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



with the war-like trophies of a more recent age, flag and spear, 

 drum and flintlock, the relics of King William and the later 

 yeomanry, arranged amidst works of art, heraldic shields and 

 military flags, forming quite a baronial effect in the quaint hall 

 and corridors. After different views of the mansion-house and 

 trees had been taken, together with some groups of the party, 

 thanks were given to Mr. Reilly and family for their kindness 

 and consideration. The machines were then mounted and the 

 road taken through Loughbricland to Donachmore, only a 

 momentary pause being made whilst Mr. Lett pointed out to 

 the botanists the only station in County Down where the rare 

 plant Mercurialis perennis is found. Here it was growing in 

 abundance, but unfortunately its flowering was past. Upon 

 reaching Donachmore, the rector of the parish, the Rev. J. D. 

 Cowan, B.A., received the party, showing them the simple 

 little church, tastefully decorated for harvest thanksgiving, and 

 the fine old Celtic cross in the graveyard, whose recent restora- 

 tion, to which the Club contributed, has been carried out in 

 such a praiseworthy manner, affording an example that should 

 be emulated in other places. This cross was probably erected 

 to the memory of Saint MacErc, who was the first Bishop of 

 Domnachmor, which church he founded in the middle ot the 

 fifth century. His mother was Bronagh, daughter of the chief 

 Milcho, with whom St. Patrick had been a captive on the 

 slopes of Slieve Mis, in the Braid Valley. The cross stands ten 

 feet and a half high, and is of coarse County Down granite. 

 The east and west faces are divided into panels, filled with 

 scriptural illustrations, now much weathered. The base covers 

 the entrance to a souterrain sixty feet long, several of which 

 are in and around the churchyard, whose shape clearly points 

 it out to have been a very early settlement, being probably a 

 fort occupied in pagan times. Many events are recorded of this 

 district, which was once covered with wood, cleared away in 

 the reign of Irial the Prophet, a.m. 3529. At Achaderg was 

 fought the battle of the three Collas, a.d. 332, which lasted for 

 seven days, and the slaughter was so great that the earth was 



