Housing in 1923

Although the Civil War ended on 24 May 1923 after the IRA Chief of staff issued a ceasefire order. However, after the arrest of several leaders and the apparent futility of the struggle the IRA suspended military actions. Local newspapers surprisingly carried very little on the subject. An editorial in the New Ross Standard summed up as follows:

“The country is very relieved that there is practically a cessation of the foolish but criminal conduct that has been devastating the land for some time.  We are thankful that our newspapers are not now reeking of murder and destruction of property, as they were for the past year, that number of young fellows are not hurled into eternity day after day without warning, and without being given even a few minutes to prepare for death. In a few isolated instances there are still some hostilities…” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11, May 1923, p. 4).

On the other hand, newspapers began to mark the changes that reinforced Ireland as a Free State.

The Cunard line, Carmania, called at Cobh on the morning of the 6^th of May “to embark passengers for New York. The Carmania was the first British liner to pay the courtesy of flying the Irish tricolour from its foremast. This courtesy was done by ships entering foreign ports.

Later that evening the White Star line, Baltic, landed 326 sacks of American mail at Cohb. For the first time a Free State immigration officer. R.E. Larkin, officiated under the Aliens Act. British officials performed this duty heretofore” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 May 1923, p. 4).

Arrests Continued

Although the Civil War ended arrests of local men continued. On the 22^nd of May, Thomas Hartley, Weatherstown, Glenmore, and James Hoyne, Coolroebeg, Thomastown, were arrested by the military. An irregular, Martin Hartley, Ballalog, Tulloghor, was arrested the same week by National Troops at Glenmore. Two Irregulars named Patrick Walsh and Richard Brennan, both of whom escaped from Kilkenny Military Barracks, earlier in the year were captured at Mooncoin on the 22^nd (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 26 May 1923, p. 12).

Impact

The newspapers in May began to transition from reporting on the horrors of the Civil War to reporting on its impact on the economy of the fledgling Free State.

“Unemployment was at an abnormal level…At the end of March there were 33,000—twice the normal number… At the start of May 1923 the Dail began debating an emergency £250,000 to extend the benefits period. The Unemployment Fund of £550,000 and exhausted (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 May 1923, p. 4).

Damaged Rail Lines

In several areas the rail infrastructure remained severely damaged and this had a knock on effect. At the beginning of May 1923, after the 30 April ceasefire was declared by the IRA, the military reported to the Dail that “they are now ready to protect all the railway lines, and the companies have been so notified and urged to re-open closed lines.”

Deputy R. Corish argued in the Dail that the Great Southern & Western Railway had neglected their interests and those of the people they served. In July 1922 the line between Wexford town and Waterford was damaged and remained unrepaired.

Their boats were withdrawn that plied between Fishguard and Rosslare. The effect of their decisions reduced the Wexford Meat Supply Co. to half staff because there was no outlet for their “dead meat.” This in turn impacted on local farmers and the wages they could pay. “Ireland is suffering, and suffering badly, as a result of their laxiety” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 May 1923, p. 4).

Obviously missing from Deputy Corish’s speech was the fact that the Irregulars destroyed rail lines as fast as they were repaired, and National Troops had been unable to stop the attacks on the lines or rolling stock.  Also repairs were not always easy to perform. For example, at the end of May it was reported that divers were attempting to locate the apparatus which opened the draw arch in the Barrow bridge on the G.S. and W.R. between Campile and Waterford.

The apparatus was thrown apparently into the river. Consequently, the arch could not be closed. It was hoped that if the apparatus could be located the arch could be closed, and thus allow trains to run as far as Ballycullane (Munster Express, Sat. 26 May 1923, p. 4).

Industrial Strife

Jim Larkin returned to Ireland at the end of April 1923 after an absence of 8 years. Larken said he found the rich richer and the poor poorer than when he left. “He might have added, and industry much less evident. It has been all but killed by profiteering and doles to workers “(New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 May 1923, p. 4).

Waterford Agricultural Labourers Dispute

A dispute erupted between agricultural labourers and farmers in East Waterford in mid-May. Several incidents were reported in the Munster Express including the stealing of engine bearings at the Kilmeaden creamery which brought work to a halt and the burning of hay.  Farmers moved to protect the creameries until a military party relieved them.

Farmers attempting to move goods had them seized by large groups. Mrs. Rickards, of Rossduff, was on her way home with provisions when her provisions were seized. She returned to Waterford and the military recovered her provisions in Ballygunner. Rickards was a sister of J.J. Walsh, Postmaster General and her husband was interned in 1920-1921.

The dispute soon escalated impacting on other industries. J & S Phelan, Waterford, closed “owing to” its employees refusing to handle goods purchased by farmers. “The latter preceded to another Waterford house where their requirements were supplied.”

Gaultier Creamery sent 14 tons of butter to the Great Western depot at Waterford for shipment. Agricultural labourers were picketing the depot and the dockers refused to handle the butter. The two carriers from the Creamery loaded the butter on the steamer. The picket attempted to stop them loading onto the ship, but the military intervened with bayonets.

When the butter was loaded the sailors and firemen left the ship. Passengers were on board as well as a large quantity of livestock. The Captain suggested that the butter be taken back to the creamery which was done to the cheers of the agricultural labourers, the dockers, the sailors and firemen (Munster Express, Sat. 26 May 1923, p. 5).

Postal Dispute

Postal difficulties showed no sign of improving in Dublin. The Postmaster-General stated that Sunday collections and delivery would not be restored and bank holidays were to be observed as Sundays. To the dismay of Dublin businesses, the last delivery of letters was three o’clock.

Midnight and 5 a.m. collections were also abandoned. Businesses also reported long delays in letter delivery and a huge increase in lost letters. It was estimated that the post office “means a loss of over a million pounds a year to the Free State taxpayer” who pays more for letters and telephones than citizens in the Six Counties and Britain (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 May 1923, p. 5).

Housing & Cost of Food Inflation

Ironically the Government one hundred years ago was wrestling with two issues that face the Government today, housing and inflation.

In May 1923 discussions took place in the Dail regarding the provision of more houses in Ireland. The price of new materials in Ireland was much higher than in England, and tradesmen’s wages were higher in Ireland than England. It was argued that the tradesmen were idle for so long that when work came their way wages were higher to allow the tradesmen to live. It was argued that continuous employment would reduce high wages (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 May 1923, p. 4)

It was estimated that at least 40,000 to 45,000 houses were required. Under the Labourers Act 47,965 and of these 41,851 were built in rural areas. Much was required for urban housing. The Minister for Local Government put aside £700,000 for housing in the estimates for the year. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 May 1923, p. 5).

The high cost of food was regularly aired in the local newspapers.  For example, it was noted in mid-May “there is a great glut of potatoes this season, but the prices charged to consumers are very high and unfair” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 May 1923, p. 4).

Glenmore People in the News

Publican Peter Gahan

Glenmore native Peter Gahan (1888-1958) appeared in the New Ross District Court on Thursday the 17^th of May 1923. Gahan was charged with two cases of breaching the Licensing Act. See our post of 19 March 2023 for further details concerning Gahan who operated a pub and funeral business in New Ross.

Case 1

The first case charged Gahan with on the 17^th of April 1923 having on his premises James Martin, of William St., and Thomas Furlong, of High Street. Thomas A. Colfer, solicitor, appeared for the defendant and said, “on a former occasion he occupied a similar position and the court was kind enough to express appreciation of his action in not taking up time with a fictitious defence. In the same way he now entered a plea of guilty, and in fairness to the defendant he wished to clear up one or two matters…

Sergeant Haugh of the New Ross Civic Guards testified that at 11:22 on the 17^th of April he found two men drinking on the premises and several soldiers. The defendant alleged that one man had come for a coffin and the other, Martin, was Gahan’s employee. Four national soldiers were billeted on the premises and 11 belonged to a column.

“His Worship” referred to the warning he gave New Ross publicans and expressed surprise that Mr. Gahan was again before him. “Mr. Colfer put the circumstances of the case very fully and very sensibly before him. He was glad to say that the public houses were now put out of bounds as regards the military. A public house seemed to be a snug billet for some of them, and he thoroughly appreciated Mr. Gahan’s difficulty. There was a technical offence…” He fined Gahan £1 and costs and defendant Furlong 5s. and costs. He dismissed the case against Martin.

Case 2

At 6 p.m. on Sunday the 6^th of May 1923, Guard Kelly found five men in Gahan’s premises. One was a soldier from Waterford, another a traveller, and the other a wireless operator who left on Tuesday. Two of the men, James Gordon of South St. and Patrick Hunt of William St. were not travellers and should not have been served on a Sunday. Mr. Colfer again pleaded guilty for Gahan and said that Gahan invited the men in for a drink as they were personal friends of his and no money was paid.

“His Worship” told Gahan that if he “persisted in this kind of work he would lose his license eventually.” He fined Gahan €5 and costs. “He was thinking of endorsing his license, but he would give him another chance. If anything occurred between now and next September nothing would save him from losing his license.” Gordan and Hunt were fined 40s. and costs. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 May 1923, p. 8).

For further details regarding Sunday licensing requirements see our post of 21 May 2023.

Glenmore GAA Players Selected

An emergency meeting of the Kilkenny County GAA Committee was held on Sunday the 6^th of May 1923. “The principal business of the meeting was the consideration of invitations to the senior hurling team, who were the Leinster champions, to play matches. “Since the defeat of Dublin in the Leinster final the county board has been deluged with invitations from various places in Leinster and Munster to allow the champions to play exhibition games against other prominent teams. It was impossible to accept all invitations, but it was agreed to field the championship team in some prominent matches.

The selection committee was held and two Glenmore players were selected for the Kilkenny Junior Football team, E. Freyne and M. Cody (believed to be Edward “Ned” Freyne and Michael Cody) (Munster Express, Sat. 12 May 1923, p. 5).

Apologies for the delay in posting this but our home internet and phone went out. Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh