Ireland/Irish > Black's guide to Killarney and the south of Ireland

58
QUEENSTOWN.
Hiring by the Day.
Hired at Cork, 7s. 6d. or 4s.; at Blackrock, 7s. to Ss. 6d.; at Queenstown,
Monkstown, or Passage, 5s. or 2s. 6d.
To Cloyne.—Oared boat to Eostellan, thence by road, passing—
Saleen. | Cloyne. I Hound Tower.
Castle Mary. I CathedraL |
The sail from Merchant’s Quay to Queenstown is one of
the most agreeable nature, on a fine wide river, whose frequent
baylets and promontories afford at the shortest intervals a i
change of scene sufficient to awaken the admiration of the j
most phlegmatic. Even the stations on the way have their
charms.
BLACKROCK is the first promontory worthy of note.
From the distance its appearance is truly picturesque, presenting
the idea of a formidable old castle, standing out on a tongue of j
land against the clear waters of the Lee. The mansion is one j
of modem construction, and is familiar to almost every one
from the many views of it published. Blackrock is supposed j
to he the place from which William Penn embarked for America. |
The steamer, shortly after leaving this station, enters a wider j
portion of the river, known as Loch Mahon. Foaty Island, the J
property of J. Barry, Esq., is passed on the left.
PASSAGE, which is about five miles from Cork, is the next |
station. It is a little town, of some note as a watering-place, )
and where all vessels of heavier burthen than the depth of the j
river up to Cork will admit, have to discharge their cargoes, j
Not many years ago, a good harbour was built; and here the
railway terminates.
MONKSTOWN is situated about a mile from Passage, and
beyond it the river widens out into a lake. The castle, which
is now a ruin, was built in 1636. The story of its erection is
curious. During the absence of her husband in Spain,
Anastatia Goold took it into her head to build a family mansion,
and being not over well provided with means, hit upon the
expedient of supplying the workmen with food and other
necessaries at her own price, while she, by purchasing largely,
had a good profit on the transaction. It is said that her profits
cleared the expense of the erection, with the exception of an