BALLYMAKTIN CHURCH RUINS, AND THE RATH 

 OF DREEN. 



Papers read on the 10th December, WIS, at the Annual 

 Meeting of the Archaeological Section, 



By Mr. H. C. Lawlor, M.R.I. A. 



BALLYMARTIN CHURCH RUINS. 



The ancient Church and Churchyard of Ballymartin lie in a 

 picturesque little glen on the north side of the Ballymartin river 

 exactly a mile and a quarter east of Templepatrick (see O.S. Map, 

 sheet 51). The Church, the orientation of which is nearly due 

 east and west, is about 30 yards from the stream, on a slightly 

 raised knoll, while on the east, north and west can be traced a 

 now grass grown, but marshy channel, which shows that it was 

 once an island church. It is rectangular, measuring internally 

 51 by 17 feet. In the immediate neighbourhood are several 

 objects of archaeological interest. Leading due north from what 

 was once the little lakelet in which the island stood, is an ancient 

 paved road traceable for.several hundred yards until it is lost in 

 a plantation. Just above where the stream once widened out 

 into the lakelet is an old ford or row of stepping stones, at a 

 short distance from which on the south side of the river is an 

 ancient well, at one time a Holy Well.* Opposite the Church 

 on the other side of the river is the entrance to the Souterz-ain, 

 the investigation of which is described in the Report of this 

 Society for 1917. 170 yards east of the cave, surmounting a 

 steep clifl" overhanging the river, is a small rath much obliterated 

 by tillage. The churchyard lies south and east of the church, 



* For traditions respecting this well, see Ordnance Survey memoirs 

 quoted in O'Laveity's Down and Connor, Vol. III., pp. 17-18, 



