Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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The Tragic Death of John Millea (1870-1935) of Treanaree, Slieverue
There was a tragic farm death in 1935 on the border of the parishes of Glenmore and Slieverue that was reported across Ireland and in the United States. Several newspapers wrongly reported that the death occurred of a Glenmore man. For a generation after the tragic event local parents would warn their children of the dangers of bulls often citing what happened to poor Johnny Millea. The description of the events was found in two Munster Express articles (Fri. 13 Sept. 1935, p. 5 & p. 8). Any additional information gleaned from other publications or sources are cited below. Please be advised that the descriptions of the death of the farmer and the bull are graphic.
The Death of John Millea (1870-1935) of Treanaree, Slieverue
An inquest was held on Wednesday, the 11th of September 1935, by Dr. J.D. Fitzgerald, Coroner for South Kilkenny, regarding the death of John Millea, Treenarea (sic), Slieverue, who was killed the previous day when attacked and gored by a bull.
The foreman of the jury was Thomas Mullally (c. 1897-1951) of Grogan, Glenmore other members of the jury included: Robert Walsh (1872-1951) Davidstown, Glenmore; James Verricker (sic) Grogan, Glenmore; John Kennedy, Ballinclare, Glenmore; John Doherty, Davidstown, Glenmore; William Murphy, Davidstown, Glenmore; and William Walsh, Davidstown, Glenmore. Sergt. Nicholas Garvey (1895-1960) Glenmore, conducted the proceedings on behalf of the Civic Guards. [See our post of 3 October 2021 regarding Sergt. Nicholas Garvey and his time in Glenmore].
Testimony of Mrs. Mary Millea (c. 1865 -1948) of Treanaree, Slieverue
Mary Millea, aged 71, identified herself as the sister-in-law of the deceased John Millea. He was 64 years of age and was single. Together they were owners of the farm. On Tuesday morning about 6 o’clock (old time) John got up and went out for the cows which were in the field at the back of the house. Mary was in the yard at about 6:15 when John came back with the cows. He put the cows in the shed and said that the bull had got out of the shed in which he had been tied. He said he would go look for the bull in Grant’s field. Per the Limerick Leader (Sat. 14 Sept. 1935, p. 12) the owner of the field was Edward Grant of Curraghmore, Slieverue.
Mary started milking the cows. About half an hour later the bull arrived in the yard. The bull was roaring when he arrived, and Mary was afraid of him. Mary went into another shed. She looked out and saw Johnny’s dog in the yard “howling piteously” (The Post, Wed. 18 Sept. 1935, p. 2). Mary became uneasy that her brother-in-law had not returned. Edward Donovan, Slieverue, came to collect the Millea milk. We believe that this Edward Donovan was from the Rathpatrick, Slieverue, Donovan family that sold milk in Waterford.
After telling Edward Donovan of her concerns she went to look for John. She went in the direction from which the bull had come home. She went into Grant’s field. She saw a white thing in the middle of the field and went over to it. She discovered that it was her brother-in-law. Several newspapers incorrectly stated that a number of neighbouring farmers, armed with sprongs [for our international readers a sprong is a long handled pitchfork] and accompanied by dogs, went in search of the deceased. We believe this may have described the men who later sought to find and destroy the bull (Limerick Leader, Sat. 14 Sept. 1935, p. 12).
Finding John Millea
John Millea was lying face down in the field. “Most of his clothes were gone except for his boots and the lower part of his trousers. She knew he was dead when she called to him and got no answer. She testified that she did not stir him because she wasn’t able.
Mary went back to the yard and told Edward Donovan that “Johnny is dead.in the field, the bull killed him.” Edward Donovan said that he would go down and bring back the body. Mary, Edward Donovan and a neighbour named Thomas Power [some newspapers report the name as Thomas Dower] went with a pony car and collected the body. The body was taken to the Millea house. Mary did not notice any wounds on John’s body except the marks on his face.
According to The Post (Wed. 18 Sept. 1935, p. 2) the body was rolled along the field by the bull and there were signs of a terrible struggle as patches of the field were torn up and contained blood. Pieces of the deceased’s clothing were scattered over the ground. As soon as notified Sergeant Nicholas Garvey and a Guard went to the scene.
The Bull
Mary testified that they had owned the bull for about four years. She said she never went near it. Her brother-in-law, the deceased, looked after it. She could not exactly say how long it was housed over the summer. She did not know it was “cross” and had never heard of it attacking anyone before. She discovered that the bull had done a lot of damage escaping from the shed by breaking a few gates and knocking down a churn.
According the Munster Express (Fri. 13 Sept. 1935, p. 8) following the tragedy, search parties sought the bull and found him with other cattle. After several unsuccessful attempts, where the bull charged them, they managed to drive him back to the farm. “Two men then procured shotguns and, not without difficulty, destroyed the bull, which was removed on Wed. morning to Messrs. O’Keeffe’s works at Gracedieu.”
Thomas Walsh (1908-1992) was a native of Davidstown, Glenmore, and son of juror Robert Walsh of the Inquest into the death of John Millea in 1935. Tom told his children about the event. Back in the 1930’s almost all cattle had horns, and bulls were particularly dangerous. He said that after Johnny Millea was killed a group of men gathered to kill the bull. A shotgun was attempted, but failed. The bull was stunned, and eventually the men used a sledgehammer to the forehead of the bull. Jack Donovan was identified as one of the men who killed the bull.
Medical Evidence & Verdict
Dr. Coughlan, Waterford and Dr. Fitzgerald, Rosbercon gave evidence of the injuries sustained by the deceased.
The body was covered with bruises from head to toe. The nose was broken. The right eyebrow and scalp were covered with scratches, ribs were broken on both sides, and there was scarcely a whole rib in the body. There was a big bruise over the heart and a lacerated one over the liver. Both sides of the abdomen were contused and lacerated and the legs were bruised. Both lungs were ruptured and there were other severe internal injuries.
In reply to a juror, Dr. Coughlan said that in his opinion the deceased died within a few minutes of being attacked, very probably as soon as he received the blow over the heart, when a rib was driven into his heart. “The body had been reduced to the state of a ragdoll.” From the spot were some of his clothes were found to where his body was found was about 50 yards.
The Coroner, the Foreman on behalf of the jury, Sergt. Garvey on behalf of the Guards, joined in a vote of sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. The jury after a short retirement returned its verdict. John Millea’s death per the Death Register provides that he died 10 September 1935 at the age of 64. He was a bachelor farmer. His death was caused by “shock as the result of extensive injuries to all the vital organs by having been gored by a bull.” It is noted that an Inquest took place on 11 September 1935.
The Millea Family of Treanaree, Slieverue
The sad tragedy occasioned the deepest regret in the district where the deceased and his sister-in-law were very popular. The funeral to Slieverue was very largely attended. (The Post, 18 Sept. 1935, p. 4). Mary Millea at Johnny’s funeral reportedly stated in praise of her brother-in-law that “Johnny never said a cross word to me” (Thomas Walsh (1908-1992) native of Davidstown, Glenmore).
Parents and Sibling of John Millea
John Millea was born 7 May 1870 at Treanaree, Slieverue the son of John Mallay (sic) and his wife Margaret Donovan. John Malay (sic) (c. 1840 -1900) and Margaret Donovan (c. 1837-1899) were married at Slieverue on 21 November 1865. As a young man John Milea went to America and spent 23 years there. Twenty-two years before his death he returned to Slieverue and worked on his brother’s farm. He took over the management of the farm when his brother died (Munster Express, Fri. 13 Sept. 1935, p. 6). Thus, John left for the U.S. in 1890 and returned to Slieverue about 1913.
John’s eldest brother, James Millea, who was known as Jamesey Millea, was born at Treenarea on or about 8 December 1865. He married Mary Phelan, of Shambo (sic) at Rosbercon on 30 August 1900. Mary was the daughter of Richard Phelan (farmer). James Millea died on 25 November 1924 at Treanaree. He was 58 when he died of chronic nephrites which he suffered with for a year before his death. His brother John was present when he died. James’s widow Mary (née Phelan), died at the age of 83 in the Holy Ghost Hospital in Waterford on 19 October 1948.
Newsworthy Death by Bull?
John Millea’s death was reported in a New York City newspaper, The Advocate (Sat. 5 Oct. 1935, p. 5). Unfortunately, no reference was made to John Milleas’s time in the U.S.
It was rather surprising how many death by bull articles were reported in Irish newspapers in 1935. Such was the appeal of such stories that even rumours were published. For example, the Waterford News & Star (Fri. 31 May 1935, p. 5) reported that “On Monday a strong rumour got about that a man had been attacked and killed by a bull in the vicinity of Waterford. On inquiries it was found that the rumour had absolutely no foundation.”
Coverage of Millea’s Death
In addition to the 5 articles cited above regarding John Millea’s death at least 9 other Irish newspapers reported details of his death. See, New Ross Standard (Fri. 13, 1935 p. 11) “Killed by a Bull”; Irish Independent (Sat. 14 Sept. 1925, p. 5) “County Kilkenny Man’s Shocking Fate”; Irish Examiner (Wed. 11 Sept. 1935, p. 6) “Kilkenny Man’s Tragic Death”; Kilkenny People (Sat. 21 Sept. 1935, p. 5) “Killed by a Bull”; Belfast Newsletter (Fri. 12 Sept. 1934, p. 12, “Killed by a Bull”; Irish Press (Thur. 11 Sept. 1935, p. 1) “Railway, Dock and Farm Tragedies, reported that death occurred in Glenmore”; Meath Chronicle (Sat. 13 July 1935, “Farmer Killed by Bull”; Evening Echo (Thur. 11 Sept. 1935, p. 6) “Kilkenny Man’s Tragic Death”; and Connacht Tribune (Sat. 14 Sept. 1935, p. 20).
Coverage of Others Killed by Bulls
Additionally, there were several other articles in 1935 published in Irish newspapers regarding other men killed by bulls. The Irish Examiner (Tues.19 March 1935, p. 8) reported in March that a Matador in Mexico was killed by a bull. In July, Timothy Humphreys (62) of Cork was killed by his bull (Irish Independent (Mon. 8 July 1935, p. 10). The following month the Ulster Herald (Sat.10 Aug. 1935, p. 2) reported that Wm. Ferneyhough, aged 24, a farm labourer was gored in the throat and died. In September, Simon Hegarty, an elderly farmer was killed at Glenville, near Fermoy (Irish Examiner, Mon. 9 Sept. 1935, p. 6). It was reported in December that a farmer in Donegal, was killed by a bull, which had fatally injured the man’s sister (Irish Examiner, Mon. 23 Dec. 1935, p. 8).
Perhaps one of the more interesting bull related cases in 1935 involved the negligence case brought by the widow of a farmer killed by a neighbour’s bull. Pierce Whelan, Ballyclough, Kilworth, Cork was killed Christmas Eve 1934, by a bull belonging to Margaret and Mary Anne Leonard of Ballyclough. The civil case was heard in July 1935. The judge noted that when he was a young fellow, he had the utmost contempt for women as managers of farms. The care of a farm in the hands of somebody else would not at all be anything like the care and guidance of the master of the farmstead. The jury after that statement awarded £150 to the widow and children of Pierce Whelan (Evening Echo, Fri. 19 July 1935, p. 7).
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For some current statistics on deaths caused by livestock and advice regarding bulls see, Teagasc (2025).
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above is from an old sales brochure and it is not the bull that killed John Millea. The newspapers did not report on the breed of the aggressive bull. Notice that the horns of the featured short horn bull have been blunted, and he is wearing a safety chain from his nose ring up around his horns.
Family Tree Workshop 2026 Photos & Forms
To honour Danny Dowling’s 99th birthday we held a Family Tree Workshop in the Glenmore Community Hall last Sunday. Thanks to Noah Bradfield for the photos of participants. Based on the number of packets given out there were 27 participants. We hope that everyone came away with new information to help them discover their Glenmore ancestors.
If you were unable to attend here are the forms that were given out.
[1] Family Tree
This is a drawing to record your ancestors. This particular tree was downloaded from a free site, so visit a few and see which tree you prefer. Regardless of what tree you choose, I recommend using a pencil because you will find it necessary to correct and update information. Where to begin? Start with what you know.
[1.1] YOU–Place your name (one line 1) on the left, and dates of your (b) birth and (m) marriage under your name. Dates are usually written as 23 June 1978 or 1 Sept. 1779. This avoids confusion.
[1.2] YOUR PARENTS–The two lines immediately to the right of your name (lines 2 and 3) are for your parents. Your father’s name goes on the upper line (2) and your mother’s name on the lower line (3). It is up to you whether you use your mother’s maiden name or married name. If you use your mother’s married name put née [maiden name] below her name. Example Margaret Reilly née Aylwards. Between your mother and father place the date of their marriage (m. 19 Oct. 1955).
[1.3] YOUR GRANDPARENTS–There are four lines for your grandparents. Two are linked to each of your parents. Therefore, your father’s parents fill the upper two of the four lines. Your paternal grandfather is on the top. The bottom two lines are for your mother’s father and mother.
[2] RESOURCE SHEET
Most people do ok up to their grandparents, but are not sure of their great-grandparents or their grandparents birth, death and marriage dates. This leads us to our resource sheet packed with Irish resources to help you begin to uncover information. Some of the free sites that are the most helpful are the census of 1911 and 1901 as well as IrishGeneology.ie . However, one of the best resources for finding information is from older family members or neighbours, family headstones etc. Most people are quite happy to talk about the past. Please note GDPR applies to Church Records.
RESOURCES
[2.1] St. James Cemetery
Some headstones provide a lot of information. Some of it is wrong. A lot of ages are wrong. Prior to 1860 the government did not record birth or death records. Thus, parish records are often your only source prior to 1860. However, GDPR—stops the State and clergy from providing information in line with what is released by Irish Genealogy.ie (see below). Note in some early marriages the residence of the groom was recorded as the same as the bride where the marriage was celebrated. If the couple had children their residence at birth provides an avenue to record a family that moved.
Helpful Hint—a date of death usually gives you an approximate birth year for checking the parish registers. Glenmore civil records (birth, death and marriages) before 1920 are listed with Waterford and thereafter Thomastown. Helpful Hint—deaths are recorded where the person died not where s/he lived.
[2.2] glenmore-history.com
To use this site for family research a laptop or computer is best. If you do not have access to a laptop or computer both the Ferrybank and New Ross libraries have computers which are free of charge to use with a library card. Library cards are free of charge, and the card can be used at any public library. Check the surname pages for obituaries, interviews recorded by Danny and newspaper articles etc. (Married women are generally listed under their married names, with maiden names provided if known. Then check their maiden name).
In addition to the weekly blog articles, there are also lists of members of the Old Glenmore IRA, farmers etc. The blog also has a search feature that will locate up to 10 references for you. Place the name you are researching in “ “ to limit your search to that individual.
Townlands—to access most records and to ensure you have the correct record, you must determine where your ancestor lived. The townlands have been very fluid. See the list of Glenmore townlands with Civil Parishes and Danny Dowling’s 1961 list of residents.
Connecting—to see other people researching various parish names e.g. Fitzgerald etc.
Roots—contains headstone inscriptions from old cemeteries, longer obits, memory cards.
Useful Links to Online Resources—includes Danny’s publications, maps, census links etc.
[2.3] Libraries
Kilkenny Library–Online https://kilkennylibrary.ie/eng/our_services/local_studies/
Ferrybank Library 051 897200 or email ferrybank@kilkennylibrary.ie They have a number of books of local interest but also have free access to on line old newspapers. Not all old newspapers are on line. However, the main libraries in Kilkenny City and Waterford have old newspapers on micro film or fiche that are free to search.
New Ross Library 053 91 96722 or email newrosslib@wexfordcoco.ie They have books of local interest, and free access to on line old newspapers including the New Ross Standard (has more computers, book to ensure a seat).
[2.4] Irish Genealogy.ie
Civil Records – Civil Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths are the official State records of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Ireland.
- Birth 1864-1924
- Marriages 1845- 1944
- Deaths 1871- 1974
[2.5] Parish Records
Glenmore Parish Register—see https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0987
Site contains marriages from 1831 to June 1883; Baptisms from 1831 to 1880
Slieverue Parish Register—before Glenmore became a parish it was part of Slieverue see, https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/1031 Note that it states Slieverue is in the Diocese of Ossory, in County Waterford…this is because the postal address was Waterford. Baptisms from 1766 on; Deaths from Dec. 1766 to 1799; & Marriages 1766 on. The records particularly the death records are not complete.
A free on-line index is available findmypast.ie (Beware it is a pay site & offers free trials that may lead to an unwanted subscription.)
[2.6] Census Records
1901 and 1911 are available and 1925 is due to be released this year. Remember to check the townlands to ensure you get the correct Pat Walsh. See https://nationalarchives.ie/collections/search-the-census/
[3] Other sites or services
Family search.org is a free international site maintained by the Mormons. It holds a variety of Irish records and indexes.
There are a number of paid or subscription cites and services. Some have free access for two weeks to allow you access to test the site/service. It is a good idea to have a number of searches before you try the service. One of the most helpful is ROOTSIRELAND.ie. It has Baptismal and Marriage Church records across the country. BEWARE—many people rely on the research done by others and can be led astray. Always check and satisfy yourself regarding your ancestor. The record closer in time to the actual event is usually the more reliable. For example, a baptismal record is closer in time to a birth than an inscription date on a headstone or recorded in an obit.
[3] RESEARCH RECORD SHEET
I developed the third sheet to manage all the ancestors with the same or similar names and to stop researching what I previously found. Often I would perform family research in the winter and put it to the side in the summer. Then when I started researching again I would end up looking up something I previously found. Thus, for each ancestor I was trying to locate I filled out one of these sheets. Often when it is difficult to find an ancestor they might be located through a sibling or child. On this sheet you can record everything for an ancestor in one place.
Looking Ahead
We are seeking ideas for what we can do in 2027 to honour Danny Dowling’s 100th birthday. If you have any suggestions please email them to glenmore.history@gmail.com or give them to Pat Dowling.
Again thanks to Noah and the Glenmore Tidy Towns team that helped last Sunday and to everyone who helped by providing information or mentored a person beginning their family tree.
If you need a hand looking up an ancestor just send an email to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
More Glenmore Photos: From the Eamon Jones Collection
First, thanks to everyone who came today to the Family Tree workshop, to Mary for opening the hall, and especially to the gang from Glenmore Tidy Towns (Pat, Orla, Trish, Aoife and Noah) for helping. If anyone needs a hand trying to find a Glenmore ancestor we are only an email away. E. Doolan I found information for your grandmother this afternoon. (Email glenmore.history@gmail.com )
Today, we are going to share some more Glenmore photos from the Eamon Jones Collection and some information. The photo below depicts Eamon Jones’s uncle Kieran Jones (1909-1993). Kieran is holding the bridle of a small horse or pony pulling a farm cart. This photo was taken in Glenmore Village. The stone building was Dr. Mackesy’s stage house used for storing grain. It had a stage or a dock at the front door to make it easier for loading and unloading carts and wagons. The stage house stood next to the Village Stream bridge the pub was later built to the right of this building. The stage house was removed when the Sallies estate was built. For further information on the landlord Dr. Mackesy see our post of 3 March 2025.
It is not known who the little blond boy is in the photo, but it has been suggested that it may be Billy O’Keeffe of the Village. Kieran Jones (1909-1993) was born on 30 August 1909 at Glenmore to George Jones (1868-1945) and his wife Bridget Murphy (1870-1945). Kieran emigrated to the U.K. and married, and raised a family in Birmingham. Kieran died in 1993.
Kieran Jones and Jim B.’s Adventure
It is not known exactly when Kieran emigrated, but we did locate a newspaper article that indicates he was still living in Glenmore Village in May of 1943. The New Ross Standard (Fri. 14 May 1943, p. 5) published a short article about Kieran Jones and James Walsh, Jr. (1918-1988) (better known as Jim B.) being charged with criminal damage to Mr. Henry Bevan’s (c. 1890-1966) windows. Henry Bevans was a National Teacher who resided in the teacher’s house (across from the Glenmore Community Hall).
On Sunday the 18th of April, Mr. and Mrs. Bevans were in their dining room when they heard a noise on their roof. Then they heard a crash. When they went out into the hall a glass panel was broken as was a window in their sitting room. Henry Beven’s stated that he spent £1 replacing the broken windows. While being cross-examined by the defence solicitor, Mr. J.D. Coughlan, Henry Bevans stated that he had known both defendants since they were young boys and “they had no reason for this.”
Sergeant Dalton, of the Glenmore Barracks, investigated and stated that Jim B. stated that they were cycling home and threw some stones at the roof of the house. Mr. Coughlan said that the defendants had not acted with malice. He noted that they had never had anything against them, and he had a number of letters from businessmen and farming giving both defendant’s good character references.
Notwithstanding the reported loss of £1, the Justice bound the defendants over for twelve months on their own bonds of £20 each and sureties of £20 each or in default two months imprisonment. They were ordered to pay the £1 damage and 5s each in court costs.
Glenmore had no pub until the 1960’s, and it is surmised that Kieran and Jim B. were away for refreshments on a Sunday evening and on cycling back to Glenmore they decided to throw stones onto the Bevan’s roof. Perhaps their motivation was to obtain the attention of the two Bevan daughters? Unfortunately, their aim was off, perhaps due to their refreshments, and they broke two windows. For further information on Jim B. see our post of 12 Oct. 2025.
Life in Birmingham
The first record that could be located for Kieran in Birmingham was his marriage in the autumn of 1945 to Hanora Donovan. Over the years the couple lived at various address in Birmingham including: (1947) 22 Great Brook St.; (1954) 157 Great Lister St. and (1962) 67 Rupert St.
One interesting newspaper article highlighted one of Kieran’s interests. “A folk duo called Avoca did gigs around Manchester. Avoca was comprised of a Dubliner named Larry O’Loughlin, who lived at Nechells and was studying at Bournemouth, and Kieran Jones, who was from Kilkenny” (Birmingham Mail, Sat. 10 July 1971 p. 8).
Trip Home to Glenmore
In 1990 Kieran came home to Glenmore for a visit. “SHORT HOLIDAY—Mr. Kieran Jones, who emigrated to England about 50 years ago, spent a few days holidays with his nephews last week”(Kilkenny People, Fri. 4 May 1990, p. 17).
Frank Keogh of Birmingham
The photo to the left was taken in Birmingham of Mr. & Mrs. Frank Keogh of 93 Aston Brook St., Birmingham. Their names and address are written on the back of the photo. The baby appears to be in a baptismal gown.
Slieverue Glenmore Camogie Team
We have only been able to identify a few people in the photo. We believe the photo is from the early 1950’s. The second person from the left in the front row is Alice Walsh née Walsh a native of Rochestown, Glenmore but after her marriage she lived in Scartnamore, Glenmore.
Top row, fourth from the left, Alice Hartley, of Kilmurry, Slieverue. When Noeleen Fogarty had her shop in Hanrahan’s Alice Hartley sold her eggs in the shop.
Lady standing to the far left we believe is Eily Doolan of Ballyverneen?
If you can identify any of these ladies would you please comment below or send the information by email to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Please send any corrections, further information, or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Family Tree Workshop & Upcoming Lecture
You are cordially invited to a beginners’ workshop on tracing your family tree to take place on
Sunday the 15th of February
from 2 to 4
in the Glenmore Community Hall.
This workshop is to mark our founder Danny Dowling’s 99th birthday. All you need to bring is a pencil. Printed blank family trees, family worksheets and a resource sheet will be provided as well as tea and birthday cake.
Any one with knowledge of local families as well as anyone who has experience doing family research is invited to attend to help the beginners get started.
Glenmore Golden Heritage Signs
This workshop is sponsored by glenmore.history.com and Glenmore Tidy Towns. Next month we will be adding more Glenmore Golden signs to mark 5 more historical sites around the parish. If you would like to nominate a historical site for a Glenmore Golden sign please email glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Kilkenny Archaeology Society’s 2026 Lecture
On Wednesday the 18th of March 2026, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. a lecture will be held in Rothe House in Kilkenny City. The lecture is on the archaeology & landscape in Kilkenny. What may interest readers is that the recent archaeological investigations on the New Ross by-pass will be covered. It is my understanding that such a discovery was unearthed near the Glenmore roundabout. The cost of the lecture is €10.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured family tree above is courtesy of The New York Public Library’s Digital Collection. Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. (1800 – 1910). Family tree. Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/fb379be0-c574-012f-2218-58d385a7bc34
From Danny’s Files: The 1985 Interview of Dinny Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore
On 11 January 2026 we posted an article about Frank Meehan who was a Glenmore stone breaker. Today, we will highlight additional information that Denis “Dinny” Murphy gave Danny Dowling (1927-2021). Danny interviewed Dinny Murphy on Saturday, 16 March 1985 after the funeral of Nora Holden Morrissey (c. 1920-1985) a native of Clune, Glenmore. Further information regarding Nora Morrissey née Holden is below. Dinny died the year following his interview with Danny. Dinny never married, and his interview is contains some interesting nick names used in Glenmore.
A Glenmore Ganger
A ganger was a foreman over men. The ganger on the roads of Glenmore in the 1930’s was a man from Mooncoin. He lodged at Civil’s (Forristal’s) in Ballyverneen during the week and went home to Mooncoin on weekends. Jimmy “Civil” Forristal was a timekeeper on the County Council. According to Dinny he was “a devil” to the men who worked under him. Dinny claimed that Jimmy Forristal had his men working overtime and wouldn’t pay them for the overtime.
Eventually Jimmy Forristal was sacked according to Dinny. The story related to Danny was that there was a steam roller driver who was a Protestant. This steam roller driver was working on the Council crushing stones at Forristal’s Halfway House. [Near Murphy’s Garage on the N25.] Jimmy failed to deliver 3 cwt. [336 lbs.] of coal to the steam roller. The coal had been delivered to Civil’s for storage.
James Forristal (1888-1941) of Ballyverneen, Glenmore
Due to GDPR there is a lacuna or gap of publicly available information for births after 1924 and deaths before 1871 and after 1974. Turning to Glenmore headstones we were unable to locate James “Jimmy” Forristal. Flipping the puzzle around we attempted searching from the 1961 list of Ballyverneen residents recorded by Danny. We found Anne “Nancy Civil” Doolan née Forristal (c. 1925-2001) and her mother Mary Forristal (c. 1896-1973). Annie “Nancy Civil” Forristal married Patrick Doolan (1919-1996) in 1949. No father was listed for the bride on the marriage certificate.
We believe the Jimmy Forristal of Ballyverneen, who was a ganger on the Council in the 1930’s, was James Forristal of Ballyverneen who died on 14 April 1941. At the time of his death he was 53-year-old bachelor. He died of stomach cancer. His sister Mary Forristal was present when he died. Thus, it appears that Jimmy “Civil” Forristal was an uncle of Anne “Nancy Civil” Doolan.
Parents and Siblings
Jimmy “Civil” Forristal’s parents were Patrick Forristal (farmer), of Ballyverneen, who married Bridget Morrissey, of Aylwardstown, on 6 August 1885 at Glenmore. The father of the groom was James Forristal (farmer), and the father of the bride was Patrick Morrissey (farmer) of Aylwardstown. Three known children were born to Patrick Forristal and his wife Bridget Morrissey: [1] Catherine Foristal (sic) (b. 1887); [2] James Forristal born on 16 September 1888 and [3] Mary Forristal born on 8 May 1896.
Glenmore Steam Roller
Dinny also told Danny in his 1985 interview that the Glenmore Engine was the first to steamroll the main road from Ross to Waterford. The Glenmore Creamery had a special frame for lifting the engine in order to change the front wheels. The frame was above the stores by the side of the footpath going up to the manager’s house.
Dinny recalled the stonebreakers that worked in Glenmore in his time as including: himself; his brother Jack Murphy, of Milltown; Tony Brennan, of Shanbogh; Frank Meehan; Jack Power, Jamestown; Jim McGuire of Rochestown in “Johnnie the Money’s” Quarry in Gaulstown. [Believed to have been on the MacDonald’s farm.] About 15 men were working under Purcell of the Dog’s Road [Slieverue] who was the timekeeper. About 10 men were working in Glensensaw Quarry [north of Rosbercon].
Dinny Murphy’s Parents
Dinny reported that he was born on 1 November 1901 at Milltown, Glenmore. He was the son of Jack Murphy and his wife Kitt Merrigan [the couple married at Glenmore in 1893]. He had two brothers: Jack Murphy [b. 1899] and Mikie Murphy. He also had a sister Mollie Murphy [b. 1894, never married]. His mother had a sister Ellen Merrigan who was married to Patsey Hawe of Rochestown, who were the grandparents of the Dillon’s. [Patrick Hawe married Mary Merrigan in 1895 at Glenmore.]
Kitt and Ellen Merrigan’s parents were Mick Merrigan, of Milltown, and his wife _____ Morrissey of Kilbrahan. Mick Merrigan was from the Old House in Cottage Plot on ¾ acre. Dinny asserted that his cottage was the second cottage to be built in Glenmore. Hagan’s of Ballycroney had the first cottage in the parish. Dinny told Danny his was built in 1875. Danny wrote in his notes, “but I doubt it.”
Dinny Murphy’s Employment 1942
Dinny told Danny that he worked at the Graiguenakill Mill for a time. He was working there in 1942 when Nicky Forristal bought 23 acres from Hoynes for £500. “He had 10 acres of great land in Forristalstown which he sold to Ned Grace.” It is assumed that the “he” refers to Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979)and is an explanation of how Nicky afforded the 23 acres purchase price.
Nora Morrissey née Holden (c. 1920-1985)
In 1950 Nora Holden of Cloone (sic), Glenmore, married John Morrissey, of Coolroebeg, Thomastown. The couple had one son Richard Morrissey. Nora died in 1985. Her obit can be viewed on our M surname page under her married surname and her wedding announcement can be viewed on our H surname page under her maiden name Holden.
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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Special thanks to Willie Holden for information regarding his aunt Nora Morrissey née Holden (c. 1920-1985).
The featured photo of the steam roller is courtesy of the New York Public Library, General Research Division. “Iroquois steam roller.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed February 1, 2026. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c2c53ab0-c638-012f-eee2-58d385a7bc34
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Marking Founder’s Birthday: Tracing Your Family Tree Workshop
In 2018, our founder Danny Dowling (1927-2021) began glenmore-history.com to make the historical information he recorded for over 70 years available freely to everyone everywhere.
To mark Danny’s 99th birthday we, along with Glenmore Tidy Towns, are on Sunday afternoon the 15 February 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m. holding a free workshop for anyone interested in tracing their ancestors (even if the ancestors are not from Glenmore). This workshop will be suitable for beginners. All you need to bring with you is a pencil. We will provide a tree and resources to help get you started.
We are also seeking volunteers with experience in genealogy or knowledge of local families/townlands, to help some of the beginners. If you have any experience or knowledge, and would like to volunteer please contact me at glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Kathleen
Danny at work researching.