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The Glenmore Creamery & the Dublin Milk Strike of 1939
One of our readers came across the Glenmore Creamery being discussed in Dáil Debates regarding the Dublin Milk strike of November 1939. The 1930’s were a difficult time in Ireland and elsewhere. Today we are going to try to capture some of the difficulties faced by farmers during that era and the stance that Glenmore farmers and others took regarding the Dublin Milk strike.
Background
In October 1929 the Great Depression commenced. Economic hardship was placed on most countries around the world including Ireland. In the United States, for example, the economic plight of farmers resulted in dairy wars and even involved the gangster Al Capone (Dairy News Today (2024).
In Ireland in 1932 the Fianna Fáil government under de Valera commenced a protectionist economic policy and tariffs were introduced on a wide range of imported goods primarily from Britain. Britain was Ireland’s largest trading partner. The new government sought to make Ireland agriculturally and industrially self-sufficient.
That same year de Valera determined that the land annuities paid to Britain by Irish tenant farmers per the Land Commission were public debts from which the Free State was exempted. His government passed the Land Act 1933 which allowed the collected monies to be spent on local government projects. Thus, farmers were not relieved of their annuity burdens. The money was paid to the Irish government instead of the British government.
To recover the annuities the British Prime Minister imposed a 20% import duty on Irish agricultural products into the UK which comprised 90% of Ireland’s exports. Ireland responded with similar tariffs on British goods. Thus, the Economic War commenced. It primarily affected farmers, and it fuelled class tensions in rural Ireland. Similar to the Land War of the 19th century some Irish farmers refused to pay their property rates or their land annuities. The Irish Government impounded livestock, and sold the animals for less than their value. Boycotts thrived and roads were blocked etc.
Due to the hardships suffered by Irish farmers there was little demand for manufactured goods, thus Irish manufacturers were also affected. By 1935 Irish farmers without a viable market began to slaughter their cattle in great numbers. The Economic War ended in 1938 when both countries reached an agreement to remove the tariffs. (Tim Pat Coogan (2003) Ireland in the Twentieth Century).
Then on 1 September 1939 World War II commenced. Although Ireland maintained neutrality during “the Emergency” her nearest and largest trading partner was completely immersed in the war and introduced the rationing of food, clothing and other items.
The Dublin Milk Strike of 1939
Two months after the war commenced, a large meeting of the Irish Milk Producers’ Association (Leinster Area) was held on 6 November. At this meeting the decision to withhold milk to Dublin City was agreed. The milk farmers noted that they were being asked to supply war time milk at peace time prices. Notwithstanding the increases in the price of cows and the price of feed, they were being asked to supply milk at a price lower than the price they received in 1938. The Minister of Agriculture refused to consent to a 6d per gallon increase for wholesale milk (Evening Echo, Tues. 21 Nov. 1939, p. 2).
On Friday the 17th of November 1939 members of the Association decided to give effect to their decision. The Government brought in supplies of milk by special trains under Gardaí escort. The Co. Dublin Farmers’ Association supported the milk farmers and pledged to stop supplies of milk, vegetables and farm produce and stop all fairs and markets (Evening Echo, Tues. 21 Nov. 1939, p. 2). Initially the newspaper accounts noted that there was no impact from the Dublin milk strike.
Escalation
Before the strike the Dublin and District Milk Producers’ Association brought into Dublin 19,000 gallons of milk per day. After the strike commenced the amount supplied decreased to 10,000 to 12,000 gallons per day. The Association supplied numerous wholesalers who supplied the shops where the milk was generally sold over the counter to poor people (Irish Press, Thurs. 23 Nov. 1939, p. 8).
The Dublin Milk strike reached a new phase, on the 22nd of November. There were shortages of cabbage, turnips and mangolds in metropolitan markets. Prices almost doubled above their normal price. Less milk reached Dublin, but a shortage was not experienced (Irish Examiner, Thur. 23 Nov. 1939, p. 4). To deal with the threat of no fresh milk for the capital the Irish Government reversed the monopoly it had established limiting milk sales in Dublin to 5 surrounding counties. It also under threat of penalty requisitioned milk from various creameries across the country including Glenmore.
By Friday the 24th of November “a large number of farmers picketed the vicinity of the Dublin Cattle Market, and a strong force of Guards were on duty. Buyers and salesmen remained until the afternoon, but no animals appeared. Stock on the way to the market during the night and early morning were stopped by pickets” (Irish Independent Fri. 24 Nov. 1939, p. 9).
The Munster Express (Fri. 24 Nov. 1939, p. 5) wrote a very passionate statement regarding the milk strike and the general farmers’ strikes that broke out across the country shutting down livestock markets and fairs.
“Not since the days, now exactly 60 years ago, when Michael Davitt launched the Land League…had the spirit of the Irish farmers been stirred as at the present moment. They have borne with the agonizing disappointment of the Economic War and all the misery following in its train. …They braced themselves up to bear the burden enforced upon them until the last straw has, in the name of the war, been laid upon their broken backs…They are a class not easily roused to action, but being moved, aroused in the extreme. The increase since the war broke out in the prices of essential feeding stuffs, such as maize, bran and pollard, regarding which the standstill order has not operated…” In other words milk prices were capped but the price of animal feed etc. were not capped.
The End of the Milk Strike
By 1 December 1939, after the Minister for Agriculture met with the milk producers the milk strike was over, but the general farmer’s strike continued. The Minister for Agriculture refused to meet for some time with the farmers’ representatives. Over 80 farmers across the country had been arrested. The Minister for Justice announced that the Government was satisfied that the ordinary courts were not suitable for dealing with the farmer cases. Fine Gaels’ Dr. O’Higgins stood up in the Dáil and objected to the Government imposing Special Courts for the trial of farmers arrested during the strikes. He noted that Members of the Government had at one time or another done all the things that caused the farmers to now be arrested (Anglo-Celt, Sat. 2 Dec. 1939, p. 12).
Nevertheless, the Government pressed ahead with the Special Criminal Courts for the arrested striking farmers. Nine County Meath farmers, plead guilty to offences arising out of the milk strike. The defendant farmers were bound to the peace by the Special Criminal Court sitting at Collins barracks. The defendant farmers agreed to pay £4 14s for the value of the milk they spilled and £11 13s for witnesses’ expenses (Evening Herald, Mon. 4 Dec. 1939, p. 4). The ordinary courts were obviously well equipped to deal with these types of cases.
In the Dáil on 1 December, Timothy J. O’Donovan of Fine Gael representing Cork West stated that he believed that the milk producers of Dublin had a grievance. The producers got 1s 4d per gallon, and the distributors got 2s 4d. “At these prices one wondered who owned the cows” ((Anglo-Celt, Sat. 2 Dec. 1939, p. 12).
Glenmore Creamery
Timothy J. O’Donovan was not happy to allow the issue of the penalties imposed on creameries across the country to go unchallenged. During Dáil debates on Wednesday 15 May 1940, (Vol. 80, no. 4) O’Donovan requested the Minister for Agriculture to identify all creameries which failed or refused to respond to the Government requisition regarding the milk supply to Dublin during the milk strike of November 1939. He also wished to know if any of the creameries had been penalised as a result of their failure or refusal and the amount of the fine in each case. There were 38 creameries listed as fined and below are 3 local creameries with their imposed fines.
Glenmore Co-operative Creamery Ltd. was fined £35 6s. 5d.
Kilmacow Co-operative Creamery, Ltd. was fined £23 12s. 2d.
Mullinavat Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society, Ltd. £19 6s. 2d
It was reported in the Munster Express that “milk suppliers to Kilmacow Creamery, at a meeting after last Mass on Sunday [26 November 1939] unanimously decided not to send any milk to Dublin during the period of the strike. Glenmore and Mullinavat suppliers passed similar resolutions” (Munster Express, Fri. 1 Dec. 1939, p. 8).
Conclusion
“The Dublin Milk strike, if it did nothing else made several prominent politicians think a few times…The Minister for Agriculture was able to view the effects of the monopoly he created for limited the supply of milk to Dublin to 5 counties.” “For generations Dublin drew it supplies…from any district that had milk to spare…For at least 50 years it was a common sight to see churns of milk loaded on the early trains…consigned to Dublin distributors” (Irish Examiner, Sat. 2 Dec. 1939, p. 7).
The milk strike in 1939 was not the last milk strike held in Ireland. In 1953, another milk strike was debated in the Daíl. The 1953 strike was even covered by the New York Times. Perhaps readers will remember the milk strike of 1978? It was covered by RTE.
See our post of 27 December 2020 regarding rabbit trapping in Glenmore during World War II.
Special thanks to Veronica F. for forwarding the Dáil Debates regarding the Glenmore Creamery.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Can You Identify Miss Walsh of Glenmore? [Updated]
We were recently asked if we could help identify the lovely lady in this photograph. It is from the Poole Collection in the National Library, and one of our readers purchased it hoping that she was one of his kin. She is not. There are 294 Glenmore related photos from the 1880’s through the 1950’s in the collection. Thirteen of these photos are digitalized and may be viewed on the National Library webpage.
This photo (described as a cabinet vignette) was commissioned by Miss Walsh of Glenmore, circa 1932. Another c. 1932 photo (described as “candlestick”) was commissioned by Mrs. James K. Walsh, of Glenmore.
Candidate 1
Could the lovely Miss Walsh be Etta Walsh? Etta Walsh was the daughter of James K. Walsh (1891-1934) and Lizzie (J.K.) Walsh née Heffernan (1884-1955). Etta Walsh married in 1937 to a Garda named Fitzpatrick. See our post of 22 December 2020 regarding details of her family and 1937 wedding.
Candidate 2
It has also been suggested that the lovely Miss Walsh may have been the sister of “Jim B.” Walsh (1918-1988) of Glenmore Village. Mary Walsh was a beauty, according to the Glenmore Golden Club gentlemen on Tuesday. Mary married John “Jack” Breen of New Ross. See our post of 12 March 2023 for a photo of “Jim B.” and his two sisters as young children.
[UPDATE–Mick Breen does not believe that the photo is his mother Maureen Breen née Walsh (b. 1917)) Here is a photo of his mother from around that time.
Other Candidates?
Could this lady be from one of the numerous other Walsh families of Glenmore? Even if you do not know her name have you seen this photo before? Who had the photo? Please comment below or send your thoughts to glenmore.history.com.
Thank you!
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore’s Championship Senior Football County Final 1938
Last week Pat Coady, a native of Tullogher, shared a copy of a newspaper clipping from 1938. Unfortunately the newspaper clipping does not reveal which newspaper published the article entitled “Glenmore Take Football Title,” but the advertisements on the back of the clipping are all for Kilkenny City businesses. We were able to locate a number of newspapers that did cover the championship game and these are listed below. Most of the following account is from the old clipping and additional facts gleaned from other newspapers are included. For ease in the account below a [G] had been added to identify Glenmore players. It appears that it was quite common during the 1930’s with mass emigration for teams to be made up of players living in other parishes. Thus several of the Glenmore players were from Mullinavat. A list of players for both teams is at the end. We are trying to identify all the players, so we would appreciate any help readers can render particularly with Tullogher and Mullinavat players.
First Match in Thomastown Abandoned
The first County senior football championship match between Glenmore and Tullogher took place at Thomastown on Sunday, 12 September 1938. The two adjoining parishes were old rivals. In fact, Pat Coady recalled today that at another match in Thomastown a Tullogher player when facing the prospect of a loss to Glenmore kicked the ball into the river and there was just the one ball causing that match to be abandoned.
The referee of the 1938 Championship game played in Thomastown was Sergt. S. Kerr, of Ballyhale (Munster Express, Fri. 28 Oct. 1938, p. 8). [Sergt. Kerr was father of Eddie Kerr of Kilkenny hurling fame.] At halftime the scores were level. Then about ten minutes before full time a dispute arose between two opposing players. Glenmore was leading Tullogher, 2-1 to 0-3. The spectators encroached on the playing pitch, and the match had to be abandoned. Notwithstanding the referee was a Sergt. no arrests were reported in the newspapers. The re-match was fixed for Nowlan Park on Sunday, October 30th.
The Final—Sunday 30 October 1938
In the final at Nowlan Park there was keenest rivalry, and the referee was again Sgt Kerr. It was stated that nearly 1,000 spectators were in attendance (Munster Express, Fri. 4 Nov. 1938, p. 7) . What the game lacked in the way of spectacular football was made up for by the earnestness with which each of the 30 players set about his task. Close scoring, and the play traveling from end to end, kept interest alive all through Tullogher were in arrears almost from the start, a goal at any time would put the team on level terms.
The game opened with some spirited exchanges, the ball traveling from end to end without result for about ten minutes. [Glenmore began playing against the wind and sun (Irish Independent, Mon. 31 Oct. 1938, p. 20)]. Glenmore were the more forceful and were rewarded with a goal. Tullogher made raid after raid to draw level, but weak finishing left them without the score required. Glenmore raised a white flag, [for our international readers a white flag signifies a point was scored] and shortly before the half time whistle Tullogher had a like score, leaving three points dividing.
Glenmore defence put up a great show in the second half, and some great rallies by Tullogher were stemmed almost in the Glenmore goal mouth. The forwards on both sides were kept well in check, while at centre field honours were about even. Only two points were registered in the second half, each side registering one, and the final scores left Glenmore champions by 1-2 to 0-2.
The Play: First Half
Holden [G] put P. Fitzgerald [G] in possession on the right wing in a Glenmore attack but T. Malone cleared. J. Walsh [G] centred from a free but Heffernan [G] shot wide. Tullogher attacked when Roche sent well, but a free resulted. Glenmore got moving again per Heffernan [G] who received from Connors [G] and sent a nice pass to the right wing. P. Fitzgerald [G] dropped to the goalmouth and J. Fitzgerald [G] finished to the net. Tullogher took up the running and forced play to the Glenmore end. A hot attack brought a 50 which Bird sent well in for Gaule to send wide. Two frees to Tullogher brought no score and W. Lalor lost a great chance in the goal mouth. Heffernan [G] fielded near half way and after a good movement shot wide. A free to Glenmore reached the goal area but Barron cleared. From another free on the left wing J. Walsh [G] centred to L. Roche [G] who passed to Holden [G] for the later to shoot a point.
Tullogher went away in spirited fashion and Lalor was almost through for a score when he was fouled. Bird placed the ball in the goal mouth from the free and there was a great tussle before it was fisted over the bar when a goal seemed likely. The halftime scores were: Glenmore, 1-1; Tullogher, 0-1.
The Play: Second Half
On the change over both sides attacked in vain. The defenders on both sides giving a great display and the forwards could make little headway. Tullogher missed a great chance when Roche put Lalor in possession. Bird was the mainstay in the Tullogher defence and was responsible for abating several attacks. M. Morrissey was playing a grand game at left half forward for Tullogher while the two Fitzgeralds [G] and P. Gaule did great work in the Glenmore attack. T. Malone cleared from a Tullogher attack and Holden [G] sent Glenmore away quickly. J. Wall [Walsh, G] gathered and shot a grand point. Glenmore led by four points.
A Final Rally
Malone saved a penalty kick and Tullogher were away in a great dash. They kept the Glenmore defences busy, but they were equal to the occasion and beat off all attacks. Tullogher made determined efforts to draw level at the beginning of the second half, but Duggan [G], Butler [G], and Grace [G] presented a stout last line of defence (Irish Independent). Again and again Tullogher attacked only to be driven off. With only a few minutes remaining the forwards swept through in a grand movement and Dwyer had a point. Pressure was continued, but the Glenmore defence prevailed and the final whistle sounded with scores: Glenmore, 1-2; Tullogher 0-2.
Match Commentary
The Munster Express (Fri. 4 Nov. 1938, p. 7) opined that there was nothing classic about Sunday’s display, but plenty of dash and spirit held the interest of the onlookers. Both teams had big followings, and with never much between them in the matter of scores, excitement at times was intense. Glenmore established an early lead of a goal, and all efforts of Tullogher to equalise were frustrated. It was a dour struggle in which the finer points were disregarded in favour of more direct tactics and the result hung in the balance to the final whistle. Glenmore were worthy winners, but on the run of the play Tullogher were worth more scores.
Glenmore: [Most of the first names were gleaned from Bill Grace’s obituary (link available at end of post).
[1] P. Roche (goal); [Paddy Roche, of Mullinavat]
[2] J. Duggan; [Jack Dugan, of Farnogue, Mullinavat]
[3] M. Butler; [Martin Butler (c. 1904-1976) of Moulerstown, Glenmore]
[4] M. Grace; [Should be W. for Wm. “Bill” Grace (c. 1918-1991) of Kilbride, Glenmore]
[5] P. Holden; [Pat Holden, of Mullinavat]
[6] P. Aylward; [Pat Aylward, of Mullinavat]
[7] Larry Roche; [(c. 1910-1965) of Haggard, Glenmore?]
[8] J. Freyney; [Jim Freyne of Kilbride?, Glenmore]
[9] E. Connors; [Neddie O’Connor (c. 1919 -2002) of Graiguenakill, Glenmore]
[10] P. Fitzgerald; [Paul Fitzgerald? of Moulerstown, Glenmore]
[11] M. Heffernan; [Mick Heffernan, (c. 1920-2019) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore]
[12] J. Walsh; [John Walsh? of Mullinavat]
[13] J. Fitzpatrick; [John Fitzgerald?—Irish Independent wrote about Fitzgerald brothers. ]
[14] M. Cody and [Martin Cody? of Weatherstown, Glenmore]
[15] N . Mullins. [Nicky Mullins (c. 1913-1989) of Flemingstown, Glenmore]
Tullogher:
[1] M. Malone (goal);
[2] James Malone
[3] T. Malone
[4] P. Barron
[5] M. Purcell
[6] T. Bird [Tom Bird (c. 1911-2003) of Hoodsgrove, winner of 7 Kilkenny Senior Championship medals.]
[7] J. Dwyer
[8] L. Roche
[9] E. Moore
[10] L. Gaule
[11] M. Morrissey
[12] W. Lalor
[13] M. Malone
[14] M.J. Malone
Some of the other newspapers that covered the games: Kilkenny People, Sat. 5 Nov 1938, p. 9; The Post, Wed. 2 Nov. 1938, p. 1; Irish Independent, Mon. 31 Oct. 1938, p. 20; New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Sept. 1938, p. 12.
Please send any corrections or additional information, particularly the first names of the Tullogher players, to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
For obituaries of the following players click on the links provided then scroll the obituaries. The obituaries are in alphabetical order.
Martin Butler (c. 1904-1976) of Weatherstown; Nicholas Mullins (c. 1913-1989) of Flemingstown; Wm. “Bill” Grace (c. 1918-1991) of Kilbride. As men are identified we shall attempt to provide information on them all.
The featured photo above of Glenmore Village was published in the Irish Independent (25 Oct. 1938, p. 3). The caption: Nestling in the valley—the picturesque little village of Glenmore, on the road from Waterford to New Ross.
Special thanks to Pat Coady for sharing his newspaper clipping.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Blueshirt Sports at Weatherstown, Glenmore in 1934
We recently came across an article entitled “Blueshirt Sports at Glenmore,” in the United Ireland newspaper of Saturday, the 18th of August 1934 (p. 4). The newspaper the United Ireland was published by the proprietors of the Star Publishing Co. Ltd. and printed by Cahill and Co., of Parkgate, Dublin. It was published from 1927 to 1961 and until it ceased publishing 1,792 editions were published.
The article mentioned the Glenmore tug of war team which prompted a search for an earlier article on the Ballyfacey, Glenmore tug of war team. See, our post of 13 Nov. 2022 . We noticed that the Munster Express published on 13 July 1934 an article about a sports day in Weatherstown. The Munster Express covered some of the winners of some of the events, but made no mention of the fact that the event was associated with Blueshirts (Fri. 13 July 1934, p. 8).
The Munster Express covered the results of the sports day but made no mention of the fact that the event was associated with Blueshirts (Friday 13 July 1934, p. 8). In the next column in the same edition the Munster Express published an article that a “big Blueshirt parade, comprising 200 (men and women) took place at Hugginstown. Forming up near the village, the procession, headed by the local Blue Shirt Band, marched around the village, and forming up at the cross adjacent to the ruins of the old RIC barracks, were briefly address by Captain Quinn, Gowran. A large number of supporters were also present. The singing of the National Anthem and the Blue Shirt marching song concluded the proceedings, during which there was no untoward incident” (Munster Express, Fri.13 July 1934, p. 8).
The article in the United Ireland was not published until 18 August 1934. However, because the two articles name most of the same winners of events the two articles must be about the same event. It also seems unlikely that there were two sports days held in Weatherstown in the summer of 1934.
United Ireland Article
“Keen Contests and Large Entries–The Glenmore Blueshirt, sports, held at Weatherstown, were an outstanding success. Large entries were received for each event and keen contests were the order of the day. Hundreds of Blueshirts—men and girls—were present, and there was an extremely large attendance of the general public. The national flag and the blueshirt flag were prominently displayed on the field. A refreshment stall was run by the local Blueshirt girls in charge of Miss K. Freyne. Captain P. Quinn, leader of the Blueshirts in Carlow-Kilkenny was among those present.”
Captain Padraig Quinn (c. 1903-1980) native of Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny
Padraig Quinn was the youngest survivor of the 1921 Coolbawn ambush. While it was reported that he was just 16 years old at the time of the ambush his obituary provided that he was born about 1903. In 2012 the Webley revolver that he carried during his War of Independence service was auctioned (Kilkenny People, 24 March 2012).
Quinn after service in the Free State Army in the 1930’s became one of Eoin O’Duffy’s most loyal captains, as part of the Kilkenny Blueshirt Division. He started as the director of the League of Youth (Blueshirt’s organisation) in Carlow and Kilkenny and in the fall of 1934 was attached to the head quarter staff in Dublin. He with four other members were arrested on 16 October 1934 and conveyed to Waterford Prison (Belfast Newsletter, Wed. 17 Oct. 1934, p. 11). Quinn was arrested with another prominent Blueshirt , Thomas Fitzgerald (of Old Town, Co. Kilkenny) for failing to “account to the Civil Guards for their movements on recent occasions when tree felling and cutting of telegraph poles occurred on the main roads in Co. Kilkenny.” Both men were sentenced to three months (Tipperary Star, Sat. 3 Nov. 1934, p. 10).
In 1937, Padraig Quinn was part of a brigade that left Ireland for Spain to fight alongside General Franco’s men. He took an active part in that war “and received the Bandero from General Franco.” When he died in August 1980 messages of sympathy were sent from Liam Cosgrave, T.D. and former Taoiseach and from the Spanish Ambassador to Ireland (Nationalist & Leinster Times, Fri. 29 August 1980, p. 7). For a recent short article on the Blueshirt movement see, Seán Donnelly’s “Michael Tierney and the Intellectual Origins of Blueshirtism, 1920-1938”
The Sporting Results: United Ireland
Fifteen events were listed in the United Ireland newspaper article. Unfortunately no townlands were provided and few first names.
100 yards, boys under 16 (1) Tom Byrne; (2) Stephen Walsh.
100 yards, ladies—(1) Miss Walsh; (2) Miss Cotterell
100 yards open—(1) T. Roche; (2) Larry Walsh
220 yards—(1) Larry Walsh; (2) N. Mullins
440 yards—(1) P. Roche; (2) T. Power
Half Mile Cycle—(1) Jim Cuddihy; (2) John O’Connor
Three Legged Race—(1) John Culleton and L. Walsh; (2) Jas. Fitzgerald and P. Ryan
Throwing 56 lbs—(1) S. Kenny, 21 feet, 4 inches; (2) M. Laracy, 20 feet, 10 ½ inches
High Jump—(1) M. Walsh; (2) L. Walsh
Long Jump—(1) L. Walsh
880 yards—(1) S. Phelan; (2) T. Power
Sack Race—(1) S. Walsh; (2) J. Hogan
One Mile Open—(1) S. Phelan; (2) J. Hogan
One Mile Cycle—(1) J. Cuddihy; (2) J. Malone
A tug of war contest was won by the Glenmore Team (United Ireland, Sat. 18 Aug. 1934, p. 4).
Sporting Results: Munster Express
“On Sunday the 8th of July 1934, at a Sports meeting held at Weatherstown, Glenmore, “under a beaming sun a huge crowd enjoyed themselves…There was a big number of entries and valuable prizes being offered for the different events.” Eight events were reported in the Munster Express with some townlands and first names of winners provided.
100 Yards—L. Walsh, Davidstown, Glenmore, and P. Roche, do., tied for first place.
220 Yards—L. Walsh, Davidstown, Glenmore, First.
440 Yards—S. Phelan, Ballincrea, First.
Three Legged Race—L. Walsh and John Culleton, Kilbride, Glenmore, First.
One Mile—Stephen Phelan, First.
High Jump—M. Walsh, Davidstown, First.
Half Mile Cycle—J. Cuddihy, Knockroe, First.
Tug-of-war—After a thrilling tug between Coolroe and Glenmore the latter were victorious (Munster Express, Fri. 13 July 1934, p. 8).
Glenmore Participants
(1) Laurence “Larry” Walsh (b. 20 Dec. 1909) was the son of Robert Walsh (farmer) and his wife Mary Walsh of Davidstown. Larry’s parents were married 19 September 1899 at Slieverue. Robert Walsh was the son of Patrick Walsh and Margaret Kennedy. Mary Walsh was from Carriganurra and was the daughter of Thomas Walsh and Mary Purcell. Wedding witnesses were Edward Vereker and Anastatia Walsh.
(2) John Culleton, of Kilbride, was born 18 October 1911. John was the son of James Culleton (farmer) Kilbride and his wife, Hannah Grace. John’s parents were married at Glenmore on 8 February 1904. The groom, James Culleton (farmer, aged 34) was the son of John Culleton (farmer). Hannah (aged 26 was the daughter of Patrick Grace (farmer). Witnesses at the wedding were David Walsh and Ellen Mullins.
(3) James Fitzgerald, of Weatherstown, was born on 30 November 1906 the son of Patrick Fitzgerald (farmer) and his wife Mary MacDonald. Patrick Fitzgerald of Weatherstown (farmer) married Mary Macdonald, of Ballintlear, Mullinavat at Glenmore on 5 February 1902. Patrick was the son of William Fitzgerald (deceased farmer) and Mary was the daughter of James MacDonald (farmer).
(4) John Hogan, of Haggard, was born 29 April 1904 the son of John Hogan (tailor) and Alice Manning. John Hogan married Alice Manning of Haggard on 6 November 1890 at Glenmore.
Why Weatherstown, Glenmore?
Although Weatherstown is closer to New Ross than the Village of Glenmore it certainly is not in the centre of the parish. When Captain Quinn was attempting to build the Blueshirt membership in Kilkenny he likely planned and held events where he already had support from the men he served with during the War of Independence and Civil War. Two men he served with in the War of Independence were killed at the Coolbawn Ambush that he survived. These men were Jack Hartley (1897-1921) of Weatherstown, Glenmore and Nicky Mullins (1893-1921) of Thomastown, whose father Laurence was a native of Gaulstown, Glenmore.
For more information on the Coolbawn Ambush and the Glenmore family connections of Jack Hatley and Nicky Mullins see our post of 20 June 2021 and our post of 30 May 2021 for further information and a photo of the men.
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The featured drawing above is of one of the banners used by the Blueshirts. See our post of 22 November 2020 regarding Franco’s Glenmore Recruit who also went to Spain.
Please send any corrections of additional information to glenmore.hiistory@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
A Glenmore Malnutrition Death in 1938
Last week while helping a student complete a history project we came across a Glenmore woman who died of malnutrition in 1938. Seven decades after the Great Famine, on the cusp of World War II, it is difficult to understand how anyone could die of malnutrition in 1938. Further research revealed that her husband died of a hernia a couple years earlier.
Bridget Nolan née Delahunty (1899-1938)
Today, we are going to feature this tragic couple. Bridget Nolan, the widow of John Nolan, died on the 6th of July 1938 at the Central Hospital of Kilkenny. The death register provides that Bridget was 49 when she died and a resident of Rochestown, Glenmore. Her obituary in the Munster Express (Fri. 8 July 1938, p. 8) states that she was 35 when she died, and the daughter of Mr. and Mr. Patrick Delahunty of Rochestown, Glenmore.
A review of the Glenmore baptismal records revealed that Bridget Delahunty was born on 3 July 1899, the daughter of Patrick Delahunty (labourer) and his wife, Lizzie Hawe. Thus, Bridget died just 3 days after her 39th birthday. Brigid had been a patient in the Central Hospital of Kilkenny for two weeks before her death (Munster Express, Fri. 8 July 1938, p. 8). The death register states that Brigid died of malnutrition.
Bridget’s Parents & Siblings of Rochestown, Glenmore
Bridget’s parents, Patrick Delahunty (1878-1945) and Elizabeth Hawe (1877-1951) were married on 14 September 1898 at Glenmore. Patrick was a labourer and the son of John Delahunty and his wife Mary Walsh. At the time of his birth the family was living in Ballyconnaght, Tullogher. Elizabeth was the daughter of Michael Hawe (boatman) and Catherine Malone of Rochetown. The 1911 Census for Rochestown, Glenmore provides that Patrick was 32 and working as a fisherman. Lizzie was 33 and there were 7 children in the family at that time, but a family obituary revealed another two daughters born after 1911.
Bridget Delahunty and her siblings were a typical Glenmore family in the first half of the 20th Century. Some stayed in Glenmore, some emigrated to England for work and some emigrated to the United States. They were also typical in that some of the siblings died young and some lived into their 70’s and 80’s.
[1] Bridget Delahunty (3 July 1899-6 July 1938) was the eldest. She married John Nolan (labourer) of Ballincreigh (Ballincre) on 30 January 1918 at Glenmore. John was the son of Martin Nolan (labourer).
[2] Catherine Delahunty (b. 21 Dec. 1900) arrived at Ellis Island on 19 July 1920. She had $25 and was going to her aunt Mrs. Mary Farnham at 40 Washburn Ave, Boston. She was described as being 5 feet, 1 inch tall, with dark hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. She married a man named G. Ryan. In 1979 per her brother Bill’s obituary she was residing in New York.
[3] William “Bill” Delahunty (16 June 1902-5 January 1979) worked at Loughcullen Creamery, Kilmacow and later worked for Kilkenny Co. Council. He married Josephine Roche of Ballymountain, Kilmacow and the couple had 9 known children. Bill died 5 January 1979 (Munster Express, 12 January 1979, p. 17).
[4] Michael Delahunty (b. 29 Dec. 1903—30 April 1974 ) never married and worked for years for Mai Roche of Scartnamore, Glenmore. He was a nice, jolly man. (Danny Dowling, Notebook 13).
[5] Richard Delahunty (4 Dec. 1905-13 July 1973) emigrated to Boston circa 1923, married, served in the US Army during WWII, and became an electrician. Richard died while home visiting Ireland on his way back to Shannon Airport in 1973 leaving his widow and children to mourn him.
[6] Mary “Molly” Delahunty (14 May 1908—1 Jan. 1990) married John Halligan (c. 1908-1983). The couple had four known children and the family resided in Aylwardstown. John worked for years for Kelly’s of Aylwardstown “looking after the cows.”.
[7] Patrick Delahunty (4 June 1910–?) never married and remained in Rochestown.
[8] Elizabeth Delahunty (10 Nov. 1913–22 Jan. 1982) married Patrick Carey ( ? -16 March 1976) in Waterford in 1935. The couple with their children resided in Ballindud, Waterford on the road to Tramore.
[9] Margaret Delahunty (8 July 1916- ? ) per her father’s obituary she died in England years before he died in 1945.
Several of the Delahunty obituaries may be read on our Glenmore H Surname page.
Bridget’s Husband, John Nolan (1878-1935)
As previously stated, Bridget Delahunty married John Nolan (labourer) of Ballincreigh (Ballincre) Slieverue on 30 January 1918, at Glenmore. John was the son of Martin Nolan (labourer). Witnesses to the wedding were William Atkins and Lizzie Hawe. John Nolan was 21 years older than his wife Bridget. After the famine well into the twentieth century marriage patterns changed in Ireland. People married later, and it was not unusual for men to marry much younger women.
John Nolan (1878-1935) of Ballincrea, Slieverue
John Nolan was born on 2 September 1878, to Martin Nolan (farm labourer) and his wife Catherine Power of Ballincrea, Slieverue. A review of birth records revealed that John Nolan had at least 5 sisters: [1] Mary Nolan (b. 16 Nov. 1871); [2] Ellen Nolan (b. 26 Aug. 1873); [3] Anne Nolan (b.12 April 1875) and [4] Catherine Nolan (b. 27 Feb. 1881).
In the 1901 Census of Ballincrea, Slieverue, John Nolan (aged 20) was living with his mother Catherine Nolan (widow) aged 40 and his sister [5] Bridget Nolan, aged 13 (b.c. 1888). John was employed as a farm labourer and was actually 24 years of age. His mother, Catherine Nolan, could not read or write. This could explain why Catherine incorrectly gave her age as 40. Her daughter Mary was born in 1871, thus her daughter Mary was 30 in 1901. The Census notes that John could read and only his sister Bridget, still at school, could read and write.
John and Bridget lived in Ballincrea, Slieverue. It does not appear that the couple had any children. John died 3 July 1935 in their home in Ballincrea, Slieverue. His widow, Bridget, was present when he died. From the death register it appears that he suffered a cardiac event after “hernia retention” (the handwriting is difficult to read).
Obituary of John Nolan (1878-1935)
The following obituary was published in the Munster Express (Fri. 5 July 1935, p. 8).
We regret to record the demise of Mr. John Nolan, which sad and unexpected event occurred at his residence at Ballincrea on Wednesday morning. Though not in entirely robust health for some time past, deceased retired to bed as usual on Tuesday night, but early the following morning complained of feeling unwell and expired in a short time afterwards.
Aged about 60 years, the late Mr. Nolan was a very popular and esteemed inhabitant of the district, where his demise, coming as it did with such tragic suddenness, evoked feelings of sincere regret. Much sympathy will be extended to the widow on the sad bereavement she has sustained. The interment takes place today (Friday) at Slieverue. R.I.P.
A shorter article appeared the following week in the Munster Express (Fri.12 July 1935, p. 8).
Requiem Office and High Mass were offered up at Bigwood Church on Friday morning for the repose of the soul of the late Mr. John Nolan, Ballincrea (whose demise we announced last week). The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. M. Doyle, C.C., Slieverue, and the other clergy present were: Rev. Hally, .C.C, do; Rev. M. Gibbons, D.D. C.C., do; and Rev. P. Darcey, C.C. Mullinavat. The interment took place subsequently in the adjoining cemetery in the presence of a large attendance. Deceased was brother of Mrs. Martin, Knockbrack, Glenmore, and Miss Bridget Nolan, U.S.A.
Strangely none of his other sisters were mentioned. Three years later his wife Bridget died.
The Obituary of Bridget Nolan née Delahunty (1899-1938)
Bridget’s short obituary follows:
We regret to record the death of Mrs. B. Nolan, widow of the late Mr. John Nolan, Ballincrea, in which sad event occurred in hospital in Kilkenny on Wednesday last.
Deceased, who was aged 35 years, was daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Delahunty, Rochestown, Glenmore, and sister of Messrs J. and M. Delahunty, do.; William Delahunty, Ballincrea, and Mrs. Carew, Ballindud, to all of whom sincere sympathy will be extended on their sad bereavement. She had been in failing health for some time, and was in hospital for the past fortnight. Her passing was learned of with regret in her native district, where she was well known and widely esteemed. R.I.P. (Munster Express, Fri. 8 July 1938, p. 8).
Malnutrition in Glenmore in 1938
According to medical websites there are several ways in which a person can become malnourished and die. The elderly and young children are in the highest risk groups. The first way malnutrition occurs, that often springs to mind particularly in Ireland, is due to a lack of food, or famine. There were tough times in the 1930’s for many families in Glenmore, but there was no famine. There was also little processed food, thus the most common problem today was not present.
Another reason a person may become malnourished is because their body cannot process the food eaten and use it. This is generally due to disease (e.g. Crohan’s) or injury. Nothing was recorded on the death registry concerning any disease or injury that may have caused Bridget’s malnutrition in 1938. A third possible cause of malnutrition is an eating disorder. Again there is nothing recorded regarding this, however, it would decades before eating disorders were widely recognised and understood by the medical community.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The feature photo above is of the Waterford City Infirmary, John’s Hill.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Childhood Games Played in Glenmore in 1938
National Folklore Commission
Between 1937 and 1939, 5000 primary schools in Ireland participated in recording local information for the National Folklore Commission. Over 288,000 pages were created by students in exercise books. Students in all 26 counties were asked to collect information ranging from oral history, topographical information, folklore, legends, riddles, pastimes, games, trades and crafts by interviewing their parents, grandparents and neighbours.
From 15 Nov. 1937 to 7 Dec. 1938 a dozen students in the Ballyfacey, Glenmore National School, under teacher Domhnall Mac Cárthaigh, participated in the School Collection. The Ballyfacey Glenmore School Collection (Vol. 845, pp 484-596) is available on line and may be found in Roll Number 9880.) For our previous post regarding this collection see our post of 27 June 2022.
Topic: Games I Play
Today, we are going to feature the topic entitled “Games I Play.” Although it is always interesting to read about the type of childhood games our grandparents or great-grandparents played before television and computers this material is more important because it was written by the children themselves and preserved. Julian Smith has noted that archival documents pertaining to children are selective, generally written by adults with their own biases towards children especially their own children.
The archaeology of childhood is a relatively new field that questions assumptions made concerning our past. (Julian Smith, “Child’s Play,” 63(3) Archaeology (2010) p. 40-45). More generally, the importance of play for children has been recognised as key to developing skills for getting along with peers, learning rules, learning sanctions for breaking rules, developing memory skills such as with the recitation of rhymes, developing creativity, resourcefulness and problem solving as well as providing physical activity for motor skills etc.
The Nine Children
There were 9 children who recorded games these children included: Patrick Phelan, of Ballywairy, Glenmore, p. 526-528 (4 April 1938); Mary Aylward, of Ballyfacey Lower, Glenmore, p. 529-530 (20 July 1938); Mary Phelan, Ballywairy, Glenmore, p. 531-532, (26 July 1938); Peggy Aylward, of Ballyfacey Lower, Glenmore, p. 532-533 (25 July 1938); Michael Fitzgerald, of Moulerstown, Glenmore, p. 533-534 (26 July 1938); William Roche, of Haggard, Glenmore, p. 535-536 (undated); Eddie O’Connor, of Ballyfacey Lower, Glenmore, p. 536-537 (20 July 1938); Peter O’Connor, of Ballyfacey Lower, Glenmore, p. 537-538 (17 July 1938); Joseph Synnott of Weatherstown, Glenmore, p. 538-539 (18 July 1938); and James Culleton of Kilbride, Glenmore, p. 540 (undated).
The Games
The games with explanations are listed in alphabetical order first and game mentioned without explanations are listed thereafter with the rhymes recorded. Given the popularity of Gaelic football in Glenmore in the 1920’s it is surprising that none of the children included football or hurling in their list of games. Most of the games listed were played with stones and sticks although one game did mention the use of a ball and another the use of dice. Original wording is employed and editorial notes or comments are in square brackets [ ].
All the Robbers Going Through—”All the robbers going through is played by sending two away and [these] decide upon two things. All the rest answer what they would like and go behind whoever [of the two] had that and then pull against the others.2 [Sounds like a human tug of war.]
Blind Man’s Bluff—”Blind man’s bluff can be played by any number. One person is blindfolded and tries to catch the others while in that way.”
Carry the Lady to London—[a short description appears to be that two children grasp each other’s hands and a third child sits on their hands and is carried.]
Colours—Colours are played by taking a colour and another person would try and guess it.
Den—”Den is a very common game with me and some other boys. This is the way played. One remains inside a certain space while the others is going away a distance from him. Then he runs after the rest trying to catch them. If they are able to get into that space they will win. This is played out in the open air.”
Donkey—“Donkey is a game played by two or more. It is played by throwing a ball from one to another and whoever lets the ball fall as many times as there are letters in the word donkey he is a donkey and he is laughed at and mocked.”
Duck—”Duck can be played by any number of persons. It is played by putting a small stone on top of a large one while each person in turn tries to knock off the small stone by throwing another stone at it.”
Four Corner Fool—Played by 5 children. “one stands in the centre of a rectangle formed by four stones with four persons standing at each stone. The four persons leap from stone to stone exchanging places while the person in the centre watches his chance to get a place at one of the stones and the person who loses his place has to go in the centre and do likewise.”
A variation was also played—Three Corner Fool—”A boy is put in each of three corners of a room and another boy in the middle. The boy in the middle is known as the fool. Those in the corners must change from one corner to another and if the boy in the middle can get in to one the corners a different boy is the fool.” [It was not explained how this might be played in a room with four corners.]
Heck-a-peck is standing on one leg and kicking a stone on a certain line.
Hide & Seek—”Hide and seek is played by two or more persons. One goes and hides and the other searches for him until he finds him.”
Hide the Button—”Hide the button is played by putting a button in one of your hands and somebody else would say ‘Pe Po Paddy pin, open the door and let me in, if I am a fairy king I shall surely win.’” Another child recited this verse for this game, “cut a sin a ma ma ma ma ma.”
Another child explained, “Cunnie sé the má má má” or hide the button, in which a button is hidden by one of them in one of the children’s hand and whichever of them is guessing guesses wrongly he will get a slap on the hand and the person who guesses rightly he or she will be left hide it and the person that hid it before will have to guess.”
Katty—Katty or Kattie is played by making a circle and putting a stone in the centre and throwing up the kattie and getting three strokes off it. It was played by girls with a short piece of stick pointed at both ends.
Another child provided more detail, “First I would make a ring and put a stone in the middle. Then I would bat and another person would pelt up the kattie to the ring and I would get three hits off it and if it did not go more than two jumps away I would be out. When the kattie is pelted up and if it went into the ring I could not get any hit off of it. When it is half ways in on the line two hits can be got off it. When the kattie goes a good distance away four or six jumps can be given. No uneven number can be given.”
Marbles—Marbles is a game among boys. “Playing marbles is a common game also. We make three holes in the ground and try and get the marbles into them three times up and down. When we have it in that many times we lodge the marble. Then we try and hit each other and who ever will do that will win.”
Playing on Rye Grass—[used perineal rye grass]You say “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, rich man, poor man, pothecary, weaver” and whatever you end on you will be married to that type of person. This was played “by knocking off the clumps off the grass” and when all the clumps were removed the category of husband was selected.
Another version–High boots, Low boot’s, Brogues, Slippers. Is a game played with the same kind of a plant to find out what kind of shoes you will be getting.”
Prisoner—”Another game we play is trying to bring one another to jail. One pack would be guards and another prisoners. The guards try to bring the prisoners to jail for doing such a thing.”
Púcín—Púcín is a game played by children. One of the children is blindfolded and he is to catch some one of the others in the kitchen.
Ring-a-ring-a-rosies—”is played by catching hands and saying ‘a ring a ring a rosies, pockets full of posies, chainies on the ditches, picking sally switches, asha asha we all fall down.’”
Rounders—”Rounders is played by three or more persons. One has a bat defending wickets against another who throws a ball intending to strike the wickets, but the other strikes the ball with the bat and sends it off. He then runs in a circle marked out by the players and tries to make as many runs as possible before a third person reaches the ball.”
See-saw—”is a very exciting game. The way to play it is as follows: A log of timber is got and put across a ditch or a horrizontal circular beam of timber. When this is completed a boy sits on one end of the log and another boy on the other end and they weigh each other up and down.”
Skipping—Skipping is played by turning a rope and jumping.
Skittles—Skittles is a game that is played by boys. Five small sticks are used and three big ones called pelters.
Snakes & Ladders—Snakes and ladders is played by putting a cube [dice]into a box and shaking and if you are at the mouth of a snake you go down to the foot of it. [Believe this was a board game which is similar to the modern version.]
Snap Apple—Snap apple is a game played by girls on November Eve by snapping with your mouth at an apple tied from a cord from the ceiling.
Spy—”Spy is played by two. One goes behind a wall or fence and the other comes from a certain place and takes a quick look at the person behind the wall or fence. He then runs back and the other chases him intending to catch him before he reaches the place where he came from.”
Three legged race is run by two people together with two of their legs tied.
Other Games
Games listed with no instructions of how they were played include: Boxes; Ludo; I Bought a Horse Today Sir; Going to the Cinema; Drafts/Draughts; Rings; Coising; Goose; and Fox & Goose.
Rhymes Recorded
Roger is dead in his lonely grave, they planted an apple tree over his head, the apples got ripe and they all fell off, There came an old woman picking them up. Roger got up and he gave her a kick. This was played by “one would be picking something and the other would give him a kick.”
Mulberry bush–the verse is said when playing it is this “here we go round the Mulberry bush, the Mulberry bush, the Mulberry bush, here we go round the Mulberry bush, on a cold and frosty morning.”
Another game is played by turning a burning stick around quickly, and these words are said “Robin robin your life is lark, if you lay in my fist I will saddle your back, sticks and stones and dead mens’ bones, and around goes robin lark.” Other local rhymes can be found in our blog post of 11 Jan. 2020.
If there are any corrections or additional information please send it to glenmore.history@gmail.com. For a brief description of games played at Glenmore funerals see our post of 8 Dec. 2019.
The featured painting of the boys clasping hands was from an old postcard. The artist was John H. Bufford (1810-1870) and is by courtesy of the ARTSTOR on-line library available at https://library.artstor.org/public/28063331 (accessed 27 Nov. 2022).
The black and white photo of boys playing marbles (1943) is from Julian Smith’s article, “Child’s Play,” 63(3) Archaeology (2010) p. 44.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh