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Lines written on that splendid Cathedral of
St. Mary and Michael's Church,
RATHDRUM.
One pleasant morning all things most charming,
All to Rathdrum I took my way,
A grand cathedral is there erected,
Refulgent beauty it does display.
It is surrounded and grandly bounded,
A limpid river springs transparent,
Along the valley does gently glide.
This site of gaandeur was freely granted
By Earl Fitzwilliam of high renown
To Dr. Grant and Father Galvin,
Of fair Kathdrum and Wicklow town.
The former lives in that ancient abbey.
Where truth and virtue did there abound,
For great talent and education
I'm sure his equals could not be found.
That church and spire are much admired,
It's architecture unparalleled.
For symmetry and grand proportion
Most other buildings it has excelled.
When first you enter that holy temple,
All things most glorious you may behold,
Our blessed Saviour and the glorious Virgin,
Who crushed the serpent in days of old.
The altar pillar does there exhibit
Archangel Michael, as all do know,
That wicked demon he has defeated
His wiles pernicious did overthrow.
Eight grand pillars are there established
For to support this resplendent pile,
Then those pedestals, floor, windows, and doors,
Are all completed in splendid style.
Our church most holy is far extended
From the rising of the sun to his going down,
From Erne to Clunas it's most delighting
To see it flourish in every town,
From east to west it's propagated,
Through every part since our Saviour came,
Through many parts of the British island,
From the regions unto Rathdrum.
Celestial greatness be on him waiting,
Our Father M'Kenna, that blessed divine,
A large donation he gave most freely,
In bliss immortal will ever shine,
For that pure charity and kind demeanour,
I'm sure his equals could not be found.
He was respected, revered, and honored
In every part of the country round,
Father Galvin should be exalted
And be rewarded in fnture days.
His grand influence preponderating,
He is well deserving of honored praise,
May health and greatness be on him waiting,
On our holy father of his renown,
Who in conjunction with Father Redmond,
All vile assassins he will put down.
That dreadful tyrant is now combining,
Old Garibaldi and many more,
For to destroy that church mosr ho y,
Its holy limits I will explore.
Our glorious temples are now extended
Through every part of our nrtive isle.
Our supreme Pontiff and Bishop Cullen,
For words most glorious will ever shine.
All who assisted as benefactors,
This holy temtle of the Lord to raise,
Brave worthy Byrne and Caumford,
Its but my duty to extol their praise
With Father Galvin, likewise his curate.
Father O'Neill for to guide their flock,
To be daily vouchsafed in this new Cothedral,
For pious Christians on Saint Peter's Rock.