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The Glenmore Football Club: The Trials and Tragedy of the 1906 County Kilkenny Gaelic Football Champions
It is not yet known when the first Gaelic football team was established in Glenmore. Prior to 1890 there were few newspaper articles concerning sports and most of the earliest accounts of football matches appear to have been written and submitted to newspapers by the teams. However, in petty session records commencing in about 1887 there are several references to Glenmore men being charged with assaults that occurred coming home from football matches. Unfortunately, there are no details provided in the newspaper accounts to indicate whether the men were returning from attending a Gaelic football match where a Glenmore team played. According to the GAA Kilkenny Bible (2011, p. 56) in the first half of the twentieth century Glenmore won 15 Senior County Football Championships and 3 Junior County Football Finals. Glenmore won its first Senior County Football Championship in 1906 although the final was actually played on 5 May 1907. Thanks to the sports columns that began appearing in newspapers at the turn of the century we also know that by 1908 Glenmore had a Senior, Junior and “Schoolboy” teams. Glenmore was a recognised Gaelic Football powerhouse in County Kilkenny.
From the newspaper accounts it appears that GAA clubs in the early decades of the twentieth century engaged in fundraising by hosting tournaments among other activities. To entice teams to a tournament medals or jerseys were advertised and provided for the winning team members. On the 31st of July 1904 a “highly successful tournament” took place at Glenmore (The Waterford News and Star, 5 Aug. 1904). It was held in a field given by Dr. Philips, of Rochestown House (Mount Ida). Two matches were to be held that day. The first was a championship match between Slieverue and Nore Bangers and the other a friendly between Mullinavat and Campile. It was reported that the young and inexperienced men of Slieverue proved that they were equal to their opponent though they did not win. The Campile team failed to appear for the friendly, so the Glenmore team took to the field to play Mullinavat and the game ended in a draw. The article concluded that the Glenmore Football Club Committee are to be congratulated on the silver medals awarded, the excellent field arrangements and it was noted that the “new extension railway line affords unique facilities to meet in Glenmore” with a field convenient to the Aylwardstown station. Undoubtedly the opening of the railway line through Glenmore aided in allowing Glenmore teams to compete in more matches. One article in 1907 referred to a match being held at “Lucy Rock” Glenmore (Munster Express, 23 Feb. 1907).
Letters to the editor of local newspapers proved a popular vehicle for players and spectators to comment on the matches, issue challenges, appeal to the public, and call for corrective lenses for referees. At the end of 1903 the New Ross Standard printed several letters to the editor which criticised a match that took place in the Rower between neighbouring parishes Tullogher and Glenmore. Glenmore lost and J. Dunphy and J. Grace, the Honorary Secretary and Captain of the Glenmore Football team, sought to appeal the loss. There was also an allegation that they had referred to the Tullogher team as half savages. (New Ross Standard, 25 Dec. 1903). The grudge continued and played out in the letters to the editor in 1904 when the appeal was granted and the re-match was held in Kilkenny on the 24th of April 1904. The language of the time is interesting particularly the use of the word “unmanly” to describe what might be described today as unsportsmanlike conduct.
The newspapers, at that time, were full of reports of appeals of championship match results. Most of these appeals reflect some of the teething problems of the young organisation. It was also not unusual for a team that felt rules had not been followed to refuse to play or to continue to play the match. For example, in 1889 a semi-final match result was appealed. Kells played the Thomas Larkin team in what was thought to be the final. The game was declared not the final and Ballyhale was allowed back into the championship. Kells refused to play Ballyhale, and Ballyhale was awarded the 1889 County Kilkenny Senior Football Championship title.
During the 1906 championship matches, Kilmacow knocked Lamogue (the Senior Football County Champions of 1902, 1903, 1904 and 1905) out of contention. Kilmacow then played Glenmore in a semi-final at Ballyhale on the 20th of January 1907. The account below of the match appeared in the Munster Express on 26 January 1907. Glenmore wore scarlet and green jerseys and fielded the following team: J. Grace (captain), R. Dunphy, J. Dunphy, B. Grace, M. Morrissey, J. Heffernan, J. Power, M. Murpby, R. Reddy, P. Reddy, J. O’Brien, T. Kennedy, M. Hoynes, John Walsh, P. Hanrahan, N. Curran, and P. Morrissey.
[Update: John Grace, of Kilbride (Captain); Richard Dunphy, of Ballyverneen; John Dunphy, Ballyverneen; Bill Grace, of Kilbride….Tom Kennedy (townland unknown)….John Walsh (townland unknown)…Pat Hanrahan, the Village; Nick Curran, the Village…]
Semi-final, Kilmacow vs. Glenmore
Kilmacow won the toss, and got possession from throw in, and scored a point per Reid within two minutes of the start. From the kick out Glenmore got possession, and the ball travelled along the left wing. Murphy making a good run. A free against Kilmacow was taken by John Dunphy, who kicked a beautiful goal. Kilmacow again got down by the good kick in of Byron, Burris, Synntt, Cooke, O’Keeffe and M Walsh, and registered a second point. The play remained for some time in the Glenmore half, until a free brought relief, but Kilmacow came on again and keeping up pressure forced a “fifty,” and soon afterwards a second, but were unfortunate in not making either materialise a score, as the Glenmore defense was too strong. Afterwards Glemore attacked along the right, and Tom Kennedy, handling, had hard luck in hitting one of the goal uprights. From this till the interval Glenmore had the better of the game, and scored a goal and two points per Dunphy, Kennedy, and Brien. The half-time score was: Glenmore—2 goals, 2 points; Kilmacow—2 points.
Kilmacow got possession of the ball on resuming, and made tracks for the Glenmore citadel, and were again unfortunate, as the defence was sound and the ball travelled back. After some mid-field and wing play Glenmore added a point by Kennedy, and shortly afterwards a second by Brien. At this point the men from the Big Glen were undoubtedly holding the whip hand in the game, and the conquerors of Lamogue were rarely ever able to cross the half way. At three quarter time Kilmacow, owing to a dispute originated by an outsider, refused to continue the match. The referee, Mr. D. Hoyne, of the Kilkenny County Team, awarded the match to Glenmore. . . The final score: Glenmore—2 goals, 3 points; Kilmacow—2 points.
The article noted the contribution to the win of the Dunpheys, Currans, Brien, Grace, Kennedy, Morrissey “and some others played with magnificent dash and accuracy. The goal scored by one of the Dunphys from a free was one of the most brilliant pieces of football kicking I ever witnessed. Young John Curran, the junior I believe of the Glenmore boys, deserves a word of praise for the manner in which he held his own amid a team of veterans. After a few years he bids fair to outshine his stalwart brother, Nick, in brilliant play. I still hold to my opinion that it will be Kilkenny’s own fault if they are not the next All Ireland Champions.”
Within a few days the Captain of the Kilmacow team, James Burris, of Gaule’s Mill, wrote a letter to the editor of the Munster Express, taking sole responsibility for the withdrawal of his team. He noted that there were some trips and catching and when he brought to the referee’s attention that a spectator had rushed onto the field and held the hands of one of his men the referee stated that he did not see the occurrences. Burris wanted to assure the public that he was not influenced by any person and his action was not due to cowardice or fear of defeat.
Kilmacow objected and appealed the semi-final, not based on the incident involving a spectator, but rather based on the composition of the Glenmore team. It was reported in the Kilkenny People (2 March 1907) that after a lengthy discussion the Kilkenny County Committee awarded the match to Glenmore, owing to the fact that Kilmacow left the field before the game terminated. Kilmacow gave notice of appeal of this decision to the Leinster Council and the final of the football championship between Glenmore and Kells was set for March 31st at St. James Parkland, Kilkenny with Mr. John Lalor, the Central Leinster Representative, as referee.
The Championship Final, Kells vs. Glenmore
Due to the objection and appeal the final between Kells and Glenmore was not played until 5 May 1907. “Ned of the Hill” reported in the Munster Express on 11 May 1907 that Glenmore prevailed in “one of the hardest fought contests that was witnessed in the Marble City for many a long day. The Boys of the Big Glen well deserved their victory, for they won on sheer merit. The fight was fought out tooth and nail…and the better team unquestionably won.” The referee was praised for his impartiality and at the final whistle the score stood: Glenmore—2 goals, 2 points; Kells—1 goal, 2 points. Ned of the Hill singled out Glenmore players Nick Curran, the Dunphy’s, Grace’s, Reddy’s, Morrissey’s and Tom Kennedy and his colleagues in the front as deserving a word of praise.
In the same newspaper Kilmacow issued a public challenge to Glenmore. Notwithstanding, the fact that Kilmacow refused to continue playing in the semi-final, then filed appeals based on the composition of the Glenmore team, the Kilmacow team wanted to play the Glenmore champions. They stated that the gate receipts, after meeting the costs of medals, could go to charity. It is not known if this challenge was accepted.
The Withholding of the Championship Medals
By the time that the final championship match was held in May 1907 newspapers had already moved on to the regional championships, so very little was written about the match. “Ned of the Hill” published an article in the Munster Express on 2 November 1907 entitled, “Who Won the Kilkenny Football Championships 1906? Kells or Glenmore?” calling attention to the fact that after the normal appeals had been exhausted the Championship medals for the Glenmore team had not been given to the team.
To those Gaels of Kilkenny who are clear sighted this question may sound extravagant, if not humorous. There are those, however, who would deem it debatable; some, in fact, who witnessed the great final struggle in Kilkenny last May; some, may I add, who actually played in that great contest. My apologies, then, to our clear-sighted and honest-hearted Gaels, since I intend offending your sense of justice. I intend making public how it is that the Glenmore champions have so far been refused the County Championship medals for 1906. The exposure of wrong-doing may scandalise the innocent, but it may bring to light the wrong-doers.
I shall begin at the beginning. Glenmore played and beat Kilmacow at Ballyhale last February. Kilmacow objected. The case came before the Kilkenny County Council, D. J. Gorey, Esq., J.P., in the chair. At this meeting D. J. Gorey, Esq., J.P., proclaimed in loud and soul-stirring tones that if Glenmore met Kells in the final Kells, if beaten, would never object. Not those men Kilmacow were objecting to—never. We shall instantly see was D. J. Gorey, Esq., J.P., a man of his word. As it happened, Glenmore and Kells did meet in the final, and Kells came under. D. J. Gorey, Esq., J.P., lodged an objection in hot haste. He lost his case at the home Council, and in hot haste again he appealed to the Leinster Council, which was unanimous in declaring Glenmore legally constituted champions of Kilkenny. Nothing daunted, D. J. Gorey, Esq , J.P., approached in August the highest Council of the Gaels of Ireland with this same objection he had pledged his word at home never to bring forward. This Central Council were again unanimous in declaring Glenmore legally constituted champions of Kilkenny.
A rule of the G.A.A. states that there can be no appeal beyond the Central Council; yet, not later than last week, the County Secretary, Mr. D. O’Donnell, with characteristic good faith to the Chairman, forewarned to the Secretary of the Glenmore F.C., a marvelous document, stating that he cannot hand over the medals as Mr. D. J. Gorey had again objected. What Council has D. J. Gorey, Esq., J.P., now in view? There can be no appeal beyond the Central Council. I wonder has he sought the benign protection of the Crown. Is it possible we may yet read of a long and heated discussion in the English House of Lords on the rules of the G.A.A.? Should not the G.A.A. feel mighty secure and consoled in having as one of its chief advisers a Magistrate of the Crown! No wonder, indeed, the boys of the Big Glen have decided to stay quietly at home this year. No wonder Gaelic football is fast declining in Kilkenny county. To my mind it is high time that the Secretary of the Glenmore Football Club should ask the Central Council to compel D. J. Gorey and Co. to hand over the medals so bravely won.
“Ned of the Hill” reported on 21 September 1907 that the Glenmore football club was “out of fighting line.” He had a sad good-bye from Dick Grace one of Glenmore’s best backs. He and Edward O’Connor, of Ballyfacey, were leaving for the United States. Both stated that they were going to return to Glenmore. Ned reflected that he thought that there was enough “material in Glenmore” to make a championship team and wanted to once again hear the well known rallying cry “Gee Up, Glenmore.” A month later he reported that big sinewy “Tom” Phelan, Mullinahone, a latter day “Matt the Thresher,” was also off to the United States (Munster Express 19 Oct 1907).
Finally, in March 1908 at a meeting of the Kilkenny County Committee the Secretary called attention to the question of providing the County Championship to Glenmore. Mr. Gorey, as representing Kells, apparently having exhausted every avenue of appeal and delay, directed the Secretary to forward the medals to Glenmore. It is not known what, if any, impact the withholding of the championship medals had on the Glenmore players, however it is apparent that several of the Glenmore football team immigrated. The month following the decision to forward the medals, Richard Dunphy, of Ballyverneen, Glenmore, tragically died at the age of 30.
The death of Richard Dunphy had a profound impact on the remaining team members. According to the death register Richard was only ill for four weeks and died at home with his brother at his side. In an obituary written by an unnamed team mate it was stated that when the Glenmore Football team needed help Richard was home like a streak of lightening. He worked in England as an Excise Officer and several times he travelled home from England to help the Glenmore boys win the 1906 championship. “He was our guiding star and light.” (Munster Express, 18 April 1908). It is believed that Richard was one of the players that both Kilmacow and Kells named in their objections.
“Ned of the Hill” in September 1908 revealed that “the boys of the Big Glen met during last week to reorganise their football club. There was cause for both joy and sadness in the meeting. The county champions of 1906–all that was left of them—were glad to renew the old committee that heralded woe to many a team up the county. But some of its bravest and best were missing. Emigration, and alas! even death, had told the old, harrowing tale. The proceedings were marked by hopeful enthusiasm. Arrangements were made for weekly practice matches and means of bettering the unsatisfactory condition of the funds. The following officers were elected: President, Rev. Father Crotty, C.C., Glenmore: captain, N. Curran: vice-captain, John Grace hon. sec., N. Curran; committee, J. Dunphy, M. Murphy, T. Morrissey, M. Hoynes, P. Reddy, P. Hanrahan.”
Special thanks to Pat Dowling for the photo of the 1905/1906 team. Pat said that the team photo came from a post card. At the bottom it states Winners of the Hugginstown Medal Tournament 1905 and Co. Kilkenny Football Champions 1906. If anyone can identify the first names of the players, their townlands, any of the men in the photo or can identify where Lucy Rock is in Glenmore, please comment below or email glenmore.history@gmail.com to update the information.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
A few readers asked for a larger copy of the team photo. One reader believes the team captain is John Grace, of Kilbride. His brother Richard Grace was a teacher in Ringville School, and another brother Bill Grace was actually the player that emigrated to the US in 1908 where he sadly passed away within a few years.
John Grace, of Kilbride, Captain, holding the football.
Glenmore 1916: Stolen Butter, a Mysterious Death, a local WWI Pilot and the Wrong Man Summoned to Court
Recently a reader sent a link to a file in the National Archives concerning a claim made by the Glenmore Co-operative to the military and then to the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee 1916. This Committee operated for ten months processing claims for property losses incurred due to the 1916 Rising. In a nutshell 9 boxes of Glenmore Co-op butter were stolen from the Amien St. railway station [Connolly Station] in Dublin on or about the 24th of April 1916. In attempting to locate newspaper articles concerning the stolen butter we came across a number of newspaper articles concerning Glenmore events and people in turbulent 1916.
Stolen Glenmore Butter
On 22 April 1916, 16 boxes of Glenmore Co-op butter were handed to the Dublin and SE Railway at Aylwardstown, Glenmore. The following day the consigned butter arrived at the Amien St. Station, Dublin. It was Easter and the butter could not be transferred to the Great Northern Railway that day. On Easter Monday (24 April 1916) the British Military ordered the Railway Company’s staff to leave and the military took possession of the station. When the staff left the full consignment of butter was there, but when the staff returned 9 boxes of butter were missing. The railway informed Glenmore Co-op that the military commandeered the butter.
On 28 July 1916 Glenmore Co-op’s solicitor, P.A. Murphy, of O’Connell St., Waterford wrote to the Major General, of the Irish Command, outlined the above facts, and demanded £35.2.0 to cover the loss of the 9 boxes of butter. The military refused to accept any responsibility in the matter and referred the claim to the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee 1916. James O’Donovan, the Glenmore Creamery manager, duly filed a claim on 14 August. He stated in the claim that 9 boxes of butter consigned to C. Coats, upper Arthur St., Belfast were part of a consignment of 16 boxes and were damaged by the military authorities whilst in possession of the Amien St. Station, Dublin. In November 1916 the Property Losses Committee recommended that the claim of £35.2.0 should be paid to the Glenmore Co-op Creamery for the “looting” of the boxes of butter by “insurgents.”
This link will take you to the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee 1916 file held by the National Archives concerning the Glenmore butter claim. http://centenaries.nationalarchives.ie/centenaries/plic/results.jsp?surname=&location=&title=&business_name=Glenmore%20Cooperative%20Dairy%20Society%20Limited&search=Search
The Mystery Surrounding the Death of Peter Forristal, the Mill, Graiguenakill (1889-1916)
In the New Ross Standard on Friday, the 19th of May 1916, on page 6, an article details the annual meeting of the Glenmore Co-operative Creamery where the accounts for 1915 were approved. Items discussed during the meeting included the recent purchase of a cattle weigh bridge and shedding for storage at the Creamery as well as the heightened shipping costs. The increased shipping costs were due to the enormous loss of ships as a result of the German submarine policy. Nothing concerning the Glenmore butter loss in April 1916 was mentioned.
In the column to the left of the Glenmore Creamery Report is the following little statement placed within farming advertisements. “Returned Home—Some young men from the district who were at business in Dublin have returned home during the week for a rest after the recent disturbances in the capital,” (New Ross Standard, Friday 19 May 1916, p. 6).
Just below the Glenmore Creamery article is the following article regarding Peter Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill.
“NEW ROSS MAN MISSING. SUPPOSED TO BE DROWNED. The river at New Ross was dragged on Wednesday in search of the body of Peter Forrestal, believed to be drowned on the previous night. He was son of Mr. P. Forrestal, farmer, Ballyverneen, near Glenmore, and came up the river on a small boat on Tuesday with fish for New Ross. In the early part of the day it seems he took some drink and became noisy in the street. He was arrested and was detained in the police barracks until about five o’clock in the evening. After being let out he was seen down round the quay, and at about 9:30 that night some men at the Grand Canal steps heard a noise in the water, followed by what appeared to be a groan. Captain Ryder and others made an exhaustive search, but no trace, of the body was found up to Wednesday afternoon. During Wednesday a further search was made. It is surmised he went aboard the vessel “Tom Raner,” and on trying to reach his boat fell into the water one of his brothers was drowned some years ago off a boat coming up the river. The sincerest sympathy is felt with his parents and family” (New Ross Standard, Friday 19 May 1916, p. 6).
The following week the New Ross Standard reported that the body was recovered and corrected a lot of the information it incorrectly reported on the 19th.
“NEW ROSS DROWNING CASE. The body of the young man Peter Forrestal, of Graiguenakill, who drowned at New Ross in the early part of last week, was found at Garranbehy sometime on Monday morning by Patk. Fitzgerald, High-street, and John Doyle, Irishtown, fishermen. Sergeant Byrne, Rosbercon, communicated with the Coroner for South Kilkenny, but he happened to be away, from home, and Messrs. H.R. Hamilton, J.P., and A. J. Doyle, J.P., acted in his absence, and after hearing the particulars decided that an arrest was not necessary. It is surmised that the deceased lost his life whilst endeavouring to get into his boat from a coal vessel anchored in the harbour at 9 of 9:30 o’clock in the night. It is stated that on that evening he had his tea at Rosbercon. It appears he had not been at home for the past three months, and came to New Ross on that morning on a small boat. The sincerest sympathy is felt with his parents and family” (New Ross Standard, Friday 26 May 1916).
Peter Forristal was born on 27 March 1889 and was the son of Patrick Forristal and Margaret Forristal née Cardiff. He was a brother of William Forristal who was one of the Glenmore men who drowned in 1899. See, https://glenmore-history.com/a-double-drowning-at-rochestown-point-in-1899/ . No inquest was held and no death cert was filed for Peter Forristal in 1916. No further information was provided concerning where Peter Forristal had been in the three months prior to his death or concerning the short statement on the same page of the newspaper that young men from the district who were at business in Dublin returned home (during the week of the drowning) for a rest after the recent disturbances in the capital. No clarity is provided regarding how or why Peter Forristal was identified as the person who went into the river at New Ross on the 16th of May. Apparently there were no eye witnesses. Witnesses heard sounds and somehow Peter Forristal was identified as a person who was supposed drowned. The newspapers of the time are full of lists of men who were detained and arrested across the country after the Rising, yet there is no information as to why Peter Forristal was released from custody hours before his death if he had been, in fact, arrested earlier in the day.
The articles reporting the drowning are not similar to other drownings reported in the newspaper in the early years of the 20th century. The Peter Forristal articles lack the details found in other drownings reported. For example, who identified the body as being Peter Forristal? Perhaps the readers were expected to read between the lines, or perhaps the restrictions on the newspapers after the Rising were such that newspapers could not query deaths of persons released from police custody who end up in a river.
Irish Independent, Thur. 7 Sept. 1916–SITUATIONS VACANT.
WANTED, Man to follow Threshing Engine, also Man to take charge of Threshing Mill, for season. Apply to Glenmore Co-operative Threshing Society, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, stating Wages and qualifications.
New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 Aug. 1916–A One Bicycle Crash
POLICEMAN INJURED Whilst Const. Collins, Glenmore, was cycling from Glenmore to Mullinavat last week his bicycle got caught in a rut in the road and he was pitched forward and rendered temporarily unconscious. He was attended by the priest and doctor and was taken to hospital.
Mistaken Identity
Danny Dowling has explained that due to the number of people in the parish with the same name nick names were bestowed and whole families often had surnames that were not their proper surname. For example, Jim Brien was actually Jim Fitzgerald. Danny’s notebooks are full of notations that “his real name” was … In Glenmore all Whelans are Phelans. The following case reported in the newspaper in 1916 involved John Whelan, of Mullinahone being summoned for something he did not do.
“CASE AT NEW ROSS When the name of John Whelan, Mullinahone, Glenmore, for being drunk and disorderly was called at the New Ross Petty Sessions, a young man came forward on the witness table, and said that he was not the man at all. He said he had been served with a summons for the offence. Sergeant O’Sullivan—This is not the man at all that was drunk and disorderly. The man gave his name as John Whelan, of Mullinahone. A Glenmore constable gave evidence, that be served the summons on John Whelan, the man who appeared in court. Mr. Whelan—I am not the man at all, and it has caused me great inconvenience to come here. District Inspector McLean—We must only withdraw the prosecution. Mr. Whelan said there was no other man of that name in Mullinahone, and Sergeant O’Sullivan said he would know the man that was drunk and disorderly if he saw him. Mr. Griffin, R.M. (to Mr. Whelan) It was very nice of you to come to the court to-day. You showed great respect for the court by coming. We will dismiss the case on the merits. It must be understood that we are not blaming the police at all. They were led into this error by another person. They issued the summons on the name that was given to them.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1916)
Glenmore WWI Pilot: Lt. Michael Keegan
In our post on 15 February 2020 we highlighted Mick Keegan, who ranaway as a teenager to join the army, became a WWI Veteran and Ross Publican. The post was based on the 1980 interview Danny Dowling recorded of Dan Doyle concerning his time on the railway. Dan Doyle related the story of Mick Keegan who was the son of the Aylwardstown, Glenmore stationmaster. In 1916 three articles concerning Mick Keegan were found in the New Ross Standard. Here is the link to the 15 February 2020 post HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY! (containing Mick Keegan, from Runaway to WWI Veteran and Ross Publican.)
The first of the articles was published on 12 May 1916. Michael Keegan, the son of Mr. Keegan, stationmaster, Glenmore received a commission as lieutenant. It reported “he has been a member of the Flying Corps, and has been several times mentioned in despatches for his bravery and efficiency.” The second article appeared on 6 October 1916 and announced his forthcoming marriage to Miss Brigid Doran, the Quay, New Ross. Although it was a personal announcement the majority of the article centred on his military exploits. “Lieutenant Keegan who is a member of the Royal Flying Corps, was favourably mentioned in despatches and warmly complimented by General French, for his pluck and bravery during his flying expeditions in connection with the war, and was awarded the Military Cross. He also won several cups as a crack shot in the army.” The last article was published on 15 December 1916 and stated that his marriage had taken place that week.
Special thanks to Veronica for sharing the link to the National Archive file concerning the 1916 claim for 9 boxes of Glenmore butter.
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the old photo of the Waterford Creamery c. 1922.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
James Aylward (c. 1869 -1909) of Parkstown, Glenmore: Wed and Dead Within a Week
It isn’t often that an event in 1909 resulted in the type of sensationalised headlines that became much more common in the last decades of the twentieth century. However, the tragic death of a Glenmore bridegroom in 1909 resulted in headlines such as “Wed and Dead Within a Week,” “Married and Buried Within a Week” and “Shrovetide Sensation.” Amazingly all the older Glenmore residents that were contacted this week knew the story of the Glenmore man who died on his honeymoon. Much less is known about his widow.
The man behind the headlines was James Aylward, of Parkstown, Glenmore. James was married in the neighbouring parish church in Mullinavat on Monday the 15th of February 1909. His bride was Catherine “Kate” Gaule, of Ballynooney, Mullinavat. James Aylward died in Cork City during their honeymoon on Saturday, the 20th of February 1909 and was buried in Glenmore on Monday the 22nd of February 1909. Danny Dowling preserved the diary of James Aylward, of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore. James Aylward, of Ballyhobuck, recorded in his diary the following: James Aylward, Parkstown and Kate Gaule, Ballynooney married 15 February 1909 and James was buried the following week.
The death cert for James Aylward reveals that James died on the 20th of February 1909 of acute peritonitis and suffered with it for 36 hours. Thus he began becoming unwell on Wednesday only two days after getting married. Peritonitis is often associated with a ruptured appendix.
The following two newspaper accounts provide details concerning the honeymoon as well as how the widow after only five days notified her in-laws concerning James becoming ill and dying.
“Sad Death of Glenmore Bridegroom. MARRIED AND BURIED WITHIN A WEEK. On Monday were laid in graveyard, Glenmore, the mortal remains of Mr. James Aylward, Parkstown. Glenmore, a large farmer, in the prime of life, who was married only that day week. Mr Aylward had most auspicious marriage and went for a most extensive tour on the honeymoon. Himself and his wife went to Cork, via Loughren, County Galway, where a relative of Aylward lives. They reached Cork nearing the weekend. On Friday evening Mr. Wm Aylward, shopkeeper, Waterford, a brother of the bridegroom, was startled by receipt of a telegram from Mrs Aylward that her husband was taken suddenly ill. This wire only prepared for the worst, for shortly afterwards came the sad news that James Aylward was dead. The intelligence was grievously shocking for the deceased’s brother and all the friends, and the misery of the young bride alone in a hotel in Cork with her husband turned to clay can only be faintly imagined. The remains reached Waterford at ten o’clock on Saturday night, whence they were taken home by hearse and a sad cavalcade at a late hour. Interment took place on Monday, and concurrence is regarded as the saddest which visited the parish for a very long time.” (Waterford Mirror and Tramore Visitor of Thursday the 25th of February 1909).
“A SHROVETIDE SENSATION. – The sad sudden death, whilst on his honeymoon, of a young and well-known Glenmore farmer, the sad particulars of which are narrated elsewhere, shocked the neighbourhood and district. Last Monday week James Aylward, the owner of a large farm, and in good circumstances, left his home a happy. bridegroom. Last Monday finds his remains under the green sod in Glenmore graveyard. Death reached him in Cork on Friday evening. The return of the dead bridegroom to his home in Parkstown furnishes one of the saddest episodes that could well be imagined, and certainly the mournful spectacle made the deepest impression on the people. From bright gaiety to blackest tragedy is often but a very short step in this fickle world. The suddenness of the transition here could not well be paralleled except we go to the chronic plague stricken topics, where it is not unusual to meet a person in the best of health in the morning and meet that same person’s funeral in the evening.” (New Ross Standard of Friday the 26th of February 1909).
The bride and groom were both from local farming families from neighbouring parishes.
The Glenmore Groom
It is difficult to determine when James Aylward was born. On the marriage records his age is listed as 40 (c. 1869) and yet less than a week later on his death certificate his age is listed as 42 (c.1867). A review of the 1901 Census provides that James was 30 years of age thus born about 1871). On the marriage records his father is listed as John Aylward, deceased.
The Glenmore Parish records provided several facts concerning the Aylward family of Parkstown. John Aylward, of Parkstown, married Bridget Costello, of Robinstown, on the 7th of March 1859. The witnesses to the wedding were James Walsh and Honora Fitzgerald. Bridget Costello was born the 13th of February 1836. She was the daughter of Thomas Costello and Judy Costello née Aylward.
A baptismal record for James Aylward could not be found for the years 1867 through 1875. However, several other baptisms were recorded for other children born to John Aylward and Bridget Aylward née Costello of Parkstown, Glenmore including: [1] Mary Aylward was born on the 19th of March 1863 and baptized the following day; [2] John Aylward was born on the 1st of September 1865; [3] Patrick Aylward was born on the 26 of May 1868; [4] William Aylward was born on the 10th of November 1870; [5] Bridget Aylward was born on the 25th of October 1875; and [6] Johanna Aylward was born on the 19th of June 1880.
The father, John Aylward, was dead by 1901. The 1901 Census lists the mother Brigid Aylward as 60 years of age and heading up the household that includes: James Aylward (age 30); William Aylward (age 26); Bridget Aylward (age 26) and Hannah Aylward (age 19). The eldest child, Mary Aylward had married Patrick Butler, of Parkstown, on the 26th of February 1895.
As outlined in the newspaper accounts William Aylward by 1909 was a shopkeeper in Waterford City. According to Danny Dowling this week William Aylward’s premises were on O’Connell Street in Waterford. He commenced trading as a grocer and obtained a spirit’s licence. The 1911 Census for Waterford places William Aylward living on O’Connell Street, single, aged 36. He recorded that he was a grocer and publican. Residing with him is his youngest sister Johanna Aylward who was 26 years of age and also single. In 1911 on the Aylward farm in Parkstown the mother Bridget Aylward is 73 and two of her children are residing with her. Patrick Aylward who was not living on the farm in 1901 returned home to take over the farm, was single and listed as 39 years of age while his sister Bridget Aylward’s age is difficult to decipher.
Danny said that Patrick Aylward went on to marry and had a family. A search revealed that Patrick Aylward, of Parkstown, on 1 November 1917 at Rosbercon, married Bridget Doolan, of Shambough. Bridget was the daughter of Dany Doolan a farmer. The witnesses to the wedding were John Aylward and Margaret Doolan. On the 2nd of October 1919 Patrick Aylward and his wife had a daughter Bridget Aylward. Danny identified John Joe Aylward as another child. John Joe Aylward died a couple of years ago (20 February 2018) and his sister Peggy Aylward died about a decade earlier (2009).
The Mullinavat Bride
Catherine “Kate” Gaule was born at Ballynooney, Mullinavat, on the 7th of January 1875, the daughter of Luke Gaule and Margaret Gaule née Corcoran. Luke Gaule, of Ballynooney, Mullinavat, married Margaret Corcoran, of Liserlin, Tullogher on the 13th of June 1872 at Mullinargle (sic). Witnesses to the wedding were Laurence Gaule and Johanna Walsh. Luke’s father was listed as John Gaule, deceased, farmer and Margaret’s father was listed as Edmund Corcoran, deceased, farmer. Kate Gaule had at least two brothers: John Gaule was born 19 April 1873 and William Gaul born on the 23rd of September 1879.
Margaret Gaule née Corcoran died on the 17th of November 1897, aged 60 of heart disease. The 1901 Census provides that Luke was 54 years of age and three of his children were residing with him. John Gaule was 27, Kate Gaule was 25, and William Gaule was 22. John Gaule married Margaret Ryan, of Ballynooney on the 26th of January 1916 at Mullinavat. Margaret was the daughter of Patrick Ryan, a farmer. A William Gaule, of Keatingstown, Thomastown married on the 15th of October 1914, Nora Dalton the daughter of farmer Pat Dalton. William Gaule, of Keatingstown, was a farmer and the son of Luke Gaule.
Kate Gaule married James Aylward in 1909 and became a widow 5 days later. Danny Dowling this week stated that he did not know what happened to James Aylward’s widow. The 1911 Census reveals that she was living with her father and brother, John on the Gaule farm in Ballynooney. In the 1911 Census: Luke Gaule was a widower aged 64; John Gaule was single and aged 36 and Catherine Aylward, a widow was aged 35. It is believed that Luke Gaule died on the 7th of February 1917 at the age of 70. The townland is listed as Ballyvatheen rather than Ballynooney on the death cert, but the person with the deceased was John Gaule the son of the deceased.
While James Aylward’s life was tragically cut short, unfortunately, we don’t know what happened to his widow, Catherine “Kate” Aylward née Gaule. Did she re-marry? Did she live out her life with one her brothers and his family? We hope that a reader has the answer to what happened to the woman from Mullinavat who was widowed 5 days after she was married.
Update: In our blog post of 15 July 2020 we revealed what we learned about the widow.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured image is of an ancient Egyptian funeral.
Glenmore Parish Church: 1910-1912, Renovations & Re-Consecration
In one of our first posts the building of St. James, the Glenmore Catholic parish church, was discussed. In this post we shall highlight information from some of Danny Dowling’s recently transcribed notebooks particularly the names and townlands of some of the parishioners who donated pews, windows and confessionals when the church was renovated in 1910-1912 and donor information as published in the New Ross Standard at that time. See our post of
1813-1898
St. James was built in 1813 and according to the New Ross Standard of 17 May 1912, the church was built by Father Fitzpatrick with the help of the parishioners. Danny in a January 1969 interview of Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore recorded that during Father Dunphy’s administration collections were undertaken and the alter and two side alters were erected. Father Dunphy left Glenmore in 1898 following the death of Father Nolan. Father Dunphy went to Danesfort as Parish Priest and died while serving there. (When the Glenmore Land League split, Father Dunphy led the anti-Parnell faction.) According to Nicholas Forristal from 1813 until the Dunphy renovations, the alter was against the back wall and there were two doors leading to the Sacristy, with one door on each side of the alter. There were also two sets of stairs leading to the old gallery each at the side of each wall. Nicholas Forristal stated that from the time of the building of the church until the renovations the Strange family, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore had a private pew in the gallery which was divided into two parts. One part was for the ladies and the other for the men. There was a door to each part. Nicholas Forristal explained in his interview that the Strange family helped a lot in the building of St. James in 1813 and “on this account got a private pew.”
Fr. Thomas Phelan Arrived
Around 1903 Father Thomas Phelan became Parish Priest of Glenmore. It was reported in an article that the church had fallen into a state of disrepair which caused anxiety to Father Phelan (New Ross Standard, 17 May 1912). About 1907 during a Mission the chapel bell was being rung when it split in half. The newspaper accounts do not indicate how the new bell was obtained, but the Most Rev. Dr. Browning, Lord Bishop of Ossory, blessed the new bell on 3 October 1909. At this blessing Father Phelan began in earnest the fundraising for the extensive renovations he proposed. For the dedication of the new bell the Jesuit preacher, the Very Rev. Michael Phelan was the featured preacher (New Ross Standard, 1 Oct. 1909) and an advertisement was placed in the local papers inviting support.
1910-1912 Renovations
For two years the tradesmen and renovators worked on the Glenmore church. At a Mission held in June 1911 (which was the third mission within five years) a sort of progress report was published. It was reported that fourteen Stations of the Cross, costing in the aggregate of about £l6O were donated as were two new confessionals, a sanctuary lamp of great value, several new pews, and several altar requisites. The new belfry, new gallery, new floor, with tiled sanctuary and sides and new church roof and ceiling were all complete (New Ross Standard, 30 June 1911).
In a final push for donations, on 15 March 1912 the New Ross Standard reported that the parishioners… “in addition to their contributions they have given many costly presents to adorn and ornament the House of God and the place where His glory dwelleth. These presents have taken a very practical form, commemorating at the same time the faith and generosity of the donors and needed furniture and equipment. The Stations of the Cross, confessionals, sanctuary lamp, baptistry, windows, pews, and vestments are all included in the presentation. Many articles are still needed, and those who claim Glenmore as their place of birth, or are otherwise associated with the parish, and within whose consecrated graveyards lie the remains of near and dear friends, should lose no time in communicating with the priests of the parish and secure before everything is disposed of some article as an offering to the church: on which their name can be inscribed. What a happiness one’s name perpetuated in connection with the church of one’s own native parish, around which so many happy memories are entwined.”
Re-Consecration 1912
The long awaited dedication and re-consecration of St. James, the parish church of Glenmore, is covered in an article that almost covers an entire page of the 17 May 1912 edition of the New Ross Standard. A photo of Father Phelan and St. James church is featured in this article as well as a description of the interior renovations. “On entering the church one is struck by the extent and magnificence of the renovations, improvements and decorations. The sanctuary is decorated in Mosaic with a handsome frieze and three arches forming a background for the three beautiful oak altars, which have been renovated and picked out in gold. The central arch bears the emblem of the Passion. The vane portion has been decorated with great taste, and the frieze and decorations of the windows are very artistic in effect. The Stations of the Cross, by Messrs. Bull, of Dublin, form a beautiful ornament to the sacred edifice, as also the beautiful new confessionals. The beautiful and well-finished pews and benches were made by Hearne and Co. Waterford.”
Donated Items
A list of the donated items was printed as follows: A set of Stations of the Cross (Irish Manufactured), in oak frame, walnut pillars, carved capitals and oil pictures, with zinc backs, the whole costing £150, and to each of which is attached a brass plate giving the names of the donors, were presented to Father Phelan in memory of the Rev. Nolan, P.P., by the following parishioners: Mr. John Curran, N. T., and Mrs. Curran, N.T., and Mr. P.N. O’Gorman, Rosbercon; Mr. Thomas Forrestal, and Mrs. Forrestal, Ballyverneen, Mrs. Dunphy, Ballyverneen, Mr. Mullins, Haggard; Mrs Aylward, do; Mr. John Ennett, Cappagh; Mr. Richard Doherty and Mrs. Doherty, Ballinlammy; Mr. James Delahunty, Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald and Mrs. Fitzgerald, Weatherstown; Miss Mary Walsh, Weatherstown; Misses Murphy, Kearneybay.
- Beautiful carved scotch pine confessionals by Mr. John Hynes, Ballybrahee, and Mr. P. Green, Jamestown.
- A very fine sanctuary lamp by Mr. P. Walsh and Mrs. Walsh, Davidstown.
- A set of brass altar candlesticks, by Mrs. Forrestal, Carrickloney.
- Benediction cape and vestments by the Sacred Heart Sodality.
- The baptistry by Mr. John Aylward, Ballinclare, in memory of Mr. Joseph Gahan, Ballylogue.
- (Unfortunately the list of donors for windows is not legible)
- Processional cross, by the children of the Robinstown Female School.
- Pews, by Mr. Michael Barron, Clarrigcloney; Mr. John Phelan, Mullinhone; the Misses Gahan, Newtown; Mr. John Grace, Forristalstown; Mr. Richard Keogh, Rathinure; Mr. Michael Hynes, Ballybrehee; Mrs. Hanrahan, Glenmore, and by “donor.”
At the end of this publication it is stated, “It is understood the list is not yet completed.”
For our international readers, the tradition in St. James is (that facing the alter) men sat on the left hand side of the church and women sat on the right. It is not known why or when this tradition developed, but the statue of St. Joseph is on the left and the Virgin Mary is on the right.
Seats in Chapel Men’s Side (from alter) recorded by Danny Dowling
- Presented by James Doherty, Coonaleen
- In Memory of Mrs Ellen Cahill, Ballymountain R.I.P., Presented by Mrs. Rd. Doherty
- Presented by Michael Delaney, Newtown
- In Memory of John Curran, N.T., Robinstown R.I.P.
- In Memory of Anastasia Walsh, Ballyverneen R.I.P.
- In Memory of Patrick Walsh, Ballyverneen R.I.P.
- In Memory of Wm. and Bridget Irish, Carrickcloney R.I.P.
- Presented by Mary Hennessy, N.T. in Memory of Her Mother and Brother R.I.P.
- Presented by Richard Kehoe, Rathinure
- Presented by John Grace, Forristalstown
- In Memory of Patk. Kennedy, USA, Native of Gaulstown R.I.P.
- In Memory of Thomas Mullally, Grogan R.I.P.
- Pray for Donor
- In Memory of John Walsh, Ballybrahee R.I.P
- no name
- Presented by Michael Barron, Carrigcloney
- Presented by Thomas Kennedy, Rathinure
- Confessional on men’s side–Presented by John Hynes, Ballybrahee
- Confessional on women’s side–Presented by Patrick Greene, Jamestown
Nicholas Forristal stated in his interview that the confessionals were given in 1910 “on occasion of marriage.”
Danny also recorded the donors of windows on the women’s side starting at the back, but these are not the windows from the 1910-1912 renovations.
- Presented by the Parishioners of Glenmore,
- Plain window
- Presented by the Hartley Family, Ballinclare
- St. Martin of Tours, Pray for Us–Presented by the People of Haggard
- St. Joseph, Pray for Us–Presented by Pat and Anne Dowling & family, Rickardsland
- Lady Hear My Prayer; Let My Cry Come Unto Thee–Donated by Thomas & Essie Mullally & family, Busherstown
Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic we were unable to visit the Church to determine how many of the donations from the parishioners in 1910-1912 are still present and to record the pews on the womens’ side etc. Later in the twentieth century the remaining gallery was removed and the 1910-1912 windows were replaced.
The Traveling Glenmore Sanctuary Light
Notwithstanding the public statements enticing parishioners to donate to have one’s name perpetuated in connection with their parish church, yesterday, Danny related that the sanctuary lamp donated by Mrs. Walsh, of Davidstown, my husband’s great-grandmother, was removed from the Church by a priest when he was transferred to another parish. Danny could not recall who or when this occurred. Mrs. Maureen Claridge, née Walsh with the aid of a cousin went in search of the lamp donated by her grandparents and located it in Crosspatrick chapel in Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny. It is believed that she visited Ballypatrick in the 1990’s and photographed the sanctuary lamp.
In 2011 Maureen’s youngest brother, Nicholas Walsh, of Davidstown, Glenmore visited Crosspatrick and viewed the sanctuary lamp donated by his grandparents to Glenmore Church during the 1910-1912 renovations. The sanctuary lamp in Crosspatrick bears an inscription “Gift of Patrick and Margaret Walsh, Davidstown A.D. 1911.”
The featured photo of St. James, Glenmore parish church, came from the 1912 article. Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh, for the old photos of St. James and to Dick Claridge and Margaret Phelan née Claridge for the information and Margaret for the photos she took of the traveling Glenmore sanctuary lamp in 2011.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Election of Glenmore Midwives
An interesting article can be found in the Waterford Standard newspaper of Saturday the 23rd of July 1910 where two young Glenmore women were being considered for the same midwife post. The article notes that the Waterford Board of Poor Law Guardians met in their weekly meeting on Wednesday the 20th of July 1910 in the Boardroom of the Union Workhouse. The Chairman of the Board of Guardians, Mr. David Hyland presided. One of the items on their agenda was the “election” of a maternity nurse for the Workhouse. The salary associated with the position was £25 per year with the “usual allowances.” The Clerk reported that he had received two applications for the position. The first candidate was Miss Johanna Young, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore, who had a certificate of training from the Cork Lying-in Hospital which was dated the 14th of December 1909. The second candidate was from Miss Annie Power, of Glenmore, who obtained her diploma from the Coombe hospital, in Dublin, in June of 1910.
It is reported that the Board immediately became divided. A vote was taken and how each member of the Board voted is reported in the article. Newspapers from before and around the turn of the twentieth century are full of criticisms regarding the political nature of how people were appointed to positions under the control of the Poor Law Guardians.
The 1910 article provides that eleven members of the Board voted in favour of Miss Power including: Thomas Power, of Callaghane; Michael Flynn, of Ballygunner; George Gamble, of Kilmeaden; James Power, Raheen; Edmond Curran, Ballintray; Thomas Kelly, of Aylwardstown; John Power, Ballygunner—temple; Richard Fitzgerald; Edmond Donovan; Captain W. Coghlan; and James Kirwan.
Seventeen members of the Board voted in favour of Miss Young including: The Mayor of Waterford, Councillor James Hackett; Captain R.C. Carew, Justice of the Peace; Maurice Power, of Moonamantra; James Maddock, of Gracedieu; Patrick Shortis, Ferrybank; John Vereker, Michael Riordan, of Ballyshoneen; John Healy; T. Holden; J. Holden; John Moore; G.D. Bishop; P.W. Kenny; James Farrell; P. Fitzgerald; John O’Neill, of Ullid; and James Young.
Miss Johanna Young, was declared elected to the position. Miss Young obtained her qualification 6 months prior to Miss Power, but that is not discussed in the newspaper article. A review of the 1901 Census of Glenmore reveals that Johanna Young was from Ballyfacey Upper, Glenmore and was born in about 1885. She was the daughter of Richard Young (c. 1843) and Kate Young (c. 1844). Her father was a carpenter and farmer. Johanna Young in 1901 had three brothers and a sister living at home including: George Young (farm labourer, aged 32); Laurence Young (carpenter, aged 26); Richard Young (farm labourer, aged 21) and Mary Young (aged 23). Also living with the family was Richard and Kate’s niece Kate O’Leary who was 4 years of age. In the 1911 Census, Johanna Young was 25 years of age living at John’s Hill in Waterford City with 27 other health care workers, primarily nurses. Johanna’s occupation is listed as “maternity nurse, workhouse.”
The unsuccessful candidate Miss Annie Power, was the daughter of Thomas Power (c. 1847) and Mary Power (c. 1847) of Robinstown, Glenmore. Annie was born around 1883, so she was about two years older than Johanna Young. Annie’s father, Thomas Power was a farm labourer and in the 1901 Census four of her brothers are also living in the home as well as her 12 year old cousin Michael Walsh. The names of her brothers are: Patrick Power (farm labourer, aged 25); John Power, (labourer, aged 23); William Power (farm labourer, aged 20); and James Power (scholar, aged 15). The 1911 Census reveals that Annie is 27 and her occupation is maternity nurse. Her parents are aged 66 and only one of her brothers is living at home; James Power is 24 and employed as a post man. Also in the house is Kate Power, aged 10, Thomas and Mary Power’s granddaughter.
Twenty-four years before the two young Glenmore women sought the midwife position at the workhouse, the Kilmackevoge Dispensary Committee met to commence finding a midwife to replace Mrs. Alice Mackey who had died. The death register provides that a Mrs. Anne Mackey, of Weatherstown, Glenmore died at the age of 80 on the 8th of June 1886. Her husband Philip Mackey was present when she died and her occupation is listed as midwife.
An account of the Kilmackevoge Dispensary Committee meeting is found in the Waterford Standard of 17 July 1886. The Committee members in attendance included: Thomas Reidy, William Fitzgerald, John Fitzgerald, Thomas Freaney, Richard Phelan, P.L.G. (Poor Law Guardian); David Carroll, and Mr. John Lawless, P.L.G. These men determined that due to the size of the area to be covered that the district should be divided into thirds and two new midwives were required for the poor to “obtain the attendance of a midwife when required.” The Committee men then went on to recommend that the salary of Mrs. McGrath, the midwife at Mullinavat, be reduced from £12 to £7 per year, and that the two new midwives would also be paid £7 per year. One of the new midwives would reside at Glenmore and the other at Slieverue. They were required to send their proposal for approval to the Local Government Board. It was also proposed that the “election” of the new midwives would take place at Slieverue the first Tuesday in August.
As reported in the Waterford Standard of 16 October 1886, the Local Government Board wrote to the Kilmackevogue Dispensary Committee and inquired into whether Mrs McGrath, midwife, was satisfied regarding the reduction of her salary from £12 to £7 as proposed by the Dispensary Committee. Not surprising it was reported that Mrs. McGrath was not satisfied with the proposal to reduce her salary. The attendees at the October meeting were: Thomas Reidy; John Lawless, P.L.G.; M. Malone; Patrick O’Reilly; J. McDonald, P.L.G,; P. Grant; Edmond Forristall, P.L.G., William Fitzgerald; Edmond Delahunty; Edward Duggan, Ryan, and Major Gyles, J.P.; Thomas Freany and John Fitzgerald.
John Lawless proposed and John Fitzgerald seconded a motion that recommended that Mrs. McGrath’s salary would be reduced from £12 to £8 a year, which was the original salary she had when appointed. It was noted that in the future she would have a smaller district and less duties. An amendment to this resolution was proposed by Mr. Forristall, seconded by Mr. Ryan, that proposed no reduction in Mrs. McGrath’s salary. The amendment lost by one vote. The Lawless resolution to cut Mrs. McGrath’s salary to her starting wage of £8 was adopted by one vote.
It was further proposed to divide the district midwife duties as follows. For the midwife to be appointed for Slieverne, she would be responsible for part of district of Electoral Division of Rathpatrick and Kilcolent (sic), also adjoining townlands of Ballincrea Electoral Division, including: Nicholastown, Attateemore, Ballincrea, Davidstown, and Monroe. The midwife to be appointed for Glenmore, would be responsible for the Electoral Division of Kilmackevogne and Kilbride, also the adjoining townlands of Ballincrea Electoral Division, including Knockbrack, Catsrock, Coolnaleen, Ballindare, and Ballinlaimmy. Mrs. McGrath would be responsible for the Electoral Divisions of Killahy, Farnogue, and Kilbacon.
Just prior to the meeting ending a resolution was made not to reduce Mrs. McGrath’s salary. Perhaps there was concern that the Local Government Board would not sanction the advertising of the two needed midwife posts if the Committee continued to seek to cut Mrs. McGrath’s salary. Unfortunately, the newspaper does not record the reason for the resolution. Mr. Forristall seconded the motion. Although the Chairman said in his opinion it would be unwise to interfere with the matter he took a vote. Mr. Lawless opposed the motion on the grounds of economy and convenience. Unfortunately, the newspaper article does not record why he thought his proposal to put Mrs. McGrath back on her starting salary was convenient. The motion not to cut Mrs. McGrath’s salary was voted upon and declared passed.
Our next posting will outline some of the unusual events surrounding the Glenmore Dispensary.
The featured image of the midwife is by Andres Campillo. The drawing of the nurse is by Henry Monnier.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
What’s a Shebeen?
Over the years, Danny Dowling interviewed several local people concerning Glenmore drinking establishments. As previously reported in our blog of 4 January 2020 in about 1870 the then parish priest forced all three pubs in Glenmore Village to close. After the pubs closed Glenmore remained a dry parish until 1963. In addition to licensed public houses Glenmore had its fair share of síbíns or shebeens, particularly in the years following 1870. Today we are going to focus on the information Danny collected and a case that arose 114 years ago today when a Glenmore woman’s house was raided as a shebeen.
One of the pubs, operating at the time of the pub closures in Glenmore was known as Cashin’s. It was situated just in front of the present priest’s house and Mass was disrupted with drunken shouts, inappropriate conduct and the banging of mugs on the bar. Old Johnnie Hanrahan, of Glenmore Village, told Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill that when Johnny was a chap he brought beer out of Howlett’s Brewery in Priory Lane, New Ross, to Cashin’s Pub in Glenmore. Walter Power, of Jamestown, in his January 1955 interview revealed that another pub in the Village was in Peter Dunphy’s house in Robinstown. He was married to Nellie Grace, nicknamed Nellie Grawsheen and their house stood somewhere near Hanrahan’s shop. Margaret Walsh, in 1955, noted that her father David Walsh had a pub in the Village not too far from the Chapel.
Another pub just outside of the Village was identified in 1958 by Nicholas Forristal who stated that Cardiff’s had a pub in Graiguenakill in their house upstairs. Interestingly Father Delahunty whilst in Glenmore lived in Cardiff’s. Danny’s mother, Mrs. Hannah Dowling, of Jamestown, in January 1970, stated that Duggan’s had a public house in the Halfwayhouse on the “New Line” in Ballinaraha.
The shebeens identified were primarily outside the Village. In December 1969 Nicholas Forristal, stated that the local Whitefeet drank in a shebeen in Ballygurrim before their nightly escapades. The Whitefeet was a secret society that engaged in land agitation activities. The shebeen where the local Whitefeet drank was kept by Billy Walsh, nicknamed Billy Buíde. Billy Walsh used to say to the Whitefeet, “Drink plenty and it’ll make chickens of ye. It will strengthen your bones and put speed in your feet and make ye well able to whale the police.” Pat Coady, of Ballycroney, in November 1955 identified five “shanties” that operated in Glenmore including: Big Dinny Whelan had one in his house in Ballyfacey; Dick Young in Ballyveria; Tom Long in Moulerstown; Jack Hart in Darbystown and Johnny Scanlon in Knockbrack.
Paddy Foley, of Rahora, Tullogher in June 1970 provided more information regarding Tom Long’s shebeen in Moulerstown. It was in a house alongside Butler’s yard. Long was married to a Butler, of Moulerstown and the police used to drink in this shebeen. Danny identified another well-known establishment which was referred to as the Shanty. It was located off the High Road near Scartnamore and operated by a man named Kirwan. It was going strong during the building of the railway. The last known area referred to as a shebeen was located on a turn on the grassy lane that runs up from the Main Waterford-New Ross Road in Ballinamona. There was no building, just a lot of beer stored in the open allegedly for a Fete being held in Hanarahan’s field in Ballinamona. The Guards learned of it, raided and closed it in 1961 or 1962 at the time of the Fete.
In notebook 23 Danny listed a large number of newspaper articles that he found in old local papers. Perhaps not surprising given the fact that Glenmore parish was dry there are several articles listed concerning local people being charged, and often convicted, of operating a shebeen. One of the articles relates to a raid on the house of Mrs. Catherine Connolly, of Graiguenakill, 114 years ago today.
The New Ross Standard on the 13th of April 1906 printed an article entitled “What’s a Shebeen?” It was stated that Catherine Connolly was a poor woman who was being prosecuted by Sgt. Lynch, of the Glenmore RIC, at the New Ross Petty Sessions the previous Friday. Mr. R.C. Brehon, J.P. presided over the trial and sat with four other magistrates hearing the case against Mrs. Connolly “for exposing intoxicating drink for sale without a license, for otherwise being guilty of shebeening.” Three men were also being prosecuted for being on the premises for the unlawful purpose of purchasing drink, namely: Edward Kelly, Thomas Kelly and Patrick Carroll. Mr. Henry B. Langrishe, solicitor, represented Mrs. Connolly and the two Kellys. Pat Carroll defended himself.
Sgt. Lynch testified that on Saturday the 31st of March he visited Mrs. Connolly’s house at 9:30 p.m. with Constable Power. He asked Mrs. Connolly if she had any intoxicating drink and she said that she had a few bottles of stout. Armed with a warrant he searched the house and found 3 bottles of stout in a bed and a couple dozen empty bottles found throughout the house. In the kitchen he found a gallon whiskey jug that only contained a small amount of beer. In addition to the three men present in the house a chap named Scanlon was in the house but Sgt. Lynch testified that he did not believe that he went to Mrs. Connolly’s house for drink. Sgt. Lynch testified that he had the house under surveillance for some time, that two of the defendant’s had already been convicted of drunkenness and he knew them both to be “fond of drink.” From his observation and information received he was satisfied that the house was conducted as a shebeen.
Mr. Langrishe conducted a cross examination of Sgt. Lynch. Among other questions the solicitor asked, “Is a shebeen usually stocked with 3 bottles of stout?” The Sgt responded, “it might be.” The solicitor then asked if 14 empty porter or beer bottles and 5 empty whiskey bottles are proper stock for a shebeen. The Sgt. responded, “I suggest that from all appearances it is an improper stock of porter and bottles to have in a cabin of a poor woman.” The Sgt. went on to explain that he had been watching the house for 15 days before serving the warrant. He saw a van from Waterford call to the house 3 days a week. It came on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday. He believed that Mrs. Connolly received her liquor stock from this van. When asked what type of van it was the Sgt. Lynch stated it was a bread van.
Constable Power was called to testifiy and corroborated the evidence of Sgt. Lynch. During cross examination Constable Power admitted that Sundays are the best business days for shebeens generally because public houses are not open on Sundays. He went on to state that there is no public house in the district any day of the week. He also agreed that there would be no more than a penny profit on a bottle of stout. It would take a long time for Mrs. Connolly to earn enough selling three bottles of stout at a time to pay a £50 fine for shebeening.
The defence called Mrs. Connolly who denied the charges. She testified that the three men were neighbour boys. Edward Kelly came to her home every night. Tom Kelly worked with her son in Waterford and Pat Carroll stopped by that night. Sgt Lynch on cross examination asked her why she put the bottles in bed rather than in a press. She replied, “Sure I just left them out of the way.” She explained that the empty bottles were from when her father was on the bed and the empties were waiting for the peddler. She could not state how far she lived from Slieverue or Ross, so Sgt. Lynch advised her that her home is 7 miles from Slieverue. Her solicitor inquired of Sgt. Lynch if 3 bottles of stout are a curiosity when found 7 miles from a public house.
Tom Kelly testified that he worked with Mrs. Connolly’s son in Waterford and stopped to visit her. Both he and Pat Carroll denied that they bought or received any drink from Mrs. Connolly. Pat testified that he was only in the house 3 minutes when Sgt. Lynch arrived and he did not bring, buy or receive drink in the house. The last person to testify was Edward Kelly, he corroborated Mrs. Connolly’s testimony, and admitted that he was fined the previous June or July for drunkenness. When asked if that was the first time he was drunk Edward Kelly replied, “It was the first time I was fined.”
At that point Mr. Brehon interposed and stated there was no need to proceed further as he believed that there was absolutely no case for the Crown. All summons were dismissed on the merits. The 3 bottles of stout which were present in court as evidence were returned to Mrs. Connolly who asked what she should do with them. Her solicitor, Mr. Langrieshe helpfully advised her to go outside, draw the corks and give a drink to each of the men. “This remark greatly tickled the assembled gods, who rushed out in a body after the Glenmorites to see the interesting operation performed.” “The exodus caused such a commotion as interrupted the business for some minutes.”
The featured scene above is entitled Irish Petty Sessions Court printed in the Feb. 1853 Illustrated London.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh