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Death Comes in Three: 1868 Inquests
In our previous blog of 29 August 2021 we highlighted three Glenmore inquests that took place in 1866. Today, we are going to feature three inquests that were held in 1868 involving the deaths of three men under entirely different circumstances. One died from pneumonia, another from asphyxia, and the third drowned in a well.
John Forrestal (c. 1813-1868) of Carrickcloney, Glenmore
On 18 November 1868 an inquest was held at Carrickcloney on the body of John Forrestal, aged 55. It was reported that the deceased was formerly a farmer who retired from the management of the farm in favour of his younger brother, Thomas Forrestal. Evidence was produced that the deceased had complained of having a pain since the previous week. “No doctor attended him as he said he did not want one. He had had tea and whey, but no medicine. His sister-in-law, Mrs. Thomas Forristal, deposed that she had used some of both the tea and the whey herself, and had not received any bad consequence from it. He took to his bed, in the barn, in which he remained till his death, which took place on Sunday morning. It was given in evidence that the deceased and family lived on good terms. Neither clergyman nor Doctor had seen the man, and he was discovered dead in bed about 10 o’clock, on Monday. A man slept in the barn, and had not been aware of his death.”
Dr. Cane examined the body and testified that the deceased’s death was caused by pneumonia, and that the valves of the heart were also diseased. Dr. Cane went on to explain that “pneumonia is a disease of the lungs, and the death took place from natural causes…there was nothing to indicate poison.” The jury accordingly found a verdict of ” Death from natural causes” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 21 November 1868, p. 3).
For further information concerning the dispensary doctor, James Butler Norris Cane (c. 1840-1906), who was the doctor covering Mullinavat and Glenmore for decades, see our previous blog of 29 April 2020.
Patrick Darmody of Smithstown
On 31 October 1868 the body of Patrick Darmody, a schoolteacher, from Smithstown, was found by a farmer named Walsh dying in a field at Ballynooney half way between Mullinavat and Glanmore (sic). Earlier in the week the deceased had stopped at the farmer’s house. At said time the deceased stated that he was suffering from a sore throat, and had great difficulty in swallowing. He obtained some medicines from a “quack doctor” named Doolan, at Mullinavat. The medicine comprised an internal wash for the throat, and a bottle for external application. Both of the bottles were properly labelled, and the external medicine had a caution on the bottle that it was poison. “The chief object of the inquiry was to ascertain if the man had received injury from the use of either of these prescriptions, or if he could have accidentally used internally that intended for external application. It appeared, however, from testimony adduced, that the deceased had been most careful and cautious in the use of the bottles.”
Dr. James Cane, Mullinavat, examined the body as well as the bottles and testified that the death was due to asphyxia. The deceased had a large abscess on his right parotid gland that pressed on his trachea. He observed that there was no injury on the body caused by the medicines applied or otherwise. On this evidence the jury—of which Mr. William Costello, of Mullinavat was Foreman — arrived at a verdict ‘Death from natural causes’” (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed., 4 Nov. 1868, p. 3).
John Walsh (c. 1833-1868) of Forristalstown, Glenmore
An inquest was held on 12 September 1868 at Forristaltown, near Glanmore (sic) on the body of John Walsh, a farmer’s son, who had been discovered dead in a well adjoining the farm yard, on the previous morning. The coroner’s jury heard that the deceased was going to take a cow to the fair of Ross early the morning in question. When the family got up at the usual time, about six o’clock, the cow was discovered in the field, although John Walsh was not in his room. A search was then made for the deceased, whose body was discovered at the bottom of a well 30 feet deep, head downwards, and even the feet nearly covered with water. “It appeared his sister, Ellen, discovered his coat in his room, and knowing that it had been his habit to go to the well in the morning to raise a bucket of water to wash his person, she went there, and, looking down, saw his feet above the surface. She promptly let herself down by a rope, and shortly, assisted by her cousin, named Edward Doherty, got up the body. The windlass over the well was found out of order, the iron handle, at one end, being out of its place; and it was conjectured that the deceased had lost his balance in consequence of the sudden disarrangement of the machinery and fallen into the well, head foremost. The skull was injured, and it was conjectured it came into contact with the bucket in the fall. The deceased was 35 years old and unmarried.”
Dr. Mullin, of Ross, was summoned by the constable to determine if the injury to the deceased’s head had been inflicted maliciously before death. After examining the deceased’s body Dr. Mullin concluded the head injury was accidental. The jury arrived at a finding that the deceased came to his death by having accidentally fallen into the well (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 16 Sept. 1868, p. 3).
Thus, the juries in all three of the 1868 inquests above found that the deaths were accidental although it is understandable, under the circumstances, how each of the deaths needed to be investigated. Each of the inquests gives fascinating insight into the ordinary lives of local people from the man who would not see a doctor, a teacher who relied on a “quack doctor,” to a tragic accident on a fair day and his extraordinary sister finding and retrieving the corpse by climbing down into the well.
The drawing of the well above is older than the wells of the 1860’s and it does not have a windlass. Robert, Hubert (1733-1808). Woman drawing water from a stone well. 1763 – 1764. Retrieved from the Digital Public Library of America, http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/90b4e4a4-4c99-1240-e040-e00a180601fd. (Accessed October 21, 2021.)
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Blog Updates: New Guest Authors, Another Centenarian
As the blog approaches its second anniversary we have to acknowledge and thank all of the people who have offered advice, information, photos, support and encouragement. Two ladies who early on volunteered and jumped in and unravelled some of the intertwined Glenmore families for the blog were Ann Fitzgerald and Patty Brown.
New Guest Authors
Today, we are pleased to report that these two dynamic researchers are our latest guest authors. Ann and Patty have written “Glenmore To Brunswick & Back.” This article provides information on the emigration to Canada of a Glenmore family, but also highlight how family research utilizing the most modern techniques of DNA brought the two distant cousins together from across the Atlantic to become good friends and research partners.
This article also includes some fascinating photos. Check out the photo of Margaret Roach née McCarthy. What an expressive photo. The featured photo above is the Roach Homestead in Canada.
This article can be accessed via the home page of the blog by clicking on the Guest Author link and selecting Fitzgerald & Brown from the drop down menu, Or click here.
Centenarian—We have another winnner……Margaret Kirby née Forristal (28 Sept. 1914-17 March 2020)
Thanks to Billie Nolan for sharing information concerning Johanna “Josie” Nolan née Forristal (7 Nov. 1918-22 Feb. 2014) late of Cappah, Glenmore and her older sister, Margaret Kirby née Forristal who lived to be 105 years of age.
From parish records and the birth register we have been able to verify that Johanna and Margaret were the daughters of John “Jack” Forristal (1882-1948) and his wife Annie (née Flynn) (1876-1965). John Forristal was born at Graiguenakill, Glenmore on 24 April 1882 to Patrick Forristal (farmer and miller) and Margaret Forristal née Cardiff. Anne Flynn was born 5 June 1876 at Tinneranny, Rosbercon, the daughter of Thomas Flynn (blacksmith) and Johanna “Judith” (née Crowe). John Forristal and Annie Flynn were married at Glenmore on 16 September 1913. At the time of their wedding John was living in Graiguenakill and working as a labourer and Annie was living in Flemingstown, Glenmore. They both gave their ages as 30. The witnesses to the wedding were Nicholas Forristal (1888-1979) and Margaret Flynn.
When Margaret Forristal was born on 28 September 1914 the family were living in Ballyquin, Mullinavat. Her godparents were Nicholas Forristal and Johanna Flynn. Margaret Forristal married Timothy Kirby (1916-1966) in London in 1945. Unfortunately, we have been unable to locate an obituary for Margaret who died on St. Patrick’s Day 2020. Hopefully someone recorded the secret to her long life.
Johanna Forristal was also born at Ballyquin on 7 November 1918. Her godparents were Laurence Conway and Mrs. David Maddock. On 17 May 1944 Johanna Forristal married David Nolan at Glenmore. The family lived for sometime at Cappagh, Glenmore. Johanna died on 22 February 2014 at the age of 95. She is buried in the family grave at Glenmore (New Ross Standard, 11 March 2014, p. 70). The photo of Johanna was obtained from the Waterford News & Star (1 April 2014).
Over the past two years we have published a number of articles concerning the Forristal Family of the Mill.
For information concerning the Forristal Mill at Graiguenakill see our previous post of 7 June 2020.
For information concerning the drowning of Wm. Forristal (1881-1899) of the Mill, see our post of 31 May 2020.
For information concerning the mysterious death of Peter Forristal (1889-1916) of the Mill, see our post of 29 July 2020.
Over the past few months we have received communications from a number of people who have contributed or corrected information concerning their families. We want to thank all of them particularly Frank Condon, Frank G. Freyne (of Calif.), Martin Forristal and Catherine Davies née Kearney. The beauty of the blog over conventional publishing is that we can add new information or make corrections to published articles. We place [updated] on all previous posts that contain new or corrected information.
Coming Soon
Coming soon is a list of residents of Glenmore parish from the early 1960’s as well as other items from Danny Dowling’s vast collection.
We also hope to have another guest author’s work featured in the next week or so.
If anyone has any information, photos or has an idea for an article please contact us at glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Sergeant Garvey (1895-1960) and His Glenmore Bride
Last week we highlighted the determination of the Garda Siochána to have a presence in Glenmore as well as a list of the sergeants that served in the Glenmore Garda Station over the years. One of these sergeants was Nicholas Garvey (1895-1960) who, according to the list Danny Dowling put together, was the Sergeant in Glenmore from 1936 – 1938. Today, we are going to highlight how Sergeant Garvey’s duties in Glenmore brought him to Rathinure to meet the woman who was to become his wife, Mary Grace (1913-1988). This story provides a glimpse into parish life in the 1930’s.
Prior to coming to Glenmore, Sergeant Garvey tragically lost his first wife, Mary Garvey née Aylward on the 19th August 1934. Mary Garvey née Aylward (c. 1902-1934) was only 32 when she died at her parent’s home on New Street in Carrick-on-Suir after an illness “of some months” duration. (Munster Express, 31 Aug. 1934, p. 8). At the time of Mary’s death Sergeant Garvey was stationed at Ballylanders, Co. Limerick (Irish Independent, 4 Oct. 1934) and the couple had two young daughters, Kathleen and Monica Garvey. With his young children being cared for by their maternal grandparents in Carrick-on-Suir, the widower, Sergeant Garvey was transferred first to Tullogher and then to Glenmore. While at Tullogher the locals made up a verse regarding the Sergeant and his four men, “Garvey let Lyons Loose to catch Salmon on the Shannon.” (This verse or ditty was given to Johnny Garvey by Dick Cotteral (c.1920 -2008) native of Ballycroney, Glenmore).
The petty session records from the 1930’s reflect that the Gardaí in Glenmore spent most of their time issuing summons for public intoxication, noxious weeds, dog licenses and wandering livestock. According to Danny Dowling, as often happened, some of the various Rathinure neighbours fell out with each other although the majority of Rathinure residents were related. During threshing times neighbours generally helped one another. The threshing would commence on one farm and move on to the next until the harvest was complete. Shortly after Sergeant Garvey came to Glenmore, the hamlet of Rathinure and the neighbours, who were generally named Kennedy or were descendants of Kennedy’s, were divided when the threshing was to commence.
The Grant brothers, of Carriganura, Slieverue were threshing for John Sean Óg Kennedy, of Rathinure, Glenmore. On the same day another rival threshing set by the name of Power were threshing for Statia Roche née Kennedy. Statia was a daughter of the late William Kennedy. The Grants were very intolerant of any opposition or competition. Some of the Grant brothers were very fond of the drink, but all were reported to be fond of fighting. Further information on the Grant brothers is below.
With the two rival threshing sets in close proximity, a Rathinure resident notified the Gardaí of the impending breach of peace which may have been termed a faction fight in earlier times. In response, the Glenmore Garda Station was emptied and Sergeant Nicholas Garvey and the four officers proceeded with due haste to Rathinure where they spent most of the day keeping the rival threshing sets from fighting. During the course of the day Sergeant Garvey met Mary Grace, the niece who was living with John Sean Óg Kennedy and his sister Mary Sean Óg Kennedy. According to Danny Dowling, Mary Grace offered the Sergeant a cup of tea and a bit of cake and he was smitten. According to the wedding announcement that appeared in the Munster Express, Mary Grant had lived in Rathinure for 8 years before she married.
Jimmy Roche, of Rathinure (1927- 2018) was just a young fellow when Sergeant Garvey used to walk from the Village to Rathinure. It is assumed that he followed the mass path that provided a direct route from Glenmore Village to the Bushing Fada lane that led to the back of John Sean Óg Kennedy’s house. Jimmy Roche told me years ago that Sergeant Garvey thought that he was not observed arriving via the Bushing Fada lane, but all the local youngsters were gathered in a field to play hurling and observed the courting bound Sergeant Garvey. Within a short time all the Rathinure adults also were observing how often Sergeant Garvey found his way to Rathinure.
Ultimately Sergeant Nicholas Garvey married Mary Grace (1913-1988) at the Pro-Cathedral of Dublin in the summer of 1937. Mr. John Grace, the bride’s brother was best man and the bride “was attended by her niece.” The bride wore cream satin dress with a hat to mach. A wedding breakfast was held in the Ormond Hotel, Dublin and the newlyweds honeymooned in Blackpool. (Munster Express, 16 July 1937, p. 7).
After the couple were married Sergeant Garvey was transferred to Cork. In addition to the two daughters Kathleen and Monica that Sergeant Garvey had with his first wife, he and Mary Grace had 9 children: [1] Patrick Garvey; [2] William Garvey; [3] Margaret Garvey; [4] Johnny Garvey; [5] Frederick Garvey; [6] Mary Garvey [7] & [8] Twins Peter and Paul Garvey (died in infancy); and [9] Bernadette Garvey. When he retired from An Garda Siochana the couple ran a guest house in Tramore. At the age of 15 Johnny Garvey, like his mother before him, moved to Rathinure to work with his great-uncle and aunt, John Sean Óg Kennedy and Mary (Sean Óg) and has remained in Rathinure to this day.
The year 1960 was a very tragic year for Mary Garvey née Grace. Her father, William Grace (c. 1881-1960) died in March (Munster Express, 25 March 1960, p. 2) and her husband, retired Sergeant Nicholas Garvey died in June (Munster Express, Friday 17 June 1960, p. 8). In 1960 according to William’s obituary Patrick Garvey, was with Customs and Excise, in Tullamore, Offaly. William Garvey, was with the Tourist Board, London. Johnny Garvey was farming in Rathinure while Margaret Garvey was employed by London and Newcastle in Waterford. Fred, Mary and Bernie Garvey were living in Tramore.
Mary Garvey née Grace died on 21 July 1988 at the age of 75. At the time of her death Bill Garvey, was working for British Airways, London, and Fred Garvey, was a Garda Inspector, at the Templemore Training Centre. Fred Garvey was the only child to follow his father into An Garda Siochána. Ultimately Fred became a Chief Superintendent based in Tralee and served in one of the stations where his father previously served. Margaret Fitzsimmons née Garvey, Mary Walsh née Garvey and Bernie Martin, née Garvey were all married and living in Dublin (Munster Express, Fri. 29 July 1988, p. 15). Her step-daughters were both married and Monica Clancy née Garvey lived in Carrick-on-Suir and Kathleen Burke née Garvey lived in Dublin.
Ancestors of Mary Garvey née Grace (1913-1988)
Mary Garvey née Grace was born on 29 January 1913, the daughter of William Grace and his wife Margaret Grace, née Kennedy of Ballyhomuck, Big Wood, Mullinavat. William and Margaret were married on 16 February 1909 at Glenmore. Margaret Grace née Kennedy (b. 1880) was 28 years of age when she married and she was the daughter of John Kennedy (c. 1840-1920) and Ellen Kennedy née Walshe (c. 1942-1911) of Rathinure. William Grace and his wife Margaret Grace née Kennedy had five children: [1] William Grace; [2] Ed Grace; [2] John Grace; [3] Ellie Grace and [4] Mary Garvey née Grace. Mary was the only Grace sibling to marry.
Mary Garvey née Grace’s maternal grandparents were John Kennedy ( c. 1840-1920) of Rathinure, and Ellen Walshe (c. 1842-1911), of Jamestown, Glenmore who married on 10 Feb. 1879. The bridegroom was the son of John Kennedy and the bride was the daughter of Walter Walshe. The couple had five children: [1] Margaret Kennedy (b. 24 Feb. 1880) married William Grace; [2] Mary Kennedy (13 April 1881-8 Feb. 1971); [3] Anne Kennedy (b. 11 Jan. 1883) (Church record Honor) Hannie Sean Óg married James Donovan the first creamery manager in Glenmore. [4] John Kennedy (John Sean Óg), 11 Feb. 1885-11 Feb. 1962); [5] Patrick Kennedy called Patsy Sean Óg (20 Jan. 1887-5 Nov. 1951) (married Catherine O’Grady, 22 Nov. 1939 Chicago Cathedral).
Parents and Siblings of Sergeant Nicholas Garvey
Nicholas Garvey was born 10 October 1895 at Mornington, Co. Meath son of Patrick Garvey (c. 1855-before 1931) and his wife, Kate Garvey née Reynolds (c. 1858- 1931). At the time of his birth, Patrick Garvey gave his profession as pilot. Mornington is a coastal village on the River Boyne estuary and means “Town of the Mariner.” In 1895 a pilot worked on a ship. Ships took on pilots who were responsible for navigating the ship into port or up a river. Nicholas Garvey was the youngest of the children listed in the 1901 Census. [1] Mary Anne Garvey (aged 24); [2] John Garvey (aged 20); [3] Peter Garvey (aged 19); [4] Patrick Garvey (aged 19); [5] Bridget Garvey (aged 17); [6] Anastatia Garvey (aged 15); [7] Lawrence Garvey (aged 12); [8] Philomena Garvey (aged 10); [9] William Garvey (aged 8); and [10] Nicholas Garvey (aged 6).
The Grant Brothers
The Grant brothers were all big, rough men. There were five brothers and none of them married. Their parents were John Grant and Anne Aylward who were married on 13 February 1899 in Waterford. The couple were married by Rev. Father Thomas Grant, C.C. of St. Dominick’s. John was the son of William Grant. Anne Grant née Aylward was born on 12 August 1870 to Thomas Aylward and Ellen Henebery of Ballytasnia, Ballyhale. According to the 1911 census of Carrignurra, Slieverue John Grant was 11 years older than his wife.
The first four Grant brothers were born at Ballytasnia, Ballyhale. [1] William Grant (8 Oct. 1902-19 July 1956); [2] Thomas Grant (2 Feb. 1905-4 Jan. 1973); [3] James Grant (b. 20 Nov. 1906) and [4] John Joe Grant (8 June 1908-7 April 1987). [5] Richard Grant was born on 20 August 1917 at Carrignurra, Slieverue and died on 18 January 2001. This information was obtained from the birth registry and the Grant headstone in Glenmore cemetery.
Special thanks to Johnny and Breda Garvey for sharing their family photos and providing family information. Please send any and all corrections, omissions or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Centenarians [Updated]
During the summer of 2020 when the headstones in the Glenmore cemetery, adjacent to the parish church, were being recorded only one headstone recorded that a person had attained the age of 100. This distinction belongs to Kathleen Hoynes née O’Connor. When Danny Dowling was reviewing the recording work that summer he said that he only knew one native of Glenmore to have attained 100 years of age. Quite a few people came close, but he could only recall one who made it. A recent newspaper search revealed a second candidate and readers are invited to forward information on any other Glenmore natives who celebrated their 100th birthday.
Kathleen Hoynes née O’Connor (1917-2018)
Kathleen was born on 24 September 1917. She was the third child born to George O’Connor (1881-1965) and his wife Bridget O’Connor née Maddock (1886- ) of Ballyfacey. There were ten children in the family: [1] John O’Connor (b. 1914); [2] Bridget O’Connor (1916-1974); [3] Kathleen O’Connor (1917-2018) [4] Michael O’Connor (b. 1919); [5] Patrick O’Connor (b. 1921); [6] Margaret O’Connor (b. 1923); [7] Mary O’Connor (b. 1925); [8] Edward O’Connor (b. 1927); [9] Luke O’Connor (b. 1929) and [10] Stephen O’Connor (b. 1931). Further information on the Maddock family, and a copy of a 1907 photo of Bridget O’Connor née Maddock and her family may be found on our post of 21 February 2021.
Kathleen attended the old Ballyfacey National School. When it came time for secondary school she attended the Holy Faith in New Ross and cycled the 13 km from her home every day. Kathleen then went on to study nursing at the County and City Infirmary in Waterford. She moved to England and took a job at a boys’ boarding school in Nanwich, Cheshire before moving to London. Kathleen was in London during World War II and in her work nursed soldiers and civilians who were traumatised and injured during the war and the bombing of London. In our previous blog of 27 March 2021, we highlighted another Glenmore native who trained as a nurse at this time and the hard training regime for nurses prior to World War II.
In 1947 Kathleen married Phil Hoynes (c. 1918-1990) of Ballybrahee, Glenmore and the couple had ten children: [1] Michael Hounes; [2] Mary Hoynes; [3] Bridget Hounes; [4] Anna Hoynes; [5] Gerard Hoynes; [6] Margaret Hoynes; [7] John Hoynes; [8] Carmel Hoynes; [9] Paddy Hoynes; and [10] Rita Hoynes.
A woman of a deep and abiding faith, it was said that no matter how busy she was at home or on the farm Kathleen always attended Mass in Glenmore every morning. In 2014 Kathleen was awarded the Bene Merenti Medal for her committed service to the Church and parish. It was stated that she took the shocks of life in her stride and “embraced every day with great positivity and purpose.” She drove an automobile well into her nineties and attributed her longevity to eating porridge every morning and before bed every night. Kathleen’s last two years were spent at the Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Joseph’s Nursing home in Ferrybank. Kathleen died on 12 August 2018 six weeks shy of her 101st birthday (New Ross Standard, 4 Sept. 2018, p. 13).
Mary Murphy née Rigby (1832?-1923)
When Kathleen was six years of age, Mrs. Mary Murphy, of Moulerstown, Glenmore died and the New Ross Standard (26 Oct. 1923 p. 8) published the following article:
“A REMARKABLE CENTENARIAN. The death took place at Glenmore during the week of Mrs. Mary Murphy at the great age of 102 years. An instance of her remarkable health was that she was able to walk to Mass up to a short time ago, and was moving about up to a few days before her death. Her recollections of the stirring events of the past 100 years were most interesting. Her varied accounts of the famine of ’48 and ’49 would make interesting reading. She was a young woman then and saw many cases of death from slow starvation; it was a common thing for people to supplement their dole of Indian-meal with cabbage and nettles in order to procure a full meal, and she witnessed men employed in the public works then organised, leaving their homes in the mornings with only a pint of thin gruel for their dinner, the gruel being generally boiled in a large pot at some particular farmstead, the meal and pot being supplied by the authorities. There were no National schools then; the master taught his little class in an old house, or beside a hedge; no trains, no motors or bikes, much less flying machines. She knew men having to go to Dublin to walk the journey to and back because of not having the money to avail of the mail coaches. In her young days when tea was as rare as ten shilling gold pieces are now, the family able to procure a pound of it at Christmas were considered well off people. She was held in great respect and the funeral was largely attended by the people of the village and district.”
Unfortunately, the article did not provide Mary Murphy’s maiden name. The only older Mary Murphy found in the Glenmore 1911 Census was Mary Murphy, of Moulerstown. Her age is listed as 80 and she resided with her husband Patrick Murphy aged 76. The 1911 Census provides that the couple were married for 42 years and that two children were born to the marriage and both were living in 1911. A marriage record dated 30 September 1869 was found in the Glenmore parish records for Patrick Murphy (widower) of Ballynooney East and Mary Ribby (sic) of Moulerstown. Patrick was the son of James Murphy (farm labouorer) and Mary was the daughter of Laurence Rigby (deceased farm labourer).
The 1901 Census provides that Patrick Murphy was aged 67; his wife Mary was 69 and his deaf and blind sister-in-law Alice Ribby (sic) was aged 66. Alice Rigby died on 10 August 1901 at the age of 67. Her sister Mary Murphy was present when she died at Moulerstown. Baptismal records were found for Ally Ribby (baptized 7 July 1835, at Ballavorea, Glenmore) and John Ribby (baptized 3 August 1828) the children of Laurence Ribby and his wife Bridget Rigby née Millea. If Ally is Alice Rigby and she was born in 1835 her sister Mary Murphy née Rigby should have been born about 1832. A baptismal record was located for a Mary baptized at Glenmore on the 7th of March 1832 to Laurence Rilly (sic) and Bridget Blea (sic), the townland of residence was recorded as “B.vooling”. Another name for Moulerstown was Ballyvoulera. Based upon the two census records and the parish records it appears that Mary Murphy née Rigby was born in 1832, and thus was 91 years of age when she died in 1923.
[Update: Thanks to Patty Lee Brown who located the marriage record for Laurence Ribby (sic) and Bridget Mallay (sic) in Kilmacow dated 16 April 1809. Both parties provided addresses as Clume. Patty Lee also sent the names and baptismal dates for four more of Mary’s brothers: James Rigby bapt. 11 May 1815 at “Nowlerstown,” Glenmore; Thomas Rigby (bapt. 28 Dec. 1817); Michael Rigby, (bapt. 30 July 1819); George Rigby (bapt. 22 Dec. 1821). Thus there were at least 7 children born to Laurence Rigby and his wife Bridget Rigby née Millea.]
Mary’s husband Patrick Murphy died 5 April 1912 at the age of 74 in Glenmore. His daughter Bridget Jones was present at his death. Baptismal records for the two children of Patrick Murphy and Mary Murphy née Rigby were found. Bridget Murphy was baptized at Glenmore on 20 June 1870 and John Murphy was born on 12 April 1872 and baptized at Glenmore on the following day. John Murphy (b. 1872) married Bridget Walsh at Rosbercon on 13 February 1901. At the time of his marriage John was living in Guilcogh and working as a servant. His bride, was the daughter of Edward Walsh of Ballalog. His sister, Bridget Murphy (b. 1870) married George Jones, of Weatherstown on 16 August 1894 at Glenmore. For further information concerning the Jones family see our previous blog of 21 April 2021 highlighting two of their grandsons Pakie and Seamus Jones.
Thus, it appears that to date only one Glenmore native has been identified who lived to be 100 years of age. Notwithstanding the error concerning Mary Murphy’s age when she died in 1923, the lives of Mary and Kathleen overlapped by 6 years. They came from the same side of the Parish and between them they lived in three centuries and witnessed the Great Famine, the Easter Rising, the Irish War of Independence, the founding of the Republic, two World Wars, man walking on the moon, and 9/11 etc.
If anyone knows of any other Glenmore native, in addition to Kathleen Hoynes née O’Connor, who reached the 100 year milestone please send the information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Please send any corrections, further information, photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Special thanks to Michael Hoynes for all the information on the Hoynes and Maddock familes.
[Update 9 Oct. 2021–thanks to Martin Forristal we have received another contender for centenarian status was Catherine Forristal née Doherty. The family headstone was erected by her grandson, Thomas Forristal (c. 1846-1925). Thomas had recorded that his grandmother Catherine died aged 100 on the 2th of July 1875. A death cert was located for Catherine Forristal, widow, who died on 4 August 1875 at Ballyverneen, Glenmore at the age of 102. Mary Forristal was present at her death. To verify the correct age a search was made of the parish records. We were able to verify that Catherine Doherty, of Forristalstown, married Patrick Forstal (sic) of Ballyverin (sic) on 1 March 1808. No baptismal record could be found for a Catherine Doherty baptised between 1770 and 1780. We did locate a baptismal record for Catherine Doherty (bapt. 13 January 1781) of Forristalstown, the daughter of Thomas Doherty and Madge Murphy. We also searched for the children of Patrick Forristal and his wife Catherine Forristal née Doherty and found 5 baptismal records: [1] Thomas Forristal (bapt. 3 Sept. 1809) at Ballyverneen; [2] Patrick Forristal (bapt. 4 March 1814) at Bearstown; [3] Thomas Forristal (bapt. 23 Dec. 1815) at Bearstown; [4] James Forristal (bapt. 25 Sept. 1818) at Bearstown and [5] William Forristal (bapt. 6 April 1822) No residence recorded. From the information we have been able to glean from the parish records it appears that Catherine Forristal née Doherty was born in 1781 and when she died in 1875 she was 94.5 years of age. A very elderly age for that time.]
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Mullinahone, Glenmore to the Somme & Back: Patrick Condon (1898-1989) [UPDATED]
In a previous blog we highlighted some of “the firsts” Danny Dowling recorded regarding Glenmore inhabitants. For example, John Condon was the first person in Glenmore to own a bicycle and it was a penny farthing. Recently, Frank Condon made contact and shared information concerning his father Patrick Condon and his grandfather John Condon. Today, we are going to highlight the Condon family of Mullinahone, Glenmore and particularly Patrick Condon (1898-1989) who served in the Somme during the First World War. This family is an interesting example of how a family name appeared and disappeared from Glenmore in just one generation.
John Condon (1859-1934)
According to the information provided by Frank, John Condon (1859-1934) left his home in Mitchelstown, County Cork, to pursue “the rambling trade as a journeyman tailor.” This is how he found himself in the little village of Glenmore. “Just a bit down the lane from the village was the home of the master tailor Mr. Malone. Malone’s business was thriving and so he was glad to employ another experienced tailor. Here John Condon settled down in that Malone home doing business in that cottage in Mullinahone. The young Miss Margaret Malone…was pleased with her father’s new tailor. In the passage of time Margaret Malone and John Condon fell in love and married. In time their family consisted of six girls and three boys.”
A review of the Glenmore parish records revealed that John Condon married Margaret Malone on 10 February 1881. The father of the bride was Philip Malone (tailor) and the father of the groom was David Condon (deceased tailor). The bride, Margaret Malone, was baptized at Glenmore on 13 April 1857, the daughter of Philip Malone and his wife Bridget Malone née Grace, of Mullinahone. Philip Malone and Bridget Grace were married on 25 April 1844 at Slieverue, both parties resided in Mullinahone. Four siblings of Margaret Condon née Malone (1857-1913) were found in the records [1] Mary Malone (bapt. 14 Mar. 1845); [2] Patrick Malone (bapt. 2 Mar. 1847); [3] William Malone (bapt. 7 May 1850); and [4] Johanna Malone (b. 6 Mar. 1860). Based upon the information provided on the headstone in Glenmore cemetery John Condon was born about 1859, and a baptismal record was found for John Condon (bapt. 1 Jan. 1859) the son of David Condon and Mary O’Brien, of Furrow, Mitchelstown, County Cork.
Ten birth records for the children of John Condon (1859-1934) and Margaret Condon née Malone (1857-1912) were located: [1] Mary Condon (b. 19 Mar. 1882); [2] David Condon (b. 6 Nov. 1883); [3] William Condon (b. 5 Nov. 1885); [4] Bridget Condon (b. 1 Aug. 1887); [5] Ellen Condon (b. 3 Oct. 1889); [6] Edmund Condon (b. 17 Oct. 1891); [7] Johanna Condon (b. 14 March 1894); [8] Margaret Condon (b. 18 May 1896); [9] Patrick Condon (b. 13th May 1898); [10] Catherine Condon (b. 4 June 1900). It is believed that the eldest two children of the family died prior to 1901. Mary and David could not be located in the 1901 Census and in the 1911 Census it was reported that 10 children were born to the marriage, but only 8 were alive in 1911. In 1901 two elderly lodgers: Patrick Byrne (65) a farm labourer and Mary Washington (70) a domestic servant were residing with the family. By 1911 only the three youngest children were living at home: Margaret (15); Patrick (13); and Katie (11). The death registry provides that Margaret Condon née Malone died on the 16th of December 1912 of TB.
Private Patrick Condon (1898-1989)
Patrick Condon was the youngest son of the family and worked at the Glenmore creamery in his youth. Frank reported that a local constable by the name of Halpin encouraged his father to “take the English shilling. Four months later my father found himself in a muddy, water filled trench in Flanders.” According to Frank his father was involved in communication. “He was a top class signaller in ‘Aldis Lantern,’ wireless and semaphore signalling which was accomplished with flags. However, by 1916 semaphore signalling fell out of use on battlefields. For an interesting article on W.W. 1 communications see, “Innovating in Combat: Telecommunications and Intellectual Property in the First World War.”
According to the British National Army Museum records, Patrick Condon enlisted at New Ross on 21 March 1916 with the Royal Munster Fusiliers. His place of birth is listed as Glenmore, New Ross, Kilkenny and he listed his father, John Condon, Mullinahone, Glenmore, Kilkenny as his next of kin. His army service number was 7211530. The World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards states that Patrick Condon entered the “theatre of War” 19 December 1915.
When Patrick was discharged his address was still Glenmore and his character on discharge was recorded as “exemplary.” In his 1989 obituary it is noted that his only legacy from his active service in the Battle of the Somme where half a million British soldiers died, and from the battle of Ypres was a foot swelling problem known as “French feet” (trench foot). (New Ross Standard, 21 Dec. 1989, p. 6). While searching contemporary newspapers an article was located entitled “The Munsters in the Retreat from St. Quentin, 27 March 1918.” It is not known if Patrick was involved in this event, but in this harrowing account the Munster Fusiliers were trapped 9 miles behind enemy lines and fought their way toward the safety of the British trenches. In order to reach the British lines they had to cross the Somme on a bridge, between Chipilly and Céristy, held by the Germans. Under the cover of darkness they observed the bridge and overheard the password used by the German sentries. The Munsters boldly marched in formation up to the bridge where a German sentry halted them and demanded the password. The Munster adjunct who could speak a little German called out the password. The Munsters then stormed the bridge and crossed before the surprised Germans could regroup (The Sphere, Sat. 16 November 1918).
According to Frank, at the conclusion of the war Patrick’s regiment was transferred to Palestine. While in Palestine Patrick was able to complete his secondary education. In 1922 with the establishment of the Free State the Irish Royal Regiments such as the Dublin and Munster Fusiliers were disbanded. Patrick returned to Ireland and joined the Free State Irish Army. According to the British National Army Museum, it is estimated that half of the Irish National Army, formed in 1923, were former members of the Munsters.
Frank revealed that his father was much perturbed when he discovered that he had to buy his own boots. He resigned his enlistment with the Irish Free State army after an incident when a sentry nearly shot him when he went to relieve the sentry. Frank noted that at this time the electrification of Ireland was underway. His father secured a job building the massive pylons for the cables. Ironically Patrick found that he was employed by a German company that got the contract to erect the pylons.
Civilian Patrick Condon (1898-1989)
On 31 October 1927 Patrick Condon, (labourer) of Glenmore married Johanna Henneberry, of Michael Street, New Ross. Patrick Henneberry was the father of the bride and Elizabeth Henneberry was one of the witnesses.
In 1985 the following article was published in the New Ross Standard (Fri. 1 Nov. 1985, p. 9) regarding Patrick Condon and his bride–
“58 years married—One of New Ross’s oldest couples, Patrick and Annie Condon, Bullawn, will celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary on Thursday (today). Married in the Parish Church, New Ross, on 31st of October 1927, Thursday will also mark a further anniversary for Annie Condon (nee Henneberry), for she will be 88 years old. A retired milk roundsman who worked with Sutton’s Dairy Company, Patrick Condon is a native of Glenmore, while his wife is from Michael St., New Ross. Both are the last surviving members of their families.”
Patrick Condon died on 16 December 1989 at the age of 92. He was survived by his wife and the following children: John Condon, of New Ross; Frank Condon of Sheffield; Bill Condon of Swindon; Noel Condon of London and Anne Foley née Condon of Knockmullen, New Ross. Patrick was the last surviving member of his family. The obituary that was published in the New Ross Standard may be found on our obituary page.
Patrick Condon’s Siblings
It proved difficult to find information on the siblings of Patrick Condon. Thanks to the information provided by Frank we know that William Condon is buried in Carrick-on-Suir. During the early years of the twentieth century William Condon played on the Glenmore Junior Football team and a William Condon was located in the Waterford City Census, living in the Glen, aged 24, single, born in Kilkenny.
There in only one headstone in the Glenmore cemetery bearing the name Condon and it was erected by Margaret Condon and it contains references to her parents as well as her sister Kate. Catherine “Kate” Condon (1900-1971) married Patrick Walsh (1899-1965) at Glenmore on 13th August 1929. The groom was the son of William Walsh (labourer) of Glenmore. We believe that Patrick was born on 31 October 1899 the son of William Walsh (labourer) and Katie Walsh née Aylward of Robinstown, Glenmore. Lastly, Johanna Condon lived and worked for James and Hannah Culleton of Kilbride, Glenmore (1911 Census).
[Update 9 Oct. 2021: In a previous update a helpful reader believed that Mary Reddy née Walsh, known as Mary Walsh of the Chapel, the Glenmore sacristan, was a daughter of Patrick Walsh and Kate Condon. Frank Condon contacted us and said that Kitty Walsh was the neice of Paddy Walsh and Kate Walsh née Condon. Paddy Walsh and his wife Kate Walsh née Condon had no children. Their niece Kitty Walsh married Watty Murphy.]
Special thanks to Frank Condon who shared information concerning his father and grandfather. Please send any corrections, additional information, or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The photo of the Royal Munster Fusilier’s cap badge is courtesy of the © National Army Museum, Army gallery available at https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1970-12-236-10.
The drawing of the Munsters storming the bridge over the Somme was by D. MacPherson (The Sphere, Sat. 16 November 1918).
UPDATED 28 Oct. 2021, Special thanks to Frank Condon who sent the photos of his parents, the photo of himself and brothers in uniform and Kitty Murphy née Walsh, as well as photos of the members of the New Ross Condon line. Unfortunately due to space limitations we are only able to publish a few here, but hope to share the others in future posts.
19th Century Glenmore Inquests
The civil registration of births, marriages and deaths began in 1864. Non-Catholic marriages were registered from 1845. It is often stated that in the early years of civil registration 15% of births were not registered. There are numerous cases reported in newspapers where fathers were fined 5 shillings for failing to register their child’s birth within the prescribed three months. It is not known how many deaths went unreported in the early years of registration. However, with the required reporting of deaths there was also an increase in the number of inquests reported in local newspapers. Today, we are going to highlight three 1866 Glenmore inquests as reported in the Kilkenny Moderator. In addition to the family research value these short articles provide details of ordinary life, customs and the state of medical knowledge and treatment 155 years ago.
In early January 1866 an inquest was reported in the Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 6 January 1866, p. 3) concerning the death of a man who fell into the fire. Although the article incorrectly identifies Rochestown as being in the Barony of Galmoy, there is little doubt that the death was of a local man. Death as a result of falling into the fire was a common cause of death of small children and the infirm. “Thomas Haberlan, 24 years old, and unmarried, son of the smith there resident. It appeared this young man was of weak intellect and subject to epileptic fits. On the morning of New Year’s day, his father and family went to prayers at Glanmore (sic) chapel, leaving him alone in the house; but on their return they found the unfortunate creature extensively burned and almost in a dying state. He lingered on to the evening, and then expired. It would seem that he had been taken with a fit in the absence of the family, and had fallen on the fire. The jury found a verdict of “accidental death, “and it was considered no blame attached to the family. There was usually a premonitory warning of the coming on of the fits, and in such case a person had always been left to mind the deceased; but on this occasion nothing unusual had been observed previous to leaving him in the house.”
There were two Thomas Haberlin’s born in Glenmore about 1841. Through later marriage records we believe that the deceased, [1] Thomas Haberlan was baptised on 7 January 1840 at Aylwardstown. He was the eldest child of Thomas Haberlan and his wife, Ellen Gorman. His parents were married at Slieverue on the 19th of January 1839. At the time his father was married his father was living at Carrickanurra, Slieverue. This Thomas Haberlan had six siblings and three of his brothers were given the same name: [2] Edmund Haberlan (bapt. 15 April 1841); [3] Patrick Haberlan (bapt. 6 July 1843); [4] Catherine (bapt. 24 Sept. 1844); [5] Patrick Haberlan (21 January 1847); [6] John Haberlan (bapt. 15 Oct. 1847); [7] Patrick Haberlan (bapt. 20 June 1855). It is not known when Thomas Haberlan, Sr. died but Edmund’s marriage provides details concerning his profession. Edmund Haberlan (bapt. 1841) married Ellen Kehoe, of Aylwardstown on the 18th of April 1873. Ellen was the daughter of Thomas Kehoe (farmer) and Edmund was a blacksmith and the son of Thomas Haberlan (blacksmith). It was reported that both fathers were deceased in 1873. For further information on another contemporary blacksmith Haberlan/Haberlin, Rochestown family see our post of 24 June 2021.
The second inquest involved the sudden death of a previously healthy man. In May 1866, T. Izod, Esq, County Coroner, conducted an inquest at Kilbride, Glanmore (sic), on the body of William Donovan, “a labourer in the employment of a farmer of the locality, Mr. William Fitzgerald, of Wetherstown (sic), who died suddenly on the previous Sunday evening. James Donovan gave evidence as to having met the deceased on the evening in question, after supper, and walked along with him for about half an hour, in company with two other persons. The deceased, who was about 37 years old, seemed in perfect health at the time, and went up the hills, and down, without showing the slightest distress of any kind; when suddenly be caught the witness’s hand, crying out. “Oh! James,” and immediately fell down on the road. His breathing became of a snorting character, and in three or four minutes he expired. Nothing whatever had occurred, apparently, to cause the man’s death. Had not seen him eat his supper, but he did not seem to have taken anything that disagreed with him. John Walsh deposed as to having been present when the deceased took his supper that evening, and he and the rest of the family partook of the same food, which did them no injury. Both before and after supper the man appeared in excellent health and spirits. He was an unmarried man. Some other witnesses were examined, without the eliciting of any other fact of importance to the case; and the jury ultimately found a verdict of ‘Death from natural causes’” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 12 May 1866, p. 3.)
It is believed that the deceased William Donovan was baptized at Glenmore on 6 June 1824, the son of John Donovan and Mary Donovan née Norris of Ballyveria, Glenmore. His brother James Donovan was baptised on 8 March 1832. Other siblings included: Mary Donovan (bapt. 8 March 1818; John Donovan (bapt. 23 June 1819); Mary Donovan (bapt. 14 June 1826) and Honor Donovan (bapt. 9 Mar. 1834).
Lastly, late in 1866, Thomas Izod, the County Coroner, was back in Glenmore to conduct an inquest into the death of Patrick Murphy, a farm labourer residing in Parkstown, Glenmore. It was reported that the 24-year-old went to the fair of Waterford on the 1st of November. “When returning, he was riding a young horse, which was very free; and while trotting pretty smartly, the bridle broke, and he fell backwards and was thrown heavily upon the road. Assistance having been procured, he was taken up, when it was found his spine had received serious injury. He was carried home to Parkstown where he lingered on to Monday the 5th, when he expired. An inquest was held at Glanmore (sic), on Wednesday last, by Thomas Izod, Esq., County Coroner, when these fact were given in evidence; and in addition Doctor Hendrick, medical officer, of Kilmackevogue Dispensary, stated that he had been in attendance on the deceased, and that death had resulted from concussion on the spine, causing paralysis, from the effects of which he died. The jury found a verdict suitable to the facts” (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 14 Nov. 1866, p. 3). Unfortunately Patrick Murphy is a very common name and without any further details it was difficult to determine which of the multiple candidates might be the correct Patrick Murphy. Interestingly this inquest was the most reported of the three as it was also reported in all the Waterford City newspapers perhaps due to the fact he was returning from the Waterford fair.
If any readers can identify Patrick Murphy or provide further information or corrections concerning the three deceased men or their families please email glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh