Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-19

Old Bailyshannon.
In the sunshine old Donegal town is CHEEKY
and snug enory4I, bat when tue fog winds
come up from the sea like dingy winds slap
ping II grewsomely in its face, the half town.
han hamlet seems to shudderingly shrink
closer to the shores of the noisy Esk, as if
seeking shelter at the bases of the dark
mountains behind Fort of the White
Strangers is the Specification of the name
donegal, although one. would have hard
time indeed to find what that meant Aside
rom the picturesqueness of its charming old
streets, an interest that is almost melancholy
attaches to its half ruined castle, at the river
side mar the ancient arched bridge. Many
page Of history would have to be scanned
TO learn its haps and uishaps, and of its diff
ferent lords, governors and rulers; for here,
during at least five centuries, was the center
OF boodieSt struggles between Northern Irish
kings and their foes. and especially the con-
diets between the O'Neills and O'Donuells
THE BOY CaIEFTAIS.
The life and adventures of Hugh Roe
O'Dnnnell, or Red Hugh, properly depicted,
would alone surpass the most thrilling tale of
Scottish bordorland warfare. During the
Fourteenth century the daring and heroic
spirit OF Hugh, when still but n boy, attracted
the notice of Sir John Perrott, lord Justice of
ireland, In order to get him within his
power, ferrott sent ship into Tough Swilly
laden with samples of the finest Spanish
wines, ana manned by his own seamen dis
sulsed as Spanish wine merchants. Hugh,
with Others, was lured abroad and, while
being Toasted, the matches were battened. and
the young chief carried to Dublin, where he
was immIred in the tower,
Though but rs. he here made one of the
most heroic prison escapes known to those
savage times Flying TO a supposed friend,
Sir fheiiin O'Tooie, who had been his fellow
prisoner, he was betrayed, again imprisoned
and subjected to every barbarity save down
right murder In . year he again escaped.
and fed to the mountains, where he
for months subsisted like a wild beast,
but finally regained his own country
and kingdom about Donegal. Succeeding
his father as ruler, and being Joined by
the valiant O'Neill, his set about aveng-
ing his wrongs and indigniues against
the English, but qnarreling with O'Neill rs
to which should lead the attack against the
lntrenched foe at kiasala, each contendine
for the bloody honor. the battle, after great
slaughter, was lost, highs followers routed
and dispersed, and the brave Young chief
| tain, himself wounded, compelled to fiy tc
| Spain. Here, after great labors he succeed
ed IN inducing hing Philip to raise an army
Oh soccoF Tor the recovery OF his domain
JUL worn OUT Win delay and effort, he dice
sIo0i srle4 uhu broken hea:t at Nailadohd
MS character ana none qualities, as they
were tneh measured, and his wondrou
bravery rendered hiS name & luminous anc
palmetto one III the irlSh annals,
| DONEGAL ANNALS"
10 irisntheh' or indeed, to all men wht
aFe earnest STUDENTS Of the history of any
race peopie OF RANG, the dear Old ruin on tn,
COAST neioW Donegal, near Ballyshannon
mus. possess an absorbing fascination. Her
sVooo tne lone seinl-monastlc castle Of Xii
barron, al ancient tortailce and seat of th
OClery chiefs. 1t was in this stronghold
that the brothers O'Clery, Hugh Ward am
John Coigan, known 10 ali scholars as tn
Four Masters, in the furious wars OF clans
caIefs, kings and whqtnots, pursued thei
great historical researches and labors, result
ing in those monuments Of industry callet
the "Donega! Annals" or the ANNALS o
the Four Masters" which, despite all cari
or prejudice, stand out es great landmark
against the age of darkness and blood il
hlch they were pro .uced
The gray old ruins stand at the very edo
OF PERCEPTIONS and almost insllar elf
Furze and heather cover most of the fiat
tened escarpments of the once mighty walls
10 the east, the south aud southwest, say
where the misty coast line of Sligo here an
there pushes through the distance, naugh
can be seen but Wild sweeps OF upland moor
white sand reaches and ghostly dunes, O
vast and dreary stretches of wind swept
shudderin5 heather,
To the north across Donegal Bay the grea
headlands loom nard and slvaEely, as
some mighty impulse Of nature were abou
to toppie them into the waves, while to th
west, where the sun is ever setting in th
ceaseiess turbulence Of the sea, but risir
upon happier lands beyond, there are jus
the meanings and thunderings OF the might
ocean But down the coast, behind the san
hills, is rare old Ballyshanhon upon th
stately Erne, where, as its waters leap wit
a roar into the bay, was once one of the mos
splendid salmon hsheries IN Ireland. Thrs
miles above, Wnere the waters OF the mob
LAKES OF Erne, after lettering IN the sane
valley, make mad rush as If to engu
Ballyshannon. forming the beautiful Falls {
Belleek
THE COLLEEN BAwS."
On beyond the old town along the CT
cling bay IS bundoran, where families Of tt
! Irish gentry from the middle counties ar
the west come III summer to the glorio'
! Bundoran donkeys and the sea, While bat
e along the beach from Bauyshannon, dow
! behind the Old klibarron ruins, is the til
, hamlet OF "ardtown, the old seat Of Il
1910. na - ". - ne 70 u 'n
I SS4]SA S"A 1919 NA0H1S P~,'4oLl- "a Al 1914 ~