Waterford-New Ross Main Road
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Glenmore in the News: June 1924
In June 1924 the weather improved. It was reported early in the month that a large number of people took advantage of the extremely fine weather and cycled or took an excursion train to Tramore “or other beauty spots” (Munster Express, Sat. 7 June 1924, p. 3). The focus of several of the local newspapers articles was on roads and road crashes. The main road between Waterford and New Ross, that ran through Glenmore, was being improved. One newspaper proclaimed that when the work was complete it would be the finest road in the South of Ireland. There was also a tragic crash involving the Mullinavat handball team that resulted in the driver being charged with murder.
All Ireland Senior Football Final Abandoned
The Kerry football team refused to play Dublin in the All Ireland football final as a protest against the continued detention of the political prisoners was “received with all Irish sportsmen with keen regret. It was hoped that sports would be kept free from politics.” It was thought that it would split the ranks of the GAA.” (New Ross Standard, 20 June 1924, p. 4). “The reason for the sensational refusal to play was the continued detention of Mr. Austin Stack, Chairman of the Kerry County Board and other members of the Kerry GAA,” (Munster Express, Sat. 14 June 1924, p. 5).
Additionally, the Leinster Council GAA reported that the Leinster Championship hurling fixture between Dublin and Leix arranged for Kilkenny was cancelled owing to the refusal of Leix to take part until the prisoners were released. Likewise, the junior hurling tie between Dublin and Kildare arranged for Kilkenny was also cancelled (Kilkenny People, Sat. 21 June 1924, p. 7).
Glenmore GAA Fixtures
Senior Hurling—Glenmore v. Callan, at Thomastown on the 29th of June, Mr. T Mullins, referee.
Senior Football—Cotterstown v. Glenmore, at Thomastown, date to be named (Kilkenny People, Sat. 7 June 1924, p. 11).
Junior Hurling—Glenmore v. Hugginstown, at Knocktopher on August 10th, Mr. Peter Walsh referee.
Junior Football—Courtnaboughla (Goresbridge) v. Glenmore, at the Rower, July 30th, Mr. Patrick Walsh, referee (Munster Express, Sat. 28 June 1924, p. 6).
Emigrants
With the end of hostilities emigrants came home to visit. The estate of an emigrant who was a native of South Kilkenny also featured in the New Ross Standard.
During the middle of June “some twenty returned Americans arrived in the New Ross districts on a visit to their relatives. One lady from near Campile had been away forty years” (New Ross Standard, 20 June 1924, p. 5).
Several claimants from New Ross were “interested in the property of a man named Walsh who is it stated, died intestate in America recently. It appears that he hailed from South Kilkenny, and it is thought he was worth about £30,000. Amongst the relatives who are making claims in respect of the assets are Messrs Martin and John Hand and Mrs. Kneightly, New Ross (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 June 1924, p. 10). Unfortunately, we were not able to locate further articles to determine where the deceased was from in South Kilkenny.
New Ross Market Prices
New Ross Market Prices best coal, 55s. per ton; second coal, 50s. per ton; eggs 11d. per dozen; chickens, 1s. 2d. per lb., young ducks, 7s. per pair; fish, 2s. 4d per lb. (New Ross Standard, Fri. 6 June 1924, p. 10).
Mullinavat Handball Team Crash
When I mentioned this crash to my husband, he was immediately able to identify the driver as the son of the Kilmacow Creamery Manager. He related that he heard his father, Thomas Walsh (1908-1992) speak about the crash with Danny Dowling (1927-2023). We were unable to locate any notes on the subject in any of Danny’s notebooks that have been transcribed. One person was killed outright, another died a few days later and at least eight others were seriously injured and hospitalized.
The Crash of 8 June 1924
On Sunday the 8th a party of handball players from Mullinavat were traveling to Owning, Kilkenny, to “engage local players in a series of friendly matches.” The lorry carrying the Mullinavat players lost control on a steep hill and turned onto its side. Rev. Father Foskin, of Mullinavat, was seated next to the driver and jumped from the lorry and escaped serious injury. The scene of the crash was a couple hundred yards from the village of Owning, and was at the foot of the hill known in the district as Rath Hill. Eighteen people were being transported in the lorry (Munster Express, Sat. 14 June 1924, p. 4).
