Picturesque Ireland : a literary and artistic delineation of the natural scenery, remarkable places, historical antiquities, public buildings, ancient abbeys, towers, castles, and other romantic and attractive features of Ireland . ast pagan sacrificed within it. It is a thing to be proud of, as aproof of Irelands antiquity, to be guarded as an illustration of her early creedand arts. It is one of a thousand muniments of an old nationality, which anational government would keep safe. And an article quoted by Davis fromthe London Athcncsum, showing of what great interest to the English antiquar
Picturesque Ireland : a literary and artistic delineation of the natural scenery, remarkable places, historical antiquities, public buildings, ancient abbeys, towers, castles, and other romantic and attractive features of Ireland . ast pagan sacrificed within it. It is a thing to be proud of, as aproof of Irelands antiquity, to be guarded as an illustration of her early creedand arts. It is one of a thousand muniments of an old nationality, which anational government would keep safe. And an article quoted by Davis fromthe London Athcncsum, showing of what great interest to the English antiquarianwas the knowledge and preservation of Irish antiquities, speaks of New Grangeas that most gigantic relic of Druidical times, which has justly been termed theIrish pyramid. The Mound of Dowth, not as broad at the base, is more conical than that ofNew Grange. The former, situated on one of the higher slopes of the riverbank, is a mile distant from the latter. Traces of the surrounding stone circlestill remain. Formed of loose stones, a verdant sod had covered its surface,which was partially disturbed by the explorations undertaken at the request ofthe Royal Irish Academy in 1847. These examinations disclosed a gallery run-. Entrance to Gallery, Dowth. 282 PICTURESQUE IRELAND. ning eastward, formed of huge stones and roofed with,large flags, leading to achamber of a cruciform shape, formed, with slight exceptions, in the same manneras that of New Grange. Some of the stones in the passage, which is twenty-seven feet long, are rudely decorated with carved circles and curved and zigzaglines. Both in the passage and at the entrances of several of the minor cryptsand recesses which branch from the chamber, are sills, formed by large sunkenflags, projecting above the surface apparently for the purpose of preventing the displacement of the side walls by ex-
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidpicturesquei, bookyear1885
