XXX1X 
of this bridge were rather under the land, on the north side of the 
river, as though the latter had slightly changed its course. 
“Tt may at first appear strange that so slight a covering as one 
foot was over these swords, considering the length of time they 
must have lain there; but it must be remembered that they were 
found lying on the hard gravel ford, where deposit of loose mat- 
ter very seldom takes place. 
‘* The edges of the bronze swords are now a good deal hacked ; 
this was not the case when they were found ; their edges were then 
quite even and sharp. They were hacked by the men and others 
- before they came into my possession. The longest of the bronze 
swords had the rivets in the handle when they were found ; they 
- fell out, and were lost. 
**In two of these swords the handle and blade formed one cast- 
ing; in the other two the handles are attached. I do not think the 
process of attaching the handles can be called welding, for there ap- 
pears to have been no fusion of the metal. It appears to have been 
effected by inserting the blade in a slit in the handle, and then 
beating the sides of the handle over the blade. In one case the 
roughness appears to have been filed or ground off. The edges are 
beautifully formed, and very hard. It is now generally believed 
_ that this fine hard edge was given by cold hammering. 
** Believing these swords to be of greater antiquity than the pe- 
riod of the Danes’ invasion, or that of the general use of iron, I 
doubted the fact of the bronze and iron weapons being found 
together, but the men were positive about it. Still considering 
their being found at a ford, and the many engagements that have 
taken place at various periods in this part of the country, it is 
yet doubtful whether they were dropped in the Nore at the same 
time. 
“‘ The skein or knife, No. 9, and the skull, No. 10, were found - 
close together, in the townland of Clashnamuck, in the old river, 
about quarter of a mile above Kildrinagh Ford. 
‘«The spear-head, No. 11, and the iron helmet, No. 12, were 
found in the same townland, in the bed of the old river, in mud, 
about three feet below the surface of the land. i 
“The spear-head, No. 16, was got in the bed of the river, under 
the mail-coach road bridge, in loose gravel and mud. The Nore 
did not occupy this position in former times ; its course was altered 
when the present road was made. 
