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Today, we feature articles about the Glenmore senior football team, the Glenmore junior hurling team, a marriage and local deaths, as well as an eclectic mix of articles that appeared in local newspapers in March 1924 and were undoubtedly discussed one hundred years ago. By all accounts the weather from January to March 1923 was poor and was blamed for the continuing spread of flu as well as poor fishing and farming prospects.

St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks Seized

“Upon the arrival of the Saxonia in dock the New York Customs Authorities confiscated six little pots, especially brought from Ireland by Father Robinson of Wicklow, containing growing shamrock for wear on St. Patrick’s Day. The attitude of the authorities was most sympathetic, but they explained that they were compelled to seize the shamrock by virtue of a stringiest law forbidding the importation of vegetation with roots,” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 March 1924, p 2).

Fishing

Whether due to weather conditions or otherwise, the reported catches of salmon in the Barrow are not at all up to the average of previous years ((New Ross Standard, Fri.7 March 1924, p. 8).

W. Fleming, J. Gehegan, D. Kennedy and W. Carroll, four Ballindine cot fishermen, caught a salmon weighing 50 lbs. the other night. The salmon was brought from them by Mr. P. Bourke, Lough Street, Carrick-in-Suir (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 7 March 1924, p. 8).

A 42 pound salmon was caught in the Barrow near New Ross and another weighing 35 pounds was caught during the week. The fishing season was still poor. The price of salmon was 2s 3d per pound (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 March 1924, p. 5).

Farm Prices

There was a scarcity of butter thought to be due to the weather conditions (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1924, p. 8).

Potatoes were scarce. The retail price in New Ross during the last week of March was up to 1s., 2d, per stone. At New Ross pig market on Monday fat pigs sold at 48s. to 53 s. per cwt., live weight (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 March 1924, p. 5)..

Message in a Bottle

At Cove, near Passage East, a young girl named Mason found a bottle on the strand. In the bottle was a message written by one of the men who “went to their last resting place amidst the din of war, when the now famous Formby, with her sister ship the Coningbeg, was set to the bottom of the sea by a German torpedo.”

The ships sank in December 1917.   The message in the bottle was written on a plain piece of white paper but had become almost undecipherable from the elements. “As far as the closest and most careful scrutiny of the message can show, the words written by the hand of a man in a moment of supreme crisis are as follows:

‘Oh, God have mercy on me, from Jack (or Jock) Burns…sinking now. …to Waterford…It is too bad. She never rounded…’ Here the message ends. The blanks in the sentences have evidently been caused by the action of time and water, or both, or mayhap in the excitement and stress of the sailor’s last moments his confusion of mind may have been responsible for the want of coherency in this the last message he could indite, and which he sealed in a bottle and cast to the care of the waves, with the hope of its ultimately reaching those who love and cherished him…” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 7 March 1924, p. 8).

For further information on the sinking of the two ships see, Andrew Doherty’s, Tides and Tales article of 16 December 2016, “Remembering the S.S. Formby and S.S. Coningbeg.” For further information of the impact of the message in the bottle see, Waterford Treasures.

Flooding and Flu

Owing to the prevalence of the flu epidemic the Thomastown National Schools were closed for the first two weeks of March. There was much illness in both adults and children in January and February in the parish due to the flooding (The Kilkenny People, Sat. 22 March, 1924, p. 7).

Ford Motor Cars

Early in March an editorial in the Munster Express made a couple of predictions. “With the reduction in price in the Ford car, we may expect to hear soon that every farmer has got a car, and that the milk now carried by the horse or ass is whirled to the creamery by motor. A close shave will then be the order of the day and the humble pedestrian (who has to rely upon shanks’ mare) had better prepare to walk the fences” (Munster Express, Sat.1 March 1924,  p. 6).

A week later, on Saturday the 8^th of March, on Waterford’s market day, a “magnificent display of Ford cars” was provided by Mr. T.J. Sheridan, motor proprietor, The Quay. Shortly before one a fleet of cars, comprising the touring and commercial vehicle type, left the garage premises at the Quay, and headed by the famous Fordson tractors, were driven by the firm’s employees, through the streets of Waterford. The vehicles were heralded by the loud sounding “of the hooters” The parade was witnessed and admired by a large number of citizens and country folk. “It is yet another remarkable and practical demonstration of the progressive stride that have been made of late by this particular firm” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 14 March 1924, p. 3).

1924 Spring Cleaning Advice

Although it was stated that mid-March was too early to think about sweeps, carpet-beating and paint cleaning housewives were told that there was much they could do to minimise the discomfort of spring cleaning. “For instance they can concentrate on timber rooms, chests, and cupboards in those parts where coal fires are not.” These items can be dusted, re-papered and re-arranged. “Mattresses too are best overhauled early in the season as when remaking is in question they are likely to be more quickly returned than later when upholstering departments are rushed with work. Bolsters and pillows no longer fresh can be given new cases, the feathers being well picked over and the necessary new ones added.” On dry days all mattresses and pillows should be given a sun bath, and as extra blankets can be dispensed with they should be cleaned or washed, ready for next winter’s use” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 14 March 1924, p. 7).

Kilivory Cemetery of Glenmore

The No. 2 (Co. Kilkenny) District Council met in the Council’s Offices, John’s Hill, Waterford. J. Donovan, D.C. wrote to the Council that he had visited the Kilmakevogure Graveyard (also known as Kilivory) “and found the state of affairs there worse than he anticipated. All round the graveyard there was evidence of trespass by goats. The bark was pulled off the strubs, and he saw the clay on graves scooped out as if by fowl. He saw a number of trees, the barks of which had been deliberately hacked away. There was now only one uninjured tree in the graveyard.”

A committee was appointed to visit the graveyard and report. The committee was comprised of Messrs. Donvan, Ennett, Cororan and J. Flanagan engineer (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 3).

Wedding & Deaths

Glenmore Wedding

The wedding of Mr. Richard Doherty, Coolnaleen, to Miss Fitzgerald of Knockbrack was announced in the Munster Express. (Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 5).

According to the Glenmore Parish Records Richard Doherty of Coolnaleen, Glenmore married Bridget Fitzgerald of Knockbrack, Glenmore on the 27^th of February 1924. Richard was the son of James Doherty (farmer) and Bridget was the daughter of Paul Fitzgerald (farmer). The couple were married by Fr. Patrick Freyne and the witnesses were John Doherty and Ellie Fitzgerald. For further information on the Doherty’s see our D family surname page. For further information on the Fitzgerald’s see our F family surname page.

Reported Deaths

Death of Hon. Granville Ponsonby (c. 1846-1924)

The same newspaper reported the death of the Hon. Granville Ponsonby (c. 1846-1924). He died in London, aged 78. He was the third son of the 7^th Earl of Bessborough, and uncle of the then present peer. He was formerly Chief of Police in St. Lucia (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 5). The Earl of Bessborough was one of the landlords of Glenmore.

Death of Miss May Walsh (c. 1911-1924) of Mullinavat

The 13 year old daughter of Ellen Walsh, née Mullins died in March 1924 at Mullinavat. Ellen Walsh née Mullins was a native of Flemingstown, Glenmore and the daughter of John Mullins. Miss May Walsh (c. 1911-1924) tragically died of T.B. after being ill for 3 months (Munster Express, Sat. 15 March 1924, p. 5 and death register).

Police Blotter

James Walsh, of Rochestown, Glenmore was prosecuted in the Waterford court for having on the 23^rd of February 1923 unlawfully assault, beat, and inflicted a dangerous wound on Kate Ryan or Lady Lane, Waterford. The case was adjourned by Supt. Halligan because a number of Kate Ryan’s family had died and “all the parties were that day attending the funeral.” A cross summons was made by the defendant James Walsh against John Ryan (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 4).

Patrick Scanlan was charged in the special court in Waterford for having on the 24^th of October 1922, “at Slieveue, with others, armed with firearms, feloniously breaking and entered the premises of Mr. Michael Rockett, and did there and then rob a quantity of groceries etc, and the sum of £2 in cash” (Munster Express, Sat. 22 March 1924, p. 5).

Glenmore Sports

Glenmore Junior Hurling

On the last Sunday in February Glenmore played Ballyhale at Clogga in the semi-final of the Southern Division of the junior hurling championship. “The attendance was rather on the small side, due probably to the coldness of the day ad the rumours that had gained currency in the surrounding district that the fixture had been postponed.” In the preliminary rounds both teams had “good displays” and it was expected that Sunday would have been a good game.

Ballyhale lacked the services of their most prominent players, while Glenmore was at full strength. “The game was fairly evenly contested, and towards the end interest was livened p considerably when Ballyhale came along with a great dash and tried their utmost to draw level, and live to fight another day. However, the Glenmore defence held out, and the balance of five points which separated the teams one time about represents the run of play.”

“The backs on both teams gave a good display, but both sets of forwards missed many likely chances. For the winners Hanrahan (goal), Phelan, Rockett, Heffernan and Williams played well. While for Ballyhale, MacBride (goal), Dalton, Fitzgerald, Darmody, and Phelan were about the pick.”

Final Score

Glenmore—2 goals, 3 points
Ballyhale—1 goal, 2 points

The Teams

Glenmore—J. Murphy; P. Murphy; J. Fitzgerald; M. Coady; P. Coady; R. Duggan; P. Mullins; S. Heffernan; J. Hanrahan; J. Phelan; T. O’Neill; T. Williams; R. Rockett; J. Quinn; L. Phelan.

Ballyhale—J. McBride; J. Phelan; J. Fitzpatrick; G. Darmody; T. Dalton; W. Ryan; J. MacNamara; T. MacNamara; M. Kearns; R. Kennealy; T. Fitzgerald; W. Dalton; W. Sullivan; J. Roche; J. Phelan (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 5).

Glenmore Appeal

The Glenmore junior hurling club appealed against the decision of the Southern Board in awarding the semi-final championship tie to Ballyhale. The matter was to be dealt with at the April meeting of the Kilkenny County Committee G.A.A. Also to be discussed was the continued ban on foreign games (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 5).

Glenmore Senior Football

The finals of the 1923 senior championships in hurling and football were played at St. James Park, Kilkenny on Sunday the 23^rd before a large crowd. Although it was wet in the morning there was no rain during the games. The pitch was in “splendid condition” (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 4).

The football final was between Glenmore and Cloneen. “The boys from the Big Glen by their display, left no doubt in the minds of anybody present as to who’s who in football in Co, Kilkenny. The game was a disappointing one, however, as the Glenmore men had matters all their own way after the first ten minutes, and with the exception of two runs, the Cloneen men were hemmed in their own territory for practically the hour.”

The Scores

“For the winners the scores were: Connolly (3 goals); Fitzgerald, 5 points; Hanrahan, 1 point; Mullins, 1 point. At the long whistle, Glenmore were declared the winners on the score of 3 goals, 7 points to 2 points. Mr. R. Walsh, Chairman Kilkenny Co. Board, G.A.A., carried on the duties of referee in a creditable manner” (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 4).

The Glenmore Team

Elsewhere in the paper the score was reported as 3 goals. 6 points to 2 points. “Glenmore, the southern opponents were undefeated in the Kilkenny Senior football championship since 1915, and to judge from their display on Sunday last they are likely to hold the honour for some time yet.” The Glenmore team was comprised of: A. Heffernan (goal); M. Cody (Captain); P. Cody; M. Cody; S. Heffernan; J. Doherty; P. Murphy P. Fitzgerald; J. Phelan; W. Irish, J. Hanrahan, J. Mullins, W. Hartley, P. Hartley and M. Connolly (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 5).

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Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

The cigarette card featuring shamrocks above is courtesy of George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library. “Do you know which is the true shamrock?” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 14, 2024. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e2-1de3-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh