The Boyne Valley. 59 



on the hill, we may return to Navan ; and before proceeding 

 to Drogheda a visit should be made to Kells and the valley of 

 the Blackwater, where there are some most interesting places 

 well worthy of a visit. The ruins of Saint Kieran's Church 

 and the Holy Well, situated under a wide-spreading ash tree, 

 and the Termon Crosses should all be seen ; they are situated 

 three miles from Kells. One of the most celebrated places in 

 the ancient ecclesiastical history of Ireland is Kells. Amongst 

 the antiquities still remaining is a round tower and a beautifully 

 sculptured cross close by it, a handsome shaft of another cross 

 in the churchyard, and the great Cross of Kells standing in the 

 Market Square. In addition to these, there is the ancient 

 house or church of Saint Columba, stone roofed, having stood 

 the battle and the breeze for more than one thousand years. 

 The Book of Kells was kept i; the monastery here for ages, 

 and, as everyone knows, is the most valued treasure in the 

 great library of Trinity College, Dublin. Kells was burned 

 and sacked many times by Danes and Normans, as well as by 

 Edward Bruce in the year 13 15, and it is wonderful that so 

 many remains of such extreme antiquity should have survived. 

 Telltown, the ancient Tailtean which, next to Tara, was one 

 of the greatest Royal residences in ancient times, is situated 

 midway between Kells and Navan on the banks of the Black- 

 water. There still may be seen the remains of three great 

 raths close by the river. Here the great National Assembly 

 or Aenach was held once a year, commencing on the first day 

 of August and lasting for a week. Games and athletic contests 

 somewhat similar to the Olympian games were held here. It 

 was established by King Lugh Lamhfhada about 600 years B.C. 

 in memory of his foster mother, and continued till the 12th 

 century a.d. ; the last fair being held in the reign of Roderic 

 O'Connor last Ard Righ of Ireland. Proceeding from Navan 

 towards Drogheda, the Boyne is much increased in volume by 

 the junctions of the Blackwater. The beauties of the river and 

 the most lovely scenery is situated between Navan and Slane. 

 A canal has been made from Navan to Drogheda, and the tow- 



