May, 2025
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A Glenmore Mystery: 1905 Photographer [Updated]
One of our readers, Mick Breen, bought three post cards depicting Glenmore. These post cards were post marked March-May 1905. He also shared two post cards of New Ross that the same sender sent to the same receiver in early June 1905.
The Glenmore post cards are not professional post cards. In the early part of the 20th century photographers, who did not possess the equipment to develop their film, took their film to a pharmacy or chemist to have their film developed. Photographers could have their developed photos placed on regular photographic paper or they could have them placed on post cards. Post cards were an economical method of sending photos as there was no need for an envelope and the postage was much less then sending a letter containing photos. The two New Ross post cards are professional post cards.
Below there are three Glenmore post cards postmarked 22 March 1905; 8 April 1905 and 22 May 1905. The two New Ross post cards are both postmarked 8 June 1905.
Who Was the Photographer?
From the various post cards it appears that the photographer and sender of the 1905 post cards had the initials B.A. Given the sender’s reference to working at the school we checked the National School Teachers’ Register and could find no one with B.A. as initials. Thinking that B might stand for Bill we also looked for W. A. Given the fact that B.A. stayed in Glenmore for at least a couple months we do not believe that he or she was a school inspector.
By 1905 the building of the railways was complete and the building of the Glenmore Creamery was commencing. An extensive newspaper search began to determine who may have been in Glenmore in March-June 1905 and connected with the school.
The Agriculture & Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act 1899, and the Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act 1902, established the Department of Agricultural Technical Instruction for Ireland and provided funding for local schemes in agriculture and technical instruction. These Acts remained in place until 1930 when the Vocational Education Act repealed most of the technical instruction provisions. The following year the Agriculture Act dissolved the Department and transferred its functions.
The Kilkenny County Council established the Kilkenny County Committee of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. Instructors were hired and by April 1905 the Kilkenny People (Sat. 29 April 1905, p. 2) were providing excerpts from Miss J.M. Campbell’s, Poultry Report; T. Rea’s, Horticulture Report and William Smyth’s, Agricultural Instruction Report. Glenmore was mentioned in the Poultry and Horticulture Report. William Smythe spent the spring of 1905 providing instruction regarding fruit trees. The closest his report mentioned to his being in Glenmore was Mullinavat.
Based upon what we have uncovered thus far we believe that the photographer was associated with the Agriculture and Technical Instruction which usually took place in schools.
The Addressee: Miss L. Ericsson
The receiver of the post cards was Miss L. Ericsson of 49 Kelmscott Road, Wandsworth Commons, Surrey, London. The address where she lived in 1905 is a terraced house now worth £1,715,000 (per the Move Market). No ties with Glenmore were discovered. Interestingly on one post card B.A. appears to write a few words of Swedish “Minga Halsningus friss(?)” Given the statements made on the post card it appears obvious that Miss Ericsson was unfamiliar with Ireland. There is no marriage record for L. Ericsson in Ireland from 1905 to 1920 and no obvious match could be found in British records.
[Update 30 May 2025– Per the1901 Census, for 49 Kelmscott Road, Battersea, Wandsworth, Surrey the Ericson (sic) family included Eric, the father. Eric was 46 (b. 1855 in Sweden) and worked as a tailor’s cutter. His wife Louisa was 33 (b. 1868). Their daughter Lilian was 14 (b. 1887) and their son Eric was 10 (b. 1891). The baby of the family was Winifred who was 8 (b. 1893). Thus, the recipient of the 1905 post cards was Miss Lilian Ericsson who was 18 in 1905.
In the 1911 Census the family was residing at Crescent Wimbledon Park SW, Surrey, England. The father Eric was 56 and still employed as a tailor’s cutter. His wife, Louisa was 43. Lilian Catherine Ericson was 24 and employed as a school teacher. Winifred Nellie Ericson was 18 and employed as a telegraphist.
Lillian Catherine Ericsson married Edward Charles Cull in 1914. They were both 27 years of age. They were also both teachers although Edward was employed since 1901 as a lecturer. His father was John Cull, a Civil Service Clerk. The witnesses were Louisa Ericson and Louisa Cull. Lilian’s father was dead by the time of her marriage (Portsmouth Evening News, Tues. 21 April 1914, p. 4).
The 1921 Census reveals that Lilian and her family were residing at 10 Watson’s Green, Kates Hill, Dudley, Staffordshire, England. Her husband Edward was 34, and he was a University lecturer in Education at the University of Birmingham. Their son, John Ericson Cull, was born 15 April 1919, at Dudley, Worcestershire. Lillian’s widowed mother, Louisa was also in the household. In the 1939 Census Lilian, Edward and John were living at 90 Oakfield Road, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. Edward was employed as a University Lecturer in Education and Psychology. John aged 20 was a university student.
Lillian C. Cull died in 1958 at the age of 71 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, and Edward Charles Cull died aged 79 in 1966 in Malvern District, Worcestershire.]
Post Card 1
“This is Glenmore. Looks better through the trees than close to. I am staying just at the foot of the road.” This appears to be “The Churns.”
Post card dated Wed. 22nd 3.05. “Dear L./ Received yours this morning. Having grand weather here today. Quite like summer. Will write soon. B.”
Post Card 2
“This is Glenmore. The photo shows nearly all of the houses. Right under the arrow is my little place. The school where I work is at S.” The S is obviously pointing to the National School. The church can be clearly seen to the right. The arrow indicating where he is staying is problematic by its placement, but given the previous post card it appears that he stayed in one of the small houses built by the Landlord Dr. Mackesy.
” Postcard dated Glenmore 8.4.05. I expect you wonder where I get classes of 18 & 20 from in a place this size. This is big compared to my other district. Minga Halsningus friss? [Swedish = best wishes?] B.A.”
Post Card 3
“Cottage at Glenmore”
“Glenmore. Fancy living with a family of 3 or 4. This is only a stones throw from my place. Will give you some idea of rural Ireland. B.” [postmarked 23 May 1905] We believe that this cottage was on the Vee Road between Bridie Doolan’s tiny shop was later located and where the creamery was being built in 1905.
Post Card 4
Back of Postcard dated 8 June 1905, Glenmore. “A sample of some of the back streets of New Ross.”
Post Card 5
Back of Post Card dated 8 June 1905, Glenmore. “Another St. Michael’s. Looks a smaller place than yours. B”
Please send any corrections, additional information, or suggestions to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Old Kilkenny County Council records are stored in the Kilkenny Archives and as time permits we shall search these records for instructors sent to Glenmore in 1905. Special thanks to Mick Breen for sharing these post cards.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Captain C.F. McLoughlin (1897-1967) of the Glenmore Volunteers, Part I
The Military Service Pension Act 1934 caused the former officers of the old IRA to be contacted in 1935 to obtain the names, ranks and dates of service on two designated dates, 11 July 1921 and 1 July 1922, of the men who served in their units. A list was duly made and submitted. See our list of members of the Glenmore Company of the old IRA.
C.F. McLoughlin applied for a pension noting that he was a Captain with the Glenmore Volunteers in 1915 on. However, McLoughlin does not appear on the Glenmore list submitted, and McLaughlin wasn’t a name generally associated with Glenmore.
It transpires that C.F. McLoughlin, was Cornelius Frederick McLoughlin born in Callan, Kilkenny in 1897 the eldest child of R.I.C. Sergeant, John McLoughlin (c. 1864-1944) and his wife Sarah Jane Heffernan (1866-1923) of Glenmore. The couple were married in Glenmore on 17 June 1896. Sarah Jane, of Cappagh, Glenmore, was a dressmaker and her father was Michael Heffernan (c. 1839 -1914) a retired R.I.C, sergeant. John MacLoughlin was a native of Roscommon. John and Sarah Jane McLoughlin had 9 known children; 5 boys and 4 girls.
Evidence Submitted in 1938
In 1938, C.F. McLoughlin was seeking recognition and a pension for his work as an Irish Volunteer from 1915-1923. His first application was rejected. The National Library of Ireland has digitalized four letters that were sent by Glenmore people to provide information concerning his work as a Volunteer. The letters include: [1] Michael Heffernan’s letter dated 1 February 1938; [2] James Power, Jr. of Jamestown letter dated 27 December 1937; [3] Peter Mernagh’s letter dated 27 December 1937; and [4] Widow Ellen Cassin’s letter dated 1 February 1938.
The First Glenmore Volunteers
Ellen Cassin née Malone (c.1879-1963) moved to Glenmore in 1899. She first heard of the Volunteer movement when men began drilling in Glenmore under Nick Curran, John Dunphy and Jim Fluskey about 1913 or 1914. George Jones, an ex-soldier of the British Army used to instruct them. The movement fell away for a time, but it began to revive again on a smaller scale at the end of 1915 when “Freddie McLoughlin began training men. (Cassin letter p.1).
Michael Heffernan (c. 1877-1951) in 1938, was the Peace Commissioner in Glenmore. He stated that C.F., or Fred, as he was known in the family was his nephew. “He spent a great part of his youth and usually all his holidays in Glenmore. After finishing at Blackrock College in the summer of 1915 he had some difference with his father and came to live with his aunts—my sisters—Mrs. J.K. Walsh [1884-1955] and Miss M. Heffernan [Mary “Minnie” Heffernan (c. 1872-1944)] in Glenmore. About that period, the autumn or winter of 1915, he began organising and training a company of Irish Volunteers. We knew some of the men who were with him, but we had not exact knowledge of all he was doing, and it was not his practice to talk much to anybody. Some things we could not help noticing. (Heffernan letter p. 1).
Peter Mernagh (1892-1990) stated that he joined the Irish Volunteers at Glenmore in October or November 1915. “C.F. McLoughlin, known to us then as Fred, and sometimes now as Conn, was the Captain at the time.” (Mernagh letter, p. 1)
The Glenmore Volunteers of 1915
- Neddy Purell (moved to America)
- Johnny Barron (died in America)
- Johnnie Power, Jr. of Jamestown
- Jimmy Roche, of Weatherstown
- Jim Mernagh (moved to Castlecomer)
- Batty Mernagh (deceased)
- Little Mick Power
- Tom Dunne (moved to Wexford)
- Needy (sic) Doolan, of Shanbogh
- Paddy Barron, of Carrickcloney (moved to England)
- Peter Mernagh, of Ballyverneen
- Captain C.F. McLoughlin
The men drilled regularly, about twice a week, at Cappagh Lane, in the lane at Graiguenakill, in Doyle’s big field opposite the schoolhouse, Robinstown, and at Haggard Line, Mullinahone. (Mernagh letter, p. 1).
Warnings & Threats
“On several occasions before the 1916 Rising an R.I.C. man in New Ross who was friendly disposed asked me [Michael Heffernan] to speak to my nephew and to advise him to be careful in what he was doing. The Parish Priest at the time, Fr. Phelan, also asked me to get him to stop this work; but my nephew was set on his purpose. As far as I recall he used only to smile when I mentioned these things, and to carry on as before. He was not a person to be easily altered once he was set on a thing.”
“On the second occasion that Fr. Phelan spoke to me, I remember he threatened something to the effect that if I was not able to influence young McLoughlin he would take steps to have him shifted as the activities he was engaged in might create disturbances in the parish. Anyhow, my nephew carried on in spite of these warnings and advices. He was drilling men over the Cappagh Road and in other places.”(Heffernan letter, p. 1)
A day or two before the actual Rising of 1916 Fred visited Michael Heffernan and his wife, to say goodbye. He did not expect to see them for some time. A few days later they heard of the Rising and they then realized that something serious was afoot.
Easter Week 1916
Before the Rising the Glenmore Volunteers had an idea that something was “to come off.” Peter Mernagh knew that at any time he could get a shotgun from John Dunphy, of Ballyverneen. Dunphy was sympathetic and allowed Peter Mernagh to sleep on his premises. (Mernagh letter, p. 1)
On the Tuesday after Easter, Peter’s brother Batt relayed orders from Captain McLoughlin to proceed to Buttersbridge, Rosbercon about dusk to meet others. Batty knew that the Rising had started in Dublin and they were hopeful that they would get rifles in New Ross and join up there. Captain McLaughlin returned from New Ross and told the men to quietly return to Glenmore. (Mernagh letter, p. 2)
For the rest of that week Peter Mernagh kept an eye on the “New Line” (main road from Waterford to New Ross). He worked in John Dunphy’s fields and had a view of the “New Line” from the Creamery Manager’s house to Ballyverneen. Peter Mernagh got very little sleep that week watching the road night and day. (Mernagh letter, p. 3)
Arrest in Glenmore
The week after Easter Week, on Tuesday the Glenmore Volunteers heard of the surrender in Dublin. “We were not disposed to believe it.” The volunteers were disappointed that they did not have an active part in the Rising. “The police began to come out again and to show some activity.” (Mernagh letter, p. 3)
Michael Heffernan heard of arrests in New Ross. “One day when I met the friendly policeman in New Ross he informed me that my nephew Fred was noted as one of the ringleaders in the district and was a marked man, and it was not advisable for him to remain in the area.” When Michael Heffernan told Fred he was not frightened by the news and determined to carry on as before. (Heffernan letter, p. 1)
Captain McLoughlin was arrested. John Dunphy broke the news of the arrest to Peter Mernagh. Peter thought that it was the 6th of May 1916, and he expected that he too would be arrested. However, he was not. (Mernagh letter, p. 4)
Ellen Cassin was working for Fred’s aunts and was milking a cow when the police arrived to arrest Fred. “There was great excitement in the Village that day over Freddie’s arrest. It was expected that others might be taken at any moment. Freddy’s aunts were very upset…” No other arrests were made and the excitement died down.” (Cassin letter, p. 1)
Michael Heffernan learned one morning that the police and military were arresting Fred at his sister’s house in Glenmore Village. He was not surprised. “I went to see what was happening and saw the R.I.C. and military with rifles standing about the house where Fred was sleeping. There was some little delay. I went to hunt fowl out of the new potatoes that were coming up in my garden on the hill. On clapping my hands loudly, I remember that two R.I.C. turned the corner at the bridge. They appeared to have some interest in the noise, but I explained that I was only frightening fowl away, and the incident ended. I saw Fred being taken off under escort a few minutes afterwards…” (Heffernan letter, p. 1).
John McLoughlin’s Letter of 18 May 1916
John McLoughlin wrote to Robert Chalmers, expressing his disappointment in his 18-year-old son Cornelius F. McLoughlin. Sir Robert Chalmers, was famous for being the rudest man in Whitehall whose “pomposity and cynicism concealed his many benefactions,” as Under Secretary. (G.C. Peden, “Chalmers, Robert, Baron Chalmers (1858-1938),” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography as cited by Martin Maguire (2008) in The Civil Service and the Revolution in Ireland, 1912-38, Manchester University Press, p. 39.)
Sir,
I have just heard that my son Cornelius F. McLoughlin, who is aged 18 years and 10 months, has been arrested in connection with this Sinn Fein insurrection, at the residence of his aunt (Miss Minnie Heffernan) at Glenmore, Waterford where he resided for the past five months, and has been deported to some part of England. If this boy has by Overt act or otherwise done anything to merit punishment I trust the authorities will deal with him in a firm manner. I spent a considerable sum of money in the bringing up and education of this boy, up to the summer examinations of last year, where he completed his Intermediate course. As he was young, able, active, clever and physically fit, and in my opinion eminently suitable for his Majesty’s forces, I did my utmost during the autumn of last year to induce him to join the O.T.C. or other branch of the regular forces but failed. As he had no taste for soldiering and as he expressed a wish to go seek his fortune in America and join friends who are out there, and so I had no employment for him here. I consented to his wish. It was just then that the stampede of young men took place which caused the Government to prevent the departure of passengers unless provided with passports. He filed papers with the view of getting one, and as he saw there were some obstacles put in the way, he allowed the matter drop and changed his mind. As he was not willing to join the army or go to America and so I had no business for him, he went to his aunt’s at Glenmore.
While under my charge he never mixed with any evil companions, what evil company he with since he left me, I do not know. How or when he became connected with this Sinn Finn business, if he has been so connected, I have no knowledge. I need hardly say I have no sympathy for him in his present miserable predicament, and that is m reason for saying that I trust he may be fittingly punished if there is any evidence of guilt brought home to him, as I do mot believe in making heroes of young fellows by arrest and discharge without adequate punishment, which would be a lesson to them in the future.
As I look upon this attempted insurrection as the greatest curse that could befall this unhappy land when everyone should be united in the midst of this awful war to combat and beat the enemy. I am compelled by a strong sense of duty to write this letter. I am a ex Sargeant of the R.I.C. and had the honour of serving my King and country for 30 years.
This is confidential and the contents are not to be shown or made known to the boy as it might cause him to have ill feeling toward me afterward.
I am, Sir
Your Obedient Servant
J. McLoughlin
(National Archives of Ireland; Chief Secretary’s Office Registered Papers, CSO RP/1916/5611/8501/1) To view a copy of the handwritten letter see the website, Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Times: Letters 1916-1923.
Impact of His Father’s Letter
By January 1913 John McLoughlin had retired from the R.I.C. and was living at Maryville, Tullow, Co. Carlow with his wife and children. That month he was appointed Collector of Income Taxes for 26 districts in Carlow and parts of Kilkenny (Carlow Sentinel, Sat. 18 Jan. 1913, p. 2). His post as Tax Collector was omitted in his extraordinary 1916 letter regarding his son’s arrest and detention.
Given that Fred was detained about a month. It is unlikely that the letter had a negative impact on his case. It transpired that he was sent to Wakefield Prison in Western Yorkshire, England. After the 1916 Rising, Wakefield Prison was taken over by the military. In Part 2 we will outline Fred’s continued work as a Volunteer and information we found regarding his later life.
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com . Also we would like your thoughts concerning John Loughlin’s 1916 letter.
The featured photo is Wakefield Prison in 1916 courtesy of wikimedia commons [http://maggieblanck.com/Land/WakefieldPrison/WP5.jpg Maggie Blanck] |Date=1916 |Author={{author|unknown}}.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Can You Identify Miss Walsh of Glenmore? [Updated]
We were recently asked if we could help identify the lovely lady in this photograph. It is from the Poole Collection in the National Library, and one of our readers purchased it hoping that she was one of his kin. She is not. There are 294 Glenmore related photos from the 1880’s through the 1950’s in the collection. Thirteen of these photos are digitalized and may be viewed on the National Library webpage.
This photo (described as a cabinet vignette) was commissioned by Miss Walsh of Glenmore, circa 1932. Another c. 1932 photo (described as “candlestick”) was commissioned by Mrs. James K. Walsh, of Glenmore.
Candidate 1
Could the lovely Miss Walsh be Etta Walsh? Etta Walsh was the daughter of James K. Walsh (1891-1934) and Lizzie (J.K.) Walsh née Heffernan (1884-1955). Etta Walsh married in 1937 to a Garda named Fitzpatrick. See our post of 22 December 2020 regarding details of her family and 1937 wedding.
Candidate 2
It has also been suggested that the lovely Miss Walsh may have been the sister of “Jim B.” Walsh (1918-1988) of Glenmore Village. Mary Walsh was a beauty, according to the Glenmore Golden Club gentlemen on Tuesday. Mary married John “Jack” Breen of New Ross. See our post of 12 March 2023 for a photo of “Jim B.” and his two sisters as young children.
[UPDATE–Mick Breen does not believe that the photo is his mother Maureen Breen née Walsh (b. 1917)) Here is a photo of his mother from around that time.
Other Candidates?
Could this lady be from one of the numerous other Walsh families of Glenmore? Even if you do not know her name have you seen this photo before? Who had the photo? Please comment below or send your thoughts to glenmore.history.com.
Thank you!
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The “Weaver Walsh” Family of Glenmore Village
Walsh is a common name in the southeast of Ireland. To distinguish the various families in the parish of Glenmore nicknames were used. Often there was no known reason regarding how the nicknames were chosen, however the “Weaver Walsh” got their name from the work or trade of weaving.
Old Jack “the Weaver” Walsh
The “Weaver” Walshes of Glenmore Village all descended from Old Jack “The Weaver” Walsh. Jack was born near Campile, Wexford and as a young man came to Glenmore Village to work as a weaver in Gafney’s “tuck” mill. Sheets and shirts were made in the tuck mill (Interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal , on 24 November 1977, DD Notebook 5, p. 18).
After Jack came to Glenmore he married Anty Gill (Interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal, on 10 Sept. 1968, DD Notebook 19, p. 21). Anty’s name in the baptismal records for her sons is recorded as Anstice Gall or Gill. Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1977) told Danny Dowling (1927-2021) that the couple had five children.
(1) Patrick Walsh (bapt. 12 March 1829) was the eldest. Nicky revealed that Paddy married Mary Haberlin, of Rochestown, Glenmore and they had one son, Jim Walsh.
(2) Henry Walsh went to England had no family. In the Glenmore parish records we found that Henry was baptized 11 March 1831.
(3) Anty Walsh died young.
(4) Alice Walsh married, unfortunately “Nicky the Miller” did not reveal the name of her husband.
(5) Mary Walsh married. Again the name of her husband was not revealed or recorded.
Old Jack “the Weaver” Walsh was a great fighting man. He was always cutting blackthorn sticks. He would name his sticks. One was called “Can Jury Square.” Nicky “the Miller” Forristal noted that Old Jack died without a priest and opined that he was a fine man.
Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh (1829-1909)
Nicky “the Miller” Forristal knew Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh of Glenmore. Nicky recalled hearing that either he (Paddy) or his father (Jack) worked on the building of the Haggard Line. This was a Famine relief scheme to build a road to Mullinavat. It was never completed because the funds ran out. It started at the bridges in Ballybrahee and went on through Tom Mullin’s land. Another section came out at Sean Jim’s cottage at the fringe of Bishopsmountain. Workers got 10 d a day with “no grub.” A man and horse with cart got 2/4 per day. “A store of yellow meal was 2/6.” (Interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal, on 22 June 1957, DD Notebook 5, p. 2).
Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh married Mary Haberlin on 16 February 1863 at Glenmore. At least two sons were born to the couple. John Walsh was born in 1869, and James Walsh was born in 1870.
Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh was like his father regarded as a fine fighter and also prepared black thorn sticks for his faction. For further information on faction fighting and Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh, see our post of 20 May 2021. Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh died on the 9th of August 1909 at the age of 75 (he was actually 80) from cancer of the sternum. His grandson, Patrick Walsh was present when he died.
James “Jim the Weaver” Walsh (1870-1960?)
We previously published an article regarding Jim Walsh where he was interviewed about his working life. Please see our post of 31 October 2020.
In the article Jim did not discuss his three wives or his children. On 13 November 1895, James Walsh (labourer) married Margaret Brophy (1871-1906) of Robinstown, at Glenmore. His father was Patrick Walsh (labourer) and her father was James Brophy (labourer). Five children were born to this marriage.
[1] Paddy Walsh—has a registered birth date of 12 April 1896. However, the Glenmore parish records reveal he was baptised the 25th of December 1895. According to Danny Dowling’s notes Paddy Walsh “went away a young man in the army. He never came back.”
[2] Stasia—Anastatia Walsh was baptized 24 October 1897. According to Danny Dowling’s notes she married a man by the name of O’Neill in Belmount.
[3] John Walsh was born the 23rd of December 1899.
[4] Mary Walsh was born the 1st of January 1902. According to Danny Dowling’s notes Mary went to Dublin and was living in Bray.
[5] Jim “the Duck” Walsh was born 7 March 1904 [For Danny Dowling’s notes on “the Duck” see below].
Traínín Cutting
Maggie Walsh née Brophy used to cut and harvest traíníns. It was seasonal work for women to supplement their household income. Traínín is a type of long grass growing in fields. It has a small yellowish head with small pointed seeds. The women cut the traínín with a hook. The women then separated the seed from the stalk by hand. There was a market for the seed in Waterford (Interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal, on 20 Feb. 1961, DD Notebook 27A, p. 10).
The 1901 Census
The 1901 Census for Graiguenakill, Glenmore, is interesting because it shows the impact the building of the railway was having in Glenmore.
Patrick Walsh, aged 67, widower, farm labourer;
James Walsh, son aged 30, general labourer;
Margaret Walsh, daughter-in-law, aged 30;
Patrick Walsh, aged 5 grandson;
Anastatia Walsh, aged 3; and
John Walsh, aged 1.
Six Lodgers were also in the cottage along with the growing family:
Joseph Davis aged 43, railway navvy, not married;
Patrick Murphy, aged 21, railway navvy, not married;
Patrick Murphy, aged 24, railway navvy, not married;
John Bradley, aged 20, railway navvy, not married;
Jermiah Denehy, aged 43, railway navvy, not married; and
Patrick Wall, aged 44, married, railway navvy.
Margaret Walsh died 24 Deceber 1906, aged 35 of TB, her brother Peter Brophy, of Mullinavat was present at her death.
The 1911 Census provides that James Walsh was the head of the family, aged 37, widower, and four of his children were at home. His eldest son, Paddy Walsh was not in the household in 1911 and may have already joined the army.
James “Jim the Duck” Walsh (b. 1904) of Glenmore Village
According to Danny’s notes Jim went away a young man. He was called “the Duck”. He was the last of “the first clutch” of James.
When “the Duck” was young he used to eat all the ripe gooseberries in Fr. Bergin’s garden. One day Fr. Bergin caught him under the school and said, “Don’t go anymore to the gooseberries, and if you do I’ll turn you into a goat.”
“Well, if you do,” said the Duck, “I’ll eat your cabbage.”
The Duck left Glenmore at a young age returned “an old man.” The Duck lived in a tent on the hill over the Village. He stayed a summer in the 1950’s. Obviously the Duck was not an old man in the 1950’s.
Second Marriage
Jim “the Weaver” Walsh married his second wife Katie Walker, of Irishtown, New Ross. They were married at New Ross on 20 February 1912. Kate was 30 and a spinster. Her father was James Walker (labourer). Jim and Katie had four children. (1) Margaret Walsh (b. 2 January 1919); (2) Alice Walsh (went to Bray to her half sister Mary Walsh (b. 1902); (3) Michael Walsh (b. 5 November 1917); (4) Tom Walsh (b. 8 May 1914). Tom went to Scotland where he lived and died.
After ten years of marriage and four children, Katie Walsh, née Walker died a young woman and the children were all sent away to different homes according to Danny’s notes. The death register provides that Katie Walsh née Walker died on the 8th of July 1922 at the age of 41. The widower, Jim Walsh, was present at her death due to TB. She suffered with the disease for two years before her death.
Third Marriage
According to Danny Dowling’s notes Jim “the Weaver” Walsh married Mary Anne Slattery (1886-1962) a native of Wexford. Jim “the Weaver” Walsh married Mary Anne Slattery on the 11th of October 1922 at Glenmore, just three months after his second wife died. Mary Anne was working and living in Forristalstown, Glenmore as a servant. Her father was listed as Walter Slattery (sailor).
Very little is known about Mary Anne Walsh née Slattery Walsh, however in his list of residents in 1961, Danny recorded Mary Ann Walsh (4 Jan. 1886-16 July 1962). Her husband, Jim “the Weaver” Walsh is not on Danny’s list, and it is presumed he was dead. There was apparently a child from Jim “the Weaver’s” third marriage. In 1961, Danny recorded that Walter Walsh (b. 1933) was living with his mother Mary Ann. Walter Walsh worked at Stafford’s and later moved to New Ross.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
There is no way of knowing what type of loom Old Jack “the Weaver” Walsh used in Gaffney’s Mill. The featured drawing above is the Thomas’s fancy loom, Lewiston which was used in the 19th century. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Thomas’s fancy loom, Lewiston.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/627ee880-c53e-012f-94a7-58d385a7bc34
From Danny’s Files: 1771 Marriage Examples
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) poured over old newspapers collecting information regarding Glenmore or her people. Often he also copied articles of nearby villages or towns and sometimes he just copied articles he found interesting or humorous. Last week we came across a file with just two 1771 newspaper articles. Both of these articles appeared in Ramsey’s Waterford Chronical and are interesting and humorous.
Mourning Periods for Widows Before Remarriage
The first article appeared in the 3 May 1771 edition and indirectly queried the mourning period of a widow before remarrying. Due to the detail provided in the short article it appears that 48 hours was not considered a respectable mourning period for the new widow to wait before remarriage.
“Married last Tuesday in St. Patrick’s Church, by the Rev. Mr. Moore, Mr. Collins and the Widow Roach. (Mr. Luke Roach, her first husband died suddenly in Carrick last Sunday, as mentioned in our last) and was just interred when she was joined in wedlock to her present husband.“
In the Victorian era (1837-1901) widows were expected to wear black clothing and observe a period of mourning of at least one year. For further information see, WeChronical webpage, “Exploring Victorian Social Expectations for Widows: Mourning Periods and Remarriage.”
May-December Marriage
This second short article highlights a 50 year age difference between the bride and groom. It was published 26 July 1771. The wedding below took place at Milltown, Co. Kilkenny. There are several Milltown townlands in Kilkenny, but the names Kavanagh and Culbert are not common in what was to become the Parish of Glenmore in the 1840’s. Therefore, it is not likely that the Milltown mentioned in the article is Milltown, Glenmore.
“Married a few days ago at Milltown, County of Kilkenny, Mr. Hugh Kavanagh, aged 66 to the agreeable Miss Culbert, aged 16.”
It goes without saying that if Miss Culbert was not agreeable there would have been no marriage between the parties. Today, May-December marriages still are commented on in the press particularly if one of the parties is a celebrity. For a 19th century perspective on these type of marriages, see Mimi Mathews, “The Perils of May-December Marriages in the Nineteenth Century,” which contains excerpts and commentary regarding The Midwife’s Guide (1840), a widely read sex manual in 19th century England, and also containing a discussion of May-December marriages.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
We just updated our last post regarding Bridie Doolan’s Tiny Shop with a 1905 post card which we believe depicts a cottage that stood between where the shop was built and the creamery.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Bridie Doolan’s Tiny Glenmore Shop [Updated]
Bridget “Bridie” Doolan (1913-2007) was born in Glenmore Village on the 29th of June 1913 to Edward Doolan (labourer) and his wife Alice Rice (b. 1886). Edward Doolin (sic) and Alice Rice were married on 10 July 1912 in Waterford. In Glenmore the family lived in the house at the top of the street where Kitty Morrissey (Bridie’s sister) later lived. Bridie had a brother Paddy Doolan (1917-1997) (who married Nancy “Civil” Forristal) and two sisters Kitty Morrissey (wife of Phil Morrissey) and Mary Ellen Jones (wife of Tom Jones).
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed Bridie Doolan around 1961. He did not date his notes in his notebook but other entries are dated 1961. Bridie started a shop in 1930 when she was just 17 years old. At the time there were several shops operating in Glenmore. The shops in Glenmore Village included: [1] the Creamery, [2] Hanrahan’s, [3] Lizzie JK’s, [4] Fluskey’s and [5] Heffernan’s. Bridie’s shop was a tiny metal building on the “Vee” Road near what was then the Glenmore Creamery. The tiny shop was on Fitzgerald’s ground. It is assumed that the ground was Michael Fitzgerald’s, of Aylwardstown. His brother Richard Fitzgerald (1868-1955) had the Halfway House and farm in Aylwardstown.
Bridie Doolan’s Tiny Glenmore Shop
At the time Bridie opened her tiny shop local farmers brought their milk daily to the creamery on horse drawn or ass drawn carts either passing by her shop or turning into the creamery near her shop. In the early days of her shop Bridie sold tea, sugar, bread, mutton, beef, sausages, lamp oil, soap and candles. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) fondly remembered as a young lad standing with his nose pressed against the shop window to view the Christmas toys. He recalled an airplane that he wanted Santa to bring him. Unfortunately, Danny must have been on the naughty list as Santa did not bring the coveted toy airplane.
As time went on Bridie carried more household essentials and tobacco products. One local resident recently stated that Bridie was the first woman in Glenmore to have a license in her own name to sell tobacco products. Danny Dowling’s notes do not address tobacco products, but he did record that Kelly’s had a shed at the creamery side of the shop. In between the shop and Kelly’s shed was a space where Kelly’s used to house their horse. It is assumed that the Kelly referenced was Michael “Micky” Kelly (c. 1885-1946) of Graiguenakill, Glenmore.
Jim Power (1884-1947) the postman, told Bridie that in the space between her shop and Kelly’s shed was the location where all the old Powers were born. For a photo of Jim Power and information regarding his parents see our post of 22 Jan. 2025.
Bridie kept her tiny shop operating until about 1948 when she ceased trading. Today, only the shop remains the shed and horse house are long gone. Members of the Glenmore Tidy Towns over the past few years repaired and painted the tiny shop and replaced its window. It stands testimony to a woman who made her own way and a Village that once had 5 or 6 shops. Today, there is no shop in Glenmore Village except that of the Creamery that is a farm shop.
[Update 14 May 2025–The postcard to the right depicts a Glenmore cabin or cottage. The postcard was post marked in Glenmore and London. The London post mark is clear 23 May 1905. We believe that the Glenmore cabin or cottage was the place where the old Powers were born. In other words, we believe that this cottage stood between where later Bridie Doolan’s tiny shop stood and the Creamery which was being built in 1905. The addressee is Miss L. Erickson, 49 Kelmscott Road, Wandsworth Com., London S.W. The message reads, “Glinmore……Fancy living here with a family of 3 or 4. This is only a stone’s throw from my place. Will give you some idea of rural Ireland……B.” Was this a person working on the creamery? For further information on the establishment of the Glenmore Creamery see our post of 9 May 2020.]
Bridie O’Keefe née Doolan (1913-2007)
Bridie married Martin “Murt” O’Keefe (c. 1905-1985) and Danny Dowling recorded in 1961 that the following members of the family living in Glenmore included three daughters: Alice O’Keefe, Mary O’Keefe and Ann O’Keefe; and a son Edward O’Keefe. Another son William “Billy” O’Keefe was already away working. Murt O’Keefe in 1961 worked for the Kilkenny County Council.
Murt O’Keefe died in 1985 at the age of 79. Bridie died in 2007 at the age of 94. Both are buried in Glenmore.
Please send any corrections, additional information of photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
The photo featured above was taken in 2023 of Bridie Doolan’s tiny shop. For further information regarding Glenmore Village in the 1930’s please see our post of 9 April 2020.
Special thanks to Mick Breen for reminding me regarding the 1905 post card and the reader who originally shared it on our Facebook page.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh