1920’s
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One Hundred Years Ago: October 1922
In October 1922 the death and destruction caused by the Civil War continued. The postal strike ended, but post offices and mail continued to be targets for both Irregulars and criminals. Railway lines, bridges and telegraph wires also continued to be targeted by the Irregulars hoping to disrupt communications. Locally there was an increase in ambushes of National Troops. Glenmore featured in local newspapers in October 1922 primarily due to attacks upon the Dublin & South Eastern Railway (D.&S.E.R.) and its equipment. Also, located was a small obituary of a young Glenmore woman, Kate Ryan née Hoynes (1877-1922). Today, we are going to feature these Glenmore stories and other local events that were reported in local newspapers 100 years ago.
Local Ambushes
AMBUSH NEAR BALLYHALE. A group of six members of the National Army stationed in Thomastown were ambushed at Knockwilliam bridge, a short distance from Ballyhale, at about 2 a.m. on October 3rd. The soldiers led by Commandant Denis O’Brien were travelling in a lorry and were returning from Mooncoin. They were within about ten yards of the bridge, when they were ambushed by the Irregulars, who had taken up positions behind the wall overlooking the road. The National troops immediately took cover and returned fire. The Irregulars, who are stated to have numbered 30, called on the troops to surrender. No surrender took place and after about ten minutes the Irregulars retreated. Thomas Murphy, the driver of the lorry was wounded in the wrist and leg. The National troops returned to Thomastown (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 8.
AMBUSH AT JERPOINT. On the afternoon of the 4th of October Commandant Denis O’Brien with three troops were traveling in a motor car heading in the direction of Ballyhale when they were fired upon by Irregulars at Jerpoint Abbey (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 3).
AMBUSH AT FERRYBANK. On Monday night the 9th of October a considerable amount of shooting took place near the Ballybricken Jail caused by people refusing or neglecting to halt when challenged by the sentry. No injuries were reported. However, on the Kilkenny side of the river, Sergt. Stanny Furlong of the National Army at 11 p.m. was walking along Ferrybank when he was held up by two men armed with revolvers. One then shot him twice at point blank range in the thigh and abdomen. The ambulance came under fire as it came to the scene to pick up the wounded soldier (Munster Express, Sat. 14 Oct. 1922, p. 5).
Attacks on Railways & Post Offices
Telegraph poles were cut in the Glenmore district on the night of the 6th of October (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 5). Later, the railway wires were cut as well as the signal cabin broken into and the telephone stolen. In consequence of the railway wires being cut between Glenmore and Waterford on the D.&S.E. Railway, the up morning passenger trains for Dublin were unable to run in time to catch the connection at Macmine (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Oct 1922, p. 5). The continued disruption of rail services through Glenmore led to the Great Western Railway steamers sailing everyday between Waterford and Fishguard instead of 3 times per week (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 4).
The down passenger train arriving in New Ross at about 9:20 was held up south of Rathgarogue and some parcels taken from the van (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 8). On the evening of the 18th the upmail train was held up near Glenmore and cigarettes were stolen (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 Oct. 1922, p. 5).
A determined but unsuccessful attempt was made during the first week of October to burn down the signal cabin at Kilmacow railway station. A telegraph pole near the signal cabin was sawn through (Munster Express, Sat. 7 October 1922, p. 6). Near Ballyhale railway station on Tuesday night as the train left the station a man in a group of men hurled what turned out to be a large bomb into a carriage filled with people. Two of the passengers were national soldiers, Lieut. Foley and Lieut. O’Rourke. Foley “pluckily seized it and hurled it through the opposite window…before it had time to explode” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 3).
The Postmaster of Knocktopher featured in the news for his response to men threatening to blow up the post office. On the 28th of September at 8:45 p.m. loud knocking was heard at the door of the Knocktopher Post Office. The attackers demanded the post office be opened at once for the IRA. The postmaster, E. Cody, refused to open. The men insisted, stating they would bomb the house. The Postmaster told them to bomb away, but he would not open the door. He then began to ring a hand bell which made the attackers leave. The local pubs were raided the same night (Munster Express, Sat. 7 Oct. 1922, p. 4). The Mullinavat Post Office was raided during the last week of October and some money taken. Shops in the village were also visited and cigarettes, etc. stolen (Munster Express, Sat. 28 Oct. 1922, p. 5).
The Ferry Mountgarrett bridge which was destroyed during the War of Independence was again damaged in October 1922. The wooden bridge crossing the Barrow River just north of New Ross had its beams sawn through rending the bridge unsafe (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 8).
Efforts to End the Civil War
It was reported that peace negotiations towards a “desirable ending of the present armed conflict” was being led by a member of Dáil Éireann (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 5). It was also reported that a Proclamation was issued by the Free State Government at the beginning of October 1922 The Proclamation provided for a full amnesty and pardon to any person engaged in insurrection or rebellion who, on or before the 15th of October, voluntarily turned in all firearms, arms, weapons, bombs, ammunition, and explosives, and public and private property, unlawfully in his possession and lands or buildings unlawfully occupied by him, and agreed not to take any part in, or aid or abet social insurrection, rebellion, or armed opposition to the Free State Government. All who fulfilled the conditions would be allowed to return to their homes. The proclamation was issued in hopes of “restoring peace without further bloodshed” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 4).
An editorial in the New Ross Standard stated, “We have always thought it very unfortunate that the irregulars and their friends and supporters did not throw in their lot with the Free State party, when they would have been in a position of effecting good instead of inflicting injury and ruin on the country. In the popular assembly they might have stiffened up the backs of those whom they declared to be too tame and not advanced enough. Those young men, who are now without voice in the nation’s Government, owing to having taken up an antagonistic attitude towards the majority might have urged their views and impressed the majority in the National assembly, to which they might have belonged, and thus have accomplished many of their objects” (New Ross Standard, Friday 6 October 1922, p. 4).
Under the Proclamation, no arms were surrendered in New Ross, but several young men in the districts near Bunclody surrendered their arms thanks to the efforts of Rev. Kevin Doyle, C.C., Kilmyanal (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 Oct. 1922, p. 7).
Prisoners
Locally a few arrests were reported in newspapers who also made a point of reporting where arrested persons were taken. Early in the month National Troops arrested a young man near Tullogher and took him to Thomastown (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 8). After the local ambushes, National troops quartered at Mullinavat made several arrests in the neighbourhood, including a man named Phelan, of Listerlin, who was conveyed to Kilkenny (Munster Express, Sat. 14 Oct. 1922, p. 5).
The New Ross Standard reported that the London Observer published that the Free State was seeking to acquire the largest of the Saltee islands, off the coast of Wexford, to build a concentration camp to accommodate all the Civil War prisoners. It opined, “the situation is most healthy, but a large amount of building would be required.” Ironically the newspaper noted, “It was in a cave on this island that Bagenal Harvey, a leader of the rebels in 1798, was captured by soldiers. It was not suspected as a resort for some time until a soldier observed some soap suds outside the cave, and discovered that it was occupied by Harvey, who, was immediately apprehended, and later executed” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 4).
On the morning of the 10th an attempt to escape from Mountjoy Prison was made by a number of Irregular soldiers. The escape attempt resulted in the deaths of a national solider, two military police officers, and a prisoner. Two other soldiers were wounded and a prisoner was also wounded. Found in the cells of prisoners were 2 land mines, explosive chemicals, a revolver and ammunition (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 4).
Restoring Law & Order
In an attempt to stop the crime spree that had gripped the country a Proclamation was issued on the 2nd of October. This Proclamation provided that civilians charged with 4 categories of criminal offences would be tried in Military Courts. The offences included: (1) taking part in, or aiding or abetting any attacks upon National Forces; (2) looting, arson, seizure, destruction or removal of, or damage to public or private property; (3) possession of any bomb or explosive substance (without proper authority), firearm or lethal weapon, or any ammunition; and (4) the breach of any general order or regulation made by the Army Council. Possible sanctions listed in the notice included: death, penal servitude, imprisonment, deportation, internment and fine (Munster Express, Sat. 21 Oct. 1922, p. 5).
It was reported in early October that the Civic Guards were established in most of the towns In “Southern Ireland.” Described as “…a fine body of young men and must not be regarded in the same light or spirit as the old R.I.C., who were a semi-political force.” The New Ross Standard wrote, “The R.I.C., in addition to giving a certain amount of protection to the civil population, were utilised to bolster up and protect landlordism and foreign domination during the people’s struggles. They were the prop of alien rule in Ireland. Now all has been changed. Young men from our midst have been appointed to protect life and property in the country. Their hands will be full for some time at least, as during the struggle of the last 5 years the people of Ireland, particularly the youth, become very much demoralised and given to mischief. For instance, where houses have become vacant the windows have been smashed by incorrigible youths, and in those places where electric and other means of public lighting have been installed the lamps have been smashed by the same urchins. Playing handball on the streets and general disorder and lawlessness characterise those young parties everywhere. They overly declare, ‘We can do what we Iike; there is no law in the country now.’ It is now up to the new police force to restore order, and it is up to the people to support them” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 4).
On the 14th of October 1922 a detachment of 28 men of the Civic Guards arrived in Waterford from Dublin. These new unarmed police officers were to replace the armed troops attempting to police the City (Munster Express, Sat. 21 Oct. 1922, p. 3).
Others blamed the unrest on emigration. The Irish Evicted Tenants and Land Settlement Association stated that hopes were given to young people during the long struggle for Ireland’s rights that thousands of acres under grazing and other land held under the eleven months’ system would be split up and divided to afford young people a living. “Thousands of our young men and women who would have been glad to settle down at home have emigrated to America and elsewhere…This is the cause of unrest in this country” (New Ross Standard, Friday 6 October 1922, p. 4).
Impact on Civilians
Bullets and bombs kill indiscriminately not being able to tell friend from foe. In October 1922 civilians across the country were killed. On Sunday the 8th of October at about 3 p.m., about a mile south of New Ross, Julia Molloy was fatally shot on the Camblin Road. At the military inquest others testified that they were out walking when shots rang out. No witness was certain where the shots originated although some heard shooting earlier on the Kilkenny side of the river. Witnesses included: Michael O’Connor, merchant, South St. Robert Rickerby, John Locke, William Walsh and Samuel Jacob, all of South St. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 13 Oct. 1922, p. 5). The death register provides that Julia died on the 8th of October at Oaklands. Her sister K. Molloy was present when she died. Julia was a single 45 year old shopkeeper on South Street, New Ross.
On the same day that Julia Molloy was shot and killed, a group of young men motoring from Kilkenny to Waterford to attend a terrier coursing meeting at Mulinabro, were fired on at Castlebanny. One of the men named Reilly was wounded in the side. The wind screen of the car was destroyed by the bullets. The men did not proceed to Waterford, but returned home via Thomastown, where Reilly had his wound attended to by Rev. Fr. Grace, of Ballyhale (Munster Express, Sat. 14 October 1922, p. 5.)
An excursion train was scheduled to run on Sunday the 15th of October 1922 for the Wexford vs. Kilkenny, Leinster Hurling Semi-Final in Dublin. The train left Waterford at 8 a.m. and Glenmore at 8:17 A third return fare from Waterford or Glenmore was 8s. while from New Ross the fare was 7s. 6d (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 Oct. 1922, p. 5). The game was played under ideal conditions so far as the weather was concerned, the ground was excellent, but the attendance was on the small side. It was a “rather one sided contest, and the superiority of the Kilkenny men was in evidence…despite the fact that they had considerable difficulty in fielding a team. Members of the team only reached Dublin a couple of hours after the scheduled time due to damage on the Great Southern line in Kildare. Other team members from Mooncoin traveling on the D.&S.E.R. from Waterford also encountered rail trouble. To overcome the problem four members of the junior Kilkenny team played in the senior team. Wexford also had difficulties in fielding a team due to “troubles at home.”” The County Champions, Crossabeg were not represented. Sean O’Kennedy, the ex-All Ireland football captain, came to the rescue and played as the goalkeeper. He, J. Mythen and M. Neville were members of the 1910 team. Kilkenny won 6 goals, 6 points to Wexford 1 goal. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 Oct. 1922, p. 3).
The Kilkenny People (Sat. 7 Oct. 1922, p. 4) appeared more interested in football. “With the passing of the Leinster Championship matches the next big game to be looked forward to is the senior football match between the old rivals, Glenmore and Cloneen, which should again prove a red letter attraction at St. James’s Park.” A football challenge match, between De la Salle College (Waterford) and Glenmore was billed to take place at Slieverue on the 29th of Oct. (Munster Express, Sat. 28 Oct. 1922, p. 5). Unfortunately, we could not locate a report of the match or the score.
A Glenmore Funeral
A brief obituary appeared in the Munster Express. On Thursday the 19th the funeral of Mrs. Ryan, Gaulstown, Glenmore took place and was largely attended. The deceased lady had been apparently in good health up to a short time previous to her death, and much sympathy is extended to her relatives in their bereavement (Munster Express, Sat. 28 Oct. 1922, p. 5). A search of 1922 death records revealed that Mrs. Ryan was Kate Ryan née Hoynes (1877-1922) a 43 year old widow of a farmer. She died of acute gastric enteritis on the 17th of October. Her brother Michael Hoynes of Ballybrahee was present at her death. Thanks to the Hoynes family tree prepared by Michael Hoynes (b. 1948) we know Kate was married to Peter Ryan (c. 1869-1921) and the couple had no children. A marriage record was located. Peter Ryan of Gaulestown (farmer) married Kate Hoyne of Ballybrahee on the 22nd of February 1906 at Glenmore. The fathers of the couple were Laurence Ryan (farmer) and John Hoyne (farmer). Peter Ryan died at Gaulestown, Glenmore on the 21st of May 1921 at age 52 of endocarditis.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is the Junior Kilkenny Hurling Team that played and defeated Dublin on the 15th of Oct. 1922 in the Leinster Junior Hurling Semi-Final at Croke Park (Freemans Journal, Mon. 16 Oct. 1922, p. 3).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore’s “Thrilling” Motor Accident & Famous Bonesetter
On Friday the 8th of March 1929 the Munster Express published an article entitled “Thrilling Motor Accident in Glenmore” (p. 3). Today, we are going to highlight the colourful and dramatic newspaper article as well as the well-known Glenmore bonesetter who helped injured people before x-rays were commonly available.
The Accident
In what the newspaper dubbed “a rather sensational motor accident” occurred on the Waterford-New Ross road on the 3rd of March 1929. William Hill left his residence, Belmont Lodge, Ferrybank, early in the afternoon, taking with him a man named William Grant who had been injured the day before while working on a steamer at Waterford. Their objective being the home of a well-known Glenmore bonesetter. Accompanying Hill were Miss Hill and Peter Grant, the son of the injured man. The newspaper did not identify the Glenmore bonesetter. It did state that all went well until the party reached a spot known as the “Scorebridge Bend.” We believe that this is a typographical error and should be the Scowbridge. It was noted that the bend was “a well known but perfectly safe turning, with vision at either approach, located midway between Robinstown and Gaulestown.” The Scowbridge is actually located where the stream crosses under the road from Grogan to Gaulestown, but as Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often said newspapers never let facts get in the way of a good story.
When Mr. Hill was one hundred yards from the bend, still on the Waterford side of the bend, he noticed a Ford saloon coming in the opposite direction “going for the turn at a “terrific speed.” “His practised eye realising the corner could never be negotiated safely,” he had to decide in a fraction of a second whether to “stop dead” or “keep going.” He decided to keep going, and “to this fact he owed his safety.”
“Around the bend the Ford came, and, to the terror of the occupants of Mr. Hill’s car suddenly canted over to an angle of 45 degrees, taking the turn on two wheels. For a moment the driver corrected his course, but this only sent her [the Ford] in a mad plunge to the off-side of the road, but gave Mr. Hill the chance to get safely past her, where he came to an immediate stop and was just in time to see her cannoning off the fence in her mad momentum, and plunging once again across the road, not yet even to stop, but once again taking a final leap to the off fence and landing on her head or bonnet, and, poised momentarily in the air, came down with a sickening crash on the road.”
Mr. Hill and the injured Mr. Grant rushed to the crashed car. They expected to find a “mangled mass of humanity,” but were surprised to find the occupants of the crashed car uninjured. They immediately helped two ladies out through the roof of the crashed car and they hauled the driver clear of it. It was stated, “had the petrol fired a horrible death would have been their lot.”
The driver and owner of the car was an elderly gentleman named Rossiter, who lived outside New Ross. “A relief car was secured, and the fortunate survivors were brought home. The remains of the car were left on the road, it being a wreck.” This probably provides a good indication of the amount of traffic in 1929 when a wrecked vehicle could be left on the road near a bend.
Mr. Hill was then interviewed subsequently and surprisingly the newspaper published his opinions regarding the accident and driving in general. Hill said—“It was just a case of speed in the wrong place. The driver must have either been a stranger of the road or else forgot about the turn until it was too late. The danger of modern saloons is that they become overheated, and, unless ventilation is seen to, a drowsy feeling overtakes one. The feeling I had was one of powerlessness, the same as you would realise were you are to meet a runaway horse. Sooner or later, more stringent driver tests must be insisted on, as otherwise the ever increasing motor traffic will bring appalling accidents. I have not the slightest objection to anyone taking driving risks or stunting etc., where he only endangers his own life, but where mine or the public is involved it is altogether another matter. One of the oldest motorist I know said to me his dictum was: ‘It’s the other fellow is going to kill you.’”
The article ends with, “a remarkable feature of the accident was that the car coming from New Ross, after turning over three times, landed on the road facing in the direction from which it had come.”
James Roche (c. 1854-1940) of Haggard, Glenmore
The bonesetter that William Hill was taking William Grant to visit was probably Jimmy Roche of Haggard. According to Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) notes the Roche’s of Haggard were recognised as good bonesetters. On the 28th of December 1969, Danny interviewed his mother Hannah Dowling née Murphy who related that the Roches farmed 70 acres in Haggard. Hannah recited that Luke Roche was a bonesetter and married Biddie Aylward, of Parkstown, Glenmore. Luke and Biddie had three children: (1) James Roche who also became a bonesetter. James married Kate Aylward, of Ballyfacey. Hannah recalled that James was over 80 years of age when he died in 1940. James had two sisters (2) Bridget Roche, never married and died in her 60’s in about 1939; and the last child was Statia Roche who never married and died in her 75th year in 1945.
According to Hannah Dowling, Jimmy and Kate Roche of Haggard had the following family
(1) Luke Roche, married in Mooncoin; (2) Jack Roche, [never married and farmed the home farm]; (3) James Roche [married a woman named Kearney and worked at the Glenmore Creamery and was also a bonesetter]; (4) Larry Roche, [never married]; (5) Pat Roche, [never married]; (6) Matthew Roche [never married] and (7) Catherine Roche, died as a result of burns from falling into the fire at the age of 5-6 months.
James Roche (c. 1854-1940) died at his residence at Haggard. His obituary in the Munster Express is also colourful. It provides that James was a well-known figure in farming circles and was widely known as a competent bonesetter, “whose fame at this important aspect of manipulative surgery established a name for him ever far outside his own district. His home was at all times a hospitable centre for visitors, and his cheery and kindly disposition endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his genial acquaintanceship. Strong, well-built, and of a commanding personality Mr. Roche was a splendid type of Irishman, and his passing, though coming at the fine old age of 86 years, is deeply and deservedly regretted by his family, relatives and a wide circle of friends.” Deceased was husband of Mrs. Kate Roche, Haggard; father of Larry Roche, the well-known footballer and athlete; James Roche, who is a popular member of the staff of Glenmore Creamery; Luke, John, Pat and Matty Roche, all of Haggard; and brother of Miss Stasia Roche, also of Haggard. Interment took place at the family burial ground at Kilbride (Munster Express, Fri. 13 Dec. 1940, p. 12).
Hannah Dowling also said that Katie Roche née Aylward died in 1946 at the age of 68. An obituary was located for Katie Roche and it revealed that she died in January 1946. She was said to be one of the best-known residents of the parish and was the widow of the late James Roche, “who was widely known in the district as a competent bonesetter the art of which is still being practised by members of the family,” (Munster Express, Fri. 1 Feb. 1946, p. 6).
The last of the Roche family was Mattie who died in 1999 at the age of 77.
The featured photo above in a 1929 Ford Saloon. Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: September 1922
By the end of August 1922, the Free State troops firmly controlled New Ross and Waterford. However anti-Treaty troops or Irregulars continued to attack the troops in New Ross and Waterford. Additionally, the Irregulars continued to employ disruption tactics honed during the War of Independence. Telegraph and telephone wires were repeatedly cut or damaged, roads were blocked, and bridges destroyed. Ambushes of mail and goods trains were prevalent and ambushes of Free State troops became a common feature around the country. Newspapers had difficulties communicating during this month because the postal workers went on strike which restricted or stopped the delivery of mail and the use of telegraphs and telephones by the general public. Today, we shall highlight what happened locally and what Glenmore people were reading in local newspapers 100 years ago.
The Civil War
The month of September commenced with reports in local newspapers of heavy fighting elsewhere around the country. Deadly ambushes were reported in Kerry, Cork, Offaly, Mayo, Tipperary, and Sligo. It was reported that a railway repairer engaged in repair work near Mallow was killed by Irregular forces who warned other railway employees that they would “meet the same fate if they took up sjmilar work.” Due to the attacks on bridges, roads and railways in some areas of the west food became scarce. “All fairs and markets have been stopped for some time and the people are in a deplorable way. They are faced with starvation…” Rev. Father Hayes, of Labasheeds, appealed to his parishioners, and 100 men turned up and repaired all the destroyed bridges in their locality. In response the Irregulars threatened to set barricades with bombs, with the lever pins of the bombs removed (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1922, p. 5).
Rumours began to surface that peace talks were taking place. However, all efforts to arrange negotiations failed. After a lull of almost week in early September ambushes in Dublin resumed. Four attacks on Free State troops took place in a single day in four different parts of Dublin. This led to “the civilian populace…[receiving] more than its share of the casualties” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Sept. 1922, p. 4). Newspapers also reported that a female courier was apprehended on her way to Mountjoy. It was reported that in her possession were confidential communications from de Valera to Liam Mellowes. The Daily Express of London reported “the communications reveal the hopelessly chaotic state of the entire Republican organisation. More significant still are the confessions by de Valera of his personal errors in judgment which led up to the beginning of the civil war…” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 Sept. 1922, p. 5).
Reminiscent of the War of Independence, 39 prisoners escaped from the Cork jail on Friday the 22nd by tunnelling from a cell to a ventilation shaft that led to a manhole in the centre of the footpath in front of the jail (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 Sept. 1922, p. 7).
At the end of September the threat of starvation from the Civil War continued. With no train service for several weeks and roads and bridges damaged and blocked, serious shortages of food were reported in Killarney. On the 16th fifteen cartloads of food being conveyed were seized by the Irregulars at Brennan’s Glen. The people of Tralee were said to be facing starvation. People attempting to travel through Kerry were warned that “the jaunting car …offers virtually the only means of getting about with any degree of safety. It may be that it is more innocent looking that a motor car in the eyes of armed men…and road obstructions are more easily negotiated…” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 September 1922, p. 3).
Locally, mail and goods trains were targeted by Irregulars and others. On the 28th of August armed men between Waterford and Glenmore took mail from the up mail train, including mail for New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1922, p. 7). Due to the continued attack on trains the railway suspended some services. Locally, this meant that the last mail leaving New Ross was at 4:20 p.m. instead of 9:15 p.m. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1922, p. 4). Twice during the week of the 4th of September goods trains from Waterford were held up by a party of Irregulars between Mullinavat and Ballyhale. Goods consisting of bacon sugar, tobacco and cigarettes were stolen (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Sept. 1922, p. 8). On Saturday the 15th in the evening the up mail train between Waterford and Glenmore was help up by a number of men. “A quantity of stuff was taken including some drapery. Some of the articles were subsequently returned. The passengers were ordered not to look out of the windows” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 Sept. 1922, p. 7). On Friday the 22nd the up train from Waterford to New Ross was held up in the Slieverue area. “Stuff was taken away” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 Sept. 1922, p. 7).
Armed Attacks on Waterford & New Ross
On Sunday the 26th of August about 10:30 p.m. “another attack” was made on the Free State troops at the Waterford railway station. Six men opened fire on the soldiers from behind a wall running up from the railway on the Ferrybank side. A bomb was flung into the station from the cliff above the station resulting in glass shattering. The Free State soldiers returned fire and brought out a machine gun which drove the attackers out. On investigating the place where the attacking irregulars had been a handkerchief saturated with blood was found as well as fifty rounds of ammunition. The wall behind the irregulars was also splattered with blood. There were no casualties among the Free State soldiers (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Sept. 1922, p. 2). Private George Lackey, a native of Glenmore, was not so lucky. On the 2nd of September while stationed at Thomastown with other Free State troops he and another private named Martin Brennan, of Castlecomer, were serious injured by the accidental discharge of a rifle (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 Sept. 1922, p. 8).
Notwithstanding the attack on Sunday the 26th of August, the curfew on Waterford was removed on the following Tuesday (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Sept. 1922, p. 5). On the night of the 5th of September heavy firing took place in Waterford when bands of Irregulars attacked different places in the city. Shortly before dusk a flying column of Irregulars was spotted on the heights overlooking the city, on the Ferrybank side of the Suir. A second band of Irregulars began shooting near Grace Dieu. A third band took up sniping positions behind Larry’s Knock. Once the shooting began it continued until a lull occurred when the cinema was being emptied. Two unarmed Free State soldiers were shot at just outside the Coliseum Theatre, but both avoided being injured while the woman behind them was shot. By 11 p.m. at Newtown the Irregulars began firing a Thompson machine gun. “Fortunately, at this period virtually all pedestrians had left the thoroughfares.” In the city centre most of the shooting took place in the vicinity of George’s Street, Peter Street, Broad Street and High St. Less intensive firing took place on the Quay, the Mall and Parnell Street (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 Sept. 1922, p. 6).
The Irregulars attacked the Manor St. Police barracks. Shots were also fired at Lady Lane Barracks, but the garrison did not respond. It was reported that six or seven Irregulars were wounded in the attacks. Other casualties included an elderly lady named Katie Walsh who was shot and killed while reading in her sitting room in Bakehouse Lane near the Lady Lane Barracks. The bodies of two Irregular who were believed to have been killed in the attack on the train station a week earlier were discovered and dug out of a field in Ferrybank (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 Sept. 1922, p. 6).
Further details were gleaned from the Munster Express such as the fact that the Irregulars’ position on Larry’s Knock was on Mount Misery and provided a commanding view of the city. It was also reported that 15 to 20 Irregulars within the city were using a weapon known as “Peter the Painter.” This weapon was a German automatic pistol that converted into a short rifle. It was reported that the Irregulars mixed among the crowds leaving the local picture shows. Kate Walsh who was shot and killed while reading a book in her sitting room at 13 Bakehouse Lane was 66 years of age. She was shot in the arm and called out to her upstairs neighbour. The neighbour rushed for help and sent neighbours scurrying for the priest, doctor, police and the widow’s son. A few minutes after the priest and doctor arrived, she died (Munster Express, Sat. 9 Sept. 1922, p. 6).
As the Irregulars continued to re-destroy bridges near New Ross, the town reintroduced bicycle permits (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1922, p. 7). Thus while the Irregulars continued to use the guerrilla tactics of the War of Independence the Free State Forces exercised some of the same unpopular control tactics as the British. For example, the Munster Express reported on a raid in Ferrybank conducted by Free State troops. These troops seized a duplicator, typewriter and a huge quantity of Irregular propaganda. Patrick Murphy, a prominent Irregular, was taken into custody (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Sept. 1922, p. 40). At the beginning of the article a little notice stated that the article was “passed by military censor.”
Between one and two a.m. on Sunday the 11th the people of New Ross were awakened by brisk rifle fire. Shots were coming from Rosbercon and also from places in the upper streets of the town. Just before the shooting began a sentry at the Tholsel stopped a man who was staggering as if drunk. The sentry began to search the man. Suddenly three or four men in their stocking feet rushed the sentry and took his weapons and fled (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Sept. 1922, p. 5).
Post Offices
Post offices featured heavily in the news articles in local papers. At the end of August, the Rower was the scene of “An exciting affair.” Near midnight eight to ten men broke into the post-office. The men demanded the old age pension money. When told that the pension had been distributed, they searched the office but did not find any money. They then went to the shop of an elderly man in the village and took away his goods. Next they broke into the shop of Mr. Butler. While in the Butler’s shop a group of Irregulars arrived having been summoned by a resident. The Irregulars surrounded the Butler shop and although the raiders were armed with a shot gun and a couple of revolvers they were disarmed by the Irregulars. The raiders were compelled to return everything that they had stolen and they were paraded in front of the villagers for identification. The raiders were found to be civilian who lived nearby. “After getting a severe threshing they were allowed to go” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1922, p. 8).
The Munster Express at the beginning of September published articles regarding the threatened postal strike. The New Free State government proposed to cut the wages of the workers because the “cost of living had decreased.” The workers disputed that the cost of living had decreased and thus began a war of words. In the same edition the Munster also published the story of a post card that took was in transit for six years. “On Saturday the 26th of August Wm. Morrissey, a draper, on the Main St. of Carrick-on-Suir received a postcard that had been posted in Clonmel on 6 November 1916. The card was legible and in good condition. It related to the purchase of wool from the War Office” (Sat. 2 Sept. 1922, p. 6).
The Irish Postal Service workers went on strike at 6 p.m. on Sunday the 10th of September (Munster Express, Sat. 16 Sept. 1922, p. 3). In Dublin the services were almost at a standstill. The public had neither letters or telegrams during the strike. As the strike was nearing two weeks, a frustrated New Ross Standard editor wrote, “One of the most regrettable features of the struggle is the nature of the propaganda supplied to the Press…It is time the public made itself felt in this matter, otherwise both the strikers and the Postmaster-General may continue to think that the Irish people want columns of propaganda instead of a postal service” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 Sept. 1922, p. 4). A notice appeared on the back page of the edition that the New Ross post office remained open for the paying of the old age and army pensions. It was also noted that some letters arrived by armed guard from Dublin but had to be collected at the post office (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 Sept. 1922, p. 8).
As outlined in our previous blog posts the Glenmore post office in 1922 was in Fluskey’s. In addition to collecting and distributing mail the post office had a telegraph as well as telephone and telephone exchange. On Friday the 22nd of September “a number of men” under the cover of darkness visited the post office and dismantled the telephone (Wicklow People, Sat. 23 Sept. 1922, p. 8). It is not clear from the article whether the dismantling was the work of Irregulars or striking postal workers. (To read our previous blog post on the history of the Glenmore Post Offices click here.)
Resident Magistrates Terminated
During the later part of the War of Independence some areas or parishes set up IRA or parish courts to hear minor criminal cases. It is believed that an IRA court or parish court was established in Glenmore, and this court sat in the Glenmore Creamery. At the same time the former Royal Petty Sessions courts in Rosbercon and Kilmacow etc. continued to operate with Resident Magistrates sitting as judges.
On the first of September local papers advised the citizens that all resident magistrates in Ireland were notified by the Irish Free State Government that their services were terminated. Pending the expiration of their notices the resident magistrates were placed on leave. The decision to terminate the resident magistrates was part of a general scheme of reconstruction of Irish Legal machinery (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1922, p. 5). Under this scheme the parish courts developed in some areas were also to be terminated and district courts establish with trained lawyers to be appointed as judges.
Life Went On
Notwithstanding the ambushes in Dublin and attacks on trains etc. the Glenmore area appeared to remain calm. For example, a two week Mission was conducted by the Vincentian Fathers and opened in Glenmore on the 3rd of September. Also, the employees of the malt stores of P.J. Roche & Sons, New Ross went on their annual excursion to Duncannon (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1922, p. 7). Other areas were not so fortunate. Boarding house keepers and hotels in Tramore reported that 1922 was one of the leanest years on record (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Sept. 1922, p. 5).
Notwithstanding the difficulties of travel the fairs and markets continued to operate in New Ross, Waterford and Thomastown. Good supplies of stock and buyers were reported although prices were down. The potato crop around Waterford was reported as being the best for many years both in quality and quantity. Farmers were perturbed at the bad weather, but the heat wave compensated for everything (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 15 Sept. 1922, p. 7).
The New Ross Show was held mid-month and some competitors traveling by train encountered a recently repaired railway bridge was again destroyed. These competitors unloaded their horses and walked them to the Show. There were also two reports of women with pony and carts attempting to cross damaged bridges on their way to New Ross and they and/or their animals ended up in waterways and required rescue (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 September 1922, p. 5). At the New Ross Show John Hartley, of Ballincrea, Slieverue, was awarded first prize in the class for the best sire, other than thoroughbred, calculated to get good hunter and harness horses. T. Freaney, Glenmore and Dick Doherty, Mooncoin were awarded first and second awards for the best untrained 4 year old gelding and filly (Munster Express, Sat. 23 Sept. 1922, p. 5).
It was reported that the [grain] harvest in 1922 was a month later than in 1921. In some local places barley was not ripe (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Sept. 1922, p. 8). The Agricultural Gazette published that R.B. Matthews developed a method of harvesting with the aid of electricity. His sheaves of corn were stacked as soon as they were cut. Traditionally, farmers allowed the corn to mature in the field. Through his stack he passed a current of air driven by an electric Sirocco fan. It was proclaimed that all risks of weather or bird damage to the stocks in the field were eliminated and his ground cleared for ploughing as soon as the corn was cut (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Sept. 1922). Unfortunately, electricity was not available in all areas of Glenmore parish for almost 40 years.
A woman from Shanbogh died at the remarkable age of 103 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Sept. 1922, p. 8). Unfortunately, no further information such as the centenarian’s name was provided. The elderly also featured in an article about a sports carnival to be held in Ballycullane on the 17th where “old man’s races and challenges” was advertised. One man aged 70 wagered that he could beat anyone of the same age in a half mile flat race or over the hurdles in a 120 yards race. He was staking two weeks of his old age pension on the races (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Sept. 1922).
At the quarterly meeting of the Kilkenny Co. Council on the 17th the Council set about appointing rate collectors based upon tenders received. For the vacant collectorship in Ida district six tenders were received. Each candidate for the post submitted a tender indicating how much of each pound of the rates collected they would keep for their services in collecting the rates. The six persons seeking the post included: Richard Duggan, Flemingstown, Glenmore, 2 ¾d in the £ (d is one pence in a pound made up of 240 pence); P. Walsh, Inistioge, 3½d; Peter Kirwan, do. 4 ½d; E. J. Murphy, New Ross, 4d; Martin McGrath, Listerlin, Tullogher, 4d; and Richard O’Keefe, Coolull, 4d. Richard Duggan, of Flemingsown, Glenmore was unanimously elected (Kilkenny People, Sat. 23 Sept. 1922, p. 2).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
The featured photo above is from Freemans Journal, Thurs. 14 Sept. 1922, p. 3. The caption: Farmer carrying a bag of flour on his back across a destroyed bridge following a narrow footpath in the centre of the bridge.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Creamery Featured in Butter Museum’s Latest Video [updated]
The video is on facebook. The fastest way to find it is to go to the Butter Museums webpage and click on the little facebook symbol in the upper right side of the home page.
Here is a link to the video on Vimeo
One Hundred Years Ago: August 1922
As the month of August 1922 unfolded the local newspapers seemed to have settled on names for the two warring sides. The troops of the pro-treaty, Free State were generally referred to as the Irish Army or National troops, and the troops of the anti-treaty Republicans were generally referred to as Irregulars. Glenmore did not feature in any local newspapers in August 1922, so today we will highlight various local events our ancestors read about in local newspapers. In August 1922, Waterford City was under the control of the Irish Army which continued to push south and west to capture other cities and towns. As the Irish Army advanced the Irregulars relied more on guerilla activities, honed during the War of Independence, such as blocking roads, destroying bridges, laying ambushes and disrupting communications. Although the National Troops during the month appeared to have driven the Irregulars out of various districts, towns and cities the Irregulars continued to operate in these areas. Notwithstanding the strife events such as the Tramore Races proceeded although the railway link to Tramore was not operating due to the activities of the Irregulars.
Disruption of Communications
A notice was posted on the 2nd of August in the window of the Waterford GPO advising the public that the arrival of mails was uncertain. Telegram communication was open via Dublin for Great Britain and the greater portion of Ireland. Waterford was in communication with Kilkenny, Abbeyleix, New Ross, Wexford, Passage East, Dunmore and Tramore. Telegrams could not be accepted for Counties Cork and Kerry, Limerick and district, places round Waterford, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Cahir, Tipperary, Dungarvan, Fermoy, and Kilmacthomas (Munster Express, Sat. 5 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
The Palace railway bridge was blown up on the night of the 31st of July. A train went up from New Ross to bring down the passengers and mails from the down mail train on Tuesday the 1st of August, and during the day the trains proceeded to the broken bridge and passengers transferred at the bridge. When the down mail was unable to proceed to Waterford on Tuesday morning news agents in Waterford, accompanied by a number of newsboys, drove to New Ross, and on to Palace to get the newspapers (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 5).
As the Irish army pushed west toward Carrrick-on-Suir arrests were made in Mullinavat in the course of a search. Roving bans of Irregulars had been operating in the district blocking and trenching roads and cutting the railway communications between Waterford and Kilkenny. A bridge on this line was blown up at the end of July. The damage was more extensive than at any previous time. The line remained closed for several days. The mails from Dublin coming over this line on Saturday had not reached Waterford by Friday (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 3).
Cost of the Siege of Waterford
It was noted at a meeting of the Waterford No. 2 District Council, chaired by R. Delahunty, that losses sustained prior to and during the recent armed conflict in Waterford totalled over £25,000 in claims submitted by the clerk to the Council (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 3).
In addition to property loss people injured during the siege of Waterford continued to die in August. For example, John Doyle, aged 22, a member of the Irregular forces, died on the 10th of August from injuries he sustained during the siege at the GPO (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 11 Aug. 1922, p. 4). See our previous blog of 17 July 2022, regarding the Siege of Waterford.
The National Troops continued to arrest suspected Irregulars in Waterford City, and on Monday the 13th of August “a large batch of prisoners arrived in Kilkenny by train from Waterford.” They had a strong military escort and were marched from the railway station to Kilkenny prison (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 Aug. 1922, p. 8). On the same day, Daniel McDonald, Tullogher, the well known weight thrower, and P. Fleming, the Swan, escaped from Kilkenny Prison at 1:30 a.m. on Monday the 13th. The circumstances of McDonald’s arrest and escape were not disclosed (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 Aug. 1922, p. 4).
Carrick-on-Suir & Dungarvan
On Thursday the 10th of August in an official bulletin from the Irish Army it was reported that troops occupied Carrick-on-Suir. On the way to Carrick-on-Suir, Comdt. McCarthy’s forces cleared Callan, Mullinahone, Nine Mile House, Kilmogany and Winegap of Irregulars. The Irregulars in Carrick-on-Suir, estimated at about 300 crossed the river and retreated. They blew up the bridges as they retreated. One of the bridges, the John Dillon Bridge was built in the 1880’s and named after a prominent member of the old Irish Parliamentary Party. Its erection cost several thousand pounds. The other bridge dated back to the 14th century, and was regarded by the inhabitants as one of the town’s historic landmarks. Efforts by the townspeople to save the old bridge, that had been spared by Cromwell, fell on deaf ears. De Valera arrived in town and remained for a few days before the town was abandoned by Irregular forces (Munster Express, Sat. 12 Aug. 1922, p. 4).
Also, on the 10th a gentleman who arrived in Waterford from Dungarvan stated that the Irregulars cleared out of Dungarvan on the evening of the 8th. The barracks were destroyed. Some Cork Irregulars, who constituted the major portion of the garrison, left the town by two trains which they seized at the Dungarvan railway station. They travelled in the direction of Cork, and when they had passed through Capoquin another party of Irregulars arrived in the town by motor and blew up the rail and road bridges (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 11 Aug. 1922, p. 7).
Although the Irish Army had reported that it had cleared Mullinahone, an 18-year-old Free State Volunteer was shot in the head and killed while he was visiting his uncle’s home in Mullinahone on the 19th of August. An Irregular named Patrick Egan “rushed into the house and shot him through the head at point blank range. Egan was about to fire a second time when a lady intervened.” Egan was the leader of the Irregulars of the area. Volunteer Grace was with the Mullinahone Company of Volunteers (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
Another young man was fatally shot during a raid on a pub owned by Mrs. Maria Dowling of Blackmill Street, Kilkenny. National troops were carrying out a number of raids in the vicinity of the Kilkenny City prison. While passing Mrs. Dowling’s premises at about 1 a.m. they heard activity in the pub. The troops surrounded the building and after about ten minutes the door was opened to their knocking. Eleven young men were arrested. Shots were fired to frighten the young men who were trying to escape. Samuel Oakes, aged 17, was later discovered in the garden. He had been shot in the head and died in the pub’s kitchen (Dublin Evening Telegraph, Tues. 1 Aug. 1922, 5).
Fatal Ambush Near Mullinavat
A party of eleven National troops traveling by lorry from Carrick-on-Suir to Waterford with supplies were ambushed about a mile and a half on the Carrick side of Mullinavat on the 16th. Trees had been felled and were blocking the road. When the troops reached the obstruction Irregular forces opened fire on the lorry. The Irregulars repeatedly called upon the National troops to surrender, but they refused. When the Irregulars attempted to rush the lorry “they were beaten back.” Eventually more National troops arrived from Waterford and Kilkenny. John O’Keefe, a married Waterford man, and the father of six children was shot dead. He was a civilian traveling with the troops from Carrick back to Waterford. The newspaper noted that he was the brother of James O’Keefe, manager of the Waterford offices of the “Independent” newspapers. Volunteer Hogan of the National forces was wounded in the leg and arm (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 18 Aug. 1922, p. 5). Before the end of the month a public subscription fund was opened to aid the widow and six children of the late John O’Keefe (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
The Kilkenny Moderator reported that the National troops from Kilkenny succeeded in capturing five of the Irregulars, all from Thomastown and district. The captured five included: James Mullins, Thomastown (brother of the late Nicholas Mullins, shot and killed by British forces at Coolbawn, Castlecomer, last year); James Bookle, Brownsbarn; Thomas Bourke, the Rower; ___ Hennessy, Kilmurry; and __ Whelan. At the time they were arrested they were in possession of five rifles, about twenty bombs, and large quantity of ammunition. It was also stated that the group had been involved in two other local ambushes (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 Aug. 1922, p. 4).
“Time for Silence Gone”
August saw the death of Arthur Griffith, the founder of Sinn Féin, followed by the killing of Michael Collins in an ambush on the 22nd near Bandon, Co. Cork. In a New Ross Standard editorial, it was stated “In the hour of her greatest trial Ireland has lost the man whose services she most needs. The death of Arthur Griffith was a heavy blow, but the nation consoled itself that Michael Collins was left to guide the destiny of the new Ireland. Michael Collins is dead, his fellow countrymen having struck the blow that two years ago might have earned forty thousand pounds for an agent of England…” (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
One local killing in August caused the Bishop of Waterford to speak out. On the 15th Lt. Comdt. Eamon O’Brien responded to an alarm raised by two young girls around midnight regarding a fire. He rushed into Barrack street and was shot and killed by a waiting sniper. He was 21 years of age. The Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Hackett, in the week following the killing, in the Waterford Cathedral, announceed that the time for silence was gone. He condemned the killing particularly as the victim had no time to prepare for meeting his Maker. He stated that the present Irish government was established by the will of the people. To the persons who participated in the killing he stated, “You cannot maintain that because you think a thing is right that it is” (Munster Express, Sat. 26 August 1922, p. 2).
Local Criminality
It is difficult to know whether certain crimes reported in the local newspapers were associated with the Civil War or were the result of criminals taking advantage of the unrest. For example, on the 2nd of August between 11:30 and midnight shots were fired in new Ross. They came from Jones’ Hill, Mary Street and Rosbercon. The firing lasted about ten minutes (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 5). The following week one of the carters employed by Cherry’s Brewery, New Ross, was held up on the Enniscorthy-New Ross road. Thirteen pounds were taken during the robbery (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 Aug. 1922, p. 8).
In the early hours of the 12th the bonded store known as Hutchinson’s, The Quay, New Ross was entered and seven cases of spirits, comprised of whiskey and brandy were taken. The locks of the store had been wrenched off. The military guard stopped two men who were carrying boxes at the time and questioned the men. The men stated that they were moving drink for their employer who was a publican. They were released, but later returned and one of the men “tendered a bottle of whiskey to the guard asking him to join them in a drink.” In the morning when the military learned the bond store had been burgled, they went to the house of brothers Edward and Arthur O’Connor of Mary Street, New Ross and recovered three unbroken cases. Also arrested were John O’Neill, Chapel Lane and Patrick Doyle of Lady Lane. On Sundar the O’Connor’s were allowed out on bail. The value of the drink not recovered was valued at £40 to £50 including the duty (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 Aug. 1922, p. 5). Before the end of the month the four men were on trial before the New Ross magistrates. It was held that there was not enough evidence to convict the O’Connor brothers. O’Neill and Doyle were convicted. O’Neil was sentence to 6 months and Doyle to one month. The magistrates made a point of noting that the sentences were without hard labour (New Ross Standard, Fri, 25 Aug. 1922, p. 8).
Dr. M. Walsh, New Ross, while returning from a distant call in county Kilkenny was held up about nine miles from his home by armed men (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 5), and masked men held up the mail train on the Waterford and New Ross line near Slieverue on the 16th. In addition to stealing the mail the men took tobacco and cycle parts (New Ross Standard, Fri, 18 Aug. 1922, p. 5).
Local Life Went On
Notwithstanding the strife, trenched roads, destroyed bridges and violence, local people attempted to get on with their lives. Mrs. M’Kee was appointed midwife of the Mullinavat dispensary district at a salary of £45 per annum (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 3). The monthly Thomastown fair was held on the 2nd of August. There was a large supply of cattle and sheep offered for sale and a fair attendance of buyers. It was noted that prices were better than the previous fair and a large number of cattle and sheep changed hands. Cattle in good condition were sought. Fat sheep and lambs also found a ready sale. Although there was a large supply of young pigs, there was little demand for them. Pigs that did sell were £5 18s. per cwt (per 100 weight which actually was 112 pounds in weight) (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 Aug. 1922, p. 3). The New Ross Fair was held on the 9th and it was described as dull. There was a large supply of stock, and prices in general were down. For some classes of cattle, the prices were down a couple of pounds per head (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 Aug. 1922, p. 5).
It was announced that the delayed New Ross Agricultural Show would be held on Wednesday the 13th of September and entries poured in (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Aug. 1922, p. 5). Although there was no train service for Tramore, due to the tracks being damaged by the Irregulars, the Tramore Races were held. Ironically while it was published that the unrest caused the demise of tourism in Ireland the Cook’s office in Dublin reported that their offices were crowded and a brisk business was done. The travel agency was busy arranging holidays for Irish citizens outside of Ireland (Munster Express, Sat. 12 Aug. 1922, p. 6).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmil.com.
The featured photo above is Lt. Comdt. Eamon O’Brien (c. 1901-1922) (Freeman’s Journal, Thur. 24 Aug. 1922, p. 3).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Siege of Waterford: July 1922
Two hundred and seventy-three years after Cromwell bombarded Waterford City, in July 1922 Waterford City again came under siege. After a four day battle the City fell to the Free State Troops and the Republican, or anti-Treaty forces, that had previously controlled the City were ousted. The account of the siege below is extracted from an article that appeared in the Munster Express (Sat. 22 July 1922, p. 6) and readers may recognise several of the landmarks and buildings that came under fire.
When the Civil War broke out in Dublin in June, the Republican troops in charge of Waterford City took precautions and nightly raised the drawbridge that spanned the River Suir and connected Waterford City to Kilkenny. The Republican troops also commandeered motor cars, clothing and other necessities. They isolated the city by removing the wireless apparatus from the barracks as well as from three of the steamers in the port. Systematically newspapers from Dublin and England were destroyed.
Sunday 16 July 1922
On Sunday the 16th of July, word reached the Waterford City Republican forces that the Free State forces had left Kilkenny City bound for Waterford. The Republican forces raised the bridge at 8 p.m. instead of Midnight and ordered the vessels docked on the Kilkenny side of the river to move to the Waterford side.
Tuesday 18 July 1922
Tuesday the bridge remained closed and was only opened at about 1:30 p.m. to allow a funeral to proceed to County Kilkenny. Large numbers of people assembled on the quays as it was believed that the Free State forces were near Waterford. People and goods arriving at the train station were ferried across the river on boats. About 6:50 p.m. Free State troops were seen on the brow of the hill over Sallypark. The crowds were startled by the loud report of machine gun and rifle fire from the Republican forces in Waterford City. As a result one of the Free State volunteers, named Costeloe, was wounded. He became the first casualty of the Battle for Waterford when he died on Thursday in the Infirmary.
The Free State troops returned fire and from 7 to 10 p.m. sniping across the river continued. The Republicans in the city took over the following buildings: Adelphia Hotel, Country Club, Reginald’s Tower, Granville Hotel, Munster Express Office, Andrew Farrell’s corn stores and S. Phelan’s stores. Amazingly large crowds remained on the quays watching the cross fire…”at this juncture the people did not fully appreciate the danger to which they were exposing themselves…”
Wednesday 19 July 1922
On Wednesday morning sniping resumed. When the Republican forces observed activity on the Kilkenny side of the river machine guns rattled from the jail. The Free State troops brought an 18 pounder field gun (artillery) into position across the Golf Links and placed it on a rock overlooking the city.
At 10:40 a.m. the first shots of the bombardment by artillery were fired into Waterford city. It started with a couple of range finding shrapnel shells but the Free State troops quickly moved on to high explosive shells. The targets were the military barracks and the jail at Ballybricken. “Many houses in Barrack street, in the immediate vicinity of the barrack had been evacuated, and later many people in the neighbourhood of the barracks and jail took refuge in Tramore.” In total thirty-six shells were fired on Wednesday most of them were direct hits. However, some shells fell on the Hurley home in Jail street blowing away the roof and chimney. Mrs. Nolan directly opposite the Infantry Barracks suffered a large hole in the front of her house while the Little Sisters of the Poor Convent on Bunker’s Hill had a large portion of their side walls collapse from a shell hit. The Ursuline Convent grounds received two shells but they caused no damage.
In the evening the shells were directed toward the two military barracks. The Republicans evacuated the buildings. After they left a large group of people entered and set fire to the buildings and began looting. A mine in the Infantry Barracks exploded resulting in four casualties “and this had the effect of temporarily suspending the proceedings.”
After dark on Wednesday a number of troops under Captain Mackey, Chairman of the Clonmel Board of Guardians, went three miles downriver to Giles Quay. By boat they crossed over to the Waterford side of the Suir. While the Republicans lay in wait to ambush the party on the road to Waterford, Mackey and his men worked their way along the river bank. At a house about 100 yards to the rear of the County Club they entered and set up a machine gun to cover the principal windows of the Adelphi Hotel. Entering through the back of the County Club Mackey and his men surprised the sentry and took the Club’s garrison prisoner from their beds without a shot being fired. Creeping over the wall between the County Club and the Adelphi Hotel the hotel garrison was also captured in the same fashion. They next moved onto the adjoining Steamship Offices and again captured the sleeping Republicans.
The Imperial Hotel was captured by 12 men, but no armed men were found there. Although a Red Cross flag was posted on the building no doctor or patients were present. The Free State troops then went to Reginald’s Tower but found it was empty. The Republicans vacated leaving behind a large quantity of arms and ammunition.
Thursday 20 July 1922
On Thursday morning the Republican garrison continued to hold the GPO, the Granville Hotel, Ballybricken jail and some sniping posts on the Quay. Having captured the positions on the Mall the Free State troops turned their attention to the Post Office. After extensive small arm and machine gun fire into and from the Post Office six shells were lobbed into the building by the Free State Troops across the river. The Republican garrison abandoned the Post Office and some retreated under fire to the Granville Hotel. Some of this group entered the Granville and others went into Bolger’s Grocery Shop on Barronstrand Street.
The Free State troops continued along the Quay. During the bombardment of the Granville 18 Republicans were captured including Jerry Cronin, Commandant of the Republicans in the City. Bolger’s premises came under attack and was captured by the Free State troops. A group of citizens watched from Cinema corner.
Friday 21 July 1922
Friday morning the Republicans still held Ballybricken Jail, some houses in Ballybricken and Barrack streets and a few sniping posts on the Quay. In the early afternoon the 18 pounder was put into a position near the Ferrybank railway station. While attempting to set up the artillery piece heavy fire was raining down from the jail. Sergent Howlett, a young Free State soldier from Duncannon district, jumped onto a Lancia car with a Lewis gun and though bullets were striking all around him he repeatedly fired on the jail giving the gunners time to move the 18 pounder. Howlett was eventually killed.
Five shells were lobbed into the centre of the jail and the garrison of 15 evacuated via Chapel Lane. As the Republicans left the looters moved in. Within 20 minutes the Free State troops were at the jail and began to deal with the looters. The jail was the last Republican stronghold and “by evening practically normal conditions had been restored within Waterford.”
It isn’t clear from the newspaper account when the Free State troops lowered the bridge but there is an account that the operation had to be performed by hand because part of the machinery had been removed. It took some hours to lower the bridge by hand, so while the work was in progress the Free State troops raked the hill opposite with machine gun and rifle fire to prevent snipers from firing on the men lowering the bridge.
Throughout the battle volunteers distributed milk and bread to citizens of the City who did not flee the fighting. Within a few days the railways were working again and the Post Office, and searches by the Free State troops were carried out for loot taken.
Casualties
The following casualties were listed in the Munster Express:
[1] John Joseph Dwan, a native of Portarlington, married aged 25, shot dead in Olaf Street, near the Franciscan Church on Wednesday.
[2] William Long (40) a carpenter of Bath Street Waterford. Shot in the head on Wednesday near the Catholic Cathedral;
[3] Martin Flynn (14) of 88 Doyle Street, was badly burned on his face and hands by the explosion at the Infantry Barracks;
[4] John Grant (17) of Thomas’s Avenue, suffered injury to his legs by the same explosion;
[5] Thomas Costello, of the Upper Yellow Road, was wounded in the left arm on the Quay on Wednesday; [6] Patrick Kiely (18) of Brown’s lane, was seriously wounded in the neck by a bullet which “cut close to his to his spinal column;
[7] Patrick Cullen [23] of 5 Francis Court was knocked down by a motor car and badly injured;
[8] Michael Keeffe (66) of Bachelor’s Walk suffered a bullet wound;
[9] William McBride, a fitter on the GSWR and native of Thurles, received a bullet wound in his leg at North Station on Wednesday morning;
[10] Michael Callaghan (23) of Mayor’s Walk, was badly burned all over his body by the explosion in the Infantry Barracks;
[11] Mary Hearne (15) of Shortcourse, was seriously injured losing part of a foot and suffering severe burns at the Infantry Barracks explosion;
[12] James Dalton (19) of Barrack Street and
[13] George Calvin of Sallypark was injured in a “motor accident.”
[14] John Doyle was wounded in the Post Office shortly before it was evacuated. He received wounds in the face, mouth, nose and hands but it was reported that he was expected to recover;
[15] Michael Callaghan of Mayor’s Walk, died in the City and County Infirmary on Saturday from injuries received in the explosion of the Infantry Barracks magazine;
[16] Emily Decourcy (10) of Miller’s Marsh, died in the Infirmary on Sunday afternoon. During a lull in the fighting on Friday she went up to get bread and she was shot through the stomach near the jail;
[17] Volunteer McCarthy, of the Free State forces, a native of Slate Quarries, Carrick-on-Suir, was struck by a bullet which lodged in his knee on Friday while clearing looters away from the jail;
[18] Martin Flynn, of Doyle Street, was shot in the side outside the jail on Friday evening, but received only a flesh wound;
[19] William Stafford, (aged 13 1/2) of Monastery Street, had two fingers and half of his right thumb blown off on Friday when he picked up a detonator which he picked up in the Infantry Barracks;
[20] Michael Walsh was wounded in the hand by a richochetting (sic) bullet, and some of his tendons were severed;
[21] J. McGrath (33) of Peter Street was shot through the stomach on the Quay and died in the Infirmary; [22] Patrick Hutchinson (40) of Ballybricken, a single labourer was shot through the stomach and also died in the Infirmary;
[23] Michael Cuddehy (16), Newport’s Lane was admitted to the hospital with a bullet wound in the leg; [24] Volunteers Howlett and [25] Costello were killed in the advance on Waterford and were buried in their respective counties of Wexford and Tipperary.
For further information on local events in July 1922 see our blog post of 11 July 2022.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured photo above is from the Handbook for the Q.F. 18-pr. gun, Mk. IV on carriages, field, Mks. III, IIIt, III and IV (Land Service), 1921 courtesy of the State Library of Victoria.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh