e8o [ Proc - B.N.F.C. 



admitted through the beautiful grounds of Black Castle. This 

 delightful walk afforded the opportunity of studying the main 

 features of the Boyne, which flows with a stately dignity as if 

 conscious of its ancient and historic associations. Our experi- 

 ence very fully verified the description given by W. R. Wilde 

 in his invaluable work on u The Beauties of the Boyne,' 1 where 

 he says — " High beetling crags, crowded by feudal halls and 

 ruined chapels ; steep, precipitous banks, covered with the 

 noblest monarchs of the forest ; dells, consecrated to the moon- 

 light dance of spirits and elfins ; and rocks, memorable for the 

 tales of love and legends of olden time, catch the eye at every 

 turn in this noble stream, presenting new beauties, ever-vary- 

 ing pictures, here in sunshine, then in shade, with charming 

 bits of scenery which simple prose cannot describe." 



Some distance down the plantation we were met by Mr. 

 Fitzherbert, who very kindly conducted us over his " hatchery " 

 for salmon and trout. Although the season was late and the 

 tanks were not in full working order, Mr. Fitzherbert very fully 

 described every detail of his very interesting work in providing 

 millions of eggs or spawn and developing the young fish until 

 fit to pass on to the river to make its own wav in the world. 

 No doubt this kind of original investigation and voluntary 

 effort will be encouraged and assisted financially by the new 

 Agriculture and Technical Instruction Board, which has an 

 important mission to fulfill. 



Coming out on the country road from Black Castle 

 demesne, a short walk brings us to the very fine Round Tower 

 of Donaghmore. Perhaps its most interesting feature is the 

 figure that is sculptured over the door, and which is claimed as 

 proof of the Christian origin of the Round Towers. The 

 original foundation of the adjoining church is said to be of 

 the time of St. Patrick. It is described in the " Tripartite 

 Life of St. Patrick," but the tower is not. The remains 

 of a thirteenth century church and the tower form a 

 picturesque group, but visitors should remember that the upper 



