January, 2025
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Two More Glenmore Post Office Postcards
Last Wednesday we posted a postcard of the second Glenmore Post Office in Fluskey’s shop. Two more similar but different postcards of the second Glenmore Post office in Fluskey’s shop were shared this past week. We were very excited to receive postcard 2 below because it is not within Danny’s collection and Pat Dowling noted that he has never seen it before.
Postcard 1– Posted 29 January 2025
The post card above features Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) mother Hannah Dowling née Murphy (1903-1989) carrying a bucket to the Village pump. The Village pump was removed in 1931, thus we know that the photo was taken before 1931. For information on the Village pump see our post of 23 May 2020. The Village pump was located where the Glenbar is located today.
The house to the left of Fluskey’s is the house where Danny was born in 1927. Previously Mary Hanrahan, née Murphy (1863-1938) (Danny’s great-aunt) married James Hanrahan of Glenmore Village in 1905. They owned the house along with a farm of nearly forty acres. Her husband, Jimmy Hanrahan (c.1876-1920) died aged 44 of TB in 1920. Ten months later her son, John Hanrahan (1906-1921) died of appendicitis at 15 years of age. Mary Hanrahan née Murphy asked her niece Hannah Murphy to come to live with her. Mary Hanrahan née Murphy died in 1938 and Pat Dowling was present when she died. She gave the house and land to her niece Hannie Murphy, who was married to Pat Dowling, of Jamestown.
Special thanks to Mick Breen for sending on these two postcards and providing some close ups. This closeup of the postcard with Danny’s mother is very similar to the postcard we posted last Wednesday. There are three people who appear to be the same 3 people as last week, namely: Maggie Holden (b. 1911) of Weatherstown; James “Jim” Power (1884-1947) postman and Jim Walsh (1898-1958). for further details on these individuals see our post of 22 January 2025.
The graffiti behind the two men depicted looks the same as what was depicted on the postcard we posted on 22 January 2025. The difference between the photos is that the bicycle is gone from in front of the shop; the two men have moved away from the door and Hannah Murphy and the Village pump are visible as well as what appears to be a Model T automobile. Model T Fords were made in England from 1911 to 1927.
Given the three people depicted at Fluskey’s appear to be the same three people, dressed the same we believe that the postcard posted the 22nd of January and this one were taken the same day. It is not clear who owned the depicted automobile. It could have been a patron of Fluskey’s, or belonged or was being used by Jim Walsh or perhaps it belonged to the photographer.
Postcard 2– posted 29 January 2025
To the left is a head on shot of Fluskey’s without other buildings being depicted. There are 3 individuals depicted but all three are men. The post office and telegraph are present, but there is no graffiti on the walls. There is no bicycle leaned against the wall. There are window boxes in the windows and a sign over the door states C? Fluskey. A pony or cob is pulling a two wheel farm cart. The man to the right appears to be a farmer, and we wonder if the man to the left is Robert Fluskey based upon his dress and stance. The younger man in the centre we believe may be Jim Fluskey but this is a guess. We believe that this postcard is older than the postcard above and the postcard posted last Wednesday, 22 January 2025.
Unfortunately, the postcard was not mailed it has no stamp, postmark or written date. Mick Breen acquired it from a man in Scotland who collected post office postcards. The collector did not appear to realize the post card was from Ireland. It appears that Beatrice’s father once lived in Glenmore.
Have you seen this postcard before? Do you have other postcards of Glenmore that you will share? Please comment below or send corrections, thoughts, other postcards to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore
The Boyle Family of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Last week we posted a post card of the Glenmore Post Office when it was in Fluskey’s shop. This generated an effort to identify people who worked in the second Glenmore post office. One employee I met in the Hanrahan Post office of Glenmore told me that she worked in Fluskey’s. I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking several times to Gaulstown native Eily Durney née Boyle (c. 1937-2011).
Eily worked in Fluskey’s as a postal worker and operated the Glenmore telephone exchange. Eily told me that her mother died when she was an infant and she loved to visit neighbour’s houses. One house she particularly liked to visit as a child was Walsh’s of Davidstown. Mrs. Walsh wore long skirts and Eily was always afraid that Mrs Walsh would fall down her circular iron staircase. Mrs. Walsh always seemed to have sweets waiting for Eily to visit. Today, we are going to feature Eily’s dedicated father, Jim Boyle of Gaulstown.
James Boyle (1888-1958) of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Eily’s father was James Boyle. He was born on 24 April 1888 at Gaulstown to Patrick Boyle (farm labourer) and his wife Ellen Hall. (Civil record records her maiden name as Hawe). His sponsors or godparents were Kyran Mullins and Bridget Mullins. A bizarre note on James’s baptismal record states that Patrick (sic) Boyle married Ellen Hall (Slieverue) on 19 February 1936. We believe the note should read that James Boyle married Ellen “Nellie” Phelan, of Ballinamona, Slieverue at Slieverue on 19 February 1936 (Munster Express, Fri. 21 Feb. 1936, p. 8).
James Boyle’s Parents & Sibling
Patrick Boyle (c. 1853-1927) and his wife Ellen née Hall/Hulle/ Hawe/Hanly (c. 1849-1937) were married on 17 October 1887 at Glenmore. The parish marriage record provides Ellen’s surname as Hanly. Both Patrick and Ellen were from Gaulstown. Both said they were 30. Patrick was employed as a laborer, and Ellen was employed as a servant. Per the civil record, Patrick’s father was James Boyle and Ellen’s father was James Hawl.
Given the name Hanly was used in the parish records where the parties were best known we believe that Patrick’s wife was Ellen Boyle née Hanly the daughter of James Hanly and his wife Catherine Walsh. If this is true Ellen was born in 1848 rather than 1857. Given that there were only two children from this union it seems likely that Ellen was older than 30 when she married.
In addition to their son James the couple had a daughter Mary Boyle (1890-1961). Mary Boyle was born 27 September 1890 at Gaulstown and her mother’s maiden name is listed as Halle. Her father, Patrick registered her birth on the 9th of December and told the authorities Mary was born 3 November 1890. He obviously wanted to avoid any fines for the late registration, however, her baptismal record reveals she was baptised on the 29th of September.
Very little could be found about Patrick Boyle in local newspapers except the editor of the Munster Express thought he had talent picking winners or perhaps it was a joke. “Paddy Boyle, anyone wanting a straight tip on a horserace cannot do better than have a chat with Mr. Paddy Boyle of Gaulstown, He will set you straight all right. Take my tip for it” (Munster Express, 15 Sept. 1900).
The 1911 census provides that Patrick Butler was 57 and employed as an agricultural labourer. He and his wife reported being married for 24 years. His wife, Ellen’s age was given as 66 they were residing in Gaulstown with their single, 21 year-old, daughter Mary. Their son James was 23, and he was living and working for their neighbour James Kirwan (farmer) aged 55 of Ballyrahan, Glenmore.
Patrick Boyle (c.1853-1927) died aged 74 in 1927. His niece Ellen Power, of Robinstown, was present when he died. Ellen Boyle née Hanly(? ) died 9 February 1937 at the age of 77. Her son James Boyle was present when she died.
James Boyle Member of the Old IRA
Although it is not mentioned in his obituary, nor on his headstone, James was an officer in Co. C the Glenmore Company of the 6th Battalion of the Kilkenny Brigade of the Irish Republican Army. James or Jim, as he was known, served as the Quarter Master from May 1919 to June 1922. During his years in the Old IRA Jim was observed at Kirwan’s threshing where the outline of a revolver was observed under his coat (Thomas Walsh (1908-1992) native of Davidstown, Glenmore). Jim was a well liked and respected person. For further information on Co. C see our list of officers and men.
After independence Jim joined the Irish Free State Army. It is not clear when he left the army, but per the Co. C. records in 1935 he was back in Gaulstown. From his obituary we know that James also worked for D.J. Gorey, T.D., of Burnchurch after leaving the National Army. Ultimately, he secured employment at Clover Meats where he stayed until his retirement (Munster Express, Fri. 13 June 1958, p. 8).
James’s son Paddy was interviewed in 1994 and stated that his father was one of three men selected by the manager of Clover Meats when it was being set up and sent the three to Wall’s bacon factory in London to be trained in bacon curing. After his training in London James returned to Clover Meats. In addition to his work at Clover Meats he also butchered pigs for local farmers. He was paid in meat which he often traded for other needed groceries. (Newark Advertiser, Fri. 4 Feb. 1994, p. 90).
Marriage & Tragedy
In 1936, after all his adventures, Jim got married at the age of 48. John Kirwan was his best man. He married Ellen “Nellie” Phelan (c. 1906 -1938) of Ballinamona at Slieverue.
An article in the Munster Express in addition to providing details of the wedding noted that “the bridegroom is a popular member of the staff of Waterford Meat Factory since its inception, and was the recipient of a valuable presentation from his colleagues on the auspicious occasion. He has been also frequently seen on the concert stage with the Slieverue Dramatic Class of which he is a popular member. Their numerous friends wish Jim and his bride many years of connubial bliss” (Fri. 21 Feb. 1936, p. 8).
The couple had Eileen or Eily in 1937 and Patrick or Paddy in 1938. A short time later tragedy struck. On 6 July 1938 Nellie died from influenza and a pulmonary embolism. Jim was in disbelief as he had believed that God would save his wife (Thomas Walsh (1908-1992) native of Davidstown, Glenmore).
Jim had two infants to care for on his own. His parents were both dead, and his sister Mary was in Waterford working. The neighbours helped, and Mary came back to live in Gaulstown and opened a small shop in their Gaulstown cottage. Somewhere along the line the Boyle cottage also became a polling place where locals cast their ballots. The Boyle cottage continued to be a polling place until at least 1977 (Peter Walsh of Rathinure, Glenmore).
Brushes With the Law
By all accounts Jim was a dedicated father and worked at the factory and after work on local farms. However, Jim had a couple of minor brushes with the law that ended up in the newspapers.
Jim Boyle was convicted in 1944 of cycling without due care and attention, at Rocklands, on the way from his work at Clover Meats Factory. Jim was fined 2/6. “The prosecution resulted from a collision between the defendant and a motor car driven by Dr. Myles Shelly, Waterford. Dr. Shelly said that although he pulled up the car, Boyle struck the headlamp which was smashed, and went spinning off his bicycle, turning practically a compete somersault on the green margin.”
Boyle was represented by Mr. F.H. Hutchinson, solr. In the course of the statement Garda Sergeant Dalton, said that just before the accident Jim was holding onto a companion’s shoulder, as Jim’s brakes were not good (Munster Express, Fri. 26 May 1944, p. 4.) Jim was 55 years of age when he went spinning off his faulty bicycle.
Five years’ later, Jim, was summoned for being in possession of a single barrelled shotgun and one 12 bore cartridge on 5 February1949, without having a firearms certificate. Jim admitted the charge, and explained there was a fox covert at the back of his place. A few times he hung up a lantern at night to frighten away the fox. This failed, so he got the gun from a man named Kirwan, for whom he had worked from the year 1904 until 1921, and for whom he used to do any kind of work in Spring or the Summer time.
“Supt. Slavin, Thomastown, who prosecuted, said the defendant was a most excellently well conducted man. The Judge said he would mark the case P.O.A. Supt. Slavin intimated that he did not want any order in respect of the gun” (Munster Express, Fri. 4 March 1949, p. 8).
The End of Boyle’s in Gaulstown, Glenmore
James Boyle (1888-1958) died on 5 June 1958, his son Paddy was with him when he died at home. Paddy was 20 when his father died and his sister Eily was 21. Three years later Jim’s sister Mary died on 10 November 1961, aged 71 years.
Patrick “Paddy” Boyle (1938-2014)
Jim’s son Paddy at the age of 16 signed up for the building construction course at the technical college in Slieverue. “They got the pupils to build an extension to the college—we cut out the roof timbers and did some of the bricklaying”. After successfully completing the four year course, Paddy found there were no building jobs. Through his father’s connections, Paddy got a job at Clover Meat (Newark Advertiser, Friday 4 Feb. 1994, p. 90).
After a few years Paddy took the boat from Rosslare on a cold January evening in 1961. He said he carried two empty suitcases. Later that year his Aunt Mary Boyle died. Paddy with the help of a friend of his father obtained a construction job. For 3 years he worked all over London and the South East of England. Then in 1965 he attended an Irish dance in London and met his future wife Breda also a native of Ireland. By 1994 the couple were running Boyle Construction for over 3 decades and had two raised married daughters. (Newark Advertiser, Friday 4 Feb. 1994, p. 90). We believe Paddy died in 2014.
Eileen “Eily” Durney née Boyle (c. 1937-2011)
Eily appears to have been the last of the Boyles to reside in Gaulstown. From the newspaper account of her wedding we know that Eily worked four years in the Glenmore post office and afterwards two years in the Graiguenamanagh post office. Eily married Tim Durney in September 1962 at Glenmore. She was given away by her brother Paddy. Tim Durney was a farmer from Jamestown, Piltown and that is where they lived and raised their family. (Kilkenny People, Fri. 21 Sept. 1962, p. 7).
Although in 1962 Eily had to give up work she later returned to the post office and in her later years filled in for people on holidays etc. Eily was involved in the Irish Countrywomen’s Association and held county and national offices.
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Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
The featured photo above is Clover Meats Factory in 1941. (Irish Independent, Fri. 24 Jan. 1941, p. 8)
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
A Glenmore Postcard [Updated]
In the early 20th century cameras became smaller and were more affordable. Film was purchased in chemist shops and the exposed film returned to be processed because few people had the chemicals, facilities or training to develop their own photographs. Often photos or copies of photos would be placed on thin cardboard postcards for customers by the chemist with the subject of the photo hand printed on the postcard. These post cards were very popular. However, the Glenmore post card above has “Post Office Glenmore” professionally printed (not hand printed) on the bottom left. Post cards of all descriptions were very popular in the early twentieth century as advertising of businesses or beauty spots and as a means of cheap communication.
Dating the Glenmore Postcard
The exact date of the photo is unknown. However, the photo is of the second Glenmore Post Office at Fluskey’s shop. We believe that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) enlarged the postcard and was able to identify the three people standing in front of the Post Office. Danny identified them as Maggie Holden of Weatherstown; Jim Power, the Postman; and Jim Walsh, Glenmore (uncle of Eamon Walsh). Special thanks to Martin Gahan for sharing the photo and the identification provided to him by Danny.
Dating the photo postcard is difficult because we just have a copy. We can not view the stamp affixed if any, the postmark if any, the other information on the back such as the producer’s name or, whether it was linen etc. The best clues come from what is depicted in the photo.
For example, one of the signs on Fluskey’s references a telegraph. The telegraph came when the railway link from Waterford to New Ross was being built through Glenmore in the first years of the twentieth century. Thus we know it was not taken before circa 1902. There also appears to have been graffiti on the walls of Fluskey’s on both sides of the door. Some of the letters that are still visible when the photo is enlarged appear to be “REPU” perhaps for republic or republican? (None of the other buildings appear to have graffiti.) From 1916 to the mid-1920’s the country was fighting for independence and then engaged in a civil war.
The dress of the people photographed appears to be after the First World War because Maggie Holden’s skirt is knee length. The two standing near the entrance to the other shop appear to be a girl and woman, but unfortunately they are too out of focus to be of much use in terms of their hair and dress. Two chickens in the road were also photographed, but wandering fowl in the Village continued well into the mid-twentieth century.
Glenmore Persons Depicted
The easiest to obtain information on was Jim Power, the postman. James “Jim” Power (1884-1947) was the son of Tommy & Mary “Main” Power née Walsh of Robinstown, Glenmore. James was born on 19 December 1884. In the Robinstown,1911 Census James is 24, single, living at home and employed as a postman. James Power never married and died 1 June 1947 in the County Home at Thomastown.
The man to the far right of the photo was identified as Jim Walsh (uncle of Eamon Walsh). The Eamon Walsh that springs to mind is the son of Bill Walsh (1912-1985) and his wife Peg Roche (c.1918- 2012). Bill Walsh (1912-1985) indeed had a brother Jim Walsh (1898-1958). Jim Walsh was Captain of the Glenmore Company of the old IRA during the War of Independence and was imprisoned. After Independence he joined Garda Siochana and married a Rosbercon Doherty and had several children. Jim Walsh died on 22 February 1958.
Unfortunately, we could not locate a Maggie Holden in Weatherstown. We do not know if Holden was her maiden or married name. If anyone has any information on Maggie Holden of Weatherstown please send it to us.
[Update 25 Jan. 2025: We were provided the following information. Maggie Holden was born on 13 August 1911 to Thomas Holden (c. 1870-1948) and his wife Hannie Duggan (c. 1877-1953). Thomas and Hannie were married in 1895 Thomas was from Gaulestown and Hannie was from Weatherstown. After they married they lived in Weatherstown in the house now occupied by John Murphy. Maggie Holden (b. 1911) was the youngest of the family, she married on 10 June 1942, Patrick Keogh who was from Wexford. Patrick and Maggie had two daughters Mary and Johanna and they both went to school in Ballyfacey. Patrick went to England and sometime later Maggie and the girls followed.]
Glenmore Buildings Depicted
The post office and telegraph were in Fluskey’s shop. This two storey building is now a home in Glenmore. To the left, Danny Dowling’s original and last home is mostly hidden by Fluskey’s. This house was a traditional two up and two down which later was extensively extended.
The next building to the left, which hosts a sign over the door, we believe was the Glenmore Dispensary. The store front to the left was up until circa 1904 Gaffney’s shop. Behind the shop was their mill. After the last Gaffney left Glenmore the premises were bought by P.N. O’Gorman. Eventually the Heffernan’s acquired it and Lizzie Heffernan married James K. Walsh of Ballybrahee. Lizzy JK as they were known built in 1937 a dance hall behind their shop. The Mill, dance hall, the shop and the attached house no longer stand.
Our best guess is that this photo was taken in the turbulent 1920’s.
Update: 23 Jan. 2025 Special thanks to Mick Breen for sending a clearer closeup of the group of three.
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Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
To learn more about Fluskey’s see our post of 28 May 2020.
See our post of 25 April 2020 for further information on the Glenmore Dispensary.
For further information on Glenmore Post Offices see our post of 24 Nov. 2019.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Rest of the Story of the Murder on Glenmore Hill
In one of his many notebooks, Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded contemporary newspaper accounts regarding the executions of three local men for murder in 1834. Patrick Meany, a native of Glenmore, had moved to Rosbercon and was convicted and executed for conspiring to kill his landlord Joseph Anthony Leonard, Esq. Please see our post of 9 February 2020 for the shocking details of how the murder was perpetrated and details of Philip Malone’s trial. Perhaps the biggest surprise Danny discovered and recorded in his notebook concerned Meany’s corpse after his execution. The place of the murder, and two of the executions arising from it, took place at the site of the murder just about a mile east of the N 25 Glenmore roundabout.
Danny found and recorded the following articles from the Waterford Mail newspaper.
Robert Malone (?-1834)
On Saturday the 26th of July 1834 at the Kilkenny County Assizes Robert Malone was convicted of the murder of Joseph Anthony Leonard, Esq. Robert Malone was sentenced to be hanged. The newspaper article noted, “It will be recollected that last Assizes his brother, Philip Malone, suffered for the same murder” (Waterford Mail, Mon. 28 July 1834).
After being found guilty and sentenced when Robert Malone was being taken from the court to the gaol “he exhibited great and disgusting levity. His execution took place in front of the gaol. Among the very great assemblage that witnessed his ignominious end, all seemed to think that he deserved his fate” (Waterford Mail, Wed. 30 July 1834.) [It is not clear why Robert Malone was executed outside the gaol in Kilkenny City after his brother Philip Malone was executed at the place of the murder on the Hill of Glenmore on the old mail coach road between Waterford and New Ross. Later Patrick Meany was also executed at the place of the murder.]
Patrick Meany (c. 1784-1834)
Patrick Meany was tried on Monday the 28th of July 1834 for conspiring to murder his landlord, Joseph Anthony Leonard, Esq. and inciting others to commit the murder. The jury was out for three hours and returned at 8 P.M. The jury returned a guilty verdict “The judge pronounced the culprit’s awful doom—to be hanged on Thursday.” The newspaper noted that Meany was the owner of the goods [cattle] Mr. Leonard had distrained (Waterford Mail, Wed. 30 July 1834).
The execution of Patrick Meany was set to take place on Tuesday the 12th of August at the scene of the murder (Waterford Mail, Sat. 2 Aug. 1834).
The Execution
“Another of the misguided persons concerned in the sanguinary murder of the late estimable Joseph Anthony Leonard, Esq. atoned for his share in the dreadful deed yesterday, at Shanbo (sic), the scene of the consummation, within three miles of New Ross, and 9 of this city. The malefactor upon this occasion was Patrick Meany…”
“An immense concourse of persons assembled yesterday to witness Meany’s ignominious departure from this world. A strong force of cavalry, infantry and police was also collected. The culprit—who seemed a man advanced at least to middle age—appeared to suffer very much from exhaustion, so much so that he was obliged to depute to his Reverend attendant the duty of addressing the immense multitude…”
“Although he expressed his contrition for having uttered denunciation against his prosecutor, he died without acknowledging the justice of the sentence or declaring his innocence. Soon afterwards the culprit was launched into eternity and the motely group of spectators separated. Five children we are informed, witnessed the execution of their guilty parent.”
Since the above was in type we received the following from a correspondent.
New Ross, August 12—Patrick Meany …was executed at the scene of the murder and where Philip Malone, one of the perpetrators of the murder, was executed on last St. Patrick’s Day. Meany was present at Philip Malone’s execution and also travelled to Kilkenny to attend the execution of Robert Malone during the last assizes.
“At half past eleven the cavalcade, consisting principally of the 9th Lancers, passed through New Ross. The unhappy individual who was the object of this mournful procession was seated in a chaise receiving religious consolation from his clergyman. He appeared to be fully sensible of his awful situation. If this could be a criterion to judge by he was fully resigned to meet his fate in a becoming and Christian like manner.”
At New Ross the 32nd Reserve and a large party of constabulary joined the cavalcade as did the Sheriff and Resident Magistrates. When they arrived at the fatal spot Meany descended from the chaise, accompanied by his Clergyman. He kneeled for some time in prayer at the foot of the gallows.
“The grim finisher of the law put the rope about his neck from behind. Meany turned suddenly round, and seemed to shrink from the trial he had to encounter. The Rev. Gentleman interposed his hand to shade his eyes. The man again looked agitated when his arms were being pinioned. When all was ready, he ascended the ladder with a firm step attended by the Rev. Gentleman, who first retired, and then returned again to strengthen the individual about to depart into eternity. He supported him by his back.”
“Meany now seemed weak, and the attentions of his spiritual adviser were continued to the last moment. His cap fell off, but it was quickly readjusted, and the fatal drop having been withdrawn, he died almost instantaneously.”
“Before ascending the gallows, the clergyman told the people that Meany felt sorry for having accused his prosecutor as he did in the Courthouse, that he willingly forgave all men and begged the prayers of all Christians” (Waterford Mail, Wed. 13 Aug. 1834).
The Wake & Burial of Patrick Meany
After having been suspended for some time, the body was taken away in an ass’s car by the family of the criminal, but it was afterwards removed to the Police Station at Rosbercon, to be conveyed back to Kilkenny (Waterford Mail, Wed. 13 Aug. 1834).
The body of Patrick Meany was waked on the night of his execution in the Rosbercon police barracks. His friends were admitted, and the body was interred the next day by the family, in the presence of the police (Waterford Mail, Mon. 18 Aug. 1834).
Generally, by the 19th century executions were public and carried out in front of gaols, and after 1868 executions were required to be held within the confines of the gaols. The corpse of an executed prisoner belonged to the State. Most were buried within the confines of the gaol in an unmarked grave in un-consecrated ground. From the time of Henry VIII authorities provided fresh executed prisoner corpses to doctors for training new doctors in anatomy. Due to religious and other beliefs families sought the bodies of their executed kin. The Meany family is the only family we have found so far that was allowed to wake and bury their father after his execution.
Thirteen years’ later convicted murderer Henry “Bounce” Walsh of Cat’s Rock, Glenmore asked the judge to give his body to his father and the request was refused. See our post of 16 August 2020 regarding the execution of Henry “Bounce” Walsh.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Happy Anniversary! [Updated]
Seventy-seven years ago today (January 14, 1948) this couple were married at Glenmore. This wedding photo was taken by Annie Brophy of Waterford. Do you recognise this well known Glenmore couple?
The happy couple on their wedding day is Phil Hoynes (c. 1918-1990) and Kathleen Hoynes née O’Connor (1917-2018) of Ballybrahee, Glenmore.
See our post of 19 Sept. 2021 for further details concerning Kathleen Hoynes née O’Connor her parents, siblings and children.
From Danny’s Files: Some 18th Century Glenmore Articles & Events
For seven decades Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed local people and recorded their memories and stories. He worked in Waterford and often spent his lunch hour in the Waterford library reading the old Waterford newspapers from microfilm. One of the newspapers he searched was the Waterford Herald. There are only two years available in the Waterford library 1792 and 1793. Very little information was found on this newspaper. It is not known if it only existed for two years or if these are the only editions that survived to be microfilmed.
Below are three articles from the Waterford Herald recorded by Danny in a notebook that is battered and has lost its cover. From the dates of interviews in this battered notebook it was commenced about 1950 when Danny was about 23 years old. The second half of this post concerns some local hedge schools and early teachers Danny also recorded in the same battered little notebook.
Penal Laws
During the late 18th century the Penal Laws were still in place, thus Catholics suffered overt discrimination. Until the mid to late 19th century Catholics had to rely upon hedge schools for education, or secret informal schools, because schools run by Catholic Religious Orders were outlawed.
In the early part of the 19th century Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762-1844) founded two institutes of religious brothers: the Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers. Edmund Rice was born in Callan, Co. Kilkenny but spent most of his adult life in Waterford. For several short articles on Edmund Ignatius Rice see, the International Heritage Centres Ltd. webpage.
Numerous schools were established by these Brothers, which were visible and legal. However, in some rural areas the hedge schools continued even after national schools were established commencing in 1831. For an interesting article that outlines the political and social issues during the establishment of the national schools see, John Coolahan, “The Daring First Decade of the Board of National Education, 1831-1841,” Irish Journal of Education (1983) p. 35.
We may also conclude from the impact of the penal laws that the articles below from the 1790’s regarding the sale or leasing of townlands were not meant for the local tenant farmers.
Waterford Herald
Parkstown, Glenmore: Waterford Herald (Sat. 11 May 1793)
Co. of Kilkenny—To be let from the 25th of March 1795, the following land, part of the estate of James Kearney, Esq. The town and lands of Attimore [Slieverue] within 2 ½ miles of the Ferry Slip, good arable and pasture, and a fine situation for building, as it commands a most beautiful and extensive prospect.
Also, Lower Parkstown, [Glenmore] commonly called Parkstown Bog, arable and pasture, and within 3 or 4 miles of the Ferry. For further particulars enquire of James Kearney, Esq., Grantstown, or Richard Kearney, Esq., Waterford. N.B. There is a good flag quarry on the lands of Attimore, fit for flagging the Quay, Streets etc. 4th May 1793.
[We found a death record for a James Kearney of Clogherhead, Clogher, Co. Louth who died 6 February 1792. For further information on the townland of Parkstown, see our post of 11 May 2023.]
Gaul’s Town, Glenmore: The Waterford Herald (Tues. 13 March 1792, p. 1)
COUNTY OF KILKENNY—THE LANDS OF GAUL’S-TOWN, in the County Kilkenny, within two miles of the ferry of Waterford, to be let, or the interest sold, from the 25th of March instant. Proposals will be received by Mr. Shaw, Post Office, and laid before Mr. Gahan, at the Assizes. Waterford, 10th March, 1792.
[For further information regarding the townland of Gaulstown see our post of 8 July 2023.]
Kilmurry, Slieverue: The Waterford Herald (Thu. 10 Jan. 1793, p. 3)
Friday morning John Parker, blacksmith, was found dead in a field near Kilmurry [Slieverue], supposed to have perished the preceding night, through the inclemency of the weather.
Some Local Hedge Schools & Masters
For further information on Glenmore Hedge Schools and Early National Schools see our post of 6 September 2020. Below is an undated entry with no note as to where Danny received this information.
“Paddy Butler, a native of Rahora, [Tullogher] was the last master of the hedge school in Kilbride. He ended his days herding cows for Mullins of Flemingstown. He used often to go on a spree and on one of these occasions when he was missing the Priest announced the following from the altar in Glenmore, ‘Strayed, stolen or gone awhile, Paddy Butler the master from Kilbride.’”
Jim Doherty (c.1876-1959) of Forristalstown, Interviewed 14 August 1956
There was a hedge school in Milltown which was situated somewhere around where Jack Murphy’s cottage is now. Jim Doherty remembered the sitting stones to be there. Each pupil had to bring his own stone to sit upon. Old Johnny Rúad Doherty, of Forristalstown went to the hedge school in Milltown. He was a first cousin to the present Jim Doherty’s grandfather.
Jim’s father John was born in 1839, and his father again was Jim. His father again was John and he was brother of “old Yoman.” The present Jim was 80 years, last May (1956).
Shanbough School was built in 1840 with the stones from the old gate lodge at the entrance to the avenue leading to Annaghs Castle and house. This lodge stood at the bottom of Butterbridge Hill and it was demolished for the purpose of providing the stones for the building of the school.
A man called O’Brien lived in Annaghs Lodge as at present and he was schoolmaster in Shanbough. Jim Doherty remembered him and he was kind of cracked and fond of the beer.
Pat Coady of Ballycroney, Glenmore(?)
Lastly, Pat Coady was interviewed by Danny on 2 September 1956 and provided the following. Unfortunately, Danny did not record Pat Coady’s townland, but from other interviews we believe that Pat Coady was from Ballycroney.
Micil Lynch was an old travelling schoolteacher who used to roam this part of the country until his death which was about 60 years ago (ie 1896). He taught children in various homes, and one of the houses in this locality in which he used to teach the local children was Mackey’s of Ballycroney.
He was known as Strong Lynch from the fact that he used to always carry a large bag on his back which contained stones. Under no circumstances would he allow anyone to touch his bag of mystery. On one occasion he and another travelling man called Gorey fought in the chapel in Glenmore during Mass, over Gorey putting his leg against Strong’s bag.
Pat Coady thought that Micil “Strong” Lynch was found dying in some lane locally. [One of our earliest blog posts concerned the men and women who “took to the road” and visited Glenmore. See our post of 9 Nov. 2019.]
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Special thanks to Pat Dowling for digging out more old notebooks. Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The coloured painting of the hedge school is by an unknown artist. The drawing of Annaghs Castle & House is from the Dublin Penny Journal (30 Jan. 1836).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh