abbey  fell  into  decay,  a  cavalry  barrack  was 
erected  on  its  site,  and  no  traces  now  remain  of  this  once  famed  building. 
Navan  returned  two  members  to  Parliament,  from  1559  to  1800. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  representatives  of  the  borough : — 

1559.  Patrick  "Waring,  Navan. 

1559.  John  Wackley,  Kavan. 

1585.  Thomas  Wackley,  Ballyburley,  King's  Co. 

1585.  Thomas  Waringe,  Navan. 

1613.  Patrick  Begg,  Borranstown. 

1613.  John  Warren,  Navan. 

1634.  Laurence  Dowdall,  Mountown. 

1634.  Patrick  Darcy. 

1639.  Thomas  Nangle,  Baron  of  Navan. 

1639.  Patrick  Manning,  Merchant,Eavan. 

1642.  William  White,  Navan. 

1642.  Walter  Hardinge,  Navan. 

1643.  Symon  Luttrell,  Luttrellstown. 
1661.  Henry  Packenham,  Westmeath. 
1661.  Alderman  Preston,  Dublin. 
1692.  Arthur  Meredyth,  Dollardstown. 
1692.  Francis  Osborne,  Dardistown. 
1703.  Arthur  Meredyth,  Dollardstown. 
1703.  Thomas  Meredyth,  Mooretown. 
1713.  Henry  Meredyth,  Newtown. 
1713.  Nathaniel  Preston,  Swainstown. 
1761.  John  Preston,  Bellinter. 

1761.  Joseph  Preston,  Dublin. 

1768.  John  Poster,  Collon,  Louth. 

1768.  Joseph  Preston. 

1769.  John  Preston,  vice  Foster,  Bellinter. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  gentry  residing  in  the  Barony  of  Navan 
in  1511:— 2 

,  The  Baron  of  the  No  wane  (Nangle). 
James  Hill  of  Alenstown. 
Luttrell  of  Tankardstown.     . 
Alexander  Ivers  of  Rathtain. 
Bellow  of  Bellowgstown. 

1  Hardiman's  "Statutes."  Copied  from  Dean  Butler's  "Appendix, 

*  Christopher  Cusack's  Mt>.  in  T.C.D.       Hist,  of  Trim." 

4TH    SEK.,    VOL.    VIII.  2^ 


522  THE   KINGDOM   OF   MEATH. 

Golding  of  Churchton. 

Dorram  of  Doreamstown. 

Peter  Dillon  of  Herbert  stown. 

James  Begg  of  Moyagher. 

John  Misset  of  Laskarton  (Liscarton). 

Christopher  Bath  of  Ladyrath. 

Thomas  Large  of  Moyagher. 

John  Eustace  of  Laskarton. 

John  Dexeter  of  Rathbron. 

John  Hussey  of  Eathkenny. 

Richard  Teling  of  Mullagha. 

In  the  Royal  Irish  Academy  there  is  a  square  stone  which  formed  por- 
tion of  the  shaft  of  a  market  cross  in  Navan,  serving  to  commemorate  the 
family  of  Nangle.  It  was  erected  by  Martin  Wangle,  eldest  son  of  Sir 
Patrick,  Baron  of  Navan,  by  his  wife  Janet,  daughter  of  Martin  Blake  of 
Athboy.  It  contains  a  shield  of  the  arms  of  Martin  Nangle  with  those  of 
his  wife,  also  other  inscriptions.  Gilbert  Nangle  came  to  Ireland  with 
Strongbow ;  he  had  three  sons,  Jocelyn,  Hostilio,  and  another  whose  name 
is  not  mentioned.  Jocelyn  (as  we  have  seen)  obtained  Navan ;  Hostilio 
obtained  a  grant  of  land  in  Connaught.  The  barony  of  Costello  is  called 
after  him  :  his  descendants  were  called  Mac  Hostilio,  corrupted  into 
Costello.  The  third  son  obtained  land  in  Cork,  in  the  barony  of  Fennoy. 
It  is  said  that  the  Nangles  matched  with  the  most  noble  families  of 
Ireland. 

In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Navan  stands  the  ruined  castle  of  Ath- 
lumney  ;*  it  was  the  residence  of  the  Dowdalls.  The  last  occupant,  Sir 
Launcelot  Dowdall,  is  said  to  have  set  fire  to  his  castle,  rather  than  permit 
"William  of  Orange  to  rest  under  his  ancestral  roof.  Dowdall  fled  to  the 
Continent,  and  never  returned  to  Ireland.  Near  the  castle  (of  which  a 
portion  of  the  shell  still  remains)  is  the  Church  of  Athlumney.  It 
measures  63  feet  and  a-half  by  19  feet  4  inches ;  the  doorway  and  windows 
are  gone.  In  the  barony  of  Lower  Navan  lies  Ardsallagh,2  situated  on  the 
left  bank  of  the  Boyne,  near  Bellinter  Bridge.  A  monastery  was  erected 
there  by  Saint  Finan,  but  no  traces  of  it  remain.3  After  the  Norman  In- 
vasion the  Nangles  possessed  Ardsallagh,  and  built  a  castle  there.  They 
founded  a  convent,  dedicated  to  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  also  re-edified  the 
church  of  Cannistown,  in  the  parish  of  Ardsallagh.  Saint  Brigid  is  the 
patron  of  Ardsallagh,4  and  her  Holy  Well  in  the  demense  is  still 
held  in  reverence.  Ardsallagh  passed  into  the  Preston  family,  by  the 
marriage  of  Jocelyn  Nangle's  daughter  with  one  of  the  Prestons.  The 
next  proprietors  were  the  Ludlows :  after  them  it  became  the  property 
of  the  Duke  of  Bedford.  Donaghmore  is  distant  about  a  mile  from  Navan, 
its  beautiful  Round  Tower,  100  feet  high,  has  sculptured  on  its  doorway 
a  figure  of  Our  Saviour  crucified,  which  is  placed  at  an  elevation  of  twelve 
feet  from  the  base.  The  Church  of  Donoughmore  claims  great  antiquity. 
In  St.  Evin's  life  of  St.  Patrick  it  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  Apostle's 

1  Probably  "  Loman's  Fort."  4  Q'Donovan  gives  the  family  names  of 

*Ard-Saileach,   the   "  Height  of  the      this  parish  as— M'Dermott,  Fitzpatrick, 

and    Sheridan.—  "  Ord.    Survey, 
8  Colgan,  Acta  Sanctorum.  Meath," 


THE  KINGDOM   OF  MEATH.  523 

foundations  in  Meath.  The  present  church  was  erected  probahly  in  the 
13th  century.1 

Dunmoe  Castle  is  situated  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Boyne,  two  and  a- 
half  miles  from  Navan  (Lower  Barony).  The  picturesque  old  castle 
(once  the  residence  of  the  Darcys)  has  crumbled  away  to  a  great  extent 
within  the  last  twenty  years ;  it  was  originally  erected  by  Hugh  de  Lacy.2 
During  the  civil  wars  in  Ireland  it  frequently  changed  masters,  and  in 
1641,  after  the  defeat  of  the  English  forces  near  Julianstown  by  the  Irish, 
a  detachment  of  the  latter  was  sent  to  take  Dunmoe  and  the  neighbouring 
castles.  Dunmoe  was  re-edified  during  the  reign  of  James  I.  Sir  William 
Wilde  remarks  that  the  stones  of  the  castle  are  remarkably  small,  and  it 
has  succumbed  greatly  to  the  ravages  of  storms  and  age.  Most  people  are 
familiar  with  the  famous  saying  of  the  lord  of  the  manor — 

"  Who  will  be  king  I  do  not  know, 
But  I'll  be  Darcy  of  Dunmoe." 

Darcy  is  said  to  have  entertained  as  guests  on  two  successive  days  King 
William  and  King  James.3  On  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river  stands  the 
old  church  of  Ardmulchan.4  It  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  more  pic- 
turesque spot  than  the  site  of  this  church,  with  the  graceful  bend  of  the 
river  Boyne  beneath,  and  the  rich  plantations  of  Ardmulchan  close  by.  It  is 
now  a  tottering  ruin  that  consists  of  a  square  bell  tower,  and  the  shell  of  the 
old  chapel.  Ardmulchan  was  at  one  time  a  parish  church,  but  is  now  united 
to  the  district  of  Painestown.  In  the  churchyard  there  are  some  tombs  of 
interest,  but  through  neglect  the  inscriptions  are  undecipherable,  and  the 
long  grass  almost  conceals  the  monuments  of  the  dead.  There  is  a  tomb  of 
the  Porter  family  which,  with  difficulty,  we  discovered  while  visiting  the 
churchyard  last  summer: — "  Of  this  family  was  Francis  Porter,  a  Fran- 
ciscan, who  wrote  many  historical  works ;  he  was  born  in  the  neighbour- 
hood, at  Kingston."  The  Danes,  under  Olaf  the  Stooped,  gained  a  victory 
over  the  southern  Hy-Neal  at  Ardmulchan,  A.D.  968.5  In  the  neighbour- 
hood is  Hayes'  house,  the  residence  of  the  Earl  of  Mayo.  It  was  there 
that  the  present  Earl's  father,  the  distinguished  statesman  who  was 
Governor-general  of  India,  spent  his  early  days. 

We  must  now  notice  some  other  plaees  of  interest  in  Lower  Kavan 
before  we  proceed  to  the  Upper  Barony,  in  which  the  historic  town  of 
Trim  is  situated. 

Bective  is  celebrated  for  the  remains  of  its  beautiful  abbey,  founded 
for  monks  of  the  Cistercian  Order  about  A.D.  1146.  Bective  is  distant 
four  miles  from  Trim,  and  has  an  area  of  3,386  acres.  The  monastic 
building  consisted  of  a  church,  hall,  and  cloister,  with  certain  chambers. 
It  was  called  the  Abbey  de  Beatitudine ;  its  Abbot  was  a  lord  in  parlia- 
ment. The  demesne  consisted  of  245  acres.  The  castellated  portion  of 
the  ruins  were  (according  to  tradition)  erected  in  1014,  and  it  is  said  that 
an  architect  from  Greece  had  been  employed  to  assist  in  its  construction. 
De  Lacy  was  first  buried  in  this  abbey  with  great  pomp.  In  the  34th 

1  Dean  Cogan,  Diocese  of  Meath,  vol.  i.  parish  of  Ardmulchan,  Keilly  and  Smyth 

2  Dun-Mawan,  the  "  Fruitful  Hill."  0' Donovan). 

3  Description  of  Ireland,   1598,  by  E.  5  Called  after  S.   Brecan— "  Brecan's 
Hogan.  s.j.  Height." 

*  '«  Maelchus  Height."    Family  names, 


524  THE  KINGDOM  OF  MEATH. 

year  of  Henry  VIII.  the  Abbot  was  forced  to  surrender  his  possessions. 
The  Dillon  family  had  Bective  for  some  time  :  from  them  it  passed 
to  the  Boltons,  who  obtained  it  in  1639. 

Ardbraccan  is  located  in  the  barony  of  Lower  Navan,  three  miles  from 
that  town.  A.D.  650  Saint  Breccan  fonded  an  abbey  there.  Having 
governed  the  monastery  of  Ardbraccan  for  some  time,  he  went  to  the  west 
of  Ireland,  and  laid  there  the  foundation  of  the  church  —  Temple-Braccan, 
on  the  Isles  of  Arran.  Among  the  Abbots  of  Ardbraccan  was  St.  Ultan, 
who  was  of  the  0'  Conor  race  ;  he  wrote  several  works,  among  them  a 
treatise  on  Saint  Patrick.1  The  Four  Masters  place  his  death  in 
the  year  656.  A  holy  well,  situated  in  the  bishop's  demesne,  is  dedi- 
cated to  Saint  Ultan,  while  several  other  holy  wells  throughout  the 
country2  are  also  dedicated  to  him. 

Ardbraccan  was  a  place  of  note  before  the  English  invasion.  It  had 
been  frequently  plundered  and  burned  by  the  Danes. 

The  Four  Masters  tell  us  that  in  the  year  A.D.  820  an  army  was  led 
by  Murchadh,  son  of  Maelduin,  having  the  men  of  the  north  with  him, 
until  he  arrived  at  Ard-Brecain.  The  men  of  Breagh  and  the  race  of 
Aedh  Slaine  went  over  to  him,  and  gave  him  hostages  at  Druim-Fear- 
ghu*a*  A.  D.  886  :  "  The  plundering  of  Ard-Breacain,  Domhnach-Padraig, 
and  Tuilen  by  the  foreigners.  Under  the  years  940,  992,  plunderings  took 
place  ;  also  in  1031  the  Dublin  Danes  created  great  havoc  at  Ardbraccan  : 
two  hundred  persons  were  burned  in  the  great  church,  and  two  hundred 
carried  into  captivity."  In  1115  the  great  stone  church  of  Ardbraccan, 
full  of  people,  was  burned  by  the  men  of  Munster,  and  also  many  other 
churches  in  Feara-Breagh.  In  1170  the  steeple  of  the  abbey  fell.  The 
last  notice  of  Ardbraccan  in  the  Four  Masters  is  under  date  1163, 
where  it  mentions  that  Niall  TTa  Lochlainn  committed  various  acts  of 
violence  in  territories  and  churches,  and  particularly  at  Ceanannus  (Kells), 
Ard-Breacain,  Fobhar  (Fore),  &c. 

Magh  Tortan  and  Uibh  Tortan  were  the  names  of  an  ancient  territory 
and  tribe  near  Ardbraccan.  The  Bile-Tor  tan,  or  ancient  Tree  of  Tortan, 
stood  in  this  plain,  and  was  blown  down,  in  the  reign  of  the  sons  of  Aedh 
Slaine,  about  the  middle  of  the  seventh  century.  This  tree  was  one  of 
the  five  wonderful  trees  of  Ireland.  The  Ui  Dortain,  or  Tortain,  were 
the  descendants  of  Tortan,  son  of  Flack.* 

The  stipends  of  the  King  of  Ui-Dortain  were  :— 

Three  purple  cloaks,  with  borders  ; 
Three  shields  ;  three  swords  of  battle  ; 
Three  mantles  ;  three  coats-of-mail. 

The  Bile-Tortan  was  an  ash,  as  also  the  Craebh-  ITisnigh,  which  stood 
on  the  hill  of  Uisneach,  county  of  Westmeath.6 

1  Verse  on  St.  Ultan  :—  2  Dean  Cogan,  Diocese  of  Meath,  vol.  i. 

"Ultan  loves  his  children,  \  ?ot  idf?tifi.ed-  „ 

A  carcair  for  his  lean  side  „     S?6       Eo(*.  °f  Rlghts>      PaSe 

And  a  bath  in  cold  water!'  fc  *'    ™  '    **    " 

The  sharp  wind  he  loved,'  »- 


^^>  note, 
CUIMIN.  p.  96. 


THE   KINGDOM   OF   MEATH.  525 

The  bishop's  palace  at  Ardhraccan  was  erected  by  Hon.  Henry  Max- 
well, D.D.,  1766.  In  a  scarce  pamphlet,  which  details  many  transactions 
of  the  Civil  War  of  1641,  the  episcopal  residence  is  described  as  a  "  strong 
castle."1  This  structure  was  entirely  rebuilt  in  1766  from  the  designs  of 
Wyatt.  The  parochial  church  of  Ardbraccan  was  erected  under  the 
auspices  of  Dr.  Maxwell.  In  the  burial-ground  is  the  tomb  of  George 
Montgomery,  Bishop  of  Meath  and  Clogher ;  there  is  also  a  memorial 
slab  to  Dr.  Richard  Pococke,  Bishop  of  Ossory  and  Meath. 

Ardbraccan  has  long  been  famous  for  its  stone  quarries.  Martry,  in 
the  same  barony,  has  a  holy  well  dedicated  to  Saint  Brigid,  and  in  former 
times  a  Pattern  was  held  there. 


1  Brewer,  Beauties  of  Ireland. 


(To  be  continued.} 


(     526     ) 


ON  SOME  CUP-MARKED  CROMLEACHS  AND  RATH  CAVE  IN 
COUNTY  TYRONE, 

BY  SEATON  F.  MILLIGAN,  M.R.I.A.,  FELLOW. 

Aw  interesting  series  of  Papers  describing  the  ancient  Sepulchral 
Monuments  of  the  county  of  Sligo  has  been  brought  to  a  close  in  a  late 
Number  of  the  Journal.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  every  county  in  Ireland 
will  be  described  in  a  similar  systematic  and  exhaustive  manner.  If  not 
infringing  on  the  ground  of  the  future  explorer  of  Tyrone,  I 
would  refer  to  a  few  sepulchral  monuments  in  that  county,  situated 
near  the  borders  of  Deny :  they  are  interesting,  because  marked  with 
cups,  or  small  artificial  basin- shaped  cavities,  that  are  rarely  found  on 
Irish  cromleachs. 

About  twelve  months  ago  I  received  information  that  a  rivetted 
bronze  cauldron,  or  vessel,  had  been  found  in  the  wild  mountainous 
district  between  Plumbridge  and  Draperstown ;  and  being  in  Newtown- 
stewart,  the  nearest  point  on  the  railway  to  that  district,  I  determined 
to  try  and  find  the  person  who  had  discovered  this  interesting  relic  of 
antiquity.  The  name  of  the  townland  was  Glenrowan,  and  the  name 
of  the  finder  M'Cullough.  My  informant  thought  his  name  was  Bernard, 
but  was  not  certain.  The  difficulty  increased  when  I  reached  the 
district  (which  was  several  miles  in  extent)  to  find  that,  with  a  few 
exceptions,  all  the  people  living  there  were  called  M'Cullough,  and 
that  there  were  three  Bernards,  each  of  whom  was  known  by  a  special 
patronymic.  It  would  take  too  long  to  tell  how  I  found  out  Barney 
Rory,  and  secured  the  vessel. 

Whilst  traversing  the  country,  I  discovered  three  cromleachs,  two  of 
which  have  cup-markings  on  the  covering  stone.  The  finest  of  these 
cromleachs  is  situated  on  a  high  hill,  on  the  left-hand  side  of  the  road 
coming  from  Plumbridge  to  Glenrowan  police  barrack.  It  is  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  on  the  Plumbridge  side  from  the  barrack,  and  over- 
looks the  river  winding  in  the  deep  valley  below,  and  Barnes'  Gap  directly 
opposite.  The  covering  stone  slopes  to  the  east,  7  feet  6  inches  by 
7  feet  9  inches,  and  rests  on  four  stones ;  on  the  face  of  the  covering 
stone  are  three  well-defined  cups,  the  largest  of  which  is  about  4  inches 
in  diameter,  hollowed  like  a  saucer,  and  about  1£  to  2  inches  deep.  At 
foot  of  the  cromleach,  and  forming  a  further  portion  of  this  sepulchral 
structure,  there  are  six  stones  placed,  forming  a  compartment  that 
measures  10  feet  long  by  about  4  feet  6  inches  wide.  These  cups  were 
specially  pointed  out  to  me  as  something  peculiar  by  a  farmer  on  whose 
land  this  monument  stands.  Lower  down  the  hill,  and  close  to  the  road, 
there  is  another  cromleach,  of  which  the  supporting  stones  are  below  the 
surface,  the  covering  stone  alone  being  above  the  ground.  Returning 
towards  the  village  of  Plumbridge,  a  lane  to  our  left  leads  to  the  parish 
church  of  Upper  Badoney,  and  going  down  this  lane,  on  the  side  of  the 
road  is  a  cromleach,  the  covering  stone  being  6  feet  by  8  feet,  and  2  feet 
thick.  The  stone  slopes  towards  the  east,  and  the  supporting  stones  are 
almost  covered  in  the  ground.  On  this  covering  stone  there  is  one  well- 
defined  cup,  about  6  inches  in  diameter,  and  about  2£  inches  deep.  Inside 


ON  CUP-MARKED  CROMLEACHS,  ETC.,  IN.  CO.  TYRONE.       527 

the  graveyard  there  is  a  stone  said  to  have  the  impress  of  St.  Patrick's 
knees,  left  by  the  saint  when  praying  on  it.  Two  cavities  on  the  stone 
are  of  sufficient  size  to  admit  a  person's  knees.  I  had  not  time  to  explore 
this  interesting  district  as  fully  as  desirable,  but  I  would  direct  attention 
to  it  whenever  the  sepulchral  monuments  of  Tyrone  come  to  be  described. 

In  another  district,  very  accessible  from  Deny,  viz.  Castlederg,  there 
are  several  interesting  sepulchral  remains.  About  three  miles  from  it,  in 
a  townland  called  Leitrim,  there  is  a  fine  cromleach,  of  which  the 
covering  stone  is  10  feet  6  inches  by  10  feet,  and  4  feet  2  inches  thick  at 
one  side ;  it  also  slopes  towards  the  east,  and  has  twelve  cups  on  the 
covering  stone.  Close  to  the  cromleach  are  the  ruins  of  a  cashel,  and  70 
yards  from  the  cashel,  just  beside  the  schoolhouse  of  Aghnahoo,  there  is 
the  entrance  to  a  souterrain  or  underground  cave,  built  in  cyclopean  style 
without  mortar,  and  roofed  with  huge  flagstones  laid  across.  The 
entrance  is  just  large  enough  to  admit  one  person  sliding  down,  feet 
foremost.  The  first  chamber  is  33  feet  long  by  4  feet  6  inches  wide,  and 
about  5  feet  6  inches  high.  Another  chamber  leads  off  at  right  angles, 
for  a  distance  of  12  feet :  this  portion  is  fully  5  feet  wide,  and  has  a 
rounded  end  and  roof,  shaped  somewhat  like  the  old  straw  bee-hives 
that  are  so  familiar  to  us.  A  ventilating  shaft  or  hole  leads  from  the 
level  of  the  roof  towards  the  entrance.  At  the  entrance  to  this  rath 
chamber  on  the  left,  as  we  return,  there  is  an  oval-shaped  compartment 
about  4  feet  6  inches  by  5  feet. 

There  is  another  interesting  sepulchral  monument  situated  about 
half  a  mile  to  the  north  of  Castlederg,  above  the  workhouse — it  is  a 
cromleach  and  kistvaen  combined.  It  has  an  ogham  inscription  on  the 
upper  edge  of  the  stone  that  encloses  the  northern  side  of  the  kist.  I 
took  rubbings  and  a  sketch  of  the  inscription,  not  being  aware  at  the 
time  that  it  had  been  previously  visited  by  Sir  Samuel  Ferguson,  and 
described  in  a  Paper  written  by  him  on  ogham  inscriptions,  in  the 
Journal,  vol.  ii.,  4th  series,  page  526,  years  1872  and  1873. 

I  have  heard  that  in  the  mountainous  district  between  Castlederg  and 
Donegal  there  exist  the  remains  of  cashels  and  fortified  structures,  but 
I  have  not  personally  visited  them.  "When  we  recollect  that  this  district 
separated  Tyrone  and  Tyrconnell,  and  that  constant  feuds  existed 
between  their  chiefs,  it  is  very  probable  that  the  points  of  vantage  were 
fortified.  I  mention  this  to  show  that  this  locality  is  well  worthy  of  a 
thorough  investigation.  "We  shall  probably  find,  when  the  northern 
province  has  been  more  thoroughly  examined,  a  greater  number  of 
cromleachs  than  we  had  any  idea  of. 

Since  the  foregoing  Paper  was  read  the  writer  has  to  report  the 
following  additional  monuments  in  the  same  district: — About  one  and 
a-half  miles  from  Newtownstewart,  in  the  townland  of  Glenock,  there  is 
a  cromleach  known  as  Clochogle.  It  is  situated  a  few  perches  from  the 
roadside  to  the  right  coming  from  Newtownstewart,  in  the  centre  of  a 
field,  from  which  a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding  country  may  be  obtained. 
The  covering  stone  measures  12  feet  6  inches  long,  by  7  feet  6  inches 
broad,  and  1  foot  8  inches  thick.  There  are  four  upright  supporting 
stones,  having  an  average  height  of  4  feet  6  inches,  on  which  the  cover- 
ing stone  lies  almost  in  a  horizontal  position.  There  is  a  clear  space  of 
5  feet  in  length  under  the  covering  stone,  through  which  a  person  con  pass 
by  stooping. 


528      ON  CUP-MARKED  CROMLEACHS,  ETC.,  IN  CO.  TYRONE. 

About  one-fourth  of  a  mile  from  Castlederg,  and  an  equal  distance 
from  the  kistvaen  with  the  ogham  inscription,  there  is  a  pillar  stone, 
standing  to  a  height  of  8  feet  above  the  ground;  it  measures  5  feet 
across  its  broad  side,  and  is  2  feet  6  inches  thick.  A  man  who  was 
present  when  I  examined  it  informed  me  that  he  saw  the  earth  removed 
from  around  the  stone  to  a  depth  of  6  feet  without  coming  to  the  base 
of  it. 

Proceeding  westward  from  this  stone  to  the  lower  ground,  alongside 
the  margin  of  the  river,  in  the  townland  of  Kilcevagh,  there  is  a  stand- 
ing stone  of  pure  white  quartz,  that  glistens  in  the  sunlight.  It  is  6  feet 
high,  and  about  midway  from  the  ground  1 2  feet  3  inches  in  girth,  taper- 
ing slightly  to  the  top.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  from  this  stone 
is  the  garden  of  King  Edwards,  Esq.,  J.P.,  in  which  there  is  a  rath  cave. 
The  rath  itself  has  been  levelled,  but  the  cave  has  been  preserved ;  it  extends 
backwards  to  a  distance  of  12  feet,  is  about  4  feet  high  inside,  and  3x6 
feet  in  breadth.  Looking  towards  the  hill  on  which  the  kistvaen  stands 
it  can  be  seen  at  a  distance  of  a  mile ;  the  cave,  the  two  pillar  stones, 
and  kistvaen  are  all  in  a  straight  line,  east  and  west. 

In  the  townland  of  Carncorn,  about  three  miles  from  Castlederg,  on 
the  old  road  to  Baronscourt,  the  seat  of  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Abercorn, 
there  is  a  "Giant's  Grave."  It  is  outlined  with  stones  from  2  feet 
6  inches  to  3  feet  high,  and  is  about  32  feet  long,  and  from  6  to  8  feet 
broad.  In  the  centre  of  this  structure  there  are  two  huge  upright 
stones,  standing  within  a  distance  of  2  feet  6  inches  from  each  other;  the 
space  between  is  filled  to  a  height  of  3  feet  by  another  stone,  placed 
like  a  wedge  between,  and  forms  a  kind  of  rude  seat.  One  of  the  upright 
stones  measures  8  feet  in  height,  and  1 3  feet  in  girth  ;  the  second  one  is 
10  feet  in  height,  and  13  feet  6  inches  in  girth.  The  effect  of  these  two 
huge  upright  stones  in  the  centre  of  the  structure  is  most  imposing.  The 
"  Grave"  lies  east  and  west. 

Beside  the  foregoing,  which  I  have  personally  examined,  I  have 
received  reliable  information  as  to  the  following  sepulchral  structures  in 
this  district  of  the  county  of  Tyrone  : — 

On  the  farm  of  Alexander  Hill,  just  outside  the  demesne  of  Barons- 
court,  there  is  a  fine  cromleach.  In  the  Plumbridge  district,  already 
referred  to,  on  the  road  between  the  village  of  Gortin  and  Cookstown, 
and  in  the  townland  of  Crockatanty,  on  the  top  of  a  hill  not  far  from 
Greenan  church,  there  is  a  cromleach.  On  the  same  road,  in  the  town- 
land  of  Broghderg,  there  is  a  cairn  on  the  top  of  a  hill,  known  as 
"Broghderg  Cairn." 


INDEX. 


ABAINN,  a  river,  511. 
Abbey  de  Beatitudine,  523. 
Abbey  quarter,  stone  circle  at,  122. 
Account    of    outlay   on  Eestoration    of 

Clonmacnoise  Monuments,  19. 
Achaean  Sling,  358. 
Acherontia  Atropos,  1 1 . 
Achill,  Eude  Stone  Monuments  in  Island 

of,  367. 
Address  of  Canon  Grainger,  at  Meeting  at 

Londonderry,  424. 

to  Her  Majesty  the  Queen  on  oc- 
casion of   her  Jubilee,  102. 
presented  to  the  Association  at 

Holy  cross  Abbey,  484. 
Adonis  and  O'Dyna,  the  names,  154. 
Agherim,  Battle  of,  46. 
Almshouse  at  Naas,  founded  by  William 

Lattin,  185. 
Amulets,  11. 

found  in  Co.  Cork,  11. 

Amusing    Anecdote    in    Journal    of  the 

K.H.A.A.I.,  138. 
Analy,  518  n. 
Ancaster  stone,  161. 
Ancient  document,  shown  by  Mr.  Eobert- 

son,  7. 
Ancient  Meath,  507. 

Precedence  of  the  See  of  Meath, 


238. 


Shell  mounds  in  Achill,  366. 


Anderson's  "  Scotland  in  Pagan  Times," 

quoted,  248,  387. 
Stone  and  Bronze   age,    quoted, 

388. 

Iron  age,  quoted,  388,  497,  500-1. 

Anecdotes  of  Thomas  Moore,  187. 
Anglian  grave  in  Yorkshire,  390. 
Animal  matter  in  the  bones  of  Egyptian 

mummies,  64. 
Annals  of  Lough  Ce,  quoted,  291,  299. 

of  Clonmacnoise,  quoted,  511,  515. 

of  Four  Masters,  quoted,  509,  511, 

512. 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII. 


Annals  of  Tighernach,  quoted,  510. 
—  of  Ulster,  quoted,  510. 

Annual  Meetings  of  the  Association,  3, 
347. 

Antiquarian  Discovery  at  Lochleven,  338. 

Works  published  by  J.  D. 

White,  485  n. 

Aoibhinn,  85. 

Appendix  A,  contributions  of  Rev.  James 
Graves  to  the  Journal,  24. 

B,  ib.  27. 

Communications  of   E.  M.  Caul- 

field,  A.B.,  Cork,  to  the  Journal  of  the 
R.H.A.A.I.,  175. 

Papers  communicated  to  the  Jour- 
nal of  the  R.H.A.A.I.,  by  Canon 
Hayman,  175. 

Arabs  adepts  in  counterfeiting  antiqui- 
ties, 114. 

mode  of  polishing  beads,  114. 


Archaeological  Association  of  Ireland,  first 

named,  17. 
Archaic  markings,  probable  meaning  of, 

69. 

Archdall,  quoted,  444,  445. 
Ardbraccan,  524. 
Ardmulchan,  Church  of,  523  n. 
Ardnamore,  gallauns  on,  446. 
Ardreigh,  450. 
ArdsaUagh,  522  n. 
Arrowhead,  226  n. 
Articles  of  soap-stone,  India,  417. 
Ashmole's   "Antiquities  of  Berkshire," 

quoted,  183,  185. 
Athlone,  bell  at,  38. 
Atkinson,  G.  M.,  M.R.I.A.,  249.  ^ 
Description  of  Antiquities  under 

the  Conservation  of  the  Board  of  Public 

Works,  249. 

Attack  on  a  Crannog,  344. 
Audoen,  St.,  Church  of,  28. 
Aulnacaha,  125  n. 
Aztec  myth,  241. 
Ballinclare,  townland  of,  447. 

2Q 


530 


INDEX. 


Ballonhill,  funeral  urn  found  at,  61. 
Ballyferriter,  stone  cross  and  holy  wells 

at,  445. 

Ballymena  Archaeological  Society's  Pre- 
sentation to  the  Queen,  336. 
Ballysullion  House,  332. 
Balsoon,  Church  of,  463. 
Banshee,  85. 

Bargaining  with  Arabs,  112. 
Barnascrahy,  food  vessel  from,  60. 

Stone  circle  at,  58. 

Barnes   "Dallans,"   or  standing- stones, 

132. 

Battle  of  Agherim,  by  Cecil  C.  Woods,  46. 
Beads,  268. 

Amber,  388. 

Blackberry,  385. 

Blotch,  384. 

Dumb-bell,  385. 

Diamond  cut,  ib. 

Egyptian,  382,  385. 

Eye,  386. 

from  Luxor,  113. 

found  in  pits  at  Portstewart,  224. 

Glain,  388. 

in  British  Museum,  384  n. 

Phoenician,  385. 

Snake,  388. 

Word,  388. 

Bective,  523. 
Belgae,  or  Firbolgs,  508. 
Bell,  "On  the  Teeth,"  67. 
Bell  at  Carhampton  Church,  41. 

Donaghcloney  Church,  45. 

Bell  of  St.  Audoen's  Church,  28. 

St.  Canice's  Cathedral,  44. 

St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,  36. 

Bell,    probably    obtained    from     Christ 

Church,  33. 
Beltra  Strand,  popular  tradition  relating 

to,  256. 

Benn,  Collection,  228  n. 
Beranger,  Gabriel,  quoted,  254,  288. 
Bible  references  to  slings  and  sling-stones, 

357. 

£ile  Tortan,  524. 

"  Black  Castle,"  of  Leighlin  Bridge,  479. 
Blasquet  Mor,  ancient  Church  on,  448. 
Blight,   J.   T.,   ancient  crosses,  quoted, 

253. 

Bo,  a  cow,  511. 
Boan,  Queen,  511. 

Bones  found  at  Carrowmore,  53,  64,  66. 
Bonesof  man  comparatively  indestructible, 

64. 

Book  of  the  Boudoir,  by  Lady  Morgan, 
lo/. 

the  Cemeteries,  quoted,  84. 

Leinster,  quoted,  255. 

of  Rights,  quoted,  512. 

Book-hunter,  The,  quoted,  444. 

Borrell,  326. 

Bovine  head  of  bronze,  297  n. 


Boyle,  Most  Rev.  Michael,  442. 
Boyne,  origin  of  name,  510. 

river,  ib. 

of  Science,  511. 

Brash's  Ogam  Inscriptions,  quoted,  249, 

252. 
Breef  e,  A  Memorial  of  Dr.  James  Spottis- 

wood,  327. 

Brehon  Law  Tracts,  quoted,  78. 
Brigid,  St.,  Holy  Well  of,  522. 
Brochs,  500. 

"Broghderg  Cairn,"  528. 
Bronze  brooch  found  near  Cavan,  116. 

—  cauldron  ri vetted,  526. 

—  pin  found  at  Portstewart,  235. 
Brooch,  115  n. 

Brosnach  river,  512  n. 
Brown,  letters  addressed  to  family  of,  46. 
Bruce  in  Meath,  519. 
Brush,  James,  seal  engraver,  318. 
Buckland,  mentioned,  64. 
Buick,  Rev.  George  R.,  A.M.,  on  the  de- 
velopment of  the  knife  in  flint,  241. 
Burke,  Joseph,  Barrister-at-Law,  21. 

—  styled  the  Father  of  the  Journal, 
22. 

Burke' s  History  of  the  Commoners  of 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  quoted, 
185. 

Burning  the  dead,  66  n. 

Burtchaell,  G.  D.,  M.A.,  LL.B.,  on  "  Theo- 
bald Wolfe  Tone  and  the  College  His- 
torical Society,"  391. 

Bushe,  395  n. 

Butler,  Lord  James,  statement  by,  349. 

electedPresidentoftheJJ.jff.^.^.7. 

77. 

Caen  stone  (supposed),  employed  in  car- 
vings of  St.  Canice's  Cathedral,  and 
other  sacred  edifices,  160. 

Calendar  of  documents  relating  to  Ireland, 
quoted,  238. 

Caltragh,  the  designation,  258,  287. 

Caltragh,  57,  64,  275. 

Camden,  Meath  described  by,  509. 

Cane,  Robert,  M.D.,  14. 

Career  of  Shane  O'Neill,  458. 

Carmichael-Ferral,  J.,  Hon.  Local  Secre- 
tary, Co.  Tyrone,  327.  Tyrone  History. 

Cam,  the  word,  85. 

Cam,  Amhalgaidh,  119. 

described  by  O'Donovan,  277. 

on  Belvoir  Hill,  120. 

on  Cam's  Hill,  120. 

at  Cloverhill,  68. 

Eothaile,  255. 

on  Knocknarea,  83,  85. 

Omra,  119. 

llomra,  119. 

in  the  barony  of  Tireragh,  noticed 

by  O'Donovan,  277. 

Cam's  Hill,  119. 


INDEX. 


531 


Carrig-na-Chodla,   i.  e.    "  Eock  of   the 

Sheep,"  304,  312. 
Carrowmore,  cists  and  circles  at,  51  to 

67. 

Monuments  at,  51. 


Eath,  407. 
Cashel,"  Cathedral,  481. 

Cross  of,  482. 

Meeting  at,  473. 

Vicar's  Hall,  482. 

Cashel  Bawn,  144. 

Cashelore,  celebrated  prehistoric  fortress, 

265. 

Castle  Caulfield,  455. 
Derg,  pillar-stone  and   "Giant's 

Grave"  near,  528. 
Caulfield,  Eichard,  LL.D.,  r.s.A.,by  Lieut.  - 

Colonel  Lunham,  M.A.,  171. 

notice  of  his  death,  ib. 

character,  education,  tastes,  ib. 

chosen  member  of  the  Society  of 

Antiquaries  of  Normandy,  172. 
appointed  Librarian  to  the  Queen's 

College,  Cork,  173. 
intimate     connexion    with    the 


Cathedral  of  St.  Finn  Barre,  173. 

list  of  his  publications,  172. 

elected  an  honorary  member  of  the 

Eoyal  Academy  of  History  at  Madrid, 
174. 

place  of  interment,  175. 

suitable  memorials  to  be  erected  to 


his  memory,  175. 
"  Celtic  Union,"  15. 
Chalice  of  Stone,  mentioned  by  Wakeman, 

176. 
Chalices  sometimes  buried  along  with  the 

Priests  who  had  used  them,  176. 
Chert,  used  in  place  of  flint,  235. 
"  Children  of  the  Mermaid,"  289. 
Christ  Church  Cathedral,  Dublin,  440. 
Chukch  Lamp,  figured  by  Nordenskiold, 

229. 
Church  Plate  of  the  Diocese  of  Cashel  and 

Emly,  176. 

Cinerary  Urns,  exhibited  by  Canon  Grain- 
ger, 348. 

from  Ballacradone,  256. 

Urn,  492. 

Cisterns,  decorated  examples  of,  at  "  The 

Cedars,"  Croydon,  404. 
"Clan  Hugh  Boy,"  457. 
Clar,  the  word,  Joyce,  quoted,  447. 
Clocha-breacha,  near  Streedagh,  144. 
Cloch-breac,  or  speckled  stone,  74. 
Cloch-lia,  or  holed-stone,  74. 
Cloch-Nave-Deglane,  75. 
Cloncurry's,    Lord,    Memoirs,     quoted, 

187. 

Clone,  old  church,  252. 
Clonmacnoise  outrage,  9. 
Cloonmacduff,  the  holm  of  the  black  ^pig, 
262. 


Cloverhill,  earn  at,  68. 

carvings  at,  68. 

chamber  at,  69. 

"  Club,  The,"  founded  by  Edmund  Burke, 

391. 

Cboc  SCUCA,  504. 
Cochrane,  E.,  C.E.,  on  "Eock of  Cashel," 

480. 
Collection   of  the   Surrey  Archaeological 

Society,  quoted,  404. 
Collection  of  flints  from  Cairo wmore  dis- 
trict, 88. 

College  Historical  Society,  391. 
Con-13accagh,  account  of,  453. 

ruled  by  his  wife,  455  n. 

— • sons  of,  453. 

uncertainty  as  to  the  cause  of 

his  death,  462. 

Connocks,  or  murrain  caterpillars,  1 1 . 
Conwell,  Eugene  A.,  quoted,  68,  81,  83. 

remarks  by,  65  n. 

Cookstown,  account  of,  333. 
Coral  from  Sligo  limestone,  57. 
Cormac's  Chapel,  481. 
Cornhill  Magazine,  quoted,  236. 
Cosgrave,  Eev.  C.,  of  Ballymote,  account 

of  huge  primeval  monuments,  269  n. 
Cottage  Island,  curious  arrangement  of 

stones  on,  123. 
Counterfeit  Antiquities,  343. 
Cover-stones  of  cromleacs,  436. 
Covey,  Tobias,  bell  founder,  38. 
Cradock,  Thomas,  32  n. 
Crasbuisnigh  ,524. 
Crannog-like  fishing-huts    on  the  Bos- 

phorus,  211. 

Crannog  Point  in  Donegal,  427. 
Cree    Indians,    observations     regarding, 

441. 

Cremation  at  Carrowmore,  66. 
the  word,  65. 


Crissy  Cross,  59. 

Cromleacs,  526,  527,  528. 

Cromleacs  at  Carrowmore,  series  of,  50 

to  52. 
Cromwell's  "Tour  in  Ireland,"  quoted, 

520  n. 

Crucken-a-carragh,  earn  of,  stones  at,  58. 
Cruise  amongst  the  South  Sea  Islands, 

361. 

Crux  Ansata,  76. 
Cuil-irra,  74. 

Cullan,  or  King's  river,  9. 
Cup-marked  cromleac  in  Achill,  374. 
Cup-marked  stones,  151,  284,  526. 
Cup-markings,  probably  used  for  making 

sling -stones,  363. 
Cups  of  stone,  not  uncommon  amongst  the 

Irish,  176. 

Curfew  Bell,  The,  29. 
Curious  Epitaphs,  copied  by  Lieut.  Moy- 

sey  in  the  Naval  Cemetery  at  Malta, 

345. 


532 


INDEX. 


Custom  of  burying  white  stones  with  the 

dead,  62,  63. 
Customs  observed  in  the  neighbourhood  of 

Trim,  520. 

Dahella,  Queen  Boan's  lapdog,  511. 
"Dallans"  Barnes,  432. 

at  Muff,  436. 

Darcy  of  Dunmoer,  523. 

Day,  Robert,  junr.,  F.S.A. 

flint  arrowheads  from  America, 

exhibited  by,  440. 

Folk-lore,  414. 

on  ornaments  in  glass  from  Egypt 

to  illustrate  those  found  in  Ireland, 

112. 

quoted,  382. 

interesting  objects  exhibited  by, 

482,  485. 
remarks  by,  on  stone  implements, 

484. 

valuable  Paper,  read  by,  485. 

De  Danaan,  tombs   of,    at   Loughcrew, 

437. 

Degenerate  English,  451. 
De  Lacy,  King  of  Meath,  517. 
Delany,  Dr.  Barry,  beautiful  gold  breast- 
pin exhibited  by,  6. 
Dermod  and  Grainne's  bed,  154  n. 
Description  of  ruin  of  Sledagh  castle,  390. 
Desertoghill,  old  church  near  Garvagh, 

332. 
Description  of  pits  and  their  contents, 

found  at  Portstewart,  223  to  227. 
Deverell,  Rev.  Richard,  4. 
Dhoon  Church,  440. 
Dials  in  Ireland,  noticed  by  Albert  Way, 

251. 

Dineley's  Tour,  quoted,  42. 
Dingle,  445. 
Discoveries,  The,  at  Christ  Church,  by 

J.  G.  Robertson,  160  n. 

—  at  Enniskillen  Bridge,  342. 

at  Pompeii,  343. 

Distribution  of  •;  Tracked  Stones,"  501. 
Domnans,  the  hill  and  whirlpool  of  the, 

261. 

Donaghmore  Round  Tower,  522. 
Donoughmore  Church,  522- 
Donations  to  the  Society,  420. 
Donegal  cup-markings,  436. 
Donerisk  Cemetery,  the  burial-place  of  the 

O'Hagans,  333. 
Doogort,  village  of,  369,  378. 
DowdaU,  family  of,  622. 
Downpipes    (leaden),   and    their    heads, 

examples  of  in  Kilkenny  Castle,  405. 
Druid's  Altar,   styled  Leaba-Dhiarmada- 

agus-Grainne,  264. 

Dubdh  Cloidh,  i.e.,  the  "  Dark  Fence,'*  304. 
"  Dublin  University  Brooch,"  116. 
Du  Chaillu's   "  Land  of  the  Midnight 
Sun,"  quoted,  427. 


Duigenan's,  Dr.  Patrick,    "  Lachrymae 

Academicae,"  quoted,  400. 
Duke,  R.  A.,  account  of  monuments,  &c., 

by,  269. 

Duke  of  Leinster,  death  of,  97. 
Dunmoe  Castle,  523. 
Du  Noyer,  George  V.,  17,  19,  217. 
Dunquin  parish,  Co.  Kerry,  443. 
Dunraven,  Lord,  quoted,  443-5. 
Dunurlin,  parish  church  of,  445. 

Eccuill,  i.e.  Achill,  365. 

signifies  Eagle  Island,  367. 

Elcock,  Charles,  "Notes  on  an  Ogam 
Stone  in  the  Co.  Cavan,"  513. 

Election  of  Fellows  and  Members  of  Asso- 
ciation, 4,  95,  216,  353,  421,  475. 

of  Officers  of  Association,  5,  478. 

—  of  President,  97. 
Eliot,  Sir  John,  464. 
arms  of,  465. 

Engraving  of  "  The  Massacre  of  part  of 
the  Crew  of  the  '  Perouse'  at  Maouna," 
364. 

Epitaph  on  William  Purdue,  43. 

Epitaphs  copied  in  the  Naval  Cemetery  at 
Bermuda,  346. 

Evans'  stone  implements,  quoted,  497, 500. 

Esker,  utilized  as  gravel  pit,  64. 

Excavations  at  Carrowmore,  50. 

—  Egyptian,  382. 

near    Newcastle,    Co.   Wicklow, 


163. 

Excursions  on  Lough  Erne,  218. 
to  Bundoran,  220. 


Excursion  to  Holy  Cross  Abbey,  484. 
Expedition  against  the  Scots  of  the  Isles, 

461. 
Extracts  translated  from  "  Septima  Vita 

Saint  Patricii,"  472. 

"Fairy  Doctors,"  138. 
Falachda-na-Feine,  i.  e.  Encampments  of 

the  Fenians,  280. 
Fantastic  names  of  rude  stone  monuments, 

291. 

Felim  Roe,  Mac  Art,  Mac  Hugh,  457. 
Felim  Roe  O'Neill,  457. 
Ferdorcha,  455. 
Ferguson's  "Rude  Stone  Monuments," 

quoted,  88  n,  133,  136. 
Fers  at  Tara,  508. 
Feud  between  Tyrone  and  Tyrconnell, 

452. 

Ffolliot,  Colonel,  of  Hollybrook,  158. 
Ffrench,  Rev.  J.  F.  M.,  of  Clonegal,  on 

"  An  Inscribed  Monumental  Stone  from 

the  Isle  of  Man,  and  Some  Customs  of 

the  Cree  Indians,"  438. 
Fitzgerald,  John,  of  Droraana,  302  n. 
Flint,  134,  521. 
and  glass  lancets,  Andaman  Islands, 


INDEX. 


533 


Flint  arrowheads  from  America,  440. 

flakes,  416. 

implements  found  in  Sligo,  52,  55, 

88,  89. 

implements,  found  near  Mount 

Sandal,  505. 

at  Portrush,  506. 

Flint  Jack,  211. 

Folk-lore,  414,  470. 

Food-vessel  from  Barnascrahy,  60. 

Foot,  M.D.,  Arthur  Wynne,  23,  60,  61, 
65,  135,  158. 

In  Piam  Memoriam  James  Graves, 

8. 

Four  Tribes  of  Tara,  516. 

Fragments  of  pottery  from  Carrowmore, 
52. 

Fragments  of  quartz  accompanying  inter- 
ments, 61. 

Frazer,  W.,  F.R.C.S.I.,  the  medallists  of 
Ireland  and  their  work,  189,  313. 

quoted,  88,  123,  125. 

onteethfound  at  Donnyhrook,  66. 

remarks  by,  on  coins,  103  to  105. 

Freegians,  The,  236,  237  ». 

Froissart,  on  king  stones,  360. 

Funeral  expenses  in  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury, 214. 

Galle,    distinguished    French    medallist, 

326. 

Garfinnagh,  old  church  of,  446. 
Genealogy  of  Lattins  of  Morristown,  186. 
Geoffrey,  of  Monmouth,  on  Stonehenge, 

126. 

Giant's  finger-stone,  436. 
Giants'  graves,  137,  278. 

in  Achill,  369  to  378. 

load,  291  n. 

marks,  436. 

table,  297. 

Giraldus  Cambrensis,  quoted,  128. 
Glas,  Captain  of  the  "  Sandwich,"  210. 
Gleniff,  famous  cave  of,  154. 
Golden  balls,  found  by  Mr.  E.  Hay  den 

close  to  Carrick-on-Shannon,  111. 
"Good  Lord  Ochiltree,  The,"  330  n. 
Goold,  393  n. 
Graigue-na-Gower,  308  n. 
Grainger,  Rev.  Canon,  216. 
remarks  by,  at  Enniskillen  meet- 
ing, 

Grainne,  the  name,  264. 
Grangemore,  sandhills  at,  229. 
arrowheads    and    other    objects 

found  at,  229. 

Grattan's,  Henry,  medal,  326. 
Graves,  Dean,  Paper  read  by,  226  n. 
Graves,  Rev.  James,  excavation  made  by, 

135. 
Graves,  James,  In  Piam  Memoriam,  by 

Arthur  "Wynne  Foot,  M.D.,  8. 
birth  and  parentage,  8. 


Graves,  James,  personal  characteristics,  9. 
presented  to  the  living  of  Inis- 

nag,  ib. 

love  of  flowers  and  ferns,  ib. 

—  desire  to  foster  the  study  of  the 

Irish  language,  11. 

connection  with  the  Celtic  Society, 


12. 


foundation  of  the  Kilkenny  Ar- 
chaeological Society,  ib. 
members  present  at  the  first  meet- 
ing, 13. 

death  of  Dr.  Cane,  14. 

and  J.  G.  A.  Prim,  joint  secre- 


taries, 15. 

visit  to  the  Congress  at  Truro,  ib. 

presented  with  a  testimonial,  16. 

notice  of  G.  V.  Du  Noyer,  17. 

the  Association  becomes  a  Royal 

one,  18. 

Prince  of  "Wales,  patron,  ib. 

desecration  at  Clonmacnoise  ;  con- 


servation of  some  of  the  structures  by 
the  Association,  19. 

important  discoveries  made  by 

him,  Dean  Vignoles,  and  G.  V.  Du 
Noyer,  20. 

operations  at  Jerpoint  and  the 

Franciscan  Abbey  at  Kilkenny,  20. 

illustrations  by,  20. 

"Transactions"  of  Society,  pub- 
lished at  the  suggestion  of  Joseph 
Burke,  Barrister-at-Law,  21,  22. 

Reminiscences,  &c.,  23. 

Mr.,  393  n. 

Gray,  "William,  M.R.I. A.,  "  On  Rough 
Flint  Celts  in  the  Co.  Antrim,"  505. 

Gregory,  the  name,  497. 

Gregoir,  St.,  495. 

Grenan  Castle,  alluded  to,  161. 

Green,  captain  of  a  band  of  robbers,  303. 

Green's  "  Lis,"  312. 

Greenwell,  Canon,  232,  389. 

"Griddle,"  281,  282,  287,  289. 

Grove  family,  extract  concerning  the,  209. 

Grove,  Ion.,  of  Hendon,  209. 

Haematite  found  at  Portstewart,  233. 

Hall,  Rev.  G.  Rome,  quoted,  286. 

Haigh,  Rev.  Daniel  H.,  on  sundials,  250. 

Hardman,  E.  T.,  H.M. G.S.I.,  90  n. 

Hardman,  E.  T.,  interesting  observa- 
tions on  similarity  of  Australian  stone 
weapons  to  those  of  Ireland,  90. 

opinion  of  unique  structure  in 

Deer  Park,  Co.  Sligo,  133. 

quoted,  144. 

Harrison,  well-known  architectural  carver, 

161. 
Hasse,  Rev.  L.,  M.R.I.A.,  on  Egyptian 

and  Irish  beads,  382. 
Hay  dock,  Joseph,  9. 
Hayman,  Rev.  Canon,  4,  5. 


534 


INDEX. 


Hayman,  B.  A.,  M.R.I.A.,  Memoir  of 
the  late  Canon,  by  Lieut.-Colonel  T. 
Lunham,  M.A.,  165. 

birth,  ordination,  marriage,  165. 

appointed  to  living,  166. 

difficulty  of  new  charge,  166. 

befitting  memorial  to,  167  n. 

remarks  on  Raleigh's  house,  167. 

publications,  character,  &c.,  168. 

services  to  Home  for  Protestant 

Incurables,  169. 

failing  health  and  death,  169. 

Hickson,  Miss,  Notes  "  On  Kerry  Topo- 
graphy," 442. 

Holed-stones,  74  to  82  (see  Index  to 
Engravings),  in  the  Co.  Carlow,  471. 

Holy  Wells  of  St.  Brigid,  522. 

of  St.  Ulstan,  524. 

Hugh  de  Lacy  and  the  Normans,  516. 

Human  skeleton,  with  bead  necklace, 
found  at  Drumcliffe,  143. 

Hutchinson,  John  Hely,  400. 

Hydrophobia  cat,  470. 

Ideas  suggested  by  the  examination  of 

the  rude  stone  monuments  of  Co.  Sligo 

and  island  of  Achill,  378. 
Illegitimacy  of  Shane  O'Neill,  453  n. 
Inauguration  of  Shane  O'Neill,  462. 
Inception  of  the  Kilkenny  Archaeological 

Society,  12. 

Inch  Island,  church  on,  448. 
Indian  dolmens,  337. 
Inisnag,  meaning  of,  9. 
In  Piani  Memoriam,  James  Graves,  8. 
Inscribed  stone  on  Almshouse  for    poor 

women  at  Naas,  185. 
Inscription  on  bells,  32  to  45. 
on  chalice,  310. 

—  on  church  plate  of  the  diocese  of 
Cashel  and  Emly. 

in  Irish,  259. 

—  remarkable,  on  memorial  slab  to 
Sir  N.  Devereux,  409. 

on  slab  in  Balsoon  churchyard,  464. 

—  on  tomb  of  Robert  Jolly,  179. 
•on  sling-stones,  360. 


Interesting  object  formed  of  baked  clay 

found  near  Portstewart,  227. 

—  primitive  churches  at  Ardilaun, 
Iron  hammers,  shape  come  down  from 

prehistoric  times,  229. 
Isle  of  Man,  coins  struck  in,  440. 
Jephson,  R.,  392  n. 

Jolly,  Robert,  inscription  on  tomb  of,  179. 
Jones,  John,  medallist,  320. 
Journal  of  Anthropological  Institute,  222  n. 
Joyce,  P.  W.,  quoted,  85,  444,  45,  46. 

remarks  by,  119  «. 

Jubainville,  255. 

Jubainville,  author  of  Le  Cycle  Mytho- 

logique    Irlandais,    et    la    Mythologie 

Celtique,  166,  478. 


Jubilee  offering  to  the  Queen,  337. 
"  Jungle  Life  in  India,"  by  V.  Ball,  M.A., 
F.R.S.,  159.    n.  416. 

Keelogyboy  mountain,  125  n. 

KeUer's  "  Lake  Dwellings,"  quoted,  244. 

KeUs  graveyard,  252. 

"  Kilkenny  Tradesmen's  Token,"  by  John 
G.  A.  Prim,  97. 

Killfountain,  443. 

Kilmalkedar,  group  of  monuments  at,  249. 

Kilmurry  church,  446. 

Kilnasaggart,  cross-inscribed  pillar-stone 
at,  110. 

Kinahan,  G.  H.,  M.R.I.A.,  on  "The 
Nevagh  Inscribed  Stones  and  other 
Antiquities,"  427. 

Kinahan,  G.  H.,  F.G.S.,  quoted,  162. 

King  of  Denmark,  engineering  plan 
suggested  by,  141. 

Kinnity  Abbey,  444. 

Kipling,  Joshua,  bellfounder  in  Ports- 
mouth, 44. 

Kitchen  middens  and  graves  in  the  Nico- 
bar  Islands,  416. 

Knife  blades,  flint,  in  Mid-Antrim  and 
other  places,  245. 

Knockatotaun,  274  n. 

Knocknarea,  earn  on,  83,  85. 

Knowles,  W.  J.,  M.R.I.A.,  on  "The  Pre- 
historic Sites  of  Portstewart,  Co.  Lon- 
donderry," 221. 

on  "  Tracked  Stones,"  497. 

ancient  Irish  beads  and  amulets, 

quoted,  383. 

quoted,  88,  112,  113,  114. 


Lake  dwellings,  416. 

Langrishe,  R.,  V.-President  R.H. A.A.I., 
on  "  Irish  Church  Bells,"  28. 

"LaPerouse,"  364. 

Last  presentment  for  killing  a  wolf,  304  n. 

will  and  testament  of  Mrs.  Anne 

Latton,  184. 

Lattins  of  Morristown,  genealogy  of,  186. 

Lattons,  family  of,  descent  in  Herald's 
office,  183. 

Leachta  Con  Mic  Ruix,  134. 

Leaden  cistern,  decorated,  404  n. 

coffins,  404  n. 

downpipes  and  their  heads,  405. 

figures  at  Danesfort  House  and 

Castle  Blunden  House,  406. 

"Leaden  Font,"  404. 

statues,  405. 

Lee,  Mr.,  392  n. 

Leeper,  Rev.  Alexander,  D.D.,  28,  30,  39, 
41. 

Legend  of  Ballygrania,  264. 

of  Bellra  strand,  256. 

of  the  black  pig,  293  n. 

of  "The  Children  of  the  Mer- 
maid," 290. 


INDEX. 


535 


Legend  of  Bruchan-a-cornia,  289  n. 

of  Dermodand  Grainne,  155. 

translated      from     the      Dinen- 

senchus,  29. 
of  the   Leinster  poet,   Nechtain, 

511. 

of  Eomra  and  Omra,  119. 

Legendary  accounts  of  the  first  battle  of 

Moytirra,  254. 
Legends  on  bells,  32  to  45. 
Letter  written    in    1665,   by  the    Rev. 

Andrew  Stewart,  329. 
Letters  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  R.  Stack- 

poole,  Edenvale,  Co.  Clare,  400. 
Lewis'  Topographical  Dictionary,  quoted, 

436. 

Lezaire  church,  440. 
Line  of  the  battle  of  Agherim,  49. 
Lios  Gallach,  446. 
Lios  Nahilla,  ib. 
List  of  churches  in  Kerry,  442. 
the  Irish  Army  at  battle  of  Aghe- 
rim, 49. 
killed  and  wounded  at  battle  of 

Agherim,  47. 

medals  by  John  Woodhouse,  190 


314 


to  208,  313,  314. 

medals   by  different  artists, 

to  323. 

plate  in  churches  in  the  diocese 

of  Cashel  and  Emly,  176. 

representatives  of  Tyrone  in  Par- 


liament, 328. 

gentry  residing  in  the  barony  of 


Navan,  521. 
Representatives  of  the  borough 

of  Navan,  521. 

Little  Landing-place,  or  Porteen,  378. 
"Little  Revenge,"  Drake's  ship,  445  n. 
Lucas,  W.  M.  D.,  coins  the  property  of, 

103. 

MacEniry,    Major,   curator  of   museum 

R.I. A. 
on  the  opening  of  a  sepulchral 

mound  near  Newcastle,  Co.  "Wicklow, 

163. 

Madstones,  470. 
Magee,  394  n. 

Mag  Tortan  and  Ubhtortan,  524 
Malachy  Melaghlin,  514. 
Manchan,  444. 
Manister  Cuinche,  334. 
Manufactory  of  flint  implements  at  Port- 

stewart,  222. 

Margaret  Purcell,  effigy  of,  162. 
Martry,  holy  well  at,  425. 
Mary  Power,  302  n. 
Matter  of  interest  connected  with  recent 

discoveries  at  Christ  Church  Cathedral, 

by  J.  G.  Robertson,  162. 
M'Carlan's,     Dr.,    Statistical     History, 

quoted,  407. 


M'Grath's  ancient  family,  301  n. 

M 'Henry,  A.,  R.I.A.,  225  n. 

Medallists  of   Ireland   and    their  work, 
Frazer,  W.,  M.D.,  313. 

Meelick,  Co.  Mayo,  496. 

St.  Grigoir,  probably  buried  there, 

ib. 

Meetings  of  the  Association,  3,  95,  215, 
347,  419. 

Megalith  in  Achill :  see  index  to  engrav- 
ings. 

Megalithic  Monuments,  88,  273,  282. 

remains  in  vicinity  of  Bundoran, 

156-158. 

Megaliths  at  Castlegal,  140. 

near  Castle  of  Ardtarmon,  140. 

near  Chaffpool,  269. 


Members  of  Committee  at  Irish  Exhibition 

in  London,  426. 
"Memoir,"    Lord    Cloncurry's,    quoted, 

187. 
Memoir  of  the  late  Richard  Caulfield, 

LL.D.,  171. 

of  the  late  Canon  Hayman,  B.A., 


165. 

Memoranda  taken  from  MS.  book  in  the 
handwriting  of  Andrew  Carmichael, 
331. 

Mermaids  (two)  caught  by  Irish  fishermen, 
291. 

Mevagh,  hamlet,  427. 
scribing,  437. 


Microlithic  monuments,  88. 

Miller,  Mrs.,  392  n. 

Milligan,    Seaton  F.,   M.R.I.A.,    Fellow, 
"  On  some  Cup-marked  Cromleacs  and 
Rath  Cave  in  Co.  Tyrone,"  526. 
quoted,  134,  135. 


Mills,  George,  English  artist,  322. 

Misgann,  Meddhbh,  84,  118. 

Mitchell,  Dr.  Arthur,  "past  and  present," 

quoted,  228. 

Mode  of  life  of  the  dwellers  on  the  sand- 
hills considered,  236. 
Modern   Meath,    the    barony   of  Navan, 

519. 
Monck-Mason's  History  of  St.  Patrick's 

Cathedral,  quoted,  36,  39,  41,  42. 
Monuments,  Rude  Stone,  52  to  60,  249  to 

269. 
Monuments  in  Island  of  Achill :  see  index 

to  engravings. 
Monumental  slab,  from  the  Isle  of  Man, 

438. 

Moore,  Thomas,  anecdotes  of,  187. 
Moore's  Diary,  quoted,  326. 
Morgan's,  Lady,  "Book  of  the  Boudoir," 

quoted,  187. 
MS.  Letters,  Ordnance  Survey,  quoted, 

119  n. 
Mulkieran,    O'Lenaghan,    mentioned    in 

Annals  of  Four  Masters,  108. 
Murphy,  John,  bell-founder,  32,  35. 


536 


INDEX. 


Murphy,  on  the  crosses  of  Tempullgeal 

and  Kilmalkedar,  252. 
Mutiny  on  the  good  ship  "  Sandwich." 

Navan,  town  of,  520. 

Narrow  escape  of  Shane  O'Neill,  456. 

Necklace  found  at  Cowlam,  389. 

New  Caledonia,  slings  much,  used  in,  364. 

Nial,  Oge  O'Neill,  454. 

Nooks  and  Corners,  by  J.  G.  A.  Prim, 

quoted,  161. 

Nordenskiold,  quoted,  229,  236,  427. 
Notes  and  Queries,  94,  210,  336,  466. 
Notes  on  ancient  Irish  architecture,  edited 

by  Miss  Stokes,  quoted,  262. 
on  memorial  slab  to  Sir  Nicholas 

Devereux  and  his  wife,  411. 

—  upon  Street   as    a    restorer — the 

discoveries  at  Christ  Church,  160. 
—  on  white  stone  in  grave,  336. 
Notice  of  a  earn,  preserved  in  the  Book 

of  Lecan,  119  n. 

Oaken  door  in  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral, 

83  «. 
Objects  of  interest  brought  from  the  Nile 

by  Mr.  Day,  112. 

O'Brien  of  Thomond,  foray  against,  458. 
O'Donel,  452. 

0' Donnelly,  of  Bally donnelly,  455. 
0' Donovan,    letter    from,    addressed    to 

General  Sir.  T.  Larcom,  quoted,  108. 
O'Falvey,  446. 
0' Gorman,  Thomas,  "  On  a  Notice  of  the 

career  of  Shane  O'Neill  (surnamed  An 

Diomais,  or  "  The  Proud"),  Prince  of 

Tirowen,  1520-1567,  449. 

-  "St.  Grigoir  of  Corkaguiny," 

by,  495. 

Oke,  William,  228. 
O'Laverty,  James,  155  n. 
"  Old  Cow,  The,"  36. 
Old  rhyme,  preserved  in  the  family  of 

Lattin,  187. 

Old  Ventry  church,  443. 
O'Melaghlins,  The,  and  the  Danes,  513. 
O'Neill,  Rev.  Canon,  P.P.,  specimen  of 

ancient  painting  exhibited  by,  348. 
O'Neill,  Shane,  449. 
Origin  of    the  saying  "by  hook  or  bv 

crook,"  212. 
0' Sheas,  446. 
"  Overend,"  97  «. 
Ovey,  reported  giant's  grave  on  Benbulbin, 

166. 

"  Paddy  the  Doctor,"  414,  471. 
"Pagan  Cemetery"  in  Achill,  371. 
Pakaha  Maori,  quoted,  365. 
Papers  read  at  meetings  of  Association 

97,  102,  218,  219,  348,  355,  483. 
Paris,  Henry,  brass  and  metal  founder, 

32,  35,  40,  45. 


Patrick,  St.,  512. 

Peculiar  fish  ornamentation    on    bronze 

brooch,  117. 

Penny,  Rev.  Alfred,  quoted,  366. 
Petrie,  Dr.,  quoted,  75,  83,  88,  125,  443, 

445. 

Pile  dwellings  in  New  Guinea,  341. 
"  Pirate,  The,"  quoted,  80. 
"  Pleasant  Boyne,"  511. 
Plunket,  Mr.,  392  n. 
Plunket,  Thomas,  M.R.I.A.,  219,  483. 
Porcine    Legends,    related    by    Hacket, 

293. 

Porteen,  or  Little  Landing-place,  378. 
Porter,  family  tomb  of,  523. 
Portico  of  St.  George's  Church,  Belfast 

332. 

Portstewart,  pits  at,  223. 
Power,  John,  of  Clashmore,  310  n. 
Power,   Eev.   Patrick,  on  Casey's  Lios, 
Ballygunnermore,  Co.  Waterford,  407. 
Pre-Christian  cists  at  Kilnasaggart,  110. 
Prehistoric  Annals,  "Wilson,  quoted,  85. 
Prendergast's  "  Cromwellian  Settlement," 

quoted,  348. 

Presentations  to  the  Library  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, 96,  474. 

to  the  Museum,  by  W.  J.  Gillespie, 

96,  97. 

to  the  Museum,  474. 


Preservation  of  "  Memorials  of  the  Dead," 

by  Colonel  Vigors,  414. 
Preservative  power  of  bogs,  307  n. 
Prim,  John  G.  A.,  14,  15,  161,  361. 
Principal    manors    of   the    Lattins,    in 

Berkshire,  183. 
Proclamation    of    high    treason    against 

Shane  O'Neill,  468. 
Punishment  of  Eochaidh,  son  of  Enna 

Connsealagh  (King  of  Leinster),  47. 
Purdues,  bell-founders,  37,  39,  41,  42. 
Pursuit  of  Dermet  and  Grania,  154  n. 

Quarterly  Meetings  of  R.H.A.  A.J.,  215, 

349,  429. 
Quartz  found  in  almost  every  interment 

at  Carrowmore,  61. 
Quartzite  pebbles,  500. 
Queen  Mab,  tomb  of,  84. 

Meddhbh,  said  to  have  been  killed 

by  a  sling-stone,  360. 
Meav,  tomb  of,  84. 


Quin  Abbey,  Co.  Clare,  334. 

Radcliffe,  394  n. 

Rath  chamber,  stone-lined  and  stone- 
roofed,  near  Dunmore,  407. 

Rath  Thronaim,  444. 

Reade,  Mrs.,  old  book  lent  by,  7. 

Redmond,  Gabriel  O'C.,  on  a  unique 
memorial  slab  to  Sir  N.  Devereux, 
408. 


INDEX. 


537 


Redmond,  reply  to  a  number  of  queries 

and  objections  referring  to  remarks  on 

the  memorial  slab  to  Sir  Nicholas  Deve- 

reux,  467. 

Sleady  Castle  and  its  tragedy,  300. 

Reigh,  The,  of  Tuathal,  508. 
Remarkable  primitive  structure   in    Co. 

Sligo,  126. 

dream  of  a  crock  of  gold,  137. 

Remarks  on  coins  by  Dr.  Frazer,  103. 
on   the    memorial    slab    to     Sir 

Nicholas  Devereux,  466. 
Removal  of  Kilkenny  museum  to  Dublin, 

discussion  on,  351. 
Reply  to  the  Address  presented  to  Her 

Majesty,  on  the  occasion  of  Her  Jubilee, 

217.     ' 
Report  for  Co.  of  Londonderry,  by  John 

Brown,  M.R.I.A,  Hon.  Local  Secretary, 

332. 

by  J.  G.  Robertson,  3. 

Rhind,  R.  H.,  on  a  "  Pict's  House,"  at 

Kettleburn,  63. 
Robertson,    J.   G.,    "On  Ancient  Lead 

Works,"  404.. 
on  Street  as  a  restorer,  the  recent 

discoveries  in  Christ  Church,  very  an- 
cient document  read  by,  6. 
Rochforts  of  Kilbride,  pedigree  of,  464. 
Roman  beads,  383. 
Roman  denarii  :  see  Transactions  R.I. A., 

1841,  106. 
Romantic  biographical  sketch  of  Robert 

Jolly,  180. 

Romra  and  Omra,  legend  of,  119. 
Rude  Stone  Monuments  in  Achill,  375, 

376. 

in  Co.  Sligo,  50. 

Rushen  church,  440. 

Salvetti    Correspondence,    extracts    from, 

339. 

"  Sandwich,"  the  good  ship,  210. 
Saul,  old  church,  252. 
Saved  from  hydrophobia,  470. 
Schoales,  394  n. 
Scott,    Rev.    Charles,    on    the   Ancient 

Precedence  of  the  See  of  Meath,  238. 
Scribbled  beads,  quoted,  383. 
Sculptured   stones  of    Scotland,   quoted, 

81. 

Seele,  Thomas,  Dean  of  St.  Patrick's,  42. 
Seggerson,  The,  or  Seckerston  family  in 

Ireland,  341. 

Shane's  camp  at  Balleghan,  460. 
Shearman's  Rev.  J.,  "LocaPatriciana," 

quoted,  444. 
Shearman,  Rev.  J.,  Pedigree  of  St.  Gri- 

goir,  by,  448. 

Sigerson,  George,  M.D.,  281  n. 
Silken  Philip,  302. 
Silver  chalice,  caused  to  be  made  by  Mary 

M'Grath,  310  n. 

4TH  SER.,  VOL.  VIII. 


Similarity  of  beads  brought  from  the  Nile 
Valley  to  those  in  Ireland,  113. 

between  Irish,  Greek,  and  Oriental 

Legends,  155. 

Sleady  castle,  deserted,  310. 

Slievemore,  369,  372,  376. 

Slings  and  handstones  used  by  the  an- 
cient Irish,  360. 

and  slingstones  in  use  amongst 


the  Greeks  and  Romans,  358. 
mentioned   by    Sir    W.    Wilde, 

O'Curry,  and  others,  360. 
Somerwick,  well  known  fine  ruin  near, 

445. 
Smith,  Owen,  Nobber,  relics  discovered  in 

a  crannog  by,  103. 
Smith,  Rev.  T.  T.,  on  the  Cree  Indians, 

441. 

Soldier's  Ford,  307  «.,  312. 
Spearhead  found  near  Tullyhogue  Fort, 

333. 
Specimen  of  ancient  printing,    exhibited 

by  Rev.  Canon  O'Neill,  P.P.,  348. 
"  Speech  of  Mr.  Theobald  Wolf e  Tone," 

Chairman  of    the    Historical   Society, 

395. 
Stackpoole,  George  William,  letters  of,  to 

his  father,  401. 
"  Standing  Stones,"  427. 
Statues,  leaden,  405. 
St.  Brendon  of  Clonfert,  444. 

Brigid,  holy  weU  of,  522. 

Columba's    font,     bullan    stone, 

332. 
"  Columbkille's  Bed,"  intheParish 

of  Gartan,  436. 

Finian's  church,  444. 

Stennis,  stone  circle  of,  80. 

Gidin,  tomb  of,  110. 

Gregory's  Sound,  448. 

Grigoir,  pedigree  of,  by  Rev.  Mr. 


Shearman,  448. 

Heidin,  tomb  of,  110. 

John  the  Baptist's  WeU,  446. 

Patrick's  Chair,  437. 

Cross,  251. 

Knee-marks,  437. 


Patrick  in  Meath,  512. 
Ultan,  524. 

holy  well,  dedicated  to,  ib. 


Stone  chisels,  Australia,  93. 

cups,  mentioned,  176. 

hatchets,  Australia,  93. 

hatchet  found  in  river  at  Ennis- 

killen,  255. 
String  of   beads,   sold  at  the  late  Mr. 

Glenny's  auction,  112  n. 


Tarmon,  monument  of  Pagan  design  at, 

110. 
Taylor,  Colonel    Meadows,    quoted,  67, 

82. 

2R 


538 


INDEX. 


Teampull  Beg,  443. 

—  Managhan,  443. 
Termon,  432. 
Thorpe,  393  w. 
Thunder,  John  M.,  notices  of  the  family 

of  Lattinby,  183. 
"The  Kingdom  of  Meath,"  by, 

507. 
Tobber  Breda,  444. 

—  Managhan,  443. 

—  Nacrosha,  447. 
Tobereendoney,  444. 

"  Tomb  of  the  Good  Woman's  Son,"  485. 

Tombs  in  India,  417. 

Tone,  Theobald  Wolfe,  391. 

Tour  in  Connaught,  by  Rev.  C.  Otway, 

quoted,  366. 
Tracings  from  the  Charter  of  Waterford, 

temp.  Richard  II.,  by  G.  V  Du  Noyer, 

217. 
Transactions  of  Kilkenny  Archaeological 

Society,  quoted,  61  n. 
Transcript  of  two  old  documents,  212. 
Trilithons,  126,  128  n. 

in  Deerpark,  Co.  Sligo,  128. 

Tuatha-de-Danann,  race  of,  85  n. 
Tubber  Molaga,  monumental  stones,  gal- 

launs,  ruined  church  and  well  at,  445. 
Tullyhogue  Fort,  spearhead  and  piece  of 

glass  found  near,  333. 
Typical  specimens  of  Cornish  barrows,  by 

W.  C.  Borlase,  F.S.A.,  quoted,  120. 
Tyrone  and  Tyrconnel,  Princes  of,  452. 
Tyrone    History,     by     J.     Carmichael- 

Ferrall,  327. 
Tummina,  ccllce  at,  107. 

Ulster,  account  of,  451. 

—  "Journal  of  Archaeology,"  quoted, 
461  n. 

Uniform  of  English  Infantry  in  1693. 

Urns,  262  to  272. 

Ussher,  Henry,  Primate,  463. 

Vandal  grand  jury,  335. 
Variety  in  the  characteristic  features  of 
^  Megaliths  in  Co.  Sligo,  380. 
Various  articles  exhibited  at  Enniskillen 

meeting, 
Vigors,  Colonel  Philip  D.,   on   "  Slings 

and  Sling  Stones,"  357. 

—  interesting  objects  of  various  kinds 
exhibited  by,  6,  348,  355. 


Vigors,  on  "  Preservation  of  Memorials  of 

the  Dead,"  414. 
on  "  An  Ancient  Grave  in  the  Co. 

Carlow,"  491. 
Vitrified  forts,  344. 

Volcanic  eruptions  and  earthquakes,  338. 
Volcanoes,  418. 
Wakeman,  W.  F.,  on  '« A  Cromleac-like 

Altar  or    Monument   at   Tumna,    Co. 

Roscommon,"  107. 

—  quoted,  141,  151,  152,  361,  363, 
438. 

—  nibbing  exhibited  by,  355. 

—  statement  by,  486. 
Walker,  R.  C.,  quoted,  83,  88. 
Westropp,  H.  M.,  quoted,  286. 
Westropp,  Thomas  J.,-  on  "A  Glimpse  of 

Trinity  College,  Dublin,  under  Provost 
Hely  Hutchinson,"  400. 

—  notes  of  the   Franciscan  Abbey, 
Manister   Cuinche,    Quin,    Co.    Clare, 
334. 

—  Paper  by,  communicated,  102. 
White,  G.  T.,  letter  contributed  by,  416. 
White,  John  Davis,    "  Some  account  of 

the  Church  Plate  of  the  Diocese  of 
Cashel  and  Emly,"  176. 

Wilde,  Sir  W.,  quoted,  367. 

Wilkinson,  S.  B.,  428. 

Wood-Martin,  Lieut. -Colonel,  M.R.I.A., 
Fellow  and  General  Sec.,  R.H.A.A.L, 
' (  The  Rude  Stone  Monuments  of  Ire- 
land," 118,  254. 

' '  On  certain  Rude  Stone  Monu- 
ments in  the  Island  of  Achill,"  367. 

numerous  relics  and  coins  ex- 
hibited by,  103. 

notice  by,  349,  389. 

—  statement  by,  98. 

Woods,  Cecil  C.,  "  The  battle  of  Agh- 
erim,"  by,  46. 

Wright,  M.A.,  Rev.  W.  Ball,  463,  "Notes 
on  the  Sepulchral  Slab  of  Sir  John 
Eliot,  in  Balsoon  graveyard." 

Wyons,  The,  distinguished  family  of  die- 
sinkers,  323. 

John,  325. 

A.  B.,  ib. 

Yengen  river,  manufacture  of  sling-stones 
on  the  bank  of,  363. 

Zodiac  Ring,  355. 


END  OF  VOL.  VIII. 


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