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Keeping the Old May Day Tradition
The month of April is quickly coming to an end, and Wednesday is May Day. Decorating a May Bush is an old tradition that our founder Danny Dowling (1927-2021) enjoyed. For a few years he acted as the judge of a May Bush competition in New Ross.
It is a simple process and children particularly enjoy it. If you carry on the tradition, wherever you are in the world, please send a photo. Please see some of our previous posts if you need a little inspiration….1 May 2022 and 22 April 2021. The photos below are from 2023.
Happy May Day!
“For the Love of a Glenmore Girl” (1903)
While recently transcribing one of Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) notebooks we came across several poems or verses recorded by Danny. Danny noted the editions and dates where the verses were published in The Nightingale. After a search we located a reference to The Nightingale in the National Library of Ireland’s Catalogue. It is described as a “weekly broadside of news, verse, etc.” published by Kellystown, Co. Wexford, and printed by J.J. Evoy. The National Library only holds one edition of The Nightingale, and this does not feature in Danny’s Notebook. We believe Danny must have read The Nightingale in the New Ross or Wexford libraries.
From the verses Danny recorded, it appears that at the turn of the twentieth century young men entertained themselves by making fun of their friends or foes. In the verses Danny recorded, the common theme is that young men were making fools of themselves over a girl seldom identified by name. The most prominent of the verses Danny recorded is “The Love of a Glenmore Girl,” appearing in the 24 October 1903 edition of The Nightingale (Vol. 34, No. 15). Danny noted the price of the publication was ½ d. (half a penny) and he found the verse in the “Co. Kilkenny Notes” section of the publication.
It is not known how long The Nightingale was published, but before radio or television it must have been something young people looked forward to reading each week.
“The Love of a Glenmore Girl” is below followed by the possible identification of persons named in the verse. Rather than recite other verses that Danny recorded from The Nightingale we have an extract where another Glenmore suitor was mentioned.
“The Love of a Glenmore Girl” (1903)
Come on now Mr. Editor,
I’m going to make a start,
I’m looking at a couple here,
Which nearly broke my heart.
Around the windows in the shed,
Each night I see them stray,
And one of them his Sunday trousers,
He’s wearing every day.
His name it tis D. B—n,
He came here from the Rower,
And I need not tell the dolly’s name,
It is well known before.
She said she loved him deeply,
And letters to him wrote,
And where they met to stand the set,
Was at the Ferryport.
But when he saw the sight of her,
His heart it leaped with joy,
But alas she did him pass along,
With a John Hill’s boy.
Poor Dick lamented sorely,
The day that he went there,
He raised his hands where he did stand,
And began to tear his hair.
I thought she loved him dearly,
But now I understand,
That everyday she does the Quay,
With Johnny—clap—hands.
Her name I’ll here not mention,
She is a charming maid,
A soaper in the laundry,
I think is her trade.
She’s known by every corner boy,
From John’s Street to the Square,
In Barrack Lane I heard them say,
Each night she travels there.
But now she’s home on furlough,
Theres others on her track,
D. Barron at the front door,
And T. Kelly at her back.
T. Kelly says he’ll gain her,
And Barron have no chance,
The other night I saw him kiss her,
At a threshing dance.
Each night he comes to see her,
And to the street he will jog,
And then he’s watching at the door,
Just like John Hearne’s dog.
So now Mr. Kelly I think its better you’d knock off,
And let D.B. go there and play ram-cat-faf.
And if you don’t o’r the railroad your car stick,
And then on Sunday you won’t have a penny in your fist.
Yours Truly, Dog Breath(?) Esq.
The Suitors
T. Kelly—In a notation on the page Danny wrote Graiguenakill. In the 1901 Census there was a Thomas Kelly (b.c. 1881) aged 20 years of age in Graiguenakill, Glenmore. Thomas Kelly in 1901 was working as a railway labourer. He lived with his widowed mother Catherine (aged 53) and his maternal uncle Michael Breen (aged 54). The railway was being built through Glenmore and Thomas Kelly probably came and went with the railway.
Dick Barron—in the 1901 census there were two Richard Barron’s in the Rower. The first candidate was a 19 year old farm labourer working for the 70 year-old widow, Bridget Carney at Ballyfolle Upper, the Rower, Kilkenny. The second candidate was an 18 year old son of John Barron (farmer aged 50) and his wife Ellen aged 45 of Kiltown, the Rower. The second candidate was still living at home in Kiltown in the 1911 census. The birth register reveals that candidate 2 was born on the 28th of February 1883.
John Hearne—The 1901 Census does not reflect a John Hearne in Glenmore. There are over a dozen John Hearne’s in Waterford including a 20 year old carpenter living on Barrack St. His father was a publican. In New Ross there were ten John Hearne’s in the 1901 census. It is unclear from the census who owned a dog that watched doors.
Excerpt from “The Big Blow-up in Newtown(?) Co. Kilkenny”
There’s another boy he’s a courtin stray,
His name I will give down,
His name it is Jack Heffernan,
And lives in Aylwardstown.
He was courting one Miss Orchard,
And that without a doubt,
Until by Richard Dehy,
He was finally done out.
The Aylwardstown, Glenmore Suitor
John Heffernan (1881-1951) was the eldest child of Michael Heffernan and his wife Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy (c. 1853-1947). According to the 1901 Census, John was 20 years old and was one of 11 children. According to a diary kept by James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore (and recorded by Danny Dowling) John Heffernan of Aylwardstown married Mary Freney (c. 1880-1913) of Fahee, Kilmacow on 24 July 1907. “They sailed for America July 31st 1907.” Tragically, Mary died on 18 June 1913, aged 30 of T.B. See our H Surname Page for further information on the large Heffernan family.
For further information concerning the killing of Mary Heffernan née Freney’s father at Christmastime 1884, see our post of 12 December 2021.
For additional local verses see, Dick Claridge’s collection.
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Please send any and all corrections or additional information or local verses to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing is courtesy of The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “The two suitors” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1913. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/9410fddb-04ac-cc65-e040-e00a180623c3
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Connawee Monument of Davidstown, Glenmore
Today, as our seventh and final excerpt from Canon Carrigan’s, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory,( v. 4 p. 98-100 (1906)) we feature the story of Glenmore’s legend, the Connawee or yellow hound. Canon Carrigan’s coverage of this legend is from O’Donovan’s Ordinance Survey letter of 30 Sept. 1839.
Canon Carrigan wrote in 1906 “the small field called ‘the Cunnia-wvee’ is situated on Davidstown hill, at the bounds of the townland of Attateemore. There is nothing remarkable about it, at present, but two small cairns, or heaps of stones, one about the centre of the field, the other close to the fence, at the north side. The former merely consists of loose stones thrown carelessly together. The later is of the same description, and measures 6 or 8 feet across; in its upper surface are embedded two large, rough blocks of stone, one having an artificial bowl 1 foot in diameter and 1 foot deep; the other having a similar bowl 1 foot in diameter and 4 or 5 inches deep. The deeper bowl always contains some water and is known as Thubber Phaudhrig, or St. Patrick’s Well.”
“The curious legend connected with this place is known over the whole Barony of Ida. It is embodied by O’Donovan in his ordinance survey letter dealing with this civil parish of Kilcolumb, in which he himself was born.” Cannon Carrigan then provides the full text of O’Donovan’s letter, but we are going to just provide the extract concerning the legend.
O’Donovan’s letter of 30 September 1839
“In the townland Baile Dhathi or Davidstown in this parish, not far from the High Road which divides it from Blackney’s part or Attatemore, is a monument of great antiquity called Gluin Phadruig…It consists of a blind well and a heap of stones on which is placed a larger stone with two remarkable hollows said to be the impressions of St. Patrick’s knees. The following legend is told to account for the origin of the monument.
“When St. Patrick was traversing Ossory for the purpose of building churches, congbhails and cities he came to this beautiful elevation called Conna bhuidhe, and being struck with the amenity of the place and the beauty of the prospect (for he was a great admirer of the scenery) he came to the resolution of building there a Cathedral and city which he afterwards, for reasons which will presently appear, placed at Waterford.”
“He employed labouring men to dig the foundations of the Cathedral and houses, and masons to build them, and continued the work with cheerfulness and vigour for some days. At last a pagan woman out of Ballinchrea (whose name is fortunately forgotten, but it is supposed she is ancestress of Nicholas Bacach, the Garsun Balbh and Sawney Ribby) came to him with an offering of a dish of roasted meat for his dinner, which Patrick received with many grazagams.”
“On uncovering the dish he did not like the aspect of the meat, and thought that he perceived the paw of unclean animal. He was immediately struck with nausea, and kneeling upon the net stone to him he laid his two hands over the roasted animal in the dish, in the form of a cross, and prayed to God to restore whatever animal it was to its original life and shape. And lo, he had no sooner finished his prayer than a yellow hound (cuin bhuidhe) started into life and leaping out of the dish ran in the direction of Waterford!”
“Patrick was struck with disgust and horror at the sight and turning to the working men he said in a solemn voice: ‘Pursue and kill that hound, for she will kill every man and beast which she will meet in her course.’ The men pursued her with their spades, shovels and pickaxes, and overtaking her on the lands of Treanaree about a mile to the east of the place whence she started, succeeded in killing her there. There they buried her, and over her grave a small stunted white-thorn bush is now to be seen, called Sgeithin na con, i.e. the little thorn of the hound. The stones near this bush are impressed with the marks of a grey-hound’s feet, and one of them exhibits the figure of a grey-hound in miniature.”
“In consequence of this ominous occurrence St. Patrick abandoned his project, but erected this heap of stones as a memorial of his intentions, placing on the top of it the stone on which he knelt whilst he prayed and which was stamped the impression of his two knees. He called the place Connawee in memorial of the resuscitation of the hound and pronounced an awful malediction [curse] on the woman who had thus profanely insulted him, and on her descendants, and place of abode [Ballincrea, Slieverue].”
The Curse
O’Donovan provided 12 lines in old Irish, the translation is:
Accursed be Ballincrea’s people
From whom the hound was sent to me
As long as bell shall ring in steeple,
As long as man and time shall be.
Accursed the black breed of the woman,
Who served to me this filthy hound
From their wry mouths thenceforward, no man
Shall hear but foul, impious sound,
Accurs’d the place! Behold I strike it
With my red bolt and seal its doom
May all good men for e’er dislike it,
May it be curs’d with deaf & dumb.
“It is believed that the malediction of the great Patrick still remains in full force, as the inhabitants of Ballincrea are remarkable for blaspheming, and it has not been since the memory of tradition without a lame, dumb, or wry-mouth man. I could say more about the present inhabitants of Ballincrea, but I leave them under the patronage of St. Patrick, who will take care of them.”
The School Collection
The Schools’ Collection, contains statements and local items collected by school children in the 1930’s. Thus 100 years after John O’Donovan recorded the legend in his letter, John Knox of Ballinlaw, Slieverue, aged 76, for the Slieverue School Collection recounted the legend and curse for the project almost verbatim to O’Donovan’s original account.
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Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The feature drawing of a hound above is courtesy of the New York Public Library from the 15th century. Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. “Miniature of a hound, with text and 1-line blue initial” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1475 – 1480. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-eb96-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore in the News: March 1924
Today, we feature articles about the Glenmore senior football team, the Glenmore junior hurling team, a marriage and local deaths, as well as an eclectic mix of articles that appeared in local newspapers in March 1924 and were undoubtedly discussed one hundred years ago. By all accounts the weather from January to March 1923 was poor and was blamed for the continuing spread of flu as well as poor fishing and farming prospects.
St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks Seized
“Upon the arrival of the Saxonia in dock the New York Customs Authorities confiscated six little pots, especially brought from Ireland by Father Robinson of Wicklow, containing growing shamrock for wear on St. Patrick’s Day. The attitude of the authorities was most sympathetic, but they explained that they were compelled to seize the shamrock by virtue of a stringiest law forbidding the importation of vegetation with roots,” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 March 1924, p 2).
Fishing
Whether due to weather conditions or otherwise, the reported catches of salmon in the Barrow are not at all up to the average of previous years ((New Ross Standard, Fri.7 March 1924, p. 8).
W. Fleming, J. Gehegan, D. Kennedy and W. Carroll, four Ballindine cot fishermen, caught a salmon weighing 50 lbs. the other night. The salmon was brought from them by Mr. P. Bourke, Lough Street, Carrick-in-Suir (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 7 March 1924, p. 8).
A 42 pound salmon was caught in the Barrow near New Ross and another weighing 35 pounds was caught during the week. The fishing season was still poor. The price of salmon was 2s 3d per pound (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 March 1924, p. 5).
Farm Prices
There was a scarcity of butter thought to be due to the weather conditions (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1924, p. 8).
Potatoes were scarce. The retail price in New Ross during the last week of March was up to 1s., 2d, per stone. At New Ross pig market on Monday fat pigs sold at 48s. to 53 s. per cwt., live weight (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 March 1924, p. 5)..
Message in a Bottle
At Cove, near Passage East, a young girl named Mason found a bottle on the strand. In the bottle was a message written by one of the men who “went to their last resting place amidst the din of war, when the now famous Formby, with her sister ship the Coningbeg, was set to the bottom of the sea by a German torpedo.”
The ships sank in December 1917. The message in the bottle was written on a plain piece of white paper but had become almost undecipherable from the elements. “As far as the closest and most careful scrutiny of the message can show, the words written by the hand of a man in a moment of supreme crisis are as follows:
‘Oh, God have mercy on me, from Jack (or Jock) Burns…sinking now. …to Waterford…It is too bad. She never rounded…’ Here the message ends. The blanks in the sentences have evidently been caused by the action of time and water, or both, or mayhap in the excitement and stress of the sailor’s last moments his confusion of mind may have been responsible for the want of coherency in this the last message he could indite, and which he sealed in a bottle and cast to the care of the waves, with the hope of its ultimately reaching those who love and cherished him…” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 7 March 1924, p. 8).
For further information on the sinking of the two ships see, Andrew Doherty’s, Tides and Tales article of 16 December 2016, “Remembering the S.S. Formby and S.S. Coningbeg.” For further information of the impact of the message in the bottle see, Waterford Treasures.
Flooding and Flu
Owing to the prevalence of the flu epidemic the Thomastown National Schools were closed for the first two weeks of March. There was much illness in both adults and children in January and February in the parish due to the flooding (The Kilkenny People, Sat. 22 March, 1924, p. 7).
Ford Motor Cars
Early in March an editorial in the Munster Express made a couple of predictions. “With the reduction in price in the Ford car, we may expect to hear soon that every farmer has got a car, and that the milk now carried by the horse or ass is whirled to the creamery by motor. A close shave will then be the order of the day and the humble pedestrian (who has to rely upon shanks’ mare) had better prepare to walk the fences” (Munster Express, Sat.1 March 1924, p. 6).
A week later, on Saturday the 8th of March, on Waterford’s market day, a “magnificent display of Ford cars” was provided by Mr. T.J. Sheridan, motor proprietor, The Quay. Shortly before one a fleet of cars, comprising the touring and commercial vehicle type, left the garage premises at the Quay, and headed by the famous Fordson tractors, were driven by the firm’s employees, through the streets of Waterford. The vehicles were heralded by the loud sounding “of the hooters” The parade was witnessed and admired by a large number of citizens and country folk. “It is yet another remarkable and practical demonstration of the progressive stride that have been made of late by this particular firm” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 14 March 1924, p. 3).
1924 Spring Cleaning Advice
Although it was stated that mid-March was too early to think about sweeps, carpet-beating and paint cleaning housewives were told that there was much they could do to minimise the discomfort of spring cleaning. “For instance they can concentrate on timber rooms, chests, and cupboards in those parts where coal fires are not.” These items can be dusted, re-papered and re-arranged. “Mattresses too are best overhauled early in the season as when remaking is in question they are likely to be more quickly returned than later when upholstering departments are rushed with work. Bolsters and pillows no longer fresh can be given new cases, the feathers being well picked over and the necessary new ones added.” On dry days all mattresses and pillows should be given a sun bath, and as extra blankets can be dispensed with they should be cleaned or washed, ready for next winter’s use” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 14 March 1924, p. 7).
Kilivory Cemetery of Glenmore
The No. 2 (Co. Kilkenny) District Council met in the Council’s Offices, John’s Hill, Waterford. J. Donovan, D.C. wrote to the Council that he had visited the Kilmakevogure Graveyard (also known as Kilivory) “and found the state of affairs there worse than he anticipated. All round the graveyard there was evidence of trespass by goats. The bark was pulled off the strubs, and he saw the clay on graves scooped out as if by fowl. He saw a number of trees, the barks of which had been deliberately hacked away. There was now only one uninjured tree in the graveyard.”
A committee was appointed to visit the graveyard and report. The committee was comprised of Messrs. Donvan, Ennett, Cororan and J. Flanagan engineer (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 3).
Wedding & Deaths
Glenmore Wedding
The wedding of Mr. Richard Doherty, Coolnaleen, to Miss Fitzgerald of Knockbrack was announced in the Munster Express. (Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 5).
According to the Glenmore Parish Records Richard Doherty of Coolnaleen, Glenmore married Bridget Fitzgerald of Knockbrack, Glenmore on the 27th of February 1924. Richard was the son of James Doherty (farmer) and Bridget was the daughter of Paul Fitzgerald (farmer). The couple were married by Fr. Patrick Freyne and the witnesses were John Doherty and Ellie Fitzgerald. For further information on the Doherty’s see our D family surname page. For further information on the Fitzgerald’s see our F family surname page.
Reported Deaths
Death of Hon. Granville Ponsonby (c. 1846-1924)
The same newspaper reported the death of the Hon. Granville Ponsonby (c. 1846-1924). He died in London, aged 78. He was the third son of the 7th Earl of Bessborough, and uncle of the then present peer. He was formerly Chief of Police in St. Lucia (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 5). The Earl of Bessborough was one of the landlords of Glenmore.
Death of Miss May Walsh (c. 1911-1924) of Mullinavat
The 13 year old daughter of Ellen Walsh, née Mullins died in March 1924 at Mullinavat. Ellen Walsh née Mullins was a native of Flemingstown, Glenmore and the daughter of John Mullins. Miss May Walsh (c. 1911-1924) tragically died of T.B. after being ill for 3 months (Munster Express, Sat. 15 March 1924, p. 5 and death register).
Police Blotter
James Walsh, of Rochestown, Glenmore was prosecuted in the Waterford court for having on the 23rd of February 1923 unlawfully assault, beat, and inflicted a dangerous wound on Kate Ryan or Lady Lane, Waterford. The case was adjourned by Supt. Halligan because a number of Kate Ryan’s family had died and “all the parties were that day attending the funeral.” A cross summons was made by the defendant James Walsh against John Ryan (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 4).
Patrick Scanlan was charged in the special court in Waterford for having on the 24th of October 1922, “at Slieveue, with others, armed with firearms, feloniously breaking and entered the premises of Mr. Michael Rockett, and did there and then rob a quantity of groceries etc, and the sum of £2 in cash” (Munster Express, Sat. 22 March 1924, p. 5).
Glenmore Sports
Glenmore Junior Hurling
On the last Sunday in February Glenmore played Ballyhale at Clogga in the semi-final of the Southern Division of the junior hurling championship. “The attendance was rather on the small side, due probably to the coldness of the day ad the rumours that had gained currency in the surrounding district that the fixture had been postponed.” In the preliminary rounds both teams had “good displays” and it was expected that Sunday would have been a good game.
Ballyhale lacked the services of their most prominent players, while Glenmore was at full strength. “The game was fairly evenly contested, and towards the end interest was livened p considerably when Ballyhale came along with a great dash and tried their utmost to draw level, and live to fight another day. However, the Glenmore defence held out, and the balance of five points which separated the teams one time about represents the run of play.”
“The backs on both teams gave a good display, but both sets of forwards missed many likely chances. For the winners Hanrahan (goal), Phelan, Rockett, Heffernan and Williams played well. While for Ballyhale, MacBride (goal), Dalton, Fitzgerald, Darmody, and Phelan were about the pick.”
Final Score
Glenmore—2 goals, 3 points
Ballyhale—1 goal, 2 points
The Teams
Glenmore—J. Murphy; P. Murphy; J. Fitzgerald; M. Coady; P. Coady; R. Duggan; P. Mullins; S. Heffernan; J. Hanrahan; J. Phelan; T. O’Neill; T. Williams; R. Rockett; J. Quinn; L. Phelan.
Ballyhale—J. McBride; J. Phelan; J. Fitzpatrick; G. Darmody; T. Dalton; W. Ryan; J. MacNamara; T. MacNamara; M. Kearns; R. Kennealy; T. Fitzgerald; W. Dalton; W. Sullivan; J. Roche; J. Phelan (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 5).
Glenmore Appeal
The Glenmore junior hurling club appealed against the decision of the Southern Board in awarding the semi-final championship tie to Ballyhale. The matter was to be dealt with at the April meeting of the Kilkenny County Committee G.A.A. Also to be discussed was the continued ban on foreign games (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 5).
Glenmore Senior Football
The finals of the 1923 senior championships in hurling and football were played at St. James Park, Kilkenny on Sunday the 23rd before a large crowd. Although it was wet in the morning there was no rain during the games. The pitch was in “splendid condition” (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 4).
The football final was between Glenmore and Cloneen. “The boys from the Big Glen by their display, left no doubt in the minds of anybody present as to who’s who in football in Co, Kilkenny. The game was a disappointing one, however, as the Glenmore men had matters all their own way after the first ten minutes, and with the exception of two runs, the Cloneen men were hemmed in their own territory for practically the hour.”
The Scores
“For the winners the scores were: Connolly (3 goals); Fitzgerald, 5 points; Hanrahan, 1 point; Mullins, 1 point. At the long whistle, Glenmore were declared the winners on the score of 3 goals, 7 points to 2 points. Mr. R. Walsh, Chairman Kilkenny Co. Board, G.A.A., carried on the duties of referee in a creditable manner” (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 4).
The Glenmore Team
Elsewhere in the paper the score was reported as 3 goals. 6 points to 2 points. “Glenmore, the southern opponents were undefeated in the Kilkenny Senior football championship since 1915, and to judge from their display on Sunday last they are likely to hold the honour for some time yet.” The Glenmore team was comprised of: A. Heffernan (goal); M. Cody (Captain); P. Cody; M. Cody; S. Heffernan; J. Doherty; P. Murphy P. Fitzgerald; J. Phelan; W. Irish, J. Hanrahan, J. Mullins, W. Hartley, P. Hartley and M. Connolly (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 5).
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Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The cigarette card featuring shamrocks above is courtesy of George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library. “Do you know which is the true shamrock?” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 14, 2024. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e2-1de3-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Letters of the Donovan’s of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today, is the third anniversary of our founder Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) death. If Danny was still with us he would be pouring over the University of Galway’s recently launched digital repository of thousands of Irish emigrant letters from the late 17th century to the mid-20th century. These letters and documents were collected by Kerby A. Miller. Known as the IMIRICE project it is an on line archive of correspondence and documents to and from the Irish diaspora in North America. Kerby A. Miller, similar to our own Danny Dowling collected the letters and documents for over five decades. Professor Miller donated his collection to the University of Galway Library.
The Library is now seeking contributions of other emigrant letters, in particular those written in Irish, and letters and memoirs written in any language by emigrants from the Gaeltacht. So if you have old letters, cards etc. from emigrated kin in North America please consider providing a copy to the University of Galway Library.
Glenmore Letters
Placing Glenmore in the search feature on the site revealed three letters:
1. 3 May 1878—Bridget Donovan née Sheehan of Gaulstown, Glenmore to her brother James Sheehan, Fort Dodge, Iowa.
2. 3 October 1884—Mary Donovan, Gaulstown, Glenmore to her uncle James Sheehy [Sheehan], Fort Dodge, Iowa.
3. 28 March 1895—Maggie Donovan, of Gaulstown, Glenmore to her cousin Edward [Philip Edmond] Sheehan, US.
James Sheehan/Sheehy (1837-1892) native of Deerpark, Mullinavat
In addition to the letter itself the archivist recorded information provided by the letter donor. James Sheehan (1837-1892) was the son of Philip and Mary Sheehan, born on 15 Feb. 1837 at Deerpark, Mullinavat. Additionally there are 19 others letters to James Sheehan in the collection that were written by his parents, cousins and friends. James was apprenticed into the coopers’ trade (barrel maker) at an early age. James emigrated c. 1858 first to Newfoundland where he remained for 4 years. He moved to Boston in 1862, where he had relatives at Ipsich. He then went to Albany, New York. In 1868, he went to Dubuque, Iowa to another cousin and on to Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1871. [Fort Dodge was established as a town in 1869.] On 25 November 1873 James married Catherine Loftus of County Mayo, and the couple reared five sons. He died in Fort Dodge in April 1892 and is buried in Corpus Christi Cemetery of Fort Dodge.
Glenmore Authors
What we are going to focus on today are the Glenmore authors and the information provided in these letters concerning the Donnovan family of Gaulstown, Glenmore. We have attempted to maintain the spellings and punctuation of the IMIRCE transcriptions of these letters, however this has proven challenging with auto correct. Please refer back to IMIRICE. It is a wonderful resource.
Bridget Donovan née Sheehy (c. 1829-1902) of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Letter 1 dated 3 May 1878. The author of this letter if Bridget Donovan née Sheehan/Sheehy (c. 1829-1902) of Gaulstown, Glenmore to her brother James Sheehan, Fort Dodge, Iowa. The body of the letter is 287 words, and reflects the struggles Bridget was experiencing in Glenmore. Although Bridget lived through the Great Famine she wrote in 1878, “Last year was about the worst I ever remember in Ireland.” “I never knew what it was to be in want until now.”
Notwithstanding the information supplied by the donor of the letter, the Mullinavat parish records reveal that James Sheehy was baptised at Mullinavat on 27 January 1837. He was the son of Philip Sheehy and Mary Maddigan of “Park.” Interestingly an identical baptismal record is in the Kilmacow parish records. We were unable to find a baptismal record for his sister Bridget Donovan née Sheehy/Sheehan (c. 1829-1902) or their brother Edmond Sheehy.
We did find Bridget’s marriage record. Bridget Sheehy married Patrick Donovan (c. 1817-1900) of Gaulstown, Glenmore on 12 February 1861 at Mullinavat. Witnesses were Edmund Aylward and Nancy Sheehy. In a letter dated 4 September 1861, their father Philip Sheehy, of Deerpark, Mullinavat wrote to James “I wish to tell you that Bridget is happy and her husband Patrick Donovan is as kind a man as you could wish your sister to be married to … I wish to tell you that Bridget lives within a mile and a half of Glanmore on the road between Ross and Waterford & in Gaulstown about 6 miles from Deerpark.”
Thus, at the time Bridget wrote to her brother James in 1878 she was about 49 years of age and had been married 17 years. Interestingly, in the 1901 Census although Bridget recorded that she could speak Irish and English and could read, she declared that she could not write. Who wrote the letter for her and why did her father in his own letters to James state that “his sister” would be writing to him?
Glenmore Letter 1
Dear Brother James;
After a long, long silence I again chance this letter to you, hoping it may find in good health. I often wonder at how you would not write to me, as you cant but know what comfort a letter from you would give me. I trust you will answer this when you receive it, and let me know how you are going on. I am sure you would like to know how myself and family are, but I regret to say that I have no cheerful account to give you. My poor husband is always delicate; the pains are continually tormenting him. You are aware that our family is large and helpless. Last year was about the worst I ever remember in Ireland. The crops had little produce—the potatoes were an entire failure. By great struggling we got to put down the crops this year bit I don’t know how we can live util harvest time. My brother has my eldest girl, and he helps me with a horse but that is all he can afford to do. I just thought if you were aware of our great poverty you would in charity try to send me some relief. God know my poverty, and He would reward you abundantly if you would kindly assist me. May God help us. I never knew what it was to be in want until now. Oh, my dear Brother if this letter reach you don’t be unmindful of your poor sister’s distress if you can help me. We join in love and prayers for you, and hope to hear from you soon.
I remain your fond sister Bridget Donovan. We send our love and wishes to your mistress.
Family of Patrick and Bridget Donovan of Gaulstown, Glenmore
We know that Patrick and Bridget Donovan had 7 daughters and 1 son perhaps the large number of daughters is what Bridget referred to as her family being “helpless.” We were able to locate birth records for 5 of the children: [1] Mary Donovan (b. 18 Feb. 1862); [2] John Donovan (b. 24 Oct. 1863-January 1905); [3] Alice Donovan (b. 13 Feb. 1870); [4] Johanna Donovan (b. 5 April 1872) and [5] Margaret Donovan (b. 5 April 1872) twin to Johanna.
Glenmore Letter 2
Letter 2 dated 3 October 1884. Written by Mary Donovan (b. 1862) Gaulstown, Glenmore to her uncle James Sheehan of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Mary was the eldest daughter of Patrick Donovan and Bridget Donovan née Sheehy. The body of this letter is 326 words. Based upon the letters in the collection, Mary did not have the writing and spelling skills of her grandfather Philip Sheehy or her mother or the person who wrote for her mother.
Dear uncle I take the liberty of sending you these few lines hoping to find you and your family in good health as those lines lave me and my Mother and Father and Brother and Sisters at present thank God for his mercy to us all dear uncle I am treting with a long time to rite to you for my Mother often speaks of you and she would like to hear from you and your wife and to now how you are getting on in the world or have you any family for herself has her family all reared the youngest is ten years we are gone on well in the world now thank God but she got her one share of the world while she was rearing us for Father was very delicate but now my Brother is able to take his part he is as big a man as is in one parish with him. John is his name. She have only one sun and seven daughters. I am the eldest cald after your mother and the second is with her uncle Ned [Edmond Sheehy, Bridget Donovan’s brother in Deerpark, Mullinavat] he have no family there is another serving her time to be a dress maker and fore gone to school my Mother is wering very well and my uncle also there is no one in Park but himself Pat is gone to Australia about two years ago I will tell you all about Park in my next letter.
Dear Uncle the land lague is gone on very strong now in Ireland we had a grate meeting in Mullinat on Sunday dear Uncle don’t think that it is expecting any thing from you that I am only a letter and send me that if you please and let me now have you any family my Mother wish to be remembered to your wife no more at present from yours true nees Mary Donovan, Gaulestown, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny rite soon if you plase.
Glenmore Letter 3
Letter 3 dated 28 March 1895. This letter was written by Maggie Donovan, the second youngest child of Patrick Donovan and Bridget Donovan (McDonald) (1872 -1951) of Gaulstown, Glenmore, to her first cousin (eldest son of her Uncle James Sheehan of Fort Dodge, Iowa). The body of the letter is 406 words. Maggie in this letter provides that out of the 8 children she is the sole child at home. All of her sisters emigrated to the United States. She provides the married names of her four married sisters and reveals that her brother John had to be institutionalised after falling ill.
March 28th 1895
Dear Cousin Edward,
I suppose you will be surprised to get a letter from me. I am your Aunt Bridget’s daughter and I had a letter from my Uncle he sent me your address and tol me torite to you. I was very sorry to hear of your Father’s death the poor man did not hold long. My mother wishes to now all about his death how he took sick and what happened to him. Please rite when you receive this note and let me know all about your family how many are there and how is your mama. Our family consists of eight. Seven girls and a boy. Six girls in America. Four married two in Brooklyn Mrs. James O’Keeffe, and Mrs. Edward Dunphy, one in New York Mrs. F.C. Donnely, and the other married girl has a farm of 170 acres in Florida. She live their in winter and in New York in summer her name is Mrs. T.C. Huntington they all have family my other two sisters are working in New York. I had but one brother he went to America also and staid only 8 months he came home got sick and lost his mind he is very bad in the Asylum 2 years next June he was a heart brake to us all they are no one at home only me out of all. I live with my Father, Mother, and Aunt and we have a little farm and is doing the best we can to keep it for Brother as we have hopes he will be home soon with the help of God. My Father is a man of 76 years, Mother is 64 and Aunt is 74. So you see they are three old feeble people I have on my care. I am the second youngest of the family. I am twenty years last mounth. Unkle expect a letter from you every day he is very well all my friends are well and war sorry for your Father’s death may he rest in peace. Will you please rite by return of post and let me know all about yea. My Mother wishes to get a picture of you if you have any one taken please send it in the letter. I will send all our pictures as soon as I get them taken. I will expect a letter by the last of next month please don’t riting.
I remain Dear Edward your cousin Maggie O’Donovan (Gaulstown, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, via Waterford). Please excuse my scribbling as I am in a hurray. Goodbye XXXXX
Margaret “Maggie” McDonald née Donovan (1872 -1951) of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Maggie’s brother John Donovan (1863-1905) does not appear to have ever left the Asylum from when he entered circa 1893. He died of TB in the Kilkenny Lunatic Asylum on the first of January 1905. His age at death was recorded as 40, his marital status was bachelor, and he was listed as a farmer from Mullinavat rather than Glenmore.
The delicate Patrick Donovan died at the age of 82 on 14 November 1900 at his home in Gaulstown, Glenmore. His widow, Bridget Donovan née Sheehy died on 21 June 1902 at the age of 71. Five months later their daughter, Margaret “Maggie” Donovan, of Gaulstown, Glenmore married John McDonald (c. 1869-1945) of Slieverue on 17 November 1902 at Glenmore. John McDonald was the son of William McDonald (deceased farmer).
John McDonald and Maggie McDonald née Donovan, of Gaulstown, Glenmore had at least four children: [1] Alice McDonald (b. 7 Jan. 1904); [2] Patrick McDonald (b. 28 Aug. 1906); [3] Catherine McDonald (b. 8 Aug. 1908); and [4] Bridget McDonald (b. 6 Oct. 1910).
Margaret McDonald née Donovan lost her husband John McDonald on 15 January 1945. John McDonald was 76 when he died. Margaret died on 28 November 1951, aged 78.
For further information on members of the McDonald family see our M Glenmore surname page.
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Please send corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. For further information regarding Fort Dodge, Iowa see, fortdodgehistory.com. The featured photo above is an old post card of Fort Dodge, Iowa c. 1900.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
More Glenmore Fishing
Fifty years ago this past week, Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed Denis Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore (DD Notebook 31, Interview 6 March 1974 at Doherty’s of Milltown). Denis Murphy was a lifelong resident of Milltown, never married and worked as a labourer and fisherman. See our earlier post of 18 July 2020 for other information concerning Glenmore fishing and weirs.
Denis “Dinny” Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore
Denis Murphy was the son of John Murphy (labourer) and Catherine “Kate” Merrigan (1859- ? ) who married on 21 April 1893. Kate was the daughter of Michael Merrigan (c. 1820-1891) and Mary Merrigan née Morrisey (sic) (c. 1823 -1885) of Milltown. See our M family surname page for further information on the Murphy families. See our post of 21 May 2020 regarding the Merrigan family of Milltown.
Denis Murphy was known as Dinny. During his 1974 interview Dinny recalled 26 cot crews salmon fishing on the River Barrow during one season about 58 years before his interview (i.e c. 1916). Dinny explained that there were four men in each crew, thus there were 96 men salmon fishing locally during that particular season.
The 26 cot crews fished from the following locations:
New Ross—15 crews
Ling Voor—3 crews
Gap—4 crews
Shanbogh Stocks—4 crews
Dinny reported that in the early 1930’s “he sold gilíns (pale)” to the locals at Ballygurrim cross. A gilín or pale are terms for young salmon. The price of gilíns was low. The price then went up to 6d. per pound, and Dinny bought some gilíns to sell at this price. The locals bought his supply but told him not to bring anymore at that price because the price was too high.
Local good cot makers were identified by Dinny as Ned Grace of Forristalstown and Patsy Aylward of Shanbogh.
Dissolving a Fishing Partnership
Dinny’s grandfather, Mikey Merrigan (c. 1820-1891) of Millstown, and Bill Roche ( c. 1814-1894) of Jamestown (Main Roche’s father) bought a cot together. “Bill Roche was a most contrary and cantankerous man and a bully.” On one occasion the crew in which Roche and Merrigan were members got into a dispute over a salmon they caught. Roche got contrary and told Merrigan that they would have to dissolve the partnership. As they owned the cot together Merrigan decided that either one or the other should buy out the other’s share.
The cot cost £12. This sum included the timber, fittings, and the making of it. “When it came time to pay the other off, Roche refused to agree to anything except that the cot had to be sawn in half. The cot was thereupon sawn in half.” Mikey Merrigan sold his share, or half of the cot, to “one of the Shivawns in Forristalstown who made a cattle trough out of it.” Does anyone know which family in Forristalstown had the nic-name Shivawns?
In 1979 Danny interviewed Nicky the Miller Forristal (1888-1979) who told a similar story concerning Bil Roche insisting on a jointly owned cot being cut in half. In Nicky the Miller’s version the other party was Patsy Hennebery (Mártín) of Jamestown. They fished together for at least one season and Patsy Henneberry decided to go with another crew. He asked Roche, “How will we settle about the cot? Roche replied “we can do nothing with her except cut her in halves.” No matter what Henneberry suggested, Roche would not agree, in the end Henneberry, rather than see it cut in halves, left it to Roche.
Bill Roche (c. 1814-1894) of Jamestown, Glenmore
William Roche (c. 1814-1894) of Jamestown married Mary Murphy on 27 June 1844. The couple had 8 known children. The oldest four were born at Forristalstown and the last four were born at Jamestown. [1] William Roche (b. 1845); [2] William Roche (b. 1850); [3] John Roche (b. 1854); [4] Mary or Main Roche (b. 1855); [5] Patrick Roche (b. 1858); [6] Patrick Roche (b. 1860); [7] Anastatia Roche (b. 1863) and [8] Ellen Roche (b. 1866).
Main Roche married Thomas Walsh (aged 26) of Haggard on 21 January 1886. Thomas was the son of Edmund Walsh (labourer). There is a section of a Glenmore road still known locally as Main Roche’s hill. If you exit Glenmore on the Cappagh Road the incline you encounter as you pass the turn off to the new Glenmore N25 roundabout is Main Roche’s hill. Main Roche would have travelled along this road coming and going to Glenmore. Does anyone know why this stretch of road became known as Main Roche’s hill?
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The feature print above is a cigarette card depicting a salmon. The drawing of Annagh’s Castle is courtesy of the Dublin Penny Journal (30 Jan. 1836, available at https://www.jstor)org/stable/30003343) and two cots are depicted in the drawing. Annagh’s Castle is located on the River Barrow half way between New Ross and Glenmore.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh