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From Danny’s Files: The Search for Missing Friends
After Danny Dowling (1927-2021) retired he made frequent trips to various libraries around the country gathering information concerning Glenmore and her people. Recently a small red notebook was found in Danny’s voluminous files where he recorded information he gleaned from a set of books entitled The Search for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in the Boston Pilot. These books were published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston.
Irish family members emigrating to the United States often travelled at different times and landed in different ports. Communications were difficult and expensive. Often those who were not literate had to rely upon others to write or read their correspondence for them. Thus, family members searching for jobs or opportunities travelled around North America and often lost contact with other family members, particularly during and after the Great Famine (1845-1852) and the American Civil War (1861-1865).
All newspapers of the era published advertisements or notices seeking information or the whereabouts of friends or family, but the Boston Pilot in the 19th century was one of the newspapers of choice for Irish emigrants searching for loved ones. The books containing the advertisements in the Boston Pilot have been Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014, and volume VII covering 1871-1876 is available on line.
The newspaper advertisements or notices provide a lot of information regarding emigrants and are quite poignant. Danny recorded all references that he found to Glenmore from volumes II through V. We have found a few more advertisements or notices referring to Glenmore and added these to the list. We have also attempted to identify the dates of birth, townlands and parents etc. of the persons named in the Glenmore related advertisements or notices. Today, we will focus on the first six entries in Danny’s notebook and have attempted to retain the spellings as they appear in various records to aid others.
(1) Martin Butler (bapt. 14 Feb. 1822) of Flemingstown, Glenmore [Vol. II, p. 305, published in the Boston Pilot 13 Nov. 1852]
“Martin Butler, ship builder, native of Flemingstown, Parish Glenmore, Co Kilkenny, sailed from Liverpool about 4 years ago, for New Orleans. Last heard of was in Cincinnati. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by his brothers Patrick and Thomas Butler, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois.”
A review of the Glenmore Parish records reveals that John Butler married Catherine Murphy of Ballinlammy, Glenmore on 11 February 1817. The couple had at least 7 children and all but one were recorded as being born at Flemingstown. [1] Thomas Butler (bapt. 11 Jan. 1818); [2] Nicholas Butler (bapt. 7 April 1819); [3] Martin Butler (bapt. 14 Feb. 1822); [4] Bridget Butler (bapt. 20 Jan. 1827); [5] Patrick Butler (bapt. 27 June 1828); [6] Mary Butler (bapt. 31 Jan. 1830, Parkstown] and [7] Catherine Butler (bapt. 15 April 1832).
Of the three known Butler brothers in the U.S. we were able to locate in the Cincinnati City Directory of 1863 a Martin Butler living at Iva Ludlow and 2nd and working as a ship carpenter. We located little regarding Patrick and Thomas Butler in Jacksonville, Illinois. However, a Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was located. According to his headstone in the St. Augustine Cemetery in Ashland, Cass Co. Illinois, he was born in Co. Kilkenny on 20 Mar 1828. Thus, the birthdate is off by 3 months with the Glenmore records. According to the 1900 Census of Cartwright, Sangamon Co. Illinois, Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was a married, farmer and aged 72. He recorded that he was born in March 1828 in Ireland. He immigrated in 1851 and married Margaret Kennedy (1835-1913) in 1854. The headstone records that Margaret Butler née Kennedy was a native of Tipperary. The biographies recorded on findagrave provides that Patrick lived for two years in Jacksonville before moving to Sangamon County, Illinois. To view the headstone click here.
In attempting to determine if Patrick Butler (1828-1905) of Cartwright, Sangamon Co., Illinois was from Flemingstown we attempted to locate all Patrick Butlers born in Kilkenny in March 1828. There was a Patrick Butler (bapt 29 March 1828) born at Baristown, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny to Michael Butler and Bridget Mahon. However, no known children of Patrick Butler (1828-1905) were named Michael and the eldest son of Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was named John. Based on the circumstantial evidence, the fact Patrick lived in Jacksonville when he first immigrated, the advertisment in the Boston Pilot etc. it is believed that Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was a native of Flemingstown, Glenmore.
(2) Margaret Dugan, of Ballanerahee (sic) Glenmore [Vol. III, p. 333, published in the Boston Pilot 7 July 1855]
“Margaret Duggan of Ballanerahee, Parish Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who landed in Boston two years ago, and went to New York, last May 12 months ago. She said she would go to Savannah. Address her husband John Whealon, Whitewater, Wisconsin.”
A review of the Glenmore Parish records revealed several possible candidates and no marriage could be located for Margaret Duggan and John Whealon. (1)A Margaret Duggan was baptized 11 Dec. 1823 at Ballinerahe (sic) Glenmore to James Duggan and Nelly Costello. (2) A second, Margaret Dugan was baptized 20 May 1821 to Richard Dugan and Mary Geehan at Ballinarah (sic) Glenmore, and lastly (3) another Margaret Dugan was baptized 21 Feb. 1833 at Ballineraha (sic) to Patrick Dogan and Bridget Sutten.
(3) The Kirwan Family, of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny [Vol. III, p. 175 & 216, published in the Boston Pilot on 23 Sept. 1854 and on 25 Nov. 1854]
Published 23 Sept. 1854
“Bridget and Alice Kerivan of Weatherstown, Parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who left home 4 years ago. When last heard from one year ago, were in St. Louis, Mo. Information will be received by their sister Catherine, in care of Malcolm McLoughlin, Roxbury, Mass.”
Published 25 Nov. 1854
“Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, William and Kate Kerevan from parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny when last heard of were in Roxbury, near Boston. Information will be received by their sister Bridget, care of T.J. Fallan, Catholic Bookseller, St. Louis, Mo.”
It is not clear whether the two advertisements were from the same family as the one in September lists Weatherstown. Women are difficult to trace as their name’s changed upon marriage. However, one family seems to fit most of the persons named in the 25 November publication. [1] William Kearvan (bapt. 20 Jan. 1819) to Michael Kearvan and Margaret Hogan was born in Scartnamac (sic) Glenmore. Margaret Hogan was a native of Weatherstown and married Michael Kearvan on 16 Sept. 1817. Other children in this family included: [2] Margaret Kerwan (bapt. 3 March 1837 at Ballahuck (sic); [3] Mary Kirwan (bapt. 5 Feb. 1840) [4] Patrick Kerwin (bapt. 11 Jan. 1825; [5] Thomas Kerwan (bapt. 13 April 1832) and [6] Maurice Kerwan (bapt. 25 Sept. 1822). In 1854 after most of his siblings emigrated to the U.S. Maurice Kerwan married Mary Scanlon and resided at Ballyhobuck, Glenmore.
(4) Philip Kelly, of Rathinure, Glenmore [Vol. III, p. 175, published in the Boston Pilot on 23 Sept 1854]
“Philip Kelly of Parish Glenmore, Rahanewr (sic), Co. Kilkenny, who came to Quebec 4 year ago, and was last heard from in Philadelphia. Information will be received by his sister Mary Kelly, Cazenovia, Madison County, New York”
A Kelly family containing a Philip and Mary Kelly could not be located in Glenmore. A Mary Kelly was baptized with an address of Glenmore on 18 Oct. 1822 to Thomas Kelly and Anastatia English. A few years later another child named Mary Kelly was baptized on 25 August 1825 at Ballyhubuck (sic) the daughter of John Kelly and Catherine Denn. The townland of Ballhobuck abuts the townland of Rathinure. Unfortunately, no baptismal record could be located for a Philip Kellyof Ballyhobuck or Rathinure.
(5) Patrick Delahunty, Glenmore Parish [Vol. VI, p. 546, published in the Boston Pilot on 11 Dec. 1869]
“Patrick Delahunty, parish of Glenmore, county Kilkenny, Ireland, when last heard from seven or eight years ago, he was in Bloomington, Illinois, at that time he had charge of the freight house. Any person knowing his whereabouts will confer a favor on his brother, William, Hoosick Falls, Rensellaer (sic) county, N.Y.”
Little could be found regarding Patrick Delahunty. However, it appears that William Delehanty (sic) continued to reside in Hoosick Falls, New York and died 17 July 1883, aged 68. William is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County, New York. If his age at death was correct he was born about 1815. Just prior to his death William was living at 63 Church St. (Hoosick Falls Village Directory 1882-1882). A review of the Glenmore Parish records reveals that William Dullehanty (sic) was baptized 3 November 1811 at Glenmore to James Dullehanty and Catherine Crock of Coolaline (sic), Glenmore.
(6) Michael Culleton (1822-1889) of Glenmore, Kilkenny, Ireland [Vol. II, p. 216, published in the Boston Pilot on 8 May 1852]
“Michael Culliton, native of Parish Glanmore (sic) Co. Kilkenny, left home about 4 years since and landed in New York. When last heard of was in Pennsylvania. Any information respecting him thankfully received by his wife, Mrs. Anty Culliton, 28 Mathew St., Chelsea, Mass.”
A review of the Glenmore Parish records reveals that Michael Culleton was married on 19 February 1846 to Anastatia Walsh of Parkstown, Glenmore. Unfortunately, the parish priest did not record the names of the fathers of the couple. However, it is believed that Michael Culleton was the son of Michael Culleton and Ellen Culleton née Mullins of Kilbride, Glenmore and was baptized on 3 August 1822. An immigration records was located that showed that Michael Colleton arrived in New York on 16 May 1848, aged 25. He sailed on the A.Z. from Liverpool, and listed his profession as labourer.
It is not known if Mrs. Anty Culleton located her husband Michael, however it is likely that he joined his wife in the Boston area. On 22 September 1882, Michael Culliton (aged 60) married for a second time in Boston. His second bride was Mary Dunphy (spinster, aged 40). The records reveal that the couple were both born in Ireland. His parents were listed as Michael and Ellen Culliton and her parents were listed as Thomas and Mary Dunphy.
Michael Colliton died 20 May 1889, aged 66 at City Hospital of Boston. His cause of death is listed as pneumonia and exhaustion. At the time of his death, he was living at 26 Terry St.
We hope that you have enjoyed this brief glimpse into the lives of some Glenmore emigrants of the 19th century. Next month we will publish the last six entries from the notebook. Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing above is from 1851 and entitled “Irish Emigrants Leaving Home–The Priest’s Blessing.” Courtesty of the New York City Library’s Digital Collection. (Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1851). Irish emigrants leaving home — the priest’s blessing Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-37f2-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Edward Walsh (1862-1946)Proprietor & Editor of The Munster Express
In August 2020 while we were researching the Champion 1906 Glenmore Football Team a sports journalist that wrote, under the nom de plume Ned of the Hill, for the Munster Express wrote several articles objecting to the unfair treatment of the Glenmore Football team (click here for the football article). In August 2020 Danny Dowling (1927-2021) stated that he thought that Ned of the Hill may have been Edward Walsh (1862 -1946) the proprietor and editor of The Munster Express in 1907. Glenmore and other areas of South Kilkenny featured heavily in The Munster Express in the early years of the twentieth century under Edward Walsh. A column entitled “Glenmore Notes” appeared regularly in the first decade of the century to be eventually replaced by “Echoes from South Kilkenny.” Ned of the Hill, disappeared and returned, in 1922, when Ned of the Hill authored a column entitled “Summer Rambles in the Walsh Mountains” which are located in South Kilkenny. Today, we are going to feature Edward Walsh (1862-1946), his newspaper, and Ned of the Hill
Ned of the Hill
In August 2020 we contacted John O’Connor of The Munster Express who stated that The Munster Express was originally launched as a farmers’ paper and was particularly popular in South Kilkenny. Its founding editor, Joseph Fisher, was very active in the Land League and was a leading member of the Farmers’ Club. Joseph Fisher died in 1882 and his sons took over the business. In 1889, Joseph’s son William, as editor of The Munster Express was jailed for the newspaper’s support for the Land League and its opposition to rack rents. Edward Walsh (1862-1946) purchased the newspaper from the Fisher family.
John O’Connor identified two individuals who may have been Ned of the Hill at various times during the early twentieth century. The first ‘Ned’ identified by John O’Connor was a schoolteacher or school principal, named Edward Walsh, from the Carrickshock and Hugginstown area. John did not know if the schoolteacher, Edward Walsh, was related to the proprietor, Edward Walsh.
The second ‘Ned’ identified by John O’Connor was a Mr. E.V. Drea, a town councilor in Waterford. E.V. Drea’s daughter in the early 1950’s was the subject of a news item in The Munster Express and within there was reference to her deceased father having been ‘Ned.’ (Email from John O’Connor dated 31 Aug. 2020).
For a tradition of Ned of the Hill see Duchas, Éamonn an Chnoic.
For the Pogue’s rendition of see their You Tube, Young Ned of the Hill.
Glenmore Connection
Danny Dowling recalled that Edward Walsh (1862-1946), although born in Waterford City was related to one or more Glenmore families, but Danny could not recall the details. This past week while going through some of Danny’s voluminous files a copy of an obituary provided one link between Glenmore and Edward Walsh (1862-1946). The Munster Express on 8 February 1908 published an obituary for Mrs. Mary Aylward (c. 1838-1908) of Rochestown, Glenmore. It was reported that in addition to being the wife of James Aylward (c. 1831-1916) “she was the mother to Mr. John Aylward, Arundal Square and to Mr. Bartholmew Aylward, Peter Street, and Michael Street, Waterford, and cousin to Mr. E. Walsh, T.C., Editor and proprietor Munster Express.” Other cousins of the deceased lady listed in her obituary include: John Holden, Edward Cody, John Cody, Thomas Neville, Michael Neville, Thomas O’Meara, Joseph Croke and William O’Neill. “Amongst those who attended the funeral from Waterford included…E.V. Drea…”
It is not known if Edward Walsh (1862-1946) and Mrs. Mary Aylward (1838-1908) were first or more distant cousins, but it appears from the obituary that the proprietor and editor was making a point including their relationship and other cousins that they presumably shared. Mary Aylward married James Aylward on 12 Feb. 1857 at Rosbercon. The only information that is listed is his address is listed as Ballynock. It is assumed that Mary Aylward née Aylward was from Rosbercon or Glenmore parish very near its border with Rosbercon parish. James Aylward and his wife, Mary Aylward née Aylward had at least twelve known children:
[1] Patrick Aylward (bapt. 24 Jan. 1858); [2] Ellen Aylward (b. 22 June 1859) ; [3] Tobias Aylward (b. 30 Nov. 1860); [4] Catherine Aylward (b. 7 May 1862); [5] John Aylward (b. 10 Feb. 1863); [6] Thomas Aylward (b. 25 May 1865); [7] Bridget Aylward (b. 16 Jan. 1867); [8] James Aylward, (b. 25 Oct. 1868); [9] John Aylward (b. 16 Feb. 1870); [10] James Aylward (bapt. 4 Aug 1872; [11] Michael Aylward (14 April 1874); and [12] Bartholomew Aylward (b. 19 April 1876). Four of the Aylward children had Holden godparents including: Bartholomew Holden, Mary Holden, Catherine Holden and John Holden.
Edward Walsh’s (1862-1946) obituary in The Munster Express (Fri. 12 July 1946, p. 4) provides that he was “…born in Waterford on the 23rd November 1862, he had reached the ripe age of over 83 years. He was quite active up to a few months ago and enjoyed perfect health throughout his long and eventful public and business life. The youngest of a large family, in the natural sequence of events, he survived them all. Sprung from good old County Kilkenny business, professional and farming stock on both paternal and maternal sides, he was connected with many of the oldest families in the South of Ireland, extending right down to the confluence of the Suir, Nore and Barrow to within a couple miles of, and in view of, his native City of Waterford.”
Parents & Siblings
Edward Walsh (1862-1946) was the son of Patrick Walsh and Catherine Doherty. His parents were married on 6 March 1848 at Trinity Within, Cathedral, Waterford. Unfortunately, the parish records do not provide any information as to the location of their births, the names of their fathers, or their ages. However, the records do reveal that the couple had at least seven children all baptized at Trinity Within, Cathedral, Waterford including: [1] John Walsh (bapt. 28 May 1850); [2] Joseph Walsh (bapt. 22 Aug. 1851); [3] Joseph Walsh (bapt. 27 Feb. 1853); [4] Ann Walsh (bapt 6 Nov. 1854); [5] Joanna Walsh (bapt. 3 March 1856); [6] Brigid Walsh (bapt. 7 Feb. 1858) and [7] Edward Walsh (bapt. 23 Nov. 1862). In 1854, Ann’s godfather was Joseph Doherty which may aid in discovering the location of Catherine Walsh née Doherty’s birth.
Edward Walsh (1862-1946)
Although his obituary takes up nearly a page of The Munster Express ( Fri. 12 July 1946, p. 4) very little is revealed concerning his early life in Waterford City. From the 1901 Census it is known that he was married to Margaret (c. 1865-1935) (née Power). The couple were living at 15 Peter Street, Waterford in a class 2 house comprised of 9 rooms with 5 windows across the front and one outbuilding. Edward’s profession is listed as Master Cork Manufacturer. It is assumed that he plied his trade from the outbuilding. Edward could read and write Irish. The census records that six children are in the household from 9 to 2 months of age. Also present in the home is his brother-in-law William Power, aged 45, who is married and employed as the clerk of the R.C. Cathedral. All the family except Margaret and her brother William Power were born in Waterford City. Margaret and William Power were born in Co. Waterford. By 1911 the family had moved to 6 Hanover Street, Waterford. Edward is 48 year of age and the proprietor of a newspaper. He and Margaret had been married for 21 years and had 10 children but only 8 were living in 1911. William Power, aged 59 is still with the family and still employed at the Cathedral. Two sons were employed at the newspaper, Patrick (aged 19) as a journalist and Edward (aged 16) as a printer. The house was a 12 room first class house occupied by 10 people.
In addition to losing two children under the age of 2, Edward and Margaret lost two adult sons within a period of three months. William “Willie” Walsh, aged 21, died on 26 October 1921 at 37 The Quay, Waterford of TB. He was under medical care for 18 months and his profession was listed as printer (Waterford Death Register). Three months later on 27 January 1922, John Walsh, aged 22, died of meningitis after a severe attack of influenza. At the time of his death John was employed at the National Bank of Cahir and previously had been in their Wexford Branch (New Ross Standard, 3 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
In addition to running and editing The Munster Express, Edward Walsh was also involved in Waterford politics, was a staunch Nationalist and supported a number of charities. He twice served as Mayor of Waterford and also served as the High Sheriff. It was reported that 30 years prior to his death (c. 1916) he was offered a knighthood, but he declined it because there was not an All Ireland Parliament functioning in Dublin. He was a life master of the Holy Ghost Hospital, Waterford; President of St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society, Waterford and President of the Cathedral Confraternity; Director of the Tourist Association; and served on the Waterford Corporation for 40 years. He also served as a member of the governing bodies of Dublin and Cork University Colleges. In recognition for his services in the cause of Irish Nationalism he was presented with a plaque of Daniel O’Connell by Isaac Butt (Irish Press, Wed. 10 July 1946, p. 4). Resolutions of Sympathy were extended after his death to his family by Glenmore Comhaire Ceanntair, Fianna Fáil (Irish Press, Thurs. 1 Aug. 1946, p. 9.)
We hope that one or more readers may be able to shed some more light on the connections between Edward Walsh and his Glenmore and South Kilkenny connections.
Special thanks to John O’Connor and Liam Murphy for information they provided.
Please send any correction or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Tragic Death of Francis “Frank” Heffernan (c. 1917-1956)
When we were planning the blog in 2019 Danny Dowling expressed his amazement at how fast information now travels. He explained that when he was a boy, before telephones were in most Glenmore homes, most news was spread initially at meeting places such as Mass, the shops, the pub or Creamery and then would spread across the parish from neighbour to neighbour. Danny related that in 1955 or 1956 he was being driven by his uncle to Waterford to catch the bus to the UK when they passed a car on its side on the main road. Danny was heading off for a week’s holiday and he did not recognise the car. Danny said that he never knew that Frank Heffernan had been injured and died from his injuries until he returned from his holiday in England. No mobile phones or internet in those days.
Recently, articles were located concerning Frank Heffernan’s tragic death in August 1956. Frank Heffernan was just 39 years of age when he was injured in a one car crash and died from his injuries. He was home on holidays from London with his wife, Peggy (née O’Sullivan) and infant daughter Terry. He borrowed a new Ford Anglia that his brother, Rev. Dermot Heffernan (c. 1915-1973) had rented. Dermot was also home on holidays from Mayfield, Australia (Munster Express, Friday 24 Aug. 1956 p. 13).
Frank’s Parents & Siblings
Frank and Dermot were the sons of Michael Heffernan (1878-1951) and Teresa Heffernan née McGrath (c. 1882–1960). Michael and Teresa married at Glenmore on 13 June 1911. In 1911 Michael Heffernan was managing the Heffernan shop in Cappagh, Glenmore and Teresa was a National Teacher in the Glenmore (Robinstown) National School. Teresa was living in Graiguenakill at the time of their marriage. Michael’s father was Michael Heffernan, a retired R.I.C. Sergeant and Teresa’s father was recorded as Jermiah McGrath, Russellstown, Clonmel (school teacher). Michael and Teresa had at least seven children: [1] Rev. Dermot Heffernan (c. 1915-1973); [2] Francis “Frank” Heffernan (c.1917-1956); [3] Patrick J. Heffernan; [4] Eileen “Eilly” Heffernan (c. 1923-2003); [5] Seamus Heffernan; [6] Elizabeth “Bessie” Heffernan (Sr. Bernadette) (1914-1999); and [7] Resa Walsh née Heffernan (c. 1926-2012).
It was reported in the Munster Express that the car crash took place on Saturday the 17th of August at about 5:30 p.m. on the main road between New Ross and Waterford at Davidstown townland. Richard O’Farrell, of Dublin and Patrick Doyle, a van driver, from Waterford, arrived on the scene shortly after the crash and rendered assistance. They conveyed the injured Frank to St. Patrick’s Hospital in Waterford. Frank was found to be suffering from paralysis, a fracture of the cervical spine and fracture of three ribs. He succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening the 18th. Interestingly the death register records his death as occurring on the 19th and his injuries were recorded as being sustained on the 18th. The family headstone in Glenmore records Frank’s death as occurring on the 18th.
According to the inquest into Frank’s death in 1956, his brother, Patrick J. Heffernan, National Bank, Portumna, Co. Galway, testified that when he saw his brother in hospital Frank told him he had no recollection of what had happened. He felt unwell at the “Scow” Bridge, about a mile from where the accident occurred. Richard O’Farrell, of Co. Dublin, testified that while “motoring” from Glenmore to Waterford he was driving about 30 miles per hour and was overtaken and passed by a car which disappeared from his view when it went around a sharp bend. When he rounded the bend he saw a car lying on its side on the centre of the road. Frank was lying in the back of the car and appeared to be unconscious. It was raining and the road was wet. No other car was involved. No one witnessed the crash. Garda T. Devane, of Glenmore, testified that when he arrived at the crash he saw the track of a motor car on a clay bank on the side of the road. The track was 36 feet long and the hedge was broken and part of it torn away (Kilkenny People, Sat. 25 Aug. 1956).
A description of the funeral includes: “When, on Monday evening, the remains of the late Mr. Heffernan were removed to Glenmore Parish Church, they were accompanied by one of the largest cortege of sympathisers to enter the village for many years. Their presence in such imposing and representative numbers was indicative of the widespread sorrow evoked by the passing, in the prime of life, of such an esteemed personality and the sympathy felt for the bereaved relatives in their sad loss” (Munster Express, Fri. 24 Aug. 1956, p. 13.)
Frank attended Glenmore National School and was a student for three years in St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny City. Subsequently, Frank worked at Hearne & Co., the Quay, Waterford, and, later joined the staff of Hickey and Co., New Ross. Later he took a job at Clover Meats, Ltd., Christendom, Waterford. For the 14 years prior to his death, Frank was employed as an overseer for Harris and Levos, a large furniture manufacturing company in London. (Munster Express, Fri. 24 Aug. 1956, p. 13.) His address was recorded on the death register as Ickworth Park Place, Walthamstow, London, E 17.
The Heffernan Shop, Cappagh, Glenmore
The Heffernan Shop in Cappagh, Glenmore was started by Frank’s grandfather, Michael Heffernan (c. 1839-1914). Michael Heffernan (c. 1839-1914) was born in Tipperary the son of Richard Heffernan (farmer). He joined the Royal Irish Constabulary and while stationed at Phillipstown, Offaly met and married Eliza Walshe on 17 October 1865. She was the daughter of Mathew Walshe (carpenter). Michael was stationed subsequently in Mullinavat, Kilmacow and finally Glenmore around 1883. After Michael retired from the R.I.C. he started the Heffernan shop in Cappagh. In the 1911 census his son Michael (1878-1951) was managing the shop and his daughter Lizzie Heffernan (1884-1955) was the shop assistant. Lizzie married James J.K. Walsh of Ballybrahe, Glenmore and the couple had a shop in the old Gaffney premises and their business was known locally as Lizzy J.K. For further information on Lizzy J.K. click here. Frank’s sister, Eilly Heffernan (c. 1923-2003), was the last family member to operate the Cappagh shop until her death. For awhile it remained a shop and later for a short time it was a chipper.
Please send any corrections, additional information etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
It is believed that the feature photo above is a Ford Anglia.
Photos of the Hoynes of Ballybrahee, Glenmore [Updated]
It is quite interesting to dust off the old photo albums or rummage in an old chest to take out photos safely tucked away long ago. Today, we are going to feature some old photos that Michael Hoynes shared. These photos give an insight into the fashions, hairstyles etc. from around the turn of the 20th century.
The photo above is Kate Ryan née Hoynes (1878-1922) of Ballybrahee, Glenmore who married Peter Ryan of Gaulestown, Kilmacow on 22 February 1906. It is likely that this was their wedding photograph. Peter was the son of Laurence Ryan (farmer) and Kate was the daughter of John Hoynes (farmer). Below is a photo of Kate’s parents and two of her siblings.
The photo above is of Mr. and Mrs. John Hoynes of Ballybrahee and two of their children. The mother Margaret Hoynes née Aylward (bapt. 21 Oct. 1841-5 May 1896) was a native of Ballinclar. Her husband John Hoynes (bapt. 29 Oct. 1842-26 Dec. 1917) was a farmer in Ballybrahee. The two children in the photo are Annie Hoynes (10 April 1887-1 Dec. 1937) and James Hoynes (26 June 1884-Dec. 1919). James Hoynes is holding a hunting whip in his hands. Annie and her mother are holding small flower bouquets.
The photograph to the left is James Hoynes (1884-1919) as an adult. He married a woman named Freany and the couple lived at Charlestown which is where he was living at the time of his death at the age of 34. Although an obituary was located in the Waterford News and Star (Fri. 12 Dec. 1919, p. 5) no death record could be located to determine whether he was a victim of the “Spanish flu” pandemic. The obituary noted that James was for many years prominantly identified with the Bishophall racing fixture.
Update–Thanks to Patty Brown who found the following records regarding James Hoynes. The James Hoynes born in July 1877 died when he was just six days of age on the 31st of July 1877. On 26 June 1884 John and Margaret Hoynes née Aylward had another son that they named James. He was baptized at Glenmore on 28 June 1884. Patty also located the marriage record between James Hynes (sic) (1884-1919) and Mary Freney of Charlestown, Kilmacow. The couple were married on 8 February 1912 at Kilmacow Churcih and the witnesses to their wedding were Maurice Hoynes and Margret Freney. Lastly, Patty found the death record for James in 1919. The death record notes that he was 34 years of age, a farmer, and died of “probably” pneumonia. Johanna Freney was pesent at his death at Charlestown.
The photo above is Annie Hoynes (1887-1937) as an adult. Annie married John Murphy (c. 1873-1955), a shop keeper of Bridge St., New Ross on 29 April 1913. A death record was found for Annie Murphy née Hoynes that revealed that she died on 1 December 1937 of breast cancer. Her step-son James Murphy was present at her death indicating that John Murphy was a widower when they married.
John Murphy survived Annie by 18 years. He died at the age of 82 and his death record records that he was a retired poultry and salmon dealer. The obituaries of both Annie and John have been placed on the M surname page which can be accessed via the home page by clicking on the family page at the top.
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A photo of Fr. Maurice Hoynes (1865-1930) taken when he was in Australia has been added to our previous article “Rev. Maurice Hoynes (1865-1930): His Time Down Under” and further information on this Glenmore family click here .
Please send any corrections or additonal information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
If you have any old photographs of Glenmore or its people that you would like to share please feel free to email them or share them on our facebook page.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Thanks to Kelvin Johnson Treacy who helpfully corrected and supplied various dates. Updated 22 Jan. 2022.
From Danny’s Files: The Glenmore Silversmith, Pat Dolan (1940-2011)
For over seven decades Danny Dowling collected information and newspaper articles concerning Glenmore and its people. Tucked safely into a file were two newspaper clippings regarding Pat Dolan. Today, we are going to feature Pat Dolan (1940-2011) a native of New Ross who for many years made his home and workshop in Ballyverneen, Glenmore where he also operated a falconry. Although Pat Dolan eventually moved from Glenmore, and died in 2011 in Kinsale, Cork, there is a stone memorial for Pat Dolan in Ballyverneen along the river side of the road between the railway viaduct and the Pink Rock.
Most of the following biographical information was gleaned from articles appearing in the New Ross Standard in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Pat Dolan was the son of Patrick “P.J.” Dolan and Kathleen “Kitty” Dolan née Dunne of South St., New Ross. His parents married in June 1937. At the time of their marriage the groom was a merchant draper on South St. and the son of ex-R.I.C. Sergeant Patrick Dolan and Bridget Dolan née Harrington. The bride, Kitty was the daughter of Patrick J. and Brigid Dunne merchants also on South, St., New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 June 1937, p. 12). In addition to the shop on South Street, Pat’s father, P.J. Dolan was for many years the Chairman of the New Ross Harbour Commissioners. His mother, Kitty Dolan (c. 1904-1975) was described as a local pioneer of the New Ross tourist information service providing information and advice to tourists from her South St. shop (New Ross Standard, Fri. 12 Dec. 1975).
Pat was educated at St. Peter’s College Wexford, and University College Dublin, and travelled throughout Europe upon graduation and settled in Spain out of necessity. “I was out of money,” he laughed, recalling how he learned his trade under the apprenticeship of Franz Neuner, a Czechoslovakian silversmith who ran a fashion accessory house in Barcelona (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Pat returned to Ireland, then travelled to Manchester, England, where he married Kathleen Lee, a school teacher. Pat obtained a Diploma in silversmithing and decorative metal work from Manchester College. He taught metal work for a time in Manchester, but preferred creative work. He quit teaching to devote his time entirely to designing and making jewellery (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7). Eventually, Pat and his wife Kathleen, both gave up teaching and came back to Ireland for Pat to work locally full time as a silversmith (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24). The couple had three sons: twins Dominic and Damien and Benedict (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7).
When Pat returned to Ireland with his family, he bought an old cottage in Ballyverneen, Glenmore, overlooking the Glenmore Pill, on what was at that time the main road between Waterford and New Ross. [The cottage was the home of the late Dick Dunphy (5 July 1893- ?).] With the assistance of local builders, Pat constructed a workshop on the property and renovated the existing cottage (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32). Although no newspaper article revealed the year in which the Dolan family moved to Glenmore, a planning notice was published in the summer of 1974 for the installation of a septic tank on the property (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Aug. 1974, p. 15). While the workshop was being constructed in Ballyverneen, Pat worked in a temporary workshop at the home of his mother Kitty Dolan of South St. New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975). Several of the older Glenmore residents recall that Pat drove a red Triumph convertible sportscar.
Pat began to make unique jewellery in gold and silver and sold on a commission basis to shops in France and the US and to visiting tourists. When Pat completed a piece it had to be sent to Dublin before it could be sold. Every piece had to be sent to the Assay Office to be hallmarked. In addition to jewellery, he made trophies and presentation gifts to order (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7). Pat worked from his own Celtic stylized designs based on variations of traditional Celtic designs. When interviewed about his work he stated, “I am most influenced by the ancients,” emphasising the importance of eighth and twelfth century works. “One cannot help but be influenced by them they’re everywhere.” Pat also credited New Ross sculptor Seamus Furlong and the late Kilkenny sculptor, Oisin Kell, with heavily influencing his work. It was reported that Pat took great satisfaction in the timelessness of his work, stressing that only a conscious effort can destroy anything he created. “Gold, silver and bronze won’t change. They can’t be debased—they are completely and totally incorruptible. We have whole pieces from 5,000 to 7,000 years ago” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Newspaper adverts for his work during this period indicate that while his workshop was in Glenmore he also had a small shop in New Ross. In 1978 he was joined in business with a fellow silversmith Maria Roche of Charlton Hill, New Ross. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32). Pat was deeply committed to the role of crafts in Irish life and was a founding member of the Wexford Craftworkers Association. Pat served as the chairman several times and also served on the Board of Management of the Crafts Council of Ireland (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Dec. 1982, p. 38).
In the early 1980’s Pat began working in bronze and as one reporter described it as portrait sculpture. “Out on the Burrow at Rosslaire stands his head of a life boat man modelled from photographs of Ned Wickham. Since the unveiling of this monument.., Pat had a number of commissions for portraits” but also continued to make jewellery and special pieces (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Dec. 1982, p. 38). To view Pat’s work on the Rosslare Lifeboat Memorial click here. Another special piece Pat designed and made was a chalice presented to the Bishop of Ferns, Donal Herlihy (1908-1983) on the occasion of the 1981Golden Jubilee of his Ordination. The chalice was commissioned by the Wexford Branch of the I.N.T.O. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24).
At the opening of the New Ross library in 1982 an exhibition of Pat’s bronzes was displayed. The exhibition included bonzes of some notable people such as Eamonn de Valera, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Sean O’Casey, as well as a self-portrait, a Tolkein landscape, a sleeping fox, a merlin and prey and the life boat man, Ned Wickham, from Rosslare (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24). In 1985, Pat was commissioned to design presentations to honour three founding members of the New Ross FCA Pipe Band which was established in 1947. The presentations were inscribed bronze replicas of the instruments played by each recipient. The replicas consisted of Sam McDonald’s staff, Tom Bolger’s bass drum and Paddy Murphy’s pipes (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 July 1985, p. 20).
Several Glenmore residents recalled that Pat also operated a falconry when he lived in Glenmore. His falconry housed a variety of birds of prey, including a golden eagle, the only bird of the species in Ireland in the early 1980’s. Pat acquired his first birds from a falconry in Clonmel. Pat noted that the birds could not be fed processed or treated meat and more than 18 pounds of meat per day was required to feed his 20 birds. The birds themselves contributed meat when they were out on practice runs and his friends and sons who rabbit hunted also contributed meat for the birds. Pat is quoted as remarking, “They are God’s most magnificent creatures, they are designed to prey on lesser creatures—the symbol of a balanced society” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Please send any additional information, corrections, photos of pieces by Pat Dolan etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The engraving of the falcon if from The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1885). Red-throated falcon — Ibycter americanus Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-d55a-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Fr. John Duggan (1932-2021) of Flemingstown, Glenmore and Super Bowl IX
This week while we were preparing to post the obituary of Fr. John Duggan the reference therein to his time served as Chaplain to the Pittsburgh Steelers caused a search of a pile of future “From Danny’s Files” articles. In the pile was a Kilkenny People article entitled “Priest Who Prays for Success,” (Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6). This week we are going to feature the association and circumstances of Fr. John Duggan becoming unofficial chaplain, or as the press in the United States dubbed him, the “lucky charm” or the “secret weapon” of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football team in the early 1970’s. To put this into context the Pittsburgh Steelers did not have a winning season from 1933 until Fr. Duggan came on the scene.
Fr. John Duggan was born on 7 February 1932 to Richard Duggan and his wife Molly Duggan née O’Gorman, of Flemingstown, Glenmore. Fr. Duggan attended St. Kieran’s College and Maynooth Seminary and was ordained a priest on 17 June 1956. He went on to earn an MA in Education and a PhD in Counselling from Boston College and had a fellowship to Harvard. It was during the three years when Fr. Duggan was pursuing his PhD that he is credited with helping the Pittsburgh Steelers become Super Bowl champions.
Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. (1901-1988) nicknamed “The Chief” was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1933 he established the Steelers as an expansion team in the National Football League. Much has been written concerning Rooney’s big win at a race track that funded the team for several early years. Although Rooney was lucky allegedly at the racetrack, his football team did not enjoy much success. Prior to 1972 the team only played in one post season game. This occurred in 1947 when they played one game in the Eastern Division Playoffs and lost 21 to 0 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 1969, The Chief hired a young Chuck Noll (1932-2014) as head coach and kept him on as head coach notwithstanding his first year record was only 1 win and 13 loses. In 1970, the American Football League and the National Football League merged and “The Chief” agreed to leave the NFL Eastern Conference and joined the AFC central conference. The Steelers became a powerhouse, and today Noll is credited with building the team through the recruiting of gifted players via the football draft. Noll recruited players like Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw and “Mean” Joe Green who was a leading member of the infamous “Steel Curtain” defence. In 1972, the Steelers after over 40 years of losses began a remarkable 8 year run of playoff appearances, and 13 straight years of winning seasons. They are the only team to accomplish two consecutive Super Bowl wins twice with these four Super Bowl wins in six consecutive seasons. Chuck Noll at the time was the youngest head coach to have won the Super Bowl.
At the same time the two football leagues were merging, and Chuck Noll was trying to find his feet as head coach, in the spring of 1970, two young Americans were on a tour of Ireland. Tim and Pat Rooney, two sons of the Chief, stopped at the church where Fr. Duggan was parish priest in an attempt to locate the birthplace of one of their ancestors. While Fr. Duggan was speaking to the Rooney brothers’ he asked them what kind of business they were in, and Fr. Duggan thought they said “vestments.” He invited them to attend Mass the following day, so he could show them the beautiful vestments that had been made in Paris. They came and after Mass explained that they were in investments not vestments. They invited Fr. Duggan to get in touch if he ever got to America as they would take him to a football game. “I thought they were just fans. I didn’t know until I got here that their family actually owned a team” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6).
Fr. Duggan went to the U.S. the following year to take some summer courses. He contacted the Rooney brothers and they flew him to Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a shockingly bad record the year before winning only 1 of 13 games. In 1971, while Fr. Duggan was present the team won the first four games. Fr. Duggan stated, “I didn’t know much about the game. It was confusion, especially the change of teams from offence to defence and the specialty teams.” After he returned to Ireland the team lost four out of the next six games. The following year Fr. Duggan learned that he would be back in the U.S. for three years to study full time for a doctorate (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6). While working on his doctorate Fr. Duggan was based at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.
“The Chief sat me down and told me he wanted me to become the Steeler’s chaplain. He thought the team had a good chance to win the division and that to date the priest was undefeated. As it turned out the Steelers did win the division that year” (The Boston Globe, Tues. 14 Jan. 1975, p. 22).
During his three years in the U.S., Fr. Duggan travelled to all the Steeler games home and away, at the request of the Rooney family. During these weekends he became close to the players, and often counselled them when they had problems. Fr. Duggan was said to have stated that he offered “…mass every weekend during the season so that no players be injured badly and that in all games involving the Steelers, the better team will win. But, I have an understanding with God that the Steelers are the better team always.” As part of his unofficial duties to the team on the eve of every game, he offered a Mass, with different players, regardless of their religion, helping him with the readings” (The Boston Globe, Tues. 14 Jan. 1975, p. 22). [John]”Frenchy” Fuqua, a running back who is not a Catholic volunteered as a reader. “That afternoon Frenchy had one of the best games of his career,”…”Frenchy came to me and said when can I do another reading?” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6).
It was widely reported that the night before the Central Division championship game played between the Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, in December 1972, Father Duggan was in the stadium. Father Duggan was asked to leave because the Raiders did not want anyone watching their closed practice. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazetted (23 Dec. 1972, p. 11) thought this very odd and reported that the Steeler team, coaching staff, and their families were at a Christmas party in the stadium club overlooking the field. “All the Steelers had to do to see the Raiders was look out the club’s huge picture windows. None seemed that interested.” Some newspapers reported that there was an exchange between Father Duggan and an official from the Raiders. One reported that Father Duggan allegedly objected to leaving stating, “But I don’t know enough about football to do any harm.” The Raider official was alleged to have replied, “You are a priest aren’t you? That makes you dangerous. Art Rooney has every priest in the country pulling for him tomorrow.”
The Steelers won the game, 13-7, in the last five seconds when Franco Harris caught a pass that had deflected off of Fuqua and ran 60 yards for the touchdown. That catch is often referred to as the ”Miraculous reception,” or the “Immaculate reception.” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6). After winning the Central Division championship newspaper articles began to appear linking Fr. Duggan to the team’s success. It was noted that Chuck Noll was a man of intense faith, but did not proclaim “his creed with evangelistic fevor…he attended the Thanksgiving Mass offered by Fr. Duggan” the day after the game at a chapel adjoining the Rooney home. Noll was the reader, Dan Rooney, the general manager and Ed Kiely, the publicity director for the team, served as altar boys. According to Kiely, “Fr. Duggan’s presence, apparently has helped us…He was present for 12 of our games and saw us only lose once.” (New Castle News [New Castle, Pennsylvania] 19 Dec. 1972, p. 20).The following week the Steelers lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins in the final AFL championship.
Super Bowls are played in January based upon the previous season. Super Bowl IX was played on 12 January 1975 in New Orleans. For the first time the Pittsburgh Steelers made it to the Super Bowl and played the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers defence was said to hold all in awe. Several newspapers noted the attendance of Fr. Duggan. “One unheralded part of the Steelers’ game plan is Rev. John Duggan, a priest from Kilkenny, Ireland…the Mass saying lucky charm [is] at every Steelers’ game (The Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Jan. 1975, p. 21) and the Steelers won 16-6.
Later, in what appears an attempt to explain how the lovable losing Steelers, became Super Bowl IX winners, journalists began to refer to Fr. Duggan as Rooney’s secret weapon. The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette that just noted in 1972 that Father Duggan had been asked to leave the stadium because the Raiders didn’t want anyone at their practice later in 1975 published a column written by Joe Browne where he outrageously wrote that “maybe this is why the Stealers crushed Oakland and went on to become Super Bowl champs…John Duggan, an Irish priest who’s nuts about the Steelers, walked in on a secret practice of the Raiders. John Madden, Oakland coach, tactfully asked him to scram. Father Duggan snorted, “I didn’t come to spy on y’—I came to lay a curse on y’” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wed. 19 Jan. 1975, p. 27).
Father Duggan while in New Orleans after Super Bowl IX gave an interview to the Boston Globe where he noted that the Chief had paid for everyone including waterboys and the entire ground crew from the Steelers to come to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. A week before the big game Dan Rooney, the General Manager, asked Fr. Duggan to make preparations for a Mass of Thanksgiving for 9 a.m. the day following the game—win or lose. Fr. Duggan explained that for them “just getting this far was reason enough to be thankful.” On the eve of the Super Bowl, as was his custom Fr. Duggan offered a Mass. Rocky Bleier gave the first reading and five of the Chief’s grandsons served the Mass. Although Fr. Duggan denied that he provided pep talks to the players he did state that he selected appropriate readings. The reading by Bleier pertained to courage and the Christian athlete. The second reading was on the body and its ability to withstand suffering. “After all these years of losing, for the Steelers…[from 1933] I felt that we should say something about suffering. They had their share.”
In a short conclusion that indicated the true depth of his understanding of football the self-described “simple parish priest” stated that he was returning to Ireland in June and “you might say I have prayed out my options” (The Boston Globe, Tues. 14 Jan. 1975, p. 22).
The obit published by Fr. Duggan’s parish in Rhode Island is contained on our obituary page, and we extend our condolences to his siblings and families and the members of his parish. Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh