The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-30
THEIR PICTURESQUE SCENERY.
Beg-ara, tho Enchanted Isle,

which the lover of the bold and pioturesqu,
traits of natural scenery, OF the admirer OF the
architectural beauties of former ages, car
spend day more pleasantly than among the
rugged heights and moss covered ruins OF the
far-famed Islands of Arran. There, scattered
in wild profusion on every side are res scenes OF
their massive heads over the bosom OF the
deep; loud eohoing ravines opening their ca
pacions mouths in terrific grandeur; yawning
Constituent; and last, but by no means least,
the ivy covered ruins, which speak silently, yet
eloquently of the days when the fame of Ire
lands sanctity penetrated to the ends of the
earth, are objects we'll calculated to charm the
eye and fire the heart of the beholder with
enthusiasm.
Arranmore, the largest and most picturesq ne
of the group, is abruptly terminated on the
southwestern side by succession of magnif-
cent cliff, from whose SUBMITS the mighty
Atlantic is seen rolling its crested waves ~ to-
present a scene of awful solemnity. Some of
them start up in a vertical line from the wa
ter's edge, to an immense height, while others
exhibit n variety of antastically shaped domes,
caves and excavations Of all kinds, formed by
the combined acti on of wind and wave. The
power of the ocean 10 hero shU IN to advantage.
Immense masses of rock have been separated
from the mainland and are seen scattered on
the beach, in some places, and in other parts
the waves have undermined the limestone
cliffs into curious domes and arches that al
ways seem on the point of falling.
It is scene of great interest to watch the
workings of the angry elements from the brink
OF one of these prccipices. See how majesti-
strength as they advance, casting silvery spray
in all directions, dancing with fury amidst the
masses of rock which retard their progress, and
st length dash with tremendous force against
the cliffs which stand as bulwarks to repel the
invasion of the ocean, rnsh headlong into the
surrounding caves, and Immediately q report
like the discharge of distant artillery is heard
echoing from cliff to cliff. Myriads of sea
birds inhabit these cliffs and are continuously
seen perched on the interstices, or performing
srial eyolutions in the vicinity. The birds are
caught by the Inhabitants for the sake of their
feathers. The manner of descending to the
orevices in which they have their habitations,
seems to be dangerous operation, and yet it
is comparatively safe and easy to persons &c
fsstens rope around his waist, and is lowered
over the edge of the cliff by his companions.
This human roek-bird now strikes his foot
against the cliff and is swung ont in the at
mosphere, where he hangs like the pendulum
Of q clock. The vibrations of the rope bring
him close to the rock once more, and expose
him to the danger of being dashed to pieces
but this is avoided by again striking with his
pedal extremity. This swing. swong process is
continued until he reaches the base of the
precipice, where he appears no larger than his
the Lilliputians in Gulliver's Travels.
The Chasing Rocks, situated at the eastern
extremity of the island, may be classed among
the great national wonders of Ireland. They
consist of series of curiously shaped rocks
here and there intermingled with several fam
tastically formed excavations. Tourists from
all parts of Ireland and few from foreign
countries have here inscribed their names.
In the vicinity of the Chasing Rocks are
several openings, whose echoes when properly
awakened resound from rock to rock sometimes
loud and boisterous, then gradually glowing
fainter and fainter, until, after q pause, they
suddenly die away in the distance. The
worn Hole" is another natural curiosity,
and according to o tradition of the inhabitants
was formerly the habitation of some sea mon
ster. 1t is in the form of quadrangular
swimming bath, cut in the solid rock, and sup
piled with water from the Atlantic by means
of passages undermined by the action of the
waves
Close at hand is Dun Aengus, built on the
edge of q precpice sixty fathoms in depth
This fort commands splendid view of the
ocean stretching out into space until it be-
comes lost in the horizon. A view of the sup
posed site of the Enchanted Isle can be OBJ
tanned here
"From the Isles of Arran and the Western
continent often appears visible that enchanted
Islaud called O'Brazil or in Irish, Beg-ara, or
ton. Whether it be real and firm land kept
hidden by the special ordinance of God, as the
terrestrial Paradise, or else some illusion of airy
clouds, appearing on the surface of the soa, or
the craft of evil spirits, is more than our judg
ment can find out" So says O'Flaherty, the
author of Ogygia, who died in 171S. Tom
Moore has immortalized 1t in the following:
"a That Eden, where the Immortal brave.
Dwell In q land serene,
Whose bowers beyond the shining wave,
at sunset oft are Been."