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ROSCOMMON.
bay of the lough. Just before reaching Kiltoom, 84 m., there is a good view again, including the wooded Inchmore. Beyond Kiltoom the limestone shows on the surface, and we run through a stony country to Knockcroghery, 90 m. The church is seen on the left. The village (Pub. Ho.) is engaged in the manufacture of tobacco pipes which are made from clay imported from Cornwall.
Onward to Ballymurry, 93 m., there is nothing to observe unless it be a heron or two and the Royston crows, light breast and back, which seem to be common hereabouts. The hill on the right, some distance away, is Slieve Baun (857 ft.). On the left, we pass the well-wooded Mote Park (Lord Crofton) and then reach Roscommon, 96 m.
Roscommon (Royal Hotel) is the chief town (pop. 2,000) in the county, but except for the antiquary offers nothing of interest. The Castle (10 min. from station), fairly seen from the railway, was founded in 1267 by Robert de Ufford, Justiciary of Ireland. It consists of a great quadrangle, with a round tower at each angle and a gate-house. The residential buildings in the inner court remain but are of no particular interest.
The Abbey, originally founded by St. Coeman, in the 6th cent., afterwards belonged to Canons Regular (Augustines). The considerable ruins of the abbey church appear chiefly to date from 12-13th cent. In the chancel is an effigy said to be Felin O’Connor, King of Connaught, who founded a Dominican Priory at Roscommon, in 1257, and dying in 1265 was buried in the abbey.
The remains of Derrrane Abbey, 2 m. N.E., are insignificant.
Donamon Castle (St. G. Caulfield-, Esq.), on which the proprietor has expended many thousand pounds, is just seen, left, as we near Donanon, 102 m., Besides the station, Ballymoe, 102 m., there is nothing to remark on the way to Castlerea (113 m.), a small town on the Suck. Then the line enters on a boggy district, at first reclaimed and then in its original dreariness. At Ballinlough, 119 m., Lough O’Flyn, with an islet but otherwise featureless, is on the right. Nephin (2646 ft.), round topped, now comes into view on the right, and the infant river Suck is crossed. Ballyhaunis, 124 m., is rather an oasis after much dreariness. The land here abouts is part of Lord .Dillon’s very poor property. There is nothing to record on the way to Claremorris, 135 m. For continuation of rail, see p. 197. Railway in progress to Collooney (1891).
Claremorris (small hotel “Imperial”, with shop attached. Pop. 1319) has no interest for the tourist except as a convenient point at which to leave the line for Connemara, there being a mail-route as far as Cong (22 m.) whence it is a. beautiful drive of 26 miles to Maam and Leenane.
Claremorris to Ballinrobe, 15 m; and Cong, 22 m. Mail cars abt. 3 a.m. after arr. of down night-mail, and in afternoon after arrival of up and down limited day-emails; fare to Cong, 3s. 6d.
The road crosses the railway east of the station, and for two miles passes through a pleasant English like country, succeeded by a tract of boggy land, over which the newer and direct route, followed by the car, is very rough. After rejoining the older road we enter the shady precincts of Hollymount, the park of that name, finely timbered, being to the right of the road,
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