CONCERT (p. 5)

 

In Kildare.

 

 

The lovers of the old tongue had reason for congratulation at Kildare and Newbridge on St. Patrick’s night, when the Carmelite Hall in the former and the Town Hall in the latter were for the time being changed into Gaelic concert ones. From the talent displayed in both places it is scarcely remarkable that from a financial point of view a very great success was obtained, and in each instance a very enjoyable evening was spent. Both in Kildare and Newbridge the night was treated as an Irish one, and the halls were thronged. In Newbridge there is a net profit after the concert of ₤16.

 

“The Deal Little Shamrock” in a chorus by the girls of the Convent School opened the Kildare Gaelic concert, the different voices blending beautifully. The Kildare branch of the League then danced an eight-hand reel, in very good style, after which Mrs. Hennessy sang with much feeling and in her usual fine voice “Kathleen Mavourneen.” It is scarcely necessary to say that Mr. Cathal McGarvey did full justice to the recitation, “Sentenced to Death.” Miss Cissie Conway danced an Irish jig very nicely and in good time. Accompanied by Miss Bridie Hennessy on the violin, Master Thomas in a very pleasing voice sang “Aileen Aroon.” Mr. O’ Toole, of Nurney, touched the boards very lively to good time in a hornpipe.

 

The singing by Colonel Butler, who possesses a very fine voice, was much appreciated in “I saw from the Beach,” following which the Kildare branch occupied the boards with a four-hand reel. A selection of Irish airs was beautifully rendered on the violin by Miss Bridie Hennessy. Messrs. Twitchen and Dowling immediately afterwards got through a two-hand jig in capital style. Nancy Hennessy, who is quite a child, sang “Oh, I Love You, Dolly, I do,” very pleasingly, and a double jig by the boys of the Christian Brothers was much enjoyed.

 

In “The Sergeant and the Cart,” Mr. Cathal McGarvey was in his usual good form, and the singing of “The Coulin” by Miss Jones was much appreciated. At hornpipe by Mr. Crosby of Brownstown, followed, and was very well gone through. The chorus by the Christian Brothers’ pupils of “Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded” was in perfect harmony and applauded, but there was not the slightest evidence of sorrow in the house when Miss Quinlivan in very fine voice described the manoeuvres of the impudent “Barney O’ Hea.” If she did not exactly pile on the blarney she must to say the least of it-have put the “comether” on the audience, judging by the extent of the applause.

 

An eight-hand reel was then gone through by the Kildare branch, after which Mr. M. Heffernan recited in very fine style “The Lament of the Irish Tongue.” This was followed by the dancing of a double jig in perfect time by the Kildare class. “The Wexford Threshing Song,” on of Mr. Cathal McGarvey’s favourites, was sung by him and each applauded, and Master M. Mullally very feelingly rendered, “Mollie Bawn.” An Irish dialogue by Messrs. Heffernan and Dunne was very interesting after which Mrs. Hennessy sang “Maureen,” and was received with much appreciation. In a fine dashing style, and in good voice, Mr. Quinlivan treated the audience to the “Irish Jaunting Car.” Mr. Connery, organiser, danced a very lively hornpipe, and footed the floor in rare fashion.

 

The final chorus was as appropriate to the occasion and the night as the opening one, where the young girls of the Convent School sang “The Dear Old Tongue.” This brought to a close on of the most pleasant evenings yet held in St. Brigid’s town by the lovers of the old tongue.

 

The getting through in such a successful manner of a Gaelic concert in Kildare entails a very large amount of work and worry on the few who never complain of any inconvenience but merely look on it as if it were on the day’s agenda in connection with the cause, and as a result-a labour of love. The good Nuns in an especial manner deserve very much thanks for the careful training which must have been bestowed on the children who took part in the concert. Indeed, they have ever since a Gaelic branch was started in Kildare not lost an opportunity of teaching the language and sowing in the minds of their young pupils a love for it.

 

It is scarcely necessary to say that over Ireland the Christian Brothers are strong in their support of the old tongue, and Brother Adrian, and the other good members of the Community at Kildare are not exceptions. One would pardon a feeling of pride at the manner in which their pupils turned out on Sunday night. In fact, all round it is apparent that in Kildare the young idea is learning to shoot in the way that it should.

 

Dr. Rowan took a very deep interest in the promotion of the concert, and was indefatigable in looking after the different details and general arrangements. Mr. Connery, organiser, had quite enough on his hands too, while Messrs. Andrew Fitzpatrick and John Hennessy were the reverse of idle. Miss Malone throughout played the accompaniments on the piano in her usual good style.

 

With the general audience there were:-Very Rev. Fr. Campion, P.P.; Rev. Fr. Cowley, O.C.C.; Rev. Fr. McDermott, O.C.C.; Rev. Brother Adrian, Superior and the members of the Christian Brothers Community. The one matter for regret was the absence of the Very Rev. Fr. Staples, Prior, O.C.C., who owing to a recent attack of illness was unable to attend. We are very pleased to learn however that Fr. Staples is again well on the way to his usual health and strength. It is needles to say that the Gaelic Committee are very grateful for his kindness in placing at their disposal the Carmelite Hall on Sunday evening.