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Grogan & Davidstown, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Grogan, Glenmore around 1961. Danny recorded this information as Grogan, but had no separate Davidstown townsland list. We believe that two households in Davidstown were recorded in Ballinlammy (see our post of 14 Dec. 2022 for further details.)
Sometimes Davidstown is referred to as being in the parish of Slieverue. In any event, rather than ignore Davidstown we will include it with Grogan. Both townlands are in the civil parish of Kilcolumb. In the 1829 Griffith’s Valuation Applotment Records the townlands of Grogan and Davidstown were owned by the same landlord O’Mealy. We believe that the landlord may have been W.W. O’Mealy Esq. of Rerehaven, Co. Cork.
GROGAN
According to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Ireland (1969, p. 113), the Irish for Grogan is Gruagan, a place of hard soil. The townland was comprised of 421 acres. O’Kelly noted that there is a rath south of the road running from the main road through Ballinclare.
In the 1829 Tithe Applotment Books, there were 12 tenants-in-common listed in Grogan who shared 364 statute acres. The listed tenants-in-common include: [1] John Walsh; [2] Edmond Murphy; [3] Thomas Murphy; [4] Patt Wall; [5] Richard Mullally; [6] William Grant; [7] Thomas Dwyer; [8] Matthew Ryan; [9] John Wallace; [10] Richard Deneiff; [11] John Haberlin and [12] Rose Haberlin (widow).
DAVIDSTOWN
The Irish for Davidstown, according to O’Kelly (p. 113) is Baile Dháithí, or David’s homestead. This townsland is comprised of 406 acres. The ancient church called Cill Cloigeann, church of the skulls, is recorded in the Ordnance Survey Letters as Cill Cloiginn and by 1969 was “long destroyed.” Bóithrín an teampaill leads to the church. Tobar Phádraig is in a field called Conbhui on Davidstown hill which is mentioned in the legendary Ballincre curse attributed to St. Patrick on his dish of dog meat. This tale is recorded in the Ordnance Survey Letters.
There are two small raths and Davidstown hamlet is in the Seanbhaile field. “Other fields are An áth, the ford; Bán leathan; Bán na rátha; Cosán ausseys (O); Croichtin; Faiche; Fraoch mór, heather land; Garraí leac, the flag garden; Garraí Michil, Móin Jack; Páirc na róide (O); Poll buí; Sceachán, sceach land, and Scru vois (O).”
Who was David?
A footnote in an article by C.A. Empey, “The Cantreds of the Medieval County of KilKenny,” in The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (1971) (Vol. 101, No 2, pp. 128-134 fn. 33) may provide a clue as to the David that gave his name to the townland. According to Empey in 1314 the Barony of Ida was held by John FitzWilliam de Rupe, John Lercedekyn, David Bronfedyr, and William FitzRobert de Sancto Albino by the service on one knight (The Red Book of Ormond, p. 133).
William, it appears, held the manor of Drumdowney in Odaygh (Ida) as part of his purparty, for his widow held a third party of it in dower in 1364 (Cal. Ormond Deeds, I, no 95 (3), (7), (8);cf, iv, no. 361, p. 306.) The Roche (de Rupe) purparty may have included the townland of Rochestown in Kilcolumb, while Davidstown in the same parish may represent the purporatory of David Bronfedyr. (Purparty is a legal term meaning part of an estate that was held in common by parceners. Generally, to divide or sever a part of the common land led to the portioned severed land being in purparty.)
There were 9 tenants-in-common listed in Davidstown in the 1829 Tithe Applotment Books who shared 422 statute acres.The listed Davidstown tenants-in-common include: [1] James & Michael Lawler; 2] Maurice? Manus? Lawler, [3] John Grant; [4] John Deuso?; [5] William & Thomas Walsh; [6] Widow Forastall; [7] Thomas? Mullally; [8] Matthew Walsh; and [9] Edmond Mullally.
1961 Residents
In 1961, Danny recorded 5 families or households in Grogan. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 28 people resided in Grogan with the population comprised of 16 males and 12 females. The largest family was the Doherty family with 7 in the household. There was no household recorded with a person living alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 16
Females= 12
Eldest Recorded Resident
The eldest resident recorded in the townland of Grogan was Catherine “Kate” Murphy née Irish (1891-1975) who was 70 in 1961. Kate was the widow of William Murphy who died in 1954, an she was a native of Ballinlammy, Glenmore.
Kate was the daughter of James Irish (farmer) and his wife Mary Heneberry. Interestingly two different dates are provided in records for Kate’s birth. The parish records provide that Kate was born on the 29th of July 1891 and baptized on the 30th. Kate’s birth was not registered until the 3rd of November by Margaret Taylor who was present at the birth. Margaret Taylor registered the 14th of August as Kate’s birthdate. Given the baptism took place on the 30th of July we believe Kate’s correct date of birth is the 29th of July 1891. The obituary of Catherine “Kate” Murphy née Irish (1891-1975) can be found on our M family page.
Recorded Work
Farmer= 5 (4 Males; 1 Female)
Farm Worker/Labourers= 11 (11 Males)
Grogan, Glenmore Residents
[1] MULLALLY
Mullally, Johanna (17 July 1898) Farmer
Mullally, Margaret (1929) daughter
Mullally, Richard, son, farm worker
Mullally, Seamus (18 June 1935) son, farm worker
Culleton, John (4 March 1885) employee, farm labourer
Connors, John (3 May 1888) employee, farm labourer
[2] VEREKER
Vereker, James (26 March 1904) Farmer
Vereker, Mary (11 June 1908) wife
Vereker, Kathleen, daughter
Vereker, John, son, farm worker
Vereker, James, son, farm worker
Vereker, Richard, son, a scholar
[3] MURPHY
Murphy, Catherine (29 July 1891)
Murphy, Edward (27 Aug. 1927) son, Farm Worker
[4] RYAN
Ryan, Thomas (5 March 1908) Farmer
Ryan, Margaret (11 June 1904) wife
Ryan, Anastatia (5 March 1942) daughter
Ryan, Bridget (7 April 1943) daughter
Raftice, Bridget (3 May 1902) sister-in-law
[4] DOHERTY
Doherty, John (11 Oct. 1894) Farmer
Doherty, Bridget (19 Oct. 1898) wife
Doherty, Patrick, son, farm worker
Doherty, Richard, son, farm worker
Doherty, Stasia, daughter
Doherty, John, son, farm worker
Wall, Ellen (6 March 1896) sister-in-law
[5] WALSH
Walsh, Nicholas (23 June 1919) Farmer
Walsh, Michael (13 Nov. 1912) brother, farm worker
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Some of our previous articles regarding Grogan/Davidstown people or places include:
[1] Our post of 2 Oct. 2022 concerning the Davidstown Queen of the Plough 1958, Peggy Mullally;
[2] An article on Margaret M. Walsh (1879-1959)of Davidstown found in our post of 26 Nov. 2020. Margaret donated her handgun and ammunition to the local IRA in the War of Independence.
[3] Our post of 5 May 2020 that includes a short article about the Skow Bridge Platform in Davidstown in 1951.
The feature photo above is of Peggy Mullally (c. 1932-1997) of Davidstown, who was Queen of the Plough in 1958.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
BALLINLAMMY, GLENMORE (1961) [updated]
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Ballinlammy, Glenmore around 1961.
Background
The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Ireland (1969, p. 112) is Baile na léime, which translates as place of the jump. The townland is comprised of 612 acres and is found in the Civil Parish of Kilcolumb. The Irish Scholar John O’Donovan (1806-1861) provided this translation but made no reference to the jumping feat in his works. “The more ancient name was Baile Dhaith, David’s homestead, and the upper portion is called Baile Dhaith Mhoir, big David’s homestead. This is a very long narrow stretch of upland running north and south for almost 3 miles.” For further information on Slieverue born John O’Donovan see our post of 13 March 2021.
Tithe Applotment Books 1829
In the 1829 Tithe Applotment Books the townland of Ballinlammy’s landlord was David O’Neill Power Esq. (c. 1783-1863) of Snow Hill House, Slieverue. About the time of Griffith’s Valuation David O’Neill Power was adjudicated “a lunatic.” There were 11 tenancies listed in the Applotment Records for Ballinlammy, listed below with the associated statute acres. [1] Thomas Rochford, 82 acres; [2] Capt. Power (fox cover) 1 acre; [3] James Fitzgerald, 1 acre; [4] Edmond Costold & Richard Ryan, 102 acres; [5] John Walsh, 15 acres; [6] Martin Doherty & Patt Kennedy, 64 acres; [7] Robert Malone, 85 acres; [8] Martin Murphy, 3 acres; [9] Nicholas Murphy, 79 acres; [10] John & James Doherty, 61 acres; and [11] Michael & James Walsh, 33 acres.
Ballinlammy, Glenmore 1961
Danny Dowling’s mother was born and reared in Ballinlammy. In 1961, Danny recorded 11 families or households in Ballinlammy. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 53 people resided in Ballinlammy with the population comprised of 27 males and 24 females. The largest family was the Irish family with 11 in the household. There was no household recorded with a person living alone. All information under residents of Ballinlammy not in Danny’s original list has been placed in brackets[ ].
Recorded Residents of Ballinlammy, Glenmore 1961
Males= 28
Females=25
Eldest Recorded Resident= The eldest resident recorded in the townland was John Irish (1888-1963) who was 73 in 1961. John was the son of James Irish and his wife, Johanna Henneberry, of Ballinlammy. John was married to Brigid Irish née Murphy (1895—1987). The couple are believed to have had 19 children. Brigid was the daughter of Edward Murphy and his wife, Bridget Wall, of Davidstown, Glenmore. Brigid’s obituary may be found on our family I surname page.
Recorded Work
Farmer= 8 (7 Males; 1 Female)
Farm Worker= 8 (8 Males)
Carpenter =1 (1 Male)
Foundry Worker= 1 (1 Male)
Metal Worker=1 (1 Male)
Domestic= 3 (3 Females)
Shopkeeper=1 (1 Male)
Nurse=1 (1 Female)
Ballinlammy, Glenmore Residents 1961
[1] IRISH
Irish, John (10 Sept. 1888) Farmer (died 6 Feb. 1963)
Irish, Brigid (6 Feb. 1884 1895) wife [The correct year is 1895]
Irish, James, son, farm worker
Irish, Margaret, daughter-in-law
Irish, John G., grandson
Irish, Seamus, grandson
Irish, Breda, granddaughter
Irish, Catriona, granddaughter
Irish, Carmel, granddaughter
Irish, Robert, son, farm worker
Irish, Ryan, farm worker
[2] DOHERTY
Doherty, William (6 May 1892) Farmer
Doherty, Bridget (13 Feb. 1896) wife
Doherty, Michael, son, farm worker
Moore, Joseph, boarder (gone to Aylwardstown) [According to Danny Dowling’s notes Joe Moore came from Wexford and trapped rabbits].
[3] DOHERTY
Doherty, Patrick, Farmer
Doherty, Robert, brother, farm worker
Doherty, Mary, sister
[Doherty, Katie, sister, RGN in the County and City Infirmary, Waterford]
[Doherty, Patrick (c. 1887-1951) father]
[Doherty, Anastatia née Cody (c. 1894-1959) mother]
[4] WALSH
Walsh, Joseph, Carpenter
Walsh, Margaret, wife
Walsh, Gerard, son
Walsh, Bernadette, daughter
Walsh, Brendan, son
Doran, Julia, sister-in-law
[5] MORAN
Moran, Thomas (b. 1920) Farmer
Moran, Parker? (b. 1921) brother, foundry worker
[6] MURPHY
Murphy, Martin (3 June 1906) Farmer [Danny Dowling’s uncle]
Murphy, Elizabeth (3 June 1916) wife
Murphy, Michael, son
Murphy, Mary, daughter
Murphy, John Joe, son
Murphy, Patrick, son
[7] MURPHY
Murphy, Edmond, Farmer [known as Murphy’s of the Mountain]
Murphy, Brigid, mother
Murphy, Margaret, sister, domestic
Murphy, Mary Anne, sister
Murphy, Statia, sister, domestic
Murphy, Martin, brother, farm worker
Murphy, Bridget, sister, domestic
[8] MARTIN
Martin, Nicholas, Farm Labourer
Martin, Ellen, wife
Martin, Bridget, daughter
Martin, Mary, daughter
Martin, Henry, son
[9] MORAN
Moran, Robert (b. 1922) Metal Worker
Moran, Bridget (b. 1914) wife
Moran, Hubert, son
[10] WALSH
Walsh, Ellen, Farmer
Walsh, Thomas, son, farm worker
Walsh, Ellen, daughter
Walsh, Margaret, daughter
[11] HENNEBERRY
Henneberry, Nicholas (23 June 1912) Shopkeeper [Danny said the shop was in Waterford]
Henneberry, Joan, wife
[Update 23 Dec. 2022–one helpful reader remarked that the last two families [10] Walsh & [11] Henneberry were actually in Davidstown rather than Ballinlammy. The 1911 Census (the last publically released census) does provide that the Henneberry family resided in Davidstown. Over the years the townland divisions changed as well as the parish lines. Per Danny’s notes he sought to record residents similar to how he believed the Garda Siochana recorded residents as census collectors in 1961.]
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
In the near future we hope to publish an article regarding landlord Davd O’Neill Power (c. 1783-1863) as well as a short article on Joe Moore and his time in Glenmore as recorded by Danny.
The featured photo above is of a movie poster of Butterfield 8 starring Elizabeth Taylor. For her role in this movie Elizabeth Taylor won her first Oscer in 1961 (Best Actress). Special thanks to Paraic Dowling who shared the photo of his grandmother Katie Murphy née Doherty on her first day of work at the Co. & City Infirmary, Waterford in Dec. 1949.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
BALLINCLARE, GLENMORE (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Ballinclare, Glenmore, around 1961. The Irish for this townland, according to Kelly’s, Place Names of County Kilkenny (1969, p. 111), Baile an chlair translates to place of the plank or wooden bridge. The townland is comprised of 326 acres. Ballinclare is one of the shortest entries in Kelly’s book.
In the 1829 Tithe Applotment Books, Mr. David O’Neill Power, Esq. was the landlord of townland of Ballinclare. Additionally, he owned Ballyhobuck, Ballinamona, Gaulstown, and Ballinlammy. The tenants of the townland of Ballinclare included: Philip Aylward (69 acres); John Walsh (29 acres); and Martin Doherty; Patrick Kennedy; Richard Phelan; Philip Walsh (the last 4 tenants together had 71 acres).
Danny Dowling in 1961 recorded 3 families or households in Ballinclare. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland. No death notations are recorded for this townland. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 21 people resided in Ballinclare with the population comprised of 9 males and 12 females. The Kennedy family was the largest family with 11 family members in the household. There were no households where it was recorded that a single person lived alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 9
Females=12
Eldest Recorded Resident = The oldest Ballinclare resident was Mary Aylward née Irish (1882-1969). Mary was 79 years old in 1961. She was the widow of Michael Aylward and they had a large family. Mary’s obituary is located on our Family “A” Surname page.
Recorded Work
Farmer = 3 (3 males)
Farm Labourer/Worker= 2 (2 males)
Shorthand/typist = 1 (1 female)
BALLINCLARE RESIDENTS
[1] AYLWARD
Aylward, Richard (c. 1917) Farmer
Aylward, Mary, wife
Aylward, Thomas, nephew, farm worker
Aylward, Mary (28 Feb. 1882) mother
[2] BARRON
Barron, Stephen (5 Feb. 1909—6 Jan. 1977) Farmer
Barron, Margaret (10 April 1906—29 April 1990) wife
Hartley, Kathleen, daughter, shorthand/typist
Barron, Thomas, son
Barron, Mary, daughter
Hartley, John, son-in-law, assisting farm
[3] KENNEDY
Kennedy, John (1 March 1910) Farmer
Kennedy, Bridget (13 Aug. 1911) wife
Kennedy, Josie, daughter
Kennedy, Martin, son
Kennedy, Margaret, daughter
Kennedy, Patrick, son
Kennedy, Sean, son
Kennedy, Bridget, daughter
Kennedy, Katie, sister
Kennedy, Anne, daughter
Kennedy, Annie (1 Nov. 1907) sister
The featured photo above was published in the Munster Express (3 Nov. 1961, p. 15) and shows a group of Glenmore farmers, at the Kilkenny farmer’s protest. The farmers were protesting against the raising of rates.
Please send any additional information, corrections or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
COOLNALEEN or ARDBEG, GLENMORE (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Coolnaleen, Glenmore, around 1961.
Background
The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Ireland (1969, p. 110) Ardbeag, Ard beag, means a little eminence. The townland was comprised of 266 acres. “The more ancient name still in use, was Coolnaleen. Fields are Bán an gheata; Bán beag; Bán an lin, the flax bawn; Bánta leathan; Clais na cloura ; Garraí fada; Garraí sean-Mháire; Loca, (a sheep fold); Móinteán, and Sileán, (spewy land).” The Irish field names above provide a good explanation regarding the ancient name of Coolnaleen, i.e. the meadow of the flax. The Irish for meadow is cluain and flax is líon.
Tithe Applotment Books 1833
In the 1833 Tithe Applotment Books the townland of Coolnaleen was recorded as separate to Ard Beg (sic). Both townlands were recorded in the records in 1829. The landlord for Coolnaleen was Mr. O’Mealy and Ard Beg’s landlord was Mr. Kearney. The tenants of Coolnaleen included: William Delahunty; Marty Doherty; Patt Kennedy; John Phelan; Thomas Delahunty; Patt Phelan; Lauce Vericar; Edward Malone; William Roche. All the tenants are listed together and appear to share 260 acres. The sole tenant in Ard Beg was Michael Walsh who apparently farmed 42 acres.
Coolnaleen, Glenmore 1961
Danny Dowling in 1961 recorded 7 families or households in Coolnaleen. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 36 people resided in Coolnaleen with the population comprised of 18 males and 18 females. The largest family was the Doherty family with 10 in the household plus a boarder. There was 1 household (Mary Murphy) where it was recorded that a single person lived alone.
Coolnaleen, Glenmore 1961 Recorded Residents
Males= 18
Females= 18
Eldest Recorded Resident= Mary Roche née Grace (17 March 1882—6 January 1962) who was a native of Forristalstown, Glenmore. Mary moved to Coolnaleen when she married Thomas Roche. Mary Roche was 79 in 1961 and died in 1962. Although Danny recorded that Mary died on 9 March 1962 a check of the death register revealed that Mary died on 6 January 1962. Mary became a widow in 1960. Mary’s obituary with an extensive list of surviving relatives may be found on our obituary page by clicking here.
Recorded Work
Farmers = 6 (4 males, 2 females)
Farm workers = 5 (5 males)
Meat Factory Worker = 1 (male)
Waitress = 1 (1 female)
Office clerk = 1 (1 female)
Woodworker= 1 (1 male)
COOLNALEEN, GLENMORE RESIDENTS
[1] BERGIN/CAHILL
Bergin, Ellen (4 Oct. 1907)
Cahill, Catherine (16 Sept. 1900) sister
[2] PHELAN
Phelan, Patrick (4 May 1892) Farmer
Phelan, Mary (25 Dec. 1901) wife
Phelan, Thomas, son, meat factory worker
Phelan, Patrick, son, farm worker
Phelan, Catherine, daughter, office clerk
Phelan, Eileen, daughter
Phelan, Margaret, daughter, waitress
Phelan, James, son, woodworker
[3] ROCHE
Roche, John (b. 1921) Farmer
Roche, Margaret, wife
Roche, Eily, daughter
Roche, Patrick, son
Roche, Thomas, son
Roche, Mary (17 March 1882) mother (dead 9 March 1962) [correct date =6 Jan. 1962]
[4] PHELAN
Phelan, Anastatia (24 May 1900) Farmer
Phelan, John, son, farm worker
Phelan, James (b. 1928) son, farm worker(moved to Aylwardstown)
[5] DOHERTY
Doherty, Richard 5 Oct. 1889) Farmer
Doherty, Bridget (5 April 1890) wife
Doherty, Johanna, daughter
Doherty, Mary, daughter
Doherty, John, son-in-law, farm worker
Doherty, Anastatia, granddaughter
Doherty, James, grandson
Doherty, Brigid, granddaughter
Doherty, Mary, granddaughter
Doherty, Patrick, grandson
Power, John (24 June 1895) boarder, farm worker
[6] DOYLE
Doyle, Peter (24 June 1917) Farmer
Doyle, Mary (24 June 1914) wife
Doyle, Edward, son
Doyle, William, son
Doyle, Richard, son
[7] MURPHY
Murphy, Mary, Farmer
XXXXXXX
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos of Coolnaleen or its residents to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The feature photo above is courtesy of the Illustrated London News (Sat. 16 Sept. 1961, p. 30) depicting a VW bug fitted with a propeller attempting to cross the English channel from Calais. The car sank within two miles of Calais due to “very rough water.”
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Weatherstown, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Weatherstown, Glenmore, around 1961. The Irish for this townland, according to Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny (1969, p. 109) is one of the six townlands comprising the old parish of Kilcoan. Kilcoan did not give its name to any townland. The site of St. Cuan’s church is in Weatherstown townland and St. Cuan’s well is in Flemingstown. Weatherstown townland contains 495 acres. It is thought that Weathers may have been a surname. Kelly noted that the hamlet of Weatherstown is near the road junction. The southern angled Kilcoan church is mentioned in the Red Book of Ossory and belonged to the Priory of Inistioge. Some of the fields listed by Kelly in Weatherstown include: Bán ard; Clais na sláinte; Fraochán bilberry land; Garraí an geruách (field of stacks).
In the 1833 Griffith’s Valuation Applotment Records the townland had no landlord listed on the Weatherston page. On the “Kilcoane (sic) Recapitulation of Totals” page the townland had 506 acres. The following tenants are included in the townland records although five had no acreage recorded: Patrick Fitzgerald; Patrick Hogan; James Malone; William Malone; Michael Walsh; Michael Power (183 acres); John Mackey (291 acres); Thomas Deneefe (26 acres); John Hartley (4 acres); and John Gahan (1 acre).
Danny Dowling in 1961 recorded 13 families or households in Weatherstown. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 66 people resided in Weatherstown with the population comprised of 29 males and 37 females. The 2 Hartley families tied for the largest family with 8 family members in each household. There was 1 household (James Roche) where it was recorded that a single person lived alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 29
Females=37
Eldest Recorded Resident = The oldest Weatherstown resident was Patrick O’Rourke (15 Nov. 1883—15 Jan. 1970). Patrick was a 77 year old widower in 1961. For further information see our blog post of 13 June 2020, “From Danny’s Files: The Tragic Death of Mrs. O’Rourke (1891-1960) of Weatherstown, Glenmore.”
Recorded Work
Farmer = 7 (7 Males includes 1 retired farmer)
Farm Labourer/Worker = 7 (7 Males)
Creamery Worker = 3 (3 Males)
Factory Worker = 3 (2 Females; 1 Male)
Retired Labourer = 1 (1 Male))
Builder’s Timekeeper = 1 (1 Male)
Council Worker = 2 (2 Males)
Fisherman = 1 (1 Male)
Nurse (mental) = 1 (1 Male)
Shop Assistant = 1 (1 Male)
WEATHERSTOWN RESIDENTS
[1] CONNOLLY
Connolly, Catherine (b. 13 July 1897)
Connolly, Johanna, daughter, factory worker (meat)
Connolly, Martin, Co. Council worker
Mernagh, Catherine, daughter
Mernagh, Thomas, son-in-law, creamery worker
Mernagh, Mary, granddaughter
(An undated notation is next to the Mernagh entry “gone to reside in Jamestown”)
[2] ROURKE (sic)
Rourke, Patrick (15 Nov. 1883) Retired Labourer
Rourke, Edward, son, mental nurse
Rourke, Ellen, daughter-in-law
Rourke, Anne, granddaughter
Rourke, Bridget, granddaughter
[For further information on the O’Rourke Family see our blog post of 13 June 2020].
[3] MERNAGH
Mernagh, Nicholas (b. 20 April 1903) Co. Council Worker
Mernagh, Margaret (b. 4 Sept. 1905) wife
Murphy, Bridget, daughter
Doyle, Johanna (1932-2021) daughter
Doyle, Nicholas (1960-2020) granddaughter (sic)
(There is a notation that Bridget Murphy & the Doyle family “gone to reside in Jamestown.”)
[4] SYNNOTT
Synnott, Anastatia (b. 23 March 1893)
Synnott, William (b. 1916) son, farm worker
Synnott, Patrick, son, farm worker
Synnott, John, son, creamery worker
Synnott, Joseph, son, factory worker
Synnott, Anastatia, daughter, factory worker
[5] CODY
Cody, Martin (b. 1900) Farmer
Cody, Bridget (b. 1918) wife
[6] CODY
Cody, Michael (b. 1 April 1896) Farmer
Cody, Anne (b. 31 Oct. 1908) wife
Cody, Patrick, son, farm worker
Cody, Nicholas, son, farm worker
Cody, Mary, daughter
Cody, Donal, son
[7] HARTLEY
Hartley, Thomas (b. 1901) Farmer
Hartley, Elizabeth (b. 1921) wife
Hartley, Margaret, daughter
Hartley, Breda, daughter
Hartley, Maire, daughter
Hartley, Philip, son
Hartley, Martin, son
Hennessey, Mary (b. 1918) sister-in-law
[8] HARTLEY
Hartley, James (b. 20 Oct. 1892) Farmer
Hartley, Ellen (b. 1904) wife
Hartley, Anastatia, daughter
Hartley, James, son, creamery worker
Hartley, Oliver, son, shop assistant
Hartley, Patrick, son, farm worker
Hartley, Bridget, daughter-in-law
Hartley, Eileen, granddaughter
[9] ROCHE
Roche, James (b. 7 June 1885) Retired Farmer (died on 7 April 1964)
[10] FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald, William (b. 1905) Farmer
Fitzgerald, Kathleen (b. 1911) wife
Fitzgerald, Patrick, son, farm worker
Fitzgerald, Kathleen, daughter
[11] WALSH
Walsh, Michael (b. 1924) Farmer
Walsh, Celia, wife
Walsh, daughter (no first name recorded)
Walsh, daughter (no first name recorded)
[12] MURPHY
Murphy, Ellen (b. 21 Aug. 1888)
Murphy, William (b. 1923) son, fisherman
Murphy, Annie, daughter-in-law
Murphy, Ellen, granddaughter
Murphy, Maire, granddaughter
Doyle, John, grandson, farm worker
[13] MURPHY
Murphy, Philip (b. 1919) Builders Timekeeper
Murphy, Catherine (b. 1924) wife
Murphy, Eileen, daughter
Murphy, Mary, daughter
Murphy, Katherine, daughter
For additional posts on Weatherstown natives see:
- Our blog post of 15 May 2022 regarding Jo Doyle née Mernagh (1932-2021);
- Our blog post of 20 June 2021 regarding Capt. Sean “Jack” Hartley (1897-1921); and
- Our blog post of 21 August 2021 regarding Peter Walsh being charged with counterfeiting in 1846.
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Rickardsland, Glenmore (1961) [Updated]
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Rickardsland around 1961. The Irish for this townland, according to Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny (1969, p. 110) is Fearann Risteaird, or Richard’s land. It is divided into North and South Richardsland with a total area of 88 acres. No further information is supplied by Kelly. Over the years the name has been spelled in different ways on headstones etc., but Danny referred to it as Rickardsland.
In the 1833 Griffith’s Valuation Applotment Records the townland of Richardsland or Rickardsland is not found. In the old civil parish of Kilcoan both Weatherstown and Moulerstown are present. It may be the case that Rickardsland was an area within a larger townland similar to Grogan in Davidstown. Sometimes areas along the edge of a townland split off because landlords sold them or altered them in some way. A good example is Ringville that was once part of Rochestown. Unfortunately Danny isn’t available to explain how or when Rickardsland became a townland.
A newspaper search employing the various spellings of Rickardsland turned up very few articles or references prior to the 1960’s. However, in 1869 the Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 20 March 1869, p. 2) reported on the “County Grand Jury Fiscal Business” and levied £34,629 2s. 0d. in 44 half yearly instalments for the re-building of the New Ross bridge. County Kilkenny was “at large” to pay £29,810 8s. Four districts were established. District 1 comprised the townslands closest to the bridge such as Rosbercon, Annagh, Shanbough (sic) and they were to pay the sum of £819 1s.8d. District 2 comprised parishes in Dysartmoon, Listerlin and Kilmakevoge and Kilcoan including Cappagh, Ballybrahy, Richardsland north, Richardsland south, Moulerstown and Flemingstown to pay £968.0s.0d. The fourth and last district was composed of most of the rest of the current parish of Glenmore including: Aylwardstown, Robinstown, Ballyfacey, Kilbride and further outlying townlands Darbystown, Glenpipe, Ballymartin etc. to pay £863 6s.8d. Excluded from all four districts were the townlands in most of the old civil parish of Kilcolumb such as Rochestown, Rathinure, Scartnamore, and Davidstown etc. See the end of our previous blog of 14 December 2019 for further details concerning the destruction of the New Ross bridge by ice.
The newspaper search did turn up a number of greyhound’s with Rickardsland in their names including Rickardsland Rose (Irish Examiner, Thurs. 12 Nov. 1964, p. 15); Rickardsland Phil (Kilkenny People, Fri. 7 May 1971, p. 16) and Rickardsland Prince (Irish Press, Sat. 9 Oct. 1954, p. 13). We assume that greyhounds were bred in Rickardsland or by a former resident to honour his or her native townland.
Danny Dowling in 1961 recorded only 2 families or households in Rickardsland. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 6 people resided in Rickardsland North and 10 people residing in Rickardsland South (16 total). The population of the townland is comprised of 8 males and 8 females. The Roche family was the largest family with ten members in the household. There was no household recorded of a single person living alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 8
Females= 8
Eldest Recorded Resident= Margaret Fitzgerald née Woods (1906-1997). In 1961 Margaret Fitzgerald was only 55 years of age and according to available records she was 7 months older than her husband James Fitzgerald (1906-1979). Margaret was born on 11 April 1906 in Ballymartin, Rosbercon to Nicholas Woods (farmer) and his wife Bridget Woods née Dungan. When she died in 1997 she was 91 years of age. The obituaries for James and Margaret Fitzgerald are on the Family, surname F, page and may be accessed by clicking here.
Recorded Work
Farmers = 1 (1 males)
Farm workers = 2 (2 males)
Motor garage worker = 1 (1 male)
Domestic servant = 1 (1 female)
Meat Factory Worker = 2 (2 females)
General Labourer = 1 (1 male)
RICKARDSLAND NORTH
[1] FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald, James (21 Nov. 1906-26 April 1979) Farmer
Fitzgerald, Margaret (11 April 1906-15 Sept. 1997) wife
Fitzgerald, Mary, daughter
Fitzgerald, Nicholas (1938-2015) son, farm worker (twin)
Fitzgerald, William (1938-2010) son, farm worker (twin)
Fitzgerald, Martin A., son, student
RICHARDSLAND SOUTH
[2] ROCHE
Roche, Thomas (22 Dec. 1912-11 June 1989) General Labourer
Roche, Margaret (28 April 1911-8 Aug. 1992) wife
Roche, Mary, daughter, meat factory worker
Roche, Johanna, daughter, meat factory worker
[Roche, Margaret, daughter, domestic servant]
Roche, William, son, motor garage worker
Roche, Kathleen, daughter, domestic servant
Roche, Edward, son
Roche, Bridget, daughter
Roche, Eileen, daughter
Roche, Martin, son
[Correction–the birthdate of Margaret Roche née Long was incorrect and has been corrected. Margaret Roche née Long was the daughter of Edward Long (labourer) and Johanna Long née Corcoran of Weatherstown, Glenmore. The third eldest child of the Roche family, Margaret Roche, was not in Danny’s list and has been added in brackets. The death notice for Thomas Roche (1912-1989) and the obituary of his wife Margaret Roche née Long (1911-1992) may be found on our Family, surname Q-R page and may be accessed by clicking here. ]
Thirteen years after Danny recorded the information concerning Rickardsland townsland, in 1974 the Kilkenny Co. Council agreed to erect a new pump at Rickardsland South, Glenmore (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 June 1974, p. 2). Thus into the mid-70’s roadside water pumps were being installed in Glenmore parish by the County Council.
The featured drawing of the greyhound above is a Player’s cigarette card courtesty of the New York City Library Digital Collection. See, George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library. Greyhound Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e2-1f79-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Please send any further information of corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh