1893-94.] IJ 



along the river, where the many vistas gave ample scope for the 

 labours of the most enthusiastic amongst them. The Sixmile- 

 water was so named by the English soldiers passing from 

 Carrickfergus to Antrim, because it was just six miles from 

 Carrick, where their road crossed the burn. The original 

 name was Ollar, which was changed to Owen-na-view, the 

 river of the rushes. Some time was now spent amongst the 

 pretty cottages by the river side under the branching trees, 

 where lovely stretches of water charmed the eye. Here the 

 hybrid Avens was found again, and also the Spindle-tree 

 {Euonymus europceus) and a rare orchid (Neottia Nidus-avis) 

 and on the road to Antrim the Dwarf Elder (Sambucus Ebulus) 

 was observed in the hedgerow. 



A halt was made at the old graveyard of Muckamore, the 

 remains of the old monastic burial-ground, and the fragment 

 of the abbey still remaining. The ancient name was Mag- 

 comair, "the plain of the confluence" of the Owen-na-view 

 and Lough Neagh. The abbey was founded by St. Colman 

 Eala, a contemporary of St. Columbcille, a.d. 585. Lionel 

 Duke of Clarence and Earl of Ulster confirmed in 1363 the 

 possessions of the prior and convent of the " B. Mariae de 

 Mukmore in Ultonia." The present gardens of Muckamore 

 House largely occupy the site of the ancient ecclesiastical 

 buildings, but foundations of old buildings and roads have been 

 traced where the adjoining mill now stands. 



A short walk by the main road into Antrim brought the 

 party to tea in Hall's hotel, when justice was done to 

 the viands provided by the proprietor. After tea, a short 

 business meeting was held, when eight new members were 

 elected. On the motion of Wm. Gray, M.R.I.A , seconded by 

 Alex Tate, C.E., and supported by the President, a hearty vote 

 of congratulation was passed to the Hon. Secretary, R. LI. 

 Praeger, M.R.I.A., on his appointment as assistant librarian to 

 the National Library in Dublin, at the same time expressing 

 the sorrow of the Club in their loss by his consequent resig- 

 nation of the joint secretaryship. Mr. Praeger having suitably 



