1905-1906.] 385 



finally closed at the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry 

 VIII. Close by the now-ruined abbey stands one of the most 

 interesting buildings in the county, St. Mochta's house. (See 

 Plate XIII.) It is a two-storeyed building, standing behind 

 the church, which was meant to serve the double purpose of 

 oratory and sleeping apartment. The building is probably the 

 earliest example still existing of the most perfect system of stone 

 roofing employed by the Irish. We have the barrel-vault, 

 springing from the walls at 6 feet 9 inches from the ground, 

 and above it the pointed barrel vault, both built on the regular 

 arch principle; the lower storey is 16 feet long and 10 feet 

 broad and 10 feet high. The top storey is 9 feet broad and 8 

 feet high. A stone staircase, through a quadrangular opening 

 about 20 inches wide, leads tO' the top storey. The only 

 window at all perfect that is left is at the west end, 6 feet 8 

 inches high by 4 feet wide: The features of the doorway are 

 nearly all destroyed, but we can still see that it was covered by 

 a single stone lintel. Unfortunately the whole building is in a 

 very bad state, and if not looked after will soon disappear. 

 The Louth Archaeological Society is taking steps to have the 

 building enclosed, but it is a pity that an interesting ruin such 

 as this could not be placed under the care of the Board of 

 Works and saved from further destruction. 



But time is passing, and the conductor's whistle lets us 

 know we must get on, so brakes are again mounted and we are 

 driven off to Dromiskin, passing on the way many places of 

 interest, amongst the rest Killincoole Castle, one of the most 

 perfect of the castles of the Pale. Arriving at Dromiskin the 

 round tower, church, and graveyard were all examined, and 

 again nothing but regret could be expressed at the way the 

 hands of the careless and the vandal are destroying our ancient 

 monuments. Here a fine Irish cross, which 170 years ago stood 

 -erect and perfect, is now broken into bits, and all that is left 

 are the arms stuck in the ground to mark some obscure grave. 

 Through the kindness of one of the members, afternoon tea was 

 served in the graveyard, after which the brakes were again 

 mounted, and the whole party drove off highly pleased and 



