May, 2026
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From Danny’s Files: The Gorman’s of Ballycroney, Glenmore
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often referred to surnames that were no longer found in Glenmore Parish as extinct names. One such name is Gorman or O’Gorman. At one point Danny noted in correspondence in 2001 with Patrick Gorman of Illinois that two Gorman families resided in Ballycroney, Glenmore.
Willie Holden, of Ballycroney, yesterday confirmed that there were Gorman’s in Ballycroney in the past. They lived where Bolger’s once lived and Bernard Walsh lives there now. Neddy Holden, of Clune, told Willie, that P.N. O’Gorman’s people came from Ballycroney. For our international readers P.N. O’Gorman and his wife in 1924 established an auctioneers/estate agents/valuers business in New Ross that can still be found on the Quay today.
Today we are going to review the early Glenmore Parish records to determine how many Gorman families resided in Ballycroney, highlight the two Gorman brothers in Illinois and attempt to determine who went to New Ross.
Review of Early Glenmore Parish Records
Denis Gorman & his wife Eleanor Murphy
A review of the combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish records reveals that the first Gorman we could confirm as being in Ballycrone (sic) was Denis Gorman and his wife Eleanor Murphy. Their son [1] Patrick was born there in 1785 and they had 5 more children the last being born in 1797 just before the 1798 Rebellion. The 5 children include:
[2] Mary Gorman (1787);
[3] Catherine Gorman (1789);
[4] Richard Gorman (1790);
[5] James Gorman (1792); and
[6] Michael Gorman (1797)).
Michael Gorman & his wife Mary Cody
The second oldest confirmed record we could find was for Michael Gorman and his wife Mary Cody. They were married at Glenmore on 13 November 1812, and had 9 children in Ballycrony from 1813 to 1835. The witnesses at their wedding were William Gorman and Walter Bolger. It is not known if this Michael was the son of Denis Gorman and his wife Eleanor Murphy. He would have been just 15 when he married in 1812, thus it is not likely. He may have been a younger brother of Denis, a nephew or no relation at all.
The children of Michael Gorman and Mary Cody include:
[1] Catherine Gorman (bapt. 13 April 1813)
[2] Juny Gorman (bapt. 16 March 1815)
[3] William Gorman (bapt. 8 Dec. 1816)
[4] Denis Gorman (bapt. 1 May 1819)
[5] Patrick Gorman (bapt. 18 Feb. 1822)
[6] Edmund Gorman (bapt. 20 April 1825-18 Nov.1888) Emigrated to Illinois before 1852.
[7] Mary Gorman (bapt. 17 July 1827)
[8] James Gorman (bapt. 24 Aug. 1828)
[9] Richard Gorman (bapt. 4 Nov. 1835-14 Aug. 1914) Emigrated to Illinois in 1867.
James Gorman & Bridget Wallis [Wallace]
The third family we found in Ballycroney was James Gorman and his wife Bridget Wallis. They had at least five children from 1826 to 1834.
Their eldest child [1] Denis Gorman was born in 1825. The record states that the father’s name was Denis. However, given that 3 of the other children were the children of James Gorman and Bridget Wallis {Wallace] we believe an error was made on the eldest two children’s baptismal records. The other children include:
[2] (father given as John) William Gorman (1826);
[3] Mary Gorman (1828);
[4] Mary Gorman (1832) and
[5] Ellen Gorman (1834).
It is likely that this James Gorman was the son of Denis Gorman and his wife Eleanor Murphy (born in 1792). The traditional naming patterns of this time holds true. The eldest male child was named Denis after his paternal grandfather. The second eldest girl was named Ellen after her paternal grandmother.
Other Gorman Families in Early Glenmore Parish Records
Carrigcloney, Glenmore
The early combined parish records also provided that one Gorman family resided in Carrigcloney, Glenmore. Richard Gorman and his wife Honor Foley married on 1 March 1810 at Kilmacow. They moved to Carrigcloney, Glenmore and had [1] Michael Gorman in 1811;[2] John Gorman (1814). The family moved to St. John’s Parish in Kilkenny where [3] James Gorman was born in 1816; [4] Patrick Gorman (1818); [5] Edmund Gorman [1820]; [6] Thomas Gorman (1823); [7] Mary Gorman (1825) and [8] Peter Gorman (1827).
Parkstown, Glenmore
Parkstown, Glenmore—Denis O’Gorman and his wife Catherine Donovan had their son Patrick O’Gorman baptized on 17 March 1827. No other baptismal records could be located for this couple.
P.N. O’Gorman of New Ross
Peter Nicholas O’Gorman (1876-1947) was the youngest child of William Gorman (c. 1829-1889) and his wife Mary Finn (c.1840-1898) His parents were married at New Ross on 10 August 1861. P.N. was baptized at New Ross by Fr. D.J. Gorman on 9 Sept. 1876. William was employed as a cooper, and the family lived on Mary Street, New Ross.
We believe that P.N. O’Gorman’s father was William Gorman (bapt. 11 June 1826) to John (sic) Gorman and his wife Bridget Wallis, Ballycroney, Glenmore. However, we have no definitive record or obituary that gives his place of birth as Ballycroney or provides the names of William’s parents.
The children of William Gorman (c. 1829-1889) & Mary Finn (c. 1840-1898)
[1] Elizabeth Gorman (1862-c. 1888) Died of meningitis, aged 25.
[2] Eleanor Gorman (1863-1920) Ellen O’Gorman, of Mary St., married a widower, Elias Thackery Vickers (c. 1864 -1908) (solicitor from South St.) on 27 April 1897 at St. Mary’s New Ross. She listed her father William as a farmer/merchant. Witnesses to the wedding were James J. O’Gorman & Lizzie Finn. Elias Thackery Vickers died in 1908. Ellen Vickers née Gorman died 16 January 1920, in Haughton Hospital, a widow, at the age of 52 of paralysis. Elias Thackery Vicker’s first wife was Caroline Fegan of Tramore, Co. Waterford. They married in the Church of Ireland on 27 Sept. 1881 at Tramore. His father was Samuel Vickers and her father was William Fegan. Both fathers were retired RIC officials. Reginald George Vickers was born at New Ross on 5 Jan. 1886. He died 20 Feb. 1914 at home on South St. he was a watchmaker (28, bachelor). His step-mother Eleanor was with him at his death.
[3] Fr. Richard Gorman O.S.A. (1865-1921) was an Augustinian priest. He died in Cork.
[4] James Nicholas Gorman (1867-1871) died of Bright’s disease at the age of 4.
[5] Mary Joseph Gorman (1873- 1884) died of enteric fever aged 9.
[6] James Joseph Gorman (1874-? ) per P.N. O’Gorman’s 1947 obit James died in the US.
[7] Peter Nicholas Gorman (1876-1947) (P.N. O’Gorman)
Sometime after the birth of the children the family began to use the surname O’Gorman. William O’ Gorman died 3 Sept. 1889 at home on Mary St, New Ross. His widow Mary was with him when he died. She provided that he was 60 and a cooper. Mary O’Gorman née Finn died the 28th of June 1898 at her home on Mary St. Her youngest son, P.N. O’Gorman, was present when she died. He provided that she was 58 years old and the widow of a butter merchant.
Peter N. O’Gorman married Elizabeth Sullivan ( ? -1959) on 26 April 1922 at St. Mary’s, Haddington Road, Dublin. She was the daughter of Daniel Sullivan (merchant) and from Northumberland Rd., South Dublin. The couple lived in Ivy Cottage, Rosbercon, and shorty after their marriage they established P.N. O’Gorman Auctioneers/Valuers in Rosbercon. The business later moved across the river to the New Ross quay.
Peter O’Gorman served in several public offices. He served as Chairman of the Urban Council which under his chairmanship completed 3 housing schemes , all streets were renovated and the quay concreted. He was a member of the Harbour Commission and served on the Wexford Co. Council during 1917-1919. He was a member of the New Ross Agricultural Society and followed the Kilkenny Hounds under Major McCalmount of Mount Juliet. He was a Governor of Haughton Hospital (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 Nov. 1947, p. 4).
Peter Nicholas O’Gorman (1876-1947) died 7 Nov. 1947 at Ivy Cottage in Rosbercon. He was 71 years of age. At the time of his death, for his service to New Ross, he was given a public funeral. His widow, Elizabeth died in January 1959.
