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| BISHOP'S CHAIR, AGHADOE, CO. KERRY. -The ruin shown in the sketch is supposed to be the remnant of an old castle, the history of which has been lost in the midst of stormy centuries. It is known popularly as the "Bishop's Chair" and commands an enchanting prospect of the beauteous Lower Lake of Killarney, with its arbutus covered islands, and the grand circle of mountains whose majestic forms are mirrored in its pellucid waters. Aghadoe, which also boasts an abbey and the remains of a round tower, is known in Gaelic as Achadh-du-eo-"the Field of the Two Yew Trees," from some ancient natural landmark. Killarney itself takes its world renowned name from the Gaelic Cill-ainneadh-"the Church of the Sloes." The sloe is a kind of small, sour plum, which grows on the blackthorn tree. The English name of Killarney is almost identical in pronunciation with its Irish designation. Traces of earthworks around the "Bishop's Chair" at Aghadoe would indicate that it was once a fortress of some local importance. What remains of the structure shows nothing in the way of architecture kindred to the Celtic or Norman style of building, and Professor Addey says it much more closely resembles the Saxon mode of construction. However this may be, it is situated in one of the most delightful regions of the earth. In face, as a clever writer once said of Killarney in general, "It is too beautiful." |
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