17 - Welcoming Address to An Craoibhín Aoibhinn (Douglas Hyde) from the Rochestown College Branch of the Gaelic League

17

Welcoming Address to An Craoibhín Aoibhinn (Douglas Hyde) from the Rochestown College Branch of the Gaelic League

1 p.; manuscript

An Irish-language address extending a profound welcome home to Douglas Hyde on behalf of the students and faculty of Rochestown College.The document opens with a formal heading identifying the sender: Craobh Mhíchíl Uí Chléirigh (Michael O’Clery Branch of the Gaelic League) at St. Francis College, Rochestown, County Cork. Addressing Hyde affectionately as ‘A Chraoibhín Ghlé-Aoibhinn, a chara’, the letter conveys the deep honour felt by the community to greet him on his return to Ireland. The text praises his exhaustive cultural labour among the Irish diaspora in America, noting how frequently they read of his work in every city he visited. It commends him for demonstrating the vigour, depth, and beauty of Irish literature to the world, and for awakening a sense of heritage and linguistic duty within the Irish race to the glory of God and honor of Ireland.

The address concludes with a prayer for his long life, strength, and health:

‘Craoibhín is milse bláth
Craoibhín is cúmhra boladh
Craoibhín is aoibhne scáth
Craoibhín is truime toradh’
(The branch of sweetest bloom / The branch of most fragrant scent / The branch of most beautiful shade / The branch of heaviest fruit).

ISAD(G) 2nd edition