Glenmore Native: Peter Gahan (1888-1958) New Ross Publican and Undertaker [updated]

Danny Dowling (1927-2021) spent a lot of time recording information concerning what he termed extinct Glenmore families. These were families who left the parish through emigration, or who did not have children etc. One family that Danny recorded was the Gahan family of Newtown, Kilmakevoge. In 1973, Danny interviewed Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979) who provided an account of five of the six sons of Laurence “Larry” Gahan and his wife Bridget Doherty.

In his notebook Danny had a notation “murder?” that caused a bit of searching. Ultimately after reviewing the deaths of Peter Gahan (1888-1958), his siblings, and his wife Mary Teresa “Tess” Sheehy (c.1887-1963), it was discovered that Peter Gahan’s brother-in-law, Sir John Sheehy, was murdered in 1949. Details concerning the murder are at the end as well as some of Peter Gahan’s Glenmore grandparents.

The Gahan’s of Newtown, Glenmore

Laurence “Larry” Gahan (1848-1907) of Newtown, married Bridget Doherty (c. 1848 -1924) of Coolnaleen, on 28 January 1875 at Glenmore. The groom was a 26 year old farmer and the bride was aged 28.  The groom’s father was recorded as Michael Gahan (deceased farmer) and the bride’s father was recorded as Richard Doherty (farmer).  Witnesses to the wedding were Felix Mullins and Bridget Mullins.

Laurence and Bridget Gahan had six sons:

[1] Michael Gahan (12 June 1876-8 Jan. 1931) was described as “delicate” by Nicky the Miller. Michael Gahan never married. When Michael died in 1931 his brother Peter, of Priory St. New Ross was present. Michael’s death was due to myocardial degeneration.

[2] Richard Gahan (16 Sept. 1877-12 July 1895) was just 16 when he died of consumption or “TB”. This is the son that Nicky the Miller failed to tell Danny about in his 1973 interview.

[3] John Gahan (b. 6 Dec. 1879-2 Oct. 1962); known as Jack, married Mary Haberlin (b.c. 1884) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore on 21 August 1911. John and Mary Gahan, had a farm at Kilurney, Ballpatrick, Tipperary. See our post of 13 Feb. 2023 regarding a threshing accident in 1899. 

[4] Patrick Gahan (16 Jan. 1882- 4 May 1929) married Mary Grant of Robinstown, Glenmore. They farmed the home place in Newtown, Glenmore. They had no family and Pat died young of cancer. The farm was later farmed by Pat Grant, of Robinstown, Mary Grant’s nephew.  Pat Grant was known as “Cushey”.

[5] James Gahan (12 June 1884-3 June 1904). Jim Gahan drowned at New Ross. According to “Nicky the Miller” Jim worked as a clerk in a shop on North St. New Ross where Flemings were later located.  See our G family surname page for further details regarding his death.

[6] Peter Gahan (1 Apr.1888-24 Dec. 1958) was born the same year as Nicky the Miller Forristal. According to Peter’s obit he moved to New Ross about 1908. “In his early youth he played in many inter-county football games with his native Kilkenny. He was also a prominent oarsman, and a valued member of the New Ross Boat Club.”

Early Years in New Ross

In 1911, Peter was residing in New Ross at 11 North Street. James Fleming, aged 26, was a single grocer and Peter’s employer. Mary Grace, married and aged 62 was the domestic servant and cook. Peter was 22 and the eldest of the three assistant grocers. Sylvester Maddock and John Ryan were the other two assistant grocers and were both 18 years of age. Everyone except John Ryan were born in Co. Kilkenny. John Ryan was born in Carlow. Although the household return records that Fleming is a grocer employing assistant grocers the House & Building Return provides that Fleming’s building is a public house.

In the 1901 Census Peter was living at home with his parents and two of his brothers, Michael and John. Sylverster Maddocks was living in Listerin with his parents and 10 siblings. Interestingly James Fleming in 1901 was residing and working as a shop boy at 11 North Street, New Ross. He was working for a couple named Grace.

Earliest Businesses

It isn’t known exactly when Peter Gahan began his own businesses, but we know from Nicky the Miller that he was an undertaker as well as a publican. We also know that it was in 1915 that Peter applied for his first liquor license and had a premise on Priory Street.  “Peter Gahan, shopkeeper, of New Ross sought to transfer a liquor license from Bernard Kinsella to sell beer, cider, spirits, wine etc. by retail at his house on Priory St., New Ross” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Sept. 1915, p. 1).

Newspaper articles from that era also suggest that Peter operated a car hire business. For example in 1916, Peter was charged in Waterford for knocking down a labourer named Browne. Peter had been hired to transport a prisoner named Simon Murphy from the Waterford Jail to New Ross Petty Sessions to stand trial for the theft of a gold ring. Browne who worked for the corporation stepped out from the footpath a few yards in front of the vehicle. Quickly reacting Peter swerved and stuck the man with the mud guard of the vehicle. Amazingly the prisoner Murphy, Sergeant O’Sullivan, of New Ross R.I.C. and a Waterford constable on duty in the street at the time all testified for Peter (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 Dec. 1916, p. 12).

In 1917, Peter Gahan was one of the persons charged with supplying a vehicle for a Glenmore wedding and the case was later dismissed (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 Dec. 1917, p. 7). See our previous post of  27 Sept. 2020 for details of the infamous case against drivers who attended a 1917 Glenmore wedding.

Similarly, in 1932 Peter lent a lorry to John Quinn. Quinn was responsible for conveying a tug-of-war team from Campile to the Rower Sports Day. The driver did not have a valid license and Peter was fined 10 s. for employing an unlicensed driver and £100 for lending a lorry without a tax for passengers. The judge because Peter had lent the vehicle free of charge reduced the tax fine to £2 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 2 Sept. 1932, p. 6).

Wedding Bells: Peter Gahan and Mary Teresa “Tess” Sheehy

Peter Gahan, merchant, of New Ross, Co. Wexford, married Mary Teresa Sheehy on 24 April 1917. The couple were married at Westport, Mayo by her maternal uncle, Rev. Fr. Edward J. Higgins. At the time of the marriage Peter Gahan was 29 years of age and his bride was 28. They both were residing in New Ross, but it is not known how or why Tess came to live in New Ross. Peter’s father was listed as Laurence Gahan (farmer) and his bride’s father was listed as Thomas Sheehy (Clerk of Petty Sessions, pensioner). 

Mary Teresa “Tess” Gahan née Sheehy (c. 1887-1963)

Mary Teresa Sheehy was known as Tessie. The 1901 Census reveals that she was living at home with her parents and siblings. There were 14 children born to Sgt. Thomas Sheehy, R.I.C. (1859- 1918) and his wife Mary Sheehy née Higgins (1865 -1912). Sgt. Sheehy was a native of Kerry and the son of a farmer. Mary Sheehy was a native of Co. Mayo. The following children were born to this marriage: [1] Kathleen Sheehy (b.c. 1885, Co. Mayo); [2] Tessie Sheehy (b.c. 1887, Co. Galway); [3] Evelyn Sheehy (b.c. 1888); [4] Elizabeth Sheehy (b.c. 1888); [5] John Sheehy (12 Oct. 1889-1949); [6] Bridget Sheehy (b.c.. 1893); [7] Joseph Sheehy (b.c. 1895); [8] Frances Sheehy (b.c. 1896); [9] Edward Sheehy (b.c. 1898) and [10] Thomas Sheehy (b.c. 1900).

Mary Sheehy née Higgins died on the 27^th of September 1912 (Tuam Herald, Sat. 5 Oct. 1912, p. 2). The year after Peter and Tessie’s marriage in 1917 her father died on 20 July 1918. His obit noted that his brother-in-law was Most Rev. M. Higgins, D.D., Auxillary Bishop of Tuam (Tuam Herald, Sat. 27 July 1918, p. 2). Three months later Tess’s sister, Elizabeth Sheehy died of a weak heart (Tuam Herald, Sat. 9 Nov. 1918, p. 2).

On 18 April 1914, Tess’s sister, Kathleen Sheehy married Thomas Kitt the Mountbellow, Co. Galway, Workhouse Master. Kathleen was a national school teacher. Their eldest child, Michael F. Kitt (13 Sept. 1914-24 Dec. 1974) became a T.D. He was first elected in 1948. Lost his seat in 51 and was not elected again until 1957.

The New Ross Whiskey Case

Peter’s business and home were on Priory St. right around the corner from the courthouse and police station. The New Ross Standard carried several articles regarding petty cases against Peter. The most serious case occurred in 1918 and was dubbed the New Ross Whiskey Case by the New Ross Standard. William Roche, of Bewley Street; Andrew Culleton, of Wexford Street and Peter Gahan, of Priory Street, were charged in January 1918 with breaking into the bonded warehouse of Mrs. Alice Daly and Gahanstealing a hogshead and quarter cask of whiskey worth £400. A publican in Campile, Thomas Shea, and another New Ross man, John Hughes, were also charged.

At the first trial of the New Ross men the judge noted that there was no evidence against John Hughes. The case against the other three New Ross men was circumstancial They were seen in the vicinity of the warehouse on the night of the theft. The case against Thomas Shea was that the stolen whiskey was found on his land.

In the midst of this case, Patrick Gahan applied to have the seven day license held by his brother Peter Gahan, Priory St transferred. Patrick stated that he had taken over the premises and was going to carry on business there. The police did not object and the transfer was granted (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 March 1918, p. 7). It appeared that Peter who had only been married a year was attempting to protect his most valuable asset.

In a separate trial a jury found Thomas Shea not guilty apparently because the whiskey could have been placed on his land without his knowledge. When the three New Ross men were ready to stand trial the second time in July, the Crown announced that it could not proceed due to the serious illness of its witness Patrick Cousins an employee of Peter Gahan’s. The Crown entered a nolle prosequi (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 July 1918, p. 5.)

Undertaker

In 1922 the New Ross Standard featured ads proclaiming Peter the newest New Ross undertaker. He carried on this trade from the former premises of Paatrick Power on Priory St. No mention of this business appeared in his obituary. Some of his ads are quite humorous by today’s standards such as stating he carries the latest designs in shrouds.  It is not known how long Peter was an undertaker, but in 1942 he placed an ad in the New Ross Standard which stated, “Quantity of manure for sale. Apply Peter Gahan, Undertaker, New Ross” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 March 1942, p. 1).

Death of Peter and Tess Gahan

Peter Gahan died on Christmas Eve 1958 at the age of 70 of chronic myocarditis. His daughter Mary Teresa “Trixie” Gahan, a state registered nurse, was present when he died.

Mary Teresa “Tess” Gahan née Sheehy tragically died in a fire on 16 December 1963 at Priory Street. She was found by her son-in-law Paddy Molloy. The fire apparently commenced in the widow’s bedroom when night clothes came into contact with an electric heater (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 Dec. 1963, p. 9).

The Children of Peter Gahan

Unfortunately, the birth records after 1916 in Ireland are not generally publicly available. From Peter’s obituary and the family marker in Glemore we believe that Peter and Tess had five children. Their daughter, [1] Bridget Mary Gahan (c. 1919-1929) died at the age of 10 of cholera.

Just four years earlier Peter had been fined 10 s. for sending a note to District Judge Fahy explaining his absence from court. Peter was prosecuted for non-compliance with the Vaccination Act, but it was noted that the child had been vaccinated. The Judge testily noted that Peter lived within 50 yards of the court and did not accept the note (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 May 1925, p. 7).

[2] Mary Teresa “Trixe” Molloy née Gahan ( ? -2009) S.R.N.; (Death notice, Munster Express, Fri. 6 March 2009, p. 15). After her father’s death Trixie married a widower, Patrick Molloy (c. 1925-2000). Paddy was a crane driver in  Rosbercon, and his first wife Josephine died at the birth of their daughter Anne in 1957. Trixie is buried in Glenmore in the Gahan family grave and was survived by her son Martin and daughters Anne, Mary and Bridget.

After the death of her mother Trixie, who lived nearby on Cross St., transferred the liquor license to her name (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Aug. 1964, p. 2) and continued operating the pub until she transferred the license to William A. Gannon in 1979 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 31 Aug, 1979, p. 15).

[3] Mrs. F. Sayers, Bromley, Kent; Frances Rita Gahan (b. 19 Feb. 1926- ?). It is believed that her husband may have been Douglas Edward Sayers, Bromley, Greater London

[4] Mrs. G. Jones, Bournemouth; Eveleen J. Gahan married Daniel T.G. Jones in Oct. 1947 at Bournemouth, Hampshire, UK.

[5] Mr. L.P. Gahan, Guildford, Surrey; Laurence Gahan (1928-2019) married his wife Kathleen (b. 1934) in Southampton. Kathleen Ann Gahan née Ryan (b. 1934) was from Kilkee, Co. Clare Their eldest son Peter Gahan (b.1957) married Diane Gawley. Peter was a constable with the metropolitan police (Surrey Herald, Thurs. 25 Sept. 1986, p. 23).

Glenmore Connections: Peter Gahan’s Grandparents

Paternal Grandparents

Laurence “Larry” Gahan (1848-1907) was the son of Michael Gahan, of Newtown and Mary Mullins (b. 1814) of Flemingstown, Glenmore. Michael Gahan and Mary Mullins were married at Glenmore on 4 February 1834. The known children of this union include: [1] Richard Gahan (b. 1835); [2] Patrick Gahan (b. 1837); [3] Mary Gahan (b. 1840-1910) married on 5 Feb. 1883, James Walsh, of Rathpatrick, Slieverue son of Simon Walsh (deceased farmer); [4] John Gahan (b. 1844); [5] Laurence Gahan (b. 1846) and [6] Laurence Gahan (b. 1848-1907). Mary Gahan née Mullins was from the Felix Mullins family of Flemingstown, Glenmore.

Maternal Grandparents

Bridget Doherty (b. 1842) was the daughter of Richard Doherty and Ellenor Mullally of Coolnaleen, Glenmore. Richard Doherty married Ellen Mullally, of Davidstown, Glenmore, on the 27^th of February 1838. To this union the following known children were born: [1] Mary Doherty (b. 1839); [2] Martin Doherty (b. 1840); [3] Bridget Doherty (b. 1842); [4] John Doherty (b. 1844); [5] Ellen Doherty (b. 1846); [6] James Doherty (b. 1849); [7] Peter Doherty (b. 1852); and [8] Patrick Doherty (b. 1855).

The Murder of Sir John Sheehy (1889-1949)

Peter Gahan’s brother-in-law, John Sheehy, entered the Indian Civil Service in 1914. John’s brother M.J. Sheehy (in 1949 he was in Dublin) followed him into the Indian Civil service and was one of the chief engineers on the Burma Road during World War II. The Sheehy’s were cousins of Rev. Dr. McFadden, Bishop of Cleveland (Tuam Herald, Sat. 21 May 1949, p. 5).

On the 9^th of May 1949, Lady Sheehy saw her husband shot and killed by an intruder in their home in Minder, Germany. Sir John threw his slipper at the intruder and was shot in the heart.  Sir John was the Assistant Financial Adviser to the British Military Governor in Germany.

With the granting of independence for India, Sir John joined Allied Control Commission on 1 July 1947, as Director of Public Revenue. He was made assistant Financial Advisor to the Military Governor on 3 August 1948. Sir John was 59 years of age at the time of his murder and in addition to his wife he was survived by two daughters and one son who were attending school in England. (Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, Tues. 10 May 1949, p.14).

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Please send any corrections, photos or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

On a recent trip into New Ross we believe that the Bumblebee sign is on the pub that Peter Gahan operated for decades. The feaured ad above is from page 1 of the New Ross Standard, 11 April 1924.

[Update 29 Sept. 2023–Peter Gahan, grandson of Peter Gahan (1888-1958), made contact and noted that his mother Kathleen Ann Gahan née Ryan (b. 1934) of Kilkee, Co. Clare is alive and well. Peter verified that his mother and father (Laurence Gahan) married in Southhampton. Peter’s mother further confirmed that her father-in-law’s pub was later called the Bumblebee. The photo of JFK above graced the pub and Peter’s grandmother, Tess Gahan née Sheehy (c. is in the upper storey window peering down on the street. Special thanks to Peter Gahan for sharing the photo as well as information]

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh