248 The Irish Natiiralist. November, 1908. 



September 4th, there was a special performance of Irish pla3^s 

 at the Abbey Theatre, and Messrs. Jacob entertained a large 

 part}' at their biscnit factor}'. Two semi-private parties were 

 given the same afternoon, 200 members being invited by the 

 Royal Astronomer and Mrs. Whitaker to the observatory' and 

 gardens of Dunsink, and another 200 b}' Dean and Mrs. 

 Bernard to the historic close of St. Patrick's Cathedral. 



Saturda}', September 5th, was the day for excursions. The 

 special excursions organized by the various natural history 

 sections have already been mentioned. The official outings 

 were mainly of antiquarian interest. Among the places visited 

 were (1) the Boyne Valley (including New Grange, Mellifont 

 and Monasterboice) ; (2) the Devil's Glen and Glendalough, 

 Co. Wicklow ; (3) Killaloe and lyOugh Derg ; (4) Athlone 

 and Clonmacnoise ; (5) the Rock of Cashel and H0I3' Cross ; 

 (6) the Dargle and Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow. On the last 

 named excursion the party were kindh^ entertained on their 

 return journey by the Earl and Countess of Meath at Kil- 

 ruddery. The Dean of Clonmacnoise both guided and 

 entertained the Athlone part}-. The weather was fair if 

 somewhat dull. For members who stayed in town, the 

 Council and Principal of Alexandra College gave an aftenioon 

 reception, and the Classical Association of Ireland, provided 

 a most interesting evening conversazione. 



On the afternoon of Monday, 7th September, a very large 

 garden party was given by Lord and Lady Ardilaun at St. 

 Anne's, Clontarf, while on Tuesday, 8th, the local committee 

 entertained over 2,000 guests at the Zoological Gardens. In 

 the evening there was another special performance of Irish 

 plays at the Abbey Theatre, and a brilliant reception by Lord 

 and Lady Iveagh at St. Stephen's Green, where^ in spite of the 

 very wet weather, the invited guests enjo\'ed themselves 

 thoroughly. On Wednesday, September 9th, the Lord Lieu- 

 tenant and Lady Aberdeen gave the closing entertainment 

 — a garden party at the Viceregal Lodge. Fortunately the 

 weather cleared up just in time for this gathering, and the 

 guests enjoyed a fine if cool afternoon in the beautiful grounds. 

 Here scientific friends met for a parting chat, to talk over the 

 work and pleasure of the meeting, and to express hopes for a 

 reunion at Winnipeg in 1909. , .., 



