Part 35

_Various Bronze Mountings._--Among the other objects which from their character and style of art belonged to the same group as we have just described are the following:--(_a_) Two ornaments of thin bronze in repoussé. One is a disc (No. 22), slightly impaired at the margin, bearing in the centre a triquetrum of symmetrical spirals, and surrounded by a slightly raised border. The other (No. 20) is in a more fragmentary condition, but sufficient remains to show the design to be a _swastika_ or _croix gammée_, worked after the same fashion as the former and probably serving as the central ornament of a disc. (_b_) Three cup-shaped ornaments each having a small aperture in the centre. One (No. 18) is surrounded by a broad margin like a wide-awake hat, which is copiously ornamented with incised lines. On the supposition that this was intended to adorn the face of a wooden shield the cup must have been embedded in the wood, as it is clear that its concave side is the front, there being no ornamentation on the other. Another of the same kind is represented by No. 19, and differs from the former only by having a smaller and less decorated border. In a third specimen the ornamented border entirely disappears, and its place is taken by a marginal bead. (_d_) A variety of annular and penannular rings, some hollow (Nos. 6 and 7) and others solid (No. 17). Some, as Nos. 8 and 9, are ornamented with designs (one of which still retains an enamel of a vermilion tint) and were probably attached to pins and used as ring-brooches. A curious object like a doubly coiled bangle with the coils adherent and ornamented with zig-zag lines is supposed to have been the rim of an oval brooch (No. 15). (_e_) A plain but elegantly shaped drinking-cup of thin bronze (No. 10) has neither handle nor any marks of rivets. (_f_) Among minor things are a couple of bronze pins, one with a round top and the other with a small ring; also a rude finger ring (No. 16), an ornamental stud (No. 21), and a rivet with one side deeply serrated like a cog-wheel (No. 26).

In addition to the above list of objects, all of which may be considered as part of one special and indeed unique group which by some chance found their way into the Lisnacroghera crannog, there are others similar to the usual class of crannog relics; and among these I have noted the following:--

_Iron._--Two large iron cauldrons in a fragmentary state; a large curved knife, like that of a hedge-cutter, still retaining its wooden handle; an axe (No. 4), also containing a portion of the handle; an adze (No. 5); a reaping hook; portion of a gunlock, together with various bits of an undefined character.

_Beads._--Several coloured and variegated beads (blue, red, and white) (Nos. 11, 12, and 14). One bead is of stone, another large one is of jet, and another of amber (No. 13).

_Stone._--One small stone axe of a dark colour and wedge-shaped, some elongated four-sided hones, hammer-stones, etc.; a few flint flakes, and rude arrow-points.

_Pottery._--A few fragments of coarse earthenware, indicating large wide-mouthed vessels.

_Miscellaneous._--A portion of "bog-butter" bearing the impression of a coarse cloth. Several pieces of wood with round and square-cut holes.

LOUGH MOURNE.

In consequence of the partial drainage of Lough Mourne during the summer of 1882, while its basin was being converted into a reservoir for the supply of water to the town of Belfast, two artificial islands became exposed which were at once recognised to be the remains of submerged lake-dwellings. Shortly after exposure I visited them in company with Mr. Robinson, the assistant engineer to the Belfast waterworks, and subsequently recorded my observations in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (B. 439), of which the following is a short abstract.

