1915-16.) 223 



INCH ABBEY. 



On 24th July a party of thirty-five members and friends, 

 conducted by Mr. Robert May, travelled by the 1-50 train to 

 Downpatrick to visit the ruins of Inch Abbey, which lie in 

 picturesque seclusion amongst the trees by the Quoile River. 

 A walk of about three miles from Downpatrick brought the 

 party, now augmented by other members and friends, to Inis- 

 Cvmhscraigh. This Cistercian house was founded in the twelfth 

 century beside an older Celtic foundation, still used as a grave- 

 yard. The old church was removed last century and the site 

 occupied by the Maxwell vault. The Board of Works have 

 conserved the Abbey and cleared away the surrounding debris, 

 &c, revealing much that was formerly buried and concealed. 

 This work has been most skilfully done under the direction of the 

 late Dr. Robert Cochrane and his able clerk of works, Mr. John 

 Garty. The whole plan of the Abbey buildings, church, cloisters, 

 and domestic apartments, now stands revealed, forming perhaps 

 the most interesting group of monastic buildings left in the North 

 of Ireland. The great beauty and dignity of the choir, with its 

 tall lancet windows, is the outstanding feature. This is, however, 

 well supported by the four side chapels, whose fragments of 

 groined roofs and graceful carvings still proclaim their former 

 perfections. A great number of elaborately-carved stones have 

 been unearthed and carefully preserved. Sufficient masonry to 

 form at least one arch of the cloister has been found, and it is 

 rather a pity that it has not been set up again in situ as the 

 ground plan of the cloister is not sufficiently definite to be 

 educational to the ordinary visitor. At a little distance from the 

 main buildings are large ovens and bakehouses, proving an 

 industry beyond the ordinary necessities of the monks. Great 

 interest was taken in the many beautiful architectural features 

 revealed by the recent excavations. The botanists and zoologists 

 of the party found the low marshes and the river's edge happy 

 hunting grounds, and many important finds were made and noted. 

 The party having returned to Downpatrick, visits were made to 



