Aylwardstown Glenmore
now browsing by tag
The Glenmore Volunteer at the 1914 Howth Gun Running
Last week we featured the Aylwardstown, Glenmore family of Mon. William Heffernan (1895-1973). This week we located the obituary for his brother Michael Heffernan (1890-1974) (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Feb. 1974, p. 7) and learned some interesting facts about Michael Heffernan. One of the most important was that he was one the Volunteers at the Howth Gun Running in 1914 that sought to arm the Dublin Regiment of the Irish Volunteers. He was also falsely accused of a crime at the end of the Civil War and played a significant part in Kilkenny GAA.
Michael Heffernan (7 Oct. 1890-19 Feb. 1974) Native of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
For details concerning Michael Heffernan’s immediate Aylwardstown family see our post of 15 October 2023.
Michael was born on 7 Oct. 1890. His obituary recites that as a young man Michael served an apprenticeship with a cabinet making business in Waterford and later moved to Dublin. While living in Dublin he joined the Irish Volunteers. The 1911 Census reveals that Michael was living in Aylwardstown, Glenmore and his profession was listed as cabinet maker. Thus, sometime after the Census of 1911 and July 1914 Michael moved to Dublin.
Howth Gun Running
The winds of war were sweeping across Europe in 1914, the Irish Volunteers determined that they needed to arm themselves. The Unionists at Larne, Co. Antrim, landed their own weapons comprised of 25,000 rifles and three million rounds of ammunition with no opposition from the authorities on the night of the 24th of April 1914 (Alvin, Jackson (1993) “The Larne Gun Running of 1914.” 1(1) History Ireland, p. 35–38 available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/27724046.)
Efforts to secure weapons for the Dublin Volunteers in France and Belgium failed, but Darryll Figgis and Roger Casement finally bought 1,500 obsolete 1871 vintage Mauser rifles in Germany. Off the Irish coast a yacht owned by Erskine Childers named the Asgard met a Hamburg tugboat and took some of the guns ashore at Howth in broad daylight. The Asgard was said to have been captained by Mollie Childers née Osgood, Eskinne’s wife, and it had a cargo of 900 rifles and 30,000 rounds of ammunition (John Dorney (2014) “The Howth Gun Running,” The Irish Story Website.
Early on Sunday the 26th of July 1914, around a thousand Dublin Irish Volunteers marched the nine miles from Dublin to Howth. The Volunteers were under the command of Tomás MacDonagh and Bulmer Hobson. They unloaded the Asgard. The Coast Guard attempted to intervene but could do nothing. The Coast Guard attempted to telephone Dublin Castle, but the Volunteers had cut the phone wires. After one of the uniformed local R.I.C. had been stopped trying to leave on a bicycle a second man not in uniform set out for Dublin Castle (Geraldine Dillon (1964) “The Howth Gun Running” 3(4) University Review, 48–57, p. 48, available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/25504609).
D.I. Heard of the R.I.C. and a few of his men followed the Volunteers as they started back toward Dublin. The ammunition for the rifles and some of the rifles were loaded into vehicles. At the junction of Howth Road and Farview the marching Volunteers were met with a force of 160 armed R.I.C., a few Dublin Metropolitan Police, and two companies of British Soldiers. The officer in charge of the soldiers was Major Haig. Assistant Commissioner W.V. Harrell was in charge of the police.
The Volunteers were told to surrender the guns and allow themselves to be arrested. MacDonagh refused and the D.M.P. were ordered to disarm the Volunteers. To the apparent surprise of both sides, the D.M.P. refused to attempt this and “went back to the sea wall and lent on it.” Dublin Castle officials later determined that the police resented the unfair discrimination between the Unionist and Irish Volunteers (Dillon, p. 49).
Harrell told Major Haig to order his men to disarm the Volunteers, but Haig ordered his men to charge with fixed bayonets. The Volunteers stood firm and defended themselves with walking sticks and rifle butts. A machine gun which was in an army ambulance was brought forward but never fired.
The soldiers managed to retrieve 8 rifles from the volunteers. The action paused while the leaders argued. During the entire charge and exchange Hobson drilled the Volunteers, all but those in the front rank, up and down the road as if they were restless horses. He gradually increased the distance and while the police and soldiers were distracted he marched the majority of the Volunteers round the turn in the road and ordered them to disperse and hide the rifles.
When Harrel realised that the Volunteers and guns were gone he exclaimed, “This is a disgraceful manoeuvre!” The police and army withdrew. Although there were injuries at the crossroad no fatalities occurred (Dillon, p. 50). Due to various misinformation and claims Tomás MacDonagh found it necessary to publish an official account. It was published as a supplement to the Irish Review, July/Aug. 1914 (Dillon, p. 50).
Killings at Bachelor’s Walk, Dublin
When the British soldiers marched back into Dublin they were met by a jeering crowd at Bachelor’s Walk. It was alleged that stones were thrown at the soldiers and Major Haig ordered his men to fire into the crowd and then followed with an order to charge with fixed bayonets. Three people were killed and 30 wounded (Dillon, p. 50).
At the Inquiry that followed Major Haig stated that he had not given an order to fire into the crowd. He lamely stated that his men must have mistaken his raising of his hand to speak to the crowd as an order to fire. Witnesses disputed his version stating they heard him yelling, “Fire, men, fire!” In the Report dated 21 October 1914, it was concluded that Assistant Commissioner of Police, Harrell should not have called out the military. Although the Inquiry concluded that the military were not under threat at Bachelor’s Walk justifying the use of firearms they concluded amazingly that Major Haig was not informed that the rifles of his men were loaded. Thus, they could conclude that Haig did not give an order to fire and twenty-one soldiers “promiscuously fired” (Dillon, p. 53-54).
Life in Kilkenny City
According to Michael’s obituary he moved to Kilkenny City in 1915 and took up employment in the Kilkenny woodwork factory at Talbot’s Inch. This industry was started by the late Countess of Desart. Michael’s brother, William was attending St. Kieran’s College, in Kilkenny City, at the time.
On 11 February 1918 Michael (cabinet maker) of Michael St., Kilkenny married Teresa Byrne (c. 1894-c. 1973) (nurse) of Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Michael was the son of Michael Heffernan (farmer) and Teresa was the daughter of Michael Bryne (farmer). The couple were married at St. John’s of Kilkenny City. The witnesses were Andrew Heffernan and Alice Byrne. The 1911 Census reveals that Michael Byrne (69) and his wife Mary (55) had been married for 34 years and had had 6 children and 5 were alive in 1911. Teresa was 17 in 1911 and Alice was 23. The farm was located at Coneygar, Clara, Kilkenny. Coneygar is a townland in the Civil parish of Clara located about 4 miles east of Kilkenny City.
Michael opened his own business as a cabinet maker in John St. in 1922 and from these premises also conducted the business of funeral undertaker, building contractor and or a period operated a fresh milk depot.
Children
Michael and Teresa Heffernan reared a large family. According to Cissy Kennedy ( 94) native of Rathinure, Glenmore, during holidays the children were brought to Glenmore. The girls would stay with their Aunt Alice Roche née Heffernan in Rathinure, and the boys would stay at the Heffernan home place in nearby Aylwardstown.
From Michael’s obituary there were at least 10 children, and we discovered another daughter that died in 1948. Similar to the preceding Heffernan generation by the time of his death Michael’s children were scattered across the world.
Sons
[1] Comdt. Michael Heffernan, Defence Forces, Cork; Among the 29 cadets who received their commissions as second Lieutenants in the Irish Army at the Curragh in October 1941 there were 5 Kilkennymen including Michael Heffernan of John St. It was reported that Heffernan and three of the others attended the Christian Brothers School on James’s St. (Kilkenny People, Sat. 1 Nov. 1941, p. 5) .
[2] William Heffernan, John St., Kilkenny;
[3] Anthony Heffernan, London;
[4] Andrew Heffernan, Kilkenny;
[5] Patrick Heffernan, London; (c. 1935-1980) Patrick Heffernan (45) died on 3 July 1980 at his residence 40 Coniston Road, Muswell Hill, London. Educated by the Christian Bros, and member of Dicksboro minor hurling club. In England met and married Ita Hannigan, a native of Dunhill, Co. Waterford. Survived by widow and son, Richard (Kilkenny People, Fri. 18 July 1980, p. 5)
Daughters
[6] Mrs. B. Leaning, London, [Brother Patrick’s obit in 1980 provides he was survived by his sister Brenda Little of Archer’s Crescent, Kilkenny]
[7] Mrs. Stephen Lalor, Australia; Special thanks to Deirdre Doherty Barron for identifying that Mrs. Lalor is Alice Heffernan (b. 1923) who celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year in Queensland, Australia.
[8] Mrs. Theresa Sutcliffe, Buckinghamshore; [married to Charles Sutcliffe]
[9] Mrs. Carmel Ryan, New York; [Married to John Ryan and living in 1980 in Long Island, N.Y.].
[10] Mrs. Ann Ryan, Middlesex; [Married to Andrew Ryan]
[11] Mary “Mollie” Heffernan (c. 1921-1948) died the 17th of December 1948 of “Tubercular hip joint disease” at the age of 27. Her brother Paddy was present when she died. According to her obituary Mollie was unwell for some time and was employed in the Drapery establishment of Messrs A. and T. Piert, Roseinn St. (Kilkenny People, Sat. 25 Dec.1948, p. 5).
Milk Depot
In October 1921 Michael Heffernan opened a fresh milk depot from his John St. premises. The following announcement appeared in the Kilkenny People (Sat. 8 Oct. 1921, p. 5).
Fresh New Milk—From Coneygar Farm Twice Daily. Michael Heffernan wishes to announce that his New Milk Depot is now in full swing, and he is selling New Milk at 5 d per quart at Depot and 6 d per quart delivered in City. Having arranged for a constant supply during the winter months, consumers wishing to benefit by this low price are earnestly requested to hand in their names immediately and I will guarantee there will be no disappointment. Address: 6 Lower John Street (Gate Entrance), Kilkenny. Depot Open—Morning 8:30 till 10 o’clock; Evening 5:30 till 7 o’clock.
Coneygar was the townland where his wife was from so it is likely that he was buying milk or distributing and selling milk for his brother-in-law.
Charged in Kilmogar Cattle Driving Case
In April 1923 Michael Heffernan of John St., was arrested for allegedly inducing others to drive cattle off of the lands of Mrs. Mary Murphy, the widow of Thomas Murphy who died 16 November 1921. Michael Heffernan when arrested protested that he was innocent. When he was brought before the Court he again protested his innocence. “It is very unfair against me—it is not fair at all. All the charges are false as far as I am concerned. I am a man with a business, and my wife is invalided and has nobody to sleep in the house with her. Some blackguards came and broke in the windows…I am prepared to stand in any court—there can’t be a shadow of evidence got against me” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 14 April 1923, p. 8).
Michael’s solicitor, Mr. N. Shortal, argued that there was only hearsay against his client, yet the trial judge refused to set any bail and remanded Michael to jail until the next court date. The facts of the Kilmogar Cattle Driving Case are similar to the Shanbogh Land Cases of July 1923. During the violence and upheaval of the War of Independence and the Civil War some people attempted to exploit old grievances or exploit the lawlessness gain the property of others.
The 291 acre farm in dispute was purchased by Mrs. Mary Murphy’s father-in-law. To extinguish any possible claim from a prior evicted tenant named Dalton £450 was paid to Dalton in 1891. The Murphy family farmed the land without difficulties until Mrs. Murphy was widowed in November 1921. It was alleged that Dalton, an elderly man, and others drove cattle from the land, removed agricultural equipment and threatened tenants. On 2 April 1923 thirty head of cattle were driven from the farm.
At the District Court of Kilkenny City, before Justice Liam Price, Michael Heffernan got his day in court. He and his brother-in-law were represented by N. Shortall, solicitor and Mr. Bacon, K.C. The State was represented by Dr. M.J. Cotty, State Solicitor.
There was no evidence presented against Michael Heffernan. In fact, most witnesses stated that they did not know him. When questioned by the judge, Michael was asked if he was prepared to give an undertaking in open court that he would not do anything prejudicial to Mrs. Murphy’s interests, directly or indirectly. Michael responded, “I never caused any interference, and I am not going to start now.” Michael and his brother-in-law were found not guilty. (Kilkenny People, Sat. 21 April 1923, p. 3; Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 21 April 1923, p. 8).
Kilkenny GAA
According to his obituary Michael Heffernan was “a staunch Irishman and GAA enthusiast he served as vice chairman of Kilkenny Co. Board for a number of years. At that time Ald. Jim Nowlan was chairman.” Michael was chairman of the football Board for 39 years. He represented Kilkenny at GAA Central Council and Leinster Council levels. He was responsible for the organization of GAA games in every parish in the county in defiance of the ban imposed by Dublin Castle in 1921.
Michael was the last surviving member of the small committee which negotiated the purchase of Nowlan Park and arranged early Development work.
Advocating For a New Park
In 1926 the Kilkenny People (Sat. 18 Sept. 1926, p. 4) published an account of the meeting of the Co. Kilkenny GAA in the City Hall on Sunday the 12th. It appears from this article that Michael was, in fact, a moving force on the Committee to find a new Park.
It all seems to have come to a head over a letter received from the Kilkenny Agricultural Society. The GAA were requested to remove the barbed wire it had placed on the railing around the playing pitch it rented from the Society. Below are excerpts from that newspaper article.
Michael Heffernan—“It is nearly time that we should be looking out for a ground of our own. We are tinkering with this thing too long altogether, and I think we should be in earnest about getting a field. So far we have never made a serious effort in that direction. We have approached the Agricultural Society time after time to have certain things done that would improve the Park from our point of view; they promised us everything but did nothing, and when we ourselves make a move to make the Park fit for matches they step in and object…It is nearly time that we cleared out of the Park and got a field of our own. You might as well go into any country field as into the Park as far as the accommodation provided for us is concerned…they always promised to repair the railing but they never did so.”
In response to another committee member that “there is no use taking up this bullying attitude,” Michael Heffernan responded, “Oh no! Keep on crawling to them for the next 40 years as we have been doing for years past. How much rent did the Agricultural Society get from the GAA since the Park was first rented from them?”
Chairman—It would have bought a new ground and equipped for us anyway.
Heffernan—”Their attitude reminds me of the old landlord days when a landlord came to an industrious tenant and ordered him to knock down a house he was after building. They are the same, this crowd, only worse.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com. It is likely Michael Heffernan (1890-1974) is in the above family photo and his brother William’s ordination in June 1919.
Again thanks to Patty Lee Brown for locating Michael’s marriage record.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Mon. Wm. Heffernan (1895-1973): Native of Aylwardstown, Glenmore [Updated]
The Right Reverend Monsignor William Heffernan died 50 years ago this month in Epping, New South Wales, Australia at the age of 80. Mons. Heffernan was educated at the Glenmore National School and attended St. Kieran’s College in Kilkenny City. He was ordained in June 1919 for the Archdiocese of Sydney. After being ordained he left immediately for Australia and served in a number of parishes until he was appointed Parish Priest of Epping where he remained until his death (Fr. Michael Mernagh, “Go Ye Therefore” Pen Pictures of Glenmore Priests, Nuns, and Brothers of the Twentieth Century, Glenmore Memories (2000) p. 41).
According to Mon. Heffernan’s obituary in the Munster Express (Fri. 26 Oct. 1973, p. 16 ) he last returned home about 40 years before his death. Ship records reveals that Rev. William Heffernan departed England on 20 December 1933 on the ship Hobsons Bay, of the Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line, bound for Sydney, Australia travelling in third class.
The Heffernan Family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
William Heffernan (1895-1973) was the 9th son of Michael Heffernan (1847-1924) and his wife Bridget Kennedy (1854-1947) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore. The couple married at Glenmore on 12 February 1879 and had a total of 14 children comprised of 11 boys and 3 girls. There were 18 years between the eldest and youngest of their children. The couple also helped raise two of their grand-children after their daughter-in-law tragically died young. They lived to see their children settled in Ireland, Australia, Chicago and England.
Grandparents of William Heffernan
Michael Heffernan (1847-1924) was the son of Patrick Heffernan (farmer) and his wife Alicia Irish of Aylwardstown. Michael’s parents were married on 7 February 1842 at Slieverue. At the time of the wedding Patrick Hefernan’s (sic) address is listed as Nicholastown.
Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy (1854-1947) was the daughter of Peter “Pierce” Kennedy of Rathinure, Glenmore and his wife Bridget Walsh, a native of Ballytarsnia, Mooncoin.
SIBLINGS
[1] Patrick Heffernan (bapt. 18 Jan 1880- ) per Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy’s obit in 1947 was living in London. A descendent posted that Patrick Heffernan married Ella née Rouse (1885-1951). Patrick Heffernan married Ella on 25 July 1908 at St. Michael’s of Aldershot Hamshire, Southhampton, Surrey, England. The couple had at least two sons.
[2] John Heffernan (13 June 1881—15 Aug.1951) married Mary Frehne, of Fahee, Kilmacow married on the 24th of July 1907. “They sailed for America, July 31at, 1907” (DD Notebook 2, Diary of James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore).
Mary Frehne (1 Dec. 1880-18 June 1913) was the daughter of James W. Freyne (1841-1884) and Alice Ryan Freyne Mackey (1848-1920). See, our post of 12 Dec. 2021 regarding manslaughter of James Freyne at Christmastime 1884.
In September 1911, John Heffernan (29), his wife Mary (29), daughter Frances (2); and his brother Richard Heffernan (22) sailed on the Carmania. From the record it appears that John was returning to Chicago, “resident returning 120 D. Anseley Ave. Chicago, Illinois.” John was described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, fair complexion, fair hair, with blue eyes. Mary and Frances are listed in the 1911 Census living with her brother James Frehne in Mullinavat. It is likely that John, Mary and Frances came home in 1911 and returned to Chicago with Richard Heffernan..
In 1912 the couple had a son Michael Raymond Heffernan (1912-29 March 1927). Shortly after Raymond’s birth Mary died in June 1913 at the Heffernan house in Aylwardstown of T.B. John left his children Frances and Raymond with his parents. He returned to Chicago to work. John married his second wife, Florence, née Populorum sometime about 1920. The couple had four daughters. In 1925, John brought his second family home, and at the age of 15 Raymond returned to Chicago via Canada with his father, step-mother and sisters. The family resided at 930 Mapleton Ave., Oak Park, IL. Raymond died tragically in 1927 per Danny Dowling’s notes Raymond was struck by a car.
[3] James Heffernan (10 July 1882-2 Aug. 1912) according to his death cert worked as a draper’s assistant. He never married and was being treated for heart disease for 18 months before his death. His sister Mary O’Connor, of Ballyfacey, was present when he died just 5 weeks after his sister-in-law Mary died.
[4] Peter Heffernan (31 Dec. 1883—17 Aug. 1966) married Margaret Quinn in 1920 and became a Garda rising to the rank of Garda Superintendent prior to his retirement in 1944. The couple had children.
[5] Mary Heffernan (9 May 1885-1 Sept. 1936). Mary married Patrick O’Connor (1883-1937) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. The couple had a large family.
[6] Alice Heffernan (21 Nov. 1886—28 Nov. 1972) Alice married Edward “Ned” Roche (c. 1888-1969) farmer, of Rathinure. There were 8 or 9 children in this family.
[7] Thomas Heffernan (1888-1965) married into the Murphy farm of Kearneybay when he married on 28 April 1915, Catherine “Kate” Murphy (c. 1887 – 1961). The couple had several children.
[8] Richard Heffernan (6 June 1889*—4 Jan. 1947) immigrated to the US with his brother John in 1911. Richard was described as being 5 foot 7 inches tall, with a fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes. Richard served in the US Army during WWI. He was home in June 1919 (in uniform) for his brother’s ordination. Richard married Marie Elizabeth King (1896-1966) on 15 October 1920 in Illinois. The couple had 6 children. *On some US records his year of birth is listed as 1893, but the Glenmore Parish records lists his date of birth as 6 June 1889 and his date of baptismal as 7 June 1889.
The 1930 US Census records that Richard was 41, his wife Marie E. was 34 years of age and had been born in Illinois. Richard immigrated in 1911 and in 1930 was working as a produce salesman. His brother Stephen Heffernan was living with them (age 32) having immigrated in 1926. In 1930, Richard and Marie had six children between the ages of 8 years and 5 months.
[9] Michael Heffernan (b. 7 Oct. 1890) was living in Kilkenny City when his brother Peter Heffernan retired in Feb. 1944. Michael Heffernan was married and was an undertaker. Although we were unable to discover the name of his wife we did locate an advertisement in the Kilkenny People (Sat. 11 June 1921, p. 9) “Michael Heffernan for cabinet making, upholstering, and French polishing, also Funeral Undertaking, at 6 Lower John St., (gate entrance) Kilkenny.”
[Editor’s update–17 Oct. Special thanks to Patty Lee Brown who found the marriage license for Michael Heffernan and shared it. On 11 February 1918 Michael (cabinet maker) of Michael St. Kilkenny married Teresa Byrne (nurse) of Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Michael was the son of Michael Heffernan (farmer) and Teresa was the daughter of Michael Bryne (farmer). The couple were married at St. John’s of Kilkenny City. The witnesses were Andrew Heffernan and Alice Byrne.]
[10] Bridget Heffernan (b. 22 May 1892)
[11] Andrew Heffernan (20 Nov. 1893—7 Sept. 1975). He married Bridget Roche (c. 1897-1987). Bridget Heffernan née Roche was a sister of Edward “Neddy” Roche who married Andrew’s sister Alice Roche née Heffernan. Andrew farmed the home farm and after he retired he and Bridget moved to Rochestown to their youngest daughter Mary Aylward.
[12] William Heffernan (26 March 1895-17 Oct. 1973) became a priest and spent 50 years working in Australia.
[13] Nicholas Heffernan (27 June 1896) per his mother’s obituary in 1947 was living in London. According to the Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007, Nicholas died aged 88 in July 1984. He is buried in Middlesex.
[14] Stephen Heffernan (15 Jan. 1898—Oct. 1977) emigrated to Chicago in 1926. In the 1930 Census he was living with his brother Richard and family. Stephen was working in the building trades. He married Agnes Kiely, and the couple had two daughters. According to his obit in the Chicago Tribune he was survived by his brother Nicholas Heffernan in England. See our guest author Brian Forristal for further information regarding Stephen’s activities during the Irish War of Independence.
Mon. Heffernan’s Work in Australia
Very little could be found regarding Mon. William Heffernan’s early work in Australia. Luckily, from the Australian, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980 we know that in 1934 Fr. Wm. Heffernan was living in Boolaroo, Hunter, New South Wales, Australia. We found a second entry which indicates that in 1949, he was living at 33 Oxford St., Epping, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.
The address 33 Oxford Street, Epping is the location of Our Lady Help of Christians, Epping. Our Lady Help of Christians was established on 15 June 1916, and the parish celebrated its centenary in 2016.
A triptych centenary cake records that Fr. W. Heffernan was Parish Priest from 1948-1973. From the dates provided on the cake it appears that Fr. Heffernan was their longest serving parish priest. During his 25 year assignment to this parish it grew substantially.
A year after Fr. Heffernan became the Parish Priest the parish had 920 parishioners. In 1956, the new primary school building opened with 337 pupils and an extension was added to the school in 1967. Extensions were added to the Church in 1969. The school continued to grow requiring a 2 storey extension in 1972 when pupils numbered 505. See, Sisters of Mercy, Parramatta, webpage (5 Aug. 2016) Parramatta was founded by the Sisters of Callan, Kilkenny, Ireland.
Death
Fr. William Heffernan died as he apparently lived—quietly. His death notice was just a couple of lines. He is buried in Macquarie Park, Sydney. Unfortunately, the transcription of his grave marker incorrectly lists that he died in January 1973 instead of October 1973 (Sydney, Australia, Cemetery Headstone Transcriptions, 1837-2003).
The inscription includes:
“Very Rev. Monsignor, P.C., P.P. Our Lady of Help of Christians, Epping. B. Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny 26 Apr. 1895. Ordained St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny 8 June 1919.”
XXXXXXXX
Several full obituaries for the Heffernan family can be found on our H Surname Page.
The feature photo above was taken in June 1919 at William’s ordination. He is seated between his parents and several of his siblings and their spouses are behind him. The children are his nieces and nephew including Raymond. Michael Heffernan, late of Marian Park, Waterford gave me a copy of this photo.
The photo of the parish church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Epping, NSW, Australia is courtesy of the Epping Civic Trust.
Please send any corrections, further information or photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Special thanks to Kerry who sent the exact dates of death of John Heffernan and his son Raymond.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Sportsman: Bill Irish (1899-1976) Native of Aylwardstown [Updated]
Today, we are going to feature a Glenmore sportsman who played both hurling and football at club and county level. Unfortunately, Bill’s sporting days were tragically cut short when he was attacked and injured during a pitch invasion. Bill won a county junior football title with Glenmore in 1919 and went on to win senior football titles in 1921, 1922 and 1923. He was a member of the Glenmore-Kilmacow combined team that won the 1923 junior county hurling title.
The Irish Family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
William “Bill” Irish was baptized at Glenmore on 11 November 1899. He was the son of Robert “Robin” Irish (1838-1908) (farmer) and his wife Margaret Ribby (sic) (1861-1917) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore. His godparents were John Heffernan and Kate Ribby (sic). Robert Irish did not register his son’s birth until the 8th of May 1900. There was a fine for failing to register, or for failing to register a birth within three months. In order to avoid the fine for registering a late birth it appears that Robert recorded Bill’s birth as 11 February 1900 although we know he was born on or before 11 November 1899 from the baptismal record.
While still in his teens Bill and his siblings were orphaned. Their father died in 1908 (the death register records his first name as Robin) and their mother died in 1917 of TB. The 1901 and 1911 censuses reveal that Bill’s uncle, Thomas Irish (1844-1928) resided with the family in Aylwardstown. Tommy Irish, a bachelor, at the age of 57 took the plunge and married a widow Ellen Roche née Kennedy, of Rathinure on 18 July 1901. This apparently unhappy union may be the subject of a future blog post.
Bill’s Parents and Siblings
Robert “Robin” Irish (1838-1908) and Margaret Rigby (1861-1917) were married on 22 November 1893 at Slieverue. The witnesses to the wedding were Peter Kennedy and Bridget Rigby. The couple had at least six children: John Irish (b. 1894); Mary “Mollie” Irish Doherty (b. 1896); Monsignor Michael Irish (b. 1897); William Irish (b. 1899); James “Skinner” Irish (b. 1902) and Patrick Irish (b. 1905).
Bill’s Grandparents
Bill’s paternal grandparents were John Irish, of Aylwardstown and Mary Irish née Irish, of Nicholastown, Slieverue. Bill’s paternal grandparents were married at Slieverue on 28 February 1832.
On the other side, Bill’s maternal grandparents were William Rigby, of Ballincrea, Slieverue and Bridget Hartley, of Busherstown, Glenmore. His maternal grandparents were married on 23 February 1857 at Glenmore.
Glenmore Football
Middle Row: Bill Irish, Richard Duggan (Flemingstown), Bill Hartley (Captain)(Busherstown), Willie Walsh, Jim Freyne (Kilbride).
Front Row: Tommy Fitzgerald (Moulerstown), Tom Conway, Mikie Murphy, Willie Hartley.
Bill won a county junior football title with Glenmore in 1919, as well as senior championships in 1921, 1922 and 1923. Men on the Glenmore team included: Martin, Paddy and Michael Cody, Weatherstown; Jimmy, Dick and Pat Hanrahan, Glenmore; Andy and Stephen Hefferenan, Aylwardstown; Jim and Johnny Phelan, Clonassey, Mullinavat; Mick Connolly and Peter Kirwan, Knockbrack; John Doherty, Davidstown; Ned Freyne, Ballyfacey; Paddy Murphy, Ballyveria; John Mullins, Flemingstown; and Ned Roche, Rathnure (sic) (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Oct. 1976, p. 10).
Bill was also a member of the Kilkenny team that lost to Dublin in the Leinster senior football final at Croke Park in November 1922. This Dublin team went on to beat Kerry in the all-Ireland final. See our previous post of 4 December 2022 detailing the Leinster final, and the fact that this Dublin team went on to beat Kerry in the all-Ireland final. The other players on the Kilkenny team included: Martin Cody (captain), Andy Heffernan, Pat Hartley, Jim Phelan, Bill Irish, John Fitzgerald, Mick Connolly, Paddy Cody, Jimmy Hanrahan (Glenmore); Pat Dalton, goal (Knocktopher), Tom Brennan, Frank Hughes, Andy Brennan (Cloneen), J. McKenna and Wattie Landy (Cotterstown) (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Oct. 1976, p. 10).
Glenmore Hurling
In the early part of the 20th century Glenmore was known for its football teams. Although a good football player, Bill Irish was described as being “equally adept at hurling.”
For the 1923 hurling season Glenmore amalgamated with Kilmacow and Bill Irish was the captain of the united team. The other Glenmore players included: Jimmy Hanrahan; Jimmy Fitzgerald, Martin Cody, of Weatherstown; Jimmy, P. & John Murphy, of Ballyveria. The Kilmacow players included: D. Rockett, Jim Quinn, Tom Williams, Tommy O’Neill, Luke Phelan, Peter Phelan, Jimmy Cleere (goal), and Paddy “Bagger” Grant.
The Glenmore-Kilmacow team fought their way to the 1923 junior hurling championship final that was played in 1924. The “southern combination” were the underdogs going into the championship match against Dicksboro, a Kilkenny City based GAA club that formed in 1909. However, the united Glenmore-Kilmacow team “gave a most determined performance, surprising their more fancied rivals and emerged worthy winners of a great game.” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 1 Sept. 1967, p. 7).
Such was the surprise at the result it was dubbed the surprise of the century, and a challenge was issued by Dicksboro. The teams met in the same venue, St. James’s Park in Kilkenny, and the winners were to receive a “beautiful set of medals.” The Glenmore-Kilmacow team journeyed to Kilkenny City and played Dicksboro again and defeated Dicksboro again.
According to a Kilkenny newspaper, published 40 years later, the game was unfinished owing to a disputed score and Glenmore-Kilmacow who were leading at the time were awarded the match (Kilkenny People, Fri. 1 Sept. 1967, p. 7). Other accounts relate that disgruntled Dicksboro supporters invaded the pitch and one supporter attacked the Glenmore-Kilmacow Captain, Bill Irish (Kilkenny People, Fri 22 Oct. 1976, p. 10).
The Injury
According to the account in Bill’s obituary the invasion of the pitch occurred when there was a stoppage of play. Bill was “knocked out completely by a kick in the stomach, which troubled him for years subsequently and ended his playing career,” at the age of 25 (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Oct. 1976, p. 10).
The Munster Express reported on Bill’s injury and subsequent 2 day hospitalisation as follows:
Gaels throughout the County in general, and especially in the southern division, will regret very much the injury to Bill Irish, Glenmore’s popular player, on Sunday last in the match against Dicksboro at St. James’s Park. One of the outstanding Gaels of the county either on the hurling or football field, the many followers of the game will wish him a speedy recovery and hope he may soon be capable of donning the popular colours again. He was able to leave the Infirmary for home on Tuesday last.
We learn that he has made good progress towards recovery from the effects of the occurrence. He was one of the Kilkenny men selected to represent Leinster in football in the forthcoming Tailteann trials (Munster Express, Sat. 31 May 1924, p. 5).
Given the severity of the injury it is surmised that the kick landed lower than Bill’s stomach and the newspaper account of the time was being polite in its description. [Update 24 Feb. 2023: Given that Bill is found in team photos of the 1925 and 1929 Glenmore football teams it appears that Bill continued to play at least football after his injury.]
The Medals
In August 1924, after repeated requests for the medals made to Mr. E. Purcell, Mr. M. Heffernan, Glenmore wrote to the Kilkenny County GAA Committee raising the issue. He attached the agreement that had been entered into by the two teams.
Heffernan wrote, “I hope the scrapping of such an agreement will not be tolerated. I would have brought the matter up sooner but I could get no definite answer from Mr. Purcell. I now learn he intends putting the medals up for another object.” In addition to withholding the medals, Heffernan noted that “Dicksboro played five of their senior players, which was contrary to the conditions in the agreement. The referee awarded the match to Glenmore. I cannot understand why Glenmore were not given the medals long ago.”
The enclosed agreement stated that the winners were to be given a set of medals and Glenmore to receive £5 towards travelling expenses. Heffernan did not raise the issue of the £5 in his letter, so it must be assumed that Dicksboro at least honoured that commitment.
The Chairman of the Committee stated, “The rule is that trophies for a friendly tournament must be deposited with the country secretary, and that rule was not enforced in this case.” He stated that he would ask the Secretary to write to Dicksboro and ask for the trophies to be deposited and the committee would deal with the issue at the next meeting (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 6 Sept. 1924, p. 6).
After Sports
Bill Irish purchased a farm in the townland of Melville, Mullinavat and married Mary Ennett, of Cappagh, Glenmore. The couple had at least 5 children including: John Irish, Bobby Irish, Marie Irish Fleming, Kathleen Irish Francis and Margaret Irish Easden.
Bill died in October 1976 and his enthusiasm for Gaelic sports did not wane after his pre-mature retirement due to the injury he suffered during the pitch invasion in 1924. It was reported that the day before he died Bill attended a National League hurling game between Cork and Kilkenny in Cork. Bill’s full obituary can be accessed on our obituary page by clicking here.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos of Bill Irish to glenmore,history@gmail.com.
For further information concerning Glenmore and other Kilkenny hurling and football teams see, The Kilkenny GAA Bible (2028) compiled by Gerry O’Neill.
The featured team photo above is the Kilkenny Jr. Hurling Team of 1922 (Freeman’s Journal, 16 Oct. 1922, p. 3.)
[Update 7 Feb. 2023: Special thanks to Patty Brown and Ann Fitzgerald for supplying Margaret Rigby Irish’s date of birth. We are attempting to verify details concerning Mary Irish through her great-granddaughter who is 93 years of age.]
[Update 15 Feb. 2023: Special thanks to Noeleen Fogarty née Hennessey for sharing a photo of Bill Irish.]
[Update 24 Feb. 2023: Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sending on two team photos and more importantly for identifying each team members.]
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Footballers (Unbeaten Champions 1914 – 1925). [1925 on football in photo]
Back Row: James Vereker (Davidstown), Jim Murphy, William Irish, Pat Hartley, Andy Heffernan, Richard Hanrahan.
Next Row: Mick Heffernan, John Fitzgerald, John Doherty, Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Connolly, Peter Kirwan, Paddy Cody, James Dunphy.
Next Row: Stephen Heffernan, James Fitzgerald, Martin Cody (Captain), Fr. Richard Vereker, John Phelan, Bill Hartley (Busherstown).
Front Row: Jim Hanrahan, John Mullins, Mick Cody, Paddy Murphy.
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
Glenmore Ploughing January 1959
Previously in our blog post of 7 March 2021 we highlighted the establishment of the Glenmore Ploughing Association in 1938. Today, we are going to feature three ploughing events that took place in County Kilkenny in January 1959 and the Glenmore men and woman who organised or competed in these events. Although tractors had been available for some time in 1959 the hydraulics were limited to lifting the plough, no power steering, no cabs and no heaters for cold January days. The featured photo is the committee responsible for the competition at Glenmore and are identified in the newspaper photo as: front row, left to right J. Kelly; J. Culleton; P. Fitzgerald; M. Heffernan; W. Grace; and N. Mullins. Back row, left to right—J. Doherty; P. Hynes; T. Aylward; P. Roche; J. Irish; M. Fitzgerald; M. Kirwan; S. Barron; and J. Freyne. The two men in the front row to the far right were not identified. (Munster Express, Fri. 23 Jan. 1959, p. 8).
County Kilkenny Macra na Feirne Ploughing Competition—17 January 1959
Not much was published in the newspapers concerning this event, but it was reported that Thomas Mullally, of Davidstown, Glenmore, was the winner of the Kilkenny Macra na Feirme Ploughing competition at the Racecourse held on Saturday, 17 January 1959. Sixteen entries were received for the competition (Munster Express, Fri. 23 Jan. 1959, p. 8).
County Kilkenny Ploughing Championship, 20 January 1959
The County Ploughing Championship was held in Aylwardstown, Glenmore on the fields of Michael Fitzgerald and James Fitzgerald and Michael Heffernan, of Kearney Bay and James Kelly, of Aylwardstown were the honourable secretaries (Munster Express, Fri. 9 Jan. 1959, p. 5). The advert to the right also provides details concerning the classes as well as entries could be made by phone to “Glenmore 5.” On the appointed day Mr. P. Doyle, Mooncoin, “brought off a treble” when he won the senior title and was awarded the Smithwick and Glenmore Ploughing Association Cups. M. Muldowney, of Kilkenny, was second and Richard Mullally, of Davidstown, Glenmore, the former all Ireland Champion, third (Munster Express, Fri. 23 Jan. 1959, p. 1). There were 36 competitors in the County Championship and Thomas Ryan, of Glenmore came in third in the Novice class while Joseph Walsh (c. 1913-1980) of Rochestown, Glenmore tied for third in the senior horse class with P. Murphy of Piltown. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 23 Jan. 1959, p. 10).
National Ploughing Championship—28-29 January 1959
The two-day National Ploughing Championship as held at Burnchurch, Co. Kilkenny at the end of January 1959. Over 200 entries were received and notwithstanding the fact that there was a heavy snowfall and frost the site of the match was declared “ideal” by contestants (The Cork Examiner, 29 January 1959, p. 8). Glenmore members of the national committee included J. Kelly and T. Mulllly (Irish Independent, 27 Jan. 1959, p. 5).
It was noted prior to the competition that Peggy Mullally, of Davidstown, Glenmore, was the reigning “Queen of the Plough” but she faced stern competition from leading “farmerettes” from several counties (Irish Independent, Wed. 28 Jan. 1959, p. 9). Successful Glenmorians included: Thomas Mullally, of Davidstown, who came in third in the Individual, three furrow class while his sister Peggy Mullally was second in the “Farmerettes’ class” (Irish Independent, Fri. 30 Jan. 1959, p. 4).
Although baking competitions are often found in modern farm shows and ploughing championships, in 1958 wholemeal bread baking competition was introduced at the National Ploughing Championship with a milling twist. Competitors were supplied with a quantity of Irish wheat that the competitor had to grind it in a small mill then bake their bread in electric ovens. This competition continued in 1959 and was sponsored by the National Ploughing Association, the ESB and the Department of Education. (Farmer’s Journal, Sat. 24 Jan 1959, p. 33).
The photo of Joseph Walsh, Richard Mullally and Thomas Mullally were all taken at the County Championship held at Aylwardstown Glenmore on 20 January 1959. All three photos were taken by photographer (c) Simon J. Farrell and appeared in the Munster Express (Fri. 30 Jan. 1959, p. 5).
Special thanks to Michael Hoynes for sharing the group photo of the Committee above. Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh