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Drane—On Quin Abbey. 201 
XXXIV.—On Quin Asser. By THomas Newrennam Deane, M.A., 
R.H.A. (With Plate XIII.) 
[Read, January 23, 1882. | 
Iy offering the following Notes on the Architecture of Irish Buildings, 
and Quin Abbey in particular, I trust the Academy will make allow- 
ance, not only for my shortcomings as an archeologist, but also for the 
cursory nature of my remarks with reference to particular buildings. 
Many of you may not be aware that it is only since the passing of 
the Act which disestablished the Irish Church, that a fund was set 
aside for the maintenance of certain buildings, which otherwise would 
have been in a more derelict condition than before. At first these 
ruins numbered but eighteen; they have since been increased to one 
hundred and thirty-six, amongst which are some of the most interest- 
ing relics of antiquity in Ireland. Itis even now a matter of regret 
that many others have not been included in the list, and that the 
movement so happily set on foot to rescue from ruin the faithful his- 
tory of the past, as set forth in Ireland’s ancient buildings, is curtailed 
both as regards funds and also other limitations. 
The modus operand: with regard to repairs is as follows :—No con- 
tractor is employed ; no palpable restoration is made; nothing is done 
to a building which involves speculation as to design; maintenance in 
the strictest sense of the word regulates the operations; earth and 
accumulated debris is excavated, affording in many instances most 
interesting results, not only as to the original plan of buildings, but 
also sure finds of cut stone connected with the building in question. 
The study of a building under such circumstances is most interest- 
ing—its whole story told, its various phases of restoration laid bare, 
its vicissitudes of sorrow and prosperity set forth, and the changing 
customs of its occupants identified. 
It would be useless in a short Paper like this to enter into the 
vexed questions of archeology. At the same time I would draw your 
attention to a few convictions which have been strongly forced upon 
my mind. First, I have little or no doubt of the Christian origin of 
the Round Towers. No one can examine the masonry of the Tower of 
Kilmacduagh, and compare it with the masonry of the end of the large 
church near to it, without coming to the conclusion that both are 
identical as to date, and are probably built by the same hands. I 
would draw attention to the Report of 1880, which lies on your table, 
showing a section of this Round Tower, and the very curious discovery 
of bones and other debris found within it. 
I am also of opinion that the various styles of Gothic architecture, 
as developed in England, arrived later, and were practised longer in 
Ireland. Also, whereas we find Romanesque work as fine, if not finer, 
R. I. A. PROC., SER. II, VOL. I1.—POL. LIT. AND ANTIQ. Z 
