Archives
now browsing by author
Glenmore Creamery Featured in Butter Museum’s Latest Video [updated]
The video is on facebook. The fastest way to find it is to go to the Butter Museums webpage and click on the little facebook symbol in the upper right side of the home page.
Here is a link to the video on Vimeo
Glenmore: Limestone Kilns [updated]
Unlike other areas of Ireland where subsistence farming was the norm, the farmers of eastern Leinster engaged in commercial agriculture. In other words, crops were being grown to be sold rather than for subsistence. In 1770, the chief trade was in flour sold to the growing city of Dublin. By the start of the Famine crops were being grown for breweries. This commercialisation of the tillage economy is credited with causing a rapid population increase in the early 19th century. Farm labourers who made up about half the population in the region were given a small cottage and around 0.4 hectares of land. These plots were locally known as haggards and were used for growing potatoes and cereal crops by the farm labourers. After the famine farming moved from tillage to grazing. Between 1851 and 1911 arable land in Ireland halved from 1.8 million hectares to 0.9 million. Grazing with live cattle exports to Britain increased from 200,000 animals in the 1840’s to 400,000 animals in the 1860’s. The last decade of the 19th century saw this increased to 800,000 animals (Kevin Whelan, (1997) “The Modern Landscape from Plantation to Present” in Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape, p. 67).
Lime Kilns of Glenmore
The landscape of Glenmore still has the ruins of old lime kilns that long ago were used for the production of quicklime or buntlime. One good example is at the crossroads in Ballycroney. Quicklime was produced by heating limestones at high temperatures in a lime kiln. Quickline was used in agriculture to change the PH of the soil and in building projects for mortar. Farm lime kilns were very common in the 18th and early part of the 19th century. They were replaced in the second half of the 19th century, after the Famine, by industrial lime and brick works. There were two types of permanent farm kilns used in the production of quicklime for agricultural purposes, namely: draw kilns and the less common flare kilns. Both kilns were loaded from the top and had their fire boxes at the bottom. Kilns were usually built into the bank of a hillside and enclosed on the other three sides by a stone-built rectangular shaped structure. The draw-hole or stoke hole was located at the front of the kiln base. It provided draft and access to the fire and was where the quicklime was removed. The draw hole was often built large enough to accommodate two men and sometimes a cart. Draw kilns burned limestone in a continuous process (p.19). Because of the need to generate temperatures in the region of 1000 degrees Celsius for long periods, lime kilns required a large amount of fuel. In the late 19th century in Munster, furze was the main fuel source. In other parts of Ireland furze was used to start the fire or was mixed with other fuels (Muiris O’Sullivan & Liam Downey, “Lime Kilns,” (19)2 Archaeology Ireland (Summer 2005) pp. 18-22).
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979) in November 1977 (DD Notebook 5) concerning the burning of lime in Glenmore. Nicky stated that the local farmers brought limestone from the quarries at Dunkitt, in Kilmacow, up river in a gabbard. “After discharge at the local quays the stones were transported in horse and cart to the lime kilns. They were then spalled—that is to say that they were broken to the size of about 2 hands clenched together. The kiln was then packed in the follow order: 1st furze at bottom to light the culm; 2nd on this was placed a layer of culm; and 3rd next a layer of limestone. After this it was every alternate layer of culm and limestone until the kiln was filled to the top. It was then set alight and it burned for 3 or 4 days.” According to a modern dictionary culm was coal dust.
Nicky went on to state that as a chap he saw the kilns at Ballyverneen Quay, and at Ennett’s in Cappagh, burning lime on a few occasions. Lime kilns were situated at the following locations:
(1) A kiln was located on Kiln Hill which was over Glenmore ½ way up on Neddie Connor’s side in Cody’s field, in the townland of Graiguenakill.
(2) Ballyverneen—at Waterford side of Maid’s Quay on other side of road.
(3) Ballyverneen—at Quay opposite Dick Dunphy’s cottage where Dolan’s later lived. It was fed from the roadroad. Although the kiln is gone its outline can still be seen.
(4) Graiguenakill–on Barron’s Quay below Forristal’s Mill. This Quay was public and was an open space years ago. Paddy Forristal in an interview in 1980 referred to it being on a commons and noted the kiln was gone.
(5) Cappah–at top of Ennet’s Marsh. It is gone.
(6) Jamestown–at top of Main Roche’s Hill in Green’s field. It is gone.
(7) Bishopstown–opposite Richie Hennessey’s cottage.
(8) Bishopstown–at Ballybrahee Lane.
(9) Weatherstown–on the commons.
Given the prominence of the kiln at the crossroads in Ballycroney it is surprising it was not mentioned. We did find it recorded on the Orinance Survey Map. If readers are aware of where other lime kilns were or are located in or around Glenmore parish would you please send the information to glenmore.history@gmail.com ?
[Update 6 Sept. 2022, Martin Forristal identified a lime kiln in Rochestown near the river. See Martin’s comment below for further details.]
[Update 6 Sept 2022, Brian Forristal identified and sent the photo to the right of a lime kiln in Kearney Bay. It is located down the rock Road, past Tom Heffernan’s farm. It is about half a mile from there on the right hand side.]
Life & Death
After lime kilns fell out of use at least one family lived in the Graiguenakill lime kiln. Billy Fleming and his sister Jane Fleming made the Graiguenakill kiln their home (Danny Dowling, Notebook 8 (1955)). Unfortunately, no further information was provided by Danny regarding Billy Fleming or his sister Jane or when they resided in the kiln. A quick search of the parish records presented a possible match. There was a William Fleming baptized at Glenmore on 16 March 1826 to Patrick Fleming and his wife Margaret Barden. No similar record could be located for Jane Fleming, but Patrick and Margaret had another son Peter (bapt. 8 July 1824) at Grangekille (sic) Glenmore.
Lastly, while performing a newspaper search (for something else) the following article was found regarding a kiln operated in Carrigcloney, Glenmore in 1827. This article was found in the Drogheda Journal, or Meath & Louth Advertiser (Sat. 19 May 1827) and appears to have been copied from the Waterford Chronicle. It highlights the dangers associated with lime burning.
Melancholy Occurrence. —On Thursday last, a poor limeburner, named Freeman, while working at a kiln, at Carrigcloney, Parish of Glenmore, County Kilkenny, the man below was drawing the lime, many of the stones above, from being overburned, calcined or adhering to the side of the kiln, when the poor fellow walked on the side of the kiln, and with a pole endeavoured to cause the lime to pass, it immediately shifted, and he, poor creature, got fast in the middle of it. The exertions of four stout men pulling him by the arms, were not aide to disengage him, until they procured rope a short distance off, he burning all the time, by fastening it under his arms they brought him up. He died a short time afterwards in great agony.— Waterford Chronicle.
Freeman is not a common Glenmore name, however in the parish records we did find where a Laurence Freeman, in nearby Rathanure (sic) married Margaret Day, of Rathanure, on 14 January 1824 at Glenmore. Witnesses were Nancy Freeman and Mary Grant. The poor man who was burned in the kiln was not Laurence as Laurence and his wife had 2 children born after May 1827. The couple had Bridget Freeman (bapt. 17 March 1828) and Laurence Freeman (bapt. 15 Dec. 1830). Turning to Griffiths Valuation 1829, a John Freeman of Rathinure is listed. What relationship, if any, the Rathinure Freemans may have had to the deceased limeburner is not known.
Please send any corrections and further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com . The photos of the kiln at the Ballycroney cross was taken last week.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Cappagh, Glenmore (1961) [Updated]
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Cappagh, Glenmore around 1961. The Irish for this townland, according to Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny (1969, p. 109) is Ceapach, which translates to a tillage plot. The townland is comprised of 162 acres. Kelly notes that the townland is “part of the pretty village of Glenmore, a modern village without a public house until very recently, is on the southern border of this townland. Most of the village is in Graiguenakill and the R.C. church and National School are in Robinstown.”
In the 1833 Griffith’s Valuation Applotment Records the townland was referred to as Cappa and located in the Civil Parish of Kilcoan. The landlord of Cappagh and Ballybrahy was George Toie (?), of Waterford. There were 15 tenants listed in the townland: [1] Lawrence Boulger (37 acres); [2] Thomas Boulger (42 acres); [3] Walter Boulger (7 acres); [4] James Cashen; [5] Richard Dumphy (sic) (4 acres); [6] James Forestal (2 acres); [7] Edward Grant (8 acres) ; [8] Patrick Roach (4 acres); [9] Michael Alward (sic); [10] Patrick Henebury (1 acre); [11] Bridget Neil (house); [12] Edmund Shannahan (house); [13] John Butler (house); [14] Michael Conoly (sic) (house); and [15] Thomas Green (house).
Danny Dowling in 1961 recorded six families or households in Cappagh. 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. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 38 people resided in Cappagh with the population comprised of 19 males; 18 females and one unknown. Two families tied for the largest family of the townland. The Ennett family had eight members in the household as did the Wattie Power family. There was no household recorded of a single person living alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 19
Females= 18
Unknown= 1 (first name of child born c. 1961 not recorded)
Eldest Recorded Resident = Ellen Cassin (1879-1963) née Malone was a native of Ballyduff, Piltown. She moved to Glenmore after her marriage. Ellen died in 1963 at the age of 88 and had been a widow since 1907. Her obiturary is located on our families page click here to access it. Her husband James Cassin’s tragic drowning was the subject of a blog post of 8 November 2020.
Recorded Work
Farmer = 1 (1 male)
Farm Labourer/Worker = 1 (1 male)
General Labourer = 1 (1 male)
Shop Keeper = 1 (1 female)
Shop Assistant = 1 (1 female)
Creamery Worker = 1 (1 male)
Creamery Shop Assistant = 1 (male)
Motor Garage Worker = 1 (1 male)
Motor Panel Beater =1 (male)
Road Worker = 1 (male)
National Teachers = 3 (2 females; 1 male)
Postman = 1 (1 male)
Factory Worker (Meat)= 1 (1 female)
Factory Worker = 1 (1 male)
CAPPAGH RESIDENTS
[1] ENNETT
Ennett, Patrick (5 July 1903) Farmer
Ennett, Mary (b. 1921) wife
Ennett, Marguerite, daughter
Ennett, John, son
Ennett, William, son (died 2 April 1962) (1948-1962)
Ennett, James, son
Ennett, Francis, son
Ennett, Desmond, son
[For a recording made by John Ennett, see our post of 7 April 2020]
[See our blog post of 5 August 2020 concerning the memories of Jimmy Ennett of Glenmore in the 1960’s and 1970’s]
[2] POWER
Power, Walter (8 Feb. 1912) Postman
Power, Bridget (29 Aug. 1910) wife
Power, Elizabeth “Elsie”, daughter, shop assistant
Power, John, son, motor panel beater
Power, Patrick, son, farm worker
Power, Margaret, daughter, meat factory worker
Power, Daniel, son, motor garage worker
Power, Michael, son
[3] JONES
Jones, Patrick (5 Feb. 1897) Road Worker
Jones, Alice (5 April 1890) wife
Jones, Patrick, son, creamery worker
Jones, Seamus, son, general labourer
[See our blog post of 25 April 2021 regardjng the efforts of the Jones brothers to save a man from drowning.]
[4] CASSIN/DOYLE/SUTTON
Cassin, Ellen (15 Feb. 1879) Retired (“died”—no date of death provided)
Doyle, Anastatia (15 Nov. 1906) daughter
Sutton, John, grandson-in-law, factory worker
Sutton, Ellen, granddaughter [of Ellen Cassin]
Sutton, Margaret, great-granddaughter
Sutton, Anne, great-granddaughter
Sutton, (no first name provided) (Suttons “gone to live in Ferrybank”)
[5] HEFFERNAN
Heffernan, Eileen (b. 1923) Shop Keeper
McEvoy, Helen, boarder, National Teacher
McEvoy, Morgan, boarder, National Teacher
Shanahan, Mary, boarder, National Teacher
[6] WALSH
Walsh, William (2 March 1912) Creamery Shop Assistant
Walsh, Margaret (b. 1917) wife
Walsh, Patrick, son
Walsh, Eamonn, son
Walsh, Marion, daughter
Walsh, Anne, daughter
Walsh, Monica, daughter
[See our post of 27 February 2022 written by Mrion Cody Hendrick née Walsh regarding the entertainment businesses of Bill Walsh (1912-1985).]
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured drawing above depicts women’s fashions at Easter 1962 (advertisement by Shaw’s) Munster Express, 30 March 1962, p. 5).
[Update 4 Nov. 2022: Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sharing the photo of her mother (Margaret Ryan) and her siblings.]
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Danny Dowling: 1991 Kilcolumb Church Ruins
Last month I was able to go home and had a couple of old VHS tapes digitalized. One tape contained video from a 1991 trip to Glenmore when I met Danny Dowling (1927-2021). It also contained footage of Danny giving a little tour of the ruins of Kilcolumb Church, the oldest Kennedy headstone in the parish, and the famous “headache stone.” Danny also provided a brief history of Kilcolumb Church and its patron Saint. Also featured in the video is my future husband’s father, Tom Walsh (1908-1992) a native of Davidstown, Glenmore and late of Rathinure, Glenmore and my future sister-in-law Elsie Walsh.
This is our first you tube video, so fingers crossed, click here.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: August 1922
As the month of August 1922 unfolded the local newspapers seemed to have settled on names for the two warring sides. The troops of the pro-treaty, Free State were generally referred to as the Irish Army or National troops, and the troops of the anti-treaty Republicans were generally referred to as Irregulars. Glenmore did not feature in any local newspapers in August 1922, so today we will highlight various local events our ancestors read about in local newspapers. In August 1922, Waterford City was under the control of the Irish Army which continued to push south and west to capture other cities and towns. As the Irish Army advanced the Irregulars relied more on guerilla activities, honed during the War of Independence, such as blocking roads, destroying bridges, laying ambushes and disrupting communications. Although the National Troops during the month appeared to have driven the Irregulars out of various districts, towns and cities the Irregulars continued to operate in these areas. Notwithstanding the strife events such as the Tramore Races proceeded although the railway link to Tramore was not operating due to the activities of the Irregulars.
Disruption of Communications
A notice was posted on the 2nd of August in the window of the Waterford GPO advising the public that the arrival of mails was uncertain. Telegram communication was open via Dublin for Great Britain and the greater portion of Ireland. Waterford was in communication with Kilkenny, Abbeyleix, New Ross, Wexford, Passage East, Dunmore and Tramore. Telegrams could not be accepted for Counties Cork and Kerry, Limerick and district, places round Waterford, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Cahir, Tipperary, Dungarvan, Fermoy, and Kilmacthomas (Munster Express, Sat. 5 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
The Palace railway bridge was blown up on the night of the 31st of July. A train went up from New Ross to bring down the passengers and mails from the down mail train on Tuesday the 1st of August, and during the day the trains proceeded to the broken bridge and passengers transferred at the bridge. When the down mail was unable to proceed to Waterford on Tuesday morning news agents in Waterford, accompanied by a number of newsboys, drove to New Ross, and on to Palace to get the newspapers (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 5).
As the Irish army pushed west toward Carrrick-on-Suir arrests were made in Mullinavat in the course of a search. Roving bans of Irregulars had been operating in the district blocking and trenching roads and cutting the railway communications between Waterford and Kilkenny. A bridge on this line was blown up at the end of July. The damage was more extensive than at any previous time. The line remained closed for several days. The mails from Dublin coming over this line on Saturday had not reached Waterford by Friday (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 3).
Cost of the Siege of Waterford
It was noted at a meeting of the Waterford No. 2 District Council, chaired by R. Delahunty, that losses sustained prior to and during the recent armed conflict in Waterford totalled over £25,000 in claims submitted by the clerk to the Council (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 3).
In addition to property loss people injured during the siege of Waterford continued to die in August. For example, John Doyle, aged 22, a member of the Irregular forces, died on the 10th of August from injuries he sustained during the siege at the GPO (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 11 Aug. 1922, p. 4). See our previous blog of 17 July 2022, regarding the Siege of Waterford.
The National Troops continued to arrest suspected Irregulars in Waterford City, and on Monday the 13th of August “a large batch of prisoners arrived in Kilkenny by train from Waterford.” They had a strong military escort and were marched from the railway station to Kilkenny prison (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 Aug. 1922, p. 8). On the same day, Daniel McDonald, Tullogher, the well known weight thrower, and P. Fleming, the Swan, escaped from Kilkenny Prison at 1:30 a.m. on Monday the 13th. The circumstances of McDonald’s arrest and escape were not disclosed (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 Aug. 1922, p. 4).
Carrick-on-Suir & Dungarvan
On Thursday the 10th of August in an official bulletin from the Irish Army it was reported that troops occupied Carrick-on-Suir. On the way to Carrick-on-Suir, Comdt. McCarthy’s forces cleared Callan, Mullinahone, Nine Mile House, Kilmogany and Winegap of Irregulars. The Irregulars in Carrick-on-Suir, estimated at about 300 crossed the river and retreated. They blew up the bridges as they retreated. One of the bridges, the John Dillon Bridge was built in the 1880’s and named after a prominent member of the old Irish Parliamentary Party. Its erection cost several thousand pounds. The other bridge dated back to the 14th century, and was regarded by the inhabitants as one of the town’s historic landmarks. Efforts by the townspeople to save the old bridge, that had been spared by Cromwell, fell on deaf ears. De Valera arrived in town and remained for a few days before the town was abandoned by Irregular forces (Munster Express, Sat. 12 Aug. 1922, p. 4).
Also, on the 10th a gentleman who arrived in Waterford from Dungarvan stated that the Irregulars cleared out of Dungarvan on the evening of the 8th. The barracks were destroyed. Some Cork Irregulars, who constituted the major portion of the garrison, left the town by two trains which they seized at the Dungarvan railway station. They travelled in the direction of Cork, and when they had passed through Capoquin another party of Irregulars arrived in the town by motor and blew up the rail and road bridges (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 11 Aug. 1922, p. 7).
Although the Irish Army had reported that it had cleared Mullinahone, an 18-year-old Free State Volunteer was shot in the head and killed while he was visiting his uncle’s home in Mullinahone on the 19th of August. An Irregular named Patrick Egan “rushed into the house and shot him through the head at point blank range. Egan was about to fire a second time when a lady intervened.” Egan was the leader of the Irregulars of the area. Volunteer Grace was with the Mullinahone Company of Volunteers (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
Another young man was fatally shot during a raid on a pub owned by Mrs. Maria Dowling of Blackmill Street, Kilkenny. National troops were carrying out a number of raids in the vicinity of the Kilkenny City prison. While passing Mrs. Dowling’s premises at about 1 a.m. they heard activity in the pub. The troops surrounded the building and after about ten minutes the door was opened to their knocking. Eleven young men were arrested. Shots were fired to frighten the young men who were trying to escape. Samuel Oakes, aged 17, was later discovered in the garden. He had been shot in the head and died in the pub’s kitchen (Dublin Evening Telegraph, Tues. 1 Aug. 1922, 5).
Fatal Ambush Near Mullinavat
A party of eleven National troops traveling by lorry from Carrick-on-Suir to Waterford with supplies were ambushed about a mile and a half on the Carrick side of Mullinavat on the 16th. Trees had been felled and were blocking the road. When the troops reached the obstruction Irregular forces opened fire on the lorry. The Irregulars repeatedly called upon the National troops to surrender, but they refused. When the Irregulars attempted to rush the lorry “they were beaten back.” Eventually more National troops arrived from Waterford and Kilkenny. John O’Keefe, a married Waterford man, and the father of six children was shot dead. He was a civilian traveling with the troops from Carrick back to Waterford. The newspaper noted that he was the brother of James O’Keefe, manager of the Waterford offices of the “Independent” newspapers. Volunteer Hogan of the National forces was wounded in the leg and arm (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 18 Aug. 1922, p. 5). Before the end of the month a public subscription fund was opened to aid the widow and six children of the late John O’Keefe (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
The Kilkenny Moderator reported that the National troops from Kilkenny succeeded in capturing five of the Irregulars, all from Thomastown and district. The captured five included: James Mullins, Thomastown (brother of the late Nicholas Mullins, shot and killed by British forces at Coolbawn, Castlecomer, last year); James Bookle, Brownsbarn; Thomas Bourke, the Rower; ___ Hennessy, Kilmurry; and __ Whelan. At the time they were arrested they were in possession of five rifles, about twenty bombs, and large quantity of ammunition. It was also stated that the group had been involved in two other local ambushes (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 Aug. 1922, p. 4).
“Time for Silence Gone”
August saw the death of Arthur Griffith, the founder of Sinn Féin, followed by the killing of Michael Collins in an ambush on the 22nd near Bandon, Co. Cork. In a New Ross Standard editorial, it was stated “In the hour of her greatest trial Ireland has lost the man whose services she most needs. The death of Arthur Griffith was a heavy blow, but the nation consoled itself that Michael Collins was left to guide the destiny of the new Ireland. Michael Collins is dead, his fellow countrymen having struck the blow that two years ago might have earned forty thousand pounds for an agent of England…” (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
One local killing in August caused the Bishop of Waterford to speak out. On the 15th Lt. Comdt. Eamon O’Brien responded to an alarm raised by two young girls around midnight regarding a fire. He rushed into Barrack street and was shot and killed by a waiting sniper. He was 21 years of age. The Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Hackett, in the week following the killing, in the Waterford Cathedral, announceed that the time for silence was gone. He condemned the killing particularly as the victim had no time to prepare for meeting his Maker. He stated that the present Irish government was established by the will of the people. To the persons who participated in the killing he stated, “You cannot maintain that because you think a thing is right that it is” (Munster Express, Sat. 26 August 1922, p. 2).
Local Criminality
It is difficult to know whether certain crimes reported in the local newspapers were associated with the Civil War or were the result of criminals taking advantage of the unrest. For example, on the 2nd of August between 11:30 and midnight shots were fired in new Ross. They came from Jones’ Hill, Mary Street and Rosbercon. The firing lasted about ten minutes (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 5). The following week one of the carters employed by Cherry’s Brewery, New Ross, was held up on the Enniscorthy-New Ross road. Thirteen pounds were taken during the robbery (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 Aug. 1922, p. 8).
In the early hours of the 12th the bonded store known as Hutchinson’s, The Quay, New Ross was entered and seven cases of spirits, comprised of whiskey and brandy were taken. The locks of the store had been wrenched off. The military guard stopped two men who were carrying boxes at the time and questioned the men. The men stated that they were moving drink for their employer who was a publican. They were released, but later returned and one of the men “tendered a bottle of whiskey to the guard asking him to join them in a drink.” In the morning when the military learned the bond store had been burgled, they went to the house of brothers Edward and Arthur O’Connor of Mary Street, New Ross and recovered three unbroken cases. Also arrested were John O’Neill, Chapel Lane and Patrick Doyle of Lady Lane. On Sundar the O’Connor’s were allowed out on bail. The value of the drink not recovered was valued at £40 to £50 including the duty (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 Aug. 1922, p. 5). Before the end of the month the four men were on trial before the New Ross magistrates. It was held that there was not enough evidence to convict the O’Connor brothers. O’Neill and Doyle were convicted. O’Neil was sentence to 6 months and Doyle to one month. The magistrates made a point of noting that the sentences were without hard labour (New Ross Standard, Fri, 25 Aug. 1922, p. 8).
Dr. M. Walsh, New Ross, while returning from a distant call in county Kilkenny was held up about nine miles from his home by armed men (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 5), and masked men held up the mail train on the Waterford and New Ross line near Slieverue on the 16th. In addition to stealing the mail the men took tobacco and cycle parts (New Ross Standard, Fri, 18 Aug. 1922, p. 5).
Local Life Went On
Notwithstanding the strife, trenched roads, destroyed bridges and violence, local people attempted to get on with their lives. Mrs. M’Kee was appointed midwife of the Mullinavat dispensary district at a salary of £45 per annum (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 3). The monthly Thomastown fair was held on the 2nd of August. There was a large supply of cattle and sheep offered for sale and a fair attendance of buyers. It was noted that prices were better than the previous fair and a large number of cattle and sheep changed hands. Cattle in good condition were sought. Fat sheep and lambs also found a ready sale. Although there was a large supply of young pigs, there was little demand for them. Pigs that did sell were £5 18s. per cwt (per 100 weight which actually was 112 pounds in weight) (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 3). The New Ross Fair was held on the 9th and it was described as dull. There was a large supply of stock, and prices in general were down. For some classes of cattle, the prices were down a couple of pounds per head (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 Aug. 1922, p. 5).
It was announced that the delayed New Ross Agricultural Show would be held on Wednesday the 13th of September and entries poured in (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1922, p. 5). Although there was no train service for Tramore, due to the tracks being damaged by the Irregulars, the Tramore Races were held. Ironically while it was published that the unrest caused the demise of tourism in Ireland the Cook’s office in Dublin reported that their offices were crowded and a brisk business was done. The travel agency was busy arranging holidays for Irish citizens outside of Ireland (Munster Express, Sat. 12 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmil.com.
The featured photo above is Lt. Comdt. Eamon O’Brien (c. 1901-1922) (Freeman’s Journal, Thur. 24 Aug. 1922, p. 3).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Moulerstown or Ballyvoulera, Glenmore (1961) [Updated]
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Moulerstown or Ballyvoulera around 1961. The Irish for the townland of Ballyvoulera, according to Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny (1969, p. 109) is Baile Bholaerigh or Bowler’s homestead. The townland is comprised of 323 acres and it is in the old civil parish or DED of Kilcoan. Kelly makes no mention of Moulerstown.
In the 1833 Griffith’s Valuation Applotment Records the townland is spelled as Moulerstown and Mowlerstown. The landlord is listed as Mr. John Doyle, of Graiguenamanagh, and it is noted that there were no leases. However, there is a list of six residents and the land they farmed including: James Butler (4 acres of first class land); Richard Walsh (118 acres of second class land); James Rigby (73 acres of third class land); Patrick Fitzgerald (19 acres of fourth class land); Laurence Rigby (32 acres of fifth class land) and Thomas Grace (listed but no further details). Unfortunately, Danny is not available to explain why there were no leases. It is assumed that the listed farmers worked directly for the landlord.
Danny Dowling, in 1961 recorded five families or households in Moulerstown. 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. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 25 people resided in Moulerstown with the population comprised of 19 males and 6 females. The Butler family was the largest family with seven members in the household. There were no households recorded of a single person living alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 19
Females= 6
Eldest Recorded Resident= John Fitzgerald (18 March 1881- 5 Feb.1970). According to the Diary kept by James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore and copied by Danny Dowling [DD Notebook 2] John Fitzgerald, of Moulerstown and Molly Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, were married on Sunday the 1st of July 1906. In searching for John’s date of death we came across a number of articles after 1961 concerning John’s success at various horse shows. For example in 1968 at the age of 87 John won two classes at the Inistioge Horse Show. Class 1—The Royal Dublin Society; Premiums for Suitable (non Thoroughbred) Mares 7 years and younger and Class 2—Prize for Colt Foal. (Munster Express, Fri. 31 May 1968, p. 14). A copy of John’s obituary has been added to our family pages and may be accessed by clicking here.
Recorded Work
Farmers = 4 (all males)
Farm Workers = 8 (all males)
Creamery Workers = 1 (male)
Factory Workers (meat) = 1 (male)
Machine Fitter = 1 (male)
MOULERSTOWN RESIDENTS
[1] FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald, John (18 March 1881) Farmer
Fitzgerald, Paul (b. 1915) son, creamery worker
Fitzgerald, Luke (b. 1916) son, farm worker
Fitzgerald, John, son, farm worker
Fitzgerald, Michael, son, factory worker (meat)
Fitzgerald, Thomas, son, farm worker
[2] RYAN
Ryan, Patrick (18 Aug. 1896) Farm Worker [died 21 Oct. 1968]
Ryan, Johanna (14 March 1906) wife [died 9 Jan. 1971]
Ryan, John, son, machine fitter
[3] GREENE
Greene, Thomas (b. 1917) Farmer
Greene, Margaret (b. 1919) wife
Greene, Thomas, son
Purcell, Ellen, sister-in-law
[4] DOHERTY
Doherty, Michael (22 Sept, 1881) Farmer (died 18 March 1964)
Doherty, Kat (sic) (11 Feb. 1898) wife
Doherty, Edward, son, farm worker
Doherty, Richard, son, farm worker
Doherty, John, farm worker
[5] BUTLER
Butler, Martin (25 May 1903) Farmer
Butler, Johanna (1 May 1913) wife
Butler, James, son, farm worker
Butler, Edward, son
Butler, Francis, son
Butler, Martin, son
Butler, Bridget, daughter
During our newspaper search we came across another interesting article. As previously highlighted at the end of December 1961 Telefís Éireann began broadcasting. Michael Doherty, of Moulerstown, Glenmore was hired as a member of the technical staff of the fledgling television station. It was noted that Michael was “a former pupil of New Ross Technical School, he served his apprenticeship with Mr. P.J. Maddock, Electrical Contractor, Mary St., New Ross. He subsequently went to England, and was on the maintenance staff of Messrs. Henry Ford Ltd. He was later on the technical staff of the BBC. He secured the position with Telefís Éireann as a result of a competitive examination, gaining first place from twelve candidates.” (New Ross Standard, 9 March 1962, p. 16).
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is John Fitzgerald, of Moulerstown, Glenmore with his mare “Kilt” at the Piltown Show in September 1961. The mare won 2nd and 3rd prizes as well as a Premium (Munster Express, Fri. 15 Sept. 1961, p. 3).
Update 4 Nov. 2022–Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sharing the photo of her grandparents Pat & Hannie Ryan.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh