The Irish standard., 1899-06-10
A Native of the City Called the
"Athens Of Ireland"
HAD NO VOCATION FOR THE CHURCH
Was Employed on the Staff Of
Frazer's Magazine.

Who has not heard of Father Prout,
the supposed author of "Shandon
Bells" while the name of Rev. Francis
Mahony remains unfamiliar to so many?
There was, however, real Fr. Prout for
many years pastor of little country
parish in the South of Ireland, says M.
c. Rowell in the Catholic Transcript.
The place is called Watergrasshill, about
twelve miles outside the city of Cork.
A few years ago a party of American
tourists, being in the city of Cork, were
informed that the road leading from the
city to Queenstown junction was one Of
the most beautiful in all Ireland. As
that appeared to be rather big saying,
we decided to see for ourselves, and
when the journey was ended we con-
cluded that Our informant was not mis-
leading in his statement. The road, skirt
ed by the river Lee, is without doubt
the best not only in ireland, but in the
\ whole world. Much of it is sheltered
from the heat of the sun and from the
brunt of the rain storms by interlocking
trees. We passed beneath noble elms,
beeches, oaks, chestnuts. We inhaled
the odor of the sweet-scented hawthorn
and the myriad wild flowers that every
where abounded. Here waterfall, there
rivulet whispering its notes as it mean
dered gently to mingle with the pleasant
waters of the river Lee. The feathered
songsters charmed us with the exquisite
sweetness and the delightful cadences of
their song. The people we met were
light-hearted and merry, never so busy
or in such haste as not to have time to
exchange a few remarks on the weather
Or the political situation. Yet this beau
tiful drive is fair sample of what one
can see all through the Emerald Isle.
We diverged from Our course awhile to
take ramble through the fields and
were we'll repaid. There we beheld ma
ture clothed in her most gorgeous ap-
parel, displaying a picturesqueness un-
excelled in any land. After journey
of about seven miles Queenstown juno
ton was reached. Having alighted we
entered little tavern, dainty and COM
Portable, managed by as CHEEKY, hospi-
table and accommodating hostess as
could anywhere be found We regaled
ourselves with the best that this unpre-
tentious inn could afford, and by the
way, the best is never too good in the
estimation of citizen OF the old sod for
any one hailing from Yankee land. We
afterwards sauntered around awhile be-
fore beginning our return trip. We in
tended to make this trip by boat down
the Lee to Cork harbor. But our jar
vey had an eye to business. After re-
ceiving his pay with little added by
way of compensation for the ready in
formation given en- route, he inquired
with genuine nonchalance, "Have you
ever heard the bells of Shandon?" We
informed himO hat we had and didn't
think much OF them. Without betraying
the slightest evidence OF wounded pride
he said, "I'm sorry for yer want of ap-
probation; however, what I meant was
the song about the bells of Shandon
that sound so grand on the pleasant
waters of the River Lee" The wag of
our party told him the American who
composed it was still alive. Pretending
not to hear the remark he said, II will
take ye out to Watergrasshill and show
We the house where the author OF that
glorious song lived and died. 1t is only
five miles away and I'll take ye for ="
We agreed to his proposition, postponed
our trip down the Lee and jumping on
his jaunting car we were off to the scene
of Father Prout's labors. Arrived at our
destination, our guide stated that he
would take us at once to the house
where Father Prout once dwelt. The
reverend pastor, Father Barry was on
his annual retreat, but we were shown
through the house with sublime cour-
tesy. Owing to its modern architectural
outlines we had some misgiving as to
its ever being the home Of Father Prout,
and we were not far out of the way. A
stroll to the church, a short distance
from the rectory, brought us in contact
with some of the inhabitants. From one
old gentleman who informed us that he
was closing his century OF years we
CLEANED the information that Father
Prout never lived in the present house,
but that hS stood on the spot whereon
it is built, .s