i879-i88a] 395 



outline and colouring. Garron Tower is an extensive castellated 

 building, built for the most part of the basalt of the district. It is 

 situated on a level piece of ground, about midway between the 

 sea-level and the higher cliff-line, and commands an extensive 

 view of the coast, both north and south. Art has done much to 

 enhance the beauty of the site by forming terraced walks, gardens, 

 and lawns ; but to Nature must be accredited the giant share of 

 making the spot so attractive. The point upon which the Castle 

 stands, when viewed on either side from the coast road, shows 

 indisputably that it has at some period — distant, perhaps, even 

 geologically speaking — slipped down from the higher ground 

 above. Leaving the Castle grounds, by a road cut through the 

 rock to the northward, the coastline is again soon reached, and 

 shortly after the wide extent of Glenariffe opens to view. The 

 southern side of this imposing valley is formed by the continuation 

 of the cliffs, which bend round from Garron Point, and run inland 

 for several miles. The northern boundary is a similar range of 

 cliffs, stretching from the bold table-like mountain of Lurigethan — 

 1,154 feet. The slopes of this valley, up to a considerable eleva- 

 tion, as well as the wide expanse along the comparatively level 

 ground in the centre, are well cultivated, and promise to repay the 

 labour spent upon them. Far up the valley, where the cliffs con- 

 verge, is seen a fine waterfall, on the main stream of the Glenariffe 

 River, which, after a tortuous course, finds its way into Red Bay, 

 at the village of Waterfoot. A change is here noted in the geology 

 of the district, which up to this point had largely consisted of the 

 white chalk and the dark basalts. At the northern extremity of 

 Red Bay a new colouring is introduced, and dark purple conglo- 

 merates and grits form an important feature. On a bluff of this 

 conglomerate, through which the road pierces, stands out pro- 

 minently the ruins of Red Bay Castle, which, with its little harbour, 

 would form a pretty picture were it not for the unsightly buildings 

 at the base of the cliff. The geological position of these conglo- 



B 



