IOO [Proc. B. N. F. C, 



any other edifice in North Antrim in the ancient historical 

 records. From the beginning of the sixteenth century it was 

 used as a Franciscan Priory, but its original foundation pro- 

 bably dates from a much earlier period. Here was the favourite 

 burial-place of the great Clan-Donnell, and many a brave 

 MacDonnell chieftain has his last resting-place within these 

 mouldering walls. After a space, devoted to examining the 

 ruined abbey — more interesting on account of historical asso- 

 ciations than of architectural features — a move is made to 

 where, on a hill overlooking the sea on the other side of the 

 stream, stand the ruins of Dunanynie Castle, which vies with 

 the abbey on the river bank below, in historical importance. 

 For many years it was the residence of the MacDonnell chiefs, 

 and here the great Sorley Boy MacDonnell was born, and here 

 he came in 1585 to spend in peace the closing years of his long 

 and eventful life. But the MacDonnells would appear to have 

 been comparatively modern tenants of the castle, as mention is 

 made of this fortress in manuscripts of much earlier date. A 

 few moss-grown walls, crowned with ferns and grasses, are all 

 that now remain of what was in old times a stronghold of 

 much importance. 



The road is now taken for Kinbane, but a section of the 

 party, charmed with the varied prospect of land and sea, and 

 with the heathery pastures, laden with the perfumes of a hun- 

 dred flowers, linger behind, and only the more energetic mem- 

 bers reach the shining promontory of hard white chalk which, 

 seamed and scarred with the war of the elements, boldly with- 

 stands the incessant wash of the Atlantic waves. Here another 

 ruined castle, picturesquely perched on the narrow headland, 

 claims the attention of the archaeologists, while the botanists 

 rejoice in the profusion of maritime species which abound 

 among the rocks. But the slanting rays of the sun now warn 

 the party that their time is getting short, so the road is taken 

 for Ballycastle, and soon the scattered forces unite to make a 

 combined and vigorous attack on the ample repast provided by 

 Mr. Hunter. Here notes are exchanged among those who 



