Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 36, 7 September 1899, Page 9

Irish News.

CARLOW.— A Work Of Art.— The new pulpit which is being erected in the Carlow Cathedral as a memorial to the late Most Rev. Dr. Comerford, Coadjutor Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, will when completed be a monumental work of which the town may feel proud. It has been executed in rose cushion oak of the finest colour and quality, being designed in accordance with the I architectural features of the Cathedral, which are those of the j fifteenth century, commonly called the Tudor period. CLARE-— Attempted Proselytising in Kilrush —Great indignation prevails in Kilrush in connection with alleged attempts at proselytising. The Catholic people of Kilrush have at all times extended the utmost toleration and goodwill to those who are not of their religious belief, and it is a matter of regret that frequent attempts have been made for the past couple of years to change the good feeling hitherto existing among all classes. The Very Rev. Dr. Malone, P.P., V.G-., Kilrush, has warned the congregation from the altar against the methods used to lead astray the children of Catholic parents. In justice it must be stated that this offensive business of proselytising is condemned as much by respectable Protestants as by Catholics. CORK-— Priests Appointed Canons— The following j priests of the diocese of Cork have been appointed Canons by his Lordship the Most Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan . Rev. Jeremiah Carey, P.P., Carrigaline ; Rev. John Lyons, P.P., Monkstown ; Rev. Denis M'Carthy, P.P., Ballincollig ; and Rev. Daniel M'Namara, P.P., Glounthaune. DUBLIN.— A House with Historic Associations.—Morrison's Hotel, at the corner of Nassau street, Dublin, which is now in the market for sale (says an exchange) is a hostelry full of historic associations. It was formerly one of the town residences of the Dukes of Leinster, and the arms of the Fitzgeralds are placed immediately over the principal entrance. It was in Morrison's Hotel that the duel between Daniel O'Connell and D'Esterre— which terminated fatally for D'Esterre, and cast a cloud over O'Connell's life — was arranged ; while in later times Morrison's Hotel was the scene of the arrest of Mr. Parnell on October 1 3. 1881, as a ' suspect ' under the Crimes Act. KERRY. — Terrific Thunderstorm. — a terrific thunderstorm was experienced in Tralee district on July 20, with vivid flashes of forked lightning and deafening peals of thunder. It lasted over an hour. Buildings vibrated, and trees were struck down by the current. There were several miraculous escapes. Edward Morris, bridewell keeper, aged eighty, was standing at the door when the first terrific thunderclap broke over the place. He fell, was removed unconscious, and expired in a few minutes. Dogs went mad and had to be shot. LIMERICK.— Death of the Protestant Bishop.— By the death of Dr. Graves. Protestant Bishop of Limerick (says the Dublin correspondent of the Weekly lirgixier), at the advanced age of over eighty years, the Protestant Church in Ireland loses one of its most able, cultured, and liberal-minded prelates. His death severs one of the last links that connect the disestablished with the formerly established Protestant Church in Ireland. The grief felt by the Proteatant community for the death of Dr. Graves is shared by his Catholic fellow-countrymen. He was essentially an Irishman of the best type, and a devoted lover of his country. As President fr r many years of the Royal Irish Academy he did wonderful woik for the cultivation of Irish art and music. It is significant of the kindly and tolerant atmosphere that pervade \ his home, that the most truthful and charming picture of an Irish priest presented to the world in the deservedly famous ballad 'Father O'Flynu.' was the work of a young Protestant gentleman, then scarcely out of his teens, the son of the late lamented Protestant Bishop of Limerick. Among those present at the funeral were the Most Rev. Dr. O'Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick, and the Rev. Fathers Griffin and Murphy. MONAGHAN-— A Centenarian Retarns to her Native Land* — The London Morning Leader's New York correspondent^ writing on July 23, says : — New York lost a social landmark and popular centenarian when Alice M'Mahon, aged 10,1, yesterday sailed in the Umbria for Monaghan, Ireland. On her coming to America 75 years ago she was twice shipwrecked. New York was then a comparatively small place. She opened a prosperous dressrrakiug business, and afterwards went as housekeeper to the famous Livingstone family. The Livingstones grew very fond of her, and ' to content her they actually built her a special Catholic church.

She said to me yesterday, ' I am 18 in feelings and want to spend my old age in the old country.' She attributed her longevity and sprightliness to her religion and frugality. She had a grand sendoff at the dock. WICKLOW.— A Monument to Billy Byrne.— The Lord Mayor of Dublin, on July 22. laid in the Market Square, Wicklow, the foundation stone of a monument to Billy Byrne, of Ballymanus, and the Wicklow heroes of '1)8. Wicklow haa never within the present century witnessed such a vast demonstration. Dr. Byrne, the chairman of the Wicklow Urban Council, who was attended by the mace-bearer with the mace of James ll. 's time, met and welcomed his Lordshii) and the members of the Dublin Corporation who accompanied him. About two o'clock the huge aggregation of people was formed into something like a procession. The foundation stone of granite, mined from the property of Billy Byrne at Ballymanus. was borne on a lorry. The Lord Mayor's state carriage, in which rode the mace-bearer, Mr. Barlow, and the swordbearer, Mr. Egan, held the next place in the procession, followed by the carriage in which his Lordship sat in his robes of state. The members of the Dublin Corporation, most of whom wore their robes, came in the succeeding carriages, and in one of the carriages was Mr. James Stephens. There was a large number of bands from Dublin and Wicklow. It was almost four o'clock before the laying of the foundation of the memorial took place in the Market Square. This was performed by the Lord Mayor, assisted by Councillor Cox. WATERFORD.— The County Council Seal.— The seal of the Waterford County Council is an artistic and unique production. It has been designed and executed under instructions from Mr. Thomas Power, J.P., first Chairman of the Council, by the wellknown Mr. Beary. Mr. Beary has done his work in a very able manner. The famous Bound Tower of Ardmore stands prominently in the centre of an oval. There are the Harp and Wolf Dog, and in close proximity a view of the sculptured west gable of the ancient Church of St. Declan. Surrounding all is the inscription in the Irish language : — ' County Council of Waterford : For the glory of God and the benefit of the neighbour.' In the course of an admirable and patriotic address delivered at a recent meeting of the County Council, the chairman pointed out how appropriate it was that the inscription should be in the Irish language. He incidentally mentioned that his grandfather was the last to catechise and lecture in the Irish language in their magnificent church at Dungarvan. The County Waterford was one of the principal Irish speaking centres in the country. They had in Waterford over 30,000 speaking that language, and his countymen were proud of the fact that two priests from their own district — the Rev. Dr. Hickey and the Rev. Dr. Hennebery — held respectively the muchcovettd position of Professors of Irish in the famous College of Maynooth, and in the great University of Washington. The leading papers in the country write eulogistically of the actions of the Council in unanimously adopting the seal. It proves that the members of the Council were inspired with Irish and National sentiments, and that the Irish inscription will stand as an emblem for all future time that the first County Council of Waterford were aa determined as the savants of Europe to revive and keep freeh the treasures and the beauties of the ancient Irish tongue. [The Chairman of the Waterford County Council is a brother or the Very Rev. Father Power, Hawera, New Zealand, Ed. N Z.T.] The Late Father Barron.— The late Very Rev. Father Barron. Administrator of St. John's, Waterford, whose death we reported in our last issue, was one of the most popular priests in the dinceje. A &is4erof his — Mother Mary Paul — is a nun in the Brigiuine Convent, "Ararat, Victoria. GENERAL. Distinguished Ecclesiastical Visitors —There were a number of distinguished ecclesiastical visitors in Ireland during July. The silver-tongued orator, Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia, was amidst the people of his native Tipperary ; Archbishop Hen-nes'-y, of Dubnque, had returned for a while to his own county of Limerick, and Archbishop Flood, 0.P., of Trinidad, who is so well remembered and such a favourite in Ireland, was stopping at the Dominican Convent, DominicK street, Dublin. Irish Coal. — Writing on the subject of ' Irish coal,' the St. James's Budget says :—lt: — It may come as a mild surprise to the reader to learn that within a three hours' journey of Dublin Irish collieries producing some 80,000 tons a year are to be found in active operation, or at any rate in as actual operation aa can be expected from pits which are an hour's drive from the nearest railway station. There are two companies whose lines practically enclose the coalfield, but neither of them seem disposed to ' plunge'

to the extent of a branch. The coal is of the finest anthracite description, for which a large market exists in Dublin. We have been told recently that the necessary millions for an Irish Channel tunnel can be found. Why not provide a few more commonplace thousands, and make Ireland's coal a marketable and profit-making commodity ? A New Era in Ireland- — In the course of his address to the grand jury at the South Tipperary Assizes, Mr. Justice O'Brien said that even in the palmiest days of the power and authority and influence of the grand jury, rank, intelligence, a"d public virtue and capacity for public affairs were never more adequately represented than upon the present occnsion in the constitution of the South Tipperary grand jury. It might be that in the course of time they would witness an entire chanre, and th-it tho-e who had hitherto exercised exdu-ive public power in county affairs would regain their old po*it'on by nn-ans of their ze.il for duty, by their capacity for lo' al government, and by the respect never denied in this country to their aru ient rank and authority. If that event did happen it would be decidedly to the public advantage. More CrimeleSS Calendars- — We never hear of English judges of assizes receiving white gloves, this only happens in Ireland, yet it is necessary to govern Ireland by Coercion Acts. On Monday, July 3, at the Drogheda assizes, Mr. Justice Andrews, addressing the grand jury, congratulated them on the immunity of their town from crime. His Lordship also suitably acknowledged the presentation of a pair of white gloves by the high sheriff. The Longford assizes were opened by Mr. Justice Kenny. His Lordship, addressing the grand jury, said, Mr. Bond and gentlemen of the grand jury of the County of Longford, — It is very gratifying for me to be the recipient at these assizes of white gloves, which have just been presented to me, and which, as you are aware, are emblematical of the immunity of your county from crime. I have great pleasure to say that I have been informed from official sources that your county is free from crime, as, indeed, it was on two former occasions. Archbishop Ireland visits his Native Land.— His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Ireland paid a short visit, about the middle of July, to his native land before leaving for the great Republic of the West, of which he ft so distinguished and patriotic a citizen. He spent from Monday to Thursday in Cork, visiting the churches, schools, and institutions of the city, with all of which he expressed himself well pleased. On. Wednesday ni.>ht he lectured on 'The People and Temperance ' in the Cork Theatre. Needless to say the house was filled in every part, and hundreds failed to gain admission. All present were entranced with his eloquent discourse, which lasted nearly two hours. On Thursday his Grace arrived in Queenstown, where he was met by the Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Cloyne, and conducted through the cathedral, after which, accompanied by a large party, he went on board the Britannic. Before the fine liner started his Grace gave his biessing to those who came to see him off. and as she steamed away he waved adieu from the chip's rail for several minutes. Re-instating' the Evicted Tenants.— A Dublin correspondent, writing about the middle of July, says that efforts are being made with great pro-pects of «uc -e^ to bring about settlement^ between evicted tenants and the irnh landlords. The action and sacrifices of the evicted t'-nant* have helped to win for the Irish farmers great and permanent coTioe*-sions. These concessions have been granted by a Unionist Gov( rnmeat, ami thus the justice of the tenants' claims has been recognised by the landlords' own friends. The landlords have everything to gain and nothing to lose by coming to terms. Land now lying waste and derelict would again bring them in a revenue. The condition of the country, too, should have its influence. The judges out on circuit are declaring wherever they go that the land was never in more peaceful condition. Perfect peace reigns in every county. At this moment the plight of the evicted tenants is one of the saddest elements in the rural life of Ireland. Every well-wisher of the country, no matter what his party connections may be, would like to see the chapter closed. A settlement of the question is most desirable. The Franciscans in Ireland.— Much regret (writes a Cork correspondent) will be felt in this city at the approaching departure of the Rev. P. F. Kavanagh, 0.5. F., who laboured effectively in our midst for some years. The di-ttiniruishe i historian of the Rebellion wa* essentially prominent during last year as a lecturer and speaker at '98 celebrations. Everywhere his manly frankness and sturdy patriotism won approval, and the rev. gentleman made hosts of friends amongst people who had only known him previously by his reputition as an author and a priest. To his new sphere of labour he carries with him the best wishes of many in this ancient and rebel city. Rev. Father M'Dermott, 0.5. F., who twice in succession has been Guardian of the Fianciscan Order in Limerick, is now succeeded by Rev. Father Moloney, 0.5. F., Ennis ; and Rev. Father Begley, 0.5.F.. who fur some time has been ministering' in Limerick, has been changed to Cork. Rev Father M'Dermott has been on the mission in Limerick for clo-^e on a quarter of a cent-iry, and has spent the period almost uninterruptedly in the city, exempting a short term some time ago, when he was changed to Athlone. Progress of the United League.— Though the United League (says the Dublin correspondent of the Wcclt 1 ij Jli-ghter) is not more than two years in existence it his gdie a long wayt >wan s the accomplishment of its work. Owing to the pressure it has exercised, the vast estates of Lord Dillon amongst others have been purchased by the congested districts for redistribut'on a nongst the tenants. A host of other western landlords, including the Marquis of Sligo, the largest and most important of a'l. have recently offered their estates for pale. It is not surprising that the United Lengue, which also includes on its program to Home Rule and Catholic University Education, has Bpread rapidly through the country, uniting Nationalists of all sections on the common platform of its

organisation. Recently Mr. William O'Brien, who is the founder of the League, found it necessary to appeal to the public for funds for the rapidly growing organisation. The first subscription, £10, forwarded by return of post, came from the Archbishop of Caehel. Commenting on the subject in an editorial nexb morning the Freeman's Journal wrote :— ' In the practical form of a substantial contribution to its funds his Grace the Moat Rev. Dr. Croke, Archbishop of Cashel, has given his public imprimatur and approval to the United League. Mr. WilJiam O'Brien may well write that ' a subscription from such a man is a treasure indeed.' It is a testimonial that carries weight through the length and breadth of Ireland, but not through the length and breadth of Ireland alone. There is no man in the remotest corner of the globe with Irish. blond in his veins and Irish feelings in bis heart who is uninfluenced by the authority of that venerable name in every good work done for Ireland in his time. His Grace of Cashel has had his share as a strenuous worker and a generous giver. The sufferings of the people have ever had his strong and practical sympathy, their aspirations his hearty participation. No wonder then that his invaluable assistance and support are generously accorded to the United League.' It in believed thnt the success of the subscription is secured by the timely intervention of his Grace. Next day there followed a number of contributions, including a splendid donation of £50 from Mr. Blake, M.P.