I902. The British Association in Belfast. 295 



Nkwcastlk. — After a hitch in starting, the party took the 

 ordinary train. The delay in getting to Newcastle by rail 

 caused some confusion, and the programme was not carried 

 out as arranged. The botanical members unfortunately 

 separated from their companions, to the disadvantage of all. 

 The main body, under the guidance of the conductors, entered 

 Tollymore Park, and having explored the woods and beautiful 

 stream, drove on to Castlewellan, and through the grounds of 

 the Castle back to Newcastle. After lunch the party scat- 

 tered, many visiting the grounds of Donard I^odge; an evening 

 train brought them back to Belfast. Messrs. Geo. Gray, M.D., 

 W. H. Phillips, and J. H. Davies acted as conductors during 

 the day. 



RosTREvOR AND Cari^ingford. — Conductors, Rev. Canon 



Lett and H. Barcroft. The party, on arrival at Rostrevor, 



visited the ancient sculptured Celtic cross in the churchyard 



of Kilbrone3% and the celebrated Cloughmore, or " big stone," 



which is a very large erratic boulder of granite resting on the 



slate rocks. In the afternoon Carlingford was reached by 



sea, and an inspection made of King John's Castle, erected in 



1210: the parish church, w^hich has a castellated tower the 



walls of which are seven feet thick ; the well-preserved small 



tholsel house, w^hich spans one of the streets; the ivy-clad 



ruins of the abbey for Dominicans, founded in 1305, under 



the dedication of St. Malachy, by Richard de lyacy, Earl of 



Ulster; and two fine castellated mansions, both going sadly 



fast to decay, one of which is locally known as " the mint." A 



most enjoyable day was spent, everything on the programme 



being carried through without the slightest hitch. 



Vai.i.e:y of the Boyne.— Conductors : Rev. Alexander Hall 

 and Seaton F. Milligan.— The 7.30 morning train took a large 

 party to Drogheda, whence they drove to the famous chambered 

 tumulus of New Grange, which was specially lit by electricity 

 by Messrs. Coates of Belfast. After a hurried visit, during 

 which very light refreshments wxre served, the drive was 

 resumed through the demesne of Townley Hall 10 Mellifont 

 Abbe}^ and thence to Monasterboice, where the round tower, 

 sculptured crosses, &c., were examined. A late arrival in 

 Drogheda left but little time for dinner, and the 6.30 train was 

 taken to Belfast. 