The first, which was easily accessible on foot, was very much disturbed by the repeated "howkings" of visitors. Its form, as determined by the area containing the stumps of piles, was irregularly circular, but nowhere exceeding 60 feet in diameter. Included within this area were four small separate elevations, composed of a few stones, clay, and ashes interspersed with burnt twigs and bits of charcoal. None of these elevations had as large a diameter as 10 feet, and it only required one turn over of the spade to reach the undisturbed bed of the lake. Digging on these so-called islets, and in the spaces around them, I found stumps of upright piles and fragments of burnt faggots, the latter forming a thin layer over the true lake-sediment. The piles were closely set, about one or one and a half foot apart, and uniformly occupied the whole area of the dwelling without any appearance of circular stockades; nor was there any semblance of a fascine-structure indicating an artificially constructed island. From the margin or outskirts of the area occupied by these piles a double row of stumps extended towards the shore, which, on being traced, were found to have stopped half way to the ordinary water-level mark. The conclusion which I came to was that this lacustrine dwelling was a true palafitte, over whose wooden platform two or three hearths were constructed of incombustible materials, as stone and clay. Probably these hearths would have been surrounded by some kind of huts. During the conflagration which had destroyed the entire wooden structures (of which final catastrophe there appeared little doubt from the amount of burnt faggots and beams that lay scattered over the lake bed all over the area containing piles), the materials of these hearths would ultimately drop down to the bottom of the lake, still, however, retaining their relative position, and so present the appearance of low mounds over the bed of the lake with the stumps of their supporting piles penetrating them.

Among the relics recorded from this lake-dwelling are "two small stone crucibles" (B. 320), an iron hatchet, part of a canoe, a hammer-stone, a rubbing-stone, two small urns (?), part of a large crucible, charred bones, teeth, shells of hazel-nuts. (B. 439, p. 324.) Flint flakes, scrapers, and arrow-points have been found in the vicinity along the shore, but on the crannog itself only a quantity of fine chips was discovered. Some of these relics I saw in the possession of a young man of the name of Macdonald, who lived in the neighbourhood and took an active part in searching for relics. The iron hatchet turned out to be of exceptional interest. It is a socketed celt, with a loop at one side for fixing the handle, part of which was still remaining in the socket. (=Fig. 125=, No. 1.) Bronze celts of this description are, of course, very common, but specimens made of iron are extremely rare, especially in the British Isles, and only exceptionally to be seen in the museums of Europe. This is the only one hitherto recorded from a British lake-dwelling, and, moreover, it is, as regards size and form, quite unique. It measures 6¾ inches long and 3¼ inches broad immediately above the cutting edge. The longest diameter of the socket is 2½ inches, and this breadth is continued for about two-thirds of its length, except where the loophole causes it to bulge outwards.

One of the crucibles, which I believe is now presented to the Belfast Museum, is rather peculiar in having a short projecting handle (No. 2).

It would thus appear that the inhabitants of this lake-dwelling practised the art of metallurgy, which would entail at least one fire-proof furnace, and thus partly account for the existence of so many hearths on such a small area.

The second dwelling was about 150 yards from the shore, in deep water, and lying over a great depth of quaking mud. It was a small example of the ordinary stockaded island, but owing to the softness of the mud and oozing of water no satisfactory investigation could be undertaken. Mr. Robinson calculates the extent of its submergence at 15 feet. Its entire surface was occupied by a heap of stones which gave it the appearance of a hillside cairn. Digging underneath these stones we came upon a thick bed of heather and brackens interspersed with beams and brushwood. Near the margin were to be seen a few piles and beams rudely mortised, from which one or two long beams radiated towards the centre like the spokes of a wheel.

In the first described lake-dwelling no submergence could have taken place, as the lake bottom was composed of compact sand in which the piles had a firm hold.

In different parts of the lake two single-tree canoes were found embedded in the mud, both of which are now preserved in the Belfast Museum. One is a plain trough of a rectangular shape with slightly sloping sides, measuring 12½ feet long, 2½ wide and 9 inches deep (No. 3). Its flat base is perforated with six circular holes ¾ inch in diameter. The other is pointed at both ends, and altogether much more artistic in its structure. It was originally about 13 feet long and 3½ feet wide, but the fore-part is considerably damaged. The stern portion is here figured (No. 4). It had two seats formed of neat planks of oak, seven inches broad, and supported on projecting ledges on each side cut out of the solid, as shown in the section No. 6. The seats (No. 5) were kept in position by two wooden pins at each end which penetrated into the solid supports. For the oars there were also two arrangements on each side consisting of perforated projections left out of the solid as shown on the margin of the portion here sketched. But the most remarkable feature of this canoe consists of four prominences with abrupt edges (also left in the solid) for the feet of the rowers, as seen in the illustration. The distances from the centre of the seats to their corresponding foot marks were 33 and 34 inches respectively.

LIST OF IRISH CRANNOGS ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED, WITH NOTES AND REFERENCES.

Aconnick Lough, co. Cavan. B. 13, Ap. p. 43. Acrussel Lough, co. Fermanagh. B. 444, p. 187. Allen Lough, co. Leitrim. B. 9, p. 45. [75]Aghakilconnel Lough, co. Leitrim. B. 13, Ap. p. 43. Aghnamullen ("Glebe Island"), co. Monaghan. B. 93b, p. 229. [76]Annagh Lough, two crannogs, between King and Queen's County. B. 149, p. 154. Annagh, parish of Kilbarron, co. Tipperary. B. 444, p. 212. Ardakillen, four crannogs. B. 13, p. 208, and Ap. p. 48; B. 18, p. 230. [77]Ardmore Bay, submarine crannog, co. Waterford. B. 329, p. 61, and B. 330, p. 154. Arrow Lough, co. Sligo, several stone islands near the Abbey of Ballindoon. B. 444, p. 245. Aughlish, about five miles from Enniskillen, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, pp. 323. Ballaghmore, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 322. Ballinafad, co. Galway. B. 214, p. 12. [78]Ballinahinch, co. Galway. B. 214, p. 12. Ballinderry, near Moate, co. Westmeath. B. 391, p. 196. Ballinlough, four crannogs, co. Galway. B. 70a. Ballydoolough, five miles from Enniskillen, co. Fermanagh. B. 191, pp. 360 and 569, and B. 217, p. 314. Ballygawley Lake, co. Sligo. B. 444, p. 246. [79]Ballyhoe Lough, two crannogs, near Carrickmacross, co. Monaghan. B. 13, p. 417, and B. 135, p. 8. Ballykinler, co. Down. B. 29, p. 86. Ballylough Baile-an-Locha. "Annals of the Four Masters," B. 27, p. 193, and B. 438, p. 168. Ballywoolen, co. Down. B. 29, p. 86. Bohermeen, co. Meath. B. 444, p. 82. Bola Lough, co. Galway, lake stone-dwelling. B. 214, p. 11. [80]Breagho, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 322. Camlough, co. Armagh. B. 444, p. 178. [81]Cargaghoge, Barony of Farney, co. Monaghan. B. 162, p. 269, and vol. v., 4th S., p. 330. Castleforbes, co. Longford. B. 24, p. 150. Castlefore Lough, two crannogs, co. Leitrim. B. 13, Ap. p. 43; B. 438, p. 409. Clogherny, co. Tyrone. B. 119, 2nd ed., p. 649. [82]Cloncorick Castle L., co. Leitrim. B. 440, p. 408. Cloneygonnell L. (Tonymore), three crannogs, co. Cavan. B. 60. Cloonbo L., two crannogs, co. Leitrim. B. 13, Ap. p. 43. Cloonboniagh L., co. Leitrim. B. 13, Ap. p. 43, and B. 438, p. 408. Cloonfinnen L., co. Leitrim. _Ibid._, and B. 438, p. 408. Cloonfinlough, two crannogs, co. Roscommon. B. 13, p. 208, and Ap. p. 40. Cloonfree, two crannogs. _Ibid._, p. 219, and Ap. p. 48. Cloonturk L., two crannogs, co. Leitrim. _Ibid._, Ap. p. 43. [83]Cloughwater Bog, near Ballymena, co. Antrim. B. 148, p. 21. Coal Bog (Kilnamaddo), near Boho, co. Fermanagh. _Jour. Arch. Association_, xxxvi. p. 271; B. 345, p. 66. Coolcranoge, co. Limerick. B. 444, p. 28. Corcreevy (Loch-Laoghaire) co. Tyrone. "Annals of the Four Masters," B. 13, p. 215. Corrib L., a few lake stone-dwellings, co. Galway. B. 214, p. 11. [84]Cornagall L., co. Cavan. B. 191a, p. 461. [85]Cornaseer, co. Cavan. B. 438, p. 148. Craigywarren, co. Antrim. B. 444, p. 110. Crannagh MacKnavin, co. Leitrim. B. 18, p. 233. Crannagh Lough, co. Antrim. B. 24, p. 157. Crannog-na-n-Duini, co. Donegal. B. 18, p. 233. Crannog-boy, parish of Inishkeel, co. Donegal. B. 444, p. 28. Crannog Mac Samhradhain, co. Cavan. "Annals of the Four Masters.," B. 9, p. 45. Creenagh L., two crannogs, co. Leitrim. B. 438, p. 408. Cullina, near Maryborough, Queen's County. B. 444, p. 210. [86]Currygrane L., two crannogs, co. Longford. B. 443, p. 410. Derreen L., co. Roscommon. B. 13, Ap. p. 62. Derreskit L., co. Cavan. B. 13, Ap. p. 43. Drumaleague L., two crannogs, co. Leitrim. B. 18; B. 13, Ap. p. 43. Drumdarragh or Trillick, co. Fermanagh. B. 441; B. 217, p. 324. [87]Drumgay, three crannogs and one stone-island, co. Fermanagh. B. 189, p. 232, and B. 217, p. 314. [88]Drumkeery L., near Bailieborough, co. Cavan, B. 57, p. 483. [89]Drumkelin, parish of Inver, co. Donegal. B. 3, p. 361. [90]Drumlane, eight miles from Cavan, two crannogs, co. Cavan. B. 438, p. 149. Drumskimly, three crannogs, co. Fermanagh. B. 189, p. 583, and B. 217, p. 320. [91]Drumsloe, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 321. Effernan, co. Clare. B. 346, p. 336. Eyes Lough, six crannogs, co. Fermanagh. B. 189, p. 553 and B. 217, p. 317. Faughan L., co. Down. B. 24 and 25; B. 18, p. 158. Fort L., co. Donegal. B. 444, p. 181. Funshinagh L., co. Leitrim. B. 13, Ap. p. 43. Galbally, co. Tyrone, B. 217, p. 197. Glencar L., five crannogs, co. Sligo and Leitrim. B. 444, p. 243. Gortalough, co. Fermanagh. B. 346, p. 336. Grantstown, co. Queen. B. 93, p. 228. Guile L., co. Antrim. B. 148, p. 20. Gur L., co. Limerick. Evans' "Ancient Bronze Implements, etc.," p. 436; B. 18, p. 223. Hackett Lough (L. Cimbe), co. Galway. "Annals of Lough Cé," 1067; B. 119, 2nd ed., p. 654; B. 18, p. 230. Hilbert L., Goromna Island, a lake stone-dwelling, co. Galway. B. 214. Inishrush (Green Lough), co. Derry. B. 25, p. 212. Joristown, in the river Deal, co. Westmeath. B. 13, Ap. p. 55, and B. 444, p. 205. Kilglass L. B. 13, Ap., p. 48. Killynure, near Enniskillen, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 323. Kilmore L., two crannogs, co. Monaghan. B. 13, Ap. p. 43. Kilknock L., co. Antrim. B. 24, p. 153. Knockany (Lough Cend), co. Limerick. B. 444, p. 156. Lagore, or Dunshaughlin, co. Meath. B. 175, p. 462; B. 14, p. 35; B. 18; B. 4, p. 425; B. 10, p. 101. Lane L., co. Roscommon. _Cal. State Papers Ireland_, vol. 156, p. 374. Lankhill, near Enniskillen, co. Fermanagh. B. 441, p. 372. Leesborough L., co. Monaghan. B. 13, p. 43. Lenaghan, co. Fermanagh. B. 444, p. 188. Lisanisk, co. Monaghan. "The island Ever McCooley's house"; B. 18, p. 231; B. 9, p. 46, and B. 8, p. 94. Lisnacrogliera, near Broughshane, co. Antrim. B. 411. Lochanacrannog, co. Sligo. B. 444, p. 246. [92]Loughran's Island ("Innis-an-Lochan"), in the river Bann, near Coleraine, co. Antrim. B. 13, p. 417; B. 27, p. 192. Loughannaderriga, Achille Island, co. Mayo. B. 444, p. 230. Loughinsholin, co. Derry. B. 18, p. 233; B. 25, p. 157. Loughavarra, co. Antrim. _Ulster J. Arch._, vol. vii. p. 192; "Annals of the Four Masters," 1544. Loughavilly, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 321; B. 346, p. 332. [93]Lochlea, three crannogs, co. Roscommon. B. 13, Ap. pp. 48 and 61; B. 18, p. 29. Lough-na-Glack, co. Monaghan. B. 9, p. 46. Lough Cam, lake stone-dwelling, co. Galway. B. 214, p. 12. Loughmagarry, co. Antrim. B. 24, p. 156. [94]Loughtamend ("Louglitoman"), co. Antrim. _Ibid._, p. 155. Loughtown, co. Leitrim. B. 13, Ap. 43. Loughrea, four crannogs, co. Galway, B. 58, p. 412. Lough Oughter, three or more crannogs, co. Cavan. B. 438, p. 151. Lynch Lough ("Loch-Leith-innsi"), co. Antrim. B. 27, p. 193. Mac Hugh L., two crannogs, co. Leitrim. B. 13, Ap. p. 43, and B. 440, p. 408. Macnean L., three crannogs, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 323. Mac Nevin (Mac Cnaimhain) crannog, co. Galway. B. 70, p. 176. Manorhamilton, co. Leitrim. B. 25, p. 346, and B. 18, p. 552. Marlacoo, co. Armagh. _R. H. A. A._, vol. vi., 4th S., p. 432. Mask L., Hag's Castle, lake stone-dwelling. B. 214, p. 11. Melvin L. (Melge), between co. Fermanagh and Leitrim. "Annals of the Four Masters"; B. 18, p. 231, and B. 13, p. 215. Moinenoe, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 322. Monaincha, co. Tipperary. B. 444, p. 212. Monalty, half a mile from Carrickmacross, co. Monaghan. B. 8, p. 94, and B. 9, p. 46. Monea, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 318. Mongavlin, co. Donegal. "Annals of Lough Cé"; B. 444, p. 151. Monnachin L., co. Monaghan. _Ibid._, p. 151. Mourne L., two crannogs, co. Antrim. B. 390, pp. 194 and 371, and B. 439, p. 321. Moynagh L., co. Meath. Notes by Col. Wood-Martin. Muickeanagh L. (Lough Leisi), co. Roscommon. B. 18, p. 230. Mucknoe L., co. Monaghan. B. 444, p. 151. Muintir Eolais, co. Leitrim. "Annals of the Four Masters"; B. 18, p. 231; B. 9, p. 45. Nahinch L., Tipperary and King's County. B. 70b; Wakefield's "Ireland," vol. i. p. 94. Naneevin L., co. Galway. B. 118, p. 31. Ooney L. ("Loch-n-Uithne"), co. Monaghan. "Annals of Lough Cé"; B. 444, p. 156. Owel L., co. Westmeath. _Pro. R. I. A._, vol. ix. p. 210. Pad or Boat L., near Lough Eyes, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 318. Ravel L., "Derryhollow," "Aghaloughan," near Randalstown, co. Antrim. B. 24 and 25; B. 148, p. 22; B. 215, pp. 74 and 194; _Kilk. A. S._, 2nd S., vols. iii. p. 88, and iv. p. 36. [95]Rahan's L., near Carrickmacross, co. Monaghan. _K. A. S._, vol. iv., 2nd S., p. 379. Ramor L., co. Cavan. B. 438, p. 152. [96]Rinn L., three or four crannogs, co. Leitrim. B. 24, p. 147; B. 440, p. 408. Ross L., near Crossmaglen, co. Armagh. _J. R. H. A. As._, vol. vi., 4th S., p. 432. Roughan L., near Dungannon, co. Tyrone. B. 438, p. 152. Rouskey L., co. Monaghan. B. 444, p. 151. Scur L., two crannogs, co. Leitrim. "Annals of Lough Cé," 1345, 1390, and 1580; B. 13, Ap. p. 43. B. 18, p. 223. [97]St. John's Lough, four crannogs, co. Leitrim. B. 13, Ap., pp. 43 and 59. Talogh L., at Feenagh, several crannogs, co. Leitrim. B. 440, p. 408. The Miracles, co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 319, and B. 346, p. 331. Toome Bar, co. Antrim. B. 92, p. 227. [98]Tully L., three crannogs, co. Cavan. B. 438, p. 150. Tullyline, co. Cavan. B. 13, p. 215. Veagh L., co. Donegal. "Annals," B. 18, p. 231. Yoan L., co. Fermanagh. B. 217, p. 324.

II.--SCOTTISH LAKE-DWELLINGS OR CRANNOGS.

It was not till after the discoveries on the Continent had attracted universal attention that archæologists began to look for similar remains in Britain. It was then found that early historic references to island forts, and some incidental notices of the exposure of buried islands artificially constructed of wood and stone, and other remains of lacustrine abodes, during the drainage of lochs and marshes in the last and early part of this century, had been entirely overlooked. The merit of correctly interpreting these remains in Scotland, and bringing them systematically before antiquaries, belongs to the late Joseph Robertson, Esq., F.S.A., Scotland, who read a paper on the subject to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland on the 14th of December, 1857, entitled, "Notices of the Isle of the Loch of Banchory, the Isle of Loch Canmor, and other Scottish examples of the artificial or stockaded islands, called crannogs in Ireland, and Keltischen Pfahlbauten in Switzerland."

Mr. Robertson's paper, though not published, at once attracted attention, and stimulated so much further inquiry on the part of the members, that, at the very next meeting of the Society, another contribution on the subject was read by Mr. John Mackinlay, F.S.A., Scotland (B. 21), from which it appeared that as early as 1812 this gentleman had observed some remains (now surmised to be a crannog) in Dhu Loch, in the island of Bute, which were described in a letter dated the 13th February, 1813. This communication found its way to George Chalmers, Esq., author of "Caledonia," regarding which, writing on the 26th of April, 1813, he says:--"It goes directly to illustrate some of the obscurest antiquities of Scotland. I mean the wooden castles, which belong to the Scottish period when stone and lime were not much used in building. I will make proper use of this discovery of Mr. Mackinlay." In 1863, Dr. John Grigor, of Nairn, described "two ancient lake-dwellings or crannoges in the Loch of the Clans, Nairnshire." (B. 55.) The remains, however, were too imperfect to be of value in illustrating their structure, and the only relics found were a portion of a small stone cup or lamp, two whetstones, an iron axe-head, and some charcoal and bits of bone.

A more important discovery, made about the same time, was a group of artificial islands in Loch Dowalton, Wigtownshire, which were first described by his Grace the Duke of Northumberland (then Lord Lovaine) in a paper read at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne meeting of the British Association in 1863. (B. 56.) About two years later Mr. John Stuart, Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, visited Dowalton, and, owing to a greater drainage of the loch having been made in the interval, was enabled to re-examine the Dowalton islands under more favourable circumstances. The result of his labours was an elaborate paper to the Society, in which he gave a detailed account of the structure and relics of these crannogs, and also took the opportunity of incorporating into his article all the facts he could glean, so as to afford a basis for comparing the Scottish examples with those in other countries. (B. 94.)