Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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The Sad Farewell
On Friday the 19th of March, a fine spring morning, people began to gather in the Village of Glenmore to bid a final and sad farewell to a man who had called Glenmore his home for 94 years. As friends and neighbours met, absent were the customary hugs and handshakes. The scourge of COVID continues and impacted on the customary Glenmore funeral practices. Undaunted, behind the mandated face masks and imposed distances, the gathered began to remanence and share fond memories of the wonderful, colourful Danny. As the bell of St. James began to toll the hearse carrying the earthly remains of Daniel Dowling (1927-2021) left the house where he was born in the village and slowly climbed the hill to the church followed by his family and a large crowd of mourners on foot. Along the roadway friends and neighbours stood in respect. At the gates of St. James’s, the hearse stopped and the six pallbearers placed the wooden coffin on their shoulders and carried it to the church. With COVID restrictions only ten family members could attend the funeral Mass, but loudspeakers broadcast the service to the mourners outside and the internet allowed family and friends across the globe to hear and see it. I was struck that Danny would have commented upon and written a note or two concerning the restrictions and the resulting blending of the old funeral customs with the new technology.
I had the privlege of meeting Danny and Mollie Dowling thirty years ago this coming October. My first, of what would become hundreds of outings with Danny, was to Kilcolumb ruins and graveyard. As Danny led me to the oldest Kennedy headstone in the parish he said, “None die so well as the poor.” He went on to explain that the poor did not feature in history and did not have headstones etc. There is little doubt that Danny embraced the field of social history as it emerged as an academic field of study in the mid-twentieth century. It was an alternative to conventional history that focused on great civilizations, politics and wars. Although Danny had an interest in history in general, he was far more interested in learning and recording the lives of ordinary local men and women. With absolutely no training, and few examples to follow, Danny went about interviewing and recording information regarding the local areas, events, traditions and people. Ever evolving and learning, Danny in 2018 told me that he thought that family history was the more correct title for his type of work.
Whatever category that may be put on Danny’s work, when Danny began what was to become his life’s work, he started with a simple pen and paper. There were no computers, internet, copiers or mobile phones. Danny never obtained a drivers license and traveled to libraries, archives, institutions and individuals via public transportation. He hand copied records into notebooks. He corresponded with a large number of individuals and institutions within Ireland and abroad. Danny often spent long hours reading old newspapers on micro-film in various libraries in order to find information to a query he received. Danny enjoyed his retirement where he devoted himself full time to pursuing his work armed with his transportation pass. When public transportation wasn’t available Mollie, or others, drove him to his destination. He was also a well known and well liked visitor to bookshops and book fairs across the country where he searched for books for his extensive collection.
Danny often remarked that there is no person that does not have an interest in history. It may not be the history taught in school, but it might be a history of their family, their land, sport, fashion, music or horse racing. He exhibited an uncanny ability to draw information out of people who often did not believe that what they provided was worth recording. Danny “never met a stranger” and never missed an opportunity to gather local information and record it. Some of his interviews were conducted after funerals, on the bus into Waterford, in the pub, in nursing homes or on the street when he encountered an old acquaintance. Danny always carried a small notebook, or sheets of paper, and would jot down notes of what was said. It is fascinating to transcribe Danny’s notebooks and follow his lines of inquiry across the years.
In education the term “life long learner” is a commonly used phrase, but Danny is actually one of the few people I have known who was a life long learner. In 2019 when Danny asked me to help put his work into a book about Glenmore, I suggested a blog. Danny had never seen a blog, didn’t understand how it would work, but liked the idea of a “weekly” history article backed by a website with static pages for family and townland information etc. Although 92 years of age he caught on quickly, and after we went live he soon began to ask how many visitors and “hits” we had and where they originated. He marveled at the ability of people around the world to view his work and to hear that descendents of long gone emigrants were able to research their way back to Glenmore. He expressed delight when he learned something new about Glenmore uncovered this past year in old newspapers now available on-line. Of course none of this would have been possible without the support and care Danny received as his health declined. It was no small task for Danny’s son Pat, and daughter-in-law Orla, to keep Danny well and safe particularly after COVID struck the country, but they succeeded.
Lest anyone who never met Danny is given the impression that he was a stuffy scholar, Danny, in fact, possessed a wicked sense of humour, had an infectious school boy giggle and his smile would light up the room. Like many others I shall miss my old friend, and thank him for asking and allowing me to help bring his life’s work to the world.
Ní beidh a leithéad ann arís. (His like won’t be here again.)
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Danny Dowling (1927-2021): The End of an Era
A wonderful gentleman, historian, friend and founder of Glenmore-History.com has passed away at the age of 94 years.
Condolences may be left via the following link https://rip.ie/death-notice/danny-dowling-glenmore-kilkenny/453083
Deepest sympathy to Pat, Orla, Aoife, young Danny and all extended family members.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé agus. (May he be at God's right hand.) Go neirí on bóthar leis ar neamh. (May the road rise to meet him in heaven.) Kathleen
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).