February, 2022
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The Glenmore Cinema: William “Bill” Walsh (1912-1985)
Over the last couple of years while typing up Danny Dowling’s notebooks and writing articles for this blog there have been several times when I wished that I could have met some of the interesting former Glenmore residents. One such person was Bill Walsh (1912-1985) who before television was available brought films to Glenmore, and other local areas, and often took films to individual homes for people who were ill. He was instrumental in the founding of the popular Glenmore Athletic Club, was an avid cyclist and operated a dancehall in Mullinavat. Thanks to Marion Coady Hendrick née Walsh we now have further information regarding her father and the social history of Glenmore of the twentieth century created by his endeavours. Information not part of Marion’s article, gleaned from public records, is included in square brackets [ ].
My Father, by Marion Coady Hendrick née Walsh
Family Background
William “Bill” Walsh was born 110 years ago this coming week on 2 March 1912. He was born in Cappagh, Glenmore and lived his entire life in Glenmore. He was the youngest child of Patrick Walsh (1857-1933) and his wife Margaret “Maggie” née McGuiness (1868-1952). Patrick and Maggie met when Maggie came from the North of Ireland to stay with relatives in Gaulstown. [The couple married on 12 September 1893 at St. John’s of Waterford. According to the marriage records Patrick Walsh, of Glenmore, was the son of John Walsh (deceased weaver) and Maggie McGuinness was residing on Hennessy’s Road, in Waterford, and was the daughter of James McGuinness (retired policeman).] Patrick and Maggie Walsh had nine children, including (1) Annie Walsh (b. 25 Oct. 1894); (2) Katie “Kit” Walsh (b. 12 Oct. 1896); (3) Jim Walsh (b. 30 Nov. 1898); (4) Mary “Molly” Walsh (b. 19 Feb. 1901); (5) Ellen “Eily” Walsh (b. 4 Aug. 1902); (6) Sarah Walsh (b. 4 April 1904); (7) John “Jack” Walsh (b. 10 June 1906); (8) Margaret “Gretta” Walsh (b. 5 Oct. 1908); (9) William “Bill” Walsh (b. 2 March 1912).
Patrick Walsh died in 1933 at the age of 76. Patrick worked in the dairy in the Glenmore Creamery up until his death. Bill at 15 years of age took over his father’s job in the dairy. Sometime later there was an exam for the storekeeper’s position in the Creamery. Bill got the highest marks in the exam and got the job. He was a man of great intelligence, and this was borne out over his lifetime. He also had the greatest attribute of all which cannot be picked up in any university, he possessed common sense in abundance. [Bill worked full time in the Creamery until his retirement in the late 1970’s.] In addition to Bill being employed at the Glenmore Creamery, his sister Molly Walsh (1901-1988) was employed there as the dairy maid. While working at the Creamery she met Larry Fortune, of Shanbogh and the couple later married.
In 1946, Bill Walsh married Margaret “Peg” Roche (1917-2012) when Peg returned from England after working there throughout WWII. They had been engaged for 5 years. Peg was the daughter of Edward Roche and Mary Roche née Forristal, of the High Road, Rathinure, Glenmore. Mary was born and reared in Forristal’s Mill in Graiguenakill, Glenmore and was a sister of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal. Bill Walsh and his wife Peg had six children. The eldest three children were boys and the youngest three were girls. Their names are: (1) Pat Walsh; (2) Eamonn Walsh; (3) Jimmy Walsh; (4) Marion Walsh; (5) Ann Walsh; and (6) Monica Walsh. Sadly, Jimmy passed away at 3 years of age.
Athletic Life
In the St. Joseph’s Athletic Club, Third Annual Yearbook, 1984/85 a tribute was penned about Bill by Danny Dowling (1927-2021) under the heading “Well known athlete of former years passes away.” Danny described Bill as an “indefatigable worker for the advancement of athletics in the South East, particularly in the Glenmore/Rosbercon area, his lifelong association with the sport earned him the admiration and esteem of all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His colleagues in the sport of cycle racing included such well- known personalities as Richie Cotterell of Ballycroney, Tommy and Dick Hamilton and Jack Doolan of Tinneranny, and the late Paddy O’Brien of New Ross and the Parish Pump.”
Bill was a keen racing cyclist for many years, particularly in the 1930’s and 40’s when he took part in almost every road and track event in the South East. His intense interest in the sport was mainly responsible for the foundation in 1943 of the Glenmore Athletic Club, and some of his colleagues in this venture included Larry and Pat Roche of Haggard, Peter Egan of Mullinarrigle, Stephen Walsh, Rochestown, Tommy Cotterell, Ballycroney and Tommy Fitzgerald of Moulerstown. The Glenmore Club remained active for many years and was responsible for keeping alive a vibrant interest in local athletics. Its success in that regard is mainly due to the dedication and enthusiasm of Bill Walsh. Local athletes, of both the present and future, owe him a debt of gratitude for his unselfish dedication and service which he unstintingly gave in the interest of youth and sport. He was the personality portrait in the Munster Express on more than one occasion, as Hon Secretary of the Glenmore Athletic Club, highlighting the annual sports day at Skow Bridge the only one of its kind to be held annually in South Kilkenny.
Cinema in Glenmore
Before television came into use in the early 60’s the weekly film was a huge event in the social life of Glenmore. JK Walsh’s was the venue right next to Danny Dowling’s house in the village. Every week the new film arrived. First, they came as 3 reels but later one large reel the size of a bicycle wheel. Bill had two projectors one large and one smaller. He built a high wall behind the screen to mount the screen on, but also to make the cinema easier to heat. The excitement before the film started was palpable. Some of the films included: Ben Hur, Quo Vadis, all the old cowboy films High Noon, Gunfight at the OK Corral. The boys in the village would run around firing cap guns for weeks after a cowboy film. The Song of Bernadette he showed “Pro Bono” to the Good Shepherd Nuns and girls. On different days of the week, he showed films in Mullinavat, Hugginstown, and Bigwood. When he had a free night, he showed his film of the week to whatever invalid or bedridden person in the parish who wished to see it. For a screen he used one of his wife’s starched white sheets.
In 1961, Bill installed new state of the art seating, it seemed the height of luxury to us after the benches. The winter of 1962/63 was savage, the coldest for more than 200 years. It began freezing on Christmas day 1962 and didn’t relent until March 1963. The roof of Bill’s cinema collapsed under the weight of the snow. For a while he continued to show films in the old school, but with the advent of television the popularity of local cinema died out it was the end of an era for Glenmore cinema.
Mullinavat Dance Hall
In 1957, Bill in partnership with Paulie Fitzgerald Moulerstown, bought Mullinavat Dance Hall, known locally as Harney’s Hall. They installed a new maple floor which cost £1,000 (which is €1,269.74) an enormous sum at the time when the average wage was £8. (or €10.16) per week. How we loved to slide around on that floor! There was a long tube which contained a kind of floor wax like Lux flakes that you shook on the floor, and it gleamed.
The dancehall became a popular venue during the 50’s and 60’s. It is where love stories began. A wonderful place full of music and song, youth and vitality, noise, and energy. Girls and boys from all over the country came to dance the night away, they waltzed and fox-trotted to the big bands, they huckle-bucked and jived, and twisted the night away. The excitement of the Sunday night dance.
A lot of girls and boys cycled miles to get to the dances as evidenced by the headscarves, raincoats and bicycle lamps hung in the cloakroom. Hundreds of bikes were parked in Walsh’s Garden on the corner near Mill Bridge. The girls dressed in beautiful dresses of every hue and the men wore suits.
The dance halls had to close down during Lent, the torment of that, never had 7 weeks seemed so long. During Lent we all had to lend a hand painting and refurbishing the hall for the grand opening after Lent. St. Patrick’s Day was the exception when the hall opened for concerts and anyone off drink for Lent could have a drink on that day only. Of course, there was no drinking in the dance hall, there was only a mineral bar, tea, and sandwiches. There was a license with the hall when it was first bought from Harneys, but Bill and Paulie having kept it for a while decided it was better to just have a mineral bar as most other dancehalls did at the time. The drinking was done beforehand in the local pubs. On Sunday nights the pubs all closed at 10 p.m. A big night which stood out in our minds as children was when Maggie Barry came to the Dancehall and all the mothers in the village went to see her. My mother made the tea on a Sunday night and welcomed the girls from around the area into the house, they were waiting for our father to give them a lift to the Dance after he had finished showing films in one of the halls around the country. We remembered as children the girls sitting us on their laps, they wore hoops in their dresses to make them stand out, and we would wiggle on their knees to get comfortable. All consigned to history now.
