Irish News

New Zealand Tablet, 19 November 1914, Page 39

Irish News

■GENERAL. v The Irishmen of Scotland have not been behindhand in conveying to Mr. Redmond and his colleagues in the Irish Party the most cordial expressions of gratitude on the. passing of the Home Rule Bill. Nowhere has the Home Rule movement had stronger or more unwavering support than from the Irishmen of Scotland. Now that an Irish Brigade is likely to be formed in the Imperial Army, thousands of Irishmen in all parts of Great Britain who have recently responded to Lord Kitchener’s call and joined the colors, are anxious to transfer into the Irish Brigade, and are clamoring to know how to set about it. Representations are being made to the War Office on the subject, and it is suggested that a complete Army Corps (40,000 men) might be filled entirely by Irish recruits from England, Scotland, and Wales. Colonel Moore, Commander of the Irish National Volunteers, says that he has no hesitation in placing his services at the disposal of the leaders of the Irish people in the split which has arisen in the Volunteer movement in Ireland. He says that all thoughtful men will acknowledge that the Irish Volunteers must com© under the control of the Irish Government once it is established, and that the nearest approach to such an authority now is to be found in those who are the representatives of Ireland. The London Irish, a popular Territorial corps, has recruited a reserve battalion to full strength in four days, with a full complement of officers. Colonel Matthews, commanding, says that if Home Rule had been passed a bit earlier the full strength of the new battalion could have been immediately secured. Recruits of Irish nationality have enlisted now in very large numbers. Formerly recruits were required to show some association with Ireland either by birth, marriage, or property, and it is said that enthusiasts have been known to marry Irish girls in order to qualify. IRISH MSS. INTACT. An opinion seems to have gained ground that along with the rest of the priceless manuscripts destroyed at Louvain by the German vandals was the famous collection of beautiful Celtic manuscripts belonging, to the Irish College. But happily this is not the case, as they were removed from Louvain to Rome about forty years ago, and afterwards to the Franciscan convent in Dublin. At the same time a mass of Irish MSS., dealing with the lives of the saints, was removed from Louvain to another place, which, however, is at present within the theatre of war. IRISH NATIONALISTS NOW ARMED. As a result of the distribution of arms the peace of Ireland has now been effectually secured (says the Glasgow Observer') . To preserve peace there is nothing like being effectually armed, and with Nationalists in this state of preparedness, particularly in the North, we shall no doubt hear very little of the prospects of civil war in future. It has now been brought home to Unionists that we are prepared for either contingency, be it peace or otherwise, and this will play a large part in the regulation of their future conduct. In connection with the distribution, it was eminently satisfactory to find the complete arrangements made some time ago to appoint County Treasurers and pool their funds. As a result, when the rifles were available no delay occurred in having them conveyed to their various destinations. It now but remains for the Volunteers to make themselves efficient in the use of the rifle. , For 'this purpose the setting up of rifle ranges should at once be taken in hand and regular shooting practice indulged in. All A.O.H. divisions having halls or other places suitable for rifle ranges should, as ; before i notified, forward particulars to the

Central Office in Dublin, when information will be forwarded to them regarding the matter. . /"V.-. CHARITABLE BEQUESTS. J Mr. Charles Lawler, of 32 Leinster road, Rathgar, Dublin, a director of the Alliance and Dublin Consumers’ Gas Company, who died on April 1 last, left personal estate in the .United Kingdom valued at £99,411. Among the testator’s numerous charitable and religious bequests are £15,000 for the , construction and equipment of a dispensary in memory of him to be attached to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Stephen’s Green Dublin;.£looo each to the Meath Hospital, the Royal Hospital for Incurables, Donnybrook, Dublin, and the Hospital for the Dying, Harold’s Cross, Dublin; and £soo*each to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Stephen’s Green, Dublin; the Deaf and Dumb Institution,.Cabra; St! Mary’s Asylum for Female Blind, Merrion; the Little Sisters of the Assumption, Camden street, Dublin; the St. Vincent de Paul Male Orphanage, Dublin. SUCCESSES FOR ROCKWELL COLLEGE. Rockwell, in this year’s Intermediate examinations, by the striking success in the mathematical group, again asserts its pre-eminence in that branch of education. In the Middle Grade Rockwell has secured the highest total of marks in the Mathematical subjects, and wins first place and medal in Algebra and Arithmetic Duffy scoring 397 marks out of a possible —and another Rockwell student gains first place and medal for Trigonometry in the same grade. In the Exhibition list, John Egan, besides winning the medal in Trigonometry, has secured a first-class Exhibition, while his class-fellow, -W. Mallen, gains an Exhibition in the same group. J. Gleeson wins a high Mathematical Exhibition in the Junior grade, while two other Rockwellians qualify for prizes in the same group. In addition to these successes Rockwell students claim an Exhibition in the Modern Language group in the Middje Grade, second place in German in the same grade, one book prize and a Composition prize in Senior Grade, four prizes in Middle Grade, and two First Classes in Junior Grade. In the National University Entrance Scholarship Examinations five students of Rockwell competed, and all five were successful, and twenty-one passed the University Matriculation Examination direct from Rockwell. REJOICINGS. In their rejoicings over the placing of the Home Rule Bill on the Statute Book Irishmen, owing to the war, are less demonstrative than they would otherwise have been, but their expressions of feeling prove nevertheless how deep is their joy. In some parts of Ireland there have been bonfires, torchlight processions, and meetings to celebrate the national triumph. From every town and district have been sent to the Irish Party telegrams, letters, and resolutions vqicing the general delight. And not alone from the Irish people at home have these messages of congratulation been received. Prelates and priests, professional and business men in America, in the colonies and dependencies and on the European Continent have joined with their kindred at home in thanking Ireland’s faithful Parliamentary representatives for the successful completion of the great struggle to restore the native Parliament. With much satisfaction we note that amongst those who have sent messages of congratulation figure Irishmen belonging to all the important centres of population in Great Britain and also -British Protestants (says the Catholic Times'). As the result of the sympathy arising out of a common love of liberty and co-operation in the efforts of long years to secure it for the Green Isle there have been formed between masses of British Protestants and the Irish Catholics bonds of friendship that will never be broken. „ . .