The Irish standard., 1910-09-03
RENOWNED IN BOTH
SONG AND STORY
One of the Worlds Most Enchanting
Scenes of Beauty is the Glen
of AherloW.
The Hiding Place of Godfrey Keat-
ing When He Wrote His
History of Ireland.
A Valley Enriched by Innumerable
Historical Associations of
the Past.

The lovely valley Of the Glen Of
Aherlow, few miles south of the
town of Tipperary, ireland, is one of
the most enchanting scenes of natural
beauty in the world; and the beauty
of this vale is enriched by innumerable
historic associations of the past. The
Galtee Mountains frown above the val
lev, and look down into its calm
depths, where saints and heroes of
yore so often trod. The memories of
this locality are legion. A few of the
most interesting ones, however. were
recently collected by Thomas O'Brien
for the Chicago New World and the
following will be read with interest
by all those who love history and ro-
nance.
Renowned in Song and Story.
Five miles south of the town of Tip
perary, and stretching for sixteen miles
along the foot of the Galtce Noun
tains, is located the beautiful valley,
so Hustly renowned in song and story
as the temporary home of the histo"-
ian, Godfrey Keating. Here, in the
fastness of the woods and mountains
of Aherlow, while concealing himself
from the tyranny of the English SOL
diers, he wrote the history of Eng
land in the Gaelic language. Here
too, was sheltered the renowned
"Shamus O'Brien" after shattering the
British fetters that bound him for
fighting for Ireland's liberty and indie
pendence. The situation of this valley
is remarkably picturesque; with the
Galtee Mountains to the south, the
hill of Sieve re Mack, covered with
wood, to the north and a crystal river
flowing through the center, nothn.
seems wanting to make it an ideal
valley. There are four lakes of con-
siderable dimensions on the Galtee
mountains, whose rugged yet beautiful
scenery yearly attracts n large num-
|
are noted for their scenic attractions
At the extreme west of AhcrlOW
stands the beautiful village Of Galbally
picturesquely situated on the Aherlow
river. The pastor of Galbally and
Aherlow has his parochial residence
here, and carries on the work of his
sacred ministry with the aid Of two
assistants. The present pastor, Can
on P. Ryan, who is also Vicar Cen
eral of the Archdiocese of Cashcl anG
Emily, celebrated the golden Jubilee OF
his ordination to the priesthood somt
time ago. AS fitting appreciation ol
the unselfsh devotion Of the pastor tC
his flock, the people Of the two par
ishes united In commcmOrating tho
event by presenting him with Il marble
altar costing $4,000, substantial re-
membrance indeed, and one which will
serve to remind generations yet UNI
born of the zeal and devotion existing
between the Irish priest and his pco,
pie. The Canon, as he is familiarly
called, is now ffty-one years old
looks comparatively young, and the
splendid physique of the Limerick mar
is still plainly evident, and his brave
heart is large and kind in proportion
to his physical frame.
Tho Ancient Franciscan Abbey De-
stroyed by Cromwell.
A short distance east Of Galbally 1.
the Ivy covered ruin of the ancien
Franciscan cloister at Moore Abbey
This monastery continued to shed lus'
ter on the surrounding country fol
centuries From It's closter wen
forth missionaries to distant lands
carrying the torch of faith to many
Pagan nations. But alas! like hun.
dreds of other Irish monasteries, it fel
a prey to the desecrating hands o
Cromwell and his soldiers. In ont
fatal evening, ere the last rays Of th'
setting sun had disappeared behint
the Irish hills, Moore Abbey was plum
dered, and many of the monks wh'
were too old to leave their cherished
cloister were murdered within th'
walls.
Thus ended monastery whicl
might have equaled in splendor an,