Panto returns to Cork after years of strife, and poor box stolen from church
THE public will be pleased to learn that a Christmas pantomime is returning to Father Mathew Hall, Queen Street (now Fr Mathew Street) after lapsing in recent years, the Echo reported 100 years ago today, on Saturday, December 22, 1923.
This year’s production, Aladdin, will adhere to the original plot but include the most up-to-date songs for the music-loving public of Cork.
With the orchestra under the baton of Mr E. Gargan, a performance worthy of the best support will be staged.
The first performance will be on St. Stephen’s Night commencing at 7.30pm and it will continue every evening until January 4. Prices of admission are arranged to suit all pockets.
Today was the country people’s day in the city. They made their own of it.
If a mere suburbanite tried to dispute possession with them, he, or she, was treated to a “wallop” of a cloak-covered basket, or a push from the shaft of a Scotch car. “Wisha, Mary! How are ya, sure we never laid eyes on one of ye since poor Mike’s funeral”.
“Begor, we’re all alive, and that’s no bad thing in the times we have”.
“Faith, isn’t it early ye’re thinkin’ of goin’ home. How’s Pat? - oh, sure, there’s himself now, well, well”.
The reins are handed to Patrick minor, sitting secure amid laughter and protests, as the mixed party streams into a crowded shop, “for”, as Pat says, “God knows ‘tis a long year to have only one Christmas in”.
It is reported that an English robber gang are at present in the city. They had been operating in Dublin, but police activity made that place too warm for them.
They have now turned their attention on Cork where they anticipate a good haul over the holiday season.
Yesterday evening, the Poor Box in Holy Cross Church, Charleville, was prised open and the contents rifled. The Civic Guard immediately got to work and as a result of enquiries a man named Daniel Gore was arrested last night in Bruree and brought back to Charleville Police Barracks.
Also at Charleville, in a field at Baker’s Lane on Wednesday, a youth named Patrick O’Donoghue discovered the body of a female infant wrapped in white cloth and covered on the outside with brown paper.
At an inquest held by Coroner Ryan, the jury returned a verdict that the child’s death was due to neglect after birth.
Denis Healy, licensed vintner, Coachford, was summoned for breaching the Licensing Act. Defendant conducted the business as executor of a family named Sisk.
Sergeant Mulvey gave evidence that he visited the premises on November 18 at 7.15pm and heard sounds within. He sent Guard Laffan to the back door and knocked on the front door himself. Julia Sisk inquired from behind it, “who was there?” and the Sergeant informed her it was the Civic Guard.
The door remained unopened but he heard Julia Sisk retreating and the sounds of glasses being rattled.
William Sisk than came downstairs and said he was “caught at last” or words to that effect.
At the rear door, Guard Laffan saw four men running out. He called on them to stop but they ran away through a field.
Julia Sisk and William Sisk gave evidence for the defence, saying “glasses were found on the premises but what else would you expect in a public house? You would not expect buckets to be there”. Miss Sisk said the door was secured and she was about to go out for a walk with her brother and sister when she heard rapping on the door. She did not answer it and proceeded to count the takings. The knocking continued and on learning it was the Civic Guard, she opened it. Her brother came downstairs and Sergeant Mulvey said. “I have you now, my boy!”.
Breen & Sons, Bantry, will run a motor charabanc for mail and passengers on Christmas Eve between Cork and Castletownbere and between Cork and Skibbereen. Returning on Christmas morning.
A woman admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor, England, following a diabetic attack is making an excellent recovery thanks to insulin.
Eighty-five units were administered over 12 hours.
