August, 2023
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Announcements
As August draws to a close we have a couple of public service announcements for local readers.
Glenmore Scrap Metal Drive
The Glenmore Community Development Committee has held two fundraisers to establish a much needed and wanted community based cafe and shop in Glenmore Village. Last winter a play was held in the Community Centre and in the spring a table quiz was held in the Glen Bar. Currently the Committee have arranged a scrap metal collection with all proceeds going to support the project.
The drop off point is at Richard Fitzgerald’s of the historic Half-Way House, Aywardstown, Glenmore, Y34 HX67.
Sought items include: unwanted old machinery, scrap steel, wheel hubs, barrels, copper, scrap cars or cast iron. For more information, or if you wish to have an item collected please contact Richie at 086 2494256; Gerry at 087 9349708; or Fidelis at 087 9752556.
Carrick Remembers a Fallen Son on 3 Sept. 2023
The Third Tipperary Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee have organised the event to remember Vol. Patrick O’Hanlon (23 Aug. 1906-4 Sept. 1923) at St. Mary’s Cemetary, Carrick-on-Suir at 3 p.m.
Kearneysbay, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Kearneysbay, Glenmore, in 1961. This townland has been spelled multiple ways over the past three centuries. Sometimes it is spelled without an “s” as Kearneybay. Sometimes it is spelled as two separate words Kearney’s Bay. Some 19th century newspapers spelled it Carney Bay.
Background
The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 113) is Trian an ri, or the King’s third. The townland is comprised of 141 acres. “The ‘third’ is an ancient land measure term. There is another townland in the parish [Kilcollumb] far removed from here called Trinaree. James Kearney of Kearneysbay held lands in Parkstown, Ballyvoulera, Luffany and Kearneysbay according to his will registered in the Registry of Deeds Office, Dublin, on 9th May, 1754 —from Abstract of Wills, Vol. II by P. Beryl Eustace.”
Tithe Appotment Books 1829
In 1829, Major Charles Kearney held 139 acres and was the only person listed in the applotment books for Kearneysbay.
Landlord of Kearneysbay, Glenmore, Charles Kearney (c. 1787-1871)
Major Charles Kearney (c. 1787-1871) of the 2d Dragoon Guards, or Queen’s Bays married Mary Anne Massy of Limerick. The bride was the youngest daughter of Hon. George Eyre Massy, of Limerick City (Dublin Weekly Register, Sat. 17 October 1829, p. 8).
Major Kearney was promoted to Lieut.-Col. in 1837 “by purchase” (Dorset County Chronicle, Thur. 2 Nov. 1837). Kearney died on 24 July 1871,”at his residence, 3, Upper Brook street, Grosvenor square, London.” He died in his 85th year (Waterford Standard, Sat. 29 July 1871, p. 3) His widow, Mary Anne died on the 31st of August 1886, at Homburg (Dublin Daily Express, Fri. 10 Sept. 1886, p. 1).
1961 Kearneysbay, Glenmore
In 1961, Danny recorded three families or households in the townland of Kearneysbay. 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.
Danny’s recorded information reveals that in 1961, ten people resided in the townland of Kearneysbay, with the population comprised of 9 males and 1 female. The largest family was the Heffernan family with 8 in the household. There were 2 households recorded with a single person living alone in each house. All information under residents of Kearneysbay not in Danny’s original list has been placed in square brackets [ ].
Recorded Kearneysbay, Glenmore Residents (1961)
Males= 9
Females= 1
Eldest Recorded Resident
The eldest resident recorded by Danny in 1961 in Kearneysbay, Glenmore was Thomas Foran (b. 14 Jan. 1885) who was 76 years of age in 1961. A headstone in St. James’s Cemetery provides that Thomas died 22 June 1973, aged 88. The birth register and parish baptismal records provides that Thomas Foran was born on the 4th of January 1885 the son of John Foran (farmer) of Kearneysbay and his wife Ellen Power. Mary Foran of Robinstown was present at his birth and registered his birth on the 13th of January 1885.
Kearneysbay, Glenmore Residents 1961
[1] HEFFERNAN
Heffernan, Thomas (10 Mar. 1888-12 Jan. 1965) Farmer
Heffernan, Michael (b. 22 Mar. 1916) son, assisting relative [per headstone 1916-1988]
Heffernan, Mary, daughter-in-law [per headstone née Doherty (1931-2015)]
Heffernan, Thomas, grandson [per headstone 1929-2003 buried in Calif.]
Heffernan, John, grandson
Heffernan, Christopher, grandson
Heffernan, Desmond, grandson
Dunphy, Thomas (b. 14 Dec. 1894) employee, farm labourer
[2] FORAN
Foran, Thomas (b. 14 Jan. 1885) Retired Labourer. [See above, Tom Foran died 22 June1973].
[Tom Foran lived in a long thatched house down at the end of Kearneysbay road. He was a big man and spent most of his life in the merchant navy. Tom Foran was in England and came across another Glenmore man reared in Aylwardstown, Foxy Wattie Power’s brother. The Power man was in a fight and was so covered with blood Tom Foran said that his own mother wouldn’t recognise him. “But he stuck it out and beat the other fella.” (Tom Walsh (1908-1992) of Rathinure, Glenmore)] For further information see our F surname page.
[3] RYAN
Ryan, Patrick (b. 1917) Farm Labourer [Per newspaper notice died in July 1973].
[Paddy Ryan collapsed and died as he was about to enter a cot to go fishing on the River Barrow. His brother, Dermot Ryan (Kilmakevogue, Glenmore) was with Paddy when he collapsed and died. For further information see our family R surname page.]
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore’s Pioneer in First Aid: William C. Gaffney (1868-1929)
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often spoke of the Gaffney family and how the name, so long associated with Glenmore Village, disappeared from Glenmore before the 1911 Census. Recently, a reader researching a Nicholas Gaffney sought information on the Glenmore family. Today, we are going to highlight one of the last members of the Glenmore family born and reared in Glenmore, William Christopher Gaffney (1868 -1929) who was honoured for his first aid work in his adopted city of London.
Family Background
William Christopher Gaffney was one of seven known children born to Nicholas Gaffney (c. 1834-1893) a miller and farmer, and his wife, Catherine “Kitty” Delahunty (c. 1830 -1902). The family lived in a large dwelling house in the Village that housed both their shop and the Glenmore dispensary. Behind their dwelling house was their mill that had been in operation since before 1798 when William C.’s great-grandfather, William Gaffney (c. 1762-1798), the head of the local United Irishmen, was captured and hanged from the old bridge at New Ross on 6 June 1798. See our previous post of 22 Feb. 2020 for further details.
Children of Nicholas Gaffney and Catherine “Kitty” Delahunty:
[1] Nicholas Gaffney (bapt. 28 Jan.1860- died before 1868);
[2] John Gaffney (b. 17 Sept. 1861- ? );
[3] Maryanne Gaffney (29 Aug. 1862-1865 (Q. 1)];
[4] Bridget Gaffney (14 July 1864- ?);
[5] William Christopher Gaffney (7 Feb. 1868- 27 Dec. 1929);
[6] Mary Gaffney (b. 12 Feb. 1870-1870?); and
[7] Nicholas Gaffney (12 April 1872-23 June 1944)].
According to Danny’s notes of an interview he conducted of Nicholas “Nicky the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979) four of the Gaffney children survived to adulthood: [2] John; [4] Bridget; [5] William; and [7] Nicholas. Nicky the Miller also stated that their mother, Kitty Delahunty was from Ballyfacey where Green’s and Freany’s were located at the time of his interview in 1964. [DD Notebook 26, Interview of Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore on 13 March 1964].
Emigration to London
Unfortunately, we do not know where William was educated, but there is little doubt, based upon his correspondence with the Kilkenny People in 1898, that he was educated. His older brother John lived, worked and married in Waterford in 1882. It is assumed that John and William received post primary education in Waterford and emigrated to London securing employment with two different railways.
Boarding With the Huggins Family
It is not known exactly when William emigrated to London, but he was located in the 1891 English Census. He was 23 years of age and was lodging at 17 Macfarlane Road, Hammersmith, London with the Huggins family. Mrs. Harriet E. Huggins was a 38 year old widow. Four of her children were also in the home: [1) Violet A. Huggins (16); [2] Elvina L. Huggins (14); [3] William D. Huggins (7); and [4] Constance I. Huggins.
William was employed as a railway clerk and his future wife Violet Alice was attending “Teacher School.” Two years later William married Violet Alice Huggins (2 Dec. 1874-25 Nov. 1961) at Fulham, London (England & Wales, Civil Registration Index, 1837-1915, vol. 1a, p. 609). Violet Alice was the daughter of William Huggins (1844-1886) and Harriet Elvina Huggins née Goodborn (1851-1916).
Defence of His Great- Grandfather
In 1898, the centeneriary of the 1798 Rising arrived and several articles were published blaming William Gaffney, the head of the United Irishmen for failing to support the rebels during the Battle of New Ross. Some accounts went so far as to brand him a traitor to the cause. William, and in particular his sister Bridget, wrote to editors seeking to set the record straight. Their great-grandfather was captured and hanged in Rosbercon from the old New Ross bridge by the British on the 6th of June 1798. In the letter below that was published in the Kilkenny People (Sat. 11 June 1898, p. 8) William publicly thanked Fr. N. Murphy, P.P. at Queen’s Terrace, for debunking several wild assertions about his great-grandfather.
“133 Percy Road, Shepherd’s Bush, London, W., May 12th, 1898. Reverend and Dear Sir—I have lately received from my sister in Glenmore a copy of the Kilkenny People of March 19th, and write to express my sincere thanks for your defence of our great grandfather in that paper. While defending the fair fame of a Kilkennyman you have conferred a lasting obligation on his descendants by protecting them from an unmerited reproach. Again thanking you for your kind and just action, –I remain, reverend and dear Father, yours obediently, William Gaffney. “
For Danny Dowling’s article on William Gaffney in 1798 see, Daniel Dowling (1983) “South Kilkenny in 1798 and the Role of William Gaffney,” Decies (vol. 24, p. 14).
William C. Gaffney’s Children
The 1911 Census provides that William and his family were residing at 41 King Edward Street, Slough, Buckinhamshire. William was 43 years of age and was employed as a railway clerk. Violet Alice was 36 and four of their children were listed in the census: [1] Dorothy Olive Gaffney (16) (remained single); [2] Leon Arthur Gaffney (15); [3] Kathleen Ivy Gaffney (5); and [4] William Joseph Gaffney (1) (became a priest).
World War I Tragedy
Gifted Scholar
Leon Authur Gaffney (1895-1915) was a gifted student. Although William had resided in England since at least 1891, an article concerning his eldest son’s academic achievements was found in the Waterford News & Star in 1913.
“An Irish Boy at School in England Gains Nearly £800 in Scholarships—The many friends in Waterford and the neighbourhood, of Mr. William Gaffney, will be pleased to hear of the remarkable success obtained by his son while a pupil at Borlase School, Marlow.
The following remarks by the Head Master last “Speech Day,” as reported in the South Bucks Free Press, are worth quoting: “During the past year we have had successes of a type never before attempted, I believe, ion the history of the school. I will mention these first of all, because your late Head Master, who is (I am glad to say) present here today, on hearing the news, sent me this message, ‘Best thing the school has yet done.’
“He was referring ot the fact that Gaffney had obtained an Open Science Scholarship at New College; Oxford. It is indeed a great pleasure ot find that one of our boys was able to compete successfully against the best of four public schools, for the scholarship was obtaed in strong open competition. But while congratulating ourselves on the fact, I must not forget that Gaffney has shown himself a splendid worker, and I feel sure that he has a great career before him.”
“He is only 17. He came to us five years ago at the age of 23, and he has taken in succession the Minor, Intermediate, and Major Scholarships of the County Council. He has been top in the County and top in All England in Science (192 schools being represented). He now goes to College with £170 a year gain in scholarships by his own industry. I wish him every success when he leaves us, as he does at the end of the term, for Oxford.”
“The total value of the scholarships mentioned, including the Mitchell-Riley (School Leaving) Scholarship of £40 a year, which he was also awarded is £790. He passed the Oxford Senior Local Examination with honours at the age of 16; and the following year was placed in the First Division in the Matriculation Examination of the University of London.”
“Perhaps a greater honour than any, he has now been awarded the school gold medal, presented by the Chairman of the Governors (General Sir George Higginson, G.C.B.) “to the boy who irrespective of success in school, shall have proved himself, by his general conduct and bearing during the past year, to be a credit to the school” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 15 Aug. 1913, p. 7)
Gallipoli 1915
Just two years after winning all the scholarships Leon Arthur was killed in August 1915 at the age of 20 while serving in the British Army. The military records reveal that Leon was buried in the Lala Baba Cemetery Gallipoli, Turkey.
A short article in the Reading Mercury (Sat. 28 Aug. 1915, p. 6) provides:
“Second Lieutenant L.A. Gaffney, 6th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, who died of wounds, at the Dardanelles on August 12th, was the eldest son of Mr. William Gaffney, of Slough. He was born in 1895, and educated at Borlase School, Marlow, and from there obtained an open Science Scholarship at New College, Oxford. During the year he was at the University he passed all the examinations leading to the Final Honours, School of Natural Science, and qualified for an Eweime Exhibition. As a member of the Officers’ Training Corps he obtained his commission in August 1914.”
Employment with Great Western Railway at Paddington Station, London
The UK Railway Employment Records reveal that William commenced working at age 19 on 31 October 1887. The first Department where he was assigned was “Agreements.” His salary in 1887 was £60 per annum. By 1890 William was earning £70 per annum and at the time he married in 1893 he was earning £80 per year. William continued to receive raises and moved to the Audit Department. By 1908 be was earning £150 and in 1921, £330.
Pioneer of First Aid
William retired in early 1928. A short article in the Gloucester Journal (Sat. 11 Feb. 1928, p. 21) provides further detail regarding his work and medals.
“One of the pioneers of first aid work on the Great Western Railway, and for more than ten years secretary of the London Centre—Mr. William Gafney, (sic) of the audit department—retired on Tuesday after 31 years’ service. He has assisted in the treatment of over 1,000 accident cases at Paddington.”
“Mr. Gafney is one of the original gold medallists of the G.W.R. for twenty-five years’ first-aid service, and he also holds the King’s Coronation medal for being selected for special ambulance duty at Westminster Abbey during the Coronation of King George. In November 1919, he was decorated with the Order of Serving Brother of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem for his organising work in the London division.”
Interestingly, Johnson & Johnson reported that it was in 1888 that the commercial first aid kit in the US was developed to treat injured railway workers.
Death of William & Violet Alice Gaffney
William Gaffney, of 41 King Edward Street, Slough, Buckinghamshire, died on the 27th of December 1929 (Probate Calendar (Index of Wills & Administration; 1858-1995).
“Mr. William Gaffney, of King Edward Street, Slough, who has died in Windsor Hospital at the age of 61, was in the audit office at Paddington until he retired a short time ago, and he made ambulance work his hobby. He was Superintendent of Paddington or Prince of Wales District of the Ambulance Brigade, and he held the Coronation medal. He also received the G.W.R. gold medals for long service, having completed 25 years in the movement. He was a Serving Brother of the Order, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him (Bucks Advertiser & Aylesbury News, Fri. 10 January 1930, p. 2).
William’s widow probated his estate and his effects were listed as £229 1s. 3d. (Probate Calendar (Index of Wills & Administration; 1858-1995). William Gaffey was buried in Berkshire (England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007, vol. 2 c, p. 517).
Violet Alice remained in the family home, 41 King Edward St., Slough, Buckinghamshire, and remained a widow for 32 years. She died on the 25th of November 1961 at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot Sunninghill, Berkshire. Letters of Probate were given to her children Reverend William Joseph Gaffney (clerk) and Dorothy Olive Gaffney (spinster). Her effects were listed as £2972 19s. 5d.
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Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The feature photo above is an old post card from the 1920’s of Paddington Station, London.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore 12: Leinster Senior Football Semi-Final 1923
On Sunday the 8th of July, 1923, at Croke Park, Kilkenny played Meath in one of the Leinster Senior Football Semi-Finals. Of the fifteen players selected to play for Kilkenny a dozen were from Glenmore. In 1922 only nine Glenmore players were selected for the 1922 senior football team. See, our post of 17 December 2022 and 4 December 2022 for details regarding Glenmore’s representation in the Leinster Senior Football Championship in 1922.
The 1923 Kilkenny team was comprised of the following players [information not from the newspaper is in square brackets]: P. Dalton* (goal); J. Fitzgerald; M. Connolly [Mick Connolly, Rochestown]; J. Hanrahan [Jimmy Hanrahan, Glenmore Village]; Matt Flannelly*; P. Cody [Paddy Cody, Weatherstown]; M. Brennan; M. Cody [Michael Cody, Weatherstown]; L. Murphy; J. Phelan; W. Hartley [Bill Hartley, Bushertstown], W. Irish [Bill Irish, Rochestown]; P. Hartley; J. McKenna* and A. Heffernan [Andy Heffernan, Aylwardstown]. The three players that were not from Glenmore we have marked with an asterisk.* We know from the newspaper account below that John Doherty [Davidstown] replaced the injured Jimmy Hanrahan. For further details regarding Glenmore players from this era see our post of 6 February 2023.
The Munster Express and the Kilkenny People both published articles regarding the match. Both newspapers commenced their coverage with a short editorial of the match then the remainder of both articles published the exact same description of “the play.” The perhaps more objective Munster Express labelled the game a “dissappointing exhibition of football.”
Munster Express
“The game was to a great extent marred by fouling, the referee being kept pretty busy all through. Luck was against Kilkenny, who, in addition to losing two of their players through injuries, had another relegated to the side line early for a breach of the rules…There were periods of high-class play, but on the whole it was a disappointing exhibition of football…” (Munster Express, Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 3).
Kilkenny People
Sweltering conditions prevailed in Croke Park on Sunday, and the attendance during the first match was rather small, but it improved when the semi-final was in progress. Fan crowds came on the special trains, but it would scarcely appear that all found their way to the matches, which local followers were not strongly represented.
The main encounter of the day—Kilkenny and Meath—proved a strong one from the very outset, and was prolonged by frequent stoppages. It was also characterised by many penalties, but the spirit of the contest was good throughout. The back divisions of both teams were the outstanding feature, and scoring in the first half was a difficult matter for Kilkenny, playing a hard short practical from the outset, were unable to make full use of their elemental advantages in the opening period and turned over level points to a goal for Meath.
Meath improved considerable in the second half, mostly, and though erratic enough at time, succeeded in effecting a couple of major scores, to which, by lack of efficient forward work, Kilkenny could make no response though they had several favourable opportunities. Irish was the outstanding player on the field, putting in a vast amount of splendid work. The Meath backs were clever and cleared fouls. The winners will now meet Dublin for the final, but will need to improve considerably if they hope to once more bring premier hours to Royal Meath.
Details: Meath 3-1; Kilkenny 0-3 ( Kilkenny People, Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 9).
The Play
Kilkenny forced the play early and were rewarded with two “50’s” which, though well taken by McKenna, went for nought. Three frees brought Meath forward to find the Kilkenny Defence sound. Kilkenny going away spoiled by fouling close in, and a little later L. Murphy (Kilkenny) was sent off by the referee for a breach of the rules. Kilkenny went attacking, a free from the left wing was well placed by Flannelly for Fitzgerald to box over for a point.
Kilkenny backs were good against a Meath assault, in which Tuite met with hard luck in a try for a score. Andy Heffernan (Kilkenny) retired injured and was replaced by J. Shiels (Kilkenny) worked away from a free, and the Meath custodian in saving a trying shot from P. Cody, conceded a point.
Strong play ruled, Meath dashing away and over Kilkenny backs were again reliable in a renewed Meath offensive. Midfield play followed, the exchanges being pretty evenly divided. Kilkenny were something the better, but were meeting with sterling opposition from the Meath backs. Two frees aided Kilkenny, but the Meath line was crossed without result.
At this stage play showed improvement, and some good football was witnessed. Kilkenny kept up the pressure and M. Cody scored a fine point from far out. Meath backs were still kept moving and did very well against persistent Kilkenny onslaughts.
A brilliant run brought Meath into the Kilkenny ground, exchanges between Keoghan and Ratty (sic) being secured by Hickey, who levelled up with a goal for Meath. Working back Meath forced a “50,” and there was an exiting struggle close up to the Kilkenny citadel. Meath were pressing at the interval, when the scores were level, as follows: Kilkenny, 0-3; Meath 1-0.
Second Half
J. Hanrahan (Kilkenny) went off injured, and John Doherty took his place. On again getting to work Kilkenny broke away, but were held up by a free, and Meath, going in, went ahead by a point from Farrelly, Kilkenny attacking, sent wide, as did Meath soon after.
Meath were now playing up strongly, but the Kilkenny backs were equal to all effort to go through. Kilkenny spoiled by fouling in good position, and Meath were attacking, to register two wides (one from a free) before Kilkenny worked back, to be repulsed by a sound Meath defence.
Irish beat off a Meath offensive, and the ensuring play provided a few brilliant passages, both sides displaying great dash and determination. Irish who had been playing a great game for Kilkenny, was injured, but resumed, amidst applause. Meath attacked with vigour, but were obliged to retire before an admirable Kilkenny defence. Coming on again for a free, Hickey dashed in for a goal for Meath, Dalton the Kilkenny custodian, failing in an effort to save a low shot. Nothing daunted, Kilkenny bounded away, but a free, close-up, brought relief to Meath, who were being hotly tested. Meath again went attacking, to go wide from a free.
Unusual vigour was being introduced into the play and frees were frequent, Meath getting most. Keelan kicked a great goal for Meath from a free. Kilkenny still going strong, made no impression on the Meath line of defence. A succession of frees again brought Meath forward, but the Kilkenny defence prevailed. Kilkenny attacking made no headway against the Meath backs who were reliable all through. Meath had the better of the closing stages and were good winners at the end.
Referee & Meath Team
Mr. P. McCullagh, Wexford, refereed.
The Meath team: B. Carey; P. Keelan; W. Dillon; J. Newman; C. Cudden; P. Reilly; J. Ledwidge; M. Keoghan; P. Tuite; C. Meade; J. Curtis; C. Carolan; P. Ratty; J. Hickey; M. Farrelly.
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For further information concerning Glenmore and other Kilkenny hurling and football teams see, The Kilkenny GAA Bible (2018) compiled by Gerry O’Neill.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail,com.
Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sending the team photo featured above as well as identifying each player.
The feature photo Glenmore Footballers (Unbeaten Champions 1914 – 1925). [1925 on football in photo]
Back Row: James Vereker (Davidstown), Jim Murphy, William Irish, Pat Hartley, Andy Heffernan, Richard Hanrahan.
Next Row: Mick Heffernan, John Fitzgerald, John Doherty, Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Connolly, Peter Kirwan, Paddy Cody, James Dunphy.
Next Row: Stephen Heffernan, James Fitzgerald, Martin Cody (Captain), Fr. Richard Vereker, John Phelan, Bill Hartley (Busherstown).
Front Row: Jim Hanrahan, John Mullins, Mick Cody, Paddy Murphy.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: July 1923
By July 1923 the Irish Civil War was over and local newspapers adopted an attitude of getting back to “normal.” With fewer atrocities to report articles concerning the issues plaguing the fledgling Free State Government often took centre stage with human interest stories appearing as filler. The coverage of crime was often related to land issues or was of a more petty nature. Today, we feature articles that appeared in local newspapers that Glenmore people would have read and discussed one hundred years ago.
Issues Facing the Free State Government
The unresolved issues that plagued the fledgling Free State Government included housing, the land question, industrial strife and what to do with the Civil War prisoners.
Housing
With respect to the housing issue, the New Ross Standard (Fri. 13 July 1923, p. 3) suggested a solution that had just been adopted in France. The newspaper claimed that its readers had expressed agreement with proposed French legislation that they believed could tackle the Irish housing crisis. Under the French initiative owners of vacant houses were compelled to keep authorities notified when their houses were vacant. The Mayor of every town received the power to requisition the vacant houses and let them at normal rents, thereby preventing houses from being unreasonably withheld from the public.
The Verdicts in the Shanbogh Land Cases
The thorny issue of how to recognise the right to private ownership of land and at the same time recognise the rights of tenants resulted in several high-profile cases. One of these cases that garnered national attention was the Shanbogh Land case. The verdicts in the Shanbogh Land case were published in July 1923.
Grace v. Holden et al
As we highlighted in our post of 24 July 2023, Edward Grace, of Forristalstown, Glenmore sued and sought injunctive relief in the High Court against James Holden and men who helped Holden dispossess Grace from land Grace was renting as a statutory tenant from the Boyd family.
Background
James Holden had been a tenant of about 60 acres and a dwellinghouse in 1880 on land in Shanbogh on the Boyd Estate when he was evicted. In 1920 about 24 acres of his evicted holding was allotted to Grace as well as the house where he originally lived.
Mr. Colfer, the solicitor for the Boyd Estate, testified that Holden was a poor man and had been living in the workhouse. Holden agreed to take the £500 offered in full satisfaction of all his claims, if any, against the lands of Shanbogh, and “the acquisition of the tenants interest in the lands by Edward Grace had his absolute approval.” Holden was quoted as saying,” I thought I would never get anything out of Shanbogh.” However, after agreeing to the £500 payment Holden in 1922 entered the lands with others and threw Grace out.
James Holden, was noted as being an old age pensioner; co-defendant Patrick McDonald was employed as a labourer and the other two co-defendants, Daniel Doolan and James Whelan were both farmers.
Grace v. Holden et al Verdict
The Master of the Rolls said that there could only be one result. He entered an injunction enjoining the four defendants from interfering with the statutory tenant Grace or the use of his land and also entered judgment against all four of the defendants.
Defendants Whelan and Doolan both undertook not to interfere with the plaintiff’s holding in future. Damages were found to be £340. Holden was said to be deaf, but McDonald expressed that he would not quit the land. McDonald affirmed to the Court he understood that he would be violating the injunction.
Other Shanbogh Verdicts
Other plaintiffs, and statutory tenants, in similar cases were also heard. Margaret Forrestal was awarded £100 against James Holden, Patrick McDonald and James Sullivan.
Patrick Forrestal was awarded £80 against James Holden, Patrick McDonald, Thomas Shea, James Whelan and Daniel Doolan, Sr.
Philip Malone was awarded £180 against James Holden, Patrick McDonald, James Whelan, Nicholas Forrestal, Thomas Shea, and Thomas Greene.
In the only case not involving James Holden and his nephew Patrick McDonald, John Aylward was awarded £100 against Daniel Doolan, Sr., Edward Doolan, Sr., Edward Doolan , Jr.; Daniel Doolan, Jr.; and Patrick Doolan (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 6).
Daniel Doolan, Sr. and Edward Doolan, Sr. were brothers and the other Doolan defendants were sons of Edward Doolan, Sr. (Munster Express, Sat. 7 July 1923, p. 6)
Defiant Defendant James Holden
Notwithstanding the damages awarded against him and the injunction it was reported in the New Ross Standard (Fri. 27 July 1923, p. 8) that a process server accompanied by the military went to the house where James Holden was living in violation of the injunction issued by the High Court. Holden was served with an unspecified notice in late July.
For information on the “Eviction of James Holden” see, Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) article published in Decies: The Journal of the Waterford Archaelogical and Historical Society (1976, vol. 2 p. 24).
Industrial Strife
In the Waterford area the strike involving the farm labourers was not resolved. Transport workers supported the strikers. This had a knock-on effect on local industries that relied on agricultural produce such as mills, creameries, town markets and the bacon cellars of Waterford city.
“Owing to the trouble at the ports there has not been a pig market held at Thomastown for the past fortnight. Many pig feeders have had their pigs ready for market, but they are unable to dispose of them” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 July 1923, p. 5). Denny’s announced that “owing to traffic difficulties it was unable to receive pigs for slaughter until further notice” (Munster Express, Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 5).
Baton Charge
On Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th the Civic Guards drew their batons and charged a large crowd at the Yellow Road, Waterford City. Early on Friday a large number of pigs belonging to farmers in Kilmeaden were brought to Waterford and stored in J.J. Phelan’s auction paddocks.
Labour pickets took up position outside the premises to prevent the sale of the pigs. A large crowd gathered and expressed sympathy for the labourers. At 11 p.m. as the crowd continued to grow and become hostile they were ordered to go home. When they failed to move on the guards with drawn batons charged the crowd. A stampede followed. The charge lasted about 10 minutes afterwards the street was completely cleared. No person was injured.
There was a continuance of the trouble on Saturday night, however this time “it assumed the dimensions of a riot on a small scale.” The charge on Saturday night lasted 20 minutes and again the streets were cleared. “The pigs were later removed from the paddocks to the country under military escort” (Munster Express, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 4).
Civil War Prisoners
Excitement was caused in Clonmel on the 14th when 41 prisoners escaped via a tunnel from the Emmet Barracks. The alarm was raised and 7 prisoners were captured in the yard next to the barracks (Munster Express, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 4). Searches immediately commenced for the other escapees.
On Sunday the 22nd in the evening a public demonstration was held in the Tholsel Square, New Ross demanding the release of the Republican prisoners. There was a large attendance of people. The New Ross O’Hanrahan Pipers Band attended and played a selection of national airs (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1923, p. 4)
Glenmore in the News
The military posts at Newbawn and at Aylwardstown (Glenmore railway station) were abolished, and it was announced that Civic Guard stations were to be established at the Rower, Glenmore and Slieverue (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7). See our post of 26 September 2021 for further details on the Glenmore Garda station.
A Glenmore Motor Mystery
On or about the 10th of July, “some boat men on their way from Waterford” saw a Ford motor car in the Barrow river at Glenmore. The newspapers stated that it was a suggestion for a super-film thriller. It stood on its wheels on the mud on the Kilkenny side of the river at Blackrock, at the end of Carney bay (sic) on the middle reaches of the Barrow, about 8 ½ miles from New Ross.
“At low water it is high and dry, but at full tide it is completely covered. The nearest road running from Glenmore station to Rochestown point and thence to Ringville is two or three hundred yards distant, and behind the point where the car stands the Kilkenny bank rises to a considerable height straight up from the river and is thickly planted.”
“How the car reached its present position is a mystery. There are no marks on the bank, and the possibility of its having floated there from another point is negatived by the fact that its weight would be in the neighbourhood of 15 cwt” (Munster Express, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 4; Free Press (Wexford) Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 8). Unfortunately, we could not locate any further information on this mystery.
Glenmore Defendants Summoned
Three different Glenmore men were summoned to the New Ross District Court for having unlicensed dogs.
Guard John O’Mahony summoned Peter Fitzgerald of Killvory, Glenmore for keeping two unlicensed dogs. Fitzgerald did not appear. The Guard testified that Fitzgerald told him that he only got the dogs recently and did not know the time for taking out the license. District Court Judge Fahy replied, “The public had ample notice that the licences should be taken out before 31st March, and it was now the middle of July.” He fined Fitzgerald £1 and costs and ordered Fitzgerald to take out a license.
Guard Michael Hunt summoned Patrick Forrestal, Ballyverneen, Glenmore, for a similar offence. Forrestal said he only had the dogs two months and always took out licences. The Judge fined Forrestal 5s. and costs and ordered him to take out licences. He ended the hearing by stating, “The fine would be heavier if you did not appear” (Free Press (Wexford), Sat,.14 July 1923, p. 5).
Guard Michael Hunt also summoned Michael Fitzgerald, Glenmore for having two unlicensed dogs. In this unusual case the defendant reported himself to the Guard. The defendant explained that he could not get the forms in the post office on the 13th of April. He was not fined, but ordered to take out a license (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 July 1923, p. 7).
Glenmore Winner at Waterford Feis
At the Waterford Feis held at the Presentation grounds on Sunday the first of July, Sean Murphy, of Glenmore took first in the Senior Hornpipe (Munster Express, Sat. 7 July 1923, p. 3).
Glenmore Sports
Not only was there an increase in sporting and other events special excursion trains were again running. The Dublin and South Eastern Railway provided a special excursion train for the Waterford Athletic & Cycling Sports held on Sunday the 15th of July. The train was scheduled to leave New Ross at noon with a ticket costing 2s.6d. and departing Glenmore at 12:11 p.m. with a fare of 1s. The train was scheduled to arrive in Waterford at 12:30 p.m. The return train to leave Waterford at 8 p.m. (Free Press (Wexford) Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 4).
The New Ross Standard (Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7) announced that the senior Kilkenny football team–that was to play Meath in Croke Park on the 8th in the Leinster championship semi- final– a dozen of the team hailed from Glenmore. This match will be covered in our next post.
“A crowd numbering some hundreds witnessed an interesting football contest” on Monday the 2nd of July between junior teams representing Haggard and Glenmore South. “For junior teams it was a fine display in football. Haggard won by 1 goal, 5 point to 1 goal, 3 points. A return match is anticipated” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7).
On Sunday the 22nd of July at Belmont, Ferrybank, Glenmore and Slieverue met in the first round of the Kilkenny Co. Junior Hurling Championship. Both teams were old rivals. Also, a friendly football match was played between Glenmore and Gracedieu (Munster Express, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 5). Glenmore defeated Slieverue in the first round of the Kilkenny junior hurling championship on the score of 7-3 to 1-0.
Farming & Fishing
At the end of June new potatoes were offered for sale in New Ross. The first supply sold at 3d, per pound (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7). Following the change in the weather there was a brisk demand for cabbage plants at the New Ross fair with prices ranging from 7s. to 9s. per thousand seedings (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 July 1923, p. 8).
A farmer was killed near Waterford through falling off a load of hay (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1923, p. 8). According to the Munster Express (Sat. 28 July 1923, p. 4) the farmer was John Hurley (60), of Ballyduff Lower. He was “carting hay from a field to his haggard, fell from the top of the haystack, and was killed.”
A trout weighing 4.5 lbs. was caught with a rod and fly in the Barrow, at Ballyogan, by a Ross man (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 July 1923, p. 8).
“The Barrow was becoming famous as the hunting ground for strange creatures.” In July 1923, a porpoise was caught at St. Mullins, and further north a huge pike. A seal which one man swore was as big as a young calf, was also observed in the river. Eels reputed to be as thick as a man’s wrist were also landed. “If many more of the denizens of the ocean come up, the question of starting a zoo can be considered” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1923, p. 4).
Love Was in the Air
The New Ross Standard noted that there was a boom in marriages with the end of the Civil War. In the month of June there were 60 weddings in New Ross and three in the adjoining parishes (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7).
At the meeting of the Thomastown District Council, an old man named Paddy Kiely, of Ballyhale, appeared before the meeting and made an application to be allowed to select a wife from the inmates of the County Home. The application caused much amusement, and Messrs McDonald and Wasterman were appointed to accompany Kiely through the house.
Eventually Paddy selected a woman named Jane Loughlin, and on being asked if she would consent, Jane asked to be allowed a month to consider. To this Paddy agreed, and promised to attend the next meeting (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 July 1923, p. 5). No record could be located for a marriage between Paddy and Jane.
Miscellaneous Items
French photographers were “up in arms” against the French Tennis association, which prohibited cameras on the tennis courts because the female players revealed their legs. It was suggested by the photographers that the female players should be required to wear petticoats. The “lady players unanimously rejected” petticoats on the grounds that the garments would impede their game (Kilkenny People, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 6).
Calls were made for the enforcement of the Vaccination Act. A smallpox outbreak occurred in England, and there was a great danger of it spreading in Ireland (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 July 1923, p. 6).
It was announced that the weekly Ireland’s Own reduced its price to 2d. per copy (Munster Express, Sat. 7 July 1923, p. 6).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.