The Munster News and Limerick and Clare advocate
Wednesday August 24, 1887

Sheriff’s Sale 
Robert Conway Dobbs Plaintiff
John O’Brien, Defendant
Farm of land at Knockgreen, Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick rent £220 a year.
H.S.J. Massy, Sheriff for the Co. of Limerick.

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The Allen, Larkin & O’Brien Memorial Committee called in all collecting cards with amount collected on them by 1st Steptember.

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Old hay, Rye grass and Clover for sale. : S. E. Collis, Tieraclea, Tarbert.

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The Proclamation Debate.
The debate on the Proclamation of the National League, which will come on in the House of Commons on Thursday night next, on Mr. Gladstone’s motion for an
Address to the Queen asking her to reverse the process will be one of the most important for this country that has ever taken place in any assemblage in
England……..

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Father Shannon and the drought (River Shannon in drought)
”How long has you on this planet my man?”
”Well, I was born in the year 1799, sir.”
Then you are 88 years of age. Now, tell me did you ever see the Shannon so low during all that time?
Well, sir, I know it well ; I was thirty years boss of a canal boat and I ought to know, and I never saw so little water in the river before.”

The scene of the foregoing conversation was the south bank of the Shannon at Killaloe ; the day, Sunday last, and the speakers a very old country man, and the citizens of Limerick who related the occurrence to us. He was expressing his wonder at the state to which the mighty Shannon was reduced all the way down
to limerick, and he could have applied his words to its condition for many miles below the city as well. It is so shallow at Killaloe, and at places near Castleconnell that it is really almost possible to walk across dry shod. At Limerick, about Corbally and below, between the bridges, there are also
extraordinary shallows or complete absence of water ; but still farther down is a more astonishing result of the drought, for at one point of the river about a mile below the quays, the mud has so silted up, that if it had consistency enough to bear, a person might walk from one bank to the other. Of course this
is entirely the result of the continued dry weather, the falling away in the quantities water in the upper stretches of the river and complete drying up of some of its tributaries. It is more remarkable at present than before as the Spring tides strip to such a great extent, and when they are now coming in they rush up headed by a (boar) at a rate that sweeps mud and everything else before them at a furious pace. During the first hour of the tide on Saturday and Sunday, the water must have risen nearly nine feet at the quays, but when it had fully ebbed again the beds and banks cleared as before. We read in an old history before us that as far back as 1667 Father Shannon conducted himself in a somewhat similar style and a poetic record in its pages says :-
“A drought excessive came, it was so great.
The Shannon from the city did retreat,
The Mayor and many more upon dry ground,
Outside the walls on foot did walk around”

There would be no difficulty in accomplishing this feat now, for as many years beyond the ambit which was then marked by ramparts, there is no water whatsoever. So little is there to oppose the incoming tide, that within the past week salt or brackish water ran right up to Sarsfield bridge ; and the same
old history tells us that this occurred in 1723 when “there was so little rain that year that salt water fish came up to the quay and ling was taken between the two towers” That was as far up as Thomond bridge. Sixty two years later than that the history in 1785 “The summer of this year was so remarkably dry
and warm there was scarcely any water in the Shannon between Baal’s Bridge and the new bridge, in which place numbers of eels, flat fish and salmon peale were taken by boys out of the bed of the river” But that was before the day of gas, for when they began to make it at Watergate and let the tar run in to the
stream they so poisoned its bed that all fish forsook it. The most serious results though are the accumulation of mud which the uprushes of the tide have left abreast of the quays. There are now some four feet of water on the sill of the Floating Dock, whilst outside the pier-head the mud has formed a bar right across to the north shore. It is hoped that the winter floods will sweep the hundreds of thousands of tons of mud away to the depths from whence it came, but to look at it now this seems scarcely possible. The Harbour Engineer calculates that some couple of millions of tons of mud have shifted up stream since the first of June. No doubt he is right, and it will require large outlays and hard work with the dredgers to get the channel back to its normal condition.
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The Waterford and Limerick Railway Company held their half yearly meeting on yesterday at Waterford on which Sir James Spaight, Chairman presided. He was able to show a satisfactory state of affairs since last meeting……
It was a feather in the Chariman’s cap, that he was able to speak of the struggle with the Midland Company about the Ennis and Athenry line….
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We publish the programme for the military tournament to be held in the Market’s Fields in support of Barrington’s Hospital. The dates now fixed for the attractive display are Friday and Saturday, 16th and 17th September, the change being made in order not to interfere into the preparations for the Gaelic Sport. The military too, engaged in the exhibition have entered into the necessary practice for the different events in the warmest spirit, and are determined to make the entertainment one of the best of its kind. The grounds will be prepared for the occasion in the most satisfactory manner, and we anticipate large attendances, and good results for the hospital.

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The next of the Market’s Trustees’ New Fairs will be held on Friday, 6th September. The most elaborate arrangements will be made for the accommodation of
sellers and buyers, in the extensive grounds……………..

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Mr. Ryan of Robert Street, returns his sincere thanks to Mr. Murphy, M.P., for payment in full of his account for grates supplied to the West Clare
Railway…………

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The “boar” came up with a rush on Monday, and drove one of the tug boats anchored in the Poel, from her moorings and into collision with the dredge boat.  No material damage occurred to either, and they swung clear as the tide rose. There was no-one on board the tug to look after her safety.

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At Roxboro on Sunday the Hurling Tournament was continued.  In the match between the South Liberties and the Plan of Campaign Clubs, the former won by two goals to nil. In the match between the Treaty stone and Fedamore the former gained a victory by three goals and four points to two points and a forfeit point.

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The Jesuit Fathers
The Provincial of Jesuits has sanctioned a number of changes in the missions of the fathers which have considerable interest for the citizens. It has been decided to form or rather restore the Missionary Society of the distinguished Order in Ireland, and so the following Rev. gentlemen have been appointed for that purpose, to reside at Miltown Park, Co. Dublin :
Rev. Father Ronan, Rev. Father Vincent Byrne, Rev. Father Naughton and Rev. Father O’Farrell. The two latter Rev. Gentlemen are natives of Limerick as our fellow citizens generally may know. Rev. Father Ronan so long associated with the Church of the Sacred heart in Limerick and the College at Mungret, for the improvement of which he undertook such an arduous but very successful mission in America, will be greatly missed in this City, where he has endeared himself to numbers of its residents. Rev. Father Hughes, S.J., (Cr)escent House, will replace father Ronan at Mungret; and father Daly and Father Flynn of
the Crescent also are removed, the first to Clongowes and the second to Galway College.
The important positions vacated by these gentlemen will be filled by Rev. Father Head, S.J., from Mungret College ; Rev. Fathre Fottrell, S.J., from St. Bueno’s, Wales ; and rev. Father Wheeler, S.J., from Miltown Park.

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The Sacred Heart College
The College re-commences its scholastic business on Thursday, September 1st, when the students are expected to resume their work,……………

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Augustinian Church
Sunday next, the 8th august, being the Feast of St. Augustine, the great Doctor of the Church will be a day of Special Devotion and plenary Indulgence in the
above Church…..

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The panegyric of the Saint will be preached…..by the rev. T. Hammeraly, O.P.
Sermon in the evening by Rev. E.A. Selley, O.S.A., Cork.
Benediction : Most. Rev. Dr. O’Dwyer, Lord Bishop of Limerick.

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September 4th being the Feast of our Mother of Consolation
Sermon: Rev. J. Locke, O.S.A., Rome.

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Death of the Rev. P. O’Carroll, P.P., Croagh.
Again we have the duty of recording the death of one of the respected Priests of this
Diocese, in the person of the Rev. Patrick Carroll, .P.P., Croagh. The Rev. gentleman
was educated at Mayooth, and was since his ordination on the Limerick Mission. He has
been ailing for some time, but his death was not anticipated. He was connected with
some of the oldest and most respected Catholic families of this city and county, by whom
he was held in great affection, and by his parishioners and general acquaintances no
Clergyman could be held in higher respect. He was a zealous and self sacrificing Priest
– a most reliable guide in spiritual matters, and a safe adviser in temporal affairs.
He will be remembered by the poor of Limerick Union particularly with feelings of the
deepest gratitude for the devotion with which he exerted himself on their behalf, during
his connection as one of the Clergymen with the workhouse here. The Office and High
mass will be solemnized tomorrow (Thursday), 25th, inst., at Croagh Patrick Church, at
eleven o’clock.

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The Osequies of the Late Rev. D. Quin, P.P.
The internment of the late Rev. Father Quin, P.P., took place on Monday at Kilcoleman
Church. The edifice was filled to suffocation by relatives and friends of the deceased
Clergyman, and the keenness of sorrow manifested shows how greatly he was regretted.
From some of the estates in the locality the tenantry came in bodies to the funeral to
manifest their sorrow for one of the best friends they had in the whole district, as his
services to the farmers were inestimable. The Lord Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. O’Dwyer
presided at the Offices and High Mass. The very Rev. Father Mulqueen, P.P., V.F., was
celebrant at the Mass. Rev. Dr. Hallinan, C.C., Deacon ; Rev. M. McCarthy, C.C., Adare
Sub-Deacon ; Rev. J. McCoy, P.P., Bulgaden Master of Ceremonies.
Chanters: Rev. T.R. Shanahan, P.P., and Rev. J. Bourke, P.P. There were about sixty
Clergymen in the choir, including very Rev. Archdeacon Halpin, P.P., V.G. ; Very rev.
Dr. Hammond, P.P., V.G.
The chief mourners were : Rev. J. O’Shaughnessy, C.C. ; Mr. J. O’Shaughnessy, J.P.
nephews of deceased ; and Mr. P. Murray, J.P., first cousin. Amongst the general body
of the laity were Mr. John White, D.L. ; Mr. Robert Hunt, J.P. ; Captain O’Leary, Mr.
James Meade, Mr. Stephen Pegum, Glin ; Dr. Hayes, J.P., etc. etc.

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New Steel Gates at the Docks
A very interesting and at the same time critical operation in connection with the Docks,
was successfully (…..t) through on the evening of Saturday and Monday last, vis. – the
removal of the old gates (which had been in use since 1852) and the fitting of the new
ones recently completed in the Graving Dock, and the work reflects the highest credit on
the Harbour Engineer (Mr. W. J. Hall, B.E.) under whose personal supervision it has been
carried on…………..
The old gates were built in their berths between two coffer dams, and could thus be
adjusted with the greatest accuracy. They took 14 months to complete and cost £5,520
and weighed 56 tons each. The present work will cost about £2,670. The Contractors are
essrs Cincaid & Co. of Greenock. The mechanical details of construction were arranged
by Mr. alex \b. Wilson, Constructing Engineer of Holywoo(?d). The Contractors are
represented by Mr. J. Millar who had the entire charge of the work while Mr. Thomas
Leech acted as Clerk of Works on behalf of Harbour Commissioners………

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The Queen Street Houses were sold today at the Mart62 William Street, by Mr. Joseph P.
McNamara, Auctioneer, for £362 and fees to Mr. Buckley, Thomas Street.

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Todd & Co., placed large orders with Irish Manufacturers for delivery in August and are
now showing the Goods in Great Varsity of Styles and Fabri(cs)
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This Day’s Telegrams
Special Critical News & other telegrams to
The Munster News
Today

The Clare County demonstrations
Telegrams from Mr. Dillon, M.P.
From our Ennis correspondent
Ennis, Wednesday – the following telegram was received by the Secretary of the Ennis
Branch National league – from John Dillon, Dublin to Patrick McInerney, Ennis.
Must adjourn meeting to Sunday 4th September……….
It is expected to be one of the largest meetings ever in Clare.

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Election of the O’Gorman-Mahon today
The O’Gorman-Mahon Nationalist was elected today without opposition for the County
Carlow.
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Newcastle West National League
Special Meeting today
(special telegram)
The Newcastle West Barnch of the National League had a special meeting today. The very
Rev. Dr. Hamond, P.P., V.G., presided. It was resolved :- “That this branch having heard
that since their last meeting Mr. John Morrison’s farm at Farren has been grabbed by
parties who above all others should not injure Mr. Morrison, we condemn such a
proceeding as being the greatest defiance and insult to our national programme, at a
time with the league is in the throes of difficulty. We call on the neighbouring
branches to support Mr. Morrison in his present position”

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Parliament
House of Commons Today

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Mr. Gladstone’s Motion
Mr. Gladstone read the terms of his motion asking the House to allow the proclaimation
against the National League to continue in force in the absence of Information
justifying it.

House of Commons – yesterday
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to Mr. Cox, said that £5,000 assigned for the
encouragement of horse and cattle breeding in Ireland would be paid to the Royal Dublin
Society, whose show now being held at Ballsbridge was he was glad to say likely to be a
special success in consequence of the prospect of assistance to be given by the
Government.
Mr. Smith, replying to Mr. E. Robertson’s demand for the production of evidence on which
the Government had decided to proclaim the national League as a dangerous association,
said it was not the intention of the Government to lay on the table any further papers
on the subject.
……….

 

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To be continued.

We have weekly copies from this newspaper up to 26th October, 1887 and extracts will be added to this page on a weekly basis.