Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1911-03-17
OLD TYPE is STILL EITANT

Irish women have shown their
ability to hold their own In every
circle OF life, whether in the home
as wife and mother, in society, In
kipely courts, on the stage and In
the world Of art and letters Just as
well as angels OF mercy on the bat
tleRelds of Europe and America.
Miss Eliza O'Neill, who subsequently
became Lady Becher. has been de-
seribed by dramatic critics as the
greatest tragedienne whom Ireland
and probably the world has ever pro
duced." She was born at Drogheda.
Her father, John O'Neill, was a cele-
brated Irish actor and stage man
ager. At the age Of sixteen Miss
ONelH was playing the tragic roles
OF "Ophelia," Juliet" and "Desde-
mona" In Dublin. So great was her
fame that an English engagement at
Covent Garden followed. She was
only twenty-three when she made
her debut as Juliet" before a strictly
English audience Her success was
Immediate and complete For five
years she was the reigning queen OF
the stage.
Through her career as an actress
she maintained an unblemlshed repu-
tation. Her rare beauty was as
marked as her qualities of genius
and heart. When she retired 20
private life she was earning f12, 900
a year, which would be worth nearly
100000 In our money She made her
last appearance on the stage IN 1919,
and In the same year she became the
wife of W. w Becher. member OF
Parliament from Mallow By the
death OF his uncle Mr.. Becher became
bRronet and his wife became Lady
Becher.
Marguerite. Countess OF Blessing
ton, celebrated in ireland and Eng
land for her beauty, accomplish
ments and literary productions, was
the second daughter OF Edmund
Power. Of County TIpperary. In Italy
and France as well as in England the
most distinguished men OF the times
gathered around her.
Mrs. Annie Hector, who wrote I'M
der the pen name of Mrs. Alexander.
vas born In Dublin in 1925. Her
father was one OF the sporting
squires" of Roscommon. She was
one OF the foremost nOvelists of her
time and her works are still popular.
Mrs. Anna Jameson, a celebrated
writer on art, usually accredited to
the English, was native of Dublin.
Her father, Daniel Murphy. was
miniature painter of repute. In 1924
she married r. S. Jameson, a bar
rister. who subsequently became Vice
Chancellor of Canada.
/ There Is a Green Hill Far Away"
is a hymn sung In Protestant churches
wherever the English language is
spoken. It was written by Mrs. Cecil
| Frances Alexander. an Irish poetess
who was born Ia wicklow In 1918.
She was the wife OF the Anglican
Archbishop OF Armagh and the most
OF her life was spent in deeds Of
philanthropy
Catherine Hayes, one OF the most
celebrated vocalists OF the nineteenth
| century, was born In the city OF
Limerick on October %. 1925. Dur
J ing her tour OF the United States
I in the SOS more than $1,000 were
/ paid for gsinle seats when Catherine
I Hayes was advertised to sing.
| Maria Campion, the actress who
aourished from 1777 to 1903, was
native of Waterford. Elizabeth
FaTen, who later became Countess
Of Derby. was an actress of note,
and was born In Cork in 1859. Sus-
anna Centlivre, a dramatic writer OF
considerable reputation in the sew
enteenth century, was also a native
Ireland. The mother of Marconl,
inventor of the wireless telegraph.
Is an Irishwoman, and 50 was the
mother OF Cardinal Merry del Val.
the Papal Secretary OF State.