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
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
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James O’Neill (1857-1933) native of Rochestown, Glenmore [Updated]
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From Danny’s Files, Michael “Mick the Mason” Walsh (1874-1948) of Haggard, Glenmore [Updated]
The Murder Trial of Henry “Bounce” Walsh, of Knockbrach, Glenmore
Local Account
In November 1955, Pat Coady, of Ballycroney, Glenmore told Danny Dowling of a murder case that had taken place over a hundred years previously and was still remembered in Glenmore. Pat Coady informed Danny that Bounce Walsh, of Knockbrack, Glenmore was hanged in the wrong for the Black Corner murder. Further details were provided in November 1977 by Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Gaiguenakill. He stated that Bounce Walsh’s real name was Henry Walsh. Henry Walsh was executed for the murder of a local man at what is now known as the Black Corner which is opposite the entrance to Bishop’s Hall. Henry Walsh was in Waterford and when coming home with either his horse or ass and cart, stopped and gave a lift to a farm laborer who was employed somewhere around Bigwood. During the journey this man asked Bounce for a loan of his penknife to cut a pipe full of tobacco. Bounce gave it to him and forgot about it. He left the farm labourer at his destination, and he went off home. As it afterwards transpired, the man lay in waiting for the murdered man with whom he had a row earlier and killed him. The murderer then left Bounce’s knife which had its owner’s initials stamped on it, beside the body. The murderer then shouted “don’t kill me Bounce,” and a local farmer working in a nearby field heard the shout.
The farmer who heard the shout was a Doherty from Rathnasmolagh. Doherty afterwards testified what he heard, and with Bounce’s knife found alongside the body, Bounce was arrested, charged with murder, tried, convicted and executed. It was discovered afterwards that the farm labourer had already murdered a man in Co. Tipperary, and was a fugitive from justice in that county. The farm labourer was eventually arrested, tried for murder and executed. Before he died he confessed to the murder for which Bounce Walsh was executed. Bounce Walsh was related to Ned and Mick Walsh, the masons of Haggard, who provided details of the story to Nicholas Forristal. It was said that the locals afterwards never liked the Doherty man.
Contemporary Newspaper Accounts
A newspaper search revealed that during the Kilkenny Assizes in July 1847, Henry “Bounce” Walsh was convicted of murdering John Walsh. The Kilkenny Journal, and Leinster Commercial and Literary Advertiser, of Saturday the 31st of July 1847 on its front page covered the murder trial. In 1847 the country was in the midst of the Great Famine and it was noted that several jurors had sent to the court doctor statements explaining that they could not attend due to illness and fever. Eventually twelve men were selected and the trial commenced.
The first witness called for the State was Peter Doherty who testified that he, his mother, the deceased and others were in Halligan’s pub Easter Monday evening after the Waterford fair. The defendant was there and was talking to Michael Boyle. A group comprising the witness, his mother, the victim (John Walsh) and Michael Boyle left the pub walking home. Although he insisted that none of the group was drunk the victim fell in the road and his mother picked up the victim’s hat. She asked Michael Boyle to help her get the victim up onto his feet and he declined to help. Bounce Walsh who had not been with the party, was three or four yards away. The victim left the group to go up the path to his house. About “40 perches” up the road Peter Doherty testified that he heard a “bawl” and “Don’t kill me Bounce.” He testified that he wanted to turn back, but Michael Boyle dissuaded him. The group went to a house where a wake was being held and Doherty noticed that Boyle had deceased’s stick at the wake house. He did not leave the wake until after 3 a.m.
The defendant’s barrister cross-examined Doherty who admitted that he was in goal for twelve months for attempted rape. The attempted rape case was before Mr. O’Gorman, and Doherty took the pledge to stop drinking. Doherty explained that he broke his pledge when a doctor gave him leave to drink to cure a tooth ache. He admitted he drank the previous night, but could not say whether it was for his tooth or for himself he drank. He bizarrely went on to explain that the tooth was pulled, and because he is married he will hand the tooth to his eldest son as an heirloom, if he can find it. In a response to a question from a juror, Doherty stated that Bounce Walsh and Michael Boyle went out of Halligan’s in advance of witness and his mother. He admitted that he did not tell anyone at the wake regarding what he heard and did not tell the magistrate when he was questioned immediately after the murder that he heard “don’t kill me Bounce.”
The next witness was Michael Boyle who testified that he knew the defendant, the victim and Peter Doherty. On Easter Monday last, in Halligan’s he heard the victim, in the hearing of the defendant, bargaining about a cow. He testified after passing Foley’s a little stone got under the victim’s foot and he took a tumble. The defendant was within two or three yards of Ellen Doherty when she was picking up the victim’s hat. Ellen Doherty asked Boyle to help the victim up, but Boyle said he refused telling Ellen that he would not like to have anything to do with the victim on account of having heard him talking about money. He didn’t want to be blamed if something happened to the money. Boyle and Peter Doherty continued. Boyle testified that Foley’s was the last place where he saw the defendant. At Baron’s Lodge Doherty’s mother bid good night and safe home to the victim, Johnny Walsh. Shortly after leaving the victim they heard “two bawls.” Boyle did not hear anything but the bawls. He described the defendant as having on that night an old pair of pataloons, and old blue bodycoat. When questioned by the Court, Boyd stated that it was not a very dark night.
Ellen Doherty was the third witness to testify. She testified that on last Easter Monday night she was in company of the victim, Johnny Walsh, until they came to Baron’s lodge. She did not hear any noise after parting with the victim. She testified that she did not hear Boyle say anything in reply when she asked him help the victim up, but admitted that he did not help the man.
Patrick Hackett next testified. He stated that he knows the place where the victim’s body was found. On the night of the murder, Henry “Bounce” Walsh came and bought bread and tea from him. He could not state at what hour the defendant arrived because he had been in bed before the defendant arrived. To get from Foley’s to his place a person would have to pass where the victim’s body was found.
Betsy Murphy, of Coolnaleen, Glenmore testified that on the night of the murder Henry “Bounce” Walsh came to drink tea with her. She did not know the time when he arrived. He brought tea and bread with him that he said he purchased at Hackett’s. He remained with her for an hour and a half. He had a candle and they had tea. He had about 8 or 9 shillings silver and some pence. He told her that he had sold some pigs and was going to sell more pigs. She testified that his manner was as usual. To the Court’s question she stated that she lives about two miles from the scene of the murder and she believed that the defendant lived about a quarter of a mile from her.
Michael O’Neill testified that he was the manager to Mr. Milford, of Waterford. On the 5th of April he gave the victim, John Walsh £4. O’Neill heard of his death the next morning.
Micheal Keating was the last witness called by the State. He testified that he lives in Ballinamooney within about two miles of Waterford. He had only been living there since the third of April just two days before the murder. Prior to this he lived at Ballykeoghan, (Kilmacow) about six miles from Waterford. He testified that he had been working on the public works, and that made him move. He stated that on Easter Monday night he went out, but did not know at what time. It was a bright night when he went out leaving his wife, three sons and a daughter at home. He testified that he was going to the house at Ballykeoghan “to throw down the house that he had lived in” as required by his landlord. He stated that he went at night in order to be back at his work next morning. At Mr. Baron’s gate he heard a bawl and went into the field to get closer. He described the noise as being similar to the bawl of a calf or yearling that was being killed. Thirty of forty yards away he saw a man striking another man. He got closer and leaned across the ditch and saw the defendant striking the other man with a lump. After the defendant left he came out and the “body was dead.” He went home terrified. To answer questions posed by jurors he stated that he could not distinguish anything the two men said because dogs were barking. He said that the defendant had a blue coat and corduroy trousers on that night and the moon did not appear. During cross-examination Keating admitted that he did not divulge what he had seen until the 18th of May. He and other men were dismissed from the public works on the 14th of May because James Aylward charged him with breaking an old gate for fire. When he went to confession his confessor told him he would be culpable in the sight of God if he did not tell what he saw.
Perhaps the most damning evidence was a statement alleged to have been made by the defendant after the murder. William Cooke, Resident Magistrate, noted that the defendant was present during his examination of several witnesses. When the Magistate took Bounce’s statement he informed him that it was going to be in writing. Because the statement could be used against as evidence, he cautioned Bounce that he should not “criminate” himself. The statement the defendant provided stated that when he left Foley’s he came upon two men and a woman who had a man on the ground. He named them as Dick Walsh, James Walsh and Dick Walsh’s wife. They swore him to secrecy. He stated he went on to Hackett’s and then onto Betsy Murphy who he was courting. All of the persons named in his statement denied any involvement and had alibis for the night of the murder.
Bounce Walsh was arrested in Waterford on the 7th of April. He had purchased new clothes and the police collected his old clothes from the shop. At the time of his arrest he was drunk and had £1.2.6 and some coppers in his possession. The Dublin Evening Mail, on Monday the 2nd of August 1847 noted that after a great many witnesses were examined to corroborate the facts on which the prosecution rested, Mr. Howard opened the case for the defendant in an able and energetic speech. He called the previous landlord of Michael Keating, who denied knowledge of any agreement to level the house at Ballykeoghan.
Obviously the account that was orally passed down in Glenmore regarding a knife is incorrect. Next week we shall present the rest of the story as found in contemporary newspapers.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Memories of Glenmore: Late 1960’s Through 1970’s
Danny Dowling over the years corresponded with a great number of people all over the world with Glenmore connections. One of his correspondents was Margurerite Ennett, of Cappagh who now lives in Perth, Australia. Danny still loves to hear from people, and this week we received an email from Margurerite’s brother, Jimmy Ennett, who shared a number of his memories of being brought up in Glenmore in the late 1960’s through 1970’s. With Jimmy’s permission we are going to share his memories and ask others to help record information concerning Glenmore in the 1960’s and 1970’s by commenting, providing dates, names, and sharing their memories of Glenmore at that time.
Margurerite and Jimmy were two of the six children of Pat and Mai Ennett, of Cappagh, Glenmore. After Jimmy left Glenmore he taught at Beneavin College in Dublin from 1973 to 1980. Jimmy migrated to Australia with his wife and family to undertake a PhD scholarship in Chemistry at the Australian National University in Canberra. The family settled in Canberra, Jimmy worked in Government science areas, and he retired a few years back. Jimmy wrote that he is very interested in the parish history and has great memories of Glenmore.
School
Jimmy started in the Glenmore National School in 1954, and actually moved to the new school in 1958, when he was in 3rd class. Teachers in his time were Master Murphy, Mrs Murphy, Miss Cunningham, and later Miss Kearney. There was a heavy emphasis on religion – which Jimmy notes, at the time, we thought was normal for a state funded school. Jimmy still has an old school photo taken around 1958 -59.
Altar Boys
When Fr W. Brennan was Parish Priest and Fr Murphy was Curate (late 1950s early 1960s). Jimmy recalled, “How we loved getting out of school to serve at funeral Masses and Weddings (gave us time out of class)!”
Travelling Shows
Travelling shows that came to Glenmore during this time, generally followed a music hall format, one notable one was Vic Loving’s ‘Talk of the Town.’ Jimmy believes it came over from the UK. The travelling shows set up in the village, and concerts were held in the village hall. There was also a local dramatic arts group who put on plays from time to time. Jimmy in trying to recall some of the people involved in the local drama group came up with some names: Mick Mac? one of the Halligans (Mickey?), a Murray ? who taught at Ballyfacy school.
Cinema
Bill Walsh (Village, Cappagh) used to show movies also at the village hall (cinema) next door to Danny Dowling’s house. In those days, there were lots of cowboy movies, including some good ones such as ‘High Noon’. However, one winter the roof collapsed after a heavy snowfall (no one inside!). Bill moved his movies to the ‘new’ hall (old school). However, the movies petered out around the early 1960s.
Fete
The Glenmore Fete was an annual event over a few weeks at the Scough Bridge up to early 1960s(?). The Fete had entertainment such as merry-go-rounds, swing-boats, raffles etc, and even an illegal shebeen – which was raided one night by Garda. [This raid was mentioned in an earlier post https://glenmore-history.com/whats-a-shebeen/ and is believed to have occured in 1961 or 1962.]
During Jimmy’s time Glenmore also had a hurling tournament involving other parishes – including Wexford parish. Jimmy recalls, “As far as I’m aware, there were good rewards, such as set of watches, for the winners. I suspect the GAA authorities were not totally enamoured by this, as it smacked of professionalism!”
Creamery
Jimmy remembers farmers queued to deliver milk in milk cans or churns to Glenmore creamery. Bill Walsh and ? Forrestal often took in the milk at the stage, marked the creamery book etc. Glenmore had its own brand of butter. Jimmy believes the creamery at Lochcullen (near Kilmacow) was also part of the same cooperative.
Other Recollections
The Hunt (both Mullinavat Harriers and McCalmont’s Mt. Juliet)
Church attendance – different sides for men and women; plus reading from the altar each parishioner’s contribution to Easter and Christmas dues!
Shops – Eily Heffernan’s, Fluskey’s and Hanrahan’s. Flusky’s had the Post Office and phone exchange in the shop. Phone exchange operator knew all that was happening in the parish!
If you would like to comment, add to, provide names, dates etc. or just say hello to Danny or Jimmy, please insert the comment or information into the comment box at the bottom of this post. If you don’t see the comment box at the bottom of this page, please scroll up to the list of recent posts and click on this post. The post will open in a new page and you will find the comment box at the bottom. Or please feel free to send us an email at glenmore.history@gmail.com and we can post for you.
The featured photo of the VW Bug at the beach was taken by Tom Arrowsmith (London) and is available on “Unsplashed.”
Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore: The Final Resting Place of Capt. Patrick Colford (1811-1887)
Colford is not a name usually associated with the Glenmore area, hence when we were recently transcribing headstones in the cemetery adjacent to St. James’ parish church in Glenmore an old stone with the name Colford stood out. In attempting to determine the Colford connection to Glenmore we came across a shipwreck, a sailmaker from Glenmore and the High Constable from Waterford City. The inscription on the Colford stone simply reads;
In memory of CapT P. Colford of Waterford Who Died Nov 11th 1881 And his deceased children Sarah who died young And his wife Catherine Who Died August 5th 1894 Aged 73 years Pray for the souls of the undernamed Michael & Patrick who drowned at sea 3rd October 1895 Aged 38 and 37 years
What connection this family had to Glenmore was not apparent, without the wife’s maiden name, and unfortunately Danny Dowling was unable to provide a Glenmore connection. The British Merchant Service records were able to provide some information concerning Captain Patrick Colford, of Waterford. Per his Masters’ Certificate of Service (No. 36.954) Patrick Colfer (sic) was born at Slade, Wexford on 1 January 1811. In January 1851 it was noted that he had been employed as a Seaman Master and Master for 25 years in the British Merchant Service in the coasting and foreign trade.
Attached to the certificate was a copy of Captain Colford’s service record. From 1826-1830 he served as a seaman on the Hibernia, of London which was engaged in foreign trade. From 1830-1835 he served as a Mate on the Three Sisters, of Waterford which was engaged in coasting. During the period of 1835 to 1841 he served as a Master on the Pilgrim, of Waterford which was engaged in coasting. From 1841 to 1850 he returned to serve on the Three Sisters, this time as the Master.
A couple of years after obtaining his Masters’ Certificate, Patrick Colfer (sic) married Catherine Grant on 5 April 1853 at the Cathedral, Waterford. Danny Dowling explained today that there were numerous families of Grant in several townlands in Glenmore. The Glenmore headstone provides the names of two children born to Captain Colford and his wife Catherine (Kate) Colford née Grant. Michael Colford was born in 1857 and Patrick Colford in 1858.
The death register for Patrick Colford, who died on 11 Nov. 1881, states that he was a carpenter rather than a master mariner and lived on Queen’s Terrace in Waterford City. He was married, aged 75 and his wife, Kate Colford was present at his death. Kate Colford, née Grant died on 5 August 1894, aged 73. Her niece Sarah Grant was present when she died.
After a newspaper article revealed a close relationship between Patrick Colford, Jr. and Michael Grant, the High Constable, of Waterford, Danny Dowling easily made the Glenmore connection. Danny explained that the High Constable of Waterford in the late 19th and early 20th Century was Michael Grant and he was buried in the right hand side of the Glenmore cemetery near the road wall. Unfortunately, the marker is now gone or the marker is perhaps the one next to the Colford stone and is not legible.
The High Constable, Michael Joseph Grant (1858-1920) was the son of Michael Grant (1823–1887) who was baptized in Glenmore on the 10th of August 1823. His parents were Michael Grant and Sally Murphy, and it appears that he was the youngest child in the family. Michael Grant (1823—1887) went to Waterford and became a sailmaker. His sister Catherine (Kate) Colford née Grant (1821- 1894) married Captain Patrick Colford (1811-1887). Given that the graves in the front of the churchyard are the oldest it is believed that the Colford grave was utilised by the Grant family long before Captain Colford’s death in 1887. In notebook 13 Danny recorded several townlands where Grants lived and Michael Grant is associated with Ballybrahee. The farm later went to the Henneberry’s. Today, at the mention of Michael Grant being a sailmaker on King Street in Waterford Danny thought that this Grant family may have originated in Rochestown.
The sons, Captain Patrick Colford (c. 1858-1895) and Michael Colford (c. 1857-1895)
A little over a year after their mother died Patrick and Michael Colford drowned when their ship the Zoe sank. The Munster Express on the 5th of October 1895 printed that it had received a telegram at 10 that morning from the editor of the Swansea Daily Post stating “Brigantine Zoe supposed wrecked off Mumbles with all hands. Lifebuoy picked up.” The Munster printed that the crew all “belonged to Waterford. The Skipper was Captain Colfer (sic), Thomas Terrace, and the mate was his brother. They are near relations of the (Waterford) City High Constable Mr. Grant.”
The Irish Independent on Saturday, the 5th of October 1895 reported that the Mumbles lifeboat went at 2 a.m. on the 4th after the brigantine Zoe, of Waterford, was driven on to Mizen sands during a strong gale from the north west. The first alarm was raised by the women of Mumbles Head who could hear the cries of the ship wrecked mariners. The lifeboat men, reached Mizen in time to see the schooner sink suddenly, stern first, and then break up. All of her crew were lost. The lifeboat crew picked up a board from among the wreckage, bearing the words “Zoe, Waterford.” A Waterford correspondent reported that the brigantine Zoe was on her way to Swansea from Liverpool with a cargo of pitch. The Zoe put into Waterford “on Monday week,” and sailed again on last Wednesday evening. In addition to the two Colford brothers the crew consisted of Michael Hanley and his son.
A week later the Munster Express (12 October 1895) published what it stated was the complete list of the crew of the brigantine Zoe: Master, Patrick Colfer (sic), Waterford; mate, Michael Colfer (sic), Waterford; AB, Martin Hanlon, Cheekpoint; boy, Michael Hanlon, Cheekpoint; AB, shipped in Liverpool, name unknown. “Mr Kirwan, Mall-lane, and several other Waterford people have been to, the scene of the wreck, but excepting a few things washed ashore, which were identified as being portion of the things in the Zoe, no bodies have yet been recovered, although a ceaseless watch is being maintained.”
Later, the Kerry Weekly Reporter (Sat. 19 Oct. 1895) noted that the body of a man of about fifty years of age and bearing the initials J.B. on his left arm was washed ashore at Portcawl. Although it was stated that authorities believed that it was one of the crew of the brigantine Zoe, of Waterford, no further articles could be located.
A review of the personal estates of Michael Colford (mariner) and Patrick Colford (master mariner), of Queen’s Terrace, reveals that the men had a sister, Catherine Furniss the wife of Captain Thomas Furniss, of 46 the Glen, Waterford. Michael Colford left an estate of £120.11.2 and Patrick left an estate of £79.5.2. Kate Colford had married Thomas Furniss of Henry St., Waterford on the 19th of July 1891. Kate was 28 and Thomas Furniss was 35 and working as a master mariner. It is believed that Catherine Furniss put the inscription on the Colford headstone in the Glenmore cemetery for her two brothers who were drowned when the Zoe sank in 1895.
The Brigantine Zoe: Sank Twice
In 1880 the Belfast Newsletter (Fri. 14 Nov. 1880) advertised that the Zoe would be sold at Carrickfergus by Public Auction. She was described as being 96 feet in length, 26 feet in breadth, with a depth of 9 feet. It was noted that she carried 245 tons d.w. on 10 ½ feet of water. It is noted in the advertisement that the Zoe sank in Belfast lough on the 17th of March 1879 and was raised and placed in dry dock. She was to be sold in her damaged condition, together with all Masts, Spars, Rigging, Sails, Anchors and Chains etc. The advertisement concludes that “the Zoe was built at New Brunswick, in 1868, in a very strong and substantial manner, and she is copper fastened in the bottom. She is an admirable and profitable coaster, carries a large cargo on a light draught, sails fast, and crosses Channel without ballast.”
Eight years later the Munster Express (Sat. 15 Dec. 1888) published an article stating that a new coal vessel, the “handsome brigantine, the Zoe,” was towed up the river with a cargo of 294 tons of coal. “The Zoe has been purchased by Captain Colford, and others, and is intended for the Waterford trade, principally in coal…In 1882 she was completely remodelled at Fleetwood, and is now one of the fastest sailing and thoroughly-equipped coasting vessels afloat.” Unfortunately, after only 7 years engaging in the Waterford trade under Captain Patrick Colford (c. 1858-1895) she sank for the second time, taking the entire crew down with her.
Blog update—A link has been added to the Irish page of a transcript of a recording made of the last Glenmore native Irish speaker, Patrick Power (c. 1853-1945), of Jamestown, Glenmore. This was part of the work undertaken by the Folklore Commission in the 1930’s. The original is held at UCD.
Special thanks to Louise Walsh for the photos of St. James (taken 2019) and the Colford Stone (taken 2020).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore 1916: Stolen Butter, a Mysterious Death, a local WWI Pilot and the Wrong Man Summoned to Court
Recently a reader sent a link to a file in the National Archives concerning a claim made by the Glenmore Co-operative to the military and then to the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee 1916. This Committee operated for ten months processing claims for property losses incurred due to the 1916 Rising. In a nutshell 9 boxes of Glenmore Co-op butter were stolen from the Amien St. railway station [Connolly Station] in Dublin on or about the 24th of April 1916. In attempting to locate newspaper articles concerning the stolen butter we came across a number of newspaper articles concerning Glenmore events and people in turbulent 1916.
Stolen Glenmore Butter
On 22 April 1916, 16 boxes of Glenmore Co-op butter were handed to the Dublin and SE Railway at Aylwardstown, Glenmore. The following day the consigned butter arrived at the Amien St. Station, Dublin. It was Easter and the butter could not be transferred to the Great Northern Railway that day. On Easter Monday (24 April 1916) the British Military ordered the Railway Company’s staff to leave and the military took possession of the station. When the staff left the full consignment of butter was there, but when the staff returned 9 boxes of butter were missing. The railway informed Glenmore Co-op that the military commandeered the butter.
On 28 July 1916 Glenmore Co-op’s solicitor, P.A. Murphy, of O’Connell St., Waterford wrote to the Major General, of the Irish Command, outlined the above facts, and demanded £35.2.0 to cover the loss of the 9 boxes of butter. The military refused to accept any responsibility in the matter and referred the claim to the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee 1916. James O’Donovan, the Glenmore Creamery manager, duly filed a claim on 14 August. He stated in the claim that 9 boxes of butter consigned to C. Coats, upper Arthur St., Belfast were part of a consignment of 16 boxes and were damaged by the military authorities whilst in possession of the Amien St. Station, Dublin. In November 1916 the Property Losses Committee recommended that the claim of £35.2.0 should be paid to the Glenmore Co-op Creamery for the “looting” of the boxes of butter by “insurgents.”
This link will take you to the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee 1916 file held by the National Archives concerning the Glenmore butter claim. http://centenaries.nationalarchives.ie/centenaries/plic/results.jsp?surname=&location=&title=&business_name=Glenmore%20Cooperative%20Dairy%20Society%20Limited&search=Search
The Mystery Surrounding the Death of Peter Forristal, the Mill, Graiguenakill (1889-1916)
In the New Ross Standard on Friday, the 19th of May 1916, on page 6, an article details the annual meeting of the Glenmore Co-operative Creamery where the accounts for 1915 were approved. Items discussed during the meeting included the recent purchase of a cattle weigh bridge and shedding for storage at the Creamery as well as the heightened shipping costs. The increased shipping costs were due to the enormous loss of ships as a result of the German submarine policy. Nothing concerning the Glenmore butter loss in April 1916 was mentioned.
In the column to the left of the Glenmore Creamery Report is the following little statement placed within farming advertisements. “Returned Home—Some young men from the district who were at business in Dublin have returned home during the week for a rest after the recent disturbances in the capital,” (New Ross Standard, Friday 19 May 1916, p. 6).
Just below the Glenmore Creamery article is the following article regarding Peter Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill.
“NEW ROSS MAN MISSING. SUPPOSED TO BE DROWNED. The river at New Ross was dragged on Wednesday in search of the body of Peter Forrestal, believed to be drowned on the previous night. He was son of Mr. P. Forrestal, farmer, Ballyverneen, near Glenmore, and came up the river on a small boat on Tuesday with fish for New Ross. In the early part of the day it seems he took some drink and became noisy in the street. He was arrested and was detained in the police barracks until about five o’clock in the evening. After being let out he was seen down round the quay, and at about 9:30 that night some men at the Grand Canal steps heard a noise in the water, followed by what appeared to be a groan. Captain Ryder and others made an exhaustive search, but no trace, of the body was found up to Wednesday afternoon. During Wednesday a further search was made. It is surmised he went aboard the vessel “Tom Raner,” and on trying to reach his boat fell into the water one of his brothers was drowned some years ago off a boat coming up the river. The sincerest sympathy is felt with his parents and family” (New Ross Standard, Friday 19 May 1916, p. 6).
The following week the New Ross Standard reported that the body was recovered and corrected a lot of the information it incorrectly reported on the 19th.
“NEW ROSS DROWNING CASE. The body of the young man Peter Forrestal, of Graiguenakill, who drowned at New Ross in the early part of last week, was found at Garranbehy sometime on Monday morning by Patk. Fitzgerald, High-street, and John Doyle, Irishtown, fishermen. Sergeant Byrne, Rosbercon, communicated with the Coroner for South Kilkenny, but he happened to be away, from home, and Messrs. H.R. Hamilton, J.P., and A. J. Doyle, J.P., acted in his absence, and after hearing the particulars decided that an arrest was not necessary. It is surmised that the deceased lost his life whilst endeavouring to get into his boat from a coal vessel anchored in the harbour at 9 of 9:30 o’clock in the night. It is stated that on that evening he had his tea at Rosbercon. It appears he had not been at home for the past three months, and came to New Ross on that morning on a small boat. The sincerest sympathy is felt with his parents and family” (New Ross Standard, Friday 26 May 1916).
Peter Forristal was born on 27 March 1889 and was the son of Patrick Forristal and Margaret Forristal née Cardiff. He was a brother of William Forristal who was one of the Glenmore men who drowned in 1899. See, https://glenmore-history.com/a-double-drowning-at-rochestown-point-in-1899/ . No inquest was held and no death cert was filed for Peter Forristal in 1916. No further information was provided concerning where Peter Forristal had been in the three months prior to his death or concerning the short statement on the same page of the newspaper that young men from the district who were at business in Dublin returned home (during the week of the drowning) for a rest after the recent disturbances in the capital. No clarity is provided regarding how or why Peter Forristal was identified as the person who went into the river at New Ross on the 16th of May. Apparently there were no eye witnesses. Witnesses heard sounds and somehow Peter Forristal was identified as a person who was supposed drowned. The newspapers of the time are full of lists of men who were detained and arrested across the country after the Rising, yet there is no information as to why Peter Forristal was released from custody hours before his death if he had been, in fact, arrested earlier in the day.
The articles reporting the drowning are not similar to other drownings reported in the newspaper in the early years of the 20th century. The Peter Forristal articles lack the details found in other drownings reported. For example, who identified the body as being Peter Forristal? Perhaps the readers were expected to read between the lines, or perhaps the restrictions on the newspapers after the Rising were such that newspapers could not query deaths of persons released from police custody who end up in a river.
Irish Independent, Thur. 7 Sept. 1916–SITUATIONS VACANT.
WANTED, Man to follow Threshing Engine, also Man to take charge of Threshing Mill, for season. Apply to Glenmore Co-operative Threshing Society, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, stating Wages and qualifications.
New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 Aug. 1916–A One Bicycle Crash
POLICEMAN INJURED Whilst Const. Collins, Glenmore, was cycling from Glenmore to Mullinavat last week his bicycle got caught in a rut in the road and he was pitched forward and rendered temporarily unconscious. He was attended by the priest and doctor and was taken to hospital.
Mistaken Identity
Danny Dowling has explained that due to the number of people in the parish with the same name nick names were bestowed and whole families often had surnames that were not their proper surname. For example, Jim Brien was actually Jim Fitzgerald. Danny’s notebooks are full of notations that “his real name” was … In Glenmore all Whelans are Phelans. The following case reported in the newspaper in 1916 involved John Whelan, of Mullinahone being summoned for something he did not do.
“CASE AT NEW ROSS When the name of John Whelan, Mullinahone, Glenmore, for being drunk and disorderly was called at the New Ross Petty Sessions, a young man came forward on the witness table, and said that he was not the man at all. He said he had been served with a summons for the offence. Sergeant O’Sullivan—This is not the man at all that was drunk and disorderly. The man gave his name as John Whelan, of Mullinahone. A Glenmore constable gave evidence, that be served the summons on John Whelan, the man who appeared in court. Mr. Whelan—I am not the man at all, and it has caused me great inconvenience to come here. District Inspector McLean—We must only withdraw the prosecution. Mr. Whelan said there was no other man of that name in Mullinahone, and Sergeant O’Sullivan said he would know the man that was drunk and disorderly if he saw him. Mr. Griffin, R.M. (to Mr. Whelan) It was very nice of you to come to the court to-day. You showed great respect for the court by coming. We will dismiss the case on the merits. It must be understood that we are not blaming the police at all. They were led into this error by another person. They issued the summons on the name that was given to them.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1916)
Glenmore WWI Pilot: Lt. Michael Keegan
In our post on 15 February 2020 we highlighted Mick Keegan, who ranaway as a teenager to join the army, became a WWI Veteran and Ross Publican. The post was based on the 1980 interview Danny Dowling recorded of Dan Doyle concerning his time on the railway. Dan Doyle related the story of Mick Keegan who was the son of the Aylwardstown, Glenmore stationmaster. In 1916 three articles concerning Mick Keegan were found in the New Ross Standard. Here is the link to the 15 February 2020 post HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY! (containing Mick Keegan, from Runaway to WWI Veteran and Ross Publican.)
The first of the articles was published on 12 May 1916. Michael Keegan, the son of Mr. Keegan, stationmaster, Glenmore received a commission as lieutenant. It reported “he has been a member of the Flying Corps, and has been several times mentioned in despatches for his bravery and efficiency.” The second article appeared on 6 October 1916 and announced his forthcoming marriage to Miss Brigid Doran, the Quay, New Ross. Although it was a personal announcement the majority of the article centred on his military exploits. “Lieutenant Keegan who is a member of the Royal Flying Corps, was favourably mentioned in despatches and warmly complimented by General French, for his pluck and bravery during his flying expeditions in connection with the war, and was awarded the Military Cross. He also won several cups as a crack shot in the army.” The last article was published on 15 December 1916 and stated that his marriage had taken place that week.
Special thanks to Veronica for sharing the link to the National Archive file concerning the 1916 claim for 9 boxes of Glenmore butter.
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the old photo of the Waterford Creamery c. 1922.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
An Unusual Glenmore Memorial: Fr. Thomas Walsh (1911-1945)
Earlier this month as we were recording inscriptions on headstones in the cemetery adjacent to St. James’ Parish Church in Glenmore we came across a number of unusual memorials. Today, we shall highlight Columban Father Thomas Walsh who died on 13 December 1945, aged 34, in Burma. The stone where his name and details appear is located in the centre of the back part of the Glenmore cemetery.
The Walsh Family
From the information on the Glenmore headstone we were able to determine that Fr. Thomas Walsh was born on the 11th of April 1911 at the family home at 5 Thomas Street in Waterford. He was the son of James Walsh and Catherine (Kate) Walsh née O’Sullivan. His parents were married on the 4th of September 1906 at the Rosbercon Chapel. The bride was from Glenballyvalley, Tullogher and her father is recorded as Thomas Sullivan (farmer). The groom was the son of Richard Walsh (farmer). The groom is listed in the marriage records as being a brewery foreman. Danny Dowling on the 20th of July 2020 stated that he believed that the bride was from the Ballyfoyle O’Sullivans.
Fr. Thomas Walsh had two sisters and three brothers. Most of the following information was obtained from obituaries, marriage, birth and death records. The Walsh family resided in the Cathedral parish in Waterford. The boys were educated at Mount Sion C.B.S.
- The eldest of the family was Mary (Sister Madeleine) Walsh (20 Aug. 1907–23 Nov 1974). Mary became a Sister of Mercy. According to her obituary in the Evening Echo (30 Nov. 1974) she trained, as a nurse in the Mercy Hospital, Cork and worked in St. Finbarr’s Hospital from 1939 until her retirement in 1972. She was described as gentle, artistic and musical.
- The second child, was Catherine Walsh (12 Aug. 1908—22 June 1998) who married Walter Cullen (c. 1908—31 May 1998) and had at least three children.
- The third child of the Walsh family was Richard Walsh (16 Sept. 1909—17 Nov. 1996). Richard worked for Customs and Excise and resided in Dublin.
- The fourth child in the family was Fr. Thomas.
- James Walsh (24 Apr. 1912– ? ) was the fifth child and he married Dorothy Connolly, of Douglas Road, Cork on 23 Sept. 1941 in a nuptial ceremony conducted in Irish. James Walsh, or Seamus Breathnach, had an MA in Modern Irish and worked on the translation staff of the Oireachtas, and as a lecturer in the Leinster School of Irish. James or Seamus is the only sibling not listed on the Glenmore headstone.
- The baby of the Walsh family was John Joseph (Sean) Walsh (1 Mar. 1918—30 Oct. 1921). This child tragically died of tubercular meningitis at the age of 3 years, 7 months.
James Walsh, Sr. worked at Strangman Brewery in Waterford. On the birth cert of the eldest child, Mary, he is listed as a weightmaster in the brewery. At the time of Catherine’s birth he is listed as the firemaster at the brewery. By the time of Father Thomas was born his father was listed as “brewery foreman” on his birth records. Danny stated that quite a number of Glenmore men worked at this brewery over the years both full time and as seasonal workers. (For a concise history of Strangman Brewery see, https://waterfordwhisky.com/element/william-strangman/). When Fr. Thomas sent a letter, dated the 23rd of July 1929, seeking to join the Columban Missionary Society, he noted that his father was foreman in Strangman’s brewery and had been employed there for over 40 years.
In this application letter Fr. Thomas also revealed that he was an 18 year old student at Mount Sion Christian Brothers Schools (1915-1929) and described himself as “…healthy as the average boy of my age.” He noted that his eldest brother was in the Civil Service since 1927 and his other brother had completed his leaving certificate in accordance with the pupil teaching scheme. Fr. Thomas reported that he failed the matriculation exam in the summer of 1929. He explained that he failed geography but passed maths, Irish, English and Latin. His parents were not against him entering a Missionary Society, but desired that he should enter St. John’s College in Waterford because, it was “near home, friends, cheap etc.”
The brief biography found in Fr. Thomas’ file held in the Columban archive reveals that he was admitted to the seminary, at St. Columban’s College, Dalgan Park, Galway in 1929 and was ordained a priest on the 21st of December 1935. For his first, and as it transpired only, appointment he was sent to Bhamo, Burma as a member of the Maynooth Mission to China in 1936.
Burma Assignment
Bhamo, Burma, now Myanmor, is in the north of the country. The first efforts to establish Catholicism began in 1856 when French Bishop Paul Bigandet visited the northern region. In 1873, three priests were sent to form a diocese. The mission work stalled due to malaria. Between 1873 -1901 fourteen priests died or became incapacitated due to malaria. The mission was slow to spread in the Kachin populations until 1936 when the first St. Columban Missionaries arrived from Ireland. (Official Catholic Directory 2016, p. 184, Catholic Bishop Conference of Myanmar Yangon).
The Maynooth Mission in 1936 was led by the Right Reverend Mgr. Patrick Usher, of Tullyallen, Co. Louth, who led the “pioneer band of young priests who were specially appointed to this difficult mission field which is considerably larger in extent than the whole of Ireland.” Within this pioneer band of young priests numbering 24 was Rev. Thomas Walsh (Waterford) and Rev. Thomas Murphy (Naas). (Catholic Standard, 5 June 1942). In addition to the difficult climate, missionaries found that each of the hill tribes had its own language, and twelve languages were spoken in the province. (Catholic Standard, 18 Feb. 1949).
After the Maynooth Mission group arrived in Burma, according to a letter written by Mgr. Usher on 13 December 1945, Fr. Thomas Walsh was assigned to a mission station in Namhapalan, sixty miles north of Bhamo. The language of his parish was Kachan. “In a difficult and lonely mission he never showed that he gave his troubles or hardships a thought.” When he met any of the other priests he was full of jokes and good humour in his quiet gentle way “and no joke had a sting in it at another’s expense.” He became fluid in the Kachan language, built a school and dedicated himself to his people.
World War II
In 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army captured Burma which cut off war supplies to China via the Burma Road. Desperate to keep the Japanese fighting on two fronts, the Allies air dropped supplies and built the Ledo Road through Bhamo to supply China. The Ledo Road was eventually named the Stillwell Road after an American General and was completed in early 1945. American veterans of the China-Burma-India campaigns referred to the jungle terrain surrounding the famous Burma Road and Ledo Road as the “Green Hell.” (Catholic Standard, 18 Feb. 1949). This difficult terrain is where Fr. Thomas Walsh worked.
There are various accounts of the internment by the Japaneese of the Columban Fathers in Burma. In May 1942 when the Japanese Imperial Army captured Bhamo the missionaries were held for a month, released and ordered to report to Mandalay. At Mandalay they were assigned to a house in the Agricultural College. They were bombed incessantly by the Allies as they were surrounded by Japanese troops. They were moved to St. John’s Leper Asylum (James Durney, “The Emperor’s Kildare Slaves”(2013) http://www.kildare.ie/library/ehistory/2013/07/the_emprerors_kildare_slaves.asp ).
According to a March 1946 interview of Mgr. Usher he recalled that from October 1942, twenty-one of the priests of the Maynooth Mission were interned in Mandalay. Two of his priests were interned in Rangoon and two others had crossed into India via China. For the last 18 months of the war the Mandalay internees were interned in the leper hospital with about 500 leper patients and most of the other missionaries from northern Burma including a number of French and Italian missionaries. Mgr. Usher stated, “To be staying in a leper hospital is not as terrible as it may seem for those who, like us, were used to seeing lepers. It is certainly not pleasant to see sufferers from the disease, but the disease itself is not very contagious” (Catholic Standard, 29 March 1946). St. John’s Leper Hospital was conducted by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (Catholic Standard, 18 May 1945).
Contrary to the majority of films and books describing the brutal and inhumane treatment of civilians interned by the Japanese during the war, Monsignor Usher stated, “We were not treated too badly by the Japanese. They did not do very much for us, but they did not do much against us. They did not interfere with our private life. We could say Mass, but were not permitted to carry out our priestly duties.” He noted that it was a great worry that their parishioners were without priests for so long. He also said that the priests missed not having any communication with their relatives at home. They read all the books they could lay their hands on. When Monsignor Usher was asked about food, he stated that they were never hungry, although they did not have a variety of food. They lived mostly on rice, with some vegetables, tea and coffee. He stated that other missionaries fared much worse than they did. Mandalay was a good rice-growing area and was fairly self-supporting. (Catholic Standard, 29 March 1946).
As the Allies were fighting to liberate Mandalay on the 16th of March 1945, Father Thomas Murphy (of Naas) and a number of other priests were saying Mass at different altars in the oratory when a shell burst over the one story building mortally wounding Father Murphy and injuring five or six of the other priests (Catholic Standard, 29 March 1946). Father Thomas Walsh, (of Waterford) was one of the other priests wounded by the shrapnel. Although he had shrapnel wounds in both arms and with his back laid open with a great gash, he “hoisted on his back the first man he could see through the blinding dust and carried him to the dispensary conducted by missionary Nuns.” (Irish Press, 17 Dec. 1945).
The Rev. Edward J. McCarthy, sent a cablegram to the Columban’s, in Nebraska reporting Fr, Murphy’s death during the battle for the liberation of the priests. He explained that Fr. Murphy, was at one of the side altars, and was badly wounded when the shell exploded overhead. Fr. Murphy was anointed and died two hours later as he was being carried behind British lines. With the exception of the two Columban priests held in Rangoon, all Columban priests held by the Japanese in the Burma area were freed that day. (Catholic Standard, 18 May 1945).
After the War
Fr. Thomas Walsh after recovering from the wounds he received on 16 March 1945 returned to Bhamo in September. In early October he journeyed the 60 miles to his former mission station in Namhapalan and made a “complete tour of his district and found the position on the whole satisfactory.” Although his parishioners had been without a priest since 1942 the majority kept their faith (Usher, Letter 13 Dec. 1945). Most of the buildings used by the mission had been destroyed (Catholic Standard, 29 March 1946) and Fr. Thomas set about re-building his school which Msg. Usher noted was no easy task at that time (Usher, Letter 13 Dec. 1945).
In late November 1945, Fr. Thomas fell ill with malaria. He took a course of treatment, but after nine days when he could not shake off the illness he decided he needed to go to the hospital in Bhamo. His parishioners carried him to the foot of the hills and on the road he was picked up by an American truck and taken to the hospital in Bhamo. For three days he appeared to be improving, but on the 10th of December he took a turn for the worse. His lungs became congested. He received the last Sacrament fully conscious and did not have much pain. Although two Franciscan Sisters took turns staying at his bed side, and the hospital nurses and doctors did everything possible, Fr. Thomas died at 9:15 on the morning of the 13th of December 1945 of malaria at the age of 34. Msg. Usher wrote two personal paragraphs on the back of the letter he wrote that day. He noted the paragraphs were not for the Far East magazine. On the back of the page Msg. Usher expressed his grief and noted that the death of Fr. Thomas “is a terrible blow to us.” They had lost one of their very best missionaries and friend. He expressed that Fr. Thomas’ flock would be very saddened as “his people had a great affection for him. They could hardly help it because he had such an ardent affection for them” (Usher, Letter 13 Dec. 1945). Fr. Thomas Walsh was buried in the Christian Cemetery in Bhamo, Burma.
Gone But Not Forgotten
In a letter to his parents written a few months before his death, Fr. Thomas stated that had been offered an extended holiday in Ireland, but decided to stay at his post (Catholic Standard, 21 Dec. 1945). His father, James Walsh, Sr., died on the 10th of February 1956, at the age of 91, after falling while walking along the Quay in Waterford. His obituary stated that he was a native of Thomastown and worked for Strangman’s Brewery for 50 years until his retirement in 1936. Interment took place at the family burial ground at Glenmore (Munster Express, 17 Feb. 1956). His mother, Catherine Walsh née O’Sullivan died on the 5th of October 1970 at the age of 95. Her obituary in the Munster Express (9 Oct. 1970) reveals that one of Fr. Thomas’ nephews became a priest. Rev. Seamus (Fr. Majella) Cullen. O.F.M. was ordained in 1968 and was working in Rhodesia, Africa in 1970.
The Maynooth Mission to China, expanded in 1949, but by 1966 all missionaries were expelled from Burma. Only those who had been in the country prior to 1948 were allowed to remain. However, if a missionary left the country he or she could not return. The last of the Columbans left in 1977 (Fr. Pat O’Donoghue, “A Great Harvest, 24 June 2020 available at https://columbans.co.uk/a-great-harvest.) Eventually restrictions on missionaries eased, Burma has become Myanmar, and in 2010 Columban Father Neil Magill turned the old, disused, leper hospital, where the missionaries were interned by the Japanese during the war, into a higher education institution (Far East, Sept. 2015, “Education for the Poorest, but Brightest.”) In 2014 five Kachin priests were ordained and Fr. Bosco N-lam Hkun Seng when interviewed stated that his grandfather converted to Catholicism and his father studied in a Columban Mission School in Myitkina under Father Thomas Walsh who died of malaria in 1945 (Far East, March 2014).
Special thanks to Barbara Scally, Archivist, Columban Fathers, Dalgan Park and Louise Walsh for taking all the photos of the Glenmore headstones.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
For further information on Columban Father Thomas Murphy (1906-1945) of Naas, Kildare, see Columban Martyrs available at https://columbans.ie/about-us/columban-martyrs/
The Far East archive is available at https://www.columban.org.au/media-and-publications/the-far-east-magazine/archive/
The featured photo above of the fresco of St. Columban, was taken in 2007 by Davide Papalini – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brugnato-IMG_0141.JPG
For information regarding the work addressing leprosy in Burma/Myanmar see, https://leprosyhistory.org/geographical_region/country/myanmar
Glenmore Fishing and Weirs
For generations Glenmore men, and at least one woman, fished the River Barrow. Some of fishermen were also farmers and others were cottagers working on farms when needed part of the year and fishing the remainder of the year. Although the River Barrow is home to several different types of fish and eel, the king of the catch was the salmon. (For a list of the type of fish of the Barrow see, http://riverbarrow.net/fishing.html .) Danny Dowling interviewed and recorded various aspects of local fishing in the 1970’s as fishing declined significantly.
Nicky Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore in June 1977 identified five fishing “pools” on the River Barrow that Glenmore fishermen fished. All of the fishing pools identified had Irish names and were described as follows:
- Thowshkeen—above Cherry’s Brewery at Ross, mid-river.
- Ling Voor—off Castle Annaghs. From Stafford’s wharf to turn of Camblin.
- Lahóge—Between Maid’s Quay and Glenmore Pill.
- Málya—Between Glenmore Pill and Carrickcloney strand.
- Corrigalú—On Wexford side almost opposite Tommy Connolly’s, of the river, at Aylwardstown. Below Dunganstown Quay wood of the same name.
Patrick Hennessey, of Hoodsgrove, Rosbercon, in February 1980 identified seven fishing “ponds,” on the Barrow and Nore Rivers. All of the fishing ponds identified by Patrick Hennessy are also in Irish.
- Ling Voor—in Barrow off Camblin.
- Ling Beg—in Barrow at bridge of Ross.
- Thowshtheen—in Barrow at Ross side of railway bridge.
- Vawnúg—at Barrow mouth. Confluence of Nore and Barrow.
- Pawl Útha—in Nore under Luke Hennessy’s of Glensensaw.
- Portloss—in Nore at Ballyneale.
- Scíordhawns—in Nore under Lambert’s of Newgrove.
Michael Forristal, of Rochestown, Glenmore in 1969 stated that there were 14 fishing boats at the Black Rock, Kearneybay and at one time 40 boats were fishing the river. John Power, of Carrigcloney, Glenmore, in February 1970 identified the fishermen with boats who trawled the Malya around the turn of the twentieth century.
- Tommy Power of Robinstown (own boat).
- Jim Scanlan, Glenmore (own boat.)
- Jimmy Forristel, The Mill (own boat).
- Pat Kennedy, Duganstown, Co. Wexford (own boat).
- Patsy Hough, Rochestown (own boat).
- Jack Forristal, Rochestown (own boat).
- Micky Foran, Rochestown (own boat).
Salmon was then about 6 d. per lb. Salmon was so plentiful that asses and carts were required to transport it away. The fish were generally sold in Ross. A man named Murphy was identified as a New Ross fish buyer.
However, some boats were owned by people who did not live along the river. Nicky Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill (Nov. 1977) told Danny that Patsy Henneberry (Mártín) of Jamestown, and Bill Roche, of Jamestown, (Main Roche’s father) owned between them a cot which they fished in for at least one season. Patsy Henneberry was going with another crew on this particular season, and he asked Roche, “how will we settle about the cot?” Roche replied “we can do nothing with her except cut her in halves.” No matter what Henneberry suggested, Roche would not agree, so in the end Henneberry, rather than see it cut in halves, left it to Roche.
Nicky Forristal (1888-1979) in his 1977 interview also described to Danny the fish joulter’s cars that he observed as a young man. This horse drawn vehicle with four wheels, had high sides and was used by the fish dealers in Ross, Enniscorthy and Graiguenamanagh. They traveled in convoys of up to 8 or 9 cars by the Mill on their way to Dunmore to collect sea fish. They would leave in the day, pass by the Mill in the evening, stay overnight in Dunmore, and return the next day. He was told that they travelled in a convoy to let some of the drivers sleep for part of the journey and the cars and the fish would be minded by the other drivers.
Brian Forristal in an interview of Tommy Connolly, of the river, (1907-1987) recorded that Tommy recalled a time when 30 or 40 boats were on the river during the salmon season. Tommy and his crew, in the 1961-1962 season, held the record for the number of salmon caught in one sweep. They were fishing in the “Mallagh” and caught 65 salmon during the one run and on the next they caught another 20 or so. The haul was so heavy it took several crews to help them pull in the net.
Weirs on the Barrow River
An interesting article appeared in the Dublin Penny Journal (30 Jan. 1836, available at https://www.jstor)org/stable/30003343) concerning the fishing of “the famed salmon of the Barrow.” The author a man from New Ross described the salmon fishing as follows: “a net is dropped between two small boats called ‘cots.’ (The author described the cot as a small boat generally built of four or five boards.) Each cot holds two men, one holds the net, while the other ‘conducts the cot with a paddle, shaped like a shovel.’” It was noted by the author that upwards of four hundred individuals earn a comfortable livelihood during the fishing seasons. This livelihood came under threat in 1834 when large Scotch weirs, some nearly a mile in extent, were illegally placed at the mouth of the Waterford harbour. One of these weirs frequently caught five hundred salmon each tide. “Impelled by hunger and despair” the up-river fishermen could not wait for the legal prosecution of the weir owners. Men manned two hundred cots and armed with hatchets and saws they left New Ross one morning cut down the nets of the giant Scotch weirs and returned with the returning tide, exhausted having travelled nearly 50 miles. “The lovers of cheap salmon welcomed their return with three hearty cheers, and made a handsome collection to buy bread and beer to refresh these nautical heroes.”
Although the newspapers of the nineteenth century are full of fishing prosecutions and inquiries there is one article in the Dublin Daily Express of 15 December 1863 that identifies and discusses three weirs in Glenmore parish and the people associated with them sometimes going back to 1800, namely: the Ballyverneen weir; the Carney (sic) Bay weir; and the Rochestown weir. Under an Act of Parliament, the Fisheries Commission was appointed to investigate the rights and titles of parties to fisheries by means of fixed weirs and to decide whether they were an obstruction to navigation.
Ballyverneen Weir
Dr. Joseph P. Mackesy, Esq. was identified as the landlord and Michael Irish was the occupier of the weir who paid rent for it. Robert Brazil measured the weir and advised the Commission that it was 59 yards from the end of the enter ring to the shore. At the outside pole it was in 30 feet of water, and at the upper end of the channel wing there was 24 feet of water at full tide. Pilot William Fortune testified and referred to it as the Pink Rock weir. He stated that the tide sets right into it and said that it was an obstruction to navigation of a vessel when “working up a vessel, coming up with a flood tide.” Daniel Walsh testified that his brother fished the weir in 1801 and he took it after that. Daniel testified that he was about 72 years of age. The nets were cut down by the cot men once since he took the weir. It never happened again. He never knew a gabbard or ship to be tangled in the Ballyverneen weir. Thomas Mullally, Dr. Mackessy’s rent-warner, testified that he had no recollection of being told of any damage being done to the weir by boats. “There is a good flood tide going into the weir.”
The Commission deemed the weir injurious to navigation and the public right of fishing. It ordered the removal of the weir.
Kearneybay Weir
The landlord was Col. Kearney and the occupant was Thomas Murphy. [Update: Danny Dowling stated on 20 July 2020 that Col. Kearney lived near the Carlow border and only resided in Kearneybay for a short time.] The weir was described as a “head weir.” Robin Brazil testified that from the shore to the extreme end of the channel wing of the weir measured 72 yards. At spring high water he found the depth of 27 feet at the end of the channel wing. Gabbards, boats and vessels pass up and down the river by this weir. Michael Barron a boatman testified that in his opinion the weir made navigating the river difficult. James Bolger a boatman trading up and down the river testified that he did not think it was injurious. Thomas Wall, a Kearneybay farmer, testified that the weir had been there as long as he could remember for the past 65 or 66 years. It was fished as a salmon weir during that time and before that it was fished by Andrew Neil and Mark Brine.
Thomas Murphy testified that he was the tenant of the weir for the past 12 years since his father died. He paid £5 rent per year to Col. Kearney the landlord. He had helped fish it for the past 40 years. He stated that to his knowledge Col. Kearney and his ancestors owned the weir for over 200 years. Thomas Murphy stated his father fished it for 45 years as a salmon weir. He never heard of a complaint that it was an obstruction to navigation. Murphy noted that at high water the breadth of the river was about 300 yards. About 30 or 40 yards of the weir were stripped out at low spring tides. It was a flood weir. There were no complaints made to him about a boat going into the weir, but he admitted it was injured by a vessel going against it about 15 years earlier.
The Commission ruled that no evidence was given to sustain the title and that there was evidence that it was injurious to navigation. It ordered the weir be removed.
The Rochestown Weir
The owner of the weir was identified as Peter Strange, J.P. The occupier was Joseph Hunt. The weir was described as a flood weir. Hunt testified that he held the weir under a lease of 21 years for which he paid 1 shilling per year. His father purchased the lease for 21 years for £80, 12 years earlier leaving 9 years still on the lease. Hunt stated that the weir does not pose an obstruction to navigation. John Crook testified that he had worked the weir for the past 60 years and it was always used for salmon. Myles Dempsey, a boatman for twenty years, testified that he did not think that the weir caused an obstruction to navigation. The newspaper report does not provide further detail and the Commission ultimately decided that the weir should be abated, and it if was not removed after the proper lapse of time (assumed to be the remainder of the lease) it would issue a warrant for its removal.
The featured drawing is from the Dublin Penny Journal (30 Jan. 1836, available at https://www.jstor)org/stable/30003343) and depicts Castle Annaghs which was located on the Barrow River in Kilkenmy between Glenmore and New Ross. In the foreground is a cot and two fishermen.
For further information concerning local fishing, Andrew Doherty’s blog Waterford Harbour Tides & Tales see, for example “Growing Up Amongst Nets,” https://tidesandtales.ie/growing-up-amongst-nets/ .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh