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A Photo of JFK’s 1963 New Ross Visit
On 19 March 2023 we published a post concerning the Gahan family of Newtown, Glenmore and featured Peter Gahan (1888-1958) who left Glenmore to work in New Ross. Eventually, Peter Gahan established two businesses in New Ross, married and raised a family. This week we received an email from Peter Gahan’s grandson, who is also named Peter Gahan. Peter corrected a few errors in our original post and forwarded the iconic photo that hung in the Gahan pub on Priory Steet, New Ross. Here is a link to the updated original post of 19 March 2023.
The Iconic Photo
There were a lot of photos taken of President John F. Kennedy (1919-1963) in New Ross during his 1963 visit. The photo forwarded by Peter depicts the easily recognisable JFK standing in his car. Over his right shoulder, looking down on the presidential motorcade from her premises on Priory St., New Ross, is Peter’s grandmother, Mary Teresa “Tess” Gahan née Sheehy (c. 1887-1963). We were unable to find the photo in the New Ross Standard. However, we know that JFK visited New Ross on 27 June 1963.
The Presidential Schedule
Sixty years ago, the presidential schedule was published prior to his visit to Ireland. Per the Irish Independent (Thur. 17 June 1963, p. 16) the presidential schedule for New Ross was:
9:30 Meets the Taoiseah (Dublin)
10:30 Departs by helicopter for New Ross
11:15 Arrives O’Kennedy Park, New Ross. Leaves Park by Car for New Ross Quay.
11:30 Addresses crowd at New Ross Quay. [For a 3 minute audio of JFK’s remarks courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum click here.
12:00 Leaves by car for Dunganstown (For further information & photos of JFK’s visit to his ancestoral home visit the Kennedy Homestead site).
12:15 Arrives Dunganstown for visit to house of great-grandfather and meeting with cousins.
Time & Place of Photo
President Kennedy was 15 minutes late in arriving at the GAA’s O’Kennedy Park, New Ross. On the pitch was painted the word FAILTE (welcome) in 20 foot white letters. The President travelled in “his own special car through the gaily decorated streets” of New Ross. After addressing the crowds on the Quay, President Kennedy upset his schedule further by walking around and speaking with people in the large crowd. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 28 June 1963, p. 10).
Thus, given the presidential schedule, the location of the various places referenced and the roads of that time, we know that the presidential motorcade left the New Ross Quay sometime after noon on the 27th of June 1963 and proceeded down Priory St. toward Dunganstown. The photo was taken as the motorcade passed Gahan’s pub on Priory St.
Deaths
Tragically, JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on 22 November 1963. Less than a month later, on 16 December 1963, the lady photographed over his right shoulder, Mary Teresa “Tess” Gahan, also died tragically in a fire on Priory St., New Ross.
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Special thanks to Peter Gahan for sending on the photograph and correcting the original post.
Does anyone know the identity of the child and woman photographed in the window above JFK’s left shoulder?
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: January 1923
January 1923
Glenmore did not feature in any of the local newspapers in January 1923. Although the Civil War continued January was a quieter month. Fewer clashes were reported between the Free State Army and the Irregulars. The worst phase of the war against the railways had passed with only isolated reports of attacks on the lines or rolling stock (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 Jan. 1923, p. 4).
However, the damage to infrastructure continued to cause misery and even death. During January the bodies of four young men were pulled from the Suir. On Christmas night they drowned at Kilsheelan while attempting to cross the river to the Waterford side in a cot because the bridge at Kilsheelan was destroyed (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 26 Jan. 1923, p. 8). Today, we will present some of the local Civil War activities as recorded in local newspapers as well as some of the economic difficulties faced locally 100 years ago.
Fighting in Waterford
On Saturday the 30th of December at 10:30 p.m. Irregulars were attacking across Waterford City from “Waterford Jail and the North Station to the Workhouse.” The battle commenced when two bombs were lobbed at the Infantry Barracks, Barrack St., resulting in loud explosions but no material damage. At the same time a “determined” attack took place on the jail, the local headquarters of the National troops, the railway station, and other national posts in the city.
Snipers were directing fire on the jail and the guard room at the railway station. Some snipers were on Mount Misery overlooking the city from the Kilkenny side of the river. Windows in the GPO and the shop, Ledlie, Ferguson & Co. (now Shaw’s) on the quay were shattered by stray bullets. Houses in Ballybricken near the jail also suffered broken windows.
The national troops did not return fire until they located the positions of the Irregulars. Machine guns could be heard across the city. The shooting lasted about 30 minutes. Citizens returning home from the cinema ran for cover. Kilkenny residents who were in the city found themselves marooned. When the firing died down, some took the chance and crossed the river. Others did not attempt to leave the city until Sunday morning. There were no casualties reported (Munster Express, Sat. 6 Jan. 1923, p. 3).
New Year’s Eve
It was reported that New Year’s Eve was quiet in Waterford City. The City was devoid of the usual din of ship and rail whistles, sirens, bands etc. Only the church bells rang in the New Year. One young man was shot dead in the city and another was fatally wounded (Munster Express, Sat. 6 Jan. 1923, p. 5).
Murder of Pierce Murphy
Pierce Murphy, a mason, aged 33, of 70 Barrack Street, was shot and killed as he walked home with friends from a New Year’s Eve dance. Three men in National troop uniforms stopped and searched the deceased and his friends. After the men were released and told to go home; deceased was walking toward his home when he was shot in the back and killed. At his inquest a military officer testified that no National Army patrols were operating in the city at that time. All men were accounted for in the barracks, the jail and the railway station.
Killing of Thomas Cullen
The second man that was shot on New Year’s Eve at about 9 p.m. was Thomas Cullen, aged 33, a married, carpenter. Thomas died the 2nd of January 1923 in the County & City Infirmary from his gunshot wound. From the inquest it appears that Thomas was shot by a stray bullet while he walked with a friend on Barrack’s Hill (Munster Express, Sat. 6 Jan. 1923, p. 6).
The New Ross Standard reported that Thomas was a native of Irishtown, New Ross, and was employed at the Convent of the Good Shepherd, Waterford. He had only been married a short time before his death. Thomas was shot in the abdomen. At his funeral in New Ross, the New Ross Total Abstinence Band attended and played the Dead March. Thomas was a member of the Band (New Ross Standard, Fri, 12 January 1923, p. 7).
Activities near Glenmore
On the night of the 1st of January, at about 8:30 p.m., six or eight shots were fired in New Ross. The shots came from across the river and were apparently directed toward the Tholsel where national troops were quartered. A window frame on the house of Mr. Schekby, jeweller, on the Quay was pierced and his plate glass window cracked. People who were on the streets at the time quickly took shelter (New Ross Standard, Fri, 5 January 1923, p. 5).
Mullinavat
Early in the New Year, National troops arrested four Irregulars named Egan, Mackey, Morrissey and Curran who were from the Mile Bush. The arrests took place in Mullinavat, and the men were armed. Egan escaped from Kilkenny Prison last year (Munster Express, Sat. 6 Jan. 1923, p. 6). Mullinavat was also the place where three other Irregulars were captured about the same time. They included: Richard Brennan, a leader of the Irregulars in the Kilkenny area, together with Patrick and James Walshe, of Kilmacow (Waterford News & Star, Fri 5 Jan. 1923, p. 5).
Road Blocked at Tinneranny
On the 2nd of January a trench was dug across the road leading from New Ross to Tullogher at Tinneranny. A few trees were also cut down. On that morning Father Coughlan and Father Greene, C.C. Rosbercon, were traveling by car when they came to the blockade. They filled part of the trench and removed some of the trees to allow the car to pass (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 Jan. 1923, p. 4).
Mooncoin
A battle took place on 18th of January near Mooncoin between a column of National troops from Kilkenny and about fifty armed men. Fourteen of the armed men were captured and brought to Kilkenny. The following day in the same area a small party of armed men were fired upon. Two were found and arrested in a farmhouse. One had a wound on his hand that appeared to be a bullet wound (New Ross Standard, Fri, 19 January 1923, p. 6).
Slieverue
On the morning of the 11th the Slieverue sub-post office was visited by armed men who demanded the old age pension money. Not getting the money, they threatened the postmistress and intimated that they were about to damage the premises. The only money they secured was a solitary sixpence, which they contemptuously threw back at the postmistress. Also raided was the Kilmeaden post office where stamps and cash with a value of £25 was stolen and the Kill where £12 was stolen (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 12 Jan. 1923, p. 4). [Any readers know the name of the Slieverue postmistress?]
[Update–6 Feb. 2023–Eilish Sommers immediately identified Statia Aylward as the plucky postmistress. To verify we turned to the 1911 Census and found an Aylward family in Kilmurry, Rathpatrick. Statia Aylward was 42 and the asst. postmistress. She lived with her sister Catherine Aylward who was 50 and listed as a farmer & postmistress. Their brother James Aylward, aged 48 was also in the household. Additionally two servants were present: Eliz. Henneby (aged 40) and Richard Moore (aged 60) was the farm servant.]
Executions in Kilkenny City
Two men were executed in Kilkenny on Friday morning the 5th of January. John Phelan, Thomastown, and John Murphy, of Bishopslough, Co. Kilkenny were arrested on the 13th of December. They were charged with possession of arms and ammunition. They were also charged with raiding Sheastown House, where £180 worth of property was stolen. Both were found guilty of the charges in a military tribunal and sentenced to death Munster Express, Sat. 6 Jan. 1923, p. 3).
The total number of executions by the Free State Government to the 19th of January 1923 was 29 (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 19 Jan. 1923, p. 3).
Economic Difficulties
Unpaid Rates
The Wexford County Council reported that the chaotic state of the country meant the finances of the county were “far from encouraging.” The county required £26,000 to meet commitments, yet £90,000 rates were outstanding. Amazingly knowing that produce prices were quite low, that violence, blocked roads and destroyed bridges made it difficult to sell farm produce, the County Council blamed Wexford farmers for the hole in the County finances. It claimed many farmers did not pay their annuities to the Land Commission, “availing of the condition of the country as an excuse to evade their responsibilities.” This resulted in the Government retaining grant money meant for the county until the farmers redeemed their liabilities (New Ross Standard, Fri. 12 Jan. 1923, p. 4).
Labour Unrest
January 1923 was a time of labour unrest. The grain mill workers were threatening to strike because the mill owners sought to reduce the wages of the workforce. Printers in Kilkenny went on strike the 1st of January to protest against a proposed cut of 5/- a week in their wages. The cut was to take effect the 6th of January. The strike involved the three Kilkenny newspapers (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 5 Jan. 1923, p. 5). The Kilkenny Moderator and the Kilkenny People were not published in January 1923.
It was also reported that Irish publishers in Dublin were operating at a loss. The only profitable book printing was for text books (New Ross Standard, Fri, 5 January 1923, p. 4).
Why Beer is Dear
Toward the end of January as Civil War activities lessened the Munster Express published an interesting article entitled, “Why beer is dear.” In 1913, the British public consumed 36,000,000 barrels of beer, and the combined profits of nine of the most important breweries amounted to £2,200,000. In 1922, the consumption of beer fell to 18,000,000 barrels, but the profits of the nine breweries were £5,280,000 more than double the 1913 figure.
It was explained that while the price of beer remained high the costs of production fell enormously. One of the driving forces behind the high price of beer was the “absurd tax” that made it impossible to lower the price of beer without making a loss. However, the Brewer’s Society themselves benefited from the arrangement, so there was no lobby to alter the tax (Munster Express, Sat. 20 Jan. 1923, p. 4).
Long French Roots
The French Ministry of Agriculture sought to reward families who cultivated the same land for over 100 years. This inquiry led to the discovery that one family had been in continuity of tenure for 800 years. A deed bearing the date 1074 referred to a dispute regarding a right of way, and both the families mentioned in the dispute were still present at the same location in 1922 (New Ross Standard, Fri, 5 January 1923, p. 4).
New Political Party
A new political party formed named Cumann na nGaedheal by pro-treaty supporters to support the Free State Government (New Ross Standard, Fri, 12 January 1923, p. 4). This party was the forerunner of Fine Gael.
The feature photo above is the filling in of a ditch dug across a roadway to stop traffic. Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Special thanks to Eilish Sommers for identifying the Slieverue postmistress in January 1923 as Statia Aylward.
For December 1922 see our post of 31 December 2022.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
A Glenmore History Share
We are always happy to find and share local historical posts. Andrew Doherty, of Waterford Harbour Tides and Tales, posted this morning “The Gladiator Mystery” concerning the appearance of a ship in New Ross harbour in 1898. The rumours the arrival of the ship generated 125 years ago were preserved in a New Ross Standard article. Glenmore even gets a mention. Click here for the link.
One Hundred Years Ago: July 1922
Tensions over the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the partition of Ireland continued into 1922. In June of 1922 elections were held in the Free State. Pro-treaty candidates won the majority of seats. The Civil War broke out shortly thereafter. Much has been written regarding the Battle for Dublin between Free State troops and Anti-Treaty Republican forces. Today, we are going to focus on events that occurred local to Glenmore as reported in contemporary local newspapers in July 1922.
Due to the length of the materials gleaned from local newspapers we will include the “Siege of Waterford” in our next post. In July 1922 the Anti-Treaty Forces were referred to by various names by various newspapers including Irregulars, Republicans and Executive Troops.
Fatal Typhoid Case in Glenmore
It was reported in the Munster Express that Mr. Patrick Dunphy, S.S.O. (Sub-Sanitary Officer), reported that owing to the recent fatal case of typhoid fever in the neighbourhood of Glenmore he made a thorough inspection of the village a short time ago. There were complaints made to him about the large number of pigs housed and fed in the village.
As the village was congested and low lying, he impressed upon the residents the necessity of keeping their places in a sanitary condition. In the greater number of cases the yards and out-offices were clean and well kept. One or two yards were unsatisfactory, as manure heaps were not removed, but since his visit the state of things had been remedied. (Munster Express, Sat. 1 July 1922, p. 5)
Impact of the Battle for Dublin
The Munster Express reported at the beginning of July that the Battle for Dublin commenced when Lt. General O’Connell, Assistant Chief of Staff of the Free State Army, was captured late at night in Dublin by what the newspaper referred to as Irregulars (Anti-Treaty troops). O’Connell was detained in the Four Courts as a hostage for exchange for Leo Henderson and others. Troops of the Irish Free State surrounded the Four Courts and demanded the garrison surrender.
When an armoured car was fired upon by the Irregulars two eighteen pound artillery pieces were fired at the Four Courts. Both sides used machine guns and the fighting lasted all day Wednesday the 27th of June. Dublin was completely isolated from telephone communications and no trains were allowed to enter the city. Up to Thursday afternoon there were 15 people killed and 37 wounded. A number of the casualties were civilians. (Munster Express, Sat. 1 July 1922, p. 5)
New Ross Man Killed
An 18-year-old New Ross man working at the Ormonde Hotel, Dublin was one of the civilian casualties. “The body of Willie Doyle, Robert St., New Ross, who was killed at the door of the Ormonds Hotel, Dublin, on Wednesday of last week during the fighting, was brought to New Ross on Thursday night. Mr. F. J. Mackey and the deceased’s brother journeyed to Dublin in a motor car on Thursday. They were unable to get the car into the city, and having succeeded in reaching the hospital they got the body out in a hearse. In the same hospital were a number of dead bodies awaiting identification.”
They reached New Ross some time after midnight. When they reached the Ferry Mountgarrett bridge it was drawn some hours previous by the Executive Forces (Anti-Treaty Forces). They were expecting Free State Forces to try to cross it to take New Ross. The coffin was transported in a boat, and the military had it placed in a lorry, and it was then taken to the home of his parents. The deceased was employed in the Ormonde Hotel for the previous year. It was reported he came out of the door to assist a wounded officer who fell there and got struck by a bullet beneath the heart and died about ten minutes later.
“He was a member of the Fianna in New Ross and was a great favourite with everyone in the town who knew him. The deepest sympathy is felt with his bereaved parents and the members of the family. The funeral on Friday evening to St. Mary’s Cemetery was of huge dimensions and representative of all classes and creeds. The coffin, which was draped with a large tri-colour flag, was borne on the shoulders of the IRA. The IRA with rifles reversed also formed a guard of honour. Preceding the coffin and following it were a large number of the Fianna and also members of the Cumam na mBan, all carrying wreaths…Three volleys were fired over the grave by the IRA.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 July 1922, p. 3)
Tullogher Man Killed
Another local man killed in Dublin during the fighting was Mr. G. Walsh, Glenpipe, Tullogher. At the time of reporting his death the New Ross Standard was unable to report on which side he was fighting. His remains were brought home via New Ross, in a motor on Tuesday the 4th of July. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 July 1922, p. 6)
GPO & Four Courts
On Thursday the 28th of June the Waterford G.P.O. (General Post Office) and branch offices were closed about 2:30 pm when the Postmaster General, J.J. Walsh, TD sent out a notice instructing the suspension of all services including telegraph and telephone. During Wednesday and Thursday morning, prior to the notice, IRA censors had been placed in the telephone department by order of the local City Commandant of the Anti-Treaty garrison in the City. None of the other postal departments were interfered with prior to the closing. (Munster Express, Sat. 1 July 1922, p. 5)
The Four Courts fell on Friday the 30th of June to Free State forces. Fighting continued in Dublin during the week mainly in O’Connell Street. The Republicans lodged themselves on the north side of the street. The buildings they occupied included: the Gresham Hotel, Hammons Hotel, Tramway Offices, Sackville Hall etc. Shortly after noon on Wednesday the 5th of July the Hamman Hotel burst into flames. By late Wednesday afternoon ten buildings including three hotels were ablaze. (Munster Express, Sat. 8 July 1922, p. 5).
Frustration of Citizens
An editorial in the New Ross Standard entitled “From Bad to Worse” perhaps reflects the frustration of citizens.
“The situation in Ireland shows no sign of settlement. There are unrest and fighting everywhere and the populace simply lives in dread of what may occur next. The situation is nearly as bad as it was a year or more ago when the English myrmaidons (sic) patrolled the country. There has been fighting in Dublin resulting in the loss of several lives and the wounding of many persons. Now, Irishmen are pitted against Irishmen—brothers in the cause against brother in the cause…Irishmen are murdering and shooting down Irishmen, and there is every prospect that the civil strife will consume the provinces, and that Ireland as a whole may find itself in the same unhappy condition as her grand old capital…Both sides in the conflict declare they are well intentioned, but they differ in opinion regarding Free State and Republic.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 July 1922, p. 4)
Immediately after the Battle for Dublin, the country braced itself for further battles and bloodshed. Public events were cancelled. The New Ross Regatta planned for the 12th was postponed indefinitely and the New Ross Agricultural Show was postponed to a later date, because of the “condition of things” (New Ross Standard, Friday 7 July 1922, p. 4). At an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Aonach Tailteann cancelled the event after receiving a telegram that the American Athletic Union decided it was impossible to send athletes to Ireland because of the fighting in Dublin. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 July 1922, p. 5)
Local Events
On Friday the 30th of June, Free State troops arrived in Mullinavant and took over the barracks which had been in the possession of the Republicans. The Free State troops gathered up all arms and equipment in the barracks and left. Later a group of Republicans returned to Mullinavat and resident’s homes were smashed and Mr. Nealson, N.T. was shot in his home. As a result of these actions Free State troops again came from Kilkenny City and arrested Pat Aylward, of Knockmoylan and Richard Kenneally of Ballynooney. It was also reported that the main road between Waterford and Kilkenny was blocked by felled trees.
Employing the same techniques used against the Black and Tans the Anti-Treaty forces cut telegraph wires and stopped telegraphic communications between Waterford, Cork, Dublin and London. Five railway bridges between Dublin and Belfast were blown up causing the suspension of railway traffic between the cities. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 July 1922, p. 5) English newspapers arriving at New Ross railway station on Wednesday, were seized by the IRA, taken away and burned. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 July 1922, p. 6)
An Executive Forces soldier named Duggan, a native of Cork, was admitted to Waterford Infirmary suffering from a bullet wound to his thigh. It appears that Volunteer Duggan, with two others, went to the house of H.R. Hamilton, estate agent, on Sunday night to seek billets for their company. They were fired upon as they approached the house. Hamilton was placed under arrest. (Munster Express, Sat. 15 July 1922, p. 5)
Aylwardstown Bridge Blown Up
The resumption of train services announced on Wednesday, the 20th of July, on the D.S.E. Railway between Waterford and Dublin was short lived. On Thursday a small bridge near Aylwardstown, Glenmore at the Waterford side of Glenmore was blown up.
“A large party of linesmen was immediately despatched from New Ross to effect the necessary repairs, but discovered in time that the bridge had been not only badly damaged but mined. In consequence of the discovery of this veritable death trap they were unable to carry out the work of restoring the bridge to a workable condition, and were compelled to return to New Ross. Technical experts were sent from the latter town for the purpose of disconnecting and removing the mines. The Dublin dailies, which had been sent by this route, were conveyed to Waterford by motor, arriving at 3:30 p.m.” (Munster Express, Sat. 22 July 1922, p. 5)
Michael Gaule of Glenmore
“Shot at Waterford—Following a search carried out by members of the Kilmacow (Co. Kilkenny) IRA on Saturday morning, in consequence of a robbery that had been committed in the district during the night, a man named Michael Gaule, Glenmore, was shot in the chest, and had to be removed to the Waterford Infirmary.”
“Gaule and two companions were found by the IRA search party lying asleep on the railway siding at a place called Milltown, and on awakening it is alleged that Gaule jumped up, grasped the lanyard of one of the IRA men’s revolver, and endeavoured to snatch the weapon from him. A shot was discharged, and Gaule fell wounded. At the Infirmary it was learned that the wound was a very serious one, but hopes were entertained for the injured man’s recovery.” (Irish Weekly and Ulster Examiner, Sat. 15 July 1922, p. 5)
In our next post we will highlight the July 1922 siege of Waterford City.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured photo above is the Aylwardstown, Glenmore railway station.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
One Hundred Years Ago: February 1922
In February 1922 all the national and local newspapers were full of coverage of pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty stances being taken across the country by various politicians and groups. Today, we are going to focus on more local events or events that directly impacted on Glenmore residents just after the signing of the Treaty and before the Civil War commenced.
British Troops Withdrawn
The process of withdrawing British troops from the military barracks began in early February. On the 8th the Kilkenny military barracks were formally handed over to representatives of the Irish Provisional Government (Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Feb. 1922, p. 5.) The Ferrybank barracks were evacuated by the R.I.C. nine months previously and on 10 February the Ferrybank Company of the Waterford City I.R.A. Battalion flew the Tri-colour from the building. Other local barracks taken over by the I.R.A recorded in the Munster Express included Dunmore, Portlaw and Tramore (Sat. 18 Feb. 1922, p. 5). In some areas, the local economy suffered with the withdrawal of the British troops. For example, in one week 400 men were thrown out of employment in the Curragh area (Munster Express, Sat. 25 Feb. 1922, p. 4).
The Glenmore Barracks could not be taken over because it was burned in April 1920 by the Glenmore Company of the I.R.A. as were several other local rural R.I.C. barracks during the War of Independence. The Glenmore Barracks was rebuilt in 1925. For more information concerning the burning of the barracks see our post of 11 April 1920. For more information concerning the re-building of the barracks see our post of 26 September 2021.
Crime
Although crime had been a feature during the War of Independence it continued and appeared to flourish as the Free State began planning for taking over the running of the country. The I.R.A. on the 30th of January 1922 proclaimed martial law in five parishes in the Dundrum area of South Tipperary “in consequence of a number of hold ups, robberies, and in one case murder, by armed desperadoes” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 3 Feb. 1922, p. 5). A similar martial law proclamation was issued in County Kilkenny on the 9th of February “…owing to grave disorders and serious injury to property, resulting in throwing a large number of men out of employment…regulations will be rigorously enforced…in the Parish of Glogh, Parish of Doonane and that portion of Castlecomer Parish lying to the north of the town of Castlecomer…signed George O’Dwyer, commandant, Kilkenny Brigade I.R.A.” (Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
The Co. Kilkenny proclamation appears to have been made following an attack on coal mines near Castlecomer. On 9 February 1922 a large body of men, estimated to be 80 or more, went to the Rock Bog and Vera Pits and caused £15,000 of damage to the mines and mining equipment. The Vera Pit immediately closed throwing 250 men out of employment. It was estimated that it would take five months to get the other mine back to its normal production (Kilkenny People, Sat. 11 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
However, in the policing vacuum it wasn’t just groups of men attacking various business, that caused unemployment. Sometimes it was direct action against businesses by the I.R.A., or members of the I.R.A., that caused businesses to threaten to close. The Munster Express published an article that the Going and Smith Mills of Cahir were to close their large mills after the 25th of February. Prior to the end of hostilities several motor cars, each worth £800, belonging to the owners of the mills were seized in lieu of levies by the I.R.A. Decrees of compensation were obtained by the owners against the British authorities. Subsequently another I.R.A. levy of £100 was made on the mills, but the owners, because of the previous seizures declined to pay. In response a load of materials sent out from the mills was seized in Cahir, but the representatives of the labourers of the Mill caused the materials to be returned to the Mill. On the 17th of February materials were again seized along with a motor lorry. The owners then gave notice of their intent to close the mills. Commandant Robinson sent a notice to the firm that there would be no more commandeering and the owners agreed to continue operating the mills (Munster Express, Sat. 25 Feb. 1922, p. 4).
Closer to Glenmore, lawlessness in New Ross became such an issue that the I.R.A. directed that the electric and gas lamps in New Ross were to remain on all night (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Feb. 1922, p. 7). In Waterford City, toward the end of February, a man named Conway, described as being of the “tramp class,” smashed a large plate glass window valued at £70 of the Phelan Brothers, drapery shop on George’s street. It was stated that there was no known reason for the damage. Conway was immediately apprehended by the staff and held until the I.R.A. arrived and placed him under arrest. He was brought before the local Sinn Fein magistrates and remanded in custody to the Ballybricken jail (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 24 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
During this period two “catch and release kidnappings” were reported. On the 31st of January two men, who were not disguised, entered the offices of Colfer and Sons, Solicitors, New Ross, and asked for Mr. Colfer. When he came out of his office, he was placed in a motor car and driven across the bridge and up through Co. Kilkenny. After crossing the bridge Mr. Colfer was blindfolded and he heard shots being fired. When the car stopped he was placed in an outhouse and kept there until about 1 o’clock the following morning He was given some tea, blindfolded, put back into the motor car and driven to the Mile Bush and released. He walked from the Mile Bush to Rosbercon and was at his office at ten that morning (New Ross Standard, Fri. 3 Feb. 1922, p. 4). The newspaper gave no indication why Solicitor Colfer was kidnapped.
In February the courts continued to operate alongside the newly formed I.R.A. courts. In February, three railways officials from Aylwardstown, Glenmore, on their way to the Rosbercon petty sessions court were kidnapped by three or four men and held until the petty session court was over. One of the men kidnapped was Michael Fleming, a signalman, who was the complainant against Glenmore native Thomas Morrissey for assault. It was alleged that on the 23rd of January Thomas Morrissey assaulted Michael Fleming at Aylwardstown. Another signalman and the stationmaster were summoned as witnesses and were also kidnapped. When the case was called before Col. R. Tyndall, it was noted that Denis Daly had left the summons with the wife of the defendant Thomas Morrissey. The defendant did not turn up either. The railway sent Solicitor James J. O’Connor to the proceedings who reported to the court that he was instructed by the railway company to appear on behalf of the prosecution. When queried why the complainant was not prosecuting Solicitor O’Connor stated that he was and asked for the case to be adjourned. Col. Tyndall adjourned the case for a fortnight (New Ross Standard, Fri. 24 Feb. 1922, p. 4).
The New Ross Standard published the following editorial calling on citizens to help put down crime and restore social order.
“A National Duty—In every community the criminal is ever on the alert watching his opportunity to perpetrate crime. Pending the setting up of a regular police force in this country during the transition stage there are offences committed against persons and property, mainly against the latter, and all of a more or less serious character. Robberies and minor thefts are terribly prevalent. Under our own Government, therefore, which is functioning under very great difficulties, it is the obvious duty of our people—irrespective of political views—to help to put down crime. That is the first essential of good Government, and no good citizen will hesitate to co-operate with the existing authority to restore social order. These are not the days of foreign rule when assistance in this direction would be regarded as the action of a loyalist. Our temporary police force are displaying much activity, and it is a national duty to assist them in protecting our people from opportunist criminals who are becoming so numerous” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Feb. 1922, p. 4).
Football, Fishing and a Runaway Deer in Glenmore
In February 2022 Glenmore played Cloneen for the senior Co. Kilkenny football final and won by a large margin. It was described by the New Ross Standard (20 Feb. 1922, p. 7) as a “splendidly contested match” which we will feature in a forthcoming blog post. For information on the 1920-1921 Glenmore football seasons see our previous post of 9 August 2021.
Although it was reported that the salmon fishing season had started off well by mid-February it was reported that it “…had become rather poor primarily because the weather was against fishing” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
Lastly, events described in a small article in the New Ross Standard may have rivalled the football title as a conversation topic when Glenmore people met each other. It was reported that a “runaway deer” caused excitement as it “careened through parts of the South Kilkenny districts.” Unfortunately, the article does not indicate where the deer escaped, but it did note “that near Glenmore it jumped a gate eight feet high, dashed through the village and headed towards Coolnashaw.” A dog then began to chase it and “it jumped clean over a donkey and cart with a woman in it. The cart was drawn across the road whilst the woman was speaking to a neighbour. The dog soon lost sight of the antlered monarch” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Feb. 1922, p. 5).
The advertisement for Barry and Butler dressmaking Carrigcloney, Glenmore appeared in the New Ross Standard (Fri. 17 Feb. 1922, p. 8). More Glenmore related advertisements may be found in our post dated 19 December 2020.
The drawing of the deer is courtesy of the New York City Public Library digital collection. (The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1849). Common deer Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-4213-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.)
If anyone has any further information or corrections please send them to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Glenmore Silversmith, Pat Dolan (1940-2011)
For over seven decades Danny Dowling collected information and newspaper articles concerning Glenmore and its people. Tucked safely into a file were two newspaper clippings regarding Pat Dolan. Today, we are going to feature Pat Dolan (1940-2011) a native of New Ross who for many years made his home and workshop in Ballyverneen, Glenmore where he also operated a falconry. Although Pat Dolan eventually moved from Glenmore, and died in 2011 in Kinsale, Cork, there is a stone memorial for Pat Dolan in Ballyverneen along the river side of the road between the railway viaduct and the Pink Rock.
Most of the following biographical information was gleaned from articles appearing in the New Ross Standard in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Pat Dolan was the son of Patrick “P.J.” Dolan and Kathleen “Kitty” Dolan née Dunne of South St., New Ross. His parents married in June 1937. At the time of their marriage the groom was a merchant draper on South St. and the son of ex-R.I.C. Sergeant Patrick Dolan and Bridget Dolan née Harrington. The bride, Kitty was the daughter of Patrick J. and Brigid Dunne merchants also on South, St., New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 18 June 1937, p. 12). In addition to the shop on South Street, Pat’s father, P.J. Dolan was for many years the Chairman of the New Ross Harbour Commissioners. His mother, Kitty Dolan (c. 1904-1975) was described as a local pioneer of the New Ross tourist information service providing information and advice to tourists from her South St. shop (New Ross Standard, Fri. 12 Dec. 1975).
Pat was educated at St. Peter’s College Wexford, and University College Dublin, and travelled throughout Europe upon graduation and settled in Spain out of necessity. “I was out of money,” he laughed, recalling how he learned his trade under the apprenticeship of Franz Neuner, a Czechoslovakian silversmith who ran a fashion accessory house in Barcelona (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Pat returned to Ireland, then travelled to Manchester, England, where he married Kathleen Lee, a school teacher. Pat obtained a Diploma in silversmithing and decorative metal work from Manchester College. He taught metal work for a time in Manchester, but preferred creative work. He quit teaching to devote his time entirely to designing and making jewellery (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7). Eventually, Pat and his wife Kathleen, both gave up teaching and came back to Ireland for Pat to work locally full time as a silversmith (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24). The couple had three sons: twins Dominic and Damien and Benedict (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7).
When Pat returned to Ireland with his family, he bought an old cottage in Ballyverneen, Glenmore, overlooking the Glenmore Pill, on what was at that time the main road between Waterford and New Ross. [The cottage was the home of the late Dick Dunphy (5 July 1893- ?).] With the assistance of local builders, Pat constructed a workshop on the property and renovated the existing cottage (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32). Although no newspaper article revealed the year in which the Dolan family moved to Glenmore, a planning notice was published in the summer of 1974 for the installation of a septic tank on the property (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Aug. 1974, p. 15). While the workshop was being constructed in Ballyverneen, Pat worked in a temporary workshop at the home of his mother Kitty Dolan of South St. New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975). Several of the older Glenmore residents recall that Pat drove a red Triumph convertible sportscar.
Pat began to make unique jewellery in gold and silver and sold on a commission basis to shops in France and the US and to visiting tourists. When Pat completed a piece it had to be sent to Dublin before it could be sold. Every piece had to be sent to the Assay Office to be hallmarked. In addition to jewellery, he made trophies and presentation gifts to order (New Ross Standard, Fri. 7 March 1975, p. 7). Pat worked from his own Celtic stylized designs based on variations of traditional Celtic designs. When interviewed about his work he stated, “I am most influenced by the ancients,” emphasising the importance of eighth and twelfth century works. “One cannot help but be influenced by them they’re everywhere.” Pat also credited New Ross sculptor Seamus Furlong and the late Kilkenny sculptor, Oisin Kell, with heavily influencing his work. It was reported that Pat took great satisfaction in the timelessness of his work, stressing that only a conscious effort can destroy anything he created. “Gold, silver and bronze won’t change. They can’t be debased—they are completely and totally incorruptible. We have whole pieces from 5,000 to 7,000 years ago” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Newspaper adverts for his work during this period indicate that while his workshop was in Glenmore he also had a small shop in New Ross. In 1978 he was joined in business with a fellow silversmith Maria Roche of Charlton Hill, New Ross. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32). Pat was deeply committed to the role of crafts in Irish life and was a founding member of the Wexford Craftworkers Association. Pat served as the chairman several times and also served on the Board of Management of the Crafts Council of Ireland (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Dec. 1982, p. 38).
In the early 1980’s Pat began working in bronze and as one reporter described it as portrait sculpture. “Out on the Burrow at Rosslaire stands his head of a life boat man modelled from photographs of Ned Wickham. Since the unveiling of this monument.., Pat had a number of commissions for portraits” but also continued to make jewellery and special pieces (New Ross Standard, Fri. 17 Dec. 1982, p. 38). To view Pat’s work on the Rosslare Lifeboat Memorial click here. Another special piece Pat designed and made was a chalice presented to the Bishop of Ferns, Donal Herlihy (1908-1983) on the occasion of the 1981Golden Jubilee of his Ordination. The chalice was commissioned by the Wexford Branch of the I.N.T.O. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24).
At the opening of the New Ross library in 1982 an exhibition of Pat’s bronzes was displayed. The exhibition included bonzes of some notable people such as Eamonn de Valera, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Oscar Wilde and Sean O’Casey, as well as a self-portrait, a Tolkein landscape, a sleeping fox, a merlin and prey and the life boat man, Ned Wickham, from Rosslare (New Ross Standard, Fri. 10 Dec. 1982, p. 24). In 1985, Pat was commissioned to design presentations to honour three founding members of the New Ross FCA Pipe Band which was established in 1947. The presentations were inscribed bronze replicas of the instruments played by each recipient. The replicas consisted of Sam McDonald’s staff, Tom Bolger’s bass drum and Paddy Murphy’s pipes (New Ross Standard, Fri. 5 July 1985, p. 20).
Several Glenmore residents recalled that Pat also operated a falconry when he lived in Glenmore. His falconry housed a variety of birds of prey, including a golden eagle, the only bird of the species in Ireland in the early 1980’s. Pat acquired his first birds from a falconry in Clonmel. Pat noted that the birds could not be fed processed or treated meat and more than 18 pounds of meat per day was required to feed his 20 birds. The birds themselves contributed meat when they were out on practice runs and his friends and sons who rabbit hunted also contributed meat for the birds. Pat is quoted as remarking, “They are God’s most magnificent creatures, they are designed to prey on lesser creatures—the symbol of a balanced society” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 July 1984, p. 32).
Please send any additional information, corrections, photos of pieces by Pat Dolan etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The engraving of the falcon if from The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1885). Red-throated falcon — Ibycter americanus Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-d55a-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh