M.R.I.A., F.S.A. (LOND. & Scor.); M.A. (DUB. & OXON.), B.D.;, J.P., D.L.; (From a Photograph by Elliott & Fry, London. Copyright.) Jour. R.S.A.I., vol. XXXIV. (Frontispiece). THE COUNCIL wish it to be distinctly understood that they do not hold themselves responsible for the statements and opinions contained in the Papers read at the Meetings of the Society, and here printed, except so far as No. 26 of the General Rules of the Society extends. PREFACE. FIFTEEN years ago the Society ventured to commence the publication of its Journal as a yearly volume. Doubts were were expressed as to the wisdom of so ambitious an attempt, but after an experience of now fifteen years, it would appear to have been justified. It is an encouraging fact, that our Society has been more or less abundantly provided with material for its publications. Within the same period four Annual Volumes have also appeared, with six Handbooks, based on those prepared for our excursions. That the latter are appreciated by the public is shown by the first four being now out of print. Nor has another and very important branch of work been neglected. No year has passed without the Society visiting places of interest, often in the remotest and most inaccessible parts of the country. This was especially the case on the 1904 voyage, for, from only travelling by day, the party saw nearly all the finest features of the coast-the cliffs of Antrim, Donegal, and the noble heights at Broad Haven and Achill; the ramparts of rock at Dun Enghus, Moher, and the Clare coast, which were seen to unusual advantage; the enormous hills and spiked headlands and islands of Kerry; the creeks and bays of Cork, |