Sir Henry Sydney, Lord Deputy in Queen Elizabeth’s reign, when sending to Sir Francis Walsingham a summary of his services in Ireland, says: “I caused to plant and inhabit there about forty families of the reformed churches of the Low Countries, flying thence for religion’s sake, in one ruinous town called Surds (Swords). And truly (Sir) it would have done any man good to have seen how diligently they wrought, how they re-edified the quite spoiled old castle of the same town and repaired almost all the same, and how godly and cleanly they, their wives and children lived. They made diaper and ticks for beds, and other good stuff for man’s use, and excellent good leather of deer skins, goat and sheep fells, as is made at Southwark.” Upon the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland the castle ground was purchased by the late Charles Cobbe, Esq., who leased it to the late Henry Baker, Esq., whose successor still holds the land. The ground enclosed by the walls is at present laid out as an orchard and garden, and the castellated battlements, which were built to protect the royal state of wealthy prelates, have now no sterner duty than to shelter the delicate apple blossoms from the harsh spring winds, and to catch the sun-rays for the ripening fruit. AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. Right Rev. W. Reeves, D.D., Pamphlet 011 “Antiquities of Swords.” Rev. Canon Twigg, MS. Paper read to Antiquarian Society. Grose, “Antiquities of Ireland.” D’Alton, “History of County Dublin.” D’Alton, “Archbishops of Dublin.” Calendar of Carew MSS. _TILLYRA CASTLE_ Not far from Ardrahan, in the County Galway, stands this castle, which originally belonged to the Burkes or De Burgos. We read that Ulick, 3rd Earl of Clanricarde, married a daughter of Burke of Tullyra, but it seems to have passed to the Martyns during the sixteenth century. This is generally supposed to have been through marriage. Hogan mentions the Martins of Tillyra in 1598. In one of the upper chambers is carved the date 1614, accompanied by the initials “S. B.” A somewhat modern doorway opening into the courtyard is surmounted by a stone shield bearing the Martyn arms. They are said to have been presented to the family by Richard I., who was accompanied by Oliver Martyn when he went to the Holy Land. Underneath the arms on the right side are the letters “R.M.,” and on the left “C. M.” In 1702 Oliver Martin of Tulliry, Esq., was allowed to retain his lands after the rebellion, because he had assisted so many Protestants during the insurrection. This was an almost unique concession at the time. The present owner, Mr. Edward Martyn, of literary fame, has recently erected a beautiful modern mansion near the old fortress. AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. J. Fahey, “History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Kilmacduagh.” J. Hardiman, “History of Galway.” Hogan, “Description of Ireland, 1598.” _TIMON CASTLE_