Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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From Danny’s Files: The Rest of the Story of the Murder on Glenmore Hill
In one of his many notebooks, Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded contemporary newspaper accounts regarding the executions of three local men for murder in 1834. Patrick Meany, a native of Glenmore, had moved to Rosbercon and was convicted and executed for conspiring to kill his landlord Joseph Anthony Leonard, Esq. Please see our post of 9 February 2020 for the shocking details of how the murder was perpetrated and details of Philip Malone’s trial. Perhaps the biggest surprise Danny discovered and recorded in his notebook concerned Meany’s corpse after his execution. The place of the murder, and two of the executions arising from it, took place at the site of the murder just about a mile east of the N 25 Glenmore roundabout.
Danny found and recorded the following articles from the Waterford Mail newspaper.
Robert Malone (?-1834)
On Saturday the 26th of July 1834 at the Kilkenny County Assizes Robert Malone was convicted of the murder of Joseph Anthony Leonard, Esq. Robert Malone was sentenced to be hanged. The newspaper article noted, “It will be recollected that last Assizes his brother, Philip Malone, suffered for the same murder” (Waterford Mail, Mon. 28 July 1834).
After being found guilty and sentenced when Robert Malone was being taken from the court to the gaol “he exhibited great and disgusting levity. His execution took place in front of the gaol. Among the very great assemblage that witnessed his ignominious end, all seemed to think that he deserved his fate” (Waterford Mail, Wed. 30 July 1834.) [It is not clear why Robert Malone was executed outside the gaol in Kilkenny City after his brother Philip Malone was executed at the place of the murder on the Hill of Glenmore on the old mail coach road between Waterford and New Ross. Later Patrick Meany was also executed at the place of the murder.]
Patrick Meany (c. 1784-1834)
Patrick Meany was tried on Monday the 28th of July 1834 for conspiring to murder his landlord, Joseph Anthony Leonard, Esq. and inciting others to commit the murder. The jury was out for three hours and returned at 8 P.M. The jury returned a guilty verdict “The judge pronounced the culprit’s awful doom—to be hanged on Thursday.” The newspaper noted that Meany was the owner of the goods [cattle] Mr. Leonard had distrained (Waterford Mail, Wed. 30 July 1834).
The execution of Patrick Meany was set to take place on Tuesday the 12th of August at the scene of the murder (Waterford Mail, Sat. 2 Aug. 1834).
The Execution
“Another of the misguided persons concerned in the sanguinary murder of the late estimable Joseph Anthony Leonard, Esq. atoned for his share in the dreadful deed yesterday, at Shanbo (sic), the scene of the consummation, within three miles of New Ross, and 9 of this city. The malefactor upon this occasion was Patrick Meany…”
“An immense concourse of persons assembled yesterday to witness Meany’s ignominious departure from this world. A strong force of cavalry, infantry and police was also collected. The culprit—who seemed a man advanced at least to middle age—appeared to suffer very much from exhaustion, so much so that he was obliged to depute to his Reverend attendant the duty of addressing the immense multitude…”
“Although he expressed his contrition for having uttered denunciation against his prosecutor, he died without acknowledging the justice of the sentence or declaring his innocence. Soon afterwards the culprit was launched into eternity and the motely group of spectators separated. Five children we are informed, witnessed the execution of their guilty parent.”
Since the above was in type we received the following from a correspondent.
New Ross, August 12—Patrick Meany …was executed at the scene of the murder and where Philip Malone, one of the perpetrators of the murder, was executed on last St. Patrick’s Day. Meany was present at Philip Malone’s execution and also travelled to Kilkenny to attend the execution of Robert Malone during the last assizes.
“At half past eleven the cavalcade, consisting principally of the 9th Lancers, passed through New Ross. The unhappy individual who was the object of this mournful procession was seated in a chaise receiving religious consolation from his clergyman. He appeared to be fully sensible of his awful situation. If this could be a criterion to judge by he was fully resigned to meet his fate in a becoming and Christian like manner.”
At New Ross the 32nd Reserve and a large party of constabulary joined the cavalcade as did the Sheriff and Resident Magistrates. When they arrived at the fatal spot Meany descended from the chaise, accompanied by his Clergyman. He kneeled for some time in prayer at the foot of the gallows.
“The grim finisher of the law put the rope about his neck from behind. Meany turned suddenly round, and seemed to shrink from the trial he had to encounter. The Rev. Gentleman interposed his hand to shade his eyes. The man again looked agitated when his arms were being pinioned. When all was ready, he ascended the ladder with a firm step attended by the Rev. Gentleman, who first retired, and then returned again to strengthen the individual about to depart into eternity. He supported him by his back.”
“Meany now seemed weak, and the attentions of his spiritual adviser were continued to the last moment. His cap fell off, but it was quickly readjusted, and the fatal drop having been withdrawn, he died almost instantaneously.”
“Before ascending the gallows, the clergyman told the people that Meany felt sorry for having accused his prosecutor as he did in the Courthouse, that he willingly forgave all men and begged the prayers of all Christians” (Waterford Mail, Wed. 13 Aug. 1834).
The Wake & Burial of Patrick Meany
After having been suspended for some time, the body was taken away in an ass’s car by the family of the criminal, but it was afterwards removed to the Police Station at Rosbercon, to be conveyed back to Kilkenny (Waterford Mail, Wed. 13 Aug. 1834).
The body of Patrick Meany was waked on the night of his execution in the Rosbercon police barracks. His friends were admitted, and the body was interred the next day by the family, in the presence of the police (Waterford Mail, Mon. 18 Aug. 1834).
Generally, by the 19th century executions were public and carried out in front of gaols, and after 1868 executions were required to be held within the confines of the gaols. The corpse of an executed prisoner belonged to the State. Most were buried within the confines of the gaol in an unmarked grave in un-consecrated ground. From the time of Henry VIII authorities provided fresh executed prisoner corpses to doctors for training new doctors in anatomy. Due to religious and other beliefs families sought the bodies of their executed kin. The Meany family is the only family we have found so far that was allowed to wake and bury their father after his execution.
Thirteen years’ later convicted murderer Henry “Bounce” Walsh of Cat’s Rock, Glenmore asked the judge to give his body to his father and the request was refused. See our post of 16 August 2020 regarding the execution of Henry “Bounce” Walsh.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Happy Anniversary! [Updated]
Seventy-seven years ago today (January 14, 1948) this couple were married at Glenmore. This wedding photo was taken by Annie Brophy of Waterford. Do you recognise this well known Glenmore couple?
The happy couple on their wedding day is Phil Hoynes (c. 1918-1990) and Kathleen Hoynes née O’Connor (1917-2018) of Ballybrahee, Glenmore.
See our post of 19 Sept. 2021 for further details concerning Kathleen Hoynes née O’Connor her parents, siblings and children.
From Danny’s Files: Some 18th Century Glenmore Articles & Events
For seven decades Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed local people and recorded their memories and stories. He worked in Waterford and often spent his lunch hour in the Waterford library reading the old Waterford newspapers from microfilm. One of the newspapers he searched was the Waterford Herald. There are only two years available in the Waterford library 1792 and 1793. Very little information was found on this newspaper. It is not known if it only existed for two years or if these are the only editions that survived to be microfilmed.
Below are three articles from the Waterford Herald recorded by Danny in a notebook that is battered and has lost its cover. From the dates of interviews in this battered notebook it was commenced about 1950 when Danny was about 23 years old. The second half of this post concerns some local hedge schools and early teachers Danny also recorded in the same battered little notebook.
Penal Laws
During the late 18th century the Penal Laws were still in place, thus Catholics suffered overt discrimination. Until the mid to late 19th century Catholics had to rely upon hedge schools for education, or secret informal schools, because schools run by Catholic Religious Orders were outlawed.
In the early part of the 19th century Edmund Ignatius Rice (1762-1844) founded two institutes of religious brothers: the Christian Brothers and the Presentation Brothers. Edmund Rice was born in Callan, Co. Kilkenny but spent most of his adult life in Waterford. For several short articles on Edmund Ignatius Rice see, the International Heritage Centres Ltd. webpage.
Numerous schools were established by these Brothers, which were visible and legal. However, in some rural areas the hedge schools continued even after national schools were established commencing in 1831. For an interesting article that outlines the political and social issues during the establishment of the national schools see, John Coolahan, “The Daring First Decade of the Board of National Education, 1831-1841,” Irish Journal of Education (1983) p. 35.
We may also conclude from the impact of the penal laws that the articles below from the 1790’s regarding the sale or leasing of townlands were not meant for the local tenant farmers.
Waterford Herald
Parkstown, Glenmore: Waterford Herald (Sat. 11 May 1793)
Co. of Kilkenny—To be let from the 25th of March 1795, the following land, part of the estate of James Kearney, Esq. The town and lands of Attimore [Slieverue] within 2 ½ miles of the Ferry Slip, good arable and pasture, and a fine situation for building, as it commands a most beautiful and extensive prospect.
Also, Lower Parkstown, [Glenmore] commonly called Parkstown Bog, arable and pasture, and within 3 or 4 miles of the Ferry. For further particulars enquire of James Kearney, Esq., Grantstown, or Richard Kearney, Esq., Waterford. N.B. There is a good flag quarry on the lands of Attimore, fit for flagging the Quay, Streets etc. 4th May 1793.
[We found a death record for a James Kearney of Clogherhead, Clogher, Co. Louth who died 6 February 1792. For further information on the townland of Parkstown, see our post of 11 May 2023.]
Gaul’s Town, Glenmore: The Waterford Herald (Tues. 13 March 1792, p. 1)
COUNTY OF KILKENNY—THE LANDS OF GAUL’S-TOWN, in the County Kilkenny, within two miles of the ferry of Waterford, to be let, or the interest sold, from the 25th of March instant. Proposals will be received by Mr. Shaw, Post Office, and laid before Mr. Gahan, at the Assizes. Waterford, 10th March, 1792.
[For further information regarding the townland of Gaulstown see our post of 8 July 2023.]
Kilmurry, Slieverue: The Waterford Herald (Thu. 10 Jan. 1793, p. 3)
Friday morning John Parker, blacksmith, was found dead in a field near Kilmurry [Slieverue], supposed to have perished the preceding night, through the inclemency of the weather.
Some Local Hedge Schools & Masters
For further information on Glenmore Hedge Schools and Early National Schools see our post of 6 September 2020. Below is an undated entry with no note as to where Danny received this information.
“Paddy Butler, a native of Rahora, [Tullogher] was the last master of the hedge school in Kilbride. He ended his days herding cows for Mullins of Flemingstown. He used often to go on a spree and on one of these occasions when he was missing the Priest announced the following from the altar in Glenmore, ‘Strayed, stolen or gone awhile, Paddy Butler the master from Kilbride.’”
Jim Doherty (c.1876-1959) of Forristalstown, Interviewed 14 August 1956
There was a hedge school in Milltown which was situated somewhere around where Jack Murphy’s cottage is now. Jim Doherty remembered the sitting stones to be there. Each pupil had to bring his own stone to sit upon. Old Johnny Rúad Doherty, of Forristalstown went to the hedge school in Milltown. He was a first cousin to the present Jim Doherty’s grandfather.
Jim’s father John was born in 1839, and his father again was Jim. His father again was John and he was brother of “old Yoman.” The present Jim was 80 years, last May (1956).
Shanbough School was built in 1840 with the stones from the old gate lodge at the entrance to the avenue leading to Annaghs Castle and house. This lodge stood at the bottom of Butterbridge Hill and it was demolished for the purpose of providing the stones for the building of the school.
A man called O’Brien lived in Annaghs Lodge as at present and he was schoolmaster in Shanbough. Jim Doherty remembered him and he was kind of cracked and fond of the beer.
Pat Coady of Ballycroney, Glenmore(?)
Lastly, Pat Coady was interviewed by Danny on 2 September 1956 and provided the following. Unfortunately, Danny did not record Pat Coady’s townland, but from other interviews we believe that Pat Coady was from Ballycroney.
Micil Lynch was an old travelling schoolteacher who used to roam this part of the country until his death which was about 60 years ago (ie 1896). He taught children in various homes, and one of the houses in this locality in which he used to teach the local children was Mackey’s of Ballycroney.
He was known as Strong Lynch from the fact that he used to always carry a large bag on his back which contained stones. Under no circumstances would he allow anyone to touch his bag of mystery. On one occasion he and another travelling man called Gorey fought in the chapel in Glenmore during Mass, over Gorey putting his leg against Strong’s bag.
Pat Coady thought that Micil “Strong” Lynch was found dying in some lane locally. [One of our earliest blog posts concerned the men and women who “took to the road” and visited Glenmore. See our post of 9 Nov. 2019.]
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Special thanks to Pat Dowling for digging out more old notebooks. Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The coloured painting of the hedge school is by an unknown artist. The drawing of Annaghs Castle & House is from the Dublin Penny Journal (30 Jan. 1836).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Photo Album 5.0
Today, we are featuring a winter photo Danny Dowling (1927-2021) took at the top of “the Churns” at its intersection with the “New Line” or Main Road from Waterford to New Ross, currently called the N25.
We believe the photo was taken in the winter of 1963 and snow is visible. The van was owned by Clover Meats. Clover Meats was an important local employer at that time. The driver was a Forristal, but his first name is not known.
Can you identify any of the people in the photo?
Special thanks to Martin Gahan for sharing this photo he received from Danny.
If you would like to view previous posts from Danny’s Photo Album see our,
Post of 4 May 2022;
Post of 10 May 2022;
Post of 24 May 2022;
Post of 9 June 2022.
If you have any photos of Glenmore or Glenmore people you would like to share please send them to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Glenmore Sports Day 1964
Today, we are going to feature the 1964 Glenmore Sports Day and try to identify the Glenmore people who won some of the events. By this time athletes were traveling great distances to compete in Glenmore. For example, in 1963 the Glenmore Athletic Association hosted its 20th annual sports day. Entrants came from ten counties to compete. “The feature was an outstanding treble by Frankie O’Rourke of Wexford, who won the one, two and three mile cycle races. Liam Power of Waterford secured a good double by winning the 100 and 200 yards” (Evening Echo, Mon. 27 May 1963, p. 6).
Other 1963 winners published in national papers included:
440 yards—J. Jordan, Waterford
880 yards—Fintan Walsh, Waterford
880 yards (confined)—Garda Denis Donovan, Glenmore
1 mile flat—Stephen Mulqueen, Newbridge
3 miles flat—Edward Hartley, Clover Meats, Waterford
1 mile walk—John Harty, Ring, Dungarvan (Evening Echo, Mon. 27 May 1963, p. 6)
Relay—won by Waterford A.C. (Irish Press, Mon. 27 May 1963, p. 12).
Glenmore Sports Day 1964
The Kilkenny People (Fri. 29 May 1964, p. 8) advertised that the first event of the day would commence at 2 pm. A raffle on the field for a Foxford Rug, presented by Richard Hanrahan, draper, New Ross was to take place and a dance was to be held that night in Mullinavat with the music by the Mighty Barrow Boys from 9-2, admission was 5/- [Richard “Dick” Hanrahan (c. 1929-2006) was a native of Robinstown, Glenmore.]
Notwithstanding the fact that entrants in 1963 came from ten counties it was proclaimed in 1964 that there was a “record entry from eight counties.” The event was held at the Scough Bridge on Sunday, 31 May 1964. “The weather was ideal and a good standard was maintained in all events,” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 5 June 1964, p. 5.) Mostly only first initials were used in the newspaper articles providing the results, and we have placed in [square brackets] the names of the persons we believe may be a local winner and their townland.
Event Winners and Runner Ups
The Kilkenny People trophy for the best all round athlete went to cyclist Thomas O’Neill of Graigue, Aglish, Cappoquin, who pulled off a hat trick by winning all three cycling events. Thirty-seven year old, Thomas had been cycling competitively for 19 years in 1964.
100 yards—(1) S. McCarthy, Waterford; (2) E. Wynberry, Waterford.
200 yards—(Brooks Cup) (1) O. Noonan, Newbridge; (2) S. McCarthy, Waterford.
400 yards—(1) F. Walsh, Waterford; (2) P.J. Kelly, Wexford.
880 yards—(1) M. Ryan, Rockwell, Cashel; (2) F. Walsh, Waterford.
Mile—(1) P. Walsh, Tullamore; (2) J. Bergin, Dundrum.
Three Miles—(Athletic Cup)—(1) E. Hartley, Kilmurry, Slieverue; (2) J. Comerford, Thomastown.
[Eddy Hartley of Kilmurry, Slieverue]
Mile Cycle—(1) T. O’Neill, Cappoquin; (2) B. Keane, Waterford
Two Miles Cycle—(Social Club Trophy) (1) T. O’Neill, Cappoquin; (2) B. Keane, Waterford.
Three Mile Cycle—(McCalmont Cup) (1) T. O’Neill, Cappoquin and P. Walsh, Glenmore.
[Pat Walsh (b. c. 1936) of Jamestown, and later Robinstown, Glenmore. See our post of 14 August 2022 regarding the Glenmore I.C.F. Cycling Club.]
Two Miles Cycle—(novice ) ordinary machines (1) P. Power, Forristalstown, Glenmore; (2) B. Boland, Glenmore.
[Pat Power (1940- 2019) of Forristalstown and Billy Boland (1947-2022) of Ballycroney]
100 yards—(under 21) (1) T. Kirwan, Glenmore; (2) P. Kennedy, Glenmore.
[Who were T. Kirwan and P. Kennedy?]
100 yards—(under 14) (Pattison Cup) (1) M. Kennedy, Glenmore, (2) M. McDonald, Glenmore.
[Martin Kennedy (b. 1950) Ballinclare?; Michael McDonald (1951-2004) of Gaulstown?]
100 yards—(under 16) (1) P. O’Connor, Glenmore; (2) R. Colbert, Waterford.
[Peter O’Connor (b. 1949) of Graiguenakill, Glenmore?]
880 yards (confined) Murphy Cup (1) P. Power, Forristalstown, Glenmore; P. Power, Glenmore.
[The apparent battle of the postmen’s sons. Pat Power of Forristalstown (1940-2019) son of postman Tommy Power] and Pat Power (b. 1941) Cappagh, son of postman Foxy Watty Power.]
440 yards (under 18) Creamery Cup (1) F. Boyle, Shanbough, Rosbercon; (2) P. O’Connor, Glenmore.
[Peter O’Connor (b. 1949) of Graiguenakill?]
Mile Walk—(1) B. O’Keefe, Thomastown; (2) P. Power, Glenmore.
[Pat Power (b. 1941) Cappagh?]
Ladies 100 yards—(1) Miss M. Kennedy, Glenmore; (2) Miss O. Bolger, Waterford. [The Irish Examiner, Mon. 1 June 1964, p. 9) identified Margaret Kennedy as the ladies’ winner.
[Margaret Kennedy (b. 1950) was from Ballinclare and the twin of Martin Kennedy.]
Sack Race—(1) T. Boland, Glenmore; (2) P. Kirwan, Glenmore.
[Tom Boland (1955 -2023) Ballycroney and Patsey Kirwan (c. 1956-2023) of Gaulstown]
Three Legged Race—(1) J. Mernagh and Miss M. Walsh, Glenmore; (2) P. Larrissey & Miss N. Larrissey, Kilmacow.
[Jimmy Mernagh (b. c. 1952) of Jamestown, Glenmore? Who was Miss M. Walsh?]
56 lbs. (without follow)—(1) P. Larrissey, Kilmacow; (2) M. McDonald, Glenmore.
[Mick McDonald (1929-2002) worked in the Creamery and lived in Haggard and later Cappagh. Known as Mick Mac of the Creamery.]
Obituary of Michael McDonald (1929- 2002)
Munster Express, Fri. 16 Aug. 2002, p. 8–Passing of Mr. Michael (Mick) McDonald, Robinstown, Glenmore with his wife Edie McDonald, née Barron of Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford at St. James Hospital, Dublin after a long illness. Born in Haggard, Glenmore in 1929. Mr. McDonald was an esteemed employee of the staff of Glenmore Co-operative Creamery and later Waterford Co-op, up to his retirement nearing a decade ago.
Mick, gave a lifetime of service to the parish of his beloved Glenmore, been involved in all of the parish activities, the old Mhuintir Ns Tire Guild, the Pioneers and the Church in Glenmore. Hiss passing will be mourned by all who knew him and in particular his family members, relatives, neighbours and friends.
In his young & sporting days, Mick McDonald, played Gaelic Football for Glenmore parish teams and also excelled as an athlete when that sport was popular in that district. He was keen on sport in general and encouraged many around him to do likeise. He was an avid Glenmore and Kilkenny GAA supporter and attended matches whenever possible.
Mick McDonald was predeceased by his brother Bill McDonald, of Haggard, Glenmore, his sisters Catherine, Glenmore, Peggy Manchester and Mary Ann, Rochestown. He is survived by his wife, Edie, his daughters, Joan, in Camross, Co. Wexford; Mary in Lucan, Dublin; Margaret in Salt Lake City, Idaho (sic) USA; his sisters Alice, in Manchester and Bridget (Biddy) in Portsmouth, both in England. Also, by his two nephews in South Kilkenny, John McDonald, Thomastown and Thomas Gahan, Glenmore. Fr. Kavanagh paid tribute to his work involving the church and the different parish organisations that he was so involved in.
A large and representative gathering attended on both the funeral day and burial in Glenmore. Fr. Kavanagh was joined by Fr. Liam Barron of Millinavat, Monsignor Paul Fitzgerald, Thomastown, and Fr. Dick Phelan, Ballycallan. To his wife, daughters and families, sisters and family members we extend our sympathy. Go Déanna Dia Trócaire ar Anam.
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Please send any corrections, additional information, photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com
The featured photo above is Pat Walsh, of Jamestown and later Robinstown, taken c. 1970 by Danny Dowling (1927-2021). The photo of Michael McDonald (1929-2002) was taken in 1993 at the time he retired after 46 years’ service to Glenmore Creamery (Kilkenny People, Fri. 8 Jan. 1993, p. 19).
The photos of Patsey Kirwan (c. 1956-2023) and Billy Boland (1947-2022) are courtesy of their families that published the photos on R.I.P.ie.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Rev. James J. McDonald (1866-1902) from Ballyfacey, Glenmore to Clontarf, Minnesota
On 30 September 2024 we posted information on the McDonald family of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. James J. McDonald was born at Ballyfacey on 2 June 1866 to Thomas McDonald (c. 1808-1889) and his second wife, Anastatia O’Neill (c. 1837-1902?). Today we are going to feature the work that James was sent to do in Minnesota and his premature death due to TB.
Education
The Irish Standard newspaper published the following information in 1902 concerning Fr. James J. McDonald. Rev. James J. McDonald was born in 1867 (sic), at Glenmore, in the county of Kilkenny and the ancient diocese of Ossory, Ireland. He was educated in the national schools [Ballyfacey], and at the classical schools of Kilmacow and Waterford. In 1887 he entered the diocesan seminary at Kilkenny [St. Kieran’s], and took up his ecclesiastical studies at that institution from which he was graduated in 1894 (Irish Standard, Sat. 12 April 1902, p. 8). He was described by Fr. Michael Mernagh in Glenmore Times: Millennium Memories ((2000), p. 41) as an outstanding athlete.
Fr. McDonald was ordained on 1 July 1894 at the age of 28 by the Bishop of Ossory, Abraham Brownrigg (1836-1928). While a seminarian at St. Kieran’s College, Fr. McDonald was sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minnesota. After his ordination Fr. McDonald “set out for the field of his labours” the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minnesota. In September, 1894, he was appointed curate of the Immaculate Conception church of Faribault. He remained there until March 1898, when he was appointed pastor of Clontarf, Minn. This appointment he held until his death (Irish Standard, Sat. 12 April 1902, p. 8).
For any readers not familiar with Minnesota it is situated in the north of the US. Its eastern boundaries bounce Lake Superior and Wisconsin and to the north is Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. North and South Dakota lie to its west and Iowa to its south. It is known for its extreme winters.
The Archdiocese of St. Paul
One of the more unusual facts discovered regarding where Fr. McDonald was going to serve concerns the fact that St. Paul was originally a small settlement called “Pig’s Eye.” For a concise and interesting history of the work of the Church gentrifying Pig’s Eye see the “History of the Cathedral of St. Paul.” St. Paul is located on the south eastern side of the state. When Fr. McDonald arrived in the Archdiocese of St. Paul on 19 September 1894 another Kilkenny man was the Bishop.
Archbishop John Ireland (1838-1918)
Archbishop John Ireland was born in Burnchurch, Co. Kilkenny in 1838. He emigrated to the US as a child with his family and ultimately, they settled in Minnesota. For a brief biography of Archbishop Ireland see, The Minnesota Historical Society (2012) or Historic Kilkenny. In 1876, Archbishop Ireland established the Catholic Colonization Bureau in southern Minnesota to act as an agent for the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad to sell 117,000 acres of unsold land grants. The Bureau sought Irish immigrant families toiling in the cities along the east coast of the U.S. to come to Minnesota to farm and set up Catholic communities.
In early 1879 it was reported in the Drogheda Argus & Leinster Journal (Ireland), that Archbishop Ireland’s Catholic colonies in Minnesota were proving a popular success. In Swift County 12,000 acres were settled. Although Big Stone County colony was being established in 1879 it already had 175 families. In Nobles County 70,000 acres were procured and 52,000 acres in Murray County. One of the reasons that Archbishop Ireland’s colonization plan was a success, was that he sent a priest first to the place earmarked for a colony. This provided assurance from the start that the spiritual affairs of settlers would be attended to (Sat. 1 Feb. 1879, p. 3).
For further information on the Catholic colonies of Minnesota, see Eileen R. McCormack “Holy Alliance: How a Bishop and a Railroad Teamed Up to Form Clontarf, MN” (2015)(Minnesota Historical Society).
Fr. McDonald’s Assignments
Faribault, Minnesota
According to a brief biography on Find-a-Grave (assumed to be from the St. Paul Diocese Records) Fr. McDonald arrived in the Archdiocese of St. Paul on 19 September 1894. He was first assigned as an Assistant, at Immaculate Conception, Faribault, Rice County, Minnesota. He served in this capacity from 1894 to 1898.
Faribault, Minnesota is named after fur trader Alexander Faribault who came to the area in 1826. In 1835 he established a trading post, and in 1852 he founded the town.
Clontarf, Minnesota
In 1898, Fr. McDonald was transferred to Clontarf, Swift County, Minnesota as Pastor, of St. Malachy. He served in this capacity from 1898-1901. It is said that at Clontarf “he laboured zealously to build up the parish. The many improvements made during his administration bear ample testimony to his zeal and devotion to his work (Swift County Monitor, Fri. 28 March 1902). He is credited with building the new St. Malachy church.
It is obvious from the names of the assigned churches that Fr. McDonald was serving in the Catholic Colony areas. Fortunately, excerpts from some contemporary letters of one of his parishioners concerning Fr. McDonald survive and have been published on the Clontarf History webpage (26 June 2012, “Noble Patriot and Irishmen”). It is wonderful to read how the parishioner felt about the young Fr. McDonald and give us nuggets of information. Fr. McDonald liked to play checkers and did not like to lose.
Clontarf became well known for its hay. With the railroad in the town the hay was shipped to cities and the Chicago Fire Department fed it to its horses. For some old photos of St. Malachy, see Clontarf History webpage.
Returned Home?
Local newspapers to Glenmore did not carry articles regarding Fr. McDonald. However, we did locate on 1899 article in the Munster Express.
The members of the Mullinavat Choir went on their annual excursion on Tuesday the 27th of June. For 1899 they selected Dunmore as their destination. They chartered a “wagonette and an outside car”. They left Mullinavat at 10 a.m. and arrived at Dunmore at about 12:30. Father Mullins, C.C. and Father McDonald, of the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minnesota, accompanied the excursion party (Munster Express, Sat. 8 July 1899, p. 7).
A railway station was located in Mullinavat. We believe the choir took the train to Waterford and from there travelled by the horse drawn vehicles to Dunmore. Without first names it is difficult to identify the two priests, However, we believe that Fr. McDonald was Fr. James J. McDonald of Ballyfacey, and we believe that Fr. Mullins was John Mullins (1868-1911) of Flemingstown, Glenmore. Fr. John Mullins also attended Ballyfacey National School and St. Kieran’s College. He entered the seminary in 1886 and was ordained for the Diocese of Ossory. He was appointed curate of Mullinavat and later Cullohill (by Fr. Michael Mernagh in Glenmore Times: Millenneum Memories (2000), p. 41). Like Fr. McDonald he too died young from TB.
The 1900 census for Clontarf, Minnesota provides that Rev. James McDonald was back at work in Clontarf and his younger brother Patrick McDonald (1868-1952) was visiting. The record provides that Patrick entered the USA in 1899. Did Patrick travel to the US with his brother James? We know Patrick was back in Ballyfacey by 1904 when he married.
Death of Rev. James J. McDonald
In September 1901 Fr. McDonald was compelled to give up his parish duties at Clontarf due to ill health. He went to the Arizona Territory for the autumn and winter, but the change in climate did not improve his health. Two weeks before his death on 25 March 1902 he returned to St. Paul to die among friends. He died of TB at St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Paul, aged 35 years, 9 months, and 23 days. Fr. McDonald was buried in the priests’ section of Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul.
The original headstone had Fr. McDonald’s correct name and other information. Sometime around 2012 a new headstone replaced the original stone that was quite weathered and unfortunately Fr. McDonald’s first name is provided on the new stone as “Joseph” instead of “James.” See, Find a Grave.
Obituaries
Several newspapers published death notices and/or obituaries such as The Saint Paul Globe (Fri. 28 March 1902, p. 2) and The Irish Standard (Sat. 29 March 1902, p. 5).
Below are some excerpts. The Minneapolis Journal (26 March 1902) described Fr. McDonald as “widely known as an earnest, kindly man, and faithful priest” who died of consumption after a years’ illness with it.
The Irish Standard (Sat. 19 April 1902, p. 4) outlined in an article how his former parishioners and friends at Faribault celebrated Fr. McDonald’s life.
“Faribault, Minn.—A solemn high mass of requiem for the repose of the soul of the late Rev. J.J. McDonald was celebrated Monday morning of last week, at 9 o’clock, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. A large audience of the former parishioners and friends of the late priest were present, and the children of the “Hill School” attended in a body, Rev. F. Elshorst, pastor of the Church of St. Lawrence, was the celebrant, with Rev. J.J. Slevin as deacon and Rev. E. Monge as sub-deacon. Rev. Chas. Cavanagh, of St. Paul, was master of ceremonies, and Rev. John Walsh delivered the eulogy. Taking for his text the words, “Blessed are they who die in the Lord,” Father Walsh preached a most instructive and effective sermon on the life of his deceased friend, eulogizing his many virtues and exhorting his hearers to follow the precepts of his teaching and the many good examples of his exemplary life.”
The Swift County Monitor (Fri. 28 March 1902) wrote that “It is with feelings of deepest regret that we announce the death of Rev. J.J. McDonald, lately of Clontarf, who departed this life on Tuesday at St. Joseph’s hospital, St. Paul. His many friends in Clontarf and Swift County will deplore the loss of so gentle and true hearted a friend…”
“He had the special faculty of making friends and all who came in contact with him deeply loved him. He loved his people and was beloved by them in return. They will mourn his loss, but must be satisfied with God’s will. It is sad to have a young man cut down in the midst of a career full of hope and bright prospects for the future, but wonderful are the ways of God and it is His will, not ours, that must be done.”
“The funeral took place on Thursday from the cathedral, St. Paul, and his remains were laid to rest in Calgary Cemetery. He is gone from us forever, and while we mourn his loss, let us not forget to pray for him. His many friends will be shocked when they read of his death, but they must be reconciled to God’s Will and say ‘Peace to his ashes and rest to his soul.’”
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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The photo of Fr. McDonald was taken by R.E. Brandmo, of Benson, Minnesota. Benson is the County Seat of Swift County, Minnesota. Thus it is likely the photo was taken between 1898 and 1901.
The photo of the original headstone was taken by FJE on 25 June 2012.
The featured colour photo is of St. Malachy Catholic Church of Clontarf, Minnesota and is courtesy of the St. Isadore the Farmer Area Faith Community website.
The obituary from the Swift County Monitor was added to Find-a-Grave by Joseph Gallatin on 19 Sept. 2023.