Danny Dowling (1927-2021)
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Kilbride, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Kilbride, Glenmore around 1961. The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny (1969, p. 109) is Cill Bride, or St. Brigid’s church. The townland is comprised of 378 acres. “This long townland stretches from the Ballyfasey (sic) road to within less than a mile of Glenmore village. Carrigan states that the holy well, Tobar Bride, was drained and destroyed in 1842; also that the baptismal font and holy-water stoup of the old church lie in the graveyard. Fields here are Croichtin na g cnemh, little croft of the bones, and Pairc Mhanais, Manus’s field.” For further information on the old Kilbride graveyard click here.
In the 1830 Griffith’s Valuation Applotment Records the townland had three landlords: George Caulfield; Mary Anne Tighe, widow and Hariet Cuffe. The tenants included: Thomas and Michael Freney (93 acres); Thomas Malone (32 acres); James, Laurence and Edmond Mackey (40 acres); John, Mary, Michael Colleton & James Walsh (85 acres); John Colleton, James Reddy, Edmond Hanrahan, James McDonell & Andrew Dunn. It appears that the last group of men held 114 acres in commonage). Eleven years later, Edmond Hanrahan was a witness in an 1841 murder that took place in Kilbride. See our previous blog post of 18 July 2021 regarding the murder, our blog post of 21 July 2021 regarding the trial and lastly our blog post of 24 July 2021 regarding the killer’s sentencing and execution.
Danny Dowling in 1961 recorded 10 families or households in Kilbride. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 43 people resided in Kilbride with the population comprised of 22 males and 21 females. The John Culleton family was the largest family with 8 family members in the household. There were 2 households ( James Reddy & Thomas Freyne) where it was recorded that a single person lived alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 22
Females= 21
Eldest Recorded Resident = The oldest Kilbride resident was James Culleton, Sr. (24 January 1867-23 July 1962 ) who was 94 in 1961. On the 8th of December 2019 Danny Dowling stated that old Jim Culleton was born when the New Ross bridge was knocked down by ice. The New Ross mid-wife was not able to attend at his birth because the bridge was destroyed. For further details see the end of our blog post of 14 December 2019.
Recorded Work
Farmer = 7 (7 males) (including 1 retired farmer)
Farm Labourer/Worker = 5 (5 males)
Carpenter = 4 (4 males) (including 1 retired carpenter)
Building Labourer = 1 (1 male)
Oil Lorry Driver = 1 (1 male)
Butter Maker = 1 (1 female)
KILBRIDE RESIDENTS
[1] POWER
Power, Mary (25 July 1871) (died 20 June 1961)
Synott, Patrick, farm worker
Synott, Anastatia, wife
[2] REDDY
Reddy, James (13 July 1926) Farmer
[3] CULLETON
Culleton, John (18 Oct. 1911) Farmer
Culleton, Margaret (1917) wife
Culleton, James, son, farm worker
Culleton, Johanna, daughter
Culleton, Mary, daughter
Culleton, Patrick, son
Culleton, John, son
Culleton, James, Sr. (24 June 1867) father, retired farmer
[4] CULLETON
Culleton, Michael (18 Oct. 1878) Farmer (died 28 Feb. 1962)
Culleton, Alice (5 June 1895) wife
Culleton, James, son, farm worker
Morrissey, James (6 May 1896) boarder, farm worker
[5] KENNEDY
Kennedy, Patrick (13 Oct. 1890) Retired Carpenter (dead no date recorded)
Kennedy, Johanna (28 Sept. 1892) wife
Kennedy, Martin, son, carpenter
Kennedy, Richard, son, carpenter
Kennedy, Edward, son, carpenter
Kennedy, Margaret (28 Oct. 1929) daughter
[6] FREYNE
Freyne, James (27 July 1905) Farmer
Freyne, Mary Anne (30 Oct. 1908) wife
Freyne, Johanna, daughter, butter maker (married & left home)
Freyne, James, son, farm worker
Freyne, Mary Katherine, daughter
Freyne, Bridget, daughter
Freyne, Margaret, daughter-in-law
[7] GRACE
Grace, William (1917) Farmer
Grace, Ellen (1925) wife
Grace, Mary, daughter
Grace, Margaret, daughter
Grace, Alice, daughter
[8] HANDRICK
Handrick, Patrick (3 Sept. 1907) Building Labourer
Handrick, Margaret (1917) wife
Handrick, Garrett, son
Handrick, James, son
Handrick, Kathleen, daughter
Handrick, Bridget, daughter
[9] MURRAY
Murray, John, Oil Lorry Driver
Murray, Eileen, wife
[10] FREYNE
Freyne, Thomas, Farmer
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is the Kilbride graveyard.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore’s “Thrilling” Motor Accident & Famous Bonesetter
On Friday the 8th of March 1929 the Munster Express published an article entitled “Thrilling Motor Accident in Glenmore” (p. 3). Today, we are going to highlight the colourful and dramatic newspaper article as well as the well-known Glenmore bonesetter who helped injured people before x-rays were commonly available.
The Accident
In what the newspaper dubbed “a rather sensational motor accident” occurred on the Waterford-New Ross road on the 3rd of March 1929. William Hill left his residence, Belmont Lodge, Ferrybank, early in the afternoon, taking with him a man named William Grant who had been injured the day before while working on a steamer at Waterford. Their objective being the home of a well-known Glenmore bonesetter. Accompanying Hill were Miss Hill and Peter Grant, the son of the injured man. The newspaper did not identify the Glenmore bonesetter. It did state that all went well until the party reached a spot known as the “Scorebridge Bend.” We believe that this is a typographical error and should be the Scowbridge. It was noted that the bend was “a well known but perfectly safe turning, with vision at either approach, located midway between Robinstown and Gaulestown.” The Scowbridge is actually located where the stream crosses under the road from Grogan to Gaulestown, but as Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often said newspapers never let facts get in the way of a good story.
When Mr. Hill was one hundred yards from the bend, still on the Waterford side of the bend, he noticed a Ford saloon coming in the opposite direction “going for the turn at a “terrific speed.” “His practised eye realising the corner could never be negotiated safely,” he had to decide in a fraction of a second whether to “stop dead” or “keep going.” He decided to keep going, and “to this fact he owed his safety.”
“Around the bend the Ford came, and, to the terror of the occupants of Mr. Hill’s car suddenly canted over to an angle of 45 degrees, taking the turn on two wheels. For a moment the driver corrected his course, but this only sent her [the Ford] in a mad plunge to the off-side of the road, but gave Mr. Hill the chance to get safely past her, where he came to an immediate stop and was just in time to see her cannoning off the fence in her mad momentum, and plunging once again across the road, not yet even to stop, but once again taking a final leap to the off fence and landing on her head or bonnet, and, poised momentarily in the air, came down with a sickening crash on the road.”
Mr. Hill and the injured Mr. Grant rushed to the crashed car. They expected to find a “mangled mass of humanity,” but were surprised to find the occupants of the crashed car uninjured. They immediately helped two ladies out through the roof of the crashed car and they hauled the driver clear of it. It was stated, “had the petrol fired a horrible death would have been their lot.”
The driver and owner of the car was an elderly gentleman named Rossiter, who lived outside New Ross. “A relief car was secured, and the fortunate survivors were brought home. The remains of the car were left on the road, it being a wreck.” This probably provides a good indication of the amount of traffic in 1929 when a wrecked vehicle could be left on the road near a bend.
Mr. Hill was then interviewed subsequently and surprisingly the newspaper published his opinions regarding the accident and driving in general. Hill said—“It was just a case of speed in the wrong place. The driver must have either been a stranger of the road or else forgot about the turn until it was too late. The danger of modern saloons is that they become overheated, and, unless ventilation is seen to, a drowsy feeling overtakes one. The feeling I had was one of powerlessness, the same as you would realise were you are to meet a runaway horse. Sooner or later, more stringent driver tests must be insisted on, as otherwise the ever increasing motor traffic will bring appalling accidents. I have not the slightest objection to anyone taking driving risks or stunting etc., where he only endangers his own life, but where mine or the public is involved it is altogether another matter. One of the oldest motorist I know said to me his dictum was: ‘It’s the other fellow is going to kill you.’”
The article ends with, “a remarkable feature of the accident was that the car coming from New Ross, after turning over three times, landed on the road facing in the direction from which it had come.”
James Roche (c. 1854-1940) of Haggard, Glenmore
The bonesetter that William Hill was taking William Grant to visit was probably Jimmy Roche of Haggard. According to Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) notes the Roche’s of Haggard were recognised as good bonesetters. On the 28th of December 1969, Danny interviewed his mother Hannah Dowling née Murphy who related that the Roches farmed 70 acres in Haggard. Hannah recited that Luke Roche was a bonesetter and married Biddie Aylward, of Parkstown, Glenmore. Luke and Biddie had three children: (1) James Roche who also became a bonesetter. James married Kate Aylward, of Ballyfacey. Hannah recalled that James was over 80 years of age when he died in 1940. James had two sisters (2) Bridget Roche, never married and died in her 60’s in about 1939; and the last child was Statia Roche who never married and died in her 75th year in 1945.
According to Hannah Dowling, Jimmy and Kate Roche of Haggard had the following family
(1) Luke Roche, married in Mooncoin; (2) Jack Roche, [never married and farmed the home farm]; (3) James Roche [married a woman named Kearney and worked at the Glenmore Creamery and was also a bonesetter]; (4) Larry Roche, [never married]; (5) Pat Roche, [never married]; (6) Matthew Roche [never married] and (7) Catherine Roche, died as a result of burns from falling into the fire at the age of 5-6 months.
James Roche (c. 1854-1940) died at his residence at Haggard. His obituary in the Munster Express is also colourful. It provides that James was a well-known figure in farming circles and was widely known as a competent bonesetter, “whose fame at this important aspect of manipulative surgery established a name for him ever far outside his own district. His home was at all times a hospitable centre for visitors, and his cheery and kindly disposition endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his genial acquaintanceship. Strong, well-built, and of a commanding personality Mr. Roche was a splendid type of Irishman, and his passing, though coming at the fine old age of 86 years, is deeply and deservedly regretted by his family, relatives and a wide circle of friends.” Deceased was husband of Mrs. Kate Roche, Haggard; father of Larry Roche, the well-known footballer and athlete; James Roche, who is a popular member of the staff of Glenmore Creamery; Luke, John, Pat and Matty Roche, all of Haggard; and brother of Miss Stasia Roche, also of Haggard. Interment took place at the family burial ground at Kilbride (Munster Express, Fri. 13 Dec. 1940, p. 12).
Hannah Dowling also said that Katie Roche née Aylward died in 1946 at the age of 68. An obituary was located for Katie Roche and it revealed that she died in January 1946. She was said to be one of the best-known residents of the parish and was the widow of the late James Roche, “who was widely known in the district as a competent bonesetter the art of which is still being practised by members of the family,” (Munster Express, Fri. 1 Feb. 1946, p. 6).
The last of the Roche family was Mattie who died in 1999 at the age of 77.
The featured photo above in a 1929 Ford Saloon. Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore: Limestone Kilns [updated]
Unlike other areas of Ireland where subsistence farming was the norm, the farmers of eastern Leinster engaged in commercial agriculture. In other words, crops were being grown to be sold rather than for subsistence. In 1770, the chief trade was in flour sold to the growing city of Dublin. By the start of the Famine crops were being grown for breweries. This commercialisation of the tillage economy is credited with causing a rapid population increase in the early 19th century. Farm labourers who made up about half the population in the region were given a small cottage and around 0.4 hectares of land. These plots were locally known as haggards and were used for growing potatoes and cereal crops by the farm labourers. After the famine farming moved from tillage to grazing. Between 1851 and 1911 arable land in Ireland halved from 1.8 million hectares to 0.9 million. Grazing with live cattle exports to Britain increased from 200,000 animals in the 1840’s to 400,000 animals in the 1860’s. The last decade of the 19th century saw this increased to 800,000 animals (Kevin Whelan, (1997) “The Modern Landscape from Plantation to Present” in Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape, p. 67).
Lime Kilns of Glenmore
The landscape of Glenmore still has the ruins of old lime kilns that long ago were used for the production of quicklime or buntlime. One good example is at the crossroads in Ballycroney. Quicklime was produced by heating limestones at high temperatures in a lime kiln. Quickline was used in agriculture to change the PH of the soil and in building projects for mortar. Farm lime kilns were very common in the 18th and early part of the 19th century. They were replaced in the second half of the 19th century, after the Famine, by industrial lime and brick works. There were two types of permanent farm kilns used in the production of quicklime for agricultural purposes, namely: draw kilns and the less common flare kilns. Both kilns were loaded from the top and had their fire boxes at the bottom. Kilns were usually built into the bank of a hillside and enclosed on the other three sides by a stone-built rectangular shaped structure. The draw-hole or stoke hole was located at the front of the kiln base. It provided draft and access to the fire and was where the quicklime was removed. The draw hole was often built large enough to accommodate two men and sometimes a cart. Draw kilns burned limestone in a continuous process (p.19). Because of the need to generate temperatures in the region of 1000 degrees Celsius for long periods, lime kilns required a large amount of fuel. In the late 19th century in Munster, furze was the main fuel source. In other parts of Ireland furze was used to start the fire or was mixed with other fuels (Muiris O’Sullivan & Liam Downey, “Lime Kilns,” (19)2 Archaeology Ireland (Summer 2005) pp. 18-22).
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979) in November 1977 (DD Notebook 5) concerning the burning of lime in Glenmore. Nicky stated that the local farmers brought limestone from the quarries at Dunkitt, in Kilmacow, up river in a gabbard. “After discharge at the local quays the stones were transported in horse and cart to the lime kilns. They were then spalled—that is to say that they were broken to the size of about 2 hands clenched together. The kiln was then packed in the follow order: 1st furze at bottom to light the culm; 2nd on this was placed a layer of culm; and 3rd next a layer of limestone. After this it was every alternate layer of culm and limestone until the kiln was filled to the top. It was then set alight and it burned for 3 or 4 days.” According to a modern dictionary culm was coal dust.
Nicky went on to state that as a chap he saw the kilns at Ballyverneen Quay, and at Ennett’s in Cappagh, burning lime on a few occasions. Lime kilns were situated at the following locations:
(1) A kiln was located on Kiln Hill which was over Glenmore ½ way up on Neddie Connor’s side in Cody’s field, in the townland of Graiguenakill.
(2) Ballyverneen—at Waterford side of Maid’s Quay on other side of road.
(3) Ballyverneen—at Quay opposite Dick Dunphy’s cottage where Dolan’s later lived. It was fed from the roadroad. Although the kiln is gone its outline can still be seen.
(4) Graiguenakill–on Barron’s Quay below Forristal’s Mill. This Quay was public and was an open space years ago. Paddy Forristal in an interview in 1980 referred to it being on a commons and noted the kiln was gone.
(5) Cappah–at top of Ennet’s Marsh. It is gone.
(6) Jamestown–at top of Main Roche’s Hill in Green’s field. It is gone.
(7) Bishopstown–opposite Richie Hennessey’s cottage.
(8) Bishopstown–at Ballybrahee Lane.
(9) Weatherstown–on the commons.
Given the prominence of the kiln at the crossroads in Ballycroney it is surprising it was not mentioned. We did find it recorded on the Orinance Survey Map. If readers are aware of where other lime kilns were or are located in or around Glenmore parish would you please send the information to glenmore.history@gmail.com ?
[Update 6 Sept. 2022, Martin Forristal identified a lime kiln in Rochestown near the river. See Martin’s comment below for further details.]
[Update 6 Sept 2022, Brian Forristal identified and sent the photo to the right of a lime kiln in Kearney Bay. It is located down the rock Road, past Tom Heffernan’s farm. It is about half a mile from there on the right hand side.]
Life & Death
After lime kilns fell out of use at least one family lived in the Graiguenakill lime kiln. Billy Fleming and his sister Jane Fleming made the Graiguenakill kiln their home (Danny Dowling, Notebook 8 (1955)). Unfortunately, no further information was provided by Danny regarding Billy Fleming or his sister Jane or when they resided in the kiln. A quick search of the parish records presented a possible match. There was a William Fleming baptized at Glenmore on 16 March 1826 to Patrick Fleming and his wife Margaret Barden. No similar record could be located for Jane Fleming, but Patrick and Margaret had another son Peter (bapt. 8 July 1824) at Grangekille (sic) Glenmore.
Lastly, while performing a newspaper search (for something else) the following article was found regarding a kiln operated in Carrigcloney, Glenmore in 1827. This article was found in the Drogheda Journal, or Meath & Louth Advertiser (Sat. 19 May 1827) and appears to have been copied from the Waterford Chronicle. It highlights the dangers associated with lime burning.
Melancholy Occurrence. —On Thursday last, a poor limeburner, named Freeman, while working at a kiln, at Carrigcloney, Parish of Glenmore, County Kilkenny, the man below was drawing the lime, many of the stones above, from being overburned, calcined or adhering to the side of the kiln, when the poor fellow walked on the side of the kiln, and with a pole endeavoured to cause the lime to pass, it immediately shifted, and he, poor creature, got fast in the middle of it. The exertions of four stout men pulling him by the arms, were not aide to disengage him, until they procured rope a short distance off, he burning all the time, by fastening it under his arms they brought him up. He died a short time afterwards in great agony.— Waterford Chronicle.
Freeman is not a common Glenmore name, however in the parish records we did find where a Laurence Freeman, in nearby Rathanure (sic) married Margaret Day, of Rathanure, on 14 January 1824 at Glenmore. Witnesses were Nancy Freeman and Mary Grant. The poor man who was burned in the kiln was not Laurence as Laurence and his wife had 2 children born after May 1827. The couple had Bridget Freeman (bapt. 17 March 1828) and Laurence Freeman (bapt. 15 Dec. 1830). Turning to Griffiths Valuation 1829, a John Freeman of Rathinure is listed. What relationship, if any, the Rathinure Freemans may have had to the deceased limeburner is not known.
Please send any corrections and further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com . The photos of the kiln at the Ballycroney cross was taken last week.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Danny Dowling: 1991 Kilcolumb Church Ruins
Last month I was able to go home and had a couple of old VHS tapes digitalized. One tape contained video from a 1991 trip to Glenmore when I met Danny Dowling (1927-2021). It also contained footage of Danny giving a little tour of the ruins of Kilcolumb Church, the oldest Kennedy headstone in the parish, and the famous “headache stone.” Danny also provided a brief history of Kilcolumb Church and its patron Saint. Also featured in the video is my future husband’s father, Tom Walsh (1908-1992) a native of Davidstown, Glenmore and late of Rathinure, Glenmore and my future sister-in-law Elsie Walsh.
This is our first you tube video, so fingers crossed, click here.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Moulerstown or Ballyvoulera, Glenmore (1961) [Updated]
Today, we are going to feature information that Danny Dowling recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Moulerstown or Ballyvoulera around 1961. The Irish for the townland of Ballyvoulera, according to Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny (1969, p. 109) is Baile Bholaerigh or Bowler’s homestead. The townland is comprised of 323 acres and it is in the old civil parish or DED of Kilcoan. Kelly makes no mention of Moulerstown.
In the 1833 Griffith’s Valuation Applotment Records the townland is spelled as Moulerstown and Mowlerstown. The landlord is listed as Mr. John Doyle, of Graiguenamanagh, and it is noted that there were no leases. However, there is a list of six residents and the land they farmed including: James Butler (4 acres of first class land); Richard Walsh (118 acres of second class land); James Rigby (73 acres of third class land); Patrick Fitzgerald (19 acres of fourth class land); Laurence Rigby (32 acres of fifth class land) and Thomas Grace (listed but no further details). Unfortunately, Danny is not available to explain why there were no leases. It is assumed that the listed farmers worked directly for the landlord.
Danny Dowling, in 1961 recorded five families or households in Moulerstown. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died. The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 25 people resided in Moulerstown with the population comprised of 19 males and 6 females. The Butler family was the largest family with seven members in the household. There were no households recorded of a single person living alone.
Recorded Residents
Males= 19
Females= 6
Eldest Recorded Resident= John Fitzgerald (18 March 1881- 5 Feb.1970). According to the Diary kept by James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore and copied by Danny Dowling [DD Notebook 2] John Fitzgerald, of Moulerstown and Molly Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, were married on Sunday the 1st of July 1906. In searching for John’s date of death we came across a number of articles after 1961 concerning John’s success at various horse shows. For example in 1968 at the age of 87 John won two classes at the Inistioge Horse Show. Class 1—The Royal Dublin Society; Premiums for Suitable (non Thoroughbred) Mares 7 years and younger and Class 2—Prize for Colt Foal. (Munster Express, Fri. 31 May 1968, p. 14). A copy of John’s obituary has been added to our family pages and may be accessed by clicking here.
Recorded Work
Farmers = 4 (all males)
Farm Workers = 8 (all males)
Creamery Workers = 1 (male)
Factory Workers (meat) = 1 (male)
Machine Fitter = 1 (male)
MOULERSTOWN RESIDENTS
[1] FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald, John (18 March 1881) Farmer
Fitzgerald, Paul (b. 1915) son, creamery worker
Fitzgerald, Luke (b. 1916) son, farm worker
Fitzgerald, John, son, farm worker
Fitzgerald, Michael, son, factory worker (meat)
Fitzgerald, Thomas, son, farm worker
[2] RYAN
Ryan, Patrick (18 Aug. 1896) Farm Worker [died 21 Oct. 1968]
Ryan, Johanna (14 March 1906) wife [died 9 Jan. 1971]
Ryan, John, son, machine fitter
[3] GREENE
Greene, Thomas (b. 1917) Farmer
Greene, Margaret (b. 1919) wife
Greene, Thomas, son
Purcell, Ellen, sister-in-law
[4] DOHERTY
Doherty, Michael (22 Sept, 1881) Farmer (died 18 March 1964)
Doherty, Kat (sic) (11 Feb. 1898) wife
Doherty, Edward, son, farm worker
Doherty, Richard, son, farm worker
Doherty, John, farm worker
[5] BUTLER
Butler, Martin (25 May 1903) Farmer
Butler, Johanna (1 May 1913) wife
Butler, James, son, farm worker
Butler, Edward, son
Butler, Francis, son
Butler, Martin, son
Butler, Bridget, daughter
During our newspaper search we came across another interesting article. As previously highlighted at the end of December 1961 Telefís Éireann began broadcasting. Michael Doherty, of Moulerstown, Glenmore was hired as a member of the technical staff of the fledgling television station. It was noted that Michael was “a former pupil of New Ross Technical School, he served his apprenticeship with Mr. P.J. Maddock, Electrical Contractor, Mary St., New Ross. He subsequently went to England, and was on the maintenance staff of Messrs. Henry Ford Ltd. He was later on the technical staff of the BBC. He secured the position with Telefís Éireann as a result of a competitive examination, gaining first place from twelve candidates.” (New Ross Standard, 9 March 1962, p. 16).
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is John Fitzgerald, of Moulerstown, Glenmore with his mare “Kilt” at the Piltown Show in September 1961. The mare won 2nd and 3rd prizes as well as a Premium (Munster Express, Fri. 15 Sept. 1961, p. 3).
Update 4 Nov. 2022–Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sharing the photo of her grandparents Pat & Hannie Ryan.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore I.C.F. Cycling Club
This week we are recognising the 50th anniversary of Pat Walsh`s participation in the Tour of Ireland race held in August 1972. Pat, formerly of Jamestown, and now in Robinstown, is the only Glenmore man to take part in the Tour of Ireland, we believe. In a recent chat with Pat, he recalled every stage, from Dublin to Athlone, to Galway onto Fermoy, to Dungarvan onto Arklow and finishing in the Phoenix Park. Pat, being an amateur cyclist, finished 16th place overall. The race was won by Liam Horner from Dublin. Pat was cycling against the top Irish riders and cyclists from Europe as well. The McQuaid brothers were some of Irelands’ finest at the time and Pat McQuaid went on to be the president of the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), the worlds governing body for cycling. .
Pat was a member of the Glenmore Cycling Club in the 1960`s and 70`s which was part of the ICF body. The club was formed by Bill Walsh, of Cappagh, Pat Roche, of Haggard and Paulie Fitzgerald of Moulerstown. Pat Walsh recalled other club members of that time including: John Hennessy, of Graiguenakill; John Hennessy, of Busherstown; Robbie Hennessy, of Graiguenakill; Patsy and James Kirwan, of Gaulstown; Pat Power, of Forristalstown; John Joe Murphy, of Ballinlammy; Noel and Kevin Walsh, of Ballyedeen (Tullogher); Pat Greene, of Jamestown; Pat Power, of Snowhill (Slieverue); Gus Malone, of Milepost (Slieveruue); and Tommy Grennan, of Ballyreddy (Tullogher).
