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



■?ind likely to give way under its heavy load, has been 

 strengthened with a large bed of concrete, which, it is hoped, 

 will preserve the cromlech from destruction. In the same field 

 is one of those curious structures known as kistevaens, or giant's 

 graves, composed of about thirty rough stones, enclosing an 

 irregular space about 30 feet long by 5 feet broad, with what 

 would appear to be at the head of the grave a stone far larger 

 than the others, resting slantwise on five of the smaller stones. 

 For what purpose this immense structure was raised history is 

 silent, but legendary lore has caused it to be named "The Giant's 

 Grave," and it was Math deep regret that the party left this 

 wonderful group of prehistoric monuments and drove back tO' 

 Dundalk, where a good dinner was awaiting them at the 

 Imperial Hotel. 



After dinner a business meeting was held — Mr. W. F. De V. 

 Kane, D.L., in the chair — when the following resolution was 

 passed : — ^Proposed by J. De W. Hinch and seconded by J. N. 

 Milne — "That the best thanks of the Belfast and Dublin 

 Naturalists' Field Clubs are due to the Council and members of 

 the Louth Archgeological Society for their kind assistance and 

 company during the day." The resolution was spoken to by 

 Mr. H. Morris and Mr. H. G. Tempest on behalf of the local 

 Society, after which, as it was now 11 p.m., the members dis- 

 persed, well pleased with their day's enjoyment. 



7-30 a.m. on Friday, the 14th inst, found all assembled at 

 breakfast, and the 8-48 a.m. train was taken to Ardee. Here 

 the party was met on the platform by Joseph T. Nolan, M.A., 

 President of the Louth Archaeological Society, who kindly acted 

 as local guide during the day. The first place visited was the 

 church, a structure dating from 1207, which retains many 

 features of the original building, all of which Mr. Nolan pointed 

 out. Canon Ford afterwards joined the party, and assisted by 

 pointing out some additional features, and also showed them a 

 splendid hammered silver communion cup, dated 1694. They 

 then \'isited the two ancient castles in the town, one of 

 which has been converted into a very comfortable 

 dwelling-house, and the other into a good courthouse, where 



