378.
AN GAODHAL.
Phila. Pa., June 21st 1884.
Editor Gael,
The Philo-Celtic Society of this city celebrated
its 2nd anniversary on Monday evening the 9th inst
in Cathedral Hall, by a grand concert and presen¬
tation of prizes. Long before 8 o'clock the Hall
was filled to its utmost capaciiy, and hundreds
who came were unable to gain admission. Hon.
P. E. Carroll, a distinguished lawyer of this city,
presided, and to your humble servant — as president
of the society — was given the honor of introducing
him. A perfect storm of applause greeted the ap¬
pearance of the Hon. gentleman, and the audience
would have to be anti-Irish could it help applaud¬
ing his grand patriotic introductory remarks.
The following programme was ably carried out
and I am requested by every person whose name
appears on it to say to you that they hail with un¬
bounded pleasure the prospect of a Gaelic conven¬
tion been held in the near future, and of your pa¬
per, our paper, the Irish paper, becoming a week¬
ly publication; and that they pledge themselves
to send to the convention, more than one delegate
no matter how distant from Phila. it may be held.
PROGRAMME.
Part First.
1. PIANO OVERTURE — Irish Airs,
Miss Maggie McCauley
2. CEAD MILE FAILTHE — Original,
Miss Sallie Meakim
3. OPENING CHORUS, Pupils of Irish School
4. ADDRESS IN IRISH, Mr. Rodger O'Neil
5. RECITATION — Celtic Tongue,
Miss Annie Dougherty
6. SOLO,
Miss Mary McGinness
7. RECITATION — Lament of the Milesians,
Master John Handsom
8. SONG — Seaghan O'Farrell,
Pupils of Irish School
9. RECITATION — Flight of the Earls (Irish)
Mr. Patrick McFadden
10. RECITATION — Flight of the Earls (Translation
Miss M. Patton
11. SONG — Cailin Deas Cruta Na m-Bo,
Miss Kate Kelly
12. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.
Part Second.
1. RECITATION — Erin's Flag,
Miss M. McCafferty
2. SONG,
Misses Nellie and Kate O'Brien
3. SONG — The Harp of Tara's Hall (Irish),
Pupils of Irish School
4. SONG — Oh Blame Not the Bard,
Mr. T. McEniry
5. SOLO,
Miss Nellie Mullen
6. RECITATION,
Miss Josephine S. Wall
7. SOLO,
Miss Emma Bradley
8. RECITATION, Meeting of the Waters [Irish
Master Joseph Lydon
9. SONG, O'Donnell Aboo [Irish] Mr. W. Moloy
10. SONG, Cool Na Binn (Irish, Mr. John Lydon
11. RECITATION, Original [Irish],
Mr. P. F. Murphy
Our worthy secretary, Peter F. Murphy says that
the number of bouquets which were presented by
persons in the audience to little Kathleen McDer¬
mott and Sallie Meakim, two children of 7 years
of age each, entities them to special mention. The
beautiful gold medal presented by John Doyle Esq
was awarded Master Joseph Lydon. The follow¬
ing named persons deserve credit for perfecting ar¬
rangements for the celebration Misses Sheridan,
McSorley, O'Leary, Mrs, Fox, Mrs Halvey and a
patriotic gentle lady known to the pupils of our
school as "Sister Sheelah".
Yours &c.
Thos. McEniry.
737 Hamilton St. Allentown, Pa.
Mr. M. J. Logan,
Dear Sir ;
After waiting a reasonable time since the re¬
ceipt of your letter, in which you state you had
sent me a copy of Gaelic Journal and some back
nos. of GAEL, and as yet not seeing anything of
them, I apprise you of the fact. I am exceedingly
sorry if they have become lost.
I tender you my recognition and admiration for
your efforts in establishing and maintaining the
Gael under the most adverse circumstances, you
certainly deserve a great deal of credit — it is a
wonder that you have done so well. It is a great
pity indeed that there is such an apathy in the I¬
rish element regarding the grand old language ;
it appears to be a curse on the race, for it certain¬
ly is a curse to be possessed of the unnatural spir¬
it af aversion to one's own mother tongue.
I earnestly hope to soon see the spell broken,
and a publication supported worthy of the cause,
a journal keeping pace with the times, in fact an
independent, literary and newsy journal in Celtic
garb with its "head as high" as its neighbors'.
If the proper steps were taken I think even now,
such a publication would take and maintain it¬
self, and of all places on this continent surely none
are more fitted for the undertaking than N. Y.
This may look like bluster on my part, but al¬
though a poor man you can "count me in" for five
or ten dollars to "give her a boost“.
I would not have you think for a moment, Mr. Ed
that I despise the plucky little Gael, on the con¬
trary, none can appreciate your efforts nor welcome
my little monthly visitor more than
Yours truly
F. R. MacCarthy.
We have received several communications, in¬
cluding one from Mr. Durin, in which the idea of
a convention is highly approved.
Mr. McTighe of Binghamton says —
I approve of your idea of a convention or gath-
