IRELAND AND THE IRISH.

Colonist, Volume V, Issue 465, 8 April 1862, Page 3

IRELAND AND THE IRISH.

THE DERRYVEAGII EMIGRANTS

ON the 20th of January the Darryveagh emigrants, 14G in number, arrived at Dublin by the Dublin and Drogheda Railway, on their way to Plymouth, whence they sail to day, January 27, for Sydney. The Dublin Morning News says :— The emigrants were accompanied by tho Rev. James M'Eadden, of l'alcarragh. When the bell signalled for the approaching train, a good deal of anxiety was visible, and a pressure made to the front of the stage to which, in due time, tlie train swept up, crowded with its mournful freight. Tho emigrants were received by A. M. Sullivan, Esq. ; Rev. Dr. M'Devitt, Dean of St. Patrick's House, Catholic University ; R. Smith wick, Esq., of Kilkenny, son of tlie worthy and respected Alderman Smithwick, of that ancient city ; A. J. M'Kenna, Esq., Lower Gardiner-street ; T. H. Bradfield, Esq.; together with Messrs. D. Sullivan, W. P. J. Woods, R. O'Connor, &c, all of whom had been in attendance for some time previously. The emigrants, male and female, presented an appearance well calculated to excite admiration and

sympathy. A finer body of men and women neyer left any country. In stature, tall } in figure, handsome and well-shaped ; regular features, full of kindly expression ; most of them between the ages of 15 and 40 —they filled the breast of every spectator with bitter regret that such a people— the real wealth of any community—the bone and sinew of a nation—should be lost to us for ever. Alter a few minutes' delay the whole party, under the guidance of tho Rev. Dr. M'Devitt, M"r. Sullivan, &c, proceeded to tho restaurant of Mr. Flemimr, of Mary's Abbey, where dinner had been ordered for them by Mr. Sullivan, in compliance with Father M'Fadden'si arrangements.

When dinner had concluded, Rev. Mr. M'Faddcn, amidst the most solemn stillness, briefly addressed the assemblage, and it was a most touching sight. He spoke in the Gaelic tongue, the language of their homes and firesides, ere the crowbar of Adair had levelled the one and quenched the other for ever. As the young priest spoke, bis own voice full of emotion, the painful silence all j.round soon became broken by the sobs of women, and tears flowed bitterly down many a cheek, lie reminded them that was their last meal :o be partaken of on Irish soil; that in a few hours they would have left Ireland for ever. He spoke of their old homes amidst the Donegal bills, of the happy days passed in the now silent and desolate valleys of Derryveagh, of the peace and happiness that they had known then, because ihcy were contented, and were free from temptations and dangers of which the busy world was full. He reminded them of their simple lives—the Sundaj mass, so regularly attended—tlio confession —the consolations of faith. Many a cheek was wet as ho alluded to how they would be missed by the priest whose flock they were. But, most of all, their lot was sorrowful in the fact that, while other emigrants left behind them parents and relatives over whom the old roof-tree remained, thoy, alas! left theirs under no shelter of a horne —they left them wanderers and outcasts, trusting to workhouse fare or wayside charity. And now, dear brothers, we fha'il be departing. Before you take your feet off your native land, promise me here th tt you will, above all things, be faithful to your God, and attend to your religious duties, under whatever circumstances }-ou may be placed. (Sobs and cries of 'We will, wo wi11.,) Never neglect your night and morning prayers, and never omit to approach the blessed eucharist, at least at Christmas and Easter. And, boys, don't forget poor old Ireland (intense emotion, and cries of' Never —never, God knows!') don't forget the old people at home, boys. Sure they will be counting the days till a letter comes from you. And they'll be praying for you, and we will all pray God to be with you.

Nothing can describe the scene of emotion that ensued, as Father M'Fadden concluded. Mr. A. M. Sullivan uext spoke at some length on the noble conduct of the Irish in Australia, and the Australian Celtic Association, and adjured the emigrants to conduct themselves in their new home in a manner to fill their countrymen there and at home in Ireland with pleasure and pride.

Soon after the party proceeded to the North Wall, where they embarked on board the Lady Eglinton. At about 10 o'clock the last bell tolled, and the warp from the quay cast off, and amidst a scene of painful emotion the steamer went slowly down the river. In half an hour she was out to sea, and the Derryveagh victims had seen the last glimpse of Ireland.