1917- Irish Societies. 167 



July 28. — Excursion to Downpatrick. — Thirty members and friends 

 travelled by the 10.50 a.m. train to Downpatrick. W. B. Burro wes 

 and R. May were the conductors. A pleasant walk of two miles brought 

 the party to St. Patrick's Holy Wells at Struell, once a famous resort 

 of pilgrims. A clear stream which flows down a little valley supplies 

 the water. Wells have been dug along its course and covered in with 

 stone-built huts. Utter neglect is now a prominent feature of the historic 

 spot. A walk of one mile further brought the party to Sleive-na-Griddle, 

 414 feet in height. On the summit a cromleac formerly existed ; all 

 that now remains is the top stone. On the return to Downpatrick an 

 excellent tea was served in the Down Hunt Hotel, after which a short 

 business meeting was held. F. A. Heron presided, when two new members 

 were elected. 



August ii. — Excursion to ^iIagheramorne. — A party of sixty 

 members travelled thither, under the conductorship of A. M'l. Cleland. 

 On reaching Magheramorne station the members were met by the manager 

 (Mr. F. W. Davis) of the British Portland Cement manufacturers, and by 

 him and his assistants conducted through these very important local 

 works. From the works the party adjourned to the quarries, when the 

 conductor gave a brief address on the principal geological features of the 

 rock sections here seen. As the quarry has been in continuous work 

 for the past hundred years, and as its lowest workings are now below 

 sea-level, it affords an excellent practical demonstration of the geology 

 of the district. The party next passed down to the shore to inspect an 

 artifical and modern raised beach, caused by the tipping of quarr}^- 

 rubbish upon the soft surface of the estuarine clays which have thus been 

 pushed well above high-water mark, disclosing countless remains of oysters 

 and other molluscs. The members afterwards visited ^lagheramorne Glen, 

 kindly thrown open to them by the Hon. Miss M'Garel-Hogg and Lady 

 Evelvn Baring. This proved to be an enjoyable part of the day's 

 proceedings, the botanists meeting with a full reward, the principal find 

 being a beautiful growth of Viper's Bugloss {Echiiim vulgare). 



August 25. — Excursion to Ballinderry. — Travelling in brakes, the 

 party halted at " Jeremy Taylor's Church," After inspecting the church 

 the members drove to Lower Ballinderry corner, whence a walk of about 

 half a mile led to the ruins of the old church of Portmore. Here the 

 members scattered to follow their various pursuits till four o'clock, when 

 tea was served in the schoolroom. Afterwards a business meeting was 

 held, at which A. M'L Cleland announced that the average attendance 

 at the excursions during the season had been about fifty. On the return 

 journey the Tansey Road was taken through Killultagh and past Stoneyford 

 to Castle Robin, where a fifteen minutes' halt was allowed. From here 

 the party admired the Lagan Valley spread beneath them, whilst 

 inspecting the somewhat meagre ruins of the castle. The drive to 

 Belfast was then resumed. 



