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 ARCIIAEOLOGIA HIBERNICA. 243 twisted bands, into compartments, each of which contains either sculptm-ed figures or tracery of very intricate design, or animals probably symbolical." The next chapter is on the Round Towers, giving a summary of their supposed origin, uses, and characteristics. The third part treats of the Anglo-Irish remains, first the abbeys of Jerpoint, Newtown, and Bective, cathedrals of St. Patrick and Christ Church, Dublin, St. Doulough's church and well ; we select the latter as the least generally known. " The well of St. Doulough, which was probably also used as a baptis- try, is quite in keeping with the singular character of his church. The spring, which is covered by a stone-roofed, octagon building, rises through a circular bason, cut out of a single stone, and was, not many years ago, thought to possess miraculous powers. According to tradition, the interior of the octagon building was anciently decorated with pictures, and holes are pointed out as having been made by the iron pins by which they were fastened to the wall. Adjoining is a most curious subterraneous bath. It is supplied by the well, and even yet the water rises to a considerable height within it. According to Mr. D'Alton, the well was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and the bath was called ' St. Catherine's Pond.' " Ancient fonts appear to be common in the Irish churches, some of them of early character. The font at Kilcarn is a fine example of the fourteenth century, ornamented with figures of Christ and the Apostles under canopies with ogee heads, of which a series of engravings are given. " Though the castles of Ireland, in point of architectural magnificence, cannot be compared with some of the more important structures of a similar character in England, they are frequently of very considerable extent. Placed, as they generally are, upon the summit of a lofty and precipitous rock, the base of which is usually washed by the waters of a river or lake, or by the sea, encompassed with walls and towers pierced with shot holes, and only to be approached through well defended gateways, they must, before the introduction of artillery, have been gene- rally considered impregnable. Several of the early keeps are circular, but they usually consist of a massive quadrangular tower, with smaller towers at the angles. The internal arrangements are similar in cha- racter to those observable in the military structures of the same pe- riod in England and elsewhere." ..." The ancient tower or castle of Scurloughstown is, perhaps, as good an example as any now re- maining of the keeps usually found in those districts wherein the earlier colonies of the English had obtained footing. They are very numerous in the baronies of Forth and Bargie, in the county of "Wexford ; and examples occur in Kilkenny, and indeed, in most of the eastern and north- eastern counties. Their plan is generally of the simplest kind. A tall, square keep, with a circular tower, in which is a spiral stair-case, com- municating with its various floors, at one of its angles. The roof of the lowest apartment, and the floor of the second, are usually formed of a strong arch of stone. The other floors were of wood, and the brackets by