The Irish standard., 1907-11-23
AN. ANCIENT TOWN
Clonmel, Situated in the Most
Beautiful Part
OF Tipperary, Bears Many Ger.
tificates Of Age.

Clonnlel means the meadow of the
honey but the bees that drew neo-
tar from the flowers have long since
oeased to buaz; or, were it a wasps'
nest that gave the name to the town,
we may be sure they have long since
retired from the singing business, and
are now at best the recipients Of the
old-age pension, says Father Fttzger-
aid in the Catholic Press. Of Sydney,
Australia. Even the "old chronicier"
who can account for most things il
you put him to it, leaves the query in
hazy uncertainty as to why or when
Clonmell came by it's appellation.
Clonmel is situated in perhaps the
most beautiful part of Tipperary. But,
indeed, it is hard to select the most
beautiful part in county so favored
by nature in the charms OF hill and
dale, Of lake and river, mountain, for
est and smiling plain. Behind Clon-
mel a terrace Of hills rises to a height
of many hundred feet, fertile to the
summit, diversified in springtiine by
hedgerows white and fragrant with the
snowy flowers of May. Between the
SUR, beside which there is on one side
q towpath for the horses which draw
the lighters. and on the other a wealth
Of dropping foliage casting dark shAd-
ows on the water and affording cool
retreat to boating parties who throw
oYt their lines in search Of trout or
salmon.
. The old town bears many certihcat ties
Of age on its weather-beaten face, and
one part OF 1t which you enter through
a great path, ovsr which there is a
kind" Of castle, Is called Irishtown.
There are magnificent storehouses lin
ing the river which tell their sad story
Of former opulence, for the trade has
disappeared which once was the source
Of comfort and prosperity.
On the tower Of the Franciscan Fri
ary you read founded in 1229," and
your mind travels back through the
vicissitudes of many centuries to the
time when the ambassadors of Francis
Of Assist found a congenial home
among the ancestors of the people of
Clonmel. and told them of the deeds
and virtues Of him whose name added
new lustre to the glorious array of
1taly's favored sons. Generations have
come and gone over and over again.
and worshiped In the same hallowed
shrines which have become interviewer
going with them to distant lands and
acting as golden links with the h,me
they have left behind. The chimes,
too, of the bells which they first heard
In their cradles are as dear to them
as old familiar friends warning and
consoling them by their persuasive
tones. How aptly the writer Of the
following verses voices the feelings of
many hearts on this subject. when they
revisit Clonmel
What mystical music resounds on nv
ear,
Remarkably tender, melodious and
clear,
rroclaiming its mission through valley
and dell,
IT'S the beautiful chime Of the old
Friary Bell.
How softly 1t floats On the sweet
@, scented air,
Inviting the faithful to service and
prayer,
Saint Mary's itself couldn't really ex-
The beautiful chime Of the old Friary
Ben.
Full many year has It echoed alone
The clear winding river majestic and
strong.
Outliving both Ireton and Cromwell az
well,
The beautiful chime Of the old Friar,
Bell.
The seasons unnumbered have silently
flown
Since first I rejoiced in its masica
Yet deeply I'll cherish wherever .
{ The beautiful chime of the old Triar,
sss;sss Il 5gss Bell.
,,55aaSS... ..,,-.
Is 1t not Charles Hickman who, ii
4 his. novel, 'Knocknagow," speaks o.
h CionnneI as the town with the clout
! over it," on account of the execution