The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-12-23
letter from KreIand--NO. 6.
correspondence of Cambria Freeman.1


think | finished with Senarus, the Turkish
fxty, &c. AS i havo said, Scat.ery Isl>
and wRs eslled the Island of War, on account
of the many fierce battles fought on it be-
tween the Danes and the Irish. History
tells US that in the year 966 Brian Brohme
(Boru.) aided by his powerful gallowglassss
defeated the Danes in battle fought on this
island. Some years ago. | am told. persons
found human skulls, bones, etc. and others
swords, skians, batte-axes, etc., while exca-
waiting for the foundations of houses. On
this Island is q fortified battery, whose huge
cannon ars faced towards the mouth of ths
Shannon. Within the last couple of years
there has been splendid lighthouse built
on tina west side Of the island.
The river Shannon. between Kilrush and
| Daily loDgford, is nine miles wide. In fact
it locks more like sea than a river from
/ this point ill il flows into the Atlantic
/ Lsaying Scattery Island, we pulled towards
Kilrush. This town can boast Of as mag
niGcent Catholic church as there is to be
/ found in the south Of Ireland 1t has two
| stained glass windows that cost upwards of
| FIVE thousand dollars; its ceilings are Sor>
gsously decorated the swest~toned bell in
! in it's lofty tower has often been heard at
/ distance of nine miles. Near the church
! stands on an emineHCs beautiful conysnt
all built with cut stone, and the whole form
! ing costly and rich building, dedicated to
religion and education, such as would reflect
credit on larger and wealther community.
/ | was shown through the whole of it by tho
! very courteous and Intelligent Mother Su-
! perior, whose sweet, benign looking coupte-
nance, was only reflex Of the pure virtue
/ and modesty within. There was such an
air of cleanliness, comfort and chserfulness
about every person and On everything
around, that could wish, only for my being
cf the rough persuasion, never to leave such
a happy and contented spot.
Within eight miles Of kilrush is the cele-
brated wateting-place, Kilkee, which l in
tended visiting, but was told that SO late
in the season I would not find it interesting.
as all tbs visitors generally leave by the end
! Of October. On the morning Cf the 10th Of
November took my seat on the outside of
mail coach, and started for Eunis, dis
tanCo Of q Irish miles, and indeed it was as
cold and dreary drive as ever experienced.
The most Of tle way is one succession Of
bills and holows and poor, cold looking
lard, with an occasional farmers house ris-
ing W here and there to relieve the dull
monoIony Of the scene. After having eigh>
teen miles Of our chserless drive over US, we
came in sight of Eden Vale, beautiful resi-
dence and demssne owned by a Captain
Stackpool. Didn't tell you 2" said the
good humored jarvey, "that we'd soon come
to some nice place. Look again," said he
lat that big thing over there" Said I"Wbat
is that THAT. sir, is one Of the great ould
Brian Born's toothpcks." I bad to laugh
loud and long. The "to0thpicE' was moths
ing less than small pyramid about ten fest
high, built Of the closest and most solid stone
masonry. I certainly did not think that
the good old King Brian had such a large
mouth and strong jaw as to use that for
toothpick. In a few minutes after We found
ourselves entering
| ENNIS,
ana indeed felt relieved when jumped off
tho mail" and was shown Carmody's hotel
This town has population OF over tan
thousand. The widest street in it is not
near so wide as Clinton street, JohnstowD,
and still it can boast of some very fine build
inge and most fashionable and enterprisipg
people. It has grand church, convent,
schools, banks, asylum, court house, gaol,
etc. O'Connel Square is adorned by spIen>
did status of the Liberator. 1t stands seven
ty feet high, and can bs seen as one ap,
proaches from any side Of the town. 1t was
the people Of E6nis, aided by the other
towa5 Of Clare county, that first sent O'Con
nell 10 Parliament. This, at that time, was
considered great victory as he was the first
Irish Catholic that sat in the London House
Of Commons fer period Of over two hun
dred years. Near Ennis is the old ruined
QUINN ABBEY
in the midst of hundreds of graves contain
ing the ashes of warriors and hsroes whose
lives form some bright and dark pages in
Irish history. Hero sleeps all that was NOR
tai Of the bold, daring and keen-eyed Fires
I hall hC 10 vel
years ago was sufficient to scare the arsto>
cratic snobs whe delighted in insulting those
thsy considered beneath them in society. 1t
was "Fireball" who was O'OonnelPs second
when he was forced to fight duel with
Wesarre, and which resulted in the death
Of the latter. "Fireball" never travelled
without case of pistols, which he called
"bhas gonSo Soggarth." ('death without a
priest.') for any one fooIhaydy enough
to challenge him to duel was sure to die
without having time to call for priest or par
son. Leaving Quinn Abbey, | took the
evening train for Limerick, but only changed
cars for
CASTLECoNNRLE,
which is within six miles of Limerick The
old Castle from which this town takes its
name is aow one crumbliug mass of ruins
History tells Us that it was here the soldiers
Of the cowardly King James took shelter
after the battle Of the Boyne, when they
were pursued by ths tired soldiers of Orange
William. who set the Castle on fire. At
the lower end of the town is celebrated
health>giviUg spa, where people resort in the
summer season to partake of its invigoraiing
effects. Passing over the river in q small
skif, | went to see the
WATERFALLS OF DooNAs,
which certainly is sight SO awfully grand
that one must see it 10 understand or appre-
ciate it properly. 1t is a Niagara on suall
scale. The waters rumble, roar and tumble
down height of about one hundred feet.
sweeping all before them in their wild rush
over huge rocky boulders, making such a
continual. deafening noise as can only be
equalled by the crashing conflict of heavens
! elemental artillery. a good manx wars