1 68 [Proc. B.N.F.C.. 



crossed in that struggle of two hundred years ago when the 

 interests of two English kings were decided upon Irish soil ; 

 but now " not a dium was heard" to disturb the quiet ripple 

 of the water passing over the stones once forded by a King on 

 that memorable day in July. The next halt was at the ring 

 fort, or military rath, of Dowth, which is of very large extent 

 and in good preservation, being second only to the Giant's Ring 

 in extent. The machines then pushed on to Newgrange, along 

 roads with broad grass margins, clearly pointing out the country 

 to be a hunting one, and affording plenty of " poor man's land," 

 where the labourer gets free grazing for his beast. At New- 

 grange, or Brugh-na-Boinne — the city of the Boyne, as it is 

 properly called — George Coffey, M.E^.I.A., who had come from 

 Dublin, kindly acted as pioneer and guide. Lamps and 

 magnesium wire were brought into requisition in the large 

 central chamber, whilst the party crept through the fifty-foot 

 entrance passage, at some place on hands and knees or in a 

 stooping posture, guided by the lights from the centre. The 

 curious carvings on the great stone slabs used in the construction 

 of the building were examined, seemingly proving from their 

 position, which was very often not on the outside face, or partly 

 covered, that they may have served a purpose anterior to their 

 present one. 



The cairn over the chamber, now covered with grass, is 

 composed of different-sized stones, and is so large as to have 

 quite the appearance of a natural hill. Around its base still 

 remain many of the large standing stones which formed at one 

 time a complete circle. The origin of this mausoleum is lost 

 in antiquity, but it was doubtless the burial-place of the ancient 

 kings of Erin. It is the finest of its class in Western Europe, 

 and to the antiquarian is as interesting in many respects as the 

 pyramids of Egypt. The stones used in the chamber, especially 

 the roof stones, are so large and well built, and the cairn itself 

 is of such an area that the labour of erection must have been 

 something enormous in those early times. The waiting for 

 admission to the interior was taken advantage of by the 



