February, 2020

Today, the 15^th of February 2020, is Danny Dowling’s 93^rd birthday. When I visited Danny today he was enjoying his birthday cake with a number of family and friends. Danny while reflecting on his age stated that this week the theme of the blog should be, “Time Marches On.” He indicated that instead of one subject we should highlight interesting facts from across his notebooks and I’ve included interesting historical facts that Danny provided over the last few months.

Waterford Stable–Before automobiles Glenmore people who drove their ass or horse into Waterford went to a yard where later the Metropole was built. At this yard the Glenmore people would park their cart, and  stable their horse or ass. If their business would take some time they might bring oats and hay to be fed to the animal while they transacted their business.

City of Waterford–At the turn of the 20^th century the City of Waterford had its own abattoir on Morrison’s Road.

How Danny Met Mollie–Danny Dowling met his wife, Mollie Lambert (1926-2015) when he was a patient in the fever hospital in New Ross. Mollie was a nurse. Maureen Walsh, of Rochestown, Glenmore was working with Mollie and introduced her to Danny. Danny and Molly were married in Marshalstown, Enniscorthy and Danny’s brother Michael Dowling was his best man.

Kilcolumb Churchyard of Rathinure–Lots of Glenmore people from the western side of the parish went to work in Waterford, and until the mid 1800’s returned to be buried in Kilcolumb churchyard long after the church was converted to Protestant use and fell into ruins.

Glenmore Creamery–At one time there was a saw mill and canteen in the Glenmore Creamery.

Kearneybay–The settlement of Kearneybay, originally was down nearer the river.

Glenmore’s Last Native Irish Speaker–Patsy Power, of Jamestown, Glenmore, was the last native Irish speaker and died in 1947.

Nicholas [correction William] Gaffney, of Glenmore Village–was executed in Ross on 6 June 1798. He was involved in the 1798 Rebellion, was captured and hanged from the old New Ross bridge. [Correction 1 March 2020–Nicholas Gaffney was William’s son. A link to Danny’s 1983 published article on William Gaffney may be found on the Link’s page.]

Post Box House, Aylwardstown–The cottage that was located behind the wall containing the Aylwardstown post box was sometimes referred to as the Gate Lodge (to Aylwardstown House) or later it was often called the Post Box House. Danny identified three known families that resided in the house. Wattie Power, the post man, was reared there. The Halligan’s or Hannon’s lived in the house as well as the Irish family.

The Building of Mullaly’s House in Forristalstown–Michael Dowling, of Forristalstown, Glenmore in 1980 informed Danny that the stones of 13 dwelling-houses went to build Mullaly’s house in Forristalstown. [DD Notebook 1]

Summer of 1907–Danny copied the diary of James Aylward, of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore. In the diary it was noted that Summer of 1907 was one of the wettest in years. The harvest was out in the fields until the latter end of November. [DD Notebook 2]

Mick Keegan, from Runaway to WWI Veteran and Ross Publican–Dan Doyle, formally of Ballyverneen, Glenmore was interviewed by Danny in 1980. Dan Doyle worked on the railway and he provided information concerning Mick Keegan. Mick Keegan, was the son the station master in Aylwardstown, Glenmore. Mick Keegan ran away from home and was missing. At the time that Mick Keegan ran away his father had not become the station master in Rathgarogue. Tim McMahon, of Rathgarogue, then a member of the Irish Guards in England wrote home to say that a Mick Keegan was in the Irish Guards. It turned out the man in question was in fact the missing son of Keegan the stationmaster. Mick Keegan won the King’s Cup at Bisley, in the championship shooting before the First World War. This award enabled him to gain admission to every Irish Guards’ club in any part of the world. He was in the infantry. When the Royal Flying Corps was being established they were recruiting tradesmen and technicians. Mick Keegan joined as a carpenter. He rose to the rank of major, and was in the First World War. When the war ended, Keegan came back to Ross where he bought a public house where Maher’s Bakery was located in 1980. Keegan ran this with his wife until the Second World War started. He rejoined the Royal Air Force. [DD Notebook 3]

Quintal of Fish–Professor John Mannion, St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1976 informed Danny that a quintal (qntl) of fish is 112 pounds of fish. The word quintal is a middle English word used in the Newfoundland fish business. [DD Notebook 4]

Newtown, Glenmore–Nicky Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore was interviewed by Danny in 1957 and revealed that Newtown, Glenmore, is the old town of Kilmakevoge. Old Micky McGrath of Newtown told Nicky Forristal that the people lived in Killivory at first. They had a dispute with the landlord and when they moved they settled in Newtown hence the name. [DD Notebook 5]

Tombstone Inscriptions Recorded in St. Mary’s (Protestant) Graveyard of New Ross–In 1978 Danny recorded  a number of inscriptions from headstones in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Here is one of the inscriptions. [DD Notebook 6]

Dog’s Road of Gurteens, Slieverue–Michael Cuddihy, formerly of Gurteens, was interviewed by Danny in 1980. Michael stated that at one time, long before the famine, a big lot of houses stood along the side of this road. A priest who had been appointed to Slieverue parish, was out on visitation and as he was passing this road, he found dogs in every house, and all of them were barking at him. He thereupon named the road “Dog’s Road.” Dog’s Road is situated in the townland of Gurteens, and Hackett, of Glasshouse, was the Landlord of the area and the houses in question.  Hackett was not satisfied with the tenants, and he arranged with Boyd, of Ross, to have all the houses burned. This foul deed was executed on a Sunday morning when all the occupants were at mass. The ruins were later pulled down by horses and swings supplied by a family known as the “Gosh Walsh’s,” who had land in Gurteens. This family later lived in the lodge in Ringville. Among those who lived in the burned houses were Walshs, Powers and Lyons. [DD Notebook 7]

Waterford Street Fountains–Danny interview in 1971 James Ryan, Foreman Plumber, of Waterford Corporation. James stated that there were 300 street fountains in Waterford City when he came to work with the Corporation on the 19^th of January 1931. There were also stand pipes for filling the water carts and about half a dozen of those still remained in 1931. [DD Notebook 8]

Kilkenny Assizes, notes from the Waterford Mail, 28 March 1825–Kilkenny, March 26, –the chief Justice arrived here on Friday evening, and on Saturday morning, at the usual time the Grand Jury was sworn. The charge was short. He congratulated the County on the state of the calendar, and the prospect of peace before us. No very important trials are expected. Two only for murder. Five o’clock—a man to be transported 14 years for having a 30 s., note no. 71,699, in his possession—knowing it to be forged. Another to be transported 7 years for robbing his master of a beam, for scales. [DD Notebook 10]

Buffalo Bill Circus Played Glenmore–Nicholas Forristal during a 1972 interview stated that he saw Buffalo Bill’s Circus in J.K’s field (over the Mill Road). They stayed one night there over fifty years ago. The night was bad and the crowd was small. At the start of the show it was stated, “We will do our best, the very best, and the best can do no more.” [DD Notebook 11]

Prices During the Economic Wars–In an undated interview with Nicky Walsh, of Grogan, Davidstown, Glenmore prices during the economic war of the 1930’s were recorded. Heifers aged 2 ½ years old were sold for £5 a piece; slaughter young calves sold for 10/= each and fat pigs sold for £1 each. [DD Notebook 12]

Update—over the past couple of weeks a second guest author’s paper was added, under the Irish menu pages have been added for field names and entries have been added to links and families.

Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the old photo of the Post Box house and Louise Walsh for the photo of Kilcolumb Churchyard.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh