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| No. 2.—Vol. V.] | DUBLIN, MAY 1st, 1894. | [Price 6d., post free. |
| [No. 50 of the Old Series.] |
THE GAELIC JOURNAL.
No. 50.
MAY, 1894.
No. 48 of this Journal was issued in the end of February, and No. 40 in the end of March. Instead of publishing the present issue at the end of April, we have thought it better to date it May 1st, and intend to issue the Journal in future on the first of each month. Our readers will notice, therefore, that there is no April number. When writing for any issue of the Journal, the number should be mentioned, and not the month of publication.
Nos. 4 and 48 of the Journal are out of print. All the other numbers can be had, post free, for sixpence each. No. 14 contains the complete text of the “Children of Tuireann.” Nos. 12 and 13 contain three texts (O’Curry’s. Windisch’s and O’Flanagan’s) of the “Children of Usna,” with translation, and also the complete text of the later version of the same tale.
The Congress held in the Mansion House, Dublin, on Tuesday, 27th March, was a great success There was a large and enthusiastic attendance of ladies and gentlemen from Dublin, and from the country. As a speaker remarked, the respect shown to the old language in centres like Dublin will do a great deal to remove from people’s minds the strange old prejudice that the speaking of Irish is a sign of ignorance and vulgarity. On the other hand, the National Teachers and others from the Gaelic-speaking districts, will return with renewed vigour to their work of teaching their friends to love, cherish and cultivate the old tongue. Among those present at the Congress were manv well-known workers in the Gaelic cause, and old friends of this Journal. The questions brought before the Congress are familiar to all our readers, so we need not speak of them at present.
At the Congress of the National Teachers of Ireland, held on the day after the Mansion House meeting, the usual resolution advocating the teaching of Irish was received with more than wonted warmth. “it was supported by several teachers, who were themselves quite at home in the study and teaching of Gaelic. The Congress extended a warm welcome to Mr. MacNeill and the others who attended on behalf of the Gaelic League.
The Gaelic Leagues of Dublin and Derry continue their splendid work with unabating zeal. Irish classes have been established, with much success, in connection with the Belfast Field Club. Mr. P. J. O’Shea conducts the classes, which include some of the chief people in Belfast. On 17th April, an “Irish Night” was held; the programme was printed in Irish, and the majority of the items were in the vernacular. In Cork, on 22nd April, the Mayor presided at a meeting called for the purpose of establishing a branch of the Gaelic League. Dean MacSwiney, Mr. Denny Lane, Mr. Maurice Healy, Father O’Leary, and other representative Cork men spoke, and classes will he established forthwith.
The language is being studied privately by very many in Galway, Tuam, Ballina, various parts of Donegal, Longford, and many places in Cork and Kerry. There is hardly any newspaper of importance in Ireland which does not, in some way or other, advocate Irish studies.
The chief Gaelic news from America is the establishment of a Gaelic Society, on a very large scale. in Providence, R.I. Classes have been set on foot and numbers of enthusiastic students enrolled. As usual, the credit of this is due to one or two enthusiastic Irishmen, the chief being Father T. E. Ryan and Mr. Henehan. The most influential papers of that part of the States have taken up the question warmly, and the smallest State of the Union is now likely to do most for the old Gaelic tongue.
The existing Societies in New York, Philadelphia, &c., continue their work, and many students of Irish are found in Brooklyn, Boston, San Francisco, and other centres. All the Irish-American papers are unceasing in their efforts to encourage Irishmen abroad to learn something of their mother-tongue.
The Gaoḋal, Irish Echo and Mac Talla are, as usual, full of interesting matter. We thank them for their flattering notices of this Journal. The Irish-American still gives two columns of Gaelic every week. At home, the
