1879-1880. 393 



be oftener inserted in the Annual Programme of Excursions. 

 Hence, as on former trips, a fair muster of members and friends 

 assembled at the Northern Counties terminus, in time to start by 

 the 9-30 a.m. train to Larne. After a run of little over an hour, 

 passing on the way the ancient town of Carrickfergus and several 

 points of historic interest, Larne was reached, and all were soon 

 comfortably seated in excellent vehicles. Larne is early men- 

 tioned under various names in Irish history \ and so far back as 

 the 1 2th century we read of an expedition by sea, under Aodh 

 O'Neill, attacking it, and burning the greater part of the town. 

 Edward Bruce landed here in 13 15, and most probably occupied 

 Olderfleet Castle, the rugged old ruins of which contrast so strongly 

 with the handsome hotels, modern buildings, and improvements 

 that are springing up so rapidly around it. 



Leaving Larne, an extended view of the day's route is seen 

 from above Waterloo, headland beyond headland being beautifully 

 shown in diminishing distinctness. Round these, and following 

 the line of the many bays which they enclose, lies our road, which 

 is seldom more than a stone's throw from the sea, and frequently 

 overhanging it. On the shore at this place are perhaps the best 

 sections of the Lias deposits in Ireland, rising as they do to a 

 height of nearly a hundred feet, and stretching beyond low-water 

 mark. Many of the beds are highly fossiliferous, and frequently, 

 after in-blowing gales, good specimens from various zones may be 

 found washed out on the beach. No halt, however, was made till 

 Ballygalley Head was reached, where the same deposit is again 

 seen, and specimens containing lignite, &c, were obtained. 

 Cairncastle, on an insulated outlier of basalt at this point, is a relic 

 of a bygone time of strife and insecurity. Little now remains of 

 it but the foundation walls, and its history is rather obscure. It 

 gives name, however, to the parish, which stretches for several 

 miles along the coast. The bold cliff-line of the coast, which may 

 be said to begin at Knock Dhu — 1,262 feet— some distance 



