Yesterday evening, the annual meeting of the Irish Church Missions took place in Manchester, with Mr C. Duckworth presiding. He was joined by supporters such as Messrs. R. Heaton Smith and W. Jackson, as well as Reverends W. J. Sheldon, T. Dickinson, F. Birch, and Edwin Jones, all hailing from Manchester. Notably, Dr Long from Limerick was also present and delivered a compelling account of the mission’s work in Limerick, including its early struggles and efforts to combat ignorance in basic hygiene among the impoverished communities. Dr Long shed light on the alarming conditions in certain slums, which surpassed any squalor seen in England. The dissemination of the Bible was also discussed, and he emphasized the lack of familiarity with its contents among the people of some districts in Ireland. Dr Long questioned the influence of Irish members of Parliament, suggesting they held a weight and importance greater than warranted. He expressed hope for fair governance in Ireland, free from undue clerical influence, and believed that both Catholic and Protestant communities would benefit from equitable treatment. The Reverend R. A. Waters, the clerical secretary, and other delegates also addressed the gathering.

Manchester Courier – Wednesday 22 March 1905