Queen Victoria visits Castleknock College

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Sunday, April 22nd, 1900, marks a memorable day in the annals of Castleknock. On that day Queen Victoria visited the College. The event is historic, as being the first occasion that an English sovereign visited an Irish Catholic College. In the light of the high position that Her Majesty holds, the event must be considered a very special honour paid to Castleknock, and the President, professors and pupils of the College may lawfully take pride in the privilege that was so graciously conferred upon them. There can be no doubt of the Queen's desire to show a tolerant spirit to Catholics during her sojourn in Ireland, and her visits to the different Catholic institutions were taken as an evidence of a kindlier feeling for the vast majority of the people without precedent in the modern history of our country. That Castleknock should have been selected as a representative Catholic College to receive this token of royal complaisance is a distinction to be proud of, and one which the past and present pupils of the College must appreciate as being an acknowledgment of the fair name that their College bears in the discharge of the high trust reposed in it.

The intended visit of the Queen to Castleknock was made known to the authorities of the College some days beforehand by the Earl of Denbigh. And here we make our acknowledgements to Lord Denbigh, who, in everything connected with the Royal Visit was most kind, and spared no trouble to have everything pass off becomingly. To his kindness also we owe the invitation from the Vice-Admiral of the Channel Squadron to visit the great warships at Kingstown, an account of which we give further on.

On Sunday, April 22nd, we were busy at our cricket on the playing fields, when at four o'clock a cyclist arrived from the Viceregal-Lodge with an urgent letter for the President. The letter was from Lord Denbigh, to the effect that the Queen would visit the College that evening. On such short notice there could be no elaborate preparation for the reception of Her Majesty. On the news going out there was a hurried preparation. Amidst a scene of noise, bustle, and excitement, we made our toilette as quickly as possible, and all spare hands were requisitioned to haul up the flags on tower, castle, and college.

Soon Lord Denbigh drove up the avenue, and gave instructions as to the form of reception. All lined up at the entrance gate to the College, and eagerly awaited the approach of the royal carriage. Twenty minutes passed before the advance party of mounted guards came in sight, emerging from the deeply-wooded avenue that skirts Farmleigh, their bright breastplates reflecting the full blaze of sunshine that played upon the scene. Then came Her Majesty in a semi-state carriage drawn by a magnificent team of grey horses, with postillions in dark blue livery. With the Queen, who wears a black silk mantle and black lace, a black bonnet, in which sparkle sprays of silver shamrock, and carries a parasol embroidered with the national emblem, are Princess Henry of Battenberg, and Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg. Behind the carriage ride the equerries. Colonel the Hon. W. Carrington and Sir Arthur Bigge. followed by a mounted escort of police. Three ringing cheers greeted the arrival of the royal carriage, and the aged Oueen bowed her gracious acknowledgements. The Earl of Denbigh presented the President, Very Rev. Joseph Geoghegan, CM, to Her Majesty, who expressed her pleasure on coming to the College and on seeing such a fine body of youths. The President welcomed Her Majesty, and thanked her for the high honour she had conferred on the College by her visit. A few questions as to the number of boys in the College and the history of the old castle were asked by the Queen, and replied to by Father Geoghegan Then Lord Denbigh mentioned some facts about the College and its history, in which the Queen seemed much interested. A few minutes more and the royal party moved off. amidst another salvo of rousing cheers. Then all ran up the green hill, and as the royal cortege disappeared on the road towards Luttrelstown, another peal of cheering wound up an enthusiastic send-off to the royal visitor.

We were loth to leave the hill, so beautiful was the scene on this almost summer's evening- The setting sun was bathing us in its golden rays, the distant church bells were ringing out in the still evening, and tree and sward were fresh with that vivid green tint which is Ireland's pride and glory. Just now, however, the President appeared in company with three or four of the senior boys. The situation is at once taken in by the keen observers on the hill. "Three cheers for the President" were given with a spirit and fervour that betokened "whole days" while the whole youthful bodv rush down the hill-side to know the result of the interview. It was a foregone conclusion that something very handsome should mark the regal visit; and when it was announced that "a week" had been given by the President, we may leave it to our readers to divine the joyousness that diffused itself in the breasts of our young collegiates.

Thus came and went England's Queen. It was gratifying to learn afterwards that Her Majesty was extremely pleased with the reception she received at Castleknock Certainly, if a hearty cheer be an indication of welcome, there could have been no doubt of our desire to give her what seemed to become her exalted dignity and her act of special consideration in our regard.

We cannot but share the hope that Her Majesty's special graciousness to Catholics during her visit is the forerunner of better times, and that the removal of the grievances under which Irish Catholics labour will follow from her visit to Ireland. It was certainly a curious anomaly to see Her Majesty in affable intercourse with a member of an order whose disabilities Her Government refuses to repeal. And. again, did it not seem strange to see her interested in a collegiate body to which, in defiance of reason and argument, Her Government resolutely denies university education. Her Majesty's visit and attitude have unquestionably excited hopes of Catholic redress, and grievous will be our disappointment if these hopes be falsified.