May, 2023
now browsing by month
The Glenmore Cornflour Case [Updated]
In attempting to locate information on Glenmore skittles teams we came across an article that appeared in the New Ross Standard about 8 weeks prior to the end of World War II. As we highlighted in our previous post, World War II was known locally as the Emergency. Due to the disruption to manufacturing and transport during the war, people across Ireland had to cope with shortages. Imports such as coal and foodstuffs were particularly impacted. One Glenmore businessman, Jim Fluskey (c. 1882-1960) was summoned before the New Ross District Court in June 1945 for “selling cornflour that was not up to the nature, substance and quality demanded” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 June 1945, p. 5).
The case was heard on Tuesday the 12th of June in the New Ross District Court before Mr. J.V. Fahy, District Judge. Guard Tom Griffin of the Glenmore Barracks bought the substance from James Fluskey and sent it off to a lab to undergo analysis. James Fluskey of Robinstown, Glenmore. Mr. Coghlan, solicitor for the Kilkenny County Council, prosecuted and Mr. J. Colfer, solicitor, appeared for the defendant Fluskey and admitted the offense.
“Mr. Coghlan read the analyst’s certificate which stated that the sample contained 100 per cent potato starch. Cornflour, he added, should be prepared from starch prepared from either maize or rice. The article made from maize had been an article of commerce for over 80 years and that from rice nearly as long. He (analyst) had not met with potato starch as cornfour until recently and in his opinion it was a substitute for the genuine article.”
Mr. Colfer said on behalf of the defendant that “there was a case, on appeal, before the Wicklow Circuit Court where they had specialists to decide in a case like this whether it was cornflour or not.” Mr. Colfer concluded with, ” We sold the cornflour as we received it.” In other words Jim Fluskey ordered cornflour, received what he thought was cornflour and sold it as cornflour.
Mr. Coghlan replied that the Circuit Court Judge in the Wicklow case decided it was illegal to sell potato starch as courflour.
Judge Fahy took a practical view and approach to the Glenmore case. “The Justice said in a time of short supplies people were trying to do their best to supply substitutes that would be possible or tolerable…In the circumstances I am imposing a nominal fine of 3s. with 7s. costs. I am not saying anything about the analyst’s fee.”
Tom Griffin (c. 1897-1978) was from Scarriff, Co. Clare and was stationed at Glenmore for years. After retiring from Garda Siochana Tom took up bee keeping that he passed onto his son Paddy Griffin.
Please see our post of 28 May 2020 regarding the Fluskey family and shop.
[Update: see our post of 13 February 2023 where James Fluskey in 1943 went to court for his wife selling cafe in error instead of coffee. It was reported that Jim had been in business 45 years and this was his first appearance. ]
Update 20 June 2023–Andrew Doherty of Waterford Tides & Tales shared the following story from the Emergency Era.
“We had a character here who was ex Royal Navy and from the descriptions of his antics I’d imagine he had ptsd after serving in WWI. Anyway, because of his contacts it was known that he could “import” almost anything. A lady in one of the better houses was having a supper and approached him for tea leaves.
He duly obliged with a 1/4lb of loose tea leaves in a box for which he charged a handsom price – due to the lengths he had to go. They got about four spoons out of it, until they started to dig into something very much unlike tea…the Gardner was summoned to pass judgment as there was some dispute, and also disbelief in the kitchen. Turned out he had filled the box with dried horse manure, then topped it off with a scattering of tea.
The gardner tracked him down in Jack Meades pub drunk and now penniless and when challenged he uttered only two words – Caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).”]
Please send additional information, photos or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Skittles Teams & Tournaments
A few months ago a reader asked if we have any information on a Glenmore skittles team. The reader’s grandfather mentioned that he played skittles before he emigrated to the UK. We were able to locate quite a few articles regarding local skittle tournaments held from 1938 -c. 1949. Apparently different areas of the country employed different rules and some tournaments were for teams and some were for individual contestants.
The local tournaments were played in the summer and were impacted by weather, so the games were played outdoors. We did find that there is an indoor skittles game which is often played in pubs. We could not find an article referencing a tournament being played in Glenmore Village, but it would be difficult to find a flat area for the game in the village. Ballycroney and Moulerstown were the two Glenmore townlands that were mentioned regularly as having skittle teams competing in local skittles tournaments.
Skittle Rules
It is widely accepted that skittles are played in various countries using various rules and equipment. For our American readers skittles is said to be the forerunner of bowling or ten pin bowling as it is often called here.
A brief description of how the local children played the game was recorded in the 1930’s by a Ballyfacey school child. See our post of 27 November 2022. This description is consistent with the RTE Archives (1979). Donncha Ó Dúlaing had a series entitled “Donncha’s Travelling Roadshow” where he travelled across Ireland highlighting the people, music and traditions of rural Ireland. On 4 April 1979 he featured a Cavan skittles match.
“Five skittles with values 1,2,3,4 and 10 are placed in a ring in a cross shape. Each player takes his turn at a throw line and attempts to knock all of the skittles with four throwers made from cylindrical blocks of wood.” To view the wonderful RTE archived 1979 footage click here.
1938 Glenmore Teams
Skittles may have been played in Glenmore long before 1938, but local newspapers only began reporting on and advertising skittles tournaments around this time. Several teams from Glenmore and nearby parishes/townslands were identified. Unfortunately the number of players on a team was not revealed in any newspaper article.
Shambo-Rosbercon Tournament
The New Ross Standard (Fri. 2 Sept. 1938, p. 12) reported that the Shambo (sic) Rosbercon Skittles Tournament began on Sunday the 27th of August 1938 “with players from Shambo, Ballycroney, Ballygurran (sic), New Ross, Glenmore, Waterford, Pink Rock and Moulerstown.” The games were described as very interesting to the large crowd of spectators.
“The ‘Butler’ Moulerstown team were very unlucky to go over the game number in the semi-finals after a grand display, but for being the most consistent players all round, the Egan team Ballycroney highly deserved their victory in the initial round. Saunders’ team, of Shambo, being runners up. The Committee thanked Mr. Daniel Whelan for seating and all other facilities provided during the game. The tournament will be continued on next Sunday.”
The second round of the tournament took place on Sunday the 11th of September 1938. Ten teams made it through the semi-finals and the third day of the tournament was scheduled for the 18th where the newspaper predicted “an exciting finish is anticipated.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Sept. 1938, p. 12).
Final Between Two Ballycroney, Glenmore Teams
The Shambo skittle tournament was played on the 18th and was proclaimed “an outstanding success.” The full ten team took part “in the final issues. Ballycroney, Moulerstown and Shambo teams proved their skill to enter the semi-final after very keenly contested games with excitement at its highest. Moulerstown and Shambo had to admit defeat, leaving the final issue, which was only decided by the best hand, between the two Ballycroney teams, the winners being D. Cahill, B. Hogan, J. Hennessy and W. Walsh, the Runners-up, Pat Egan, and the Holden Brothers, being very unlucky to be only beaten by the small margin of four. The teams are beginning another challenge game on next Sunday” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 23 Sept. 1938, p. 12.)
The Emergency Years
The Second World War is often referred to as the Emergency in Ireland. On 2 September 1939 the Emergency Powers Act was passed into law the day after Germany invaded Poland. Hardships prevailed as commodities such as coal, medicines and foodstuffs were difficult to import. Skittles remained a popular pastime in this area during the War.
A South Kilkenny Committee was established to run tournaments in the summer months with most of the parishes in South Kilkenny represented. For this league teams were grouped to allow draws and fixtures to be made “locally to suit players and the committee” (Munster Express, Fri. 28 June 1940, p. 8 and Fri. 8 May 1942, p. 66). However, teams were not limited to parishes, townlands or villages. Clover Meats had a skittles teams. Its July 1944 contest against Dangan, fixed for Ballykeohan Crossn had to be postponed “owing to unfavourable weather conditions” (Munster Express, Fri. 21 July 1944, p. 4).
One of the new features of skittles during the Emergency were concrete rings. An individual skittles contest was advertised for Tullahought (near Piltown) where a “new concrete ring” was built. “It is sure to attract a big entry from members of the skittles teams.” The entry was 10s. and first prize £1. “It is hoped to have all the contests in the one day” (Munster Express, Fri. 3 July 1942, p. 6). In early July 1942, it was reported that Jamestown (assumed to be Jamestown, Glenmore) “formed a new team and a newly painted ring” was announced (Munster Express, Fri. 8 May 1942, p. 6).
Ballycroney, Glennmore 1945 Team
The skittles tournament organised by the Listerlin Club attracted an entry of nineteen teams to the local venue on Sunday the 22nd of July 1945. It “provided a nice afternoon’s sport for a record attendance. After keen competition, in which some interesting play was witnessed, Ballycroney and Acres (Mullinavat) qualified for the final, which was won by the former after a great contest. The teams were as follows: Ballycroney—W. Holden, B. Holden, M. Holden, P. Hogan, J. Hennessy¸ J. Cody, T. Fitzgerald. Acres—Thomas Holden, Ed. Holden, Hames Holden, J. Holden, Jas. Farrell, Wm. Fitzpatrick, E. Kelly, Pat Anderson. Sergt. Conlon was judge and Mr. P. O’Connor marker.” (Munster Express, Fri. 27 July 1945, p. 5).
Moulerstown, Glenmore Tournaments
Tullogher’s tournament was played in early August 1945, and 18 teams competed (Munster Express, Fri. 10 Aug. 1945, p. 5).
Twelve teams entered for the skittle tournament held at Moulerstown, Glenmore, on the 12th of August, “which attracted a large attendance of spectators. After an interesting series of games, first prize went to the Moulerstown team, who defeated Smithstown in the final after an exciting contest” (Munster Express, Fri. 17 Aug. 1945, p. 5). The newspaper did not indicate where in Moulestown the 1945 tournament was held.
The following week the Moulerstown team competed in the Ballyanne (Wexford) tournament. “There was a large attendance at the … tournament held on Sunday, [the 19th] and great interest was centred in the games. Seventeen teams competed and Rathgarogue team were the winners of the tournament. Moulerstown came second and Rathnure were third. The prize for the best throw was won by J. Breen of Ballintubber, and gate prize by M. Fitzpatrick of Carranoure (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 August 1945, p. 6).
In 1946, the Moulerstown tournament was held at the Moulerstown Dance Board on Saturday the 19th of June “commencing at 1:30 p.m. (old time) with £14 in prizes advertised (Munster Express, Fri. 21 June 1946, p. 5). A tournament held in an enclosed yard in the Borris & Graig district raised £29 7s. at the entrance gate “which goes to prove the interest taken in such contests” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 August 1945, p. 6).
Local Decline of Skittles
After 1949 fewer articles appeared in local newspapers concerning skittles. In the summer of 1949 it was announced that a “monster” skittles tournament was to be held in Mooncoin the first Sunday in August “in conjunction with the local sports. A number of new teams [were] also being organised in the area for the competition” (Munster Express, Fri.29 July 1949, p 8).
Stand alone skittles tournaments were no longer reported, however, skittles continued to be played in conjunction with sports days and sometimes with dances. For example, in the summer of 1952 a “Monster Skittles Tournament was held at the Glenmore Skow Bridge Dance Board on Sunday the 27th of July at 1 p.m. (old time). The entry fee was 16/- for a team of eight and £12 in prizes were on offer. A “big dance” was to be held the same night (Munster Express, Fri. 18 July 1952, p. 10).
Request
If you played skittles for a Glenmore team, or you recall hearing someone speak of their experiences, we would love to hear from you. If you have any old skittles trophies, medals or photos of skittle players or games please send a photo of them to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Please also contact via the email provided regarding any errors, omissions, or additional information.
The drawing featured above is courtesy of the New York Public Library and is a cigarette card issued in 1938; available at George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library. “Skittles.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 28, 2023. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/7d20cdeb-e40d-4a73-e040-e00a18060ccc.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Prosecution of 4 Glenmore Men
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) spent over 7 decades interviewing people and collecting information concerning Glenmore and nearby areas. Found within Danny’s voluminous files was an article from the Waterford Standard concerning the Kilmacow Petty Sessions court held in August 1903. Two cases were reported in that newspaper that involved the Sunday closing of pubs law and the prosecution of four Glenmore men.
Irish Temperance League
According to the webpage of the Irish Temperance League it was formed in the 1850’s and continues to operate to this day. By the 1870’s across Ireland, Catholic and Protestant Clergy were united in efforts to curb alcohol consumption. In Glenmore all pubs in the Village were closed by the Parish Priest and there was no pub in the Village until 1963. See our previous post of 8 May 2023.
Known as “The Great Social Experiment” Bills were introduced several years in a row in the House of Commons, seeking to control and curtail the sale of alcohol. In 1872, it became a legal requirement to display the proprietor’s name over the front door. (For more interesting facts regarding Irish pubs see the Irish Post, (2016) “A Brief History of the Pub.”) The following year, when a Bill was introduced to close pubs on Sundays the MP for Leeds argued it was a bad idea because the populace would be left without access to alcohol for medicinal uses. It was also argued that the working man lived in poor conditions and needed the comforts of a pub (Irish Post (2016)). Interestingly there was no mention or concern for the wives and children who also lived in poor conditions.
The 1873 police returns revealed that there were 1,586 publicans, beer dealers and spirit grocers in Ireland. By 1880 the number fell to 1,284. The reduction of 302 over 7 years was due mainly to the closure of “the worst case of house” and others were temporarily closed due to the economic decline in that decade that left thousands of labouring men without work (T. W. Russel (1884) A Social Experiment: Five Years Before and After Sunday Closing in Ireland, p. 6).
The Sunday Closure Act 1878
Until 1878 pubs could remain open until 11 p.m. on Sundays. The Sunday Closing Act came into operation on the 13th of October 1878. Under the ACT the hours of sale were reduced to 2 to 7 p.m. and from 2 to 9 p.m. in all places with a population exceeding 5,000. The cities with the longer hours were Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. During the 4.5 years after the enactment Sunday arrests for drunkenness fell by 53% (T.W. Russel (1884) p. 1).
Two interesting aspects of the Act was that the Sunday patrons were limited to bona fide travellers, and the Act was not permanent. A Bill was introduced into the House of Commons in 1882 to make it permanent and to extend its provisions to all Ireland. A bona fide traveller was a patron who traveled a prescribed distance from his home.
Saturday Early Closing Bills
With the deemed success of the Sunday closures the Irish Temperance League and united clergy turned their attention to Saturdays. The Saturday Earlier Closing Bill was introduced year after year commencing in 1879. Eventually, a Committee was formed which had 18 sittings for taking evidence from 40 witnesses. In total 11,091 questions were put to the witnesses.
After two days of discussion the Committee reported that “The witnesses…have given strong evidence in favour of curtailing the hours of sale on Saturdays. The Committee are of opinion that a great deal of excessive drinking which has been proved to take place on Saturday nights, and much of the squandering of the wages of the working classes would be avoided if public-houses were closed earlier on that day, and they are satisfied that such a measure would be supported by public opinion generally throughout Ireland.”
The Committee recommended that the Act of 1878 should be made perpetual and extended to the five cities exempted from the full operation of the Act. That the qualifying distance under the bona fide provisions should be extended to six miles. That all houses for the sale of intoxicating liquors in Ireland should be closed at 9 p.m. on Saturdays (Irish Temperance League (1889) Summary of the History of the Sunday Closing and Saturday Evening Closing Movement ion Ireland, and the Position of the Government in Relation to the present Bill—February, 1889.
Kilmacow Petty Sessions 27 August 1903
The Kilmacow Petty Sessions were held on Thursday the 27th before Ulick Bourke, Resident Magistrate and Major Giles. Mr. Bowers, CPS was also present.
Catherine McDonell, a Mullinavat Publican
Two cases involving pubs were reported in the Waterford Standard newspaper. The first involved Catherine McDonnell a Mullinavat publican who was charged with having permitted drunkenness in her house on Sunday the 5th of July. It was alleged that Mrs. McDonnell had put “everyone out” by 7 p.m., but James Dalton regained entry by climbing over the wall that surrounded the premises.
The police found James Dalton drunk on the licensed premises after 7 p.m. when they visited. Mrs. McDonnell swore that she did not provide Dalton with any drink after 6:30 p.m. Major Giles was strongly in favour of a conviction, but Mr. Bourke did not agree with him. “After a lengthened debate Major Giles gave way on a point of law, and the case was dismissed.” (Waterford Standard, Sat. 29 Aug. 1903, p. 3).
Four Glenmore Men Arrested in Slieverue
The second pub case was entitled, “A Serious Question for Publicans—How long Can a Man Stay in a Publichouse?”
Sergeant Quinn charged Richard Grant, Slieverue, with a breach of the Sunday Closing Act. Head-Constable Keegan prosecuted, and Mr. P. A. Murphy defended.
Sergeant Quinn testified that on Sunday, June 28th, he visited the premises of Richard Grant at twelve o’clock noon and found about 40 people on the premises. Quinn went through the drinker and thought they were all bona fide travellers. Quinn belived that Edward Murphy, Pat McDonald, Robert Walsh and Francis Rielly were from Glenmore.
At 2:30 Quinn again went to the “house” and found the same men drinking. He spoke to them in the presence of the publican and asked Murphy why he was there so long. Murphy replied he could remain from six in the morning until six at night if he liked. “He went away with Rielly. Walsh and McDonald were there also, and they had been there the same time.”
“Mass commenced at eleven and was over about twelve, and these people attended the service. All four men live in the parish of Glenmore, and Glenmore Chapel would be nearer to any of them than going to Slieverue, but they could not get a public house” in Glenmore. Sergeant Quinn noticed Rielly “had the appearance of drink.” Sergeant Quinn went on to testify that Murphy and the publican had been summoned some time previously for similar offences, and the cases had been dismissed.
Mr. P.A. Murphy for the defendant cross examined the sergeant. Quinn testified that “his case was that these men stayed an overlong time in the house, and though bona fide travellers at 12 o’clock they had no right to stay until 2:30.”
“Mr. Murphy said the case would undoubtedly go further, but he would like it clearly understood the case for the Crown was that at 12 o’clock these men were admittedly bona fide travellers, but they were not bona fide travellers at 2:30. He contended that no such offense as the present one against the publican should have been brought. The police could only have brought a case of permitting drunkenness, but there was no such charge in this case. Mr. Murphy then read several recorded cases to prove his contentions. An exactly similar case occurred before, and the magistrates’ decision was reversed by the County Court Judge. “
The magistrates dismissed the case, but allowed a case to be stated, where the matter “will be thoroughly threshed out in the Superior Court. Mr Bourke, R.M. drew up the various points to be submitted for argument. The cases against the four men found on the premises were adjourned.”
Cases Adjourned for the Bona Fide Glenmore Travellers
Thus, it appears that the publican with legal representation had his case dismissed, but the four Glenmore patrons had their cases adjourned until the unnamed Superior Court could rule on various points of law the magistrates sent to it. No further newspapers articles could be located regarding these cases from 1903, so the question of whether a bona fide traveller could lose his status and thus fall foul of the law was not published. However, the reporting of the case clearly illustrates the Sunday Closure Act was still in operation and any Glenmore person seeking a drink on a Sunday when he went beyond Glenmore parish he became a bona fide traveller within the meaning of the Act. As a bona fide traveller Glenmore people were entitled to seek alcohol at pubs more than 6 miles from home.
Whether the men were bona fide travellers is another issue. A quick search of the 1901 Census reveals more then 1 person named Robert Walsh and Edward Murphy in Glenmore parish. Two of this group with the same names lived within 2 or 3 miles of Slieverue. However, there were no persons found named Pat McDonald and Francis Rielly, although a family of Riellys lived in Slieverue parish in Ballyrowagh adjacent to the Glenmore line.
Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The photo of Stapleton’s pub of Slieverue was taken today. It is not known where Richard Grant’s pub was located in 1903 in Slieverue.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: April 1923
The Tenth Month of the Civil War
Although the Civil War continued, the ferocity of previous months was not reported in local newspapers. With hindsight today it appears that the Civil War was winding down. An editorial in the New Ross Standard noted that people were crossing the channel for a quiet holiday, thus suggesting that 100 years ago people sensed or knew that the war was ending.
“The Eastertide has so far passed with comparative quiet in the capital. The glorious spell of summer-like weather…attracted thousands to the seaside, and a notable feature of this year, due to the condition in the country, was the remarkable number of people who crossed the channel for a quiet holiday…The only sad feature of the season in Dublin is the recurrence of a particularly painful …tragedy.” Not less than three young men were found dead this week in Dublin (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 April 1923, p. 4).
Arrests & Prisoners
At the beginning of April “New Ross troops made close on twenty arrests…”(New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 April 1923, p. 5). Troops operating from Wexford arrested two Irregulars, named Parcell (sic) and Hartley, of Glenmore (Freeman’s Journal, Sat. 21 April 1923, p. 7).
J. Egan, a Republican leader, of Mullinahone (Tipperary) was “killed in a duel” with Lt. McGrath, of the National Garrison of Fethard. The fight was a sequel to the capture of Egan’s column. Egan attempted to escape, but was pursued by Lt. McGrath for a mile across country and mortally wounded. The officer was wounded slightly (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 April 1923, p. 2).
Seventy-one prisoners escaped from the Curragh Camp by means of a tunnel on the morning of the 24th of April. A number were immediately re-captured (Munster Express, Sat. 28 April 1923, p. 6).
Attacks
On the 5th of April Irregulars were firing from Carrickbeg hills into Carrick-on-Suir. This was the heaviest attack the town experienced for months. The firing lasted for about two hours. Bullets went through windows in houses opposite the new bridge and whizzed through the streets and the Park. No one in the town was injured.
However, it was reported also on the same page that Mr. Clarke, Lord Waterford’s chauffeur, was shot in the head about 7 o’clock the evening of the 5th. Lord Waterford and his sisters, Ladies Blanche and Katharine Beresford, were traveling from the Kilkenny Hunt Races to Curraghmore by the short cut through Jonestown near Carrick. “The firing was going on when his lordship arrived in Carrick. He crossed the bridge and motored up part of the Mothel road towards the main road that would take him to the back entrance gates of Curraghmore.”
“There was a regular hail of bullets from the Carrickbeg hills at the time. Some of them struck the car, and the chauffeur received a bullet in his head. He was taken into a house on the Mothel Road and attended by the Ladies, Lord Waterford, some neighbours and Dr. Stephenson.”
At first it was thought that Clarke had been killed. “The latest news is that his condition is much improved.” The wound was described as deep and tore the man’s scalp badly. Lord Waterford and the Ladies attended the Waterford Hunt Point-to-point race the following day, and “appeared to be none the worse for their exciting experience.” The irregulars on the hills mistook Lord Waterford’s motor car for a military car. When they ascertained that it was not a military car the firing ceased. Lord Waterford left for England on Saturday evening (Munster Express, Sat. 14 April 1923, p. 3).
The following week the Kilkenny People reported that military operations “on a big scale” are going on in Co. Waterford, from the Comeraghs near Carrick-on-Suir to West Waterford. “Some interesting developments are expected from the operations” (Sat. 21 April 1923, p. 11). The same day, it was reported that “after a lull of several weeks there was an outbreak of firing in Waterford… The outburst, which started after 10 o’clock, lasted about twenty minutes (Munster Express, Sat. 28 April 1923, p. 6).
Piracy
On the 14th a “motor barge plying between Waterford and Graiguenamanagh was boarded by a number of armed men, who carried off a large quantity of whiskey and some bacon.” The raid occurred at about 12:30 p.m. in the vicinity of Ballinlaw. Shots were discharged across the bow of the barge and the barge was ordered to “pull up.” Simultaneously two small boats containing the armed men boarded the boat and selected from its cargo six dozen bottles of whiskey, one complete bale of bacon, and three further sides of bacon. “On the same day a similar raid was effected (sic) on a private barge trading between Graiguenamanagh and New Ross. Two bags of sugar and other foodstuff were stolen” (Munster Express, Sat. 21 April 1923, p. 5).
By the end of the month it was also reported that there was “considerable military in Thomastown and surrounding districts” with large parties of troops operating from Inistioge (sic) to Stoneyford. The River Nore between both places was being carefully guarded (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 April 1923, p. 8).
Arson
The burning of “big houses” continued and there was an attempt to burn down the Kilkenny Carnegie Library. The arson was foiled when the petrol and other flammable substances, matches and cloth were found. It appears that the would-be arsonist was waiting for the library to close. A couple of night previously books were stolen from the building by gaining entry though a window (Kilkenny People, Sat. 21 April 1923, p. 6).
Another foiled arson involved an attack on the home of Mrs. Powell, sister of the late General Michael Collins. The firing lasted a half hour. The assailants were, after an intense attack, repelled by National Troops who were guarding the house since a previous attempt to burn it (Munster Express, Sat. 18 April 1923, p. 6).
Not all arsons were stopped. James Walsh, of Templeorum (near Carrick) had his home and business premises burned the same week. The damage was estimated at several thousands of pounds. Prior to losing his home and business premises his vans and shops were regularly raided (Munster Express, Sat. 14 April 1923, p. 3).
Blocking of Roads
On the 16th of April a large tree was felled across the road between Kilkenny and Johnswell. A notice was affixed to the tree warning against removing the tree as the area was mined. The tree was removed that evening by prisoners under military escort. Trees were also felled across the road at Bennetsbridge (Kilkenny People, Sat. 21 April 1923, p. 6).
Glenmore Bridges Repair Costs
The Secretary Kilkenny Co. Council forwarded a list of claims for repairs to bridges in No. 2 district from Mr. George Nolan, builder. By resolution of the Council the claims were referred to the No. 2 District Council for their views. The particulars included: Glenmore (No. 1 bridge, £117.2s.0d); Glenmore (No. 2 bridge, £204.9s.4d); Glenmore (No. 3, £349.5s.3d). In the first two claims half to be paid by Ida R.D.C.
The following order was made. The No. 2 District Council consider that too much money was allowed for repairs to these bridges, which should have been repaired in the ordinary way by tender, and they cannot offer any precise opinion on the matter, not having been consulted with the estimates. In their opinion there was an excess of £100 in each case (Munster Express, Sat. 7 April 1923, p. 3).
Other News Items
The Kilkenny People carried the story of Patrick Aylward (1860-1935) of Rochestown, Mullinavat who was accused of throwing a neighbour’s 18 month old child into the fire causing his death (Sat. 28 April 1923, p. 2). See our blog post of 28 March 2022 for details concerning this case.
James Larkin was deported from New York on the 21st on the S.S. Majestic as a third class passenger. He violently protested against traveling on a British vessel. He landed at Southhampton (Munster Express, Sat. 28 April 1923, p. 6). Ironically James Larkin was born in England to Irish emigrants. He travelled to the US in 1914 was convicted and pardoned by Al Smith, the Governor of New York.
Farming & Fishing
This was printed as an “old farmer’s rhyme” in 1923.
A cold April, with no leaves,
Will fill the barn full of sheaves;
If it rains on Good Friday or Easter Day,
It’s a good year for grass but a bad one for hay. (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 20 April 1923, p. 5)
It was also reported that price of eggs dropped in April 1923. Previously a dozen eggs were selling at 10d. to 1s. (12d were in a shilling). In April a dozen eggs fell to 9d. This was the lowest price eggs sold for since 1916 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 April 1923, p. 5).
The fishing reports were often contradictory in the same newspaper edition.
The salmon fishing “practically since the season opened is bad in general, even down to Duncannon” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 April 1923, p. 5). In the Boris District column on the same page it was reported that although catches of salmon during the past two weeks were not as good as they were for the two preceding weeks, some of the anglers landed large pike, which were abundant in the Barrow.
The Barrow also provided an interesting catch near the Pink Rock. An unnamed fisherman while fishing with a cot near the Pink Rock observed an object floating with the tide. He thought it was a badger, and when he got closer he discovered that it was a “half barrel of liquid. He took it ashore, he tested the contents and found it was beer, and on sampling it declared it to be the best he ever drank” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 April 1923, p. 5)
Glenmore in the News
Confirmation 1923
His Lordship the Most Dev. Dr. Downey, Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Ossory, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to a large number of children in the Glenmore, Rosbercon, Inistioge and other South Kilkenny parishes. His Lordship was very pleased with the answering of the children and their comprehensive knowledge of the Christian doctrine (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 April 1923, p. 5).
Robinnstown, Glenmore Auction
Robinstown (Glenmore) Co. Kilkenny–Auction of Small Holding (Lately occupied by Miss Anastasia Hanway, Deceased). On Thursday 12th April 1923, on the premises by directions of the Misses Dalton, a comfortable two-storey dwelling house, containing kitchen, parlour, and two bedrooms with garden attached, of about one rood statute measure. All held in fee simple, free of rent forever. Immediate possession. Sale at 12 o’clock sharp.
Further particulars from, P.A. Murphy and Co, Solicitors, O’Connell St., Waterford; or John Murphy and Son, Auctioneers and Valuers, 11 O’Connell St., and Thomas Hill, Waterford (Munster Express, Sat. 7 April 1923, p. 2). We will provide the information we located on Anastasia Hanway (1855-1923) in a future post.
Glenmore Senior Football
Several members of the Glenmore Senior Football team were selected to play on the Kilkenny County team in the Leinster Football Championship..
“Buoyed up by their very creditable record in last season’s championship, Kilkenny Senior footballers are making great preparations for their opening match this season with Kildare, and are confident of passing on to the next stage. Of the championship. Some changes have been made in the positions, and some new blood has been infused.”
The team for Sunday’s contest will be —P. Dalton (goal) (Knocktopher); J. McKenna, W. Landy, L. Murphy (Cotterstown); P. Hughes, M. Brenna (Cloneen); Mr. Cody (capt.), P. Cody, J. Fitzgerald, M. Connolly, A. Heffernan, J. Phelan, M. Flannelly (sic), W. Irish, J. Doherty, J. Hanrahan, W. Hartley, P. Hartley (Glenmore) Their experience in last season’s competition should enable Kilkenny to give a good account of itself …. (Freeman’s Journal, Mon. 9 April 1923, p. 3).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.hstory@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Parkstown, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Parkstown, Glenmore, around 1961.
Background
The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 116) is Baile Phaircéir, Park’s or Parker’s homestead. The townland is divided into Upper and Lower Parkstown with a total acreage of 357 acres.
The following is the oldest newspaper account located regarding Parkstown. It was published in 1824.
Hampshire Chronicle (Mon. 14 June 1824, p. 1)–Several tons of Irish iron ore have been entered at Waterford, for export, for Cardiff. T is of excellent quality, and this commencement bids fair to open the way to an extensive and highly profitable branch of commerce, of very peculiar interest at this moment that the public attention is so decidedly turned towards the discovery of mineral riches in Ireland. This ore is from Parkstown, in the county of Kilkenny, about midway between Waterford and Innistogue (sic), It is from a plentiful and very rich bed, and other valuable minerals are supposed to be in the immediate neighbourhood.
An earlier version of this article appeared in the Droheda Journal (Wed. 2 June 1824, p. 3) citing the Waterford Paper and providing a few more details. For example, the ore was loaded onto the Janet, of Kincardine. James Scotland, the master of the ship was sailing for Cardiff.
The Tithe Applotment Books 1833
The Applotment Books of 1833 list two areas: [1] Parkstown, Kearneytown and [2] Parkstown.
Parkstown, Kearneytown
Five tenants were listed in Parkstown Kearneystown: Michael Walsh (24 acres); Charles Linegar (19 acres); Pat Henesy (19 acres); William Butler (13 acres); Thomas Linegar (28 acres). “These lands are held from Major Kearney by lease.”
Parkstown
Seven tenants were listed in Parkstown and three were recorded for “Glebe Land.” Edmund Hanway (5 acres); Willam Doyle (11 acres); John Aylward (18 acres); Thomas Aylward (18 acres); Charles Linegar (46 acres); Widow Walsh (10 acres) and Carlisle (1 acres). A notation on the record reads that “these lands are held from Mr. Careau by the present occupiers by lease).
Glebe Lands
Three tenants of Parkstown were listed on Glebe Lands: John Enid (10 acres); Laurence Murphy (3 acres); and Thomas Howell(?) (1 acre). “The Glebe is held from the Vicar the Rev. Thomas Wallis.”
“Extermination” in Parkstown, Glenmore
A decade after Griffith’s Valuation, on the eve of the Great Famine, the following newspaper article was published about Thomas Linegar, of Parkstown, Glenmore in the Vindicator (Wed. 12 June 1844, p. 4).
Extermination in the County Kilkenny—Another Job for Lord Devon—We have just heard of another horrible case of extermination which, we are told, took place a few days since at a locality about six miles from this city. The facts which have been related to us are briefly as follows: A poor man, named Thomas Linegar (or Linegan), who held a small farm (about twenty acres) at Parkstown, parish of Glenmore, county Kilkenny, having been served with an ejectment for a sum amounting to only £4-6s-4d arrears, was, some short time since, driven from his little holding, though perfectly inclined to pay the alleged debt.
But this is not all—we have yet to state the most frightful, the most heart rending(sic) part of our narrative. He (Linegar) happened to be at the fair of Mulliavat the day on which the ruthless exterminators settled on besieging his comfortless domicile; but, on his return home, the first scene that came before his eyes (and oh! How awful it must have been!) was, his wife and her six little ones lying beside a ditch on the road-side, with all his scanty furniture thrown over the ditch and broken in pieces!
He then begged to be admitted, for a day or two, under his own roof (where his countless ancestors lived before him), until he would look out for some place for his family—But to no avail. All would not do—the heartless landlord, or his fiends of the law, were inexorable! The poor creatures, it appears, are now trying to live in a cabin adjacent to this city, in the most deplorable condition! Oh! What a painful case have we not here?
When shall the people’s condition be bettered? Will the “landocracy” ever happen to have hearts that can feel for their fellow beings? We have heard that one or two kind hearted gentlemen are about taking this poor family’s case into consideration. A more charitable act could not be performed. For the present we shall forbear giving the landlord’s name, though we almost think it a pity. However, he may rest assured we shall not lose sight of him.—Waterford Chronicle. (The same article appeared in the Dublin Weekly Register, Sat. 8 June 1824, p. 4).
1961 Parkstown, Glenmore
In 1961, Danny recorded 3 families or households in the townland of Parkstown. One family lived in Parkstown Lower and two families in Parkstown Upper. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland. Amazingly all the surnames found in Parkstown in 1961 were also present in 1833.
The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 14 people resided in the townland of Parkstown (Lower= 4; Upper= 10) with the population comprised of 5 males and 9 females. The largest family was the Butler family with 6 in the household. There was no household recorded with a single person living alone. All information under residents of Parkstown not in Danny’s original list has been placed in square brackets[ ].
Recorded Parkstown Residents
Males= 5
Females= 9
Eldest Recorded Resident
The eldest resident recorded by Danny in 1961 in Parkstown was Bridget Aylward (15 May 1875-2 Feb. 1963) of Parkstown Lower. The death register provides that Bridget Aylward was 87 years of age when she died in 1963. She was listed as a single farmer. Her nephew John Aylward was present at her death. For further details on Bridget’s family see our post of 21 June 2020 concerning her brother who made headlines in 1909 when he died on his honeymoon.
Recorded Work
Farmer= 3 (2 Males; 1 Female)
Farm Workers = 2 (2 Males)
PARKSTOWN LOWER
[1] AYLWARD
Aylward, Bridget (23 Dec. 1890) Farmer
Aylward, Bridget (15 May 1875) sister-in-law “died 2 Feb. 1963”
Aylward, Mary, daughter
Aylward, Margaret, daughter
PARKSTOWN UPPER
[2] LINEGAR
Linegar, Michael (18 March 1887) Farmer “died 11 Jan. 1963”
Linegar, Bridget (11 Feb. 1881) wife “died 17 April 1964”
Linegar, Charles, son, assisting relative
Linegar, Bertie, son, assisting relative
[3] BUTLER
Butler, Thomas (21 April 1906) Farmer
Butler, Mary (4 May 1910) wife
Butler, Patrick, son, at school
Butler, Mary, daughter, child
Butler, Statia, daughter, child
Butler, Bridget, daughter, child
Dick Claridge collected some local poems and one is entitled “Charlie Linegar’s Ball” regarding a prank. See our guest author’s page to read “Charlie Linegar’s Ball” by clicking here. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) thought that the Linegars were French Huguenots. Huguenots were French protestants who fled France to avoid persecution in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Please send any additional information, corrections or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
When Glenmore Lost Its Distinction
It is hard to believe today that Glenmore was once heralded the only Village in the country that did not have a pub. In previous posts we identified some of the early pubs in the Village and ultimately the entire parish was dry from 1906 to 1963. For information on early Village pubs, see our post of 31 March 2020. The lack of a pub led to some unusual cases where locals were charged with operating shebeens. This law was generally enforced against the poor. It was presumed alcohol was being sold when the police deemed the person in possession could otherwise not afford the alcohol. For further details on Glenmore people charged with operating shebeens see our post of 5 April 2020. Today, we are going to feature the newspaper accounts from 1963 when Glenmore lost its distinction as the only Village in the country without a pub.
Front Page Kilkenny People
On Friday the 5th of April 1963, Glenmore was splashed across the front page of the Kilkenny People under a headline “Dry Village May Get Two Pubs.” The first sentence of the article shows the lack of knowledge the jounalist had regarding Glenmore. “Glenmore’s traditional boast it never had a pub or a police-barracks may end as far as the pub aspect is concerned.” Over three years ago when we were doing the shebeen research I read this first sentence of this Kilkenny People article to Danny. I can still recall Danny’s reaction. He moved swiftly from amazement, visited annoyance and settled on dismissal. “The author,” he concluded with a smiled “hasn’t a clue.”
Just Plain Got It Wrong
Danny identified the field where the Sallies now stands as the site of the first RIC Barracks in Glenmore. The old people often spoke about its location when he was a young chap. He was not certain of the date it moved to its present location, but he noted it was before the mid-19th century. He also stated that he knew of no Glenmore man who boasted that there was no pub in the Village or Parish. Danny explained that there was a belief that many people were killed returning to Glenmore from distant pubs. It was believed that it would have been safer to have a local pub. When I queried whether the article was correct that “two pubs” were on the cards for Glenmore, Danny nodded and said that much was true.
Other Front Page Kilkenny People Articles
We then spent some time laughing at other stories on the same front page. One was entitled “Should Women Be in Public Life,” and another that caught Danny’s attention was simply entitled “A Papal Bull.” (For our non-Catholic readers a papal bull is an edict or official document issued by the Pope.) The papal bull on the front page was in reference to the fact that Ireland was presenting an Aberdeen Angus bull to the Papal Farm at Castle Gandolfo. That short article really tickled Danny.
Glenmore’s Two Applications
[1] Anastatia Walsh
Getting back to the two pubs proposed for Glenmore, the article relates that Mrs. Anastatia Walsh, of Graiguenakill, Glenmore was granted an application by Judge McD. Fawsitt for a declaration that premises she proposed to build in Glenmore Village were suitable for a pub. The application for the actual license had to go before the Circuit Court at a later date.
Getting a license to operate a pub was an expensive undertaking. Mrs. Walsh was represented by a barrister in the circuit court, various notices had to be placed in newspapers and the number of licenses across the country was limited. An existing license had to “be extinguished” before a new license could be issued. Needless to say a person with a license willing to extinguish did it for a fee.
[2] Richard “Dick” Hanrahan
At the Kilkenny Circuit Court in April 1963, a similar application was made by Richard Hanrahan of the Village. His application was adjourned to be heard in Carlow Circuit Court the following week. We did find that Richard Hanrahan placed a notice in the Munster Express (Fri. 25 Jan. 1963, p. 12) advising that on the 2nd of April he would seek a certificate from the Circuit Court allowing him to apply for an intoxicating liquor licence for premises in Glenmore. We were unable to find what happened at Carlow Circuit Court, but Dick Hanrahan never opened a pub in Glenmore.
Midleton’s Loss Was Glenmore’s Gain
Mrs. Walsh’s application was brought under Section 15 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1960. Although it was stated in the article that the Village had a population of 1,250 it was the entire parish that had that population not the Village. The article noted that Mrs. Walsh had procured the consent of two existing license holders in Midleton, Co. Cork, to the extinguishment of their licenses (Kilkenny People, Fri. 5 April 1963, p. 1).
Michael Keohan, Main Street, Midleton, testified that he was the holder of a license in Midleton and he was prepared to extinguish his license if Mrs. Walsh’s application was granted. Miss Johanna Kavanagh, Main Street, Midleton also testified that she was prepared to extinguish her license if Mrs. Walsh’s application was granted. The Judge then stated, “I hope they have not given up drinking in Midleton.” Miss Kavanagh replied that there “were still a good number of public houses there.”
Other Witnesses
Supt. W. Coonan, Thomastown, testified that the gardai had no objection to Mrs. Walsh’s application. The plans for the proposed premises had been submitted to him, and he considered they were satisfactory.
Michael J. Shalloe, a Waterford architect, testified that Glenmore was ten miles from Waterford and as far as he could judge the nearest licensed premises would be four and a half to five miles away in Slieverue.
Mrs. Walsh told the court that if her application was granted she would run the business herself.
Munster Express
The journalist from the Munster Express was a bit more knowledgeable concerning Glenmore, but still managed to confuse the Village with the Parish. On the same date of publication, the Munster Express placed its article on page 16 while the Kilkenny People placed it on the front page. In its article entitled “Glenmore Loses Its Distinction,” the Munster Express explained that “after a lapse of just over 100 years, the parish reputed to be the only one in Ireland without a “pub” is again to have a licensed premises. The Village was without a pub, but the parish had a licensed pub until 1906. Citing the Licensed Vintner’s March issue, the Munster Express noted “the last pub in Glenmore was closed just over a hundred years ago by a decree of the then parish priest” (Munster Express, Fri. 5 April 1963, p. 16). The article ironically ended with the fact that the Glenmore district was renowned for its malting barley contracts for Guinness, Smithwicks and other breweries and distilleries.
Correction by Kilkenny People
After its front page article of 5 April 1963 the Kilkenny People on 26 April 1963 attempted to correct its earlier article. Ignoring the fact that it got the information concerning the police barracks incorrect, it did attempt to address the widely held belief that Mrs. Walsh’s establishment would be the first licensed premises in Glenmore Village. “However, this is not the case as a seven day licence was held by the late Mr. J. Kirwan, of Scartnamore, Glenmore. The licence was withdrawn 57 years ago in 1906,” when an RIC sergeant caught a housewife leaving the premises with a “can” of beer, before opening time on a Sunday morning.” (Fri. 26 April 1963, p. 8). Needless to say Scartnamore is not in the Village of Glenmore, cans of beer were not available in 1906, and there were pubs in the Village of Glenmore prior to c. 1870 when Masses were disrupted and the parish priest caused the pubs to close their doors.
Grand Opening
The long awaited Glenmore Village pub opened in November 1963. Notwithstanding its popularity in the press earlier in the year, very little was written about its opening. The Waterford News & Star in its Clover Meats Column wrote that “during opening night at the new local pub at Glenmore last Friday, Mick Morrissey, Bacon Dept, was the first to tap out a hornpipe on the new floor” (Fri. 15 Nov. 1963, p. 12).
The Munster Express also published a few lines. “New pub opened for the first time in many years—a new licensed premises opened in Glenmore village on Friday night last and good patronage is being accorded the new enterprise. The proprietoress (sic) is Mrs. Anastasia Walsh” (Munster Express, Fri. 15 Nov. 1963, p. 10).
Distinctive Glenmore Discussed in New York
Perhaps the most unusual article appeared in the Evening Herald written by a correspondent in New York in May 1964 just six months after the grand opening. The correspondent stated that he had the pleasure of meeting a young hurler, Mike Duggan, of Glenmore ”which he described as a “fair sized town” near New Ross. “Mike who hurls for Kilkenny, told me an interesting fact about Glenmore. The fair sized town never had a pub until last year. Mike is a Pioneer” (7 May 1964, p. 12).
Anastatia Walsh née Doherty (c. 1907-1972)
Anastatia Walsh continued to operate the pub from 1963 until her death in June 1972 at the age of 65. She was a native of Rosbercon and was the widow of James Walsh (c. 1901-1958). James Walsh was a native of Glenmore and was the Captain of the Glenmore Company of the old IRA. In 1933 he joined An Garda Siochana and was serving in Limerick where he died in 1958. He was survived by Anastatia and two sons and two daughters. James’s obituary can be viewed on our W Family page by clicking here.
After Anastatia’s death the pub was operated by her son Sean Walsh (c. 1936-1995) for a time, and Sean sold the pub to Mickey Barron. We are happy to report that the Glen Bar has survived COVID and continues to operate in Glenmore Village and is run by Pat Barron.
See our post of 7 April 2022 featuring a recording made by John Ennett entitled, “Dancing at Sean Walsh’s.”
Please send any photos, corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. For anyone who hasn’t visited Glenmore in a while I did not crop the photo of the pub because it shows the recent addition of road and parking lines as well as the patio area in the front of the pub.
Update 8 May 2023: A reader contacted me to state that the village of Annestown, Co. Waterford has never had a pub. However according to Annestown Heritage Trail From Battles to Tranquility (p. 5) Annestown once had 5 pubs! A local magistrate in the early 1800’s ordered all the pubs closed because they were used as meeting places for local gangs.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh