Third Glenmore Gold Sign

Glenmore History in partnership with Glenmore Tidy Towns posted a few Glenmore historical signs around the village and parish earlier this spring and summer. Today, we are going to feature the Glenmore Gold Sign posted to provide information on the Ballyverneen, Glenmore Brick Works. The Gold Sign is on a tree along the road to the Pink Rock overlooking some of the fields of Ballyverneen located adjacent to the River Barrow. This area was bisected by the railway and was once a hive of industrial activity with several brick pits. For readers who cannot visit the area see below…

Contents of the Third Glenmore Gold Sign

Brickmaking in Glenmore took place in the Ballyverneen marshes during the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Today, if you look out across the marshes you can observe areas where water stands with little vegetation growing in or under the water. These are some of the pits from the old brick works. Brickmaking was a seasonal industry. Preparations began in March or early April depending on the weather. To prepare the site vegetation was removed, as well as the top soil. Water was then pumped out of the cut. A gang of 10 to 12 men would then begin the labour, intensive job of making bricks from the clay. On average 3,000 bricks per day were made. The bricks were burned for five days in clamps built near the Glenmore pill to allow the finished bricks to be placed on boats for transportation. The last clamp of the brick making season was usually burned from the 10^th to 15^th of August and allowed the gang to take part in the harvest.

Several local families operated brick works. The last men operating brick works on the Ballyverneen Marshes were Thomas and William Forristal of Ballyverneen. They ceased operations in 1899 when work began on the railway link between New Ross and Waterford. The railway line crossed the marches over the best mud deposits. After the railway was complete both men in 1907 attempted to return to brickmaking. Both ceased by 1910.

 For details regarding local families, wages, the process and workers see, Danny Dowling, “Glenmore Brickyards: A Forgotten Industry,” (1974) Old Kilkenny Review, pp. 42-51.

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Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh

For more information on Ballyverneen, Glenmore see our post of 21 April 2022.