New Ross
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Santa and Driving Out the Hunger in Glenmore
Christmas
To date 19 of Danny Dowling’s notebooks have been transcribed. Within the 19 transcribed notebooks there is very little recorded regarding Christmas or New Year’s in Glenmore during earlier times. However, in 1969 Danny Dowling interviewed Nicholas Forristal (1888-1979) of The Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore. Nicholas Forristal is usually referred to by Danny as “Nicky the Miller.” Nicky informed Danny that in his childhood there was no Santa Clause. Children before the First World War in Glenmore did not believe in Santa and he “did not come around.”
During Nicky’s youth the emphasis at Christmas was on “plenty of grub, steak and beef.” The grocers with whom people dealt gave big hampers to their customers at Christmas. Nicky recalled that his uncle, Billy Forristal of Ballyverneen, Glenmore, one Christmas received ½ a gallon of whiskey as a Christmas gift from Stevenson’s the Grocer’s in North St., New Ross, where Mace was located in 1969.
New Year’s
In a 1958 interview Nicky the Miller discussed a custom entitled “driving away the hunger,” which was performed on New Year’s Eve. He noted that it was practiced all over the parish of Glenmore during his youth and other parishes in “his father’s time.” Nicky’s father was Patrick Forristal, (1849-1931) of The Mill, Graiguenakill, Glenmore. Nicky’s father was born during the Famine. Paddy Forristal performed this custom each New Year’s Eve during Nicky’s youth.
The procedure for “driving away the hunger” began with a griddle of oaten bread being baked on the fire. The cake when baked was divided into 4 pieces. The head of the house took one portion in his hand, stood up from the table and walked to the front door, and as he struck the back of the door with the bread he recited the following verse three times:
Fógramég, Fógraméy, Gortamac,
Anoct Go Blén Anoct
Agus Anoct Féinye
Ó Faireac Go Deíreac
Igír na Torcac
Na Gort Gan Bolenstóce
[Update 25 November 2023–Thanks to Trish Bradfield for sending a translation for this old Irish verse. “Tell me, tell them, about the Famine tonight, and all year from my heart that no hunger goes untold, from here on in.”]
After each time the verse was recited everyone in the house would stand up and give a shout. After completion of ceremony, all in the house would get bit of the lump of bread used for striking the door. All in the house would then sit down and eat the bread with a jug of milk.
It was said that at driving away the hunger ceremonies in the Rower area the hunger was driven to Woodstock.
On behalf of Glenmore-History.com we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year with plenty of “good grub!”
The drawing of Santa above was done by Thomas Nast in 1881 and entitled “Merry Old Santa Claus.”
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore: Between Waterford and New Ross [Updated]
As touched upon in our previous post regarding the Glenmore Post Office, the main Waterford to New Ross road has always passed through the parish of Glenmore. Today, before the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy bridge opens crossing the River Barrow at the Pink Rock in Glenmore and bypasses the town of New Ross, the distance of the N25 between the Rice Bridge of Waterford and the O’Hanrahan Bridge of New Ross is 13.4 miles.
Danny Dowling has recorded the rich oral tradition of Glenmore and his notebooks contain information regarding ships, railway, roads, and lanes that linked Glenmore to both Waterford and New Ross. Today, on the verge of the opening of the New Ross by-pass Danny wanted to highlight the known changes through Glenmore of the main road from Waterford to New Ross.
Main Road Between Waterford & New Ross
There are several old maps available on line primarily held by Trinity and UCD. Trinity has the Down Survey Maps of 1656-1658 available at http://downsurvey.tcd.ie/down-survey-maps.php. This survey was supervised by the Surgeon General of the British Army, Dr. William Petty. The purpose of the survey was to measure and record the lands owned by Catholic landholders that were forfeited. These forfeited lands were then to be distributed to English soldiers and other Cromwell supporters.
UCD has a collection of old maps available at https://digital.ucd.ie/view/ivrla:426. Maps in this collection include a 1711 map by Charles Price which is entitled “A Correct Map of Ireland, Divided into Provinces, Counties and Baronies and Showing Road…” and a 1762 map by John Rocque with a longer title, “A Map of the Kingdom of Ireland, Divided into Provinces, Counties & Baronies, Showing the Archbishop, Bishops, Cities, Burroughs, Market Towns, Villages, Barracks…Ferries, Passes: Also the Great, the Branch and the by Post Roads.”
From a Glenmore perspective the three maps above are important more from what they do not show than what they do show. Glenmore does not appear as either a market town or village. A ferry is depicted at Ferrybank and at Rosbercon. The road between Waterford and New Ross is depicted as almost a straight line from Ferrybank to Rosbercon, with little detail provided along the length of the depicted road in these eighteenth century maps.
Prior to the old mail coach road local tradition indicates that the path of the oldest known road between Waterford and New Ross commenced in Ferrybank. This road then went to Mile Post into Slieverue Village and onto what is now Glenmore Village via the High Road down through the Churns across the village stream out through Cappagh and onto Ballygurrim to Butterbridge, and onto the ferry at Rosbercon. It is believed that the “main road” made use of existing lanes that linked villages and hamlets. The road that locally became known as “the churns” derived its name from two markers shaped like churns near its intersection with the High Road.
The mail coach road shortened the journey because it was more direct. This is believed to be the road depicted in the 18th century maps. From Ferrybank the mail coach road went to Mile Post, through Slieverue Village and onto Glenmore parish. The road turned at Donovan’s Mill and followed the “High Road” across the townlands of Scartnamore, Rathinure, onto the Halfwayhouse in Aylwardstown, where the horses would be changed. Instead of turning left at the Churns to go down into the Village of Glenmore, the old mail coach road went past Forristal’s Mill in Graiguenakill, onto Forristalstown, Shambough past the old Shambough school, to Butterbridge, to Rosbercon and onto New Ross.
Travel Between Waterford & New Ross in 1829
Update: 16 June 2023–thanks to Andrew Doherty of Waterford Tides and Tales who shared the following 1829 article that describes the road between Waterford and New Ross.
“COMMUNICATION BETWEEN WATERFORD AND ROSS. —That beautiful little steamer the Eclipse arrived the quay at ten o’clock morning from Ross with between twenty and thirty passengers, performing the voyage which is eighteen miles, in two hours. This vessel is quite new and has been brought over from Bristol to see if she can made to answer on our river. We think there is little doubt of the fact. As a mode of conveyance between this and Ross, it will have many advantages.
The present road is quite abominable —rough, and all up and down hill, so much so that the nominal riders per car are very frequently in the predicament of our countryman in the bottomless sedan-chair, who said, if it war’n’t for the honour of the thing, he’d as live walk.’ In fact our travellers on this primitive road, who by the national vehicle, commonly half the way on foot, through sheer necessity; and this pleasant journey of ten miles usually occupies three good hours!” (Waterford Mail – Sat. 16 May 1829, p. 4)
This road was in use as the main road until 1836. Just three years earlier in 1833 the road became notorious when a landlord was attacked and stoned to death in Shanbough “at the Glenmore hill” as he travelled in his gig from Waterford to New Ross. For further details on this murder click here.
The New Line
In 1836 the “New Line” was built through Glenmore parish and shortened the journey between New Ross and Waterford. Instead of turning at Donovan’s Mill and following the High Road the New Line was built to run from Carriganurra to Gaulestown. A Halfwayhouse was built at Ballinaraha, Glenmore and marked the halfway point between Waterford and New Ross. The New Line continued along the top of the Village of Glenmore and at this point it ran parallel to the old mail coach road and intersected the Churns. Thereafter it went toward the river via the Pink Rock went on through Shanbough to Raheen and to the New Ross Bridge. It is believed that after the 1798 Rebellion the military acknowledged the need for a better road system to move troops. Many of the roads improved in the early part of the 19th century were designed by the military. One of the more interesting details concerning the building of the New Line through Glenmore is the fact that several local women and girls worked on its construction.
Update of 4 June 2021–the following was found regarding the building of the new line along the Barrow (Waterford Chronicle Sat. 5 March 1836, p. 7_–Letter to the Editor of the Waterford Chonicle, Ross, February 23d, 1836
“Sir—Permit me through the columns of your independent paper to draw the attention of those persons concerned in the navigation of the river between Cheek Point and New Ross, to what, if permitted to be carried on much longer, will render the navigation of vessels of a large class to the town wholly impeded, and I trust if this letter meet the eye of the contractor of the new line of road to Waterford, via Lucy Rock, he will see the necessity of discontinuing a practice which would eventually be incalculable injury to the trade of Ross.
Whether by order of such contractor, immense quantities of stone rubbish and stuff, dug in making the new road above mention, are thrown over the rock into that part of the river called the West Channel, and at the very narrowest part too, not being more than 45 or 50 feet wide at his point; ‘tis most unwarrantable, this being heretofore the safest and deepest part for vessels of a large draft of water, flowing eight fathoms and a half at low water. But if the practice I have allude to is continued, the flow being so narrow at this point, it would eventually become as shallow as other parts of the river. If such conduct on the part of those road makers be not immediately discontinued, I call on the merchants and shipowners of Ross, in defence of their trade and the navigation of the river, to take immediate steps for its prevention. Your obedient servant, Michael Dunn, pilot”
N25
Today, the N25 through the parish of Glenmore generally follows the New Line except when it was completed in about 1991 the new road bypassed going along the river at the Pink Rock. Also, the portion of the Churns from the High Road crossing the New Line was closed. Today, a large roundabout now sits near the site of Forristal’s Mill in Graiguenakill and the Glenmore Roundabout will allow motorists to bypass New Ross.
The Old Bridges at Waterford & New Ross
The two bridges that connected Glenmore to Waterford and New Ross were very important to our ancestors. A timber bridge has spanned the River Suir at Waterford from 1794 and survived until 1910. The old timber bridge was referred to as “Timbertoes,” and was built by Lemuel Cox of Massachusetts. It remained a toll bridge for a century.
[Update 14 Aug. 2022–The New Ross Standard published on 4 Oct. 1907 (p. 6) that “At midnight on the 31st Dec. next the Toll Bridge at Waterford will be, henceforward thrown open free to the public.”]
The first bridge at New Ross was built in 1799, and it survived until January 1867 when it was destroyed by an ice flow. On 8 December 2019 Danny related that locals often reported that old Jim Culleton (1867-1962) of Kilbride, Glenmore was born the night the New Ross Bridge fell. The mid-wife from Ross was not able to attend his birth because the bridge at New Ross collapsed. A quick check of the parish records revealed that James Colleton (sic) the son of John Colleton (sic) and Brigid Walsh was born at Kilbride on the 22nd of January 1867 and baptized on the 24th. A newspaper article that appeared in the Waterford News reported on Friday the 25th of January 1867 that the bridge at New Ross collapsed the previous Saturday i.e. the 19th of January. This article contains some interesting information concerning the bridge and because it was privately owned it too appears to have been a toll bridge.
Special thanks to Louise Walsh for the photos and Peter Walsh for the representational drawing of the New Line and Old Mail Road.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Took to the Road Around Glenmore
In 1955 Danny Dowling recorded a list of men and women who “took to the road” and regularly visited the Glenmore area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These usually homeless people were often referred to as tramps or beggars. In the days before social welfare, they travelled from place to place stopping and staying, and perhaps doing odd jobs, for a day or two in exchange for food and a place to sleep. They were usually accomodated in an outbuilding, stable loft or boiler house. Some of the names recorded by Danny include: Mick the Sweep; Corduroy Hat (Pat O’Hara); and Jack the Barrow (who travelled with a wheelbarrow).
Danny obtained details concerning some of these men and women when he interviewed Nicholas Forristal of the Mill, Graiguenakill, on 17 November 1974. Nicky Forristal was born in Glenmore on 1 February 1888. He worked at his family mill in Graiguenakill which was near the main road. He was well placed to speak to and observe people travelling to and around Glenmore.
Dicky “The Stallion” Walsh
Dicky the Stallion was a harmless man. His name was Dick Walsh, and was so called Dicky the Stallion from the fact that his father kept a stallion horse. Paddy the Stallion was his brother. Paddy the Stallion was also a harmless man but not as much so as Dicky. Dicky and Paddy were natives of around Bigwood, Mullinavat area. Their father had a farm, got broke and lost it.
Dicky the Stallion, after his father lost the farm, stayed at the Mill in Graiguenakill, where he got lodging. Dicky also used to stay at Johnnie Ennetts of Cappagh, sometimes. On one occasion he was in Ennetts in the barn, one morning after staying the night when Johnnie asked him, “is he gone yet?” Dickie replied, “I’ll be gone soon sir.” After some time Johnnie called again and said “You’re not gone yet,” to which Dickie replied “Sure I must stand on Ireland’s proud anyway boy—as I have nowhere to go.” Dicky and Paddy Walsh were going around until about 1900. Nicky described them as low size blocks of men with cropped beards. Nicky stated that they had plenty of talk but never spoke ill of anybody.
Paddy “Go Easy” Gorman
Paddy Gorman, known as Paddy Go Easy was a native of New Ross. Paddy Go Easy came out about once a fortnight to the Glenmore area. He always called to the mill. Nicky Forristal noted that “he was in it about 70 to 80 years ago.” Nicky described Paddy Go Easy as a big tall man who walked fast and was clean shaven. He carried a big long stick like a pike handle and wore a wide Jerry Hat. Paddy Go Easy didn’t talk much.
Paddy Pencil
Paddy Pencil, was from the Rower where his father had a farm. Paddy Pencil was in it before Nicky Forristal’s time. Paddy came to Ross to work and got fond of the drink. He remained on in Ross. He was not a travelling man, only hung about the town getting an odd job holding horses and carrying parcels all for a few pence to buy drink.
When Paddy’s father died he left the farm to Paddy’s brother. The brother then gave Paddy the father’s clothes to wear for his soul. Paddy returned from Ross one night shortly afterwards wearing his father’s clothes. He went into the yard and stood in the middle of it and called his brother—imitating his father’s voice.
Paddy’s brother came to the window and thinking it was his father calling from the dead, and he asked his father, “What trouble are you in?” Paddy replied—still imitating his father, “Give the money of the two stacks of wheat in Haggard to Paddy in Ross.” Paddy’s poor brother thought he’d never have the stacks of wheat threshed soon enough in order to give the money to Paddy. He thought this necessary so his father’s soul would rest. When Paddy’s brother had the wheat threshed and sold he immediately gave the money to Paddy. Paddy had a great time drinking for about 3 weeks.
Jack the Ink
Jack the Ink moved around Glenmore before Nicky Forristal’s time. Peggy Gaffney, who had the little shop in Glenmore, told Nicky that Jack the Ink called to her shop. On one occasion Jack bought and ate 12 penny buns in the shop. Jack used to talk to himself and lodged here and there around Glenmore. Jack was regarded as clever. “As clever as Jack the Ink,” the people used say. He made straw hats for 1 ½ d. each.
John “Tail of the Comet” Dalton
John Dalton was known as Tail of the Comet and was from “up Co. Kilkenny.” A big tall man about 6 feet tall. John had a bit of a meegle (goatee). John Dalton “used be after the wedding cee caws in Glenmore.” (This was a custom after a wedding where coins were thrown into the air.) John Dalton carried a switch and used to belt the women on the knuckles in the scramble. He was a clever old daw and was in circulation until the 1930’s. He was about 70 years of age then. Paddy Forristal, Nicky’s son, saw him calling to Glenmore School, when Paddy was a pupil. John used to lift the latch and open the door and put in his head and say “How you Mister Beevins?” He called Mr. Bevans, the headmaster, Mr. Beevins. John always got a couple of pence from Mr. Bevans. After getting the money John would say, “Happy harvest to you now sir” and remove his hat. John also called to the priests, and was reasonably well dressed.
Gentle Annie
Gentle Annie was going when Nicky Forristal was a young man, and he remembered her as “The Lady All Round.” She appeared to be old then and she was called Nurse Whelan. She lived and died at Nelly Grawsheens, where Hanrahan’s shop is now, in Robinstown, Glenmore. She was a big, tall, old woman when Nicky Forristal knew her. It appeared she was a nurse in a hospital in her time. After her death, the union hearse came from Waterford and took her away. Nicky Forristal was going to school when she died about 74 years ago. They had a great night at her wake even though there was no drink. Nicky Forristal related that they “had a bonfire inside, they tore the boards down off the loft and burned” them. All the local boys were there and there was a dance as well. That same night they nearly roasted Mick Breen of Graiguenakill, and Nicky noted that Breen’s real name was Butler.
Others
Other persons Nicky Forristal recalled in 1974 were: Foxy Ned Grace (a Crimea War Pensioner); Blind Woman (who was dead over 70 years); George Lackey (who had been in India) and Jim Arse who “was in it” about 80 years ago, and worked with Tom Nolan at the Redhouse in Shanbogh.
Biddy the Pipes was an old woman when Nicky Forristal was a chap. She used have about three pipes on her for smoking. She used to regularly call to the mill for a bit to eat.
Billy and Jane Fleming lived in a lime kiln in Graiguenakill. Billy and Jane used to pick furze seed in order to get a bit to eat. Billy once carried 4 stones of furze seed to Kilkenny and back to Waterford on his back. Billy used to say, “Shut the door and let me in.” He died before 1890.
Jack the Bird McGrath was a cattle drover. In the Glenmore area he stopped in Whelan’s Bog, Shanbough; Grants, Ballyvarring and Mullin’s of Flemingstown. In 1974, Nicky Forristal noted he was dead about 50 years or more.
Bolliky Bill’s real name was Bill Coffey. Nicky Forristal when interviewed stated that “he was one of the last tramps to roam this area,” and was in it up to about 20 years ago. He was usually dressed in rags, almost in his skin. Bill had a kind of English accent, but never spoke very much.
First Burial in St. James
It is believed that the first person to be buried in the cemetery attached to St. James, the present Glenmore church, was a woman named Reilly who took to the roads and travelled around the Glenmore area. She was stopped at Dunphy’s in Ballyverneen, Glenmore when she died. This information was provided to Danny Dowling by the late Luke Gaule of Slieveconagh, Rosbercon, who heard it from Michael Gaule of Killespy, Slieverue and late of Jamestown, Glenmore. The present churchyard opened in 1805 eight years before St. James was built in 1813.
The feature black and white photo was taken of a Rathinure local in 2019 on the Kilcolumb Church Lane. The other photo is courtesy of the digital collection of the New York Public Library. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “”Bum blockade.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1936. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/4adae4b0-73d3-0136-0397-1ba7cc681344
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh