Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Issue 31, 3 December 1897, Page 9

Irish News.

CARLOW.— Street Preaching; in Oarlow.— The Rev. Mr. Hallowes, Rector of Arklow, with four others, commenced a "mission" in Carlo w on Thursday, September 81. The visit was timed for the fair day, as was the case recently in Enniscorthy, but the attraction was not sufficient to collect a crowd. A feature of this incursion was its unexpectedness, as no one was prepared for their appearance when they took their stand at Court place, where the County Courthouse is situate, and where Dublin street and Athy and Dublin roads converge. The "evangelists" who accompanied the rector delivered a preliminary address, then sang a hymn, and afterwards made a second discourse. There were very few present when the performance commenced, but subsequently some curious folks arrived on the scene, some of whom were very persistent in their interruptions and not over courteous in their references. After less than an hour's experience of Carlow the " evangelists " withdrew.

CORK. — The New National Schools at Blarney.— Recently, in the presence of a large and fashionable company, the inscription stone of the Blarney new national schools was laid by Lady Colthurst. The building is of brick and masonry, being 120 feet long by 40 broad, and contains four school rooms, two male and two female, to accommodate 250 boys and the same number of girls. For the ceremony of placing in the inscription stone the walls of the building were decorated with bunting, and besides the visitors, all the school children, whose attire and neatness were striking and most creditable, were in attendance. On the stone was inscribed the words " Blarney, Colthurst National Schools, 1897." The schools will be completed in a short period, and, with its new church and new schools, Blarney will hardly be excelled in its educational and religious equipment by any place of its size and population. Present were : Father Lynch, Sir George and Lady Colthurst, Master Colthurst, Miss Parkins, Mr. and Mrs. E. Mahony, Master Mahony, Mr. Arthur Mahony, Mr. R. U. F. Townsend, Mr. G. W. F. Townsend, Miss Townsend, Dr. J. Forde, Harvard College, Massachusetts ; Miss Donovan, Dublin ; Miss Hayes, Dublin ; Mr. D. Forde, builder ; Mr. and Mrs. E. Cotter, Mrs. Nunan, Mr. George Smyth, Mr. R. B. Healy, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ahem, Mr. R. Forest, Mr. J. Corcoran, Miss Hayes, Blarney ; Mr. J. Forde, Mrs. D. Harrington, Mr. R. Casey, clerk of works ; Mrs. Casey, Mr. J. Wiseman and others. Father Lynch expressed his pleasure and gratification to see Lady Colthurst among them. He referred eulogistically to the Colthurst family, and hoped the name would last as lons as the inscription stone. Mr. Forde, builder, presented Lady Colthurst ■with a silver trowel, having a picture of Blarney Castle, the handle prettily carved in maple wood taken from the Colthurst demesne, and, in doing so, gave expression to the satisfaction it afforded him to perform such a duty. If would be useless for him to speak of the character of the Colthuret family for it was well known. Lady Colthurst acknowledged the kind expressions towards her family, and then laid the inscription stone.

DONEGAL.— AnnuaI Show. — Uader distinguished and p >pular patronage the third annual show in connection with the .Agricultural and Industrial Society was held in Donegal the other week. There was a large public uttendance, and taken all around the display in the various departments showed a marked improvement on previous exhibitions. The entries in the agricultural department embraced horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, and samples from root crops and the competition was decidedly keen. Mr. J. E. B. Bevan, secretary of the show, started a pure-bred poultry farm, with the result that many farmers in tiie neighbourhood have secured useful htrain^ of poultry. Horse-breeding is also beneficially affected during the past, three years by the society. In connection with the shovv there were horse jumping, riding and driving competitions. Most Rev. Dr. O'Donneil. Bishop of Raphoe, takes a special interest in the promotion of the knowledge of the Irish language in this country, and this was manifested when it was seen that a special prize was offered by his Lordship for the best Gaelic poem on temperance. The prize was awarded to Mr. Ward, of Killybegs by the judtre in the home industries section, where the poem was on view. The Right Rev. Mgr. MuFadrien, Donegal, offered a prize for the be«t Gaelic essiy on the method of making homespuns, and the Donegal Gaelic class also offered a prize for the same. These two prizes were won by Mr. Bonner, Donegal, and Mr. Cornel:u » Boyle. Inniskeeragh.

Cardinal Logue On Home Rule. — Speaking at Rosses in Donegal Cardinal Logue took occasion to notice a rumour that he was indifferent to the cause of Home Rule, and to the dissensions in the NatioiaUst party. l> I have been told it has been 6aid — I need not specify the place where, but it is a leading place — that I am delighted to have these divisions in the country which we have at present. I was told by a bishop that he heard lam delighted to keep them up. That is a calumny. I have tried as much as any person could to put an end to these disgraceful dissensions. I believe what was said was I didn't care about dissensions — all I wanted was a University Bill, and I didn't care whether the country went to ruin. V\ c are all deeply interested in the University Bill, for this reason. Our young men having splendid talents are shut out from all opportunity of getting a proper career in their country for want of higher education. Hence the bishops, priests, and laity of Ireland — such of the laity as have the least M .ntelligence — are anxious that there should be a way open to our young men by which they can secure those positions to which their talents entitle them. That is the interest we have in the matter of higher education, but it is an interest that concerns only a few. We are not all geniuses. We all have not talents of a high order, but we have talents that are lost and are going to waste. Through the injustice that is maintained in Ireland our young men are not able to afford this higher education without peril to something that they prise

more than temporal interests — without peril to their faith. That is the extent to which I am interested in the University question, which, according to I some of my friends, overshadows and outweighs all other matters in my estimation, but, as I said, that is a matter that concerns only a few. They are a minority of the population, but I assure you when a bishop's heart is touched it is not by a few merely, but by the whole people. Anyone who would say of me. or my venerable colleagues of the Episcopate, that we would sacrifice the good of the whole country to any one me isure, no matter how important, has simply uttered a calumny. Another thing some of the priests told me is that it w;is said by some that I didn't want Home Rule. Whatever shadow of excuse or justification there might be for the other assertion there is certaiuly none for this, because, though I never took an active part in political matters, thoujjh I never took a leading part, yet up to the present, whenever there was a call on the part of the country, and a call especially to promote self-government in Ireland, that call never found me deaf. It is the greatest calumny of all, and if there were any other reason for me wishing that the destines of the country should be placed in the hands of the people it is the one I mentioned the other day at Donegal. We are simply serfs now, not attached to the mistress of the State or to her Ministers. We are serfs trodden down by the heel of a few individuals in Ireland who arrogate to themselves the monopoly of loyalty here ; and, whether it be true or not that they have any right to that monopoly of loyalty, there is one thing certain, they secure themselves a monopoly of every good thing in the country, and we are mere serfs like prisoners tied to their chariot wheels. What can remedy that state of things ? Put the destinies of Ireland in the hands of the Irish people, and there will be fair play for all. That is the reason I am anxious for Home Rule, because it is the only thing that will put us on a footing of equality with our fellow-countrymen. We Catholics have been treated — have for generations, centuries, been treated — as mere hewers of wood and drawers of water, and as we were treated in the past we are being treated at the present day. For instance, the other day I saw a list of new resident magistrates in the newspapers, and I could not detect a Catholic name. Some time before I saw a list of Assistant Land Commissioners, and of that long list there were only one or two names I was doubtful of, and not one I could be sure of. Then, there are 26 lunatic asylums in Ireland, but at the head of these there are only six Catholic doctors. I believe a statesman — a very respectable statesman that I don't wish to find fault with — alleged lately as a reason why he is anxious for a Catholic University for Ireland, that when he has offices to fill he cannot find Catholics qualified to fill those offices. He cannot say this about Catholic doctors, for they are as plentiful as blackberries on the brambles. That is one of the professions left to us. Through all the time of persecution the poor Catholics were allowed to cure each other when they were sick. Ido not think you would find in the whole world a more distinguished body of men than you have amongst the Catholic doctors of Ireland. Their medical school, though not endowed or aided by the State, takes the lead in the country, and if the competition were extended, no doubt it would hold its own. Yet the young gentlemen attending this school are shut out from positions that are in the gift of the country. I mention this to show that until we get Home Rule we shall not have any justice. If I make any mistakes they are to be attributed to want of knowledge or want of prudence or some other cause, but they should never be attributed to carelessness or to any want of interest in the higher temporal welfare of the country that gave me birth ."

DUBLIN.— Death of Mr. E. J. Kennedy, J.P., of Dalkey — We (Dublin Freeman, September 18) have to announce the death of Mr. Edward J. Kennedy, which occured at his late residence, Abbey view, Dalkey. He had been ailing for some time, but hopes were entertained almost to the last that an improvement would set in. Yet it was not to be. and on Thursday the end came peacefully. Mr. Kennedy was one of the best known of our Dublin citizens. He was head of the old and famous firm of J. and E. Kennedy, tobacco manufacturers, of Amiens street and Cavan. He was a large and generous employer of labour, was most popular with his employes, and was respected by all with whom he came into business relations for his integrity and sterling qualities. He was formerly a member for Sligo, and in 1885 was High Sheriff for the City of Dublin. In 1890 he was elected to the highest offioe in the gift of the Corporation, and filled the Mayoral chair with dignity, ability, and credit to the city. Recently he represented the North D ock Ward in the Corporation. Mr. Kennedy was married to a daughter of the late Alderman John O'Connor. To his widow and family we tender the expression of our sympathy, which will be shared in by every citizen of Dublin.

Mr. William O'Brien and the Centenary Committee.— in a letter to the secretary of the '98 Centenary Committee (says the Dublin Freeman) Mr. William O'Brien makes a very fair and temperate protest against the peculiar composition of that body. Without any previous knowledge on his part he had been elected treasurer for the committee, a post which he felt himself compelled to decline for reasons which will, we think, secure the approval of the great body of Irish Nationalist opinion. While the elected representatives of the people are treated as Jioxtrn humani generis — whether it be by accident or design — the '1)8 committee can hardly be said to be representative of all National opinion. It msy not, however, be yet too late to give effect to the suggestions contained in Mr. O'Brien's letter, and by embodying in the Centenary organization " the Parliamentary, municipal, poor law, and other representatives of the people " help to secure a patriotic celebration entirely worthy of the men of '98.

GALWAY.— A Popular Landlord.— The charming town of Spiddal was on Tuesday September 2!) en fete to honour the homecoming of Captain and the honorable Mrs. Graham Wynne. A handsome arch, " ccud mile failte," spanned the entrance to the town, and decorations lined the main street leading to the summer residence of Lord and Lady Morris. The whole place prepanted v

lively scene ; the streets bright as day from the gleaming house fronts ; the happy throng admiring the illuminations or trooping towards the bonfire, where the merry strains of a fiddle and the cheery ring of busy feet mingled with joyous laughter, and the commendations urging the dancers to renewed efforts. Lady Morris, the Hon. Mr*. Wynne, the Hon. Misses Morris. Capt. Wynne, and the Hon. Martin Morris and his younger brothers mingled freely in the crowd, and. danced to their heart's content, Lady Morris more than holding her own against the best of them. Before separating after a most enjuy ible evening- lond and hearty cheers rang out again and again for Lord and Lady Morris and family and for Capt. Wynne and his hippy bride. The parish priest of Spiddal and a deputation representing the people presented an address. Lord Morris during his life never evicted a tenant, and so happy relations exist between landlord and his people. KlLKENNY.— Preserving the Old Tongue.— His Eminence Cardinal Logue recently answered an address presented to him in Irish, and touched upon the advant igcs certain to accrue from the preservation of our native tongue. In Kilkenny on Sunday evening (soys the Xtitinn, September 2,">), at the ceremonies held in connection with the Golden Jubilee of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Family, Father M'X.imara advised the congregation to cultivate the Irish mode of salutation, and generally lend their aid to keeping the language alive in our midst. If the Intermediate and National Education Boards gave the Irish language that excep- I tional fovour which is in reality its due, a generation of Irishmen would arise more or less conversant with the language. Such general acquaintance with it would pave the way for the establishment of a system calculated to ensure the existence of Irish as a living tongue. At present Irish modes of salutation are, we regret to say, unfashionable. But that might very easily be changed. English manners and customs are good enough in their proper place, which is at the other side of the Channel, but unfortunately they are finding their way into even our rural districts. Extraordinary Longevity. — There is at present living in the village of Clcugh, Castlecomer, an old woman named Mary Whalan, who was born in the year 1788, and who was. consequently, ten years old at the time of the rebellion, and is to-day 109 years of age. Mary's maiden name was McDonald, and her father was Alic McDonald, a blacksmith from Crutt. Alic made pikes for the

rebels, and was informed on and arrested. He was put up to be hanged three timci between Foley'a gate and Cloneen bridge for refusing to toll the names of any men for whom he made the pikes. He Übul to be working for Mr. Dun Brennan. Chatsworth. and on the last time he was put up to be hanged his life wa-> sa\od by a Protestant man, named John lietts, irom Criitt, who came on the scene and cut the rope i'rom aiound his neck. Mary remembers going into Castlecomcr with a iot of the Crutt people, and carried a bundle of pike handles. She is at present in receipt of out -door relief from the Castlecomer Board of Guardians, and is confined to bed. The out-door relief is her only means of subsistence. TWO Ladies Injured. — Lady Deas<\ wife of Colonel Sir Gerald De.ise, of Cdbridge, accompanied by her daughter, were recently seriously hurt through a car accident in Kilkenny. At the railway station a car driver named George Bray was nn ployed to drive them to St. Patrick's Convent, where they remained until halfpast four o'clock, it being their intention to return home by the five o'clock p.m. train. While dm ing through the Ormonde road one of the wheels of the car crushed an old tin vessel which lay on the road, the noise frightening the animal Bray drove and causing it to run off. Near the corner of Patrick street the side car collided with a cart which was standing near the footpath, anil the driver Bray either fell from his seat or w.i* thrown off. and received some nasty cuts about the head. Continuing it* m ild career, the animal rushed down Patrick street, at the end of w hich it got on the footpath, but turning out sharply again, the side of the car or. which Miss J)easc sat came in violent contact with the corner of Mr. Willoughliy's jewellery establishment, the result baing that the car and harness were broken and both ladies flung on the road. KING'S COUNTY -Outbreak of English Cholera.-A Tullamore corresondent writes :—lntelligence: — Intelligence has reached here that during the past few veeks an epidemic of English cholera has raged in the Geashill and Ballycoinmon dihtrictsloi King's County. As a result of inquiries made in the places mentioned, your correspondent has had the report confirmed by those well acquainted with the localities, and who are responsible for the pnblio health. Large numbers of people have been attacked by the dangerous malady— in many instances whole families being prostrated at the same time. The patients were nearly all attended by Surgeon-Captain Jennings, Cloneygowau, and Dr. David J. Ryan, J.P. Philipstown, and 1 learn that both medical men attribute the epidemic to the use of bad potatoes by the people. Should this be the case the epidemic ia

likely to assume much graver developments than at present, as the greater part of the potato crop lis a failure, and it forms one of the pricipal articles of food with all classes, more especially the poorer in country districts. So far no deaths are reported , although many cf the patients suffered from virulent forms of the disease. WEXFORD.— Death of Canon Murphy, Tintern.— A New Ross correspondent writes :—lt: — It is with the utmost feelings of regret that I announce the death of the Very Rev. Canon Joseph Murphy, P.P., Tintern. In him the people of Tintern have lost one of the best and most patriotic pastors that ever came amongst them to guide their temporal and spiritual bark. And not only is the death of Canon Murphy an irreparable loss to Tintern, and particularly the evicted tenants of that palish, but it is a distinct loss to the diocese of Ferns. GENERAL. The Land Commission. — Mr. Bodkin, in opening the case for the tenants, proceeded on broad lines (says the Weekly Freeman). The great and overwhelming fact that stands out above all landlord complaints is the steady fall in the value of Irish agricultural pro* duce. By this we mean not prices alone, for these, taken by themselves, are not an efficient standard though they were absurdly adopted as such against the protest of Judge O'flagan, during the temporary variation of rents under the Act of 1887. The true standard by which the rent-paying capacity of Irish land is to be measured is the prices considered side by side with the yield of crops. Judged by this standard the reduction in the value of the produce, as compared with the reduction in the rents, has been enormous. This fact rests on no mere assertion. From the close of 1886, for instance, until the close of 1891 alone the reduction in the value of the agricultural yield in Ireland has been £5,747,000 per annum — and these figures are those of the Registrar-General. The total reduction of rent in 15 years has been £1,319,707. The reduction in the earnings of the farmer in one-third of the first judicial period has therefore been nearly five times as much as the total reduction of judicial rents in the whole period of 15 years. Against this formidable fact the landlords must always contend in vain when they say that rents are too low. The Distress in the Country. — Mr. William O'Mailey, M.P., bears testimony to the distress which has personally investigated in his constituency, which includes Connemara, and he endorses the

demand of Mr. Harrington and Mr. Dillon for an immediate assembling of Parliament. Mr. Ilealy, while also joining in the demand, regards it as bad poli.-y. However, wo cannot see whero the bad policy comes in (says the Fret man). If large grants are needed they must be supplied by Parliament. If the Government, in the meantime, can get a supply they are bound to do so. It scms that, after all, they will do something. Mr. Gerald Balfour is, it is stated, not now so certain there in not distress after all, and intends to make personal investigations in the west of Ireland. The sooner he does so, and sets 1 about discharging his duty, the better. The Irish-American Visit to Ireland.— Pr. parations have ben made on an cxtrn-ive scale for the vi.Mi to Ireland next year of tliß Irish- Americans of Boston. Tv\o cf the gentlemen closely identified with the project — Mr. \V. J. Walslie and Dr. W. F. Couch — landed in (^ueenstow v on October 1, for the purpose of making arrangements in coiiiiection with the proposed pilgrimage. From Boston alone, it is stated tlmt a party or seven hundred will come to Ireland in the May of 'Its, and a Cunard liner has been specially chartered for the voy.ige. Tin: arms or '• kiohty-two." By M. .1. Bakry. They ro«e to guard their fatherland — In -tern r- solve they ro^c, In b»Miing firm, in purpose <.;rand, To meet, the world as fo-s. They rose, as brave men ever do, And. Hushing bright, They bore to light, The Arms of " Eighty-two !" O ! 'twas a proud and Bnle>fin sight, To nidi k that broad array Come forth to claim a nation's right 'Gainst all who dared gainsay ; And despots ghrunk, appalled to view The men who bore, From shore to shore, The Arms of '• Eighty-two !" They won her right— they passed away— . Within $y tv/mb they rest—