Peter Kennedy (1878-1962) of Rathinure
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From Danny’s Files: Glenmore Fight Paddy’s Day 1902
Tucked into Danny’s voluminous collection was a copy of a newspaper account of the Kilmacow Petty Sessions in 1902 where several young Glenmore men were charged with assault. Three of the young men were Kennedys. In the 19th century there were 7 Kennedy families living in Rathinure. Kennedys from Rathinure were related to the Kennedys of Newtown, Coolaneen and Ballinclare, Glenmore. Interestingly today there are no Kennedys in Rathinure although several current families descend from Kennedys. The last Kennedy to live in Rathinure was Larry Kennedy (1913-2002) (of the Faddie Kennedy family) and the last Kennedy of Rathinure was Cissy Kennedy (1930-2024) of the Pierce Kennedy family).
Kilmacow Petty Sessions, 10 April 1902
At the Kilmacow Petty Sessions on 10 April 1902 there were a large number of assault cases. All these cases were adjourned until the next court date. Magistrates were Mr. De la Poer, Dr. Conn, and Mr. Graves. The complainants in these cases were P. Kennedy, Martin Kehoe, who had four cases; Peter Kennedy and John Kehoe. There were several cross summonses (Munster Express, Sat. 12 April 1902, p. 5). Although it is not recorded in the newspaper one of the complainants John Kehoe died on the 5th of April and this may have been the reason the assault cases were adjourned until May.
Apparently arising from the assaults, Sergeant Stapleton, of the Glenmore R.I.C. charged John Kirwan, publican, Ballyrahan, for allowing riotous conduct at his place. This charge was dismissed on 10 April 1902 (Munster Express, Sat. 12 April 1902, p. 5).
For further information on the closure of “The Shanty” see our post of 8 May 2023 . See Martin Forristal’s article “Mount Ida” for further information on the landlord Dr. Phillips-Conn of Mount Ida, Glenmore.
Oral Tradition of Incident
Statia Walsh née Kennedy (1922-1984) of Rathinure, Glenmore was the eldest daughter of Peter Kennedy (1878-1962) Rathinure and his wife Elizabeth Walsh (1884-1958) a native of Powerswood, Thomastown. Although Statia was born 20 years after the 1902 event she recounted what she knew to her children primarily because it involved a number of cousins and neighbours. According to what Statia was told, and recounted, her father was at the Shanty with a number of young men from the area. A fight broke out between a Kennedy of Newtown and her father. During the fight Johnny Kehoe attempted to come to the aid of his first cousin, the Kennedy of Newtown, when Jim Kennedy of Rathinure struck and stopped Johnny Kehoe.
A short time after the fight Johnny Kehoe died, and Jim Kennedy was blamed for his death. However, a doctor proved that Johnny Kehoe died from his kidneys.
The Death of John Kehoe (1879 -1902)
John Kehoe, a 23 year bachelor (farmer’s son) died at the County Infirmary of Waterford on the 5th of April 1902. According to the death register, he died of uraemia and had it for six days before his death. D. Walshe the Coroner for South Kilkenny held an inquest on 7 April, 1902.
John Kehoe was born 10 July 1879 at Rathinure the son of Richard Kehoe (farmer) and Margaret Costello. Richard Kehoe married Margaret Costello (c. 1845 -1899) of Ballymountain, at Kilmacow on 23 February 1873. Other children to this union included: Patrick Keogh (b. 1874); Margaret Kehoe (b. 1875); Martin Kehoe (b. 1876); Mary Kehoe (b. 1881); and Patrick Keogh (b. 1883). See our K surname page for details regarding the tragic death of Margaret Kehoe on the Quay in Waterford in 1899.
We know that an inquest was held into John Kehoe’s death in 1902. His death cert references it, and it was discussed in the next sitting of the Kilmacow Petty Sessions of 8 May 1902. Unfortunately we were not able to locate a newspaper article regarding the inquest.
Kilmacow Petty Sessions, 8 May 1902
Two different newspapers covered the case and the two accounts agreed only on what magistrates were sitting and what the outcome was for all the young men. The headline of the Munster Express article was, “Patrick’s Day Celebration at Gaulstown Results in quarrelsome young men being bound to the peace.” The headline in the Waterford News and Star, was “Free Fight at Gaulstown, Near Glenmore.” Information obtained from the Munster Express, (Sat. 10 May 1902, p. 5) is marked ME below and information from the Waterford News & Star, (Fri. 9 May 1902, p. 7) is marked WNS.
The Kilmacow Petty Sessions heard the cases on 8 May 1902 before Magistrates Ulick Bourke, Resident Magistrate (presiding); A.E. Graves; P. Grant, Chairman Waterford No. 2 District Council and Arthur Brown. (ME) & (WNS)
Kennedy v. Keogh
Peter Kennedy summoned Martin Keogh for having assaulted him on the 17th March. There were a number of summonses and cross summonses arising out of the same occurrence, M. P.A. Murphy appeared for Kennedy, and Mr. H.D. Keane appeared for Keogh. (ME)
Peter Kennedy deposed, in reply to Mr. Murphy: I am a farmer’s son and I live at Rathnure; Keogh also lives there, and is a farmer’s son too. He then preceded to give evidence as to the assault alleged to have been committed on him by Keogh, which took place after he had fought Thomas Kennedy on the road near Mrs. Kirwan’s house beyond “the ‘Shanty;’ Richard Roche, James Kennedy, and Richard Ryan were also present; after fighting Thomas Kennedy he was kicked in the thigh by Martin Keogh, whose brother, John Keogh, who had since died, was present (ME).
The complainant deposed to Mr. Murphy that on the 17th of March, he was on his way home; he was accompanied by John Kennedy; they met the defendant [Martin Keogh] and Thomas Kennedy; the later pushed him into the ditch; and when he got as far as Mrs. Kirwan’s house he and John Kennedy sat on the ditch Thomas Kennedy who was accompanied by Richard Ryan, came over to him; caught him by the coat, and challenged him to fight; they fought and after the combat Martin Keogh kicked complainant in the hip; a fight then took place between him and Keogh.
Mr. Bourke [the Resident Magistrate] said the whole occurrence appeared to have been a general row, and the decision of the magistrates would probably be to bind them all to the peace. (ME)
Mr. Bourke—This thing was a fight instead of an assault. (WNS)
Mr. Murphy [for Peter Kennedy]: I have already suggested that the case should be settled. I don’t care whether my clients like it or not, but it appears to me it is one of these squabbles in which both parties were equally to blame. (ME)
Mr. Murphy—It would be better for the parties to shake hands over the matter and go home. (WNS)
Mr. Keane: I would be very glad to acquiesce in the case of Thomas Kennedy against Peter Kennedy, but there is a case of wanton and aggravated assault by Peter Kennedy on Martin Keogh. (ME)
Mr. Keane: I would be willing to acquiesce in the remarks made by Mr. Murphy. There was a lot of evidence to be taken in the case, and if it was gone into their worships would see that a most aggravated assault had been perpetrated on Peter Kennedy by Martin Keogh. (WNS) [It is rather doubtful that Keogh’s representative, Mr. Keane, would argue that an aggravated assault was perpetrated on Peter Kennedy by his client Martin Keogh.]
The Waterford News and Star published that Richard Roche testified that he was not present at the outset of the row; he saw Thomas Kennedy and Peter fighting; Keogh subsequently kicked Peter Kennedy. James Kennedy deposed that he was looking at the row, but he did not see Keogh kick Peter Kennedy.
Keogh v. Kennedy
The hearing of the summonses was then proceeded with. In the case of Martin Keogh v. Peter Kennedy it was alleged defendant knocked plaintiff down and beat him about the head with a stone; also that he was kicked when on the ground by Richard Roche. (ME)
Mr. Bourke: Where are the marks on his [Keogh’s] head? (ME)
Mr. Murphy: His head was evidently harder than the stone. (ME)
Mr. Keane: It is six weeks ago now since the assault. (ME)
Mr. Murphy: I know there are some good hard heads in Rathinure. (ME)
Keogh: They would want to be hard for that sort of work (laughter). (ME)
Mr. Murphy: asked the complainant [Martin Keogh] Patrick’s Day is a great day for a fight if there is a little beer in? (WNS)
Keough: It is. (WNS)
Mr. Murphy: You drown the shamrock on that day? (WNS)
Keogh: I suppose so. (WNS)
Mr. Murphy: And you thought the best way for winding up the celebration was to have free fight? (WNS)
Keogh—I did not. (WNS)
John Keogh’s Death Raised
Mr. Keane submitted that the evidence was quite conclusive regarding the assault on Keogh. John Keogh, his brother, who was present, was unfortunately dead— (ME)
Mr. Murphy: It is most unfair to draw the name of this young man who is dead into the case. (ME)
Mr. Bourke: At the inquest it was shown the occurrence had nothing whatever to say to his death. (ME)
Mr. Murphy: I was at the inquest, and a very fearful charge was made, with the result that a young fellow was arrested. Two doctors proved beyond yea or nay that young Keogh died from natural causes. (ME)
Mr. Keane: I do not wish to couple the death of John Keogh with the matter in court today at all. (ME)
The Court’s Holding
Mr. Bourke said the court had made up their minds to bind all parties to the peace, with the exception of Richard Roche. Each would have to give security for his good behaviour for 12 months, himself in £10, and two sureties of £5 each. (ME) (WNS)
Identifying the Participants
Peter Kennedy (1878-1962) of Rathinure was the son of Thomas Kennedy and his wife Anastatia Irish. In 1921 Peter married Elizabeth Walsh (1884-1958) a native of Powerswood, Thomastown. The couple had 5 daughters. Ironically, Peter Kennedy died on St. Patrick’s Day 1962 exactly 60 years after the fight.
It is not altogether clear who was the person in the first fight with Peter Kennedy (1878-1962). The newspaper state it was Thomas Kennedy, however the 1901 Census does not show a Thomas Kennedy in Newtown. There was a Patrick Kennedy (aged 26) in Newtown (Aylwardstown) the son of Richard Kennedy (aged 70) and his wife Alice Kehoe (aged 60). The first article (Munster Express, Sat. 12 April 1902, p. 5) lists four complainants: P. Kennedy, Martin Kehoe, Peter Kennedy and John Kennedy. No T. or Thomas Kennedy was mentioned. There was a Thomas Kennedy in Rathinure; he was a brother of Jim Kennedy. It is doubtful that this relationship would not have been raised in court if the first fight was with Thomas Kennedy of Rathinure.
Jim or James Kennedy was one of the Faddie Kennedy’s of Rathinure. James was born on 15 May 1877 to Thomas Kennedy and his wife Catherine Phelan. In 1908, he emigrated to the U.S. with James Delahunty (b.c. 1877) of Aylwardstown).
Martin Keogh (1876-1954) was the brother of the deceased John Keogh (1879-1902). Martin married Bridie Walsh, of Smithstown, Tullogher and they farmed in Rathinure. Bridie was a first cousin to Larry Walsh of Rochestown (father of Martin Walsh (1918-1996) see our post of 31 Dec. 2023 regarding Martin Walsh).
Richard Roche, of Curraghmore, Slieverue, was only 16 in 1902. He and his family lived near the Shanty. It may be the case that he came upon the fight. According to the 1901 Census, Richard Roche was the son of James Roche (aged 59) and Kate Roche (aged 54). He had a brother Andrew (aged 17).
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured drawing is from a 1908 advertisement for boxing gloves.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Rathinure, Glenmore (1961)
Today, we are going to feature information Danny Dowling (1927-2021) recorded regarding the residents of Rathinure in 1961. Similar to other townlands in Glenmore, Rathinure has been spelled in different ways across the centuries. It was spelled Rathnewre on Sir William Petty’s, Down Survey Map (1656-1658); it was spelled Rathaure in the Tithe Applotment Books (1829); and a popular spelling in late 19th century newspapers was Rathenure.
Background
The Irish for this townland, according to O’Kelly’s, The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 114) is Ráth an iubhair, or rath of the yew. The townland of Rathinure is comprised of 575 acres. O’Kelly listed the ancient Kilcolumb church site, Tobar na gcolm (according to Danny the well of the doves), and Cloch Choilm (the Kilcolumb holy water font that was tossed into a field by Cromwellians and is locally known as the headache stone). O’Kelly wrongly noted that the Bóithrin fada “is the by-road running southward from the main road to a number of houses.” The Bóithrin fada is a narrow unpaved farming lane that runs west from the High Road to the old hamlet of Rathinure coming down behinnd Johnny Garvey’s house.
O’Kelly lists a number of fields with Irish names including: Bán riach; Garaí; Cabúis; Cabus’s garden; Garaí glas; Gort ne sidheog or the fairies field a tradition of losing one’s way at night here; the Móineáns; Ocht na grainsí or hill breast of the grange; Sceathánach, sceach lland; Sean-bheitin; Sileáns or rivuets or drains; and Srath lia mhór, or field of the big grey fern. For further Rathinure families and field names see “The Enduring Names of Rathinure”.
Tithe Applotment Books (1829)
Rathanure was owned by S.W. Aylward who split his holding into Rathanure (566 statute acres) and the Hill of Rathanure (29 statute acres).
There were two tenants for the Hill of Rathanure (29 acres) namely, Philip and John Wallice (sic). There were 18 tenants listed for the 566 acres of Rathanure including: [1] James Wall; [2] William Roach; [3] Patt Kennedy [4] Patt Kennedy; [5] William Kennedy; [6] James Kennedy; [7] Michael Kennedy; [8] John Kennedy [9] John Malone; [10] Patt Eade; [11] Edward Murphy; [12] James Murphy; [13] Patt Murphy; [14] James Deighan; [15] Thomas Sullivan; [16] John Roach; [17] Jno Roach; [18] William Roach.
Griffith’s Valuation (1847-1864)
The immediate lessor (landlord) was James C. Aylward, Esq. Tenants included:
[1] Thomas Wall who had 32 acres, a house & offices;
[2] John Freeman who had a house and garden;
[3] John Roche, 46 acres, house and offices;
[4] Margaret Kennedy, 32 acres, house & offices;
[5] Richard Kennedy, 50 acres, house and offices;
[6] Peter Kennedy, 52 acres, house & offices;
[7] John Kennedy (the wall) had no landlord the word “free” appears in the record for immediate lessor. John the Wall Kennedy owned a house worth 10 shillings;
[8] Patrick Kehoe, 44 acres, house & offices;
[9] Thomas Delahunty had a house he leased from Patrick Kehoe worth 10 shillings;
[10] John Kennedy (Khosub), 41 acres, house & offices;
[11] John Malone, 33 acres, house & offices;
[12] John Kennedy (Ogue), 30 acres, house & offices;
[13] Richard Kennedy, jun. leased a house from John Kennedy (Ogue) worth 6 shillings;
[14] Patrick Geehan, 29 acres, house & offices;
[15] William Kennedy, 30 acres, house and offices;
[16] Mary Den leased a house valued at 5 shillings from William Kennedy;
[17] Jeremiah Greene leased a house (value 9s.) and garden (value 3s.) from William Kennedy;
[18] Edmund Murphy 46 acres, house & offices;
[19]Anastatia Kelly leased a house (valued 5 s.) from William Kennedy;
[20] Oliver Neill leased a house and small garden (valued at 8s.) from Edmond Murphy;
[21] Philip Wallace, had a house (valued at £1) and his immediate lessor were “Tenants of the Townland.” [22] Tenants of the Townland held 1.6 acres of land in 3 parcels of commons valued at £2.15.;
[23] John Murphy, 25 acres, house and offices;
[24] Ellen Murphy had a house and garden (valued at 12s.);
[25] John Kehoe and
[26] Lawrence Sullivan together leased 1 acre of land; houses & offices from James C. Aylward;
[27] John Roche (Luke),
[28] John Roche (Anne) and
[29] Bridget Roche, the three Roches [27, 28 & 29] shared 72 acres. They had houses and offices valued at respectively £3.10; £4.5 & £2.15.
1961 Rathinure, Glenmore
In 1961, Danny recorded 14 families or households in the townland of Rathinure. Birthdates or birth years are provided for some of the older residents gleaned from available public records. For some time after drafting his notebook, Danny recorded the dates of death or simply recorded that a resident had died or left the townland.
Danny’s recorded information reveals that in 1961, 52 people resided in the townland of Rathinure with the population comprised of 29 males and 23 females. The largest households was the Maguire family with 8 persons in their household. There were 4 households recorded with a single person living alone in each house. Information under residents of Rathinure not in Danny’s original list has been placed in square brackets [ ].
Recorded Rathinure, Glenmore Residents (1961)
Males= 29
Females= 23
Eldest Recorded Resident
The eldest resident recorded by Danny in Rathinure, Glenmore was Peter Kennedy (5 Nov. 1878-17 March 1962) who was 83 in 1961. Peter Kennedy was the son of Thomas Kennedy and his wife, Anastatia Irish, of Aylwardstown. Peter only had one sibling Bridget who married Peter Foskin of Big Wood, Mullinavat. Peter Kennedy married Elizabeth Walsh (c. 1884 – 1958) of Powerswood, Thomastown. The couple were married on 8 February 1921 at Thomastown. Elizabeth pre-deceased him Peter. Peter Kennedy and his wife had five daughters and the youngest Cissy Kennedy will be 94 on the 5th of January 2024.
Recorded Work
Farmers= 8 (7 Males; 1 Female)
Retired Farmer= 1 (1 Male)
Farm Workers = 11 (11 Males)
Council Worker= 1 (1 Male)
Builder’s Labourer= 1 (1 Male)
Odd Jobs = 1 (1 Female)
Rathinure, Glenmore Residents 1961
[1] KAVANAGH
Kavanagh, Annie (b. 5 May 1901)
[2] ROCHE
Roche, Mary (b. 1918) [née Forristal of the Mill was the widow of Edward “Ned” Roche of the High Road, Rathinure who died 15 August 1957 aged 75. Mary died on 26 January 1984 aged 87].
[3] GRACE
Grace, John (7 Sept. 1893-22 June 1964) Farmer
Grace, Bridget (b. 12 Dec. 1899) wife
Grace, Patrick , son, assisting on farm
Grace, Ellen, daughter-in-law
[4] ROCHE
Roche, Catherine “Katie” (b. 1 Jan. 1912) Farmer [died 9 August 1967, aged 56]
Roche, Mary “May” (b. 4 Aug. 1916) sister [May Roche died 28 September 2001].
Delahunty, Michael (b. 20 Dec. 1906) farm labourer
[5] ROCHE
Roche, John (b. 11 Oct. 1911) Farmer
Roche, Margaret (b. 1917) wife
Roche Michael, son
Nolan, Nicholas, nephew, assisting on farm [died 22 Sept. 2013, aged 69, of Garryduff, Piltown]
[6] KENNEDY
Kennedy, John (10 Feb. 1885-11 Feb. 1962) Farmer [John Sean Og Kennedy]
Kennedy, Mary (b. 13 April 1881) sister [Mary Sean Og Kennedy died 8 February 1971]
Garvey, John, grand-nephew, assisting on farm
For more information on the Sean Og Kennedy’s of Rathinure see our post of 3 October 2021.
[7] KEHOE
Kehoe, Richard [19 July 1914—15 Dec. 1974] Farmer
[Dick Kehoe married Mary Doherty, of Ballinlammy in the late 1960’s. Mary Kehoe née Doherty died 7 December 2016 at the age of 94.]
[8] WALSH
Walsh, Thomas (b. 27 May 1908) Farmer [died 2 April 1992]
Walsh, Stacia (b. 31 March 1922) wife [died 12 Nov. 1984]
Walsh, Robert, son [4 May 1950-14 Aug. 1984]
Walsh, Peter, son
Walsh, Elizabeth “Elsie”, daughter
Kennedy, Peter (5 Nov. 1878-17 March 1962) father-in-law, retired farmer
[9] FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald, Anastasia (b. 14 Feb. 1900) [née Sullivan]
Fitzgerald, Stephen, son, farm labourer [died 8 July 1999, aged 76]
Fitzgerald, Patrick, son, farm labourer [died 28 Oct. 1981, aged 55]
Fitzgerald, John, son, farm labourer
Fitzgerald, Bridget, daughter [died 22 May 1994, aged 66]
[10] DALTON
Dalton, Johanna “Josie” (b. 31 Dec. 1907) odd jobs [died Dec. 1978]
[Josie Dalton’s grandfather, R.I.C. Hearn, arrested Roger Casement in Kerry c. 1914. Danny Dowling said her father was a cobbler from Tullogher and moved to the Railway Cottage in Rathinure. Josie had two sisters and a brother Pat. All her siblings went to England and Josie lived in the isolated Railway Cottage until shortly before she died. Josie broke her leg and was found by a neighbour and taken to the hospital. She lived in a small mobile home where Willie Cummins had lived. Although Josie told friends she was going to return to the Railway House she died at the mobile home.]
[11] KENNEDY
Kennedy, Thomas (b. 26 Aug. 1912) Farmer [died 9 Jan. 1987]
Kennedy, Laurence (b. 12 Aug. 1914) brother, assisting on farm
Kennedy, Richard (b. 5 Oct. 1917) brother, assisting on farm [died 10 Jan. 1994]
Kennedy, Patrick (b. 14 March 1921) brother, assisting on farm [died 19 May 1997]
Kennedy, Bridget (b. 1922) sister
[12] ROCHE
Roche, Edward (b. 4 Nov. 1887) Farmer [died 14 Jan. 1969, aged 81]
Roche, Alice (b. 22 Dec. 1886) [née Heffernan of Aylwardstown died 28 Nov. 1972, aged 86]
Roche, James [2 Nov. 1928-13 Dec. 2018 aged 91]
Roche, Alice “Ciss” (b. 1930) daughter-in-law [née Culleton of Kilbride]
Roche, Eddie, grandson
Roche, Michael, grandson
Roche, Alice, granddaughter
[13] WALSH
Walsh, John “Jack” (b. 5 Feb. 1893) Farm Labourer
Walsh, Anastatia (b. 14 March 1899) wife
Gahan, Michael (b. 10 Feb. 1911) brother-in-law, Council Worker
[14] MAGUIRE
Maguire, John, Builder’s Labourer
Maguire, Catherine, wife
Maguire, James, son
Maguire, Catherine M., daughter
Maguire, Margaret M., daughter
Maguire, Thomas J., son
Maguire, Mary, daughter
Maguire, Anastatia, daughter
(Family moved to Ballinlaw, Slieverue).
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Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is Kilcolumb ruins and churchyard. See our post of 22 December 2019 concerning what happened to persons who abused or damaged Cloch Choilm (the Kilcolumb stone for curing headaches).
For a link to a recording of Danny Dowling in 1991 speaking on Kilcolumb click here.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh