Co. Kilkenny
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Old Newspaper Clippings
Danny Dowling’s Notebooks are full of references to old newspaper articles. Some directly relate to the Parish of Glenmore and some are more general such as the 1857 article from New York warning prospective emigrants of the economic conditions prevailing in New York.
WATERFORD CHRONICLE, Sat. 7 Nov. 1857
Caution to Emigrant —The editors of Irish journals will well to give as extensive a circulation as possible to the following paragraph, which we copy from the New York Tribune of the 21st; and intending emigrants will do well to lay to heart the lesson it teaches;— “By the first or middle of next December we shall have least one hundred thousand persons out of employment, and nearly out of means, in this city. Already our ship-yards are nearly idle, our foundries are but half working, and our great clothing stores are doing very little. Women have recently come hither from places three hundred miles away in quest of work from those stores, only be turned off with none, and compelled to make their way home again. Hardly since 1837 has so gloomy prospect for winter lowered upon the labouring classes in our city. As yet humbler classes have scarcely felt the pressure; but their turn must come. Places have looked for servant girls for some time past soon servant girls will look earnestly for places, and very glad to find them. Soup houses for hungry labourers who can find no labour will be wanted before January.”
In 1880 the Glenmore Land League was established. (See post, The Glenmore Land League and the Ballyfacey Evictions, 8 March 2020). The people and priests engaged in grass roots actions to challenge evictions and other acts carried out against tenant farmers. While evictions are often well covered lesser events such as the forced sale of animals are not so well covered. The article below reveals some details including the clergy made pointed and unflattering remarks concerning the police who did the bidding of the landlords, and the Land League used bands to disrupt forced auctions.
WEXFORD PEOPLE, Sat. 30 April 1881
THE BATTLE OF BALLYVERNEEN! Father Furlong [of New Ross] said he was sure they had all heard of the affair at Ballyverneen, near Glenmore, on the previous day, where some cattle belonging to Mr. Patrick Forristal were put up for sale at the instance of his landlord by the sheriff (groans). There was quite an army of police present. The course the proceedings took when the first animal was put up and sold, was that Mr. Forristal paid the rent, there being no use in making up fees for the sheriff or auctioneer (hear, hear). What struck him [Father Furlong] was that if the cattle had been in as good condition as the sub-inspector from Thomastown who commanded the police on the occasion, they would have brought a great deal more (laughter). If the heifer put up had been as well fed, and had her hide been as smooth as this active officer, there was no knowing what price she would have brought (great laughter).
Another instance of police impertinence which he had noticed at the sale was a young policeman with a beardless face, who was making himself as officious as possible, who told a person that happened to jostle him accidently that he would ” knock the head off him.” Passing from this, he wished to say a word in praise of the young men of the Fife and Drum Band, who were kind enough to attend the sale, and who rendered good service; and also to the members of the Brass Band. The latter did not hear that the sale was to take place until it was too late to reach the scene, but when they did hear of it, they laid aside their work, and came out to meet the people. Both bands were deserving of the warmest thanks of the members of the League (applause). Mr. John Meehan, P.L.G. [Public Law Guardian], said he would propose that the thanks of the New Ross Land League be tendered to both bands for their patriotic action on this occasion. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cheevers, P.L.G., and unanimously passed.
Just like today newspapers in the 19th century and early 20th century covered crime and in particular murders. Incidents or accidents resulting in fatalities or serious injury were also well covered. The more unusual the circumstances the more likely the death, risk or serious injury would be covered in the newspaper.
NEW ROSS STANDARD–Sat. 26 Nov. 1892
NARROW ESCAPE of A FARMER NEAR NEW ROSS. On Wednesday night a farmer named Kirwan, residing at Ballygurran (sic) in the county Kilkenny, about three miles from New Ross, had a very narrow escape from being drowned in a bog at Carrigcloney or Ballyverneen, near Glenmore. He was going home on foot from New Ross. and whether from an overdose of liquor or the darkness of the night, he walked into the bog off the road at a place within one hundred yards of the cross-roads of Ballyverneen. The tide was coming into the place from the river at the time, and was very dangerous. When the man got in he yelled as loudly as he could for help, and some children hearing him, word was conveyed to the nearest house, when one of the men ran out and rescued the man from what might have proved his grave. The night was intensely dark, and the road near the spot is narrow, and in a dangerous state. The man was when taken out, in a very weak state and exhausted condition, and some time s before he could proceed on his journey home.
While researching the drownings of William Forristal and Patrick Connolly, in 1899, the following article was found concerning Patrick Forristal, of Ballyverneen. No death certificate was located for Patrick Forristal, of Ballyverneen, in 1894. It is assumed that he survived his injuries and was one of the men that found the two drowned men. The 1901 Census provides that only one Patrick Forristal was residing in Ballyverneen in 1901 and he was 42 years of age. From a legal perspective it is interesting that a Resident Magistrate not only took what he considered was a deposition of a dying victim, but the defendant was in attendance at the deposition.
Wexford People, Sat. 31 March 1894
THE SERIOUS ASSAULT NEAR NEW ROSS DYING DEPOSITIONS OF THE INJURED MAN TAKEN. Last week Mr. D. G. Bodkin, RM, attended at Ballyverneen, near Glenmore, for the purpose of taking the dying depositions of the man, Patrick Forrestal, who was so severely injured by the blow of a stone as narrated in the last issue of this journal. The man remained insensible from the time he received the blow until Wednesday, and on recovering consciousness it was decided to have his dying deposition taken. The prisoner was brought out from the New Ross Bridewell by the Glenmore police, and was present while the depositions were being taken. The statement of the injured man was to the effect that he had a dispute with the prisoner, Cooney, and about an our afterwards he was speaking to some boys and girls when he met Cooney who threw the stone at him, striking him in the jaw and breaking the bone. The prisoner was remanded by Mr. Bodkin to Kilkenny jail for eight days.
NEW ROSS STANDARD–Fri. 8 Jan. 1932
GLENMORE WOMAN’S DEATH. TRAGIC AFFAIR AT WATERFORD CITY INFIRMARY. At the County and City Infirmary, Waterford, on Monday, Dr. Denis Kennedy, City Coroner, returned a verdict of death from heart failure, following bronchitis and asthma, at an inquest touching the death of Mrs. Margaret Haberlin, Glenmore, who collapsed at the infirmary and died as she was about to be taken in the lift to a ward.
Dr. J. J. Hogan deposed that deceased was admitted into the County and City Infirmary about 11.45 on Monday morning. He was called urgently about that time by the Sister on duty to the main hall of the infirmary and found the deceased lying on the floor, being supported by two nurses. She was pulseless, and, in his opinion, then dead. He ministered restoratives without any effect. From the history of the case as given to him he had no doubt the cause of death was heart failure, supervening on chronic bronchitis and asthma.
John Haberlin, a blacksmith and farmer, husband of the deceased, said she was aged 44 years. She was suffering fairly constantly from illness for the past three years. Her complaint was lung trouble. About three weeks ago she got very ill, and was confined to bed. She was attended by Dr. Fitzgerald, of New Ross. He was in attendance on the previous morning, when he said her heart was weak and she bad bronchitis and asthma.
of Architectural Heritage (No. 22830209)
Dr. Fitzgerald recommended her removal to the County and City Infirmary, and that morning she was removed in a car, owned by Rev. Father Gibbons, P.P. She was seemingly improved when Father Gibbons arrived to take her to Waterford, and she was able to walk, with help, to the car outside. The nurses took charge of her at the hospital, and he did not go inside. When parting she gave instructions as to things she wanted done. He was called to the infirmary a few minutes later, and when he saw her she was dead. Nurse Elizabeth O’Connor deposed she was a trained nurse in the County and City Infirmary. On that morning at about 11.45 a.m. she was called with another nurse to assist a patient into the hospital. With the assistance of the other nurse the patient walked in. She spoke and said she felt very hot, that the shawl had slipped off her head. They were in the hallway at the lift when she said: “I feel I am going to faint.” At the same time she collapsed between them, they still holding her. The doctor less summoned by Sister Agnes who saw the woman fall. Dr. Hogan came at once, but the woman was dead when he arrived.
Although all of these events took place between 90 to 163 years ago the events if they occurred today they would probably still make the local news.
The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage is available at https://www.buildingsofireland.ie.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Fatality at the Glenmore Creamery: Martin Forristal (1879-1931) [updated]
Last Saturday we focused on the establishment of the Glenmore Co-Operative Creamery. According to Danny Dowling only two fatalities were associated with the operations of the Creamery. One involved the death of an employee, Martin Forristal (1879-1931) and the other involved the death of a volunteer worker on the Creamery threshing engine, Jack Mernagh, in 1911. The Mernagh tragedy was briefly covered in our blog of 2 February 2020 entitled “Glenmore and the New Ross to Waterford Railway Line.” Today we will focus on Martin Forristal.
Martin Forristal was born on the 16th of August 1879 in Robinstown, the son of Michael Forristal, of Rochestown and Anastasia Grant. Martin only had one sibling, his brother John Forristal who was born on the 15th of June 1877. At the time of the birth of his sons, Michael Forristal listed his occupation as servant. Michael Forristal died prior to 1901. [According to Francis O’Brien, of Glenmore Village, his great-grandfather was the coachman, Michael Forristal, who died in October 1880 in Rochestown, Glenmore of meningitis at the age of 35. Thus Martin was only a year of age when his father died.] The 1901 Census of Robinstown provides that Martin was living with his mother, Anastasia Forristal and they both list their occupation as farmers. In 1911 in addition to Martin and his mother, Mr. James P. O’Donovan, the first Glenmore Creamery manager, is aged 27 and is also living in the home. Anastasia is 60 years of age and Martin is 31. John Forristal was not residing at home in 1901 or 1911.
On the 9th of June 1915 Martin Forristal, aged 36 married Anne Roche (1890-1955) of Rathinure, Glenmore. Anne was 26 years of age, having been born on the 1st of January 1890 and the daughter of farmer John Roche and Kate Phelan. (See Guest Author, Walsh, (2020) The Enduring Names of Rathinure for additional information regarding the eviction of Johnny Paddy Roche from his field in Rathinure).
Martin Forristal and Anne Roche were married by Rev. Fr. Thomas Phelan, Glenmore P.P. and witnesses were Patrick Kennedy and Kate Roche. To this union at least 8 children were born: (1) Michael “Mick” Forristal (1916-1981); (2) Stasia “Sister Paschal” Forristal (1918- 1990) of the Sacred Heart of Mary Order; (3) Catherine “Kit” Forristal (1920-1998) married John Phelan; (4) John Forristal (1927-2004); (5) Bridget “Sister Bernadette” Forristal (1921-2001) of the Sacred Heart of Mary Order; (6) Mary Forristal (1923-1975); (7) Ann “Nancy” Forristal (1924-1997) married John O’Brien and (8) Martin Forristal (1930-1995). The obituary of Nancy Forristal O’Brien provides that another child, Johanna Forristal died young (at the age of 5 weeks in 1927). The photo of eight Forristal children was taken in front of their home in 1935. All of the Forristal children remained single except Kit and Nancy. [Ironically, Martin Forristal, Jr. like his father was only about a year old when his father died.]
In addition to operating the small farm Martin Forristal began working at the Glenmore Creamery in 1905 when it was being built and began operations. Martin Forristal died tragically on the 8th of June 1931 at the Glenmore Creamery. At the time of his death, at his place of employment, Martin Forristal was 51 years of age, married with eight children between the ages of 15 and 11 months. An inquest was held on the 10th of June and extensive newspaper articles appeared in the New Ross Standard (12 June 1931) and the Waterford Standard (13 June 1931) providing graphic details of the death. Dr. Fitzgerald, coroner, held the inquest into the death, and the following jury was sworn: Patrick Hanrahan, merchant (foreman), Patrick Dowling, Edward Corcoran, M. O’Hanlon, John Phelan, M. Hynes, and M. Kelly. Superintendent N. Walsh, Thomastown, conducted the proceedings for the Garda. Mr. Shannon, inspector of factories and workshops under the Department, was in attendance, as was Mr. O’Shaughnessy, solicitor, Waterford, for the Creamery Committee.
There were six witnesses called. Dr. Matthew P. Coghlan, the dispensary doctor, testified that be saw the body of the deceased on Monday evening. The deceased was then lying on the loft of the creamery at the place of the accident. Dr. Coghlan made a superficial examination of the body, and satisfied himself that he was dead. The following day in conjunction with Dr. Valentine Coghlan, he performed a post mortem. There were contusions, on the back of the shoulders and on both arms, hips, and legs, and the back of his skull was broken into small pieces, some of it was driven into the brain. The scalp at the back was also in pulp. The brain was lacerated, and a portion protruded at the back of the head. In his opinion the cause of death was fracture of the skull, with laceration of the brain. He testified that the injuries were consistent with the deceased being caught in a revolving shaft. Dr. Valentine Coghlan stated that he performed the post mortem with Dr. Matthew P. Coghlan, and had heard his evidence, and agreed with it in every particular.
The third witness was Martin’s brother John Forristal. John Forristal testified that he resided at the Quay, New Ross, and was a grocer’s assistant. He viewed and formally identified the body of his brother Martin. He stated that the deceased would have been 52 years of age next August and was employed as an engine driver by Glenmore Cooperative Creamery.
The fourth witness was James Cashin a general worker of the Glenmore Creamery. Cashin testified that at about 3:30 p.m. on the 8th of June he was on the ground floor of the creamery. He stated that he was having a cup of tea and the deceased talked to him for about two minutes. The deceased then went upstairs to the mill. “I heard an awful racket upstairs, and it sounded like bones cracking. I dashed up the stairs, and the first thing I saw was some clothes spinning around on the mill shafting.” Without waiting to ascertain if Forristal had been injured, Cashin ran back to the ground floor and stopped the machinery. When he went back upstairs he saw the deceased lying on his back on the pulley. The shaft had ripped the clothing off of the deceased; the only clothing on the deceased were his boots and socks. He appeared to be dead. Cashin immediately informed the manager James O’Donovan.
The fifth witness was the Creamery Manager, James P. O’Donovan. He testified that James Cashin reported the death and he immediately went to the mill loft. He stated that the deceased was employed as engine driver and had been an employee of the Creamery for 26 years. When he went up to the mill on the 8th with Cashin he saw the deceased on his back under the pulley. He was devoid of clothes, and appeared to be dead. He saw the deceased’s clothing on the shafting between the small pulley and the driving wheel. O’Donovan immediately sent William Walsh for the priest and phoned the guards and Dr. Coughlan. In response to questions O’Donovan stated that it was the business of the deceased to look after and work all machinery in the creamery. The wheel that was part of the accident was protected by a timber guard. The coroner requested the exact duties o the deceased and O’Donovan stated that his duty was to start the engine in the morning, fire the boiler, and work the mill and other machinery in the creamery. It was usual for the deceased to go to the loft to grind corn. To engage or start the shafting it was on the ground floor. He had been grinding corn for eleven years. In order to start the screen working it was necessary to get in between the driving wheel of the mill and the wall. As a precaution the deceased should have stopped the shaft which would have required him going downstairs.
The final witness was Mr. Shanahan, inspector stated that the machinery where the accident occurred was in what was known as a dangerous area, and, owing to its character, it was impossible to fence off every portion of it. He opined that the deceased should have shut off the shafting and made it safe before going into the loft. In his opinion, all the necessary precautions had been taken by the management of the creamery.
After a few minutes’ deliberation, the jury returned a verdict that the cause of death was due to fracture the skull and laceration of the brain as a result of being accidentally caught in the shafting. The Foreman, on behalf of the jury, tendered their deepest sympathy to the family and relatives of the deceased, who was a most upright and popular man. The coroner, the doctors, the Superintendent, Mr. 0’Shaughnessy, solicitor, and inspector Shannon joined in the expression of sympathy. The New Ross Standard noted that the eldest son, Michael, had been at school at St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, during the preceding nine months, and came home on vacation the day before the tragedy. It was also reported that the deceased had a most excellent work record. “He was intensely devoted to his work, and was held in the greatest esteem by the manager and the creamery committee. He had a most pleasant manner, very obliging, and was extremely popular in the district.”
After the inquest the remains were taken to the Glenmore Parish Church, accompanied by a large concourse of people. The following morning Office and High Mass, at which a large number of clergy were present, was held in the Parish Church, after which the remains were interned in the Glenmore cemetery. It was reported that the funeral was one of the largest seen in the district for a long time, and it was notable tribute to his memory and expression of sympathy with his family and relatives.
Danny Dowling said that after Martin Forristal’s tragic death his eldest son Mick went to work at the Glenmore Creamery. Mick’s brother John worked the small Robinstown farm and during busy periods at the Creamery also worked there. Their brother Martin, who was almost a year old when their father died, worked for 43 years at the Glenmore Creamery. When the son, Martin Forristal, retired in 1995 it was noted in a New Ross Standard article that his retirement ended a 90 year employment relationship between the Forristal family and the Glenmore Creamery.
Special thanks to Francis O’Brien, Glenmore Village for the photos of his grandfather, Martin Forristal, the eight Forristal children and the 1958 photo of the Glenmore Creamery workers and also for the dates of births and deaths for his grandmother and aunts and uncles.
The featured photo is of the Forristal house in Glenmore Village as it looks today. [The post was updated on 28 May 2020 with additional information provided by Francis O’Brien.]
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
New Book on the Forrestals and Blog Updates
Michael Forrestal Keller just published The Forrestals of Ireland: An Historial and Genealogical Guide (2020). The author identified, after two decades of research of early records, the main branches of the Forrestal/Forristal or Forstal families and their origins. Three of the main branches were located in three areas within the current parish of Glenmore. These include the townlands of Carrigcloney, Mullinahone and Forristalstown. Although the book does not attempt to trace the various main branches to current descendants it is an important work. This is true for any person interested in researching Forristal, or is interested in other early Glenmore families such as the Aylward or Strange families that married a Forristal. For further information see, https://www.blurb.com/b/9993769-the-forrestals-of-ireland.
Blog Updates
A list of the officers and men in the Glenmore Company of the old IRA can be found on the website list page. The names and 1935 addresses were gleaned from records of the Military Archive. You may access the page by clicking here.
A new page “Connections” will be added to Glenmore-History.com to allow individuals who are researching the same Glenmore family or families to make contact. Due to the fact that email addresses will be public please consider what email you wish used for this purpose. It may be advisable to have in place an email to be used solely for this purpose. If you would like others to contact you regarding a Glenmore family you are researching please send an email with the family name, townland and the email address you want used to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
A number of readers have asked how Danny is doing during these difficult times. I spoke to him on the phone last Saturday. Danny is in good spirits. He answered several queries and expressed delight in how many people around the world are reading and using his notes. Danny looks forward to the pandemic ending and being able to have visitors again.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh