I 8 [Proc. B.N.F.C.; 



most valuable objects of ancient art found in the North of Ireland ; 

 while Antrim alone is the great collecting-ground for English 

 antiquarians, and furnishes the very choicest specimens of Irish 

 antiquities in almost every good collection ; indeed, the earnestness 

 with which they are sought for, and the high prices they command, 

 has created a regular trade in forged objects, many of which are 

 purchased as rapidly as genuine articles by those who do not know 

 better. Valuable collections like Mr. Benn's are not made in a 

 day, and should have a permanent place in one of our museums, 

 where they could be referred to with interest and profit. In 

 addition to making this collection, Mr. Benn has done no small 

 service in developing the mineral resources of his locality, par- 

 ticularly the iron mines, daily growing in importance, and changing 

 the aspect of the country. 



The Antrim iron ores were well known to writers for a very long 

 time, but no steps were taken to apply that knowledge to any 

 practical purpose until a very few years ago. Indications of iron 

 were common on the slopes of the hills around Gleniavel ; but as 

 it required the investment of some capital to open up the beds and 

 show their nature and extent, speculators were deterred, until Mr. 

 Benn proved the mines by an outlay of six shillings ! The result was 

 very promising, and Mr. Benn — fortunately becoming acquainted 

 with Mr. Fisher, who had a practical knowledge of iron mining — 

 granted that gentleman permission to work the mines for a short 

 period, after November, 1866, at a nominal rent of ;£io. This 

 was the modest commencement of the iron mines of the Glenravel 

 district, which at this moment yield large revenues to the fortunate 

 landlords, and engage the energies of several mining companies, who 

 are spending thousands of pounds in the locality, and giving constant 

 employment at remunerative wages to several hundred miners; 

 and hence, the mountain slopes from Glenravel to Red Bay, 

 formerly seldom visited except by the sportsman, are now burrowed 

 with mines, and alive with busy groups of industrious workmen ; 

 trams, waggons, and machinery are active on every side, and vast 

 quantities of the red ore is transported daily to the shipping port 



