Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
now browsing by tag
From Danny’s Files: Mons. Paul Fitzgerald (1938-2006) of Knockbrack, Glenmore [updated]
For decades Danny Dowling (1927-2021) clipped and saved articles and obituaries of Glenmore people. One rather lengthy obituary found in Danny’s voluminous records was for Monsignor Paul Fitzgerald, a native of Knockbrack, Glenmore. The obituary was written by Bishop Laurence Forristal (1931-2018) a native of Thomastown who often visited Glenmore to visit the Forristal family grave in Kilivory. Bishop Forristal in addition to listing the positions and work performed by Monsignor Fitzgerald also provided a window into the daily lives of young priests in the mid-twentieth century. Bishop Forristal also recorded the touching fact that a bowl of clay from the Fitzgerald home in Knockbrack was among the symbols brought to the altar at the beginning of Monsignor Fitzgerald’s Requiem Mass.
Parents & Grandparents
Paul Fitzgerald (1938-2006) was the son of John Fitzgerald (1895-1970) and his wife, Ellen Vereker (c. 1905-1986) of Knockbrack, Glenmore. His parents were married at Glenmore on the 25th of November 1936 by the bride’s uncle Canon Richard Vereker (1871-1955) the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s of Heywood, in the Diocese of Salford (near Manchester, England). The parents of the groom were Paul Fitzgerald and his wife, Johanna Freyne of Knockbrack, Glenmore. The parents of the bride were listed as John Vereker and his wife, Kate Delahunty of Davidstown, Glenmore.
[Update 14 May 2024] Thanks to Patty Brown who forwarded the information that John Fitzgerald was born on 18 November 1895 and his parents were married at Glenmore on 14 November 1883. His father Paul Fitzgerald (farmer) Knockbrack was the son of Michael Fitzgerald (deceased farmer). His mother, Johanna was the daughter of James Freyne (farmer) of Kilbride, Glenmore.
[Update 15 May 2024] A reader requested a family tree and we were able to go back another generation. Mons. Fitzgerald was related to several old Glenmore families stretching across Knockbrack, Rathinure, Davidstown, Aylwardstown and Kilbride.
Fitzgerald Siblings
In addition to Paul, there were four other children born to this union: (1) May Fitzgerald (married Henry Shefflin, of Ballyhale; (2) Josephine Fitzgerald (married John Shea of Haggard, Glenmore); (3) Sean Fitzgerald and (4) Michael Fitzgerald. The two Fitzgerald brothers farmed the family farm in Knockbrack. Neither brother married.
Illness & Death
Monsignor Fitzgerald died on the 28th of December 2006. For the last few years of his life he fought cancer. He was buried on New Year’s Day at St. Mary’s New Cemetery, Thomastown following mass at the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown. Bishop Forristal was the principal celebrant (Kilkenny People, Friday 5 Jan. 2007, p. 6).
The Obituary
The Kilkenny People (Friday 19 Jan. 2007, p. 12) published the obituary written by Bishop Forristal along with a photo of Monsignor Fitzgerald. The obituary is below.
Paul Fitzgerald, Parish priest, Thomastown and vicar general of the Diocese of Ossory, died peacefully in St. Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown, on December 28. He was surrounded by his family and staff, who felt it an honour to be able to care for him in his final illness in the hospital where he had been chaplain for almost 20 years. Even though he was ill and quite weak, he insisted on being taken to the hospital chapel on Christmas Day to con-celebrate Mass and in the afternoon he made the short journey to his sister May’s home in Ballyhale where he spent a few hours with all the family. Deep down I’m sure he knew it was a farewell visit to those who meant so much to him.
Paul Fitzgerald was born on March 29, 1938 in Knockbrack, Glenmore. He was educated in Bigwood National School, De La Salle College, Waterford, and St. Kieran’s College where he was ordained on June 3, 1962. His first appointment was to the parish of Mooncoin (1962-1964). How often he spoke of his two years there and how happy he was.
At the request of Bishop Peter Birch, he undertook a two-year course in social administration in the University of Swansea. On his return to the diocese, he was appointed administrator of Ossory Social Services. Then a small fledgling organisation that would, under his leadership, and the enthusiastic commitment of the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. John of God, Social Workers and an army of volunteers, grew into a well organised programme of care for the poor and elderly that would in time have branches in several parishes throughout the diocese. Amond the kinds of services provided were meals-on-wheels for the elderly, home help services, care and counselling for families. The care of travelling people was a particular concern of Bishop Birch and soon the Social Services were providing preschool and play school activities for their children, organised in the main by volunteer teachers. So significant was the impact of the Ossory Social Services under his leadership that they were the subject of a number of television documentaries.
There were many other diocesan undertakings that Fr. Paul was involved with—social study weeks were held for several years, the foundation of Our Lady of Fair Love School, the SOS Workshops, the School of the Holy Spirit and the School of Social Education, the first of its kind in Ireland, for the training of people involved in residential child care in Ireland.
His work as administrator of the social services brought him into regular contact with officials from different government departments, among whom he was greatly respected and admired; this ensured that there was harmony between the statutory and voluntary organisations in the care of the poor, the aged and children with special needs.
Respect for the dignity of the person was central to all Fr. Paulie’s work: His life long friend Fr. Pat Duggan tells the following story: a down and out meets him at the door of the centre and asks, “Father will you give me a smoke?” And Fr. Paul puts his hand in his pocket and takes out a new packet of cigarettes, peels off the wrapping and removes four cigarettes and puts them I his own pocket and hands the rest to the man, who seems very grateful for them. Twenty minutes later the man is back looking for money.
But Fr. Paul patiently and diplomatically encouraged him down the avenue from where he came, showing a lot more patience than he sometimes showed at golf or at a hurling match.
In 1979, he was appointed to the parish of St. Canice’s, first as curate and later as administrator. In addition to his many pastoral duties he continued to lecture in social studies in the seminary in St. Kieran’s College and was deeply involved in many diocesan projects including the development of Seville Lodge as a diocesan centre for adult education.
In 1987, he was appointed parish priest of Thomastown, an appointment he was to hold for almost twenty years. He was very happy there and gave of himself generously in the service of his people. I thought his good friend and parish worker, Tom Walsh, put it very well in his own tribute to him at the end of the funeral Mass. He said: Fr. Paulie was a serious priest and serious about his priesthood—so true that was. All of us, his brother priests knew that from working closely with him over the years. His fidelity to his priesthood and his sincerity abut priestly ministry was at the centre of his life.
Speaking during the homily when his body was brought to the church, Bishop Forristal spoke of his own indebtedness to him over the years. As his bishop, I too have suffered a great loss and will miss him. In addition to being a dedicated priest, he was a wise adviser, who was always available—always generous—with his time and words of wisdom. My Predecessor, Bishop Peter Birch recognised this from an early age. He entrusted the administration of the then young Ossory Social Services to the then very young, Fr. Paul Fitzgerald, even before he was thirty years of age. He made a great success of it. Also, Bishop Birch appointed him one of his advisers on the appointments of priests in the diocese—a very responsible and sensitive task. He continued in that role when I came along in 1981. From the very beginning—particularly later, when he became vicar general in 1989—he was always helpful ad available. It was as if he realized that he should share whatever gifts or talents God gave him for the good of others.
In writing his obituary I can’t but refer to the open house that the presbytery in St. Canice’s was during the years that he, Fr. Pat Duggan and the late Fr. Jerry Joyce were living there. They were always so welcoming to us who were either seminarians or newly ordained at the time. The Sunday night card school was particularly enjoyable especially when the game got interrupted with heated discussions on either sport or politics or some issue of the day. Sad to think of that group, three have died—all at relatively young age—Fr. Donal Kelly, Fr. Jerry Joyce, and now Fr. Paul Fitzgerald. In faith we can but put our trust in God and pray that he will take them into his eternal love.
Fr. Paul was laid to rest on January 1, Feast of Mary, Mother of God, to whom he had great devotion. A bowl of clay from his home in Knockbrack was among the symbols that were brought to the altar at the beginning of Mass. At the end of Life’s journey the seeds of faith and his priestly vocation were being celebrated and the life long gratitude that he felt towards his parents, Ellen and John, and the good Christian home which he and his sisters, May and Josephine, and his brothers, Sean and Michael had there was being remembered.
In life he sought neither office, titles nor recognition, and when they came to him, he remained unchanged; he was essentially a very decent, highly principled modest man who strove very sincerely to be a faithful servant of God and I believe that is how he would wish to be remembered. May he rest in peace.
Memorial Tree
Shortly after Monsignor Fitzgerald’s death, a memorial tree was planted for him in Thomastown following a memorial Mass at the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, where he was parish priest for the previous 20 years. The mass was attended by his family, relatives and friends. A poem in memory of Monsignor Paul was composed by his close friend and schoolmate Joe Dunphy from Thomastown (Munster Express, Friday 9 February 2007, p. 28).
XXXXXXXXXXX
Please see our post of 4 October 2020 regarding Fenian John Fitzgerald of Knockbrack, Glenmore.
The featured painting above is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary courtesy of the Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. “Full-page miniature of the Assumption of the Virgin, with opening of text for vespers, initials, rubrics, flower design” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 12, 2024. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-e952-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Please send any corrections, additional information or a better photo of Monsignor Fitzgerald to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Photo of the Tom & Eliz. Gahan Family of Rochestown, Glenmore
Thanks to Martin Gahan of Ballinamona, Slieverue for sharing this lovely photo of his grandparents and their children.
For further information concerning Elizabeth Gahan née Forristal (1875-1929) and the Forristal family see our last post.
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Michael “Mikey” Forristal (1879-1972) of Rochestown, Glenmore [updated]
In the 1960’s Danny Dowling (1927-2021) the Glenmore historian bought a reel-to-reel tape recorder and began conducting interviews of the elderly people around Glenmore. In 1969, Danny taped an interview of Michael (Mikey) Forristal, of Rochestown, Glenmore, who was 90 years of age. Danny stored his old reel-to-reel tapes in a box and after his death his son Pat wasn’t certain what if anything remained on the tapes. Eventually Pat was able to get one old reel-to-reel tape recorder working and made a digital recording of the reel-to-reel recording. One of the most interesting aspects of Danny’s recording of Mikey Forristal is the fact that Mikey Forristal’s speech patterns were set long before radio or televisions were in Glenmore homes and influencing speech.
There were some difficulties transcribing the recording. On several occasions the interviewer and interviewee spoke at the same time. Sometimes the quality isn’t great, but the greatest challenge is that so many people in Mikey’s family had the same name. Thanks to the information provided we were able to trace a number of Forristal’s and others mentioned in the first half of the interview. Information not in the original recording has been placed in square brackets [ ].
Mikey Forristal (1879-1972)
Danny commenced the interview with identifying his interviewee, and noted that they were in the Murphy home in Ballybrahee, Glenmore. [At the time of his interview Mikey Forristal lived with his daughter Alice Murphy née Forristal (1922-2018) and her husband Luke Murphy (1927-2003).] See our post of 15 August 2021 regarding Luke Murphy.
Mikey Forristal reported that he was 90 years of age since “last April.” He was born in April 1879 [20 April 1879]. His father was John Forristal [c. 1833-1895] and his mother was Mary Gahan [1839-1917]. He quickly added that she wasn’t the same Gahan as Tom Gahan. She was from a farm in Ballylogue, Rochestown.
[My resident expert explained that there were three Gahan families in Rochestown. Mikey was distinguishing them for Danny. (1) The farm Mary Gahan came from. (2) John Joe Gahan, was known as Josie Gahan, and he had a daughter named Ellie Gahan. She married Larry Walsh of Smithstown, Tullogher. Larry and Ellie had a number of children including Martin Walsh (1918- 1996) and Maureen Lyng née Walsh who introduced Danny to his wife Molly. See our post of 31 Dec. 2023 for further information on Martin Walsh. (3) Another Rochestown farmer was John Gahan. His son Tom married Mikey’s sister Elizabeth “Lizzie” Forristal.]
Old Conn, the landlord evicted the farm that Mikey’s mother came from. They were evicted for 6 months’ rent. Mary Forristal née Gahan had two brothers who went off to America, John Gahan and Tommy Gahan.
[The parish records provide that Mikey’s maternal grandparents were John Gahan and Elizabeth Fewer. Mary’s godparents in 1839 were John and Mary Duggan. Mary Forristal née Gahan had four known siblings including: Patrick Gahan (bapt. 5 Feb. 1838); Catherine Gahan (bapt. 16 Jan. 1844); Thomas Gahan (bapt 23 Aug. 1832) and Thomas Gahan (bapt. 26 Aug. 1847)]
Mikey told Danny that they were related to each other through the Duggans. Danny’s mother, Hannah Dowling née Murphy, was a first cousin to Mikey Forristal’s mother Mary Forristal née Gahan. [Hannah’s paternal grandmother was Margaret Murphy née Duggan. See our post of 18 April 2020 for further details.]
The Children of John Forristal (c. 1833-1895) & Mary Gahan (1839-1917)
[John Foristal (labourer) of Rochestown married Mary Gahan (labourer) of Rochestown on 1 February 1864 at Glenmore. Witnesses were Thomas Bolger and Bridget Fewer. The fathers were recorded as John Forristal and John Gahan. John Forristal (farm labourer) died 7 April 1895, aged 62, at Rochestown. His son Martin was present at his death. Mary Forrstall née Gahan died 26 October 1917, aged 78. Her son Michael was present at her death in Rochestown.]
(1) Alice Kirwan née Forristal (1864-1940)
Mikey stated his sister Alice Forristal was born in 1864, she was married to Willie Kirwan. She died at 74 years of age.
[Alice Forristal (b. 5 Nov. 1864- 9 Nov. 1940) was married on 27 October 1892, at Glenmore to Wm. Kirwan (1859-1933) of Rochestown (labourer). William was the son of Maurice Kirwan (farmer). However, Alice’s obituary states that her husband’s name was Richard. ]
[Death of Mrs. A. Kirwan—The death occurred at her residence at Rochestown, Glennmore, on Saturday of Mrs. Alice Kirwan, at the age of 74 years. Deceased, who had been ailing only a short time, was widow of the late Richard Kirwan, Rochestown. She leaves three sons—Maurice, Thomas and Peter to mourn her passing. The funeral, which was largely attended, Took place from her late residence to Glenmore Parish Church on Monday for interment. Rev. W. Brennan, C.C. officiated at the graveside A number of Mass Cars were place on the grave from relatives.—R.I.P. Funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. T. Power, Ferrybank (Munster Express, Fri. 15 Nov. 1940, p. 8).]
[We found four sons born to Alice: Maurice Kirwan (b. 20 Aug. 1893); John Kirwan (b. 7 July 1895); Thomas Kirwan (b. 7 July 1897); and Peter Kirwan (b. 28 June 1899).]
(2) Mary Foran née Forristal (1866-1912)
Mikey’s sister Mary Forristal went to America and was married to Johnny Foran of Harristown. Johnny Foran was a contractor building houses. They had 2 boys and a girl. Their eldest John Foran was in the American navy. Then there was Willie Foran who visited Ireland about 1966. The Foran children were still living in Boston. Mary died young and Johnny re-married. Johnny had all his own gear for building. He built a house for a big snob of a man, who required a stone carving over his door. Foran wasn’t used to that, but be believed in cutting out the middle man.
[Mary Forristal (4 Nov. 1866-12 Sept. 1912) married John Foran on 6 June 1894 at Newton, Massachusetts. In the 1900 Census the couple were living on Beach St. John Foran was born in February 1860 in Massachusetts. Mary reported she was born in May 1862; married 12 years in US 14 years. She had 6 children and 4 were alive in 1900. [1] Thomas F. Foran (b. Sept 1891); [2] Florence Foran (b Feb. 1894); [3] William Foran (b. May 1895) and [4] John J? Foran (b. Dec. 1895). Mary died 12 Sept. 1912 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Massachusetts with her children Bridget M. (1882-1949); Thomas Aloyisus Foran died (21 Jan. 1910, aged 70 months). The headstone records that John Foran was born in 1872 and died in 1940. His birthplace is recorded as Harristown, County Kilkenny, Ireland.]
[Mary’s death notice appeared in The Boston Globe (Fri. 20 Sept. 1912, p. 6) .The funeral of Mrs. Mary J. Foran, wife of John J. Foran, a well-known business man of the West Newton Section, took place this morning at St. Bernard’s Church, West Newton, with a requiem mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. F.J. Cronin. Interment was in the family lot at Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.]
(3) Bridget Forristal (1869-1936)
Mikey stated that his sister Bridget “never married at all.” She also went to Boston.
[Bridget Forrestal (sic) (b. 29 Jan.1869-2 Feb. 1936) was born the 29th and baptized the 31st. A civil record was found for a twin Richard Forristal. His birth was registered by Mary Ryan, nurse on 4 February 1869. There is no record of him being baptized in Glenmore with Bridget. ]
[A short death notice was published in the Boston Globe in 1936, “At Holy Ghost Hospital, Cambridge, Feb. 2, Bridget A. Foristall (sic) of 208 Auburn St. Auburndale. High Mass of Requiem at Holy Ghost Chapel Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends invited (Boston Globe, Mon. 3 Feb. 1936, p. 19).]
(4) Elizabeth Gahan née Forristal (1875-1929)
His sister Elizabeth Forristal was married to Tom Gahan.
[Elizabeth Forrestal (b. 22 Dec. 1875-1929) at the age of 20, on 13 February 1896 married Thomas Gahan (farmer) of Rochestown, Glenmore. Thomas was the son of John Gahan (farmer) and Elizabeth’s father was John Forristal (boatman). The couple had at least 8 children: Mary Gahan (b. 18 Nov. 1896); Elizabeth Gahan (bapt. 23 Sept. 1898); Anastatia Gahan (b. 27 Sept. 1899); John Gahan (b. 15 May 1901); Thomas Gahan (b. 20 Oct. 1903); Martin Gahan (1905-1986) Elizabeth “Lill” Gahan (b. 12 April 1907) and Michael Gahan (b. 4 Feb. 1911).]
(5) John Forristal (1871-1934)
His brother John Forristal left home at 17. He went to Boston and worked as a policeman.
[John Forristal (b. 17 June 1871-30 Sept. 1934) At the time of John’s birth his father’s profession was recorded as “boatman”. John Forristal and Rose A. Lynn were married on 26 September 1897 at Newton, Mass. She was born in Cavan and was the daughter of Mathew Lynn and Mary Lynn née McMahon. The 1900 Census provides that the couple had one son, Arthur (b. July 1898). Rose was born in May 1872, and John was working as a coachman. The family was living on Henshaw Terrace. The 1930 Census records that the family were living on Auburn St. and John was 59 and working as a police officer. Children include Mary J, aged 29; Thomas M., aged 28; Joseph L, aged 22 and Francis J. aged 20. John immigrated in 1888 and Rose in 1884.]
[ The Boston Globe (Mon. 8 Aug. 1932, p. 3) “Friends Play Trick on Newton Policeman During Fishing Party.” Patrolman John J. Forristal of Auburn St., Auburndale, has supplied the reporters with numerous stories, many of them humorous. But this morning Clark Barkhouse, 25 Kenyon St., West Newton supplied one on Forristal.]
[Forristal, who is on his vacation, was fishing with several others on Barkhouses’s boat off Cohasset. After 3 hours of fruitless endeavour, John retired to the cabin for a rest, leaving his line tied to a stanchion. Half an hour later he resumed his fishing and after nearly an hour of fishing hauled in his line. Seven fish were on the hooks. Even when finally told someone had played a trick on him, John looked wisely at the catch. “I must have caught some of them anyway,” he remarked. He kept the fish.]
[Obituary—Services for John J. Foristall Wednesday—NEWTON, Oct. 1—Funeral services for John J. Foristall, retired Newton police officer who died at his home at 208 Auburn St., Auburndale, yesterday after a four days’ sickness, will be held at 9 o’clock Wednesday morning with a requiem mass at Corpus Christi Church, Auburndale. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.]
[He had been a member of the Police Department for 30 years when he retired two years ago. He was a native of Ireland, coming to Newton as a young man. He joined the police force at the age of 30. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Rose (Lynn) Foristall; a daughter, Mrs. Harry Ilfeld of West Newton, and four sons, John A., Joseph L. and Francis J. Foristall of Auburndale and Thomas M. Foristall of New York (John J. Foristal, The Boston Globe, 2 Oct. 1934, p. 4).]
(6) Tom Forristal (1873-?)
Mikey’s brother Tom Forristal was a twin. He went off to England. When he was at Ringville School he was a “great scholar” and taught at Ringville for 3 years without pay. The teacher, Joe Grennan, a small sized man, and fairly old, spoke to Mikey’s father about Tom going on. “My father had 8 of us to keep up and my brother could not stay.” Tom worked on the railway, then went off to England and worked in Liverpool on the docks. He worked the docks during WWII.
(7) Martin Forristal (1873-1955)
Mikey’s brother Martin Forristal is Willie and Johnny Forristal’s father. Martin was a twin.
[Martin Forestal (sic) (b. 8 Aug. 1873-1955) Nurse Ryan registered the birth of the twins on the 28th of August and noted that they were born at 12 midnight on the 8th.]
(8) Mikey Forristal (1879-1972)
Mikey stated that he was the youngest boy. He also spoke about his occupation of fishing.
[Michael Forrestal (20 April 1879-14 June 1972) on 29 August 1911, married Margaret Jennings at St. John the Evangelist of Waterford. The groom was from Glenmore and the bride was from John’s Hill, Waterford. Her father was Myles Jennings (bottler) and his father was John Forristal (labourer) deceased.
Margaret Mary Jennings was born on 16 October 1882 on Tucket St. in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Her father Myles Jennings was a Mineral Water Manufacturer and her mother is listed as Clare Mary McEvilly. A note on the birth record states “on marriage no. 98501 (Myles) wife’s name is Clare Ann. Her father (David) is a lemonade manufacturer. Myles Jennings (shopkeeper) of Westport married Clare Anne on 4 March 1875. His father’s name is not listed except noted farmer.]
[The death register provides that Mikey died on 14th of June 1972, at the age of 93. He died at his daughter Alice Murphy’s home in Ballybrahee, Glenmore.]
[Mikey’s obituary appeared in the Irish Independent (Thur. 15 June 1972, p. 29) Forristal (Rochestown, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny)—June 14, 1972, at his daughter’s residence (Ballybrahee, Glenmore), Michael Forristal; deeply regretted by his sorrowing sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. RIP Remains will be removed at 7:30 o’c, this (Thursday) evening to Glenmore Church. Requiem Mass at10:30 o’c to-morrow (Friday). Burial immediately afterwards in adjoining cemetery.]
Mikey also spoke about Nicky Forristal being married in Carlow and was a full back for the hurler’s here. However, it isn’t clear whether Nicky was his brother or nephew.
The Landlords
Mikey related that Old Conn was their landlord. Conn was a Captain first. He came from Passage East. Strange was another landlord and lived where James Kelly is now. Edmond Forristal was a big landlord too with hundreds of acres. Edmond Forristal married Strange’s sister or daughter. Could not knock the walls of the castle with dynamite. [The remains of the old Rochestown Castle was near John Aylward, of Rochestown yard.] The landlord’s house was 20 yards up from the Aylward house. The Aylward house is built where the landlords stable was. Conn bought land from Strange.
Conn built his own house; Mount Ida. Mikey knew Conn. He described Conn as a big stout man. Conn always had the gards annoyed “coming around.” Paddy Stapleton’s father was a sergeant in Glenmore. Mikey never knew Conn’s wife. Conn had two sons. The Old people talked about the mother. “Conn was under repute.” The man who got the estate was Dr. Phillips, of the English Army. Mikey thought that Dr. Phillips was a first cousin to old Conn. His other first cousin was a man named Costy (Costello) who lived near Borris in Co. Carlow.
[For further details concerning Mount Ida and the bigamist landlord John Lambly Conn (1812-1893) see Martin Forristal’s article “Mount Ida”.]
Mikey’s uncle, also called Mikey Forristal, worked as a coachman for Conn. Mikey’s brother Martin worked for Dr. Phillips as a coachman. Dr. Phillips was living in Reading and used to come over 6 weeks before the family. He wouldn’t leave the house one night. Mikey and his brother Martin had to stay with him. Phillips had two girls and a boy, Tom. One of the girls married a minister the other one never married.
John Forristal’s (c. 1833-1895) Brothers
Danny asked Mikey about his father’s brothers. Mikey related that his father’s mother was a Doherty from Ballyrobin, Ferrybank and gave Danny the names of his three paternal uncles.
[The parish records provide that Mikey’s grandparents, John Forristal and Alice (Ally) Doherty were married on 3 February 1829. Alicia Doherty was baptized at Aylwardstown on 9 August 1807 the daughter of John Doherty and Catherine Ryan.]
(1) John Forristal (c. 1833-1895) was Mikey’s father.
(2) Thomas Forristal [bapt. 7 Jan. 1838] went to Boston.
(3) Martin Forristal [bapt. 12 Nov. 1835] went to Boston.
(4) Mickey Forristal [bapt. 18 Nov. 1843] married Anty Grant and they had 2 sons. John Forristal was shopkeeping in New Ross with Hutchinson then went into the Christian brothers. The Christian Brothers would not let him home to see his mother. The other son was Martin Forristal who was killed in the creamery. Mickey (1843) worked as a coachman for Conn. [For information concerning the tragic death of Martin Forristal (1879-1931) see our post of 13 May 2020.]
[In addition to the four sons identified above we also located two daughters: Catherine Forristal (bapt. 6 Nov. 1833) and Mary Forristal (bapt. 9 Dec. 1840).]
Summer Fun Leads to Tragedy
Mikey told Danny that he and his brothers went to Ringville to school. Katie Grant née Denn sold most of her farm to Marty Carney. One field of about 3 acres near her house she sold to Richie Roche for £200. Katie Denn and her brother Andy were at school with Mikey. The local boys stopped the water and made a pool in the Curramore stream. The children went into the pool of water several times. Andy Denn was only 10 to 12 years old and caught cold and died.
[Andrew Denn, of Carriginurra, aged 11, died 28 August 1889 of tubercular meningitis. He was ill 18 days. His mother Mary Denn was with him when he died.]
Please send any corrections, information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com. It is hoped that someone might share a photo of Mickey Forristal and his family.
Special thanks to Martin Gahan, of Ballinamona for correcting information concerning his father Martin Gahan (1905-1986) [updated 7 May 2024] and providing the photo of his grandparents Tom and Eliz. Gahan née Forristal and his paternal aunts and uncles.
We had a request for a simple family tree.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Keeping the Old May Day Tradition
The month of April is quickly coming to an end, and Wednesday is May Day. Decorating a May Bush is an old tradition that our founder Danny Dowling (1927-2021) enjoyed. For a few years he acted as the judge of a May Bush competition in New Ross.
It is a simple process and children particularly enjoy it. If you carry on the tradition, wherever you are in the world, please send a photo. Please see some of our previous posts if you need a little inspiration….1 May 2022 and 22 April 2021. The photos below are from 2023.
Happy May Day!
“For the Love of a Glenmore Girl” (1903)
While recently transcribing one of Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) notebooks we came across several poems or verses recorded by Danny. Danny noted the editions and dates where the verses were published in The Nightingale. After a search we located a reference to The Nightingale in the National Library of Ireland’s Catalogue. It is described as a “weekly broadside of news, verse, etc.” published by Kellystown, Co. Wexford, and printed by J.J. Evoy. The National Library only holds one edition of The Nightingale, and this does not feature in Danny’s Notebook. We believe Danny must have read The Nightingale in the New Ross or Wexford libraries.
From the verses Danny recorded, it appears that at the turn of the twentieth century young men entertained themselves by making fun of their friends or foes. In the verses Danny recorded, the common theme is that young men were making fools of themselves over a girl seldom identified by name. The most prominent of the verses Danny recorded is “The Love of a Glenmore Girl,” appearing in the 24 October 1903 edition of The Nightingale (Vol. 34, No. 15). Danny noted the price of the publication was ½ d. (half a penny) and he found the verse in the “Co. Kilkenny Notes” section of the publication.
It is not known how long The Nightingale was published, but before radio or television it must have been something young people looked forward to reading each week.
“The Love of a Glenmore Girl” is below followed by the possible identification of persons named in the verse. Rather than recite other verses that Danny recorded from The Nightingale we have an extract where another Glenmore suitor was mentioned.
“The Love of a Glenmore Girl” (1903)
Come on now Mr. Editor,
I’m going to make a start,
I’m looking at a couple here,
Which nearly broke my heart.
Around the windows in the shed,
Each night I see them stray,
And one of them his Sunday trousers,
He’s wearing every day.
His name it tis D. B—n,
He came here from the Rower,
And I need not tell the dolly’s name,
It is well known before.
She said she loved him deeply,
And letters to him wrote,
And where they met to stand the set,
Was at the Ferryport.
But when he saw the sight of her,
His heart it leaped with joy,
But alas she did him pass along,
With a John Hill’s boy.
Poor Dick lamented sorely,
The day that he went there,
He raised his hands where he did stand,
And began to tear his hair.
I thought she loved him dearly,
But now I understand,
That everyday she does the Quay,
With Johnny—clap—hands.
Her name I’ll here not mention,
She is a charming maid,
A soaper in the laundry,
I think is her trade.
She’s known by every corner boy,
From John’s Street to the Square,
In Barrack Lane I heard them say,
Each night she travels there.
But now she’s home on furlough,
Theres others on her track,
D. Barron at the front door,
And T. Kelly at her back.
T. Kelly says he’ll gain her,
And Barron have no chance,
The other night I saw him kiss her,
At a threshing dance.
Each night he comes to see her,
And to the street he will jog,
And then he’s watching at the door,
Just like John Hearne’s dog.
So now Mr. Kelly I think its better you’d knock off,
And let D.B. go there and play ram-cat-faf.
And if you don’t o’r the railroad your car stick,
And then on Sunday you won’t have a penny in your fist.
Yours Truly, Dog Breath(?) Esq.
The Suitors
T. Kelly—In a notation on the page Danny wrote Graiguenakill. In the 1901 Census there was a Thomas Kelly (b.c. 1881) aged 20 years of age in Graiguenakill, Glenmore. Thomas Kelly in 1901 was working as a railway labourer. He lived with his widowed mother Catherine (aged 53) and his maternal uncle Michael Breen (aged 54). The railway was being built through Glenmore and Thomas Kelly probably came and went with the railway.
Dick Barron—in the 1901 census there were two Richard Barron’s in the Rower. The first candidate was a 19 year old farm labourer working for the 70 year-old widow, Bridget Carney at Ballyfolle Upper, the Rower, Kilkenny. The second candidate was an 18 year old son of John Barron (farmer aged 50) and his wife Ellen aged 45 of Kiltown, the Rower. The second candidate was still living at home in Kiltown in the 1911 census. The birth register reveals that candidate 2 was born on the 28th of February 1883.
John Hearne—The 1901 Census does not reflect a John Hearne in Glenmore. There are over a dozen John Hearne’s in Waterford including a 20 year old carpenter living on Barrack St. His father was a publican. In New Ross there were ten John Hearne’s in the 1901 census. It is unclear from the census who owned a dog that watched doors.
Excerpt from “The Big Blow-up in Newtown(?) Co. Kilkenny”
There’s another boy he’s a courtin stray,
His name I will give down,
His name it is Jack Heffernan,
And lives in Aylwardstown.
He was courting one Miss Orchard,
And that without a doubt,
Until by Richard Dehy,
He was finally done out.
The Aylwardstown, Glenmore Suitor
John Heffernan (1881-1951) was the eldest child of Michael Heffernan and his wife Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy (c. 1853-1947). According to the 1901 Census, John was 20 years old and was one of 11 children. According to a diary kept by James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore (and recorded by Danny Dowling) John Heffernan of Aylwardstown married Mary Freney (c. 1880-1913) of Fahee, Kilmacow on 24 July 1907. “They sailed for America July 31st 1907.” Tragically, Mary died on 18 June 1913, aged 30 of T.B. See our H Surname Page for further information on the large Heffernan family.
For further information concerning the killing of Mary Heffernan née Freney’s father at Christmastime 1884, see our post of 12 December 2021.
For additional local verses see, Dick Claridge’s collection.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Please send any and all corrections or additional information or local verses to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing is courtesy of The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “The two suitors” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1913. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/9410fddb-04ac-cc65-e040-e00a180623c3
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore in the News: March 1924
Today, we feature articles about the Glenmore senior football team, the Glenmore junior hurling team, a marriage and local deaths, as well as an eclectic mix of articles that appeared in local newspapers in March 1924 and were undoubtedly discussed one hundred years ago. By all accounts the weather from January to March 1923 was poor and was blamed for the continuing spread of flu as well as poor fishing and farming prospects.
St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks Seized
“Upon the arrival of the Saxonia in dock the New York Customs Authorities confiscated six little pots, especially brought from Ireland by Father Robinson of Wicklow, containing growing shamrock for wear on St. Patrick’s Day. The attitude of the authorities was most sympathetic, but they explained that they were compelled to seize the shamrock by virtue of a stringiest law forbidding the importation of vegetation with roots,” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 March 1924, p 2).
Fishing
Whether due to weather conditions or otherwise, the reported catches of salmon in the Barrow are not at all up to the average of previous years ((New Ross Standard, Fri.7 March 1924, p. 8).
W. Fleming, J. Gehegan, D. Kennedy and W. Carroll, four Ballindine cot fishermen, caught a salmon weighing 50 lbs. the other night. The salmon was brought from them by Mr. P. Bourke, Lough Street, Carrick-in-Suir (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 7 March 1924, p. 8).
A 42 pound salmon was caught in the Barrow near New Ross and another weighing 35 pounds was caught during the week. The fishing season was still poor. The price of salmon was 2s 3d per pound (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 March 1924, p. 5).
Farm Prices
There was a scarcity of butter thought to be due to the weather conditions (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1924, p. 8).
Potatoes were scarce. The retail price in New Ross during the last week of March was up to 1s., 2d, per stone. At New Ross pig market on Monday fat pigs sold at 48s. to 53 s. per cwt., live weight (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 March 1924, p. 5)..
Message in a Bottle
At Cove, near Passage East, a young girl named Mason found a bottle on the strand. In the bottle was a message written by one of the men who “went to their last resting place amidst the din of war, when the now famous Formby, with her sister ship the Coningbeg, was set to the bottom of the sea by a German torpedo.”
The ships sank in December 1917. The message in the bottle was written on a plain piece of white paper but had become almost undecipherable from the elements. “As far as the closest and most careful scrutiny of the message can show, the words written by the hand of a man in a moment of supreme crisis are as follows:
‘Oh, God have mercy on me, from Jack (or Jock) Burns…sinking now. …to Waterford…It is too bad. She never rounded…’ Here the message ends. The blanks in the sentences have evidently been caused by the action of time and water, or both, or mayhap in the excitement and stress of the sailor’s last moments his confusion of mind may have been responsible for the want of coherency in this the last message he could indite, and which he sealed in a bottle and cast to the care of the waves, with the hope of its ultimately reaching those who love and cherished him…” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 7 March 1924, p. 8).
For further information on the sinking of the two ships see, Andrew Doherty’s, Tides and Tales article of 16 December 2016, “Remembering the S.S. Formby and S.S. Coningbeg.” For further information of the impact of the message in the bottle see, Waterford Treasures.
Flooding and Flu
Owing to the prevalence of the flu epidemic the Thomastown National Schools were closed for the first two weeks of March. There was much illness in both adults and children in January and February in the parish due to the flooding (The Kilkenny People, Sat. 22 March, 1924, p. 7).
Ford Motor Cars
Early in March an editorial in the Munster Express made a couple of predictions. “With the reduction in price in the Ford car, we may expect to hear soon that every farmer has got a car, and that the milk now carried by the horse or ass is whirled to the creamery by motor. A close shave will then be the order of the day and the humble pedestrian (who has to rely upon shanks’ mare) had better prepare to walk the fences” (Munster Express, Sat.1 March 1924, p. 6).
A week later, on Saturday the 8th of March, on Waterford’s market day, a “magnificent display of Ford cars” was provided by Mr. T.J. Sheridan, motor proprietor, The Quay. Shortly before one a fleet of cars, comprising the touring and commercial vehicle type, left the garage premises at the Quay, and headed by the famous Fordson tractors, were driven by the firm’s employees, through the streets of Waterford. The vehicles were heralded by the loud sounding “of the hooters” The parade was witnessed and admired by a large number of citizens and country folk. “It is yet another remarkable and practical demonstration of the progressive stride that have been made of late by this particular firm” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 14 March 1924, p. 3).
1924 Spring Cleaning Advice
Although it was stated that mid-March was too early to think about sweeps, carpet-beating and paint cleaning housewives were told that there was much they could do to minimise the discomfort of spring cleaning. “For instance they can concentrate on timber rooms, chests, and cupboards in those parts where coal fires are not.” These items can be dusted, re-papered and re-arranged. “Mattresses too are best overhauled early in the season as when remaking is in question they are likely to be more quickly returned than later when upholstering departments are rushed with work. Bolsters and pillows no longer fresh can be given new cases, the feathers being well picked over and the necessary new ones added.” On dry days all mattresses and pillows should be given a sun bath, and as extra blankets can be dispensed with they should be cleaned or washed, ready for next winter’s use” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 14 March 1924, p. 7).
Kilivory Cemetery of Glenmore
The No. 2 (Co. Kilkenny) District Council met in the Council’s Offices, John’s Hill, Waterford. J. Donovan, D.C. wrote to the Council that he had visited the Kilmakevogure Graveyard (also known as Kilivory) “and found the state of affairs there worse than he anticipated. All round the graveyard there was evidence of trespass by goats. The bark was pulled off the strubs, and he saw the clay on graves scooped out as if by fowl. He saw a number of trees, the barks of which had been deliberately hacked away. There was now only one uninjured tree in the graveyard.”
A committee was appointed to visit the graveyard and report. The committee was comprised of Messrs. Donvan, Ennett, Cororan and J. Flanagan engineer (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 3).
Wedding & Deaths
Glenmore Wedding
The wedding of Mr. Richard Doherty, Coolnaleen, to Miss Fitzgerald of Knockbrack was announced in the Munster Express. (Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 5).
According to the Glenmore Parish Records Richard Doherty of Coolnaleen, Glenmore married Bridget Fitzgerald of Knockbrack, Glenmore on the 27th of February 1924. Richard was the son of James Doherty (farmer) and Bridget was the daughter of Paul Fitzgerald (farmer). The couple were married by Fr. Patrick Freyne and the witnesses were John Doherty and Ellie Fitzgerald. For further information on the Doherty’s see our D family surname page. For further information on the Fitzgerald’s see our F family surname page.
Reported Deaths
Death of Hon. Granville Ponsonby (c. 1846-1924)
The same newspaper reported the death of the Hon. Granville Ponsonby (c. 1846-1924). He died in London, aged 78. He was the third son of the 7th Earl of Bessborough, and uncle of the then present peer. He was formerly Chief of Police in St. Lucia (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 5). The Earl of Bessborough was one of the landlords of Glenmore.
Death of Miss May Walsh (c. 1911-1924) of Mullinavat
The 13 year old daughter of Ellen Walsh, née Mullins died in March 1924 at Mullinavat. Ellen Walsh née Mullins was a native of Flemingstown, Glenmore and the daughter of John Mullins. Miss May Walsh (c. 1911-1924) tragically died of T.B. after being ill for 3 months (Munster Express, Sat. 15 March 1924, p. 5 and death register).
Police Blotter
James Walsh, of Rochestown, Glenmore was prosecuted in the Waterford court for having on the 23rd of February 1923 unlawfully assault, beat, and inflicted a dangerous wound on Kate Ryan or Lady Lane, Waterford. The case was adjourned by Supt. Halligan because a number of Kate Ryan’s family had died and “all the parties were that day attending the funeral.” A cross summons was made by the defendant James Walsh against John Ryan (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 4).
Patrick Scanlan was charged in the special court in Waterford for having on the 24th of October 1922, “at Slieveue, with others, armed with firearms, feloniously breaking and entered the premises of Mr. Michael Rockett, and did there and then rob a quantity of groceries etc, and the sum of £2 in cash” (Munster Express, Sat. 22 March 1924, p. 5).
Glenmore Sports
Glenmore Junior Hurling
On the last Sunday in February Glenmore played Ballyhale at Clogga in the semi-final of the Southern Division of the junior hurling championship. “The attendance was rather on the small side, due probably to the coldness of the day ad the rumours that had gained currency in the surrounding district that the fixture had been postponed.” In the preliminary rounds both teams had “good displays” and it was expected that Sunday would have been a good game.
Ballyhale lacked the services of their most prominent players, while Glenmore was at full strength. “The game was fairly evenly contested, and towards the end interest was livened p considerably when Ballyhale came along with a great dash and tried their utmost to draw level, and live to fight another day. However, the Glenmore defence held out, and the balance of five points which separated the teams one time about represents the run of play.”
“The backs on both teams gave a good display, but both sets of forwards missed many likely chances. For the winners Hanrahan (goal), Phelan, Rockett, Heffernan and Williams played well. While for Ballyhale, MacBride (goal), Dalton, Fitzgerald, Darmody, and Phelan were about the pick.”
Final Score
Glenmore—2 goals, 3 points
Ballyhale—1 goal, 2 points
The Teams
Glenmore—J. Murphy; P. Murphy; J. Fitzgerald; M. Coady; P. Coady; R. Duggan; P. Mullins; S. Heffernan; J. Hanrahan; J. Phelan; T. O’Neill; T. Williams; R. Rockett; J. Quinn; L. Phelan.
Ballyhale—J. McBride; J. Phelan; J. Fitzpatrick; G. Darmody; T. Dalton; W. Ryan; J. MacNamara; T. MacNamara; M. Kearns; R. Kennealy; T. Fitzgerald; W. Dalton; W. Sullivan; J. Roche; J. Phelan (Munster Express, Sat. 1 March 1924, p. 5).
Glenmore Appeal
The Glenmore junior hurling club appealed against the decision of the Southern Board in awarding the semi-final championship tie to Ballyhale. The matter was to be dealt with at the April meeting of the Kilkenny County Committee G.A.A. Also to be discussed was the continued ban on foreign games (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 5).
Glenmore Senior Football
The finals of the 1923 senior championships in hurling and football were played at St. James Park, Kilkenny on Sunday the 23rd before a large crowd. Although it was wet in the morning there was no rain during the games. The pitch was in “splendid condition” (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 4).
The football final was between Glenmore and Cloneen. “The boys from the Big Glen by their display, left no doubt in the minds of anybody present as to who’s who in football in Co, Kilkenny. The game was a disappointing one, however, as the Glenmore men had matters all their own way after the first ten minutes, and with the exception of two runs, the Cloneen men were hemmed in their own territory for practically the hour.”
The Scores
“For the winners the scores were: Connolly (3 goals); Fitzgerald, 5 points; Hanrahan, 1 point; Mullins, 1 point. At the long whistle, Glenmore were declared the winners on the score of 3 goals, 7 points to 2 points. Mr. R. Walsh, Chairman Kilkenny Co. Board, G.A.A., carried on the duties of referee in a creditable manner” (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 4).
The Glenmore Team
Elsewhere in the paper the score was reported as 3 goals. 6 points to 2 points. “Glenmore, the southern opponents were undefeated in the Kilkenny Senior football championship since 1915, and to judge from their display on Sunday last they are likely to hold the honour for some time yet.” The Glenmore team was comprised of: A. Heffernan (goal); M. Cody (Captain); P. Cody; M. Cody; S. Heffernan; J. Doherty; P. Murphy P. Fitzgerald; J. Phelan; W. Irish, J. Hanrahan, J. Mullins, W. Hartley, P. Hartley and M. Connolly (Munster Express, Sat. 29 March 1924, p. 5).
***************
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The cigarette card featuring shamrocks above is courtesy of George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library. “Do you know which is the true shamrock?” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 14, 2024. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e2-1de3-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh