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THEATRE ROYAL, DUBLIN. 151
ovations. In Cork the Theatre was not sufficiently large
to accommodate the numbers. But in Limerick the ex-
citement was indeed great. It was her native city. At
a very early age she displayed rare musical promise, and
had been endowed by nature with a wonderful soprano
voice. The good Bishop of Limerick (with whom the
mother of the artiste resided in the capacity of house-
keeper) discovering those qualities, contributed a suffi-
cient sum to allow of their cultivation ; and accordingly
Catherine proceeded to Dublin, and became a pupil of
A. Sapio, under whose auspices she appeared at the Ana-
creontic and other musical societies with great success ;
and after some time proceeded to Italy. She quickly
advanced, and gained a Continental reputation, which, of
course, rapidly spread to England, and the most lucrative
engagements ensued,
her services.
managers vying actively to secure
Naturally the public of Limerick were proud of sending
forth the first great Irish prima-donna, and expectation
was at the highest pitch when the announcements ap-
peared. Places were all secured in advance, and, like
that at Cork, the Theatre was not sufficiently large for the
demand. "La Sonnambula" was the first Opera. A
rather strange scene occurred on the occasion. When
the orchestra commenced the introduction to the Opera,
the occupants of the pit and gallery called out for
'"
Garryowen "
(their national tune). Of course, no no-
tice was taken ; the music proceeded, but the uproar in-
creased until it became hopeless to continue, and " Garry-
" owen ! !
Garryowen was the cry. The leader turned