The Tragic Death of Francis “Frank” Heffernan (c. 1917-1956)
When we were planning the blog in 2019 Danny Dowling expressed his amazement at how fast information now travels. He explained that when he was a boy, before telephones were in most Glenmore homes, most news was spread initially at meeting places such as Mass, the shops, the pub or Creamery and then would spread across the parish from neighbour to neighbour. Danny related that in 1955 or 1956 he was being driven by his uncle to Waterford to catch the bus to the UK when they passed a car on its side on the main road. Danny was heading off for a week’s holiday and he did not recognise the car. Danny said that he never knew that Frank Heffernan had been injured and died from his injuries until he returned from his holiday in England. No mobile phones or internet in those days.
Recently, articles were located concerning Frank Heffernan’s tragic death in August 1956. Frank Heffernan was just 39 years of age when he was injured in a one car crash and died from his injuries. He was home on holidays from London with his wife, Peggy (née O’Sullivan) and infant daughter Terry. He borrowed a new Ford Anglia that his brother, Rev. Dermot Heffernan (c. 1915-1973) had rented. Dermot was also home on holidays from Mayfield, Australia (Munster Express, Friday 24 Aug. 1956 p. 13).
Frank’s Parents & Siblings
Frank and Dermot were the sons of Michael Heffernan (1878-1951) and Teresa Heffernan née McGrath (c. 1882–1960). Michael and Teresa married at Glenmore on 13 June 1911. In 1911 Michael Heffernan was managing the Heffernan shop in Cappagh, Glenmore and Teresa was a National Teacher in the Glenmore (Robinstown) National School. Teresa was living in Graiguenakill at the time of their marriage. Michael’s father was Michael Heffernan, a retired R.I.C. Sergeant and Teresa’s father was recorded as Jermiah McGrath, Russellstown, Clonmel (school teacher). Michael and Teresa had at least seven children: [1] Rev. Dermot Heffernan (c. 1915-1973); [2] Francis “Frank” Heffernan (c.1917-1956); [3] Patrick J. Heffernan; [4] Eileen “Eilly” Heffernan (c. 1923-2003); [5] Seamus Heffernan; [6] Elizabeth “Bessie” Heffernan (Sr. Bernadette) (1914-1999); and [7] Resa Walsh née Heffernan (c. 1926-2012).
It was reported in the Munster Express that the car crash took place on Saturday the 17th of August at about 5:30 p.m. on the main road between New Ross and Waterford at Davidstown townland. Richard O’Farrell, of Dublin and Patrick Doyle, a van driver, from Waterford, arrived on the scene shortly after the crash and rendered assistance. They conveyed the injured Frank to St. Patrick’s Hospital in Waterford. Frank was found to be suffering from paralysis, a fracture of the cervical spine and fracture of three ribs. He succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening the 18th. Interestingly the death register records his death as occurring on the 19th and his injuries were recorded as being sustained on the 18th. The family headstone in Glenmore records Frank’s death as occurring on the 18th.
According to the inquest into Frank’s death in 1956, his brother, Patrick J. Heffernan, National Bank, Portumna, Co. Galway, testified that when he saw his brother in hospital Frank told him he had no recollection of what had happened. He felt unwell at the “Scow” Bridge, about a mile from where the accident occurred. Richard O’Farrell, of Co. Dublin, testified that while “motoring” from Glenmore to Waterford he was driving about 30 miles per hour and was overtaken and passed by a car which disappeared from his view when it went around a sharp bend. When he rounded the bend he saw a car lying on its side on the centre of the road. Frank was lying in the back of the car and appeared to be unconscious. It was raining and the road was wet. No other car was involved. No one witnessed the crash. Garda T. Devane, of Glenmore, testified that when he arrived at the crash he saw the track of a motor car on a clay bank on the side of the road. The track was 36 feet long and the hedge was broken and part of it torn away (Kilkenny People, Sat. 25 Aug. 1956).
A description of the funeral includes: “When, on Monday evening, the remains of the late Mr. Heffernan were removed to Glenmore Parish Church, they were accompanied by one of the largest cortege of sympathisers to enter the village for many years. Their presence in such imposing and representative numbers was indicative of the widespread sorrow evoked by the passing, in the prime of life, of such an esteemed personality and the sympathy felt for the bereaved relatives in their sad loss” (Munster Express, Fri. 24 Aug. 1956, p. 13.)
Frank attended Glenmore National School and was a student for three years in St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny City. Subsequently, Frank worked at Hearne & Co., the Quay, Waterford, and, later joined the staff of Hickey and Co., New Ross. Later he took a job at Clover Meats, Ltd., Christendom, Waterford. For the 14 years prior to his death, Frank was employed as an overseer for Harris and Levos, a large furniture manufacturing company in London. (Munster Express, Fri. 24 Aug. 1956, p. 13.) His address was recorded on the death register as Ickworth Park Place, Walthamstow, London, E 17.
The Heffernan Shop, Cappagh, Glenmore
The Heffernan Shop in Cappagh, Glenmore was started by Frank’s grandfather, Michael Heffernan (c. 1839-1914). Michael Heffernan (c. 1839-1914) was born in Tipperary the son of Richard Heffernan (farmer). He joined the Royal Irish Constabulary and while stationed at Phillipstown, Offaly met and married Eliza Walshe on 17 October 1865. She was the daughter of Mathew Walshe (carpenter). Michael was stationed subsequently in Mullinavat, Kilmacow and finally Glenmore around 1883. After Michael retired from the R.I.C. he started the Heffernan shop in Cappagh. In the 1911 census his son Michael (1878-1951) was managing the shop and his daughter Lizzie Heffernan (1884-1955) was the shop assistant. Lizzie married James J.K. Walsh of Ballybrahe, Glenmore and the couple had a shop in the old Gaffney premises and their business was known locally as Lizzy J.K. For further information on Lizzy J.K. click here. Frank’s sister, Eilly Heffernan (c. 1923-2003), was the last family member to operate the Cappagh shop until her death. For awhile it remained a shop and later for a short time it was a chipper.
Please send any corrections, additional information etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
It is believed that the feature photo above is a Ford Anglia.
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