Athlone, 20 m. S.W. of Mullingar, stands pleasantly on the Shannon, with fine scenery, particularly in Lough Ree. Formerly rich in antiquities; but almost all destroyed by fire in the civil wars, though now a town of considerable extent, and nearly in the centre of Ireland. In the town there is a strong Castle defended by numerous guns. See the pontoon or floating bridge, consisting of between 30 and 40 boats. Examine chalybeate spa. Many beautiful prospects between this and Ballymenach. Inquire for ruins of Monastery at Drumrany, or Drumrath; also at Kilkenny West, a small village. At Maghretibot, or the Field of Theobald, see the field of battle where Sir Theobald de Verdon fell in a contest with the Irish clans. Moatagrenoge, 8 m. S.E., has an excellent inn as a station for those who wish to explore this district, where there are the ruins of numerous old Castles, a good modern Ch., a seat of Lord Sunderlin at Ballinabon, and the venerable remains of Garey Castle.
Ballymore, midway between Athlone and Mullingar, has several objects worth seeing. Village small. Ch. neat: ruins of Castle; also of Killinney Castle near it. Lough Scudy has on its banks the ancient Monastery of Plassey.
Castletown Delvin, 12 m. N.E. of Mullingar, is a small village, but a good station for several objects in its district. Near it is the ancient baronial seat of the Earls of Westmeath; of which a part is standing, consisting of an oblong square, with a lofty circular tower at each corner. Near it is a large Danish rath. See, in its vicinity, Baronston, the seat of Lord Sunderlin, a magnificent mansion, including the wings, 300 feet in front, seated in the midst of a considerable park, embosomed in excellent plantations, and surrounded by a charming country, richly diversified with lakes, hills, and mountain scenery. Clonmellon has an elegant Ch., with a steeple and spire, of modern erection, but in imitation of the Gothic. See small lakes to the N.W.
Fore, 9 m. N. of Mullingar, deserves a visit on account of Lough Lane in its immediate vicinity. See the ruined Ch. of Clonarney, and that of Archerstown, near a new-built seat of Mr. Battersby; also a seat of Mr. Smith. Between Archerstown and Fore, Sir R. C. Hoare notices a tumulus which appears to be sepulchral, surrounded by a fosse, but not so exactly executed as those on Salisbury Plain. But Fore also interests by its own ruins of parish churches, walls, and gateways, with the shell of a spacious Monastery seated in the vale below, dedicated to St. Fechin, first built in 630, and re-founded in 1209. Sir R. G. Hoare states that this Monastery presents a large pile of simple and unornamented masonry; the Chapel is still in a tolerable state of preservation, and has three narrow pointed windows. Lough Lane (already mentioned) a large piece of water with three wooded islands upon it: it produces good trout and pike. The scenery is not very romantic, for the banks are flat, but well cultivated. On its N. side the waters penetrate under the rock, and reappear on the opposite side of a hill near Fore, where they turn a mill. To the S. of the lake, at a short distance, is a raised earthen work, commonly called the "Fort of Turgesius," a chieftain of great military renown with the old historians. He lived in the ninth century. If any reliance can be placed upon topographical derivations, this vicinity must once have had a very literary character; for Foure signifies the town of books, and Lough Lane, the lake of learning! This lake gives birth to two rivulets, which discharge themselves into the sea on opposite sides of the island. There are fine rides through the well cultivated country in its vicinity, especially in the road to Rochford, commanding in succession a view of a pleasing lake, Lough Derrin; the "Crooked Wood," a hill so distinguished for its foliage, though now denuded; and the beautiful wooded hill of Knockdrin. See Castle Pollard, and Pakenham Hall; also Loughs Armagh and Drin.
Kilbeggan, 10 m. S. of Mullingar, is a pleasant village, with good river scenery in the Brosne. Some remains of Monastery. The artist may here find amusement.
Kinnegad, 10 m. E. of Mullingar, is a mere village, but has excellent accommodations for the wanderer. On a hill near to it see ruins of Ardmullan Castle; also Kilbride Pass, where are ruins of ancient Ch. and two Castles.
Mullingar, 34 m. W. of Dublin, is the shire-town, with good accommodations. Some ruins of a Dominican friary; also Baronston, the seat of Lord Sunderlin, may be visited from this place. See beautiful Ch. recently erected. The statistical tourist will do well to consult Curwen's Letters, vol. ii. p. 249. Inquire for Horse-leap, 6 or 8 m. S., where are some remains of a very stately Castle built by Sir Hugh de Lacy, one of the earliest English adventurers; and another 2 m. distant. To the N. inquire for the beautiful demesne and elegant mansion of the Nugents, with remains of a venerable Castle in vicinity. To see Lough Derryveragh in perfection, go to Wilson's Hospital, delightfully situated between that and Lough O'Whel, or Hoyle. From the Hospital notice charming view of Lord De Blaquiere's residence and the romantic lake scenery, with a prospect over five counties. The Hospital is supposed to be in the centre of Ireland; its revenues are large. About 2 m. from Mullingar, from an eminence, there is a most extensive prospect of Lough O'Whel and Lough Ennel, looking towards Belvidere, which has the celebrity of being one of the most enchanting spots in the island. Lough Ennel lies between Mullingar and Kilbeggan, and is pretty extensive, its eastern banks decorated by many gentlemen's seats. Near this is the late Lord Belvidere's seat, at Belvidere, perched on the crown of a beautiful little hill, half surrounded with others, variegated, and melting into one another. Lough Ennel, many miles in length and two or three broad, flows beneath the windows, spotted with islets, whilst a promontory of rock fringed with trees starts into it; the whole bounded by distant hills. "Greater and more magnificent scenes are often met with, but no where a more beautiful or a more singular one." Multifarnam possesses the magnificent ruins of an Abbey of Franciscans, highly interesting for its connection with a most important period of Irish history. When the monasteries were dissolved, this abbey was given to an alderman of Dublin, one of whose successors permitted the friars to assemble here again, with a splendour nearly equal to their former state, having their organ and choristers in the Ch., with fine apartments for themselves, barracks for soldiers, and a large establishment for the reception of those who chose here to seek for shelter; and it is asserted that within the walls of Multifarnam was first concerted that rebellion which broke out in massacre in 1641. Enough remains to gratify the lover of ancient architecture, in its pointed gables, Gothic windows, and lofty tower 60 feet in height, and in its solemn cloisters which may still be traced. New-Pass, not far distant, is a pleasant mansion with good lake scenery. See Tyril's-Pass, a neat village with ancient Castle ruins.
MINERALS.
Nothing remarkable.
BOTANY.
A virgin field; but promising great variety of aquatics.
[WEXFORD]
Presents many interesting considerations to the English tourist, arising from its being the first active scene of invasion by the Anglo-Norman adventurers in the reign of Henry the Second. It is, however, a district very little noticed by casual travellers, who, perhaps from its apparent deficiency in mountain scenery, rashly pass it over en route, reserving all their admiration and praise for the more classical beauties of Killarney. Yet Wexford well merits investigation, not only for the magnificent and romantic views at every turn of the Slaney, one of the most beautiful rivers of the island, which divides it nearly in equal parts, but also for the immense number of Gothic castellated ruins which yet adorn its green eminences, the relics of feudal barbarism and of intestine hostility. Add to this, much of it is in a high state of cultivation; especially the baronies of Bargie and Forth, which yet are completely denuded of all kinds of timber. Bounded N. by Wicklow; E. by Irish Channel; S. by Atlantic Ocean; W. by Waterford, Kilkenny, and Carlow.
Bannow, 11 m. S.W. of Wexford, may be visited along with Feathard and Clonmines. Here Strongbow landed, temp. Hen. II. Those fond of aquatic sports may visit the Saltees.
Clonmines, 10 m. S.W. of Wexford.—In his excursions on the banks of the romantic Barrow, the tourist will not omit to visit the ruins of the once very extensive Abbey, with its light, lofty pinnacled tower, ivied walls, and elegantly ramified western window, formed of red grit, but completely whitened by the moss which enwraps it. Some fine specimens of ornamental sculpture are to be found in the architecture of the western door and in the arches of the cloisters, also on a monument within the Ch.
Clonegall, 21 m. N. of Wexford, is a small village: but here the tourist may commence his examination of the river Slaney. Visit Newtonbarry, the seat of Col. Barry, deriving great animation from the picturesque effect of river scenery combined with modern improvement, and the majestic range of Mount Leinster.
Enniscorthy, 8 m. N.W. of Wexford, stands agreeably on the Slaney. Ancient Castle fitted up as military depôt. Handsome bridge, six arches. Close to it is Vinegar Hill! A few miles to the E. is Courtown, remarkable for its evergreens, which grow to an immense size with a marine aspect. Near this also are the pleasing seats of Kyle and Bellevue, places of extraordinary beauty, and affirmed by Mr. Wakefield to be inferior to none in the British empire, abounding in magnificent scenery, richly planted, undulating and varied in their surfaces, and animated by the Slaney flowing between them, which often assumes all the grandeur of an expansive lake.
Fethard, 15 m. S.W. of Wexford.—Ancient Castle, once in ruins, lately altered and modernized. Principal tower is an elegant specimen of the ancient military architecture, with its crown and battlements supported by brackets or consoles, and fantastic embrasures from whence the enemy could be annoyed in the old system of defence. Visit Dunbrody Abbey, on the Barrow; ruins magnificent; fine sculpture in W. window. Several ruins of Castles and Danish raths. Duncannon Fort is a good specimen of modern fortification, though of early foundation, having been erected for the defence of the river against the threatened attacks of the Spanish Armada, in the reign of Elizabeth. It stands on the flat surface of a lofty rock which overlooks the bay forming the entrance of the river. See the Hook Tower. At a distance of about 3 m. from the fort stands one of the most noble religious ruins in the island, Tintern Abbey, in consequence of its first monks being brought from that abbey in Monmouthshire by the founder, William earl of Pembroke, whose piety was prompted to a vow during a threatened shipwreck.
Ferns, 13 m. N. of Wexford.—On an eminence in the town see the ruins of the ancient Castle, one of whose fine circular towers is almost entire, containing amongst other apartments a beautiful chapel, the groining of which springs from consoles in the wall, but the flooring is gone. Over it is an arched room with embrasures or loop-holes. See ruins of Abbey; elegant Episcopal Palace; modernized Cathedral, with ancient tomb of St. Meoloch. Camolin is the seat of Earl Mountnorris.
Gorey, 21 m. N.E. of Wexford, exhibits the effects of rebellion in the destruction of several elegant seats in its vicinity. Here were horrible scenes of massacre.
Ross, or New Ross, 15 m. W. of Wexford, stands amidst fine scenery on the Barrow, opposite to the junction of the Nore. Several ruins of religious houses, and an existing monastery. Elegant wooden bridge. Fine view from the hill. In the Ch. of St. Saviour, see a curious monument, of as early a date as the commencement of the 14th century, but falsely attributed by tradition to a lady of the name of Rose Macrae, who is called sister to Strongbow, an anachronism which confutes itself. The female figure lies on the monument, with the hair reticulated round the forehead; and on the breast is a solitaire, from which a curious ornament hangs pendant. Here was fought one of the bloodiest battles in the late rebellion. (See Hall's Tour, vol. i. 98, for many curious particulars.) Near it is Scullabogue, where near 200 protestants were burnt to ashes in a barn.
Wexford, 67 m. S. of Dublin, a very ancient town. Vestiges of walls. See elegant modern Ch.; Court-house; wooden Bridge 2100 feet long, where 97 protestants were butchered in the rebellion. Trade and manufacture considerable. Small obelisk, to the memory of Major Vallotton. See some ruins of the Ch. and Abbey of Selksar, or the Priory of St. Peter and St. Paul, supposed to have been founded by the Danes. The antiquary will not fail to visit the majestic ruins of the Ch. of St. Mary, of which Grose has given a good plate, representing it as small but of excellent workmanship; being remarkable for its elegant arches supported by round columns, the cases and capitals of which are of peculiar construction. The shafts of the pillars are of hewn stone; but the remainder of the ruin consists of plain walls and unornamented windows. Amongst the sepulchral monuments which remain, there is a tomb with some sculptures, and a female figure recumbent, but for whom it is unknown. The choir is entered by a circular arch, the others are Gothic. To enjoy a very fine prospect go to Ferry Carrick, where the stream becomes contracted between considerable rocks. Here the tourist ought to land, and ascend the rising ground on the west side of this narrow pass. An inland bay, which appears unexpectedly, and animates the scene in no common degree, then opens to the view. This noble expanse of water is bounded by steep banks, all cultivated, and in some places covered with timber. To the E. the distant mountains, which are softened into the purple of distance, add much to the effect of the surrounding scenery, which, indeed, abounds with uncommon beauties. Immediately beneath is seen a handsome wooden bridge, painted white, which makes a very pretty object in this natural picture, still further diversified by the ruins of an old Castle on an opposite rock; a situation that seems to bespeak a sense of taste, as well as a sense of danger in the steel-clad chieftain who once frowned within its sombre walls.
MINERALS.
Schistus and argillite in the western districts. Siliceous pudding-stone in several places. Granite and limestone.
BOTANY.
Yet uninvestigated.