Danny Dowling (1927-2021)
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Building the Railway: Glenmore Man’s Remains Unearthed & Another Man Injured
The New Ross Standard, of Friday 27 Feb. 1903 (p. 5) published a sensational article concerning skeletal remains unearthed in Rosbercon on Monday the 23rd of February 1903. While excavating a sewer under the newly laid railway crossing “well preserved bones of what must have been a largely built man when in the flesh.” The same article appeared within days in the Wicklow People (Sat. 28 Feb. 1903) and the Enniscorthy Guardian (Sat 28 Feb. 1903). It was not carried apparently by any of the national papers.
The Centennial Controversy
As the 100th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion approached the old tales and rumours concerning Glenmore man William Gaffney, and his alleged betrayal at the Battle of New Ross, surfaced and led to his headstone in Kilivory (Kilmakevogue) cemetery being broken by vandals. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) in his article entitled “South-east Kilkenny in 1798 and the Role of William Gaffney,” (Decies (Sept. 1983, vol. 24) pp. 14-19)) sarcastically labeled the gravestone vandals “patriots.” For further information on Glenmore in 1798 see our post of 22 February 2020.
Some descendants of William Gaffney were still residing in Glenmore in 1898 and challenged several of the published attacks on their ancestor. Eight decades later, Danny was so impressed with Brigid M. Gaffney’s letter of 28 May 1898 to the New Ross Standard, that he published it in his Decies article. The ear bashing she delivered in 1898 is perhaps the reason the New Ross Standard in its 1903 article stated that it had no desire to hurt anyone’s feelings. For further information on the Gaffney family see our post of 21 August 2023.
“GAFNEY OF GLENMORE, HIS REMAINS UNEARTHED”
SENSATIONAL DISCOVERY AT ROSBERCON. A sensational discovery, which has aroused much public interest, was made at Rosbercon on Monday. A man named Dillon, whilst excavating a sewer-way under the railway crossing, unearthed the well-preserved bones of what must have been a largely-built man when in the flesh. There was evidence of considerable quantity of lime about the remains.
Now whose remains could these be? The “oldest inhabitant” cannot say with certainty. The body of a man could not have got there by accident. How then? It is conjectured, and the belief is strongly held in the locality, that the remains are those of Gafney, of Glenmore, who figured prominently, and to say the least, doubtfully, in the dark days of New Ross in the year 1798, when a brave and glorious, though unsuccessful, struggle was made by the county Wexford insurgents for civil and religions liberty.
We have no desire now to hurt the feelings of anyone, but the discovery of Monday, and the very circumstantial account told, and the widely accepted deduction made, necessitates our reverting to what must be a painful recital to some people. The battle at New Ross, though admittedly one of the most brilliant of the series on the part of the insurgents, was nevertheless the Waterloo of the insurrection, and, like Waterloo, will be rightly or wrongly associated with betrayal. Gafney, of Glenmore, an athletic man, and the leader of the Kilkenny insurgents, had his men nested at Tinneranny before the battle of Ross, and while the engagement was taking place, he moved by a circuitous route towards Glenmore.
His answer for failing to come to the fray was that he did not get the proper signal from Corbet Hill. A few days after the battle he fell into the hands of the military, and was taken to Rosbercon, and there court martialled and shot nearly opposite the very modern castle, and his remains were interred in quick-lime at some some point between the place of execution and the river. We thus see it is very possible that the remains now found are those of the ill-fated Gafney, who, at any rate, can scarcely be acquitted of cowardice.
The key stone of an arch supposed to belong to the old monastery in Rosbercon was found at the head of the remains, which were only about two feet under the footway as one turns into the station from the river side. By the way, the stone in question has been annexed by Paddy Lee, the Boat Club caretaker for the curiosity of the members of that institution.
Unfortunately, the New Ross Standard did not report on what happened to the skeletal remains.
The Glenmore Grave
Danny stated in 2020 that the remains found in Rosbercon were buried in the Gaffney grave in Kilivory (Kilmakevoge) cemetery. No newspaper coverage of this burial could be located, and what steps the authorities took to identify the remains is not known. This event took place long before DNA or other modern forensics. If the remains showed gunshot damage as alleged in the 1903 article it is unlikely the skeleton belonged to William Gaffney. Gaffney in contemporary accounts was hanged not shot by the British in 1798.
The old headstone erected by William Gaffney’s widow still stands with repairs clearly visible. On the grave itself paving like squares, apparently concrete, were added and Danny opined in 2020 that they may have been added to stop further disturbances to the grave.
The marker is inscribed:
Erected by Bridget Gafney alias Dunphy
in memory of her husband Will'm Gafney
who dep'd this life June ye 13th 1798 aged
36 years
Also his father Mich'l Gafney who dep'd
this life Sept ye 26th 1783
Another Railway Injury
In searching for newspaper accounts regarding the remains we came across another serious injury connected with the building of the railway extension line through Glenmore.
On Thursday, the 5th of March, Michael Knox, Nicholastown, Co. Kilkenny, was admitted to the Waterford County Infirmary suffering from severe injuries to the head and face. His injuries were caused by the premature explosion of a blasting charge on the New Ross to Waterford railway extension (Munster Express, Sat. 7 March 1903, p. 5).
Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured photo above was taken yesterday of the Gaffney grave at Kilivory (Kilmakevoge) Glenmore.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The First Death: Building the Railway Through Glenmore
The railway extension line from New Ross to Waterford began in August 1900 and by February 1901 newspapers were reporting on the drunkenness of the railway labourers or navvies as well as injuries and a death. Surprisingly, in the same article where it was reported that two navvies suffered severe injuries the editor of the Waterford News & Star opined that the best course of action to tackle shebeening and drunkenness by the navvies was to put a well managed pub into Glenmore Village.
See our post of 3 June 2024 regarding the setbacks the railway encountered, the recorded feelings of New Ross leaders regarding the project, and the published list pf proposed compensation to people in the path of the line from Rosbercon to Balyverneen, Glenmore.
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) stated that there were two pubs in Glenmore Village until the then parish priest forced them to close circa 1870. Glenmore Village did not obtain a pub until 1963. See our post of 8 May 2023 regarding Glenmore Village losing its dry distinction.
Tremendous Drunkenness Among the Navvies
The Waterford News & Star (Fri. 22 Feb. 1901, p. 8) published the following article:
“At the Petty Sessions,… District Inspector Mercer, Piltown, Prosecuted one Mary Fokes, alias Russell, a New Ross traveling huckster, with selling intoxicating drink without a license. The prosecution was brought under the 3rd section of the Licensing Act of 1872, and for the defence, Mr. John B. Colfer, solicitor appeared. Sergeant Stapleton proved that the navvies working on the Railway line at Glenmore were lately more drunk than ever, and that Mary Russell’s movements amongst them he suspected that she was conveying them lots of stimulants.”
“On the fourth of the present month he ambushed the defendant with a pony and car arrived on the scene, the navvies regaled themselves with porter, and he saw money pass. The car contained several dozen of full and empty bottles of porter and whiskey. John Power, navvy, deposed to having purchased three bottles of stout, and paid six pence for them on the occasion, where Mr. Colfer remarked that they were dirt cheap. Mr. Mercer pressed for the full penalty, and said there was tremendous drunkenness amongst the navvies.“
“Mr. Colfer ridiculed the D.I’s statement as to all he drunkenness amongst navvies being attributed to Mary Russell. He confessed that he never heard of sober navvies. He submitted that the defendant was ignorant of the law…, however the court imposed a £5 fine…”
Dry Glenmore
The editor of the Waterford News & Star then stated, “Those who like navvies are determined on obtaining drink will surely succeed somehow in their intention, and the persistent refusal of the licensing authority to grant a license between the bridge of Ross and the village of Slieverue, a distance of nearly 12 miles, covering a populous district of country serves as a strong inducement to the carrying on of such illegitimate drink traffic, and much Sunday debauchery as well as on Monday.”
“The granting of a publican’s license in the parish of Glenmore to our mind would raise instead of lower the morale of the district. It would be waste of time to argue the superiority of a well conducted public house where good drinks would be sold, over the prevailing shebeening in noxious intoxicants carried only in stealth all over the district, particularly on Sundays and holidays.”
“There seems to be a basis of old standing against granting a license for the sale of intoxicating drinks in Glenmore. It dates from the time that faction fights, when there were a couple of badly conducted licensed houses in the village, and of course in the time of Sunday selling, and it would appear that forty or fifty years ago, the abuses had become so glaring that the authorities felt bound to abolish the then publican’s license.“
“Since then applications, all without avail have been made for new licenses, consequent on the fears and apprehensions given rise by the sandals of two or three generations ago. The writer, however, thinks and believes the majority of people in Glenmore will agree that the time has come when the ban of half a century ago ought in justice be removed” (Waterford News & Star (Fri. 22 Feb. 1901, p. 8).
Serious Injuries at the Milltown Cutting, Glenmore
After advocating for a pub the newspaper then reported on two very serious accidents that occurred on the Ross and Waterford railway line under construction. “The accidents, though two miles apart, occurred almost at the same time. At the Milltown cutting, within 3 miles of New Ross, a man named Power, who belonged to the locality was the victim of an embankment slip of a couple tons of earth. Power’s body was badly crushed and one of his legs broken. He was conveyed by the ambulance car to the Union Workhouse Hospital, New Ross” (Waterford News & Star (Fri. 22 Feb. 1901, p. 8)
Serious Injuries at the Carrigcloney Rock Cutting, Glenmore
“The second accident took place at the Carrigcloney rock cutting, and where a navvy named Roche unknowingly approached a part of the cutting where an explosive was just set, and one of his limbs was just severed from his body, while his body and head suffered terribly. The doctors in attendance decided that an amputation of the limb was necessary to prolong his life, but Roche would not assent to the ordeal and was sent to the Waterford Union Hospital. It is considered that his case is a very serious one indeed” (Waterford News & Star (Fri. 22 Feb. 1901, p. 8).
Death of Patrick Roche (c. 1859-1901)
Our research in the death register has revealed that Patrick Roche, a 42 year old married, labourer, residing in Glenmore, died on the 22nd of February 1901 at the County and City Infirmary of Waterford. He died “from the effects of injuries accidentally received on the 19th of February whilst blasting.” An inquest was held into his death on the 28th of February by the Waterford Coroner, Edmund Power. We believe that Patrick was the first man to die during the construction of the railway line through Glenmore.
The Munster Express reported that Patrick Roche was injured on Wednesday the 20th of February. He was engaged in blasting a quarry at Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. “His injuries were very serious, and he was at once conveyed to the County Infirmary, where it was deemed by the doctors necessary to amputate one of his legs. He, however, succumbed to his injuries on Friday at 3 pm. His remains were removed to his late residence on Saturday evening. An inquest was held at Mr. David Cant’s public house, Johnstown [Waterford City], on Thursday last. Mr. Smith, D.L., Head Constable Alen, and acting sergeant Teese watched the case on behalf of the police, and Mr. D. Dunford, solr. was present on behalf of the contractors (Pearson & Son, New Ross).” A jury was sworn (Munster Express, Sat. 2 March 1901, p. 5).
The Evening News (Waterford) provided additional details. Evidence was given by Michael Connolly, who was working with the deceased at the time of the accident, to the effect that the deceased, whose business it was to set the charge and ignite it, returned after putting the fuse to it, bit as there was no explosion, and thinking he had not set fire to it, he again returned, and just as he was within a yard of the place it exploded (Evening News (Waterford) Thurs. 28 Feb. 1901, p. 3.)
After hearing the evidence of the widow, Mr. Bannett (engineer) and a labourer named Walsh, employed on the extension; also Dr. Kelleher and Head Constable Allen, the jury found that the deceased died from the effects of the injuries of an accident received whilst blasting on the New Ross and Waterford Extension Railway at Carrigcloney, and that as deceased was inexperienced blasting, the company should compensate deceased’s widow for the loss she has sustained, and they came to the conclusion that an experience person should be in charge and see that the proper time should be given before the men should return to the place of blasting” (Munster Express, Sat. 2 March 1901, p. 5). According to the New Ross Standard, Patrick Roche was from the north County Kilkenny (New Ross Standard, Sat. 23 Feb. 1901, p. 5).
James Power (c. 1854-1920) of Jamestown, Glenmore
The New Ross Standard, identified the other man injured, named Power. He was James Power of Jamestown, Glenmore. He was badly crushed by falling earth from the Forrestalstown (sic) cutting rather than the Milltown cutting (New Ross Standard, Sat. 23 Feb. 1901, p. 5). James Power survived his injuries and was found still residing in Jamestown, Glenmore in 1911.
We believe that the injured James Power, of Jamestown, was married to Catherine Purcell (c. 1861-1945). The couple married on 3 October 1886 at Glenmore. James was a labourer and son of John Power (farmer) of Jamestown. Catherine was the daughter of Edmund Purcell (labourer) of Forrestalstown (sic). At the time of their marriage James was 34 and Catherine was 25. In the 1901 Census Catherine was living in Jamestown, Glenmore (aged 35) with her children. James was not present, but he may have still been in the hospital. In the 1911 Jamestown Census he gave his age as 60 and Catherine or Kate said that she was 50. In 1911, James was employed as an agricultural labourer. The couple are buried in Glenmore, and their headstone provided their dates of death.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmai.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Glenmore Obits Reported on 3 March 1961 [updated]
Five Glenmore deaths were reported in the Munster Express on Friday the 3rd of March 1961, on page 9. It is unusual to find more than two Glenmore death notices or obituaries in a single edition of any local newspaper. What is also interesting is the fact that most of the obituaries are very short, the ages provided in the obituaries in this single edition are not exact, and often the age recorded on the death register does not match baptismal or the birth register records.
Four of the deaths occurred in County Kilkenny, and the fifth in San Francisco of a Glenmore native. It has proven difficult to identify the Glenmore native that died in San Francisco.
Information from 4 Irish Death Certs
Gender: 3 males, 1 female
Average age at death: 75.5 years’ (although most of the ages are suspect)
Professions: 2 labourers; 1 farmer; 1 no profession provided
Causees of death: 2 influenza; 2 senile decay; 1 broncho-pneumonia
Married/widowed: 2
Single: 2
Died in medical facility: 2
Died at home: 2
Glenmore Townlands: 1 Busherstown; 1 Ballycroney; 1 Gaulestown; & 1 Haggard.
Death of Patrick Power (1881-1961) of Busherstown, Glenmore
“Mr. Patrick Power, whose death occurred at St. Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown, was a native of Busherstown, Glenmore, where he was a popular and familiar personality. Deceased, who had attained to the fine old age of 80 years, had not been in robust health for a long time past., though the end came rather unexpectantly and he had been in hospital only a week. An esteemed member of the farming community for many years, he is survived by one brother, Mr. Michael Power, Jamestown, Glenmore. Interment took place at Glenmore Cemetery after Office and High Mass, of which the celebrant was Rev. J. Murphy, C.C. Glenmore—R.I.P.” (Munster Express, Fri, 3 March 1961, p. 9).
According to the death register, Patrick Power, of Busherstown, died on 12 February 1961 of “senile decay.” He was a 76 year-old bachelor at the time of his death and his recorded profession was labourer.
We could not locate a parish record for Patrick Power or Michael Power in the 1880’s, but Patty Lee Brown located the brothers. Patrick Power was born on 29 June 1881, and his brother Michael Power was born 5 December 1882. In the civil birth register the address provided is Jamestown, but their address in the Glenmore parish register is Busherstown.
In addition to Michael Power (1905-1980) living in Jamestown we located in Danny’s 1961 list a farm labourer named Michael Power who told Danny he was born 12 December 1882. Michael Power (1905-1980) was the eldest of 18 children of John and Mary Power. of Jamestown. To view Michael Power’s obit see our P Surname page. Michael Power (b. 1882) and his brother Patrick Power (1881-1961) were the sons of Patrick Power (farmer) and his wife Bridget Gaule. Other children born to this couple include: Patrick Power (b. 1878); John Power (b. 1879); Edmund Power (b. 1884); and Richard Power (b. 1887).
Death of Mary Butler née Maddock (c. 1886-1961) of Ballycroney, Glenmore
“The [death] took place at her residence, Ballycroney, Glenmore, of Mrs. Mary Butler, at the age of over 70 years. A native of Rahora, Tullahought, she was a member of the Maddock family, do., and enjoyed much esteem in Glenmore, since her advent ot the parish on the occasion of her marriage. She was widow of the late John Butler, Ballycroney, who died in 1958 and mother of Miss Mary Butler, do; Mrs. F. Flynn, Rosbercon, and sister of Mr. Andrew Maddock, Rahora. Interment took place at Glenmore after Requiem Mass, of which the celebrant was Very Rev. W. Brennan, P.P. do.—R.I.P.” (Munster Express, Fri, 3 March 1961, p. 9).
According to the death register, Mary Butler née Maddock, died on 5 February 1961 of broncho-pneumonia. At the time of her death she was a 75 year old widow. Her daughter Mary Butler was present when she died at home in Ballycroney. At the time of her death she had been under a doctor’s care for two weeks.
John Butler and Mary Maddock were married at Rosbercon on 20 June 1923. John Butler was a labourer from Ballycroney, Glenmore and Mary Maddock was from Rahora. Her father was William Maddock (labourer) and John’s father was James Butler (labourer). According to the birth register we believe Mary was born 20 October 1895 to William Maddock and his wife, Mary Doyle.
Death of Michael Martin (c. 1889-1961) of Haggard, Glenmore
“Mr. Michael Martin, whose death has occurred at St. Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown, was a native of Haggard, Glenmore. Deceased who had reached an advanced age, was a popular figure in the district, where news of his demise was learned with sincere regret. He was uncle of Mr. Nicholas Martin, Haggard. Interment took place at Kilbride Cemetery, Glenmore—R.I.P.” (Munster Express, Fri, 3 March 1961, p. 9).
Per the death register Michael Martin (Kennedy) died 2 February 1961 of influenza. At the time of his death he was a 72 year old bachelor and his profession was listed as labourer. His residence outside the County Home is not recorded, and it is not clear why (Kennedy) is listed on his death cert. His nephew Nicky Martin (c.1928-2017) is also buried in Kilbride.
Death of Mr. John “Jack” Reddy (1882-1961) Gaulstown, Glenmore
“The death has occurred at his residence, Gaulstown, Glenmore, of Mr. John Reddy at the age of over 80 years. Deceased, who was a well known figure in the farming life of the district, was husband of Mrs. Margaret Reddy, do., and father if Mr. James Reddy, do., Mrs. M. Merigan, Kilbraghan, Rosbercon; Mrs. H. Maher, Slieverue; Mrs. N. Grace, Kilbride, Glenmore and brother of Mrs. Brigid Forristal, Ballinaraha, do. Interment took place at Glenmore after Office and High Mass, of which the celebrant was Very Rev. W. Brennan, P.P., do. The attendance both at the removal of the remains and burial included many relatives and friends from the local and adjoining parishes—R.I.P.” (Munster Express, Fri, 3 March 1961, p. 9).
The death register lists the deceased’s age as 79. He was a married farmer and died from influenza. His daughter Ellen Grace, of Kilbride, Glenmore was present when he died.
John Reddy was known as Jack. He was born on 2 July 1882 at Ballinaraha, Glenmore. His parents were James Reddy and Johanna Grant. John Reddy married Margaret Hennessey on 23 June 1920 at the Church of the Rower. Margaret Hennessy (c. 1887-1970) was the aunt of Katie (1912-1967) & May Roche (1916-2001) of Scart, Glenmore.
Death of Bartholomew Holden, native of Bushestown, Glenmore
Died in USA—Mr. Bartholomew Holden, who has died in San Francisco, was a native of Busherstown, Glenmore, whence he emigrated many years ago. He was brother of Mr. Fred Holden, do; Miss Mary Holden, do; and nephew of Michael Linegar, Parkstown, Glenmore; James Linegar, Ballyverneen, do. and Mrs. Lil Walsh, Glenmore Village (Munster Express, Fri, 3 March 1961, p. 9).
Although Bartholomew is an unusual name it is proving challenging untangling this short article. There were two Holden families in Busherstown, or Clune, and both had Bartholomew or Bartley names. The first Bartholomew Holden we could locate in the parish records was born at Clone (sic) in January 1821 the son of John Holdin (sic) and Anastatia Aylward. The next Bartholomew Holden found in the parish records was born at Parkstown in January 1847 the son of James Holden and Bridget Linegar.
Willie Holden, of Ballycroney (a native of Clune) today said that his neighbour Neddy Holden (b.c. 1919) said that he was related to people in Parkstown. Neddy also said that he had an uncle in San Francisco who wanted Neddy to come out to him. Norah Holden (Willie’s aunt) said that Neddy’s uncle arrived in San Francisco right after the earthquake.
We could not locate a death record in 1960 or 1961 for Bartholomew Holden in San Francisco, so we have no idea of how old he was when he died to determine when he was born. We could not locate a Fred Holden in Glenmore records. The only Bartholomew Holden that we could locate that would have been old enough to be in San Francisco after the earthquake was born 26 May 1880, the son of John Holden (1846-1909) (farmer) and Honor Grant (c. 1846-1909) of Busherstown. John Holden (Cluan) married Honor Grant of Robinstown on 13 February 1877. The couple are buried in Kilbride cemetery, Glenmore. John’s father was Bartholomew Holden (Clune) and Honor’s father was Michael Grant (deceased farmer). John Holden (b. 1846) at Clone (sic) was the son of Bartholemew (sic) Holden and Jony Riby. Other children of John Holden and Honor Grant included: Joanna Holden (b. 1878-1907) and Walter Holden (b. 1882). Unfortunately, their son Bartholomew died 30 November 1943.
The Linegar Connection
Although the Munster Express article states that the deceased was a nephew to three Glenmore residents interestingly all three are Linegars and no Holdens were listed. James Walsh (carpenter) married Mary Ellen Linegar on 23 November 1915 at Glenmore. James Walshe was the son of James Walshe (farmer) of Ballyfacey and Mary Ellen Linegar was the daughter of Charles Linegar (farmer) of Parkstown. Mary Ellen Walsh née Linegar (c. 1893-1968) went by “Lill” and was the mother of Jim B. A photo of Lill and her family can be found on our Graiguenakill Townland page.
Lill’s brother, Michael Linegar (c. 1888-1963) married Bridget Holden (c. 1881-1964) at Glenmore on 24 October 1917. Michael was the son of Charles Linegar, Parkstown and Bridget was the daughter of Bartley Holden (c.1834-1914) of Clune. Bridget was born at Busherstown on 11 February 1881 and her mother was Margaret Merrigan (c. 1842-1916). Her siblings included John Holden (1878-1955); Patrick Holden (1876-1894); and Mary Holden (1873-1891).
If anyone can shed some light on Bartholomew Holden who died in 1961 in San Francisco we would appreciate receiving it.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Special thanks to Mary O’Mahony for sharing the photo of her grandparents John and Mary Butler née Maddock of Ballycroney, Glenmore. Also, special thanks to Patty Lee Brown for finding Patrick and Michael Power and sending on the information.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore in the News: April 1924
The local newspapers in April 1924, did not feature Glenmore significantly. However, there were a few interesting articles. For example, the Glenmore Hurling Team appealed their six month suspension to the County Board, and a Rochestown man was found not guilty of assaulting a young lady in Waterford at Lady Lane. There are also some general articles that were undoubtedly discussed locally and provide a real view of the era such as instructions on posting eggs.
Glenmore Auction
On the instructions of Laurence Kirwan an auction was advertised of a small holding at Ballynaraha, Glenmore containing 13 acres 1r. 16 p. or thereabouts, statute measure, held in fee simple subject to terminable annuity payable to the Irish Land Commission of £4 4s. The land was situated beside the main road, was described as well fenced, watered and drained and lies about mid-way between Waterford and New Ross. Tenders were received up to and ending Monday, 14th April 1924, by Dobbyn and M’Cody, Solicitors, Colbreck St., Waterford or John Murphy and Son, Auctioneers at 11 O’Connell St. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 April 1924, p. 8).
Economics
The Free State was experiencing inflation, unemployment and one of its first acts was to reduce the old age pension. The population were concerned.
It was reported that for the month of January 1924 official returns showed that Free State imports exceeded Free State exports by upwards of £1,000,000 (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 4 April 1924, p. 6.)
One positive feature for businesses and persons who had telephones was the local reduction of calling costs. From the first of April fees for local calls made from public call offices in Waterford City to Kilmacow, 2 d. instead of 3 d. For calls to Glenmore, Kilmeaden, Mooncoin and Tramore calls were reduced from 5 d. to 4 d. (Munster Express, Sat. 5 April 1924, p. 3).
The rumours surrounding the Ida House of Rosbercon were true. (See our post of 28 January 1924). The Sisters of the Holy Faith took over Ida House. It was understood that a new school would be built adjoining the premises. It was expected that the school would be opened for pupils in autumn of 1924 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 April 1924, p. 8).
Farming
The wholesale price of butter at Thomastown the first week of April 1924 was 2s. per lb., and eggs 10d. per dozen. It was also reported that there was a great scarcity of seed potatoes in Thomastown district, and some farmers and owners of plots experienced great difficulty in obtaining seed. The retail price of eating potatoes in Thomastown was 4d. per stone (Kilkenny People, Sat. 5 April 1924, p. 9).
It was also reported that there was a serious shortage of fodder—”not for many years before 1924 was there such a serious shortage of fodder for cattle. In many places haggards were almost empty of hay and turnips.” What made 1924 more serious was the “absence of grass owing to the weather of the previous six weeks” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 April 1924, p. 5.)
In an interesting article, the Post Office in April 1924 found it necessary to warn the public that eggs sent through the post should be well packed in rigid boxes with well fitting lids. “If the standard honeycomb egg box is not used, each egg should be wrapped in newspaper or other soft material and placed on end in the box, the vacant space being filled with newspaper or cotton waste. Parcels should be conspicuously marked ‘eggs’” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 April 1924, p. 5).
GAA County Kilkenny Board: The Glenmore Appeal
Glenmore HC appealed against a decision of the Southern Board suspending them for six months as a result of an objection by Ballyhale HC, arising out of their match in the semi-final. The Chairman of the County Board mentioned that on receipt of the southern secretary’s report of the meeting of the Southern Board the County Secretary was directed to inquire as to why the club was suspended. The reply from the Southern Secretary only affirmed that they had suspended themselves automatically by helping players who had played illegally in another county and the Southern Chairman confirmed the suspension.
The Southern Secretary produced the records of his board which showed that only the Glenmore hurling team that had played in the semi-final had been suspended. After a heated discussion the chairman of the County Board upheld the appeal on the ground, that the power of suspension of individual players, teams, or clubs was not within the province of the Southern Board, but was directly allotted to county committees…In the case in question if the Southern Board considered that any of the players or teams merited suspension their duty was to report the fact to the County Committee, whose duty it was to give effect to the decision. In the present case “suspension” had been confused with “disqualification” which is quite a different matter (Kilkenny People, Sat. 5 April 1924, p. 7).
The Munster Express also reported on the meeting and concluded that “the chairman upheld the [Glenmore] appeal on the grounds that the original objection [by Ballyhale] was not lodged in order.” Glenmore also applied for and were granted permission to take part in the Bunclody football league (Munster Express, Sat. 5 April 1924, p. 5).
The Police Blotter
Michael Rockett of Slieverue
Patrick Scanlon, a native of Kerry, was found guilty of larceny from the premises of Michael Rockett of Slieverue. He was sentenced to 9 months hard labour (Kilkenny People, Sat. 19 April 1924, p. 10).
James Walsh of Rochestown, Glenmore
James Walsh, farmer, residing at Rochestown, Co. Kilkenny, was indicted on the charge of assaulting and occasioning actual bodily harm to Miss Kate Ryan at Lady Lane Waterford, on the 23rd of February. The accused pleaded not guilty and a jury was sworn to tryp the issue. Mr. E. A. Ryan , State solicitor prosecuted and the accused was represented by Mr. Lennon, B.L., instructed by Mr Patrick R. Buggy, solicitor.
Miss Ryan, the allegedly injured lady, and the other witness for the prosecution repeated the evidence they gave at the City District Court last week. The jury retired and after a short absence returned to court with a verdict of not guilty. The defendant was discharged (Munster Express, Sat. 5 April 1924, p. 4). See our post of 14 April 2024 regarding the first court date.
Brothers Doolan, of Shanbogh
Shanbogh prisoners released—The Brothers Doolan, Shanbogh, who were at New Ross Court about 3 months ago were sent to Waterford Jail for twelve months in connection with the Aylward farm, have been released on giving the necessary undertaking and entering into security. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 April 1924, p. 8).
Prisoners
The newspaper Sinn Fein (Sat. 12 April 1924, p. 2) published a list of Republican prisoners sentenced to long terms of penal servitude, or detailed without charge or trial in the gaols and camps of the Pro-Treaty authority. On the list is one Glenmore man who formerly had a death sentence but it was commuted to 20 years’ penal servitude; Sean Purcell of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. Other local men include: Richard Egan of Curraghmore, Tullogher, (death sentence commuted to ten years’ penal servitude); James Doody of Grannyknock, Kilmacow (death sentence commuted to ten years’ penal servitude); Larry White of Luffany, Mooncoin (10 years’ penal servitude); James Walsh of Dangan, Kilmacow (death sentence commuted to 5 years’ penal servitude); Patrick Tyler of Smart’s Castle, Ferrybank (5 years’ penal servitude); John Comerford of Luffany, Mooncoin (5 years’ penal servitude); Mick O’Sullivan of Ferrybank (3 year’s penal servitude); James Roche of Ullid, Kilmacow (3 years’ penal servitude).
In the 1911 Census we could only locate one young John Purcell in Glenmore. He was the son of Edward Purcell (labourer, aged 48) and his wife Mary née Murphy (aged 45) of Weatherstown, Glenmore. The 1911 Census indicates that the couple were married for 24 years and 11 children were born to the couple, but only 9 were alive in 1911. Eight of the children were living at home, (1) Edward Purcell, aged 23; (2) Thomas Purcell, aged 21; (3) Johanna Purcell, aged 19 (bapt. 28 Jan. 1889 in Offaly); (4) William Purcell, aged 17; (5) James Purcell, aged 17; (6) Ellen Purcell, aged 15; (7) John Purcell, aged 9 and (8) Patrick Purcell (aged 3). The 1911 Census records that the entire family was born in Kilkenny, but the eldest children were baptized in Offaly, and it appears that John was baptized in Tipperary. If this is the correct John/Sean Purcell he was 22 in 1924.
Deaths
“At Ballydaw [Mullinavat] on Monday (one of the oldest inhabitants of South Kilkenny) died. Miss Mary Aylward (c. 1821-1924) had attained the remarkable age of 103. Up to some months ago she was able to be up and about and was in full possession of her faculties. Her brother who died about 14 years before was 96 when he died. Her sister who only died a short time ago had also reached an advanced age. The interment took place on Wednesday in Mullinavat” (Munster Express, 19 April 1924, p. 5). [Mary Aylward died on the 14th of April 1924 at her home, Norah Gahan was present when she died.]
Mr. John Kennedy (c. 1854-1924) farmer, Dunganstown, New Ross, died suddenly on Sat. morning. He went out to get the pony and trap ready for his sister who was going to town when he collapsed and died in a few minutes. The deceased, who was about 70 years of age, was held in great popular respect. His family took an active part in the land war, and one was a defender of “Foley’s Fort” and suffered imprisonments. The funeral was very large (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 April 1924, p. 8).
[Danny Dowling (1927-2021) noted that before automobiles people from the Glenmore townlands along the Barrow often married people from townlands in Wexford across the Barrow such as Dunganstown. Also, due to the fact Glenmore was a dry parish, Glenmore residents often rowed across the river to enjoy a drink.]
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured drawing was from an advertisement for Easter “costumes” in 1924 that ranged from £2 2s. to £7.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Mons. Paul Fitzgerald (1938-2006) of Knockbrack, Glenmore [updated]
For decades Danny Dowling (1927-2021) clipped and saved articles and obituaries of Glenmore people. One rather lengthy obituary found in Danny’s voluminous records was for Monsignor Paul Fitzgerald, a native of Knockbrack, Glenmore. The obituary was written by Bishop Laurence Forristal (1931-2018) a native of Thomastown who often visited Glenmore to visit the Forristal family grave in Kilivory. Bishop Forristal in addition to listing the positions and work performed by Monsignor Fitzgerald also provided a window into the daily lives of young priests in the mid-twentieth century. Bishop Forristal also recorded the touching fact that a bowl of clay from the Fitzgerald home in Knockbrack was among the symbols brought to the altar at the beginning of Monsignor Fitzgerald’s Requiem Mass.
Parents & Grandparents
Paul Fitzgerald (1938-2006) was the son of John Fitzgerald (1895-1970) and his wife, Ellen Vereker (c. 1905-1986) of Knockbrack, Glenmore. His parents were married at Glenmore on the 25th of November 1936 by the bride’s uncle Canon Richard Vereker (1871-1955) the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s of Heywood, in the Diocese of Salford (near Manchester, England). The parents of the groom were Paul Fitzgerald and his wife, Johanna Freyne of Knockbrack, Glenmore. The parents of the bride were listed as John Vereker and his wife, Kate Delahunty of Davidstown, Glenmore.
[Update 14 May 2024] Thanks to Patty Brown who forwarded the information that John Fitzgerald was born on 18 November 1895 and his parents were married at Glenmore on 14 November 1883. His father Paul Fitzgerald (farmer) Knockbrack was the son of Michael Fitzgerald (deceased farmer). His mother, Johanna was the daughter of James Freyne (farmer) of Kilbride, Glenmore.
[Update 15 May 2024] A reader requested a family tree and we were able to go back another generation. Mons. Fitzgerald was related to several old Glenmore families stretching across Knockbrack, Rathinure, Davidstown, Aylwardstown and Kilbride.
Fitzgerald Siblings
In addition to Paul, there were four other children born to this union: (1) May Fitzgerald (married Henry Shefflin, of Ballyhale; (2) Josephine Fitzgerald (married John Shea of Haggard, Glenmore); (3) Sean Fitzgerald and (4) Michael Fitzgerald. The two Fitzgerald brothers farmed the family farm in Knockbrack. Neither brother married.
Illness & Death
Monsignor Fitzgerald died on the 28th of December 2006. For the last few years of his life he fought cancer. He was buried on New Year’s Day at St. Mary’s New Cemetery, Thomastown following mass at the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown. Bishop Forristal was the principal celebrant (Kilkenny People, Friday 5 Jan. 2007, p. 6).
The Obituary
The Kilkenny People (Friday 19 Jan. 2007, p. 12) published the obituary written by Bishop Forristal along with a photo of Monsignor Fitzgerald. The obituary is below.
Paul Fitzgerald, Parish priest, Thomastown and vicar general of the Diocese of Ossory, died peacefully in St. Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown, on December 28. He was surrounded by his family and staff, who felt it an honour to be able to care for him in his final illness in the hospital where he had been chaplain for almost 20 years. Even though he was ill and quite weak, he insisted on being taken to the hospital chapel on Christmas Day to con-celebrate Mass and in the afternoon he made the short journey to his sister May’s home in Ballyhale where he spent a few hours with all the family. Deep down I’m sure he knew it was a farewell visit to those who meant so much to him.
Paul Fitzgerald was born on March 29, 1938 in Knockbrack, Glenmore. He was educated in Bigwood National School, De La Salle College, Waterford, and St. Kieran’s College where he was ordained on June 3, 1962. His first appointment was to the parish of Mooncoin (1962-1964). How often he spoke of his two years there and how happy he was.
At the request of Bishop Peter Birch, he undertook a two-year course in social administration in the University of Swansea. On his return to the diocese, he was appointed administrator of Ossory Social Services. Then a small fledgling organisation that would, under his leadership, and the enthusiastic commitment of the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. John of God, Social Workers and an army of volunteers, grew into a well organised programme of care for the poor and elderly that would in time have branches in several parishes throughout the diocese. Amond the kinds of services provided were meals-on-wheels for the elderly, home help services, care and counselling for families. The care of travelling people was a particular concern of Bishop Birch and soon the Social Services were providing preschool and play school activities for their children, organised in the main by volunteer teachers. So significant was the impact of the Ossory Social Services under his leadership that they were the subject of a number of television documentaries.
There were many other diocesan undertakings that Fr. Paul was involved with—social study weeks were held for several years, the foundation of Our Lady of Fair Love School, the SOS Workshops, the School of the Holy Spirit and the School of Social Education, the first of its kind in Ireland, for the training of people involved in residential child care in Ireland.
His work as administrator of the social services brought him into regular contact with officials from different government departments, among whom he was greatly respected and admired; this ensured that there was harmony between the statutory and voluntary organisations in the care of the poor, the aged and children with special needs.
Respect for the dignity of the person was central to all Fr. Paulie’s work: His life long friend Fr. Pat Duggan tells the following story: a down and out meets him at the door of the centre and asks, “Father will you give me a smoke?” And Fr. Paul puts his hand in his pocket and takes out a new packet of cigarettes, peels off the wrapping and removes four cigarettes and puts them I his own pocket and hands the rest to the man, who seems very grateful for them. Twenty minutes later the man is back looking for money.
But Fr. Paul patiently and diplomatically encouraged him down the avenue from where he came, showing a lot more patience than he sometimes showed at golf or at a hurling match.
In 1979, he was appointed to the parish of St. Canice’s, first as curate and later as administrator. In addition to his many pastoral duties he continued to lecture in social studies in the seminary in St. Kieran’s College and was deeply involved in many diocesan projects including the development of Seville Lodge as a diocesan centre for adult education.
In 1987, he was appointed parish priest of Thomastown, an appointment he was to hold for almost twenty years. He was very happy there and gave of himself generously in the service of his people. I thought his good friend and parish worker, Tom Walsh, put it very well in his own tribute to him at the end of the funeral Mass. He said: Fr. Paulie was a serious priest and serious about his priesthood—so true that was. All of us, his brother priests knew that from working closely with him over the years. His fidelity to his priesthood and his sincerity abut priestly ministry was at the centre of his life.
Speaking during the homily when his body was brought to the church, Bishop Forristal spoke of his own indebtedness to him over the years. As his bishop, I too have suffered a great loss and will miss him. In addition to being a dedicated priest, he was a wise adviser, who was always available—always generous—with his time and words of wisdom. My Predecessor, Bishop Peter Birch recognised this from an early age. He entrusted the administration of the then young Ossory Social Services to the then very young, Fr. Paul Fitzgerald, even before he was thirty years of age. He made a great success of it. Also, Bishop Birch appointed him one of his advisers on the appointments of priests in the diocese—a very responsible and sensitive task. He continued in that role when I came along in 1981. From the very beginning—particularly later, when he became vicar general in 1989—he was always helpful ad available. It was as if he realized that he should share whatever gifts or talents God gave him for the good of others.
In writing his obituary I can’t but refer to the open house that the presbytery in St. Canice’s was during the years that he, Fr. Pat Duggan and the late Fr. Jerry Joyce were living there. They were always so welcoming to us who were either seminarians or newly ordained at the time. The Sunday night card school was particularly enjoyable especially when the game got interrupted with heated discussions on either sport or politics or some issue of the day. Sad to think of that group, three have died—all at relatively young age—Fr. Donal Kelly, Fr. Jerry Joyce, and now Fr. Paul Fitzgerald. In faith we can but put our trust in God and pray that he will take them into his eternal love.
Fr. Paul was laid to rest on January 1, Feast of Mary, Mother of God, to whom he had great devotion. A bowl of clay from his home in Knockbrack was among the symbols that were brought to the altar at the beginning of Mass. At the end of Life’s journey the seeds of faith and his priestly vocation were being celebrated and the life long gratitude that he felt towards his parents, Ellen and John, and the good Christian home which he and his sisters, May and Josephine, and his brothers, Sean and Michael had there was being remembered.
In life he sought neither office, titles nor recognition, and when they came to him, he remained unchanged; he was essentially a very decent, highly principled modest man who strove very sincerely to be a faithful servant of God and I believe that is how he would wish to be remembered. May he rest in peace.
Memorial Tree
Shortly after Monsignor Fitzgerald’s death, a memorial tree was planted for him in Thomastown following a memorial Mass at the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, where he was parish priest for the previous 20 years. The mass was attended by his family, relatives and friends. A poem in memory of Monsignor Paul was composed by his close friend and schoolmate Joe Dunphy from Thomastown (Munster Express, Friday 9 February 2007, p. 28).
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Please see our post of 4 October 2020 regarding Fenian John Fitzgerald of Knockbrack, Glenmore.
The featured painting above is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary courtesy of the Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. “Full-page miniature of the Assumption of the Virgin, with opening of text for vespers, initials, rubrics, flower design” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-e952-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Please send any corrections, additional information or a better photo of Monsignor Fitzgerald to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Michael “Mikey” Forristal (1879-1972) of Rochestown, Glenmore [updated]
In the 1960’s Danny Dowling (1927-2021) the Glenmore historian bought a reel-to-reel tape recorder and began conducting interviews of the elderly people around Glenmore. In 1969, Danny taped an interview of Michael (Mikey) Forristal, of Rochestown, Glenmore, who was 90 years of age. Danny stored his old reel-to-reel tapes in a box and after his death his son Pat wasn’t certain what if anything remained on the tapes. Eventually Pat was able to get one old reel-to-reel tape recorder working and made a digital recording of the reel-to-reel recording. One of the most interesting aspects of Danny’s recording of Mikey Forristal is the fact that Mikey Forristal’s speech patterns were set long before radio or televisions were in Glenmore homes and influencing speech.
There were some difficulties transcribing the recording. On several occasions the interviewer and interviewee spoke at the same time. Sometimes the quality isn’t great, but the greatest challenge is that so many people in Mikey’s family had the same name. Thanks to the information provided we were able to trace a number of Forristal’s and others mentioned in the first half of the interview. Information not in the original recording has been placed in square brackets [ ].
Mikey Forristal (1879-1972)
Danny commenced the interview with identifying his interviewee, and noted that they were in the Murphy home in Ballybrahee, Glenmore. [At the time of his interview Mikey Forristal lived with his daughter Alice Murphy née Forristal (1922-2018) and her husband Luke Murphy (1927-2003).] See our post of 15 August 2021 regarding Luke Murphy.
Mikey Forristal reported that he was 90 years of age since “last April.” He was born in April 1879 [20 April 1879]. His father was John Forristal [c. 1833-1895] and his mother was Mary Gahan [1839-1917]. He quickly added that she wasn’t the same Gahan as Tom Gahan. She was from a farm in Ballylogue, Rochestown.
[My resident expert explained that there were three Gahan families in Rochestown. Mikey was distinguishing them for Danny. (1) The farm Mary Gahan came from. (2) John Joe Gahan, was known as Josie Gahan, and he had a daughter named Ellie Gahan. She married Larry Walsh of Smithstown, Tullogher. Larry and Ellie had a number of children including Martin Walsh (1918- 1996) and Maureen Lyng née Walsh who introduced Danny to his wife Molly. See our post of 31 Dec. 2023 for further information on Martin Walsh. (3) Another Rochestown farmer was John Gahan. His son Tom married Mikey’s sister Elizabeth “Lizzie” Forristal.]
Old Conn, the landlord evicted the farm that Mikey’s mother came from. They were evicted for 6 months’ rent. Mary Forristal née Gahan had two brothers who went off to America, John Gahan and Tommy Gahan.
[The parish records provide that Mikey’s maternal grandparents were John Gahan and Elizabeth Fewer. Mary’s godparents in 1839 were John and Mary Duggan. Mary Forristal née Gahan had four known siblings including: Patrick Gahan (bapt. 5 Feb. 1838); Catherine Gahan (bapt. 16 Jan. 1844); Thomas Gahan (bapt 23 Aug. 1832) and Thomas Gahan (bapt. 26 Aug. 1847)]
Mikey told Danny that they were related to each other through the Duggans. Danny’s mother, Hannah Dowling née Murphy, was a first cousin to Mikey Forristal’s mother Mary Forristal née Gahan. [Hannah’s paternal grandmother was Margaret Murphy née Duggan. See our post of 18 April 2020 for further details.]
The Children of John Forristal (c. 1833-1895) & Mary Gahan (1839-1917)
[John Foristal (labourer) of Rochestown married Mary Gahan (labourer) of Rochestown on 1 February 1864 at Glenmore. Witnesses were Thomas Bolger and Bridget Fewer. The fathers were recorded as John Forristal and John Gahan. John Forristal (farm labourer) died 7 April 1895, aged 62, at Rochestown. His son Martin was present at his death. Mary Forrstall née Gahan died 26 October 1917, aged 78. Her son Michael was present at her death in Rochestown.]
(1) Alice Kirwan née Forristal (1864-1940)
Mikey stated his sister Alice Forristal was born in 1864, she was married to Willie Kirwan. She died at 74 years of age.
[Alice Forristal (b. 5 Nov. 1864- 9 Nov. 1940) was married on 27 October 1892, at Glenmore to Wm. Kirwan (1859-1933) of Rochestown (labourer). William was the son of Maurice Kirwan (farmer). However, Alice’s obituary states that her husband’s name was Richard. ]
[Death of Mrs. A. Kirwan—The death occurred at her residence at Rochestown, Glennmore, on Saturday of Mrs. Alice Kirwan, at the age of 74 years. Deceased, who had been ailing only a short time, was widow of the late Richard Kirwan, Rochestown. She leaves three sons—Maurice, Thomas and Peter to mourn her passing. The funeral, which was largely attended, Took place from her late residence to Glenmore Parish Church on Monday for interment. Rev. W. Brennan, C.C. officiated at the graveside A number of Mass Cars were place on the grave from relatives.—R.I.P. Funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. T. Power, Ferrybank (Munster Express, Fri. 15 Nov. 1940, p. 8).]
[We found four sons born to Alice: Maurice Kirwan (b. 20 Aug. 1893); John Kirwan (b. 7 July 1895); Thomas Kirwan (b. 7 July 1897); and Peter Kirwan (b. 28 June 1899).]
(2) Mary Foran née Forristal (1866-1912)
Mikey’s sister Mary Forristal went to America and was married to Johnny Foran of Harristown. Johnny Foran was a contractor building houses. They had 2 boys and a girl. Their eldest John Foran was in the American navy. Then there was Willie Foran who visited Ireland about 1966. The Foran children were still living in Boston. Mary died young and Johnny re-married. Johnny had all his own gear for building. He built a house for a big snob of a man, who required a stone carving over his door. Foran wasn’t used to that, but be believed in cutting out the middle man.
[Mary Forristal (4 Nov. 1866-12 Sept. 1912) married John Foran on 6 June 1894 at Newton, Massachusetts. In the 1900 Census the couple were living on Beach St. John Foran was born in February 1860 in Massachusetts. Mary reported she was born in May 1862; married 12 years in US 14 years. She had 6 children and 4 were alive in 1900. [1] Thomas F. Foran (b. Sept 1891); [2] Florence Foran (b Feb. 1894); [3] William Foran (b. May 1895) and [4] John J? Foran (b. Dec. 1895). Mary died 12 Sept. 1912 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Massachusetts with her children Bridget M. (1882-1949); Thomas Aloyisus Foran died (21 Jan. 1910, aged 70 months). The headstone records that John Foran was born in 1872 and died in 1940. His birthplace is recorded as Harristown, County Kilkenny, Ireland.]
[Mary’s death notice appeared in The Boston Globe (Fri. 20 Sept. 1912, p. 6) .The funeral of Mrs. Mary J. Foran, wife of John J. Foran, a well-known business man of the West Newton Section, took place this morning at St. Bernard’s Church, West Newton, with a requiem mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. F.J. Cronin. Interment was in the family lot at Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.]
(3) Bridget Forristal (1869-1936)
Mikey stated that his sister Bridget “never married at all.” She also went to Boston.
[Bridget Forrestal (sic) (b. 29 Jan.1869-2 Feb. 1936) was born the 29th and baptized the 31st. A civil record was found for a twin Richard Forristal. His birth was registered by Mary Ryan, nurse on 4 February 1869. There is no record of him being baptized in Glenmore with Bridget. ]
[A short death notice was published in the Boston Globe in 1936, “At Holy Ghost Hospital, Cambridge, Feb. 2, Bridget A. Foristall (sic) of 208 Auburn St. Auburndale. High Mass of Requiem at Holy Ghost Chapel Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends invited (Boston Globe, Mon. 3 Feb. 1936, p. 19).]
(4) Elizabeth Gahan née Forristal (1875-1929)
His sister Elizabeth Forristal was married to Tom Gahan.
[Elizabeth Forrestal (b. 22 Dec. 1875-1929) at the age of 20, on 13 February 1896 married Thomas Gahan (farmer) of Rochestown, Glenmore. Thomas was the son of John Gahan (farmer) and Elizabeth’s father was John Forristal (boatman). The couple had at least 8 children: Mary Gahan (b. 18 Nov. 1896); Elizabeth Gahan (bapt. 23 Sept. 1898); Anastatia Gahan (b. 27 Sept. 1899); John Gahan (b. 15 May 1901); Thomas Gahan (b. 20 Oct. 1903); Martin Gahan (1905-1986) Elizabeth “Lill” Gahan (b. 12 April 1907) and Michael Gahan (b. 4 Feb. 1911).]
(5) John Forristal (1871-1934)
His brother John Forristal left home at 17. He went to Boston and worked as a policeman.
[John Forristal (b. 17 June 1871-30 Sept. 1934) At the time of John’s birth his father’s profession was recorded as “boatman”. John Forristal and Rose A. Lynn were married on 26 September 1897 at Newton, Mass. She was born in Cavan and was the daughter of Mathew Lynn and Mary Lynn née McMahon. The 1900 Census provides that the couple had one son, Arthur (b. July 1898). Rose was born in May 1872, and John was working as a coachman. The family was living on Henshaw Terrace. The 1930 Census records that the family were living on Auburn St. and John was 59 and working as a police officer. Children include Mary J, aged 29; Thomas M., aged 28; Joseph L, aged 22 and Francis J. aged 20. John immigrated in 1888 and Rose in 1884.]
[ The Boston Globe (Mon. 8 Aug. 1932, p. 3) “Friends Play Trick on Newton Policeman During Fishing Party.” Patrolman John J. Forristal of Auburn St., Auburndale, has supplied the reporters with numerous stories, many of them humorous. But this morning Clark Barkhouse, 25 Kenyon St., West Newton supplied one on Forristal.]
[Forristal, who is on his vacation, was fishing with several others on Barkhouses’s boat off Cohasset. After 3 hours of fruitless endeavour, John retired to the cabin for a rest, leaving his line tied to a stanchion. Half an hour later he resumed his fishing and after nearly an hour of fishing hauled in his line. Seven fish were on the hooks. Even when finally told someone had played a trick on him, John looked wisely at the catch. “I must have caught some of them anyway,” he remarked. He kept the fish.]
[Obituary—Services for John J. Foristall Wednesday—NEWTON, Oct. 1—Funeral services for John J. Foristall, retired Newton police officer who died at his home at 208 Auburn St., Auburndale, yesterday after a four days’ sickness, will be held at 9 o’clock Wednesday morning with a requiem mass at Corpus Christi Church, Auburndale. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.]
[He had been a member of the Police Department for 30 years when he retired two years ago. He was a native of Ireland, coming to Newton as a young man. He joined the police force at the age of 30. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Rose (Lynn) Foristall; a daughter, Mrs. Harry Ilfeld of West Newton, and four sons, John A., Joseph L. and Francis J. Foristall of Auburndale and Thomas M. Foristall of New York (John J. Foristal, The Boston Globe, 2 Oct. 1934, p. 4).]
(6) Tom Forristal (1873-?)
Mikey’s brother Tom Forristal was a twin. He went off to England. When he was at Ringville School he was a “great scholar” and taught at Ringville for 3 years without pay. The teacher, Joe Grennan, a small sized man, and fairly old, spoke to Mikey’s father about Tom going on. “My father had 8 of us to keep up and my brother could not stay.” Tom worked on the railway, then went off to England and worked in Liverpool on the docks. He worked the docks during WWII.
(7) Martin Forristal (1873-1955)
Mikey’s brother Martin Forristal is Willie and Johnny Forristal’s father. Martin was a twin.
[Martin Forestal (sic) (b. 8 Aug. 1873-1955) Nurse Ryan registered the birth of the twins on the 28th of August and noted that they were born at 12 midnight on the 8th.]
(8) Mikey Forristal (1879-1972)
Mikey stated that he was the youngest boy. He also spoke about his occupation of fishing.
[Michael Forrestal (20 April 1879-14 June 1972) on 29 August 1911, married Margaret Jennings at St. John the Evangelist of Waterford. The groom was from Glenmore and the bride was from John’s Hill, Waterford. Her father was Myles Jennings (bottler) and his father was John Forristal (labourer) deceased.
Margaret Mary Jennings was born on 16 October 1882 on Tucket St. in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Her father Myles Jennings was a Mineral Water Manufacturer and her mother is listed as Clare Mary McEvilly. A note on the birth record states “on marriage no. 98501 (Myles) wife’s name is Clare Ann. Her father (David) is a lemonade manufacturer. Myles Jennings (shopkeeper) of Westport married Clare Anne on 4 March 1875. His father’s name is not listed except noted farmer.]
[The death register provides that Mikey died on 14th of June 1972, at the age of 93. He died at his daughter Alice Murphy’s home in Ballybrahee, Glenmore.]
[Mikey’s obituary appeared in the Irish Independent (Thur. 15 June 1972, p. 29) Forristal (Rochestown, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny)—June 14, 1972, at his daughter’s residence (Ballybrahee, Glenmore), Michael Forristal; deeply regretted by his sorrowing sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. RIP Remains will be removed at 7:30 o’c, this (Thursday) evening to Glenmore Church. Requiem Mass at10:30 o’c to-morrow (Friday). Burial immediately afterwards in adjoining cemetery.]
Mikey also spoke about Nicky Forristal being married in Carlow and was a full back for the hurler’s here. However, it isn’t clear whether Nicky was his brother or nephew.
The Landlords
Mikey related that Old Conn was their landlord. Conn was a Captain first. He came from Passage East. Strange was another landlord and lived where James Kelly is now. Edmond Forristal was a big landlord too with hundreds of acres. Edmond Forristal married Strange’s sister or daughter. Could not knock the walls of the castle with dynamite. [The remains of the old Rochestown Castle was near John Aylward, of Rochestown yard.] The landlord’s house was 20 yards up from the Aylward house. The Aylward house is built where the landlords stable was. Conn bought land from Strange.
Conn built his own house; Mount Ida. Mikey knew Conn. He described Conn as a big stout man. Conn always had the gards annoyed “coming around.” Paddy Stapleton’s father was a sergeant in Glenmore. Mikey never knew Conn’s wife. Conn had two sons. The Old people talked about the mother. “Conn was under repute.” The man who got the estate was Dr. Phillips, of the English Army. Mikey thought that Dr. Phillips was a first cousin to old Conn. His other first cousin was a man named Costy (Costello) who lived near Borris in Co. Carlow.
[For further details concerning Mount Ida and the bigamist landlord John Lambly Conn (1812-1893) see Martin Forristal’s article “Mount Ida”.]
Mikey’s uncle, also called Mikey Forristal, worked as a coachman for Conn. Mikey’s brother Martin worked for Dr. Phillips as a coachman. Dr. Phillips was living in Reading and used to come over 6 weeks before the family. He wouldn’t leave the house one night. Mikey and his brother Martin had to stay with him. Phillips had two girls and a boy, Tom. One of the girls married a minister the other one never married.
John Forristal’s (c. 1833-1895) Brothers
Danny asked Mikey about his father’s brothers. Mikey related that his father’s mother was a Doherty from Ballyrobin, Ferrybank and gave Danny the names of his three paternal uncles.
[The parish records provide that Mikey’s grandparents, John Forristal and Alice (Ally) Doherty were married on 3 February 1829. Alicia Doherty was baptized at Aylwardstown on 9 August 1807 the daughter of John Doherty and Catherine Ryan.]
(1) John Forristal (c. 1833-1895) was Mikey’s father.
(2) Thomas Forristal [bapt. 7 Jan. 1838] went to Boston.
(3) Martin Forristal [bapt. 12 Nov. 1835] went to Boston.
(4) Mickey Forristal [bapt. 18 Nov. 1843] married Anty Grant and they had 2 sons. John Forristal was shopkeeping in New Ross with Hutchinson then went into the Christian brothers. The Christian Brothers would not let him home to see his mother. The other son was Martin Forristal who was killed in the creamery. Mickey (1843) worked as a coachman for Conn. [For information concerning the tragic death of Martin Forristal (1879-1931) see our post of 13 May 2020.]
[In addition to the four sons identified above we also located two daughters: Catherine Forristal (bapt. 6 Nov. 1833) and Mary Forristal (bapt. 9 Dec. 1840).]
Summer Fun Leads to Tragedy
Mikey told Danny that he and his brothers went to Ringville to school. Katie Grant née Denn sold most of her farm to Marty Carney. One field of about 3 acres near her house she sold to Richie Roche for £200. Katie Denn and her brother Andy were at school with Mikey. The local boys stopped the water and made a pool in the Curramore stream. The children went into the pool of water several times. Andy Denn was only 10 to 12 years old and caught cold and died.
[Andrew Denn, of Carriginurra, aged 11, died 28 August 1889 of tubercular meningitis. He was ill 18 days. His mother Mary Denn was with him when he died.]
Please send any corrections, information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com. It is hoped that someone might share a photo of Mickey Forristal and his family.
Special thanks to Martin Gahan, of Ballinamona for correcting information concerning his father Martin Gahan (1905-1986) [updated 7 May 2024] and providing the photo of his grandparents Tom and Eliz. Gahan née Forristal and his paternal aunts and uncles.
We had a request for a simple family tree.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh