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Captain C.F. McLoughlin (1897-1967) of the Glenmore Volunteers, Part II
For Part 1 see our post of 26 May 2025.
1916-1919
On Fred McLoughlin’s release after about a month’s detention he carried on activities as before. (Heffernan letter, p. 1) After McLoughlin returned the Glenmore Volunteers resumed drilling and this time some new men joined as public opinion turned in their favour (Mernagh letter, p. 4)
McLoughlin went to Gorey in the autumn of 1916, but returned to Glenmore from time to time. During 1917, 1918 and 1919, while living in Glenmore he continued and intensified his volunteer activities. He took part in the Waterford City by-election and the volunteers were active in the General Election of 1918. During the conscription crisis of 1918 he was on the run for months (Heffernan letter, p. 2). Ellen’s eldest son, Jimmy Cassin joined the volunteers. Cassin was working for Tom Mullins in Flemingstown (Cassin letter, p. 1).
About 1918 a large body of men from Ballybrahe, Weatherstown and Ballyfacey marched to Coolnaleen to link up with another large group. Elections were held at that time and Fred McLoughlin was again appointed Captain, Jack Hartley, Weatherstown 1st Lieutenant; Jack Doherty of Coolnaleen was appointed 2nd Lieutenant (Power letter, p. 2).
McLoughlin’s Glenmore Headquarters
Of all the letters submitted by Glenmore people on behalf of McLoughlin the one containing the most detail of the activities of the Company was that of John Power, Jr. He stated that from an early stage, Fred McLoughlin was experimenting with explosives and trying to make gunpowder. Power had a new bicycle about 1918 and several times lent it to McLaughlin to make long journeys. Power constantly carried dispatches for McLoughlin. Although McLoughlin lived with his aunts in Glenmore Village he made his headquarters Pat Walsh’s farm in Ballybrahee less than a mile from the Village.
John Power, Jr. worked for Pat Walsh. The barn, boiler house, the haggard and other places on the farm were used for volunteer purposes. Buckshot from moulds was made in the boiler house where cartridges were loaded. The loaded cartridges were tested in the fields (Power letter, p. 2). McLoughlin was also experimenting with making bombs. “Some of the powder made by Fred McLoughlin was very strong and a gun would not stand more than a small amount in a cartridge” (Power letter, p. 2).
Power stated that during the Black and Tan period (after the end of WWI c. 1918-1922) the Glenmore Company cut trees, dug trenches and demolished bridges to block roads and hamper communication of the enemy. Power was usually on outpost duty armed with a shotgun. He noted that it took three nights to break one bridge on the Pill. When it finally collapsed Dick Ryan was standing on it and went down into the Pill with it (Power letter, p. 1).
The Civil War
At the outbreak of the Civil War there were divisions in Glenmore amongst the men. McLoughlin arrived from Dublin about the end of July. Power, Neddy Purcell and some others got in touch with McLoughlin and continued their activities as they were anti-Treaty. Power borrowed Pat Walsh’s spring car and drove it from Ballybrahee to a place outside of Waterford where McLoughlin had dumped some munitions stolen from General Prout’s arm. Power noted that this was the army that had taken Waterford in 1922 (Power letter, p. 3). For further details regarding the Siege of Waterford see our post of 17 July 1922.
Soon thereafter, McLoughlin’s mother, Sarah Jane McLoughlin née Heffernan died 17 May 1923 at Tullow, Carlow, at the age of 54 of tubercular meningitis.
McLoughlin’s Account of His Service
On 7 December 1933, McLoughlin filed an 8 page application for a military pension. Within this document he provided important details concerning his service, incarceration, injuries and employment. In 1933, he was residing at 35 Marlboro Road, Donnybrook. He applied under the name of Con. F. McLoughlin.
McLoughlin in his 1933 application stated that he was a volunteer in the I.R.A. from 1913 to 1923. He first volunteered in Glenmore in 1913. His commanding Officer in 1913 was Nick Curran N.T. (National teacher). McLoughlin noted in the application that Curran was deceased. From 1914 until the summer of 1915 McLoughlin was a Captain of the Blackrock College Corps. As a senior school boy, he organised and drilled independently this non-affiliated unit (1933 Application, p. 2).
From summer 1915 to 1919, McLoughlin was the Captain of the Glenmore Company, of the Kilkenny Regiment. He listed his commanding Officers as T. Treacy, Brigadier and M. Kealy, Commandant of the Southern Battalion. In 1919, he served under T.D. Synott, Enniscorthy in the Gorey area organising. He was attached to the Kilkenny brigade. In 1920 he served with J Co. of the Dublin City Brigade. J. Freaney was the Captain of J Company. At the end of 1920 McLoughlin was back in Glenmore and engaged in an attempted ambush at Lucy Rock in Ballyverneen (1933 Application, p. 2).
McLoughlin became a Lieutenant in J. Co. (Dublin) in 1921 under Captain J. Freaney and Capt. J. Goulding. The following year he became Captain and remained active until disabled. His commanding officer was P. Houlihan, Commandant (1933 Application, p. 2).
Wounds
McLoughlin stated that during his service he suffered shrapnel wounds from a bomb which he described as minor to his right hand. This wound was received during independent action (evading capture) in 1920. His second shrapnel wound injured his left hand. It too was described as minor and was received during the defence of the Talbot St. area of Dublin in 1922.
McLoughlin suffered serious bullet wounds on 13 October 1922 that caused deformity of his left hand, wrist and forearm. He claimed these injuries were received while engaged in organizing and leading authorized local action against civil disturbers at Clonaslee, Leix. At that time and place he was using the name O’Sullivan (1933 Application, p. 2).
The Irish Civil War began on the 28th of June 1922. A review of a contemporary Nationalist and Leinster Times article (Sat. 28 Oct. 1922, p. 3) provided that this little village in the North-West corner of Leix was embroiled in a strike of farm labourers. An un-named organiser “came amongst the farmers and the tide began to turn.” The farmers after having crops destroyed etc. formed a Parish Protection Party as well as a “Flying Column.” There is no mention of anyone being shot in the newspaper article. Based upon the foregoing and the fact his employer paid his hospital bill, even though it was in the name of O’Sullivan, it appears that the Clonaslee incident was related more to McLoughlin’s work for the Farmers’ Union than it related to his work for the I.R.A.
Resulting Illnesses
McLoughlin claimed “Ordinary health, as schoolboy and youth was good, till endangered by volunteer activities.” As a result of hardships and exposure experienced while organising volunteers and campaigning on borders of East Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Tipperary at Easter 1916 and while detained in New Ross, Wexford, Richmond Barracks, Dublin before deportation to Wakefield in May 1916, McLoughlin suffered occasional ill health (1933 Application, p. 3).
McLoughlin revealed in his application that while at Blackrock he was treated and isolated with mumps in 1912 or 1913 (1933 Application, p. 4). We also discovered that his grandmother, Elizabeth Heffernan of Glenmore died outside the Chapel in Tullow in May 1913 (Carlow Nationalist, Sat. 24 May 1913, p. 8). See our family H surname page for the full article.
McLoughlin noted that while he was held at Wakefield he was placed on bread and water and suffered several assaults from a British Army N.C.O. During the interment he lost a stone in weight and it took a long time for him to recover. In 1918 he contracted influenza and pneumonia while “on the run” during the anti-conscription campaign. In 1921 he had a minor rheumatic attack aggravated by camping with Battalion J as Lieutenant. He attended Dr. Powell of Fitzwilliam Square during this period (1933 Application, p. 3).
McLoughlin had surgery performed by Dr. V. McCallister at Mater Hospital, Dublin in October 1922 for bullet wounds. He was in St. Patrick’s accident ward under the name of O’Sullivan. He recalled that the wounds were dressed regularly by a student who later qualified as Dr. M. O’Donnelly (1933 Application, p. 3). He was admitted to the Mater on the 13th or 14th of October 1922 and released about the 12th of November. He attended out-patient massage for a further period (1933 Application, p. 4). His hospital and surgical expenses were about £18 and were paid by the Irish Farmers’ Union (1933 Application, p. 2).
The Board contacted McLoughlin’s former commanding officer in Wexford T.D. Synott. Synott verified that McLaughlin came under his command about 1917 and remained until 1919. He served as an officer of the Glenmore Corps and was attached to the Wexford Brigade at Gorey. Synott stated that he knew McLoughlin “He came to Enniscorthy for munitions on one or two occasions in early 1918. Later (?) to form a company at Gorey.” Synott was not aware of any illness or injuries McLaughlin suffered during the time McLaughlin was in his command.
Employment History
McLoughlin reported that he was a free-lance writer from 1915 to 1919. He was also employed as a teacher in 1916-1917 although he failed to state where he taught. From 1919-1920 he worked as a journalist for the Enniscorthy Echo. From 1920-1928 he was the sub-editor of The Irish Farmer and then the Assistant General Secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Union (1933 Application, p. 3). McLoughlin became the publications manager for Cabell & Co. in 1928 and was still in the position when he filed his application in 1933 (1933 Application, p. 4).
On the 14th of July 1937 the Military Registration Board certified that McLoughlin was a member of Oglaigh na h-Eireann (I.R.A.) having engaged in military service from 1917-1919 as a volunteer in Kilkenny and Wexford. However, on 28 August 1937 McLoughlin was notified by the Minister for Defence that no award would be made to him because he did not receive a wound or injury while engaged in Military Service. This led to McLoughlin contacting Glenmore people and requesting letters outlining his work, so he could appeal.
PHILATELIST
While researching C.F. McLoughlin we came across several references to his stamp collection. In 1927, W.G. Meredith published The Postage Stamps Of Ireland 1922-1927. This book was dedicated to C.F. McLoughlin, “a distinguished Irish philatelist, thanking him for his contribution to the compilation of the handbook.” In 1971, a priest deemed a world class collector noted that C.F. McLoughlin had helped him when he was commencing collecting. He labelled McLoughlin a prominent stamp collector (New Ross Standard, Sat. 3 July 1971, p. 1).
Member of the United Arts Club of Dublin
Perhaps one of the more ironic discoveries in researching McLoughlin was the fact that McMaster University of Canada has material on McLoughlin. The material was donated to the University by William B. Ready, a former McMaster University Librarian. To view details regarding the holding click here.
As a member of the United Arts Club of Dublin, McLoughlin was a friend of Jack Butler Yeats (1871-1957) and other Irish writers. The McMaster archive contains 37 letters from Jack Butler Yeats (1871-1957) to McLoughlin.
McLoughlin published two volumes of poetry. He used the pseudonym Conn Macado and also used Maelseachlainn for the annotations he added to letters and manuscripts. He was nicknamed “the Gunman.” According to Patricia Boylan (1988) in All Cultivated People: A History of the United Arts Club, Dublin, she described McLoughlin as “… a peaceful man who spent most of his time behind a newspaper in the Dante Room [of the Club], scowling at intruders, and was seldom seen in the bar. He got his nickname from his habit of wearing his hat well down over his eyes and his trench coat tightly belted in the manner of a Chicago gangster.” We think it likely that his nickname may have been due in part to his earlier life.
The other items in the McMaster collection belonging to McLoughlin are: a poem by Padraic Colum (1881-1972), “The Sea Bird to the Wave.” Colum wrote it out for McLaughlin in 1958 one night at the Club. There are also two manuscripts, one about the 1916-1921 troubles and the other a collection of Irish proverbs from a social evening at the Club in 1967. The 1916-1921 manuscript came about when McLoughlin in 1966 contacted veterans and asked them to provide their memories. For a concise history of the United Arts Club, see, An Irishman’s Diary, The Times (5 March 2007).
McLaughlin’s Poetry
Due to the number of pseudonyms employed by McLaughlin we were able to locate a few of his poems and two volumes of poetry.
The National Gallery of Ireland has McLoughlin’s poem entitled “1940” in its Yeat’s Collection. This poem was inscribed with a Christmas greeting from McLoughlin to Jack Butler Yeats. (National Gallery of Ireland, donated by Anne Yeats in 1996.) A second poem entitled “Id Est” is also in the Yeat’s Collection and was inscribed with a Christmas greeting from McLouglin to Jack Butler Years (1943). This poem was privately printed 100 copies. (National Gallery of Ireland, donated by Anne Yeats in 1996). “Cognito” was privately published in 1946, and “Three Things” was published in 1951. “Cognito” includes “copious manuscript notes by McLoughlin under the pseudonym Maelseachlainn.” Both works are held in the National Library of Ireland.
Imaginative Meaning: a Prismetric Medium (1941) was published by McLoughlan under the pseudonym Conn Macado. McLoughlin sent a copy to J.B. Yeats. This work is a 20 page volume published by Elp Press. McLoughlin also published a 6 page volume of poetry in 1942 entitled Glenechomore: A Prismetric Primitive. We wonder if this work Glen-echo-more reflects any of his time in Glenmore.
The End
Finding an obituary for McLaughlin was not a straightforward task. We found his obituary when we went in search of his brother’s obituary. The Evening Herald (Tues. 7 March 1967, p. 2) carried an obituary for Peter McLaughlin, of Cloone, Co. Leitrem. On the same page C.F. McLoughlin’s obituary appeared as follows.
MAELSEACHLAINN (Dublin)—March 6, 1967 at 100 Leeson Street Upper, Cornelius (Conn); deeply regretted by his sorrowing brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. RIP Remains will arrive at St. Mary’s Church Haddington Road, this (Tuesday) evening at 5:30 o’c. Funeral tomorrow (Wednesday) after 10 o’c Mass to Dean’s Grange Cemetery. House private.
The Irish Independent (Thur. 9 March 1967, p. 12) provided: Mr. Cornelius Maelseachlainn (71), Leeson St., Upper, Dublin, who has died, Was a native of Co. Kilkenny.
He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1913 and took part in the 1916 Rising. After the Rising he was deported to Wakefield. He subsequently became Captain in the I.R.A. From 1921 to 1925 he was assistant general secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Union and was sub-editor and later editor of the “Irish Farmer” between 1920 and 1928. He was Vice Chancellor of the Bailiwick of Ireland of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Lazarus of Jerusalem.
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Please send any corrections, additional information, photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com . Special thanks to Carlow Local Studies Librarian, Christopher Power for his location and sharing of John McLoughlin’s 1944 obituary. Efforts to locate the McLoughlin family grave in Tullow were not successful yesterday. However, it provided a lovely stroll through a well maintained cemetery. The featured photo above is St. John the Baptist in Grange, Tullow, Carlow where we believed John McLoughlin and his wife Sarah Jane were buried.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore in the News: January 1924
Glenmore only featured in a couple of local newspaper articles in January 1924. We have also included some local newspaper articles that illustrate what Glenmore people were reading or experiencing one hundred years ago. The original words and phrases of the newspaper articles have been utilized where possible.
The New Year: Past Reminders
In Waterford “the New Year was ushered in by the shrill shriek of engine whistles, the hooting of steamer sirens, and the creation of the customary pandemonium. ..Christ Church Cathedral chimes pealed forth as usual, but their dulcet tones were easily drowned by the fearful noise created, and were not heard except by those who happened to be in the immediate vicinity of Cathedral Square.”
On board the SS Arklow rockets were sent up at regular intervals, the display of these projectile fireworks being witnessed by a fairly large crowd assembled at Reginald’s Tower. Some of the rockets burst into beautiful flame but then followed a loud detonation which “resembled something in the nature of a discharge from an 18 pounder gun.” This disturbed a lot of the inhabitants and reminded them of the recent Civil War (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 4 Jan. 1924, p. 5).
Weather
January 1924 supplied the area “with a continuous round of snow, rain and slush.” “Not for years past” was there “such flood in the hills and valleys of South Kilkenny” (Munster Express, Sat. 19 Jan. 1924, p. 5).
Epidemics & Population Growth
Waterford City suffered a whooping cough epidemic in the autumn and it was still severe in January 1924. The epidemic resulted in a large number of deaths. Waterford City’s death rate for the four weeks ending the 27th of November 1923 was “exceedingly high—26.6 per 1,000” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 4 Jan. 1924, p. 5). Chicken pox was also making the rounds and like most diseases it did not distinguish between the classes. The wedding of Lord Arthur Butler, son of the Marquis and Marchioness of Ormonde, was postponed when his fiancée Miss Jessie Carlos Clarke, and her sister, caught chicken pox (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 4 Jan. 1924, p.7).
The Registrar General estimated that the population of the Free State in June 1923 was 3,165,000 persons. He noted that the last census taken was in 1911, and no attempt was made in 1921 to take a census. He estimated that the population had increased by 30,000 since the 1911 census (Munster Express, Sat. 12 Jan. 1924, p. 3). It is rather surprising that the population increased given the events between 1911 and 1923 including: WWI, the Irish War of Independence, the Irish Civil War and emigration.
Local Education
Nuns for Rosbercon
A rumour was published in the New Ross Standard that a secondary school conducted by Nuns of the Order of St. Louis will, open at Rosbercon. The school was said to located in the Ida House which was recently purchased from Mr. John J. Kehoe (New Ross Standard, Fri .4 Jan. 1923, p. 7).
Glenmore Irish Teacher
At the monthly meeting of the Joint Technical Committee for Kilkenny it was noted that the Department sanctioned the appointment three men and a woman as part time teachers of Irish. Mr. Matt O’Donnell left Glenmore and was engaged at work in Rosbercon. Another teacher was needed in Glenmore to take his place.
It was suggested that Mr. Curran, the school teacher at Glenmore, who was pulling well up in Irish, might be induced to take on the work. The difficulty was that Mr. Curan’s health had not been good for some time. It was supposed that they might be able to engage a teacher from New Ross (Kilkenny People, Sat. 19 Jan. 1924, p. 8). Exactly one year later, Nicholas “Nick” Curran (c. 1884-1925) was dead, aged 41, from cancer of the stomach. His obituary can be found on our obituary page.
New Motor Barge
John Tyrell & Sons, Arklow, boat builders launched a motor launch for a New Ross firm. The motor barge was fitted with a 50 h.p. double cylinder marine engine, with an estimated cargo capacity of 50 tons. The motor barge was to be used for direct trade between Waterford and New Ross and was also capable of towing other barges. Unfortunately, the name of the vessel was not published in the article (Munster Express, Sat. 12 Jan. 1924, p. 6).
Civil War Repairs
Bridges
The railway bridge at Palace East, which was wrecked 14 times in 1923 was being “rebuilt in a substantial way with new girders” (New Ross Standard, Fri.11 Jan. 1924, p. 7). Also, the New Ross bridge was to receive a much needed coat of paint. The bridge was vested in both the Wexford County Council and the Kilkenny County Council. Repairs were also being carried out on the Ferry Mountgarrett bridge (New Ross Standard, Fri.4 Jan. 1923, p. 7).
Fight for £500,000 Deposited in New York
John F. Finerty, a New York Attorney, travelled to Dublin to meet Eamonn de Valera. The meeting was held at Arbour Hill Detention Barracks where de Valera was imprisoned. About £500,000 was deposited in the U.S. and the Republicans and the Free State were claiming it. The U.S. set up a Commission to take evidence from de Valera and Austin Stack. Justice Wagner, of the New York Supreme Court, in making the order for the Commission, ruled that if de Valera and Stack were not allowed to testify, the Free State Government would be barred from continuing its claim for the money.
Attorney Finerty reported to the Press the difficulties he encountered in speaking to de Valera. He was asked to sign an agreement that he would only speak about the litigation. He agreed. The military in charge of the prison demanded that a third party be present at the meeting. Attorney Finerty “point blank refused.” The military then demanded that both he and de Valera agreed to be searched. Both Finerty and de Valera refused.
After two hours Attorney Finerty was unconditionally admitted and spent over an hour and a half with de Valera. He found him “looking none the worse for his four and a half months incarceration.” Attorney Finerty then travelled to Mountjoy to meet Stack. Finerty noted Stack was able to get about but looked very ill after his hunger strike (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 4 Jan. 1924, p. 4.)
Glenmore Breach of Promise Case
Glenmore made the news when a breach of promise case was heard and settled in the King’s Bench Division in mid-January 1924. The defendant was a Glenmore farmer who settled the claim of breach of promise for £52 10s. The brother of the woman also sued the defendant for seduction of his sister. The seduction case settled for £21 (New Ross Standard, Fri. 25 Jan. 1924, p. 5). It was claimed that the defendant has asked the plaintiff to marry him and the wedding was to take place after his mother purchased a Glenmore farm for him. In the interim the plaintiff became pregnant and had the child and sent it to Dublin for fostering. The child died at the age of 2. The defendant’s mother refused to allow him to marry the plaintiff and the plaintiff after years of waiting sued him for breach of promise.
Glenmore Senior Football Objection
At the meeting of the Kilkenny Co. Board of the GAA, it was reported that a lengthy communication was received from Mr. J. Ryan, the Secretary of the Southern Board. Mr. Ryan asked the Chairman to rule on issues that arose out of fixtures. The Charman stated that it was unusual for such a request before the issues were considered by the southern board. He refused to decide matters “over the heads of the Southern Board as he believed they were perfectly confident in doing so themselves.” He affirmed that the Southern Board had complete control of the minor championships in the South, and if any club had a grievance against its decision the matter could be appealed to the County Committee.
The Objection
Later in the meeting the Chairman stated that there an objection by Glenmore to Barrow Rovers in connection with their senior football match at Knockmoylan on December 23. He read out the correspondence from Mr. Ryan, Southern Secretary, Glenmore were drawn to meet Barrow Rovers and as neither club was represented at the meeting and in order to facilitate the clubs the county committee asked the Southern board to fix a date and venue for the match. The Southern Secretary reported having arrangements made and later reported the carrying out of the fixture.
Glenmore Representatives
Mr. Heffernan (Glenmore) asked if the Southern Secretary had mentioned the date of the meeting at which the Southern Board arranged the match. As far as he was concerned, he would positively state that his club got no notification of the venue until the Southern Secretary notified them of the date and venue. He submitted that the Southern Secretary had taken the law into his own hands.
Mr. P. Cody (Glenmore) stated that he was a regular attender of the meetings of the Southern Board and he heard nothing of this match at any meeting. The first intimation he was a letter from the Southern Secretary stating that the fixture was made and he believed that the match had been fixed in the usual way by the County Committee and so his team travelled. The venue was inconvenient for both teams and the Southern Secretary later admitted it.
Other Representatives
Mr. Lyng (Barrow Rovers) agreed that he had heard nothing of the match at a meeting of the Southern Board but queried why Glenmore travelled if they believed the match was not officially fixed.
Mr. Dowling (Danesfort) stated that it seemed to him as if the Southern Secretary outstepped his duty. It was a serious matter if the Secretary took the responsibility on himself of fixing a match and no board or committee could justify such action. He proposed that the Southern Secretary be asked to attend the next meeting of the County Committee and produce the records of the Southern Board regarding the fixture.
The Ruling
The Chairman ruled that the case would be considered at the next meeting when the referee’s report of the match would be considered. There were matters in the referee’s report that required action by the Committee and deserved serious consideration. Glenmore’s objection was also held over to the next meeting (Kilkenny People, Sat. 26 January 1924, p. 9).
Requested Censorship in the Free State
Many people in Dublin were wondering how soon the new Free State Film Censor would make his presence felt. Pictures shown in Dublin were “very seldom grossly immoral or objectionable. But a great many of them are always on the borderline and very often suggestive. It is quite plain that the titles are always framed to appeal to morbid sentimentality, and often to worse feelings, even when the pictures themselves are not as objectionable as their titles suggest.”
It was reported that the Dublin picture houses were in a difficult position, “for no films are now produced in Ireland and those produced in America or England have reference to a low standard of morality which fortunately this country is unacquainted with.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 Jan. 1924, p. 4).
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Please send any and all corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The feature photo above is Prince Edward Place, Clonmel flooded (Freeman’s Journal, Fri. 18 January 1924, p. 10).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Sr. Mary Theresa “Nellie” Moran (1925-2005) of Ballinlammy, Glenmore
The term miracle is often bandied about, but one Glenmore woman received a miraculous cure in 1946. Her miraculous cure was attributed to the foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparation, Emilie de Vialar (1797-1856). The cure was investigated by the Catholic Church and became one of the miracles leading to the canonization of Saint Emilie. Saint Emilie founded her congregation at Christmas 1832 in the South of France. For further information on Saint Emilie and her congregation click here.
Sr. Theresa’s Glenmore Family
Although Sr. Theresa was born in Waterford City in 1925 her maternal line came from Glenmore, and her family moved to Ballinlammy, Glenmore. Her name at birth was Ellen Theresa Moran, but her family called her “Nellie.” Her mother, Mary Catherine Irish (1885-1935) was born in Ballinlammy, Glenmore, the daughter of Robert Irish (c. 1840-1909) and Mary Kiely (c. 1841-1923).
Mary Catherine Irish married Hubert “Hughie” Moran (1886-1951) on the 31st of January 1916 at the Cathedral in Waterford. The bride was residing at 15 the Quay and the groom was residing at 22 Bridge St. The couple were both working in Waterford and met (Interview of Robbie Doherty, of Haggard, Glenmore on 5 March 2023.)
Hughie and Mary Catherine Moran had seven known children: (1) Bridget Moran (1916-1969); (2) Kathleen Moran (1919-1999) (Sr. Huberte); (3) Thomas Moran (1920-1987); (4) Hubert J. Moran (1921-1985); (5) Robert A. Moran (1921-1990); (6) Michael Moran (1923-1941); (7) Ellen Theresa “Nellie” Moran (1925-2005). Hubert J. and Robert were twins. All the children were born at 22 Bridge St., Waterford City. For further information on the Moran family see our Glenmore Family M surname page.
The Irish Farm of Ballinlammy, Glenmore
When the lease on 22 Bridge St. expired the family moved to the Irish farm in Ballinlammy (Interview of Robbie Doherty on 5 March 2023). The 1901 census indicates that Mary Catherine’s parents, Robert and Mary Irish, were living on the farm with three of their children: John Irish (c. 1881-1949), Ellen Irish (c. 1870-1940) and Stasia Irish (c. 1878-c. 1941). By the time of the 1911 Census Robert was dead and Mary was still residing with John Irish (c. 1881-1949); Ellen Irish (c. 1870-1940) and Stasia Irish (c. 1878-c.1941). In filling out the 1911 Census Mary noted that she had been married for 43 years, she bore nine children and six were alive in 1911. It appears from the census records that Mary Catherine Irish was away from home working by 1901.
The farm was 110 acres and after his mother died John Irish (c. 1881-1949) ended up in St. Canice Hospital and never returned home. At St. Canice John did all the ploughing and tilling for the hospital. Notwithstanding the work John performed a “hold” was put on the farm by the hospital (Robbie Doherty interview of 5 March 2023).
After John went into St. Canice, his sister Ellen kept a couple of cows, and she went to the creamery with an ass and car with a ten gallon can. Ellen and Stasia Irish used to sleep in chairs. When Ellen Irish died in her chair, there was difficulty straightening her corpse (Interview of Robbie Doherty on 5 March 2023).
For further information concerning the Irish family see our Glenmore Family I surname page.
The Miracle
Most of the following information is from an article in the Munster Express (Fri. 22 June 1956, p.3.) In about 1942 Nellie joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. She took the name Mary Theresa. Two years later while still a novice and training as a nurse at Withington Hospital, in Manchester, she developed a condition that worsened. In March 1946, a Manchester specialist diagnosed Nellie as suffering from Disseminated Sclerosis, or what is called today Multiple Sclerosis.
Another specialist was called in to review her case. The second specialist was the European authority on the disease. He confirmed the diagnosis and said that it was incurable and she would never walk again. Nellie was paralysed in her legs, arms and body and described herself at the time of being “a handful of rubbish.”
According to the Munster Express Nellie’s superior arranged a novena desiring two things. She wanted Sr. Theresa’s recovery and a miracle to help the canonisation of Blessed Emilie de Vialer, Foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition. On the third day of the novena while the Community was in the chapel praying for a cure, Sr. Theresa “jumped out of bed, danced around the sickroom crying, ‘I am cured’” and in the words of a priest nearly gave the community hysterics.”
Medical Exam of the Miracle
The two specialists were summoned. After a detailed examination they declared Sr. Theresa “cured beyond the reach and knowledge of medical science.” The newspaper noted that the two specialists were not Catholics. At the same time a second miraculous cure of another Novice of the Order took place in Manchester. Unfortunately, the Munster Express did not reveal any details of the second miracle.
Luckily another newspaper identified Sister Maria Brendan McConville, of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Whalley Range as the other novice (Manchester Evening News, Tues. 19 June 1951, p. 7). Sister Brendan suffered from Potts Disease where her spine began to waste away due to tuberculosis.
The Investigation of the Miracle
A report was sent to Rome. After a considerable lapse of time, and without any notice, a commission arrived in Manchester to investigate. Archbishop Masterson was then the Diocese’s Vicar-General, was appointed scrutineer. A long enquiry took place. Once all the evidence was gathered the Commission returned to Rome to assess it. The resulting report was sent to 13 specialists of disseminated sclerosis. None of the specialists could explain the cure on medical grounds. “Rome gave its judgment: God had worked a miracle for the glory of His Servant Blessed Emilie” (Munster Express (Fri. 22 June 1956, p.3.).
The Canonisation of St. Emilie
Blessed Emilie was canonised in 1951. Thirty-six Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition journeyed to Rome to witness the canonisation ceremony of their founder. The two sisters who were cured of diseases because of the intercession of Saint Emilie were present (Manchester Evening News, Tues. 19 June 1951, p. 7).
In 1956 the Parish Priest of Blackley, Manchester, Fr. Frederick Kershaw presented to the John Rylands Library all the documents collected and issued by the Sacred Congregation of Rites in the canonisation cause of St. Emilie. Prior to his death Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) gave Sr. Theresa a relic of St. Emilie. By 1966 Sr. Theresa was working as a pathologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital, of Manchester (Munster Express, Fri. 29 April 1966, p. 8.)
The Relic
Robbie Doherty related that every summer Sr. Theresa came home with her sister Kathleen who was also a nun, Sister Huberte, of the Community of the Perpetual Adoration at Chelsea. The two sisters were usually always accompanied by another nun. The nuns would stay in Ballinlammy for a month in the Irish farmhouse. Tommy Moran and his brother Hughie would go out and sleep in the barn loft to make room for the nuns.
During these visits a party would be arranged for all persons who had sought the relic since their previous visit. The relic remained and continues to remain in Glenmore. In turn the attendees of the first party would invite the nuns to their homes. Bill and Alice Mackey, of Jamestown, acted as the drivers of the visiting nuns..
On one particular evening Robbie Doherty came into the yard and saw his brother Paddy peering into the window. The nuns had come for tea and were still present because their lift had been delayed. The young men did not want to go into the house. It was best to remain outside than to risk saying or doing the wrong thing.
Mysterious Ways
Although two of his sisters entered religious life, Tommy Moran (1920-1987) was in the process of becoming a priest when the Church authorities became aware that his sister Maureen was with child. Tommy was dismissed from his vocation. Maureen went into Waterford to have her baby and while there met Mrs. Lynch who farmed near Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford. Mrs. Lynch took Maureen and her son, Don Moran, home with her. Maureen raised her son on the Lynch farm. Don Moran went on to university and ironically became a priest and served in the U.K. Fr. Moran often said Mass for his Glenmore kin.
Special thanks to Robbie Doherty for the lovely visit, chat and information.
Please send corrections, additional informaton 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
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: September 1921
Only one article in local newspapers could be located which mentioned Glenmore in September 1921, and it involved a meeting of the Glenmore Branch of the Transport Workers. The industrial strife that had plagued Britain after the end of the First World War was initially dampened in Ireland by the Irish War of Independence, but by September 1921 it was developing. In terms of the War of Independence the truce continued to hold and negotiations between Britain and Dail Eireann sought an agreed settlement. While the national newspapers contained large articles on the negotiations, which were conducted by letter, the local newspapers contained much smaller articles and these articles were often found on the inner pages of the newspapers. The New Ross Standard summed it up as “the greatest anxiety still prevails to what the outcome of the peace negotiations regarding Ireland will be. The Government, through Mr. Lloyd George, aver that full Dominion status has been offered, while Dail Eireann deny this…” (New Ross Standard, 2 Sept. 1921, p. 3).
Prisoners
While the politicians negotiated, 3,200 citizens remained interned awaiting a decision regarding their status. It was reported that there were 1,500 political prisoners serving sentences, and there were approximately 1,000 more who were neither tried nor sentenced. It was estimated that there were 15,000 dependents of the prisoners (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 16 Sept. 1921, p. 5).
The prisoners at Spike Island became impatient and it was reported that 450 went on hunger strike. The Cork Liaison Officer of the I.R.A. reported that when he went to “arrange matters” he was not allowed to see the prisoners. Twenty prisoners in Spike Island Internment Camp went on hunger strike on Sunday the 28th of August because their demands for unconditionally release were not met. They were joined by others and ultimately 450 of the 473 prisoners joined the hunger strike. The demand served on the Government by the 450 stated “Take notice that we, on behalf of the internees here, demand immediate and unconditional release on the grounds that the English Government has neither legal nor moral right to hold us by force. If the internees here are not released by Tuesday, 30th inst., at 6 p.m., we will refuse, and continue to refuse to partake of any food until our just demand is complied with.” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 2 Sept. 1921, p. 6). In contrast on the 16th of September between 40 and 100 prisoners escaped from the Rath Interment Camp, the Curragh. It was reported that they escaped via a tunnel (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 17 Sept. 1921). It was also reported that Rev. Father Loughrey, C.C. Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny was released from Waterford Jail on the expiration of the sentence “inflicted on him by a court martial in connection with the Belfast boycott” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 2 Sept. 1921, p. 4).
Early in the month the withheld corpse of an executed R.I.C. Officer was provided to his widow. District Inspector Potter, of Cahir, was executed by the I.R.A. in April. Potter was motoring from Clogheen in his private car when he ran into an ambush at Carraghclooney, Cahir on April 22nd. One soldier was killed, two soliders were wounded and Potter was taken prisoner. Potter was allowed to write a farewell letter dated the 27th of April to his wife and children. The letter stated that he was to be executed later that day. With the letter were his personal effects including his diary, a signet ring and gold watch. The parcel was postmarked the 27th at Cahir. In late August Mrs. Potter received a message that if she went to Clonmel her husband’s remains would be provided to her. She went and the remains were removed from an ordinary motor car to a Crossley tender and conveyed to the Cahir military barracks, where a military inquiry into the cause of death was held. The medical evidence showed that he had been shot in the head (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 3 Sept. 1921, p. 5).
Courts & Police
After the signing of the truce, and the withdrawal of martial law, the court system was again in operation, however I.R.A. courts sprang up in some areas. On Monday the 27th of September “a Republican district court was in New Ross” with four cases listed for hearing. No further details were provided (New Ross Standard, Fri. 30 Sept. 1921, p. 4). At a Republican Court in Thomastown, the first of its kind held in public in Co. Kilkenny, about twelve cases were dealt with, principally dealing with trespass. Some of the cases were appeals from decisions of Parish Courts. A number of youngsters were fined for stealing apples. However, in nearby Bennettsbridge, two young men were tied to the church railings on Sunday morning. Each had a label indicating that they had been convicted of theft (New Ross Standard, Fri. 30 Sept. 1921, p. 8). A similar event took place in Wexford where a “man of the tramp class” was tied to the railings of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, on Sunday morning with a card hanging from his neck. The inscription on the card, “robbers beware.” “The exposure and punishment were evidently the carrying out of a sentence passed on him by a Sinn Fein tribunal” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 16 Sept. 1921, p. 4).
In addition to providing Republican courts volunteers also engaged in policing. It was reported early in the month that Volunteers in Youghal had captured a runaway couple. The young man captured was an ex-soldier from Cork and the young lady was from Macroom. The young ladies’ mother contacted the Macroom Volunteers and was present to witness the capture which caused a sensation in Youghal (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 2 Sept. 1921, p. 15). More locally it was reported that the antics of “a lunatic” in Slieverue caused considerable alarm amongst women and children. “Roaming around the roads and making violent gestures, the mentally deranged man” chased women and children. It was reported that he also attacked houses, using stones as missiles. Eventually I.R.A. forces arrived and hunted down the lunatic who put up a violent resistance. “After some time he was overpowered and carried to a waiting car.” He continued to resist, and it was found necessary to bind him. He was taken to an unknown destination. The man was a complete stranger and from his appearance he did not look as if he escaped from any mental institution (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 2 Sept. 1921, p.2).
Local Funeral
Under Martial Law attendance at funerals was restricted and the military removed the Tricolour from coffins etc. It was reported in the Waterford News & Star on Fri. 2 Sept. 1921 ( p. 7) that a mason named William Power, of Tramore, died from shocking injuries sustained by falling from the scaffolding at the site of the new Munster and Leinster Bank Building (Gladstone Street). The deceased was about 50 years of age, and left a wife and young family. The deceased was also a staunch and active member of the I.R.A. The coffin as draped with the Tricolour and about half way along the route from Waterford to Tramore the funeral was met by a large contingent of the Tramore Volunteers, who marched in military formation behind the hearse.
Local Industrial Strife
At the end of August, a “lightening strike was declared on the Dublin and South Eastern Railway in consequence of a remark made by an official at the arbitration tribunal last week. The whole system was idle from midnight on Sunday to Monday afternoon” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 2 Sept. 1921, p. 2). “Motorists in New Ross were literally besieged with people looking for cars on Monday as a result of the railway strike. Travellers and others intending to travel by the morning mail train were not aware of the strike until they reached the station,” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 2 Sept. 1921, p. 8). Toward the end of September it appeared that the dispute was settled then it was reported that there were disastrous developments with the practical closing down of the Great Southern and Western railway system. “The continuation of the dispute has meant grave losses to the traders and farmers of the south as well as the greatest inconvenience to the traveling public…”“That such a shut down of the railways should occur at a critical time in the history of the country is a double misfortune in that it depresses public spirts and makes for lasting bad feeling between classes in Ireland” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 30 Sept. 1921, p. 7). This strike resulted in no trains through New Ross.
In addition to the difficulties with the railway, it was reported that an industrial dispute left Waterford without gas. Business and manufacturing firms, including newspaper offices, were seriously inconvenienced and the two evening papers could not be published. The dispute was solely between employees of the gas works. The fitters left the Irish Transport Union to join the Engineers’ Society, with the result that members of the Transport Union declined to work with the fitters (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Sept. 1921, p. 3). A notice was placed in local newspapers as follows, “NOTICE—The city of Waterford Gas company regrets that, owing to a dispute between their employees resulting in the fitters being out from work, they cannot give prompt attention to complaints, and ask for the forbearance of their consumers pending a settlement. J. Grant, Manager” (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 23 Sept. 1921, p. 5).
The Glenmore Branch of the Transport Union held a meeting and M. O’Sullivan, addressed the members on the necessity of preserving their branches and increasing the number of active members. O’Sullivan noted that the wages board was to be demolished and if labourers did not have a union at their back then their present wages would fall to pre-war rates. It was agreed that any member more than 8 weeks in arrears, or any non-member, after 11 September would not be worked with in any part of the districts and that action would be taken immediately at the creameries and non-members names published (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 Sept. 1921, p. 5). The Kilkenny Moderator noted that “All over the country farmers are facing absolute ruin. To the great majority of them the only possible solution appears to be a sweeping reduction in the labour bill. This could be achieved with a reduction in wages or the reduction in the number of labourers employed.” The second solution the paper claimed is the “attitude” of the Union (Sat. 3 Sept. 1921, p. 2). In the same article it was opined that farmers need a tractor which can be used for road haulage at a speed or four or five miles an hour.
By the end of the month so-called profiteering was identified as the culprit for unrest locally. “Every day there are fresh exposues of the disgraceful way in which the public are being fleeced by retailers. Cattle prices have fallen enormously, so has wheat. Yet the price of meat and the price of bread are just as formerly” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 30 Sept. 1921, p. 4).
Lastly, efforts to produce items locally resulted in the proposed opening of a cigarette factory in Waterford. J.P. O’Shea, President of the Dublin Industrial Development Association stated that a new private enterprise by a “very large wholesale tobacconist and cigarette distributor” was to be located in Waterford City. The enterprise was prompted when it was discovered that there was a weekly consumption of about 2,500,000 cigarettes in Waterford and within a radius of 30 miles including Kilkenny and Wexford. The venture was expected to provide thirty jobs and to incur an outlay of about £2,000 per week in wages. A machine of the most up to date American pattern will soon be installed capable of turning out 130,000 cigarettes a day. It is expected, in time, to extend the industry to tobacco making (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 23 Sept. 1921, p. 7). For an interesting account of tobacco manufacturing in Waterford prior to W.W. 1 see our previous blog post of 22 March 2020.
The featured photo above is the Kilkenny Courthouse from an old postcard.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh