Michael Maher (c. 1840-1922)
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One Hundred Years Ago: April 1922
A review of the local newspapers revealed that while crime continued to be a problem across the country fewer criminal events were reported in local newspapers in April 1922. As the Free State set about governing, in April 1922 it encountered various difficulties from political meetings being disrupted to evicted farmers seeking redress in the newly established Irish Free State courts. A 25 year old Glenmore eviction case was such a case that made its way into the new Irish courts.
Disruption of Pro-Treaty Meetings
On the first of the month the Munster Express (Sat. 1 April 1922, p. 2) published an article describing a Pro-Treaty meeting held in Waterford. Michael Collins was accompanied by Joe McGrath, Sean Milroy and Ernest Blythe. The anti-Treaty side cut the railway signal lines which caused the speakers’ train to be delayed in arriving. When the meeting did commence De Valera spoke without disturbance, yet the Free State speakers were subjected to what the newspaper described as persistent and organised interruption by a party of 50 to 60 young men and women who sang and cheered drowning out the speakers. When Collins and the other speakers set off for Dungarvan the roads were blocked making them take a longer route. Upon arriving they were standing on a lorry and beginning to address the crowd when a man jumped into the lorry and attempted to drive off with Collins and his fellow pro-Treaty speakers.
On the 9th of April a “monster” pro-Treaty meeting was scheduled for Wexford. The Dublin and South Eastern Railway in support of the Treaty offered special fare to a Monster Meeting. Michael Collins was also scheduled to address this meeting. The special train left Waterford at 10:30 and Glenmore at 10:47. A third class return fare cost 4 shillings (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 April 1922, p. 1). Not content to cause a delay to the speakers, on this occasion two sections of track were removed which would have derailed the Dublin train except for the fact that a railway ganger while walking the track early that morning discovered the sabotage.
Co. Kilkenny Registered Voters
There were 34,297 voters on the 1922-23 Register of Co. Kilkenny. The number of voters registered in each of the polling districts were published and here are a local selection: Glenmore, 1517; Kilmacow 2,229; Mullinavat, 1,221; Piltown, 2,228; and Thomastown, 1,712. The Co. Kilkenny registrar was H.H. Langrishe, Clerk of the Peace assisted by Fred Chambers (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 8 April 1922, p. 4).
Glenmore Women in the News
The Community of Mount Carmel, New Ross, acknowledged receipt of subscriptions and gifts from 8 April 1922…nearly half the page of the newspaper contained the long list of donors, and within the list were the following Glenmore donors: Mrs. Duggan, Glenmore, 10 s; Mrs. Breen, Glenmore, potatoes and eggs; Mrs. Hynes, Glenmore, potatoes and eggs. Friends that promised farm produce were asked to deliver it to the Convent by the 15th (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 April 1922, p. 8).
Monument for Sean Hartley
“Steps are being taken to erect a monument to the late Sean Hartley, Glenmore, 5th Batt., Co. Kilkenny I.R.A., and who was killed in the Coolbawn ambush on last June. A month ago the people of the Co. Kilkenny and Wexford, and some from Carlow for the second time demonstrated their love and veneration for a brave soldier who gave his life for his country, by attending in large numbers at Glenmore when the remains were removed to the family grave almost facing the church door in the beautiful cemetery where lie the ashes of one who was gentle as a child yet brave as a lion in battle for his country’s cause. Trustees for the fund have been appointed, and there is no doubt but everyone who knew brave Sean Hartley and the thousands who heard of him will contribute toward the erection of a monument worthy of the man” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 April 1922, p. 7).
Ship Wreck in New Ross
In early April a steamer with 160 tons of flour arrived from Liverpool. The cargo was for John Butler a merchant on John Street, New Ross. While the ship was berthed at New Ross it snaped its mooring, turned on its side, got stuck and when the tide came in the water swept over it. An attempt was made by the town fire engine to pump the water from the engine room and after two hours work it had to be stopped (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 April 1922, p. 3). The cargo was estimated to be worth £3,000, and 40 tons were pulled from the vessel and placed on the quay. The flour disappeared and at the next tide several bags of flour floated from the vessel and the newspaper described the scene of poor people rushing to secure the floating bags. Several people proceeded up the town with ten stone bags of flour on their backs and water dripping from the bags. “Loads of flour were sold to farmers by people in the town, and it was reported that some of it exchanged hands at prices from 3s. to 10s. per bag (New Ross Standard, Fri. 21 April 1921, p. 3).
25 Year Old Glenmore Eviction Case
In the District Court of the Thomastown Courthouse a 90-year-old Glenmore man, Michael Walsh, and his daughter Mary Anne Walsh, sued Matthew Cottrell, of Ballycroney, Glenmore for compensation. The case was heard by: George Dooley (chair); Commandant J. Walsh; J.F. Drennan, Co. C.; Michael Delahunty and Sean O’Duffy (representing the Minister for Home Affairs). Both parties were represented by solicitors. The proceedings commenced with the solicitors stating that the parties agreed to have the justices hear the case. “This case is brought by arbitration—friendly arbitration—by two Irish people before an Irish court.” It was noted that previously evicted people began seeking redress and the Government of Ireland had to issue an order on the 20th June, 1920, preventing any claims regarding land to be made in Ireland. The court in April 1922 was being asked to decide the right of a tenant farmer, Michael Walsh, who was evicted from his 42 acre Glenmore farm 25 years previously.
Walsh, his wife and daughter were evicted by their landlord Strangman when 3 years’ rents were unpaid. Walsh’s solicitor explained, “It was not through the plan of campaign that he was evicted. If you cast your minds back to that period you will recollect at the time there was a terrible disease raging amongst cattle, and this poor man’s cattle died, one by one, until he had none left. As a consequence, he was unable to pay his rent and was evicted, and the farm was taken possession of by the present defendant, who is now before the court and is prepared to pay any compensation that the court may decide.” Walsh testified that the farm was boycotted after his eviction. He went to the landlord with a years’ rent but his landlord had rented the farm to Cottrell.
The most interesting aspect of the case was the testimony of Mary Anne Walsh who admitted on cross examination to having sent threatening letters to the defendant Cottrell. She had in one letter included an article where a man who occupied an evicted farm was executed by the I.R.A. in Tipperary. She wrote that what happened to him would happen to Cottrell. After admitting that she sent the letter she was asked if it was still her honest conviction and she said that it was. However, she agreed that she would abide with whatever the court ruled. The justices deliberated, and the chairman announced that they had decided to dismiss the claim (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 1 April 1922, p. 10).
Glenmore Deaths
DEATH OF MR. MICHAEL MAHER, GLENMORE—On Thursday last there was interred at Glenmore one of the fine old Type of South Kilkenny men, in the person of Mr. Michael Maher. Deceased, who had attained a fine old age, was most esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He was father of the late Mr. John Maher, formerly of the firm of Power Brothers, drapers, Waterford. R.I.P. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 April 1922, p. 5). The death register reveals that Michael Maher was 82 years of age, was a widower, living at Rochestown, Glenmore and his son Michael was present when he died on 11 April 1922.
DEATH OF MRS. JOHANNA AYLWARD, GLENMORE—The death occurred of Mrs. Johanna Aylward, mother of the Very Rev. R. [Richard] Aylward, President St. Kieran’s College, at her residence, Ballinclare, Glenmore on Friday April 7th. She had attained her 88th year. She was devotedly attended to by the priests of the parish during her last illness. The funeral, which was very largely attended, took place to the family burial place in Glenmore. Solemn Requiem Office and Mass were celebrated at Glenmore. Right Rev. Mgr. Doyle, D.D., P.P., VG presided. The celebrant was Very Rev. R. Aylward, son of deceased. There was a large attendance of clergy (Munster Express, Sat. 22 April 1922, p. 5). The death register reveals that Johanna Aylward was a farmer’s widow and her son John was present when she died.
Blog Update—over the next few weeks we hope to expand the blog to publish some lists Danny Dowling compiled in 1960/1961 regarding Glenmore residents as well as photos and other items we hope that will be of interest to readers.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh