327 



On a stone, 22 inches long by 21 high, is the full-length figure, in 

 plate armour, kilt and peaked helmet — holding a halbert in the left hand, 

 and supporting a broad arrow-head (still the arms of the Ordnance) in 

 the right — of ^' Sobarts Damport overseer of theys Workes." At his 

 feet is a dog. 



The royal arms, three lions and three fleurs de lis, on a shield within 

 the garter, surmounted by the crown, ornamented with shamrocks ; and 

 at the bottom of the tablet, which is 28 inches by 21, the letters E E. 



A small, headless, and somewhat defaced, bust of Queen Elizabeth, 

 bearing on the breast the crown, with Jieur de lis ornaments instead of 

 the shamrock, and having below the letters E R. The stone now squares 

 1 1 inches. 



A tablet, 27 inches by 19, contains a shield, encircled by the garter, 

 and having below the letters H S. On this shield, in high relief, is the 

 figure of a porcupine, with erect quills, and having a coil of rope hanging 

 from a collar round its neck. To this stone, which was inserted in the 

 wall of one of the mills that stood on the Leinster side of the bridge, 

 was attached another legend, to the effect that it marked ^' the place 

 where a wild'boar was killed after a long chase and desperate conflict 

 and the rope was, in the opinion of Mr. "Weld, a serpent ! There can 

 now, however, be no doubt as to this stone being the crest of the Lord 

 Deputy. 



The seventh sculptured stone, 26 by 18 inches, bears a shield, crossed 

 diagonally by a ragged staff," and encircled with the garter ; the arms 

 of Thomas Ratcliffe, Earl of Essex, Sidney's brother-in-law, and for some 

 time Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ; but from what part of the bridge re- 

 moved I have not been able to ascertain. There are also several other 

 stones, containing inscriptions, most of which have been published by 

 Strean and "Weld. The total number of stones from Athlone bridge pre- 

 sented by the Board of "Works and Shannon Commissioners is 43. 



Anxious as I am to enrich our Museum, I cannot help regretting that 

 this monument was not erected at Athlone, where it would possess a 

 local as well as an historic interest. As, however, these stones have come 

 into the possession of the Academy, I hope to see them erected in the 

 crypt beneath our Library. 



I have also to present, from the Board of Public Works, the follow- 

 ing articles : — 



A very ancient boat, 15 feet long, formed out of a single piece of 

 oak, and dilfering from the six others already in our collection by the 



flat, projecting beaks at prow and stern, and by means of which it 

 could be easily carried, as shown in the above illustration. It is flat- 



