[Illustration: Fig. 217.--Plan of Ballinlough.]
_Ballinlough_ is situated in the barony of Leitrim, and parish of Ballinakill; in it were four islands, bearing no distinctive appellation; but G. H. Kinahan, who made the explorations, named them, respectively--_North Island_ (1), (fig. 217), _West Island_ (2), _Middle Island_ (3), _East Island_ (4). In the general view of the lake (fig. 218), _North Island_ (1) is in the far distance; near the mouth of the rivulet is _West Island_ (2); to its right lies _Middle Island_ (3); whilst a glimpse of a portion only of _East Island_ (4) is to be seen. The horns and skulls of numerous red deer have been discovered at various times in the lake-bed; also the head and horns of a _Megaceros hibernicus_. _North Island_ (1) is nearly one hundred yards from the shore, to which, during the dry season, it was connected by a reedy bank, and, when visited, was a foot above the surface of the water; the excavation was stopped on finding the stratum undisturbed, and no traces around of ancient dwellings, either of stone, or of piling. _West Island_ (2), twenty-six yards from the shore, was connected with it during the dry season; its form was a rude oval, the diameter thirty-three and fifteen yards, respectively, and there were flat stones round the outside. An excavation in the centre showed:--
ft. in. Bog and clay, with a few bones, 2 0 Wood ashes, full of charred bones, over 1 6 ------ 3 6
[Illustration: Fig. 218.--General View of Ballinlough.]
_Middle Island_ (3) lies nearly eighty-four yards from _West Island_ (2); it was almost circular, its diameter being thirty-two yards; and outside, for a width of nearly twelve feet, it was lined with regularly-placed flat stones. When the water was low, piles could be distinctly observed around it; but the porous nature of the materials, joined to the height of the water at the time, precluded a systematic examination. A small excavation near the western extremity gave the following section:--
ft. in. 6. Peat and clay, about 0 9 5. Peat and stones, with a few bones, 0 9 4. Wood ashes and peat, quantities of unbroken cherry stones, broken hazel nuts, broken animal bones and teeth, also a ball of red colouring matter, 2 6 3. Basket flooring, one and a-half inch thick, 0 1½ 2. Oak beams, 0 6 1. Peat, over 0 6 ------ 5 1½