19th Century
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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
Glenmore and the Great Famine
Danny Dowling interviewed older Glenmore residents in the 1950’s concerning the stories passed down to them by their parents and grandparents regarding the Great Famine that occurred over a hundred years earlier from 1845 to 1849. Although the parish of Glenmore had the benefit of being along a river, which was fished, there were still deaths in the parish from starvation and disease. In 1957, Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore, explained during his interview that potatoes were the main source of food for most families. Turnips during the Famine period were rarely grown and during that period there was a field of them in Stokestown, Wexford belonging to Deane Drake. So great was the scarcity of anything to eat that people at night from the Glenmore area rowed across the river in order to get a few turnips in order to have something to eat. Eventually guards were employed to protect crops growing in the area.
Nettles were a source of wild food that was widely consumed during the Famine in the Glenmore area. Nettles were boiled and mixed through porridge in order to make the porridge plentiful. A soft thistle knows as sharaván as well as green clover were also eaten as food during the Famine. A family in Ballyverneen called Malone sowed potatoes during this period and shortly after sowing them they had to dig them up and eat them in order to have something to eat. This Malone family were nicknamed Spur, and Jim “Spur” Malone was the last of this family. Even when work could be found it did not relieve the plight of many people because the cost of the food was still beyond the meagre wages. For example, the late Bridget Henneberry’s grandfather, old Martin Henneberry, was working in the Ballyverneen Brick Marches during the Famine and on one occasion he had to work for nine whole days with nothing to eat but green cabbage. James Culleton, Sr., of Kilbride, Glenmore reported that a Stirabout Distribution Centre was established at Gaffney’s Mill in Glenmore Village.
The only known Famine work relief scheme in Glenmore was the building of the Haggard Line. This was a road to Mullinavat that was never completed owing to the fact that the funds ran out. It started at the Bridges in Ballybrahee and went on through Tom Mullin’s land. A lot of it is now levelled off. Another section came out at Sean Jim’s Cottage on the fringe of Bishopsmountain. Nicolas Forristal told Danny that it was either Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh of Glenmore Village, or Paddy’s father worked on the building of the Haggard Line. He was paid 10d. per day wages with “no grub.” A man with a horse and cart got 2/4 per day. A stone of yellow meal then cost 2/6.
Fever, too, was rampant during the Famine. In a field situated in the townland of Ballyverneen, an isolation fever hospital was built to segregate those stricken locally with disease. It accommodated only a few patients. The field was known as Bawnneyzh, until the Ross-Waterford railway line was being built fifty years later. It then became known as the “the magazine field,” on account of it being where the powder and blasting supplies were stored.
The hunger and disease took its toll as one potato crop after another was blighted. According to Nicholas Forristal, a lot of old men and women in the Parish of Glenmore died in the ditches during the Famine. James Culleton, Sr. noted that three girls died of the hunger in Ballyveria and two people by the name of Power died in Jamestown. Andy O’Geena of Kilbride, had trouble over rent with his landlord. He had to walk to Kilkenny and back again. Although it is stated that turnips were not widely raised it was also stated that he took a turnip from a field while walking back to Glenmore from Kilkenny. He sat down and ate it at Connor’s gate in Ballyfacey. That same night he died. As Danny remarked none die as completely as the poor. There are very few headstones in local graveyards reflecting the people who died during the Famine.
As the Famine dragged on emigration became a common feature. Watty Power, of Jamestown, informed Danny that his grand-uncle Jack Power lived down the Ling Lane in the little house. Jack Power was married to Mary Barron, of Carrigcloney, Glenmore. Their two sons died during the Famine of hunger. After their deaths he and his wife emigrated to America. His brother Walter, (Danny’s interviewee’s grandfather) then got the farm which included the present holding plus the three fields now belonging to Greene’s. One morning 100 men left Jamestown for the Waterford Quay. The Landlord had evicted them and paid their passage. Danny stated that if they sailed from Waterford they probably had their passage paid to Liverpool. Danny also stated that he doubted that it was 100 men who left, but rather 100 men, women and children. In 1974 Danny interviewed Jonie Bolton, of Ramsbottom, Lancashire concerning the Brooksbottom Cotton Mill which was expanding during the Famine. The mill owner sent horses and carts to meet the emigrant ships in Liverpool in order to recruit labour for his mill. He built houses for his workers around the mill.
Due to the fact that the parish of Glenmore lies midway between New Ross and Waterford the provisions for the poor via workhouses were split between Ross and Waterford. In 1977 Danny interviewd James Bookle, of Grenan, Thomastown who was 83 years of age along with James’s daughter Evelyn Bookle. Evelyn’s noted that her grandmother Anne Hanrahan Mullins, died in 1956 aged 91 1/2 years. She was born in in 1864 in the Townland of Coolroebeg. Anne Hanrahan Mullins told Evelyn that Anne’s mother, Mary Dalton, was born in 1835 in Coolroebeg. Only two girls survived in that Dalton family. Their father Richard Dalton would take them with him in his horse and cart when he took meal to donate for distribution to the poor in Thomastown during the Famine. The meal depot was situated on the corner of the Mall and Mill street. The front door was on the Mall, but it is now closed up. James Bookle related that in 1907 he was told by an elderly man named Jim Mulrooney that Jim’s parents and five of his brothers and sisters died of fever during the Famine in a corn store on the Quay in Thomastown. The workhouse was not able to accommodate the influx of sick and dying so additional space was provided in corn stores on the Quay. The patients there were bedded on straw that was strewn on the floors.
The Famine had a lasting impact on survivors. For at least one generation special prayers and traditions were practised by the Famine survivors. See, the Christmas blog entry where the “Driving Out the Hunger” is published.
The featured drawing is “The Emigrant’s Farewell,” by Henry Doyle in Cusack’s (1868) Illustrated History of Ireland (Library of Congress).
Update—for our international readers last Thursday all the schools and universities in Ireland closed to try to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. A couple of readers have asked if we would post additional articles during this time of isolation for the elderly. Luckily Danny gave me five more notebooks to transcribe last Saturday, so we shall try to post short, hopefully interesting information regarding Glenmore and its environs. If you have information or a story, memory, photo etc. you would like to share please email glenmore.history@gmail.com.
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
The Ida
The parish of Glenmore is strategically placed mid-way between Waterford and New Ross. Previously we highlighted the roads that connected Waterford and New Ross as well as the railway line. Today, we shall highlight the Ida a river steamship that linked these two inland ports. According to Anthony Marimon in his 1856 book entitled, The Ancient and Modern History of the Maritime Ports of Ireland, in 1835 the port of Waterford had 115 merchant sailing ships. The first steamships had paddlewheels and were designed and built for rivers and canals.
One of the first river steamers to ply between Waterford and New Ross was the Shamrock which was built in Glasgow in 1836. The last steamer to daily ply between the two cities was the Ida (Waterford Standard, 17 August 1929). For interesting articles concerning the ships and photos of the ships see, Andrew Doherty, www.tidesandtales.ie , February 2018 blog posts. See the update below for information on the Eclipse sailing between Waterford and New Ross in 1829 in 2 hours.
Launch of the Ida
In addition to conducting interviews, over the years Danny Dowling has amassed a large number of newspaper articles relating to Glenmore and nearby environs. For example, the Waterford Chronicle on 27 September 1867 published an article describing the launch of the Ida at the Neptune Iron Works in Waterford. Miss Graves, the daughter of J.P. Graves, Esq. of Waterpark House, Waterford, broke the bottle on the bow of the ship and christened her Ida. This name was selected because the Barony of Ida links Waterford and New Ross and the steam ship would link the ports via the River Barrow. The steamer was described as being 156 feet in length and had a breadth of 92 ½ feet.
After her christening the Ida was equipped by the Neptune Iron Works with a “splendid pair of engines, of about 90 horse-power, with two large and powerful boilers, and two feathering paddle wheels for speed.” It was announced that Captain George Brennan would be at the helm. The Ida first steamed between Waterford and New Ross on the 31st of January 1868. She was accompanied by the Shamrock, and although a strong gale was blowing, and rain was pouring, the Ida made the journey in 70 minutes (Wexford People, 8 Feb. 1868).
Danny interviewed Michael Forristal in 1969. Michael was born and raised in Rochestown, Glenmore but living in Ballybagley in 1969. Michael revealed that when he was young the Ida left Ross daily at 9:15 a.m.; by 10 a.m. it was at the Piltown Hulk; and at 11 a.m. it arrived at Waterford. It began its home journey at 3:15 p.m. when it left Waterford; arrived at the Piltown Hulk at 4 p.m. and was back in New Ross by 4:45 p.m. In Michael’s time, the master of the Ida was Captain Murphy of New Ross. The Ida was able to carry 600 passengers and cargo.
Rochestown Ferry
There was a ferry boat that operated from Rochestown. It ferried passengers across the Barrow to the Wexford side to Piltown Hulk or floating landing stage, to meet the Ida. This ferry was able to carry up to 40 passengers. The most Michael ever saw it carry was 34 passengers. It was powered by two men who rowed the ferry each using two oars. During his time, the two rowers of the ferry were brothers John and James Forristal, of Rochestown. John and James Forristal were the last rowers of the ferry boat. They were the sons of Michael’s cousin Johnny Forristal. They were each paid 6/= per week wages.
In 1976, Danny interviewed Nicholas Forristal, the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore, who named Sean Jim and Sean Jack Forristal of Rochestown as the two men that manned the oars of the ferryboat from the Blackrock Quay in Rochestown, to the Piltown Hulk on the Wexford shore. He noted that the two men were first cousins and were paid by the Waterford Steamship Company. Today, Danny stated that he believes Michael Forristal and Nicholas Forristal were speaking about the same men given their names, but could not clarify whether the two men were brothers or cousins.
Another Glenmore man connected to the Ida was Edward Walsh, of Glenmore Village. Edward Walsh worked as a steward on the Ida. Edward and his sister Margaret were the children of David Walsh, who had a pub near the chapel in Glenmore. Danny interviewed Miss Margaret Walsh shortly before her death in 1955 at her home on Peter Street, Waterford concerning her brother’s work on the Ida.
Cargo
Nicholas Forristal stated that local farmers brought fiskins of butter by the Ida to the Waterford Butter market. Jim Phelan, of the bog in Shanbogh, was one of the men who brought fiskins of butter to Waterford via the Ida along with the Kearneys and Farrells, of Ballyfoyle. Today, Danny explained that a fiskin was a British measure of a quarter of a barrel, it was made by a cooper for cheese and butter and when filled weighed 56 pounds (25 kilograms).
It wasn’t all clear steaming for either the Shamrock or the Ida. On the 7th of June 1852 the Shamrock made two trips because the pig fair had been held at New Ross. On the second trip as the steamer approached the quay in Waterford the pigs rushed to one side of the ship causing water to be taken. The crew and the few men aboard were saved, but several pigs drowned although sailors and others along the quay rushed to save the animals (Derbyshire Times, 10 June 1854). In 1895, it was a frightened cow that caused panic on the Ida when it attempted to jump overboard and injured two elderly ladies (Wexford People, 27 April 1895). Two years later a young lady dancing on the deck of the Ida as she steamed toward Waterford fell overboard. Patrick Dooley, of Garrenbehy, quickly dived into the river and saved the young lady from drowning (New Ross Standard, 8 April 1932).
Ida Related Deaths
At least two deaths connected with the Ida appeared in newspapers. On the 3rd of January 1872, Patrick Scanlon while unloading cargo in New Ross at 9 p.m. fell into the river and drowned. At his inquest concerns were raised regarding the lack of railings to protect workers unloading cargo (Wexford People, 13 January 1872).
In the New Ross Standard on the 28th of December 1895 it was reported that 30 to 40 people were huddled in a cabin with no light. Half way to New Ross from Waterford (ie near Glenmore) a soldier named Noy died, but no one present was aware of his death due to the lack of lighting. The newspaper was scathing of the failure of the owner of the steamship to provide lighting for passengers. “Surely the company might hang up a second hand oil lamp in this apartment of the boat, and on a winter’s evening squander a penny in paraffin …for their passengers.”
Rescued & Rescuer
Perhaps the biggest threat to the Ida occurred on Friday the 13th of February 1880. The Ida at about 4 p.m. was trying to berth at New Ross, but the Liverpool steamship Earnholm was also trying to berth. The Earnholm was owned by the New Ross Steamship Company and Captain Henry was at her helm.
The Ida was swept along by the strong spring tide, which was running at about six knots an hour and there was a strong gale from the south west. Captain Brennan let go his anchor nearly opposite Mrs. Plummer’s hotel, but the ship dragged her anchor and broke the stock of the anchor. Captain Brennan set the engines in motion, fearing that the Ida would strike the centre of the New Ross bridge. Ultimately he ran her into the bridge dock, and with her bow against the quay, her stern crashed against first cylinder of the bridge, at the Wexford side.
This caused a great commotion on the quay, and “people ran hither and thither and entertained great fears that the ship would become a total wreck, as the tide was fast rising and the ship’s stern was jammed tight under the bridge, so that the rising of the tide would keep her down.” Captain Henry brought the Earnholm to assist the Ida, made fast to the Ida and when the Earnholm steamed ahead, the Ida was pulled from her perilous position. Although the Ida suffered some damage the hull sustained no damage.
The Ida in January 1896 came to the rescue of the steamship Mermaid. The Mermaid left New Ross with a cargo of pigs and at the Pink Rock, of Glenmore, “a point on the river difficult to navigate” the steering failed and the ship struck the rocks and began to take water. The Ida was on her way to Ross, stopped to give aid, took on board all of the passengers and cargo and went on to New Ross. After depositing safely the passengers and cargo she returned to the Pink Rock with another ship, the Vandaleur, and together the two steamers could not pull the Mermaid off of the rocks (Wicklow People, 11 January 1896).
Glenmore Men Remember the Ida
In 1969, Danny interviewed Michael Walsh of 80 Manor Street, Waterford. Michael was 87 years of age and was born and raised in Rochestown, Glenmore. Michael stated that the Ida sailed between Ross and Waterford and the steamer Vandaleur sailed between Waterford and Duncannon. Both ships were plying at the same time and were owned by the Waterford Steamship Co. The Clyde Shipping Co. took over the Waterford Steamship Co. and the new owners then sold both of the river paddle steamers.
Mikey Power of Jamestown, Glenmore was interviewed by Danny in 1957. Mikey reported that he worked in the Brick Marsh belonging to Billy Forristal that was located between where the two railway bridges are now situated. He worked for a whole summer in either 1899 or 1900. Work in the Brick Marsh usually started at 8 a.m. and finished at around 6 p.m. with a break for dinner at noon and a tea break at 4 p.m. They knew what time to break for the afternoon tea as the Ida passed every evening on her way to Ross. Billy Forristal’s brick works finished up about 1900 just shortly before the Ida ceased sailing the Barrow in about 1905. The Ross-Waterford railway line caused the Brick Works and Ida to both cease operating.
For further reading see, Bill Irish (2001) Shipbuilding in Waterford, 1820-1880: A Historical, Technical and Pictorial Study.
The River Steamer Eclipse
Update: Andrew Doherty sent on the following article from the Waterford Mail (Sat. 16 May 1829, p. 4).
“COMMUNICATION BETWEEN WATERFORD AND ROSS. —That beautiful little steamer the Eclipse arrived the quay at ten o’clock morning from Ross with between twenty and thirty passengers, performing the voyage which is eighteen miles, in two hours. This vessel is quite new and has been brought over from Bristol to see if she can made to answer on our river. We think there is little doubt of the fact. As a mode of conveyance between this and Ross, it will have many advantages.
The present road is quite abominable —rough, and all up and down hill, …[and this] journey of ten miles usually occupies three good hours! The Steamer will do the thing in two ; she has plenty of room for stowage; she has a snug cabin ; the sail is quite delightful. The scenery up the Nore and Barrow, though little known, is really some of the most picturesque and beautiful in Ireland, and we dare this attraction alone will induce many persons to avail themselves of the advantage of the steam-boat. Some advertisements on this subject will be found worthy of attention; but we will not dwell on the subject at present further than to hope that fair trial will given the spirited English Gentleman’s undertakings, that it may meet with the success it so really merits.”
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Murder on the Hill of Glenmore
As highlighted in a previous blog post–on the 8th of March 1833, Joseph Leonard, of Waterford, was stoned to death on the Hill of Glenmore about 3 miles from New Ross in Shanbogh Townland on the old Coach Road.
The Murder: Account I
In 1980 Danny Dowling interviewed Patrick Hennessy, of Hoodsgrove, Rosbercon concerning the murder of the landlord Joseph Leonard in 1833. According to Patrick his mother’s people were the same Malone’s that were involved in the murder. Patrick went on to explain that Master Moore, the National teacher, stated that there was a mill in Kilbrahan townland of Rosbercon. Meany who was executed for the murder of Joseph Leonard, along with the Malones lived on a farm where the mill was situated. According to Patrick Hennessy, Meany was thrown out of the farm before Leonard’s murder.
On the day of the murder, one of the Malone men was home on leave from the British army. He was a veteran of some wars. He said to the mother, Mrs. Malone, who was a Treacy born in Ballymagill, that if Leonard the landlord was living where he had been he would be murdered. Mrs. Malone said in reply, “Why can’t ye do away with him?” She was putting down the spuds for the dinner when her two sons went off to kill the landlord. When they returned she said, “Ye are bad men to take so long to kill him.” Later, she claimed not to have known that they had gone to kill Leonard. The Cashins lived at Shambogh, and a Cashin girl, “gave the game away.” One of the Malone brothers escaped and when he was caught, he was strapped to the wrists and made to walk or dragged between two mounted horse soldiers. In this way he either walked or was dragged to jail. More than likely it was the way he was conveyed to jail when arrested. After the trials the Malone family on their farm in Kilhalan got it tough.
The Murder: Account II
A second oral history of the murder was provided by Ned Fortune and was recorded and can be found in the Folklore Commission. According to this account Joseph Leonard was the landlord of Kilbrahan, a small townland to the north of Shanbogh. Although Joseph Leonard lived in Waterford he was in the habit of traveling to New Ross a few times a week. By all accounts Joseph Leonard was a “good man” and there was “no reason for killing him.”
Leonard was murdered on the 8th March 1833, where the Old Coach Road just enters Shanbogh. A lime-kiln is close to the spot. Leonard was beaten to death, the horse then galloped toward Ross till the body was observed hanging out of the chaise or car. A man named Cassin gave information to the police, and they went to a house in Kilbrahan of a man named Meaney. The police found the whip of the murdered Leonard. This evidence was regarded as conclusive and Meaney was sentenced to be hanged.
The Execution
The scaffold was erected at the scene of the murder. The hanging was witnessed by thousands of people. Mrs Greene recalled her grandmother telling of how she dressed up in her best for the occasion and went off to witness the execution. The place of execution and murder in now known as Leonard’s Corner. A man named Malone was also convicted of the murder. He escaped at the time, but twelve months later was arrested in Tipperary. He was brought to Kilkenny Gaol and later executed outside it. Cassin, the informer, was given money by the government to leave the country, he did, and was never heard from again.
Contempoary Newspaper Accounts
Danny has collected a large number of copies of contemporary newspaper articles that give further and often conflicting information concerning the murder, trial and executions. Similar to what often happens today with the media linking crime to terrorism some contemporary newspaper linked the murder to agrarian eviction violence. The Battle of Carrickshock occurred on the 14th of December 1832 and was fought over the imposition of Tithes for the upkeep of the Church of Ireland on Catholics and other Protestants. The Battle resulted in several of the police being killed. Most of the contemporary newspapers articles did not link the murder of Joseph Leonard to the White Feet, Carrickshock or any other cause.
The Murder
According to the contemporary newspaper accounts, Joseph Leonard left Waterford in high spirits at 11 in the morning for New Ross on the 8th of March 1833. He was on his way to New Ross to arrange to sell some “distrained” cattle belonging to a tenant. The sale was to take place on the 9th of March. It was reported that £125 of rent was overdue and Joseph Leonard offered to settle for the sum of £80, but the tenant refused. Joseph Leonard was described as an inoffensive gentleman. At 2 or 3 in the afternoon Joseph Leonard was walking alongside his horse that was pulling the gig up the hill of Glenmore.
As he walked along Joseph Leonard was attacked in an area where there were several houses nearby. According to Danny the nearby lime kiln became known as the murdering kiln because of the murder. A blunderbuss was fired at Joseph Leonard, but it missed. He was taken by three men who broke his right arm and they put his head on a low adjacent wall and beat his head with stones until he was dead. The killers then cut off his left ear. His corpse was placed in the gig and large stones were placed in front of the wheels to keep the horse from moving. Some accounts provide that the Wexford Car came along and brought the gig and corpse into Ross. Other accounts provide that a “country boy” came along and brought the gig and corpse into Ross. Joseph Leonard’s death is recorded in the Roman Catholic Parish records thus indicating that the newspaper accounts stating that the murdered man was a Catholic landlord were correct.
Arrests
Joseph Leonard’s corpse was returned to Waterford on the 11th of March 1833 and buried according to Danny in the St. Patrick’s cemetery of Ballybricken. A quick hunt through the cemetery on the 7th of February 2020 did not result in his grave being discovered. The newspaper articles record that the Kilkenny magistrate, Henry Alcock, Esq. acting on information received, from what was described as two children named Cashin, arrested four men at the funeral. Other newspaper articles provide that Magistrate Alcock arrested only one man at the funeral, Philip Malone, of Kilbrahon, Rosbercon. Eventually three men and one woman were charged in connection with the murder of Joseph Leonard.
Defendants Philip Malone and his mother
Philip Malone and his mother Mary Malone stood trial in Kilkenny in March 1834 and although Mary Malone was acquitted Philip Malone was convicted. He was sentenced to be executed by hanging in chains. The grand jury petitioned the court to allow the execution to be carried out at the place of the murder. The principal witnesses at the trial were: James Roche, a boy of 14, who witnessed “the transaction,” and James Cashen, aged 18, who gave King’s evidence as an approver. Apparently James Cashen was hired by Malone to kill Joseph Leonard. Another witness named in newspaper articles was Richard Cashen whose age is not revealed.
On the 17th of March 1834 Philip Malone was taken from Kilkenny City and transported to the place of the murder and hanged at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Newspapers accounts provide that Philip Malone conducted himself in an exemplary manner and acknowledged the justice of his sentence. The execution was well attended and there was little sympathy expressed for the condemned. Philip Malone was described as a “remarkable as a man of great physical prowess.”
Defendant Patrick Meany
Patrick Meany, a neighbour, attended the hanging of Philip Malone and later while drinking in a public house was arrested by Magistrate Esmond of Kilkenny. Patrick Meany believed that because he did not do the actual killing he could not be convicted of a crime. Danny believes that Patrick Meany was originally from Robinstown, in Glenmore. Due to a land dispute he moved to Rosbercon. Patrick Meany stood trial in Kilkenny city for conspiring to murder Joseph Leonard. He too was convicted and sentenced to hang at the place of the murder. According to newspaper accounts an immense number of country people assembled and covered the surrounding hills around the place of the murder to witness the execution.
The condemned man left Kilkenny City on the 7th of August 1834 at 6:30 in the morning in a chaise chair. Just prior to execution he prayed and asked the attending priest to speak for him. The priest said that Patrick Meany asked him to convey that Meany was sorry for the expression he used against the prosecutor when he was convicted and hoped the people would pray to God to pardon him. Patrick Meany was described as being about 45 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches tall and of “Herculean make.” Although he was described as in “comfortable circumstances” he was dressed like a common labourer. The newspaper accounts noted that he was a widower, and left five children orphans. His eldest child was a daughter who was 18 and attended her father’s execution with her father’s sister and his son aged 14 also attended.
Aftermath of Executions
The night after the execution of Patrick Meany, four men attacked and stoned to death a soldier just outside New Ross. All four men were arrested.
The stigma to the families of the convicted murders continued for some time. Danny recorded in a 1974 interview of Nicholas Forristal, of Graiguenakill, Glenmore an incident that occurred near the Glenmore Parish Priest’s house in Robinstown. Father Aylward, the Parish Priest, asked a beggar if he “…was anything to Meany who killed Leonard the Landlord.” The beggar responded by asking Father Aylward, “How near related are you to the Belekums, who killed the girl on the mountain and buried her in a bog?”
The Victim
Very little information is recorded concerning the murdered Mr. Leonard. His age is not recorded and there is no indication that he was married at the time he was murdered.
House of Commons’ Account
In attempting to try to find information concerning the brother of Philip Malone, I came across perhaps the most unusual contemporary account of the murder conspiracy in the Evidence on Drunkeness: Presented to the House of Commons (1834) by James Silk Buckingham. In this account Philip Malone when the guilty verdict was rendered against him pointed to his 80 year old mother who shared the dock with him and said, “Yes, my Lord, I am guilty. She is the cause of it.” It was reported that his mother agreed to the price of the blood to be shed by her two sons. She watched Joseph Leonard approach and handed the pistol to her son. Malone was startled, “How can I murder the poor gentleman?” His mother called him a coward and handed him the remains of a ½ pint of whiskey which he drank and then went and killed his landlord.
Special thanks to Louise Walsh for the photos taken in St. Patrick’s Church Yard, Ballybricken, Waterford City.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Late 19th Century Glenmore: Population, Industries & Craftsmen
Danny Dowling located and took handwritten notes regarding Glenmore from George Henry Bassett’s, Kilkenny City and County Directory published in 1884. A few weeks ago we posted the extract of farmers and landowners from the Directory on the Glenmore-History webpage. Today, extracts of other categories of information in the 1884 Directory concerning Glenmore will be highlighted and supplemented with information gleaned from Danny’s research as well as interviews he conducted and recorded of local people.
POPULATION
In the 1884 Directory Glenmore is noted as having a population of 106. This population relates solely to the Village and not to the parish. Glenmore is also noted as having good salmon fishing and flanked by “handsome plantations.”
In 2016 Danny began an article on the population of Glenmore. The research conducted by Danny reveals that according to the 1841 census the population of the present area of the Parish of Glenmore was 4482. This was the highest population figure ever recorded for the townlands of the parish in their present size and extent. The Parish of Glenmore, as it is at present, was established in 1846. The population recorded in 1841 was resident in 679 dwelling houses. According to Griffith’s General Valuation of Property in 1850 there were 367 land occupiers in the parish, of these, 284 had holdings under 10 acres, and 288 had holding over 10 acres.
Twenty years after the 1841 census, the 1861 census illustrates that the population dropped to 2658 which represents a decrease of 40.6 per cent. In the same period the number of dwelling houses in the area dropped from 679 to 466. The residents of 231 dwelling houses disappeared within this twenty year period well known for the Great Famine and immigration. The 1901 census provides the population of the parish was 1964 persons residing in 367 dwelling houses, and 202 of the residents of the parish were classified as farmers.
Although the 1884 Directory refers to “handsome plantations” a photo believed to be taken in the early years of the 20th century shows the Village from the vantage point of the road known as the Churns. The hillsides along the road, as depicted in the photo, reveals that every inch of land in and surrounding Glenmore Village was being utilised either under cultivation or being grazed. The circa 1912 post card at the top of the post depicting the Village may be a better representation of the “handsome plantations.”
LANDLORDS OF VILLAGE
The landlords are listed in the 1884 Directory as Lord Bessborough and Mr. George J. Mackessy of Waterford. It is further noted that in 1884 all the houses in the village were slated, and none of the traders in Glenmore were licensed to sell liquors. Although there were a number of landlords outside the Village the excerpt of the 1884 Directory does not refer to any other landlords.
In his 1957 interview Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill (1888-1979) told Danny that 13 houses in Glenmore Village, in the townlands of Graiguenakill and Cappagh, were built to replace the dilapidated hovels which then existed. The 13 new houses were built about 1855 by Mackessy, of Waterford, who was the landlord. Nicky Forristal’s father (Patrick Forristal, 1849-1931) remembered seeing them built. Each house cost £30 to build and this amount included both the cost of the labour and the materials. Although 12 houses were planned, a 13th house was built when Kitty Bardin went to Waterford to Mackessy and made a pitiful plea asking for a house to be built from the remaining building materials. After Kitty Bardin’s death the 13th house later was occupied by Kate Ryan.
Thomas and James Malone of Shanbough, known as “the Masons” were the builders of the 13 houses and they were paid 1/6 per day (1 shilling and 6 pence). At that time a work day consisted of working from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The labourers on the job were paid 10d (pence) a day. The thatched hovels which preceded the 13 houses were in a terrible state of disrepair and contemporary eye witness accounts stated that the interiors of the cabins could be seen through the large holes which existed in the thatched roofs.
In 1963 Nicholas Forristal revealed that Mackessy also performed work on the stream in Glenmore. “It goes straight through the marshes towards the mill (Forristal’s) and was known as the canal. It was cut like it is now by Mackessy eight feet across from bank to bank and lined with stones. This work was carried out in James Dunphy’s time.” James Dunphy (c.1858 -1940) died in November 1940 at the age of about 82.
According to Danny, Mackessy lived in Lady Lane in Waterford and his Glenmore coach house still stands. The “Coach House” is located near the stream and at the end of the bridge on the south side of the Cappagh road. This building was built to house Mackessy’s coach when he visited Glenmore. On the other side of the stream on the corner of the bridge near the Glenmore pub was the Stage House built by Mackessy to store grain. For years politicians stood on the “stage” and sought the votes of the local people.
Danny’s notebooks, that have been transcribed, contain very little information regarding the Earl of Bessborough. Danny did record that in 1850, the Earl of Bessborough, owned the following townlands in Parish of Glenmore: Ballinaraha, comprised of 290 acres; Aylwardstown, comprised of 55 acres; Haggard, comprised of 543 acres and Robinstown, comprised of 321 acres. Nicholas Forristal revealed in a 1970 interview that “Nicholas Gaffney was Bessborough’s man,” and all Bessborough’s tenents had to deal in Nicholas Gaffney’s shops and go to his mill. If they did not deal with Gaffney the tenant’s would be in trouble with the landlord. Seven years later Nicholas Forristal told Danny that a man named
Hewetson, who lived in the big house in Bishop’s Hall, was the agent for Bessborough in the 1850’s. The Dominican Church in Bridge Street in Waterford, was built with the stones from the big house of Bishop’s Hall. (The present Dominican Church opened in 1876).
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
The 1884 Directory also provides that the Village of Glenmore had a Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Edward Nolan, Parish Priest and Rev. Micheal Corcoran the Curate. St. James was built in 1813. (Please see an earlier post for photos and information concerning the church.)
In 1884 the Village also had a dispensary and James B. Norris is recorded as the Medical Officer. A National School is also present in the Village and in the 1884 Directory John Curran was the Master and Mrs. Curran the Mistress. Danny recorded in his notebook that the National School system was established in 1831 and the Glenmore National School opened in 1835, thus the school was operating for 49 years in 1884.
Robert Fluskey is recorded in the 1884 Directory as the Postmaster. Another institution included in the 1884 Directory is the Royal Irish Constabulary with William Broderick, recorded as Sergeant. The Barracks of 1884 is today an empty building in the Village, but according to Danny the first Barracks was located in the field behind the Glenmore pub. Interestingly, the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage lists the Forristal house in Robinstown, (just down the hill from the Church on the same side of the road) as being built in about 1870 and serving as the RIC Barracks in 1903. In October 2019 Danny stated that he was not aware that Forristal’s was ever a Barracks. Danny did state that in 1920 after the present Barracks suffered a fire a temporary Barracks was located in a house in Weatherstown.
Lastly, Michael Morrissey is listed in 1884 Directory as the Civil Bill Officer (today this post holder would generally be known as a process server). Danny in November 2019 explained that the Session’s Loft was at the top of Fluskey’s shop. The Session’s Loft was used as a courthouse and meeting room. It was not until 1898 that County Council’s came into existence and took over some of the work of the Session’s Loft.
CARPENTERS
James Dunne and David Walsh are listed in the 1884 Directory. In a 1973 interview Nicholas Forristal, informed Danny that David “the Carpenter” Walsh worked for Strange who was a landlord who lived in Aylwardstown House. David Walsh was constantly employed by Strange at 12 shillings a week with “no grub.”
Pat Coady, of Ballycroney, Glenmore in 1955 provided Danny with a list of Glenmore tradesmen who practiced their crafts from about the 1860’s to the turn of the 20th century. Carpenters on the Coady list include: Davy Walsh, Graiguenakill; James Dunne, Glenmore; Pat Coady, Ballycroney; Paddy Mullally, Ballycroney; Richard Young, Ballyfacey; and ____ Butler, Ballycroney.
COOPERS
John O’Hanrahan is the sole cooper listed in the 1884 Directory. The Pat Coady list of Glenmore craftsmen includes the following coopers: John Hanrahan, Glenmore; James Ivory, of Kilbride; James Dunphy, of Ballyverneen and Nial Brophy, of Slievecarrig, Tullogher (who died about 1914). In 1969, Paddy Forristal provided the name of Wattie “the Cooper” Grant, of Haggard, as another Glenmore cooper who worked in the late 19th century.
DRESSMAKERS
In the 1884 Directory three dressmakers are named: Margaret Bolger, Mrs. Fluskey and Mary Murphy. Nicholas Forristal, in a 1957 interview, noted that Peg Purcell of Busherstown in the 1870’s was a dressmaker and the first person in the district to get a treadle (foot powered) sewing machine.
GROCERS, FLOUR & PROVISION DEALERS
In the 1884 Directory, Robert Fluskey and Nicholas Gaffney are listed under this category.
MASONS
Edward O’Kill is the only person listed as a mason in the 1884 Directory. The Pat Coady list of Glenmore tradesmen has a much more extensive listing of stone masons including: Mick Moore, of Haggard; Mick Doherty, of Ballyveria (Dancer Doherty); Edward Neill, of Weatherstown; Tom Butler, of Flemingstown and the Malones, of Shanbough.
SMITHS
The 1884 Directory lists Edward Haberlin and Patrick Kelly as smiths. The Pat Coady list of Glenmore tradesmen provides the following men working as blacksmiths in the late 19th century: Edward Haberlin, of Aylwardstown; ________ Bohan, of Ballyhobuck; ______ Larrissey, of Robinstown; Paddy Kelly, of Graiguenakill; Dinny Bergin, of Coolnaleen; Tom Henneberry, of Jamestown; Dinny Merrigan, of Ballycroney; George Tracey, of Ballyfacey and Jack Donovan, of Gaulstown. Nicholas Forristal also named Billy and Tom Purcell, of Busherstown as blacksmiths.
TAILORS
Only 2 tailors are listed in the 1884 Directory, namely: John Condon and Philip Malone. The Pat Coady list of Glenmore craftsmen includes the following tailors: Philip Malone, of Mullinahone; Peter Dunphy, of Glenmore Village; J. Walsh, of Glenmore Village; Martin Roche, of Haggard; John Hogan, of Haggard; and John Condon, of Mullinahone.
BAKERS
Although not included in the 1884 Directory, the Pat Coady list of Glenmore craftsmen provides that Nick Hanrahan, of Glenmore Village was a baker. Nick Hanrahan later migrated to Baltinglass.
SHOEMAKERS
The Pat Coady list of Glenmore craftsmen includes the following shoemakers: John Scanlon, of Knockbrack; Jack Hogan, of Rathinure and John Duggan, of Kilbride; Richard Duggan, of Flemingstown (died 1956 at age of 88); John Cassin, of Glenmore Village; Mick Shanahan, of Glenmore Village and James Scanlan, of Glenmore Village.
THATCHERS
The Pat Coady list of Glenmore craftsmen includes the following thatchers: Pat Haberlin, of Forristalstown; Mick McGrath, of Newtown; Jimmy Power, of Jamestown; Richard Hennessy, of Ballyfacey, Tom Laherty, of Ballyfacey (died in 1892) and Martin Kennedy, of Kilbride.
MILLS
Danny in November 2019 named three mills that were operating in Glenmore Village in the 1850’s namely: the Gaffney Mills of Robinstown; the Grace Mill and the Forristal Mill, of Graiguenakill. In addition to grinding grain Gaffney’s also had what Nickolas Forristal referred to as a tuck mill where linen cloth and sheets were made. Old Jack “the Weaver” Walsh of Glenmore came from the Campile area of Co. Wexford, to work as a weaver in Gaffney’s. In 1959 Nicholas Forristal informed Danny that he had been given a couple of items including a shirt made in the Gaffney Mill and described them as “white and as coarse as a bag.”
BRICK MAKING
Danny wrote an article that was published in the Old Kilkenny Review in 1972 and entitled “Glenmore Brickyards: A Forgotten Industry” detailing the brick making that took place in the parish of Glenmore. Billy Forristal operated the last brick works in the Ballyverneen marshes. This business closed in about 1900. The New Ross-Waterford Railway started in 1902 and was completed in 1906. It crossed the Ballyverneen brick marsh and filled most of the brickholes. Earlier in the 19th century a man named Meany made bricks in a brick marsh nearer the river in Carrigcloney.
We hope that you have enjoyed this snapshot of late 19th Century Glenmore. Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the old photos of Glenmore and Louise Walsh for the 2019 photos of Glenmore.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh