42 Recent Archceological Explorations in Co. Sligo. 



nearer epochs." Such is a condensed description of the county 

 taken from Col. Wood Martin's recent History of Sligo. I have 

 known the county Sligo for many years : its lakes, rivers, moun- 

 tains, glens, and its warm-hearted and hospitable people, and I 

 must say that I do not in Ireland or elsewhere know of any 

 other district I would prefer to it for spending an instructive 

 and enjoyable holiday. By whatever road the visitor approaches 

 the county Sligo lovely scenery meets his view; the old coach-road 

 by Manorhamilton is very beautiful, " over the Irish Alps," as a 

 driver of Bianconi's used to designate the picturesque pass of 

 Marah. 



The route by Dromore West, Screen, and Ballysadare, with 

 its ancient church and magnificent cascades, is also fine. But 

 the most charming road of all is that of Bundoran, Cliffony, 

 Grange, and Drumcliffe. On our left as we proceed this way, 

 we have a splendid mountain range nearly all the way. Ben- 

 weeskin, Benbulbin, and Turskmore, are the most prominent 

 heights, ranging from 1,722 to 2,213 f eet above the level of the 

 sea. Should we ascend Benbulbin, which is comparatively easy, 

 what an extensive prospect meets our view ! To the west is the 

 broad Atlantic, to the north-west the Bay of Donegal, protected 

 on its western side by the magnificent mountain of Slieve 

 Leagh, whose perpendicular cliffs on the seaward side are almost 

 2,000 feet in height. We can observe in the far distance in 

 Mayo the high cone of Nephin, and further still lying off the 

 Erris coast the stags of Broadhaven. Nearer us, to the south, 

 is the range of the Ox Mountains, also Knocknarea, with its 

 huge cairn, Miscaun Meabh, at the base of which lies Cairo w- 

 more, with its ancient monuments of the battle of North 

 Moyturah. 



Right under us, towards the east, is Glencar valley, with its 

 waterfalls, lake, and crannoges. Between us and the sea, is the 

 ancient plain of Magherow, which contains many forts and 

 sepulchral structures, also some very extensive souterrains, which 

 I have examined and will refer to at another time. Almost at 

 our feet, to the south, is the village of Drumcliffe, with its round 

 tower, cross, and pillar stone — one of the earliest seats of 



