The Cathedral and Diocesan College — Great Public Meeting — Large and Imposing Procession — Laying the First Stone — Eloquent Speeches

Galway Vindicator, May 28, 1910.

Introduction

The ceremony of blessing and laying the first stone of the new Diocesan College was performed by the Lord Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. O'Dea, on Thursday, when one of the greatest demonstrations ever witnessed in Galway took place. As announced in our columns last week, it was decided to have a procession of the citizens through the town to the site for the new College. Accordingly, all who were to take part in the demonstration assembled in the open space at Eyre Square, formed into processional order and took up the positions assigned to them by the organizers of the movement.

The Procession

Was one of great size. It was headed by the brass band of the Salthill Industrial School. The fife and drum band of St. Patrick's street also took part and amongst the religious societies were the Temperance League of Claregalway, the Arch—Cathedral, the children of the Convent Schools, the Industrial Schools — and of the schools under theBrothers of St. Patrick. The procession was headed by the chairman and members of the Urban Council. At the rear of the procession walked the Lord Bishop of Galway, Most Revd. Dr. Gilmartin, Bishop of Clonfert. Marching through the different streets the bands played and hymns were sung by the choirs

The Choirs

Attached to each of the religious societies was a choir. The choirs sang the hymns — "Faith of Our Fathers", "God bless the Pope," and "Daily, Daily, sing to Mary." All along the route, windows were filled with spectators anxious to see the procession, and on either side the pathways were crowded. The vocalists sang with great vigor, and the great body of the percussionists also joined in the hymns. Near the spot where the ceremony of blessing the first stone was arranged to take place, there was a special choir. Miss Spelman, Organist of the Pro—Cathedral, presided at the harmonium, and furnished the instrumental music. The choir, which was conducted by Mr. T. Sullivan, Organist of St. Patrick's Church, included — Mrs. Wallace, Miss May Coulter, Miss Agnes Coulter, Mrs. Pierce, Miss Halloran, Miss Loftus, Miss Griffin, Miss Bell, Miss Markey, Miss Fagan, Mr. Cremen, Mr. Deacy, Mr. John J. Madden, Mr. Reidlinger, Mr. Garrett, Mr. Lydon.

The Ceremony

The ceremony of blessing the stone was performed by the Most Rev. Dr. O'Dea, who was attended by the Very Rev. Father Cradock, P.P., and Rev. Fr. Considine, C.C. The responses were rendered by the other bishops and clergy, amongst them being — Most Rev. Dr. Clancy, Bishop of Elphin; Most Rev. Father Dooley, P.P., V.F.; Very Rev. Father Conroy, P.P.; Very Rev. Father Crotty, O.S.A.; Very Rev. Father Newell, P.P.; Very Rev. Father Macardle, S.J.; Very Rev. Father Joyce, P.P.; Very Rev. Father O'Meehan, O.F.M.; Very Rev. Father O'Sullivan, O.P.; Rev. Father Moran, C.C.; Rev. Father Davis, C.C.; Very Rev. Father Nestor, P.P.; Very Rev. Father McHugh, P.P.; Rev. Fr. Murphy, O.S.A.; Rev. Fr. M'Alinney; Rev. Fr. Hynes,; Rev. Fr. O'Daly, S.J.; Rev. Father Dogette, O.F.M. etc, etc. the special choir sang in admirable style, and the boys choir of the Industrial School also rendered a hymn in a very creditable manner. After the ceremony the bishops and clergy and all the crowds; who attended, moved over to another part of the field where preparations were made for...