Philo-Celts.
The Philo-Celtic Society celebrated
the 96th anniversary of the birth of Dr.
McHale, on Sunday evening, March 7,
before a large, select and appreciative
audience.
The Rev. Father Fitzgerald deliver¬
ed the address of the evening in Irish
and was repeatedly interrupted during
its delivery by rounds of applause,
which clearly demonstrated that a
large number of the audience perfect¬
ly understood him.
In introducing Father Fitzgerald
Mr. Gilgannon, the eloquent president
of the society, made a few appropriate
remarks in Gaelic. Father Fitzgerald
was loudly applauded. The following
programme was rendered to the entire
satisfaction of all present, —
Piano Introduction,
Miss Beatrice Gilbert.
Song, Do Ġuilfinn Muiniġin Ṁealtaċ,
Miss Nóra T. Costello.
Recitation, "The Language of Our
Race.
B. Martin,
Song, "Juniata,"
Miss Nellie Dunne.
Recitation, Irish.
Hon D. Burns.
Violin solo, "The Exile of Erin,
Master J. Gilbert.
Recitation,
A Morning on Irish
Coast,
Miss Nelly Crowley.
Song, Cruit Ansa ar d-Tíre,
Mrs. McDonald.
Piano solo, "The Minstrel Boy," with
variations, which Miss Gilbert execu¬
ted in a decidedly brillant style.
Song, "The Bells of Shandon"
Mrs. McDonald.
Song, "The Home of the Shamrock"
Mr. Meehan.
Piano solo,
Miss Kelly
Song. "The Harp That Once,"
Mrs. McDonald
Violin solo, "Killaney,"
Master Gilbert.
I would be out of place to particular¬
ize the performance of the above tal¬
ent as all acquitted themselves in an
exceedingly pleasing manner. It was
a grand celebration.
At the conclusion it was ascertained
that O'Donovan Rossa was present,
and as his name was mentioned a loud
call was made for "Rossa", and though
not on the programme, the president
introduced him to the audience when
he (Rossa) made a very nice address
in Irish and in English. His introduc¬
tory remarks were well chosen and to
the point, eschewing all extreme poli¬
tical manifestations. He came, he said,
to pay a tribute to the memory of an
Irish patriot and not to make a politi¬
cal speech. Rossa speaks Irish fluent¬
ly, and by his easy, unostentatious, un¬
assuming manner left a very favorable
impression on the audience; it being
his first visit to the society's entertain¬
ments.
The highest possible tone should be
given to all our GAELIC entertainments,
and extreme politeness and decorum
observed in the class-rooms. It does
not necessarily follow that Irish enter¬
tainments should be characterized by
boisterousness and gom-acting. Edu¬
cated and self-respecting Irishmen well
versed in the language and anxious to promote the
movement for its preservation do not care to be pres¬
ent at entertainments not in accord with the advan¬
ced etiquette which is born of the generally diffu¬
sed knowledge of the present day. Hence, those
taking part in the labors of The Philo Celtic Socie¬
ty need not be offended if checked for any infract¬
ion of the due observance of this line of conduct.
The large, respectable audiences which are always
present at the Brooklyn Philo-celtic entertainments,
and the general success of the Irish Language Move¬
ment in Brooklyn, is the result of putting the above
ideas into practice. We hope our philo-celtic friends
in other parts will be benifited by the foregoing re¬
marks. We see no barrier to the Irish Language
Movement leading and guiding Irish public opinion
in this country, as it should, being strictly educa¬
tional, the absence of which no amount of dross can
supply.
There is hardly a reader of THE GAEL who has
not some friend in the Old County. Send it to them
for a year.
