Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 13, 24 July 1896, Page 11

Irish News.

• (From contemporaries.)

Antrim.— mb Gladstone on unbelief in Belfast.— A Belfast correspondent having sent a pamphlet entitled " Evolution verms Season aod Theology," of which be is the author, to Mr Gladstone, the right hon gentleman has replied as follows :— "Dear Sir,— I am concerned to bear that the passion of unbelief in any degree prevails in Belfast, for I had hoped that that towo was, like Irtland in Reneral, exempt from it* sway. But I shall be very glad if your labours should have the effect of contributing to a more healthy state of things.— Yonrs obediently and faithfully, W. B. Gladstone." CIare— DEATH AT THE AGE OF 111.— The death has occurred at Oloeney , West Clare, of a man named Con way at the extraordinary age of one hundred and eleven years. The deceased was a bobgranger on Lord Inchiquin's estate, and almost to the last was in perfect posseieion of his faculties. He used to walk two miles every Sunday to Mass. Cork.— Mß JOHN H. PABNELL, M.P , BROTHER OF THE LATE IRIBH LEADER.— Mr John H. Parnell, M.P., bro.har of the late Charles Stewart Parnell, the great Irish leader, who lately visited -Cork, baa some very roseate opinions on the subject of Irish industries, on wbich he is on enthusiast. "If the resources of Ireland were properly developed/ he says, " Ireland would be the most prosperous country on the globe, but the people do not seem to see or understand it, and every day of their lives pass unnoticed products -which, if cultivated, would make them rich." He thinks Ireland's industries afford a solution of the whole Irish problem. On Sunday May 16, Mr Parnell, accompanied by Mr B. Walsb, T.C., visited Macroom in connection with local industries which be intends to start. Although the visit was of a private nature, and no notice given of his intended visit, a goodly number of people were piesent on the platform on the arrival of the train, and when he was recognised there was a hearty cheer. Amongst those present were : Messrs John C. Cronin, auctioneer ; Jeremiah J. Cronin, auctioneer ; Timothy K. Buckley, C. J. O'Sullivan, P. Graham, James Cullinane, J. Murphy, O. P. Sbeeban, E. A. Brown, M. J. Murphy, O. O'Leary, D. Lucey, M. Twomey (Bridge), James Wallace, D. Desmond, T. Conor, etc. It iB understood that the hon member inteads to open up a number of industries in this district, and the project is warmly commended by all classes. AN OPEBA QUEEN PROM BLARNEY.— Among the artistes who have taken part in the English operatic Benson at Drury Lane this year is Mdlle E. Delrita, who is, notwithstanding her aggressive Italian Btsge name, a native of Cork city, where she first won fame in amateur opera. Her vocal gifts were so apparent that her friends sent her to study in London, where, after a few years, she was engaged by Sir Augustus Harris After 6ome appearances at Drury Lane, she weot with the " Hansel and Gretel "company to America last year. Her success in the role of Gretel was marvellous, But Mdlle Delrita — ir Mies Birdie Conway, which is her real name — is an Irish colleen to tbe heart's core, and the slight Milesian becent — which can be adapted to all occasions — that is noticeable in her musical voice, was brought from the immediate neighbourhood of Blarney. If Irish opera is to be the fashion— as appears very likelyit is certain that Sir Augustus Harris will find her one of the most useful of bis large staff. Cork is a musical city, and before leaving for America last year the mayor and leading citizens presented her with an address and some valuable jewellery, including a magnificent diamond ring. Outolin.-ROBBERY FROM LUCAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The quiet of Lucan was suddenly disturbed by the news that the Catholic cbnrch had been broken into and the.donatioa boxes burnt open and rifled of their contents. The police at once burned to the church and found three of the boxes bad been broken as reported. They also ascertained that a stranger whs observed loitering about the place a couple of hours previously. Acting-Sergeant Johnson with -Constable M'Cormack availed themselves of the steam tram which happened to be passing to Dublin, while Head-constable Keating despatched the remainder of the party to the surrounding stations on bicycles. When the acting-sergeant and constable reached Palmerstown, about four miles distant, they observed a man beckon the tram to stop who they believed answered the description of the stranger seen at the church previously. They jumped)off the tram and arrested him and found in his possession a quantity of coppers, a jemmy, and other instruments used by burglars. He refused to either give his name or address, but it is believed, from papers found in his possession, that he is an Army Reserve man not long discharged. He was brought before Captain Teßey, J.P., aod formally remanded pending further inquiry. THE COST OF THE TROOPS IN IBELAND.— The British troops at present quartered in Ireland number 37,000 men at the cost of £3,600,000 annually, or 16s per head ol the population, and Mr J. P. Farrell, M.P., intends to move at an early date for the return

•bowing how much of this ram is actually spent in Irehod, the different oeotrei at which it is disburaed, aod whether it it proposed to add to or diminish this force. AN OLD CUSTOM.— At a recent Doblin Drawing Boom (stye Wman) a portly matron, who had just received the Vioeroy's conventional salute on her cheek, was overheard exclaiming delightedly to her daughter. "Oh, there j Bidelia, and isn't his Excellency a lovely man to kiss 1 " Derry.— ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY OF A PBBOHBISTIAN OHAMBER.-A remarkable discovery of subterranean passages and chambers was made oa Saturday, says the Belfast Weekly, May 23, by a young man while ploughing on the land of Mr Clements, Newbnildingi district, two miles from Derry. To-day the •pot w*s visited by a large number, including gentlemen versed in arcV geological matters. Investigation first revealed a perfectly circular underground chamber 12ft high and 10ft broad. Its sides are built up with undressed stones, having at the top a flat stone inscribed with circular characters. From this a straight passage passage three feet broad and three feet high leads for 23ft to a smaller chamber of similar form to the first. There is a further passage beyond this leading to a third chamber whence exploration so far ceased. It is learned that a convent was founded near this place in the ninth century, but the chambers are supposed to be of pre-Christian origin. A DISGRACEFUL OUTRAGE AT ARDMORE.-On a recent Sunday morning, about four o'clock, a number of the windows in the Ardmore Catholic Church were smaihsd, and in the school-house adjoining also panes were broken. Other evil work was done by the perpetrators. Catholic bouses in the neighbourhood at the same time received some annoyance. The best of neighbourly good feeling has hitherto prevailed in the locality, and this breaking in upon the reepeetablp quiet of Ardmore is much resented. Kilkenny. -NEW CHURCH IN KILKENNY.— LAYING OF;THE FOUNDATION-STONE.— ADDRESS BY THE BISHOP OF OSSOBY.— The solemn laying ofi:the foundation stone of the new church for 8t Patrick's parish, Kilkenny, took place under most favourable circumstances. At twelve o'clock High Mass was celebrated in the present parish chorcb, the Most Bey T>r Brownrigg presiding. After Mass a procession to the site of the new edifice was formed, headed by 8t Patrick's brasslband, followed immediately by the ecclesiastical studen*s of St Kieraa's College, and the Most Bey Dr Brownrigg. His Lordship said : " During the past year the parishioners of St Patrick's parish have contributed a Bum of £270 towards the church, so that at present we have on hand altogether £3 570 towards the good work. The amount to be paid to the contractor is £5,600, so that we want still the ?nm of £2,000 in round numbers to keep us clear of debt. To-day I venture to express an earnest hope that the parishioners of St Patrick's will not relax their zealouß generosity in contributing to this church until the last candlestick has been placed on i's altar. We set on foot a year ago a'system of collecting through the parish, which, if generously sustained by the parishioners, will realise all that is required. 1 am authorised just now to Bay that Mr Hague, the architect, and Mr Nolan, the builder, have given us a good example by putting down a sum of £10 each. I will imitate their example by giving a like sum on the present occasion, and promise to repeat such subscription each year until (he church is completed. I now beg to thank you all— the citizens generally, but especially the parishioners of St Patrick's parish — for your attendance at this function, and ventnre to express a hope that we may live to see this new cburcb completed in all itß details " ! Tipperary. — MRS WILLIAM O'BRIEN AND NEW TIPPEHAKY.— The Press Association is informed that Mrs O'Brien has purchase for £750 the fee simple of the ground on whioh New Tipperary is built, and has presented it to the townspeople. New Tipperary consists of four streets of shops and dwellings which were built at a cost of over £15,000. The property will be administered for the benefit of the townspeople by three trustees, of whom Dr J. F. O'Byan, chairman of the Tipperary Town Commissioners, has consented to act as chairmwn. "Water ford. -BISHOP SHEEHAN ON MIXED MARRIAGES.—The Most Rev Dr Sheehan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, during his triennial visit to SS. Peter and Paul's parish, Clonmel, referred in strong terms to the action of parents who were sending their children to the model school in open violation to the law of the Church, he went on to say : " I regret to learn of the number of young girls from Olonmel who have recently contracted marriage in tbe Protestant church. Now, I need scarcely point ont the heinousness of tbe am which those people commit. I need scarcely point out that by the very act of contracting the marriage they commit, under the circumstances, a most grevious sin. Nor need I point out that the results of that sin are likely to last long and be disastrous to those who commit it. What is to be said of those persons who, professing to be themselves Catholics for merely temporal purposes, in that very moment on wbich so much depends— so far from endeavouring to obtain tbe graces and the favour of Heaven upon their union— aot in open defiance to the law of God

and of Hia Church, and instead of a blessing bring down upon them ■elvM a malediction. What prospect is there for happiness for these eloped in their married life or in after years V GENBBAL. AN IRISH DANE.— It may not be generally known that Prince Charles of Denmark, the futnre hnsband of Princess Mand of Wales, is of Irish descent. As he is the great grandson of Bernadotte, once a private soldier, who became eventually Charles Fourteenth, King of Sweden and Norway ( and married Desire Clery, one of the daughters of a very rich merchant in Marseilles, who was a member of an Irish family descended from the fannus O'Clerya of Tryoonnell, the hereditary bards of the O'Donnella. Desire Clery's sister Julie was married to Joseph Buonaparte, and became twice a queen— first Queen of Holland and then Queen of Spain. A CONBTANT VOTER.— Mr Donal f-ullivan, M.P., who has resigned the hon secretaryship of ithe Irish Parliamentary Party after eleven yetrs' continuous Bervice, has never addressed the House His Parliamentary ambition lies in quite another direction. He has occupied since his entry into the Houee of Commons the proud preeminence of voting in more divisions than auy other member. In the last Parliament, for instance, Mr Sullivan accomplished the amazing feat of voting in 833 out of a possible 837 divisions. THE IRISHMAN. (By JAMES ORB, born near Carrickfergus in 1770) The savage loves his native shore. Though rude the soil and chill the air. Then well may Erin's sons adore Their Isle which nature formed so fair, What flood reflects a shore so sweet As Shannon great, or pastoral Bane 1 Or who a friend or foe can meet So generous as an Irishman ? If strange or poor, for you he'll pay And guide to where you safe may be ; If you're his guest, while ere you stay Hii cottage holds a jubilee, His inmoßt soul he will unlock, And if he may your secrets Ecan, Your confidence he Fcorns to mock, For faithful is an Irithman. By honour bound in woe or weal, Wbate'er she bids, he dares to do. Try him with bribes ; they wont prevail ; Prove him in fire — You find him true. He seeks not safety ; let his popt Be where it ought in Danger's van And if the field of fame is lost It wont be by an Irifchman. His band is rash, his heart is warm, But honesty is still his guide. None more repents a deed of harm And none forgives with nobler pride. He may be duped but won't be dared, More fit to practise than to plan ; He clearly earns his poor reward, And spends it like an Irishman, Erin, loved land, from a^e to age, Be thou more great, more grand and free. May peace be thine, or bdou d thou wage Defensive wars — cheap victory. May plenty bloom in every field, Which gentle breezes Boftly fan, And cheerful smiles serenely gild The home of every Irishman,