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Happy May Day!
For a brief discussion of the local May Bush tradition see our previous post of 22 April 2021. Although it has been showery and overcast May Bushes did make an appearance in Glenmore this morning. The feature photo is the small May Bush in the Village. This year yellow and blue ribbons feature to show support for the people of Ukraine.
If you kept the old tradition alive please send a photo to glenmore.history@gmail.com or feel free to post it on our facebook page.
Ballycroney Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded in a notebook that he drafted in 1960/1961. This was an important time as it began a decade of great change nationally and internationally. It commenced in January 1961 with John F. Kennedy being inauguated as the first Catholic President of the United States. For our international readers the Kennedy ancestoral home is located across the River Barrow from Glenmore. The year ended with the launch of Telefís Éireann on 31 December. The first broadcast featured President de Valera.
Danny in his notebook recorded the residents of the parish per the townlands where they lived. Birth dates or birth years of some of the older residents are listed or were gleaned from available public records. Today, we are going to feature the 12 families recorded in Ballycroney. For some time after drafting the notebook Danny recorded dates of death or simply noted that a resident had died.
The recorded information reveals that 43 people resided in Ballycroney with the population almost equally divided between males and females. The largest family recorded was the Boland family, and there were three households comprised of one person living on their own. The majority of households were supported by agriculture with only 5 persons were recorded as being employed in non-agricultural work (1 male and 4 females).
Recorded Residents
Males=22
Females=21
Total = 43
Eldest Recorded Resident = Luke Fitzgerald (b. 1883) [Aged 78/79 in 1961]
Recorded Work
Farmers =5 (4 Males & 1 Female)
Farm/Agricultural Workers= 12 (All males)
Punch Machine Operator= 1 (Female)
Clerk Typist = 1 (Female)
Waitress = 1 (Female)
Housemaid = 1 (Female)
BALLYCRONEY RESIDENTS
[1] FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald, Luke (b. 28 Feb. 1883) Farmer
Fitzgerald, James, son, farm
[2] HENNESSY
Hennessey, Bridget (b. 15 Aug. 1887) Farmer (died, but date of death not recorded)
Hennessey, Richard (b. 1915) son, farm
Hennessey, Ellen, daughter-in-law
Hennessey, Martin, son
Hennessey, Martin, grandson
[3] BOLAND
Boland, William (b. 1915) Agricultural Labourer
Boland, Mary (b. 1916) Wife [usually called Minnie]
Boland, John, son, Agricultural Labourer
Boland, William, son, Agricultural Labourer
Boland, Anne, daughter
Boland, Nellie, daughter
Boland, Margaret, daughter
Boland, Thomas, son
Boland, Bridget, daughter
[4] HAGAN
Hagan, Patrick (b. 17 Mar. 1904) Head, Farm Labourer
[5] CODY [known locally as the Odie Cody’s]
Cody, Richard (b. 1921) Farmer
Cody, John (b. 1922) brother, farm
Cody, Walter (b. 1928) brother, farm
Cody, Michael (b. 1925) brother, farm
[6] MACKEY
Mackey, John (b. 17 July 1902) Farmer
Mackey, Brigid (b. 1907) wife
Mackey, John, son, farm
Mackey, Catherine, daughter, punch machine operator
Mackey, Johanna, daughter
[Editor’s note–Munster Express, Fri. 3 Feb. 1961, p. 14–“Examination success—Amongst the successful candidates in the Civil Service Commissioners examination for appointment to the position of Telephonist held in December last, was C. Mackey, Ballycroney, Glenmore.”
[7] GAULE
Gaule, Patrick (b. 20 Jan. 1908) Lorry Driver
Gaule, John Joseph, son
Gaule, Mary Angela, daughter
Gaule, Elizabeth, daughter
Gaule, Brigid, daughter
[8] HARTE
Harte, Mary (b. 10 Feb. 1910)
Harte, Ellen, daughter, shorthand typist
Harte, Bridget, daughter
[9] COTTERELL
Cotterell, John (b. 23 May 1909) Farmer
Cotterell, Thomas (b. 16 Nov. 1912) brother, farm
[10] BUTLER
Butler, Anastatia (b. 17 May 1888)
[11] BUTLER
Butler, Mary (b.1924) housemaid
[12] POWER
Power, John, old age pensioner
Power, Bridget (b. 1904)
Power, Thomas Richard, son, farm labourer
Power, Margaret, daughter, waitress (hotel)
We hope that you have enjoyed or found this snapshot of Ballycroney interesting and over the coming weeks we will feature the residents of other townlands from this notebook.
Please send any corrections, additional information, or queries to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
John Ennett’s, “Dancing at Sean Walsh’s”
For generations, the local pub has been a venue for meeting and catching up, whether it be GAA, politics, work matters and sometimes for a musical get together. Glenmore for a long period of time after 1870 had the distinction of being the only parish in Ireland that was dry and had no pub, at least not a legal one. This changed when our own local pub, The Glen Bar was opened in 1963 by Sean Walsh, and he continued to trade there until 1982, when Michael Barron took ownership of the premises. We are very fortunate to be given a piece of movie gold, by John Ennett, originally from Cappagh, who now resides in England. John recorded this piece in Sean Walsh`s bar around 1980. It`s guaranteed to bring back memories.
Below are a list of local people that appear in the short clip. If you recognise anyone else please describe what they are doing or where they are seated, their name and where they lived or if you have any corrections to the list and information below please send it to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
If you would like to read about the pre-1870 pubs and local shebeen’s recorded by Danny Dowling see our blog post of 30 March 2020 by clicking here.
Special thanks to John Ennett for sharing this wonderful clip.
Pat Dowling
Musicians
James “Jim B.” Walsh, of the Village (18 Sept. 1918-21 March 1988)
Watt Murphy, of Mullinahone, was married to Kitty Walsh.
Jimmy Long (playing the spoons) of Carrigcloney (17 July 1913-11 Oct. 2003)
Nicky Larrissy (playing the banjo) of Slieverue (son-in-law of Jimmy & Alice Long)
Dancers
Paddy Phelan of Ballyhobuck (28 Nov. 1934-28 Dec. 1992)
Alice Long (15 July 1924-7 Nov. 1997)
Ritchie Forristal, son of Bob the Miller, and nephew of Nicky the Miller, of Graiguenakill (21 Jan. 1923- ).
Patrons
Mr. O’Donnell the schoolteacher’s husband seated on right, leaning on his knees (gray hair)
Mikey Phelan, of Mullinahone, standing a the bar with hat, coat and gray hair.
John Ryan, of the Village, far left near Watt Murphy wearing a sports coat.
Nicky Martin, of Upper Ballinlammy, next to Jimmy Long, (wearing a flat cap, tweed coat, jumper, open collar white shirt)
Johnny Sinnott and his wife, of Weatherstown, seated to the right of Jim B (Johnny wearing a flat cap)
“Mick Mack” McDonald?, of Scartnamore, dark hair & sideburns to the left of Watt Murphy (wearing a tie & lit a cigarette)
Jack Dollard, of Ballyfacey, seated on right (hat, white shirt and tie).
Special thanks to John Hennessey for identifying some of the patrons.
One Hundred Years Ago: April 1922
A review of the local newspapers revealed that while crime continued to be a problem across the country fewer criminal events were reported in local newspapers in April 1922. As the Free State set about governing, in April 1922 it encountered various difficulties from political meetings being disrupted to evicted farmers seeking redress in the newly established Irish Free State courts. A 25 year old Glenmore eviction case was such a case that made its way into the new Irish courts.
Disruption of Pro-Treaty Meetings
On the first of the month the Munster Express (Sat. 1 April 1922, p. 2) published an article describing a Pro-Treaty meeting held in Waterford. Michael Collins was accompanied by Joe McGrath, Sean Milroy and Ernest Blythe. The anti-Treaty side cut the railway signal lines which caused the speakers’ train to be delayed in arriving. When the meeting did commence De Valera spoke without disturbance, yet the Free State speakers were subjected to what the newspaper described as persistent and organised interruption by a party of 50 to 60 young men and women who sang and cheered drowning out the speakers. When Collins and the other speakers set off for Dungarvan the roads were blocked making them take a longer route. Upon arriving they were standing on a lorry and beginning to address the crowd when a man jumped into the lorry and attempted to drive off with Collins and his fellow pro-Treaty speakers.
On the 9th of April a “monster” pro-Treaty meeting was scheduled for Wexford. The Dublin and South Eastern Railway in support of the Treaty offered special fare to a Monster Meeting. Michael Collins was also scheduled to address this meeting. The special train left Waterford at 10:30 and Glenmore at 10:47. A third class return fare cost 4 shillings (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 April 1922, p. 1). Not content to cause a delay to the speakers, on this occasion two sections of track were removed which would have derailed the Dublin train except for the fact that a railway ganger while walking the track early that morning discovered the sabotage.
Co. Kilkenny Registered Voters
There were 34,297 voters on the 1922-23 Register of Co. Kilkenny. The number of voters registered in each of the polling districts were published and here are a local selection: Glenmore, 1517; Kilmacow 2,229; Mullinavat, 1,221; Piltown, 2,228; and Thomastown, 1,712. The Co. Kilkenny registrar was H.H. Langrishe, Clerk of the Peace assisted by Fred Chambers (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 8 April 1922, p. 4).
Glenmore Women in the News
The Community of Mount Carmel, New Ross, acknowledged receipt of subscriptions and gifts from 8 April 1922…nearly half the page of the newspaper contained the long list of donors, and within the list were the following Glenmore donors: Mrs. Duggan, Glenmore, 10 s; Mrs. Breen, Glenmore, potatoes and eggs; Mrs. Hynes, Glenmore, potatoes and eggs. Friends that promised farm produce were asked to deliver it to the Convent by the 15th (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 April 1922, p. 8).
Monument for Sean Hartley
“Steps are being taken to erect a monument to the late Sean Hartley, Glenmore, 5th Batt., Co. Kilkenny I.R.A., and who was killed in the Coolbawn ambush on last June. A month ago the people of the Co. Kilkenny and Wexford, and some from Carlow for the second time demonstrated their love and veneration for a brave soldier who gave his life for his country, by attending in large numbers at Glenmore when the remains were removed to the family grave almost facing the church door in the beautiful cemetery where lie the ashes of one who was gentle as a child yet brave as a lion in battle for his country’s cause. Trustees for the fund have been appointed, and there is no doubt but everyone who knew brave Sean Hartley and the thousands who heard of him will contribute toward the erection of a monument worthy of the man” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 April 1922, p. 7).
Ship Wreck in New Ross
In early April a steamer with 160 tons of flour arrived from Liverpool. The cargo was for John Butler a merchant on John Street, New Ross. While the ship was berthed at New Ross it snaped its mooring, turned on its side, got stuck and when the tide came in the water swept over it. An attempt was made by the town fire engine to pump the water from the engine room and after two hours work it had to be stopped (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 April 1922, p. 3). The cargo was estimated to be worth £3,000, and 40 tons were pulled from the vessel and placed on the quay. The flour disappeared and at the next tide several bags of flour floated from the vessel and the newspaper described the scene of poor people rushing to secure the floating bags. Several people proceeded up the town with ten stone bags of flour on their backs and water dripping from the bags. “Loads of flour were sold to farmers by people in the town, and it was reported that some of it exchanged hands at prices from 3s. to 10s. per bag (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 April 1921, p. 3).
25 Year Old Glenmore Eviction Case
In the District Court of the Thomastown Courthouse a 90-year-old Glenmore man, Michael Walsh, and his daughter Mary Anne Walsh, sued Matthew Cottrell, of Ballycroney, Glenmore for compensation. The case was heard by: George Dooley (chair); Commandant J. Walsh; J.F. Drennan, Co. C.; Michael Delahunty and Sean O’Duffy (representing the Minister for Home Affairs). Both parties were represented by solicitors. The proceedings commenced with the solicitors stating that the parties agreed to have the justices hear the case. “This case is brought by arbitration—friendly arbitration—by two Irish people before an Irish court.” It was noted that previously evicted people began seeking redress and the Government of Ireland had to issue an order on the 20th June, 1920, preventing any claims regarding land to be made in Ireland. The court in April 1922 was being asked to decide the right of a tenant farmer, Michael Walsh, who was evicted from his 42 acre Glenmore farm 25 years previously.
Walsh, his wife and daughter were evicted by their landlord Strangman when 3 years’ rents were unpaid. Walsh’s solicitor explained, “It was not through the plan of campaign that he was evicted. If you cast your minds back to that period you will recollect at the time there was a terrible disease raging amongst cattle, and this poor man’s cattle died, one by one, until he had none left. As a consequence, he was unable to pay his rent and was evicted, and the farm was taken possession of by the present defendant, who is now before the court and is prepared to pay any compensation that the court may decide.” Walsh testified that the farm was boycotted after his eviction. He went to the landlord with a years’ rent but his landlord had rented the farm to Cottrell.
The most interesting aspect of the case was the testimony of Mary Anne Walsh who admitted on cross examination to having sent threatening letters to the defendant Cottrell. She had in one letter included an article where a man who occupied an evicted farm was executed by the I.R.A. in Tipperary. She wrote that what happened to him would happen to Cottrell. After admitting that she sent the letter she was asked if it was still her honest conviction and she said that it was. However, she agreed that she would abide with whatever the court ruled. The justices deliberated, and the chairman announced that they had decided to dismiss the claim (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 1 April 1922, p. 10).
Glenmore Deaths
DEATH OF MR. MICHAEL MAHER, GLENMORE—On Thursday last there was interred at Glenmore one of the fine old Type of South Kilkenny men, in the person of Mr. Michael Maher. Deceased, who had attained a fine old age, was most esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He was father of the late Mr. John Maher, formerly of the firm of Power Brothers, drapers, Waterford. R.I.P. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 April 1922, p. 5). The death register reveals that Michael Maher was 82 years of age, was a widower, living at Rochestown, Glenmore and his son Michael was present when he died on 11 April 1922.
DEATH OF MRS. JOHANNA AYLWARD, GLENMORE—The death occurred of Mrs. Johanna Aylward, mother of the Very Rev. R. [Richard] Aylward, President St. Kieran’s College, at her residence, Ballinclare, Glenmore on Friday April 7th. She had attained her 88th year. She was devotedly attended to by the priests of the parish during her last illness. The funeral, which was very largely attended, took place to the family burial place in Glenmore. Solemn Requiem Office and Mass were celebrated at Glenmore. Right Rev. Mgr. Doyle, D.D., P.P., VG presided. The celebrant was Very Rev. R. Aylward, son of deceased. There was a large attendance of clergy (Munster Express, Sat. 22 April 1922, p. 5). The death register reveals that Johanna Aylward was a farmer’s widow and her son John was present when she died.
Blog Update—over the next few weeks we hope to expand the blog to publish some lists Danny Dowling compiled in 1960/1961 regarding Glenmore residents as well as photos and other items we hope that will be of interest to readers.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Fr. John Duggan (1932-2021) of Flemingstown, Glenmore and Super Bowl IX
This week while we were preparing to post the obituary of Fr. John Duggan the reference therein to his time served as Chaplain to the Pittsburgh Steelers caused a search of a pile of future “From Danny’s Files” articles. In the pile was a Kilkenny People article entitled “Priest Who Prays for Success,” (Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6). This week we are going to feature the association and circumstances of Fr. John Duggan becoming unofficial chaplain, or as the press in the United States dubbed him, the “lucky charm” or the “secret weapon” of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football team in the early 1970’s. To put this into context the Pittsburgh Steelers did not have a winning season from 1933 until Fr. Duggan came on the scene.
Fr. John Duggan was born on 7 February 1932 to Richard Duggan and his wife Molly Duggan née O’Gorman, of Flemingstown, Glenmore. Fr. Duggan attended St. Kieran’s College and Maynooth Seminary and was ordained a priest on 17 June 1956. He went on to earn an MA in Education and a PhD in Counselling from Boston College and had a fellowship to Harvard. It was during the three years when Fr. Duggan was pursuing his PhD that he is credited with helping the Pittsburgh Steelers become Super Bowl champions.
Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. (1901-1988) nicknamed “The Chief” was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 1933 he established the Steelers as an expansion team in the National Football League. Much has been written concerning Rooney’s big win at a race track that funded the team for several early years. Although Rooney was lucky allegedly at the racetrack, his football team did not enjoy much success. Prior to 1972 the team only played in one post season game. This occurred in 1947 when they played one game in the Eastern Division Playoffs and lost 21 to 0 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 1969, The Chief hired a young Chuck Noll (1932-2014) as head coach and kept him on as head coach notwithstanding his first year record was only 1 win and 13 loses. In 1970, the American Football League and the National Football League merged and “The Chief” agreed to leave the NFL Eastern Conference and joined the AFC central conference. The Steelers became a powerhouse, and today Noll is credited with building the team through the recruiting of gifted players via the football draft. Noll recruited players like Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw and “Mean” Joe Green who was a leading member of the infamous “Steel Curtain” defence. In 1972, the Steelers after over 40 years of losses began a remarkable 8 year run of playoff appearances, and 13 straight years of winning seasons. They are the only team to accomplish two consecutive Super Bowl wins twice with these four Super Bowl wins in six consecutive seasons. Chuck Noll at the time was the youngest head coach to have won the Super Bowl.
At the same time the two football leagues were merging, and Chuck Noll was trying to find his feet as head coach, in the spring of 1970, two young Americans were on a tour of Ireland. Tim and Pat Rooney, two sons of the Chief, stopped at the church where Fr. Duggan was parish priest in an attempt to locate the birthplace of one of their ancestors. While Fr. Duggan was speaking to the Rooney brothers’ he asked them what kind of business they were in, and Fr. Duggan thought they said “vestments.” He invited them to attend Mass the following day, so he could show them the beautiful vestments that had been made in Paris. They came and after Mass explained that they were in investments not vestments. They invited Fr. Duggan to get in touch if he ever got to America as they would take him to a football game. “I thought they were just fans. I didn’t know until I got here that their family actually owned a team” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6).
Fr. Duggan went to the U.S. the following year to take some summer courses. He contacted the Rooney brothers and they flew him to Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a shockingly bad record the year before winning only 1 of 13 games. In 1971, while Fr. Duggan was present the team won the first four games. Fr. Duggan stated, “I didn’t know much about the game. It was confusion, especially the change of teams from offence to defence and the specialty teams.” After he returned to Ireland the team lost four out of the next six games. The following year Fr. Duggan learned that he would be back in the U.S. for three years to study full time for a doctorate (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6). While working on his doctorate Fr. Duggan was based at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.
“The Chief sat me down and told me he wanted me to become the Steeler’s chaplain. He thought the team had a good chance to win the division and that to date the priest was undefeated. As it turned out the Steelers did win the division that year” (The Boston Globe, Tues. 14 Jan. 1975, p. 22).
During his three years in the U.S., Fr. Duggan travelled to all the Steeler games home and away, at the request of the Rooney family. During these weekends he became close to the players, and often counselled them when they had problems. Fr. Duggan was said to have stated that he offered “…mass every weekend during the season so that no players be injured badly and that in all games involving the Steelers, the better team will win. But, I have an understanding with God that the Steelers are the better team always.” As part of his unofficial duties to the team on the eve of every game, he offered a Mass, with different players, regardless of their religion, helping him with the readings” (The Boston Globe, Tues. 14 Jan. 1975, p. 22). [John]”Frenchy” Fuqua, a running back who is not a Catholic volunteered as a reader. “That afternoon Frenchy had one of the best games of his career,”…”Frenchy came to me and said when can I do another reading?” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6).
It was widely reported that the night before the Central Division championship game played between the Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, in December 1972, Father Duggan was in the stadium. Father Duggan was asked to leave because the Raiders did not want anyone watching their closed practice. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazetted (23 Dec. 1972, p. 11) thought this very odd and reported that the Steeler team, coaching staff, and their families were at a Christmas party in the stadium club overlooking the field. “All the Steelers had to do to see the Raiders was look out the club’s huge picture windows. None seemed that interested.” Some newspapers reported that there was an exchange between Father Duggan and an official from the Raiders. One reported that Father Duggan allegedly objected to leaving stating, “But I don’t know enough about football to do any harm.” The Raider official was alleged to have replied, “You are a priest aren’t you? That makes you dangerous. Art Rooney has every priest in the country pulling for him tomorrow.”
The Steelers won the game, 13-7, in the last five seconds when Franco Harris caught a pass that had deflected off of Fuqua and ran 60 yards for the touchdown. That catch is often referred to as the ”Miraculous reception,” or the “Immaculate reception.” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 27 Dec. 1974, p. 6). After winning the Central Division championship newspaper articles began to appear linking Fr. Duggan to the team’s success. It was noted that Chuck Noll was a man of intense faith, but did not proclaim “his creed with evangelistic fevor…he attended the Thanksgiving Mass offered by Fr. Duggan” the day after the game at a chapel adjoining the Rooney home. Noll was the reader, Dan Rooney, the general manager and Ed Kiely, the publicity director for the team, served as altar boys. According to Kiely, “Fr. Duggan’s presence, apparently has helped us…He was present for 12 of our games and saw us only lose once.” (New Castle News [New Castle, Pennsylvania] 19 Dec. 1972, p. 20).The following week the Steelers lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins in the final AFL championship.
Super Bowls are played in January based upon the previous season. Super Bowl IX was played on 12 January 1975 in New Orleans. For the first time the Pittsburgh Steelers made it to the Super Bowl and played the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers defence was said to hold all in awe. Several newspapers noted the attendance of Fr. Duggan. “One unheralded part of the Steelers’ game plan is Rev. John Duggan, a priest from Kilkenny, Ireland…the Mass saying lucky charm [is] at every Steelers’ game (The Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Jan. 1975, p. 21) and the Steelers won 16-6.
Later, in what appears an attempt to explain how the lovable losing Steelers, became Super Bowl IX winners, journalists began to refer to Fr. Duggan as Rooney’s secret weapon. The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette that just noted in 1972 that Father Duggan had been asked to leave the stadium because the Raiders didn’t want anyone at their practice later in 1975 published a column written by Joe Browne where he outrageously wrote that “maybe this is why the Stealers crushed Oakland and went on to become Super Bowl champs…John Duggan, an Irish priest who’s nuts about the Steelers, walked in on a secret practice of the Raiders. John Madden, Oakland coach, tactfully asked him to scram. Father Duggan snorted, “I didn’t come to spy on y’—I came to lay a curse on y’” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wed. 19 Jan. 1975, p. 27).
Father Duggan while in New Orleans after Super Bowl IX gave an interview to the Boston Globe where he noted that the Chief had paid for everyone including waterboys and the entire ground crew from the Steelers to come to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. A week before the big game Dan Rooney, the General Manager, asked Fr. Duggan to make preparations for a Mass of Thanksgiving for 9 a.m. the day following the game—win or lose. Fr. Duggan explained that for them “just getting this far was reason enough to be thankful.” On the eve of the Super Bowl, as was his custom Fr. Duggan offered a Mass. Rocky Bleier gave the first reading and five of the Chief’s grandsons served the Mass. Although Fr. Duggan denied that he provided pep talks to the players he did state that he selected appropriate readings. The reading by Bleier pertained to courage and the Christian athlete. The second reading was on the body and its ability to withstand suffering. “After all these years of losing, for the Steelers…[from 1933] I felt that we should say something about suffering. They had their share.”
In a short conclusion that indicated the true depth of his understanding of football the self-described “simple parish priest” stated that he was returning to Ireland in June and “you might say I have prayed out my options” (The Boston Globe, Tues. 14 Jan. 1975, p. 22).
The obit published by Fr. Duggan’s parish in Rhode Island is contained on our obituary page, and we extend our condolences to his siblings and families and the members of his parish. Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Lyrics to “Fluskey’s Motor Car” [Updated]
Found in Danny Dowling’s voluminous files are lyrics entitled “Fluskey’s Motor Car.” The humorous song concerns the Irish War of Independence and an automobile belonging to James Fluskey (1882-1960) of Glenmore Village. An extensive newspaper search was conducted, but no newspaper account could be located regarding James Fluskey and his volunteering his motor car or having it commandeered. The name of the author of the lyrics is not recorded and the music is also absent. It is believed that Jim B. of Glenmore Village may have been the author and sang this song.
[Update 18 Sept. 2021…Thanks to Nicholas Hogan we have further information concerning the lyrics. The original song was written about a true event that occured in Ulster in 1921 and was entitled “Johnston’s Motor Car” written by William Gillespie. According to wikipedia it was first recorded by the Clancy Brothers in 1963 and the Dubliners a decade later. “Fluskey’s Motor Car” is a local version. For the original and another version, see generally, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnston%27s_Motor_Car ].
Here is a you tube link to the Dubliners performing the song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOcEGXBWul8.
At the conclusion of the lyrics we have listed and provided links to the previously published Glenmore verses and information on the Fluskey family.
Fluskey’s Motor Car
I.
It was down Fluskey’s corner, One evening I did stray, It was there I met Jack Scanlon, And this to me did say, "I’ve orders from the Captain, To assemble and go far, But how can we assemble, Without a motor car?"
II.
"Oh, Scanlon dear be of good cheer, I’ll tell you what we’ll do, The Black and Tans are plenty, While we are only few, I’ll ring up Jamesy Fluskey, Before we’ll get that far, And we’ll give the boys a jolly spin, In Fluskey’s motor car."
III.
When Fluskey got the wire my boys, He soon stuck on his shoes, Says he my case is urgent, And I’ve got no time to lose. He wore a velvet Chester hat, And on his breast a star, You could hear the din, going to Ballyquin, In Fluskey’s motor car.
IV.
But when we got to Mullinavat, We met the die-hards there. The game he knew was up with him, And at them he did stare, Say’s he, "I have a permit, To take me near and far." "We don’t want your English permit, We want your motor car."
V.
They got the car in motion, And filled her to the brim, With guns and shining bayonets, And Fluskey he did grin. Then Scanlon hoisted the Sinn Fein flag. We shot off like a star, We gave three cheers for the I.R.A., And Fluskeys’ motor car.
VI.
"What will the sergeant say of this, When I will reach Glenmore? To have my car commandeered, By those rebels from the Rower." "We’ll give you a receipt for it, And signed by Dinny Meagher, And when Ireland’s free, It’s then we’ll see to Fluskey’s Motor Car."
VII.
And when the Sergeant heard of this, Like a trooper he cursed and swore, Says he, "I’ll meet those blokes halfway, Before I will give o’er." They searched all Bishop’s Mountain, And the hills of Ballinclare, But the I.R.A. were far away, In Fluskey’s motor car.
VIII.
So now my song is ended, I’ve got no more to say, But here’s to Jamesy Fluskey, A hero in his day. So stand up to attention, And give a ringing cheer, Long life to Jamsey Fluskey, And his rattling open gear.
James “Jim” Fluskey (1882 -1960) was the son of Robert Fluskey and his second wife, Catherine Fluskey née Dunne. See the blog post of 28 May 2020 for details regarding the Fluskey family. Jim Fluskey is not listed as one of the members of the Glenmore Company of the old IRA. The list of known members of the Glenmore Company of the old IRA may be accessed by clicking here.
According to the birth register, John “Jack” Scanlan, of Glenmore Village, was born 1 November 1889 to James Scanlan (shoemaker) and his wife Anastatia Scanlan née Fitzgerald. However, the Glenmore Parish records record his birth as 30 October 1889 and his baptism was on 1 November 1889. According to Danny Dowling’s notes Jack Scanlan never married and like his father worked as a shoemaker. Jack Scanlan is not listed as one of the members of the Glenmore Company of the IRA.
No local records could be found for “Dinny Meagher” in the IRA. However, during the Emergency (World War II) a man bearing that name was involved in the Black Market and sold difficult to obtain items, like tea, to Glenmore residents. My father-in-law, Tom Walsh (1908-1992) told the story of how the Custom Officials visited Pat “Cushey” Grant, of Robintown, Glenmore asking questions concerning Dinny Meagher. It was said that Cushey replied to their queries that he did not trade in Dinny Meagher’s shop, but if they saw Dinny Meagher would they tell him to call to him (Cushey) because he (Cushey) owed Dinny Meagher some money.
If anyone has any corrections or further or different information concerning the lyrics, author or the persons named in the lyrics please send same to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Special thanks to Nicholas Hogan for sending on the wikipedia article.
Other Local Verses, Rhymes and Lyrics
On 11 January 2020 we published an article entitled Glenmore Verses, Rhymes and Lyrics , and on 23 September 2020 we published the Glenmore Version of the Ballad of Carrickshock. To access the old blogs just click on the titles. Lastly, guest author Dick Claridge shared the local versus he has collected. Click here.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh