1930’s
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The Tragic Death of John Millea (1870-1935) of Treanaree, Slieverue
There was a tragic farm death in 1935 on the border of the parishes of Glenmore and Slieverue that was reported across Ireland and in the United States. Several newspapers wrongly reported that the death occurred of a Glenmore man. For a generation after the tragic event local parents would warn their children of the dangers of bulls often citing what happened to poor Johnny Millea. The description of the events was found in two Munster Express articles (Fri. 13 Sept. 1935, p. 5 & p. 8). Any additional information gleaned from other publications or sources are cited below. Please be advised that the descriptions of the death of the farmer and the bull are graphic.
The Death of John Millea (1870-1935) of Treanaree, Slieverue
An inquest was held on Wednesday, the 11th of September 1935, by Dr. J.D. Fitzgerald, Coroner for South Kilkenny, regarding the death of John Millea, Treenarea (sic), Slieverue, who was killed the previous day when attacked and gored by a bull.
The foreman of the jury was Thomas Mullally (c. 1897-1951) of Grogan, Glenmore other members of the jury included: Robert Walsh (1872-1951) Davidstown, Glenmore; James Verricker (sic) Grogan, Glenmore; John Kennedy, Ballinclare, Glenmore; John Doherty, Davidstown, Glenmore; William Murphy, Davidstown, Glenmore; and William Walsh, Davidstown, Glenmore. Sergt. Nicholas Garvey (1895-1960) Glenmore, conducted the proceedings on behalf of the Civic Guards. [See our post of 3 October 2021 regarding Sergt. Nicholas Garvey and his time in Glenmore].
Testimony of Mrs. Mary Millea (c. 1865 -1948) of Treanaree, Slieverue
Mary Millea, aged 71, identified herself as the sister-in-law of the deceased John Millea. He was 64 years of age and was single. Together they were owners of the farm. On Tuesday morning about 6 o’clock (old time) John got up and went out for the cows which were in the field at the back of the house. Mary was in the yard at about 6:15 when John came back with the cows. He put the cows in the shed and said that the bull had got out of the shed in which he had been tied. He said he would go look for the bull in Grant’s field. Per the Limerick Leader (Sat. 14 Sept. 1935, p. 12) the owner of the field was Edward Grant of Curraghmore, Slieverue.
Mary started milking the cows. About half an hour later the bull arrived in the yard. The bull was roaring when he arrived, and Mary was afraid of him. Mary went into another shed. She looked out and saw Johnny’s dog in the yard “howling piteously” (The Post, Wed. 18 Sept. 1935, p. 2). Mary became uneasy that her brother-in-law had not returned. Edward Donovan, Slieverue, came to collect the Millea milk. We believe that this Edward Donovan was from the Rathpatrick, Slieverue, Donovan family that sold milk in Waterford.
After telling Edward Donovan of her concerns she went to look for John. She went in the direction from which the bull had come home. She went into Grant’s field. She saw a white thing in the middle of the field and went over to it. She discovered that it was her brother-in-law. Several newspapers incorrectly stated that a number of neighbouring farmers, armed with sprongs [for our international readers a sprong is a long handled pitchfork] and accompanied by dogs, went in search of the deceased. We believe this may have described the men who later sought to find and destroy the bull (Limerick Leader, Sat. 14 Sept. 1935, p. 12).
Finding John Millea
John Millea was lying face down in the field. “Most of his clothes were gone except for his boots and the lower part of his trousers. She knew he was dead when she called to him and got no answer. She testified that she did not stir him because she wasn’t able.
Mary went back to the yard and told Edward Donovan that “Johnny is dead.in the field, the bull killed him.” Edward Donovan said that he would go down and bring back the body. Mary, Edward Donovan and a neighbour named Thomas Power [some newspapers report the name as Thomas Dower] went with a pony car and collected the body. The body was taken to the Millea house. Mary did not notice any wounds on John’s body except the marks on his face.
According to The Post (Wed. 18 Sept. 1935, p. 2) the body was rolled along the field by the bull and there were signs of a terrible struggle as patches of the field were torn up and contained blood. Pieces of the deceased’s clothing were scattered over the ground. As soon as notified Sergeant Nicholas Garvey and a Guard went to the scene.
The Bull
Mary testified that they had owned the bull for about four years. She said she never went near it. Her brother-in-law, the deceased, looked after it. She could not exactly say how long it was housed over the summer. She did not know it was “cross” and had never heard of it attacking anyone before. She discovered that the bull had done a lot of damage escaping from the shed by breaking a few gates and knocking down a churn.
According the Munster Express (Fri. 13 Sept. 1935, p. 8) following the tragedy, search parties sought the bull and found him with other cattle. After several unsuccessful attempts, where the bull charged them, they managed to drive him back to the farm. “Two men then procured shotguns and, not without difficulty, destroyed the bull, which was removed on Wed. morning to Messrs. O’Keeffe’s works at Gracedieu.”
Thomas Walsh (1908-1992) was a native of Davidstown, Glenmore, and son of juror Robert Walsh of the Inquest into the death of John Millea in 1935. Tom told his children about the event. Back in the 1930’s almost all cattle had horns, and bulls were particularly dangerous. He said that after Johnny Millea was killed a group of men gathered to kill the bull. A shotgun was attempted, but failed. The bull was stunned, and eventually the men used a sledgehammer to the forehead of the bull. Jack Donovan was identified as one of the men who killed the bull.
Medical Evidence & Verdict
Dr. Coughlan, Waterford and Dr. Fitzgerald, Rosbercon gave evidence of the injuries sustained by the deceased.
The body was covered with bruises from head to toe. The nose was broken. The right eyebrow and scalp were covered with scratches, ribs were broken on both sides, and there was scarcely a whole rib in the body. There was a big bruise over the heart and a lacerated one over the liver. Both sides of the abdomen were contused and lacerated and the legs were bruised. Both lungs were ruptured and there were other severe internal injuries.
In reply to a juror, Dr. Coughlan said that in his opinion the deceased died within a few minutes of being attacked, very probably as soon as he received the blow over the heart, when a rib was driven into his heart. “The body had been reduced to the state of a ragdoll.” From the spot were some of his clothes were found to where his body was found was about 50 yards.
The Coroner, the Foreman on behalf of the jury, Sergt. Garvey on behalf of the Guards, joined in a vote of sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. The jury after a short retirement returned its verdict. John Millea’s death per the Death Register provides that he died 10 September 1935 at the age of 64. He was a bachelor farmer. His death was caused by “shock as the result of extensive injuries to all the vital organs by having been gored by a bull.” It is noted that an Inquest took place on 11 September 1935.
The Millea Family of Treanaree, Slieverue
The sad tragedy occasioned the deepest regret in the district where the deceased and his sister-in-law were very popular. The funeral to Slieverue was very largely attended. (The Post, 18 Sept. 1935, p. 4). Mary Millea at Johnny’s funeral reportedly stated in praise of her brother-in-law that “Johnny never said a cross word to me” (Thomas Walsh (1908-1992) native of Davidstown, Glenmore).
Parents and Sibling of John Millea
John Millea was born 7 May 1870 at Treanaree, Slieverue the son of John Mallay (sic) and his wife Margaret Donovan. John Malay (sic) (c. 1840 -1900) and Margaret Donovan (c. 1837-1899) were married at Slieverue on 21 November 1865. As a young man John Milea went to America and spent 23 years there. Twenty-two years before his death he returned to Slieverue and worked on his brother’s farm. He took over the management of the farm when his brother died (Munster Express, Fri. 13 Sept. 1935, p. 6). Thus, John left for the U.S. in 1890 and returned to Slieverue about 1913.
John’s eldest brother, James Millea, who was known as Jamesey Millea, was born at Treenarea on or about 8 December 1865. He married Mary Phelan, of Shambo (sic) at Rosbercon on 30 August 1900. Mary was the daughter of Richard Phelan (farmer). James Millea died on 25 November 1924 at Treanaree. He was 58 when he died of chronic nephrites which he suffered with for a year before his death. His brother John was present when he died. James’s widow Mary (née Phelan), died at the age of 83 in the Holy Ghost Hospital in Waterford on 19 October 1948.
Newsworthy Death by Bull?
John Millea’s death was reported in a New York City newspaper, The Advocate (Sat. 5 Oct. 1935, p. 5). Unfortunately, no reference was made to John Milleas’s time in the U.S.
It was rather surprising how many death by bull articles were reported in Irish newspapers in 1935. Such was the appeal of such stories that even rumours were published. For example, the Waterford News & Star (Fri. 31 May 1935, p. 5) reported that “On Monday a strong rumour got about that a man had been attacked and killed by a bull in the vicinity of Waterford. On inquiries it was found that the rumour had absolutely no foundation.”
Coverage of Millea’s Death
In addition to the 5 articles cited above regarding John Millea’s death at least 9 other Irish newspapers reported details of his death. See, New Ross Standard (Fri. 13, 1935 p. 11) “Killed by a Bull”; Irish Independent (Sat. 14 Sept. 1925, p. 5) “County Kilkenny Man’s Shocking Fate”; Irish Examiner (Wed. 11 Sept. 1935, p. 6) “Kilkenny Man’s Tragic Death”; Kilkenny People (Sat. 21 Sept. 1935, p. 5) “Killed by a Bull”; Belfast Newsletter (Fri. 12 Sept. 1934, p. 12, “Killed by a Bull”; Irish Press (Thur. 11 Sept. 1935, p. 1) “Railway, Dock and Farm Tragedies, reported that death occurred in Glenmore”; Meath Chronicle (Sat. 13 July 1935, “Farmer Killed by Bull”; Evening Echo (Thur. 11 Sept. 1935, p. 6) “Kilkenny Man’s Tragic Death”; and Connacht Tribune (Sat. 14 Sept. 1935, p. 20).
Coverage of Others Killed by Bulls
Additionally, there were several other articles in 1935 published in Irish newspapers regarding other men killed by bulls. The Irish Examiner (Tues.19 March 1935, p. 8) reported in March that a Matador in Mexico was killed by a bull. In July, Timothy Humphreys (62) of Cork was killed by his bull (Irish Independent (Mon. 8 July 1935, p. 10). The following month the Ulster Herald (Sat.10 Aug. 1935, p. 2) reported that Wm. Ferneyhough, aged 24, a farm labourer was gored in the throat and died. In September, Simon Hegarty, an elderly farmer was killed at Glenville, near Fermoy (Irish Examiner, Mon. 9 Sept. 1935, p. 6). It was reported in December that a farmer in Donegal, was killed by a bull, which had fatally injured the man’s sister (Irish Examiner, Mon. 23 Dec. 1935, p. 8).
Perhaps one of the more interesting bull related cases in 1935 involved the negligence case brought by the widow of a farmer killed by a neighbour’s bull. Pierce Whelan, Ballyclough, Kilworth, Cork was killed Christmas Eve 1934, by a bull belonging to Margaret and Mary Anne Leonard of Ballyclough. The civil case was heard in July 1935. The judge noted that when he was a young fellow, he had the utmost contempt for women as managers of farms. The care of a farm in the hands of somebody else would not at all be anything like the care and guidance of the master of the farmstead. The jury after that statement awarded £150 to the widow and children of Pierce Whelan (Evening Echo, Fri. 19 July 1935, p. 7).
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For some current statistics on deaths caused by livestock and advice regarding bulls see, Teagasc (2025).
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above is from an old sales brochure and it is not the bull that killed John Millea. The newspapers did not report on the breed of the aggressive bull. Notice that the horns of the featured short horn bull have been blunted, and he is wearing a safety chain from his nose ring up around his horns.
From Danny’s Files: The 1985 Interview of Dinny Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore
On 11 January 2026 we posted an article about Frank Meehan who was a Glenmore stone breaker. Today, we will highlight additional information that Denis “Dinny” Murphy gave Danny Dowling (1927-2021). Danny interviewed Dinny Murphy on Saturday, 16 March 1985 after the funeral of Nora Holden Morrissey (c. 1920-1985) a native of Clune, Glenmore. Further information regarding Nora Morrissey née Holden is below. Dinny died the year following his interview with Danny. Dinny never married, and his interview is contains some interesting nick names used in Glenmore.
A Glenmore Ganger
A ganger was a foreman over men. The ganger on the roads of Glenmore in the 1930’s was a man from Mooncoin. He lodged at Civil’s (Forristal’s) in Ballyverneen during the week and went home to Mooncoin on weekends. Jimmy “Civil” Forristal was a timekeeper on the County Council. According to Dinny he was “a devil” to the men who worked under him. Dinny claimed that Jimmy Forristal had his men working overtime and wouldn’t pay them for the overtime.
Eventually Jimmy Forristal was sacked according to Dinny. The story related to Danny was that there was a steam roller driver who was a Protestant. This steam roller driver was working on the Council crushing stones at Forristal’s Halfway House. [Near Murphy’s Garage on the N25.] Jimmy failed to deliver 3 cwt. [336 lbs.] of coal to the steam roller. The coal had been delivered to Civil’s for storage.
James Forristal (1888-1941) of Ballyverneen, Glenmore
Due to GDPR there is a lacuna or gap of publicly available information for births after 1924 and deaths before 1871 and after 1974. Turning to Glenmore headstones we were unable to locate James “Jimmy” Forristal. Flipping the puzzle around we attempted searching from the 1961 list of Ballyverneen residents recorded by Danny. We found Anne “Nancy Civil” Doolan née Forristal (c. 1925-2001) and her mother Mary Forristal (c. 1896-1973). Annie “Nancy Civil” Forristal married Patrick Doolan (1919-1996) in 1949. No father was listed for the bride on the marriage certificate.
We believe the Jimmy Forristal of Ballyverneen, who was a ganger on the Council in the 1930’s, was James Forristal of Ballyverneen who died on 14 April 1941. At the time of his death he was 53-year-old bachelor. He died of stomach cancer. His sister Mary Forristal was present when he died. Thus, it appears that Jimmy “Civil” Forristal was an uncle of Anne “Nancy Civil” Doolan.
Parents and Siblings
Jimmy “Civil” Forristal’s parents were Patrick Forristal (farmer), of Ballyverneen, who married Bridget Morrissey, of Aylwardstown, on 6 August 1885 at Glenmore. The father of the groom was James Forristal (farmer), and the father of the bride was Patrick Morrissey (farmer) of Aylwardstown. Three known children were born to Patrick Forristal and his wife Bridget Morrissey: [1] Catherine Foristal (sic) (b. 1887); [2] James Forristal born on 16 September 1888 and [3] Mary Forristal born on 8 May 1896.
Glenmore Steam Roller
Dinny also told Danny in his 1985 interview that the Glenmore Engine was the first to steamroll the main road from Ross to Waterford. The Glenmore Creamery had a special frame for lifting the engine in order to change the front wheels. The frame was above the stores by the side of the footpath going up to the manager’s house.
Dinny recalled the stonebreakers that worked in Glenmore in his time as including: himself; his brother Jack Murphy, of Milltown; Tony Brennan, of Shanbogh; Frank Meehan; Jack Power, Jamestown; Jim McGuire of Rochestown in “Johnnie the Money’s” Quarry in Gaulstown. [Believed to have been on the MacDonald’s farm.] About 15 men were working under Purcell of the Dog’s Road [Slieverue] who was the timekeeper. About 10 men were working in Glensensaw Quarry [north of Rosbercon].
Dinny Murphy’s Parents
Dinny reported that he was born on 1 November 1901 at Milltown, Glenmore. He was the son of Jack Murphy and his wife Kitt Merrigan [the couple married at Glenmore in 1893]. He had two brothers: Jack Murphy [b. 1899] and Mikie Murphy. He also had a sister Mollie Murphy [b. 1894, never married]. His mother had a sister Ellen Merrigan who was married to Patsey Hawe of Rochestown, who were the grandparents of the Dillon’s. [Patrick Hawe married Mary Merrigan in 1895 at Glenmore.]
Kitt and Ellen Merrigan’s parents were Mick Merrigan, of Milltown, and his wife _____ Morrissey of Kilbrahan. Mick Merrigan was from the Old House in Cottage Plot on ¾ acre. Dinny asserted that his cottage was the second cottage to be built in Glenmore. Hagan’s of Ballycroney had the first cottage in the parish. Dinny told Danny his was built in 1875. Danny wrote in his notes, “but I doubt it.”
Dinny Murphy’s Employment 1942
Dinny told Danny that he worked at the Graiguenakill Mill for a time. He was working there in 1942 when Nicky Forristal bought 23 acres from Hoynes for £500. “He had 10 acres of great land in Forristalstown which he sold to Ned Grace.” It is assumed that the “he” refers to Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979)and is an explanation of how Nicky afforded the 23 acres purchase price.
Nora Morrissey née Holden (c. 1920-1985)
In 1950 Nora Holden of Cloone (sic), Glenmore, married John Morrissey, of Coolroebeg, Thomastown. The couple had one son Richard Morrissey. Nora died in 1985. Her obit can be viewed on our M surname page under her married surname and her wedding announcement can be viewed on our H surname page under her maiden name Holden.
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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Special thanks to Willie Holden for information regarding his aunt Nora Morrissey née Holden (c. 1920-1985).
The featured photo of the steam roller is courtesy of the New York Public Library, General Research Division. “Iroquois steam roller.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed February 1, 2026. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c2c53ab0-c638-012f-eee2-58d385a7bc34
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
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