Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
now browsing by tag
The Long Road to Victory: Glenmore 1916 Senior Football Co. Kilkenny Champions
According to the Gerry O’Neill’s Kilkenny GAA Bible (2014, pp. 60-61, available at http://www.kilkennygaa.ie/Downloads/KK_GAA_BIBLE_2014.pdf ) Glenmore between 1900 and 1950 won the Ned Langton Cup (county senior football championship) 15 times. Previously we posted information and a photo of the 1915 senior football team that won the County Kilkenny Senior Football Championship ( available at https://glenmore-history.com/the-tenacious-glenmore-1915-football-team-co-kilkenny-senior-football-champions/ ). Today, we will highlight some of the problems the 1916 Glenmore team faced before they again won the County Kilkenny Senior Football Championship. No senior football championships were held in County Kilkenny in 1917 and 1918 which was due to a number of factors primarily linked to the souring relationship between the Irish people and the British authorities.
Four final games were played between Glenmore and Coolagh for the 1915 football championship, the fourth and final game was not played until October 1916. It was not until December 1916 that Glenmore was declared the winners by the County Kilkenny Committee of the G.A.A. Also, in December it was announced that under the Defence of Realm Regulations, under a circular issued on the 18th of November, excursion railway traffic in Ireland was to stop. The chief effect of this decision was that football and hurling matches would be adversely impacted. (Sport (Dublin), Sat. 2 Dec. 1916, p. 1). The rationale for this decision was alleged to be because of the scarcity of coal, yet the suspension of excursion trains did not extend to race meetings or coursing matches (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Dec. 1916, p. 2). As previously reported the use of automobiles was also restricted in 1917 (https://glenmore-history.com/the-prosecution-of-glenmore-wedding-guests-in-1917/).
In 1916 the U.K. Parliament sought to place a tax on the gate receipts under what was labelled the Amusement Tax. The G.A.A. prevailed upon John Redmond, M.P. who managed to insert into the proposed legislation exemptions for cultural events. In 1917, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise began taking cases again the G.A.A. for failing to pay the tax. The G.A.A. defended the cases asserting that the Gaelic games were exempt as it was engaged in the revival of national games. The Commissioners pointed out that they had not granted any exemptions and the courts became divided.
In January 1917, at the meeting of the Kilkenny County Committee of the G.A.A., long discussions took place regarding improperly constituted teams. The Chair announced that he would disqualify all improperly constituted teams from the championship. In the future there would be no refixing of matches except under special circumstances (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 13 Jan. 1917, p. 3). While Kilkenny was wrestling with the refixing of matches other aspects of legislation to support the war effort, such as mandatory food production, was impacting on G.A.A. grounds. For example, the owner of a large field at Carrickmacross announced that he had to plough the field under the imposed tillage scheme. A large crowd assembled at the field on the morning 40 ploughs were suppose to arrive to plough the ground, but none arrived (Belfast News Letter, Wed. 14 Feb. 1917, p. 6).
Notwithstanding its assertions that it was not a political organisation, in 1917 the G.A.A. began holding tournaments and exhibition matches to support the work of the Irish National Aid Association and the Volunteer Dependent’s Fund. After the Easter Uprising in 1916 financial support poured in from Irish exiles abroad, particularly those in the United States, for the dependents of the leaders of the rising who were executed. The Irish National Aid Association and the Volunteer Dependent’s Fund was established to raise and distribute the national and international relief. For documents relating to the organisation held by the National Library of Ireland see, Holdings: Irish National Aid Association and Volunteer… (nli.ie).
Notwithstanding the ban on the use of automobiles and excursion trains the G.A.A. continued to hold matches. Coolroe was to play Tullogher at the Rower but failed to travel for the first round of the 1916 senior football championship. The second time the match was cancelled due to snow. In March 1917 on the third attempt Coolroe again failed to travel and a walk over was awarded to Tullogher. (Enniscorthy Guardian, Sat. 17 March 1917, p. 6.) Apparently the awarding of the walk over was overturned by the County Committee and the two teams met on 13 May 1917. It was reported that the game was fast and well contested. The game score was Coolroe two points and Tullogher one point (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 May 1917, p. 6).
While Glenmore was waiting for the Coolroe and Tullogher semi-final to be played a tournament was arranged at Mullinavat for the 19th of April 1917 to aid the Irish National Aid Association. Glenmore played Tullogher “and a very fine game was witnessed,” by the large number of spectators. Glenmore won by 2 goals, 9 points to 1 point (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 May 1917, p. 2) and Kilmacow played a drawn game with Chapelhill in the hurling encounter at that tournament (Munster Express, Sat. 5 May 1917, p. 5).
Shortly after that tournament both Tullogher and Glenmore became part of the “mania” sweeping the country. Republican flags were being placed in inaccessible places making their removal difficult without risk to life or limb. “On Sunday morning a Republican flag was floating on a staff from the eaves of the Tullogher National School. It remained there all day. On Sunday morning three Republican flags were seen floating near Glenmore. It is stated that two were on the tops of trees and another on the telegraph wires, and the police proceeded to remove them” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 May 1917, p. 3). In Tipperary after a match in July a Sinn Fein flag was displayed from the wagonette on which the Mullinahone footballers were seated, and one of the players attempted to address the crowd. When the police interfered “the crowd resented police interference, and a general melee ensued. The police charged the crowd with batons, and the people retaliated with stones.” The police withdrew to return with reinforcements, rifles and bayonets. “Some local traders and a clergyman persuaded the crowd to go home quietly.” Both police and members of the crowd received minor injuries (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 21 July 1917, p. 5).
From the newspapers it appears that Glenmore continued to play in the 1916 championship as well as the 1917 season. For example, the Glenmore v. Coolagh football tie was refixed for Knocktopher on Sunday 15th July (Munster Express, Sat. 19 May 1917, p. 5) and the 1916 senior football championship match between Glenmore and Coolroe was to be held at Knocktopher on the 22nd of July (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 14 July 1917, p. 3).
In the July meeting of the County Committee an objection was made by the Milebush junior hurling club regarding a match played at Glenmore on the 10th of June which was awarded to Mooncoin. Milebush alleged two players for Mooncoin played senior hurling the previous year for other teams and Mooncoin countered that Milebush was illegally constituted as it included players affiliated and registered with the Glenmore hurling club. Mr. Heffernan responded “that there was no hurling club affiliated from Glenmore.” It was also reported that at a recent match at Glenmore in the second round of the junior hurling championship the Glenmore field had long grass which militated against the players displaying their skill (New Ross Standard, Fri. 20 July 1917, p.6).
A description of a senior football game played by Glenmore for the 1916 championship could not be located. However, although Coolroe appeared reluctant or unable to travel to matches Glenmore played in a number of fundraising tournaments to support the funding of the Irish National Aid Association. A tournament was arranged for the 9th of September 1917 at Knocktopher and Glenmore was pitted against Coolagh, the team it played four times to win the 1915 Senior Football Championship. The Knocktopher tournament “was patronized by a large gathering of Gaels, and it is satisfactory to note that a good ‘gate’ was realised. There was an attractive programme arranged, and those who attended … were treated to a first-class exhibition of” hurling and football. It is assumed that the following concerns the junior football team. “Glenmore and Kilmoganny were the first to enter the arena and, though the latter team failed to score, there were some masterly displays. Glenmore pressed throughout and the Kilmoganny defence was hard set to cope with the repeated assaults. Hanrahan, Freany, Fitzgerald, Hartley and Heffernan were about the best of the Glenmore boys who emerged victorious with a score of 3 goals, 3 points to nil. Mr. W. Saunders proved a capable referee. The Glenmore team…M. Cody, Capt; Jim Hanrahan, W. Purcell, J. Fitgerald, T. Freany, M. Cody, P. Reddy, J. Phelan, R. Walsh, J. Aylward, A. Heffernan, J. Cody, P. Hartley, R. Flynn and J. Phelan.
The event of the evening was the meeting of Glenmore and Coolagh for senior football honours. The pace was fast and the game was scarcely five minutes in progress when Jim Hanrahan scored the first point for Glenmore. Hanrahan was again conspicuous in the remaining stages of the first half, scoring a second point from a ‘free.’ The third and fourth minor scores quickly followed per Walsh and Doherty. Coolagh put up a stubborn fight but were unable to cope with the resistance of the Glenmore backs and centre players. When the half-time whistle sounded the score was: Glenmore—4 points; Coolagh—Nil.
Coolagh made repeated onslaughts when play was resumed, but were successfully held back by their opponents. Play continued fast and exciting, both sides showing much grit and determination. Though rough at times, the game was not remarkable for any foul passages of play. After some hard fought struggles to get through, Coolagh succeeded in penetrating a strong defence and their only score, a point was the result. Glenmore had luck on their side, but their play showed lack of style, their forwards losing several changes of scoring. The Coolagh backs proved strong and put up a good defence. The final scores were: Glenmore—4 points; Coolagh—1 point.
Jim Hanrahan, Jim Phelan, John Phelan, A. Heffernan and J. Doherty did good work as Glenmore representatives, while J. McKenna, M. Saunders, M and P Hoyne and J. Murphy were about the best of the Coolagh players. Mr. Dick Holohan, who gave every satisfaction as referee…The Glenmore team: J. Doherty (capt.), Jim Hanrahan, Jim Phelan, John Phelan, A. Heffernan, M. Connolly, J. Murphy, P. Foran, P. Forristal, P. Fitzgerald, C. McDonald, M. Murphy, J. Roche, W. Walsh, W. Hartley” (Munster Express, Sat. 22 Sept. 1917, p. 4).
At the October meeting of the Kilkenny County Committee the chairman, Mr. John Gibbons, in an attempt to stop the infighting on the Committee noted that when he took up the position of chair the affairs of the county committee had been in a state of chaos and dislocation. He thanked Mr. Aylward, of Mullinavat, for taking on the secretarial work and stepping into the breach. The senior football final between Glenmore and Coolroe was fixed for New Ross on Sunday, 11th November, with Mr. G. Kennedy to referee. (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 17 Oct. 1917, p. 2). It was later reported that the Kilkenny senior football championship at Barrett’s Park, New Ross would be played on the 18th of November (Munster Express, Sat. 10 Nov. 1917, p. 5 & Waterford News & Star, Fri. 9 Nov. 1917, p. 5). The match did not occur because Coolroe notified Glenmore that they would not be able to travel (New Ross Standard, Fri 23 Nov. 1917, p. 6). The match was reset for the 6th of January 1918 (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 12 Dec. 1917, p. 3) but the only reference that we could locate in local newspapers provided that the teams met on the 10th of March 1918 for the second time at Barrett’s Park, New Ross to decide the final of the Co. Kilkenny senior football championship. The final score was reported as Glenmore, 3 goals, 2 points; to Coolroe, nil (Munster Express, Sat. 16 March 1918, p. 3). This score contradicts the score recorded by Gerry O’Neil for the 1916 final. It is also reported in his book that the 1917/1918 senior football championships were not held.
Given all the contradictions and confusion regarding the 1916 Kilkenny Senior Football Championship, with access limited to available newspaper accounts due to COVID 19 restrictions, any and all corrections would be very welcome.
There is no known photo of the 1916 Glenmore Team, but several of the players also played on the 1915 team. The featured photo above is courtesy of the National Archives. The identification of players in the photo is found with the blog post https://glenmore-history.com/the-tenacious-glenmore-1915-football-team-co-kilkenny-senior-football-champions/ .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Very Rev. Mother Marie Gerard Phelan (1872-1960)
Today, we are going to feature an extraordinary woman who came from Ballyfacey, Glenmore, became an educator, the president of a college, and the Superior-General of the world wide Institute of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Before Mother Marie Gerard entered religious life she was Anastasia Phelan the youngest daughter of John Phelan and his wife Catherine Phelan née Forristal of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. Anastasia was born on the 18th of January 1872. She died on the 22nd of March 1960.
Most of the information below was obtained from Mother Gerard’s obituaries in The Tablet (Brooklyn, N.Y., 26 March 1960, p. 15) and the Munster Express (Fri. 1 April 1960, p. 10); the obituary of her predecessor, Mother Marie Joseph Butler published in the Munster Express (Fri, 3 May 1940) and the biography provided by Fr. Michael Mernagh in Glenmore Times (2000, p. 42).
Early Education
As a child Mother Gerard attended Ballyfacey National School and went to secondary school at the Sacred Heart Convent at Ferrybank (Waterford). The noviciate at Ferrybank had been founded by her predecessor Mother Marie Joseph Butler (1860 -1940) another Kilkenny woman. Mother Gerard followed the steps of her older sister, Johanna Phelan (1862-1893) and entered the congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Mother Gerard entered at the Mother House, Beziers, Southern France, and made profession in September 1895.
The early years of her religious life were spent at Seafield, Liverpool, England, where she received her training and began her teaching career. She made her final vows in 1901 in Seafield Convent. In 1907, she was transferred to New York, where she was closely associated with Mother Mary Joseph Butler in the founding of Marymount school which in 1919 became Marymount College for Women. “In those pioneering years of this great work Mother Gerard showed exceptional ability as an educator and organiser and ably assisted Mother Mary Joseph Butler in her arduous task as foundress of Marymount and later when Mother Joseph became the first Superior General” in 1926 (Munster Express, 1960). Mother Gerard became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1928.
Educator and Administrator
Widely known as an outstanding educator and administrator, Mother Gerard received her Ph.D. from the Jesuit Fordham University in 1922. She also pursued studies at Oxford, the Sorbonne and Catholic University of America. Working closely with Mother Butler, she revised in 1937 the entire course of studies for Marymount schools in order “to integrate it more realistically with women’s enlarging sphere of activities in a rapidly changing society.” (The Tablet, 1960)
Mother Gerard served as dean and later president of Marymount College. She was also named successively Superior and Provincial of the Institute’s North American Province, established in 1877 with the founding of the order’s first American school at Sag Harbor, Long Island. See generally, information on the history of the Community.
Elected Superior-General
In 1946, Mother Gerard was elected Superior-General at a General Chapter of the Institute at Beziers, France, to succeed Mother Butler who died in 1940. Unfortunately, due to the Second World War no General Chapter could be held until the war ended. Mother Gerard was re-elected to the office in 1952. Also in that year she was awarded an honorary LL.D. from Fordham University as the first of its graduates to be called to the government of a religious order spread over many parts of the world.
Mother Gerard was the sixth Superior-General since the congregation’s foundress, Mother St. Jean Cure-Pellisser. Under Mother Gerard’s guidance, the congregation expanded its educational activities in America and throughout the world, establishing 28 schools and colleges in Bogota, Medellin and Barranquilla, Colombia; Barcelona, Spain; London, England; Umtali, Africa; Dublin Ireland; Fatima, Portugal; Montpelier, France; Porto Alegre, Brazil; San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Richmond and Arlington, Virginia; Quebec, P.Q; Cuernavaca, Mexico; St. Louis, Missouri; and Miami, Florida.
In 1947, the centenary of the congregation’s founding, Mother Gerard supervised the establishment of Marymount College’s City Campus in New York’s former Junior League building at 221 East 71st Street. During her tenure, Mother Gerard opened 32 houses and opened schools in 5 countries.
During Mother Gerard’s administration as Superior-General, she initiated the beatification of Pere Gailhac and Mother Burler formally to Pope Pius XII. Shortly after his elevation to the Pontificate, His Holiness Pope John XXIII, assumed the title of Cardinal Protector of the Institute of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary.
As the congregation’s executive administrator, Mother Gerard was active in her duties until her final illness. At her death she was engaged in planning further expansion of Marymount for her congregation. The congregation in 1960 operated 145 schools and colleges in 11 countries. In New York City area, there were 13 educational establishments administered by the religious order. Mother Gerard died at Tarrytown, New York and her funeral services were conducted by Cardinal Spellman. Mother Gerard was interred in the crypt beneath the Marymount Chapel, where Mother Butler was also interred.
Eventually Marymount College at Tarrytown became part of Fordham University and the University sold the campus. The Manhattan Marymount is still in operation. Update: Mother Gerard and Mother Butler were first cousins although it was not generally known in the congregation.
[Updated 29 Jan. 2021] Special thanks to Sr. Kathleen Connell, RSHM for the update and the photos of Mother Gerard and Mother Gerard and Mother Butler.
Further information and photos of Mother Gerard may be found on Findagrave .
The above photo marked Mother M. Gerard may be found on the Marymount Manhattan College webpage.
For further information concerning Mother Gerard’s family see, our post of 24 January 2021 regarding her brother Nicholas Forristal Phelan (1857-1941) and the family pages.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
[Updated] Rev. Maurice Hoyne (1865-1930): His Time Down Under
Thanks to Michael Hoyne providing his research we are able today to present some information concerning a Glenmore native who was ordained and spent his religious life in Australia at the end of the nineteenth century and early decades of the twentieth century.
According to the short bio written by Father Michael Mernagh for Glenmore Times (2000). Maurice Hoyne was the eldest of a family of eighteen. He attended Glenmore National School and St. Kieran’s College. According to Fr. Mernagh, “Tradition has it that while out ploughing the family land he was inspired by the singing of a strange bird to devote his life to God.” According to Fr. Maurice’s 1930 obituary and the records obtained from the Melbourne Diocesan Historical Commission Fr. Maurice was educated St. John’s College, Waterford.
Fr. Maurice’s parents were John Hoyne, of Ballybrahee, Glenmore and Margaret Hoyne née Aylward, of Ballinclar, Glenmore. John and Margaret married on the 16th of February 1865 at Glenmore. Maurice was born on the 29th of November 1865. Luckily, his father registered his birth on the 5th of December as the baptisms from November 1865 are missing from the Glenmore Parish records. [Correction: Only missing from one of the online versions.]
Fr. Maurice was ordained at Waterford by Bishop Egan on the 16th of August 1890 for the Sale Diocese, Australia. Maurice sailed from London on the 21st of November 1890 on board the ship Cuzco. He arrived at Melbourne on the 5th of January 1891. The Diocese of Sale was established by Pope Leo XIII on the 26th of April 1887. The diocese covers south east Victoria, from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne to the New South Wales border including all of Gippsland.
As soon as he arrived in Australia, Fr. Maurice became the first parish priest for Bairnsdale, Victoria. The following note appears in the Diocese records:
The extensive mission having Bairnsdale for its headquarters has been divided by the Bishop, through the erection of Omeo into a separate mission. His Lordship will formally induct Fr. Hoyne as first pastor of the new but important mission. Fr. Hoyne, since his arrival in the colony some 18 months ago, has been stationed continuously at Bairnsdale, from which place the Omeo district until now has been ministered from. For some months past the residents of the latter place have been making preparations for the reception of their pastor. A house was secured, and is now fitted up with suitable furniture.
After the mission was divided Fr. Maurice served as the parish priest for Omeo from 1892 to 1900. In a Diocese note it is revealed that Fr. Maurice was a good horseman. He rode 60 miles from Omeo to Castleburn in eight hours, on rough roads, to make sick calls. While serving at Omeo, Fr. Maurice learned that his mother died in Glenmore on the 5th of May 1896 at the age of 52. Two years later, on the 6th of August 1898, Fr. Maurice narrowly escaped drowning in the flooded Mitchell River. When Fr. Maurice was leaving for Cowwarr in 1900 the parishioners of Omeo gave him a gift of 80 to 90 sovereigns.
Fr. Maurice from 1900 to 1901 was assigned to Cowwarr and then to Warragul. He was assigned to Morwell for a year and then in 1906 he went to New Norcia in Western Australia. New Norcia is the only monistic town in Australia. In 1846 a Benedictine mission was sent to this area in Western Australia, 86 km north of Perth, to convert the local Aboriginals. In 1856 Bishop Salvado acquired land and established the outstation of Wyening to provide a network of pastoral stations to provide the Benedictine Monastery at New Norcia with food and income.
Fr. Maurice appears to have been based at a Wyening Mission Farm [Correction: Fr. Maurice while employed by the Monastery from 1905 to 1909 was based near Toodyay*] that he named “Glenmore” after his home parish in Ireland. In addition to managing the farm he was the parish priest for a huge parish. In 1909 Fr. Maurice sold “Glenmore” farm to Mr. Chitty. While in Western Australia Fr. Maurice’s brother John Hoyne and his wife, Ellen née Doherty moved to Australia. John and Ellen were married at Glenmore on the 7th of June 1899. Ellen was the daughter of Richard Doherty (deceased farmer) of Milltown, Glenmore. It is not known exactly when John and Ellen arrived, but we found a listing for them in the 1910 Western Australia Post Office Directory: “Hoyne Maurice (R.C.) Goomalling; and Hoyne, Jno. Farmer, Goomalling.” Thus, John and Ellen joined Fr. Maurice before 1910.
Fr. Maurice registered a brand for his livestock “8MH” and provided his address as Hoyne, M., “Glenmore” Wyening. John also registered a brand, “Y5H,” for Hoyne, John, “Carrigcloney” Yulgering Mail via Toodyay. The farm named “Carrigcloney” was comprised of 1765 acres.
To my query as to why John and Ellen Hoyne named their farm Carrigcloney my husband stated that his father (Tom Walsh (1908-1992)) stated that the Hoynes of Ballybrahee and Carrigcloney “were all the one.” He reported that the Hoynes originated in Carrigcloney and one moved to Ballybrahee to care for a farm and the previous tenant never returned from the U.S. The naming of the farms reflects an affection for Glenmore.
According to the son of a neighbour of John and Ellen (who corresponds with Michael Hoyne), when John and Ellen settled in the Yulegering area the land was not cleared. “They would have started with all bush property” which they had to clear and develop from scratch. Carrigcloney farm was located 7 miles northeast of Ealingir. Ellen Hoyne died on the 15th October 1940 and John Hoyne suffered a stroke in 1945, sold the farm, and died on the 26th of October 1950. The couple had no living children.
In the 1920’s Fr. Maurice was assigned to Broome, Wagga-Wagga, and in 1925 he was at St. Patrick’s in Brisbane. In 1929, Fr. Maurice visited Ireland. It was the only time he came home after being ordained. Fr. Maurice left London on board the Orontes and arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on the 25th of November 1929. He travelled third class, listed his age as 63. (Fremantle, Western Australia, Passenger Lists). Five months after his return to Australia, Fr. Maurice died on the 24th of April 1930. Fr. Maurice’s obituary was carried in the New Ross Standard (30 May 1930); Munster Express (6 June 1930) and the Kilkenny People (31 May 1930). [A copy of the New Ross Standard obit is on the “H” family page.]
This would normally be the end of the story, but last summer Jo Doyle née Mernagh told a story about her aunt Mary Mernagh (1904-1973). Although Jo did not know the first name of Fr. Hoyne she related that Fr. Hoyne came home from Australia for a visit. Mary Mernagh was working at the Hoyne home in Ballybrahee. Mary was the second youngest daughter of John “Jack” Mernagh (c. 1858-1911) of Ballyverneen, who died tragically in 1911 in a threshing accident. Just before Fr. Hoyne left to return to Australia he asked Mary if she would go out to Australia to become his housekeeper. Jo said her aunt thought long and hard and finally decided she would go. Fr. Hoyne sent the fare and the ship records reveal that Miss Mary Mernagh, of Weatherstown, Glenmore, aged 24, sailed on the Themistocles from Liverpool to Melbourne leaving Liverpool on the 8th of March 1930. When Mary arrived in Melbourne she learned that Father Maurice had died the day before her arrival. Mary stayed in Australia for a number of years although little is known about her time there. The last record found was in 1949. From obituaries of two of her siblings we found that she moved to Lancashire, England where she died in 1973.
Apologies for any misspelled Australian towns or areas. Special thanks to Michael Hoyne for sharing his research and photo of Fr. Maurice. Special thanks to Peter Hocking, Archivist, of the Benedictine Community of New Norcia for further information concerning Fr. Maurice.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
* Peter Hocking, Archivist, of the Benedictine Community of New Norcia provided that the Monastry Chronicle notes that Fr. Maurice Hoyne served from 1905-1909. He arrived from Melbourne and was station at New Norcia in 1905 as one of six or seven diocesan priests. He did not reside at Wyening. Glenmore was a property outside Toodyay which is about 90km southeast of New Norcia. Wyenning is about mid-way between New Norcia and Toodyay. [Updated 24 January 2021]
Sabotaging the 1893 Hunt in Glenmore: The Burning of the Fox Coverts
In three previous posts we highlighted some of the local activities of the Glenmore Land League from its establishment in late 1880 through its split in February 1891 over the Parnell scandal. Some of the main agrarian agitation activities undertaken by members included engaging in boycotts and gathering to protest and frustrate evictions. One of the best known successful eviction frustrations occurred at Ballyfacey, Glenmore on the 27th of August 1885. On that date church bells across South Kilkenny rang out calling thousands of people to gather and stop the eviction of Ballyfacey families. Two years later in February 1893 the local people were again called together this time to resist the seizure in the middle of the night of cattle in Ballyfacey. A month later a group of local men and women stopped a fox hunt in Ballyfacey and burned the coverts, to stop future hunts. In general, fox hunting was a pursuit of the landlords and gentry. A covert is anywhere a fox may live. In various areas of Glenmore rough ground with bushes and other cover was protected by the landlords to provide a place for foxes. Generally, hounds were sent into the covert to flush out the fox and the hunt would begin.
Pitchfork Protests at Ballyfacey Glenmore
The Wexford People (Sat. 1 April 1893, p. 8) published an article entitled, “UNIONIST HUNTSMEN ATTACKED WITH PITCHFORKS: THE COVERTS BURNED.” On Tuesday the 26th of March “an exciting scene was witnessed at the hunt at Ballyfacey,” which “has been the scene of many a stubborn fight against the enemies of the people.” “…Men and women of that place were forward in showing their detestation of shoneen Unionism.” Shoneen is a derogatory word in Irish that refers to one who prefers English attitudes, customs or lifestyle to Irish ones.
On that day Sir Nugent Humble’s hounds were advertised to meet at Tory Hill. Sir Nugent Humble was from Waterford County and it is reported that by the 1870’s his estate was comprised of 6,000 acres. Humble also had lands in County Tipperary, but it does not appear that he had any land in or around Ballyfacey.
The Humble hunters met and proceeded to the covert at Ballyfacey, Glenmore. The Munster Express (Sat. 8 April 1893, p. 8) reported that “when the hounds came to the covert a number of men proceeded with pitchforks to stop the hunt. Sir Nugent Humble inquired the cause of the display, and was told the ‘Castle Catholics’ who attended the Orange meeting would not be permitted to pass, but that the other gentlemen might do so.” Notwithstanding the language used by the newspaper in covering the incident there were no injuries n either side.
Local Castle Catholics
The Munster Express did not identify the so-called “Castle Catholics” or Catholics who supported the Crown, however the Wexford People did name them and we have below provided the actual words from the article. “Mr. Bloomfield, …one of the organisers of the recent Unionist meeting in Waterford, and Mr. Nicholas Lambert, the new ‘Catholic Jay-Pay’ from Ballinakill or Dysertmoon.”
The Wexford People article went on to explain that Nicholas Lambert “before he was ‘raised to the bench’ was, like a good many more of his kind in this country, free and easy with the people as long as he thought he could be served by them, but as soon as he was made a J.P. he ‘kicked over the traces’ and became a Unionist going down to Waterford to beat the Orange drum. In his efforts to ape the grandee, however, he has overshot the mark, and on Tuesday be saw that when he was told by the lads and lasses who were stationed on the fence of Ballyfacey covert that it was to him the objection was made.”
“He began to foam, but was soon made cool, and though his conduct might have precipitated a row, yet the sight of the men with pikes in their hands made the hunters retreat, Mr. Lambert among the rest. The dogs were beaten by the girls, and when the hunters were retiring the crowd groaned for Balfour and cheered for Gladstone and Home Rule. Though the scene was at one time exciting no blows were struck. About twenty or thirty men composed the crowd which defended the covert. On the same night the covert of Ballyfacey, another at Mullinahone, in the parish of Glenmore, and a third at Greenlands, on Mr. Fitzgerald’s land at Knockbrock, were burned to ashes. The foxes which they contained ran in all directions.”
Arthur James Balfour (1848-1930)
To put the groans of the protesting crowd into context, Arthur James Balfour (1848-1930) was the chief Secretary for Ireland until 1891. While he suppressed agrarian unrest and demonstrations he did institute a few measures against absentee landlords. Balfour opposed Irish Home Rule and is attributed with saying there could be no “halfway house” between Ireland remaining within the United Kingdom or becoming independent. By 1893 Balfour led the Conservative Party in the House of Commons. In 1902 he succeeded his uncle Lord Salisbury as Prime Minister and served until 1905.
William Gladstone (1809-1898)
The cheers of the protesting crowd were for William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898). Gladstone was a member of the Liberal party and served as prime minister four times. Gladstone was personally committed to the granting of Irish home rule and in 1886 introduced the first 1886 Home Rule Bill for Ireland. Unfortunately, this Bill caused him to lose power. When he became prime minister again in August 1892, he began working on a new home rule bill. The Second Home Rule Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons in April 1892 and the third reading on 1 September. However, the House of Lords, a week later, killed the Bill when the majority of Lords voted against it.
Although no political group is associated with the article it seems likely that the agrarian agitation activities of the Land League were employed by locals to show displeasure with an apparent Catholic neighbour not supporting Home Rule. The sabotage of the Ballyfacey hunt was reported widely including to Irish exiles in the United States via The Irish Standard (Minneapolis, Minnesota) on Sat. the 29th of April 1893.
**************
Previous blog posts include: “The Glenmore Land League and the Ballyfacey Evictions,” available at https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-land-league-and-the-ballyfacey-evictions/ , and “Glenmore and Mr. Parnell,” available at https://glenmore-history.com/glenmore-and-mr-parnell/ .
The featured photo above is a John Player cigarette card, retrieved from the Digital Public Library of America http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47de-40d9-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
The second photo is of the artwork of Alken, Henry Thomas (1784-1851), (1817-05-01) Fox hunting. Retrieved from the Digital Public Library of America, http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47dc-3696-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
The Balfour photo is from Bain News Service, publisher – Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014682753 and the photo is from the portrait section available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018697133 .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Prologue: Henry “Bounce” Walsh, of Catsrock, Glenmore
As previously published Henry “Bounce” Walsh was hanged on 1 September 1847 for the murder of John Walsh near Bishop’s Hall, in what was sometimes referred to as the Black Corner murder. Notwithstanding the circumstantial evidence presented in the court, Henry “Bounce” Walsh asserted to the very end that he was not guilty of the murder. Thanks to Beth Tykodi who shared the article on the “Bouncer” Walshes, which was published on 20 January 1846, as it led to locating other pre-murder newspaper articles with information concerning Henry “Bounce” Walsh as well as the name of his father and a brother. These newspaper accounts are often contradictory and confusing. Unfortunately this was common in newspaper accounts from the mid-nineteenth century. For the previous blog posts concerning the murder trial see; https://glenmore-history.com/the-murder-trial-of-henry-bounce-walsh-of-knockbrach-glenmore/ and for the execution see: https://glenmore-history.com/the-public-execution-of-henry-bounce-walsh-in-1847/ .
Convicted of Assault
In July 1845, Henry “Bounce” Walsh was arrested and charged with assaulting Mr. Gregory Lymbery. The following article appeared in the Waterford Chronicle and reveals that Bounce and another defendant both committed assaults and received similar sentences with one distinction. The other defendant assaulted a constable and was sentenced to hard labour.
“COUNTY COURT-Tuesday…Chief Justice Doherty” heard the following: “Daniel Maher, stood charged with an assault of a policeman at Abbeyside, while in the discharge of his duty. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and said, that but for being drunk on the night in question, he would not have interfered. Six months imprisonment, with bard labour. Henry Walsh was next put forward for an assault on Mr. Gregory Lymbery. He also pleaded as an excuse, that he was drunk on the night he committed the assault, and could not recollect, whether he committed the assault or not, but supposed he did. Six months imprisonment.” (Waterford Chronicle, Wed. 16 July 1845, p. 3)
Release from Jail & Victim of an Assault
On the day Henry “Bounce” Walsh was released from jail, the 15th of January 1846, having served his time for the assault on Mr. Lymbery, his brother John and his father Walter brought him some clothes. (Waterford Mail, 3 March 1846, p. 2) Thereafter, Bounce, John and Walter Walsh went drinking. On their way home “Bounce,” his father and brother were the victims of serious assaults. The article from Saunder’s New Letter (Dublin) (20 January 1846, p. 3) provides:
“DESPERATE ASSAULT—An assault, which, we regret to say, is in one instance likely to prove fatal, was committed Thursday night, about ten o’clock, on the persons of Walter Walsh, John Walsh, and Henry Walsh, the father and two sons, better known by the nickname of “The Bouncers,” and famous for their pugnacious propensities. They are residents of a place called Catsrock, about six miles from this city, in the County of Kilkenny. The occurrence took place at the county Kilkenny side of the bridge, near Alderman Forristal’s residence, and the parties by whom the injuries were inflicted are named Thomas Grant, John Halligan, James Power and James Brien. The weapon used was a bar of iron about three and a half feet long by two inches broad. Those parties are also natives of the county Kilkenny, and it appears the affray arose from a dispute of long standing. The Walshes are desperately wounded. Henry’s life is almost despaired of, and it is strange fact that he was only after being discharged from gaol on the same day, where he was confined for a wanton assault on Gregory Lymbery, Esq. Intimation of the circumstances having been given to Sergeant M’Coy, who was on duty on the Quay, he immediately proceeded to the opposite side of the bridge, and aided by his party, removed the wounded man to the police barrack, and then pursued the other parties, whom he succeeded in arresting. Grant was identified as the person who had used the bar of iron. The Walshes were removed to the Leper Hospital, and the others were on yesterday brought before the magistrates at petty sessions, and committed until the result of the injuries will be known.—Waterford Mail”
The Waterford Chronicle provided a slightly different account and falsely reported that Walter Walsh died of his injuries. This account provides that Grant, Bryan, Halligan or Hannigan and Power resided in Curraghmore, Slieverue.
“MURDER. On Thursday night about 10 o’clock four men named Thomas Grant, John Halligan, James Bryan, James Power, were proceeding from Waterford to Curraghmore, in the County Kilkenny, their residence, they had not proceeded far beyond the bridge when they overtook three men named John Walsh, Henry Walsh, and Walter Walsh. On coming up with the Walshes the attack commenced, and is stated that one the persons now in custody named Thomas Grant committed fearful havoc on the Walshes, whom he strewed about the road, with a heavy piece of new iron he had in his car. As soon as the alarm was given, Constable M’Coy and some of his men pursued the assailants, whom they succeeded in capturing, and conveyed them hack to the police barracks at Ferrybank, and also the sufferers whom they found bleeding on the road. After arriving at the barracks the sufferers identified prisoners as the persons who assaulted them. On seeing one the prisoners (Thomas Grant), Walter in identifying him said, “oh, it was you who slaughtered all with the bar of iron.” On yesterday, the prisoners were brought before the magistrates, they were identified by constable M’Coy, whose evidence corresponds with what we have stated. The prisoners were remanded. One of the Walsh’s an old man, died yesterday evening in the Leper Hospital, where his fellow sufferers are lying in a hopeless state. (Waterford Chronicle, Sat. 17, 1846, p. 3)
The trial of Thomas Grant and James Brien was held on Friday the 27th of February 1846 in the City Court of Waterford. Although the previous accounts implied that there were three Walsh victims and four defendants only two men stood trial for a “felonious assault, with intent to do some bodily injury, on the person of Walter Walsh.” The following account is from the Waterford Mail (3 March 1846, p. 2).
“Spring Assizes (City Court—Friday, before Honourable Justice Ball). Thomas Grant and James Brien were indicted for a felonious assault, with intent to do some bodily injury, on the person of Walter Walsh.
Walter Walsh examined—Is a farmer; lives at Cat’s Rock; has six sons; was in Waterford on the 15th January last; went to bring his son some clothes, as he was coming that day out of jail for having committed an assault on Mr. Lymbery; left Waterford about 8 o’clock that evening in company with two sons, Henry and John; when he came to the bridge; at the end where Mr. Forristal lives, witness was beaten on the head with a bar of iron by four men whom he met there; believes he got but one blow; when witness got the blow; Henry was struck and knocked down; he saw his sons that night in the police barrack, and they were sent to the hospital.
Henry Walsh examined—Is son to Watt Walsh; was coming from Waterford with his father and brother, and went over the bridge; when opposite Forristal’s house, witness was struck on the head with a bar of iron by Thomas Grant; Brien was with Grant, and was the first person who caught witness by the coat—[witness here identified the prisoners]—after witness was struck down with the bar of iron he became insensible, and did not speak until the morning after.
John Walsh deposed that he was with his father and brother going over the bridge on the evening in question; when at the other side of the bridge he saw three men together, the two prisoner and John Hannigan; witness caught hold of the bar of iron to defend himself when Tom Grant was about striking him with it; immediately he let go the iron bar, and was struck on the head with it and knocked down; his father and brother were down before himself; he was waiting for his father and brother at the old hotel of Mr. Forristal, when, thinking his father and brother were delaying too long, witness turned back and saw five men together his father, brother, the two traversers, and Hannigan; his father and brother were struck down, and witness was knocked down afterwards.
James Power examined—Saw Hannigan and Henry Walsh coming over the bridge staggering; they handled each other when they came over the bridge opposite Forristal’s door; Tom Grant and Jimmy Brien stood by; saw a bar of iron in Tom Grant’s hand; saw Hannigan strike John Walsh with the iron bar; he was the last man knocked down; all the parties had been drinking; heard nothing of a quarrel between them.
Laurence Sullivan examined—Remembers the night when the Walshs were beaten; accompanied the traversers over the bridge; was shaking hands with Henry Walsh and bidding him goodbye, when Hannigan struck Henry Walsh two blows with his fist; saw a bar of iron in the hands of Grant, but did not see him use it; witness was trying to make peace; was going away when Kennedy pulled him back; witness turned round and saw a man fall; saw Grant and Brien before—they were all tipsey that night—able to walk and no more.
Constable M’Coy proved the arrest of the prisoners and two others at the Mile post, in the County Kilkenny; they had a car, in which were two bars of iron [one was produced with which the injuries seemed to be inflicted]—Grant said the iron was his; when brought to the police station the prisoners were identified by the Walshes, and John Walsh stated that Grant was the man who slaughtered them all with the bar of iron.
Dr. J. Mackesy deposed to the nature and extent of the injuries inflicted, which were of so serious a nature that their lives were endangered. Mr. Rollestone addressed the jury for the prisoners. Henry Bolton, Esq., gave the prisoner Brien a character for quiet, orderly conduct. Nicholas Henneberry, a farmer, gave a good character of Grant. The Judge charged the jury at much length, who retired, and after a considerable delay, acquitted the prisoners of all the counts.”
It is not clear what defence the defendants employed, but given the acquittal it is likely that self-defence may have been plead. It is not clear, what role, if any, the life threatening head injury Henry “Bounce” Walsh suffered in 1846 played in his alleged killing of John Walsh in 1847.
Siblings of Henry “Bounce” Walsh
A quick review of the early parish records and we were able to locate six children of Walter Walsh and Mary Baldwin, of Catsrock, Glenmore. Unfortunately, we could not locate a baptism for Henry although we believe he may have been born between 1823 to 1830.
[1] John Walsh, was baptized on 11 July 1823 at Glenmore the son of Walter Walsh and Mary Beldon (sic). [2] Patrick Walsh, was baptized on 29 March 1830 at Glenmore. [3] Michael Walsh, was baptized on 17 May 1832 at Glenmore. [4] Mary Walsh, was baptized on 17 April 1834 at Glenmore. [5] Mary Walsh, was baptized on 16 July 1836 at Glenmore. [6] Anastatia Walsh, was baptized on 12 Aug. 1839 at Glenmore.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Outspoken Exile: Rev. Patrick O’Brien (1844-1930) of Toledo, Ohio
In performing family research tracing women can be particularly difficult. Recently a reader sought information regarding Mrs. Brigid O’Brien who died in April 1899 in Toledo, Ohio at the age of 75. The obituary for Mrs. O’Brien provides that she was born in Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. Mrs. O’Brien’s son, was the well-known and outspoken, Rev. Patrick O’Brien (1844-1930) of Toledo, Ohio. During his lifetime Rev. Patrick O’Brien was often in the newspapers for his sermons, lectures and as the President of the Catholic Total Abstinence Movement of America. Even on this side of the Atlantic, the New Ross Standard often published his exploits such as when he publicly challenged the Cardinal of England regarding Catholic teachings and the Boer War. In 1929 he publicly denounced President W.T. Cosgrave. Father O’Brien’s words give one insight into how one self-proclaimed exile viewed events in Ireland.
Mrs. Brigid O’Brien (15 March 1824-10 April 1899)
The New Ross Standard published Mrs. O’Brien’s obituary on the 13th of May 1899. Mrs. O’Brien died on the 11th of April at her home at 749 Orchard Street in Toledo, Ohio. She was aged 75 and had been born in Glenmore, County Kilkenny. She emigrated from Ireland in 1857, first living in Elyria, Ohio (about 20 miles west of Cleveland) and in 1879 moved to Toledo (about 90 miles west of Elyria).
Mrs. O’Brien was survived by her husband, William O’Brien, who was 95 years of age. In her obituary it is noted that Mr. O’Brien was a native of Piltown, Sutton’s Parish (Wexford). The poor widower was so overcome with grief that he collapsed at his wife’s funeral Mass and could not attend the burial. In addition to her husband, Mrs. O’Brien was survived by two sons: Rev. Patrick O’Brien, pastor of the Good Shepherd Church on the East Side of Toledo; Mr. Michael O’Brien, who lived at home; and two daughters: Mrs. H F Tiernan, of 630 Oakwood Avenue; and Mrs. John Bradley, of 1118 Oak Street. Another daughter did not survive but her two children were Miss Belle Haywood, who resides with Mrs. Bradley and Master Alfred Haywood who lived at the pastoral residence of Father O’Brien. The obituary went on to announce that Mr. O’Brien would now be in the care of Father O’Brien. “In spite of the great grief, the old gentleman bears up well, as his fine physique gives promise of reaching his I00th milestone.”
Father O’Brien conducted the funeral and was assisted by Rev. McCarthy, Rev. McCloskey, Rev. Lamb, and Rev. Wm. McMahan of Cleveland. Rev. McMahan preached a beautiful and eloquent funeral sermon and said among other things: “The greatest honour that could be conferred upon the deceased was to raise the son who stands at the altar to celebrate her funeral mass.” “The attendance was very large, the big church being filled to the doors. Besides the son of the deceased there were sixteen priests present, representing the city and surrounding country; six nuns from the Ursuline Convent; four nuns from the Little Sisters of the Poor and two from the St. Vincent’s Orphan Asylum.” The pall-bearers were—George Sheets, Patrick Ford, James Moroney, John O’Grady, Michael F. O’Sullivan, Edward F. Fischer, John C. Phelan and John E. Collins.
Although there are similarities between the description of Mrs. O’Brien’s funeral and some local funerals of that time there is one aspect that we have not encountered in a local obituary or funeral. Mrs. O’Brien was interred in Calvary Cemetery, of Toledo and the obituary noted that the remains of Miss Annie O’Brien and Mrs. A. J. Haywood, daughters of the deceased, which were interred in a cemetery in Cleveland, would be taken up and brought to Toledo for burial in the family lot in Calvary.
Unfortunately, in none of the obituaries were we able to locate the maiden name of Mrs. O’Brien. Her maiden name is also not recorded on the family headstone.
Mr. William O’Brien (3 May 1804-25 Sept. 1902)
Mr. O’Brien’s obituary appeared in the Toledo Bee newspaper (25 Sept. 1902, p. 4). Mr. O’Brien died on the 25th of Sept. 1902 at the age of 98 years, 4 months and 22 days. Mr. O’Brien was born in Sutton’s Parish, Wexford. He was the eldest of five children and was the last of his generation. His last brother died just three years previously in Ireland. His father is not identified in the obituary, but it is noted that his father played a prominent role in the 1798 Rebellion. In 1855, Mr. Wm. O’Brien emigrated to Ohio from Wexford. He worked and sent for his wife and children. They arrived in 1857. The family settled in Elyria, Ohio.
When the U.S. Civil War broke out in 1861 Mr. O’Brien tried to enlist, but was rejected due to his age. He obtained a job working for the quartermaster’s department, where he worked for three years in and around Nashville, Tennessee. The Enniscorthy Guardian (25 Oct. 1902, p.5) in reporting on Mr. William O’Brien’s death stated that he had visited Wexford in 1890 at the age of 86 and had travelled on his own.
About five weeks prior to his death in 1902, Mr. O’Brien fell. His obituary strangely states that he died from indigestion. He was survived by four of his children who were all resident in Toledo and at his bedside when he died: Rev. Patrick O’Brien, pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd; Michael O’Brien, of Prouty Avenue Mrs. J.H. Bradley, of Oak Street and Mrs. Hugh Tiernan, of Oakwood Avenue.
Rev. Patrick O’Brien (20 Feb. 1844—22 June 1930)
Rev. Patrick O’Brien was born on the 20th of February 1844 at Piltown, County Wexford just across the River Barrow from Glenmore. Patrick was baptised on the day of his birth in the old parish of Sutton’s that later became Ballykelly and Horeswood (National Library of Ireland, Diocese of Ferns, Co. Wexford, Suttons: Variant forms of parish name: Ballykelly, Horeswood; Microfilm 04261/040). His parents are listed in the parish records as William Bryan and Bridget Dugan (although some have deciphered the name as Deegan. Dugan is a common name in Glenmore and Deegan is not.) No baptismal for either a Bridget Dugan or Deegan could be located in the combined Slieverue/Glenmore Church records. Father O’Brien’s godparents were James Bryan and Mary Hunter(?). In a letter to the editor published in the New Ross Standard (9 Oct. 1897, p. 8) Father O’Brien wrote that before he was ordained, he wrote and asked for a copy of his baptismal record that was “preserved in Duganstown.”
Due to the high profile that Father O’Brien enjoyed, in addition to his parish work in Ohio, and published poems, we are able to track a lot of his activities. In an article dubbing Father O’Brien a “Brave Temperance Hero” (New Ross Standard, 27 July 1895) it was reported that as a young man he enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War. However, we know from other articles that although Father O’Brien enlisted in the 103rd Volunteers of Ohio he was discharged from the army after only 6 weeks due to a physical disability. He returned to school and was ordained by Bishop Gilmour (Bishop of Cleveland) on 21 July 1872. (New Ross Standard, 29 Jan. 1915, p. 4).
In 1893-1894, Father O’Brien took a leave of absence to travel. Several letters he wrote outlining his travels were published. He first sailed to Ireland where he met and joined a group of pilgrims who were going to Rome and the Holy Land. Upon landing at Cobh, Father O’Brien went for a walk and found that he was booked into a hotel that bore the name of a queen. Father O’Brien noted in his writings that he had nothing against the hotel “except its name.” Father O’Brien intended to visit Wexford on his return from the Holy Land, but fell ill with rheumatic fever while there and had to go back to the U.S. (New Ross Standard, 6 Jan. 1894, p. 2). In the lead up to the 1798 centennial Father O’Brien became the Chaplain of the New York ’98 club and planned to attend the ’98 ceremonies in Wexford. However, the group became reluctant to travel after the Spanish-American war broke out (New Ross Standard, Sat. 28 May 1898). It is not known if Father O’Brien ever made it to Wexford, but in an article concerning his ruby jubilee (40th anniversary as a priest) it was stated that he was a native of Abbeybraney, Wexford (New Ross Standard, 2 Aug. 1912, p. 4). Father O’Brien applied for a U.S. passport in 1913, and from the application we have a description of him. At the time of the application, he was 69 years of age 5’6” tall, with dark grey hair, grey-blue eyes, florid complexion, and a round face.
As President of the Catholic Total Abstinence Movement in America, Father O’Brien made headlines in various cities where he spoke, but his views on abstinence were considered “brave” by the New Ross Standard. Most of his lectures appear to have conformed to Church teachings such as his stance on divorce. From time to time, he also gave patriotic speeches and encouraged young American men to defend the country. In 1900, Father O’Brien made headlines when he publicly argued that Cardinal Vaughan, the Archbishop of Westminster, was wrong in asserting that England’s conduct in the Boer War was justifiable. Relying and quoting teachings of Catholic Theology on War, Father O’Brien challenged the statement that England’s conduct was justified (New Ross Standard, 20 Feb. 1900, p. 6). In 1906, in a speech covered by the Irish Standard he is quoted as advising prospective Irish emigrants, “Stay at home, in your dear land, where you have faith and grace, and a hope of salvation; bear the pangs of poverty; don’t face the indescribable horrors of emigration; for your own sake, for the sake of your country, and for God’s sake, stay at home” (17 March 1906, p.6).
In 1915, at the age of 71, Father O’Brien retired from parish work, but continued to speak out. His last major headline was achieved on the 19th of March 1929. “Father O’Brien of Toledo, former pastor of St. Ann’s church in Fremont has broken into the limelight as a result of his denunciation of President W.T. Cosgrave of the Irish Free state, who wired a message of greeting to the American republic on St. Patrick’s day, the Irish Leader’s proclamation” appeared in newspapers across the U.S. Father O’Brien’s reply was sent by cable, “I read in our Toledo papers your greeting to the Irish in America. The Irish in America do not want any greeting from you. They look upon you and the members of your government as traitors to Ireland.”
“You call yourself president of the Irish Free state. Ireland is not a free state. Under the present Irish government Ireland is controlled by England just as firmly as she ever was. Your government is the tool of England. You have betrayed Ireland.”
“You and your government murdered 70 young Irish patriots in cold blood. England never did anything worse than this. May the blood of these martyred young patriots descend upon your heads and may their departed spirits haunt you night and day while you live. Rev. Patrick O’Brien” (The News-Messenger (Fremont, Ohio) 19 March 1929, p. 3).
We could not locate a notice or obituary in the New Ross Standard after Father O’Brien’s death in 1930. Father O’Brien was buried in Calvary Cemetery, of Toledo, in the family lot. He was survived by his brother Michael.
The featured image is an old postcard from the early 20th century of Good Shepherd Catholic Church of Toledo, Ohio.
To view the gravestone of the O’Brien family via findagrave, see, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102851343/patrick-o’brien.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh