Biographies
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John Aylward (1870-1929) Native of Rochestown, Glenmore
[updated]
The families of Glenmore, like so many other families in agricultural parishes across Ireland watched their young people leave to seek opportunities elsewhere. Families tended to be large, and farms could generally only support one family. Often the eldest son was earmarked for the family farm and his siblings left. Sometimes the young people went across oceans to settle in Australia, Canada or the US. Many went to England and some sought their livings in New Ross and Waterford. Today, we are going to feature John Aylward (1870-1929) a native of Rochestown, Glenmore who went to Waterford to learn the grocery trade and became a successful businessman. Notwithstanding his success in business his love of the land appears to have remained with him. He purchased a farm five miles outside of Waterford City, in Kilcop, Woodstown, Co. Waterford.
Rochestown, Glenmore
John Aylward was born on the 16th of February 1870 to James Aylward (farmer) Rochestown and Mary Aylward née Aylward. John’s parents were married at Ballyknock, Rosbercon on the 12th of February 1857. As highlighted in our previous post of 24 January 2022, Mary Aylward née Aylward was a cousin of Edward Walsh (1862-1946) the proprietor of the Munster Express.
John Aylward and his wife, Mary Aylward née Aylward, had at least 11 children including: (1) Patrick Aylward (1858-1928) of Kill; (2) Ellen Aylward (b. 1859); (3) Tobias Aylward (b. 1860); (4) Catherine Aylward (b. 1862); (5) John Aylward (c. 1863/1864); (6) Thomas Aylward (b. 1865); (7) Bridget Aylward (b. 1867); (8) James Aylward (b. 1868); (9) John Aylward (1870-1929) of No. 1 Arundel Square, Waterford; (9) James Aylward (b. 1872); (10) Rev. Michael Aylward (b. 1874)(Christian Bros. Australia) and (11) Bartholomew Aylward (1876-1929) of Michael St. Waterford. As often happened in large families if a child died a younger sibling was often given the name of the deceased sibling.
The Aylward farm where James and Mary Aylward raised their family in Rochestown, Glenmore is presently owned by Paul Harney and his wife Ann Marie (née Doherty). Paul’s mother was Nellie Aylward (c. 1934-2011), the granddaughter of James Aylward (1872-1959). Nellie married Michael Harney (c. 1924-1996) of Co. Waterford. Interestingly Michael Harney had Glenmore roots prior to his marriage as he was the grandson of one of the Hoynes of Glenmore.
Aylward’s of the Square
John Aylward (1870-1929) moved to Waterford City about 1889 as apprentice to the grocery trade with the late Mr. Philip Murphy (Irish Examiner, Fri. 1 March 1929, p. 13.) About five years later his brother Bartholomew (1876-1929) also moved to Waterford as an apprentice to the grocery trade, but he went to James Knox (c. 1836-1904) of 1 Arundel Square to learn the trade. After the apprenticeship period the brothers purchased premises at Peter St. and opened a business there. The 1901 Census records John (29) and Bartholomew (23) living at No. 1 Peter St., Waterford. Also in the household was Mary Wyse (53) a widow who was their domestic servant. John was a grocer & publican while Bartholomew was a grocer’s assistant. The building was listed as a “public house” and the three occupants occupied 2 of the 5 rooms. Later, John Aylward took over the Knox Arundel Square premises and Bartholomew went into business by himself on Michael Street (Munster Express, Fri. 19 April 1929, p. 8).
On the 30th of April 1901 John Aylward (shopkeeper) married Margaret Raftice (1877-1922) (shop assistant) at St. Patrick’s Church, Waterford City. The bride was the daughter of Nicholas Raftice and his wife Joanna Fitzpatrick. Margaret Aylward née Raftice was born on the 25 April 1877 at Thomastown. Her father Nicholas was a cooper when she was born, but the marriage record reflects that he was a farmer. In the 1901 Census Margaret Raftice was 23 years of age, a confectioner, and a visitor in William Fitzpatrick’s public house, No. 10 Black Friar’s. It is assumed that William Fitzpatrick was Margaret’s uncle. William Fitzpatric was 58, a grocer and spirits trader and was born in Kilkenny.
At least 14 children were born to John and Margaret Aylward (per the obituary of their son James (Munster Express, 28 Dec. 1990, p. 8). The known children include: (1) Nicholas Aylward (1904-1964) born at 2 Peter St., Waterford City; (2) Mary Josephine “Mai” Aylward (b. 1905); (3) James Joseph Aylward (b. 1902); (3) Johanna Aylward (b. 1906); (4) James Aylward (b. 1907); (5) Michael Aylward (b. 1908); (6) Ellen Aylward (b. 1909); (7) Margaret Mary Aylward (b. 1911); (8) Catherine (b. 1912) born at Kilcop, parish of Killea, Waterford; (9) Brigid Aylward (1914-1922) born and died at Kilcop; (10) John Aylward; (11) Bernard Aylward; (c. 1916); (12) Bartholomew Aylward (c. 1919 -1939) and (13) Teresa Aylward. Unfortunately, Irish birth records after 1917 are not available to the public. However, from the births of John & Margaret’s children we know that John acquired 1 Arundel Square about 1905 and Kilcop House & farm about 1912.
James Knox (c. 1836-1904) of 1 Arundel Square was a native of Ullid, Kilmacow, Kilkenny. He moved to Waterford City and became a grocer and tea, wine and spirits merchant. Knox was an alderman and became mayor of Waterford in 1897. Thanks to the advertised public sale of the Knox business we have details concerning John Aylward’s business commencing. The following details are from the Munster Express (3 Sept. 1904, p. 5) “No. 1 Arundel Square, Waterford Re: Alderman James Knox, Deceased. Executor’s Sale of Valuable 7 day Licensed Premises; Highly Important to Grocers, Tea, Wine and Spirit Merchants. Lease, 115 years; rent £19 10 s License £11.
To be sold by public auction as a going concern, on the premises on Tuesday 20th Sept. 1904 at 12 o’clock by the direction of the Executors of the late Alderman James Knox. The valuable leasehold interest and good will (with the benefit of the fillings which deceased held for many years from John Jameson and Sons, Ltd) and extensive business concerns at present in full working order, and doing a most lucrative trade, known as No. 1, Arundel Square, Waterford.
The shop is double-fronted, fitted with plate glass windows, new counters, shelves, drawers, and gas; front and side entrances; bottling room, store, etc.; hall and staircase, breakfast room and dining room, drawing room, 3 bedrooms, attic, kitchen, yard and w.c. All held under Lease from the Waterford Corporation for an unexpired term of 115 years, at the nominal rent of £19 10s. per annum; License £11.
The premises are situated in the centre of the city, close to Barronstrand street, and command a large proportion of the City of Waterford and Co. Kilkenny trade. The shop is admirably fitted with every accommodation for the carrying on a first-class wholesale wine, whiskey and Family Grocer’s Business. The entire premises are complete and in perfect order, not requiring one penny outlay. The attention of intending purchasers of licensed property is invited to this sale, as no better house, situation, and nominal rent has been offered in Waterford for many years. Immediate possession will be given. Immediately after will be sold the Stock-in-Trade of tea, sugar, fruit, sauces and miscellaneous items appertaining to the trade. Whiskey barrels, glasses, measures, pump, scales, weights, tea bins and canisters, Iron safe, truck, forms, chairs, tables and some few articles of furniture. P.A. Murphy solicitor and Thomas Walsh & Son, Auctioneers.”
The 1911 Census reveals that John was 40 and Maggie was 33. The couple had 6 children under the age of 8. Also present in the household were three young men (grocer assistant and 2 grocer apprentices); and two young women (a cook and nurse maid). The premises were listed as No. 1 & 2 of Arundel Square. It was a first class house and the 13 members of the household occupied 9 rooms.
1922
Sometime around 1912 John Aylward bought Kilcop House and farm although No. 1 Arundel Square appears to have remained the official address of the family. On the 5th of February 1922 his daughter Brigid Aylward died. Although the newspapers extended sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. John Aylward, Arundel Square on the death of their 8 year old daughter in the flu epidemic, the death certificate reveals that Brigid died at Kilcop. The child died of bronchial pneumonia which may have been a complication of the flu. Her mother Margaret was present when she died (Munster Express, 11 Feb. 1922).
Just 7 months later Margaret Aylward née Raftice died on the 7th of September 1922 at Kilcop. Margaret was only 44 years of age. The death registry records that she died of TB. Margaret’s obituary notes that she “belonged to good old South Kilkenny stock,” (Munster Express, Sat. 16 Sept. 1922, p. 4). Before the end of the month John placed the Kilcop property for sale. The advertisement for the sale in the Waterford News & Star (Fri. 22 Sept. 1922, p. 3) reflects details of the property as well as John’s apparent wealth.
“Kilcop Lower—within 5 miles of Waterford and 1 mile of Woodstown Strand
Mr. John Aylward (owing to a recent family bereavement has instructed us to sell by public auction, on the lands, on Tuesday, 26th September 1922, at 12 o’clock, the interest in his valuable holding at Kilcop Lower containing 44a. 24r. 0p., S.M. of prime grass and tillage land, on which is erected a first class two storeyed dwellinghouse. It contains entrance hall, dining room fitted with ornamental mantelpiece, drawing room with white marble mantelpiece, stair case, 6 bedrooms, 2 servants’ rooms, kitchen with Stanley range, scullery, pantry, store room, fruit and vegetable garden. FARMYARD—stables, lofted; coach house, barn, dairy, boiler house, cow and cattle houses, slated and in good repair. All held in fee simple subject to an annuity of £18 11s. 2d. payable to the Irish Land Commission; also a Tithe Rent Charge of £1 11s. 4d. per annum. Poor law valuation, £40 3s. 0d. The Crops: about 5 ½ acres potatoes, turnips mangolds and cabbage will be included in the sale of the lands. This is a most compact holding, highly manured, well fenced and watered. Immediately after will be sold: 3 dairy cows, 5 calves, 2 goats, quantity of poultry, bay gelding, 5 years, trained to all work. Bay Mare, 4 years, most promising, trained to all work; two handsome ponies, 3 and one year old. Crops—Rick 2nd crop hay, about 7 tons; 8 large stacks of oats. Farm Implements—sociable trap and harness, saddle and bridle, training gear, trap cart with sideboards (equal to new), spare wheels, 2 sets of tackling, back straps and chains, plough, scuffler, the Victor Mower and reaper, spring and double harrows, stone roller, chaff cutter, turnip cutter, wheelbarrow, set of creels, large metal pot, 2 pig trough tubs, larch posts, crosscut saw, hammers. Stable requisites, dairy utensils, churn, pans, tins, galvanised iron tank to hold 150 gallons, ladders, etc. Household Furniture: 6 Mahogany chairs in hair cloth, lounge, dining table, side table press, brass fender, c? vase overmantel, oilcloth, oil painting ship “Drumeraig” off the harbour, metal umbrella stand, side table, oilcloth, lamps, 6 double and single iron bedsteads, spring palliasses, hair mattresses, 2 feather beds, chairs, wardrobes, chest of drawers, window hangings and poles, kitchen tables, chairs etc. Immediate and clear possession together with the root crops now growing on the land will be given to the purchaser. For further particulars apply to P. R. Buggy, Solicitor, O’Connell St., Waterford or to Thomas Walsh & Son, Auctioneers and Valuers, The Mall, Waterford.”
1929
After Margaret’s death John did not remarry and the family lived above the business at 1 Arundel Square. In November 1928 his brother Patrick died in Kill, Co. Waterford (Irish Examiner, Tues. 27, Nov. 1928, p. 8). On the 28th of February 1929, at the age of 59 John died from pancreatic cancer. His brother, Bartholomew Aylward died on the 12th of April at his residence, Michael Street (Munster Express, Fri. 19 April 1929, p. 8). The death register records his cause of death as stomach cancer. Thus within 5 months three of the Aylward brothers raised in Rochestown, Glenmore died in 1929.
In a future post we will reveal what happened to the children of John and Margaret Aylward of No. 1 Arundel Square, Waterford.
For posts concerning other Glenmore men who had grocery, wine and spirit businesses in Waterford see: William Aylward of Parkstown, Glenmore discussed in our post of 21 June 2020, and Nicholas Forristal Phelan (1857-1942) posted on 24 January 2021.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Updated 16 Oct. 2022: The featured photo above is James Aylward (c. 1835-1916) and Mary Alyward née Aylward (c. 1838-1908) of Rochestown, Glenmore. Special thanks to their great-grandson John Aylward for sharing today his family tree and photos.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Mannion Collection Digitalised
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often spoke fondly of his friend John Mannion, and they corresponded for decades concerning local people who worked or emigrated to Newfoundland. Professor Mannion, and his wife Maura, were frequent visitors with Danny and Mollie in Glenmore Village. We are pleased to help spread the word that the work to digitalise Professor’s Mannion’s hand written note cards and records has been completed and can be accessed at www.mannioncollection.cawww . These extensive records will be invaluable to anyone reasearching family that emigrated to Newfoundland. Below is a press release for tomorrow that provides more details concerning the records.
Taoiseach launches invaluable “Mannion Collection” records
PRESS RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 5, 2022
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD was in Cork City Hall today to launch “The Mannion Collection” project, being the digitised version of the very extensive records held by Dr. John Mannion, retired Galway-born Professor of Geography at Memorial University of Newfoundland and his wife and research partner, Maura, reflecting their lifetimes’ work on Irish emigration to, and settlement in Newfoundland.
The project was jointly funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and the Provincial Government of Newfoundland & Labrador and contains almost 160,000 records of individuals and families who migrated from South-East Ireland and settled in Newfoundland, primarily in the years 1765 – 1835.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD officially launched the project in the presence of Patrick Mannion, Cllr. Deirdre Forde, Lord Mayor of Cork and Her Excellency, the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Ms. Nancy Smyth. Waterford City & County Mayor, Cllr. John O’Leary was also in attendance.
An Taoiseach stated:
“I was delighted to be asked to officiate at this launch which expresses the spirit of the second sentence of Article 2 of our Constitution, revised as part of the Good Friday Agreement, that now reads: ‘‘… the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage.”
Moreover, I thoroughly enjoyed the examples of genealogy and that ‘completion of the circle’ of information which this dataset allows. We are seeing names and details and information here that will go a long way in strengthening relations and cultural ties between our two islands, and that can only be a positive thing.”
The digitisation work was carried out by dedicated technical staff at the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency in St. John’s, the NL Government’s central statistics agency. The project was co-managed and led by the Agency and Memorial University’s Dr. Sean Cadigan, with collaboration and support of the NL Irish Connections and Irish Newfoundland Connections groups.
Visiting Ireland for the launch, chairman of cultural body Newfoundland-Labrador Irish Connections, Councillor Ralph Tapper of Torbay, NL stated:
“The value of this record set cannot be underestimated, both from an Irish viewpoint and from a Newfoundland one … these are records from pre-Famine times that simply don’t exist elsewhere and are now available for researchers at home and abroad to fill in the gaps in their family history.”
The website holds extensive information on the largest single migration from a small confined geographical area – that of Southeast Ireland – to another small confined geographical area in Newfoundland.
The Cork launch was hosted by Waterford based group Ireland-Newfoundland Connections, who since 2005, along with its Canadian counterpart, Newfoundland and Labrador Irish Connections, has operated annual cultural and social gatherings in both places, alternating between South-East Ireland and the Irish heritage areas of Newfoundland, with over 60 communities in Ireland and 40 in Newfoundland and over 1,000 participants taking part so far.
The official launch of the project sees all these records available for the first time on a free to access on-line portal, now available at the URLwww.mannioncollection.cawww
Special thanks to Richard Corcelli for sending this press release to us. The featured emigration drawing above is by Henry Doyle (1868) courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Wallsh
Queen of the Plough 1958: Peggy Mullally (c. 1932-1997) of Davidstown, Glenmore
The Glenmore Ploughing Association was established in 1938. For further information see our previous post of 7 March 2021. Within a couple of decades Glenmore was well represented in ploughing competitions. The Irish Press noted in 1960 that one Glenmore farm produced four plough champions who won every competition at local, county and national levels in recent years under the National Ploughing Association rules (Sat. 2 April 1960, p. 4). This farm was the Mullally Farm of Davidstown, Glenmore. Today, we are going to feature Peggy Mullally. In 1958, twenty years after the Glenmore Ploughing Association was formed, four years after women were allowed to compete under National Ploughing Association rules, and just two years after taking up ploughing, Peggy won the title “Queen of the Plough.” Peggy was one of 11 children of Thomas Mullally (c. 1897-1951) and Johanna Mullally née Walsh (c. 1898-1983). In addition to her prowess at ploughing Peggy was described as “an excellent horsewoman,” she hunted and jumped and was fond of a game of golf (Irish Press, Wed. 28 Jan. 1959).
Special thanks to Tommy and Essie Mullally for sharing their memories and newspaper clippings. We had a wonderful visit.
National Ploughing Championship 1958
In 1956 Peggy started ploughing. Her brother Tommy confirmed last week that she had no experience of ploughing on the farm. She attended ploughing competitions with her brothers, and subsequently joined in the tractor ploughing competitions. In 1956, Peggy placed 10th in the National Competition. In 1957, at Boyle she secured third place (Irish Press, Wed. 28 Jan. 1959). According to the Irish Press, the title of Queen of the Plough was to be hotly contested in 1958. In 1957 there were joint Queens, Eileen Duffy of Galway and Muriel Sutton of Wickow, but the national newspaper stated that Peggy, “the sister of the holder of the men’s championship” was a strong contender for the 1958 crown (Wed. 12 Feb. 1958, p. 11.)
The 1958 National Ploughing Championship was held on the 12th and 13th of February at Tramore. Just before her class started a stranger gave Peggy a sprig of white heather saying that it would bring her good luck. Peggy wore it throughout the competition. Peggy drove an Allgaire tractor and used a Star plough that was manufactured in Wexford. Peggy won the crown as “Queen of the Plough” at Tramore in 1958, and was presented with a silver crown. At the same time another County Kilkenny woman won “Queen of the Dough.” Mrs. Elizabeth Gorey, the widow of Denis J. Gorey, T.D., Burnchurch House, Cuffesgrange won first prize in the National Wholemeal Bread making Competition. The attack in June 1922 on the Gorey home was featured in our previous blog post on 6 June 2022.
Other successful Kilkenny competitors at Tramore included Peggy’s twin brothers. The Munster Express stated “great credit is also due to the twin brothers, Richard and Thomas Mullally, Glenmore, who secured second place for Kilkenny in the senior two furrow tractor event,” (Fri. 21 Feb. 1958, p. 4). Tommy Mullally recalled last week that there was terrible mud at Tramore in 1958.
Prizes and Appearances
At Tramore Peggy was crowned at a dance held at the conclusion of the championships. The gown that she wore for her cornation was given by Shaws of Waterford and was made of 25 yards of fabric. Unlike previous Queens, Peggy during her reign made several appearances and even travelled internationally. Several newspapers commented on her appearance, and the advertised dowry of £100 for Plough Queens who married during their rein. The only catch was that the dowry was only paid if the Queen had not attained her 25th birthday on the date of the wedding. Peggy wore the silver crown and her gown when she led a parade in March 1958 through the streets of Dublin driving a tractor. A victory dinner dance was organised by the County Kilkenny Ploughing Committee in April. The victory dance was held at the Mayfair Ballroom in Kilkenny city and Peggy was presented with an inscribed clock by the County Ploughing Committee (Kilkenny People, Sat. 26 April 1958, p. 9). The music was rendered by Sean O’Connor and his band from Cork featuring electric organ and violin (Munster Express, Fri. 18 April 1958, p. 4).
At the Spring Show held at the RDS in Ballsbridge in May 1958, the then Minister for Agriculture, Paddy Smith, presented the national ploughing winners with trophies. Peggy was presented with a silver bracelet by ALG Tractors, Ltd., Borris-in-Ossory, Laois, in recognition of her work with an Allgaier tractor (Irish Independent, Fri. 9 May 1958, p. 5).
Although no photo or article could be found regarding Peggy’s appearance in a Cork parade we did locate the following article. “Efforts are being pursued through the initiative of a progressive garage owner at the eastern end of the town to have Peggy Mullally, Kilkenny, “Ireland’s Queen of the Plough” driving in the parade. She will be awarded a £100 dowry if she will marry during the twelve months of winning her title. Perhaps on Wednesday next she will make the acquaintance of a West Cork man and collect her £100 prize” (Southern Star, Sat. 13 Sept. 1958, p. 3).
The Waterford News & Star announced that “The Queen Goes to Germany.” Peggy was leaving to spend “a holiday in Germany.” The trip was sponsored by Porsche Diesel Tractors, Ltd. The article stated that Peggy used a Porsche tractor during the Tramore championships (26 Sept. 1958, p. 6). Peggy left on the 30th of September via Dublin airport and flew into Zurich for a week’s holiday (Irish Press, 1 Oct 1958, p. 6). Both Allgaier and Porsche were German companies. At the end of the Second World War, Porsche Diesel Company was supplying engines to Allgaier for its tractors. Porsche took over the tractor manufacturing in 1957, but ceased production in 1963.
National Ploughing Championship 1959
In January just a few weeks before the 1959 Championships it was announced that Peggy would not defend her crown. In 1959, the Championship was held in Burnchurch, Co. Kilkenny on the 28th and 29th of January. It was announced in Waterford that Peggy only recently returned from a tour of Germany, where she was guest at International ploughing contests and had no time to practice for the Championship” (Irish Press, Wed. 7 Jan. 1959, p. 4). It appears that Peggy after her week long vacation in October returned to Germany to attend International ploughing contests.
In spite of having had little time for training, Peggy competed in 1959 and came in second overall. She also won the prize for the best furrow (Kilkenny People Sat, 7 Feb. 1959, p. 4).
Although Peggy did not win the £100 dowry or meet a West Cork man, she did meet and marry a farmer from the Kilclareen,Templemore, Tipperary, Eugene Laffan and the couple had a daughter. Peggy Laffan née Mullally died in 1997, and her obituary is available on our obituary page under her married name Laffan.
Kilkenny Victory Dinner Dance 1958–(Front left to right, seated) Mick Muldowney, Jo Mullally Prendergast, Seamus Mullally, Queen Peggy, Richie Mullally, Maura Mullally Kelly, James Kelly, ? (Second row of 9: Kathy Vereker, Nola O’Donoghue, Tommy Ryan, Molly Doherty?, Mary Barron, Mary Fitzgerald, johnny Vereker, Tom Cuddihy, Richie Doherty (Third Row) profile Statia Ryan, Mickey Murphy, Mikey Barron, Dick Cody, Paul Fitzgerald (middle of mirror), Paddy Griffin, Jimmy Prendergast, Paddy Culleton, Tom Aylward
Please send additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above of Peggy wearing her crown was taken at her coronation at Tramore and published in the Farmer’s Journal (22 Feb. 1958, p. 25). Murphy Motors of Glenmore sold Allgaier tractors. See our previous post of 27 June 2020 regarding Michael Murphy of Murphy Motors.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Clippings of Glenmore People from the Irish Farmers Journal [Updated]
It is always surprising the type and amount of newspaper clippings and copies of articles that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) collected over the years. Today, we are going to feature five photos that Danny clipped from the Irish Farmers Journal. The photos appeared in the Farmers Journal from 1974 through 1982 and depict Glenmore people attending sales, open days and a ploughing match at Glenmore. The feature photo is Rathinure, Glenmore’s own Johnny Garvey. The only date on the clipping of Johnny’s photo is January 1982. For some of the people depicted we were able to gather further information regarding deaths etc. from headstones. Readers are invited to share further information including native townlands etc.
Above–James Reddy and Ned Kirwan, both of Glenmore, attended the clearance sale at Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny (Farmers Journal, 16 Feb. 1974, p. 18).
Jimmy Reddy ( c. 1927-2011) was from Gaulestown, Glenmore. Jimmy was married to Kitty Hanlon of Newtown, Glenmore. Jimmy was a renowned local story teller. Ned Kirwan was a native of Robinstown, Glenmore (c. 1921-1979) and never married. He tragically died at the age of 58 from a brain tumour.
Above–Neddy Coady, Glenmore; John Mullally , Tullogher, & Willie Crow, Glenmore (Farmers Journal, 8 Feb. 1975, p. 35).
[Update: Two readers have identified the man on the left as Nickie Cody, of Ballywairy, Glenmore. One reader identified the man on the right as Willie Green, of Jamestown, Glenmore.]
It is believed that Neddy Coady was from Ballyreddy, Tullogher and may have been an agricultural contractor.
John Mullally is a native of Ballyeden, Tullogher is married to Margaret Vereker of Ballincrea, Slieverue. Margaret worked in the office of the Glenmore Creamery in the late 1960’s. John in addtion to farming operated an agricultural contracting business. Doesn’t the man over his left shoulder look like comedian John Belushi (1949-1982) of Animal House fame?
Above–Imelda Walsh, Anna Murphy, Dody Murphy, Joan Culleton and Breda Walsh at the Glenmore Macra na Feirme, annual ploughing match at Glenmore (Farmers Journal, Sat. 23 Feb. 1980, p 49).
It is believed that Anna Murphy was from Slieverue and later moved to Carrigcloney, Glenmore after she married Paddy Hoynes a native of Ballybrahee, Glenmore. Dody Murphy was from Tullogher and competed in ploughing.
Above–Present at an open day on Waterford Co-op’s farm, Sean Merrigan and Michael Heffernan of Glenmore (Farmers Journal, 30 Oct. 1982, p. 24).
Sean Merrigan (1930-2012) was a native of Milltown, Glenmore. Sean was married to Margaret (c.1933-1993). We featured the tragic death of Sean’s youngest brother Tony in our previous blog post of 21 May 2020. Michael Heffernan (1916-1988) was a native of Kearney Bay, Glenmore and married Mary Doherty of Davidstown, Glenmore.
With respect to Johnny Garvey he is married Breda Hartley, of Busherstown, Glenmore and in addition to farming he operated an agricultural contracting business. In our previous blog post of 3 October 2021 we featured Johnny’s parents.
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Postmistress: Alice Ryan née Cody (1918-2009) [Updated]
A frustration that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often articulated was that his work was misquoted in newspapers. When we were working on the article regarding the Glenmore post offices in 2019, Danny spoke of how he put together a history of the Glenmore post office for a retirement celebration and two of the newspapers that covered the retirement got the history wrong. He worried that this wrong information published in the newspapers would mislead. This week we are featuring Glenmore Postmistress Alice Ryan née Cody (1918-2009) and the newspapers articles that frustrated Danny.
See our previous article of 24 November 2019 entitled “The Glenmore Post Office Its Rise and Demise” that identifies all four of the Glenmore Post Offices from 1870-2018).
Alice Ryan’s Parents
Alice Ryan née Cody (1918-2009) was the daughter of John Cody (1878-1957) and his wife Alice nee Cody (1874-1957) (Cody Headstone, St. James’ Cemetery, Glenmore). Her parents were married in Glenmore on 18 February 1901. John, the groom, was a labourer and his address was recorded as Glenmore. The bride Alice Coady (sic) was a servant, with an address recorded as Ballyverneen. John the groom, was the son of John Coady (deceased, labourer) and Alice was the daughter of Patrick Coady (deceased, carpenter). The witnesses were Patrick Forristal and Johanna Coady.
According to the Glenmore Parish records Alice Coady née Coady was born on 23 February 1874 at Ballycroney, Glenmore the daughter of Patrick Coady and his wife, Catherine Long. Her husband, John Coady was born on 24 December 1878 at Graiguenakill the son of John Coady (farm labourer) and Catherine Butler.
1901 Census Glenmore
Alice Ryan’s parents, according to the 1901 Census, began their married life living in a 3 room house in Milltown that they rented from Thomas Forrestal. John’s age was recorded as 22 in the 1901 Census while Alice’s age was recorded as 27.
At the time John and Alice Cody were married, John’s widowed mother Catherine Cody (age 45) was living in Glenmore Village (Graiguenakill Townland) with 7 of her children: Maria (age 19); Thomas (age 16); Bridget (age 12); Ellie (age 10); Stasia (age 8); Nicholas (age 4); and Richard (age 3).
Also present in the four room house were six boarders: Laurence Curran, of Co. Carlow (age 30); William Murphy, of Co. Wexford (age 60); John Kiely, of Co. Waterford (age 29); Mike Bearley of Co. Wexford (age 44); Peter Trainor, from Tipperary (age 40) and Richard Burke, from Co. Kilkenny (age 36). All of the boarders were single and worked as navvys (sic) (railway labourers).
Thus, there were 14 people living in this four room house in 1901. The house was in Catherine Cody’s name in the census (no landlord was recorded). Maria Cody (age 19) was working as a farm servant and interestingly Thomas Cody (age 16) was employed as a “post boy.”
1911 Census Glenmore
The 1911 census reveals that John and Alice Cody were residing in Graiguenakill (Glenmore Village) in a three room house with their two children; Pat (age 8) and Kate (age 4). Also present in the home were three of John’s siblings, Nicholas Cody (age 15), Richard Cody (age 13) and Johanna Cody (age 33). Also present is John’s nephew, John Cody (age 4). Thus, in 1911 eight persons were living in the 3 room house that was in John’s name (no landlord was recorded). It is assumed that John’s mother died and he and his family moved to Glenmore Village, however, it is not clear how the house went from 4 rooms in the 1901 census to 3 rooms in 1911.
John and Alice Ryan
According to Danny’s notes Alice Ryan née Cody was born on 30 September 1918. Unfortunately, her birth is just outside the available public records, but it does line up with the information recorded on the Cody headstone. Alice married John Ryan sometime in the mid 1950’s. According to Danny’s notes, John Ryan was born on 7 Sept. 1922 and was employed at Clover Meats. Shortly after John and Alice Ryan were married both of Alice Ryan’s parents died within a few months of each other in 1957. John and Alice Ryan had at least three children Mary Ryan, John Ryan and James Ryan.
Post Mistress
The New Ross Standard (Thursday 3 June 1993, p. 15) published an article in 1993 entitled “Alice was at her Post for Over 40 Years.” Corrections or comments not original to the article are placed in square brackets [ ]. It was noted that Alice spent about twenty of her forty year service in the employment of the Cluskey family, who had been operating the post office from the early days. Alice was the postmistress in her own right and in her own house from 1974. [We know that the second post office was located in Fluskey’s shop. The name Cluskey is obviously a typographical error.]
New Ross Standard
The article provides that Alice received from the people of the parish of Glenmore a beautiful Waterford Crystal table lamp to mark her retirement. It was presented to her by Father Dunphy who thanked her for her service to the community and wished her many years of happy retirement.
“Local historian, Danny Dowling … gave the interesting background to the post office system in Ireland. He referred back to the mid-80’s [this should be the mid 1800’s] when letter writing [by the masses] first began and recalled that no envelope, or stamp was used, but the open letter was conveyed by a courier. He [the courier] was paid by the sender and the charge was in keeping with the length of the letter. The gummed envelope and stamp came into being later, as did the post office, the postmaster/mistress and the postmen. “
“The first post office in Glenmore was run by Robert Fluskey whose son, James, took over in 1929. [The first postmaster in Glenmore was actually a retired RIC Officer named Powell. The first post office was opened around 1870. Robert Fluskey was the second postmaster]. The first postman employed was Edward Kehoe, Aylwardstown, who had to deliver letters on foot throughout the parish of Glenmore. A second postman was later appointed and the deliverymen were supplied with bicycles. Danny Dowling said that the post office had always been the centre of the community and he felt it would be a sad day if the present system was ever terminated.”
Alice thanked the speakers and said that she would treasure the presentation from the community. The evening concluded with song, music and dance. Joan Doyle performed step dancing and the ICA performed set dances. Music was provided by John and Liam Doyle.
The Kilkenny People
The Kilkenny People (Friday 4 June 1993, p. 11) also covered the event but added a few more details. For example, Alice actually retired in March 1993, her father John Cody was one of two post men and “Mr. Danny Dowling said that the Post offices had a busy time today with old age pensioners, children’s allowances and many other duties. It would be a sad day for the community if this system was abolished, he added.” The Kilkenny People article states that John Cody worked with Jim Power, Robinstown. This newspaper also made some errors. It wrongly stated that “Glenmore’s first post office opened in 1929 and was in the name of Edward Kehoe and his son James.” [Edward “Ned” Kehoe was never the postmaster and did not have any chidren.]
In addition to Alice Ryan and her father John Cody working for the postal service, thanks to the 1901 Census we also know that Alice Ryan’s uncle, Thomas Ryan, while a teenager, worked as a “post boy.”
John Ryan died in November 2003 and was buried in St. Mullins, Co. Carlow. Alice Ryan née Cody died on 14 October 2009 at the age of 91 and is buried in the Cody family grave, St. James’ Glenmore.
The featured photo above is from an old postcard of Glenmore Village. The second post office (Fluskey’s) is the tallest building on the right. The third post office (Ryan’s) was located on the left in the line of attached houses across from the pub. It was the second house from the corner near where the two people in the photo are standing. The post card has a caption “Glenmore, Waterford” which was the mailing address for much of the parish for many years.
Please send corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
UPDATE
5 July 2022: Thanks to two readers we have further information concerning two of Alice’s sisters. In the 1911 Census, Katie Cody was four years of age and was the eldest of the sisters. Catherine “Katie” Cody (c. 1907-1973) married Thomas Walsh (c. 1905-1988) of Parkareid, Kilmacow. Another sister, Mary Ann Cody married Thomas Desmond of Slieverue. For over 40 years Thomas owned and operated Desmond Garage of Slieverue, the first local garage outside of Waterford City. Prior to their marriages both Katie and Mary Ann worked at Power Seeds of O’Connell Street, Waterford. Mary Ann Desmond née Cody’s obituary has been placed on the family pages under Desmond.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Native: Mary Kirwan née Dillon (b. 1899) [Updated]
A couple of months ago we were asked by a reader in New York to help identify which Glenmore family Mary Kirwan née Dillon descended. Mary Kirwan née Dillon was featured in the Irish Advocate newspaper of New York on Saturday the 17th of December 1983 (p. 9). The article provided some valuable as well as interesting information and photos. Below is the entire article.
Irish Advocate
“Mrs. Mary Kirwan of Liverpool, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday, is one of the best known and best loved figures in Comhaltas in Britain. Mrs. Kirwan who is a fine singer and plays the melodeon was born Mary Dillon in Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny: she married William Kirwan. After marriage she moved to Liverpool and here was active in a number of Irish organisations.”
“She is the mother of 13 children of whom six are alive today. Through her children she became interested in Irish dancing and this brought her in contact with the music again. In 1947 she moved to England to join her husband who was already working over there. The two youngest daughters took up dancing again and in 1959 she moved to Liverpool. Here she was, and of course still is, a leading light in Irish organisations.“
“She was one of the first members of Comhaltas in Liverpool and was one of the people who helped to found the Irish Centre. She is well known figure at Fleadhanna throughout Britain and of course Fleadhn Cheoil na hEirenn. Her two grand-daughters, Maria and Catherine Bolger, are keen musicians and are members of the Liverpool Junior Bands. All in Comhaltas wish Mrs. Kirwan many more years of health, happiness and music.”
The Mary Dillon (b. 1901 in Glenmore)
Dillon and Kirwan are Glenmore names, so it came as a surprise when we found that Mary Josephine Dillon was born in Glenmore, but only remained in Glenmore for a very short time. On 25 May 1901 Mary Josephine Dillon was born to George Dillon, mason, of Graiguenakill and his wife Ellen Dillon née Curray. The 1901 census provides that George Dillon was 25 years of age and his wife Ellen was 24. He was born in County Derry and she was born in Co. Tyron. Three other masons were boarding in the Dillon home in Graiguenakill, Glenmore including: Pat and John Murphy (aged 43 & 55) and Martin Honan (aged 29). It is assumed that George Dillon and the other masons were working on the New Ross to Waterford railway line that was being constructed about this time.
We could not locate a local marriage record for George Dillon and Ellen Curry, so we cast the net a bit further and found that the couple were married on 29 July 1900 in County Tyrone. The groom was 22 years of age, lived in Strabane and his bride, Ellen Corry, was aged 22 and from Castlegore. The groom was the son of George Dillon, Sr. who was also a mason, and the father of the bride was William Corry, a labourer. A baptismal record was found for Ellen Corry who was born on 23 March 1873 to William Corry (farmer) and his wife Mary Leonard of Coolcreaghy, Castlederg, County Tyrone.
After Mary’s birth in Glenmore, in 1901, all of her younger siblings were born in County Tyrone. Mary’s brother George Joseph Dillon was born in 1902; followed by William James Dillon in 1903 and Margaret Francis Dillon in 1904. At the time of Margaret’s birth, the family was living at Bridge End, Strabane, County Tyron. The 1911 census shows that another sibling named John L. Dillon was born in 1907, but no records of his birth could be located.
The 1911 census indicates that George J. Dillon (aged 8); William J. Dillon (aged 7) and John L. Dillon (aged 4) were residing with their widowed grandmother Mary Corry (aged 60) at 3 Victoria Terrace, Castlederg, Tyrone. Three of their mother’s siblings were also in the house: Jeannie Corry (aged 25); William Corry (aged 22) and Michael Corry (aged 18). We could not locate Ellen Dillon or the two daughters, Mary Josephine (b. 1901) and Margaret Frances Dillon (b. 1904). A George Dillon was found in the 1911census boarding at 34 Mardyke Steet in Athlone. His age is given as 37, it states that he is an unmarried mason, and was born in Londonderry.
Unfortunately Mary Dillon (b. 1901) in Glenmore was not the Mary Kirwan née Dillon featured in the 1983 Irish Advocate (New York) newspaper article.
Mary Kirwan née Dillon (b. 1899)
Thanks to Mary Kirwan née Dillon’s grandson, Michael Ashcroft, we learned that the newspaper article was wrong. The Mary Kirwan featured in the article was not born in Glenmore, but she married William Kirwan (b. 1898) of Scartnamore, Glenmore on 16 July 1919 in Glenmore. At the time of their wedding William Kirwan was a farm labourer residing in Newtown and Mary was residing in Gaulestown, Glenmore.
William Kirwan (b. 1898) was the son of James Kirwan (c.1872-1941) (farmer) and his wife Mary Lowry (c. 1873-1938). James Kirwan was a native of Scartnamore and Mary Lowry Kirwan was a native of Rochestown. Their eldest child, William Kirwan was born at Milepost, Slieverue, but by 1911 the family was residing in Scartnamore. Mary Dillon (b. 1899) was born at Shortcourse, Waterford. On her birth registration her parents are listed as Michael Dillon (pipe maker) and his wife Elizabeth Rogers. However, on her marriage record her father is listed as John Dillon (baker).
Michael Ashcroft’s mother, Bernadette Kirwan (1933-2014) was born in Knockboy, Waterford the second youngest of the 13 Kirwan children. When she was 14 she moved to England with the family.
After Mary Dillon Kirwan moved to England we found that she registered to vote in 1945 and gave her address as 18 Suburban Road, Lancashire, England. In 1950 her address was 55 Hampden St., Lancashire. In 1951, the Comhaltas, an Irish traditional music association was formed and members of the Liverpool Ceilidh Band together with Mary Coghlan and Florrie Breannan entertained at the 21st anniversary party at the Liverpool Irish Centre (Liverpool Echo, Tues. 27 June 1972, p. 3).
Michael Ashcroft shared that The Livepool Irish Centre had a surprise party for his grandmother, Mary Kirwan née Dillon, on her 85th birthday. “Every Irish person in Liverpool was present or so it seemed to me.”
See our post of 11 September 2022 for an article about William and Mary Kirwan’s daughter Bernie.
Please send further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The two photos appeared with the article in the Irish Advocate (New York) newspaper (17 Dec. 1983, p. 9). Special thanks to Michael Ashcroft for sending the correct information and the photos of his family.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh