The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-16
'tEDenir,g h Ireland"
Special Article in Current Issue of La Salette Mis- sionary Publication Describes Visit to Ireland.

Evening in Ireland" @ special article written by Thomas P. Cas- sidy of Waterbury makes an appro- priate St. Pattick's day contribution to the La Salette Missionary, the official monthly publication of the LaSalette Fathers. The article re- wolves about the memories of a re- cent visit to Irelnd.
 MT. Cassidy, the author, is sup- erintendent of the Waterbury dis trict office of the Prudential Life Insurance Go. Since his return from a visit to Ireland he has exhibited motion pictures of the scenes he visited and has lectured to several societies on his experiences. His article in the LaSalette magazine reads as follows:
 It is an August afternoon, the Eve of the Assumption, I feel far, far away from the modernistic tempo of an American City where a short eight days ago my wife and three children turned off the electric lights, disconnected the gas meter, severed the telephone connection, and in other words, left the world behind. Here peace seems to reign completely. It is like what we call in the States, an Indian Summer afternoon; fleecy clouds, tinged here and there with bright red or rouge of tired set- ting sun, float and drift lazily on towards the West.
 I am at my Mothers grave. I am keeping a rendezvous with sentiment; memories rush over me and encompass me. The sacredness of the very earth I tread on sobers me. Here on this hill perhaps on this very spot, the Hill of Slane, County Meath, St. | Patrick inaugurated his mission
 command. It was here, over fifteen hundred years ago, accom- panied by two or three followers, he lit a bonfire on the evening, when King Laghaire, High King of Ireland, prescribed under punishment of death, that no fire should be lit until the flames from his great royal bonfire would be seen on the Hill of Tara. an- nouncing the opening of the Gael ic or Tailteen games. Here on the Hill of Slane where I now stand, Patrick lit his bonfire and, as I think of it, I wonder if Patrick knew of the edict of King Lag haire. have feeling that if he did know, he cared less because he was ready to light the fire of Christianity whatever the odds that would follow from King Lag haire's Court on Tara Hills.
 As I look westward, in the dis tance not over six miles, can see Con this August afternoon) dis tinctly, the ruins of the feudal Court and can almost hear the commands of the Kings body guards as they point ahead to Slane and with wrath unforeseen say "bring the one who dared Haunt and disobey the Kings command" In vision I can see the stalwart bodyguard of that King march with steady tread along
 Nldt o6blI1C OlO xOuu WALNlA OOllA stands today. They mount the hill, Patrick waits, crucifix in hand, no sword has he nor arrnor-plate. He holds His Jesus on high. This is his armor, greater, more lasting than the Knights of Old. The soldiers came to take a serf-they find a King. Patrick goes to Tara to meet an Idol King; and nov my mind endeavors to portray that meeting where swords and soldiers once prevailed. Patrick, with his faith, is teaching. His overcoming zeal brings that court of kings to listen to a story of the King of Kings. They learn of Bethlehem's sweet Babe; the Shepherds, the Angels. of Joseph, and Mary, of Herod's Court, of