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From Danny’s Files: Miscarriage of Justice? The Case of Patrick Aylward of Rochestown, Mullinavat (1860-1935)
In addition to Glenmore related information Danny Dowling also collected a vast amount of information concerning people and events in nearby parishes and cities. Today, we are going to highlight the unusual case of Patrick Aylward, of Rochestown, Mullinavat who was accused of murdering the 18 month- old child of a neighbour. This case generated lurid headlines, questionable trial tactics and undoubtedly was the subject of conversation for quite some time in Glenmore and other local parishes.
Patrick Aylward (bapt. 7 April 1860) was the son of James Aylward and his wife, Nancy Delahunty of Rochestown, Mullinavat. Patrick had six known siblings: [1] John Aylward (bapt. 30 June 1849) [his mother on the baptismal record is recorded as Nancy Carroll]; [2] William Aylward (14 Aug. 1853-20 Oct. 1922); [3] Mary Aylward (bapt. 24 July 1856); [4] Mary Aylward (bapt. 7 July 1858); [5] Bridget Aylward (bapt. 21 March 1862); [6] Edward Aylward (b. 17 Sept. 1863).
Per the 1911 Census only William and John Aylward were living on the farm at Rochestown, Mullinavat. William’s age was recorded at 58 and John’s was recorded as 62. Patrick had emigrated to the US where he lived in Connecticut until he returned to Ireland to help his two brothers. William died in 1922 shortly after Patrick’s return after 39 years in the US.
The Inquest
Most of the information concerning the inquest regarding the death of William Holden was gleaned from the Munster Express (Sat. 12 May 1923, p. 5) and the Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 5 May 1923, p. 8).
On the 21st of April 1923 William Holden, aged 18 months, the youngest of 9 children, suffered horrific burns to his back and arms. At the time the child was burned he had been left in the care of his 8 year old brother Patrick Holden. At five in the evening the mother, Mary Holden née Franklin left her four younger children in the care of 8 year-old Patrick. She told the Coroner that she went to Lisronan, about a quarter of a mile from her house to allegedly obtain an outfit for one of her children’s Confirmation. Although the country was turbulent she left the children alone and instructed Patrick to lock the door behind her. She alleged that William was in a bed not far from the fire, but although he was 18 months-old he could not walk or creep around the small house. At the time she left the children her husband, John Holden was at work. John Holden (c. 1862-1924) worked for James Malone, a farmer in Rochestown.
Mary Holden née Franklin stated that there was no fire screen; it was an open grate fireplace. The family burned wood. When she left the house she said that the fire was almost out. When asked whether the child had gotten out of bed and fallen into the kitchen fire she said it was impossible because the child could not walk or creep. She said that the other children could not lift him onto the fire. She said her husband came and told her that Willie was burned. She went home and found him in bed with burns. Her husband went to summon Dr. Coughlan of Waterford. She stated that her son Patrick said that Patrick Aylward had placed Willie on the fire. She testified that she had not been on good terms with Patrick Aylward for a long time. They had a row over a spring on Aylward’s land and there was a dispute where he accused her children of removing a stick from a gap. She alleged that he threw a stone at her and stated “I have great suspicion because I think the man would do anything. He struck me last November for little or no cause.”
Patrick Holden did not answer the Coroner when he was asked if he understood what it was to take an oath. The Coroner took the child’s unsworn testimony. The child testified that he did not go to school and was not able to write his name. The child testified that Patrick Aylward came to the door, knocked, came in without saying anything and put Willie on the fire. The child testified that Willie did not scream and that Aylward was only in the house a few minutes. When he left he lifted Willie off the fire and doused his clothes with water and put him in the bed. When another man came to the door he did not let him in and when his father came in from work he told him what happened. The father, John Holden admitted that he had been in a mental institution for two years and that another child of the family had suffered severe burns and died.
Mr. Healy one of the inquest jurors questioned the evidence. The mother stated that the boy Patrick could not lift the child onto the fire, but Patrick Holden stated that he lifted the child off of the fire.
Patrick Aylward testified that he was a farmer and resided at Rochestown, Mullinavat. He testified that from four o’clock he was with his brother and a friend taking care of a sick cow. He stated that he did not visit Holden’s house. Patrick Aylward stated that the last time he was at the Holden’s house was about five months previously when her boys were chasing his sow. He went to tell the mother to keep her boys from chasing his sow, and he alleged that she hit him in the head with a scrubbing brush. He said that he hit her back. “I have nothing against her; she may have it against me.” Although the Holdens had access to other water he allowed them to use a spring on his land. Previously he had threatened to stop them using the well if her children did not stop using his spring well for their toilet.
On Sunday, the father John Holden went to Patrick Aylward and accused him of putting his child on the fire. “Really I thought the man was crazy that was the first I knew of the child being burned. I didn’t believe it because I thought the man was crazy. I didn’t believe it until I saw the doctor come there….as far as I know this is the second child that was burned… I can not believe that any man would be guilty of taking a child and putting it in the fire to burn.” Aylward went on to state that he could not bear to look at a child burning on the fire not to say to do it himself. A charge like that should not be brought against a man.
Dr. Coughlan did not travel to Mullinavat until Sunday morning. He knocked on the Holden door but there was no answer. He saw Patrick Aylward and asked him where the Holden’s lived. Patrick Aylward stated that the father had accused him of putting a child in the fire, but he thought the man was crazy. The doctor returned to the Holden home and Mary eventually answered the door. He sent the burned child to Kilkenny Hospital where he died later that day.
The Coroner supposed they were all inclined to sympathise with the parents, but he did not know whether they should sympathise with the mother having regard to the fact that she left this little child and two other little children in the charge of a boy 8 years and 7 months old.
The jury retired, and after a short absence returned with a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony—“that the deceased died from shock and toxaemia as a result of burns received” but that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the child came to get into the fire. “Mr. Healy—we consider that it is a matter for further investigation by the Civic Guard.”
The sequel to the inquest was that Patrick Aylward was arrested by the Civic Guard on a warrant for murder. He was brought before Mr. Molloy, District Justice, at a special court in Waterford Courthouse, and indicted on the capital charge. Formal evidence of arrest was given by Sergeant Jeremiah Kelly, of the Civic Guards stationed at Mullinavat, who deposed that he arrested the accused on a warrant at Rochestown and charged him with the murder of William Holden. After being cautioned Patrick Aylward said, “I did not do it.”
The Murder Trial
Most of the following information concerning the murder trial of Patrick Aylward was found in the New Ross Standard (Fri. 7 Dec.1923, p. 11).
The trial was held at the Commission in Green Street Courthouse on Monday the 3rd of December, before the Lord Chief Justice and a jury. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Carrigan, K.C. and Mr. Dudley White, KC (instructed by the Chief State Solicitor). Mr. M. J. Leanon (instructed by Mr. P.R. Buggy) defended. The newspaper noted that there were no women on the jury.
Barrister Carrigan, said that the prisoner was charged with a crime, which, if proved against him, was as terrible a crime as anyone described as a human being could commit. He was charged with having taken a helpless infant from its bed, put it on a fire, and roasted it so that the child died within 24 hours. It might be thought inconceivable that such a thing could happen, but it would be proved that the child died of burns that could not have been inflicted by itself. Counsel went on to say that the prisoner could not be a normal man at all. The house in which he lived was not fit for human habitation. He kept cattle on the ground floor, and the place was a veritable cesspool and manure heap and he lived in a loft. The case would rest on the evidence of the children.
Dr. Matthew Patrick Coughlan, testified that he could not answer whether the child could walk, but noted the boy had rickets. He opined that the child could creep around the kitchen. When the State’s Barrister asked if the defendant was a degenerate the doctor replied, “yes. When I met him at first I made up my mind that he was mentally abnormal… A degenerate is a person whose reason does not always control his actions, and might be subject to ungovernable impulses.”
Although Patrick Holden had not been able to answer if he understood an oath at the inquest, and had never been to school, the newspaper stated that the child showed extreme intelligence. The child at the trial also altered the evidence he gave at the inquest and stated that Patrick Aylward came in and said, “What do you meant letting goats into the haggard.” The child added that Patrick Aylward then broke a mug before burning the infant. The State then called Patrick’s younger brother, Michael Holden, who also stated that he saw Pat Aylward burning Willie on the fire. Patrick Aylward was also said to have risen a stick toward Michael Holden and said to the boys not to tell their mother or he would kill them. These statements and acts were not in the deposition previously made. Mary Holden testified that the burned child was not able to creep and that Mrs. Malone, a neightbour, dressed the burns with cotton wool. Interestingly Mrs. Malone does not appear to have been called as a witness.
William Alldrick, a farm labourer, testified that the defendant had asked him which of the children was burned. Alldrick informed the defendant that he was being blamed for the burning. Alldrick testified that the defendant then stated, “Don’t you think I have a soul to save as well as anyone else, or what do you think I am?”
Dr. Bartholomew Hackett (Mountjoy Prison) testified that he kept the defendant under close observation. He believed him to be fully responsible for his actions.
In addition to Sergeant Kelly, testifying when arrested the defendant stated, “I did not do it,” James O’Keefe (farmer), and John Aylward, brother of the defendant, were examined in support of an alibi. Unfortunately, the newspaper provided no detail concerning what the two men testified to at the trial.
At twenty-five minutes past seven o’clock the jury retired to consider their verdict. After ten minutes the jury returned with a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. The prisoner declared—“I am not guilty at all. I have not been in the house for five months. God forgive the woman that put that lie on me, and God forgive the jury.”
The Lord Chief Justice amazingly said the jury could come to no other conclusion on the evidence. A majority of the jury had made a recommendation to mercy. He would have that conveyed to the proper authority. Meanwhile he sentenced Patrick Aylward to be executed on Thursday, December 27th.
The Stay of Execution
On the day set for his execution, The Minister for Home Affairs announced that on the advice of the Executive Council, Patrick Aylward’s death sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life (Freeman’s Journal, Thur. 27 Dec. 1923, p.5). According to Colm Wallace, in Sentenced to Death: Saved from the Gallows (2016), several people including the Bishop of Ossory petitioned the government questioning the guilt of the elderly Patrick Aylward. The Bishop apparently mentioned the Holden family’s “bad moral character” as well as a previous incident where another Holden child burned to death in suspicious circumstances in 1910. Patrick Aylward was released from prison in 1932 and died 3 years later in Rochestown, Mullinavat.
The Holden Family
John Holden married Mary Franklin on 1 August 1905 at Owning, Parish of Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. His father was listed as Thomas Holden (farmer) and the bride’s father was listed as John Franklin (labourer). John Holden and Mary Holden née Franklin had nine children. We were able to locate the following children: [1] Margaret Holden (bapt. 20 April 1906) (married John Whelan 28 Oct. 1936, Mullinavat); [2] Catherine Holden (bapt 29 Apr. 1907); [3] Thomas Holden (b. 11 June 1908-8 Nov. 1910) Per the death register Thomas died, aged 2, from burns “accidentally received.” [4] John Holden (b. 20 Sept. 1909); [5] Patrick Holden was born 14 Sept. 1924 at Owning, Piltown. [6] Michael Holden was born at Owning on 29 Sept.1916; and [7] William Holden (c. 1921-1923).
John Holden, died in the Thomastown County Home, just three months after Patrick Aylward’s death sentence was commuted. John Holden became an inmate shortly after his son William died in April 1923 (Irish Independent, Thur. 13 March 1924, p. 8). According to the death registry John Holden died on 6 March 1924 of senile decay at the age of 62 or 65.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Wed & Dead Within a Week: The Widow’s Update
On the 21st of June we posted an article concerning the tragic circumstances surrounding the wedding and death of James Aylward, of Parkstown, Glenmore in 1909. Although the bride widow, Catherine (Kate) Aylward née Gaul was located in the 1911 census living with her father and brothers in Ballynooney West, of Rosbercon no further records could be located.
We are happy to report that through the help of a reader we were able to speak with a great-niece of the lady and learned that the woman widowed while on her honeymoon re-married, had four children and lived in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.
We were not able to locate a marriage record for the widow Catherine (Kate) Aylward née Gaul but we were able to find a child born in Moyhora, Castlecomer on the 31st of July 1916 to Michael Murphy and Kate Murphy née Gaul. The child was named Kate Murphy. Unfortunately the public birth records end in 1919 and we were unable to discover the names of the other three children.
In terms of the Gaul family it was verified that the father, Luke Gaul, died on 7 February 1917 at the age of 70 and Kate had two brothers. John born on 19 April 1873 married and stayed on the Ballynooney farm. William Gaule was born on 23 September 1879; he married Honara Dalton and farmed in Keatingstown, Hugginstown, Co. Kilkenny. They had eight children. It was said that Honara lived to be 101 years of age.
Lastly, Cissy Kennedy, a native of Rathinure, Glenmore, aged 90 verified last week that John Joe Aylward of Parkstown, Glenmore (nephew of the tragic groom) had a sister Nellie Aylward who married a farmer from Wexford and had two sons.
Below is the headstone bearing the name of the tragic groom located during the recent survey of the Glenmore cemetery.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
James Aylward (c. 1869 -1909) of Parkstown, Glenmore: Wed and Dead Within a Week
It isn’t often that an event in 1909 resulted in the type of sensationalised headlines that became much more common in the last decades of the twentieth century. However, the tragic death of a Glenmore bridegroom in 1909 resulted in headlines such as “Wed and Dead Within a Week,” “Married and Buried Within a Week” and “Shrovetide Sensation.” Amazingly all the older Glenmore residents that were contacted this week knew the story of the Glenmore man who died on his honeymoon. Much less is known about his widow.
The man behind the headlines was James Aylward, of Parkstown, Glenmore. James was married in the neighbouring parish church in Mullinavat on Monday the 15th of February 1909. His bride was Catherine “Kate” Gaule, of Ballynooney, Mullinavat. James Aylward died in Cork City during their honeymoon on Saturday, the 20th of February 1909 and was buried in Glenmore on Monday the 22nd of February 1909. Danny Dowling preserved the diary of James Aylward, of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore. James Aylward, of Ballyhobuck, recorded in his diary the following: James Aylward, Parkstown and Kate Gaule, Ballynooney married 15 February 1909 and James was buried the following week.
The death cert for James Aylward reveals that James died on the 20th of February 1909 of acute peritonitis and suffered with it for 36 hours. Thus he began becoming unwell on Wednesday only two days after getting married. Peritonitis is often associated with a ruptured appendix.
The following two newspaper accounts provide details concerning the honeymoon as well as how the widow after only five days notified her in-laws concerning James becoming ill and dying.
“Sad Death of Glenmore Bridegroom. MARRIED AND BURIED WITHIN A WEEK. On Monday were laid in graveyard, Glenmore, the mortal remains of Mr. James Aylward, Parkstown. Glenmore, a large farmer, in the prime of life, who was married only that day week. Mr Aylward had most auspicious marriage and went for a most extensive tour on the honeymoon. Himself and his wife went to Cork, via Loughren, County Galway, where a relative of Aylward lives. They reached Cork nearing the weekend. On Friday evening Mr. Wm Aylward, shopkeeper, Waterford, a brother of the bridegroom, was startled by receipt of a telegram from Mrs Aylward that her husband was taken suddenly ill. This wire only prepared for the worst, for shortly afterwards came the sad news that James Aylward was dead. The intelligence was grievously shocking for the deceased’s brother and all the friends, and the misery of the young bride alone in a hotel in Cork with her husband turned to clay can only be faintly imagined. The remains reached Waterford at ten o’clock on Saturday night, whence they were taken home by hearse and a sad cavalcade at a late hour. Interment took place on Monday, and concurrence is regarded as the saddest which visited the parish for a very long time.” (Waterford Mirror and Tramore Visitor of Thursday the 25th of February 1909).
“A SHROVETIDE SENSATION. – The sad sudden death, whilst on his honeymoon, of a young and well-known Glenmore farmer, the sad particulars of which are narrated elsewhere, shocked the neighbourhood and district. Last Monday week James Aylward, the owner of a large farm, and in good circumstances, left his home a happy. bridegroom. Last Monday finds his remains under the green sod in Glenmore graveyard. Death reached him in Cork on Friday evening. The return of the dead bridegroom to his home in Parkstown furnishes one of the saddest episodes that could well be imagined, and certainly the mournful spectacle made the deepest impression on the people. From bright gaiety to blackest tragedy is often but a very short step in this fickle world. The suddenness of the transition here could not well be paralleled except we go to the chronic plague stricken topics, where it is not unusual to meet a person in the best of health in the morning and meet that same person’s funeral in the evening.” (New Ross Standard of Friday the 26th of February 1909).
The bride and groom were both from local farming families from neighbouring parishes.
The Glenmore Groom
It is difficult to determine when James Aylward was born. On the marriage records his age is listed as 40 (c. 1869) and yet less than a week later on his death certificate his age is listed as 42 (c.1867). A review of the 1901 Census provides that James was 30 years of age thus born about 1871). On the marriage records his father is listed as John Aylward, deceased.
The Glenmore Parish records provided several facts concerning the Aylward family of Parkstown. John Aylward, of Parkstown, married Bridget Costello, of Robinstown, on the 7th of March 1859. The witnesses to the wedding were James Walsh and Honora Fitzgerald. Bridget Costello was born the 13th of February 1836. She was the daughter of Thomas Costello and Judy Costello née Aylward.
A baptismal record for James Aylward could not be found for the years 1867 through 1875. However, several other baptisms were recorded for other children born to John Aylward and Bridget Aylward née Costello of Parkstown, Glenmore including: [1] Mary Aylward was born on the 19th of March 1863 and baptized the following day; [2] John Aylward was born on the 1st of September 1865; [3] Patrick Aylward was born on the 26 of May 1868; [4] William Aylward was born on the 10th of November 1870; [5] Bridget Aylward was born on the 25th of October 1875; and [6] Johanna Aylward was born on the 19th of June 1880.
The father, John Aylward, was dead by 1901. The 1901 Census lists the mother Brigid Aylward as 60 years of age and heading up the household that includes: James Aylward (age 30); William Aylward (age 26); Bridget Aylward (age 26) and Hannah Aylward (age 19). The eldest child, Mary Aylward had married Patrick Butler, of Parkstown, on the 26th of February 1895.
As outlined in the newspaper accounts William Aylward by 1909 was a shopkeeper in Waterford City. According to Danny Dowling this week William Aylward’s premises were on O’Connell Street in Waterford. He commenced trading as a grocer and obtained a spirit’s licence. The 1911 Census for Waterford places William Aylward living on O’Connell Street, single, aged 36. He recorded that he was a grocer and publican. Residing with him is his youngest sister Johanna Aylward who was 26 years of age and also single. In 1911 on the Aylward farm in Parkstown the mother Bridget Aylward is 73 and two of her children are residing with her. Patrick Aylward who was not living on the farm in 1901 returned home to take over the farm, was single and listed as 39 years of age while his sister Bridget Aylward’s age is difficult to decipher.
Danny said that Patrick Aylward went on to marry and had a family. A search revealed that Patrick Aylward, of Parkstown, on 1 November 1917 at Rosbercon, married Bridget Doolan, of Shambough. Bridget was the daughter of Dany Doolan a farmer. The witnesses to the wedding were John Aylward and Margaret Doolan. On the 2nd of October 1919 Patrick Aylward and his wife had a daughter Bridget Aylward. Danny identified John Joe Aylward as another child. John Joe Aylward died a couple of years ago (20 February 2018) and his sister Peggy Aylward died about a decade earlier (2009).
The Mullinavat Bride
Catherine “Kate” Gaule was born at Ballynooney, Mullinavat, on the 7th of January 1875, the daughter of Luke Gaule and Margaret Gaule née Corcoran. Luke Gaule, of Ballynooney, Mullinavat, married Margaret Corcoran, of Liserlin, Tullogher on the 13th of June 1872 at Mullinargle (sic). Witnesses to the wedding were Laurence Gaule and Johanna Walsh. Luke’s father was listed as John Gaule, deceased, farmer and Margaret’s father was listed as Edmund Corcoran, deceased, farmer. Kate Gaule had at least two brothers: John Gaule was born 19 April 1873 and William Gaul born on the 23rd of September 1879.
Margaret Gaule née Corcoran died on the 17th of November 1897, aged 60 of heart disease. The 1901 Census provides that Luke was 54 years of age and three of his children were residing with him. John Gaule was 27, Kate Gaule was 25, and William Gaule was 22. John Gaule married Margaret Ryan, of Ballynooney on the 26th of January 1916 at Mullinavat. Margaret was the daughter of Patrick Ryan, a farmer. A William Gaule, of Keatingstown, Thomastown married on the 15th of October 1914, Nora Dalton the daughter of farmer Pat Dalton. William Gaule, of Keatingstown, was a farmer and the son of Luke Gaule.
Kate Gaule married James Aylward in 1909 and became a widow 5 days later. Danny Dowling this week stated that he did not know what happened to James Aylward’s widow. The 1911 Census reveals that she was living with her father and brother, John on the Gaule farm in Ballynooney. In the 1911 Census: Luke Gaule was a widower aged 64; John Gaule was single and aged 36 and Catherine Aylward, a widow was aged 35. It is believed that Luke Gaule died on the 7th of February 1917 at the age of 70. The townland is listed as Ballyvatheen rather than Ballynooney on the death cert, but the person with the deceased was John Gaule the son of the deceased.
While James Aylward’s life was tragically cut short, unfortunately, we don’t know what happened to his widow, Catherine “Kate” Aylward née Gaule. Did she re-marry? Did she live out her life with one her brothers and his family? We hope that a reader has the answer to what happened to the woman from Mullinavat who was widowed 5 days after she was married.
Update: In our blog post of 15 July 2020 we revealed what we learned about the widow.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured image is of an ancient Egyptian funeral.
The Glenmore Dispensary
Prior to the Poor Law Act of 1838, a dispensary doctor could be employed for the giving of medicine and advice free to the poor. However, to pay for the service local donations were collected and the grand jury, which today would be similar to a County Council, was required to match the donations with local taxes. In general, there were few dispensaries and they were unevenly spread across pre-famine Ireland. The Poor Law Act of 1838 divided Ireland into 130 administrative units called Poor Law Unions. This Act is often cited as the first real effort to put in place a public health system. Each Union had its own workhouse governed by the Poor Law Guardians who were elected by the rate payers. The existing dispensaries were now run by the Guardians and new dispensaries were established.
The dispensary system generated a substantial amount of criticism. Although the Guardians were elected they were all men and came from the upper classes. As highlighted in our last post, the Guardians “elected” the medical staff to treat the poor within their districts. The newspapers are full of reports of conflicts between Guardians over these “elections.” Other controversies arose around decisions regarding the award of contracts as well as to who was eligible for free services, and the nature of the free services.
In general, for medical treatment a ticket system was utilised. The Guardians were each issued with a ticket book. The Guardian would scrutinise the request for services and issue a ticket if he deemed it appropriate. In many cases the persons seeking medical services had to ask their landlord for a ticket. A black ticket entitled the recipient to see the doctor in the dispensary, and a red ticket entitled the recipient to have the doctor call to the recipient’s home. The red ticket was meant to convey urgency, and the doctor would be required to attend the patient as soon as able.
There are numerous complaints of favourtism and graft surrounding the dispensary ticket system. Around the turn of the 20th Century due to the ongoing abuse of the system auditors were appointed by the Government. Any Poor Law Guardian wrongfully providing “outdoor relief” or dispensary tickets to a person not eligible was made to bear the cost of the support wrongly provided. Outdoor relief was support provided without requiring the person to enter the workhouse. Due to the stigma attached to entering the workhouse outdoor relief was preferred by the poor and discouraged by the authorities. The workhouse and Poor Law Union system were not abolished until after Irish Independence in 1922. The dispensary system, for the provision of medical services, continued until 1972 when the medical card was introduced. Today, Danny Dowling related that when he was about 13 (around 1940) he was asked to take a ticket to Rosbercon to get Dr. Fitzgerald for an elderly neighbour. The Greens, of Jamestown, were in charge of the tickets, and Danny rode his bicycle to Rosbercon.
In terms of the parish of Glenmore during the Poor Law Union it was in the Kilmakevogue Dispensary District which fell under the control of the Waterford Poor Law Union. The workhouses of the Waterford Union were all located in Waterford. A description of the vastness of the Kilmakevogue Dispensary District was articulated by the Glenmore Parish Priest, Rev. Robert Phelan, in 1912 when he was seeking a fairer proportion of medical services for the poor of Slieverue and Glenmore.
“It is 18 Irish miles long, extending from a point near Harristown; five miles north of Mullinavat village to the Barrow; 13 Irish miles south of Mullinavat, and varies in breadth from Lukeswell to Kilmacow village, from the bounds of New Ross to Slieverue village and from Ballyverneen Pill to Ballinlaw Ferry. It includes the greater part of the parish of Glenmore, a part of Slieverue and Kilmacow parishes, and all Mullinavat parish, and is intersected by the Bishop’s Mountain, which forms a natural barrier dividing Glenmore parish from Mullinavat parish, thus cutting off all traffic between the parishes. The extent and general hilly formation of the district make it impossible for one doctor to work it without very great hardship to his patients and himself and at a cost for car hire almost equal to his salary. The roads are soft and bad, and after heavy rain almost dangerous to traffic…” (New Ross Standard—Friday, 13 Dec. 1912).
Today, Danny stated that he believes that there was no dispensary in Glenmore until the 1840’s. A newspaper article in 1846 supports this observation as a Glenmore district was formed when the Guardians agreed to appoint Dr. Boyd to the Kilcolum, Kilbride and Rathpatrick electoral divisions within the Kilmakevogue Dispensary district (Waterford Chronicle, 27 May 1846). On 14 October 1853, an advertisement appeared in the Waterford News seeking a medical officer for the Kilmackevogue Dispensary District. The salary was £80 a year and the area to be covered was 30,000 acres, with a population of 8,000. The election for the post was to take place at Glenmore on the 1st of November 1853. Candidates were instructed to send their qualifications to Robert Grant, Honorary Secretary, of Haggard, Glenmore.
Danny believes that the first dispensary was located in attached premises adjoining the Gaffney shop and currently the end of Danny’s house in the Village. However, Danny stated that an old man years ago told him that the dispensary was once located in an outbuilding near where the current Glenmore Pub is located. The Waterford News of 18 September 1857 provides an account of the report of Dr. Purcell, the medical inspector. When Dr. Purcell went to visit the Glenmore dispensary he found that it had been converted into a public house, by the owner and caretaker. Unfortunately, the owner is not identified. The room where the committee held their meetings was converted to a whiskey shop and the patients’ room was a drinking room. This conversion had been done with the “approbation of the managing committee.” The Guardians were requested to immediately provide other and more suitable premises for a Glenmore dispensary.
Whether the Gaffney dispensary was the first or second dispensary is not known, however, by 1874 Gaffney was reported in the newspapers as being the caretaker of the Glenmore dispensary. Mr. Duggan, the Guardian, proposed that the salary of Nicholas Gaffney, the caretaker of the Glenmore dispensary, be raised from 9d a month to 16d per month. Dr. Mackesy, of Waterford, seconded the motion and it passed with one dissenting vote.
Eventually, due to the fact that the Kilmakevogue Dispensary district was so large dispensary buildings were established at Mullinavat, Slieverue and Glenmore. The doctor established hours at the various dispensaries and did his best to respond to the needs of the poor in the district. The dispensary doctor was required to provide and pay for his own horse and car. Danny does not believe that a dispensary doctor ever lived in Glenmore. The doctors were generally based in Mullinavat, and over the years much has been written about the poor quality of the house provided to the dispensary doctor in Mullinavat. The work of the dispensary doctor has been described as a hopeless and thankless job (John Dorney, A Hopeless and Thankless Job: The Dispensary Doctor in Ireland (2017) available at https://www.theirishstory.com/2019/12/13/a-hopeless-and-thankless-job-the-dispensary-doctor-in-ireland/#.XqQyCGhKhPY. ) The next post will highlight the trials and tribulations of Dr. James Butler Norris Cane who for 38 years was the dispensary doctor of Glenmore.
In 1906 P.N. O’Gorman & Co., of New Ross, purchased the premises of Nicholas Gaffney and was prepared to take over the Glenmore dispensary and caretaking on the same terms. This was accepted by the Guardians. (Waterford Standard, 31 March 1906). In June 1908 the medical inspector issued a report concerning the poor condition of the Slieverue and Glenmore dispensaries. Repairs were immediately commenced in both dispensaries and it was reported that the Glenmore dispensary was temporarily moved to allow for the repairs.
By August there was an open and very public dispute with the newspaper labelling the meeting of the Guardians as heated. The dispute centred on whether the dispensary should remain where it had been or move. It was agreed to put in place a Glenmore Committee to review and make recommendations. Only after the committee was agreed was a letter from Robert Fluskey provided to the Guardians. Fluskey offered a detached house with sanitary accommodation and stabling for the doctor’s horse at the rent of £3, 17s., 6d.. P.N. O’Gorman was getting £13. Various Guardians expressed outrage that the letter was withheld and the arguments erupted again. (Waterford Standard, 22 August 1908). Eventually the Glenmore committee met and more battles took place until it was agreed to recommend to the Guardians that the dispensary stay in the P.N. O’Gorman building with extensive repairs and improvements being carried out at the landlord’s expense. (Waterford Standard, 19 September 1908). This dispensary was later incorporated into the end of Danny’s house.
Danny believes that the last dispensary that was built on the hill (just above the barracks) in the late 1940’s. Prior to it being built a temporary dispensary was on that spot until the new one was built. After 1974 the last dispensary was used infrequently by the public health nurse until it was eventually sold around 2000 and became a house.
The featured photo is a Google Earth view of Glenmore Village.
Further reading: Brian Donnelly, “The Historical Development of Irish Hospitals and the Importance of their Records,” in National Archives, Survey of Hospital Archives in Ireland (2016) p. 5-10 available at https://www.nationalarchives.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/PRF_106780_SURVEY_OF_HOSPITAL_BOOK_V7.pdf
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
After the Ballyfacey Evictions: The End of the Father Neary Story
As contained in a previous post Father Patrick Neary (1828-1887), the parish priest of Mullinavat, played a prominent role in the formation of local Land Leagues branches and more importantly in the failed Ballyfacey, Glenmore evictions in August 1885. The local people remained on alert until a settlement was reached. The terms of this settlement can be found in the 11th of September 1885 edition of the Waterford News. “It appears that in those cases the evictions will not be carried out, an amicable arrangement having been made through the exertions of the respected pastor, Father Neary, which will enable the tenants under sentence of death to hold their homes, by the payment of a year’s rent, wiping away all arrears and legal costs.”
Local contemporary newspapers reveal that Father Neary continued to speak at rallies and other Land League events. For example, it was reported in the 18th September 1885 edition of the Waterford News, that Father Neary, during the National League Meeting in Portlaw, publicly stated that land agent Major Hamilton had lied and produced copies of correspondence to that effect. Father Neary continued working and supporting the Land League until his sudden death on the 20th of February 1887 a few weeks before his 59th birthday.
The following obituary was published in the Freeman’s Journal on Thursday the 24th of February 1887. The obituary contains the names of 65 clergy from across County Kilkenny and the southeast.
DEATH OF THE REV. P. NEARY, P.P., of MULLINAVAT
The death of the above reverend gentleman, which took place at Galmoy, in the north of the county Killkenny, on Sunday last, was startling news all over the diocese of Ossory, and indeed all over the south of Ireland. As an archaeologist the rev gentleman’s ability was most distinguished, which was often evidenced by the numerous papers which he contributed from time to time upon archaeological subjects. The funeral passed through Kilkenny on Monday at 3 o’clock. All the business houses were closed as a mark of respect for the deceased gentleman. As a patriot the gallant stand which Father Neary made upon a recent occasion against the cruel evictions in Mullinavat was generally believed to be one of the pluckiest and most successful which has been made during the whole land struggle. The remains were conveyed from Kilkenny to Mullinavat on Monday, and on Tuesday after the Office and High Mass the interment took place. At the Requiem Mass and Office solemnised in the parish church, there were His Lordship Most Rev. Dr Brownrigg, Bishop of Ossory, presiding; Rev. John Carroll, P.P., Kilmacow, celebrant; Rev. John Roe, C.C., deacon; Rev. R. Knaresborouglh, C. C., sub-deacon ; Rev. James Shortall, C.C., Templeorum, master of ceremonies. In the chair were: Very Rev. Edward M’Donald, P.P. V.G. ; Very Rev. Canon Kelly, P.P. Castlecomer; Rev. Walter Keoghan, Adm., St John’s, Kilkenny; Rev. M. O’Connor, C.C., Tallogher; Very Rev. M. Barry, President St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny; Rev. D. O’Halloran, C.C., Callan; Rev. Walter Walsh, C. C., Slieverue; Rev. James Dunphy, C.C., Glenmore; Rev. Patrick Tracey, C.C., Rathdowney; Rev. P. Meany, C.C., Mullinavat; Rev. John Ryan, C.C., Tullaron; Rev. J. Lynagh, C.C., Inistioge; Rev. Edward Delahunty, P.P. Thomastown; Rev. Thomas Feehan, C.C., Thomastown; Rev. Peter Doyle, C.C. Callan; Rev. J. Dillon, C.C. Ferrybank; Rev. Maurice Hawe, C.C. Mooncoin; Rev. Edward Walsh, P.P. Clara; Rev. Patrick Sheehan, Admn. Cathedral, Waterford, Rev. James Henneberry, Chaplain, Kilkenny Union; Rev. P. Aylward, C.C. St Patrick’s; Rev. Martin Keoghan, P.P. Lisdowney; Rev. Michael Murphy, Professor, St Kieran’s College; Rev. Michael Cody, P.P. Castletown; Rev. P. Hoyne, C.C., Aghavillar; Rev. J. Purcell, P.P. Temploreum; Rev. John M’Grath, Adm, St Patrick’s, Kilkenny; Rev. M. Rowe, C.C., Bennett’s Bridge; Rev. Patrick Walsh, C.C., Ballyfoyle; Rev. Edward Murphy, C.C., Temploreum, Rev. T. Grant, C.C., St. Canices; Rev. Bowe, C.C., Rosbercon; Rev. Philip Power, C.C., St John’s, Waterford; Rev. E. Walsh, C.C.; Rev. James Cosgrave, Principal, the College, Kilmacow; Rev. Peter Nowlan, C.C., Conahy; Rev. Joseph Tiothy, Professor, St Kieran’s College; Rev. T.R. Walsh. Admin., St Mary’s; Rev. John Bow, C.C., Gowran ; Rev. John Prendergast, C.C., Urlingford; Rev. John Grace, C.C., Castlecomer: Rev. J Downey, C.C, Ballyuskill; Rev. James Holohan, P P. Tullaherin; Rev. W. Egan, C. C, Waterford; Rev. M. Dalton, C.C, St Canice’s, Kilkenny; Rev. Wm. Connelly, C.C, Ballycallan; Rev Wm. Cassin, C.C, St. Mary’s, Kilkenny; Rev. P. O’Keeffe, C.C. Galmay; Rev. P. Phelan, C.C., Cullohill: Rev. Edward Butler, C.C., St. John’s, Kilkenny; Rev. John Shortal, P.P. Durrow; Rev. John Walsh, P.P., Slieverue, Rev. James Purcell, C.C., Slieverue; Rev. James Shortall, C.C., Templeorum; Rev. James Doyle, Adm.,Baflyhale; Rev. Father Bannan, 0 P, Black Abbey, Kilkenny; Rev. M. M’Grath, C.C., St. John’s, Kilkenny; Rev. Joseph Canon Dunphy, P.P. Mooncoin, Rev. Thomas Kennedy, C.C., Kilmacow; Very Rev Father Matthew, O S F C; Very Rev. Father Bernard, O S F C, The Friary. The chief mourners following the coffin were- Rev. P. O’Keeffe, C.C. Galmoy; Mr. J B. Hogan and Mr. M.A. Hogan, Ormonde House, Kilkenny; and the Right Worshipful P.M. Egan, Mayor Kilkenny.
The Wexford People of Saturday the 26th of February 1887 reported the following was on the breastplate of the coffin:Rev. P. Neary
Mullinavat
Died
20th February 1887
R.I.P.
Soon after Father Neary’s death an appeal went out internationally for funds to place a fitting memorial on his grave. A large, impressive, granite Celtic cross was acquired from William Collins and Sons, Waterford and the following inscriptions are on the granite marker:
(Side 1)
Rev. Patrick Neary
Born 2nd March 1828
Died 20th February 1887
R.I.P.
(Side 2)
Erected to the memory of a devoted priest and patriotic Irishman
By his numerous admirers at home and abroad.
Although chief mourners are generally family members there is no obvious family link between Father Neary and Rev. P. O’Keeffe, C.C. Galmoy; Mr. J B. Hogan and Mr. M.A. Hogan, Ormonde House, Kilkenny; and the Right Worshipful P.M. Egan, Mayor Kilkenny.
The Hogans were auctioneers and also dealt in painting and decorating per the advertisement found in P.M. Egan’s 1884 book listed below with a link. It appears that most of the listed chief mourners shared Father Neary’s interest in history and archaeology.
John Hogan (1884) Kilkenny: The Ancient City of Ossory, published and printed by P.M. Egan. http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/digital-book-collection/digital-books-by-county/kilkenny/hogan-kilkenny/ John Hogan was elected Mayor of Kilkenny in 1883.
P.M. Egan (Patrick McEgan Egan) (1884) The Illustrated Guide to the City and County of Kilkenny, http://www.askaboutireland.ie/aai-files/assets/ebooks/82-Egan-Kilkenny/82-Kilkenny.pdf was written, published and printed by P.M. Egan. P.M. Egan was twice elected Mayor of Kilkenny in 1887 and 1888. P.M. Egan died in 1903 at the age of 60 and his obituary provides that he was a National School Teacher and gave that up to go into the printing business in Kilkenny. He also had a book and stationary shop in Waterford.
Father Neary is referenced in both of the books above.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Glenmore Land League and the Ballyfacey Evictions
The Birth of the Glenmore Land League 1880
On the 31st of October 1880, Father O’Farrell, the Parish Priest of Glenmore presided over a meeting of the people of the parishes of Glenmore and Slieverue for the purpose of establishing a branch of the Irish National Land League. The meeting was held in the chapel yard of Glenmore immediately after the last mass that Sunday. Father O’Farrell addressed the people gathered on the necessity of joining the National cause and stated that they should not stand idly by while their brethren in other districts were labouring and making sacrifices for the cause. (Wexford People, 3 Nov. 1880)
Father Michael Cody, native of Carrigcloney, Glenmore
A couple of weeks later on Sunday the 13th of November a similar meeting was held in the large field across from the Mullinavat chapel. Both Father Michael Cody and Father Neary addressed the gathered crowd. Father Neary called for the support of the three F’s: fixty of tenure, fair rents and free sale. (The Irishman, 20 Nov. 1880). According to Danny Dowling, Father Michael Cody was born and raised in Carrigcloney, Glenmore. The meetings of the various parish Land League, including the branches established at Glenmore and Mullinavat, were routinely covered by local newspapers.
Father Cody Summoned for Land League Activities
On the 17th of December 1880, Father Cody and Patrick Sheehan were summoned to the petty sessions court at Kilmacow for their Land League activities. It was alleged that on the 14th of December Father Cody attempted to compel by threats Darby Walsh, of Ballynooney, to give up his farm and caused a bell ringer on the 16th of December to follow Walsh through the Village of Mullinavat to ensure that no person would deal with Walsh. Walsh alleged that these activities were agreed at a Mullinavat Land League meeting chaired by Father Cody. Bail was set at €100 for Father Cody and €80 for Patrick Sheehan. Today, Danny Dowling explained that people who agreed to take land or farms where others had been evicted were generally referred to as “grabbers” and were shunned by the community.
Father Cody Defence Fund
At the Glenmore Land League meeting held on the 8th of February 1881, the meeting was chaired by Father Corcoran, and executive board members Daniel Cody and Patrick Forristal were present. In addition to suggestions being made that the conduct of certain landlords should be published in the local newspaper, Father Cody’s case was the subject of much discussion. “We beg to assure Father Cody that he is far from being deserted in his present difficulty.” (Wexford People, 12 Feb. 1881) A defence fund was established for Father Cody and a list of subscribers was so long it had to be printed in two different newspaper editions. [To view the list of subscribers on our list page press here.]
Father Cody’s Escape
It was reported in the Glenmore Branch meeting of 15 March 1881 that “great joy was manifested at the happy issue of the case against Father Cody… The whole district was illuminated with bonfires, and loud cheering night be heard in the distance. Father Cody and his companions are to be congratulated on their escape from the now famous Darby” (Wexford People, 19 March 1881). Thereafter the meetings of the Glenmore Branch focused on reporting on political matters and the activities of landlords such as Conn of Mount Ida. For example, in June 1881 it was reported, “Poor John Lambley Conn is the plaintiff again! Thomas Walshe, Davidstown, is the defendant. It is only an “ordinary civil bill!” He only requires the defendant to attend at Thomastown Court House!” (Wexford People, 11 June 1881). [For further information concerning Conn see, guest author Martin Forristal’s article Mount Ida].
(Library of Congress)
Ballyfacey, Glenmore Eviction Riots
On the 27th of August 1885 the Ballyfacey Eviction Riots commenced when locals resisted what they viewed as unfair evictions. Thanks to the forming of the local branches of the Land League the local people were united and ready to act.
Danny Dowling in 1956 interviewed Matt Aylward, of Ballyfacey. (Matt Aylward was identified by James McDonald, of Ballyfacey, as being the last survivor of those who took part in the Ballyfacey evictions.) Matt Aylward explained that Tighe of Woodstock was the landlord of a large estate including Mullinavat and Ballyfacey, Glenmore.
Major Albert Hamilton, of Inistioge, was the agent and Patsy Ryan of Buckstown, Mullinavat was the rent warner. Patsy Ryan was a native of Glendonnel, Mullinavat. The rent of Ballyfacey at the time of the evictions was 8/= per acre. At that time the people were not able to pay the full rent. The evictions were to start at Dollards of Ballyfacey.
The Ringing of the Glenmore Chapel Bell
Danny interviewed James McDonald, of Ballyfacey, in 1970 who recalled that Jimmy Carroll of Ballyveria, a small low size stout man, walked to Glenmore to have the bell of the church ring on the morning of the Ballyfacey evictions. He met the parish priest and asked him to ring the bell. The request was refused. Carroll told the priest that he didn’t own the bell, it belonged to the people of Glenmore. Carroll brushed the priest aside and he rang the bell himself. The eviction started at Dollard’s house which was barricaded. Phil Walsh, of Ballyfacey, had a sister who was at Dollards when the first three bailiffs attacked it. She threw a bucketful of boiling water on them and scalded them.
James McDonald stated that Bodkin was in charge of the proceedings. Father Neary, the Parish priest of Mullinavat, arrived on the scene, and when Bodkin read the Riot Act twice, Fr. Neary told him if he read it again his wife would be a widow that night. Bodkin asked another man to read it who stated that he had forgot the book although he had it in his pocket. This incident passed off rather peacefully in Ballyfacey, but that evening in Mullinavat, a row started between the Police, the military and the people. The disturbance continued until Father Neary and Cody came out to the people and told them that they were disappointed by their actions.
(National Library of Ireland)
James McDonald stated that four days after the Ballyfacey evictions, the famous Coolgreany evictions of County Wexford took place. [In fact, the Coolgreany evictions took place in 1887.]
In 1938, Edward Dolan of Mullinavat was interviewed and discussed the monument erected inside the Mullinavat chapel gate to Father Neary (Duchas.ie). To bring together the people Father Neary rang the parish bells. Mr. Bodkin, the Resident Magistrate, ordered Father Neary to silence the bells, and Father Neary refused stating that the bells belonged to the people of Mullinavat.
The article that appeared in the Freeman’s Journal on 29 August 1885 supports the oral tradition recorded by Danny and others and provides additional information. The Ballyfacey rents, even in the most prosperous times, were excessive. Many of the tenants vainly sought relief in the Land Court. The landlords pressed for the rent arrears and in 1882 this caused the agent of the estate, Captain Burnbury to resign. The landlords turned to the Land Corporation that appointed Mr. EC Hamilton, agent. Hamilton began moving against the tenants even after stating he would not. Patrick Ryan, the estate bailiff, resigned in protest. His family had held the post for over 100 years.
On the day of the planned eviction the Mullinavat chapel bell was ringing well before the eviction party of officials, protected by over 100 police, arrived. After attempting to silence the bell the eviction party gave up and set off for Ballyfacey a distance of 3 miles away.
The Reception Received by the Eviction Party
At Ballyquin stones were thrown at the police by the increasing crowd. Bodkin, the Resident Magistrate, stopped the eviction party, took out the Riot Act, and started to read it. Father Neary interrupted the reading and asked Bodkin if he was so thin-skinned as to be injured by shouting and groaning. Bodkin replied, “My skin is not thick enough to resist stones.” It was agreed that the reading of the Riot Act would stop if the stone throwing stopped. Father Neary asked the people to stop throwing stones and they did stop.
The march resumed and continued to the homestead of Mrs. Dollard. The stone pelting commenced again. The Riot Act was again produced, but it had no effect. The houses were barricaded and the tenants were armed with boiling water. When it was suggested that the house could be breached through the roof Father Neary implored Bodkin not to allow it or his wife would be a widow by that night. After the tenants stated that they would not yield their homes without a fight Bodkin informed Father Neary that he had been made a fool because the sheriff forgot the necessary writs. Father Neary agreed that the eviction party could retreat to Mullinavat unmolested.
The Mullinavat Riot
The eviction party returned to Mullinavat without difficulty, however later in the afternoon when attempting to leave by train, the windows of the train were smashed. The police who escorted the officials to the station were also stoned. Similar violence occurred later in the evening. All the remaining constabulary force, numbering about fifteen, were ordered out of the barracks, and with fixed bayonets they charged the people.
When Father Neary heard of the violence he arrived and ended the riots by sending the people to their homes. Dr Cane, the local medical man, had more work that evening than he had for the previous four years. Several arrests were made arising from the riots. [For information concerning the trial of persons arrested at the Ballyfacey evctions and the Mullinavat riots see our chart of the defendants, their charges and the trial outcomes.]
False Alarm
When a large number of police were observed in Mullinavat a few days later at 6 a.m,, according to contemporary newspaper accounts, chapel bells across the countryside rang out in Bigwood, Thomastown, Ballyfoyle, Rosbercon and four thousand people answered the call and rushed to Ballyfacey. Local men were armed with various things such as pitchforks, scythes, sprongs, shovels, axes or cudgel sticks. (Wexford People, 5 Sept. 1885)
A correspondent for the Freeman’s Journal (31 Aug. 1885) noted that the bells at Glenmore and Mullinaharigal were also ringing and four horsemen were stationed at the Mullinavat station to raise the alarm that the “redcoats” were coming. Father Neary remained at the Mullinavat station to direct activities and by mid-day it was apparent that no forced eviction would take place that day. The priest and people remained on alert for several weeks until all efforts to evict stopped.
History Repeats Itself at Ballyfacey 1893
Ballyfacey, Glenmore returned to the news in February 1893 when history appeared to repeat itself. Shortly after midnight the dogs of Mullinavat Village began to bark and one man went out to investigate and observed Captain Hamilton (nephew of the 1885 agent) with ten “emergencymen.” He raised the alarm by ringing the chapel bell and in less than half an hour people were gathering at Ballyfacey again.
Captain Hamilton proceeded to the house of Richard Walsh, of Ballyfacey, and seized three cows and three two year olds under a distress warrant for rent. Richard’s son, James Walsh, attempted to stop the seizure by causing havoc. His sister, Mary Walsh, went after an “emergencyman” with a pitchfork which caused him to run for his life. “The Captain, who believed he was safe in the hands of his bodyguard, was all this time indifferently puffing a cigar…young Walsh made a determined rush…and sent him spinning into the adjacent dungpit.”
The Captain sent his men off to carry out the distress on a neighbour David Grant. Grant having heard the alarm had a small army of local Ballyfacey men gathered, “who administered them such a sound thrashing that their fellow-henchmen hardly knew them when they returned.” A change in attitude is reflected in the end of the newspaper account which reports that the next morning the Glenmore police heard of the occurrence, and sent the information to District Inspector Penrose, of Pilltown, who began to investigate Captain Hamilton’s actions. (Wicklow People, 17 Feb. 1893).
The featured print above is “The Eviction: A Scene From Life in Ireland,” (Reversed Monogram) (Library of Congress).
UPDATE: Dick Claridge is our third guest author. Dick has collected local verses from the early half of the 20th Century. These verses provide an interesting insight into Glenmore humour and events.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh