National Ploughing Association

Today, we are going to highlight the first two years of the Glenmore Ploughing Association which held its first match on the 16^th of February 1938. Ploughing Associations in Ireland began to form early in the 1930’s. According to the National Ploughing Association the first inter-county ploughing contest took place in 1931. Two friends got into an argument over which of their counties had the best ploughmen. However, unlike most arguments, that remain unresolved, Denis Allen, of Gorey, Co. Wexford and J.J. Bergin, of Athy, Co. Kildare determined that a ploughing contest would settle the issue. Thus, the friendly rivalry between two friends gave birth to what would become the National Ploughing Association. On Monday the 16^th of February 1931 the first contest took place in W.K. Hosie’s 26 acres field at Coursetown in Athy. For the history and some old photos of the National Ploughing Association see,  https://www.npa.ie/historymenu/.

The following description of the first Glenmore Ploughing Match was found in the Munster Express (Fri. 18 Feb. 1938, p. 8) and contains the names of 45 Glenmore men and women. In the early years of Ploughing Associations women were not contestants, but rather were listed for the “catering arrangements.” In reviewing a number of newspaper accounts, of early ploughing associations forming and holding matches, it is very unusual for the names of women who supported the cause to be acknowledged let alone  named.

The First Glenmore Ploughing Association Match

On the hillside of Robinstown, with a beautiful panorama of fertile land stretched beneath, the first ploughing fixture in the history of Glenmore parish took place on Wednesday last, being favoured with ideal weather. The number of entries totalled 30, representative of Kilkenny and Wexford and included David O’Connor, Campile, All-Ireland champion; Michael Redmond, former champion, and Pat Walsh, Clogga, Kilkenny senior champion. The judges were Messrs John Walsh, Ballycraddick, Co. Waterford; J. Kinsella, Crosstown, Co. Wexford, and David Egan, Wexford. Interviewed by our representative, the judges stated that the work done was of an exceptionally high standard, particularly in the junior class, the winner of which was notably outstanding. So keen was the competition that a number of
competitors tied for places with equal points. Nothing was left undone to make the initial fixture a success, and the committee deserves the highest credit for the splendid success achieved, and it is almost certain that the fixture will now be an annual event.Those responsible for the arrangements were — Messrs R. Murphy, Robinstown, Chairman; Thos. Mullally, Davidstown, Vice-Chairman; James Kelly, Aylwardstown, Hon. Sec.; Patk. Corcoran, Mullinahone; Hon. Treas., and the following committee — Messrs. J. Phelan, do; Thos. Walsh, Davidstown; John Doherty, do; Nicholas Walsh, do; John Kirwan, Gaulstown; Michael Kirwan, do; John Kirwan, Robinstown; Michael Reddy, do; Thomas Murphy, do; Thos. Roche, do; Thos. Heffernan, Kearney Bay; Ml. Heffernan, do; Ed. Heffernan, do; James Irish, Aylwardstown; Jas. Delahunty, do; John Culleton, Kilbride; Thos. Freyne, do; Wm. Grace, do ; Nicholas Mullins, Flemingstown; Joe Walsh, Rochestown; P. Roche, Rathinure; Luke Roche, Haggard, and John McBride, Newtown.

The catering arrangements were efficiently carried out by the following ladies’ committee —The Misses Molly Culleton, Kilbride; Teresa Freyne, do; Alice Grace, do; Stasia Aylward,Parkstown; Mary Aylward, do; Sarah Kelly, Graignakill; Margaret Kelly, do; Bridget Connors, Ballyfacey; Mary Connolly, Scartnamore; Minnie McDonald, Gaulstown; Margt. McBride, Robinstown; Margt. Sheehy, Ballinclare; Kathleen Walsh, Rochestown; Bridget Roche, Rathinure; Bridie Delahunty, Aylwardstown; Cecilia Heffernan, Kearney Bay; Bessie Murphy, Mullinakill, and Bridie Phelan, Mullinahone.

A number of subscriptions were contributed by Waterford and New Ross traders, as well as locally, a sum of £5 being given by Glenmore Co-operative Creamery. A valuable cup presented by Major McCalmont. M.F.H., Mount Juliet, will be competed for at next year’s fixture. [Notwithstanding this announcement per a statement made by P.N. O’Gorman (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Jan. 1939, p. 11) Major McCalmont wasn’t asked to sponsor a cup until December 1938.]

The Awards. The results were as follows —

• Class 1 (senior, open)—1st, W. Kehoe, Boley, Co. Wexford; 2nd, tie between Michael Redmond, Wexford, and David O’Connor, do : 4th. J. Byrne, Oldtown. Best furrow, Pat Walsh, Clogga; best middle and prize for Star plough, D. O’Connor.
• Class 2 (junior, open)—1st, John Golfer, Campile; 2nd, Ml. Murphy, Ballyanne ; 3rd, tie between Thomas Walsh, Davidstown; Wm. Mackey, Mooncoin, and Stephen Curtis, Clongeen, Co. Wexford. Best middle and best furrow, John Colfer.
• Class 3 (novice, confined to Co. Kilkenny) —1st, Joe Walsh, Rochestown; 2nd, tie between John Dunphy, Mooncoin, and John Walsh, Firhouse, Kilkenny; 4th, Michael Reddy, Robinstown. Best middle, tie between Joe Walsh and John Walsh; best furrow, John Dunphy.

The field was kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr. Richard Murphy, Robinstown, and there was an extremely large attendance of spectators, who followed the work of the competitors with keen interest. At the conclusion, Mr. Murphy, on behalf of the committee, thanked the competitors, the judges, the ladies’ committee, the subscribers, those who had kindly lent horses, and all who in any way had contributed to the success of the fixture. He announced, amidst applause, that a cup had been presented for next year’s ploughing match, and added that Wexford would have to fight hard for the honours next time. “The British Government are having a big ploughing fixture in Northern Ireland,” concluded Mr. Murphy, “and have invited representatives from Southern Ireland to compete. The Wexfordmen will go, and the Kilkenny men will go too and they will show the British Government how to plough, the same as they showed them how to fight over a hundred years ago.” (Applause.)

The New Ross Standard (Fri. 18 Feb. 1938, p. 3) also contained a large article on the first Glenmore ploughing match. Unfortunately, the New Ross Standard incorrectly identified Rochestown as the venue and its article did not name the members of the ladies committee. The article does contain several flowery statements concerning the event including, “… it can be truthfully said that this year’s initial one has with one bound placed Glenmore in a lofty place in the map of ploughing importance in the provinces of Leinster and Munster.”

The day following Glenmore’s first match, the 8^th National Ploughing Championship was held at Oak Park, Carlow where it was reported that 10,000 people were in attendance. Among the numerous events the award for the best pair of farm horses went to Major McCalmont, of Mount Juliet, Kilkenny (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 Feb. 1938, p. 3).

In order to fund themselves the Glenmore Ploughing Association began organising dances. The first dance was held on St. Patrick’s night (Munster Express, Fri. 4 March 1938, p. 8). Shortly thereafter an “all night” dance was held by the Association in the Glenmore Creamery on Easter Sunday night. Dancing was from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. with an admission of 3/- and 2/- including supper. (Munster Express, Fri. 15 Apr. 1938, p. 8). In September 1938 as the Association prepared for its second dance James Kelly, of Aylwardstown House, the Secretary of the Association obtained a dance license for the Glenmore Creamery (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Sept 1938, p. 6). The New Ross Standard reported that, “The members are leaving nothing undone to make the social as successful and enjoyable as possible, and the catering arrangements will be in the hands of a capable and experienced committee of local ladies, which is a sufficient criterion that all will be perfect in this important section. The music has been entrusted to the popular New Ross Accordion Band, which is held in high regard by local dance devotees.” (Munster Express, Fri. 23 Sept. 1938, p. 8).

By the time the 1939 Glenmore Ploughing Match was held a number of additional men had joined the Association including: Michael Phelan, John Power, George O’Connor, John O’Connor, P. Walsh, P. Hynes, J. Doherty, Thomas Fitzgerald, T. Hartley, and P. Ennett. (New Ross Standard, Fri 27 Jan. 1939, p. 11).

The Second Annual Glenmore Ploughing Match

The 1939 Glenmore Ploughing Match was held on the 18^th of January and a total of 34 teams competed. The match was held in a “splendid field” kindly offered by Mr. John Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack.” “Since the Glenmore Ploughing Association was formed it has been going from record, to record in the successes of their fixtures. When the initial match was organised last year the huge number of teams competed, thus making a record that had scarcely a parallel in history of ploughing matches in any, county in this country, but this year witnessed the enormous number of teams competing. Entries were received from no less than 44 teams, ten being unable to come owing to weather; conditions and other causes. Such outstanding entries establish the immense and the widespread popularity of the Ploughing Association’s fixture.  Added evidence of this was also in the fact that, it was attended; by over one thousand people. The competing teams came from the counties of Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford; amongst the competitors was last year’s All-Ireland champion. Mr. David O’Connor, Knockes, Campile, and some have won the championship for several years, including Mr. Michael Redmond, The Ballagh.  In Class 1. Senior open, Mr. Wm. Kehoe, Yoletown, Ballycullane, won first prize again this year.”

Awards won by Glenmore men included:

• Class, I senior (open) (All three places went to Wexford men)
• Class II, senior —3^rd place, Joe Walsh, Rochestown
• Class III, junior—1^st Thomas Walsh, Davidstown; best furrow (tied) Thomas Walsh, Davidstown & Michael Heffernan, Kearney Bay
• Class IV (novice)—1^st Patrick Hogan, Haggard and 4^th place, Thomas Freyne, Kilbride. Best middle and best furrow went to Patrick Hogan.
• The Major McCalmont Cup for the best ploughman in the parish of Glenmore was presented by New Ross auctioneer, P.N. O’Gorman due to the death of the Major’s wife in December. The Cup was won by Joe Walsh of Rochestown and Patrick Hogan, of Haggard, was second.
• The Special Prize by the Glenmore Co-op Creamery for ploughmen under 21 went to Nicholas Walsh of Davidstown with James Connolly, of Gaulston, second. Special prize for best turned out team (of horses) 1^st James Freyne, Kilbride; 2^nd James Cody, Weatherstown and 3^rd Patrick Doolan, Jamestown. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Jan. 1939, p. 11).

That same month newspaper accounts of the success of the Glenmore Association members at other matches began to be published. For example, at the Mooncoin Ploughing match Joseph Walsh, of Rochestown, Glenmore was first in the junior class and Thomas Walsh, of Davidstown, Glenmore was awarded a first for best centre in that class. His brother, Nicholas Walsh, of Davidstown, obtained a fourth in the novice class. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Jan. 1939, p. 12).

Although it is not clear from the newspaper accounts whether any Glenmore men competed in the County Kilkenny contest, held three miles from Kilmacow, in January 1939, it was reported that 43 of the best ploughmen of the county vied for the honour of representing Kilkenny in the National Ploughing Contest which was to take place at Killarney on the 8^th of February. “They ploughed a sod that was last ploughed by oxen 104 years ago. They acquitted themselves well in a field which, in formation and on top was very difficult.” Mr. Michael Kinsella, Mooncoin, who was only 20 years of age won the senior class and the McCalmont Challenge Cup. It was noted that championship ploughing is comparatively new in Kilkenny, and the majority of entrants were men in their late teens and early twenties. Five years earlier, at a like fixture, although there were very few fixtures, the majority of entrants were men over 40. In the last five years of the decade almost every district began holding annual ploughing matches resulting in young farmers and labourers becoming accomplished ploughmen. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 Jan. 1939, p. 11).

Special thanks to Kelvin Johnson Treacy for locating and sharing the 1938 Munster Express article and to other readers who furnished information concerning the Association. We hope to provide further information regarding this group in future blog posts.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh