James Aylward (c. 1831-1916)
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John Aylward (1870-1929) Native of Rochestown, Glenmore
[updated]
The families of Glenmore, like so many other families in agricultural parishes across Ireland watched their young people leave to seek opportunities elsewhere. Families tended to be large, and farms could generally only support one family. Often the eldest son was earmarked for the family farm and his siblings left. Sometimes the young people went across oceans to settle in Australia, Canada or the US. Many went to England and some sought their livings in New Ross and Waterford. Today, we are going to feature John Aylward (1870-1929) a native of Rochestown, Glenmore who went to Waterford to learn the grocery trade and became a successful businessman. Notwithstanding his success in business his love of the land appears to have remained with him. He purchased a farm five miles outside of Waterford City, in Kilcop, Woodstown, Co. Waterford.
Rochestown, Glenmore
John Aylward was born on the 16th of February 1870 to James Aylward (farmer) Rochestown and Mary Aylward née Aylward. John’s parents were married at Ballyknock, Rosbercon on the 12th of February 1857. As highlighted in our previous post of 24 January 2022, Mary Aylward née Aylward was a cousin of Edward Walsh (1862-1946) the proprietor of the Munster Express.
John Aylward and his wife, Mary Aylward née Aylward, had at least 11 children including: (1) Patrick Aylward (1858-1928) of Kill; (2) Ellen Aylward (b. 1859); (3) Tobias Aylward (b. 1860); (4) Catherine Aylward (b. 1862); (5) John Aylward (c. 1863/1864); (6) Thomas Aylward (b. 1865); (7) Bridget Aylward (b. 1867); (8) James Aylward (b. 1868); (9) John Aylward (1870-1929) of No. 1 Arundel Square, Waterford; (9) James Aylward (b. 1872); (10) Rev. Michael Aylward (b. 1874)(Christian Bros. Australia) and (11) Bartholomew Aylward (1876-1929) of Michael St. Waterford. As often happened in large families if a child died a younger sibling was often given the name of the deceased sibling.
The Aylward farm where James and Mary Aylward raised their family in Rochestown, Glenmore is presently owned by Paul Harney and his wife Ann Marie (née Doherty). Paul’s mother was Nellie Aylward (c. 1934-2011), the granddaughter of James Aylward (1872-1959). Nellie married Michael Harney (c. 1924-1996) of Co. Waterford. Interestingly Michael Harney had Glenmore roots prior to his marriage as he was the grandson of one of the Hoynes of Glenmore.
Aylward’s of the Square
John Aylward (1870-1929) moved to Waterford City about 1889 as apprentice to the grocery trade with the late Mr. Philip Murphy (Irish Examiner, Fri. 1 March 1929, p. 13.) About five years later his brother Bartholomew (1876-1929) also moved to Waterford as an apprentice to the grocery trade, but he went to James Knox (c. 1836-1904) of 1 Arundel Square to learn the trade. After the apprenticeship period the brothers purchased premises at Peter St. and opened a business there. The 1901 Census records John (29) and Bartholomew (23) living at No. 1 Peter St., Waterford. Also in the household was Mary Wyse (53) a widow who was their domestic servant. John was a grocer & publican while Bartholomew was a grocer’s assistant. The building was listed as a “public house” and the three occupants occupied 2 of the 5 rooms. Later, John Aylward took over the Knox Arundel Square premises and Bartholomew went into business by himself on Michael Street (Munster Express, Fri. 19 April 1929, p. 8).
On the 30th of April 1901 John Aylward (shopkeeper) married Margaret Raftice (1877-1922) (shop assistant) at St. Patrick’s Church, Waterford City. The bride was the daughter of Nicholas Raftice and his wife Joanna Fitzpatrick. Margaret Aylward née Raftice was born on the 25 April 1877 at Thomastown. Her father Nicholas was a cooper when she was born, but the marriage record reflects that he was a farmer. In the 1901 Census Margaret Raftice was 23 years of age, a confectioner, and a visitor in William Fitzpatrick’s public house, No. 10 Black Friar’s. It is assumed that William Fitzpatrick was Margaret’s uncle. William Fitzpatric was 58, a grocer and spirits trader and was born in Kilkenny.
At least 14 children were born to John and Margaret Aylward (per the obituary of their son James (Munster Express, 28 Dec. 1990, p. 8). The known children include: (1) Nicholas Aylward (1904-1964) born at 2 Peter St., Waterford City; (2) Mary Josephine “Mai” Aylward (b. 1905); (3) James Joseph Aylward (b. 1902); (3) Johanna Aylward (b. 1906); (4) James Aylward (b. 1907); (5) Michael Aylward (b. 1908); (6) Ellen Aylward (b. 1909); (7) Margaret Mary Aylward (b. 1911); (8) Catherine (b. 1912) born at Kilcop, parish of Killea, Waterford; (9) Brigid Aylward (1914-1922) born and died at Kilcop; (10) John Aylward; (11) Bernard Aylward; (c. 1916); (12) Bartholomew Aylward (c. 1919 -1939) and (13) Teresa Aylward. Unfortunately, Irish birth records after 1917 are not available to the public. However, from the births of John & Margaret’s children we know that John acquired 1 Arundel Square about 1905 and Kilcop House & farm about 1912.
James Knox (c. 1836-1904) of 1 Arundel Square was a native of Ullid, Kilmacow, Kilkenny. He moved to Waterford City and became a grocer and tea, wine and spirits merchant. Knox was an alderman and became mayor of Waterford in 1897. Thanks to the advertised public sale of the Knox business we have details concerning John Aylward’s business commencing. The following details are from the Munster Express (3 Sept. 1904, p. 5) “No. 1 Arundel Square, Waterford Re: Alderman James Knox, Deceased. Executor’s Sale of Valuable 7 day Licensed Premises; Highly Important to Grocers, Tea, Wine and Spirit Merchants. Lease, 115 years; rent £19 10 s License £11.
To be sold by public auction as a going concern, on the premises on Tuesday 20th Sept. 1904 at 12 o’clock by the direction of the Executors of the late Alderman James Knox. The valuable leasehold interest and good will (with the benefit of the fillings which deceased held for many years from John Jameson and Sons, Ltd) and extensive business concerns at present in full working order, and doing a most lucrative trade, known as No. 1, Arundel Square, Waterford.
The shop is double-fronted, fitted with plate glass windows, new counters, shelves, drawers, and gas; front and side entrances; bottling room, store, etc.; hall and staircase, breakfast room and dining room, drawing room, 3 bedrooms, attic, kitchen, yard and w.c. All held under Lease from the Waterford Corporation for an unexpired term of 115 years, at the nominal rent of £19 10s. per annum; License £11.
The premises are situated in the centre of the city, close to Barronstrand street, and command a large proportion of the City of Waterford and Co. Kilkenny trade. The shop is admirably fitted with every accommodation for the carrying on a first-class wholesale wine, whiskey and Family Grocer’s Business. The entire premises are complete and in perfect order, not requiring one penny outlay. The attention of intending purchasers of licensed property is invited to this sale, as no better house, situation, and nominal rent has been offered in Waterford for many years. Immediate possession will be given. Immediately after will be sold the Stock-in-Trade of tea, sugar, fruit, sauces and miscellaneous items appertaining to the trade. Whiskey barrels, glasses, measures, pump, scales, weights, tea bins and canisters, Iron safe, truck, forms, chairs, tables and some few articles of furniture. P.A. Murphy solicitor and Thomas Walsh & Son, Auctioneers.”
The 1911 Census reveals that John was 40 and Maggie was 33. The couple had 6 children under the age of 8. Also present in the household were three young men (grocer assistant and 2 grocer apprentices); and two young women (a cook and nurse maid). The premises were listed as No. 1 & 2 of Arundel Square. It was a first class house and the 13 members of the household occupied 9 rooms.
1922
Sometime around 1912 John Aylward bought Kilcop House and farm although No. 1 Arundel Square appears to have remained the official address of the family. On the 5th of February 1922 his daughter Brigid Aylward died. Although the newspapers extended sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. John Aylward, Arundel Square on the death of their 8 year old daughter in the flu epidemic, the death certificate reveals that Brigid died at Kilcop. The child died of bronchial pneumonia which may have been a complication of the flu. Her mother Margaret was present when she died (Munster Express, 11 Feb. 1922).
Just 7 months later Margaret Aylward née Raftice died on the 7th of September 1922 at Kilcop. Margaret was only 44 years of age. The death registry records that she died of TB. Margaret’s obituary notes that she “belonged to good old South Kilkenny stock,” (Munster Express, Sat. 16 Sept. 1922, p. 4). Before the end of the month John placed the Kilcop property for sale. The advertisement for the sale in the Waterford News & Star (Fri. 22 Sept. 1922, p. 3) reflects details of the property as well as John’s apparent wealth.
“Kilcop Lower—within 5 miles of Waterford and 1 mile of Woodstown Strand
Mr. John Aylward (owing to a recent family bereavement has instructed us to sell by public auction, on the lands, on Tuesday, 26th September 1922, at 12 o’clock, the interest in his valuable holding at Kilcop Lower containing 44a. 24r. 0p., S.M. of prime grass and tillage land, on which is erected a first class two storeyed dwellinghouse. It contains entrance hall, dining room fitted with ornamental mantelpiece, drawing room with white marble mantelpiece, stair case, 6 bedrooms, 2 servants’ rooms, kitchen with Stanley range, scullery, pantry, store room, fruit and vegetable garden. FARMYARD—stables, lofted; coach house, barn, dairy, boiler house, cow and cattle houses, slated and in good repair. All held in fee simple subject to an annuity of £18 11s. 2d. payable to the Irish Land Commission; also a Tithe Rent Charge of £1 11s. 4d. per annum. Poor law valuation, £40 3s. 0d. The Crops: about 5 ½ acres potatoes, turnips mangolds and cabbage will be included in the sale of the lands. This is a most compact holding, highly manured, well fenced and watered. Immediately after will be sold: 3 dairy cows, 5 calves, 2 goats, quantity of poultry, bay gelding, 5 years, trained to all work. Bay Mare, 4 years, most promising, trained to all work; two handsome ponies, 3 and one year old. Crops—Rick 2nd crop hay, about 7 tons; 8 large stacks of oats. Farm Implements—sociable trap and harness, saddle and bridle, training gear, trap cart with sideboards (equal to new), spare wheels, 2 sets of tackling, back straps and chains, plough, scuffler, the Victor Mower and reaper, spring and double harrows, stone roller, chaff cutter, turnip cutter, wheelbarrow, set of creels, large metal pot, 2 pig trough tubs, larch posts, crosscut saw, hammers. Stable requisites, dairy utensils, churn, pans, tins, galvanised iron tank to hold 150 gallons, ladders, etc. Household Furniture: 6 Mahogany chairs in hair cloth, lounge, dining table, side table press, brass fender, c? vase overmantel, oilcloth, oil painting ship “Drumeraig” off the harbour, metal umbrella stand, side table, oilcloth, lamps, 6 double and single iron bedsteads, spring palliasses, hair mattresses, 2 feather beds, chairs, wardrobes, chest of drawers, window hangings and poles, kitchen tables, chairs etc. Immediate and clear possession together with the root crops now growing on the land will be given to the purchaser. For further particulars apply to P. R. Buggy, Solicitor, O’Connell St., Waterford or to Thomas Walsh & Son, Auctioneers and Valuers, The Mall, Waterford.”
1929
After Margaret’s death John did not remarry and the family lived above the business at 1 Arundel Square. In November 1928 his brother Patrick died in Kill, Co. Waterford (Irish Examiner, Tues. 27, Nov. 1928, p. 8). On the 28th of February 1929, at the age of 59 John died from pancreatic cancer. His brother, Bartholomew Aylward died on the 12th of April at his residence, Michael Street (Munster Express, Fri. 19 April 1929, p. 8). The death register records his cause of death as stomach cancer. Thus within 5 months three of the Aylward brothers raised in Rochestown, Glenmore died in 1929.
In a future post we will reveal what happened to the children of John and Margaret Aylward of No. 1 Arundel Square, Waterford.
For posts concerning other Glenmore men who had grocery, wine and spirit businesses in Waterford see: William Aylward of Parkstown, Glenmore discussed in our post of 21 June 2020, and Nicholas Forristal Phelan (1857-1942) posted on 24 January 2021.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Updated 16 Oct. 2022: The featured photo above is James Aylward (c. 1835-1916) and Mary Alyward née Aylward (c. 1838-1908) of Rochestown, Glenmore. Special thanks to their great-grandson John Aylward for sharing today his family tree and photos.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Edward Walsh (1862-1946)Proprietor & Editor of The Munster Express
In August 2020 while we were researching the Champion 1906 Glenmore Football Team a sports journalist that wrote, under the nom de plume Ned of the Hill, for the Munster Express wrote several articles objecting to the unfair treatment of the Glenmore Football team (click here for the football article). In August 2020 Danny Dowling (1927-2021) stated that he thought that Ned of the Hill may have been Edward Walsh (1862 -1946) the proprietor and editor of The Munster Express in 1907. Glenmore and other areas of South Kilkenny featured heavily in The Munster Express in the early years of the twentieth century under Edward Walsh. A column entitled “Glenmore Notes” appeared regularly in the first decade of the century to be eventually replaced by “Echoes from South Kilkenny.” Ned of the Hill, disappeared and returned, in 1922, when Ned of the Hill authored a column entitled “Summer Rambles in the Walsh Mountains” which are located in South Kilkenny. Today, we are going to feature Edward Walsh (1862-1946), his newspaper, and Ned of the Hill
Ned of the Hill
In August 2020 we contacted John O’Connor of The Munster Express who stated that The Munster Express was originally launched as a farmers’ paper and was particularly popular in South Kilkenny. Its founding editor, Joseph Fisher, was very active in the Land League and was a leading member of the Farmers’ Club. Joseph Fisher died in 1882 and his sons took over the business. In 1889, Joseph’s son William, as editor of The Munster Express was jailed for the newspaper’s support for the Land League and its opposition to rack rents. Edward Walsh (1862-1946) purchased the newspaper from the Fisher family.
John O’Connor identified two individuals who may have been Ned of the Hill at various times during the early twentieth century. The first ‘Ned’ identified by John O’Connor was a schoolteacher or school principal, named Edward Walsh, from the Carrickshock and Hugginstown area. John did not know if the schoolteacher, Edward Walsh, was related to the proprietor, Edward Walsh.
The second ‘Ned’ identified by John O’Connor was a Mr. E.V. Drea, a town councilor in Waterford. E.V. Drea’s daughter in the early 1950’s was the subject of a news item in The Munster Express and within there was reference to her deceased father having been ‘Ned.’ (Email from John O’Connor dated 31 Aug. 2020).
For a tradition of Ned of the Hill see Duchas, Éamonn an Chnoic.
For the Pogue’s rendition of see their You Tube, Young Ned of the Hill.
Glenmore Connection
Danny Dowling recalled that Edward Walsh (1862-1946), although born in Waterford City was related to one or more Glenmore families, but Danny could not recall the details. This past week while going through some of Danny’s voluminous files a copy of an obituary provided one link between Glenmore and Edward Walsh (1862-1946). The Munster Express on 8 February 1908 published an obituary for Mrs. Mary Aylward (c. 1838-1908) of Rochestown, Glenmore. It was reported that in addition to being the wife of James Aylward (c. 1831-1916) “she was the mother to Mr. John Aylward, Arundal Square and to Mr. Bartholmew Aylward, Peter Street, and Michael Street, Waterford, and cousin to Mr. E. Walsh, T.C., Editor and proprietor Munster Express.” Other cousins of the deceased lady listed in her obituary include: John Holden, Edward Cody, John Cody, Thomas Neville, Michael Neville, Thomas O’Meara, Joseph Croke and William O’Neill. “Amongst those who attended the funeral from Waterford included…E.V. Drea…”
It is not known if Edward Walsh (1862-1946) and Mrs. Mary Aylward (1838-1908) were first or more distant cousins, but it appears from the obituary that the proprietor and editor was making a point including their relationship and other cousins that they presumably shared. Mary Aylward married James Aylward on 12 Feb. 1857 at Rosbercon. The only information that is listed is his address is listed as Ballynock. It is assumed that Mary Aylward née Aylward was from Rosbercon or Glenmore parish very near its border with Rosbercon parish. James Aylward and his wife, Mary Aylward née Aylward had at least twelve known children:
[1] Patrick Aylward (bapt. 24 Jan. 1858); [2] Ellen Aylward (b. 22 June 1859) ; [3] Tobias Aylward (b. 30 Nov. 1860); [4] Catherine Aylward (b. 7 May 1862); [5] John Aylward (b. 10 Feb. 1863); [6] Thomas Aylward (b. 25 May 1865); [7] Bridget Aylward (b. 16 Jan. 1867); [8] James Aylward, (b. 25 Oct. 1868); [9] John Aylward (b. 16 Feb. 1870); [10] James Aylward (bapt. 4 Aug 1872; [11] Michael Aylward (14 April 1874); and [12] Bartholomew Aylward (b. 19 April 1876). Four of the Aylward children had Holden godparents including: Bartholomew Holden, Mary Holden, Catherine Holden and John Holden.
Edward Walsh’s (1862-1946) obituary in The Munster Express (Fri. 12 July 1946, p. 4) provides that he was “…born in Waterford on the 23rd November 1862, he had reached the ripe age of over 83 years. He was quite active up to a few months ago and enjoyed perfect health throughout his long and eventful public and business life. The youngest of a large family, in the natural sequence of events, he survived them all. Sprung from good old County Kilkenny business, professional and farming stock on both paternal and maternal sides, he was connected with many of the oldest families in the South of Ireland, extending right down to the confluence of the Suir, Nore and Barrow to within a couple miles of, and in view of, his native City of Waterford.”
Parents & Siblings
Edward Walsh (1862-1946) was the son of Patrick Walsh and Catherine Doherty. His parents were married on 6 March 1848 at Trinity Within, Cathedral, Waterford. Unfortunately, the parish records do not provide any information as to the location of their births, the names of their fathers, or their ages. However, the records do reveal that the couple had at least seven children all baptized at Trinity Within, Cathedral, Waterford including: [1] John Walsh (bapt. 28 May 1850); [2] Joseph Walsh (bapt. 22 Aug. 1851); [3] Joseph Walsh (bapt. 27 Feb. 1853); [4] Ann Walsh (bapt 6 Nov. 1854); [5] Joanna Walsh (bapt. 3 March 1856); [6] Brigid Walsh (bapt. 7 Feb. 1858) and [7] Edward Walsh (bapt. 23 Nov. 1862). In 1854, Ann’s godfather was Joseph Doherty which may aid in discovering the location of Catherine Walsh née Doherty’s birth.
Edward Walsh (1862-1946)
Although his obituary takes up nearly a page of The Munster Express ( Fri. 12 July 1946, p. 4) very little is revealed concerning his early life in Waterford City. From the 1901 Census it is known that he was married to Margaret (c. 1865-1935) (née Power). The couple were living at 15 Peter Street, Waterford in a class 2 house comprised of 9 rooms with 5 windows across the front and one outbuilding. Edward’s profession is listed as Master Cork Manufacturer. It is assumed that he plied his trade from the outbuilding. Edward could read and write Irish. The census records that six children are in the household from 9 to 2 months of age. Also present in the home is his brother-in-law William Power, aged 45, who is married and employed as the clerk of the R.C. Cathedral. All the family except Margaret and her brother William Power were born in Waterford City. Margaret and William Power were born in Co. Waterford. By 1911 the family had moved to 6 Hanover Street, Waterford. Edward is 48 year of age and the proprietor of a newspaper. He and Margaret had been married for 21 years and had 10 children but only 8 were living in 1911. William Power, aged 59 is still with the family and still employed at the Cathedral. Two sons were employed at the newspaper, Patrick (aged 19) as a journalist and Edward (aged 16) as a printer. The house was a 12 room first class house occupied by 10 people.
In addition to losing two children under the age of 2, Edward and Margaret lost two adult sons within a period of three months. William “Willie” Walsh, aged 21, died on 26 October 1921 at 37 The Quay, Waterford of TB. He was under medical care for 18 months and his profession was listed as printer (Waterford Death Register). Three months later on 27 January 1922, John Walsh, aged 22, died of meningitis after a severe attack of influenza. At the time of his death John was employed at the National Bank of Cahir and previously had been in their Wexford Branch (New Ross Standard, 3 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
In addition to running and editing The Munster Express, Edward Walsh was also involved in Waterford politics, was a staunch Nationalist and supported a number of charities. He twice served as Mayor of Waterford and also served as the High Sheriff. It was reported that 30 years prior to his death (c. 1916) he was offered a knighthood, but he declined it because there was not an All Ireland Parliament functioning in Dublin. He was a life master of the Holy Ghost Hospital, Waterford; President of St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society, Waterford and President of the Cathedral Confraternity; Director of the Tourist Association; and served on the Waterford Corporation for 40 years. He also served as a member of the governing bodies of Dublin and Cork University Colleges. In recognition for his services in the cause of Irish Nationalism he was presented with a plaque of Daniel O’Connell by Isaac Butt (Irish Press, Wed. 10 July 1946, p. 4). Resolutions of Sympathy were extended after his death to his family by Glenmore Comhaire Ceanntair, Fianna Fáil (Irish Press, Thurs. 1 Aug. 1946, p. 9.)
We hope that one or more readers may be able to shed some more light on the connections between Edward Walsh and his Glenmore and South Kilkenny connections.
Special thanks to John O’Connor and Liam Murphy for information they provided.
Please send any correction or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh