68 LOUGH DERG — KILLALOE. 



consequence has been a mass of pauperism, now over- 

 spreading the better part of the surrounding country, 

 and threatening eventually to absorb the entire produce 

 of the land embraced in this union. 



The banks of Lough Derg are generally fertile and 

 picturesque, there being many very eligible estates and 

 farms in the extensive district between Portumna and 

 Killaloe. A steamer plies regularly on the lake. From 

 Tomgraney the road passes over a comparatively ele- 

 vated district, between which and the Lough lies much 

 improvable land, which is at present in a very neglected 

 state. Descending the hill near Tinerana, the eye 

 rests with pleasure on the neatly laid out and well-cul- 

 tivated fields, interspersed with the woods, surrounding 

 the mansion-house of that name, and stretching down 

 to the margin of the lake. Winding along its shores, 

 the road affords many beautiful views to the traveller 

 of the fertile lands of Tipperary, rising from the oppo- 

 site side of the lake, up the green slopes of the Arra 

 mountains, beyond which may be also seen the tops of 

 the Silvermine and Keeper. Near Killaloe stands an 

 old fort, beautifully situated on a green mound com- 

 manding the entrance into Lough Derg, which is here 

 gradually narrowed into the bed of the Shannon. 



Proceeding southwards from Killaloe, the land 

 on the road-side is generally inferior as far as 

 O'Brien's Bridge, where, crossing the broad and beau- 

 tiful river, you enter the county of Limerick. Along 

 this fertile valley, the country is now rich and well 

 wooded ; the frowning ruins of ancient castles, and the 

 "shining morning face" of modern mansions, equally 



