Danny Dowling (1927-2021)
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The Letters of the Donovan’s of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today, is the third anniversary of our founder Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) death. If Danny was still with us he would be pouring over the University of Galway’s recently launched digital repository of thousands of Irish emigrant letters from the late 17th century to the mid-20th century. These letters and documents were collected by Kerby A. Miller. Known as the IMIRICE project it is an on line archive of correspondence and documents to and from the Irish diaspora in North America. Kerby A. Miller, similar to our own Danny Dowling collected the letters and documents for over five decades. Professor Miller donated his collection to the University of Galway Library.
The Library is now seeking contributions of other emigrant letters, in particular those written in Irish, and letters and memoirs written in any language by emigrants from the Gaeltacht. So if you have old letters, cards etc. from emigrated kin in North America please consider providing a copy to the University of Galway Library.
Glenmore Letters
Placing Glenmore in the search feature on the site revealed three letters:
1. 3 May 1878—Bridget Donovan née Sheehan of Gaulstown, Glenmore to her brother James Sheehan, Fort Dodge, Iowa.
2. 3 October 1884—Mary Donovan, Gaulstown, Glenmore to her uncle James Sheehy [Sheehan], Fort Dodge, Iowa.
3. 28 March 1895—Maggie Donovan, of Gaulstown, Glenmore to her cousin Edward [Philip Edmond] Sheehan, US.
James Sheehan/Sheehy (1837-1892) native of Deerpark, Mullinavat
In addition to the letter itself the archivist recorded information provided by the letter donor. James Sheehan (1837-1892) was the son of Philip and Mary Sheehan, born on 15 Feb. 1837 at Deerpark, Mullinavat. Additionally there are 19 others letters to James Sheehan in the collection that were written by his parents, cousins and friends. James was apprenticed into the coopers’ trade (barrel maker) at an early age. James emigrated c. 1858 first to Newfoundland where he remained for 4 years. He moved to Boston in 1862, where he had relatives at Ipsich. He then went to Albany, New York. In 1868, he went to Dubuque, Iowa to another cousin and on to Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1871. [Fort Dodge was established as a town in 1869.] On 25 November 1873 James married Catherine Loftus of County Mayo, and the couple reared five sons. He died in Fort Dodge in April 1892 and is buried in Corpus Christi Cemetery of Fort Dodge.
Glenmore Authors
What we are going to focus on today are the Glenmore authors and the information provided in these letters concerning the Donnovan family of Gaulstown, Glenmore. We have attempted to maintain the spellings and punctuation of the IMIRCE transcriptions of these letters, however this has proven challenging with auto correct. Please refer back to IMIRICE. It is a wonderful resource.
Bridget Donovan née Sheehy (c. 1829-1902) of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Letter 1 dated 3 May 1878. The author of this letter if Bridget Donovan née Sheehan/Sheehy (c. 1829-1902) of Gaulstown, Glenmore to her brother James Sheehan, Fort Dodge, Iowa. The body of the letter is 287 words, and reflects the struggles Bridget was experiencing in Glenmore. Although Bridget lived through the Great Famine she wrote in 1878, “Last year was about the worst I ever remember in Ireland.” “I never knew what it was to be in want until now.”
Notwithstanding the information supplied by the donor of the letter, the Mullinavat parish records reveal that James Sheehy was baptised at Mullinavat on 27 January 1837. He was the son of Philip Sheehy and Mary Maddigan of “Park.” Interestingly an identical baptismal record is in the Kilmacow parish records. We were unable to find a baptismal record for his sister Bridget Donovan née Sheehy/Sheehan (c. 1829-1902) or their brother Edmond Sheehy.
We did find Bridget’s marriage record. Bridget Sheehy married Patrick Donovan (c. 1817-1900) of Gaulstown, Glenmore on 12 February 1861 at Mullinavat. Witnesses were Edmund Aylward and Nancy Sheehy. In a letter dated 4 September 1861, their father Philip Sheehy, of Deerpark, Mullinavat wrote to James “I wish to tell you that Bridget is happy and her husband Patrick Donovan is as kind a man as you could wish your sister to be married to … I wish to tell you that Bridget lives within a mile and a half of Glanmore on the road between Ross and Waterford & in Gaulstown about 6 miles from Deerpark.”
Thus, at the time Bridget wrote to her brother James in 1878 she was about 49 years of age and had been married 17 years. Interestingly, in the 1901 Census although Bridget recorded that she could speak Irish and English and could read, she declared that she could not write. Who wrote the letter for her and why did her father in his own letters to James state that “his sister” would be writing to him?
Glenmore Letter 1
Dear Brother James;
After a long, long silence I again chance this letter to you, hoping it may find in good health. I often wonder at how you would not write to me, as you cant but know what comfort a letter from you would give me. I trust you will answer this when you receive it, and let me know how you are going on. I am sure you would like to know how myself and family are, but I regret to say that I have no cheerful account to give you. My poor husband is always delicate; the pains are continually tormenting him. You are aware that our family is large and helpless. Last year was about the worst I ever remember in Ireland. The crops had little produce—the potatoes were an entire failure. By great struggling we got to put down the crops this year bit I don’t know how we can live util harvest time. My brother has my eldest girl, and he helps me with a horse but that is all he can afford to do. I just thought if you were aware of our great poverty you would in charity try to send me some relief. God know my poverty, and He would reward you abundantly if you would kindly assist me. May God help us. I never knew what it was to be in want until now. Oh, my dear Brother if this letter reach you don’t be unmindful of your poor sister’s distress if you can help me. We join in love and prayers for you, and hope to hear from you soon.
I remain your fond sister Bridget Donovan. We send our love and wishes to your mistress.
Family of Patrick and Bridget Donovan of Gaulstown, Glenmore
We know that Patrick and Bridget Donovan had 7 daughters and 1 son perhaps the large number of daughters is what Bridget referred to as her family being “helpless.” We were able to locate birth records for 5 of the children: [1] Mary Donovan (b. 18 Feb. 1862); [2] John Donovan (b. 24 Oct. 1863-January 1905); [3] Alice Donovan (b. 13 Feb. 1870); [4] Johanna Donovan (b. 5 April 1872) and [5] Margaret Donovan (b. 5 April 1872) twin to Johanna.
Glenmore Letter 2
Letter 2 dated 3 October 1884. Written by Mary Donovan (b. 1862) Gaulstown, Glenmore to her uncle James Sheehan of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Mary was the eldest daughter of Patrick Donovan and Bridget Donovan née Sheehy. The body of this letter is 326 words. Based upon the letters in the collection, Mary did not have the writing and spelling skills of her grandfather Philip Sheehy or her mother or the person who wrote for her mother.
Dear uncle I take the liberty of sending you these few lines hoping to find you and your family in good health as those lines lave me and my Mother and Father and Brother and Sisters at present thank God for his mercy to us all dear uncle I am treting with a long time to rite to you for my Mother often speaks of you and she would like to hear from you and your wife and to now how you are getting on in the world or have you any family for herself has her family all reared the youngest is ten years we are gone on well in the world now thank God but she got her one share of the world while she was rearing us for Father was very delicate but now my Brother is able to take his part he is as big a man as is in one parish with him. John is his name. She have only one sun and seven daughters. I am the eldest cald after your mother and the second is with her uncle Ned [Edmond Sheehy, Bridget Donovan’s brother in Deerpark, Mullinavat] he have no family there is another serving her time to be a dress maker and fore gone to school my Mother is wering very well and my uncle also there is no one in Park but himself Pat is gone to Australia about two years ago I will tell you all about Park in my next letter.
Dear Uncle the land lague is gone on very strong now in Ireland we had a grate meeting in Mullinat on Sunday dear Uncle don’t think that it is expecting any thing from you that I am only a letter and send me that if you please and let me now have you any family my Mother wish to be remembered to your wife no more at present from yours true nees Mary Donovan, Gaulestown, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny rite soon if you plase.
Glenmore Letter 3
Letter 3 dated 28 March 1895. This letter was written by Maggie Donovan, the second youngest child of Patrick Donovan and Bridget Donovan (McDonald) (1872 -1951) of Gaulstown, Glenmore, to her first cousin (eldest son of her Uncle James Sheehan of Fort Dodge, Iowa). The body of the letter is 406 words. Maggie in this letter provides that out of the 8 children she is the sole child at home. All of her sisters emigrated to the United States. She provides the married names of her four married sisters and reveals that her brother John had to be institutionalised after falling ill.
March 28th 1895
Dear Cousin Edward,
I suppose you will be surprised to get a letter from me. I am your Aunt Bridget’s daughter and I had a letter from my Uncle he sent me your address and tol me torite to you. I was very sorry to hear of your Father’s death the poor man did not hold long. My mother wishes to now all about his death how he took sick and what happened to him. Please rite when you receive this note and let me know all about your family how many are there and how is your mama. Our family consists of eight. Seven girls and a boy. Six girls in America. Four married two in Brooklyn Mrs. James O’Keeffe, and Mrs. Edward Dunphy, one in New York Mrs. F.C. Donnely, and the other married girl has a farm of 170 acres in Florida. She live their in winter and in New York in summer her name is Mrs. T.C. Huntington they all have family my other two sisters are working in New York. I had but one brother he went to America also and staid only 8 months he came home got sick and lost his mind he is very bad in the Asylum 2 years next June he was a heart brake to us all they are no one at home only me out of all. I live with my Father, Mother, and Aunt and we have a little farm and is doing the best we can to keep it for Brother as we have hopes he will be home soon with the help of God. My Father is a man of 76 years, Mother is 64 and Aunt is 74. So you see they are three old feeble people I have on my care. I am the second youngest of the family. I am twenty years last mounth. Unkle expect a letter from you every day he is very well all my friends are well and war sorry for your Father’s death may he rest in peace. Will you please rite by return of post and let me know all about yea. My Mother wishes to get a picture of you if you have any one taken please send it in the letter. I will send all our pictures as soon as I get them taken. I will expect a letter by the last of next month please don’t riting.
I remain Dear Edward your cousin Maggie O’Donovan (Gaulstown, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, via Waterford). Please excuse my scribbling as I am in a hurray. Goodbye XXXXX
Margaret “Maggie” McDonald née Donovan (1872 -1951) of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Maggie’s brother John Donovan (1863-1905) does not appear to have ever left the Asylum from when he entered circa 1893. He died of TB in the Kilkenny Lunatic Asylum on the first of January 1905. His age at death was recorded as 40, his marital status was bachelor, and he was listed as a farmer from Mullinavat rather than Glenmore.
The delicate Patrick Donovan died at the age of 82 on 14 November 1900 at his home in Gaulstown, Glenmore. His widow, Bridget Donovan née Sheehy died on 21 June 1902 at the age of 71. Five months later their daughter, Margaret “Maggie” Donovan, of Gaulstown, Glenmore married John McDonald (c. 1869-1945) of Slieverue on 17 November 1902 at Glenmore. John McDonald was the son of William McDonald (deceased farmer).
John McDonald and Maggie McDonald née Donovan, of Gaulstown, Glenmore had at least four children: [1] Alice McDonald (b. 7 Jan. 1904); [2] Patrick McDonald (b. 28 Aug. 1906); [3] Catherine McDonald (b. 8 Aug. 1908); and [4] Bridget McDonald (b. 6 Oct. 1910).
Margaret McDonald née Donovan lost her husband John McDonald on 15 January 1945. John McDonald was 76 when he died. Margaret died on 28 November 1951, aged 78.
For further information on members of the McDonald family see our M Glenmore surname page.
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Please send corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. For further information regarding Fort Dodge, Iowa see, fortdodgehistory.com. The featured photo above is an old post card of Fort Dodge, Iowa c. 1900.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Natives in San Francisco
On the 16th of December 1969, Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed Nicky the Miller Forristal (1888-1979) regarding Nicky’s father’s siblings. In this interview Nicky identified four Glenmore natives that emigrated to San Francisco. Three remained in San Francisco and one returned to Glenmore (DD Notebook 2). Today we are featuring Jack Raftis (1862-?); Laurence Forristal (1863-1906); Bridget Forristal née Dowling (1860-1929); and John Forristal (1865-c. 1915). See our previous post of 14 January 2024 for other Glenmore natives who emigrated to San Francisco.
Jack Raftis (1862- before 1925) of Rochestown, Glenmore
Jack Raftis was the son of Robin Raftis (c. 1826 -1908) & Bridget Raftis née Mullally (c. 1827-1881) of Davidstown, Glenmore. Robert “Robin” Raftiss (sic) married Bridget Mullally of Davidstown, Glenmore, on 4 February 1856. Robin was a native of Burkstown, Mullinavat. The couple reared six known children in Davidstown including: (1) Patrick Raftiss (sic) (b. 1857; (2) Richard Raftis (b. 1860); (3) John “Jack” Raftis (b. 1862); (3) William Raftis (b. 1864); (4) Mary Raftis (b. 1865); (5) Bridget Raftis (b.1868); and (6) Margaret Raftis (b. 1870).
According to Nicky the Miller Forristal, Jack Raftis as a young man went out to San Francisco and worked with Nicky’s uncles Larry Forristal and John Forristal.
The San Francisco Years
Jack Raftis went to San Franciso and worked with Larry and John Forristal on the docks. “He was not able to stick it.” Jack then took a job working for a farmer who lived 3 or 4 days by horseback from San Francisco. There were only a few roads and they were really only rough tracks. Jack’s day started at 4 a.m. and he worked till 10 p.m. He worked a four horse team pulling a double sodded plough. The fields he ploughed were 5 or 6 miles long (DD Notebook 2).
