From Danny’s Files: The Glenmore Social Club

Among Danny Dowling’s voluminous records Pat Dowling recently found a small neon orange coloured poster advertising the 1970 Glenmore Social Club’s annual dance and a folded document entitled “Rules of the Glenmore Social Club,” Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny.

The Rules of the Glenmore Social Club

The undated Rules are typewritten on 3 of the 4 pages of A2 size legal document paper and bound with a brass fastener. There are 29 rules and the signatures of 42 men.  The objects of the Club were to maintain the Club house for the use of the members of the Club and to promote social events in and outside of the Club house (Rule 2). Any person 18 or over was eligible to apply for membership (Rule 3) upon recommendation of a member (Rule 4) and would become a member if 2/3’s of members voting accepted the applicant (Rule 6) and the payment of the annual subscription of 2s/6d (Rules 8 & 10). The management of the Club was by a committee of at least 8 members elected at the Annual General Meeting (Rule 16) to be held in September each year (Rule 21) with the accounts of the Club balanced on the 30^th of September (Rule 25). In the event of a dissolution the funds, after discharge of all debts, would be equally divided among the members (Rule 28) and all members were equally responsible for any liability of the Officers of the Club, incurred on behalf of the Club, if not covered by insurance or the funds of the Club (Rule 29). In essence the Rules of the Club established a partnership among the members.

Although the Rules do not limit membership to men only men were listed as members. The Rules do not indicate where the Club house was located but Liam Mernagh and Robbie Doherty indicated that there was a small outbuilding in the Village alongside Frank Furlong’s house that was the Club house. Pat Dowling, recalled that his father spoke of Furlong’s card room. The list of the members who signed the undated Rules are listed below.

The Annual Dance

A newspaper search revealed that there were two different dances that were referred to as the “first annual dance” of the Glenmore Social Club. One was in 1944 and the other was in 1973.

The first known annual dance was held on the 6^th of August 1943 at the Olympia Ballroom in Waterford. Music was provided by the Waterford Swing Aces Band. Catering was provided by the Mayfair Café, of Waterford, with liquid refreshments provided by M. O’Sullivan & Sons. Dancing took place from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. “summer time.” The admission to the dance was 3/9 (Munster Express, Fri. 28 July 1944, p. 3). The public were informed that the proceeds from the dance would be devoted towards the cost of repairing the “Social Club Hall” (Munster Express, Fri. 28 July 1944, p. 4) although by all accounts the clubhouse was small and could not hold over 6 to 8 members at any time.  An article that appeared in the Munster Express on 11 August 1944 (p. 4) provides more interesting facts concerning the dance.

“GLENMORE SOCIAL CLUB DANCE.— The first annual dance under the auspices of the Glenmore Social Club at the Olympia Ballroom on, Sunday night last, was a pronounced success, despite the many counter-attractions in Tramore and elsewhere. Large crowds cycled from Glenmore, Kilmacow, Ballyfacey, Bigwood, Mooncom, and other rural districts to Waterford for the occasion, and there was, in addition, a large local attendance of patrons.  The music was supplied by the Waterford Swing Aces, who were up to the highest expectations; even though one missed the popular leader of the band, Mr. Martin (“Busty”) Griffin, who is convalescing in the County and City Infirmary. The attendance numbered 300 couples approximately, and this must be considered very good, when some huge numbers journeyed to Tramore and other seaside resorts for the weekend. The catering was in the hands of the Mayfair Cafe, and was up to the usual high standard.”

In 1945 the second annual dance was held on the 15^th of August. The venue, band, admission fee, catering etc. all remained the same as in 1944. (Munster Express, Fri. 10 Aug.1945, p. 4). The advertisement for the dance ended with “Come and enjoy the dance of the season. A Half-way House from Tramore,” (Munster Express, 27 July 1945, p. 4). The 15^th of August remained the date of the dance for years. Robbie Doherty explained that everyone went to Tramore on the 15^th of August. While some went to the races others just enjoyed the seaside. After a day at Tramore the popular Glenmore Social Club dance was held at the convenient Olympia Ballroom. On New Year’s Eve of 1945 the Glenmore Social Club held a dance at the Olympia and 500 couples attended “[a] special feature of the programme was the very large number of spot prizes distributed. “Busty” Griffin and his Swing Aces Band, fresh from their recent engagements at Dungarvan, Kilmacthomas, etc. gave a delightful selection of music and were very liberal with encore numbers,” (Munster Express,  4 Jan. 1946, p. 1).

Tragedy struck in 1948 when due to circumstances beyond the control of the Club the annual dance was held on the 19^th of June instead of the 15^th of August. The Waterford Rhythm Aces Dance Band played with amplification by “Geoff” (Munster Express, 18 June 1948, p. 1). Only 200 dancers attended the annual dance in 1948 (Munster Express, 2 July 1948, p. 5). By 1951 it was being reported that up to 500 couples attended the dance (Munster Express, 24 August 1951, p. 8). A newspaper article in 1955 states that Sean Healy and his band were playing at the Glenmore Annual Social Club Dance (Munster Express, 19 Aug. 1955, p. 11).

“GLENMORE ANNUAL SOCIAL CLUB DANCE—A RESOUNDING SUCCESS—SEAN HEALY PROVIDES MUSIC FOR 7th SUCCESSIVE YEAR—For the past six years, Sean Healy and his band — although its personnel have been changed from time to time — have been providing, to the utmost satisfaction of its patrons, the music for the annual Glenmore Social Club dance. On Monday night last (“The Fifteenth”), from nine until 3 a.m.—for the seventh successive year, the good-humoured Carrick-on-Suir band leader took the stand at the Waterford Olympia Ballroom, Parnell Street, and waved his baton in front of his talented seven-man Waterford combination, who served up a really delightful programme of dance music, to an almost packed “house.” This was the ‘tenth function, under the auspices of the Glenmore Social Club, and its success was indeed a resounding one. It was estimated that upwards of 1,000 patronised the dance, the majority of which came from Co. Kilkenny. On the drums was Pierce White; the trumpeters were Monty Cloony and Jack Bible; Dick Cooper and P. Power were on the saxophones; at the piano was young Paschal Kennedy; double-bass player was Ernie Myser; at the “mike” was soft voiced vocalist, Tommy O’Brien, and the leader himself took over with the accordion. Highlights? Yes, indeed. With the accent on sambas, mambos, and quick-steps, a lively, gay mood prevailed throughout the entire night- One of the selections which really deserve special mention was that in which the following numbers were given a fresh “dressing” up by the entire band: Little Things Mean a Lot: To-morrow; Sunny Side of the Street; and Side by Side. Withal, it was one of the happiest functions held in the Olympia this year.”

The following year the annual dance was declared a success in spite of the poor weather and the names of the Club Committee were published:

“THEY DEFIED THE RAINS.—The Glenmore Social Club’s 11th Annual Dance, held in the Olympia Ballroom, Waterford, on Wednesday, was a remarkable success. Despite an almost continuous downpour, some 1,100 dancers, drawn chiefly from South Kilkenny, patronised this firmly-established annual “August Fifteenth” re-union. The striking popularity of this dance must mainly be credited to the very active committee, the principal members of which are: Messrs. Patrick Irish (hon. sec), Patrick Corcoran (hon. treas.), John Hennessy, Walter Power, Tom Malone, Michael Reddy, and Tom Roche. Music was supplied by Sean Healy’s (Carrick- on-Suir) augmented band” (Munster Express, 17 Aug. 1956, p. 6).

In 1958, the 13^th Annual Dance was held on the 15^th of August. The admission fee was increased to 5/-, catering was by Mrs. Rice, of Borris, the licensed bar was provided by H. Gallway. Pete Cody and his Orchestra provided the music (Munster Express, 1 Aug. 1958, p. 6). In the 1958 newspapers there were advertisements for several Race Week ballrooms. Tramore boasted the Atlantic and Silver Slipper while Waterford had the Olympia and Arundel Ballrooms (Munster Express, 8 Aug. 1958, p. 6).

The annual dance held on 15 August continued into the 1960’s. The attendance in 1961 was reported at over 1,000 patrons an increase of 300 over the previous year. The Southern Stars Showband from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary was a big hit. (Munster Express, 18 Aug. 1961, p. 14) The only reported tragedy at one of the dances occurred in 1962 when Thomas Whelan, a 42 year-old single farmer from Boolattin, Leamybrien, collapsed and died at the dance. It was reported that the morning of the dance the decedent attended the monthly fair at Dungarvan where he sold about £1,000 worth of cattle. In the afternoon he attended the Tramore races and then went to the dance. It was also reported that the decedent and his two brothers farmed about 1700 acres (Munster Express, 17 Aug. 1962, p. 1). In 1969 the annual dance was held on Sunday the 17^th of August in the Olympia, and admission was 10/- to dance to the popular Mick Delahunty Orchestra (New Ross Standard, 9 Aug. 1969, p. 13.

In the 1970’s the annual dance was no longer held in August.  The 1970 annual dance of the Glenmore Social Club was held on the 6^th of November at the Olympia and the Ravens Showband, from Dublin, played. The following year the annual dance was held on the 3^rd of December, at the Olympia and D.J. & Kerry Blues band played (Waterford News and Star, 26 Nov. 1971, p. 20). No newspaper article or advertisement for a dance could be located for 1972, and on Sunday the 18^th of February 1973 the “First Annual Dance of the Glenmore Social Club was held in the Mullinavat Hall with a 50 pence charged for admission. The Davitt Brothers, of Wexford, provided the music (Munster Express, 16 Feb. 1973, p. 12). The 1973 dance held in Mullinavat was reported as being an enjoyable dance that drew a good crowd from the southern area as well as from Waterford and New Ross (Munster Express, 23 Feb. 1973, p. 8). No newspaper articles or advertisements for the Glenmore Social Club were found after 1973. It thus appears that on the eve of its 30^th anniversary of its first annual dance the dances came to an end. Other bands that played at Glenmore Social Club dances over the years included:

• Andy Smith and his Band (Munster Express, 29 July 1949, p, 8);
• Frankie King and his Band (Munster Express, 14 Aug. 1959, p. 6);
• Kevin O’Doherty and his Showband (Munster Express, 9 Aug. 1963, p. 16); and
• Pacific Showband (Munster Express, 12 Aug. 1966, p. 8).

Christmas Parties & Trophies

According to Robbie Doherty the members of the Club enjoyed playing cards. The clubhouse (alongside Frank Furlong’s house in the Village) was too small to accommodate large card parties or other social events. From the proceeds of the dances the members held Christmas parties that often went on for a couple of days. The members’ Christmas parties were held elsewhere and no newspaper account of any of these parties could be located. The Club did support other local groups by sponsoring trophies and prices. An example was reported in 1962. The Glenmore Athletic Club held its 19^th annual sports day at the Skow Bridge with 18 events on the programme. Six cups were presented on the day from: Murphys’ Motors, Snowcream (Waterford); Mr. Brook (New Ross); Dermot McCalmont (Thomastown), the Glenmore Athletic Club and the Glenmore Social Club (New Ross Standard, 25 May 1962, p. 12).

Below is a list of the signatures taken from the rules. Robbie Doherty, on 22 May 2021, kindly identified the townlands of the majority of Club members on the list.

1. Edward O’Connor, (Neddy O’Connor, of Graiguenakill)
2. Patrick Doolan, (Paddy Doolan was reared in the Village and when he married he moved to Ballyverneen)
3. Thomas Aylward (Tommy Aylward, of Ballinclar)
4. Patrick Griffin (Paddy Griffin, of Newtown)
5. Michael Phelan (of Mullinahone)
6. Walter Power (name struck through, appears later in list)
7. William Walsh, of the Village
8. Philip Hoynes, (of Ballybrahee)
9. Luke Murphy, (of Ballybrahee)
10. John Power, (of the Village, believed to be Wattie Power, the postman’s son)
11. Thomas Ryan, (of Milltown)
12. Thomas Roche, Committee Member in 1956 (of Jamestown)
13. Daniel Dowling, (born in the Village, moved to Jamestown c. 1938, moved back to the Village after he married)
14. Michael O’H?
15. Edward Murphy, (of Forristalstown, worked for Kilkenny Co. Council)
16. Pat Power, (of the Village, believed to be son of postman Wattie Power)
17. Richard Dunphy, (of Ballyverneen.)
18. Eric Walsh, (of the Village; drove a taxi)
19. Mick Reddy, Committee Member 1956 (of Robinstown, worked on the Kilkenny Co. Council. Married to Mary Walsh, the sacristan.
20. Michael Power, (of the Village, son of Wattie Power the postman)
21. James Cashin R.I.P. (of the Village, worked in the Creamery)
22. Sean Mernagh R.I.P.
23. Martin Kennedy, (of Kilbride, a builder by trade)
24. John Hennessy, Committee Member 1956 (the Village Blacksmith)
25. Patrick Irish, Secretary of the Club in 1956 (married to Daisy Walsh, lived alongside the National School in the Village, worked at the Creamery)
26. Frank Furlong (of the Village, originally from New Ross)
27. J. Aylward (John Aylward of the Village?)
28. Jas Irish (native of Aylwardstown and brother of Patrick. Nick named “The Skinner.”)
29. John O’Brien, (of the Village, postmaster at Fluskey's. Francis O’Brien’s father)
30. Patrick Murphy
31. Edward Mernagh (son of Sean Mernagh)
32. Sean Power, (of Jamestown)
33. William Hennessy, (of the Village. Blacksmith. Noeleen Fogarty's father)
34. Patrick Power (of the Village, Wattie Power the postman’s son)
35. Seamus Dunphy, (of Ballyverneen; brother of Richie Dunphy)
36. Sean Walsh, (of the Village. Married to Betty McKenna. Built the Village pub in 1963.)
37. Daniel Power, (of the Village, son of Wattie Power, the postman)
38. Michael Power, (of the Village, son of Wattie Power, the postman)
39. Patrick Hennessy (Pakey Hennessy, son of John Hennessy the blacksmith)
40. James Walshe, (Jim B. of the Village?)
41. Walter Power, Committee Member 1956 (of the Village. Postman. Nick name Foxy Wattie Power)
 42. Eammon Walsh, (of the Village. Son of Wm. “Bill” Walsh,” worked in the Creamery).

Other known members who did not sign Rules:

Tom Malone—Committee Member per the 1956 published list. (Originally from Tullogher, he workd with Phil Hoynes, of Ballybrahee, for years).
Paddy Corcoran—Committee Member per the 1956 published list. (Farmer in Mullinahone, married to Katie McDonald).

Any and all additional information or corrections welcomed. Please forward additions or corrections etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Special thanks to Robbie Doherty and Liam Mernagh for the information they provided regarding the Glenmore Social Club and to Jackie Walsh for sharing the photo of the young Glenmore dance crowd (early 1960’s).

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh

The featured black and white photo is the Frankie King Dance Band (Munster Express, 11 Dec. 1959, p. 8).