Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1977)
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From Danny’s Files: The 1985 Interview of Dinny Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore
On 11 January 2026 we posted an article about Frank Meehan who was a Glenmore stone breaker. Today, we will highlight additional information that Denis “Dinny” Murphy gave Danny Dowling (1927-2021). Danny interviewed Dinny Murphy on Saturday, 16 March 1985 after the funeral of Nora Holden Morrissey (c. 1920-1985) a native of Clune, Glenmore. Further information regarding Nora Morrissey née Holden is below. Dinny died the year following his interview with Danny. Dinny never married, and his interview is contains some interesting nick names used in Glenmore.
A Glenmore Ganger
A ganger was a foreman over men. The ganger on the roads of Glenmore in the 1930’s was a man from Mooncoin. He lodged at Civil’s (Forristal’s) in Ballyverneen during the week and went home to Mooncoin on weekends. Jimmy “Civil” Forristal was a timekeeper on the County Council. According to Dinny he was “a devil” to the men who worked under him. Dinny claimed that Jimmy Forristal had his men working overtime and wouldn’t pay them for the overtime.
Eventually Jimmy Forristal was sacked according to Dinny. The story related to Danny was that there was a steam roller driver who was a Protestant. This steam roller driver was working on the Council crushing stones at Forristal’s Halfway House. [Near Murphy’s Garage on the N25.] Jimmy failed to deliver 3 cwt. [336 lbs.] of coal to the steam roller. The coal had been delivered to Civil’s for storage.
James Forristal (1888-1941) of Ballyverneen, Glenmore
Due to GDPR there is a lacuna or gap of publicly available information for births after 1924 and deaths before 1871 and after 1974. Turning to Glenmore headstones we were unable to locate James “Jimmy” Forristal. Flipping the puzzle around we attempted searching from the 1961 list of Ballyverneen residents recorded by Danny. We found Anne “Nancy Civil” Doolan née Forristal (c. 1925-2001) and her mother Mary Forristal (c. 1896-1973). Annie “Nancy Civil” Forristal married Patrick Doolan (1919-1996) in 1949. No father was listed for the bride on the marriage certificate.
We believe the Jimmy Forristal of Ballyverneen, who was a ganger on the Council in the 1930’s, was James Forristal of Ballyverneen who died on 14 April 1941. At the time of his death he was 53-year-old bachelor. He died of stomach cancer. His sister Mary Forristal was present when he died. Thus, it appears that Jimmy “Civil” Forristal was an uncle of Anne “Nancy Civil” Doolan.
Parents and Siblings
Jimmy “Civil” Forristal’s parents were Patrick Forristal (farmer), of Ballyverneen, who married Bridget Morrissey, of Aylwardstown, on 6 August 1885 at Glenmore. The father of the groom was James Forristal (farmer), and the father of the bride was Patrick Morrissey (farmer) of Aylwardstown. Three known children were born to Patrick Forristal and his wife Bridget Morrissey: [1] Catherine Foristal (sic) (b. 1887); [2] James Forristal born on 16 September 1888 and [3] Mary Forristal born on 8 May 1896.
Glenmore Steam Roller
Dinny also told Danny in his 1985 interview that the Glenmore Engine was the first to steamroll the main road from Ross to Waterford. The Glenmore Creamery had a special frame for lifting the engine in order to change the front wheels. The frame was above the stores by the side of the footpath going up to the manager’s house.
Dinny recalled the stonebreakers that worked in Glenmore in his time as including: himself; his brother Jack Murphy, of Milltown; Tony Brennan, of Shanbogh; Frank Meehan; Jack Power, Jamestown; Jim McGuire of Rochestown in “Johnnie the Money’s” Quarry in Gaulstown. [Believed to have been on the MacDonald’s farm.] About 15 men were working under Purcell of the Dog’s Road [Slieverue] who was the timekeeper. About 10 men were working in Glensensaw Quarry [north of Rosbercon].
Dinny Murphy’s Parents
Dinny reported that he was born on 1 November 1901 at Milltown, Glenmore. He was the son of Jack Murphy and his wife Kitt Merrigan [the couple married at Glenmore in 1893]. He had two brothers: Jack Murphy [b. 1899] and Mikie Murphy. He also had a sister Mollie Murphy [b. 1894, never married]. His mother had a sister Ellen Merrigan who was married to Patsey Hawe of Rochestown, who were the grandparents of the Dillon’s. [Patrick Hawe married Mary Merrigan in 1895 at Glenmore.]
Kitt and Ellen Merrigan’s parents were Mick Merrigan, of Milltown, and his wife _____ Morrissey of Kilbrahan. Mick Merrigan was from the Old House in Cottage Plot on ¾ acre. Dinny asserted that his cottage was the second cottage to be built in Glenmore. Hagan’s of Ballycroney had the first cottage in the parish. Dinny told Danny his was built in 1875. Danny wrote in his notes, “but I doubt it.”
Dinny Murphy’s Employment 1942
Dinny told Danny that he worked at the Graiguenakill Mill for a time. He was working there in 1942 when Nicky Forristal bought 23 acres from Hoynes for £500. “He had 10 acres of great land in Forristalstown which he sold to Ned Grace.” It is assumed that the “he” refers to Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1979)and is an explanation of how Nicky afforded the 23 acres purchase price.
Nora Morrissey née Holden (c. 1920-1985)
In 1950 Nora Holden of Cloone (sic), Glenmore, married John Morrissey, of Coolroebeg, Thomastown. The couple had one son Richard Morrissey. Nora died in 1985. Her obit can be viewed on our M surname page under her married surname and her wedding announcement can be viewed on our H surname page under her maiden name Holden.
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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Special thanks to Willie Holden for information regarding his aunt Nora Morrissey née Holden (c. 1920-1985).
The featured photo of the steam roller is courtesy of the New York Public Library, General Research Division. “Iroquois steam roller.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed February 1, 2026. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/c2c53ab0-c638-012f-eee2-58d385a7bc34
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The “Weaver Walsh” Family of Glenmore Village
Walsh is a common name in the southeast of Ireland. To distinguish the various families in the parish of Glenmore nicknames were used. Often there was no known reason regarding how the nicknames were chosen, however the “Weaver Walsh” got their name from the work or trade of weaving.
Old Jack “the Weaver” Walsh
The “Weaver” Walshes of Glenmore Village all descended from Old Jack “The Weaver” Walsh. Jack was born near Campile, Wexford and as a young man came to Glenmore Village to work as a weaver in Gafney’s “tuck” mill. Sheets and shirts were made in the tuck mill (Interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal , on 24 November 1977, DD Notebook 5, p. 18).
After Jack came to Glenmore he married Anty Gill (Interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal, on 10 Sept. 1968, DD Notebook 19, p. 21). Anty’s name in the baptismal records for her sons is recorded as Anstice Gall or Gill. Nicky “the Miller” Forristal (1888-1977) told Danny Dowling (1927-2021) that the couple had five children.
(1) Patrick Walsh (bapt. 12 March 1829) was the eldest. Nicky revealed that Paddy married Mary Haberlin, of Rochestown, Glenmore and they had one son, Jim Walsh.
(2) Henry Walsh went to England had no family. In the Glenmore parish records we found that Henry was baptized 11 March 1831.
(3) Anty Walsh died young.
(4) Alice Walsh married, unfortunately “Nicky the Miller” did not reveal the name of her husband.
(5) Mary Walsh married. Again the name of her husband was not revealed or recorded.
Old Jack “the Weaver” Walsh was a great fighting man. He was always cutting blackthorn sticks. He would name his sticks. One was called “Can Jury Square.” Nicky “the Miller” Forristal noted that Old Jack died without a priest and opined that he was a fine man.
Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh (1829-1909)
Nicky “the Miller” Forristal knew Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh of Glenmore. Nicky recalled hearing that either he (Paddy) or his father (Jack) worked on the building of the Haggard Line. This was a Famine relief scheme to build a road to Mullinavat. It was never completed because the funds ran out. It started at the bridges in Ballybrahee and went on through Tom Mullin’s land. Another section came out at Sean Jim’s cottage at the fringe of Bishopsmountain. Workers got 10 d a day with “no grub.” A man and horse with cart got 2/4 per day. “A store of yellow meal was 2/6.” (Interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal, on 22 June 1957, DD Notebook 5, p. 2).
Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh married Mary Haberlin on 16 February 1863 at Glenmore. At least two sons were born to the couple. John Walsh was born in 1869, and James Walsh was born in 1870.
Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh was like his father regarded as a fine fighter and also prepared black thorn sticks for his faction. For further information on faction fighting and Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh, see our post of 20 May 2021. Paddy “the Weaver” Walsh died on the 9th of August 1909 at the age of 75 (he was actually 80) from cancer of the sternum. His grandson, Patrick Walsh was present when he died.
James “Jim the Weaver” Walsh (1870-1960?)
We previously published an article regarding Jim Walsh where he was interviewed about his working life. Please see our post of 31 October 2020.
In the article Jim did not discuss his three wives or his children. On 13 November 1895, James Walsh (labourer) married Margaret Brophy (1871-1906) of Robinstown, at Glenmore. His father was Patrick Walsh (labourer) and her father was James Brophy (labourer). Five children were born to this marriage.
[1] Paddy Walsh—has a registered birth date of 12 April 1896. However, the Glenmore parish records reveal he was baptised the 25th of December 1895. According to Danny Dowling’s notes Paddy Walsh “went away a young man in the army. He never came back.”
[2] Stasia—Anastatia Walsh was baptized 24 October 1897. According to Danny Dowling’s notes she married a man by the name of O’Neill in Belmount.
[3] John Walsh was born the 23rd of December 1899.
[4] Mary Walsh was born the 1st of January 1902. According to Danny Dowling’s notes Mary went to Dublin and was living in Bray.
[5] Jim “the Duck” Walsh was born 7 March 1904 [For Danny Dowling’s notes on “the Duck” see below].
Traínín Cutting
Maggie Walsh née Brophy used to cut and harvest traíníns. It was seasonal work for women to supplement their household income. Traínín is a type of long grass growing in fields. It has a small yellowish head with small pointed seeds. The women cut the traínín with a hook. The women then separated the seed from the stalk by hand. There was a market for the seed in Waterford (Interview of Nicky “the Miller” Forristal, on 20 Feb. 1961, DD Notebook 27A, p. 10).
The 1901 Census
The 1901 Census for Graiguenakill, Glenmore, is interesting because it shows the impact the building of the railway was having in Glenmore.
Patrick Walsh, aged 67, widower, farm labourer;
James Walsh, son aged 30, general labourer;
Margaret Walsh, daughter-in-law, aged 30;
Patrick Walsh, aged 5 grandson;
Anastatia Walsh, aged 3; and
John Walsh, aged 1.
Six Lodgers were also in the cottage along with the growing family:
Joseph Davis aged 43, railway navvy, not married;
Patrick Murphy, aged 21, railway navvy, not married;
Patrick Murphy, aged 24, railway navvy, not married;
John Bradley, aged 20, railway navvy, not married;
Jermiah Denehy, aged 43, railway navvy, not married; and
Patrick Wall, aged 44, married, railway navvy.
Margaret Walsh died 24 Deceber 1906, aged 35 of TB, her brother Peter Brophy, of Mullinavat was present at her death.
The 1911 Census provides that James Walsh was the head of the family, aged 37, widower, and four of his children were at home. His eldest son, Paddy Walsh was not in the household in 1911 and may have already joined the army.
James “Jim the Duck” Walsh (b. 1904) of Glenmore Village
According to Danny’s notes Jim went away a young man. He was called “the Duck”. He was the last of “the first clutch” of James.
When “the Duck” was young he used to eat all the ripe gooseberries in Fr. Bergin’s garden. One day Fr. Bergin caught him under the school and said, “Don’t go anymore to the gooseberries, and if you do I’ll turn you into a goat.”
“Well, if you do,” said the Duck, “I’ll eat your cabbage.”
The Duck left Glenmore at a young age returned “an old man.” The Duck lived in a tent on the hill over the Village. He stayed a summer in the 1950’s. Obviously the Duck was not an old man in the 1950’s.
Second Marriage
Jim “the Weaver” Walsh married his second wife Katie Walker, of Irishtown, New Ross. They were married at New Ross on 20 February 1912. Kate was 30 and a spinster. Her father was James Walker (labourer). Jim and Katie had four children. (1) Margaret Walsh (b. 2 January 1919); (2) Alice Walsh (went to Bray to her half sister Mary Walsh (b. 1902); (3) Michael Walsh (b. 5 November 1917); (4) Tom Walsh (b. 8 May 1914). Tom went to Scotland where he lived and died.
After ten years of marriage and four children, Katie Walsh, née Walker died a young woman and the children were all sent away to different homes according to Danny’s notes. The death register provides that Katie Walsh née Walker died on the 8th of July 1922 at the age of 41. The widower, Jim Walsh, was present at her death due to TB. She suffered with the disease for two years before her death.
Third Marriage
According to Danny Dowling’s notes Jim “the Weaver” Walsh married Mary Anne Slattery (1886-1962) a native of Wexford. Jim “the Weaver” Walsh married Mary Anne Slattery on the 11th of October 1922 at Glenmore, just three months after his second wife died. Mary Anne was working and living in Forristalstown, Glenmore as a servant. Her father was listed as Walter Slattery (sailor).
Very little is known about Mary Anne Walsh née Slattery Walsh, however in his list of residents in 1961, Danny recorded Mary Ann Walsh (4 Jan. 1886-16 July 1962). Her husband, Jim “the Weaver” Walsh is not on Danny’s list, and it is presumed he was dead. There was apparently a child from Jim “the Weaver’s” third marriage. In 1961, Danny recorded that Walter Walsh (b. 1933) was living with his mother Mary Ann. Walter Walsh worked at Stafford’s and later moved to New Ross.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
There is no way of knowing what type of loom Old Jack “the Weaver” Walsh used in Gaffney’s Mill. The featured drawing above is the Thomas’s fancy loom, Lewiston which was used in the 19th century. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Thomas’s fancy loom, Lewiston.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/627ee880-c53e-012f-94a7-58d385a7bc34