SNIPPET: Fr. Francis Patrick DUFFY (1871-1932) was born to parents who fled the Great Famine in Ireland. The third of eleven children, he studied for the priesthood at St. Joseph's Provincial Seminary at Troy, NY, and was ordained in 1896. During World War I, DUFFY served as a military chaplain to the "Fighting Sixty-Ninth" Regiment of the New York National Guard. He was decorated in France and America, and became a national hero. After his death in 1932, DUFFY was honored by a statue in New York's Times Square. The 69th New York National Guard Regiment, made famous as part of the Irish Brigade during the Civil War, once again emerged as a showcase unit of the U. S. Army. One of its members, the poet Joyce KILMER, who was later killed in action, wrote of the inspiration behind the regiment's recruiting strategy: "It was desired to enlist strong, intelligent, decent living men, men whose sturdy Americanism was strengthened and vivified by their Celtic blood, men who would be worthy successors to show forgotten patriots who at Bloody Lane and Marye's Heights earned the title "The Fighting Irish." Despite KILMER's reference to Celtic blood, the Brigade this time around was merely heavily Irish in composition, as soldiers of many ethnic backgrounds joined its ranks. Still, its two key leaders - Col. William J. "Wild Bill" DONOVAN and Chaplain Fr. Francis Patrick DUFFY, kept alive the association with the Irish. The 69th saw action early in France, playing an important role in battles at Lorraine, Champagne, Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, and St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne. No regiment saw more action than the 69th and as a result, it suffered high casualty rates - 644 killed and the majority of the men wounded. The men of the 69th earned numerous honors and awards, including DONOVAN's Medal of Honor. -- Excerpts, "1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History," Edward T. O'Donnell (2002)

>From the Bunbury Papers, interesting case , other accounts tell us that Patrick McDarby was Blooded by the neighbours many times during the night and Leeches were also applied ( he would have been cut to draw blood, it was believed that if a person was unconscious they should cause blood to spill and then apply leeches to stopped the bleeding ). Subsequently Michael Brennan was arrested and charged with murder. I do not , as yet, know what happened to him . The Examination of Thomas Deegan of Carlow. Swears that on the evening of Saturday 26th November 1785. he went to see a Hurling match near Graigue in Queen's County and there saw a number of men Hurling and in a short time saw Patrick McDarby Stoop Down and take up the Ball they were Hurling with as McDarby was appointed Judge of the field before they began said Hurling match he thereby had a right to do so. Upon which Michael Brennan of Monure in Queen's County, Farmer , without any Other Offence or Provocation came upon said McDarby and with his hands turned said McDarby about and then behind his back said Michael Brennan gave said McDarby a most Desperate stroak of the Flat of a Hurl which said Brennan had in his hands Just over the Right Temple upon which said McDarby fell upon his face on the Ground Seeming Streched out for Death and remained there about five Minutes Senseless and Speechless then he was turned by Some persons upon his Back and Blooded and to the appearance of every person present he was dead and Dying from the violence of Said Stroke upon which Captain John Waters of Carlow Seized said Michael Brennan and Kept him in Custody Sometime and told said Brennan he had Murdered the said Michael McDarby by the Stroke of his Hurl upon which said Waters then Commanded this Examinant, Thomas Deegan, to Assist him in the Kings name to keep said Brennan for said Murder upon which Examinant Complyed with and took said Brennan by the left Arm and there kept said Brennan for near Ten Minutes when Patrick Brennan, Dennis Brennan and James Brennan , Brothers of said Michael Brennan came up in a most violent manner and by force took and Rescued said Michael Brennan and thereby set him at Liberty then some Friends of said Mr. Waters and Examinant came up and advised Examinant and said Waters to Immediately Quit the Field and go home or further Murder would Ensue upon which Examinant and Waters Quited the field and came home and about the hour of Six O'Clock on said night he heard said McDarby was Conveyed in a Car from said Field to Bridewell Lane in Carlow near to where Examinant Lives then he went to the house where said McDarby was Brought into and Saw a number of the Neighbours Putting said McDarby into bed and there he remained Languishing Speechless until Sometime on said Night when said Captain Waters came to said house and Desired the woman of the house to send to him for any thing that might be wanting for the dying man and he would send it upon which Examinant then went home and about the hour of Eight or nine O'Clock on the morning of Sunday following he came to see said McDarby and then and there saw him Patrick McDarby Dead and Layed out as a Corpse and Examinant Believes it was by the means of said Stroke of the Hurl McDarby came by his Death. (signed) Thomas his X mark Deegan.

Dirge without Music I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground. So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind: Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned. Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you. Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust. A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew, A formula, a phrase remains, --- but the best is lost. The answers quick & keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love, They are gone. They have gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve. More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world. Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind; Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave. I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned. -- Edna St. Vincent Millay, American poet and playwright, first woman to receive a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. Her mother, Cora, would read to her children in her Irish brogue. Father was a schoolteacher. Edna's middle name derives from St. Vincent Hospital in NY, where her uncle's life had been saved.

RÉ: Tá AN GAEL-BREISE! Mhí Shamhna ar fáil anois - féach ar an nasc thíos RE: The November issue of AN GAEL-EXTRA! is now available - see the link below A chairde, Tá an-áthas ar Chumann Carad na Gaeilge fógraí a scaipeadh faoi ranganna agus imeachtaí na Gaeilge. An bhfuil scéala na Gaeilge agat? Cuir isteach é le do thoil! Tá an teachtaireacht seo á seoladh chuig breis agus 280 eagraíocht cultúrtha Éireannacha agus múinteoir na Gaeilge timpeall an domhain. Gheobhaidh tú nasc díreach thíos chuig eagrán na míosa seo. Bain sult as! NASC: <http://angaelmagazine.com/archives/breise-november2008.htm> AN GAEL-BREISE! SAMHAIN 2008 The Philo-Celtic Society is extremely pleased to spread the word about Irish language classes and events. Do you have Irish Language news? Please send it in! This announcement is going out to over 280 Irish cultural organizations and Irish language teachers around the world. You'll find a link directly below to this month's issue. Enjoy! LINK: <http://angaelmagazine.com/archives/breise-november2008.htm> AN GAEL-EXTRA! NOVEMBER 2008 Le gach dea-ghuí, Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh / Jerry Kelly Eagarthóir / Editor, An Gael-Breise! - <http://www.angaelmagazine.com> www.angaelmagazine.com Rúnaí Fógraíochta / Publicity Secretary, Cumann Carad na Gaeilge - www.philo-celtic.com CUMANN CARAD NA GAEILGE / THE PHILO-CELTIC SOCIETY Working for the worldwide renaissance of the Irish language!

Am looking for any relatives of above Collins family. All 3 were born in Ireland from about 1845 on. Received death certificate on Michael. According to information provided, at his death, his parents names were Cornelius and Nora Collins. Unfortunately, only Ireland was listed as birth - no county, town or parish. James and John lived in the Elmira, NY area and Michael lived in Ridgebury, Athens, PA area. The above came to the States abt 1867 on. Anyone with information, please let me know. Thank you

Boston Daily Globe Boston, MA 20 Feb. 1881 >From Ireland to Boston There will be a large emigration from the old world the coming season. We would recommend all our Irish friends call on the old veteran, Donahoe, the oldest passenger agent in Boston, to secure tickets from Ireland. He sells tickets from Galway, Queenstown, Londonderry, Dublin, etc., at the very lowest prices. Give him a call at 19 and 21 Boylston street, before going elsewhere.

Boston Daily Globe Boston, MA 6 November 1880 Michael Davitt, the Irish agitator, spoke at Faneuil Hall, last evening, before an audience as large and enthusiastic as ever was gathered within its walls. The meeting was called by the members of the Irish Land League of this city, to whom, on Saturday last, Mr. Davitt signified a desire for an opportunity to again address his countrymen in Boston in behalf of Ireland's cause before taking his departure to join Parnell and take part with him in the approaching struggle. The numbers who assembled to hear Mr. Davitt gave close attention, and the ringing cheers that greeted every word of hope for Irish independence were fair indications of the interest which the Irish citizens of Boston take in the present crisis in the affairs of their country. Faneuil Hall could not contain the great throng that assembled about it. Floor, galleries and entries were filled, and hundreds of Irishmen were forced to turn away, unable to hear the words of the agitator. Mr. Davitt entered the hall soon after 8 o'clock, his appearance being the signal for a prolonged burst of applause, followed by cheers and cries of "Ireland, first, last and forever."

Boston Daily Globe Boston, MA 15 August 1880 WHY HE CAME TO AMERICA A stalwart and manly Irish peasant of neat appearance and sedate bearing was standing near a side door of Castle Garden, says a New York paper. He had come from Galway and the famine. He remarked to a reporter that he had not himself suffered from the severity of the distress, but that the famine had eaten up all his property. Once in circumstances almost comfortable, he had sold his pigs and cows to procure provisions. His cow, his last possession, had been disposed of to purchase a ticket for America. His family behind him were left dependent upon the bounty of the relief committee. The immigrant's little holding of six and a half acres had been in Galway, in the little hamlet of Cloonsheen. One landlord owned all the land the little settlement was built upon, and he had served writs of ejectment upon the whole village. The man's father had lived fifty years in the cottage his son occupied, and had rescued from the bog the land from which his son was evicted.

SNIPPET: The bodhran, pronounced bough-rawn, is a one-sided drum made of goat skin. It is played with a short stick, called a beater or tipper, in one hand, using a deft wrist action, while the other hand presses behind the skin to alter the timbre and pitch. It is thought the bodran was originally a tray made of goat skin used to carry freshly cut turf (peat). FYI -- Per Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, Nov/Dec 2008 - "Malachy KEARNS is known as a world's premier bodran maker, having crafted instruments for The Chieftains, Christy Moore, and the internationally famous Riverdance show. He can be seen making these traditional symbols of Ireland's heart and soul every day at Roundstone Music, Crafts and Fashion in Roundstone, Connemara, (route 59) Co. Galway, Ireland." More on Ireland's Master Bodhran Maker for the last 25 years - www.bodhran.com

The following is abbreviated transcription of 1797 Document. Confessionalist (Informer !), William Kelly makes a Statement in October, 1797, before Robert Cornwall of Myshall, Carlow. The Document is from the Bunbury Papers in the P.P.P. I believe the original is preserved in The National Archives in Dublin. A copy of this Statement was published in 1998 by the "Myshall 1798 Committee" in a booklet commemorating the Rising of 1798. *County of Carlow* *to wit ~~~~~~* *The Voluntary Confession on Oath of William Kelly of Templepeter in said County, Carman, taken before Robert Cornwall Esq. one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace.~~~~~~* *Saith that in the months of June and July last, he was first applied to , to become an United Irishman by Daniel Doyle of Tullow, Jobber.* *Saith he refused to join, but said Doyle thereupon took a solemn Oath that if he did not join he would meet destruction to himself and property, that under such threats the Confessionalist was induced to agree to accept the Oath of Secrecy to the United men, which was thereupon administered to him on the highway at Ballynunnery at about four of the clock in the afternoon by said Daniel Doyle. * *Saith that about the beginning of September last he was ordered to attend a meeting of United Irishmen by Patrick Halligan pursuant to orders from the Committee at the house of said Patrick Halligan on the lands of Kellistown --the he accordingly attended said meeting --* *that there were present several persons as Committee men for Several Districts, amongst which number he recollects that Patrick Fenlon residing near Myshall attended as a Committee man from that neighbourhood --that Darby Reddy also attended --that a person of the name of ---- Nowlan of Connyberry attend as a Committee man from Ballon and Ahade -- that a man of the name of Murphy or Byrne -- a young man about 18 years of age, of a florid complexion, rather fat and a member of the Borris Cavalry attended as a Committee from the district of Borris and acted as secretary to said meeting -- That Owen Cummins of Moanmore and several other persons were present --- that Confessionalist not having taken the United Oath, he was not permitted to act at said meeting, but heard the said person who acted as secretary propose several rules and orders for the regulating of said meeting and the future conduct to be observed by the United Men -- which rules and orders were proposed by the said secretary and a Question put on each and agreed to --- That about the hour of Ten O' Clock at night said meeting adjourned and appointed to meet again at Carlow -- that the reckoning was paid by said Committee.* *That being on his return from Dublin about six weeks ago he was met on the high road near Dumbohall in the County of Wicklow by a person who said his name was Donovan and lived in Dublin at the Coal Quay Bridge, (by trade as he behaves a Carpenter ) who asked the Confessionalist if he was up --- to which he replied he was ---said Donovan then asked how long ---and was answered by Confessionalist ---since morning ---which was the usual ( secret ) answer for distinguishing United men --- that said Donovan then informed Confessionalist that he was an United Man and a delegate from them , employed to distribute papers etc. for them in the Counties of Kildare , Wicklow, Wexford and Carlow, except about Myshall, where he was afraid to appear, being in dread of Cornwall who was so great a hunter of United Men. Further saith that said Donovan and Confessionalist stopped that night at the house of one Doyle, a publican at Dumbohall, where they drank very freely -- that said Donovan mentioned that Cornwall's name was well known through all the Kingdom as a persecutor of the United Men but that he should soon be put out of the way for that a reward of £20 had been offered by the United men, to be paid out of their Treasury in Dublin to any person who should kill Cornwall --that they found it impossible to get at him in the country, but that two men on the Blind Quay, Dublin, had undertaken to do the business in Dublin, with an assassinating tool in the streets, or under the pretence of seeking advice on Law, to get into Cornwall's office in Dublin where they would instantly dispatch him, turn the key in the door and make off --- Donovan then asked the Confessionalist if Cornwall was still at Myshall, and was answered that he was --that Donovan had a large bundle of papers to distribute throughout the Country and was on his way to Kilkenny for that purpose but would not go to Myshall for fear of Cornwall. Donovan then asked Confessionalist if he knew John Feltus of Hollybrook --to which he answered that he did --- That said Donovan read a letter which he said was from Lord Edward Fitzgerald, which mentioned that as soon as the nights grew long and dark the French would be here, and that most of the Army and Militia were already members of the United Men and that Pansai the Coiner was a principal of the party in Dublin and had been at Blare's camp on business. That he had known of several meetings that Peter Ivers, a Rush-Mat maker, from the Quarries in Carlow is one of the leaders and a distributor of papers. and Henry Heydon of Tullow Street is another leader at whose house Confessionalist has heard that several nightly Committees are held of said men --- that --- Wright of Tullow Street acts as Treasurer for the Barony of Carlow, that Dooley, a Blacksmith who lives in Rathoe has been engaged to make pikes and that he is to be furnished with Iron and Steel from Carlow. Donovan got himself much intoxicated and went to bed ---Confessionalist and Donovan slept in the same room together that night -- - Donovan had a large purse filled with gold and silver, which he said he had got from the United Treasury in Dublin. That Confessionalist, before the day got up , took one of the said papers out of the pocket of Donovan, which is now in his possession and then left said house and returned home. That he knows of a number of persons who have taken the Oath to the United Men and among others ; John Eustace of Boherduff, Ciaran Eustace, his son. James Garrett, Esq. Edward Eustace Esq, one of his Majesty's justices of the Peace, Silvester Coghlan and Edward Coghlan both of Rathoe, the Kelly's of Ballymurphy and several others whose names Confessionalist does not now recollect -- Saith the last return of the number of United men in this County made to the General Committee in Dublin amounted to 2,800 --Saith he makes this Confession from a motive of public Justice without any reward or promise of any reward or other gratuity ---Sworn before me this 3rd day of October 1797 . ( signed) William Kelly. (signed) Robert Cornwall*

Addendum: Received the following comment from Cyril, at Lough Garman. Would that be Co. Wexford? Thanks for your note, Cyril. The information I sent to the list was found in the latest issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine. Do you have a favorite album or song the group recorded? Something interesting to share about your part of the country? (Hope so!) Jean Hi Jean, I think you need to amend your posting re: Farewell, Ronnie DREW (73) - Founder,"The Dubliners" ballad group The Dubliners were originally composed of the late Luke Kelly (1940-84) not Clancy! Barney McKenna (1939- ), John Sheehan (1939- ), the late Ciaran Burke (1935-1988) and now the late Ronnie Drew (1934-2008). Other former members include the late Bobby Lynch (replaced Luke Kelly for a year back in the 60's) Jim McCann and Paddy Reilly... slan Cyril Newsome Loch Garman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean R." <jeanrice@cet.com> To: <IRISH-AMERICAN-L@rootsweb.com> Cc: <IRISH-IN-UK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 1:24 PM Subject: [IRISH-AMER] Farewell, Ronnie DREW (73) - Founder,"The Dubliners" ballad group > SNIPPET: One of Ireland's greatest troubadours passed away last August. > Ronnie DREW, who founded 'The Dubliners" ballad group, was known far and > wide for his gravel-voiced renditions of many popular ballads such as > Finnegans Wake and Dicey Riley. <snip>

Ms. Cecil Frances HUMPHREYS was born in Miltown House, Co. Tyrone, and married Right Rev. W. ALEXANDER, Bishop of Derry & Raphoe, 1850. She wrote nearly 400 hymns. MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. Each little flower than opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colours, He made their tiny wings. The rich man in his castle, The poor man at his gate, God made them, high or lowly, And ordered their estate. The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset, and the morning, That brightens up the sky; The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. The tall trees in the greenwood, The meadows where we play, The rushes by the water, We gather every day; He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well. -- Composed 1848

Hi all, I often wonder what the Irish placenames mean. I just found a website which explains their meanings. Maybe some of you know of it already, but if you don/t, the website is great! _http://www.booksulster.com/library/plnm/placenames.php_ (http://www.booksulster.com/library/plnm/placenames.php) Maureen N **************Plan your next getaway with AOL Travel. Check out Today's Hot 5 Travel Deals! (http://travel.aol.com/discount-travel?ncid=emlcntustrav00000001)

SNIPPET: One of Ireland's greatest troubadours passed away last August. Ronnie DREW, who founded 'The Dubliners" ballad group, was known far and wide for his gravel-voiced renditions of many popular ballads such as Finnegans Wake and Dicey Riley. The Dubliners were composed of Luke Clancy, Barney McKenna, John Sheehan, Ciaran Burke and Ronnie, and were described by a leading American music writer as "the spiritual godfathers" of today's Irish music groups. In 1999, Ronnie Drew performed in O'Donoghue's famous ballad pub in Merrion Row, Dublin, for then German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and former Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern. Tributes were paid to Ronnie by many, led by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, and the funeral ceremony was one of the biggest, and most emotional, witnessed in Dublin for some time. "The Dubliners" biggest commercial hit was Seven Drunken Nights, sung by Ronnie, which topped the British charts. For some time, Ronnie had been ill with cancer, and early this year a group of top Irish folk and rock singers - including Christy Moore, Paul Brady, Shane McGowan, Sinead O'Connor, Bono, Glen Hansard and Mary Coughlan - recorded a tribute song for him, The Ballad of Ronnie Drew. The last two lines are: "Here's to the Ronnie, the voice we adore: Like coals from a coal buck scraping the floor." In a statement on U2's web site, Bono said that Ronnie "has left his earthly tour for one of the heavens," adding: "They need him up there. It's a little too quiet and pious." Earlier Bono was quoted as saying: "You can take the hardest rock band on the earth and they sound like a bunch of girls next to the Dubliners." The New York Times said in their obituary notice on Ronnie: "The Dubliners became widely known in Europe, as well as the United States, for bold versions of traditional folk songs." Ronnie Drew was 73. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam - "May his soul be on God's right side."

Hi Maureen - Your new little one will have a exceptionally beautiful name - Ian Patrick Walsh! I believe that WALSH has historical roots to include Wales, Ireland, England, and France. Why not purchase a quality blue baby blanket and/or hooded sweater locally or from Dublin for cold weather (CT?) and have baby's full name embroidered on it? Some have little shamrocks as detailing. You could also consider purchasing a quality "baby's first Christmas" type ornament, if the parents plan to decorate Christmas trees annually, or have a quality Christmas stocking inscribed with the child's name. (I gave one of my granddaughters a Hallmark Christmas ornament of an old-fashioned wicker baby carriage, one year). I also saw some really beautiful photo picture frames on the Internet where the decoration (made to order) is lovely cursive writing of the child's name, blue for a boy. Jean ---- Original Message ----- From: "Maureen Payton" <mrshugs5@comcast.net> To: <Irish-American-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008 1:02 PM Subject: [IRISH-AMER] Looking for WALSH Baby Gift associated with the name > We're finally going to get a male WALSH in December to continue our line > which started in Dublin before 1860. As far back as I have been able to > go was James Walsh who fathered Thomas Walsh in 1860 in Georges Quay, > Dublin IRE ; who had William Patrick Walsh in CT, USA in 1891 ; who had > James Donald Walsh in 1930 in CT ; who had James Donnelly Walsh in 1962 > in CT. > Now after 6 girls in the next generation, there is to be a boy (Ian > Patrick) in December and as the grand aunt I would like to give the baby a > gift which is associated with the name WALSH. Does anyone have any ideas? > Thanks > Maureen

We're finally going to get a male WALSH in December to continue our line which started in Dublin before 1860. As far back as I have been able to go was James Walsh who fathered Thomas Walsh in 1860 in Georges Quay, Dublin IRE ; who had William Patrick Walsh in CT, USA in 1891 ; who had James Donald Walsh in 1930 in CT ; who had James Donnelly Walsh in 1962 in CT. Now after 6 girls in the next generation, there is to be a boy (Ian Patrick) in December and as the grand aunt I would like to give the baby a gift which is associated with the name WALSH. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks Maureen

SNIPPET: Poet and professor Brendan KENNELLY was born in Co. Kerry in 1936 and educated at St. Ita's College and Trinity College, Dublin. "If you asked me to name one factor that makes Ireland the quietly irresistible land it is, I would reply that time has failed to establish its customary tyranny over the lives of many of the people and so they are free to develop their personalities, indulge their natural inclination toward talk and animated story-telling while always giving the impression that you, the second party in the leisurely dialogue, are a much more interesting and articulate person than you ever dreamed yourself to be. This is not flattery, this is acute recognition of your human value. Ireland is a place where character and personality are cherished far ahead of theory and abstraction. This generates a special warmth in the social atmosphere which nurtures the heart and stimulates the mind. It also means that the Irish take time to find the right words, the most apt and evocative images, the most precise phrases in which to state their views on every topic under the sun. Recently an old friend of mine died in Cork. He was one of the most inspiring talkers and story-tellers I've known: and as I travelled over the Kerry and Cork mountains to pay my last respects to him, the people with whom I was traveling spoke nonstop about his stories and wit, his escapades and adventures, his passion for sport and his love of people, his fiery interest in politics, his love of staying up all night and welcoming in the dawn light with stories of old friends and enemies. As I listened, I knew in my heart that one of the greatest Irish qualities is the passionate refusal to commit a dead friend to oblivion; instead, there is this eloquent loving insistence on talking about the strands of his personality, the events of his life, his favorite phrases, the quality of his humor, his outbursts of temper, his loves, prejudices, weaknesses, virtues, vices, stories. Stories, always stories. Far enough, when you take the time to think of it. What's a man or woman in the end, and after the end, but the loving, lively, incisive ways in which we remember and tell our stories about him or her? That's an individual's history. History, his story. It is also the most acute expression of the Irish love of a person's uniqueness. This is a true and reassuring value in a world where individuals are increasingly treated as cogs in a machine. In Ireland you are, on the whole, cherished for your uniqueness.... Everywhere you go in Ireland you meet beautiful children. I fondly cherish the thought that they too will grow to be people-lovers, nature-lovers and story-lovers like so many of those it has been my privilege to meet, traveling in this old land that has preserved a startling youthfulness through all if its trials and tribulations. Ireland, still resisting the dull tyranny of time, the mechanical dominance of clock, watch and calendar, retains this wonderful blend of a child's sparkling enthusiasm with an old survivor's gritty wisdom as it offers, calmly and almost shyly, its many heart-warming charms to a needy world. The more you get to know this little country, the more fascinating it becomes. It is, in the deepest sense, one of the richest corners of the earth."

Boston Daily Globe Boston, MA 15 August 1915 IMMIGRANT RELEASED Once again through the intervention of Mayor Curley with the immigration authorities on Ellis Island, New York, a young Irish emigrant, Coleman Flaherty by name, 23 years old and a native of Galway, Ire. was permitted to join his relatives yesterday in South Boston. Young Flaherty, who is a tin type of the Irish farmer, on reaching New York, was immediately taken over by the immigration authorities and sent to Ellis Island for examination as to his physical and mental condition. After remaining on the island five days without anything being done, he communicated with his relatives in South Boston, who in turn brought it to the attention of Patrick Graham, the superintendent of markets. Supt. Graham put it up to Mayor Curley, who at once caused a telegram to be sent to Dr. John G. Coyle, a surgeon connected with the Irish societies of New York. The telegram was sent Friday with instructions to charter a tug and proceed to the island for the purpose of examining the young man. Dr. Coyle did so, a ccompanied by agent Daly of the United Irish societies. Flaherty was released soon after the doctor's arrival and Friday night was on his way to Boston, where he arrived yesterday morning, much to the delight of his relatives.

SNIPPET: Author Bram STOKER's (1847-1912) mother Charlott/e was the daughter of Thomas THORNLEY, of the 43rd Regiment. The family lived in Sligo and witnessed the Cholera epidemic of 1832. The epidemic was particularly severe in Sligo town and Charlotte's experiences are said to be his inspiration for the Dracula story. The THORNLEY burial plot is in St. John's Cathedral graveyard Sligo. Bram STOKER (1847-1912) wrote the horror story "Dracula" in 1897. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1847. A sickly child, he spent many days at home in bed. "Dracula's Guest," a continuation of "Dracula," was not published until 1937 - after his death. STOKER's other books include "The Mystery of the Sea (1902), "The Jewel of Seven Stars" (1904), and "Famous Imposters" (1910). Bram lived in England and was manager for actor Sir Henry IRVING, and wrote "Personal Reminiscences of Henry Irving" (1906). Charlotte STOKER was the first woman to present a paper to the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland" founded more than 150 years ago; her subject was deafness in children.

FATHER AND SON Only last week, walking the hushed fields Of our most lovely Meath, now thinned by November, I came to where the road from Laracor leads To the Boyne river -- that seemed more lake than river, Stretched in uneasy light and stript of reeds. And walking longside an old weir Of my people's, where nothing stirs -- only the shadowed Leaden flight of a heron up the lean air -- I went unmanly with grief, knowing how my father, Happy though captive in years, walked last with me there. Yes, happy in Meath with me for a day He walked, taking stock of herds hid in their own breathing; And naming colts, gusty as wind, once steered by his hand, Lightnings winked in the eyes that were half shy in greeting Old friends -- the wild blades, when he gallivanted the land. For that proud, wayward man now my heart breaks -- Breaks for that man whose mind was a secret eyrie, Whose kind hand was sole signet of his race, Who curbed me, scorned my green ways, yet increasingly loved me Till Death drew its grey blind down on his face. And yet I am pleased that even my reckless ways Are living shades of his rich calms and passions - Witnesses for him and for those faint namesakes With whom now he is one, under yew branches, Yes, one in a graven silence no bird breaks. -- F. R. Higgins (1896-1941)