1869.] of and around Lough Gur. 395 



It consists of a wall iu some portions about 4 feet in height 

 and about 1 1 feet in thickness, comjiosed of large masses of rock laid 

 regularly one upon the other, and in the interior backed uj) by a 

 great accumulation of smaller broken flagments of limestone ; the 

 latter being probably designed to produce a level surface immediately 

 within the "wall. The other cu-cular erection, which is only a short 

 distance from the one just alluded to, has a diameter of 138 feet, 

 and is in a less perfect state. 



These circular erections of stone, which occur on the hill-tops over- 

 looking Lough Gur, have no mortar in connection with them. They 

 appear to have been of the same character as the Staigne Fort in the 

 Co. Kerry, and they probably formed strongholds. The positions in 

 which they have been placed near Lough Gur have great natural capa- 

 bihties for defence, and aflFord views over a large tract of country. 



Although the race which erected the circular stone strongholds 

 seems to have had no knowledge of the use of mortar, the builders 

 of these strongholds appear to be referable to a period more recent 

 than the constructers of the circles and other sepulchral remains 

 which have been previously referred to. 



Besides the numerous pre-historic remains which occur in the 

 neighboiurhood of Lough Gur, the lake itself also affords objects of 

 antiquity of a similar character. Around Garrets Island, which is 

 near the centre of the lake, and particularly towards its southern 

 side, are to be seen many upright piles, especially when the surface 

 of the lake is low. Garrets Island itself seems to be an artificial 

 production, for the surface of it, which is only sHghtly elevated 

 above that of the lake, is made up of broken fragments of rock, and 

 these fragments are likewise seen extending from its shores into the 

 water of the lake. Previous to the lowering of the lake's surface, 

 wliich took place about thirty years ago, a large part of this island 

 was under water ; the only portion at that time visible was occupied 

 by the ruins of a small castle or tower, which had probably been 

 built by one of the Earls of Desmond, It is doubtful whether even 

 this portion is not an artificial production ; but in consequence of 

 the rubbish from the fallen walls of this building, the surface which 

 supports it cannot be seen, and there are circumstances connected 

 with it which lead to the conclusion that it is not a natural surface. 



At the time when the level of the lake was lowered, and the 

 area of the island increased, the land laid bare was found to be 

 covered wth an enormous accumulation of bones. More than a 

 hundred cart-loads of these bones were removed and sold to the 

 dealers in such articles. For many years subsequent to the lowering 

 of the surface of the lake, this spot continued to be a very prohfic 

 source of bones, for during the potato famine, the poor of the town 

 of Bruft', when the water was low, obtained a scanty livelihood by 

 collecting and selhng bones from this locality. 



VOL. VI. 2 E 



