i88o-i88i.] 29 



On 4th September, to 



LARNE AND BALLYCLARE. 



The sixth, and last of the Club's excursions for the season 

 took place on Saturday, September 4, to Larne and Ballyclare. 

 Leaving town by the 9.30 train, the party soon passed White- 

 head, getting a hasty glimpse of the extensive quarries of lime- 

 stone, capped with semi-columnar basalt, and, running along 

 the shores of Larne Lough, whose picturesque beauties were 

 enhanced by a brimming tide, soon reached the old town and 

 port of Larne. This place, under the combined stimulus given 

 by the short- sea passage, the new Bally mena and Larne Narrow- 

 guage Railway, and the attractions of the Olderfleet Hotel, has 

 of late made rapid strides, and many new houses now oifer 

 accommodation to summer visitors. Mounting one of M'Neill's 

 double cars, a visit was first paid to the old castle on the Curran. 

 This is believed to have originally been founded by a Scotch 

 family named Bisset, to whom a grant was made by King Henry 

 HL Here Edward Bruce landed, in 131 5, with six thousand 

 men, to attempt the conquest of Ireland. The Bissets joined 

 his fortunes, and after his defeat their lands and castle were 

 forfeited. The English seem to have then enlarged and 

 strengthened the castle, which became a place of some im- 

 portance ; so that it is stated during the distractions occasioned 

 by the Wars of the Roses, this place and Carrickfergus were 

 the only two stations north of the Boyne which at one time 

 remained in the hands of the English. Queen Elizabeth 

 granted the castle to James M'Donnell of Cantire, and his son 

 Angus ; but somewhat later in the same reign we find it 

 entrusted to Sir Moyses Hill, as being of too much importance 

 to remain in any but the most loyal hands. In 1598, however, 

 it was dismantled, and ever since has remained a picturesque 

 ruin. 



Passing once more through the narrow streets of Larne, and 

 by the handsome Town Hall, library, and museum lately erected, 



