THE IRISH SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3655, 1 April 1924, Page 29

THE IRISH SOCIETY.

The monthly meeting of the Irish Society tvas held in the Overseas Club Room on Tuesday night, the guest of the evening being the society's patron, Bishop Whyte, tvho has returned from a visit to Ireland. The President (Air Wilson) presided over a large gathering of members. Amongst those present were several members of the Gaelic Society, including Chieftains Alunro and Paterson. A telegram expressing regret at being unable to attend was received from Chieftain Duncan. Tlie President, on behalf of ..the society, presented Bishop Whyte with an address of welcome. Jn replying, Dr Whyte thanked the society for its esteem, and expressed his joy at being home once more. He gave a very interesting outline of his travels through America, Rome, Paris, etc., finally reaching his birthplace, Kilkenny, Ireland, where he spent the greater part of his holiday. During his discourse he touched on the progress of the Gaelic League in its great efforts to revive the Irish language. Dr Whyte himself assumed the satchel of the school boy, taking his place each day amongst the scholars. Chieftain Alunro, Yvhile thanking the Irish Society on behalf of his fellow (Taels, complimented Dr Whyte on his learning the language at his time of life. He said that though the Gaelic was now being taught in the schools in Scotland as in Ireland, he regretted it was not so in his day, although he had himself since mastered the language. He referred to the link between the Irish and Scottish Gael, declaring that» nothing could divide them in the mother tongue. The following programme concluded one of the most entertaining and enjoyable cvcni ngs the society has c er held:—Song, “Slievenamon,” Aiiss Treston; recitation, “Shlel’s Reply,” Alias AI. Gallagher, A.T.C.L. ; song, Mother in Ireland,” Miss Bills; song, ‘‘Aly Dark Rosaleen,” Airs Sandys; recitation “A Rebuke,” Aiiss Heley; song, “Husheen,” Miss Dales. Mr F. Sligo was the accompanist.