Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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Glenmore Ploughing January 1959
Previously in our blog post of 7 March 2021 we highlighted the establishment of the Glenmore Ploughing Association in 1938. Today, we are going to feature three ploughing events that took place in County Kilkenny in January 1959 and the Glenmore men and woman who organised or competed in these events. Although tractors had been available for some time in 1959 the hydraulics were limited to lifting the plough, no power steering, no cabs and no heaters for cold January days. The featured photo is the committee responsible for the competition at Glenmore and are identified in the newspaper photo as: front row, left to right J. Kelly; J. Culleton; P. Fitzgerald; M. Heffernan; W. Grace; and N. Mullins. Back row, left to right—J. Doherty; P. Hynes; T. Aylward; P. Roche; J. Irish; M. Fitzgerald; M. Kirwan; S. Barron; and J. Freyne. The two men in the front row to the far right were not identified. (Munster Express, Fri. 23 Jan. 1959, p. 8).
County Kilkenny Macra na Feirne Ploughing Competition—17 January 1959
Not much was published in the newspapers concerning this event, but it was reported that Thomas Mullally, of Davidstown, Glenmore, was the winner of the Kilkenny Macra na Feirme Ploughing competition at the Racecourse held on Saturday, 17 January 1959. Sixteen entries were received for the competition (Munster Express, Fri. 23 Jan. 1959, p. 8).
County Kilkenny Ploughing Championship, 20 January 1959
The County Ploughing Championship was held in Aylwardstown, Glenmore on the fields of Michael Fitzgerald and James Fitzgerald and Michael Heffernan, of Kearney Bay and James Kelly, of Aylwardstown were the honourable secretaries (Munster Express, Fri. 9 Jan. 1959, p. 5). The advert to the right also provides details concerning the classes as well as entries could be made by phone to “Glenmore 5.” On the appointed day Mr. P. Doyle, Mooncoin, “brought off a treble” when he won the senior title and was awarded the Smithwick and Glenmore Ploughing Association Cups. M. Muldowney, of Kilkenny, was second and Richard Mullally, of Davidstown, Glenmore, the former all Ireland Champion, third (Munster Express, Fri. 23 Jan. 1959, p. 1). There were 36 competitors in the County Championship and Thomas Ryan, of Glenmore came in third in the Novice class while Joseph Walsh (c. 1913-1980) of Rochestown, Glenmore tied for third in the senior horse class with P. Murphy of Piltown. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 23 Jan. 1959, p. 10).
National Ploughing Championship—28-29 January 1959
The two-day National Ploughing Championship as held at Burnchurch, Co. Kilkenny at the end of January 1959. Over 200 entries were received and notwithstanding the fact that there was a heavy snowfall and frost the site of the match was declared “ideal” by contestants (The Cork Examiner, 29 January 1959, p. 8). Glenmore members of the national committee included J. Kelly and T. Mulllly (Irish Independent, 27 Jan. 1959, p. 5).
It was noted prior to the competition that Peggy Mullally, of Davidstown, Glenmore, was the reigning “Queen of the Plough” but she faced stern competition from leading “farmerettes” from several counties (Irish Independent, Wed. 28 Jan. 1959, p. 9). Successful Glenmorians included: Thomas Mullally, of Davidstown, who came in third in the Individual, three furrow class while his sister Peggy Mullally was second in the “Farmerettes’ class” (Irish Independent, Fri. 30 Jan. 1959, p. 4).
Although baking competitions are often found in modern farm shows and ploughing championships, in 1958 wholemeal bread baking competition was introduced at the National Ploughing Championship with a milling twist. Competitors were supplied with a quantity of Irish wheat that the competitor had to grind it in a small mill then bake their bread in electric ovens. This competition continued in 1959 and was sponsored by the National Ploughing Association, the ESB and the Department of Education. (Farmer’s Journal, Sat. 24 Jan 1959, p. 33).
The photo of Joseph Walsh, Richard Mullally and Thomas Mullally were all taken at the County Championship held at Aylwardstown Glenmore on 20 January 1959. All three photos were taken by photographer (c) Simon J. Farrell and appeared in the Munster Express (Fri. 30 Jan. 1959, p. 5).
Special thanks to Michael Hoynes for sharing the group photo of the Committee above. Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Death Comes in Three: 1868 Inquests
In our previous blog of 29 August 2021 we highlighted three Glenmore inquests that took place in 1866. Today, we are going to feature three inquests that were held in 1868 involving the deaths of three men under entirely different circumstances. One died from pneumonia, another from asphyxia, and the third drowned in a well.
John Forrestal (c. 1813-1868) of Carrickcloney, Glenmore
On 18 November 1868 an inquest was held at Carrickcloney on the body of John Forrestal, aged 55. It was reported that the deceased was formerly a farmer who retired from the management of the farm in favour of his younger brother, Thomas Forrestal. Evidence was produced that the deceased had complained of having a pain since the previous week. “No doctor attended him as he said he did not want one. He had had tea and whey, but no medicine. His sister-in-law, Mrs. Thomas Forristal, deposed that she had used some of both the tea and the whey herself, and had not received any bad consequence from it. He took to his bed, in the barn, in which he remained till his death, which took place on Sunday morning. It was given in evidence that the deceased and family lived on good terms. Neither clergyman nor Doctor had seen the man, and he was discovered dead in bed about 10 o’clock, on Monday. A man slept in the barn, and had not been aware of his death.”
Dr. Cane examined the body and testified that the deceased’s death was caused by pneumonia, and that the valves of the heart were also diseased. Dr. Cane went on to explain that “pneumonia is a disease of the lungs, and the death took place from natural causes…there was nothing to indicate poison.” The jury accordingly found a verdict of ” Death from natural causes” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 21 November 1868, p. 3).
For further information concerning the dispensary doctor, James Butler Norris Cane (c. 1840-1906), who was the doctor covering Mullinavat and Glenmore for decades, see our previous blog of 29 April 2020.
Patrick Darmody of Smithstown
On 31 October 1868 the body of Patrick Darmody, a schoolteacher, from Smithstown, was found by a farmer named Walsh dying in a field at Ballynooney half way between Mullinavat and Glanmore (sic). Earlier in the week the deceased had stopped at the farmer’s house. At said time the deceased stated that he was suffering from a sore throat, and had great difficulty in swallowing. He obtained some medicines from a “quack doctor” named Doolan, at Mullinavat. The medicine comprised an internal wash for the throat, and a bottle for external application. Both of the bottles were properly labelled, and the external medicine had a caution on the bottle that it was poison. “The chief object of the inquiry was to ascertain if the man had received injury from the use of either of these prescriptions, or if he could have accidentally used internally that intended for external application. It appeared, however, from testimony adduced, that the deceased had been most careful and cautious in the use of the bottles.”
Dr. James Cane, Mullinavat, examined the body as well as the bottles and testified that the death was due to asphyxia. The deceased had a large abscess on his right parotid gland that pressed on his trachea. He observed that there was no injury on the body caused by the medicines applied or otherwise. On this evidence the jury—of which Mr. William Costello, of Mullinavat was Foreman — arrived at a verdict ‘Death from natural causes’” (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed., 4 Nov. 1868, p. 3).
John Walsh (c. 1833-1868) of Forristalstown, Glenmore
An inquest was held on 12 September 1868 at Forristaltown, near Glanmore (sic) on the body of John Walsh, a farmer’s son, who had been discovered dead in a well adjoining the farm yard, on the previous morning. The coroner’s jury heard that the deceased was going to take a cow to the fair of Ross early the morning in question. When the family got up at the usual time, about six o’clock, the cow was discovered in the field, although John Walsh was not in his room. A search was then made for the deceased, whose body was discovered at the bottom of a well 30 feet deep, head downwards, and even the feet nearly covered with water. “It appeared his sister, Ellen, discovered his coat in his room, and knowing that it had been his habit to go to the well in the morning to raise a bucket of water to wash his person, she went there, and, looking down, saw his feet above the surface. She promptly let herself down by a rope, and shortly, assisted by her cousin, named Edward Doherty, got up the body. The windlass over the well was found out of order, the iron handle, at one end, being out of its place; and it was conjectured that the deceased had lost his balance in consequence of the sudden disarrangement of the machinery and fallen into the well, head foremost. The skull was injured, and it was conjectured it came into contact with the bucket in the fall. The deceased was 35 years old and unmarried.”
Dr. Mullin, of Ross, was summoned by the constable to determine if the injury to the deceased’s head had been inflicted maliciously before death. After examining the deceased’s body Dr. Mullin concluded the head injury was accidental. The jury arrived at a finding that the deceased came to his death by having accidentally fallen into the well (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 16 Sept. 1868, p. 3).
Thus, the juries in all three of the 1868 inquests above found that the deaths were accidental although it is understandable, under the circumstances, how each of the deaths needed to be investigated. Each of the inquests gives fascinating insight into the ordinary lives of local people from the man who would not see a doctor, a teacher who relied on a “quack doctor,” to a tragic accident on a fair day and his extraordinary sister finding and retrieving the corpse by climbing down into the well.
The drawing of the well above is older than the wells of the 1860’s and it does not have a windlass. Robert, Hubert (1733-1808). Woman drawing water from a stone well. 1763 – 1764. Retrieved from the Digital Public Library of America, http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/90b4e4a4-4c99-1240-e040-e00a180601fd. (Accessed October 21, 2021.)
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Blog Updates: New Guest Authors, Another Centenarian
As the blog approaches its second anniversary we have to acknowledge and thank all of the people who have offered advice, information, photos, support and encouragement. Two ladies who early on volunteered and jumped in and unravelled some of the intertwined Glenmore families for the blog were Ann Fitzgerald and Patty Brown.
New Guest Authors
Today, we are pleased to report that these two dynamic researchers are our latest guest authors. Ann and Patty have written “Glenmore To Brunswick & Back.” This article provides information on the emigration to Canada of a Glenmore family, but also highlight how family research utilizing the most modern techniques of DNA brought the two distant cousins together from across the Atlantic to become good friends and research partners.
This article also includes some fascinating photos. Check out the photo of Margaret Roach née McCarthy. What an expressive photo. The featured photo above is the Roach Homestead in Canada.
This article can be accessed via the home page of the blog by clicking on the Guest Author link and selecting Fitzgerald & Brown from the drop down menu, Or click here.
Centenarian—We have another winnner……Margaret Kirby née Forristal (28 Sept. 1914-17 March 2020)
Thanks to Billie Nolan for sharing information concerning Johanna “Josie” Nolan née Forristal (7 Nov. 1918-22 Feb. 2014) late of Cappah, Glenmore and her older sister, Margaret Kirby née Forristal who lived to be 105 years of age.
From parish records and the birth register we have been able to verify that Johanna and Margaret were the daughters of John “Jack” Forristal (1882-1948) and his wife Annie (née Flynn) (1876-1965). John Forristal was born at Graiguenakill, Glenmore on 24 April 1882 to Patrick Forristal (farmer and miller) and Margaret Forristal née Cardiff. Anne Flynn was born 5 June 1876 at Tinneranny, Rosbercon, the daughter of Thomas Flynn (blacksmith) and Johanna “Judith” (née Crowe). John Forristal and Annie Flynn were married at Glenmore on 16 September 1913. At the time of their wedding John was living in Graiguenakill and working as a labourer and Annie was living in Flemingstown, Glenmore. They both gave their ages as 30. The witnesses to the wedding were Nicholas Forristal (1888-1979) and Margaret Flynn.
When Margaret Forristal was born on 28 September 1914 the family were living in Ballyquin, Mullinavat. Her godparents were Nicholas Forristal and Johanna Flynn. Margaret Forristal married Timothy Kirby (1916-1966) in London in 1945. Unfortunately, we have been unable to locate an obituary for Margaret who died on St. Patrick’s Day 2020. Hopefully someone recorded the secret to her long life.
Johanna Forristal was also born at Ballyquin on 7 November 1918. Her godparents were Laurence Conway and Mrs. David Maddock. On 17 May 1944 Johanna Forristal married David Nolan at Glenmore. The family lived for sometime at Cappagh, Glenmore. Johanna died on 22 February 2014 at the age of 95. She is buried in the family grave at Glenmore (New Ross Standard, 11 March 2014, p. 70). The photo of Johanna was obtained from the Waterford News & Star (1 April 2014).
Over the past two years we have published a number of articles concerning the Forristal Family of the Mill.
For information concerning the Forristal Mill at Graiguenakill see our previous post of 7 June 2020.
For information concerning the drowning of Wm. Forristal (1881-1899) of the Mill, see our post of 31 May 2020.
For information concerning the mysterious death of Peter Forristal (1889-1916) of the Mill, see our post of 29 July 2020.
Over the past few months we have received communications from a number of people who have contributed or corrected information concerning their families. We want to thank all of them particularly Frank Condon, Frank G. Freyne (of Calif.), Martin Forristal and Catherine Davies née Kearney. The beauty of the blog over conventional publishing is that we can add new information or make corrections to published articles. We place [updated] on all previous posts that contain new or corrected information.
Coming Soon
Coming soon is a list of residents of Glenmore parish from the early 1960’s as well as other items from Danny Dowling’s vast collection.
We also hope to have another guest author’s work featured in the next week or so.
If anyone has any information, photos or has an idea for an article please contact us at glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
A Glenmore Fire & the “Hell Fire Jack” Steam Engine
Today, we are going to highlight a fire that destroyed a Glenmore home on 26 January 1935. Just after the beet train called by the locals, “Hell Fire Jack,” started off from the Aylwardstown station, a fire broke out in the top of a rick of hay in Richard Delahunty’s haggard near the Aylwardstown station. The rick was located near the gable end of the thatched dwelling house. Immediately the residents of the nearby four farmers’ houses were on the scene. The wind was very severe and blowing in the direction of the thatched dwelling house. Despite the valiant efforts of the volunteers the dwelling house burned to the ground, but a portion of the hay rick was saved. (Waterford Standard, Sat. 2 Feb. 1935, p. 5). It was reported that the volunteers were greatly hampered because they did not have any fire fighting appliances, but armed themselves with buckets and threw water on the flames. “Mr. Delahunty’s loss [was] stated to be considerable” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Feb. 1935, p. 3)
The Court Case
Richard Delahunty (c. 1867-1954) filed a case against the Great Southern Railways for £300 damages for the burning of his dwelling house, furniture and effects as well as the hay destroyed due to the negligence of the defendant railway or its servants. The three-day trial before Judge Sealy at the Kilkenny Circuit Court was reported in the Munster Express (Fri, 8 May 1936, p. 2).
In the 1930’s juries were still used for tort or civil cases, and an all male jury was selected to hear the case. The men were drawn from both rural and urban areas of the county and included: James Ryan, Killeen, Graiguenamanagh (foreman), Thomas F. Walsh, Ballykeeffe Castle; John Scanlon, Coolbawn; Laurence Kenny, Ballyvalden; Benjamin Fogarty, Ballyouskill; John Gaffney, Lacken, Bennettstown; Michael Kennedy, Gaulstown, Tullaroan, Denis Buggy, Grovine; Danniel Cullen, Blanchfields Park; Patrick Dwyer, Baysrath; Edward Dunne, Mountgale; and Michael Dunne, Kilbricken.
Opening statement for Delahunty–In 1903 the railway erected the railway line linking New Ross and Waterford. At that time Mr. Delahunty appeared before the compensation tribunal and one of his grounds of complaint was that the railway company were laying the line too close to his house and that sooner or later his place would be burned. Three decades later his prophecy came true. “On January 26, 1935, a goods train entered the station at Glenmore; it was returning to Waterford and as it passed through Aylwardstown it had to go up a fairly steep gradient. While the engine was not the engine invented by Stevenson, the inventor of the first steam locomotive, it was a bit antediluvian, and as it ascended the gradient it expressed its distress in no mistaken manner. It was chucking and staggering, and belching smoke trying to get up the hill, and it was emitting gusts of fire and hot cinders.”
Opening statement for the Great Southern Railway—An ordinance survey map was produced with the scene of the fire marked. In November 1935 the defence barrister inspected the area and found a burned three-roomed house with a barn adjoining it. From the railway line to the point of the hayrick nearest the house was a distance of 118 feet 9 inches, and the distance between the rick and the house itself was 5 feet 6 inches. The house had been thatched. There was a gradient in the railway line at Glenmore and when passing by Mr. Delahunty’s farm towards Waterford a train would be going uphill. He estimated it would cost £142 18s. to reconstruct Mr. Delahunty’s house.
Richard Delahunty’s case consisted of six witnesses including himself. Richard Delahunty, testified that he owned 60 acres of land. He lived in the house his entire life. At the time of the construction of the railway he protested because the line was being placed too close to his haggard and there was danger of a fire. In fact in 1905 or 1906 there was a little cock of straw burned. On January 26, 1935, about 4:30 p.m. he was in his house and about two minutes after he heard a train pass he saw the hay rick on fire. The day was dry but there was big gale of wind from the direction of the railway line toward his house. Four tons of hay burned. He often saw showers of sparks coming from engines passing by and he often saw grass and bushes 15 yards from the line burning from the sparks. About 20 years before, on a wild day, a shower of sparks fell around him while he was in his haggard.
Andrew Hefffernan (c. 1893-1975) testified that his farm adjoined the plaintiff’s. On day of the fire there was a northerly wind blowing. On that evening he was in his yard and heard a goods train. He knew it was a goods train from the puffing noise it made going slowly up the hill. A couple of minutes later his son told him that Delahunty’s rick was lighting. He immediately went into Delahunty’s haggard and the rick was burning at the top at the end nearest the house. He rejected the idea that a spark from the dwelling house caused the fire. A spark from the dwelling house would have had to go against the wind to reach the rick. He testified that he often saw sparks being emitted from engines drawing trains in the direction of Waterford, and he knew the sparks were carried a distance of 20 yards from the railway line.
John Connolly (c. 1889-1972) of Scartnamore, Glenmore, stated that on the day of the fire he was loading beet at the Aylwardstown railway station. About 4:30 a beet train came into the station and after some shunting operation proceeded to Waterford. He did not know how many wagons were attached, but the engine was very heavily loaded. The train went out of the station “hard pressed” travelling very slowly. When asked if the train was puffing the witness replied “As far as I could see she could not puff anymore.” A few minutes after the train left the station, he saw the rick in Delahunty’s haggard on fire. He testified that at night he was often able to see sparks flying out and in some instances more than sparks—partially burned coal. Locally the beet train was called “Hell Fire Jack.”
James Delahunty, son of the plaintiff, testified that the beet train that evening was overloaded and he formed this opinion from the noise the engine was making and its slow progress from the station. Within a few minutes of the train passing he saw the hay rick on fire.
Sergeant Nicholas Garvey (1895-1960) Glenmore, stated that when he received a report regarding the fire, he went to the scene about 6 p.m. The roof of the dwelling house was smouldering between the walls and the rick was on fire. About a quarter of the rick was destroyed and the rest saved. There was no fire or signs of fire in the boiler-house. There was a very strong wind blowing from the railway station across to Delahunty’s haggard. About a week before the fire he had patrolled that section of the railway line and saw sparks coming from an engine travelling toward Waterford. He could not say how far the sparks travelled, but it was a calm night. He also observed small bits of partially burned coal along the railway line. Sgt. Garvey did not indicate how or why he was patrolling the railway line, but the line does run near Rathinure where as was highlighted in the blog last week, Sgt. Garvey went courting.
Robert N. Tweedy a consulting and electrical engineer from Dublin testified that he inspected the engine that was used on the beet train the evening of the fire. He testified that the design of the engine allowed small pieces of burning coal to be emitted into the air. In North America spark arresters were required, but he admitted that a spark arrester would considerably increase the cost of running an engine. Another solution would be to increase the size of the smoke box and at the time of the trial smoke boxes being fitted on engines were 50 percent larger. He testified that this was a light goods engine, and starting up with 16 trucks of beet in order to pull the Glenmore gradient the throttle would have to be fully opened. This increased the risk of live coals being blown out of the coal box. This engine was never fitted with a spark arrester and given the weather conditions in his opinion a piece of live coal could have been ejected a sufficient height to land on the hay rick. On cross-examination the railway sought to show that spark arresters and other alterations to its fleet of engines would be extremely expensive for the railway. The expert witness replied that the practical thing to do would be for the railway to scrap its 59 old engines “because they have lasted long enough and have paid for themselves” or stop using inferior cheap coal.
The defence case by the Great Southern Railway generally consisted of a dozen railway employees testifying and often contradicted each other. Arthur Plumer, engineer with the GSR for 15 years testified that the gradient nearest plaintiff’s house was about 1 in 200. He admitted on cross examination that he knew very little regarding the train which slipped her brakes years before on the same stretch of line. Mr. Batmont, draughtsman, produced the plan of the engine which depicted a brick arch in the engine designed to stop sparks from passing up through the funnel. William Finn, shed foreman, Waterford, said that he examined the arch in this particular engine which was renewed on 6 November 1934. After the Delahunty fire the arch was examined and was in perfect condition. John Wyse, fitter’s helper, also examined the arch and found it to be in perfect condition. F. Johnson, assistant divisional loco. Supt. Waterford, said after he received a report of the fire he too looked at the engine and found the arches to be perfect. He admitted that the life of arches varied from two days up to three months. The fire took place almost three months after the engine was allegedly renewed.
Ernest G. Cox, the New Ross stationmaster, said the train left his station and would arrive in Glenmore about 4:30. It was the beet train and was for the Thurles Sugar Factory. The total weight of the contents of the 16 wagons according to the advice notes was 104 tons, 7 cwt. 3 qurs, plus the weight of the wagons. The weight was disputed by another defence witness, Michal Carroll, weighbridge check, who said the actual weight was 204 tons, 8 cwt. 1 qr. Denis Doyle, Halt-keeper, testified that the train took on two wagons of beet at Glenmore. Given that two wagons were added at Aylwardstown station no railway defence witness could testify correctly to what load the engine had when it left the Aylwardstown station.
Perhaps the most interesting of the railways witnesses was James Reale, the driver. He testified that he arrived at Glenmore at 4 o’clock, where he had to do some shunting at the New Ross end of the platform. “The engine was not overloaded. If he had been given an overladen train he would not have taken it.” He went on to testify that the engine did not leave the Aylwardstown station under great pressure. On cross examination he said that he was not offended that his train was described as “Hell Fire Jack” as all beet trains were called that. When pressed further he said that he did not know why they were called “Hell Fire Jack” and perhaps realizing the significance of the name added, “They might be the ‘Ghost Train’ for all that.” William Madigan, guard on the train, produced the train log. The train arrived at Glenmore at 4:12, left at 4:30 and arrived in Waterford at 5. John Barker, the fireman, said he did not notice the engine emitting sparks and the engine was not under any particular strain. Thus, all the employees of the railway denied that “Hell Fire Jack” was under any strain in Glenmore or emitting sparks.
C.E. McCreery, auctioneer and valuer, inspected the ruins of the dwelling house for the defence. He described the house as made of cobblestones, mortar and yellow clay. He estimated the value of the premises at £100. The value of the furniture £23 and the value of the hay at £10. In his opinion the house could be reconstructed for £40. (In 1936 McCreery & Sons were located at 40 Parliment St., Kilkenny.) Edward Bredin, the chief works manager of the railway stated that it would cost a total of £37,000 for all renewals as suggested by Mr. Tweedy. From his standpoint the brick arch used was the most efficient. Michael McGinnity, assistant to the chief mechanical engineer, stated that an engine running from Glenmore to Waterford would be capable of carrying from 360 tons to 370 tons. The engine in question would be capable of carrying 33 full wagons up the gradient at Glenmore without the engine labouring or being distressed. Engines of this type covered 2.5 million miles. Several other “experts” employed by the defendant were called who all testified that the measures employed in North America would not work here. The most interesting alleged expert was Col. Owen O’Brien who testified that he worked for English railways for years and visited France, the United States and Italy to conduct experiments regarding the various types of spark arresters and the reduction of sparks. The newspaper article does not indicate if Col. Owen O’Brien published the findings of his alleged experiments.
After the three day trial the jury found for Richard Delahunty and awarded £175 with costs and expenses.
Unfortunately, this was not the end of the fires in Glenmore caused by the steam trains pulling loads to Waterford, but no buildings were destroyed in later fires. On several occasions the banks along the railway caught fire. In the late 1950’s a fire spread from the railway bank up as far as Michael Roche’s slotted unit on the east edge of Rathinure. A few years later another fire burned several fields and ditches.
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the photo of the Aylwardstown, Glenmore railway station. Please send any and all corrections, or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Sergeant Garvey (1895-1960) and His Glenmore Bride
Last week we highlighted the determination of the Garda Siochána to have a presence in Glenmore as well as a list of the sergeants that served in the Glenmore Garda Station over the years. One of these sergeants was Nicholas Garvey (1895-1960) who, according to the list Danny Dowling put together, was the Sergeant in Glenmore from 1936 – 1938. Today, we are going to highlight how Sergeant Garvey’s duties in Glenmore brought him to Rathinure to meet the woman who was to become his wife, Mary Grace (1913-1988). This story provides a glimpse into parish life in the 1930’s.
Prior to coming to Glenmore, Sergeant Garvey tragically lost his first wife, Mary Garvey née Aylward on the 19th August 1934. Mary Garvey née Aylward (c. 1902-1934) was only 32 when she died at her parent’s home on New Street in Carrick-on-Suir after an illness “of some months” duration. (Munster Express, 31 Aug. 1934, p. 8). At the time of Mary’s death Sergeant Garvey was stationed at Ballylanders, Co. Limerick (Irish Independent, 4 Oct. 1934) and the couple had two young daughters, Kathleen and Monica Garvey. With his young children being cared for by their maternal grandparents in Carrick-on-Suir, the widower, Sergeant Garvey was transferred first to Tullogher and then to Glenmore. While at Tullogher the locals made up a verse regarding the Sergeant and his four men, “Garvey let Lyons Loose to catch Salmon on the Shannon.” (This verse or ditty was given to Johnny Garvey by Dick Cotteral (c.1920 -2008) native of Ballycroney, Glenmore).
The petty session records from the 1930’s reflect that the Gardaí in Glenmore spent most of their time issuing summons for public intoxication, noxious weeds, dog licenses and wandering livestock. According to Danny Dowling, as often happened, some of the various Rathinure neighbours fell out with each other although the majority of Rathinure residents were related. During threshing times neighbours generally helped one another. The threshing would commence on one farm and move on to the next until the harvest was complete. Shortly after Sergeant Garvey came to Glenmore, the hamlet of Rathinure and the neighbours, who were generally named Kennedy or were descendants of Kennedy’s, were divided when the threshing was to commence.
The Grant brothers, of Carriganura, Slieverue were threshing for John Sean Óg Kennedy, of Rathinure, Glenmore. On the same day another rival threshing set by the name of Power were threshing for Statia Roche née Kennedy. Statia was a daughter of the late William Kennedy. The Grants were very intolerant of any opposition or competition. Some of the Grant brothers were very fond of the drink, but all were reported to be fond of fighting. Further information on the Grant brothers is below.
With the two rival threshing sets in close proximity, a Rathinure resident notified the Gardaí of the impending breach of peace which may have been termed a faction fight in earlier times. In response, the Glenmore Garda Station was emptied and Sergeant Nicholas Garvey and the four officers proceeded with due haste to Rathinure where they spent most of the day keeping the rival threshing sets from fighting. During the course of the day Sergeant Garvey met Mary Grace, the niece who was living with John Sean Óg Kennedy and his sister Mary Sean Óg Kennedy. According to Danny Dowling, Mary Grace offered the Sergeant a cup of tea and a bit of cake and he was smitten. According to the wedding announcement that appeared in the Munster Express, Mary Grant had lived in Rathinure for 8 years before she married.
Jimmy Roche, of Rathinure (1927- 2018) was just a young fellow when Sergeant Garvey used to walk from the Village to Rathinure. It is assumed that he followed the mass path that provided a direct route from Glenmore Village to the Bushing Fada lane that led to the back of John Sean Óg Kennedy’s house. Jimmy Roche told me years ago that Sergeant Garvey thought that he was not observed arriving via the Bushing Fada lane, but all the local youngsters were gathered in a field to play hurling and observed the courting bound Sergeant Garvey. Within a short time all the Rathinure adults also were observing how often Sergeant Garvey found his way to Rathinure.
Ultimately Sergeant Nicholas Garvey married Mary Grace (1913-1988) at the Pro-Cathedral of Dublin in the summer of 1937. Mr. John Grace, the bride’s brother was best man and the bride “was attended by her niece.” The bride wore cream satin dress with a hat to mach. A wedding breakfast was held in the Ormond Hotel, Dublin and the newlyweds honeymooned in Blackpool. (Munster Express, 16 July 1937, p. 7).
After the couple were married Sergeant Garvey was transferred to Cork. In addition to the two daughters Kathleen and Monica that Sergeant Garvey had with his first wife, he and Mary Grace had 9 children: [1] Patrick Garvey; [2] William Garvey; [3] Margaret Garvey; [4] Johnny Garvey; [5] Frederick Garvey; [6] Mary Garvey [7] & [8] Twins Peter and Paul Garvey (died in infancy); and [9] Bernadette Garvey. When he retired from An Garda Siochana the couple ran a guest house in Tramore. At the age of 15 Johnny Garvey, like his mother before him, moved to Rathinure to work with his great-uncle and aunt, John Sean Óg Kennedy and Mary (Sean Óg) and has remained in Rathinure to this day.
The year 1960 was a very tragic year for Mary Garvey née Grace. Her father, William Grace (c. 1881-1960) died in March (Munster Express, 25 March 1960, p. 2) and her husband, retired Sergeant Nicholas Garvey died in June (Munster Express, Friday 17 June 1960, p. 8). In 1960 according to William’s obituary Patrick Garvey, was with Customs and Excise, in Tullamore, Offaly. William Garvey, was with the Tourist Board, London. Johnny Garvey was farming in Rathinure while Margaret Garvey was employed by London and Newcastle in Waterford. Fred, Mary and Bernie Garvey were living in Tramore.
Mary Garvey née Grace died on 21 July 1988 at the age of 75. At the time of her death Bill Garvey, was working for British Airways, London, and Fred Garvey, was a Garda Inspector, at the Templemore Training Centre. Fred Garvey was the only child to follow his father into An Garda Siochána. Ultimately Fred became a Chief Superintendent based in Tralee and served in one of the stations where his father previously served. Margaret Fitzsimmons née Garvey, Mary Walsh née Garvey and Bernie Martin, née Garvey were all married and living in Dublin (Munster Express, Fri. 29 July 1988, p. 15). Her step-daughters were both married and Monica Clancy née Garvey lived in Carrick-on-Suir and Kathleen Burke née Garvey lived in Dublin.
Ancestors of Mary Garvey née Grace (1913-1988)
Mary Garvey née Grace was born on 29 January 1913, the daughter of William Grace and his wife Margaret Grace, née Kennedy of Ballyhomuck, Big Wood, Mullinavat. William and Margaret were married on 16 February 1909 at Glenmore. Margaret Grace née Kennedy (b. 1880) was 28 years of age when she married and she was the daughter of John Kennedy (c. 1840-1920) and Ellen Kennedy née Walshe (c. 1942-1911) of Rathinure. William Grace and his wife Margaret Grace née Kennedy had five children: [1] William Grace; [2] Ed Grace; [2] John Grace; [3] Ellie Grace and [4] Mary Garvey née Grace. Mary was the only Grace sibling to marry.
Mary Garvey née Grace’s maternal grandparents were John Kennedy ( c. 1840-1920) of Rathinure, and Ellen Walshe (c. 1842-1911), of Jamestown, Glenmore who married on 10 Feb. 1879. The bridegroom was the son of John Kennedy and the bride was the daughter of Walter Walshe. The couple had five children: [1] Margaret Kennedy (b. 24 Feb. 1880) married William Grace; [2] Mary Kennedy (13 April 1881-8 Feb. 1971); [3] Anne Kennedy (b. 11 Jan. 1883) (Church record Honor) Hannie Sean Óg married James Donovan the first creamery manager in Glenmore. [4] John Kennedy (John Sean Óg), 11 Feb. 1885-11 Feb. 1962); [5] Patrick Kennedy called Patsy Sean Óg (20 Jan. 1887-5 Nov. 1951) (married Catherine O’Grady, 22 Nov. 1939 Chicago Cathedral).
Parents and Siblings of Sergeant Nicholas Garvey
Nicholas Garvey was born 10 October 1895 at Mornington, Co. Meath son of Patrick Garvey (c. 1855-before 1931) and his wife, Kate Garvey née Reynolds (c. 1858- 1931). At the time of his birth, Patrick Garvey gave his profession as pilot. Mornington is a coastal village on the River Boyne estuary and means “Town of the Mariner.” In 1895 a pilot worked on a ship. Ships took on pilots who were responsible for navigating the ship into port or up a river. Nicholas Garvey was the youngest of the children listed in the 1901 Census. [1] Mary Anne Garvey (aged 24); [2] John Garvey (aged 20); [3] Peter Garvey (aged 19); [4] Patrick Garvey (aged 19); [5] Bridget Garvey (aged 17); [6] Anastatia Garvey (aged 15); [7] Lawrence Garvey (aged 12); [8] Philomena Garvey (aged 10); [9] William Garvey (aged 8); and [10] Nicholas Garvey (aged 6).
The Grant Brothers
The Grant brothers were all big, rough men. There were five brothers and none of them married. Their parents were John Grant and Anne Aylward who were married on 13 February 1899 in Waterford. The couple were married by Rev. Father Thomas Grant, C.C. of St. Dominick’s. John was the son of William Grant. Anne Grant née Aylward was born on 12 August 1870 to Thomas Aylward and Ellen Henebery of Ballytasnia, Ballyhale. According to the 1911 census of Carrignurra, Slieverue John Grant was 11 years older than his wife.
The first four Grant brothers were born at Ballytasnia, Ballyhale. [1] William Grant (8 Oct. 1902-19 July 1956); [2] Thomas Grant (2 Feb. 1905-4 Jan. 1973); [3] James Grant (b. 20 Nov. 1906) and [4] John Joe Grant (8 June 1908-7 April 1987). [5] Richard Grant was born on 20 August 1917 at Carrignurra, Slieverue and died on 18 January 2001. This information was obtained from the birth registry and the Grant headstone in Glenmore cemetery.
Special thanks to Johnny and Breda Garvey for sharing their family photos and providing family information. Please send any and all corrections, omissions or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Glenmore Garda Station [Updated]
Danny Dowling in his quest for information concerning Glenmore and its people corresponded with various agencies from the Naval Historical Center of the U.S. Navy to the Garda Siochána Archives. Although Danny was unable to verify that a Glenmore native was killed while serving on the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbour in 1898, Danny was able to obtain correspondence concerning the early Glenmore Garda Station. This correspondence not only provides information concerning the local Garda Station, but it also gives a fascinating glimpse into the early workings of the Free State. Lacking in the correspondence is any indication as to why the presence of Garda in Glenmore was so important to generate the correspondence where the “occupation” of Glenmore was deemed important. As we highlighted in a previous post of 11 April 2020, the Glenmore R.I.C. Barracks was burned in 1920 by the Glenmore Company of the old I.R.A.
Occupation of Glenmore
In early February 1924 a memo was sent to the Garda Commissioner regarding the “Occupation of Glenmore.” Notwithstanding this interesting choice of words, it was noted that the Board of Works apparently located a temporary accommodation in Glenmore but the owner was not willing to rent the house. The Board of Works wanted to know whether it should proceed to “commandeering under the Acquisition of Premises Act.” In turn on 21 February 1924, a letter was written to the “Minister of Home Affairs” noting that there was no suitable accommodation in Glenmore for the Garda except for a cottage belonging to Mr. Dalton, of Waterford. The owner offered the house for sale but refused to rent it to the Garda. “Under the circumstances the Commissioner is of the opinion that the Board of Works should be urged to negotiate for the rebuilding of the old R.I.C. Barracks at Glenmore so as to provide accommodation of a suitable permanent nature for the Garda.” Then 11 days later, on 4 March 1924, a second letter was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs stating that the Commissioner was of the opinion that the “provision of the Civic Guard (Acquisition of Premises) Act 1923 should be brought into operation in order to secure the vacant cottage belonging to Mr. Dalton, for the use of An Garda.” Although it is not clearly stated in the correspondence one interpretation could be that the Commissioner was seeking both a temporary and permanent accomodation in Glenmore to provide immediate services to an area without police since 1920.
The Garda Commissioner received a response letter dated 22 March 1924, where it was queried if “it has been definitely decided to have a Garda Station permanently at Glenmore…” The Board of Works had stated that the “landlord of the old Royal Irish Constabulary Barrack has received compensation for the destruction of the house. He will not rebuild but is understood to be willing to sell the site and ruins.” If a permanent Garda Station is required for Glenmore the Board of Works would be instructed to open negotiations with the landlord with a view to submitting the proposal to the Ministry of Finance for authority to purchase the site and ruins and to restore the building as a permanent station for the Garda. The owner of the site and ruins was Lord Bessborough although his name does not appear in the letter.
Two days later the Commissioner wrote to the Kilkenny Chief Superintendent informing him that the Board of Works were of the opinion that securing Mr. Dalton’s premises “would scarcely be worthwhile.” The Chief Superintendent on the 24th stated he only recommended it “owing to the very urgent necessity for the Guards in this area.” He noted that the purchase and rebuilding of the old R.I.C. barracks would require a couple of years. Ultimately the Board of Works concluded terms for the purchase of the site and ruins in late November 1924 and on 3 December 1924 the Commissioner was advised that “the legal steps for the conveyance are now in progress.”
On 23 December 1924 the Chief Superintendent received a letter from the Thomastown Superintendent that a vacant house was located in Weatherstown, Glenmore for Garda accommodation. The house was visited and Mr. Fitzgerald, the owner, agreed to rent it for £25 per year. The house was located 1.5 miles from the Village and 3.5 miles from the Glenmore Railway Station, 6 miles from Tullogher, 5 miles from New Ross and 7 miles from Mullinavat. After erecting a “dry closet” (a.k.a. outhouse/privy) the Weatherstown Garda Station received three gardai from Thomastown on the 24th of January 1925. For the first time since 1920 there was an operating police station in the parish of Glenmore.
Repairs to the Old R.I.C. Barracks were completed and on the 3rd of November 1925, the key of the Weatherstown Garda Station was returned to Mr. Fitzgerald. The only item not completed at the Glenmore Village Garda Station was the installation of a cooking range. “Although the Barrack is suitable for the permanent accommodation of An Garda, married quarters are not available.” Within 20 days of occupation a request was made for the installation of a telephone. It was noted that the “cost of installation would be small as the wires pass close to the barracks.” (Letter DC/1806/23 dated 23 Nov. 1925).
[Update 10 April 2022: Amazingly the Civic Guards taking over the old R.I.C. barracks at Glenmore was reported in the New York newspaper The Advocte (Sat. 18 Dec. 1925, p. 5). It was noted that these barracks were “wrecked during the troubled times and recently repaired.]
The Glenmore Water Scheme
A lull in correspondence occurred until an article was published in the Kilkenny People on 21 March 1931. The article stated that the Board approved a new water supply for the Village of Glenmore as the public water available was unfit for human consumption. The article was attached to letter dated 26 March 1931 asking the Commissioner to approve the Glenmore station for “private water supply” at the estimated cost of £2 per annum. This letter, written by J. Murphy, provides interesting details concerning the conditions in the Station. “The old village pump is situate about 140 yards down a steep incline from the Garda barracks,” and under the new scheme it is here that the public tap would be provided. For information on the pollution of the Glenmore public water, we previously published an article on the Glenmore water scheme on 23 May 2020.
During the summer months it was reported that about 30 gallons of water was needed in the Glenmore station for domestic and other purposes. “The Barrack servant provides only what is necessary for household use, and the remainder is provided by the Station party at an expense of approximately £3.10.0 per annum. I was not aware until now that the Station party were paying for the carriage of water to the Station…The expense is not shown in the Mess Book as the money is paid from a reserve fund on hand at the Station as a result of discount received on mess bills.” Thus the Station had a servant who carried the water from the Creamery to the Station. The village pump was located in front of where the pub is now and described in the letter as being on a “steep incline.” Instead the water came from the local creamery pump which “is situate about 300 yards from the Station, with the consent of the manager.” No mention is made of the steeper incline between the Station and the creamery or further reference to the “reserve fund.”
When J. Murphy did not receive a response he sent a memo dated 14 May 1931 to Commissioner “A” noting that should his recommendation that a private water supply be provided to the Glenmore Station it would be necessary to advise the contractors as the work on the scheme had commenced. He noted that “…special piping to which connections can be linked up will only be provided where ordered…” In December 1931 a private water supply was approved for the Glenmore Garda Station and the connection was made in January 1932.
In August 1934 the Glenmore Garda Station made a request for a “bucket or receiver for use in closet.” It thus appears that although the Station received running water in 1932 no sanitary improvements such as a flushing toilet followed. In October 1934 a list of works and repairs was made. In addition to the painting and distempering of various walls and ceilings in the kitchen, day room, hall, stairs and sergeant’s office and bedrooms the strong room walls required white wash. The strong room was a cell which was located at the back of the building. It was also noted that the water supply should be extended to the wash house with three basins and taps to be provided. “The lavatory is of the pail type and is unsuitable owing to its close proximity to the kitchen door a flush lavatory or septic tank should be provided.” The Board of Works invited tenders for repairs and the contractor hired was M. Bailey of New Ross with work to be completed on the 5th of December 1934. However, the extension of the waterline to the washhouse and the lavatory were recommended but not approved for tender.
In March 1936 the request to extend the water line to the wash house and the provision of flush lavatory and septic tank was renewed. It was also requested that two window blinds be fitted to the bedroom windows as the rooms face the street and have neither shutters nor blinds. Here the correspondence file ends. It is believed that the station did obtain a flushing lavatory, but it is not known when this occurred.
Lastly, the file contains a handwritten list of Sergeants stationed in Glenmore from 1932 to 1997:
1932-1935 John Mullane
1935 Corneilius Tully
1936-1938 Nicholas Garvey
1939-1956 John Dalton
1957-1964 James Flynn
1965 VACANT
1966-T.D. Malone
1967-VACANT
1968 D.F. Bulger
1969-1970 M. Murphy
1971-1974 A.J. Hallissey
1975-1976 J. O’Sullivan
1977-1979 P.F. M’Govern
1980-1981 F.J. Stafford
1982-1985 No Directories
1985-1997 VACANT
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for the photo of the the Glenmore Barracks after it was set on fire by the local Company of the Old I.R.A.
Next week we are going to highlight Garda Sergeant Nicholas Garvey and the story of how he met his Glenmore bride.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh