Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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John O’Donovan (1806-1861) and Genuine Irish Proverbs
As we approach St. Patrick’s Day 2021, we wanted to provide a few Irish proverbs to readers. In our quest for proverbs, we discovered a paper written in 1832 by the well-known Irish scholar John O’Donovan (1806-1861) who was born and reared in the former united Catholic parishes of Slieverue and Glenmore. For a concise biography of O’Donovan and his important work see, https://libraryireland.com/biography/JohnODonovan.php .
As Danny Dowling explained, in some of our earliest posts, the parish of Glenmore did not exist until 1846 when the Catholic parish of Slieverue was split. The old civil parish of Kilcolumb was divided unequally between the Catholic parishes of Slieverue and the new Catholic parish of Glenmore. John O’Donovan’s mother was Elleanor Haberlin, from Rochestown townland, now in Glenmore. She married on 6 October 1788 Edmond O’Donovan, of Atateemore townland, Slieverue. Atateemore was where John O’Donovan was born in 1806. During the 1846 division, Attateemore although in the civil parish of Kilcolumb, and alongside Rochestown, remained in Slieverue Catholic parish.
John O’Donovan is said to have started his education in a hedge school and then attended the Hunt Academy in Waterford City. His father, Edmund O’Donovan died in 1817 and a few years later at the age of 17 O’Donovan went to Dublin. Although a place was secured for him to study at Maynooth he declined it because he did not wish to become a priest. O’Donovan’s first job was in the Public Service Office where he translated and transcribed ancient manuscripts (Munster Express, 10 Nov. 2006, p. 13). From 1830 to 1842 O’Donovan was employed on the first Ordinance Survey researching place names. He was sent into the field and travelled across Ireland. From around Ireland, O’Donovan sent letters to his boss containing descriptions of local lore, tradition and antiquities. These letters were placed in 103 volumes and became known as the “O’Donovan Letters.” “They are not heavy with more erudition, but are enlivened with flashes of humourous anecdotes and many a merry ‘quip and crack and jest.’” (Catholic Encyclopedia, available at https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11210c.htm ). From 1842 until 1861, from time to time, O’Donovan continued to perform work on the Ordinance Survey when requested.
by Bernard Mulenan (wiki)
In 2014 Professor Michael Herity, presented to the Royal Irish Academy a lecture entitled “John O’Donovan’s Work for the Ordinance Survey 1830-61” the slides are available at Prof. Michael Herity, MRIA, ‘John O’Donovan’s work for the OS’. 29-10… (slideshare.net). In addition to highlighting the work undertaken see, slide 23 which highlights an interesting excerpt from one of O’Donovan’s letters. “There is a tradition here that the Goldsmiths are descended from a foreign friar who came to Ireland about a couple of centuries ago, and who seeing every inducement to embrace the Religion of the state broke his vows of chastity, poverty etc. and became a Minister legens. And hence the family were called by the old Irish in their own language lioct maga laide an tean báta, which I avoid translating for the sake of decency. This may or may not be true, but it is worthy of remark that the family are remarkable for lasciviousness and that almost all of the Goldsmiths now living here are illegitimate…All this has little to do with topography.”
Irish Proverbs
In 1832, while working for the Ordinance Survey, John O’Donovan’s article entitled “Irish Proverbs,” was published in the Dublin Penny Journal (Nov. 1832, p. 158-19 available at URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/30003762). A proverb is usually a short saying of popular wisdom to provide practical advice or teach a lesson. O’Donovan noted that from ancient times proverbs were recorded by Plato, Aristotole and Plutarch. “Proverbs owe their origin to the sayings of wise men, allusions of ancient poets, the customs and manners of nations, they are adapted to common use as ornaments of speech, set rules of instruction, arguments of wisdom, to which time has given assent, and maxims of undeniable truth. The peculiar veneration which the Irish have for their ancient proverbs, has given rise to a well known assertion: Ni feider an sean-fhocal do sharúghadh. It is impossible to contradict the old word (proverb.)”
O’Donovan lamented that for a people who entertain such a high opinion of proverbs, it should be expected that a trace of wisdom would appear in the printed collections of proverbs. However, he found that “amongst all the nations of the world,” the proverbs attributed to the Irish, were “the most vulgar, awkward, incoherent, and ridiculous, indicating a lowness of sentiment, and a total lack of mental refinement.” O’Donovan expressed disbelief that no one had previously objected to the proverbs attributed to the Irish. He referenced the Ray collection and re-produced a list of seven “modern English-Irish proverbs of the lowest order, and rudest nature” found in the Ray collection. John Ray (1627-1705) in 1670 published a collection of English proverbs. His book continued to be published through the 19th century long after his death. The new editions were updated and expanded to include proverbs from other countries including Ireland. The seven offending proverbs identified by O’Donovan in Ray’s collection include:
- She is like a Mullingar heifer, beef to the heels.
- He is like a Waterford merchant, up to the ___ in business. [Unfortunately, the blank was not filled in.]
- His eyes are like two burnt holes in a blanket.
- Full of fun and foustre, like Mooney’s goose.
- He looks as angry as if he were vexed.
- ‘Tis as bad as cheating the devil in the dark, and two farthing candles for a halfpenny.
- He’d skin a louse, and send the hide and fat to market.
O’Donovan then listed 84 “genuine Irish proverbs, that he translated principally from Hardiman’s Irish Mintrelsy…” Below is a selection of the “genuine Irish proverbs.”
1. An t-scod dofhaghála’s I is áilne. The rare jewel is the most beautiful.
2. Air li ni breíth fear gan suilíbh. A blind man is no judge of colours.
3. Anuair a bhidheann an cat a muigh bidheann na lucha a g rainnceadh. When the cat is out, the mice dance.
5. Bidh ádh air Amadán. Even a fool has luck.
6. Beul eidhin a’s croidhe cuilinn. A mouth of ivy, a heart of holly. [O’Donovan offered the following explanation “The leaves of ivy are soft and smooth, those of holly rough and prickly—a metaphorical proverb.”]
9. Bidh boirbeacht in-geal ghaire. There is often anger in a laugh.
11. Buaine clú na saoghal. Fame is more lasting than life.
13. Bocht an Eaglais bhios gan cheol. The church that has no music is poor indeed.
17. Claoidheann neart ceart. Force overcomes justice.
18. Caomhnann dochas ant-ingreamach. Hope consoles the persecuted.
22. Dearbhrathair leadranachta clachán. Drunkeness is the brother of robbery.
30. Feárr dreoilin in-dorn ‘ná corr air cairde. A wren in the hand is better than a crane out of it.
31. An te Chidheann amiúgh fuaruigheann a chuid. He who is out, his supper cools.
46. Is treise gliocas ‘ná neart. Wisdom exceeds strength.
47. Is milis fion, is searbh a ioc. Wine is sweet; to pay for it bitter.
50. Is Dall an gradh baoth. Foolish love is blind.
61. Ni fhuil gaol ag aon re saoi gan scun. No one is related to a man without prosperity.
64. Ni fhuil ro aosta re foghuim crinachta. Never too old to learn wisdom.
65. Ni fhuil saoi gan locht. There is no one without fault.
69. Righ miofhoghlamtha is asal corónta. An ignorant king is a crowned ass.
70. Saruigheann Eagna gach Saidhbhreas. Wisdom exceeds riches.
71. Soightheach folamh is mo torann. An empty vessel makes most noise. [O’Donovan noted this was applied to a talkative man.]
72. Saidhbhreas sior subhailce. Virtue is eternal wealth
73. Sgeitheann fion firinne. Wine pours out the truth. [O’Donovan noted that this is applied to a drunken man who foolishly “blabs” out his secrets.]
77. Tosach coille a’s deirc móna. The beginning of a wood; the end of a bog.
79. Fion a n-diu, uisge amarach. Wine today, water tomorrow.
82. Dearg anoir is ionann a’s sioc. Red [sky] in the east [dawn] is a sign of frost.
83. Bogha fliuch na maiden, bogha tirm na trathnona. A rainbow in the morning is a sign of rain; in the evening, of dry weather.
When I first visited Glenmore thirty years ago there were two sayings that I heard that were so expressive that I have never forgotten the sayings or the Glenmore people that said them. While the first saying might be labelled a proverb the second would never be recognised by O’Donovan as a genuine proverb .
- You can’t put a old head on young shoulders.
- Fur coat; no knickers. [For our international readers knickers in Ireland refers to underwear/panties.]
Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2021
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
For information concerning John O’Donovan’s family see, Canon Carrigan, “John O’Donovan and His Immediate Relatives: From the Registers of the Formerly United Parishes of Slieverue and Glenmore, in the County Kilkenny,” Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (6th series, 30 Sept. 1915, p.167-169). Available at https://www.jstory.org/stable/25514417.
The Glenmore Ploughing Association, Est. 1938
Today, we are going to highlight the first two years of the Glenmore Ploughing Association which held its first match on the 16th of February 1938. Ploughing Associations in Ireland began to form early in the 1930’s. According to the National Ploughing Association the first inter-county ploughing contest took place in 1931. Two friends got into an argument over which of their counties had the best ploughmen. However, unlike most arguments, that remain unresolved, Denis Allen, of Gorey, Co. Wexford and J.J. Bergin, of Athy, Co. Kildare determined that a ploughing contest would settle the issue. Thus, the friendly rivalry between two friends gave birth to what would become the National Ploughing Association. On Monday the 16th of February 1931 the first contest took place in W.K. Hosie’s 26 acres field at Coursetown in Athy. For the history and some old photos of the National Ploughing Association see, https://www.npa.ie/historymenu/.
The following description of the first Glenmore Ploughing Match was found in the Munster Express (Fri. 18 Feb. 1938, p. 8) and contains the names of 45 Glenmore men and women. In the early years of Ploughing Associations women were not contestants, but rather were listed for the “catering arrangements.” In reviewing a number of newspaper accounts, of early ploughing associations forming and holding matches, it is very unusual for the names of women who supported the cause to be acknowledged let alone named.
The First Glenmore Ploughing Association Match
On the hillside of Robinstown, with a beautiful panorama of fertile land stretched beneath, the first ploughing fixture in the history of Glenmore parish took place on Wednesday last, being favoured with ideal weather. The number of entries totalled 30, representative of Kilkenny and Wexford and included David O’Connor, Campile, All-Ireland champion; Michael Redmond, former champion, and Pat Walsh, Clogga, Kilkenny senior champion. The judges were Messrs John Walsh, Ballycraddick, Co. Waterford; J. Kinsella, Crosstown, Co. Wexford, and David Egan, Wexford. Interviewed by our representative, the judges stated that the work done was of an exceptionally high standard, particularly in the junior class, the winner of which was notably outstanding. So keen was the competition that a number of
competitors tied for places with equal points. Nothing was left undone to make the initial fixture a success, and the committee deserves the highest credit for the splendid success achieved, and it is almost certain that the fixture will now be an annual event.Those responsible for the arrangements were — Messrs R. Murphy, Robinstown, Chairman; Thos. Mullally, Davidstown, Vice-Chairman; James Kelly, Aylwardstown, Hon. Sec.; Patk. Corcoran, Mullinahone; Hon. Treas., and the following committee — Messrs. J. Phelan, do; Thos. Walsh, Davidstown; John Doherty, do; Nicholas Walsh, do; John Kirwan, Gaulstown; Michael Kirwan, do; John Kirwan, Robinstown; Michael Reddy, do; Thomas Murphy, do; Thos. Roche, do; Thos. Heffernan, Kearney Bay; Ml. Heffernan, do; Ed. Heffernan, do; James Irish, Aylwardstown; Jas. Delahunty, do; John Culleton, Kilbride; Thos. Freyne, do; Wm. Grace, do ; Nicholas Mullins, Flemingstown; Joe Walsh, Rochestown; P. Roche, Rathinure; Luke Roche, Haggard, and John McBride, Newtown.
The catering arrangements were efficiently carried out by the following ladies’ committee —The Misses Molly Culleton, Kilbride; Teresa Freyne, do; Alice Grace, do; Stasia Aylward,Parkstown; Mary Aylward, do; Sarah Kelly, Graignakill; Margaret Kelly, do; Bridget Connors, Ballyfacey; Mary Connolly, Scartnamore; Minnie McDonald, Gaulstown; Margt. McBride, Robinstown; Margt. Sheehy, Ballinclare; Kathleen Walsh, Rochestown; Bridget Roche, Rathinure; Bridie Delahunty, Aylwardstown; Cecilia Heffernan, Kearney Bay; Bessie Murphy, Mullinakill, and Bridie Phelan, Mullinahone.
A number of subscriptions were contributed by Waterford and New Ross traders, as well as locally, a sum of £5 being given by Glenmore Co-operative Creamery. A valuable cup presented by Major McCalmont. M.F.H., Mount Juliet, will be competed for at next year’s fixture. [Notwithstanding this announcement per a statement made by P.N. O’Gorman (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Jan. 1939, p. 11) Major McCalmont wasn’t asked to sponsor a cup until December 1938.]
The Awards. The results were as follows —
- Class 1 (senior, open)—1st, W. Kehoe, Boley, Co. Wexford; 2nd, tie between Michael Redmond, Wexford, and David O’Connor, do : 4th. J. Byrne, Oldtown. Best furrow, Pat Walsh, Clogga; best middle and prize for Star plough, D. O’Connor.
- Class 2 (junior, open)—1st, John Golfer, Campile; 2nd, Ml. Murphy, Ballyanne ; 3rd, tie between Thomas Walsh, Davidstown; Wm. Mackey, Mooncoin, and Stephen Curtis, Clongeen, Co. Wexford. Best middle and best furrow, John Colfer.
- Class 3 (novice, confined to Co. Kilkenny) —1st, Joe Walsh, Rochestown; 2nd, tie between John Dunphy, Mooncoin, and John Walsh, Firhouse, Kilkenny; 4th, Michael Reddy, Robinstown. Best middle, tie between Joe Walsh and John Walsh; best furrow, John Dunphy.
The field was kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr. Richard Murphy, Robinstown, and there was an extremely large attendance of spectators, who followed the work of the competitors with keen interest. At the conclusion, Mr. Murphy, on behalf of the committee, thanked the competitors, the judges, the ladies’ committee, the subscribers, those who had kindly lent horses, and all who in any way had contributed to the success of the fixture. He announced, amidst applause, that a cup had been presented for next year’s ploughing match, and added that Wexford would have to fight hard for the honours next time. “The British Government are having a big ploughing fixture in Northern Ireland,” concluded Mr. Murphy, “and have invited representatives from Southern Ireland to compete. The Wexfordmen will go, and the Kilkenny men will go too and they will show the British Government how to plough, the same as they showed them how to fight over a hundred years ago.” (Applause.)
The New Ross Standard (Fri. 18 Feb. 1938, p. 3) also contained a large article on the first Glenmore ploughing match. Unfortunately, the New Ross Standard incorrectly identified Rochestown as the venue and its article did not name the members of the ladies committee. The article does contain several flowery statements concerning the event including, “… it can be truthfully said that this year’s initial one has with one bound placed Glenmore in a lofty place in the map of ploughing importance in the provinces of Leinster and Munster.”
The day following Glenmore’s first match, the 8th National Ploughing Championship was held at Oak Park, Carlow where it was reported that 10,000 people were in attendance. Among the numerous events the award for the best pair of farm horses went to Major McCalmont, of Mount Juliet, Kilkenny (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 Feb. 1938, p. 3).
In order to fund themselves the Glenmore Ploughing Association began organising dances. The first dance was held on St. Patrick’s night (Munster Express, Fri. 4 March 1938, p. 8). Shortly thereafter an “all night” dance was held by the Association in the Glenmore Creamery on Easter Sunday night. Dancing was from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. with an admission of 3/- and 2/- including supper. (Munster Express, Fri. 15 Apr. 1938, p. 8). In September 1938 as the Association prepared for its second dance James Kelly, of Aylwardstown House, the Secretary of the Association obtained a dance license for the Glenmore Creamery (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Sept 1938, p. 6). The New Ross Standard reported that, “The members are leaving nothing undone to make the social as successful and enjoyable as possible, and the catering arrangements will be in the hands of a capable and experienced committee of local ladies, which is a sufficient criterion that all will be perfect in this important section. The music has been entrusted to the popular New Ross Accordion Band, which is held in high regard by local dance devotees.” (Munster Express, Fri. 23 Sept. 1938, p. 8).
By the time the 1939 Glenmore Ploughing Match was held a number of additional men had joined the Association including: Michael Phelan, John Power, George O’Connor, John O’Connor, P. Walsh, P. Hynes, J. Doherty, Thomas Fitzgerald, T. Hartley, and P. Ennett. (New Ross Standard, Fri 27 Jan. 1939, p. 11).
The Second Annual Glenmore Ploughing Match
The 1939 Glenmore Ploughing Match was held on the 18th of January and a total of 34 teams competed. The match was held in a “splendid field” kindly offered by Mr. John Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack.” “Since the Glenmore Ploughing Association was formed it has been going from record, to record in the successes of their fixtures. When the initial match was organised last year the huge number of teams competed, thus making a record that had scarcely a parallel in history of ploughing matches in any, county in this country, but this year witnessed the enormous number of teams competing. Entries were received from no less than 44 teams, ten being unable to come owing to weather; conditions and other causes. Such outstanding entries establish the immense and the widespread popularity of the Ploughing Association’s fixture. Added evidence of this was also in the fact that, it was attended; by over one thousand people. The competing teams came from the counties of Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford; amongst the competitors was last year’s All-Ireland champion. Mr. David O’Connor, Knockes, Campile, and some have won the championship for several years, including Mr. Michael Redmond, The Ballagh. In Class 1. Senior open, Mr. Wm. Kehoe, Yoletown, Ballycullane, won first prize again this year.”
Awards won by Glenmore men included:
- Class, I senior (open) (All three places went to Wexford men)
- Class II, senior —3rd place, Joe Walsh, Rochestown
- Class III, junior—1st Thomas Walsh, Davidstown; best furrow (tied) Thomas Walsh, Davidstown & Michael Heffernan, Kearney Bay
- Class IV (novice)—1st Patrick Hogan, Haggard and 4th place, Thomas Freyne, Kilbride. Best middle and best furrow went to Patrick Hogan.
- The Major McCalmont Cup for the best ploughman in the parish of Glenmore was presented by New Ross auctioneer, P.N. O’Gorman due to the death of the Major’s wife in December. The Cup was won by Joe Walsh of Rochestown and Patrick Hogan, of Haggard, was second.
- The Special Prize by the Glenmore Co-op Creamery for ploughmen under 21 went to Nicholas Walsh of Davidstown with James Connolly, of Gaulston, second. Special prize for best turned out team (of horses) 1st James Freyne, Kilbride; 2nd James Cody, Weatherstown and 3rd Patrick Doolan, Jamestown. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Jan. 1939, p. 11).
That same month newspaper accounts of the success of the Glenmore Association members at other matches began to be published. For example, at the Mooncoin Ploughing match Joseph Walsh, of Rochestown, Glenmore was first in the junior class and Thomas Walsh, of Davidstown, Glenmore was awarded a first for best centre in that class. His brother, Nicholas Walsh, of Davidstown, obtained a fourth in the novice class. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Jan. 1939, p. 12).
Although it is not clear from the newspaper accounts whether any Glenmore men competed in the County Kilkenny contest, held three miles from Kilmacow, in January 1939, it was reported that 43 of the best ploughmen of the county vied for the honour of representing Kilkenny in the National Ploughing Contest which was to take place at Killarney on the 8th of February. “They ploughed a sod that was last ploughed by oxen 104 years ago. They acquitted themselves well in a field which, in formation and on top was very difficult.” Mr. Michael Kinsella, Mooncoin, who was only 20 years of age won the senior class and the McCalmont Challenge Cup. It was noted that championship ploughing is comparatively new in Kilkenny, and the majority of entrants were men in their late teens and early twenties. Five years earlier, at a like fixture, although there were very few fixtures, the majority of entrants were men over 40. In the last five years of the decade almost every district began holding annual ploughing matches resulting in young farmers and labourers becoming accomplished ploughmen. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Jan. 1939, p. 11).
Special thanks to Kelvin Johnson Treacy for locating and sharing the 1938 Munster Express article and to other readers who furnished information concerning the Association. We hope to provide further information regarding this group in future blog posts.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Update and Some Photos
We are pleased to announce that we have posted an article by a new guest author Adam Cashin entitled, ” The Shanbogh Cashin Family History.” It can be accessed from the home page. Another notebook has been transcribed, and Glenmore items have been added to the family pages. Michael Hoynes shared an early 2oth century memory card and this has been posted on the memory card page as an example.
Below are a few other photos shared by readers.
The first photograph was sent by Adam Cashin and features several Glenmore children.
The second set of photos relate to the Doyles of Aylwardstown Station. Elizabeth “Lill” Doyle (1928-1995) was the daughter of the Aylwardstown stationmaster, Denis Doyle (c. 1883-1954) and his wife Annie Doyle (c. 1887-1951). Denis Doyle was originally from Wexford, and according to his obituary he served as the Aylwardstown stationmaster from 1926 until his retirement in 1948. Lill had one brother and two sisters. Her brother Dan Doyle lived in Mooncoin. Her sister Mai Doyle married Eddie Doyle, of Rochestown, Glenmore. Another sister was Anna Doyle. Lill married Paddy Donnelly. The obituaries of Denis and Annie Doyle are on the “D” family page.
The last two photos were taken last month after vegetation was removed around the Connolly long house in Ballylogue, Rochestown, Glenmore. Some of the Connolly’s that once lived here include: Phil, Mick, Martin, Pat, Tom, Ned, and John. Ned was the youngest and is thought to have been the last person to live in the house in the 1960’s. The house when it was last inhabited had a slate roof.
The featured photo was taken outside the Aylwardstown railway station of stationmaster, Denis Doyle (date unknown).
Special thanks to:
- Adam Cashin for the article and photo of the Shabough Confirmation group.
- Helen Donnelly for sharing photos of the Doyles of Aylwardstown, Glenmore.
- Michael Hoynes for the early 20th century memory card.
If anyone has any information concerning the older couple above please send the information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
100 Years Ago: March 1921
In 1921 Woodrow Wilson was the President of the United States. The Prime Minister of Britain was David Lloyd George and Pope Benedict XV was head of the Catholic Church. In Ireland in March 1921 the War of Independence continued, with the activities of both sides impacting on more and more of the population.
Court Martial Executions
During March 1921 under Martial Law what newspapers could print to keep the public informed was censored. Thus, there are differences reflected in the various local newspapers concerning events. The New Ross Standard apparently sought to alert readers to the fact that it was operating under military censorship and placed a prominent notice that read, “Passed by Censor, As Wexford is included in the Martial Law area, all reports in this issue have been censored by the military authorities” (Fri. 4 March 1921, p. 8). Notwithstanding censorship the newspapers are full of reports of men being taken from their homes, or places of employment, by armed men and never seen again. In some instances, bodies were recovered and sometimes notes were found, on or near the bodies, labelling the deceased a traitor and attributing the death to a particular side in the conflict.
On the 28th of February six men were executed in Cork Barracks between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. The Kilkenny Moderator, did not list the names of the men but noted that they were executed in batches of two at intervals of fifteen minutes. Outside the barracks large crowds gathered. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Sir H. Greenwood stated that five of the men were executed for waging war against the King and the sixth was executed for having in his possession a revolver and a pamphlet entitled “Night Fighting.” The men were all legally represented at the court martial, but no further details were provided regarding the trials. It was reported that the relatives of the men were refused permission to remove the remains for burial. Canon O’Sullivan ministered to the men before their executions and so far as the Church was concerned, they received Christian burials as the Burial Service was read in full. (Sat. 5 March 1921, p. 6). When further executions were announced a resolution was adopted by the Cork Corporation protesting against the proposed executions “as absolutely unjust, and against the law of civilised warfare.” (New Ross Standard, Fri 25 March 1921, p. 8).
On Monday the 14th of March 1921 six men were also executed in Dublin after court marital. However, instead of being shot these six men were hanged like common criminals in Mountjoy Prison. Details concerning the six executed men were provided in the New Ross Standard. Thomas J. Bryan, was 23 years old, an electrical engineer and had only been married 3 months. Patrick Doyle, was also 23 years of age and was a carpenter by trade. He was a married father of three children. His eldest child was 3 ½ years of age and his younger children were twins born two weeks before his execution. One of the twins died the Saturday before. The remaining four men were 19 years of age. Francis Flood was an engineering student at Dublin University College. Bernard Ryan was the only son of an aged and widowed mother. He held a position as a Government official which he left for a clerkship in a Dublin firm. Patrick Moran was a grocer’s assistant, in the Main St. of Blackrock. He was President of the Grocers’ Assistant Association in Dublin. Thomas Whelan moved to Dublin at the age of 16 from Connemara, Co. Galway, to work for the M.G. W. Railway. It was reported that his aged mother travelled to Dublin to comfort him during his trial. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 March 1921, p. 4). Today, we know that some of the personal information concerning the executed men is wrong the above information was taken from the contemporary newspapers accounts that were operating under military censorship.
Thomas Whelan and Patrick Moran were convicted by court martial for the murder of British officers on Sunday, November 21st, and the remaining four were found guilty of complicity in an attack on Crown forces at Drumcondra (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 March 1921, p. 4) and thus committed treason by waging war against the King. Similar to the previous executions in Cork the condemned men were executed in pairs. “Whelan and Moran were the first to approach the scaffold, and at six o’clock the bolt was drawn. An hour later Doyle and Ryan were launched into eternity, and at eight o’clock Flood and Bryan paid the supreme penalty.” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 March 1921, p. 4).
On execution day, long before dawn, people began to gather outside the gates of Mountjoy. It was reported that nearly 1,000 people knelt at the gates reciting the Rosary, “which was given out at intervals by a lady attached to Cumann na MBan.” Many carried lighted candles, by the time the last pair were led to the scaffold it was reported that 40,000 people had gathered. People also gathered in churches and workers downed tools the morning of the executions. The Cumann na Mban arrived “in force” bearing banners with inscriptions. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 March 1921, p. 4). “Contrary to the usual prison observances, the passing away of the condemned men was not announced by the tolling of the prison bell, nor was any black flag hoisted. At half-past eight the prison gates swung partly open, and an official nailed up the typewritten announcement intimating that the sentences of death had been duly executed. Immediately behind the gates could be observed an armoured car.” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 March 1921, p. 4). Mrs. Whelan, in her striking Connemara garb, occupied a chair beside the gate, asked that the notice of the executions be taken down and given to her so she could kiss her son’s name. The official silently complied with her request. The crowd then began to recite the Rosary in Irish. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 March 1921, p. 4).
Although the relatives requested the bodies of the executed men all requests were refused. The men were buried on the grounds of Mountjoy and their graves remained unmarked until the 1930’s. However, it was not until this century that these men became recognised and dubbed part of the Forgotten 10. During the War of Independence ten Republicans were hanged in Mountjoy prison. Kevin Barry was the first Republican executed after the leaders of the Easter Rising. On the 1st of November 2000, the 80th anniversary of Kevin Barry’s execution the remains of all ten men were exhumed and buried with a full State Funeral in Glasnevin cemetery.
Waterford Court Martial Cases
Closer to Glenmore, in Kilkenny City it was reported at the end of February that a large group of armed men terrorised the city after midnight, detaining people, discharging firearms, breaking windows, stealing money and chocolates. “The R.I.C. took into custody five of their new police motor mechanics in connection with the occurrences and that they have been handed over to the military authorities to be tried by court martial. The occurrences aroused great consternation in the localities in which they took place, and great indignation is rightly felt amongst the citizens at such an unprecedented disturbance of the peace of the city.” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 5 March 1921, p. 4). The court martial was held in Waterford City and two R.I.C. officers testified against the five mechanics regarding statements they made when they returned late to the barracks, long after their passes expired. The mechanics alleged that they had been detained by Sinn Feiners. (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 26 March 1921, p. 4). Eventually, the R.I.C. mechanics were acquitted. (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 2 Apr. 1921, p. 5).
In a separate Waterford Court Martial trial John McBride, of Knockmoylan, Co. Kilkenny was tried for failing to report to Crown authorities a possible attack on the Mullinavat Barracks. On the 17th of January the Mullinavat Barracks came under attack. A party of police and military coming from Kilkenny to assist the besieged police found a barricade of stones at the railway crossing at Knockmoylan. It was reported that one of the stones weighed four or five cwt (448 to 560 pounds). The defendant as the railway linesman lived right across the line from where the barricade was placed. It was alleged that “it was a reasonable assumption that the prisoner, living so close to the barricade must have known of it.” It was also alleged that the barricade was part of the plan to attack the Mullinavat barracks. The defendant stated he went to bed the night before and locked the gates. He did not leave his house until the 7:40 train passed and he then saw the stones. He could not move them without assistance and was waiting for his ganger to arrive. The police arrived and arrested him. The crossing was located four or five miles from Mullinavat. The defendant stated he had no political affiliation, and he was found not guilty (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 5 March 1921, p. 4).
Trenching Roads and Damaging Bridges
As the weaker armed Republicans continued to fight Crown forces, roads and bridges were blocked or rendered impassable in order to stage ambushes or to keep Crown reinforcements from arriving. For example, in early March 1921 roads were blocked in eleven places in the Bagenalstown district by trees and other obstructions. (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 5 March 1921, p. 4). In the Diocese of Ossory, in which Glenmore is located, several roads were reported trenched in several locations. Local workmen were commandeered by the R.I.C. and Black and Tans and compelled to fill the trenches. (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 19 March 1921, p. 3). All roads leading to New Ross were also trenched. Sometimes there was enough room for a small cart to pass, but wagons and motor vehicles could not. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 March 1921, p. 5). The conditions of the roads became so bad that the Kilkenny County Council, as well as the Waterford County Council, placed notices in newspapers advising people to use the roads at their own risk.
Sometimes the obstructions worked and sometimes they did not. “There is reason to believe,” a report from Dublin Castle adds, “that an attack on Bagenalstown barracks was frustrated by the timely arrival of reinforcements.” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 5 March 1921, p. 4). On the other hand, Brigadier General H.R. Cumming, D.S.O. Colonel Commandant of the Kerry Brigade, another officer and two soldiers were killed at an ambush in County Cork although they were protected by three motor tenders and an armoured car. The newspaper reported that between five and six hundred Republicans took part in the ambush, using machine guns, rifles, revolvers, shotguns and bombs. (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 12 March 1921).
On Monday night the 7th of March, the Republicans attacked the Dunmore East Police Barracks. At 9:45 p.m. the bridge at Waterford was opened to allow a ship to pass. A large number of armed men appeared and refused to allow the bridge to be closed. Other men damaged the electrical machinery which operated the bridge. At 3:30 a.m. a large group of military arrived by one of the late trains and took charge of the bridge. They had to lower the bridge to cross the river into Waterford City from the train station. The bridge was lowered by a hand apparatus. The obstacles on the roads leading to Dunmore East and the damaged bridge prevented the speedy relief of the police barracks. The sounds of the attack could be heard for miles and it lasted for hours. (Kilkenny People, 12 March 1921, p. 9) On the 9th the military visited the Waterford City bridge and after entering the engine room the bridge could not be opened without “acquainting the military.” The newspaper presumed that this action was a sequel to the raid on the bridge on the 7th. (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 11 March 1921, p. 17).
At about the same time a large force of military arrived in Waterford and conducted another raid on the City Hall. As a tribute to the memory of the Mayor and Ex-Mayor of Limerick a tricolour flag was flying at half-mast. Both men were murdered on the 9th of March in their homes in Limerick in the middle of the night by Black and Tans. After the military removed the flag from the Waterford City Hall city officials were told that they would be court martialled if it happened again. “As the military drove off the flag was waved by one of the soldiers.” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 11 March 1921, p. 17). (For a concise account of the Limerick murders see, https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland/index.php/articles/limerick-in-shock-after-mayor-and-former-mayor-murdered ).
The local newspapers provide that a number of bridges and roads around and in Glenmore were damaged in mid-March 1921. Two bridges on the Waterford to New Ross road were damaged near Forristal’s Mill (Graiguenakill/Ballyverneen, Glenmore), as well as the Arrigle bridge in Bishop’s Mountain. (Munster Express, Sat. 2 April 1921, p. 6). On the 27th the Luffany bridge was blown up. The Luffany bridge spanned a small stream, about a mile beyond the creamery at Slieverue on the Waterford to New Ross road. The newspaper queried the blocking of the highway as “the district is of a very bleak description,” and the Slieverue creamery was the only building of any size or importance in the area. The Slieverue police barracks had been vacant for a long time. The nature of the explosive used in the destruction of the bridge was not known. However, it was expressed that the traffic along the road was considerable. (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 2 April 1921, p. 5). In addition to the destruction of the Luffany bridge, a big trench was dug on this busy road about a mile from Slieverue, and farmers with carts found it difficult to travel to and from Waterford. Trenches also were dug on the road between Harristown and Mullinavat, and on the road at Clonassy. The Military commandeered farmers’ horses in the locality to repair the damage done to bridges and roads. (Munster Express, Sat. 2 April 1921, p. 6).
Attempted Jail Break & Soldiers Caputured
The last week of March an attempt to “rescue” prisoners from the Waterford jail occurred. Mrs. O’Brien of King’s Terrace, whose back garden abutted the rear prison wall, reported that several armed men appeared at her home. They detained her in one room of her house while they went into her back garden. Soon after the men left the police appeared and searched her garden where they discovered a ladder. Although authorities would not conform it the newspaper reported that it was believed that prisoners attempted to overpower a guard to escape. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 25 March 1921, p. 4)
Perhaps the most astounding report for the month was the capture of soldiers from the Rosslaire Express by Republican forces at Kilmacthomas, County Waterford. The express train from Cork to Rosslare was stopped by 300 armed men at Kilmacthomas junction. Fifteen soldiers stationed in County Cork were found on the train. The soldiers were on leave and not armed. Three of the soldiers were allowed to stay on the Express. One soldier was going to visit his dying mother and two others were going to visit sick relatives. The remainder were herded into the village led by a fiddler playing lively tunes. It was reported that a council of war was held by Sinn Féiners and it was decided to billet the soldiers in the Village Post Office. Some of the soldiers’ bags and overcoats were taken. The next day the military arrived from Waterford, and escorted the captured soldiers back to Waterford. A detachment of 100 military were placed in charge of the Village and were quartered in the Workhouse. The article concludes by reporting that the express train was delayed about half an hour. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 March 1921, p. 5).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above depicts a group of protestors in 1920 outside Mountjoy Prison. (The Graphic, Sat. 17 April 1920, p. 11).
Local Artefacts: A Letter from 1859, A Glenmore Football Medal and a 1907 Family Photo
Over the years Danny Dowling recorded information regarding various artefacts that have been discovered in and around Glenmore including ancient burial sites, coins and common household invoices from local businesses. Today, we are going to highlight three different types of artifacts. The first is a simple letter written and mailed in October 1859. Although Danny can not recall how he obtained the letter, or when it joined his collection, it was in a shopping bag with other letters from that era and steamship sailing information and receipts. Danny in his younger days was noted for urging people to donate to local libraries and archives. Often when people were cleaning out a cupboard or attic they would bring old documents, books and records to Danny who would accept the items and try to find a suitable library or archive for the items. If unsuccessful Danny would add them to his ecliptic collection. The second artefact is a Senior Football Kilkenny Championship medal awarded in 1917 to Thomas “Tommy” Forristal, of Rochestown, Glenmore. The third artefact is the 1907 photograph of the Maddock family of Listerlin, Tullogher.
The Letter
Today, with letter writing becoming less common due to email and other electronic means of communication this 162 year old letter, although dirty, is in remarkable condition. Physically, the letter is comprised of a single sheet of paper 16 inches by 10 inches. The sheet of paper was folded in half and the letter was written on one of the halved surfaces (8 inches width and 10 inches height). In the middle 19th century envelopes were not common. After the letter was written the two ends were folded in to form a rectangle 5 ½ inches by 8 inches. The rectangle was folded and the finished rectangle was 5 ½ inches (width) by 3 ¼ inches (height). On the back the ends were secured by wax. On the front are two stamps and the handwritten name of the addressee, Miss Anne Ryan, New Ross. Also handwritten on the front is the word “Registered.” The front of the letter is very dirty, and although the two stamps are postmarked the postmark is not legible. Another postmarked is on the back and reads “New Ross, Oct 2, 1859 A.” It is assumed that this is the postmark reflecting when the letter arrived in New Ross.
Most 19th century paper was made from rags and made without most of the chemicals found in paper today. It is assumed that a stylus type pen was used to write the letter. By the mid-19th century quills were no longer the usual instrument for letter writing. Steel nibs had been developed and were dipped into ink. Fountain pens that had a reservoir for ink did not come into general use until about 1900. The handwriting on the letter is typical of mid-19th century handwriting where the first S in Ross and Miss looks like a modern f. Now that handwriting is not a taught subject in school in many parts of the world it will be interesting if future generations will have difficulty reading and deciphering surviving 20th and 21st century handwritten documents.
The last unusual physical feature is the fact that a hole that is perfectly centred through all layers of the letter. This hole is from where the letter was spindled. In most businesses a spindle, which was an upright spike of approximately 6 to 8 inches in height, was used to hold papers until the papers were filed or destroyed.
The Letter Transcribed
Dublin 1 Oct 1859
Miss Anne Ryan New Ross
Dear Miss Ryan
I have received your letter of yesterday and regret to hear of the death of Miss Murphy. I am sure Mrs. Conell when I mention the fact to her this evening will be very much hurt that it was not communicated to her when it occurred.
I enclose a credit on the Bank of Ireland New Ross for ten pounds account(?) of your half year annuity the 29th Sept of which please acknowledge the receipt(?).
Sincerely(?) Francis Conell
(Registered)
Although several women named Anne Ryan are represented in death records from 1859 to 1900 without an address or approximate age it is impossible to determine who received this letter. From the contents of the letter it would appear that Miss Anne Ryan had an investment with Mr. Francis Conell that paid her twenty pounds per year, a large income in 1859. Given that steamship related tickets etc. were found in the same sack containing the letter it may be the case that Miss Ryan or her family were engaged in ticket sales or other businesses in New Ross. The fact that no house name is provided for Miss Ryan, and the fact that no business or street name is provided on the letter suggests that Miss Anne Ryan was a well known person in New Ross.
The Thomas Forristal Senior Co. Kilkenny Championship Football Medal
The photos of the medal were provided by Brian Forristal. Brian stated that he was told that his grandfather Thomas “Tommy” Forristal (1886-1955) a native of Rochestown, Glenmore wore the medal on his watch chain. The front of the medal is very ornate and reads “T. Foristal.” The inscription on the back is “Kilkenny Senior Football C’ship 1917. Won by Glenmore.” Several hallmarks are visible on the back of the medal.
Thomas Forristal was born 23 June 1886, at Rochestown, Glenmore the son of John Forristal and Mary Forristal née Reddy. Thomas married Kate Roche, of Rathinure, Glenmore at Glenmore on 11 July 1921. Kate was the daughter of John Roche, a farmer in Rathinure. The couple moved to Waterford where they resided at 28 Morgan St. Kate died tragically at the Parliament Street Hospital on 2 March 1923 while 7 months pregnant. Thomas at the age of 41 married another Glenmore native, Sarah Foran (1896-1983) of Kearney Bay, Glenmore. Sarah was 31 years of age when she married Thomas Forristal on 21 February 1927 at St. Patrick’s of Waterford. At the time of his second marriage, Thomas was living at 20 Morgan St. and Sarah was living on Patrick St., Waterford. Sarah was the daughter of John Foran and Ellen Foran née Power.
The Maddock Family Photo
The third artefact is a photo from the collection of Michael Hoynes, of Ballybrahee, Glenmore. It is a family photo of the family of Michael Maddock (c. 1853-1910) and Bridget Maddock née Gaule (c. 1856-1933) of Listerlin in the parish of Tullogher. This 1907 photo is unique in that all family members are present. We know from the 1911 census that Michael and Bridget had 11 children born alive and all were alive in 1911. By 1911 only 5 of the Maddock children were living at home. Their father, Michael had died on 30 July 1910 of cancer of the liver at the age of 57. The photo in addition to depicting the clothing and hair styles of the time shows that Michael Maddock wore a medal on his watch chain.
Michael Maddock (farmer) of Listerlin married on 19 September 1878 Bridget Gaule, also of Listerlin. Michael was the son of David Maddock and Bridget was the daughter of Luke Gaule.
The Maddock family in the 1907 photo (front row left to right) William Maddock (b.1894) (standing); MOTHER Bridget Gaule Maddock (c. 1856-1933) (seated); Bessie Maddock (b. 1898) (seated); FATHER Michael Maddock (c.1853-1910) (seated) and John Maddock (b. 1896) (seated); (back row left to right) Ciss Maddock (b. 1880); Dick Maddock (b. 1891); Bridget Maddock (b. 1886); David Maddock (b. 1882); Luke Maddock (b.1885), Statia Maddock (b. 1889); Molly Maddock (b. 1888) and Sylvester Maddock (1892-1917). Due to Sylvester being an unusual name it was easy to discover that he tragically died at the age of 23 of TB. At the time of his death he was working as a grocer’s assistant.
One Maddock daughter, Bridget Maddock (b. 1886) on 30 January 1913, in Rosbercon married George O’Connor (1881-1965) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. To this union ten children were born. One daughter of George and Bridget O’Connor, Catherine O’Connor (b. 1917) married Philip James Hoynes on 14 January 1948 at Glenmore.
Special thanks to Michael Hoynes for sharing the 1907 Maddock Family photo and information and Brian Forristal for taking photos of his grandfather’s football medal and sharing the photos.
If there are any errors or omissions or anyone has any information to add concerning Miss Anne Ryan of 1859 New Ross etc. please email us at glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore walsh
Enduring Love: Peter & May Mernagh
It is often said that the true test of love is whether an individual wants to spend the rest of his or her life with another person. Today in honour of Valentine’s Day we are featuring Peter and May Mernagh who were married in Rosbercon on the 9th of July 1924 after a long courtship. Thus began a marriage that flourished until the couple were only parted when Peter died on the 16th of November 1990. When I asked their son Liam Mernagh if they ever spoke of why their marriage endured for over six decades he said with a laugh, “they didn’t have time to fight.”
The Groom
Peter Mernagh was born the 29th of February 1892 at Sparrowland, Bree, Wexford. He was one of 16 children born to John (Jack) Mernagh and Mary Mernagh née Kielthy. Peter’s parents were married on the 28th of November 1885. John Mernagh was from Galbally, Bree, Wexford and Mary Mernagh née Kielthy was from Ballybrennan, Wexford.
On 2 February 2020 we published a blog on the New Ross to Waterford railway and highlighted the tragic death of Peter’s father, Jack Mernagh, in a threshing accident in the autumn of 1911. (The blog post is available at https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-and-the-new-ross-to-waterford-railway-line/). The Mernagh family had moved around 1906 from Wexford to Ballyverneen, Glenmore. Jack Mernagh was employed as a ganger with the railway. From a 1988 newspaper interview we have Peter’s memories recorded concerning his father’s tragic death. His father was on the threshing machine feeding in the sheaths when one of his legs became entangled in the beater. “I’ll never forget when they told us. The man said that my father’s last words spoken in a quiet tone were ‘I’ve lost my leg.’ The Mernagh family were poor and it took all of his mother’s savings to buy the coffin. A box would cost you around nine or ten shillings.” Peter was consoled that his father had last rites before he died. The local curate had a premonition that someone was dying and made it to the injured man before he died. (Kilkenny People, Fri. 23 Dec. 1988, p. 4).
The Bride
Mary Cashin was born on the 14th of March 1897 at Shanbogh, Rosbercon. She was one of 14 children born to Thomas Cassin (sic) of Shanbo (sic) a fisherman and Statia Cassin née Roche. Thomas Cassion (sic) married Statia Roche on the 24th of May 1885 at Glenmore. Thomas was the son of Michael Cassion (sic), and Statia Roche was the daughter of William Roche of Jamestown, Glenmore.
Mary was generally known as May. As was the custom at the time when May was Confirmed her formal education ended. May was 11 when she was Confirmed and was walking with her mother one day when the widow Ellen Dunphy stopped on the road. She asked May’s mother how old May was and said that when she returned she would take the girl home with her. Thus in 1908 May Cashin moved to the Dunphy farm in Ballyverneen where she worked until she married in 1924 at the age of 27. Liam Mernagh stated that May Cashin was well treated and was fond of Mrs. Dunphy.
According to a newspaper article May revealed that she met her future husband in 1910 when he also went to work on the Dunphy farm. The 1911 Census reveals that the widow, Ellen Dunphy was 53 years of age. Her son John Dunphy was 31 years of age. There were three servants listed in the household: Mary Cashin, age 14; Peter Mernagh, age 18 and Thomas Brophy, age 33. Peter was a ploughman “who worked behind the horses from dawn ’til dusk,” and from shortly after they first met in 1910 Peter had only had eyes for May, who worked as a housemaid. (George Jacob, New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 March 1986, p. 12).
The Courting Years
Although May joked that Peter was a slow starter and it took 14 years after they met for Peter to propose (Jacob, New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 March 1986, p. 12), in addition to the couple being very young and poor the country was in turmoil for most of the years between 1910 to 1924.
Liam Mernagh stated yesterday that his parents did not speak a lot about their involvement in the Old IRA and Cumann na mBan. For our international readers Cumann na mBan was an Irish Republican women’s paramilitary organisation.
Peter came from a very republican family. In 1916 he armed himself with a double-barrel shotgun and set out walking with other members of his family for Enniscorthy to join in the Easter Rising. They were on the Enniscorthy side of New Ross when the countermand came from McNeill. They returned home (New Ross Standard, Thurs. 22 Nov. 1990, p. 10). During the War of Independence Peter was a known Republican. In a 1986 newspaper interview Peter recollected being awoken by his mother at around 4 a.m. one night with the Black and Tans at the door. “It was a frosty night …, and when I said to hold on while I’d get some clothes, they said I didn’t need any. I didn’t wait much longer after that, and leapt out the window with them firing after me.” When he later returned home his mother informed him that the Black and Tans were not actually looking for him that night (Jacob, New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 March 1986, p. 12).
On another occasion the Black and Tans raided his mother’s house and fearing for his life he fled the house in his nightshirt and spent the night in his bare feet in muck, kept warm by the farm animals which gave him cover. “When I got back to the house the following morning my mother noticed I was bleeding.” A bullet had grazed his backside apparently when he was escaping over the ditch (Kilkenny People, Fri. 23 Dec. 1988, p. 4).
Very little is known about May’s work in the Cumann na mBan, but Liam Mernagh stated yesterday that his mother did say that she carried hidden weapons and messages in farm buckets. Although some of the women in Dublin acted as snipers the majority of women in the organisation gathered information and carried weapons and communications.
Notwithstanding the dangers associated with the War of Independence Glenmore continued to have dances, music and sports. Glenmore, like a lot of parishes in the south, danced sets known as lancers. The dances would go on all night. Dances would be held at the end of threshing, in barns and at crossroads (Jacob, New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 March 1986, p. 12).
If the dance was held in a barn or home of a big farmer there would be supper, and if the host was well off he would buy a barrel of beer which cost about £10 in the early twenties. According to Peter the young and old would dance on the hard concrete floors of the houses. “That time all weddings were held in the houses and were called breakfasts, even though they would not finish ’till breakfast the following day.” Dances at cross roads were frowned upon and the young people were always worried about that the clergy appearing. “According to Peter the biggest threat were the Nightingales…correspondents from local papers would go to these parties or dances and would publish a list of those who attended. It was a terrible thing if your name was printed in the paper as the parish priest would also see it” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 23 Dec. 1988, p. 4).
As a talented musician Peter sang, played fiddle and melodian at these types of gatherings and he was a member of the Glenmore Redmond Volunteer fife and drum band. (For information regarding the Glenmore Redmond Volunteers and the Fife and Drum Band see, https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-redmond-volunteers-and-the-fife-drum-band/ ). When his family moved to Glenmore they continued mumming and helped introduce it into the area. Sports were a popular pastime, and Peter along with the Hanrahan’s of Glenmore was responsible for introducing hurling to the parish. Peter remembered a time when there wasn’t a hurler in Glenmore. “It was all football in the 1920’s…My old friend Mick Heffernan played and the best sportsman that Glenmore ever had, Dick Hanrahan played his football with Wexford (Kilkenny People, Fri. 23 Dec. 1988, p. 4). “[Hurling] was quite a different game then though, as you’d rarely get to play on a cut field and could spend half the time looking for the ball in the long grass” (Jacob, New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 March 1986, p. 12).
Marriage
Concerning their long courtship Peter in his 1988 interview explained, “Sure we couldn’t afford it — we were hardly making £1 a year hiring out…You’d hardly get a house that time because there was none going and you would be saving a good four or five years for a wedding.” Reflecting on marriage Peter opined that young people today don’t wait long enough before getting married. “They only know each other a couple of months and they are married. The following year they are parted…The problem is that they don’t give the matter proper consideration in the first place” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 23 Dec. 1988, p. 4).
On the 9th of July 1924 the couple were married at Rosbercon by the curate, Fr. Greene. Peter was 32 when they tied the knot and May was 27. James Mernagh served his brother as best man and Kate Cashin served her sister as the maid of honour. Peter and May enjoyed a trip for breakfast to Waterford, and an afternoon in Tramore as their honeymoon. Peter had just 3s. 6d. in his pocket (New Ross Standard, 21 March 1986, p. 12). After working at Dunphy’s Peter then went to work for Jim Fluskey as the farm manager. He remained at Fluskey’s until he retired after he suffered a road accident on his way to work one morning on his bicycle.
To this union ten children were born and May proudly noted that she reared nine children on just 10 shillings per week and expressed that they were blessed because at the time she was rearing her family many families were wiped out by consumption and other diseases. (Jacob, New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 March 1986, p. 12). May went to work at 11, served in the War of Independence and reared a large family on 10 shillings per week and never indulged in alcohol or tobacco. May only survived Peter by a year and a half.
Peter and May had 3 daughters and 7 sons. Their daughters include: Maureen Mernagh, Biddy Duggan and Cissie Power. Their sons include: Liam Mernagh, Seamus Mernagh, Paddy Mernagh, Fr. Michael Mernagh, Jack Mernagh, Thomas Mernagh and their youngest child, Louis Mernagh, who died at the age of six months.
Special thanks to Fr. Michael Mernagh and particularly Liam Mernagh for sharing the family photos. The featured photo above was taken on Peter and May’s 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
55th Wedding Anniversary
Front row (left to right) Cissy, Peter, May and Maureen; Back row (left to right) Liam, Seamus, Paddy, Biddy, Tom, Fr. Michael and Jack.