Antiquities, Social Customs^ &c. 29 



the entablature style. The little primitive churches we visited 

 in Innismurray and Aran, with square-headed door-ways, and 

 inclining jambs, are Egyptian in their character. The stone 

 bee-hive huts are also of Eastern origin, similar structures 

 having been in common use m Syria at the same period. After 

 the islands around the coast were occupied, the islands of the 

 larger lakes of Lough Erne, Lough Ree, Lough Derg, in the 

 Shannon, and others were also occupied by these ancient order 

 of monks. The remains of their monasteries and anchorite 

 cells slill remain as the most incontestable proofs of their 

 existence. The first churches were frequently erected within 

 a rath or cashel. The reason is obvious. At a time the country 

 was semi-Pagan, it was necessary to have protection, where life 

 and property were so insecure. The islands were chosen for 

 the security they afforded, as well as to be removed as far as 

 possible from the external world. The Celtic monasteries had 

 another important function to fill — they were the great schools 

 of the period. Bangor, County Down, had a celebrated school, 

 where Columbanus, the great apostle of Northern Italy, was 

 educated. On the mainland, where there was a good depth of 

 soil and timber was plentiful, the enclosure was an earthen 

 rampart, and the church probably timber and thatched. On 

 the islands the same conditions did not exist, there was no 

 timber, and very little soil, but plenty of stone ; hence the 

 churches were built and roofed with stone, not a particle of 

 timber being used, and the enclosure was a cashel or stone wall 

 built without mortar and very broad. Views of the small 

 churches in the cashel at Innismurray, the stone bee-hive huts, 

 the altars, crosses, the holy wells, bath or sweating house were 

 all shown. The bee-hive huts, primitive church, incised crosses, 

 and holy well on High Island were shown. A series of views of 

 the churches, forts, and bee-hive huts were shown belonging to 

 the three Islands of Aran, as well as numerous views of the island 

 and the people. The lecturer then proceeded as follows — Leaving 

 the antiquities of these islands to take a view of the social 

 condition of the people, they present to us a most interesting 



