Irish News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 44, 31 October 1901, Page 9

Irish News

ANTRIM.— A Work of Charity. On Bunday, September 8, the Most Rev. Dr. Henry, Bishop of Down and Connor, blessed and opened a home for young Catholic girls in Belfast. It is under the oare of the Sisters of Charity, and will prove a great boon to those for whom it is intended. His Lordship, in the course of a few appropriate remarks, said that the Sisters had chosen the Feast of the Nativity of Oar Lady for the opening of this great work. Since the advent of the Sisters of Charity amongst them they had been going about doing good not only among the young in the schools, but also among the sick poor. T. W. Russell on the War Path. Arrangements have been completed for holding a series of meetings, to be addressed by Mr. T. W. Russell, M.P , in North Antrim early in November. Mr. Russell intends to speak on compulsory purchase, and urge on the tenant farmers the necessity of combination for the purpose of having their views properly represented in Parliament. CORK.— The Exhibition. The Exhibition (writes a Cork correspondent) is now so far on its way that enterprising caterers are busy providing for tbe prospective wants of visitors. The Executive Committee of the Exhibition, which has the matter in hand, received recently a deputation from Scotland, consisting of Messrs. Gordon and Duff, of the Glasgow Exhibition Temperance Hotel, who were in Cork on the lookout for a structnre or site to furnish a middle -class hotel capable of accommodating 500 visitors. Ttie executive agreed to give the gentlemen mentioned every facility and ast-istanoe. One member sought to stipulate that nothing but native labor should be employed in the erection or remodelling of the hotel, but the most the entrepreneurs would concede was that local contractors would be asked to tender for the work. Prices equal, local labor would be employed. A Gaelic Festival. The great Gaelic festival known as the Munster Feis, which opened in Cork on September 3, was one of the most successful gatherings of 'he kind yet held in Ireland. Dublin, Belfast, and even London were well represented. A noteworthy feature of the gathering was the great number of priests from Irieh-epeaking districts who attended. Death of a Journalist. The Dublin Freeman's Journal announces with feelings of deep regret the death of Mr. W. B. Guinee, a distinguished journalist and eminent literateur. During the past few years Mr. Guinee suffered much from a severe stroke of paralysis, which became more accentuated despite the best medical skill, and quite recently he had completely lost the power of locomotion, a severe deprivation to one who delighted in considerable walking exercise even from his earliest days. Mr. Guinee was born in Buttevant, County Cork, and while a schoolboy had manifested a remarkable literary talent, His literary work showed at once that a successful and brilliant future lay before him. He left Cork, became connected with the Dublin Press, and subsequently went on to London, taking up his duties in the House of Commons. Here he reprefented some of the leading Irish and London organs, and became known as the ' Old Parliamentary Hand.' Mr. Guinee was on the staff of the FreeviarCs Journal, and was one of the first editors of the Evening Telegraph. The Parish of Youghal. On Sunday, September 8, the Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Cloyne, unveiled and solemnly blessed two beautiful stained-glaps windows in St. Mary's Pariah Church, Youghal. One was erected by the parishioners to commemorate the elevation of Dean Keller, P.P., to the dignity of Domestic Prelate to the Pope, and the other has been erected in memory of her parents by Mrs. M. P. Nolan. Both are splendid specimens of Irish art, and do great credit to the local firm by which they were executed. The Very Rev. Dr. Keane, O, P., was the preacher on the occasion. In the course of an eloquent sermon he gave an elaborate account of the legend of Our Lady of Youghal. DERRY.— Death of a Public Man. The Inishowen peninsula has lost one of its most prominent public mer in the death of Mr. M White, J P., County Councillor, Carndonagh. Mr. White was a Derry man by birth, but the greater part of his life had beeu spent in 'Cam.' He was one of ' Morley's magistrates,' and always took an active part in the public life of the district. DONEGAL.— Visit of the Chief Secretary. The Chief Secretary, in the course of his tour in the north and west, visited Kiloar, Donegal. He was received by Father McNelis, wbo made suggestions as to what mierht be done to provide labor for the people of the district. Mr. Wyndham delivered a, sympathetic reply. DOWN.— Kept the Pledge for Seventy Years. An old man named Owen M'Corey pass d away recently at his residence, Adavoyle, near Newry, at the ripe old age of 91 yearp. It is stated that the deceased kept the Father Mathe*w temperance pledge for 70 years, and that he retained all his faculties to the last. He was well known in the parish of Dromintee as a model man. GALWAY. — Parliamentary Vacancy. In consequence of the Hon. Martin Morris, M.P., succeeding to the peerage through the death of his father, a vacancy has been

caused in the parliamentary representation of Galway. The Hon. Martin Morris is a Liberal-Unionist, and his return at the general election came as a great surprise, the result being due to a split in Nationalist ranks. When the last mail left Home there were four Nationalist candidates in the field— namely, Messrs John 0. M'Donnell, Thomas C. M'Donagh, Henry Murphy (solicitor and vice-chair-man of the County Council), and James O'Donohoe. On the Conservative side che names of Mr Horace Plunkett and Mr Michael Morris were mentioned. Presentation to a Priest. The new pariah priest of Lusmagh, County Galway, has been the recipient of a magnificent presentation, consisting of a silver Balver and a gold watoh, from his many friends in Loughrea, and, indeed, throughout the diocese of Cloufert. The presentation was fitly made by the Rev. B. M. Bowes, Adm., Loughrea, who was supported on the occasion by Captain Smith (Masonbrook), Dr. Crowly (Loughrea), and Mr Mkhael O'Kelly (Athenry). In the most apt and pleasing terms Father Bowes expressed on behalf of the subscriber the gratification it was to everyone of them to have an opportunity of testifying, in even a small way, to the worth of a dear old friend, in whom they always recognised a man of duty, who was nevertheless the soul of good nature and Irish hospitality. He wished Father Nohilly every joy and blessing in his new sphere of labor, while at the same time assuring him that he would long be remembered with kindliness and affection by the people of Loughrea, amongst whom he spent so many happy years. Father Nohilly, having expressed in touching language his deep gratitude at the compliment that had been paid him, afterwards entertained his friends at a most enjoyable luncheon. KILD ARE. —Death of a Doctor. The death of Dr. P. L. O'Neill, J.P., Coroner for South Kildare, which took place at his residence, Athy, on September 6, is deeply regretted by a large number of friends. For 25 years he was a prominent figure in the public life of the dißtriot in which he resided. He was an eminent surgeon and physician, and a sterling friend to the poor. KILKENNY.— RemovaI of a Priest. The announcement of the fact that the Rev. Thoman Brennan, Castleoomer, was about to be removed to Ballyhale from that town, occasioned feelings of deep regret amongst the people of Caselecomer, amongst whom Father Brennan had labored and resided for the past nine years, and with whom during that time he has been a great favorite. Father Brennan took a deep interest in the welfare of his parishonere, and devoted much of his time to furthering local projects calculated to increase the prosperity of the town and district. He took a prominent part in establishing the Agricultural Society and the Co-operative Loan Bank in the town. LIMERICK.— Death of the Pastor of Ballingarry. To the inexpressible grief of his pariohouers and of his numerous friends in County Limerick, Rev. William Downee, the worthy and much-beloved pastor of Ballingarry, patsed to his reward on September 3. Father Downes was Parish Priest of Athea for a considerable number of years previous to bis translation to Ballingarry, and during his ministry there succeeded in winning the esteem and affection of his parishonera. F.ither Downea had been only a short time ill, and few anticipated hia illness would terminate fatally. MONAG HAN.— Religious Professions. The Convent of St. Louie, Monaghan, was the scene of the very edifying ceremony of religious professions in the early part of September when the following young ladies took their vows :—: — Miss Catherine Geary, in religion Sißter Mary Ita, youngest daughter of Michael Geary, Agharkeer, County Limerick; Miss Teresa M'Keown, in religion Sister Mary Attracta, youngest daughter of the late James M'Keown, Moygara, Gurteen, County Mayo, and sister of the Rev. J. M'Keown, Ballinacarrow ; Miss Carney, in religion Sister Mary Rock, only daughter of the late Edward Carney, Lisnahirke, Strokestown ; and Miss Croke, in religion Sister Mary Alcantara, eldest daughter of the late Timothy Croke, Carlow. SLIQO. — Demise of a Popular Priest. I regret to announce (writes a Sligo correspondent) the d*>ath of the popular and revered parish priest of Keash, the Key. Father Scully, which took place after a short illness. Father Scully was about 60 years of age and entered the priesthood in 1868. He labored 20 years of these in the parish in which be breathed his last, the rest of his good work being dintributed throughout the diocese of Achonry. When the sad intelligence of his death became known it cast a deep gloom, not only over Keash where he was absolutely revered, but also throughout the diocese of Achonry and Elphin, where by his civility, kindness and many priestlj qualities he was loved by all. He was a Nationalist of the purest type, and was always along with his people in every movement initiated for the amelioration of his country. The people of the parish of Keash have by hi* deinice lost a good shepherd, a kind friend, and sympathetic counsellor and a sterling Nationalist. TIPPERARY.— A Generous Act. Towards the end of August a fire broke out in the farmyard of Mr. Grace, of Ballyhiskey, about five miles from Nenagh, and before it could be extinguished the entire contents of the farmyard, including 70 or 80 loads of hay, about 13 tons of straw, and 20 loads of turf were destroyed. Mr. Grace is anything but a wealthy man and this great loss would have seriously crippled him in a financial sense, but for the kind intervention of his neighbors, who on September 6 asbembled at Ballyhißkey with loads of hay, straw, and turf, which they placed in Grace's farmyard inalmoßt the same portions which the stacks of bay, straw and turf occupied before the tire, thue making good amongst themselves the entire loss sustained by their neighbor,

GENERAL. Another Record. At the Irish Athletio Association Sports meeting in New York on September 2, John Flannagan, the Irish athlete, made a new world's hammer record with a wonderful throw of 171 feet 9 inches. Catholic Truth Society. The Catholic Truth :3ociety of Ireland has just isaued the first of a new series of handbooks on Church music Tb haw been prepared by Rev. Denis Petcit (Chaplain to his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin), who has returned from Ratisbon, where he attended the annual Cecilian Festival. Railway Returns. The one hundred and fifteenth half-yearly meeting of the Great Southern and Western Railway Company was held recently at Kingsbridge, under the presidency of Mr. William Goulding, deputy vice-chairman. The exceptional expenditure incurred in carrying out the amalgamated scheme and the increaHed price of coal during the half-year involved a sum of £40,052, and the directors were only able to declare a 3 per cent, dividend on the Ordinary stock. A New Industry. It is rumored that the Irish Department of Agriculture and Technical Education intend to start a class for enamellera at the Dublin School of Art, and that an attempt will be made to revive the lost art of enamelling in Ireland. In London, Birmingham, and other centres in England, and on the Continent, the art of working in enamels is once more being practiced, and this art ougnt to find a ready welcome in Ireland, where the many magnificent specimens of the enameller's art, preserved in the collection of Irish antiquities, show that the art of enamelling reached a very high level bo long ago as the 10th century. The enameller's work on the Cross of Cong and on the ancient shrinea now to be seen in the National Museum is equal to anything to be found in the finest pieces of Cloisonne enamel, both in the delicacy and refinement of the workmanship and in its peculiar quality of preciou*ne-s. It is to be hoped, therefore, that something will be done in the direction of reviving this art in Ireland. Agricultural Returns. In an article on the British and Irish agricultural returns, th^ London Times notes the curious fact that, in the case of potatoes, while Great Britain has for the la*>t four yearß been extending the area, Ireland for a smater number of yeirs has been diminishing it. •Ah a matter of fact,' s»ys the writer, 'in every ye' r --i nee IS->S Ireland has regi-tored a smaller acrciyre of pot.uoes than in tne preceding year — in other words, for the last 13 years \\\o contraction in area has continued v (interruptedly. In lSf>S the Irish area whs 804,508 acres, whiUt this j ear it is 6.5 "i.^-io acres, or a reduction in the aggregate of lt>9,l(><S acres. If the present movement should continue for another year or two, Ireland would at length have a smaller acreage of potatoes than Great Britain. This year, whilst Ireland has withdrawn 18,736 acre^from the crop, Great Britain has added 15,899 acres.