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



members drove to Clare Galway Abbey, a fine Franciscan ruin, 

 seven miles distant, which is very well worth visiting. 

 After lunch the party split up according to their various tastes, 

 some spending the afternoon at Queen's College, where the 

 botanic gardens and museum were kindly placed at the party's 

 convenience, the popular President, Dr. Moffat, and Mrs. 

 Moffat hospitably receiving the visitors. A hearty Galway 

 welcome was also given at Menlough Castle by Sir Valentine 

 Blake, Bart., whose hospitality during the afternoon added 

 much to the pleasure of inspecting so beautiful and ancient a 

 castle and demesne. The Royal Galway Boat Club also gave 

 the use of their fine boats to members, many of whom rowed 

 to Menlough Castle, while others explored parts of Lough 

 Corrib. 



Monday was the big day of the trip, as a start was made at 

 six a.m. from Galway docks by special steamer to Aranmore, 

 the largest of the Aran Islands. About a dozen did not face 

 the rough three hours' sea voyage, which, considering the early 

 rising necessary, was very creditable to the enthusiasm of the 

 members. On the whole, the weather was fine, and on landing 

 at the harbour of Kilmurvey all expressed themselves satisfied 

 with the meteorological arrangements, as a brilliant sun was 

 shining. As soon as the steamer was stopped, she was instantly 

 surrounded by a small fleet of the islanders' curraghs or canvas 

 canoes, which, combined with the shouting and gesticulation 

 that went on in Irish, reminded the observer rather of what 

 one sees and hears of in books of travel than of a scene in 

 Ireland. More than half the party landed at this pier, while 

 the rest proceeded on to Kilronan Harbour. On landing, the 

 first local industry noticed was one pursued mainly by the 

 younger folk, that of selling samples of the articles in use on 

 the islands ; in fact, after about an hour or so, one fancies that 

 the chief manufacture and export of the district is " pampooties," 

 the primitive rawhide sandals of Celtic time, which are still in 

 common use in these islands. After photographing groups of 

 natives, pack horses, &c, a start was made for Dun Aenghus, 



