Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 49, 7 December 1899, Page 9

Irish News.

ANTRIM.— Heirs to a Fortune- — Mr. Paul Wilkes, an American attorney from Dakota, who has been some time in Belfast seeking the heirs to a fortune of £20,000 (says the Dublin Mail), is reported at length to have succeeded in his quest. About 40 years ago a John MClelland, of County Armagh, left for America, where he has jast died intestate, leaving this sum, and Mr. Wilkes had the mission entrusted to him by the Court of Dakota City to discover the next-of kin. Margaret Hamilton and Mary M'Clelland have now established to this gentleman's satisfaction that they are nieces of the deceased, and probably the sole heirs.

ARMAGH.— The Completion of the Cathedral— Among the contributions received by his Eminence Cardinal Losrue towards the completion of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, are those from the following : — His Eminence Cardinal Parocchi, Cardinal Vicar of Borne ; his Eminence Cardinal Coullie, Archbishop of Lyons ; the Cardinal-Archbishop of Bennes ; his Eminence Cardinal Kropp, Bishop of Breslau ; his Eminence Vincent Cardinal Vannutelli, Borne ; his Eminence Cardinal Gibbons, Baltimore, U.S.A.; Most Bey. Dr. O'Doherty, Bishop of Derry ; Most Rev. Dr. Henry, Bishop of Down and Connor ; Most Bey. Dr. M'Cormick, Bishop of Gal way.

CORK.— The Castle of Kanturk.— it is reported that the mined Castle of Kanturk, County Cork, has been offered by the Countess of Egmont to the National Trust for places of interest and beauty to be preserved for ever as a national possession. This curious edifice was erected on the banks of the Brogueen, a tributary of the Blackwater, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The builder, Donough M'Carthy, a chieftain, is said to have forced all passers-by to labour at his castle. In his anxiety to surpass all chieftains of the neighbourhood, he gave orders that it should be roofed with glass. His neighbours became alarmed and complained to the Privy Council that the castle was much too large for a subject, whereupon an order was sent to M'Carthy to stop his work just as the battlements were about to be raised. Unable to defy the Government, M'Carthy, in his furious disappointment, gave orders that the glass roof should be dashed to pieces and thrown into the Brogueen, and the castle has never yet been inhabited. At the last meeting of the National Trust it was decided to accept her Ladyship's offer, and it is hoped that the interesting and striking relic will soon pass into the care of the society, to be held in perpetuity for the nation.

CLARE. — The Fishing Industry- — Active measures are being taken by the County Council of Clare and its Parliamentary representative to secure a substantial share of the £10,000 granted for the help of the Irish fishing industry. There are no workers more heavily handicapped than the West Clare fishermen, and none are more worthy of assistance. Industrious, patient, and honest, they toil for their scanty livelihood in the face of enormous difficulties. Properly equipped boats and fishing gear are needed, while equally necessary is the improvement of landing-places and harbour piers along the coast. The case of the fishermen of Ireland has not up to this received the sympathy or consideration it deserves, and I trust (writes a correspondent) the interests of the poor toilers of the sea will soon find substantial advocacy with the present Executive which has initiated so many beneficent measures, and is extending a helping hand to many industrial enterprises in Ireland. A good deal of indignation is being caused among the fishermen, buyers, curers, and exporters on the south and west coasts owing to the appearance on the fishing ground of American fishing boats, which have, it is felt, entered unfairly into competition with the local men. A few years ago capitalists interested in the development of the Irish deep-sea fisheries, finding that there was a large market for cured mackerel in the United States, set to work to supply the demand. A large trade was being developed and a considerable amount of remunerative employment was being afforded round the Irish coast at a period of the year when ordinary employment was scarcest. The McKinley tariff has, however, helped to extinguish the enterprise po far as local interests are concerned, the high rates charged rendering it no longer remunerative to carry on the trade.

DONEGAL— Death of a Venerable Priest— The death is announced from Letterkenny of a venerable priest, the Bey. William Brady, at the age of 78 years. For nearly 20 years he had resided in Letterkenny. He was a native of Donegal. His first work as a priest was as chaplain to an English regiment in the Indian Mutiny. He taught at Agra, in India, afterwards. His health failing by the foreign olimate, he returned to his native diocese of Raphoe many years ago.

DUBLIN.— A Tramway round the Hill of Howth-— The construction of the Hill of Howth tramway by the Great Northern Railway Company is being rapidly proceeded with, and the line will be open for traffic next season. The line will make a complete circuit of the Hill of Howth, thus affording excursionists an excellent opportunity of seeing the headland, which rises to a height of 563 feet in all its picturesque beauty.

The Town Olerk'S: Salary.— The members of the Dublin Corporation have fixed the salary of Mr. Henry Campbell, Town Clerk, at £1500 a year, subject to annual increments of £50 until it roaches £2000.

A National Temperance Conference.— The friends of Temperance in Ireland had much reason to rejoice over the resulc of the meeting of the National Temperance Conference held reoently in Dublin. The addresses of the different speakers were marked by moderation, and while fully expressive of the gravity of the social evil their solutions of remedial propositions were practical in every

sense. It is a large step in advance (says the New Era) that the liquor interest and the advocates of temperance can at last find a substantial basis of agreement as to checks and limitations. A moderate measure of temperance reform is better than none. Those who would go as far as to suppress the traffic altogether may yet consent without loss of self-respect to promote a Bill which shall carry out the recommendations upon which the sections of the Royal Commission have agreed The Earl of Meath, as chairman, explained very fully and clearly the main parts of the recent report of the Licensing Commission. The sympathy of many who were before unaware of the possibilities in near prospect will, no doubt, have been secured by this exposition, to rear,onable course.

GAL WAY.— The Marble Quarries.— During the past year (says the Philadelphia Standard, September 30) nearly one million dollars' worth of Irish marble, quamed within a few miles of Gal way, has been imported into the United States for the decoration of fine public and private buildings. A lavish use has been made of it in the Columbia University buildings, and in the new university club house, Fifth avenue, New York. In the club house the grand hall is supported by 18 columns and pilasters of this marble in serpentine and green shades, highly polished and carved in the Celtic school of ornamentation. These columns are 36 feet high and 3 i feet in diameter. This marble was discovered more than a century ago, but the expense of quarrying and hauling it to tide water militated against its use.

KILKENNY-— Departure of a Carmelite— General regret has been felt in Kilkenny at the departure of the Very Rev. Father Colfer, Prior of Knocktopher, who has been appointed President of the Carmelite College, Terenure, County Dublin.

The New Church of St. Patrick-— The new Church of St. Patrick, Kilkenny, is now almost finished. It will Bhortly be dedicated by the Most Rev. Dr. Brownrigg, Bishop of Ossory.

KlLDAßE.— Purchase of an Historic Mansion by an Irish- American. — Mr. Eugene Kelly, son of the late IrishAmerican banker and millionaire, has purchased the historio mansion of Castletown, County Kildare, the residence of Sir Peter O'Brien, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.

Reinstatement of Tenants on the Clongorey Estate-— The Rev. A. Kinsella, P.P., of Carragh, in the County of Kildare has rendered an invaluable service alike to the cause of humanity and to the peace and good order of the district, by securing, after protracted negotiations, the reinstatement, on reasonable terms, of the evicted tenants on the Clongorey estate. These tenants were evicted in the old ' Plan of Campaign ' days. The evictions were followed by serious disturbances in the district and a long series of coercion prosecution. Of late the evicted tenants have suffered much hardship. Their reinstatement, and the consequent restoration of peace and goodwill to the district, is a matter at which all parties may reasonably rejoice. It is to be hoped that the good example thus set may be widely followed. The main credit of this humane achievement undoubtedly belongs to Father Kinsella.

KERRY.— The 'Skibbereen Eagle' and the Dreyfus Case- — The Skibbereen Eagle has won a new claim to distinction For ever so long it has been ' keeping its eye on Russia,' with the best results. Recently it found time to turn its other optic on France, and the immediate result was the release of Captain Alfred Dreyfus. Our historic contemporary modestly indicates the cause of the gulden determination of President Loubet thus : — ' On a recent Saturday the Eagle demanded the release of Dreyfus. On Tuesday the President signed his pardon, and on Wednesday he was set at liberty. This was not slow work, considering that all the civilised Powers had previously appealed in vain to France to give Dreyfus hia freedom. Looks and bolts and bars flew open to the voice of the Eagle. Even France could not stand the piercing gaze of iis eye. After this, who will deny the power of the " famous bird " ? Dreyfus i 3 to-day a free man. Well may the Emparor of Russia live in terror while the Eaglets eye is upon him.'

The Lakes Of Killamey-— For the fourth time during the past few months the cableman has reported the sale of the Muckross estate, which includes the greater portion of the far-famed Lakes of Killamey. Lord Ardilaun, a member of the Guinness family, is now said to be the purchaser. The price is said to be £60,000. According to an American exchange Sir Thomas Lipton offered £50,000 for the estate a few months ago. Sir Thomas Lipton said to an interviewer :— ' I have made up my mind that the most charming piece of property in the world should be preserved to Ireland, and I think its preservation ought also to belong to an Irishman. If my offer is accepted I will present the whole estate, including the lakes, to the Irish people to have and to hold forever as Irish national property. I intend to ve3t the title of the property in the hand of trustees, who will forever maintain and preserve it.'

LIMERICK-— An American Parchases an Historic Estate-— An historic estate in the County Limerick has just changed owners. The place is known as Mountshannon, and was formerly the property of Lord Clare and his descendants. The new proprietor is Mr. Thomas Nevens, a wealthy American from Orange County, United Statas.

The New Protestant Bishop.— Limerick (says the Irish Weekly") may be a small and unprogressive place, but in respect of the cordial good feeling among its people of all classes it is miles ahead of Belfast. The Minister News says the new Protestant Bishop's election ' has been hailed with delight by all Dr. Bunbury'e fellow-citizens, irrespective of every class and creed, 1 'In the intensely Catholio city of Limerick,' we read, 'it is safe to say that there is no more popular clergyman than the new elected Protestant Bishop, a fact which speaks volumes for the kindliness of disposition, Christian toleration, and aotive spirit of benevolence,

characteristics for which his Lordship and the members of his family are noted.'

MAYO— Landlords Willing to Sell their Estates— At a recent meeting of the Swineford District Council letters were read from a number of landlords who were willing to treat for the sale of their estates to the tenants. Among these were Messrs. George Browne, A. H. Knox, Charles O. Blake De Burgh, Nicholas Lynch, and John O'Rorke. Mr. De Burgh, having stated that his ancestors had owned lands in Mayo and Galway for 622 years, added — ' I think with you that the time has come to make a change, and let the tenants become possessors of their own farms.'

MEATH-— A New Church at Moynalvey.— On Sunday, October 8, the Most Rev. Dr. Gaffney, Bishop of Meath, laid the foundation-stone of a new church at Moynalvey, County Meath, the old church having become unsuited to its sacred purposes. The new structure, which has been, designed by Mr. Byrne, of Dublin, will be a handsome edifice in the Romanesque style. High Mass was celebrated after the ceremony, and an eloquent sermon was preached by the Rev. Phillip Gallery, P.P.

ROSCOMMON.— Bt Patrick's Church, Castlereagh.One of the most beautiful ceremonies of the Church was witnessed on Rosary Sunday in Oastlereagh, when within the stately and imposing edifice of St. Patrick's the altars were solemnly consecrated. The High Altar is the gift of the Children of Mary. The sermon at High Mass was preached by the Most Rev. Dr. Lyster, Bishop of Achonry, and at Vespers by the Most Rev. Dr. Clancy, Bishop of Elphin.

SLIGO— The Bishop of Elphin on Intemperance— The Most Rev. Dr. Clancy, Bishop of Elphin, attended at the annual reunion of the Sligo Total Abstinence League of the Sacred Heart, and delivered a forcible address on the drink evil. It was an age, his Lordship said, of democracy, when brain and heart strained towards the betterment of man. Power now lay in the hands of the multitude, not as before, when the government of the country belonged to a few. Woe then to the country whose masses were not intelligent, independent, and self-reliant. He dwelt at length on the evil effects of intemperance, the poverty, ignorance, and sin which it entailed, and referred to the public results of intemperance upon the nation, and to the manner in which the channels of political life were corrupted and contaminated by the liquor traffic. What was the great remedy for the great evil ? The chief of these remedies was total abstinence, the extension of the League of the Sacred Heart, and the creation of a healthy publio opinion against drunkenness.

TYRONE— Death of a Sister of Mercy —General regret was felt in the district of Leglands, Tyrone, when the news reached there that Sister Genevieve, of the Convent of Mercy, St. John's Wood, London, and eldest daughter of Mr. Peter Russell, of Leglands, was dead. The deceased had only been received into the Order about six months prior to her death. She was stricken down with influenza in the beginning of July. This illness resulted in a mild attack of typhoid fever, which gradually became more serious, and finally, despite the most eminent medical attendance, it proved fatal. Deceased passed to her reward surrounded during her last illness by the good Sisters, her mother, brother, and her sister Gertrude, of the Convent of Mercy, Gravesend.

WICaLOW.— The Father Murphy Memorial— On the invitation of the committee formed in Wieklow for the purpose of erecting a memorial to Father Murphy, the patriot priest of '98, the Very Rev. Father Kavanagh delivered a lecture there on October 1, on the Rebellion of '98, dealing in a very eloquent manner with the o igin of the movement, and paying a fine tribute to the patriotism of the mea who sacrificed everything for the cause of liberty. The Very Rev. James Dunphy presided, and there was a very large audience. Special interest was attached to the proceedings from the fact that the rev. lecturer, who presented such a brilliant picture of the most memorable event in the history of Ireland, is a grand-nephew of the martyr-priest.

GENERAL.

The Tourist Traffic.— With a view of enlisting the powerful aid of the County Councils of Ireland in the development of the tourist traffio, Mr. F. W. Crossley has written to each Council suggesting the formation of a committee to deal with such matters as the proper upkeep of posting 1 roads, improvement of hotels in district, preservation and cultivation of inland fisheries, game protection, collection of information as to the special features of attraction, and the dissemination of information through the medium of the Press, guides, and other means. The suggestion is a very feasible one, and no doubt will commend itself to the several Councils. Social Condition of Irishmen in the United StatesStatistics have of late appeared in the American Press showing the social condition of the Irish-born citizens of the United States : In 1870 there were 1,850,000 Irish-born people in the United States; in 1880, 1,855,000 ; in 1890. 1,871,000. In 1880 residents of Irish parentage numbered 4,530,00), and in 1890 4,826,000. Of the German-born population, 20 per cent, are farmers ; of the Irish-born population, 6 per cent. The total number of Irish-born persons pursuing gainful occupations was in 18S0 979,000, and in 1890 1.065,000. In 1880 22 per cent, of the Irish-born population were labourers. In 1890 the percentage of Irieh-born labourers was 19. While the number of unskilled Irish-born labourers shows some decrease, there is a gain in Irieh-born skilled labour. In the professions, Iribh-born people are also making progress. Here are facts for the votary of temperence — indicating that not only the Irish, but also the Germans are leaving the liquor business : — Irish-born saloonkeepers in 1880, 8,500 ; in 1890, 7,500 ; German-born saloon-keepers in 1880, 21,000; in 1890, 19,200.