The Newtown bee., 1906-02-23
ACROSS THE SEA. REV B. J. EOAN OF STARLIGHT,
 N. J.,
WRITES CONCERNING THE ATTRAC-
 TIONs OF IRELAND.

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 means the "place Of the Oakes." The tradition was that an Irish queen of the olden time was sailing down the river and when she arrived opposite to where the house now stands, she ex- claimed: "This is Athlumley, refer- ring to the majestic oaks on the banks of the river. It is beautiful river, the green banks gently Sloping down to the waters edge. Magnificent cas- ties or mansions, surrounded by exten- sive lawns and woods, tower above the river at intervals of one or two miles, There was a meet of the hounds one day last week, on one of the estates, named "Beau Parc." l have seen many beautiful places in America, but nothing to equal 1t. 1 spent few weeks on Long Island last autumn, and saw many Of the beautiful Goun- try homes of rich New Workers. was at"Wheatly Hills," the country home of E. D. Morgan. l thought it incOm- parable. Yet at "Beau Parc," I re- member, MT Morgan happened to be riding for moment next me (he bas house here for the hunting season. as we were proceeding toward the hunt, and he expressed himself as never having seen anything more beautiful. Perhaps 1t is the oaks and frs and beeches, that were standing here when America was discovered. I saio Athlumley House was built in 1861. That would be very old in Newtown But here 1t is quite modern. The country hereabout, like every county of Ireland, is dotted with ruins of hoary antiquity. One-half hour s drive will bring me to Tara hill. Ancient Ireland was divided as it is to-day, into four provinces-each having a king or over-king, who resided on Tara Hill. Kings resided on Tara before the Christian era. St Patrick preached to the court there. It is true there are no ruins on the hill. You remember Moore's well-knOwn song:
 "Ths Harp that once through Tara's Ha
 "he soul of music shed,
 Now haI gs as mute on tara's wall
 As If that soul had fled"
 We'll the harp is not hanging on the wall, because there is no wall to hang 1t on. But
 TARA Is AN INSPIRING PLACE.
 It's history, by it's very antiquity, is impressive. The marks of the founda- tions of the banqueting hall and other buildings are yet visible. And you feel that those old fellows had an eye for beauty. What prospect. From Tara you may look in every direction for miles over a landscape unparalleled for beauty. Green fields the grass is green this January day-divided by hedge and interspersed with groves, extend undulating like the sea to the distant hills. I used to think the view from the hills of Newtown-from Mount Pleasant, Brushy Hill, Walnut Tree Hill-unsurpassed; well, cOmpar Tara is the hill of Screen. There are the remains of a monastery founded by Columkille in the sixth century The tower remains to-day, standing like lonely sentinel, visible for miles Then a short distance from here is the round tower of Donaghmore Rins ns'7 with is this R'eH verse: N"''n "Tn, HH round towers of Ireland, how magniti gently they stand" There are man, of these towers in Ireland, but very few, not over five or six, which are il perfect state of preservation. Thi tower of DonaghmOre, Navan. is one o them. They stand a hundred or more feet high, perfectly round, at the bas' 30 feet in diameter. At the height o oOuuu ~ lCCUS O SplI di SUdll " dy OI SUOLs steps begins and ascendS to the top. 4 ladder Is necessary to reach the stair way. The towers are interesting or account of the my stery of their origin When they were built and for wha purpose they were built has alway puzzled the antiquary. It was ono supposed that they were built in pa gan times. The Irish are a people 0 eastern origin. They were worshiper of the sun. It was thought that thes towers figured in their religious rites But now the opinion prevails that the are of medieval origin. They were us ually built near church or monastery and they are now considered strong holds to which the religious retire. with the treasures and sacred vessel of the church in times of hostile ir vasion. Near this tower of DOnagh more stands the ruined walls of an an cient church, and all around are tn graves where the "rude fOrefathers c the hamlet sleep" l could speak c Trim, also, about ten miles from here where there are many ruins, anon others, in good state of preservation the castle of the wicked King JOh of England, of the thirteent century. But I fear | have alread made this letter too long. In futur communication l will speak of wha has occupied me most since 1 came t Ireland, the sport of foX-hunting. 1 is an exhilirating and manly spor, But you will agree with me I am sur that too much of the best talent an energy of Ireland are wasted in uh pastime. The training and intelli Rence of the horses will excite wonder Afterward I will add something, cast ally gleaned, of my impressions on tn present condition of Ireland. K. J. k