castles, abbeys, and churches. The chance of seeing these, or of 

 hearing the strange scraps of traditionary lore that still linger in 

 the hills, will amply repay the antiquarian student. 



At Layde, near Cushendall, is an ancient graveyard surrounding 

 the ruins of the old church. Many of the MacDonnells are buried 

 here, and tradition asserts that here were interred the remains of 

 Ossian, the prince of Celtic poetry. The claim of the district 

 about Cushendall to be the Morven of Ossian, and the birthplace 

 of that poet, has long been denied by those who believe the mis- 

 statements of the translator of his poems. There is little doubt 

 but that from the North of Ireland MacPherson obtained the 

 materials for most of his translations. But to dispute the pre- 

 tensions of Argyleshire, and to establish the claim of the Glens of 

 Antrim to be the ancient kingdom of Fingal, and the land of 

 Morven, there has never a pen been moved throughout all Dalriada. 

 A culpable indifference has made Irish scholars strangers to a con- 

 troversy in which the honour of their country is deeply concerned. 

 There are still many fragments of ancient lore remaining as tra- 

 ditions amongst the people of Antrim ; and it is little to our credit 

 that we have no society which should, amongst other things, 

 gather up all such material, put it in the form of a permanent 

 record, and thus prevent its total loss. 



Each branch of Irish archaeology affords an ample field for in- 

 vestigation ; and I should much rejoice to see, in successful opera- 

 tion, a society that would not only amass loads of flint flakes, 

 arrow heads, hatchets, and bronzes, but which should also do the 

 still more noble work of collecting all the remnants of our ancient 

 history and poetry. Several interesting stories regarding old Irish 

 worthies were met with during this visit ; and there is no doubt 

 but that a number of old people still remain in the Glens of An- 

 trim who cherish the Celtic language, and who still treasure up 

 the ancient poetry and traditions of the country. 



The Secretary then read " A Quaint Descriptive Catalogue of 

 the Antiquities, &c, in Mr. Walsh's Collection, Dromore." This 

 was written by a working man, and it gives, in rhyme, a list of the 



