The much admired poem entitled “Resurgam,” printed on page 16, has been copied and quoted from by many journals and newspapers. The Daily News speaks of the author as the “poet of the Gaelic Union.”
Rev. John E. Nolan, O.D.C., Hon. Sec. to the Gaelic Union, purposes in an early number to recount the history of the movement set on foot by him for the preservation of our native language, over which he has watched so sedulously, and for which he has worked so zealously.
We are obliged to hold over for next number the first of a series of articles in Irish, by Mr. Thomas Flannery, on the use of “the word Cú in Irish names,” and which is in type. We shall also shortly print from the pen of this practical Irish scholar a careful and learned review of the Gaelic Prayer Book—“An Casán go Flaitheamhnas,”—recently published by Rev. John E. Nolan.
There are few, indeed, who have laboured for the cause of the Irish language so earnestly, unselfishly and ably as has Thomas O’Neill Russell, for the past twenty years. We are glad to see that he has not yet wearied of well-doing, and it is a source of great gratification to us that his name appears among the contributors to our first number. He has also promised to continue in behalf of our present venture that whole-hearted support he has always given to our efforts.
Among the contributors to our next number will be P. W. Joyce, LL.D., author of the “Irish Names of Places” (two series), an Irish Grammar and other works.
An apology is due to our Subscribers for the great delay in the publication of this number, which we fully expected ourselves would have seen the light at farthest before the middle of the month which is now drawing to a close. Our arrangements, however, being now completed, we expect that the December part will not be far behind its nominal date, and the January part we shall endeavour to have ready before the close of the present year, so that at least in 1883 we may start fairly with a clear conscience. We were loth to alter the date of this number, as we are hopeful that the unforeseen delays which attended its production can scarcely occur again.
Mr. John Sullivan, of St. Helier’s, Jersey, has favoured us with a French version of “The Exile of Erin,” which we print this month. We also give, among the “Opinions of the Press,” Mr. Sullivan’s remarks on our provisional circular in his paper, the Jersey Observer. We shall shortly print Collins’ Irish translation of “The Exile of Erin,” which is certainly not second even to the original. Our present number, by the way, bears something of a polyglot character. It is pleasant to find Irishmen and friends of the Irish cause noticing our effort in unexpected quarters.
Owing to the great variety of matters demanding our attention for this first number, we have to defer the publication of the List of Subscribers, which will commence in the second, and be continued in succeeding numbers. As all subscriptions are payable in advance, only the names of those who have paid up will be given. Intending Subscribers are earnestly requested to forward their proposed subscriptions or donations before the issue of the second number. The Council of the Gaelic Union has recently decided that all Members of their Society subscribing at least ten shillings per annum, not in arrear, will receive a copy free of the Journal each month. All moneys are to be made payable to the Hon. Treasurer, Michael Cusack, Esq., 4 Gardiner’s-place, Dublin.
A large number of circulars and forms for enrolling Subscribers are still on hands, and may be had, post free, for distribution, on application by letter to the Hon. Secretary. The Report issued for 1880, and the Pamphlet of Rules, &c., issued in the present year, may also be had.
Rev. Patrick O’Keeffe, C.C, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, a member of the Council, has produced a book, now well known, entitled “Moral Discourses.” As Mr. John Fleming, another member of the Council, and a well-known Irish scholar, is engaged in translating this work into Irish, we hope to be able to publish in future numbers his Irish version of some of these discourses. His classic style may be judged by the first
