1887-1888.] 19 



wonder was again and again expressed that visits were so 

 rarely paid by the citizens of Belfast to these beautiful and 

 interesting localities. Several places of interest down, at least 

 conditionally, on the programme had to be omitted, such as 

 Kilclief, Kirkistown, and the Abbacy, but it is hoped that in 

 the next winter session some member will give to the club a 

 paper on the antiquities of the district, which shall embrace 

 all the subjects omitted perforce in this report. On the present 

 occasion time was merciless, and many interesting themes had 

 to be cut short to allow the party by hurried driving to reach, 

 if it might be possible, Newtownards in time for the last train. 

 The drive along the shore of the lough, with the sinking sun 

 all ablaze in the waters, cannot now be dwelt on, but the 

 memory of the two days about Strangford, Portaferry, and the 

 Ards will long remain in the minds of some members of the 

 Naturalists' Field Club. Perhaps the best testimony to their 

 enjoyment is to be found in the fact that several of them 

 elected to remain and see a little more of Portaferry and its 

 vicinity before returning. 



On 27th August, to 



SHANE'S CASTLE AND SHORES OF LOUGH 



NEAGH. 



The fourth excursion was to Shane's Castle. The morning 

 being favourable a good number of members and their friends 

 were conveyed to Antrim by rail, where their numbers were 

 further augmented by the addition of several local members. 

 Under the guidance of Rev. W. S. Smith, the party proceeded 

 by road for a short distance, the extensive grounds were 

 entered by a side gate, for which permission had been kindly 

 granted. The first point touched was the mouth of the Six- 

 mile River, a picturesque piece of water. The photographers 

 of the party were soon busy with their cameras, and doubtless 

 many pleasing pictures of the sedge-bordered margins of the 

 stream were obtained. The archaeologists meanwhile were 



