The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-05-27
GAELIC ENVOY
Addresses an Enthusiastic Meet
ing on Object and Work of
Gaelic League.
Revival of Irish Language and In
dustries Operating to Prevent
Emigration.

all extensive tour of this country in
the interest of the movement for the
revival of the Irish language and Irish
industries instituted by the Gaelic
league, addressed an enthusiastic
meeting at Elks' hall last Sunday eve,
ming. P. ]. O'Donnell, county presi
dent Of the A. o. H, presided at the
meeting. Mayor ]. G. Haynes deliv.
cred the address of welcome, assur.
ing Father O'Flanagan that his pres.
ence was appreciated at the "center
of the worlds civilization"
Father O'Flanagan spoke interest.
ingly of the object of the Gaelic league
and the work which it is accomplish
ing. Seventeen years ago, he said,
the Irish language was in backward
condition in Ireland. Today it is
spoken by no less than 100000 peo-
pie. In like manner the industries of
the country have received new i'm.
petus through the exertions of the
league. The trade of ireland today is
the greatest that it has ever enjoyed
during the past five centuries. Last
year the exports totaled $300,000,000.
Trade is being carried on with all the
different countries of the world. The
Irish language, he said, is taught in
1866 primary schools OF Ireland to-
day, where II years ago 1t was prac.
tically unknown. More than half the
students in the high schools study
Gaelic, and after 1918 it will be a
compulsory subject at the entrance
examination to the recently estab-
lished national university. Ten col.
leges have been established for teach,
ers of Gaelic, their student roll of last
year being 1000.
The revival of the language is
awakening a love in irish men and
women for their own country. 1t is
furnishing them with common
ground on which to strive for the
betterment of a country that possesses
a world of natural beauty all its own.
During the course OF the evening
addresses were given by Rev. Jere-
miah O'Callaghan of the Immaculate
Conception church ana Rev. Michael
O'Brien, pastor of st. Thomas church.
both of whom dwelt az some length
on the significance Of the movement
of the Gaelic league. Martin McHale,
formerly alderman OF the Twelfth
dent of the Irish language and Irish
history for many years, responded TO
call to address the assembly. He
spoke briefly in Gaelic afterwards re-
peating in English what he had said.
The last speaker was James J: Regan,
National President of the Ancient Or.
der of Hibernians. MIR. Regan con-
graduated Father O'Flanagan on the
success of his work, assured him that
he would always be welcome in the
Twin Cities and that ne himself was
heartily in sympathy with the move.
ment.
Those who greeted the Gaelic envoy
were Rev. T. E. Cullen, pastor of the
Immaculate Conception church; Rev
Michael O'Brien, pastor Of st. Thorn.
as church; Father O'Callaghan, of the
Immaculate Conception parish; Faith
er Cremin of st. Paul seminary; James
]. Regain, national president of the
Ancient Order of Hibernians, and p
J. O'Donnell, county president Of the
A. o. H.
An excellent musical program was
rendered during the evening. The
first two numbers were a piano solo
by Miss Frances Manoney and a vo
cal solo by Miss Louise Hickey. Fol.
lowing the address of Mayor Haynes,
George Cummings rendered vocal
solo. Other numbers were a violin
solo by Mrs. Gertrude Phelps Horri-
gan and a vocal solo by Miss Frances
Morgan.
Monday night Father, OFlanagan
addressed meeting IN st. Paul un.
der the auspices of the Ramsey Coun
ty A. O. H. Wednesday evening he
left for Cincinnati, Ohio, where he
will meet his fellow envoy, Fionan
MacColum, who, with four young Irish
girls, is conducting an exhibition of
Irish lace making at that place.
About $500 was contributed in Min.
J neapolis towards the success of the
mission in which Father O'F1anagan
is engaged.