May, 2020
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The Glenmore Co-Operative Creamery (Est. 1905)
The Glenmore Co-operative Creamery was registered on the 18th of April 1905 under the Friendly Societies Act. This registration required the Creamery to submit its accounts yearly to a government auditor. The object of the society was to manufacture cream, butter, the sale of artificial manures, seeds, farm implements and all other occupations allied to agriculture.
A lengthy newspaper article appeared in the New Ross Standard of Friday the 12th of January 1906 (p. 5) extensively covering the first annual meeting of the Creamery of shareholders. The meeting was chaired by Rev. Thomas Phelan, P.P. of Glenmore. Over 100 shareholders were in attendance, the first annual report was delivered, the first year of operations was reviewed, future plans were discussed and a new board of management was elected.
To become a shareholder or member of the Glenmore Creamery famers were required to apply for admission. Applicants were required to purchase the number of shares equal to their number of cows. In 1905 the cost per share was set at £1 per cow, payable in instalments, as determined by the Committee. By resolution passed at the start of the creamery, members were required to pay on admission an instalment of 2s. 6d. each share, and a second instalment of 2s. 6d. payable in June 1906. Because the Glenmore Creamery was registered as a limited society, the liability of each member was limited to the sum unpaid on any share the member held. This was an important feature of the Glenmore Creamy; in the event of voluntary liquidation or on a winding-up order, a farmer shareholder was liable for nothing except any outstanding instalment on his shares. After just ten weeks of operation in 1905, all expenses were met, a good price was paid to the members for their milk, and £106 profit was achieved and used to reduce the bank debt.
The First Year
It was noted that the Glenmore Creamery was built on a large site, with an ample supply of spring and stream water, and was built on a plan which provided for extension. The stones were given free by Mr. Curran and on the 20th May 1905 the foundation stone was laid. On the 12th of September 1905 the building and equipment were complete, and on the 13th of September 1905 milk was received by the Glenmore Creamery for the first time. At the time of its opening the Glenmore Creamery was an auxiliary plant where milk was collected and sent via horse drawn wagons to the central creamery at Mullinavat. The Committee was from the outset of the view that the Glenmore Creamery should become a central plant. Therefore, when the Committee sought machinery they chose machinery for a central rather than auxiliary creamery. The required machinery was obtained from Burmeister and Wain.
The operation of the early auxiliary Glenmore Creamery was recorded in the first annual report and printed in the newspaper article. Milk was received by weight. Each morning a sample was taken and preserved, and twice in the month the sample was tested to determine the quantity of butter fat contained in each supplier’s milk. The test provided the number of pounds of butter fat in every hundred pounds of milk. The farmers were paid per pound of butter fat, and the payments were made at the end of the month. The Mulllinavat Central creamery churned the Glenmore cream. “To provide against injury to the character of the cream, or the dairy, the [Glenmore] manager … received strict orders to refuse milk offered in bad condition.” Shareholders who needed milk cans for the forthcoming season were asked to order them through the manager by the end of January 1906. Payment was accepted in cash or by instalments, with payment for the milk cans spread over the season. Any shareholder availing of the instalment payment scheme was charged 5 per cent interest.
Future Plans
In its first annual report in January 1906, the Glenmore Creamery Committee acknowledged that there was a desire to move the Glenmore Creamery from an auxiliary plant to a central plant where it would churn and produce its own butter. It was noted that …”sentiment is a very bad producer of butter fat and until the guarantee of 1,100 cows, has been completed, it would not be advisable to undertake the additional outlay of approximately £7OO needed for a central.”
In addition to moving to becoming a central creamery plant there were also plans for a co-operative store in which shareholders could purchase at “first cost” with a guarantee of genuineness artificial manures, oil and cotton cake, flax-seed for calf-feeding, seeds and other agricultural requirements. “Shareholders desirous of availing of the advantages of the cooperative prices” were asked to provide their orders to the manager without delay.
Election of New Committee
After the first annual report was presented Mr. John Mullaly moved, and Mr. Thomas Kelly seconded, the following six resolutions: “That the report and balance sheet be approved.” “That we thank the committee for their attention to the business and their satisfactory report.” “That as a mark of our confidence we re-elect the following: Patrick Walsh (Davidstown), P. Fitzgerald, J. Hartly, D. Doolan, W. Forristal, J. Reddy., James Kirwan (Gaulstown), R. Fitzgerald, John Curran (N.T. Glenmore).” “That we re-elect the Rev. T. Phelan, P.P.. hon, president, and Rev. W. Walsh. C.C.. vice-president.” “That we desire the committee to proceed with the erection of the central as soon as they are satisfied it will be for our benefit, and we call on all who purpose becoming members to pay their instalments at once.” “That we appeal to the county committee of agriculture to send an expert to give a series of practical demonstrations in the preventive methods of that dread scourge–contagious abortion in cattle—which has caused great loss in the district.” ” That the committee arrange for a veterinary surgeon to treat by special arrangement the cattle of the shareholders.”
Guest Speakers
Mr. Drew, secretary, committee of agriculture, stated that the Department had issued a leaflet which gave full information on the treatment of contagious abortion, and that any man of ordinary intelligence could successfully carry out the instructions. Any chemist could supply the articles needed at the cost of a couple of shillings. Farmers needed to put their heads together and stamp out the disease, otherwise the dairy industry would suffer. Mr. Drew also explained the various schemes for the improvement of livestock and pointed out the necessity and utility of getting good stock animals.
Mr. Thomas Ray, horticulturist with the county, appealed to the people to take up more fully the growing, of vegetables, fruit and flowers. He opined that every house should have a garden and in it a succession of vegetables. He stated that he would gladly give instruction and advice. Apple trees cost one shilling and gooseberries a few pence, so he hoped to receive large orders from the Glenmore district. He stated that during this season 4,000 fruit trees already had been planted in County Kilkenny.
Early Years
In October 1905 the Mullinavat Creamery wrote to the Glenmore Creamery stating that another auxiliary creamery was seeking for it to churn for them. Mullinavat asked Glenmore its intentions regarding becoming a central creamery. If Glenmore did not move to churning its own butter, Mullinavat needed to put in larger machines to meet the churning demands of both auxiliary creameries. If Mullinavat went to the expense of larger machines it would require a contract with Glenmore Creamery that would require the Glenmore Creamery to remain an auxiliary creamery for several years. The Glenmore Committee noted that there were 700 cows in the district and felt that if shareholders would guarantee an additional 500 cows Glenmore Creamery could become a central creamery (New Ross Standard, 20 October 1905). Rather than be tied to Mullinavat the farmers of Glenmore guaranteed the needed 500 cows and Glenmore Creamery became a central creamery.
The early newspaper accounts do not provide any information concerning the first creamery manager, Mr. James O’Donovan. According to Danny he had a difficult job particularly in the early years as he was responsible for detecting and rejecting milk that was sour or would in anyway cause problems with the production of butter. Wild garlic was soon eradicated across the district because if eaten by cows it made their milk offensive and the milk would be rejected at the creamery. Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore explained to Danny that in the early years of the Creamery most householders in Glenmore kept a goat or two. Some farmers mixed goat’s milk in with the cow’s milk and this caused the butter to be streaky because goat’s butter is very white. When James O’Donovan became aware of the milk being adulterated with goat’s milk he ordered that the Creamery would not accept milk from farmers who kept goats.
In addition to dealing with the farmers the manager also had to manage the creamery staff. On 16 May 1908 it was reported that he rendered every assistance, including sending for Fr. Crotty and Dr. O’Dwyer, when an unnamed dairy maid suffered the loss of a finger while working at the Creamery. “It was miraculous she escaped so well.” (Wicklow People, 16 May 1908). [Update: Maria Cleary was the dairy maid that had her fingers crushed in machinery. She was taken to workhouse infirmary where one finger was removed. (Waterford & Tramore Visitor, 28 May 1908)] In our next article we will highlight a Glenmore Creamery employee who was killed while working in 1931.
From its humble auxiliary beginnings, within four years of the Glenmore Creamery being established it was reported in January 1909 that Glenmore butter had “topped the London Market” (New Ross Standard, 22 January 1909).
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the old photo of the Glenmore Creamery.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
[Update providing the name of the injured dairymaid was completed on 21 June 2020.]
[Correction made on 14 August 2021–the newspaper of 12 Jan. 1906 recorded that the laying of the cornerstone took place in May 1905 rather than March 1905.]
Glenmore in the News: Gymkhana, Aylwardstown Train Crash, the Scow Bridge Platform & More
During the current pandemic research discussions with Danny Dowling have been limited to phone calls, access to libraries is limited to internet sources and in particular old newspapers that may be found on line. Below are some of the Glenmore newspaper articles encountered while looking for other information. These articles span 110 years.
CATHOLIC CHURCH. New Cathedral, Kilkenny—
(Waterford Chronicle—Sat., 17 Dec. 1842)
On last Sunday the people of Glenmore district subscribed the large sum of £lO, 7s, Id. On the previous Sunday the people of Slieverue had given the sum of £67, 0s, 8d which we have now to add Alderman Forrestal’s subscription of two guineas, and one pound from two others. Besides which Lady Esmonde, some time ago, subscribed fifty pounds—making in all the splendid sum of £209, Os, 9d from this union. —Kilkenny Journal.
For a brochure on renovation of St. Mary’s Cathedral with information regarding the building of the Cathedral click here.
“Kilmacow Petty Sessions: A Serious Case”
(Waterford Chronicle—Wed., 18 Sept. 1895)
Thomas Phelan, described as a fisherman, residing near Glasshouse, was charged on remand before the magistrates at Kilmacow Petty Sessions on Thursday, with having murderously having assaulted a young man named John Roche by striking him on the head with a bar of iron, near Glenmore, County Kilkenny. Mr. Allingham defended. After hearing evidence, which showed the assault to be of a most murderous nature, the accused was sent to gaol for two months.
[Just beneath this “serious case” was found the following. It is assumed that the turn of the century joke was a space filler for the newspaper.]
A very stout lady got into an omnibus and overheard the grumbling remark of a gentleman there, “Omnibuses were not made for elephants.” “Sir,” she replied, “Omnibuses are like Noah’s Ark—intended to carry all sorts of beasts.”
Glenmore Post Office Gets Telegraph
(New Ross Standard, Fri., 8 Feb. 1907 p. 1)
Pursuant to the Provisions of the Telegraph Acts, 1863-1892—Notice is hereby given, that His Majesty’s Postmaster-General, having obtained the consent in that behalf of the body having the control of the public road between railway crossing near Bearston and Glenmore Post Office, intends to place a telegraph over and along the said public road, and have for that purpose to erect and maintain posts in and upon the said public road under the powers conferred on him by the telegraph Acts above mentioned. R.A. Egerton, Sec., General Post Office, 29th January 1907
CONFUSION OVER GLENMORE?
The unemployed left rural areas to work in towns and cities. If they sought “relief” Unions in towns and cities sought to send the poor back to the areas they left often decades earlier. In response the Unions of their birth often sought to stop transfers back. In the article below, James Grant gave his birthplace as the townland of Glenmore which is in the Electoral District of Stonyford in the Barony of Knocktopher…not so far from Thomastown. The clerk ignored Glenmore townland and focused on Glenmore parish which was mainly in the Waterford Union.
THOMASTOWN GUARDIANS—Transfer of a Pauper. A communication was received from the magistrates assembled at Birkenhead petty sessions, in the county of Chester, authorising the transfer to the Thomastown union from the Birkenhead union of a pauper named James Grant who (the communication stated) was born in the townland of Glenmore, County Kilkenny. The Clerk stated that when he got that communication, he wrote back stating that the parish of Glenmore was not in the Thomastown union but in the Waterford union, and that if he was sent, he would not be received at the union. He did not get a reply to that letter since (New Ross Standard, Friday 4 Sept. 1908).
BRAKES FAIL RAILWAY MISHAP AVERTED
STATIONMASTER’S PROMPTITUDE—An exciting incident, that might have been attended with serious consequences, and possibly grave loss of life, took place at Glenmore near New Ross, on Thursday morning. The brakes of a special goods train from Waterford to Wexford failed, and the train, running down an incline to Glenmore, crashed into a stop-block, the driver, fireman and guard being obliged to jump clear to save their lives. Fortunately, when the mishap occurred, the train was deflected off the main line, which an oncoming passenger train was due.
The force, of the impact turned the engine across the main line. The first two trucks were crumpled in a heap across the engine, and the remaining wagons were thrown off the rails. The 9.30 train from New Ross and the 9.40 from Macmine Junction were both held up, but passengers were transferred by special conveyance to Glenmore and taken by special train to Waterford.
For the prevention of a catastrophe which would have resulted had the mail and goods train collided, much credit is due to Mr. Peter O’Sullivan, stationmaster, Glenmore, for the presence of mind he displayed. He was in the signal box when the train was due, and seeing her come, he said at the rate of about forty miles an hour, the siren whistling all the time, he suspected what was wrong and made the line for the train to be deflected into the stop-block siding.
So great was the crash, the engine was lifted into the air and thrown across the main line, the two next trucks were smashed, and the bank which formed the stop was practically cut away. Had the train gone on to collide, with the ordinary train due from New Ross, the crash would be too fearful to contemplate (New Ross Standard, Fri. 2 Dec 1927).
THE RELIGIOUS LIFE
Miss Kathleen Aylward, Glenmore, has left for France to enter the Sacred Heart Convent there. She is niece of Very Rev. Canon Aylward, P.P., Durrow (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 Oct. 1935).
GLENMORE NOTES
(New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Aug. 1951)
Regretted Death
The death of Mr. Patrick Foran, formerly of Kearney Bay, Glenmore, which occurred last Monday evening at Waterford, where he was in residence for a number of years, is deeply regretted. The funeral took place from Ballybricken Church to Glenmore cemetery on Wednesday, and was attended by a large gathering of relatives and friends. R.I.P.
Prize Winners
Glenmore prize winners at the New Ross Agricultural show were: M. Aylward, Ballinclare; J. J. Doherty, Forritalstown; Reps. of the late T. Mullally, Davidstown; Maura Mullally, do.; James Freyne, Kilbride, and Laurence Walsh, Rochestown.
Back to the States
Mr. James Walshe, Weatherstown, returned to America last Saturday after an enjoyable holiday in the homeland. He has played in the Kilkenny senior hurling and football teams in New York and while at home, played a few matches with the Glenmore club.
Home on Holidays
Messrs. Michael O’Connor, Ballyfacey, and Sean Hennessy, of Glenmore village are home from England on holidays. Miss Nellie Grace, of Kilbride, is also home on a holiday from Dublin.
Gymkhana
The Glenmore gymkhana was held last Sunday at Robinstown, and attracted a fair crowd, which would have been larger, but for the inclemency of the weather. Jumping was of a high standard, over thirty horses; competing. The following were the owners of the winners, the riders being in brackets.
Class A–1st—Mr. Rd. Doherty, Coolnaleen (Patk. Hartley); 2nd—Mr. Foskin, Mullinavat (owner); 3rd—Mr. D. McEvoy, Mullinavat (Luke Doyle).
Class B—First and second divided between Miss Maura Mullally, Davidstown, Glenmore, and P. Hutchinson. 3rd Mr. R. Doherty, Coolnaleen (P. Hartley).
Class C—1st—Miss Bury, Ballymountain; 2nd—Mr. T. Walsh, Mullinavat (owner); 3rd—Mr. P. Hutchinson, Danesfort, (owner).
Class D Sweepstakes—1st—P. Hutchinson; 2nd—Miss M. Mullally; 3rd—Miss Costelloe.
The tractor backing competition was won by Mr. Michael Murphy, Robinstown, who received a silver cup. The runner-up was Mr. T. Mullally, Davidstown.
The Dance Board
The Scow Bridge dance board was patronised by a huge crowd last Sunday night, most of the visitors having remained over after the gymkhana. A couple of touring buses stopped when passing, and helped to swell the throng of dancers, where an enjoyable evening was spent. Mr. Paul Fitzgerald, well known in Gaelic circles, was in charge, and has succeeded in making the dance board at Scow Bridge a most popular rendezvous for outdoor dancing in South Kilkenny.
___________________
The black and white photos of the train crashes were found in old newspapers, but are not photos of the Aylwardstown crash of 1927. The horse and rider appeared in a magazine; it is not a photo taken at the Glenmore Gymkhana of 1951. The photo of St. Mary’s Cathedral is from the Renovation brochure. The photo of the French nun is from an old 1910 postcard.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Parish Church: 1910-1912, Renovations & Re-Consecration
In one of our first posts the building of St. James, the Glenmore Catholic parish church, was discussed. In this post we shall highlight information from some of Danny Dowling’s recently transcribed notebooks particularly the names and townlands of some of the parishioners who donated pews, windows and confessionals when the church was renovated in 1910-1912 and donor information as published in the New Ross Standard at that time. See our post of
1813-1898
St. James was built in 1813 and according to the New Ross Standard of 17 May 1912, the church was built by Father Fitzpatrick with the help of the parishioners. Danny in a January 1969 interview of Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore recorded that during Father Dunphy’s administration collections were undertaken and the alter and two side alters were erected. Father Dunphy left Glenmore in 1898 following the death of Father Nolan. Father Dunphy went to Danesfort as Parish Priest and died while serving there. (When the Glenmore Land League split, Father Dunphy led the anti-Parnell faction.) According to Nicholas Forristal from 1813 until the Dunphy renovations, the alter was against the back wall and there were two doors leading to the Sacristy, with one door on each side of the alter. There were also two sets of stairs leading to the old gallery each at the side of each wall. Nicholas Forristal stated that from the time of the building of the church until the renovations the Strange family, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore had a private pew in the gallery which was divided into two parts. One part was for the ladies and the other for the men. There was a door to each part. Nicholas Forristal explained in his interview that the Strange family helped a lot in the building of St. James in 1813 and “on this account got a private pew.”
Fr. Thomas Phelan Arrived
Around 1903 Father Thomas Phelan became Parish Priest of Glenmore. It was reported in an article that the church had fallen into a state of disrepair which caused anxiety to Father Phelan (New Ross Standard, 17 May 1912). About 1907 during a Mission the chapel bell was being rung when it split in half. The newspaper accounts do not indicate how the new bell was obtained, but the Most Rev. Dr. Browning, Lord Bishop of Ossory, blessed the new bell on 3 October 1909. At this blessing Father Phelan began in earnest the fundraising for the extensive renovations he proposed. For the dedication of the new bell the Jesuit preacher, the Very Rev. Michael Phelan was the featured preacher (New Ross Standard, 1 Oct. 1909) and an advertisement was placed in the local papers inviting support.
1910-1912 Renovations
For two years the tradesmen and renovators worked on the Glenmore church. At a Mission held in June 1911 (which was the third mission within five years) a sort of progress report was published. It was reported that fourteen Stations of the Cross, costing in the aggregate of about £l6O were donated as were two new confessionals, a sanctuary lamp of great value, several new pews, and several altar requisites. The new belfry, new gallery, new floor, with tiled sanctuary and sides and new church roof and ceiling were all complete (New Ross Standard, 30 June 1911).
In a final push for donations, on 15 March 1912 the New Ross Standard reported that the parishioners… “in addition to their contributions they have given many costly presents to adorn and ornament the House of God and the place where His glory dwelleth. These presents have taken a very practical form, commemorating at the same time the faith and generosity of the donors and needed furniture and equipment. The Stations of the Cross, confessionals, sanctuary lamp, baptistry, windows, pews, and vestments are all included in the presentation. Many articles are still needed, and those who claim Glenmore as their place of birth, or are otherwise associated with the parish, and within whose consecrated graveyards lie the remains of near and dear friends, should lose no time in communicating with the priests of the parish and secure before everything is disposed of some article as an offering to the church: on which their name can be inscribed. What a happiness one’s name perpetuated in connection with the church of one’s own native parish, around which so many happy memories are entwined.”
Re-Consecration 1912
The long awaited dedication and re-consecration of St. James, the parish church of Glenmore, is covered in an article that almost covers an entire page of the 17 May 1912 edition of the New Ross Standard. A photo of Father Phelan and St. James church is featured in this article as well as a description of the interior renovations. “On entering the church one is struck by the extent and magnificence of the renovations, improvements and decorations. The sanctuary is decorated in Mosaic with a handsome frieze and three arches forming a background for the three beautiful oak altars, which have been renovated and picked out in gold. The central arch bears the emblem of the Passion. The vane portion has been decorated with great taste, and the frieze and decorations of the windows are very artistic in effect. The Stations of the Cross, by Messrs. Bull, of Dublin, form a beautiful ornament to the sacred edifice, as also the beautiful new confessionals. The beautiful and well-finished pews and benches were made by Hearne and Co. Waterford.”
Donated Items
A list of the donated items was printed as follows: A set of Stations of the Cross (Irish Manufactured), in oak frame, walnut pillars, carved capitals and oil pictures, with zinc backs, the whole costing £150, and to each of which is attached a brass plate giving the names of the donors, were presented to Father Phelan in memory of the Rev. Nolan, P.P., by the following parishioners: Mr. John Curran, N. T., and Mrs. Curran, N.T., and Mr. P.N. O’Gorman, Rosbercon; Mr. Thomas Forrestal, and Mrs. Forrestal, Ballyverneen, Mrs. Dunphy, Ballyverneen, Mr. Mullins, Haggard; Mrs Aylward, do; Mr. John Ennett, Cappagh; Mr. Richard Doherty and Mrs. Doherty, Ballinlammy; Mr. James Delahunty, Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald and Mrs. Fitzgerald, Weatherstown; Miss Mary Walsh, Weatherstown; Misses Murphy, Kearneybay.
- Beautiful carved scotch pine confessionals by Mr. John Hynes, Ballybrahee, and Mr. P. Green, Jamestown.
- A very fine sanctuary lamp by Mr. P. Walsh and Mrs. Walsh, Davidstown.
- A set of brass altar candlesticks, by Mrs. Forrestal, Carrickloney.
- Benediction cape and vestments by the Sacred Heart Sodality.
- The baptistry by Mr. John Aylward, Ballinclare, in memory of Mr. Joseph Gahan, Ballylogue.
- (Unfortunately the list of donors for windows is not legible)
- Processional cross, by the children of the Robinstown Female School.
- Pews, by Mr. Michael Barron, Clarrigcloney; Mr. John Phelan, Mullinhone; the Misses Gahan, Newtown; Mr. John Grace, Forristalstown; Mr. Richard Keogh, Rathinure; Mr. Michael Hynes, Ballybrehee; Mrs. Hanrahan, Glenmore, and by “donor.”
At the end of this publication it is stated, “It is understood the list is not yet completed.”
For our international readers, the tradition in St. James is (that facing the alter) men sat on the left hand side of the church and women sat on the right. It is not known why or when this tradition developed, but the statue of St. Joseph is on the left and the Virgin Mary is on the right.
Seats in Chapel Men’s Side (from alter) recorded by Danny Dowling
- Presented by James Doherty, Coonaleen
- In Memory of Mrs Ellen Cahill, Ballymountain R.I.P., Presented by Mrs. Rd. Doherty
- Presented by Michael Delaney, Newtown
- In Memory of John Curran, N.T., Robinstown R.I.P.
- In Memory of Anastasia Walsh, Ballyverneen R.I.P.
- In Memory of Patrick Walsh, Ballyverneen R.I.P.
- In Memory of Wm. and Bridget Irish, Carrickcloney R.I.P.
- Presented by Mary Hennessy, N.T. in Memory of Her Mother and Brother R.I.P.
- Presented by Richard Kehoe, Rathinure
- Presented by John Grace, Forristalstown
- In Memory of Patk. Kennedy, USA, Native of Gaulstown R.I.P.
- In Memory of Thomas Mullally, Grogan R.I.P.
- Pray for Donor
- In Memory of John Walsh, Ballybrahee R.I.P
- no name
- Presented by Michael Barron, Carrigcloney
- Presented by Thomas Kennedy, Rathinure
- Confessional on men’s side–Presented by John Hynes, Ballybrahee
- Confessional on women’s side–Presented by Patrick Greene, Jamestown
Nicholas Forristal stated in his interview that the confessionals were given in 1910 “on occasion of marriage.”
Danny also recorded the donors of windows on the women’s side starting at the back, but these are not the windows from the 1910-1912 renovations.
- Presented by the Parishioners of Glenmore,
- Plain window
- Presented by the Hartley Family, Ballinclare
- St. Martin of Tours, Pray for Us–Presented by the People of Haggard
- St. Joseph, Pray for Us–Presented by Pat and Anne Dowling & family, Rickardsland
- Lady Hear My Prayer; Let My Cry Come Unto Thee–Donated by Thomas & Essie Mullally & family, Busherstown
Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic we were unable to visit the Church to determine how many of the donations from the parishioners in 1910-1912 are still present and to record the pews on the womens’ side etc. Later in the twentieth century the remaining gallery was removed and the 1910-1912 windows were replaced.
The Traveling Glenmore Sanctuary Light
Notwithstanding the public statements enticing parishioners to donate to have one’s name perpetuated in connection with their parish church, yesterday, Danny related that the sanctuary lamp donated by Mrs. Walsh, of Davidstown, my husband’s great-grandmother, was removed from the Church by a priest when he was transferred to another parish. Danny could not recall who or when this occurred. Mrs. Maureen Claridge, née Walsh with the aid of a cousin went in search of the lamp donated by her grandparents and located it in Crosspatrick chapel in Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny. It is believed that she visited Ballypatrick in the 1990’s and photographed the sanctuary lamp.
In 2011 Maureen’s youngest brother, Nicholas Walsh, of Davidstown, Glenmore visited Crosspatrick and viewed the sanctuary lamp donated by his grandparents to Glenmore Church during the 1910-1912 renovations. The sanctuary lamp in Crosspatrick bears an inscription “Gift of Patrick and Margaret Walsh, Davidstown A.D. 1911.”
The featured photo of St. James, Glenmore parish church, came from the 1912 article. Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh, for the old photos of St. James and to Dick Claridge and Margaret Phelan née Claridge for the information and Margaret for the photos she took of the traveling Glenmore sanctuary lamp in 2011.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh