James Holden of Shanbough
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One Hundred Years Ago: June 1923
With the end of the Civil War the local newspapers filled their pages with local politics and berated the Free State Government for both its actions and inactions in attempting to deal with the continued lawlessness, strikes, unemployment, business closures, lack of housing, the damage to roads and bridges and the Civil War prisoners. The courts were attempting to deal with tenants who failed to pay rent during the unrest and the unlawful seizure of property and dwellinghouses.
PEACE AT LAST
The New Ross Standard’s editorial published on 1 June 1923 (p. 4) proclaimed “PEACE AT LAST.”
“It is evident from the documents published this week that the painful and destructive campaign that so depressed and disheartened the people of Ireland for a very long period, and would, if it had been continued much longer, have reduced the country to ruin and bankruptcy, has now been ended.”
“Would that the leaders had acted differently many months ago and ceased to mislead their too credulous followers into the belief that the course they were pursing was in the interests of their country, and would eventuate in Ireland being made a Republic. There is now a disposition on the part of very many people to forgive and forget the pact, believing that the followers were misguided…”
“It is the manifest duty of everyone to work for unity so that we may successfully build up our nation and realise that hopes of our people when a measure of freedom came to Ireland.”
ORDER TO DUMP WEAPONS
In the same edition, on the next page, the paper published the order given by de Valera to lay down weapons. This order was found on the 25th of May in the possession of a Republican leader.
“Order of the Day; To all Ranks; From the President: Soldier of Liberty—Legion of the Rear-guard, The Republic can no longer be defended successfully by your arms. Further sacrifices on your part would now be vain and continuance of the struggle in arms unwise in the national interest. Military victory must be allowed to rest for the moment with those who have destroyed the Republic. Other means must be sought to safeguard the nation’s rights.”
“Do not let sorrow overwhelm you. Your efforts and the sacrifices of your dead comrades in this forlorn hope will surely bear fruit. You have saved the nation’s honour and kept open the road to independence. Laying aside your arms now is an act of patriotism as exalted and purse as your valour in taking them up.”
“Seven years of intense efforts have exhausted our people. Their sacrifices and their sorrows have been many. If they have turned away and have not given you the active support which alone could bring you victory in this last year, it is because they are weary and need a rest. Give them a little time to recover and rally again to the standard. They will then quickly discover who have been selfless and who selfish—who have spoke truth and who falsehood…”
“The sufferings which you must now face unarmed you will bear in a manner worthy of men who were ready to give their lives for their cause…Eamon de Valera.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 June 1923, p. 5).
The newspaper also published an order from Frank Aiken, Chief of Staff… “The arms with which we have fought the enemies of our country are to be dumped. The foreign and domestic enemies of the Republic have for the moment prevailed. But our enemies have not won…Frank Aiken, Chief of Staff.”
Permits, Arrests & Executions
Permits for pedal bikes were still required in New Ross and districts on the first of June (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 June 1923, p. 5). However, the very next week it was reported that the permits were no longer required (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 June 1923, p. 5).
Troops searched some houses in Campile the last Friday in May. Miss Colfer and Miss Lawlor, were arrested at Campile two weeks earlier and Miss Cleary of Whitechurch, along with other arrested women were removed to Kilmainham, Dublin (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 June 1923, p. 5).
Two men were executed in Tuam military barracks on the morning of the 29th of May. They were arrested the previous week two hours after the Munster & Leinster Bank of Athenry was robbed. They had £700 and two loaded Webley revolvers in their possession. They were tried by court martial and admitted the robbery but claimed that the robbery had no political significance. They claimed they were forced agents in connection with land trouble (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 June 1923, p. 5).
Repairs & Destruction
G.S. and W.R. railway bridges at Ballywilliam and Taylorstown were repaired. The Barrow was dragged and the missing shaft of the big railway bridge between Campile and Waterford was returned to its “usual position” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 June 1923, p. 5).
After being out of action for six months the telephone service between New Ross and Wexford was restored (New Ross Standard, Fri.15 June 1923, p. 5).
The Boyne Obelisk, erected in 1736 on the site of the “memorable battle,” was blown up on the last day of May. The monument bore an inscription to the effect that it had been erected by the Protestants of Great Britain and Ireland and was “sacred to the glorious memory of King William III, who, on 1st July 1690, cross the Boyne at this place to attack James II at the head of a Popish army (Waterford News & Star, 1 June 1923, p. 5).
Free State Army & Prisoners
General Mulchy testified before the Dail that at the beginning of 1923 there were approximately 50,000 men in the Free State Army. He said that in June there were 49,000 and the end of the year he expected there to be 28 to 30 thousand men serving. There were 12,000 men and women under arrest and the General replied that if the situation in the country rapidly changed the Government’s attitude would quickly change with regard to dealing with suspects, prisoners and convicts of certain crimes (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 June 1923, p. 5).
Proposed Legislation for Revolt
Under the Public Safety (Emergency Powers) Bill, a person could be sentenced to death or to penal servitude for a term not less that 8 years for armed revolt or for threatening any person or damaging any property in furtherance of such revolt. A person could only be detained for a week at which point he was charged or released. “With regard to whippings, in addition to other penalties for robbery under arms, youths under 16 shall not receive more than 25 strokes of a birch-rod, while in the case of any other male person the number of strokes shall not exceed 50. The court to specify the number of strokes and the instrument to be used. Every person who is now detained in custody…or held in interment by the military may be detained in custody under the Act” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 June 1923, p. 6).
Slump in Athletic Sports
With the end of the Civil War many postponed events were arranged, but the New Ross Standard reported that there was a “slump in athletic sports.“ “Not for a quarter of a century was there such a slump in athletic sports as there is this summer. For years on of the difficulties that confronted promoters of sports was to get a date on which too many other fixtures would not clash, but this year dates are going abegging” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 June 1923, p. 5).
FARMING
A large supply of wool went to the New Ross Market. Hogget wool washed brought 9.5d per pound while unwashed received 7.5d per pound. “Prices of high class and finer wool up to 1s.2d. per pound (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 June 1923. p. 8).
It was reported that the potato plants and fruit trees suffered from the “recent frosts” with the plants and blossoms being considerably burned (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 June 1923, p. 4 & 5).
Cabbage plants of good quality realised from 7s to 10s per thousand at New Ross on fair day (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 June 1923, p. 5).
“Notwithstanding the numerous predictions as to the likelihood of a failure of the hay crop owing to the dry, harsh weather,” there were many fairly good first crop meadows cut in the district during the last week of June. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 June 1923, p. 7).
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Heat Wave in America—a great heat wave swept over America, and a larg2 number of victims reported. Upwards of fifty persons died from the heat. New York on Wednesday experienced its hottest day for 30 years. There were seven deaths. Transportation was impacted as the heat buckled the train rails. Temperatures of 100 Fahrenheit were reported and 17 people died in Chicago. The authorities in New York threw open the parks for sleeping purposes, and the Fire Department was ordered to arrange for constant showers of water in the streets. Thousands of persons, mainly women and children slept on the park benches. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 June 1923, p. 3).
Campbell, the English motorist, made a world’s record on a Sunbeam car at the France motor car races, covering the mile in 26.14 seconds, or at the rate of 137 miles per hour (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 June 1923, p. 5).
GLENMORE IN THE NEWS
MISHAP TO MOTOR PARTY
“When a motor car was coming round a curve on the road at the Pink Rock, between Glenmore and New Ross, on Friday morning, one of the hind wheels broke, and the car turned, throwing the occupants on to the road. One of them, Mr. O’Brien, Manor-street, Waterford, received a rather severe injury, and was taken to the Royal Hotel, New Ross, where he was medically treated, and subsequently taken to one of the local hospitals, where he was for some days” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 June 1923, p. 5).
John Dunphy of Ballyverneen, Glenmore
Amongst those appointed Commissioners of the Peace for the Co. Kilkenny in June 1923 was Mr. John Dunphy, M.C.C., chairman of Ida District Council, Ballyverneen, Glenmore (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 June 1923, p. 5).
Rev. John Phelan of Glenmore
In June 1923, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, two South Kilkenny students were ordained by Most Rev. Dr. Downey. These included: Rev. P. Darmod, Crobally, Mullinavat to San Francisco and Rev. John Phelan, Glenmore to Sydney (Munster Express, Sat. 16 June 1923, p. 5).
Glenmore Football
Owing to All Ireland football final on June 17th the date of the Kilkenny Feis, a communication was received stating that Dublin would be unable to field a hurling team to play Kilkenny at the Feis. It was decided that Kildare senior football team be invited to play Kilkenny. The invitation was accepted by Kildare, who field their best inter-county team for the match. The selection of the Kilkenny team was left to Glenmore senior football team—Kilkenny county champions (Munster Express, Sat. 2 June 1923, p. 5).
This math was eagerly anticipated. “The sternly fought contest between these two teams in Leix [in May] in which Kilkenny by a narrow margin were the winners is proof that the silver cup put up by the Feis Committee for the match will not be softly won” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 8 June 1923, p. 8).
“A great game was witnessed at Kilkenny on Sunday the 17th when Glenmore and Kildare met for the splendid cup presented by the Feis Committee. Kildare won the toss, and decided to play towards the city goal, having the advantage of the wind and sun. Kilkenny were first away from the throw in and sent wide. Several other overs resulted, and Kildare, breaking through, scored a point. Kilkenny equalised almost immediately, and missed a goal shortly afterwards. There was no further scoring until half-time, when the score stood one point each.”
“Kildare attacked for the first ten minutes of the second half, and succeeded in raising the green flag. Kilkenny now brought the play into the Kildare territory, and after a great scrimmage around the goal, the ball was boxed into the net for the equaliser. Both teams were now trying for all they were worth for the lead, and after both ends being visited, Kilkenny scored the winning point and at the final whistle the score stood: Kilkenny 1-2; Kildare, 1-1” (Munster Express, Sat. 23 June 1923, p. 6).
Edward Grace, of Glenmore v. James Holden & Others
This case was heard in Dublin in June 1923. Edward Grace, farmer, of Glenmore sought an injunction against James Holden, and his nephew, Patrick MacDonald, Daniel Doolan and James Whelan, all of Shanbogh in respect of lands at Shanbogh lower, Damages were claimed for the trespass and taking away and destruction of certain property. Plaintiff held over 75 acres under an agreement dated 17 April 1922 with Caroline H. C. Burthaell as landlord. Edward Grace paid a yearly rent of £61. . It was noted that for the last couple of years, a number of people were seizing lad which did not belong to them and held it against the true owners.
The 75 acres was on the Boyd estate, which contained about 400 acres, and it was untenanted for the previous 40 years. It had been evicted about the year 1880, and since that time had been let for grazing until 1920. Local opposition grew to the continued grazing. Mr. Colfer the solicitor for the owners and Father O’Shea tried hard to bring about an agreement with the evictees from 1880. Mr Grace paid £1,200 for an allotment of 75 acres which was to pay off the evited tenants. Holden was allocated £500 of the purchase price which he accepted, but had failed to collect from Father O’Shea.
Holden and MacDonald, broke and entered the lands and took possession of the dwellinghouse, and by threats and violence compelled the plaintiff to leave. With others they ploughed the lands, sowed them with corn, cut and saved plaintiff’s hay and converted it to their own use. The Republicans held a Court about 9 April and ordered Holden not to interfere with the lands. Holden and MacDonald disobeyed the order and were arrested by the Irregulars.
All defendants were found liable for the damages suffered by the plaintiff. Similar actions also listed included Philip Malone v. James Holden & Others; Patrick Forrestal v. James Holden & Others; Margaret Forrestal v. James Holden & Others, and John Aylward v. Daniel Holden & Others (Munster Express, Sat. 30 June 1923, p. 5).
For further information concerning the Boyd Estate see,”Glenmore & the United Irish League’s Rosberon Rally” post published 15 Jan. 2023.
For further information concerning the Boyd murder see our post of 7 Nov. 2021.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh