1 68 The Irish Naturalist September, 



DUBLIN NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



July 18-20.— Excursion to Sugo.— The long excursion of the Club 

 was held this session in Sligo from the iSth to 20th July, inclusive, and 

 was conducted by Mr. Seymour. During the whole of the time spent in 

 the locality the weather was practically perfect, which fact contributed 

 in no small degree towards making the excursion one of the most suc- 

 cessful and enjoyable held by the Club for some time. Some fifteen 

 members and visitors left Broadstone Terminus on the morning of the 

 iSth July, and reached Sligo about 2 p.m. After lunch the party, re- 

 inforced by some members of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, left 

 the Imperial Hotel in a four-horse drag and drove to Carrowmore, the 

 Carnac of Ireland. About an hour was spent in examining, both inter- 

 nally and externally, the numerous pre-historic monuments here, which 

 are believed to mark the site of a desperate battle fought about 30 B.C., 

 and resulting in the final expulsion of the Firbolgs from Ireland. After- 

 wards the drive was continued to Kuocknarea Glen, a remarkable deep 

 cleft, about half a mile long, in Carboniferous limestone, and full of trees 

 and luxuriant ferns. From here five of the more active members of the 

 party set off to climb Kuocknarea, the remainder exploring the Glen 

 and afterwards driving round to Strandhill. When near the summit 

 1,078 feet) of the hill a dense fog came down, and completely obscured 

 the view of the country from the mountaineers — who, nevertheless, went 

 on to the top of the gigantic earn, marking the reputed burial place of 

 Maev, Queen of Connaught. After a short rest there they came down 

 again to Strandhill, and, joining the rest of the party, drove back to Sligo, 

 which was reached about 8 p.m. 



On the next morning, the weather being delightfully fine, in spite of 

 the deluges of rain during the night, the party left at 9 o'clock, and drove 

 to Drumcliff, where a short time was spent examining the sculptured 

 stone cross and the incomplete round tower in the vicinity. Thence on 

 to the foot of the steep southern slope of Ben Bulben (1,722 feet). 

 Leaving the drag the party commenced the ascent of the mountain, 

 going in an easterly direction towards King's Mountain (over 1,500 feet), 

 this summit being reached by fourteen members — who were rewarded 

 with a truly magnificent view of the surrounding country. A few went 

 on a little further to the east to get a glimp.se of Gleiicar Lake, which 

 they were presentlj* to explore. 



All then descended through a rocky gorge cut by a stream in the 

 mountain side, and getting on the drag again drove to Glencar Lodge — 

 occupied by Mr. Siberry, the gamekeeper on the Wynne testate. Here, 

 in a most charming situation, lunch was served by the hospitable house- 

 hold, to which the members did ample justice. 



After lunch the party visited the beautiful and picturesque Glencar 

 Waterfall, and spent some hours collecting in the vicinity of the lake. 

 The return journey was commenced at 5.30, Sligo being reached at 7 

 o'clock. The members proceeded at once to Sligo Abbey, where the 

 chief items of interest were pointed out and explained by the resident 

 caretaker. 