One Mullinavat player, John Murphy (c. 1903-1924) the son of James Murphy, publican was killed at the scene. The following were seriously injured and hospitalized.
[1] Andrew McLoughlin, Mullinavat Village, sustained a depressed skull fracture and was operated on Tuesday evening. He died of his injuries at 7:30 on Thursday night the 12th of June.
[2] Andrew Foskin, Mullinavat, Village (brother of Father Foskin) suffered severe injuries to his head. He remained unconscious for some days.
[3] Philip Hoban, Mullinavat Village, suffered cuts to his head.
[4] John White, suffered injuries to his spine.
[5] Thomas Hoban, of Glendonnell, suffered injuries to his head, face and a broken collar bone. A brother of Thomas Hoban was shot by the British military about three years before in Mullinavat.
[6] Patrick Kelly, of Rahard, suffered injuries to his hip and shock.
[7] Patrick Mackey, aged 12, Mullinavat, suffered a broken hand.
[8] Sergt. Dalton, civic guards, Mullinavat, suffered three broken ribs, and severe head and facial injuries.
[9] Guard Leahy, Mullinavat, injured his shoulder and suffered bruises.
Murder Charge
Thomas Walsh, the driver of the lorry was charged with “feloniously, unlawfully, and of malice aforethought kill and murder John Murphy…” Thomas Walsh (18) was the son of Richard Walsh, the Kilmacow Creamery Manager (Munster Express, Sat. 14 June 1924, p. 4).
It is not clear from the newspaper accounts why the driver Thomas Walsh (b.c. 1907) was overcharged with murder. It is difficult to see how on the facts presented that it could have been murder.
The 1911 Census provides that Richard Walsh was 41 (b.c. 1870), and was married to Eliza Walsh, aged 28. Richard was employed as a creamery manager. The family lived in Aglish, Kilmacow. Six children were born to the union but only four were alive in 1911. The eldest child was Thomas Walsh, aged 4, followed by Edward Walsh, aged 3, Michael aged 1 and John Walsh, aged 8 months.
Death of John Murphy (c. 1903-1924)
A witness at a hearing held in Waterford on Wednesday the 11th testified that the lorry was sometimes used as a hackney car. The vehicle was a one ton Ford lorry. There were benches “on the platform” and there were sides around the lorry “platform.” As the lorry was slowly descending the hill the witness heard a loud crack. He assumed it was the brakes. At the bottom of the steep hill the road turned sharply to the right and straight in front was a stone wall. The lorry turned onto its left side when the driver attempted to make the sharp right turn. The witness was unable to state how fast the lorry was traveling as it was the first time he had travelled on a lorry (Munster Express, Sat. 14 June 1924, p. 4).
The judge noted that it would likely be proved that the crash was an accident, however, he wished to hear from other passengers that were sitting on the front bench with the driver. The driver was remanded for eight days and bail was fixed at £100 and one personal recognisance of £100 (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 20 June 1924, p. 2).
According to the 1911 Census James Murphy, aged 36, was a publican in Mullinavat. He was married, but his wife was not listed in the Census. His sister Ellen Murphy, aged 28 was present as were his three children: Patrick Murphy, aged 12; Bridget Murphy, aged 11 and John Murphy, aged 8.
Hearing of 18 June 1924
The defendant returned to court on the 18th and Father Foskin testified that the driver was sober and kept his head even after the brakes failed. Father Foskin was unable to state what the driver was doing trying to control the vehicle after the brakes failed because he knew nothing about motor cars. Richard Walsh testified that he was the owner of the lorry and bought it new. He said it was allowed to carry 14 passengers and it was also used for hauling goods. His son was trained to drive it and had a driver’s license. District Justice Mr. J. J. Molloy refused the information filed against the driver Thomas Walsh for the murder or manslaughter of John Murphy (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 20 June 1924, p. 2).
Inquest for Andrew McLoughlin (c. 1909-1924)
Although no inquest was held for the death of John Murphy an inquest was held for 15 year-old Andrew McLoughlin (c. 1909 -1924) a verdict of accidental death was returned. It was also revealed in testimony at this inquest that the driver doggedly tried to control the lorry and negotiated two turns after the brakes “cracked.” One witness said that the lorry would have made the sharp turn at the foot of the hill except the front left tyre blew (Munster Express, Sat. 21 June 1924, p. 3). The death register reveals that Andrew McLoughlin was a 15 year-old school boy from Mullinavat. He died in the Waterford Infirmary on the 12th of June of a fractured skull.
The Main Road Through Glenmore
The Waterford to New Ross main road was being prepared for steam rolling. Improvements were being carried out by the “efficient” County Surveyor of Kilkenny. “In addition to cutting away the banks at the road sides and levelling them with road material, an arrangement was made with Mr. Doherty to widen the road at Belmount which was so narrow that two cars scarcely had room to pass one another.” Workmen were also engaged in removing the sharp corners at the Milepost Cross and under Slieverue. Further on nearer to New Ross, “the famous Pink Rock—the grave of many a tin lizzy—is to be blasted away and the materials used for filling the sides of the road. When the work is completed it will be one of the finest roads in the South of Ireland.”
“The only obstacle remaining is the railway bridge at Ballyverneen, Glenmore. The approaches are a real death trap to the unwary. It was monstrous ever to allow the railway company to construct the bridge in such a manner over this important road which is the key from Dublin and Wexford to the South of Ireland for all traffic even before the advent of motors. Had the Irregulars blown up this trap during their operations in the district, there would not be many tears shed for it” (Munster Express, Sat. 14 June 1924, p. 6).
Advert: Everyman’s Embrocation
The local newspapers were filled with adverts for local businesses as well as adverts for “remedies.” One that was for Everyman’s Embrocation.
“Don’t say your rheumatism can’t be cured. Send to-day for a bottle of Everyman’s Embrocation. Everyman’s is sold everywhere at 1s. 6d. to everybody” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 27 June 1924, p. 8).
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore’s “Thrilling” Motor Accident & Famous Bonesetter
On Friday the 8th of March 1929 the Munster Express published an article entitled “Thrilling Motor Accident in Glenmore” (p. 3). Today, we are going to highlight the colourful and dramatic newspaper article as well as the well-known Glenmore bonesetter who helped injured people before x-rays were commonly available.
The Accident
In what the newspaper dubbed “a rather sensational motor accident” occurred on the Waterford-New Ross road on the 3rd of March 1929. William Hill left his residence, Belmont Lodge, Ferrybank, early in the afternoon, taking with him a man named William Grant who had been injured the day before while working on a steamer at Waterford. Their objective being the home of a well-known Glenmore bonesetter. Accompanying Hill were Miss Hill and Peter Grant, the son of the injured man. The newspaper did not identify the Glenmore bonesetter. It did state that all went well until the party reached a spot known as the “Scorebridge Bend.” We believe that this is a typographical error and should be the Scowbridge. It was noted that the bend was “a well known but perfectly safe turning, with vision at either approach, located midway between Robinstown and Gaulestown.” The Scowbridge is actually located where the stream crosses under the road from Grogan to Gaulestown, but as Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often said newspapers never let facts get in the way of a good story.
When Mr. Hill was one hundred yards from the bend, still on the Waterford side of the bend, he noticed a Ford saloon coming in the opposite direction “going for the turn at a “terrific speed.” “His practised eye realising the corner could never be negotiated safely,” he had to decide in a fraction of a second whether to “stop dead” or “keep going.” He decided to keep going, and “to this fact he owed his safety.”
“Around the bend the Ford came, and, to the terror of the occupants of Mr. Hill’s car suddenly canted over to an angle of 45 degrees, taking the turn on two wheels. For a moment the driver corrected his course, but this only sent her [the Ford] in a mad plunge to the off-side of the road, but gave Mr. Hill the chance to get safely past her, where he came to an immediate stop and was just in time to see her cannoning off the fence in her mad momentum, and plunging once again across the road, not yet even to stop, but once again taking a final leap to the off fence and landing on her head or bonnet, and, poised momentarily in the air, came down with a sickening crash on the road.”
Mr. Hill and the injured Mr. Grant rushed to the crashed car. They expected to find a “mangled mass of humanity,” but were surprised to find the occupants of the crashed car uninjured. They immediately helped two ladies out through the roof of the crashed car and they hauled the driver clear of it. It was stated, “had the petrol fired a horrible death would have been their lot.”
The driver and owner of the car was an elderly gentleman named Rossiter, who lived outside New Ross. “A relief car was secured, and the fortunate survivors were brought home. The remains of the car were left on the road, it being a wreck.” This probably provides a good indication of the amount of traffic in 1929 when a wrecked vehicle could be left on the road near a bend.
Mr. Hill was then interviewed subsequently and surprisingly the newspaper published his opinions regarding the accident and driving in general. Hill said—“It was just a case of speed in the wrong place. The driver must have either been a stranger of the road or else forgot about the turn until it was too late. The danger of modern saloons is that they become overheated, and, unless ventilation is seen to, a drowsy feeling overtakes one. The feeling I had was one of powerlessness, the same as you would realise were you are to meet a runaway horse. Sooner or later, more stringent driver tests must be insisted on, as otherwise the ever increasing motor traffic will bring appalling accidents. I have not the slightest objection to anyone taking driving risks or stunting etc., where he only endangers his own life, but where mine or the public is involved it is altogether another matter. One of the oldest motorist I know said to me his dictum was: ‘It’s the other fellow is going to kill you.’”
The article ends with, “a remarkable feature of the accident was that the car coming from New Ross, after turning over three times, landed on the road facing in the direction from which it had come.”
James Roche (c. 1854-1940) of Haggard, Glenmore
The bonesetter that William Hill was taking William Grant to visit was probably Jimmy Roche of Haggard. According to Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) notes the Roche’s of Haggard were recognised as good bonesetters. On the 28th of December 1969, Danny interviewed his mother Hannah Dowling née Murphy who related that the Roches farmed 70 acres in Haggard. Hannah recited that Luke Roche was a bonesetter and married Biddie Aylward, of Parkstown, Glenmore. Luke and Biddie had three children: (1) James Roche who also became a bonesetter. James married Kate Aylward, of Ballyfacey. Hannah recalled that James was over 80 years of age when he died in 1940. James had two sisters (2) Bridget Roche, never married and died in her 60’s in about 1939; and the last child was Statia Roche who never married and died in her 75th year in 1945.
According to Hannah Dowling, Jimmy and Kate Roche of Haggard had the following family
(1) Luke Roche, married in Mooncoin; (2) Jack Roche, [never married and farmed the home farm]; (3) James Roche [married a woman named Kearney and worked at the Glenmore Creamery and was also a bonesetter]; (4) Larry Roche, [never married]; (5) Pat Roche, [never married]; (6) Matthew Roche [never married] and (7) Catherine Roche, died as a result of burns from falling into the fire at the age of 5-6 months.
James Roche (c. 1854-1940) died at his residence at Haggard. His obituary in the Munster Express is also colourful. It provides that James was a well-known figure in farming circles and was widely known as a competent bonesetter, “whose fame at this important aspect of manipulative surgery established a name for him ever far outside his own district. His home was at all times a hospitable centre for visitors, and his cheery and kindly disposition endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his genial acquaintanceship. Strong, well-built, and of a commanding personality Mr. Roche was a splendid type of Irishman, and his passing, though coming at the fine old age of 86 years, is deeply and deservedly regretted by his family, relatives and a wide circle of friends.” Deceased was husband of Mrs. Kate Roche, Haggard; father of Larry Roche, the well-known footballer and athlete; James Roche, who is a popular member of the staff of Glenmore Creamery; Luke, John, Pat and Matty Roche, all of Haggard; and brother of Miss Stasia Roche, also of Haggard. Interment took place at the family burial ground at Kilbride (Munster Express, Fri. 13 Dec. 1940, p. 12).
Hannah Dowling also said that Katie Roche née Aylward died in 1946 at the age of 68. An obituary was located for Katie Roche and it revealed that she died in January 1946. She was said to be one of the best-known residents of the parish and was the widow of the late James Roche, “who was widely known in the district as a competent bonesetter the art of which is still being practised by members of the family,” (Munster Express, Fri. 1 Feb. 1946, p. 6).
The last of the Roche family was Mattie who died in 1999 at the age of 77.
The featured photo above in a 1929 Ford Saloon. Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh