The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-20
lecture ON IRELAND
Delivered by S. G. Kerr in the LeCtuTs Room
Of Elm Park Church.
HIS PERSONAL Experiences
What He Saw in a Tour Through the
Emerald lsle-Visit to the Place of
His Birth-Roads of Ireland Much
Better Than Those in This Coun-
try-Poor Educational Facilities.

An appreciative audience heard the
lecture of s. G.. Kerr, of the firm of
Kerr 81 Siebecker, last evening in the
lecture room Of the Elm Park church.
The subject included recital of Mr..
Kerr's trip through Ireland two years
ago and it was all the more interesting
from the fact that the speaker was
born on the old sod but had not visited
his native land in forty .one years.
Mr.. Kerr's description of Derry and
its ancient walls and parapets, in
cluded the comment thut it was not
unlike most American cities in its
architectural features. But he was
forcibly reminded of its not being a
free country when he saw q Dublin
jurist enter and depart from the ses-
sions court preceded by the high
sheriff and other funtionaries, all
in state regalia, and closely guarded
and surrounded by mounted IIish con-
stabulary.
Personally. no enjoyed his visit to
Donegal near his birth place and when
the gate house was reached he rose in
the cart and gave three rousing Yankee
cheers, Notwithstanding the ladies tug
ging at his coat tails. The hospitality
of the Irish is proverbiaI, but one
should live among them to appreciate
them most An American. particu.
larly is sure of hearty reception.
COMPARISON OF ROADS.
In comparing the roads of Ireland
With those of this country. he said the
roads of Ireland are as firm and smooth
as asphalt, and ne regretted during his
visit that he did not know how TO ride a
bicycle. There one could drive mile
without a "linch-pin," but the same
cannot be said of the wagon smashing
road to Providence, for instance.
He spoke Of visits made at Bally-
shannon, Beleeck, noted for its ia
nous chinaware and pottery. Lake
Mslvil. in the County of Lsitrim, where
he was entertained by the mother and
brother Of two young men now in
business in Scranton. OF his old
homestead at MuckrosJ, near Donegal,
he applied verse of THE Old Oaken
Bucket" excepting the well, which at
MUckross was running stream.
He saw his old schoolmaster who
used to call him Sammy" Kerr, aud
was wont to chase him about the
school house with sallow rod. Our
government might take lesson from
the fact that the old schoolmaster and
his wife are each pensioned 500 year.
At the StrObane Shows in County
Tyrone the agricultural display ex-
ceeded even that of the Pennsylvania
State Agricultural society. Colerain,
with It's birthplace Of John McCul-
lough and its schools, was described in
detail From Portrush his party trav-
eled by electric railway which was
built in 1888 and was the frat systsm
in the United Kingdom. Unlike the
American trolley the current is trans
mitted to the cars through the iron
"T' rail, built upon a fence-lke
structure eighteen inches high which
runs alongside of the track.
SOME CURIOsITIEs MENTIONED.
He spoke of Dublin, the Giants
Causeway. one of the worlds wonders,
and Belfast. In the latter city is st.
Enoch's Presbyterian church, which
contains no musical instrument. the
congregation preferring to chant and
sing psalms according to the old Gus
tom.
While the Irish are in their native
country ignorant to great degree,
their condition, from an educational
standpoint, is equal to some OF the
southern and southwestern localities Of
our own United States This condition
is not due to lack OF mental calibre,
but is caused by the lack of educational
facilities. Ireland has furnished more
than her quota of orators poets. jour
nalists, and was prominently repre-
sented by military heroes in the revolu-
tionary and civil wars.