James Fluskey (1882-1960)
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Glenmore and The Black and Tans: Michael Heffernan (1878-1951)
Today, we are going to highlight the experiences of one shop keeper in Glenmore during the War of Independence (1919-1921) and the Black and Tans. The War of Independence in Ireland commenced in 1919 and the British Government responded in January 1920 by seeking to reinforce the RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) by hiring and sending unemployed former British WWI soldiers to Ireland. With minimal training in policing these recruits were violent and their treatment of the civilian population made them the best recruitment device for the old Irish Republican Army.
Michael Heffernan (1878-1951) was the son of a retired RIC sergeant Michael Heffernan (c. 1839-1914). After his retirement from the RIC, Michael Heffernan (c. 1839-1914) opened a shop in Glenmore Village on the Cappagh Road in the building adjacent to his home. Three generations of the Heffernan family operated the shop. The last Heffernan to operate the shop was Eily Heffernan (c. 1923-2003) (Michael’s daughter) who kept it open until her death. After her death it remained a shop for a short while, but later it became a chipper. As the Village continued to decline the chipper closed, and the building has sat empty now for several years. Currently fundraising and efforts have been made to re-open the old shop as a tea room/shop.
Michael Heffernan’s 1938 Letter
On 1 February 1938, Michael Heffernan (1878-1951) wrote a letter to support his nephew, Cornelius F. McLoughlin’s (1897-1967) application to have his service during the War of Independence recognised. In 1938, Michael Heffernan was a Peace Commissioner. Although the letter was meant to discuss his nephew’s work during the War of Independence the letter provides details regarding the activities of the Black and Tans in Glenmore Village. For information concerning Captain Cornelius F. McLoughlin (1897-1967) see our posts of 26 May 2025 and 2 June 2025.
Michael noted that “whenever anything happened in the locality, our house seemed to come in for attention.” Michael referred to the Black and Tans as raiders and stated that he was not always sure whether the armed men who appeared in Glenmore were Auxiliaries or Black and Tans. He reported little difference in the attitude of these men. Their main difference was that they wore different caps. “They were often in drink, and looking for drink.” One evening one was very drunk and pointing his rifle at various buildings along the street. (Heffernan letter, p. 4). At the time of the Black and Tans, Glenmore was a dry parish and this probably did not help relations between the drink seeking soldiers and the civilians of the parish.
In his five page typewritten letter Michael listed a dozen events involving the Black and Tans in Glenmore. “During the Black and Tan period we were raided several times, and at different hours. Nothing was found with us, and no one was caught in our house, although for months we kept a door to our yard to which our neighbour, Jim Walsh, then on the run, had easy access, so that he might pass through and lock it after him to delay pursuit in emergency. Only a person with an intimate knowledge of the place could know of this door.” (Heffernan letter p. 2).
Hiding Ammunition for the Irish Volunteers
During one raid the bullets he was storing for his nephew, Cornelius McLoughlin were not discovered. During another raid bayonets were put through a small paper bag of feathers that were being saved to make a pillow. The same day his wife’s prayers in Irish “came in for great attention.” (Heffernan letter, p. 2).
In what Michael described as a “narrow shave” his employee Molly Walsh saw the Black and Tans in the Village and rushed home and returned with a bandolier under her apron. Her brother, Jim Walsh, was an active volunteer. When Molly showed Michael the bandolier and he told her to take it away. She had intended to hide it in a small room off the shop. She grabbed a bucket and took the bandolier still hidden under her apron to the well in Ryan’s Marsh where she hid her brother’s ammunition. The Walsh house was not searched that day, but the Heffernan shop was. (Heffernan letter, p. 3).
Rounding Up of Glenmore Men
Michael recalled that the day after a hold-up on the railway by volunteers, he was raided again. “At four o’clock in the morning I was taken out to Fluskey’s corner where our hands were all examined; and we heard afterwards that this was because they were seeking a man with a finger missing. There were about 12 to 14 of us taken out that morning. That was the morning that Jim Fluskey (1882-1960) was very slow in answering and when at last he appeared fully dressed, he had a lighted candle in his hand, and we all, raiders included, thought that very funny.” (Heffernan letter, p. 2).
Michael named the following men who were pulled from their beds that morning. John Brennan, Ned Doolan, Jim the Weaver (pronounced locally as “Waver”) whose real name was Walsh, James Walsh, the carpenter; Jack Scanlan, George Jones, senior; Johnny Cody and J.K. Walsh (Michael’s brother-in-law). (Heffernan letter p. 3). For further details regarding Jim the Weaver Walsh, see our post of 19 May 2025.
On another date Michael was brought to the creamery and held there long after dark. He and others were forced to push a lorry up the Vee Road. “Fr. Bergin was hunted home that evening after being brought out to push the lorry. They were very excited, nervous and abusive that evening.” (Heffernan letter. P. 3).
Michael was brought to the chapel another evening and held against the wall. Michael spoke to the Captain about the fact that his wife was not home and four small children were alone in the house. The Captain told him at the house that he must go to the chapel. After some time Michael reminded the Captain of his unattended young children and was told by the Captain to slip away quietly down the hill. Michael was instructed not to look back as his men were out of control. Michael noted that they were very rough that evening and threatening. He did not record his thoughts as he quietly slipped away and walked down the long hill toward his home. (Heffernan letter, p. 3).
Interrogations
One morning Michael opened the shop door and saw Bill Purcell. Bill was working with Jimmy Hanrahan at that time. He was rushing back from the marsh at Cappagh where he had apparently put out the cows. As Bill ran he called out that lorries of Black and Tans were coming down the hill by the Churns. Michael went back inside and was just lighting the fire in the kitchen when the Black and Tans entered. They were very excited and demanded where the man was who just ran in. Michael told them that he had just gotten up to open the shop and that no man had come in. After some hesitation they appeared to accept his statement and left. When Michael next saw Bill Purcell he told Bill he had a “narrow shave.” The Black and Tans apparently lost sight of Bill while passing Fluskey’s shed and the carpenter’s house [where the Glen Bar is now]. This gave Bill a chance to race up Merrigan’s lane behind Patsey Ryan’s house. When Bill reached the high ground above the Village he waited until he saw the Black and Tans leaving. (Heffernan letter, p. 3).
After the breaking of the bridge at Main Roche’s, Cappagh, the Bklack and Tans visited Michael at 11 o’clock at night. They battered at the door and knocked out the key. This occasioned delay in opening as Michael had to search amongst bags of flour in the shop. They were impatient and when at last Michael opened the door he saw the whole street full of armed men. Half a dozen or so entered and questioned Michael about the broken bridge and his movements that night. (Heffernan letter, p. 3).
His wife brought home a small flashlamp from Waterford. Their eldest son, Paddy was about 7 or 8. That night the Black and Tans came down from the New Line [now the N 25 overlooking the Village] . They demanded to know who was signalling with a flash lamp from the Heffernan home. Michael explained that the children were playing with it, and the Tans went away apparently satisfied. (Heffernan letter, p. 4).
Destruction of Property
Although his home and store were subject to searches by the Black and Tans Michael did not record in his letter that his property was damaged by the Black and Tans except for his bee hives. On the high ground behind the Village Michael kept 40 beehives. The bee hives were searched by the Black and Tans and two or three were tumbled down the hill. The combs were broken and the bees perished. (Heffernan letter, p. 4).
On the Road to Waterford
One day after driving to Waterford for a load of meal, on the Waterford side of Carriganurra, before Denn’s of the Spa (pronounced as Spaw) three lorry loads of Black and Tans passed Curraghnore Lane. Michael paid no attention to them as they passed him and jogged along with his empty bags. Just beyond Denn’s Michael observed three Black and Tans who had left one of the lorries. They were standing on the roadside at his left with rifles resting on the ditch and pointed to cover Curraghnore Lane which led to the railway. It struck Michael that if he had attempted to turn down the lane the motion would have caused suspicion and perhaps drawn fire. Shortly after passing the lane the three lorries again passed Michael. Michael reached Waterford, and got back safely with his load of meal. (Heffernan letter, p. 4).
Michael also stated that “his man” Georgie Jones of the Village was stopped on the Waterford Road. The horse drawn car was searched and a parcel of school books, which were being returned, was closely examined for messages. (Heffernan letter, p. 4).
Michal Heffernan’s Long Glenmore Run
One Sunday in June 1921 Michael was a bit late for Mass. His wife was home ill. He found a crowd in the porch and went to the Sacrristy. As he was listening to Mass from the Sacristy, Pat Grant of Robinstown entered and said that the Black and Tans were on the New Line [N 25 overlooking the Village] and others had taken up positions in Fluskey’s field with mounted machine guns. Others were advancing toward the Chapel. “Pat said he would hook it and left in great excitement.” It dawned on Michael that as the only man in the Sacristy he would look suspicious and would find it difficult to explain his position although it was the custom of people to hear Mass from the Sacristy.
Michael thought it wise to leave quickly and ran after Pat Grant. They headed for the stile in the upper inside corner of the churchyard and crossed over to the Mass path under the high churchyard wall in Forristal’s field. Michael ran about 50 yards and crossed another ditch into a lane which was also known as the Mass Path fields which led down beside the Barracks and onto the Mill Road. Michael was running hard. (Heffernan letter, p. 4).
Michael jumped onto the Mill Road and “faced for Ballybrahee, bending low and keeping in the shelter of the hedges.” Just as Michael turned the next bend in the road, approaching John Condon’s and passing Jim Hanrahan’s field he heard a series of distant explosions which he took to be machine gun fire. Boughs from bushes fell down in front of Michael. Michael was staggered somewhat and nearly fell. He continued to run towards Ballybrahe. (Heffernan letter, p. 5).
When he reached Murphy’s cottage he turned up Mullinahone Lane. Where he knew he had good cover. He turned right to Mike Hyne’s land, and went down to the Long Bog through the wood near Ballybrahe Bridge. Michael came out at the iron gate from the bog and rushed up the road over Ballybrahe bridge. As he approached Dan Murphy’s quarry another long volley of machine fun fire passed over Michael’s head. This again startled Michael as he had been looking back and trying to keep out of the view of the New Line [ N 25]. (Heffernan letter, p. 5).
Michael continued to run until he reached Ballybrahe. There he turned down the lane at Mike Hynes’ house and crossed his lands into John Ennett’s fields. Through these he reached John Ennett’s house where he changed coats and collar and shoes. After changing Michael immediately left and caught his own pony in the paddock at Cappagh Lane and walked the animal home hoping that it would explain things if the Black and Tans were at his home. No one was waiting for him and he learned that all attending Mass that Sunday were detained and questioned. (Heffernan letter, p. 5).
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For further information on the children of Michael Heffernan (1878-1951) see our post of 17 January 2022.
For an account of a Black and Tan atrocity in Cork see, Three Minute Tales, “Black and Tans a Farmer’s Revenge.”
Please send any corrections or further information or photos of any person mentioned in this post to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore in the News
While searching for various information in local newspapers we often come across short interesting articles that provide a glimpse of long forgotten Glenmore events or people. Today, we are going to present some of the articles collected from primarily the twentieth century while conducting newspaper searches of local newspapers. If you have any additional information concerning these events or people please leave a comment below or email us. The email address is listed below.
Glenmore Police Blotter
Sheep Dipping
In 1914, a number of Glenmore residents were summoned by Sergeant Kirby of the R.I.C. for failing to send notice of intention to dip sheep within the sheep dipping period. The first defendant was James Doherty [no townland was published].
The Judge (to defendant), “Why did you not give notice?”
Defendant—”I had one little pet lamb.”
The Judge—”But that is a sheep. What is the penalty?
Sergeant Kirby—”You can fine him as much as £5; but I had cases at Ross the other day in which fines of 1s were imposed.”
Other Glenmore residents that were summoned for similar offences included: John Fitzgerald, Knockbrack, fined 5 s.; Paul Fitzgerald, fined 5s.; Catherine Raftis, Rochestown, fined 5s; Mary Walsh, do., fined 2s 6d; Patrick Walsh, fined 5 s. (Evening News (Waterford), Thurs. 8 Oct. 1914, p. 3).
Stolen Glenmore Bicycle 1942
Supt. Feeney prosecuted John Walsh, Annestown, on a charge of taking a bicycle at Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, the property of Mr. Hynes (sic) of Ballybrahee. The bicycle had a value £4. He was also charged with taking a pair of boots the property of Mr. John O’Connor, Annestown. The defendant pleaded guilty.
Garda Doghlan, New Ross, gave evidence and said that the defendant admitted stealing a bicycle in Glenmore, but that he did not know the owner. The Garda said the frame of the bicycle was in a house and the wheels in a shed. He admitted getting the boots. There was no attempt to hide the bicycle; the Garda stated that the defendant told him where to find the bicycle.
The defendant was the son of a respectable farmer, and was in continual employment since leaving school. His employer, Mr. O’Connor of Annestown, gave the defendant a good reference and testified that he was a very good employee. The defendant’s solicitor stated that the defendant was in Glenmore and took the bicycle from Glenmore to New Ross, intending to return it. He then alleged that the owner of the bicycle was a good friend of the defendant.
The Judge imposed a sentence of one months’ imprisonment on each charge with both sentences to run concurrently (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 Dec. 1942, p. 7).
Defendant Jim Fluskey (1882-1960)
During World War II, or what was known in Ireland as “The Emergency,” the disruption to shipping resulted in shortages and often consumers bought items that turned out not to be what the consumer requested. In order to tackle this problem weighing scales, food and drugs etc. were inspected more often than before the war.
In 1943, James Fluskey, of Glenmore Village, was charged with selling a substance that was not ground coffee. Gerald T. Griffin, of Foods and Drugs testified that he went to Fluskey’s shop and requested three quarters of a pound of ground coffee from Mrs. Fluskey. He sent the sample to the analyst who reported that the item was not of the nature requested.
Garda Griffin stated that he believed that Mrs. Fluskey made a mistake in giving him Café for coffee. The solicitor for the defendant Fluskey explained that Café was supplied in 1 lb. and ½ lb. packets, but as customers were in the habit of purchasing small quantities some of the packets were emptied into a biscuit tin. Besides this tin was another tin in which coffee was kept. Unfortunately, neither tin was labelled and Café was sold in mistake for coffee. He said Mr. Fluskey was 45 years in business and had never been in court before.
The justice said he would impose a nominal fine of 6d. defendant to pay the analyst’s fee (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 Oct. 1943, p. 5). See our posts of 28 May 2020 and 22 November 2020 for further information on the Fluskey family and business.
Glenmore Sports
T. Kennedy Famous Glenmore Handball Player
The Waterford Chronicle reported in 1905 that “three very interesting and closely contested handball games were played in the Waterford Racquet Court.” It was noted that handball had lost some of its popularity but was being revived.
The first match was between J. Knox and F. Brennan, the Kilmacow and Slieverue champions against J. Grant another Kilkenny player and J. Hurley, a famous Kilkenny player. An exciting game was won by Grant and Hartley only by four aces.
The second game was won by Brennan and Knox with a lead of three aces. “The final match was the piece ‘de resistance.’ The contestants were J. Hurley and T. Kennedy, the famous Glenmore Player, against J. Grant and the celebrated Irish champion, Trooper Joseph Quinlisk, R.I.C.
“The spectators showed exceptional interest in the match which created the greatest enthusiasm.” “The betting was very considerable, a large sum having exchanged hands, one of the players retiring from the court with a far larger amount than when he entered.” The match was won by Grant and Quinlisk by only a single ace (Waterford Chronicle, Sat. 6 May 1905, p. 2). Does anyone know who T. Kennedy was?
South Kilkenny Hot Rod Motor Racing Club
Paddy Mackey, of Mullinahone,, Glennmore was the Founder and later Hon. Secretary of the of the South Kilkenny Hot Rod Motor Racing Club. In 1976, Paddy was elected Hon. Secretary of the Irish Hot Rod Racing Federation, the governing body of the sport, at its annual general meeting, held in Cahir House Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.
Paddy was educated at the Glenmore National School and C.B.S., New Ross. He was married, the father of three children, and employed at the Sunraised Fruit Co. Ltd., Waterford (Munster Express, Fri. 6 Feb. 1976, p.1).
Glenmore Homecomings in 1998
“Paddy Kehoe formerly of Rathnure (sic), Glenmore spent a very enjoyable month’s holiday with his sister Mary Delahunty, Aylwardstown. During his visit he visited all his nephews and nieces and also attended all the GAA games played locally and also the Leinster Senior Hurling Final. Paddy emigrated to the USA 41 years previously and came home on several occasions.
Also home on holidays was Larry Dillon (1921-2016) formerly of Rochestown, Glenmore, who spent a holiday with his brother Paddy in Slieverue. Larry was in Wolverham(sic), England for over 35 years and paid yearly visits to Glenmore (New Ross Standard, Wed. 22 July 1998, p. 23). See our previous post of 27 March 2021 concerning Larry’s sister, Ciss Dillon (1919-1997).
Glenmore Lands & Buildings
In 1901, a small notice appeared in the New Ross Standard concerning Daniel Cody’s lands.
“WARNING is hereby given that any person found trespassing on my lands at Carrigcloney, Graiguenakill, and Ballinamoney (sic), otherwise than on the Mass Path, will from this date be prosecuted— Daniel Cody, Carrigcloney “(New Ross Standard, Sat. 19 Jan. 1901).
A decade later the Waterford No. 2 Rural District Council, which had charge of most of Glenmore parish, it sought tenders “to repair and cope a wall at Forrestall’s (sic) Mill, Glenmore.” However, no tender was received by the Council (Evening News (Waterford) Mon. 27 Nov. 1911, p. 3).
On the 7th of November 1917, Mount Ida, of Rochestown, Glenmore, a freehold residential estate of 154 acres, the property of Philip Conn, was put up for sale by public auction. The poor law valuation was £135 5s. Mount Ida was purchased by William Forrestal, of Ballyverneen, Glenmore for £4,700 (Enniscorthy Guardian, Sat. 17 Nov. 1917).
In 1958, Glenmore Creamery began “reconstructing” its buildings. When completed it was reported that it would be one of the finest creameries in South Kilkenny. The new premises were built by Glenmore contractor, Patrick Kennedy, of Kilbride, Glenmore (Munster Express, Fri. 3 Oct. 1958, p. 8).
Shortly after the reconstruction a house that was adjacent (in front of where the weigh bridge is now) went up for sale in 1961. The owner selling the property was Mrs. Anastatia Walsh. This was the house where Paddy Griffin (1937-2022) and his brother Larry Griffin (c. 1940) were raised.
Glenmore Farming Accidents
In August 1899, a sad occurrence took place at Michael Delaney’s farm, at Newtown, Glenmore. While threshing some corn with a horse-power machine, a man named Tom Fowley was feeding the machine and went to stop the machine. “John Gahan jumped to the feeding table and pushed a sheaf of corn into the machine,” which brought Gahan’s hand into the machine. The hand entered the drum beaters to the arm, which was mangled and torn to pieces. “Young Gahan lost an enormous quantity of blood, and when Dr. Sheehan, of New Ross attended him, he found the poor fellow in such a bad plight that he could not guarantee that his life would be saved.” He remained in a precarious condition (Evening News (Waterford) Sat. 26 Aug. 1899, p. 2).
No death for a John Gahan could be located in the 1899 death register. The Delaney farm was near the farm of Laurence Gahan and his wife Bridget Doherty. It is believed that it was their son John Gahan (b. 8 Dec. 1879) was the unfortunate victim of the threshing accident. John Gahan (farmer) of Kilmakevogue, Glenmore, married Mary Haberlin, (c. 1884) of Aylwardstown on 21 August 1911 at Glenmore.
In July 1907, a “labouring man, named Donovan,” was making a rick of hay in Ballinlammy, Glenmore. He fell 9 feet from the rick, landing on his head and broke his neck. The deceased “belonged to Slieverue” (Evening News (Waterford), Sat. 27 July 1907, p. 3).
The death register recorded that John Donovan (c. 1878-1907) died at Ballinlammy on 23 July 1907 at the age of 29 when he fell from a hay rick and died instantly. John Donovan was not married, and Richard Doherty was present at his death perhaps indicating that the accident occurred on the Doherty farm.
First Cousins in Slander Suit
In 1918, Andrew Heffernan (c. 1898-1975) of Aylwardstown sued his first cousin, Peter Kennedy (1878-1962) of Rathinure, for slander arising from an argument during a party at the home of John Irish, of Aylwardstown. John Irish was also a first cousin of Peter Kennedy. Below is the public apology issued and published by Peter Kennedy.
I, Peter Kennedy, of Rathinure, Glenmore, in the County of Kilkenny, Farmer, hereby withdraw and apologise for the statements I made against the character of Mr. Andrew Heffernan, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore, aforesaid, by accusing him and his family of being dishonest, in the presence of several guests at the house of Mr. John Irish, of Aylwardstown, on the 17th July last. The statements then made by me were altogether unfounded and entirely untrue, and I deeply regret the pain, annoyance and injury such statements may have caused Mr. Heffernan. I have paid all legal expenses incurred by Mr. Heffernan in connection with the action for slander which he has taken against me, and also the expenses of the publication of the apology. Dated this 11th day of November, 1918. ((Signed)PETER KENNEDY. Witness, Thomas C. Brazil, Solicitor’s Assistant, Waterford. Daniel Dunford and Co. Solicitors, for Andrew Heffernan, O’Connell-Street, Waterford (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Nov. 1918).
Misc. Articles
In November 1931, Cullen’s travelling circus paid a visit to Ballyfacey, Glenmore. It was reported that the circus was well attended nightly (Munster Express, Fri. 20 Nov. 1931, p. 8).
Glenmore historian Danny Dowling (1927-2021) made the news in March of 1952. “HEALTH INSPECTOR TRANSFERRED Mr. D. Dowling, a native of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who had been temporary health inspector for Waterford Corporation, has secured a permanent position from Kildare County Council” (Waterford Standard, Sat. 15 March 1952).
Please send any correction, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo of the handball players is courtesy of the Digital Public Library of America <http://hdl.handle.net/10339/88339>.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Lyrics to “Fluskey’s Motor Car” [Updated]
Found in Danny Dowling’s voluminous files are lyrics entitled “Fluskey’s Motor Car.” The humorous song concerns the Irish War of Independence and an automobile belonging to James Fluskey (1882-1960) of Glenmore Village. An extensive newspaper search was conducted, but no newspaper account could be located regarding James Fluskey and his volunteering his motor car or having it commandeered. The name of the author of the lyrics is not recorded and the music is also absent. It is believed that Jim B. of Glenmore Village may have been the author and sang this song.
[Update 18 Sept. 2021…Thanks to Nicholas Hogan we have further information concerning the lyrics. The original song was written about a true event that occured in Ulster in 1921 and was entitled “Johnston’s Motor Car” written by William Gillespie. According to wikipedia it was first recorded by the Clancy Brothers in 1963 and the Dubliners a decade later. “Fluskey’s Motor Car” is a local version. For the original and another version, see generally, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnston%27s_Motor_Car ].
Here is a you tube link to the Dubliners performing the song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOcEGXBWul8.
At the conclusion of the lyrics we have listed and provided links to the previously published Glenmore verses and information on the Fluskey family.
Fluskey’s Motor Car
I.
It was down Fluskey’s corner, One evening I did stray, It was there I met Jack Scanlon, And this to me did say, "I’ve orders from the Captain, To assemble and go far, But how can we assemble, Without a motor car?"
II.
"Oh, Scanlon dear be of good cheer, I’ll tell you what we’ll do, The Black and Tans are plenty, While we are only few, I’ll ring up Jamesy Fluskey, Before we’ll get that far, And we’ll give the boys a jolly spin, In Fluskey’s motor car."
III.
When Fluskey got the wire my boys, He soon stuck on his shoes, Says he my case is urgent, And I’ve got no time to lose. He wore a velvet Chester hat, And on his breast a star, You could hear the din, going to Ballyquin, In Fluskey’s motor car.
IV.
But when we got to Mullinavat, We met the die-hards there. The game he knew was up with him, And at them he did stare, Say’s he, "I have a permit, To take me near and far." "We don’t want your English permit, We want your motor car."
V.
They got the car in motion, And filled her to the brim, With guns and shining bayonets, And Fluskey he did grin. Then Scanlon hoisted the Sinn Fein flag. We shot off like a star, We gave three cheers for the I.R.A., And Fluskeys’ motor car.
VI.
"What will the sergeant say of this, When I will reach Glenmore? To have my car commandeered, By those rebels from the Rower." "We’ll give you a receipt for it, And signed by Dinny Meagher, And when Ireland’s free, It’s then we’ll see to Fluskey’s Motor Car."
VII.
And when the Sergeant heard of this, Like a trooper he cursed and swore, Says he, "I’ll meet those blokes halfway, Before I will give o’er." They searched all Bishop’s Mountain, And the hills of Ballinclare, But the I.R.A. were far away, In Fluskey’s motor car.
VIII.
So now my song is ended, I’ve got no more to say, But here’s to Jamesy Fluskey, A hero in his day. So stand up to attention, And give a ringing cheer, Long life to Jamsey Fluskey, And his rattling open gear.
James “Jim” Fluskey (1882 -1960) was the son of Robert Fluskey and his second wife, Catherine Fluskey née Dunne. See the blog post of 28 May 2020 for details regarding the Fluskey family. Jim Fluskey is not listed as one of the members of the Glenmore Company of the old IRA. The list of known members of the Glenmore Company of the old IRA may be accessed by clicking here.
According to the birth register, John “Jack” Scanlan, of Glenmore Village, was born 1 November 1889 to James Scanlan (shoemaker) and his wife Anastatia Scanlan née Fitzgerald. However, the Glenmore Parish records record his birth as 30 October 1889 and his baptism was on 1 November 1889. According to Danny Dowling’s notes Jack Scanlan never married and like his father worked as a shoemaker. Jack Scanlan is not listed as one of the members of the Glenmore Company of the IRA.
No local records could be found for “Dinny Meagher” in the IRA. However, during the Emergency (World War II) a man bearing that name was involved in the Black Market and sold difficult to obtain items, like tea, to Glenmore residents. My father-in-law, Tom Walsh (1908-1992) told the story of how the Custom Officials visited Pat “Cushey” Grant, of Robintown, Glenmore asking questions concerning Dinny Meagher. It was said that Cushey replied to their queries that he did not trade in Dinny Meagher’s shop, but if they saw Dinny Meagher would they tell him to call to him (Cushey) because he (Cushey) owed Dinny Meagher some money.
If anyone has any corrections or further or different information concerning the lyrics, author or the persons named in the lyrics please send same to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Special thanks to Nicholas Hogan for sending on the wikipedia article.
Other Local Verses, Rhymes and Lyrics
On 11 January 2020 we published an article entitled Glenmore Verses, Rhymes and Lyrics , and on 23 September 2020 we published the Glenmore Version of the Ballad of Carrickshock. To access the old blogs just click on the titles. Lastly, guest author Dick Claridge shared the local versus he has collected. Click here.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh