1913-1814.] 4 , 



congratulations, and by their various suggestions. For me it is a 

 happy day to occupy the chair on this occasion. 



Mr. F. A. Heron seconded the vote of thanks, which was 

 passed by acclamation. 



Mr. VV. H. Holt (Liverpool) and Mr. H. Overton ( Birmingham) 

 acknowledged the compliment on behalf of the Delegates, and the 

 proceedings then terminated. 



EXCURSION TO THE GIANTS RING. 



In the afternoon a party of seventy-eight members and 

 visitors, under the conductorship of Mr. R. J. Welch, drove to 

 the Giant's Ring. On arrival the party examined the rath and 

 cromlech, and Mr. Alec Wilson gave an account of what he 

 believed to be the origin of the structure. In the course of his 

 remarks he said — " This rath — which is one of the finest in all 

 Ireland, and one of the most imposing in western Europe — has 

 little recorded history. Its foundation is lost in time ; its very 

 name is unknown, so we are forced to consider it on general 

 grounds. The space enclosed is about eight acres ; the circum- 

 ference on the summit of the earth ring being about 750 yards ; 

 whilst the outside measurement would be nearly half a mile. The 

 rampart is about 80 feet broad at the base, with equal slopes on 

 both sides, and is sufficiently high to obscure from sight the 

 surrounding country from any person standing at the cromlech, 

 which is erected near the centre. A modern wall, erected in 

 1 841, surrounds the whole. 



The original site was doubtless a rounded hill, the top 

 of which was lowered and levelled to form the enclosing 

 rampart of earth. Whether this encircling earth ring is chambered 

 or not has never been investigated. The cromlech at present 

 consists of nine boulders of basalt, all worn and unhewn, with a 

 covering slab. The chamber formed by these is about five feet 

 square. The cap stone is about seven feet broad and long, and a 



