126
AN GAOḊAL.
A VOICE FROM THE NORTH.
Clonaver, Strandtown, Belfast.
Sept. 3rd 1882.
My dear Mr. Logan:
You must not think because
I have been unable as yet to reply to your kind
note of the 31st. July, that I forgot to represent
the views entertained in it, or that I did not value
it. The fact is the Exhibition, at which we fig-
ure prominently, and business connected with
the Congress, took up all spare time during
the last fortnight.
The copy of the Morning News which I sent
by the last mail gives the fullest report of the
proceedings at our Celtic Congress. I drafted it
out that some record of our work might be given
in advance of the full official report which we hope
to issue shortly.
We were able to make the thing a complete
success in spite of various obstacles, and I feel
confident the revival of our language will be much
promoted by the deliberations of the congress.
We had on all hands, weighty arguments addu-
ced, many encouraging signs given, and valuable
advice offered, and on all those present, a weight-
ier responsibility to labour more has been laid.
If our people are determined that the language
shall not perish nothing can thwart their purpose
Many agencies now exist to advance the movement
it is in the hands of the present generation of Ir-
ishmen to honor or neglect, to guard or betray
that sacred heritage that has been bequeathed to
them.
The medium of international commerce for us
as for others, to be the English speech, but if we
own a motherland, we must cherish the native ton-
gue it taught us
If we would be among nations wanderers with-
out a home, a people without a past, disowned,
dishonored and unworthy, we shall forget our na-
tional language.
Let all true Irishmen lend a hand, let all those
who are proud of the land that bore them, who
own their celtic lineage, learn if need be, study
and use in their homes, at their firesides, as "a
mark and guard of nationality,' the Irish langu-
age. Penal laws were once enacted against that
tongue; they dare not now be enforced, a better
spirit is abroad ; the reign of justice among na-
tions must come ; with right, international jeal-
ousies will disappear,
Meanwhile the brotherhood of peoples protects
the weak against the tyranny of the powerful:
That we may be strong and united, able to ad-
vance the coming of the day, when the rights of
our nation being respected, anmity will prevail ;
preserve, advance, and guard our language !
Work with determination, the end is sure.
To work !
Do Ċarad,
Marcus MacṀáird.
THE ROYAL FAMILIES OF IRELAND,—
Where are they ?
It is a matter of some surprise to us that the
Royal families of Ireland do not make some move
toward the recovery of their ancient patrimony.
We hear of the royal scions of other nations ag-
itating their claims, and why not the Irish? Has
English influence gagged the press of this coun-
try as well as their own on this head? or have
the heirs to Irish thrones become despairful of
success? They ought not, no matter how lowly
their occupation may be now. Let them remem-
ber that Peter the Great worked at the anvil as a
blacksmith in England, and that Napoleon III.
did the duty of a common policeman in the same
country. Until lately, the O'Brien family did not-
yield their aspirations to the throne of Thomond,
and not long ago the O'Conor Don refused a
British title, although we think he is not a direct
heir of King Roderic O'Conor of Connaught.
However he is of the Royal stock, and he prefers
his royal name to a British title. Where are the
O’Neills of Tyrone? The O'Donnells, and the
O’Rourke's of Breffney? In our last issue we
referred to the Princes of Breffney, and to a direct
representative of that royal line who resides in
this city, and, though uncrowned, a more noble
or generous representative of that royal race has
not preceeded him. We take some pride our-
selves in being directly descended from the All-
amh, Cuan O'Lochan, who was coregent of Ireland
in the early part of the 11th century. At home
it would be a felony against the English Gov-
ernment for the heirs of Irish Royalty to agitate
their claims. It is not so here, and the agitation
of it in the public press of this country would be
noticed by the Continental press of Europe, and
perhaps would be the means of restoring the
legitimate heirs to their regal rights. We have
recently seen their regal rights restored to various
continental nationalities, and why the Irish heirs
remain dormant we cannot conceive.
With the greatest seriousness we commenced
the consideration of this matter to the rightful
heirs of our ancient aristocracy. The prominent
position which the national language has now at-
tained among the learned of Europe cannot fail
to excite an interest in the legitimate sovereignty
of the country. Who are the decendants of those
we have enumerated above. They should come
boldly forward and assert their rights. The O'-
Conor Don is president of the Gaelic Society in
Dublin. Other scions of our nobility this side
the water should follow his example and assist
the movement here.
Is feárr míne 'ná boirbe ṁór,
Is feárr cóir 'ná dul ċum dliġe;
Is feárr teaċ beag a's teann lón,
’Ná teaċ mór a's beagán bíḋe,
