then retained it as his mensal parish. He was succeeded in 1849 by the Rev. Bernard Magill, the present pastor. Eighty years ago so great was the scarcity of priests in this district that it was quite a common thing to spend two or three days searching for the priest in case of a sick call or baptism, or any other clerical duty.

We will now proceed to the parish of Clonmany, but not through the Gap of Mamore, the usual way to it from Desertegney, as I intend to attempt a full description of that famous pass in another chapter. We will, therefore, return and go by the mail car road through Meentagh Glen. Meentaghs, or the Bar of Inch, contains 3,258 statute acres, much of which is coarse mountain pasturage, but some of the low-land lying around the base of the hills is of fair quality. Iron stone is abundant, and quantities of it have been carted to Buncrana recently for exportation. About the centre of the valley is a beautiful sheet of water abounding with trout and eel. The superfluous waters of this lough are carried away by a small river which empties itself into the Crannagh. As we turn down to the lough we pass the National School of Drumfries, which, with its snow-white walls and neatly kept yard, stands out in pleasing contrast with the broad expanse of heath and moorland around. The building in question likewise serves as a postoffice, which is kept by the master.

The highway passes along by the verge of the lake, at the north end of which, nestling in a creek at the foot of the hill and surrounded by trees, is Meentagh House, a country residence and shooting lodge, the property of E. Harvey, Esq., of Lancashire, England, owner of an extensive estate in this neighbourhood. The inhabitants of the glen are thrifty and industrious, and derive much of their support from the rearing of cattle and sheep, while for flax raised in it, the Inishowen Farming Society have given their first prize for several years in succession.

CHAPTER X.
Clonmany.

Leaving Meentagh, we enter the parish, and two miles further on, the town of Clonmany or Gaddyduff, respecting which an anecdote is related that you will hear by and by. The parish of Clonmany is bounded on the north by the Atlantic, and on

the west by Lough Swilly, where that inlet enters from the

ocean.

From Leenan to Dunaff, from Dunaff to Binion, from Binion to Carrickabrachy, from thence to Figart Point, on to Strabreagy, and from Figart Point to Rasheany, the whole of the coast is perhaps as wild and romantic as any other of the same extent even in this county. Along it are bold and elevated cliffs, with spacious caverns open to the sea, picturesque bays and far extended sand beaches, toward which the vast green billows chase each other or expend their unavailing fury upon them in mountains of foam. The interior of the parish too is no less rugged and diversified. Its entire area is 23,376 acres, twothirds of which are irreclaimable mountain. Beginning at the west we have within it Dunaff Hill, Cruckurris, Bulliba, Raghtan, which is the most elevated, Binion Hill, and the mountains of Giblan and Coolcross; the cultivated land lying chiefly in valleys among these ranges. The mountains are composed of whinstone and clay slate, and at Ardagh are lead veins, which have never been worked. The Clonmany river, which rises in Barnan lough, near the foot of Slieve Snaght, flows through the centre of the parish, and empties itself into the bay of Tullagh. Two corn mills and a flax mill are built along it, and its waters abound with trout, eel, and salmon. This river, before it enters the ocean, passes through a vale of uncommon grandeur. Leaving Clonmany town and crossing the bridge, the road to Urris passes along its western boundary. On the left of this road and quite near it, Raghtan rises proudly to an elevation of 1800 feet above the sea, and in the same range, separated only by Butler's glen from Raghtan, is the almost equally imposing and beautiful Slievecerragh. Passing along these hills the valley extends to the golden sands of Tullagh, which form its north-west boundary, and shut out from view the surface of the ocean in that direction. A beautifully shaded highway, running parallel with the river, goes down along its eastern side to the sea at Binion House, and along this road the beauties of the whole valley may be seen to advantage. First, the Glebe House and village of Straid, which consists of a single row of houses, stand facing us beyond; further down, the parish church, a neat, solid edifice, with low square tower, situated on a gently rising ground below the road; beyond this, stretching to the very foot of the mountain, is the wellwooded demesne of Glen House. We can scarcely discern the

buildings as they are shaded over by the lofty beeches, elms, and other trees growing high and close around them. Finally, on this side we can catch a glimpse of Binion House, a handsome modern mansion, the residence of Mrs. Loughery, the respected proprietress of a considerable portion of this neighbourhood, and of the cliffs in the back ground rising precipitously, tier on tier, to the summit of the hill, and of the broad blue ocean surging around them. What with rolling billows, high towering hills, rich and well cultivated fields, meadows, lawns, and woodlands, this valley is ornate with scenic grandeur, and blessed in a high degree with the riches and bounties of nature. In a line of rocks on the Tullagh beach the sea has scooped out a low cavern, from the roof of which a chink or narrow opening leads like a chimney to the upper surface of the rock, and through this a jet of sea water is thrown vertically for several feet by the force of pressure from below. This natural fountain, with its curious hydrodynamic movement, is an object of considerable interest; such is the view of this valley from the road near Keelogs. We will now cross the fine old bridge which spans the river, and proceed along the western verge of the valley, on our way to Urris and Mamore. A drive of a few minutes brings us to the church, now Protestant. This church was founded by St. Columb in the 6th century; and in connexion with it was also a rich monastery. History makes honourable mention of the clergy of this parish; thus it is said in the Annals of the Four Masters, "Loughlin MacGilla-Calma, Vicar of Cuil-Maine, a wise and pious clergyman, died A.D. 1499." The graveyard is at present literally piled with heaps of the dead; it is raised many feet in height, and seems to be wholly vaulted underneath, while almost every grave is covered with a flagstone; nearly all these stones lie flat on the surface of the earth, and are, for the most part, unhewn and uninscribed. But there are inscriptions on some, and several of these cannot fail to attract the visitor's attention. On the north side of the church, and surrounded by a wall, are two tombstones, on one of which he may read "Underneath this stone lieth the remains of Mrs. Mary Chichester and only daughter to Henry O'Neill of Shane's Castle who died on the 12th day of May 1786. Also those of her son Rev. Dr. Chichester who was for many years Rector of the parish of Clonmany and who to the great grief of his relations, his friends and his parishioners departed

this life on the 31st of August 1815; aged 72 years." On the other-"Underneath this stone are the remains of Catherine Ball relict of Samuel Ball Esqr. of Grousehall and daughter of the Rev. Arthur Chichester who departed this life on the 11th day of April 1799 in the 49 year of her age." On another stone, of best Italian marble, which is in the southern half of the yard, is engraved the figure of a stag, with the following inscription:" Here lyeth the body of Martha, wife of Mr. Henry McNeill daughter of Col. Edward Carey who died the 29th year of her age and on the 17th day of July 1725." Also, "Here lyeth the body of Col. Daniel McNeill who departed this life on the 11th day of September 1709, aged 59 years." I may mention that this Colonel McNeill lived at Binion, and owned some property in the neighbourhood; but his memory is held in the utmost detestation by the inhabitants of the parish. He led a wild and irregular life, and kept a number of low retainers about him who aided in procuring him the means of gratifying his odious and immoral propensities. The epitaph on another tombstone runneth thus:-"To the memory of Denis O'Donnell, gentleman,* who departed this life on the 9th of April 1778 aged 78 years. Also Anne his wife who departed this life on the 13th of May 1769; aged 45 years. Their issue 5 sons and one daughter." On another is engraved a hand, chalice and book, and inscribed, “To the memory of Rev. Patrick M'Faul who departed this life on the 14th March 1805; aged 32 years." The last I will note is at the west angle of the yard, and the epitaph runs thus, "Erected to the memory of Archibald M'Murray who departed this life September the 18th 1828; aged 77 years." The artist must have had an eye to business, or have longed for fame, for he adds, "Letrd. by James McMurray."

I should not omit to mention that there is also a neat monument in honour of some members of the Doherty family, of Glen House of Neal Doherty and of Dr. Doherty, who died in Honduras. In the yard is a stone on which, as tradition says, St. Columb prayed, and stations are still made by the people here on St. Columb's day, the 9th of June. At the east end of the church is a small cellar, where one of the Maginnesses lay in fever while on his banishment, and in which the country people used to make malt.

* O'Donnell was a poet, and the author of a celebrated song, entitled "Playraka-na-bhollon."

The following amusing anecdote is related of this church, or rather of an incident which occurred there at one time when it was undergoing repairs. In the neighbouring village there lived a certain bandit who was known by the sobriquet of Gaddydubh or the black thief. This amiable character had an assistant or companion, and they arranged one night to prepare a feast, no matter at whose expense. It was agreed that the chief should effect an entry into the church, kindle a fire, have water boiling and cabbage in readiness, while his companion in iniquity should go and steal a sheep. Accordingly, both went to work with due diligence.

At that time a Scottish Roman Catholic lived in Urris, and with commendable friendliness used frequently to visit a Protestant countryman of his who lived about a quarter of a mile from the church. On the night in question, passing by the lonely edifice, he was somewhat startled to see light in the church at an unusual hour. Curiosity prompted him to walk up to the door, and peering through the keyhole he beheld a tall, lank, swarthy form, with a ponderous knife or cleaver chopping what he considered was human heads. A large fire was burning, and over it was fixed a huge pot or cauldron, from which clouds of steam ascended. He then hastened to his friend's house, and found within only his mother, an old lady who was afflicted with rheumatism, and unable to move about without the use of crutches.

"Jeannie," said he, "ye widna ken what I seed the nou." Ough, Ranald, sure no, what might it been?"

Weel, Jeannie," said Ranald, in a whisper, "I seed the deil in your kirk.”

"He had on a muckle pot, and was boiling awa' at bodies heeds."

"I widna b'lieve that, Ranald, the deil couldna' come into our kirk, and could I walk I'd go there to convince ye that yer mistaken."

"Ne'er say it again, I'll carry ye," said Ranald.

So getting her on his back they set out to the church. When they arrived there the black thief was still alone, and hearing Ranald's heavy footsteps, he thought it was his companion who was coming with the sheep, and running to the window, in an anxious under-tone cried out, “Is she fat ?"

To be thus so familiarly accosted by his sable majesty was too much for Ranald's nerves, so, depositing the old woman on the gravel walk, he ungallantly fled back to her house. Still