1920’s
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One Hundred Years Ago: September 1923
Today, we are featuring some news that appeared in local newspapers in September 1923.
1923 General Election
A general election was held on Monday the 27th of August 1923. This was the first general election held since the establishment of the Free State in December 1922 and it was held shortly after the end of the Civil War. Before radio the results were distributed by newspapers and the earliest reports of results in local newspapers occurred on the first of September.
Canvassing in Glenmore
On Sunday the 26th of August 8 meetings were held in the Southwest (sic) of Kilkenny County, President Cosgrave and Sean Gibbons, accompanied by Judge Cohalan and Senator P. De Loughry wound up their election campaign. Beginning at Callan (the native place of Mr. Shelly, principal anti-Treaty candidate, and regarded as an anti-Treaty stronghold) they received a great welcome…Earlier in the morning, Mr. Gibbons, Senator De Loughry and Mr. R. Purcell, organiser, addressed meetings after Masses in Glenmore, Tullogher and Tullahought (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 1 Sept. 1923, p. 8).
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) stated that politicians delivered speeches in Glenmore at the “stage” that was on the front of the storehouse next to the Village Stream. This storehouse was removed when the Sallies houses were built.
President Cosgrave, said that Ireland experienced the same sort of history that every country just coming into its own had experienced. There was no reason to be disheartened or despondent. “The people should remember that on one side in this election they had real sound evidence of solid work for the nation, and on the other side practically every act made for disorder and destruction and belittling the name of the country that gave them birth.”… “He compared the work of the opposition for the past year to that of Cromwell…” ”The list of destruction performed by these people for 12 months. Were it not for that we would not be spending seven million on an army and we would have wound up last year with something in hand instead of being on the wrong side” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 1 Sept. 1923, p. 8).
Election Results
President Cosgrave had a triumphant return in Carlow/Kilkenny with 17,709 first preferences which was 11,015 more than the quota required. Election day passed off quietly in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency. The ballot boxes were delivered to the various centres during Sunday night by the military. The boxes were collected on Monday night by the military and deposited in the Courthouse with a military guard. It was not until 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday night when the result of the first count was made known (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat 1 Sept. 1923, p. 6).
Cumann na nGaedheal 63 seats; Anti-Treaty 44 seats; Independents 17 seats; Farmers 15 seats; and Labour 14 seats.
Wexford Corp adopted a resolution calling on the Government, in the interest of peace, to release De Valera, Dr. Ryan, and give Bob Lambert his freedom to take up his duties as T.D. It was then added that the Government should release all the political prisoners (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 Sept. 1923, p. 5).
Although local newspapers mentioned Ireland joining the League of Nations in September 1923, there was very little coverage of the event in the local newspapers. For further information see, RTE‘s recent coverage.
Civil Strife
Although the Civil War was officially over, many people continued to attack others or their property. Early on the 3rd of September an extensive fire occurred at the printing works of the Waterford News. The office, editorial department and paper stores were completely destroyed, but the machinery escaped fire damage. “Strenuous exertions” by the fire brigade stopped the spread of the fire to the machinery department although extensive water damage did occur to the machinery.
The damage was estimated at several thousand pounds and was not wholly covered by insurance. Edmund Downey, the managing editor had recently taken a “decided attitude in favour of the Republican candidate Mrs. Cathal Brughu” (Munster Express, Sat. 1 Sept. 1923, p. 4). A £17,000 claim was made by the Waterford News for the alleged malicious burning of their commercial and editorial offices (Munster Express, Sat. 8 Sept. 1923, p. 6)
A threshing set, the property of P. Galavan, The Rower, was burned. Galavan had presided at a meeting addressed by President Cosgrave in the run up to the general elections (Munster Express, Sat. 8 Sept. 1923, p. 6).
Industrial Strife
Still no signs of a settlement of the County Waterford farm labourers’ strike. The farmers were co-operating among themselves and harvesting proceeded without much interruption. Pigs continue to be shipped from Dunmore the last shipment was sent to Bristol. Most ports continued to be out of commission due to striking workers (Munster Express, Sat. 8 Sept. 1923, p. 5). It was estimated that about 3,000 men, directly or indirectly, were unemployed in Waterford due to the agricultural labourers’ strike in Eastern Waterford and the dockers’ strike in Waterford City (Munster Express, Sat. 22 Sept. 1923, p. 7).
Food Prices
According to the New Ross Standard, it was apparent to everyone that retail food prices in Ireland were unjustifiably high. The farmer knew that he did not get the full value of his produce; the consumer knew that he paid over the shop counter double or treble the price which was originally handed to the farmer (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 Sept. 1923, p. 4).
Thomastown Fair
The monthly fair was held on the 4th of September and showed no improvement on previous fairs due to the continuing docker’s strike. The supply of cattle was small and few buyers attended. The business done was purely local and a small number of cattle changed hands. There was a large supply of sheep and the majority were sold at remunerative prices. There was also a large supply of young pigs with the greater number were taken home unsold (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 Sept. 1923, p. 7).
Kilkenny Potatoes
In Co. Kilkenny early sown barley turned out good although the yield was under average due to poor weather. Most of the early and mid-early potatoes were dug and used. Prices in Dublin at the beginning of September were 9s. to 10s. per cwt. (112 lbs.) for British Queens and 8s. to 9s. per cwt for other types (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 15, Sept. 1923, p. 11).
Two Glenmore Firsts at Kilkenny Agricultural Society Show
At the annual Autumn Show of the Kilkenny Agricultural Society, held in St. James Park, Kilkenny there were a record number of entries. In class 73 for best 56 lbs. box of unsalted butter, Glenmore Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society, Ltd. of Glenmore tied for first with Castlecomer Co-op. In Class 80 for the best three sections of honey exhibited by a cottager in the County or City of Kilkenny, John Cody of Glenmore was first (Kilkenny People, Sat. 29 Sept. 1923, p. 5).
T.B. Cures in the News
T.B., or consumption as it was called in 1923, caused great suffering and pre-mature deaths. Consumption Cure—French scientists were investigating the claim of Rafael Santos, a 25 year old medical student at the University of Paris. Santos claimed to have discovered of an infallible cure for tuberculosis in 30 minutes. Santos constructed a set of lens instruments for introducing sunrays and ultra-violet rays into human lungs (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 1 Sept. 1923, p. 8).
At the same time another medical student was working on a T.B. cure. Waterford researcher, J.V. Walsh (son of John Walsh, The Mall, Waterford City) carried out research at Oxford under Professor Deyer. Walsh was awarded the resesearch scholarship of the British Medical Associations for his work on serological variability amongst micro-organisms. (Munster Express, Sat. 1 Sept. 1923, p. 5).
Some people appeared to be immune to the disease. For example, the Very Rev. John J. Roche. O.F.M., Wexford entered his 99th year in 1923. Born on 30 August 1825, Father Roche was reported to enjoy excellent health. He was uncle of Most Rev. Dr. Brownrigg, Bishop of Ossory, and had two bothers who were also priests in Wexford (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 8 Sept. 1923, p. 6). Per the death register, Fr. John James Roche died on 26 November 1924 at the Franciscan Convent, Wexford, just 9 months short of his 100th birthday.
Adverse Weather
A circus tent at Towyn, Mercionethshire, Wales, packed with nearly 2,000 people, partly collapsed during a violent gale. A number of people fought their way out by slashing the tent open with knives. Tents where three big elephants were kept were also blown down. The gale caused widespread havoc all over Great Britain (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 Sept. 1923, p. 2).
New Ross Bridge
At the meeting of the New Ross Urban Council, John Hand, said that they paid a lot of money to the Wexford County Council, but the bridge at New Ross was in a disgraceful state. The upper portion was covered with rust and the underneath part was in a bad state. Others agreed and stated it was a pity that there was no New Ross representative on the County Council (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 Sept. 1923, p. 3).
Glenmore Sports
On the last Sunday in August at Mullinavat, Glenmore scored an easy victory over Hugginstown in the second round of the South Kilkenny Junior hurling championship. The winners had a strong selection, and judging by their displays in their two games, The Munster Express said they should give a good account of themselves in the further round of the championship(Munster Express, Sat. 1 Sept. 1923, p. 5).
The Kilkenny Senior Hurling team beat Tipperary for the All Ireland Senior Hurling title. Local newspapers did not list any of the Kilkenny team members, so it is doubtful that any Glenmore players were on that team.
1923 Recipes
The Kilkenny Moderator printed a few “new” recipes in September 1923.
Tipsy Cake Recipe
Ingredients—
A stale sponge cake
½ pint of orange wine or sherry
1 pint custard
½ lb. of blanched sweet almonds
Method—Make holes in the sponge cake with a clean steel skewer. Pour the wine over it and leave it to soak till the wine is absorbed by the cake. Stick the almonds in the cake and then pour the custard over it and leave to set (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 1 Sept. 1923, p. 4).
Apple Snow Recipe
A Pretty Supper Dish—peel and core some apples and stew them gently until they are quite soft. Beat them lightly and place in a glass dish. Make a thick custard, using the yokes of two eggs to a pint of milk and pour it over the apple. Beat the whites to a stiff froth with a little fine sugar and arrange in a heap on top of the dish. A few crystallised cherries and strips of angelica can be added to adorn the sweet for festive occasions (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 8 Sept. 1923, p. 4).
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is from the Freeman’s Journal (Tues. Sept. 1923, p. 11) and was taken at the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship game held in Croke Park between Kilkenny and Tipperary. Kilkenny won.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore Volunteer at the 1914 Howth Gun Running
Last week we featured the Aylwardstown, Glenmore family of Mon. William Heffernan (1895-1973). This week we located the obituary for his brother Michael Heffernan (1890-1974) (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Feb. 1974, p. 7) and learned some interesting facts about Michael Heffernan. One of the most important was that he was one the Volunteers at the Howth Gun Running in 1914 that sought to arm the Dublin Regiment of the Irish Volunteers. He was also falsely accused of a crime at the end of the Civil War and played a significant part in Kilkenny GAA.
Michael Heffernan (7 Oct. 1890-19 Feb. 1974) Native of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
For details concerning Michael Heffernan’s immediate Aylwardstown family see our post of 15 October 2023.
Michael was born on 7 Oct. 1890. His obituary recites that as a young man Michael served an apprenticeship with a cabinet making business in Waterford and later moved to Dublin. While living in Dublin he joined the Irish Volunteers. The 1911 Census reveals that Michael was living in Aylwardstown, Glenmore and his profession was listed as cabinet maker. Thus, sometime after the Census of 1911 and July 1914 Michael moved to Dublin.
Howth Gun Running
The winds of war were sweeping across Europe in 1914, the Irish Volunteers determined that they needed to arm themselves. The Unionists at Larne, Co. Antrim, landed their own weapons comprised of 25,000 rifles and three million rounds of ammunition with no opposition from the authorities on the night of the 24th of April 1914 (Alvin, Jackson (1993) “The Larne Gun Running of 1914.” 1(1) History Ireland, p. 35–38 available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/27724046.)
Efforts to secure weapons for the Dublin Volunteers in France and Belgium failed, but Darryll Figgis and Roger Casement finally bought 1,500 obsolete 1871 vintage Mauser rifles in Germany. Off the Irish coast a yacht owned by Erskine Childers named the Asgard met a Hamburg tugboat and took some of the guns ashore at Howth in broad daylight. The Asgard was said to have been captained by Mollie Childers née Osgood, Eskinne’s wife, and it had a cargo of 900 rifles and 30,000 rounds of ammunition (John Dorney (2014) “The Howth Gun Running,” The Irish Story Website.
Early on Sunday the 26th of July 1914, around a thousand Dublin Irish Volunteers marched the nine miles from Dublin to Howth. The Volunteers were under the command of Tomás MacDonagh and Bulmer Hobson. They unloaded the Asgard. The Coast Guard attempted to intervene but could do nothing. The Coast Guard attempted to telephone Dublin Castle, but the Volunteers had cut the phone wires. After one of the uniformed local R.I.C. had been stopped trying to leave on a bicycle a second man not in uniform set out for Dublin Castle (Geraldine Dillon (1964) “The Howth Gun Running” 3(4) University Review, 48–57, p. 48, available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/25504609).
D.I. Heard of the R.I.C. and a few of his men followed the Volunteers as they started back toward Dublin. The ammunition for the rifles and some of the rifles were loaded into vehicles. At the junction of Howth Road and Farview the marching Volunteers were met with a force of 160 armed R.I.C., a few Dublin Metropolitan Police, and two companies of British Soldiers. The officer in charge of the soldiers was Major Haig. Assistant Commissioner W.V. Harrell was in charge of the police.
The Volunteers were told to surrender the guns and allow themselves to be arrested. MacDonagh refused and the D.M.P. were ordered to disarm the Volunteers. To the apparent surprise of both sides, the D.M.P. refused to attempt this and “went back to the sea wall and lent on it.” Dublin Castle officials later determined that the police resented the unfair discrimination between the Unionist and Irish Volunteers (Dillon, p. 49).
Harrell told Major Haig to order his men to disarm the Volunteers, but Haig ordered his men to charge with fixed bayonets. The Volunteers stood firm and defended themselves with walking sticks and rifle butts. A machine gun which was in an army ambulance was brought forward but never fired.
The soldiers managed to retrieve 8 rifles from the volunteers. The action paused while the leaders argued. During the entire charge and exchange Hobson drilled the Volunteers, all but those in the front rank, up and down the road as if they were restless horses. He gradually increased the distance and while the police and soldiers were distracted he marched the majority of the Volunteers round the turn in the road and ordered them to disperse and hide the rifles.
When Harrel realised that the Volunteers and guns were gone he exclaimed, “This is a disgraceful manoeuvre!” The police and army withdrew. Although there were injuries at the crossroad no fatalities occurred (Dillon, p. 50). Due to various misinformation and claims Tomás MacDonagh found it necessary to publish an official account. It was published as a supplement to the Irish Review, July/Aug. 1914 (Dillon, p. 50).
Killings at Bachelor’s Walk, Dublin
When the British soldiers marched back into Dublin they were met by a jeering crowd at Bachelor’s Walk. It was alleged that stones were thrown at the soldiers and Major Haig ordered his men to fire into the crowd and then followed with an order to charge with fixed bayonets. Three people were killed and 30 wounded (Dillon, p. 50).
At the Inquiry that followed Major Haig stated that he had not given an order to fire into the crowd. He lamely stated that his men must have mistaken his raising of his hand to speak to the crowd as an order to fire. Witnesses disputed his version stating they heard him yelling, “Fire, men, fire!” In the Report dated 21 October 1914, it was concluded that Assistant Commissioner of Police, Harrell should not have called out the military. Although the Inquiry concluded that the military were not under threat at Bachelor’s Walk justifying the use of firearms they concluded amazingly that Major Haig was not informed that the rifles of his men were loaded. Thus, they could conclude that Haig did not give an order to fire and twenty-one soldiers “promiscuously fired” (Dillon, p. 53-54).
Life in Kilkenny City
According to Michael’s obituary he moved to Kilkenny City in 1915 and took up employment in the Kilkenny woodwork factory at Talbot’s Inch. This industry was started by the late Countess of Desart. Michael’s brother, William was attending St. Kieran’s College, in Kilkenny City, at the time.
On 11 February 1918 Michael (cabinet maker) of Michael St., Kilkenny married Teresa Byrne (c. 1894-c. 1973) (nurse) of Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Michael was the son of Michael Heffernan (farmer) and Teresa was the daughter of Michael Bryne (farmer). The couple were married at St. John’s of Kilkenny City. The witnesses were Andrew Heffernan and Alice Byrne. The 1911 Census reveals that Michael Byrne (69) and his wife Mary (55) had been married for 34 years and had had 6 children and 5 were alive in 1911. Teresa was 17 in 1911 and Alice was 23. The farm was located at Coneygar, Clara, Kilkenny. Coneygar is a townland in the Civil parish of Clara located about 4 miles east of Kilkenny City.
Michael opened his own business as a cabinet maker in John St. in 1922 and from these premises also conducted the business of funeral undertaker, building contractor and or a period operated a fresh milk depot.
Children
Michael and Teresa Heffernan reared a large family. According to Cissy Kennedy ( 94) native of Rathinure, Glenmore, during holidays the children were brought to Glenmore. The girls would stay with their Aunt Alice Roche née Heffernan in Rathinure, and the boys would stay at the Heffernan home place in nearby Aylwardstown.
From Michael’s obituary there were at least 10 children, and we discovered another daughter that died in 1948. Similar to the preceding Heffernan generation by the time of his death Michael’s children were scattered across the world.
Sons
[1] Comdt. Michael Heffernan, Defence Forces, Cork; Among the 29 cadets who received their commissions as second Lieutenants in the Irish Army at the Curragh in October 1941 there were 5 Kilkennymen including Michael Heffernan of John St. It was reported that Heffernan and three of the others attended the Christian Brothers School on James’s St. (Kilkenny People, Sat. 1 Nov. 1941, p. 5) .
[2] William Heffernan, John St., Kilkenny;
[3] Anthony Heffernan, London;
[4] Andrew Heffernan, Kilkenny;
[5] Patrick Heffernan, London; (c. 1935-1980) Patrick Heffernan (45) died on 3 July 1980 at his residence 40 Coniston Road, Muswell Hill, London. Educated by the Christian Bros, and member of Dicksboro minor hurling club. In England met and married Ita Hannigan, a native of Dunhill, Co. Waterford. Survived by widow and son, Richard (Kilkenny People, Fri. 18 July 1980, p. 5)
Daughters
[6] Mrs. B. Leaning, London, [Brother Patrick’s obit in 1980 provides he was survived by his sister Brenda Little of Archer’s Crescent, Kilkenny]
[7] Mrs. Stephen Lalor, Australia; Special thanks to Deirdre Doherty Barron for identifying that Mrs. Lalor is Alice Heffernan (b. 1923) who celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year in Queensland, Australia.
[8] Mrs. Theresa Sutcliffe, Buckinghamshore; [married to Charles Sutcliffe]
[9] Mrs. Carmel Ryan, New York; [Married to John Ryan and living in 1980 in Long Island, N.Y.].
[10] Mrs. Ann Ryan, Middlesex; [Married to Andrew Ryan]
[11] Mary “Mollie” Heffernan (c. 1921-1948) died the 17th of December 1948 of “Tubercular hip joint disease” at the age of 27. Her brother Paddy was present when she died. According to her obituary Mollie was unwell for some time and was employed in the Drapery establishment of Messrs A. and T. Piert, Roseinn St. (Kilkenny People, Sat. 25 Dec.1948, p. 5).
Milk Depot
In October 1921 Michael Heffernan opened a fresh milk depot from his John St. premises. The following announcement appeared in the Kilkenny People (Sat. 8 Oct. 1921, p. 5).
Fresh New Milk—From Coneygar Farm Twice Daily. Michael Heffernan wishes to announce that his New Milk Depot is now in full swing, and he is selling New Milk at 5 d per quart at Depot and 6 d per quart delivered in City. Having arranged for a constant supply during the winter months, consumers wishing to benefit by this low price are earnestly requested to hand in their names immediately and I will guarantee there will be no disappointment. Address: 6 Lower John Street (Gate Entrance), Kilkenny. Depot Open—Morning 8:30 till 10 o’clock; Evening 5:30 till 7 o’clock.
Coneygar was the townland where his wife was from so it is likely that he was buying milk or distributing and selling milk for his brother-in-law.
Charged in Kilmogar Cattle Driving Case
In April 1923 Michael Heffernan of John St., was arrested for allegedly inducing others to drive cattle off of the lands of Mrs. Mary Murphy, the widow of Thomas Murphy who died 16 November 1921. Michael Heffernan when arrested protested that he was innocent. When he was brought before the Court he again protested his innocence. “It is very unfair against me—it is not fair at all. All the charges are false as far as I am concerned. I am a man with a business, and my wife is invalided and has nobody to sleep in the house with her. Some blackguards came and broke in the windows…I am prepared to stand in any court—there can’t be a shadow of evidence got against me” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 14 April 1923, p. 8).
Michael’s solicitor, Mr. N. Shortal, argued that there was only hearsay against his client, yet the trial judge refused to set any bail and remanded Michael to jail until the next court date. The facts of the Kilmogar Cattle Driving Case are similar to the Shanbogh Land Cases of July 1923. During the violence and upheaval of the War of Independence and the Civil War some people attempted to exploit old grievances or exploit the lawlessness gain the property of others.
The 291 acre farm in dispute was purchased by Mrs. Mary Murphy’s father-in-law. To extinguish any possible claim from a prior evicted tenant named Dalton £450 was paid to Dalton in 1891. The Murphy family farmed the land without difficulties until Mrs. Murphy was widowed in November 1921. It was alleged that Dalton, an elderly man, and others drove cattle from the land, removed agricultural equipment and threatened tenants. On 2 April 1923 thirty head of cattle were driven from the farm.
At the District Court of Kilkenny City, before Justice Liam Price, Michael Heffernan got his day in court. He and his brother-in-law were represented by N. Shortall, solicitor and Mr. Bacon, K.C. The State was represented by Dr. M.J. Cotty, State Solicitor.
There was no evidence presented against Michael Heffernan. In fact, most witnesses stated that they did not know him. When questioned by the judge, Michael was asked if he was prepared to give an undertaking in open court that he would not do anything prejudicial to Mrs. Murphy’s interests, directly or indirectly. Michael responded, “I never caused any interference, and I am not going to start now.” Michael and his brother-in-law were found not guilty. (Kilkenny People, Sat. 21 April 1923, p. 3; Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 21 April 1923, p. 8).
Kilkenny GAA
According to his obituary Michael Heffernan was “a staunch Irishman and GAA enthusiast he served as vice chairman of Kilkenny Co. Board for a number of years. At that time Ald. Jim Nowlan was chairman.” Michael was chairman of the football Board for 39 years. He represented Kilkenny at GAA Central Council and Leinster Council levels. He was responsible for the organization of GAA games in every parish in the county in defiance of the ban imposed by Dublin Castle in 1921.
Michael was the last surviving member of the small committee which negotiated the purchase of Nowlan Park and arranged early Development work.
Advocating For a New Park
In 1926 the Kilkenny People (Sat. 18 Sept. 1926, p. 4) published an account of the meeting of the Co. Kilkenny GAA in the City Hall on Sunday the 12th. It appears from this article that Michael was, in fact, a moving force on the Committee to find a new Park.
It all seems to have come to a head over a letter received from the Kilkenny Agricultural Society. The GAA were requested to remove the barbed wire it had placed on the railing around the playing pitch it rented from the Society. Below are excerpts from that newspaper article.
Michael Heffernan—“It is nearly time that we should be looking out for a ground of our own. We are tinkering with this thing too long altogether, and I think we should be in earnest about getting a field. So far we have never made a serious effort in that direction. We have approached the Agricultural Society time after time to have certain things done that would improve the Park from our point of view; they promised us everything but did nothing, and when we ourselves make a move to make the Park fit for matches they step in and object…It is nearly time that we cleared out of the Park and got a field of our own. You might as well go into any country field as into the Park as far as the accommodation provided for us is concerned…they always promised to repair the railing but they never did so.”
In response to another committee member that “there is no use taking up this bullying attitude,” Michael Heffernan responded, “Oh no! Keep on crawling to them for the next 40 years as we have been doing for years past. How much rent did the Agricultural Society get from the GAA since the Park was first rented from them?”
Chairman—It would have bought a new ground and equipped for us anyway.
Heffernan—”Their attitude reminds me of the old landlord days when a landlord came to an industrious tenant and ordered him to knock down a house he was after building. They are the same, this crowd, only worse.”
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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com. It is likely Michael Heffernan (1890-1974) is in the above family photo and his brother William’s ordination in June 1919.
Again thanks to Patty Lee Brown for locating Michael’s marriage record.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
New Ross Historical Society
Public Service Announcement–the New Ross Historical Society will hold its next lecture on Thursday, the 19th of October 2023 at 8 p.m. in the in Pastoral Centre, Michael Street, New Ross, Y34N799.
The speaker will be Dr. Bill Kissane. His lecture is entitled, “ Ireland after the Civil War.” Dr. Kissane is a native of New Ross and is an Associate Professor in Politics at the London School of Economics. He is the author of numerous publications. His last book Civil Wars: The Contemporary Challenge was published by Oxford University Press in 2016. Dr. Kissane has also participated in many historical debates and discussions on the BBC. Dr. Kissane’s webpage is available by clicking here.
On the 19th, Dr. Kissane will discuss Ireland after the civil war of 1922-1923 and highlight how the new Irish State managed to establish its authority in the period between the two World Wars.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
A non member charge of €5 is payable at the door.
One Hundred Years Ago: August 1923
In August 1923, one topic dominated the local newspapers, the general election. Some newspapers dubbed it the “hurried” election. In many respects the issues concerning voters 100 years ago are still issues today such as housing, industrial strife, and inflation. Today, we highlight the local candidates and some of the other news that made it into the local newspapers in August 1923. Unfortunately, only one reference to Glenmore could be located in the local newspapers.
CIVIL WAR ISSUES
As peace settled across the 26 counties the government began to release some of the prisoners it held. Local released prisoners included Miss Lena Cleary, of Whitechurch, New Ross and Miss S. Browne, of New Ross. These ladies were released four months after being arrested by the military (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Aug. 1923, p. 6). At the end of August James Hartley, of Weatherstown, Glenmore was released from Wexford Military Barracks (Free Press (Wexford), Sat. 25 Aug. 1923, p. 4).
The National troops stationed in Thomastown since July 1922 left for Kilkennyin early August 1923. The barricades were removed from around the house in Thomastown where the military had been stationed (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Aug. 1923, p. 6).
INDUSTRIAL STRIFE
Industrial strife continued to plague the Free State. Locally, farmers had limited markets for their produce. The New Ross Standard reported that due to the “continuation of the strike at ports and other labour troubles” the weekly pig and fowl markets were suspended for over 3 weeks. (Fri. 3 August 1923, p. 5
The following week the New Ross Standard (Fri. 10 August 1923, p. 3) outlined the events that led to the port strikes.
Port Strike
“During the past few years the wages of dockers in the Free State have been the highest in Europe. The workers at the Free State ports were included in every increase of wages which were granted in Great Britain both during and immediately after the European War. At the larger ports they were in receipt of as much as 16 shillings per day, with the result that shipping freights were maintained at a fantastic level to the growing detriment of trade and commerce.”
“The British employers redued the wages of their men, and by stages the rate of pay fell to 10 shillings per day at all the big ports. The Dublin dockers and fellow workers in other Free State ports refused to discuss any reduction. Matters went from bad to worse until the last straw was laid on the camel’s back by an irregular and unauthorised strike of seaman. When the port of Dublin became paralysed the employers decided to enforce the over-due reduction of dockers’ wages. On 16 July all work ceased.”
DEADLY WEATHER
On the 2nd of August, what several newspapers described as a hurricane, swept through this area. A 15-year -old girl gathering firewood on the 2nd named Magge Lawlor, of 55 Ferrybank was killed by a tree that fell on her (Munster Express, Sat. 4 Aug. 1923, p. 5).
“The hurricane” had a serious impact on crops of grain, potatoes, manifolds (sic), and turnips all blackened (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Aug. 1923, p. 8). [We have had a few queries concerning manifolds. Having conferred with my resident farming expert it is believed that these were beet like vegetables used as fodder. They were stored in pits and had to be well covered to protect them from the frost. When fed the “mangals” were put through a turnip machine otherwise cattle could choke on the roots. For further information see, the Gardening Know How webpage.]
FARMING
In several areas apple trees were badly shaken by the August storm resulting in nearly all the fruit being blown off the trees. “Potato blight has made its appearance in places in the New Ross district. So far it is not serious (New Ross Standard, Friday 10 August 1923, p. 6). On the other hand the weather appeared to agree with mushrooms which were described as plentiful. “Reports came from almost every district to that effect” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Aug.1923, p. 5).
At the end of the month it was reported that at the New Ross market cabbage was realising as high as 3d. per head and hay sold for £4 to £5 per ton (New Ross Standard, Fri. 31 Aug. 1923, p. 3).
The price of food according to the New Ross Standard was an issue the new Dáil would have to tackle. While the price of cattle was within 4 to 6 shillings per cwt. of pre-war prices, the price of butcher’s meat almost doubled. Almost every article required in the household costs an exorbitant price” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Aug. 1923, p. 4).
THE GENERAL ELECTION
Free speech and free elections were challenging in the newly established Free State. The Kilkenny People summed up the “hurried” election of 1923 as the people’s choice for construction or destruction (Sat. 25 Aug. 1923, p. 5).
The general election was set for the 27th of August. In the days before radio and television candidates held meetings to try to persuade voters to support them. It was reported that during the election campaign 90 meetings were held in New Ross and surrounding districts (New Ross Standard, Fri. 31 Aug. 1923, p. 3)
Unfortunately, meetings of all parties were subject to disruptions and heckling of candidates was common. In some instances violence erupted and intimidation caused some meetings to be cancelled.
Election Meetings Disrupted
A Farmers’ Party candidate at Ramsgrange, Co. Wexford on Sunday the 19th was assaulted by a crowd of young men and boys. He was struck with clenched fists, rotten eggs, “and sound ones too.” He was covered from the top of his hat to his boots. His hat, overcoat and suit of clothes were destroyed. The Labour Party was also stopped at Ramsgrange from holding a meeting. The candidates were threatened and their election literature burned (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 Aug. 1923, p. 5).
By the time the New Ross Standard (Fri. 31 Aug. 1923, p. 3) went to print at the end of the month it was reported that “It is too early to ascertain what sections or parties have been successful at the general election. The result of the polling will not be completely known for some days…whatever parties have been successful, and whatever Government may result, we trust that at long last it will be enabled to devote itself uninterruptedly to uplifting the country and promoting prosperity and happiness of the people.”
Kilkenny-Carlow Candidates
Below is a list of the candidates for the Kilkenny-Carlow seats and the names of the candidates deemed elected are in bold.
(1) Michael Barry, Tombeagh, Co. Carlow, Farmer, ran as a Republican.
(2) Thomas, Bolger, of Downings, Co. Carlow, Farmer, ran as a Cumann na nGaedheal.
(3) Edw. John Broughan, of Ballybrommell, Co. Carlow, Farmer, ran as a Farmer’s Party candidate.
(4) Liam T. Cosgrave, of Beechpark, Templeogue, Co. Dublin, President of the Executive Council, and Minster for Finance, ran as a member of Cumann na NGaedheal.
(5) Edw. Doyle, of Laragh, Co. Carlow, Agricultural Worker, ran as a member of Labour.
(6) Patrick Gaffney, of Connolly Cross, Carlow, Agricultural Worker, ran as an Independent (Other newspapers noted that he was a miller.)
(7) John “Seán” Francis Gibbons, of Ballylarkin, Co. Kilkenny, Farmer, ran as a member of Cumann na nGaedheal.
(8) Denis John Gorey, of Burnchurch, Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny, Farmer, ran as a member of the Farmer’s Party. See our post of 6 June 2022 for details regarding the attack on Gorey’s home and the General Election of 1922.
(9) Michael Shelly, of Green St., Callan, Co. Kilkenny, Merchant, ran as a Republican. (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 24 Aug. 1923, p. 16).
WATERFORD BOXER—Battling Brannigan
“In Dublin on Wed. 22d August, Battling Brannigan, the promising young Waterford pugilist, will meet the coloured exponent, Sam Minto, who last year gave Kid Doyle a great fight” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 17 Aug. 1923, p. 16). It isn’t clear whether Brannigan fought Minto more than once, but according to a short article in the Munster Express in 1952, fighting “Patsy Brannigan (Gerald Hurley) despite an early injury to his hands, gained a points victory over Sam Minto.” The fight took place at the Theatre Royal, in Waterford almost 30 years earlier. (Munster Express, Fri. 16 May 1952, p. 9).
Gerald Hurley (c. 1901-1985)
Gerald Hurley (c. 1901-1985) was born in Chicago and moved to Waterford at the age of three. Although he trained as an alto singer for the Westminster Cathedral choir and sang professionally, in 1919, he began boxing as a lightweight. During a boxing career that spanned a decade, Hurley became the lightweight champion of Ireland, and went on to hold the welterweight Irish title. He never had a manager, and secured international fights.
At the same time he was a “much sought-after” professional classical singer. His dual career might explain why he fought under the name of Battling Brannigan. Hurley retired from professional boxing in 1929, but continued his professional singing. He became a physical education and boxing teacher (Munster Express, Fri. 29 Sept. 1972, p. 24) at Dublin secondary schools and also taught at the Garda Depot, Phoenix Park (Waterford News and Star, Fri. 29 Nov. 1985, p. 16).
Memories of Waterford
While living in Waterford he resided in Grange Terrace, Waterford (Munster Express, Fri. 19 Oct. 1979, p. 25). In 1959, he was residing at 32 Belgrave Square, Rathmines Dublin (Munster Express, Fri. 31 July 1959, p. 4) In a letter to the editor of the Munster Express, he recalled friends killed during the Civil War in Waterford City and working at putting up the wooden poles in the city when the first electric lights were installed (Munster Express, Fri. 31 July 1959, p. 4). His kin around Waterford city in the 1950’s included his brother Tim Hurley, of Barrack St., his nephew Michael Butler, hairdresser of Manor St. and the Moran family of Parnell St. (Munster Express, Fri. 31 Dec. 1954, p. 5)
AUCTIONS
After the establishment of the Free State several Anglo-Irish families, such as the Butlers of Kilkenny Castle, sold their estates and moved from Ireland. In the summer of 1923, the local newspapers advertised several auctions and as illustrated below not all sales were large estates.
Cholastown, Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny An auction of a small holding belonging to Thomas McDonald, was advertised to be sold by Auction on the 7th of August (Tuesday) at noon (new time). The land was in Nicholastown and contained 18 statute acres with a forge and outbuildings. The land was held in fee simple subject to a terminable annuity payable to the Irish Land Commission of £4 2s. 8d.
The land was described as, being in grass, well fenced and sheltered with excellent tillage and grazing qualities with an ample and constant spring water supply (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 3 Aug. 1923, p. 8).
HUMOUR RETURNS
During the dark days of the War of Independence and Civil War very few jokes were published in local newspapers as fillers. In August 1923, perhaps to lighten the mood during the general election several jokes were published such as the two below.
Plucking in Haste—Knitting in Leisure
“In the Hounalow district a young Farmer’s wife, after making some hop beer, threw the hops into the garden, and several ducks ate them up. The ducks became so drunk that the farmer thought they were dead and placed them in a shed. The wife plucked them in the evening. In the morning the couple were awakened by a terrific noise in the shed. The ducks were running abound bereft of feathers. So, the farmer’s wife had to make some little jumpers until their feathers grew again” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 31 Aug. 1923, p. 5). [For our international readers a jumper is a sweater.]
Faith in Surgeon
“A London surgeon found that a serious operation was necessary upon the daughter of a woman who came with her to the hospital. The details of the operation were explained, and the consent was asked for of the mother to the operation being performed. ‘Oh,’ was the reply, ‘It is all very well to talk about consenting, but who is going to pay for the funeral!’ (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 18 Aug. 1923, p 7).
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The feature phto above is the crowd in Carlow awaiting the arrival of President of the Dáil, W.T. Cosgrave. The photo was published in the Freeman’s Journal (Tues. 21 Aug. 1923, p. 7) by a member of the Freeman’s staff. Cosgrove arrived in Carlow by airplane.
Please send any corrections or further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore 12: Leinster Senior Football Semi-Final 1923
On Sunday the 8th of July, 1923, at Croke Park, Kilkenny played Meath in one of the Leinster Senior Football Semi-Finals. Of the fifteen players selected to play for Kilkenny a dozen were from Glenmore. In 1922 only nine Glenmore players were selected for the 1922 senior football team. See, our post of 17 December 2022 and 4 December 2022 for details regarding Glenmore’s representation in the Leinster Senior Football Championship in 1922.
The 1923 Kilkenny team was comprised of the following players [information not from the newspaper is in square brackets]: P. Dalton* (goal); J. Fitzgerald; M. Connolly [Mick Connolly, Rochestown]; J. Hanrahan [Jimmy Hanrahan, Glenmore Village]; Matt Flannelly*; P. Cody [Paddy Cody, Weatherstown]; M. Brennan; M. Cody [Michael Cody, Weatherstown]; L. Murphy; J. Phelan; W. Hartley [Bill Hartley, Bushertstown], W. Irish [Bill Irish, Rochestown]; P. Hartley; J. McKenna* and A. Heffernan [Andy Heffernan, Aylwardstown]. The three players that were not from Glenmore we have marked with an asterisk.* We know from the newspaper account below that John Doherty [Davidstown] replaced the injured Jimmy Hanrahan. For further details regarding Glenmore players from this era see our post of 6 February 2023.
The Munster Express and the Kilkenny People both published articles regarding the match. Both newspapers commenced their coverage with a short editorial of the match then the remainder of both articles published the exact same description of “the play.” The perhaps more objective Munster Express labelled the game a “dissappointing exhibition of football.”
Munster Express
“The game was to a great extent marred by fouling, the referee being kept pretty busy all through. Luck was against Kilkenny, who, in addition to losing two of their players through injuries, had another relegated to the side line early for a breach of the rules…There were periods of high-class play, but on the whole it was a disappointing exhibition of football…” (Munster Express, Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 3).
Kilkenny People
Sweltering conditions prevailed in Croke Park on Sunday, and the attendance during the first match was rather small, but it improved when the semi-final was in progress. Fan crowds came on the special trains, but it would scarcely appear that all found their way to the matches, which local followers were not strongly represented.
The main encounter of the day—Kilkenny and Meath—proved a strong one from the very outset, and was prolonged by frequent stoppages. It was also characterised by many penalties, but the spirit of the contest was good throughout. The back divisions of both teams were the outstanding feature, and scoring in the first half was a difficult matter for Kilkenny, playing a hard short practical from the outset, were unable to make full use of their elemental advantages in the opening period and turned over level points to a goal for Meath.
Meath improved considerable in the second half, mostly, and though erratic enough at time, succeeded in effecting a couple of major scores, to which, by lack of efficient forward work, Kilkenny could make no response though they had several favourable opportunities. Irish was the outstanding player on the field, putting in a vast amount of splendid work. The Meath backs were clever and cleared fouls. The winners will now meet Dublin for the final, but will need to improve considerably if they hope to once more bring premier hours to Royal Meath.
Details: Meath 3-1; Kilkenny 0-3 ( Kilkenny People, Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 9).
The Play
Kilkenny forced the play early and were rewarded with two “50’s” which, though well taken by McKenna, went for nought. Three frees brought Meath forward to find the Kilkenny Defence sound. Kilkenny going away spoiled by fouling close in, and a little later L. Murphy (Kilkenny) was sent off by the referee for a breach of the rules. Kilkenny went attacking, a free from the left wing was well placed by Flannelly for Fitzgerald to box over for a point.
Kilkenny backs were good against a Meath assault, in which Tuite met with hard luck in a try for a score. Andy Heffernan (Kilkenny) retired injured and was replaced by J. Shiels (Kilkenny) worked away from a free, and the Meath custodian in saving a trying shot from P. Cody, conceded a point.
Strong play ruled, Meath dashing away and over Kilkenny backs were again reliable in a renewed Meath offensive. Midfield play followed, the exchanges being pretty evenly divided. Kilkenny were something the better, but were meeting with sterling opposition from the Meath backs. Two frees aided Kilkenny, but the Meath line was crossed without result.
At this stage play showed improvement, and some good football was witnessed. Kilkenny kept up the pressure and M. Cody scored a fine point from far out. Meath backs were still kept moving and did very well against persistent Kilkenny onslaughts.
A brilliant run brought Meath into the Kilkenny ground, exchanges between Keoghan and Ratty (sic) being secured by Hickey, who levelled up with a goal for Meath. Working back Meath forced a “50,” and there was an exiting struggle close up to the Kilkenny citadel. Meath were pressing at the interval, when the scores were level, as follows: Kilkenny, 0-3; Meath 1-0.
Second Half
J. Hanrahan (Kilkenny) went off injured, and John Doherty took his place. On again getting to work Kilkenny broke away, but were held up by a free, and Meath, going in, went ahead by a point from Farrelly, Kilkenny attacking, sent wide, as did Meath soon after.
Meath were now playing up strongly, but the Kilkenny backs were equal to all effort to go through. Kilkenny spoiled by fouling in good position, and Meath were attacking, to register two wides (one from a free) before Kilkenny worked back, to be repulsed by a sound Meath defence.
Irish beat off a Meath offensive, and the ensuring play provided a few brilliant passages, both sides displaying great dash and determination. Irish who had been playing a great game for Kilkenny, was injured, but resumed, amidst applause. Meath attacked with vigour, but were obliged to retire before an admirable Kilkenny defence. Coming on again for a free, Hickey dashed in for a goal for Meath, Dalton the Kilkenny custodian, failing in an effort to save a low shot. Nothing daunted, Kilkenny bounded away, but a free, close-up, brought relief to Meath, who were being hotly tested. Meath again went attacking, to go wide from a free.
Unusual vigour was being introduced into the play and frees were frequent, Meath getting most. Keelan kicked a great goal for Meath from a free. Kilkenny still going strong, made no impression on the Meath line of defence. A succession of frees again brought Meath forward, but the Kilkenny defence prevailed. Kilkenny attacking made no headway against the Meath backs who were reliable all through. Meath had the better of the closing stages and were good winners at the end.
Referee & Meath Team
Mr. P. McCullagh, Wexford, refereed.
The Meath team: B. Carey; P. Keelan; W. Dillon; J. Newman; C. Cudden; P. Reilly; J. Ledwidge; M. Keoghan; P. Tuite; C. Meade; J. Curtis; C. Carolan; P. Ratty; J. Hickey; M. Farrelly.
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For further information concerning Glenmore and other Kilkenny hurling and football teams see, The Kilkenny GAA Bible (2018) compiled by Gerry O’Neill.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail,com.
Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sending the team photo featured above as well as identifying each player.
The feature photo Glenmore Footballers (Unbeaten Champions 1914 – 1925). [1925 on football in photo]
Back Row: James Vereker (Davidstown), Jim Murphy, William Irish, Pat Hartley, Andy Heffernan, Richard Hanrahan.
Next Row: Mick Heffernan, John Fitzgerald, John Doherty, Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Connolly, Peter Kirwan, Paddy Cody, James Dunphy.
Next Row: Stephen Heffernan, James Fitzgerald, Martin Cody (Captain), Fr. Richard Vereker, John Phelan, Bill Hartley (Busherstown).
Front Row: Jim Hanrahan, John Mullins, Mick Cody, Paddy Murphy.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: July 1923
By July 1923 the Irish Civil War was over and local newspapers adopted an attitude of getting back to “normal.” With fewer atrocities to report articles concerning the issues plaguing the fledgling Free State Government often took centre stage with human interest stories appearing as filler. The coverage of crime was often related to land issues or was of a more petty nature. Today, we feature articles that appeared in local newspapers that Glenmore people would have read and discussed one hundred years ago.
Issues Facing the Free State Government
The unresolved issues that plagued the fledgling Free State Government included housing, the land question, industrial strife and what to do with the Civil War prisoners.
Housing
With respect to the housing issue, the New Ross Standard (Fri. 13 July 1923, p. 3) suggested a solution that had just been adopted in France. The newspaper claimed that its readers had expressed agreement with proposed French legislation that they believed could tackle the Irish housing crisis. Under the French initiative owners of vacant houses were compelled to keep authorities notified when their houses were vacant. The Mayor of every town received the power to requisition the vacant houses and let them at normal rents, thereby preventing houses from being unreasonably withheld from the public.
The Verdicts in the Shanbogh Land Cases
The thorny issue of how to recognise the right to private ownership of land and at the same time recognise the rights of tenants resulted in several high-profile cases. One of these cases that garnered national attention was the Shanbogh Land case. The verdicts in the Shanbogh Land case were published in July 1923.
Grace v. Holden et al
As we highlighted in our post of 24 July 2023, Edward Grace, of Forristalstown, Glenmore sued and sought injunctive relief in the High Court against James Holden and men who helped Holden dispossess Grace from land Grace was renting as a statutory tenant from the Boyd family.
Background
James Holden had been a tenant of about 60 acres and a dwellinghouse in 1880 on land in Shanbogh on the Boyd Estate when he was evicted. In 1920 about 24 acres of his evicted holding was allotted to Grace as well as the house where he originally lived.
Mr. Colfer, the solicitor for the Boyd Estate, testified that Holden was a poor man and had been living in the workhouse. Holden agreed to take the £500 offered in full satisfaction of all his claims, if any, against the lands of Shanbogh, and “the acquisition of the tenants interest in the lands by Edward Grace had his absolute approval.” Holden was quoted as saying,” I thought I would never get anything out of Shanbogh.” However, after agreeing to the £500 payment Holden in 1922 entered the lands with others and threw Grace out.
James Holden, was noted as being an old age pensioner; co-defendant Patrick McDonald was employed as a labourer and the other two co-defendants, Daniel Doolan and James Whelan were both farmers.
Grace v. Holden et al Verdict
The Master of the Rolls said that there could only be one result. He entered an injunction enjoining the four defendants from interfering with the statutory tenant Grace or the use of his land and also entered judgment against all four of the defendants.
Defendants Whelan and Doolan both undertook not to interfere with the plaintiff’s holding in future. Damages were found to be £340. Holden was said to be deaf, but McDonald expressed that he would not quit the land. McDonald affirmed to the Court he understood that he would be violating the injunction.
Other Shanbogh Verdicts
Other plaintiffs, and statutory tenants, in similar cases were also heard. Margaret Forrestal was awarded £100 against James Holden, Patrick McDonald and James Sullivan.
Patrick Forrestal was awarded £80 against James Holden, Patrick McDonald, Thomas Shea, James Whelan and Daniel Doolan, Sr.
Philip Malone was awarded £180 against James Holden, Patrick McDonald, James Whelan, Nicholas Forrestal, Thomas Shea, and Thomas Greene.
In the only case not involving James Holden and his nephew Patrick McDonald, John Aylward was awarded £100 against Daniel Doolan, Sr., Edward Doolan, Sr., Edward Doolan , Jr.; Daniel Doolan, Jr.; and Patrick Doolan (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 6).
Daniel Doolan, Sr. and Edward Doolan, Sr. were brothers and the other Doolan defendants were sons of Edward Doolan, Sr. (Munster Express, Sat. 7 July 1923, p. 6)
Defiant Defendant James Holden
Notwithstanding the damages awarded against him and the injunction it was reported in the New Ross Standard (Fri. 27 July 1923, p. 8) that a process server accompanied by the military went to the house where James Holden was living in violation of the injunction issued by the High Court. Holden was served with an unspecified notice in late July.
For information on the “Eviction of James Holden” see, Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) article published in Decies: The Journal of the Waterford Archaelogical and Historical Society (1976, vol. 2 p. 24).
Industrial Strife
In the Waterford area the strike involving the farm labourers was not resolved. Transport workers supported the strikers. This had a knock-on effect on local industries that relied on agricultural produce such as mills, creameries, town markets and the bacon cellars of Waterford city.
“Owing to the trouble at the ports there has not been a pig market held at Thomastown for the past fortnight. Many pig feeders have had their pigs ready for market, but they are unable to dispose of them” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 July 1923, p. 5). Denny’s announced that “owing to traffic difficulties it was unable to receive pigs for slaughter until further notice” (Munster Express, Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 5).
Baton Charge
On Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th the Civic Guards drew their batons and charged a large crowd at the Yellow Road, Waterford City. Early on Friday a large number of pigs belonging to farmers in Kilmeaden were brought to Waterford and stored in J.J. Phelan’s auction paddocks.
Labour pickets took up position outside the premises to prevent the sale of the pigs. A large crowd gathered and expressed sympathy for the labourers. At 11 p.m. as the crowd continued to grow and become hostile they were ordered to go home. When they failed to move on the guards with drawn batons charged the crowd. A stampede followed. The charge lasted about 10 minutes afterwards the street was completely cleared. No person was injured.
There was a continuance of the trouble on Saturday night, however this time “it assumed the dimensions of a riot on a small scale.” The charge on Saturday night lasted 20 minutes and again the streets were cleared. “The pigs were later removed from the paddocks to the country under military escort” (Munster Express, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 4).
Civil War Prisoners
Excitement was caused in Clonmel on the 14th when 41 prisoners escaped via a tunnel from the Emmet Barracks. The alarm was raised and 7 prisoners were captured in the yard next to the barracks (Munster Express, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 4). Searches immediately commenced for the other escapees.
On Sunday the 22nd in the evening a public demonstration was held in the Tholsel Square, New Ross demanding the release of the Republican prisoners. There was a large attendance of people. The New Ross O’Hanrahan Pipers Band attended and played a selection of national airs (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1923, p. 4)
Glenmore in the News
The military posts at Newbawn and at Aylwardstown (Glenmore railway station) were abolished, and it was announced that Civic Guard stations were to be established at the Rower, Glenmore and Slieverue (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7). See our post of 26 September 2021 for further details on the Glenmore Garda station.
A Glenmore Motor Mystery
On or about the 10th of July, “some boat men on their way from Waterford” saw a Ford motor car in the Barrow river at Glenmore. The newspapers stated that it was a suggestion for a super-film thriller. It stood on its wheels on the mud on the Kilkenny side of the river at Blackrock, at the end of Carney bay (sic) on the middle reaches of the Barrow, about 8 ½ miles from New Ross.
“At low water it is high and dry, but at full tide it is completely covered. The nearest road running from Glenmore station to Rochestown point and thence to Ringville is two or three hundred yards distant, and behind the point where the car stands the Kilkenny bank rises to a considerable height straight up from the river and is thickly planted.”
“How the car reached its present position is a mystery. There are no marks on the bank, and the possibility of its having floated there from another point is negatived by the fact that its weight would be in the neighbourhood of 15 cwt” (Munster Express, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 4; Free Press (Wexford) Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 8). Unfortunately, we could not locate any further information on this mystery.
Glenmore Defendants Summoned
Three different Glenmore men were summoned to the New Ross District Court for having unlicensed dogs.
Guard John O’Mahony summoned Peter Fitzgerald of Killvory, Glenmore for keeping two unlicensed dogs. Fitzgerald did not appear. The Guard testified that Fitzgerald told him that he only got the dogs recently and did not know the time for taking out the license. District Court Judge Fahy replied, “The public had ample notice that the licences should be taken out before 31st March, and it was now the middle of July.” He fined Fitzgerald £1 and costs and ordered Fitzgerald to take out a license.
Guard Michael Hunt summoned Patrick Forrestal, Ballyverneen, Glenmore, for a similar offence. Forrestal said he only had the dogs two months and always took out licences. The Judge fined Forrestal 5s. and costs and ordered him to take out licences. He ended the hearing by stating, “The fine would be heavier if you did not appear” (Free Press (Wexford), Sat,.14 July 1923, p. 5).
Guard Michael Hunt also summoned Michael Fitzgerald, Glenmore for having two unlicensed dogs. In this unusual case the defendant reported himself to the Guard. The defendant explained that he could not get the forms in the post office on the 13th of April. He was not fined, but ordered to take out a license (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 July 1923, p. 7).
Glenmore Winner at Waterford Feis
At the Waterford Feis held at the Presentation grounds on Sunday the first of July, Sean Murphy, of Glenmore took first in the Senior Hornpipe (Munster Express, Sat. 7 July 1923, p. 3).
Glenmore Sports
Not only was there an increase in sporting and other events special excursion trains were again running. The Dublin and South Eastern Railway provided a special excursion train for the Waterford Athletic & Cycling Sports held on Sunday the 15th of July. The train was scheduled to leave New Ross at noon with a ticket costing 2s.6d. and departing Glenmore at 12:11 p.m. with a fare of 1s. The train was scheduled to arrive in Waterford at 12:30 p.m. The return train to leave Waterford at 8 p.m. (Free Press (Wexford) Sat. 14 July 1923, p. 4).
The New Ross Standard (Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7) announced that the senior Kilkenny football team–that was to play Meath in Croke Park on the 8th in the Leinster championship semi- final– a dozen of the team hailed from Glenmore. This match will be covered in our next post.
“A crowd numbering some hundreds witnessed an interesting football contest” on Monday the 2nd of July between junior teams representing Haggard and Glenmore South. “For junior teams it was a fine display in football. Haggard won by 1 goal, 5 point to 1 goal, 3 points. A return match is anticipated” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7).
On Sunday the 22nd of July at Belmont, Ferrybank, Glenmore and Slieverue met in the first round of the Kilkenny Co. Junior Hurling Championship. Both teams were old rivals. Also, a friendly football match was played between Glenmore and Gracedieu (Munster Express, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 5). Glenmore defeated Slieverue in the first round of the Kilkenny junior hurling championship on the score of 7-3 to 1-0.
Farming & Fishing
At the end of June new potatoes were offered for sale in New Ross. The first supply sold at 3d, per pound (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7). Following the change in the weather there was a brisk demand for cabbage plants at the New Ross fair with prices ranging from 7s. to 9s. per thousand seedings (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 July 1923, p. 8).
A farmer was killed near Waterford through falling off a load of hay (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1923, p. 8). According to the Munster Express (Sat. 28 July 1923, p. 4) the farmer was John Hurley (60), of Ballyduff Lower. He was “carting hay from a field to his haggard, fell from the top of the haystack, and was killed.”
A trout weighing 4.5 lbs. was caught with a rod and fly in the Barrow, at Ballyogan, by a Ross man (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 July 1923, p. 8).
“The Barrow was becoming famous as the hunting ground for strange creatures.” In July 1923, a porpoise was caught at St. Mullins, and further north a huge pike. A seal which one man swore was as big as a young calf, was also observed in the river. Eels reputed to be as thick as a man’s wrist were also landed. “If many more of the denizens of the ocean come up, the question of starting a zoo can be considered” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1923, p. 4).
Love Was in the Air
The New Ross Standard noted that there was a boom in marriages with the end of the Civil War. In the month of June there were 60 weddings in New Ross and three in the adjoining parishes (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 July 1923, p. 7).
At the meeting of the Thomastown District Council, an old man named Paddy Kiely, of Ballyhale, appeared before the meeting and made an application to be allowed to select a wife from the inmates of the County Home. The application caused much amusement, and Messrs McDonald and Wasterman were appointed to accompany Kiely through the house.
Eventually Paddy selected a woman named Jane Loughlin, and on being asked if she would consent, Jane asked to be allowed a month to consider. To this Paddy agreed, and promised to attend the next meeting (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 July 1923, p. 5). No record could be located for a marriage between Paddy and Jane.
Miscellaneous Items
French photographers were “up in arms” against the French Tennis association, which prohibited cameras on the tennis courts because the female players revealed their legs. It was suggested by the photographers that the female players should be required to wear petticoats. The “lady players unanimously rejected” petticoats on the grounds that the garments would impede their game (Kilkenny People, Sat. 21 July 1923, p. 6).
Calls were made for the enforcement of the Vaccination Act. A smallpox outbreak occurred in England, and there was a great danger of it spreading in Ireland (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 July 1923, p. 6).
It was announced that the weekly Ireland’s Own reduced its price to 2d. per copy (Munster Express, Sat. 7 July 1923, p. 6).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.