A Cruise round the Irish Coast. 2 1 



height, guards its entrance on the northern side, and as the vessel 

 proceeded amongst the hills a scene of ever-changing beauty was 

 presented to the view. The Channel Fleet, some nine large 

 vessels, have gone up the channel and anchored almost within 

 sight of M'Keown's Hotel at Leenane. 



When we anchored, a steam launch belonging to the " Magic," 

 with a number of life-boats in tow, proceeded and landed us close 

 to the hotel. Being Mid-summer Eve, a number of Baal fires 

 were burning on the high grounds all around, a custom which is 

 not yet abandoned in the Irish-speaking districts of Ireland. 

 Leenane is the finest centre from which to see Connemara; 

 tourist coaches pass to Westport and to Clifden, there is good 

 fishing, boating, and shooting, and splendid mountain and sea 

 air. 



The party enjoyed themselves at Leenane, where there were 

 Irish fiddlers, Irish jigs, and Irish songs galore. An early start 

 was made next day, after taking in a supply of salmon fresh out of 

 the water, fresh meat, eggs, &c, which had been previously 

 ordered. The Arran Islands was the next stepping place. 

 Innishmore, or the great Island, was reached early on Friday, 

 24th, and on the remainder of that, and the following day (Satur- 

 day), was spent visiting the points of interest in the three Islands ; 

 but as they have been so frequently described, we shall only add 

 that for very early churches and prehistoric forts they stand 

 unrivalled in Europe. On Saturday afternoon we sailed up to 

 Galway City, and anchored at Mutton Island. A number of the 

 members visited the city on Saturday evening, and also on the 

 forenoon of Sunday to worship in the various churches. A special 

 early service was held in St. Nicholas' Church for members of our 

 party, at 8-0 a.m., and a great many attended and greatly enjoyed 

 the service. 



We left Galway at 3-0 o'clock p.m. on Sunday, and sailed 

 direct for Dingle Bay, anchoring for the night in Ventry Harbour. 

 The magnificent panoramic view of the Western coast of Ireland 

 from Galway Bay to Dingle, on a brilliant day in June, sailing 



