48 Ireland as a Tourist Resort. 



Proceeding from Derry to Lough Swilly we pass the Grinaian 

 of Aileach, the ancient fortress of the Kings of Ulster, and a 

 seat of sovereignty from prehistoric times. During the 

 summer months a steamer sails from Fahan, a station on the 

 Buncrana Line, up Lough Swilly to Portsalon, some thirteen 

 miles across — a sail once taken that will not soon be forgotten. 

 There is a most comfortable hotel at Portsalon, from which 

 excursions can be made. Mulroy Bay and the Rosapenna 

 Hotel are not far distant. A public conveyance leaves Rath- 

 mullan daily for Rosapenna, where the accommodation is 

 everything that could be desired, with excellent golf links, 

 good fishing and boating. Views were shown of the great 

 headlands outside Lough Swilly, Malin Head, Horn Head? 

 and round further south, the giant cliffs of Slieve Liag, 

 2,000 feet high, and the lovely valley of Glencolumkill, 

 with its stone crosses and penitential stations. The lec- 

 turer described the County Sligo scenery, and showed views 

 of Glencar Lake and waterfall, Lough Gill, its islands, 

 and holy wells, and the waterfalls of Ballisodare, Knocknarea 

 mountain and glen, and some of the interesting prehistoric 

 monuments that are so common in County Sligo. A sketch 

 was next given of the coast scenery of Achill, Clare Islands, and 

 Clew Bay, the great sea cliffs of Achill, also Croaghpatrick, from 

 which St. Patrick drove the last serpents from Ireland, and the 

 new Mallarany Hotel, between Westport and Achill. This 

 hotel is situated in the midst of the finest scenery of the west 

 coast, and close to the railway station. Views of the bays and 

 estuaries of County Kerry and its noble mountain scenery were 

 shown, as well as of the new southern hotels at Kenmare, 

 Waterville, Parknasilla, and Caragh Lake. These hotels were 

 fitted up with every recent improvement, including Turkish 

 baths, salt water and fresh water baths, and offer trout and 

 salmon fishing, as well as shooting over 25,000 acres, to their 

 visitors free of charge. The average mean temperature in the 

 vicinity is 52 Fahr. — a higher register than Torquay or Vent- 

 nor. These hotels are of great benefit to invalids who require 



