Irish News

New Zealand Tablet, 1 December 1910, Page 1981

Irish News

ANTRlM—Protestants and Home Rule At the proceedings of the Protestant Church Conference in Belfast the Protestant Bishop of Down and Conor (Dr. Grozier), in the course of his presidential address, said, dealing with the question of Church unity: — ' Caholics and Protestants united on the platform of various philanthropic and literary associations Catholic and Protestant Bishops, with Presbyterian Moderator and Methodist President, shared in the crusade to abolish two plague spots on the Dublin road. Orange bandsmen on the 12th of July silence the flute and the drum while marching past the Catholic hospital in the Crumlin road, and the Mother Superior wrote them a letter of thanks for their courteous consideration ’ (applause). The Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, discussing the financial position of the Church, said the sudden block in land purchase owing to the refusal of the Treasury to advance purchase money on terms hitherto granted had stopped the transfer process, and had left many landlords in danger of being runied owing to their being unable to obtain money for which they had sold their lands to tenants, while they were still liable for charges on their estates. Rev. Canon Flewett (Mallow) said when they in the South discussed the position and prospects of the Church they did so in the terms of Horae Rule. They considered what they should be and where they should be, when Home Rule came. He had read from time to time very dismal letters pointing out what would happen to the Church in the South and West of Ireland if Home Rule were granted. It was assumed in those letters that they were so few and so feeble that a little puff of persecution would blow them into nothingness. They might be few, comparatively speaking; they refused to be classed among the feeble. He had noticed a great change in the attitude of the country towards Home Rule in the last twenty years. The Protestants were less opposed to it; the Catholics were less eaf'pr for it. The Catholic farmer who had purchased his holding wanted nothing so much as to be let alone to make the most of his property. He would probably vote for it from sentimental reasons, but he was less and less inclined to spend either his time or his money in pursuing what might prove but a doubtful blessing. The Protestants were less opposed to Home Rule, because all the evil they anticipated from it they had already • experienced as the result of the introduction of local self-government. ‘lf we get Home Rule,’ proceeded Canon Flewett, 1 I do not anticipate any dire disaster to the Church in the South; and I am glad to bear testimony to the kindly consideration and the cordial generosity which have always been extended to me by Catholic neighbors in the County Cork. 1 cannot believe that this happy relationship would be altered under a Home Rule Government. What we do fear is that some stupid Government will arise and impose upon us a bogus Home Rule, which will not satisfy Nationalist aspirations, and which will only plunge the country into another period of unrest and settlement.’

CLARE— An Irish-Australian

His many friends (says the* Freeman's Journal) will be glad to know that the Hon. John Meagher, a member of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, who met with an accident at Kilkee a couple of months ago, has been able to leave the private hospital in Dublin where he had been under treatment. He has proceeded to Valentia, County Kerry, to seek full restoration to health. Mr. Meagher, who is a native of Kilrush, County Clare, is one of the leading Catholics of Australia, and a strong supporter of the Home Pule movement. He intends to return to Australia next January.

CORK— University College

The season of 1910-11 at University College, Cork, was inaugurated on October 10 in a very impressive manner.' In that stately pile St. Anthony's Hall Solemn Red Mass was celebrated. The significance of this ceremony is clearly apparent. Broadly speaking it symbolises the union of religion and education, and the influence which both should exert for the exaltation and the betterment of the people. The principal educational institution in the South has set an example which must be imitated, an example full of edification in the present and of hope for the future. In that beautiful building, St. Anthony's Hall, in which the Order of St. Francis is now firmly established, preparations for this really uncommon event were carried out on an elaborate scale. There were beautiful decorations, in the scheme of which rich red blooms were everywhere prominent. The altar was tastefully decorated, and, indeed, no detail that might contribute to the impressiveness of the event was left unattended to. Occupying positions in front of the sanctuary were the President of University College, Professor Bertram C. A. Windle, in his robes, and various other professors and members of the governing body. The students, numbering about 130, were seated. The chapel was filled to overflowing. The most prominent Cork Catholics were amongst the congre-

gation. After the first Gospel Rev. Father O'Neill, 0.P., preached an eloquent sermon on self-control in its bearing on education.

DOWN— A Windfall

Seldom has there been so many claims to a fortune as there were to the estate of £50,000 left by the late Edward McGuirck, a pioneer resident of San Diego, California, to which Miss Elizabeth McGuirck and her brother, Mr. Michael McGuirck, of Cloughbridge, near Newry, have been declared sole heirs by the Superior Court of San Diego. No one in San Diego knew anything about the testator further than that his native country was Ireland. He was especially reticent about personal matters. One of his favorite sayings was, ' Listen plenty, but keep your own mouth shut.' After his death in 1907 this policy involved his relatives in expensive litigation in their effort to prove their kinship to him. After testator's death, Mr. Ferris, his executor, opened up communication with several persons. On being informed of the death of Edward McGuirck, of San Diego, the half-brother, the halfsister, and Edward McGuirck, only surviving child of Owen McGuirck, consulted their solicitors, Messrs. O'Hare and O'Hagan, of Newry, and it was decided that testator had been dead almost six months without any claim having been made by them to his estate, the nephew should go at once to San Diego, accompanied by Mr. P. J. O'Hare, solicitor. Accordingly they left Ireland on April 3, 1908, and on reaching San Diego they interviewed the executors, who questioned them as to the family history of the testator, and who, as the result of the answers given, expressed themselves as fully satisfied that Messrs. O'Hare and O'Hagan's clients were the true heirs of Edward McGuirck, deceased. The hearing of the heirship suit was begun by Judge Day on May 16, and lasted over a fortnight. Several witnesses travelled long distances to give evidence for the successful claimants. Miss McAnnulty journeyed all the way from France to San Diego—a distance well over 6000 miles — Mr. Peter Sloane made the trans-continental journey from New York, and Mr. Michael Farren and his daughter from Philadelphia.

DUBLIN— A Famous Tenor

Mr. John McCormack, the famous Irish tenor, was recently entertained at dinner in Dublin by a number of his friends and admirers. Sir Charles Cameron, president of the Corinthian Club, presided, and the Bishop of Canea, who is a great musical authority and music lover, was one of the guests. Mrs. Thurston, the novelist, was also present.

An American Visitor

An interested visitor to Ireland at present (says the Dublin Freeman of October 15) is Mr. William H. Hughes, editor of the Michigan Catholic, published in Detroit' Michigan. He has just arrived in the Old Land from Oberammergau, whither he went from Montreal after the great Eucharistic Congress. His trip to Ireland was decided on after but a few hours' consideration, and was made on the suggestion of a priest friend whom Mr. Hughes met in Montreal. He left Dublin for Ballyragget, County Kilkenny, the birthplace of his father; thence he goes to Cork, Killarney, Limerick, and Galwav.

Catholic Truth Society

The annual conference of the Catholic Truth Society of Ireland was held on October 5 and 6 in the Mansion House, Dublin, by kind permission of the Lord Mayor. His Grace the Archbishop of Tuani presided at the opening meeting, at which Right Rev. Dr. O'Donnell, Bishop of Raphoe, delivered the inaugural address, and speeches were also delivered by other well known men. Papers were read by the Rev. John Gwynn, S.J., the Right Rev. Mgr. Hallinan, D.D., and Mr. Shane Leslie, 8.A., respectively, on Oilr Waifs and Strays,' 'School Management,' and 'The Social Position of Catholics.' The proceedings concluded with a reception in the Gresham Hotel by his Grace the Archbishop of Tuam and the Council of the"Soeiety

QALWAY—The Spread of Temperance

At the quarterly meeting of St. Patrick's Temperance League of the' West, held in the Pro-Cathedral, Galway Most Rev. Dr. O'Dea delivered a most interesting address' in the course of which he outlined the great work done by the society. His Lordship pointed out that owing to that work the actual consumption of porter during the eleven months ending September 1 had diminished by well over £BOOO in Galway city. If he included in his estimate the three dioceses of Galway, Kilfenora, and Kilmacduaeh over which he ruled, he thought he would not be wrong in estimating the savings at about £30,000. He believed that there was some drunkenness still, and that there had even been a fallmg-off in the League. But he was not surprised at that nor disheartened. He was not so foolish as to think they could gam a complete victorv at once It could not be done; there would be relapses; but so lone as these relapses existed and so long, as drunkenness existed, so long must they keep up the struggle. That St Patrick s Temperance League of the West has come to stav and prosper is amply evidenced by what the League has

already accomplished and by the splendid spirit that animates its members and supporters. QALWAY Necessity of Work His Grace the Archbishop of Tuam delivered an important address at the annual distribution of prizes in St. Jarlath’s Diocesan College, Having referred to the study of the Irish language, he continued: —‘ When I read of the brilliant success of so many of our Irish students in the schools and colleges, I began to be afraid that their literary success may divert them too much from the work that is necessary for our very existence in Ireland, that is to say, agricultural work. It is all very well to have learned men —learned priests, learned lawyers, learned doctors, and so on with the rest of the professions, and learned gentlemen ruling the country; but if we have not the agricultural produce ; which can only be got by hard work in the fields, we will profit very little by all the rest. We could never get a dinner by it.’ KILKENNYTo Purchase their Holdings The tenants on Mr. John Congreve’s South Kilkenny property, accompanied by Rev. Father Doyle, P.P., Mooncoin, attended at the office of Messrs. Dobbyn and McCoy, solicitors, on October 8 for the purpose of arranging as to the purchase of their holdings. The terms offered by the landlord were acceptable to the tenants present, but owing to the fact that a few were absent a final settlement was postponed. Death of an Archdeacon At Lucan Spa Hotel, where he had been staying for the benefit of his health, Yen. Archdeacon Cody, Castlecomer, passed away on October 10. The deceased priest was one of the leading churchmen in the diocese of Ossory, and was ever uncompromising in his defence of both Catholic and national interests. He was for close on twentyone years parish priest of Castlecomer, and had he lived until St. Patrick's Day next, would have reached the golden jubilee of his ordination. During his charge of Castlecomer parish he effected considerable improvements in the parochial church and schools. In all matters affecting education Archdeacon Cody felt the keenest interest, while the prominent part he took in the negotiations for the purchase of the greater part of the townland of Firoda, in the parish, was an instance of his zeal for the betterment of his people’s social condition. MEATH—Catholic Generosity The Right Rev. Dr. Gaughran, Bishop of Meath, on Sunday, October 9, solemnly dedicated St. Mary’s Church, Collinstown, which has been extensively renovated. The Very Rev. J. Curry, St. Mary’s, Drogheda, preached the dedication sermon. Having alluded to the fidelity of the Irish people to the House of God and the Catholic Faith, he bore testimony to the liberality of the people of that district generally, and the extraordinary generosity towards their Church of two of the parishioners, Mr. Patrick and Mrs. Brigid Daly. WESTMEATH—A Generous Subscription On Sunday, October 9, in Mullingar Cathedral, Rev. J. L. Magee, Adm., referring to the new Catholic Hall to be provided for Mullingar, made the important announcement that the Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr. Gaughran, had very generously given £IOOO as a subscription from himself towards the cost of the undertaking. Father Magee expressed at the same time the hope and the belief that his Lordship’s most generous gift would prove an additional incentive to the people of the town in subscribing the share of the cost which would fall to them. GENERAL Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s Views Sir Wilfrid Laurier, addressing on October 6 a meeting at Ottawa, at which Mr. T. P. O’Connor had just spoken, bespoke for Ireland the same treatment as had been given to Canada and South Africa, and said that the denial of autonomy to Ireland was the only dark spot to-day on England’s record. He expected this spot would soon be removed.