1909-1910.] 265 



At five o'clock the vehicles were re-entered, and the party- 

 drove to Quoile Castle. Here much interest was displayed in the 

 great square keep, with its vaulted lower chamber, and it was with 

 difficulty that some of the members of the party could be 

 persuaded by the energetic conductors to return to the cars. The 

 drive was then continued to Downpatrick, where the members and 

 friends were most hospitably entertained to tea by Rev. Charles 

 and Mrs. Pooler. The usual business meeting was held before tea, 

 the President of the Club, Mr. Nevin H. Foster, M.B.O.U., in the 

 chair. Mr. Nelson Russell was elected, and on the motion of the 

 Rev. Thos. Hamilton, D.D., LL.D., Vice-Chancellor of Queen's 

 University, seconded by Mr. Robert Walsh, a hearty vote of 

 thanks was passed to Mr. and Mrs. Pooler for their hospitality to 

 the Club. 



After tea, most of the members visited the Cathedral founded 

 by St. Patrick in 440. Pillaged and burnt many times by the 

 Danes, it was rebuilt by Malachy O'Morgair in 1137. Some parts 

 of this old building still remain in the present comparatively 

 modern structure. After various vicissitudes, the ancient Abbey 

 was burnt by Lord Deputy Grey in 1538, and after lying in ruins 

 for 250 years was rebuilt in 1790-1826. The visitors were 

 specially interested in the old Celtic cross which now stands at 

 the east end of the Cathedral. The scattered fragments of the 

 cross were collected and re-erected on its present site by several 

 enthusiastic archaeologists who are members of the Field Club. 



An interested group gathered round the massive stone which 

 now covers the grave of St. Patrick. 



The field work done was considerable, though full records 

 have not been handed in. The botanists had a specially good 

 opportunity of studying water-loving species of plants ; specially 

 noticeable were the great masses of Purple Loosestrife, and the 

 Water-Plantain was in fine flower. July is about the worst month 

 of the year for the collection of Mollusca, most of the adults being 

 dead and the young shells too small to be of service for a 



