1890-91.] 263 



picturesque decay on the inner extremity of what was formerly 

 an island, though now joined to the mainland by a substantial 

 causeway. The photographers were now in their element, and 

 for a time focussing and exposing were the order of the day. 

 Crowning the hill, which rises immediately behind the castle, 

 are the remains of Ringhaddy Church — a simple nave, the 

 crumbling walls of which are crowned with polypody and 

 spleenwort. The east window appears to have been of com- 

 paratively large size. Surrounding the site of the church two 

 faint circles of earthwork may be traced, which, however, are 

 probably of comparatively modern date, and may have formed 

 the boundary of an old churchyard in proximity to the building. 

 The secretary's whistle now called the party together on the 

 wooded margin of the lough, where two large boats lay ready 

 on the calm water. The embarkation being effected, the brown 

 lug-sails were hoisted, and before a gentle easterly breeze the 

 boats glided out on the calm blue waters of Strangford Lough, 

 and shaped their course northward among the islands. Such 

 was the clearness of the water that the forests of Zostera and 

 Chorda which grew on the bottom, tenanted by their marine 

 inhabitants, could be minutely examined from the boat's side 

 as they passed by in succession, interspersed with barren gravelly 

 patches, and deeper tracts where the bottom was not visible. 

 Gliding smoothly onward, Roe Island and Trasnagh Island 

 were passed on the right hand, and Darragh Island and Conly 

 Island on the left, and rounding Sketrick Island the boats ran 

 before the wind up a narrow winding channel, and soon their 

 keels grated on the shingle at Ballydoran. A short walk brought 

 the party to Sketrick Castle, visited by the Club on one of their 

 excursions three years ago, but which can well afford a second 

 visit. A massive square keep rises on the shore of the island, 

 guarding the narrow causeway which forms the sole connection 

 with the mainland. A huge piece has fallen, leaving a wide 

 gothic arch in the front wall of the castle, but it still stands, a 

 grim reminder of past troublous times. Advancing on it by a 

 winding road, the Club made a rapid reconnoitre of the position, 



