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South Kilkenny Historical Society
Dates for your diary! The programme of events from January to July 2024 for the South Kilkenny Historical Society has been released.
LECTURE PROGRAMME
[1] Friday, 19th January–Speaker: Brian White
“Waterford Diviner Experiments in Ireland, 1891 and 1899,” This talk will include the input of Mr Jones, Mullinabro in the experiments.
[2] Friday, 23rd February–Speakers: Dr Ruth Duffy and Dr Alison Garden
“Acts of Union: Mixed Marriage in Modern Ireland”
[3] Friday, 22nd March–Speaker: John Dorney
“The Army Mutiny of 1924”
[4] Friday, 26th April–Speaker: Mary Ann Vaughan
“Kilkenny’s Titanic Survivor”
Lectures will take place in Mullinavat Parish Hall, commencing at 8 p.m.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM for the SKHS will be held on Friday, February 9th, 2024
COACH TRIP
The annual coach trip will be held on Saturday, June 1st, 2024 to Lismore, Co. Waterford.
FRAOCHAN SUNDAY
Sunday, July 14th, 2024
Any and all queries to Eddie Synnott, Chairman, 086 8124349 or edsynnott@yahoo.co.uk
The photo of RMS Titanic was taken by Francis Godolphin Osbourne Stuart (1843-1923) as it left Southhampton on 10 April 1912. Photo is in the Public Domain via and courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Glenmore Character: Martin Walsh (1918-1996)
Today, we have the pleasure of posting our first Glenmore character profile. This first character profile is of Martin Walsh, and is primarily from the writings of Brian Forristal, of Waterford City. Martin spent his entire life in the house where he was born in Ballylogue, Rochestown, Glenmore, on Christmas Day 1918. Martin never married, and although he had two sisters who nursed in England it is believed he never left Ireland. Hopefully, readers will share their memories or stories regarding Martin.
Editor’s Memories of Martin Walsh
I only met Martin shortly before his death when I first moved to Glenmore, but he made a lasting impression. He was constantly driving around the area in a little red van and stopped to speak to everyone he encountered along the road. I often wondered how long it must have taken him to drive the two or three miles to Glenmore Village.
One day I was asked to drop something to Martin, and found Martin cleaning coal in his yard. He explained to me that hosing off the coal dust made his coal burn hotter in his opinion. Sometime later Danny Dowling (1927-2021) was talking about a curse made by Kit Rafftis née Gahan of Rochestown. In trying to identify the Walsh family for me Danny mentioned Martin, and I related the coal cleaning. Danny laughed, took a few notes and said that Martin never held an opinion that he did not share.
Rogue or Hero? by Brian Forristal
Over Glenmore down through the years Dad and I met many characters, none more interesting than Martin Walsh of Ballilogue. Small in stature and wiry looking with a big nose he always wore a homemade woolen hat that looked like a tea cosy. He spoke with a loud booming voice and was opinionated on every subject under the sun.
While at times he was irritating he was a mine of information and a joy to listen to. Dad and himself bounced off each other, Dad knew how to rise Martin and would throw in a statement right at the right point and Martin would go mad and enter a vocal range that would send you running for cover.
He once told us that his grandfather used to read the Freeman’s Journal to the gathered masses at Ballilogue bridge on a Sunday evening. We would often meet him with his sister Maureen, she seemed to take a shine to Stephen and Seán when they were with us. Though at times Martin would give out to them if they were messing on the roadside.
On the political front Martin hated the Government no matter who was in office, always calling them “a shower of f***ing bastards.” He always played the card, “of the hard done by farmer who worked for nothing,” and could never get Government help when needed.
On the contrary he owned a large farm and from what I have heard from others he had plenty of money, though you would never tell by looking at him as his clothes looked threadbare and worn. A bit like Compo in ‘Last of the Summer Wine.’
But as a character he was witty, at times funny, never boring. He had funny sayings like:
“Cigars on a Sunday,
Woodbines on a Monday.”
He smoked Woodbines [cheapest, unfiltered, strong cigarettes available] all week and treated himself to a cigar on the Sabbath.
In 1993 he told us a saying from his father:
“Three days of easterly wind,
Would do a years’ work.”
Meaning that it would dry hay and straw and would let them get the work finished fast, otherwise it would be dragged out and hold up other jobs.
Martin died on the 6th January 1996 aged 78. By an amazing coincidence he is buried head to toe with Dad in Glenmore graveyard. Bantering friends in life and now forever death (Brian Forristal, 8 May 2011).
Martin Walsh, In His Box
On 1 May 2021 Brian Forristal stopped and spoke with Billy Heffernan of Rochestown, Glenmore. Billy related some stories that his father Paddy Heffernan (1924-2013) had shared. At the funeral in 1974 of Tom Foran (1885-1974) of Kearneybay, Glenmore, Martin Walsh (1918-1996) commented to Paddy Heffernan that Tom Foran had been fond of the drink. “Paddy fired back that ‘if he was he never missed a day’s work with me.’ That put Martin in his box, as he could be a contrary fellow at the best of times.”
Martin Walsh—The Non-Poetic Farmer
by Brian Forristal
Arise old Martin Walsh from famed old Ballilogue,
Spring is on the air and the woods ready for the crows.
Your Tam O’Shanter is hanging in the hall, and Maureen is drying the breakfast dishes,
A long haul to the top of Sandy lane,
No time for catching fishes.
Your steel wheeled mount waits in the yard,
Your dirty little sheepdog sitting on top.
The wheeling and the dealing of a true farmer’s son,
The only thing missing was a two barrel gun.
Your grudge against rich farmers was a famous peddled line,
The bank manage could not count all your money on your vine.
Hoary talk and spitted words you despised them all around,
For you their word was sacred beyond the distant town.
Oh Martin you were one of a kind,
Your roadside manner was sublime,
Be prepared to take the flak,
How close you came to many a smack,
But I saw in you a trait of old,
Going back generations into a different fold.
Society may not bare you now
To me your voice a sacred cow,
And still heard on that roadside bare,
Graveside weeds and death like stares.
The roads are barren and now and the way foul,
No more I see you there only a mighty owl.
And Dad and I did wonder when you left
There for better men, did you foresee
You’re ending in that grave in the big glen?
Now head to toe you both lay,
Conversations flowing through,
Headstones are your pillows
The soil a blanket cruel.
But in jest you both lay there,
Away from the hard live and the public glare.
I miss you both on those roadsides
Of yesteryear where tears of joy did flow,
Good joking and good cheer.
Rest well great men of roadsides,
You have earned your long calm sleep.
The steams and woods do meet.
I will see you again along the way,
In dreams and worlds God’s and men.
(Brian Forristal, 9 April 2013)
For other Glenmore verses collected by Dick Claridge see our guest author’s page.
********************
We have been unable to locate a photo of Martin in his later years. If anyone has a photo of Martin that they would like to share please send it to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Please place your memories of Martin in the comment section below or feel free to send to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
For further information on Rochestown see our post of 3 December 2023.
For other writings of Brian Forristal, see our guest author’s page. “The Tans Are Coming” and “A Place to Hide From the Black and Tans.”
To all our readers, Happy New Year!
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore in the News: December 1923
Although Christmas 1923 was heralded as the first Christmas of peace in a decade, the truth was that the Free State authorities continued to round up and hold some of the Irregulars from the Civil War. The Free State Government did not make a formal announcement, but it was understood and published that by the end of December “practically every internment camp in the Free State will have been closed.” With the exception of a hundred of the leaders all the prisoners were to be at liberty before Christmas (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 Dec. 1923, p. 4).
Six South Kilkenny men were released from interment on the 17th (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Dec. 1923, p. 4). On Christmas Eve 166 prisoners were released and four more were released on Christmas Day. “The total number still imprisoned was 1,866 (Freeman’s Journal, 28 Dec. 1923, p. 7). Among the list of released prisoners from the Curragh was R. Murphy, of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny (Freeman’s Journal, Fri.28 Dec. 1923, p.7).
Shot in Glenmore
For our international readers, the 8th of December is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Roman Catholic calendar. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. In Ireland, in the 1920’s, children were off school, and all the farmers around Glenmore went to nearby towns. It was the start of the Christmas season when Christmas baking and shopping commenced in earnest. On the night of the 8th of December 1923 a party with dancing was being held at a house in Glenmore.
An irregular named David Grant, a native of Slieverue was present at the party. “For some time past Grant, who was a column leader in the local irregulars, and who was much wanted by the military authorities” had successfully evaded the authorities. He hid principally in the neighbourhood of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, described as nine miles from Waterford.
On Saturday the 8th the Military searched the Glenmore house where the party was being held. Grant refused to give his name and address, was arrested and placed in the care of an escort. Suddenly, Grant broke away from his guards and “made a wild dash for liberty. He ran from the house and was hotly pursued by the military. A chase for a short distance ensued, the soldiers all the time keeping the fugitive in sight and repeatedly calling on him to halt which he refused to do. The soldiers then opened fire for warning purposes, but in the course of discharges Grant was struck by one bullet in the hip…” (Irish Examiner, Tues. 11 Dec. 1923, p. 5).
The wound was described as serious and it stopped Grant from further movement. Grant was taken into custody the second time by the Free State forces. He was later conveyed to the Waterford Co. and City Infirmary where he underwent surgical treatment (Waterford News and Star, Fri.14 Dec. 1923, p.16).
David Grant (1899-1969) of Slieverue
A fellow by the name of Williams, from Kilmacow, was said to have shot Grant when he need not have done so. Grant was from Drumdowney, Slieverue and suffered from the wound for the rest of his days (Thomas Walsh, native of Davidstown, Glenmore (1908-1992)). No other newspaper accounts could be located regarding David Grant after his arrest in December 1923. Given that the Civil War had ended months before, and the authorities were releasing prisoners at the time, it is difficult to understand why David Grant was shot by an alleged warning shot.
David Grant was born 11 August 1899 at Rathpatrick, Slieverue, the only child of Patrick Grant (c.1837-1922) (farmer) and his wife Anastatia Grant née Power (c. 1858-1932). Anastatia was born in Waterford and according to the 1911 Census her widowed mother, Mary Power, lived with the small family.
It is believed that David Grant married Mary Kathleen Alcock on 22 Nov. 1933 at Slieverue. Mary Kathleen was from Kilmurry, Slieverue and the daughter of Edward Alcock (farmer). The couple do not appear to have had any children. David Grant, a married farmer, of Drumdowney, Slieverue, died in the County and City Infirmary on 8 March 1969 some 46 years after his admittance in 1923. His age on the death register was listed as 87 however it is believed he was 70.
Glenmore Holiday Football
Waterford military command football section, beat the Wexford military section at Barret’s Park, New Ross. Then the Waterford military command were beaten by the Glenmore team in a contest near the village the last week in December (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 Dec. 1923, p. 7).
Glenmore Man Injured in Rosbercon
Mr. Corcoran, Mullinahone, was kicked by a horse in Rosbercon resulting in a broken rib (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Dec.1923, p. 5). It is believed that the only Mr. Corcoran in Mullinahone, Glenmore in December 1923 was Edward Corcoran (c. 1876 -1932). He was married to Kate Cororan née Meany (c. 1877 -1927). Edward and Kate were married at Inistiogue, Kilkenny on 3 February 1910. Edward was from Mullinahone and his father was Pat Corcoran (farmer). Kate was from Carrigeen and her father was Micheal Meany (farmer).
The couple had at least one son Patrick Corcoran (c.1911-1970) (farmer). Patrick married Katie McDonald (c. 1919-2013) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. Katie Corcoran née McDonald lived to be 94 years of age and was a widow for 43 years.
A Glenmore Village Fire
A fire occurred in the cornmill of Mr. James K. Walsh, Glenmore, on Saturday the 15th of December 1923. Mr. Walsh had been in New Ross at the time, and when the fire started it made such headway that it was impossible to extinguish it, despite the efforts of a large number of people who gathered “and used water freely.” However, the flames were prevented from spreading to the outhouses adjoining, but the mill and machinery were destroyed. It was stated some of the corn was also destroyed (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Dec. 1923, p. 5).
For further information on the J.K. Walsh family and an early photo of Gaffney’s Mill see our post of 22 December 2020.
New Ross Turkey Sales and Post
£10,900 was paid out by New Ross merchants for turkeys in New Ross during the 1923 season. There were 12,300 turkeys bought. It was reported that one South Kilkenny woman sold her turkeys for £67 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Dec. 1923, p. 5).
Christmas business in New Ross was brisk and the number of parcels and mails dealt with at the post office and the parcels dispatched and received at railway offices were exceptionally heavy (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 Dec. 1923, p. 7).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history @gmail.com. The featured photo above of the toddler hanging what appears to be his father’s stockings was published on Christmas Eve 1923 in the Freeman’s Journal (p. 10).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Wash
Old Style Threshing: Aylwardstown, Glenmore 1976
Forty-seven years ago in September 1976, Michael and Kate Fitzgerald, of the Half-way House, Aylwardstown, Glenmore hosted an exhibition of threshing involving a steam engine, drum and pitcher. It was the first time in about twenty-five years that old-style threshing took place in the Glenmore area (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Sept. 1976, p. 17).
Michael & Kate Fitzgerald
Michael Fitzgerald (1917-1982) was the son of Richard Fitzgerald (1868-1955) and Mary Fitzgerald née Walsh (1884-1962) of Aylwardstown. Michael’s wife, Kate Fitzgerald née Hoynes (1923-2008) was the daughter of John Hoynes (1888-1956) and Maryanne Hoynes née Rigby (1882-1926) of Aylwardstown. Michael and Kate Fitzgerald had six children: (1) Richard Fitzgerald; (2) Mary Fitzgerald; (3) Ann Fitzgerald; (4) Carmel Fitzgerald (1957-1976); (5) John Fitzgerald and (6) Michael Fitzgerald. Tragically the couple lost their daughter Carmel in May 1976.
Planning the Event
The original date for the threshing was Sunday the 19th of September. The newspapers reported that the summer of 1976 was hot and dry. However, in September a lot of rain fell. The threshing was to take place between 1 and 4 p.m. but had to be abandoned shortly after it commenced on the 19th due to heavy showers (Munster Express, Fri. 24 Sept. 1976, p. 21).
In an interview in the New Ross Standard, Michael Fitzgerald stated that he deliberately held over barley(sic) and wheat because he thought it was a pity to see the old-style threashing disappear altogether. “For anyone over twenty-five years of age it will remind them of the great threshing days that used to be and it will be an education and thrill for the younger generation who never saw the old fashion threshings” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Sept. 1976, p. 17).
Michael Fitzgerald put a lot of planning into this threshing event. To make the event as authentic as possible Michael attempted to secure ling fish for the threshing celebration as it was the local custom to serve ling at the old threshing dinners. Unfortunately, he was not able to secure ling and had to settle for another type of fish (Peter Walsh, of Rathinure, threshing volunteer).
Michael “retained about six acres of oats and wheat for threshing.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Sept. 1976, p. 17). He harvested the rest of his oats and wheat utilising a combine, that cut and threshed in the same operation (Munster Express, Fri. 1 October 1976, p. 22). Michael cut the six acres using a tractor and binder, then stooked and stacked. For the last step of the traditional saving of the crop he drew the stacked oats and wheat into old fashion ricks.
Binding, Stooking & Stacking
When the binder cut the oats it tied it with a binder twine into a sheaf of oats. The sheafs were stood up, against each other, in a stook, with the seed heads on top. This allowed the sheaves to dry. Later, maybe 5 or 6 stooks were made into a stack. The stack would be about six feet tall with the sheaves at the top being placed with their heads down and the stubble facing upwards. This formed a circle at the top of the stack to preserve it from the weather. The stack was then secured with a sugán or rope twisted from straw. When the crops were in stacks they were considered saved.
The stacks were left in the field until they were brought to the haggard where they were then made into a rick which was substantially larger. The rick was made in the shape of a house with an eve going up to an apex. The size of the rick depended on the size of the crops that year. Each type of crop had its own rick.
The Threshing
The old threshing equipment was supplied by Michael O’Brien, of Ballyknock, Tullogher, and included a steam engine, drum and pitcher. Thirty men from Kilcolumb, Kilmakevogue and Ballygurrim, Glenmore volunteered to help. The newspapers published that RTE was going to be present to film and a modest charge would be collected from spectators to meet incidental costs. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Sept. 1976, p. 17). One of the volunteers said this week that he does not remember RTE being present on either day and no footage could be found in available archives.
In terms of the admission fee, Richard Fitzgerald shared three photos this week from the 1976 threshing. To the right is the photo of May Cashin (1946 -2021) of Aylwardstown collecting at the gate with Michael and John Fitzgerald. One of the side-effects of the old fashion threshing was the fact that “first-class oaten straw” would be available for thatchers. The New Ross Standard published Michael’s phone number for any interested thatchers.
After the threshing was abandoned on the 19th it resumed on the 26th which was a dark, oppressive day, but the rain held off. The grain was collected and stored in the safety of the barn. The threshing attracted a large crowd of spectators concluded with a traditional barn dance and celebration (Kilkenny People, Fri. 24 Sept. 1976, p. 15). This article was published two days before the second day of threshing occurred.
Richard Fitzgerald this week revealed that the steam engine and mill were stored in his father’s barn for a few years after the threshing perhaps reflecting the difficulty of moving the heavy old machinery. Richard said that straw bales would be stacked around and on the stored old machinery.
Photos
The featured photo above was taken by Danny Dowling (1929-2021). Michael Fitzgerald is standing on the right wearing a hat. The man on the left holding up a bottle of beer is Wattie “Ody” Cody (1928-2009) of Ballycroney, Glenmore. It is believed that the boy on the engine (on the left looks like he is reaching for the beer) is Richard Duggan, of the Garage.
Special thanks to Richard Fitzgerald, of Aylwardstown, for sharing the other three photos. Special thanks to my resident expert, Peter Walsh, for patiently explaining stooking, stacking and ricking.
For further information on the 1907 Glenmore threshing agreement see our post of 7 August 2022.
Please send any corrections, additional information, or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Anglo-Norman Aylward Family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Today, as our fourth excerpt from Carrigan’s, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, v. 4 p. 93-94 (1906) we feature what he published concerning the Aylward family that gave its name to the Glenmore townland of Aylwardstown. In an Inquisition of 1637, Glanseline appears as an alias for Aylwardstown, it was probably, the original name of the townland (Carrigan, vol. 4, p. 94). In Irish, Aylward is sometimes called Eye-lurth, and sometimes El-e-wurth; Aylwardstown is always called Ball-an-Eye-lur-tha (Carrigan, vol. 4, p. 94) .
The Aylwards of Aylwardstown
“They were an Anglo-Norman race and, presumably, a branch of the Aylwards of Faithleg, in the County Waterford.”
“William Aylward of Aylwardstown, gent., was pardoned in 1562 and 1571; was a juror, 20th March 1585; and was pardoned, Nov. 18th, 1602. Piers Aylward, of Aylwardstown, probably son of William, was Constable of the Barony of Ida, in 1608, and appears as a juror, in 1623. He married Ellen, daughter of John Fitzgerald, Esq., of Gurteen, and had a son and heir, Nicholas Aylward, of Aylwardstown, who forfeited the ancestral estate, viz., Knockduff, Aylwardstown, Robbinstown, Ballinerahy and Haggard, under Cromwell, and was transplanted to Connaught in 1653″ (Carrigan, v. 4, p. 93).
“In 1677 the said Nicholas Aylward had a royal confirmation of the lands (911 acres), that had been assigned him at his transplantation, in the Baronies of Clonmacnoen and Longford, in the Co. Galway. By his wife, Ellinor, sister of Thomas Kelly, Esq., Portreeve of Gowran, he had a daughter, Ellice, who married Mr. James Frayne, of Browntown; and a son Piers. Piers Aylward was made a burgess of Inistioge, in 1688, and was outlawed, as of Aylwardstown, in 1690. He married Eliza Butler (daughter of Sir Richard Butler, and sister of Sir Walter Butler, of Paulstown), by whom he acquired the house and estate of Shankill, near Gowran. His son and heir, Nicholas Aylward, of Shankill, born in 1686, conformed to Protestantism in 1711; from him descends the present Aylward family of Shankill castle” (Carrigan, vol. 4, p. 94).
Returned to Aylwardstown, Glenmore
In attempting to find out if any of the Aylwards returned to Aylwardstown post Cromwell, we did locate a Will dated 28 May, 1715. The Will of Piers Power of Carriogorontory, Co. Waterford suggests that an Aylward was back in Aylwardstown. In his Will, Power left his lands of Carrigorontory, Knockandull, and Ballygarren, with £500 due him by several persons, to Michael Head of Dublin and Nicholas Aylward of Aylwardstown, as Trustees (Entry 212, John Ainesworth, “Survey of Documents in Private Keeping: Third Series,” Analecta Hibernia (1967) Irish Manuscripts Commission).
See our post of 5 January 2023 regarding the townland of Aylwardstown and Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) 1961 list of residents. See our post of 17 September 2023 regarding Rev. Carrigan and the publishing of his four volume work.
See, Burtchaell, Jack. “The south Kilkenny farm villages.” Common Ground: essays on the historical geography of Ireland (1988): 110-23. This interesting article discusses farm villages of South Kilkenny including Glenmore’s Aylwardstown, Rathinure and Weatherstown. The author acknowledged Danny Dowling (1927-2021) at the end of his article.
Aylwards from across the globe gathered in Waterford in late August 2023. The gathering was organised by John Aylward, retired Waterford publican and the grandson of John Aylward (1870-1929) of Rochestown, Glenmore. Julian Walton delivered an informative and entertaining account of various Aylwards. See our post of 9 October 2022 regarding John Aylward (1870-1929) of Rochestown, Glenmore.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The photo of Shankill Castle was transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by RHaworth. For a concise description of “a Queen Anne home with a medieval tower house at its heart,” see the Shankill Castle webpage.
The feature photo above is Aylwardstown House taken in 2004 and is courtesy of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
Glenmore in the News: October 1923
There were several articles in local newspapers in October 1923 concerning Glenmore people and teams.
Glenmore Junior Hurling and Junior Football
Although by 1923 Glenmore was well known for its Senior Football Teams, having won several county championships in a row, in October 1923 the Glenmore Junior Hurling team and the Glenmore Junior Football team made it to the Southern semi-finals.
On the last Sunday of September, a meeting of the Southern Board of the County GAA met at Knocktopher to fix the remaining ties in the Southern Championship. Four teams, Hugginstown, Ballyhale, Glenmore and Moondharrig still remained in the junior hurling championship. “Ballyhale was fortunate in securing the coveted bye in the second round…” Ballyhale was paired with Hugginstown. Glenmore was to play Moondharrig.
In Junior Football there were five teams remaining. These included: Cotterstown, Nore Rangers, Haristown, Glenmore and Tullogher. Tullogher had a bye in the second round, thus it was determined that Tullogher would play the winner of the Harristown and Glenmore game. The winner that match would then play the winner of the Cotterstown v. Nore Rangers match (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 Oct. 1923, p. 8).
Glenmore’s schedule at the end of October was as follows:
Junior Hurling Semi-finals—11 Nov. at Mooncoin, Ballyhale vs. Glenmore, referee Mr. Mark MacDonald.
Junior Football Semi-finals—4 Nov. at Slieverue, Glenmore vs. Tullogher; referee Mr. T King (Munster Express, Sat. 27 Oct. 1923, p. 5).
Glenmore vs. T.F. Meagher
Notwithstanding the forthcoming semi-final games, “a permit was granted for a hurling match between Glenmore (Kilkenny) and T.F. Meagher (Waterford) at Waterford on the 14th (Nenagh Guardian, 12 October 1923, p. 1).
On the 14th at the Sportsfield in Waterford “two matches which excited much interest” were decided. The football match between De La Salle and Gracedieu resulted in an easy win for the former, and, “ if they can retain yesterday’s form, they will have to be reckoned with in the forthcoming League competitions.
“The ball was set in motion for the hurling contest between Glenmore and T.F. Meaghers. This match was considered by many too stiff a test for the city representatives, and as it was played in a continuous downpour it was thought that the much heavier Kilkenny team would obtain a runaway victory. The Meagher’s, playing with great determination under such adverse conditions, and only being defeated by such a narrow margin, must be congratulated on their plucky display. A feature of the game was the magnificent defence of both teams, and the general feeling was that a return match would be well worth witnesses. At the final whistle the scores were: Glenmore, 2 goals, 1 point; Meagher’s, 1 goal, 1 point. Mr. T. King (Knockboy) had charge of the whistle” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 12 Oct. 1923, p. 3).
Letter to the Editor Re: Glenmore vs. T.F. Meagher
Waterford News & Star, Fri. 12 Oct. 1923, p. 11
Dear Sir—As a consistent admirer of Ireland’s national game, I went to the Sportsfield on yesterday (Sunday) to see how Waterford’s young hurlers would behave against the visitors from “Glenmore.” When the respective teams lined up the disparity in size and weight was very obvious, but having seen the T.F. Meagher’s in action in Dungarvan and defeating the County Champions on their own ground, I did not share the pessimism of some outside the railings who predicted that it was all over bar the shouting. When the first quarter of an hour had elapsed it was plain that the lanes which the “Glenmore” men were expected to make through the home team were a long time becoming visible.
I happened to be at the “Glenmore” goal when the two Co. Kilkenny umpires disallowed the goal for Waterford, although it went fully one foot inside the goal posts before being cleared by the inter-county goal keeper. Size for size the T.F. Meagher team are much superior, and had the ground not been sodden and the goal at the city side not been a mass of slippery mud the result would have been different in spite of the fact that the “Glenmore “men included three parishes and some whose names are a household word in inter-county hurling. All honour to the T.F. Meaghers for their splendid performance against stupendous odds (being short two of their best men). They have chosen an appropriate name, as nearly all of them are fellow townsmen of the illustrious patriot and orator. Thanking you in anticipation for insertion of above, Yours Truly, N. McCann (Camán).
According to the Kilkenny GAA Bible 2019 (p. 31) Glenmore won the County Senior Football Championship and the Junior Hurling Championship in 1923, but failed to win the Junior Football Championship title. See our post of 13 August 2023 regarding the 12 Glenmore Senior Football players who played in the Leinster Senior Football Semi-Finals.
Who was Mary Murphy of Glenmore?
A Remarkable Centenarian—The death took place at Glenmore during the week of Mrs. Mary Murphy at the great age of 102 years. An Instance of her remarkable health was that she was able to walk to Mass up to a short time ago, and was moving about up to a few days before her death. Her recollections of the stirring events of the past hundred years were most interesting. Her varied accounts of the famine of ’48 and ’49 would make interesting reading. She was a young woman then and saw many cases of death from slow starvation; it was a common thing for people to supplement their dole of Indian-meal with cabbage and nettles in order to procure a full meal, and she witnessed men employed in the public works then organised, leaving their homes in the mornings with only a pint of thin gruel for their dinner, the gruel being generally boiled in a large pot at some particular farmstead, the meal and pot being supplied by the authorities. There were no National schools then; the master taught his little class in an old house, or beside a hedge, no trains, no motors or bikes, much less flying machines.
She knew men having to go to Dublin to walk the journey to and back because of not having the money to avail of the mail coaches. In her young days when tea was as rare as ten shilling told pieces are now the family able to procure a pound of it for Christmas were considered well off people. She was held in great respect and the funeral was largely attended by the people of the village and district (New Ross Standard, Fri. 26 Oct. 1923, p. 8).
Unfortunately, no newspaper identified where in Glenmore Mrs. Mary lived or who her husband was. Also, no death register could be located for a Mary Murphy who died in October 1923 at the age of 102.
Watching the World Go By
“An old man in Glenmore district who is past his labouring interested himself by counting the number of motor cars and motor lorries that passed his house between Ross and Waterford during one week recently. At the end of the seventh day his list totalled 352. Truly the age of horsepower has vanished” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 26 Oct. 1923, p. 8).
One hundred years later, 352 vehicles must pass over the N25 between New Ross and Waterford in an hour or two. Can anyone identify the Glenmore man who counted vehicles in October 1923?
Glenmore Creamery
Mr. N.J. Murphy secretary of the Farmer’s Union was appointed to organise the locals at Campile for a proposed creamery. “He visited Glenmore and interviewed the manager of the creamery there, as well as the milk suppliers and obtained a lot of useful facts and figures” (New Ross Standard, Fri.19 Oct. 1923, p. 4).
The Campile Creamery was established and during World War II it was bombed by German bombers in August 1940. For a short article on the bombing click here.
Please send any corrections or additional information etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Waslh