county, with a good Inn.--See Carton (Kildare), the elegant seat of
the Duke of Leinster; also the Castle, with fine grounds and romantic
scenery: the ruins of Confy Castle; and beautiful vale watered by the
Liffey. Ballymore Eustace has a good bridge over the river, close
by where the Liffey issues from the romantic dell of Phollaphuca
(Wicklow). See ruins of a Castle. Lucan, 6 m., is a delightful village,
with sulphureous chalybeate in a grove on the banks of the river. See
the house and picturesque ground; also Iron-works, Calico-mills, and
Limestone quarries.
SWORDS is 6 m. N. of the capital, on the great northern road, and
contains several specimens of antiquity. See the Castle, of which a
large square tower with massy fragments of walls still remains; also
the ruins of the Ch., with a round tower 73 feet high and 55 in
circumference, in very good preservation. Here also were an Abbey and
Nunnery, of which some vestiges may yet be traced. At Brennanston,
about 8 m. N.W., see Druidical Cromlech, six upright, and 1 horizontal
stone, 14 feet long and 12 broad. Lusk, about 5 m. N., is highly
deserving the notice of the antiquary for the curious architecture of
its Ch., consisting of two long aisles, separated by a screen of seven
arches. The east end only is at present appropriated to public worship;
but the west end is remarkable for its square steeple with round towers
at three of the corners, whilst opposite to the fourth is a round tower
insulated, in very good preservation, and loftier than the others.
About 3 m. W. on a rising ground near to the bay of Mallahide, is a
curious old Castle, pleasantly situated on a rising ground, surrounded
by fine timber, commanding a most extensive and beautiful view of the
coast, together with a good prospect over the adjacent country; said to
have been either built, or to have received considerable repairs and
additions, in the reign of Edward IV. Latterly it has been solely used
as a family mansion, but formerly as a place of defence. The edifice
is large, irregular, and unequal in its height; it is nearly square,
and has an area or court within. The entrance is on the east front, by
a flight of stone steps; and the hall is large, its ancient appearance
corresponding well with the outside. There are ten rooms on a floor;
one of which, a parlour, is wainscoted with oak, which presents a
curious specimen of antique carving. The lower story is vaulted,
founded on a limestone rock, and contains the servants' offices.
MINERALS.
Crystals:--near Robs Well.
Coal slate, full of sulphur mixed with micaceous stones:--at Portrain.
Copper ore:--near Castle Knock, Cloghran, Rathbeal, &c.
_Gypsum striatum_, answers every purpose of plaster of Paris, and is
found in several places.
Iron manifests its presence in a coarse reddish earth:--at Turvey.
On the S.E. coast of Lough Shinney, between Rush and Skerries, there
are large rocks of the _Lapis Hibernicus_, or Irish slate, which in
some places exhibit a vitriolic efflorescence.
Lead ore:--in the quarry near Stephen's Green; at the Black rock; and
at Cloghran Church.
Limestone, hard, veined with quartz, impregnated with ferruginous
matter, and full of crystallizations:--at Howth.
Limestone quarries:--at Malahide.
Pearls are sometimes discovered in the Poolbeg oysters.
BOTANY.
_Agaricus alneus_, Alder Agaric:--in woods.
_Alchemilla vulgaris_, Common Ladies Mantle:--in Closes between
Glassmanogue and Finglass.
_Alisma Damasonium_, Star-headed Water Plantain:--in a pasture near
Temple-oge in Dublin.
_Allium vineale_, Crow Garlic:--above Island Bridge, and in some
meadows near Bally Griffin, in Fingall.
_Anthyllis vulneraria_, Kidney Vetch or Ladies Finger;--on dry hillocks
near the Bay.
_Asperula odorata_, Woodroof:--among bushes between Ropers Rest and
Mount Jerom.
_Asplenium Ruta muraria_, White Maiden-hair, or Wall-Rue:--at Tallagh
Castle and Ball's Bridge.
_Aster Tripolium_, Sea Starwort:--underneath the Black Rock.
_Brassica oleracea sylvestris_, Sea Cabbage:--on sea cliffs.
_Chrysanthemum segetum_, Corn Marygold:--near Iniscore Hill, and in
Patrick's Well Lane, Dublin.
_Chrysosplenium oppositifolium_, Common Golden Saxifrage:--near
Harold's Cross.
_Cochlearia anglica_, Sea Scurvy-grass:--among the short grass below
the Black Rock.
_Cochlearia danica_, Danish Scurvy-grass:--near Ringsend.
_Cochlearia officinalis_, Garden Scurvy-grass:--on the coast.
_Cotyledon Umbilicus Veneris_, Navel-wort, Kidney-wort, or Wall
Penny-wort:--on old buildings at Mitchel's-town, and on the wall of a
ruined Church at Lucan.
_Crambe maritima_, Sea Colewort:--on the sea beach near Dunleary.
_Drosera longifolia_, Long-leaved Sundew: near Edenderry.
_Empetrum nigrum_, Black-berried Heath, Crow or Crake-berries:--on
mountainous heaths.
_Erigeron acre_, Blue-flowered Flea-bane:--in a dry hilly pasture
facing the huts at the Black Rock.
_Eryngium maritimum_, Sea Holly or Eryngo:--Dublin.
_Erysimum cheiranthoides_, Treacle Wormseed:--about Temple-oge.
_Euphorbia hyberna_, Knotty-rooted Spurge:--on mountainous districts.
_Euphorbia paralia_, Sea Spurge:--on the sandy shore between the Warren
House and Rahany.
_Fucus palmatus_, Handed Fucus:--on rocks about Dalkey Island.
_Geranium sanguineum_, Bloody Crane's-bill:--in a close near Simon's
Court.
_Glaux maritima_, Sea Milkwort or Black Salt-wort:--above Bally-bough
Bridge near the rivulet.
_Hieracium murorum_, French or Golden Lungwort:--under a hedge on
Iniscore Hill.
_Lathræa Squamaria_, Toothwort:--on the sea shore between Dunleary and
Newton.
_Linum perenne_, Perennial Blue-flax:--on the lands of Simon's-court.
_Lysimachia tenella_, Purple Money-wort:--in a rotten spongy pasture
beyond Simon's-court and at Rathfarnham.
_Lithospermum officinale_, Gromwell:--at Iniscore Hills and above
Palmerstown Mills.
_Lycopodium clavatum_, Common Club-moss:--on mountains.
_Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus_, Daffodil:--in closes near Clontarf, the
Hill of Howth, and near Doulack's Well.
_Ophioglossum vulgatum_, Adders-tongue:--in moist places.
_Orchis pyramidalis_, Purple Lake-flowering Orchis:--on dry sea banks
between Newtown and Dunleary.
_Ornithogalum luteum_, Yellow Star of Bethlehem:--in a low meadow
between Finglass Bridge and Drumcondra.
_Osmunda Lunaria_, Moonwort:--on the hills, and in the pastures of
Palmerstown.
_Polemonium cæruleum_, Great Valerian:--at Rathfarnam.
_Rosa spinosissima_, Pimpernel or Burnet Rose:--on the edge of the brow
at Black Rock, and near Raheny Mills.
_Salsola fruticosa_, Shrub Stonecrop or Glasswort:--in Clontarf Island.
_Salsola Kali_, Prickly Glasswort:--near the Black Rock.
_Samolus Valerandi_, Round-leaved Water Pimpernel:--near Dalkey.
_Scilla verna_, Vernal Star Hyacinth:--in meadows and pastures, and
near Temple-oge.
_Statice Armeria_, Thrift or Sea July Flower:--between the Black Rock
and Dunleary.
_Viola grandiflora_, Yellow Violet or Pansies:--on the Hill of Howth.
EASTMEATH.
This county, sometimes only called Meath by preeminence, is an inland
district, except in one spot where it borders for a few miles on the
Irish Channel, between the shires of Louth and Dublin. It is inhabited
by a numerous and opulent gentry, with the mansions and highly
cultivated demesnes of many noblemen; and also contains numerous scenes
to please the antiquary, in its mouldering piles of ruined Castles and
Abbeys, frowning over the landscape in gloomy grandeur. Bounded by
Louth on the N., Monaghan and Cavan, W., Kildare, S., Dublin and the
Channel, E.
ATHBOY, 8 m. W. of Trim, is a tolerable town with a good inn, where
the tourist may fix his head-quarters whilst visiting the various
objects in the vicinity, particularly a farm of near 6000 Irish acres,
kept in hand by Sir Benjamin Chapman; also Ballinlough, the well
wooded seat of Sir Hugh O'Reilly. From hence, a road completely shaded
with trees leads to the seat of Mr. Tigh, at Mitchelstown, near which
are the grounds of Mr. Wood at Rosmead: indeed the whole neighbourhood
is well planted and populous.
DULEEK, about 15 m. E. from Trim; once a famous episcopal city, now
a paltry country town, but exhibiting in its ruin traces of former
celebrity; particularly in the remains of the Abbey with its majestic
tower, the first stone Ch. in Ireland. Grenogue, 4 m. S., has ruins
of an ancient Ch. Gormanstown, 6 m. E., ancient seat of Lord G.
Invercolpa, at the mouth of the Boyne, has some Abbey ruins. Kilbrue
is an elegant mansion, 5 m. S.; near it ruins of Macetown Castle.
Platten, 2 m., handsome seat built on the ruins of one of the largest
Castles on the island. Ratoath, 10 m. S., a poor village. See Ch.
erected on ruins of an ancient Abbey; also a lofty and conspicuous
mount, celebrated for meetings of Parliaments in feudal times. St.
John's Well, in this vicinity, is described by Mr. Wakefield as a
penitentiary station for pilgrims for five days in the latter end of
June.
KELLS, 12 m. N.W. of Trim, being pleasantly seated on the Blackwater,
forms a good station for the western part of the county. See the
Market-house on the site of an ancient Castle; also curious stone
Cross, much decayed, but decorated very richly with figures of men,
beasts, flowers, &c. Here is a remarkable round tower, 90 feet in
height and 16 in diameter, with walls 3 feet in thickness. It is close
to the Church, at an opposite corner of which, and detached, stands
a square tower with a spire, the remains of an ancient edifice now
destroyed. At the back of the town there is another small round tower;
also a small stone building arched with flags, called Columkill's
Cell, supposed to be the first Christian oratory erected here. The
Ch. is modern; and in the cemetery a curious sculptured cross. See
the noble mansion of the Marquis of Headfort in its vicinity, and its
extensive grounds.
NAVAN, 7 m. N.E. of Trim, stands very pleasantly on the Boyne, and
has a considerable trade. Its vicinity has much picturesque scenery
for the pedestrian tourist. See the Tholsel; and the remains of
several ancient tombs in the Abbey cemetery, adorned with sculpture.
The beautiful episcopal palace of Ardbraccan, 2 m. W., displaying
simplicity of design with accuracy of execution, is built of a
remarkable limestone with a very fine grain, found in the immediate
vicinity. The quarry is worth visiting. The limestone is capable of
being worked into any form for building; is susceptible of a fine
polish; and though white when it comes from the chisel, acquires
a sober grayish tint after exposure to the air. Its strata are
horizontal and of various degrees of thickness, from four inches to
two feet; and columns have been raised and worked of 9 or 10 feet
in length, and from 15 to 18 inches in diameter. A short distance
from Navan, close to the village of Donoghmore, and standing on an
eminence near the road leading to Slieve, is a round tower adorned
with sculptures of the Crucifixion over the doorway. It is not in very
good preservation; and the ancient Ch. attached to it is totally in
ruins. Dunmore Castle is a building of very early date, but almost
new built as a castellated house at the close of the 17th century,
and now presenting a curious specimen of those turbulent times in its
lofty towers and heavy walls, diversified only by a few windows close
to the battlements. In the vicinity of Dunshaghlen see Dunsany and
Killeen Castles, mansions of Lords Dunsany and Fingal. Near the latter
examine the Ch. and sepulchral antiquities. The tourist who is partial
to extensive prospects, may visit the Hill of Screen, on whose summit
is a Ch., presenting from the battlements of the ruined belfry a most
delightful view over a richly cultivated country. The edifice itself
is in a state of dilapidation, except part of a chapel fitted up for
divine service; but the antiquary may amuse himself with examining
an ecclesiastical figure in relief over the southern entrance; also
some crosses and curious old tombstones scattered over the surrounding
cemetery. At New Grange is a very curious specimen of early Celtic
antiquity, consisting of a most extensive barrow composed of stones
and earth, formed with infinite labour and exhibiting considerable
artificial dexterity. In this there is a cave which well deserves the
notice of the antiquary: from the horizontal floor of this cave to
the summit of the mount, is about 70 feet; the circumference at top
is 300; and the base covers two acres of ground; the whole founded on
an amazing collection of stones, and covered with gravel and earth.
Slane, about 6 m. N.E., on the N. side of the Boyne, presents several
curious ruins to the lover of antiquity. Some remains of an Abbey or
College; lofty tower with Gothic windows. Here is also a Hermitage,
said to be that of St. Ere, consecrated by St. Patrick in 512. Near
this, on the banks of the Boyne, see the magnificent seats of Earl
Conyngham (Slane Castle), and Mr. Lambert (Beaupark), whose grounds
have the appearance of one domain, being separated only by the river
running between romantic rocks, the summits and sides of which are
partly adorned with wood; and the union of this scenery, combined
with the dressed lawns of these two seats, renders the whole prospect
highly interesting. Tarah has long been celebrated in Irish history
as the place of coronation of the Irish monarchs. Here are some
remnants of Danish fortifications, and the ruins of a Ch., sombre and
picturesque. See ruins at Trevet.
TRIM, 22 m. N.W. of Dublin, is the assize town.--See picturesque ruins
of an ancient Castle, celebrated through all the periods of Irish
history; once the property of Mortimer Earl of March: situation
romantic; many ruins of Monasteries. The ruins of Bective Abbey stand
on a high bank of the Boyne, about 3 m. E. of Trim. Here the tourist
may contemplate the domestic range of buildings connected with the
Ch.; and, as the walls and division of the apartments are still pretty
entire, may form a very good idea of monastic manners. The S. side
a range of 12 arches, supported by clustered pillars, opens into a
gallery which also runs along the W. From this gallery is an opening
into a range of cells, gloomy and inconvenient, and seemingly fitter
for the dead than the living. The whole place is indeed sombre in
the extreme, with its Gothic doors and windows in several places,
and projecting towers and turrets. The outline is picturesque, and
deserves a visit. Clonard has some curious monuments in its Abbey
ruins. At Newton are the remains of the Ch., belonging to a monastery
founded in the 13th century; though much shattered, yet they have
once been august, and are now sweetly enveloped in ivy. Tradition
attributes (falsely) an ancient tomb to a daughter of King John. On
the road from Trim to Mitchelstown see the ruins of a square fortress
with circular turrets at the angles, called Scurlack's Town Castle,
seated on the borders of the river Boyne, which is here a silent
stream full of weeds and rushes.
MINERALS.
Limestone:--quarries at Ardbraccean, resembling marble.
Potter's clay:--has been discovered near Dunshaghlin; is deemed
superior to that of Staffordshire.
Vitrescent stone:--found in quarries near Slane.
BOTANY.
_Drosera anglica_, Great Sundew:--on a bog near Isaac-tower.
_Nymphæa alba_, White Water Lily:--in the Boyne and other rivers.
FERMANAGH.
This county will always be an object of interest to the tourist, on
account of Lough Erne, besides several smaller pieces of water, on all
of which are situated some of the finest mansions and demesnes in the
island. Its general surface is mountainous, interspersed with extensive
boggy tracts, which rendered it, in early times, almost impregnable,
when possessed by the sept of M'Guires. Bounded, S. and W. by Leitrim;
N. by Donnegal and Tyrone; E. by Monaghan and Cavan.
BELLCOO, 9 m. S.W. of Enniskillen, and on the verge of the county,
though a small is yet a neat village, and may form a station for the
tourist, being seated on a considerable stream that runs into Lough
Mac Nean, and thence to Lough Melve. The well called Davugh Phedric is
noted as a cold bath, and nearly equal to Holywell in force. See ruins
of Ch. 1 m. From hence also the tourist may visit Florence Court.
BELLEEK, 18 m. W. of Enniskillen, is a pretty village, with a very
fine waterfall: ascend a hill with a battery on its top, from whence
is seen a woody eminence with an insulated rock covered with shrubs,
along which the stream passes with great rapidity, falling about
twenty feet, and forming a most enchanting prospect. See it also from
the bridge. It stands at the outlet of the lake, close to the verge
of Donnegal. See Castle Caldwell on the northern shore, seated amidst
promontories of thick wood that shoot into Lough Erne, with every
variety of wood and lawn and water that can delight the eye. Near it
is Lewrel, a demesne of singular beauty.
ENNISKILLEN, 80 m. N.W. of Dublin, is nearly in the centre of the
county, and seated at the junction of the two divisions of Lough
Erne, so as to form a convenient station for the whole county. It was
celebrated in the wars of the Revolution by its heroic defence against
James's army; and part of the military works yet remain near the
bridge. See handsome barracks; superb school-house; and the Castle.
Visit Bellisle, the romantic residence of the late Lord Ross; Castle
Coole, 1 m. dist. Lord Belmore, an elegant mansion of Portland stone;
Daughtons, 4 m. N.W., where are some curious caves; Florence Court, 7
m. S.E., on the southern shore, a very superb modern edifice, seated
at the foot of lofty mountains, in the midst of a highly cultivated
demesne, with most romantic prospects.
LISNARICK, about 10 m. N.W. of Enniskillen, is a small hamlet, but may
suffice as a station for the northern bank of the lower lake. Close to
it is Castle Archdall, a magnificent mansion; and 2-1/2 m. further,
see Cash, an inconsiderable village, but amidst fine scenery, with
ruins of a Castle.
LISNESKEA, 12 m. E. of Enniskillen, is a decayed village, but may
serve as a temporary station for the Upper Lake; and as there are
many genteel residences in its immediate vicinity, the tourist, if
so inclined, may trust to Irish hospitality. See ruins of old Castle
at Calla Hill, across the lake; ruins of an old Ch. at Donough, 2
m. S.E.; Gola, 5 m. W., with some remains of a Dominican monastery;
Newton Butler with a handsome Ch.; and Wattle Bridge, where are some
fragments of a Druidical temple on the banks of the river; also St.
Mary's Ch., and two small lakes.
LOUGH ERNE is 20 m. in length, and covers nearly 48,000 acres. It
has been little noticed by tourists; yet its beauties deserve some
leading directions. Those who have time to spare, or the artist
who wishes to devote his time to study, may employ a few days very
agreeably in perambulating its limits, so as to catch each point of
view under the various effects of morning and evening tint, or even
noon-tide radiance; but where a day only can be allowed for seeing
it, that day will be most profitably spent on the island of Bellisle,
where the Earl of Ross has a most delightful residence. Here we may
introduce an observation, regard to which will often be highly useful
to the picturesque tourist.--It is, that the same view presents a very
different appearance when seen at the commencement and at the close of
day. In no part of the world is this, perhaps, more noticeable, than
in Ireland, owing to its moisture, raised into vapour by a meridian
sun, condensed by cold winds rushing in through extended valleys,
through the day, settling in the dells or fringeing the mountain
tops in the still repose of evening, or rising like a curtain at the
influence of the morning beam. In pursuance then of this hint, the
hurried tourist, especially if pedestrian, should proceed to Bellisle
at the earliest dawn, and he will find himself sufficiently occupied
until the nightfall in traversing its limits round an extent of 200
acres consisting of all the variety of hill and dale, with partial
sprinklings of lawn, interspersed with ancient woods of considerable
extent, in some spots exhibiting all the deep majesty of shade, in
others opening into more cheerful clumps, or scattered breaks of
foliage. The varied surface exhibits the whole contents of this woody
scenery to great advantage, presenting, even in what may be called
the home views, sufficient amusement for a day; but much increased
by its junction with the surrounding scenery at every break in the
hills, and at every verdant point jutting into the lake, particularly
so in front of the mansion, where a reach of it passes under the eye
of the spectator, reflecting the fine woods and rising banks that give
beauty to the scene and shelter to the house itself. This part of the
lake, being 3 m. in length, possesses all the charms of distance, and
has in front another island clothed thick with wood encircling a bold
eminence, appropriated to the purposes of a deer park, in the rear of
which a lofty mountain gives almost a magic relief to the whole. This
is finely contrasted, on a short turn to the right, by some clumps
of rich foliage, and by several pretty islands starting boldly from
the surface, broken into a thousand picturesque forms by the windings
of the lake, and the whole body of water is lost in a narrow defile
where hill on hill closes the view. Here too is every facility for
viewing the lake in a double route; as the walks most commodiously
surround the island at its outermost limits, besides leading to the
best points of view in the interior; and indeed it will be proper not
to omit the prospect from a handsome temple which commands the whole
of this enchanting scenery. The grotto ought also to be visited, and
attention paid to the effect on coming out of it, when the contrast
presents a beautiful effect, in two of these islands appearing to
join, the streight between them having the semblance of a deep bay,
whose extremity is lost amidst the sombre foliage in the back-ground.
Behind these is the hill of the deer park, the lofty mountains behind
which for a moment draw attention from the nearer beauties; but these
latter must not be neglected, as their examination in all the neatness
of artificial culture contrasts finely with the bleak and wild
surrounding imagery of nature. The widest part of the loch is in the
vicinity of Castle Archdall, where it resembles the sea, and presents
a charming panoramic prospect if viewed from the little island of
Ennismachcent, no less than 27 isles and islets surrounding the
spectator. The prospect to the N. is the finest, when Castle Archdall
is seen in all its glory of wood and water reaching on the left to a
noble bay of considerable extent, bounded by lofty mountains softening
into distance, and shrouding in their bosom a much venerated Roman
Catholic cemetery, with a large stone cross standing on a pedestal at
its entrance.
In Lough Erne, the most celebrated island for holy purposes is
_Devenish_, in which there are a round tower and considerable
ecclesiastical ruins, some as early as the 12th century. These
buildings are of the Augustinian order of monks; and the most ancient
part is called St. Molaise's House, a vaulted building of hewn stone;
coeval with which, in Mr. Ledwich's opinion, is the round tower; and
both, as he supposes, of Danish origin.
MINERALS.
The mineralogist will find little here to interest him; but the
geologist may discover much food for research; especially in the bogs
that lie N. of Enniskillen, where sea shells are often found mixed
in strata of white clay, 15 feet below the surface. This clay is
calcareous; and the whole, in process of time, may become a bed of
marble.
BOTANY.
_Bryum flexuosum_, Soft Bryum:--on rocks.
_Cicuta virosa_, Long-leaved Water Hemlock:--in watery places and
rivers, in Fermanagh.
_Serapias latifolia_:--a variety of broad-leaved Bastard Hellebore; in
woods and hedges.
_Vaccinium Myrtillus_, Black Whorts, Whortle-berries, or
Bilberries:--on heaths and in woods.
GALWAY.