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The Roaring Twenties: Glenmore’s Championship 1920 Senior Football Match Played in February 1922
According to the Kilkenny GAA Bible, Glenmore won the Kilkenny Senior Football Championships in 1920, 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1929 (Gerry O’Neil, Kilkenny GAA Bible 2018, p. 64). As we previously highlighted the football season commenced in one year and the championship was held usually in the spring of the next year. During the War of Independence, no Kilkenny County football championships were played or awarded for 1917 or 1918. Further no championship was held in 1921 and the 1920 Senior County Football Championship did not conclude until February 1922. For details concerning the first 1920 championship game between Glenmore and Cloneen (Castlecomer) see our previous blog of 9 August 2021.
The Kilkenny People, on Saturday the 18th of February 1922 (p. 2) covered the G.A.A. County Finals, held on Sunday the 12th of February 1922, but never provided what championship year was being played. However, the football teams and the scores line up with the information recorded in the Kilkenny GAA Bible for the 1920 Championship.
Although the article was to cover the County junior hurling and senior football championships it commences with a statement regarding other events that were occurring in Kilkenny City at that time. The author also employs a great deal of flowery language that is not generally found in more modern sports commentary, but does provide unsolicited advice that is found generally in more modern sports commentary.
“St. James’s Park, historic through the mobilization there of our Irish soldiers for the taking over of the City Military Barracks last week, was again a scene of giant national life on Sunday. The beautiful spring sunshine on that day—a harbinger of another season of freedom now that the foreign garrisons have left our midst, and the eager anxiety as to the destination of the coveted championships all tended to encourage the Gaels of our county to make the Marble City their rendezvous on Sunday last” Moondharrig (Mooncoin) was one of the teams to play in the first fixture, the junior hurling championship, and “brought in their train a huge crowd of admirers. “And what shall we say of the study supporters of the boys from the Big Glen all ready to cheer their doughty footballers to victory. The combined teams from the south—Moondharrig (Mooncoin) and Glenmore—with their big quota of supporters, supplied a goodly cargo to the Waterford special, and their jubilant mood on arrival in the Marble City showed that they fancied the south were confident of capturing the double honours of the day.” The author then went on to describe that the train from the north, “the Castlecomer special disgorged by far the greater portion of a thousand enthusiastic Gaels, all confident of a victory…”
“About 2 o’clock, as the hour approached for the opening contest, the Park presented an animated appearance—the pitch was in splendid condition, bare, firm, and showing just a faint tinge of reviving green, the hundreds of spectators already assembled eagerly discussed the prospects of the clubs concerned and the ideal weather conditions with the prospect of two thrilling encounters seemed to make everybody happy, not excepting the County Board officials, who, though exceedingly busy, were still being aptly rewarded by the large patronage afforded the fixture. Close on 2,000 people must have been present when the teams appeared for the first contest.”
The first fixture was the junior hurling championship. The newspaper account provides that the Tulla team beat Moondharrig (Mooncoin) 5 goals, 1 point (16) to 1 point. The Kilkenny GAA Bible (2018) p. 30 provides that in the 1920 championship Tulla beat Mooncoin by a score of 5 goals, 1 point (16) to 1 goal, 1 point (4) and the teams played a total of four times before Mooncoin was declared the 1920 County Kilkenny Junior Hurling Champions.
The Senior Football Final
“The chief interest of the day was centred in the replay of the senior football championship final between Glenmore and Cloneen (Castlecomer). A regrettable delay of almost three-quarters of an hour was caused through disagreement as to the referee for the game—this hitch was the more unseemly as it was the only blot on a splendid day’s sport, all other arrangements for which left nothing to be desired. Eventually the game was started with Mr. P. Dunphy (Dublin) in charge and the game was as expected, a robust one.” Unfortunately, the newspaper article does not indicate which team objected to the referee. As highlighted in our previous post Glenmore was fined £1 for not being punctual in an earlier championship game in 1921 with Cloneen where the team objected to a referee and thereby delayed the start of the first championship match.
In the 12 February 1922 match “[t]he ball was only set in motion when the game was held up through a foul, and Glenmore getting free were early invading. They pressed very strongly, but from a spectator’s point of view the game was most disappointing, as it was nothing but a succession of fouls—no less than ten frees being awarded in the first eight minutes of the game. The players on settling down were more amendable to discipline and a very fast, vigorous contest resulted. Glenmore were the stronger, heavier team, and being better fielders they did nearly all the pressing in the first half. Their large following were loud in their applause when, after about twelve minutes’ play they scored a major, to which they added two points before the interval, which case with the scores: Glenmore 1 goal, 2 points; Cloneen 1 point.”
In the second half, “the teams were quickly into stride and though not so numerous as in the opening stages fouls were still frequent. Doherty, Heffernan, Hanrahan, Cody and Connolly were the outstanding players on the Glenmore side, and though the back division of Cloneen was sound, they were unable to cope with the strain which two weak front lines allowed to press on the and the Glenmore team notched several useful points. Cloneen made some spirted rushes, but the finishing was weak, and though they scored two points in this half they lost several openings, while Glenmore grasped every opportunity, and with brilliant goal in the closing stages they ran out winners on the score: Glenmore 2 goals, 6 points (12); Cloneen 3 points (3).”
Not content with reporting on what other newspapers dubbed the “splendidly contested match” the author provided advice to the Kilkenny G.A.A. County Board. “Concerning the game we must say that though the pace was fairly fast and the fielding of Glenmore exceptionally good, there was absent altogether that technique and finish which is characteristic of present day football, notably among the leading clubs of Leinster’s premier football counties—Dublin and Kildare. They display of the teams on Sunday was rather an aggregate of disjointed good individual work than a harmonious combination and blending into a unified whole, hence we had no brilliant passages that delight and thrill in the big games of the inter-county contests. No doubt this is due to lack of training, but we point out this as we feel it a pity that such splendid material is not properly trained, as then Kilkenny might look again to making fame on the football field. Cloneen seemed to have lost their old dash, and one got the impression that they never got properly going, at least their display fell short altogether of the standard reached by them in the previous contests. A judicious selection from both teams, strengthened by some leading players, from other clubs in the county, should do credit to Kilkenny in the approaching Leinster championship contests.”
“Concerning the fixture we must admit—that never was better order kept in the Park and while congratulating the County Board and its officials on the arrangements so splendidly carried out, we trust that this high standard of order, regularity and punctuality will be maintained. That no team can have any ground of dissatisfaction as there was “A fair field and no favour” for all, and we agree with the wisdom of the Co. board in ordering all finals to be played in the Park. That the Co. Board has no excuse to plead poverty for many days to come, but after all the airgead síos (money down) is necessary to provide the sinews of war.”
For an account of earlier teams see, The Tenacious Glenmore 1915 Football Team: Co. Kilkenny Senior Football Champions and The Glenmore Football Club: The Trials and Tragedy of the 1906 Co. Kilkenny Gaelic Football Champions.
The featured photo above was taken in 1925 and part of the Poole Collection (POOL_WP_2720a, POOL_K_4144 & POOL_WP_3651) and the photo is Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.
Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Remembering the Glenmore Senior Hurling Teams of 1960 & 1964
With the week that has passed, seeing Glenmore reach the top table within the ranks of Kilkenny hurling, we find time to reflect on past glories. Most of us remember the great teams of the 80`s and 90`s that really put Glenmore on the hurling map. Five senior county titles, two Leinster titles and the coveted Club All Ireland in 1991. We were the first club in Kilkenny to have teams representing at both Intermediate and Senior level when Glenmore won the Junior title in 1991. Numerous players represented at county level and not to forget the famous 5 of the 1992 All Ireland team; Christy Heffernan, Liam Walsh, Titch Phelan, Eddie and Willie O Connor. Currently we have probably one of the greatest goalkeepers of the modern era, Eoin Murphy, in our ranks as well as his brother Alan representing Kilkenny. Recently retired county player and club captain Ger Aylward is another legend. Paddy and Richie Mullally represented at county levels during the noughities and have All Ireland winning medals also.
In the lead up to our success of the 1980`s, we had a couple of opportunities to make a mark on the senior title Roll of Honour. In 1960 and 1964, Glenmore reached the senior finals and were beaten both times by a great Bennettsbridge team. Between the years 1952-1974, Bennettsbridge contested 16 county finals, winning 11. The 1960 and 1964 Glenmore hurling teams, that were contenders for the senior county championship, don’t seem to be spoken about today, but the men who represented this Parish sixty years ago deserve recognition for the effort they put into reaching these finals. Glenmore had no trainer and organised their training sessions at the Scow Bridge in Gaulstown. Seamus Dunphy was secretary and would have had an input to picking the teams along with the captain at the time. All household names in their own right. This week we would like to remember these teams by reaching into the archives of the match reports from these years.
1960 Glenmore Senior Hurling
In 1960 Glenmore played St. John’s in the first round and won on a scoreline of 5-12 to 1-04. Second round opponents were Eire OG and Glenmore came out on top with a scoreline of 5-08 to 3-05. Local rivals Slieverue were the semi-final opponents Glenmore played in Nowlan Park.
The members of the Glenmore and Slieverue teams included—
Glenmore—M. Cody; J. McDonald; P. O’Connor; D. Dowling; D. Doherty; P. Fitzgerald; N. Hanrahan; J. Doherty; P. Power; J. O’Shea; W. Fitzgerald; M. Cass; J. Sutton; R. Mullally and M. Barron.
Slieverue—S. Griffin; P. Fitzgerald; T. Phelan; E. Dwyer; M. Walsh; T. Walsh; J. Hartley; P. Buggy; P. Irish; E. Horgan; N. Power; G. Buggy, R. Rocket; W. Irish and J. Walsh.
Richie Mullally played at full forward and scored a hat trick of goals on the day. Paul Fitzgerald played at centre back and was noted to have given an “outstanding display in the Glenmore defence”(KP Aug 5 1960) . Slieverue had Sean Griffin play in goal that day and Sean holds the record for scoring 5 goals in the 1954 county final against Tullaroan. That day the future GAA president Paddy Buggy lined out at midfield for Slieverue. Glenmore came out on top in this semi-final with a scoreline of 4-8 to 4-5.
Scorers on the day for Glenmore were: Richie Mullally 3-00; Martin Cass 1-00; John O’Shea 0-04; Micky Barron 0-03; and John Sutton 0-01. Slieverue scorers included: Gerry Buggy 1-00; Dick Rocket 1-00; J. Walsh 1-00; P. Grant 1-00; E. Horgan 0-02; N. Power 0-02 and Pat Irish 0-01.
The county final in 1960 was played between Bennettsbridge and Glenmore. The members of the final teams included:
Glenmore—M. Cody; J. Mc Donald; P. O’Connor; D. Dowling; R. Doherty; P. Fitzgerald; N. Hanrahan; J. Doherty; W. Fitzgerald; J. O’Shea; J. Sutton; J. Boyle; P. Power; R. Mullally and M. Barron.
Bennettsbridge—L. Cleere; M. Treacy; J. Galway; J. Dobbyn; P. Moran; S. Cleere; J. McGovern; R. Carroll; J. Dowling; M. Kelly; T. Kelly; J. Carroll; F. Ryan; M. McCarthy and S. Treacy.
The final game was reported to be a tame affair (KP Oct 14 1960) and saw Bennettsbridge win 4-05 to Glenmore 3-04. The Bridge seemed to have the upper hand in most positions although Glenmore player’s Paul Fitzgerald and John Sutton held their own.
Scorers for Glenmore in the final were: John Sutton 2-02; R. Mullally 1-00; M. Barron 0-01; D Dowling 0-01. Scorers for Bennettsbridge included: M. Kelly 1-01; F. Ryan 1-00; S. Treacy 1-00; J. Carroll 1-00; D. Carroll 0-02; and S. Cleere 0-02.
1964 Glenmore Senior Hurling
In 1964 Glenmore commenced its championship quest with a meeting against Tullogher and winning 3-11 to 2-06. Second round was against James Stephens and Glenmore won with a score of 3-08 to 1-02. Glenmore in its semi-final played against Thomastown in Nowlan Park. The members of the two hurling teams included:
Glenmore—Paul Fitzgerald; John McDonald; Nicky Forristal; John Dowling; John O Shea; Dick Doherty; John Vereker; Billy Fitzgerald; Pat Power; Sean Fitzgerald; Martin Cass; Pat Dowling; Dick Dowling; John Sutton and Mike Phelan. Subs included: Nicky Hanrahan for Sean Fitzgerald and Mickie Barron for Pat Dowling.
Thomastown–Ollie Walsh; W. Grace; Cha Whelan; J. Gibbons; S. Sullivan; J. Doyle; J. Blanchfield; R. Walsh; P. Kelly; T. Walsh; M. Walsh; S. Challoner; J. Murray; J. Kelly and J. Delaney.
Glenmore were not the favourites to win and according to the Kilkenny Journal caused a surprise when they beat Thomastown. The veterans of Glenmore had a big say in the victory as John Sutton scored 3-04 (3-01 from play) and Paul Fitzgerald in the goal saved and cleared brilliantly. Thomastown goalie Ollie Walsh was brought into attack near the end of the game to try and turn it in Thomastown`s favour. Tom Walsh got great praise for his performance, but Glenmore proved too strong on the day. Final score was Glenmore 4-09 to Thomastown 4-06.
Scorers on the day for Glenmore were: John Sutton 3-04; M. Barron 1-00; Billy Fitzgerald 0-02; Pat Power 0-01; Martin Cass 0-01; Nicky Hanrahan 0-01. Scorers for Thomastown included: Tom Walsh 2-05; J. Delaney 1-00; P. Kelly 1-00 and Ollie Walsh 0-01.
For the county final Glenmore again met Bennettsbridge. The teams were comprised of the following players:
Glenmore—Paul Fitzgerald; John McDonald; Nicky Forristal; John Dowling; John O’Shea; Dick Doherty; John Vereker; Pat Power; Billy Fitzgerald; Nicky Hanrahan; Mike Phelan; Martin Cass; Richie Mullally; John Sutton; John Dowling and Mickie Barron subbed for Nicky Hanrahan.
Bennettsbridge—L. Cleere; M. Treacy; T. Bennett; J. Treacy; S. Cleere; J. McGovern; P. Moran; T. Kelly; N. Skeehan; R. Carroll; J. Carroll; P. Treacy; M. McCarthy and S. Treacy.
Glenmore got off to a flying start scoring 1-01 within 2 minutes. Glenmore didn`t score for the next 50 minutes, and this allowed the Bridge to settle and pick off their scores. Most prominent of the Glenmore defence were John Dowling and John Vereker who had a very good first half and relieved many dangerous situations. John O’Shea also played well. None of the forwards were very successful, but the keenest triers were John Sutton and Dick Dowling.
The final score was Glenmore 1-04 to Bennettsbridge 4-09.
Scorers in the final for Glenmore included: John Sutton 1-01; Dick Doherty 0-02 and Martin Cass 0-01. Scorers for Bennettsbridge that day included: P. Treacy 2-00; P. Moran 0-06; N. Skeehan 1-00; M. McCarthy 1-00; S. Carroll 0-02 and T. Kelly 0-01.
Glenmore dropped to Junior level in 1966 and remained there until 1980.
Thanks to J. Vereker and D. Dowling for sharing their team photos. It is not known whether the 1960 photo was taken before the semi-final or final game.
If you have any corrections, additional information concerning these two teams or attended any of the games etc. and would like to share your memories please place them below or send them to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Pat Dowling
Glenmore Football During the Roaring Twenties: 1920-1921
According to the Kilkenny GAA Bible, Glenmore won the Kilkenny Senior Football Championships in 1920, 1922, 1923, 1924 and 1929 (Gerry O’Neil, Kilkenny GAA Bible 2018, p. 64). This impressive list only tells part of the story. As we previously highlighted the football season commenced in one year and the championship was held usually in the spring of the next year. With the War of Independence underway no Kilkenny County football championships were played or awarded for 1917 or 1918. Although the hurling championship match for 1919 was dropped, Glenmore junior and senior football teams fought their way to their respective finals to be played in March 1920. Today, we are going to focus on 1920 and 1921.
At the February 1920, GAA County Committee Meeting as the venues were being decided for the junior and senior championships, it was noted that although the rules at the time stated that all finals and semi-finals should be played in St. James Park the Leinster Council suggested fixing venues at central and neutral places. “Mr. N. O’Keeffe, C.Y.M.S. (Kilkenny City) proposed that the senior football final between Glenmore and Coolagh be played before the junior football final, as Glenmore, he said, was trying to run off the two championships with the one team.” This proposition was carried. The senior match was to be played at Knocktopher on the 14th of March and the junior on the 21st also at Knocktopher (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat, 21 Feb. 1920, p. 7).
Coolagh were declared the senior champions in 1919 because they were awarded a walkover against Glenmore. “The chairman said that no medals would be given in this case when no match was played” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 March 1920, p. 7). No information was provided in the newspapers why Glenmore did not play the final, but it is believed that in addition to the difficulties imposed by martial law at least two Glenmore players had been arrested and others were attempting to avoid arrest. At the next County Committee Meeting Mr. J. Doherty (Glenmore) responded to the accusation of using one team to play both championships “was a confounded lie.”
Due to various assaults and invasion of the pitch at a hurling match near the original venue a decision was taken to hold the junior final at Waterford on the 11th of April with Mr. W. Walsh to referee (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 March 1920, p. 7). The Glenmore junior team was to play C.Y.M.S. (Kilkenny City) which may go some way to explain O’Keefe’s disputed remark. Ultimately, Glenmore prevailed and became the 1919 Co. Kilkenny Junior Football champions with a final score of: Glenmore 2-4; C.Y.M.S. 0-1.
Glenmore vs. Cloneen (Castlecomer)
At the Kilkenny County GAA meeting on the 31st of March 1921, a letter from John Doherty, of Coolnaleen, was read out. Glenmore had been promised £20 for expenses to play the senior football final and they had received a cheque for £19. It transpired that the team were fined £1 for “unpunctual attendance.” Glenmore was present at the appointed time but objected to the referee, Paddy Dunphy, of the Leinster Council. Ultimately, Mr. Gibbons “for the sake of the County Committee” talked the Glenmore team into playing. The Chairman pointed out that prior to this re-play match two Glenmore representatives were informed that the meeting would make the final arrangements. T. Brennan, of Cloneen, stated, “It was Connolly’s whole fault,” yet he did not elaborate. It is assumed that he was referring to Mick Connolly, of Glenmore (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 8 April 1921, p. 9). There is no indication in the newspaper report which team won the “final.”
The reporting of matches during this period is often confusing and lacking in detail compared to earlier seasons. The Kilkenny GAA Bible provides that Glenmore played Cloneen (Castlecomer) twice to win the Senior Football Championship 1920. Glenmore won the first game with a score of 1-5 to Cloneen 1-3. An objection was filed and replay ordered. Glenmore won the second game with a score of 2-6 to Cloneen 1-3. (p. 64).
We were able to locate a newspaper account of a match held on the 23rd of October between Glenmore and Cloneen at St. James Park for the County Kilkenny senior football championship. Strangely Glenmore, as Kilkenny Senior Football Champions played the Wexford Senior Football Champions on 9 October 1921 in a charity match (New Ross Standard, (Fri., 14 Oct. 1921, p. 6). With respect to the Glenmore-Cloneen match on 23 October, the championship year is not provided in the article. The newspaper report on the match stated that the sudden arrival of wintery weather impacted on attendance. It was described as a strenuous, well contested encounter, the pace, in spite of the heavy pitch, being “wonderfully fast.” “Glenmore provided a surprise packet—their splendid fielding, speedy delivery, their wonderful readiness to adapt themselves to varying circumstances and their great powers of endurance, marked them as a sound combination.”
The first half Cloneen took an early lead. By half time the scores were Cloneen—1 goal, 3 points to Glenmore—2 points. When the game restarted Glenmore attacked, but the Cloneen defence held. “A clever pass for a fifty saw the Glenmore captain advance his side a point and now a wonderful vigour was displayed by both sides. Glenmore persistently attacked and made several great efforts to capture the citadel for a major but Cloneen backs saved again and again in fine style and against a stiff breeze. Glenmore were not to be denied, and after some exciting struggles they added two further point. With only a point, between the game was now eventing, and a fast exchange saw Cloneen rush down for what seemed a certain score, only to shoot inches wide. Glenmore halves played like Trojans, and from a quick centre their full forward scored a grand goal, which proved the last score of the match.” The final score was Glenmore—1 goal, 5 point and Cloneen 1 goal, 3 points (Kilkenny People, Sat. 29 October 1921, p. 2). This score suggests that this was the first game as recorded in the Kilkenny GAA Bible.
Interestingly, it was reported in the Munster Express that the objection lodged by Cloneen, against Glenmore being awarded the senior football championship, was referred by the Kilkenny County Board to the Leinster Council. The Leinster Council considered the appeal at its November meeting and after discussing the objectio they referred it back to the Kilkenny County Board for reconsideration. “It is generally anticipated that a replay will take place, and should…Glenmore be capable of reproducing the form they displayed in the previous game they should experience little difficulty in again emerging victorious” (Munster Express, Sat. 3 Dec. 1921, p. 5). When the second game was held could not be located in a newspaper article.
Glenmore vs. Gusserane
The match that Glenmore played in October 1921 as Kilkenny Football Champions is provided below because it provides information regarding the game and lists the names of the players. It is not clear why Glenmore was considered the Kilkenny Senior Football Champions on 14 October 1921. The last championship Glenmore won was in 1916 and no championships were played in 1917, 1918, and in 1919 Glenmore made it to the final, but did not play providing Coolagh with a walk over.
At Barrett’s Park, New Ross a GAA tournament in aid of the Dependents’ Fund was held. “For this very worthy object Co. Wexford and Co. Kilkenny football and hurling champions met, and notwithstanding that other fixtures clashed on the same day there was a good attendance of spectators, who came to witness fast and scientific play, as well as to help the cause for which the tournament was organised. Each of the four teams that competed were minus some of their players who were unable to be present, and substitutes were put on. The weather was beautiful, and the O’Hanrahan pipers’ band, New Ross, played the teams into the arena and out when the games were over, as well as playing selections of Irish airs on the field during the evening. The play in general during both contests was fast, scientific and well sustained…”
“Glenmore were the first to invade and sent the oval to their opponents’ grounds, where some fast exchanges took place, eventuating in the ball going wide. After the kick out Gusserane forced the pace, and the leather was taken to the front of the Glenmore uprights, and M. Myler nicely placed for Martin Fowler, who with a splendid kick sent it into the net. Glenmore next carried the ball midfield and sustaining the attack Jim Hanrahan from an angle struck one of the uprights, but the ball rebounded. Again, Gusserane came on and the Glenmore goal-keeper neatly saved. Glenmore took the leather to the left wing, and pushing on bid fair to bring off a major which was averted by the alertness of the Gusserane goal custodian. A midfield rally ensued for some minutes. Glenmore came on, and from a kick far out the field Jim Hanrahan scored a point. Following the kick-out Gusserane forced the issue, and Jim Byrne sent to Martin Howlett, who placed for Martin Fowler to raise the white flag. Gusserane again contended for a score per Tom O’Hanlon, who passed to Peter Corish, but the Glenmore backs were as firm as a rock, and the ball was again transferred to midfield. At half-time Gusserane was leading by 1 goal 1 point to 1 point for Glenmore. On resuming Glenmore attacked, and the ball narrowly missed the net. Gusserene next invaded, and a spirited rally followed in front of Glenmore posts eventuating in the leather going wide. After some centre field play Glenmore spurted, and Jim Hanrahan neatly shot the oval between the posts, registering a minor, which he repeated three minutes later. Gusserane narrowly missed bringing off a score during an invasion of the Glenmore territory. Play for the ensuing five minutes was very brisk. Gusserene played a fine game, and so did Glenmore, who lost only by one point. At full time the scores were: Gusserance-1 goal I point. Glenmore–3 points. Mr. P. J. Doyle, Irishtown, capably refereed.
The teams were: Gusserane–T. O’Hanlon (capt.), E. Cullen (goal). M. Howlett, P. Corish, J. Byrne, T. Howlett, J. Colfer, J. Quinn, H. Quinn, M. Fowler, M. Myler, J. Kenny, J. Butler, P. Byrne and J. Finn. Glenmore –Jack Doherty (capt.), Jim Murphy, Paul Fitzgerald, Martin Cody, Michael Cody, Pat Cody, Bill Irish, Stephen Heffernan, Pat Hartley, Jim Hanrahan, Bill Hartley, Wat Walsh, Peter Forrestal, Martin Williams and Jim Cody” (New Ross Standard, Fri., 14 Oct. 1921, p. 6).
No 1921 Kilkenny senior football championship was held. We shall return to report on the 1922, 1923, 1924 championships in future post.
For an account of earlier teams see, The Tenacious Glenmore 1915 Football Team: Co. Kilkenny Senior Football Champions and The Glenmore Football Club: The Trials and Tragedy of the 1906 Co. Kilkenny Gaelic Football Champions.
The featured photo above was taken in 1925 and part of the Poole Collection (POOL_WP_2720a, POOL_K_4144 & POOL_WP_3651) and the photo is Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.
Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Hurled for Glenmore: Henry Doolan (1923-2001) of Shanbogh (updated)
Today we are going to feature Henry Doolan, of Shanbogh, Rosbercon, a hurler who hurled for a number of teams including Glenmore in 1948 and 1949. Recently while searching old newspapers, an interesting article from 1960 concerning Henry Doolan, of Shanbough was discovered, and it triggered an old memory of a story about a hair dresser hurler.
My introduction to hurling came about 30 years ago when I first visited Glenmore and my mother’s second cousin, Jimmy Roche (1927-2018) of Rathinure, invited me to a game between Glenmore and the Shamrocks. With the patience of a saint Jimmy attempted to explain the game to me, aided by Mick Lynch (who sadly died earlier this month). When I innocently asked Jimmy if he ever won any trophies this caused Mick Lynch to laugh. As Jimmy related his story Mick would interject details most of which escape me now. What I do recall is that Jimmy said that the only time he played in a championship game, and won, he was playing as a bandit. He explained that he and John Heffernan [hope I have that correct] were asked to play in Wexford by a friend. I don’t recall the friend’s name, but I do recall it was mentioned that he was a hair dresser. Jimmy played in Wexford, the team won, but Jimmy couldn’t receive the medal.
It is not known whether Henry Doolan was the man who recruited Jimmy Roche to play with a Wexford team, but newspaper accounts do verify that Henry played with a number of teams, including Glenmore, and played with Jimmy’s brother in New York and Jimmy’s cousin, Michael Heffernan on the Geraldine O’Hanrahan team of New Ross. Some players of the era who “illegally” played for other clubs were quite proud of their recruitment. For example,in his brother Paddy’s obituary it was noted that Paddy Doolan was not adverse to playing for another club when “his services were sought” (New Ross Standard, 24 March 1994, p. 6).
The 1960 Article
“HOME FROM N.Y. — For the last month, Mr. Henry Doolan has been spending a very enjoyable holiday in his native parish of Rosbercon. A native of the townland of Shanbogh, he is a son of Mr. Henry Doolan, and the late Mrs. Elizabeth Doolan, of Shanbogh. With him are his wife and three young daughters. His wife formerly Miss Theresa O’Shea was a native of Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry, and a cousin of Mr. Jeremiah O’ Shea, the well-known Kerry All-Ireland Footballer, who played in last Sunday’s final. Henry is a brother of Mr. Patrick Doolan, Shanbogh, Mr. Michael Doolan, Shepherd’s Bush London, Mrs. Bridget Goldsmith, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey and Mrs. Mary Farrell, Finchely, London.
Hairdresser by profession, he is resident in the Bronx, New York, for the past six years. He worked for ten years in New Ross, before he emigrated to England, where he took up a position with the Cunard White Star Line Company, prior to emigrating to the U.S A. he was employed as a hairdresser on board the Queen Elizabeth, which position he held for a period of five years. At present employed in Park Avenue, Manhattan, he is keenly associated with the New York G.A.A. He is the trainer and also a playing member of the Kilkenny team in New York. He played with the Mullinavat senior hurling team in 1941 and with the Kilkenny junior team in 1949. He also played with Wexford in 1943 and 1947 and with Glenmore in 1948 and 1949. A noted G.A.A. supporter, he was prior to his departure from the country a most popular and esteemed member of the community. At present neighbours of his in the Bronx, are Mr. William Roche, a native of Rathinure Glenmore, Mr. James Walsh, Weatherstown, Glenmore, Mrs. Eily Fallon, formerly Miss Eily Foskin, of Mullinavat, and Messrs. Jack Garrigan and Terry Leahy of Kilkenny hurling renown…” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 30 Sept. 1960, p. 6).
Henry Doolan “served his time” with Bobby Walsh of South Street in New Ross. (New Ross Standard, 19 Sept. 2001). The first U.S. record that could be located for Henry Doolan is from 1950. On 27 September 1950, Henry Doolan, barber, was granted shore leave from the Queen Elizabeth at New York. He was listed as a British citizen. In 1954, Henry Doolan applied for and obtained a Social Security card thus indicating that he was living and working in the US. The following year Henry Doolan and Theresa O’Shea were issued a New York Marriage License (No. 6109). Henry became a naturalized citizen on 9 May 1960, recorded that he was residing at 2256 Walton Ave., Bronx, New York and that his birthdate was 9 February 1923.
Hurling
In addition to the teams listed in the 1960 article above, a newspaper search revealed that in 1943 Henry Doolan notified the Leinster Council that he wished to transfer from Carlow (jun) to New Ross Geraldine-O’Hanrahan (New Ross Standard, 14 May 1943, p. 6). Also in 1945, St. Fintan’s-St. Martin’s objected to Geradine-O’Hanrahan’s (New Ross) being awarded the county senior hurling final on the 7th of October on the grounds of Illegality. It was alleged that Henry Doolan and John Maddock played with the Rower against Danesfort in the Kilkenny junior hurling final. A witness stated that John Maddock was “playing all the time in the Rower game,” but Henry Doolan came in as a sub and “was a good man. He was the means of winning the match for the Rower.” (New Ross Standard, 2 Nov. 1945, p. 5).
William Roche, of Rathinure, Glenmore, named in the 1960 article as living in the Bronx, was Jimmy Roche’s brother. Henry Doolan was proclaimed a key member of the New York Kilkenny hurling club that won the New York League championships in 1957 and 1961 (New Ross Standard, 19 Sept. 2001). In 1957 in the New York finals Kilkenny beat Cork and some of the emigrant Kilkenny players included: P. Holden (Mooncoin); Willie Roche (Glenmore), P. Phelan (Mooncoin) and H. Doolan (Glenmore) (Kilkenny People, 18 May 1957, p. 5). It is not known why Henry is listed as being from Glenmore. In the 1961 New York League final Henry netted two goals in Kilkenny’s 7-2 to 3-4 victory over Galway. Terry Leahy the veteran star of Kilkenny’s All-Ireland victory at Croke Park in 1947, came out of retirement to assist the Black and Amber in the New York final. Leahy scored 2-1 whilst the other Kilkenny marksmen were Vincent Lakes (2-0) Sean O’Brien (1-0), and Hugh Dollard (0-1) (New Ross Standard, 19 Sept. 2001).
In 1993, a golden Jubilee Dinner Dance was held in New Ross to honour the Geraldine O’Hanrahan hurling team that won the senior county hurling title in 1943, 1944, and 1945. Henry Doolan travelled from New York to attend the dinner and was photographed standing near Michael Heffernan, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore, who as a young man worked in New Ross and played for that team. Mick Heffernan was a first cousin to Jimmy Roche and brother of John Heffernan.
Henry Doolan died at the age of 78 in 2001 in New York. The New Ross Standard published two articles on the 19th of September 2001 concerning his death and life. One of the articles sums up that “Henry Doolan of Shanbogh was a credit in his time to the GAA as indeed were his two brothers, Paddy and Mickey.” His widow Therese died in 2009 at the age of 80 (Daily News (New York, New York) Mon. 10 Aug. 2009 p. 18).
Henry Doolan’s Brothers and Ancestors
Henry Doolan was born on 9 February 1923. He was the son of Henry Doolan and Elizabeth Doolan née Walsh. Henry Doolan, Sr. was a labourer working at Cherry’s Brewery, New Ross when he married Elizabeth Walsh, at Rosbercon on 19 August 1914. Henry Doolan, Sr. was from Garranbehy and his bride was from Rosbercon. In addition to Henry Jr. the couple had at least four other children: Patrick Doolan; Michael Doolan; Bridget Doolan; and Mary Doolan. Patrick Doolan (c. 1916-1994) never married and when he got older according to Danny Dowling’s notes he went to live in a nursing home in Waterford. He worked at Cherry’s Brewery in New Ross, and according to his obituary he played football and hurling. He won a Kilkenny junior football championship in 1935. He also played for the Geraldines before they amalgamated with the O’Hanrahans and “he wasn’t adverse to playing for other clubs in other counties when his services were sought” (New Ross Standard, 24 March 1994, p. 6). Michael Doolan also played and after living in England returned to Ireland where he lived in Carlow and finally settled in Ferrybank. He died in 1997 (New Ross Standard, 30 April 1997, p. 5).
Paternal grandparents—Henry Doolan, Sr. was the son of Patrick Doolan and Bridget Doolan née Doyle. Henry Doolan, Sr. was born on 16 March 1890 at Tinnekilly and his father was employed as a fisherman. His parents, Patrick and Bridget were married at Rosberon on 17 September 1883. The groom was from Hoodsgrove the son of Michael Doolan (labourer). The bride was from Rosbercon and the daughter of Henry Doyle (labourer). Henry Doolan, Sr. had the following siblings [1] Michael Doolan, baptized 19 July 1884 (the family was living at Millbanks); {2] Mary Doolan born 1 May 1888, at Tinekilly; [3] Mary Doolan, born 1 January 1892.
Maternal grandparents—Elizabeth Doolan née Walsh was the daughter of Michael Walsh (labourer) and Mary Walsh née Smyth. There is a conflict in records concerning the date of Elizabeth’s birth. According to the civil register Elizabeth was born 1 January 1882. According to the Rosbercon Parish records Elizabeth was baptized on 31 December 1881. Mary Walsh née Smyth registered Elizabeth’s birth. Although it would normally be difficult to find information on common names such as Walsh and Smith, thanks to Michael and Paddy Doolan an article was published concerning their hunt for information on their grandmother “Ellen” Smyth of GLensenasaw who lived on the verge of the Kyleacurragh wood (New Ross Standard, 2 Sept. 1993, p. 25). Michael Walsh, of Shanbogh married Mary Smyth, of Garahbehy on 17 September 1874 at Rosbercon. The groom’s father is listed as William Walsh (labourer) and the bride’s father was listed as Edmund Smyth (labourer). Elizabeth Doolan née Walsh had the following siblings: [1] William Walsh, born 31 August 1875; [2] Johanna Walsh, born 13 April 1877; [3] Mary Walsh, born 25 May 1879; [4] Bridget Walsh, born 1 April 1885; [5] Johanna Walsh, born 19 September 1886 and Ellen Walsh, 4 January 1890.
Shanbogh National School, June 1928 (New Ross Standard, 2 July 1992) This photo was provided by Paddy Doolan (c. 1916-1994) to the newspaper. The names he provided to the newspaper are as follows Front Row: Pat Malone; Pat Saunders; Tom Saunders; M.J. Doolan; Paddy Doolan; Ellen Power; Mag Malone–Second Row: Paddy North; Michael Doolan; Bridie Doolan, Bridie Cashin; Cathy Purcell, Maggie Purcell, Liz Power; Peg Brennan–Third Row: Tom Greene; Jim Moore, Jim Purcell, John Greene, Ned Moore, Tom Mullally–Fourth Row: Peter Purcell; Joe Malone, Maura Cashin; Mary Bird; Bessie Cashin; stasia Malone, Katie North and Tommy Murphy. Teachers Master O’Regan and Annie O’Briend, Tinneranny. [Although Henry Doolan’s four siblings are in the photo he is not.]
The featured photo is a Glenmore-Tullogher Hurling team from (it is believed) from 1953. Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for sharing it and for her and Kathleen O’Connor for identifying the players. Glenmore and Tullogher came together and formed 1 team. LEFT TO RIGHT Front Row (kneeling): (1) Dick Cody (Carrigcloney); (2) George O’Connor (Ballyfacey); (3) Jimmy Roche (Rathinure); (4) John Doherty (Coolnaleen); (5) John Heffernan (Aylwardstown); (6) Jimmy Heffernan, (Aylwardstown); (7)Tom Murphy (Tullogher); (7) Pat O’Connor (Ballyfacey). Back Row (standing): (1) Seamus Dunphy (Ballyverneen); (2) Sean Phelan, (? ); (3) Fr. John Murphy ( ); (4) John Dillon, (Aylwardstown?); (5) Richie Doherty (Ballinlammy); (6) Paul Fitzgerald (Flemingstown); (7) Neddy O’Rourke (Weatherstown?); (8) Jack Hartley (Weatherstown); (9) Mikey Fitzgerald ( Moulerstown); (10) Tommy Phelan (Mullinahone); (11) Billy Murphy ( ); (12) Tim Phelan (Tullogher) and Jim Culleton, Kilbride.
If anyone has additional information or corrections please send them to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Old Rural Recreation: Faction Fighting
Danny Dowling interviewed and recorded some interesting information from elderly residents of Glenmore concerning some of the other business transacted during and after fairs and markets–faction fights. To try to put this information in context some general information on faction fighting is first provided.
Faction Fighting
Faction fighting was where large groups of rural men, and sometimes women, would meet to engage in fighting. The faction could be comprised of extended or allied families or persons from the same parish or townland. It is commonly understood that the practice continued until shortly before the Famine when reforms to the police and judicial systems and Father Theobald Matthew’s temperance crusade impacted on it. This pacification movement was also endorsed by Daniel O’Connell and the Catholic Association (Owens, p. 537). Expressions of concern over faction fighting at this time usually had more to do with the image projected than with injuries or deaths resulting from the fights. As long as the Irish could be portrayed as drunken barbarians bashing each other for fun all economic or political hardships could be blamed on the Irish character. However, “even at its worst the level of violence in Ireland was less than that of England” (Conly, p. 67).
Notwithstanding the efforts to stop faction fighting it re-surged after the Famine. Nineteenth century fiction and materials in the folklore archives at UCD suggest that faction fighting was an immensely popular and violent pastime (Thuente, p. 136) and its legend lived on in oral histories recorded in the twentieth century. Faction fighting was often viewed as a sort of release valve that prevented less controlled kinds of violence, and there were not many actual deaths relative to the enormous number of participants (Thuente, p. 137).
Carolyn Conley conducted a study based upon a Return of Outrages prepared by the R.I.C which listed the 1,932 reported homicides between 1866 and 1892 (occurring outside of the metropolitan area of Dublin), newspaper accounts of the killings and court documents. The author concluded that there was tolerance for recreational violence as displayed in faction fights among judges, jurors, police and journalists, witnesses and even victims. Recreational violence was not a form of misplaced resistance by an oppressed rural population, but a form of sport (Conley, p. 60). After the famine with more prosperity more assaults took place. “It was in the most prosperous areas of the countryside that the violent traditions were longest lived” (Conley, p. 58). The goal was not to injure or kill but to participate in a mutual display of skill and strength. Forty-one percent of all Irish homicides (outside of Dublin) between 1866 and 1892 were recreational in origin (Conley, p. 59).
“A formal faction fight, which might involve hundreds of men on each side, usually began with the ritual of wheeling which included chants, stylized gestures and insults. The traditional wheel included the name of the person(s) issuing the challenge as well as the intended opponent” (Conley, p. 60). There were two recognised acts that signified consent to the fight. The wheel and the removal of one’s coat (Conley, p. 61). While wheels might include insults or references to past grievances, a challenge to see who was the better man would suffice for consent. Women who engaged in “the sport” took the same pride in their prowess as their men (Conley, p. 62).
“In keeping with the recreational aspect of fighting there were rules. Though supporting one’s comrades was expected, in most cases justice required roughly even sides…ganging up was not acceptable…nor was continuing to pummel a defeated opponent” (Conley, p. 61). Due to the fact that the participants had to consent to engage in the fight there were numerous instances where onlookers and witnesses expressed to the authorities that they were not in fear when a faction fight commenced, thus making a conviction for riot impossible. Acceptable weapons included: fists, feet, teeth, stones and sticks. Two and a half percent of the homicide victims in Conley’s study died from kicks and five from infected bites (Conley, p. 62).
The most popular venues for recreational fighting were fairs, markets, and races. “One hundred people died as a result of brawls in these settings, but only a third of the killers served any jail time and only nine served more than two years” (Conley, p. 65). “Brawls were such an integral part of wakes” that even deaths did not make the incidents serious to authorities. Not one person was convicted in any of the fourteen homicides that occurred at wakes and funerals (p. 65). Even in twenty-one cases in which innocent bystanders were killed, deaths from brawls were considered regrettable but not serious. Twenty-six children were killed from injuries sustained in brawls. Only seven of the killers served any jail time at all. Only four people were sentenced to more than two years for the death of a bystander. The brawling tradition began so early in life that a quarter of the children less than sixteen years of age (killed by non-relatives) were killed by another child under the age of sixteen.
Danny Dowling Interviews
On the 22nd of May 1964 Danny Dowling interviewed Nicholas Forristal (1888-1979) of Graiguenakill, Glenmore. Nicky the Miller recalled hearing that the fair or market held at Nash in Wexford had two families that were great faction fighters, the Gunnups and Quigleys. In one of the factions was a family with eleven brothers and one sister. On one of the fair days the sister said—“There is twelve o’clock and not a stroke struck yet. She had a stone in her stocking and she started the melee by striking one of the opposition.” Nicky informed Danny that a stone in the stocking was a dangerous weapon.
Nicky stated that there were various Glenmore factions during nineteenth century at about the time his father was born in 1849 “Grants had upper side of parish, and Paddy Merrigan of Milltown, was the leader of another from the Jamestown side.” A member of the Merrigan faction was Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh from Glenmore Village. Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh cut, prepared, and seasoned the sticks used as weapons by the Merrigan faction.
“On a certain occasion in Glenmore Village before the pubs were out of it, there was a wake in Hanrahan’s house in the Village (alongside Fluskey’s). As the pub was closing members of the rival factions started drifting into the wake. It was a lovely night. Paddy the Weaver was at the wake and someone said to him it was a fine night and he replied, ‘It is a fine night but I think it will be a bloody morning.’ He was anticipating a big row.” Danny Dowling noted that the Glenmore parish priest in about 1870 caused the three Glenmore pubs to close and Glenmore parish remained dry for nearly 100 years making it a very unique Village. Hanrahan’s house in the Village where the wake was being held was the house where Danny Dowling was born in 1927.
Nicky said people were very crude and backward then, and when they got a few pints they deliberately set out to create rows. “The order of the day then was to return home from fairs and hooleys with blood all over you. That was held to be a sign that you were a good man.” Nicky stated that “Watt Power, of Jamestown, was an awful man for rising rows.” He always believed in having blood on him before returning home. He and his wife had a shebeen for awhile where Dick Whelan was living in 1964. “Watt used tell sometime that he had been fighting with Phil Dyháwdin from around Ross. Phil DyhAwdin was renowned as a fierce fighter. Watt, of course, never had anything to do with him.”
James McDonald, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore was interviewed by Danny Dowling on the 11th of June 1970. James reported that Big Jack Ryan of Knockhouse, Kilmacow, was the first of the Ryans to come to Guilcogh, Tullogher to where Richie Ryan was located in 1970. It was due to faction fighting that Big Jack Ryan went to Guilcogh. The Norris family, of Guiclogh, “were the leaders of a great faction fighting team and always won their combats. As they were getting on a bit, they felt that they could not last much longer at the top. Jack Ryan was a great big man and was a renowned faction fighter, so Norris said that if he could get Ryan, he would continue to win the faction fights. Norris therefore got Ryan, brought him to Guilcogh and got him married to his daughter. Ryan had three sons with this Norris girl. She died on the birth of the fourth child. After Ryan joined the Norris faction team it continued to win fights for a long period.
James McDonald stated that after his first wife died Ryan married a girl named Long and had more children. Ryan was said to have divided the farm to each of his four children from his first wife. Each of the four children received ten acres of land. The land allocated to each was too small to support a family. The four children asked their father to give them each four pounds in order for them all to go to America. Ryan gave the four children the money. The four children emigrated to America. The land reverted to Ryan and he divided it among the children he had by his second wife. Unfortunately, in reviewing early parish records the only marriage that could be located between a Ryan and Norris was in 1860 where Thomas Ryan married Margaret Norris in Guilcogh on 12 June 1860.
On the 16th of January 1956, Walter Power (c. 1888-1961) of Jamestown, Glenmore shared with Danny Dowling a poem that the elderly residents of Glenmore recited when he was a lad. It alleges that the first faction fight in Old Ireland was “all on account of St. Patrick’s Day.”
Some fought for the eighth, For the ninth some would die, And whoever said wrong, They would blacken his eye, Until Father Mulcahy, he told them their sin, He said boys don’t be fighting but sometimes combine, Don’t be always disputing about 8 and 9, Combine 8 and 9, 17 is the mark, And let that be his birthday, Amen said the Clerk.
Ironically, the last known faction fight involving Glenmore participants, that Danny Dowling identified, was reported in the New Ross Standard, just a day after St. Patrick’s day in 1893. Fourteen persons, including a woman, were arrested for the faction fight that occurred in Rosbercon after the New Ross fair. According to the newspaper account the court was packed with spectators for the trial of the faction fighters.
If anyone has any corrections or additional information please send it to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
[Additional information from Peter Walsh of Rathinure, Glenmore 20 May 2021–Maths and Irish Teacher, at Good Counsel College of New Ross, Mr. Toby Kavanagh, collected Irish folklore and told his students in 1969/1970 that the shillelagh black thorn sticks used in faction fights were coated in goose greese and put up the chimney for the smoke to harden them.]
The featured drawing is entitled “The Kilkenny Election,” published in the Graphic on 17 Dec. 1890 (p. 723) and depicts a scene at Castlecomer where Parnell was present when “a regular good old fashion faction fight began.” (c) The British Library Board.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Carolyn Conley (1999) “The Agreeable Recreation of Fighting,” 33(1) Journal of Social History 57-72.
Gary Owens, (1997) “A Moral Insurrection: Faction Fighters, Public Demonstrations and the O’Connellite Campaign, 1828” 30(12) Irish Historical Studies 513-541.
Mary Helen Thuente (1985) “Violence in Pre-Famine Ireland: The Testimony of Irish Folklore and Fiction Author(s),” 15(2) Irish University Review 129-147.
Local Artefacts: A Letter from 1859, A Glenmore Football Medal and a 1907 Family Photo
Over the years Danny Dowling recorded information regarding various artefacts that have been discovered in and around Glenmore including ancient burial sites, coins and common household invoices from local businesses. Today, we are going to highlight three different types of artifacts. The first is a simple letter written and mailed in October 1859. Although Danny can not recall how he obtained the letter, or when it joined his collection, it was in a shopping bag with other letters from that era and steamship sailing information and receipts. Danny in his younger days was noted for urging people to donate to local libraries and archives. Often when people were cleaning out a cupboard or attic they would bring old documents, books and records to Danny who would accept the items and try to find a suitable library or archive for the items. If unsuccessful Danny would add them to his ecliptic collection. The second artefact is a Senior Football Kilkenny Championship medal awarded in 1917 to Thomas “Tommy” Forristal, of Rochestown, Glenmore. The third artefact is the 1907 photograph of the Maddock family of Listerlin, Tullogher.
The Letter
Today, with letter writing becoming less common due to email and other electronic means of communication this 162 year old letter, although dirty, is in remarkable condition. Physically, the letter is comprised of a single sheet of paper 16 inches by 10 inches. The sheet of paper was folded in half and the letter was written on one of the halved surfaces (8 inches width and 10 inches height). In the middle 19th century envelopes were not common. After the letter was written the two ends were folded in to form a rectangle 5 ½ inches by 8 inches. The rectangle was folded and the finished rectangle was 5 ½ inches (width) by 3 ¼ inches (height). On the back the ends were secured by wax. On the front are two stamps and the handwritten name of the addressee, Miss Anne Ryan, New Ross. Also handwritten on the front is the word “Registered.” The front of the letter is very dirty, and although the two stamps are postmarked the postmark is not legible. Another postmarked is on the back and reads “New Ross, Oct 2, 1859 A.” It is assumed that this is the postmark reflecting when the letter arrived in New Ross.
Most 19th century paper was made from rags and made without most of the chemicals found in paper today. It is assumed that a stylus type pen was used to write the letter. By the mid-19th century quills were no longer the usual instrument for letter writing. Steel nibs had been developed and were dipped into ink. Fountain pens that had a reservoir for ink did not come into general use until about 1900. The handwriting on the letter is typical of mid-19th century handwriting where the first S in Ross and Miss looks like a modern f. Now that handwriting is not a taught subject in school in many parts of the world it will be interesting if future generations will have difficulty reading and deciphering surviving 20th and 21st century handwritten documents.
The last unusual physical feature is the fact that a hole that is perfectly centred through all layers of the letter. This hole is from where the letter was spindled. In most businesses a spindle, which was an upright spike of approximately 6 to 8 inches in height, was used to hold papers until the papers were filed or destroyed.
The Letter Transcribed
Dublin 1 Oct 1859
Miss Anne Ryan New Ross
Dear Miss Ryan
I have received your letter of yesterday and regret to hear of the death of Miss Murphy. I am sure Mrs. Conell when I mention the fact to her this evening will be very much hurt that it was not communicated to her when it occurred.
I enclose a credit on the Bank of Ireland New Ross for ten pounds account(?) of your half year annuity the 29th Sept of which please acknowledge the receipt(?).
Sincerely(?) Francis Conell
(Registered)
Although several women named Anne Ryan are represented in death records from 1859 to 1900 without an address or approximate age it is impossible to determine who received this letter. From the contents of the letter it would appear that Miss Anne Ryan had an investment with Mr. Francis Conell that paid her twenty pounds per year, a large income in 1859. Given that steamship related tickets etc. were found in the same sack containing the letter it may be the case that Miss Ryan or her family were engaged in ticket sales or other businesses in New Ross. The fact that no house name is provided for Miss Ryan, and the fact that no business or street name is provided on the letter suggests that Miss Anne Ryan was a well known person in New Ross.
The Thomas Forristal Senior Co. Kilkenny Championship Football Medal
The photos of the medal were provided by Brian Forristal. Brian stated that he was told that his grandfather Thomas “Tommy” Forristal (1886-1955) a native of Rochestown, Glenmore wore the medal on his watch chain. The front of the medal is very ornate and reads “T. Foristal.” The inscription on the back is “Kilkenny Senior Football C’ship 1917. Won by Glenmore.” Several hallmarks are visible on the back of the medal.
Thomas Forristal was born 23 June 1886, at Rochestown, Glenmore the son of John Forristal and Mary Forristal née Reddy. Thomas married Kate Roche, of Rathinure, Glenmore at Glenmore on 11 July 1921. Kate was the daughter of John Roche, a farmer in Rathinure. The couple moved to Waterford where they resided at 28 Morgan St. Kate died tragically at the Parliament Street Hospital on 2 March 1923 while 7 months pregnant. Thomas at the age of 41 married another Glenmore native, Sarah Foran (1896-1983) of Kearney Bay, Glenmore. Sarah was 31 years of age when she married Thomas Forristal on 21 February 1927 at St. Patrick’s of Waterford. At the time of his second marriage, Thomas was living at 20 Morgan St. and Sarah was living on Patrick St., Waterford. Sarah was the daughter of John Foran and Ellen Foran née Power.
The Maddock Family Photo
The third artefact is a photo from the collection of Michael Hoynes, of Ballybrahee, Glenmore. It is a family photo of the family of Michael Maddock (c. 1853-1910) and Bridget Maddock née Gaule (c. 1856-1933) of Listerlin in the parish of Tullogher. This 1907 photo is unique in that all family members are present. We know from the 1911 census that Michael and Bridget had 11 children born alive and all were alive in 1911. By 1911 only 5 of the Maddock children were living at home. Their father, Michael had died on 30 July 1910 of cancer of the liver at the age of 57. The photo in addition to depicting the clothing and hair styles of the time shows that Michael Maddock wore a medal on his watch chain.
Michael Maddock (farmer) of Listerlin married on 19 September 1878 Bridget Gaule, also of Listerlin. Michael was the son of David Maddock and Bridget was the daughter of Luke Gaule.
The Maddock family in the 1907 photo (front row left to right) William Maddock (b.1894) (standing); MOTHER Bridget Gaule Maddock (c. 1856-1933) (seated); Bessie Maddock (b. 1898) (seated); FATHER Michael Maddock (c.1853-1910) (seated) and John Maddock (b. 1896) (seated); (back row left to right) Ciss Maddock (b. 1880); Dick Maddock (b. 1891); Bridget Maddock (b. 1886); David Maddock (b. 1882); Luke Maddock (b.1885), Statia Maddock (b. 1889); Molly Maddock (b. 1888) and Sylvester Maddock (1892-1917). Due to Sylvester being an unusual name it was easy to discover that he tragically died at the age of 23 of TB. At the time of his death he was working as a grocer’s assistant.
One Maddock daughter, Bridget Maddock (b. 1886) on 30 January 1913, in Rosbercon married George O’Connor (1881-1965) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. To this union ten children were born. One daughter of George and Bridget O’Connor, Catherine O’Connor (b. 1917) married Philip James Hoynes on 14 January 1948 at Glenmore.
Special thanks to Michael Hoynes for sharing the 1907 Maddock Family photo and information and Brian Forristal for taking photos of his grandfather’s football medal and sharing the photos.
If there are any errors or omissions or anyone has any information to add concerning Miss Anne Ryan of 1859 New Ross etc. please email us at glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore walsh