Ballyverneen Glenmore
now browsing by tag
Third Glenmore Gold Sign
Glenmore History in partnership with Glenmore Tidy Towns posted a few Glenmore historical signs around the village and parish earlier this spring and summer. Today, we are going to feature the Glenmore Gold Sign posted to provide information on the Ballyverneen, Glenmore Brick Works. The Gold Sign is on a tree along the road to the Pink Rock overlooking some of the fields of Ballyverneen located adjacent to the River Barrow. This area was bisected by the railway and was once a hive of industrial activity with several brick pits. For readers who cannot visit the area see below…
Contents of the Third Glenmore Gold Sign
Brickmaking in Glenmore took place in the Ballyverneen marshes during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, if you look out across the marshes you can observe areas where water stands with little vegetation growing in or under the water. These are some of the pits from the old brick works. Brickmaking was a seasonal industry. Preparations began in March or early April depending on the weather. To prepare the site vegetation was removed, as well as the top soil. Water was then pumped out of the cut. A gang of 10 to 12 men would then begin the labour, intensive job of making bricks from the clay. On average 3,000 bricks per day were made. The bricks were burned for five days in clamps built near the Glenmore pill to allow the finished bricks to be placed on boats for transportation. The last clamp of the brick making season was usually burned from the 10th to 15th of August and allowed the gang to take part in the harvest.
Several local families operated brick works. The last men operating brick works on the Ballyverneen Marshes were Thomas and William Forristal of Ballyverneen. They ceased operations in 1899 when work began on the railway link between New Ross and Waterford. The railway line crossed the marches over the best mud deposits. After the railway was complete both men in 1907 attempted to return to brickmaking. Both ceased by 1910.
For details regarding local families, wages, the process and workers see, Danny Dowling, “Glenmore Brickyards: A Forgotten Industry,” (1974) Old Kilkenny Review, pp. 42-51.
*****************
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
For more information on Ballyverneen, Glenmore see our post of 21 April 2022.
The Building of a Railway Through Glenmore
The biggest change in Glenmore during the early years of the twentieth century was the building of the New Ross to Waterford railway line. We have previously published several posts concerning the railway and the posts are listed at the end. Today, we are going to highlight the set backs encountered by the railway itself, the recorded feelings of New Ross leaders toward the project and the published list of proposed compensation to people in the path of the line from Rosbercon to Ballyverneen, Glenmore..
The Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway [hereinafter DW&W] incorporated in 1846. In 1876 it purchased the line from Macmine to Ballywilliam and built the line from Palace Junction to New Ross. The New Ross branch opened for traffic in 1887. That same year efforts were made to extend to Waterford. This was never carried out and the enabling Act expired through lapse of time. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 Dec. 1897, p. 2). For a concise history of Wexford railways see, Oliver Doyle, “Tracking Wexford’s Railway History” Irish Independent, 21 April 2015.
New Ross Against the Railway Extension
In 1897, the DW & W again sought an Act of Parliament to extend its line to Waterford. The New Ross Town Commissioners and New Ross Harbour Board both opposed the proposed extension to Waterford. The railway pointed out that opposing the line only helped the Fishguard and Rosslare extension which would choke the port of New Ross. In the opinion of the Town Commissioners the extension line from Rosbercon to Waterford would be more damaging to New Ross than the other line would be (New Ross Standard, Sat. 13 Feb. 1897, p. 2).
Unfortunately, the New Ross newspaper did not print any articles concerning how the people of Rosbercon and Glenmore felt about the extension through their parishes. The Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford Railway (New Ross and Waterford Extension) Act 1897 was passed into law on 6 August 1897 and the company estimated that it would require capital of £200,000 to build the extension (New Ross Standard, Sat. 18 Dec. 1897, p. 2).
Funding Difficulties
Although the Act was passed through Parliament the funding did not follow. In December 1897, it was agreed by the stockholders of the DW & W that the building of the extension line was to be a joint undertaking with the Waterford, Limerick and Western Company. Shortly, after the agreement the Waterford Company’s lines were amalgamation with the Great Southern and Western Company. After the withdrawal of support from the Waterford and Limerick Company the DW&W decided to proceed with no partners in the building of the extension (New Ross Standard, Sat. 22 July 1899, p. 8) through the issuance and sale of stocks.
It was reported in the New Ross Standard, in February 1899 that “[f]or the past six months there was not much talk in New Ross concerning the projected railways in the neighbourhood. The general opinion was that the South Wexford railway would be built sometime, but the New Ross to Waterford extension was never going to be constructed. This gave Rossonians time to breath, as the prospect of having their river barred, and about half their trade diverted from them was not a pleasant thing to look forward to. But of late Ross is again threatened with being made a by-way…the building of both lines will soon be commenced, and the line that was considered as all but dead and buried, is perhaps the first to be constructed” (New Ross Standard, Sat. 11 Feb. 1899, p. 4).
Official sources revealed that the promotors of the DW&W secured the necessary cash and construction was to commence in a couple of months. Two engineers were busy making preparations for the work (New Ross Standard, Sat. 11 Feb. 1899, p. 4).
An editorial published later in February 1899 addressed the continued decline in the trade of Ross. “It is to a great extent traceable to the difficulty of obtaining building leases. The Ross people are business people, but instead of being facilitated in enterprise, they are often cramped. Of course it was only human to expect that after Colonel Tottenham was rejected for the borough of Ross he (as its head landlord) would not go out of his way to help its people…Of course Colonel Tottenham would persist in refusing long term leases, those who would have in view certain enterprises might easily get building ground at the other side of the river, and when the railway extension is made to Waterford, a factory in Rosbercon could have splendid rail and water facilities” (New Ross Standard, Sat. 25 Feb. 1899, p. 4).
Building Commenced Without Ceremony
In late July it was announced that the construction of the New Ross to Waterford Extension was to commence in August 1899. Lists of the sums of compensation proposed to be allowed landlords and tenants for acquiring their lands for the railroad were issued. The newspaper published the list for the portion of the line between Rosbercon and Ballyvergin (sic) [Ballyverneen]. It was noted that the landlords are the “best off” and the tenants were not getting what they expected. The newspaper predicted lawsuits (New Ross Standard, Sat. 29 July 1899, p. 5).
The building of the extension commenced at the New Ross end during the week of 20 August 1899. Active preparation had been in progress for over a month and on the 25th two gangs of navvies were put to work at Rosbercon and Raheen. “The contractors…had nothing in the nature of a ceremony attaching to the digging of the first sod”(New Ross Standard, Sat. 26 Aug. 1899, p. 4).
It was assumed that the contractors, Pearson and Co., would complete the extension line and have it ready for traffic by the end of two years. It was noted that its construction would provide much needed employment in the district” (New Ross Standard, Sat. 26 Aug. 1899, p. 4).
The newspaper stated its belief that the completion of the “missing link” at Macmine junction would allow trains from Dublin to Waterford without shifting. Another anticipated improvement was the erection of a “more respectable” station house at New Ross ”(New Ross Standard, Sat. 26 Aug. 1899, p. 4).
“Mr. Hobson, an eminent engineer, is the gentleman entrusted by the contractors with the supervision of the building of the New Ross Extension Railway line. Mr. Hobson will reside at Airmount House, New Ross, until the line is constructed. There are now over a dozen gangs of navvies engaged, comprising in all about 400 men. Satisfactory to say, three-fourths of the workmen are local, so that there are no labourers in New Ross District idle who wish to work” (New Ross Standard, Sat. 16 Sept. 1899, p. 4).
Railway Compensation—Rosbercon to Ballyverneen, Glenmore List
The New Ross newspaper published the compensation list for the extension from Rosbercon to Ballyverneen, Glenmore. From the fact that the adjudicator who heard the claims sat in New Ross and Waterford it appears that jurisdiction was based on the Poor Law Union division. In other words, the eastern edge of Glenmore parish was in the New Ross Poor Law District and the rest of Glenmore parish was in the Waterford Poor Law District. We have divided the list between landlords and tenants, but we believe that the list was not exhaustive.
Landlords
[1] Major Guilburne, in respect of property in Rosbercon, to receive £? 10s. [not legible]
[2] Colonel Tottenham, to receive £220.
[3] Captain Glascott, to receive about £202.
[4] Mr. Thomas Boyd, Chilcomb House, was offered the “nice sum of somewhere about £460 out of different lands.
[5] John T. Tottenham “got a good sum.”
[6] Dr. Mackey [landlord of Graiguenakill, Glenmore] to receive about £220 out of different lands
Tenants
[1] Mrs. Mary Anne Kenny, to receive £136, her rent was to be extinguished.
[2] James Shea to get £7 5s 10d; his rent was to be reduced by 25s 6d.
[3] P. Dooley, for different lands in Raheen, was offered $99 16s 8d, and a rent to be reduced to £8 4s 4d.
[4] Representatives of Edward Doolan, Shanbough to receive £36 odd, and a rent reduction of £2 7s;
[5] Mr. John Mullally, Forristalstown, [Glenmore] was offered £19 8s, and a rent reduction of 13s 10d.
[6] Mr. James Cullen to get £14 19s and a rent reduction of £1 13s 2d;
[7] Mr. John Doherty (Ned) was offered £25 and a rent reduction of £2 9s 4d.
[8] William Forristal, Ballyverneen, was offered £101 7s 6d, with a rent reduction of £3 19s 8d.
[9] Ellen Dunphy, Ballyverneen, was offered £13 17s and a rent reduction of 14s 2d.
[10] Mr Patrick Forristal, Ballyverneen, [believe this was Nicky the Miller’s father] was offered £42, and a rent reduction of £3 17s.
[11] Mr. Richard Dunphy, Ballyverneen, was asked to accept £22 16s 8d, and a rent reduction of 28s 10d.
In a future post we will provide the claims brought by these people and others to arbitration for the damages suffered by the building of the extension line through their fields, haggards and sometimes their homes.
For further information see our previous posts:
[1] Post of 2 Feb. 2020, “Glenmore and the New Ross to Waterford Railway Line”
[2] Post of 10 Oct. 2021, “A Glenmore Fire & the ‘Hell Fire Jack’ Steam Engine”
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Ballyverneen, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Ballyverneen around 1961. The Irish for this townland is Baile uí Bheirnín, and Danny recorded that there was a settlement, or area in Ballyverneen, called Bearstown. We located one headstone in the cemetery adjacent to St. James that has the following transcription, “Erected by Richard Dunphy, of Bearstown, in memory of his father James Dunphy who departed this life 10th August 1841, aged 65 years.” We also found Bearstown recorded on the Ordinance Survey Maps (Between 1829 and 1842 the first large scale survey of Ireland was completed. OSI historical maps and information are available to view at Ordinance Survey Ireland. For other links to old maps click on our useful links button on our homepage.) It was only with the building of the New Ross to Waterford railway at the beginning of the 20th century that brick making in Ballyverneen ended.
Danny recorded eight families or households in Ballyverneen as well as a group of men who were dredging the river. Further information concerning the dredging operations is below. 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. The recorded information reveals that 43 people resided in Ballyverneen with the population of 24 males and 19 females. If the visiting dredgers are removed from the population there were 37 people residing in Ballyverneen (18 males & 19 females). The largest family recorded was the Forristal/O’Dwyer family comprised of eight persons and there were two households of a single person.
Recorded Residents
Males=24
Females=19
Eldest Recorded Resident= Laurence “Larry” Forristal(b. 11 Dec. 1886. Death register reveals that he died on the 27th June 1963.) Thus Laurence was 74 in 1961.
Recorded Work
Farmers= 2 (both males)
Farm/Agricultural Workers= 4 (all males)
Labourer= 6 (all males)
Carpenter= 1 (male)
Bookkeeper= 1 (female)
Domestic Servant = 1 (female)
Dredge workers= 6 (all males)
BALLYVERNEEN RESIDENTS
[1] LINEGAR
Linegar, James (b. 19 May 1889) General Labourer (died but date of death not recorded)
Linegar, Annie (b. 1912) wife
Cass, Martin, step-son, General Labourer, (note moved to Aylwardstown)
Linegar, Kathleen, daughter, domestic servant
Linegar, Anne, daughter
Linegar, Josie, daughter
Linegar, Christopher, son
[2] DOOLAN
Doolan, Patrick (b. 1919) Co. Council Labourer
Doolan, Annie (b.1929) wife [known locally as Nancy]
Doolan, Mary, daughter
Doolan, Edward, son
Forristal, Mary (10 May 1896) mother-in-law [This Forristal family was known locally as the Civil Forristals.]
[3] KENNEDY
Kennedy, John (b. 1926) Carpenter
Kennedy, Margaret (b. 1934) wife
Kennedy, Patrick, son
Kennedy, Nora, daughter
Kennedy, Daniel, son
[4] DUNPHY
Dunphy, Ellen (b. 4 June 1898) Farmer
Dunphy, Seamus (b. 1927) son, farm
Dunphy, Margaret, daughter, bookkeeper [known as Maudie Dunphy & worked in Glenmore Creamery]
Dunphy, Mary, daughter [known as May Dunphy}
Dunphy, Richard, son, farm
[5] FORRISTAL
Forristal, Patrick (b. 28 Sept. 1898) Farmer
Forristal, Kate (b. 15 Aug. 1895) wife
O’Dwyer, Denis, son-in-law, farm
O’Dwyer, Margaret, daughter
O’Dwyer, John, grandson
O’Dwyer, Moyra, granddaughter
O’Dwyer, Kay, granddaughter
O’Dwyer, Margaret, granddaughter
[6] DUNPHY
Dunphy, Mary (b. 11 July 1915)
Dunphy, Thomas, son, farm worker (recorded that he moved to England)
Dunphy, Bridget, daughter
Dunphy, Michael, son
Forristal, Laurence (b. 11 Dec. 1886) uncle, labourer (noted that he died, no date given in notebook. The death register records his date of date as 27 June 1963 ) [Larry Forristal was Nicky “the Miller” Forristal’s brother.]
[7] WALSH
Walsh, Michael (b. 1918) general labourer [locally known as Mick the Weaver.]
[8] DUNPHY
Dunphy, Richard (b. 5 July 1893) retired labourer
[9] DREDGE WORKERS
Robson, Richard Ernest (b. 1901) Skipper dredge boat
Davies, Thomas H. (b.1903) dredge worker
Johnston, Kenneth R. (b.1924) dredge worker
Matthews, Richard A. (b. 1906) dredge worker
Owen, William I. (b. 1923) dredge worker
Ethington, Fred, dredge worker
Dredging at the Pink Rock
The New Ross Standard (Fri. 17 March 1961, p. 12) reported that in an effort to improve the condition of the River Barrow to allow larger ships to enter New Ross, the New Ross Harbouor Commissioners hired a dredge from a firm in Milford Haven. The dredge, named the “Basingstroke,” arrived on the 12th of March and began working. It dredged the Kilkenny bank channel at the Pink Rock and was to remove 30,000 tons. It was reported that the dredge had an output of about one hundred tons per hour and had capacity for about four hundred tons. A crew of seven operated the dredge including John Culleton “whose parents live in the Ballymitty area.”
The dredging “on the Red Bank at the Pink Rock” was completed in mid-August with a “considerable portion of the toe of the dangerous sand bank which curtailed the length and draught of ships entering the port has been removed.” The dredger removed 24,000 cubic yards of material at a total cost of £6,000 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 Aug. 1961 p. 12).
We hope that you have enjoyed or found this snapshot of Ballyverneen interesting and over the coming weeks we will feature the residents of other townlands from Danny’s notebook. The featured photo above is the railway underpass on the Ballyverneen road to the Pink Rock [known locally as the “County Road Bridge”. ]
Please send any corrections, additional information, or queries to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Thanks to all the readers who have provided additional information and we will continue to update as more information is provided.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Police Blotter: A St. Stephen’s Night Stabbing in 1864
Glenmore was propelled into the national news in early January 1865 when it was reported that two brothers named Maher, from Glenmore, stabbed and seriously injured Edmond Cody of Ballyverneen, Glenmore. The coverage of the arrest of the defendants provides an interesting glimpse into how the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.) communicated to make arrests in the days before radio and telephone and also how criminal trials were conducted. The various newspapers and the Rosbercon Petty Session records sometimes referred to Edmond as Edward and the name Cody is sometimes spelled Coady. Edmond Cody was the son of Denis Cody and Mary Cody née Dunphy of Ballyverneen, Glenmore and baptized on 22 March 1840. At the conclusion of the coverage of the trial trial we have recorded the family information discovered regarding the victim, a witness and the defendants.
The Assault
Edmond Cody lived within three and a half miles of Ross. He was in New Ross on the 26th of December and was coming home that evening accompanied by several “boys” including his older brother Richard Cody (bapt. 3 May 1835). They delayed some time at Doyle’s house on the road. One newspaper described that some of the group went into the public house to light their pipes. While James and Edmond Cody were waiting outside the Maher brothers came up to the waiting group and sought two people to fight with them. Edmond Cody saw the Maher brothers earlier in the day in Ross, but did not have any words with them. However, when the challenge to fight was not agreed an argument began and Edmond Cody and James Maher began to “wrangle” and wrestle. Edmond Cody was then stabbed twice by a knife.
The Tipperary Free Press published a rather flippant report of the stabbing. It reported that Edmond Cody, of Ballyverneen, was coming from Ross when he was overtaken by an acquaintance named William Maher who wanted to fight. “Cody would not accede to the ‘modest’ request, and Maher stabbed him with a knife in the arm and thigh. Maher has since absconded, and, we understand, Cody is in a rather precarious state.” (Tues. 3 Jan. 1865, p. 3).
The Arrests
On Wednesday the fourth of January at 11 a.m. Sub-Constable, E.J. Brennan, was on detective duty and observed two men walking along the Quay in Wexford. Their appearance struck the constable as suspiciously similar to two men “gibbeted in the Hue-and-Cry.” He continued to observe the men and he noticed that one of them “wanted some of his front teeth”—a circumstance specifically mentioned in the police sheet. The two men, brothers James and William Maher were taken into custody and charged with having “on the 26th December last, at Shanbough (sic) county Kilkenny, assaulted Edmond Coady (sic), of Ballyverneen, by stabbing him with a knife in his arm and thigh, whereby his life is in danger.” The brothers were taken before James C. Moore, Esq., Resident Magistrate, on the same day they were arrested. The deposition of Sub-Constable Brennan was taken and the brothers were ordered to be transported to Rosbercon, to be “brought up” at the next petty sessions. It was reported that the brothers were natives of Glenmore, and James Maher was 23 and William Maher 19 years of age. Unfortunately the townland where the Maher brothers resided was never provided in any newspaper or court record. “It is understood that their intention was to procure a passage for, and proceed to, Liverpool,” from Wexford port (The Wexford Constitution, Sat. 7 Jan. 1865, p. 2).
The Wexford People (Sat. 14 Jan. 1865, p. 5) also covered the arrest of the Maher brothers and noted that Sub-Constable Brennan in several other cases has “given equal proof of ability.” Prior to serving in Wexford, Sub-Constable E.J. Brennan served in Waterford City (Waterford News, Fri. 20 Jan. 1865, p. 4).
The Hue-and-Cry or Police Gazette was the official newspaper of the R.I.C. published in Dublin every Tuesday and Friday and distributed to all R.I.C. stations on the island. It contained reports of crimes and descriptions of persons wanted for crimes. For further information on Hue-and-Cry see, Woodward, “The Police Gazette or Hue-and-Cry Ireland.” The term “hue and cry” heralds back to the early common law when every able bodied man in the hundred (district) was required to give chase and to capture fleeing felons after this alarm was raised.
The Trial
The Maher brothers were sent from Wexford Town where they were arrested on the 4th of January to stand trial at the petty sessions of Rosbercon. On the 14th of January they were brought before the 3 petty session magistrates James C. Murphy, M. Sweetman and Peter Strange. James and William Maher were charged, “that they did at Chilcomb and Shanbough (sic) in the Co. of Kilkenny on the night of the 26th of December 1864 way-lay and assault the complainants—Richard Coady (sic) and Edward Coady, Glenmore or Ballyverneen.” The case was adjourned until the next court date because Edward Cody was unable to attend due to his injuries. (Rosbercon Petty Session Records).
The Magistrate, Peter Strange (c.1802-1872) lived in Aylwardstown House, Glenmore and is buried in Kilivory graveyard. Chilcomb is a reference to Chilcomb House the birthplace of the writer Victor O’Donovan Power (1860-1933) and in 1870 the home of the Boyd family. For a previous post concerning Victor O’Donovan Power (1860-1933) and for a previous post regarding the Boyd family see “The Legend of Biddy Neddy née Cody (1831-1916).”
On 11 February 1865 the stabbing case was again before the Rosbercon Petty Session Court. The names of witnesses included: Richard Coady (sic); Edward Cody, George Rabbit; James Dunphy and Peter Mullens. After hearing the evidence presented by the witnesses the case was sent to Kilkenny City for trial at the next setting of the Assizes. In other words, the magistrates considered the case too serious to be dealt with at the petty sessions.
Most of the information below concerning the trial of the Maher brothers was found in The Kilkenny Moderator (Wed. 8 March 1865, p. 3). Additional information gleaned from other newspapers is inserted with references.
The Kilkenny Spring Assizes for 1865 for criminal cases commenced on Tuesday the 7th of March 1865. The Judges, the Honourable Baron Hughes and the Right Honourable Mr. Justice Fitzgerald arrived in Kilkenny City early on the 7th. At 10 a.m. the Right Honourable Mr. Justice Fitzgerald presided over the City Crown Court and the Honourable Baron Hughes presided over the County Crown Court. Baron Hughes addressed the Grand Jury stating, “I have received from the County Inspector a return of offences committed; and with two exceptions, they present a favourable condition of your county generally. These two exceptions, however, require some observations. In respect to the number of stabbing cases—that is, cases of serious assault, in which the knife has been used, in four cases by one of the parties—in the fifth by two of the parties…That crime is, as far as this circuit is concerned, peculiar to this particular county. It is very much to be regretted that such a course of crime should be thus introduced into this county…and it is a crime …that every judge on the bench [shall] put an end to by inflicting the strongest punishment the law allows in such cases.” He discharged the Grand Jury and proceeded with the criminal trials. The following 12 man or petit jury was sworn: John Murphy, Edward Hunt, John Doyle, Patrick O’Donovan, John Lawlor, William Edge, Jeremiah Nowlan, Matthew Hogan, Richard Blanchfield, Denis Kavanagh, William Nicholson and Edward J. Maher.
The first case heard concerned the stealing of hay. Although the judge informed the jury of the difficulty in identifying hay the jury convicted the defendant of the theft and he was sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour. James Maher and William Maher were tried by the same jury for inflicting grievous bodily harm on Edward Cody on the 26th of December last and they were also indicted for common assault. Both defendants pleaded not guilty and they were not represented. Edward Cody testified that on St. Stephen’s Day he was in Ross and left after six o’clock to go home with six other “boys.” About a mile and a half from Ross he was delayed because some of his companions had gone into a house. The Irish Times (Wed. 8 March 1865, p. 4) wrote that the Cody group stopped at the house of Mrs. Doyle to light their pipes. The Maher brothers came up to the waiting group on the road and began to argue and wrangle with the party. Cody and his friends walked on and the wrangling commenced again and Cody was stabbed on the thigh and left arm. He could not say which of the brothers stabbed him. He reported that he did not see either brother with anything in their hands. Cody made it home and was confined to bed from the stabbing. He admitted that he had “drank a good deal,” but denied having had any dispute with the brothers earlier in the day in Ross.
Richard Cody testified that he was present when his brother was stabbed. When the Maher brothers came up on the road they whistled for some one on the road, threw off their coats and offered to fight any two of the group. He saw William Maher stab his brother. Before the stabbing he heard James Maher ask William Maher to give him his knife. William Maher replied that it was in better hands. Upon seeing his brother stabbed Richard Cody called out that he would have one of their lives and ran to the ditch to get two stones. The Maher brothers then fled. George Rabbit, another of the group waiting outside on the road testified and corroborated the evidence of Richard Cody.
Dr. Mullin testified that he visited Edward Cody on the morning of the 27th February (sic). He found the wound was a very serious one and that Cody was suffering from loss of blood such that his life was in danger. It was evident that the wounds were inflicted by a knife. The Irish Times (Wed. 8 March 1865, p. 4) published that the two severe stab wounds consisted of one “near the groin which exposed the principal blood vessel and the other was in the arm.” The Kilkenny Journal noted that Dr. Mullens, of New Ross, attended Edmond Cody for 14 days (Wed. 8 March 1865, p. 2).
Sub-Constable James Brennan deposed that he arrested the prisoners on Green St. in the town of Wexford on the 4th of January.
Some evidence was given for the defence, but at the time of this trial defendants were not considered competent witnesses and could not testify in their own defence. The Kilkenny Moderator provided little coverage of the defence and stated that the jury without hesitation found the prisoners guilty. Baron Hughes in passing sentence referred to the enormity of the offence, and stated his intention in all such cases to impose the severest penalty. The sentence he imposed of 2 years’ imprisonment with hard labour he considered more severe than penal servitude.
The Kilkenny Journal (Wed. 8 March 1865, p. 2) provided much more information regarding two defence witnesses and statements made by the judge. Thomas Neill testified that while the Mahers were in a house in Rosbercon the Cody’s went into the house and beat the Maher brothers at about 6:30 before the stabbing. The Mahers remained in the house for a considerable time to let the Cody group go home because the Mahers thought they would be beat up.
John Phelan then testified that he saw Edmond Cody strike the Maher’s in a house in Rosbercon. This occurred before the fight on the road where Cody was stabbed. He accompanied the Maher’s part of the way home, but when he saw the Cody’s lying in wait in a ditch to attack them he returned to his own home fearful that they might strike him.
When Baron Hughes summed up, he informed the jury that the man who called for the knife was just as guilty of stabbing as the other who had actually used the weapon. He stated that unless the jury believed that the defendants used the knife in self-defence, the jury should find the defendants guilty. Evidence of the good character of the defendants was then given by two constables. The defendants were described as “well conducted lads, especially William, but James Maher was a little quarrelsome.” After the jury found the defendants guilty the judge said that in sentencing the defendants he was determined to put an end to the use of the knife. If the sentence of two years’ imprisonment with hard labour did not end stabbing and cutting he did not know what would.
Glenmore Families
The Victim Edmond/Edward Cody
As highlighted above Richard and Edmond/Edward Cody were the sons of Denis Cody and Mary Cody née Dunphy (b. 1798). Denis Cody and Mary Duphy (sic) were married at Ballyverneen on 31 January 1826 per the Slieverue parish records. The records also provide that Mary Cody née Dunphy was baptized on 6 December 1798 to Michal Dunfy (sic) and Catherine Murphy. It is believed that her husband, Denis Cody, was the son of Patrick Cody and Alice Cody née Phelan of Milltown and was baptized on 12 September 1792. Griffith’s Valuation (1830) shows that Patrick Cody was a tenant farmer in Milltown, Glenmore.
Denis Cody and Mary Cody née Dunphy had the following known children: [1] Bridget Cody (bapt. 22 Oct. 1828); [2] Mary Cody (bapt. 9 July 1831); [3] Richard Cody (bapt. 11 Feb. 1833); [4] Richard Cody (bapt. 3 May 1835); [5] Ellen Cody (bapt. 19 Dec. 1837); and [6] Edmond Cody (bapt. 22 Mar. 1840). Griffith’s Valuation (1830) of Ballyverneen, Glenmore provides that Denis Cody was a tenant and Richard Dunphy was his landlord.
The Witness George Rabbit
The witness for Edmond Cody named George Rabbit (b. 1839) had an unusual name and was easy to locate. Nicky “the Miller” Forristal in an interview recorded by Danny Dowling on 22 June 1957 listed George Rabbit as a former resident of Ballyverneen (DD Notebook 5). George Rabbit was the son of William Rabbit and Mary Rabbit née Dunphy. William Rabbit and Mary Dunphy were married at Ballyverneen, Glenmore on 20 October 1836. The following children were located for this union: [1] Elizabeth Rabbit (bapt. 16 July 1837) at Ballyverneen; [2] George Rabbit (bapt. 12 May 1839) at Inistiogue, Co. Kilkenny; [3] Stephen Rabbit (bapt 26 Dec. 1941) at Busherstown, Glenmore; [4] Elizabeth Rabbit (bapt 15 Oct. 1843) at Ballyverneen; [5] Mary Rabbit (bapt. 24 May 1846) at Ballyverneen.
The Maher Brothers
The Maher brothers are more problematic. According to the ages provided in the 1865 newspapers James Maher was 23 years of age and would have been born about 1842. His brother, William Maher was reported as being 19 years of age and would have been born about 1846. No birth records could be located for these men in 1842 or 1846. A James Maher was baptized on 5 March 1836 the son of Michael Maher and Johanna Maher née Walsh of Ballinvarra (sic) which is in Slieverue but close to the Glenmore parish border. No record for William could be located.
Please send in corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmai.com. It is hoped that one or more readers may be able to provide additional information concerning the event or the people involved.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Glenmore Silversmith, Pat Dolan (1940-2011)
For over seven decades Danny Dowling collected information and newspaper articles concerning Glenmore and its people. Tucked safely into a file were two newspaper clippings regarding Pat Dolan. Today, we are going to feature Pat Dolan (1940-2011) a native of New Ross who for many years made his home and workshop in Ballyverneen, Glenmore where he also operated a falconry. Although Pat Dolan eventually moved from Glenmore, and died in 2011 in Kinsale, Cork, there is a stone memorial for Pat Dolan in Ballyverneen along the river side of the road between the railway viaduct and the Pink Rock.
Most of the following biographical information was gleaned from articles appearing in the New Ross Standard in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Pat Dolan was the son of Patrick “P.J.” Dolan and Kathleen “Kitty” Dolan née Dunne of South St., New Ross. His parents married in June 1937. At the time of their marriage the groom was a merchant draper on South St. and the son of ex-R.I.C. Sergeant Patrick Dolan and Bridget Dolan née Harrington. The bride, Kitty was the daughter of Patrick J. and Brigid Dunne merchants also on South, St., New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 June 1937, p. 12). In addition to the shop on South Street, Pat’s father, P.J. Dolan was for many years the Chairman of the New Ross Harbour Commissioners. His mother, Kitty Dolan (c. 1904-1975) was described as a local pioneer of the New Ross tourist information service providing information and advice to tourists from her South St. shop (New Ross Standard, Fri. 12 Dec. 1975).
Pat was educated at St. Peter’s College Wexford, and University College Dublin, and travelled throughout Europe upon graduation and settled in Spain out of necessity. “I was out of money,” he laughed, recalling how he learned his trade under the apprenticeship of Franz Neuner, a Czechoslovakian silversmith who ran a fashion accessory house in Barcelona (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Pat returned to Ireland, then travelled to Manchester, England, where he married Kathleen Lee, a school teacher. Pat obtained a Diploma in silversmithing and decorative metal work from Manchester College. He taught metal work for a time in Manchester, but preferred creative work. He quit teaching to devote his time entirely to designing and making jewellery (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7). Eventually, Pat and his wife Kathleen, both gave up teaching and came back to Ireland for Pat to work locally full time as a silversmith (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24). The couple had three sons: twins Dominic and Damien and Benedict (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7).
When Pat returned to Ireland with his family, he bought an old cottage in Ballyverneen, Glenmore, overlooking the Glenmore Pill, on what was at that time the main road between Waterford and New Ross. [The cottage was the home of the late Dick Dunphy (5 July 1893- ?).] With the assistance of local builders, Pat constructed a workshop on the property and renovated the existing cottage (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32). Although no newspaper article revealed the year in which the Dolan family moved to Glenmore, a planning notice was published in the summer of 1974 for the installation of a septic tank on the property (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Aug. 1974, p. 15). While the workshop was being constructed in Ballyverneen, Pat worked in a temporary workshop at the home of his mother Kitty Dolan of South St. New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975). Several of the older Glenmore residents recall that Pat drove a red Triumph convertible sportscar.
Pat began to make unique jewellery in gold and silver and sold on a commission basis to shops in France and the US and to visiting tourists. When Pat completed a piece it had to be sent to Dublin before it could be sold. Every piece had to be sent to the Assay Office to be hallmarked. In addition to jewellery, he made trophies and presentation gifts to order (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7). Pat worked from his own Celtic stylized designs based on variations of traditional Celtic designs. When interviewed about his work he stated, “I am most influenced by the ancients,” emphasising the importance of eighth and twelfth century works. “One cannot help but be influenced by them they’re everywhere.” Pat also credited New Ross sculptor Seamus Furlong and the late Kilkenny sculptor, Oisin Kell, with heavily influencing his work. It was reported that Pat took great satisfaction in the timelessness of his work, stressing that only a conscious effort can destroy anything he created. “Gold, silver and bronze won’t change. They can’t be debased—they are completely and totally incorruptible. We have whole pieces from 5,000 to 7,000 years ago” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Newspaper adverts for his work during this period indicate that while his workshop was in Glenmore he also had a small shop in New Ross. In 1978 he was joined in business with a fellow silversmith Maria Roche of Charlton Hill, New Ross. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32). Pat was deeply committed to the role of crafts in Irish life and was a founding member of the Wexford Craftworkers Association. Pat served as the chairman several times and also served on the Board of Management of the Crafts Council of Ireland (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Dec. 1982, p. 38).
In the early 1980’s Pat began working in bronze and as one reporter described it as portrait sculpture. “Out on the Burrow at Rosslaire stands his head of a life boat man modelled from photographs of Ned Wickham. Since the unveiling of this monument.., Pat had a number of commissions for portraits” but also continued to make jewellery and special pieces (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Dec. 1982, p. 38). To view Pat’s work on the Rosslare Lifeboat Memorial click here. Another special piece Pat designed and made was a chalice presented to the Bishop of Ferns, Donal Herlihy (1908-1983) on the occasion of the 1981Golden Jubilee of his Ordination. The chalice was commissioned by the Wexford Branch of the I.N.T.O. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24).
At the opening of the New Ross library in 1982 an exhibition of Pat’s bronzes was displayed. The exhibition included bonzes of some notable people such as Eamonn de Valera, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Sean O’Casey, as well as a self-portrait, a Tolkein landscape, a sleeping fox, a merlin and prey and the life boat man, Ned Wickham, from Rosslare (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24). In 1985, Pat was commissioned to design presentations to honour three founding members of the New Ross FCA Pipe Band which was established in 1947. The presentations were inscribed bronze replicas of the instruments played by each recipient. The replicas consisted of Sam McDonald’s staff, Tom Bolger’s bass drum and Paddy Murphy’s pipes (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 July 1985, p. 20).
Several Glenmore residents recalled that Pat also operated a falconry when he lived in Glenmore. His falconry housed a variety of birds of prey, including a golden eagle, the only bird of the species in Ireland in the early 1980’s. Pat acquired his first birds from a falconry in Clonmel. Pat noted that the birds could not be fed processed or treated meat and more than 18 pounds of meat per day was required to feed his 20 birds. The birds themselves contributed meat when they were out on practice runs and his friends and sons who rabbit hunted also contributed meat for the birds. Pat is quoted as remarking, “They are God’s most magnificent creatures, they are designed to prey on lesser creatures—the symbol of a balanced society” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Please send any additional information, corrections, photos of pieces by Pat Dolan etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The engraving of the falcon if from The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1885). Red-throated falcon — Ibycter americanus Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-d55a-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Gallant Glenmore Brothers: Seamus & Pakie Jones [Updated]
Today, we are going to highlight a tragic event that took place in Glenmore in 1955 and the gallant actions of two young Glenmore brothers Seamus and Pakie Jones who risked their lives attempting to rescue another.
On Monday the 25th of July 1955 after a long hot day Nicholas “Nick” Hanrahan (c. 1926-1955) cycled from his home in Glenmore Village to Maid’s Quay on the River Barrow in Ballyverneen, Glenmore. Nick was 29 years of age and drowned at about 9:30 p.m. shortly after entering the River Barrow. According to Danny Dowling, Maid’s Quay (sometimes referred to as Ballyverneen Quay) was where the Glenmore Creamery built a coal shed to receive coal shipped by ship from Britain. Although Maid’s Quay was a busy and popular spot it was also said to be very dangerous because of the river currents. In 1955 the main road from Waterford to New Ross ran through Ballyverneen, under the railway line, along the river past Maid’s Quay and the Pink Rock.
At the inquest held on Tuesday the 26th of July at the Glenmore Barracks, Sergeant J.C. Dalton, Glenmore conducted the proceedings on behalf of the Garda. Mr. T.G. Lanigan, solicitor, Kilkenny, Deputy Coroner, heard the evidence without a jury.
Seamus Jones (c. 1932-2016) testified that he was 23 years of age and provided evidence concerning the events leading up to Nick’s death. On the previous evening, Seamus went to Ballyverneen Quay, accompanied by Paddy Griffin, Liam (sic) Griffin, Martin Cass and Walter Walsh. It is believed that the correct name of Paddy Griffin’s brother was Larry. It is also believed that Patrick “Pakie” Jones (c. 1932-2006) was also in the group although he was not named with the others.
Seamus testified that at about 9 p.m., Nick Hanrahan cycled down the lane from the main road to where Seamus and his friends were gathered. Nick undressed and went into the river. He swam along by a rope which was anchoring a pontoon. Seamus noticed Nick drifting away from the rope, and then he began to drift further away as he was being pulled by the tide. Nick gave a shout, and Seamus took off his coat and jumped into the water to save him. It was reported in the newspaper that Nick wasn’t a strong swimmer.
Seamus testified, “When I got to him he gripped me around the waist and I tried to turn him out of the current, but we were being carried away. He slipped away from my grip, and then he caught me by the legs. At this stage, my brother Pakie swam out to me in the river and I caught hold of Pakie by the shoulders.”
When Nick began to lose his grip on Seamus’s leg, Seamus “clutched him by the hair of the head.” Unfortunately, Seamus had a bad grip and was unable to hold onto Nick and stated, “the current swept him away from me. My brother held on to me and helped me in. I would say there were from 18 to 20 feet of water in the place where deceased went down. I did I not see him after I lost my grip on his hair, and at that time we were about seven yards from the pier. The tide was about half full at the time, and there was a strong current at the place. I had my shirt, trousers and shoes on me when I jumped into the water.”
Local gardai and fishermen appeared at first light the following morning and began dragging the river. Philip Connolly, of Rochestown, Glenmore, testified that he arrived at the Quay at about 4 a.m. on Tuesday and he Ned Connolly and Dick Kennedy recovered the body about an hour later in about 15 feet of water. The recovered body was taken to the Glenmore Dispensary where Richard “Dick” Hanrahan (c. 1929-2006) identified his brother. Dick testified at the inquest that he last saw his brother Nick alive at 7:30 p.m. on the date of his death and he was in his usual good health. He testified that Nick was 29, unmarried and was a farmer by occupation.
Dr. Michael J. Keating, the Medical Officer of Kilmakevogue Dispenary District (Mullinavat & Glenmore) performed a post-mortem examination at the Glenmore Dispensary. He found a lacerated wound on Nick’s upper lip and lacerated wounds on his ears which he attributed to the dragging activities. He found that death was caused by asphyxia due to drowning. In his opinion the body had been in the water for 12 to 15 hours when it was recovered.
Returning a verdict of accidental drowning, in accordance with the medical evidence, Deputy Coroner Lanigan referred to the “very gallant action” of Seamus Jones in jumping into the river and attempting to rescue Nick. Lanigan asked the Gardai to have this young man’s “plucky action” brought to the notice of the appropriate authorities with a view to adequate recognition. Sympathy was tendered to the relatives of the deceased.
Although no newspaper article could be discovered concerning any event held to recognise the gallant actions of Seamus & Pakie Jones it was verified that both Seamus and Pakie were recognised with gold watches (Ann Jones, 24 April 2021). [Correction of 9 May 2021–The New Ross Standard (Fri. 27 April 1956, p. 5) published an article entitled, “Brave Rescue Attempt Recalled: Certificate for Bravery Presented—At the New Ross District Court on Tuesday. A Certificate of Bravery from Comhairle na Mire Gaile was presented to Mr. Patrick Jones, Glenmore, who received it on behalf of his son Seumas (sic) in recognition of Mr. Seumas Jones brave attempt to rescue a drowning man from the River Barrow in July 1955. It is believed that the Hanrahan family presented both brothers with the gold watches.]
The local newspapers reported that Nick was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Hanrahan, merchants and farmers, Glenmore, and brother of Richard and Annie Hanrahan. He was also nephew of Messrs. James and Dick Hanrahan, merchants, New Ross (former Glenmore and Kilkenny inter-county footballers); John and Michael Hanrahan, New York; Richard Duggan, rate collector, Glenmore; Mrs. Connolly, Slieverue and Mrs. F. Quirke, Clerihan, Clonmel. He also played with Glenmore junior hurling team and was also a prominent member of the local F.C.A. Nick was buried in Glenmore. (Munster Express, Fri. 29 July 1955 & Kilkenny People Sat. 30 July 1955).
Pakie and Seamus Jones were the sons of Patrick Jones (c. 1897-1975) and his wife Alice Jones née Dunne (c. 1890-1967). Their father, Patrick Jones (c. 1897-1975) was the second eldest son of their grandparents, George Jones (c. 1874-1945) and Bridget Jones née Murphy (c. 1879-1945). George and Bridget were married at Glenmore on 16 August 1894. At the time of their wedding George was living in Weatherstown, Glenmore and working as a labourer and his father was George Jones (farmer). Bridget was residing in Moulerstown, Glenmore and her father was Pat Murphy (labourer). The 1911 census for Graiguenakill, Glenmore indicates that George and Bridget Jones had 7 children born and all 7 were alive in 1911. Patrick’s siblings included: James (c. 1895); John (c. 1898); George (c. 1901); Thomas (c. 1906); Michael (c. 1908) and Kyran (c. 1910). Patrick Jones (c. 1897-1975) was located in the 1911 census living and working as a servant in Aylwardtown, Glenmore for Patrick Morrissey (aged 74).
A newspaper search revealed that a few months after Nick Hanrahan drowned Seamus Jones left for Britain to take up employment. He went with other Glenmore men: Tom Ryan, of Milltown; H. Walsh [Harry Walsh], Ballybrahee; Wm. Irish, Ballinlammy; and Billy Walsh, Mullinahone (Munster Express, 16 Sept. 1955, p. 9). At some point Seamus returned to Glenmore and spent the rest of his life in the Village living with his brother Pakie. Pakie worked for the Glenmore Creamery and never drove a vehicle. Pakie died on 16 April 2006. Seamus worked for Roadstone as a roller driver and died on 29 September 2016. Although neither of the brothers married an obituary for Seamus noted that he had a lifelong friend Kitty Power. The brothers were both buried in Glenmore.
[Update of 9 May 2021–the newspaper article concerning the Certificate of Bravery (New Ross Standard, 27 April 1956, p. 5 provides a few more details regarding the tragic drowning.
“Jones who was fully dress, discarded his coat and jumped from a height of about five feet into the water, swam through about 18 yards of stiff current to the drowning man, who gripped him around his waist. Despite the hold, and being brought under the surface a few times, Jones succeeded in bring the drowning man with the current for a distance of about 25 yards upstream. By this time the drowning man had lost hold on Jones waist and gripped him by the legs before eventually losing his grip altogether.
Mr. Jones then gripped him by the hair and held him afloat now unconscious. By this time the pair were about six yards, from the upper portion of the jetty and the rescuer’s brother came close to him in the water. Seamus now in a state of exhaustion put his hand on his brother’s shoulders for support and in doing so lost his grip on the unconscious man, who disappeared and was not found until the following day. Jones had to be assisted from the water.”
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the 1942 Glenmore Boys’ School photograph and identifying the boys. In addition to the Jones brothers and Dick Hanrahan, some of the other men mentioned above are also in this photo. Special thanks to Ann Jones, Glenmore Village, for sharing the photos of Pakie and Seamus as adults.
Front row (left to right): Seamus Mullally, Watt Cody, Martin Connolly, Pat Walsh, Dick Cody, Michael Barron, Martin Cody, Jimmy Rochford, John Walsh, Johnny Roche. Second row: Liam Power, Martin Foristal, Richie Mullally, Harry Walsh, Tommy Mullally, Peter Roche, Mikey Murphy, Watty Walsh, Willie Irish. Third row: Paddy Phelan, Pakey Jones, Paddy Power, Kieran Mernagh, Neddie Doyle, Paddy Kennedy, Seamus Jones, Mikey Dowling. Top Row: Dinny Rochford, Billy Walsh, Johnny Cody, Neddie Hennessy, Mick McDonald, Christy Power, Seamus Power, Peter Heffernan, Dick Hanrahan, John Irish.