The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-12-31
A Deep Interest in the Revival of
Irish Literature.
GAELIC CTO Re WIDELY TAUGHT.
This Renaissance Not Confined to
the Emerald Isle.
THE PAN-cELrlc CONGRESS.
The Irish Tongue is Recognized as
the Purest Aryan.

Tic fuTtSl AIydu.
There has been growing during the
last few years remarkable revival in
The cultivation of Irish language and
literature, and the rapidity with which
it is at present spreading gives hopeful
proofs of the firm hold which the ancient
language and the ancient customs still
exercise over the Celtic people. Nor is
this renaissance confined to Ireland
alone; it is manifest wherever are found,
in any numbers, "the ea-divided Gael"
1t is also becoming the object of critical
and enthusiastic study by philologists in
most lands. In England, France and
Germany there are societies for the study
of Gaelic and it's long-forgotten literary
treasures, and in the last country alone
all of its great universities have profess
sors of the old tongue. There is also
published there periodical devoted to
the Gaelic language and literature, and
France has it's Revue Celtique In this
country there are in all the chief cities
one Or more Gaelic clubs or classes. one
of the largest and most enthusiastic be-
ing in this city, which holds its meetings
for instruction and elucidation every
Sunday says the Chicago Tribune.
Early the coming year there Is to be
held in the city Of Dublin Pan-Celtic
congress-, Lord Castletown being at the
head of the committee to make arrange
ments for the gathering. It's purpose is
announced to be cooperation for the
preservation and development of all the
treasures of Celtic tradition, whether in
language, literature, music or the fine
arts, which were the common inheritance
of the CELTIC people. This congress will
be an inspiring manifestation of Celtic
vitality and Celtic reverence for past,
of which every Irishman may we'll feel
proud, and in which those not Celts can
take a keen and sympathetic interest
At a recent meeting of the committee
some notable responses were received
from abroad. The Highland association
telegraphed "The Celts of Albyn rejoice
to send a most hearty greeting to those
of Erin, and hope that the hinges of kim
ship may never rust" The Ise of Man
society wished call success to the Pan
Celtic congress- and the president of the
Benton union wrote: II salute with all
my soul the nation of Erin-exquisite
flower of our race. I greet her in my
name and in the name of all Bretons.
Let her know that we, like her, remain
faithful to the dream of our common an
cestors." The archdruid of the Bardic
Gorsedd sent message from Wales ex-
pressing his satisfaction at the growth
of Celtic feeling, and Dr. Heinrich Zim-
mer Griefswald wrote: II am interested
to learn that the Pan-Celtic congress be-
gins to assume tangible shape"
The prime inspiration in this new
Gaelic language and literature movement
may be attributed to the Irish Literary
Society,"" an organization formed few
years ago. and composed not only of en-
thusiasts for the past, but of many of
the brightest thinkers, scholars and writ
ers> s>of Great Britain. By voice and pen
the society has laborcd, and by many
publications has directed the attention
of the thoughtful and the scholarly
everywhere, to the rich treasures Of
Gaelic literature stored away, and long
unnoticed, in the great libraries of the
continent as we'll as of those in London
and Dublin. But the Gaelic League, Of
which the Chicago society is a branch,
has been doing even more practical, if
less noticeable work; for it's inspiration
is the belief that it can still secure for
the native language and literature of Ire
land an influential and splendid future.
1t advocates national system of bilin-
quail instruction in the national schools
and other institutions of learning, and
by the organization of Gaelic study clubs
in every parish in the old land it hopes
to make the Gaelic as universally spoken
among the people as it was century ago.
III their patriotic aspirations they believe
with Trelawny, the friend Of Shelley and
of Byron, when he witnessed the resurg-
ence of Greece, that mo people, if they
retain their name and language, need de-
spair,' and they hold to the opinion of
archaeological researches into the his
tory of the country that tho courage of
their ancestors, their dash and daring in
battle, and their prominence in literature
were connected with their music, and
poetry, and olde2 tongue.
The growing sentiment and unobtrl-
sive forces that had been SO patiently
but earnestly working found their full
and flowing expression two years or more