1898-99.] 479 



met and conducted the party to the various points of interest. 

 The church of Bright stands on a rocky bluff, whose formation 

 seems to give rise to a theory that it is the site of an ancient 

 fortified settlement, but a close inspection did not impress this 

 theory on the minds of the visitors. This site was dominated 

 by an old castle — one of the De Courceys — of which only the 

 east wall and small portions of the sides are left, and contain 

 little or nothing in the way of attractive detail. From here a 

 run was made eastward to Ballynoe, and, leaving the cars to 

 follow the roads, a march across the fields was made to visit a 

 stone circle — one of the most perfect in the county and of 

 special interest, as it appears to have had three concentric rings 

 of stone, the middle one being in a remarkably fine state of 

 preservation. Situated as it is so far from the beaten track, it 

 is seldom seen and little known, but it well repays a visit to 

 those who care to study these land-marks of far distant ages. 

 Continuing the march across richly-laden fields, busy with 

 harvest labour, a brief inspection was made of the commanding 

 and perfect dun of Screen, and then a fruitless search was made 

 for the ancient church, but it has probably been "translated " 

 into farm offices like many others of like nature. Once more 

 getting on the cars a quick drive brought the party back to 

 Downpatrick, where, joining the former party, all repaired to 

 the Down Hunt Hotel to a most welcome and well-earned 

 repast. There was still some little time left, and visits were 

 made by some to see the great Royal Dun, or rath, on the 

 north side of the city, which, from its peculiar site and colossal 

 dimensions, is ever strangely attractive. The old cathedral 

 was also visited, as it possesses a new feature in the chancel 

 window, which has been filled in with stained glass of masterly 

 and harmonising colours. The new stonework of the window 

 is not seen from the inside, or we should say it is lost by the 

 attractive power of the glass, but when viewed from the exterior 

 we regret that another treatment was not adopted. Lastly, the 

 high cross of Downpatrick received a share of attention, and 

 perhaps with some degree of justifiable gratification by the 



