[August] 26
After receiving great civilities & 5 Subscriptions125 & a request of Franklands to send him some [?deeds] when term commences I left this hospitable house at 7 with Mr Spring who {Ms 4030 page 33} accompanied me to Killarney on horseback. 4 miles North of Arbella etc. & parallel to Slieve Miss are a range of low Mountains126 from near Tralee to Castleisland & so to Co. Cork. The vale between [is] exceeding rich fine ground & full of Gentlemens' seats — the whole Arthur Blennerhassett's. No trees but about Seats. Ascend & cross a skirt of Slieve Miss, very wild & neglected.127 The whole North side [is] Sir Barry Denny's [and a] great part of [the] South Sir William Godfrey's. Near Castlemain we pass on our right Kiltalla Church & glebe house.128 Bait129 at Miltown & paye a visit to Sir William Godfrey. His wife is a lunatick, I hear. He showed me a daughter130 deaf & dumb who draws mighty well without instruction — a curious print very large of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey131
From a hill 3 Miles beyond Miltown [there is] a fine view of Castlemain bay & opposite the Rivers Maing & Lane in their way to it. The Lane, which winds considerably, is very broad at Killorglin & crossed over a bridge of 14 arches.
The Ruin of the Church of Killagh133 is on our left on the East of the Lane. The small village of old Castlemain now [sic; recte 'not'?] inhabited is on the West side of the river. The whole forms a fine landscape with some wooded seats on the bank [which we viewed] from a hill a quarter mile farther. Two miles farther South we turned East & passed a large rivulet134 pouring from the vast range of Mountains that run East & West covering the Rickes about 2 Miles from us. One mile farther another river135 & 2 miles farther still a very broad one.136 All fall into the Lane. {Ms 4030 page 35} There is a ruined church137 near the Mountains & not far from Churchtown, Mr Blennerhassett's. This track is very wild, yet has several good Seats — McGillycuddys,138 etc.
Came to Beaufort where I met James who had lazily gone so late with a message of my intention to wait on Dr Day that he was gone on the lake. Mrs Day was ill & the gate was locked so there was no admittance. We alighted & walked to Dunloe Castle, Mr
We proceeded to Killarney where I found our Gentlemen were gone to Mangerton & had ordered Dinner at 1/2 past 5. I asked Mr Spring141 [to dinner] & kept him waiting till our friends returned at 1/2 past 7. The whole town crouded with {Ms 4030 page 36} gentlemen & ladies to the Quarter Sessions. I lodge now at Mrs Sweeny's. NB. A Ball last night, one tomorrow, & another on Friday, after the Staghunt.