imperfect articles of pure gold, of a similar form, were found in the rich black mould near the altar. Returning again to the main road to Larne, Red Hall, the residence of Mr. Ker, lies on the right hand, near to which is the old Mill Glen, and the Salt Hole. It was here that, on the 4th of November, 1597, Sorley M'Donnel entrapped Sir John Chichester, the Governor of Carrickfergus, into an ambuscade, by feigning to retreat before him, until he had him fairly in his power; his little army was cut to pieces, and he himself taken prisoner; and shortly afterwards inhumanly beheaded upon a stone at Glynn, near Larne, as already noticed in our account of Carrickfergus. Farther on, the extensive lime-works of Maheramourne claim attention. A considerable trade in lime is carried on between this place and Scotland. As you go on towards Larne you pass the scene of the landslip of 1834, by which the coach-road was carried into the Lough, and the shore raised more than thirty feet above its former level. The land upon the left presented a very singular appearance after the occurrence, being crumpled up and split into deep fissures in all directions. The geologist should alight and examine the lias formation along the shores of the Lough, where he will easily procure fine specimens of Pentacrinites, Gryphœa incurva, Plagiastoma giganteum and duplicatum; the Amonites, Lamberti, Macdonelli, and Conabeari, besides many others. These are chiefly found in the lias marls, and are easily separated from the partially indurated mass. The separate joints of the stems of the Pentacrinites are found abundantly near a small well, about a mile from Larne, and are called "well stones." They are beautifully marked. An amusing experiment is often performed with them, which creates no small surprise to the uninitiated. A number of them are placed upon a plate, in apparently pure water, but which in reality is a mixture of sulphuric acid or vinegar, the action of which upon the lime forces the thin joints to shift their position. LARNE has little to recommend it except its beautiful situation. From the elevated grounds in its vicinity the view is worthy of attention. The most prominent object is the old Castle of Olderfleet, in ruinous decay, situated on a singular little peninsula, called the Curran, which signifies a reaping-hook. It was here that Bruce landed, in 1315, with his forces intended for the invasion of Ireland. The Castle is very ancient, and was built by the family of the Bissets, to whom Henry III. gave the place, with possessions in the neighbouring district. The Lough presents the appearance of a fine inland lake, being entirely landlocked, and having only a narrow entrance from the sea. Its wide and placid bosom forms a fine feature in the landscape. There is a ferry-boat between Olderfleet and Island Magee, by which the tourist, for the charge of a penny, can cross over to examine the northern end of the peninsula, and the Druid altar, already noticed. The existence of rocksalt in Island Magee is rendered highly probable by the existence of several salt springs. Gypsum is found at Portmuck, and a bed of red ochre exceeding 150 feet in thickness. The Hulin rocks or Maidens, a group of small rocky islands, about six miles from the main-land, with their two white lighthouse towers, standing like two maidens dressed in white, form a very conspicuous object from this point. There is an ancient Pagan remain, called Carndoo, or, locally, "The Abbey," on the face of Ballybooley hill, consisting of several huge stones ranged in a circle. The space within is occupied by six upright stones, arranged in pairs, and supporting two blocks above five feet long. Another singular feature of this district consists in a series of quadrangular enclosures, extending along the face of the hill for two miles, called by the people Boley houses. (Reeves' Down and Connor, p. 263.)* The district of Larne, towards Maheramourne, is celebrated as being the birth-place of St. Comgall, who was the founder of Bangor, in the year 517.-(Ibid.) * Map 51, Ord. Survey. "In the parish of Templepatrick there is a Pagan monument of considerable interest; its name, Carngraney, signifies the Cairn of the Suir. It consists of "ten large slabs raised on side supporters, like a series of cromlechs, rising from N. E. to S. W. for the length of 40 feet. The smallest is on the ground, 5 feet by 3; the largest is raised 7 or 8 feet, is 6 feet 9 inches, by 5 broad, and 2 feet thick. It is also called Granny's Grave."-Reeves' Down and Connor, p. 66. |