Retreat was ended this morning with Mass by the reverend, beautiful old Bishop, ((The Bishop was Daniel Cohalan (1856-1952), who became Bishop of Cork in 1916. In 1950, aged 94, he finally agreed to allow a coadjutor bishop be appointed to assist him. Aloys Fleischmann was interned on 4 Jan 1916, so it was Tilly Fleischmann who directed the music at Cohalan’s inauguration, and he who had allowed her take on her husband’s work as organist and choirmaster.)) Benediction, and a fine ringing sermon. At breakfast there was great rejoicing, fun and speech-making. Worked and read till dinner, when Mám, Páp and I went to the Opera House for the first of Col. Brase’s concerts. We were all behind the stage – it was a great relief not to be worried and harassed the whole time by fears for our part in the concert, as was the case in his first two visits. Programme was delightful – it is extraordinary to what pitch of excellence he has brought those country lads, but he is a veritable tyrant. His men both love and are terrified of him. Among other things was Nicolai’s overture to ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’. This has always had the most wonderful fascination and charm for me. Col. Brase came to us for tea. The evening concert was still finer and the mighty living organ responded to overture to ‘Faust’ and to ‘Rhinegold’. The houses were not too good, but they were all highly enthusiastic. Col. Brase, Horgans, Michael Donovan ((The real name of the writer known as Frank O’Connor.)) the poet, Dr. Frend were for supper. But I was not privileged. I wrote my diary in the kitchen while the gods did sit at table.
