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



meeting was held, and the following new members were elected 

 — Fleet-Surgeon Dunlop, Thomas Bland, and Frank Squire. 



The third morning, at nine o'clock, the party were photo- 

 graphed on the cars at the hotel door prior to starting by R. J. 

 Welch, who throughout the excursion had rendered assistance 

 in different ways. The long drive around the winding shores 

 of Mulroy Bay, only slightly marred by the rain, brought the 

 party into Rathmullan, where the Rev. Narcissus Batt, A.M., 

 was waiting to show the members some hospitality and point 

 out the features of the old castle and abbey, the history of which 

 has been so finely recorded by John Mitchell as fallows: — 

 4< Near Rathmullan, on the western shore of Lough Swilly, 

 looking towards the mountains of Innishowen, stood a monastery 

 of Carmelites, and a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, 

 the most famous place of devotion in Tyrconnell, whither all 

 the Clan-Conell, both chiefs and people, made resort at certain 

 seasons to pay their devotions. Here the young Red Hugh 

 with MacSwyne of the Battle-axes, O'Gallagher of Ballyshannon 

 and some other chiefs were in the summer of 1587 sojourning 

 a short time, in part to pay their vows of religion, but not 

 without staghounds and implements of chase, having views 

 upon the red deer of Fanad and Innishowen. One day while 

 the Prince was here a swift-sailing merchant ship doubled the 

 promonotory of DunafF, stood up the lough, and cast anchor 

 opposite Rathmullan — 'bark, black-hatched, deceptive,' bearing 

 the flag of England, and offering for sale as a peaceful trader 

 her cargo of Spanish wine. And surely no more courteous 

 merchant than the master of that ship had visited the North 

 for many a year. He invited the people most hospitably on 

 board, solicited them, whether purchasers or not, to partake of 

 his good cheer, entertained them with music and wine, and so 

 gained very speedily the good will of all Fanad. Red Hugh 

 and his companions soon heard of the obliging merchant and 

 his rare wines. They visited the ship, where they were received 

 with all respect, and indeed with unfeigned joy ; descended 

 into the cabin, and with connoisseur discrimination tried and 



