420 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



and returning to top or third platform. E, in north-west, is a double 

 flight, beginning in the first platform, and leading to 10 feet or second 

 platform. The original steps are irregular in dimensions, and though 

 they increase in size as they ascend, their measurements are variable. 



It is in the highest degree probable that the single flight of steps 

 on the north side of the entrance did not stop till it overreached the 

 doorway to the second platform. While carefully removing the stones 

 from this point we could discover no signs of an intermediate platform. 

 If there had been one, it would, through the crevices of the uncemented 

 masonry, however well built, have admitted cold, wind and rain to 

 the gallery. Keeping this in view, and working from analogy, we 

 decided to carry our second platform over the door-head. This con- 

 clusion was further strengthened by the fact that the interior wall 

 flanking the southern gallery exhibited here and there remains of the 

 old masonry running in a direct course from the foundation beyond a 



5 feet platform. Some of these in the original position, to the right 

 and left of the double flight of steps in the south-east (B), can be seen, 

 being indicated by tar, and they led us on till we came to the beginning 

 of the original platform at double flight of steps (C) south-west. 

 Having with much patience and anxiety carefully removed the stones, 

 we were able to map it out as extending on the westerly side for about 

 120 feet in length. It averages 5 feet high, in some parts 3 feet wide, 

 but it varies in width. In the diminished thickness of the interior of 

 the wall, leading from this platform, and looking out exactly towards 

 the mouth of Lough Swilly, we came on five steps ; they were very 

 fairly in position — three on one side, and two on the other. In this 

 spot, as well as more to the west, the glacis on the inside and outside 

 protected well the diminished wall. It was, however, much broken 

 down, only a trace of it here and there, and but for the very careful 

 manner in which those men removed the stones, we could not 

 possibly have found out the steps, the beginning and ending of the 

 original platform. No doubt, as those steps led us to infer, there were 

 other platforms, and as the system of appearances in the flights of 

 steps is similar, we reasonably supposed, having for our only guide the 

 vestige of the platform brought to light, that the arrangements of all 

 the platforms were similar. Thus we commenced another, keeping 

 in view the dimensions of our discovery, only that instead of stopping 

 at any point, we carried it round the entire circumference. Having got 

 so far, we calculated the quantity of stones now on the ground, and 

 with due regard to this fact, as well as to dimensions and symmetry, 

 we laid down the uppermost, 3 feet 6 inches above the intermediate, 

 also carrying it uninterruptedly round the entire structure. From its 

 greater width eastward, it is designated the grand platform. "With 

 the remnant of stones, together with the 700 or 800 collected, and the 

 181 coping-stones, we were able to erect a parapet wall the same 

 height as the uppermost platform from the intermediate, i. e., 3 feet 



6 inches, and 2 feet wide at top — thus binding the whole into a com- 

 plete unity. 



