Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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More Ancient Glenmore Churches
Today, as our fifth excerpt from Carrigan’s, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, v. 4 p. 95-98 (1906) we feature more of the ancient churches found in Glenmore or nearby including: Kilcolumb, Rochestown, Rathaglish (Slieverue) and Davidstown. More is known about Kilcolumb because it continued to be used as a church until about 1830. Kilcolumb was in ruins by the time Canon Carrigan visited it at the turn of the 20th century and the ruins and graveyard still remain today.
Kilcolumb
“Part of the [civil] parish of Kilcolumb belongs to Slieverue, the remainder to Glenmore. In Irish, Kilcolumb is call Kill-Chullm, which means the church of St. Colum. As many saints bearing the name of Colum are commemorated in the Irish Martyrologies, it is impossible to determine which of them gave name to the Kilcolumb of which there is question here.”
“Some centuries ago, probably soon after the Norman Invasion, Kilcolumb church was withdrawn from the patronage of St. Columb and was dedicated, or rededicated, under the title of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. September 14th, the feast day of the Exaltation of the Hoy Cross, is now the patron day of Kilcolumb parish.” See our post of 29 August 2022 for a link to the 1991 video of Danny Dowling (1927-2021) discussing Kilcolumb.
The Ruins in 1900
“The church of Kilcolumb is a rectangle, 51 feet long, internally. The north side wall and the east and west gables are badly built and are, certainly, no older than the 17th century. The south side wall is very ancient. It is 3 feet 2 inches in thickness, at the ground, and batters, on the outside, to a height of 5 or 6 feet; it has a door and two windows, all modern, and evidently, of same date as the later portion of the church. Protestant service was held here down to about 1830, when the one solitary individual who formed the congregation having become Catholic, the church was closed for good.”
Kilcolumb Graveyard
“In the graveyard [that surround the ruins] is a headstone inscribed:
‘Erected by Eleanor Archdecan alias Greace, in memory of her uncle-in-law, the Revd. Father Richd. Archdecan, who depd. this life, Octbr. ye 26th, 1775 aged 76 yrs.; also his father, mother, and sisters. Requiescant in Pace. Amen.'
The Shees or O’Sheas, of Nicholastown [Slieverue], a respectableold family, have their tomb here at the eat end of the church.
The Headache Stone and Well
“Fifty yards north of the churchyard is a rude rock, 4 feet long, 2 feet wide and the same in thickness, and know as Cluch-Chullm, or St. Colum’s Stone. On its smooth upper surface there are, in a line, one after the other, three bowl shaped artificial hollows, of which that to the north 1 foot in diameter and 6 inches deep, and has a small aperture in the bottom communicating with the outer surface of the stone; the middle cavity is 1 foot in diameter and 7 inches deep; the third is 1 foot in diameter and 5 inches deep.”
“The stone is held in great veneration by the people, who come here to pray when affected with headache, and expect relief through St. Colum’s intercession. Kilcolumb holy well is about 100 yards east of the church. It is called Thubber na gcullm, which the people say means well of the pigeons or doves.”
“In pre-Reformation times, the church of Kilcolumb, like that of Kilbride, belonged to the Augustinian Canons of the Congregation of St. Victor, St. Catherine’s Priory, Waterford.”
Editor’s note
Saint Columbcill’s stone is in the field west of the Kilcolumb church ruins in the townland of Rathinure. The stone has three large hallowed out bowls and originally had two small holes in one side of the stone. It is believed that this stone was the holy water font of the church and it was removed from the church during penal times and dumped in the field where it has remained.
Local lore has it that any person who can place his head in the centre “bowl” at the same time placing one knee in each of the other two “bowls” will never suffer from headaches. This was a common cure for headaches in the old days. Tom Walsh (1908-1992) related that one of the small “holes” where a thumb was able to fit in, by persons desiring to rid themselves of headaches, was knocked off by the swing of the plough striking against it. It appears that the man was ploughing the field and kept so near the stone that the damage was caused. He was dead before the next morning.
Kilcolumb Church ruins are located in the townland of Rathinure, Glenmore. For more information on Rathinure see our post of 29 October 2023.
Rochestown Church
“Rochestown, in Irish Bollanróshtla, is divided into Rochestown West or Bollialogue, and Rochestown East or Bollianakilla. The cill or church, from which Bollianakilla has its name, stood at the Gorry-vceldhuv, in the field opposite the entrance gate of Mount Ida House. Not the slightest trace of it remains, but a standing stone, lately set up, marks the exact spot on which it stood. Tradition states that the timber of the roof of this church was taken down and afterwards made use of at Kilcolumb, when the later church was being rebuilt for Protestant service.”
“According to O’Donovan, the name of Rochestown church was Thompel Feenan, or the church of St. Finian (of Clonard); the name, as given on the spot, to the present writer [Carrigan] was Thomple na groo-in-eeny.” See our post of 3 December 2023 for more information on Rochestown, Glenmore.
