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XXVIII. — The Cave on Knockmore, near Derrygonelly, County of 

 Fermanagh ; with Remarks on the Character of the Primitive 

 Scorings and Early Christian Symbols inscribed upon its sides. 

 By W. F. Wae:eman, Esq. 



[Read April 27, 1868.] 



Knockmore, a lofty precipitous rock of limestone, is a most conspi- 

 cuous feature in the scenery of northern Fermanagh. It lies about 

 three English miles to the east and south of the post town of Derry- 

 gonnelly. Its northern and eastern sides present perpendicular cliffs, 

 in several places some hundreds of feet in height. To the southward 

 and westward are descents to the plain, more or less abrupt, so that the 

 appearance of the rock, or "knock," is that of a gigantic Dun, somewhat 

 oval in form, and measuring over two miles in circumference. The 

 greater portion of the upper surface of this remarkable height is broken 

 into miniature "knocks" and glens presenting generally spare depth of 

 soil, and exhibiting, in one or two places only, traces of ancient culti- 

 vation. The cavern to which I have now the honour to draw the at- 

 tention of the Academy is situated in a low rocky ledge, which forms 

 one side of a very secluded glen lying near the summit of the " knock." 

 That this cave, like that of St. Kevin's Bed at Grlendalough, is, in portion 

 at least, the work of human hands, will be evident to any observant 

 visitor. Time indeed, and the damp of many centuries, have rounded 

 the fractures made by ancient artists ; but, nevertheless, the touch of the 

 excavator is still manifest, and at first glance the place bears a striking re- 

 semblance to not a few of the souterraines, constructed, as we have reason 

 to believe, by some of the earliest races by whom Erinn was occupied. Its 

 dimensions are — height of cave at the mouth, ten feet ; breadth, five. 

 These measurements gradually lessen to a distance of about eighteen 

 feet from the external opening. There the excavation presents an 

 oblique turn to the southward, and continues for a distance of about 

 nine feet further into the heart of the limestone. The height of the 

 chamber at tbe extreme end is about five feet. The opening faces the 

 north-east, and is well sheltered from the wind by a grassy knoll which 

 extends in front to the right and left. The cave would be considered 

 a dry, airy, and even luxuriant habitation by persons accustomed to 

 use the ordinary rath souterraine as a place of repose, or of retreat. 



But the most interesting circumstance in connexion with the Knock- 

 more Cave is the occurrence of a number of well-defined engravings, 

 distributed apparently in groups, more or less isolated, upon its sides. 

 These scorings, writings, or symbols, are placed, without any attempt 

 at symmetrical arrangement, upon almost every smooth portion of the 

 rocky surface of the interior. Many are extremely well marked ; others 

 have become all but obliterated through the action of time, the ero- 

 sion of the stone, and, I am sorry to add, the outrages of visitors, who 

 in many instances have not hesitated to mingle their names, initials, 



R. I. A. PROC. VOL. X. 2 I 



