i894-95-3 l % 1 



that a bloody battle was fought here in a.d. 771, or they may 

 be the remains of the hastily thrown up defences of the forlorn 

 and quickly fading remnant of the insurgents of '98, of whom 

 Henry Joy M'Cracken was leader. The descent from the hill 

 having been made, a pleasant drive brought the party to the 

 ancient Church of Skerry (Sciric), situated on a rocky eminence 

 as its name denotes. Formerly " stations " were held here, and 

 great crowds assembled round what is known as "Saint Patrick's 

 foot-mark," a small depression in an adjoining rock. Close by 

 is the Holy Well called Tubernacool, which Colgan styles "fons 

 miraculosus." In this district were found the flower Gentiana 

 campestris, and several roses, including the rare Rosa sabini and 

 other interesting plants. The return journey was then made to 

 the Adair Arms where tea was partaken of, after which the 

 members visited the Parish Church, on the invitation of the 

 rector, and inspected the valuable collection of antiquities 

 belonging to W. J. Knowles. 



25 August. 



DUNDRUM AND MAGHERA. 



The fifth excursion of the season was made on Saturday, 

 25 August, to Dundrum, when a party of nearly fifty started 

 by the 9-15 train from Belfast, and their numbers were 

 augmented from several stations along the line. The great 

 Anglo-Norman donjon keep of De Courcy was the first object 

 of attention. When the company were grouped in the castle 

 enclosure, the President addressing them from the foot of the 

 stair, described briefly the principal features, the winding road 

 up to the half-ruined barbican towers and portcullis, the castle 

 enclosure wall which follows the line of the rocky escarpment, 

 and the huge circular donjon keep. The wooden gallery for 

 defenders, which projected from the top of the tower, and also 

 from the outer enclosure wall, where the holes for its beams 

 may still be seen, was also described, as well as the later 

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