Recent Antiquarian Explorations. 31 



archway in the south wall of the nave, now built up, and 

 which is remarkable for the richness of its embellishments in 

 the Romanesque or Norman style. Close to the cathedral is a 

 small stone-roofed church or oratory of a much earlier date — 

 it is a building similar to St. Columb's house at Kells and St. 

 Kevin's kitchen at Glendalough." 



At Killaloe was Kincora, the palace of Brian Boru. A little 

 way above the town, at the entrance to Lough Derg, there is a 

 great earthen fort or rath, now called Kincora. This fort was 

 an important stronghold in Brian's time, as it commanded the 

 river at this point, and protected the Royal residence farther 

 down the river. It was from here that Brian started with his 

 brave army to Clontarf. The tradition in the locality states 

 that they sailed up the Shannon in coi achs as far as Athlone, 

 from whence they marched to Clontarf. 



Our party proceeded by steamer to Inis Caltra, or Holy 

 Island. There is a round tower on the island, and the ruins of 

 seven churches. The principal church, said to have been restored 

 by Brian, is close beside the round tower. The view from the 

 lake is particularly fine. We see around us the hills of Clare, 

 Tipperary, and Galway, and the fine expanse of water formed 

 by the Shannon on its way to the sea. The grey old tower and 

 ancient church, with groups of peasants in their picturesque 

 costume, complete a picture tending to produce a solemn and 

 religious feeling on the mind. The literal meaning of Inis 

 Caltra is the island burying-place. Inside the principal 

 church the floor and walls are covered with incised crosses of 

 most beautiful designs, whilst the graveyard outside has some 

 very ancient tombs, closely bordering on the Pagan type. The 

 masonry of the church, with the exception of a portion on the 

 eastern side, supposed to have been added by Brian, is precisely 

 of the same stone and workmanship as the round tower. There 

 could not be a more convincing proof of the Christian origin of 

 the round towers than to compare closely the workmanship in 

 the tower and the church on Inis Caltra. 



We returned to Limerick in time for our evening meeting, 



