Sligo^ Connemara and Clare. 77 



with a force we have never seen equalled elsewhere. During 

 the season the strand at Kilkee presents a very lively sight. It 

 is dotted with bathers and bathing boxes, which are drawn 

 backward and forward to suit the tide by donkeys, whilst 

 cricket and tennis may be seen in progress at the same time. 

 The esplanade is protected from the sea by a very thick, low 

 wall, that does not rise high above the road, and which forms a 

 convenient place for people to sit upon whilst looking out to 

 sea. From the fact that the force of the waves is broken before 

 they reach the strand by the Duggerna and Edmond rocks, it 

 is perfectly safe for ladies and children to bathe there, whilst 

 the gentlemen have a spring board and iron ladders further 

 round towards the west where they can have a plunge in deeper 

 water. There are also pools left by the receding tide to suit 

 bathers who wish to get a plunge at a moderate depth in 

 safety. Walking towards the west end the road leads up over 

 a green sloping hill covered with short crisp grass. Diverging 

 off this road we come to the cliffs which continue for a long 

 distance towards the south. There are caves in the rocks 

 along the shore that can be entered when the tide is out. 

 Many varieties of shell fish may be collected here, also dulse, 

 and Carrigeen moss. The latter when boiled forms a jelly, 

 which is very nutritious, and said to be good for weak lungs. 

 Large quantities of it were used in 1846 during the famine, by 

 which many were saved from starvation. Further along the 

 strata is quite horizontal, and you can descend to the sea level 

 by natural steps from layer to layer. Proceeding still further 

 south, the rocks again become perpendicular and much higher. 

 There is a puffing hole here, which acts when the wind blows 

 the sea in from the west. The water is forced up to a great 

 height, and in faUing again in spray, if it is sunshine, all the 

 prismatic colours are shown, which adds to the beauty of the 

 scene. Towards Bishop's Island is the amphitheatre, so called 

 from its crescent shape. The waves here during a western gale 

 are magnificent, and strike the rocks with thundering force, 

 rising in spray occasionally to their highest summit to be blown 



