1891-92.] 347 



the kindness of the Dean, the ancient Cathedral of St. Patrick 

 was subsequently shown to the party, and its various interesting 

 monuments and relics of the past thoroughly appreciated and 

 admired. Its graceful simplicity and beauty are truly admirable, 

 but its present aspect was rather disappointing to those who 

 expected the fabric would have borne more evidences of its 

 illustrious past. The history of this Cathedral is truly a 

 chequered one. Founded by St. Patrick, a.d. 445, upon the 

 Royal foot of Rath-Daire, it was sacked and destroyed many 

 times by the Danes and others, and finally burned to the ground 

 by Sir Phelim O'Neill in the wars of 1642. The original cill 

 or church erected by St. Patrick was known as the Damhliacc- 

 Mor, or the great stone church, and had a clochteac, or round 

 tower, attached. At present the base of the old town cross and 

 part of the shaft are deposited opposite the western door, whilst 

 the remainder of the shaft and one of the arms lie in the crypt. 

 The citizens of Armagh should at once undertake the re-erection 

 of this very valuable and most important antiquity, and not be 

 so far behind other towns, which have restored their town 

 crosses when they were not nearly so perfect or so beautiful. 

 Armagh will surely not be beaten by Dromore in this respect. 

 After a short visit to the Library, the Club adjourned to the 

 Museum, where the objects exhibited, including a fine collection 

 of shells, were examined, and a short business meeting was held, 

 with Mr. Alex. Tate, C.E., in the chair. After the election 

 of eight new members, resolutions of thanks for benefits conferred 

 were returned to his Grace the Lord Primate, the Very Rev. 

 Dean Chadwick, Rev. George Robinson, Rev. W. F. Johnson, 

 Rev. John Elliot, and the Armagh Natural History Society and 

 its courteous secretary. Several members had the privilege of 

 examining the extensive collection of Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, 

 and Coleoptera belonging to the Rev. W. F. Johnson. After a 

 sumptuous and enjoyable tea in the Beresford Arms, the Club 

 returned to Belfast by the 7-30 train, after a very pleasant day's 

 excursion, only faintly marred by the slight showers that fell at 

 intervals. 



