66 IProc. B.NF.O., 



Archaeological Section. 



"kells abbey." 



At a meeting of this Section, held on Wednesday evening, 

 8th January — Mr. John M. Dickson in the chair — a paper was 

 read by Mr. Joseph Skillen, entitled " Kells Abbey," with a special 

 reference to the tomb of the O'Hara's, illustrated by lantern views, 

 and referred to the ancient importance of Connor, both as a city 

 and as a bishop's see. Dealing with some incidents in its history, 

 he mentioned particularly the raids of the Danes a.d. 831. In 

 a.d. 968 the King of Ulidia sacked the city, then in possession of 

 the Norsemen, and a great slaughter ensued. The battle between 

 the Lord Deputy and Edward Bruce in 13 15 was the last 

 important historical event. The parish church of Connor occupies 

 the site of the ancient cathedral, and presents no features of 

 historical interest, being built about the year 18 18, the preceding 

 structure being burned in the wars of 164 1. A hollowed stone, 

 somewhat similar to the stone lying in Shankill Graveyard, that 

 now serves as the corner-stone of a cottage in the neighbourhood, 

 is said, and with some probability, to be an ancient holy water 

 font from the Abbey Church. The ruins of the Abbey of Kells, 

 known as Templemoyle, which was founded by St. MacNissi a.d. 

 480, and formerly united to the See of Connor, consists at present 

 of a gable wall, and traces of the side walls and eastern gable. 

 The length of the ruin is 75 feet and the breadth 29 feet 6 inches. 

 The graveyard is in a shockingly neglected condition, being a 

 common to the surrounding inhabitants, although it is in the 

 custody of the Rural District Council. After dealing with the 

 ancient tomb of the O'Hara's, which is now desecrated, the writer 

 expressed regret at the inevitable disappearance of these ancient 

 remains of monastic times. 



