Evening star., 1901-09-07
THE PAN-CELTIC CONGRESS.
DruidicaI SOlemnities Observed in the
Irish Capital.

DruidicaI SOlemnitfes Observed i'm the
Irish Capital.
From the London Express, August "a.
The first Pan-Celtic congress ever held
was opened in Dublin yesterday morning,
and presented a spectacle which for quaint
solemnity and picturesque coloring tram
scended anything witnessed for years in the
Irish capital The congress- embracing the
five Contemplating nationalties, is an un-
precedented event, and the pageantry
which preceded the inauguration Of the
congress, taking the form Of a meeting Of
the Welsh Bardic Gorsedd on the lawn Of
the Mansion House. was strikingly impress
sive.
a gorgeous gathering of the clans, clad
in the quaint costumes Of their forefathers,
while the Bardic ritual, which set its off,
cial seal upon the racial reunion, was inde-
scribably enchanting to the eye and ear.
There were about one hundred delegates
at the congress, from Ireland, the High
lands of Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man,
and Brittany, and two delegates from
Cornwall; but the congress will have to de-
eide whether Cornwall is still worth count
ing as a center Of Celtic speech A large
ring was roped off for the ceremonials,
around which were ranged the CeltS of the
various countries all picturesquely arrayed.
The Arch Druid. surrounded by the officials
Of the Gorsedd, arrived, and after a trum.
pet blast read the ancient Gorsedd prayer,
The immense sword of Arthur was next
brought forward, and held on high hori-
zontally by several pairs of hands. The
Arch Druid, grasping 1t by it's great handle,
drew the big blade partly out of the broad
yellow sheath pushing it back with a bang,
and chanting some mysterious words. to
which those in the vicinity who were ini-
tiated uttered responses. Harp music was
followed by the bringing in Of the drink
ing cup, from which the Arch Druid took
a deep draught. A speech in Welsh-Gaelic
followed, and then the Saxon tongue had q
short inning speeches being delivered by
several prominent delegates.
Then came the interesting ceremony Of
Investing eminent people as members of the
Gorsedd. The Lord Mayor Of Dublin was
admitted an ovate, and was to be known
for the future as Chief Of Dublin. Pennil-
lion, or form Of Welsh hymn singing, i'm
mediately preceded the public procession
from the Mansion House to the ancient
concert room. The delegates walked en-
route in their quaint costumes, their ap-
pearance, minglng with the thousands Of
spectators, presenting strange blending
of past and present. The Lea Cencil Is q
pillar stone representing the Celtic race.
It was borne in car in the procession,
being In five fragments, representing the
five Celtic nationalities. The ceremony Of
building the pillar was very interesting.
The representatives Of the five Celtic na-
tions placed their hands upon 1t. and the
Arch Druid solemnly blessed this newly
created unity. Several addresses were then
given, and Lord Castletown. who presided
at the congress, delivered his presidential
address. In the afternoon the art and eco-
nomic sections met and papers were read
and subjects Of Celtic interest discussedI
In the evening a reception and CONVERSE
zione Celtic in it's surroundings, its music
and dances, and its costumes, were given
In the museum by the Lord Mayor and
Lady Mayoress.
The proceedings will last for the remain.
der of the week, concluding on Saturday
with an excursion to Glendalough. County
Wicklow.