The Irish standard., 1898-07-30

llo1 HAS always Dccn 10 WISH dear OLD
Ireland, when he realizes that he has
planted his feet on her holy soil 1t is
needless to say that the first thing that
meets the eye of the traveller in Ireland
is the hated red jacket and the members
of the royal constabulary. When You
look upon them the curse of Ireland is
apparent. There is one lamentable thing
which [ noticed during my stay in
Queenstown, and that is TO see the fair
daughters of Ireland disgracing them
selves by recognizing these rutfians in
true just the same. Before we were al
lowed to so to the hotel we had to give
to the army officer at the station our
name and the place where we are to re-
main, and what our business in Ireland
is. He was at a loss to know what my
business was, but passed him just the
same.
One of the most notable sights in
Queenstown is the magnificent cathedral
OF st. Coleman. located on the hill over
looking Cork harbor. This magnificent
structure was started by the Rev. Dr.
keane, bishop of the diocese of Cloyne,
in the year 1868. 1t is erected on the
spot where stood the church into which
tho remains Of Terrence b. McManus
were taken after they We're refused ad-
mittance into almost every diocese in
Ireland. This cathedral is massive
structure, having a seating capacity OF
5000. The main altar was erected at Il
cost of G2,000 The altar bears the in
scription:
This altar has been erected by the
priests Of Cloyne as an enduring monu-
ment Of tilial affection for their beloved
ID. D., as well as to commemorate the
5Oth year of his priesthood, happily com
pleted on the goth day of June"
The exterior is of Irish and Italian
granite and limestone. Tho caps bear
the portrait heads of all the bishops of
Ireland, elegantly carved in the stone.
The background work of the interior is
carved shamrocks. There are five minor
affairs, among which are chapels of the
Blessed Virgin, Sacred Heart chapel and
Mortuary chapel. Under the latter are
already deposited the remains of four of
the bishops of the diocese. Tho stations
of the cross are all carved In stone.
The floors are all laid in mosaic. In
tho center, over the great front door. is
tho figure of our Lord enthroned in
glory. On the right are the symbols of
ST. Mark and st. Matthew, the Blessed
Virgin represented nearly life size, and
Blessed Thaddeus. who some 200 years
ago was bishop of Cloync and Cork. On
the left are the symbols of st. John and
st. Luke. and the life size figure of st.
Coleman. The church is the finest out
side OF Rome. ! am informed that the
work will not be completed for many
years to come. Most Of the money used
in erecting the cathedral was subscribed
by American Catholics. The work has
all been done by Irish hands, and every
design is original
On Thursday we visited the country
districts back of Queenstown, and had
tho pleasure of visiting Il number of the
Irish peasantry. The most noticeable
thing among these people is their gcnu-
Inc hospitality. True it is they have not
much to give. but they would give the
last thing they had in the house if one
would accept. l shall never forget the
scene in one house, if may call IT. IA
house. We came in and asked for a
drink Of water. The house was occupied
by one Mr.. John Millrck. The good
mother. thinking water would not be nc
ceptable, sent the little half-clad young
ster to ncighboring house for pail OF
milk. which she herself had probably
not enjoyed for many u day. We did
not know what she had done until the
little one came back. We protested,
but of no avail We had to partake of
the milk. When we took our departure,
the good Mr.. Millrick gave lis each IL
firwoUl cane for a remembrance of our
visit. The condition of this home was
awful. II makes ones heart sick to
think OF the condition to which these
people are subjected, in a country that,
under proper government, would supply
an abundance to all.
fear ! have intruded too much on
your space, so will close for the present.
We leave today for Cork, and from there
to the famous lakes of Killarney.
With kind regards for all, ! am. yours for
Irish freedom, N. G. O'CONNOR.