of its class-from examples elsewhere remaining in a more perfect state of preservation.*

Distances.-Ardara, 6 miles; Narin, 8; Ducarry, 10; Dungloe, 18; Fintown, 7; Killybegs, 14; Donegal, 18; Stranorlar, 21; Letterkenny, 23.

I.-EXCURSION TO NARIN.

The greater portion of the first two miles is over a bleak moor, but from every point of the road fine mountain views are obtained. At the third mile a detour should be made by the road leading to the right, to Portachurry, to join the direct route again at Maas, which road, carried along the steep declivities of the Derryloughan hills, abounds in exciting incident, and affords beautiful views of the Gweebarra Bay. The tourist will be struck with the marvellous profusion in which granite boulders

-some of them gigantic blocks--are sown broadcast on the surface of the ground over which he is passing.

"Narin is a primitive little fishing village, plea

* Staigue Fort, in the county of Kerry, is one of the most perfect Cathairs remaining in Ireland. "It consists of a circular wall of uncemented stones, about eighteen feet in height, and twelve in thickness, enclosing an area of eighty-eight yards in diameter. Upon the internal face of the wall are regular flights of steps, leading to the highest part of the building. The doorway is composed of large unhewn stones, and is covered by a horizontal lintel." -Wakeman's Handbook of Irish Antiquities, p. 46.

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santly situated opposite the island of Inniskeel, on which the antiquary will find a couple of ruined churches."* A monastery was founded in this island, at a very remote period, by St Connell, who is mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal, under May 22d, as follows :-" Connall, Abbot of InisCaoil, in Cinel Connaill, and he is himself of Cinel Connaill." The saint's paternal name was Caoil, and hence the name Inis-Caoil, pronounced Iniskeel. It is a great resort for pilgrims, who come here in large numbers during the summer months to beg the intercession of St Connell. Inniskeel gives its name to the parish, the most extensive one by the way, as far as acres go, in the county. The glebe-house (Rev. J. Ovens,) is hidden under the rocky head of Castlegoland hill, but the little church occupies a commanding position over the sea. Opposite the island, to the south, is a coast-guard station, at Portnoo. "This whole promontory, between Narin and Ardara, is worth exploring for the sake of the remains. On Dunmore hill, a headland one mile to the west, there are ten old forts. It was probably the grand signal-station, so that a signal made there would alarm the rest." The view from this hill is fine, embracing the magnificent cliffs of Slieveatooey, and the mountains above * Murray.

+ Ibid.

Glenties, forming a splendid range with the more distant peaks of the Glendowan, Slieve-Snaght, and Errigle. On the other side of the Gweebarra Bay is the bold headland of Crohy, whilst out towards the north the island of Arranmore forms a striking feature.

In the moor above Narin is Lough Doon, on which there is a Bawan in a tolerable state of preservation. Its circular wall encloses the whole area of a small island near the shore. Not far from Lough Doon is Lough Birroge, on which there is a simi lar remain, and about a mile further on is Kiltooris Lough, at the east side of which is Eden House, (G. Hamilton, Esq.,) and at the west side, on an island close to the shore, are the remains of a castle belonging to the O'Boyles, once the lords and masters of Boylagh.

From this place a hilly road leads to Kilclooney, where there is a Cromlech, near the road, at a short distance beyond the Catholic chapel. The table, or covering stone, measures about eighteen feet from east to west, about twenty from north to south, and from six to eight in thickness. This gigantic slab slopes with a considerable incline towards the west. Close to this larger "bed," as it is called, is another of about one-third its dimensions. Both are enclosed by a stone circle. As the people of the locality

never call this monument by the name of Cromlech, the visitor should ask to have Lebacha Diarmid agus Grainné, or the beds of Diarmid and Grainné, pointed out to him, a designation which has originated in a very ancient and popular tale. The famous Cormac Mac Art had a daughter, Grainné, celebrated far and wide for her personal charms, whom the still more famous Finn Mac Cumhal solicited in marriage. Cormac was favourable to the hero's suit, and, accordingly, to his court at Tara came Finn, attended by a chosen body of warriors, amongst whom were his son Oisin, his grandson Oscar, and Diarmid O'Duibhnè, one of his chief officers. A banquet, suitable to the occasion and the dignity of the guests, was prepared, at which the beautiful Grainné did the honours of mistress of the mansion. It was the custom in those remote times for the lady presiding at table to fill a rich drinking-cup with the choicest liquor, and to send it round to be tasted by the guests. In due time. Grainne's precious cup was carried round by her maid until all drank of it except Oisin and Diarmid, and as the bowl passed, great was the praise pronounced by all on the delicious draught. But the murmur of compliment quickly subsided into deathlike silence, for the liquor in which they pledged the young hostess proved a powerful narcotic

that threw every one that had tasted it into a profound sleep. Having thus far succeeded, she appealed to the characteristic chivalry of Oisin and Diarmid to rescue her from an overwhelming misery. Finn was an old and war-worn man. How could she consent to become his wife? But as her father had agreed to the match, the only way to escape the deep misfortune was by flight. Oisin, of course, could not dishonour his own father, but Diarmid could become her partner and protector. The lady's eloquence prevailed. Diarmid and Grainné bade a hasty adieu to Oisin and departed. Great was the rage of King Cormac and Finn, when they awoke from their trance, to find that the bird had flown. The renowned Finn started at once in pursuit, and the sequel occupies the chief portion of an interesting Fenian romance.*

Looking to the east, from Kilclooney, the visitor will easily identify Carnaween, the highest point in the mountain range in that quarter. On this lofty summit there is another Cromlech, and, according to the legend told in the mountains, the fugitives succeeded thus for a time in eluding pursuit. Finn, as all the world knows, had a tooth of divination, which he consulted in all his difficulties by putting

* “The Pursuit of Diarmid and Grainné,” with a literal translation, has been published a few years since by the Ossianic Society.