310 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



threatened rain. Our boats were soon full, and the men at 

 the oars had a hard time pulling up stream against a strong 

 head wind, so that the scenery of the river was not seen 

 under the most favourable conditions. Not a little praise is 

 due to the members of the party who took the oars and 

 woi'ked as if dear life depended on it, and we thankfully 

 acknowledge that the success of the day was due to the hard 

 work that they so willingly undertook. Some of our party 

 preferred to take the road along the southern shore of the 

 lake, and this gave them an opportunity of visiting a '' holy 

 well " in the woods. This well is still frequented for its 

 curative powers, and many a humble token is left behind by 

 those who in all sincerity believe that devout prayers beside 

 it will be heard and answered. 



Landing after various fortunes, a place of rendezvous was 

 selected, and we climbed the Doonee Rock, commanding a 

 magnificent view of an island-studded lake that runs Killar- 

 ney very close in its beauty. The day cleared up, the suji 

 came out and bathed the lake in sunlight, and for an hour or 

 so favoured us with a look which seemed to say, " see how 

 beautiful I am." 



Lough Gill has its legends, like all other lakes, too long 

 to quote in full, but I must mention it as Sligo claims initia- 

 tive for two fabled queens. Manahan (" Son of the Ocean"), 

 a chief of the Tualhade Donans, had nine daughters, one was 

 called Gill. " She, from whom Lough Gill takes its name, 

 is said to be seen often in the vicinity of the lake, over the 

 waters of which she skims in her fleet rolling chariot. The 

 White Shee, or Fairy Queen, has a well recognised pre- 

 eminence over 'Others of her sex and race, and it was pro- 

 bably owing to his familiarity with a tradition of this kind 

 that Spenser drew materials for his Faerie Queen." (Wood- 

 Martin.) 



Not less than Spenser's are the- following lines on the 

 Maiden Gill, by a modern poet: — 



" How clear that silvery mirror shone, 

 While many a glittering bark thereon. 



