238 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



and bearing fruit which for size and flavour might rival the garden 

 form. The geological features of this remarkable district proved 

 interesting also, particularly an outcrop of the primary limestone 

 in contiguity with the trap rock, and assuming a metamorphic 

 character. During their inspection of the waterfall of Lignapeiste, 

 which name implies in the Celtic tongue " the den or cave of the 

 monster," the party were entertained by some of the natives re- 

 lating to them the traditions of St. Muiredach O'Heney, who 

 confined to that spot, and bound beneath its waters, a savage 

 beast or serpent which infested the glen, by first becoming fami- 

 liarly acquainted with the monster, and then by way of civility 

 placing three rushes on its head. These glens are still inhabited 

 by an aboriginal Irish-speaking race, among whom such traditions 

 are preserved in abundance ; and, as report has it, the poems of 

 Ossian are here recited to this day in their original Gaelic lan- 

 guage. 



On their return journey to Limavady, the excursionists visited 

 a very remarkable kist-vaen, and afterwards the ruins of the an- 

 cient church of Banagher, which, with the adjoining building — 

 both partly cyclopean in their structure — are amongst the most 

 interesting ecclesiastical remains in Ulster. The latter was un- 

 questionably a place of residence, most worthy of the chief pastor 

 of the district ; and in the graveyard annexed an ancient burial- 

 place and tomb are shown, said to be that of St. O'Heney. These 

 ecclesiastical remains date, as to their origin, from the fifth century, 

 and are extremely interesting. Notwithstanding the increasing 

 inclemency of the evening, some of the party visited, before leav- 

 ing Dungiven, its ancient church, which stands about a mile from 

 the town. This structure is of 12th century date, and contains 

 an altar tomb, with superincumbent effigy of one of the chieftains, 

 probably the last of the O'Cahan family. The eastern gable still 

 stands, and through the laudable exertions of Canon Ross, some 

 of the stone mullions of its windows, the walls of the nave, and 

 other parts of the ancient structure have been preserved from 