If Jack showed up five minutes late for breakfast at 4 a.m. he would be abused by the farmer. He spent 4 or 5 years with this farmer and saved his money which was £60 per year. Jack found it easy to save his wages as he had no way to spend them. There was no Mass to attend nor could he meet friends. Jack was only able to get into San Francisco about once a year. He came home in the 1890’s with about £300 (DD Notebook 2).
Nicky described Jack Raftis as a big, able man. His brother Pat was called Pod and farmed the home farm in Davidstown (DD Notebook 2).
Return to Glenmore
After Jack returned to Glenmore he married Catherine “Kate” Gahan (1859 -1925) of Rochestown on 27 February 1900. The bride’s father was Joseph Gahan (c. 1814-1896) of Rochestown.
Jack and Kate farmed the Gahan farm in Rochestown. Kate was known for her temper and was also known for placing curses on neighbours who annoyed her. Kate is also locally remembered for how she handled her husband Jack’s death. Jack died before 1925 in their home in Rochestown. Jack’s brother Pod (Patrick) came down from Davidstown to cut the corn. Kate never told her brother-in-law that his brother was dead in the house. Pod worked that day within sight of the house where his brother laid dead and only learned of his brother’s death later.
Laurence Forristal (1863-1906) & Bridget Forristal née Dowling (1860-1929)
Nicky the Miller Forristal’s uncle, Laurence “Larry” Forristal married Danny Dowling’s great-aunt, Bridget Dowling of Jamestown, Glenmore. Nicky described his Uncle Larry as a big man and he emigrated to the USA right after getting married.
Laurence Forrestal married Bridget Dooling of Jamestown on 7 June 1883 at Glenmore. Laurence was the son of Patrick Forrestal (farmer)(Ballyverneen) and Bridget was the daughter of Patrick Dooling (farmer). Laurence was baptised 30 Oct. 1863 at Ballyverneen son of Patrick Foristal and Ellen Kennedy. Bridget Dowling was born 6 January 1860 at Jamestown the daughter of Patrick Dowling and Biddy Neddy Coady. For further information on the Widow Dowling (Biddy Neddy Coady (1831-1916)) see our post of 7 November 2021.
1900 in San Francisco
No records could be located indicating how the Glenmore newlyweds journeyed to San Francisco. The first US Census that survives containing the newlyweds is the 1900 Census. This Census provides that Larry and Bridget were living at 25 Bryant St., in San Francisco. Both reported their ages as 35 although we know from the Glenmore baptismal records that Bridget was 3 years older than her husband. Larry reported that he was born in December 1864 and Bridget was born in October 1864. The couple had 13 children but only 6 were alive in 1900. They were married 19 years, and they had been in the US 19 years. Larry worked as a Long Ironworker.
Their six surviving children were: (1) William Forristal (b.c. 1882); (2) Mabel Forristal (b.c. 1883); (3) Edward Forristal (b.c. 1888); (4) Laurence Forristal (b.c.1889); (5) Patrick Forristal (b.c. 1894); and (6) Catherine Forristal (b.c. 1896).
Larry’s brother, John Forristal (1865-c. 1915) was the youngest of the Ballyverneen Forristal family. Nicky the Miller Forristal described his Uncle John as a big man. John attended St. Kieran’s College in Kilkenny City. “His father was thinking of making a priest out of him.” John instead emigrated to San Francisco and joined his brother Larry working on the docks (DD Notebook 2).
John Forristal in the 1900 Census was aged 34. He reported that he was born in August 1865, and lived as a boarder on Howard St. He emigrated to the US 13 years earlier and was naturalized. John worked as a longshoreman and in the previous year he was out of work for 6 months.
John Forristal never married and died in San Francisco when he was 50 or 60 years of age according to his nephew Nicky the Miller Forristal. We were not able to find a death record or obituary for John in San Francisco.
San Francisco 1906
The 1903 City Directory lists John Forristal residing at 48 Federal St., and Lawrence (sic) and his family living at 47 Federal St. In 1905 young Patrick Forristal was 13 and employed with other boys to clean a boiler on a steamship in the harbour. The boiler exploded and Patrick was injured, but managed to drag one friend to safety. An inquiry ensued regarding why young boys were exposed to such dangers and the newspaper noted that the employer said that Patrick was big for his age (The San Francisco Examiner, 10 Dec.1905 p. 1). We know from the 1940 Census that Patrick left school to go to work when he was about ten years of age.
Lawrence Forristal died in March 1906, a little over a month before the earthquake that destroyed the city. He was aged 43 years and six months old. He was survived by his wife Bridget and his six children: Edward; Lawrence; William; Patrick; Katie and Mabel. His death notice stated that he was a native of County Kilkenny and was a member of the Riggers and Stevedores’ Union (The San Francisco Examiner, Mon. 12 Mar. 1906, p. 6). Larry was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery and his grave has no marker.
The Kilkenny People (Sat. 28 April 1906, p. 5) noted that over 100 people from Thomastown were residents of San Francisco when the earthquake struck. Many Thomastown families anxiously awaited news after the earthquake. Rev. Thomas Comerford, sent a cable to his brother Edward Comerford stating “all well here..”
Given that Patrick Forristal was working at age 10 it appears that the family finances were difficult even before Larry’s death. Undoubtedly even with the help of John Forristal, the Widow Forristal struggled after her husband’s death. The 1909 City Directory lists Bridget as a widow living at 553 Texas St., Edward and Laurence lived at home and were working as stevedores. Her brother-in-law John was residing at 311 Main St. However, by 1920 Bridget owned her home on Texas St. Unfortunately prior to her death in 1929 she buried her son Laurence in 1925 and watched her son Edward’s marriage fall apart after Laurence’s death.
The San Francisco Forristal Children
(1) William Forristal (b.c. 1882).
Very few records could be found regarding William. We were able to locate records that William was employed in the US Panama Zone from 1910 to 1912. William Forristal entered duty on 22 April 1910 in the US Panama Zone. He worked in the Engineering Department earning $83 per month as a steamship fireman. He was discharged on 3 June 1912.
The 1921 City Directory lists William as living at home at 534 Texas St. and employed as a steamship fireman.
(2) Mabel Forristal (1897-1963) (Sr. Mary of the Angels)
In the 1920 Census was aged 22 and working as a stenographer for a hardware company. The 1921 City Directory provides that she was living with her mother at 534 Texas and was employed as a bookkeeper. Sometime before 1925 Mabel entered the Poor Clare’s Order and became Sister Mary of the Angels. In the 1930 Census, of Oakland Calif., Mabel was residing in St. Joseph’s Monastery of Poor Clare’s, on 34th Ave. Per the California Death Index (1940-1997) Mabel Forrestal was born on 6 July 1897 and died 11 Dec. 1963 at Santa Clara, California. Her mother’s maiden name was Dowling
(3) Edward Francis Forristal (b. 1886)
Edward Forristal married Mary Roche in 1917 (San Francisco Examiner, Thurs 27 Sept. 1917, p. 4). When Edward registered for the WW1 Draft he gave his address as 3454 17th St., San Francisco. He listed his birthdate as 16 Nov. 1886, and his next of kin was his wife, Mary Forristal. He was aged 32, worked as a Rigger and Stevedore, but he did not provide the name of any employer. In late 1925 Mary filed for divorce (The Recorder, 14 Nov. 1925, p. 6). It is not known if the couple had any children.
(4) Laurence Forristal (c.1889-1925)
In the 1920 Census, Laurence was single, living with his mother at 534 Texas and working as a fireman on a steamship. Very little is known about Laurence other than he died at the age of 37. His obituary provides few details concerning his life or death.
The San Francisco Examiner, Thurs. 24 Sept. 1925—In this city, Sept. 22, 1925, Laurence beloved son of Bridget Forristal, loving brother of Edward, William and Patrick Forristal, Mrs. D.W. Allman and Sister Mary of the Angels, Poor Clara’s Convent, a native of San Francisco, aged 37 years.
Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral Thursday, Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral parlors of Ryan and Carroll, 435 Valencia St. thence to St. Teresa’s Church, where a requiem high mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul, commencing at 10 a.m. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery.
(5) Patrick Joseph Forristal (1892-1944)
In the 1920 Census Patrick was living with his mother at 534 Texas, was single, and working as a fireman on a steamship. His WWI Draft Registration Card provides his date of birth as September 9, 1892. He was employed as a Rigger and Stevedore. He claimed an exemption as he supported his mother. Patrick was single of medium build, medium height, brown hair and brown eyes. Patrick served in the military.
In an application for Seaman’s Protection Certificate, PJ Forristal, discharged from the US Army, aged 26 on 3/17/1919 was 5 feet 11 inches tall, and served aboard the American vessel Kinta. He was described as having a ruddy complexion with brown hair and brown eyes. He had a tattoo on his right arm.
In the 1940 Census Patrick reported that he left school after the 5th grade. He would have been about 10 years of age. Patrick’s WWII Draft Registration Card provides that he was aged 50 and residing at 27 Clay St, San Francisco. He gave his date of birth as 17 March 1892, and stated he worked as a longshoreman for Waterfront Employers. His next of kin was his nephew, Paul Allsman, of 2244 Kirkham St., San Francisco.
The California Death Index provides that Patrick Forristal (17 March 1892-17 May 1944) died in San Francisco. His mother’s maiden name was Dowling. Patrick’s obituary was short. The San Francisco Examiner (Tue. 23 May 1944, p. 15)—Forrestal —in this city, May 17, 1944, Patrick J., beloved son of the late Bridget Forrestal, loving brother of Sister Mary of the Angels and Katherine Hagan, uncle of Paul Allsmen; a native of San Francisco, a member of I.L.W. U., Local 110. Friends are invited to attend the funeral Wednesday. Time announcement later from Duggans; 3434 17th St.
(6) Catherine Elizabeth Allsman Hagan née Forristal (1895-1975)
On 14 October 1914 Catherine married Daniel Webster Allsman (1884-1937) a native of Missouri. Their only child, Paul Edward Allsman (1916-1994) was born 10 June 1916 at San Francisco. Daniel Webster Allsman died 19 June 1937 leaving Catherine a widow at the age of 42. Catherine on 30 January 1941 married Willam “Bill” Hagan who died 8 October 1951 in Capitola, Santa Cruz, California (Santa Cruz Sentinel, Wed. 5 Feb.1941, p. 3).
A year after her first husband died Catherine travelled to Ireland with her son. They passed through Ellis Island on 24 July 1938. Catherine recorded that she was 42 and a widow. Her address was 2244 Kirkham, San Francisco. Her son Paul Edward Allsman travelled with her. Paul’s WWII Draft Registration Card indicates that he was a student at the University of San Francisco.
It is not known if Catherine and Paul while in Ireland in 1938 visited their kin in Glenmore.
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Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo is courtesy of the Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy, The New York Public Library. (1862 – 1963). San Francisco from the bay Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/5e66b3e8-b0eb-d471-e040-e00a180654d7
Dr. Katheen Moore Walsh
A Glenmore Dispute: The Location of Leacht Ui Deaghaidh
Today, as our sixth excerpt from Carrigan’s, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory,( v. 4 p. 97-100 (1906)) we feature Canon Carrigan’s coverage of his correction of acclaimed Irish scholar John O’Donovan. Carrigan’s correction of O’Donovan was based upon two interviews Carrigan conducted in 1900 of a Ballyrahan, Glenmore native Peter Grant (1811-1902). Although we could not find a headstone or obituary for Peter Grant, he is forever immortalised in Canon Carrigan’s work.
John O’Donovan (1806-1861)
In previous posts we covered various aspects of John O’Donovan’s early life. His mother was from Rochestown, now in the Parish of Glenmore. After his father’s death in 1817 John spent a substantial amount of time with his paternal uncle Patrick O’Donovan, of Donovan’s Mill, at Ballyrowragh, Slieverue on the border of what is now Glenmore Parish. O’Donovan is said to have started his education in a hedge school and then attended the Hunt Academy in Waterford City. His father, Edmund O’Donovan died in 1817, and a few years later at the age of 17 O’Donovan went to Dublin.
For further information regarding O’Donovan’s early life see our post of 9 Sept. 2023.
Schoolmaster O’Donovan
According to Carrigan, John O’Donovan started a school about 1822 “in his native district.” He gathered a number of pupils some were several years older than himself. “Of the alumni of this modest academy the last survivor was blind old Peter Grant, of Ballyrahan, Glenmore, whom the writer met on two occasions, in the year 1900, and spoke of his old master, ‘poor Johnnie Donovan,’ with the greatest admiration and affection.” (Carrigan, vol. 4, p. 356). If this and other information concerning when he moved to Dublin is correct, O’Donovan was a schoolmaster for about a year. Nothing has been found in any of Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) transcribed notebooks concerning John O’Donovan being a schoolmaster in Slieverue or Glenmore.
Although a place was secured for O’Donovan to study at Maynooth he declined to go there because he did not wish to become a priest. O’Donovan’s first job was in the Public Service Office where he translated and transcribed ancient manuscripts (Munster Express, 10 Nov. 2006, p. 13). From 1830 to 1842 O’Donovan was employed on the first Ordinance Survey researching place names. He was sent into the field and travelled across Ireland. From around Ireland, O’Donovan sent letters to his boss containing descriptions of local lore, traditions and antiquities. These letters were placed in 103 volumes and became known as the “O’Donovan Letters.”
O’Donovan’s Incorrect Birthdate
Carrigan pointed out that O’Donovan incorrectly wrote that he was born in 1809 when he was actually born in 1806. In volume 4 Carrigan printed a copy of the Slieverue Parish Register proving that O’Donovan’s baptism occurred in 1806 (Carrigan, vol. 4 p. 356). Certainly, in that time before passports, driving licenses or even the State registered births and deaths many people provided incorrect ages or years of birth.
We all learn our age and birthdate from our parents. Prior to modern times little importance was attached to birthdates. Also, incorrect dates of birth for persons born in the early 19th century were probably due in large part to the fact that a sizable proportion of the population were unable to read or write. Penal laws were only fading when O’Donovan was a boy.
Notwithstanding Carrigan’s public comment that O’Donovan had utilized an incorrect year of birth, Carrigan failed to check the year of birth of Peter Grant, of Ballyrahan, Glenmore. Carrigan had access to the Parish Records, but did not find that Peter Grant was baptized on 30 June 1811. In 1900 Grant was not “over 90 years of age” as Carrigan claimed. Peter Grant was 88 or 89 when he was interviewed by Carrigan twice in 1900. Peter Grant (1811-1902) was the late Jimmy Reddy’s (c. 1926-2011) grandfather.
O’Donovan’s Letter of 30 Sept. 1841
Carrigan reprinted O’Donovan’s entire letter of 30 Sept. 1841 (Carrigan, vol. 4, p. 98-100). There were four sentences that appear to have caused Carrigan concern. After speaking with Peter Grant, Carrigan concluded that O’Donovan was wrong concerning the place where the Leacht Ui Deaghaidh was located.
“In the townland of Scartnamo about a half mile to the north of the Mill of Ballyrowragh and immediately to the left off the old road as you go from Waterford to New Ross, is shown the site of a monument called Leacht Ui Deaghaidh, i.e. the monument of O’Day, whom tradition calls the Ridire O’Day i.e. the Ritter or Knight O’Day. The site of his house is pointed out in a field on the other side of the road not far from the site of his leacht, but in a different townland, viz, in little Gaulestown…(O’Donovan’s Letter, 30 Sept. 1841)
Carrigan’s Location of O’Dea’s House and Leacht
“In the late Peter Grant’s Moon a’ Ridhizha (locally translated, the Baronite’s Bog), low down on the slope of Ballyrahan townland, and close to the old frowning rock of Corriganurra, is shown the site of “the Ridhizha O’Deaw’s house.” Who the Ridhizha O’Deaw, or O’Dea, is not quite clear. If we have to credit tradition, he was lord or owner of the whole Barony of Ida, and gave it the name of the Barony, viz., Ida, Eedeaw, or Ui-Deaghaidh, represents not the name of an individual after the adoption of surnames, but the name of the tribe that occupied it in much earlier times (Carriagan, p. 97).”
“The site of Ridhizha’s house was something more than half an acre in extent, and was covered over with foundations and low mounds, till it was levelled and tilled by the late owner, about 1840. It is now clothed with the greenest grass. The remainder of the field is low lying and boggy, and hence its name, Moon a Ridhizha. There was formerly a well here called Thubber-a-Ridhizha, or the ‘Baronite’s well.’”
“Leachth Ee Deaw, that is O’Dea’s monument bush, or ‘lone bush’ as they call it here, is on the roadside, opposite the Half -Way House in Aylwardstown, one mile and a half north of Moon-a-Rihizha. The bush was formerly surrounded by a little mound or earthen ring, which has been broken down by the trampling of cattle. Here rests ‘Brian O’Deaw,’ sometimes identified by tradition with the Ridhizha O’Deaw, who lived in Moon-a-Ridhizha. The Leachth field commands a view sublime in its extent and variety.”
“O’Donovan incorrectly placed Leachth Ee Deaw on the bounds of Scartnamore and Ballyrahan. There is, no doubt, a leachth, or lone bush on the spot he indicates, but it has never been known as Leachth Ee Deaw. It was planted there a great many years ago by a man named Kierevan, in memory of his deceased mother. The late Peter Grant, of Ballyrahan, when over 90 years of age, assured the present writer that this leachth was never called Leachth Ee Deaw; and that if it had any name at all it should be Leachth Ee Kierevawn or Kierevan’s Leachth, from the man who planted it, and was still living in his own early days.”
Peter Grant (1811-1902) of Ballybrahan, Glenmore
Peter Grant died the 10 August 1902 at Ballyrahan. He was a widower, a farmer, and aged 95, according to the death register. His daughter, Johanna Reddy, was present when he died.
Peter Grant was baptized 30 Jun 1811 at Ballinguile?, Glenmore, the son of John Grant and Bridget Aylward. Sponsors were William Grant and Mary Grant. His sister Anastatia Grant, baptized 10 June 1809, was born at Ballavrahen (sic), Glenmore and his sister Margaret Grant bapt.12 April 1807, the record reflects the address again as Ballinguile.
Peter Grant’s father is found in The Tithe Applotment Books (1829) for the townland of Ballyrahan. Plot 55 was comprised of 18 statute acres and John Grant was the tenant.
It is believed that Peter Grant (1811-1902) married Anne Grace of Glenpipe on 12 Sept 1846 at Rosbercon. Johanna Reddy (daughter of Peter Grant per the death register) married James Reddy on 24 Feb. 1881. Her address was recorded as Gaulestown. Their son John Reddy (1882-1961) married Margaret Hennessey (1886-1970) of the Rower. One of her sisters was the mother of May Roche (c. 1918-2001) of Scart, Glenmore. John and Margaret’s son, James Reddy (c. 1926-2011) married Kitty O’Hanlon of Newtown, Glenmore. Kitty died on 18 July 2021. The couple had no children.
Who Was Correct?
Generally, historians rely upon the earliest reliable written record, yet in this case both O’Donovan and Canon Carrigan were relying upon what they were told. O’Donovan was from the area and was an Irish speaker, and did not indicate where or when he obtained his information. Carrigan was not from the area and did not speak Irish. However, Carrigan found an elderly life-long resident who was about the same age as O’Donovan and provided what he had been told about the lone sceach. Relying on living boundaries or monuments is fraught with difficulties as trees fall are cut down etc. Loose stones are also easily moved or trampled by cattle.
It appears that O’Kelly (The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 112)) agreed with or followed Carrigan’s view. It seems unlikely that we will ever know definitively who was correct, if either, but O’Donovan and Carrigan were agreed that the local tradition put an O’Dea house and monument in Glenmore.
For a brief outline of Canon Carrigan’s (1860-1924) early life and work see our post of 17 Sept. 2023
For a brief history of O’Donovan’s (1806-1861) early life see our post of 9 Sept. 2023 and our post of 13 March 2021.
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured photo above is Donovan’s Mill taken in 2023.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Brigid Hunt née Brennan (1922-2015) of Glenmore Village & the 1965 Tramore Murder
While transcribing Danny Dowling’s Notebook 30 this week, there were two entries recorded where Danny twice interviewed Brigid Hunt née Brennan (1922-2015) who was born and reared in Glenmore Village. Danny after providing her full name in his notes thereafter referred to her a “Bridgie.” Danny’s interviews with “Bridgie” centred around her time in Glenmore, and what she remembered about her school day and her early work that led her to Tramore. However, it was only after attempting to locate an obituary for this Glenmore native that we learned of her direct link to a murder that shocked Tramore in 1965.
Early Years in Glenmore
Brigid Brennan was born on 23rd November 1922 [DD Notebook 25] to John Brennan (1872 -1957) and his wife Ellen Cahill (1876-1946). Her father was employed by the Kilkenny County Council on the roads and was paid fortnightly. Although he held a steady job, Bridgie stated, “the poverty we experienced was terrible as wages even on the Council were small.” John did odd jobs to supplement his income such as gardening for Bevan’s and Curran’s. Sometimes he also worked for Pat Hanrahan (1886-1957). [DD Notebook 30].
John Brennan (labourer) and Ellen Cahill of Ballycroney, Glenmore were married at Glenmore on 27 October 1903. John’ address at the time of the marriage was Cluan, Kilmaganny, he was 30 years of age and his father was John Brennan (labourer). Ellen was 24 years of age and was the daughter of Peter Cahill (labourer) [Civil Marriage Records].
Ellen Cahill was the daughter of Peter Cahill and his wife Mary Carty. She was born on 29 May 1876 and baptized the following day. Her godparents were James Norris and Bridget Dooling (Glenmore Parish Records).
Bridgie’s Siblings
According to Bridgie her parents, John Brennan and Ellen Brennan née Cahill had four daughters in their family. [1] Margaret “Maggie” [1905-1997] was the eldest. She was born in Kilmaganny [Birth Register: on 25 Feb. 1905] and married to Willie Brown of Tramore. They had family. [According to the marriage Register Margaret Brennan married William Browne on 25 September 1939]. [2] Bridgie married Sean Hunt (1928-1965) and lived in Tramore. [3] Mary Brennan never married and lived with Bridgie in Tramore. [4] Ellie Brennan died aged 11 of eczema in St. Patrick’s in Waterford, “in Dr. Michael Gibbon’s time in Glenmore. He made all the funeral arrangement and she is buried in Ballygurrim with the Cahills” [DD Notebook 30].
The 1911 Census shows that John, Ellen and their eldest were residing in Kilmaganny. John was working as an agricultural labourer and the couple had been married for 6 years and had two children born, but only one child was alive in 1911.
According to the death register Ellen Brennan (c. 1919-1934) died 4 December 1934 in the Co. Hospital of Waterford. She was aged 15 and died of “acute eczema of the whole body and nephritis” (12 days) (Death Register). It is likely that the renal problems she suffered caused the eczema.
Glenmore Girl’s School
Bridgie told Danny that when she was going to the girls’ school in Glenmore in the 1930’s there were about 90 girls attending the school. The teachers were Mrs. Heffernan, the principal, and Mrs. Alice Power who taught the infants and the younger girls. There were about 60 girls in Mrs. Power’s class and in Mrs. Heffernan’s class there were about 30 girls. There was religious instruction every day and the religion class started at 11 o’clock.
She said the country girls used to bring kindling for the fire. She remembers a lot of the boys were barefoot, and some of the girls in the summertime. She also remembered the children in the top seats of the chapel every Sunday before second Mass for prayers.
Danny also interviewed his sister, Mary Barron née Dowling (1928-2019) of Ballyconway concerning the girl’s school. Mary reported that when she was going to school in the 1930’s the principal teacher in the girl’s school was Teressa McGrath a native of Russellstown, Clonmel. Miss Russell came to Glenmore in the early years of the century. She then married Mikey Heffernan of Cappagh, Glenmore Village. Alice Power née Curran of Jamestown was the assistant teacher with Mrs. Heffernan. She was a native of Robinstown, Glenmore.
The school consisted of two rooms each with a fireplace. When the fire was lit in the wintertime some of the girls were sent out to collect kindling and firewood from the nearby ditches on a regular basis. Sanitary facilities consisted of dry toilets situated outside at the back of the school. There was a half hour of religious studies every morning [DD Notebook 30].
Jo Doyle née Mernagh (1932-2021) always stated that it was a wonder that children were not injured or killed on the hill behind the old schools. The dry toilets were located about a quarter way down the steep hill behind the old schools. Children would stop their rapid descent by grabbing the trees.
Glenmore Dispensary
Bridgie when working for JK’s used to tidy and clean the dispensary which was used every Tuesday when the doctor attended. She remembered well old Dr. Matt Coughlan and his son Dr. Val. The old man, she said was very lucky with his patients He used also pull teeth without an anaesthetic. She remembers Mollie Murphy of Moulerstown, to have teeth extracted by Dr. Matt Coughlan without any anaesthetic and Dick Walsh of Ballyfacey, to have a lump removed surgically from him without the aid of an anaesthetic [DD Notebook 30]. For a history of the Glenmore dispensary see our post of 25 April 2020.
Bridgie also recalled Danny’s father threshing the corn in the yard behind Patsy Ryan’s with Martin Walsh’s engine. She also said that one of the Dowling’s of Jamestown stood for her mother. A review of the baptismal record of Ellen Brennan née Cahill shows that Ellen’s godmother was Bridget Dooling [Dowling].
Glenmore Shops
The Brennan family dealt in Lizzie JK’s for their groceries and obtained their milk in Hanrahan’s. At that time Hanrahan’s and Fluskey’s, who had the Post Office, did the best business. Lizzie JK’s shop also did a reasonable trade. Bridgie said Mike Heffernan’s did the least business.
Brigid herself worked with Lizzie and said she was great to make a living. Her sister Minnie Heffernan lived with her. Their brother Fr. Tom used to spend his holidays with them in Glenmore. [DD Notebook 30] Lizzie JK Walsh née Heffernan (1884-1955) was a sister of Mike Heffernan. Mike Heffernan was the husband of Teressa Heffernan the schoolteacher.
Moved to Waterford
During the Emergency [WW II] about 1943 Lizzie got the running of one of the canteens in the Military Barracks in Barrack Street in Waterford. Bridgie worked with her as well as another girl from the City. The canteen was opened between 9 am and noon and from 6 pm until midnight. Lizzie rented a big house in Thomas Street, and it was there that they both lived. The canteen closed after the war ended in 1945.
After the War Lizzie ran a café in Tramore during the summertime. It closed during the winter. Bridgie also worked with her in Tramore. [DD Notebook 30]. On 25 September 1939 her sister Maggie married William Browne of Tramore.
Tramore, Co. Waterford
Around 1950 Bridgie married Sean Hunt and they had three children. Sean was employed with CIE as a goods porter at the Waterford north railway station. The couple had three children and resided in Ballinattin, Tramore in a Council House on Lodge Lane just off of Shrine Road. [People v. Dominic Griffin, Cr. Ct. Appeal 1965]
Bridgie told Danny that her mother went to visit her daughters in Tramore in June 1950 and died suddenly while visiting. Ellen Brennan née Cahill was in her 70’ and had been suffering with heart trouble. Ellen was buried in Tramore [DD Notebook 30]. Ellen actually died in 1946 (Death Register). John Brennan also died in Tramore in 1957 and is also buried in Tramore.
The Ballinattin, Tramore Murder 1965
There is no notation or mention in Danny’s Notebook 30 concerning the murder of Bridgie’s husband on 24 January 1965.
John Hunt was 37 and on that Sunday night he had been in Tramore at his local playing cards and enjoying a few pints with his sister and friends. He caught the bus and when he reached his stop he bid goodnight to a friend and started the mile walk home. Within 150 feet of his front door he was found by his wife Bridgie the following morning kneeling dead against the ditch. Bridgie had gone out a number of times during the night looking for him but never saw him. She only found him when she was taking her child to school. The Coroner reported that Sean had been stabbed 20 times.
The murder was widely reported in the local press. Johnny Garvey’s mother operated a guest house in Tramore and Johnny said the entire population of 4,000 were shocked and alarmed. He also said that ugly rumours circulated (Johnny Garvey, 10 Feb. 2024).
A fund was established “for the widow and young family of the late Sean Hunt, who was found stabbed to death in the vicinity of his home at Ballinattin, Tramore… The widow, Mrs. Brigid Hunt, is daughter of the late John and Mrs. Brennan, Glenmore Village” (Munter Express, Fri 12 Feb. 1965, p. 4).
Arrests & Conviction
Eventually, Dominic Griffin [Jr.], a 24 year old married panel beater from 12 Mall Lane in Waterford City was charged with the murder (Munster Express, Fri. 19 March 1965, p. 1). The ugly rumours that Johnny recalled may have been due to the fact that Dominic Griffin, Jr. was charged with raping a 17- year-old Tipperary girl at Ballinattin between November 1963 and April 1964 (Munster Express, Fri. 19 Feb. 1965, p. 1).
It is not clear what happened in the rape case, but Dominic Griffin was sentenced to “penal servitude” for life by Justice Teevan in the Central Criminal Court on 30 June 1965. The jury returned after 90 minutes finding Griffin guilty of the murder of Sean Hunt (Irish Independent Thur. 1 July 1965, p. 5).
The Appeal
Dominic Griffin appealed and his appeal was dismissed (Irish Press, Sat. 6 Nov. 1965, p. 13; (People v. Dominic Griffin, Docket 34-1965, delivered 5 Nov. 1965). The Appeals Court outlined the facts before dismissing the appeal. Dominic Griffin married on 1 August 1964 and he and wife lived in a seaside hut on Shrine Road, Tramore. On the night of 3 January 1965 a man shouted offensive remarks about he and his wife. Griffin was concerned because they were expecting their first child shortly. He suspected 3 men and the deceased was one of his suspects.
On 16 January he took his wife to the nursing home where she gave birth. On the 24th he drove to the hut to tidy it for the homecoming of his wife and child. He heard a man outside addressing offensive remarks to him. Arming himself with a bicycle lamp, shovel handle, and a knucleduster with an attached knife, he went out to search.
At the intersection of Shrine Road and Lodge’s Lane he heard the shuffling of feet on the Lane. He ran up the lane and claimed that he was attacked by the deceased. The jury and the court of appeal rejected that he had acted in self defence. The State argued that the physical evidence supported that the killer lay in wait. The Appeals court was not persuaded that the physical evidence matched the defendant’s version of events. Further the State effectively argued that “in considering self-defence, the jury would be entitled to take into account that the deceased was in his own laneway, where he had a right to be and that Griffin was in a laneway where he had no business.”
Widowhood
Bridgie appears to have remained a widow from 1965 to her death in 2015. If Brigid spoke to Danny concerning her husband’s murder Danny either did not record it or perhaps it was recorded in a notebook yet to be transcribed.
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
See our post of 9 April 2020 regarding Glenmore Village in the 1930’s.
For a few interesting Tramore historical facts see the Tramore Surf School’s webpage.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore History Update
Thanks to the tireless work of Pat and Orla Dowling, we are happy to report that another box of our founder Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) notebooks have been located. We are beginning the process of transcribing and recording the information on the Glenmore History webpage. Today, DD Notebook 29 containing the inscriptions Danny recorded in the 1960’s of the headstones in Kilcolumb graveyard has been added to our Roots page. You can access the inscriptions by clicking here.
The earliest date of death recorded is 1711 and the most recent is 1929. The inscriptions feature common local names including Aylward and Mullally and some unusual names for Glenmore such as Myler and Archdeacon. Danny noted some of the headstones were common quarry slabs with homemade inscriptions and some were from O’Keefes stone masons. Simple prayers are reflected as well as “Do Thou Her Soul From Sins Deliver Who Art The Only Pardon Giver. Amen.”
Over the past month we have also been adding to information and obituaries contained in the Glenmore Family pages.
Dr Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Strange Family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Today, as our fifth excerpt from Carrigan’s, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, v. 4 p. 94-95 (1906) we feature what he published concerning the Strange family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore as well as information that Danny Dowling collected and recorded regarding the last of the family to live in Aylwardstown House.
The Strongs, Strangs or Stranges
They were settled at Waterford, from an early period, and held a foremost place among its citizens. Richard Strong was Mayor of the city in 1484 or 1485; Peter Strong in 1560; Paul Strange in 1597; Thomas Strange in 1607; and Richard Strange in 1634. At least two of them represented the city in Parliament, viz. Peter Strong in 1559 and Richard Strange in 1634. To this stock also belonged the Most Rev. Thomas Strong, Bishop of Ossory from 1582 to 1602, and his nephew, Most Rev. Thomas Walsh (son of Robert Walsh and Anastatia Strong), Archbishop of Cashel from 1626 to 1654.
In course of time the family acquired, probably by purchase, considerable estates in South Kilkenny. About 1560 Peter Stronge held lands to the value of £51, of the manor of Grannagh. Richard Strong, of Waterford, probably his son, is found in possession of the manor of Drumdowney, in 1573, and of the manor of Dunkit, in 1585. Edward Strong of Dunkitt, son and heir of Richard, died June 1st, 1621, being then seised of the manor of Dunkit and of the reversion of the manor of Drumdowney after the death of Thomas Strong; he left issue Richard, his son and heir, then but 12 years old, Thomas, Peter, Joan and Margaret.
Thomas Strong just mentioned, who had been seised of the manor of Drumdowney, and who may have been brother of Edward, of Dunkit, died May 28th, 1625, leaving a son and heir, Laurence, then but 10 years of age.
Another member of the family, Paul Strong of Waterford city, held the fee of several townlands in Inistioge and the Rower. He died Nov. 22nd, 1617, leaving Peter, his son and heir, then aged 39 years. Peter was succeeded, in turn, by Richard, his own son and heir. This Richard appears on the list of those who forfeited in 1653, as do also Peter Strong, of Dunkitt, who was transplanted to Connaght, and Richard Strong, the proprietor of Drumdowney.
Lawrene Strong or Strange, of Drundowney, son of Thomas (who died as above in 1625) is mentioned in one of the depositions of 1641. He was still living in 1661, at which date he was 46 years of age. He was probably the father of Richard Strange, who was appointed a Burgess of Inistioge in 1688, and grandfather of Lawrence Strange, of Aylwardstown. The said Lawrence Strange, of Aylwardstown, in his Will, proved in the year 1720, mentions his brothers James and Pierce Strange; his brother (i.e. brother-in-law) Nicholas Aylward; his sisters, Ellen Walsh, alias Strange, and Mary Kealy alias Strange; his wife Mary Strange, alias Aylward; his eldest son and heir Richard, then a minor; and his other sons, Patrick and Pierce Strange. Some of the later members of this family are mentioned on their monument in Kilmokevoge.
His Eminence, Cardinal Wiseman’s mother was a Miss Strange of Aylwardstown, probably a daughter of Peter, who died in 1824; her sister, Harriet Strange, wife of Mr. James Butler, of Kilmogar, Johnswell, died in 1858 aged 68. [Fr. Carrigan was correct. “Marriages–On the 2d instant, James Butler. Esq. of Killmogar, County Kilkenny, to Harriet, youngest daughter of Peter Strange, Esq. of Aylwardstown, in the same county,” (Freeman’s Journal, Thurs. 13 Nov. 1823, p. 3)] [For further information on Cardinal Wiseman and his visit to Glenmore see our guest author page or click here.]
In Irish, Strange or Strong is pronounced Sthraoung (a monosyllable). Strang’s Mill, in the parish of Kilmacow, is called by Irish speakers, Mwillin a Straounga, i.e. Muilleann.
Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) Strange Research
In the 1970’s Danny was corresponding with Professor John Mannion of Newfoundland. From his research he informed Professor Mannion that he believed that the Strange family came to Aylwardstown about 1690, as tenants of the new Cromwellian owners, the Ponsonby family of Kildalton, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. Danny stated that it appeared that the first Strange that came married a girl of the Aylward family. The Aylward family previously owned the Aylwardstown property before Cromwell (DD Notebook 4, Copy of letter from DD to Prof. John Mannion, of Newfoundland dated 10 Dec. 1977).
Danny informed Professor Mannion in 1977 that “some 20 years ago all the Strange family papers were stored in Aylwardstown and burned by a Mrs. Connolly.” Her son Thomas told Danny about the burning in 1975 (DD Notebook 4, Copy of letter from DD to Prof. John Mannion, of Newfoundland, dated 25 January 1977).
Thomas Alexander Strange (1856-1907)
The last of the Strange family to live at Aylwardstown appears to have been Thomas A. Strange (1856-1907). In Danny’s voluminous records we found a copy of a newspaper auction notice for February 1883.
“Received instruction from Thomas A. Strange, Esq., who is giving up his dairy to sell by auction on Thursday, 1 February 1883, at his farm at Aylwardstown, 30 prime young dairy cows, in and with calf at foot, served by a highly bred bull; 6 three year old heifers in calf; 5 two year old heifers; 3 well-bred yearling bulls; 2 five year old Hunters, well known with hounds may be inspected by V.S. before sale; 2 capital farm mares; one sow/ 12 forward store pigs, 40 tons of prime mangolds in lots; carts, tackling, plough, harrows, dairy utensils. Sale at twelve o’clock precisely and terms are cash.” The auctioneers were Thomas Walsh and Son, The Mall, Waterford (Waterford News & Star, Fri.19 Jan. 1883, p. 2).
Also in Danny’s files was another article which may help explain the auction. In January 1882, Thomas Strange entered into a wager with Mr. W. Power of Williamstown regarding their horses. Strange’s horse Garsfield was to race Power’s Hawk over a 2.5 mile hunting course. The bet was for £25, a large sum of money in 1882. Mr. JP Kennedy of George’s Street held the money (Munster Express, 14 Jan. 1882, p. 6). We could not locate an article regarding which horse won the race, but there are other articles regarding Strange and his love of fast horses and racing.
Lily Strange née Jones (b.c. 1863)
On Halloween 1973, Danny interviewed Nicky the Miller Forristal (1888-1979) who provided another reason why Thomas A. Strange may have held an auction and eventually left Aylwardstown.
“Thomas A. Strange married a girl who worked in one of the Waterford Hotels either the Adelphie or the Imperial. She was a barmaid. He was not long married before they left Aylwardstown. She was either an English or Welsh girl…When Thomas A. Strange left Aylwardstown he brought with him Tommy Neill and Anty Walsh to Liverpool where he lived on the outskirts. He had a jarvey car for hire. He got broke there and had to leave off Tommy Neill and Anty Walsh. Tommy Neill then emigrated to America, Anty Walsh returned home and went to work in Tramore.”
The Strange Children
The first English census where we could locate Thomas A. Strange was the 1891 Census for Cheshire, Birkenhead. Thomas Strange was 34, reported that he was born in Ireland and was working as a horse dealer. His wife, Lily Strange, was aged 28, working as a pork butcher, and reported being born in Wrexham. The couple had two children. Thomas Strange, aged 4, born in Ireland, and Lily Strange, aged 6, born in Wrexham. Also, present were three of Lily’s siblings (whose family name was Jones) and Jane Dargan a 21 year-old general servant, born in Ireland.
We were unable to find a marriage record for Thomas A. and Lily, but we did find a birth record for their son. In Dublin North on the 15th of January 1886, Thomas Alexander Strange of East Pier, Howth, farmer and his wife Lily née Jones had a son that they named Thomas.
By 1901 the family was living at 80 Mozart St., in Toxeth Park, Lancashire, and the family consisted of three people. Thomas Strange, aged 44, was a cab proprietor. Lily Strange was 40, and their son Thomas Strange was 15, and employed as a van driver.
Death of Thomas Alexander Strange (1857-1907)
Thomas Alexander Strange, died aged 51, in Sept. 1907. At the time of his death he was living in the workhouse and gave his profession as cab driver. He was buried in the Catholic Section of Anfield Cemetery, of Lancanshire, in a public grave.
The following year, on 19th of April, 1908, at the Parish Church of Liverpool, Thomas (1886-1959) at the age of 22 married Mary Louisa Douglass, aged 21. The groom was working as a cab driver and he listed his father as Thomas Alexander Strange (deceased). The bride was the daughter of Albert Edward Douglass, storehouse keeper. Young Thomas died on 15 December 1959 at Mill Lane Hospital.
Six years after her father’s death, at the Parish Church of Liverpool, on 5 May 1913, Lily Strange (aged 26) married Thomas Birney (aged 30) of Clare Street. The bride recorded that she was the daughter of Thomas Strange, car driver.
We were unable to determine what happened to Lily Strange née Jones, but are hopeful a reader might be able to shed some light on this.
Please send any and all corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The feature photo above is Aylwardstown House taken in 2004 and is courtesy of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh