i88i-i882.] 97 



well, which is a small stone-roofed spring by the way-side, 

 though how it got the name is not clear, for St. Bridget spent 

 her life at Kildare, and was only removed to Downpatrick after 

 her decease. There is also a curious rock called the " mass 

 rock," with an illegible inscription, though apparently of no 

 great antiquity. Here, it is said, an open-air mass was some- 

 times performed, possibly during the severity of the penal laws. 



The ruins of Raholp Church were next visited. These are, 

 perhaps, with the exception of the church on St. John's Point, 

 near Ardglass, the oldest in the county, and it is quite possible 

 that its rude builders may have spoken with some of those who 

 derived their teaching from the lips of St. Patrick himself. It 

 is a simple oblong structure without any chancel, about 30 feet, 

 by 20 feet, evidently built before the period not later than a.d. 

 600, when lime mortar was introduced from the Continent. It 

 is almost unique in Ireland, however, in having the joints of 

 the stonework filled with a stiff yellow clay, which may have 

 been tolerably efficacious in keeping out the wind and rain. 

 The east window was apparently covered by a stone lintel, and 

 enough of the north wall is still remaining to show that the 

 unusual arrangement was adopted of placing the door on that 

 side of the church, instead of, as is usual, in the west gable. A 

 little judicious care promptly applied might long preserve this 

 interesting relic, which will otherwise before long meet the fate 

 of so many others. 



After a delightful drive through Lord Bangor's beautiful 

 demesne, the two fine castles of Castleward and Audley's Castle 

 were reached, and a considerable time spent in their exami- 

 nation, the sketch books of some of the party being brought 

 into requisition. Then another short run along the picturesque 

 shores of the little bay of Strangford brought the party to that 

 quaint old town, where is another old castle, still used by Lord 

 de Ros as a store-house, and which, backed by the old houses 

 and the woods about Strangford House, forms a charming little 

 scene. 



Unfortunately time would not permit of a visit to Kilclief 



