164 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 
The works at Dowtli are completed ; the crater formed in the top 
of the moat has been partially filled up, and the chambers and passages 
are protected, and left in such a manner as will enable them to be ex- 
plored. At Dowth Hall there is a most interesting moat which has 
been opened from the top, and is well worthy of being placed under 
protection. 
LOUGHCREW. 
The tombs on the Loughcrew Hills have also received attention : 
these were thoroughly examined in 1865. The interesting account by 
Eugene Alfred Conwell, Esq., so carefully describes them, that it is 
almost needless to go into further particulars. 
The great danger to these monuments is the exposure to the 
atmosphere of the inscribed stones. A prolongation of the entrance 
covered by a rough arch has been thought the best way of preserving 
them. This is being done. 
Considerable delay in the investigation of many of the monuments 
scheduled under the Act of 1882 has arisen from the unwillingness of 
the owners to place them under the charge of the Government. As 
instance, Kew Grange, Knowth, and several others. This difficulty is 
gradually being overcome, and I have little doubt that a more search- 
ing examination will in many instances lead to interesting results. 
The discovery at Dowth, that the entrance known as the central 
chamber is now proved not to be the original one, opens a field for 
considerable exploration. 
Eor many years it has been the desire of antiquaries to explore 
Knowth, but I regret to say the owner is unwilling to permit a search 
being made. 
I am in great hopes that when it is fully understood that the vest- 
ing of a monument does not involve an infringement of territorial rights 
the difficulty will be overcome, and monuments now neglected will be 
placed under supervision. It is, however, a subject for congratulation 
that such monuments as are scheduled under the Act of 1882 are, owing 
to the feelings of the people, safer from demolition than in other 
countries. What are called giants' rings, moats, and druidical altars, 
have a halo cast about them which preserve them from demolition. 
Pillar-stones are not so : these afford scope for destruction. Why it 
is so, I cannot say. 
During the current year I hope to investigate thoroughly the crom- 
lechs in Glen Mauter, county Donegal, which have just been vested 
