State Papers. Russell and Prendergast, Preface to State Papers. Parliamentary Gazetteer. M. Haverty, “History of Ireland.” Belfast Naturalists’ Field Club Guide. S. M’Skimin, “History of Carrickfergus.” Calendar of Patent Rolls. Sweetman, Calendar of Documents. Carew MSS. “Notes on a Plan of Carrickfergus.” J. Bell, “Origin of the Name of Carrickfergus” (_Ulster Journal of Archæology_). [Illustration: CARRICK-ON-SUIR CASTLE.] _CARRICK-ON-SUIR CASTLE_ “The court of Carrick is a court well fortified. A court to which numbers of the noble resort, A court noted for politeness--a court replete with pleasures, A court thronged with heroes, A court without torchlight, yet a court illumed; A court of the light of wax tapers! A plentiful mansion--so artistically stuccoed With sun-lit gables and embroidery-covered walls.” Translated from Irish by J. O’DALY. Nineteen miles south-by-west of Kilkenny, in the Barony of East Iffa and Offa, County Tipperary, stands the old town of Carrick on the left bank of the Suir. The name Carrick is derived from a rock in the Suir at the point where the town is built. The castle was erected by Edmond le Bottiller in 1309, he being created Earl of Carrick six years later. Upon his son receiving the title of Earl of Ormond the old title fell into disuse. The present remains consist of two great towers of the Plantagenet castle, rising behind the Tudor mansion which was erected by Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond, in the reign of Elizabeth. Although not now inhabited it is preserved from further decay. The two quadrangular towers of the older fortress stand on the river bank, and are separated by a courtyard which was entered on the north by an arched gateway from the river front. In one of these towers is situated the chapel, which is connected with the banqueting hall by a narrow passage. A strong light from a double window falls upon the altar, round which is the remains of a carved stone canopy supported by the figures of angels. The Tudor house which connects the older buildings is a many-gabled mansion, and said by O’Donovan to be the most perfect specimen of that period’s architecture in Ireland. The ceiling of the Great Hall is a beautiful example of stucco work. It is divided by richly-moulded ribs enclosing Tudor emblems, and arms and mottoes relating to the Ormond family. This apartment is 63 feet in length by 15 feet in breadth, and is lighted by mullioned windows, that on the north side being large and deeply recessed. It also contains several handsome chimney-pieces. The walls were richly hung with tapestry, which was removed at the beginning of the nineteenth century, some of it being transferred to Kilkenny Castle.