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THE NORTHERN BLACKWATER : ITS SCENERY, 



ANTIQUITIES AND BATTLEFIELDS. 



By John J. Marshall. 



(Abstract) 



Mr. Marshall introduced his subject by stating thai in the 

 history of all countries rivers had ever played an important 

 part, whether as waterways to bear the argosies of commerce 

 upon their breast or as the fitting theatre of events exercising 

 a decisive influence on the nation's future. The rivers of 

 Europe recalled to memory many historic scenes enacted on 

 their banks, and to Ulstermen the Blackwater was ever associ- 

 ated with the memories of the brave O'Neills, and in later 

 years with Charlemont and Grattan. Though the stately 

 ruins of no cloistered abbey were reflected in Blackwater's 

 wave, yet sacred legends and hallowed associations were con- 

 nected with the stream from the dawn of Christianity in Erin, 

 while earlier still the cairn on the summit of Knockmany, 

 overlooking the fort of Rathmore, carried them back to Ireland's 

 heroic age. Rathmore, in Magh-Lemna, as it was usually 

 called, to distinguish it from the Rathmore in County Antrim, 

 was the great fort situated in the Palace grounds at Clogher, 

 and, according to the annalist, was dug by " Baine, daughter 

 of Seal," the date being early in the second century. The 

 lady was buried on the summit of the adjoining hill of 

 Knockmany; hence its name. There was also in this district 

 the remains of Aughentaine, another interesting Plantation 

 castle, noteworthy as the birthplace of William Montgomery, 

 author of the Montgomery MSS. The next important place 

 on the river was the town of Aughnacloy, founded by the 

 Moore family. Here Wolfe Tone passed a night on his way as 

 a prisoner from Derry to Dublin in 1798. Tynan, so long 

 associated with the name of Dr. Reeves and also famous for its 



