274 [J'l'oc. B.N.F.C. 



this time Jupiter Pluvius was strongly in evidence, and it was 

 decided to take shelter for a few minutes till the rain-god 

 had expended his fury ere mounting the brakes and cars for 

 our drive. Soon the welcome break in the clouds was visible, 

 and in brilliant sunshine the vehicles were mounted and we 

 drove off amid the cheers of the friendly inhabitants and 

 visitors of this charming seaside town. 



On reaching the Old Franciscan Abbey of Bun-na- 

 Margie the members descended from the vehicles to inspect 

 these interesting relics of a past age, and were conducted by 

 our President (Mr. W. J. Fennell, M.R.I.A.I.), who pointed 

 out the various noteworthy features, and gave a short account 

 of their history and associations. We were informed by Mr. 

 Fennell that as to the exact date of the abbey's foundation 

 there is no authentic record; by some it is stated to have 

 been founded in 1202 by William de Burgo, who at this 

 period was Earl of Ulster, and nominally had the lands in his 

 possession. It is told that Richard de Burgo brought the 

 MacQuillans from Connacht and the Bissets from Scotland 

 to keep the O'Neills in check. In later years the Mac- 

 Donnells claimed these lands by descent from the Bissets and 

 by conquest from the MacQuillans, whilst the O'Neills never 

 missed an opportunity of harrying the MacDonnells and dis- 

 puting their claim. In a manuscript list of Franciscan Mon- 

 asteries in Ireland in the British Museum it is recorded that 

 Bun-na-Margie was founded by Roy MacQuillan in the year 

 1500. No reliable authority has ever given the erection of 

 this monastery to the MacDonnells, although as the con- 

 querors and successors of the MacQuillans they assumed its 

 patronage and made it their burial-place, and with their 

 names it is now chiefly associated. The year 1537 saw the 

 nominal suppression of this monastery and all others through- 

 out the kingdom, but situated as it was in a remote district, 

 with the lord and people still favourable, the monks lingered 

 about its aisles for many years afterwards. The friary was 

 destroyed by fire in January, 1584, though it must have been 

 afterwards repaired, for in October, 1639, 700 Highland Scots 



