The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-11-08

columbus was DOfu. n. me year lDAo
when Cortez and his 600 companions
landed in Mexico. they were surprised
to find that their coming was welcomed
by the Mexlcans as the realization Of al
ancient native tradition to the effec
that many centuries before a white mai
had come across the great ocean from
the northeast in boat with wings
(sails) like those Of the Spanish vessels
In the year 55s, six years after ST
Brendan's return to Ireland from hi
voyage TO America. he founded thu
cathedral Of Clonfert in county Galway
When he came to Clonfert he said
This shall be my rest forever; her
will dwell, for have delight there
in" When he was dying at Armagh
down, near Galway, on May 16, 577
when he was 80 years OF age, one OF ht
| last requests was. BURY me In m!
dear city Of Clonfert" His wish wa
granted. He was buried in the place o
honor; in the chancel of the cathedral
Clonfert cathedral has suffered s.
many vlclssltudes during the long perioi
Of 1,343 years of its existence that il i
surprising anything ancient has remain
ed II suffered greatly from the incur
ions of the Danes. who frequently sail
ed up the river Shannon from Limericl
and attacked it. II was burnt six time
between the years 949 and 1865. In the,
year 1541 it was almost totally destroy
ed Bishop wolly repaired the cathed
raj in the year 1864. From that timo
Up to the present no general restoration
was undertaken TIL Canon McLarnsy
took the work in hand.
There is now no city Of Clonfert,
there is not even village. In ancient
times city did exist, and was celebrat-
ed as a seat of learning. The pressai
University of Dublin narrowly escaped
being established on this spot because,
being so central in the island, it was
considered a convenient place for stu
dents to assemble. With the exception
Of the bishops palace, now a private
residence, and single cottage. the
cathedral stands alone. War, revolu-
ton, tribal feuds, industrial stagnation,
fire, famine, and pestilence have done
their work with exceeding thoroughness
Not even a vestige of the former city
can be traced. The parish Of Clonfert,
although twenty-seven Irisn miles in
circumference, contains a very small
population. 1t is dotted about with a
few private houses and a number OF
cabins; yet the land is good, and the
scenery is OF great sylvan beauty. There
IS, indeed, no part of Ireland that is
fairer to look upon.
One Of the curiosities of Clonfert is
the yew tree avenue, planted in the
form Of cross. This is supposed. judg-
ing from the size of the trees, to be
many hundreds Of years old. Indeed. It
was possibly the approach to some
heather temple which existed on the
spot long even before the time of ST.
Brendan. It presents at this moment a
remarkably beautiful appearance, and is
certainly a unique spectacle.
The war has greatly lnterfered with
the collection Of the funds still neces-
sary to complete the restoration.
It certainly would be a pity that an
ancient historic cathedral, which ha'
been used as place Of worship TO
l.S4S years. should be allowed to decay
Clonfert cathedral, having been founde
in the year 55S, existed as a place 4
worship thirty-nine years before ST
Augustine landed IN England. and thu
dates before Canterbury cathedral, York
Minister, Winchester cathedral, West
minister abbey. Salisbury cathedral, or
many Of the ancient cathedrals existing
at the present day.-London Express.