Danny Dowling (1927-2021)
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From Danny’s Files: The Early Public Transport Through Glenmore
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) for over seven decades collected a vast amount of information on Glenmore. His files are a treasure trove of interviews he conducted, articles and books, and newspaper clippings etc. The following front page advertisement from 1824 was copied by Danny Dowling (1927-2021) from the Waterford Mirror (Sat. 12 June 1824, p. 1). It provides a glimpse how people with money were able to travel to and from Waterford City in the first half of the 19th century via “The Commercial Day Car Establishment.”
After 1798 the main road from Waterford to New Ross was altered such that it no longer went through the Village itself. We know that by the time Mr. Leonard was murdered on the hill of Glenmore in 1833, the Waterford-New Ross road by-passed Glenmore Village. It is likely that the alteration took place prior to 1824. (See our post of 14 December 2019 regarding the early roads and maps. For further information on the 1833 murder see our post of 9 February 2020).
Unfortunately toll bridges at Waterford and New Ross kept many people from accessing New Ross and Waterford. The only other market town of any size was Thomastown about 17 miles (28 kilometres) from Glenmore. The obstacles of toll bridges and distance probably contributed to the isolation that allowed Irish to be spoken in many Glenmore homes right up to the 20th century. In 1867, the Ida a river steamer began to sail between Waterford and New Ross. Although Glenmore people had to be rowed across the Barrow to a hulk on the Wexford side, it was very popular mode of transportation. (For further information on the Ida see our post of 29 February 2020).
Below is the 1824 advertisement. All cars traveling to Wexford passed through Glenmore Parish. We believe that the cars that went to Kilkenny via Mullinavat also passed through Cat’s Rock in Glenmore Parish.
The advertisement was placed by Charles Bianconi (1786-1875) the founder of Ireland’s first public transport system. For further information on Bianconi see McElroy & Butterfield, Dictionary of Irish Biography. We have attempted to present the advertisement as it was published with capitalizations, italics etc., but removed a couple of destinations. Editorial comments and explanations that are not part of the original advertisement have been placed in square brackets [ ].
The Commercial Day Car Establishment, Waterford 1824
The Public are respectfully informed, that the DAY CARS for PASSENGERS and PARCELS, leave Commin’s Hotel, Quay, opposite the Market-House, EVERY DAY (Sunday excepted) for the following places; and the Proprietor begs to assure his Friends and the Public, that no expense or exertion on his part has been spared, to have this, so useful an Establishment, appointed with careful and sober Drivers, good Horses and comfortable, safe and easy Cars, and at most reasonable Fares. [The Cummin’s Hotel is today the Granville Hotel, of Waterford. For a concise history of the Granville and Bianconi see, “Ask Ireland” webpage.]
The LIMERICK CAR leaves this Office every Morning at 5 o’clock—Through Carrick, Clonmel, Caher, Tipperary and Landscape; and arrives at GLEEN’S Hotel, Limerick at 5 ½ o’clock, same day. [The distance between Waterford City and Limerick is approximately 78 miles or 126 kilometres. This journey took 12 ½ hours.]
The WEXFORD CAR at 8 o’clock, Traveling Five Miles an Hour—through Ross, Fook’s-Mills, Taghon; and arrives at the Royal Mail Coach Office, Wexford, at 3 o’clock; leaves it at 8 o’clock, and arrives at Waterford in time to proceed to Kilkenny, and by the Regulator to Clonmel, same day. [Today the distance to drive from the Granville Hotel, Waterford to Wexford Town is approximately 56.6 kilometres or 35 miles. However, the route today is shorter than the Wexford Car route of 1824. It took a passenger in 1824 seven hours to make this journey.]
The CORK CAR every morning at 5 o’clock—Through Carrick, Clonmel, Caher, Mitchell’s Town, Fermoy, Watergrass-Hill; and arrives at the Car Office, Patrick’s street, corner of Prince street, before 7 o’clock, afternoon; leaves at 3 ½ o’clock, and arrives at Waterford by a quarter past 7 o’clock.
The TELFORAPH every Morning at 5 o’clock—Traveling Six Miles an Hour, and arrives in Clonmel 20 minutes past 9 o’clock; leaves Clonmel at 3 o’clock, evening, and arrives at Waterford, 20 minutes past 7.
To DUBLIN, BY KILKENNY CAR, every day at 3 o’clock—Passengers forwarded by Day Coach next Morning, at 6 o’clock, and arrives at 15, Duke street, Dublin before 5 o’clock; leaves same Office at 9 o’clock, and arrives in Kilkenny by 7 o’clock, and proceeds to Waterford by Day Car next morning at 6 o’clock, and arrives before 11 o’clock. [This journey took 16 hours to 27 hours depending on if the night was spent in Kilkenny City.]
THURLES CAR at 8 o’clock, Morning—Through Carrick, Clonmel, New Inn, Cashel, Holy-Cross, and arrives at Quinlan’s Hotel, Thurles, at 7 o’clock. Evening; leaves Thurles at 5 o’clock next Morning, and arrives at Waterford at 4 o’clock, giving Passengers an Hour to transact Business at Clonmel, to and from Thurles.
ENNISCOROTHY CAR at 8 o’clock, Monday—Through Ross, where Passengers are allowed nearly two hours to transact Business, and arrives at Enniscorothy in time to proceed to Dublin by Mail Coach through the County Wicklow; leaves Enniscorothy at 8 o’clock, after the arrival of the Dublin Mail, and arrives at Waterford with the Wexford Car.
KILKENNY CAR every day at 3 o’clock—Through Mullinavat, Ballyhale, Stonyford, and by the Merino Factory, and arrives at Bush Tavern, before 9 o’clock, in time to proceed by the Cork Mail to Dublin same Night, or by the Day Coaches or Caravan next Morning to Dublin.
ROSCREA CAR at 5 o’clock in the Morning—Through Carrick, Clonmel, Feathard, Cashel, (Thurles, o’clock), Templemore, and arrives at Roscrea in time for the Dublin Coach; and leaves Roscrea every Morning, and arrives in Waterford at 20 minutes past 7 o’clock, same Evening.
The CLONMEL REGULATOR with Two Horses, and Travelling Six Miles an Hour including all stops, at 3 o’clock and arrives at Clonmel 7 o’clock; leaves Clonmel at 6 o’clock in the Morning and arrives in Waterford at 10 o’clock.
CARRICK CARS 6 and 8 o’clock in the Morning; 3 o’clock in the Afternoon.
ROSS CARS at 8 o’clock every Morning, 3 and 5 in the Evening; leaves Ross at 6 and 7 o’clock in the Morning , and One o’clock in the Afternoon. [The distance between The Granville Hotel, of Waterford and the Quay in New Ross is approximately 14 miles or 23 kilometres.] …
DUNMORE and TRAMORE CARS, as usual, at every necessary hour.
The Proprietor will not be accountable for any Money, Plate, Jewels or Millinery whatsoever, or for any article above the value of Two Pounds Sterling; neither will he be answerable for Damages occasioned by wet or friction. Hats, Coats, Umbrellas, or any undirected Parcels not taken in charge at any of the Offices connected with this Establishment, and for which he will not therefore be accountable. 20 lbs. of Luggage allowed to Passenge3rs, Free; for any quantity over that weight and under 50 lbs. 1d per lb.; under 80 Miles 1 ½ d; and for any distance over that, 2d per lb.
CHARLES BIANCONI, PROPRIETOR
E. COMMINS, Agent
Waterford, June 7, 1824
****************************
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The drawing of the horse drawn vehicle above was at the top of the advertisement in the Waterford Mirror.
Founder of Glenmore History’s Anniversary
As the world celebrates St. Patrick’s Day we mark this day as our founder, Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) fifth anniversary. To mark Danny’s anniversary, and celebrate his life’s work, in partnership with Glenmore Tidy Towns, we have three more Glenmore golden heritage signs. This brings to 8 the heritage signs that have been placed around the Parish of Glenmore.
Kilivory Cemetery
The first of the three signs was placed at the entrance to Kilivory Cemetery referred to on maps as Kilmakevogue Cemetery. This cemetery has several prominent graves including the Forristal vault and William Gaffney (c. 1762-1798) the leader of the local United Irishmen during the 1798 rebellion. For the markers recorded by Danny in 1961 for this cemetery see our Roots page. However, perhaps the most important grave is that of Rev. Fr. Stephen Lower (c. 1727-1799) who, according to Danny, is credited with three important events:
[1] Fr. Lower was the first priest to record the birth, marriages and deaths in the old combined parish of Slieverue and Glenmore. Thus, we are fortunate that our records go back to 1766.
[2] Fr. Lower during the 1798 Rebellion is credited with stopping the burning of Slieverue Village by British soldiers returning to Waterford after the Battle of New Ross. It is said that Fr. Lower took the bridle of the officer’s horse and led the troops away from the Village.
[3] Well into the middle of the 20th Century locals took soil from Fr. Lower’s grave for the treatment of skin complaints.
Site of Penal Church in Glenmore Village (c. 1711-1813)
Across from the Creamery low in Hanrahan’s field is the site of Glenmore’s Penal Church. Irish Penal Laws were first enacted in 1695 after the Williamite Wars and the Siege of Limerick. The Penal Laws commenced with Catholics being unable to keep weapons and expanded until Catholics could not teach or run schools within Ireland. Eventually, it was a crime for a Priest to celebrate Mass. During the penal period Catholics gathered in secret to attend mass. Danny as a young man learned that the first Catholic Church in the Village of Glenmore was a penal period church consisting of a thatched stone building that looked like a barn. He believed that it was built around 1711.
Enforcement of the Penal Law relaxed, and in 1803, just five years after the 1798 Rebellion, the 3rd Earl of Bessborough gave an acre of land to the Parish of Glenmore for a new Catholic Church. The new St. James’s was completed in 1813. The stones from the Penal church in Hanrahan’s field were used to build the cemetery walls around St. James. This adjoining cemetery opened in 1805. For a brief history of St. James’s of Glenmore see one of our first posts 16 November 2019.
The Site of the Thwarted Ballyfacey Evictions in 1885
Our third sign is to go up in Ballyfacey Upper sometime this week at a site where evictions were stopped.
On 27 August 1885 a large party of armed bailiffs, police and a Resident Magistrate walked from Mullinavat to Ballyfacey, Glenmore, to evict six tenants. Mullinavat and Ballyfacey townland were owned by the widow Louisa Tigue of Woodstock House near Inistioge, Kilkenny. Locally, Land League Chapters had been organised early by local clergy to try to stop evictions.
On that day in August 1885, Church bells across the area rang out from Mullinavat, Glenmore, Listerlin and Tullogher calling the people to Ballyfacey. Fr. Patrick Neary (1828-1887) was driven to Ballyfacey from Mullinavat in an ass cart and is credited with stopping blood shed and saving lives that day as locals pelted the armed party with stones.
The home of Mrs. Anastatia Dollard (c. 1819-1898) was barricaded. It was to be the place of the first eviction. When three bailiffs attacked the house boiling water was thrown on them from inside the house. Eventually it was suggested to R.M. Bodkin that they could gain entry through the thatched roof. Fr. Neary pleaded with Bodkin not to enter through the roof or his wife would be a widow before night. After conferring with the Sheriff, it was decided that the armed party would return to Mullinavat. Subsequently, this success story was reported extensively at Land League meetings and in newspapers. For further information, see our post of 8 March 2020 regarding the Glenmore Land League and the Ballyfacey evictions.
Please send any corrections, additional information, suggestions for other heritage markers or photographs to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Thanks to the Glenmore Tidy Town’s team and especially Pat who erects the signs.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The 1882 Contested Application for a Glenmore Pub
Most of the following was gleaned from the Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 14 Oct. 1882, p. 3) reporting on the quarter sessions for the Piltown district of Thomastown division, held in the Piltown courthouse, on Tuesday 10 October 1882. Mr. de Moleyns, Q.C., was the chair and county court judges, accompanied by Peter McDermott, J.P., Registrar and deputy clerk of the peace were present. There were 140 processes served for the sessions. In addition to several civil cases, the magistrates just after noon heard, spirit license applications, and one of the applications was for Glenmore Village.
The Spirit License Application Hearings
Magistrates were not professional lawyers or judges. L.N. Izod, D.L. was the chair and twelve other magistrates joined him including: Alexander Hamilton; H. Charles Gregory; Edmund H. Maude; Dawson A. Milward; Peter Walsh, J.C. Elliott; W.H. Bolger; Matthew R. Stephenson; James A. Blake; John T. Seigne; Henry Smith, R.M.; and Col. Villiers Stuart.
There were 15 spirit license cases listed in the newspaper. There was one application withdrawn, seven involved new licenses and seven involved the transfer of an existing license. All seven transfer of license applications were granted. Only one of the new license applications was granted for Ballyclovin. Today, we are going to examine the application that took the longest time to hear. It was the application of John Hanrahan of Robinstown, Glenmore Village. Thanks to Glenmore Historian, Danny Dowling (1927-2021) we know that the pubs in Glenmore were shut by the then Parish Priest in about 1870.
The Opposing Solicitor and his Glenmore Ties
The two solicitors in the Glenmore application case were Arthur J. Boyd, a Kilkenny City solicitor, for the applicant, and Thomas F. Strange (1812-1897) a Waterford solicitor, in opposition to the application. [Although Thomas Fitzgerald Strange lived in Waterford two of his children resided in Glenmore parish at this time. His children inherited holdings from his brother Peter Strange (1805-1872) upon his death in 1872. Thomas Alexander Strange (1856-1907) inherited Aylwardstown and Rose C. Strange (1847-1935) inherited Rochestown.]
The Glenmore Application
Mr. Boyd applied on behalf of John Hanrahan, of Robinstownm Glenmore, for a new license for his house situated in “that now model village.” From the newspaper account it is not clear why Glenmore was referred to as a “now model village.” The term “model village” was used by the Victorians to describe villages built by industrialists for their workers, see generally “From Factory to Fireside” (2017) The Historic England Blog.
Mr. Strange said that he appeared to oppose the application on behalf of the Earl of Bessborough, “the lord of the soil.” [Although Robinstown township was owned by the Earl of Bessborough he did not own the adjoining townlands of Graiguenakill or Cappagh. Glenmore Village straddles the three townlands and Mr. Hanrahan’s house was the last house in Robinstown. The Fluskey shop was adjacent to Hanrahan’s house in Graiguenakill.]
Mr. Boyd noted that Lord Bessborough had no right to oppose the application, as he was not a resident or a householder in Glenmore. He had no locus standi in the hearing to oppose the application.
Mr. Strange conceded the point and stated, “Very well. I oppose on behalf of a large number of the inhabitants of Glenmore, including the Rev. Edward Farrell, parish priest, and his curate, the Rev. Mr. Corcoran.”
Testimony of John Hanrahan (1843-1921) of Glenmore
John Hanrahan was then sworn and was examined by Mr. Boyd. John Hanrahan testified that he was seeking a license for his house that was located about 40 or 50 yards from the police barrack at Glenmore, and it was next to the sessions’ house. He explained that the road sessions were held next door at least once a year. [A Council room was in Fluskey’s in an upstairs large meeting room.] John Hanrahan noted that there was no public house in Glenmore Village, but “refreshment” was occasionally brought there by vans from Waterford and New Ross. Several people had expressed a wish to have a respectable house of refreshment in Glenmore Village.
John Hanrahan was then cross-examined by Mr. Strange. John Hanrahan stated that he was never fined yet for being drunk. He denied that he went to the parish priest’s house and kicked the hall door. He stated that one night while on his way home from town, he was passing the house when the Priest’s dogs ran at and attacked him. John Hanrahan stated that he “of course hunted them back as well as I could.” John Hanrahan continued that the parish priest keeps very wicked dogs and he “should be very sorry indeed to kick my parish priest’s door, or do anything else that would annoy his reverence.”
Mr. Strange asked John Hanrahan if he was aware that a “memorial” against his license application had been extensively signed by the inhabitants of Glenmore? John Hanrahan stated that people were coerced to sign it.
Testimony of Constable Michael Reilly, formerly of Glenmore R.I.C.
The next witness called was Constable Michael Reilly, of the James’s street station in Kilkenny. He was examined on behalf of the applicant, John Hanrahan. Michael Reilly stated that he was stationed in Glenmore for about 12 months in the years 1880-1881. During that time he knew John Hanrahan, who was a respectable man, “and against whom he never heard anything wrong.” He went on to explain that during the Land League agitation the applicant, had “lent his car—for hire of course—to the police on duty in the district.” He agreed that the Hanrahan house was about 40 or 50 yards from the police barrack.
During Constable Reilly’s time in Glenmore there were seven convictions against the keepers of shebeens in the district, and one woman was fined £2 for that offence. [For further information on Glenmore shebeens see our post of 31 March 2020. For further information on the infamous Biddy “the Flies” Whelan who was fined £2 see our post of 5 April 2020. ]
An un-named sub-constable stationed in Glenmore was examined, but his evidence was that a public house in Glenmore Village would be “the cause of strife and disorder there.” [For information on faction fighting see our post of 20 May 2021.]
Disallowed Statement of Rev. Edward Farrell, P.P. Glenmore
Mr. Strange sought to put into evidence a letter written by Rev. Edward Farrell, P.P., in opposition to the application. Mr. Boyd objected to the letter on the grounds that the writer was not present to be cross examined and the document had not been sent to the clerk of the peace for the purpose of being placed on the files of the court.
Mr. Walsh thought that the letter of the Rev. Fr. Farrell was perfectly legal evidence, and should be received. “The learned chairman, held otherwise,” and it was not admitted into evidence. [It was hearsay.]
Rev. Michael Corcoran C.C. Glenmore
The Rev. Michael Corcoran, R.C.C., Glenmore was examined by Mr. Strange. Fr. Corcoran stated that there were public houses in Glenmore Village, “and they were the cause of much strife and fighting between the inhabitants and frequenters of the Village.” “In fact, the fighting was brought into the parish chapel.” Fr. Corcoran opined that if a public house was now to be established …it would tend to excite the worst passions of the people and incite a loyal and law-abiding population to the commission of many crimes.” It was on that ground principally that Fr. Corcoran and other inhabitants signed the memorial opposing the application.
Fr. Corcoran when cross-examined by Mr. Boyd stated that the only reason the parish priest was not present in court to object to the application was because he was ill and unable to attend. Fr. Corcoran conceded that the memorial was signed in the sacristy of the chapel, but there was no coercion needed to obtain signatures. He also admitted that the persons signing the memorial were not all householders in the Village.
Mr. Boyd remarked, “We all know how easy it is to obtain signatures to a memorial. Every little boy and girl in the village will sign a memorial if asked to do so.” Fr. Corcoran argued that “every signature to that memorial is a bone fide signature, and most of them are signatures of respectable farmers residing in the district.”
Mr. Strange in an effort to move away from the memorial stated, “I believe the Village of Glenmore was the scene of many a faction fight and much bloodshed in the old days when there were public houses?” Fr. Corcoran agreed, “It was, and the bad feeling created was brought into the parish chapel.” When questioned by Mr. Boyd whether this was from his personal knowledge Fr. Corcoran conceded that it was not. “No, but I have head it from a source which can be relied upon just as if I had pledged my oath here to the truth of the statement.”
It is surmised that to make such a statement he must have heard it from the Parish Priest, Fr. Edward Farrell. Per Danny Dowling’s list of Glenmore Clergy, we know that Fr. Corcoran was C.C. from 1879 to 13 June 1885. Fr. Edward O’Farrell (sic) was C.C. from 1871 to August 1874 when he became Parish Priest.
Legal Points of Public Interest
The evidence concluded. The chairman after consulting with the other magistrates said that before announcing the decision of the court there was a matter of public importance that had arose during the hearing. Mr. Strange sought to introduce a written statement from Rev. Edward Farrell. The section of the Act of Parliament states that any person objecting to the granting of such applications “Shall be at liberty to transmit in writing to the clerk of the peace, or orally to state to such justices in sessions assembled.” The Rev. Edward Farrell had not transmitted any statement in writing in respect of this application to the clerk of the peace, and he was not here to state orally his objections. Therefore, it was proper to refuse the written statement as evidence.
The chairman also stated that one of the magistrates had expressed his opinion that evidence that the applicant had supplied cars to the police should have been excluded. The chair noted that had he refused to supply cars it would have been brought up as proof of his bad character and not a fit person to be entrusted with a license. The evidence was properly admitted.
Having referred to the two evidential matters of public importance, the justices were unanimous in their decision to reject the application. What is not clear from the newspaper account of the hearing was whether the memorial signed by persons outside the village of Glenmore was admitted into evidence given that the people who signed it were not in court that day (except Fr. Corcoran) and there was no mention of it having been provided to the clerk of the peace before the hearing.
John Hanrahan (1843-1921) of Glenmore Village
John Hanrahan was the son of Denis Hanrahan and his wife Bridget Gaffney of the Mill, Glenmore Village. John was baptized at Glenmore on 9 February 1843. John like his father Denis was a cooper. The family resided in the house later occupied by Danny Dowling.
John Hanrahan married his first wife Mary Cashen, of Ballycroney, Glenmore on 19 July 1870. The couple had four known children between 1871 and 1878. Mary died of TB in 1878 at the age of 40 just 4 months after her daughter Katie was born. John on 10 February 1881 married Ellen Mullins (c. 1841-1927) of Gaulstown, Glenmore. In addition to raising John’s children the couple also raised 3 of their 6 orphaned nephews: Patrick, James and Richard Hanrahan. [See our post of 27 August 2015 regarding the orphaned Hanrahan brothers and our post of 6 Dec. 2020].
Ironically, sometime before 1901 John Hanrahan moved to a ruin of a house opposite the Glenmore chapel which was the site of a previous pub run by Nellie Grawsheen (Grace) which was closed by the Parish Priest around 1870. John Hanrahan rebuilt the house and opened a shop. Hanrahan family members to this day still reside there.
It was only in 1963 that Glenmore gained a pub when an existing license was approved to be transferred from Cork to Glenmore. For further information see our post of 8 May 2023.
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
In the featured old postcard of Glenmore Village, John Hanrahan’s house in 1882 was the second from the right in front of which two boys are playing. The first building from the right is Fluskey’s shop and post office.
From Danny’s Files: Rev. Fr. John Fitzpatrick (c. 1758-1835) P.P. of Slieverue-Glenmore
In one of the numerous files of Glenmore Historian, Danny Dowling (1927-2021), was a short handwritten note on the back of an envelope. The note Danny wrote was a copy of a short letter to the editor of the Waterford Mirror (Mon. 18 Oct 1824, p. 3) newspaper. The Letter to the Editor was written in 1824 by Rev. John Fitzpatrick (c. 1758-1835) the Parish Priest of the combined Slieverue and Glenmore parish. Glenmore did not become a separate parish until 1846.
Parishioners of Forristalstown, Glenmore
” TO THE EDITOR OF THE WATERFORD MIRROR—Dear Sir—Your insertion of the following in your very useful paper, would, we think here, be productive of much good, as an example to others to act similarly.
On Monday night, in the great storm, a lighter, with 400 casks of butter, from Ross for Waterford, was swamped in the river of Ross, at Forrestalstown, in my parish, near Glenmore. All the butter went afloat. By the exertions of the honest poor farmers, some of them having boats, they were all recovered, save six, four of which seen tossing about the County Wexford side; I hope they will be recovered. 100 of the casks were consigned to a respectable merchant in Waterford, who in a note to me acknowledges the receipt of 98 of them, with grateful thanks to the people. His note was read from our Altars this day, with which country people seemed much pleased. I am Sir, with respect, your very humble Servant, John Fitzpatrick, P.P. Slieverue, County Kilkenny, October 17, 1824.“
Rev. Fr. John Fitzpatrick (c. 1758-1835) P.P. Slieverue & Glenmore
According to the list of curates that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) compiled from 1770-1904 (available on this website) “Rev. John Fitzpatrick (PP Slieverue) was a curate from June 1799 to beginning of 1806.” From a newspaper article from 1817, we know that Fr. John Fitzpatrick was a native of Deerpark, Co. Laois. He was the son of Patrick Fitzpatrick (c. 1713-1817) who was said to have died at the age of 104 in 1817 (Freeman’s Journal, Fri. 24 Oct. 1817, p. 4). Patrick Fitzpatrick “up to the period of his dissolution, he retained the full and uninterrupted use of his mental facilities, and he was never confined by sickness until within six weeks of his dissolution.” Until this “confinement” he walked regularly to Mountrath to Mass.
We could find no record of Fr. Fitzpatrick’s birth, but according to Rev. William Canon Carrigan’s (1860-1924) authoritative history of the Diocese of Ossory Fr. John Fitzpatrick was 77 when he died on 27 November 1835 (Carrigan (1905) The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, Vol. 4, Ch. X, p. 212).
“DEAD–At his home Valetta, County Kilkenny, at an advanced age, the Rev. John Fitzpatrick, for many years P.P. of Slieverue and Glenmore, in the diocese of Ossory. For about 40 years, first as Curate and afterwards Priest, he discharged parochial functions in that period with the kindest liberality and the most unwearied zeal. In his intercourse with general society his conduct was equally commendable” (Waterford Mail, Wed. 2 Dec. 1835, p. 3).
We know that Fr. Fitzpatrick did not enjoy the same robust health as his father. Seven years before Fr. Fitzpatrick’s death it was reported that he was unwell and not able to celebrate Mass in the new Ferrybank Chapel. “On last Sunday mass was celebrated, for the first time, in the new chapel, in the parish of Slieverue, county of Kilkenny, opposite the Quay. The Rev. Nicholas Carroll, P.P. of Mooncoin, officiated, in the absence of Rev. John Fitzpatrick, the parish clergyman, who is suffering under indisposition” (Freeman’s Journal, Thurs. 21 Jan. 1830, p.3).
William Canon Carrigan (1860-1924) on Fr. John Fitzpatrick
Thanks to William Canon Carrigan we know where Fr. John Fitzpatrick worked and when he was born and ordained. Carrigan provides that The Very Rev. John Fitzpatrick, was a nephew of the Rev. Edmund Fitzpatrick, P.P. Castletown. Fr. John Fitzpatrick was ordained by Dr. Troy, on 6 March 1784. He was C.C. Upperwoods from 1789 to 1791, and subsequently of Gowran, Thomastown and Slieverue. He became P.P. of Slieverue early in 1806 and was Canon of Tascoffin for many years. “He died 27 November 1835 in the 77th year of his age and 52nd in his priesthood. He is buried in Slieverue chapel” (Carrigan, p. 212). For further information on William Canon Carrigan see our post of 17 Sept. 2023.
John O’Donovan (1806-1861) on Fr. John Fitzpatrick
Ben Murtagh, archaelogist wrote an interesting article “Kilmurry Castle and Other Related Sites in Slieverue Parish,” ((2000) Old Kilkenny Review, p. 100) in which he revealed what John O’Donovan wrote about Fr. John Fitzpatrick. “By the early nineteenth century, the drunkeness and fighting associated with patterns, was becoming a source of embarrassment to the newly emerging Roman Catholic establishment in the country.” John O’Donovan the eminent Irish scholar was born and reared in Slieverue, and his mother was from what would become the Parish of Glenmore. For further information on John O’Donovan see our posts of 18 February 2024 (childhood) and 21 April 2024 (Conawee legend).
Murtagh stated, “John O’Donovan (1841 Letters Re: 1839 Ordinance Survey, Kilkenny (Typescript Bray, 1930, p. 95) tells us that the pattern in Kilmurry was abolished in his own memory by the Rev. John Fitzpatrick, parish priest of Glenmore and Slieverue (1806-35), who was a great admirer of modern civilization and not at all given to superstition unless as far as he could make use of it to make the Rahingure people pay him dues. His predecessors however, who were men of the old school, the Revd. Richard Coady, alias Archdeacon, Dr. Stephen Lower, the greatest ecclesiastic that Ida ever produced, were accustomed to say Mass near this well on Lady Day in August…”
We believe that the Rahingure–where Fr. Fitzpatrick would use superstition to get the people to pay him dues–refers to Rathinure, Glenmore. For further information on Dr. Stephen Lower (c. 1727-1800) the Saviour of Slieverue see our post of 11 November 2020. Lastly, one of the articles that Danny Dowling co-authored is cited in Murtagh’s article and the author thanked Danny and others for their help. .
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The drawing above is from the Slieverue Chaper in William Canon Carrigan’s The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (Vol. 4, p. 243).
Family Tree Workshop 2026 Photos & Forms
To honour Danny Dowling’s 99th birthday we held a Family Tree Workshop in the Glenmore Community Hall last Sunday. Thanks to Noah Bradfield for the photos of participants. Based on the number of packets given out there were 27 participants. We hope that everyone came away with new information to help them discover their Glenmore ancestors.
If you were unable to attend here are the forms that were given out.
[1] Family Tree
This is a drawing to record your ancestors. This particular tree was downloaded from a free site, so visit a few and see which tree you prefer. Regardless of what tree you choose, I recommend using a pencil because you will find it necessary to correct and update information. Where to begin? Start with what you know.
[1.1] YOU–Place your name (one line 1) on the left, and dates of your (b) birth and (m) marriage under your name. Dates are usually written as 23 June 1978 or 1 Sept. 1779. This avoids confusion.
[1.2] YOUR PARENTS–The two lines immediately to the right of your name (lines 2 and 3) are for your parents. Your father’s name goes on the upper line (2) and your mother’s name on the lower line (3). It is up to you whether you use your mother’s maiden name or married name. If you use your mother’s married name put née [maiden name] below her name. Example Margaret Reilly née Aylwards. Between your mother and father place the date of their marriage (m. 19 Oct. 1955).
[1.3] YOUR GRANDPARENTS–There are four lines for your grandparents. Two are linked to each of your parents. Therefore, your father’s parents fill the upper two of the four lines. Your paternal grandfather is on the top. The bottom two lines are for your mother’s father and mother.
[2] RESOURCE SHEET
Most people do ok up to their grandparents, but are not sure of their great-grandparents or their grandparents birth, death and marriage dates. This leads us to our resource sheet packed with Irish resources to help you begin to uncover information. Some of the free sites that are the most helpful are the census of 1911 and 1901 as well as IrishGeneology.ie . However, one of the best resources for finding information is from older family members or neighbours, family headstones etc. Most people are quite happy to talk about the past. Please note GDPR applies to Church Records.
RESOURCES
[2.1] St. James Cemetery
Some headstones provide a lot of information. Some of it is wrong. A lot of ages are wrong. Prior to 1860 the government did not record birth or death records. Thus, parish records are often your only source prior to 1860. However, GDPR—stops the State and clergy from providing information in line with what is released by Irish Genealogy.ie (see below). Note in some early marriages the residence of the groom was recorded as the same as the bride where the marriage was celebrated. If the couple had children their residence at birth provides an avenue to record a family that moved.
Helpful Hint—a date of death usually gives you an approximate birth year for checking the parish registers. Glenmore civil records (birth, death and marriages) before 1920 are listed with Waterford and thereafter Thomastown. Helpful Hint—deaths are recorded where the person died not where s/he lived.
[2.2] glenmore-history.com
To use this site for family research a laptop or computer is best. If you do not have access to a laptop or computer both the Ferrybank and New Ross libraries have computers which are free of charge to use with a library card. Library cards are free of charge, and the card can be used at any public library. Check the surname pages for obituaries, interviews recorded by Danny and newspaper articles etc. (Married women are generally listed under their married names, with maiden names provided if known. Then check their maiden name).
In addition to the weekly blog articles, there are also lists of members of the Old Glenmore IRA, farmers etc. The blog also has a search feature that will locate up to 10 references for you. Place the name you are researching in “ “ to limit your search to that individual.
Townlands—to access most records and to ensure you have the correct record, you must determine where your ancestor lived. The townlands have been very fluid. See the list of Glenmore townlands with Civil Parishes and Danny Dowling’s 1961 list of residents.
Connecting—to see other people researching various parish names e.g. Fitzgerald etc.
Roots—contains headstone inscriptions from old cemeteries, longer obits, memory cards.
Useful Links to Online Resources—includes Danny’s publications, maps, census links etc.
[2.3] Libraries
Kilkenny Library–Online https://kilkennylibrary.ie/eng/our_services/local_studies/
Ferrybank Library 051 897200 or email ferrybank@kilkennylibrary.ie They have a number of books of local interest but also have free access to on line old newspapers. Not all old newspapers are on line. However, the main libraries in Kilkenny City and Waterford have old newspapers on micro film or fiche that are free to search.
New Ross Library 053 91 96722 or email newrosslib@wexfordcoco.ie They have books of local interest, and free access to on line old newspapers including the New Ross Standard (has more computers, book to ensure a seat).
[2.4] Irish Genealogy.ie
Civil Records – Civil Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths are the official State records of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Ireland.
- Birth 1864-1924
- Marriages 1845- 1944
- Deaths 1871- 1974
[2.5] Parish Records
Glenmore Parish Register—see https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0987
Site contains marriages from 1831 to June 1883; Baptisms from 1831 to 1880
Slieverue Parish Register—before Glenmore became a parish it was part of Slieverue see, https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/1031 Note that it states Slieverue is in the Diocese of Ossory, in County Waterford…this is because the postal address was Waterford. Baptisms from 1766 on; Deaths from Dec. 1766 to 1799; & Marriages 1766 on. The records particularly the death records are not complete.
A free on-line index is available findmypast.ie (Beware it is a pay site & offers free trials that may lead to an unwanted subscription.)
[2.6] Census Records
1901 and 1911 are available and 1925 is due to be released this year. Remember to check the townlands to ensure you get the correct Pat Walsh. See https://nationalarchives.ie/collections/search-the-census/
[3] Other sites or services
Family search.org is a free international site maintained by the Mormons. It holds a variety of Irish records and indexes.
There are a number of paid or subscription cites and services. Some have free access for two weeks to allow you access to test the site/service. It is a good idea to have a number of searches before you try the service. One of the most helpful is ROOTSIRELAND.ie. It has Baptismal and Marriage Church records across the country. BEWARE—many people rely on the research done by others and can be led astray. Always check and satisfy yourself regarding your ancestor. The record closer in time to the actual event is usually the more reliable. For example, a baptismal record is closer in time to a birth than an inscription date on a headstone or recorded in an obit.
[3] RESEARCH RECORD SHEET
I developed the third sheet to manage all the ancestors with the same or similar names and to stop researching what I previously found. Often I would perform family research in the winter and put it to the side in the summer. Then when I started researching again I would end up looking up something I previously found. Thus, for each ancestor I was trying to locate I filled out one of these sheets. Often when it is difficult to find an ancestor they might be located through a sibling or child. On this sheet you can record everything for an ancestor in one place.
Looking Ahead
We are seeking ideas for what we can do in 2027 to honour Danny Dowling’s 100th birthday. If you have any suggestions please email them to glenmore.history@gmail.com or give them to Pat Dowling.
Again thanks to Noah and the Glenmore Tidy Towns team that helped last Sunday and to everyone who helped by providing information or mentored a person beginning their family tree.
If you need a hand looking up an ancestor just send an email to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Family Tree Workshop & Upcoming Lecture
You are cordially invited to a beginners’ workshop on tracing your family tree to take place on
Sunday the 15th of February
from 2 to 4
in the Glenmore Community Hall.
This workshop is to mark our founder Danny Dowling’s 99th birthday. All you need to bring is a pencil. Printed blank family trees, family worksheets and a resource sheet will be provided as well as tea and birthday cake.
Any one with knowledge of local families as well as anyone who has experience doing family research is invited to attend to help the beginners get started.
Glenmore Golden Heritage Signs
This workshop is sponsored by glenmore.history.com and Glenmore Tidy Towns. Next month we will be adding more Glenmore Golden signs to mark 5 more historical sites around the parish. If you would like to nominate a historical site for a Glenmore Golden sign please email glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Kilkenny Archaeology Society’s 2026 Lecture
On Wednesday the 18th of March 2026, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. a lecture will be held in Rothe House in Kilkenny City. The lecture is on the archaeology & landscape in Kilkenny. What may interest readers is that the recent archaeological investigations on the New Ross by-pass will be covered. It is my understanding that such a discovery was unearthed near the Glenmore roundabout. The cost of the lecture is €10.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured family tree above is courtesy of The New York Public Library’s Digital Collection. Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. (1800 – 1910). Family tree. Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/fb379be0-c574-012f-2218-58d385a7bc34