47 2 t Proc - B.N.F.C., 



attention of the members-.. A party of twenty turned out, and 

 on arrival were welcomed by the local authorities, including 

 the "R.I.C., who, with full knowledge of our object, wished us 

 every success. 



Passing through the almost deserted street of this healthy 

 and most attractive seaport, we at once struck off by a footpath 

 through the fields, where, hammers, nets, bottles, boxes, and 

 other collecting apparatus being unlimbered, an active day's 

 work commenced. 



A detachment plunged into the White Bog, while the main 

 body took the direct road for St. John's Point. On the way 

 thither a halt was made at a wayside holy well, which is said 

 to be dedicated to St. John, and a stone is shown with 

 the impression of the saint's knee. A sacred tree also casts its 

 shadow over the well, but there is nothing in the form of votive 

 oflerings or other indications of the ceremonials that no doubt 

 took place here in former times, in common with similar 

 remains so widely distributed throughout Ireland, the remains 

 or survival of a cult that prevailed from the Western Islands 

 to the mountains of India. Passing on to the old Church of 

 Saint John, we come to another holy well, once held in very 

 high esteem, but which is now in a most disgraceful condition. 

 The well is dry and neglected, save only by some roughs who 

 have blocked the well with a large stone once known and 

 venerated as " the wishing stone." This stone has a natural 

 hollow on its surface, ana 1 it was supposed that this hollow was 

 worn by the knees of the faithful who in early times paid their 

 devotions at the well. The printer's devil seems to have 

 knocked the sentiment out of most of our Northern holy wells ; 

 at all events, some evil spirit must have possessed the vandals 

 who wantonly destroyed this well. Standing around it on 

 Saturday, the Field Club passed the following resolution : — 

 " We deeply regret to find the wishing stone at St. John's Well 

 removed from its old position and thrown into the well. Such 

 mischievous and improper conduct merits the strongest public 

 condemnation. Every effort should now be made to remove 



