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Show A True "Soggarth Aroon." I FATHER LA It KIN of All Hallows 4 college in this city laments the death of his uncle, Rev. Thomas J. Larkin, P. P. The sad event took place early in the month at his residence resi-dence in Monyemoore, County Derry, Ireland. The Irish News of Belfast contains an interesting sketch of the labors of this true "soggarth aroon" for the Church and his people, which extend close, on half a century. Especially throughout the archdiocese of Armagh, the loss of Father Larkin is deeply deplored. A long account is also given of the funeral, fu-neral, and, judging from the large number who followed the remains to the cemetery, the eulogy given by the correspondent cor-respondent of the Irish paper only briefly outlines the genuine sorrow of the Irish people for their old parish priest. The Irish News correspondent says : "Father Larkin was remarkable for a quiet, unostentatious and lovable disposition, dis-position, and all who enjoyed his acquaintance ac-quaintance speak in eloquent terms of him as a priest and a gentleman. Perhaps those immediately associated with him could best Appreciate ' his worth. None knew him better than the people of the parish of Aardtrea, amongst whom he labored for over thirty years, and none will appreciate more fully his merit and the loss his aeatn entails. The deceased first saw the liht in . Ballinderry, in the year 1S29, and at an early age went to Armagh seminary, where he distinguished himself by close and brilliant study. He subsequently attended Maynooth college, and in the year 1S56 was ordained priest. Soon afterwards he was appointed dean and general manager of the seminary at Armagh. Ar-magh. During his stay there he was beloved by the students and citizens alike, and it was with feelings of regret re-gret that they learned of his departure lrom amongst them to take up his first curacy in Carriekmore. Father Lar-kin's Lar-kin's next apiointment was to Keady, and thence to Donaghmore, whence he came to Moueymore in the year 1870. Here he remained until his death -a-boring as only a true soggarth aroon can to further the interests, spiritual and temporal, of his people. Father Larkin was considered one of the most accomplished singers of Gregorian chant in Ireland and while a student in Maynooth he distinguished himself as leader of the college choir. "For some months past Father Larkin Lar-kin had been failing in health, and, though the best medical aid procurable was forthcoming, the venerable priest never rallied, and on Sunday he passed to his reward, full of years and hon-or.?i" |