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



the princes holding sway in the northern portion of the 

 ancient kingdom of Dalaradia, those of the southern portion 

 residing at Downpatrick. It appears not to have been occupied 

 since the year 1315, when it was plundered and burned by 

 Edward Bruce, brother of King Robert Bruce, who then 

 invaded Ireland. Another important rath was at Rathbeg, 

 near Rathmore, but it is partly destroyed. Here, in the sixth 

 century, one of the kings of Ireland met his death at the hands 

 of a Dalaradian prince. Between Rathmore and Antrim there 

 is a rath, the only one in the neighbourhood, I believe, that 

 had originally two circular earthen walls or ramparts, and 

 two trenches. It is in a very dilapidated condition, and is 

 about 50 yards in diameter. 



There is a cromleac about a mile beyond Rathmore. The 

 supporting stones have disappeared, and the great table-stone 

 now forms a portion of a fence. 



In addition to ancient remains above ground, we may, at 

 several spots in the locality, enter structures of great antiquity 

 existing below the surface. These are souterrains, built some- 

 what after the manner of lime-kilns, with walls approaching 

 each other as they ascend, roofed with flagstones and covered 

 with earth. They vary in size, and sometimes communicate 

 with others by means of small, square passages. Much supersti- 

 tion attaches to them. I have seen an old man look remarkably 

 serious at the mention of them. They occur at Craighall, 

 Dunagore, Rathmore, (a series of three chambers was lately 

 destroyed at Galley Hill, half-a-mile beyond the Steeple), 

 Potterswalls, Lady Hill, Shanoguestown, and Tirgracey, where 

 there is one consisting of two chambers, one above, but not 

 running in the same direction as, the other. This is the only 

 instance of the kind recorded in the north of Ireland. It was 

 discovered accidentally in October, 1892. 



Ancient stone and flint implements are occasionally found 

 in the neighbourhood. I possess several celts, flint-flakes, rude 

 spear-heads, arrow-heads, and a core from which flakes have 

 been struck, that were met with in the locality. 



