20th Century
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What’s a Shebeen?
Over the years, Danny Dowling interviewed several local people concerning Glenmore drinking establishments. As previously reported in our blog of 4 January 2020 in about 1870 the then parish priest forced all three pubs in Glenmore Village to close. After the pubs closed Glenmore remained a dry parish until 1963. In addition to licensed public houses Glenmore had its fair share of síbíns or shebeens, particularly in the years following 1870. Today we are going to focus on the information Danny collected and a case that arose 114 years ago today when a Glenmore woman’s house was raided as a shebeen.
One of the pubs, operating at the time of the pub closures in Glenmore was known as Cashin’s. It was situated just in front of the present priest’s house and Mass was disrupted with drunken shouts, inappropriate conduct and the banging of mugs on the bar. Old Johnnie Hanrahan, of Glenmore Village, told Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill that when Johnny was a chap he brought beer out of Howlett’s Brewery in Priory Lane, New Ross, to Cashin’s Pub in Glenmore. Walter Power, of Jamestown, in his January 1955 interview revealed that another pub in the Village was in Peter Dunphy’s house in Robinstown. He was married to Nellie Grace, nicknamed Nellie Grawsheen and their house stood somewhere near Hanrahan’s shop. Margaret Walsh, in 1955, noted that her father David Walsh had a pub in the Village not too far from the Chapel.
Another pub just outside of the Village was identified in 1958 by Nicholas Forristal who stated that Cardiff’s had a pub in Graiguenakill in their house upstairs. Interestingly Father Delahunty whilst in Glenmore lived in Cardiff’s. Danny’s mother, Mrs. Hannah Dowling, of Jamestown, in January 1970, stated that Duggan’s had a public house in the Halfwayhouse on the “New Line” in Ballinaraha.
The shebeens identified were primarily outside the Village. In December 1969 Nicholas Forristal, stated that the local Whitefeet drank in a shebeen in Ballygurrim before their nightly escapades. The Whitefeet was a secret society that engaged in land agitation activities. The shebeen where the local Whitefeet drank was kept by Billy Walsh, nicknamed Billy Buíde. Billy Walsh used to say to the Whitefeet, “Drink plenty and it’ll make chickens of ye. It will strengthen your bones and put speed in your feet and make ye well able to whale the police.” Pat Coady, of Ballycroney, in November 1955 identified five “shanties” that operated in Glenmore including: Big Dinny Whelan had one in his house in Ballyfacey; Dick Young in Ballyveria; Tom Long in Moulerstown; Jack Hart in Darbystown and Johnny Scanlon in Knockbrack.
Paddy Foley, of Rahora, Tullogher in June 1970 provided more information regarding Tom Long’s shebeen in Moulerstown. It was in a house alongside Butler’s yard. Long was married to a Butler, of Moulerstown and the police used to drink in this shebeen. Danny identified another well-known establishment which was referred to as the Shanty. It was located off the High Road near Scartnamore and operated by a man named Kirwan. It was going strong during the building of the railway. The last known area referred to as a shebeen was located on a turn on the grassy lane that runs up from the Main Waterford-New Ross Road in Ballinamona. There was no building, just a lot of beer stored in the open allegedly for a Fete being held in Hanarahan’s field in Ballinamona. The Guards learned of it, raided and closed it in 1961 or 1962 at the time of the Fete.
In notebook 23 Danny listed a large number of newspaper articles that he found in old local papers. Perhaps not surprising given the fact that Glenmore parish was dry there are several articles listed concerning local people being charged, and often convicted, of operating a shebeen. One of the articles relates to a raid on the house of Mrs. Catherine Connolly, of Graiguenakill, 114 years ago today.
The New Ross Standard on the 13th of April 1906 printed an article entitled “What’s a Shebeen?” It was stated that Catherine Connolly was a poor woman who was being prosecuted by Sgt. Lynch, of the Glenmore RIC, at the New Ross Petty Sessions the previous Friday. Mr. R.C. Brehon, J.P. presided over the trial and sat with four other magistrates hearing the case against Mrs. Connolly “for exposing intoxicating drink for sale without a license, for otherwise being guilty of shebeening.” Three men were also being prosecuted for being on the premises for the unlawful purpose of purchasing drink, namely: Edward Kelly, Thomas Kelly and Patrick Carroll. Mr. Henry B. Langrishe, solicitor, represented Mrs. Connolly and the two Kellys. Pat Carroll defended himself.
Sgt. Lynch testified that on Saturday the 31st of March he visited Mrs. Connolly’s house at 9:30 p.m. with Constable Power. He asked Mrs. Connolly if she had any intoxicating drink and she said that she had a few bottles of stout. Armed with a warrant he searched the house and found 3 bottles of stout in a bed and a couple dozen empty bottles found throughout the house. In the kitchen he found a gallon whiskey jug that only contained a small amount of beer. In addition to the three men present in the house a chap named Scanlon was in the house but Sgt. Lynch testified that he did not believe that he went to Mrs. Connolly’s house for drink. Sgt. Lynch testified that he had the house under surveillance for some time, that two of the defendant’s had already been convicted of drunkenness and he knew them both to be “fond of drink.” From his observation and information received he was satisfied that the house was conducted as a shebeen.
Mr. Langrishe conducted a cross examination of Sgt. Lynch. Among other questions the solicitor asked, “Is a shebeen usually stocked with 3 bottles of stout?” The Sgt responded, “it might be.” The solicitor then asked if 14 empty porter or beer bottles and 5 empty whiskey bottles are proper stock for a shebeen. The Sgt. responded, “I suggest that from all appearances it is an improper stock of porter and bottles to have in a cabin of a poor woman.” The Sgt. went on to explain that he had been watching the house for 15 days before serving the warrant. He saw a van from Waterford call to the house 3 days a week. It came on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday. He believed that Mrs. Connolly received her liquor stock from this van. When asked what type of van it was the Sgt. Lynch stated it was a bread van.
Constable Power was called to testifiy and corroborated the evidence of Sgt. Lynch. During cross examination Constable Power admitted that Sundays are the best business days for shebeens generally because public houses are not open on Sundays. He went on to state that there is no public house in the district any day of the week. He also agreed that there would be no more than a penny profit on a bottle of stout. It would take a long time for Mrs. Connolly to earn enough selling three bottles of stout at a time to pay a £50 fine for shebeening.
The defence called Mrs. Connolly who denied the charges. She testified that the three men were neighbour boys. Edward Kelly came to her home every night. Tom Kelly worked with her son in Waterford and Pat Carroll stopped by that night. Sgt Lynch on cross examination asked her why she put the bottles in bed rather than in a press. She replied, “Sure I just left them out of the way.” She explained that the empty bottles were from when her father was on the bed and the empties were waiting for the peddler. She could not state how far she lived from Slieverue or Ross, so Sgt. Lynch advised her that her home is 7 miles from Slieverue. Her solicitor inquired of Sgt. Lynch if 3 bottles of stout are a curiosity when found 7 miles from a public house.
Tom Kelly testified that he worked with Mrs. Connolly’s son in Waterford and stopped to visit her. Both he and Pat Carroll denied that they bought or received any drink from Mrs. Connolly. Pat testified that he was only in the house 3 minutes when Sgt. Lynch arrived and he did not bring, buy or receive drink in the house. The last person to testify was Edward Kelly, he corroborated Mrs. Connolly’s testimony, and admitted that he was fined the previous June or July for drunkenness. When asked if that was the first time he was drunk Edward Kelly replied, “It was the first time I was fined.”
At that point Mr. Brehon interposed and stated there was no need to proceed further as he believed that there was absolutely no case for the Crown. All summons were dismissed on the merits. The 3 bottles of stout which were present in court as evidence were returned to Mrs. Connolly who asked what she should do with them. Her solicitor, Mr. Langrieshe helpfully advised her to go outside, draw the corks and give a drink to each of the men. “This remark greatly tickled the assembled gods, who rushed out in a body after the Glenmorites to see the interesting operation performed.” “The exodus caused such a commotion as interrupted the business for some minutes.”
The featured scene above is entitled Irish Petty Sessions Court printed in the Feb. 1853 Illustrated London.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Thomas Keane: The Last Waterford Tobacco Spinner
One of the best things about transcribing Danny Dowling’s handwritten notebooks is reading about the interesting people Danny interviewed over the years. Most were from Glenmore, had Glenmore connections, or had some historical fact or story that Danny found interesting and thought should be recorded. Today’s blog falls into the last category.
While working as a Housing Officer in Waterford, Danny met and later in 1975 interviewed Jack Keane, British Railway Cottage, Adelphi Quay, Waterford. Jack Keane informed Danny that his father, Thomas Keane was the last man to make handmade tobacco in Waterford. His grandfather was also a tobacco twister.
Thomas Keane worked for the Slaney Tobacco and Snuff Manufacturers. The Slaney firm was the last tobacco manufacturers in Waterford. The Slaney premises were on Broad Street where the gas showrooms were in 1975. The Slaney factory was in the same building at the rear of the retail shop and overhead in the lofts. From the stalks of the tobacco leaves, which were waste after the manufacture of tobacco, snuff would be made. The business had three apprentices and another man named Walsh also worked with Thomas Keane. Slaney also made what was called “pigtail” chewing tobacco from Cavendish Leaf. It was very mild. Unfortunately I could not find any advert in a local newspaper or business directory concerning Slaney.
Jack Keane told Danny that his father was a good cricketer, and played for the Ballytruckle team. The Keane’s lived on Poleberry Street as did an uncle of Jack Keane’s named McConnell who was a carpenter.
In 1979 Danny again interviewed Jack Keane who provided more information about his father and spoke of his own life. Jack Keane’s father, Thomas Keane, died in the 1930’s aged 84 years. The Slaney firm was bought out by Carroll’s of Dundalk. The manufacturer of tobacco and snuff discontinued in Waterford just prior to the outbreak of World War I.
Jack Keane worked all his life with British Rail as an inspector. Jack explained to Danny that he served in the first World War in the Royal Irish Regiment. Jack served from 14 December 1915 until 21 March 1918. Jack was taken prisoner at Messines Ridge, and worked as a POW in Duisburg.
After the war Jack Keane went to work for British Rail which acquired control of the Waterford Steamship Company. Its headquarters were on the Mall near the old Adelphi Hotel. The old Waterford Steamship Company had its berthage opposite Reginald’s Towner. British Rail had ships plying to Southhampton, London, Bristol, Glasgow and Liverpool. Bristol and Waterford, and Liverpool and Waterford had direct sailings.
Although Jack Keane referred to his father and grandfather’s profession as tobacco twisters according to the 14 October 1899 edition of the Waterford Standard the profession was known as “tobacco spinners.” The article notes that Waterford City since 1663 had a number of ancient Guilds or Fraternities including buttonmakers, weavers, tobacco spinners, rollers and cutters. The 1899 article bemoans the fact that some of the ancient trades had disappeared altogether from the city such as the buttonmakers, tobacco spinners, rollers and cutters. Notwithstanding the 1899 newspaper article, census records from 1911 support that his father, Thomas Keane, was employed in 1911 as a “tobacco spinner.”
Although Jack Keane did not provide a lot of information to Danny concerning his personal life the census helps piece together his early circumstances. In 1911 Jack or John, aged 13, was living at 76 Poleberry with his father Thomas Keane, aged 54, a widower. Thomas declared his profession as “tobacco spinner.” Thomas and Jack Keane were boarders in the house of Patrick and Mary Ellen Keily. The only clue as to Jack’s mother is his reference to his uncle being named McConnell, a carpenter, who also lived on Poleberry. The 1911 census provides two McConnell’s who are carpenters in Waterford. Patrick McConnell is living alone and James McConnell is 24. In 1911 neither lived on Poleberry. The 1901 Census does show that a McConnell family was living at 67 Poleberry. Patrick McConnell, carpenter, was 48; his wife Alice McConnell was 49, and James McConnell was 15.
In the two short interviews Danny recorded information concerning a profession and industry that had flourished in Waterford for over 200 years and disappeared from Waterford in the first decade of the twentieth century. The interviewee was a soldier and POW in the Great War and returned to Waterford.
Update, we have just surpassed 10,000 views. Thank you all for your continued support and queries. The transcription of Notebook 22 is complete and we will update the family pages etc. as time permits.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore’s WW1 Military Marker for Private J. Gaule [Updated]
A reader recently asked about a military marker in the Glenmore church yard of a Private J. Gaule (service number 29019), who died on the 4th of July 1918, at the age of 21. Our reader said that he has wondered about J. Gaule for years. A quick check of Danny Dowling’s notebooks revealed that this military marker is for John Gaule, of Haggard, Glenmore who served in the British Infantry in WWI, with the Machine Gun Corps. Danny in notebook 21 made notes regarding John Gaule, but there is no indication where Danny obtained the information recorded. According to Danny’s notes John Gaule was the son of Richard Gaule and Mary O’Brien and the grandson of Michael Gaule and Bridget Power.
The military marker is on the right hand side of the front entrance against the front wall of the churchyard. There are two other Gaule markers that provide clues concerning John’s family. The three Gaule markers against the front wall of the Glenmore churchyard provide the following information.
Marker 1:
29019 Private J. Gaule, Machine Gun Corps (Inf), 4th July 1918, aged 21
Marker 2:
In loving memory of Mary Gaule, died 26th of April 1902,
Richard Gaule, died 28th of January 1940,
My dearest husband James Gaule, died 26th November 1912, aged 71
Interred Kensal Green, London
Marker 3:
In loving memory of our dear parents,
Martin Gaule died 25th of June 1981, aged 80 years,
His wife Ellie, died 12th June 1986, aged 84 years,
Also their twin son, Bill who died in his second year,
His brother Martin died 15 August 2014, aged 85 years,
His wife Eileen, neé Murray, died 18th July 2005, aged 84 years.
According to the birth register John Gaule was born on 15 May 1896 at Ballinlammy, Glenmore. The 1911 Census reveals that John Gaule was living with his family in Knockbrack, Glenmore. The Head of the household was Bridget Gaule, age 77. The rest of the members of the household are as follows: Patrick Gaule, age 38, single, son of the head of household; Richard Gaule, age 44, widower, son of the head of household, agricultural labourer; John Gaule, age 15; Martin Gaule, age 10; James Gaule, age 8 and Michael Power, age 11 (cousin).
The 1901 Census reveals further information. John Gaul (sic) was 5 years of age and living with his family in Ballinlammy, Glenmore. The head of household was his father Richard Gaul, aged 40, and employed as an agricultural labourer. John’s mother is listed as Mary, aged 39. The other members of the family include: Stasia, aged 11; Maggie, aged 8; John, aged 5; Anne, aged 3 and Martin, aged 8 months.
The census records support that the three markers in the Glenmore church yard refer to the same family. For example marker 3 contains John’s brother Martin (c. 1900-1981) and Martin’s family. Marker 2 contains John’s parents Richard (c.1861-1940) and Mary (c. 1862-1902).
British military records reveal that John Gaule was awarded two medals: the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
The National Archives of Ireland contains John’s handwritten Will. On the 2nd of June 1916, John wrote the following simple Will, “After my death leave all to my father Richard Gaule, Haggard, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.” The Will was processed on the 29th of January 1919. Other records in the file reveal that John enlisted at Waterford. John died from wounds sustained in France/Flanders and died at the Belton Park Military Hospital, Granthan, Lincolnshire, England. Belton Park was also where WWI machine gunmen training camps and depots were located. To view John’s Will held by the National Archives see, http://soldierswills.nationalarchives.ie/reels/sw/1918_22/GauleJ_E669256.pdf.
A quick walk around the Glenmore churchyard today did not reveal additional British military markers, but according to Danny’s notebooks another Glenmore man John Ryan, of Rochestown, served in the British Army during WWI and died in 1919. We will feature John Ryan and the mystery surrounding him in a future post.
Update of 3 Sept. 2021–Catherine Davies née Kearney, aged 92, made contact via her son Stephen Davies and shared a verse written by John Gaule which he gave to his father before he went off to join the war. The verse was given to Catherine by her mother Anastatia Kearney nee Gaule (the sister of John Gaule). John Gaule was called “Jack” by his family.
Remember dearest father, Remember days gone by, Your son he is a solider, And he's not afraid to die.
From the information provided we were able to find further information regarding some of the siblings of John Gaule ( 1896-1918). His sister Maggie Gaule (b. 26 Jan. 1894) married James Treacy on 12 January 1914 at Mullinavat. James Treacy was the son of William Treacy and Mary Treacy née Dee. Annie Gaule was the maid of honour. His sister Anastatia Gaule was born on 2 May 1890 per the Glenmore parish register. However, the civil register lists her birth as occuring on 1 April 1890 and her mother is listed as Mary Murphy. The information for the civil registration was provided by Bridget Gaule who was present at the birth. Anastatia Gaule married Michael Kearney (smith) on 8 July 1912 at St. Patrick’s of Waterford City. Michael was the son of Tom Kearney (smith). Witnesses to the wedding were William Hartley and Katie Meany. The addresses of the bride and groom are “The Square.” Some of the children of this marriage were found in the publically available records including: [1] Michael Kearny (b. 5 Aug. 1912); [2] Bridget Kearney (b. 9 Feb. 1914); and [3] Mary Kearney (b. 10 Aug. 1915). We know from the birth records that the family resided in Arundal Square, Waterford City when Michael was born and then moved to Gurteens, Slieverue where the father continued to work as a blacksmith.
Update: 13 October 2021, Stephen Davies indicated that Michael Kearney and Anastatia “Statia” Kearney née Gaule had a total of 14 children. The following names were supplied by Stephen: [4] John Kearney; [5] Anastatia “Daney” Kearney; [6] Ellen “Nell” Kearney; [7] Richard “Dick” Kearney; [8] Maggie Kearney; [9] Andrew Kearney; [10] Agnes Kearney; [11] Johanna Kearney; [12] Catherine “Katie” Kearney; [13] Angela Kearney.
Michael Kearney died when his daughter Catherine “Katie” was 13. When her father died the family moved to Rathpatrick and a year later Catherine “Katie” Kearney went to her sister Mary in England.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore and the New Ross to Waterford Railway Line
The Dublin Wicklow and Wexford Railway Company built the Dublin to New Ross line in stages down the coast. Dan Doyle, formerly of Ballyverneen told Danny Dowling in 1977 that the Bagnalstown station opened in 1848 and the railway bridge and tunnel between Ballywilliam and New Ross were built in 1885. The date is on the Kilkenny side of the bridge. It was in 1887 that the first train arrived in New Ross from Dublin.
Danny explained today, that planning for the building of a railway line between New Ross and Waterford commenced about the time the New Ross station opened. Originally the Glenmore station on the line was to have been built in Ballyverneen nearer the Glenmore Village. The landlords, Strange, of Aylwardstown House and Conn, of Mount Ida, lobbied and got the Glenmore station placed in Aylwardstown nearer their estates and further from Glenmore Village. Work began from the New Ross end of the Ross-Waterford line in 1899 and the line was opened in 1904. Although the Ross-Waterford line connected New Ross and Waterford City, the New Ross station was in Rosbercon, Kilkenny and the Waterford City station was in Ferrybank, Kilkenny.
Dan Doyle in his 1977 interview explained his family connections to the building of the railways. His grandfather, Dan Doyle of Ballywilliam, was the first of the family to work on the railway. He was a ganger on the Ballywilliam line and lived in the crossing gate house known as the Red House from the colour of its roof. Dan Doyle’s father, Ned Doyle, used to bring “grub” to Dan’s two elder brothers, Jack and Tom, when they were building the railway bridge between Ballywilliam and Ross. Later, Ned Doyle was responsible for a section of the Ross-Waterford railway line. A length of railway line was 3 ½ miles plus crossings and sidings. Ned Doyle’s section was from the station gates in Rosbercon to the Forristalstown Bridge in Glenmore. He had four men under him: Murt Cashin, of Mudhouse; Willie (Crows) Forristal; Tom Mullally and Bill Fortune, all of Shambogh.
During the building of the Ross-Waterford Railway line there was an influx of strangers into Glenmore and at least one skeleton was discovered. In 1977 Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore told Danny that a body was dug up during the building of the railway at Rosbercon. At the time it was said that the corpse was that of Nicholas* Gaffney of Glenmore Village. Nicholas* Gaffney lived in the late 18th century in the house [next to the house]* now occupied by Danny Dowling in Glenmore Village. Nicholas* Gaffney participated in the 1798 Rebellion, was captured, was hanged from the New Ross bridge and it was said that his body was buried in unconsecrated ground near the bridge by the British authorities.
*Corrections–Danny on 29 February 2020 asked that corrections be made. The first name of the man hanged in 1798 was William Gaffney. Nicholas Gaffney was a son of William Gaffney. A link to Danny’s 1983 article concerning William Gaffney may be found on the Link’s page.
Shortly after railway workers dug up the body in Rosbercon, Jim Comerford, of Ballyhale, Kilkenny was killed in the Shambogh cutting. Nicholas Forristal in a 1963 interview revealed that a man named O’Donnel was the ganger in charge of the work crew.
In addition to the obvious impacts on the landscape such as bridges and tracks cutting through fields and dividing farms, there were some subtle impacts. For example, in 1980 Richard Dunphy of Ballyverneen informed Danny that there is a field on Denis Dwyer’s farm in Ballyverneen that still bears the name it acquired during the building of the Ross-Waterford railway line. The 25 acre field comprised of a long, narrow strip of land was called the Magazine because powder and explosives were stored in it. Patrick Forristal, of Graiguenakill in 1980 also told Danny that when the Ross-Waterford railway was built, the line of track cut across the double ditch at Ballyverneen. This double ditch was used for a considerable time as a Mass Path for the people of Forristalstown to walk to mass in Glenmore. At this point of intersection, the railway company provided a wooden footbridge, to link both sides of the double ditch.
With the coming of the railway came the workers and businesses attempted to cash in on their steady incomes. Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, in 1972 described some of the entertainment that travelled to Glenmore. He identified McCormack’s Show as a stage show that annually came to Glenmore. “A family concern they gave months here at one time during the building of the Ross-Waterford Railway line.” They used to set up at the back of Peggy Gaffney’s house in Glenmore Village.
Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, in his 1977 interview identified and discussed some of the navies (laborers) who came to Glenmore during the building of the railway. Christy Lennon was a navie. He brought with him his wife, son Paddy and daughter Maryanne who was then about 30 years of age. Fred Bell, also a navie, was a native of Wexford Town. He brought his wife, daughter and son-in-law with him driving an ass and car. They lived for a long time in the wood in Ballyverneen. Bell left and went across the road on to railway property. Bell built a sod hut. All the walls were built of sods, reeds were on the roof, a hole in the wall for a window, the bare earth for a floor and a sod chimney with a railway sleeper holding up the chimney breast. There was a hole in the roof for the chimney. There was a kind of door. They slept on bags of straw and at night they stuffed the window with a bag of straw. Paddy English was Bell’s son-in-law. Another navie on the railway was a man named Coughlan who also built a sod hut in the same area nearer to the marsh. Hamilton Dick was a ganger on the railway and Hamilton Jim worked on the railway. They lived in Glenmore during the building of the railway and later moved to Rosbercon.
In the same interview Nicholas Forristal stated that Peter Kennedy of Rathinure told him that Kennedy and his cousins the Heffernan’s of Aylwardstown got a wagon of 11 tons of coal delivered at Aylwardstown Station shortly after the railway line opened. They paid 11/6 per ton carriage paid from Morrises of Waterford. It was the first wagon of coal delivered at Aylwardstown Station in 1904.
Mernagh has become a well known name in Glenmore. The Glenmore Mernaghs can trace their arrival to John Mernagh who was known as Jack. He was a ganger with the railway and according to the 3 April 1911 Census for Ballyverneen, Glenmore, he and his family arrived in Glenmore in about 1906. Jack Mernagh died in the autumn of 1911. According to his granddaughter Jo Doyle née Mernagh he came home from work, ate his supper and went out to help a neighbour named Forristal with the threshing. He was on the thresher feeding the oats into the machine when he lost his footing and fell into the machine. He was only on the machine for about 10 minutes when he was killed. The 1911 Census reveals that he was 53 years of age and had been married to Mary (aged 42) for 26 years. They were both born in Wexford and were the parents of 16 children, but only 12 of the children were alive in 1911. The ten children living with them in 1911 included: Patrick, aged 23; John, aged 21; James, aged 19; Stephen, aged 17; Bartholomew, aged 13; Thomas, aged 10; Adain, aged 8; Nicholas, aged 6; Mary, aged 5 and Lizzie, aged 3. The eldest three boys were employed as railway miler men and Stephen was employed as an agricultural labourer. All the children except Mary and Lizzie were born in Wexford. The 1911 census records that there were 12 members of this family living in a three room house owned by the Dublin and South East Railway.
On the same page of the Census also living in a three room house owned by the railway is the James Delaney family. James was 26 years of age and was a native of the Queen’s County. He was married for 3 years to his 23 year old wife Kate and the couple had two children. Patrick Delaney, age 2, born in Kilkenny and Mary Delaney, aged 9 months.
In 1919, Dan Doyle first went to work in a temporary capacity in New Ross station. The stationmaster was Daniel O’Brien a native of Bray. He had three clerks on goods side, one clerk on passenger side. There was a herd porter, checker, four porters and generally an extra man. There were also two platform porters, two signalmen and one night watchman.
New Ross in 1919 was a busy station, everything went by rail—people, food, and cattle. On the week before the Fair, 100 wagons were brought to Ross. Each of these had to be cleaned, washed, disinfected and whitewashed. The night before a fair a Dublin Special Train arrived with 30 wagons. The morning of the fair the Wexford Special with 30 wagons arrived and at least two specials from Waterford arrived with each Waterford train having 30 wagons. In May and October, when the big fairs occurred, three special trains would arrive the morning of the fair from Waterford.
The fixed time table of train arrivals and departures 100 years ago was:
6:30 A.M. IN…Goods train from Wexford
8:30 A.M. IN…Night goods train from Dublin.
9:30 A.M. Dep… Night food from Dublin with passengers from Ross de/. for Waterford
8:10 A.M. Passenger train out of Waterford. IN… at 8:30 in Ross.
10:25 A.M. IN…Mail, Passenger from Dublin.
11:05 A.M. Passenger out of Waterford. IN… at 11/30.
2:15 P.M. Passenger from Waterford for Dublin. IN…at 3:40.
3:15 P.M. Mail out of Waterford for Dublin. IN… at 3:40.
6:15 P.M. Mixed train to Waterford. Dep passenger and foods
5:05 P.M. Dep. Waterford food. Arrive Ross at 5:50.
Today, Danny stated that he often travelled by train from Waterford to Glenmore. He recalls that the trip between Waterford and New Ross took about 30 minutes. He believes that passengers trains stopped running in 1963 and freight continued, but all trains ceased in the early 1990’s. Danny has a list of the stationmasters of the Aylwardstown station and as soon as he can locate the list he will share it.
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the old photos of the Aylwardstown Station and the photo of the steam engine is from the National Library of Ireland.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Redmond Volunteers and the Fife & Drum Band
For many, history was a subject in school that concentrated on Kings and wars. The everyday life of ordinary people did not feature in history books or lessons, thus it is often difficult to determine how national events impacted on Glenmore people. Thanks to Danny Dowling’s interviews and research we have details of how Glenmore people reacted to evictions and supported various national political movements. Today, we highlight the 1914 establishment of the Glenmore Committee of Redmond Volunteers and the Glenmore Fife and Drum “Redmond Volunteer Band.”
In February 1970, Danny interviewed Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill ( 1888-1979) concerning the Redmond Volunteers of Glenmore. For our international readers, John Redmond (1856-1918) of Wexford, was a politician who advocated Home Rule for Ireland by peaceful, constitutional means. Today, Danny stated that Redmond endeared himself to locals when he was first elected to the House of Commons for New Ross in 1881 and was suspended within 24 hours after giving his maiden speech. Redmond and couple dozen other Home Rule for Ireland supporters, including Michael Davitt the founder of the Land League, were suspended from Parliament.
John Redmond was a great admirer of Charles Stewart Parnell and Redmond became the party whip for the Irish Parliamentary Party. After the Parnell divorce scandal in 1890 Redmond continued to support him. When Parnell died in 1891 he became leader of the minority Parnellite faction and was elected to Parliament from Waterford which he represented until his death. In 1912 the third Home Rule Bill was introduced and passed in 1914. Implementation of Home Rule stalled first with Ulster Unionists forming the Ulster Volunteers to resist Home Rule by threatening force and secondly, due to the outbreak of World War I. In response, the nationalists formed their own paramilitary group, the National Volunteers in 1913.
The National Volunteers split over Redmond’s support of the British war effort and his advocacy that National Volunteers should serve in the British army. The Easter Rising in 1916 is said to have taken Redmond by surprise, led by a faction of the National Volunteers. As the First World War dragged on support disappeared for Redmond and his policy of Home Rule for Ireland based on peaceful, constitutional means. Controversy still exists surrounding Redmond’s support of the British war effort. For example, in 2016 a banner featuring Redmond in Dublin was defaced by protesters (see, https://www.thejournal.ie/misneach-1916-college-green-banner-john-redmond-2681018-Mar2016/ ).
In Glenmore in early 1914 a meeting was held in the Glenmore School. Father Phelan, the Glenmore Parish Priest, presided over the meeting to discuss and elect the Glenmore Committee of “Redmond Volunteers.” The school was full, and a secret paper ballot was held for the election. The “Redmond Volunteers” Committee Members elected included: Nicholas Forristal, the Mill; Jack Dunphy, Ballyverneen; Pat Reddy, Kilbride; Pat Hanrahan, Glenmore; Jim Fluskey, Glenmore; Bill Power, Robinstown. Nicky Forristal topped the poll, and Pat Reddy, of Kilbride, came in second. John Dunphy of Ballyverneen, and Nick Curran, of Robinstown, were both not elected but due to the persistence of Father Phelan they were both co-opted onto the Committee.
Danny revealed this morning that the Parish Priest was not a supporter of Redmond. Danny does not know whether it was because Redmond supported Parnell after his divorce scandal or he could not support Redmond due to his personal political affiliations. Danny stated that several Redmond supporters returning from a night drinking in New Ross stopped to shout abuses outside the house where the priest resided waking local inhabitants. Another interesting fact was revealed. In about 1870 the Parish Priest, of that time, forced all three pubs in Glenmore to close. One of the pubs was situated just in front of the present Priest’s house and disrupted Mass with drunken shouts, inappropriate conduct and the banging of mugs on the bar. Glenmore remained a “dry” parish until 1963, therefore causing those seeking a drink prior to 1963 to travel outside of the parish.
Shortly, after the “Redmond Volunteers” Committee was established in 1914 the Glenmore Fife and Drum Band was founded as a “Redmond Volunteer Band.” The band trainer was Tom Butler a sanitary officer with the New Ross U.D.C. He came out to Glenmore once or twice a week. Peter and Stephen Mernagh of Foristalstown played in it, as well as Stephen Heffernan, of Aylwardstown, and Pat Kennedy of Kilbride. Jack Murphy of Weatherstown was the Drummer. Nicky Forristal stated that he was “no use at it at all.” Ned Murphy, Jack’s father, was a drummer in the St. Mary’s Brass Band of New Ross. (Ned Murphy died in the great flu epidemic of 1918.)
The Glenmore Fife and Drum Band gave a long time training in front of Peggie Gaffney’s house in the Village. They then went into the Board Room above Fluskey’s and ended up in the outbuilding opposite the Barrack’s across the Ballybrahee Road in the Village.
Nicky Forristal reported that the Glenmore Fife and Drum Band only played once outside the parish. The band played in New Ross at a parade of the Volunteers in Barrett’s Park about the beginning of the war on a holiday the 29th of June 1914. It was the only band at the parade of Volunteers that day. Nicky reported that “they weren’t able to play at all. All the children of Ross were mocking them. Nicky Denny, of Mullinahone, who was drunk that day, tried to get the drum off Jack Murphy to belt it.”
It is not recorded whether the band broke up due to disillusionment with Redmond, the war or due to some other reason such as the lack of appreciation for their musical efforts.
The painting of the fife player above is by Manet, entitled The Fife Player (1866) Musée d’Orsay.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
To Rhode Island and Back: John J. Curran (1889-1976) of Glenmore
Much has been written about the conditions the people of Ireland faced in the 1840’s, the voluntary and forced emigration during that time, and the difficulties and often hostility faced at their destination. Most who went to North America went to large cities and never returned to Ireland. Danny Dowling’s research has uncovered and recorded unusual emigration circumstances. For example, in 1977 Danny wrote to Fr. John Lahey providing requested information concerning the Edward Doherty family of Milltown, Glenmore. Danny’s research revealed that contrary to the norm of a man emigrating with his family, or going alone and later sending for his wife and children, in this case Edward Doherty’s wife went out to America on her own, settled in Peoria, Illinois where she worked in a laundry. After a couple of years she sent home the fares for her husband and children to join her. When the family reunited they settled in Pike Township, Livingston County, Illinois where they “took a farm.”
John J. Curran’s Early Life
In 1971 Danny Dowling interviewed a Glenmore born man, John J. Curran (1889-1976) about his immigration to the US in December 1911. Six decades after the Famine, John Curran chose to immigrate to the US although he was educated and employed. Six decades after immigrating to the US John J. Curran chose to return to live in Ireland.
John J. Curran, formerly of Robinstown, Glenmore, was the son of John Curran and his wife Margaret Curran née Conway. It is believed that John J was their youngest child. Margaret was from Mooncoin. Her family were evicted from their farm and ended up in Mooncoin, Village.
The 1911 census was taken on Sunday the 2nd of April 1911 just eight months before John left. The census reveals that the father, John Curran, was 62 years of age and employed as a National Teacher. Margaret Curran was 63 years of age and was an “ex National Teacher.” The census also reveals that the couple had been married for 36 years and they had had 13 children, but only 9 were alive in 1911. The children living at home in 1911 include: Alice Curran, age 29; Nicholas Curran, age 27; Margaret Curran, age 24 and John Curran age 21. Alice and Nicholas were both National Teachers, no employment was listed for Margaret, and John J. Curran was employed as a draper’s assistant.
A draper was originally the maker of fabric, but later the occupation turned to dealing in fabric and sewing supplies. It is believed by 1911 the draper also dealt with the selling of ready-made clothing. John Curran, before going to America served his time to the drapery trade in Clery’s of Dublin where he had to live in. While in Dublin he played Gaelic Football with the C.J. Kickham’s Team. He was a full back with the Dublin team that defeated Kildare in the All Ireland Final held in Kildare about 1910. The Dublin team was comprised of 15 men and they won by 2 points. John also noted that he played Mayo in Ballina and Sligo in Sligo. John related that he also played on St. James’s team.
Emigration
In his 1971 interview John J. Curran recalled that he set off for America in December 1911. He travelled on board the S.S. Cedric from Cobh to Boston in a steerage cabin. The journey took 8 days and the fare cost £7-10-0. While on board ship John met a middle aged Irish American man from Laurence Massachusetts. For a joke the man took John’s money and travel papers etc. and kept him in suspense until the ship arrived in Boston when he returned all to him. He was a very decent man and treated John very well on the voyage.
John stated that when he arrived in Boston he was met “off the boat” by his uncle James Conway. John was then taken by his uncle James to a restaurant for a meal. When it was served John took off his cap and made the sign of the cross in the usual Irish manner whereupon his uncle rebuked him saying, “They don’t do that in America. They don’t bless themselves at meals.”
John stayed with his uncle Billy Conway for some time after his arrival. Billy Conway lived in Everitt Massachusetts a town about eight miles outside of Boston. John reported that his uncle James Conway worked in Lexington Massachusetts. The first job that John J. Curran obtained upon his arrival in the US was in a drapery store in Boyleston St., in Boston, where he earned 12 dollars a week.
John next went to work for the Jordan Marsh Department store which was the biggest store in Boston at that time. John earned 15 dollars a week. He stayed at the Jordan March Department store for about a year. John recalled that he moved to Providence, Rhode Island and on arrival he stayed in the Narraganset Hotel. His first job in Providence was with the Outlet Co. at 18 dollars a week plus commissions based on a percentage of his sales. The store superintendent was a man named Steiner and John stayed in this job for eight years.
John informed Danny that in his time in Glenmore Fr. William Walsh was the C.C. and afterwards he became the parish priest of Tullaroan. In John’s time Father Walsh was called Wild Father Walsh because he used to break up dancers with a whip. Father McGrath was another C.C. in Glenmore and John recalled that he was a gentle type of man.
Return to Live and Die in Ireland
Today, Danny said that John J. Curran returned to Ireland as an elderly man and at the time of his interview was living on the Quay in Waterford with his sister Alice Power née Curran. At that time Alice was the widow of Wattie Power of Jamestown, Glenmore and her niece was married to Henry Bevins who was a national teacher in Glenmore. In addition to teaching, Master Bevins also had a bookshop on the Quay in Waterford. The extended family lived above the bookshop. John J. Curran is buried in Glenmore. Danny described John J. Curran as a very nice, decent man.
US Records Add to the Story
Online US records were examined to determine if there were other facts available for John’s time in the US and the records located highlight the turmoil of the era.
All men in the US in 1917 were required to register for the WWI draft. On 5 June 1917 John J. Curran registered. His registration card provides that he was 27 and living at 54 Rowan St. Providence, Rhode Island. He stated that he was born on the 6 of September 1889 in Glenmore, Co. Waterford, Ireland. John recorded that he was a salesman for the Outlet Co., was married and had one child. The registrar recorded that John was of medium height, slender build, grey eyes and brown hair.
On 20 November 1917 John Joseph Curran filed a Petition for Naturalisation in the Federal Court in Providence, Rhode Island and thereby sought to become a US citizen. At that time he still was living at 54 Rowan St. in Providence and listed his occupation as a dry goods salesman. He reported that he was born on 6 September 1889 in Glenmore, Ireland and emigrated from Queenstown on the 17th of November 1911 and arrived in Boston on 7 December 1911 on the vessel Franconia.
John recorded on his petition that on the 13th of December 1911, less than a week after landing, he went to the Boston Court House and declared his intention to become a US citizen. John recorded that he was married to Alice whose date of birth was 7 February 1892, and they had one child also named Alice who was born on 6 July 1915. He declared that he had lived continuously in Rhode Island since 12 August 1912. John in his affidavit revealed that he had first applied for naturalization on 29 December 1916 but was unable to obtain required depositions and requested the court to dismiss his application to allow him to reapply at a later date. For his 20 November 1917 petition John presented an affidavit from the US Department of Labor, and two witnesses, Lewis Clarke (insurance agent) and Laurence Walsh (police officer).
The next significant US record located was John Curran’s passport application of 18 June 1922 when he applied for a passport for himself and his wife Alice and two minor children (Alice, aged 6 and Margaret D. aged 4). He noted that his father John Curran was dead, but he wanted to sail on the Adriatic on the 24th of June and intended to return to the US within 6 weeks.
John stated that he was a dry good merchant and the family intended to visit Ireland, England and France. He described himself as being aged 32, 5 feet 10 ½ inches in height, with no distinguishing marks, blue eyes, straight nose, medium mouth, long face, fair complexion and brown hair. Two photos were attached to the passport application; one was a photo of John J. Curran and the other was a group photo of his wife and daughters.
The US Federal Census of 1930 reveals that John J. Curran was living at 124 Whitford Lane in Providence and he was 40 years of age and the proprietor of a dry goods shop. Thus at the beginning of the Great Depression John J. Curran owned a shop and was an employer. His wife, Alice was 36 and in addition to their two daughters both of Alice’s parents were living with them. John’s father-in-law, John W. Shea was 62 and employed as a teamster of dry goods. John’s mother-in-law was aged 62, had been born in Ireland, spoke Gaelic and immigrated to the US in 1870.
The last available census is the US Federal Census of 1940 which provides that the Curran family was living at 58 Quincy Street in Providence. John’s daughter Alice was aged 24 and employed as a public school teacher, and daughter Margaret was aged 21 and employed as a file clerk. John’s wife Alice is listed as head of house and aged 48. John is not listed in the home although his father-in-law, widower, John W. Shea is present and aged 78. In 1942 John J. Curran registered for the WWII draft. This document reflects that John named his wife Alice as his next of kin with the 58 Quincy Street address listed as his home address. John J. Curran recorded that he was employed for the State of Rhode Island at the Howard State Infirmary in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Lastly, the Social Security Death Index provides that John J. Curran died in August 1976 and his last known address was in Ireland.
It is truly amazing the variety of documents and information that are available on line today.
Curran Headstone, St. James’s Cemetery, Glenmore
(Added 1 December 2019) The Curran headstone in St. James’s Churchyard, Glenmore provides the following:
John Curran died on 13 June 1912 aged 65; his wife, Margaret died on 15 January 1917 aged 67; both for many years National School Teachers of Glenmore. Their children: Joseph died young; Mary died on the 4th of September 1900 aged 24; Richard died on the 28th of December 1903 aged 23; Laurence died on the 21 of January 1922 aged 45; Nicholas died on 25 January 1925 aged 40; (side of stone) Annie Curran died on 30 January 1942; her sister Margaret Bevin died on 4 May 1946, aged 56 and John J. Curran died on 4 August 1976, aged 86.
Special thanks to my husband Peter Walsh for locating the Curran headstone.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh