Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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Happy May Day 2025
In Ireland May Bushes tend to be adorned with primroses that are strung together. This year due to the early spring the primroses have come and gone, but we won’t complain about nice warm weather.
See our post of 22 April 2021 for more information concerning the May Bush tradition.
Happy May Day!
From Danny’s Files: First Passenger Train Through Glenmore [Updated]
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) over seven decades amassed an enormous collection of information concerning Glenmore and nearby areas. Recently work has commenced to attempt to file or refile Danny’s work into accessible files. Below are several articles that were copied into a file that had no name or subject matter attached to it. All the articles concern Glenmore or her people, are from the beginning of the twentieth century and several concern the new railway line that ran through the parish.
The Waterford & New Ross Extension Railway Line
First Passenger Train Through Glenmore
The Evening News (Waterford) on (Wed. 27 April, 1904) reported that 121 years ago today “at six o’clock in the morning the first regular passenger train left Waterford for New Ross over the Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford line. Trains arrived from New Ross at 9 a.m.; 10:30; 2:35 p.m.; 4:30 and 6:10. This service is only temporary, and will continue each week day until the 31st of May, after which date the full train service will be in force.”
Sale of Railway Buildings
The following month the Waterford News & Star (Fri. 20 May 1904, p. 5) advertised the sale of three wooden houses owned by the railway
“To be sold by auction, on Wednesday, 25th May 1904, at 12 o’clock, at Abbeylands, Waterford by direction of Messrs S. Pearson & Son, Ltd., 3 large wooden houses used in connection with the New Ross to Waterford Railway Extension. The houses can be easily removed, and are most suitable for farmers, builders and others. Terms—cash. Thomas Walsh & Son, Auctioneers, The Mall, Waterford.”
Glenmore Robbery After Missing Train
Eight months after the first passenger train went through Glenmore it was reported that an elderly man who missed the last train was robbed.
“A daring highway robbery took place near Glenmore one night last week. It appears an old man named Thomas Fitzgerald, of Glenmore, left the city on his way home and missing the last train for Aylwardstown, he drove on a car as far as Rowe’s gate where he alighted, intending to walk the remainder of the journey. On the way he met a young man who offered to carry his bag, and the old man, being considerably under the influence of drink, allowed him to do so. Another man subsequently came on the scene, and said the police were coming. They then persuaded the old man to get inside a gate, which he did, they following. Fitzgerald sat down and fell asleep, and when he awoke he found himself minus his watch and chain, his bag, and a quantity of silver. On Monday the old man came to Waterford and made an information before Alderman Ward, J.P.” (Munster Express, Sat. 17 Dec. 1904, p. 5).
[Editorial note–3 May 2025, the Rowe family lived in Ballyhobuck on the High Road that runs from Donovan’s Mill through Scartnamore, Ballyhobuck, Rathinure, etc. toward the old GAA pitch. Per the 1901 Census William Rowe (48); and his wife, Ellen Rowe (38) were farming and both born in Co. Kilkenny. They had two servants, Edward Power (30) and Patrick Walsh (30). Edward Power was a native of Waterford and Patrick Walsh was from Cork.
We believe that Thomas Fitzgerald that was robbed was Tommy Fitzgerald (1836- ? ) of Aylwardstown. He was known as “Tommy the Women” because he was married three times. The 1901 Census provides that Thomas Fitzgerald (60) and his wife, Margaret Fitzgerald (46) were farming and had a four year old son James. Thomas and Margaret were married at Glenmore on 12 July 1895. To distinguish the various Fitzgerald families this family had the nic-name of Bryan or Bryant. Jim “Bryant” Fitzgerald (c. 1897-1973) married but had no children. From his father’s first or second marriage he had a half brother who was a priest. }
Waterford and New Ross Railway Extension: Hearing of Traverses at Kilkenny Assizes
At the Kilkenny Assizes last week [March 1903], the Lord Chief Baron was engaged three entire days hearing 18 traverses cases lodged by Mr. Daniel Dunford, solicitor, O’Connell St., Waterford on behalf of the undermentioned tenants, whose lands were compulsorily taken by the Dublin, Wicklow & Waterford Railway Company for the purpose of their new line from New Ross to Waterford.
The amounts awarded by Mr. Abbott, the Arbitrator, as compensation for the value of the land taken and for severance caused dissatisfaction, and on Mr. Dunford’s advice the eighteen tenants for whom he acted consented to him entering traverses. The result has been most gratifying, as all the tenants succeeded in getting very substantial sums for compensation, as will be seen by the following awards, the amount in brackets denoting the compensation awarded by the Arbitrator:–
Daniel Cody, Carrickcloney [£57 19s 6d yearly rent abated £3 9s 2d.] £188 0s 11d.
Reps. Patrick Delahunty, Aylwardstown [£55 19s 4d, rent abated £1 2s 8d]. £160.
Michael Heffernan, Aylwardstown [£20 13s 6d, rents abated 4s 8d] £70
Patrick Morrissey, Aylwardstown [£17 0s 2d, rent abated 7s 10d.] £85
Reps. John J. Morrissey, Aylwardstown [£53 9s, rent abated £1 14s 6d.] £100
Robert Irish, Aylwardstown [4s 6d, rent abated 2s 2d.] Settled with Railway.
Richard Kehoe, Rathinure [£3 18s 1d, rent abated 6s 4d.] £10
Richard Roche, Rathinure [£3 9s 10d, rent abated 5s 4d.] £6
Reps. Martin Roche, Rathinure [£15 8s, rent abated £1 8s.] £45
Elizabeth Roche, Rathinure [£8 5s, rent abated 15s.] £10
James Wall, Rathinure [£5 10s, Rent abated 10s.] £8
John Roche (Pat), Rathinure [13s 6d] £9 10s
Thomas Walsh, Rochestown [£26 15s 4d, rent abated £1 0s 4d] £79
John Roche, Scartnamore [£12 2s, rent abated £1 12s] £30
Thomas Walsh, Ballyrowrah [£25 17s, rent abated £2 7s.] £50
John Donovan, Ballyrowragh [£30 3s 2d, rent abated 15s.] £90
Pat Duggan, Luffany [£4 6s 2d, rent abated 15s.] £23
In addition to the amounts awarded by the jury the abatements of each tenant’s yearly rent were left the same as fixed by the Arbitrator…(Munster Express, Sat. 21 March 1903, p. 1).
Glenmore Wedding, 1902
I wondered why the wedding below was in the file, but it appeared to fit because the bride’s father was one of the plaintiffs in the case outlined above. Additionally, her brother Richard Delahunty (1867-1954) sued the railway after his house was destroyed by fire in 1935 started by the “Hell Fire Jack” steam engine. See our post of 10 October 2021 for further details of the fire and lawsuit.
“MARRIAGE OF MR. JOHN DOLLARD, D.C.—A very happy event took place at Glenmore on Tuesday, when Mr. John Dollard, D.C., Ballytarsney, Mooncoin, and brother to Rev. J.B. Dollard, the famous writer of Gaelic news, was united to Miss Delahunty, Aylwardstown, Glenmore. The marriage ceremony was celebrated by the Rev. Father Walsh, formerly of Clogga, and at present officiating in Canada. A large number of friends witnessed the interesting event (Munster Express, Sat. 16 Aug. 1902, p. 5).
[The bride was Ellen Delahunty of Aylwardstown, Glenmore, daughter of Patrick Delahunty (farmer). The groom, John Dollard (1863-1913) was the son of Michael Dollard (deceased farmer) and Anastatia Quinn. Ellen Delahunty (1877-1954) was born at Glenmore on 7 April 1877 the daughter of Patrick Delahunty and Mary Grant. The groom died in 1913 and the bride died in 1954 after being a widow for 41 years.]
Farmer Injured Working on Railway (1901)
“A great many accidents have occurred on the Ross Railway since operations were commenced there. Last week a farmer named John Murphy met with a serious accident by getting his leg fractured. The railway company had him and his horse and cart employed. It appears when going down an incline near Aylwardstown, with a heavy load on the beast, some of the harness got broken and the animal became restive and attempted to break away. In Mr. Murphy’s attempt to rectify matters he got knocked down, the wheel going over his leg, with the result already related. I am glad to say the poor fellow is progressing favourably (Munster Express, Sat. 25 May 1901, p. 5).
The ”sappers” are having a gay old time of it around Glenmore. They appear to be a jolly fine crowd. Their waltzing on the “Rocky Road” is simply fine (Munster Express, Sat. 25 May 1901, p. 5).
For further information regarding railway related injuries see our post of 12 August 2024 and our post of 8 July 2024.
Other News
Reward for Missing Bullock
“Strayed from the bridge on Monday (Fair Day) a year and a half old red Bullock, with scissors mark K on right hip. Any person giving information of same will be rewarded by Thomas Kelly, Aylwardstown, Glenmore, or at any of the Waterford Police Stations” (Munster Express, Sat. 17 Oct. 1903, p. 4).
Valuable Glenmore Grass Farm For Sale in 1901
“Ballyrowragh, Aylwardstown, Co. Kilkenny—Valuable Grass Farm For Sale. To be sold by auction on Thursday, 17th January 1901, at 12 o’clock, at our salesrooms, the Mall, by direction of G.H. Bloomfield, Esq, JP, his interest in Ballyrowragh, Aylwardstown, containing 72 Statute Acres, for first class grazing land, held yearly at £20. This farm is situated within three and a half miles of Waterford and five of New Ross. For further particulars apply to Thomas Walsh & Son, Auctioneers” (Munster Express, Sat. 12 Jan. 1901, p. 1).
[Editor’s note–Ballyrowragh is not in Aylwardstown, Glenmore. It is a townland in Slieverue.]
Aylwardstown Bicycle Crash in 1903
A bad smash took place at Aylwardstown, Glenmore. On Sunday. James Sullivan, who is a bargeman to Mr. James Farrell, Kilmacow, was riding his bicycle to the coursing meeting when he lost control of the machine and ran into the stone wall at Aylwardstown Lodge. It was feared at first that he was killed, but eventually he recovered sufficiently to be removed on Mr. Hennessy’s car to hospital at Waterford (Munster Express, Sat. 21 Feb. 1903, p. 5).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo above is the Aylwardstown, Glenmore, train station. For other photos of the Aylwardstown railway station see the Kilkenny Digital Archive. For information concerning a train crash averted by the Aylwardstown Station Master see our post of 5 May 2020.
George Gibson (1817-1897) Agent for a Glenmore Landlord
Last week we highlighted the difficult relationship that the tenants of John L. Conn (1812-1893) of Mount Ida, had with their landlord and his agent George Gibson (1817-1897). Today, we feature the agent George Gibson (1817-1897) including the numerous jobs he held often at the same time and two of his famous kin.
Multiple Jobs
Secretary to the Waterford Chamber of Commerce
At the same time George Gibson was John L. Conn’s agent he was also employed as the Secretary to the Waterford Chamber of Commerce. In fact, Gibson lived in an apartment in the building owned by the Chamber. Gibson apparently held the post for an extended period and began to call himself esquire. For general historical information on the Waterford Chamber of Commerce see Des Cowman (1988) Perceptions and Promotions: The Role of the Waterford Chamber of Commerce, 1787-1987.
As Secretary to the Waterford Chamber of Commerce it was noted in 1873 that Gibson gave 5 shillings to the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society (Munster Express, Sat. 31 May 1973, p. 6) while others in the organisation gave £1 or more to the fund. Gibson, by his actions publicly questioned the appropriateness of labelling himself esquire.
Poor Law Rate Collector
In addition to being an agent and Secretary to the Waterford Chamber of Commerce, Gibson was also a collector for the Waterford Poor Law Board of Guardians. Gibson apparently prided himself on being the first collector to close his collection and submit his bill for the work performed. For example, in early December 1873, Gibson attended the Board of Guardians to “close his collection.” “He was the first to close his collection and earned £86 13s. 10d. for his work. He was to collect £3,554 4s. 7d., of which he lodged £3,467 17s. 3d. He proposed that £66 6s. 11d. be struck off as uncollectable and to bring forward into the next rate £20 0s. 5d.” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 6 Dec. 1873, p. 3).
Gibson took his job as collector very seriously. In October 1870 Gibson sued Richard Walsh, BL for £6 1s. 4d. for unpaid poor rates for properties Walsh owned in Ballybricken, Waterford City. Barrister Walsh was not amused and stated in the hearing that Mr. Gibson, “had no well-ascertained place of residence, though styling himself esquire.” This statement caused laughter across the courtroom. Gibson replied that he “might not have a residence to suit the learned gentleman he had given security to the guardians, to a considerable amount, as collector, and was responsible to them, and to his securities, for the correctness of his official acts.” Judgment was entered for Gibson (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 28 Oct. 1870, p. 3).
It was reported in 1879, that due to the high cost of obtaining sureties with the London Guarantee Society, Gibson as collector for the Waterford union, substituted Joseph Ambrose, solicitor, Waterford and Robert Manning, engineer-in-chief, Board of Works, Dublin. The Waterford Board of Guardians unanimously approved (Waterford News, Fr. 17 Oct. 1879, p. 3). As will be shown below Robert Manning was Gibson’s brother-in-law.
Interestingly Conn’s tenants all fell within the Waterford Poor Law Union. Therefore, Gibson if assigned to collect for Glenmore and Mullinavat would have collected from his employer Conn and Conn’s tenants who he already sought rent from. For further information on the Poor Law Guardians and local health care see our post of 25 April 2020.
Auditor for the Waterford & Limerick Railway
The Waterford & Limerick Railway Company employed “George Gibson Esq.” of Waterford as their auditor. In February 1880 Gibson’s term as auditor expired and the Chair and Secretary of the Waterford and Limerick Railway recommended his re-election to the post (Waterford News and Star, Fri. 27 Feb. 1880, p. 3).
Secretary to the Commissioners on Public Works
In 1887, Gibson was 70 years of age and was living at Ely Place, Dublin with his brother-in-law Robert Manning. As Secretary to the Commissioners on Public Works he wrote to the Waterford Chamber of Commerce regarding a scheme for the “Junction of the railways with the Quays, Waterford, and the Bridge Made Free” (Waterford News, Fri 9 Dec. 1887, p. 3). It is not clear if Gibson held other posts at this time.
Famous Brother-in-Law and Niece
Very little of a personal nature could be found regarding George Gibson. He never married. No record of his birth or baptism could be located. No obituary could be found in Waterford or Dublin newspapers. It was only the few lines found regarding his Will that provided the first clues as to his kin.
Gibson, George, 11 January 1898, Administration (with the Will) of the estate of George Gibson late of Waterford County, Waterford, Esquire who died 1 November 1897 at Hampstead, Drumcondra, County Dublin, granted at Dublin to Elizabeth Manning of 4 Upper Ely-place Dublin Spinster, Residuary Legatee Effects £955 14s. 2d. Per the death register George Gibson died on 1 November 1897 at age 81 of a fatty heart.
According to Gibson’s headstone in Mount Jerome, Church of Ireland cemetery, Harold’s Cross, Co. Dublin, Mary Ruth Manning (1853-1930) and Georgina Manning (1862-1956) were his nieces. Elizabeth Manning (1850-1913) was the eldest Manning nieces. The photo of the headstone (provided by Dunlo St. Descendent) and information is available on Find a Grave.
In Memory of George Gibson
Second son of the late George Gibson, of 24 Lr Pembroke St.
Died Nov. 1st 1897, Aged 80 Years
Also of Mary Ruth Manning, Who died January 27th, 1930,
Second daughter of the late Robert Manning M? CE,
And niece of first named George Gibson.
Also of her youngest sister, Georgina Eleanore Manning
Who died July 10th?, 1956, In her 93rd? year
Robert Manning (1816-1897)
Robert Manning married Susanna Gibson (1817-1894) of Newtown, Waterford on 7 March 1848 at Waterford. The bride and groom were members of the Church or Ireland. George Gibson was one of the witnesses. According to the biography of Robert Manning (1816-1897) the bride and groom were second cousins. Manning was brought to County Waterford in 1826 by his mother after the death of her husband. They resided with her elder brother John Stephens, Esq. near Passage East. For a concise biography of Robert Manning (1816-1897) see, the Dictionary of Irish Architects. For further details see, Ask Ireland.
Robert Manning had no formal training in hydraulics, but is best known today for his formula that is still used today. Robert Manning systematically investigated the formulas that existed for evaluating open channel flow of water. “He used each formula for a given slope and hydraulic radius between 0.25 metres and 30 metres. After finding the mean value of all the velocities, he developed his formula that was the best fit for the data. The formula was proposed to the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland in December 1889.” In 1891 he wrote a scientific paper which contained his formula. This paper was published in the Transactions of the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Enviro Engineer webpage).
Robert Manning died on 9 December at 4 Upper Ely Place. He was in his 82nd year. He was buried in Mount Jerome cemetery (Evening Herald of Fri. 10 Dec. 1897, p. 1). Thus the brother-in-laws died within a month of each other.
Suffragette Georgina Manning (1862-1956)
Georgina Manning (1862-1956) a suffragette, was the youngest daughter of Robert Manning and his wife Susanna Manning née Gibson. Georgina Manning graduated from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. For many years she taught piano and harmony at the Rathmines Ladies’ Collegiate Boarding and Day School in Leinster Square. In 1907, she became a professor of music at Pleasant’s School for Protestant Orphan Females in Camden Street and earned £20 per annum.
In 1908, the Irish Women’s Franchise League was founded and Georgina joined the organisation. In March 1913 Georgia in a protest of John Redmond not supporting the vote for women threw paint on the bust of John Redmond at the Royal Hibernian Academy Exhibition. RTE covered the event in “Century Ireland 1913-1923”.
Georgina was arrested and convicted. She was fined 20 shillings and 5 shillings for damage to the bust. Georgina was given a week to pay the fine. She stated she would not pay and was prepared to go to jail. At the time her eldest sister Elizabeth died, and Georgina paid the fine and damages. As a result of her actions she lost her job notwithstanding the fact that the school offered to reinstate her if she promised not to perform future militant acts. She would not so promise, but apparently never again engaged in a militant act (Denise Dowdall, (2018) historyeye.ie, “Georgina Manning: The Woman Who Threw Paint Over John Redmond.”
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
More Glenmore Post Cards [Updated]
Jackie Walsh shared two postcards and a photo from her collection. If you have never visited Jackie’s facebook page “Glenmore Memories” it is well worth a visit for the lovely old photos.
Post Card 1
This postcard is from 1912. It provides a good view of the buildings that once stood between the Mullinahone Road and Fluskey’s shop and post office. Today, all that remains is Fluskey’s (which is a private dwelling) and to its left Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) house. No longer standing: (1) the Dispensary; (2) Gaffney’s house & shop (later Lizzie J.K.’s); and (3) Gaffney’s Mill.
See our post of 25 April 2020 regarding the Glenmore Dispensary. For further information on Gaffney’s Mill see our post of 6 April 2025. See our post of 28 May 2020 regarding the Fluskey family.
Glenmore Photo
It is not known when this photo was taken. Given the car depicted it was likely taken in the 1940’s or 1950’s. The people are gathered in front of Fluskey’s. Do you recognise any of these people?
[Update–James Grace noticed that the wall at the bridge (to the left of the stage) was repaired. He believes the photo was taken after Michael Murphy (1930-1974) of Robinstown, Glenmore, lost control of his experimental tractor, crashed through the wall and ended up in the stream. James was an apprentice at Duggan’s when this occurred. See our post of 27 June 2020 for more information regarding the runaway tractor of June 1953. Thus this photo was taken after June 1953.]
To the right of the photo is the stage house built by landlord Dr. Mackesy, to store corn. The stage allowed for wagons to be loaded easily, and politicians used the stage for addressing local people. This stone building was removed to allow for the construction of the Sallies housing development. The stone building to its left and across the stream is the coach house which still stands in Cappagh townland. See our post of 4 March 2025 regarding landlord Dr. Mackesy.
Post Card 2
This postcard is also undated. Two children are in front of Danny Dowling’s house and someone is standing in the doorway. No graffiti is apparent on Fluskey’s wall. It appears that the Village pump which once stood (in front of the current Glen Bar) is not apparent in this photo. This suggests that the photo was taken after 1931 when the Village pump was removed due to pollution.
See our post of 23 May 2020 regarding the village pumps and water scheme. See our post of 9 April 2020 regarding Glenmore Village in the 1930’s.
Request From Reader
We have a reader who wonders if anyone has photos or a postcard depicting the old bus stop area at the top of the Churns. He recalls that there was a finger sign that had “Glenmore 1/4.”
For other postcards of Glenmore see our posts of 22 January 2025 and 29 January 2025.
Please send any corrections, further information or other old photos or post cards of anywhere in Glenmore to glenmore.history@gmail.com . Special thanks to Jackie Walsh for sharing these postcards and photo.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The First Gold Glenmore Sign
On the 17th of March, to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the death of Glenmore historian, Danny Dowling (1927-2021), Glenmore Tidy Towns and glenmore-history.com placed a historical sign at the site where Gaffney’s Mill once stood. This is the first of several planned signs to be posted in the parish. If you stop to look at the sign please look at the stone beneath it. The stone had a date inscribed in it (1810), but the stone when re-used for the pier was placed upside down. Another Glenmore mystery.
Apologies for my tardy posting, but a couple days later my better half and I were off on a cruise to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.
Information Provided: Gaffney’s Mill
This mural, painted by artist Graham Carew, represents Gaffney’s Mill that stood behind this wall. Gaffney’s Mill was one of 3 mills shown in Glenmore Parish on the historical survey map of the 1830’s. The mills included: Grace’s Mill in Mullinahone, Forristal’s Mill in Graiguenakill and Gaffney’s Mill here in the Village. The Gaffney family operated the mill until around 1900. The mill had a water wheel which was powered from a supply of water in a mill pond which was located behind the mill. This water was sourced from the stream that flows through the village, partly diverted at Mullinahone into a mill race. A man-made canal ran parallel to what’s known as the Mill Road. The water was released on demand and flowed back to the stream via an underground duct. In addition to a corn mill a linen mill was also operated on this site utilizing flax grown in Ballyverneen.
It is not clear when Gaffney’s Mill began operating, but it was in operation in 1798. The local leader of the United Irishman was William Gaffney (c.1763-1798) of Gaffney’s Mill. He was captured by British soldiers and hanged on the 5th of June 1798. His remains were discovered in an unmarked grave in Rosbercon over a century later with the building of the rail link between New Ross and Waterford. William Gaffney’s remains are now buried in Kilivory Cemetery, Kilmakevoge, Glenmore.
At the bottom of the sign are two GRC codes to direct readers to posts containing further information on glenmore-history.com including local events during 1798 and the discovery of William Gaffney’s remains.
Attendees
Future Glenmore Signs
Plans are underway to post signs marking the carriage house; the Ballyverneen brick pits; the Glenmore Barracks; and the the site of the first St. James’s Church. Please send on any suggestions for additional historical signs to glenmore.history@gmail.com or contact Glenmore Tidy Towns via its facebook page.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Glenmore Notes (1968)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today, is the fourth anniversary of our founder Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) death. At 5 p.m. a sign will be unveiled at the mural in Glenmore Village the site of the historic Gaffney’s Mill to commemorate Danny’s anniversary. The sign was created by Glenmore Tidy Towns and Glenmore-History.com., and over the coming months we hope to mark other historic sites around the parish. The signs will feature the new Glenmore-History.com logo designed by Jamie Kent of Waterford.
Below are a few excerpts from Danny’s 1968 notebook featuring several Glenmore people and local facts.
Kitty Norris née Ryan (1824-1902) of Ballyveria, Glenmore
We are all aware that the last native Irish speaker of Glenmore was Patrick Power (c. 1856-1942) of Jamestown, who died in 1942. However, Danny recorded a rather startling fact regarding a Glenmore woman Kitty Ryan of Ballyveria. “Kitty Ryan, later Mrs. Jimmy Norris of Ballyveria never knew a word of English until she was 20 years of age She became a good English speaker. She died in 1902.” If Kitty Ryan did not have a word of English it seems likely that she never attended a National School because all National Schools taught English. See our post of 23 August 2020 regarding “Glenmore and the Irish Language”.
The Glenmore Parish records provide that James Norris (c. 1835-1908) and Catherine “Kitty” Ryan were married on 13 February 1866 at Glenmore. The townland provided was Ballyveria. The fathers were not recorded, but the witnesses were John Ryan and Mary Connors. Both parties were of age, therefore, they both were over 21. The Civil Records provide more information. The groom was a labourer, and his father was Michael Norris. The bride’s father was William Ryan, (farmer).
Finding Kitty or Catherine’s date of birth was difficult. The 1901 Census revealed that James and Katherine (sic) Norris were living in Ballywairy (sic) Lower. James was a farmer and 66 years of age. Kitty was 50. Both spouses were born in Co. Kilkenny, and both spoke Irish and English. In 1901, their two closest neighbours were the Garrett Hanrick family and the Richard Murphy family.
Kitty died on the 22nd of May 1902, at Ballywairy (sic) at the age of 76. In one year she aged 26 years! The death register records that she was the wife of a labourer, and died of senile decay. Her husband James was present at her death. James himself apparently died aged 73 at the workhouse hospital on 8 March 1908. He was a widower, labourer and died from prostatitis. The register records that he was from “Ballyfacey, Co. Kilkenny.”
Parents & Siblings
Catherine “Kitty” Ryan was baptized 21 September 1824 at Bally-Vereah (sic) Glenmore. She was the daughter of William Ryan and Margaret Cassin. William Ryan married Margaret Cashin at Ballynuna, Kilmacow on 28 October 1809. Kitty had at least four brothers:
[1] Robert Ryan, baptized 14 October 1810;
[2] Patrick Ryan, baptized 9 March 1815;
[3] James Ryan baptized 11 May 1817; and
[4] Thomas Ryan baptized 4 June 1820.
We did not find any records that Kitty and Jimmy had any children. We could not locate a headstone. Without Danny’s note it seems likely that Kitty would have remained unknown.
Kitty may have had another brother William Ryan. We found some baptismal records regarding children William Ryan, of Ballyveria, fathered. James Ryan “Illegitimate” was baptised on 25 February 1843 at Glenmore the son of William Ryan and Mary Malone. Margaret Ryan “bastard” was baptised 7 June 1850 at Ballyweair (sic) to William Ryan and Mary Malone. William Ryan of Ballyveria married Mary Malone on 19 August 1850 at Glenmore. It is not clear what impediment may have stopped the couple from marrying before 1850. However, given the power of local priests in the mid-nineteenth century (for example closing all pubs in Glenmore Village) it is surprising that this situation was not resolved prior to August 1850.
Ballycroney School at Cody’s
“About 90 years ago Paddy Butler used hold classes in Cody’s of Ballycroney. It was attended by the locals.” This would have been around 1878. Danny’s note also provides that Paddy Butler died “about 70 years ago in the Carrick Union, “the master of which was a Glenmore man James Mullins.” See our post of 10 January 2021 regarding James Mullins. This appears to be the same Paddy Butler who was the master of Kilbride who was from Rahora and milked for Mullins of Flemingstown. See our post of 12 January 2025 regarding what was said from the altar regarding Paddy Butler and our post of 6 September 2020 regarding Glenmore Hedge Schools and Early National Schools. From other sources it appears that Paddy’s teaching ended in Kilbride when the Ballyfacey School opened in 1868.
Ballyfacey School at George O’Connor’s
Daniel Galavan was a teacher in a cow house belonging to George O’Connor in Ballyfacey. Charlie Linegar (1839-1923) went to the Daniel Galavan school. See Dick Claridge’s, “Glenmore Versus from the Early Twentieth Century,” including the famous prank recorded in Charlie Linegar’s Ball.
Mowing Machines
Mowing machines were first introduced into the parish over 80 years ago (circa 1888). The first to get one was Hogan of Weatherstown. Other early mowing machines were owned by Greene’s and Cody’s.
Spraying of Spuds
Spuds were first sprayed in Glenmore in 1904. The Creamery had four sprayers. [The Creamery did not open until 1905, so we believe the correct date is probably 1905.]
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Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore-history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Again special thanks to Jamie Kent for designing our new logo!