Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 3 September 1897, Page 9

Irish Ne ws.

(From Contemporaries.)

ARMAGH.— Grand Bazaar at Keady.— A grand bazaar and fete was opened in Keady on June 26 for the purpose of raising funds for the erection of schools and a suitable residence for the Brothers of the De La Salle Order, recently introduced into the town by the highly esteemed and popular pastor of the parish, the Very Rev. Canon Coyne, with the approval of the Cardinal Primate of Armagh, and also to clear off the balance of the parochial debt, amounting to £500 About £2,000 had been expended under the guidance, experience, and sound judgment of Canon Coyne in carrying into effect vast improvements which were absolutely necessary in the parish. Through the characteristic generosity of his own parishioners, aided by the contributions of some generous personal friends, Canon Coyne was enabled to pay off about £1,500 of this debt, leaving due the balanca mentioned. The object of the bazaar is a most commendable and worthy one, and judging from the vast and representative gathering of people not only from Keady but also from Dublin, Belfast, Armagh, Monaghan, Castleblaney and all surrounding towns, the bazaar promises to be a brilliant financial success. The energetic commiltee in charge of the arrangements had everything completed in a manner which could not fail to please the most fastidious. Stalls were admirably fitted up in the extensive schoolrooms near the handsome parish church and an elaborate display of costly and elegant prizes was most attractive. The bazaar wa9 opened about two o'clock in the afternoon in the presence of a very large gathering. CORK.— A People's Park at Macroom.— Following the action of Sir John Arnott in giving the people of Bandon a public park, Lady Ardilaun has given to the Macroom people extensive grounds as a people's park. The park is being fitted out at her expense. There being nothing of the kind in existence here up to the present, the want, which is now supplied, was greatly felt when athletic sports and outdoor amusements were carried out. The fields are very level and well sheltered by towering trees, and are situated on the banks of the Sullane, opposite the park demesne. DERRY.— Lough Foyle as a Port of Call.— The selection of Lough Foyle as the Irish port of call for the new Canadian mail service was discussed recently with Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian Premier, by a deputation representing the Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Harbour Commissioners of Londonderry. The case made for the choice of Lough Foyle rested principally upon the fact that for the past thirty years there had been a weekly connection between Canada and Londonderry and that the latter port was the chief outlet for emigration from the North and North-West of Ireland. Sir Wilfrid Laurier suggested that the deputation should put their views in a memorial, and said that if the port possessed all the advantages claimed for it his Government would, no doubt, favourably consider the merits of the port. Subsequently the same deputation waited on the Postmaster-General and pressed him for further train facilities, and as these are absolutely necessary to strengthen Londonderry's claim, it is to be hoped that official consideration will endorse their views. DUBLIN.— A Permanent Association for the Feis Ceoil. — The project of an annual or periodical Feis Ceoil was advanced another stage on Tues-day, June '2.), when at a largo and representative meeting in the Mansion House a permanent association was formed, to carry out the objects for which the re ,ent Fei-, Ceuil was promoted. Such an association was needed if the work is to be continued, and the meeting approved of the proposed constitution of the new body, which is now launched into existence under most favourable auspices. We feel sure that the success of the recent festival will in itself be a great stimulus to attract people into the ranks of the new association who regarded the Feis Ceoil at h'rbt as a doubtful experiment, but who are now convinced of the great results that it can achieve. We warmly welcome the new body, and we trust it will have a long and prosperous career, and be able to carry out to the full the great and national objects for which it was constituted. It is nearly fifty years ago since Thomas Davis suggested the formation of such an association, but it has remained for the few enthusiasts who worked at this Feis Ceoil project, and in spite of all discouragement, brought it to success, to realise the cherished project. The late Feis cost about £1,500, and there was a lossof £200 on the transaction. We must remember, however, that expenses for advertising and circularising, and for other matters which will never arise again, were included in the expenditure. Surely in all Ireland the new association ought to be able to get 1,500 members at a guinea each, which would place the Executive committee in a position to solve the problem annually. No doubt contributions and prizes to a further amount should also be available to enable the association to extend the work. St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage.— On Sunday, June 27, the ceremony of the blessing of the new chapel, erected at the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, Glasnevin,in honour of the Sacred Heart, was blessed by his Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Walsh. Archbishop of Dublin. The chapel is a memorial on the p-irt of the members of the Society in celebration of their Golden Jubilee, and is a most beautiful and for its puipose most suitable building His Grace on arriving at Glasnevin was received by the Most Rev. Dr. Woodlock, Bishop of Trapezopoiis, the venerable founder of the Society in Ireland, and by Mr. R. P. Carton Q.C. ; Mr. Redmond Carroll, B.L. ; the Rev. D'Alton, Superior, and other gentlemen representatives of the Society from different parts of Ireland. Attended by the Right Rev. the Dean and the Very Rev. Canon Murphy, P.P., his Grace performed the ceremony of the dedication and blessing, and then presided at High Mass in the new chapel. The celebrant was the Rev. Father Ryan, deacon ; Rev. Dr. Cronin ; sub-deacon, Rev. Father Magrath ; and master of ceremonies, Rev.

Charles Ridgeway. The musio of the Mass was beautifully sung by the boys of the Orphanage. When Mass had been concluded a public meeting- of the members of the Society and of friends was held in front of the Orphanage. On the motion of Mr. John Hammond, M.P., seconded by Colonel Peard, the chair waa taken by his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin.! KILKENNY— A Kilkenny Veteran of the Civil War.The New York Freeman's Journal say« :— A brave Irish Catholic soldier passed away in Boston, Mass, on the 17th June in the person of Captain John Reade. Mr. Reade was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, December 1, 1825. He came to this country when he was a mere lad, and obtained a common school education. In 1846 he entered a woollen mill as a spinner in Waterford, Ct. He remained there a year and a half. He then went to Milford in 1848 and engaged in various b isiness ventures with success. When Surater fell and Lincoln called the North to arms, John Reade promptly left his business, andat the request of Colonel O'Brien, of the Forty-eighth Regiment, raised a company for the service at his own expense," and went to the iront as first lieutenant. During the company's nine months terra of service Lieutenant Reade performed his whole duty. After his return home he recruited a second company, for the Fiftyseventh, and once more went out as first lieutenant. When the historic mine at Petersburg was blown up Lieutenant Reade waa amongst those who were captured by the Confederates, and was the only officer in the regiment who escaped wounds or death. Seven months and ten days were passed by Lieutenant Reade in the rebel prison at Columba S. C. In May, 1563, he was discharged, after his patrol, and returned home, and in 1868 he received the brevet commission of captain for meritorious conduct. Mr. Reade came to Charlestown in 1867, and entered into the business of an undertaker. His political experience was of a high order. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1880 '81 and '82, and in 1891 was elected to the Senate after a hot and exciting campaign. He was re-elected in 1892. He was a member of the Charitable Irish Society and the Montgomery Light Guards. He served for many years as president of the local lodge of the Land League. LOUTH.— Electric Enterprise in Drogheda.— The popular seaside resort of Blackrock will shortly be connected with Dundalk by an electric tramway, which will run from the junction station of the Great Northern Railway Company, and will, therefore, afford direct communication with northern, southern, and inland towns. The promoters of the scheme are the Irish Development Syndicate Company, and their project not only embraces a tramway from the railway station to Blackrock, but also a branch line running down the main streets of the town to suit local traffic. SLlGO.— Consecration of Sligo Cathedral.— On Thursday, June 24, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Sligo, waa solemnly consecrated to the service of God. The day was observed with special rejoicing in the town and throughout the diocese of Elphin. In Sligo the day was a general holiday, and non-Catholio employers gave their employes a half-holiday to enable them to attend the ceremonies. The town was gaily decorated, and there were illuminations at night. The streets at intervals were spanned by triumphal arches, and almost every house in the town was decorated. The ceremony of consecration began on Thursday morning at five o'clock. At half -past eleven o'clock Solemn Pontifical High Mass was celebrated in the cathedral. The sermon was preached by the Most Rev. Dr. O'Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick, and there was a very large attendance of the episcopacy and clergy. The Cathedral of Sligo was dedicated and opened for Divine worship cm .July 2S, IS7L It was erecie I at a cobt of £38,000. which wa^ p.iid tor out of the contributions, oi the peopl > of the diocese alone, no outride collections having been made. The principal benefactor to the cathedral is Mr. Peter O'Connor, of Sligo, whose gifts amounted to over six thou.-and pounds. The late Bibhop of Elphin, the Most Re\\ Di\ Gillooly. contributed £5,000 of his own I money to the enrichment of the sacred edifice. The cathedral was begun and completed by the late Most Rev. Dr. Gillooly.and every part of the work was carried out under his personal supervision. It has a place all by itself for Irish ecclesiastical architecture. It brings us back to the style of the earliest Christian churches. When the builders of the East made their first departure from the classical style and established that known as the Byzantine, the Christians ot the West also surrendered the strict formal style of Greek and Roman orders and established that known as the Latin style. This, subsequently modified by Byzantine, led to the formation of the Romanesque. The Sligo Cathedral is modelled on buildings of the earliest period of this transition, in which the Byzantine and Latin are combined in the Romanesque. Its general style is simple and severe rather than soft or graceful. There is very little of what is understood in our day as ornament. The leading characteristic is strength and solidity. The mouldings are the plainest, not to say of the harshest, type ; the cornices are without ornament, and the arcades which connect the columns are of the old Roman style. The building depends for its impressiveness upon its massive proportions rather than any elegance in its details. TYRONE.— Rabies in the North.— A Ballygaw ley correspondent writes : — There has been r.n alarming outbreak of rabies in this part of South Tyrone. A short time ago one or two rabid dogs were observed in the locality, and these it seems attacked cattfc, sheep and pigs. In the townland of Shantavney the other week a farmer named Macllory had occasion to shoot a very valuable cow and also a brood sow, both animals ha\ing exhibited unmistakable symptoms of the disease. Later news to hand from the Dunmoyle district reports two children there were badly w orried by dogs. The greatest fear and excitement prevails in the remote districts in consequence of the sudden madness of numerous dogs now scouring the country. GENERAL. The Graves of the Patriots.— Sunday, June 20, anniversary of the birth of Wolfe Tone, ay as the moat appropriate day for the

annual decoration of the graves of the patriots who took part in the various national movements since '98. With this object the executive committee of the '98 Centenary Committee, in conjunction with the Young Ireland League, Dublin, appealed to the Nationalists of Ireland to assist them in the patriotic work of decoration by looking after the graves in their respective districts and by sending floral tributes to be placed on the tombs in Dublin and its vicinity. The Belfast Nationalists had an extensive decoration of the graves of the northern patriots, and in Carlow Mr. John C. O'Neill, Carlow Vindicator, worked for the decoration of the Croppy's Hole. Among the tombs visited and decorated in and around Dublin are those of Lord Fdward, in St. Worburgh's ; the brothers Sheares, Oliver Bond and Rev. Mr. Jackson, in St. Michael's ; Wolfe Tone, Bodenstown, Thomas Davis, Mount Jerome, and the following among others in Glasnevin ; the Martyrs' Plot, the Cenotaph of the Manchester Martyrs and the tombs of Clarence Mangan, Stephen Donohoe and Anne Devlin.

Ireland in Spain.— Writes J. G. Swift MacNeill to the Dublin Freeman on June 14 : — The telegrams read at the thirteen hundredth anniversary of the death of St. Columba, which was celebrated with such devotion and patriotism at Gartan, from two scions in exile of the illustrious house of O'Donnell — the one a Spanish Duke, the other an Austrian Count — and the reminiscences of his Eminence Cardinal Logue in proceedings in connection with the St. Columba celebration, of his having met in Spain the descendants of Irish exiles who after many generations showed in features, mien and character distinct traces of their Irish origin, may perhaps render of interest the mention of some leading facts in connection with the Irish dispersion in Spain and Austria which are not perhaps generally known, and for which I am in the main indebted to the pages of Mr. Lecky. Among Spanish generals the names of O'Donnell, O'Mahony, O'Gara, O'Reilly and O'Neil are conspicuous, and an Irishman named Cammock was the ablest of the admirals of Albermi. Wall, the ambassador of Spain at the Court of St. James, who was subsequently from 1754 till 17G3 Spanish Prime Minister, was an Irishman ; Lacy was Spanish ambassador at Stockholm and O'Mahony at Vienna, and Spain had for a long time no fewer than five Irish regiments in her service. The Austrian Army, moreover, was crowded with Irish soldiers and officers. Browne, who was one of the very ablest of the Austrian generals, and who took a leading part in the first period of the Seven Years' War, was the son of

Iri.n parents, and O'Donnell, Maguire, Lacy and Nugent were all prominent generals in the Austrian service during the same war. In our own time we have seen in the perhon of Count Taaffe, who held an Iri^h peerage created in the time of Charles 1., a descendant of Irish exiles, an Austrian Prime Minister, and I can never forget the emotion with which I saw in a remote nook in Austria the graves of men whose names testified their Irish origin. It may, parhaps, not be wholly out of place in a letter, which, although only designed to collate some striking facts in connection with Irish exiles iv Spain and Austria, was stimulated by the G-artan Festival in honour of St. Columba, who was born in Donegal, and is the Saint of the Exiles, to mention that Montgomery, an Irish exile and a native of Donegal, distinguished himself highly at the capture of Quebec and became one of the earliest of the American commanders in the War of Independence. THE SUNNY SOUTH IS GLOWING. [Andrew Orr, the writer of " The Sunny South is Glowing," was born near Coleraine on March 15th, 1822. Until he was nearly thirty years of age he was employed in a linen factory. From his boyhood he wrote poems for the Derry, Belfast, and Dublin papers. At the age of twenty-eight he emigrated to Australia. There he spent a few years in the Victoria gold-mining district, and then he became a journalist, settling at Ballarat, where he is (or recently was) on the staff of the Ballarat Star. It was at Ballarat, in the year 1860, that he wrote the the following (his best known, if not his best) poem.] The sunny South is glowing in the glow of Southern glory, And the Southern Cross is waving o'er the freest of the free ; Yet in vain, in vain, my heart would try to hide the story That evermore 'tis wandering back, dear native land, to thee ; The heathy hills of Malazan, the Barm's translucent waters, Glenleary's shades of hazel, and Agivy's winding streams ; And Kathleen of the raven locks, the flower of Erin's daughters — Lost heaven of wildering beauty 1 thou art mine at least in dreams. O ! the green land, the old land, Far dearer than the gold land, With all its landscape glory and unchanging summer skies ; Let others seek their pleasures In the chase of golden treasures, Be mine a dream of Erin and the light of Kathleen's eyes.

Sweet scenes may group around me, hill and dale, lagoon and wild* wood, And eyes as bright and cloudless as the azure skies above ; But strange the face of nature — not the happy haunts of childhood, And cold the glance of beauty — not the smile of early love ; Even in the pulse of joy itself, the native charm is wanting, For distant are the bosoms that would share it as their own ; Too late to learn that loving hearts will never bear transplanting, Uprooted once, like seedless flowers, they wither lost and lone. O I the old land, the green land, That land of lands, the queen land ; Keep, keep the gorgeous splendour of your sunny Southern shore ; Unfading and undying, O'er the world between us lying. The hallowed loves of former days are mine for evermore.