Danny Dowling (1927-2021)
now browsing by tag
Thatched Houses in Glenmore at the End of WWII
Danny Dowling (1929-2021) made lists of various local things including: local Irish words, Mass Paths, elderly parish residents and thatched houses in Glenmore at the end of WWII. Thatch was the traditional roof in Glenmore prior to the twentieth century. The Second World War ended in 1945, and it appears that thatch roofs were then in the minority. Below is Danny’s list of the 35 houses identified and their respective townlands. The list is not dated. We note that several townlands are not included. The entire original list with notes from Danny is included. Any comments or additional houses that have been added are is square brackets [ ].
- Jack Forristal, of Cappagh (Bolger’s) [today Frankie Kirwan’s].
- Greene’s, of Jamestown
- Wattie Power, of Jamestown
- Anne Gaule, of Busherstown
- Johanna Closh Walsh, of Busherstown
- Main Gaule, of Busherstown
- Neddie Power, of Busherstown
- Anne Doherty, of Busherstown
- Doherty’s, of Milltown (part of)
- Haberlin’s, of Forristalstown
- Grace’s, of Forristalstown
- Jimmy Doherty’s, of Forristalstown
- Statia Butler, of Ballycroney
- Seamus Fitzgerald, of Ballycroney
- Luke Murphy, of Ballybrahee [See our post of 15 Aug. 2021 for more information on Luke Murphy]
- Dick Power, of Ballybrahee
- Dick Murphy, of Robinstown
- Pat Grant, of Robinstown
- Reddy’s, of Robinstown
- Neddie (Watts) Fitzgerald, of Ballinaraha
- Brophy’s, of Ballinaraha
- Moran’s, of Ballinlammy
- Doherty’s, of Ballinlammy
- Gahan’s, of Rochestown
- Shawn’s, of Rochestown [nickname for 1 of the Forristal families of Rochestown. We believe that this was the home of John Forristal (c. 1838-1915) and his wife Mary née Reddy (c.1851-1917). The couple were married at Glenmore on 31 Aug. 1880 and had five children; Bridget, James, John, Thomas and Patrick.]
- James “Browley” Walsh, of Rochestown
- Larry Walsh, of Rochestown
- Foran’s, of Kearney Bay
- James Phelan “The Walker”, of Ballyhobuck
- Larry Kirwan, of the Shanty [Scartnamore]
- John Kennedy, of Rathinure [Sean Óg where Johnny Garvey lives today]
- Pat Kennedy, of Rathinure [The Faddies]
- John Haberlin, of Aylwardstown
- Jim “Brien” Fitzgerald, of Aylwardstown
- Ryan’s, of Kearney Bay
- Pat Ryan, of Kearney Bay (Cousin of Mike Ryan, went to Ringville)
The following not on Danny’s original list
[37] [Johnny “Billy” Roche, of Rathinure] [Thatched house remained until 1972]
[38] [Holden’s, of Clune, Jamestown]
[39] [Paddy Kennedy, of Newtown]
[40] [John Power, of Newtown]
[41] [Martin Forristal, of Rochestown]
[42] [Paddy Mullally, of Ballyhobuck] [Later Walsh’s of Ballyhobuck]
[Update of 9 Oct. 2025–Jimmy Roche (1927-2018) of Rathinure often told the story of when he was a young fellow helping to rid the Faddie’s of rats in their thatch roof. A ferret was placed on the roof, and soon rats were attempting to escape by leaping from the roof. Jimmy and a number of young men armed with hurley’s dispatched the rats as they leaped from the thatch.]
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
1798: “The Rebels Are Gone to Glenmore”
Every month old newspapers are added to the various historical online newspaper services. Thus, every couple of months we perform generic searches among the added newspapers to try to find new information regarding Glenmore. Today, we feature 3 articles. The oldest is an article from June 1798 where a person in Waterford wrote to an English newspaper describing his understanding of the Battle of Ross and that the rebels “had gone to Glenmore.” The second found article provides the date when Glenmore parish was given land to build St. James and the final article concerns a Glenmore woman who died in 1826 at the age of 100.
Rebels to Glenmore
The Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal (Tues. 12 June 1798, p. 4) published the following article:
“Of this engagement the following is the account given in a private letter brought by the Waterford mail which arrived this morning. WATERFORD, June 6. I promised to give you of the battle—a dreadful battle indeed for Ireland! It commenced yesterday morning at four o’clock, and ended at seven. The rebels began the attack. They engaged the King’s troops with hellish fury, and the rebels were alternatively in possession of Ross. About 3,000 of the later are killed; but we do not know what number of our troops and officers have fallen. The town of Ross is almost burnt to ashes. If we had 2,000 more troops not a rebel would have been left; but 2,000 men were not enough for 20,000. All the Ross people are come to here. The ladies are gone to England. The rebels are gone to Glenmore and the communication with Ross by land we fear is cut off. All here is consternation! Our yeomanry behaved wonderfully.”
“New Ross, the theatre of the engagement here mentioned, is a market town in the county of Wexford, and is situated near the confluence of the rivers Nore and Barrow. It is on of the Staple ports for exporting wool. It has a barrack for a troop of horse, and is strongly defended on the Kilkenny side by the river, which is not fordable, but over which there is a ferry. It is situated 15 miles west of Wexford , and 67 southwest of Dublin.”
For further information on Glenmore in 1798 see our post of 22 February 2020. For further information on Gaffney’s Mill see our post of 6 April 2025.
Land Given for the Glenmore Church
Just five years after the 1798 Rebellion the Earl of Bessborough gave an acre of land to the Parish of Glenmore to build the Catholic Church of St. James. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often remarked that the Earl must have been a kind man because he did not in any apparent way punish the family of William Gaffney (c. 1762-1798) the executed Glenmore miller and leader of the local United Irishmen.
Prior to the building of St. James’s Church there was a church hidden in Hanrahan’s field across from the present creamery. See our post of 16 November 2018 for a brief history of St. James’s which was consecrated 1813.
“The Earl of Bessborough has very liberally granted an acre of land in the parish of Glenmore, in the County of Kilkenny, to erect a chapel on, for the Divine Worship and adoration of the Author of All Good, for which his Lordship has received the sincere thanks of the Rev. Dr. Malley, P.P. and the Roman Catholic gentlemen, farmers, and inhabitants of the parish” (Saunders’s News-Letter, Thur. 27 Oct. 1803).
We believe this gift was from the third Earl of Bessborough, Frederick Ponsonby (1758-1844). He inherited the Bessborough title and lands upon the death of his father, William Ponsonby, the second Earl of Bessborough, in 1793. For further details regarding Frederick Ponsonby, his wife, Lady Henrietta Spencer and their daughter Lady Caroline Lamb’s scandalous affair with Lord Byron, see Marjorie Bloy, A Web of English History website.
The Death of Mrs. Kennedy of Rathinure, Glenmore
Mrs. Kennedy’s death in April 1826 was published in a Dublin and a London newspaper.
“At Rathnure (sic), Parish of Glenmore, County of Kilkenny, Mrs. Kennedy, aged 100 years. She retained her faculties unimpaired to the last moment of her existence; she was remarkable for her cheerful and charitable disposition, which endeared her alike to the young and the old” (Dublin Morning Register, Thurs. 27 April 1826, p. 4). A shortened death notice was published in Baldwin’s London Weekly Journal (Sat. 6 May 1826, p. 1) giving her date of death as 22 April 1826.
Unfortunately the combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish death records ceased long before 1826. Although a local newspaper probably reported this death and other newspapers then carried the story, we were unable to locate the original local article. Perhaps we will learn more about this lady as more historical newspapers are digitalized.
Please send any corrections and further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Rose Strange (1847-1935) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
As we sort through the vast amount of material Danny Dowling (1927-2021) collected over 7 decades our progress is often hampered when interesting interviews or clippings send us looking for more information. Such was the case of an 1880 Kilkenny Journal article announcing a Waterford Prize winner.
Kilkenny Journal (10 Nov. 1880)
The Proprietors of “Society,” a London publication, announced that they awarded the prize for the best Parody of Sir Walter Scott’s lines, “Breathes there a man,” etc. to Miss Rose Strange, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore, Waterford. (To read the original poem see, Scottish Poetry Library.) The original poem questions whether there exists any man with such an empty heart and dead soul that he has no love for his country. The prize winning parody penned by Miss Rose Strange is:
Lives there a man who once loved sound,
Of echoing horn and baying hound,
When Autumn yellows o’er the plain,
Feels not his soul within him burn,
Feels no bright dreams of youth return,
With Winter’s glorious sport again,
Oh, be there such, whose heart is stealth,
The cities’ toil, the race for wealth,
Has stolen away, or made too cold,
To quicken as in days of old,
When the good hunt came sweeping by,
With all its’ gladsome revelry,
Masters of thousands though he be,
Broad through his acres, poor is he,
Vainly for him good steed shall neigh,
Life’s keenest joy has “Gone Away.”
Who was Miss Rose Strange of Aylwardstown, Glenmore?
We could not locate a Miss Rose Strange born at Aylwardstown. However, we did locate Rose Charlotte Strange who was baptized on 11 August 1847 at Trinity Within of Waterford City. Her father was recorded as Thomas Strange, but her mother and godparents were not recorded. Rose C. Strange was the daughter of solicitor Thomas F. Strange (1812-1897) and his wife Mary Strange née Nevins (1821-1909). Thomas Fitzgerald Strange (1812-1897) was born and raised at Aylwardstown. According to Danny, in the 1830’s Thomas and one of his brothers moved to Waterford where they purchased the Waterford Chronicle newspaper. For a history of the Strange family in Aylwardstown see, Danny Dowling (1996) “Cardinal WIseman & His Association WIth South Kilkenny” (Kilkenny Archaeological Society, p. 38).
While Thomas F. Strange went to Waterford and became a solicitor his eldest brother Peter Strange (1805-1872) remained in Aylwardstown. Although Peter did not marry the parish records reveal that he had an illegitimate son also named Peter Strange. The infant was baptized at Glenmore on 4 July 1840. He was born at Roachestown (sic) and his mother was Mary Forestal. It is not known what became of this infant. Peter Strange (1805-1872) never married, and when he died in 1872 he left Aylwardstown to his nephew Thomas Alexander Strange (1856-1907) and Rochestown to his niece Rose Charlotte Strange (Danny Dowling, p. 43). See our post of 9 February 2025 for a letter written in 1873 to James Heffernan of Glenmore, Wisconsin, which provides details regarding Peter Strange’s (1805-1872) death and the refusal of the Glenmore Parish Priest to pray for him or bury him.
We believe that Thomas A. Strange and his sister Rose C. Strange took up residence in Aylwardstown House. The newspapers of the era refer to Mr. and Miss Strange of Aylwardstown House attending many hunts with Lord Waterford and others.
Siblings of Rose C. Strange (1847-1935)
Thomas Fitzgerald Strange (1812-1897) married Maria Nevins (1821-1909 ) on 9 December 1845 in Holy Trinity, Parish of Brikenhead, Cheshire, England. In addition to Rose C. Strange (1847-1935) and Thomas A. Strange (1856-1907) the couple had 3 more daughters and another son.
[1] Agnes Mary Strange (1850-1947) died 23 October 1947 at East Ferry, Ballincura, Middleton, Ireland. Agnes never married. She apparently liked to travel and went to the US several times. Agnes died of influenza at the age of 97.
[2] Grace or Frances Strange (1854-1946). Grace Strange died on 18 May 1946 at East Ferry at the age of 91. She was a retired nurse and spinster.
[3] Mary Strange (1852-1942) died at Ballincura, Middleton, Cork. In 1913 she sought to become the executor of her father Thomas F. Strange’s estate. Her mother and brother, Laurence C. Strange had commenced the Estate in March 1897, but due to circumstances discussed below the Estate was never administered. Mary Strange, spinster was granted letters. In 1913 the Estate was worth £550 5s. 4d.
[4] Laurence Charles “Charlie” Strange (1858-1902) was baptized 12 August 1858 at Tramore. On the record his mother is incorrectly listed as Mary Burns. He followed in his father’s footsteps and became a solicitor in 1883. The following year, Laurence Charles Strange of 6 Harcourt Row (solicitor) married Letitia Janette Scott daughter of James Scott (gentleman) of 23 Upper Sheriff St. Dublin. The couple were married at St. Barnabas, Church of Ireland on 20 December 1884.
The Aunt, Eliza Chapman née Strange (c. 1807-1881)
Peter (1805-1872) and Thomas F. Strange (1812-1897) had a sister Mary Elizabeth or Eliza Strange. Eliza married Edward Chapman on 28 August 1832 at Glenmore. Edward Morgan Chapman, Esq. of Ringwood, the Rower, died on 18 May 1852 at the age of 48 (Dublin Evening Mail, Mon. 31 May 1852, p. 3). The couple do not appear to have had any children. In 1863, Eliza sought to sell the lands she held at Busherstown (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 25 Feb. 1863, p. 1).
At some point before her death in 1881 Eliza Chapman née Strange returned to live in her childhood home in Aylwardstown. Eliza Chapman died 18th January 1881 at Aylwardstown. She was a 73 year old widow of a gentleman. Her nephew, Thomas Strange, was with her during her last illness. According to the death register she died of “severe pain probably in connection with curvature of the spine and old age.” When Eliza Chapman died she named her brother Thomas F. Strange as her executor and her secondary beneficiary was Rose Charlotte Strange. (Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1852-1922).
Shortly after the death of Eliza her nephew, Thomas A. Strange began selling Aylwardstown. See our post of 8 January 2024 to learn what happened to Thomas A. Strange after he sold Aylwardstown circa 1883. Thus, just three years after Rose Strange won the poetry contest “life’s keenest joy” hunting went away. Mary Eliza Chapman née Strange is the only woman listed on the Strange family stone in Kilivory Cemetery, Glenmore.
The Marriage of Rose C. Strange (1847-1935)
In the later part of 1889, Rose C. Strange married William Weekes Nevins (1853-1904) in Dublin South. They were not married in a Catholic Church. She was William’s second wife. His first wife Clara, died earlier in 1889. At the time of their marriage Rose was 42 years of age and about 6 years older than William Weekes Nevins (1853-1904) . William had a daughter, Gertrude Nevins (b.c. 1874) from his first marriage. Gertrude Nevins, aged 23, married William Charles Seaton (aged 28) on 16 January 1897. His father was Walter Lewis Seaton (gentleman). In 1901 William and Rose were living in Lambeth, London at 39 Electric Avenue. The 1901 census provides that William was born in Canada and listed no profession or trade in the census.
One Tragedy After Another
In the 1901 Census, Laurence C. “Charlie” Strange (solicitor) was a guest at a home in Greystones, Dublin. He refused to provide his religion to the census taker. In Waterford, his wife, Janette Strange was listed as the head of the house on Mary Street. She was 37 years of age. Her sister-in-law (sic) Frances E. Scott, was 39 and not married. Both ladies were Church of Ireland members and born in Dublin. Also living with them was Laurence Strange (cousin) solicitor, aged 30, born in County Kildare. Laurence Strange, cousin, was part of the Strange and Strange law firm of Waterford. We believe that he was the son of Richard Strange, J.P. (1824-1877) another brother of Thomas F. Strange ( 1812-1897). Laurence “Laurie” Strange was baptised on 13 February 1871 at Graney, Rashvilly, Union of Baltinglass.
Death of Laurence Charles Strange (1858-1902)
At the end of the Boer War, Laurence C. Strange was appointed to take a position in South Africa as an Assistant Crown Prosecutor. He traveled to South Africa and shortly after arriving died on 8 December 1902. He was 42 years of age and died of acute nephritis which he suffered with for 8 days. He is buried in the Klerksdorp Old Municipal Cemetery.
Death of an ex-Mayor of Waterford–News reached Waterford on Tuesday of the death at Klerksdop, Transvaal, of Mr. Laurence C. Strange, solicitor, formerly of the firm of Strange and Strange, solicitors, Waterford. Mr. Strange who was, comparatively speaking, a young man, was prominently identified with local, Municipal, and political affairs for many years. He was Mayor of Waterford in 1899. He went to South Africa early last year, and shortly after the termination of the war was appointed Assistant Crown Prosecutor at Klerksdorp (Evening Herald, Thur. 8 Jan. 1903, p. 3).
Death of Laurence “Laurie” Strange (1871-1903)
Twelve months later, Laurence “Laurie” Strange died in Denver Colorado. DEATH OF MR. LAURIE Strange—The death is announced at Denver City, Colorado, of Mr. Laurence Strange, solicitor, formerly of Waterford. The deceased gentleman, who was admitted a solicitor in 1893, contracted a severe cold some time ago, and serious lung trouble supervening, he went to Colorado, thinking that its climate might stay the ravages of the disease. He was cousin to the late Mr. L.C. Strange (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Dec. 1903, p. 8).
Death of Letitia Jannette Strange née Scott (c. 1854-1904)
Laurence C. Strange’s 40 year old widow, Letitia Jannette Strange died in London on 20 January 1904.
Death of Mrs. L C Strange—We regret to announce this evening the death of Mrs. L C Strange, which took place this morning at Somerleyton Road, Brixton. She was widow of the late Mr. L C Strange, solr., ex-Mayor of Waterford. We also announce with regret the death of Mr. William Nevins, the brother-in-law of Mr. L C Strange, solr., which was coincident with that of Mrs. Strange. These dual announcements will doubtless be heard with much regret (Waterford Chronicle, Wed. 20 January 1904, p. 2). It is not clear how the two deaths are coincident, but it is assumed that Janette Strange was visiting her sister-in-law Rose C. Nevins née Strange when she died.
East Ferry House, Ballincurra, Middleton, Cork
At some point Rose C. Nevin née Strange returned to Ireland and lived in Cork. Either she joined her three spinster sisters or they joined her. Rose Charlotte Strange (1848-1935) died 15 September 1935 at East Ferry House, Ballincurra, Middleton, Cork. At the time of her death she was an 88 year old widow and her death cert notes she was a “Lady of Independent means.” She was the first of the four sisters to die. Both of her brothers pre-deceased her.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Dominic Fitzgerald of Rathinure, Glenmore, Part I
While sorting through some loose newspaper clippings in Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) vast collection a clipping was found regarding Dominic Fitzgerald, of Rathinure, Glenmore, who won an All-Ireland in handball. Over 130 newspaper articles, between the years 1984 and 1994, were found and read. As it transpired Dominic was the first Glenmore Handball Club member to win an All-Ireland in handball. In addition to handball, Dominic won Leinster and All Ireland championships in hurling and football with Good Counsel College, and helped Glenmore in Minor, Junior and under 21 hurling and football. To keep this post to a manageable length only select handball games will be highlighted, and Part I focuses on the years 1984 to 1987.
Glenmore Handball Club only came into existence in 1978. According to the Kilkenny People (Fri. 3 May 1985, p. 17) the first set of All-Ireland handball finals commenced in May 1985. In 1994, the Kilkenny People (Fri. 10 June 1994, p. 21) reported that Dominic won single and doubles in the Kilkenny handball championships, also Leinster championships, and won two All-Ireland medals. The New Ross Standard (Thur. 6 Oct. 1994, p. 33) later that same year reported that Dominic won 4 Leinster and 3 All Ireland trophies for handball.
Made Glenmore Club History
The first article we located regarding Dominic and handball was published in September 1984. The article also provides information concerning other Glenmore players. The Division B matches of the Lisdowney handball tournament, sponsored by Coca-Cola, commenced 17 September 1984. In the first-round singles: P.J. O’Connor (Glenmore) beat Nigel Dunpjy (Lisdowney). Dominic Fitzgerald (Glenmore) lost to Kevin Wall (Lisdoney). In the doubles P.J. O’Connor and Shay Vereker (Glenmore) beat Brian Whyte and Andy Doyle (Talbot’s Inch) (Kilkenny People, Fri 21 Sept. 1984, p. 15).
However, just five months later, at the end of February 1985, Dominic made Glenmore Club history when he became the first juvenile from his club to represent Kilkenny in handball. “He would have preferred a less talented rival—his Wicklow opponent Damien McMahon won the under 12 Leinster title last year, and is still under age this year. So, Dominic was up against it from the start. He gave more than could be fairly be expected of him, and showed fine, two-handed play in some long and hotly disputed rallies. He was never really in with a decent chance of beating his vastly more experienced rival and was beaten 2-nil” (Kilkenny People (Fri. 3 May 1985, p. 17). Ironically, Damian McMahon (Wicklow) would later become Dominic’s doubles partner.
Playing for Kilkenny
Selectors Sean Kennedy (Glenmore) and Bobby Falsey took charge of the Kilkenny team. They started off strong when Clinton Maher (Talbot’s Inch) and Dominic Fitzgerald (Glenmore), combined at under 11 to defeat Wexford’s Francis Cleary and Paddy O’Connor 11-5. The Wexford pair soon reversed this with an 11-7 win. In other age groups Kilkenny secured four points in the race for the top two spots. Dominic Fitzgerald and Clinton Maher went one better than their first outing when they beat J. and D. O’Brien (Oldtown, Dublin) 11-2, 11-5.
Kilkenny played its last league games against Westmeath. Unfortunately, Fitzgerald and Maher lost 11-6, 11-1. Ultimately Kilkenny and Westmeath met in the final and Westmeath with home court advantage were the favourites. They won their league games 16-5 compared to Kilkenny 11-10. “This form seemed justified” when Clinton Maher and Dominic Fitzgerald lost again. However, this time the gap narrowed considerably. They lost 11-8, 11-4 to give Westmeath a 2-0 lead. Kilkenny won in the tight race. It was noted that Kilkenny scored 64 aces to Westmeath’s 48 in the final and brought the Leinster Division 1 title back to Kilkenny. The newspaper concluded that Clinton Maher and Dominic Fitzgerald “caught a few tartars in their rounds, but played very well and could be a major force in the championships” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 2 Dec. 1985, p. 14).
Leinster Championship Finals 1986
The Kilkenny juveniles at Baltinglass played in the Leinster championship finals. Kilkenny captured four of the six championships they contested. Unfortunately, in the under 12 doubles Dominic Fitzgerald and Clinton Maher were defeated (Kilkenny People, Fri. 3 Oct. 1986, p. 10).
Leinster Championship Finals 1987: First Championship Medals for Glenmore
In 1987, the Kilkenny Juvenile team was comprised of under 11, Kenneth Cottrell (Glenmore) and Michael Clifford (Talbot’s Inch); under 13, James Bourke (O’Loughlin’s) and Dominic Fitzgerald (Glenmore); under 15, Graham O’Brien and Brian Aldridge (Mullinavat). The Kilkenny juvenile team won the Leinster League at Kells. They beat Meath, Louth and Westmeath (Kilkenny People, Fri. 2 Jan. 1987, p. 12).
In April 1987 it was announced that Kilkenny had good fortune at juvenile level when Kilkenny players beat the best of Meath and Louth to assure places for Kilkenny players in seven out of ten Leinster finals. Seán Kennedy, Ballinclare, Glenmore put a lot into juvenile handball in Glenmore. “Kenneth Cottrell and Dominic Fitzgerald did him proud with magnificent wins over strong opposition.”
In the Under 12 singles, Kenneth Cottrel was brilliant when he hammered John Heany of Meath 15-1 and 15-2. The newspaper noted that Kenneth must be favourite to win a title. In the under 13 singles, Dominic Fitzgerald was “up against it” when he played a strong Meath player named Tom O’Connor. In one of the best games of the day, Dominic lost the first game 7-15. “He showed tremendous heart and won the others 15-10 and 15-13” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 3 April 1987, p. 14).
Ultimately, Dominic won the Leinster under 13 singles and Kenneth Cottrell (Aylwardstown) won the under 12 Leinster singles. These were the first Leinster Championship handball medals won by Glenmore Handball Club members (Munster Express, Fri. 17 April 1987, p. 11). Later in the year they went on to win Leinster handball championship medals for the 60X30 grade (Munster Express, Fri. 4 Sept. 1987, p. 14).
First All-Ireland Handball Medal for Glenmore
Later in April 1987, Kilkenny travelled to Monaghan to contest the under 12, 13, 14 and 16 single All Ireland Semi-Finals. “Ken Cotterell was under pressure from the start against M. Finnegan (Cavan) in under 12 singles”. Ken lost 7-15, 3-15. Dominic was in excellent form and easily dismissed P. Cunningham (Donegal) 15-3, 15-12 in the under 13 single semi-final (Kilkenny People, Fri. 17 April 1987, p. 7).
Dominic played in the juvenile handball All-Ireland final at a packed Croke Park on 10 May 1987. Dominic faced a tough opponent in Martin Murphy (Limerick), but Murphy soon knew he was in a battle. They were level again on 10, Dominic looked anxious when he fell 12-10 behind but came back to 12-all and went 13-12 up. Back came Murphy to level on 13. With excitement at fever pitch, Fitzgerald took a very vital first game 15-13 lead. Fitzgerald, serving brilliantly, and killing shots all over the court, went on to record a 15-4 victory. This was a marvellous win for the young Glenmore player (Kilkenny People, Fri. 15 May 1987, p. 24). This represented the first time an All-Ireland came to Glenmore in handball (Munster Express, Fri. 22 May 1987, p. 21).
Mullinavat’s Graham O’Brien made a valiant bid to win the under 16’s title but failed against Martin McLoughlin (Ballina, Co. Tipperary). The senior singles semi-final at Newry was very controversial in 1987. International player, Michael “Ducksie” Walsh was told his game was at 7 p.m. at Newry, but was never informed that the time was moved to 2 p.m. (Kilkenny People, Fri. 15 May 1987, p. 24).
Kilkenny Juvenile Championships at Glenmore 1987
In July 1987, the Kilkenny County Juvenile Championships were played at Glenmore. It was reported that titles were well spread among top clubs “Glenmore court was looking great after its recent painting.” Alan Hawe (Windgap) won the under 11 championship beating D. Cottrell (Glenmore) in the final. Kenneth Cottrell (Glenmore) easily beat Nial Kenny (Windgap) in the under 12 final while his clubmate, Dominic Fitzgerald, had a close encounter with Clive Carroll (Talbot’s Inch) in under 13 winning 15-10, 15-10. Alan Hawe, Kenneth Cottrell, Dominic Fitzgerald and Graham O’Brien all brought off the double as they had won their respective 40X20 county championships earlier in the year (Kilkenny People, Fri. 24 July 1987, p. 14).
Dominic went on to play in the All-Ireland 60X30 Juvenile Championship finals. In the under 13 singles M. Crowe (Limerick) beat Dominic 15-8, 15-13 (Irish Examiner, Tues. 6 Oct. 1987, p. 16).
Glenmore Handball Club 1987 Awards Night
In January 1988, Glenmore Handball Club held a function in the Rue Glen to celebrate their club’s success during 1987 and to mark the tenth anniversary of the club’s founding. County Chairman, Eamon Hanrahan and Leinster Secretary, Tommy O’Brien praised the club’s players and officials on their achievements during the year and especially in 1987 when Dominic Fitzgerald won the club’s first All-Ireland championship in under 13 singles. Dominic also won the Leinster under 13 singles championships in both 60X30 and 40X 20 courts.
County Secretary, Con Moore, presented Dominic with the 1987 juvenile achievement award and complimented coach and trainer Sean Kennedy on the great work that he put into Glenmore and Kilkenny over the years. Kenneth Cottrell also had a magnificent year, winning Leinster under 12 singles in both 60X30 and 40X20 courts. Leinster secretary Tomás Ó Briain presented Kenneth with Kilkenny Crystal in recognition of his achievements in 1987.
“Sean Kennedy the man behind Glenmore handball club, was praised for his work for the club over the years and especially for devoting his time to juvenile members. Dominic Fitzgerald gave a fitting oration to his trainer and Kenneth Cotterell presented Seanie with a silver tankard in recognition of his help in coaching the juvenile players in Glenmore to the standard where they are among the best in Ireland” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 22 Jan. 1988, p. 13).
In Part II we will cover 1988 through 1994 which includes his time playing for Good Council College, New Ross.
****************
Special thanks to Dominick’s parents, John and Rita Fitzgerald of Rathinure for sharing photos of Dominic and some of Dominick’s trophies and patiently answering my questions about handball. I did not realize there are two different size courts!
Any and all errors are mine, and please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
For a concise history of handball see, Tom O’Connor, “A Brief History of Handball” (GAA Handball).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Early Glenmore Death Records
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often expressed how lucky we were that Fr. Stephen Lower (c. 1727-1799) became the Parish Priest of Slieverue and began keeping records of his flock. Prior to 1846 Glenmore was not a separate parish as it was part of the Parish of Slieverue. The early combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish began recording deaths in December 1766. Below we have reviewed three years of death records. Unfortunately, none of the early parish death records recorded the age of the deceased. Thus we do not know how many adults and children are reflected in the death records. After Glenmore became a parish in its own right there are no death records. See our post of 11 November 2020 for further information regarding Fr. Lower.
The National Library of Ireland has digitalized the old parish records. The early combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish records are available on line. The earliest death records cover December 1766 to 21 February 1778 (Microfilm 05031/01). Deaths from 8 March 1778 to 28 November 1799 are also available (Microfilm 05031/02). After November 1799 there are no further parish death records available on line for Slieverue/Glenmore.
The First Deaths Recorded in December 1766
The very first death recorded in the parish records was on the 4th of December 1766. Unfortunately, due to what appears to be an ink stain all that is visible is James Ha… The second entry does not have a legible date, but John Burke at Trinneree is visible. The other three deaths do not indicate where the deceased resided, but their names are James Mylott, Mary Hacked and Anastasia Costelly.
Deaths Recorded in 1767
Of the three years reviewed 1767 is the most complete. Deaths are recorded for ten months in 1767. There were no deaths recorded in October or December of that year. More localities where the decedent resided are included. For example, on 3 June 1767, [Entry 33] Honour Welsch died at “Boher Bee” (which my resident Irish speaker translated as the Yellow Road). In November 1767, two places of residence are provided. On 10 November 1767, [Entry 45] John Welsh of “Ballycroan” died. Almost a week later on the 16th James (last name not legible) [Entry 46] of “Boherbee ” died. Entry 47 provides the townland of Weatherstown [Glenmore] but failed to list the name of the deceased.
John Welsh of Ballycroan [Entry 45] appears to be the first entry with enough details for us to determine that he was from what would become the parish of Glenmore.
Names recorded in 1767 with no townland or road include: [Entry 34] Catherine Rigby; [Entry 35] Margaret Grant; [Entry 16] Honour Culleton; [Entry 17] William Irish; and [Entry 40] John Haberlin. Within the death records the last name of Welsh is very common.
Deaths Recorded in 1768
The deaths recorded from January to June 1768 are not available on line. From the available on-line records that commence in June 1768 (with entry 76) we know that 28 deaths were recorded in the first 5 months of 1768. Entry numbers 48-75 are missing. Commencing in June 1768 most entries record the residence of the deceased. Of the 21 deaths recorded in 1768 from 15 June to the end of the year, 12 of the decedents were from what would become Glenmore (or 57% of the entries).
June 1768
Entry 76—15 June 1768, died Sylvester Welsh inhabitant of Councelor’s Road
Entry 77—20 June 1768, died at Kilbride, Catherine Welsh [Glenmore]
July 1768
Entry 78—6 July 1768, died at Aughmore, Martin Kelly
August 1768
Entry 79—4 August died at Coolneleen, Catherine Doherty [Glenmore]
Entry 80—10 August 1768, an unnamed person died at Balleneraha [Glenmore]
Entry 81—29 August died at Ballingile, Joane O’Mara
Entry 82—31 August, died at Ballerobin, Mary Burke
September 1768
Entry 83—9 September 1768, died at Gragnekill, Catherine Kehow [Glenmore]
Entry 84—23 September died at Davidstown, James Murphy [Glenmore]
Entry 85—25 September 1768, died at Newrath, Margerit Conway
October 1768
Entry 86—15 October 1768 died Patrick Forastal at Ballinlammy [Glenmore]
November 1768
Entry 87—unknown date November 1768, died at Roachestown, John O’Bryan [Glenmore]
Entry 88—unknown date November 1768, died at Abby, Patrick Lawless
Entry 89—unknown date November 1768, died at Nockbrack, Edw. Fitzgerald [Glenmore]
Entry 90—unknown date November 1768, died at Ballycrone, Elizabeth Walsh [Glenmore]
Entry 91—17 November 1768, died at Corrigneglouneey, Anistice Welsh [Glenmore]
Entry 92—25 November 1768, died at Ballerobbin, Edm. Phelan
Entry 93—26 November 1768, died at Flemingstown, Ellener Lahy [Glenmore]
Entry 94—28 November 1768, died at Attatemore, Mary Denn
December 1768
Entry 95—2 December 1768 died at Nicholastown, Edm. Murphy
Entry 96—27 December 1768 died at Corrigenurre, Nicholas Henebry [Glenmore]
Death Chart: 1766-1768
| Year | No. Months Recorded | No. Entries | Start & Ending Entry Nos. | No. of Males | No. of Females | No. of Unidentified | Total Deaths Recorded |
| 1766 | 1(Dec) | 5 | 1-5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 1767 | 10 | 42 | 6-47 | 18 | 23 | 1 | 42 |
| 1768 | 7 | 21 | 76 -96 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 21 |
| TOTAL | 18 mos. | 68 entries | Missing entries 48-75 | 31 males | 35 females | 2 unknown | 68 [+28]= [96] |
Interestingly, for the same years there were 26 months of baptisms recorded with a total of 318 infants baptized. Based solely on the entries recorded and the missing entry numbers, there were 96 deaths recorded in the first three years of the combined Slieverue/Glenmore Parish records. Thus, there were over 2/3’s more baptisms recorded than deaths recorded. See our post of 10 June 2023 “Early Glenmore Baptismal Records.”
The featured drawing above of an Irish Wake is courtesy of the Digital Public Library of America. It was published in Harper’s Weekly of 15 March 1873 (vol.17, p. 204). Michael Angelo Woolf, American, 1837–1899, Harper & Bros., New York, New York, USA. Retrieved from the Digital Public Library of America <http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kq4fb38612a-76df-4755-9e4f-34722cd7b165>.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: A Glenmore Shooting Affray
The infamous Grant Brothers, of Ballyvarring, Glenmore were known for being big, rough men . They were not born in Glenmore. However, in the first half of the 20th Century they engaged in threshing around the Glenmore area, and they had two or three steam engines. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) collected several stories about the Grant Brothers including a 1948 criminal case that was reported in the Kilkenny People (Sat. 20 Nov. 1948, p. 3). For another incident involving the Grant Brothers, see our post of 3 October 2021. At the end of the post we attempt to reveal how the Grant Brothers came to Glenmore.
In the Circuit Court in Kilkenny on the 15th of November 1948 Thomas Grant of Ballyvarring, Glenmore stood trial charged with three criminal offences. It was alleged that he (1) had a shotgun in his possession without having a firearm certificate; (2) “he maliciously by gun-shot ammunition caused an explosion likely to cause serious injury to property” and (3) having in his possession a shotgun with the intent to cause serious injury to property. Mr. T.L. Doyle, B.L. represented the State. The newspaper account did not record that the Defendant, Thomas Grant, was represented, but a Mr. D’Arcy questioned several witnesses. It is assumed Mr. D’Arcy represented the Defendant. The jury was comprised of men from across the county.
The State’s Case
Patrick Halligan, a farmer, lived with his wife, Annie, in a remote house in Ballinlaw, Slieverue. On the night of 29 June 1948, Patrick Halligan went to bed at 10 o’clock. Annie was in the kitchen. He awakened by a noise which he thought was some of the rendering falling off of the ceiling. “He then heard three shouts by a man coming from the direction of Ballinlaw.” This was about 11 p.m. He went back to sleep.
The next morning Annie found that one of their kitchen windows had been shot. The glass was broken and there were pellets in the window sash. This was the window near where they ate their meals. Patrick searched the area and found several pellets on the ground below the broken window as well as an empty cartridge on the road about 55 yards away. He also found some wads between the road and the broken window.
Witness Patrick Halligan
In response to questions from Mr. D’Arcy, Patrick Halligan stated that there was no light in the kitchen when the shot was fired. He lived in the house for about 20 years. Patrick Halligan testified that he knew the defendant, Thomas Grant for over 30 years. He had trouble with the Grants back in 1935 when they tried to stop him threshing. The Grants were taken to court. After that incident they were no longer on speaking terms, but over the 13 years since the threshing incident there was no repetition. He was at a loss why it “should heat up again.”
Witness Annie Halligan
Annie Halligan testified that at about 11 p.m. she was in the bedroom preparing to go to bed. She heard a shot and about 5 minutes later three shouts. The sounds were coming from the road at the back of the house. She knew the defendant and his brothers for over 30 years. They were always on good terms until they had the threshing incident. In response to Mr. D’Arcy she was not frightened when she heard the shot that night. However, the next morning when she saw the window she did become frightened. When it was suggested that someone was hunting rabbits, she replied that at one time there were a lot of rabbits. However, she said there were not many rabbits now.
Witness Richard Vereker & Thomas Menton
Richard Vereker testified that the defendant and his brother John Joe did some ploughing for him. John Joe owned the tractor and Thomas helped him. Vereker stated that he had bought an old single barrel shotgun from Thomas Menton and gave it to John Joe Grant in part payment for the ploughing. The value of the shot gun was £4 10s. In response to a question from the judge he stated he never discussed the shotgun with the Defendant.
Thomas Menton, of Waterford, testified that he sold the shotgun to Vereker about six months before the trial.
Detective Sgt. J. Hanafin
Detective Sgt. J. Hanafin stated that on 30 June he visited the Halligan home. After observing the damage to the window and holes in the wall of the house he collected various pellets. He went to the Grant house on 1 July and all four brothers were interviewed. The defendant denied that he had a shotgun. The police carried out a search and found a number of empty cartridge cases and some ammunition. No shotgun was found. At a later date he returned to the Grant home and told them that he had a statement from Dick Vereker that Vereker has sold the gun to John Joe and he gave them 10 minutes to consider.
The Defendant then took them through several fields and showed them where the gun was hidden. Notwithstanding the fact that the Defendant had originally stated that they had no gun, he persisted in stating that he was no where near the Halligan house on the night the window was shot. Sergeant Dalton testified that he had not issued a firearms certificate to the defendant.
Witness James Walsh
James Walsh, an employee of a Waterford business testified that the Defendant sometime in the early summer produced a license for a box of cartridges in the name of William Knox. He gave him the box.
The Defence Case
The Testimony of the Defendant Thomas Grant
The Defendant testified that he lived with his four brothers. William owned the farm. Thomas worked for his brother John Joe. He admitted that he had not been on friendly terms with the Halligans for 13 years. He admitted that he and John Joe did work for Dick Vereker in the Spring and part of their pay was the shot gun that was given to John Joe.
The Defendant insisted that he never used the gun and it was not his. On the 29th of June he was in Waterford and got home at 4:30. At 8:30 he went to Halligan’s pub in Ballinlaw. He left at closing time. After talking for sometime he took the shortcut home across the fields. Along the way he met Patrick Moore and they walked together. He did not go near the Halligan’s house.
The following day he heard from Sgt. Dalton that a shot had been fired at Halligan’s house. He shifted the shotgun from the thresher in the yard to a field. He originally told Sgt. Hanaflin that he did not have a gun. However, when he returned with a statement from Dick Vereker he brought the detective to the gun. He told the officer that the gun was his, he got it, but had not used it. He also admitted buying a box of cartridges for William Knox. However, he denied shooting at the Halligan house.
In reply to Mr. Doyle he said that they had three threshing sets, a tractor and other machinery. They farmed about 120 acres. He stated that the 1935 dispute arose from Halligan getting someone else to thresh for him. He and his brothers went down to stop it. He stated that they were more against the owner of the thresher than the Halligans. Mr. Doyle responded, “You are the Stalin of Ballinlaw?” The defendant stated, “I thought we were more entitled to the threshing than a man 60 miles away.”
The Judge noted that the defendant appeared to admit possession when he moved the gun from the thresher to the field.
Testimony of Grant Brothers
William Grant stated that the Defendant was home when he arrived home before 11 p.m. new time on June 29. John Joe Grant admitted to Mr. Doyle that he lied when he said he knew nothing about the gun. He also admitted stating that “they made me do it,” when in fact his lies were voluntary. Richard Grant testified that while his brother took the short cut home on the 29th he had a bicycle and cycled home via the road. Thomas was in bed when he got home. He did not recall telling the Guards that he was not sure what time Thomas got home.
Other Defence Witnesses
Martin Kneeffe testified that the Defendant walked home over Knox’s Lane. In reply to Mr. Doyle he said he too went home by Knox’s Lane, but Grant was in front of him. He admitted he did not tell the Guards that Grant walked home ahead of him. He told the Guards that he left the Defendant in the taproom.
Patrick Moore stated that he was on his way through Conway’s farm when he met the Defendant. Defendant told him the pub was closed and he then went back with the Defendant to the Grant house.
William Knox testified that the Defendant bought 25 cartridges for him in Waterford. When asked why he did not tell the Guards Knox replied that they never asked him.
Verdict & Sentence
After a short absence the jury returned a verdict of guilty to the first charge of having a shotgun without the required firearm certificate. The Defendant was found not guilty of the other two charges. The Judge imposed a fine of £10, or alternatively a month’s imprisonment. He also ordered that the shotgun was forfeited.
How the Grant Brothers Came to Glenmore
The Grant Brothers home place was Ballyvarring, Glenmore. Locals recall that they obtained this farm from a relative. In the 1911 Census, James Grant (aged 55) was living in Ballyvarring, Glenmore with his wife Catherine Grant née Ennett of Cappagh (aged 45). The couple had been married for ten years but had no children. The couple were married on 20 November 1900 at St. John’s of Waterford. The father of the groom was William Grant and the father of the bride was Patrick Ennett. James Grant (c. 1853-1915) died in 1915.
The Grant Brothers were born in Ballyhale. They were the sons of John Grant (c. 1859-?) and his wife Anne Grant née Aylward. On the marriage cert Anne’s address is Ballytarnia. To this marriage at least five sons were born: [1] William Grant (b. 1902); [2] Thomas Grant (b. 1905); [3] James Grant (b. 1906); [4] John Grant (b. 1908) and [5] Richard Grant. No record could be located for Richard Grant. John Grant (c. 1859-?) and Anne Aylward married on 13 February 1899 in Waterford. John was from Ballyvarring, and his father was listed as William Grant. Thus it appears that the Grant Brothers came to the Ballyvarring, Glenmore farm sometime after the death of their uncle James Grant (c. 1853-1915).
Interestingly, the 1911 Census revealed that the Grant Brothers were residing in Carriganura, Slieverue in the home of their maternal grandmother Ellen Aylward née Hennebry (aged 70). Anne Grant née Aylward (c. 1872-? ) was 39 and her husband John Grant (c. 1862- ?) was 48. John Joe Grant obtained a farm in Carrignurra, but he eventually lost it and returned to Ballyvarring. It is not known if this was the Aylward farm. Ellen Aylward née Hennebry died in 1926 at the age of 84 in Ballyvarring, Glenmore.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo is from The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Hired man working tractor engine used for threshing on farm of Alfred Shaffner, a farmer in the submarginal area of Sugar Hill, near Townsend, Connecticut.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1940. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/f2614c80-ebb6-013d-4c72-0242ac110002