THE MAN WHO WROTE "GOD SAVE IRELAND"

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2150, 16 May 1914, Page 13

THE MAN WHO WROTE "GOD SAVE IRELAND"

LORD MAYOR WHO WENT TO PRISON IN HIS ROBES.

Mr. T. W. SulSivati, the author of "God Savo Ireland," and prolmbly tho only Mayor who was sent to jinscui in his robes of office, ■ died at his liofiso ift I)ublin recently. Mr. Sullivan, who was a brother of tho late. .Mr. A. - M,. Sullivan, for many years Whip of the Irish Party, and the real founder of tho Homo Rule movement, wrote tho song which eventually became the national anthem of patriotic Iri&hitieft tSie world over in his'great indignation at the execution of tho "Manchester Martyrs"—the men who went to their death for the part they played in shooting Police Sergeant Brett in the attack on tho prison ran. An interesting incident among reaiiy relating to tho song was one which occurred during tlto American civil war. Tho Federal forces find the Confederates were encEjniped on opposite sides of the River Poto-iH-ao on the eve of a battle. In tho course of tho evening the Irishmen -of Jleaghtt's Brigade on the Federal side started to sing Sullivan's song:— Deep in Canadian iwiods.we've met, From ono bright island flown, Great is tho land we tread, but yet Our hearts are with ovjr own. Irishmen in ttie Confederate Army took iip the song, s.nd the extraordinary spectacle was witnessed of tiostilo armies awaiting to-niorro.v's battle, singing the praise of tho distant land of their birth. Among Mr. Sullivan's more, ephemeral verses were his "Prison Poems," writI ton in Tullamore Gtonl, where ho had been sent by Mr. Balfoiir's Government for publishing tho report of a suppressed .bra itch <if the Irish Nationfl! Lcaguo in his newspaper, tko "Nation." As he was at that times Lord Mayor of Dublin, he ntteuded the police court in his robes of state, with the sword bearer and inncc bearer,- He wns sentenced to two rr.onths' imprisonment, which he served i». Tnllamoro Gaol.

Mr. Sullivan was a member of Parnell's party in the sformy days of 1860, and sat in Parliament for Westmeath, for the College Green Division of Dublin, and for West Donegal.