New-York daily tribune., 1865-12-16
IRRLAND ID.
Country Life In Ireisnd-Decny Of He.Pi.
tuiisy-The Churches Of kilinaeew-
Congregation Of the Catholic Chapel
Aspect Of the Country side-Mnrkct
Day-Cenditien Of she People -Fesian.
lem.

ism.
From Our Special Correspondents.
UrPER KnAAcOw. County Kilkenny Nov. 49, 1865.
1t is not, however, by remaining in crowded
cities that the true political condition Of the nation and
aspect OF The land can 10 ascertained. scjonrD not
OF few days bat Of weeks, in comfortable farmers
house, where minge unrestrainedly with the
people al fair at at market throughout the coun-
try side is the thing. be fortunate enough TO
obtain such opportunity. which is frequently ut
tended by considerable difficulty. for not only has the
prOfuso ond indiscrimnato hospitality. formerly so
gratefully celebrated by every tourist before the demor
alizing railroads when every latch string on the
outside ana the warDest seat the bob for the vel
come stranger suffered natural decay from the swarms
Of cockney and the increasing poverty Of the
rack rented cultiyators Of the SOIL but, general
thing all who have thing to lose either selfshy
opposed TO the Fenian movement secretly afraid
Of any thing that may excite the slightest suspicion OF
ruling class bring them under the surveillance
OF the police An American or particularly an Irish
American at the present uncture, although the alarm
is beginning TO subsde at spotted by bis square.
tocd boots and souch hat Mcclellan mustache and
set down O spy OF John OMahcny and an nstalment
Of the Fenian army of invasion and is fortunate II he
escape half dozen arrests. letter OF introduction
or reference from friends in Amerioaevcry one has
friends in Americahowever is all the passport needed
to the heaths and hearts of ALL and the leo once broken,
the depths Of the Irh heart gush forth with overflow
ing geniality and warmth, and its hospitality is as
unbounded as IL could ever have been in that golden
! ags before the Union.
The hamlets of Upper and Lower Kiimacow are stu.
sted in the southern Of the County Kilkenny.
the banks Of beautiful little stream flowing into the
Snir Each il but single street, of onestoried stone
cottages white yellow washed. with thatchod roofs
and dininutive windows. Lower Kilmacow is adorned
by a venerable church Of the Establishment. hung with
darkgreer. glistenng mantle OF ivy, and swept
Sga inst by the sighng bOughs of cluwp Of arches
that shadow the falling stones thnt mark the ancient
mounds in the church-yard. congregation Of Dozen
from the families Of the neghborng gentry. attend the
erharatiDg service within IFS walls. The Roman
Catholic chapel is in Upper Kimacow, and is also OF
cute ancient construction but Its spro Of darker color
AID different material from the body Of the church.
marks she OF the revocation Of that section Of the
Penal laws ths. forbade tie Catholics to raise toward
heaven symbol Of their faith above their places of
worship, to sunmon the congregation to prayer by
the voice OF bell The congrega gation that iss from
this o. Sunday 10 complete contrast In tumber
and appearance from that OF the Protestant church be-
low and differs In several respects from an Irish Amer
can congregation at home. These the genuine,
adulteraed Cetc pessanry Of the land. and not only
arc their faces clearer and fesher, and their
simple and honest but in their costume there is
Of that sectation Of the fine lady and gentleman
that has dsagreeable effect in Irish shAmeTicans,
and though agreeable evidence Of an improving
transition robs them Of their national characteristics
leaving something neither grnb nor BUTTERFLY Neither
tue condition of society the state 81 their packets
permits the coiens indulge in the nbminhiinns OF
kid gloves and broad ribbons and thin boots on fat feet
They wear long dark blue cloak the hood OF which Is
drawn far forward as to conceal abundant dark
tresses and of their blooming cheeks and brilliant
eyes; dress pinned in roll behind. far out oil the
reach OF mud. striped wooden potticoat short enough
10 reveal of strong foot. IN sharp pointed.
heavy shoe and vigorous ankle, clad If fortunate. as
Z" Whit, stocking. that came from gsrihsdL"
Their mothers and grandmotbers have the addition
of tine white cap beneath their hoods and the healthy
bloom. which they retain to extreme old age is ore 81
the evidences Of the life giving properties OF the
The old men are clad in long frieze overcoals with
capes and corduroy small clothes with tg2ngs Iher
sons ht.ve generally deReneIaed so far a. 70 adopt
irowsers. but in all cases the iheria0e oaeR tho'h
kfppeen srder one arm accompaI les the prayerbooK
iutO church. The congregation inclucea lhe entire
population Of the country side Tor miles around and OF
course tu or three Of the police IN their brown uni
forms and wearing their side'srms ana icn.eohed
soldier two leave. are ncuded NOT low are tho
rag ged women bareOoed at the beginning oi Winter
with tatter,d qu1lt hanging frOm The TOP m thelr
heads child or by their SIDE. moving ahout amid
the groups that FIJI the street begging Tor hhpenny
for God sake and you may he sure that you can enter
no church ia Ireland without meeting the Oustretcbed
ualm nf inlrmity ard dcstuiOl 1T tho gate. Aitrr
msss ifthe day he fine, groups stand long In the stiee'
discussing the stte Of the markets The fas mari
and wakes Of the cOnriry around adonrn by back
sy to n tap rooms Of the puhc houses for an cir OF
the turf IRE and the share Of "naggin, before they're
trace their steps hoDewaId
The tHO kIm8COws. which are at about a quarter OF
nles distance nom each other. are In ito center OF
the wide lap within circle Of gentle his that com,
ple,ely surround H. The view from OF these hills
II time when a sunburst brigbitns the heart OF the
land shows gently uudulatI erpanse chockercd by
brown and green fields, divided BY grassy walls and
thorn hedges and nteTseced hy green bore,H or nhf'
row lanes viitevashed farm houses with their hag.
yards of bay and cumps Of trees, hocks OF cattle ana
sheep in the pastures, winding Limestone fOaus tne
hnmieis in the center. each with It's heaven Ponthg
sgre and through the whole expan-e the shhing Det
stream. broken here and thero ny the form OF
dark stone -four mill, whose wheel II tufis hoh may
be sure that wherever you stand MOCK OF crows wiz
y, cawing around with very un American iamlarlty.
apd ths the nearest hedge VIII be siye WIN niths
forms ard twittoring notes OF cheerful niue hfds
in the early morning. rosy checked colleen WIN Woo1en
nail OF milk her head. will give kindly good MORO"
10 your greeting and along the road nearly every per
son viii be bound for market nerd WIN drove OF
herd with slowly moving flock ofbeas netced south
downs the property Of some substantial farmer OF
landed proprietor. will be succeeded by women stidng
vigorously along at the head of little donkey carts
loaded with hsmpers o poultry crooks Of butter aid
baskets OF eggs loads Of hay and oats peasants In
| sOrflurOls leaning sIngtt S"oAht "p"t
s Of pig" with straw rope tied 10 its hnd leg,
al 10 be concerted into the shilings that VIII scany
oay the rent thes and poor rates In the evening they
will be met their vay home In strings of carts or
pots of foot Messengers light Of heart as IL the
money that gave uAaccustomcd life TO ther pockets was
their own insiold Of tie landlords and rate collectors.
singing the latest ballad. which they had bought for
alfpenny OF The fair or gosspER away IN tho utmost
frjcudljpess with an energy Of vociferoon that In
calmer countries would be considered the sure sgn OF
fierce quarrel Seldom indeed is II that they are able
20 the hospable light streaming out into the dark
nes through the open door of public house, Pnts Of
beer and glasses Of whisky are shared equally ny pom
80 md n ihern be rs there generally is blind