William Hennessy of Glenmore Village (1927-2018)

Recently a small box of memorabilia was donated by the family of the late Mairita Cummins née Hennessy (c. 1933-2023) of Glenmore Village. This box is a treasure trove of information regarding local groups such as the Glenmore Social Club, Glenmore businesses, and the Hennessy family.

Mairita was the daughter of John Hennessy (1894-1981) and his wife, Hannah Flynn (c. 1889-1961). Mairita’s parents were married on the 28^th of February 1922 at Kilmacow. Her father John, of Narabane, Kilmacow, was a blacksmith and the son John Hennessy (labourer). Hannah’s father was John Flynn, a blacksmith, of Weatherstown, Glenmore. Mairita’s parents met and married in Kilmacow. Her mother was working as a housekeeper for the Kilmacow parish priest. The old post card of Kilmacow was in the box. They moved to Glenmore first living in Weatherstown then moving into the Village. John Hennessy built his forge on the V Road.

Mairita was born and reared in Glenmore Village. She was the only daughter and had seven brothers including: Michael (died in infancy); Sean, Richie, Tommy, Packie (   -2014), Willie (1927-2018) and Ned. Mairita became a dressmaker and married Lory Cummins (c. 1936-1990) who was from near Campile, Wexford. She reared her family in Glenmore Village in the same house where she was born and reared. For a photo of Mairita and her obituary, see RIP.ie.

The Mairita Collection

Today, we are going to highlight some of the local receipts and orders found in the donated box. In the near future we will present other information from her collection. Perhaps the most important receipt or order form is the blank J. Hennessy and Sons, Horseshoeing & General Smithwork form. As stated above John Hennessy bult his forge on the V Road and later his son Willie built a house next to the forge.

There is a receipt from Robert Fluskey and appears to be dated 26 April 1960 to May Hennessy. Purchases over three different days on the receipt include: ham, sausage, bacon, milk, eggs, cheese, and sweets.  The total of the purchases came to £2 8s 4d. Robert Fluskey died in 1925, but apparently the shop continued to be operated in his name.

Also, in the box were receipts from Hanrahan Brothers, 12 North St. New Ross, grocery, provision and spirit merchants. These receipts are from the 1940’s. Dick and Pat Hanrahan, natives of Glenmore, ran this business.

Another receipt is from the Glenmore Co-opertive Creamery Society dated 22 October 1940. The receipt is made to John Hennessy for £4 and has a vintage 1930’s Eire 2 pinsin green postage stamp affixed to it.

Duplicate Order Books

The Fawn Coloured Order Book

Lastly, there were two duplicate order books in the collection. The proprietor would write the order and a carbon copy was made for him or her to keep. Most of the entries in the fawn coloured order book were from 1958 and were primarily orders for Mairita to make, alter or repair clothing. For example, Miss Mary Fitzgerald had a uniform made in April 1959. Her address was listed as Ardkeen Hospital (p. 67).

However, the most extraordinary item found in the book is on page 34 where John Hennessy wrote out the details of his service during the War of Independence. He noted that he was with Company D of Battalion 6 of the Kilkenny Brigade to June 1921. From June 1921 to July 1922 he served with the 9^th Battalion. His address in 1921 was John Hennessy, Narabane, Kilmacow, Waterford. His date of birth was 16 April 1894 (p. 34). A quick review of the military archives confirms that John Hennessy was a member of Company D of the Old IRA. See p. 26 of the membership list of Kilkenny Brigade Companies.

An order on page 35 was from Charles Gray, Esq. of Castle Annaghs, New Ross, to William Hennessey for shoeing seven horses for £1 10s.

The Blue Coloured Order Book

The entries in the blue order book were primarily from 1961. Mairita and her brother Willie shared the blue order book. For example, on page 18 Willie did work for Murphy Motors, of Robinstown, Glenmore, for welding and repairing a manure spreader, and combine and also made parts for a spring harrow and draw bar.

On the back of page 17 we found the small pencil drawing that appears to be the Hennessy house in the Village. The drawing is not signed. A second drawing was found on the back of page 22 of a dress. On page 23 is an order from Mrs. R. Walsh, of Robinstown, for making a “frock.” Other customers included Mrs. E. O’Connor, of Graiguenakill, who had two blouses made, a coat and a skirt for the sum of £1 6s 6d (p. 20).

Mrs. J. Culleton, of Kilbride, ordered school slips, a coat, and shirt for 13s 6d. (p. 12). Mrs. R. Rourke, of Weatherstown, ordered blouses, a frock, a skirt, and was charged for spools of thread for a grand total of £1 13s 2 d.

It is apparent that the customers supplied the fabric for their garments as well as any necessary things like thread, buttons and zippers. If they did not provide the necessary items they were charged for the required spool of thread or buttons etc.

Curiosity led to attempting to determine the difference between a “frock” and a “costume.” A frock was generally a dress with the bodice and skirt attached. A costume was often called a tailored costume and was a structured two piece set, for example a tailored jacket and matching skirt.  

In the coming weeks we shall present other items from Maritia’s wonderful collection.

For another post regarding Glenmore business receipts, see our post of 11 June 2020 regarding Glenmore Victualler & General Trader, Michael O’Hanlon (1897-1957). See generally, our post of 19 December 2020, “Early Glenmore Business Newspaper Advertisements.”

Special thanks to Mairita’s family for the donation.

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

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh