20th Century
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Poet Peter Brophy (1871-1951) a Native of Ballynaraha, Glenmore
A poem entitled “The Rose of Glenmore” was read out at Mary Aylward’s (née Heffernan) funeral earlier this year. We obtained a copy from her daughter-in-law Joan Aylward (née Doherty) and on the copy it was noted that the poem was composed by a grand-uncle of the present Brophy family of Ballynaraha, Glenmore. We visited Michael Brophy and his sister Ann Brophy who indicated that their great-uncle Peter Brophy wrote poetry and lyrics to songs. He worked for a time for the Nightingale newspaper. (See our post of 28 April 2024 regarding the Nightingale publication).
Peter Brophy also worked for the Dunphy Mill in Deerpark, Mullinavat, where the present owner, John Dunphy has several of Peter’s poems on display. John Dunphy listened to a recording of Edward “Ned” Brophy (1924-1996) (Michael and Ann’s father) reciting his uncle’s poems, and John Dunphy wrote out the poems. For further information on the historic Dunphy Deerpark Mill see our post of 13 July 2026. Peter Brophy also wrote “Charlie Linegar’s Ball,” and other poems available on our Guest Author’s page of local verses collected by Dick Claridge.
Unfortunately, it is not known when Peter Brophy authored his many poems, but the titles of some of his poems include: [1] “The Rose of Glenmore,” [2] “Charlie Linegar’s Ball,” [3] The Famous Buckstown Trap,” [4] “The Ship that Sailed from Mullinavat,” [5] “Landmarks of Olden Days,” [6] “Hills of Mullinahone,” [7] “Jack Jepson and His Ass,” [8] “Eucharistic Congress Dublin 1932,” [8] “Mount Mellary,” [9] “The Famous Chicken Gang,” [10] “The Half Past Nine,” [11] “The Slopes of Tory Hill,” and [12] “The Cross on Tory Hill.”
These poems are important as they record local events, people and areas. Today, we are going to feature two of Peter Brophy’s poems, “The Rose of Glenmore,” and “The Famous Buckstown Trap” which celebrates a rat trap made by Richard Dunphy.
The Rose of Glenmore
Some cherish the lakes of Kilarney,
And others Avoca’s green vale,
Give me the home of my childhood,
The fairest around Inis Fáil.
I often hear poets sing the praises
of the beautiful Suir and the Nore,
But where there’s a river could equal,
The Barrow that flows through Glenmore.
The linnet and thrush you’ll hear warbling,
The lark every morning will soar,
Along o’er the banks of the Barrow,
And the green groves surrounding Glenmore.
I have sailed up the Barrow for many a mile,
I have met many friends from New Ross and Campile,
Where the fair sex are pretty along the Wexford shore,
But none could compare to the Rose of Glenmore.
On the banks of the Barrow every evening we’d stroll,
To see the ships pass and hear the ships’ carol,
And pluck the wild bluebells every summertime poured,
Their sweet, scented fragrance on the banks of Glenmore.
But to my old darling I must bid adieu.
It breaks my heart to be parting from you.
Since fate have decreed that I should be tore,
Away from my home and the Rose of Glenmore.
Now Katie I ask one last token,
You’ll promise for me you won’t weep,
But say that you’ll think of me sometimes
If only in dreams through your sleep.
For your sake the high seas I will furrow,
and hope to gain riches in store,
Then I’ll build on the banks of the Barrow,
A home for the Rose of Glenmore.
The Famous Buckstown Trap
We hear about inventions of the Russian’s and the Jap,
But we hear very little of the famous Buckstown Trap.
With the aid of angle grinders and bits of this and that,
By the time the job was finished, all he wanted was the rat.
But the rat will come in his own time and much to his regret,
We must give it up to Dunphy as the best invention yet.
It’s a wonderful invention, yet as good as can be seen,
They claim it is much better than the Singer sewing machine
It consists of wire and metal and bits of iron bars,
Complete with chrome finish and parts of motor cars.
To set this trap is simple; you can set it at your ease,
With Mitchelstown or Three Counties or any type of cheese.
Now if you are interested in any kind of trap,
Support home industry and forget about the Jap.
Now if you are in trouble with mink, mouse or rat,
Just contact Richard Dunphy of Deerpark, Mullinavat.
Peter Brophy (1871-1951) Native of Ballynaraha, Glenmore
Peter Brophy was baptized 16 Oct. 1871 at Ballynaraha, Glenmore to James Brophy (1840-1910) and his wife Mary Barron (c. 1846-1915). His parents were married at Glenmore on 3 May 1869.
Peter Brophy’s Grandparents
When Peter’s parents were married in 1869 his mother Mary Barron (c. 1846-1915) was from Graiguenakill, Glenmore. She was the daughter of James Barron (deceased labourer). Peter Brophy’s father was James Brophy of Ballynaraha, Glenmore. James Brophy was the son of Peter Brophy (tailor) (c. 1805 -1872) and his wife Bridget Sutton.
Children of James Brophy (1840-1910) and Mary Barron (c. 1846-1915)
[1] Margaret Brophy (b. 11 Oct. 1869)
[2] Peter Brophy (bapt. 16 Oct. 1871)
[3] Michael Brophy (b. 20 Dec. 1873). Michael Brophy (1873-1960) married Mary Phelan (1885-1961) at Mullinavat in 1916. Mary was the daughter of Edmund Phelan (labourer) of Bigwood, Mullinavat. Their witnesses were Peter Brophy and Kate Dollard. Their son Edward “Ned” Brophy (1924-1996) was employed at Murphy Motors, Glenmore and recorded his uncle Peter’s poems.
[4] Thomas Brophy (b. 25 Dec. 1875)
[5] John Brophy (b. 1 June 1878)
[6] James Brophy (b. 16 Feb. 1882)
[7] Patrick Brophy (b. 20 Aug. 1884) married in Waterford 23 Feb. 1933. Per his obit (Munster Express, Fri. 31 Jan. 1947, p. 8) he was a member of the R.I.C. until 1921 and retired. He then went to work for Strangman’s Brewery of Waterford.
[8] William Brophy (b. 18 July 1887)
[9] Richard Brophy (b. 10 Feb. 1892)
Marriage and Family
Peter Brophy was still living at home in Ballynaraha, Glenmore in the 1901 Census. He reported his age as 27 and was employed as a servant. His father, James Brophy was 60 and employed as an agricultural labourer. His mother, Mary Brophy (née Barron) was 59. Four of his brothers were also living at home including: John (21); James (19); Patrick (17) and William (14). William was still at school. All the other brothers except James were employed as servants. James was employed as an agricultural labourer.
By the 1911 Census Peter was employed at the Dunphy Mill at Deerpark, Mullinavat. He was living with a farmer and his wife in Killahy, Mullinavat. On 15 October 1917, he married Johanna Watters (b.c. 1887) at Mullinavat. He gave his address as Deerpark, Mullinavat. Johanna’s address was Ballintlea, Mullinavat. Her father was Thomas Watters (labourer). When Peter Brophy married he gave his occupation as labourer, and he was 46 years of age.
Known Children of Peter Brophy (1871-1951)
[1] Mary Brophy was born 24 Feb. 1918 at Ballynooney, Mullinavat. Mary married Edward Lannon, Ballycarron, Ballyraggett in Mullinavat on 23 April 1951 per the baptismal record. In fact, the couple were married 23 April 1941. The bride was a resident of Buckstown at the time of her marriage. At the time of her marriage Mary was residing in Kilkenny City (Munster Express, Fri. 2 May 1941, p. 8).
[2] James Brophy was baptized 24 Feb. 1919 and died 29 March 1919.
[3] Margaret Brophy was born 31 Dec. 1920 at Buckstown. Margaret Brophy married Richard Nugent in Cappoquin on 28 Sept. 1949.
[4] John Brophy was born 24 June 1922 at Buckstown.
[5] Johanna Brophy was born 24 May 1924 at Buckstown
The family in 1926 was living in Inchcarran, Killea, Mullinavat per the 1926 Census.
Death
Peter Brophy died 28 June 1951 at Buckstown, Mullinavat. He was 79, and his profession was listed as labourer. His son John Brophy was present at his death. A newspaper search did not find any articles concerning Peter Brophy or his poems. We are hopeful that readers may be able to provide more information concerning Peter Brophy and his poems.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
We do not know what the Buckstown Trap looked like, but we were able to find a photo of an antique rat trap.
Special thanks to Michael Brophy; Ann Brophy; Joan Aylward (née Doherty); and John Dunphy for their help and information.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Josie Dalton (1907-1978) of Railway Cottage, Rathinure, Glenmore
Today, we are going to focus on a warm, quiet woman who lived her entire life in the railway cottage in Rathinure. The walls of the railway cottage can still be found along the abandoned railway line that operated from New Ross to Waterford. [For the past decade or so, the old abandoned railway line was to be transformed into a “greenway,” or walking/bicycling path, but this work has never been completed.] The isolated Rathinure railway cottage, had no electricity or well. It was only accessible by walking the train tracks or by narrow dirt farm lanes. After her mother’s death in 1947 Josie lived alone in that isolated cottage.
Josie Dalton often walked to neighbours’ homes in the evening for company or a game of cards etc. One of her favorite houses to visit was the Kirwan home. She walked to Glenmore for Mass or was taken as she got older by her neighbours. It does not appear that she ever held a job, but did odd jobs when extra help was needed on local farms such as at threshings or thinning beet etc. At the recent Kilcolumb Blessing of Graves (6 July 2026) attendees marveled at the thought of the elderly Josie Dalton nightly walking nearly a mile home alone on the isolated, eerie, lane past the ancient cemetery to her home with nothing but a torch or flashlight.
Danny Dowling’s Notes
Glenmore’s historian, Danny Dowling (1927-2023) shortly after Josie’s death recorded what Rathinure residents recalled about Josie. Josie’s father was a cobbler from Tullogher and moved to the Railway Cottage in Rathinure. Josie had two sisters and a brother Pat. All her siblings went to England and Josie lived in the isolated Railway Cottage until shortly before she died. Josie broke her leg and was found by a neighbour and taken to the hospital. She lived in a small mobile home where Willie Cummins had lived. Mick Mack’s house on the High Road, in Scartnamoe, had a lot where a mobile home was placed for Willie Cummins. Although Josie told friends she was going to return to the Railway House she died at the mobile home.
Josie was great friends with Mary Sean Og Kennedy (1881-1971). During the 50th anniversary of the 1916 Uprising, Josie was helping with the harvest at Mary Sean Og Kennedy’s and talk turned to Roger Casement and his State Funeral. It was recalled that Josie at the harvest stated that her grandfather arrested Roger Casement in Kerry in 1916. It was widely known that Josie’s grandfather had been with the R.I.C. (Royal Irish Constabulary). Unfortunately, the statement was not true. Josie’s grandfather, John Hearn (c. 1828-1899) was a constable with the R.I.C., but he was retired and dead long before 1916. The man credited with arresting Roger Casement on Good Friday (21 April 1916) in Kerry, after Casement came ashore from a German U-boat, was R.I.C. Sgt. Thomas John Hearn, Josie’s maternal uncle. (See our post of 3 Oct. 2021 regarding Mary Sean Og Kennedy (1881-1971) and her photo).
While it was true her father was a cobbler he was not from Tullogher. He was a native of Knockbrack, Glenmore. Both the Dalton and Hearn families are discussed below.
The Rathinure, Glenmore Railway Cottage
The railway between New Ross and Waterford was built between 1899 and 1904, The line officially opened in 1904. (See our post of 2 Feb. 2020 regarding the changes the building of the railway caused in Glenmore etc.)
Josie’s parents Michael Dalton (1875-1944) and Bridget Hearn (1874-1947) were married at Glenmore on 23 July 1901. At the time of their marriage Michael Dalton was a shoemaker. The bride and groom both resided in Glenmore. Her father John Hearn was dead. Michael’s father was Patrick Dalton, and he was alive at the time of the wedding. The witnesses to the wedding were John Hearn and Bridget Gaffney.
It is not known when the Rathinure Railway Cottage was built, but it appears that the only family to have resided in it was the Michael Dalton family.
The Children of Michael Dalton (1874-1947) and Bridget Dalton née Hearn (1874-1947)
[1] Patrick “Pat” Dalton (b. 8 Nov. 1903) At the time of Patrick’s birth “in Glenmore” his father was recorded as being a bootmaker.
[2] Catherine “Kitty” Dalton (b. 3 Nov. 1905) At the time of Catherine’s birth “in Glenmore” Michael Dalton was recorded as being a farmer.
[3] Johanna “Josie” “Maggie” Dalton (b. 30 Dec. 1907). Johanna was born at Rathinure, Glenmore and her father’s profession was listed as “milesman on railway.”
[4] Margaret Dalton (b. 9 July 1910) was born at Rathinure and her father’s profession was recorded as “railway milesman.”
The 1926 Census provides that Michael Dalton (51) and his wife Bridget Dalton née Hearn (51) were still residing in the Rathinure Railway Cottage. They reported in the Census that they had been married for 22 years and three children were born to them. In fact, they had four children. In 1926 all three daughters: Catherine Dalton (21); Josephine (sic) Dalton (18; and Maggie Dalton (16) were not employed and living at home.
By all accounts Michael Dalton was an industrious, quiet man. Although he worked for the railway, and daily inspected his section of track and opened and closed the Rathinure railway gates, he also repaired shoes and boots. One story that has been passed down in Rathinure provides that his wife Bridget went to town for messages (to shop) and had a “sup taken”. She got off the train in Aylwardstown and Michael met her to help carry the parcels home. She was quite merry and was allegedly overheard saying in Rathinure “How did I ever think of marrying a little shit of a man like you.” Michael allegedly said nothing in reply and they continued walking home. (Attributed to Jack Walsh (c. 1893 -1982) of Rathinure).
Leaving the Rathinure, Glenmore Railway House
Locally, it is believed that Josie’s brother Pat died young, but we could not locate a death record here or in England. Both Josie’s sisters went to England to work at an unknown time after 1926. Michael Dalton died 11 March 1944 at Rathinure a 68-year-old retired railway official. He died of chronic myocarditis. A post mortem was performed by the coroner Thomas Lanigan on 11 March 1944. See our D surname page for his obituary. Bridget Dalton née Hearn died 14 March 1947 at Rathinure, a 71-year-old widow of a plate layer. She died “probably of heart failure. Her daughter Johanna Dalton was present at her death.
Trouble Getting Home
Sometime around 1976 one of Josie’s sisters came to Glenmore to visit Josie. Traveling from Waterford she asked the bus driver to drop her at the skow bridge. When she alighted from the bus she did not know where she was. The area had changed greatly. She knocked on Claridge’s door and asked directions to Kirwan’s Lane. Jimmy Claridge (c. 1911-1987) pointed to the lane directly across the N25 from his house. She did not recognition the lane because the skow bridge bus stop over the years had moved a couple hundred metros towards Glenmore.
When Josie died in in December 1978 she was not in the Rathinure Railway Cottage as described in Danny’s notes. Both of her sisters returned to Glenmore for her funeral. Johnny Garvey (1943-2026) took the two elderly ladies to the Rathinure Railway Cottage by tractor across his fields (Peter Walsh, Rathinure, 9 Aug. 2026). All of Josie’s belongings fit into two suitcases that Johnny Garvey stored until the following year when the sisters collected them (Louise Garvey Dollard, 8 July 2026). Sometime after the volunteers from Glenmore History photographed and recorded all the markers in St. James’s Cemetery in 2020, Johnny Garvey placed a head stone on Josie’s grave.
The Hearn Family of Cappa, Glenmore
Josie’s mother Bridget Hearn was born at Cappa, Glenmore, on 18 March 1874, the daughter of John Hearn and his wife Catherine Murphy. John Hearn was a sub-Constable of the R.I.C. John Hearn 1847 joined the RIC in 1847. His first posting after training in Dublin was to Co. Kerry. In 1852 he was transferred to Co. Kilkenny. He married Catherine Murphy on 2 Sept. 1861 at Carrick-on- Suir, Tipperary. The birth of their children illustrates where John Hearn was posted during his R.I.C. career. He retired in Glenmore prior to 1878
Children of John Hearne (c. 1828-1899) and Catherine Murphy (c. 1842-1908)
[1] Thomas John Hearn b. 16 May 1864 at Ash Park, Carrick-on-Suir the son of John Hearne (policeman) and Catherine Murphy. He followed his father into the R.I.C. and was a Sgt. when he arrested Roger Casement in 1916. On 3 October 1894, at Limerick he married Hanoa Teresa O’Callaghan. In 1920 he retired from the R.I.C. He died 29 August 1933, a married man of 69 years of a coronary thrombosis. He was a retired Head Constable of the R.I.C. He died at his home 18 Wallace Ave, Cork. George A. Kennedy was present at his death. His death announcement in the Evening Echo (Wed. 30 Aug. 1933, p. 8) made no mention of his arrest of Roger Casement in 1916.
[2] Michael Hearn b. 15 May 1865 at Knocktopher, Kilkenny.
[3] William Hern (sic) b. 17 May 1867 at Dangan, Kilmacow, Kilkenny.
[4] Margaret Hearn b. 17 June 1868 at Dangan, Kilmacow
[5] Mary Catherine Hearn b. 19 April 1870 at Dangan, Kilmacow,
[6] James Benjamin Hearn b. 12 April 1872 at Glenmore. James Benjamin Hearn emigrated to the US about 1910. He settled in Peoria, IL. Married, worked as a journalist and raised a family. He died 2 Aug. 1930.
[7] Bridget Hearn b. 18 March 1874 at Cappa, Glenmore [Josie Dalton’s mother]
[8] John Hearn (b. 15 June 1878) His father was listed on the birth register as John Hearn, “ex-policeman.”
The Deaths of John Hearn (c. 1828-1899) & Catherine Hearn née Murphy (c. 1842-1908)
Per the death register John Hearn died 2 Oct. 1899 at Rosbercon. He was a married 68- year-old pensioner of the R.I.C. Information for the death register was received from D. Walshe, Coroner, Co. Kilkenny. For the full article regarding his death in Rosbercon on his way into New Ross see our H Surname Page.
Catherine Hearn died 27 April 1908. Per the death register she was a 65 year-old widow of a police constable. She died of Bright’s disease suffering with it for 2 years. Her residence was listed as Rathinure, Glenmore at the time of her death. It appears that she was living with her daughter Bridget Dalton née Hearn. Her son John Hearn was present at her death in Glenmore. Josie Dalton was only 4 months old when her grandmother died.
The Dalton Family of Knockbrack, Glenmore
Per the birth register Josie’s father, Michael Dalton (1875-1944), was born 9 May 1875 at Knockbrach, Glenmore to Patrick Dalton (labourer) and his wife, Catherine Phelan. Thus, Josie’s grandparents were Patrick Dalton (1837-1909) and Catherine Phelan. They were married on 22 Jan. 1866 at Glenmore. Both their addresses were given as Knockbrack, Glenmore. Patrick listed his occupation as “Tradesman” as was his father Patrick Dalton. Catherine Phelan was the daughter of James Phelan (labourer) and her profession was listed as farm servant.
Josie’s grandfather, Patrick Dalton was baptized 27 April 1837 at Knockbrack the son of Patrick Dalton and Joney Phelan. Joney Phelan was recorded in various baptismal records of her children as Johanna, Judith and Joney.
The Children of Patrick Dalton (1837-1909) and Catherine Dalton née Phelan
[1] James Dalton (b. 17 Sept. 1866)
[2] Patrick Dalton (b. 14 March 1868)
[3] John Dalton (b. 2 May 1870)
[4] Margaret Dalton (b. 21 Dec. 1872)
[5] Michael Dalton (b. 9 May 1875) Josie Dalton’s father
[6] Johanna Dalton (b. 13 March 1880)
[7] Mary Dalton (b. 9 June 1884). Her baptism records her name as Anne. On the birth register her father’s occupation is listed as “Bullock Doctor.” Her father registered Mary’s birth on 13 June 1884.
Patrick Dalton’s (1837-1909) Death
In the 1901 Census Patrick Dalton (1837- 1909) of Knockbrack was a 63-year-old widower. He was employed as a farm labourer and two of his daughters resided with him, his son-in-law and granddaughter. Johanna Dalton was 21 and not employed. Her sister Margaret Quinn née Dalton was 27. Margaret’s husband Stephen Quinn (1876-1929) was 25 and employed as a farm labourer. Ellen Quinn was just two years of age.
Patrick Dalton (1837-1909) was found dead on 16 January 1909 in a stream of water. It was recorded that he was a 70-year-old widower. His cause of death was recorded as “drowning” and his daughter Margaret Quinn “caused the body to be buried.” Strangely no newspaper article concerning his death could be located although he drowned and had worked as a “Bullock Doctor.”
By 1911 Stephen (35) and Margaret Quinn (née Dalton) (37) had moved their family to Fahy, Mullinavat. Ellen Quinn (10) was joined by two brothers (Patrick aged 8 and James 4 months) and a sister Katie (aged 5). Also, in the household was Stephen’s brother, George Quinn (33). Stephen Quinn was born at Rathinure in 1876 the son of Patrick Quinn (1835-1906) and his wife Ellen Quinn née Tracy (1847-1932). Josie Dalton’s father was a brother to Margaret Quinn née Dalton and Josie was a first cousin to the Quinn children of Fahy (Ellen, Katie, Patrick and James). For further information on Stephen Quinn, see our post of 23 Dec. 2025.
In the 1911 Knockbrack Census a Patrick Dalton was 32 and living with his wife Mary (34). It is assumed that he was a brother of Margaret Quinn née Dalton, but her brother Patrick was born in 1868 making him 43 in 1911 instead of 32. The Patrick Dalton in the 1911 Knockbrack Census reported that he and his wife married about 1909 and had no children in 1911. In the 1926 Census they were still residing in Knockbrack, Glenmore with their 18-year-old niece, Bridget McGrath. Patrick reported his age as 46, and his employer was a farmer named Michael Murphy who had 150 acres.
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For a concise account of Roger Casement’s life see, Michael Laffan, “Sir Roger Casement” which is from the RTE.ie Century Ireland series.
Special thanks to Louise Garvey Dollard for sharing the Memory Card of Josie Dalton and sharing her memories of Josie.
Please send any corrections, additional information, photos or suggestions for future posts to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: How do you like them apples?
On 27 August 1973, Danny Dowling (1927-2023) interviewed Jack Walsh (1909-1985) of Tinnakilky, Piltown, regarding his apple orchard and the Bessborough Demense. The complete interview is below and any additional information not found in the interview has been placed in square brackets [ ].
By way of introduction, according to the National Diversity Data Centre there are 6,000 different varieties of apples in the world. Apples have been grown in Ireland for 3,000 years and where orchards once stood are reflected in Irish place names e.g. Oulart, Wexford and Knockullard, Carlow. The Irish Seed Savers in 2022 published their DNA work that concluded that there are 200 different Irish heritage varieties. Some date back 500 years (National Biodiversity Data Centre (2023) Traditional Orchards & Fruit Trees for Pollinators on the Farm (Series No. 32), p. 3.) Thus, 53 years ago, long before these works, Danny Dowling interviewed a Kilkenny man about his traditional apple orchard that was cultivated by his grandfather in the 19th century.
The Interview
Jack Walsh had a 10 acre apple orchard on his farm in Tinnakilly which contained 4,800 trees. It was planted in stages by his grandfather Ned Walsh who died in 1914 aged over 80 years. This whole orchard was cut down over the past couple of years and the present owner of the farm Jeremiah Forrest, of Slieverue bulldozed all the roots this year.
The cultivation of apples in the Piltown area was apparently started by the Ponsonby family in Bessborough. The principal apple growing townlands in Piltown are: Whitechurch; Tybroughney; Belline; Owning; Kilmanaghan; Jamestown; Tinnakilly; Ballinacroney; and Brenor. The area of this cultivation extending from Fiddown to Ballinacroney.
The Old Apple Varieties
Old varieties of apples which were cultivated in Jack Walsh’s orchard included:
DUNKITTS—a striped green dessert [apple]. Probably named from Dunkitt in Kilmacow Parish.
RED BRANDYS—a red, hard, sweet, eater.
STRIPED BRANDY—a hard, sweet, dessert [apple].
MALDEN’S BLUSH—a red striped nice eater.
KING’S PIPPIN—a yellowish dessert [apple].
SWEET WILLIAM—a small white striped eating apple.
BLOODHOUNDS—a red cooking [apple]. Very big. [According to Future Forest Nursery this apple was known as Bloody Butcher in the midlands].
CLEARHART—a cooking and eating variety. [According to Seed Savers it is traditional to Kilkenny and got its name from the large empty space at its heart.]
LEATHERJACKETS—a brown dessert [apple]
RUSSETTS—a small and hard eating variety. [It could] last until March.
FORBIDDEN FRUIT—a variety grown as a curiosity in Tinnakily by his grandfather, Ned Walsh. He got it in Bessborough. He had 3 trees that were grafted on whitethorn stocks. [It was] of no commercial value.
In later years, Bramley seedling and Newton Wonder were introduced. Large acreages were under cultivation in the Piltown area, but at the present time [1973] this area is diminishing.
Selling the Apples
Up to the time of the Second World War most of the orchards were let out to middlemen who picked and marketed the fruit. The owner only getting a small rent for the orchard. These middlemen or apple dealers were only exploiters and were in league with one another in order to get the orchards at a very cheap rate. They never bid against one another, and the same man usually got the same orchard year after year. As long as Jack Walsh can remember the highest amount ever paid for his ten acre orchard was £110 and sometimes as low as £40. The average he was paid was £60.
The first man to break this unfair monopoly was a North of Ireland man named Hanson, who bought the apples from the orchard owners by the barrel. He supplied the barrels, and collected them with two lorries. He disposed of the apples on the Dublin market. That was shortly before the 1939 war. [In reviewing newspapers from that era we found that prices were also impacted by the scarcity of apples. In July 1938, it was reported that fruit would be scarce. “The varied and unseasonable weather and the lack of sun and rain at the proper times, together with the sharp frost experienced, about six weeks or so ago, have caused a shortage of fruit. Reports indicate that there will be very few apples…Our representative when in the Piltown district this week had a chat with a prominent apple dealer, and was told that the apple crop would be small this year. He also gave the reason as due to the weather conditions two months ago such as frost, lack of rain etc.” (Munster Express, Fri. 8 July 1938, p. 2).]
During the 1939-1945 war [World War II] the prices paid per ton were:
cull apples–£26 and
first quality–£50 on average, but often £80.
At the present time [1973] cull apples only fetch £8 per ton.
The most Jack Walsh ever got off his ten acres was 35 tons of apples.
The trees in the old days were manured by farmyard dung, but in later years by potash. All the apples had to be handpicked. The Walsh’s did all their own grafting on to crab stocks, and at the time there was very little canker on the trees.
Tinnakilly Mill
There was a mill in Tinnakily for grinding corn,. It was owned by the O’Donnell family. Hearne now in the place, but the mill was gone before Jack Walsh’s time.
Bessborough Demesne
The stone wall surrounding the Bessborough Demesne was 3 Irish miles in length. The big house itself was burned during the Irish Troubles in the early twenties. The road from the big house up by Tinnakilly was known as the Avenue. A strip which ran alongside the entire distance of this road was used for galloping horses by the Bessborough family.
In the wood over Tinnakilly the Ponsonby’s had a rustic house where they used to drive up in their carriages and have picnics. [This rustic house sounds like a playhouse of the rich similar to the Swiss Cottage outside of Cahir, Tipperary. See Heritage Ireland including a short video featuring the Swiss Cottage.] The last of the Bessboroughs were good landlords, but some of the earlier ones according to tradition in the Piltown area, were not too good. There was a corn mill in Bessborough which is now demolished.
Apples Shown at Piltown Show
In addition to the varieties that Danny recorded above, in the 1965 Piltown Agricultural Show the following apple varieties were shown. Bramley (green); Bramley (crimson); Lane’s Prince Albert; Lord Derby; Worcester Pearmain; Laxton’s Superb; Allington Pippin; Ellison’s Orange; American Mother; Laxton’s Fortune; Cox’s Orange Pippin; Lord Lambourne; Laxton’s Epicure; Bowden’s Seedlings (Kilkenny Journal, Sat. 11 Sept. 1965, p. 7).
The Walsh Family of Tinnakilly
Jack’s grandfather who planted the apple orchard was Edmond Walsh (c.1838-1916) of Tinnakilly. In the 1911 Census he recorded that he was 78 years of age and a widower. Jack told Danny that his grandfather died in 1914. A review of the death register revealed that Edmond Walsh of Tinnakilly died 19 January 1916 at the age of 85. His son Pat Walsh was present at his death.
In 1911, Edmond Walsh’s two sons John (40) and Patrick (32) were living with him. Also present in the house was John’s wife Mary Walsh née Comerford (36) as well and Edmond’s two grandsons: Edward Walsh (3) and John or Jack Walsh (2) (Danny’s interviewee). Edmond’s wife Mary Walsh née Morrissey died prior to 1901.
In the 1926 Census, Jack’s father John Walsh was the head of the house (50). Jack’s mother, Mary Walsh née Comerford (51) recorded that she had been born at Kilnaspic, Kilkenny. All the rest of the members of the 1926 household were born at Tinnakilly. This included Jack (17) and his brothers: Eddie Walsh (18) and Thomas Walsh (13).
On 29 November 1939 at Mullinavat Jack Walsh married Mary “Maureen” Aylward (c. 1915-1987) of Ballydaw, Mullinavat. Jack’s father John was already dead. Maureen’s father was James Aylward (farmer). Jack and Maureen did not have any children. In the early 1970’s Jack sold the orchard and he and Maureen continued living in their home in Tinnakilly. They were described as a very nice couple and often visited with the Forrest family of Slieverue. Jack died in 1985 and Maureen died in 1987 at the age of 72.
Special thanks to Jerry Forrest for providing information on Jack Walsh and his wife Maureen Walsh née Aylward.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo of an orchard above in courtesy of the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. (1860 – 1920). Orchard Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/e33ec530-c611-012f-6cca-58d385a7bc34 .
From Danny’s Files: Margaret Dunphy née Hagan (c.1845-1920) of Glenmore
In his quest to record local history Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often asked people he encountered in Waterford if they had any Glenmore connections. Sometimes he hit pay dirt and sometimes he just jotted down something he considered interesting whether there was a Glenmore connection or not. On 1 March 1971, Danny interviewed Miss Margaret Dunphy of 52 Poleberry, Waterford. It is assumed that Danny met Miss Dunphy while working as a Waterford Health Officer. Danny learned that Miss Dunphy had a Glenmore connection and some interesting information concerning the Dunphy “eating house” of Rosbercon was recorded.
It is not known how long the eating house was operating in Rosbercon. We know from the interview and the 1901 Census that it was operational at least for thirty years. This means that from 1901-1940 every person going into New Ross from Glenmore, via the main road, passed the Dunphy eating house. This interview was found in Danny’s voluminous files recently when we were seeking information on a different Dunphy family from Ballyfacey, Glenmore.
The Interview
Philip Dunphy, a baker by trade, had an eating house in Rosbercon, on the opposite side of the street to P.N. O’Gorman’s shop. He was married to Margaret Hagan, a native of Glenmore, and she married into the shop. They had in family 8 children—7 boys and 1 girl including James who was married to ___ Crowe of Marley, Co. Carlow.
This James Dunphey worked all his life for 51 years on the railway, retiring in 1940-1941 with a pension of 15/= per week. It was he who left off the first train from Ross to Waterford, and also from Waterford to Rosslare. He lived in Waterford. The above Miss Margaret Dunphy of 52 Poleberry, Waterford, is his daughter. She is now aged almost 70 years.
The eating house in Rosbercon, was carried on until 1940, when the then owner Miss Cissie Dunphy (aunt of Miss Margaret Dunphy, of Waterford), retired and went to live in a flat in New Ross.
The Dunphy family are buried in Rosbercon, but the foresaid James Dunphy and his wife are buried in the Crowe burial plot in St. Mullins Cemetery, Co. Carlow. They were related to the Dunphy’s of New Ross. Miss Dunphy thinks that the above Philip Dunphy, had no brothers or sisters.
Miss Dunphy used to spend her holidays every year in the eating house in Rosbercon, when she was young. She told me that when the farmers went in for a meal, the bread was never cut, and each diner got a full loaf which he cut according to his needs. This bread was never used again, that is what was left over. It was given to an old woman in the town who came to collect it. Miss Dunphy said that the people in those days who went in for a meal were very particular as to the grub and particularly the bread.
D. Dowling 1-3-71
Dunphy Eating House of Rosbercon
We know that the eating house, was located across the street from P.N. O’Gorman Auctioners of Rosbercon. Prior to the new bridge being built the old bridge was up river from the present or new bridge. The main road from Waterford proceeded to the old bridge. P.N. O’Gorman auctioneers was originally on the Rosbercon side of the river almost exactly across from where it currently is on the Quay, New Ross. From the brief description provided by Miss Margaret we believe the eating house was across the main Waterford to New Ross road from P.N. O’Gorman. [See our post of 18 May 2026 regarding the P.N. O’Gorman family.]
We could not find any reference to the eating house in any contemporary newspapers although it is not known what the proper name of the establishment was. In the 1901 Census it was referred to as a shop. The 1901 Census provides that Philip Dunphy was 50 years of age, and he and his family lived in house 8 of Rosbercon. His profession was listed as an agricultural labourer. The house was comprised of 7 rooms and was listed as a shop located between a public house and another shop. In the 1901 census only Mary Ann Dunphy (25) was listed as having anything to do with the shop. She was simply listed as a “shop girl.” The shop or eating house was not reflected in the 1911 Census although four of the family were residing in the same 7 room house.
It is believed that this eating house, which operated at least in the first 3 decades of the 20th century, was a no-frills establishment where a farmer could eat a simple, hearty meal after attending New Ross on a market or fair day. My resident expert has stated that the local older generation pronounced such establishments as “atein houses.” Given that each customer received his or her own loaf of bread begs the question–how large were the loaves? For an interesting paper on public dining in Ireland see, Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire (2012) “Public Dining in Dublin: The History and Evolution of Gastronomy and Commercial Dining 1700-1900,” (25(2) International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, pp. 227-246, DOI: 10.21427/d71r03).
Philip Dunphy (c. 1841-1913) and Margaret Dunphy née Hagan (c. 1845-1920)
Philip Dunphey (c. 1841-1913)
Locating when Philip Dunphy was born proved difficult because his age varied greatly in the 1901 Census (50); the 1911 Census (70) and the death register (1913; 60). Thus, he could have been born around 1851 or 1841.
Although Philip Dunphy is not a common local name four Philip Dunphys were baptised in Rosbercon from 1835 to 1865. Given that Philip Dunphy married in 1865 we can eliminate candidates [C] b. 1859 and [D] b. 1865 as being too young.
[A] Philip Dunphy was baptised 31 July 1835 to Patrick Dunphy and his wife Bridget Grangil. They were married at Rosbercon on 26 January 1832.
[B] Philip Dunphy was baptised at Rosbercon on 24 July 1841. The son of Thomas Dunphy and Mary Corcoran of Tinnakelly.
[C] Philip Dunphy was baptized at Rosbercon on 24 Jan. 1859 to Patrick Dunphy and Mary Murphy of Tinnakilly. They were married 22 Sept. 1856 at Rosbercon. Patrick was from Shanbo.
[D] On 21 February 1865 a Phillip Dunphy was born at Rosbercon to John Dunphy (baker) and Anne Crosdale, his wife. They were married 7 April 1864. John’s father was John Dunphy (boatman).
Given that Philip and his wife were recorded as the same age in the 1901 and 1911 Census it seems unlikely that he was several years older or younger than her, so we believe that Phillip was Candidate B. Regardless of when Philip was born he married Margaret Hagan on 20 February 1865 at Rosbercon. Philip Dunphy died 20 March 1913. He was aged 60 according to the Death Register, married, and his occupation was baker. His son, John Dunphy was present at his death in Rosbercon.
Margaret Dunphy née Hagan (1845-1920)
Finding Margaret Hagan was also a challenge. Danny recorded an extinct family named Hagan primarily in Ballycroney, Glenmore. No Margaret Hagan was found in Ballycroney. In reviewing the Parish records we did find a Margaret Hagan/Hogan was baptized at Moulerstown, Glenmore on 20 March 1845. Margaret was the daughter of James Hagan/Hogan and his wife Ellen Ribgy. Given the handwriting in the record the name may have been Hagan or Hogan. When Margaret Dunphy née Hagan died on 5 March 1920 at Rosberon, she was a 74-year-old widow. Her son Richard was present when she died.
Children of Philip Dunphy (c. 1841-1913) & Margaret Dunphy née Hagan (c. 1845-1920)
In the 1911 Census it was recorded that the couple were married 40 years and had had 7 children and 6 were alive in 1911. In 1911 the couple had been married 46 years. We were able to locate only 6 of their children.
[1] Mary Dunphy was born 11 Feb. 1868 at Rosbercon. Godparents Thomas Nolan and Mary Hagan. In the 1901 Census her age was recorded as 25 and she was employed as a shopgirl. In 1911 she was 30, single and a housekeeper. In the 1926 Census, Mary A. Dunphy was the sole family member living in the Dunphy home in Rosbercon. She recorded her age as 48 and was employed as a shopkeeper. It is assumed that she was Aunt Cissy that Miss Margaret Dunphy of Poleberry referenced to Danny as being the last to run the eating house.
[2] John Dunphy was born 3 Jan. 1870 at Rosbercon Godparents were William Cleere and Catherine Nolan. In the 1901 Census he was 27 and working as an engine cleaner. In 1911 he was recorded as being 32 years of age, single and working as a railway labourer.
[3] Bridget Dunphy was bapt at Rosbercon on 3 August 1871. Godparents were John Fleming and Mary Shanahan.
[4] James Dunphy was born on 3 July 1873 at Rosbercon. His godparents were Rev. John Walsh and Johanna Whelan. In the 1901 Census he was recorded as being 23 and employed as a railway guard. By 1911 he was married and living in Ferrybank.
[5] Michael Dunphy was born 11 October 1875 to Philip Dunphy (baker) and his wife Margaret Egan (sic).
[6] Richard Dunphy per the 1901 census was born about 1881. In the 1901 Census he was recorded as being 20 and employed as a carpenter. He was not living at home in 1911. It is believed that he married Esher Murphy of Mary St., New Ross, on 4 November 1907. Esther was the daughter of Patrick Murphy, baker. The groom, Richard Dunphy, of Rosbercon was a carpenter and his father is recorded as “Patrick” Dunphy, baker. Richard Dunphy, of Mary St., New Ross died on 19 October 1959 in the Fever Hospital at the age of 82. His widow Esther Jane Dunphy née Murphy died on 7 November 1966 at the age of 83.
James Dunphy (1873- ? )
James Dunphy married Ellen Crowe on 10 February 1907 at Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. James’s address was Ferrybank and he was employed as a railway guard. His father was Philip Dunphy (baker). Ellen had an address of Queen St. and she was employed as a cook. Her father was Edward Crowe (farmer).
The 1901 Census provides that Ellen Crowe was 19, employed as a general domestic servant and was living at home in Marley, Co. Carlow. Her father Edward Crowe, was 57 and employed as an agricultural labourer. Her mother Ellen was 58, and her sister Mary was 21 and also employed as a general domestic servant. In the 1901 Census there was an older woman named Ellen Crowe (27) in Glynn, Co. Carlow, but although her father was a farmer his name was not Edward.
Miss Margaret Helena Dunphy was born 11 January 1908 in Ferrybank to James Dunphy, railway guard and his wife, Ellen Crowe. No other children were found. In the 1911 Census the little family was living on New Lane in Waterford City. In the 1926 Census the family was living in Dyehouse Lane, Waterford City. James was 52, recorded he was born in Rosbercon, and was employed as a railway guard. His wife Ellen was 43 and recorded that she was born at Glynn, Co. Carlow. Miss Margaret was 18, born in Ferrybank and per the Census form was “not yet at work.”
Unfortunately, no death records or obituaries could be located for Miss Margaret Dunphy and her parents.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above depicts the old New Ross bridge taken from the Ross side looking across the river toward Rosbercon.
From Danny’s Files: Who Paid for Aunt Johanna’s Glenmore Funeral?
In Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) voluminous files is a folder Danny simply labelled “Joe Flynn of Busherstown”. Within the file were several old letters, four from a woman named Anna to “Mr. Flynn.” Three are typewritten and one is handwritten and dated 7 September 1935. The two-page typewritten letter is dated Friday, 27 February 1942 and one of the shorter one-page typewritten letters is dated 26 September 1935. Another one-page typewritten letter is undated. Our focus today is on the two-page typewritten letter, but relevant excerpts from the other letters will be utilized to try to identify the author Anna, her mother, her mother’s people in Glenmore and Mr. Flynn. This letter highlights the difficulty of communications during World War II as well as the tragic circumstances of emigration for those who emigrated and those who stayed. Thanks to the Census records in Ireland and the US we have been able to gain insight into the struggles of the sister who remained and the sister who emigrated.
Letter of Friday, 27 February 1942
Dear Mr. Flynn,
Mother received your letter, dated January 18th, this morning, and evidently my letter written around the latter part of January, has not reached you. Your letter was addressed to 1285 Merriam Avenue, but Mother moved from that apartment four years ago, and, as noted in my letter to you, her address is now 1315 Merriam Avenue.
To say Mother was grieved about the collection fund for the burial of Aunt Johanna is really using the term mildly. In all her years here in America (I think she came in 1888), she never once forgot her people at home. Times were hard with her when we were young, but I can remember when I was ten or twelve years of age, I knew how to get to the post office and fill out the money order blanks for the little, she was able, at that time, to send home to Ireland.
Last November she sent five dollars to Aunt Johanna, which probably arrived in late December. When she received a letter from Mrs. Power, regarding Aunt Johanna’s death, and this letter was dated January 14th (later on in this letter I am going to incorporate contents of two letters received from Mrs. Power, so that you may know.) Mother had my sister Madeline send another five dollars to Mrs. Power, pending receipt of further word from her as to the amount of the burial expenses incurred.
I wrote to you incorrectly when I stated Mother had had a lettr from Mrs. Fitzgerald—both were from Mrs. Power, and I misunderstood her, in the telephone conversation she made to my home that day.
Now Mr. Flynn, I am going to quote the first letter received from Mrs. Power, which was dated January 8th
‘I am so sorry to have sad news about Johanna. I got word from the
sister in care of her, saying she was bad in hospital and she wants
to know what I am going to do with regard to her burial. If anything
happens to her, would you please give me some little help to bury
her in her own place. Everything is very dear here for a funeral expense.
She has no friend to look after her by myself. You might be thinking
about Mr. Flynn but he never went near her for the past 7 years.
As I wrote to you before about her, I think you will have two letters.
I am after spending 3/15/0 on her this past six months, trying to
get nourishment, but I don’t mind that if you would give me a little
help to cover the cost of her expenses.
Could you cable and let me know what to do—just a little to help
me as she is the last of you all here I would like to see her brought
from Kilkenny to Glenmore to be buried.’
[Page 2]
Mr. Flynn this next letter from Mrs. Power was dated January 14th, two days after Aunt Johanna had passed away
‘Just a few lines to let you know that Johanna died on Monday,
the 12th of January. I have written to you before about her ill-
ness, hoping you got that letter. Now, Mrs. Murphy, I asked you
in my last letter if you would help me bury her. I am sending you
the bill.’
Let me interrupt here Mr. Flynn. We have received no bill as yet, and Madeline, when she wrote Mrs. Power, asked her to obtain one from Mrs. Fitzgerald. The mails are delayed considerably, and I know we will hear in some way from her, but in this letter which I am going to continue to quote, you will note she makes no mention of any subscription fund which she made…
‘to let you know how much it cost me to bring her home from
Kilkenny. I Did everying (sic) possible for her as she had no
friends that would spend one shilling on her. I went to Mrs.
Fitzgerald, the undertaker, and got everything from her, and
paid for it, so I said I would send you the bill so that you would
believe me. I got mass said the morning she died, and mass
said the morning of the funeral. I paid the bell man, and the
two men who made the grave so you can see I Did every-
thing that I could do for her. I hate looking for money but
you can understand that it cost me a good sum to do all
this for her. I am sending this by air so that you would
get it. I am sure this will be a shock to hear of her death
but God knows best. From your sister’s only friend—’
I do not know what else to comment, Mr. Flynn. Mrs. Power seems to have done many kind things and Mother is grateful. But this collection fund has disturbed her considerably and is there any way we could ascertain what moneys were paid in, and by whom, so that these people could be reimbursed for their kindness. We want to take care of this debt, and I do know that if you had been called in, it never would have happened.
Mother was so happy this morning to receive your lovely letter of sympathy. She knows all through these years of your faithful friendship, and naturally anything you might write us, on this matter, will never be divulged to Mrs. Power, in any way. We will not send any further money until we get a bona fide bill from Mrs. Fitzgerald, or until you may have further word for us. In ever grateful appreciation, Anna.’
Other Letters
In the letter of 27 February [without a year] Anna wrote to Mr. Flynn that she used to send newspapers to Uncle John when he was alive, and she worked for a publisher.
In the handwritten letter of 7 September 1935 Anna asked Mr. Flynn how her Aunt Johanna was doing. She then noted that her sister Frances had married that summer. Anna also mentioned that her brother-in-law, George Maloney, was living with them as her sister Alice died 14 years ago “next February”.
Anna was purchasing Irish Sweepstakes tickets through Mr. Flynn. The Irish Hospital Sweepstakes started in 1930. See, RTE (2026) “The Rise and Fall of the Biggest Lottery in the World.”
Mrs. Fitzgerald the Undertaker
We shall begin with the easiest person to identify. We believe that Mrs. Fitzgerald was the wife of Tom Fitzgerald of Weatherstown (1862 -1935). See, our post of 8 December 2019 regarding local funeral practices and a paragraph concerning Tom Fitzgerald and his undertaking premises and butcher shop on the Quay, New Ross.
The Flynn Family of Busherstown, Glenmore
Joe Flynn of Busherstown, Glenmore, was the name Danny Dowling had placed on the file containing the letters sent from Anna to “Mr. Flynn”. Joseph Flynn was born 30 September 1908. He attended Glenmore National School with Thomas Walsh (1908-1992) of Rathinure, and formerly Davidstown. Tom described Joe Flynn as the best dressed boy at school. Tom told his son Peter that Joe’s father was a sort of agent.
Patrick Flynn (1874-1956) of Busherstown, Glenmore
Joseph Flynn’s parents were Patrick Flynn (1874-1956) and his wife Catherine “Kate” Malone (1870-1953). The couple were married at Rosbercon on 28 October 1898. Patrick Flynn was the son of Michael Flynn (farmer) of Jamestown and his wife Anastatia Gaule. Kate was the daughter of Joseph Malone of Coolien and his wife, Catherine Howlett. In the 1911 Census, for Busherstown, Patrick Flynn (37) was working as an agricultural labourer living with his wife, Kate (39); Joseph (2) and the household also contained Catherine Malone (79) Patrick’s widowed mother-in-law. The Census states that Patrick and Catherine were married 12 years and had two children, but only one child was alive in 1911.
A few months after the 1911 Census, Catherine Malone (c. 1829 -1911) died at Busherstown on 20 August 1911 aged 82 years. Patrick Flynn, her son-in-law, was present at her death. The 1926 Census provides that Patrick Flynn (54) was working as a carpenter, his wife Kate was 54; Joseph was 17 and Anastatia Flynn was 13.
It is unlikely that Joe Flynn (1908-1986) was the Mr. Flynn that Anna was corresponding with. Joe Flynn (1908-1986) married Bridget Walsh of Ryleen, New Ross at St. Mary’s of New Ross on 13 June 1934. Per Bridget Flynn née Walsh’s (c. 1911-1991) obituary the couple left the area in 1936 and eventually settled in Macroom, Co. Cork (New Ross Standard, Thur. 21 Nov. 1991, p. 24). See our F Surname Family page for the short Flynn obituaries. Anna was still corresponding with Mr. Flynn regarding her Aunt Johanna’s death in 1942. We believe that Mr. Flynn was Mr. Patrick Flynn, Joe Flynn’s father.
Clerk of the Kilmakevogue Old Age Pensioners
We did not locate any records regarding Patrick being an agent, but we did find that he sought a post in the 1930’s to collect rent for the County Council. However, he did serve as clerk of the Kilmakevogue Old Age Pensioners’ sub-committee for the Kilkenny Co. Council. It is not known when he took up this post, but in 1945 he was granted an increase in his salary to £10 per annum (Kilkenny Journal, Sat. 12 May 1945, p. 6).
Patrick remained in this post until early September 1956 when he resigned from it and also resigned as the temporary clerk of the Dysertmoon OAP Sub-committee due to “impaired health.” It was stated that “in both positions he gave general satisfaction and was most efficient in the discharge of his duties. His many friends wish him a speedy recovery to health” (Kilkenny Journal, Sat. 8 Sept. 1956, p. 8).
Two months later, Patrick Flynn (widower) died on 11 November 1956 at Butlerstown, Waterford, at the home of his son, Joseph Flynn. Patrick wife, Catherine Flynn née Malone (c. 1879-1953) died 8 December 1953 at the age of 77. Patrick was present when she died at Busherstown, Glenmore. No obituary could be located for either Patrick or Catherine Flynn. Their names are recorded on a headstone in St. James’s Cemetery, Glenmore, without a date of birth or death.
Aunt Johanna of Glenmore
We located in the death register a death of a woman named Johanna on 12 January 1942. Johanna Walsh, Glenmore, spinster, aged 65, died in the County Home on 12 January 1942.
We believe that Aunt Johanna was Johanna Walsh born to Thomas Walsh (labourer) and his wife Margaret Grant on 24 April 1876 at Busherstown, Glenmore. Thomas Walsh, of Ballyreddy, married Margaret Grant on 30 May 1859 at Rosbercon.
Children of Thomas Walsh & Margaret Walsh née Grant
The following known children were born to this couple:
[1] Mary Walsh (b. 21 Jan. 1860)
[2] Catherine Walsh (bapt 11 June 1862)
[3] John Walsh (b. 12 Aug. 1867)
[4] Bridget Walsh (b. 11 Nov. 1867) emigrated to US.
[5] Ellen Walsh (b. 3 March 1870)
[6] Margaret Walsh (b. 31 Dec. 1871)
[7] Anastatia Walsh (b. 8 Oct. 1873) m. John Gaul (b.c. 1867) of Knockbrack on 5 June 1893.
[8] Johanna Walsh (b. 24 April 1876) Never married; died 12 January 1942.
[9] Alice Walsh (b. 17 Feb. 1879)
The Decline of the Thomas Walsh Family of Busherstown, Glenmore
The Census records reflect that the family grew then went into decline. In the 1901 Census there were a dozen people living in the Walsh home in Busherstown. Thomas was 69, and his wife Margaret was 60. Mary Walsh was 34; Alice Walsh was 21 and their daughter Anastatia Gaul was 27. Also present was her husband John Gaul (36) and their 5 children. Another granddaughter Bridget Phelan (1) was also in the home.
In the 1911 Census, Thomas Walsh was 77, Margaret was 74 and two unmarried daughters were also present: Johanna (34) and Alice (32). A granddaughter Bridget Walsh was also present and aged 11. In the 1926 Census the only members of the family left in Busherstown were Johanna Walsh (50) living with her mother Margaret (90). Margaret died on 28 February 1927 at Busherstown as a 94 year-old widow. Her daughter Alice was present when she died although she was not living in the home in 1926.
We found a John Walsh, aged 69, (b.c. 1865) who died on 3 March 1934 at Busherstown. He was a widower, and his sister Johanna Walsh was present at his death in Busherstown. He died of pneumonia. Johanna was the last of her family to reside in Busherstown.
Bridget Murphy née Walsh (1867-1953) native of Busherstown, Glenmore
With the information that Anna provided regarding the death of her sister, Alice in February 1922, and her brother-in-law’s name George Maloney, it was relatively easy to find Alice Veronica Maloney née Murphy. Alice was born on 2 June 1897 in New York City. Alice died 24 February 1922. She is buried in Woodside, Queens, New York with her father and mother. See Findagrave .
George Thomas Maloney married Alice Veronica Murphy, aged 22, on 18 June 1919 at Sts. Peter and Paul of the Bronx. The groom was a 24-year-old accountant born in New York City to Michael Maloney and his wife Bridget Tracey. The bride was the daughter of William Murphy (c.1866 -1906) and his wife Bridget Walsh (1867-1953).
The 1900 Census
The 1900 Census provides that William J. Murphy and his wife Bridget Murphy had been married for ten years. William J. Murphy was 34 and emigrated to the US in 1890 while Bridget was 32 and emigrated in 1887. In 1900 William was employed as a bricklayer. The couple had 5 children, but only 4 were living in 1900.
William J. Murphy died in 1906 leaving Bridget with six children to raise from 14 to 3 years of age. The 1910 Census shows that Bridget was employed as a housekeeper for an industry called “flat house.” This apparently meant that she was employed in a tenement that could house garment makers etc. Her eldest child Joseph Patrick Murphy was 18 and employed as a bricklayer. Mary Murphy at 15 was employed as a dry good packer. Her youngest four daughters were attending school. In the 1910 Census Bridget reported that she emigrated in 1888.
The Children of Glenmore Native Bridget Murphy née Walsh (1867-1953)
All of Bridget’s children were born in the Bronx, New York City.
[1] Joseph Patrick Murphy (1890- ) worked as a bricklayer
[2] Mary A. Murphy (1896– ) m. Thomas Cullen.
[3] Alice Veronica Murphy (1897-1922) m. George T. Maloney (b.c. 1895)
[4] Madeline Murphy (1899- )
[4 ] Anna Murphy (1901- )
[5] Frances Murphy (1904- ) Worked as a telephone operator. Married in the summer of 1935.
1930 Census
In the 1930 Census, Anna Murphy is listed as the Head of the Household. Anna is 28 years of age and employed as a stenographer for a publishing house. Her sister Frances is 26 and employed as a telephone operator. Her mother Bridget is 60 and not employed. On the 1930 form Bridget’s year of immigration is 1890. Anna’s sister Madeline is 30 and is employed as a stenographer. Also in the home is George Maloney, her brother-in-law. George is a 34 year-old widower employed as a salesman for National Cash Register.
The 1940 Census
In 1940 Bridget Murphy née Walsh was 72 and living with her was her widowed son Patrick Murphy (49) who was employed as a bricklayer with the WPA. George Maloney her son-in-law was 45 and was employed as a dental caster? Also, in the household were two of Bridget’s grandchildren: Thomas Cullen (21) a bank cashier and Audrey Cullen (19) a dental nurse. All reported that they lived at the same address in 1935. This was the last Census in which we could locate Bridget Murphy née Walsh. We could not locate an obituary. On the brink of WWII we sought to determine what happened to her grandson Thomas F. Cullen.
Thomas Francis Cullen (1918-2000)
Thomas Francis Cullen of Merriam Ave., New York registered for the draft. He was 22 years of age having been born at New York on 11 Sept. 1918 He listed his father, Thomas Francis Cullen of 11 Ann St. E. White Planes, Westchester, New York, as the person who would always know his address. He was employed at the Central Hanover Bank and Trust Co. He was described as 5’ 11 ¾” tall, weighed 140 pounds with Brown eyes, brown hair and a light complexion.
According to his obituary (The Record (Havensack, N.J.) Mon. 28 Aug. 2000, p. 24) he died aged 81and was a resident of Leonia. “Before retiring in 1981, he was a senior vice president at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co., New York City, where he worked for 45 years. He was an army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick.”
Please send any corrections or additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above is an old Irish Sweepstakes ticket.
The Tragic Death of Johanna Fitzgerald (1910-1916) of Moulerstown, Glenmore [Updated]
Recently while attempting to track a Glenmore emigrant in New York, I came across the report in the Irish American Advocate (1916) that referenced a 6 year old girl from “Moulerstown, Glenmore” being killed in her father’s haggard (barn yard). The Irish Times (Fri. 4 Aug. 1916, p. 7) carried the same two sentence report. “While Johanna Fitzgerald, aged six years, was seated in a horse cart in her father’s haggard, at Moulerstown, County Kilkenny, a bee stung the horse, which took fright, overturning the cart. The girl was caught underneath, and died in a few minutes.”
A quick review of the death certs verified that Johanna Fitzgerald, aged 6, died on 26 July 1916 at Moulerstown. Her cause of death is listed as “injuries to head caused by the accidental overturning of a cart. Death instantaneously.” Father of the deceased, John Fitzgerald, was present at her death.
However, the newspapers closer to Glenmore carried a slightly different story and did not mention a bee. Unfortunately, the Coroner was on holidays and his replacement did not think it necessary to hold an inquest. Thus, there is no record of what actual witnesses at the scene 110 years ago observed.
Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 5 Aug. 1916, p. 5)
SAD DEATH OF A CHILD—A little girl named Johanna Fitzgerald, aged six years, daughter of Mr. John Fitzgerald, a large farmer residing at Moulerstown, Glenmore, has been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which resulted in her death shortly afterwards. It would appear that at abour five o’clock on the evening of the 26th of July a number of men were engaged in carting hay from a field on Mr. Fitzgerald’s farm to his haggard, and after emptying a load one of the horses was allowed to go loosely around while the other horses were being unloaded.
The little girl got into the empty cart unobserved and the horse pulled the cart over some obstacle, overturning it and pinning the child underneath. When extracted the little one was in a dying condition and expired shortly afterwards. Dr. P.J. Murphy, Thomastown, who is acting for Dr. D.J. Walshe, J.P., Graiguenamanagh, Coroner for South Kilkenny, who is away on holidays, was communicated with, but did not consider an inquest necessary. Needless, to state, much sympathy is felt for Mr. Fitzgerald in the terrible bereavement that has befallen him.
Johanna Fitzgerald’s Family
Parents
Johanna was born 25 February 1910 to John Fitzgerald (1881-1970) and Marian “Mary” “Molly” Fitzgerald née Fitzgerald (1884-1960). Her parents were married on Sunday, 1 July 1906 at St. Saviours in Waterford City. (Diary of James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore; verified with parish records.) The father of the groom was Thomas Fitzgerald of Moulerstown, and the father of the bride was Paul Fitzgerald of Knockbrack. John and Molly Fitzgerald would have 11 children comprised of 6 boys and 5 girls.
Grandparents
Johanna’s Paternal Grandparents
Johanna’s paternal grandparents were Thomas Fitzgerald (1839-1910) and Ellen Roche (1850-1922). Her paternal grandparents were married on 19 February 1879 at Rosbercon. A dispensation was granted as the couple were distantly related. The groom was a farmer from Moulerstown and the bride was the daughter of a farmer from Ballycurran. The groom’s father was John Fitzgerald and the bride’s father was Luke Roche. The witnesses to the wedding were Patrick Fitzgerald of Weatherstown, Glenmore and Mary Wall of Ballynakill, Tullogher. Thomas and Ellen Fitzgerald lived in Moulerstown, Glenmore, and had at least six known children.
The 1911 Census reveals that Ellen Fitzgerald née Roche was 60 years of age and her youngest child James Fitzgerald was only 9 years older than her eldest grandchild by her son John, i.e. Ellen “Eily” Ryan née Fitzgerald (1906-2001).
Johanna’s Maternal Grandparents
Johanna’s maternal grandparents were Paul Fitzgerald (1854 -1923) and Johanna Freyne (c. 1857-1945). Paul Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, married Johanna Freyne, of Kilbride, at Glenmore on 14 November 1883. Their fathers were Michael Fitzgerald (deceased farmer) and James Frehne (farmer). Paul and Johanna had at least 8 known children born and raised in Knockbrack.
The Children of John Fitzgerald and Molly Fitzgerald née Fitzgerald of Moulerstown, Glenmore
Most of the obituaries relating to John and Molly Fitzgerald, and their children, note that the couple had 11 children comprised of 6 boys and 5 girls. Thus, although no cemetery marker could be located that preserved Johanna Fitzgerald’s (1910-1916) name she was remembered as one of the 11 children in the family obituaries. Unfortunately, a lot of information concerning Johanna’s siblings had to be gleaned from newspaper sources because of current privacy laws that limit access to official records deemed old enough to release. This creates quite a lacuna in family research.
[1] Ellen “Eily” Fitzgerald (1906-2001) was born on Francis St. in Waterford 26 days after her parents married in Waterford City. It is quite an unusual arrangement, but it may have been due to parental objection(s). It was not unusual for dowries to be demanded in order to ensure that unmarried sisters could make a match and to help educate brothers not destined to receive the farm. What happened to delay this marriage is not known today. Nevertheless John and Mollie Fitzgerald married and in the 1911 Census they are living in Moulerstown with John’s mother Ellen Fitzgerald (60) and four of John’s siblings.
Eily Fitzgerald married Richard Ryan of Guilcogh, Rosbercon on 30 April 1930 at Glenmore. The couple farmed at Fisherstown, Campile, Wexford. New Ross Standard (Fri. 11 Aug. 1961, p. 10) FIRE—New Ross Fire Brigade, under Station Officer Joseph Furlong, was called out on Friday of last week to deal with an outbreak of fire at the premises of Mr. Richard Ryan, Fisherstown, Campile. About 35 tons of first crop hay were destroyed in the fire. The Brigade, which was hampered by lack of water, succeeded in saving nearby out offices.
[2] Thomas Fitzgerald (1908-1992) had Catherine Fitzgerald incorrectly listed as his mother. Thomas was an athlete as a young man and never married.
[3] Johanna Fitzgerald (1910-1916)
[4] Paul Fitzgerald (1912-1995) never married.
[5] Luke Fitzgerald (1914-1983) my resident expert stated that he recalls it being said that Luke moved to Fisherstown to help his sister Eily Ryan after her husband Richard died. Luke later returned to Glenmore. Luke did not marry.
[6] Anastatia Fitzgerald (1916 -1980) married John Phelan ( ? -1972) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. Anastatia was born just five months before her sister Johanna died in 1916. Statia and John Phelan had a large family.
[7] James Fitzgerald (b. 3 Apr. 1915 )(per various family obits lived in Hanwell, London)
[8] John Fitzgerald, Jr. (1917-1979) Never married.
[9] Ann Fitzgerald [See correction below]
[10] Josephine “Josie” Fitzgerald (c. 1921 -2004) married Patrick Doolan, and the couple lived in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dubln.
[11] Michael “Mickey Fitz” Fitzgerald (1924- 2018) married, Moira Talbot (c. 1944-1998) a widow, and continued farming the home place until his death.
[Only 8 children are listed in the 1926 Census, although the form indicates 11 children were born to John and Mollie Fitzgerald of Moulerstown, Glenmore.]
[Correction 10 July 2026: Ann Fitzgerald RIP.ie death notice–Ann Ryan (nee Fitzgerald) 98 Patrician Villas, Stillorgan, Co Dublin and late of Moulerstown, Glenmore, Co Kilkenny died 19 Oct 2015. Ann; beloved wife of the late John (Jack) and mother of Cathy, John and Richard. Deeply regretted by her loving family, brother Michael, grandchildren, great-grandchild, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends.] Special thanks to Patty Brown for sharing the death notice for Ann Ryan née Fitzgerald]
Register of Infants in Ballyfasy Girls’ National School
Per the Register of Infants in Ballyfasy Girls’ National School (p. 6) Johanna Fitzgerald of Moulerstown (father farmer) started school on 1 May 1916 at the age of 5. No attendance was recorded in the upper half of page 5. Johanna’s eldest sister, “Ellie” Fitzgerald, started school 29 April 1912 (p. 5) at the age of 5. She attended 36 days in the First Examination Period.
Johanna’s younger sister, Anastasia Fitzgerald, started school in May 1920 (p. 6) at the age of 4. She attended 21 days in the first annual exam period and 159 days in the second exam period. Johanna’s youngest sister Josephine “Josie” Fitzgerald started school in May of 1927 (p. 7) at the age of 5. She attended 20 days in the first exam period.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Most of the family obituaries or death notices are on our Glenmore Family Surname pages. Please note that married women are listed under their married names. Our F Surname page may be accessed via this link.
The Register of the Ballyfasy Girls National School can be accessed via our Lists page.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com