Introducing Glenmore Historian: Danny Dowling (1927-2021)

Daniel Dowling, more popularly known in the parish of Glenmore as Danny, has been interviewing and recording the information provided by a range of people concerning events and people of the South East for nearly 7 decades. Danny has become the recognised historian of Glenmore, and both local and people from all over the world, have sought his help in tracing their ancestors. On 28 September 2019 the tables were turned and Danny was interviewed.

Danny’s Early Life

Danny was born on 15 February 1927, the eldest of l2 children of Patrick Dowling of Jamestown, Glenmore and his wife Hannah Murphy Dowling who was originally from Ballinlammy, Glenmore.

Danny candidly admits that he was not interested in education as a boy. He attended the boys’ National School in Glenmore and was sent as a day student to Good Council in New Ross for secondary school. Danny only lasted a year or two at Good Council and then went to work on the Dowling farm in Jamestown. Eventually, after the death of his father in 1945, Danny went to Dublin to take a course in Public Health at the National College. Upon graduation he sat a civil service exam and did very well. He was offered four jobs and took a post in County Kildare where he stayed for a year. He then transferred to Waterford in 1951 or 1952 where he remained employed as a Public Health Inspector until his retirement in 1988.

Public Health Inspector

Danny described his job as a Public Health Inspector as requiring him to enforce laws regarding housing. His duties included all housing, not just council houses, as well as trying to find housing for the homeless. He noted that he observed some terrible living conditions in the early years of his career. Danny recorded the condition of the housing and made recommendations concerning it.

Interest in Local History

Notwithstanding his disinterest in education as a boy, from an early age Danny had an interest in history particularly local history. He evolved from listening to the stories told by the older inhabitants of the area to jotting down notes. To date, 15 of Danny’s notebooks have been transcribed and a number more have yet to be transcribed. These notebooks contain a treasure trove of information concerning local customs, events, families, local Irish words, Irish field names etc. Danny recalls that he began taking notes and interviewing people before he went to work in Waterford. In addition to writing two books for the Waterford Corporation, historical articles by Danny have been published Kilkenny and Waterford journals.

When asked to give advice to any person who is interested in local history, Danny responded that the best approach is to start talking and recording the memories of people you know.

Glenmore History Blog will contain weekly articles from the notes that Danny has taken over the years and Danny hopes that his work will be shared, preserved and generate interest among younger people.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh