Glenmore Co. Kilkenny
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From Danny’s Files: Rose Strange (1847-1935) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
As we sort through the vast amount of material Danny Dowling (1927-2021) collected over 7 decades our progress is often hampered when interesting interviews or clippings send us looking for more information. Such was the case of an 1880 Kilkenny Journal article announcing a Waterford Prize winner.
Kilkenny Journal (10 Nov. 1880)
The Proprietors of “Society,” a London publication, announced that they awarded the prize for the best Parody of Sir Walter Scott’s lines, “Breathes there a man,” etc. to Miss Rose Strange, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore, Waterford. (To read the original poem see, Scottish Poetry Library.) The original poem questions whether there exists any man with such an empty heart and dead soul that he has no love for his country. The prize winning parody penned by Miss Rose Strange is:
Lives there a man who once loved sound,
Of echoing horn and baying hound,
When Autumn yellows o’er the plain,
Feels not his soul within him burn,
Feels no bright dreams of youth return,
With Winter’s glorious sport again,
Oh, be there such, whose heart is stealth,
The cities’ toil, the race for wealth,
Has stolen away, or made too cold,
To quicken as in days of old,
When the good hunt came sweeping by,
With all its’ gladsome revelry,
Masters of thousands though he be,
Broad through his acres, poor is he,
Vainly for him good steed shall neigh,
Life’s keenest joy has “Gone Away.”
Who was Miss Rose Strange of Aylwardstown, Glenmore?
We could not locate a Miss Rose Strange born at Aylwardstown. However, we did locate Rose Charlotte Strange who was baptized on 11 August 1847 at Trinity Within of Waterford City. Her father was recorded as Thomas Strange, but her mother and godparents were not recorded. Rose C. Strange was the daughter of solicitor Thomas F. Strange (1812-1897) and his wife Mary Strange née Nevins (1821-1909). Thomas Fitzgerald Strange (1812-1897) was born and raised at Aylwardstown. According to Danny, in the 1830’s Thomas and one of his brothers moved to Waterford where they purchased the Waterford Chronicle newspaper. For a history of the Strange family in Aylwardstown see, Danny Dowling (1996) “Cardinal WIseman & His Association WIth South Kilkenny” (Kilkenny Archaeological Society, p. 38).
While Thomas F. Strange went to Waterford and became a solicitor his eldest brother Peter Strange (1805-1872) remained in Aylwardstown. Although Peter did not marry the parish records reveal that he had an illegitimate son also named Peter Strange. The infant was baptized at Glenmore on 4 July 1840. He was born at Roachestown (sic) and his mother was Mary Forestal. It is not known what became of this infant. Peter Strange (1805-1872) never married, and when he died in 1872 he left Aylwardstown to his nephew Thomas Alexander Strange (1856-1907) and Rochestown to his niece Rose Charlotte Strange (Danny Dowling, p. 43). See our post of 9 February 2025 for a letter written in 1873 to James Heffernan of Glenmore, Wisconsin, which provides details regarding Peter Strange’s (1805-1872) death and the refusal of the Glenmore Parish Priest to pray for him or bury him.
We believe that Thomas A. Strange and his sister Rose C. Strange took up residence in Aylwardstown House. The newspapers of the era refer to Mr. and Miss Strange of Aylwardstown House attending many hunts with Lord Waterford and others.
Siblings of Rose C. Strange (1847-1935)
Thomas Fitzgerald Strange (1812-1897) married Maria Nevins (1821-1909 ) on 9 December 1845 in Holy Trinity, Parish of Brikenhead, Cheshire, England. In addition to Rose C. Strange (1847-1935) and Thomas A. Strange (1856-1907) the couple had 3 more daughters and another son.
[1] Agnes Mary Strange (1850-1947) died 23 October 1947 at East Ferry, Ballincura, Middleton, Ireland. Agnes never married. She apparently liked to travel and went to the US several times. Agnes died of influenza at the age of 97.
[2] Grace or Frances Strange (1854-1946). Grace Strange died on 18 May 1946 at East Ferry at the age of 91. She was a retired nurse and spinster.
[3] Mary Strange (1852-1942) died at Ballincura, Middleton, Cork. In 1913 she sought to become the executor of her father Thomas F. Strange’s estate. Her mother and brother, Laurence C. Strange had commenced the Estate in March 1897, but due to circumstances discussed below the Estate was never administered. Mary Strange, spinster was granted letters. In 1913 the Estate was worth £550 5s. 4d.
[4] Laurence Charles “Charlie” Strange (1858-1902) was baptized 12 August 1858 at Tramore. On the record his mother is incorrectly listed as Mary Burns. He followed in his father’s footsteps and became a solicitor in 1883. The following year, Laurence Charles Strange of 6 Harcourt Row (solicitor) married Letitia Janette Scott daughter of James Scott (gentleman) of 23 Upper Sheriff St. Dublin. The couple were married at St. Barnabas, Church of Ireland on 20 December 1884.
The Aunt, Eliza Chapman née Strange (c. 1807-1881)
Peter (1805-1872) and Thomas F. Strange (1812-1897) had a sister Mary Elizabeth or Eliza Strange. Eliza married Edward Chapman on 28 August 1832 at Glenmore. Edward Morgan Chapman, Esq. of Ringwood, the Rower, died on 18 May 1852 at the age of 48 (Dublin Evening Mail, Mon. 31 May 1852, p. 3). The couple do not appear to have had any children. In 1863, Eliza sought to sell the lands she held at Busherstown (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 25 Feb. 1863, p. 1).
At some point before her death in 1881 Eliza Chapman née Strange returned to live in her childhood home in Aylwardstown. Eliza Chapman died 18th January 1881 at Aylwardstown. She was a 73 year old widow of a gentleman. Her nephew, Thomas Strange, was with her during her last illness. According to the death register she died of “severe pain probably in connection with curvature of the spine and old age.” When Eliza Chapman died she named her brother Thomas F. Strange as her executor and her secondary beneficiary was Rose Charlotte Strange. (Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1852-1922).
Shortly after the death of Eliza her nephew, Thomas A. Strange began selling Aylwardstown. See our post of 8 January 2024 to learn what happened to Thomas A. Strange after he sold Aylwardstown circa 1883. Thus, just three years after Rose Strange won the poetry contest “life’s keenest joy” hunting went away. Mary Eliza Chapman née Strange is the only woman listed on the Strange family stone in Kilivory Cemetery, Glenmore.
The Marriage of Rose C. Strange (1847-1935)
In the later part of 1889, Rose C. Strange married William Weekes Nevins (1853-1904) in Dublin South. They were not married in a Catholic Church. She was William’s second wife. His first wife Clara, died earlier in 1889. At the time of their marriage Rose was 42 years of age and about 6 years older than William Weekes Nevins (1853-1904) . William had a daughter, Gertrude Nevins (b.c. 1874) from his first marriage. Gertrude Nevins, aged 23, married William Charles Seaton (aged 28) on 16 January 1897. His father was Walter Lewis Seaton (gentleman). In 1901 William and Rose were living in Lambeth, London at 39 Electric Avenue. The 1901 census provides that William was born in Canada and listed no profession or trade in the census.
One Tragedy After Another
In the 1901 Census, Laurence C. “Charlie” Strange (solicitor) was a guest at a home in Greystones, Dublin. He refused to provide his religion to the census taker. In Waterford, his wife, Janette Strange was listed as the head of the house on Mary Street. She was 37 years of age. Her sister-in-law (sic) Frances E. Scott, was 39 and not married. Both ladies were Church of Ireland members and born in Dublin. Also living with them was Laurence Strange (cousin) solicitor, aged 30, born in County Kildare. Laurence Strange, cousin, was part of the Strange and Strange law firm of Waterford. We believe that he was the son of Richard Strange, J.P. (1824-1877) another brother of Thomas F. Strange ( 1812-1897). Laurence “Laurie” Strange was baptised on 13 February 1871 at Graney, Rashvilly, Union of Baltinglass.
Death of Laurence Charles Strange (1858-1902)
At the end of the Boer War, Laurence C. Strange was appointed to take a position in South Africa as an Assistant Crown Prosecutor. He traveled to South Africa and shortly after arriving died on 8 December 1902. He was 42 years of age and died of acute nephritis which he suffered with for 8 days. He is buried in the Klerksdorp Old Municipal Cemetery.
Death of an ex-Mayor of Waterford–News reached Waterford on Tuesday of the death at Klerksdop, Transvaal, of Mr. Laurence C. Strange, solicitor, formerly of the firm of Strange and Strange, solicitors, Waterford. Mr. Strange who was, comparatively speaking, a young man, was prominently identified with local, Municipal, and political affairs for many years. He was Mayor of Waterford in 1899. He went to South Africa early last year, and shortly after the termination of the war was appointed Assistant Crown Prosecutor at Klerksdorp (Evening Herald, Thur. 8 Jan. 1903, p. 3).
Death of Laurence “Laurie” Strange (1871-1903)
Twelve months later, Laurence “Laurie” Strange died in Denver Colorado. DEATH OF MR. LAURIE Strange—The death is announced at Denver City, Colorado, of Mr. Laurence Strange, solicitor, formerly of Waterford. The deceased gentleman, who was admitted a solicitor in 1893, contracted a severe cold some time ago, and serious lung trouble supervening, he went to Colorado, thinking that its climate might stay the ravages of the disease. He was cousin to the late Mr. L.C. Strange (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Dec. 1903, p. 8).
Death of Letitia Jannette Strange née Scott (c. 1854-1904)
Laurence C. Strange’s 40 year old widow, Letitia Jannette Strange died in London on 20 January 1904.
Death of Mrs. L C Strange—We regret to announce this evening the death of Mrs. L C Strange, which took place this morning at Somerleyton Road, Brixton. She was widow of the late Mr. L C Strange, solr., ex-Mayor of Waterford. We also announce with regret the death of Mr. William Nevins, the brother-in-law of Mr. L C Strange, solr., which was coincident with that of Mrs. Strange. These dual announcements will doubtless be heard with much regret (Waterford Chronicle, Wed. 20 January 1904, p. 2). It is not clear how the two deaths are coincident, but it is assumed that Janette Strange was visiting her sister-in-law Rose C. Nevins née Strange when she died.
East Ferry House, Ballincurra, Middleton, Cork
At some point Rose C. Nevin née Strange returned to Ireland and lived in Cork. Either she joined her three spinster sisters or they joined her. Rose Charlotte Strange (1848-1935) died 15 September 1935 at East Ferry House, Ballincurra, Middleton, Cork. At the time of her death she was an 88 year old widow and her death cert notes she was a “Lady of Independent means.” She was the first of the four sisters to die. Both of her brothers pre-deceased her.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Early Glenmore Death Records
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often expressed how lucky we were that Fr. Stephen Lower (c. 1727-1799) became the Parish Priest of Slieverue and began keeping records of his flock. Prior to 1846 Glenmore was not a separate parish as it was part of the Parish of Slieverue. The early combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish began recording deaths in December 1766. Below we have reviewed three years of death records. Unfortunately, none of the early parish death records recorded the age of the deceased. Thus we do not know how many adults and children are reflected in the death records. After Glenmore became a parish in its own right there are no death records. See our post of 11 November 2020 for further information regarding Fr. Lower.
The National Library of Ireland has digitalized the old parish records. The early combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish records are available on line. The earliest death records cover December 1766 to 21 February 1778 (Microfilm 05031/01). Deaths from 8 March 1778 to 28 November 1799 are also available (Microfilm 05031/02). After November 1799 there are no further parish death records available on line for Slieverue/Glenmore.
The First Deaths Recorded in December 1766
The very first death recorded in the parish records was on the 4th of December 1766. Unfortunately, due to what appears to be an ink stain all that is visible is James Ha… The second entry does not have a legible date, but John Burke at Trinneree is visible. The other three deaths do not indicate where the deceased resided, but their names are James Mylott, Mary Hacked and Anastasia Costelly.
Deaths Recorded in 1767
Of the three years reviewed 1767 is the most complete. Deaths are recorded for ten months in 1767. There were no deaths recorded in October or December of that year. More localities where the decedent resided are included. For example, on 3 June 1767, [Entry 33] Honour Welsch died at “Boher Bee” (which my resident Irish speaker translated as the Yellow Road). In November 1767, two places of residence are provided. On 10 November 1767, [Entry 45] John Welsh of “Ballycroan” died. Almost a week later on the 16th James (last name not legible) [Entry 46] of “Boherbee ” died. Entry 47 provides the townland of Weatherstown [Glenmore] but failed to list the name of the deceased.
John Welsh of Ballycroan [Entry 45] appears to be the first entry with enough details for us to determine that he was from what would become the parish of Glenmore.
Names recorded in 1767 with no townland or road include: [Entry 34] Catherine Rigby; [Entry 35] Margaret Grant; [Entry 16] Honour Culleton; [Entry 17] William Irish; and [Entry 40] John Haberlin. Within the death records the last name of Welsh is very common.
Deaths Recorded in 1768
The deaths recorded from January to June 1768 are not available on line. From the available on-line records that commence in June 1768 (with entry 76) we know that 28 deaths were recorded in the first 5 months of 1768. Entry numbers 48-75 are missing. Commencing in June 1768 most entries record the residence of the deceased. Of the 21 deaths recorded in 1768 from 15 June to the end of the year, 12 of the decedents were from what would become Glenmore (or 57% of the entries).
June 1768
Entry 76—15 June 1768, died Sylvester Welsh inhabitant of Councelor’s Road
Entry 77—20 June 1768, died at Kilbride, Catherine Welsh [Glenmore]
July 1768
Entry 78—6 July 1768, died at Aughmore, Martin Kelly
August 1768
Entry 79—4 August died at Coolneleen, Catherine Doherty [Glenmore]
Entry 80—10 August 1768, an unnamed person died at Balleneraha [Glenmore]
Entry 81—29 August died at Ballingile, Joane O’Mara
Entry 82—31 August, died at Ballerobin, Mary Burke
September 1768
Entry 83—9 September 1768, died at Gragnekill, Catherine Kehow [Glenmore]
Entry 84—23 September died at Davidstown, James Murphy [Glenmore]
Entry 85—25 September 1768, died at Newrath, Margerit Conway
October 1768
Entry 86—15 October 1768 died Patrick Forastal at Ballinlammy [Glenmore]
November 1768
Entry 87—unknown date November 1768, died at Roachestown, John O’Bryan [Glenmore]
Entry 88—unknown date November 1768, died at Abby, Patrick Lawless
Entry 89—unknown date November 1768, died at Nockbrack, Edw. Fitzgerald [Glenmore]
Entry 90—unknown date November 1768, died at Ballycrone, Elizabeth Walsh [Glenmore]
Entry 91—17 November 1768, died at Corrigneglouneey, Anistice Welsh [Glenmore]
Entry 92—25 November 1768, died at Ballerobbin, Edm. Phelan
Entry 93—26 November 1768, died at Flemingstown, Ellener Lahy [Glenmore]
Entry 94—28 November 1768, died at Attatemore, Mary Denn
December 1768
Entry 95—2 December 1768 died at Nicholastown, Edm. Murphy
Entry 96—27 December 1768 died at Corrigenurre, Nicholas Henebry [Glenmore]
Death Chart: 1766-1768
| Year | No. Months Recorded | No. Entries | Start & Ending Entry Nos. | No. of Males | No. of Females | No. of Unidentified | Total Deaths Recorded |
| 1766 | 1(Dec) | 5 | 1-5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 1767 | 10 | 42 | 6-47 | 18 | 23 | 1 | 42 |
| 1768 | 7 | 21 | 76 -96 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 21 |
| TOTAL | 18 mos. | 68 entries | Missing entries 48-75 | 31 males | 35 females | 2 unknown | 68 [+28]= [96] |
Interestingly, for the same years there were 26 months of baptisms recorded with a total of 318 infants baptized. Based solely on the entries recorded and the missing entry numbers, there were 96 deaths recorded in the first three years of the combined Slieverue/Glenmore Parish records. Thus, there were over 2/3’s more baptisms recorded than deaths recorded. See our post of 10 June 2023 “Early Glenmore Baptismal Records.”
The featured drawing above of an Irish Wake is courtesy of the Digital Public Library of America. It was published in Harper’s Weekly of 15 March 1873 (vol.17, p. 204). Michael Angelo Woolf, American, 1837–1899, Harper & Bros., New York, New York, USA. Retrieved from the Digital Public Library of America <http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/kq4fb38612a-76df-4755-9e4f-34722cd7b165>.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore 1924: Hanrahan Wedding Photo
The above photo may be found in the Poole Collection of the National Archives. Poole was a Waterford photographer and his negatives are now housed in the National Archives. There are a couple hundred Glenmore photos within the collection. The National Archive records do not identify the year this photo was taken, and simply notes the customer was Mr. Hanrahan of Glenmore.
The Photo
The above photo was taken to commemorate the 12 February 1924 wedding of Patrick Hanrahan (1886-1957) shopkeeper of Glenmore and Mary Duggan (1892-1989) schoolteacher of Flemingstown, Glenmore. Richard Hanrahan, a grandson of the happy couple, confirmed last week that a copy of the photo still hangs in the Hanrahan home in Glenmore. He was able with the help of his mother, Kathleen Hanrahan, to identify most of the people in the photo.
Front row (seated, left to right) Richard Duggan (1894-1984) ; Margaret “Agnes” Quirke née Duggan (1896-?) (Maid of Honour); Mary “Dodie” Hanrahan née Duggan (1892-1989) (bride); James “Jimmy” Hanrahan (1891-1977) (Best Man)
Back row (standing, left to right) Unknown ?; Unknown ?; Mullins?; Patrick “Pat” Hanrahan (1886-1957) (Groom); unknown ; Catherine “Lena” Connolly née Duggan (1891-1969) ; Richard “Dick” Hanrahan (1892-1975). (It is believed that some of the unidentified people may have been Mullins relations.)
Parents & Siblings of the groom: Patrick Hanrahan (1886-1956)
Patrick Hanrahan was the eldest child of Michael Hanrahan and his wife Hanoria Mullins of Gaulstown, Glenmore. Michael Hanrahan was from Powerswood, Thomastown and the couple married at Glenmore, on 23 July 1885. Michael was the son of Patrick Hanrahan (farmer) and Hanoria was the daughter of Nicholas Mullins (farmer) and his wife Mary Mackey. Hanoria Mullins was baptized in Glenmore on 16 Dec. 1854. Michael Hanrahan died in 1898 and his widow died in 1902. They both died of T.B.
At least 7 children were born to Michael Hanrahan and his wife, Hanoria Mullins.
[1] Patrick Hanrahan (1886-1957) the groom in the 1924 wedding photo.
(2) Nicholas Hanrahan (1887-1918) died in Gaulstown, Glenmore during the flu epidemic.
(3) Michael Hanrahan (1888-1968) Emigrated to the U.S. in 1911 or 1912. He lived in New York, married in 1922 and raised a family.
(4) Ellen Hanrahan (bapt. 16 Feb. 1890-died young)
(5) James Hanrahan (1891-1977) was the best man when his brother Patrick married in 1924. Jimmy had a pub and shop in New Ross, married, and raised a family.
(6) Richard Hanrahan (1892-1975) had a draper business in New Ross across the street from his brother Jimmy’s business. Richard Hanrahan married and raised a family.
(7) John Hanrahan (1894-1980) Emigrated to the US before 1910 and went to his Uncle Tom Mullins in New York. John married about 1922 and raised a family.
When her husband died Hanoria moved her six sons from Waterford to Glenmore. The boys were raised by two sets of relatives after their mother’s death. Tragically, Nicholas Hanrahan died in the 1918 flu epidemic. Thus, at the time of the 1924 Glenmore wedding only 5 brothers were alive. Three are depicted in the photo and the other two had emigrated to the U.S. We could not locate any travel records that indicated that either Michael or John Hanrahan returned to Ireland for their brother Patrick’s wedding in 1924.
Parents & Siblings of the bride: Mary “Dodie” Hanrahan née Duggan (1892-1989)
The bride’s parents were Richard Duggan and Anne Butler. Richard Duggan (c. 1867-1956) (tradesman) of Kilbride, at the age of 23, married Anne Butler, of Flemingstown, on 12 November 1890 at Glenmore. Richard Duggan’s (c. 1867-1956) father was Richard Duggan of Kilbride. The father of Anne Butler of Flemingstown was Thomas Butler (farmer & tradesman). Four children were born to Richard Duggan (c. 1867-1956) and his wife Anne Butler. Three daughters and one son. What is striking about the Duggan sisters is that they all had nicknames.
[1] Catherine “Lena” Duggan (b. 11 Sept. 1891). Lena became a nurse and on 23 November 1926 at Faithleg, Waterford she married Michael Connolly (labourer). Her sister “M. Agnes Duggan” was her maid of honour. The couple resided in Slieverue and had a family. Lena died in 1969, and her husband died in 1973.
[2 ] Mary “Dodie” Duggan (b. 14 Aug. 1892) at Flemingstown. Her birth cert. notes that her father Richard Duggan was a shoemaker. Mary became a schoolteacher and after her marriage to Patrick Hanrahan helped run the Hanrahan shop in Glenmore Village. The couple were married for 33 years and raised a family. Mary died in 1989. She survived her husband by 32 years.
[3] Richard Duggan (b. 12 Dec. 1894) married and remained on the Duggan farm in Flemingstown. Richard farmed and was also a Rate Collector. He and his wife raised a large family. He died a widower on Christmas Day 1984.
[4] Margaret “Aggie” Duggan (b. 22 June 1896). Aggie married a man named Quirke and they resided in Clonmel per her brother Richard’s obituary. Aggie died prior to 1984.
For an account of the early life of the 5 orphaned Hanrahan Brothers see our post of 6 Dec. 2020.
See our H Glenmore Family page for obituaries etc. of the Hanrahan family.
See our D Glenmore Family page for obituaries etc. of the Duggan family.
Please send any additional information (such as the names of the 3 people standing on the left of the photo) or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Special thanks to Veronica for reminding me of the photo and to Richard and his mother Kathleen Hanrahan who identified most of the persons depicted in the photo. .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh.
From Danny’s Files: A Glenmore Shooting Affray [Updated]
The infamous Grant Brothers, of Ballyvarring, Glenmore [Ballyvarring is actually in Slieverue] were known for being big, rough men . They were not born in Glenmore. However, in the first half of the 20th Century they engaged in threshing around the Glenmore area, and they had two or three steam engines. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) collected several stories about the Grant Brothers including a 1948 criminal case that was reported in the Kilkenny People (Sat. 20 Nov. 1948, p. 3). For another incident involving the Grant Brothers, see our post of 3 October 2021. At the end of the post we attempt to reveal how the Grant Brothers came to the Glenmore area.
In the Circuit Court in Kilkenny on the 15th of November 1948 Thomas Grant of Ballyvarring, Glenmore [this is the address the newspaper published] stood trial charged with three criminal offences. It was alleged that he (1) had a shotgun in his possession without having a firearm certificate; (2) “he maliciously by gun-shot ammunition caused an explosion likely to cause serious injury to property” and (3) having in his possession a shotgun with the intent to cause serious injury to property. Mr. T.L. Doyle, B.L. represented the State. The newspaper account did not record that the Defendant, Thomas Grant, was represented, but a Mr. D’Arcy questioned several witnesses. It is assumed Mr. D’Arcy represented the Defendant. The jury was comprised of men from across the county.
The State’s Case
Patrick Halligan, a farmer, lived with his wife, Annie, in a remote house in Ballinlaw, Slieverue. On the night of 29 June 1948, Patrick Halligan went to bed at 10 o’clock. Annie was in the kitchen. He awakened by a noise which he thought was some of the rendering falling off of the ceiling. “He then heard three shouts by a man coming from the direction of Ballinlaw.” This was about 11 p.m. He went back to sleep.
The next morning Annie found that one of their kitchen windows had been shot. The glass was broken and there were pellets in the window sash. This was the window near where they ate their meals. Patrick searched the area and found several pellets on the ground below the broken window as well as an empty cartridge on the road about 55 yards away. He also found some wads between the road and the broken window.
Witness Patrick Halligan
In response to questions from Mr. D’Arcy, Patrick Halligan stated that there was no light in the kitchen when the shot was fired. He lived in the house for about 20 years. Patrick Halligan testified that he knew the defendant, Thomas Grant for over 30 years. He had trouble with the Grants back in 1935 when they tried to stop him threshing. The Grants were taken to court. After that incident they were no longer on speaking terms, but over the 13 years since the threshing incident there was no repetition. He was at a loss why it “should heat up again.”
Witness Annie Halligan
Annie Halligan testified that at about 11 p.m. she was in the bedroom preparing to go to bed. She heard a shot and about 5 minutes later three shouts. The sounds were coming from the road at the back of the house. She knew the defendant and his brothers for over 30 years. They were always on good terms until they had the threshing incident. In response to Mr. D’Arcy she was not frightened when she heard the shot that night. However, the next morning when she saw the window she did become frightened. When it was suggested that someone was hunting rabbits, she replied that at one time there were a lot of rabbits. However, she said there were not many rabbits now.
Witness Richard Vereker & Thomas Menton
Richard Vereker testified that the defendant and his brother John Joe did some ploughing for him. John Joe owned the tractor and Thomas helped him. Vereker stated that he had bought an old single barrel shotgun from Thomas Menton and gave it to John Joe Grant in part payment for the ploughing. The value of the shot gun was £4 10s. In response to a question from the judge he stated he never discussed the shotgun with the Defendant.
Thomas Menton, of Waterford, testified that he sold the shotgun to Vereker about six months before the trial.
Detective Sgt. J. Hanafin
Detective Sgt. J. Hanafin stated that on 30 June he visited the Halligan home. After observing the damage to the window and holes in the wall of the house he collected various pellets. He went to the Grant house on 1 July and all four brothers were interviewed. The defendant denied that he had a shotgun. The police carried out a search and found a number of empty cartridge cases and some ammunition. No shotgun was found. At a later date he returned to the Grant home and told them that he had a statement from Dick Vereker that Vereker has sold the gun to John Joe and he gave them 10 minutes to consider.
The Defendant then took them through several fields and showed them where the gun was hidden. Notwithstanding the fact that the Defendant had originally stated that they had no gun, he persisted in stating that he was no where near the Halligan house on the night the window was shot. Sergeant Dalton testified that he had not issued a firearms certificate to the defendant.
Witness James Walsh
James Walsh, an employee of a Waterford business testified that the Defendant sometime in the early summer produced a license for a box of cartridges in the name of William Knox. He gave him the box.
The Defence Case
The Testimony of the Defendant Thomas Grant
The Defendant testified that he lived with his four brothers. William owned the farm. Thomas worked for his brother John Joe. He admitted that he had not been on friendly terms with the Halligans for 13 years. He admitted that he and John Joe did work for Dick Vereker in the Spring and part of their pay was the shot gun that was given to John Joe.
The Defendant insisted that he never used the gun and it was not his. On the 29th of June he was in Waterford and got home at 4:30. At 8:30 he went to Halligan’s pub in Ballinlaw. He left at closing time. After talking for sometime he took the shortcut home across the fields. Along the way he met Patrick Moore and they walked together. He did not go near the Halligan’s house.
The following day he heard from Sgt. Dalton that a shot had been fired at Halligan’s house. He shifted the shotgun from the thresher in the yard to a field. He originally told Sgt. Hanaflin that he did not have a gun. However, when he returned with a statement from Dick Vereker he brought the detective to the gun. He told the officer that the gun was his, he got it, but had not used it. He also admitted buying a box of cartridges for William Knox. However, he denied shooting at the Halligan house.
In reply to Mr. Doyle he said that they had three threshing sets, a tractor and other machinery. They farmed about 120 acres. He stated that the 1935 dispute arose from Halligan getting someone else to thresh for him. He and his brothers went down to stop it. He stated that they were more against the owner of the thresher than the Halligans. Mr. Doyle responded, “You are the Stalin of Ballinlaw?” The defendant stated, “I thought we were more entitled to the threshing than a man 60 miles away.”
The Judge noted that the defendant appeared to admit possession when he moved the gun from the thresher to the field.
Testimony of Grant Brothers
William Grant stated that the Defendant was home when he arrived home before 11 p.m. new time on June 29. John Joe Grant admitted to Mr. Doyle that he lied when he said he knew nothing about the gun. He also admitted stating that “they made me do it,” when in fact his lies were voluntary. Richard Grant testified that while his brother took the short cut home on the 29th he had a bicycle and cycled home via the road. Thomas was in bed when he got home. He did not recall telling the Guards that he was not sure what time Thomas got home.
Other Defence Witnesses
Martin Kneeffe testified that the Defendant walked home over Knox’s Lane. In reply to Mr. Doyle he said he too went home by Knox’s Lane, but Grant was in front of him. He admitted he did not tell the Guards that Grant walked home ahead of him. He told the Guards that he left the Defendant in the taproom.
Patrick Moore stated that he was on his way through Conway’s farm when he met the Defendant. Defendant told him the pub was closed and he then went back with the Defendant to the Grant house.
William Knox testified that the Defendant bought 25 cartridges for him in Waterford. When asked why he did not tell the Guards Knox replied that they never asked him.
Verdict & Sentence
After a short absence the jury returned a verdict of guilty to the first charge of having a shotgun without the required firearm certificate. The Defendant was found not guilty of the other two charges. The Judge imposed a fine of £10, or alternatively a month’s imprisonment. He also ordered that the shotgun was forfeited.
How the Grant Brothers Came to the Glenmore Area
The Grant Brothers home place was Ballyvarring. Locals recall that they obtained this farm from a relative. In the 1911 Census, James Grant (aged 55) was living in Ballyvarring with his wife Catherine Grant née Ennett of Cappagh (aged 45). The couple had been married for ten years but had no children. The couple were married on 20 November 1900 at St. John’s of Waterford. The father of the groom was William Grant and the father of the bride was Patrick Ennett. James Grant (c. 1853-1915) died in 1915.
The Grant Brothers were born in Ballyhale. They were the sons of John Grant (c. 1859-?) and his wife Anne Grant née Aylward. On the marriage cert Anne’s address is Ballytarsnia. To this marriage at least five sons were born: [1] William Grant (b. 1902); [2] Thomas Grant (b. 1905); [3] James Grant (b. 1906); [4] John Grant (b. 1908) and [5] Richard Grant. No record could be located for Richard Grant. John Grant (c. 1859-?) and Anne Aylward married on 13 February 1899 in Waterford. John was from Ballyvarring, and his father was listed as William Grant. Thus, it appears that the Grant Brothers came to the Ballyvarring farm sometime after the death of their uncle James Grant (c. 1853-1915).
Interestingly, the 1911 Census revealed that the Grant Brothers were residing in Carriganura, Slieverue in the home of their maternal grandmother Ellen Aylward née Hennebry (aged 70). Anne Grant née Aylward (c. 1872-? ) was 39 and her husband John Grant (c. 1862- ?) was 48. John Joe Grant obtained a farm in Carrignurra, but he eventually lost it and returned to Ballyvarring. It is not known if this was the Aylward farm. Ellen Aylward née Hennebry died in 1926 at the age of 84 in Ballyvarring.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo is from The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Hired man working tractor engine used for threshing on farm of Alfred Shaffner, a farmer in the submarginal area of Sugar Hill, near Townsend, Connecticut.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1940. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/f2614c80-ebb6-013d-4c72-0242ac110002
Third Glenmore Gold Sign
Glenmore History in partnership with Glenmore Tidy Towns posted a few Glenmore historical signs around the village and parish earlier this spring and summer. Today, we are going to feature the Glenmore Gold Sign posted to provide information on the Ballyverneen, Glenmore Brick Works. The Gold Sign is on a tree along the road to the Pink Rock overlooking some of the fields of Ballyverneen located adjacent to the River Barrow. This area was bisected by the railway and was once a hive of industrial activity with several brick pits. For readers who cannot visit the area see below…
Contents of the Third Glenmore Gold Sign
Brickmaking in Glenmore took place in the Ballyverneen marshes during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, if you look out across the marshes you can observe areas where water stands with little vegetation growing in or under the water. These are some of the pits from the old brick works. Brickmaking was a seasonal industry. Preparations began in March or early April depending on the weather. To prepare the site vegetation was removed, as well as the top soil. Water was then pumped out of the cut. A gang of 10 to 12 men would then begin the labour, intensive job of making bricks from the clay. On average 3,000 bricks per day were made. The bricks were burned for five days in clamps built near the Glenmore pill to allow the finished bricks to be placed on boats for transportation. The last clamp of the brick making season was usually burned from the 10th to 15th of August and allowed the gang to take part in the harvest.
Several local families operated brick works. The last men operating brick works on the Ballyverneen Marshes were Thomas and William Forristal of Ballyverneen. They ceased operations in 1899 when work began on the railway link between New Ross and Waterford. The railway line crossed the marches over the best mud deposits. After the railway was complete both men in 1907 attempted to return to brickmaking. Both ceased by 1910.
For details regarding local families, wages, the process and workers see, Danny Dowling, “Glenmore Brickyards: A Forgotten Industry,” (1974) Old Kilkenny Review, pp. 42-51.
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Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
For more information on Ballyverneen, Glenmore see our post of 21 April 2022.
The Tragic Mary Norris née Fitzgerald (1869-1904) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Last week we came across a file of obituaries in Danny Dowling’s (1927-2921) vast collection. Within the file the 1904 short obituary of Mary Norris née Fitzgerald was found. This short obituary revealed that Mary died a 34 year-old widow at her brother Richard Fitzgerald’s residence in Aylwardstown. She left “four young orphan children to mourn her loss.” In researching her husband and children it became apparent that this family represented the hardships faced in that era including the dreaded T.B. See our N Glenmore Family page for Mary’s obituary (New Ross Reporter, Sat. 12 Nov. 1904, p. 5).
Mary Norris née Fitzgerald (1869-1904)
Mary was born on 26 December 1869 at Aylwardstown the daughter of John Fitzgerald (1830-1892) (farmer) and his wife Margaret Donovan (1839-1924). The couple were married at Slieverue on 27 February 1867. Mary was their eldest daughter and one of 11 children including [1] Richard Fitzgerald (b. 1868); [2] Mary Fitzgerald (1869-1904); [3] Bridget Fitzgerald (b. 1873); [4] Patrick Fitzgerald (b. 1875); [5] James Fitzgerald (b. 1876); [6] Peter Fitzgerald (b. 1877); [7] Margaret Fitzgerald (b. 1879); [8] Ellen Fitzgerald (b. 1881); [9] Michael Fitzgerald (b. 1882); [10] Walter Fitzgerald (b. 1884); and [11] John Fitzgerald (b. 1830).
Mary Fitzgerald at the age of 24 married Thomas Norris (farmer). The couple were married on 7 January 1894 at Glenmore. Thomas was residing at Rathfadden Cottage, Waterford and was the son of Patrick Norris (farmer) and his wife Bridget. The witnesses at Mary’s wedding were Kate Fitzgerald, the bride’s sister and Richard Whittle, who is thought to have been the groom’s cousin.
Children of Thomas & Mary Norris née Fitzgerald
Thomas and Mary had seven known children born within eight years of marriage. All of their children were baptized at Trinity Without, Waterford. The children are listed in their order of birth and throughout this post their order of birth number is retained.
Their eldest child, [1] Patrick Norris was born and baptized on 22 February 1894. It was recorded that the couple were living on the Yellow Road, Waterford, and Thomas was employed as a farmer. A daughter joined the family the next year. [2] Bridget Norris was baptized on 31 January 1895. The date of birth on the birth registry list’s Bridget’s birthday as 8 February 1895. Obviously, Bridget could not be baptized before she was born. Her birth was registered by a mid-wife who obviously recorded the wrong date. Thomas’s profession was listed as a cattle dealer. [3] Similarly John Norris was baptised on 22 March 1896, but his date of birth on the birth register was recorded as 29 April 1896. The family residence was listed as Upper Yellow Road, Waterford.
[4] James Norris was born on 22 March 1897 and was baptized the following day. For the first time Mary registered the birth of her child. A second daughter was born in 1898. This child was also named Bridget suggesting that the Bridget born in 1895 had died. [5] Bridget Norris was baptized on 21 July 1898. On the birth register her date of birth is recorded as 18 September 1898. Mary again registered the birth of this child, but did not register the birth until 21 November 1898. It is likely that Mary provided the September birthdate in order to avoid a fine for failing to register the child’s birth within the prescribed period. [6] Thomas P. Norris was baptized on 14 March 1901, and [7] Margaret Mary Norris was born 27 December 1902 and baptized the following day. Thomas’s profession was again listed as farmer when Margaret was born.
1901 Census
By the time Mary Norris died in November 1904 she had already buried three of her children as well as her husband. The 1901 Census provides the last glimpse of the family together. The family were living at Rathfadden. Thomas Norris was 33, a farmer, and noted he was born in Waterford City. Mary Norris (née Fitzgerald) gave her age as 29, and noted she had been born in Co. Kilkenny. Only 4 of their children are recorded in the 1901 Census because Margaret Mary was not born until 1902.
In the 1901 Census [1] Patrick Norris was 7. [4] James Norris was 4. [5] Bridget Norris was 2 and [6] Thomas Norris, Jr. was 1 month old. All the children were born in Waterford City. Also living with the family was a general domestic servant named Hannah Kennedy, Hannah Kennedy was 18 years of age and was born Waterford City. According to the 1901 Census, the family had a stable; coach house; cow house; piggery; fowl house; and boiling house.
Family Deaths
As stated above Mary’s daughter [2] Bridget Norris (b. 1895) died prior to 1898. Her son [3] John Norris (b. 1896) apparently died prior to 1901. Death certificates could not be located for either child searching both Norris and Morris.
Mary’s husband Thomas Norris died on 10 September 1902 at Rathfadden Cottage. He was listed as a 35 year-old farmer and his cause of death was TB. The death register provides that he received medical treatment for 4.5 months before his death. His sister Margaret Whittle of Yellow Road, Waterford was present when he died. Mary’s last child [7] Margaret Mary Norris was born about 6 weeks after her father’s death. We were also unable to locate a death certificate for Margaret although a Margaret Mary Norris died in 1907 in Ferrybank. The record reflects that her father John Norris was present when the child died.
Mary’s 25 year old brother Patrick Fitzgerald (1875-1903) died on 1 March 1903. Per the death register he died of heart disease, but had received no medical attention. Mary died 3 November 1904 at her brother Richard Fitzgerald’s home in Aylwardstown, Glenmore. Per her short obituary Mary was only survived by four of her children. Thus, [2] Bridget Norris (b. 1895), [3] John Norris (b. 1896) and [7] Margaret Mary Norris (b. 1902) predeceased Mary.
1911 Census
Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Mary’s mother, Margaret Fitzgerald née Donovan, was a 70 year old widow in 1911. She reported giving birth to 11 children and 8 were alive in 1911. Per the 1911 Census, four of her children were living at home with her: Richard Fitzgerald (38); Margaret Fitzgerald (27); Ellie Fitzgerald (26); and Michael Fitzgerald (25). She also had four grandchildren living with her: [4] James Morris (Norris, 11); [5] Bridget Morris (Norris, 10); [6] Thomas Morris (Norris, 9) and Margaret Bradly, (4).
Waterford—Upper Yellow Road
With only three of the Norris children in Aylwardstown we went back to Waterford and found [1] Patrick Norris (aged 17) living with his grandmother Bridget Norris. Bridget was 73 years of age, a widow and housekeeper. Also in the household was Patrick’s uncle Matthew Norris (38). The Census provides that Matthew Norris was employed as a cattle dealer, was married for three years but had no children. His wife was Johanna Norris (38). Lastly, Patrick’s cousin George Evans (8) was also residing in the house. George had been born in England. Both George and Patrick were scholars (attending school).
It is not clear from the census whether the family was residing in Rathfadden Cottage, However, in 1911 the property consisted of a stable; 2 cow house; piggery; (no fowl house) and boiling house.
The Norris Orphans
It was difficult to find information on the orphaned Norris children until we found Bridget Hynes née Fitzgerald’s (1898-1990) obituary. “She was the last surviving member of the Norris family and was sister of the late Patrick Norris, New Zealand; Thomas Norris, Campile, Co. Wexford; and James Norris, England, late of Carriganurra, Slieverue…” (Kilkenny People, Fri. 4 May 1990, p. 17). Armed with where her siblings lived we were able to find some information.
[1] Patrick Norris (1894-1925)
Patrick left London on 15 October 1914 for Australia. He enlisted 30 March 1915 as a private in the Australian Imperial Force. He enlisted at Brisbane and had his medical exam in Australia. He is found on the Embarkation Roll 1914-1918. He listed his uncle Matthew Norris, of 26 Upper Yellow Road, Waterford as his next of kin. He was with the 1st Light Horse Brigade of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment. His Service Number is 1257. Prior to his enlistment he worked as a clerk.
Patrick’s service records are available in the Australian National Archives. He was physically described when he enlisted as being 21 yrs of age; 5 feet and 6¾ inches tall; 135 lbs; with a fair complexion; brown eyes; and dark hair. While deployed to Egypt a letter dated 13 Jan 1918 queried why his 4/ per diem of his pay from 1 September 1915 had not been paid to Mr. Henry D. Keane, Solicitor, O’Connell Street, Waterford.
Patrick served from enlistment in 1915 until 15 May 1919. Most of the time Patrick was in Egypt. Although there were no major battles fought in Egypt in World War I it served as a staging ground and held strategic importance because of the Suez Canal. The majority of Patrick’s military file contains information concerning medical issues he suffered. However, there is a notation from July 1917. “When on active service drunkenness in the field.” He lost 10 days pay. For an interesting article and photos of the Australian troops in Egypt during WWI see, D. Beard (2022) “Kangaroos by the Pyramids.”
Patrick returned to Australia on 5 August 1919 and was considered disabled due to “Pulmonary Tuberculosis.” In a document entitled “Medical Report of an Invalid” the date and place where Patrick became a casualty was “dysentery” in Egypt in 1917. The doctor stated that there was Malaria in Egypt in 1918 and influenza in September 1919. Patrick began tubercular treatment on 12 January 1920 and continued on it until September 1920. During his service in Egypt he did not suffer a wound but contracted cholera in July 1916. This resulted in a 14 day admission to hospital. He got scabies three times and malaria twice. His last attack was in November 1918. The report concluded that he suffered with a sore nose for 4 years.
Three medals were issued to Patrick including: (1) 1914/1915 Star; (2) the British War Medal and (3) the Victory medal.
On 1 February 1923 Patrick married Rose Eileen Graham (1902-1976). A daughter, Jean Dorothy Norris (1923-2009) was born on 16 February 1923 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Patrick’s obituary in the Dalby Herald (Tue. 6 Jan. 1925, p. 3) appears to reflect that T.B. was viewed in Australia in much the same way as it was viewed in Ireland.
The death occurred in Toowoomba, yesterday of Mr. Joseph Patrick Norris, who has been a resident of Loam street, Darby, for the past 11 months. Mr. Norris was a native of Waterford, Ireland, and came to Australia some years ago. When the war broke out he enlisted and joined the first machine gun corps and served for five years with the A.I.F. and received a severe gunshot, wound in the thigh. He came to Dalby for health reasons a year ago, and gradually grew worse. He was admitted to the General Hospital on December 28th, and removed to a hospital in Toowoomba, on New Year’s Eve. He leaves a widow and one child, a girl of two years of age. The funeral took place yesterday in the Roman Catholic portion of the Toowoomba cemetery. Mrs. Norris accompanied by Mrs. C. Harvey, left for Toowoomba yesterday morning to be present at the funeral.
In researching Patrick an article was found that reflects the plight of other ex-servicemen in Australia with T.B. in 1925 (The West Australian, Wed. 27 May 1925, p. 10).
Letter to the Editor—Sir—We, ex-soldier consumptive in the Edward Millen Sanitorium, read with amused interest the statement by Dr. Courtney, the Repatriation C.M.O. that work will cure tuberculosis. Every man here, without exception, was a working man and broke down working. If work cures why do men get the disease? He says further, that in some States work is done by in the sanatoriums, yet, Victoria, his own State, had ten deaths for the last quarter. They were certainly cured, but, hardly in the usual understanding of the word. All medical authorities on TB agree…that it may be arrested which is vastly different than cured…Few of the public know of our many disabilities…During 50 years I have known many medical fashions for treating T.B. [including] long sea voyages; change of climate; high altitude; …sunbaths and cod liver oil. All discarded now as useless…
In the meantime our weekly leave to see our homes and friends has been cut out the one particular thing that did more to cheer us up and help us bear our troubles than anything else we do… Signed, L.W.F. Harvey, secretary of the T.B. Sailors & Soldier’s Association of Australia (W.A. Branch). Edward Millen Sanatorium, Victoria Park
[4] James Norris (1897-1983)
James Norris (labourer) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore married Ellen Vereker (b. 1908) of Ballyhomuck, Big Wood, Mullinavat. The couple were married on 14 October 1928 at Bigwood, Mullinavat. Ellen was the daughter of James Vereker (labourer) and his wife Margaret Henebery. Ellen was born on 24 August 1908. Per his sister Bridget’s 1990 obituary James lived in Carriganurra, Slieverue and England. We believe that James and Eileen had several children and it is not known when they moved to England.
We did locate a James Norris who died on 6 February 1983. The England and Wales National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) provides that his address was 69 Blackmead, Orton, Malborne, Peterborough which is in Cambridgeshire, England. We believe that his wife Eileen died in September 1997 per the England and Wales Civil Register Death Index. However, this date of death has not been verified with an obituary etc.
[5] Bridget Norris (1898-1990)
Bridget Norris, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore, married Maurice Hynes (1889-1952) (farmer) who was also from Aylwardstown. The couple married at Glenmore on 31 May 1929. Maurice Hynes was born on the 6th of August 1889 at Aylwardstown, the son of Martin Hynes (farmer) and his wife Anastasia Aylward. Shortly after Bridget and Maurice married the couple moved to Monassa, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, where they farmed. The couple had three children; a son and two daughters. Their son back in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s worked at the Waterford Cattle Mart.
Maurice Hynes died, aged 63, on 3 May 1952 of Tuberculosis Pneumonia. The following year Bridget was summoned for assaulting a neighbour. From the newspaper account the neighbour had caused one of Bridget’s cows to miscarry. When the neighbour was “turning back” another cow the two women got into an argument. The neighbour allegedly made disparaging remarks about the deceased Maurice and Bridet lost her temper and brought her stick down on the other woman’s head. The judge refused to convict Bridget and told the parties he would wait 3 months to see how they got on (Kilkenny People, Sat. 19 Sept. 1953, p. 4).
[6] Thomas Norris (1901-1966)
Most of the information regarding Thomas Norris is courtesy of Ann Fitzgerald’s publicly available research. Thomas Norris married Bridget “Bridie” Kavanagh (1922-2004) on 18 August 1954. The couple had children and farmed at Ballykerogue, Campile, New Ross, Wexford. Ann Fitzgerald noted that Thomas inherited the farm from his aunt Katie Fitzgerald. [Catherine “Kate” Fitzgerald (b. 1871) was married twice. Her first husband was Edward Costello. Edward and Kate were married at Glenmore on 21 August 1906. Edward was from Ballykerogue. After Edward died Kate married James McGrath on 1 December 1923 at New Ross. James was a widower and lived at Dunbrody, Wexford. Kate had no children.
Thomas Norris died 5 March 1966 and resided at the New Ross Road, Ballykerogue, Campile, Wexford. The death register provides that he was a married farmer and his age was given as 61. Thomas died of cardiac asthma which he suffered with for 6 hours. His brother-in -law Martin Kavanagh was present at his death.
LATE MR. T. NORRIS—The death occurred on Saturday of Mr. Thos. Norris, at his residence, Ballykerogue, Campile, and the remains were removed to Horeswood Church the same evening. The funeral took place to Ballykerogue Cemetery on Monday. Sympathy is extended to his bereaved wife, children and relatives (New Ross Standard, Sat. 12 March 1966 p. 16).
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh