The Irish standard., 1904-09-24
The bell of st. Patrick and it's richly


is of iron, riveted at the sides and
bronzed both inside and outside. This
was probably done by dipping the bell
in molten bronze. \ sliding plate of
bronze at the bottom of the shrine
shows an indented impression of the
mouth of the bell. The shrine bears
the following inscription: pray for
Domnall O'Loughlin, by whose order
this bell Cover was made, and for
Domnall, successor to Patrick, under
whom it was made, and for Cathalan
O'Maelchalland, the keeper of this bell,
and for Cudilig- O'Inmainen, with his
sons, who encased it," This bell is
remarkable for the possession of an un-
broken history Of nearly fifteen hun.
dred years.
The workmanship, pre-eminent in
the period following the early Chris
tian times, was the illumination of
manuscripts. Then came the period
of the Cromwellian wars, causing an
almost complete cessation of crafts
and employments Of all kinds, except
the most sordid.
Irish industrial effort of modern
times began with the silversmith work
of the seventeenth and eighteenth cen
turies. Most notable of examples of
such work at the Exposition is the sill
yer dish ring. These rings were first
made to save the fine mahogany dining
tables of the Irish nobility. The
Irish gentleman, after the regular
courses of dinner had been served, was
regaled, with a big bowl of whisky
punch. The cloth was removed and
the punch bowl was set on the dish
ring. These rings were used also to
hold the wooden potato dishes, The
wooden dish for potatoes was popular
because it was thought that the pota-
toes were less apt to be sodden in a
wooden dish than in porcelain. Mass
i've and extremely beautiful also is a
silver mace presented to the city of
Drogheda by William III in 1906.
The marvels Of the present industrial
movement are in the lower portion Of
the great hall. Here the cases pre-
sent bewildering array of bog oak
carvings, jewelry, woollens, the largest
linen exhibit ever brought together,
delicate hosiery from Balbriggan, and
poplin, the virtually indestructible
fabric with sillzen warp and woollen
woof, is to be seen in most attractive
patterns, the figures entirely in silk.
The display of the Belfast Rope
Works gives the record of the most ex-
extensive hemp and flax twisting in
dustry in the world. In these various
exhibits the one great historical and
economic interest is the wool weaving
of the west coast of the county Done
gal. country Of extraordinary bleak
ness that now gains much Of it's sub
sistence from this industry. The
weaving has persisted in small way
for centuries, but in fortunate hour
the Countess Of Aberdeen bent her
energies to it's development and prob
ably to it's salvation from extinction.
The beauty of the weave and the pc
culiarity of the design and of the dye
of the goods were the inducements.
The loom as used by the natives, how
ever, was inadequate for the consid-
cradle extension Of the industry. It
was improved, therefore, and the new
looms were sold to the people of Done
gal on very easy terms. They now
derive from the manufacture of the
wool about f14,00O year. The dyes
with which they color the goods are
made from the crotal, lichen that
grows on the rocks and that gives a
dark brown dye; from the root of the
hiris, giving dark blue, and from the
tops of heather, which makes yellow
stain. The wool is most suitable for
suits and for women's skirts for outing
or general wear. 1t is rather heavy,
but finds ready sale.
The modern Irish artists are con-
stantly turning to the Celtic motives
for their inspiration and Of this cir
cumstance very favorable illustration
is to be seen in the hand woven car
pets, made in Donegal also, though not
in the district to which reference has
just been made. Where these carpets
are most strilzingly Irish is in the fire.
quent disregard for perfect symmetry
in pattern. In one Of the specimens Of
this work there is single large design
that occupies about wo-thirds Of the
distance across from one of the bor-
ders and Of whose duplication there
is no suggestion whatever.
The Irish linen and lace exhibit is
naturally extensive and contains all
those forms of the work for which the
Celt has so long been famous. Amuse-
ment is not forgotten in the Irish VIII
lage. The national characteristics of
the warm hearted race would not per-
NIT that. In Blarney Castle there is
a spacious theater, the stage
of which would permit the presenta-
tion of the largest spectacle and which
has a seating capacity Of 1900 per-
sons. Here one may hear Ireland's
melodies sung in the most delightful
manner and witness charming playlets