CHIROPODIST: in the Marian Hall on Friday 22nd March at 10am. To book contact Noreen on 49238.
ICA sell daffodils after Mass on Sat 16th and Sun 17th March (Moyvane/Knockanure) in support of the Cancer Society. We will also sell teas/treats at the Bingo on Thursday night 21st March.
ST PIO Devotions in St. Michael’s Church Lixnaw on Tues March 19th at 7.30pm.
The witness by the Tyrone Manager Mickey Harte.
LENTEN TALK: Fr. Donal O’Connor and Olive Foley explore Finding God in Times of Trouble in St. John’s Listowel, Monday 25th March at 8p.m.
CLOUNMACON COMMUNITY CENTRE Social Dancing classes with Josephine O Connor. Begins on Thursday 21st March at 8.30pm. Dances old time, waltz, quick step, jive and lots more.
LISTOWEL ACTIVE RETIREMENT TEA DANCE Sunday 24th March in Listowel Arms Hotel 3-6pm. Music & dancing, refreshments served.
GAA Knockanure Lotto Results; There was no winner of the €3500 jackpot on Friday 15th March. Numbers drawn were 15, 16, 22,and 31.Lucky dip winners of €25 each were; 1. Eilish Kearney, Moyvane South; 2. Michael Lynch, Taxi; 3. Kathleen O’Connor, Knocknasna; 4. Mgt White, c/o John Barry Athea, and 5. Tom Mulvihill, 1, Grove Cresent Abbey. Next draw on Friday 22nd March with jackpot up to €3600.
SYMPATHY: The Club at this time would like to offer its deepest sympathies to the families and wide circle of friends to the late Mary Mai Riordan, Moyvane South, Michael Mickey Meehan, Moyvane South and Bill Walsh, Tarmons West. May They Rest In Peace.
DEATH has occurred of Michael (Mickey) Meehan of Moyvane South, Moyvane, on the 11/3/2019. Predeceased by his wife Betty, survived by his family, Betty, Garry, Denis & Helen, grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, and brothers. Requiem Mass for Mickey Meehan was celebrated in Moyvane Church on 14th of March. Burial afterwards at Ahavoher Cemetery.
DEATH has taken place of Mary Mai Riordan (née Grogan), Moyvane South, and late of Charles Street, Listowel on 10/03/2019. Survived by her husband Dan-Joe, brother-in-law Brendan, sister-in-law Helen, nephew, relatives, neighbours and many friends. Requiem Mass on Thursday was celebrated for Mary Mai Riordan in Moyvane Church, burial afterwards in Ahavoher Cemetery.
DEATH has occurred of Bill Walsh of Tarmons West, Tarbert on March 10th 2019. Survived by his wife Josephine, sons Maurice, Liam, Eamon, Kieran and daughters Breda, Noreen and Sheila, brother Tom, sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. Requiem Mass for Bill Walsh was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Tarbert on Wednesday, March 13th, followed by interment at the adjoining cemetery.
SYMPATHY to Tom Fitzgerald and Lillian O’Carroll and family on the death of their brother Sean Fitzgerald in Wolverhampton, England and also to Noel Roche, Eileen Naughton and Nora Cunningham on the death of their sister Kitty in Chicago.
ANNIVERSARIES: Br. Canice Collins, Margaret Mulvihill, Dan Liston, Tom Moore, Anna Flaherty, Jo Timoney, Michael Holly, Peg O’Mahony, Michael O’Connor, Hannah Moloney, Mairead O’Connor, Ellen O’Keeffe, Mass Moyvane; Mon 18th at 11.00am, for all our Emigrants; Tues 19th at 7.30pm for Deceased Clergy who served in the Parish; Fri 22nd at 7.00pm, Stations of the Cross followed by Mass at 7.30pm for Michael, Anne & Denis Hanrahan, The Hill; Sat 23rd at 7.30pm for Patrick Hughes, Lower Aughrim, John & Kitty Scanlon & their son Tom & Jim Fitzgerald, and Mass on Sun 24th at 11.00am for Aggie, Seán, Nell & Anthony Aherne, Moher Cross.
Knockanure Mass; Thurs 21st 7.00pm Stations of the Cross followed by Mass at 7.30pm for Michael Foley, Templeglantine (Rec Dec) (brother of Anne O’Keeffe, Kilmorna) and Mass on Sun 24th at 10.00am for Tim & Hannah Leahy, Trien, Kilmorna.
EARLY MASS: Wed 20th at 7.30am an early morning Lenten Mass.
CRAFTS: Feale Crafters based in Abbeyfeale are holding a Craft Emporium in Saint Ita’s Hall Abbeyfeale on Saturday March 23 from 11am to 3pm.
DAFFODIL DAY LISTOWEL takes place on March 22nd. Here in Listowel our local Branch of The Irish Cancer society will be out in force as usual looking for public support. We would be most grateful if any of you would have surplus Daffodils in your garden to donate them to us. We would also welcome Volunteers for a 1-2 hour stint Many Thanks Noreen 087/1946936.
ST JOHN’S: Thurs 28th March – Tues 2nd April- ANYONE COULD ROB A BANK-A comic drama by Tom Coffey presented by the Lartigue Theatre Co. and directed by Denis O’ Mahony. The cast features Darren McDonnell, Robert Bunyan, Mike Moriarty, Laura Shine, John Looney, Sharon Chute, Simon O‘Flynn and Lucille O’Sullivan. More from 068 22566.
WHO WANT S TO BE A THOUSANDAIRE? The Listowel Arms Hotel Saturday 30th March at 8pm. Tickets €20 each or group ticket for €50. Ticket hotline:068-21994 Hosted by Scoil Réalta Na Maidine.
FUNDRAISING VARIETY CONCERT: to raise money towards getting a Bus for St. John of God Kerry Services. Friday 26th April at the Tinteán Theatre, Ballybunion at 7.30pm. Special prize of €100 on the door ticket. Tickets can be purchased in Listowel Parish Office.
ST. JOHN OF GODS SHOW: SISTER taking place at 8 p.m. in Siamsa Tire Tralee on Tuesday and Wednesday 26th/27th March. Tickets 066 7123055.
CHURCH CONCERT MOYVANE – 21ST MAY
An Evening With Aonghus McAnally & Guests. We are delighted to welcome Aonghus McAnally and guests to Moyvane. Aonghus will share the songs and stories that have been important in his life and career in entertainment. From his teenage years as lead guitarist in Celtic rock group Mushroom, to his television, radio and live performances as a singer, comedian, musician and broadcaster, we are in for an entertaining evening of favourites old and new which includes a nice tribute to the late Christy Hennessy. All the songs in the show have personal stories attached to them from humorous to poignant
CEILI: The West Limerick Set Dancing Club are holding a set Céilí in the Devon Inn Hotel on Sunday, March 24th at 4pm. Music by the Kingdom Céilí Band and all are welcome.
The annual Céilí in aid of Down Syndrome Limerick will be held at the Longcourt Hotel Newcastle West on Friday March 29 at 9.30pm. Con Herbert and Mountain Road will supply the music with the usual refreshments and raffle.
TALK: Fr. Peter McVerry’s talk in Abbeydorney Parish Church on Tuesday March 26th at 8pm. The evening is hosted by Naomh Bhréanainn Pastoral Area. Admission is free and all are welcome.
The Knockdown Vintage Club are holding their Vintage Day in Knockdown on Sunday, March 31
CONCERT in aid of Athea Lourdes Invalid Fund In St. Bartholomew’s Church, Athea on Sunday, March 31st at 7pm. Tickets are available locally. The Concert will feature Emily Clarke (Limerick Mid-West Radio 102) plus Niamh Mulqueen & Friends, Donie & Maura, Mike Guinane, Margaret Carroll & group, Brid Stackpoole, Athea Church Choir, Domhnall de Barra & Friends, Fr. Tony Mullins, Dancers, Ciara Hunt, Eoin Sheehan & Maeve Donovan.
DUAGH SPORTS & LEISURE COMPLEX on Thursday 4th April 2019 for The Irish Country Music concert. Doors open 7.30pm and concert starts at 8.30pm. Tickets from 087-2684540 or any committee member.
BINGO: Fundraising Bingo in the Parish Hall, Ballylongford on Sat. 23rd March after 7pm mass. All welcome.
GARDENING COURSE Names are currently being taken for a gardening course to commence at Listowel Family Resource Centre in April. where participants will learn how to grow their own vegetables and receive Fetac iLevel 3 certification in the process. Places limited, contact Bridie on 068 23584
TOASTMASTERS West Limerick meet at the Desmond Complex NCW on 20th March at 8pm. Details from 087 797 2855.
HOST: Student Hosts Needed: Have you ever thought about hosting an international student for a short or long period of time? I can give you all the information and support you need to help you decide. Contact Denise on 0877431373
HELPING TO HEAL THE WOUNDED HEART: A talk on Grief and Loss, hosted by Claire Forde, Bereavement Counsellor, will take place at The Rose Hotel, Tralee on Friday 29th March. This is an opportunity to get to understand Grief and the Grief journey. What is it about? And why it is so important to process our Grief. The talk will focus on areas of Grief including the 5 Stages, different types (including Pet Grief), coping mechanisms and it will also provide details of varioius support organisations that are available to us. You are also invited to bring a photo of your deceased loved one/s (including pets) as the evening will conclude with a short memorial ceremony followed by a cuppa before going home. TIME: 07.30PM – 10.00PM. ADMISSION: €20.00 – €10.00 OAPs (payable at door on the night).
LENTEN TRÓCAIRE BOXES: are available at the back of every church.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: KNOCKANURE: Tuesday 10am – 5pm; MOYVANE: Wednesday 10am – 7pm.
MARCONI: On Tuesday the 19th of March Princess Elettra Giovanelli, daughter of Marconi and her son Prince Gugielmo Marconi will visit the former site of the Marconi Radio Station on the 100 year anniversary of the first spoken word from East to West from the Radio Station to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Canada. In the afternoon they will unveil a commemorative plaque to this historic occasion in Ballybunion.
On March 19, 1919 Guglielmo Marconi made the first radio wireless voice transmission across the Atlantic. And he did it from Ballybunion. 100 years later, there is a commemoration of this historic event in the Irish College, Ballybunion. If you have ever used a radio, then you are enjoying the work of this man. Mark the date: March 19, time 9.30 – 1500
Events include presentations, demonstrations exhibitions , as well as the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the event, by Prince Marconi (Guglielmo’s grandson). The presence of the Marconi family is a great boon.
VIEW: Fáilte Ireland has unveiled 11 new viewing points along the Shannon Estuary Way – the first of a series of Wild Atlantic Way looped drives created to encourage visitors to explore other parts of the region and stay longer. Developed with an investment of €225,000.
The Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter is expected to drop in for photos too!
LEXIO DIVINA: It is hoped to have Lexio Divina after Friday’s 10am Mass Abbeyfeale. Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four separate steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate. First a passage of scripture is read, and then its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God. Everyone welcome.
ARDFERT RETREAT CENTRE (066 7134276)Christian Spiritual Development Course -The Beatitudes: Fr. Sean Sheehy -Wednesdays -7.00pm to 8.30pm. Life in the Spirit: Moss & Janice Carrig -Tuesdays, 7.30pm to 9.00pm.
MEMORY DIFFICULTIES? Have you or someone you know been experiencing memory difficulties? The HSE Memory Technology Resource Room (MTRR) in Baile Mhuire consists of various aids that may be able to help you with your memory problems. For further information, please telephone Ciara Breen (Occupational Therapist) on (086) 780 9989 for further information.
RATHKEALE & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY will hold its final meeting of this season on Friday, March 22 at 8.30 pm. in the Community Arts Centre, New Line, Rathkeale. Topic: “REVISITING THE LORE OF WEST LIMERICK”. Speaker: Maurice O’Keeffe, who travelled the highways and byways of West Limerick and other regions twenty years ago, meeting and talking to people on the way, which has resulted in thousands of hours of audio material being compiled into oral history collections. All are welcome. Admission Free.
PIONEER BALL. Saturday 6th April in the Anner Hotel , Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Commences with the Celebration of Mass in The Pallotine Retreat Centre at 6.30pm. Dinner served at 8pm. Tickets €30. Enquiries to Willie Shanahan 086 066 9391 or siobhanenglishbarna, 087 285 2155 or sorchaol 086 364 2619.
HARNETT REUNION: Preparations are now in full swing for the reunion in July. Many Harnetts are travelling from overseas, with bookings already secured from New Zealand, the U.S.A., Italy and the U.K. We would love to include all Harnett families in West Limerick/North Kerry in this event. Please contact us on Facebook of by email :harnettreunion2019 for information. All welcome. Abbeyfeale will be decked out in the blue and gold Harnett colours for the festival. There will be genealogy, bus tours, a concert, a gala banquet and a memorial Mass, all at different venues around West Limerick/North Kerry. Please spread the word far and wide. The event is open to everybody, whether Harnett, Hartnett or other. For our previous reunion in 2012 we published a magazine with the family stories and histories, along with photographs and articles of local interest. We would now like items for this year’s magazine. Do you have any photographs or stories that you would like included? It is important that all families are represented. So please, take a look in your attic or the chest under the bed and see if you have an item for publication and use the email address or Facebook to contact the committee. We will need the items in good time for publication and we are willing to photocopy documents and return the originals immediately.
CONRADH NA GAEILGE/GAELIC LEAGUE; a branch has been re-established in Abbeyfeale. Members welcome. Further information Éamonn 086 3903244.
GLORÁCH NEWS: Bingo every Monday night at 8.30pm
HAPPENING, HOPING: Lectio Divina at Our Lady and St. Brendan’s Pastoral Centre each Tuesday during Lent at 7.30pm, starting March 19th. This is an opportunity to spend some time with God in his Word during this Season of Lent. It will be guided by Kerry Seminarian, Mark Moriarty. All are welcome.
FLEADH BY THE FEALE: Celebrity concert this year by The Kilfenora Ceili Band. Takes place May 2-6, concert Sunday, May 5. Great interest this year in the Bones playing competition so all you aspiring world champions out there – get practicing.
FULL MOON on 21st March. Recent heavy rain has the ground saturated, and fine fields of grass are melting away.
MASS IN MALAYALAM (Syro-Malabar Rite): will be celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rathass, on Sunday, April 14th at 2 pm.
MASS IN POLISH followed by Benediction every Friday during Lent at 7.00pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rathass.
RADIO MARIA: Radio Maria Ireland is a Catholic Radio station broadcasting 24/7. Various programmes suited to youth and not so young listeners include daily Mass at 10am, daily Rosary prayed at 12.30pm and 5.30pm, Chat shows, Vocation stories, Catechesis and loads of Music. Tune in on your TV set at Saorview 210 (Just back from RTE1) or online at www.radiomaria.ie. or by phone on 01 4373277. Listeners can text a comment or request to 089 4672000.
KERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: will take place 29th August to 3rd September. Total cost €785 for five nights. Details from 064/7758219 or joskdp.
LOURDES: Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place this year from June 20 -25. All Assisted (Invalid) Pilgrims applications to be submitted to Lourdes Office before the end of April. Details and cost will be on the notice board at the entrance of the Church Abbeyfeale.
TAIZE: Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to Taizé 2019 Following the success of last year’s pilgrimage, the diocese will once again travel with a group of young pilgrims to Taizé in France. We travel on Sun. June 23rd and return on Sun. June 30th. Departure is from Dublin airport. The cost for the pilgrimage is €500. Please contact Tomás Kenny on 086 3683778 or tomaskenny for more information. For a you-tube clip about Taizé.check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngA8BFbjrE0.
DAY in CORK: St. Benedict’s Priory, Cobh, Co. Cork. Day of Recollection guided by the spirituality of the Servant of God, Mother Marie Adele Garnier. Sat 23rd Mar., 9am Mass and Adoration, 11am first talk, ends with tea at 3.30pm. Lunch provided. Contact Mother Prioress 0124811354.
MARRIAGE Enrichment Weekend from 12th – 14th April in Cork. Refresh, Renew, Rekindle your marriage relationship. See www.marriageencounter.ie or contact 086-8334382 or 087-2162436 for further details.
AWARENESS – A Path with a Heart…a workshop with Dr. Francis Valloor – Sat 23rd Mar. (Registration from 9.30am, starting at 10am) Venue: KDYS, Fairhill, Killarney. Cost €25 or €20 for concession (OAP or unwaged). Bring own lunch or eat locally, tea/coffee supplied. Prior Booking Essential c/o Ann Fagan 064 6632381(Killarney) or Sylvia Thompson 085 863 2623 (Tralee) or sylviajms11 Organised by the Kerry Christian Meditation Groups (John Main Tradition).
ST ITA’S FAITH CAMP: This year our camp takes place in St Mary’s Boys school from Monday, July 29 –Thursday, August 1. We will need volunteers -adults 18yrs +and also youths aged 14 –17 yrs. Info: -087-2788834.
TRIP TO CONNEMARA: On Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, a coach will depart from the Market Yard, Newcastle West at 7a.m. to visit the Connemara Greenway. Our first stop will be for breakfast in the Forge, Moycullen. The Connemara Greenway is planned to run all the way from Galway to Clifden but our visit is to a 6km section which was only opened in 2018 (http://connemaragreenway.ie/about-2/). It is very scenic and includes wonderful lakeside stretches. Our walk/cycle ends near Ballynahinch Castle which also has its own parkland and walks. In the afternoon we will continue deeper into Connemara to the Lough Inagh Lodge Hotel for tea and scones with time to relax. A full four course dinner at the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis will be provided en route home. The cost for coach travel and the three food stops is €60 which is payable to Pat Condon, Upper Maiden Street, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick. (Tel: 06962344 from 5-6pm). As our previous excursion was oversubscribed we recommend early payment to guarantee your reservation. Beidh fáilte romhat!
IRISH LANGUAGE CLASSES: Abbeyfeale branch of Conradh na Gaeilge kick started Adult Irish Speaking classes, last Wednesday, March 6. As a result of the large numbers signed up for the classes, the venue for the classes have moved to St Itas Hall, Convent St, tosnú 7:30pm to 8:30pm. There will be 2 classes, a Bun rang (beginners) & an Ard rang (more advanced). The main aim of these classes are to promote and encourage Irish Speaking in the locality. Some places are still available, we encourage anyone with an interest on brushing up on “na cúpla focal” to attend. The classes will continue for 6 more weeks cost €30. Mar a deireann an sean fhocal “Is fearr Gaeilge briste ná Béarla cliste”. For more information or to book your place contact Dónal on 068 31661 or email donalbox
ST Patrick http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11554a.htm
Kerryman 1904-current, Saturday, December 12, 1942; Page: 2
LATE FATHER ML. O’FLANAGAN
” Sceilg’s” Reply to Brian O’Higgins.
To the Editor. A Chara,
I should have left entirely to the judgment of your readers the letter you have just published from Brian O hUiginn only that my oration at the graveside of Fr. Michael O’Flanagan four months ago is made the basis of strangely belated strictures on the memory of the patriot to whom Cathal Brugha referred from the chair at the Inauguration of Dail Eireann as the most loyal and the most earnest priest that ever lived in Ireland,—the suspended priest, he might have added as was indeed implied, who won the General Election of 1918 and so made possible the constitutional ratification of the Proclamation of Easter Week. My graveside oration, delivered at twenty-four hours’ notice, was in your office next morning, published by you that week, and reprinted by you without alteration except the admitted addition of a necessary footnote, Brian thinks it appropriate to refer to It as “the pamphlet on the late Fr. O’Flanagan written by my friend Sceilg, and reviewed in your issue of November 28″—although the review, if such there were, has escaped my notice. Were Sceilg to write a “pamphlet” on Fr. O’Flanagan it would be a pamphlet showing at some thing like his full stature the gifted priest to whom the Pope presented a special gold medal in recognition of his brilliant Lenten and Advent sermons in Rome in 1912 and 1914; to Whom, while he and I were England’s prisoners in Melbourne, the venerable Archbishop there sent vestments and a chalice to enable him to say Mass even in his captivity; to whose death-bedside the Papal Nuncio and other dignitaries of the Church paid daily visits, at whose obsequies we had such striking evidence of the place he had won in the people’s hearts. In seeking out the passage which Jed Brian O hUiginn to state that I said “objections to Fr. O’Flanagan’s anti-papal outbursts were made only by the ‘envious’ or by persons of ‘defective understanding,’ ” I find I said, not that he indulged In anti-papal outbursts, which I neither believe nor admit, but that his eloquence on his second visit to the United States a whole generation ago aroused envy in high places, which I personally knew to be true. Later, the envy manifested itself nearer home, and was aggravated by the malice of a whispering gallery, as I and hundreds of others knew also to be only too true. Of course, it never entered my mind that Brian O hUiginn could regard the cap as fitting himself. How could I or anybody else even dream that Brian na Banban envied Fr. Michael O’Flanagan, I happened to have been a patient at St. Ann’s Hydro, Blarney, when Brian O hUiginn and Fr. O’Flanagan came into conflict at the Sinn Fein Ard-Fheis a decade ago, and have no wish to contest Brian’s claim to the distinction of being “the first to challenge openly in a Republican assembly Fr. O’Flanagan’s harmful attacks”: he is assured of the entire credit for his simultaneous protection of the Papacy and the Public Mind. That, I think, was about the time of Father O’Flanagan’s first occupancy of the Presidency of Sinn Fein, of which he had been responsible and efficient Vice-President for many years. And he was re-elected twelve months later in spite of certain elements of opposition on the veiled plea that he had taken an official appointment. Subsequently, he and I were invited to participate in a Radio production of the inauguration of Dail Eireann. He Consented, and rendered himself liable to expulsion from the organisation, somewhat as has happened to notable personalities in kindred bodies. I declined. Had I agreed, and been expelled in consequence, I should not regard myself as the less a Republican on that account. Neither did Fr. O’Flanagan. He and I, although no longer active in Sinn Fein, attended important conferences of that body a short time before his death, and everyone knows how active and welcome he was some time previously on Dublin platforms demanding the release of Republican prisoners then fasting to the point of death. I must say it seems to me utterly unworthy of Brian O hUiginn to refer to the departed patriot as the “poor priest estranged for years from his priestly duties, wandering to and fro between Ireland and the United States like a lost soul, and attacking most wantonly on American platforms such faithful colleagues as Mary McSwiney and Austin Stack.” As Austin and I returned from New York in 1922, Austin told me that Fr. O’Flanagan and he had a pretty sharp clash there while I was away to the Coast. Subsequently Miss McSwiney told me that she and Fr. O’Flanagan disagreed In New York also. I was publicly and politically associated with him for a full quarter of a century,—more intimately during our world tour—and I never once found occasion to clash with him: on the contrary, I always found him conciliatory and tractable, earnest withal, simple and Joyous almost as a happy child. After the launching of Fianna Fail when rumours were rife that some of our people commendably exerted themselves to minimise the effect of the split thus created, it was said he did refer in America to Miss Mc-Swiney as fairy godmother of the new departure, and I know she indignantly resented the suggestion. I do not believe that the wanton attacks from American platforms to which Brian O h-Uiginn refers ever went beyond that, and my sources of information there have at no time been negligible, while I am, I hope, As solicitous as anybody else for the good name of our departed comrades. Such rumours are invariably magnified in the carrying; and I know well how hostile propaganda represented Father O’Flanagan and myself as pro-Communist in Australia, even at home. What actual proof has Brian O hUiginn that Fr. O’Flanagan wantonly attacked his colleagues when he was in America as Sinn Fein envoy after the launching of Fianna Fall? for that was the only occasion on which it could have happened. Fr. O’Flanagan spent two subsequent holidays in the United States while “estranged from his priestly duties,” as has been said, but not in the character of “a lost soul.” Meanwhile he had celebrated Requiem Mass at his father’s obsequies in his native parish. Reaching San Francisco on the eve of a Church festival, he was asked by his host. Mgr. Rogers, who fully knew his position in Ireland, to celebrate High Mass in his pariah. Mgr. Rogers accompanied him back to Ireland; and as I happened to be amongst the first to meet them on their reaching Dublin, the distinguished Monsignor, Whose unfailing practice was ‘to get all requisites for his Church and hospitable presbytery from Ireland, told me with joy how delighted he and his flock were to have Fr. O’Flanagan as celebrant of that High Mass. I need not labour that aspect of the matter. He soon spent a second, and last, holiday in the United States mainly, I think, in connection with the deepsea goggles he had invented and a device to mitigate sea-sickness in which also he was long interested. With him on the second holiday was a Basque priest who previously had endeared himself to numbers of people here on the occasion of the Eucharistic Congress, and was, in fact, specially entertained at Sinn Fein headquarters. Before setting out on their voyage, Fr. O’Flanagan, I think, took him to Maynooth. The visitor still shared the Basque eagerness to shake off the Spanish yoke, as we have been eager to regard England’s difficulty as Ireland’s opportunity. On account of the Communist complexion of the new Republican Government in Spain —though its inauguration was loudly welcomed by leaders of the Free State Government here—the whispering gallery In America branded the two visiting priests as Communists, whereas the real Communists were fighting or intriguing against General Franco. Fr. O’Flanagan had the courage to spend a further holiday in Spain—probably on the invitation of the Basque priest-—to see things there with his own eyes. How anxious he was to study the Catholic position there, on account of what we were told by priests no well-informed as Dr Peter Magennis and Fr. John Condon, I know personally since our own casual visit there twenty years ago. I must not let myself be tempted into a discussion of the political relations between the Papacy and Ireland. From the lapse into heresy of Henry VIII until the practical usurpation of the English throne by King William—practically a period of a century and a half—successive Popes exhorted and armed-Ireland to wage war for the Faith against England. Outside of that, the Papal policy has another aspect: from the exploitation of the Bull of Pope Adrian IV down to the Papal attitude towards the Plan of Campaign in the days of Archbishop Croke and Archbishop Walsh and the well-known fate of Mgr. Persico. From my knowledge of Papal history, I am only too conscious that it is not a subject for newspaper controversy by the uninformed or the half-Informed, and from my long intimacy with Father O’Flanagan, I feel fully satisfied —regardless of prejudiced statements to the contrary—that, on the whole, he endeavoured when dealing with the subject to handle it with becoming restraint, although his feelings cannot have been sweetened by the treatment of Dr. Michael O’Hickey whom he met a good deal in Rome, or the reported attitude of Dr. Cattaneo, Papal Representative, towards our mission in Australia.
As my estimate of the lovable priest whom it is such a lasting happiness to have had as friend remains Unaltered, may I repeat,—for the information of those who may not have the opportunity to read the oration here under discussion—the passage enshrining the ties which will keep his memory among my mind’s choicest treasures:
I have shared his cabin in the great oceans of the world, and shared his ward and served his Mass in Britain’s dungeons at Botany Bay and Melbourne. No one living has heard him speak so often in the great cities of America and Australia and elsewhere; and I can solemnly say here at his open grave that I never heard one word fall from his lips that was not worthy of an Irish patriot priest.
Brian O hUiginn I feel sure will be among the first to realise that it is due to the memory of him whose lips are sealed forever to state
1. Why he was first censured instead of being upheld as the young priests of Limerick were?
2. Why he was first suspended, and why the suspension was removed?
3. Why he was again suspended; and when, why, and by whom the suspension was removed? Candid answers to these questions will remove whatever prejudice may yet remain against the outstanding priest who, with good warrant, held his head high while he freely gave his all for Mother Ireland and human liberty. Whether answered or not. I believe his constancy will bear fruit, and that it will be long again before an Irish priest, young or old, is so inconsiderately treated.
J. J. O’KELLY.
A CORRECTION. To THE EDITOR.
Sir,—An error in my letter in last week’s Kerryman, while obvious to some, must have mystified many of your readers “ few who were present understood the motive,” should have read “ few who were present misunderstood the motive”—a totally different thing
Your kindness in publishing this correction will be appreciated. Brian O hUiginn
Sceilig’s Graveside Oration. This moving oration has just been published in pamphlet form at two pence (postage 1d. extra), all profits arising from its sale to go to the funds of the National Aid Auxiliary Committee, 74, Dame Street, Dublin, The pamphlet makes a very appropriate Christmas Souvenir to send friends. Copies may be obtained from above or from The Kerryman, Ltd., Tralee.
Advice for Parents: Let Siblings Work It Out
by Dr. Ray Guarendi
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