“Jim B.” Walsh (1918-1988) Glenmore Village

First, thanks to everyone who came today to the Family Tree workshop, to Mary for opening the hall, and especially to the gang from Glenmore Tidy Towns (Pat, Orla, Trish, Aoife and Noah) for helping. If anyone needs a hand trying to find a Glenmore ancestor we are only an email away. E. Doolan I found information for your grandmother this afternoon. (Email glenmore.history@gmail.com )

Today, we are going to share some more Glenmore photos from the Eamon Jones Collection and some information. The photo below depicts Eamon Jones’s uncle Kieran Jones (1909-1993). Kieran is holding the bridle of a small horse or pony pulling a farm cart. This photo was taken in Glenmore Village. The stone building was Dr. Mackesy’s stage house used for storing grain. It had a stage or a dock at the front door to make it easier for loading and unloading carts and wagons. The stage house stood next to the Village Stream bridge the pub was later built to the right of this building. The stage house was removed when the Sallies estate was built. For further information on the landlord Dr. Mackesy see our post of 3 March 2025.

It is not known who the little blond boy is in the photo, but it has been suggested that it may be Billy O’Keeffe of the Village. Kieran Jones (1909-1993) was born on 30 August 1909 at Glenmore to George Jones (1868-1945) and his wife Bridget Murphy (1870-1945). Kieran emigrated to the U.K. and married, and raised a family in Birmingham. Kieran died in 1993.

Kieran Jones and Jim B.’s Adventure

It is not known exactly when Kieran emigrated, but we did locate a newspaper article that indicates he was still living in Glenmore Village in May of 1943. The New Ross Standard (Fri. 14 May 1943, p. 5) published a short article about Kieran Jones and James Walsh, Jr. (1918-1988) (better known as Jim B.) being charged with criminal damage to Mr. Henry Bevan’s (c. 1890-1966) windows. Henry Bevans was a National Teacher who resided in the teacher’s house (across from the Glenmore Community Hall).

On Sunday the 18th of April, Mr. and Mrs. Bevans were in their dining room when they heard a noise on their roof. Then they heard a crash. When they went out into the hall a glass panel was broken as was a window in their sitting room. Henry Beven’s stated that he spent £1 replacing the broken windows. While being cross-examined by the defence solicitor, Mr. J.D. Coughlan, Henry Bevans stated that he had known both defendants since they were young boys and “they had no reason for this.”

Sergeant Dalton, of the Glenmore Barracks, investigated and stated that Jim B. stated that they were cycling home and threw some stones at the roof of the house. Mr. Coughlan said that the defendants had not acted with malice. He noted that they had never had anything against them, and he had a number of letters from businessmen and farming giving both defendant’s good character references.

Notwithstanding the reported loss of £1, the Justice bound the defendants over for twelve months on their own bonds of £20 each and sureties of £20 each or in default two months imprisonment. They were ordered to pay the £1 damage and 5s each in court costs.

 Glenmore had no pub until the 1960’s, and it is surmised that Kieran and Jim B. were away for refreshments on a Sunday evening and on cycling back to Glenmore they decided to throw stones onto the Bevan’s roof. Perhaps their motivation was to obtain the attention of the two Bevan daughters? Unfortunately, their aim was off, perhaps due to their refreshments, and they broke two windows. For further information on Jim B. see our post of 12 Oct. 2025.  

Life in Birmingham

The first record that could be located for Kieran in Birmingham was his marriage in the autumn of 1945 to Hanora Donovan. Over the years the couple lived at various address in Birmingham including: (1947) 22 Great Brook St.; (1954) 157 Great Lister St. and (1962) 67 Rupert St.

One interesting newspaper article highlighted one of Kieran’s interests. “A folk duo called Avoca did gigs around Manchester. Avoca was comprised of a Dubliner named Larry O’Loughlin, who lived at Nechells and was studying at Bournemouth, and Kieran Jones, who was from Kilkenny” (Birmingham Mail, Sat. 10 July 1971 p. 8).  

Trip Home to Glenmore

In 1990 Kieran came home to Glenmore for a visit. “SHORT HOLIDAY—Mr. Kieran Jones, who emigrated to England about 50 years ago, spent a few days holidays with his nephews last week”(Kilkenny People, Fri. 4 May 1990, p. 17).

Frank Keogh of Birmingham

The photo to the left was taken in Birmingham of Mr. & Mrs. Frank Keogh of 93 Aston Brook St., Birmingham. Their names and address are written on the back of the photo. The baby appears to be in a baptismal gown.

Slieverue Glenmore Camogie Team

We have only been able to identify a few people in the photo. We believe the photo is from the early 1950’s. The second person from the left in the front row is Alice Walsh née Walsh a native of Rochestown, Glenmore but after her marriage she lived in Scartnamore, Glenmore.

Top row, fourth from the left, Alice Hartley, of Kilmurry, Slieverue. When Noeleen Fogarty had her shop in Hanrahan’s Alice Hartley sold her eggs in the shop.

Lady standing to the far left we believe is Eily Doolan of Ballyverneen?

If you can identify any of these ladies would you please comment below or send the information by email to glenmore.history@gmail.com .

Please send any corrections, further information, or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh