Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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HAGGARD, GLENMORE (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Haggard, Glenmore, around 1961.
Background
The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 116) is An Iothla, the haggard. This is one of the shortest entries in O’Kelly’s book. According to Danny, the word derived from a Norse word for the area near the dwelling house where crops were brought in for storage. The area of the townland is 543 acres.
The following is the oldest newspaper account located regarding Haggard from 220 years ago.
On Wednesday night last, a most melancholy and deplorable accident occurred at Higgart (sic) near Glenmore, in the county of Kilkenny, about six miles from Waterford:–The cabin of a poor labouring man, one Patrick Keefe, unfortunately took fire, when, dreadful to relate, the unhappy man and his wife, both of whom had been at Waterford on that day, and who, it is supposed, slept too soundly from fatigue, together with their five children (their entire family) were burned to ashes. As there was a quantity of straw and turf in the cabbin (sic) it is probably that a spark from the fire place occasioned the distressing event (Belfast Newsletter, Fri. 14 Oct. 1803, p. 2).
Tithe Appotment Books 1833
The Applotment Books record the townland as Higgert, in the Civil Parish of Kilmacanoge (sic). These lands held from the Earl of Bessborough by lease. There are 8 tenants listed in Higgert (sic) and 6 are listed in Higgert Mountain. Listed tenants include: (1) Walter Grant, 65 acres; (2) Robert Grant, 33 acres; (3) James Grant, 33 acres; (4) Richard Grant, 22 acres; (5) William Grant, 3 acres; (6) John Roache, 21 acres; (7) Michael Walsh, 21 acres; (8) Martin Walsh, 21 acres; (9) Walter & (10) Richard Grant, Higgert Mountain, 89 acres; (11) John Kenedy (sic) Higgert Mountain, 2 acres; (12) Richard Dunne, Higgart Mountain, 4 acres; (13) ___ Mangin,* Higgard Mountain, 1 acre; and (14) ____Whyte, Haggard Mountain, 1 acre.
*Update: For further information concerning the Manning Family of Haggard see our family M surname page. Special thanks to David A. McTamaney for sharing his Glenmore family research.
1961 Haggard, Glenmore
In 1961, Danny recorded 10 families or households in the townland of Haggard. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland.
The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 35 people resided in the townland of Haggard with the population comprised of 19 males and 16 females. The largest family was the Byrne family with 6 in the household. There was 1 household recorded with a single person living alone. All information under residents of Haggard not in Danny’s original list has been placed in square brackets[ ].
Given the number of Grants present in 1833, it is somewhat surprising that by 1961 the surname had disappeared from the townland.
Recorded Residents
Males= 19
Females= 16
Eldest Recorded Resident
The eldest resident recorded by Danny in 1961 in Haggard was Hannah McDonald (16 Sept. 1885-before 1976). Johanna McDonald née Reddy was born baptized on 6 Sept. 1885 the daughter of Michael Reddy and his wife Mary Hoynes of Rahard, Mullinavat. Johanna or Hannah as she was generally known, married William McDonald and the couple farmed at Haggard. Unfortunately very little information could be recorded regarding Hannah McDonald.
Recorded Work
Farmer= 5 (4 males; 1 female)
Farm Labourer= 7 (7 males)
Lorry driver=1 (1 Male)
Block Layer=1 (1 Male)
Mill Worker=1 (1 male)
Clover Meats=1 (1 male)
Retired= 2 (2 Males)
HAGGARD RESIDENTS 1961
[1] HOGAN
Hogan, Patrick (16 July 1894) Farmer [died at the age of 83 in April 1980 per obit]
Hogan, Bartley (11 Oct. 1902) brother, assisting brother
[2] McDONALD
McDonald, Hannah (16 Sept. 1885)
McDonald, William, son, farm labourer
McDonald, Michael, son, lorry driver “got married” [Moved to Robinstown]
McDonald, John, grandson, block layer
[3] DWYER
Dwyer, Mary Anastasia (6 Jan. 1903) Farmer
Grennan, James (27 May 1950) nephew, child
[4] ROCHE
Roche, John (8 Oct. 1908) Farmer
Roche, Laurence (25 Oct. 1909) brother, assisting relative
Roche, Patrick (1911) brother, assisting relative
Roche, Matthew, brother, assisting relative
[5] ROCHE/FITZGERALD
Roche, Mary (20 Nov. 1886)
Fitzgerald, Johanna, daughter
Fitzgerald, Eileen, granddaughter, at school
Fitzgerald, Mary, granddaughter, child
Walsh, William (23 Aug. 1892) brother, retired disabled “Residing in Slieverue.”
[6] ROCHE
Roche, James (c. 1921) Mill Worker
Roche, Mary (c. 1918) wife
Roche, Mary, daughter, child
Roche, Ann, daughter, child
Roche, Kathleen, daughter, child
[7] O’SHEA
O’Shea, Michael, Farmer “Left on marriage”
O’Shea, John, brother, assisting relative
[8] BYRNE
Byrne, John (20 Jan. 1895) Farmer
Byrne, Mary (22 May 1899) wife
Byrne, Mary, daughter
Byrne, Laurence, son, assisting relative
Byrne, Alice, daughter
Byrne, Elizabeth, niece, child
[9] POWER
Power, Michael (27 Feb. 1900) Retired
Power, Ellie (17 July 1912) wife
Power, Michael, son, Clover Meats
Power, Eileen, daughter, at school
[10] ROCHE
Roche, Martin (12 April 1911) Farmer
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore: Team Up To Clean Up
This Saturday the 25th of March 2023, from 2 to 3 p.m. volunteers are sought to join Glenmore Tidy Towns, sponsored by the Kilkenny County Council, to pick up litter in the parish. Bags, gloves and litter picks will be provided. Groups and individuals are all welcome. Please meet at the parish hall car park at 1:45 p.m.
Walk the quaint roads and lanes of Glenmore, reconnect with local heritage and wildlife while collecting the coffee cups, drink cans and bottles strewn along the roadsides. Fingers crossed for a beautiful spring day!
Glenmore Native: Peter Gahan (1888-1958) New Ross Publican and Undertaker [updated]
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) spent a lot of time recording information concerning what he termed extinct Glenmore families. These were families who left the parish through emigration, or who did not have children etc. One family that Danny recorded was the Gahan family of Newtown, Kilmakevoge. In 1973, Danny interviewed Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979) who provided an account of five of the six sons of Laurence “Larry” Gahan and his wife Bridget Doherty.
In his notebook Danny had a notation “murder?” that caused a bit of searching. Ultimately after reviewing the deaths of Peter Gahan (1888-1958), his siblings, and his wife Mary Teresa “Tess” Sheehy (c.1887-1963), it was discovered that Peter Gahan’s brother-in-law, Sir John Sheehy, was murdered in 1949. Details concerning the murder are at the end as well as some of Peter Gahan’s Glenmore grandparents.
The Gahan’s of Newtown, Glenmore
Laurence “Larry” Gahan (1848-1907) of Newtown, married Bridget Doherty (c. 1848 -1924) of Coolnaleen, on 28 January 1875 at Glenmore. The groom was a 26 year old farmer and the bride was aged 28. The groom’s father was recorded as Michael Gahan (deceased farmer) and the bride’s father was recorded as Richard Doherty (farmer). Witnesses to the wedding were Felix Mullins and Bridget Mullins.
Laurence and Bridget Gahan had six sons:
[1] Michael Gahan (12 June 1876-8 Jan. 1931) was described as “delicate” by Nicky the Miller. Michael Gahan never married. When Michael died in 1931 his brother Peter, of Priory St. New Ross was present. Michael’s death was due to myocardial degeneration.
[2] Richard Gahan (16 Sept. 1877-12 July 1895) was just 16 when he died of consumption or “TB”. This is the son that Nicky the Miller failed to tell Danny about in his 1973 interview.
[3] John Gahan (b. 6 Dec. 1879-2 Oct. 1962); known as Jack, married Mary Haberlin (b.c. 1884) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore on 21 August 1911. John and Mary Gahan, had a farm at Kilurney, Ballpatrick, Tipperary. See our post of 13 Feb. 2023 regarding a threshing accident in 1899.
[4] Patrick Gahan (16 Jan. 1882- 4 May 1929) married Mary Grant of Robinstown, Glenmore. They farmed the home place in Newtown, Glenmore. They had no family and Pat died young of cancer. The farm was later farmed by Pat Grant, of Robinstown, Mary Grant’s nephew. Pat Grant was known as “Cushey”.
[5] James Gahan (12 June 1884-3 June 1904). Jim Gahan drowned at New Ross. According to “Nicky the Miller” Jim worked as a clerk in a shop on North St. New Ross where Flemings were later located. See our G family surname page for further details regarding his death.
[6] Peter Gahan (1 Apr.1888-24 Dec. 1958) was born the same year as Nicky the Miller Forristal. According to Peter’s obit he moved to New Ross about 1908. “In his early youth he played in many inter-county football games with his native Kilkenny. He was also a prominent oarsman, and a valued member of the New Ross Boat Club.”
Early Years in New Ross
In 1911, Peter was residing in New Ross at 11 North Street. James Fleming, aged 26, was a single grocer and Peter’s employer. Mary Grace, married and aged 62 was the domestic servant and cook. Peter was 22 and the eldest of the three assistant grocers. Sylvester Maddock and John Ryan were the other two assistant grocers and were both 18 years of age. Everyone except John Ryan were born in Co. Kilkenny. John Ryan was born in Carlow. Although the household return records that Fleming is a grocer employing assistant grocers the House & Building Return provides that Fleming’s building is a public house.
In the 1901 Census Peter was living at home with his parents and two of his brothers, Michael and John. Sylverster Maddocks was living in Listerin with his parents and 10 siblings. Interestingly James Fleming in 1901 was residing and working as a shop boy at 11 North Street, New Ross. He was working for a couple named Grace.
Earliest Businesses
It isn’t known exactly when Peter Gahan began his own businesses, but we know from Nicky the Miller that he was an undertaker as well as a publican. We also know that it was in 1915 that Peter applied for his first liquor license and had a premise on Priory Street. “Peter Gahan, shopkeeper, of New Ross sought to transfer a liquor license from Bernard Kinsella to sell beer, cider, spirits, wine etc. by retail at his house on Priory St., New Ross” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Sept. 1915, p. 1).
Newspaper articles from that era also suggest that Peter operated a car hire business. For example in 1916, Peter was charged in Waterford for knocking down a labourer named Browne. Peter had been hired to transport a prisoner named Simon Murphy from the Waterford Jail to New Ross Petty Sessions to stand trial for the theft of a gold ring. Browne who worked for the corporation stepped out from the footpath a few yards in front of the vehicle. Quickly reacting Peter swerved and stuck the man with the mud guard of the vehicle. Amazingly the prisoner Murphy, Sergeant O’Sullivan, of New Ross R.I.C. and a Waterford constable on duty in the street at the time all testified for Peter (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 Dec. 1916, p. 12).
In 1917, Peter Gahan was one of the persons charged with supplying a vehicle for a Glenmore wedding and the case was later dismissed (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 Dec. 1917, p. 7). See our previous post of 27 Sept. 2020 for details of the infamous case against drivers who attended a 1917 Glenmore wedding.
Similarly, in 1932 Peter lent a lorry to John Quinn. Quinn was responsible for conveying a tug-of-war team from Campile to the Rower Sports Day. The driver did not have a valid license and Peter was fined 10 s. for employing an unlicensed driver and £100 for lending a lorry without a tax for passengers. The judge because Peter had lent the vehicle free of charge reduced the tax fine to £2 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 2 Sept. 1932, p. 6).
Wedding Bells: Peter Gahan and Mary Teresa “Tess” Sheehy
Peter Gahan, merchant, of New Ross, Co. Wexford, married Mary Teresa Sheehy on 24 April 1917. The couple were married at Westport, Mayo by her maternal uncle, Rev. Fr. Edward J. Higgins. At the time of the marriage Peter Gahan was 29 years of age and his bride was 28. They both were residing in New Ross, but it is not known how or why Tess came to live in New Ross. Peter’s father was listed as Laurence Gahan (farmer) and his bride’s father was listed as Thomas Sheehy (Clerk of Petty Sessions, pensioner).
Mary Teresa “Tess” Gahan née Sheehy (c. 1887-1963)
Mary Teresa Sheehy was known as Tessie. The 1901 Census reveals that she was living at home with her parents and siblings. There were 14 children born to Sgt. Thomas Sheehy, R.I.C. (1859- 1918) and his wife Mary Sheehy née Higgins (1865 -1912). Sgt. Sheehy was a native of Kerry and the son of a farmer. Mary Sheehy was a native of Co. Mayo. The following children were born to this marriage: [1] Kathleen Sheehy (b.c. 1885, Co. Mayo); [2] Tessie Sheehy (b.c. 1887, Co. Galway); [3] Evelyn Sheehy (b.c. 1888); [4] Elizabeth Sheehy (b.c. 1888); [5] John Sheehy (12 Oct. 1889-1949); [6] Bridget Sheehy (b.c.. 1893); [7] Joseph Sheehy (b.c. 1895); [8] Frances Sheehy (b.c. 1896); [9] Edward Sheehy (b.c. 1898) and [10] Thomas Sheehy (b.c. 1900).
Mary Sheehy née Higgins died on the 27th of September 1912 (Tuam Herald, Sat. 5 Oct. 1912, p. 2). The year after Peter and Tessie’s marriage in 1917 her father died on 20 July 1918. His obit noted that his brother-in-law was Most Rev. M. Higgins, D.D., Auxillary Bishop of Tuam (Tuam Herald, Sat. 27 July 1918, p. 2). Three months later Tess’s sister, Elizabeth Sheehy died of a weak heart (Tuam Herald, Sat. 9 Nov. 1918, p. 2).
On 18 April 1914, Tess’s sister, Kathleen Sheehy married Thomas Kitt the Mountbellow, Co. Galway, Workhouse Master. Kathleen was a national school teacher. Their eldest child, Michael F. Kitt (13 Sept. 1914-24 Dec. 1974) became a T.D. He was first elected in 1948. Lost his seat in 51 and was not elected again until 1957.
The New Ross Whiskey Case
Peter’s business and home were on Priory St. right around the corner from the courthouse and police station. The New Ross Standard carried several articles regarding petty cases against Peter. The most serious case occurred in 1918 and was dubbed the New Ross Whiskey Case by the New Ross Standard. William Roche, of Bewley Street; Andrew Culleton, of Wexford Street and Peter Gahan, of Priory Street, were charged in January 1918 with breaking into the bonded warehouse of Mrs. Alice Daly and Gahanstealing a hogshead and quarter cask of whiskey worth £400. A publican in Campile, Thomas Shea, and another New Ross man, John Hughes, were also charged.
At the first trial of the New Ross men the judge noted that there was no evidence against John Hughes. The case against the other three New Ross men was circumstancial They were seen in the vicinity of the warehouse on the night of the theft. The case against Thomas Shea was that the stolen whiskey was found on his land.
In the midst of this case, Patrick Gahan applied to have the seven day license held by his brother Peter Gahan, Priory St transferred. Patrick stated that he had taken over the premises and was going to carry on business there. The police did not object and the transfer was granted (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 March 1918, p. 7). It appeared that Peter who had only been married a year was attempting to protect his most valuable asset.
In a separate trial a jury found Thomas Shea not guilty apparently because the whiskey could have been placed on his land without his knowledge. When the three New Ross men were ready to stand trial the second time in July, the Crown announced that it could not proceed due to the serious illness of its witness Patrick Cousins an employee of Peter Gahan’s. The Crown entered a nolle prosequi (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 July 1918, p. 5.)
Undertaker
In 1922 the New Ross Standard featured ads proclaiming Peter the newest New Ross undertaker. He carried on this trade from the former premises of Paatrick Power on Priory St. No mention of this business appeared in his obituary. Some of his ads are quite humorous by today’s standards such as stating he carries the latest designs in shrouds. It is not known how long Peter was an undertaker, but in 1942 he placed an ad in the New Ross Standard which stated, “Quantity of manure for sale. Apply Peter Gahan, Undertaker, New Ross” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 March 1942, p. 1).
Death of Peter and Tess Gahan
Peter Gahan died on Christmas Eve 1958 at the age of 70 of chronic myocarditis. His daughter Mary Teresa “Trixie” Gahan, a state registered nurse, was present when he died.
Mary Teresa “Tess” Gahan née Sheehy tragically died in a fire on 16 December 1963 at Priory Street. She was found by her son-in-law Paddy Molloy. The fire apparently commenced in the widow’s bedroom when night clothes came into contact with an electric heater (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 Dec. 1963, p. 9).
The Children of Peter Gahan
Unfortunately, the birth records after 1916 in Ireland are not generally publicly available. From Peter’s obituary and the family marker in Glemore we believe that Peter and Tess had five children. Their daughter, [1] Bridget Mary Gahan (c. 1919-1929) died at the age of 10 of cholera.
Just four years earlier Peter had been fined 10 s. for sending a note to District Judge Fahy explaining his absence from court. Peter was prosecuted for non-compliance with the Vaccination Act, but it was noted that the child had been vaccinated. The Judge testily noted that Peter lived within 50 yards of the court and did not accept the note (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 May 1925, p. 7).
[2] Mary Teresa “Trixe” Molloy née Gahan ( ? -2009) S.R.N.; (Death notice, Munster Express, Fri. 6 March 2009, p. 15). After her father’s death Trixie married a widower, Patrick Molloy (c. 1925-2000). Paddy was a crane driver in Rosbercon, and his first wife Josephine died at the birth of their daughter Anne in 1957. Trixie is buried in Glenmore in the Gahan family grave and was survived by her son Martin and daughters Anne, Mary and Bridget.
After the death of her mother Trixie, who lived nearby on Cross St., transferred the liquor license to her name (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 Aug. 1964, p. 2) and continued operating the pub until she transferred the license to William A. Gannon in 1979 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 31 Aug, 1979, p. 15).
[3] Mrs. F. Sayers, Bromley, Kent; Frances Rita Gahan (b. 19 Feb. 1926- ?). It is believed that her husband may have been Douglas Edward Sayers, Bromley, Greater London
[4] Mrs. G. Jones, Bournemouth; Eveleen J. Gahan married Daniel T.G. Jones in Oct. 1947 at Bournemouth, Hampshire, UK.
[5] Mr. L.P. Gahan, Guildford, Surrey; Laurence Gahan (1928-2019) married his wife Kathleen (b. 1934) in Southampton. Kathleen Ann Gahan née Ryan (b. 1934) was from Kilkee, Co. Clare Their eldest son Peter Gahan (b.1957) married Diane Gawley. Peter was a constable with the metropolitan police (Surrey Herald, Thurs. 25 Sept. 1986, p. 23).
Glenmore Connections: Peter Gahan’s Grandparents
Paternal Grandparents
Laurence “Larry” Gahan (1848-1907) was the son of Michael Gahan, of Newtown and Mary Mullins (b. 1814) of Flemingstown, Glenmore. Michael Gahan and Mary Mullins were married at Glenmore on 4 February 1834. The known children of this union include: [1] Richard Gahan (b. 1835); [2] Patrick Gahan (b. 1837); [3] Mary Gahan (b. 1840-1910) married on 5 Feb. 1883, James Walsh, of Rathpatrick, Slieverue son of Simon Walsh (deceased farmer); [4] John Gahan (b. 1844); [5] Laurence Gahan (b. 1846) and [6] Laurence Gahan (b. 1848-1907). Mary Gahan née Mullins was from the Felix Mullins family of Flemingstown, Glenmore.
Maternal Grandparents
Bridget Doherty (b. 1842) was the daughter of Richard Doherty and Ellenor Mullally of Coolnaleen, Glenmore. Richard Doherty married Ellen Mullally, of Davidstown, Glenmore, on the 27th of February 1838. To this union the following known children were born: [1] Mary Doherty (b. 1839); [2] Martin Doherty (b. 1840); [3] Bridget Doherty (b. 1842); [4] John Doherty (b. 1844); [5] Ellen Doherty (b. 1846); [6] James Doherty (b. 1849); [7] Peter Doherty (b. 1852); and [8] Patrick Doherty (b. 1855).
The Murder of Sir John Sheehy (1889-1949)
Peter Gahan’s brother-in-law, John Sheehy, entered the Indian Civil Service in 1914. John’s brother M.J. Sheehy (in 1949 he was in Dublin) followed him into the Indian Civil service and was one of the chief engineers on the Burma Road during World War II. The Sheehy’s were cousins of Rev. Dr. McFadden, Bishop of Cleveland (Tuam Herald, Sat. 21 May 1949, p. 5).
On the 9th of May 1949, Lady Sheehy saw her husband shot and killed by an intruder in their home in Minder, Germany. Sir John threw his slipper at the intruder and was shot in the heart. Sir John was the Assistant Financial Adviser to the British Military Governor in Germany.
With the granting of independence for India, Sir John joined Allied Control Commission on 1 July 1947, as Director of Public Revenue. He was made assistant Financial Advisor to the Military Governor on 3 August 1948. Sir John was 59 years of age at the time of his murder and in addition to his wife he was survived by two daughters and one son who were attending school in England. (Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette, Tues. 10 May 1949, p.14).
XXXXXXXXXX
Please send any corrections, photos or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
On a recent trip into New Ross we believe that the Bumblebee sign is on the pub that Peter Gahan operated for decades. The feaured ad above is from page 1 of the New Ross Standard, 11 April 1924.
[Update 29 Sept. 2023–Peter Gahan, grandson of Peter Gahan (1888-1958), made contact and noted that his mother Kathleen Ann Gahan née Ryan (b. 1934) of Kilkee, Co. Clare is alive and well. Peter verified that his mother and father (Laurence Gahan) married in Southhampton. Peter’s mother further confirmed that her father-in-law’s pub was later called the Bumblebee. The photo of JFK above graced the pub and Peter’s grandmother, Tess Gahan née Sheehy (c. is in the upper storey window peering down on the street. Special thanks to Peter Gahan for sharing the photo as well as information]
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
GRAIGUENAKILL, GLENMORE (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of the townland of Graiguenakill, Glenmore, around 1961. From about 1870 until 1963 Glenmore Village did not have a pub. When the Glenmore pub did open in 1963 it was located in Graiguenakill townland.
Background
The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 116) is Gráig na cille, or hamlet of the church. This ancient church, in ruins, and Tobar Shan Shém, St. James’s well, is in the southern angle on the Kilmakevoge border. The greater portion of Glenmore village is in this townland. Graiguenakill is comprised of 156 acres. O’Kelly concluded the entry for Graiguenakill with “The parish [Glenmore] was noted for its Gaelic football team.”
Tithe Applotment Books 1833
The Applotment Books record the townland as Graignokill (sic), in the Civil Parish of Kilmacanoge (sic). There are seven tenants listed in the 1833 Applotment Book including: [1] John Fitzgerald, 16 acres (notation under quality states “High Road”; [2] James Murray, 15 acres; [3] Richard Aylward, 14 acres; [4] John Barden, 14 acres; [5] Patrick Kelly 6 acres; [6] Sylvester Murphy 5 acres; [7] Rep late Richard Cody, 7 acres. “These lands are held by the present occupiers from Sir John Niford? Yellagor? Gahan as tenants at will.”
Very little was found regarding the landlord Sir John Gahan. It is not clear whether the landlord of Kilmakevoge, Major Gahan, was Sir John Gahan (landlord of Graiguenakill) or were these landlords relatives? A John Gahan Esq. was located in contemporary newspapers and he was the Surveyor General of Munster for Griffeth’s Valuation.
1961 Graiguenakill, Glenmore
In 1961, Danny recorded 11 families or households in the townland of Graiguenakill. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland.
The recorded information reveals that in 1961, 44 people resided in the townland of Griguenakill with the population comprised of 26 males and 18 females. The largest family was the Morrissey family with 7 in the household. There was 1 household recorded with a single person living alone. All information under residents of Graiguenakill not in Danny’s original list has been placed in square brackets[ ].
Recorded Residents
Males= 26
Females= 18
Eldest Recorded Resident
The eldest resident recorded by Danny in 1961 was Mary Kelly (5 Dec. 1875-11 May 1963) née Maher. Mary was born and raised in Rochestown, Glenmore in the family known as Maher’s of the Rock. She was the daughter of Michael Maher (farmer) and Sarah Maher née Murphy.
On 20 July 1911, Mary at the age of 35 married Michael Kelly of Graiguenakill, Glenmore. Michael Kelly was born on 4 May 1873 at Graiguenakill, the son of James Kelly and Margaret Kelly née Irish. Michael Kelly and Mary Kelly née Maher had two daughters Sarah and Maggie. Michael Kelly died 4 March 1946, and Mary died on 11 May 1963. Mary’s obituary has been placed on our K family surname page.
Recorded Work
Farmer= 2 (1 male; 1 female)
Creamery Worker= 1 (male)
Council Worker =l (male)
Blacksmith (retired)= l (male)
Mechanic= 1 (male)
Farm Labourers =2 (2 males)
Labourer=2 (2 mles)
Clover Meats Employees= 2 (2 males)
CIE = 1 (1 male)
Domestic=l (1 female)
Shop Assistant=1 (1 female)
Painter= 1 (1 male)
Dressmaker = l (1 female)
Residents of Graiguenakill, Glenmore
[1] KELLY/O’CONNOR
Kelly, Mary (5 Dec. 1875) Farmer, dead [Died aged 87 on 11 May 1963]
O’Connor, Edward (b. 1919) son-in-law, assisting relative
O’Connor, Sarah (2 Dec. 1912) daughter
O’Connor, Patrick, grandson, at school
O’Connor, Mary, granddaughter, at school
O’Connor, Peter, grandson, child
[2] FORRISTAL
Forristal, Nicholas (1 Feb. 1888) Farmer [Nicky the Miller died 17 March 1979]
Forristal, Norea (12 Nov. 1887) wife [Nicky’s second wife]
Forristal, Patrick (17 Aug. 1917) son, assisting father
[3] FORRISTAL
Forristal, Richard (b. 1923) CIE Employee
[4] MORRISSEY
Morrissey, Phillip (b. 1917) Clover Meats Employee
Morrissey, Kitty (b. 1919) wife
Morrissey, Michael, child dead [Child died 23 March 1962, aged 6 of encephalitis]
Morrissey, Edward, son, child
Morrissey, Philip, son, child
Morrissey, Patrick, son, child
Morrissey, Thomas, son, child
[5] O’KEEFFE
O’Keeffe, Martin (13 May 1907) Council Worker
O’Keeffe, Bridget (b. 1913) wife [Biddy Doolan had the tiny shop next to the Creamery]
O’Keeffe, Alice, daughter, shop assistant
O’Keeffe, Mary, daughter, domestic
O’Keeffe, Edward, son, tech student
O’Keeffe, Ann, daughter, child
[6] RYAN
Ryan, John (b. 1922) Clover Meats Employee
Ryan, Alice (b. 1918) wife [Later became post-mistress of Glenmore]
Ryan, Mary Theresa, daughter, child
Ryan, John Patrick, son, child
Ryan, James Paschal, son, child
[7] HENNESSEY/CUMMINS
Hennessey, John (16 April 1894) Retired Blacksmith [Died 5 June 1981, aged 87]
Cummins, Mairita, daughter, dressmaker
Cummins, Laurence, son-in-law, mechanic
[8] JONES
Jones, Thomas (16 Dec. 1905) Labourer [Died 2 July 1978, aged 73]
Jones, Ellen (7 Oct. 1916) wife, home duties
Jones, George (b. 1952) son, child [twin]
Jones, Eamon (b. 1952) son, child [twin]
[9] WALSH
Walsh, Mary Ellen (1 Aug. 1892) [Ellen “Lill” died 25 Dec. 1968]
Walsh, James (18 Sept. 1918) son, painter [Jim B. died 21 March 1988]
[10] WALSH
Walsh, Mary Ann (4 Jan. 1886) Dead [Died 16 July 1962, aged 80, at Co. Home]
Walsh, Walter (b. 1933) son, labourer at Stafford’s—Gone to New Ross
[11] POWER
Power, Patrick (b. 1929) Creamery Worker
Power, Mary, wife
Power, Patrick (1 April 1959) son, child
Power, _____ , daughter, child
Power, Martina, daughter, child
[Kathleen O’Connor, of Rathinure, Glenmore, was a sister-in-law of Neddy O’Connor. Kathleen related that Sarah O’Connor née Kelly used to prepare dinner (lunch) for the Glenmore gardaí who would travel to Graighnakill, up the Churns (across the New Line) to Kelly’s on the High Road.]
Other Posts
(1) For information concerning Glenmore Village in the 1930’s see our post of 9 April 2020.
(2) See our post of 7 June 2020 for further information and photos of Forristal’s Mill of Graiguenakill.
(3) For further information regarding Glenmore Postmistress, Alice Ryan née Cody (1918-2009) see our post of 3 July 2020.
Please send any further information, photos, or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Special thanks to Marian Cody Hendrick for sharing the featured photo above of Forristal’s Mill. Special thanks to Jackie Ryan Walsh for sharing the photo of Jim B’s cottage. Lastly, thanks to the Glenmore Tidy Town’s Committee and volunteers in 2022 for re-storing Biddy Doolan’s tiny shop next to the Creamery.
13 March 2023, Special thanks to Tricia Bradfield for the photo of Jim B as a chap and hs family.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore’s Secret Society of Whitefeet [Updated]
Secret agrarian societies in Ireland date back to the 1760’s when the Whiteboy movement started in Tipperary. Whiteboys were a form of rural vigilantism to fight against tithes or the enclosing of common land. Sometimes they were referred to as Levellers because they levelled fences or ditches enclosing land. (James S. Donnelly (1977-1978) “The Whiteboy Movement, 1761-5.” Irish Historical Studies, p. 21). Between 1760 and the Famine in 1845 there were outbreaks of rural violence in Ireland. Other groups developed including: the Threshers, Carders, Rockites, and Whitefeet. The most common agrarian crime committed by these groups was the anonymous notice or threatening letter (S.R. Gibbons, (1982) Rockites and Whitefeet: Irish Peasant Secret Societies, 1800-1845 (University of Southhampton, Doctoral Thesis)).
Threatening Letters
S. R. Gibbons examined 500 threatening letters and concluded that these groups were concerned with five primary issues.
The first issue concerned land, especially conacre, the availability of tenancies, rents and wages. Conacre was the letting of a small piece of land for the growing of a specific crop. Usually, the crop was potatoes. No relationship developed between the landlord, middleman or grower under conacre.
The second issue concerned efforts to regulate local employment and necessities. Thus, threatening letters were used to maintain employment, to procure the dismissal of “stranger labourers”, to regulate the prices of basic commodities and to prevent the export of food from the immediate locality.
The third issue the secret societies sought to control were the tithe valuations and the elimination of proctors. The tithes were taxes imposed for the support of the Church of Ireland. Eventually, the secret societies sought to abolish the tithe.
The fourth issue concerned the condemnation of Protestants and Orangemen.
The fifth issue the secret societies sought to influence in their threatening letters and notices concerned legal and political issues, including distraint, the police and the obtaining of arms. (Gibbons (1982) Rockites and Whitefeet: Irish Peasant Secret Societies, 1800-1845). Distraint was the legal mechanism where a landlord could have the personal property of his tenant seized for the payment of rent arrears. Animals or crops were often seized and then sold.
Growth and Membership of the Secret Societies
The growth of such societies was fuelled by the end of the Napoleonic Wars when the price of crops plummeted and grazing became more lucrative than tillage. In order to survive many Irish men resisted by joining secret societies and violence often followed. It has been opined that membership of the secret agrarian societies depended on whether disturbances took place during the period of prosperity when the landless revolted or during depressions when substantial farmers joined (James S. Connelly, Jr., (1983) “The Social Composition of Agrarian Rebellions in the Early 19th Century Ireland: The Case of the Carders and Caravats, 1813-1816” in Radical, Rebels & Establishments (Corish ed.) 151-170 Maynooth: Appletree. p. 154-155). Thus, at various times different classes joined the secret societies.
Glenmore Whitefeet Letters & Notices
Below are copies of threatening letters or posters that were placed in or around Glenmore primarily in the 1830’s.
The oldest reference to a secret society operating in Glenmore, then referred to as Glanmore, was published in June 1777. “On the 9th ult. After sunset, upwards of 300 of those lawless miscreants, called White Boys, assembled on the High Road, leading from Ross to Waterford, in Ireland, near the lands of Glanmore, and, without the least provocation, beat and wounded in a cruel and barbarous manner, Mr. W. Innes, of Rathpatrick, in the County of Kilkenny. In consequence of which, the principal neighbouring gentlemen have offered a spirited reward, for apprehending, and prosecuting to conviction, the persons concerned therein” (Northampton Mercury, Mon. 16 June 1777, p. 3).
In December 1831 the Tithe War resulted in the killing of 14 police at the townland of Carrickshock in Co. Kilkenny. [For further details regarding the Tithe, see Stephen McCormack (2005) “The Tithe War: Reports by Church of Ireland Clergy to Dublin Castle,” 4(13) History of Ireland. See our post of 20 Sept. 2020 regarding Glenmore and the Tithe Tax.]
Within a month of Carrickshock notices regarding Whitefeet threats made in or around Glenmore began to appear and were reported widely in newspapers.
1832
The Waterford Mail (Sat. 3 Nov. 1832, p. 3) published copies of two notices posted on the chapel doors of Glanmore.
“Take notice, Mr. Strange of Elwardstown (sic) not sell or bestow the value of one penny to the Police of Glanmore or else if you do, quit this land—Written by the Gentlemen regulators of Ireland. I hope you all will take notice by this, let no person take down this notice.”
“Take notice any person or persons that will sell or bestow to the value of one penny to the Police of Glanmore, or else if you do ye will be condemned to ashes both yourself and your property it is written by the grate (sic) and worthy regulators of Ireland.”
Laurence Strange, Esq., of Aylwardstown, held a lease from the Earl of Bessborough. The 1833 Griffith’s Valuation provides that Strange farmed 63 acres and was landlord to 252 acres. Thus, Laurence Strange was the landlord of the townland although he was not the owner of the land.
[Updated 8 Oct. 2025] In October 1832, “the house of Patrick Fitzgerald, of Weatherstown, near Rosbercon, was attacked on Wednesday night by an armed party of Whitefeet, who broke in his door and robbed him of a gun. They fired several shots into the house” [Dublin Evening Packet & Correspondent, Sat. 13 Oct. 1832, p. 3].
Patrick Fitzgerald of Weatherstown continued to be attacked. The following month, “on Sat. night a cow, the property of Patrick Fitzgerald, of Weatherstown, near Ross, was hanged in consequence, it is supposed, of his taking land about 18 months back (Wexford Conservative, Sat. 17 Nov. 1832, p. 1). Other newspapers stated that the cow was haughed.
“The houses of Laurence Sullivan, of Ballybrahy, and Martin Holden, of Annis, in the above neighbourhood, were visited by parties of Whitefeet on Saturday night who robbed them of fire arms. They fired several shots but did no injury to any of the inmates” (Wexford Conservative, Sat. 17 Nov. 1832, p. 1).
1833
The Chutes Western Herald (Thurs. 7 Feb. 1833, p. 3) published citing “From the Kilkenny Moderator of Saturday—Six armed men entered the house of Patrick Fitzgerald, of Aywardstown in the Barony of Ida, on the night of Sunday last, and threatened him with instant death if he attempted to prosecute James Cleary at the ensuing assizes. Cleary compelled him some time since to pay £5 5s., for which he gave a docket of protection, which he told Fitzgerald would save him from any future attack from the Whitefeet.”
In the 1833 Griffith’s Valuation Pat Fitzgerald, of Aylwardstown, farmed 12 acres. Given the extortion and threats of violence it was surprising to find the following article in the Morning Advertser (Thurs. 14 February 1833, p. 1) where the priests induced the Glenmore parishioners to surrender their arms.
“Surrender of arms by the Peasantry—you will be gratified to learn that the deluded people in the county of Kilkenny are at length delivering up their arms. In the parish of Glanmore in that county, no less than 20 stand of arms have been given up to the Catholic clergy within the last few days. One of those clergymen communicated the fact to J. Esmond, Esq, a Magistrate of the county of Kilkenny, requesting that he should take charge of the arms. Mr. Esmond readily acquiesced, and had them forwarded to Waterford, where they were lodged by his direction on Friday.”
At the beginning of March 1833 the Leinster Express (Sat. 2 March 1833, p. 4) published several notices or threats posted across the region including:
“A Whitefoot Notice was lately posted up in the neighbourhood of Glanmore, ordering the people of the County of Waterford to desist from working at the farm of Glinn of Shambough. If they attempted to go there again the notice stated that they would be shot.”
Later that month, Glenmore was propelled into the news with the murder of a Catholic landlord of Shanbogh, Anthony Joseph Leonard, Esq., on the hill of Glenmore by three of his tenants. See our previous post of 9 Feb. 2020.
The Chutes Western Herald (Mon. 7 Oct. 1833, p. 4) referenced the Kilkenny Moderator as its source for the following threats with multiple men named and threatened.
“The following is the copy of an illegal notice posted on the chapel of Mullinaharrible, in the parish of Listerlin and barony of Ida, on Sunday last: “All such land jobbers as gave up the ground and began to till it again will be sorry; it happen them more than Marum or Joyce. We neither hough cattle or burn houses, to destroy the country as we did before. No sheet iron inside the doors will not prevent us, but we will go and drop them on the spot. Phelan, Philip Malone, Trasey, Forestal, and Kerewan, so prepare, the long nights are coming. Let the parish see we are neither afraid of informers or pointers. Such as will visit you will have no informers or pointers. There is a great deal that we did not mention that will suffer as well as the rest.”
On the night of the 10th of October, “the dairies of Patrick Fitzgerald, James Malone, and Thomas Keeffe, all of Weatherstown, in the Barony of Ida, were feloniously broken open by some evil disposed persons in search of plunder. A quantity of butter in firkins was taken out of Fitzgerald’s dairy, but nothing was found in either of the others worth removing (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 16 Oct. 1833, p. 3). Unusually the break-ins and theft were not associated by the newspaper with the local Whitefeet although Patrick Fitzgerald, of Weatherstown, was targeted several times by the Whitefeet.
1834
The Waterford Mirror (13 Jan. 1834) published in its column on Whitefeet activity in Co. Kilkenny the following: “All gates of Bawnjames, a farm belonging to Mr. Magrath of Rosbercon, in the Barony of Ida, was maliciously broken and destroyed on the night of Sunday last.”
Toward the end of the month, the Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 25 January 1834, p. 2) reported: “A few nights since the windows of Michael Rigby’s dwelling house at Ballyvera, in the parish of Glanmore were maliciously broken and a stone flung into his bedroom. Rigby says he is not aware of having done anything to cause this attack on his house.”
Seven years later Michael Rigby (c. 1791-1841) was murdered by one of his Ballyveria neighbours as the men were walking to attend Stations in the Glenmore Chapel. The murder was committed over two fields. See, our post of 18 July 2021 regarding the murder.
The following notice was published in the Belfast Commercial Chronicle (Sat. 29 March 1834, p. 4). “From the Kilkenny Moderator—on Sunday night last a Rockite Notice was posted upon the chapel of Glanmore, barony of Ida, threatening death to any person who would dare, after that notice, to take possession of the land Graignakilla (sic) in the above neighbourhood.
Describing the conditions in Kilkenny and Cork as approaching a Civil War, Bell’s Life in London and Sporting Chronicle (Sun. 23 Nov. 1834, p. 1) published the following article that highlighted Patrick Kennedy of Robinstown, Glenmore.
“The police of the County of Kilkenny have, ever since the unfortunate affair of Carrickshaugh (sic) been marked objects of antipathy to the peasanty, who have never hesitated to manifest their feeling (whenever a safe opportunity occurred) in insult, or even personal outrage. But of late a more systematic proceeding has been observed in the warfare carried on by the peasantry again the unpopular police force. Although the police were feared in the open field, they were not treated with the least appearance of respect by the multitude with whom they come into contact at fairs, markets, races etc.“
“In the Barony of Glanmore the spirit of defiance is progressing in a very marked manner, and the police now think it prudent not to interfere in what are very properly termed its ‘Whiskey fights’ wherein their interposition has generally had the effect of adding fuel to fire. About two months ago it was observed that there was a disinclination to provide the constabulary with country provisions, and instead of any thing like a competition for the supply of the canteen in the neighburhood, there was, on the contrary, a marked ill will towards any who undertook such contracts.”
“One of these, Mr. Patrick Kennedy residing at Robinstown, in the barony of Ida, who was hardy enough to undertake to supply the Glanmore police with milk, found a threatening Whitefoot notice nailed on his door, warning him of the consequence if he persevered in this “disloyal” contract. He did persevere, confiding in the protection of the police; nearly two months elapsed, and he thought himself forgotten by the midnight legislators, but on Monday night last he was reminded of their existence by finding a valuable colt houghed in his stable.”
“In Cork the peasantry have refused to work for landlords who have made themselves ‘marked men’ The Cork papers relate the case of one of these proprietors who for some time past found it impossible to hire labourers.” When it was time to dig potatoes near Dunamanway the landlord was told to dig the potatoes himself or get Orange Protestants to do it for him. A group in Dumanway, “including some respectable shop keepers, arrived and in a few hours of work dug and picked up the potatoes. The group attempted to engage some Catholic labourers to assist, but as soon as the Catholic labourers learned where they were to work, they refused notwithstanding the fact that they were offered double wages for the day. As the Orange group started home they were ‘hissed and hooted…’”
1835
Notwithstanding the efforts of the Glenmore priests in 1833 parishioners continued to have arms. The following article appeared in the Carlow Sentinel (Sat. 23 May 1835, p. 1).
“Six persons were convicted at the Petty Sessions of Rosbercon, on Saturday last, before Colonel Osborne, R.M. and Mr. Keogh, the sitting Magistrates, for having unregistered arms in their possession. The Police found in their houses, in the neighbourhood of Listerlin and of Glanmore—6 guns, 1 pistol, 1 blunderbuss barrel, 1 sword cane, 1 pike, besides 6 powder horns, some bullets and slugs.”
Glenmore Oral Tradition of Whitefeet
Thanks to Danny Dowling (1927-2021) we know the identify of two of the leaders of the local Whitefeet as well as where they met. Danny interviewed Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979) in 1955. Nicky identified the leaders of the Whitefeet in the Glenmore area as Captains Starlight and Lusty.
Nicky related that Captain Starlight was a Malone and the family bore the nickname of Spur. They lived in a small cabin which was situated under the road leading to Forristalstown from the Mill Cross Road at a point alongside the path which Tom Walsh used as a shortcut to Forristalstown.
Captain Lusty was a Purcell and lived in a small house in Forristalstown on the bounds of Ballyverneen. Billy Tománsín of Killivory, Glenmore was a descendent of his.
Before their nightly escapades they used drink with their men in a shebeen in Ballygurrum which was kept by one Billy Walsh nicknamed Billy Buíde. According to Nicholas Forristal the Billy Buíde was a grandfather to the present Henry Doolan’s wife of Shanbough.
The following rhymes were written about the two Whitefeet Captains.
Here’s a health to Billy Buíde
And may he long reign.
We’ll call for spring water,
And he’ll bring us brown ale,
To strengthen our bones and
Put speed in our feet,
To make us well able to whale the police.
Are you in bed Captain Lusty?
And he answered us no.
Are you in bed Captain Starlight,
And he answered also.
Billy Buíde’s house at Ballygurrim cross was later occupied by Dick Cahill.
Interview of Wattie Power (c. 1888-1961) of Jamestown, Glenmore
Also in 1955 Danny Dowling interviewed his Jamestown neighbour Wattie Power and recorded the following regarding the Glenmore Whitefeet.
“The following is verse in connection with the Whitefeet which body was active in this area in the first half of the last century, and also in part of the previous century. Four verses is all Wattie could remember.”
“The Whitefeet and Blackfeet were crossing a bog,
As tired and as weary as any mad dog.
Says one to the other if we were at home,
T’would be the best of our play to leave the Whitefeet alone.
Long life to Pol Cahill and long may she reign,
When we called for spring water, she brought us down cream.
To put strength in our body and speed in our feet,
And make us well able to chase the police.”
See our post of 23 Sept 2020 for the Glenmore Version of the Ballad of Carrickshock.
The featured drawing is from sheet music, The Irish Peasant (Ireland 1800-1870) © Trustees Indiana University http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/lilly/starr/LL-SSM-2-136-0014. The drawing of the midnight raiders was drawn by an artist for The Graphic (Sat. 14 Jan. 1882, p. 8) (c) Illustrated London News Group, Courtesy of British Library Board. The owners of the goats related that they evicted a tenant and later their goats were slaughtered in the middle of the night.
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: February 1923
Today, we are going to feature local events as recorded in newspapers local to Glenmore. After years of turmoil and violence, Glenmore residents had to be frustrated. The Irish Civil War entered its 8th month and the death and destruction showed no signs of dissipating. Just taking produce or animals to market was difficult and dangerous. Even fishing brought risks.
Targeting of Civilian Infrastructure
Roads
In February 1923 the Irregulars or Republicans continued to attack, damage and often destroy civilian infrastructure. At the end of January and continuing throughout February there was extensive felling of trees to block roads in both Kilkenny and Wexford. Telegraph wires were also cut in some places. People traveling to New Ross in February often had to pass through fields to avoid blocked roads. Trenches were re-opened in places between New Ross, Campile and Ballycullane (New Ross Standard, Fri. 2 Feb. 1923, p. 5). Several New Ross buyers traveling to Thomastown fair had to return home because the roads between New Ross and Thomastown were blocked (New Ross Standard, 9 February 1923, p. 8).
Kilkenny County Council gave £150 toward temporary repairs to the destroyed timber bridge at the Ferry, Mountgarrett. The bridge was targeted and destroyed in the War of Independence as well as the Civil War (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Feb. 1923, p. 5).
Trains
Trains continued to be targeted. The up train to Macmine was delayed nearly two hours because rail chairs were broken between Waterford and Glenmore. The down passenger and goods train was derailed on Wednesday the 31st of January between Glenmore and New Ross. It was run off the line out onto a public road and was badly damaged (New Ross Standard, Fri. 2 Feb. 1923, p. 5).
Water Works
Armed men wrecked the Youghal waterworks, at Boula, Co. Waterford, in reprisal for the execution of two men captured in Co. Waterford. The Council complied with the order of the Irregulars to petition the Government for clemency for the captured men. The Council also passed a resolution condemning the executions, yet the waterworks were destroyed. A limited supply of water was in the Cork Hill reservoir but there were hundreds of patients in St. Raphael Mental Home, the Workhouse and other Institutions. It was predicted that the water supply would only last two days and steps were taken to get some of the old pumps, long disused, in working order (Munster Express, Sat. 3 Feb. 1923, p. 5).
Violence Continued
Battles
At the end of January a large force of Republicans were active on the Walsh Mountains, between the villages of Hugginstown and Templeorum. A “sharp engagement,” took place on Thursday of last week between Republican forces and the National garrison from Mooncoin and Mullinavat. A running fight took place on the hills near Templorum. No casualties were reported from either side (Munster Express, Sat. 3 Feb. 1923, p. 6).
Civilian Killed
Miss Cissie Ryan, aged 16 of William St., Waterford was walking home with her sister and accompanied by two lieutenants of the National Army on the 23rd of January. Armed men attacked the soldiers on Wilkin St. Cissie who was behind her escorts was shot in the abdomen by the attackers. Although “little hope was entertained for her recovery she rallied for more than a week” before she died of her injuries (Munster Express, Sat. 3 Feb. 1923, p. 7).
Threats
Five well known Carrick-on-Suir residents received threatening notices. The notices were allegedly sent by the I.R.A. ordering the men to leave town because the men had allegedly made “statements prejudiced to the Republic and its citizens.” The local National Army authorities notified some leading Republicans that if any harm befell the recipients of the notices there would be serious consequences (Munster Express, Sat. 17 Feb. 1923, p. 4).
Snipers
Firing which became intense took place in Waterford on the night of the 18th. The sniping was directed toward the post office from points on the Kilkenny side of the River Suir. The replying fire of National troops silenced the attackers after about twenty minutes. No casualties were reported (Kilkenny People, Wed. 21 Feb. 1923, p. 7).
Prisoners
Richard Burke, a prisoner in Kilkenny goal was slightly wounded when he refused to withdraw from his cell window. A shot was fired by a guard and a splinter struck the prisoner (Kilkenny People, Wed. 21 Feb. 1923, p. 4).
Criminality Continued
As highlighted in previous months, from the newspaper accounts, it is often difficult to determine if reported activities were done to further the Republican agenda or if people were just taking advantage of the lack of police and the turmoil.
Kilmacow Raid
For example, on 20 February 1923, Ryan’s public house in Kilmacow was raided by armed men and a considerable amount of goods were taken. “The premises, have on many occasions recently received these unwelcome attentions.” The only occupants of the premises were two ladies (Kilkenny People, Wed. 21 Feb. 1923, p. 4).
Civic Guards for New Ross
In early February 1923, it was announced that Civic Guards were coming to New Ross. The National Troops vacated the Tholsel and have taken up residence in the old police barracks (New Ross Standard, 9 February 1923, p. 8).
The Murder of Mrs. Annie Devereaux, in Waterford City
Mrs. Devereaux was killed on the 15th in her home at 28 Slievekeale, Waterford City. At the time of her death, between 1 and 2 p.m., only two of her five children were in the home. Five year old Michael Devereaux ran from the home screaming that his mother was dead and that his uncle Willie killed her with a hatchet. Eleven-month-old Kathleen Devereaux was on the floor beside her mother.
Mrs. Devereaux had a deep wound on her neck that stretched from ear to ear as well as other gashes and died before help arrived. The infant was removed to the County and City Infirmary, but her condition was “nigh hopeless.” The deceased was the wife of James Devereaux, who was away working at the time of the murder. Kathleen Devereaux also died from her wounds (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 16 Feb. 1923, p. 5).
William Devereaux, the deceased’s brother-in-law, was arrested for her murder. At the inquest the doctor who was summoned to the scene believed that Mrs. Devereaux was holding Kathleen when she was attacked by her brother-in-law with a hatchet (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 23 Feb. 1923, p. 2). The death register records Mrs. Devereaux’s first name as Annie and she was 38 when she was killed.
Fishing
It was reported with the opening of the fishing season on 1 February 1923 that “due to flagrant and extensive violation of the laws by professional fishermen the Suir was very poorly stocked with fish.” Major General Proust, when informed of the illegal operations of cot men and others, issued a notice that pending revision by the Dail the existing fishery laws would be strictly enforced.
Major General Proust noted that illegal fishing would result in forfeiture of nets and other equipment and that cot men who refused to come to the bank when summoned by the authorities would be fired upon. It was immediately reported that two or three Clonmel fishermen had their nets seized, but because the fishing season was open the men would have their nets returned when they procured licenses.
While fishing for pike in the Slaney, near Enniscorthy, a local fisherman, named Butler, had his line fouled. When he was attempting to clear the line he found that it was caught in the ring of a Mills bomb, which had apparently been thrown into the river. An ex-British solider, also fishing in the vicinity, removed the grenade (New Ross Standard, Fri. 2 Feb. 1923, p. 5).
Postal News
Not all news regarding the postal service involved shooting or raids in February 1923. J.J. Walsh, the Postmaster General, issued a press release that the building of a G.P.O. on the ruins in O’Connell Street, Dublin, would start as soon as possible. The large ground at the back of Henry Street would be included in the new layout. He stated that work was being done from 20 to 30 out-offices instead of two or three. A new 1 ½ d. stamp was issued on 2 February. The new stamp “was an artistic one of maroon, with a blank map of Ireland in the centre” (Munster Express, Sat. 3 Feb. 1923, p. 3).
Economic Woes
The “old established jute factory” of Denny & Sons, of Waterford, closed because of a shortage of work due to a reduction in “killings in Irish bacon curing establishments.” The jute factory was engaged in making bacon wrappers (Munster Express, Sa. 3 Feb. 1923, p. 6).
Wages
Fifty shillings per week for a 48 hour week was agreed as the standard wage for labourers by Walsh and Dowley, Carrick-on-Suir and by the Carrick Urban Council for its employees (Munster Express, Sat. 10 Feb. 1923, p. 4). What the Munster Express failed to mention was the fact that the 50 shillings per week agreement represented a 4 s. reduction in wages. This reduction was to remain in place until June. The boatmen’s wages were settled by the men accepting the 4 s per week reduction, but getting a penny per ton extra for goods transported in the boats (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 2 Feb. 1923, p. 5).
Recruiting
The National Army made an appeal for recruits in February 1923. Allowances were advertised “in respect of dependents on a liberal scale.” A wife would receive 4s per day; a wife and child, 5s 6d; wife and two children, 6s 6d; and 9d per day extra for every other child under 14 years of age (Munster Express, Sat. 10 Feb. 1923, p. 5).
Glenmore in the News
Death of Mr. Paul Fitzgerald of Knockbrack, Glenmore
“The death of the above highly respected and popular gentleman, which took place on 20th, January at his residence, Knockbrack, is very deeply regretted. The deceased was a member of one of the most respected families in South Kilkenny. He was a man of splendid physique, a fine athlete n his time, a good and generous supporter of every charitable and patriotic movement for the past 30 years, a fond husband and father, and was liked by all with whom he was known for his good qualities of mind and heart, and to his neighbours especially, for his social and hospitable manner. “
“To know Paul was to love him, and his death on the above mentioned date is deeply mourned by his widow and family, relatives, and a large circle of friends. His funeral bore striking testimony to the esteem in which deceased was held, and was the largest seen in Glenmore within living memory. Solemn High Mass was offered up for deceased’s soul at the Parish Church after which the remains were conveyed to the family burial ground for interments. R.I.P.”
Chief Mourners
The chief mourners were—Mrs. Fitzgerald (widow); sons: Michael Fitzgerald; James Fitzgerald; Paul Fitzgerald; Thomas Fitzgerald; John Fitzgerald; daughters: Bridget Fitzgerald ; Ellie Fitzgerald; Mrs. Crowley, Mooncoin; Mrs. Fitzgerald, Mowlerstown; brothers: John Fitzgerald; Patrick Fitzgerald, Raheen; Edward Fitzgerald (do); brothers-in-law: Rev. Thomas Freaney, C.C. Gauthabawn; Rev. Patrick Freaney, C.C., Callan; James Freaney, Kilbride; John Feaney, Cullen Castle, Inistioge; Patrick Byrne, Brownsford, Tullogher ; and nieces: Mrs. O’Brien, New Ross; and Ellen Nolan, Raheen (Munster Express, Sat. 3 Feb. 1923, p. 7).
Vote of Sympathy
At a meeting of the Glenmore Football Club a vote of sympathy was passed for the Fitzgerald brothers, Knockbrack, prominent members of the club, on the death of their father (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Feb. 1923, p. 5).
Wife & Parents
Paul Fitzgerald (1854-1923), of Knockbrack, Glenmore, married Johanna Freany (1857-1945) of Kilbride, Glenmore on 14 November 1883 at Glenmore. The witnesses to the wedding were John Murphy and Johanna Knox. We believe that Paul Fitzgerald was born in 1854 to Michael Fitzgerald and his wife Anne Murphy. Johanna Freany Fitzgerald (1857-1945) was the daughter of James Freany, of Kilbride, and his wife Bridget Knox. See our post of 5 April 1921 regarding Johanna’s nephews James Francis “Frank” Freyne (1902-1974) and Peter David Freyne (1903-1921) and their service in the War of Independence.
Arrests at Ballyvaring, Glenmore
Two men named E. Dowley and J. Ryan were arrested on the 23rd of February by National Forces at Ballyvaring, near Ringville, Glenmore. A fully loaded revolver was found close by (Munster Express, Sat. 24 Feb. 1923, p. 2).
Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.historu@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh