 |
| A GLIMPSE OF CLONMACNOIS, KING'S CO. -In this sketch is given the latest view taken of what remains of the Seven Churches and round towers of Clonmacnois, in King's county, on the river Shannon. The picture was taken at some distance from the ruins, in order to convey and idea of the surrounding landscape, which seems flat and dreary enough-not unlike a prairie, with a big river flowing through it, in Illinois or in Kansas. Beyond the ruin, on the left, may be observed the windlings of the "lordly Shannon," which receives tribute from the unromantically named Suck, or Suca, not far from this point. In a preceding notice of Clonmacnois, we have given some account of the origin of its name and the history of its ecclesiasical remains, so that there is no need to further dilate upon them in this sketch. The people of King's county possess a lion's share of the great Bog of Allen-the king, in fact, of Irish bogs. But it is not called King's county on this account, but after Philip II. of Spain, who married Mary I. of England. Its ancient name was Offaly, and that of its neighbor, Queen's county, Leix, before they became the prey of the English land grabbers. Philipstown and Tullamore are situated in the Bog of Allen, and were, formerly, so swampy that a sarcastic Irish poet wrote the following for their benefit: Great Bog of Allen! swallow down And if thy maw can swallow more That spongy heap, called Philipstown, Pray take-and welcome-Tullamore! |
 |  |