Mullinavat Fete
The Fete’s were also held at the Dance Hall, but in a huge marquee tent adjacent to it, to accommodate the crowds that came. The Junior and Senior hurling tournaments and the excitement of the hurling final. The Victors Showband and the Barrow Boys, Sean Dunphy and the Hoedowners. Buses came from all over, people got a lift, walked, and cycled, it was the highlight of the summer. There was a spinning wheel, where you bought a ticket and if your number came up you got to pick a prize. Pongo, a tea tent which served the best homemade cakes, buns and sandwiches, fish and chips and ice cream were served. Loud music and great excitement, people everywhere and of course the big bands and dancing in the Hall. Mullinavat was booming at that time.
Bill sadly passed away on 1st March 1985 the day before his 73rd birthday. It was sudden and shocking to us all, he was always so full of vitality. The day before he died, (he was in hospital for 2 days) when asked what he wanted for his birthday he said “I just want to go home, I’m only going to dig half the garden this year.” He stayed busy to the end.
On 19th January 1987 the Hall was sold to Monsignor Maher, Parish House, Mullinavat. There was a one off “Last Dance” held there on Sunday 1st June 2014 and the hall was demolished in July 2014. Today the area where the Hall stood now house the local school and community hall.
Special thanks to Marion for sharing her knowledge, memories and photos and writing the above interesting article.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Roaring Twenties: Glenmore’s Championship 1920 Senior Football Match Played in February 1922
According to the Kilkenny GAA Bible, Glenmore won the Kilkenny Senior Football Championships in 1920, 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1929 (Gerry O’Neil, Kilkenny GAA Bible 2018, p. 64). As we previously highlighted the football season commenced in one year and the championship was held usually in the spring of the next year. During the War of Independence, no Kilkenny County football championships were played or awarded for 1917 or 1918. Further no championship was held in 1921 and the 1920 Senior County Football Championship did not conclude until February 1922. For details concerning the first 1920 championship game between Glenmore and Cloneen (Castlecomer) see our previous blog of 9 August 2021.
The Kilkenny People, on Saturday the 18th of February 1922 (p. 2) covered the G.A.A. County Finals, held on Sunday the 12th of February 1922, but never provided what championship year was being played. However, the football teams and the scores line up with the information recorded in the Kilkenny GAA Bible for the 1920 Championship.
Although the article was to cover the County junior hurling and senior football championships it commences with a statement regarding other events that were occurring in Kilkenny City at that time. The author also employs a great deal of flowery language that is not generally found in more modern sports commentary, but does provide unsolicited advice that is found generally in more modern sports commentary.
“St. James’s Park, historic through the mobilization there of our Irish soldiers for the taking over of the City Military Barracks last week, was again a scene of giant national life on Sunday. The beautiful spring sunshine on that day—a harbinger of another season of freedom now that the foreign garrisons have left our midst, and the eager anxiety as to the destination of the coveted championships all tended to encourage the Gaels of our county to make the Marble City their rendezvous on Sunday last” Moondharrig (Mooncoin) was one of the teams to play in the first fixture, the junior hurling championship, and “brought in their train a huge crowd of admirers. “And what shall we say of the study supporters of the boys from the Big Glen all ready to cheer their doughty footballers to victory. The combined teams from the south—Moondharrig (Mooncoin) and Glenmore—with their big quota of supporters, supplied a goodly cargo to the Waterford special, and their jubilant mood on arrival in the Marble City showed that they fancied the south were confident of capturing the double honours of the day.” The author then went on to describe that the train from the north, “the Castlecomer special disgorged by far the greater portion of a thousand enthusiastic Gaels, all confident of a victory…”
“About 2 o’clock, as the hour approached for the opening contest, the Park presented an animated appearance—the pitch was in splendid condition, bare, firm, and showing just a faint tinge of reviving green, the hundreds of spectators already assembled eagerly discussed the prospects of the clubs concerned and the ideal weather conditions with the prospect of two thrilling encounters seemed to make everybody happy, not excepting the County Board officials, who, though exceedingly busy, were still being aptly rewarded by the large patronage afforded the fixture. Close on 2,000 people must have been present when the teams appeared for the first contest.”
The first fixture was the junior hurling championship. The newspaper account provides that the Tulla team beat Moondharrig (Mooncoin) 5 goals, 1 point (16) to 1 point. The Kilkenny GAA Bible (2018) p. 30 provides that in the 1920 championship Tulla beat Mooncoin by a score of 5 goals, 1 point (16) to 1 goal, 1 point (4) and the teams played a total of four times before Mooncoin was declared the 1920 County Kilkenny Junior Hurling Champions.
The Senior Football Final
“The chief interest of the day was centred in the replay of the senior football championship final between Glenmore and Cloneen (Castlecomer). A regrettable delay of almost three-quarters of an hour was caused through disagreement as to the referee for the game—this hitch was the more unseemly as it was the only blot on a splendid day’s sport, all other arrangements for which left nothing to be desired. Eventually the game was started with Mr. P. Dunphy (Dublin) in charge and the game was as expected, a robust one.” Unfortunately, the newspaper article does not indicate which team objected to the referee. As highlighted in our previous post Glenmore was fined £1 for not being punctual in an earlier championship game in 1921 with Cloneen where the team objected to a referee and thereby delayed the start of the first championship match.
In the 12 February 1922 match “[t]he ball was only set in motion when the game was held up through a foul, and Glenmore getting free were early invading. They pressed very strongly, but from a spectator’s point of view the game was most disappointing, as it was nothing but a succession of fouls—no less than ten frees being awarded in the first eight minutes of the game. The players on settling down were more amendable to discipline and a very fast, vigorous contest resulted. Glenmore were the stronger, heavier team, and being better fielders they did nearly all the pressing in the first half. Their large following were loud in their applause when, after about twelve minutes’ play they scored a major, to which they added two points before the interval, which case with the scores: Glenmore 1 goal, 2 points; Cloneen 1 point.”
In the second half, “the teams were quickly into stride and though not so numerous as in the opening stages fouls were still frequent. Doherty, Heffernan, Hanrahan, Cody and Connolly were the outstanding players on the Glenmore side, and though the back division of Cloneen was sound, they were unable to cope with the strain which two weak front lines allowed to press on the and the Glenmore team notched several useful points. Cloneen made some spirted rushes, but the finishing was weak, and though they scored two points in this half they lost several openings, while Glenmore grasped every opportunity, and with brilliant goal in the closing stages they ran out winners on the score: Glenmore 2 goals, 6 points (12); Cloneen 3 points (3).”
Not content with reporting on what other newspapers dubbed the “splendidly contested match” the author provided advice to the Kilkenny G.A.A. County Board. “Concerning the game we must say that though the pace was fairly fast and the fielding of Glenmore exceptionally good, there was absent altogether that technique and finish which is characteristic of present day football, notably among the leading clubs of Leinster’s premier football counties—Dublin and Kildare. They display of the teams on Sunday was rather an aggregate of disjointed good individual work than a harmonious combination and blending into a unified whole, hence we had no brilliant passages that delight and thrill in the big games of the inter-county contests. No doubt this is due to lack of training, but we point out this as we feel it a pity that such splendid material is not properly trained, as then Kilkenny might look again to making fame on the football field. Cloneen seemed to have lost their old dash, and one got the impression that they never got properly going, at least their display fell short altogether of the standard reached by them in the previous contests. A judicious selection from both teams, strengthened by some leading players, from other clubs in the county, should do credit to Kilkenny in the approaching Leinster championship contests.”
“Concerning the fixture we must admit—that never was better order kept in the Park and while congratulating the County Board and its officials on the arrangements so splendidly carried out, we trust that this high standard of order, regularity and punctuality will be maintained. That no team can have any ground of dissatisfaction as there was “A fair field and no favour” for all, and we agree with the wisdom of the Co. board in ordering all finals to be played in the Park. That the Co. Board has no excuse to plead poverty for many days to come, but after all the airgead síos (money down) is necessary to provide the sinews of war.”
For an account of earlier teams see, The Tenacious Glenmore 1915 Football Team: Co. Kilkenny Senior Football Champions and The Glenmore Football Club: The Trials and Tragedy of the 1906 Co. Kilkenny Gaelic Football Champions.
The featured photo above was taken in 1925 and part of the Poole Collection (POOL_WP_2720a, POOL_K_4144 & POOL_WP_3651) and the photo is Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.
Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Search for Missing Friends
After Danny Dowling (1927-2021) retired he made frequent trips to various libraries around the country gathering information concerning Glenmore and her people. Recently a small red notebook was found in Danny’s voluminous files where he recorded information he gleaned from a set of books entitled The Search for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in the Boston Pilot. These books were published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston.
Irish family members emigrating to the United States often travelled at different times and landed in different ports. Communications were difficult and expensive. Often those who were not literate had to rely upon others to write or read their correspondence for them. Thus, family members searching for jobs or opportunities travelled around North America and often lost contact with other family members, particularly during and after the Great Famine (1845-1852) and the American Civil War (1861-1865).
All newspapers of the era published advertisements or notices seeking information or the whereabouts of friends or family, but the Boston Pilot in the 19th century was one of the newspapers of choice for Irish emigrants searching for loved ones. The books containing the advertisements in the Boston Pilot have been Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014, and volume VII covering 1871-1876 is available on line.
The newspaper advertisements or notices provide a lot of information regarding emigrants and are quite poignant. Danny recorded all references that he found to Glenmore from volumes II through V. We have found a few more advertisements or notices referring to Glenmore and added these to the list. We have also attempted to identify the dates of birth, townlands and parents etc. of the persons named in the Glenmore related advertisements or notices. Today, we will focus on the first six entries in Danny’s notebook and have attempted to retain the spellings as they appear in various records to aid others.
(1) Martin Butler (bapt. 14 Feb. 1822) of Flemingstown, Glenmore [Vol. II, p. 305, published in the Boston Pilot 13 Nov. 1852]
“Martin Butler, ship builder, native of Flemingstown, Parish Glenmore, Co Kilkenny, sailed from Liverpool about 4 years ago, for New Orleans. Last heard of was in Cincinnati. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by his brothers Patrick and Thomas Butler, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois.”
A review of the Glenmore Parish records reveals that John Butler married Catherine Murphy of Ballinlammy, Glenmore on 11 February 1817. The couple had at least 7 children and all but one were recorded as being born at Flemingstown. [1] Thomas Butler (bapt. 11 Jan. 1818); [2] Nicholas Butler (bapt. 7 April 1819); [3] Martin Butler (bapt. 14 Feb. 1822); [4] Bridget Butler (bapt. 20 Jan. 1827); [5] Patrick Butler (bapt. 27 June 1828); [6] Mary Butler (bapt. 31 Jan. 1830, Parkstown] and [7] Catherine Butler (bapt. 15 April 1832).
Of the three known Butler brothers in the U.S. we were able to locate in the Cincinnati City Directory of 1863 a Martin Butler living at Iva Ludlow and 2nd and working as a ship carpenter. We located little regarding Patrick and Thomas Butler in Jacksonville, Illinois. However, a Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was located. According to his headstone in the St. Augustine Cemetery in Ashland, Cass Co. Illinois, he was born in Co. Kilkenny on 20 Mar 1828. Thus, the birthdate is off by 3 months with the Glenmore records. According to the 1900 Census of Cartwright, Sangamon Co. Illinois, Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was a married, farmer and aged 72. He recorded that he was born in March 1828 in Ireland. He immigrated in 1851 and married Margaret Kennedy (1835-1913) in 1854. The headstone records that Margaret Butler née Kennedy was a native of Tipperary. The biographies recorded on findagrave provides that Patrick lived for two years in Jacksonville before moving to Sangamon County, Illinois. To view the headstone click here.
In attempting to determine if Patrick Butler (1828-1905) of Cartwright, Sangamon Co., Illinois was from Flemingstown we attempted to locate all Patrick Butlers born in Kilkenny in March 1828. There was a Patrick Butler (bapt 29 March 1828) born at Baristown, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny to Michael Butler and Bridget Mahon. However, no known children of Patrick Butler (1828-1905) were named Michael and the eldest son of Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was named John. Based on the circumstantial evidence, the fact Patrick lived in Jacksonville when he first immigrated, the advertisment in the Boston Pilot etc. it is believed that Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was a native of Flemingstown, Glenmore.
(2) Margaret Dugan, of Ballanerahee (sic) Glenmore [Vol. III, p. 333, published in the Boston Pilot 7 July 1855]
“Margaret Duggan of Ballanerahee, Parish Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who landed in Boston two years ago, and went to New York, last May 12 months ago. She said she would go to Savannah. Address her husband John Whealon, Whitewater, Wisconsin.”
A review of the Glenmore Parish records revealed several possible candidates and no marriage could be located for Margaret Duggan and John Whealon. (1)A Margaret Duggan was baptized 11 Dec. 1823 at Ballinerahe (sic) Glenmore to James Duggan and Nelly Costello. (2) A second, Margaret Dugan was baptized 20 May 1821 to Richard Dugan and Mary Geehan at Ballinarah (sic) Glenmore, and lastly (3) another Margaret Dugan was baptized 21 Feb. 1833 at Ballineraha (sic) to Patrick Dogan and Bridget Sutten.
(3) The Kirwan Family, of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny [Vol. III, p. 175 & 216, published in the Boston Pilot on 23 Sept. 1854 and on 25 Nov. 1854]
Published 23 Sept. 1854
“Bridget and Alice Kerivan of Weatherstown, Parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who left home 4 years ago. When last heard from one year ago, were in St. Louis, Mo. Information will be received by their sister Catherine, in care of Malcolm McLoughlin, Roxbury, Mass.”
Published 25 Nov. 1854
“Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, William and Kate Kerevan from parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny when last heard of were in Roxbury, near Boston. Information will be received by their sister Bridget, care of T.J. Fallan, Catholic Bookseller, St. Louis, Mo.”
It is not clear whether the two advertisements were from the same family as the one in September lists Weatherstown. Women are difficult to trace as their name’s changed upon marriage. However, one family seems to fit most of the persons named in the 25 November publication. [1] William Kearvan (bapt. 20 Jan. 1819) to Michael Kearvan and Margaret Hogan was born in Scartnamac (sic) Glenmore. Margaret Hogan was a native of Weatherstown and married Michael Kearvan on 16 Sept. 1817. Other children in this family included: [2] Margaret Kerwan (bapt. 3 March 1837 at Ballahuck (sic); [3] Mary Kirwan (bapt. 5 Feb. 1840) [4] Patrick Kerwin (bapt. 11 Jan. 1825; [5] Thomas Kerwan (bapt. 13 April 1832) and [6] Maurice Kerwan (bapt. 25 Sept. 1822). In 1854 after most of his siblings emigrated to the U.S. Maurice Kerwan married Mary Scanlon and resided at Ballyhobuck, Glenmore.
(4) Philip Kelly, of Rathinure, Glenmore [Vol. III, p. 175, published in the Boston Pilot on 23 Sept 1854]
“Philip Kelly of Parish Glenmore, Rahanewr (sic), Co. Kilkenny, who came to Quebec 4 year ago, and was last heard from in Philadelphia. Information will be received by his sister Mary Kelly, Cazenovia, Madison County, New York”
A Kelly family containing a Philip and Mary Kelly could not be located in Glenmore. A Mary Kelly was baptized with an address of Glenmore on 18 Oct. 1822 to Thomas Kelly and Anastatia English. A few years later another child named Mary Kelly was baptized on 25 August 1825 at Ballyhubuck (sic) the daughter of John Kelly and Catherine Denn. The townland of Ballhobuck abuts the townland of Rathinure. Unfortunately, no baptismal record could be located for a Philip Kellyof Ballyhobuck or Rathinure.
(5) Patrick Delahunty, Glenmore Parish [Vol. VI, p. 546, published in the Boston Pilot on 11 Dec. 1869]
“Patrick Delahunty, parish of Glenmore, county Kilkenny, Ireland, when last heard from seven or eight years ago, he was in Bloomington, Illinois, at that time he had charge of the freight house. Any person knowing his whereabouts will confer a favor on his brother, William, Hoosick Falls, Rensellaer (sic) county, N.Y.”
Little could be found regarding Patrick Delahunty. However, it appears that William Delehanty (sic) continued to reside in Hoosick Falls, New York and died 17 July 1883, aged 68. William is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County, New York. If his age at death was correct he was born about 1815. Just prior to his death William was living at 63 Church St. (Hoosick Falls Village Directory 1882-1882). A review of the Glenmore Parish records reveals that William Dullehanty (sic) was baptized 3 November 1811 at Glenmore to James Dullehanty and Catherine Crock of Coolaline (sic), Glenmore.
(6) Michael Culleton (1822-1889) of Glenmore, Kilkenny, Ireland [Vol. II, p. 216, published in the Boston Pilot on 8 May 1852]
“Michael Culliton, native of Parish Glanmore (sic) Co. Kilkenny, left home about 4 years since and landed in New York. When last heard of was in Pennsylvania. Any information respecting him thankfully received by his wife, Mrs. Anty Culliton, 28 Mathew St., Chelsea, Mass.”
A review of the Glenmore Parish records reveals that Michael Culleton was married on 19 February 1846 to Anastatia Walsh of Parkstown, Glenmore. Unfortunately, the parish priest did not record the names of the fathers of the couple. However, it is believed that Michael Culleton was the son of Michael Culleton and Ellen Culleton née Mullins of Kilbride, Glenmore and was baptized on 3 August 1822. An immigration records was located that showed that Michael Colleton arrived in New York on 16 May 1848, aged 25. He sailed on the A.Z. from Liverpool, and listed his profession as labourer.
It is not known if Mrs. Anty Culleton located her husband Michael, however it is likely that he joined his wife in the Boston area. On 22 September 1882, Michael Culliton (aged 60) married for a second time in Boston. His second bride was Mary Dunphy (spinster, aged 40). The records reveal that the couple were both born in Ireland. His parents were listed as Michael and Ellen Culliton and her parents were listed as Thomas and Mary Dunphy.
Michael Colliton died 20 May 1889, aged 66 at City Hospital of Boston. His cause of death is listed as pneumonia and exhaustion. At the time of his death, he was living at 26 Terry St.
We hope that you have enjoyed this brief glimpse into the lives of some Glenmore emigrants of the 19th century. Next month we will publish the last six entries from the notebook. Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing above is from 1851 and entitled “Irish Emigrants Leaving Home–The Priest’s Blessing.” Courtesty of the New York City Library’s Digital Collection. (Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1851). Irish emigrants leaving home — the priest’s blessing Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-37f2-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: February 1922
In February 1922 all the national and local newspapers were full of coverage of pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty stances being taken across the country by various politicians and groups. Today, we are going to focus on more local events or events that directly impacted on Glenmore residents just after the signing of the Treaty and before the Civil War commenced.
British Troops Withdrawn
The process of withdrawing British troops from the military barracks began in early February. On the 8th the Kilkenny military barracks were formally handed over to representatives of the Irish Provisional Government (Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Feb. 1922, p. 5.) The Ferrybank barracks were evacuated by the R.I.C. nine months previously and on 10 February the Ferrybank Company of the Waterford City I.R.A. Battalion flew the Tri-colour from the building. Other local barracks taken over by the I.R.A recorded in the Munster Express included Dunmore, Portlaw and Tramore (Sat. 18 Feb. 1922, p. 5). In some areas, the local economy suffered with the withdrawal of the British troops. For example, in one week 400 men were thrown out of employment in the Curragh area (Munster Express, Sat. 25 Feb. 1922, p. 4).
The Glenmore Barracks could not be taken over because it was burned in April 1920 by the Glenmore Company of the I.R.A. as were several other local rural R.I.C. barracks during the War of Independence. The Glenmore Barracks was rebuilt in 1925. For more information concerning the burning of the barracks see our post of 11 April 1920. For more information concerning the re-building of the barracks see our post of 26 September 2021.
Crime
Although crime had been a feature during the War of Independence it continued and appeared to flourish as the Free State began planning for taking over the running of the country. The I.R.A. on the 30th of January 1922 proclaimed martial law in five parishes in the Dundrum area of South Tipperary “in consequence of a number of hold ups, robberies, and in one case murder, by armed desperadoes” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 3 Feb. 1922, p. 5). A similar martial law proclamation was issued in County Kilkenny on the 9th of February “…owing to grave disorders and serious injury to property, resulting in throwing a large number of men out of employment…regulations will be rigorously enforced…in the Parish of Glogh, Parish of Doonane and that portion of Castlecomer Parish lying to the north of the town of Castlecomer…signed George O’Dwyer, commandant, Kilkenny Brigade I.R.A.” (Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
The Co. Kilkenny proclamation appears to have been made following an attack on coal mines near Castlecomer. On 9 February 1922 a large body of men, estimated to be 80 or more, went to the Rock Bog and Vera Pits and caused £15,000 of damage to the mines and mining equipment. The Vera Pit immediately closed throwing 250 men out of employment. It was estimated that it would take five months to get the other mine back to its normal production (Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
However, in the policing vacuum it wasn’t just groups of men attacking various business, that caused unemployment. Sometimes it was direct action against businesses by the I.R.A., or members of the I.R.A., that caused businesses to threaten to close. The Munster Express published an article that the Going and Smith Mills of Cahir were to close their large mills after the 25th of February. Prior to the end of hostilities several motor cars, each worth £800, belonging to the owners of the mills were seized in lieu of levies by the I.R.A. Decrees of compensation were obtained by the owners against the British authorities. Subsequently another I.R.A. levy of £100 was made on the mills, but the owners, because of the previous seizures declined to pay. In response a load of materials sent out from the mills was seized in Cahir, but the representatives of the labourers of the Mill caused the materials to be returned to the Mill. On the 17th of February materials were again seized along with a motor lorry. The owners then gave notice of their intent to close the mills. Commandant Robinson sent a notice to the firm that there would be no more commandeering and the owners agreed to continue operating the mills (Munster Express, Sat. 25 Feb. 1922, p. 4).
Closer to Glenmore, lawlessness in New Ross became such an issue that the I.R.A. directed that the electric and gas lamps in New Ross were to remain on all night (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Feb. 1922, p. 7). In Waterford City, toward the end of February, a man named Conway, described as being of the “tramp class,” smashed a large plate glass window valued at £70 of the Phelan Brothers, drapery shop on George’s street. It was stated that there was no known reason for the damage. Conway was immediately apprehended by the staff and held until the I.R.A. arrived and placed him under arrest. He was brought before the local Sinn Fein magistrates and remanded in custody to the Ballybricken jail (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 24 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
During this period two “catch and release kidnappings” were reported. On the 31st of January two men, who were not disguised, entered the offices of Colfer and Sons, Solicitors, New Ross, and asked for Mr. Colfer. When he came out of his office, he was placed in a motor car and driven across the bridge and up through Co. Kilkenny. After crossing the bridge Mr. Colfer was blindfolded and he heard shots being fired. When the car stopped he was placed in an outhouse and kept there until about 1 o’clock the following morning He was given some tea, blindfolded, put back into the motor car and driven to the Mile Bush and released. He walked from the Mile Bush to Rosbercon and was at his office at ten that morning (New Ross Standard, Fri. 3 Feb. 1922, p. 4). The newspaper gave no indication why Solicitor Colfer was kidnapped.
In February the courts continued to operate alongside the newly formed I.R.A. courts. In February, three railways officials from Aylwardstown, Glenmore, on their way to the Rosbercon petty sessions court were kidnapped by three or four men and held until the petty session court was over. One of the men kidnapped was Michael Fleming, a signalman, who was the complainant against Glenmore native Thomas Morrissey for assault. It was alleged that on the 23rd of January Thomas Morrissey assaulted Michael Fleming at Aylwardstown. Another signalman and the stationmaster were summoned as witnesses and were also kidnapped. When the case was called before Col. R. Tyndall, it was noted that Denis Daly had left the summons with the wife of the defendant Thomas Morrissey. The defendant did not turn up either. The railway sent Solicitor James J. O’Connor to the proceedings who reported to the court that he was instructed by the railway company to appear on behalf of the prosecution. When queried why the complainant was not prosecuting Solicitor O’Connor stated that he was and asked for the case to be adjourned. Col. Tyndall adjourned the case for a fortnight (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 Feb. 1922, p. 4).
The New Ross Standard published the following editorial calling on citizens to help put down crime and restore social order.
“A National Duty—In every community the criminal is ever on the alert watching his opportunity to perpetrate crime. Pending the setting up of a regular police force in this country during the transition stage there are offences committed against persons and property, mainly against the latter, and all of a more or less serious character. Robberies and minor thefts are terribly prevalent. Under our own Government, therefore, which is functioning under very great difficulties, it is the obvious duty of our people—irrespective of political views—to help to put down crime. That is the first essential of good Government, and no good citizen will hesitate to co-operate with the existing authority to restore social order. These are not the days of foreign rule when assistance in this direction would be regarded as the action of a loyalist. Our temporary police force are displaying much activity, and it is a national duty to assist them in protecting our people from opportunist criminals who are becoming so numerous” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Feb. 1922, p. 4).
Football, Fishing and a Runaway Deer in Glenmore
In February 2022 Glenmore played Cloneen for the senior Co. Kilkenny football final and won by a large margin. It was described by the New Ross Standard (20 Feb. 1922, p. 7) as a “splendidly contested match” which we will feature in a forthcoming blog post. For information on the 1920-1921 Glenmore football seasons see our previous post of 9 August 2021.
Although it was reported that the salmon fishing season had started off well by mid-February it was reported that it “…had become rather poor primarily because the weather was against fishing” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
Lastly, events described in a small article in the New Ross Standard may have rivalled the football title as a conversation topic when Glenmore people met each other. It was reported that a “runaway deer” caused excitement as it “careened through parts of the South Kilkenny districts.” Unfortunately, the article does not indicate where the deer escaped, but it did note “that near Glenmore it jumped a gate eight feet high, dashed through the village and headed towards Coolnashaw.” A dog then began to chase it and “it jumped clean over a donkey and cart with a woman in it. The cart was drawn across the road whilst the woman was speaking to a neighbour. The dog soon lost sight of the antlered monarch” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
The advertisement for Barry and Butler dressmaking Carrigcloney, Glenmore appeared in the New Ross Standard (Fri. 17 Feb. 1922, p. 8). More Glenmore related advertisements may be found in our post dated 19 December 2020.
The drawing of the deer is courtesy of the New York City Public Library digital collection. (The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1849). Common deer Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-4213-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.)
If anyone has any further information or corrections please send them to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh