20th Century
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Weatherstown’s Crafter: Jo Doyle née Mernagh (1932-2021)
Today, we are going to feature the craft work of the late Jo Doyle née Mernagh of Weatherstown, Glenmore. Danny Dowling once described Jo as the woman who could turn her hand to anything. Jo was equally adept at weilding an angle grinder as a crochet hook.
Jo Doyle née Mernagh was born and raised in a thatched cottage in Weatherstown, Glenmore. Jo attended the Robinstown National School for girls and after completing it she began a succession of jobs that ultimately took her to England. While living and working in England she met her future husband, Larry Doyle, a native of Wexford. Soon after the couple married in 1957 they moved to Glenmore and updated the cottage where Jo was born and reared. Until she retired Jo worked for local farmers, fished for eels with Larry in the Barrow, reupholstered furniture, fitted wallpaper, knitted sweaters, and worked as a seamstress. She sewed, repaired and altered clothing and made Irish dancing costumes etc.
When Jo retired she turned to arts and crafts that she now had the time to pursue. Jo never drove, so Larry with his usual good humour drove her to various agricultural shows in Wexford, the Kilkenny show and the Piltown Show. They both enjoyed meeting old friends at the shows, and while awaiting the judges’ verdict for her craft work Jo would join Larry to view the animals on display and cheer for Glenmore horses in the show rings. A couple of typical show results for Jo were found in the New Ross Standard. For example, the New Ross Standard (Wed. 18 Aug 2002, p. 10) reported on the winners of the various classes or competitions held at the 55th Adamstown Show in 2002. Jo took six 1st places in Craft and Needlework including: Machine Sewn Garment; Embroidered Table Cloth; Patchwork; Soft Toy; and Cushion. Jo also won two 3rd places in Hand Knitted Garment and a handmade household article. Jo took a 1st in baking for a homemade novelty cake and a 2nd in the flower section for a Miniature Arrangement. Two years later, Jo at the 57th Adamstown Show took seven 1st place ribbons, one 2nd place and one 3rd. The firsts included: Best Machine Sewn Garment; Best Hand Knitted Garment; Best Patchwork; Best Soft Toy; Best Handmade ornament, Best Miniature Flower Arrangement and Best Small Flower Arrangement. Her second place was for the Best Household Article and her third was for Best Embroidered Tablecloth. (New Ross Standard, Wed. 7 July 2004, p. 24).
Jo also began to paint in oils and watercolour. She delved into mosaics, rug making, stencilling, counted cross stitch, quilting, and revived long forgotten crafts such as what she called silver paper pictures which were popular when she was a girl. Her favourite craft work were soft toys and dolls. She named each doll and animal that she made. Jo was awarded over 140 ribbons or certificates for her entries at the shows. However, her proudest award was a Brannra awarded in 1998 for her proficiency in soft toys.
Thanks to Jo’s daughter Pat we have several photographs below of a few examples of Jo’s extraordinary work to share today.
Please send any additions or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is a view from Jo’s front gate looking over the fields.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Forristalstown, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Forristalstown around 1961. The Irish for this townland, according to Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny (1969, p. 102) is Baile Fhorastail, or Forrestal’s homestead. The townland is comprised of 316 acres. Kelly noted that the Forrestals lost their lands under Cromwell, and were transplanted to Connaught. Their castle in Forristalstown was demolished about 1800 shortly after the 1798 Rebellion. The hamlet of Forrestalstown (sic) is marked on the Ordinance Survey Maps and part of the roadway is called Clodach, or a miry place.
Danny interviewed Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979) on Friday the 13th of March 1964. Nicky disclosed that the last of the local Forristals to leave during the Cromwellian period left a small son with the Gorman family of Ballycroney. Nicky believed that the Gormans were related to the Forristals. “When the chap grew up he married one of the Gorman girls and it is from this union that the present Ballyverneen Forristal’s descend from.” (DD Notebook 26) During an interview in 1970, Nicky told Danny what Tom Haberlin (1840-1920) of Forristalstown had described as occurring in Forristalstown. There were nine houses situated in Mullally’s field in Forristalstown which was opposite Cullen’s house on the other side of the lane. The Roches lived in a little house in the field. Previously the people in the nine houses were driven out of their houses. This occurred before 1870. Later, Tom Mullally knocked the derelict houses and used the stones to build his own dwelling house (DD Notebook 2). It is always amazing how accurate Nicky was. He told Danny that Tom Haberlin died between 40 or 50 years prior to 1970 and he was about 80 when he died. The parish records reveal that Tom Haberlin, of Forristalstown was born in January 1840 and the death register reveals that he died in 1920.
In 1961 Danny recorded ten families or households in Forristalstown. 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. The recorded information reveals that 48 people resided in Forristalstown with the population of 25 males and 23 females. The largest family recorded was the Power family comprised of 8 persons and there was 1 household of a single person.
Recorded Residents
Males= 25
Females= 23
Eldest Recorded Resident= James Doherty (1891-1963) although there were two other residents born in 1892. In 1961 James Doherty was 70 years of age.
Recorded Work
Farmers= 6 (4 males; 2 females) (included retired famers)
Farm/Agricultural Workers= 9 (all males) (included retired farm workers)
Labourer= 3 (all males)
Fisherman = 1 (male)
Domestic Servant = 1 (female)
ESB Lineman = 1 (male)
Postman = 1 (male)
FORRISTALSTOWN RESIDENTS
[1] MURPHY
Murphy, Edward (8 Aug. 1913) Builder’s Labourer
Murphy, Bridget (10 Feb. 1913) wife
Murphy, John son, farm worker
Murphy, Hannah daughter, domestic servant
Murphy, Edward, son
Murphy, Thomas, son
Murphy, Eileen, daughter
[2] McGRATH
McGrath, Martin (31 Aug. 1906) Farm Labourer
McGrath, Bridget (22 Jan. 1906) wife
Fortune, Alice, daughter
Fortune, Joseph, son-in-law, E.S.B. Lineman
[3] POWER
Power, Thomas (29 Nov.1904) Postman
Power, Anastatia (27 Sept. 1908) wife
Power, Johanna, daughter
Power, Patrick, son, farm worker
Power, Kathleen, daughter
Power, Kieran, son
Power, Angela, daughter
Power, Margaret, domestic servant
[4] MERNAGH
Mernagh, Peter (18 Feb. 1892) Retired Farm Worker
Mernagh, Mary (14 March 1897) wife
Mernagh, Patrick, son, road labourer
Mernagh, James P., son, labourer
Mernagh, N. William, son
Power, John, grandson
[5] DOHERTY
Doherty, James (6 Oct. 1891) Farmer (died 27 Jan. 1963)
Doherty, Margaret (10 Nov. 1901) wife
Doherty, Catherine, daughter
Doherty, Edward, son, farm worker
Doherty, Patrick, son, farm worker
Doherty, Anastatia, daughter
[6] DOHERTY
Doherty, Mary (18 April 1896) Retired Farmer (died 7 Jan. 1962)
Doherty, James, son, farmer
Doherty, Mary, daughter-in-law
Doherty, Josephine, daughter
[7] DOHERTY
Doherty, John Joseph (1923) Farmer
Doherty, Ellen, wife
Doherty, Mary Christina, daughter
[8] HABERLIN
Haberlin, Thomas (29 June 1919) fisherman
[9] GRACE
Grace, Anastatia (9 Feb. 1896) Farmer (died 19 March 1965)
Grace, Margaret, daughter
Grace, Mary, daughter
[10] CULLEN
Cullen, James (15 Aug. 1900) Farmer
Cullen, Ellen (8 June 1903) wife
Cullen, James, son, farm worker
Cullen, Edward, son, farm worker
Cullen, Patrick, son
Lannigan, Richard (4 June 1892) brother-in-law, farm worker
The feature photo above is of a coat of arms found on an ancient burial vault behind the east wall of Killivory Church ruins. The photo was sent of this coat of arms to the Heraldry Office and the following information was provided.
“This is indeed a coat associated with several branches of Forstall in the counties Kilkenny and Wexford and the City of Dublin. They all appear to have used the pronominal coat rather than with their proper differences; there was and is a good deal of carelessness about this which generations of heralds have failed to cure.
The inescutcheon – charged with three helmets – indicates a Forstall marriage to a Kennedy heraldic heiress. (A lady whose father left no son to continue the name.) It is borne to indicate that this armiger’s children have part of their inheritance from their mother and after her death might marshall the two coats together by quartering.” (Micheál Ó Comáin, Herald of Arms, 6 June 2020)
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Photo Album 2.0 [updated]
Last week we had a very good response to the photo readers identified as Forristal’s Mill of Graiguenakill, Glenmore. Today, we are featuring a photo of 11 Glenmore boys with hurleys found in one of Danny’s photo albums. Can you identify any of these boys and when Danny took this photo?
[Thanks to everyone for the speedy responses. So far we have several possible identifications…
From row (left to right) [1] Billy O’Keefe of the Village (?) ; [2] John Shea or Pat Power, the Village (?); [3] John Power, the Village(?); [4] —?—; [5] —?—
Back row (left to right: [1] Neddy Dowling, of Jamestown; [2] Jimmy Phelan (?); [3] Seamus Jones (?) the Village; [4] —?—; [5] Paddy Griffin (?); [6] Packie Jones (?) the Village or Martin Forristal (?) the Village. ]
Update 1 June 2022–back row (chap with glasses) [4] Christy Power, of Carrigcloney
“Glenmore Notes”: A Munster Express Column [Updated]
Commencing in about August 1900 and continuing until the end of 1903 the Munster Express published a column entitled “Glenmore Notes.” The newspaper proudly proclaimed the column was “From our own Correspondent.” Unfortunately, the Munster Express never identified its Glenmore correspondent for the Glenmore Notes (1900-1903).
From the topics covered in “Glenmore Notes” from 1900 to 1903 it is likely that the unnamed correspondent was a local man. An example of the typical column in 1900 was published on Saturday, 8 September 1900 (p.8) and is as follows:
“A great many farmers have their corn safely secured in the stackyard at present. The two new Reaper and Binder Machines, purchased this summer by Messrs Willie Rowe and Pat Fitzgerald, Weatherstown, did splendid work.
[Editor’s note: Thanks to a reader Wm. Rowe has been identified. Wm. Rowe, of Ballyhobuck, was married to an aunt of John Kirwan, of Gaulestown. She died shortly after their marriage. He later married an aunt of Mick and Andy Walsh who was from near Powerswood in Thomastown. Wm. Rowe had no children with either wife.]
[Updated 9 May 2022: Thanks to information supplied by two readers it is believed that William Rowe was a native of Mooncoin. The following information was gleaned from public records. On 11 April 1883 William Roe (sic) married Mary Kirwan of Gaulestown at Glenmore. On the 8th of September 1884, Mary Rowe née Kirwan (c. 1857-1884) died at the age of 27 of pulmonary congestion. William Rowe married a widow Ellen Dollard at Chapel Hill on 28 February 1889. The marriage records reveals that William’s father was William Rowe (deceased) and the bride’s father was Michael Cassin. Both father’s were listed as farmers. William Rowe (c. 1848-1932) died on 29th of July 1932 at Ballyhobuck of pneumonia at the age of 84. His nephew Andrew Walsh was present when he died. Ellen Rowe née Cassin (c. 1859-1937) died at the age of 78 on the 29th October 1937 at Ballyhobuck.]
A collision took place at ” The Churns” on Sunday last between a traveller for a certain machine company and the local postman. Both were on wheels. Except a little shock received everything else was all right. They parted in good humour, one wishing the other good luck for the rest of the day.
A Mullinavat gentleman took a remarkable eel out of the Mullinavat stream with his fishing rod on Tuesday last. He gave the following description of it to a friend of mine at the dispensary door:—Length, 3 feet, without the head; the latter was of a prodigious size, and without eyes. I may mention that he intends making a purse out of the skin.
I noticed four of the Glenmore boys cycling at racing speed along the ‘V’ road on Sunday afternoon. On arrival at the Cross Roads, Mr G. gave the order ‘Turn to the right;’ all obeyed. He did not cry ‘Halt’ until they arrived at Mr. Rockett’s, Slieverue. Of course, all went in. Needless to say their wants were attended to in capital style. After a short stay they remounted, bound for Dunmore, next to Tramore, and back again to Glenmore. At present I’ll say no more.”
The old “Glenmore Notes” from 1900-1903 provides a glimpse into what local people were discussing 120 years ago. Later in the late 1990’s the Munster Express again began publishing a column called “Glenmore Notes” which was written by Billy Forristal (c. 1915-2005) of Rochestown, Glenmore. Billy continued to write his column until January 2001. For further infomation concerning Edward Walsh (1862-1946) the proprietor and editor of the Munster Express, and his Glenmore connections, see our previous blog post of 24 January 2022.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The old cigarette card depicting an eel is courtesy of the New York City Library’s Digital Collection; NYPL catalogue ID (B-number): b15262620 Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): fe260800-c53f-012f-018b-58d385a7bc34; and is part of the George Arents Cigarette Card Collection.
Busherstown, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Busherstown, Glenmore, around 1961. The Irish for this townland, according to Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny (1969, p. 102) is Baile Bhuiséir or Busher’s homestead. This townland is comprised of 345 acres and is situated in the Civil Parish of Ballygurrim.
Griffith’s Valuation 1830
In 1830 Edward Murphy, Esq. was the landlord of Busherstown. Seven tenants are listed, but there is no breakdown of the acreage. The tenants include: [1] Edward Dooling; [2] Joseph Walsh & [3] Cashin (no first name recorded); [4] James Hartilly; [5] Michael Walsh; [6] Edmund Prendergast; and [7] William Purcell.
Interview of Michael Power, of Busherstown, Glenmore
On the 9th of May 1969, Danny interviewed Michael Power, of Busherstown, Glenmore (DD Notebook 4). Michael provided information concerning the “extinct” Tobin’s of Busherstown. The Tobin’s house stood in a field under land over to Hartley’s and Fitzgerald’s. The field contained 1.5 acres. Michael also noted that “Aunty” Matthew’s field of 1.5 Irish acres is at the double turn going up to Weatherstown. In 1969 it belonged to Hartley’s of Busherstown.
Lastly, Michael told Danny about the Busherstown ghost. The “Billy Joe’s” lived in a house where in 1969 the Hartley’s hayshed was located in Busherstown. “Old James Hartley said he saw her (an old lady spinning) sitting on a stool when she was dead and gone.” Unfortunately, no last name was provided for the “Billy Joe’s”.
1961 Busherstown
Danny recorded eight families or households in Busherstown around 1961. 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. The recorded information reveals that 43 people resided in Busherstown with the population of 18 males and 25 females. Two families were comprised of 8 members each. Thus, the Walter Walsh and Hartley/Mullally families tied as the largest families recorded. There were no households recorded of a single person living alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 18
Females= 25
Eldest Recorded Resident= Anne Power born 4 February 1882. Death register reveals that Anne died on the 19th of June 1962. Thus, Anne was 79 in 1961.
Recorded Work
Farmers= 6 (5 males; 1 female)
Farm/Agricultural Workers=8 (all males)
Meat Factory Worker=1 (1 male)
Carpenter= 1 (1 male)
No women were recorded as being employed outside the home or off the farm.
BUSHERSTOWN RESIDENTS
[1] MACKEY
Mackey, William(12 Aug. 1910) Farmer
Mackey, Alice (1912) wife
[2] WALSH
Walsh, Walter (24 March 1907) Farmer
Walsh, Ellen (1917) wife
Walsh, William, son, farm worker
Walsh, Anastatia, daughter
Walsh, Margaret, daughter
Walsh, Anne, daughter
Walsh, Mary (20 Sept. 1885) aunt, (died 17 March 1962)
Walsh, Jane (3 June 1895) aunt
[3] POWER
Power, Michael (20 Sept. 1884) farm worker
Power, Anne (4 Feb. 1882) wife [died, but no date of death recorded]
Long, Walter, Lodger
Long, Mrs.
[4] HENNESSEY
Hennessey, Richard (1925) Carpenter
Hennessey, Mary, wife
Hennessey, John, son
Hennessey, Hannah, daughter
Hennessey, Margaret, daughter
[5] HARTLEY
Hartley, Bridget (12 June 1911) Farmer
Hartley, Eileen, daughter, (married 30 Aug. 1961)
Hartley, Breda, daughter
Hartley, Loretta, daughter
Mullally, Thomas, son-in-law, farm worker
Mullally, Mary, daughter
Mullally, Thomas, grandson
Hartley, Thomas (3 April 1900) brother-in-law, farm worker
[6] FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald, John (25 March 1897) Farmer
Fitzgerald, John, son, farm worker
Fitzgerald, Patrick, son, farm worker
[7] HOLDEN
Holden, John (17 March 1912) Head, Farmer
Holden, Michael (1921) brother, farm worker
Holden, Margaret (1926) wife
Holden, Mary, daughter
Holden, Helen, daughter
[8] HOLDEN
Holden, Bartley (16 Nov. 1916) Farmer
Holden, Margaret (1921) wife
Holden, Mary, daughter
Holden, Breda, daughter
Holden, Edward (1919) brother, farm worker
[9] POWER
Power, James (1924) Meat Factory Worker
Power, Mary Eliz. (1927) wife
Power, Bernadette, daughter
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The drawing of the woman spinning is courtesty ofo the New York Public Library Digital Collection. Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library. “Beauty in a state of adversity” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1813.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
