Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 3, 17 May 1895, Page 11

Irish News.

(From contemporaries.)

Antrim.— The stetl bark Lough Neagh, which has been lying in the Salisbury Dock, Belfast, for sule, was ihe subject of an interesting religious ceremony. The vesM was recently sold to Italian shipowners. She was built three years ago by Workman, Clark, and Co, Limited, and has been tbe subj-ct of considerable litigation. After the sale and transfer of the vessel the new owners, in accordance with Catholic practice, directed tbe blessing of her by a Catholic priest. The crew arrived in Balf^st from Naples by the Dynamic, and among them is an apprentice to the sea, Prince Pignatelli, a scion of one of the oldest and noblest houses in Italy. Father McElvenny, Adm. St Joseph's, proceeded on board the vessel, which is now named the Emilia Ciampa, and performed the ceremony. The function was the first of th j kind in Belfast.

Armajjll.— The bear which was giving some trouble to the districts arou ad Newry lately was rcpirtei to be prowliDg near the city of Armagh. He was in the meadows of Mullinure. As the news Bpread like wildfire, a large crowd, armod with all sorts cf weapons, collected in the meadows. For hours the police and the excited crowd scoured Mullinure and neighbouring townlands, but the whereabouts of the much-dreaded beast remained undiscovered. The only apparenc trace which could be found of him was in the numerous marks discernable in the Bnow, which still covers the fields in the district. It is stated he was seen going into a cowshed at Balhnabone.

Cavan.— ln the House of Commoos on Monday night Mr Boss : — I beg to ask tbe Chief B cretiry whether he is aware that Hugh Moore of Lianafunl, m-ar Virginia, County Cavan, who took a farm from which a former t<_nanl had b-:en evicted for non-paympnt of rent, has been and is boycotted, and has been prevented from sailing his horses by disorderly crowds, w io followed him about blowiug horns in fai^s and markets; tfcut on /ebruary 2. while drawing hay to his farm, he wa9 attacked by a laree crowd and violently assaulted and his cart overturned ; ihat on several occasions horn-blowing crowds assembled about his bouse, and tnat Moore's sister is also boycotted, and that th« mill hands in the neighbour. hood have refused to scutch her fUx or grind her oats. Cnief Secretary John Morley stated he was not aware of that which U>e honourable member mentioned.

Clare»— The judge at the rereut spring assizes held in Ennis said he had to congratulate them thut tbeir district was more auspicious now than it had been f,r the 'ast month, and be hoped the return of fine weather would be a mark ol prosperity to Ireland and to Clare. He was glad there was Lot niLch of a criminal nature to come before them,

Down, — The bear roving around Newry district is keeping the residents on tbe lookout. Itpu r saeia plumber named Nesbitt, who only considered himself out of harm's reach when he Bafely gained a field, having scaled a wall pix or seven feet high. In an interview Mr Nesbitt saii be never b fora ext.e T ienced such a shock, and were it not for the presence ot mind which he maintained, his activity, and tbe wall that served as a barrier against his vicious assailant, he belived the animal wovil 1 hive devoured him. Search parties proceeded in pursuit of bruin. These included Sergeant Durmvi, Sergeant Kilcourae, Newry ; Sergeant K-ane, Camlougb ; Constables Campbell, McConnell, Qilmorc, Fitzpatrick, Phillips, Sheridan, Reilly, M'Cusker, Mr Richard Djherty, and many others ) who divided themselves into groups and went ia different directions tracing the marks of the brute. Th >y m-ic'e a minute search of the townlands of Tullyhappy, Clonduff, Searse, Knockduff, Crob.ne, Shinn, etc, but at no time did they come in sight of the troublesome one, and a second day's investigation had no results The country is being scoured by the police and civilians, but bruin has not been captured.

Dublin* — ilost Rev Dr Wa ah, Archbishop of Dublin, has bien appointed a Commissioner of National Education in Ireland, Not since the days of Most Rev Dr Murray has a Catholic prelate B»t on the board.

We regret to announce tho death of the Rev Father Linug O'Reilly, C P., which took place in St Paul's Retreat, Mount Argue, at an early hour on Satuulay moruinu. Father Linus, who was 48 years of age, was a native of County Cavan.

On St Patrick's Day the Euapre-s Frederick of Germany di - played a bunch of shamrocks, and in audition was attired in costumes especially made in Ireland. It is not improbable that her Majesty will visit Dublin in the autumn, but prior to this the Duke and Duchtss of York are expected, when they will be the guests of the Lord Lieutenant.

Galway* — The late Mr Digby Heymour, Recorder of New. castle, and County Court Judge for Northumberland, who was known in Newcastle and a widt radius round aa the " eloquent judge," was

the boo of the Rev Charles Seymour, rector of Clifden, County Galway, a clergyman who was greatly given to declaiming against what he waa wont to term " Old Popery." Tbe son was decidedly free from bigotry.

Kerry. — The Doon protection post hn« been diocontinned, ond the men who were located there transferred to Traleo. It is expected that other protection posts in the county will be abolished.

Mayo. — The evictions of seven families in Coogue Middle and adjoining localities on tbe Dillon property has just been effected. The evictions were carried out under tbe supervision of Messrs Jackson (under agent;, Stewart (land steward), Forbes, Caseidy, Duigcan. and others. Tbe parties evicted were—Anthony Kilduff, Pat Davin, L. Conboy, Widow Flynn, Widow M'Nicholas, M. Mullen. John Kearney (Liscat). Tbe four first-named were not re-admitted but the remaining three were allowed back to their holdings as caretakers, la consequence of tbe extreme poverty existing in the locality the evicted parties will be a burden on the rates, and it is felt that unless the Government come 3to the relief of tbe people in the district some sad tales — similiar to those of '48 — will be told. Widow M'Nicholas was re-admitted in consequence of the illness of her child and the fact that her mother was in an extremely delicate condition.

Monaghan. — Mr A. Magenni?, one of the old Ulster race, after a lingering illness, departed this life recently in Dublin, fortified by the rites of the Church to which he was so zealously devoted. He, as well as tho rest of his family, was a native of County Monighan. They were distinguishe 1 alike for their love of faith and fatherland. They are lineal descendants of the great chieftains, the lords of the territory of Iveagh in the County Down, who in conjunction with Hugh O'Neill, Princa of Tyrone, fought in the wars with Qieen Elizabeth, and subsequently joined Owen Roe at the battle of Benburb. One of the family of Iveagh, after the confiscation of 'heir property and the outlawry of its rightful owners, maie his way to County Monaghan, and from there the deceased, xVrthur Magennie, and his family are descended, as the la'ter's grandfather had documentary and other proofs to show. The deceased was a gentleman of considerable intellectual attainment. He wa« for a time a professor in Rockwell College, County Tipperary, and be was the winner of the gold medal offered by the Marchioness 1 1 Q ieensberry for the beßt es9ay on Home Rule. Mr Magennis was a orother of the la'e Mrs Ellen Forrester, a sweet Irish poet.

SligO* — At the recent meeting of <he Sugo Board of Guardians, a letter was received from the Chief S.-cretary, Mr Morley, statiog that he had received a communication from the Congested Districts Board from which it appeared that the Board had decided that the reconstruction of the sea wall estimated to cost £1,100 at Ballyconnell, County Sligo, would ba beyond their resources. The Board bad, however, decided to vote a sum not exceeding £130 for clearing stones from tbn tenant's land making it available immediately.

A meeting was called for the purpose of considering wha f action should taken with reference to the sealed order of the Ljcal Government Board ordering that che Sligo Abbey burial ground should be closed against interment was held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall. The Chamber was thronged to suff jcaf oi, aad the fealing of thjse prespnt was characterised by unanimity. Oa the motion of Mr Thomas Hanney, seconded by Mr Kelly, Mr John Ward, civic delegate, was morad to the chair amid loud cheers. Mr Patrick Meehan was unanimously elected secretary to vie meetin?. Mr Patrick Meehan then read the following resolutions :— " That we, the descendants of the old inhabitants of our ancisnt borough, heir with the greatest regret the steps ordered to be taken in regard to the closing of^our ancient bnrying-ground, the Abbey, and as a sealed order has been issued to that effect by said board, still we are confi ient that if our corporate body, who arj the chosan representatives of our town and borough, call on the board to reconsider their decision, and grant the privilege to thos9 who can claim such right of being interred with the dust )f our forefathers, beneath its hallowed shrine, we are almost certain such privilege will not be refused, and that it will stem tha tide of discontent among the inhabitants and be the means of preventing future questions ia that regard." The Bamt course, it is stated, will be pursued by the Local Government in rigard to 8t John's Cemetery.

Tyrone.— Recently blasting operations brought the sinkers at the Dungannon colleries to the coal which had been discovered some months ago. During the week all obstacles were removed and excavations made in the seam to the depth of three feet, and several toni of coal raised. Tbe coal was at once ttsted for steam and domestic purposes, and proved to be of excellent quality and muck superior to Scotch coal. It is expected that an abundant supply of the coal will be placed on the market during April. The result means extensive employment and cheap fuel for the working classes.

The tenants on the Shankey estate of Mr G. B. Kennedy, Muilantain, Stewartstown, which consists of the following townlands : — Urbakeagh, Goriaclo^han, Doonagb, Donaghendry, Bhankey, Cloughf«n, Tullyfaughan, and part of the lands of Soaro, have offered to buy their holdings at fiiteen years' purchase with the current year's rent off— practically fourteen years' purchase.

"Waterford.— At Knocknaska House, Cappoquin, Mrs Margaret Cheasty died at the great age of 102 years. The roads to the family burial ground, Newtown, Kilmactbomas, being impassable since the late snowstorm, the temporary interment took place in Ballinamilla, which was crowded with relatives and friends. The pall was borne by four grandsons of the venerable lady — Mr Edmond Phelan, Knocknaska House ; Mr Thomas F. Walshe, Kilmacthomas ; Mr Frank Power, Ballicakill, Waterford, and Mr T. J. Cbeasty Ballybrack.