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Mon. Wm. Heffernan (1895-1973): Native of Aylwardstown, Glenmore [Updated]
The Right Reverend Monsignor William Heffernan died 50 years ago this month in Epping, New South Wales, Australia at the age of 80. Mons. Heffernan was educated at the Glenmore National School and attended St. Kieran’s College in Kilkenny City. He was ordained in June 1919 for the Archdiocese of Sydney. After being ordained he left immediately for Australia and served in a number of parishes until he was appointed Parish Priest of Epping where he remained until his death (Fr. Michael Mernagh, “Go Ye Therefore” Pen Pictures of Glenmore Priests, Nuns, and Brothers of the Twentieth Century, Glenmore Memories (2000) p. 41).
According to Mon. Heffernan’s obituary in the Munster Express (Fri. 26 Oct. 1973, p. 16 ) he last returned home about 40 years before his death. Ship records reveals that Rev. William Heffernan departed England on 20 December 1933 on the ship Hobsons Bay, of the Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line, bound for Sydney, Australia travelling in third class.
The Heffernan Family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
William Heffernan (1895-1973) was the 9th son of Michael Heffernan (1847-1924) and his wife Bridget Kennedy (1854-1947) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore. The couple married at Glenmore on 12 February 1879 and had a total of 14 children comprised of 11 boys and 3 girls. There were 18 years between the eldest and youngest of their children. The couple also helped raise two of their grand-children after their daughter-in-law tragically died young. They lived to see their children settled in Ireland, Australia, Chicago and England.
Grandparents of William Heffernan
Michael Heffernan (1847-1924) was the son of Patrick Heffernan (farmer) and his wife Alicia Irish of Aylwardstown. Michael’s parents were married on 7 February 1842 at Slieverue. At the time of the wedding Patrick Hefernan’s (sic) address is listed as Nicholastown.
Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy (1854-1947) was the daughter of Peter “Pierce” Kennedy of Rathinure, Glenmore and his wife Bridget Walsh, a native of Ballytarsnia, Mooncoin.
SIBLINGS
[1] Patrick Heffernan (bapt. 18 Jan 1880- ) per Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy’s obit in 1947 was living in London. A descendent posted that Patrick Heffernan married Ella née Rouse (1885-1951). Patrick Heffernan married Ella on 25 July 1908 at St. Michael’s of Aldershot Hamshire, Southhampton, Surrey, England. The couple had at least two sons.
[2] John Heffernan (13 June 1881—15 Aug.1951) married Mary Frehne, of Fahee, Kilmacow married on the 24th of July 1907. “They sailed for America, July 31at, 1907” (DD Notebook 2, Diary of James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore).
Mary Frehne (1 Dec. 1880-18 June 1913) was the daughter of James W. Freyne (1841-1884) and Alice Ryan Freyne Mackey (1848-1920). See, our post of 12 Dec. 2021 regarding manslaughter of James Freyne at Christmastime 1884.
In September 1911, John Heffernan (29), his wife Mary (29), daughter Frances (2); and his brother Richard Heffernan (22) sailed on the Carmania. From the record it appears that John was returning to Chicago, “resident returning 120 D. Anseley Ave. Chicago, Illinois.” John was described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, fair complexion, fair hair, with blue eyes. Mary and Frances are listed in the 1911 Census living with her brother James Frehne in Mullinavat. It is likely that John, Mary and Frances came home in 1911 and returned to Chicago with Richard Heffernan..
In 1912 the couple had a son Michael Raymond Heffernan (1912-29 March 1927). Shortly after Raymond’s birth Mary died in June 1913 at the Heffernan house in Aylwardstown of T.B. John left his children Frances and Raymond with his parents. He returned to Chicago to work. John married his second wife, Florence, née Populorum sometime about 1920. The couple had four daughters. In 1925, John brought his second family home, and at the age of 15 Raymond returned to Chicago via Canada with his father, step-mother and sisters. The family resided at 930 Mapleton Ave., Oak Park, IL. Raymond died tragically in 1927 per Danny Dowling’s notes Raymond was struck by a car.
[3] James Heffernan (10 July 1882-2 Aug. 1912) according to his death cert worked as a draper’s assistant. He never married and was being treated for heart disease for 18 months before his death. His sister Mary O’Connor, of Ballyfacey, was present when he died just 5 weeks after his sister-in-law Mary died.
[4] Peter Heffernan (31 Dec. 1883—17 Aug. 1966) married Margaret Quinn in 1920 and became a Garda rising to the rank of Garda Superintendent prior to his retirement in 1944. The couple had children.
[5] Mary Heffernan (9 May 1885-1 Sept. 1936). Mary married Patrick O’Connor (1883-1937) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. The couple had a large family.
[6] Alice Heffernan (21 Nov. 1886—28 Nov. 1972) Alice married Edward “Ned” Roche (c. 1888-1969) farmer, of Rathinure. There were 8 or 9 children in this family.
[7] Thomas Heffernan (1888-1965) married into the Murphy farm of Kearneybay when he married on 28 April 1915, Catherine “Kate” Murphy (c. 1887 – 1961). The couple had several children.
[8] Richard Heffernan (6 June 1889*—4 Jan. 1947) immigrated to the US with his brother John in 1911. Richard was described as being 5 foot 7 inches tall, with a fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes. Richard served in the US Army during WWI. He was home in June 1919 (in uniform) for his brother’s ordination. Richard married Marie Elizabeth King (1896-1966) on 15 October 1920 in Illinois. The couple had 6 children. *On some US records his year of birth is listed as 1893, but the Glenmore Parish records lists his date of birth as 6 June 1889 and his date of baptismal as 7 June 1889.
The 1930 US Census records that Richard was 41, his wife Marie E. was 34 years of age and had been born in Illinois. Richard immigrated in 1911 and in 1930 was working as a produce salesman. His brother Stephen Heffernan was living with them (age 32) having immigrated in 1926. In 1930, Richard and Marie had six children between the ages of 8 years and 5 months.
[9] Michael Heffernan (b. 7 Oct. 1890) was living in Kilkenny City when his brother Peter Heffernan retired in Feb. 1944. Michael Heffernan was married and was an undertaker. Although we were unable to discover the name of his wife we did locate an advertisement in the Kilkenny People (Sat. 11 June 1921, p. 9) “Michael Heffernan for cabinet making, upholstering, and French polishing, also Funeral Undertaking, at 6 Lower John St., (gate entrance) Kilkenny.”
[Editor’s update–17 Oct. Special thanks to Patty Lee Brown who found the marriage license for Michael Heffernan and shared it. On 11 February 1918 Michael (cabinet maker) of Michael St. Kilkenny married Teresa Byrne (nurse) of Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Michael was the son of Michael Heffernan (farmer) and Teresa was the daughter of Michael Bryne (farmer). The couple were married at St. John’s of Kilkenny City. The witnesses were Andrew Heffernan and Alice Byrne.]
[10] Bridget Heffernan (b. 22 May 1892)
[11] Andrew Heffernan (20 Nov. 1893—7 Sept. 1975). He married Bridget Roche (c. 1897-1987). Bridget Heffernan née Roche was a sister of Edward “Neddy” Roche who married Andrew’s sister Alice Roche née Heffernan. Andrew farmed the home farm and after he retired he and Bridget moved to Rochestown to their youngest daughter Mary Aylward.
[12] William Heffernan (26 March 1895-17 Oct. 1973) became a priest and spent 50 years working in Australia.
[13] Nicholas Heffernan (27 June 1896) per his mother’s obituary in 1947 was living in London. According to the Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007, Nicholas died aged 88 in July 1984. He is buried in Middlesex.
[14] Stephen Heffernan (15 Jan. 1898—Oct. 1977) emigrated to Chicago in 1926. In the 1930 Census he was living with his brother Richard and family. Stephen was working in the building trades. He married Agnes Kiely, and the couple had two daughters. According to his obit in the Chicago Tribune he was survived by his brother Nicholas Heffernan in England. See our guest author Brian Forristal for further information regarding Stephen’s activities during the Irish War of Independence.
Mon. Heffernan’s Work in Australia
Very little could be found regarding Mon. William Heffernan’s early work in Australia. Luckily, from the Australian, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980 we know that in 1934 Fr. Wm. Heffernan was living in Boolaroo, Hunter, New South Wales, Australia. We found a second entry which indicates that in 1949, he was living at 33 Oxford St., Epping, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.
The address 33 Oxford Street, Epping is the location of Our Lady Help of Christians, Epping. Our Lady Help of Christians was established on 15 June 1916, and the parish celebrated its centenary in 2016.
A triptych centenary cake records that Fr. W. Heffernan was Parish Priest from 1948-1973. From the dates provided on the cake it appears that Fr. Heffernan was their longest serving parish priest. During his 25 year assignment to this parish it grew substantially.
A year after Fr. Heffernan became the Parish Priest the parish had 920 parishioners. In 1956, the new primary school building opened with 337 pupils and an extension was added to the school in 1967. Extensions were added to the Church in 1969. The school continued to grow requiring a 2 storey extension in 1972 when pupils numbered 505. See, Sisters of Mercy, Parramatta, webpage (5 Aug. 2016) Parramatta was founded by the Sisters of Callan, Kilkenny, Ireland.
Death
Fr. William Heffernan died as he apparently lived—quietly. His death notice was just a couple of lines. He is buried in Macquarie Park, Sydney. Unfortunately, the transcription of his grave marker incorrectly lists that he died in January 1973 instead of October 1973 (Sydney, Australia, Cemetery Headstone Transcriptions, 1837-2003).
The inscription includes:
“Very Rev. Monsignor, P.C., P.P. Our Lady of Help of Christians, Epping. B. Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny 26 Apr. 1895. Ordained St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny 8 June 1919.”
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Several full obituaries for the Heffernan family can be found on our H Surname Page.
The feature photo above was taken in June 1919 at William’s ordination. He is seated between his parents and several of his siblings and their spouses are behind him. The children are his nieces and nephew including Raymond. Michael Heffernan, late of Marian Park, Waterford gave me a copy of this photo.
The photo of the parish church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Epping, NSW, Australia is courtesy of the Epping Civic Trust.
Please send any corrections, further information or photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Special thanks to Kerry who sent the exact dates of death of John Heffernan and his son Raymond.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
New Ross Historical Society
Public Service Announcement–the New Ross Historical Society will hold its next lecture on Thursday, the 19th of October 2023 at 8 p.m. in the in Pastoral Centre, Michael Street, New Ross, Y34N799.
The speaker will be Dr. Bill Kissane. His lecture is entitled, “ Ireland after the Civil War.” Dr. Kissane is a native of New Ross and is an Associate Professor in Politics at the London School of Economics. He is the author of numerous publications. His last book Civil Wars: The Contemporary Challenge was published by Oxford University Press in 2016. Dr. Kissane has also participated in many historical debates and discussions on the BBC. Dr. Kissane’s webpage is available by clicking here.
On the 19th, Dr. Kissane will discuss Ireland after the civil war of 1922-1923 and highlight how the new Irish State managed to establish its authority in the period between the two World Wars.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
A non member charge of €5 is payable at the door.
An Old Anglo-Norman Glenmore Family: The Forrestalls
Today, our second installment of part of Chapter 4, Vol. 4 of Carrigan’s History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (1906) (p. 89-91) is presented below and features the four main branches of the Glenmore Forrestall families. The spelling of the surname varied as much a the spellings of Glenmore townlands and areas. Any editorial commentary has been placed in square brackets [ ].
The Forrestalls
“The Forrestalls, an Anglo-Norman stock were landed proprietors in Glenmore parish from an early date. They were divided into four main branches or families, one of which was seated at Forrestallstown; another at Kilbride; a third at Carrickcloney, and the fourth at Mullinahone. John Forstall M’Walter of Forristalstown, gent” had a pardon 5th June 1566. Walter and Gibbon Forstall, of the same place, gents, were pardoned, the former in 1571 and the latter in 1572. By Inquisition of 5 April 1658, it was found that Gibbon Forstall, late of Forstallstowne, was seised of Forstallstown, Ballymolgorme and Ballycroney; he died so seised thirty years before; and that his son and heir Walter Forstall, was at the time of full age and married.”
Forrestall’s Town
“By another inquisition of 12 October 1640, it was found that Walter Forstall, late of Forstall’s towne, was seised of the castle, town and lands of Forstall’s town, otherwise Ballynkenny, Ballymvegarran (Ballygurrin), Ballyheamocke, (now called Jamestown, still called in Irish Boilia-hee-omúch—the town of Séumoc or little James), Newfoer and Ballycroney, otherwise Rusheldstown; that he died 1st March 1639-40, and that his son James was then full of age and married. Under the Cromwellian regime, James Forstall, with Thomas Den, forfeited Forrestallstown, Milltown and Ballygurrim, and was transplanted to Connaght. The castle of Forrestallstown was “thrown down about the year 1800.”
“In Irish Forrestall is pronounced Furristhawl and Forrestallstown is called Bollinurristhawla.”
Kilbride, Glenmore
“Kilbride—Redmund more Forstall, of Kilbride, was pardoned Dec. 28th, 1571. Walter Forstall, of Kilbride, gent., pardoned in 1602 and 1603, was Constable of the Barony of Ida, in 1608. Edmund Forstall, of Kilbrydy, gent., was one of the jurymen at an Inquisitioin held Aug. 18th, 1623. Richard Forstall, of Kilbride, gent., and Katherine, wife of Redmond Forstall, of Kilbride, gent., are mentioned by one John Kearney as taking part in the alleged plundering of the Protestants, at the beginning of the Outbreak of 1641. Redmund Forstall, of Kilbride, gent. Appears as a juror in 1636; he forfeited Kilbride in 1653, and, with Walter Forstall, of Kilbride, was transplanted to Connaught the same year.”
Carrickloney, Glenmore
“Carrickloney—Edmund Forstall m’Thomas m’ Redmund of Karrcknelonyne, horseman, was pardoned iin 1548-9, and Walter Forstal fitz Edmund, of the same place, horseman, probably his son, was pardoned in 1566. Richard Forstall, of the same place, was Constable of the Barony of Ida, in 1608, and received a pardon in 1612. In 1639 Thomas Forstall gent., had a grant, under the Commission of Grace, of the townlands of Carrigneglonyne, Kilmakevoe and Knockbrack and ½ of Ballynerahie. Peter Forstall forfeited Carricknegloning, Kilmackvoge, Knockbrack and Rathsallagh, in 1653, but his name does not appear on the list of the transplanted.”
“The castle of Carrickloney was taken down in the memory of the people still living.” [See our post of 8 July 2021. One room of Carrigcloney Castle still stands complete with a vaulted ceiling.]
“In Irish Carrickloney is called Corrig-na-glooin-eeny, the rock of the little lawns, meadows, or insulated bog islands.” (Referenced O’Donovan).
Mullinahone, Glenmore
“Mullinahone—Walter Forstall of Monhowen, gent., had a pardon, in 1571-2, Richard Forstall, of Monynehoen, Gent, appears as a juror, Sept. 22nd, 1636. In 1653, Edmund Forstall forfeited Munmonewhone, Jamestown, Parkstown, and Ballybraghy. He is, very probably, the ‘Edmund Forstall, of Monyhoare,’ who was banished beyond the Shannan in the same year, and who was assigned lands in the Barony of Island, in the Co. Clare, amounting to 392 stat. acres, which after his death, were confirmed to his son, ‘Peter Forstall, gent., son of Edmund Forstall, deceased,’ by a royal grant of June 26th, 1677.”
“Mullinahone castle shared the fate of the other Forrestall castles, having been razed to the ground many years ago. Its site is pointed out in Mr. Richard Phelan’s ‘castle field,’ a few fields west of Glenmore chapel.” [Per Danny’s son, Pat Dowling, the stone head in Danny’s collection was found in the castle field of Mullinahone.]
“In Irish, Mullinahone is called Mullanahooan. This, too, is the local Irish for Mullinahone, in the Co. Tipperary. In both cases we have an instance of the corruption, or substitution, of the liquid ‘l’ for the liquid ‘n’—a very usual occurrence in the spoken Irish. The correct Irish sound of Mullinahone is Munnanahooan, the shrubbery of the lamb.”
Rochestown, Glenmore
“The Forrestalls of Rochestown, lately extinct, are traced by O’Donovan, in a pedigree to be quoted before the end of this Chapter, to a Captain Edmund Duff Forrestall, who fought at Limerick, in 1690, and who most probably belonged to the Mullinahone or Carrickloney branch of the family. The Forrestall name is still well represented in this parish.” [The photo to the right is the Forrestal Coat of arms on the family vault in Kilivory Church Yard, Glenmore. For further information concerning this coat of arms see the Kilivory section at the end of our headstone page.]
O’Donovan’s Letter (1839)
On pages 98-100 Carrigan inserted the entire letter O’Donovan wrote on 30 September 1839 concerning the parish of Kilcollumb [today Kilcollumb is divided between Slieverue and Glenmore]. The following extract from the letter concerns the Forstall Family of Rochestown.
“That part of Rochestown on which Lady Esmond’s house stands is now called Ringville, but in the title deeds ‘the Ring of Rochestown,’ It was purchased by Mr. Devereux, the uncle of Lady Esmond, from the father of Pierce Edmond Forstal Esqr.”
“The family of Forstal have been a long time located in the county of Kilkenny, but I have no historical account of them. The tradition among themselves is that they came to Ireland with the Earl Strongbow, and were located in the counties of Clare and Kilkenny. Pierce Edmond Forstal of Rochestown, Esqr., has a piece of copper with the arms of the family and the following inscription engraved on it :
Insignia veteris familiae Fosterorum alias Forstallorum comitatus Kilkenniensis in Regno Hibemiae, authentice et ex officio exiradita Dublinii, ultimo die Novembris 1674, anno Regni Caroli Secundi Regis vigesimo secundo, per Richardum St. George Ulster Regem Armorum.
[Translation: The coat of arms of the ancient family of Foster, alias Forstall, of the county of Kilkenny, in the Kingdom of Ireland, authentically and ex officio struck at Dublin, on the last day of November, 1674, in the twenty-second year of the reign of Charles the Second, by Richard St. George Ulster King of Arms.]
” Three pheons in sable, a helmett on the wreath, greyhound’s head, coop argent, collar and chain.”
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To view some local medieval inscriptions see, Fearghus Ó Fearghail, Old Kilkenny Review (1996) “Some Ossory Medieval Inscriptions Revisited,” p. 94-105. The featured photo above is the ancient Celtic Cross of Dunnamaggan, Co. Kilkenny (Carrigan, v. 4., p. 36). For further information see the Kilkenny Graveyards blog (post 3 July 2016).
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
A Photo of JFK’s 1963 New Ross Visit
On 19 March 2023 we published a post concerning the Gahan family of Newtown, Glenmore and featured Peter Gahan (1888-1958) who left Glenmore to work in New Ross. Eventually, Peter Gahan established two businesses in New Ross, married and raised a family. This week we received an email from Peter Gahan’s grandson, who is also named Peter Gahan. Peter corrected a few errors in our original post and forwarded the iconic photo that hung in the Gahan pub on Priory Steet, New Ross. Here is a link to the updated original post of 19 March 2023.
The Iconic Photo
There were a lot of photos taken of President John F. Kennedy (1919-1963) in New Ross during his 1963 visit. The photo forwarded by Peter depicts the easily recognisable JFK standing in his car. Over his right shoulder, looking down on the presidential motorcade from her premises on Priory St., New Ross, is Peter’s grandmother, Mary Teresa “Tess” Gahan née Sheehy (c. 1887-1963). We were unable to find the photo in the New Ross Standard. However, we know that JFK visited New Ross on 27 June 1963.
The Presidential Schedule
Sixty years ago, the presidential schedule was published prior to his visit to Ireland. Per the Irish Independent (Thur. 17 June 1963, p. 16) the presidential schedule for New Ross was:
9:30 Meets the Taoiseah (Dublin)
10:30 Departs by helicopter for New Ross
11:15 Arrives O’Kennedy Park, New Ross. Leaves Park by Car for New Ross Quay.
11:30 Addresses crowd at New Ross Quay. [For a 3 minute audio of JFK’s remarks courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum click here.
12:00 Leaves by car for Dunganstown (For further information & photos of JFK’s visit to his ancestoral home visit the Kennedy Homestead site).
12:15 Arrives Dunganstown for visit to house of great-grandfather and meeting with cousins.
Time & Place of Photo
President Kennedy was 15 minutes late in arriving at the GAA’s O’Kennedy Park, New Ross. On the pitch was painted the word FAILTE (welcome) in 20 foot white letters. The President travelled in “his own special car through the gaily decorated streets” of New Ross. After addressing the crowds on the Quay, President Kennedy upset his schedule further by walking around and speaking with people in the large crowd. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 June 1963, p. 10).
Thus, given the presidential schedule, the location of the various places referenced and the roads of that time, we know that the presidential motorcade left the New Ross Quay sometime after noon on the 27th of June 1963 and proceeded down Priory St. toward Dunganstown. The photo was taken as the motorcade passed Gahan’s pub on Priory St.
Deaths
Tragically, JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on 22 November 1963. Less than a month later, on 16 December 1963, the lady photographed over his right shoulder, Mary Teresa “Tess” Gahan, also died tragically in a fire on Priory St., New Ross.
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Special thanks to Peter Gahan for sending on the photograph and correcting the original post.
Does anyone know the identity of the child and woman photographed in the window above JFK’s left shoulder?
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Scartnamore, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Scartnamore, Glenmore, in 1961. This townland has been spelled multiple ways over the past two centuries.
Background
The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 114) is “Scairtnamoe, Scairt na mbo, the cows thicket. Area 76 acres. Fields are the long cas, a quagmire; Leamhog(O), and Muine gharbh, a rough brake.”
Tithe Applotment Books 1829
In the Tithe Applotment Books the townland is spelled Scartnamo. The owner of the townland was David O’Neil Power, Esq. See our post of 22 December 2022 for further details on this prominent 19th century Glenmore landlord. There were two occupiers who were tenants of 72 statute acres, namely; Patrick Rochford and Michael Kerwin.
Griffith’s Valuation, 1847-1869
Griffith’s Valuation in Co. Kilkenny was completed on 8 July 1853. At that time David O’Neill Power was still the landlord of the townland of Scartnamore, Glenmore and Patrick Rochford and Michael Kirwan were the main tenants.
Michael Kirwan held a house, offices and 33 acres of land. Michael Kirwan’s land holding was valued at £27 10s, while his buildings were valued at £3 15s.
Patrick Rochford held a house, offices and 42 acres of land. The buildings were valued at £4 10 s. while his land was valued at £36 10s. Additionally, Patrick Rochford leased a house to Michael Ryan that was valued at £1. The total acres recorded for this townland was 76 acres.
Dispute Regarding Place of Ancient Monument
Up until about 1820, near the meres of the townlands of Scartnamore and Carriganurra, the ruins of the house of an Ridire Deaghach (Knight of O’Dea) could be seen. The O’Dea or O’Day family was highly respectable in Ida down to the time of Cromwell. The head of the family was locally called An Ridire Deaghach. (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 2 Aug 1893, p. 4).
In 1923, after the Munster Express began publishing extracts from Carrigan’s History of the Diocese of Ossory, J. O’Donovan of Ballyrouragh, Slieverue wrote to the editor of the Munster Express. J. O’Donovan took exception to a passage where Carrigan concluded that the noted historian John O’Donovan (and his ancestor) was wrong about where an ancient monument was located in Glenmore parish. He asserted that John O’Donovan was in a better position to know or identify the Leachih Ee Deaw than Dr. Carrigan because O’Donovan was a native of the area. Leachth Ee Deaw was placed in Scartnamoe (sic) by John O’Donovan in a corner of Roche’s field, but placed across from the Half-way House in Aylwardstown by Carrigan (Munster Express, Sat. 9 June 1923, p. 3).
1961 Scartnamore, Glenmore
In 1961, Danny recorded three families or households in the townland of Scartnamore. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland. Danny did not record any death dates for his list of Scartnamore residents.
Danny’s recorded information reveals that in 1961, 15 people resided in the townland of Scartnamore with the population comprised of 10 males and 5 females. The largest households were two families with 5 persons in their house, the Kirwan and O’Shea families. There were 2 households recorded with a single person living alone in each house. Information under residents of Scartnamore not in Danny’s original list has been placed in square brackets [ ].
Recorded Scartnamore, Glenmore Residents (1961)
Males= 10
Females= 5
Eldest Recorded Resident
The eldest resident recorded by Danny in Scartnamore, Glenmore was John Connolly (13 Sept. 1889- 22 July 1972) a retired farmer living with his daughter Mary O’Shea and her family. John Connolly was about 72 years of age in 1961.
John Connolly and Brigid Roche
John Connolly married Brigid Roche (1894-1955) on 28 November 1917 at Glenmore. At the time of their marriage John was a labourer residing in Rochestown and Brigid was a servant residing in Scartnamore. John was the son of James Connolly (labourer), but no father was listed in the civil marriage record for Bridget. The witnesses were Walter Walsh and Bridget Roche. The fact that the bride and the witness had the same name highlights why nic-names were necessary.
John and Brigid Connolly had a large family that they reared in Scartnmore. We have though obituaries been able to identify 10 children. Several of the children per John’s obituary were living in the UK. One daughter Kathleen (1931-2014) entered religious life and became Sr. Miranda of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. Sr. Miranda served in Africa and her last assignment was to St. Louis Hospital, Jerusalem where she cared for terminally ill cancer patients (Fr. Michael Mernagh, Glenmore Times (2000) p. 44). Sr. Miranda died on 4 September 2014 in Jerusalem where she is buried (Family headstone Glenmore).
John Connoly became a widower when Brigid died on 12 November 1955 at the age of 63. John Connolly died on the 22nd of July 1972 and his eldest son James died two days later. The joint obituary for John Connolly and his son, James (1918 -1972) is available on our “C” Glenmore Family Surname Page.
The ”Bill” Roches of Scartnamore
It is believed that Bridget Roche was one of the “Bill” Roches of Scartnamore. Bridget Roche was born on 1 April 1894 the daughter of Mary Roche, of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore. Ballyhobuck and Scartnamore are adjoining townlands.
“John Bill” Roche was married to one of the Faddie Kennedy’s of Rathinure. The couple farmed about 40 statute acres in Scartnamore where Jimmy Walsh currently lives. “John Bill” Roche and his wife had no children. John’s brother, “Dick Bill” Roche was a harmless man and lived with the couple and later with the Connolly’s. “Maizhe Bill” Roche was their sister, and she married a man named Kavanagh, and the Kavanagh’s lived on the High Road in Rathinure where Kathleen O’Connor lives. Maizhe is how Maura (nic-name for Mary) was pronounced in Glenmore, and it is believed that Maizhe was Bridget Connolly’ mother. Bridget Roche was known locally as Carty which may have been who locals believed her father to be.
Scartnamore, Glenmore Residents 1961
[1] KIRWAN
Kirwan, Laurence (1908-1979) Farmer [Died 7 January 1979]
Kirwan, Anne (1918-1982) Wife [Née Whittle died 30 June 1982.]
Kirwan, James, son
Kirwan, Noel (c. 1952- 1976) twin son [Died in a car crash 30 Oct. 1976 just aged 24.]
Kirwan, Thomas, twin son [See below on Glenmore Culture Night 2023].
[2] CONNOLY
Connolly, James (1918-1972) Farmer
[James “Jimmy” Connolly was the eldest son of John Connolly and his wife Brigid Roche. James Connolly never married and died two days after his father. He and his father were buried on the same day “side by side” in St. James’ Cemetery, Glenmore. See the “C” Glenmore Family Surname Page for the joint obituary of James and his father.]
[3] McDONALD
McDonald, Thomas (b. 1918) Farm Labourer
McDonald, Kate (b. 1919) wife
McDonald, Michael, son, Council Worker
[4] O’SHEA
O’Shea, Richard (b.c. 1926) Clover Meats
O’Shea, Mary (b. c. 1922) wife
O’Shea, Michael, son
O’Shea, Bridget, daughter
Connolly, John (13 Sept. 1889-) father-in-law, retired farmer [See above died on 22 July 1972.]
[5] HABERLIN
Haberlin, Annie (10 April 1897-24 Sept. 1968)
[Annie was a widow who died at the age of 73 in Waterford on 24 Sept. 1968. Her address on her death cert is Slieverue. A marriage record was located for Michael Haberlin and Anne Walsh for the 29th of November 1922. The couple were married in Ferrybank. Michael Haberlin (labourer) was residing in Kilmurry and the son of John Haberlin (labourer). Anne Walsh (domestic servant) was living in Prospect the daughter of Richard Walsh (farmer) of Kilaspy. Michael Haberlin died of an abscess on 30 September 1934 at the age of 37. Annie was left a widow at 36 years of age and remained a widow for 34 years until her death.]
Glenmore Culture Night
All who attended Glenmore’s first Culture Night on Friday, the 22nd of September 2023 were able to enjoy Tom Kirwan, a native of Scartnamore, playing his accordion as well as enjoy the other performers and dramatists. Glenmore History had a table of locally donated items such as a crock hot water bottle that amazed the inquisitive children. We also provided a sheet of tips and tricks to help people record their own memories/stories or their family history. It is hoped that Glenmore Culture Night becomes an annual event to encourage and show case local talent.
For further information on a talented Kirwan descendent see our post of 11 Sept. 2022 on Bernie Kirwan.
Please send any corrections, further information, or photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore in Carrigan’s History & Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory
In 1905, Rev. William Carrigan (1860-1924) published his authoritative history of the Diocese of Ossory. This four-volume work is entitled, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory.
Ossory
Prior to the establishment of the Diocese of Ossory there was an ancient kingdom of Ossory. The diocese was established in 549 and uniquely has nearly the same borders as the ancient Kingdom of Ossory. Today, the diocese serves over 85,000 people, is comprised of 42 parishes in Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly and covers 1,972 square kilometers. For a brief history of the diocese see, the webpage of the Diocese.
Rev. Fr. William Carrigan (1860-1924)
Although Fr. Carrigan and his four-volume work have been heralded for recording the past before the Gelic oral tradition was lost (Brendan Ó Cathaoir, “An Irishman’s Diary,” The Irish Times, 14 Nov. 2005) and is often cited making it a valuable resource, very little has been published concerning Fr. Carrigan himself.
Shortly after Fr. Carrigan’s death another clergyman Rev. Ambrose Coleman, O.P., wrote a biography of Fr. Carrigan, but it was published in the Irish Ecclesiastical Record in 1927 and 1928 in seven instalments. More available is a lecture delivered in 1973 by Margaret M. Phelan outlining Fr. Carrigan’s early life, the writing of his treatise and the publication challenges (Margaret M. Phelan, Old Kilkenny Review (1976) (pp. 148-157) (lecture 9 Nov. 1973) p. 154.)
Native of Co. Kilkenny
William Carrigan was the youngest of 13 children comprised of 11 boys and two girls. He was born in 1860 at Ruthstown, Ballyfoyle, Kilkenny. He was described as a delicate boy “much given to his father’s company. Together they roamed the country looking at graveyard and reading the stones” (Phelan; p. 148). William began his education at the Natioinal School in Ballyfoyle. At 11 years of age he went to a day school in Wellington Square in Kilkenny city and later to St. Kieran’s College where one of his brothers also attended. They both “went over to the ecclesiastical side of the college and from there to Maynooth” (Phelan; p. 149).
Within a year of ordination “he faltered” (Phelan; p. 149). Unsure of his ability he went to stay with his brother, who was then a curate in Callan.” After reflection William asked to continue and was ordained in 1884 at the Presentation Convent. For a couple of years he taught at St. Kieran’s College and in 1888 he was sent as curate to Ballyragget. “He always carried in one pocket a stole, ritual and holy oils and in another a pencil and notebook to jot down what he heard or saw without delay” (Phelan; p. 150).
Writing and Publishing
The actual writing of the four-volume work took Fr. Carrigan six years from 1897 to 1903. He produced a first draft and unhappy with it revised the entire four volumes twice. Fr. Carrigan did this all by hand with no mechanical aid such as a typewriter. It took two years for the publishers to edit and publish the work in 1905. During this period the author advertised, issued circulars, and wrote to individuals seeking subscribers for his work.
Glenmore Subscribers
Through his efforts Fr. Carrigan garnered 738 subscribers. At the end of Volume 1 is a list of the subscribers and two Glenmore men are among the list: William Walsh, C.C. of Glenmore, Waterford (sic); and Rev. Thomas Phelan, P.P. Glenmore, Waterford (sic). Glenmore due to its proximity to Waterford had a Waterford postal address notwithstanding the fact Glenmore parish is in Kilkenny. Given the number of subscribers in the US it is likely that natives of Glenmore abroad may be also on the subscriber list.
Printing Costs
The bill for printing 1,000 copies of History and Antiquities of Ossory with illustrations and binding 750 copies came to £1,248-16-4. Postage to subscribers amounted to £52. Up to the end of 1906, 46 more copies were sold bringing the total sales to 784. “In February 1906, Fr. Carrigan owed £249 and at the end of 1906, £130. He was still only a curate on £80 a year and it took him five years to clear the debt and he had become a Parish Priest.” No further sales took place and in March 1911 he cleared the last £7 he owed for the publishing (Phelan; p. 154.)
By 1916, 840 copies had been sold and 160 copies were with the publishers, Sealy, Bryer and Walker. These copies with the plates illustrating the history burned during the Easter Rebellion. The Losses Commission compensated Fr. Carrigan and “at last the poor author was paid in part for his studies and his troubles.” (Phelan; p. 154.)
Although early sales were not brisk, on the centenary of the publication, Helen Litton compiled a comprehensive index, with over 20,000 entries, to Fr. Carrigan’s four volume work. This index in invaluable to students of history, archaeology and genealogy in the Diocese of Ossory and reflects the continued importance of Fr. Carrigan’s work (Ó Cathaoir/2005).
For further information see, Rev. James Brennan, “Canon Carrigan: Historian,” Kilkenny Archaeological Society, Old Kilkenny Review (1953) p. 1-8).
Presenting to Glenmore Readers
During the Irish Civil War, the Munster Express printed excerpts of Carrigan’s work in the newspaper. The first of 4 excerpts about Glenmore was published on 5 May 1923, p. 6. It is likely that the newspaper’s interest in Kilkenny history stemmed from the owner’s family connections. See our post of 24 January 2022 regarding the editor and proprieter of the Munster Express, Edward Walsh (1862-1946). More recently, when Fr. Barron was P.P. of Glenmore in the 1990’s he often placed short excerpts from Carrigan’s work in the Parish Bulletin.
Although the Munster Express excerpts exclude interesting information and contain a number of typographical errors, they did introduce the learned work to the Munster Express readers as did Fr. Barron’s later efforts. Luckily the four volumes have been digitalized, and are available on line. (We have linked to the New York Public Library as its digitalized copy and supports work best.) Chapter 4 in Volume 4 (p. 88-102) is the chapter dedicated to the Parish of Glenmore. Below is the unabridged beginning of the chapter. Any explanations or information not part of the original text have been placed in [ ].
Parish of Glenmore
It formed one parochial union with Slieverue down to 1846, when it became a separate parish. It takes in the entire of the civil parishes of Ballygurrim, Kilcoan, Kilbride, and Kilmakevoge, and more than half of the civil parish of Kilcolumb. Its area is 13,529 statute acres.
Ballygurrim
In ancient documents Ballygurrim appears as Ballywolgom, Ballymolgorine, Ballymolgorme, Balimolgurn etc. The name signifies O’Mugurrim’s Town. In Irish it would be written Baile Ui Maoit-guirm. [Helpfully Fr. Carrigan then provided how the Balygurrim was pronounced in Glenmore]. The local pronunciation is Bolle-ghizzhm, which is a slight corruption of Bolleel-ghizzhm.
The name Maolgorm does not occur in the Ossorian pedigrees in the Book of Leinster and Book of Lecain; it was in use, however, among the Deisi of the Co. Waterford; for, under the year 890 the Four Masters record that “Maelgorm, Tanist of the Deisi, was slain.” [A Tanist is the successor apparent to a Celtic chief, chosen by election among the clan during the chief’s lifetime.]
Ballygurrim was one of the parishes appropriated to the Nunnery of Kilkilliheen by David Fitz Milo, Baron of Overke, about the year 1240. The parish church, traditionally said to have been at one time of considerably ecclesiastical importance, consisted of nave and chancel, and was 60 feet long internally. The walls were 2 ft. 9 ins. thick, and are all levelled within one yard of the ground, except the west gable of the nave, which is about 22 feet high. A baptismal font, square and unornamented, on the outside, lies within the ruins.
There is but one ancient monument, viz., a large floor slab, lying in the corner of the chancel; it has a large cross, in relief down the centre, at each side of which are carvings of the emblems of our Lord’s Passion. On the edge is the following inscription in raised Roman capitals:
HIC JACET ROBERTVS DEN DE BALLYBVSSHER GENEROSVS QVIOBIT 23 MAI 1626 ET VXOR EIVS 10[AN]NA AELWARD QVI [rest uncut].
Translation–“Here lie Robert Den of Ballybusher (Busherstown), gentleman, who died May 23rd, 1626, and Johanna Aylward, his wife, who…”
William Den, probably a son of Robert, forfeited Busherstown, under Cromwell, and was transplanted to Connaught in 1653.
A little to the north of the churchyard is a well called Tubberathoggarth, or the priest’s well, which some consider to have been holy. There is no tradition regarding it.
St. Colman is patron saint of Ballygurrim. Bishop Phelan’s List assigns his feast to May 21st. He is presumably identical with St. Colman Lobhar (i.e., the Leper) of Mayo, in the territory of the Dalcasiaus, commemorated on the same day in the Martyrology of Donegal. (Carrigan (1905) The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, vol. IX, p. 88). [For further information concerning St. Colman Lobhar see, the Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae website.]
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As time and space allows we will continue posting this work concerning Glenmore.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing above is the Moat at Borris-on-Ossory and in the illustration at the commencement of the Glenmore section (Chapter 4, Vol. 4.) of Carrigan’s work. The photo of the gable end of the Ballygurrin church ruins was taken on 7 June 2020 during a COVID outing.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh