-1876-1877.] 233 



his kindness in giving the party an opportunity of inspecting these 

 interesting works of art. 



Resuming their seats upon the conveyances, the party drove 

 off to the Museum of the Natural History Society. The building, 

 in addition to containing a valuable series of natural history 

 collections, has a library containing the most recent scientific 

 works; a reading-room, in which are the current scientific periodi- 

 cals ; a lecture and committee rooms, &c. The society is one of 

 the oldest of its class in Ireland, having been established in 1839, 

 and numbers among its members many celebrated in scientific 

 pursuits. It was intended to visit the observatory, in which so 

 many valuable astronomical observations have been made by the 

 venerable Dr. Romney Robinson and his staff of assistants ; but 

 time did not admit of such being done, and the party proceeded 

 to the Cathedral. 



The site of the present Cathedral Church of Armagh has been 

 occupied by ecclesiastical buildings since the time of St. Patrick, 

 but at what time the present edifice was erected seems to be a 

 matter of uncertainty. The Church has been so often repaired 

 and improved, it is probable that but little of the original structure 

 remains. Its present appearance is due to the liberality of the 

 late Primate, Lord John George Beresford, who furnished the 

 requisite funds for the complete repair of the Cathedral — a work 

 which was commenced on 21st May, 1834. A short time was 

 spent in the examination of the interior of the building, the 

 magnificent stained glass windows, and the many interesting 

 monuments ; among the latter we may specially refer to that by 

 Roubiliac, in memory of Sir Thomas Molyneux, M.D.; that by 

 Rysbach, in memory of Dean Drelincourt j and the bust of Primate 

 Robinson, by Nollekins. The tower was then ascended, and a 

 magnificent view of the sorrounding country rewarded those who 

 had undertaken the labour of reaching the roof. Descending 

 again to the Church, the party had the pleasure of attending an 

 organ recital by Dr. Marks, who kindly attended specially for the 



