2 86 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



tower is a Bullan Stone, locally known as the Witch Stone. Similar 

 stones are known as glun-stones or knee-stones. 



The next visit was to the Parish Church. Here the Vicar, 

 Rev. M. H. F. Collis, B.D., gave an interesting description of the 

 Church and presented to each member a copy of his paper " Antrim 

 Church for Three Hundred Years," reprinted from the Ulster 

 Journal of Archceologv. It was built in 1596 in the style of that 

 period — Elizabethan. In 1649 it, together with most of the town, 

 was burned by General Munro. In 18 16 the tower and spire were 

 erected. It is probable that it was at this time that the old door- 

 way was built up. Traces of it can still be seen below the second 

 window from the tower. In 1869 the south-east transept and 

 vestry were added by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, " and they 

 bear the stamp of the work of that body ! " The stained-glass 

 windows are chiefly in memory of members of the Massereene 

 family. Two recent additions have been made by the Clarke 

 family. Special attention was called to the window in the old 

 transept. The tinting of the glass has been considered the finest 

 in Ireland. It is supposed to have been brought from the Con- 

 tinent by a former Viscount Massereene. There are two mural 

 monuments — the smaller, a memorial of the eighth Viscount and 

 last Earl, who died in 1816, is by Flaxman ; the larger, with 

 representations of faith, hope and charity standing over a recumbent 

 figure, is in memory of the tenth Viscount, who died in 1863. The 

 old and much-prized silver communion plate, "the gift of Madam 

 Abigail Parnell to the parish of Antrim, 1 701," was explained piece 

 by piece, and afterwards carefully examined. At the battle of 

 Antrim on the 7th June, 1798, a large body of the insurgents, 

 carrying muskets, took up their position within the churchyard. 

 John Howe, the eminent divine, came to Antrim about 167 1, and 

 stayed for five years. Though a Nonconformist, he often preached 

 in the Established Church. Some of his best known books were 

 written here. Near the eastern wall of the churchyard " the Woman 

 of the Chimney Corner" is buried. 



