1903-1904.] 161 



the platform m great numbers, returning from a "pattern," 

 and laden with bottles of holy water from the celebrated well 

 of Doon. They were happy and vivacious, and seemed pleased 

 with the passing interchange of courtesies. All carried with 

 them that air of comfort which appealed so happily to us 

 during our entire visit. 



The line passes Inch Island, where so many rare birds have 

 been obtained from time to time, and beautiful views can be 

 had on either hand. After leaving Letterkenny the scenery 

 becomes wilder and grander, the heavy gradient causing the 

 train to move slowly enough to allow ample time for noting 

 the beauty of the mountainous district just opened up by this 

 extension of the railway — the great masses of fallen rocks, 

 grey granite lit up here and there with splashes of red and 

 purple heather, emblematic of the bloodshed which went on 

 for centuries over the country now traversed so peaceably ; 

 while the silver bog-cotton twinkled all around, like tiny 

 candles placed to " wake " the mighty dead. Some ravines 

 with smoothed and rounded granite rocks remind one forcibly 

 of parts of the Mournes, and then the illusion vanishes as a 

 curve of the line brings a magnificent viaduct into view, with 

 Muckish in the distance. Kilmacrenan — beloved of the anti- 

 quary — was passed, and Creeslough reached about 3-30 p.m. 

 Here brakes were in waiting, and conveyed our members to 

 Doe Castle, while the luggage went on to the hotel by special 

 cart. Outside Creeslough several of the quaint lint-wheels 

 for breaking flax were seen in the fields, some evidently still 

 in use by the peasantry. The drive to the castle is one of 

 surpassing beauty, the views embracing land and sea, rich 

 woods and barren shore, comfortable farms and desolate bogs ; 

 while the great mountains of Errigal (2,466 feet) and Muckish 

 (2,197 feet) soar into distant clouds on the west. On a rock 

 which juts into an inlet of Sheephaven, the waters guarding 

 it naturally on three sides, and formerly on the fourth side by 

 means of a moat, stands the famous stronghold of MacSwyne- 

 na-Doe, known as Doe Castle. 



The date of its erection and the name of its builder are 



