46 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



in Ireland (1879-80), p. 75, in a note on "Dun Aengiis," says : — "I carefully 

 examined the fort, and although many stones may be put into the walls to 

 prevent further ruin, little more can be done towards its preservation." 

 The Superintendent suggests stopping boys from rabbit-hunting, insertion of 

 stones in gaps, and building up dry stone buttresses where the walls overhang. 

 It is evident that the building of the level tops and of ranges of terraces 

 was never contemplated by him. No money was expended at that time [see 

 p. 51]. 



The sum of £591 2s. Id. was laid out in works on the Aranmore 

 National Monuments (under 32 & 33 Viet. c. 42) in 188-4-5 (Appendix 

 to the 53rd Eeport, p. 55). No detailed account appears, nor is Aran 

 mentioned in the brief section, pp. 29, 30. In the Eeport, 1885-6, only 

 mention is made on p. 53 of an expenditure of £11 7s. 9d. for work on 

 North Aran; while for these and many subsequent years, complete silence 

 prevails as to the extent and character of the works done on the Ancient 

 MoDuments. It is hardly wonderful that distrust and hostile (at times 

 unfair) criticism prevaUed among antiquaries and others. 



These, so far as I have been able to ascertain, are the records of one of 

 the most remarkable and fascinating of the ancient fortresses of Ireland.' 



' I must acknovlrdge mr indrbie^JneM to ihoae »ho helped me on the subject in vniious ways — 

 nvnirl}. my Ute brother, K«lph Hugh Westropp, the late Dr. W. Stacpoole Westropp, Miss G. C. 

 Siupoole, Miss Xerillr, and H^t. E. U(>gaji, ^J. ; and in phutognphy, lh« Ute Mrs. Shackleton of 

 Lutan, and Dr. George Pogeitj, K.x. Also, as alnady noted, to Heisrs. George Bell ic. Sona for 

 permiasioD to reproduce tvo photogiapha. 