Gorman Brothers in Illinois
Thanks to Patrick Gorman’s extensive research and correspondence with Danny Dowling we know of at least two Gorman brothers emigrated from Ballycroney and settled in Illinois. These brothers were the sons of Michael Gorman and his wife Mary Cody. The Peoria area became the home to several Glenmore families as emigrants tended to go to family or friends already settled in the U.S. See our post of 30 Sept. 2024 regarding the McDonald Family of Ballyfacey, Glenmore in Peoria.
Edward Gorman (1825-1880) Native of Ballycroney, Glenmore
Edward Gorman (1825-1880) married Ann Morrissey (c. 1825-1893) on 27 April 1852 at Peoria, Illinois. Edward became a naturalized citizen in 1856 in Peoria. In the 1870 Census Edward was employed as a labourer and the couple had 5 children from 16 to 5 years of age.
[1] Mary A. Gorman (1855-1938)
[2] Katherine Burns née Gorman (1858-1935)
[3] Michael P. Gorman (1858-1940)
[4] William M. Gorman (1863-1921)
[5] John Edward Gorman (1865-1947)
By the 1880 Census, Edward was farming in Stark County, Illinois about 35 miles north west of Peoria. Edward died on 19 Nov. 1888 in Stark County, Illinois. He is buried in St. Mary of the Woods Cemetery in Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois and has the most amazing information recorded on his headstone. See Findagrave for a photo of his gravestone.
Edward Gorman died Nov. 19, 1888
A native of Glenmore, Kilkenny Co., Ireland
May his soul rest in Peace.
A husband kind, a father dear, a faithful friend lies buried here.We mourn his loss while here we stay but hope to meet in bliss someday. The photo of Edward Gorman is from Findagrave and was added by Patrick Gorman and he provided the transcription of the marker to Danny Dowling.
Richard Gorman (1835-1914) Native of Ballycroney, Glenmore
Richard Gorman (1835-1914) was the youngest child of Michael Gorman and his wife Mary Cody. It appears that he married twice. His first wife was Catherine Flynn (c. 1844-1884). We located a marriage between a Richard Gorman and Catherine Flynn held on 18 Sept. 1865 at Killea, Co. Waterford (near Dunmore East).
The 1880 US Census for Marshall, La Prairie Co., Illinois reveals that Richard and Catherine were farming and their son Michael Gorman (1870-1956) was 7 having been born in Illinois. Both Richard and Catherine noted that they could not read or write. A farm labourer named William Gorman, aged 16, was living with the family. William was born in Illinois, but both of his parents were born in Ireland.
Catherine Gorman née Flynn died on 29 April 1884 at Camp Grove, Marshal, Illinois. She is buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. See Findagrave. A few years later Richard married his second wife, Bridget Grant, who also may have been a native of Glenmore.
Per the 1900 US Census for Lee, Harmon Co., Illinois, Richard emigrated in 1867 and his second wife, Bridget Grant (c. 1845-1921) emigrated in 1885. In 1900, Richard was 61 and his Bridget was 54. His son Michael Gorman was 27 (b. Dec. 1872 in Illinois) and his daughter Nellie (1888-1965) was 11.
Richard died on 14 August 1914 in Wyoming, Stark County, Illinois. He is buried in St. Dominic’s Cemetery, Wyoming, Illinois with his second wife, Bridget Gorman née Grant. See, Findagrave.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com . Special thanks to Willie Holden for the information on Ballycroney and to Patrick Gorman of Illinois who provided his excellent family research and photos to Danny Dowling.
The featured photo above is an old postcard of Peoria, Illinois.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: A Glenmore Bigamy Case
In the voluminous files of Glenmore Historian Danny Dowling (1927-2021) a small newspaper clipping was found regarding an 1866 Glenmore bigamy case. In attempting to find further information in the contemporary newspapers it was shocking the number of bigamy cases that were reported in Irish newspapers in the 1860’s. Perhaps the most famous of all was the cases involved the Honourable William Charles Yelverton (1824-1883) later to become the 4th Viscount Avonmore.
We shall briefly outline this famous case because it caused the law in Ireland to change, and it provides context for some of the questions asked in the Glenmore bigamy case. Most of the following information regarding the Yelverton bigamy case came from an article by Rebecca Gill (citation below).
Thelwall v. Yelverton
William Charles Yelverton (1824-1883) was a major in the British Army and met Maria Theresa Longworth (c. 1832-1881) in 1852 on a steamer between France and London. Theresa, as she was called, had completed her education at a French Convent and was returning home to England after visiting her married sister in France. Her father was a wealthy Manchester silk manufacturer. Yelverton and Theresa corresponded and according to Theresa exchanged vows in Scotland. Subsequently, while visiting Rostrevor, County Down they were married by a Catholic priest on 15 August 1857. Theresa was Catholic, but Yelverton was a Protestant.
Yelverton and Theresa lived together in France until April 1858 when Yelverton was recalled to the Army. He left Theresa pregnant in France. There are conflicting reports, but apparently the child did not survive. On 26 June 1858, Yelverton publicly married a widow, Mrs. Emily Marianne Forbes née Ashworth, in Holy Trinity Chapel, of Edinburgh, Scotland. Emily was the widow of Professor Edward Forbes (1815-1854) the famous Isle of Man naturalist.
In September 1861, Theresa through a friend brought a case against Yelverton in Ireland, alleging that Yelverton was married to her. Yelverton responded that there was no ceremony in Scotland and that the Catholic ceremony in 1857 was merely a blessing to ease Theresa’s conscious. The three jurisdictions of England, Ireland and Scotland had different marriage laws. At that time a Catholic priest could not perform a mixed marriage between a Protestant and a Catholic or legally marry two Protestants (19 Geo. 2.c.13).
After a ten-day trial the jury in Ireland decided in favour of Theresa’s Scottish and Irish marriages. Eventually the case went to the Law Lords who ruled in Yelverton’s favour in July 1864. This case led to the enactment of the Marriage Causes and Marriage Law Amendment Act 1870 which made valid any marriages performed by a Catholic priest subject to the usual provisos of the civil law. The Civil registration of all marriages, births and deaths in Ireland became required after 1 January 1864 (An Act for the Registration of Births and Deaths in Ireland). (Rebecca Gill (2004) “The Imperial Anxieties of a Nineteenth Century Bigamy Case,” 57 History Workshop Journal 58-78: Oxford University Press).
(For further information and details on this famous case and photos see, Morvern French (2018) “The Curious Case of Longworth v. Yelverton” Historic Environment Scotland; Albert Nicholson, “Maria Theresa Longworth (c. 1832-1881),” 34 Dictionary of National Biography, para. 126 and Edward Irving Carlyle, “William Charles Yelverton (1824-1883)” 63 Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, para. 318
The Glenmore Bigamy Case
The Kilkenny Moderator (Wed. 17 January 1866, p. 3) reported that in the Rosbercon Petty Sessions under Resident Magistrate, J. Moore Esq., a considerable amount of time was spent investigating a charge of bigamy made against John Delahunty, alias Keating. The charge was brought by Constable Powell, of the Glenmore R.I.C. station. “It appeared that this man, passing by the name of Delahunty, had settled sometime since at Glenmore, and there contracted matrimony in the Roman Catholic Chapel, with a woman named Bridget Power.” [We believe that Constable Powell was William Powell (c. 1808-1880) who became the first Post master of Glenmore after he retired from the R.I.C., see our post of 24 November 2019.]
The constable reported that he received some information which led him to proceed to the Barony of Iverk and there made inquiries. He was led to ascertain that the same man, then calling himself “John” Keatings, had in the year 1861 in Owing chapel married Judtih Walsh. Soon thereafter “he forsook her” and left the locality. Unfortunately the constable did not divulge or the newspaper did not publish the information that set Constable Powell to investigate the defendant.
The Constable brought forward the two wives, and the two Roman Catholic Clergymen who had officiated at the two marriages. The defendant was identified. Mr. Moore took the information of the witnesses, and committed the defendant to the county gaol to be tried for bigamy at the ensuing county Assizes. “The other business before the court was of an ordinary character.”
Notwithstanding that bigamy was not considered an ordinary criminal case very little detail was revealed in court or at least not in the newspaper accounts regarding the defendant or his two wives.
The Trial of the Glenmore Bigamist
In the Kilkenny Crown Court on Tuesday, 13 March 1866, the bigamy trial against Michael/John Keating alias Delahunty, was held. The Kilkenny Moderator (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 14 March 1866, p. 2) reported on the trial the following day in one paragraph. Thankfully the Kilkenny Journal (Wed. 14 March 1866, p. 2) published a much longer and detailed account of the trial. This longer account was also published later in the Waterford Citizen (Fri. 16 March 1866, p. 3).
Baron Deasy, and a petty jury, tried Michael Keating alias John Delahunty for bigamy. The defendant had been “indicted for that he, having on the 10th of June 1860, married Judith Walsh during her lifetime he again remarried with Bridget Power. The prisoner, who was undefended, traversed.” (Traversed is an old legal term meaning that the defendant was disputing the facts.) The Crown was represented by Mr. Wall, Q.C.
The Rev. Matthew Brennan, P.P., Tulleroan, examined by Mr. Wall Q.C. testified that in 1860 he was curate of the parish of Ooning (sic). He produced the Owning Parish Register which contained an entry of the marriage of Michael Keating and Judith Walsh on 10 June 1860. The entry was in his handwriting, but he told the court that he could not identify the prisoner as the Michael Keating he married in 1860.
John Finnean, testified that on 10 June 1860, he was a witness to the marriage of the defendant to Judith Walsh, by Fr. Brennan. Judith Walsh he stated was still alive.
The Rev. John Delahunty, C.C. of Rosbercon, and formerly of Glenmore, produced a private book which contained a list of marriages he performed in Glenmore Chapel. It contained an entry for the marriage of John Delahunty to Bridget Power, on 1 July 1861. Fr. Delahunty could not identify the defendant as John Delahunty who he had married in 1861..
Patrick Henneberry testified that he was present when the defendant, calling himself John Delahunty was married by Fr. Delahunty on 1 July 1861 to Bridget Power.
Catherine Rourke, also testified that she had been a witness to the second marriage and observed the parties subsequently living together as man and wife.
Bridget Power, the second wife, testified as to the marriage in Glenmore, and having lived with the defendant as his wife. She testified that they had no children and they were both Roman Catholics. She stated that she never knew of the defendant being of any other religion.
The defendant in his attempt at a defence made a “rambling statement to the effect that he was declined to be married to the last witness, and told the priest that he was a married man. However, as they persisted in telling him that he might get married, he thought it was no harm to do so.”
The jury “without hesitation” found the defendant guilty of bigamy, and he was sentenced to penal servitude for five years (Kilkenny Journal, Wed. 14 March 1866, p. 2).
Sent to Mountjoy
Four convicts were transferred from the Kilkenny County gaol on Monday the 26th of March to Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, including: “Michael Delahunty, alias John Keatings convicted at the recent Assizes of bigamy (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 28 March 1866, p. 3).
The Two Marriages
Without a date or place of birth it is impossible to determine much about the defendant. However, we were able to ascertain some facts concerning his known two marriages.
Marriage 1
According to the Parish Register on 10 June 1860 at Templorum, Co. Kilkenny, Michael Keating married Judith Walsh of Curramore. Witnesses to the marriage were John Finacane and Mary Conolly. Then on 20 September 1860 Anastatia Keatine (sic) was baptized at Dunnamaggin to “John Keatinge” and his wife Judith Walsh. Godparents were listed as James Murphy and Catherine Donovan. The address provided was Kiloganny. Thus in the space of 3 months Michael became John, and Judtih Keating née Walsh moved from Curramore north to Kiloganny. The child is not mentioned in the newspaper accounts of the trial. It is likely the child was not alive in 1866 or for whatever reason the birth of the child was concealed from the investigating constable.
Marriage 2
On 1 July 1861, at Glenmore, John Delahunty married Bridget Power. The only information provided in the Parish Register is the names of the witnesses: Patrick Henebary and Kate Rourk.
Thankfully, the surname Rourke or O’Rourke is not a common name in Glenmore. It is generally found in the townland of Weatherstown. Catherine Roork (sic) was baptized on 24 December 1846 at Glenmore, to Michael Roork and his wife, Bridget Bolger. Their address is simply listed as Glenmore. Godparents were James Bolger and Honor Mullins.
We then sought baptismal records for the more common name of Bridget Power looking for girls born about the same time as Catherine Rourke. Bridget Power, of Weatherstown, was baptized 7 February 1844, at Glenmore, to Thomas Power and his wife, Mary Walsh. Godparents were Patrick Fitzgerald and Nancy Fitzgerald. If this is the correct Bridget Power she was only 17 when she married in 1861 and was 22 when she learned her marriage was a sham.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore Athletic Club 1944-1946
A reader has a battered newspaper clipping that revealed that her grandfather won a race at a Glenmore Athletic Club Sports Day. Unfortunately, the clipping lacks a date or name of the publication where it was printed. In helping locate the date of the race we found a lot of articles regarding Glenmore’s Sports Days that name a large number of Glenmore athletes. A search of local newspapers revealed that the first fixture of the Glenmore Athletic Club took place on Sunday the 10th of July 1944 which was applauded as “a successful revival of athletics in Glenmore parish, after a lapse of over 10 years” (Munster Express, Fri. 14 July 1944, p. 4).
Today, we are going to focus on the Glenmore Athletic Club events that took place in 1944-1946. Any additional information we have included not gleaned from the Munster Express has been placed in square brackets [ ]. Can you help identify any of the athletes?
The First Annual Glenmore Athletic Club Sports Day 1944
Although WWII was still raging the Glenmore Athletic Club organised a sports day in 1944. The Munster Express (Fri. 14 July 1944) reported that “despite unfavourable weather conditions, a good crowd patronised the first annual sports of the Glenmore Athletic Club.” In a field provided by Richard Murphy, the fixture proved a very good success. The newspaper reported there was keen competition in each event, especially the track contests, where some finishes were exceptionally close. “Larry Kiely, who scored a dual success at the sports, is the son of T.P. Kiely, Carrick-on-Suir, a former world’s champion” (Munster Express, Fri. 14 July 1944, p. 4).
To illustrate the distances some athletes travelled for the 1944 event, it was reported that Nicholas Phelan of Conahy, aged 17, cycled to Glenmore and won the 440 yards Kilkenny County Championship event from keen competition. He cycled home subsequently, covering about 80 miles that day (Munster Express, Fri. 14 July 1944, p. 4).
Great credit was given in the article to the Officers and committee of the club, including Rev. William Brennan, C.C., President; T. Fitzgerald, Chairman; P. Fitzgerald, Treasurer; and William Walshe, Hon. Secretary. A special feature was the beautiful array of prizes. [See our post of 27 Feb. 2022 regarding William “Bill” Walsh (1912-1985) of Cappagh.]
The Results
Although the total number of events was not recorded 14 event results were published as follows:
100 yards (schoolboys under 14, confined to Glenmore Parish)—1st W. McDonald, Haggard; 2nd Billy Walsh, Mullinahone
100 yards (open)—1st Cpl. Martin (Army); 2nd Sgt. McGlynn (Army)
220 yards (confined)—1st Paddy Roche, Glenmore A.C.; 2nd Stephen Walsh, Glenmore A.C. [It is believed that Paddy Roche (1919-1989) was from Rathinure, later emigrated to England and Stephen Walsh was from Rochestown, later moved to Knocktopher].
440 yards (open)—1st L. Kiely , Carrick-on-Suir; 2nd M. Killian, Glenmore A.C.
440 yards, under 18, Kilkenny Co. Championship—1st Nicholas Phelan, Conahy; 2nd Richard Hennessy, Glenmore A.C. [Richard “Richie” Hennessy (c. 1925-2008) of Glenmore Village and later Ballycroney became a builder and built the Glenmore Community Centre.]
880 yards (open)—1st Larry Dillon, Glenmore A.C.; 2nd Larry Kiely [We believe that Larry Dillon (1921-2016) was a native of Rochestown. For more information on the Rochestown Dillon family see our post of 27 March 2021.]
One Mile Flat (confined)—1st Sean Robinson, Glenmore A.C.; 2nd Peter Egan, Glenmore A.C.
Three Miles Flat, Kilkenny Co. Championship—1st John Dunne, Ballycallan; 2nd Peter Egan
High Jump, County Championship—1st Cpl. Martin, 5 ft. 3 inch; 2nd William Kearney, Noreside A.C., 5 ft.
Broad Jump—1st Larry Dillon [Glenmore], 17 ft, 6 in; 2nd Stephen Walsh, 17ft, 2 in.
56 lbs without follow—1st Larry Roche, [Haggard] Glenmore A.C., 22 ft. 10in; 2nd John Forristal, Shanbogh, 17ft, 8 in [See our post of 4 July 2020 regarding the sport of weight throwing.]
One Mile Cycle (open)—1st William Walsh, Glenmore A.C.; 2nd Paddy Joy, Waterford Wheelers
Two Mile Cycle (ordinary machines)—1st James Kennedy, Kilbride; 2nd James Haberlin, Slieverue [James Kennedy of Kilbride was born in 1923 to Patrick Kennedy (carpenter) and his wife Johanna Grace.]
Three Mile Cycle (open)—1st P. Joy; 2nd Ed. Ryan, Waterford Southern Sprinters.
The newspaper published that “broadcasting arrangements” were carried out by T. O’Brien, Waterford, The broadcasting was a loudspeaker system rather than a radio or television broadcast. Judges were Rev. Fr. Brennan, C.C.; James O’Hanrahan, Richard Murphy and W. Forristal.
The Glenmore Athletic Club thanked the businesses and people who donated prizes and the list contains several businesses owned and operated by Glenmore natives including: Hanrahan Brothers, Glenmore & New Ross; Brady & Co., Waterford; George Wright, Waterford; Phelan’s of Waterford; Clover Meats Ltd, Waterford; Brooks of New Ross; Holden & Hanrahan, New Ross; Mrs. Heffernan-Walsh, [Lizzy J.K.] Glenmore; and Miss Jo Phelan, Rosbercon. Subscriptions were received from: Rev. W. Brennan, C.C., Glenmore; Glenmore Creamery Manager; Cherry’s, New Ross; Hickey’s New Ross; Doyle’s New Ross; Murphy’s, New Ross; James Power, Mile Post. See our post of 19 Dec. 2020 for early Glenmore business advertisements.
The Second Annual Glenmore Athletic Club Sports Day, 1945
The 1945 event was held in Robinstown on Sunday the 18th of June in a field owned by Laurence Kirwan. It was reported that the weather was ideal and the programme was comprised of 16 events completed in “record time.” Amplification was carried out by the Crescent Motor Garage, Wexford with commentators being W. Roche and William Walsh, the Secretary of the Club. The prizes were presented by Rev. J. Hynes, (sic) Ballybrahee, Glenmore, who was home from England on holiday (Munster Express 22 June 1945, p. 2). [Fr. John Hoyne (1916-1978) of Ballybrahee was ordained in 1942 for the diocese of Ossory. During his life he had a number of parish assignments including Callan, Glenmore and Bennettsbridge.]
Partial List of Results
The results of all 16 events are provided in the Munster Express, but few addresses of the winners were provided. The following is a partial list of the results featuring Glenmore athletes or those assumed to be Glenmore athletes.
880 Yards (Kilkenny Co. Championship)—2nd P. O’Connor, Glenmore [It is believed that this may have been Pat O’Connor a native of Ballyfacey and late of Rathinure. Pat O’Connor (c.1921- 2004) worked at the Creamery, married Kathleen Aylward and they lived on the High Road, Rathinure.]
100 Yards (boys under 14, confined)—1st W. Walsh; 2nd R. Cody [We believe R. Cody was Richard Cody of Carrigcloney].
880 Yards (confined)—1st Larry Dillon [Larry Dillon (1921-2016) see above, was a native of Rochestown and subsequently emigrated to Wolverhampton.]
Three Legged Race—1st D. Doherty & Miss Doherty; 2nd James Kennedy & Miss Mary Connolly
56 lbs (without follow)—1st Larry Roche, [Haggard] Glenmore
Glenmore School Sports Day
In the autumn of 1945, the Glenmore Athletic Club arranged a School Sports Day held in Robinstown. It was noted that “entries were not as large as anticipated” and for the first time events for girls were included (Munster Express, Fri. 19 Oct. 1945, p. 6).
80 Yards (boys under 10)—1st Larry Byrne [of Haggard. Larry never married. He followed the hunt and was an excellent horseman]; 2nd Kevin Cuddihy [Kevin was the son of the 2nd Glenmore Creamery Manager Tom Cuddihy. Kevin eventually became the third Glenmore Creamery Manager and was killed by a horse in 1973.]
80 Yards (girls under 10)—1st Mary Heffernan; 2nd May Phelan [We believe Mary Heffernan was Mary Alyward née Heffernan (1933-2026) of Rochestown].
100 Yards (under 12)—1st R. Cody; 2nd D. Cody [We believe that these were two Cody brothers from Carrigcloney, Richard and Fr. Daniel Cody (1937-2021).
100 Yards (under 14)—1st Billy Walsh; 2nd D. Cody
100 Yards (girls under 14)—1st Annie Sinnott; 2nd tie between Jo Fitzgerald and Jo Mernagh [Jo Meragh Doyle (1932-2021) late of Weatherstwn, see our post of 15 May 2022 for more information.]
440 Yards (under 16)—1st Christy Power [(c. 1932-c. 2020) of Carrigcloney]; 2nd Billy Walsh
880 Yards (under 16)—1st T. Mullally; 2nd R. Mullally [ Brothers Tommy and Richard Mullally of Davidstown]
3 Miles Flat (Kilkenny Co. Championship)—1st Larry Dillon, Glenmore Athletic Club; 2nd Thomas Byrne (holder) Noreside Athletic Club.
In a football challenge, Glenmore juniors defeated the senior team on a score of 1-5 to 0-3. The winners led at the change-over by three points to two. Michael Morrissey, Tullogher, refereed.
The Third Annual Glenmore Athletic Club Sports Day 1946
At its annual meeting in March 1946, the Glenmore Athletic Club elected officers. The Chairman was Thomas Fitzgerald of Moulerstown, while the Vice-Chairman was John Hennessey of the Village. The Secretary was William Walsh, of Cappagh and “Mr. Fitzgerald of Moulerstown” was the Treasurer. The Committee was comprised of T. Cotterell; P. O’Connor; T. Malone; D. Doyle; Larry Dillon; S. Walsh and P. Roche (Munster Express, Fri. 15 March 1946, p. 6).
The Glenmore Athletic Club’s annual Sports Day was held on Sunday the 14th of July 1946 at Robinstown. It was reported that the weather conditions were favourable and a large entry reflected leading athletes from Waterford, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny. The Club Secretary, William Walsh, of Cappagh, was praised for “Keeping the old flag of athletics flying in the South.” Nineteen results were reported and subscriptions were received from: Rev. W. Grace, P.P. Glenmore; Rev. W. Brennan, C.C.; Hanrahan Bros., New Ross; Mrs. Fitzgerald, Weatherstown; and the Moulerstown Dance Board Committee.
Partial List of Results
Below are the successful Glenmore athletes:
440 Yards (open)—2nd J. Conway (Glenmore AC). Seven competed.
880 Yards (confined to Glenmore parish)—1st Paddy O’Connor, Ballyfacey; 2nd Michael Fitzgerald, Coolnaleen. Seven competed [We believe this Paddy O’Connor was Pat O’Connor (c.1921- 2004) who worked at the Creamery, married Kathleen Aylward and they lived on the High Road, Rathinure].
100 Yards (boys under 12)—1st Michael Doherty, Ballinlammy; 2nd P. Fitzgerald, Aylwardstown. Ten competed. [We believe P. Fitzgerald was Petey Fitzgerald (c. 1932 -2025) a brother of John Fitzgerald of Rathinure who emigrated to the UK.]
100 Yards (boys under 14)—1st James Freeman, Glenmore; 2nd Richard Cody, Carrickcloney (sic). Eight competed. [Dick Cody (c. 1932-2024) of Carrigcloney was a farmer.]
220 Yards (boys under 18)—1st John Joe Aylward, Parkstown; 2nd Peter Roche, Rathinure. Eight competed. [John Joe Aylward (c. 1930-2018) never married and farmed. Peter Roche (brother of Jimmy Roche (c. 1926-2018) Rathinure is living in Canada.]
56 lbs. (without follow)—1st Larry Roche (Glenmore AC) [Haggard] 23 ft, 4 in. Five competed. [Larry Roche (1909-1965) of Haggard was a farmer and his obituary provides that he was a prominent athlete and won many prizes and championships for weight throwing at various sports meetings in Kilkenny and adjoining counties.]
Two Miles Cycle (ordinary machines, confined)—1st Paul Fitzgerald, Moulerstown; 2nd Joe Walsh, Ballinlammy. Eight competed. [Joe Walsh was brother of Thomas Kieran Walsh (1917-1977) a POW held by the Japanese. See our posts of 11 Nov. 2024 and 18 Nov. 2024 .]
Three Legged Race—Pat Roche, Haggard & P. McDonald, Haggard. Ten competed.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh