Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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Kate Raftice née Gahan (1854-1925) of Rochestown, Glenmore
Today, we feature a woman who died in 1925 and is still spoken about among the older Glenmore residents. Kate or Kit Raftice, as she was known, had and has the reputation of having been a very difficult woman. In a time when men, particularly the eldest son inherited the farm, she obtained the family farm over her brothers. She is reported to have had a young man working on her farm who died from ringworm. Her husband of only a few years was dead in the house, and she never told his brother who came to cut the corn that he was dead. She put a curse on her neighbour who was married to her cousin or niece. Kate Raftis died a horrible death in 1925 and that is our starting point.
Horrible Death in Rochestown, Glenmore
At about 11in the morning on Saturday the 19th of December 1925, John Murphy, a labourer, called to Kate Raftice’s home in Rochestown. It was reported in the Cork Examiner that Kate Raftice was a 70 year-old widow who lived alone on her 50 acre farm. John Murphy found Kate Raftice unconscious. She suffered terrible burns on her head, face and body. “Her features were almost unrecognisable.” It was opined that she fell into her open fire and “being very feeble” she was “unable to render herself any assistance.” She died within an hour of being found (Cork Examiner, Tues. 22 Dec. 1925, p. 7). Her death was widely reported in other Irish newspapers including Irish Independent (Tues. 22 Dec. 1925, p. 8).
Dr. Denis J. Walsh, of Graigenamanagh, in 1925 was the Coroner for South Kilkenny. Dr. Walsh decided that an inquest was not necessary (Irish Times, Sat. 26 Dec. 1925, p. 6). While a Coroner was not required to hold an inquest, the Coroner did have to hold an inquiry. At an inquiry a Coroner had to listen to or read the evidence the police provided (Dr. Ian Walsh, BL (2026)). Dr. Walsh apparently was satisfied that there was nothing suspicious and issued the death certificate for Kate Raftice.
A death was recorded in the Registrar for Kate Raftice. However, her death is incorrectly recorded as 19 December 1926. It is stated that she died of shock four hours after suffering extensive burns. Her age at death was recorded as 65. Her brother-in-law Edward Phelan of 24 John’s St., Waterford is recorded as being present when she died. There was no electricity or telephone in the Raftice home. It is assumed that the nearest telephone was at the Aylwardstown train station. If not, John Murphy had to go to the Gardai barracks in Glenmore Village. It is difficult to see how Edward Phelan was present by noon when Kate Raftice died.
In examining the death register it appears that the date may have originally been recorded as 1925 but the 5 in the entry was overwritten as a 6. The death was recorded on the 14th of May 1926 (7 months before the recorded date of death) which should have alerted the clerk that the correct year of death was 1925.
According to the Annual Report of the Registrar-General of Marriages, Births and Deaths 1925 for Saorstát Éireann (p. xxiii) there were 149 deaths in Ireland in 1925 caused from burns and scalds. This number reflects 65 males and 84 females. Of the 149 deaths 88 were children under 5 years of age. Unfortunately, the number of deaths due to burns and scalds of elderly persons is not recorded. See page 33 for the statistics dealing with County Kilkenny deaths.
The Husband, John Raftice (1862-1905)
John Raftice was a native of Davidstown, Glenmore. As a young man he went to California. He worked in a remote area and saved his money. John Raftice returned to Ireland, and on 17 February 1900 married Kate Gahan of Rochestown. The groom’s father was Robert “Robin” Raftice (c. 1826-1908) (farmer) and the bride’s father was Joseph Gahan (c. 1809-1891)(deceased farmer). (See our post of 4 March 2024 for details regarding John Raftice in California.)
1901 Census
Successive searches have not revealed a record or obituary reflecting when John Raftice died. He was married in 1900 and is present in the 1901 Census living in Rochestown. His age is recorded in the 1901 Census as 36. Kate is recorded as being 30 and her sister Ellen Gahan is 26 years of age. Also present in the house is a 12 year-old boy named Richard Dwyer.
Richard Dwyer (b.c. 1889)
In the 1901 Census Richard Dwyer was recorded as being born in Waterford, and he is listed as being a servant. No record could be located for Richard Dwyer born in Waterford circa 1889.
In 1958, Ned Roche of Rathinure told Statia Walsh née Kennedy that a young fellow died of ringworm at Kit Raftice’s. Was Richard Dwyer the young man who died of ringworm? We searched death records to no avail. Checking the 1911 Census Richard was no longer in Rochestown. However, we found a Richard Dwyer aged 22 living with the Wallace family in Ballyhack, Wexford as their servant. However this Richard Dwyer is recorded as having been born in Wexford.
Death of John Raftice
John Raftice is not found in the 1911 Census. The only clue we have as to when John Raftice died was provided by Danny Dowling (1927-2021). Danny copied the diary of James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore. In his diary James Aylward recorded local deaths, births and marriages. James Aylward recorded that John Raftice died in September 1905. Rochestown is near Ballyhobuck. Even armed with a month and year of death we were unable to locate a death record for John Raftice. Using the death date of another Glenmore resident that died in 1905 we learned that this other person’s record is unavailable because there are quality issues with the original. We have sought further clarification.
The Gahan Family of Rochestown, Glenmore
Finding a baptismal record for Kate Raftice née Gahan was problematic. Every record provided a different year of birth. Thanks to Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal in 1969 we have quite a bit of information concerning Kate’s siblings and of course we then obtained her mother’s maiden name. The original interview of Nicky the Miller Forristal can be viewed on our G surname page under Richard Gahan.
Joseph Gehan (sic) (c. 1809-1891) married on 15 February 1844, in Mullinavat, to Bridget Bourke (c. 1822-1896) of Ballynacooly. The couple resided in Rochestown, Glenmore and had at least 9 children.
[1] Richard Gahan (1845-1927) of Scart, Glenmore, in 1908 married Anastatia Grace of Listerlin. He was over 60 when he married. The fathers of the bride and groom were Joseph Gahan (deceased farmer) and Patrick Grace (farmer). The couple lived in Listerlin and had at least two daughters (1a) Bridget Gahan born in 1909 and (1b) Ellen Gahan born in 1910.
[2] Walter Gahan (1846-1904) Never married.
[3] Mary Gahan b. 1848;
[4] Thomas Gahan b. 1852;
[5] Catherine Gahan b. 1854 to James (sic) Gahan & Bridget Rurk (sic) of Rochestown, Glenmore
[6] Bridget Gahan (1857-? ) married Edward Phelan of John St., Waterford, on 30 September 1900. She was residing on Beau St., and her father was Joseph Gahan, farmer. Her sister Ellie Gahan was the maid of honour. They were married in Waterford City.
[7] Johanna Gahan (1859-1882) Never married.
[8] Michael Gahan (1862-1892) died in Australia per the family headstone.
[9] Ellen Gahan (1864- ?) married her widowed brother-in-law Edward Phelan, publican of John St., Waterford, on 1 September 1908 at Mount Melleray, Waterford. Strangely in the 1911 Census Edward Phelan stated he was a widower and that Ellen Gahan was his sister-in-law not his wife of 3 years.
In the interview Nicky the Miller while discussing the Gahan siblings also listed Joseph Gahan who married a Fitzgerald of Moulerstown. The couple only had one child Ellen Gahan (c. 1884-1965) who was called Clara. Ellen Gahan (c. 1884-1965) married Laurence Walsh (1881-1959) of Smithstown, Tulloagher. The couple farmed in Rochestown. We could not find a baptismal record for Joseph Gahan, the son of Joseph Gahan and Bridget Bourke. Was Thomas Gahan (b. 1845) called Joseph perhaps? Neither name is reflected on the family headstone.
The Rochestown, Glenmore Farm
No Glenmore story involving a farm would be complete without accounting for the farm. Kate Raftice had no children and after her death arrangements were made to sell the farm. Thomas Walsh and Son, auctioneers, sold the Rochestown farm “containing 62 acres S.M., subject to £27 1/4 per annum. The auction was by directions of the executor of the late Mrs. Kate Raftice. The bidding was brisk. Mr. C. Quinlan, solicitor, Waterford, was declared the purchaser in trust for 825 guineas. Messrs P.A. Murphy and Co., Solicitors, Waterford, had carriage of sale. Immediately after the sale of the farm the cattle, horses, crops and farm implements were disposed of at satisfactory prices” (Waterford News & Star, 26 Feb 1926 p. 5).
A guinea was 21 shillings, so the farm sold for £866 5s or just short of £14 per acre. Ironically, it is reported that the land was purchased by the man upon which Kate Raftice placed a curse, Larry Walsh (c. 1884-1959) of Rochestown. Larry or Laurence Walsh was the father of Glenmore character Martin Walsh (1918-1996). See our post of 31 December 2023 regarding Martin Walsh.
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Special thanks to legal historian Dr. Ian Walsh, BL for explaining the Coroner issues.
If you have any additional information, corrections or photos etc. please email glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Frank Meehan (c. 1862-1930) a Glenmore Stonebreaker
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed Denis “Dinny” Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore on Saturday the 16th of March 1985 at the County Home in Thomastown. Danny noted that it took place in the evening after Nora Holden Morrissey’s funeral. This interview provides a fascinating glimpse into local men who worked for the County Council in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
According to Dinny Murphy, in the 1930’s the local stonebreakers on the Council got 1/3d for breaking 25 cwt of stones. The stones had to be broken so they could pass through a two-inch riddle. It used to take a great man to break a box of stones in the day. The box was able to contain 25 cwt. [For our international readers, cwt was a unit of weight that equalled 112 lbs. 25 cwt. Therefore, it would be 2800 lbs. or 1.25 British (long) tonne or 1.4 U.S. (short) ton for 1 shilling and 3 pence or 6 shillings and 3 pence in a five day week].
Frank Meehan (c. 1862-1930)
Dinny Murphy Interview
Dinny Murphy described Frank Meehan as about 5 feet 8 inches in height and fairly stout. He had a grey black beard and wore a black hat. He was a schoolteacher in India but got sunstroke which affected his mind. He never spoke very much; he answered if spoken to. In Dinny’s remembrance Frank Meehan first lived for a couple of years in Conway’s house in Forristalstown which was then vacant. He next went to live in Ned Murphy’s in Shanbogh, where Neddy Doolan lived afterwards. He lived there for about 9 years until he died rather suddenly.
Frank Meehan is buried in Shanbogh cemetery next to Victor O’Donovan Power. (For further information on the writer Victor O’Donovan Power, see our post of 22 October 2020). Dinny Murphy related that Frank Meehan died in the late 1920’s. Frank was receiving the old age pension and died “in Ned Murphy’s.”
The Interview of Nellie Dowling née Doherty, native of Millstown, Glenmore
Around 1980, Danny Dowling interviewed his aunt Nellie Dowling at her home in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow. Nellie was married to Danny’s uncle Dick Dowling. Nellie who was born and reared in Milltown, Glenmore described Frank Meehan as being about 5 feet, 10 inches in height, of bigish build and a nice looking man. Very well educated, and a great conversationalist. He had been in the British Army, and got sunstroke in India. He dressed well and wore a bowler hat. He was very friendly with the Doolan’s of Shanbogh, whom he used visit. When he came out of the army and returned home, he became a stone breaker on the roads around Shanbogh and Glenmore. He used to stay at Mullally’s house in Forristalstown and later lodged at Ned Murphy’s in Shanbough where Neddie Doolan lived afterwards [DD Notebook 24, interview of Nellie Dowling née Doherty, of Rathnew, Co. Wicklow c. 1980].
Siblings of Frank Meehan
We believed Frank was born in Waterford City because in the 1911 Census it was indicated that he was born in Waterford City. There was only one Francis Patrick Meehan, baptized in Waterford about 1862. However, this Francis Meehan’s father was an R.I.C. officer. We do not believe that the child baptized Francis Patrick Meehan on 3 August 1862, at Trinity Within, Waterford City, is the Frank Meehan who later lived in Glenmore and broke stones for a living.
