Whether you are climbing your family tree or interested in social history, local place names or folklore we welcome you to Glenmore-History.com and hope that you enjoy your visit.
L A T E S T P O S T S
From Danny’s Files: Frank Meehan (c. 1862-1930) a Glenmore Stonebreaker
-
A Glenmore Photo: The Forristal’s
-
From Danny’s Files: An Interview of Nicky Walsh (1919-2015) of Davidstown, Glenmore
-
Glenmore Photos from the Eamon Jones Collection–Updated
-
Glenmore Man Killed 120 Years Ago on the U.S.S. Bennington
-
Maurice Hennebry (1859-1917) Native of Rochestown, Glenmore—Killed on the S.S. Formby
-
Ballyfacey, Glenmore 1913 School Photo
-
From Danny’s Files: A 1911 Haggard, Glenmore, Malicious Injury Case
-
November Updates
-
A Disputed Glenmore Cottage
Most Popular Glenmore Baby Names in 1768
A reader queried yesterday what were the most popular baby names in the 52 children baptized in 1768 in townlands that later became the Parish of Glenmore. See our post of 10 June 2023 for details concerning the early baptismal records and our Roots page for the 50 baptisms identified as being in townlands that later became the Parish of Glenmore. Hereinafter these townlands are referred to as Glenmore townlands. To view the National Library of Ireland’s digitalized parish register click here.
There were 52 babies in the 50 baptisms in 1768 in Glenmore townlands. The gender breakdown reflects 32 (62%) females and 20 (38%) males. There were 18 different baby names recorded in 1768. Nine were girls’ names and nine were boys’ names.
Girls’ Names
The most popular name was Mary with 10 or 19% of all the babies receiving that name. Among the girls the name Mary comprised 31% of the names for girls. After Mary, second place in girls’ name was a tie between the names Catherin (sic) and Anistice. There were five girls baptized Catherin (15% of girls) and five baptized Anistice (15% of girls). Third place was also a tie with 3 girls each being named Margarit (sic) or Bridgit (sic) (each name reflects 9% of the girls). Two girls each were named Elener (sic) and Honour. Thus, the remaining 2 girls were named either Ellice (sic) or Joane (or 3% of the girls).
Boys’ Names
The most popular boys name was a three way tie. Four baby boys were each named James, Thomas, or Richard (thus each of the 3 names represents 20% of the boys.) The second most common baby boy’s name was tie with Patrick and Michael being used for 2 boys each (or 10% of the boys were named either Patrick or Michael). The remaining four boy’s names tied for third most common. Thus, there was one boy each named Pierce, Dennis, John and Darby which reflects each name represents 5% of the boys’s names.
Glenmore Townlands
The Glenmore townland with the largest number of baptisms in 1768 was Ballinlammy where 7 baptisms took place. Davidstown with 4 recorded baptisms came in second. Glinmore(sic) and Ballefacy (sic) tied for third with three baptisms each.
Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Early Glenmore Baptismal Records
After Catholic Emancipation in 1829 the Irish Catholic Church began to re-organise its parish structures to accommodate the increased population. The majority of Irish Catholic Parish registers date from circa 1829 (Fiona Fitzsimons, “Kindred Lines: Catholic Parish Registers,” History of Ireland (March/April 2015) p. 21). Although some city and town parish registers commenced well before 1829 most rural parishes do not. Luckily, Glenmore baptismal records commence in 1766.
The National Library of Ireland has digitalized the old parish records of Ireland. Because Glenmore was part of the Slieverue parish until 1846, the earliest records relating to Glenmore are found in the Slieverue records. The current St. James’s Church in Glenmore Village was built in 1813, but there was a church in the Village before that time and there were several churches in townlands across what would eventually become Glenmore Parish. See, our post of 16 November 2019 for a brief history of early Glenmore churches.
The combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish registers commenced in 1766 primarily due to the efforts of Fr. Stephen Lower (c. 1727-1799). See our post of 11 November 2020 regarding Fr. Lower who served the combined parish for over 30 years. Interestingly he chose to be buried in Kilmakevoge Church ruins (also known locally as Kilivory) which four decades later was in the separated and newly formed Glenmore Parish.
Digitalized Combined Parish Records
The National Library of Ireland has digitalized the early Catholic Parish Records up to about 1880. Only one set of records is found for the separate Glenmore Parish (Microfilm 05022/03) with baptismal records from 28 March 1831 to 11 December 1880. Marriage records span 11 January 1831 to 7 June 1883).
The Glenmore related records prior to 1831 can be found in the combined parish records. Today, we are going to focus on the first three years of Baptismal records found in Microfilm 0503101. To view the digitalized register click here.
The First Recorded Baptisms (Microfilm 05031/01)
The handwriting of 1766 is not too difficult for most entries in this earliest register. Unfortunately, several of the entries over the past 257 years have become obscured due to the register suffering damage.
There are some unusual names in these early records. For example, Valentine Forrestall, the son of Thomas Forrestall and Catherin Murphy was the 14th child recorded on the 26th(?) of December 1766. Spellings of names and places in the earliest parish register are inconsistent. Other spellings are consistent, but are wrong by today’s standards. For example, the word “at” is consistently spelled “att.”
Godparents or sponsors are referred to as “Gossips” in these earliest records. “The word gossip derives from god-sib; god-sibling; or relative of God and originally referred to godparents,” (Clodagh Tait (2003) “Safely Delivered: Childbirth, Gossip-feasts and Churching in Ireland c. 1530-1690,” 30(1) Irish Economic & Social History, p. 17). In some entries witnesses are also recorded.
Most of the records where a place of residence is recorded reflect “baptized at Kilmakevoge,” because a priest after a birth would be summoned to the house. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) stated that in times past babies were baptized as soon as possible at home because of the high infant mortality and the belief that only baptized Catholics could enter heaven. It was believed generally that the souls of unbaptized infants went to limbo. Stillborn babies, or infants that died before baptism, were not buried in church yards. As late as the early 20th century the stillborn and unbaptized infants often were buried near the family home in ditches or little corners of fields called killeens. There are old killeens still found around Glenmore.
Illegitimates, Foundling & Class
Social problems are also reflected in this register. The sixth baptism which took place on the 7th of December 1766 is the first child recorded as being born out of wedlock. “Baptized Edmond Maher; son to John Maher & J? Houlehan, Illegitimate: Gossips; William H?, Catherine Row?” The rest of the entry is obscured by what appears to be ink blotches.
Five baptisms were identified in the 26 months from November 1866 to 31 December 1868 as involving children born out of wedlock. This represents approximately 1.6% of the infants baptized. See, Entry 48 for “Patrick Butler; son of Thomas Butler & Catherine Raiheen?, illegitmate.” See also, Entry 191 on the 18th of Feb. 1768 at “Ballincrea, [Slieverue] of Edmond Daulton, son to John Daulton & Mary Kelly, illegitimate. Gossips: John Macjey and Ellener Conners. Witness: John Maher & Thomas Conners.”
Entry 163 on the 15th of November 1767 reflects an abandoned infant. A lot of detail is provided regarding the circumstances. “Baptized Martin Knox who was left on y. 13th at John Hallagans of Drumdowney and found on y. same morning about ten of y. clock, parents not known; Gossips: Michael Nowlan & Nancy White. Witnesses: John Hallegan?; Thomas Cook, James Nowlan & Andrew Shea.
Also reflected are two examples of the upper class being recorded differently. Until the end of 1768 only two entries record honorifics such as Mr., Mrs., Master or Miss. For example, Entry 229, 7th of May 1768 provides, “Baptized att Ballefacy (sic), Richard Welsh, son of James Welsh & Bridgit (sic) Flemmings, of lawful wedlock. Gossips: Master Thomas Welsh & Mrs Nancy Welsh. Witness: Mr. Nicholas Flemming & Mary Inright.”
Likewise, Entry 247, on the 20th of June 1768 records the following for two of the Strange family of Aylwardstown House. “Baptized att Glinmore (sic), Bridgit Coady, daughter to Richard Coady & Ellener O’Sullivan of lawfull wedlock. Gossips: Mr. Peter Strange Jun. & Miss Ally Strange. Witness: Michael O’Sullivan & John O’Sullivan.”
Chart: 1766-1768 Entries
| Year | No. of Months Recorded | No. of Pages | No. of Entries | No. of Infants | Start & Ending Entry No. | No. of Illegitimate Comments | No. of Found-lings |
| 1766 | 2—Nov. & Dec. | 3 | 15 | 15 | 1-15 | 1 (Entry 6) | 0 |
| 1767 | 12 | 19 | 162 | 162 | 16-177 | 1 (Entry 48) | 1 (Entry 163) |
| 1768 | 12 | 14 | 138 | 141 | 178-315 | 3 (Entry 191) (Entry 255) (Entry 256) | 0 |
| 26 months | 36 pages | 315 | 318 | 5 = 1.57% | 1= .3% |
1766 & 1767 Baptisms
The first baptism recorded in the register occurred on the 26th of November 1766. “Baptized by ? Rev. F. Hynes; Mary White; daughter to James White and Mary Walsh; of lawful matrimony. Gossips: Patrick Lahy & Mary Cullin.”
The second baptism recorded was the following day and is of historical interest because it is the first record where Glenmore appears and was written by Fr. Lower. In fact, it appears from the handwriting that Fr. Lower recorded all of the baptisms on the page. “Baptized by me, Stephen Lower, P. Priest of Glanmore, Martin Karny; son to Murtough Karny & Joane Kenedy of lawful wedlock. Gossips: Robert Joyce & Bridget Ryan.”
Unfortunately, without townlands recorded it is difficult to determine how many of the baptisms recorded in 1766 and 1767 were performed in townlands which would later form the Parish of Glenmore.
In October 1767 starting with entry 148 townlands are infrequently recorded. From the handwriting it appears to vary from priest to priest whether it is recorded. The first such entry was for Anistice Nowlan on 1 October 1767. “Baptized att (sic) Haggard; Anistice Nowlan, daughter of Richard Nowlan & Mary Houlihan of lawfull (sic) wedlock. Gossips: Lewis O’ Ryan & Mary Aylward. Witness: Mary Murphy.”
1768 Baptisms
From February 1768 most entries record the place of the baptism. In total 50 baptisms were identified from the records as occurring in Glenmore. There may be more because some entries are impossible to read due to damage to the register. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the 1768 identified Glenmore baptisms is the number of twins recorded. Three sets of twins were baptized in 1768. Entry 208 (twin girls), 212 (boy & girl) and 269 (twin girls).
For a complete list of the 50 identified Glenmore baptisms in 1768 visit our Roots page by clicking here.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing above is entited “The Baptism of Virginia Dare” courtesy of the New York Public Library. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Baptism of Virginia Dare.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-fba8-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
ROBINSTOWN, GLENMORE (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Robinstown, Glenmore, around 1961.
BACKGROUND
The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 116) is Baile Roibin, or little Rob’s homestead. It is in the Civil Parish of Kilmakevoge and contains 322 acres. O’Kelly noted that “Glenmore R.C. chapel and national school adjoin the village to the north-west. There is one semi-circular rath.”
Tithe Applotment Books 1833
The Applotment Books record 18 tenants in Robinstown in 1833. The tenants include: [1] John Roche, 2 acres; [2] Pierce Lyons, 1 acre; [3] John Walsh, 7 acres; [4] Michael Murphy, 3 acres; [5] Richard Costello, 22 acres; [6] John Costello, 23 acres; [7] Laurence Meany, 21 acres; [8] Richard Meany, 16 acres; [9] Patrick Kehoe, 20 acres; [10] John Gehan (sic) 16 acres; [11] Edmund Grant, 10 acres; [12] John Power, 10 acres; [13] James Cashin, Sr., 4 acres; [14] James Cashin, Jr., 5 acres; [15] Thomas Edward, 9 acres; [16] Patrick Kenedy (sic) 9 acres; [17] Michael Aylward, 5 acres; and [18] Nicholas Gaffney, 1 acre. “These lands are held by lease from the Earl of Bessborough.”
Gaffney
See our post of 22 February 2020 concerning Nicholas Gaffney’s father, William Gaffney, a miller, was executed as leader of the local United Irishmen during the Battle of New Ross in 1798. The photo to the right of the Gaffney Mill, in the Village of Glenmore, was taken in Dec. 2021. Nicholas Gaffney according to a marker in St. James’s cemetery was 91 years of age when he died in 1873. However, a baptismal record reveals that Nicholas Gaffney was baptized on 19 September 1790 the son of William Gaffney and his wife Bridget Dunphy.
Meany
See our post of 9 February 2020 regarding the 1833 murder of a Catholiic landlord on the old coarch road on the hill of Glenmore. One of the men convicted and hanged in 1834 for the murder was Patrick Meany. Danny Dowling believed that Patrick Meany was from the Church Lane area of Robinstown. A quick review of the Slieverue parish records reveals that Griffith’s Valuation tenant, Laurence Meany (bapt. 1789 at Robinstown) was the son of Thomas Meany and Elizabeth Ryan. Griffith’s Valuation tenant, Richard Meany was his brother and baptized in 1779. They had a brother, Patrick Meany, who was baptized 5 March 1791. If this is the convicted killer he was executed in 1834 and he was 52 rather than 45 as reflected in one of the newspaper accounts.
1961 ROBINSTOWN, GLENMORE
In 1961, Danny recorded 20 families or households in the townland of Robinstown. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland.
The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 105 people resided in the townland of Robinstown with the population comprised of 58 males and 46 females. There is one infant recorded without gender identified. The largest family was the Kirwan family with twelve people recorded in that household. There was 1 household recorded with a single person living alone (Kieran Walsh). All information under residents of Robinstown not in Danny’s original list has been placed in square brackets [ ].
RECORDED RESIDENTS
Males = 58
Females= 46
1 Infant’s gender not identified
ELDEST RECORDED RESIDENT
The eldest recorded resident was Laurence Kirwan (10 June 1880-16 January 1963). Laurence was born the 12th of June 1880 per the birth register the son of John Kirwan (publican) of Ballyrahan and his wife Mary Kirwan née Kelly. Laurence was a farmer and married Ellen Halligan on 29 April 1912 at Slieverue. The bride was the daughter of Edmund Halligan (farmer) of Drumdowney, Slieverue. At the time of his marriage Laurence was residing in Robinstown. He bought the Costello farm in Robinstown.
RECORDED WORK
Unusually Danny listed multiple work for several people in Robinstown. Only the first listed work is reflected here.
Farmer= 5 (3 males & 2 females)
Retired Farmers= 2 (2 males)
Farm Labourer= 4 (4 males)
Creamery Worker = 3 (3 males)
Creamery Manager = 1 (1 male)
Catholic Clergy= 3 (3 males)
Council Worker = 1 (1 male)
Clover Meats = 3 (2 males; 1 female)
Factory Worker = 1 (1 male)
Retired Teacher = 1 (1 male)
Tech Teacher = 1 (1 male)
Shopkeeper = 1 (1 male)
Shop Assistant = 4 (2 males; 2 females)
Sub-postmaster= 1 (1 male)
Railway (plate layer) =1 (1male)
Greyhound Trainer = 1 (1 male)
Greyhound Worker = 1 (1 female)
Garda Retired= 1 (1 male)
Garda= 11 (11 males)
Garage Proprietor= 1 (1 male)
Clerk (garage) = 1 (1 female)
Mechanic = 1 (1 male)
Lorry Driver= 1 (1 male)
Housekeeper= 3 (3 females)
OAP (old age pensioner) = 1 (1 male)
ROBINSTOWN, GLENMORE RESIDENTS (1961)
[1] PARISH PRIEST’S HOUSE
Brennan, Rev. Wm (8 April 1891) Catholic Priest
Kennedy, Hannah (29 Jan. 1915) employee, housekeeper
[2] REDDY
Reddy, Michael (4 April 1906) Council Worker
Reddy, Mary (1 June 1890) wife
Reddy, Eily, daughter
Reddy, Eily (10 June 1915) sister
Barron, Teresa, niece, shop assistant “married July 1962”
[3] McBRIDE
McBride, James (1 April 1907) Farm Labourer
McBride, Patrick (20 June 1903) brother, farm labourer
McBride, Mary (11 Sept. 1901) sister
[4] MURPHY
Murphy, Richard (b.c. 1926) Farmer [Died 12 June 2022 at the age of 97]
Murphy, Johanna, wife
Murphy, Richard D., son, child
Murphy, David M. (b. 1960) son, child “Died in farm accident 1965”
Murphy, Richard (15 Aug. 1883) father, retired farmer
Murphy, Bridget (2 Feb. 1896) mother
[5] MURPHY
Murphy, Michael, Garage Proprietor
Murphy, Margaret, wife
[Michael Murphy the founder of Murphy Motors was killed in a car crash in 1974 at the age of 44. For further details concerning Michael Murphy see our post of 27 June 2020.]
[6] KIRWAN
Kirwan, John (10 May 1915) Farmer
Kirwan, Annie (b.c. 1919) wife
Kirwan, Eileen, daughter, clerk with garage
Kirwan, Josie, daughter, Clover Meats
Kirwan, Mary, daughter, shop assistant
Kirwan, Kate, daughter, secondary school
Kirwan, Alice, daughter, at school
Kirwan, Laurence, son, child
Kirwan, William, son, child
Kirwan, Edward, son, child
Kirwan, Laurence (10 June 1880) father, retired farmer “died 16 Jan. 1963”
Kirwan, Edward (b.c. 1920) brother, assisting relative
[7] GRIFFIN
Griffin, Thomas (19 Oct. 1897) Retired Garda
Griffen, Mary, (14 April 1902) wife
Griffen, Patrick John (26 Aug. 1937) son, mechanic
[Garda Griffin has featured in a couple of our blog posts 31 May 2023; 27 June 2020]
[8] McDONALD
McDonald, Michael (b.c. 1929) Lorry Driver & Creamery Worker
McDonald, Teresa, wife
McDonald, Infant
[9] WALSH
Walsh, Kieran (25 April 1906) Farm Labourer
[10] BARRACKS
Flynn, James (23 March 1901) Head, Garda Sergeant
Bryan, John (2 July 1903) (left to Cappagh), Garda
O’Donovan (b. c. 1940) assistant, r. Garda
Thompson, James, assistant Garda
Cunningham, Edward, assistant garda
Murray, Patrick, Garda Sergeant
McArdle, Michael, assistant Garda
Malone, T.S., Sergeant
O’Halloran, J.F.,Assistant, R/Garda
Hurley, Joseph, Garda Sergeant
Dixon, P.N., Gda Sergeant
[Danny said there were usually 3 or 4 gards and a sergeant. It is assumed that Dany recorded all the men who transferred in or out of Glenmore in 1961.]
[11] WALSH
Walsh, Patrick “Eric” (b.c. 1916) Factory Worker
Walsh, Margaret (b.c. 1912) wife
Walsh, Elizabeth, daughter, secondary school
(Moved to Waterford)
[12] BEAVANS/DEVANE
Beavans, Henry Peter (3 March 1890) Retired Teacher
Devane, Margaret Mary, daughter
Devane, Ellen Carmel Ann, granddaughter
Devane, John Gerard, grandson
Devane, Margaret Mary, granddaughter
[13] FURLONG
Furlong, Francis (b.1918) Greyhound Trainer
Furlong, Stasia (b.c. 1923) wife
Furlong, Marita, niece, child
Roche, Peggy, employee, domestic greyhound woman
[14]] ROCHE
Roche, Richard (b.c. 1920) Plate Layer C.I.E.
Roche, Ellen, wife
Roche, Edward, son, child
Roche, John, son, child
Roche, Mary, daughter, child
Roche, Anastasia, daughter, child
[15] FORRESTAL/O’BRIEN
Forrestal, Michael (10 Aug. 1916) Creamery Worker
Forrestal, John (b. 1927) brother, farmer
Forrestal, Martin (b. 1930) brother, creamery worker
Forrestal, Mary (b.c. 1923) sister
O’Brien, John, brother-in-law, shop assistant
O’Brien, Nancy, sister
O’Brien, Francis, nephew, child
[See our post of 13 May 2020 regarding the tragic death of Martin Forristal (1879-1931) of Robinstown, Glenmore at the Glenmore Creamery.]
[16] CURATE’S HOUSE
Murphy, Rev. James, C.C. (14 Aug. 1913) Curate “Gone to Bennetsbridge”
Morrissey, Margaret (28 Jan. 1896) employee, housekeeper
Dunphy, Rev. Joseph, Catholic Clergy “died 31 Dec. 1961”
Phelan, Mary, employee, housekeeper
[17] HANRAHAN
Hanrahan, Mary (14 Aug. 1892) Farmer and Shopkeeper
Hanrahan, Richard (b. 1928) son, shopkeeper
Hanrahan, Nicholas, nephew, university student
[18] IRISH
Irish, Patrick (14 March 1906) Shop Assistant Creamery
Irish, Johanna (11 June 1917) wife [Known as Daisey née Walsh of Rochestown]
[19] CAHILL
Cahill, William (b.c. 1923) Creamery Manager
Cahill, Mary, wife
Cahill, Joan Marie, daughter
Cahill, Mary Selina, daughter
Cahill, Bernadette Margaret, daughter
Cahill, Aine E., daughter
Cahill, Edward Joseph, son
Nolan, Mary (12 Feb. 1890) Mother-in-law
Gone to reside at 72 Ard Muire, Ferrybank on 22 Oct. 1962 [Cahill’s lived in Danny Dowling’s house in the Village]
[19] McKENNA WALSH
McKenna Walsh, Elizabeth (b. 1940) Farmer, Shopkeeper & Post Mistress
Fluskey, Terence (25 Jan. 1885) uncle, acting sub-postmaster
Walsh, Sean, husband, technical teacher, counterhand
Walsh, Geraldine, daughter, infant
Walsh, Helen, daughter, infant
Walsh, James, son, infant
[20] POWER
Power, William (27 Sept. 1879) Retired O.A.P.
Power, Ellen (1 Nov. 1902) wife
Power, Thomas (b.c. 1921) son, creamery worker
Power, Kieran (b.c. 1925) son, Clover Meats
Power, Liam, son, Clover Meats (gone to reside Bigwood)
Power, Mary, daughter-in-law
Power, Helen, granddaughter
Power, grandson
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore Cornflour Case [Updated]
In attempting to locate information on Glenmore skittles teams we came across an article that appeared in the New Ross Standard about 8 weeks prior to the end of World War II. As we highlighted in our previous post, World War II was known locally as the Emergency. Due to the disruption to manufacturing and transport during the war, people across Ireland had to cope with shortages. Imports such as coal and foodstuffs were particularly impacted. One Glenmore businessman, Jim Fluskey (c. 1882-1960) was summoned before the New Ross District Court in June 1945 for “selling cornflour that was not up to the nature, substance and quality demanded” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 June 1945, p. 5).
The case was heard on Tuesday the 12th of June in the New Ross District Court before Mr. J.V. Fahy, District Judge. Guard Tom Griffin of the Glenmore Barracks bought the substance from James Fluskey and sent it off to a lab to undergo analysis. James Fluskey of Robinstown, Glenmore. Mr. Coghlan, solicitor for the Kilkenny County Council, prosecuted and Mr. J. Colfer, solicitor, appeared for the defendant Fluskey and admitted the offense.
“Mr. Coghlan read the analyst’s certificate which stated that the sample contained 100 per cent potato starch. Cornflour, he added, should be prepared from starch prepared from either maize or rice. The article made from maize had been an article of commerce for over 80 years and that from rice nearly as long. He (analyst) had not met with potato starch as cornfour until recently and in his opinion it was a substitute for the genuine article.”
Mr. Colfer said on behalf of the defendant that “there was a case, on appeal, before the Wicklow Circuit Court where they had specialists to decide in a case like this whether it was cornflour or not.” Mr. Colfer concluded with, ” We sold the cornflour as we received it.” In other words Jim Fluskey ordered cornflour, received what he thought was cornflour and sold it as cornflour.
Mr. Coghlan replied that the Circuit Court Judge in the Wicklow case decided it was illegal to sell potato starch as courflour.
Judge Fahy took a practical view and approach to the Glenmore case. “The Justice said in a time of short supplies people were trying to do their best to supply substitutes that would be possible or tolerable…In the circumstances I am imposing a nominal fine of 3s. with 7s. costs. I am not saying anything about the analyst’s fee.”
Tom Griffin (c. 1897-1978) was from Scarriff, Co. Clare and was stationed at Glenmore for years. After retiring from Garda Siochana Tom took up bee keeping that he passed onto his son Paddy Griffin.
Please see our post of 28 May 2020 regarding the Fluskey family and shop.
[Update: see our post of 13 February 2023 where James Fluskey in 1943 went to court for his wife selling cafe in error instead of coffee. It was reported that Jim had been in business 45 years and this was his first appearance. ]
Update 20 June 2023–Andrew Doherty of Waterford Tides & Tales shared the following story from the Emergency Era.
“We had a character here who was ex Royal Navy and from the descriptions of his antics I’d imagine he had ptsd after serving in WWI. Anyway, because of his contacts it was known that he could “import” almost anything. A lady in one of the better houses was having a supper and approached him for tea leaves.
He duly obliged with a 1/4lb of loose tea leaves in a box for which he charged a handsom price – due to the lengths he had to go. They got about four spoons out of it, until they started to dig into something very much unlike tea…the Gardner was summoned to pass judgment as there was some dispute, and also disbelief in the kitchen. Turned out he had filled the box with dried horse manure, then topped it off with a scattering of tea.
The gardner tracked him down in Jack Meades pub drunk and now penniless and when challenged he uttered only two words – Caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).”]
Please send additional information, photos or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Skittles Teams & Tournaments
A few months ago a reader asked if we have any information on a Glenmore skittles team. The reader’s grandfather mentioned that he played skittles before he emigrated to the UK. We were able to locate quite a few articles regarding local skittle tournaments held from 1938 -c. 1949. Apparently different areas of the country employed different rules and some tournaments were for teams and some were for individual contestants.
The local tournaments were played in the summer and were impacted by weather, so the games were played outdoors. We did find that there is an indoor skittles game which is often played in pubs. We could not find an article referencing a tournament being played in Glenmore Village, but it would be difficult to find a flat area for the game in the village. Ballycroney and Moulerstown were the two Glenmore townlands that were mentioned regularly as having skittle teams competing in local skittles tournaments.
Skittle Rules
It is widely accepted that skittles are played in various countries using various rules and equipment. For our American readers skittles is said to be the forerunner of bowling or ten pin bowling as it is often called here.
A brief description of how the local children played the game was recorded in the 1930’s by a Ballyfacey school child. See our post of 27 November 2022. This description is consistent with the RTE Archives (1979). Donncha Ó Dúlaing had a series entitled “Donncha’s Travelling Roadshow” where he travelled across Ireland highlighting the people, music and traditions of rural Ireland. On 4 April 1979 he featured a Cavan skittles match.
“Five skittles with values 1,2,3,4 and 10 are placed in a ring in a cross shape. Each player takes his turn at a throw line and attempts to knock all of the skittles with four throwers made from cylindrical blocks of wood.” To view the wonderful RTE archived 1979 footage click here.
1938 Glenmore Teams
Skittles may have been played in Glenmore long before 1938, but local newspapers only began reporting on and advertising skittles tournaments around this time. Several teams from Glenmore and nearby parishes/townslands were identified. Unfortunately the number of players on a team was not revealed in any newspaper article.
Shambo-Rosbercon Tournament
The New Ross Standard (Fri. 2 Sept. 1938, p. 12) reported that the Shambo (sic) Rosbercon Skittles Tournament began on Sunday the 27th of August 1938 “with players from Shambo, Ballycroney, Ballygurran (sic), New Ross, Glenmore, Waterford, Pink Rock and Moulerstown.” The games were described as very interesting to the large crowd of spectators.
“The ‘Butler’ Moulerstown team were very unlucky to go over the game number in the semi-finals after a grand display, but for being the most consistent players all round, the Egan team Ballycroney highly deserved their victory in the initial round. Saunders’ team, of Shambo, being runners up. The Committee thanked Mr. Daniel Whelan for seating and all other facilities provided during the game. The tournament will be continued on next Sunday.”
The second round of the tournament took place on Sunday the 11th of September 1938. Ten teams made it through the semi-finals and the third day of the tournament was scheduled for the 18th where the newspaper predicted “an exciting finish is anticipated.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Sept. 1938, p. 12).
Final Between Two Ballycroney, Glenmore Teams
The Shambo skittle tournament was played on the 18th and was proclaimed “an outstanding success.” The full ten team took part “in the final issues. Ballycroney, Moulerstown and Shambo teams proved their skill to enter the semi-final after very keenly contested games with excitement at its highest. Moulerstown and Shambo had to admit defeat, leaving the final issue, which was only decided by the best hand, between the two Ballycroney teams, the winners being D. Cahill, B. Hogan, J. Hennessy and W. Walsh, the Runners-up, Pat Egan, and the Holden Brothers, being very unlucky to be only beaten by the small margin of four. The teams are beginning another challenge game on next Sunday” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 23 Sept. 1938, p. 12.)
The Emergency Years
The Second World War is often referred to as the Emergency in Ireland. On 2 September 1939 the Emergency Powers Act was passed into law the day after Germany invaded Poland. Hardships prevailed as commodities such as coal, medicines and foodstuffs were difficult to import. Skittles remained a popular pastime in this area during the War.
A South Kilkenny Committee was established to run tournaments in the summer months with most of the parishes in South Kilkenny represented. For this league teams were grouped to allow draws and fixtures to be made “locally to suit players and the committee” (Munster Express, Fri. 28 June 1940, p. 8 and Fri. 8 May 1942, p. 66). However, teams were not limited to parishes, townlands or villages. Clover Meats had a skittles teams. Its July 1944 contest against Dangan, fixed for Ballykeohan Crossn had to be postponed “owing to unfavourable weather conditions” (Munster Express, Fri. 21 July 1944, p. 4).
One of the new features of skittles during the Emergency were concrete rings. An individual skittles contest was advertised for Tullahought (near Piltown) where a “new concrete ring” was built. “It is sure to attract a big entry from members of the skittles teams.” The entry was 10s. and first prize £1. “It is hoped to have all the contests in the one day” (Munster Express, Fri. 3 July 1942, p. 6). In early July 1942, it was reported that Jamestown (assumed to be Jamestown, Glenmore) “formed a new team and a newly painted ring” was announced (Munster Express, Fri. 8 May 1942, p. 6).
Ballycroney, Glennmore 1945 Team
The skittles tournament organised by the Listerlin Club attracted an entry of nineteen teams to the local venue on Sunday the 22nd of July 1945. It “provided a nice afternoon’s sport for a record attendance. After keen competition, in which some interesting play was witnessed, Ballycroney and Acres (Mullinavat) qualified for the final, which was won by the former after a great contest. The teams were as follows: Ballycroney—W. Holden, B. Holden, M. Holden, P. Hogan, J. Hennessy¸ J. Cody, T. Fitzgerald. Acres—Thomas Holden, Ed. Holden, Hames Holden, J. Holden, Jas. Farrell, Wm. Fitzpatrick, E. Kelly, Pat Anderson. Sergt. Conlon was judge and Mr. P. O’Connor marker.” (Munster Express, Fri. 27 July 1945, p. 5).
Moulerstown, Glenmore Tournaments
Tullogher’s tournament was played in early August 1945, and 18 teams competed (Munster Express, Fri. 10 Aug. 1945, p. 5).
Twelve teams entered for the skittle tournament held at Moulerstown, Glenmore, on the 12th of August, “which attracted a large attendance of spectators. After an interesting series of games, first prize went to the Moulerstown team, who defeated Smithstown in the final after an exciting contest” (Munster Express, Fri. 17 Aug. 1945, p. 5). The newspaper did not indicate where in Moulestown the 1945 tournament was held.
The following week the Moulerstown team competed in the Ballyanne (Wexford) tournament. “There was a large attendance at the … tournament held on Sunday, [the 19th] and great interest was centred in the games. Seventeen teams competed and Rathgarogue team were the winners of the tournament. Moulerstown came second and Rathnure were third. The prize for the best throw was won by J. Breen of Ballintubber, and gate prize by M. Fitzpatrick of Carranoure (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 August 1945, p. 6).
In 1946, the Moulerstown tournament was held at the Moulerstown Dance Board on Saturday the 19th of June “commencing at 1:30 p.m. (old time) with £14 in prizes advertised (Munster Express, Fri. 21 June 1946, p. 5). A tournament held in an enclosed yard in the Borris & Graig district raised £29 7s. at the entrance gate “which goes to prove the interest taken in such contests” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 August 1945, p. 6).
Local Decline of Skittles
After 1949 fewer articles appeared in local newspapers concerning skittles. In the summer of 1949 it was announced that a “monster” skittles tournament was to be held in Mooncoin the first Sunday in August “in conjunction with the local sports. A number of new teams [were] also being organised in the area for the competition” (Munster Express, Fri.29 July 1949, p 8).
Stand alone skittles tournaments were no longer reported, however, skittles continued to be played in conjunction with sports days and sometimes with dances. For example, in the summer of 1952 a “Monster Skittles Tournament was held at the Glenmore Skow Bridge Dance Board on Sunday the 27th of July at 1 p.m. (old time). The entry fee was 16/- for a team of eight and £12 in prizes were on offer. A “big dance” was to be held the same night (Munster Express, Fri. 18 July 1952, p. 10).
Request
If you played skittles for a Glenmore team, or you recall hearing someone speak of their experiences, we would love to hear from you. If you have any old skittles trophies, medals or photos of skittle players or games please send a photo of them to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Please also contact via the email provided regarding any errors, omissions, or additional information.
The drawing featured above is courtesy of the New York Public Library and is a cigarette card issued in 1938; available at George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library. “Skittles.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 28, 2023. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/7d20cdeb-e40d-4a73-e040-e00a18060ccc.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Prosecution of 4 Glenmore Men
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) spent over 7 decades interviewing people and collecting information concerning Glenmore and nearby areas. Found within Danny’s voluminous files was an article from the Waterford Standard concerning the Kilmacow Petty Sessions court held in August 1903. Two cases were reported in that newspaper that involved the Sunday closing of pubs law and the prosecution of four Glenmore men.
Irish Temperance League
According to the webpage of the Irish Temperance League it was formed in the 1850’s and continues to operate to this day. By the 1870’s across Ireland, Catholic and Protestant Clergy were united in efforts to curb alcohol consumption. In Glenmore all pubs in the Village were closed by the Parish Priest and there was no pub in the Village until 1963. See our previous post of 8 May 2023.
Known as “The Great Social Experiment” Bills were introduced several years in a row in the House of Commons, seeking to control and curtail the sale of alcohol. In 1872, it became a legal requirement to display the proprietor’s name over the front door. (For more interesting facts regarding Irish pubs see the Irish Post, (2016) “A Brief History of the Pub.”) The following year, when a Bill was introduced to close pubs on Sundays the MP for Leeds argued it was a bad idea because the populace would be left without access to alcohol for medicinal uses. It was also argued that the working man lived in poor conditions and needed the comforts of a pub (Irish Post (2016)). Interestingly there was no mention or concern for the wives and children who also lived in poor conditions.
The 1873 police returns revealed that there were 1,586 publicans, beer dealers and spirit grocers in Ireland. By 1880 the number fell to 1,284. The reduction of 302 over 7 years was due mainly to the closure of “the worst case of house” and others were temporarily closed due to the economic decline in that decade that left thousands of labouring men without work (T. W. Russel (1884) A Social Experiment: Five Years Before and After Sunday Closing in Ireland, p. 6).
The Sunday Closure Act 1878
Until 1878 pubs could remain open until 11 p.m. on Sundays. The Sunday Closing Act came into operation on the 13th of October 1878. Under the ACT the hours of sale were reduced to 2 to 7 p.m. and from 2 to 9 p.m. in all places with a population exceeding 5,000. The cities with the longer hours were Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. During the 4.5 years after the enactment Sunday arrests for drunkenness fell by 53% (T.W. Russel (1884) p. 1).
Two interesting aspects of the Act was that the Sunday patrons were limited to bona fide travellers, and the Act was not permanent. A Bill was introduced into the House of Commons in 1882 to make it permanent and to extend its provisions to all Ireland. A bona fide traveller was a patron who traveled a prescribed distance from his home.
Saturday Early Closing Bills
With the deemed success of the Sunday closures the Irish Temperance League and united clergy turned their attention to Saturdays. The Saturday Earlier Closing Bill was introduced year after year commencing in 1879. Eventually, a Committee was formed which had 18 sittings for taking evidence from 40 witnesses. In total 11,091 questions were put to the witnesses.
After two days of discussion the Committee reported that “The witnesses…have given strong evidence in favour of curtailing the hours of sale on Saturdays. The Committee are of opinion that a great deal of excessive drinking which has been proved to take place on Saturday nights, and much of the squandering of the wages of the working classes would be avoided if public-houses were closed earlier on that day, and they are satisfied that such a measure would be supported by public opinion generally throughout Ireland.”
The Committee recommended that the Act of 1878 should be made perpetual and extended to the five cities exempted from the full operation of the Act. That the qualifying distance under the bona fide provisions should be extended to six miles. That all houses for the sale of intoxicating liquors in Ireland should be closed at 9 p.m. on Saturdays (Irish Temperance League (1889) Summary of the History of the Sunday Closing and Saturday Evening Closing Movement ion Ireland, and the Position of the Government in Relation to the present Bill—February, 1889.
Kilmacow Petty Sessions 27 August 1903
The Kilmacow Petty Sessions were held on Thursday the 27th before Ulick Bourke, Resident Magistrate and Major Giles. Mr. Bowers, CPS was also present.
Catherine McDonell, a Mullinavat Publican
Two cases involving pubs were reported in the Waterford Standard newspaper. The first involved Catherine McDonnell a Mullinavat publican who was charged with having permitted drunkenness in her house on Sunday the 5th of July. It was alleged that Mrs. McDonnell had put “everyone out” by 7 p.m., but James Dalton regained entry by climbing over the wall that surrounded the premises.
The police found James Dalton drunk on the licensed premises after 7 p.m. when they visited. Mrs. McDonnell swore that she did not provide Dalton with any drink after 6:30 p.m. Major Giles was strongly in favour of a conviction, but Mr. Bourke did not agree with him. “After a lengthened debate Major Giles gave way on a point of law, and the case was dismissed.” (Waterford Standard, Sat. 29 Aug. 1903, p. 3).
Four Glenmore Men Arrested in Slieverue
The second pub case was entitled, “A Serious Question for Publicans—How long Can a Man Stay in a Publichouse?”
Sergeant Quinn charged Richard Grant, Slieverue, with a breach of the Sunday Closing Act. Head-Constable Keegan prosecuted, and Mr. P. A. Murphy defended.
Sergeant Quinn testified that on Sunday, June 28th, he visited the premises of Richard Grant at twelve o’clock noon and found about 40 people on the premises. Quinn went through the drinker and thought they were all bona fide travellers. Quinn belived that Edward Murphy, Pat McDonald, Robert Walsh and Francis Rielly were from Glenmore.
At 2:30 Quinn again went to the “house” and found the same men drinking. He spoke to them in the presence of the publican and asked Murphy why he was there so long. Murphy replied he could remain from six in the morning until six at night if he liked. “He went away with Rielly. Walsh and McDonald were there also, and they had been there the same time.”
“Mass commenced at eleven and was over about twelve, and these people attended the service. All four men live in the parish of Glenmore, and Glenmore Chapel would be nearer to any of them than going to Slieverue, but they could not get a public house” in Glenmore. Sergeant Quinn noticed Rielly “had the appearance of drink.” Sergeant Quinn went on to testify that Murphy and the publican had been summoned some time previously for similar offences, and the cases had been dismissed.
Mr. P.A. Murphy for the defendant cross examined the sergeant. Quinn testified that “his case was that these men stayed an overlong time in the house, and though bona fide travellers at 12 o’clock they had no right to stay until 2:30.”
“Mr. Murphy said the case would undoubtedly go further, but he would like it clearly understood the case for the Crown was that at 12 o’clock these men were admittedly bona fide travellers, but they were not bona fide travellers at 2:30. He contended that no such offense as the present one against the publican should have been brought. The police could only have brought a case of permitting drunkenness, but there was no such charge in this case. Mr. Murphy then read several recorded cases to prove his contentions. An exactly similar case occurred before, and the magistrates’ decision was reversed by the County Court Judge. “
The magistrates dismissed the case, but allowed a case to be stated, where the matter “will be thoroughly threshed out in the Superior Court. Mr Bourke, R.M. drew up the various points to be submitted for argument. The cases against the four men found on the premises were adjourned.”
Cases Adjourned for the Bona Fide Glenmore Travellers
Thus, it appears that the publican with legal representation had his case dismissed, but the four Glenmore patrons had their cases adjourned until the unnamed Superior Court could rule on various points of law the magistrates sent to it. No further newspapers articles could be located regarding these cases from 1903, so the question of whether a bona fide traveller could lose his status and thus fall foul of the law was not published. However, the reporting of the case clearly illustrates the Sunday Closure Act was still in operation and any Glenmore person seeking a drink on a Sunday when he went beyond Glenmore parish he became a bona fide traveller within the meaning of the Act. As a bona fide traveller Glenmore people were entitled to seek alcohol at pubs more than 6 miles from home.
Whether the men were bona fide travellers is another issue. A quick search of the 1901 Census reveals more then 1 person named Robert Walsh and Edward Murphy in Glenmore parish. Two of this group with the same names lived within 2 or 3 miles of Slieverue. However, there were no persons found named Pat McDonald and Francis Rielly, although a family of Riellys lived in Slieverue parish in Ballyrowagh adjacent to the Glenmore line.
Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The photo of Stapleton’s pub of Slieverue was taken today. It is not known where Richard Grant’s pub was located in 1903 in Slieverue.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh