1884-1885.] 3^7 



to, the dark basaltic cliffs and points with which it is associated. 

 This was the residence of Colla Macdonnell, a chieftain who 

 took an active part in the stirring events for which this locality 

 is known in Irish history. His castle was partially destroyed 

 by Sir James Croft, who in 1551 commanded an English expe- 

 dition to Ulster, to strike a blow at the Macdonnells, and also to 

 seize the rich spoils which it was confidently believed were 

 stored on Rathlin, and to carry them off at one swoop from the 

 island. This expedition seems not to have been very successful, 

 the attack on Rathlin having been repulsed with considerable 

 loss to the invaders, and we soon after find that Colla, who had 

 withdrawn his forces to Rathlin, returned to Kinbaun, where 

 he died in 1558. Many interesting geological phenomena are 

 noticeable along the shore. In one place a basaltic dyke, 

 which had cut through the chalk, has yielded to the influence 

 of the waves, while its more solid bounding walls have resisted 

 their action, and now the chasm, filled with deep blue water, 

 greatly resembles an artificial dock. Great beds of volcanic 

 ash, unexpected exposures of columnar basalt, and varied out- 

 flows of trap, give evidence of violent igneous action. 



The botanists were busy, and found Habenaria albida and 

 Listera ovata abundant on the tops of the cliffs near Kinbaun, 

 where also was found that curious plant, Orobanche rubra, 

 parasitical on wild thyme. 



*' In riding from Portrush to Ballycastle I went a short way 

 off the beaten road to see a whimsical little fishing rock, con- 

 nected to the mainland by a very extraordinary flying bridge ; 

 it is called Carrick a-Rede (or the rock in the road), and lies 

 somewhat eastward from Ballintoy, on a most romantic shore." 

 So wrote the Rev. WiUiam Hamilton in 1786 in his " Letters 

 concerning the Northern Coast of Antrim." The whimsical 

 little fishing rock still continues to attract the curious, and 

 thither most of the party went, and, doing the honours of the 

 swinging bridge, returned to Ballycastle, highly pleased with 

 the evening's ramble. 



After an early breakfast next morning, and while waiting 



