Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-07
Coronation Of Irish Kines.

lhefe are TWO cathedraIS two bishops,
one Roman Catholic and one Church of
Ireland. and the latter holds the ancient
cathedral which, with an abbey. was
founded by 81. Columbia in the year 546
and is still called by his name On one
OF the pleasantest arrives, about q mile
and half from town. in the garden of
Belmnt Hail. is a. famous relic known as
st. Columba's stone, although this name
is a misnomer. 1t Is a massive block of
gneiss, about six feet square. marked with
the prints OF two feet, left and right, each
about ten inches long.
This stone has been improperly asso-
ciated In some way with st. Columbia by
the common people. but It has an equally
interesting history. having been the
GROWING stone Of the great ONeill clan
for centuries. At his installation the
newly chosen king was placed upon this
stone. his bare feet in the footmarks.
willow wand was put into his hands. as an
emblem OF tho pure and gentle sway he
should exercise over his people, and an
oath was administered to him by the
chief ecclesiastic that he would preserve
inviolable the ancient customs OF the
clan, that he would administer justice i'm
partially among them, that he would sus-
tain the right and punish the wrong, and
that he would deliver the authority to his
successor without resistance at the COM
mand OF the tribe. Having taken this
oath, THE O'Neill'' turned his face to the
four corners of Ireland to signify that he
was ready to meet all foes from whatever
quarter they might come; kissed his
sword and his spear to signify that he
was ready to use them wherever neces-
sary, and then descended from the stone
and was nailed with wild acclamatiOns
as the chief Of The O'Neills, while his
Knights knelt before him pledging their
loyalty and devotion.
At the time OF Ireland's conversion to
Christianity by st. Patrick that holy man
visited Londonderry. where Owen ONeill,
King OF Ulster, was converted from pa
ganism to the new faith and baptized,
and at the same time St. Patrick conse-
Grated this stone and blessed 1t forever.
Tailors Own the Town.
The long line Of the O'Neill tanistry
was terminated in 1907 by the flight Of
Hugh, Earl Of Tyrone. after his unsuc-
cessful rebellion against Queen Eliza
beth. and the ODohertys, who were
sept Of the O'Neill clan, were compelled
to surrender to the English. They were
expelled from their lands with all the fol-
lowers OF the Earl OF Tyrone. All of the
county was confiscated and sold or grant
ed to Englfshmen and Scotchmen who
came In, took possession and hold 1t still
Large areas still belong to the guilds Of
London. to whom II was granted for the
money loaned by them to King James l.
raine. a clean, busy town of 1000 popu-
lation, famous for its whisky and linen
It is governed by officials appointed by
the Tailors Guild in London, which col
lects ground rents from all the inhabi-
tants and derives a considerable revenue
from the salmon fisheries
The FishmongerS' Guild owns the town
Of Kilrea, the Diapers Guild owns
Draperstown, and other ancient organi-
cations Of merchants in the city of Lon
don own other towns and villages in this
county which they obtained in similar
manner.
Only Walled City in Ireland.
Londonderry is unique for being the only
walled city in Ireland. the ancient walls
and Notifications being preserved In the
most careful manner and kept in perfect
order, with the antique guns mounted as
they were at the time of the seige 225
years ago. They do not inclose the entire
city, but only the ancient part OF it, and
are about a mile In length. twenty-four
feet high and nine feet thick. The top of
the walls between the bastions is laid out
as a promenade and Is the favorite resort
Of the inhabitants. who may he found
there in large numbers every day after
the close of business hours. Some Of the
business houses and residences, open upon
the top Of the walls. as do several popu-
lar resorts. The walls are pierced by sew
eral monumental gates which remain pre-
cisely as they were in ancient times. and
the old runs which date ba ok to 163S a nd