Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 31, 2 August 1900, Page 9

Irish News.

ANTRIM.— More Orange Rowdyism in Belfast— That the Orange Jingotat out on a celebrating tour is no respecter of person or property has recently been amply verified. On Friday evening (says the Belfast Examiner, June 9,) the loyalists of Whitehouse districts manifested their gaiety and their zeal for the Empire in their custmary manner, that is to say by attacking and wrecking the houses of their Catholic neighbors, where, in isolated luc&liLies, the same could be done with safety. In the direction of the Whitewell Road the house of a most respectable Catholic widow uanied Moran was assailed with stone*, and seven panes of glass were smashed, several of the missiles passing into the dwelling. We understand that in at least two cases the near relatives of the parties attacked are either at the front in South Africa or awaiting orders to proceed there. No doubt there have been other instances of a similar kind elsewhere in Ulster. It is surely a pretty commentary upon the present state of political topsy-turvydom that gangs of cowardly Orange stay-at-homes should find pastime in the wrecking of the dwellings of Catholics, whoue sons are at the front fighting the battles of the British Empire. This may truthfully be described as the irony of fate. ARMAGH. — Tenants 1 Grievances* — The tenant farmers of Ulster are waking up to the many disabilities under which they labor. At a meeting of the County Armagh Tenants Defence Association held at Lisadian, under the presidency of Mr. John Mills, the following resolutions were passed :—' That we can have no confidence in the Land Courts owing to their method of fixing fair rents, and the great expense entailed by the tenants in long and tedious litigation ; we call on the Government to end dual ownership by passing into law a Compulsory Land Purchase Act, and have it administered by men in whom the tenants can have some confidence ; and we call upon our representatives in Parliament to redeem the pledge they made at their election to urge upon the Government to do so. That, as Ulstermen and farmers, we condemn in the most emphatic manner the action of the Chief Commissioners, whose sole duty (to our mind) seems to be at the recent sittings in the North of Ireland Ito snatch from us the inadequate reductions made on our rents by the Sub-Commissioners — reductions which of themaelveß are worthless owing to the depressed state of agriculture and the ever-increasing cost of labor. That farming in Ulster can be only properly understood by men who have been accustomed to live in the North of Ireland, and who are practical farmers themselves, and we further object to the very objectional course of the Government in sending men aa sub-commissioners, who have no adequate knowledge of the Ulster Customs, and the vast improvements made by the tenants.' CLARE.— Lord O'Brien of Kilfenora.— Sir Peter O'Brien has taken the title of Lord O'Brien of Kilfenora. Kilfenora is a small hamlet in West Clare, where the new lord has some property. It was formerly the seat of an ancient bishopric ; the Bishop of Galway now administers the See. The village contains in the local churchyard one of the most perfect specimens of the Celtic Cross in existence. CORK-— Death Of a Priest.— The death of Rev. Martin Nolan, CM., of St. Vincent's, Cork, which took place on May 18, is widely regretted. A native of County Tipperary, where he was born 40 years ago, he studied first in the Diocesan College, Ennis, and afterwards in Maynooth. On being ordained he joined the Congregation of the Mission, in which body he labored assiduously until death. His remains were interred at St. Joseph's Blackrock. DOWN —Death of a Venerable Lady.— Another link in the chain which binds the present to the past has been severed (says the Irish Weekly) by the death of Mrs. Lowry, which took place at her residence, Ballykeel, Hilltown, County Down. Mrs. Lowry was perhaps one of the best known ladies in the County Down, and her superior character and connections earned for her the highest opinions and supreme respect, not alone of her large circle of personal acquaintances, but of those to whom she was known only by repute. Mrs. Lowry was daughter to Mr. James Conalty, a well-known merchant who resided at Decamote, Leitrim, and was born upwards of 90 years ago at that place. At an early age she and her two sisters — the late Mrs. Barns, wife to Dr. Barns, Glasgow, and the late Mrs. O'Neill, Kilcoo — were sent to the school of Miss Whiiley, then a high-class educational establishment which flourished in Belfast. Here she made the acquaintance of Lord O'Hagan and his Bister, Lady O'Hagan, who was afterwards Abbess of the celebrated Convent of Kenmare, County Kerry. The friendship lasted throughout their school days, and was strengthened when the more stern realities of life were encountered after their education had finished. During their lifetime the warm bonds of friendship were never broken, and when the inevitable parting came Mrs. Lowry 's grief was very great. In 1831 deceased was married to Mr. John Lowry, of Ballykeel, who died half a century ago, leaving behind him a young and helpless family. Mrs. Lowry had the glorious satisfaction of seeing three of her sons called to the priesthood, and four daughters to a conventual life. Of her sons only three survive her, the Rev. James Lowry having died seven years ago. The surviving Bons are Rev. John Lowry, P.P., Lisburn ; Rev. A. Lowry, C.C., Mayobridge ; and Mr. Edward Lowry, J.P., Ballykeel. Her eldest daughter succeeded Lady O'Hagan as Abbess of Kenmare Convent, and for over 22 years the poor of County Kerry had the benefit of her endeavors and charity. Six years ago this estimable lady was called to her reward. Sister Raphael and Sister Stanislaus are members of the Order of the Poor Clares, Newry, and a fourth daughter, Agnes, died in Armagh Convent during her novitiate. The most convincing proof, if such were wanted, of the eetimltion in which deceased and her family were

held was afforded at the funeral. From far and near mourners came to pay a last sad tribute to the deceased, and the cortege which followed the remains to Cabra Churchyard was the laigest seen in the district for many years. DUBLlN.— Charitable Bequests.— The late Mr. Edmund Murray, of the Irhh Times, left £750 for Dublin Catholic charities and £1800 for Masses to be said for the repose of his soul and the souls of hi.s parent- 1 . One thousand pounds of this latter mm was left to his cousin, the Rev. Edmond Hogan, S.J., who is one of the three executors. A New Training College for the Christian Brother*.— Ilia Grace the Archbi«hop of Dublin laid the foundation stone of a new novitiate and training college for the Christian Brothers at Marino, Clontarf, on Sunday, 10th June. The house at present occupied by the Brothers is wholly inadequate for the demands made upon it by the large body of novices and the training staff. The new building must necessarily be very extensive. It is to be the head house and general novitiate of the institute, froavyhich will be governed the various branches, and teachers sent tMhem, not only in Ireland, but also in India, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Newfoundland, and Gibraltar. Death of a Member of the Passionist Order— A zealous Passion is t priest has passed away in the person of the Rev. Norbert M'Gettigan, who died at Mount Argus, near Dublin, aged 57. He was nephew of the late Dr. M'Gettigan, Primate of All Ireland, and was Rector in Belfast, London, and St. Mungo's Retreat, Glasgow. He was a most saintly priest, and expressed to the last his gratitude that he was allowed to die with the penitential garb of the Passion about him. KERRY— A Terrific Thunderstorm. — A Cahirciveen, County Kerry, correspondent reports that a terrific thunderstorm broke over Waterville and district on Sunday evening, June 3, partly destroying the spire of the Protestant church and setting fire to the out-offices of the residence of Mr. Fitzgerald, J.P. Mrs. Sullivan, a farmer's wife, of Murreigh, was killed, and her husband and children rendered insensible ; whilst four miles distant the sister of John Hayes, a farmer, was instantly killed and his wife injured. Some children in remote districts are reported killed. Death Of a Franciscan.— Deep regret was felt in Killarney on the announcement of the death of the Very Rev. Father Jarlath Prendergast, Superior of the Franciscan Friary. Born on 17th September, 1840, he early evinced a vocation for the priesthood, and chose the Order of St. Francis. When he had finished his course of studies he was ordained a priest at Liege in 1868, and returned home to Ireland. His superiors located him at Killarney, and since that time, with about an interval of eighteen months apent at Forest Gate, London, he was a familiar figure in and around the district. LEITRIM — Death of ] a Centenarian — Mr. Patrick McAuley, who died recently at his residence, Altavra, Creevelea, County Leitrim, reached the ripe old age of 103 yean. He was in full possession of all his faculties up to the morning of his death, and on the previous day was seen to take his customary walk over the farm, the fields of which he trod for so many years. The immense procession which followed his remains to the family burial ground of Aughalocby, Drumkeerin, testified to the esteem in which he was held by the people of the neighborhood. MEATH-— Golden Jubilee of a Priest —The golden jubilee of the Very Rev. P. Fagan, V.F., for 30 years the parish priest of Rochfort Bridge, County Meath, was marked by the presentation of addresses from priests born in the parish and those who had been curates there under Father Fagan ; from the people of the parish (who presented a handsome carriage) ; from the bnys of the Temperance Sodality, and the children of St. Joseph's Deaf and Dumb Institute. High Mass was celebrated by the Most Rev. Dr. Gaffney, Bishop of Meath, and a special discourse for the occasion was preached by Father Gavin, C.P., a native of the parish. MONAGHAN— The Duke of Connaught's Residence — The Duke of Connaught, Com m&nder-in -Chief in Ireland, has rented for the summer season the castle and demesne of Castle Blayney, County Monaehan, the residence of Lord Francis Clinton-Hope. A five years' lease will be entered into should that period suit the requirements of hia Royal Highness. The demesne is one of the most charming estates in Ireland. TlPPEßAßY— Beatification of a Sister of Charity — Amongst the Chinese martyrs recently beatified was Miss Alice O'Sullivan, sister of the Rev. D. O'Sullivan, who is one of the Yin» centian Fathers. Miss O'Sullivan joined the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, and was with the Sisters in China when iri an outbreak somewhat like the present disturbance in China she and her companions were cruelly put to death. She received her early education from the Presentation Sisters, Clonmel, where the announcement of her beatification was received with gratification by the Catholic population. The martyrs suffered in China, Tonquin, and Cochin China. Sixty-three of the number were natives ; the remaining 14 were missionary bishops, priests, and nuns belonging to the Vinceatian Fathers, the Foreign Missions, and the Domini* can and Franciscan Orders. TYRONE— GoIden Jubilee of a Priest— On Pentecost Sunday there was celebrated in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Omagh, the golden jubilee in the priesth.oi of the Right Rev. Mon« signor M'Namee, P.P., V.F The public celebration came rather as a surprise upon the venerable pastor. It should not, however, for notwithstanding his well-known aversion to anything in the nature of display, still fifty years a priest, forty-eight of which he spent amongst a people remarkable for their Catholic spirit, could not be allowed to pass unnoticed, The curates of the parish entertained.

Monsignor M'Namee and the other clergy to a sumptuous dinner on the following Monday evening, and aftei wards the clergy met in the Loretto Convent, where the nuns held a reception in honor of the event, and made a beautiful presentation to the Right Rev. Parish Prieat, after which a grand repast was served, and a Bacred play and concert by the boarders brought the day's celebrations to a joyful close. On Tuesday and Wednesday the children of the Convent and Christian Brothers' schools presented addresses, and the people of Otnagh held a supper and made a presentation.

GENERAL.

The Queen and the Railway Benevolent Society —The Queen has forwarded to the Irish branch of the Railway Benevolent Society a cheque for £s<> as a donation towards the funds. A Fine Old Irißh Name- -It is stated that the drst to get a commission in the Irish Guards is a gentleman rejoicing in the fine old Hibernian name of Oppenheim — a cognomen evidently ' made in Germany.' Stocking Irish Rivers with American Fish —The White Star Liner Oceanic on May 16 brought to Ireland a novel consignment in the shape of 700,000 eggs of America's famous fish, the shad. The eggs were consigned to Mi. Moreton Fie wen. who purposes to turn them loose in the river Shannon, with the object of ascertaining whether the fish can be acclimatised in Ireland. The general opinion amongst experts is that the experiment will prove successful, and lead to others upon a more extended and systematic scale. The shad is a fish of the herring kind, and is highly prized for food in the United States. Irish Pipes and Regimental Bands.— An officer of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, replying to a statement in the Press that Irish pipes were unsuitable for regimental bands, states that for many yeirs the 4th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (the Tyrone Regiment) has had a band of Irish war pipes, and better marching music there could not be. The Tyrone Regiment was the first to revive the old Irish war pipe, the officers taking a great deal of trouble and care in obtaining the very best information to enable them to resuscitate this most ancient form of martial music of Ireland, dating back, at any rate, according to the best authority, to the year a.d. o()6. ___^____^_^^__