Rathaglish [Slieverue] Church
“In Irish the townland of Rathaglish is called Rahglish, the Rath of the Church (Ecclesia). Evidently an ancient church stood within or beside the rath from which the townland is named.”
Davidstown Church
[Another ancient church that has been obliterated from the landscape was “Kilcliggin, the Church of the Skulls, which stood near the village of Davidstown” [Glenmore]. “An old laneway that formerly led to it is still called Bosheen a thomple, the Church Bosheen” [church lane]. See our post of 28 December 2022 for more information on the townland of Davidstown.
The Cunnia-vwee
“The small field called ‘the Cunnia-vwee’ is situated on Davidstown hill, on the bounds of the townland of Attateemore [Slieverue]. There is nothing remarkable in it, at present, but two small cairns, or heaps of stones, one about the centre of the field, the other close to the fence, at the north side.”
“The former merely consists of loose stones thrown carelessly together. The later is of the same description, and measures 6 or 8 feet across; in its upper surface are embedded two large, rough blocks of stone, one having an artificial bowl 1 foot in diameter and 1 foot deep; the other having a similar bowl 1 foot in diameter and 4 or 5 inches deep. The deeper bowl always contains some water and is known as Thubber Phaudhring, or St. Patrick’s Well.”
The curious legend connected with this place is known over the whole Barony of Ida. In our next instalment of Carrigan we shall explore Canon Carrigan’s treatment of O’Donovan’s earlier work and the curious legend.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Emigrants to San Francisco
Prior to the California gold rush, that commenced in 1848, it is estimated that only 1,000 residents lived in San Francisco. By December 1849 the population was approximately 25,000. The growth of the city continued into the 1850’s and rapidly increased again with the Comstock Silver Lode discovery in 1859.
Travelling to San Francisco
Although San Francisco was a far greater journey for Irish emigrants than cities on the east coast of the US they still journeyed to San Francisco. Irish emigration was fueled by the gold and silver strikes, and was aided by the opening of the Panama Railroad in 1855. In approximately 40 days passengers could journey between the east and west coasts of the United States. From 1861-1864, San Francisco also had the lure of being far removed from the Civil War that was raging in the east. In 1869, the Overland Route, the first transcontinental railroad that linked the east and west coasts, terminated across the bay from San Francisco.
The two largest European groups that settled in San Francisco were Germans and Irish. By 1870, 13% of the population were Irish that made up 21% of the workforce. Three years before an Irish mayor was elected. By the turn of the century 75% of the Catholic Clergy were Irish emigrants (Found SF: The San Francisco Digital Archive).
San Francisco 1906
Due to poor sanitation and the port, epidemics flourished in San Francisco. Additionally, earthquakes struck the area in 1864, 1890 and 1898. However, the most famous and destructive earthquake was the San Francisco earthquake that occurred on 18 April 1906. It shook the western seaboard from Los Angelos to Coos Bay, Oregon. The San Francisco City Hall collapsed and cable cars stopped.
A massive fire then destroyed the business district and spread over four days. Rain finally put out the fire that destroyed 500 city blocks covering 4 square miles. The fire destroyed 28,000 buildings with an estimated loss of $350 million. Today, it is estimated that 3,000 people perished between the earth quake and fire. A quarter of a million people were left homeless.
Glenmore Emigrants
Uniquely several 19th century Glenmore emigrants had their birthplace proclaimed in their obituaries. More often in other cities it was merely recorded that the deceased was a native of County Kilkenny.
Mrs. Mary Costello (?-1918)
The San Francisco Bulletin (Sat. 6 April 1918, p. 22) published the following short obituary: Costello—In this city, April 4, Mary, beloved wife of Thomas Costello, and loving mother of May C. Beston and loving grandmother of Imelda Beston, a native of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. A member of the Third Order of St. Francis of St. Boniface.
We were able to find the death notice of her husband Thomas Costello who died 18 April 1922. Although the obit noted Thomas was from County Kilkenny no further detail was provided concerning his birthplace (San Francisco Journal & Daily Journal of Commerce, Thur. 20 April 1922, p. 12.) We were not able to find a marriage record in Kilkenny or San Francisco for this couple and do not know Mary Costello’s (?-1918) maiden name.
We did find the other family mentioned in Mary Costollo’s obituary (?-1918). Her daughter Mary (May) Beston née Costello (1880-1935) was born in California. Therefore, her parents had to be in California by 1885. Mary’s husband was Thomas Beston (1875-1945). Interestingly, in the 1930 Census May Beston (1880-1935) recorded that she was a widow and worked at the phone company. Their daughter Imelda Beston (1908-2001) married twice and died in 2001.
Miss Margaret Murphy (c. 1841-1912) & Her Siblings
The San Franciso Bulletin, (Mon. 23 Sept. 1912, p. 10) published the following obituary; “Murphy—In this city, September 21, Margaret Murphy, beloved sister of Edward and John Murphy, Mrs. Mary Wall and the late William Murphy, a native of Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Ireland, aged 71 years.”
Further funeral details and the address of the deceased were published in The San Francisco Call and Post (Mon. 23 Sept. 1912, p. 8). “Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral today (Monday), at 8:30 o’clock a.m., from her late residence 1223 Kentucky street, thence to St. Teresa’s church, where a requiem high mass will be celebrated for the repose of her soul, commencing at 9 o’clock a.m. Interment Holy Cross cemetery.”
James Murphy (1852-?)
Further newspaper searches revealed information concerning Margaret’s brother James. In 1915, “James Murphy, 1223 Kentucky Street, was run down by a jitney bus at Third and Market Streets” (San Francisco Bulletin, Wed. 10 Feb. 1915, p. 4).
John Murphy (1850-1915)
Later in 1915, John Murphy died and the San Francisco Examiner (Mon. 15 Nov. 1915, p. 4) published the a short obituary. “Murphy in this city, November 12, John beloved brother of Edward Murphy, Mrs. Mary Wall and the late William and Margaret Murphy, a native of the parish of Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Ireland, aged 65 years. The funeral will take place today (Monday) at 8:30 o’clock a.m., from his late residence, 1223 Kentucky street; thence to St. Teresa’s Church, where a requiem high mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul, commencing at 9 o’clock, a.m., Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery by carriage.”
Children of Patrick Murphy & Catherine Grace of Davidstown, Glenmore
Armed with the information from the obituaries we believe that Miss Margaret Murphy was the daughter of Patrick Murphy & his wife, Catherine Grace, of Davidstown, Glenmore. The children of this couple include:
[1] Margaret Murphy (bapt. 29 May 1842); [2] Edmund Murphy (bapt 29 April 1841); [3] Mary Murphy (bapt 2 Oct. 1843); [4] Bridget Murphy (bapt 14 July 1845); [5] William Murphy (bapt 26 Dec. 1846); [6] John Murphy (bapt 27 Jan. 1850) and [7] James Murphy, (bapt 22 June 1852).
Luke Murphy (1855-1898) of Balybrahee, Glenmore
In the San Francisco Chronicle (Thu. 15 Sept. 1898, p. 10) the following death notice was published. “Murphy—In this city, Sept. 14, Luke Murphy, beloved brother of Michael Murphy, a native of the parish of Glenmore County Kilkenny, Ireland, aged 36 years.”
Luke Murphy was baptised at Ballybrahee, Glenmore on 5 Aug 1855, but the age provided by the obituary provides that his year of birth should have been about 1862. No Luke Murphy could be located baptized in Glenmore around 1862. Luke Murphy (b. 1855) was the son of John Murphy and his wife, Mary Walsh. They were also the parents of Michael Murphy who was baptized at Ballybrahee, Glenmore on 30 Dec. 1850.]
The San Francisco City Directory, outlines the movements and employment of the Murphy brothers. The 1887 Directory lists a Luke and Michael Murphy working as labourers and living at 213 Perry Street. By 1890, Michael was working for National Iron Works and still residing at 213 Perry. The 1896 Directory provides that Luke was employed as a longshoreman living with Michael at 150 Perry. Michael was a labourer at the Golden State & Miners Iron Works. We believe that this is the correct Luke Murphy because he is not present in the 1899 Directory.
The 1903 Directory notes that Michael was an ironworker with George E. Dow Plumbing Engineering Co. and living at 150 Perry. Michael continued residing at 150 Perry in 1905, but after that date it is not clear where he resided or if he survived the 1906 earthquake and fire.
Brother Peter Haberlin (1845-1934) of Rochestown, Glenmore
See our post of 24 June 2021, regarding Peter Haberlin (1845-1934) of Rochestown, Glenmore, who resided in San Francisco for a short period of time.
In our next post we will provide further Glenmore natives that settle in San Francisco.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo is entitled “San Francisco from the Bay” and is courtesy of the New York Public Library, (Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy, The New York Public Library. (1862 – 1963). San Francisco from the bay Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/5e66b3e8-b0eb-d471-e040-e00a180654d7).
The Strange Family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Today, as our fifth excerpt from Carrigan’s, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, v. 4 p. 94-95 (1906) we feature what he published concerning the Strange family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore as well as information that Danny Dowling collected and recorded regarding the last of the family to live in Aylwardstown House.
The Strongs, Strangs or Stranges
They were settled at Waterford, from an early period, and held a foremost place among its citizens. Richard Strong was Mayor of the city in 1484 or 1485; Peter Strong in 1560; Paul Strange in 1597; Thomas Strange in 1607; and Richard Strange in 1634. At least two of them represented the city in Parliament, viz. Peter Strong in 1559 and Richard Strange in 1634. To this stock also belonged the Most Rev. Thomas Strong, Bishop of Ossory from 1582 to 1602, and his nephew, Most Rev. Thomas Walsh (son of Robert Walsh and Anastatia Strong), Archbishop of Cashel from 1626 to 1654.
In course of time the family acquired, probably by purchase, considerable estates in South Kilkenny. About 1560 Peter Stronge held lands to the value of £51, of the manor of Grannagh. Richard Strong, of Waterford, probably his son, is found in possession of the manor of Drumdowney, in 1573, and of the manor of Dunkit, in 1585. Edward Strong of Dunkitt, son and heir of Richard, died June 1st, 1621, being then seised of the manor of Dunkit and of the reversion of the manor of Drumdowney after the death of Thomas Strong; he left issue Richard, his son and heir, then but 12 years old, Thomas, Peter, Joan and Margaret.
Thomas Strong just mentioned, who had been seised of the manor of Drumdowney, and who may have been brother of Edward, of Dunkit, died May 28th, 1625, leaving a son and heir, Laurence, then but 10 years of age.
Another member of the family, Paul Strong of Waterford city, held the fee of several townlands in Inistioge and the Rower. He died Nov. 22nd, 1617, leaving Peter, his son and heir, then aged 39 years. Peter was succeeded, in turn, by Richard, his own son and heir. This Richard appears on the list of those who forfeited in 1653, as do also Peter Strong, of Dunkitt, who was transplanted to Connaght, and Richard Strong, the proprietor of Drumdowney.
Lawrene Strong or Strange, of Drundowney, son of Thomas (who died as above in 1625) is mentioned in one of the depositions of 1641. He was still living in 1661, at which date he was 46 years of age. He was probably the father of Richard Strange, who was appointed a Burgess of Inistioge in 1688, and grandfather of Lawrence Strange, of Aylwardstown. The said Lawrence Strange, of Aylwardstown, in his Will, proved in the year 1720, mentions his brothers James and Pierce Strange; his brother (i.e. brother-in-law) Nicholas Aylward; his sisters, Ellen Walsh, alias Strange, and Mary Kealy alias Strange; his wife Mary Strange, alias Aylward; his eldest son and heir Richard, then a minor; and his other sons, Patrick and Pierce Strange. Some of the later members of this family are mentioned on their monument in Kilmokevoge.
His Eminence, Cardinal Wiseman’s mother was a Miss Strange of Aylwardstown, probably a daughter of Peter, who died in 1824; her sister, Harriet Strange, wife of Mr. James Butler, of Kilmogar, Johnswell, died in 1858 aged 68. [Fr. Carrigan was correct. “Marriages–On the 2d instant, James Butler. Esq. of Killmogar, County Kilkenny, to Harriet, youngest daughter of Peter Strange, Esq. of Aylwardstown, in the same county,” (Freeman’s Journal, Thurs. 13 Nov. 1823, p. 3)] [For further information on Cardinal Wiseman and his visit to Glenmore see our guest author page or click here.]
In Irish, Strange or Strong is pronounced Sthraoung (a monosyllable). Strang’s Mill, in the parish of Kilmacow, is called by Irish speakers, Mwillin a Straounga, i.e. Muilleann.
Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) Strange Research
In the 1970’s Danny was corresponding with Professor John Mannion of Newfoundland. From his research he informed Professor Mannion that he believed that the Strange family came to Aylwardstown about 1690, as tenants of the new Cromwellian owners, the Ponsonby family of Kildalton, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. Danny stated that it appeared that the first Strange that came married a girl of the Aylward family. The Aylward family previously owned the Aylwardstown property before Cromwell (DD Notebook 4, Copy of letter from DD to Prof. John Mannion, of Newfoundland dated 10 Dec. 1977).
Danny informed Professor Mannion in 1977 that “some 20 years ago all the Strange family papers were stored in Aylwardstown and burned by a Mrs. Connolly.” Her son Thomas told Danny about the burning in 1975 (DD Notebook 4, Copy of letter from DD to Prof. John Mannion, of Newfoundland, dated 25 January 1977).
Thomas Alexander Strange (1856-1907)
The last of the Strange family to live at Aylwardstown appears to have been Thomas A. Strange (1856-1907). In Danny’s voluminous records we found a copy of a newspaper auction notice for February 1883.
“Received instruction from Thomas A. Strange, Esq., who is giving up his dairy to sell by auction on Thursday, 1 February 1883, at his farm at Aylwardstown, 30 prime young dairy cows, in and with calf at foot, served by a highly bred bull; 6 three year old heifers in calf; 5 two year old heifers; 3 well-bred yearling bulls; 2 five year old Hunters, well known with hounds may be inspected by V.S. before sale; 2 capital farm mares; one sow/ 12 forward store pigs, 40 tons of prime mangolds in lots; carts, tackling, plough, harrows, dairy utensils. Sale at twelve o’clock precisely and terms are cash.” The auctioneers were Thomas Walsh and Son, The Mall, Waterford (Waterford News & Star, Fri.19 Jan. 1883, p. 2).
Also in Danny’s files was another article which may help explain the auction. In January 1882, Thomas Strange entered into a wager with Mr. W. Power of Williamstown regarding their horses. Strange’s horse Garsfield was to race Power’s Hawk over a 2.5 mile hunting course. The bet was for £25, a large sum of money in 1882. Mr. JP Kennedy of George’s Street held the money (Munster Express, 14 Jan. 1882, p. 6). We could not locate an article regarding which horse won the race, but there are other articles regarding Strange and his love of fast horses and racing.
Lily Strange née Jones (b.c. 1863)
On Halloween 1973, Danny interviewed Nicky the Miller Forristal (1888-1979) who provided another reason why Thomas A. Strange may have held an auction and eventually left Aylwardstown.
“Thomas A. Strange married a girl who worked in one of the Waterford Hotels either the Adelphie or the Imperial. She was a barmaid. He was not long married before they left Aylwardstown. She was either an English or Welsh girl…When Thomas A. Strange left Aylwardstown he brought with him Tommy Neill and Anty Walsh to Liverpool where he lived on the outskirts. He had a jarvey car for hire. He got broke there and had to leave off Tommy Neill and Anty Walsh. Tommy Neill then emigrated to America, Anty Walsh returned home and went to work in Tramore.”
The Strange Children
The first English census where we could locate Thomas A. Strange was the 1891 Census for Cheshire, Birkenhead. Thomas Strange was 34, reported that he was born in Ireland and was working as a horse dealer. His wife, Lily Strange, was aged 28, working as a pork butcher, and reported being born in Wrexham. The couple had two children. Thomas Strange, aged 4, born in Ireland, and Lily Strange, aged 6, born in Wrexham. Also, present were three of Lily’s siblings (whose family name was Jones) and Jane Dargan a 21 year-old general servant, born in Ireland.
We were unable to find a marriage record for Thomas A. and Lily, but we did find a birth record for their son. In Dublin North on the 15th of January 1886, Thomas Alexander Strange of East Pier, Howth, farmer and his wife Lily née Jones had a son that they named Thomas.
By 1901 the family was living at 80 Mozart St., in Toxeth Park, Lancashire, and the family consisted of three people. Thomas Strange, aged 44, was a cab proprietor. Lily Strange was 40, and their son Thomas Strange was 15, and employed as a van driver.
Death of Thomas Alexander Strange (1857-1907)
Thomas Alexander Strange, died aged 51, in Sept. 1907. At the time of his death he was living in the workhouse and gave his profession as cab driver. He was buried in the Catholic Section of Anfield Cemetery, of Lancanshire, in a public grave.
The following year, on 19th of April, 1908, at the Parish Church of Liverpool, Thomas (1886-1959) at the age of 22 married Mary Louisa Douglass, aged 21. The groom was working as a cab driver and he listed his father as Thomas Alexander Strange (deceased). The bride was the daughter of Albert Edward Douglass, storehouse keeper. Young Thomas died on 15 December 1959 at Mill Lane Hospital.
Six years after her father’s death, at the Parish Church of Liverpool, on 5 May 1913, Lily Strange (aged 26) married Thomas Birney (aged 30) of Clare Street. The bride recorded that she was the daughter of Thomas Strange, car driver.
We were unable to determine what happened to Lily Strange née Jones, but are hopeful a reader might be able to shed some light on this.
Please send any and all corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The feature photo above is Aylwardstown House taken in 2004 and is courtesy of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Character: Martin Walsh (1918-1996)
Today, we have the pleasure of posting our first Glenmore character profile. This first character profile is of Martin Walsh, and is primarily from the writings of Brian Forristal, of Waterford City. Martin spent his entire life in the house where he was born in Ballylogue, Rochestown, Glenmore, on Christmas Day 1918. Martin never married, and although he had two sisters who nursed in England it is believed he never left Ireland. Hopefully, readers will share their memories or stories regarding Martin.
Editor’s Memories of Martin Walsh
I only met Martin shortly before his death when I first moved to Glenmore, but he made a lasting impression. He was constantly driving around the area in a little red van and stopped to speak to everyone he encountered along the road. I often wondered how long it must have taken him to drive the two or three miles to Glenmore Village.
One day I was asked to drop something to Martin, and found Martin cleaning coal in his yard. He explained to me that hosing off the coal dust made his coal burn hotter in his opinion. Sometime later Danny Dowling (1927-2021) was talking about a curse made by Kit Rafftis née Gahan of Rochestown. In trying to identify the Walsh family for me Danny mentioned Martin, and I related the coal cleaning. Danny laughed, took a few notes and said that Martin never held an opinion that he did not share.
Rogue or Hero? by Brian Forristal
Over Glenmore down through the years Dad and I met many characters, none more interesting than Martin Walsh of Ballilogue. Small in stature and wiry looking with a big nose he always wore a homemade woolen hat that looked like a tea cosy. He spoke with a loud booming voice and was opinionated on every subject under the sun.
While at times he was irritating he was a mine of information and a joy to listen to. Dad and himself bounced off each other, Dad knew how to rise Martin and would throw in a statement right at the right point and Martin would go mad and enter a vocal range that would send you running for cover.
He once told us that his grandfather used to read the Freeman’s Journal to the gathered masses at Ballilogue bridge on a Sunday evening. We would often meet him with his sister Maureen, she seemed to take a shine to Stephen and Seán when they were with us. Though at times Martin would give out to them if they were messing on the roadside.
On the political front Martin hated the Government no matter who was in office, always calling them “a shower of f***ing bastards.” He always played the card, “of the hard done by farmer who worked for nothing,” and could never get Government help when needed.
On the contrary he owned a large farm and from what I have heard from others he had plenty of money, though you would never tell by looking at him as his clothes looked threadbare and worn. A bit like Compo in ‘Last of the Summer Wine.’
But as a character he was witty, at times funny, never boring. He had funny sayings like:
“Cigars on a Sunday,
Woodbines on a Monday.”
He smoked Woodbines [cheapest, unfiltered, strong cigarettes available] all week and treated himself to a cigar on the Sabbath.
In 1993 he told us a saying from his father:
“Three days of easterly wind,
Would do a years’ work.”
Meaning that it would dry hay and straw and would let them get the work finished fast, otherwise it would be dragged out and hold up other jobs.
Martin died on the 6th January 1996 aged 78. By an amazing coincidence he is buried head to toe with Dad in Glenmore graveyard. Bantering friends in life and now forever death (Brian Forristal, 8 May 2011).
Martin Walsh, In His Box
On 1 May 2021 Brian Forristal stopped and spoke with Billy Heffernan of Rochestown, Glenmore. Billy related some stories that his father Paddy Heffernan (1924-2013) had shared. At the funeral in 1974 of Tom Foran (1885-1974) of Kearneybay, Glenmore, Martin Walsh (1918-1996) commented to Paddy Heffernan that Tom Foran had been fond of the drink. “Paddy fired back that ‘if he was he never missed a day’s work with me.’ That put Martin in his box, as he could be a contrary fellow at the best of times.”
Martin Walsh—The Non-Poetic Farmer
by Brian Forristal
Arise old Martin Walsh from famed old Ballilogue,
Spring is on the air and the woods ready for the crows.
Your Tam O’Shanter is hanging in the hall, and Maureen is drying the breakfast dishes,
A long haul to the top of Sandy lane,
No time for catching fishes.
Your steel wheeled mount waits in the yard,
Your dirty little sheepdog sitting on top.
The wheeling and the dealing of a true farmer’s son,
The only thing missing was a two barrel gun.
Your grudge against rich farmers was a famous peddled line,
The bank manage could not count all your money on your vine.
Hoary talk and spitted words you despised them all around,
For you their word was sacred beyond the distant town.
Oh Martin you were one of a kind,
Your roadside manner was sublime,
Be prepared to take the flak,
How close you came to many a smack,
But I saw in you a trait of old,
Going back generations into a different fold.
Society may not bare you now
To me your voice a sacred cow,
And still heard on that roadside bare,
Graveside weeds and death like stares.
The roads are barren and now and the way foul,
No more I see you there only a mighty owl.
And Dad and I did wonder when you left
There for better men, did you foresee
You’re ending in that grave in the big glen?
Now head to toe you both lay,
Conversations flowing through,
Headstones are your pillows
The soil a blanket cruel.
But in jest you both lay there,
Away from the hard live and the public glare.
I miss you both on those roadsides
Of yesteryear where tears of joy did flow,
Good joking and good cheer.
Rest well great men of roadsides,
You have earned your long calm sleep.
The steams and woods do meet.
I will see you again along the way,
In dreams and worlds God’s and men.
(Brian Forristal, 9 April 2013)
For other Glenmore verses collected by Dick Claridge see our guest author’s page.
********************
We have been unable to locate a photo of Martin in his later years. If anyone has a photo of Martin that they would like to share please send it to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Please place your memories of Martin in the comment section below or feel free to send to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
For further information on Rochestown see our post of 3 December 2023.
For other writings of Brian Forristal, see our guest author’s page. “The Tans Are Coming” and “A Place to Hide From the Black and Tans.”
To all our readers, Happy New Year!
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore in the News: December 1923
Although Christmas 1923 was heralded as the first Christmas of peace in a decade, the truth was that the Free State authorities continued to round up and hold some of the Irregulars from the Civil War. The Free State Government did not make a formal announcement, but it was understood and published that by the end of December “practically every internment camp in the Free State will have been closed.” With the exception of a hundred of the leaders all the prisoners were to be at liberty before Christmas (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 Dec. 1923, p. 4).
Six South Kilkenny men were released from interment on the 17th (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Dec. 1923, p. 4). On Christmas Eve 166 prisoners were released and four more were released on Christmas Day. “The total number still imprisoned was 1,866 (Freeman’s Journal, 28 Dec. 1923, p. 7). Among the list of released prisoners from the Curragh was R. Murphy, of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny (Freeman’s Journal, Fri.28 Dec. 1923, p.7).
Shot in Glenmore
For our international readers, the 8th of December is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Roman Catholic calendar. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. In Ireland, in the 1920’s, children were off school, and all the farmers around Glenmore went to nearby towns. It was the start of the Christmas season when Christmas baking and shopping commenced in earnest. On the night of the 8th of December 1923 a party with dancing was being held at a house in Glenmore.
An irregular named David Grant, a native of Slieverue was present at the party. “For some time past Grant, who was a column leader in the local irregulars, and who was much wanted by the military authorities” had successfully evaded the authorities. He hid principally in the neighbourhood of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, described as nine miles from Waterford.
On Saturday the 8th the Military searched the Glenmore house where the party was being held. Grant refused to give his name and address, was arrested and placed in the care of an escort. Suddenly, Grant broke away from his guards and “made a wild dash for liberty. He ran from the house and was hotly pursued by the military. A chase for a short distance ensued, the soldiers all the time keeping the fugitive in sight and repeatedly calling on him to halt which he refused to do. The soldiers then opened fire for warning purposes, but in the course of discharges Grant was struck by one bullet in the hip…” (Irish Examiner, Tues. 11 Dec. 1923, p. 5).
The wound was described as serious and it stopped Grant from further movement. Grant was taken into custody the second time by the Free State forces. He was later conveyed to the Waterford Co. and City Infirmary where he underwent surgical treatment (Waterford News and Star, Fri.14 Dec. 1923, p.16).
David Grant (1899-1969) of Slieverue
A fellow by the name of Williams, from Kilmacow, was said to have shot Grant when he need not have done so. Grant was from Drumdowney, Slieverue and suffered from the wound for the rest of his days (Thomas Walsh, native of Davidstown, Glenmore (1908-1992)). No other newspaper accounts could be located regarding David Grant after his arrest in December 1923. Given that the Civil War had ended months before, and the authorities were releasing prisoners at the time, it is difficult to understand why David Grant was shot by an alleged warning shot.
David Grant was born 11 August 1899 at Rathpatrick, Slieverue, the only child of Patrick Grant (c.1837-1922) (farmer) and his wife Anastatia Grant née Power (c. 1858-1932). Anastatia was born in Waterford and according to the 1911 Census her widowed mother, Mary Power, lived with the small family.
It is believed that David Grant married Mary Kathleen Alcock on 22 Nov. 1933 at Slieverue. Mary Kathleen was from Kilmurry, Slieverue and the daughter of Edward Alcock (farmer). The couple do not appear to have had any children. David Grant, a married farmer, of Drumdowney, Slieverue, died in the County and City Infirmary on 8 March 1969 some 46 years after his admittance in 1923. His age on the death register was listed as 87 however it is believed he was 70.
Glenmore Holiday Football
Waterford military command football section, beat the Wexford military section at Barret’s Park, New Ross. Then the Waterford military command were beaten by the Glenmore team in a contest near the village the last week in December (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 Dec. 1923, p. 7).
Glenmore Man Injured in Rosbercon
Mr. Corcoran, Mullinahone, was kicked by a horse in Rosbercon resulting in a broken rib (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Dec.1923, p. 5). It is believed that the only Mr. Corcoran in Mullinahone, Glenmore in December 1923 was Edward Corcoran (c. 1876 -1932). He was married to Kate Cororan née Meany (c. 1877 -1927). Edward and Kate were married at Inistiogue, Kilkenny on 3 February 1910. Edward was from Mullinahone and his father was Pat Corcoran (farmer). Kate was from Carrigeen and her father was Micheal Meany (farmer).
The couple had at least one son Patrick Corcoran (c.1911-1970) (farmer). Patrick married Katie McDonald (c. 1919-2013) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. Katie Corcoran née McDonald lived to be 94 years of age and was a widow for 43 years.
A Glenmore Village Fire
A fire occurred in the cornmill of Mr. James K. Walsh, Glenmore, on Saturday the 15th of December 1923. Mr. Walsh had been in New Ross at the time, and when the fire started it made such headway that it was impossible to extinguish it, despite the efforts of a large number of people who gathered “and used water freely.” However, the flames were prevented from spreading to the outhouses adjoining, but the mill and machinery were destroyed. It was stated some of the corn was also destroyed (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Dec. 1923, p. 5).
For further information on the J.K. Walsh family and an early photo of Gaffney’s Mill see our post of 22 December 2020.
New Ross Turkey Sales and Post
£10,900 was paid out by New Ross merchants for turkeys in New Ross during the 1923 season. There were 12,300 turkeys bought. It was reported that one South Kilkenny woman sold her turkeys for £67 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Dec. 1923, p. 5).
Christmas business in New Ross was brisk and the number of parcels and mails dealt with at the post office and the parcels dispatched and received at railway offices were exceptionally heavy (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 Dec. 1923, p. 7).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history @gmail.com. The featured photo above of the toddler hanging what appears to be his father’s stockings was published on Christmas Eve 1923 in the Freeman’s Journal (p. 10).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Wash
Old Style Threshing: Aylwardstown, Glenmore 1976
Forty-seven years ago in September 1976, Michael and Kate Fitzgerald, of the Half-way House, Aylwardstown, Glenmore hosted an exhibition of threshing involving a steam engine, drum and pitcher. It was the first time in about twenty-five years that old-style threshing took place in the Glenmore area (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Sept. 1976, p. 17).
Michael & Kate Fitzgerald
Michael Fitzgerald (1917-1982) was the son of Richard Fitzgerald (1868-1955) and Mary Fitzgerald née Walsh (1884-1962) of Aylwardstown. Michael’s wife, Kate Fitzgerald née Hoynes (1923-2008) was the daughter of John Hoynes (1888-1956) and Maryanne Hoynes née Rigby (1882-1926) of Aylwardstown. Michael and Kate Fitzgerald had six children: (1) Richard Fitzgerald; (2) Mary Fitzgerald; (3) Ann Fitzgerald; (4) Carmel Fitzgerald (1957-1976); (5) John Fitzgerald and (6) Michael Fitzgerald. Tragically the couple lost their daughter Carmel in May 1976.
Planning the Event
The original date for the threshing was Sunday the 19th of September. The newspapers reported that the summer of 1976 was hot and dry. However, in September a lot of rain fell. The threshing was to take place between 1 and 4 p.m. but had to be abandoned shortly after it commenced on the 19th due to heavy showers (Munster Express, Fri. 24 Sept. 1976, p. 21).
In an interview in the New Ross Standard, Michael Fitzgerald stated that he deliberately held over barley(sic) and wheat because he thought it was a pity to see the old-style threashing disappear altogether. “For anyone over twenty-five years of age it will remind them of the great threshing days that used to be and it will be an education and thrill for the younger generation who never saw the old fashion threshings” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Sept. 1976, p. 17).
Michael Fitzgerald put a lot of planning into this threshing event. To make the event as authentic as possible Michael attempted to secure ling fish for the threshing celebration as it was the local custom to serve ling at the old threshing dinners. Unfortunately, he was not able to secure ling and had to settle for another type of fish (Peter Walsh, of Rathinure, threshing volunteer).
Michael “retained about six acres of oats and wheat for threshing.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Sept. 1976, p. 17). He harvested the rest of his oats and wheat utilising a combine, that cut and threshed in the same operation (Munster Express, Fri. 1 October 1976, p. 22). Michael cut the six acres using a tractor and binder, then stooked and stacked. For the last step of the traditional saving of the crop he drew the stacked oats and wheat into old fashion ricks.
Binding, Stooking & Stacking
When the binder cut the oats it tied it with a binder twine into a sheaf of oats. The sheafs were stood up, against each other, in a stook, with the seed heads on top. This allowed the sheaves to dry. Later, maybe 5 or 6 stooks were made into a stack. The stack would be about six feet tall with the sheaves at the top being placed with their heads down and the stubble facing upwards. This formed a circle at the top of the stack to preserve it from the weather. The stack was then secured with a sugán or rope twisted from straw. When the crops were in stacks they were considered saved.
The stacks were left in the field until they were brought to the haggard where they were then made into a rick which was substantially larger. The rick was made in the shape of a house with an eve going up to an apex. The size of the rick depended on the size of the crops that year. Each type of crop had its own rick.
The Threshing
The old threshing equipment was supplied by Michael O’Brien, of Ballyknock, Tullogher, and included a steam engine, drum and pitcher. Thirty men from Kilcolumb, Kilmakevogue and Ballygurrim, Glenmore volunteered to help. The newspapers published that RTE was going to be present to film and a modest charge would be collected from spectators to meet incidental costs. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Sept. 1976, p. 17). One of the volunteers said this week that he does not remember RTE being present on either day and no footage could be found in available archives.
In terms of the admission fee, Richard Fitzgerald shared three photos this week from the 1976 threshing. To the right is the photo of May Cashin (1946 -2021) of Aylwardstown collecting at the gate with Michael and John Fitzgerald. One of the side-effects of the old fashion threshing was the fact that “first-class oaten straw” would be available for thatchers. The New Ross Standard published Michael’s phone number for any interested thatchers.
After the threshing was abandoned on the 19th it resumed on the 26th which was a dark, oppressive day, but the rain held off. The grain was collected and stored in the safety of the barn. The threshing attracted a large crowd of spectators concluded with a traditional barn dance and celebration (Kilkenny People, Fri. 24 Sept. 1976, p. 15). This article was published two days before the second day of threshing occurred.
Richard Fitzgerald this week revealed that the steam engine and mill were stored in his father’s barn for a few years after the threshing perhaps reflecting the difficulty of moving the heavy old machinery. Richard said that straw bales would be stacked around and on the stored old machinery.
Photos
The featured photo above was taken by Danny Dowling (1929-2021). Michael Fitzgerald is standing on the right wearing a hat. The man on the left holding up a bottle of beer is Wattie “Ody” Cody (1928-2009) of Ballycroney, Glenmore. It is believed that the boy on the engine (on the left looks like he is reaching for the beer) is Richard Duggan, of the Garage.
Special thanks to Richard Fitzgerald, of Aylwardstown, for sharing the other three photos. Special thanks to my resident expert, Peter Walsh, for patiently explaining stooking, stacking and ricking.
For further information on the 1907 Glenmore threshing agreement see our post of 7 August 2022.
Please send any corrections, additional information, or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh