St. James Church
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Early Glenmore Baptismal Records
After Catholic Emancipation in 1829 the Irish Catholic Church began to re-organise its parish structures to accommodate the increased population. The majority of Irish Catholic Parish registers date from circa 1829 (Fiona Fitzsimons, “Kindred Lines: Catholic Parish Registers,” History of Ireland (March/April 2015) p. 21). Although some city and town parish registers commenced well before 1829 most rural parishes do not. Luckily, Glenmore baptismal records commence in 1766.
The National Library of Ireland has digitalized the old parish records of Ireland. Because Glenmore was part of the Slieverue parish until 1846, the earliest records relating to Glenmore are found in the Slieverue records. The current St. James’s Church in Glenmore Village was built in 1813, but there was a church in the Village before that time and there were several churches in townlands across what would eventually become Glenmore Parish. See, our post of 16 November 2019 for a brief history of early Glenmore churches.
The combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish registers commenced in 1766 primarily due to the efforts of Fr. Stephen Lower (c. 1727-1799). See our post of 11 November 2020 regarding Fr. Lower who served the combined parish for over 30 years. Interestingly he chose to be buried in Kilmakevoge Church ruins (also known locally as Kilivory) which four decades later was in the separated and newly formed Glenmore Parish.
Digitalized Combined Parish Records
The National Library of Ireland has digitalized the early Catholic Parish Records up to about 1880. Only one set of records is found for the separate Glenmore Parish (Microfilm 05022/03) with baptismal records from 28 March 1831 to 11 December 1880. Marriage records span 11 January 1831 to 7 June 1883).
The Glenmore related records prior to 1831 can be found in the combined parish records. Today, we are going to focus on the first three years of Baptismal records found in Microfilm 0503101. To view the digitalized register click here.
The First Recorded Baptisms (Microfilm 05031/01)
The handwriting of 1766 is not too difficult for most entries in this earliest register. Unfortunately, several of the entries over the past 257 years have become obscured due to the register suffering damage.
There are some unusual names in these early records. For example, Valentine Forrestall, the son of Thomas Forrestall and Catherin Murphy was the 14th child recorded on the 26th(?) of December 1766. Spellings of names and places in the earliest parish register are inconsistent. Other spellings are consistent, but are wrong by today’s standards. For example, the word “at” is consistently spelled “att.”
Godparents or sponsors are referred to as “Gossips” in these earliest records. “The word gossip derives from god-sib; god-sibling; or relative of God and originally referred to godparents,” (Clodagh Tait (2003) “Safely Delivered: Childbirth, Gossip-feasts and Churching in Ireland c. 1530-1690,” 30(1) Irish Economic & Social History, p. 17). In some entries witnesses are also recorded.
Most of the records where a place of residence is recorded reflect “baptized at Kilmakevoge,” because a priest after a birth would be summoned to the house. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) stated that in times past babies were baptized as soon as possible at home because of the high infant mortality and the belief that only baptized Catholics could enter heaven. It was believed generally that the souls of unbaptized infants went to limbo. Stillborn babies, or infants that died before baptism, were not buried in church yards. As late as the early 20th century the stillborn and unbaptized infants often were buried near the family home in ditches or little corners of fields called killeens. There are old killeens still found around Glenmore.
Illegitimates, Foundling & Class
Social problems are also reflected in this register. The sixth baptism which took place on the 7th of December 1766 is the first child recorded as being born out of wedlock. “Baptized Edmond Maher; son to John Maher & J? Houlehan, Illegitimate: Gossips; William H?, Catherine Row?” The rest of the entry is obscured by what appears to be ink blotches.
Five baptisms were identified in the 26 months from November 1866 to 31 December 1868 as involving children born out of wedlock. This represents approximately 1.6% of the infants baptized. See, Entry 48 for “Patrick Butler; son of Thomas Butler & Catherine Raiheen?, illegitmate.” See also, Entry 191 on the 18th of Feb. 1768 at “Ballincrea, [Slieverue] of Edmond Daulton, son to John Daulton & Mary Kelly, illegitimate. Gossips: John Macjey and Ellener Conners. Witness: John Maher & Thomas Conners.”
Entry 163 on the 15th of November 1767 reflects an abandoned infant. A lot of detail is provided regarding the circumstances. “Baptized Martin Knox who was left on y. 13th at John Hallagans of Drumdowney and found on y. same morning about ten of y. clock, parents not known; Gossips: Michael Nowlan & Nancy White. Witnesses: John Hallegan?; Thomas Cook, James Nowlan & Andrew Shea.
Also reflected are two examples of the upper class being recorded differently. Until the end of 1768 only two entries record honorifics such as Mr., Mrs., Master or Miss. For example, Entry 229, 7th of May 1768 provides, “Baptized att Ballefacy (sic), Richard Welsh, son of James Welsh & Bridgit (sic) Flemmings, of lawful wedlock. Gossips: Master Thomas Welsh & Mrs Nancy Welsh. Witness: Mr. Nicholas Flemming & Mary Inright.”
Likewise, Entry 247, on the 20th of June 1768 records the following for two of the Strange family of Aylwardstown House. “Baptized att Glinmore (sic), Bridgit Coady, daughter to Richard Coady & Ellener O’Sullivan of lawfull wedlock. Gossips: Mr. Peter Strange Jun. & Miss Ally Strange. Witness: Michael O’Sullivan & John O’Sullivan.”
Chart: 1766-1768 Entries
| Year | No. of Months Recorded | No. of Pages | No. of Entries | No. of Infants | Start & Ending Entry No. | No. of Illegitimate Comments | No. of Found-lings |
| 1766 | 2—Nov. & Dec. | 3 | 15 | 15 | 1-15 | 1 (Entry 6) | 0 |
| 1767 | 12 | 19 | 162 | 162 | 16-177 | 1 (Entry 48) | 1 (Entry 163) |
| 1768 | 12 | 14 | 138 | 141 | 178-315 | 3 (Entry 191) (Entry 255) (Entry 256) | 0 |
| 26 months | 36 pages | 315 | 318 | 5 = 1.57% | 1= .3% |
1766 & 1767 Baptisms
The first baptism recorded in the register occurred on the 26th of November 1766. “Baptized by ? Rev. F. Hynes; Mary White; daughter to James White and Mary Walsh; of lawful matrimony. Gossips: Patrick Lahy & Mary Cullin.”
The second baptism recorded was the following day and is of historical interest because it is the first record where Glenmore appears and was written by Fr. Lower. In fact, it appears from the handwriting that Fr. Lower recorded all of the baptisms on the page. “Baptized by me, Stephen Lower, P. Priest of Glanmore, Martin Karny; son to Murtough Karny & Joane Kenedy of lawful wedlock. Gossips: Robert Joyce & Bridget Ryan.”
Unfortunately, without townlands recorded it is difficult to determine how many of the baptisms recorded in 1766 and 1767 were performed in townlands which would later form the Parish of Glenmore.
In October 1767 starting with entry 148 townlands are infrequently recorded. From the handwriting it appears to vary from priest to priest whether it is recorded. The first such entry was for Anistice Nowlan on 1 October 1767. “Baptized att (sic) Haggard; Anistice Nowlan, daughter of Richard Nowlan & Mary Houlihan of lawfull (sic) wedlock. Gossips: Lewis O’ Ryan & Mary Aylward. Witness: Mary Murphy.”
1768 Baptisms
From February 1768 most entries record the place of the baptism. In total 50 baptisms were identified from the records as occurring in Glenmore. There may be more because some entries are impossible to read due to damage to the register. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the 1768 identified Glenmore baptisms is the number of twins recorded. Three sets of twins were baptized in 1768. Entry 208 (twin girls), 212 (boy & girl) and 269 (twin girls).
For a complete list of the 50 identified Glenmore baptisms in 1768 visit our Roots page by clicking here.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing above is entited “The Baptism of Virginia Dare” courtesy of the New York Public Library. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Baptism of Virginia Dare.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-fba8-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
A Brief History of Glenmore’s St. James Catholic Church
A visitor to Glenmore might find a concise history of St. James Catholic Church on a stone plaque inserted into the wall over the sacristy door of the church.
Anno Domini 1813 This chapel was built by the inhabitants of Glenmore Revd. John Fitzpatrick P.P. Revd. William Grant Coad. A.D. 1910 Rebuilt Rev. Thomas Phelan P.P. Rev. M.A. Crotty C.C.
This concise history does not reflect the struggles the parishioners encountered in practicing their faith and building this church.
St. Patrick & Early Glenmore Celtic Churches
The roots of the parish go right back to St. Patrick. Legend has it that when St. Patrick, whilst on his travels throughout Ireland, in the fifth century, preaching and converting the native to the new Christian religion, he passed through the area which is now Davidstown, that is today in the Parish of Glenmore. The prospect and amenity of the area so pleased him that he decided to build a church there, which decision he later abandoned after some days work on the site.
Whether or not St. Patrick, ever arrived in this place on his visitation through Ossory, is not certain. However, what is certain, is that the Christian Religion was in widespread practice here in early times, as is evidenced by the numerous Celtic Churches which were used as places of Worship. These early edifices were located in Rathaglish, Davidstown, Rochestown, Ballycroney, Ballygurrim, Kilmakevoge, Kilbride, Kilquan and Kilcolumb. Of all these only the ruins of Ballygurrim, Kilmakevoge, and Kilcolumb still survive, and the foundations of what was Kilbride.
Danny Dowling has noted that there has been a strong oral tradition in Glenmore with the passing of historical information from one generation to the next. For example, according to this oral tradition, Ballygurrim was a settlement containing a good number of houses. Wattie Power, late of Jamestown, was interviewed in the 1950’s and noted that when he was a lad he often heard from the older people of the area that there was a large village of houses in the church field which surrounds Ballygurrin graveyard. During a plague most of the inhabitants of the village died and were buried in a large trench in Merrigan’s bog across the road. Wattie Power as a young man was asked to plough the church field. It had not been ploughed in the memory of living people. He ploughed the field, and in the lower half of the field nearest to Glenmore the plough turned up numerous areas of black earth, ash and cinders, besides numerous hearthstones. All these items indicate that a village existed in this field.
Penal Times
In addition to plague, politics impacted on the early Glenmore churches. Most were forced to close during penal times after Cromwell arrived in Ireland in 1649. It is known that Kilivory was in use right up until penal times with some of the priests of Slieverue being buried there. Kilcolumb in the townland of Rathinure was converted to Protestant use. Oral tradition provides that during the troubles associated with the Cromwellian confiscation the sacred vessels of Ballygurrim Church were buried under an ancient sceach in the church field on Dowling’s farm in Jamestown. The ancient sceach, fell around 1950. It was located about midway between the line of the mass path (which passed through this field from opposite Clune Lane) to the corner of the field adjoining the Ballygurrim to Glenmore Roadway.
During penal times the people persevered in following their faith often holding mass in secret in houses as was the practice in Forristalstown or open air masses were held. The faithful also continued to bury their dead in the old church yards of Kilivory, Kilcolumb and Ballygurrim. Tradition states that open air masses were held in Kearney Bay and in Bolger’s field in Ballycroney. On one occasion in Bolger’s field the priest was saying mass. As was essential some of the faithful were on watch for soldiers. The scout on this occasion apparently didn’t see the oncoming soldiers until they were very near. He immediately gave word to the priest, who asked the congregation to disperse and go their own way as best they could, and “I’ll go mine.” When the soldiers arrived, the commanding officer said, “The wolf was here but he is gone.” The soldiers passed and didn’t see anyone. It was said that the faithful were rendered invisible by the power of God.
The Church in Hanrahan’s Field
Sometime around 1711 a Catholic church was built in Hanrahan’s field directly across from the Creamery about 1/3 of the distance from the Creamery to the now closed post office. The name of the church has been lost, but the description of the church has been passed down. The church building was made of stone, had a thatched roof, no floor and no furniture. The faithful brought straw with them to kneel on the damp ground. It is believed that this low spot in the valley and the shed like building with no floor or furniture was to conceal its function as a Catholic church during the penal years.
Most of the penal laws were removed by 1793, and shortly thereafter the present parish church, dedicated to St. James, the apostle, was built in 1813. The site of the church is on a hill making the tall structure visible for a considerable distance. No contractor was hired to build the church. Instead the parishioners built their church providing the labour and donating most of the materials. The shell of a Chapel in Glenmore, was built at a cost of £100 in 1813. Old Johnnie Gaule of Busherstown, gave this information to his nephew Mickey (Specks) Power of Busherstown, who used to work with Wattie Power of Jamestown who gave it to Danny. Father Grant was the Curate in charge of St. James. Father Grant was a native of Ballyvarring in the Parish of Slieverue.
Birth of Glenmore Parish
The years 1845 to 1850 are primarily associated with the Great Famine, but in Glenmore the year 1846 is also remembered for the birth of the parish. Prior to 1846 the present parish of Glenmore, was part of the parish of Slieverue. Parish Priest Rev. Edward Walsh, on his becoming Bishop of Ossory, made Glenmore a separate parish from Slieverue. In this form Glenmore has remained although with the shortage of priests there is currently consideration being given to combining parishes.
Since 1813 St. James Church has undergone renovations including the removal of the gallery, but the last major renovation of the church was its rebuilding in 1910 as reflected on the stone plaque over the sacristy door. George Nolan a Builder in Waterford was awarded the contract for the re-build in 1910, and Michael Doran was a monumental sculptor, who worked for George Nolan. Michael Doran, at the age of 86 when interviewed by Danny, recalled that in 1910 he cut the stone for the present belfry. For further information regarding renovations see our post of 2 May 2020.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
This past week we added local Irish words to the website as well as local families, and special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh who sent a number of old photos of Glenmore including those of St. James.
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