Competitive Cycling
For generations, the bicycle has been a part of all our lives. Used for work, commuting and for pleasure. The bicycle has evolved since its inception way back in 1817 by a man called Karl von Drais. Since this first creation, others have had a cut at putting their stamp on it. In the 1860`s French inventors, Pierre and Ernest Michaux created prototypes with pedals attached to the front wheels. These machines were the first to be called bicycles, but also called boneshakers for their rough ride. The penny farthing was created by James Starley and these oversized front wheeled machines were all the craze in the 1870`s and 1880`s. The name has been noted to have been derived from the comparison between the penny and farthing coins at the time. They were made from all steel with a rubber tyre. Starley’s nephew, John Kemp Starley is credited for inventing what was known as the safety bicycle which had two same size wheels and a chain drive. Brakes and tyres followed shortly after. The pneumatic tyre invention was credited to John Boyd Dunlop, who developed it in Ireland in 1888. Robert Thompson, of England patented the pneumatic tyre 43 years earlier. Both men were not aware of the others work. For the earliest cyclists in Glenmore see our post of 29 December 2019.
Cycling for sport seemed to have first started in Ireland in the 1860`s. The Dungarvan Ramblers Cycling Club, is recognised as the first official club set up and records show that they had a trophy race in 1869. Governance for the sport was set up in the 1870`s in the form of the Irish Champion Bicycle Club (ICBC). This was an all-island body as Ireland was then part of the United Kingdom. Since the formation of the Free State in 1922, two governing bodies had control of Irish cycling in a 26 and 32 county set up. The ICF was the 26 county body and NCF was the body for the 32 county set up. The two groups amalgamated in 1987 and are now known as Cycling Ireland. During the time of the two separate bodies, they both had their national road race. The ICF had the Tour of Ireland and the NCA had the Ras Tailteann.
The Tour of Ireland–13th-20th August 1972
The Raleigh Dunlop Tour of Ireland bicycle race in 1972 attracted 120 riders from eleven regional teams representing six countries. Teams from France and the United States competed, and it was noted that the American team that participated were racing in France as preparation for the Olympics. The tour started on Sunday the 13th of August 1972 and consisted of eight days or stages totalling 738 miles. Day 1—Dublin to Athlone (96 miles); Day 2—Athlone to Salthill, Galway (75 miles) with an evening time trial held over a 4.5 mile circuit; Day 3—Around Connemara finishing back at Salthill (96 miles); Day 4—Salthill to Limerick (89 miles); Day 5—Limerick to Fermoy (92 miles); Day 6—Fermoy to Dungarvan (94 miles); Day 7—Dungarvan to Arklow (95 miles) and Day 8—a 60 mile dash from Arklow to Dublin, followed by a final 18 lap race around the two miles circuit of Dublin’s Phoenix Park (Liverpool Echo, Sat. 12 Aug. 1972, p. 20).
Glenmore Racers and Races
A number of newspaper reports obtained from the early 70`s detail events run by the Glenmore ICF Cycling Club. The best known of the Glenmore races was the Senior McCalmount Cup which was presented to the winner of the 70 mile road race that commenced at the Scow Bridge, on the Main Road in Ballinaraha. It followed a route past Dan Whelan’s at the Pink Rock, up to Ballycurran, on to Ballyfacey, down to Ballinclare and back to Ballinaraha. Several laps of this route were required to complete 70 miles. In 1970 a Junior race was held the same day consisting of 28 miles duration, and a Beginner’s Race was held. Unfortunately no details concerning the Beginner’s Race were provided in the newspapers. Most of the honours in 1970 went to representatives of the Dublin Wheelers’ Cycling Club. The Glenmore races attracted “a big attendance of spectators.” (Munster Express, Fri. 12 June 1970, p. 38).
In 1971, the Glenmore Club held two race dates. On 3 April 1971 two 50 K. races were held, a senior and a junior open cycle race. The senior race went from Glenmore to Mooncoin and back, and the junior covered the same distance and went from Glenmore to Ferrybank and back. All leading cyclists from Leinster and Munster competed, including representatives from the home club. (Kilkenny People, Fri. 2 April 1971, p. 10). The Cork Weekly Examiner (Thur. 8 April 1971.p. 9) proudly announced, “The 50 K road race, under I.C.F. rules, promoted by the Glenmore Cycling Club, was won by Ballincollig (Cork) rider Donal Crowley, who won by a wheel in front of Pat Hegarty of Fermoy, after local rider Pat Greene was caught with just 200 yards to go.”
In late May the second race date was held in 1971. The results were published in the Waterford News and Star, (Fri. 4 June 1971, p. 13) as follows:
Beginners Race: 1st P. Kirwan, Glenmore C.C.; 2nd J.J. Murphy, do.; 3rd C. Bryrne, Dublin Wheelers.
Unplaced Locals—1st P. Kennedy, Glenmore C.C.; 2nd P. Power, do; 3rd Gus Malone, do.
Junior—1st J. Kelly, Carrick Wheelers Road Club; 2nd T. Ryder, Eagle C.C.; 3rd D. Crowley, Ballincollig C.C.
Senior Race—McCallfont (sic) Cup; 1st T. Colbert, Tailteann C.C.; 2nd S. Lally, Obelisk Wheelers; 3rd T. Ryan, Carrick Wheelers Road Club; 4th J. Keenan, Orwell Wheelers; 5th P. Schweppes, Tailteann C.C.; 6th N. Harte, C.D.R.C.
2nd CATEGORY—1st J. Foley, Dublin Wheelers; 2nd P. Fitton, Ballincollig C.C.
Members of the Glenmore club often competed in racing events across the southeast. At the Avonree Festival in Callan it was noted that competitors from the southern area of the county won first, second, and third places in the five mile road race for ordinary bicycles. Fifteen competitors took part in the race, and according to the newspaper account all three places were won by Glenmore Club members. Mick Murphy, of Glenmore came in First; Second Place was won by Dermot Campion, do; and third went to Tommy Grennan, of Tullogher, (Munster Express, Fri. 19 June 1970, p. 37). The Irish Examiner (Thur. 8 July 1971, p. 13) reported in 1971 that “Pat Greene, the 22 year old …was in fine form at the Ballyduff Upper annual open sports day on Sunday where he completed a double in the one mile and three mile cycle events. In the mile scratch Greene scored easily from Peter Hegarty (Fermoy). In the three mile open handicap he came home in similar style over his clubmate Pat Walsh.”
In addition to road races track cycling was also popular. Pat Walsh explained that the tracks at that time were held on grass and laps of the track were done on fixed gear bikes. An article from the New Ross Standard from 24 August 1968 gave a report from a sports event in Gorey which included both athletics and track cycling. Pat Walsh raced in the 2 mile track cycle event and was beaten into second place by Liam Horner from Dublin. Horner went on to represent Ireland in the Olympics held that year in Mexico. The Rathgormac Cup was another track event, which seems to have only run for one year around 1970. Pat raced and won that cup on that occasion. Enquiries made to former cyclists from that area, confirm that the event took place for only one year. No explanation was provided as to why it did not continue.
Some Supporters
Lastly, we came across information concerning the annual Club raffle held on 21 December 1971. It provides the names of a lot of local people from fifty years ago as well as the prizes from that era. The following supporters won the following prizes:
1st Prize—£15 Dick O’Shea of Scart;
2nd Prize—£10, James Tobin of Mullinavat;
3rd Prize—£5 Triona Mackey of Glenmore;
4th Prize—bottle of whiskey, Michael Coady of Carrigcloney;
5th Prize—Sweep ticket, Patrick O’Connor;
6th Prize—bottle of wine, Thomas Hartley, Ballinclare;
7th Prize—100 cigarettes, Alice Forristal, Slieverue;
[The 8th prize and winner are missing from the newspaper article.]
9th Prize—box of chocs, Jim McBride of Robinstown. (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 24 Dec. 1971, p. 5).
Thanks to Pat Walsh for his excellent recollections and explanations. The feature photo above is Pat Walsh taken by Danny Dowling at one of the Glenmore race days around 1970.
Pat Dowling
Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.