Frank Meehan in his army documents named two brothers as his next of kin. Frederick and George Meehan. On 21 January 1884 Frederick Meehan married Harriet Conway in Dublin. Frederick was a tutor and said that his father was Patrick Meehan deceased soldier. George Meehan was his best man. George Meehan (porter, age 30) married Helena Egan on 17 January 1887 in Dublin. George identified his father as Patrick Meehan, soldier.
We were not able to find any birth records for these three brothers in Ireland. In the 1911 census George Meehan was 56 years of age and reported being born in Simons Town, South Africa. In 1911 he lived on Marlborough St., Dublin and managed a funeral home. George William Meehan served 10 years and 4 months in the British Army (4th BDE. Fd. Arty.) in India. His pension date was 23 October 1883.
Military Service of Francis Patrick Meehan
In the UK, Royal Hospital Chelsea Pension Records a file for Francis Patrick Meehan was located. Frank Meehan enlisted in the British Army on 9 January 1885; he was 22 years and 5 months of age. He gave his profession as student and agreed to 12 year term.
His military file describes him as follows: 5 feet 5 ½ inches tall; 125 lbs.; with a 32 ½ inch chest; hazel eyes; black hair and a fresh complexion. It was noted under distinctive marks, that he had something on his right leg, but not sufficient to incapacitate him as a schoolmaster. His enlistment and military physical exam took place in London. He was certified until 2 April 1890 with service no. 72648. He was appointed to the Corps of Schoolmasters by special authority 50 R.M. Asylum-8118-2-1.
Apparently, the British Army in the late nineteenth century realized that the world was becoming more technical, and its recruits were not always literate. The authorities decided to recruit schoolmasters to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of its troops and to teach the British Schools for the children of the army, personnel and British civil servants across the Empire.
Hospitalisations
Frank Meehan spent time in hospital on 3 occasions during his service. From 18 July 1885 until 31 January 1887, he suffered enteric fever (121 days in hospital). Enteric fever is a serious systemic bacterial infection caused by typhoid or paratyphoid fever. It is spread through eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms can develop days or weeks after exposure. Before antibiotics it could be fatal.
After recovering from the enteric fever Frank Meehan was sent to India. He spent 309 days in India in late 1887 and early 1888. He gave his two brothers as his next of kin: Frederick Meehan, 19 Christ Church Place, Dublin and George Meehan 26 Castle St., Dublin.
In 1889, Frank Meehan spent 11 days in hospital for alcoholism. In 1890, he spent 86 days in hospital with melancholia [depression]. After being hospitalised, the doctors noted that he was practically recovered and ordered rest and surveillance. The melancholy they thought was partly the result of the enteric fever and aggravated by the climate in India.
On 1 March 1890, Frank Meehan appeared before a medical board. He suffered from the disease of melancholia. He was recommended for a change to England. It was noted under general remarks as to habits, conduct etc. “Habit irregular. Conduct lately unaccountable…” After returning to England, he was discharged from the army.
1901 and 1911 Census
The 1911 Census provides that Frank Meehan was 50 years of age and born in Waterford City. He was employed as a stonebreaker and lodged with the John Mullally family of Forristalstown, Glenmore. John Mullally and his wife Johanna farmed in Forristalstown.
In 1901 Frank Meehan may have lodged with John Walsh (age 85) of 10 Bewley St., New Ross. This Frank Meehan was 39 and employed as a labourer. He reported that he was born in Waterford.
An Honest Man
Dinny Murphy told Danny that “Ned Murphy on one occasion sent Frank Meehan to a neighbour’s field for a turnip. Frank returned with no turnip and was asked the reason why. Frank said that there was no one in the field to ask when he went there, and he could not take it without getting permission. Ned cursed him for returning without a turnip” (Interview of 16 March 1985).
Newspaper Articles
At a meeting of the IDA (Co. Kilkenny) District Council, John Mullally (address not provided) made a motion that single men be excluded from cottages and any single man currently in possession should be allowed to stay until Ash Wednesday unless they married. His motion failed and the Committee considered 44 applications for cottages, 30 passed and 14 failed. Francis Meehan was rejected for a cottage in Forrestalstown on the land of John Grace, as “he was not a proper person for the cottage.” It is not clear why he was deemed not a proper person. It could have been because he was not a farm labourer (New Ross Standard, Fri. 26 May 1911, p. 7). For further information on the awarding of cottages see our post of 23 November 2025.
However, shortly before this cottage decision Francis Meehan, of Shanbogh, was before the New Ross Petty Sessions court for drunkenness. The case was adjourned for a week when Frank promised to “take the pledge” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 31 March 1911, p. 14.) It may have been the case that his drinking made him “not a proper person.”
The last article that we found was from 1917. The newspaper reported that a “letter was read at the New Ross Urban Council from Francis Meehan, Shanbogh. Frank Meehan argued that in view of the increased and increasing prices of food and the irregular and very low wages himself and his colleagues had for breaking stones they asked for an increase from 3s. allowed to 4s. per ton. The application was refused (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 March 1917, p. 2).
Death
Frank Meehan, died on 10 August 1930 in the County Home in Thomastown, the same place where Denis “Dinny” Murphy told Danny Dowling about Frank 56 years later. At the time of his death Frank Meehan was recorded as being a 68 year-old bachelor.
The featured painting above is Stonebreakers by Gustave Courbets (1819-1879) painted in 1849 and destroyed in 1945. For information regarding the painting see, Cynthia Li (2021) “A Focused Look Into Courbet’s The Stonebreakers.”
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
A Glenmore Photo: The Forristal’s
The featured photo today was shared by Eamon Jones who stated it was the Forristal’s house in Glenmore Village on the Barrack’s Hill. It looks so different from the current house we verified with Francis O’Brien who showed us the original photograph. It is not known when the photo was taken or who took the photo nevertheless the photo is of his great-grandmother Anty Forristal née Grant (1847-1936) and her son Martin Forristal (1877-1931) in front of their home in Glenmore Village.
The Glenmore Photo
When Taken?
The photo shows two chimneys at each gable end of the Forristal house and a total of 3 windows in the front of the house. Today, the Forristal house has one chimney in the centre of the house and 6 windows across the front. (See recent photo below.) It is difficult to imagine the width of the Barracks Hill Road was as narrow as this photo depicts. Just visible through the trees on the left of the photo is the bell tower of St. James. Records indicate that the bell tower was built during the 1910 re-building of St. James under Father Phelan. Francis indicated that his grandparents did up the old farmhouse about 1927. He also thought that the photo may have been taken before his grandparents married. His grandparents Martin Forristal (1879-1931) and Anne Forristal née Roche (1890-1955) were married on 9 June 1915.
The 1901 and 1911 Censuses do not show a difference in the house. Four rooms were inhabited and there were three windows in the front of the house. In both the 1901 and 1911 Census, Martin Forristal (1879-1931) was living in the house with his mother Anty Forristal née Grant (1847-1936). In the 1911 Census also present in the house is a boarder, James P. O’Donovan, the 27 year-old single creamery manager.
With the bell tower visible it must have been taken after 1910. If it was taken before Martin Forristal’s marriage it had to have been taken before 1915. Therefore, it was probably taken between 1911 and 1915.
Who Took The Photo?
The photo was obviously given to the Forristal’s as it has been passed down to Francis O’Brien. It does not appear to be a professional photograph, and it is not found within the Poole Collection that is now housed in the Irish National Archives. The most likely persons to have taken the photo were people who knew the mother and son. We have two contenders for the photo taker (although it could have been anyone who then provided a copy to the Forristals.) Contender 1: Martin’s brother John Forristal (1877-1951) who was living and working in New Ross. Contender 2: James P. O’Donovan (c. 1883-1970) the first Glenmore Creamery Manager who was a boarder in the Forristal home in the 1911 Census.
John Forristal never married and worked in New Ross as a shop assistant for years. It is not known if he was a photographer. John Forristal died the 22nd of June 1951 in the Holy Ghost Hospital of Waterford at the age of 74.
James P. O’Donovan (c. 1883-1970) was hired as Glenmore Creamery Manager on 1 September 1905 and remained as manager until his removal in August 1931. On 1 September 1913, a house was finished for the Creamery Manager (A Place in Time: Glenmore Creamery 1905-2005 (2005) p. 41). O’Donovan married Hanoria “Hannie or Nora” Kennedy (1883-1922) of Rathinure, Glenmore on 21 October 1913. She was one of the Séan Óg Kennedy’s of Rathinure making Johnny Garvey her grand-nephew. They had 5 children (p. 77), and Nora died in 1922 of typhoid fever while pregnant. O’Donovan died the 20th of August 1970. If O’Donovan took the photo it is likely he took it before or at the time he went to live in the Manager’s house in 1913.
The Glenmore People in the Photograph
Anastatia Forristal née Grant (1847-1936) of Glenmore Village
Anastatia “Anty” Grant was baptized at Glenmore on 29 August 1847. The address given at her baptism is simply Glenmore. Her parents John Grant and Bridget Grant née Walsh were married at Glenmore on 2 September 1839. Anty Grant had at least four brothers: Patrick Grant (b. 1840); John Grant (b. 1842); and Walter Grant (b. 1845).
Anastatia Grant on 24 February 1876 married Michael Forristal (c. 1845-1880) (farmer) of Rochestown, Glenmore. The couple had two sons: John Forristal (1877-1951) and Martin Forristal (1879-1931). Michael Forristal was working as a coachman for the bigamist John Lambly Conn (1812-1893) at Mount Ida, Rochestown. Michael Forristal died of meningitis on 1 October 1880 after a ten day battle with the illness. Per the family headstone in St. James’s cemetery, Michael was buried in Kilivory Cemetery. He was only 35 years of age when he died in 1880. For further information on Conn see, Martin Forristal (2019) “Mount Ida.“
Anastatia Forristal née Grant raised her two sons and remained a widow until her death in 1936 at the age of 81. She survived her husband by 56 years and survived her son Martin Forristal by 5 years.
Martin Forristal (1879-1931) of Robinstown, Glenmore
Martin Forristal was born on 16th of August 1879. Martin was only 14 months old when his father Michael died in 1880. Martin married Anne Roche (1890-1955) of Rathinure, Glenmore, on 9 June 1915 at Glenmore. The couple had at least 8 children. The youngest Martin Forristal was only about a year old when his father, Martin Forristal, was tragically killed while working at the Glenmore Creamery. Martin Forristal had worked at the Creamery for 26 years at the time of his death in 1931.
See our post of 13 May 2020 regarding the tragic death of Martin Forristal and inquest as well as further information and photos. Martin Forristal died while working at the Glenmore Creamery.
Please send any correction, further information or photos to glenmore..history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Special thanks to Eamon Jones for sharing the featured photo and Francis O’Brien for showing us the original photo, identifying his grandfather and great-grandmother, and sharing his knowledge regarding the Forristal house.
From Danny’s Files: An Interview of Nicky Walsh (1919-2015) of Davidstown, Glenmore
Today, we present a short interview that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) conducted by telephone on 27 March 2004, of Nicholas “Nicky” Walsh (1919-2015) of Davidstown, Glenmore. Reading the interview notes it appears to be random subjects covered, but with skill Danny was able to extract information without revealing what information he wanted. Given other interviews about this time it is believed that Danny was seeking information on Fr. Thomas Phelan and an early dispute occurring within the Glenmore Creamery.
Some of Fr. Phelan’s best known acts while Parish Priest of Glenmore include: objecting in court to the continued operation of The Shanty pub of Scartnamore, Glenmore in 1906; harassing and threatening courting couples with his blackthorn stick on Sunday afternoons; and holding multiple Missions in a three year period to raise funds for the reconstruction of the Glenmore Church circa 1910.
Glenmore Animal Calls and Commands
Danny during the interview recorded the following words or sounds used by the “old people” of Glenmore to call animals and birds as reported by Nicky Walsh:
Hub, Hub–called horses;
Dhock, Dhock–called pigs;
Jhuck, Jhuck–called fowl;
Bí, Bí–called turkeys;
The following commands were used by the “old people” of Glenmore:
Hub Off–“horse language” telling the horse(s) to the right; and
Come Here–“horse language” telling the horses(s) to the left.
Two other agricultural terms were recorded:
Over & Hither–used to describe ploughing etc meaning to go over and back; and
Ghirocks–short drills in the corner of a field.
The Glenmore Creamery
Nicky Walsh’s grandfather was Pat Walsh (1838-1913) of Davidstown, Glenmore. He was first Chairman of the Glenmore Creamery Society. Pat Walsh’s first creamery number was 8. Nicky told Danny that Fr. Willie Walsh, the Glenmore Curate, got his grandfather to leave the Society. Apparently Pat Walsh wasn’t getting along with Fr. Phelan. After some time Pat Walsh was asked by Fr. Phelan, “When are you coming back to us Pat?” Pat Walsh went back, and his second Creamery number was 131. Nicky stated it was still 131 in 2004.
Although not explicit in the interview it is well known that Fr. Phelan was very single minded and forceful. In A Place in Time: Glenmore Creamery 1905-2005 (2005) it is noted that Fr. Phelan came to Glenmore in the autumn of 1904 as Parish Priest. He proposed the idea of a co-operative creamery, but his proposal was not met with universal enthusiasm (p. 16). Nevertheless the project proceeded, and Pat Walsh was elected as the first Chair. At the first AGM he was re-elected as Chair.
In June 1906, disharmony caused a rift in the Board as well as between the Parish Priest, Fr. Phelan, and the Curate, Fr. Walsh (p. 35). It centered on the Treasurer of the Society. When the Chairman (Pat Walsh) refused to sign Minutes of a meeting that was not properly noticed, the Committee was dissolved and a new Committee was elected. Only James Kirwan, of Gaulstown, was elected from the dissolved Committee onto the new committee. Fr. Phelan “was declared” both President and Chairman (p. 37). He retained both positions until 1915. Fr. Walsh, on the other hand, was excluded from the new Committee.
The Slieverue Creamery did not open until 1917, so either Pat Walsh took his milk to Mullinavat or processed his milk at home. It is not known how many other Glenmore farmers did not provide their milk to Glenmore as a result of the issues that arose in 1906. It is not known when Fr. Phelan asked Pat Walsh to rejoin the Society, but Pat Walsh died in 1913, so it must have been prior to that date. Danny believed that Fr. Phelan was motivated to establish a creamery by a desire to boost local prosperity to enable his plans for the rebuilding of St. James to take place.
For further information on the Glenmore Creamery see our post of 9 May 2020.
Taking Glenmore Milk to Slieverue
Nicky Walsh in his 2004 interview spoke about the closure of Glenmore Creamery in 1921 by order of “the Government.” We know it was closed by the British Military for a month during the War of Independence because of the number of roads and bridges in Glenmore destroyed by the Old IRA. Nicky Walsh reported that “the farmers in Glenmore had to bring their milk to Slieverue Creamery.” Nicky’s sister remembered Ned Cody of Ballycrony, bringing the milk to Slieverue Creamery via Davisdstown. “He said to her that it was the same as going to the Dardanelles.” We know that some farmers took their milk into New Ross and sold it directly to townspeople. See our post of 5 May 2021.
We believe that this Ned Cody was born in 1858 at Ballycrony, Glenmore the son of Richard Cody and his wife Catherine Holden. Edward “Ned” Cody died on Christmas Day in 1939 at home in Ballycrony of “senile decay.” His age at death was recorded as 82, and his sister Bridget Cody (b. 1862) was present at his death.
Pat Walsh (1838-1913) of Davidstown, Glenmore
Pat Walsh (1838-1913) was the son of Laurence Walsh and his wife Bridget Murphy. He was born at Davidstown on 3 May 1838. Pat Walsh had two known brothers: John Walsh (b. 1835) and Fr. Robert Walsh (1841-1909). For further information and photos of Fr. Robert Walsh see our post of 26 November 2020.
On 6 February 1868, Pat Walsh married Margaret Kennedy (1836-1913) of Rathinure, Glenmore. Margaret was the daughter of Patrick Kennedy and Margaret Kennedy née Kennedy. At the time of their marriage in 1868 both of their father’s were deceased. The couple died in 1913 within 4 months of each other. Margaret died 7 February 1913 of a malignant abdominal tumour (18 months) and asthenia (21 days). Asthenia is profound weakness. Pat Walsh died 1 June 1913 of heart failure. The couple are buried in Slieverue cemetery.
The couple had the following children:
[1] Bridget Walsh (1868-1890) went to Massachusetts to keep house for her uncle Fr. Robert Walsh.
[2] Laurence Walsh (1871-1940) (twin born at 10:30 a.m.) became an Ossory priest.
[3] John Walsh (1871-1929) (twin born at 10:32 a.m.) became an Ossory priest.
[4] Robert Walsh (1872-1951) married Mary Walsh, of Carriganurra, Slieverue. The couple had 12 children and Nicky Walsh (1919-2015) was their youngest son.
[5] Mary Walsh (1873-1948) married Tom Mullins of Flemingstown. They had a large family.
[6] Patrick Walsh (1875-1952) married Catherine Brennan. They farmed at Ballincrea, Slieverue, and had 7 children.
[7] Margaret “Maggie” Walsh (1879-1959) never married. See our post of 26 November 2020 for photos and information on Maggie and her siblings.
For information on the “traveling” Glenmore Sanctuary Lamp donated in 1911 by Pat Walsh (1838-1913) and his wife, Margaret (née Kennedy) (1836-1913) see our post of 2 May 2020.
Special thanks to Margaret Phelan née Claridge for the photos of her great-grandparents Pat Walsh (1838-1913) and Margaret Walsh née Kennedy (1836-1913) and the featured photo above of her uncle Nicky Walsh (1919-2015).
Please send any additional information, photos or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
For further information on the closure of “The Shanty” of Scartnamore, Glenmore in 1906 see our post of 8 May 2023.
Glenmore Photos from the Eamon Jones Collection–Updated
On 21 December 2025 we had the pleasure of visiting Eamon and Ann Jones of Slieverue. Below are a few of the photos Eamon had and shared with us of Glenmore people and events. Eamon, a native of Glenmore Village, also shared some interesting information regarding Jim B. (1918-1988) which is related at the end of the post.
[Update & Correction–Thanks to Jackie Walsh née Ryan we have the identities of almost everyone in this photo. ]
The first photo depicts Eamon Jones and his twin brother George (c. 1952-2014) as babies. His father Tom Jones (1905-1978) is holding one infant and his mother Mary Ellen Jones née Doolan (c. 1917-1993) is holding the other.
Back Row (left to right) The lady standing at the back on the left is Katie O’Keefe née Irish, of Ballinlammy and the Rower.; Maureen or Betty Byrne, of Haggard; Pat Power, the Village and Elsie Power is the lady standing at the back on the right. Elsie Power, of the Village, was the daughter of post-man “Foxy Wattie” Power she married and moved to Carlow.
Middle Row: Tom Jones holding one of the twins; Danny Power, the Village; Mary Ellen Jones née Doolan holding the other twin; and Mikey Power, the Village.
Front Row: Unknown; ? O’Keefe, the Village; John Power, the Village; Margaret Power (Jackie Walsh née Ryan’s mother) the Village, Biddy Doolan, (Bridie O’Keefe née Doolan’s daughter) and Neddy O’Keefe, the Village (Eammon’s first cousin). The boy in the front on the right is Neddy O’Keefe, the Village (Eamonn’s first cousin).
For information on Tom Jones’s parents and grandparents see our post of 28 October 2025. For further information on Bridie O’Keefe née Doolan see our post of 11 May 2025.
The photo to the left is Tom and Mary Ellen née Doolan Jones standing outside their home in Glenmore Village.
The photo to the right of three men is (left to right) Joe Moore (c. 1904-1979); Tom Jones (1905-1978) & Wattie Walsh of the Village. For further information on Joe Moore (c. 1904-1979) see our post of 23 December 2022. It is believed that Wattie Walsh (b.c. 1933) was the son of Jim “The Weaver” Walsh and his third wife. See our post of 19 May 2025 for further information on the “The Weaver” Walsh family of Glenmore Village.
The photo to the left of 5 men (left to right) are Seamus Jones (c. 1932-2016) the Village; unknown; Pakie Jones (c. 1932-2006), the Village;
Pat Walsh, the Priest Lane, Robinstown; and Paddy Griffin (1937 -2022) late of Newtown, Glenmore. For further information on Seamus and Pakie Jones see our post of 25 April 2021.
Glenmore Fancy Dress
The photo above was taken in Glenmore Village of a Fancy Dress Carnival. Jim B. (Walsh) is holding his accordion and the man in the white shirt and tie (standing at the wrong end of the ass with a snare drum) is Jimmy Long of Carrickcloney, Glenmore. Can you identify anyone else in this photo?
Fancy Dress Parade past Lizzy J.K.’s Glenmore Village. A quick newspaper search revealed the following advertisement in the Munster Express (Fri. 4 May 1956, p. 5).
The Fancy Dress Winners
The Kilkenny Journal & Leinster Commercial & Literacy Advertiser (Sat., 26 May 1956, p. 4) published the winners of the Glenmore Fancy Dress Parade of Sunday 20 May, 1956.
Most Topical—Pat and J. McDonald, Gaulstown, Glenmore (Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly); Most Humerous—Ed Haberlin and Tom Connolly (The Bride that won the Sweep); Most original—Betty Walshe (Piper at his Best).
Another Jim B. Story
Eamon Jones related that Jim B. had a fine collection of military items. He had a number of helmets and swords and often trimmed the shrubs around his cottage with his swords. One night after his mother Lill retired to her bed upstairs, Jim B. was examining an object and accidently dropped it. It is not known if it went into the fire, or whether it merely exploded when dropped, however, a projectile from the object went up through the ceiling and went next to his mother’s bed and out through the roof. Thankfully no one was injured. For further information on Jim B. see our post of 12 October 2025.
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Man Killed 120 Years Ago on the U.S.S. Bennington
Historian, Damian Shiels, on 25 November 2025 posted an interactive map with biographical information and addresses for over 700 people in Ireland who received U.S. pensions. His work is entitled, American Pensioners in Ireland c. 1845-1905. Shiels spent 15 years researching the U.S. pension files. These payments from the U.S. were based on military service rendered between c. 1845 and 1905. About 80 percent of the pensions were the result of participation in the American Civil War.
Many of the pensions were paid to the widows of men who died while serving in the military or to mothers who were dependent on their sons who were killed. Some were paid to the veterans themselves who were wounded or injured while serving. It is a fascinating resource. Thanks to this work, we found a pension made to a Glenmore woman, Mrs. Margaret Quinn, of Rathinure, Glenmore. Her son Michael George Quinn was serving with the U.S. Marines when he died on 21 July 1905 in San Diego harbour. His ship the U.S.S. Bennington’s boiler exploded killing 66 crew (Shiels, 2025).
The 1905 U.S.S. Bennington Disaster
The U.S.S. Bennington (gunboat No. 4) was named for an important battle of the American Revolutionary War fought in Vermont in 1777. She was a 1700-ton gunboat of the Yorktown class. The ship was built at Chester, Pennsylvania, and commissioned in June 1891. Originally the ship served in the Atlantic and Europe, but was transferred to the Pacific in 1894. After the catastrophic boiler explosion on 21 July 1905 the ship was not repaired and sold for scrap in 1910. See the video “Revisiting the U.S.S. Bennington Explosion 120 Years Later” (ABC & San Diego History Center (2025)).
According to the Navy Casualties: Lost and Wrecked Ships, 1801-1941—Explosions 1804-194—Steam Casualties, 1855-1941, on 21 July 1905 when the U.S.S. Bennington exploded 62 service men were killed and 3 officers. “At 10:38 a.m. an explosion occurred in port fireroom compartment of the vessel, listing the ship to starboard. The ship shook violently for several seconds, large volumes of steam and ashes filling most of the living compartments and deck spaces.” A list of the men killed included “Quinn, Michael George, Oiler.”
Contemporary newspaper articles provide graphic details of the condition of some of the bodies found in the engine room. The crew had just finished loading coal and most were in their quarters cleaning up when the boiler exploded. Unfortunately, the crew quarters were over the boilers. The crew killed were buried in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery. Quinn was buried in Section Bm site 28. To view his grave see Find-a-grave.
Notwithstanding the 1905 tragedy, the U.S. named an aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Bennington. The aircraft carrier served in the Pacific during World War II. After a refitting the U.S.S. Bennington (aircraft carrier) suffered an explosion in 1954. An old newsreel covering the 1954 disaster revealed that the aircraft carrier also suffered an explosion the year before. Both of these explosions on the aircraft carrier resulted in loss of crew and serious injuries. All three of the Bennington explosions discussed above occurred during peacetime.
Prior to Joining the Marines
According to the concise biography written by Damian Shiels, Michael Quinn was a 29-year-old fireman when he enlisted at Boston, Massachusetts on 24 September 1903. He served aboard U.S.S. Wabash, U.S.S. Cleveland, U.S.S. Straggler, U.S.S. Independence and U.S.S. Bennington. Shiels also noted that Margaret Quinn (née Conway) was 55 when she applied for the pension in 1906. She was married at Glenmore to Thomas Quinn on 28 October 1869. Thomas Quinn died at Glenmore on 10 November 1902. Margaret Quinn (née Conway) died on 5 December 1914 (Shiels, 2025).
Today, it is generally thought that a fireman is a fire fighter. During the age of steam a fireman was the person who maintained the fire needed to produce the steam. Steam engines were used on railways and on ships. Buildings, particularly in cities with cold winters, heated with steam boilers.
The Battle of the Boston Papers
At least two Boston papers printed obituaries of Michael G. Quinn (1874-1905) just three days after his death. It is obvious that the Boston Globe was attempting to locate Quinn family members and published several false statements. For example, the entire Quinn family did not emigrate. There were photos published by each newspaper allegedly of the deceased Michael G. Quinn (1874-1905). The two photographs do not appear to depict the same man. The men do not part their hair on the same side and one has straight hair and the other does not. Given that the Boston Herald actually interviewed the deceased’s brother Patrick Quinn we believe that the photo in the Boston Herald is the correct photo.
Obituary in the Boston Globe (Sun. 23 July 1905, p. 7)
MICHAEL G. QUINN—Bennington victim was a member of Jeffries Point R.A. [Rowing Association], and one of Winning Four at Centennial Grove. Michael G. Quinn one of the victims of Friday’s explosion on the Bennington, was one of the best known young men of East Boston, and one who had figured prominently in athletics.
Quinn was born in the town of Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Ireland, and was 32 years old. At the age of 12 years young Quinn with his parents and brothers and sisters, came to this country and since most of his years had been spent in East Boston.
In September 1903, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy being assigned from the Charlestown Navy Yard to the U.S.S. Cleveland. He served on the Cleveland till April last, when he was transferred to the Bennington. Quinn was a member of Jeffries Point rowing association of East Boston, and two years ago was a member of the four oared crew of the club which won the race at Centennial Grove.
The day before the Boston Globe printed that the deceased Michael G. Quinn had a sister Kate Quinn in East Boston. She formerly lived on Pleasant Street, Winthrop, but she moved to East Boston and could not be located. A brother of was said to live in Somerville (Boston Globe, Sat. 22 July 1905, p. 3).
Obituary in the Boston Herald (Sun. 23 July 1905, p. 4)
Michael G. Quinn, one of the victims of the Bennington disaster, was well known in East Boston, having been a member of the junior four-oared crew of the Jeffries Point Rowing Association which won at Centennial Lake in 1902. His brother, Patrick Quinn, of 88 Marginal Street, East Boston, is a member of the intermediate four of the same association and was to have rowed with that crew in the Metropolitan regatta yesterday, but on receipt of the dispatch from the secretary of the Navy announcing his brother’s death, he retired, and his place was taken by substitute Frank Walsh.
The man killed was born in Waterford, Ireland, about 30 years ago. He came to this country when a lad of 15 years and lived in New York for about a year, when he went to sea finally becoming a member of the British naval reserve. At the break out of the Boer War he volunteered in the Grenadier Guards and served in South Africa under Lord Roberts, taking part in the siege of Kimberly, where although in the thick of the fight, he escaped injury. At the close of his enlistment period, he received a Boer war medal and then returned to this country, making his home with his brother in East Boston. He worked for the Cunard company, and also as a fireman for the Merchants and Miners’ company.
In October 1903, he enlisted in the navy and did duty on board the Wabash, and later at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Then he was assigned to the Cleveland, when that vessel was accepted by the government, and remained on board her until she was sent to join the European squadron. The last letter his brother received from him came from Florida in April. In it he stated he expected to come north in time to be in Boston for the Fourth of July. Since then he had not been heard from.
His mother and one sister still live in Ireland; a brother lives in Bristol, England; his brother Patrick, as stated, lives in East Boston; a sister Mrs. James Howland, lives at 63 Everett Street, East Boston, and another sister, Nora Quinn, lives in Somerville. [This obituary was also published in the Derry Journal (Wed. 9 Aug. 1905, p. 1) but we were unable to locate it or another obituary in newspapers local to Glenmore.]
The Quinn Families of Rathinure, Glenmore
There were two Quinn brothers, and their families, that resided in Rathinure in the late 19th century. Thomas and Patrick Quinn were sons of Stephen Quinn and his wife Catherine Haberlin. Stephen Quinn and Catherine Haberlin were married on 11 February 1834 at Glenmore. They resided and farmed in Coolnaleen, Glenmore. There were six known children born to this couple: [1] Patrick Quinn (1835-1906); [2] Honor Quinn (b. 1836); [3] Richard Quinn (b. 1839); [4] Mary Quinn (b. 1842); [5] Thomas Quinn (1843-1903); and [6] James Quinn (b. 1846).
Patrick Quinn (1835-1906) of Rathinure, Glenmore
Patrick Quinn (1835-1906) was baptized 16 March 1835 to Stephen Quinn and his wife Catherine Haberlin at Glenmore. Patrick Quinn of Rathanure (sic) married Ellen Tracy of Ballyfacy (sic) on 24 February 1873 at Glenmore. The bride’s father was George Tracy (a smyth (sic)) and her mother was Catherine Conway. George Tracy, of Haggard, married Catherine Conway on 8 February 1843 at Slieverue. Ellen Tracy was baptised at Ballinlammy, Glenmore on 17 March 1847.
Patrick Quinn died at the age of 80 in the Waterford Workhouse Hospital on 29 July 1906 of hemiplegia. In other words, one side of his body was paralyzed. His widow, Ellen Quinn née Tracy (1847-1932) continued to live in their small house until she went to live with a daughter. The small house where Patrick and Ellen lived was to the east of Sean Óg Kennedy’s (c. 1885-1962) house (where Johnny Garvey presently lives). The house in the 1901 Census was described as one room. It was owned by Patrick Quinn. Ellen Quinn née Tracy’s Memory Card is recorded on our Memory Card page.
Children of Patrick Quin and Ellen Tracy of Rathinure, Glenmore
The following children were identified in the parish and civil birth records: [1] Unnamed child (1874); [2] Honor “Nora” Quinn (1875); [3] Stephen Quinn (1876); [4] George Quinn (1878); [5] Catherine Quinn (1880); and [6] Honor Quinn (1883). In the 1911 Census, Ellen Quin née Tracy stated that she had six children and 4 were alive in 1911. Peter Walsh of Rathinure recalls that his mother said that Ellen’s youngest daughter Nora was handicapped and became abusive toward her elderly mother. Nora was placed in a home.
Thomas Quinn (1843-1903) of Rathinure, Glenmore
Thomas Quinn (1843-1903) was baptized on 19 December 1843 at Mullinavat to Stephen Quinn and his wife Catherine Haberlin. Margaret Conway was baptized on 14 July 1843 at Carrigloney the daughter of Michael Conway and Mary Barry. Thomas Quinn (23), of Rathinure, (labourer) married Margaret Conway (22) of Carrigcloney on 28 October 1869. Per the 1901 Census Thomas and Margaret Quinn were renting their 1 room home in Rathinure, Glenmore from John Kennedy. We assume that this was Sean Óg Kennedy (c. 1885-1962).
Children of Thomas Quinn & Margaret Quinn née Conway of Rathinure, Glenmore
[1] Stephen Quinn (bapt 8 May 1871-15 May 1871) Died of convulsions in Carrigcloney
[2] Catherine Quinn (22 July 1872-19 Nov. 1913) emigrated to the US in 1900. She married James M. Howland on 25 July 1904 at Boston. James Howlan was born c. 1876 at Tarrytown, New York, the son of Nicholas Howland and Margaret Cummins. They had a son [2a] George Michael Howland (b. 9 Nov. 1905) just 4 months after her brother Michael was killed. The couple also had two daughters: [2b] Margaret M. Howland (1907-1992) and [2c] Catherine M. Howland (1909-1998). Catherine Howland née Quinn died in 1913 of diabetes. See our H surname page for her short obituary.
[3] Michael Quinn (1874-1905) died in the U.S. Marine Corp on board the U.S.S. Bennington.
[4] Patrick Quinn ( 28 Feb. 1876) emigrated to Boston.
[5] Mary Quinn (b. 15 Feb. 1878) married John Curran (laborer), of Carrigcloney on 28 September 1909 at Glenmore. John was the son of Richard Curran (carpenter). John and Mary had one son [5a] Richard Curran born 13 August 1910.
[6] Stephen Quinn (18 March 1880-5 Feb. 1929) in 1900 married Margaret Dalton of Knockbrack, Glenmore. Margaret was the daughter of Patrick Dalton. The couple had at least 5 children: [6a] Ellen Quinn (1901); [6b] Patrick Quinn (Rathinure); [6c] James Quinn (1908) Knockbrack; [6d] James Quinn (1910) Fahee; and [6e] Johanna Quinn (1913).
[7] James Quinn (bapt. 5 Feb. 1883—22 Aug.1967) emigrated to the U.S. On 28 August 1916 he married Helen Davis (1886-1949) in Detroit, Michigan. His WWI draft Registration (1918) provided that he was 32 years of age, working as a fireman for Detroit Edison, and living at 913 Ellery St., Detroit. He had blue eyes, dark brown hair medium height and medium build. His WWII draft registration showed that he was 56 years of age, born in Waterford and worked for the Detroit Edison Co. He and his wife had six known children. [7a] James Thomas Quinn (1917-1979); [7b] William George Quinn (1919-1998); [7c] Patrick J. Quinn (1922-1994); [7d] Margaret Helen Chaney née Quinn (1924-2022); [7e] Sr. Mary E. Quinn (1925-2008); and [7f] Kathleen C. Quinn (b. 1929).
[8] Thomas Quinn (b. 5 Feb. 1883)
[9] Honor (Nora Theresa) Long née Quinn (30 April 1885—12 Feb. 1957) emigrated 29 July 1903 to Boston via the ship Ivernia. Information gleaned from her Naturalisation Declaration (16 April 1914) provides that she claimed that she was 26 years of age, unmarried, with fair hair, 5’4” tall and weighed 180 pounds. She worked as a cook and lived at 23 Garden St., Cambridge Mass. She gave her birthdate as 1 May 1887. Nora married Alvin Wallace Long (1894-1989) on 1 November 1922, in Detroit Michigan. Nora died in 1957 in Royal Oak, Oakland, Michigan.
Death of Parents
Father, Thomas Quinn (1843-1903) died on 14 November 1903 at the Waterford Union hospital at the age of 60. His cause of death was heart disease and bronchial pneumonia.
Mother, Margaret Quinn (1843-1914) died the 5th of December 1914 at Carrickcloney, aged 71, a widow of a labourer. With no medical attention before her death. John Curran of Carrickcloney was present at her death. The 1911 Census reveals that Margaret was living with her daughter Mary Curran née Quinn and her husband John Curran in Carrickcloney. With Margaret Quinn’s death the pension ended.
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The featured photo of the U.S.S. Bennington was described as “dressed with flags in harbour, probably while serving with the Squadron of Evolution, c. 1891-1892. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Catalog No.: NH 67551.”
The photo of Michael G. Quinn (1874-1905) was published in the Boston Herald (Sun. 23 July 1905, p. 4).
For more information on the U.S.S. Bennington see the webpage entitled U.S.S. Bennington.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh