Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-04-06
SWAPS OVER QUEEN
Shamrock Co : Establishes Potent Way
So Alexandra
CHARITY MEDIUM or HER POWER
Lowell = Woman Wins Royal Heart
S by Noble Works.
CIRCLES GLOBE WITH ERlWs EMBLEMs
Spreads Broadcast the National Green OF
Saints Day.
BRAVELY DEFEATS EARLY DETRAcToRS
RedOlent of Romance is the Personal
History of This Charming
woman, the Countess
of Limerick.

Copyright, 1902, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, April 5.-(New York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram. )-"The sham
rock Countess" as the countess of Limerick
is lovingly known, bids fair to make her
sway over Queen Alexandra as complete as
that she exercised over Queen Victoria
The hold is a different one, but 1t is none
the less potent, for while the lovely Irish
woman won the late monarch by the infinite
charm Of her music, she has found her way
to Alexandra's heart through her charity,
and that charity is synonymous with the
shamrock.
1t is a year ago since the Shamrock
league was formed with the double purpose
of popularzing the Irish emblem and the
good st. Patrick's festival, while at the
same time raising a $50 900 fund for the
soldiers and sailors family fund. The ker-
mel OF the whole idea, however, and one as
near to the queens heart as the help OF her
army's widows and orphans, was the project
Of sending to each of the British soldiers a
sprig OF shamrock on the morning Of March
II, that ''in the queens name" all might
show respect to the Emerald isles holiday.
Overcomes Opposition.
There was all manner Of controversy at
first. Agitators took 1t up as a plan to
make the most sacred of Irish observances
subserve the needs of the English army.
1t was termed a desecration, and loyal men
were called upon to wear badge with their
shamrock on st. Patricks day to distinguish
them from their hateful imitators
But the little countess in whose brain the
idea originated paid little heed to her de-
tractors. Born and bred on Irish soil, the
wife of an Irish peer, every tradition OF her
country was endeared to her heart Con-
fident in her desire only for the glory Of her
fellow countrymen, she worked with her
allies, packing and dispatching the charm
ing bits Of green to all portions of the
kingdom.
The splendid showing of shamrocks this
last St. Patrick's day was in itself an an
swer to all criticism. The fund was ad-
vanced by legitimate means, that included
nothing OF the usual fashionable begging
methods.
RedOIeBt of Romance.
The countess of Limerick's history /,
redolent OF romance. She was the daughter
of ]. Burke Irwin. a sporting squire o.
County Limerick. when the earl, then Wis.
count Glenworth, FIRST saw her. The family
had no wealth and was unknown outside itI
own little encourage. But no obscurit!
could hide the rich dover of beauty Of MAJ
J Imelda Irwin.
The young pair fell in love. That was IL
the spring Of $780, and the marriage fol
lowed in July. There are two children IL
their home, Dromore Castle, Viscount Glen
worth and Lady Mary Victoria Perry.
1t is as a pianist that the countess excels
During the visit Of Queen Victoria to Ire
land the countess was commanded to pla!
| to her majesty.
Her wealth Of brown hair, dark mystica
eyes and charming coloring are the typ
admirably adapted to the picture hat. AL
additional proof of the countess ingenu
fly is the new picture hat she has intro
duced and given her name. Heavily shadet
with plumes. it half conceals, half reveals
the face OF the wearer in a fashion at ono,
bafiing and enchanting.