Browne — The Ethnography of Clare Inland and IninJiturlc. 41 



that of Ballycroy, and might he considered as fairly representative of 

 the people of South Mayo, another reason influencing the decision was 

 the recent acquisition of Clare Island hy the Congested Districts 

 Board, and the changes in customs and modes of life to be ap^Drehended 

 from the improvements introduced, so that it became imperative that 

 this district should be surveyed at once, if it was ever to be success- 

 fully attempted at all. One of the principles observed in choosing a 

 district for survey is, that localities in which any great change is 

 likely to occur soon should be chosen in preference to those in which 

 the condition of affairs is more settled. In this instance there was 

 especial need of promptness, as the changes had already begun, and 

 have by now advanced so far that much of what is said in this report 

 relative to the dwellings and mode of life of the people is now a record 

 of the past. 



II. — Physiogeaphy. 



The two islands dealt with in this report lie outside Clew Bay, at 

 a distance of about 18 to 20 miles from "Westport, and about 6 miles 

 from Louisburg, the nearest post town. Clare Island is much the 

 larger of the two, having an area of 3959 acres. Its greatest length 

 is about 6 miles, and it varies in breadth from 1 mile to 3 miles. 

 The coast line all round is high and rocky, except at one place, the 

 bay above which the castle is situated, where there is a stretch of 

 strand backed by a few sandhills. All the rest of the coast is so high 

 and rugged that there are only two other landing places, and these 

 would be of little use if not artificially improved. The cliffs on the 

 east side are low, ranging from 20 to 100 feet above sea-level, and 

 pierced by coves, natural bridges, and caves; but on the north and 

 west they are bold and rugged, rising like a wall from the sea, and 

 attaining at Knockmore, on the west side, an altitude of 1520 feet. 

 The surface is much varied, rising in places into high hills, covered 

 with a thin layer of peat ; most of the western half of the island is 

 thus composed of hill and moor, and is used as a commonage. The 

 lower lying part of the island and the central valley are fertile ; and 

 it is here that the main part of the population centres. Altogether 

 there are about 1000 acres of arable land; all the rest is moor and 

 mountain. There are several small rivulets among the hills. The 

 rock of the island is sandstone conglomerate at the east end, but else- 

 where it is mainly slate. 



Inishturk, which lies four miles and a-half to the south-west of 

 Clare Island, is much smaller, its greatest length being 2|- miles, and 

 its breadth 1 mile. Its coast is very rugged and rocky, and there are 



