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L A T E S T P O S T S
From Glenmore to Ontario, Canada: Maurice Denn (1825-1873)
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From Danny’s Files: The 1985 Interview of Dinny Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore
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Marking Founder’s Birthday: Tracing Your Family Tree Workshop
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Kate Raftice née Gahan (1854-1925) of Rochestown, Glenmore
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South Kilkenny Historical Society 2026
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From Danny’s Files: Frank Meehan (c. 1862-1930) a Glenmore Stonebreaker
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A Glenmore Photo: The Forristal’s
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From Danny’s Files: An Interview of Nicky Walsh (1919-2015) of Davidstown, Glenmore
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Glenmore Photos from the Eamon Jones Collection–Updated
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Glenmore Man Killed 120 Years Ago on the U.S.S. Bennington
From Glenmore to Ontario, Canada: Maurice Denn (1825-1873)
Today, we are going to outline the life of a Rochestown, Glenmore man who was born just over 200 years ago. Maurice Denn was baptized at Rochestown, Glenmore on 16 January 1825. According to Danny Dowling (1927-2023) the Denn’s were major local landholders before Cromwell, however Maurice Denn was born into more humble circumstances. We know very little about Maurice Denn’s early life except what can be gleaned from parish records.
Parents & Godparents
Maurice Denn was the son of Morgan Denn and his wife Margaret Mullally of Rochestown, Glenmore. Maurice, and particularly Morgan, are not common Glenmore first names. It may be the case that the names passed down from more affluent times. Maurice’s godparents in 1825 were Patrick Dollard and Catherine Mullally. We believe that Maurice’s godfather was later to become Rev. Patrick Dollard (1804-1868) who went to Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and built St. Mary’s Cathedral. See our post of 23 February 2025 regarding Rev. Patrick Dollard.
We believe that Maurice’s godmother Catherine Mullally, of Rochestown, married Garrett Murphy on 18 February 1828 at Slieverue. The witnesses to the wedding were Daniel Sullivan and Morgan Den (sic) Maurice’s father. Per the baptismal records of their two eldest children, Garret and Catherine Murphy resided at Glasshouse in Slieverue. In 1838, the address for their third child was recorded as Newtown, and Mary Denn was her godmother. The following year their address was Ferrybank. In 1841 their address was Slip, Ferrybank. In reviewing Kingston, Ontario mid 19th Century records all of these surnames are present.
Siblings
Morgan Denn and Margaret Mullally of Rochestown were married on 11 January 11, 1822 at Glenmore. The following children were found in parish records.
[1] Mary Denn, bapt. 11 May 1823
[2] Maurice Denn, bapt 16 Jan. 1825 (mother recorded as Mary Murry)
[3] Elizabeth Denn, bapt. 12 Aug. 1827
[4] Ellen Din (sic), bapt 21 May 1831 (Ellen Denn married Patrick Henneberry & was the mother of Maurice Henneberry (1859-1917). See our post of 14 Dec. 2025 for further information).
[5] Catherine Denn, bapt. 1834
Emigration to Kingston, Ontario, Canada
It isn’t clear when Maurice Denn emigrated to Kingston, Ontario, Canada, but he did marry Ellen Brennan (c.1816-1892) on 5 February 1852 in Ontario, Canada. The priest performing the marriage ceremony was Fr. Patrick Dollard (1804-1868) another Rochestown, Glenmore native, and we believe was Maurice’s godfather. The bride was the daughter of Patrick Brennan (deceased) and Mary Healy from the Parish of Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny.
Although we located Mary Brenan (sic) (b. 1802), at Byrnesgrove, Ballyragget, for this couple we could not locate Ellen. Our date of birth for Ellen is solely based on her published obituary although we note the 1871 Census states that she was 35 or born around 1836. However, the 1871 Census also provides that Maurice was 38 or born in 1833 and we know he was actually born in 1825. The 1871 Census also reveals that Ellen Denn née Brennan could not read or write and this may have hampered her recall of her birthdate and/or age.
Employment
The Kingston, Ontario City Directory 1857-1858 (p. 34) provides that Maurice was employed for a time as a guard at the Provincial Penitentiary and resided on Block Street. There are only three entries for Denn in the City Directory.
Denn, M.H., Brock St.
Denn, Maurice, guard, Provincial Penitentiary, Brock St.
Denn, William, gentleman, 30 Gore Street
In reviewing the 1873-1874 Kingston City Directory and Vicinity (p. 16) it soon became apparent that William and Maurice Denn were not probably related.
Denn, Maurice, res. Bay St., Grocers and Provisions
Denn, William, res Sydenham St., Sexton W.M. Church [Wesleyan Methodist]
William was a Sexton for the Sydenham Street Methodist Church, which was established in Kingston in 1852. By this time Maurice was living on Bay St. and was employed with respect to “grocers & provisions.” Contemporary newspapers report that Maurice Denn owned a tavern (Kingston Whig Standard, Thur. 18 April 1872, p. 3).
1872 Publications
Maurice Denn was 47 in 1872 and the following newspaper articles show one of his interests. This year also represented the last before the family experienced an era of tragedies.
The British Whig (Tue. 16 Jan. 1872, p. 3) reported that Mary Connell was charged with vagrancy and larceny. She admitted that she stole two buffalo robes from the sleigh of Mr. Maurice Denn. The robes were not recovered because the prisoner would not tell how she disposed of the robes.
The British Whig (Mon. 26 Aug. 1872, p. 2) under the title Aquatics reported that a four oared race of three miles for $40 a side was to take place on Monday evening at five o’clock in the harbour, providing the water is till. The strokes of the crews are Messrs. Maurice Denn and John Dacey. The amateurs are practicing up for the contest, with the two outrigger boats lately stored at O’Gorman’s. The course was from Cataraqui Bridge to the buoy off Morton’s Wharf and back.
Death of Maurice Denn (1825-1873) and Ellen Denn née Brennan (c. 1816 -1892)
The following short newspaper death notice was found in The British Whig (Thu. 18 Dec. 1873, p. 2). “In Kingston, Dec. 17th Mr. Morrice (sic) Denn, aged 45 years. The funeral will take place on tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from his late residence, Bay Street, to St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend.”
Almost twenty years later Maurice’s widow died. The following death notice was published inThe Weekly British Whig (Thu. 9 June 1892, p. 1). “Denn—In Kingston, on June 1st, Ellen, relict of the late Maurice Denn, native of the county Kilkenny, Ireland, aged 76 years.” At the time of Ellen’s death only her daughter Margaret survived her.
Children of Maurice Denn & Ellen Denn née Brennan
Three children were found in the Denn household in the 1871 Census. Two were born to the couple, and the third child was recorded as adopted. Although recorded as adopted the child retained the surname Burke.
[1] Patrick Denn was born on 30 Oct. 1852 and died from drowning on 3 July 1879 at the age of 27. The British Whig (Fri. 4 July 1879, p. 3) “SAD DROWNING CASE—Last evening about 9 p.m. an accident of a very painful character occurred just after the barge “Minnie” loaded with cordwood had passed through the locks at Kingston Mills. A young man named Patrick Denn, aged about 22 years, was busily engaged in coiling some rope near the cabin; while engaged in pulling the rope it came too suddenly and he slipped, tumbling overboard.”
“A board was thrown from the barge to him, but he was so much exhausted as to be unable to reach it. The barge was stopped and an active search made for the body which was found about an hour afterwards. He was brought to the city and tenderly carried to the home of his widowed mother, on Bay Street. The young man was well known in the city, and was highly respected by his companions. He was formerly employed in Conroy’s store on Market Square. His sister left this morning on the ‘Maud’ for Watertown, and has been telegraphed for.”
[2] Margaret Denn (1854-1892)–On 9 February 1880, William McQuaid and Margaret Denn were married in Kingston. The groom was the son of Wm. McQuaid and his wife, Mary O’Neil. Three years after their marriage, Margaret and William McQuaid were witnesses when her adopted sister Mary Burke married.
In the 1891 Census Margaret and William McQuaid had four children comprised of one girl and three boys. William was employed as a “Miller of Sounding Boards for Pianos.” [2a] Mary McQuaid was born about 1883; [2b] Parnell McQuaid was born about 1884; [2c] Maurice McQuaid was born about 1885 and [2d] John McQuaid was born about 1888. Also in the household in 1891 was Margaret’s mother, Ellen Denn née Brennan, who reported that she was 78 years of age. A fifth child was recorded in the 1900 U.S. Census [2e] Katie McQuaid who was reported as having been born in May 1890.
Margaret McQuaid née Denn died on 2 November 1892 of TB in Kingston, Ontario. Margaret died just 5 months after her mother died. Margaret McQuaid née Denn had in 20 years suffered the loss of her only brother, her father, her sister and her mother. Her husband was left with 5 young children under 10 to rear.
Apparently soon after his wife’s death, William moved with his children to Chicago Illinois. The 1900 U.S. Census provides that he was a 48 year-old widower born in Canada and both his parents were also born in Canada. We know this is not correct. He alleged that his youngest child, Katie was born in May 1890, but the child is not reflected on the Canadian 1891 Census. All four of the other children are present in Chicago, and Parnell, Maurice and William are employed as piano makers. William recorded that the family immigrated in 1892 and he was a naturalised citizen.
William McQuaid apparently died on 7 October 1904 in Chicago and at that time his occupation was saloon keeper. For further information see William McQuaid’s grave information available at findagrave.
[3] Mary Burke (1857-1889) per the 1871 Census, was adopted by Maurice and Ellen Denn. Mary Burke was born at Kingston on 15 April 1857. Her parents were John Burke and Margaret Delaney. Her parents were married on 17 April 1856. Fr. Patrick Dollards performed the marriage and noted that the witnesses were George Russell, James Burke, and Mrs. Ellen Denn (née Brennan). The groom was the son of James Burke (stone mason) and his wife Bridget Brennan and the bride was the daughter of James Delaney and Mary Brennan.
Mary Burke was born one year after her parent’s marriage. Her godmother was Mrs. Ellen Denn née Brennan. Her mother Margaret Burke née Delaney (c.1834-1859) died on 14 July 1859 at the age of 25. Her mother’s death notice states that she was a native of County Kilkenny (The Kingston Whig Standard (Sat. 16 July 1859, p. 2). Fr. Patrick Dollard conducted Margaret Burke née Delaney’s funeral and noted that she was interred in the presence of John Burke, George Russell and Maurice Denn and others. A headstone in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery of Kingston provides that Margaret Delaney died 14 July 1859 at the age of 25 and was a native of Toor Parish, Ballyragget, Kilkenny, Ireland.
Mary Burke married Patrick McKenty on 16 April 1883. Her parents were listed as John Burke and Margaret Delaney. Witnesses to the wedding were Wm. McQuade and Margaret McQuade (née Denn). Patrick McKenty was 33 years of age and the son of John McKenty and Mary Carr. The groom was born on Amherst Island, Canada.
After only six years of marriage, Mary McKenty née Burke tragically died on 23 June 1889 of Consumption [TB]. She was just 31 years and 9 months old when she died, and we believe she left three small children. The Kingston Whig Standard (Wed. 10 July 1889, p. 2) published a short article. “Much regret is expressed in Kingston circles over the untimely death of Mrs. P. McKenty, (nee Mary Burke) in your city. The deceased lady was not only well known but highly thought of by a multitude of former Kingstonians, now citizens of Chicago.”
Other Family Deaths
In the course of trying to unravel Maurice Denn’s family we came across a two related notices or obituaries.
Margaret Delaney née Brennan (c. 1834-1859) [mother of Mary Burke] The Kingston Whig Standard (Sat. 16 July 1859, p. 2) published “Died—In Kingston, on the 14th of July, Mrs. Margaret Delaney, wife of Mr. John Burke, aged 25 years a native of the County Kilkenny, Ireland. The funeral was held from the residence of Mr. John Burke on William Street.”
Patrick McKenty (c.1847-1912) (widower of Mary McKenty née Burke died 23 years after his wife)The Daily Standard (Mon. 30 Dec. 1912, p. 2) published a short obituary. “The remains of the late Patrick McKenty, who died in Hamilton last week, were brought to this city on Sunday afternoon for burial. The late Mr. McKenty was well known in Kingston, where for many years he resided and where he was accustomed of late to spend his winters. He was 65 years of age and always enjoyed the best of health. His death was quite unexpected. Survived by son John of Hamilton and two daughters. Mrs. V.C. Joyce of Fort William and Mrs. (Dr.) Keating of Chicago.”
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The feature photo is an old postcard of St. Mary’s Cathedral of Kingston, Ontario.
The postcard of Kingston Market Square is c. 1902 and is courtesy of The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Market Square and City Hall, Kingston, Ont.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed February 8, 2026. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/9fca5540-c62c-012f-9bb0-58d385a7bc34
From Danny’s Files: The 1985 Interview of Dinny Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore
On 11 January 2026 we posted an article about Frank Meehan who was a Glenmore stone breaker. Today, we will highlight additional information that Denis “Dinny” Murphy gave Danny Dowling (1927-2021). Danny interviewed Dinny Murphy on Saturday, 16 March 1985 after the funeral of Nora Holden Morrissey (c. 1920-1985) a native of Clune, Glenmore. Further information regarding Nora Morrissey née Holden is below. Dinny died the year following his interview with Danny. Dinny never married, and his interview is contains some interesting nick names used in Glenmore.
A Glenmore Ganger
A ganger was a foreman over men. The ganger on the roads of Glenmore in the 1930’s was a man from Mooncoin. He lodged at Civil’s (Forristal’s) in Ballyverneen during the week and went home to Mooncoin on weekends. Jimmy “Civil” Forristal was a timekeeper on the County Council. According to Dinny he was “a devil” to the men who worked under him. Dinny claimed that Jimmy Forristal had his men working overtime and wouldn’t pay them for the overtime.
Eventually Jimmy Forristal was sacked according to Dinny. The story related to Danny was that there was a steam roller driver who was a Protestant. This steam roller driver was working on the Council crushing stones at Forristal’s Halfway House. [Near Murphy’s Garage on the N25.] Jimmy failed to deliver 3 cwt. [336 lbs.] of coal to the steam roller. The coal had been delivered to Civil’s for storage.
James Forristal (1888-1941) of Ballyverneen, Glenmore
Due to GDPR there is a lacuna or gap of publicly available information for births after 1924 and deaths before 1871 and after 1974. Turning to Glenmore headstones we were unable to locate James “Jimmy” Forristal. Flipping the puzzle around we attempted searching from the 1961 list of Ballyverneen residents recorded by Danny. We found Anne “Nancy Civil” Doolan née Forristal (c. 1925-2001) and her mother Mary Forristal (c. 1896-1973). Annie “Nancy Civil” Forristal married Patrick Doolan (1919-1996) in 1949. No father was listed for the bride on the marriage certificate.
We believe the Jimmy Forristal of Ballyverneen, who was a ganger on the Council in the 1930’s, was James Forristal of Ballyverneen who died on 14 April 1941. At the time of his death he was 53-year-old bachelor. He died of stomach cancer. His sister Mary Forristal was present when he died. Thus, it appears that Jimmy “Civil” Forristal was an uncle of Anne “Nancy Civil” Doolan.
Parents and Siblings
Jimmy “Civil” Forristal’s parents were Patrick Forristal (farmer), of Ballyverneen, who married Bridget Morrissey, of Aylwardstown, on 6 August 1885 at Glenmore. The father of the groom was James Forristal (farmer), and the father of the bride was Patrick Morrissey (farmer) of Aylwardstown. Three known children were born to Patrick Forristal and his wife Bridget Morrissey: [1] Catherine Foristal (sic) (b. 1887); [2] James Forristal born on 16 September 1888 and [3] Mary Forristal born on 8 May 1896.
Glenmore Steam Roller
Dinny also told Danny in his 1985 interview that the Glenmore Engine was the first to steamroll the main road from Ross to Waterford. The Glenmore Creamery had a special frame for lifting the engine in order to change the front wheels. The frame was above the stores by the side of the footpath going up to the manager’s house.
Dinny recalled the stonebreakers that worked in Glenmore in his time as including: himself; his brother Jack Murphy, of Milltown; Tony Brennan, of Shanbogh; Frank Meehan; Jack Power, Jamestown; Jim McGuire of Rochestown in “Johnnie the Money’s” Quarry in Gaulstown. [Believed to have been on the MacDonald’s farm.] About 15 men were working under Purcell of the Dog’s Road [Slieverue] who was the timekeeper. About 10 men were working in Glensensaw Quarry [north of Rosbercon].
Dinny Murphy’s Parents
Dinny reported that he was born on 1 November 1901 at Milltown, Glenmore. He was the son of Jack Murphy and his wife Kitt Merrigan [the couple married at Glenmore in 1893]. He had two brothers: Jack Murphy [b. 1899] and Mikie Murphy. He also had a sister Mollie Murphy [b. 1894, never married]. His mother had a sister Ellen Merrigan who was married to Patsey Hawe of Rochestown, who were the grandparents of the Dillon’s. [Patrick Hawe married Mary Merrigan in 1895 at Glenmore.]
Kitt and Ellen Merrigan’s parents were Mick Merrigan, of Milltown, and his wife _____ Morrissey of Kilbrahan. Mick Merrigan was from the Old House in Cottage Plot on ¾ acre. Dinny asserted that his cottage was the second cottage to be built in Glenmore. Hagan’s of Ballycroney had the first cottage in the parish. Dinny told Danny his was built in 1875. Danny wrote in his notes, “but I doubt it.”
Dinny Murphy’s Employment 1942
Dinny told Danny that he worked at the Graiguenakill Mill for a time. He was working there in 1942 when Nicky Forristal bought 23 acres from Hoynes for £500. “He had 10 acres of great land in Forristalstown which he sold to Ned Grace.” It is assumed that the “he” refers to Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979)and is an explanation of how Nicky afforded the 23 acres purchase price.
Nora Morrissey née Holden (c. 1920-1985)
In 1950 Nora Holden of Cloone (sic), Glenmore, married John Morrissey, of Coolroebeg, Thomastown. The couple had one son Richard Morrissey. Nora died in 1985. Her obit can be viewed on our M surname page under her married surname and her wedding announcement can be viewed on our H surname page under her maiden name Holden.
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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Special thanks to Willie Holden for information regarding his aunt Nora Morrissey née Holden (c. 1920-1985).
The featured photo of the steam roller is courtesy of the New York Public Library, General Research Division. “Iroquois steam roller.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed February 1, 2026. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c2c53ab0-c638-012f-eee2-58d385a7bc34
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Marking Founder’s Birthday: Tracing Your Family Tree Workshop
In 2018, our founder Danny Dowling (1927-2021) began glenmore-history.com to make the historical information he recorded for over 70 years available freely to everyone everywhere.
To mark Danny’s 99th birthday we, along with Glenmore Tidy Towns, are on Sunday afternoon the 15 February 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m. holding a free workshop for anyone interested in tracing their ancestors (even if the ancestors are not from Glenmore). This workshop will be suitable for beginners. All you need to bring with you is a pencil. We will provide a tree and resources to help get you started.
We are also seeking volunteers with experience in genealogy or knowledge of local families/townlands, to help some of the beginners. If you have any experience or knowledge, and would like to volunteer please contact me at glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Kathleen
Danny at work researching.
Kate Raftice née Gahan (1854-1925) of Rochestown, Glenmore
Today, we feature a woman who died in 1925 and is still spoken about among the older Glenmore residents. Kate or Kit Raftice, as she was known, had and has the reputation of having been a very difficult woman. In a time when men, particularly the eldest son inherited the farm, she obtained the family farm over her brothers. She is reported to have had a young man working on her farm who died from ringworm. Her husband of only a few years was dead in the house, and she never told his brother who came to cut the corn that he was dead. She put a curse on her neighbour who was married to her cousin or niece. Kate Raftis died a horrible death in 1925 and that is our starting point.
Horrible Death in Rochestown, Glenmore
At about 11in the morning on Saturday the 19th of December 1925, John Murphy, a labourer, called to Kate Raftice’s home in Rochestown. It was reported in the Cork Examiner that Kate Raftice was a 70 year-old widow who lived alone on her 50 acre farm. John Murphy found Kate Raftice unconscious. She suffered terrible burns on her head, face and body. “Her features were almost unrecognisable.” It was opined that she fell into her open fire and “being very feeble” she was “unable to render herself any assistance.” She died within an hour of being found (Cork Examiner, Tues. 22 Dec. 1925, p. 7). Her death was widely reported in other Irish newspapers including Irish Independent (Tues. 22 Dec. 1925, p. 8).
Dr. Denis J. Walsh, of Graigenamanagh, in 1925 was the Coroner for South Kilkenny. Dr. Walsh decided that an inquest was not necessary (Irish Times, Sat. 26 Dec. 1925, p. 6). While a Coroner was not required to hold an inquest, the Coroner did have to hold an inquiry. At an inquiry a Coroner had to listen to or read the evidence the police provided (Dr. Ian Walsh, BL (2026)). Dr. Walsh apparently was satisfied that there was nothing suspicious and issued the death certificate for Kate Raftice.
A death was recorded in the Registrar for Kate Raftice. However, her death is incorrectly recorded as 19 December 1926. It is stated that she died of shock four hours after suffering extensive burns. Her age at death was recorded as 65. Her brother-in-law Edward Phelan of 24 John’s St., Waterford is recorded as being present when she died. There was no electricity or telephone in the Raftice home. It is assumed that the nearest telephone was at the Aylwardstown train station. If not, John Murphy had to go to the Gardai barracks in Glenmore Village. It is difficult to see how Edward Phelan was present by noon when Kate Raftice died.
In examining the death register it appears that the date may have originally been recorded as 1925 but the 5 in the entry was overwritten as a 6. The death was recorded on the 14th of May 1926 (7 months before the recorded date of death) which should have alerted the clerk that the correct year of death was 1925.
According to the Annual Report of the Registrar-General of Marriages, Births and Deaths 1925 for Saorstát Éireann (p. xxiii) there were 149 deaths in Ireland in 1925 caused from burns and scalds. This number reflects 65 males and 84 females. Of the 149 deaths 88 were children under 5 years of age. Unfortunately, the number of deaths due to burns and scalds of elderly persons is not recorded. See page 33 for the statistics dealing with County Kilkenny deaths.
The Husband, John Raftice (1862-1905)
John Raftice was a native of Davidstown, Glenmore. As a young man he went to California. He worked in a remote area and saved his money. John Raftice returned to Ireland, and on 17 February 1900 married Kate Gahan of Rochestown. The groom’s father was Robert “Robin” Raftice (c. 1826-1908) (farmer) and the bride’s father was Joseph Gahan (c. 1809-1891)(deceased farmer). (See our post of 4 March 2024 for details regarding John Raftice in California.)
1901 Census
Successive searches have not revealed a record or obituary reflecting when John Raftice died. He was married in 1900 and is present in the 1901 Census living in Rochestown. His age is recorded in the 1901 Census as 36. Kate is recorded as being 30 and her sister Ellen Gahan is 26 years of age. Also present in the house is a 12 year-old boy named Richard Dwyer.
Richard Dwyer (b.c. 1889)
In the 1901 Census Richard Dwyer was recorded as being born in Waterford, and he is listed as being a servant. No record could be located for Richard Dwyer born in Waterford circa 1889.
In 1958, Ned Roche of Rathinure told Statia Walsh née Kennedy that a young fellow died of ringworm at Kit Raftice’s. Was Richard Dwyer the young man who died of ringworm? We searched death records to no avail. Checking the 1911 Census Richard was no longer in Rochestown. However, we found a Richard Dwyer aged 22 living with the Wallace family in Ballyhack, Wexford as their servant. However this Richard Dwyer is recorded as having been born in Wexford.
Death of John Raftice
John Raftice is not found in the 1911 Census. The only clue we have as to when John Raftice died was provided by Danny Dowling (1927-2021). Danny copied the diary of James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore. In his diary James Aylward recorded local deaths, births and marriages. James Aylward recorded that John Raftice died in September 1905. Rochestown is near Ballyhobuck. Even armed with a month and year of death we were unable to locate a death record for John Raftice. Using the death date of another Glenmore resident that died in 1905 we learned that this other person’s record is unavailable because there are quality issues with the original. We have sought further clarification.
The Gahan Family of Rochestown, Glenmore
Finding a baptismal record for Kate Raftice née Gahan was problematic. Every record provided a different year of birth. Thanks to Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal in 1969 we have quite a bit of information concerning Kate’s siblings and of course we then obtained her mother’s maiden name. The original interview of Nicky the Miller Forristal can be viewed on our G surname page under Richard Gahan.
Joseph Gehan (sic) (c. 1809-1891) married on 15 February 1844, in Mullinavat, to Bridget Bourke (c. 1822-1896) of Ballynacooly. The couple resided in Rochestown, Glenmore and had at least 9 children.
[1] Richard Gahan (1845-1927) of Scart, Glenmore, in 1908 married Anastatia Grace of Listerlin. He was over 60 when he married. The fathers of the bride and groom were Joseph Gahan (deceased farmer) and Patrick Grace (farmer). The couple lived in Listerlin and had at least two daughters (1a) Bridget Gahan born in 1909 and (1b) Ellen Gahan born in 1910.
[2] Walter Gahan (1846-1904) Never married.
[3] Mary Gahan b. 1848;
[4] Thomas Gahan b. 1852;
[5] Catherine Gahan b. 1854 to James (sic) Gahan & Bridget Rurk (sic) of Rochestown, Glenmore
[6] Bridget Gahan (1857-? ) married Edward Phelan of John St., Waterford, on 30 September 1900. She was residing on Beau St., and her father was Joseph Gahan, farmer. Her sister Ellie Gahan was the maid of honour. They were married in Waterford City.
[7] Johanna Gahan (1859-1882) Never married.
[8] Michael Gahan (1862-1892) died in Australia per the family headstone.
[9] Ellen Gahan (1864- ?) married her widowed brother-in-law Edward Phelan, publican of John St., Waterford, on 1 September 1908 at Mount Melleray, Waterford. Strangely in the 1911 Census Edward Phelan stated he was a widower and that Ellen Gahan was his sister-in-law not his wife of 3 years.
In the interview Nicky the Miller while discussing the Gahan siblings also listed Joseph Gahan who married a Fitzgerald of Moulerstown. The couple only had one child Ellen Gahan (c. 1884-1965) who was called Clara. Ellen Gahan (c. 1884-1965) married Laurence Walsh (1881-1959) of Smithstown, Tulloagher. The couple farmed in Rochestown. We could not find a baptismal record for Joseph Gahan, the son of Joseph Gahan and Bridget Bourke. Was Thomas Gahan (b. 1845) called Joseph perhaps? Neither name is reflected on the family headstone.
The Rochestown, Glenmore Farm
No Glenmore story involving a farm would be complete without accounting for the farm. Kate Raftice had no children and after her death arrangements were made to sell the farm. Thomas Walsh and Son, auctioneers, sold the Rochestown farm “containing 62 acres S.M., subject to £27 1/4 per annum. The auction was by directions of the executor of the late Mrs. Kate Raftice. The bidding was brisk. Mr. C. Quinlan, solicitor, Waterford, was declared the purchaser in trust for 825 guineas. Messrs P.A. Murphy and Co., Solicitors, Waterford, had carriage of sale. Immediately after the sale of the farm the cattle, horses, crops and farm implements were disposed of at satisfactory prices” (Waterford News & Star, 26 Feb 1926 p. 5).
A guinea was 21 shillings, so the farm sold for £866 5s or just short of £14 per acre. Ironically, it is reported that the land was purchased by the man upon which Kate Raftice placed a curse, Larry Walsh (c. 1884-1959) of Rochestown. Larry or Laurence Walsh was the father of Glenmore character Martin Walsh (1918-1996). See our post of 31 December 2023 regarding Martin Walsh.
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Special thanks to legal historian Dr. Ian Walsh, BL for explaining the Coroner issues.
If you have any additional information, corrections or photos etc. please email glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
South Kilkenny Historical Society 2026
We have been asked to send out the South Kilkenny Historical Society’s lecture schedule for January to April 2026. All lectures will be held in the Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite St. Beacon’s Church) commencing at 8 p.m.
Thursday, January 29, 2026–Liam Burke, “A Kilkenny Man Looks Back”
Thursday, February 19, 2026–Éamon Ó Cuív, “Fianna Fáil: Its Foundation & Early Years”
Friday, March 17, 2026–Ruth Duffy, “Caring in the Crossfire: Northern Ireland’s Health Service During the Troubles”
Friday, April 27, 2026–Siobhán Doyle, “Memories & Memorabilia: Telling G.A.A. Stories Through Objects”
From Danny’s Files: Frank Meehan (c. 1862-1930) a Glenmore Stonebreaker
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed Denis “Dinny” Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore on Saturday the 16th of March 1985 at the County Home in Thomastown. Danny noted that it took place in the evening after Nora Holden Morrissey’s funeral. This interview provides a fascinating glimpse into local men who worked for the County Council in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
According to Dinny Murphy, in the 1930’s the local stonebreakers on the Council got 1/3d for breaking 25 cwt of stones. The stones had to be broken so they could pass through a two-inch riddle. It used to take a great man to break a box of stones in the day. The box was able to contain 25 cwt. [For our international readers, cwt was a unit of weight that equalled 112 lbs. 25 cwt. Therefore, it would be 2800 lbs. or 1.25 British (long) tonne or 1.4 U.S. (short) ton for 1 shilling and 3 pence or 6 shillings and 3 pence in a five day week].
Frank Meehan (c. 1862-1930)
Dinny Murphy Interview
Dinny Murphy described Frank Meehan as about 5 feet 8 inches in height and fairly stout. He had a grey black beard and wore a black hat. He was a schoolteacher in India but got sunstroke which affected his mind. He never spoke very much; he answered if spoken to. In Dinny’s remembrance Frank Meehan first lived for a couple of years in Conway’s house in Forristalstown which was then vacant. He next went to live in Ned Murphy’s in Shanbogh, where Neddy Doolan lived afterwards. He lived there for about 9 years until he died rather suddenly.
Frank Meehan is buried in Shanbogh cemetery next to Victor O’Donovan Power. (For further information on the writer Victor O’Donovan Power, see our post of 22 October 2020). Dinny Murphy related that Frank Meehan died in the late 1920’s. Frank was receiving the old age pension and died “in Ned Murphy’s.”
The Interview of Nellie Dowling née Doherty, native of Millstown, Glenmore
Around 1980, Danny Dowling interviewed his aunt Nellie Dowling at her home in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow. Nellie was married to Danny’s uncle Dick Dowling. Nellie who was born and reared in Milltown, Glenmore described Frank Meehan as being about 5 feet, 10 inches in height, of bigish build and a nice looking man. Very well educated, and a great conversationalist. He had been in the British Army, and got sunstroke in India. He dressed well and wore a bowler hat. He was very friendly with the Doolan’s of Shanbogh, whom he used visit. When he came out of the army and returned home, he became a stone breaker on the roads around Shanbogh and Glenmore. He used to stay at Mullally’s house in Forristalstown and later lodged at Ned Murphy’s in Shanbough where Neddie Doolan lived afterwards [DD Notebook 24, interview of Nellie Dowling née Doherty, of Rathnew, Co. Wicklow c. 1980].
Siblings of Frank Meehan
We believed Frank was born in Waterford City because in the 1911 Census it was indicated that he was born in Waterford City. There was only one Francis Patrick Meehan, baptized in Waterford about 1862. However, this Francis Meehan’s father was an R.I.C. officer. We do not believe that the child baptized Francis Patrick Meehan on 3 August 1862, at Trinity Within, Waterford City, is the Frank Meehan who later lived in Glenmore and broke stones for a living.
Frank Meehan in his army documents named two brothers as his next of kin. Frederick and George Meehan. On 21 January 1884 Frederick Meehan married Harriet Conway in Dublin. Frederick was a tutor and said that his father was Patrick Meehan deceased soldier. George Meehan was his best man. George Meehan (porter, age 30) married Helena Egan on 17 January 1887 in Dublin. George identified his father as Patrick Meehan, soldier.
We were not able to find any birth records for these three brothers in Ireland. In the 1911 census George Meehan was 56 years of age and reported being born in Simons Town, South Africa. In 1911 he lived on Marlborough St., Dublin and managed a funeral home. George William Meehan served 10 years and 4 months in the British Army (4th BDE. Fd. Arty.) in India. His pension date was 23 October 1883.
Military Service of Francis Patrick Meehan
In the UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pension Records a file for Francis Patrick Meehan was located. Frank Meehan enlisted in the British Army on 9 January 1885; he was 22 years and 5 months of age. He gave his profession as student and agreed to 12 year term.
His military file describes him as follows: 5 feet 5 ½ inches tall; 125 lbs.; with a 32 ½ inch chest; hazel eyes; black hair and a fresh complexion. It was noted under distinctive marks, that he had something on his right leg, but not sufficient to incapacitate him as a schoolmaster. His enlistment and military physical exam took place in London. He was certified until 2 April 1890 with service no. 72648. He was appointed to the Corps of Schoolmasters by special authority 50 R.M. Asylum-8118-2-1.
Apparently, the British Army in the late nineteenth century realized that the world was becoming more technical, and its recruits were not always literate. The authorities decided to recruit schoolmasters to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of its troops and to teach the British Schools for the children of the army, personnel and British civil servants across the Empire.
Hospitalisations
Frank Meehan spent time in hospital on 3 occasions during his service. From 18 July 1885 until 31 January 1887, he suffered enteric fever (121 days in hospital). Enteric fever is a serious systemic bacterial infection caused by typhoid or paratyphoid fever. It is spread through eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms can develop days or weeks after exposure. Before antibiotics it could be fatal.
After recovering from the enteric fever Frank Meehan was sent to India. He spent 309 days in India in late 1887 and early 1888. He gave his two brothers as his next of kin: Frederick Meehan, 19 Christ Church Place, Dublin and George Meehan 26 Castle St., Dublin.
In 1889, Frank Meehan spent 11 days in hospital for alcoholism. In 1890, he spent 86 days in hospital with melancholia [depression]. After being hospitalised, the doctors noted that he was practically recovered and ordered rest and surveillance. The melancholy they thought was partly the result of the enteric fever and aggravated by the climate in India.
On 1 March 1890, Frank Meehan appeared before a medical board. He suffered from the disease of melancholia. He was recommended for a change to England. It was noted under general remarks as to habits, conduct etc. “Habit irregular. Conduct lately unaccountable…” After returning to England, he was discharged from the army.
1901 and 1911 Census
The 1911 Census provides that Frank Meehan was 50 years of age and born in Waterford City. He was employed as a stonebreaker and lodged with the John Mullally family of Forristalstown, Glenmore. John Mullally and his wife Johanna farmed in Forristalstown.
In 1901 Frank Meehan may have lodged with John Walsh (age 85) of 10 Bewley St., New Ross. This Frank Meehan was 39 and employed as a labourer. He reported that he was born in Waterford.
An Honest Man
Dinny Murphy told Danny that “Ned Murphy on one occasion sent Frank Meehan to a neighbour’s field for a turnip. Frank returned with no turnip and was asked the reason why. Frank said that there was no one in the field to ask when he went there, and he could not take it without getting permission. Ned cursed him for returning without a turnip” (Interview of 16 March 1985).
Newspaper Articles
At a meeting of the IDA (Co. Kilkenny) District Council, John Mullally (address not provided) made a motion that single men be excluded from cottages and any single man currently in possession should be allowed to stay until Ash Wednesday unless they married. His motion failed and the Committee considered 44 applications for cottages, 30 passed and 14 failed. Francis Meehan was rejected for a cottage in Forrestalstown on the land of John Grace, as “he was not a proper person for the cottage.” It is not clear why he was deemed not a proper person. It could have been because he was not a farm labourer (New Ross Standard, Fri. 26 May 1911, p. 7). For further information on the awarding of cottages see our post of 23 November 2025.
However, shortly before this cottage decision Francis Meehan, of Shanbogh, was before the New Ross Petty Sessions court for drunkenness. The case was adjourned for a week when Frank promised to “take the pledge” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 31 March 1911, p. 14.) It may have been the case that his drinking made him “not a proper person.”
The last article that we found was from 1917. The newspaper reported that a “letter was read at the New Ross Urban Council from Francis Meehan, Shanbogh. Frank Meehan argued that in view of the increased and increasing prices of food and the irregular and very low wages himself and his colleagues had for breaking stones they asked for an increase from 3s. allowed to 4s. per ton. The application was refused (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 March 1917, p. 2).
Death
Frank Meehan, died on 10 August 1930 in the County Home in Thomastown, the same place where Denis “Dinny” Murphy told Danny Dowling about Frank 56 years later. At the time of his death Frank Meehan was recorded as being a 68 year-old bachelor.
The featured painting above is Stonebreakers by Gustave Courbets (1819-1879) painted in 1849 and destroyed in 1945. For information regarding the painting see, Cynthia Li (2021) “A Focused Look Into Courbet’s The Stonebreakers.”
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh