Donegal and Derry

8, 9, 10,11,12 June, Summer Excursion

Derry and Donegal

A lighthearted visual record of the Antiquaries' visits to the following sites: Navan Fort, King's Stables Grianán of Ailech..

We arrived at Navan Fort in glorious sunshine, and made our way up past the heritage centre towards the fort itself. Here the sun induced many antiquaries to adopt a prone position on the grass while listening to Richard Warner, Vice President for Ulster, as he explained the history and archaeology of the site.

Right Richard Warner explains the archaeology of Navan Fort





After rather a hot walk, our President Aideen Ireland, and members Kelly Fitzgerald and Michael Fewer relax on the grass at Kings' Stables, and await elucidation from Richard Warner.



Brian Lacey explains the significance of the geographical location of the fortress of Aileach, which commands spectacular views of the surrounding parts of Donegal.



The Antiquaries at Brackfield Bawn

Brian uses his trademark cap to explain the dramatic history of the walls of Derry/Londonderry.

Our HGS follows in Frank Mitchell's footsteps and scales a tombstone in order to get a better photo - not of a round tower - but of . . .

. . . Brian Lacey addressing his antiquarian flock at Fahan!

One of the most characteristically Pictish features of the Carndonagh 'marigold' slab, Brian argued, was the protruding boss on the top.

The HGS Jenifer Ní Ghrádaigh examines the underside of the Carndonagh lintel.

Siobhán de hÓir explains the iconography of the slab at Clonca, which may show the earliest depiction of a hurley stick ... or a golf club?

Con Manning begins to look very fierce at Greencastle, where due to the dangerous state of the castle we had to make do with a more distant view than usual, and made ourselves far too comfortable on the grass - which looked as though it would delay our schedule somewhat.

Our HGS is unable to resist a bet made with Kelly Fitzgerald, member, that she won't be able to crawl into the mortuary house at Cooly. She narrowly makes it out, too!

Brian Lacey gets his bearings at the stone circle of Beltany. Its erstwhile residents are unimpressed by our arrival.

The Antiquaries view Donegal castle in far more typical conditions than our previously sun-drenched trip had given us hopes for.

President Aideen Ireland and Past President Con Manning at our final tea-stop en route to Merrion Square, where we discover we've had a name change, and become . . .

. . . the Royal Society of Anti-Quarries! Colette recalls that we have also on occasion been known as the Royal Society of Anti-Queries!