station for viewing the Lakes, which take from it their usual
appellation; but properly Lough Lane. It is a pleasant little town,
and affords every comfort required by the traveller; but its great
charm is in the Lakes, about 1 m. distant. A minute description of
this beautiful scene is beyond our limits: we shall therefore briefly
record the objects that deserve examination--but, for the convenience
of the solitary tourist, to whom the expense of the usual exploratory
routine would be enormous, shall first point out a route that will
amply gratify the finest taste and the most insatiable curiosity.
After visiting Mucruss Abbey, take a guide at the foot of Turk's
mountain, and by a circuitous path climb its almost precipitous sides
covered with wood, pursuing the course of a little stream that dashes
from rock to rock concealed amongst shrubs and trackless underwood,
through which brush your way with some little exertion until you
arrive at an eminence opposite Eagle-crag, from whence at one _coup
d'œil_ you take in the three lakes with their adjacent scenery. Here
you view the lower lake like a circular bason, bounded on one side by
romantic mountains, and having the rest of its banks finely studded
with the town of Killarney, the seat of Lord Kenmare, Ross Castle
stretching into the Lake, Mucruss Abbey, and villa, together with
its numerous archipelago of islands, richly fringed with the arbutus
tree. The lake is then seen contracting into a narrow passage with a
small bridge, thence to Mucruss Lake at your feet, of an oval form,
and perpetually wearing a gloomy and solemn appearance from the dark,
sullen shadow of Turk's Mountain that frowns upon it, covered half way
up with sombre firs. Beyond this is Mangerton, the highest mountain
in Ireland, at whose foot a serpentine stream unites the upper lake
with the others, traversing a valley or dell between Turk's Mountain
and the Eagle's Nest; behind the latter of which, the seat of the
celebrated echo, you will see the sublime chain of mountains called
M'Gillicuddy's Reeks. If your good fortune shall place you in this
situation whilst visiting parties are traversing the lakes with their
et-cetera of horns and swivels, then the effect is most sublime,
infinitely more so than can be felt by the tourists on the bosom of
the lake. Return by the Flesk bridge, and conclude the tour by a visit
to Aghadoe, Ross Castle, and any other objects that may
be pointed out by the numerous guides who frequent this interesting
spot. To facilitate general investigation, we shall now sketch the
routes, and record a few observations of the most recent tourists. The
lakes are three in number: the largest, or Lower Lake, contains 3000
acres; Mucruss Lake, to the south, covers 640 acres; and the Upper
Lake has 720. Mr. Wakefield observes that since Mr. Young's visit to
Killarney, the timber which clothed the mountain Glenaa has been cut
down, and the stumps are now copsed; but the young trees had not yet
(1812) attained to a great size, being only twenty feet in height.
At that period, however, they were sufficient to cover the mountain
with foliage, which, waving before the breeze, gave it a much more
lively and agreeable appearance. The trees also on the islands near
the town have fallen under the destructive axe,--a loss much to be
regretted by the lovers of sylvan beauty, as it cannot be repaired
until after a lapse of many years. Mr. Wakefield adds, however, for the
satisfaction of the picturesque tourist, that although it is a general
complaint that the views of Killarney have been destroyed by those
sweeping falls of timber, yet he only acknowledges them to be "injured,
no doubt, in some small degree; but the views here are still almost
unrivalled, particularly in regard to that species of beauty which
arises from mountain scenery of the most magnificent kind, and which
the hand of man has not the power to alter. It will therefore remain
to delight every traveller who has the pleasure of seeing it, unless
the face of the country should be changed by some grand convulsion of
nature." As a further guide to the tourist it may be mentioned here
that Mr. Wakefield recommends the bridge which joins the peninsula to
Breechan Island, as a fine station for a view. The peninsula itself he
considers as very fine: to the S., see Mangerton and Turk mountains
in all their glory, sinking down to the rugged point at the Eagle's
Nest, where there is a view of Glenaa, the immediate foreground being
filled up with Breechan and Dyne's Islands, beyond which is seen the
Lower Lake, with Ross Castle, whilst the distance is completed by the
town of Killarney, and the island of Innisfallen. The Upper Lake he
describes as an immense reservoir, in a hollow between stupendous
mountains, the rugged, rocky, and almost perpendicular sides of which
may be said to overhang the water, whilst the whole scenery is of the
most awful and extraordinary kind, such as very seldom occurs, and on
a scale of magnificence hardly to be equalled any where else, except
in the wildest districts of Switzerland. Sir R. C. Hoare observes,
that the collected beauties of this favoured spot are so great, so
varied, and so superior to any thing that he had ever seen in Italy,
Switzerland, or England, that to delineate or describe them he felt
impossible. His route was to embark at Ross Castle, then stretch across
to Innisfallen and see ruins of Abbey thickly embosomed in wood; thence
in a westerly direction to O'Sullivan's Cascade, finely disposed in
a thick forest, whence he coasted under Tomies mountain, where the
view opens magnificently at Glenaa Point, where see the cottage. From
thence to Turk's Lake under Brickeen bridge. See Turk's Mountain,
majestic and perpendicular. Back to Glenaa Cottage to dine, and return
to Killarney. On the following day proceed to Mucruss; ruins of Abbey:
eminence in park, with bewitching view of Mucruss, Lower Lake, and
distant mountains, a most exquisite panorama. The Upper Lake occupied
a third day. Embark at Ross Island. Stretch across to Glenaa, where
tourists must land whilst the boat is tracked or pushed up a shallow
stream. Examine the arbutus. The boat is again tracked at the old weir
bridge, where view the Eagle's Nest, and fire a swivel for the echo,
or sound the bugle-horn. Enter the Upper Lake; view the Sugar-loaf,
the reeks, and Purple mountain. Accommodation at cottage on Ronan's
Island; but the tourist must carry his own provender. See long-extended
range of rock and wood at Cromiglaun; descend the lake, and notice the
numerous grotesque insulated rocks and romantic bays. A fourth day
spent in visiting the N.E. shores of the lake by land, leads to the
gap of Dunlo, scenery truly alpine, and highly deserving the artist's
attention. Mr. Weld's routes can only be followed by a resident tourist;
but we must record his recommendation to view the lakes by moonlight.
Miss Plumptre first ascended Mangerton, and praises the effect of a
bugle-horn at the Devil's Punch-bowl. On a second day she visited
the Upper Lake; then the Lower; and on a third day, the Gap of Dunlo,
Dunlo Castle; finishing on the fourth, by visiting Mucruss, the scenery
in its vicinity, and Turk's Lake. Mr. Curwen embarked at Ross Island,
visited the rock called O'Donoghue's prison, Cherry Island, Glenaa,
the first day. The second day was spent on the Lower Lake; thence to
Turk's Lake, Upper Lake, Eagle's Nest, Ronan's Island; alpine scenery
of M'Gillicuddy's reeks, 3695 feet, and superior in effect of sublimity
to Mont Blanc. Return by Turk's Lake and through the islands to Ross.
Having recommended the ascent of Mangerton to the tourist, it may be
proper to point out the objects which will then gain his attention;
and, on this route, following Mr. Wakefield, it may be observed that
on attaining a certain height, the Lower Lake, then the only one
visible, has the appearance of an inundated marsh; but, ascending
still further, the channel to the Upper Lake and a fine expanse of
mountain scenery burst suddenly upon the view, as if by some magic
charm; the whole forming a most extensive landscape, enriched by the
variety of tints arising from the aërial perspective fading into the
remotest distance. Near the summit is the crater of an extinguished
volcano, now called the Devil's Punch-bowl, but little more than a
large hole filled with water; proceeding a little beyond this, a new
prospect opens with grand effect upon the eye, showing the Iveragh
mountains like an ocean of wild confusion, with that large arm of the
sea, called Kenmare river, stretching a great way inland, and beyond
all, the wide expanse of the mighty Atlantic, seeming in the distant
horizon to unite its azure surface with the fainter coloured sky: to
the S. is seen Cape Clear; to the N. are the blue Dingle mountains,
M'Gillicuddy's reeks immediately towering above the spectator, whilst
the eye, glancing towards the interior of the island, catches a partial
view of the far distant Galtee mountains of Tipperary. Grand as this
panorama must be, the guides will hold out a strong temptation to the
adventurous tourist to attempt the enjoyment of one still finer by
the ascent of M'Gillicuddy's reeks, from whence the harbour of Cork
appears like a map extended at the spectator's feet, whilst to the S.W.
may be seen many of those huge headlands which form so conspicuous a
feature in that part of the Irish coast. Here too the Dingle mountains
dwindle into mere hills, and Brandon hill, which, when near it, seems
so tremendous, now appears little more than a hillock; whilst the
eye passes over Tralee bay as a small indentation of the sea, hardly
worth while to notice, and lost in the extent of the bay of Galway
and the mountains which surmount it. In short, says Mr. Wakefield--an
observation highly deserving the tourist's attention--those who go to
Killarney without ascending _one_ of those commanding heights, though
they may come away delighted with the high gratification derived from
the rich scenery of Mucruss, the beautiful appearance of the islands
emerging from the crystal flood, and astonished by the singularly wild
and rugged views which the Upper Lake affords; yet will they know
nothing of those grand, awful, and sublime scenes exhibited by nature,
where objects of the most terrific kind are united in the wildest and
most fantastical manner, exciting sensations not easily described in
the mind of the admiring spectator. Nor will the ascent of Mangerton
be found a difficult task even to the most timid: for various gulleys,
hollowed out by the winter torrents, afford a road so easy, that the
greatest part of the ascent may be accomplished on horseback. The
tourist must expect to find his expenses considerable: he must carry
his own provisions; and is expected to find provisions for his guides,
or pay 2s. each per day extra. These guides will also force themselves
upon him to a much greater extent than is necessary. The rates of the
boats are regulated by Lord Kenmare's order; but the boatmen always
expect more. The most remarkable objects in the vicinity are Aghadoe,
2 m. from Killarney, with fine view of the lake, with ruins of Ch.;
at Ardtully, a geological curiosity of two rocks, one limestone upon
a gritty soil, the other grit upon a limestone basis; Blackstones,
a small village in the mountains amidst romantic scenery; Dunkerran
Castle, of high antiquity; Dunlo, already mentioned: Glanfesk valley
beyond the Upper Lake; Glanerought vale towards Kenmare bay, highly
picturesque and romantic: at Kilgarvan, near it, the Fairy rock, amidst
the mountains, with impressions of human feet; Killagh Abbey, a few
miles E., in good preservation, a ruin with noble Gothic window; and
ruins of Kilcolman Ch.
[Illustration:
_T. Fielding fc._
_Lake & Mountains at Killarney_]
TARBERT, 20 m. N.E. of Tralee, is a thriving village, and contains a
Sessions House, and a good inn with convenient accommodation. Upon
a gentle eminence in the outskirts, stands the Ch. with a handsome
steeple. Near to it is the Public School. To the left of it is Tarbert
House, the seat of Sir Edward Leslie, in a situation which bears a
striking resemblance to Mount Edgcumbe. Tarbert is a good station for
those who wish to examine the romantic scenery at the entrance of the
river Shannon; especially as extending westward towards the ocean.
A ride along that coast first presents Rusheen, a pleasing seat and
plantations, and Lislaghtin Abbey, with a good view of Scattery Island;
then the island and Castle of Carrigfoile, anciently a fortified
mansion of the O'Connors, almost impregnable in situation. Beyond this
see the ruins of Beal Castle, the seat of a horrid murder detailed
in the _Pacata Hibernia_. Its vicinity is romantic, commanding fine
prospects, and abounding in game. To the west of it is a high cliff,
called the Devil's Castle, inaccessible to all but the winged creation,
whilst the shore at its base presents a great variety of romantic
caverns formed by the dashing of the waves of a turbulent ocean,
overshadowed by cliffs of most impressive grandeur.
LISTOWELL, between Tarbert and Tralee, is a neat little town on the
banks of the Feal, with a decent inn. See the remains of an old Castle
with a very high circular headed arch. On the banks of the river, see
Woodford, with some remains of an ancient Castle, the seat of the
Knight of Kerry.
TRALEE, 144 m. S.W. of Dublin, is a corporate and assize town, with a
neat square in the centre surrounded by the Court-house and Gaol.--See
the old Castle of the Desmonds, the Parish Ch., and some remains of
an ancient Dominican Convent. The town is finely situated at the
bottom of an extensive bay, surrounded by lofty mountains. Near it is
a chalybeate spring. 2-1/2 m. see Ballybegan, with ruins of ancient
Castle, and some curious caves, with a subterranean river, and various
specimens of stalactite; also a quarry of dark grey marble interspersed
with spar. Mineralogists may trace a vein of potter's lead ore
running amongst the limestone rocks. Castlemain, about 4 m. S., is an
inconsiderable place, but presents some pretty scenery on the river
Mang which falls into the bay. Between Tralee Bay and Castlemain, are
the lofty mountains of Sliebhmish. On the top of Cahir Conregh is a
circle of massy stones, by some supposed Druidical, by others Danish.
MINERALS.
Mangerton mountain abounds in variety of minerals; whetstones;
argillaceous iron ore; red and brown iron stones; spicular iron ore,
adhering to quartz; and numerous siliceous stones, but no calcareous
specimens.
Transparent crystals, generally known under the name of Kerry stones,
are found in various parts. Many of these resemble the diamond in
its property of cutting glass, but soon lose their hardness. The
mineralogist must principally direct his search for them amongst the
rocks and cliffs on the sea coast. Coloured crystals are found in the
vicinity of the lakes: these often resemble emeralds, topazes, and
sapphires. Some real amethysts have also been discovered.
Near Castle Island is found the once famous _Lapis hibernicus_, or
Irish slate, formerly of some officinal reputation, abounding in common
green copperas, or martial vitriol; also at Tralee.
At Dune, near Tralee, are pyrites, with sulphur, and iron ore.
Extensive iron works formerly existed at Glencarne, especially near
Blackstairs.
A salino-nitrous spring at Magherybeg rises out of the sand;
antiscorbutic.
BOTANY.
_Andromeda polifolia_, Marsh Cistus or Wild Rosemary: in bogs in
Iveragh and Dunkerron baronies, and near Isaac-town.
_Arbutus Unedo_, Strawberry-tree:--on rocks and mountains about Lough
Lane.
_Artemisia campestris_, Field Southern-wood:--in a field near Castle
Island.
_Asplenium Adiantum nigrum_, Common Black Maiden-hair:--on the
mountains.
_Asplenium Ceterach_, Spleenwort or Milkwort:--on rocks.
_Asplenium Ruta muraria_, White Maiden-hair, Wall Rue or Tentwort:--in
a rocky cavern near Blackstones.
_Asplenium Trichomanes_, English Black Maiden-hair:--on the rocks in
various parts.
_Astragalus arenarius_, Purple Mountain Milkwort; on the mountains
about the Lake of Killarney.
_Atriplex portulacoides_, Sea Purslane:--near the river Mang near
Callinafersy.
_Atriplex serrata_, Indented Sea Orache:--on the banks of the river
Galey, plentifully.
_Cardamine bellidifolia_, Daisy-leaved Ladies' Smock:--in the islands
of Lough Lane.
_Cheiranthus sinuatus_, Sea Stock:--near Beal Castle towards the
Shannon mouth.
_Chenopodium maritimum_, Sea Blite or White Glasswort:--on the shore
near Callinafersy, the bottom of Castlemain harbour.
_Cineraria alpina_, Mountain Ragwort:--on the side of Knockanore
mountain, near Fell's Spa, in the barony of Iragticonnor.
_Cineraria palustris_, Marsh Flea-bane:--in ditches in the barony of
Clanmaurice.
_Convallaria majalis_, Lily Convally, or May Lily:--in the island of
Innisfallen.
_Cratægus Aria_, White Beam Tree:--in woods and hedges in a mountainous
or chalky soil, plentifully.
_Cucubalus acaulis_, Moss Campion:--on the rocky mountains in Dukerron
near Blackstones.
_Draba muralis_, Speedwell-leaved Whitlow Grass:--on mountains near the
southern part of Lough Lane.
_Drosera rotundifolia_, Round-leaved Sundew:--in moist grounds near
Lixnaw.
_Dryas octopetala_, Mountain Elder:--on hills near passage into the
upper lake at Killarney.
_Echium italicum_, Wall Viper's Bugloss:--in sandy ground in Ballyheigh
Bay near Ferrit.
_Equisetum hyemale_, Rough Horsetail or Shave-grass:--in a bog through
which the river Buck runs near Lixnaw.
_Eryngium maritimum_, Sea Holly or Eryngo:--on sandy shores.
_Euphorbia hiberna_, Knotty-rooted Spurge:--on the mountains.
_Galeopsis villosa_, Hairy Dead Nettle:--in fields near Castle Island.
_Geranium maritimum_, Sea Crane's-bill:--on the strand of Tralee.
_Geranium moschatum_, Musk Crane's-bill or Muscovy:--on the abbey walls
of Lislactin.
_Geum rivale_, Water Avens:--on the hills near the passage into the
upper lake of Killarney.
_Herniaria glabra_, Smooth Rupture-wort:--on Lamb-head near the mouth
of the river Kenmare.
_Hieracium paludosum_, Succory-leaved Hawkweed:--in Ballybog.
_Ilex Aquifolium (baccis luteis)_, Yellow-berried Holly:--on mountains
near Lough Lane.
_Inula crithmoides_, Golden Samphire:--on rocks near Bolus-head in
Iveragh, and elsewhere.
_Jungermannia epiphylla_, Broad-leaved Jungermannia:--in a wood near
Beal Castle.
_Juniperus communis_, Juniper:--on the mountains.
_Juniperus Sabina_, Savine:--in islands at Killarney.
_Lepidium latifolium_, Dittander or Pepperwort:--near the head of
Kenmare river.
_Lichen islandicus_, Eryngo-leaved Liverwort:--on the mountains of
Iveragh near Blackstones.
_Lichen tartareus_, Welch Liverwort, Cork or Archill:--on rocks on the
sea coast.
_Lycopodium alpinum_, Mountain Club Moss:--on the mountains of Toomesh
and others near the Lake of Killarney.
_Lycopodium clavatum_, Common Club Moss:--on the southern districts on
the mountains.
_Lycopodium Selago_, Upright Fir Moss:--on Mangerton and most other
mountains near the Lake of Killarney.
_Ophioglossum vulgatum_, Adder's Tongue:--in moist meadows.
_Osmunda crispa_, Stone Fern:--on rocks among mountains in the southern
baronies.
_Osmunda regalis_, Osmund royal or Flowering Fern:--in bogs of
Irachticonnor; in a wood near Lixnaw and elsewhere.
_Paris quadrifolia_, Herb Paris, True-love, or One-berry:--in the wood
near Ross Castle; near the Lake.
_Peucedanum officinale_, Hog's Fennel, Sulphurwort:--on the shores of
Ballyheigh bay.
_Pinus Abies_, Common Fir or Pitch Tree:--in the mountains.
_Pinus picea_, Yew-leaved Fir:--in the mountains.
_Pisum maritimum_, Sea Pease:--on Inch Island in Castlemain bay.
_Polemonium cæruleum_, Greek Valerian, or Jacob's Ladder:--near Castle
Island, in meadows.
_Polygonum Bistorta_, Greater Bistort or Snakeweed:--in a park near
Tralee.
_Polypodium fragile_, Brittle Polypody:--on Mangerton mountains.
_Polypodium fragile γ_, a variety of the last; on the south side of the
rocks called the Reeks.
_Polypodium rhœticum_, Stone Polypody:--on several mountains round the
Lake of Killarney, near the new road to Glanerough.
_Pulmonaria maritima_, Sea Bugloss:--on the beach near Beal Castle.
_Rubia peregrina_, Wild Madder:--in the Island of Innisfallen.
_Rubus idæus_, Raspberry Bush or Framboise:--near Lough Lane,
plentifully.
_Salsola Kali_, Prickly Glasswort:--on the sea shore at the bottom of
Ballyheigh Bay.
_Santolina maritima_, Sea Cudweed:--on the shores of Ballyheigh strand.
_Saxifraga oppositifolia_, Mountain Heath-like Sengreen; among the
rocks near Blackstones.
_Saxifraga umbrosa_, London Pride, or None-so-pretty:--on Mangerton
mountain.
_Scrophularia Scorodonia_, Balm-leaved Figwort:--on the sea coast near
the Magherie Islands in Tralee bay.
_Smyrnium Olusatrum_, Alexanders:--on a small bushy hillock near
Crumlin Ch., about the shore near Dunkerton, the head of the river
Kenmare, and elsewhere.
_Sorbus domestica_, True Service or Sorb; on several rocks about
Killarney Lake.
_Solidago cambrica_, Welch Golden Rod:--near the Devil's Punch-bowl, on
the west side of Mangerton mountain.
_Tragopogon porrifolius_, Purple Goat's-beard:--on the banks of the
river Brick near Lixnaw.
KILDARE
Is an inland and small-sized county, soon traversed, and, with the
exception of numerous Danish mounts, containing very little to interest
the general tourist. It is, in short, little more than an extent of
bog; and the famous Curragh of Kildare, so celebrated in the annals
of sporting, is literally nothing more than a boggy down of about
3000 acres. Mr. Wakefield observes that the habitations of the poor
are so extremely wretched that they add the appearance of misery and
desolation to the general dulness exhibited by the face of the country.
Unfortunately there is scarcely any thing to contrast with this; for
the seats of the gentry, though much admired, are far from being
numerous. Bounded by Meath on the N.; Dublin and Wicklow, E., Carlow
S.; and W. by King's and Queen's Counties.
ATHY, 10 m. S.W. of Kildare, celebrated as the scene of battles in
early history.--See ruins of two Monasteries. At Ardee, 1 m., Danish
Rath. At Carmen, 5 m. E., Rath on conical hill, with extensive
prospect. See Kilberry Abbey, and Kildangon Castle, in ruins. At
Maistean, field of battle where bones are still dug up, of great
antiquity. Rheban, 2 m. N., has a quadrangular entrenchment, the
remains of an ancient city.
BALLITORE, a beautiful village, 12 m. S.E. of Kildare, situated in a
valley on a winding stream. It is a colony of Quakers, with houses
remarkable for neatness, cleanliness, and elegant simplicity, with
highly cultivated gardens. See Belan House, the seat of the Earl of
Aldborough, erected on, or near to the ruins of an old Castle which
was demolished by Cromwell; after which another mansion was raised,
since pulled down and rebuilt. It stands low, near the junction of two
streams, which at the distance of 4 m. fall into the Barrow. Plainness
and convenience seem to have been attended to on its erection, more
than elegance, though handsome and substantial; the front and rear
composed with breaks and ornamented with corner stone work; and the
whole forming a good object at the end of a magnificent avenue. The
visitor will be shown a bed which stood in the old mansion, in which
it is said, by tradition, that both King William and King James slept
in the course of the year 1690. The demesne is very extensive, and has
the singularity of being in five counties, Kildare, Wicklow, Carlow,
Queen's, and Dublin; and seven others may be seen from an eminence in
the grounds, King's, Meath, Westmeath, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford,
and Tipperary. Timolin, 3 m. S., see ruins of Castle, and Moone Abbey.
CASTLE CARBERRY, 12 m. N. of Kildare, is a station for the N.W. part
of the county. See ruins of ancient Castle, (1180) with extensive
prospect; also Newberry, a handsome seat of Lord Harberton.
CASTLE DERMOT, 18 m. S.E. of Kildare.--See ruins of Franciscan
Friary, and Ch., close to which a round tower in good preservation,
and beautifully enveloped in ivy; also remains of Castle, two stone
Crosses, and three Pillars of great antiquity. A place of early
celebrity, but now in decay. Kilkea Castle, 5 m. N.W., the property of
the Duke of Leinster, presents the tourist with the agreeable picture
of an ancient Castle fitted up for modern residence. Grose gives a
very interesting engraving of it; and he describes it as situated on
a rising ground and commanding an extensive prospect: near it is a
Ch., and the river Grisso runs at a small distance. Having been partly
rebuilt in the 15th century, it has a bawn or inclosure entered by
an arched gateway, defended by a round tower which projects from the
castle itself. In the front of the castle is the principal entrance,
with an outer staircase. The whole forms a very interesting object.
CLAIN, 10 m. N.E. of Kildare, stands pleasantly on the Liffey; Ch.
with lofty steeple; ruins of Abbey; ancient Castle, and extensive
Rath; Aqueduct Bridge near it.
KILCOCK, 18 m. N.E. of Kildare, and on the verge of the county, is a
populous but straggling village. Suffered dreadfully from the rebels
in 1798. See Cloncurry, 4 m., with ruins of ancient Ch.; also Donadea
Castle.
KILCULLEN, OLD and NEW, 7 m. S.E. of Kildare, with round tower, and
remains of monastic buildings; bridge over the Liffey. At Castle
Martin, curious Chapel and Mausoleum. Kilgowan, near it, has an
ancient stone pillar on a hill. At New Abbey, see the ruins and
monuments of the Eustace family. At Old Kilcullen examine the shaft
of an antique Cross covered with rude sculptures, of which a good
plate is given in Ledwich's Antiquities. The style is grotesque,
and evidently Danish. Some of the figures are intended to represent
priests engaged in religious offices; but the others are mere
caricatures.
KILDARE is the county town, about 28 m. from the metropolis.--The
Abbey is a very fine ruin, consisting of part of the tower and a
considerable portion of the walls, containing six Gothic arches and as
many buttresses, but entirely modernized. It is said that the ruinous
state of the steeple is in consequence of the siege during the civil
war, when its north side was knocked down by a Cromwellian battery.
The south wing is a mass of ruins, but the antiquary may still notice
two statues in alto relievo; one of which is the representation clad
in armour of an ancient knight of the Fitzgerald family, surrounded
by heraldic escutcheons; the other a bishop with his pastoral staff,
and his mitre supported by monkeys. Close to the ruins is a Round
Tower 132 feet in height, with a light battlement in pretty good
preservation, being one of the best specimens in the island. The
monastic annals of this town present the extraordinary instance of a
_Sacred Fire_ having been preserved from the time of the Druids by
Christian nuns of St. Bridget; a lady much celebrated for her virtues
and her miracles. The place where this relic of heathen superstition
was preserved, is still in existence, and now called the Fire-house.
Of this fire many wonderful tales are related, especially that
although it consumed great quantities of fuel, yet the ashes never
increased. It was considered impious to blow the fire with the human
breath, but only by a pair of bellows; yet people of plain sense
might suppose that a holy miraculous flame would never require human
assistance in any shape. It appears indeed that in the 13th century
the Archbishop of Dublin performed a miracle in putting out this
fire; but it was rekindled and continued in good preservation until
the dissolution of the religious houses. The town stands pleasantly
on the side of a hill; and the ancient Castle is partly habitable.
The Curragh is a fine unequal down of short pasture, famous for its
races; and contains 3000 acres; with remains of ancient Barrows or
small Raths, which Sir R. C. Hoare supposes to be Druidical. The hill
of Allen gives name to an extensive bog, and is celebrated for its
cave where repose the remains of Oscar and other Ossianic chiefs, this
being the hill of Temora in ancient times. Dunmurry presents great
variety to the mineralogist. Kilmaoge has an ancient Ch. At Lackagh, 3
m. W., ancient cemetery with ruins of Ch. and Castle. Monasterevan, 5
m. S.W., has a modern built Ch. and Nursery for the Leinster Charter
Schools: near it the venerable but beautifully repaired mansion of
Moore Abbey, seat of the Marquis of Drogheda. At New Bridge, ruins of
magnificent Abbey of Great Connell. Rathangan, on the banks of the
canal, suffered greatly in the rebellion.
LEIXLIP, 8 m. from Dublin, near Lucan, a romantic scene of wood,
rocks, and water.--Near it, at Castletown, is the finest house in
Ireland, built by the late Mr. Conolly: a large handsome edifice
situated on an extensive lawn surrounded by fine plantations, uniting
with sombre woods and artificial scenery. From hence visit also
Cartown, the picturesque seat of the Duke of Leinster; Summerhill;
Dangan, &c. &c. See also the Salmon leap, with magnificent old Castle
delightfully seated on a rising ground overhanging the Liffey, near
which is the celebrated Aqueduct of the royal canal, being 85 feet
above the river, equal to the famous Roman work at Pont de Gard in
France. The village is picturesquely situated on the edge of the
river, near a charming wild romantic dell, where high slopes covered
with wood rise on each side above the water, having paths that lead
to the Cascade. See at St. Woolstan's, 2 m. S.W., ruinous towers and
gateways of ancient Priory (1208).
MAYNOOTH, 11 m. from Dublin, has lately become famous for its Roman
Catholic College, formed to receive a great number of students. It has
a large Inn and fine Market-house; also a Protestant Charter School,
and near it are the ruins of an ancient Castle. Bishop's Court may
be visited along with the beauties of Leixlip: it is a magnificent
mansion and highly cultivated demesne of Lord Ponsonby. Celbridge, a
modern built village, is highly worth notice, with fine stone bridge
over the Liffey, and at the lower extremity an elegant Ch. lately
erected. See extensive woollen manufactory; also at the S. end of the
village, remains of a magnificent Abbey, now repaired, and converted
into a habitation presenting all the external appearance of its former
character, in all the gloomy grandeur of Gothic architecture. Castle
Browne, not far distant, has recently been purchased for a society
of Jesuits. Furnace is a beautiful seat, lately much improved, with
ruins of ancient chapel in the lawn, in which is a window of painted
glass of high antiquity and extreme beauty. At Oughterard, see ancient
Ch. and Round Tower on summit of a hill. Prosperous is another modern
creation, being founded by Colonel Brook in 1780, for a Cotton
Manufactory: 1/2 m. distant from which, at a place called the Cott,
is a strong sulphureous spa, richly impregnated also as a chalybeate,
useful in scrophulous and cutaneous diseases.
NAAS, 10 m. N.E. of Kildare, was in ancient times the residence of
the Kings of Leinster, of which it still retains evident marks in the
existence of Moats or Raths of considerable elevation at its N. and S.
extremities. See Court House; Parsonage House, built upon the site of
an ancient Castle; and extensive Barracks. No remains of its original
fortifications now exist; but the tourist will find a good inn,
with a supply of post horses. Jigginstown, 1/2 m. distant, has been
repeatedly noticed for the ruins of an elegant mansion begun by Lord
Strafford in the unhappy reign of Charles I. It stands close to the
road, and is vaulted underneath. At Johnstown is the ancient mansion
and extensive demesne of Lord Mayo.
MINERALS.
In the Red Hills on the southern limits of the bog of Allen, the
mineralogical tourist may derive great satisfaction from an examination
of the copper mines which were opened there about 30 years ago.
Dunmurry forms a kind of headland to the north of the chain of hills,
and the loose stones on its surface frequently appear as if calcined
in the fire, of a red purple colour, and sometimes tinctured with
sulphur, generally considered as certain indications of the existence
of copper. Here shafts have been sunk to the depth of 15 fathom in the
solid rock, which is calcareous in many places; and here is also found
a white argillaceous alkaline earth; together with calcareous spar, and
a fossil said to be a poor silver ore. On the conical hill of Allen,
about a mile distant, the vestiges of partial vitrification are even
more apparent, and many of the specimens are richly impregnated with
blue and green vitriol. Near Williamstown the mineralogist may visit
the deserted works of a silver mine, and amuse himself with scientific
research.
BOTANY.
_Narthecium ossifragum_, Lancashire or Bastard Asphodel:--in turfy bogs.
_Pinguicula vulgaris_, Butterwort, or Yorkshire Sanicle:--in pastures
near Barberstown.
_Samolus Valerandi_, Round-leaved Water Pimpernel:--in marshes and
moist meadows, at Monasterevan.
KILKENNY