1905-1906.] 389 



the sessions of the district are held. (Plate XIV.). 

 The party climbed up to the roof, from which a good view of 

 the district was obtained, and the botanists were pleased to find 

 the Wall-pellitory, Parietaria officinalis, with many other rare 

 plants, growing in great abundance on the walls. Here the 

 party broke up-, one section going to Ardee Bog for botanical and 

 conchological purposes, while the main party followed Mr. 

 Nolan to a large fort, situated about a quarter of a mile from 

 the town, called variously the Priests' Mount, Castle Guard, and 

 in the ordnance survey maps Dawson's Court. Gigantic as its 

 proportions appear in the present day, they compare unfavour- 

 ably with its dimensions as given by Wright in his "Louthiana." 

 He states that the perpendicular height of the mound as from 

 foundation to top was nearly 90 feet, depth of the main trench 

 30 to 40 feet, circumference at top .140 feet, and round the 

 foundations upwards of 600 feet. At present the height does not 

 exceed 50, while the circumference of the top was nearer 200 

 than 140 feet, showing that a great deal of the top has been 

 removed since Wright's time — ^that is, 1748. 



The section that went to the bog had now returned, well 

 pleased with their finds, and all adjourned to the Ruxton Arms, 

 where a good tea was provided, after which the 3 o'clock train 

 was taken back to Dundalk. 



Now began the least enjoyable duty of the trip — namely, 

 packing up to come away — as all had enjoyed themselves 

 greatly during the past three days, and great regrets were ex- 

 pressed that the visit could not be prolonged. All hoped to 

 visit Louth again at no very distant date, as many quite as in- 

 teresdng objects had to be left unvisited. Dinner was partaken 

 of, and the 7-16 p.m. train brought the members back to 

 Belfast, which was reached safely at 9 p.m., when the members 

 separated. 



The following plants were found, more or less plentiful, 

 during the excursion: — Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguin- 

 eum), the Field Poppy, (Papaver rhseas), English catchfly 

 (Silene anglica). White Campion (Lychnis vespertina), Goat's 

 Beard (Tragopogon pratensis). Whorled Water-milfoil (Myrio- 



