The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-08-13
IN THE EMERALD ISLE.
Bells of shandon, Blarney Stone and
Sweet Killarney.

sweet Killarney.
Especial to The Irish Standard)
KILLARNEY, Ire, July 23.-Continu-
ing where left off in my last commuui-
cation, 1 will start with the time we
left Queenstown. We left Queenstown
on. the Great Southern railroad, and
Travelled through very picturesque
country to the city of Cork. The city is
finely situated on the river Lee, and has
every appearance OF thorough metro
politan city. Business is done with a
snap, and the inhabitants appear to be
fairly well-to-do. There are many
beautiful and interesting sights which
one can enjoy After partaking of a
hearty dinner at Turner's hotel, we took
stroll about the city. We walked leis-
urely down along the banks Of the river
Lee, and paused for few moments to
watch the fishermen hauling in their
nets. All at once there broke upon the
stiffness of the evening the beautiful
peal of bells. So beautiful was the mu-
sic that we stood breathless for mo-
ment, wondering from whence came the
sweet notes. Not knowing before that
the church was located in Cork, we little
dreamed that it was the world-famous
bells OF Shandon, immortalized by Rev.
Francis Mahoney (Father Prout). A
bystander gave us a graphic description
of the famous bells, and very kindly Of
To n
which we accepted with pleasure. So
enchanted were we with the bells that
| we remained on the banks for two hours
| and listened to the sweet music. Music
never sounded sweeter to us. The
following morning we went to the old
Shandon church, which, by the way, has
! wonderful history. Our good friend
escorted lis through the old structure,
and gave us q splendid explanation Of
everything | might here say that he is
! the only man we met since we left New
York who did anything for us who
! would not accept q tip. have a snap
| shot of him, and will cherish it all my
| life as one of the rarites of the trip.
and it is said the steeple was built of
| hewn rock from the Franciscan abbey
| where James III. heard mass. After our
! lunch we continued our tour of the city,
| and went down Patrick street, where
| there is a handsome statue of Father
| Mathew. Patrick street, though not
! the widest, is the most respectable street
| in Cork. On this street is located the
Hibernian Bank. To the west of the
city is located the Cathedral of St. Finn
Barr. 1t is magnificent structure, and
has also an interesting history. 1t was
| erected at a cost of 100000. st. Mary's
and st. Patrick's cathedrals are also fine
| structures. The city contains numerous
other things of interest which l will not
here describe.
Saturday we received an invitation
from a member of the committee on 'y8
celebration to occupy a position of honor
with some other visitors in the process
! sion on the following day. The celebra-
| tiOn was in honor of the Brothers
Sheares, who gave up their lives and
fortunes for Ireland century ago. On
Sheares were executed outside Newgate
as though they were vile criminals, in
| stead Of men Of gentle birth and culture,
who were honestly endeavoring to throw
Off the terrible yoke under which their
fellow countrymen were groaning and
falling. The celebration was a grand
success in every respect. The deter
mined look in the eyes of the thousands
OF stalwart sons of Erin gave me hope
that one day the instruction of 1898
will again be repeated, but with better
success. 1t did ones heart good to see
| that vast procession, which stretched
out for miles. marching in honor of men
who met death at the blood-stalned
hands of a cruel and tyrannical govern
| ment a century ago. The procession
formed near Parnell bridge and marched
| past the house where the brothers were
born, and out to where the patriotic
Corkmen lived a quiet country life. 1t
was great, dignified, well-organized
parade, a credit to all concerned. Be-
| side the green flags were the stars and
| stripes, but nowhere to be seen was the
| union jack. And we'll it was that
the flag that permitted the murder of
such men as the Brothers Sheares, Orr,
Fitzgerald and men of their day, had
no place in that procession. On one
banner was the following: I'VE are
Rebels Of 49," On another was:
I'VE saw n nations tears
| Shed for John and Henry Sheares,
Betrayed by Judas Capt Armstrong.
| Forgive. we cannot yet,
And never shall forget
The procession halted near the house
where the Brothers Sheares were reared,
and listened to some short addresses by
j. F. \. O'Brien. NJ. p, who was once
sentenced to be drawn and quartered
AID. Cream, NJ. P, Mr.. Gilhooley. M. p,
and the mayor of Cork. The speeches
We're all in harmony with the splendid
spirit Of the day. After the meeting the
procession dispersed and the partici-
pants went to their homes. Thus closed
| q great Qay in Cork and ono moi soon