The evening times., 1899-06-10
irish LOVE FOR
| FAIR KILLARNEY
Sons of Hibernia Anxious to
Buy the Lakes.
Mayor Van Wyek and Other Promi-
nent Leaders Interested.
sented by James BOothby Burke-
Roche, n. r.

New York, June 10.-James BOothby
Burke Roche. Member Of Parliament fol
West Kerry. Ireland. who has been in this
| sonal business, yesterday laid before Mayor
Van Wyck. James J. Coogan. and several
other gentlemen interested distinct prop
/ osition for the purchase of the estate in
ireland which includes Muckross Abbey
and the famous Lakes of Killarney
Muckross Abbey Is a fine old ruin. dat
ing from the fifteenth century. and the
the world over as one of the most beautiful
and picturesque bits Of scenery In all Eu-
rope.
1t was learned recently that the estate
was on the market, and a number Of en-
thusiastic Irtsh-Americans in this city.
moved by patriotic sentiment. conceived
the plan of purchasing the property and
turning 1t into a great public park. to re-
main forever the heritage Of the Irish peo-
pie.
Mr.. Burke-Roche. accompanied by Col.
John e. Fitzgerald. the Tammany Hall
orator, called on Mayor Van Wyck at the
city hall early in the afternoon. and Presi-
dent James ]. Coogan was at once called
into the conference.
Mr.. Burke Roche informed the gentle
men that he had an option on the Her
bert estate, in West Kerry, including the
abbey and the lakes, for $4,000. The es-
tate was mortgaged for the full value more
than fifteen years ago by Harry Herbert
to a Scotch insurance company, which now
owns it.
Mr.. Burke Roche said that some time
ago. with the purpose Of enabling Irish
tenants to purchase the property. he Sc
cured a reduction Of $40 600 on the mort
gage. He. would like to see the Irish
Americans purchase it for several very i'm
portant reasons. The present caretaker is
an Englishman. who collects a shilling
from everyone who visits Muckross Abbey.
Certain families in Ireland. by inaliena-
BILE rights granted to old Irish kings from
whom they descend. have the privilege Of
burying their dead in the abbey grounds.
There is always more or less friction when
ever they seek to avail themselves of this
right.
All this would be done away with IL
Irish Americans, In sympathy with the
sentiment and traditions OF the soil, bought
the property. but the most important con-
sideration of all. Mr.. Burke-Roche said
would be the permanent benefit secured to
the Irish people by the perennial influx Of
tourists who every year come to see the
larney. and spend many thousands Of dol
lars in the county.
Should the property fall into the lands
Of individuals. tourists might eventually
be barred from these famous sights.
whereas the park would encourage them
to come in large numbers.
Mr.. Burke Roche said that il the park
scheme was consummated Sir Blundel Ma
pie was ready to take Muckross Abbey, fit
1t out as a hotel. and guarantee a 10 per
cent return for the privilege.
Mayor Van Wyck said he was very much
in favor Of the project. and would do all he
could personally to assist its success. 1t
is probable that within a few days the pro-
jectors of the enterprise will hold a meet
ing to consider Mr.. Burke Roches propo-
sition.
among those most interested in the plan
is Richard Croker. Mr.. Croker was to be
in Kerry last night, and Mr. Burke Roche
said he had cabled over to his constituents
TO give him a warm reception and have
him serenaded by his band.
Mr.. Croker goes to Kerry for the express
purpose Of looking over the proposed pur-
chase. and 1t is understood that IL he re-
ports favorably the project will go
through. Among the other gentlemen in
terested are William R. Grace, Dr. Thomas
Adds Emmett and Bourke Cochran