Land League & Protests
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Glenmore and Mr. Parnell
Danny Dowling in notebook 23 listed a large number of articles referencing Glenmore including the above entitled article that was published in the Wexford People newspaper on Saturday the 7th of February 1891. Today, we will feature the first article in that edition and Sunday we will feature the second article. These articles provide a glimpse into how politics in that era divided the people of the parish of Glenmore.
The Division of the Glenmore National Land League
For our international readers—Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891) was an Irish politician, who was elected to Parliament, became leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, and the President of the Irish National Land League. As discussed in a recent post the Glenmore Branch of the National Land League was established in 1880 when the local parish priest called the parishioners together to form a local branch. The division in the National as well as the local Branch occurred after William O’Shea, a former Parnell supporter, filed in December 1889, for divorce from his wife Katherine on the grounds of her adultery with Parnell. The divorce was granted in 1890 after Parnell did not dispute the charge. The scandal caused the Catholic clergy of Ireland to speak out against Parnell and split the National Land League.
The newspaper articles, of the 7th of February 1891, reveal details concerning the division of the Glenmore Branch over Parnell and lists a large number of local Land League supporters. The meeting took place about 9 months prior to Parnell’s death at the age of 45.
“Glenmore League met on Sunday. The Rev. J. Dunphy, Adm., occupied the chair. A discussion took place about the sending of money collected for the evicted tenants, and it was finally agreed to send it to the joint treasurers in Dublin, on the understanding that no official of the Central League should have anything to do or say to it.
The question of affiliating the Branch was then introduced, and a warm discussion took place. The majority of those present were not disposed to have anything to do with the central office, managed by Mr. Harrington and Co., at least until the rules of the constitution were carried out by having its officers elected, and not self-constituted, as they are at present. It soon became evident that the Parnellites, Parnell-likers, were not disposed to be ruled by the majority, and that they were bent even upon starting an opposition branch.
The new chairman strongly condemned this on two grounds. First, because he believed that there was no assembly in the world wherein the rule did not prevail that the minimum would be bound by the majority. Secondly, because he considered that the existence of two leagues in a parish would be prejudicial to the interests of religion and country alike, and as for as he was concerned he would never countenance the idea. If, then, the minority persist in the idea of establishing a branch, why let them, but the public would know at what door to lay the charge of creating disorder and disunion in the National Ranks. Not until every effort failed in cementing the dissentients together was there any resolution put forward to test the real feelings of the committee.
Father Brenan C.C., then proposed, and Mr. J. Fitzgerald, seconded, the subjoined resolution –that we consider the pretentions of Mr. Parnell to the further leadership in the Irish Parliamentary Party highly prejudicial to the best interests of the country, that we call upon the whole body of our representatives to adjust their difference, and under a new leader press forward the final settlement of the land question and the labour question, as the Irish farmers will never rest satisfied until the old cry “the land for the people” is realised. Amidst some disorder and confusion the resolution was put from the chair with the following result: For the resolution the following persons voted: Father Brennan, Messrs. John Fitzgerald, Vice-Chairman; James Irish, P.L.G.; Walter Grant; James Aylward; W. Irish; E. Cody; Wm. Hartley; James Dunne; E. Haberlin; P. Kehoe; and the chairman—12. Against—Messrs, T. Forrestal; P. Forrestal; J. Hanrahan; P. Irish; J. Doherty; and J. Reddy—6. The chairman then declared the resolution carried by a majority of two to one.”
Glenmore and the Evicted Tenants Fund
The 49 persons who contributed to the Evicted Tenants Fund as well as the amounts contributed were published in the newspaper as follows: Rev. J. Dunphy, Adm £1; Rev. H. Brennan, C.C. £1; Messrs. J. Fitzgerald, vice chairman, £1, 10s; P. Fitzgerald, £1,5s; Thomas Forrestal, £1, 3s, 6d; Mrs. Mary Grant, 15 s, 9d; Mrs. Roche, 14s, 6d; M. Barron, 14s; Wm. Irish, 12s, 6d; Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald, 12s, 6d; James Aylward, T. Kennedy, R. Raftice, 11s each; R. Grant, J. Wall, E. Cody, M. Maher, P. Fitzgerald, M. Kennedy, W. Forrestal, 10s each; R. Dunphy, 9s, 9d; J. Mullally 9s; 6d; J. Morrissey, 9s, 3d; E. Aylward, R. Roche, 3s each; J. Irish, M. Gorman 7s, 5d; W. Grant, 7s, 3d; Mrs. Aylward, 6s, 8d; Widow Kennedy, N. Murphy, 6s, 6d each; John Kennedy, R. Vereker, T. Aylward, 6s each; John Murphy, Mrs. Mackey, 5s each; Richard Kennedy, 4s, 6d; Richard Prendergast, 4s; T. Fitzgerald 3s, 10d; P. Walsh 3s; Mrs. Roche, 2s; E. Haberlin, 1s, 6d; W. Neill, M. Cahill, Michael Walsh, P. Forrestal 1s each; P. Byrne, R. Wall, P. Quinn; J. Forrestal, 6d each.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
After the Ballyfacey Evictions: The End of the Father Neary Story
As contained in a previous post Father Patrick Neary (1828-1887), the parish priest of Mullinavat, played a prominent role in the formation of local Land Leagues branches and more importantly in the failed Ballyfacey, Glenmore evictions in August 1885. The local people remained on alert until a settlement was reached. The terms of this settlement can be found in the 11th of September 1885 edition of the Waterford News. “It appears that in those cases the evictions will not be carried out, an amicable arrangement having been made through the exertions of the respected pastor, Father Neary, which will enable the tenants under sentence of death to hold their homes, by the payment of a year’s rent, wiping away all arrears and legal costs.”
Local contemporary newspapers reveal that Father Neary continued to speak at rallies and other Land League events. For example, it was reported in the 18th September 1885 edition of the Waterford News, that Father Neary, during the National League Meeting in Portlaw, publicly stated that land agent Major Hamilton had lied and produced copies of correspondence to that effect. Father Neary continued working and supporting the Land League until his sudden death on the 20th of February 1887 a few weeks before his 59th birthday.
The following obituary was published in the Freeman’s Journal on Thursday the 24th of February 1887. The obituary contains the names of 65 clergy from across County Kilkenny and the southeast.
DEATH OF THE REV. P. NEARY, P.P., of MULLINAVAT
The death of the above reverend gentleman, which took place at Galmoy, in the north of the county Killkenny, on Sunday last, was startling news all over the diocese of Ossory, and indeed all over the south of Ireland. As an archaeologist the rev gentleman’s ability was most distinguished, which was often evidenced by the numerous papers which he contributed from time to time upon archaeological subjects. The funeral passed through Kilkenny on Monday at 3 o’clock. All the business houses were closed as a mark of respect for the deceased gentleman. As a patriot the gallant stand which Father Neary made upon a recent occasion against the cruel evictions in Mullinavat was generally believed to be one of the pluckiest and most successful which has been made during the whole land struggle. The remains were conveyed from Kilkenny to Mullinavat on Monday, and on Tuesday after the Office and High Mass the interment took place. At the Requiem Mass and Office solemnised in the parish church, there were His Lordship Most Rev. Dr Brownrigg, Bishop of Ossory, presiding; Rev. John Carroll, P.P., Kilmacow, celebrant; Rev. John Roe, C.C., deacon; Rev. R. Knaresborouglh, C. C., sub-deacon ; Rev. James Shortall, C.C., Templeorum, master of ceremonies. In the chair were: Very Rev. Edward M’Donald, P.P. V.G. ; Very Rev. Canon Kelly, P.P. Castlecomer; Rev. Walter Keoghan, Adm., St John’s, Kilkenny; Rev. M. O’Connor, C.C., Tallogher; Very Rev. M. Barry, President St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny; Rev. D. O’Halloran, C.C., Callan; Rev. Walter Walsh, C. C., Slieverue; Rev. James Dunphy, C.C., Glenmore; Rev. Patrick Tracey, C.C., Rathdowney; Rev. P. Meany, C.C., Mullinavat; Rev. John Ryan, C.C., Tullaron; Rev. J. Lynagh, C.C., Inistioge; Rev. Edward Delahunty, P.P. Thomastown; Rev. Thomas Feehan, C.C., Thomastown; Rev. Peter Doyle, C.C. Callan; Rev. J. Dillon, C.C. Ferrybank; Rev. Maurice Hawe, C.C. Mooncoin; Rev. Edward Walsh, P.P. Clara; Rev. Patrick Sheehan, Admn. Cathedral, Waterford, Rev. James Henneberry, Chaplain, Kilkenny Union; Rev. P. Aylward, C.C. St Patrick’s; Rev. Martin Keoghan, P.P. Lisdowney; Rev. Michael Murphy, Professor, St Kieran’s College; Rev. Michael Cody, P.P. Castletown; Rev. P. Hoyne, C.C., Aghavillar; Rev. J. Purcell, P.P. Temploreum; Rev. John M’Grath, Adm, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny; Rev. M. Rowe, C.C., Bennett’s Bridge; Rev. Patrick Walsh, C.C., Ballyfoyle; Rev. Edward Murphy, C.C., Temploreum, Rev. T. Grant, C.C., St. Canices; Rev. Bowe, C.C., Rosbercon; Rev. Philip Power, C.C., St John’s, Waterford; Rev. E. Walsh, C.C.; Rev. James Cosgrave, Principal, the College, Kilmacow; Rev. Peter Nowlan, C.C., Conahy; Rev. Joseph Tiothy, Professor, St Kieran’s College; Rev. T.R. Walsh. Admin., St Mary’s; Rev. John Bow, C.C., Gowran ; Rev. John Prendergast, C.C., Urlingford; Rev. John Grace, C.C., Castlecomer: Rev. J Downey, C.C, Ballyuskill; Rev. James Holohan, P P. Tullaherin; Rev. W. Egan, C. C, Waterford; Rev. M. Dalton, C.C, St Canice’s, Kilkenny; Rev. Wm. Connelly, C.C, Ballycallan; Rev Wm. Cassin, C.C, St. Mary’s, Kilkenny; Rev. P. O’Keeffe, C.C. Galmay; Rev. P. Phelan, C.C., Cullohill: Rev. Edward Butler, C.C., St. John’s, Kilkenny; Rev. John Shortal, P.P. Durrow; Rev. John Walsh, P.P., Slieverue, Rev. James Purcell, C.C., Slieverue; Rev. James Shortall, C.C., Templeorum; Rev. James Doyle, Adm.,Baflyhale; Rev. Father Bannan, 0 P, Black Abbey, Kilkenny; Rev. M. M’Grath, C.C., St. John’s, Kilkenny; Rev. Joseph Canon Dunphy, P.P. Mooncoin, Rev. Thomas Kennedy, C.C., Kilmacow; Very Rev Father Matthew, O S F C; Very Rev. Father Bernard, O S F C, The Friary. The chief mourners following the coffin were- Rev. P. O’Keeffe, C.C. Galmoy; Mr. J B. Hogan and Mr. M.A. Hogan, Ormonde House, Kilkenny; and the Right Worshipful P.M. Egan, Mayor Kilkenny.
The Wexford People of Saturday the 26th of February 1887 reported the following was on the breastplate of the coffin:Rev. P. Neary
Mullinavat
Died
20th February 1887
R.I.P.
Soon after Father Neary’s death an appeal went out internationally for funds to place a fitting memorial on his grave. A large, impressive, granite Celtic cross was acquired from William Collins and Sons, Waterford and the following inscriptions are on the granite marker:
(Side 1)
Rev. Patrick Neary
Born 2nd March 1828
Died 20th February 1887
R.I.P.
(Side 2)
Erected to the memory of a devoted priest and patriotic Irishman
By his numerous admirers at home and abroad.
Although chief mourners are generally family members there is no obvious family link between Father Neary and Rev. P. O’Keeffe, C.C. Galmoy; Mr. J B. Hogan and Mr. M.A. Hogan, Ormonde House, Kilkenny; and the Right Worshipful P.M. Egan, Mayor Kilkenny.
The Hogans were auctioneers and also dealt in painting and decorating per the advertisement found in P.M. Egan’s 1884 book listed below with a link. It appears that most of the listed chief mourners shared Father Neary’s interest in history and archaeology.
John Hogan (1884) Kilkenny: The Ancient City of Ossory, published and printed by P.M. Egan. http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/digital-book-collection/digital-books-by-county/kilkenny/hogan-kilkenny/ John Hogan was elected Mayor of Kilkenny in 1883.
P.M. Egan (Patrick McEgan Egan) (1884) The Illustrated Guide to the City and County of Kilkenny, http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/82-Egan-Kilkenny/82-Kilkenny.pdf was written, published and printed by P.M. Egan. P.M. Egan was twice elected Mayor of Kilkenny in 1887 and 1888. P.M. Egan died in 1903 at the age of 60 and his obituary provides that he was a National School Teacher and gave that up to go into the printing business in Kilkenny. He also had a book and stationary shop in Waterford.
Father Neary is referenced in both of the books above.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore Land League and the Ballyfacey Evictions
The Birth of the Glenmore Land League 1880
On the 31st of October 1880, Father O’Farrell, the Parish Priest of Glenmore presided over a meeting of the people of the parishes of Glenmore and Slieverue for the purpose of establishing a branch of the Irish National Land League. The meeting was held in the chapel yard of Glenmore immediately after the last mass that Sunday. Father O’Farrell addressed the people gathered on the necessity of joining the National cause and stated that they should not stand idly by while their brethren in other districts were labouring and making sacrifices for the cause. (Wexford People, 3 Nov. 1880)
Father Michael Cody, native of Carrigcloney, Glenmore
A couple of weeks later on Sunday the 13th of November a similar meeting was held in the large field across from the Mullinavat chapel. Both Father Michael Cody and Father Neary addressed the gathered crowd. Father Neary called for the support of the three F’s: fixty of tenure, fair rents and free sale. (The Irishman, 20 Nov. 1880). According to Danny Dowling, Father Michael Cody was born and raised in Carrigcloney, Glenmore. The meetings of the various parish Land League, including the branches established at Glenmore and Mullinavat, were routinely covered by local newspapers.
Father Cody Summoned for Land League Activities
On the 17th of December 1880, Father Cody and Patrick Sheehan were summoned to the petty sessions court at Kilmacow for their Land League activities. It was alleged that on the 14th of December Father Cody attempted to compel by threats Darby Walsh, of Ballynooney, to give up his farm and caused a bell ringer on the 16th of December to follow Walsh through the Village of Mullinavat to ensure that no person would deal with Walsh. Walsh alleged that these activities were agreed at a Mullinavat Land League meeting chaired by Father Cody. Bail was set at €100 for Father Cody and €80 for Patrick Sheehan. Today, Danny Dowling explained that people who agreed to take land or farms where others had been evicted were generally referred to as “grabbers” and were shunned by the community.
Father Cody Defence Fund
At the Glenmore Land League meeting held on the 8th of February 1881, the meeting was chaired by Father Corcoran, and executive board members Daniel Cody and Patrick Forristal were present. In addition to suggestions being made that the conduct of certain landlords should be published in the local newspaper, Father Cody’s case was the subject of much discussion. “We beg to assure Father Cody that he is far from being deserted in his present difficulty.” (Wexford People, 12 Feb. 1881) A defence fund was established for Father Cody and a list of subscribers was so long it had to be printed in two different newspaper editions. [To view the list of subscribers on our list page press here.]
Father Cody’s Escape
It was reported in the Glenmore Branch meeting of 15 March 1881 that “great joy was manifested at the happy issue of the case against Father Cody… The whole district was illuminated with bonfires, and loud cheering night be heard in the distance. Father Cody and his companions are to be congratulated on their escape from the now famous Darby” (Wexford People, 19 March 1881). Thereafter the meetings of the Glenmore Branch focused on reporting on political matters and the activities of landlords such as Conn of Mount Ida. For example, in June 1881 it was reported, “Poor John Lambley Conn is the plaintiff again! Thomas Walshe, Davidstown, is the defendant. It is only an “ordinary civil bill!” He only requires the defendant to attend at Thomastown Court House!” (Wexford People, 11 June 1881). [For further information concerning Conn see, guest author Martin Forristal’s article Mount Ida].
(Library of Congress)
Ballyfacey, Glenmore Eviction Riots
On the 27th of August 1885 the Ballyfacey Eviction Riots commenced when locals resisted what they viewed as unfair evictions. Thanks to the forming of the local branches of the Land League the local people were united and ready to act.
Danny Dowling in 1956 interviewed Matt Aylward, of Ballyfacey. (Matt Aylward was identified by James McDonald, of Ballyfacey, as being the last survivor of those who took part in the Ballyfacey evictions.) Matt Aylward explained that Tighe of Woodstock was the landlord of a large estate including Mullinavat and Ballyfacey, Glenmore.
Major Albert Hamilton, of Inistioge, was the agent and Patsy Ryan of Buckstown, Mullinavat was the rent warner. Patsy Ryan was a native of Glendonnel, Mullinavat. The rent of Ballyfacey at the time of the evictions was 8/= per acre. At that time the people were not able to pay the full rent. The evictions were to start at Dollards of Ballyfacey.
The Ringing of the Glenmore Chapel Bell
Danny interviewed James McDonald, of Ballyfacey, in 1970 who recalled that Jimmy Carroll of Ballyveria, a small low size stout man, walked to Glenmore to have the bell of the church ring on the morning of the Ballyfacey evictions. He met the parish priest and asked him to ring the bell. The request was refused. Carroll told the priest that he didn’t own the bell, it belonged to the people of Glenmore. Carroll brushed the priest aside and he rang the bell himself. The eviction started at Dollard’s house which was barricaded. Phil Walsh, of Ballyfacey, had a sister who was at Dollards when the first three bailiffs attacked it. She threw a bucketful of boiling water on them and scalded them.
James McDonald stated that Bodkin was in charge of the proceedings. Father Neary, the Parish priest of Mullinavat, arrived on the scene, and when Bodkin read the Riot Act twice, Fr. Neary told him if he read it again his wife would be a widow that night. Bodkin asked another man to read it who stated that he had forgot the book although he had it in his pocket. This incident passed off rather peacefully in Ballyfacey, but that evening in Mullinavat, a row started between the Police, the military and the people. The disturbance continued until Father Neary and Cody came out to the people and told them that they were disappointed by their actions.
(National Library of Ireland)
James McDonald stated that four days after the Ballyfacey evictions, the famous Coolgreany evictions of County Wexford took place. [In fact, the Coolgreany evictions took place in 1887.]
In 1938, Edward Dolan of Mullinavat was interviewed and discussed the monument erected inside the Mullinavat chapel gate to Father Neary (Duchas.ie). To bring together the people Father Neary rang the parish bells. Mr. Bodkin, the Resident Magistrate, ordered Father Neary to silence the bells, and Father Neary refused stating that the bells belonged to the people of Mullinavat.
The article that appeared in the Freeman’s Journal on 29 August 1885 supports the oral tradition recorded by Danny and others and provides additional information. The Ballyfacey rents, even in the most prosperous times, were excessive. Many of the tenants vainly sought relief in the Land Court. The landlords pressed for the rent arrears and in 1882 this caused the agent of the estate, Captain Burnbury to resign. The landlords turned to the Land Corporation that appointed Mr. EC Hamilton, agent. Hamilton began moving against the tenants even after stating he would not. Patrick Ryan, the estate bailiff, resigned in protest. His family had held the post for over 100 years.
On the day of the planned eviction the Mullinavat chapel bell was ringing well before the eviction party of officials, protected by over 100 police, arrived. After attempting to silence the bell the eviction party gave up and set off for Ballyfacey a distance of 3 miles away.
The Reception Received by the Eviction Party
At Ballyquin stones were thrown at the police by the increasing crowd. Bodkin, the Resident Magistrate, stopped the eviction party, took out the Riot Act, and started to read it. Father Neary interrupted the reading and asked Bodkin if he was so thin-skinned as to be injured by shouting and groaning. Bodkin replied, “My skin is not thick enough to resist stones.” It was agreed that the reading of the Riot Act would stop if the stone throwing stopped. Father Neary asked the people to stop throwing stones and they did stop.
The march resumed and continued to the homestead of Mrs. Dollard. The stone pelting commenced again. The Riot Act was again produced, but it had no effect. The houses were barricaded and the tenants were armed with boiling water. When it was suggested that the house could be breached through the roof Father Neary implored Bodkin not to allow it or his wife would be a widow by that night. After the tenants stated that they would not yield their homes without a fight Bodkin informed Father Neary that he had been made a fool because the sheriff forgot the necessary writs. Father Neary agreed that the eviction party could retreat to Mullinavat unmolested.
The Mullinavat Riot
The eviction party returned to Mullinavat without difficulty, however later in the afternoon when attempting to leave by train, the windows of the train were smashed. The police who escorted the officials to the station were also stoned. Similar violence occurred later in the evening. All the remaining constabulary force, numbering about fifteen, were ordered out of the barracks, and with fixed bayonets they charged the people.
When Father Neary heard of the violence he arrived and ended the riots by sending the people to their homes. Dr Cane, the local medical man, had more work that evening than he had for the previous four years. Several arrests were made arising from the riots. [For information concerning the trial of persons arrested at the Ballyfacey evctions and the Mullinavat riots see our chart of the defendants, their charges and the trial outcomes.]
False Alarm
When a large number of police were observed in Mullinavat a few days later at 6 a.m,, according to contemporary newspaper accounts, chapel bells across the countryside rang out in Bigwood, Thomastown, Ballyfoyle, Rosbercon and four thousand people answered the call and rushed to Ballyfacey. Local men were armed with various things such as pitchforks, scythes, sprongs, shovels, axes or cudgel sticks. (Wexford People, 5 Sept. 1885)
A correspondent for the Freeman’s Journal (31 Aug. 1885) noted that the bells at Glenmore and Mullinaharigal were also ringing and four horsemen were stationed at the Mullinavat station to raise the alarm that the “redcoats” were coming. Father Neary remained at the Mullinavat station to direct activities and by mid-day it was apparent that no forced eviction would take place that day. The priest and people remained on alert for several weeks until all efforts to evict stopped.
History Repeats Itself at Ballyfacey 1893
Ballyfacey, Glenmore returned to the news in February 1893 when history appeared to repeat itself. Shortly after midnight the dogs of Mullinavat Village began to bark and one man went out to investigate and observed Captain Hamilton (nephew of the 1885 agent) with ten “emergencymen.” He raised the alarm by ringing the chapel bell and in less than half an hour people were gathering at Ballyfacey again.
Captain Hamilton proceeded to the house of Richard Walsh, of Ballyfacey, and seized three cows and three two year olds under a distress warrant for rent. Richard’s son, James Walsh, attempted to stop the seizure by causing havoc. His sister, Mary Walsh, went after an “emergencyman” with a pitchfork which caused him to run for his life. “The Captain, who believed he was safe in the hands of his bodyguard, was all this time indifferently puffing a cigar…young Walsh made a determined rush…and sent him spinning into the adjacent dungpit.”
The Captain sent his men off to carry out the distress on a neighbour David Grant. Grant having heard the alarm had a small army of local Ballyfacey men gathered, “who administered them such a sound thrashing that their fellow-henchmen hardly knew them when they returned.” A change in attitude is reflected in the end of the newspaper account which reports that the next morning the Glenmore police heard of the occurrence, and sent the information to District Inspector Penrose, of Pilltown, who began to investigate Captain Hamilton’s actions. (Wicklow People, 17 Feb. 1893).
The featured print above is “The Eviction: A Scene From Life in Ireland,” (Reversed Monogram) (Library of Congress).
UPDATE: Dick Claridge is our third guest author. Dick has collected local verses from the early half of the 20th Century. These verses provide an interesting insight into Glenmore humour and events.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Redmond Volunteers and the Fife & Drum Band
For many, history was a subject in school that concentrated on Kings and wars. The everyday life of ordinary people did not feature in history books or lessons, thus it is often difficult to determine how national events impacted on Glenmore people. Thanks to Danny Dowling’s interviews and research we have details of how Glenmore people reacted to evictions and supported various national political movements. Today, we highlight the 1914 establishment of the Glenmore Committee of Redmond Volunteers and the Glenmore Fife and Drum “Redmond Volunteer Band.”
In February 1970, Danny interviewed Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill ( 1888-1979) concerning the Redmond Volunteers of Glenmore. For our international readers, John Redmond (1856-1918) of Wexford, was a politician who advocated Home Rule for Ireland by peaceful, constitutional means. Today, Danny stated that Redmond endeared himself to locals when he was first elected to the House of Commons for New Ross in 1881 and was suspended within 24 hours after giving his maiden speech. Redmond and couple dozen other Home Rule for Ireland supporters, including Michael Davitt the founder of the Land League, were suspended from Parliament.
John Redmond was a great admirer of Charles Stewart Parnell and Redmond became the party whip for the Irish Parliamentary Party. After the Parnell divorce scandal in 1890 Redmond continued to support him. When Parnell died in 1891 he became leader of the minority Parnellite faction and was elected to Parliament from Waterford which he represented until his death. In 1912 the third Home Rule Bill was introduced and passed in 1914. Implementation of Home Rule stalled first with Ulster Unionists forming the Ulster Volunteers to resist Home Rule by threatening force and secondly, due to the outbreak of World War I. In response, the nationalists formed their own paramilitary group, the National Volunteers in 1913.
The National Volunteers split over Redmond’s support of the British war effort and his advocacy that National Volunteers should serve in the British army. The Easter Rising in 1916 is said to have taken Redmond by surprise, led by a faction of the National Volunteers. As the First World War dragged on support disappeared for Redmond and his policy of Home Rule for Ireland based on peaceful, constitutional means. Controversy still exists surrounding Redmond’s support of the British war effort. For example, in 2016 a banner featuring Redmond in Dublin was defaced by protesters (see, https://www.thejournal.ie/misneach-1916-college-green-banner-john-redmond-2681018-Mar2016/ ).
In Glenmore in early 1914 a meeting was held in the Glenmore School. Father Phelan, the Glenmore Parish Priest, presided over the meeting to discuss and elect the Glenmore Committee of “Redmond Volunteers.” The school was full, and a secret paper ballot was held for the election. The “Redmond Volunteers” Committee Members elected included: Nicholas Forristal, the Mill; Jack Dunphy, Ballyverneen; Pat Reddy, Kilbride; Pat Hanrahan, Glenmore; Jim Fluskey, Glenmore; Bill Power, Robinstown. Nicky Forristal topped the poll, and Pat Reddy, of Kilbride, came in second. John Dunphy of Ballyverneen, and Nick Curran, of Robinstown, were both not elected but due to the persistence of Father Phelan they were both co-opted onto the Committee.
Danny revealed this morning that the Parish Priest was not a supporter of Redmond. Danny does not know whether it was because Redmond supported Parnell after his divorce scandal or he could not support Redmond due to his personal political affiliations. Danny stated that several Redmond supporters returning from a night drinking in New Ross stopped to shout abuses outside the house where the priest resided waking local inhabitants. Another interesting fact was revealed. In about 1870 the Parish Priest, of that time, forced all three pubs in Glenmore to close. One of the pubs was situated just in front of the present Priest’s house and disrupted Mass with drunken shouts, inappropriate conduct and the banging of mugs on the bar. Glenmore remained a “dry” parish until 1963, therefore causing those seeking a drink prior to 1963 to travel outside of the parish.
Shortly, after the “Redmond Volunteers” Committee was established in 1914 the Glenmore Fife and Drum Band was founded as a “Redmond Volunteer Band.” The band trainer was Tom Butler a sanitary officer with the New Ross U.D.C. He came out to Glenmore once or twice a week. Peter and Stephen Mernagh of Foristalstown played in it, as well as Stephen Heffernan, of Aylwardstown, and Pat Kennedy of Kilbride. Jack Murphy of Weatherstown was the Drummer. Nicky Forristal stated that he was “no use at it at all.” Ned Murphy, Jack’s father, was a drummer in the St. Mary’s Brass Band of New Ross. (Ned Murphy died in the great flu epidemic of 1918.)
The Glenmore Fife and Drum Band gave a long time training in front of Peggie Gaffney’s house in the Village. They then went into the Board Room above Fluskey’s and ended up in the outbuilding opposite the Barrack’s across the Ballybrahee Road in the Village.
Nicky Forristal reported that the Glenmore Fife and Drum Band only played once outside the parish. The band played in New Ross at a parade of the Volunteers in Barrett’s Park about the beginning of the war on a holiday the 29th of June 1914. It was the only band at the parade of Volunteers that day. Nicky reported that “they weren’t able to play at all. All the children of Ross were mocking them. Nicky Denny, of Mullinahone, who was drunk that day, tried to get the drum off Jack Murphy to belt it.”
It is not recorded whether the band broke up due to disillusionment with Redmond, the war or due to some other reason such as the lack of appreciation for their musical efforts.
The painting of the fife player above is by Manet, entitled The Fife Player (1866) Musée d’Orsay.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh