1920’s
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100 Years Ago: February 1921
In February 1921, the War of Independence continued. By February martial law–that in early January had been extended from Cork to Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford–began to result in more arrests and over crowding in the Waterford jail. The local newspapers were filled with reports of men and several women in Waterford and New Ross being arrested for having seditious material in their possession. In most instances the persons arrested refused to acknowledge the court marital courts. One of the more unusual arrests took place in early February. Mr. John Murphy, U.D.C., New Ross was arrested for failing to attach to the back of his front door the names of the persons of his household as required by martial law. It was reported that, “[t]he military, before arresting Mr. Murphy, referred him to the requirements of the proclamation, many copies of which had been posted up on his window a week previous.” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 4 Feb. 1921, p. 5).
As the Crown forces went out on patrol it was reported that for protection against attack the patrols often had prisoners in their vehicles. One of the human shields was Cathal J. Kickham the nephew of fenian Charles Kickham (1826-1886) of Tipperary. Cathal J. Kickham was residing at Bushey Park, London and among an undisclosed number of Irishmen arrested in London. “He has been transferred to the Irish Bastille—Mountjoy—and since his arrest he has been taken around Dublin City as a hostage for the protection of patrols.” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 4 Feb. 1921, p. 4).
It wasn’t just the Crown patrols that continued to be under attack. The police barracks at Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny were again attacked during the night of the 16th-17th of January 1921. The police and Crown forces in the barracks reported that rifle fire was directed on the barracks from the loft of a building “immediately opposite.” The loft belonged to James Ryan, of Mullinavat. Colonel Cameron, commander of the 16th Infantry Brigade, Military Governor, ordered the destruction of the loft on the grounds that James Ryan “was bound to have known of the rebel attacks and that he gave no information to the police or military authorities.” A notice of the destruction was served on James Ryan, telling him of the order, the reasons for the destruction and providing him with one hour’s notice to “clear out” any valuables, foodstuffs, corn or hay, but not furniture. The loft was destroyed on the 28th of January, but it was not officially communicated to the newspapers by the military authorities until February. (Kilkenny People, Sat. 12 Feb. 1921).
At the same time the military authorities were officially communicating with the newspapers concerning the retributive destruction of private property in Mullinavat, Crown forces on the 10th of February went to “various districts around Mullinavat” and arrested the following 11 men: Wm. Raftis, Ballyluskey; Wm. Aylward, Knockmoylan; Patrick McDonald, Ballinlea; Edward Walsh, Glendel; Michael Hoban, do; Ml. Phelan, Clonassey; James Phelan, do.; Rd. Kennealy, Ballynooney; John Cashin, do.; Jas. Malone, Redacres; and Thos, Duggan, Clonassey. The men were brought to Mullinavat police barracks, where they were interrogated at length. The following listed 5 men were detained, and the other 6 men were released—Rd. Kennealy, Wm. Raftis, Patk. McDonald, Ed Walsh, and John Cashin. The detained 5 men were removed later to Woodstock. (Munster Express, Sat. 12 Feb. 1921, p. 5) A week later Richard Kenneally, Ballynooney, was released. (Munster Express, Sat. 1921, p. 5)
As we have previously reported the empty barracks in Glenmore were burned on Easter Saturday night in 1920 by local Company C of the I.R.A. (See, https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-barracks/ ). In February 1921 there were no reports in local newspapers of raids or arrests in Glenmore, however, it was reported that “[a] postman carrying a bag of mail between the village of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, and Aylwardstown railway station was held up by masked and armed men who seized the bag.” (Munster Express, Sat. l2 Feb. 1921, p. 5) It is believed that this action was performed by local I.R.A. members to discover and disrupt any reports to Crown authorities concerning local I.R.A. men or their activities.
As the jails became filled with men and women who were arrested for breaching the martial law. Under the imposed martial law there was a curfew, attendance at funerals was limited, it was an offence to have nationalist material, and as highlighted above it was an offence not to post a list of household members. Articles began to be published concerning the difficulty of visiting the prisoners in the Waterford City jail at Ballybricken.
“Any day one passes by Ballybricken prison one is treated to the spectacle of a queue of persons—men and women—lined up outside the jail gates, wearily waiting for admission to visit some loved one, or friends incarcerated within for some political offence—imaginary or real. If one perchance repasses the same way an hour or two (perhaps three hours) later, one frequently sees the same anxious faces still waiting there. Perhaps if one called around again the afternoon when the final bar is put up to mark the close of visits for that day, one will see many of those same people turning away dejectedly to seek the comfort of a few kind words from friends elsewhere in the city, for they have been unable to see their relatives that day, and must wait overnight in order to seek a successful entrance to the sombre citadel of punishment on the following day. Many of these people come from twenty to sixty miles to visit their friends; they are not all blessed with a superabundance of the world’s goods; and the cost of needlessly waiting over in the city for a night is sometimes more than their limited finances will allow. Several of these people have made complaints about this. The visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 12:30, and from 2 p.m. to 3:30. One person only (sometimes two) is allowed in at a time, the average length of each interview being a quarter of an hour. With such limited facilities for visits and interview, they say, many have to wait a day or two before they gain admission.”
It was reported that in Cork and Galway up to four or five prisoners were allowed to visit an equivalent number of friends. The newspaper suggested that reform was needed at Ballybricken. (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 11 Feb. 1921, p. 3). Before the end of February it was reported that prisoners were being removed from Waterford jail. The tried and convicted prisoners were moved to Mountjoy Prison, and the untried prisoners to Kilworth Detention Camp, Co. Cork under heavy military escorts. (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Feb. 1921, p. 2).
Not all of the articles in the February 1921 local newspapers concerned the War of Independence. For example, brief notices appeared announcing the death of Mrs. Charles Parnell at the age of 75. Her funeral was conducted from the residence in England of her son, Captain O’Shea. (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 11 Feb. 1921, p. 5). One interesting article highlighted the change in the status of Irish women and the bias of the obvious male reporter who wrote the article. “On Tuesday a number of Waterford ladies were served with notices to attend as jurors, common and grand, at the forthcoming Assizes … Many of the ladies, without knowledge of this feature of the franchise being extended to their sex, were taken by surprise. Those of the fine opposite sex gifted with judicial capacity—no personalities—of imparting certain lectures will now have the unique experience of trying their fellow mortals and earth born companions—apologies to Burns’ ode on the mouse—in public court.” (Waterford News & Star, Fri 25 Feb. 1921, p. 5).
Also, it was reported that the tide of Irish emigration was again rising. “The office of the American Consul in O’Connell street, Dublin and its vicinity, [were crowded with] [a] large number of intending emigrants applying for passports to America… Nearly all the applicants were young people of both sexes from about twenty to thirty years of age…The emigrants were for the most part neatly attired, and appeared to be of an intelligent and respectable class of the population. The majority left for Liverpool where they will embark for the voyage across the Atlantic.
Mr. Jerh. Howard, an Irishman resident for twenty years in Omaha, Nebraska, … said he was more than surprised…to see the huge crowds of men and women waiting to get their passport vised for America. ‘It is a shame,’ he said, ‘for those people to be allowed to go across to swell the already overstocked labour market. We have four million demobilised soldiers over there waiting for jobs, and what chance had these greenhorns when they land unless they work for practically nothing, and get half-starved in the bargain.’ Mr. Howard opined that the young people emigrating were doing what the English Government wanted which was to flee Ireland and flood the labour markets abroad.” (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Feb. 1921, p. 2).
Although the Belfast Boycott commenced in mid-1920 it was ramping up in February 1921. The Belfast Boycott came about after 5,000 loyalist workers in the Belfast shipyards refused in July 1920 to work with perceived Sinn Féin supporters due to the attacks on R.I.C. officers. It is estimated that almost 7,000 employees were terminated from their posts. In response, the Belfast Boycott was instituted to protest against the treatment of the terminated workers and the proposed partition of Ireland. In February 1921 all local newspapers carried the following advertisement promoting the boycott. Just a month later the boycott would be extended to Great Britain and both boycotts continued after the truce was declared later in the year.
The featured photo was published in the Freeman newspaper in 1922 and depicts the Black & Tans in Droheda.
The drawing depicting 1920’s clothing is from the New York City Library, Digital Collection, Image ID 823771, available at https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-202b-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
100 YEARS AGO: January 1921
On the 23rd of December 1920, the long awaited Home Rule for Ireland became law, however the War of Independence was continuing with no sign of a truce. Below are some of the local events recorded in local newspapers 100 years ago.
CO. KILKENNY TRAGEDY—Mrs. Ryan, the heavily pregnant wife of Michael Ryan, Bridge St., Callan, Co. Kilkenny, was wounded on Tuesday evening of last week (21st of Dec.), and died Thursday (the 23rd of Dec.) in the local hospital, following an operation. Tuesday evening the residents of Callan were ordered to keep their houses closed and remain indoors while the funeral of Sergeant Thomas Walsh, killed in one of Monday’s ambushes, was passing through the streets. After the funeral passed Mrs. Ryan was letting a customer out of the door, a shot rang out, and Mrs. Ryan was wounded. A military inquest commenced on the 24th of December but was adjourned to gather witnesses. (Munster Express, Sat. 1 Jan. 1921, p. 6; Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 1 Jan. 1921, p. 4.) It was later determined that RIC Sergeant Thomas Walsh had been shot and killed by “friendly fire” from other Crown forces at the ambush on the 20th.
CO. KILKENNY PRIEST SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IMPRIONMENT WITH HARD LABOUR—Rev. Patrick H. Delahunty (c. 1880-195) C.C. Callan, Co. Kilkenny was arrested the 4th of December 1920 for being in possession of seditious publications and documents likely to cause disaffection. Fr. Delahunty’s home had been searched on the 3rd of September 1920 and several documents were seized including letters from Dail Eireann, Department of Finance. One of the letters was signed by Michael Collins. After his arrest in December Fr. Delahunty was transferred from Kilkenny under military escort and tried by court martial in Waterford Prison on the 17th of December. On Christmas Eve he was sentenced to imprisonment for two years with hard labour. (Munster Express, 8 January 1921, p. 4; Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 18 Dec. 1920, p. 4)
After the sentence it was reported that Fr. Delahunty was transported to England, by military escort, but eventually it was reported that “[i]t has been intimated to Rev. Patrick H. Delahunty that the hard labour portion of the sentence has been remitted along with the fifth charge that he repudiated.” He always repudiated that he was an officer of the then unlawful association Sinn Fein. The article concluded, “He is still under hospital treatment in the Waterford prison, but is in good spirits.” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 22 January 1921, p. 7) Thereafter, Fr. Delahunty was returned to Kilkenny gaol and remained there until he and 43 other political prisoners escaped by tunneling out of the goal in November 1921. (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 26 Nov. 1921) After the Irish Civil War Father Delahunty moved to Kansas, U.S.A. where he ironically became a chaplain of the penitentiary at Lansing, Kansas (Kansas City Times, 7 Nov. 1968, p. 13). For further information regarding Fr. Patrick Delahunty see, http://kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/father-patrick-delahunty/ . For further information regarding the escape from the Kilkenny gaol see, http://kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/kilkenny-jail-escape/ .
Bishop of Ossory’s Christmas Message—Most Rev. Abraham Brownrigg (1836-1928) Bishop of Ossory, on Christmas Eve, 1920 had a Christmas message read out in all churches of the diocese. The message was printed in the Kilkenny Moderator as well as the Munster Express. The following excerpts are from that message that was read out at Christmas mass in Glenmore and other churches.
“…Let us in the true spirit of Christian charity sympathise deeply with, and pray for, all those who have lost friends, relatives, or dependents, whose property has been destroyed, and whose prospects in life have been blighted and ruined for ever. If an opportunity should offer, and, if called upon, let us, as generously as we can, help them in their wants and privations.
Let us not forget and pray, too for the magnitude of our countrymen—the very flower of our youth and manhood—who are languishing at this Christmas time in jails throughout Great Britain and Ireland, that they may have strength to bear their suffering and privations and be soon restored to their homes and friends.
In the spirit of Christ-like forgiveness, let us pray also for the cruel men, who direct the present regime of death and destruction on our county, asking God to open their eyes to the wrong they do our people to stay their hand.”
AUXILIARIES & SINN FEIN FLAG–On Christmas Day three members of the auxiliary police force visited the City Hall Waterford, and demanded of the caretaker (Mrs. Collins) that the Sinn Fein flag which was flying over the building be taken down. Mrs. Collins informed them that none of the Corporate officials or employees were on the premises. Munster Express, Sat. 1 January 1921, p. 6.
EDITORIAL, IRELAND’S NEW YEAR—The following editorial appeared in the Waterford News & Star, summed up 1920 and expressed hope for 1921.
“1920 was a dark and desperate year for Ireland. But her resolution has been strengthened by the ordeal, and her spirit remains unbroken. Sinn Fein has won those victories of the heart and the intellect—victories such as that achieved by Terence MacSwiney—victories which prepare the body politic to make the best and highest uses of the material victory which is at hand. England’s foreign and domestic difficulties render an Irish Peace Conference and an Irish Peace Treaty essential to British interests. Industrial unrest grows apace in England, whilst her economic situation cause her serious thought. Abroad, she has India, where as Young Ireland put it in today’s issue, ‘her Redmond’s can no longer restrain the anger of centuries.’ In Turkey, Mesopotamia, and Egypt there is trouble for England. And there is her unpopularity in America and on the Continent, Ireland on the contrary, ‘has every reason to envisage the coming of the new year with gladness in her heart, for the dark hour which we traverse forebodes the dawn.’ We quote these last words from Young Ireland, which stands for what the Irish people voted for at the last general election—an Irish Republic.” Waterford News & Star, Fri. 7 Jan. 1921, p. 4.
Martial Law for Kilkenny—On the 4th of January 1921 martial law that had been imposed in Cork was expanded and imposed on various counties including Kilkenny. The terms were:
(a) All arms, ammunition, and explosives had to be surrendered by the 11th of January 1921. Any person in possession of same who was not a member of His Majesty’s armed forces or police forces, or who did not have a permit would be liable, on conviction by a Military Court, to suffer death.
(b) Wearing the uniform or equipment of His Majesty’s armed forces or police forces, or wearing similar clothing likely to deceive will be liable, on conviction by a Military Court, to suffer death. Being in possession of the banned items, on conviction by a Military Court, to suffer Penal Servitude.
“NOTE WELL: That a state of armed insurrection exists; that any person taking part therein, or harbouring any person who has taken part therein, or procuring, inviting, aiding or abetting any person to take part therein, is guilty of levying war against His Majesty the King, and is liable, on conviction by a Military Court, to suffer death.”
All Law Courts, Corporations, Councils and Boards are directed to continue to carry out their functions. Signed by General Macready, Commander-in-Chief the Forces in Ireland. (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 8 Jan. 1921, p. 3)
CURFEW—Further restrictions were applied. On the 11th of January, Major-General Strickland, Cork, the Military Governor, prohibited the use of motor cars, motor-bicycles, and pedal bicycles between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the martial law areas, which included the whole of Munster and Counties of Wexford and Kilkenny. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 Jan. 1921, p. 7) FUNERALS—During the funeral of Michael McGrath, one of the I.R.A. men killed outside of Tramore during the Pickardstown Ambush, only 40 persons were allowed to attend his funeral that proceeded from St. John’s Church in Waterford City to Carbally cemetery. Vehicles not containing immediate family members were prevented from joining the funeral procession. (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 14 Jan. 1921, p. 2) For details of the Pickardstown Ambush posted by Waterford County Museum see, https://www.facebook.com/waterfordcountymuseum/posts/10160809436494012
EARLY MORNING TROUBLE AT GLENMORE & ARRESTS—”Considerable unpleasant activity was evinced early yesterday morning (13th of January) in the little village of Glenmore and its surroundings. A large number of houses were visited and the male occupants ordered up from their beds. It is stated that two arrests were by the auxiliary. (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 14 January 1921, p. 4) GLENMORE MEN ARRESTED—Military arrested J. Walsh and J. Mernagh of Glenmore (Co. Kilkenny). The military were very active in Glenmore district on Thursday morning. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 Jan. 1921, p. 5).
ROBINSTOWN, GLENMORE: LANDLORD’S COUSIN IN THE NEWS—It is not clear why the story was newsworthy, but all local newspapers covered it. “Miss Ponsonby, a cousin of the Earl of Bessborough, has assumed the stage name of Ninette Corday, and is now playing in the Gaiety Theatre, London in Maeterlinek’s new fairy play. Miss Corday is the daughter of Mr. Arthur Ponsonby who died three years ago. Arthur was the brother of Lord Bessborough who died a few weeks ago.” (Waterford News & Star, Fri 14 Jan. 1921, p. 13)
COW KILLED BY TRAIN AT ALYWARDSTOWN, GLENMORE—At the Quarter Sessions in Kilkenny on Wednesday, the 26th of January 1921, Richard Delahunty, Glenmore claimed £50 damages from the Dublin and South Eastern Railway Company in respect of the killing of a heifer through the alleged negligence of the defendants or their servants. Plaintiff stated that in common with five other families he had a right of way across the railway line near Glenmore. There was a gate lodge at the level crossing, and on the 4th October he found one of his milch cows dead on the line, it having been run over by a goods train. Further evidence given included that of Stephen Heffernan, who valued the cow at £35. Richard Delahunty was awarded £30 damages. (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 29 Jan. 1921, p. 5). Thanks to Brian Forristal we know that Stephen Heffernan was very active at this time in the Old I.R.A. which begs the question why he traveled to Kilkenny regarding a neighbour’s cow. Was it an opportunity to pass messages or gather intelligence? For two stories regarding Stephen Heffernan from this time see Brian Forristal’s articles accessed via the guest author button on the home page.
The featured photo depicts the Waterford gaol or sometimes referred to as Waterford prison. It stood in Ballybricken until the 1940’s when he was demolished. A decade earlier several people were killed when one of its walls collapsed on adjacent houses. The photo is from the Munster Express.
The photograph of Bishop Abraham Brownrigg, of Ossory, taken from the Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland (1900) by the Library of Ireland available at https://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/Bishop-Brownrigg-Ossory.php .
The photograph of Fr. Patrick Delahunty is from the Kansas City Times.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Michael J. Hanrahan (1888-1968): Early Twentieth Century Gaelic Football on Both Sides of the Atlantic
Peter Roughan wrote articles for the Kilkenny People where older people “looked back” over their lives. On the 26th September 1959 a Roughan article was published entitled “Glenmore Man Looks Back,” featuring Michael J. Hanrahan who had returned from New York to Glenmore for a visit. Due to the length of the original newspaper article excerpts more germane to Glenmore and Kilkenny are below. A separate blog article will cover Michael J. Hanrahan’s early life. The words recorded in the original newspaper article have been utilized as much as possible.
The author stated that he “knocked” into Mick Hanrahan a few evenings ago, after “young Betty McKenna down at the Post Office” told him that Mick was home from America. Interestingly Betty herself was born in New York the daughter of a Glenmore emigrant Elizabeth McKenna née Fluskey (1897-1985). (See, https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-businessman-robert-fluskey-1843-1925-and-the-sisters-of-charity-of-the-incarnate-word/ .) Roughan commented that, “… what stands out in my mind most of all about Mick Hanrahan is his rich brogue after his 47 years in New York…I can say this much . . . his heart never left [Ireland] anyway, and I don’t suppose it ever will.”
Gaelic Football
“Now” says he to me, “I could keep you up all night talking about football, for in my young days ’twas all football down around here, there was little or no hurling at all except over Mooncoin way, but we had the very best of men here in Glenmore, Tullogher, Mullinavat and Kilmacow. And when a match was played on a Sunday, sure, we played it all over again around the fireside for the other six nights of the week.
I was only thinking the other day when I was coming back down from Croke Park about the big change there is in the country. Years ago we used to travel to matches in waggonettes, and we’d have a singsong coming home, and then we’d give the whole week talking about the game, there’d be footballs flying all over the kitchen every night until we went to bed, and the same way when we used to sit around at the crossroads; but now, the lads go to matches in motor cars, four or five of them in a car, and you’d hardly know that you were at a match at all when you’d be coming back home, you’d never hear “inquests” like we used to have years ago.
In those days if we lost a match and knew that, say, the full-back on the other team was the nail in our coffin, well, the next time we played that crowd, we’d make sure that our best man was playing on that full-back, and it didn’t matter whether our best man was a forward or a centrefield man or what he was, if we thought he could hold that fellow, well, he was told that he was to play on him, and that’s all there was to it.
Good Heavens, we used to think It a great thing to be picked to mark the best man on the other team, and I can tell you ’twas God help the man that was picked if he let the other fellow skittle him about the field. He’d never hear the end of it after coming home that night. Begor, the girls mightn’t even dance with you at that! Oh, bedad, we took our footballing very seriously then.”
When asked about his brothers on the field, Mick remarked, “I think … my brother Jim was the toughest sample I ever saw on a field. He was known to be the smallest and wiriest lad in the country, he was a little devil when he got going. He played on the old senior team in Glenmore and turned out in hurling and football with Kilkenny. From 1913 to 1922 he hurled with Mullinavat. I’d say that Jim was the best of the Hanrahan’s, but according to himself he wasn’t worth a hat of crabs. Now Dick was a good lad as well, he hurled with Wexford and partnered Gus Kennedy; and sure Gus was a topper. Dick put out his knee when kicking in a senior match against Wexford in 1913. That finished his footballing days. They didn’t treat cartilage trouble in those days like they do today. The knee trouble finished many a good man then, the very best of men. Sure a vamp in the shin was nothing, you soon got over that, but when the knee went, ’twas all up with you. A fellow got over a broken leg, but the knee was a terror. That last match of Dick’s got him a Leinster medal, but he couldn’t turn out for the All-Ireland that year. Now, Pat — God be good to him — was a tidy lad on the field, he hurled and kicked with Glenmore, and Nick — God be good to him too — he was crocked like Dick with knee trouble when he kicked with Glenmore and that finished his footballing days.… John went to America and he kicked with the New York team in 1917 but out there, you can’t get as much practice as you can here, still, you’d have to be a good man to get picked to play for the city team.”
When asked about the best match he ever witnessed Mick stated, “I’ll never forget the match … that was played in James’s Park in 1908, and ’twas one of the best football matches I ever remember. We beat Kells, but I forget the score. Bedad, Kells had a powerful set of men on the field, …the man whom I’ll never forget that day was young Dan Stapleton — Dottie as we called him — he came from Callan. Now Stapleton was like a hare on the field, and a dandy to take a drop kick, and you’d be talking about style, well I can tell you there wasn’t a footballer in the county or country to come up to him, and I doubt if ever we’ll see a tastier footballer again. You should see the way that he went in to meet a drop kick.
… We had a great set of men out, John Grace of Kilbride was our captain, then we had the three Walsh’s of Rochestown —Jack, Mick and Tom; Nick Curran, the teacher in Glenmore at the time; Jack Heffernan; Bill Grace; Mick Hoynes; and Dick and Pat Reddy. My brother, Pat, was a sub that day, and John Dunphy of Ballyverneen was in the goal. John has a son —Sean — who is now secretary of the club here. ‘Tis so long now, and I’ve knocked about such a lot since then, that I forget the names of all the lads who turned out against Kells that day, but we won a hard match against ’em, and I can tell you that it had to be a real good team that could hold out against Dinny Gorey’s lads in those days…” In terms of the best all round footballer, Mick replied, “Now that’s a stickler, but I would say that Ballyhale produced the best all-round man I ever saw on a field, and that was Davy Hoyne. We had him on the Glenmore team that played against Wexford over here in Bawnjames one Sunday, and Davy kicked the best match any one ever saw.”
New York Gaelic Football
Mick said that he went to the United States on 19 January 1912 when he was 24 years of age. He made contact with the GAA soon after landing in New York and played with the Kilkenny team there until 1932. He captained the team one year. Mick refereed “most of the big matches out there, international and home ones, and gave fifteen years as referee in League games.”
Turning to Kilkenny men who played in New York, Mick “spoke of one chap — Big Tom Phelan of Cotterstown — a man of 17 stone, who captained the New York team at one time, Jimmie Duggan at Mullinahone, over near Glenmore, who played with the Tipperary team out there, and an American-born man named Barney Cassidy, who kicked with the Kilkenny team, Barney afterwards came to Ireland and lived down in Limerick. He recalled a Mattie Butler from Kilkeasy, he played with the Kilkenny lads in New York, and two chaps who emigrated from Knocktopher, Dick Dalton and Jimmie Cody. Another great lad was Paddy Phelan of Harristown. But, says he to me, “the greatest character of all is Jim Dwyer — he must be well over 90 now — he came out from the Slatequarries and a darling of a footballer, and played with the Old Quarry Miners here in his young days. Then we had Tom and Jimmie Daly from Cotterstown, and Bob and Jack from Lamogue…”
Mick said, “I was given the honour and privilege to pick and manage the first team that beat the first football team to come out from Kerry, we beat the Kerry lads three times, and then my team beat the pick of New York. In fact, one sportswriter out there blazoned his paper with the big head-lines that he heard of one crazy Kilkenny man who offered to put up a team to beat Kerry and I was laughed at by some of the big noises out there in the G.A.A. at the time… I knew that I had the men to pick on, all great men, and I never had a doubt but that they would beat the best that could be put up against them, and the most of my lads came from my own county, sure, Kilkenny produced some of the greatest men that ever kicked a ball.”
Without a date we were unable to find a newspaper account where Mick’s New York Team beat the Kerry lads in three matches, but we did come across an article in the Boston Globe of the 4th of June 1927 (p. 5) where it was announced that the Governor of Massachusetts was to toss up the ball to start the Gaelic football game between the Kerry, all Ireland champions, and the pick of the players in Massachusetts Gaelic Association. The article explained that although the Kerry “visitors were thought to be invincible,” they were just coming from a loss in New York. The Billings Gazette (Montana) of 31 May 1927 attempted to explain to readers why the New York Gaelic Football team beat the Irish football champions at an Irish game. It was explained that the New York players were natives of Ireland, and that an expert had informed the puzzled press that witnessed the game that the New York players “were slightly more accurate in kicking and had the edge in aggressiveness.”
Special thanks to Kelvin Johnson Treacy for sending on the Roughan newspaper article.
The feature photo is the Kerry All Ireland Football Champions of 1927. The photo was published in the Boston Globe (4 June 1927, p. 5). The players were identified as follows: Front Row, Left to Right—J. Sullivan, T. Mahoney, R. Stack, J. Slattery, Jim Bailey, Second Row—J. O’Sullivan, J. Ryan, Stan Kirvin, John Bailey, John Riordan, Con Brosman. Back Row—Jack Walsh, M. Coffey, J. Ryan, John Joe Sheehy (Captain), P. O. Sullivan, P. Clifford, M. Coffey, Dick Fitzgerald, J.J. Hanley.
The photo from the Daily News, (N.Y. 31 May 1926, p. 26) depicts Wm. Landers who took a nose dive when P. Brady (with ball) gave him the hip in front of Kilkenny NY goal.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Margaret M. Walsh (1879-1959) of Davidstown, Glenmore: Her Small Contribution to the Irish War of Independence.
It is often difficult to find historical information regarding women because they often did not work outside the home or farm and there are few newspaper accounts of their activities. Today, we are going to feature, Margaret M. Walsh, a woman who was born and reared in Glenmore, lived abroad in Worcester, Massachusetts for a few years at the turn of the twentieth century, returned to Glenmore and spent the rest of her life in Glenmore. In many respects Maggie Walsh, as she was locally known, after returning to Ireland lived a typical life as a spinster in her brother’s home filled with her nieces and nephews. However, what is unique about Maggie is that she provided a handgun and ammunition to the local IRA during the Irish War of Independence.
According to the Glenmore parish records, Margaret M. Walsh was born on the 14th of April 1879. She as the youngest child of Patrick Walsh (farmer) of Davidstown, and his wife Margaret Walsh née Kennedy of Rathinure. Patrick and Margaret Walsh were married on the 6th of February 1868. Patrick was the son of Laurence Walsh (farmer) and Margaret was the daughter of Patrick Kennedy (farmer). At the time of the wedding in 1868 the fathers of both the bride and groom were deceased.
Maggie’s siblings included:
(1) Bridget Walsh (27 Nov. 1868-22 Dec. 1890) Bridget died at the age of 22 of TB while working in Massachusetts.
(2) Laurence Walsh (4 May 1871—9 Sept. 1940) Laurence was a twin with John. Laurence was the elder twin; he was born at 10:30 a.m. Both twins became priests.
(3) John Walsh (4 May 1871—13 Dec. 1929) John was the younger twin and was born at 10:32.
(4) Robert Walsh (27 March 1872—12 Feb. 1951) married Mary Walsh, of Carriganura, Slieverue and they farmed in Davidstown, Glenmore. The couple had a large family.
(5) Mary Walsh (9 August 1873—12 April 1948) married Tom Mullins, of Flemingstown, Glenmore. The couple had a large family.
(6) Patrick Walsh (27 Feb. 1875—9 Jan. 1952) married Catherine Brennan, from around Knocktopher, and they farmed in Ballinacrea, Slieverue. Later they bought Charlestown House and were the parents of Robert “Robbie” Walsh who was wounded in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday in November 1920.
Although little is known about Maggie Walsh’s early life it is believed that she received the normal schooling of the era and generally helped around the house and farm. Her eldest sister Bridget went to Worcester, Massachusetts to their Uncle Rev. Robert Walsh (1841-1908). Bridget was a housekeeper for her Uncle. Father Robert Walsh lived in the house of the Immaculate Conception parish at 47 Prescott St. in Worcester. Father Michael Mernagh in Glenmore Times (2000, p. 40) disclosed that Father Robert Walsh attended a hedge-type school in “Irish’s barn.” He attended secondary school in Waterford “where he walked weekly.” He studied at St. John’s in Waterford and was ordained in 1866 for the Springfield Diocese in Massachusetts. Bridget Walsh died in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1890 at the age of 22. She is buried in St. John’s cemetery of Worcester with her Uncle Father Robert Walsh who died in 1908.
Although Maggie is known to have gone to Massachusetts exactly when she went and when she returned to Glenmore is not known. The 1901 census for Grogan, Davidstown, Glenmore, provides that Maggie was 21 living at home with her father Patrick and mother Margaret, brother Robert and his wife Mary. Her nephew Patrick Walsh was 7 months old. In the 1911 Census of Grogan, Davidstown, Glenmore, Maggie was aged 31 and again living at home with her father Patrick, aged 72, and mother Margaret, aged 74. Patrick and Mary Walsh reported in the Census that they had been married 43 years, had 7 children, and 6 were alive in 1911. Also, in the house was Maggie’s brother Robert, aged 39, and his wife Mary, who was aged 32. Robert and Mary Walsh reported that they had been married for 12 years and had 6 children.
The U.S. Census of 1900 provides details concerning Father Robert Walsh and Maggie was not living in Worcester, Massachusetts at that time. Turning to immigration records, several records were found of Father Robert Walsh entering the U.S. For example, on 13 September 1891 Robert Walsh, Clergyman, aged 50, arrived at Boston, Massachusetts from Ireland. The only record located for Maggie entering the U.S. was in 1904. She sailed on the S.S. Republic from Queenstown, Ireland on the 24th of June 1904 and arrived in Boston on the 1st of July. Maggie was aged 25 and was traveling with her Uncle Father Robert Walsh (aged 63) and her brother Father John Walsh (aged 30).
When Father Robert Walsh died on 6 March 1908, at his home at 47 Prescott Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, Maggie was with him and provided the personal information for his death cert. Father Robert Walsh was the son of Laurence Walsh and Bridget Walsh née Murphy. In 1907, Father Robert Walsh executed a Will naming his niece Margaret M. Walsh as his executrix and gave her various personal items he owned which were located in the parochial residence on Prescott St. The personal property included an onyx mantel clock, silver teapots, sugar bowl, spoon holder and silver spoons marked with the letter W. In addition to several charities Father Robert Walsh in his Will gave the sum of one thousand dollars to M. M. Walsh to carry out intentions he communicated to her. The residue of his estate he gave outright to his niece Maggie. There is no mention of a handgun, but when Maggie returned to Ireland prior to 1911 she had a handgun and ammunition in her possession.
Once Maggie returned to Glenmore she lived in her childhood home with her brother Robert, sister-in-law Mary and their large family. Maggie also spent a lot of time in Flemingtown, Glenmore with her sister Mary Mullins and her family. During the Irish War of Independence the local IRA sought firearms from persons that they knew owned firearms. Mostly they collected shotguns from farmers. Maggie’s nephew Nicky Walsh, of Davidstown, Glenmore informed Danny Dowling that when Maggie was approached concerning her handgun she readily handed it over to the “local lads” with the ammunition she had. Nicky stated that Maggie’s handgun was described as dainty, but he did not know if it was a small caliber revolver or a derringer. Nicky thought that anyone who returned from the U.S. were approached as it was known generally that local people returning to Ireland often brought home weapons.
Maggie was the last of her family and in the end was living in her childhood home in Davidstown with her unmarried nephews Nicky and Mick Walsh. The following obituary appeared in the Kilkenny People on Saturday the 15th of August 1959.
Death of Miss Margaret Walsh—We regret to record the death of Miss Margaret Walsh of Davidstown, Glenmore, which took place recently at the ripe old age of 80 years. The deceased lady was the youngest and last surviving member of a family of six. Two of her brothers were Ossory Priests, the late Very Rev. Laurence Walsh, P.P., of Johnstown, who died in September, 1940; and the late Very Rev. John Walsh, P.P., Gowran, both of whom were noted Churchmen. Fr. John Walsh laboured for a number of years as C.C. in Callan, where he will be long remembered as the priest who rode the white horse. He was an outstanding horseman.
Her sister, Mrs. M. Mullins of Flemingstown, Glenmore and two farming brothers, Patrick of Charlestown, Kilmacow, and Robert of Davidstown, pre-deceased her. She was sister-in-law of the late Rev. W. Walsh, Melbourne. She was highly respected by all who knew her, her kindly and charitable disposition being a strong trait of her noble character, and throughout her long life she was deeply religious. During her last illness, she was attended by the Very Rev. William Brennan, P.P., Glenmore, and Dr. Kehoe, Waterford. Her remains were removed to Slieverue Church on Tuesday evening and lay overnight before the High Altar. Office and High Mass were celebrated on Wednesday at which the Very Rev. J. Canon Ryan, P.P., Slieverue, presided. The celebrant was Rev. Dr. Hughes, C.C, Slieverue. Deacon, Rev. T. Greene, C.C., Mooncoin: Sub-Deacon. Rev. Fr. Phelan. M.C., Very Rev. W. Brennan, P.P., Glenmore. The interment took place at Slieverue in the family burial ground.
The chief mourners were — Tom Walsh, Rathenure; Larry Walsh, Waterford; Nicholas and Michael Walsh, Davidstown; Richard and John Walsh, England; Robert Walsh, Chicago; Mrs. Hickey, Kildrummy, Windgap; Mrs. Laridge, Ferrybank; Sister M. Brigid, Holy Faith Convent, Celbridge; Dr. Laurence Walsh, Charlestown; Dr. John Walsh, Quebec; Patrick Walsh, Ballincrea; James Walsh, Thomastown; Mrs. P. Rockett, Slieverue; Miss C. Walsh, do., and the Mullins family, Flemingstown (nephews and nieces). Mr. Power, Ferrybank, had charge of the funeral arrangements.
It is not known what role, if any, Maggie’s dainty handgun may have played in the Irish War of Independence but it must have been of some value because it was taken with thanks.
Special thanks to Margaret Claridge Phelan for the photos of Father Robert Walsh, the grave marker and the photos of Brigid and Maggie. The featured photo of the Walsh sisters of Davidstown, Glenmore, in the cart, is from the Poole Collection and provided by courtesy of the National Archives. It is believed that the Walsh sister on the right is Brigid Walsh and the sister on the left is Maggie.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
November 1920: No Looking Back
Events in November 1920 played a vital role in the support for Ireland’s fight for independence. Although much has been written regarding events in Dublin, today, we are going to highlight events that featured in local newspapers including a local man identified by Danny Dowling as having been wounded on Bloody Sunday in 1920.
For our international readers, as previously highlighted at Easter 1916, in what is generally referred to as the Easter Rising, Irish republicans seized various locations, primarily in Dublin, and proclaimed Ireland a republic. Britain was involved in fighting the First World War and crushed the uprising. The maltreatment of the civilian population and the execution of the leaders of the Easter Rising shifted public support toward the republicans. For a brief biography of 16 executed leaders of the 1916 rising see, https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/583995-the-executed-leaders-of-the-1916-rising/ .
Sinn Fein in the 1918 general election won a majority of seats and formed the first Dáil of Ireland on 21 January 1919. The Dáil set up a government, court system and police force. Across the country Crown police and tax offices were attacked and burned. As highlighted in a previous post Company C of the old IRA burned the empty Glenmore police barracks on Easter Saturday 1920. These efforts were to undermine the authority of the British rule. For information on the burning of the Glenmore Barracks, see, https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-barracks/. For further information on Company C see, https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-company-of-the-old-ira/ .
A review of the local newspapers from November 1920 illustrate several interesting facts and ironically some similarities with events in 2020.
Pandemic—The Spanish flu pandemic was still an issue in November 1920. An advertisement for Statham Ltd. on High St., Kilkenny City specifically advised readers
“The best preventative of the Flu is abundant open air exercise. Cycling is the best exercise to keep you fit and enable you to resist ‘all the ills that flesh is heir to.’ Cycling helps you to combine business with pleasure, and health with both.” (Kilkenny People, 13 Nov. 1920, p. 3)
Coal & Food Shortages—Several newspaper articles made reference to U.K. coal mine strikes, exceeding six weeks, depleting coal supplies and impacting on shipping and railways. In Ireland in some districts railways were also disrupted by the republicans searching trains for weapons and intelligence. With the disruption to transportation concerns were expressed (similar to the Brexit concerns today) that vital supplies such as food and medicine would be scarce.
“To Shopkeepers and Farmers in Inland Districts—We are asked by the City of Waterford Food Emergency Committee, in view of the imminent threatened hold-up of the Railways and the restriction of motor transit and the petrol supply in Ireland, to impress upon all shopkeepers and farmers in inland districts the urgent necessity of at once procuring as large a supply as possible of such essential foods as flour, oatmeal, rice and groceries: also oil-cakes and Indian meal for fattening stock. Steps should be taken at once to make this provision, as in a day or two it may be impossible to procure or transport these requirements…” (Munster Express, 20 Nov. 1920 p. 4)
Murder of Father Griffin in Galway—Rev. Michael Griffin (1892-1920) C.C. was abducted from his home in Galway on the 14th of November by three men wearing trench coats. His body was found the following week in a shallow grave in a bog four miles from Galway. He had been shot in the head, and the Kilkenny People proclaimed that Father Griffin was the first priest executed in Ireland since 1798 (27 Nov. 1920, p. 2). The Munster Express suggested the motive of the murder was the fact that Father Griffin had supported the local Sinn Fein candidate, but today it is generally believed that he was kidnapped and tortured to force him to reveal information he heard in the confessional. Today, it is generally believed that the Black and Tans were responsible for the murder. This murder, although less well remembered today than Bloody Sunday, had a significant impact. For an article on this and other Galway atrocities see, https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland/index.php/articles/other-cheated-dead-murder-and-reprisals-in-galways-gregory-yeats-country .
Aeroplane Crash in Waterford—The following article may record the first airplane crash in Waterford. The fixed bayonets of the soldiers at the scene keeping curious onlookers back highlights the violence of the times.
“An exciting affair occurred in Waterford at about 1 o’clock on Wednesday, when an aeroplane crashed on the roofs of the houses in Barrack Street, and was totally wrecked. The plane was of the scout type .. and was carrying the usual despatches from Fermoy to the military barracks at Waterford. It was noticed to be flying very low passing over the city. Arrived over the barrack square, the machine struck the wireless apparatus, and at once dived forward, then turned on its side, and struck upside down on the roofs of the licensed premises of Mr. Aspel, in Barrack Street, and the private house of Mrs. McSweeney, just opposite the barracks gate. The crash was heard for a wide area around and at once created much commotion. Naturally the occupants of the houses sustained a great fright over the occurrence. A number of soldiers of the Devon Regiment rushed from the barracks, and ran up ladders to the roof. One of the soldiers, scrambling on the roof, fell down through it, but was not injured beyond receiving a severe shaking. After making great effort the two occupants of the machine were rescued and were conveyed to the interior of the house. It was at once found that both were unconscious. The observer was the more seriously injured, the injuries being principally to the head and face, while the pilot of the machine sustained a broken right arm, while he was also suffering shock. They were removed on stretchers to the barracks hospital, and subsequently were transferred by motor ambulance to Fermoy.
The names of the occupants were Flying Officers Biggs and McKichan. In the meantime a crowd had congregated around the scene of the accident, and the military with fixed bayonets kept them back from the immediate vicinity of the accident. During the evening the scene was visited by people from all parts of the city.” (Munster Express, Friday 20 Nov. 1920 p. 4)
Exciting Incidents at Hugginstown (Kilkenny)—”It is stated that Black and Tans auxiliary police have recently been visiting Hugginstown, Co. Kilkenny, looking for young men who are supposed to be on the run. The circumstances, as related by some of the residents, go to show that recent Volunteers there effected the arrest of two men on a charge of being concerned in the robbery of a sum of money. It is stated that a number of Black and Tans arrived in the district from Inistioge at intervals, and notified the residents that if these two men were not immediately set at liberty again Hugginstown would be burned down.
On last Sunday night several armed men called at Hugginstown and visited the house of Joseph Halloran, a farmer, whose two sons are present on the run and with whom they enquited. The father and son it is said, were brought outside the house, blindfolded, and put up against a wall. Shots were fired over their heads, after which the bandages were removed from their eyes. The men then searched the licensed premises of Cleary’s and of Holden’s in the village.
About midnight on Monday the force again appeared in the village and called on Halloran’s. This time they took the young lad, aged 19, with them brought him to a house close by, belonging to a family named Jackman. They searched the latter house and told Mr. Jackman that they had a charge against him and that it would be better for him to give up having anything to do with Sinn Fein. At the same time they examined the beds, and asked to know if there were any young men in the house, and on being informed in the negative they withdrew. Young Halloran had in the meantime been blindfolded and put with his face to the wall. Hearing some shots and a cry, “I am shot,” he decided to make a run for it. Tearing the bandages from his eyes, he made a dash for liberty and received two bullet wounds—one in the shoulder and the other in the thigh. He continued to run, however, and scrambled, over a fence and took to the country. When things were quiet he returned to his house, whence he was subsequently removed to Kilkenny Infirmary.
About thirty young men—almost all the population of the village—are now on the run and it is alleged that the Black and Tans have threatened that they will take three lives for Tom Ryan’s. Constable Ryan was killed during the attack on Hugginstown police barracks in March last.” (Munster Express, 20 Nov. 1920, p. 4)
Bloody Sunday—Notwithstanding the fear of famine, the Black and Tans, and violence, November 1920 ended with more of the Irish population openly supporting the republicans fanned by the murder of Father Griffin, abuse of civilians and Bloody Sunday. On the 21st of November 1920, the RIC, and Crown Forces, opened fire on civilians attending a football match, between Tipperary and Dublin, at Croke Park in Dublin. The attack on the civilians was in retribution of the killing of fourteen British intelligence officers earlier that day. See, https://crokepark.ie/bloodysunday/bloody-sunday-1920 Fourteen civilians were killed at Croke Park, including a Tipperary player and scores of spectators were injured.
Ballinacree, Slieverue native, Robbie Walsh, at 16, of Charlestown House, was one of the spectators injured that day when a bullet grazed his wrist. The obituary for Robert “Robbie” Walsh, V.S. (Munster Express, Friday 3 January 1930, p. 6) supports Danny’s recollection and recites that Robbie at the age of 26 died on Christmas Day 1929 of TB. It was noted that he “..was wounded in Croke Park on the memorable ‘Bloody Sunday’ …” Robbie’s father, Patrick Walsh, was a native of Davidstown, Glenmore.
By the end of November 1920 there was no looking back.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore Barracks [Updated]
Danny Dowling was informed by older Glenmore residents that the first police barracks in Glenmore was located in the field behind the present pub. There was no mention of any barracks of any description in Glenmore in 1798. The Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) was established in 1822, but it is not known when the RIC Glenmore Barracks was established. The present barracks was built in the Village in the townland of Robinstown (on the corner of the main Village road and the Mullinahone road) on the lands of Lord Bessborough.
Today we are going to highlight that one hundred years ago on Easter Saturday 1920, Company C, the Glenmore Company, of the 6th Battalion of the Kilkenny Brigade of the old IRA burned the Glenmore RIC barracks. For a short time after the War of Independence a police barracks was located in a house in Weatherstown until the Glenmore Village barracks was rebuilt. Thereafter the Garda Siochana occupied the Glenmore barracks. By 1995 this Garda station was only opened a day or two a week and then permanently closed. The last officer to work out of the barracks was Garda Joe Quirke.
In the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage it is provided that Forristal’s (just down the hill from St. James on the same side of the road) was a RIC barracks in 1903 https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12404105/glenmore-roryal-irish-constabulary-barracks-robinstown-glenmore-co-kilkenny . Danny does not believe that this is correct. A quick review of the 1901 Census indicates that Anastatia Forristal, was a widow, age 51, and her son Martin Forristal, age 21, lived in the house. In 1911 the house was occupied by Anastatia Forristal, age 60, her son Martin Forristal, age 31, and James P. O’Donovan, age 27, the Glenmore Creamery Manager. Given the fact that the same family lived in the house in 1901 and 1911, it seems unlikely that the Forristal house was a RIC barracks in 1903.
The first two census of the 20th century provide some information concerning the RIC officers who were assigned to the Glenmore barracks at that time. The 1901 Census provides that there was a RIC Sergeant and four constables were resident in the Glenmore barracks namely: Sgt. Michael Stapleton (age 42, born Roscommon, the son of a farmer, single), Constable John Lennon (age 47, born Roscommon, the son of a farmer, single); Constable William Brazil (age 33, born Waterford, the son of a farmer, single); Constable Florence O’Donohue, age 24, born Cork, the son of a farmer, single); and Constable Patrick Grace (age 33, born Tipperary South, the son of an ex-RIC Sgt, married). The 1911 Census only provides the initials of the RIC Sergeant and two constables in the Glenmore barracks including: Sergeant M.K. (age 41, born in Limerick, the son of a farmer, single); C.P. , age 36, born in Cork, the son of a farmer, married; and W.P. (age 23, born in King’s County [Offaly], the son of a farmer, single). All but one of the officers in these two census were sons of farmers.
Notwithstanding the confusion regarding where the Glenmore RIC Barracks was located in 1903, the photos of the roofless fire damaged Barracks illustrates that in 1920 the RIC Glenmore Barracks was at the corner the main Village road and the Mullinahone road.
Thomas Treacy, of Kilkenny City, in 1951 provided a witness statement (Doc. No. 1093) to the Bureau of Military History concerning the Kilkenny Brigade of the IRA during his time as Battalion Commandant (1917) and Brigade Commandant (1918) until his last arrest and internment in November 1920. Treacy’s witness statement is available at http://www.militaryarchives.ie/collections/online-collections/bureau-of-military-history-1913-1921/reels/bmh/BMH.WS1093.pdf
In 1920 Treacy was ordered to capture a RIC barracks to secure firearms and ammunition, and after a couple of difficulties regarding other locations, he chose Huggingstown, Kilkenny RIC barracks. On the 8th of March 1920 the attack on the Hugginstown RIC barracks commenced at 10:30 p.m. IRA units from Kilkenny City, Outrath and Dunmaggin Companies were present as well as the Hugginstown Company that performed scout, and patrol work and guided men to the barracks. Ironically, the IRA mobilized near the Carrickshock Monument on the Carrickshock Road about 250 yards from the rear of the Hugginstown RIC Barracks (p. 33). After a 45 minute battle the Hugginstown RIC Barracks surrendered. The IRA suffered no losses, but a RIC Constable died from the injuries he sustained.
Treacy noted that the successful capture of the Hugginstown barracks had a demoralising effect on the RIC. A number of RIC rural barracks all over Kilkenny were quickly evacuated and the officers sent to larger barracks. Treacy received orders from Dublin to burn the vacated RIC barracks, income tax books and documents found in County Kilkenny. This was to occur on Easter Saturday night 1920 or Saturday the third of April 1920. In his witness statement Treacy lists 17 abandoned RIC barracks that were burned on Easter Saturday night. The list includes Rosbercon and Slieverue, but Glenmore is not included (p. 57).
The best witness statement concerning the activities of the Glenmore IRA Company was provided by Michael Connolly, of Dunbell, Kilkenny, who was on the date of truce in July 1921, the Battalion Vice Commandant. His witness statement (No. 1618) is dated 22 May 1957 and is available at
Connolly commenced his statement by indicating that he joined the Irish Volunteers in 1917 when he was living with his parents in Rochestown, Glenmore. He was 25 years of age and was asked to join by a neighbour James Walsh. He joined the first Glenmore Company comprised of about ten men and led by James Walsh. Eventually the company grew to between 70 and 80 men.
In 1920 Walsh and Connolly were planning how to capture the Glenmore RIC Barracks. He reports that it was the usual type of barracks where there was one Sergeant and three constables. As a rule two constables went out together, thus Walsh and Connolly were convinced that the barracks could be captured by a ruse while the barracks was manned by the Sergeant and one constable. While they were awaiting orders to proceed with their plans the “garrison was withdrawn” thus leaving the barracks empty.
“On Easter Saturday night of 1920, in accordance with the general order to demolish evacuated R.I.C. barracks, the Glenmore barracks was destroyed by the local company. “There was very little difficulty in carrying out the job a few tins of petrol and paraffin, with a liberal supply of inflammable material, were spread on the floors and woodwork and, within a few minutes of being set alight, the whole building was ablaze. The barracks at Tullogher was destroyed on the same night, and by the summer of 1920, only one enemy post, viz., the R.I.C. barracks at Mullinavat remained in the battalion area.” (p. 4)
In an article in the Waterford News and Star on August 6, 1920 it was reported that Lord Bessborough’s application for alleged criminal injury to the vacated police barracks at Robinstown [Glenmore] was heard by the Kilkenny County Court. The judge held that the damage was maliciously done and awarded £900 compensation, the amount to be levied off of the county at large. Because the Co. Surveyor’s re-evaluation was considerably in excess of the damage award the Kilkenny County Council gave no evidence in the case.
[On the 13th of September 1963 Danny Dowling interviewed Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore who related that Sergeant Moynihan was the last R.I.C. sergeant to be stationed in the Glenmore Barracks. There were also four constables with him. They all went to Kilmacow prior to the burning of the Barracks in 1920. Prior to Moynihan, a Sergeant Kirby was in charge of the Glenmore Barracks.]
Connolly in his witness statement reported that Company activities during the summer of 1920 were minor in character. Except for convoys that passed along the Waterford-New Ross road, men in uniform were seldom seen in Glenmore. He noted that the Glenmore IRA company lacked arms to go and seek the enemy. In August 1920 orders were received to collect any arms or shotguns held by local farmers or others. “In a country district like Glenmore, everyone knew who had, or was likely to have, a gun.” About 40 shotguns were collected. Most of the owners were friendly and when asked handed over their guns. Company members took the precaution of masking themselves when they approached persons thought to be hostile or were not well known. (p. 5) Notwithstanding precautions James Walsh was captured and interned.
On January 17, 1921 Connolly with about 20 Glenmore Company members met up with 20 men from the Tullogher Company and attacked the barracks at Mullinavat as it was the sole remaining R.I.C. barracks in the battalion area. The garrison at Mullinavat was comprised of about 10 RIC officers and 10 Black and Tan soldiers. The garrison withstood the attack.
Until the truce in July 1921 the actions of the Glenmore Company were confined to road blocking and road trenching. (p. 8) As a reprisal for the blocking of roads, the British authorities ordered the closing of the Glenmore Creamery for one month in May 1921. (p. 9)
For readers interested in the membership and activities of the Glenmore Company of the old IRA there are several online documents available in the Military Archives.
See, Military Service Archives, Pension Collection, [MA/MSPC/RO/160, pp. 36-46; lists of membership commence p.38] available at
For ease a list of the persons named as members of the Glenmore Company as found in these records will be posted on our lists page in the next few days.
See generally, Eoin Swithin Walsh (2018) Kilkenny: in Time of Revolution, 1900-1923.
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the close photo of the damaged Glenmore barracks and Pat Dowling for the photo taken from the Churns hill of the damaged barracks.
[Updated 6 June 2020, DD Notebook 5]
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh