December, 2025
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Glenmore Photos from the Eamon Jones Collection
On 21 December 2025 we had the pleasure of visiting Eamon and Ann Jones of Slieverue. Below are a few of the photos Eamon had and shared with us of Glenmore people and events. Eamon, a native of Glenmore Village, also shared some interesting information regarding Jim B. (1918-1988) which is related at the end of the post.
The first photo depicts Eamon Jones and his twin brother George (c. 1952-2014) as babies. His father Tom Jones (1905-1978) is holding one infant and his mother Mary Ellen Jones née Doolan (c. 1917-1993) is holding the other. The lady standing at the back on the left is Katie Irish, of Ballinlammy. Elsie Power is the lady standing at the back on the right. Elsie Power, of the Village, was the daughter of post-man “Foxy Wattie” Power. The boy in the front on the right is Neddy O’Keefe of the Village (Eamonn’s first cousin). The little girl on the left of Neddy O’Keefe is Margaret Power (Jacqueline Walsh née Ryan’s mother). For information on Tom Jones’s parents and grandparents see our post of 28 October 2025.
The photo to the left is Tom and Mary Ellen née Doolan Jones standing outside their home in Glenmore Village.
The photo to the right of three men is (left to right) Joe Moore (c. 1904-1979); Tom Jones (1905-1978) & Wattie Walsh of the Village. For further information on Joe Moore (c. 1904-1979) see our post of 23 December 2022. It is believed that Wattie Walsh (b.c. 1933) was the son of Jim “The Weaver” Walsh and his third wife. See our post of 19 May 2025 for further information on the “The Weaver” Walsh family of Glenmore Village.
The photo to the left of 5 men (left to right) are Seamus Jones (c. 1932-2016) the Village; unknown; Pakie Jones (c. 1932-2006), the Village;
Pat Walsh, the Priest Lane, Robinstown; and Paddy Griffin (1937 -2022) late of Newtown, Glenmore. For further information on Seamus and Pakie Jones see our post of 25 April 2021.
Glenmore Fancy Dress
The photo above was taken in Glenmore Village of a Fancy Dress Carnival. Jim B. (Walsh) is holding his accordion and the man in the white shirt and tie (standing at the wrong end of the ass with a snare drum) is Jimmy Long of Carrickcloney, Glenmore. Can you identify anyone else in this photo?
Fancy Dress Parade past Lizzy J.K.’s Glenmore Village. A quick newspaper search revealed the following advertisement in the Munster Express (Fri. 4 May 1956, p. 5).
The Fancy Dress Winners
The Kilkenny Journal & Leinster Commercial & Literacy Advertiser (Sat., 26 May 1956, p. 4) published the winners of the Glenmore Fancy Dress Parade of Sunday 20 May, 1956.
Most Topical—Pat and J. McDonald, Gaulstown, Glenmore (Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly); Most Humerous—Ed Haberlin and Tom Connolly (The Bride that won the Sweep); Most original—Betty Walshe (Piper at his Best).
Another Jim B. Story
Eamon Jones related that Jim B. had a fine collection of military items. He had a number of helmets and swords and often trimmed the shrubs around his cottage with his swords. One night after his mother Lill retired to her bed upstairs, Jim B. was examining an object and accidently dropped it. It is not known if it went into the fire, or whether it merely exploded when dropped, however, a projectile from the object went up through the ceiling and went next to his mother’s bed and out through the roof. Thankfully no one was injured. For further information on Jim B. see our post of 12 October 2025.
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Man Killed 120 Years Ago on the U.S.S. Bennington
Historian, Damian Shiels, on 25 November 2025 posted an interactive map with biographical information and addresses for over 700 people in Ireland who received U.S. pensions. His work is entitled, American Pensioners in Ireland c. 1845-1905. Shiels spent 15 years researching the U.S. pension files. These payments from the U.S. were based on military service rendered between c. 1845 and 1905. About 80 percent of the pensions were the result of participation in the American Civil War.
Many of the pensions were paid to the widows of men who died while serving in the military or to mothers who were dependent on their sons who were killed. Some were paid to the veterans themselves who were wounded or injured while serving. It is a fascinating resource. Thanks to this work, we found a pension made to a Glenmore woman, Mrs. Margaret Quinn, of Rathinure, Glenmore. Her son Michael George Quinn was serving with the U.S. Marines when he died on 21 July 1905 in San Diego harbour. His ship the U.S.S. Bennington’s boiler exploded killing 66 crew (Shiels, 2025).
The 1905 U.S.S. Bennington Disaster
The U.S.S. Bennington (gunboat No. 4) was named for an important battle of the American Revolutionary War fought in Vermont in 1777. She was a 1700-ton gunboat of the Yorktown class. The ship was built at Chester, Pennsylvania, and commissioned in June 1891. Originally the ship served in the Atlantic and Europe, but was transferred to the Pacific in 1894. After the catastrophic boiler explosion on 21 July 1905 the ship was not repaired and sold for scrap in 1910. See the video “Revisiting the U.S.S. Bennington Explosion 120 Years Later” (ABC & San Diego History Center (2025)).
According to the Navy Casualties: Lost and Wrecked Ships, 1801-1941—Explosions 1804-194—Steam Casualties, 1855-1941, on 21 July 1905 when the U.S.S. Bennington exploded 62 service men were killed and 3 officers. “At 10:38 a.m. an explosion occurred in port fireroom compartment of the vessel, listing the ship to starboard. The ship shook violently for several seconds, large volumes of steam and ashes filling most of the living compartments and deck spaces.” A list of the men killed included “Quinn, Michael George, Oiler.”
Contemporary newspaper articles provide graphic details of the condition of some of the bodies found in the engine room. The crew had just finished loading coal and most were in their quarters cleaning up when the boiler exploded. Unfortunately, the crew quarters were over the boilers. The crew killed were buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery. Quinn was buried in Section Bm site 28. To view his grave see Find-a-grave.
Notwithstanding the 1905 tragedy, the U.S. named an aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Bennington. The aircraft carrier served in the Pacific during World War II. After a refitting the U.S.S. Bennington (aircraft carrier) suffered an explosion in 1954. An old newsreel covering the 1954 disaster revealed that the aircraft carrier also suffered an explosion the year before. Both of these explosions on the aircraft carrier resulted in loss of crew and serious injuries. All three of the Bennington explosions discussed above occurred during peacetime.
Prior to Joining the Marines
According to the concise biography written by Damian Shiels, Michael Quinn was a 29-year-old fireman when he enlisted at Boston, Massachusetts on 24 September 1903. He served aboard U.S.S. Wabash, U.S.S. Cleveland, U.S.S. Straggler, U.S.S. Independence and U.S.S. Bennington. Shiels also noted that Margaret Quinn (née Conway) was 55 when she applied for the pension in 1906. She was married at Glenmore to Thomas Quinn on 28 October 1869. Thomas Quinn died at Glenmore on 10 November 1902. Margaret Quinn (née Conway) died on 5 December 1914 (Shiels, 2025).
Today, it is generally thought that a fireman is a fire fighter. During the age of steam a fireman was the person who maintained the fire needed to produce the steam. Steam engines were used on railways and on ships. Buildings, particularly in cities with cold winters, heated with steam boilers.
The Battle of the Boston Papers
At least two Boston papers printed obituaries of Michael G. Quinn (1874-1905) just three days after his death. It is obvious that the Boston Globe was attempting to locate Quinn family members and published several false statements. For example, the entire Quinn family did not emigrate. There were photos published by each newspaper allegedly of the deceased Michael G. Quinn (1874-1905). The two photographs do not appear to depict the same man. The men do not part their hair on the same side and one has straight hair and the other does not. Given that the Boston Herald actually interviewed the deceased’s brother Patrick Quinn we believe that the photo in the Boston Herald is the correct photo.
Obituary in the Boston Globe (Sun. 23 July 1905, p. 7)
MICHAEL G. QUINN—Bennington victim was a member of Jeffries Point R.A. [Rowing Association], and one of Winning Four at Centennial Grove. Michael G. Quinn one of the victims of Friday’s explosion on the Bennington, was one of the best known young men of East Boston, and one who had figured prominently in athletics.
Quinn was born in the town of Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Ireland, and was 32 years old. At the age of 12 years young Quinn with his parents and brothers and sisters, came to this country and since most of his years had been spent in East Boston.
In September 1903, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy being assigned from the Charlestown Navy Yard to the U.S.S. Cleveland. He served on the Cleveland till April last, when he was transferred to the Bennington. Quinn was a member of Jeffries Point rowing association of East Boston, and two years ago was a member of the four oared crew of the club which won the race at Centennial Grove.
The day before the Boston Globe printed that the deceased Michael G. Quinn had a sister Kate Quinn in East Boston. She formerly lived on Pleasant Street, Winthrop, but she moved to East Boston and could not be located. A brother of was said to live in Somerville (Boston Globe, Sat. 22 July 1905, p. 3).
Obituary in the Boston Herald (Sun. 23 July 1905, p. 4)
Michael G. Quinn, one of the victims of the Bennington disaster, was well known in East Boston, having been a member of the junior four-oared crew of the Jeffries Point Rowing Association which won at Centennial Lake in 1902. His brother, Patrick Quinn, of 88 Marginal Street, East Boston, is a member of the intermediate four of the same association and was to have rowed with that crew in the Metropolitan regatta yesterday, but on receipt of the dispatch from the secretary of the Navy announcing his brother’s death, he retired, and his place was taken by substitute Frank Walsh.
The man killed was born in Waterford, Ireland, about 30 years ago. He came to this country when a lad of 15 years and lived in New York for about a year, when he went to sea finally becoming a member of the British naval reserve. At the break out of the Boer War he volunteered in the Grenadier Guards and served in South Africa under Lord Roberts, taking part in the siege of Kimberly, where although in the thick of the fight, he escaped injury. At the close of his enlistment period, he received a Boer war medal and then returned to this country, making his home with his brother in East Boston. He worked for the Cunard company, and also as a fireman for the Merchants and Miners’ company.
In October 1903, he enlisted in the navy and did duty on board the Wabash, and later at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Then he was assigned to the Cleveland, when that vessel was accepted by the government, and remained on board her until she was sent to join the European squadron. The last letter his brother received from him came from Florida in April. In it he stated he expected to come north in time to be in Boston for the Fourth of July. Since then he had not been heard from.
His mother and one sister still live in Ireland; a brother lives in Bristol, England; his brother Patrick, as stated, lives in East Boston; a sister Mrs. James Howland, lives at 63 Everett Street, East Boston, and another sister, Nora Quinn, lives in Somerville. [This obituary was also published in the Derry Journal (Wed. 9 Aug. 1905, p. 1) but we were unable to locate it or another obituary in newspapers local to Glenmore.]
The Quinn Families of Rathinure, Glenmore
There were two Quinn brothers, and their families, that resided in Rathinure in the late 19th century. Thomas and Patrick Quinn were sons of Stephen Quinn and his wife Catherine Haberlin. Stephen Quinn and Catherine Haberlin were married on 11 February 1834 at Glenmore. They resided and farmed in Coolnaleen, Glenmore. There were six known children born to this couple: [1] Patrick Quinn (1835-1906); [2] Honor Quinn (b. 1836); [3] Richard Quinn (b. 1839); [4] Mary Quinn (b. 1842); [5] Thomas Quinn (1843-1903); and [6] James Quinn (b. 1846).
Patrick Quinn (1835-1906) of Rathinure, Glenmore
Patrick Quinn (1835-1906) was baptized 16 March 1835 to Stephen Quinn and his wife Catherine Haberlin at Glenmore. Patrick Quinn of Rathanure (sic) married Ellen Tracy of Ballyfacy (sic) on 24 February 1873 at Glenmore. The bride’s father was George Tracy (a smyth (sic)) and her mother was Catherine Conway. George Tracy, of Haggard, married Catherine Conway on 8 February 1843 at Slieverue. Ellen Tracy was baptised at Ballinlammy, Glenmore on 17 March 1847.
Patrick Quinn died at the age of 80 in the Waterford Workhouse Hospital on 29 July 1906 of hemiplegia. In other words, one side of his body was paralyzed. His widow, Ellen Quinn née Tracy (1847-1932) continued to live in their small house until she went to live with a daughter. The small house where Patrick and Ellen lived was to the east of Sean Óg Kennedy’s (c. 1885-1962) house (where Johnny Garvey presently lives). The house in the 1901 Census was described as one room. It was owned by Patrick Quinn. Ellen Quinn née Tracy’s Memory Card is recorded on our Memory Card page.
Children of Patrick Quin and Ellen Tracy of Rathinure, Glenmore
The following children were identified in the parish and civil birth records: [1] Unnamed child (1874); [2] Honor “Nora” Quinn (1875); [3] Stephen Quinn (1876); [4] George Quinn (1878); [5] Catherine Quinn (1880); and [6] Honor Quinn (1883). In the 1911 Census, Ellen Quin née Tracy stated that she had six children and 4 were alive in 1911. Peter Walsh of Rathinure recalls that his mother said that Ellen’s youngest daughter Nora was handicapped and became abusive toward her elderly mother. Nora was placed in a home.
Thomas Quinn (1843-1903) of Rathinure, Glenmore
Thomas Quinn (1843-1903) was baptized on 19 December 1843 at Mullinavat to Stephen Quinn and his wife Catherine Haberlin. Margaret Conway was baptized on 14 July 1843 at Carrigloney the daughter of Michael Conway and Mary Barry. Thomas Quinn (23), of Rathinure, (labourer) married Margaret Conway (22) of Carrigcloney on 28 October 1869. Per the 1901 Census Thomas and Margaret Quinn were renting their 1 room home in Rathinure, Glenmore from John Kennedy. We assume that this was Sean Óg Kennedy (c. 1885-1962).
Children of Thomas Quinn & Margaret Quinn née Conway of Rathinure, Glenmore
[1] Stephen Quinn (bapt 8 May 1871-15 May 1871) Died of convulsions in Carrigcloney
[2] Catherine Quinn (22 July 1872-19 Nov. 1913) emigrated to the US in 1900. She married James M. Howland on 25 July 1904 at Boston. James Howlan was born c. 1876 at Tarrytown, New York, the son of Nicholas Howland and Margaret Cummins. They had a son [2a] George Michael Howland (b. 9 Nov. 1905) just 4 months after her brother Michael was killed. The couple also had two daughters: [2b] Margaret M. Howland (1907-1992) and [2c] Catherine M. Howland (1909-1998). Catherine Howland née Quinn died in 1913 of diabetes. See our H surname page for her short obituary.
[3] Michael Quinn (1874-1905) died in the U.S. Marine Corp on board the U.S.S. Bennington.
[4] Patrick Quinn ( 28 Feb. 1876) emigrated to Boston.
[5] Mary Quinn (b. 15 Feb. 1878) married John Curran (laborer), of Carrigcloney on 28 September 1909 at Glenmore. John was the son of Richard Curran (carpenter). John and Mary had one son [5a] Richard Curran born 13 August 1910.
[6] Stephen Quinn (18 March 1880-5 Feb. 1929) in 1900 married Margaret Dalton of Knockbrack, Glenmore. Margaret was the daughter of Patrick Dalton. The couple had at least 5 children: [6a] Ellen Quinn (1901); [6b] Patrick Quinn (Rathinure); [6c] James Quinn (1908) Knockbrack; [6d] James Quinn (1910) Fahee; and [6e] Johanna Quinn (1913).
[7] James Quinn (bapt. 5 Feb. 1883—22 Aug.1967) emigrated to the U.S. On 28 August 1916 he married Helen Davis (1886-1949) in Detroit, Michigan. His WWI draft Registration (1918) provided that he was 32 years of age, working as a fireman for Detroit Edison, and living at 913 Ellery St., Detroit. He had blue eyes, dark brown hair medium height and medium build. His WWII draft registration showed that he was 56 years of age, born in Waterford and worked for the Detroit Edison Co. He and his wife had six known children. [7a] James Thomas Quinn (1917-1979); [7b] William George Quinn (1919-1998); [7c] Patrick J. Quinn (1922-1994); [7d] Margaret Helen Chaney née Quinn (1924-2022); [7e] Sr. Mary E. Quinn (1925-2008); and [7f] Kathleen C. Quinn (b. 1929).
[8] Thomas Quinn (b. 5 Feb. 1883)
[9] Honor (Nora Theresa) Long née Quinn (30 April 1885—12 Feb. 1957) emigrated 29 July 1903 to Boston via the ship Ivernia. Information gleaned from her Naturalisation Declaration (16 April 1914) provides that she claimed that she was 26 years of age, unmarried, with fair hair, 5’4” tall and weighed 180 pounds. She worked as a cook and lived at 23 Garden St., Cambridge Mass. She gave her birthdate as 1 May 1887. Nora married Alvin Wallace Long (1894-1989) on 1 November 1922, in Detroit Michigan. Nora died in 1957 in Royal Oak, Oakland, Michigan.
Death of Parents
Father, Thomas Quinn (1843-1903) died on 14 November 1903 at the Waterford Union hospital at the age of 60. His cause of death was heart disease and bronchial pneumonia.
Mother, Margaret Quinn (1843-1914) died the 5th of December 1914 at Carrickcloney, aged 71, a widow of a labourer. With no medical attention before her death. John Curran of Carrickcloney was present at her death. The 1911 Census reveals that Margaret was living with her daughter Mary Curran née Quinn and her husband John Curran in Carrickcloney. With Margaret Quinn’s death the pension ended.
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The featured photo of the U.S.S. Bennington was described as “dressed with flags in harbour, probably while serving with the Squadron of Evolution, c. 1891-1892. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Catalog No.: NH 67551.”
The photo of Michael G. Quinn (1874-1905) was published in the Boston Herald (Sun. 23 July 1905, p. 4).
For more information on the U.S.S. Bennington see the webpage entitled U.S.S. Bennington.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Maurice Hennebry (1859-1917) Native of Rochestown, Glenmore—Killed on the S.S. Formby
The National Archives has the Irish Merchant Navy Crew Lists 1857-1922, and it is available on line. The list has the names of two sailors who listed Glenmore as their place of birth. Previously we examined James O’Neill (1857-1933) in our post of 2 November 2025.
Today, we are going to highlight Maurice Hennebery/Henebry/Heneberry who provided to the authorities that he was born in Glenmore in 1859 or 1860 depending on the crew lists. We shall utilize the various spellings below, but because the family headstone spelled the name Hennebry that is what we consider the correct family spelling.
While researching this Glenmore native we found that not only was his surname spelled in official documents in a number of ways, but the man held a number of different jobs. Before joining the merchant navy we learned that Maurice Hennebry enlisted as a soldier in the British Army. During his enlistment in 1888 he served in the Second Afghan War. Before going to sea he was also a rural post man. However, Maurice Hennebry is perhaps best remembered for perishing with his son Walter when their ship, the S.S. Formby, was sank by a U Boat in the Irish sea in December 1917.
Native of Rochestown, Glenmore
Just like James O’Neill, Maurice Hennebry was born in Rochestown, Glenmore. Maurice Henebery was born 17 December 1859 in Rochestown, Glenmore to Patrick Henebery (c. 1821-1892) and Ellen Denn. He was the third eldest child of the family.
His Parents
His parents Patrick Henebery (c. 1821-1892) and Ellen Denn (b.c. 1824) were married at Glenmore on 22 May 1855. We believe that Ellen was baptized at Glenmore on 22 August 1824, the daughter of Edmund Den (sic) and Ellen Aide. A Patrick Henebry was baptized at Busherstown, Glenmore on 17 September 1821 the son of Walter Henebry and Mary Crooks.
His Siblings
The following children of Patrick Henebery and his first wife Ellen Denn were identified:
[1] Mary Henebery was baptized 15 May 1856;
[2] Walter Henebery was born 26 July 1858;
[3] Maurice Henebery was born 17 December 1859;
[4] Patrick Henebery was born 21 November 1861;
[5] Alice Henebery was born 7 February 1864. The birth register records that her father Patrick was working as a fisherman when she was born.
Sometime before June 1873 Maurice’s mother died. His father, Patrick Henneberry (carpenter) of Rochestown, a widower, married Margaret Dowley (b.c. 1844) of Shambo on 16 June 1873 at Shambo. Patrick’s father was listed in the marriage register as Walter Henneberry (labourer)and the brides’ father was John Dowley (labourer). Patrick’s age was recorded as 42 and his second wife was 28.
His Half Siblings
Patrick Henebery (c. 1821-1892) had at least 5 children with his second wife.
[6] Catherine Heneberry was born at Rochestown on 1 August 1874. Her father Patrick was employed as a farm labourer. Her mother’s name is recorded as Margaret Doole
[7] Bridget Heneberry was born at Rochestown on 21 February 1876. Her mother is recorded as Margaret Dowley.
[8] Richard Heneberry was born at Rochestown on 21 October 1877. His mother was recorded as Margaret Dooley.
[9] Margaret Heneberry was born at Rochestown on 7 August 1879.
[10] Michael Henebary was born at Rochestown on 29 September 1882. His father’s recorded trade is carpenter.
Patrick Heneberry died on 14 July 1892 of chronic bronchitis that he suffered with for two years. His widow, Margaret Heneberry was with him at the time of his death at home in Rochestown. His age at death was said to be 62, but he was probably 71.
1901 & 1911 Census for Rochestown, Glenmore
In the 1901 Census Margaret Henneberry is a 54 year old widow living in Rochestown with two of her unmarried children. Bridget Henneberry is 24 and working as a general servant. Michael Henneberry is 18 and working as a navvy for the railway. It is assumed that Michael was employed in the building of the New Ross to Waterford line. By the 1911 Census Margaret Henneberry was recorded as 72 years of age and blind. Her son Michael was 28 and working as a fisherman. Her daughter Bridget was 30 and also residing with her.
The Enlistment of Maurice Henebry (1859-1917) of Rochestown, Glenmore
Maurice Heneberry joined the British Army on 6 July 1877. He was 18 years and 2 months old. He was a labourer and signed up for six years army service and six years reserve service. He joined at the Currah and was recruited for the 69th Brigade at Waterford on the 2nd day of July 1844 at 8:30 a,m, by Sergt, John McLoughlin.
Maurice was described as 5 ft 7 inches tall with a chest that measured 35 inches. He had grey eyes, sandy hair and a freckled complexion. He listed his father Patrick Heneberry of Glenmore, Kilkenny as his next of kin.
His army record reveals that Maurice served in the Afghan Campaign 1880 and was awarded a campaign service medal. Maurice was married to Bridget Hennebery, at Slieverue on 17 July 1885. His character was described as good when he was passed to the Reserve on 3 July 1889. (UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Soldier Service Records, 1760-1920 for Maurice Heneberry of the 69th Regimental Number 69b/1410 Enlistment year 1877.)
Marriage of Maurice Hennebry of Rochestown, Glenmore
On 17 February 1885 Maurice Henneberry (labourer) married Bridget Henneberry (1857-1921) of Ballyrowan, Slieverue. The groom’s father was Patrick Henneberry (carpenter) and the bride’s father was Edward Henneberry (labourer). The witnesses were John O’Neill and Johanna O’Neill. Without addresses for the witnesses it is not clear, but John O’Neill (the brother of ferryman James O’Neill (1857-1933)) was born the same year as Maurice in Rochestown.
The bride was baptized on 13 August 1857 at Ballyrarough (sic), Slieverue. She was the daughter of Edmond Heneberry and his wife Bridget Walsh.
Known Children of Maurice Hennebry (1859-1913) of Rochestown, Glenmore
[1] Patrick Henneberry (1886-c. 1886) was born 21 January 1886 at Ballyrough, Slieverue. His father Maurice was employed as a postal letter carrier.
[2] Patrick Edward? Heneberry (1887-1919?) was born on 19 April 1887 at Ballyrowrah, Slieverue. His father was employed as a “rural postman.” Per the family headstone Edward died in the US in 1919.
[3] Walter Heneberry (1889-1917) was born 7 April 1889 at Ballyrourah, Slieverue.
[4] Ellen Heneberry (1893-1968) was born on 1 October 1893 at Kilmurry, Slieverue. Her father, Maurice worked as a farm labourer when Ellen was born. In the 1911 Census Ellen was working as a barmaid at Stepleton’s pub in Slieverue although she was only 17. Ellen Henebery (1893-1968) married Thomas Larrissey (1891-1971). They had a son William Laracy (sic) (1923-2011). Ellen and Thomas Larrissey were the grandparents of Waterford singer and composer Gilbert O’Sullivan.
[5] Bridget Heneberry was born on 27 July 1895 at Kilmurry, Slieverue. Her father Maurice was working as a farm labourer.
[6] Margaret Henneberry (1897-1982) was born on 22 July 1897 at Kilmurry, Slieverue. Her father Maurice was listed as a labourer. Margaret married John Norris and had several children. She died a widow in 1982.
[7] Maurice Henneberry (Jr.) (1901-1983) was born on 17 February 1901 at Kilmurry, Slieverue. His father was recorded as a labourer. Maurice’s obit has been added to our H. Surname page.
Merchant Navy
The earliest record found regarding Maurice Hennebry’s merchant navy service is dated 1891. In total Maurice Henneberry (sic) was found on nine Ireland, Merchant Navy Crew Lists, spanning 1891 to 1911.
1901 Census of Kilmurry, Rathpatrick, Slieverue
Maurice Heneberry was 40 years of age and his wife Bridget was 41. Maurice was working as a labourer. Six of the children are present in the household. and all but the baby Maurice are attending school. In addition to the family there are six boarders. Four of the boarders appear to be brothers: Edward Phelan (25); James Phelan (23); John Phelan (21) and Patrick Phelan (18). There is also a Cornelis Murphy (29) and Michael Lonegan (50). All the boarders are recorded as labourers. The Phelans were all born in Waterford, Murphy was born in Cork and Lonergan in Tipperary. Given that this was when the rail line between New Ross and Waterford was being built it is likely all these men were working on that project.
Although there were 14 people residing in the three-room house, the Census states that there were only 13 inhabitants. Mary Kelly was Maurice Henebry’s landlord.
1911 Census of Kilmurry, Rathpatrick, Slieverue
Maurice is not found in the 1911 Census. He was probably at sea when the Census was taken. His wife, Bridget Henebery was 51 and living with four of their children in Kilmurry, Slieverue. She reported that she and Maurice had been married for 26 years. Seven children were born to the marriage and six were alive in 1911.The house in 1911 was owned by the Henebry’s. The following four children were residing at home:
Edward Henebery (24) worked as a coal hauler. We believe that this was Patrick no. 2 in the birth records who was born in 1887. On the family headstone Edward is listed as dying in the US in 1910. However, some of the dates of death on the head stone are not correct.
Walter Henebery (22) worked as a gardener.
Margaret Henneberry was an 11 year-old scholar and
Maurice Heneberry was a 10 year-old scholar.
Death on the S.S. Formby
The Clyde Shipping Company came to Waterford in the 1850’s and by the start of WWI it was operating a regular service between Waterford and Liverpool. The Clyde Shipping Company lost 20 ships during WWI, four from their ocean fleet and six in the short sea service such as the Waterford to Liverpool route (Munster Express, Tues. 16 January 2018, p. 40). The journey between Liverpool and Waterford took 16 hours.
On 16 December or 17 December 1917 the S.S. Formby was torpedoed by a German U-Boat as she steamed toward Waterford. She carried 37 crew and 2 passengers. All were killed. Thus, Maurice Henebry who had survived 5 years in the British Army including service during the Second Afghan War was killed one day before his 58th birthday or on his 58th birthday. Unfortunately various sources give different dates for the sinking and contemporary newspapers did not print much at the time. It is assumed that this lack of newspaper coverage was because the war was ongoing.
The following day or the day after the sinking of the Formby, her sister ship the Coningbeg was also sank by the same U Boat as she too steamed toward Waterford. It was the largest seafaring tragedy to impact on Waterford in the 20th Century (Munster Express, Tues. 19 Dec. 2017, p. 30). There were 83 total deaths on the two Clyde Shipping steamers with 67 locals killed (Waterford News & Star, Tues. 24 Dec. 2024, p. 14).
Two of the 67 locals killed were Maurice Henebry and his son Walter Henebry. The Captain of the U Boat is said to have recorded regarding the sinking of the Formby “7:58 p.m. Hit in engine room. Vessel of unknown nationality. After clearance of smoke from the explosion (3-4 minutes), ship sinks with all hands…” (Waterford News & Star, Tues. 5 Dec. 2017, p. 30).
For further information on the Formby and Coningbeg see, The Waterford Shipping Disaster 1917, (Waterford City & County Council).
Death of the Widow Bridget Hennebry née Hennebry (1857-1921)
Tragically their son Edward (per the family headstone) died in the US in 1919. Then within four years of the deaths of Maurice and Walter, Bridget Hennebry née Hennebry (1857-1921) also died. Bridget Heneberry, of Kilmurry, died of cancer of the uterus at the Waterford Workhouse Hospital on 27 October 1921. She was 57 years of age, and her daughter Margaret Henneberry was present at her death. On the death cert Bridget was described as a widow “of a fishman” (sic).
The Hennebry family marker is in the Slieverue Cemetery. It provides:
“In loving memory of Brigid Hennebry, Kilmurry, Slieverue, who Died 20th Dec. 1921. Her husband Maurice Henebry and their son Walter Hennebry both lost at sea on SS Formby 17th December 1917. Their son Edward Hennebry died in America 6th January 1919. Their son Maurice died 1st March 1983…”
Memorials to the Formby & Coningbeg Victims
A memorial was erected on the Waterford Quay across from Reginald’s Tower in 1997. A Centenary Commemoration was held in 2017 with Bridget O’Rourke and Eileen Howley photographed who remembered “Foreman Maurice Hennebry” (Munster Express, Tues. 19 Dec. 2017, p. 30).
The Mercantile Marine Memorial of Tower Hill, London also lists Maurice and Walter as well as all the merchant seamen who were killed in the war.
Hennebry, Donkeyman. Maurice SS Formby (Glasgow). Presumed drowned 16th Dec. 1917. Age 52. Son of the late Patrick and Ellen Hennebry; husband of Bridget Hennebry, of Slieverue, Kilmurry, Co. Kilkenny. Born at Rochestown [Glenmore].
Hennebry, Fireman, Walter. SS Formby (Glasgow). Presumed drowned 16th December 1917. Age 28. Son of Bridget Hennebry, of Slieverue, Kilmurry, Co. Kilkenny, and the late Maurice Hennebry. Born at Rathpatrick [Slieverue].
According to A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921. (HMSO 1927) A donkeyman was in charge of a small auxiliary engine known as a donkey engine on board a ship. The donkey engine was used primarily when a ship was in port, for working winches and pumps etc. The duties of a donkeyman included filling the donkey engine boiler with water, by a hand pump, lighting a fire under it, and stoking the fire to maintain steam pressure. When the donkey engine was not in use (usually when main engines were in steam) the donkeyman greased and cleaned the donkey engine boiler, winches etc.
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Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.hitory@gmail.com. For more information regarding shipwrecks off the coast of Waterford during WWI see, Waterford Council Archives.
Special thanks to Andrew Doherty of Tides and Tales for sharing information and sending on information and links regarding the Formby. For further information on the Formby see Andrew’s blog post.
The featured photo of the Formby was published in the Munster Express on 16 January 2018, p. 40 and was sourced from Andrew Doherty of Tides and Tales.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Ballyfacey, Glenmore 1913 School Photo
Special thanks to Ann O’Rourke for sharing this photo that she obtained from Danny Dowling (1927-2021). Danny obtained the photo from Mary Statia Ivory (second row) and recorded the names and townlands identified by Mary Statia. In addition to the names and townlands recorded by Danny, we have added the year of birth, and parents where same could be identified through baptismal records or the birth register. Luckily the 1911 Census helped. There are several sets of sisters in the group.
Ballyfacey, Glenmore National School Photograph 1913
Front Row: (left to right)
Eily Mullins, Flemingstown (b. 1906 to Thomas Mullins & Mary Walsh);
_______ Walsh, Weatherstown; (Ellen? (1904) to Wm. Walsh & Bridget Walsh
Ella Fitzgerald, Moulerstown (b. 1908 to Patrick Fitzgerald & Mary MacDonald);
Katie Purcell, Weatherstown (b. 1904 to Edmund Purcell & Mary Cashin);
Katie Ivory, Haggard (b. 1908 to John Ivory & Mary MacCarthy);
Mary Ryan, Ballyfacey (b. 1907 to Thomas Ryan & Bridget Anthony);
Kate Dollard, Ballyfacey (b. 1906 to Edmund Dollard & Mary Walsh);
Katie Butler, Moulerstown (b. 1907 to James Butler & Bridget Cashin); and
Rose Walsh, Weatherstown (b. 1906 to William Walsh & Bridget Walsh).
Second Row:
Mary Statia Ivory, Haggard (b.c. 1903) to John Ivory and Bridget MacDonald of Upper Ballyfacey);
Johanna Hogan, Knockbrach; (not in 1911 Knockbrack Census, no baptismal record in Glenmore. Found as 10 yr. old boarder in home of Ellen Bradley of Rathaglish, Ballincrea.)
Jo Freany, Ballyfacey (b. 1904 to Michael Freyne & Mary Farrell);
Mai Freany, Ballyfacey (b. 1900 to Michael Freyne & Mary Farrell);
Baby Freany, Kilbride (Margaret? b. 1909 to Michael Freyne & Mary Farrell);
Bridie Cody, Weatherstown (b. 1902 to Patrick Cody & Mary Knox);
Mary Butler, Moulerstown; (b. 1902 to James Butler & Bridget Cashin) and
Bridget Morrissey (per 1911 Census b.c. 1900 in Waterford, boarding with Ellen Bradley, aged 60, of Rathaglish, Ballincrea with Johanna Hogan aged 10.)
Third Row:
Mary Hennessy, Teacher (Mary Phelan née Hennessey (1883-1963) of Ballyfacey married John Phelan (c. 1892-1956) of Ballyveria, on 22 May 1916 at Glenmore. See our post of 23 Nov. 2025 for further information on the Hennessey family. ;
Agsie Duggan, Flemingstown (Margaret? b. 1896 to Richard Duggan & Anne Butler);
Mary Walsh, Weatherstown (b.1903 to William Walsh & Bridget Walsh);
Bridie Culleton, Kilbride (b. 1904 to James Culleton & Hannah Grace);
Josie Freany, Kilbride (Johanna? b. 1903 to James Freyne & Johanna Hennessey);
Molly Dollard, Ballyfacey (Mary? b. 1903 to Edmund Dollard & Mary Walsh);
Bridie Butler (No townland provided. May be Bridget Butler b. 1902 to Patrick Butler & Mary Aylward of Parkstown);
Bridie Walsh, Weatherstown (b. 1902 to William Walsh & Bridget Walsh);
Johanna Hurley, Knockbrach (b. 1901 to Thomas Hurley & Margaret Kelly of Farnogue).
“The above school Group according to Mary Statia Ivory who was a pupil in the group.”
Please send any corrections or additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: A 1911 Haggard, Glenmore, Malicious Injury Case
Within Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) voluminous collection of newspaper clippings on Glenmore related events and people, we came across a short article concerning a malicious injury claim in 1911. Generally speaking, compensation was available in 19th century in the United Kingdom for various forms of malicious injury to various types of property. In Ireland, the main legislation included the Grand Juries (Ireland) Act 1836, and the Malicious Injury Act 1861. Reforms were introduced by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898. The 1898 Act broadened the categories of damage that could result in compensation, but the cases were now tried in courts rather than before Grand Juries.
After the 1898 Act, the applicant was required to prove all elements of his case including the existence of malice. If the case was made the awarded compensation was paid by the rate payers (i.e. property tax payers.) For a fascinating paper detailing the development of the Irish law see, , Niamh Howlin (2019) “Compensation for Malicious Damage to Property in Nineteenth-Century Ireland.”
The Haggard, Glenmore Fire
Sergeant McKirby, of Glenmore at noon on 13 May, 1911, took a report from John Grace of Ballinlammy, Glenmore. John Grace reported that his unoccupied house at Haggard was found on fire at 8 a.m. Sergeant McKirby went to the scene, and arrived at 2:15. The house consisted of one room only 12 feet by 9 feet wide and about 4.5 feet in height. It was on Robert Grant’s farm at Haggard.
The roof, an old thatched one, had partially burned and collapsed. The roof which resembled a manure heap was still smouldering. Grace had reported that a timber bed, chair, box and a few other small articles of furniture were in the house when it burned down, but the Sergeant saw no signs of them. The Waterford No. 2 Rural district Council ordered its solicitor to defend the application John Grace made for compensation (Munster Express, Fri. 3 June 1911, p. 3).
The Hearing
The Kilkenny People (Fri. 17 June 1911, p. 7) covered the hearing on the Application for Malicious Injury. The newspaper referred to John Grace as an old age pensioner. Grace was seeking £50 compensation for the malicious burning of his house at Haggard, Glenmore.
Solicitor P.A. Murphy of Waterford represented the applicant, John Grace. Solicitor McCoy represented Waterford No. 2 Rural District Council, and Solicitor James Harte represented the Kilkenny Co. Council.
Grace testified that on the morning of the 30th of May his house and effects were completely destroyed by fire. He had not been living in the house for 7 or 8 weeks previously because boys were throwing stones at his door.
The Sergeant of Glenmore district testified. He stated that he believed the house was set on fire, but there was no malice connected with it as far as he could determine. Mr. Murphy then asked a strange question as he was representing John Grace. He asked the Sergeant, “If you have any reasons for suspecting that the old man burned it himself explain it to His Honor.” The Sergeant stated that it might be a nice way of getting a few pounds. He stated that John Grace was going to get married. In reply to a question posed by the Judge the Sergeant opined that he thought £3 or £4 would be a very fair compensation.
James Flanagan, engineer to the Waterford No. 2 District Council, valued the house for about £1. He would be able to rebuild it as it stood before the burning for 30s.
The judge stated that he was not satisfied that the burning was malicious, and even if it were he was not satisfied that the damage done was over £5. He dismissed the action.
John Grace (1837-1918) of Haggard, Glenmore
John Grace (1837-1918) was baptized 26 April 1837 at Haggart (sic), to Luke Grace and his wife Ellen Roche. The next record we could find was when John Grace married. John Grace (labourer) of Haggard on 18 February 1878, married Margaret Phelan née Neil (c. 1834-1909), a widow at Glenmore. His father Luke Grace was deceased, and Margaret’s father was James Neil, a mason.
Margaret’s first husband was Patrick Phelan (c.1844-1874) (labourer, son of Edward Phelan, labourer). Margaret and her first husband were married on 18 February 1868 at Mullinavat. Her address at the time of her first marriage was Fahee and his address was Farnogue. Patrick Phelan died of bronchitis on 26 September 1874 at Fahee. His father-in-law, James Neil, was present at Patrick’s death.
1901 Census
In 1901, John Grace, aged 62, worked as an agricultural labourer and lived in Haggard with his wife Margaret Grace who was aged 66. They were living in a 1 room house with a thatched roof which they rented from Robert Grant. It was a Category 4 house and was the worst house in Haggard. It apparently had no front windows. Strangely the Census records that only 1 person resided in the house, but it also records that both John Grace and his wife Margaret Grace resided in it.
From the description provided, It appears that the couple were living in 1901 in the same house that burned in 1911 and was the subject of the case.
Robert Grant, their landlord, was 30 years of age and living with his sister Stasia (aged 45) in Haggard. They had two servants residing with them: Bridget Fitzgerald (aged 23) and John Gaule (aged 10).
Death of Margaret Grace née Neil (c. 1834-1909) of Haggard, Glenmore
Margaret Grace (c. 1834-1909) died on 1 February 1909 at Haggard. She was 75 years of age. Her husband John Grace was present when she died.
1911 Census
John Grace was not living in Haggard when the census was taken. He also was not in Ballinlammy, Glenmore. John Grace, aged 74, a widower, was living with John and Bridget Roche, of Ballyquin, Farnogue, Mullinavat. John Grace is listed as a relative of the head of the household, John Roche (aged 35). John Grace’s mother was a Roche or it could be that his deceased wife was related to John or Bridget Roche.
In 1911, Robert Grant (c. 1848-1920) was 60 and living in Haggard with his sister Anastatia Grant (aged 56). They had two servants. William Breasdon aged 19 and Ann Murphy aged 26.
The Death of John Grace (1837-1918) of Haggard, Glenmore
John Grace, labourer, “from Glenmore” died on 23 July 1918 aged 82. He was a widower and died in the Union Hospital of Waterford of heart disease. There is no known headstone in St. James Cemetery marking the grave of John Grace (if he was brought back to Glenmore for burial). We could not locate a death notice or obituary. As Danny Dowling often remarked none die as well as the poor. There are few records of their lives.
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See our post of 24 March 2023 regarding Haggard including the oldest newspaper article referencing Haggard. In 1803, a fire destroyed the cabin of Patrick Keefe, and he and his entire family perished in the fire.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh