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



rare moss, Orthotrichum Sprucely was found to be plentiful and in 

 good fruit on several trees close to the bridge. This is the spot 

 at which this well-marked, though minute, moss was discovered by 

 Mr. Davies List year, and is the only locality in Ireland where it 

 is known to occur. The neat and tasteful Church at Drum was 

 thrown open for inspection, and was visited by the party. The 

 churchyard contains several tombstones with inscriptions of early 

 dates. 



A drive of two miles southward brought the party to "The 

 Court," where there are still to be seen some remains connected 

 with the ancient seat of the Downshire family. The walls are, 

 however, yielding to the irresistable influence of time, and the 

 frosts of last winter have been fatal to some of the old bastions. 

 The Celandine ( Chelidonium majus) grows abundantly at these 

 ruins. The Court is one of the places where King William III. is 

 said to have stayed on his passage through this part of Ireland — 

 an incident of which its name, " The Court," still perpetuates the 

 memory. 



Tullyard (the high hill), lying more than a mile to the south- 

 east, was the next place visited. This being the highest ground 

 in the neighbourhood, affords a very extensive view, well repaying 

 the toil of the ascent; but the principal object of interest in this 

 place is the old Fort, some traces of which still remain. The 

 structure is to a great extent demolished, and the site partly in 

 crop ; however, the greater portion of the central ' ' lis " is still 

 intact, and though the remains are much obscured, yet the stones 

 found in a vitrified or slaggy state are sufficient to attest that this 

 was one of those structures, so rare in this country, which are 

 known as vitrified forts. Though no portions of the stonework are 

 now visible in situ, yet such were to be seen within a compara- 

 tively recent period. 



From Tullyard, the party were conveyed to Drumbo. where they 

 had an opportunity of inspecting the well-known Round Tower. 



