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On the Road to the Pink Rock: The Anthony Merrigan Memorial Plaque
Last Saturday we highlighted an event that took place in the mid-19th century at the Pink Rock in Glenmore. One reader queried a memorial plaque on the roadside in Ballyverneen Townland, Glenmore on the west side of the railway underpass. Although the road along the Pink Rock was once part of the main road from New Ross to Waterford, it ceased being the main road in about 1992. It is not surprising that some people might believe that the Anthony Merrigan plaque signified his death arose from a car accident on that once busy road.
Ballyverneen, Glenmore
Today, the road along the marches in Ballyverneen, that goes under the railway and along the Barrow river past the Pink Rock, is no longer a main road and has become a favourite place for walkers. Over the decades the nearby Barrow River and the marshes provided areas of recreation for shooting, swimming, fishing and boating. Unfortunately sometimes the recreation resulted in serious and sometimes fatal injuries.
The plague simply reads:
In loving memory of Anthony Merrigan Milltown, Glenmore Who died the 8th of Sept. 1963 Aged 26 years R.I.P. On Whose Soul Sweet Jesus Have Mercy
Anthony “Tony” Merrigan ( c. 1937-1963) of Milltown, Glenmore
An account of the accident that resulted in Anthony Merrigan’s death is found in the New Ross Standard, of Friday the 13th of September 1963. On Sunday the 8th of September 1963, Anthony Merrigan, of Milltown, Glenmore tragically lost his life when his shotgun accidentally discharged into his chest. Anthony, was known locally as Tony, he was twenty-five years of age [although the plaque appears to state he was 26] and worked in Waterford City as an electrician. Tony was the son of John Merrigan and Bridget Merrigan née Lee and was the youngest of five boys and three girls. John Merrigan predeceased Tony. Although his mother survived him, it is said that she never got over Tony’s death.
Parents & Grandparents
A quick search of vital records revealed the following information regarding Tony’s parents and grandparents, all of whom were engaged in farming in or adjacent to Glenmore Parish. Tony’s father John Merrigan was born on the 11th of July 1882. John Merrigan was the son of Dennis Merrigan and Ellen Merrigan née Doherty, of Milltown, Glenmore. John Merrigan married Bridget Lee, of Kilbrahon, Rosbercon on the 10th of June 1920 at Rosbercon. Bridget Merrigan née Lee was the daughter of Patrick Lee and his wife, Ellen Lee, née Cashin. Bridget was born on the 24th of July 1896.
Details of Tragedy
On that Sunday in September 1963, Tony left his Milltown home at 8 a.m. to go duck hunting with his shotgun and dog. He drove to Ballyverneen and parked on the side of the road. Sometime later his body was found on the grass margin of the road by a passer-by who notified the Glenmore Garda. Sergeant J. Flynn went to the scene and found Tony dead beside his car. The stock of his double-barrelled shot gun was resting on the seat of the car and the barrels of the shotgun were facing out of the car over the body.
The newspaper account provides that the news of the tragedy cast a gloom over the entire area as the deceased was popularly known. He was active in the local GAA and played hurling for the Glenmore Club. Several older residents confirmed that they can still remember where they were that Sunday when they heard the awful news. Sunday morning, Tony’s body was removed to the morgue at the District Hospital, New Ross, where a post mortem was conducted. On Monday evening the 9th the remains were removed to Glenmore Church where the attendance was reported in the newspaper as being the largest ever seen in the town. The following day after Office and High Mass in St. James, Glenmore Parish Church, and Tony was buried in the adjoining cemetery. The newspaper reported that the attendance at the church service and burial was again exceptionally large and representative.
The Inquest
An inquest into the circumstances of the death was conducted by Mr. R. Nolan, solicitor, Kilkenny City, in Glenmore on Monday evening. Sergeant J. Flynn. Glenmore, described how he was alerted, went to the scene and found the body. He said that the deceased was beside his car on the grass margin and described the position he found the shotgun in the car. He noted that the shotgun was not in the best of conditions and one of the springs of one of the hammers was weak. Dr. G. A. Hickey, New Ross, was the doctor who performed the post mortem. Dr. Hickey stated that he found that a shot had penetrated the chest and vital organs and death was instantaneous. Superintendent R. Coogan, Thomastown, said the theory of the police was that when Mr. Merrigan got out of the car he reached in for his gun and pulled it by the barrel. It was believed that the hammers stuck in the door frame and caused the discharge of two cartridges. The Coroner said a hammer gun was one of the most dangerous weapons and people could not be too careful in carrying a loaded one over fences or in bringing it into a house. The Corner returned a verdict of accidental death.
Should you have a question or are curious about something around or about Glenmore please send us an email to glenmore.history@gmail.com and we shall endeavour to find an answer.
For information concerning the families of Milltown, Glenmore recorded by Danny Dowling in 1961 ee our post of 16 June 2022.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Attack at the Pink Rock: Glenmore Repeal Supporters and the Shamrock Steamer
Although contemporary newspaper articles can be a useful source of details regarding historical events sometimes they can provide a distorted account of events due to prejudice, political views and other influences. In 1843, just prior to the Great Famine, it was reported in one Waterford newspaper that a mob of nearly 100 men at the Pink Rock, in Glenmore, attacked the river paddle steamer, the Shamrock. However, this account was challenged by another Waterford newspaper.
On Wednesday the 26th of July 1843 the following article appeared on page 2 of the Waterford Mail.
“ATTACK ON THE SHAMROCK STEAMER. Saturday last, the Shamrock steamer was proceeding from this city to Ross, on passing Glenmore, close to Pink Rock, in the Ross river, a mob of nearly 100 fellows, who were collected on the rock, commenced flinging stones at the passengers on board, shouting at the same time ‘Hurrah for Repeal.’ ‘Swamp the b—–y Tories.’ One female is, we are informed severely injured from the effects of a blow of a stone in the back of the neck, that she is confined to bed in consequence. The mob followed the steamer, throwing stones, for about 400 yards, when the course of the river enabled her get out of their reach —The captain from his conspicuous position on the paddle box had several narrow escapes. We understand that a party of the military accompanied by a magistrate were at the scene of the outrage, on Monday morning, in order to afford protection, if necessary, to the Shamrock on her return from Ross. We learn that some of the ringleaders in this brutal assault are known, and it is to be hoped will be dealt with according to their deserts.”
To put the events into context, Daniel O’Connell (1775-1847), referred as the Great Liberator, established the Repeal Movement which sought to Repeal the Act of Union of 1801 and introduce Home Rule for Ireland. It is reported that the repeal movement reached its climax in the mid-1840’s with branches established across Ireland and abroad. The year 1843 has been identified as the “season of the monster meetings.” (Ruddy (2015) “Dublin 1843: O’Connell’s Repeal Meetings,” 68(1) Dublin Historical Record, pp 60-70). During these monster meetings, attended by thousands, O’Connell implored followers to use lawful means. “He who commits a crime strengthens the enemy of his country.” The Waterford newspapers of 1843 contain numerous articles regarding and detailing activities across Ireland including meetings and alleged “outrages” perpetrated by proponents and opponents of the repeal movement. (See generally, Whyte (1959) “Daniel O’Connell and the Repeal Party,” 11(44) Irish Historical Studies, pp. 297-316.)
On Saturday the 29th of July 1843 the Waterford Chronicle, republished the Waterford Mail’s article of the 26th, and stated that the Mail “might as well have told the whole truth…” The Waterford Chronicle alleged that the Shamrock tried to run the rival paddle steamer, the Maid of Erin, onto the Pink Rock. It was due to this “reprehensible conduct of the Shamrock’s Captain” that caused a “few stones” to have been flung on board the Shamrock. There were no shouts of “Hurrah for Repeal.” The Chronicle failed to deny the other shouts of “Swamp the —-_Tories.” The Chronicle recorded that there were “very hostile” feelings between the rival Steam Companies plying between New Ross and Waterford.
The Chronicle alleged that there was no surprise concerning the hostility because in “Orange-land there dwells not more Rabid Miscreants are to be found amongst the gang who patronise the Shamrock.” It was alleged that landlords along the river threatened distraint and ejectment of tenants who utilised the Maid of Erin steamer for travel or “freighting her” with even a sack of potatoes. It was alleged that one tenant had to hide in the engine room when he saw his landlord standing on the river side, and another had “keepers” placed on his property after information was given to his landlord that he sent his wife with a basket of eggs to Waterford on the Maid of Erin.
The Chronicle condemned the tenants who submitted to the “tyranny” of their landlords as deserving their degradation with no recognition that the laws of the time were written by the landlord class that also provided the magistrates and judges. At the conclusion of the article, the Chronicle called upon the Clergy of Glenmore to bring the stone throwing perpetrators to justice. “We will hold their names up to scorn, and take care that if associated, they shall be erased from the lists of the Loyal Repeal Association, for the man who lifts his hand in riot at this glorious and important crisis of his country’s destiny, is a dangerous and deadly enemy.”
It seems evident that the Waterford Chronicle editor was pro-repeal and was trying to distance whatever occurred at the Pink Rock from the Repeal Movement. It is likely that the truth may lie somewhere between the two accounts. It seems unlikely that men just happened to be gathered at the Pink Rock and grabbed stones to pelt the Shamrock when they perceived the Captain of the Shamrock was trying to force the Maid of Erin on the rocks. It seems likely that the captain of the Maid of Erin would have reported to the authorities any attempt to force it on the rocks. Perhaps it was reported to the authorities, but the Chronicle does not state that it was.
Interestingly both paddle steamers were built in Scotland by the same builder, Tod & MacGregow. The Shamrock was built in 1836 while the Maid of Erin was completed in 1839 and first went to Cork. She plied between Cork and Cobh. In July 1841 she collided with a fishing yawl. The yawl sank with loss of three of ten youths who were on board. In 1843 she was acquired by the New Ross and Waterford Steam Investment Company. Although the Shamrock stayed on the New Ross and Waterford route, and was later joined by the Ida, the Maid of Erin returned to Cork in around 1847. (For details concerning the two paddle steamers see, Caledonian Maritime Research Trust webpage, http://www.clydeships.co.uk).
Danny Dowling when interviewing Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore in 1951 recorded that the area where the Glenmore Creamery built its coal shed, on the Barrow, was known as Maid’s Quay after the boat. The name of the boat is not recorded in the interview, but it is surmised that the Maid of Erin may have been the ship that used this quay and lent it her name.
The repeal movement lapsed with the death of Daniel O’Connell in 1847. However, the Great Famine had already commenced before his death and for most rural inhabitants the potato blight, starvation and emigration replaced concern regarding the Act of Union of 1801.
The featured image is a google map of the Barrow River at Glenmore. The Pink Rock is at the Kilkenny side of the Rose Kennedy Bridge. The photo to the right is the Rose Kennedy Bridge taken from the Wexford side of the Barrow.
Update: Another notebook has been transcribed and next week items will be added to the various family pages etc. If anyone has a photo or information regarding Glenmore, or a person from Glenmore, that they would like to share, please send same to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Dr. James Butler Norris Cane (c. 1840-1906)
In 1867, Dr. James Butler Norris Cane (c.1840-1906) became the Kilmakevogue Dispensary doctor. From 1867 until his retirement in 1900, Dr. James Cane attended to the poor of the very large Kilmakevogue Dispensary area which included most of the parish of Glenmore and also treated private patients in the area. Dispensary doctors are said to have had a difficult and thankless job and an examination of his early paternal influence may provide an understanding of his dedication to his professional duties often in the face of extreme interference by Poor Law Guardians.
Dr. James Cane was the son of Alderman Robert Cane, M.D. (1807-1858) and his Protestant wife. Dr. James Cane was born and raised in Kilkenny City, and he had at least four brothers. Richard and Francis became doctors, and Robert Jr. became an army officer. His father, Alderman Robert Cane, was a doctor with a thriving private practice that included the Butler family of Kilkenny Caste, but he was also the Medical Officer for the Kilkenny Poor Union (Waterford Chronicle, 27 June 1906).
In addition to medicine, Dr. Robert Cane, was involved in politics and became a leading figure in the Young Ireland Movement. In July 1848 the Tablet newspaper of London printed that Dr. Robert Cane, of Kilkenny, handed in a list of 1,700 men, including the mayor of the city and three magistrates, stating that English Parliament offered sufficient proof of the “utter hopelessness of looking to it for either justice or good government.” Dr. Robert Cane was a magistrate and was stripped of his office. On the 31st of July, Dr. Robert Cane was arrested in the middle of the night under the Habeas Corpus Act (Cork Examiner, 2 Aug. 1848). During his imprisonment in the Kilkenny gaol his third son Edward became ill. The authorities refused to allow him to see or treat his child, and Edward died on 2 November 1848 (Freeman’s Journal, 4 Nov. 1848). The citizens of Kilkenny were outraged.
Ultimately Dr. Robert Cane was released after several months, without any charges having been made against him. He was elected Alderman a post which he held until his death. He was also elected Mayor. Due to his popularity, for a week prior to his death the newspapers carried updates on his illness. He died on 17 August 1858 (Cork Examiner, 23 Aug. 1858). One newspaper reported that he died of kidney disease (Waterford Mail, 19 Aug. 1858, yet it has also been stated that he died from consumption. Dr. Robert Cane is buried in St. John’s Cemetery on Maudlin Street, Kilkenny. In 1874 a large memorial was placed on his grave (Kilkenny Moderator, 12 Dec. 1874). Among other achievements, Dr. Robert Cane was the editor of the Celt and wrote The History of the Williamite and Jacobite Wars in Ireland: From Their Origin to the Capture of Athlone. This book was published shortly after his death.
At the time of Dr. Robert Cane’s death he had not made sufficient financial provision for his young family and a subscription appeal was published as well as an auction was held to sell off various personal property including his horse and car and silver household items (Kilkenny Journal & Leinster Commercial & Literary Advertiser, 15 Sept. 1858 & 6 Oct. 1858). The eldest son, Dr. Richard Cane applied in September 1858 to his father’s post as medical officer for the Kilkenny Union, but he was not successful. It was noted by the Poor Law Guardians of Kilkenny that he obtained his diploma from the Edinburgh Medical School on 8 May 1858 (Kilkenny Journal & Leinster Commercial & Literary Advertiser, 4 Sept. 1858).
In the 19th century work of a doctor was difficult. Doctors were called to the sick at all times of the day and night and in rural districts a doctor could be required to travel miles to a patient. Often dispensary doctors caught the illnesses and diseases in the district. An ill dispensary doctor was required to pay for his replacement, however by 1875 it was reported that a dispensary doctor was entitled to up to a month if ill, but thereafter would be required to pay for his replacement (Waterford Standard, 16 Oct. 1875). In February 1862, Dr. B. C. Fitzpatrick, the relieving medical officer in Mullinavat wrote to the Guardians outlining the “malignant fever epidemic” that killed the district’s medical officer, the Catholic Curate and nearly killed himself (Waterford News, 7 Feb. 1862). In 1865, Dr. MacCabe, the Medical Officer in Mullinavat contracted typhus and no replacement doctor could be found (Kilkenny Moderator, 11 Feb. 1865). One of Dr. Cane’s first reports contains reference to treating 14 typhoid cases in the district in 1868 (Kilkenny Moderator, 17 Feb. 1869).
Shortly after Dr. James Cane took up his post he married Mary Carroll on 10 August 1869 at St. John’s in Waterford. His bride was the daughter of Thomas Carroll, a deceased merchant. At the time of her marriage, Mary Carroll, was the Matron of the Waterford Leper Hospital, which was located on John’s Hill (Waterford Chronicle, 27 June 1906.)
In that same year Dr. Cane encountered interference concerning the treatment of a patient from one of the Guardians. Dr. Cane wrote to the Board stating that he did not think that he was required to follow the directions of any Guardian with respect to a patient (Waterford Standard, 9 Oct. 1869). This appears to have been the beginning of a power struggle between some of the Guardians and Dr. Cane. Dr. Cane openly defied some Guardians who expected the doctor to drop everything when they issued a red ticket. A few of the Guardians began to report alleged complaints made by patients concerning Dr. Cane. Commencing in 1872 complaints regarding Dr. Cane’s attendance at the dispensaries as well as the language he used were reported. Although the Guardians found that the matters raised were trivial at least three of the Guardians were vocal and accusatory. Even the Glenmore parish priest at the time, Rev. James Aylward wrote to the Guardians complaining that Dr. Cane had failed to attend the Glenmore dispensary on the 21st of January 1873 as well as having not addressed housing and other sanitary issues. An exasperated Dr. Cane, wrote to the Guardians noting that he was not the sanitation officer and explained that he was ill on the 21st. He asked the Guardians to split the large Kilmackevogue district into thirds and give Rev. Aylward to one of the new hired doctors. (Waterford Chronicle, 8 Feb. 1873). The district was not split.
For a couple of years Dr. Cane on almost a monthly basis replied to one alleged complaint after another. He sought a sworn inquiry to face the accusations. The complaints became more outrageous. At one point Dr. Cane was accused of telling a man he would castrate him. When Dr. Cane requested the dates of the alleged conduct the accusing Guardian refused to provide it. In August 1875, the Secretary of the Local Government Board advised the Kilmakevogue Dispensary committee that after considering the many charges brought against Dr. Cane it declined to grant any sworn inquiry (Waterford Standard, 11 August 1875).
Eventually Dr. Cane sued William Raftis, a Guardian from Mullinavat, for slander. The case was heard by the Queen’s Bench in Dublin in December 1875. It was alleged that the defendant, William Raftis was a large farmer who subjected Dr. Cane to relentless persecution in an effort to destroy his reputation. Raftis denied he uttered the words alleged and if he did utter the words they were true in substance or he was protected by privilege as he was elected. During a two day trial, one witness after another stated that Raftis had been abusive, and had set out to ruin Dr. Cane. One woman who had allegedly told Raftis that Dr. Cane verbally abused her testified that Dr. Cane had never used abusive language in her hearing. The Court rendered a verdict finding Raftis liable. Damages were awarded of £500.
Thereafter very little is reported in the newspapers except from time to time temporary replacements were appointed for Dr. Cane due to illnesses or accidents he suffered. He was granted leave in 1888 (Waterford Standard, 29 Sept. 1889) and in late June 1895 local newspapers reported that Dr. JBN Cane was better. He had suffered an “excessive attack of bronchitis” (Waterford Mirror and Tramore Visitor, 4 July 1895). In 1899, Dr. Cane suffered injuries with a horse and car. He was off work for four months and applied for two more months (Waterford Standard, 2 Dec. 1899). Dr. Cane retired in 1900 after, it was stated, 38 years of service. It was agreed that a sum between £7O and £8O a year superannuation to Dr. Cane be recommended for approval to the Local Government Board (Irish Independent, 1 Feb. 1900). Dr. Cane was awarded the largest pension from the Board of Guardians which the regulation permitted. (Waterford Chronicle, 27 June 1906). Only one candidate sought Dr. Cane’s position at his retirement. Dr. W. White was hired at the rate of £120 per year plus £2O for vaccination fees.
After his retirement Dr. Cane and his family moved to Dublin. The 1901 Census indicates that Dr. Cane was living in Dublin with his wife, Mary Joseph and daughter Catherine Frances, age 26. Dr. Cane lists himself as a medical professional of the Royal College of Surgeons. Also residing in the home is a boarder, Henry Burke, who was 21 years of age, was born in County Mayo, and was a medical student. When his son, Dr. Richard James Cane, obtained the medical officer post for the Swinford Union in County Mayo in 1902, Dr. Cane and his family moved to County Mayo. Dr. Cane died there on 22 June 1906, aged 66.
On 20 May 1910, Dr. Cane’s youngest brother, Dr. Frank Cane, a Division Surgeon of the London Metropolitan police, died at Edmonton, London. The last surviving brother was listed as Lieut. Colonel Robert Cane, R.H.A. (Royal Horse Artillery), Blackheath, London. The 1911 Census of Kilmore, Urlur, Mayo provides that Dr. Cane’s widow, son and daughter were still living in Mayo. In late 1912, Dr. Richard James Cane resigned his position as medical officer of the Swinford Union (Kilkenny Moderator, 30 Nov. 1912). Dr. Cane’s widow, Mary Joseph Cane, died at Rathmines, South Dublin on 12 February 1916 at the Harold’s Cross Hospice. Her death cert provides that she was the widow of a doctor, and died of cancer of the liver. An address is recorded as 156 Old Ford Road, London. In the index of Wills of the National Archive of Ireland, William F. Delaney is listed as her primary heir.
An obituary for Dr. Cane appeared in the Waterford Chronicle of 27 June 1906 and provides a fitting conclusion
“As a professional man he was clever, and he possessed a kindly heart for the poor. He has been known at dead of night, in slush and rain, to travel miles on foot to the relief of a suffering patient, and to find himself abused next morning for not coming in time, an accusation which he bore with the most perfect equanimity. The late Dr Cane was a careful student of national history, a lover of birds and animals, and an expert in their habits. He was first to, herald in the local newspapers the coming of the pioneer swallow, and the first primrose by the river’s brim. He was a book lover as well, and his fondness of archaeological works was such that he accumulated a valuable collection of old books and records, which we hope have not been carelessly dissipated.”
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Election of Glenmore Midwives
An interesting article can be found in the Waterford Standard newspaper of Saturday the 23rd of July 1910 where two young Glenmore women were being considered for the same midwife post. The article notes that the Waterford Board of Poor Law Guardians met in their weekly meeting on Wednesday the 20th of July 1910 in the Boardroom of the Union Workhouse. The Chairman of the Board of Guardians, Mr. David Hyland presided. One of the items on their agenda was the “election” of a maternity nurse for the Workhouse. The salary associated with the position was £25 per year with the “usual allowances.” The Clerk reported that he had received two applications for the position. The first candidate was Miss Johanna Young, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore, who had a certificate of training from the Cork Lying-in Hospital which was dated the 14th of December 1909. The second candidate was from Miss Annie Power, of Glenmore, who obtained her diploma from the Coombe hospital, in Dublin, in June of 1910.
It is reported that the Board immediately became divided. A vote was taken and how each member of the Board voted is reported in the article. Newspapers from before and around the turn of the twentieth century are full of criticisms regarding the political nature of how people were appointed to positions under the control of the Poor Law Guardians.
The 1910 article provides that eleven members of the Board voted in favour of Miss Power including: Thomas Power, of Callaghane; Michael Flynn, of Ballygunner; George Gamble, of Kilmeaden; James Power, Raheen; Edmond Curran, Ballintray; Thomas Kelly, of Aylwardstown; John Power, Ballygunner—temple; Richard Fitzgerald; Edmond Donovan; Captain W. Coghlan; and James Kirwan.
Seventeen members of the Board voted in favour of Miss Young including: The Mayor of Waterford, Councillor James Hackett; Captain R.C. Carew, Justice of the Peace; Maurice Power, of Moonamantra; James Maddock, of Gracedieu; Patrick Shortis, Ferrybank; John Vereker, Michael Riordan, of Ballyshoneen; John Healy; T. Holden; J. Holden; John Moore; G.D. Bishop; P.W. Kenny; James Farrell; P. Fitzgerald; John O’Neill, of Ullid; and James Young.
Miss Johanna Young, was declared elected to the position. Miss Young obtained her qualification 6 months prior to Miss Power, but that is not discussed in the newspaper article. A review of the 1901 Census of Glenmore reveals that Johanna Young was from Ballyfacey Upper, Glenmore and was born in about 1885. She was the daughter of Richard Young (c. 1843) and Kate Young (c. 1844). Her father was a carpenter and farmer. Johanna Young in 1901 had three brothers and a sister living at home including: George Young (farm labourer, aged 32); Laurence Young (carpenter, aged 26); Richard Young (farm labourer, aged 21) and Mary Young (aged 23). Also living with the family was Richard and Kate’s niece Kate O’Leary who was 4 years of age. In the 1911 Census, Johanna Young was 25 years of age living at John’s Hill in Waterford City with 27 other health care workers, primarily nurses. Johanna’s occupation is listed as “maternity nurse, workhouse.”
The unsuccessful candidate Miss Annie Power, was the daughter of Thomas Power (c. 1847) and Mary Power (c. 1847) of Robinstown, Glenmore. Annie was born around 1883, so she was about two years older than Johanna Young. Annie’s father, Thomas Power was a farm labourer and in the 1901 Census four of her brothers are also living in the home as well as her 12 year old cousin Michael Walsh. The names of her brothers are: Patrick Power (farm labourer, aged 25); John Power, (labourer, aged 23); William Power (farm labourer, aged 20); and James Power (scholar, aged 15). The 1911 Census reveals that Annie is 27 and her occupation is maternity nurse. Her parents are aged 66 and only one of her brothers is living at home; James Power is 24 and employed as a post man. Also in the house is Kate Power, aged 10, Thomas and Mary Power’s granddaughter.
Twenty-four years before the two young Glenmore women sought the midwife position at the workhouse, the Kilmackevoge Dispensary Committee met to commence finding a midwife to replace Mrs. Alice Mackey who had died. The death register provides that a Mrs. Anne Mackey, of Weatherstown, Glenmore died at the age of 80 on the 8th of June 1886. Her husband Philip Mackey was present when she died and her occupation is listed as midwife.
An account of the Kilmackevoge Dispensary Committee meeting is found in the Waterford Standard of 17 July 1886. The Committee members in attendance included: Thomas Reidy, William Fitzgerald, John Fitzgerald, Thomas Freaney, Richard Phelan, P.L.G. (Poor Law Guardian); David Carroll, and Mr. John Lawless, P.L.G. These men determined that due to the size of the area to be covered that the district should be divided into thirds and two new midwives were required for the poor to “obtain the attendance of a midwife when required.” The Committee men then went on to recommend that the salary of Mrs. McGrath, the midwife at Mullinavat, be reduced from £12 to £7 per year, and that the two new midwives would also be paid £7 per year. One of the new midwives would reside at Glenmore and the other at Slieverue. They were required to send their proposal for approval to the Local Government Board. It was also proposed that the “election” of the new midwives would take place at Slieverue the first Tuesday in August.
As reported in the Waterford Standard of 16 October 1886, the Local Government Board wrote to the Kilmackevogue Dispensary Committee and inquired into whether Mrs McGrath, midwife, was satisfied regarding the reduction of her salary from £12 to £7 as proposed by the Dispensary Committee. Not surprising it was reported that Mrs. McGrath was not satisfied with the proposal to reduce her salary. The attendees at the October meeting were: Thomas Reidy; John Lawless, P.L.G.; M. Malone; Patrick O’Reilly; J. McDonald, P.L.G,; P. Grant; Edmond Forristall, P.L.G., William Fitzgerald; Edmond Delahunty; Edward Duggan, Ryan, and Major Gyles, J.P.; Thomas Freany and John Fitzgerald.
John Lawless proposed and John Fitzgerald seconded a motion that recommended that Mrs. McGrath’s salary would be reduced from £12 to £8 a year, which was the original salary she had when appointed. It was noted that in the future she would have a smaller district and less duties. An amendment to this resolution was proposed by Mr. Forristall, seconded by Mr. Ryan, that proposed no reduction in Mrs. McGrath’s salary. The amendment lost by one vote. The Lawless resolution to cut Mrs. McGrath’s salary to her starting wage of £8 was adopted by one vote.
It was further proposed to divide the district midwife duties as follows. For the midwife to be appointed for Slieverne, she would be responsible for part of district of Electoral Division of Rathpatrick and Kilcolent (sic), also adjoining townlands of Ballincrea Electoral Division, including: Nicholastown, Attateemore, Ballincrea, Davidstown, and Monroe. The midwife to be appointed for Glenmore, would be responsible for the Electoral Division of Kilmackevogne and Kilbride, also the adjoining townlands of Ballincrea Electoral Division, including Knockbrack, Catsrock, Coolnaleen, Ballindare, and Ballinlaimmy. Mrs. McGrath would be responsible for the Electoral Divisions of Killahy, Farnogue, and Kilbacon.
Just prior to the meeting ending a resolution was made not to reduce Mrs. McGrath’s salary. Perhaps there was concern that the Local Government Board would not sanction the advertising of the two needed midwife posts if the Committee continued to seek to cut Mrs. McGrath’s salary. Unfortunately, the newspaper does not record the reason for the resolution. Mr. Forristall seconded the motion. Although the Chairman said in his opinion it would be unwise to interfere with the matter he took a vote. Mr. Lawless opposed the motion on the grounds of economy and convenience. Unfortunately, the newspaper article does not record why he thought his proposal to put Mrs. McGrath back on her starting salary was convenient. The motion not to cut Mrs. McGrath’s salary was voted upon and declared passed.
Our next posting will outline some of the unusual events surrounding the Glenmore Dispensary.
The featured image of the midwife is by Andres Campillo. The drawing of the nurse is by Henry Monnier.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore Barracks [Updated]
Danny Dowling was informed by older Glenmore residents that the first police barracks in Glenmore was located in the field behind the present pub. There was no mention of any barracks of any description in Glenmore in 1798. The Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) was established in 1822, but it is not known when the RIC Glenmore Barracks was established. The present barracks was built in the Village in the townland of Robinstown (on the corner of the main Village road and the Mullinahone road) on the lands of Lord Bessborough.
Today we are going to highlight that one hundred years ago on Easter Saturday 1920, Company C, the Glenmore Company, of the 6th Battalion of the Kilkenny Brigade of the old IRA burned the Glenmore RIC barracks. For a short time after the War of Independence a police barracks was located in a house in Weatherstown until the Glenmore Village barracks was rebuilt. Thereafter the Garda Siochana occupied the Glenmore barracks. By 1995 this Garda station was only opened a day or two a week and then permanently closed. The last officer to work out of the barracks was Garda Joe Quirke.
In the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage it is provided that Forristal’s (just down the hill from St. James on the same side of the road) was a RIC barracks in 1903 https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/12404105/glenmore-roryal-irish-constabulary-barracks-robinstown-glenmore-co-kilkenny . Danny does not believe that this is correct. A quick review of the 1901 Census indicates that Anastatia Forristal, was a widow, age 51, and her son Martin Forristal, age 21, lived in the house. In 1911 the house was occupied by Anastatia Forristal, age 60, her son Martin Forristal, age 31, and James P. O’Donovan, age 27, the Glenmore Creamery Manager. Given the fact that the same family lived in the house in 1901 and 1911, it seems unlikely that the Forristal house was a RIC barracks in 1903.
The first two census of the 20th century provide some information concerning the RIC officers who were assigned to the Glenmore barracks at that time. The 1901 Census provides that there was a RIC Sergeant and four constables were resident in the Glenmore barracks namely: Sgt. Michael Stapleton (age 42, born Roscommon, the son of a farmer, single), Constable John Lennon (age 47, born Roscommon, the son of a farmer, single); Constable William Brazil (age 33, born Waterford, the son of a farmer, single); Constable Florence O’Donohue, age 24, born Cork, the son of a farmer, single); and Constable Patrick Grace (age 33, born Tipperary South, the son of an ex-RIC Sgt, married). The 1911 Census only provides the initials of the RIC Sergeant and two constables in the Glenmore barracks including: Sergeant M.K. (age 41, born in Limerick, the son of a farmer, single); C.P. , age 36, born in Cork, the son of a farmer, married; and W.P. (age 23, born in King’s County [Offaly], the son of a farmer, single). All but one of the officers in these two census were sons of farmers.
Notwithstanding the confusion regarding where the Glenmore RIC Barracks was located in 1903, the photos of the roofless fire damaged Barracks illustrates that in 1920 the RIC Glenmore Barracks was at the corner the main Village road and the Mullinahone road.
Thomas Treacy, of Kilkenny City, in 1951 provided a witness statement (Doc. No. 1093) to the Bureau of Military History concerning the Kilkenny Brigade of the IRA during his time as Battalion Commandant (1917) and Brigade Commandant (1918) until his last arrest and internment in November 1920. Treacy’s witness statement is available at http://www.militaryarchives.ie/collections/online-collections/bureau-of-military-history-1913-1921/reels/bmh/BMH.WS1093.pdf
In 1920 Treacy was ordered to capture a RIC barracks to secure firearms and ammunition, and after a couple of difficulties regarding other locations, he chose Huggingstown, Kilkenny RIC barracks. On the 8th of March 1920 the attack on the Hugginstown RIC barracks commenced at 10:30 p.m. IRA units from Kilkenny City, Outrath and Dunmaggin Companies were present as well as the Hugginstown Company that performed scout, and patrol work and guided men to the barracks. Ironically, the IRA mobilized near the Carrickshock Monument on the Carrickshock Road about 250 yards from the rear of the Hugginstown RIC Barracks (p. 33). After a 45 minute battle the Hugginstown RIC Barracks surrendered. The IRA suffered no losses, but a RIC Constable died from the injuries he sustained.
Treacy noted that the successful capture of the Hugginstown barracks had a demoralising effect on the RIC. A number of RIC rural barracks all over Kilkenny were quickly evacuated and the officers sent to larger barracks. Treacy received orders from Dublin to burn the vacated RIC barracks, income tax books and documents found in County Kilkenny. This was to occur on Easter Saturday night 1920 or Saturday the third of April 1920. In his witness statement Treacy lists 17 abandoned RIC barracks that were burned on Easter Saturday night. The list includes Rosbercon and Slieverue, but Glenmore is not included (p. 57).
The best witness statement concerning the activities of the Glenmore IRA Company was provided by Michael Connolly, of Dunbell, Kilkenny, who was on the date of truce in July 1921, the Battalion Vice Commandant. His witness statement (No. 1618) is dated 22 May 1957 and is available at
Connolly commenced his statement by indicating that he joined the Irish Volunteers in 1917 when he was living with his parents in Rochestown, Glenmore. He was 25 years of age and was asked to join by a neighbour James Walsh. He joined the first Glenmore Company comprised of about ten men and led by James Walsh. Eventually the company grew to between 70 and 80 men.
In 1920 Walsh and Connolly were planning how to capture the Glenmore RIC Barracks. He reports that it was the usual type of barracks where there was one Sergeant and three constables. As a rule two constables went out together, thus Walsh and Connolly were convinced that the barracks could be captured by a ruse while the barracks was manned by the Sergeant and one constable. While they were awaiting orders to proceed with their plans the “garrison was withdrawn” thus leaving the barracks empty.
“On Easter Saturday night of 1920, in accordance with the general order to demolish evacuated R.I.C. barracks, the Glenmore barracks was destroyed by the local company. “There was very little difficulty in carrying out the job a few tins of petrol and paraffin, with a liberal supply of inflammable material, were spread on the floors and woodwork and, within a few minutes of being set alight, the whole building was ablaze. The barracks at Tullogher was destroyed on the same night, and by the summer of 1920, only one enemy post, viz., the R.I.C. barracks at Mullinavat remained in the battalion area.” (p. 4)
In an article in the Waterford News and Star on August 6, 1920 it was reported that Lord Bessborough’s application for alleged criminal injury to the vacated police barracks at Robinstown [Glenmore] was heard by the Kilkenny County Court. The judge held that the damage was maliciously done and awarded £900 compensation, the amount to be levied off of the county at large. Because the Co. Surveyor’s re-evaluation was considerably in excess of the damage award the Kilkenny County Council gave no evidence in the case.
[On the 13th of September 1963 Danny Dowling interviewed Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore who related that Sergeant Moynihan was the last R.I.C. sergeant to be stationed in the Glenmore Barracks. There were also four constables with him. They all went to Kilmacow prior to the burning of the Barracks in 1920. Prior to Moynihan, a Sergeant Kirby was in charge of the Glenmore Barracks.]
Connolly in his witness statement reported that Company activities during the summer of 1920 were minor in character. Except for convoys that passed along the Waterford-New Ross road, men in uniform were seldom seen in Glenmore. He noted that the Glenmore IRA company lacked arms to go and seek the enemy. In August 1920 orders were received to collect any arms or shotguns held by local farmers or others. “In a country district like Glenmore, everyone knew who had, or was likely to have, a gun.” About 40 shotguns were collected. Most of the owners were friendly and when asked handed over their guns. Company members took the precaution of masking themselves when they approached persons thought to be hostile or were not well known. (p. 5) Notwithstanding precautions James Walsh was captured and interned.
On January 17, 1921 Connolly with about 20 Glenmore Company members met up with 20 men from the Tullogher Company and attacked the barracks at Mullinavat as it was the sole remaining R.I.C. barracks in the battalion area. The garrison at Mullinavat was comprised of about 10 RIC officers and 10 Black and Tan soldiers. The garrison withstood the attack.
Until the truce in July 1921 the actions of the Glenmore Company were confined to road blocking and road trenching. (p. 8) As a reprisal for the blocking of roads, the British authorities ordered the closing of the Glenmore Creamery for one month in May 1921. (p. 9)
For readers interested in the membership and activities of the Glenmore Company of the old IRA there are several online documents available in the Military Archives.
See, Military Service Archives, Pension Collection, [MA/MSPC/RO/160, pp. 36-46; lists of membership commence p.38] available at
For ease a list of the persons named as members of the Glenmore Company as found in these records will be posted on our lists page in the next few days.
See generally, Eoin Swithin Walsh (2018) Kilkenny: in Time of Revolution, 1900-1923.
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the close photo of the damaged Glenmore barracks and Pat Dowling for the photo taken from the Churns hill of the damaged barracks.
[Updated 6 June 2020, DD Notebook 5]
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Village in the 1930’s [updated]
Tucked in Notebook 24 were three loose pages of handwritten notes Danny Dowling started regarding the Village of Glenmore in the 1930’s when he was a boy. Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the old photos of the Village. [At the request of a reader a map of the Village is attached below with numbers inserted into the text to correspond to the map. The map is not to scale.]
Throughout the decade of the 1930’s, the Village of Glenmore was mainly situated in the townlands of Graiguenakill, Cappagh and Robinstown. Danny refers to the area around the present pub as the original village area. This original village area was at the T in the roads where the road called the Churns ran down the hill from the New Line (now N25) into the village and intersected with the main Village road that ran between Cappagh and up the hill past St. James’ Catholic Church. A village pump was located in this area in the 1930’s just in front of where the pub is now located.
In the original village area commencing with the buildings that lined the main Village Road (and facing up the Churns road) the building closest to the stream was Jim Fluskey’s shop[1]. His wife was Mollie Murphy, of Davidstown. Fluskey’s shop was the busiest and most thriving in the whole Village. They sold all types of foodstuffs, bran, flour, and meat such as bacon, cigarettes and Tobacco etc. They also sold animal feed such as meal, bran and pollard. The second Glenmore Post Office was in these premises.
The next building (toward the Church) was Dowling’s house [2]. This was the house where Danny was born in 1927. Previously Mary Hanrahan, née Murphy owned the house along with a farm of nearly forty acres. Both her husband, Jimmy Hanrahan, and her son, John Hanrahan, were dead. Mary Hanrahan gave the premises and land to her niece Hannie Murphy, of Ballinlammy who was married to Pat Dowling, of Jamestown. Jimmy Hanrahan had been a cooper by trade and Hanrahan family had their cooperage in the townland of Robinstown on the other side of the road opposite to the Gaffney premises and corn mill. [3]
Gaffney’s once had the next buildings toward the church. The last of the Gaffney’s sold out and moved to England before 1930. The premises in the 1930’s were in the possession of the Heffernan—Walsh family. [3] In addition to a shop there was a dance hall established in 1937. Lizzie and Minnie Heffernan were sisters. Lizzie was married to Jimmy Walsh, of Ballybrahee, and they had three children: Eric, Hal (Harry) and Etta. Etta Walsh married Pat Fitzpatrick who was a superintendent in the Garda Force. Minnie was not married and lived in the shop while Lizzie and her family lived in the attached dwellinghouse next door which was known as J.K’s. The dance hall was at the rear and accessed from the Mullinahone Road. [3a]
Across the main Village Road (opposite the present pub) at the bottom of the Churns there were three attached houses. The middle house belonged to John Cody, [5] the local postman, his wife Allie and their three daughters; Maryanne, Katie and Alice. Alice Cody married John Ryan from County Carlow. Alice had the post office after Fluskey for a number of years, thus the third Glenmore post office was here. [5] Next door, going up the hill, lived the Jones family. [6] [Danny’s notes do not indicate who lived in the corner house [4] but I was able to verify with Noeleen Fogarty, née Hennessey that her father was born in this house in 1926. It is believed that previously the Flynn’s her grandmother’s people resided here.]
Further up the hill on the same side of the road were the shoemaking premises of Jim Scanlon and his son Jack [7]. They manufactured man made boots and shoes for heavy work and repaired shoes. In busy periods, Scanlon’s workshop employed journeymen shoemakers. Jim Scanlon was reputed to produce work which was considered to be first class. Jim Scanlon was a native of Knockbrack, Glenmore and started his shoemaking business in Glenmore about 1920 or earlier. Jim Scanlon died in 1931 and that was the end of the shoemaking business. His son Jack remained in the shoe repair business until after the Second World War.
A little further up the hill toward the New Line there were two small houses built together [8 &9]. Doolans lived in one of the houses. Later O’Keefe’s lived in the other. [Per Jo Doyle, née Mernagh one of these houses was split and then there were three houses. Jo in the early 40’s went to school with Biddy Doolan who lived there and Wattie Walsh lived in the other house. It is believed that Wattie was the son of Jim Walsh who also had a couple of step-daughters.]
Across the Road (next door up the hill from the current pub) was Jim B’s. [10] James Walsh, a native of Ballyfacey, was the local carpenter who did all kinds of work including the making of farms carts. He operated a workshop from his premises and lived here with his wife and family. Where the pub is now were outbuildings. The pub was established in 1963 by Seán Walsh and is currently operated by Michael Barron, of Carrigcloney. At the bottom of the hill across from Fluskey’s stood Mackessy’s stage house or grain store[11]. Previously a forge was located across from Fluskey’s.
Crossing the Mullinahone stream into Cappagh, Mackessy’s coach house [12] was the first building on the stream side of the road. Opposite the coach house in the 1930’s the first house was occupied by Patsy Ryan. [13] The next house was occupied by Paddy Jones [13a], who was married to Alice Dunne and the couple had two sons Pakie and Seamus Jones. Mrs. Cashin [14] had the third house . Her husband drowned in the River Barrow. The Cashin’s had four children. Jimmy Cashin was the engineman in the Creamery; Mick Cashin was in London; Ellie Cashin married John McBride and Statia Cashion married a man named Doyle from New Ross. Statia worked with P.N. O’Gorman Auctioneers and Valuers, of Rosbercon, for several years until O’Gorman’s death. Statia Doyle [15] lived next door to Heffernan’s shop. Prior to Mrs. Cashin the house was occupied by Miss Bolger who had a dressmaking business there.
The next building was Heffernan’s shop [16] which was operated by Mikey Heffernan and family. His wife was a native of Co. Tipperary and was principal of the Girl’s National School. Previous to being a shop the building served as accommodation for the married police in the Village. Single officers had accommodation provided in the Barracks. The last house before leaving the Village was a two-storey house occupied by Maggie McGuniesse. Maggie was married to Patsey Walsh and had a large family. [17]
Going up the main Village road, from the original village, the hill at the Barracks [18] (at the corner of the intersection with the Mullinahone Road just past J.K.’s) was called the Barrack’s hill. In the 1930’s the next house on the same side of the road as the barracks was Forristal’s. [19] When James O’Donovan, the first Creamery manager, first came to Glenmore he lodged at Forristal’s. The next house going up the hill on the main village road was the Sacristan’s house [20] in the front corner of the church yard. Across the road from the Sacristan’s house was Pat Hanrahan’s premises. [21] Much later Hanrahan’s became the location of the 4th and final Glenmore Post Office.
At the end of Hanrahan’s house, the Vee road intersects with the main village road. On the Vee road opposite Hanrahan’s field (this field is where the first Glenmore Chapel was located prior to 1813) the Glenmore Creamery [23] was located in the 1930’s. When the creamery was established in 1905 it was situated in the townland of Kilmakevoge. When the creamery was extended the shop and corn storage facilities were situated in Robinstown.
Further up the Vee road hill toward the Old Line the next building in the 1930’s was the tiny shop of Bridie Doolan [24] also located in the townland of Kilmakevoge. Danny expressed in November 2019 that when he was a boy Christmas stockings were hung in the window of the shop and he spent a lot of time admiring the Christmas stockings. The next building up the hill was where John Hennessey [25] had his forge. This premise is directly across the valley from St. James.
At St. James church, [22] on the main Village road, the next building up the hill was the Curate’s [26] two-storey house. A little further up the main Village road, on the same side as the Church, there were three houses (across from the old Boy’s and Girl’s National Schools.) Heading out of the Village in the 1930’s, Powers [30] lived in the first house. Henry Bevins, N.T. [31] lived in the second house, and the O’Donovan sisters [32] lived in the third house. The O’Donovan sisters were sisters of the first Creamery Manager. Later Daisy and Pat Irish lived in this house.
Across the main Village road from the Curate’s house, and up the hill a bit, was the school teacher’s house [27]. It is believed that Mrs. McCarthy (Mariah Deady) lived in this house in the 1930’s. Prior to this the Curran’s lived in this house. On the same side of the road up the hill further was the Boy’s National School [28] and then the smaller Girl’s National School [29]. In the 1930’s this was considered the end of the Village.
If anyone can add to the information or has corrections please send them to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Our next blog will highlight events that transpired 100 years ago at Easter at the Glenmore Barracks.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh [updated 9 April 2020]