Civil War

In October 1922 the death and destruction caused by the Civil War continued. The postal strike ended, but post offices and mail continued to be targets for both Irregulars and criminals. Railway lines, bridges and telegraph wires also continued to be targeted by the Irregulars hoping to disrupt communications. Locally there was an increase in ambushes of National Troops. Glenmore featured in local newspapers in October 1922 primarily due to attacks upon the Dublin & South Eastern Railway (D.&S.E.R.) and its equipment. Also, located was a small obituary of a young Glenmore woman, Kate Ryan née Hoynes (1877-1922). Today, we are going to feature these Glenmore stories and other local events that were reported in local newspapers 100 years ago.

Local Ambushes

AMBUSH NEAR BALLYHALE. A group of six members of the National Army stationed in Thomastown were ambushed at Knockwilliam bridge, a short distance from Ballyhale, at about 2 a.m. on October 3^rd. The soldiers led by Commandant Denis O’Brien were travelling in a lorry and were returning from Mooncoin. They were within about ten yards of the bridge, when they were ambushed by the Irregulars, who had taken up positions behind the wall overlooking the road.  The National troops immediately took cover and returned fire. The Irregulars, who are stated to have numbered 30, called on the troops to surrender. No surrender took place and after about ten minutes the Irregulars retreated. Thomas Murphy, the driver of the lorry was wounded in the wrist and leg. The National troops returned to Thomastown (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 8.

AMBUSH AT JERPOINT. On the afternoon of the 4^th of October Commandant Denis O’Brien with three troops were traveling in a motor car heading in the direction of Ballyhale when they were fired upon by Irregulars at Jerpoint Abbey (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 3).

AMBUSH AT FERRYBANK. On Monday night the 9^th of October a considerable amount of shooting took place near the Ballybricken Jail caused by people refusing or neglecting to halt when challenged by the sentry. No injuries were reported. However, on the Kilkenny side of the river, Sergt. Stanny Furlong of the National Army at 11 p.m. was walking along Ferrybank when he was held up by two men armed with revolvers. One then shot him twice at point blank range in the thigh and abdomen. The ambulance came under fire as it came to the scene to pick up the wounded soldier (Munster Express, Sat. 14 Oct. 1922, p. 5).

Attacks on Railways & Post Offices

Telegraph poles were cut in the Glenmore district on the night of the 6^th of October (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 5). Later, the railway wires were cut as well as the signal cabin broken into and the telephone stolen. In consequence of the railway wires being cut between Glenmore and Waterford on the D.&S.E. Railway, the up morning passenger trains for Dublin were unable to run in time to catch the connection at Macmine (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Oct 1922, p. 5). The continued disruption of rail services through Glenmore led to the Great Western Railway steamers sailing everyday between Waterford and Fishguard instead of 3 times per week (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 4).

The down passenger train arriving in New Ross at about 9:20 was held up south of Rathgarogue and some parcels taken from the van (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 8). On the evening of the 18^th the upmail train was held up near Glenmore and cigarettes were stolen (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 Oct. 1922, p. 5).

A determined but unsuccessful attempt was made during the first week of October to burn down the signal cabin at Kilmacow railway station. A telegraph pole near the signal cabin was sawn through (Munster Express, Sat. 7 October 1922, p. 6). Near Ballyhale railway station on Tuesday night as the train left the station a man in a group of men hurled what turned out to be a large bomb into a carriage filled with people. Two of the passengers were national soldiers, Lieut. Foley and Lieut. O’Rourke.  Foley “pluckily seized it and hurled it through the opposite window…before it had time to explode” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 3).  

The Postmaster of Knocktopher featured in the news for his response to men threatening to blow up the post office. On the 28^th of September at 8:45 p.m. loud knocking was heard at the door of the Knocktopher Post Office. The attackers demanded the post office be opened at once for the IRA. The postmaster, E. Cody, refused to open. The men insisted, stating they would bomb the house. The Postmaster told them to bomb away, but he would not open the door. He then began to ring a hand bell which made the attackers leave. The local pubs were raided the same night (Munster Express, Sat. 7 Oct. 1922, p. 4). The Mullinavat Post Office was raided during the last week of October and some money taken. Shops in the village were also visited and cigarettes, etc. stolen (Munster Express, Sat. 28 Oct. 1922, p. 5).

The Ferry Mountgarrett bridge which was destroyed during the War of Independence was again damaged in October 1922. The wooden bridge crossing the Barrow River just north of New Ross had its beams sawn through rending the bridge unsafe (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p.  8).

Efforts to End the Civil War

It was reported that peace negotiations towards a “desirable ending of the present armed conflict” was being led by a member of Dáil Éireann (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 5). It was also reported that a Proclamation was issued by the Free State Government at the beginning of October 1922 The Proclamation provided for a full amnesty and pardon to any person engaged in insurrection or rebellion who, on or before the 15th of October, voluntarily turned in all firearms, arms, weapons, bombs, ammunition, and explosives, and public and private property, unlawfully in his possession and lands or buildings unlawfully occupied by him, and agreed not to take any part in, or aid or abet social insurrection, rebellion, or armed opposition to the Free State Government. All who fulfilled the conditions would be allowed to return to their homes. The proclamation was issued in hopes of “restoring peace without further bloodshed” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 4).

An editorial in the New Ross Standard stated, “We have always thought it very unfortunate that the irregulars and their friends and supporters did not throw in their lot with the Free State party, when they would have been in a position of effecting good instead of inflicting injury and ruin on the country. In the popular assembly they might have stiffened up the backs of those whom they declared to be too tame and not advanced enough. Those young men, who are now without voice in the nation’s Government, owing to having taken up an antagonistic attitude towards the majority might have urged their views and impressed the majority in the National assembly, to which they might have belonged, and thus have accomplished many of their objects” (New Ross Standard, Friday 6 October 1922, p. 4).

Under the Proclamation, no arms were surrendered in New Ross, but several young men in the districts near Bunclody surrendered their arms thanks to the efforts of Rev. Kevin Doyle, C.C., Kilmyanal (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 Oct. 1922, p. 7).

 Prisoners

Locally a few arrests were reported in newspapers who also made a point of reporting where arrested persons were taken. Early in the month National Troops arrested a young man near Tullogher and took him to Thomastown (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 8). After the local ambushes, National troops quartered at Mullinavat made several arrests in the neighbourhood, including a man named Phelan, of Listerlin, who was conveyed to Kilkenny (Munster Express, Sat. 14 Oct. 1922, p. 5).

The New Ross Standard reported that the London Observer published that the Free State was seeking to acquire the largest of the Saltee islands, off the coast of Wexford, to build a concentration camp to accommodate all the Civil War prisoners. It opined, “the situation is most healthy, but a large amount of building would be required.” Ironically the newspaper noted, “It was in a cave on this island that Bagenal Harvey, a leader of the rebels in 1798, was captured by soldiers. It was not suspected as a resort for some time until a soldier observed some soap suds outside the cave, and discovered that it was occupied by Harvey, who, was immediately apprehended, and later executed” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 4).

On the morning of the 10^th an attempt to escape from Mountjoy Prison was made by a number of Irregular soldiers. The escape attempt resulted in the deaths of a national solider, two military police officers, and a prisoner. Two other soldiers were wounded and a prisoner was also wounded.  Found in the cells of prisoners were 2 land mines, explosive chemicals, a revolver and ammunition (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 4).

Restoring Law & Order

In an attempt to stop the crime spree that had gripped the country a Proclamation was issued on the 2^nd of October. This Proclamation provided that civilians charged with 4 categories of criminal offences would be tried in Military Courts. The offences included: (1) taking part in, or aiding or abetting any attacks upon National Forces; (2) looting, arson, seizure, destruction or removal of, or damage to public or private property; (3) possession of any bomb or explosive substance (without proper authority), firearm or lethal weapon, or any ammunition; and (4) the breach of any general order or regulation made by the Army Council. Possible sanctions listed in the notice included: death, penal servitude, imprisonment, deportation, internment and fine (Munster Express, Sat. 21 Oct. 1922, p. 5).

It was reported in early October that the Civic Guards were established in most of the towns In “Southern Ireland.” Described as “…a fine body of young men and must not be regarded in the same light or spirit as the old R.I.C., who were a semi-political force.” The New Ross Standard wrote, “The R.I.C., in addition to giving a certain amount of protection to the civil population, were utilised to bolster up and protect landlordism and foreign domination during the people’s struggles. They were the prop of alien rule in Ireland. Now all has been changed. Young men from our midst have been appointed to protect life and property in the country. Their hands will be full for some time at least, as during the struggle of the last 5 years the people of Ireland, particularly the youth, become very much demoralised and given to mischief. For instance, where houses have become vacant the windows have been smashed by incorrigible youths, and in those places where electric and other means of public lighting have been installed the lamps have been smashed by the same urchins. Playing handball on the streets and general disorder and lawlessness characterise those young parties everywhere. They overly declare, ‘We can do what we Iike; there is no law in the country now.’ It is now up to the new police force to restore order, and it is up to the people to support them” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 4).

On the 14^th of October 1922 a detachment of 28 men of the Civic Guards arrived in Waterford from Dublin. These new unarmed police officers were to replace the armed troops attempting to police the City (Munster Express, Sat. 21 Oct. 1922, p. 3).

Others blamed the unrest on emigration. The Irish Evicted Tenants and Land Settlement Association stated that hopes were given to young people during the long struggle for Ireland’s rights that thousands of acres under grazing and other land held under the eleven months’ system would be split up and divided to afford young people a living. “Thousands of our young men and women who would have been glad to settle down at home have emigrated to America and elsewhere…This is the cause of unrest in this country” (New Ross Standard, Friday 6 October 1922, p. 4).

Impact on Civilians

Bullets and bombs kill indiscriminately not being able to tell friend from foe. In October 1922 civilians across the country were killed. On Sunday the 8^th of October at about 3 p.m., about a mile south of New Ross, Julia Molloy was fatally shot on the Camblin Road. At the military inquest others testified that they were out walking when shots rang out. No witness was certain where the shots originated although some heard shooting earlier on the Kilkenny side of the river. Witnesses included: Michael O’Connor, merchant, South St. Robert Rickerby, John Locke, William Walsh and Samuel Jacob, all of South St. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p.  5).  The death register provides that Julia died on the 8^th of October at Oaklands. Her sister K. Molloy was present when she died. Julia was a single 45 year old shopkeeper on South Street, New Ross.

On the same day that Julia Molloy was shot and killed, a group of young men motoring from Kilkenny to Waterford to attend a terrier coursing meeting at Mulinabro, were fired on at Castlebanny. One of the men named Reilly was wounded in the side. The wind screen of the car was destroyed by the bullets. The men did not proceed to Waterford, but returned home via Thomastown, where Reilly had his wound attended to by Rev. Fr. Grace, of Ballyhale (Munster Express, Sat. 14 October 1922, p. 5.)

An excursion train was scheduled to run on Sunday the 15^th of October 1922 for the Wexford vs. Kilkenny, Leinster Hurling Semi-Final in Dublin. The train left Waterford at 8 a.m. and Glenmore at 8:17 A third return fare from Waterford or Glenmore was 8s. while from New Ross the fare was 7s. 6d (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 5). The game was played under ideal conditions so far as the weather was concerned, the ground was excellent, but the attendance was on the small side. It was a “rather one sided contest, and the superiority of the Kilkenny men was in evidence…despite the fact that they had considerable difficulty in fielding a team. Members of the team only reached Dublin a couple of hours after the scheduled time due to damage on the Great Southern line in Kildare. Other team members from Mooncoin traveling on the D.&S.E.R. from Waterford also encountered rail trouble. To overcome the problem four members of the junior Kilkenny team played in the senior team. Wexford also had difficulties in fielding a team due to “troubles at home.”” The County Champions, Crossabeg were not represented. Sean O’Kennedy, the ex-All Ireland football captain, came to the rescue and played as the goalkeeper. He, J. Mythen and M. Neville were members of the 1910 team.  Kilkenny won 6 goals, 6 points to Wexford 1 goal. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 Oct. 1922, p. 3).

The Kilkenny People (Sat. 7 Oct. 1922, p. 4) appeared more interested in football. “With the passing of the Leinster Championship matches the next big game to be looked forward to is the senior football match between the old rivals, Glenmore and Cloneen, which should again prove a red letter attraction at St. James’s Park.” A football challenge match, between De la Salle College (Waterford) and Glenmore was billed to take place at Slieverue on the 29^th of Oct. (Munster Express, Sat. 28 Oct. 1922, p. 5). Unfortunately, we could not locate a report of the match or the score.

A Glenmore Funeral

A brief obituary appeared in the Munster Express. On Thursday the 19^th the funeral of Mrs. Ryan, Gaulstown, Glenmore took place and was largely attended. The deceased lady had been apparently in good health up to a short time previous to her death, and much sympathy is extended to her relatives in their bereavement (Munster Express, Sat. 28 Oct. 1922, p. 5). A search of 1922 death records revealed that Mrs. Ryan was Kate Ryan née Hoynes (1877-1922) a 43 year old widow of a farmer. She died of acute gastric enteritis on the 17^th of October. Her brother Michael Hoynes of Ballybrahee was present at her death. Thanks to the Hoynes family tree prepared by Michael Hoynes (b. 1948) we know Kate was married to Peter Ryan (c. 1869-1921) and the couple had no children. A marriage record was located. Peter Ryan of Gaulestown (farmer) married Kate Hoyne of Ballybrahee on the 22^nd of February 1906 at Glenmore. The fathers of the couple were Laurence Ryan (farmer) and John Hoyne (farmer).  Peter Ryan died at Gaulestown, Glenmore on the 21st of May 1921 at age 52 of endocarditis.

Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

The featured photo above is the Junior Kilkenny Hurling Team that played and defeated Dublin on the 15th of Oct. 1922 in the Leinster Junior Hurling Semi-Final at Croke Park (Freemans Journal, Mon. 16 Oct. 1922, p. 3).

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh