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The Eev. J ohn F. Sheaeman (with permission of the Academy) read 

 the following paper : — 



On some Insceibed Stones at Killeek Coemac, near Dunxavin. 



Among the many places and objects of antiquarian interest in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Dunlavin, is the ancient cemetery of Killeen Cormac, lying 

 to the south-west of Dunlavin, and distant from it about three miles. 

 It is situated on the lands of Colbinstown, in a detached portion of the 

 parish of Davidstown, in the barony of E. jSTarragh and Eeban, county of 

 Kildare. This interesting spot lies in a valley of picturesque character, 

 traversed by the River Griese, here separating Wicklow from Kildare, 

 and the diocese of Leighlin from that of Glendalough. This valley is 

 diversified by insulated mounds or eskars, which, as they still retain 

 their Irish names, and being connected with the history of the localit5' , 

 a description of them may not be deemed foreign to the subject of this 

 paper. 



On the left bank of the Griese, in the parish of Ballynure, is a long 

 eskar, called Bullock Hill, the legend of which will hereafter appear. 

 On the right bank is another elevation, called Cnoc Bunnion,* by way 

 of opposition to Eullock Hill. Beyond this is another eskar, the highest 

 of the group, called Eathown Beck, having on its summit a well- 

 preserved moat, of large dimensions. A small stream, called the 

 Srughan, i. e, little river, flows under it, and joins the Griese in the 

 vicinity. Another mound lies between this and Cnoc Bunnion, which is 

 the site of the old cemetery of Killeen Cormac, the subject of this 

 paper. This eskar is of oval form, its major axis lying nearly east by 

 west. It is occupied by the remains of three concentric enclosures, 

 dividing the surface of the slopes into as many steps or terraces, the 

 highest of which, on the western end, is fashioned into a moat or rath, 

 in which is a square depression, excepting which there are no direct 

 indications of the site of the church. 



A great quantity of large stones lie about, and plainly indicate that 

 a building of primitive design, and of Cyclopean structure, must have 

 once occupied the summit of this mound. These terraces are now in a 

 very ruinous state ; but sufficient indications remain to convey a fair 

 idea of their original construction. On the east side the outline of the 

 middle terrace is well preserved by the large flat stones, set on their 

 edges, against the bank ; and on the western end, under the moat, the 

 same construction occurs, but in a more dilapidated state, the stones 

 having fallen from their upright position through the lateral pressure 

 of the banks which they sustained. These flags are of greenstone, and 

 quarries producing such exist on the Hill of Uske, in the vicinity. 



Pillar stones, fragments of what may have been rude crosses, of 

 coarse-grained granite, lying scattered about, with the rocks which for- 



* fouman is female ; bo, gen. bom, a cow. 

 E. I. A. PROC. — VOL. IX. 



