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| BLARNEY VILLAGE, CO. CORK. -This town owes more of such celebrity as it possesses to its famous castle and romantically situated lake, than to any advantage possessed by itself, whether naturally or artificially considered. It is situated about six miles from Cork city, of sylvan aspect. Although its inhabitants are comparatively few, they possess energy and perseverence-qualities that not even discriminating economic laws have been able to destroy. "Blarney tweeds" are celebrated the world over. They hold their own against all corners, and, for "wear and tear," have never been excelled by fabrics manufactured elsewhere. The late Peter White, who did so much toward introducing Irish cloths into the United States, used to say that "a first-class suit of Blarney tweed would last a life time." He made use of this observation to a member of a leading clothing firm in Chicago, when he was last in America. "Don't say that, Mr. White," remarked the good natured merchant, "or you can sell no goods here." "Why not?" demanded Mr. White in some astonishment. "Because," observed the shrewd dealer, "we don't want to deal in goods so lasting that people won't want new suits every season." "Oh, very well," responded Peter; "then I'll amend my recommendation by saying almost a lifetime!" Mahony's Woollen Mills, established in 1824, are Blarney's chief pride and sustenance. |
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