74 Scenery and Antiquities of 



in the summer months, and takes three hours to reach Kil- 

 ronan pier. The Irish langua^ije is that commonly used by the 

 people amongst themselves, but most of the young people can 

 speak English as well. Many rare ferns grow on the islands, 

 including maiden hair and royal tern 



COUNTY CLARE (LISDOONVARNA.) 

 We went from Galway to Lisdoonvarna by the direct route 

 across the bay by steamer to Ballyvaughan, which lies on the 

 opposite or Clare side of the bay ; from here we afterwards 

 drove by the public car to Lisdoonvarna. Ballyvaughan is the 

 best and nearest point from which to visit the celebrated ruins 

 of Corcomroe Abbey. A great battle was fought in this 

 locality in the year 13 17, when many of the O'Briens fell, and 

 were buried within the Abbey. The drive from Ballyvaughan 

 goes through the Shale district, across the high hills, by the 

 well-known Corkscrew Road. On reaching the summit a fine 

 view of the Bay of Galway may be obtained, with the ancient 

 city of the tribes and a great rocky amphitheatre lying in the 

 foreground of the picture close to us. The visit of the Royal 

 Society of Antiquaries here took place in July, 1900. The 

 party numbered almost 100, and though it was the busy season 

 they all managed to get comfortably provided for amongst the 

 various hotels. The town is situated about 600 feet above sea 

 level on a limestone subsoil, within three miles of the Atlantic. 

 The air is very bracing, and the spa is said to equal any in 

 England. The Gowlan river flows through the place in a deep 

 gorge or ravine which it has cut in the course of ages through 

 the rock. The principal sulphur spa is situated at the foot of 

 the hill from the Queen's Hotel at one side, and the Eagle and 

 Atlantic View on the other. There is a pump house built 

 over the spring close by the river side. The water is pumped 

 up through glass-lined pipes, and supplied to visitors at a very 

 moderate charge. The following ate amongst some ot the 

 places visited during our s<-ay at Lisdoonvarna — Ballinalackin, 

 a 15th century tower belonging to the O'Brien's. It is situ- 



