Waterford Lockout 1924

In February 1924, the Irish Civil War was over, but the new Free State was struggling with unemployment, crime, inflation, lack of housing, prisoners, flu and finding the money to rebuild damaged or destroyed infrastructure. Only three direct Glenmore articles were located in local newspapers published in February 1924. Two were obituaries and the other concerned a Glenmore dance. Below is a sample of articles that were published in local newspapers that undoubtedly were discussed in Glenmore 100 years ago.

Criminality

The New Ross Standard editor wrote a long editorial concerning criminality with the wanton destruction of public property, looting, and robberies. Below is an excerpt from his editorial.

“The newspapers report daily murders and robberies and other incidents of a disgraceful nature having no connection with politics. It was our claim in the old days of agitation for national autonomy for Ireland, that under a home government we would not need so many police or peace guardians as under British rule, but …there is evidence that we must have even a larger police force for the maintenance of law and order than we had before…There seems to be a spirit of mischief in the air…we seem to have a penchant for destruction in Ireland…We are past masters of at pulling down, but we do little in the way of building up” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 29 Feb. 1924, p. 4).

Balancing the Books

At the February meeting of the New Ross Urban Council, members were exercised at the Government’s cutting of the old age pension. The Chairman stated, “It is a disgrace to a Government to take off a shilling a week. The English Government whom we criticised gives 10s. a week and our own men took off a shilling. I say it is a scandal.” Mr. D. Murphy, observed, “They seem to practise economy only on the poor class. There is no economy in their own departments.” Mr Hand opined,” There will be a general election soon and they will be kicked out of office.” A unanimous resolution was passed protesting against the action of the Government in cutting the old age pension and suggested that the Government cut their own wages first (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Feb., 1924, p. 6).

Within a week it was announced that the anticipated cuts to pay for the Civic Guards and Dublin Metropolitan Police would commence March 1^st. The cut reduced the salary of rank and file police by 10 shillings per week and the higher grades of officers would have a corresponding reduction also (New Ross Standard, Fri. 22 Feb. 1924, p. 4).

War Claims

Claims for destruction of property during the irregular campaign [Civil War] were adjudicating at the Quarter Sessions in Kilkenny in February 1924. The principal claimant in South Kilkenny was Lord Bessborough for the burning of his mansion, the courthouse and other valuable property he owned.  (Munster Express (Fri. 29 Feb. 1924, p. 5). One of his properties damaged was the Glenmore Barracks, but this occurred in the War of Independence and he received an award in 1920. See our post of 11 April 202o regarding the burning of the barracks and our post of 26 Sept. 2021 for the re-building after the Civil War.

Prisoners

There were about 1200 prisoners still on the Curragh, 700 in Harepark and 500 in Tintown No. 2. The flu was reported as being prevalent in the camps with many prisoners being removed to hospital. It was believed that the camps would be shortly cleared and the prisoners either released or transferred to Harepark (Munster Express, Fri. 2 Feb. 1924, p. 5)

Industrial Strife

Proposed wage cuts were not limited to public service employees and the pensioners. At the end of February, a lockout took place in Waterford. Ten prominent drapery firms shut down. For our international readers these were clothing shops or businesses. The firms proposed to reduce the salaries of their employees by 12.5%. Immediately 7.5% would be cut and the remaining 5% on 1 August. Most of the employees were drapery employees and members of the Distribution Workers’ Union.

Between 80 to 90 of the drapers’ assistants left the Distributive Worker’s Union and joined the Allied & Clerical Worker’s Union. By a three to one vote the Allied & Clerical Workers rejected outright the proposed pay cuts. The employers reacted by shutting their doors and putting 200 to 250 people out of work. The firms shut included Robertson, Ledlie & Co.; Hearne & Co.; J. Carroll & Co.; Phelan Bros. George’s St.; Edward Deevy & Co.; J.J. Phelan, Gladstone St. etc. Smaller drapery establishments around Waterford City were not affected by the dispute (Munster Express (Fri. 29 Feb. 1924, p. 5).

Influenza Epidemic

While the flu was spreading quickly through the prison camps, it was also reported that the New Ross Union Hospital “was practically filled with patients, principally from the country districts; many of whom were ill from the flu” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Feb. 1924, p. 5). It was reported in Waterford that, “a mild form of the flu has struck down many persons throughout the South Kilkenny districts. Happily, there were no fatal results reported” (Munster Express, 9 Feb. 924, p. 4).

Out of Quarantine

As we reported last month a childhood disease postponed the society wedding of the year when the bride contracted chicken pox. “Captain Lord Arthur Butler, M.C. 17^th Lancers, son of the Marquess and Marchioness of Ormond, was married on Saturday at the Summerhill parish church, Ascot, to Miss Jessie Carlos Clark, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chares Carlos Clarke of Woodlands, Summerhill. The wedding was postponed on 3 January due to the bride falling ill” (The Kilkenny People, Sat. 2 Feb. 1924, p. 6).

Glenmore Obituaries

KEEGAN

William Keegan was the first stationmaster at the Alywardstown, Glenmore railway station. His widow died in February 1924. See our post of 29 July 2020 and our post of 15 Feb. 2020, regarding her son Lt. Michael Keegan.

“Mrs. Sarah Keegan—The death occurred on the 9^th, at Bray, of Mrs. Sarah Keegan, relict of the late Mr. William Keegan, stationmaster, Aylwardstown, and previously at Rathgarogue, Co. Wexford. The deceased having passed away fortified by the rites of the Catholic Church. She was held in great esteem and belonged to a very respectable family. One of her sons fills a position in the offices of the D. and S.E. Railway, at Bray, and another in the air force, and is stationed presently in Palestine. The remains were brought to Rathgarogue and interred with those of her husband. The chief mourner was Mr. Wm. Keegan (son).  R.I.P.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Feb.1924, p.1).  

GAHAN

The second Glenmore obituary was for Mrs. Brigid Gahan née Doherty (c. 1846-1924), of Newtown, Glenmore. See our post of 19 March 2023 for further information on the Gahan’s of Newtown.

MRS. GAHAN, GLENMORE—The death took place on the 30^th of Mrs. Brigid Gahan, Newtown, Glenmore. The deceased lady had reached a good age, and had been ailing for some months. Thoroughly resigned to the will of her Creator she peacefully passed away after receiving the last rites of the Catholic Church. She belonged to a very respectable and popular family and was held in great esteem in the district. The funeral at Glenmore after Office and High Mass was of huge dimensions and testified to the great popularity of the deceased and her family. There was a large attendance of priests at the Office and High Mass. R.I.P. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 Feb. 1924, p. 8).

The death register (No. 262) provides that Brigid Gahan, a farmer’s widow, died at Newtown, Glenmore aged 78, on the 28^th of Jan. 1924. Her son Patrick Gahan was present at her death. Strangely the next death recorded (No. 263) is Bridget Gahan of Weatherstown, Glenmore, who died 6 Sept. 1923, aged 66. Her nephew, James Roche, was present when she died. Her death was recorded on the 16^th of Feb. 1924.   

Tullogher Obituary

Death of Well-Known Public Man—The death occurred at the end of last week of Mr. Andrew Walsh, Glenballyvalley, Tullogher, who was for a number of years a member of New Ross Board of Guardians and Ida District Council. Deceased was held in great esteem by his colleagues on these boards and by the general public. He contracted a cold which developed into pneumonia. His death has occasioned the deepest public regret. The funeral was of huge dimensions (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Feb., 1924, p. 5.)

Fishing & Farming

On the 8^th of February it was reported that salmon fishing was poor on the Barrow. Prices opened at 3s. per pound at New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 8 Feb. 1924, p. 7). The following week fishing on the Barrow and Nore was poor. However, “whilst the number of catches was small, the sizes of the fish were good, a number being 30 lbs. each. The price about 2s. 10d. per lb. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Feb., 1924, p. 5).

There was a considerable increase in the number of rabbits plaguing Irish farms, and there was a keen demand for Irish rabbits in the British markets. Prices ranged up to 1s. 3d per rabbit with the highest prices paid for those shipped in fresh conditions (Munster Express, Sat. 23 Feb. 1924, p. 4). See our post of 27 Dec. 2020 regarding Glenmore rabbit trapping.

Due to ongoing robberies, “the banks in New Ross were guarded by military on Saturday and fair day.  There was a big supply of fat pigs at New Ross fair Monday. Top prices were 47s. and 48s., average 46s. per cwt (i.e. 51 kilos) (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Feb., 1924, p. 5).

Entertainment

“Dr. Frank Powell, the famous entertainer and well known visitor to South Kilkenny was fined £50 at the New Ross District Court, “remitted to £12 10s., under the Amusement Tax Act, in respect of two tickets” (Munster Express, Sat. 9 Feb. 1924, p. 4). The Amazing Dr. Powell (c. 1861-1939) is buried in Glenmore. For details concerning his interesting life see our post of 11 April 2021 and his more famous son-in-law Edward Fossett.

Football Excitement

Many people enjoy being entertained by a good football match, but in February 1924 two sudden deaths were attributed to football excitement.

“Towards the close of the Scottish Cup tied football match between Falkirk and East Fife, played at Edinburgh, on Saturday, William Nicol, manager of Falkirk team, dropped dead from excitement. Another sudden death, due to football excitement was reported from Ayr, where a man named Thomas Kelly collapsed while watching the Cup tied match between Ayr and Kilmarnock. He died from hear failure shortly after reaching hospital” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 15 Feb., 1924, p. 6).

First Wireless in New Ross

For our international readers wireless sets were radios. In February 1924, it was reported that “quite a number of people in New Ross are preparing to get in wireless sets. Some of the clubs are, contemplating the installation of sets. Mr. Daniels, dentist, who is the first in town to get in a set got in touch with London, Cardiff, and other places and the reproductions (sic) were perfect.”

To help local people use the new technology, “in the Technical School a wireless set is being installed and when completed a series of lectures and demonstrations will be given. This will be welcomed by people interested and especially by those thinking of installing a set” (New Ross Standard (Fri. 29 Feb. 1924, p. 5).

The Dance Craze

Waterford

The Munster Express noted in early February that a dance craze had swept the area. In town or country where ever a “passable floor” was found, it was “subjected to the demands of fox trotters and the like.” It was also noted that there were “an unusual number of all night dances and Cinderellas” being held in Waterford. “Many feet are feeling ticklish in anticipation of trying the light fantastic on the new floor of the Town Hall. This latter is expected to be ready in a few weeks’ time (Munster Express, Fri. 2 Feb. 1924, p. 5).

Glenmore

“A successful dance was held at Glenmore on Sunday night, the 19^th, in aid of the IRPD Fund. Upwards of 130 couples were present. The music was provided by a band of local instrumentalists under the direction of Mr. T. Sullivan. The dance was considered the most successful and the best attended held in Glenmore for many years. Mr. J. Hartley acted as MC” (Munster Express Fri.  2 Feb. 1924, p. 5).

New Ross

However, not everyone was happy with the dance craze. One person identified as PP sent a letter to the New Ross Standard (Fri. 1 Feb. 1924, p. 4) blaming the lack of supervision at modern public dances for the decline of Christian modesty with deplorable consequences. He also blamed the increase of personal debt on this expensive past time.

PP stated that it was “…high time to cry halt to the dancing campaign which has been running riot in town and country for the past month.  In olden days when the moral law was regarded with a reverence which has unhappily ceased to be fashionable, public dances were never tolerated except under careful supervision. It was sometimes difficult enough, even with supervision, to confine certain individuals within the bounds of Christian modesty, especially when liquor was lavishly and indiscriminately supplied to the assembled guests.”

“Today the Christian practice of supervision is regarded as too old fashioned for an enlightened age and hence we need not be surprised to learn that the absence of this desirable precaution has resulted sometimes in sad and deplorable consequences. Another point associated with these expensive entertainments is especially pertinent at the present time. ..It is an open secret that traders and shopkeepers never experienced so much difficulty in collecting debts as at the present time…”

**************

Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.

The featured photo above is courtesy of the Freeman’s Journal (29 Feb. 1924, p. 10) and depicts an unemployment protest held in Dublin.

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh