i88o-i88i.] 15 



his constitution, as we were informed that every kind of food 

 and medicine — except, perhaps, Cockle's pills — has been tried in 

 vain to put flesh on his well-formed frame. He seems, how- 

 ever, safe to end the remainder of his days amid peace and 

 plenty in his present quarters. 



Leaving Moy, on cars for Benburb, a short detour was made 

 to visit the entrenched rath on Lager Hill, from which a mag- 

 nificent view is obtained, reaching from the Mourne range to 

 far into the north of the country. The fort or rath has been 

 taken possession of as a burial-ground — a circumstance most 

 unusual, as those earthen erections are generally held by the 

 country people in superstitious reverence, " too canny to be 

 meddled with." The road runs through a richly-diversified 

 country; in part it is parallel to the Ulster Canal, connecting 

 Loughs Neagh and Erne. The flowering rush {Butomus um- 

 hellatus) was seen at various points, and the soap-wort {Sapon- 

 aria officinalis) was collected further on. 



Benburb is a neat, tidy village, beautifully situated, and its 

 neighbourhood is full of historic interest. During the rebellion 

 of the Earl of Tyrone, several severe engagements were fought 

 here. In 1597 the Earl of Kildare marched against the rebel- 

 lious earl, but was defeated, and forced to retire mortally 

 wounded. Sir Henry Begnall succeeded him, and with 4,500 

 foot and 400 horse marched against Tyrone's army, losing his 

 life and the greater part of the forces in an unsuccessful attempt 

 to dislodge him. Lord Mountjoy, after several sanguinary 

 battles and severe loss, compelled him to retreat northward. In 

 1 641, the castle, erected by Sir Robert Wingfield, was surprised 

 by Sir Phelim O'Nial, and its inmates slaughtered. In 1646 it 

 was again the scene of a great battle between Sir Phelim and 

 General Monroe. The latter, with an army of 6,000 foot and 

 800 horse, crossed the Blackwater near what is now Battleford 

 Bridge, and marched against the enemy. The result was 

 terribly disastrous to Monroe, who lost the day, 3,000 of his 

 troops, and all his artillery and stores. The castle — which oc- 

 cupies a position of great natural strength close to the edge of a 



