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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
From Danny’s Files: The Tragic Death of Mrs. O’Rourke (1893-1960) of Weatherstown, Glenmore
We recently found a newspaper clipping that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) had in his voluminous files regarding the tragic death of Glenmore native Johanna O’Rourke. Although the Munster Express article covering the inquest of Mrs. O’Rourke’s death in 1960 lists her first name as Brigid, the death register lists her first name as “Johanna.” The family headstone in Glenmore lists her as “Hannah.” We believe that the Munster Express was in error.
Johanna O’Rourke née Purcell (1891-1960)
Thanks to the headstone the deceased’s maiden name was provided, and we were able to find Johanna Purcell’s baptismal record. Johanna was born on 23 October 1891, at Weatherstown, the daughter of Edmund Purcell (c. 1864-1924?) farm labourer, and his wife Mary Cassin (c. 1866 -1943). Edmund Purcell (aged 23) of Forristalstown married Mary Cassin (aged 21) of Weatherstown on 4 October 1887. Johanna’s siblings included: Edmund Purcell (1887); Thomas Purcell (b. 1889); Mary Purcell (b. 1889); James Purcell (b. 1893); William Purcell (b. 1893); Ellen Purcell (b. 1896); Richard Purcell (b. 1898); and Mary Purcell (b. 1899). It appears that there were two sets of twins in this family.
[Correction 13 June 2022–Ann O’Rourke noted that the church records in 1889 reflects the baptism of Thomas, yet the civil record reflects the child’s name is Mary. It is believed that one child was born in 1889. Thomas O’Rourke emmigrated to the United States in 1926].
Johanna Purcell married Patrick O’Rourke (c. 1883- 1970) and the couple had at least two sons and two daughters: Edward O’Rourke; Michael O’Rourke; Bridie O’Rourke (1913-1982); and Eileen O’Rourke (1917-2008).
[Further information per Ann O’Rourke–The Purcell family lived in upper Weatherstown before moving to lower Weatherstown. John Flynn, a blacksmith, moved into the upper Weatherstown house. This information was provided to Ann by Danny Dowling (1927-2021) and Jo Doyle née Mernagh (1932-2021).]
The Inquest
The death register provides that “Hannah” O’Rourke of Weatherstown, Glenmore died on the 12th of May 1960 at the County & City Infirmary, John’s Hill, Waterford. An inquest was held by G. A. Nolan, solicitor and Waterford City Coroner, at the Waterford Municipal Library on the evening of the 13th of May.
Hannah O’Rourke’s cause of death was recorded as a coronary thrombosis. Hannah had been in the hospital since the 26th of April. Although she has been in the hospital over two weeks the inquest centred on an accident that Hannah suffered on the 26th of April while riding her bicycle to Glenmore Village.
Most of the information concerning the inquest was found in a Munster Express article (Friday 20 May 1960, p. 10).
Ellen O’Rourke of Weatherstown, Glenmore
The first witness to testify was Ellen O’Rourke, Hannah’s daughter-in-law. Ellen testified that her mother-in-law attended 7:30 a.m. Mass in Glenmore on the 26th of April 1960. About four hours later, she left her home in Weatherstown to go to Glenmore Village setting out on her bicycle. Ellen stated that her mother-in-law was in good health that morning. In the weeks preceding the 26th of April, Ellen testified that her mother-in-law complained of severe headaches and went to a dispensary doctor in Glenmore.
Thomas Murphy of New Ross
The second witness to testify at the inquest was Thomas Murphy, of 21 South St., New Ross. Thomas was a truck driver and stated that at about 11:30 on the 26th of April he passed Glenmore, having rounded a bend on his right, he saw a woman, who was later identified as deceased, coming down a hill toward him on a bicycle.
She was travelling fairly fast. When he first saw her, she was about 20 yards from him…As I looked I saw her wobble on her bicycle. She was on her correct side of the road. The machine was still wobbling as she passed me out. As I looked into the mirror on my truck after she had passed me, I saw her fall off her bicycle on to the roadway.”
Thomas testified that he immediately stopped and went back to her. He found her lying face down with her bicycle on top of her. He spoke to her, but she did not respond. “She was bleeding from her nose and did not move. I went for a priest and doctor.”
When Thomas returned she was still where she fell and was being supported by others who had come along. She was removed to the Waterford Infirmary. Thomas was questioned concerning the road and stated that it was about 16 feet wide where the deceased fell. He opined that she was traveling about 15 miles per hour.
Sergeant James Flynn of Glenmore
Sergeant James Flynn, of Glenmore, was the third witness. He testified that when he visited the scene of the accident Mrs. O’Rourke had been removed to the Infirmary, but her bicycle was still there. On examination he found it to be in fairly good condition and in good running order, with the exception of the rear wheel, which was a bit loose. According to Sergeant Flynn the bicycle was not damaged, the road surface was of tar and was dry. There was no signs of an accident except there was a pool of blood on the road. Sergeant Flynn examined Thomas Murphy’s truck and did not find any marks or evidence that it had been involved in a collision.
Dr. Kevin Hickey of Waterford
The last witness mentioned in the newspaper account was Dr. Kevin Hickey, of Waterford. The deceased was admitted to the Infirmary on the 26th of April after suffering, head, chest and arm injuries sustained when she fell from her bicycle.
Dr. Hickey testified that he was called to the Infirmary on Monday the 8th of May to attend the deceased, who was experiencing pain in her chest and down her arm. She was also shocked.
On examination, he confirmed that her condition was due to a heart attack which he stated had been coming on for some days. In his opinion her death was due to coronary thrombosis. Replying to the Coroner, he stated that the fact that deceased fell off her bicycle would have been a contributory cause to her death.
The Verdict
Sitting with a jury, Coroner Nolan said it was clear from the evidence presented that the deceased had not been involved in an accident with a vehicle. A verdict, in accordance with the medical evidence, that death was caused by coronary thrombosis was returned and recorded by the Coroner. In 1960, notwithstanding the fact that Hannah was in a hospital when she suffered a heart attack little could be done because open heart surgery was in its infancy.
Acknowledgements & Privious Posts
For information on the earliest bicycles in Glenmore see our post of 28 December 2019.
Special thanks to Ann O’Rourke for sharing her memories, photos of her grandparents, further information and corrections.
Please send any corrections or additional information etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is courtesy of the New York City Library, George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library. “Lady’s bicycle (3 speed gear and dynamo lighting).” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 12, 2022.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Weatherstown’s Crafter: Jo Doyle née Mernagh (1932-2021)
Today, we are going to feature the craft work of the late Jo Doyle née Mernagh of Weatherstown, Glenmore. Danny Dowling once described Jo as the woman who could turn her hand to anything. Jo was equally adept at weilding an angle grinder as a crochet hook.
Jo Doyle née Mernagh was born and raised in a thatched cottage in Weatherstown, Glenmore. Jo attended the Robinstown National School for girls and after completing it she began a succession of jobs that ultimately took her to England. While living and working in England she met her future husband, Larry Doyle, a native of Wexford. Soon after the couple married in 1957 they moved to Glenmore and updated the cottage where Jo was born and reared. Until she retired Jo worked for local farmers, fished for eels with Larry in the Barrow, reupholstered furniture, fitted wallpaper, knitted sweaters, and worked as a seamstress. She sewed, repaired and altered clothing and made Irish dancing costumes etc.
When Jo retired she turned to arts and crafts that she now had the time to pursue. Jo never drove, so Larry with his usual good humour drove her to various agricultural shows in Wexford, the Kilkenny show and the Piltown Show. They both enjoyed meeting old friends at the shows, and while awaiting the judges’ verdict for her craft work Jo would join Larry to view the animals on display and cheer for Glenmore horses in the show rings. A couple of typical show results for Jo were found in the New Ross Standard. For example, the New Ross Standard (Wed. 18 Aug 2002, p. 10) reported on the winners of the various classes or competitions held at the 55th Adamstown Show in 2002. Jo took six 1st places in Craft and Needlework including: Machine Sewn Garment; Embroidered Table Cloth; Patchwork; Soft Toy; and Cushion. Jo also won two 3rd places in Hand Knitted Garment and a handmade household article. Jo took a 1st in baking for a homemade novelty cake and a 2nd in the flower section for a Miniature Arrangement. Two years later, Jo at the 57th Adamstown Show took seven 1st place ribbons, one 2nd place and one 3rd. The firsts included: Best Machine Sewn Garment; Best Hand Knitted Garment; Best Patchwork; Best Soft Toy; Best Handmade ornament, Best Miniature Flower Arrangement and Best Small Flower Arrangement. Her second place was for the Best Household Article and her third was for Best Embroidered Tablecloth. (New Ross Standard, Wed. 7 July 2004, p. 24).
Jo also began to paint in oils and watercolour. She delved into mosaics, rug making, stencilling, counted cross stitch, quilting, and revived long forgotten crafts such as what she called silver paper pictures which were popular when she was a girl. Her favourite craft work were soft toys and dolls. She named each doll and animal that she made. Jo was awarded over 140 ribbons or certificates for her entries at the shows. However, her proudest award was a Brannra awarded in 1998 for her proficiency in soft toys.
Thanks to Jo’s daughter Pat we have several photographs below of a few examples of Jo’s extraordinary work to share today.
Please send any additions or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is a view from Jo’s front gate looking over the fields.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Search for Missing Friends, Part II
Last month we highlighted six entries that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) found in a set of books entitled The Search for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in the Boston Pilot. These books were published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston. Today, we are going to highlight several more Glenmore related entries. The original missing person advertisements are in italics and where possible we have listed the baptismal date and parents of the missing emigrant. Readers can access Part I published 13 February 2022 by clicking on the date. Most of the missing emigrants below are from the 1850’s and appear to have fled the famine and lost contact with their family as they attempted to seek opportunities in the US on the eve of the Civil War.
(1) James Roche, native of Ballyfascie (sic), Glenmore, the following advertisement was published in the Boston Pilot on 6 March 1852 (Vol. II, p. 186)
James Roche, native of Ballyfascie, Parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who sailed from Waterford 1st of May 1849 & landed in Quebec. When last heard from was in Peru, Clinton County, N.Y. Any information from him will thankfully received by William Gaul, North Brookfield, Worcester County, MS.
We located two possible James Roche’s from Ballyfacey. (A) James Roche (bapt. 13 July 1834) son of James Roche and Ellen Costelloe of Ballyfacy, Glenmore, and (B) James Roche (bapt. 23 Sept. 1826) son of Richard Roche and Catherine Mullins of Ballyfacey, Glenmore.
While searching for records on the above James Roche we came across some other Glenmore Roches missing in the US in the 1850’s.
(2) Martin Roach, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore, advertisment in the Boston Pilot was published 8 Feb. 1851 (vol. II, p. 16).
Martin Roach, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny who sailed for Quebec in June, 1849, and not heard from since. Any information of him will be thankfully received by his brother, James Roach, care of James Coughlan, South Groton, Ms.
Although we could not locate anything on Martin Roach in the US we did find a James Roach (aged 25) in the 1855 Massachusetts State Census, for Newton, Middlesex, Mass. This James Roach was living with the Lord family who were merchants.
(3) James & Martin Roach, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore, advertisment published in the Boston Pilot on 11 Oct. 1851 (Vol. II, p. 126)
James & Martin Roach, from parish Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. The first left Ireland 1st May, 1849, in the Lavina for Quebec; the other left 29th June 1849, in the Alert, for Quebec. Any information respecting them will be thankfully received by their brother Patrick Roach, Peoria, Ill.
We did not locate a Martin Roche from Ballyfacey, but we did locate one from Ballyhobuck (bapt. 10 April 1829). This Martin Roche was the son of John Roche and his wife, Catherine Corcoran.
In the 1870 Census for Peoria, Illinois we found a Patrick Roach (aged 33) employed as a miner and married to Johana (aged 31). The couple have a 3 year old daughter Anna. In the 1880 Peoria Census, Patrick is working as a labourer, provides his age as 45 and Johana’s age is also recorded as 45. Their daughter’s name is recorded as Anna Stacey (aged 13), but it is more likely Annastatia.
(4) Martin Malone, native of Glenmore, this advertisment was published in the Boston Pilot on 4 Dec. 1858 (Vol. IV, p. 319)
Martin Malone, a native of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, when last heard from was in Albany, New York, 8 years ago. His wife Ellen (maiden name Morrissey) is anxious to hear from him, care of M.O. Grady, Canandaigua, New York.
An Irish wedding record was found for Martin Malone and Ellen Morrissey. The couple were married on 6 November 1847 in Rosbercon. Martin Malone’s address at the time of the wedding was listed as Kilbrahan. A daughter, Ellen Malone was baptized on 30 March 1849 at Rosbercon. According to the advertisment Martin emigrated in 1850 and his wife appears to have followed in 1858.
(5) Margaret Murphy (bapt. 1834) of Ballinlammy, Glenmore, the advertisement below was published in the Boston Pilot on 1 Aug. 1855 (Vol. V, p. 218)
Margaret Murphy, of Ballinlammy, Parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who sailed from Ireland in 1855, and landed in Quebec, Canada. Any information respecting her will be thankfully received by writing to her brother Nicholas Murphy, Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois.
Danny Dowling’s mother was a Murphy from Ballinlammy. Nicholas and Margaret Murphy were his mother’s aunt and uncle. Per the Glenmore church records Margaret Murphy was bapt. 13 July 1834. For further information on Nicholas Murphy (1836-1917) see our page “Finding Glenmore Needles in US Haystacks” by clicking here.
(6) Thomas Powers of Glenmore, this advertisment appeared in the Boston Pilot on 13 January 1855 (Vol. III, p. 241)
Thomas Powers, of parish Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who came to this country 3 ½ yrs ago, and when last heard from was in Ohio. Information will be received by his sisters Bridget and Mary, care of Aaron D. Williams, Roxburs (sic), Mass.
There were four Thomas Powers baptized in Glenmore from 1826 to 1834. (A) Thomas Power of Knockbrack, Glenmore bapt. 14 April 1826, son of Maurice Power and Mary Henneberry. (B) Thomas Power, of Glenmore bapt. 3 Dec. 1832 son of Richard Power and Mary Moore. (C) Thomas Power, of Ballanguile (Gaulstown), Glenmore, bapt. 12 Oct. 1834, son of Edmund Power and Joney Aylward. (d) Thomas Power, of Ballanguile (Gaulstown), Glenmore, Bapt. 1 Aug. 1834, son of James Power and Ellen Shea
However, the only Thomas Power who had sisters named Mary and Bridget was the son of Edmund Power and Joney Power née Aylward. Mary Power (bapt. 23 Oct. 1838) and Bridget Power (bapt. 3 Nov. 1836).
Census records revealed that Aaron D. Williams was an industrialist in Roxbury, Mass. It is likely that either Mary or Bridget were working for him in 1855 when the advertisment was placed in the paper.
(7) Margaret Norris, James & Patrick Hartley, of Glenmore, the following advertisment was published on 23 January 1869 in the Boston Pilot (Vol. 6, 1866-1870, p. 430)
Margaret Norris, a native of the parish of Meelinharaga,(sic) Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; when last heard from, in 1861, was in New Orleans, La. Also of James Hartley and Patrick Hartley, of the parish of Glenmore, county Kilkenny. Any information will be gratefully received by their cousin, Alice McSweeny (maiden name Alice Norris), daughter of Michael Norris and Mary Hartley. Direct to William Moore, Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Margaret Norris (bapt. 28 May 1835) at Gurteen was the daughter of Michael Norris and Mary Hartly. Her parents were married in Glenmore on 5 Jan. 1822. Her mother, Mary Hartly, was from Weatherstown, Glenmore. James Hartley and another Mary Hartly were witnesses at the wedding.
While looking for information on the above we found the following:
(8) James, John and Margaret Norris, of Gilcugh (sic), this advertisment was published 12 January 1861 in the Boston Pilot (Vol. 2, p. 4)
James, John and Margaret Norris, children of Michael and Mary Norris, of Gilcugh (co. Kilkenny), supposed to be in New Orleans. Information of them or either of them, will be thankfully received by their sister, Alice Norris. Direct to Bryan McSweeny, Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
We located Alice McSweeney née Norris (b. 1835) in the 1860 US Census. She was married to Bryan McSweeney (aged 35) and the couple had two daughters Mary (aged 5) and Ellen (aged 3). The family was living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Both Bryan and Alice were born in Ireland. Alice could not read or write and Bryan was working as a labourer. The 1870 Census provides that Alice was still living in Cape Girardeau and gave her age as 34. With her daughter Ella (age 13) who cannot read or write; John (aged 4) and Alice (aged 1). Apparently, Bryan died before the 1870 census and Alice McSweeney married John Dade on 20 January 1873 at Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Cape Girardeau is on the Mississippi River about 100 miles south of St. Louis. During the Civil War Missouri was a Confederate State and directly across the river Illinois was a Union State. In 1863 a small battle took place at Cape Girardeau. Alice McSweeney née Norris was living in Cape Girardeau before, during and after the Civil War.
(9) Patrick Doyle, native of Glenmore, the following advertisement was published in the Boston Pilot on 7 January 1865 (Vol. V., p. 436)
Patrick Doyle, native of Glenmore, county Kilkenny, who left Ireland for America about two years ago. His friend in America has neither seen or heard from him since his arrival, save a rumor that he was seen in the city of Newport about ten days ago. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by his sister, Mrs. Mary Powers (maiden name Doyle). Direct to her No. 13 Lincoln street, Boston, Mass.
We found a Patrick Doyle (bapt. 30 Jan. 1836) the son of Thomas Doyle and Bridget Brian of Ballyveria, Glenmore. The couple had a daughter Mary Doyle (bapt. 17 Sept. 1840) and the address given at the time of her birth was Darbystown, Rosbercon.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing is courtesy of The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1851). Irish emigrants leaving home — the priest’s blessing Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-37f2-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 .
The photo of the riverboat “Glenmore” (c, 1904) was taken on the Ohio River at Tell, Indiana. (The original photo is in the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Ohio).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Danny Dowling (1927-2021): One Year Anniversary
It is difficult to believe that St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) will mark the first anniversary of our founder Danny’s death. Much over the past year remained the same, yet at the same time much has changed. The last year witnessed the continued scourge of COVID and over the last few weeks the invasion of Ukraine has brought death and misery to millions. Locally, Danny’s death left a void with more than one person expressing that they wished they had spoken to him just one more time. Luckily, Danny left a huge corpus of information that he collected over 7 decades regarding Glenmore and the South-East of Ireland. Although Danny is no longer at the helm, providing advice, information and sending messages to readers, thanks to his son Pat, most posts continue to draw upon the interviews Danny recorded or the voluminous files he kept on the research he conducted in newspapers and libraries.
A memorial Mass for Danny will be held in St. James’ Church, Glenmore at 11 a.m. on March 17th. The website for Glenmore Parish is https://www.glenmoreparish.ie/.
For anyone who did not have the pleasure of meeting Danny, the blog in addition to the posts contains static pages where family information is found as well as Irish words and field names Danny recorded are listed. Below is a list of selected information available online regarding the man and his work:
[1] Introducing Glenmore Historian: Danny Dowling, our first post. https://glenmore-history.com/introducing-the-glenmore-historian-danny-dowling/
[2] Happy Birthday Danny: Danny’s 93rd Birthday published 15 Feb. 2020. https://glenmore-history.com/happy-birthday-danny/
[3] First Anniversary of Blog: Message from Danny, published 3 Nov. 2020. https://glenmore-history.com/first-anniversary/
[4] Some Interesting Events in 1927: The Year Danny Dowling Was Born, published 12 Feb. 2021. https://glenmore-history.com/some-interesting-events-in-1927/
[5] The Sad Farewell, published on 20 March 2021. https://glenmore-history.com/the-sad-farewell/
[6] Month’s Mind, published 17 April 2021, containing several photos of Danny,
https://glenmore-history.com/months-mind/
[7] Danny Dowling’s Appearance in Land and Sea: Talamn An Eisc, posted on 22 October 2021. https://glenmore-history.com/some-interesting-events-in-1927/
[8] The Waterford Library has put Danny Dowling’s (1998) Waterford Streets Past and Present on line. https://www.waterfordcouncil.ie/departments/library/local-history-books.htm
[9] Old Waterford Society: Decies–this journal is available on line via the Waterford Library and contains several articles written by Danny including:
- Daniel Dowling (1976) “Eviction of James Holden” (vol. 2, p. 24);
- Daniel Dowling (1983) “South Kilkenny in 1798 and the Role of William Gaffney,” (vol. 24, p. 14);
- Daniel Dowling (1983) “New Geneva,” (vol. 29, p. 32);
- Daniel Dowling (1986) “Piltown: Kildalton and its Past,” (vol. 32, p. 28);
- Dan Dowling (1990) “Tory, Rapparee & Highwaymen: Social Unrest in the 17th & 18th Century,” (vol. 43, p. 25).
Decies is available on-line at https://www.waterfordcouncil.ie/departments/library/ejournals/decies.htm .
Lastly, after Glenmore History volunteers recorded the inscription on headstones in the cemetery adjacent to St. James’ Church in Glenmore Village during the summer of 2020, Danny reviewed the information and remarked on how his friend Nicky “the Miller” and his father died on the 17th and the 18th of March. Danny then noticed that there were a number of Glenmore men who died on St. Patrick’s Day. A computer search of all the inscriptions revealed that Danny was correct. Up to 2021, five inscriptions revealed that five men died on St. Patrick’s Day; no women were found with this date of death.
Michael Ribby died 17th March 1891, aged 84.
Patrick “the Miller” Forristal, died 17th March 1931, aged 82.
Nicholas “the Miller” Forristal, died 18 March 1979, aged 91.
Laurence Patrick Forristal, died 17th March 1994, aged 77.
John Downey, died 17th March 1995, interred in England.
Peter Kennedy, died 17th March 1962, aged 83.
Daniel “Danny” Dowling, died 17th March 2021, aged 94.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh