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
Glenmore Man Killed 120 Years Ago on the U.S.S. Bennington
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Maurice Hennebry (1859-1917) Native of Rochestown, Glenmore—Killed on the S.S. Formby
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Ballyfacey, Glenmore 1913 School Photo
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From Danny’s Files: A 1911 Haggard, Glenmore, Malicious Injury Case
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November Updates
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A Disputed Glenmore Cottage
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Rev. William “Willie” Brennan (1891-1973) Parish Priest of Glenmore
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Glenmore Walking Tour 2025
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Interviews of Andrew Heffernan (1893-1975) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
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Glenmore: Upcoming Local Talks & Walk
Glenmore and the United Irish League’s Rosbercon Rally 1908
The land question was the political issue that dominated Glenmore and other rural areas of Ireland from before the Great Famine until shortly before the Easter Uprising in 1916. As an oversimplification, under British rule land in Ireland was owned by English landlords and the Irish people working the land were impoverished and faced the constant threat of eviction. After the famine, there was less of a need for Irish farmers and farm labourers because farming moved from tillage to grazing. This led to more clearances and evictions. Between 1851 and 1911 arable land in Ireland halved from 1.8 million hectares to 0.9 million. Live cattle exports to Britain increased from 200,000 animals in the 1840’s to 400,000 animals in the 1860’s. In the 1890’s this increased to 800,000 animals (Kevin Whelan (1997) “The Modern Landscape from Plantation to Present” in Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape, p. 67).
Reforms
There were some efforts to reform land laws such as the establishment of the Encumbered Estates Court in 1848. The landlords most heavily in debt were weeded out and more enterprising landlords replaced them. In the 1860’s other land legislation followed, but tenancy continued to be based on contract and not on tenure. The insecurity of tenure, and the actions of the new landlords caused political and social unrest which helped give birth to the Fenian movement. The Land Act (1870) is cited as the first real effort to deal with the grievances of the Irish tenant. However, the Act was inadequate particularly after the bad harvests starting in 1877. (C.F. Bastable (1903) “The Irish Land Purchase Act of 1903,” The 18(1) Quarterly Journal of Economics (Nov. 1903) p. 3-4). During bad harvests even reasonable rents were often difficult to pay.
The Land League
In October 1879 Michael Davitt, the son of an evicted farmer founded the Land League. Charles Stewart Parnell, leader of the Irish Home Rule Party, presided over the League and linked the land reform movement with his home rule political party. Glenmore formed a Branch of the Land League in 1880. The Irish Land Committee in November 1880 published a document entitled, The Land Question, Ireland: Confiscation or Contract? It was apparent that change was going to happen. The only question was whether the Government would force the landlords to sell their lands.
Fierce agitation by the Land League led to Gladstone’s Land Act of 1881 which accepted the three F’s: (1) Fixity of tenure; (2) Fair rent; and (3) the right of Free sale of the tenant of his interest. In essence the 1881 Act fixed rents. The fixing of rents did not stop evictions. For example, in August 1885 people from across the area rushed to Ballyfacey, Glenmore and successfully stopped the eviction of several families. (See our post of 14 June 2020 for further details regarding the Ballyfacey evictions). Notwithstanding the shortcomings of the 1881 Act it was viewed as a victory for the Land League.
United Irish League
The momentum gained by the Land League was lost in 1891 when Parnell became embroiled in a public scandal because of his long association with a married woman. The Glenmore Branch of the Land League split as did the national group. Parnell died later that year. (For further information on the splitting of the Glenmore Branch of the Land League see our post of 27 March 2020 and our post 29 March 2020).
In 1898 the United Irish League was established by William O’Brien with the help of Michael Davitt and others. The League was comprised primarily of the divided Parnell and anti-Parnellite factions. By 1903 the main political parties in Britain were in agreement that Irish tenants should be allowed to purchase their holdings. However, the question remained whether the transfer of land would be voluntary or whether it would be compulsory on the landlords.
The Land Act (1903), also known as the Wyndham Act, was the long awaited land purchase Act. However, not everyone agreed with the provisions of the Act and the United Irish League did not remain united. In 1908 the land question raised its head locally when there were calls for dividing the “grass ranch” of the Boyd estate. (For an interesting article on the 1903 Act, see, Patrick John Cosgrove (2008) The Wyndham Act, 1903; The Final Solution to the Irish Land Question? (PhD Thesis, National University of Ireland, Maynooth).
The Boyd Estate
On the 9th of August 1908, the clergy and people of Glenmore travelled to Rosbercon to attend a “monster” demonstration. The purpose of the demonstration was to agitate for the division of the Boyd estate. The Shanbogh landlord Thomas Boyd died in 1904.
Thomas Boyd (1818-1904) of Chilcomb House, Rosbercon, in addition to being the landlord of Shanbogh, was also the Crown Solicitor for Tipperary. He also owned land in Tipperary. Thomas bought Shanbogh around 1870. His land was described as running from his residence in Rosbercon for two miles to the river. A decade after he purchased Shanbogh, Thomas, his two sons and nephew were ambushed. His son Charles died from his injuries. Although several local people were arrested for the murder of Charles Boyd (c. 1859-1880) no one was convicted. (For further information on the ambush see our post of 7 Nov. 2021).
Thomas survived both of his sons and left his estate to his grandson Thomas Crawford Boyd (1886-1967). Thomas Crawford Boyd was the son of John Thomas Evans Boyd (1855-1900) and his wife Emily Martha Crawford (1863-1934). Thomas Crawford Boyd was in the British army in 1908.
The 1908 Meeting of the United Irish League at Rosbercon
The New Ross Standard (Fri. 14 August 1908, p. 13) covered the meeting and started its coverage with “Just across the river from New Ross, at a little distance above the village of Rosbercon, on a well known South Kilkenny Gaelic battle ground, on Sunday afternoon an exceptionally well attended, enthusiastic and determined public demonstration was held, under the auspices of the United Irish League. The object of the demonstration was the breaking up the ranch land of the Boyd estate.” It was also mentioned that a special train from Waterford brought a contingent of about 200 including the Barrack Street Brass and Reed Band. The Kilkenny People (Sat. 15 Aug.1908, p. 3) also carried similar coverage of the meeting.
Glenmore Clergy & Evicted Tenants
The meeting was “largely attended by farmers, labourers and artisans.” A long list of the men on the platform was provided in local news accounts. There were clergymen such as the Very Rev. Canon Holohan, P.P., Rosbercon; Glenmore’s Very Rev. Thomas Phelan, P.P.; and Glenmore’s Curate, Rev. Martin Crotty. Politicians from all over the South East of Ireland were also well represented on the platform. Evicted Tenants made up the remainder of the persons on the platform. The newspapers linked the parishes of Glenmore and Sliverue when listing the evicted tenants on the platform. The evicted tenants included: James Forrestal (Rosbercon); R. Egan (Tullogher, restored); P. Cody (Tullogher); Ed Harte (Listerlin); Frank Ryan (Glenmore & Slieverue), Daniel and John Doolan (Glenmore & Slieverue); P. Doherty (Glenmore & Slieverue) and R. Grace (Glenmore & Slieverue).
Canon Holohan’s Speech
The Very Rev. Canon Holohan, P.P., Rosbercon, chaired the meeting. Below is an extract of his speech.
“Fellow countrymen, and men and women of Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, and Waterford—I am delighted to see you assembled here today in such vast numbers. Your presence here today gives me an assurance that your breasts are filled with the same feelings of patriotism and bravery which animated the breasts of your forefathers who fought at the battle of New Ross (applause)—that you are still filled with the same enthusiasm that characterised meetings of twenty-five or thirty years ago (applause).”
“You are also prepared to support an agitation today on the same lines as you formerly did when the Land League was started by Michael Davitt (applause).” At this point a man called out, “And the great Parnell.” Fr. Holohan carried on with his speech. He outlined that the gathered men would be asked to adopt a number of resolutions concerning the question of Home Rule. He stated that “without which Ireland can never exist or be happy, prosperous or contented (cheers). This resolution concerning Home Rule occupies the first place. The question of the evicted holds a prominent place in the programme of today, and in like manner the distribution of untenanted lands amongst the sons and representatives of the evicted tenants and amongst the landless of the district (applause)…”
“We all deplore the evils of emigration, but we all know and feel there is no place in the world for Irishmen like their native land. Nowhere do they feel as happy and contented as at home amongst their own friends. They may go to foreign lands and pick up some gold, but they are never happy out of Ireland (applause)…”
Canon Holohan went on to state that his old friend, Mr. Meagher, the Member of Parliament for North Kilkenny, had secured in north Kilkenny possession of seven or eight ranches of untenanted land for distribution. ..”I had the pleasure of meeting him 28 years ago in the days of the Land League, when we stood shoulder to shoulder on many a platform, when the prospect was not so bright as it is today, when the people with the priests agitated. They persevered and keep pegging away, and they have obtained many redresses of their grievances. They have obtained a reduction of rent, the land purchase Clauses, the various Land Bills for the last 30 years. They have obtained the Town Tenants Acts and the Labourers Acts. Those are the various Bills obtained and improvements made through the agitation of the Irish Parliamentary Party. We can get something from time to time. We cannot get all that we are entitled to, but by agitating we will get something from time to time.”
“Many tell us that Home Rule is almost within sight. If we had it, it would embrace everything, and it is not sops and straws we would be getting. Let us keep agitating and by the assistance of the Irish Parliamentary Party and a good strong agitation we are assured that Home Rule is in sight (applause). We have the sympathy of all Nationalists, not only in England, Scotland, Australia and America, but wherever the Irish race is spread all over the world. Englishmen who come over here to govern us after a little experience of the country find that nothing can be done without Home Rule. We are all Home Rulers…”
The Sought Resolutions
[1] That we, the Nationalists of South Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, and Waterford, reiterate the National demand for a native Parliament sitting in College Green, with full powers to make laws for the government of the Irish nation.
[2] We earnestly call upon the Government to hasten the reinstatement of the evicted tenants and to supply the necessary funds for this purpose.
[3] We demand the distribution of the untenanted lands of South Kilkenny among the evicted tenants, the wounded soldier of the land war, or their representative, and among the adjoining small farmers and landless people, to enable them to live in the land of their birth and to prevent their emigration.
[4] We strongly protest again the rejection of the large number of labourers’ cottages, especially on the large areas.
Speech of Michael Meagher, MP for North Kilkenny
The political speech delivered by Michael Meagher had several interesting facts presented. According to Meagher people were leaving Ireland at the rate of 44,000 a year, while there were 68,000 acres of gazing land to be broken up. He noted that forty years previously the lands were cleared of human beings and “handed over to bullocks.” Through the Estates Commission “ranches” in the north of the county were being split up. He gave the example of the Scully ranch where 39 families comprised of 357 human beings were evicted—not for non-payment of rent but to turn the land to grazing. This land was in 1908 being made available for supported purchase by evicted tenants, small farmers and the landless.
Rev. Thomas Phelan of Glenmore
Fr. Thomas Phelan (Glenmore) declared the vote of thanks to Canon Holohan and recited:
Ill fares the land
To hastening ills a prey,
Where bullocks thrive
And men decay.
Canon Holohan (Rosbercon) concluded the meeting with
“We’ll have the land that bore us,
The land shall be our chorus,
We’ll have it yet, tho’ tis hard to get,
With the green flag flying o’er us.”
It is interesting the simplistic approach taken that splitting up large “ranch” holdings would stop emigration without any discussion of birth rates or available alternative employment. Unless the people purchasing the untenanted land provided for each of their children by dividing their land the project would not stop emigration. However, dividing the purchased holding would result in the pre-Famine subsistence farming on smaller and smaller holdings and also would not stop emigration after a generation or two.
See our post of 14 June 2020 regarding creative boycotting in the late 19th century.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
AYLWARDSTOWN, GLENMORE (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Aylwardstown, Glenmore, around 1961. The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 115) is Baile Aighleirt, which translates as Aylward’s homestead. The townland is comprised of 557 acres and is found in the Civil Parish of Kilmakevoge.
A Brief History
O’Kelly cites Carrigan as stating that Gleann silin, the cherry glen or valley, may have been the ancient name for the area. Aylwardstown House built in 1609 has the date chiselled on the blue limestone, Roman-arched doorway with Celtic design floreated, and the original timbers in the “offices houses” were still in place in 1969. Mr. [James] Kelly, the owner in 1969, stated that his grandfather bought the house and lands from the Strange family.
O’Kelly relates that the Half-way House at the cross-roads was a public house until 1836 when the new New Ross/Waterford main road was opened to traffic. [Locally the new portion of the new road was called the “New Line.”] the Half-way House located on the High Road was by-passed. Until 1836 it was a halting place for the stage coaches. For more information concerning the “New Line,” and “High Road” see our post of 14 December 2019. Fields in Aylwardstown include: Cnoc; Cnoc na gcaor, hill of the berries; Garrai; Gort an leachta, field of the monument; Pairc bheag and Pairc mhor.
The last sentence of O’Kelly’s entry for Aylwardstown states that “Leacht Ui Dheaghdha, the monument of O’Dea is by the main roadway.” According to a snippet inserted by Danny Dowling in the Souvenir Programme in 1981 “…the burial place of the legendary Celtic chieftain O’Dea who gave his name to the Barony of Ida…is opposite this half-way house.” The burial mound survived into the 20th century but no trace of the site now remains. (Glenmore Hurling & Football Club’s, Souvenir Programme (14 May 1981) p. 37 marking the official opening of the club grounds).
Aylwardstown Tenants in 1833
In the 1833 Tithe Applotment Books, the townland of Aylwardstown is found in the civil parish of Kilmacanoge (sic). The townland, along with others, was held by lease by Mr. Strange from the Earl of Bessborough. Laurence Strange was the landlord of the townland although he was not the owner of the land. There are 17 tenants listed in the 1833 Applotment Records including: Laurence Strange Esq., 63 acres; Patrick Murphy, 26 acres; John Heffernan, 26 acres; Edmond Henebry, 26 acres; Pat Delahunty, 13 acres; Dennis Ryan, 19 acres; Thomas Hines, 1 acre; David Kehoe, 2 acres; Thomas Haberlin, 2 acres; Richard Fitzgerald, 25 acres; Pat Fitzgerald, 12 acres; Thomas Kehoe, 9 acres; James Irish, 29 acres; Widow Doherty, 19 acres; James Ryan, 17 acres; and James Morrissey, 26 acres.
Danny’s List
In 1961, Danny recorded 19 families or households in Aylwardstown. 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, 96 people resided in Aylwardstown with the population comprised of 50 males and 46 females. The largest family was the Aylward family with 11 in the household. There was 1 household recorded with a person living alone (James Fitzgerald known locally as Jim Bryant). All information under residents of Aylwardstown not in Danny’s original list has been placed in square brackets[ ].
Recorded Residents
Males= 50
Females= 46
Eldest Recorded Resident
The eldest resident recorded in the townland was Alice Harrison née Morrissey (2 April 1874) who was 86 years of age in 1961. Alice died on 16 June 1962 at Aylwardstown, Glenmore, at the age of 87. Alice was a widow and her niece Mrs. Mary Aylward née Morrissey, was present when Alice died. Alice was the daughter of Patrick Morrissey and his wife Mary Kehoe, of Aylwardstown. Alice’s brother Thomas (b. 3 July 1871) was Mary Aylward née Morrissey’s father. Alice was married first to a man named Kennedy and as a widow married John Harrison on 30 April 1911 in Waterford. At the time of her marriage Alice was a publican in Ballybricken and John was an engineer.
Recorded Work
Farmer= 10 (10 males; 0 females)
Farm Worker= 10 (10 males; 0 females)
Creamery Worker= 1 (1 male; 0 females)
Post Office=1 (1 male; 0 females)
Factory Worker= 1 (1 male; 0 females)
Clover Meats= 3 (2 males; 1 female)
Railway Employees=3 (1 male; 2 females)
Fisherman= 1 (1 male; 0 females)
Blacksmith (retired)= 1 (1 male; 0 females)
Electrician = 1 (1 male; 0 females)
ESB labourer=1 (1 male; 0 females)
Domestic= 3 (0 males; 3 females)
Shop Assistant= 1 (0 males; 1 female)
Trainer= 1 (1 male; 0 females)
Lorry Driver= 1 (1 male; 0 females)
Secretary (garage)= 1 (0 males; 1 female)
Aylwardstown Residents
[1] CASHIN
Cashin, Mary Anne (22 March 1883) DEAD [no date recorded]
Cashin, Anastatia, daughter
Cashin, Alice, daughter, domestic
Cashin, Maryann “May” [1946-2021] granddaughter
[2] CONNOLLY
Connolly, Thomas (11 Nov. 1907) Fisherman
Connolly, Mary (18 Nov. 1898) wife
Connolly, Martin, son, electrician married [moved to New Ross]
[3] HALLIGAN
Halligan, John (6 June 1908) Farm Labourer
Halligan, Mary (14 May 1908) wife
Halligan, Michael, son, creamery worker
Halligan, Mary, daughter, Clover Meats married [moved to Waterford]
Halligan, John, son, at school
[4] HEFFERNAN
Heffernan, Andrew (23 June 1893) Farmer
Heffernan, Bridget (26 June 1896) wife
Heffernan, John, son, assisting father
Heffernan, Alice, daughter-in-law
[5] DELAHUNTY
Delahunty, Patrick (12 Nov. 1910) Farmer
Delahunty, Mary, wife
Delahunty, Richard, son
Delahunty, Eileen, daughter
Delahunty, Ellen (10 May 1888) mother
Delahunty, James (c. 1916) brother, assisting relative
Delahunty, Edward, brother, assisting relative
Delahunty, Nora, sister
[6] HANNON
Hannon, Peter (21 Aug. 1907) CIE Ganger Gone to England, January 1964
Hannon, Margaret (24 Dec. 1909) wife, haltkeeper
Hannon, Ceclia, daughter
[7] KELLY
Kelly, James G (1 Jan. 1916) Farmer
Kelly, Maura (3 May 1928) wife
Kelly, Nicholas J. (12 June 1954) son
Kelly, Thomas G. (17 Nov. 1955) son
Kelly, Catherine Grace, daughter
Kelly, JoAnn M., daughter
[8] CASS
Cass, Martin, Post Office Worker
Cass, Alice, wife, Haltkeeper CIE
[9] FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald, James (6 June 1897) Farmer
[10] FORAN
Foran, James (15 May 1905) Farmer [last of the Glenmore thatchers]
Foran, Anastasia, wife
Foran, John, son
Foran, Thomas, son
Foran, Patrick, son
Hynes, Mary (28 May 1917) sister-in-law
[11] HABERLIN
Haberlin, John (6 June 1885) Retired Blacksmith
Haberlin, Edmund, son, farm labourer
Power, Stephen, Trainer
[12] ROCHE/FITZGERALD
Roche, William (12 Nov. 1913) Farmer
Roche, Margaret, wife
Fitzgerald, Ellen, sister-in-law, Clover Meats
Fitzgerald, Mary (8 Jan. 1913) mother-in-law
[13] POWER
Power, John (6 Feb. 1906) Farmer
Power, Eily (1 April 1908) wife
Power, Kathleen, daughter
[14] KENNEDY
Kennedy, Richard (15 March 1885) Farmer (died 5 Jan. 1964)
Kennedy, Patrick, son, assisting father
Kennedy, Richard, son, lorry driver (moved to Carriganurra)
Kennedy, Ellen, daughter (gone to England)
[15]] IRISH/PHELAN
Irish, Catherine (26 Oct. 1901) Farmer
Irish, James (10 July 1902) Brother-in-law, assisting relative
Phelan, Mary, daughter
Phelan, James, son-in-law, farm worker
Phelan, (child) [Assumed to be Michael Phelan]
[16] FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald, Michael (23 March 1917) Farmer
Fitzgerald, Catherine, wife
Fitzgerald, Mary, daughter
Fitzgerald, Ann, daughter
Fitzgerald, Carmel, daughter
Fitzgerald, Richard, son
Fitzgerald, John, son
Moore, Joseph, farm labourer [Joe Moore was also listed in Ballinlammy. See our post of 23 Dec. 2020 regarding Joe Moore.
[17] AYLWARD
Aylward, Patrick (17 March 1912) Farmer
Aylward, Mary (5 July 1910) wife
Aylward, Mary, daughter, secretary garage
Aylward, Michael, son, assisting father
Aylward, Ellen, daughter
Aylward, Catherine, daughter, shop assistant
Aylward, Alice, daughter
Aylward, John, son
Aylward, Patrick, son
Aylward, Richard, son
Harrison, Alice (3 April 1882) aunt, retired
[18] DORAN
Doran, Peter (10 June 1910) Factory Worker
Doran, Margaret (10 April 1908) wife
Doran, Kathleen, daughter, domestic
Doran, Margaret, daughter, domestic
Doran, Ann, daughter
Doran, Peter, son
O’Connor, Philip, step-son, Clover Meats
[19] KEHOE/BOYLE
Kehoe, Stephen (2 April 1918) Farm Labourer
Kehoe, Mary (20 Oct. 1919) wife
Kehoe, John, son
Kehoe, Stephen Noel, son
Kehoe, Mary, daughter
Kehoe, Michael, son
Boyle, John, Brother-in-law, Labourer ESB (moved to Rathinure)
Boyle, Margaret, sister-in-law
Boyle, James, nephew
For further information concerning the Half-Way House see our post of 24 July 2022
For further information on the Aylwardstown, Glenmore railway station see our post of 16 Oct. 2021, and for information on the New Ross to Waterford railway line that ran through Glenmore see our post of 2 Feb. 2020.
Did you know that the first plane that landed in Glenmore landed in Aylwardstown? See our post of 10 Dec. 2020 that contains old newspapers clippings.
Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for the photo of the Aylwardstown lodge house where her grandfather was reared. Special thanks to John Kirwan for sharing his father’s Glenmore Hurling & Football Club, Souvenire Programme (14 May 1981). Special thanks to Brian Forristal for the photo of Tommy Connolly, of the River.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: December 1922
What were our Glenmore ancestors talking about or experiencing 100 years ago? We cannot know for certain but local newspapers can provide some insight. Today, we are going to ignore the big events that happened in Dublin that are covered in most history books, such as the assassination of Dáil members and the State Executions. We will focus on more local events reported in local newspapers concerning the Civil War, crime and Christmas in December 1922.
Attacks on Railways
The Civil War continued and railroads continued to be a favoured target of the Irregulars.
Monday the Waterford up train (GSWR) was held up by armed men in the vicinity of Snowhill. All mail was removed, then passengers were ordered off. A length of track had been removed from the line almost at the mouth of the tunnel. When the driver refused to start the engine the raiders did it causing a derailment. The wrecked train was then burned. The engine, two carriages and the guard’s van were destroyed. The passengers walked the five miles back to Waterford (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Dec., 1922, p. 5).
It was reported on the 15th of December that four New Ross men were arrested for holding up a train of the D & SE Railway at Palace East armed with rifles and revolvers. They allegedly stole stamps worth £2500. Michael Allen, the guard, reported that when the train got to Palace East the armed men ordered him to the far end of the platform. When he was allowed back to the train, he found the mail bags bound for Waterford lying open on the platform. He made it to New Ross but was not able to travel to Waterford until the following day as a bridge between Glenmore and Waterford had been blown up (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Dec. 1922, p. 5).
On the morning of the 16th of December, the passenger train from Waterford to New Ross was held up by armed men between Waterford and Glenmore. Five or six bags of mail bound for Glenmore and New Ross were stolen (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 Dec. 1922, p. 5).
As the damage to infrastructure increased some lines shut down. The G.S.&W. line between Waterford and Wexford was one of the lines to shut down. Lorries were used to bring goods from Wexford and from Waterford via New Ross to Ballycullane. Boats were used to bring goods from Waterford to Campile, Ballyhack, Arthurstown and Duncannon. Just prior to Christmas it was not known when the rail line would be operating again (New Ross Standard, 22 Dec. 1922, p. 5).
On the Kilkenny to Waterford line the Ballyhale goods station was raided at the beginning of the month and a large quantity of goods taken. A goods train was raided and looted between Mullinavat and Ballyhale (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Dec., 1922, p. 5). In Waterford the central cabin at the Great Southern and Western Station at Waterford North was burned by armed men. The 65 lever cabin was considered one of the finest of the system (Munster Express, Sat. 9 Dec., 1922, p. 5).
Attacks in Waterford
On Saturday the 25th of November at 10:45 p.m. shooting commenced in Waterford. It started at the Waterford North Station with shots being fired from the other side of the river and from Larry’s Knock. An attack then took place at the Ballybricken Prison. A bomb also was thrown into the Infantry Barracks in Barracks street. The explosion shattered the Barracks windows as well as private homes in the area. Several people were standing in the street at the time but all escaped injury (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Dec., 1922, p. 5).
When the Waterford Corporation met on the night of the 5th of December precautions were taken. A military guard, consisting of an officer and nine men, with rifles and fixed bayonets, took up positions at the entrances and within Town Hall (Munster Express, Sat. 9 Dec. 1922, p. 2). On the night of the 13th at 8 p.m. a bomb was thrown at the GPO from Keyzier Street. A man and a girl walking on the Quay were hit by splinters of the bomb, but they were not injured (Munster Express, Sat. 16 Dec. 1922, p. 5).
Battle Near Carrickshock
At the end of November a large scale battle which lasted for several hours took place near Carrickshock, Kilkenny. “The intense machine gun fire and rifle fire could be heard for miles around.” Capt. Walsh, of the National Army and one volunteer were wounded. Three Irregulars were wounded and left behind. Capt. Walsh was a native of Hugginstown district and was in command of the National troops in Thomastown. His wounds were described as serious” (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Dec., 1922, p. 5).
Ferry Mountgarret Bridge
The damaged Ferry Mountgarret Bridge continued to provide difficulties for persons attempting to cross it. As the brewery car was crossing the broken bridge on Saturday the 25th of November the planks gave way, and the horse’s legs went down. This caused the car to tilt and two barrels of beer toppled into the river and floated. “The horse was got free” from the broken planks, and a man pursued the barrels in a cot or small, shallow fishing boat. He brought them to land. The barrels were not damaged (New Ross Standard, 1 Dec. 1922, p. 8). Unfortunately, the newspaper did not indicate what happened to the beer after it was rescued.
Criminality & Policing
As in previous months it is often difficult to distinguish between actions of the Irregulars and those of armed criminals.
At the end of November, shortly after the conclusion of the performance, five masked and armed men entered the “Coliseum picture house,” of Waterford. The armed men forced the manager to open the safe. They left with the night’s takings which was between £40 to £50 (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Dec., 1922, p. 5).
As the Cleristown (Wexford) parishioners left Mass they found four young men tied to their church gates. The young men were not natives of the parish, and they wore signs that read “Robbers beware. The I.R.A. are on your track.” The men were captured and court martialled by the local I.R.A. for having robbed several people and having burgled several homes in the Kilmannon district near Cleristown. In addition to being tied to the church gates the young men were ordered to leave the county within 24 hours (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 Dec. 1922, p. 4).
The unarmed Civic Guards, the forerunner of the Garda Síochána, sent a sergeant and four men to Mullinavat, to be stationed in the old RIC barracks (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Dec., 1922, p. 5). Just before Christmas a small detachment of the Civic Guard also went on duty in Tramore (Munster Express, Sat. 23 Dec. 1922, p. 6).
At the beginning of December the Dublin Metropolitan Police began to advertise in local newspapers for recruits. Here is the information provided:
“Min. Height, 5ft. 10ins.; Min. Chest Measurement 36ins.; Min. Weight 11 stone. Age 20 to 26 Years. A constable on joining will receive 70s. a week, rising to 95s. a week with pay of higher ranks in proportion. Single men provided with Barrack Accommodation, fuel and light free. A rent allowance, up to £30 per annum, payable to men not accommodated in barracks. All appointments to the higher ranks of the Force, up to that of Chief Superintendent (£700 to £800 per annum) filled by promotion of Members of the Force” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 1 Dec. 1922, p. 7).
Glenmore in the News: A Wedding, a Funeral & a Memorial
Capt. W.F. Carrigan, son of the late Nicholas and Mrs. Carrigan, of Clara, Kilkenny married on 2 November 1922, at St. John’s (Kilkenny) Nora Veronica Barron, daughter of William and Mrs. Baron, of Brownstown, Kilkenny. The groom’s brother Rev. N. Carrigan, C.C. officiated assisted by their uncle the Very Rev. Canon W. Carrigan, P.P. Durrow.
The groom in addition to being a member of “one of the best known and most respect families in Co. Kilkenny” was actively connected with the Volunteer movement since 1916. He received a commission on the establishment of the National Army. The bride “a charming young lady,” was a granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cashin, of Shanbogh, New Ross.” The best man was Capt. Hayes, Military Barracks, Kilkenny. The bridesmaid was Miss Mary Butler, of Moulerstown, Glenmore (Kilkenny People, Sat. 9 Dec. 1922, p. 5). Mary Butler (b.c. 1902) was the daughter of James Butler (farmer, Moulerstown) and his wife Bridget Cashin (Shanbogh).
The Rev. Edward Hartley, of New Ross, died on the 27th of November at the age of 57. He was a brother of the late Rev, James Hartley, P.P. Cushingstown and had a sister also in the religious life. At his funeral there were 27 priests in the choir. “The interment took place in Glenmore where his parents are buried” (New Ross Standard, 1 December 1922, p. 5). Rev. Edward Hartley (c. 1865-1922), Rev. James Hartley and Sr. M. Patrick (Presentation Convent, Mooncoin) were some of the children of Philip Hartley (c. 1830-1918) a native of Glenmore. See our post of 18 Oct. 2020 for information regarding Philip’s kin Edmund Hartley (1836-1915) who visited Glenmore and New Ross in 1913.
In a column entitled Fifty Years Ago—the Death of Mr. Peter Strange, of Aylwardstown was recalled from the Waterford News of 28th December 1872. “Mr. Strange was a man of profound learning, and was greatly respected for his genial disposition and his many high qualities of heart and head. At an early age he was called to the Irish Bar, and as a speaker and a writer he displayed remarkable ability. He was a near relative of the late Cardinal Wiseman…His remains were interred on Christmas Day in the family burial place in Kilmacevogue” (sic) (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 29 Dec. 1922, p. 14). The Strange grave marker is in the gable wall of the Kilivory church ruins.
Glenmore GAA
The Southern Branch of the Kilkenny County GAA committee met at Knocktopher on Sunday the 26th of November to discuss restarting games. Only eleven clubs were represented. “There was a difference of opinion as to the advisability of restarting the games in disturbed areas,” but it was decided to proceed with the fixtures. The only Glenmore fixture agreed was Hugginstown v. Glenmore (Junior Football, 2nd round) at Mullinavat on 7 January 1923 (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Dec., 1922, p. 5).
Glenmore Football Club (the 1922 Co. Kilkenny Senior Football Champions) held their annual dance in the Creamery on Sunday night last. There was a large attendance, and the event was most enjoyable and successful ((Munster Express, Sat. 23 Dec. 1922, p. 6).
On Sunday the 10th of December, the Barrow Rovers and Nore Rangers met in the opening round of the Junior Football Co. Kilkenny Championship. The teams did not line up for play until close to five O’clock. Mr. James Hanrahan, Glenmore, (a member of the Glenmore Senior Football Team) was asked at the last moment to referee. He had no option but to stop the match after half time. It was so dark that the ball could only be seen for a few yards. Hanrahan reported that he did not want to be responsible for any accident that might occur if he allowed the play to proceed in the darkness. The Barrow Rovers proved the superior team. The final score when the game was stopped: Rovers 2 goals, 2 points; Rangers NIL (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Dec. 1922, p. 6).
Unemployment
Unemployment was serious in Waterford. One building yard paid off 25 men in the first week of December (Munster Express, Sat. 2 Dec., 1922, p. 5). Railway employees that were unemployed due to the Rosslare line being closed left for Dublin the first week of December to take up work with the Labour Corps under the Railway Repair and Maintenance Department. These men were unemployed for sixteen weeks and were not eligible for any relief or assistance from any source (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 Dec. 1922, p. 8).
Christmas 1922
Christmas shopping in New Ross was brisk particularly on Saturday the 23rd. “Every street was filled with people and cars, and on the whole shops of every kind did a good trade” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 Dec. 1922, p. 4). Notwithstanding the brisk Christmas trade, the St. Vincent de Paul Society assisted people in New Ross over Christmas (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 Dec. 1922, p. 4). Another New Ross comment concerned emigrants. “The love of homeland and the relatives left behind…was exemplified by the large number of American letters, many of them containing cheques; …arrived this Christmas” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 Dec. 1922, p. 4).
The Munster Express did not comment on Christmas shopping in Waterford City. However, it did state that Christmas “passed off quietly and uneventful, and the weather during the holidays was excellent for the time of year” (Munster Express, Sat. 30 Dec. 1922, p. 4). No midnight Mass was held in any of the Waterford City Churches on Christmas Eve (Munster Express, Sat. 23 Dec. 1922, p. 4) evidently there were fears of people being on the streets if another attack took place.
Christmas Advertisements
A couple of interesting advertisement were on the front page of the Waterford News & Star (Fri. 8 Dec. 1922, p. 1). The first concerned a pawnbroker offering his services for Christmas money and the second advertises a photographic chemist shop.
“Do you want money for Xmas? Would you like to be happy in dull times? We buy anything in furniture or clothing, miscellaneous goods of every description jewellery and cycles. Highest advances. From 20/ to £1,000 on demand. (A postcard brings our representative) Fireproof safes for the protection of valuables. Write, call or wire John Boyce (Est. 1826) Pawnbroker, Jeweller, and Musical Instrument Importer, 85-25 Michael St., Waterford.” Last month we highlighted the murder of pawnbroker Charles Reginald Boyce see our post of 20 November 2022 for further details.
“A large assortment of cameras, mounts, photographic chemicals and appliances kept in stock. Dark room free to customers. George White and Sons, Ltd. Photographic Chemists.”
Shaw’s Department Store (then known as Robertson Ledlie’s) advertised their “Great Christmas Bazaar and Toy Fair filled with hundreds of pounds worth of dolls, toys, games, scooters, prams, rifles, motor cars and every description of goods for useful Xmas presents. Matchless variety and at easy prices. 53 to 59 Quay, Waterford” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 8 Dec. 1922, p. 4).
Farming
Just prior to Christmas Mr. M. Russell, of Carrick-on-Suir, slaughtered one of his bullocks and found a sovereign in the animal’s stomach (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 Dec. 1922, p. 5).
Turkeys featured heavily in the newspapers. Practically all the turkeys in Thomastown district were purchased by Mr. Wm. Hoyne and were delivered on Monday & Tuesday. He bought hundreds of pairs and paid 1s. per lb. Other Thomastown prices included: butter 2s. per lb and eggs 9d. per dozen (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Dec. 1922, p. 8).
The largest turkey brought into New Ross for the Christmas market weighed 25 ½ pounds and several other birds “tipped the scales at 24 and 24 ½ pounds (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 Dec. 1922, p. 4). In Clonroche and Adamstown districts of Wexford turkeys were stolen from several farms. One farmer had 17 birds stolen (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Dec. 1922, p. 8.)
Waterford Glass Sold at Sothby’s
Waterford and other Irish manufactured cut glass was sold at Sotheby’s of London “with no diminution of prices.” Notwithstanding the recent War of Independence. Examples included: A rare large Irish water jug, engraved with crown and Irish harp, dated 1782, sold for £34. A rare pair of Waterford candlesticks (amber coloured) sold for £43 (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 1 Dec. 1922, p. 4).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above was found in Danny Dowling’s voluminous files and depicts how Christmas trees were delivered in 1922 by ass and cart in small barrels. The photo is from the Freeman’s Journal (21 Dec. 1922, p. 3).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Grogan & Davidstown, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Grogan, Glenmore around 1961. Danny recorded this information as Grogan, but had no separate Davidstown townsland list. We believe that two households in Davidstown were recorded in Ballinlammy (see our post of 14 Dec. 2022 for further details.)
Sometimes Davidstown is referred to as being in the parish of Slieverue. In any event, rather than ignore Davidstown we will include it with Grogan. Both townlands are in the civil parish of Kilcolumb. In the 1829 Griffith’s Valuation Applotment Records the townlands of Grogan and Davidstown were owned by the same landlord O’Mealy. We believe that the landlord may have been W.W. O’Mealy Esq. of Rerehaven, Co. Cork.
GROGAN
According to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Ireland (1969, p. 113), the Irish for Grogan is Gruagan, a place of hard soil. The townland was comprised of 421 acres. O’Kelly noted that there is a rath south of the road running from the main road through Ballinclare.
In the 1829 Tithe Applotment Books, there were 12 tenants-in-common listed in Grogan who shared 364 statute acres. The listed tenants-in-common include: [1] John Walsh; [2] Edmond Murphy; [3] Thomas Murphy; [4] Patt Wall; [5] Richard Mullally; [6] William Grant; [7] Thomas Dwyer; [8] Matthew Ryan; [9] John Wallace; [10] Richard Deneiff; [11] John Haberlin and [12] Rose Haberlin (widow).
DAVIDSTOWN
The Irish for Davidstown, according to O’Kelly (p. 113) is Baile Dháithí, or David’s homestead. This townsland is comprised of 406 acres. The ancient church called Cill Cloigeann, church of the skulls, is recorded in the Ordnance Survey Letters as Cill Cloiginn and by 1969 was “long destroyed.” Bóithrín an teampaill leads to the church. Tobar Phádraig is in a field called Conbhui on Davidstown hill which is mentioned in the legendary Ballincre curse attributed to St. Patrick on his dish of dog meat. This tale is recorded in the Ordnance Survey Letters.
There are two small raths and Davidstown hamlet is in the Seanbhaile field. “Other fields are An áth, the ford; Bán leathan; Bán na rátha; Cosán ausseys (O); Croichtin; Faiche; Fraoch mór, heather land; Garraí leac, the flag garden; Garraí Michil, Móin Jack; Páirc na róide (O); Poll buí; Sceachán, sceach land, and Scru vois (O).”
Who was David?
A footnote in an article by C.A. Empey, “The Cantreds of the Medieval County of KilKenny,” in The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (1971) (Vol. 101, No 2, pp. 128-134 fn. 33) may provide a clue as to the David that gave his name to the townland. According to Empey in 1314 the Barony of Ida was held by John FitzWilliam de Rupe, John Lercedekyn, David Bronfedyr, and William FitzRobert de Sancto Albino by the service on one knight (The Red Book of Ormond, p. 133).
William, it appears, held the manor of Drumdowney in Odaygh (Ida) as part of his purparty, for his widow held a third party of it in dower in 1364 (Cal. Ormond Deeds, I, no 95 (3), (7), (8);cf, iv, no. 361, p. 306.) The Roche (de Rupe) purparty may have included the townland of Rochestown in Kilcolumb, while Davidstown in the same parish may represent the purporatory of David Bronfedyr. (Purparty is a legal term meaning part of an estate that was held in common by parceners. Generally, to divide or sever a part of the common land led to the portioned severed land being in purparty.)
There were 9 tenants-in-common listed in Davidstown in the 1829 Tithe Applotment Books who shared 422 statute acres.The listed Davidstown tenants-in-common include: [1] James & Michael Lawler; 2] Maurice? Manus? Lawler, [3] John Grant; [4] John Deuso?; [5] William & Thomas Walsh; [6] Widow Forastall; [7] Thomas? Mullally; [8] Matthew Walsh; and [9] Edmond Mullally.
1961 Residents
In 1961, Danny recorded 5 families or households in Grogan. 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, 28 people resided in Grogan with the population comprised of 16 males and 12 females. The largest family was the Doherty family with 7 in the household. There was no household recorded with a person living alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 16
Females= 12
Eldest Recorded Resident
The eldest resident recorded in the townland of Grogan was Catherine “Kate” Murphy née Irish (1891-1975) who was 70 in 1961. Kate was the widow of William Murphy who died in 1954, an she was a native of Ballinlammy, Glenmore.
Kate was the daughter of James Irish (farmer) and his wife Mary Heneberry. Interestingly two different dates are provided in records for Kate’s birth. The parish records provide that Kate was born on the 29th of July 1891 and baptized on the 30th. Kate’s birth was not registered until the 3rd of November by Margaret Taylor who was present at the birth. Margaret Taylor registered the 14th of August as Kate’s birthdate. Given the baptism took place on the 30th of July we believe Kate’s correct date of birth is the 29th of July 1891. The obituary of Catherine “Kate” Murphy née Irish (1891-1975) can be found on our M family page.
Recorded Work
Farmer= 5 (4 Males; 1 Female)
Farm Worker/Labourers= 11 (11 Males)
Grogan, Glenmore Residents
[1] MULLALLY
Mullally, Johanna (17 July 1898) Farmer
Mullally, Margaret (1929) daughter
Mullally, Richard, son, farm worker
Mullally, Seamus (18 June 1935) son, farm worker
Culleton, John (4 March 1885) employee, farm labourer
Connors, John (3 May 1888) employee, farm labourer
[2] VEREKER
Vereker, James (26 March 1904) Farmer
Vereker, Mary (11 June 1908) wife
Vereker, Kathleen, daughter
Vereker, John, son, farm worker
Vereker, James, son, farm worker
Vereker, Richard, son, a scholar
[3] MURPHY
Murphy, Catherine (29 July 1891)
Murphy, Edward (27 Aug. 1927) son, Farm Worker
[4] RYAN
Ryan, Thomas (5 March 1908) Farmer
Ryan, Margaret (11 June 1904) wife
Ryan, Anastatia (5 March 1942) daughter
Ryan, Bridget (7 April 1943) daughter
Raftice, Bridget (3 May 1902) sister-in-law
[4] DOHERTY
Doherty, John (11 Oct. 1894) Farmer
Doherty, Bridget (19 Oct. 1898) wife
Doherty, Patrick, son, farm worker
Doherty, Richard, son, farm worker
Doherty, Stasia, daughter
Doherty, John, son, farm worker
Wall, Ellen (6 March 1896) sister-in-law
[5] WALSH
Walsh, Nicholas (23 June 1919) Farmer
Walsh, Michael (13 Nov. 1912) brother, farm worker
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Some of our previous articles regarding Grogan/Davidstown people or places include:
[1] Our post of 2 Oct. 2022 concerning the Davidstown Queen of the Plough 1958, Peggy Mullally;
[2] An article on Margaret M. Walsh (1879-1959)of Davidstown found in our post of 26 Nov. 2020. Margaret donated her handgun and ammunition to the local IRA in the War of Independence.
[3] Our post of 5 May 2020 that includes a short article about the Skow Bridge Platform in Davidstown in 1951.
The feature photo above is of Peggy Mullally (c. 1932-1997) of Davidstown, who was Queen of the Plough in 1958.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Landlord: David O’Neill Power (c. 1788-1863)
David O’Neill Power, of Snowhill House, Slieverue was the landlord of the townlands of Ballinlammy, Ballyhobuck, Gaulestown, and Ballinclare in Glenmore during Griffith’s Valuation circa 1829. David O’Neill Power was a tragic figure as he suffered from some form of mental illness that lead to his sons bringing a petition for the Commission de Lunatico Inquirendo, in the Court of Appeal in 1835. Roughly translated this was a Commission established to determine the sanity of David O’Neill Power. At that time David O’Neill Power was described as a gentleman of considerable landed property (Drogheda Journal, Tues. 27 Oct. 1835, p. 4) with vast holdings in Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford which generated rent in excess of £4,000 per year.
Snowhill House and Estate
An article in Sliabh Rua: A History of its People and Places provided that the house was built about 1765 by the Snow family. In 1792 Elizabeth Snow was the heir to Snowhill and she married Patrick Lattin. Patrick Lattin apparently got into financial difficulties and the property was sold in 1808. The buyer was Nicholas Power, of Knockaderry, near Kilmeadon, Waterford. The Powers of Knockaderry were large landowners in Co. Waterford. Nicholas Power was married to Rachel O’Neil of Dublin and their family became the O’Neil Powers. David O’Neill Power married Elizabeth Nash, of Cork in 1807. It is speculated in the article that Nicholas bought the estate for his son David when he married. (Jim Walsh (2001) “Snowhill House and Estate,” in Sliabh Rua: A History of its People and Places, p. 429.)
However, a newspaper search revealed that N. Power was residing at Snowhill in 1799 when at a General Meeting of the Roman Catholics of the City of Waterford, and its Vicinity, held on the 28th of June 1799, he signed a Declaration calling for a “complete and entire Union between Great Britain and Ireland, founded on equality and liberal principles…” (Saunder’s News-Letter, Mon. 22 July 1799, p. 3.) Of course, Nicholas Power may have leased the property before he bought it.
Snowhill House was an impressive three storey Georgian mansion. The house was comprised of 40 rooms which included 17 bedrooms. Around 1850 one room was converted to a private chapel. “This alteration was designed by Pugin, one of the foremost Church architects of the period and was regarded as a special feature of Power Hall.” The house was renamed Power Hall. We believe based on David O’Neill Power’s death notice the name change occurred after his death in 1863. Snowhill continued in the ownership of O’Nell Power family until 1953. The new owner Richard Power (no relation) had it demolished about 1955 due to its poor condition. (Jim Walsh (2001) “Snowhill House and Estate,” in Sliabh Rua: A History of its People and Places, p. 429.)
Commission de Lunatico Inquirendo—13 October 1835
On the 13th of October 1835, “a highly respectable jury, of whom Alderman Arthur Perrin was foreman, was empanelled in the Court of Appeals, Four Courts, to determine if David O’Neill Power was sane. Master Townsend and Messrs Mitford and Beatty were the commissioners. The petitioner was identified as Edward O’Neill Power, the middle son. His barrister, Mr Moore addressed the commissioners and the jury and asked that they determine whether David O’Neill Power was sane, to determine which periods he had been sane, and determine the extent of his property, real and personal as well as his heirs of law and next of kin.
By way of background the jury was informed that “the gentleman, who was alleged to be a lunatic,” was 50 years of age, a widower, his wife having died several years before; his family consisted of three sons, the youngest was still under age; and the two eldest had only lately attained the age of twenty-one. The barrister went on to state that David was a gentleman possessed of considerable property in landed estates, but all of his life he was a person of “weak intellect.”
In 1822 David went with his family to France and took up his residence in Paris. He appeared to have become insane. “It being ascertained that he was possessed of property, he got into the hands of evil designing person, and he parted with some of his property under circumstances” leaving no doubt he was not capable of managing his affairs. Although a commission of lunacy was considered in 1822 it was determined that it might be better for his family that he not be declared a lunatic at that time. His property was entrusted to trustees, and he was not allowed the management or direction of his own property affairs.
It was explained that the petitioner and his elder brother Nicholas were not happy with how their father’s property was being administered, or with the degree of attention that was paid to their father. Two witnesses William Rounan and Patrick Hogan were examined however the newspaper account does not indicate what their said. Master Townsend adjourned the court and ordered that a communication be sent to Nicholas O’Neill Power informing him of the case. It was noted that he was at his father’s residence in Kilkenny (Saunders’s News Letter, Wed. 14 Oct. 1835, p. 1).
Commission de Lunatico Inquirendo—23 October 1835
Witness 1: Dr. Harty
The investigation resumed. The first witness called by the Petitioner was Dr. Harty.
Dr. Harty testified that he was asked to visit David O’Neill Power in August 1835 at his residence in County Kilkenny, near Waterford to assess his condition. The doctor stated he conversed with David very freely. He was introduced to David as Mr. Hart because he did not want to disclose his profession or mission. He opined that he had every opportunity during his visit to judge David’s state of mind. In his opinion David was both weak in mind and deranged in intellect and was not capable of managing his affairs.
The newspaper account reported in detail what the doctor observed during his visit. When Dr. Hartly arrived he was introduced to the family. He was speaking to Nicholas, the eldest son, when Edward, the petitioner, introduced the doctor to his father David. David took the doctor by his hand and entered into a conversation with the doctor. David was scarcely seat when he talked very loudly to himself regarding matters the doctor could not follow. It was a fine summer’s day, and it was proposed that the family and their guest should take an excursion down the river in a boat. The ladies of the family promised to go on the boat. The doctor reported that David, with a knowing wink, objected to waiting for the ladies, and said, “let them remain where they are.” David took the helm of the boat, under the guidance of Hogan (his keeper) and the men sailed to Dunbrody Abbey.
During the trip David was childish, and exclaimed, “D—-n the rascal! I wish he were hanged.” The doctor asked if David was alluding to Hogan and David replied, “Oh I thought it was you who said it.” David was observed constantly slapping his stomach. When asked why he did it David replied, “to keep down the flesh.” When they landed at the Abbey, they examined the building, and sat in the shade. Hogan produced some wine and bread. David then commenced talking incoherently about his property and woods. David denied that he received rent and spoke about shots being fired. David did not appear to be concerned about his safety “because his mind did not dwell for any time upon any one subject.”
At times David would speak rationally during casual conversation. At dinner that evening he sat at the foot of the table and spoke incoherently to himself. The remainder of the evening was spent listening to music which David seemed fond of. David amused himself by playing tricks on the young ladies. David showed perfect obedience to Hogan who appeared to act as David’s keeper.
Witness 2: Lady Maria Cecilia Browne
Lady Browne testified that she was David’s sister-in-law. She knew him for many years because he was married to her sister. In 1816 she did not think that he was insane. “He was not in very good circumstances” before his father’s death which occurred in 1816. Lady Browne explained that he was in the habit of drinking which made him noisy and violent when drunk. She spent two months in the household before her sister died in 1818. Lady Browne believed that he was capable of managing his affairs at that time. He made a settlement for her sister the day before she died of £1,200 a year for her three destitute children. There was no settlement made before the marriage.
In 1822, Lady Browne considered him sane, but noted that he was imposed upon by everyone. By 1828 he was not making any rational use of money and appeared to be insane. Lady Browne visited in 1830 and last saw him in 1831 when she stayed six or seven weeks at his home. “He fancied that there were persons constantly under his window, abusing him, and cracking whips.” He wanted to burn his title deeds. David would remove his shoes and dance to music. She witnessed him crushing the hat of Mr. William Rowan in 1830. She also related that there is a picure at Snowhill of the Virgin and Child, which David believed was a drawing of one of Lady Browne’s friends. Mr Rowan warned Lady Browne of David’s propensity of “secreting articles.” David took her spectacles, shawl and gloves. She found him one day in a closet where he was burning some of her vouchers. Lady Browne summed up, “I would not trust him with the rational expenditure of a pound.”
Third Witness: Denis Doyle
Denis Doyle testified that he was a gardener at Snowhill since April 1831. Being engaged by Mr. David O’Neill Power, he frequently saw him. Denis noted that he often heard his employer talking to himself. The gardener reported that on at least 50 occasions David stated that “his insanity lies in the suspicion of his being taken by some persons who have the charge of his property.” David expressed fear of a sheriff’s bailiff or a policeman, and of red cuffs and red collars. Since May of 1835 David was placed under the direction of Hogan, whom he dreads. Denis testified that Nicholas and Edward Power placed their father under Hogan’s care. Denis opined that from what he observed of Mr. Power, he is insane. By way of example, David once asked Denis for a spade because he wanted to bury some bills. The gardener agreed that the mansion was in good condition and Mr. Power appeared to be comfortable and “well off since Hogan is minding him.” He noted that Mr. Power talks about bagpipes being played across the river at Cheap-point (sic). The witness knew there is a public house and there may be dances, but he never heard bagpipes. (Saunders’s News-Letter, Sat. 24 October 1835, p. 2).
Commission De Lunatico Inquirendo—27 October 1835
The investigation resumed on Tuesday the 27th of October 1835. Captain Thomas Pratt Barlow and Lady Browne were examined regarding a trust deed executed in Paris by Mr. Power in 1822. A lengthy conversation took place as to whether another medical man should examine David regarding his state of mind. Surgeon Cusack was the agreed doctor. The Solicitor-General expressed his readiness to produce Mr. Power in person to the jury. (Saunders’s News-Letter, Wed. 28 Oct. 1835, p. 2).
Commission De Lunatico Inquirendo—19 November 1835
The jury in the case of Mr. Power, after hearing counsel for and against the petition, and also a very able and elaborate charge from Master Townsend, returned the following verdict, “We find that David O’Neill Power is of unsound mind, and incapable of managing his affairs, and had been so since February 1823, with the exception of a lucid interval on the 18th August 1823. The jury meets this day to find the amount of the property, real and personal, and the heir or heirs belonging to the lunatic (Saunder’s News-Letter, Wed. 18 Nov. 1835, p. 2). That Nicholas O’Neil Power, his eldest son, is heir-at-law, and that the said Nicholas, together with Edward and Joseph O’Neil Power, his other sons, are his only next of kin, and that the said Edward O’Neil Power (sic) [David] had lands in Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford, with an annual value of £4,000 and upwards and that he had personal property of £5,000 and upwards (The Pilot, Friday 20 Nov. 1835).
Thus the jury by its findings, after at least four days of hearings, endorsed the prior arrangments of providing an annual income to his sons and the work of the trustees by finding that David was sane when crucial agreements were entered into. No record could be located that David was ever found to be sane after 1835.
The Death of David O’Neill Power
David died at Snowhill on the 19th of August 1863. It was reported that although he had been labouring for some time under “mental aberration” he died suddenly of disease of the heart. An inquest was held on Monday by T. Izod, Esq. county coroner, and on the evidence of the servants and Dr. P.E. Connolly a verdict of “death from natural causes” was returned (Waterford Standard, Sat. 5 Sept. 1863, p. 3).
Below is the obituary that appeared in the Waterford News (Fri. 4 Sept 1863, p. 3).
Died at his residence, Snow Hill, county Kilkenny, on the afternoon of the 29th of August. David O’Neill Power, Esq. the venerable head of that ancient and highly respectable branch of the steadfast Catholic Powers. The deceased gentleman was born at the old family mansion at Williamstown, near this city, about 80 years since, and although he had been for a considerable period in a delicate state of health, yet his death was, we regret to state, quite sudden and unexpected at the moment.
On Tuesday morning last, his remains were taken out for interment, and after High Mass and Office had been celebrated for the eternal repose of his soul, at which the Lord Bishop of Ossory, the Right Rev. Dr. Walsh, presided, assisted by several clergymen from his diocese and from Waterford, they were deposited with those of his grandchildren in the graveyard at Slieverue. The funeral cortege was very numerous and respectable stretching from the door of the magnificent mansion of Snow Hill along the avenue which winds through the splendid demesne out far on the high road, the numerous tenancy of the estate on horseback and foot, leading the way, followed by many respectable citizens of Waterford, Tramore etc. and then the carriages of several of the gentry of Waterford and Kilkenny.
Following the chief mourners were the Bishop and clergy, and next a large number of vehicles and occupants, the entire line of procession being marked with the funeral emblems of hat bands and scarfs which were worn until the funeral service was complete, and all that was mortal of David O’Neill Power, Esq., had been consigned to their last earthly home. Requiescat in pace. The deceased is succeeded in his estate by his son, Nicholas O’Neill Power, Esq.
The National Library has several photos in the Poole Collection of Snowhill House/Power Hall as well as several photos of some of David O’Neill Power’s descendents. Click here for the Catologue search page. For a list of Ballinlammy tenants in 1829 see our post of 14 December 2022.
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Joe Moore (c. 1904-1976) Made Glenmore His Home
At Christmas 2020 Danny Dowling (1927-2021) spoke at length concerning rabbit trapping in Glenmore. He believed that Joe Moore, who Danny described as “a poor harmless man,” came to Glenmore to trap rabbits and never left. Danny recalled that Joe was from Wexford. By all accounts Joe was a colourful character who worked with a number of Glenmore farmers over a span of four decades. For further information on local rabbit trapping see our previous post of 27 December 2020.
When Joe first arrived in Glenmore he stayed with Danny’s uncle, Martin Murphy, of Ballinlammy. Josie Dowling (Danny’s sister) was helping her Uncle Martin and took Joe his dinner. Joe had been sleeping in the loft over the dairy. Joe started to give out to Josie. Josie responded that he should be glad to get the dinner. With that Joe threw the food at her.
Joe then moved next door to Doherty’s of Ballinlammy. The two farm yards abutted. Joe stayed with Doherty’s for a long time. Joe used to suffer with headaches. Bridie Doherty raised turkeys and had tablets to treat a disease called black head. Joe took the tablets one day in an attempt to relieve his headache. The tablets made him very dizzy.
Joe left Doherty’s and went to Johnny Garvey’s in Rathinure. He was with Johnny for about six months. One Sunday after Mass Johnny was standing at the Church gate talking. Joe was across the road sitting on Hanrahan’s wall talking. Suddenly and without warning Joe walked across the road and hit Johnny.
Joe next went to Michael Fitzgerald (c. 1917-1982) of the Halfway House, Aylwardstown, Glenmore. Michael Fitzgerald was known locally as Mikey Bryan. Joe worked on the Fitzgerald farm for years. Michael Fitzgerald secured a chalet for Joe that was placed in the football field near the house. My husband Peter Walsh remarked that Joe was great with machinery. During his stay in Rathinure Joe repaired Peter’s bicycle. Joe loved music and played a mouth organ. When Peter walked home from school passing the Halfway House he often heard Joe’s gramophone playing old records. Marion Cody Hendrick recalls that Joe sold lilies every Easter at the Glenmore church gates.
Joe never drove and was involved in some sort of accident with a car. Michael Fitzgerald set Joe up with a solicitor. Joe received a settlement and soon thereafter he started receiving visitors. When asked who were his visitors, Joe responded that he didn’t rightly know, “but they say we are cousins.” In 1976, while on his bicycle on his way to Glenmore Village Joe was tragically killed while trying to cross the N 25. The following article appeared in the Munster Express (Fri. 1 Oct. 1976, p. 23).
“FATAL ACCIDENT AT GLENMORE: Joseph Moore, Aylwardstown, Glenmore, single and aged 81, died in Ardkeen Hospital, Waterford, on Sunday last from injuries sustained when struck by a car as he was cycling across the main Waterford-New Ross Road near Glenmore village on Friday evening last. He was travelling from the direction of Aylwardstown and had emerged from the by-road when he collided with a vehicle. The motorist, who is from Taghmon, Co. Wexford, was not injured, but the car was damaged to some extent.
Joe, who was a native of Moore’s Cross, Palace, County Wexford, had been living in Glenmore for the past forty years, and was a popular and familiar personality in the parish, being also a keen follower of Gaelic pastimes. He is survived by a sister, Mary, and other relatives. The remains were removed to Rathgrogue Church, Co. Wexford, on Monday evening, and following Requiem Mass on Tuesday morning the funeral took place to Carnagh Cemetery, do. The attendance included a number of former colleagues of the old IRA, with which deceased and his family had been actively associated during the national movement, as well as representatives of the various clubs of Glenmore parish.”
Danny believed that his cousin Michael Murphy (c. 1950-2021) and Richie Doherty, both of Ballinlammy and Michael Fitzgerald, the Halfway House, Aylwardstown attended Joe’s funeral.
The earliest record that could be located regarding Joe, to verify his age, was the 1911 census. In 1911, Joe was recorded as being 7 years of age and his sister Mary was 6 years old. The two children were residing with their aunt Eliza Moore (aged 40 and single) and their uncle Edward Moore (aged 30 and single). Edward was working as a farm labourer, and the family resided in a three room house in Whitemore, Wexford, Palace West. The landlord was Philip Kelly. No birth record could be located for Joe or his sister Mary in Wexford.
Do you remember Joe Moore?
The featured photo is of Joe Moore on his bicycle on the High Road, outside the Halfwayhouse in Aylwardstown, Glenmore. Special thanks to Richard Fitzgerald and Anne Fitzgerald for sharing the photos of Joe and the Moore graves from their family album.
Although the inscription to the right is difficult to read it appears to state–“Underneath this stone doth lie the remains of that noble boy who by his deeds and action ? in Wexford his body was brought to earth. Now each Christian for him should pray, and to heaven straight direct his way. As on his oath that day in truth did die, it is there he fought most manfully. John Moore, son to James Moore and Margaret White of Robinstown, who was killed by the army 11th July 1798? aged 23 years. Lord have mercy on his soul.
Please send any corrections or further information concerning Joe Moore to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh