The Scientific Tourist through Ireland: in which the traveller is directed to the principal objects of antiquity, art, science & the picturesqueWalford, Thomas
History
The Scientific Tourist through Ireland: in which the traveller is directed to the principal objects of antiquity, art, science & the picturesque
Walford, Thomas
Ireland -- Description and travel
BUSH MILLS, 8 m. N.E. from Coleraine.--The nearest accommodation for
the Giant's Causeway. 3 m. N.E. Ruins of Dunluce Castle on a romantic
cliff. 3-1/2 m. N.W. the seat of ancient Irish chieftains, and
surrounded by the scenery of Ossian's first poem. Take a boat for view
of the coast.
CARRICKFERGUS, 8 m. N.E. of Belfast, the county and assize
town.--Ancient Castle built by Hugh Lacy, Earl of Ulster, in 1178.
Ch. with monuments of the Donnegall family. New Court-house and Gaol.
Some remains of an ancient monastery: ancient walls and pier where K.
William landed. Romantic scenery towards the N.E. and Island Magee,
including Castle Dobbs, and Kilroot where Thurot landed. 3 m. N.W.
ruins of Abbey at Monks Town, where tradition points out the grave of
King Fergus.
CUSHENDUN, 10 m. from Glenarm.--A small village in a romantic bay;
grotesque caves, and a caverned rock on which Red Castle stands: it
presents several specimens of whyn dykes to the geologist, containing
veins of calcareous spar mixed with coarse-grained basaltes. Between
it and Glenarm, about half way, rises the sharp promontory of Garron
Point, exhibiting a beautifully diversified trapose outline, and
projecting far into the sea, on a limestone base wrought into caverns
by the restless surge. A little N. of the point is the romantic vale
of Glenariff, containing red sandstone, porphyry intermixed with
veins of jasper, and a curious breccia or pudding-stone; but, to the
sentimental traveller it is even more interesting; for here he may
conceive himself in the genuine country of Ossian, as nearly every
romantic object in the vicinity bears a name connected with that hero.
DUNLUCE CASTLE, 5 m. W. of Bushmills.--The most striking ruin on the
coast; on an isolated, abrupt rock, perforated by the waves which
have formed under it a very spacious cavern. The approach to it is
along a narrow wall; but it well repays the risk; its dark basaltic
walls marked with the mellow tints of time, in some places forming
a perpendicular line with the rock on which it stands, whilst its
commanding situation, its numerous gables and turrets, (resembling
the ruins of a village destroyed by fire,) excite a high idea of its
former magnificence, and a feeling of regret for its lost splendour.
It was built probably by De Courcey, afterwards enlarged by native
chieftains, and finally by the Macdonnels in the time of Elizabeth.
Though in total ruin, a particular chamber is said to be haunted, and
to be the favourite abode of Mave Roe, a Banshee or such fictitious
personage, who sweeps it every night; but, as Dr. Drummond observes,
the sweeping winds that rush through that and the other desolate
apartments, will sufficiently account for the cleanness of the room
without the aid of supernatural agency.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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