Irish NEWS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 49, 6 April 1894, Page 9

Irish NEWS.

(From Contemporaries.)

Cavailt-Tn the Relinrbet district of the County Cavan. says the Freeman s Journal, Catholics are five out of six of the population. There ie not a single magistrate in the district who is either a Catholic or a Nationalist. In the adjoining district of Ballyconnell there is only one Catholic magistrate. According to our correspondent the Town Commissioners some time ago recommended their worthy' and respected chairnuan as a fit and proper person fur the position of magistrate. Oar correspondent stateß that tha petition was not even acknowledged. The indignation of the county at the maintenance of the magisterial bench in its present condition by a Lib ral Lird Chancellor is growing, and we ate not surprised. Cork*— Fahy, John, left Derragb, Banteer, County Cork, for Queensland, Australia, 12 years ago, laßt heard of working at Cul. cairn, New South Wales, supposed to have gone to Clarence River, cane-cutting ; sought for by his parentß. Beply to Dublin Freeman office. Leebane, Ellen, left Cork city for Australia in 1882, arrived at Bockhampton per ship Melpomene in 1883, last beard of at Queen's Hotel, Rockhampton ; left, and Bupposed to have gone to Sydney ; sought for by her cousin. Reply to Dublin Freeman office. Very severe cold weather was lately experienced in the south of Ireland. At a place called " The Pike," just outside Mallow, a man waß discovered frozen to death. He i 9 supposed to have been some poor fellow who was in search of employment. There was a melancholy case of shipwreck at Balycotton recently whereby ten lives have been lost. The vessel was the iron barque

Collten, Captam Bartlett, 629 tons register, from Talcahuano, wheat laden. She was driven on the land by the heavy gale. Unable to make Queenstown, 8t c ran for shelter towards Ballycotton, and, when entennp, she s ruck the rocks and became a total wreck. The captain, who was drowned, was to have been manitd to the owner's daughter on arrival at Qaeenstown. Derry. — There is living in the townland of Umrican, between Park and Feeny, David Little, who haß attained the remarkable age of 116 years, having been born in the year 1777. He was 21 yearß of age in 1798, was a member of the corps of United Irishmen of Dungiven and Banagher, whose chiefs were Walter Grames, Homer, and McSparron. Gramea was banged, and his head spiked above his own door. McSparron was flogged at the cart tail in the street of Feeny till his entrails could be seen through his ribs and back, all to extort informaion ; his mother followed do9e to his torturers, calling to '• Die like an Irishman before he'd become an informer." Homer escaped before he could be arrested. David Little is a living witness to the terrible scenes that followed 'he rising of '93, and all tuat followed till the passing of the Act of Uuion, to which ha would still prefer the Penal Code *n \ Grattan's Parl ament. He still holds fast to the principles of bis early life, the or.ly regret he has is that tbe rising wasn't successful. His eyesight is as strong &nd perfect as ever ; he never used glasses, and bis mind is aB cl~ .r and health as good as at any period of hiß life. Donegal.- On December 9Mr John Doherty, ex-Sheriff of Mora County, Mexico, was assassinated and baried on Tuesday, 12ih. He waß sitting in his office reading the papers, with five of nia little children playing around him, when be was fired upon through the

window and killed instantaneously. The deceased was a eon of the late Mr James Doherty of Drimrooßk, near Don- gal, who left home when about 16 years of age, for the land of his adoption, and by his energy, int grity and sterling qualities attained to wealth and eminence. The sad news of Mr Doherty's end will be read with profonnd sorrow find by bie mimprons rplatione and friends in the old country and in America. Down.- William Maxwell, who received an injury to hii leg some time ago while playing football at Holywood, died from lockjaw during the week. The wound had partially healed, when blood poisoning pet in, Dublin,— O'Reilly, Thomas, of Virginia, County Ca van, left Dublin for Australia ; last heard of at Uoion street, Gate, Bouth Brunswick, Melbourne ; sought for by his moher and sister. Reply to Dublin Freeman office. Havden, Thomas ; went to Queensland 16 years ago ; last heard of from Bundeburgh, Rockhampton, Queensland, 12 years ago ; sought foi by his brother. Reply to Dublin Freeman office. Dwyer, Mary and Anne, left Dub'in fjr Glasgow, and sailed from thence to Brisbane, per ss. Indian Ocean, arrived in Brisbane on September 15th, 1893. where they were last heard of ; sought for by their mother and sister. Reply to Dublin Freeman office. Mnlqueerj, Mrs (.maiden name, Fanny M'Mahon) ; last heard of at 57 Blair street, Brunswick, Melbourne, three years ago ; also John M'Mahon ; last beard of at Edward street, Melbourne, Victoria, three years ago ; sought for by their brother. Reply to Dublin Freeman office. Edmund D. Whelan, the American correspondent, recently visited the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin. Of the treasures contained therein he says :—": — " I saw the Moore Library, containing all Moore's works, the poet's harp, and a picture of Lord Charlemont, command-

ing the Irish Volunteers, and founder of the Academy. I saw the ' Leabhar Breac,' or ' Speckled Book,' which contains the famous ' Callender of Aengeuß, written at Talla. near Dublin, being an ecclesiastical manuscript, or the original ' Annals of the Four Masters,' with their autographs. A manuscript of St Columbkill in Irish and Latin, kept in a cubach or jewelled caße ; the famous Stowe missal, kept in a sbrine, made by Lonagh O'Brier, son of Brian Boru, wbo fought at Clontarf in 1014 ; a manuscript in Irish, or a genealogy of all the Irish families. I saw the renowned ' Leabhar na-b-Uidhri,' or ' Book of the duncow,' containing the Pagan history of Ireland, written by St Kieran. This ia the oldest volumt now known, entirely in the Irish language, and is regarded as tl c chief surviving native literary monument — not ecclesiastical — of ancient Ireland. It is greatly and justly valued for the beauty and purity of its language. The 'Leabhar Breac' is supposed to have been wiitten by one of the family of MacEgan. It in the oldest Irish ecclesiastical record ex ant. The famous poem, ' The Burial of Sir John Moore,' is in the library. The reading-room contains tbe largest collection of books relatiag to Ireland and Irish history in the world. I waa Dext usrered into a firr-procf s'rong-room, which contains 2,000 valu ible volume9of Irish M S3 , Irish history by John O'Donovan. I saw a manuscript supposed to have been written by St Patrick. This strong-room also coutains the John Windle, Charlemont, Smith O'Brieu, Ordnaiice Survey Department and Stowe collections— all in Irish. Tbe ' Leabhar-na-b-Uidhri, or book of the duncow,' waa copied from the original by Mr Joseph O'Lougan, father-in-law to tbe present sub-libraiian, from which 200 lithographed copies were struck off. Mr O'Lougan also made a beautiful volume copy of the ' Book of Leinster,' previous to bis becoming the Academy's Irish scribe, after the death of O'Curry."

Gal way. -The Very Rev P. F. Kavanagb, 0.8 F., of the Abbey, Galway, baa just had produced by Messrs Scaly, Bryerp, and Walker, a poem entitled " Alcohol ; A sermon in verse," the moral and patriotic purpose of which it ii impossible to praise too highly. Father Kavanagh'a work is devoted to describing the evils and destruction produced by the abuse of alcoholic liquors, and he has, undoubtedly, succeeded in presenting many vivid and impressive picture? of the sorrows caused by drink. A branch of the Gaelic League will be established in Galway to further its work in tha> locality. The National teachers are beiog urged by the League to elect as their delegates to the next congress gentlemen who will support strong resolutions in favour of the Irish language. With very sincere regret we announce the death of the Very Rev Jfrenoiah (Canon) McEvilly, who was brother to his Grace the Most Rev Dp Mcßvilly, ard one of the oldest and most respected priests in the diocese of Tuam. He was born at Louisburg, and ordained priest in the year 1853 The earlier years of his priesthood were spent as cnrste in the parishes of Newport, Knock, Armagh and BobeeD, where he left after him many lasting monuments of his piety and zeal. Aogimgower was the first parish committed to his pastoral charge. Here he built a parochial residence and erected several schools. From Augimgower be was translated to the parish of Dunmore in 1882. In this parish he laboured ia season and out o! season to promote the temporal, as well as the spiritual, welfare of his people. Kerry.— The population of the County ia 179,136, of whom 4,481 speak Irish ooly ; 69,701, Irish and English ; the remainder, English. At a Petty Sessions Court held at Waterville last week, Constable Edward West, now stationed at Ballyduff, County Watertord, was prosecuted by the Crown for having on the Bth of October last in the Abbey of St Finian.near Waterville, maliciously damaged an ancient chalice stone and altar in the ruins of the abbey. The matter having been brought before the House of Commons by Mr Sexton, a fresh prosecution was ordered. The Bench, having heard the evidence on both sides, were unanimous in convicting Constable West, and imposed a fine of £5, with costs and compensation. The following recently appeared in the Kerry Post :— " A youDg man named Lynch, a native of Listowel, is reported to have very cleverly effected hia escape from Cork gaol a few days ago Lynch was arrested on a charge of desertion from the Munster Fusiliers, and was temporarily detained in the gaol pending the arrival of a military escort. While the warder was inspecting Lynch's cell the latter slipped out, and almost got out to the corridor when the warder sprung upon him. Lynch, then getting the better of bis gaole^ pushed him back into the cell, and having in the twinkling of an eye Shut the door, quickly turned the key, and thus locked the w rder securely in the cell. By the means of a piss key Lynch gained the open air, free. He then made for Listowel, where, however, he was again apprehended and conveyed to Dublin under a military escort from his regiment." Kilclare.— TheKildare Arc' .uological Society, which is doing excellent work, has elected the Earl of Mayo to the office of president, rendered vacant by the death of the Duke of Leinster. The society is turning with earnestness to the task cf preserving the ancient monuments of Kildare from utter disappearance. One Celtic cross has been rescued on its inspiration. And now a committee has been appointed to call the attention of the Board of Works to those tbat need its protecting, but not its restoring, hand. King's County.— John Adye Curran, the County Court Judgr, addrtssing the grand jury at Tullamore Quarter Sessions, said there were only two billß to go be fore them. He was happy to be able to congratulate them on the satisfactory state of King's County. Colonel Robert Hackett, familiarly known in the neighbourhood of Birr as the " Blind Colonel," recently died rather unexpectedly at his residence, Rivers' own, County Tipperary. His death at the age of 54 is due to the effect of fearful injuries received in the Zulu campaign. Besides qoite a h?st of minor wounds, he received a shot in the head which took rather a remarkable course. The bullet, entering the onter corner of the right eye, passed out by the left, destroying both organs. He was at the the time leading the Nineteenth Regiment at the battle of Ulundi, which, it will be remembered, brought to a close the Zulu campaign. He was for some hours Bm.ng the dead on the field, and it was by accident that be was not in his unconscious state buried alive. He was a brother of LieutenantOeneral Simpson Hackett, and another brother, Colonel Thomas Bernard, who won the Victoria Cross, and was accidently shot in 1880. Limerick. — Limerick Buffered considerably by the severe storm of January 12. Portions of the roof of the railway factory ia Limerick city were blown off, breaking dowa the telegraph wires > which, however, were repaired previoos to the arrival of the night mail. A high sea was running in the Shannon all night, and steamers had to remain in port. From the lower portion of the river reports came that the storm was the worst experienced for many years. A j

ship a'moat went ashore, but maoagei to put into the Shannon ia a disabled condition, her boats, sails, and masts having been carried away. In the neighbourhood of Adare many of the roads were rendered impassible by fallen trees, and in one instance an old man, driving a donkey and can, had a most miraculous escape. He had only jast got off the Cirt to walk wheD a huge elm fell and smashed bis conveyance to pieces. Longford.— FurJ, Bernard, of County LoDgford, went to Queensland 20 years ago ; last heard of in the employment of the Australian Gas Company, West Maitland, New South Wales; sought for by his brother. Reply to Dublin Freeman, office. L,OUth.— The population of the county ig 71,038, of which five speak osly Irish , 2,671 Irish and English ; t^e remainder English. A letter from the Board of National Education was recently received by the Drogheda Corporation in re the adoption of the Compulsory Act. Mr P. Reilly pointed out tbat the principal teaching body in Drogheda was the Christian Brother?, and until their claims were acknowledged they should hava nothing to do with the ActMr Downey supported this view. The Mayor saia the Education Board might appoint the committees themselves. After some discussion it was decided tbat a committee, consisting of the Mayor, Mr Martin Batterly and Mr Patrick Reilly, be appointed to confer with the Right Rev Monsignor Murphy, St Peter's, and Very Rev John Curry, St Mary's, and report. IHayO* — A fearful hurricane passed over Castlebar on January 12. It raged with unabated fury for several hours, unroofing houses and uprooting trees. Not for the past twenty years has such a st~>rm prevailed there. Surrounding districts have also suffered, and telegraphic communications to the different towns was for some time suspended. Meatll.— The canal between Drogheda and Navan will Boon be re -opened, and two new screw steamers will be constructed for the purpose. Queen's County. — A public meeting of the Enights of the Plow was held on the Market Square, Maryborough, one week ago. The speeches we-e delivered from the Town Hall window. The object of the meeting was to establish a branch of the Knights of the Plow, and was organised by Mr Benjamin Pelin, of Narraghmore, in conjunction with the Caßtletown labourers, but without any consultation with the local labourers. Mr J. Shelly, Castletown occupied the chair, and speeches were delivered by Messrs J. C. O'Neill, Carlow ; Benjamin Pelin, Tyrell, and Leahy, Dublin ; and G. Nanston, town clerk, Maryborough. Resolutions were passed calling on the Legislation to grant pensions of £20 a year to labourers who have passed the age of 65 years ; to place a tax of £1 on every acre of uncultivated land ; and to shorten the hours of labour on Saturday. Deputations were present from Mountratb, Ca b tie town > and Stradbally. Roscommon.- The population of the county is 114 397, of which only 21 Bpeak Itish only ; 11,864 Imh and English ; the rest English. Mr Michael Cunningham, auctioneer, Boyle, put up for sale five roods of reclaimed bog land at Croghan, the property of Mrs Jermingham. The yearly rent is 7s, and Mr Cunningham knocked it down to Mr Bernard Carroll, Caramore. CrogbaD, at the extraordinary sum of £40— for five roods of bag land 1 SligO. — Recently five familiep, numbering twenty-six persons, were evicted on the Montgomery and Evans estate in Killoman and Coolgrove, The evicting party consisted of sub-Shfriff Harrison, Carrick-on-Shannon ; bailiff* Longmoor and Hetherington, Dromahair, and a large force of police. One and a half year's rent was offered a short time ago by the tenants in settlement but it would not be accepted. Tyrone. — Fifty yearß a total abstainer from all intoxicating drinks. Thi9 is the grand record made by Mr Harvey, tailor, of Omagh, who took tke pledge in the day 8 of Father Mathew. Mr Harvey took the pledge in Beragh Church from Father Lennon, January 1, 1844, and during all the succeeding years of vicissitude anl change Faithfully kept i', and celebrated its half a hundred anniversary on Mond»y, January 1. Mr Harvey is a great advocate of the cause, having experienced during that long period the many blessings which attend a life such as he has lived. He vividly remembers when the Apostle of Temperance preached in Brouk street chapel, Omagh, in 1849. Father O'Kane was the parish priest then, but died in 1866, aod was succeeded by Very Rev B. McNamee. Mr Harvey possesses the Father Mathew medal, of which the following is a description : On one side iB a shield, surmounted by a cross, with a male figure at one side and a fema'e figure at the other, each bearing bannerettes. Oa the obverse is the pledge, surrounded by a circular inscrip ion, "The Total Abstinence Society of Ireland, Very Rev T. Mathew, President. " The Irish World has ever taken the deepest interest in the causa for which Father Mathew did so much, and heartily congratulates Mr Harvey oi ihia glorious record, wishing him many happy years of lite, as a blight and liviug example to his fellow-citizens of Omagh to go and do likewise.

Waterford. -Died, November 30, at Dungurvan, Mrs Mary Butler, aged 70 years, mother of Mr Patrick Bu'.ler, Reefton, New Zealand — R IP. Westmeatll. -Hall, Mary, widow of the late Mr J. C. Hall ; left Dromany, County Weßtmeath, 35 years ago for Australia ; last beard of in Hokitika, New Zealand ; sought for by her sister. Reply to Dublin Freeman office. White, Elizabeth ; left Griffiostown, County Westmeatb, for Australia, twenty-seven years ago ; lust heard of three years ago in Tbornberry Park, Melbourne ; sought for by her uncle. Reply to Dublin Freeman office. Of the population of 111,788 not one ppeaks Irish only ; 320 speak Irish and English ; remainder speak Eiglish only.