Thomas Kavanagh and the People of Borris, Co. Carlow, 1790-1837
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Carloviana 2013-14 CARLOVIANA
CARLOVIANA December 2013 No. 62
I.S.S.N. 0790 - 0813
FRONT COVER PICTURE Carlow Castle 3D Model Articles Photograph courtesy of The History Festival of Ireland 2013 ...... 3 Carlow County Museum Mary Fitzgerald ...... 4 The Newspaper Man ...... 5 Paddy Coyne ...... 7 Mary Foley, Borris, Co. Carlow - Pioneer ...... 8 Yesteryears in Bagenalstown ...... 10 The Irish Christian Brothers in Bagenalstown ...... 13 The Remarkable Haughtons of Carlow and Kildare ...... 18 Thomas Kavanagh and the people of Borris 1790-1837 ...... 21 The Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland ...... 31 An area of Co. Carlow renowned for the longevity of its people ...... 33 This model was generated by Industrial Design students at IT Carlow using In pursuit of Paradise - Carlow's Garden Heritage ...... 35 SolidWorks, a 3-dimensional computer Nicholas O'Toole of Hacketstown ...... 41 aided design programme. The final Administration ·from Carlow Castle in the Thirteenth Century ...... , ...... 47 model was fabricated on a Z-Corp 510 O My Dark Rosaleen ...... 49 3D printer at designCORE at IT Carlow. Two Forgotten Poems by John Tyndall ...... 51 Scale: 1: 100. The model was commis sioned by Carlow Town Council as part Snippets No. 11 ...... 57 of the Carlow Castle 800 celebrations The Genealogy & Social History of the family of John Tyndall ...... 62 during 2013. Thomas Traynor 1882-1921 ...... 69
BACK COVER PICTURE The River Barrow - My Childhood Companion ...... 81 Illustration of Penal Crosses found in Co. Carlow ...... 84 Carlow Castle circa. 1360 AD A Response to "Lucinda Slye" ...... 89 Artist: The Kehoes of Williamstown ...... 95 Uto Hogerzeil Eagle Hill, Hacketstown ...... 113 Duckett's Grove ...... 117 William Dargan: An Honourable Life 1799-1867 ...... 119 Book Reviews ...... 122 Carlow 800 History Conference ...... 124 The Fishbourne Family in Carlow ...... 126 The early days of Technical Education in Carlow ...... 135 Tyndall Committee ...... 146 A 19th century Masterpiece of a Master by a Master ...... 155 Ballinree Sports ...... 163 Early Nolans in Newfoundland and Maryland ...... 167 The Society's trip to the Cotswolds, Gloucester ...... 170 History of RTC and ITC continued (Part 9) ...... 172 Mike O'Donaghue, Carlow, wins the Ras Tailteann ...... 181 "A Crime Unparalleled" ...... 185 Carlow Grand Jury Presentments, Spring 1807 ...... 196 Commisioned by Carlow Town Council to commemorate the 800th anniversary Message from the President ...... 204 of Carlow Castle in 2013. Officers and Members ...... 205 Carloviana 2013-14 CARLDVIANA
CARLOVIANA December 2013
No. 62
v''""'' '"'"' 0 I.S.S.N. 0790 - 0813
Editor: Jim Shannon Editorial
Editorial Committee: The Editorial Committee wishes to thank all the contributors whose Martin Nevin work has made possible this edition of "Carloviana." Once again we have a Pat O'Neill bumper edition, with articles from a large number of authors on a wide variety of Padraig Dooley topics relating to the history and heritage of the county. We are grateful for these contributions and we congratulate the many contributors from near and far whose Published by: work, we are confident, will bring pleasure to our readers. Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society, We would also encourage any new or potential contributors to come forward with P.O. Box 162, their ideas for forthcoming editions. If you have any information of interest, any Carlow. story to tell, any little-known fact relating to Carlow's past we urge you to share it with our readers, and thus ensure that your little bit of knowledge is preserved Email: for the benefit of future generations. [email protected] The present decade, as we all know, is a decade of centenaries when nation-shap Website: ing events of a century ago will be commemorated, ranging from the 1913 Lock www.carlowhistorical.com out, through the Great War, the 1916 Easter Rising, the 1918 Election and the War of Independence to the Treaty and the tragedy of the Civil War. It would be good Carlow Historical & Archaeological to examine what role Carlow played in all these momentous events in our Society is affiliated to the Federation of country's history and to make it known. In the present edition we publish an Local History Societies. article by Christopher McQuinn on Thomas Traynor, a Tullow native, the story of whose contribution to the struggle for freedom has never attracted the same level All articles in this journal are the of publicity as that of Kevin Barry, although both gave their lives in the cause. It copyright of the Carlow Historical & is our hope that more such articles will emerge in the years ahead. In that way we Archaeological Society and may not be can, through the medium of this Journal, widen and deepen knowledge among our reproduced in any form without the readers of the part played by Carlow people in these great events, and of the permission of the editor. impact of the events themselves on the lives of ordinary people in our area.
Views and opinions expressed in this While on the subject of anniversaries we think it only right to draw attention to journal are not those of the editor or of the fact that this year, 20 I 3, is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Theobald the Carlow Historical & Archaeological Wolfe Tone, a matter that appears to have entirely escaped the attention of official Society. Ireland. Next year will mark the I OOOth anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf and the death of Brian Boru. Perhaps some form of commemoration might be Printed by: considered. Carlow Advertiser & Printing, Strawhall Industrial Estate, Agus sin a bhfuil le ra againn, a chairde. Ta suil againn go mbainfidh sibh Carlow. taitneamh as an iris seo. Nollaig faoi shean agus faoi shonas agus athbhlian fe mhaise dhaoibh go leir.
SPONSORS Inside the front and back covers of our journal we list the local businesses who, each year, support us in producing Carloviana. We wish to thank them sincerely for their assistance, without which, it would not be possible to do this. Just as these businesses support us we ask our members, in turn, to support them wherever possible. Pat O'Neill President
Carloviana 2013-14 The History Festival of Ireland 2013
hen Turtle Bunbury organ weekend of the 15m & 16' 11 June over fifty This year's program started with the six ised the inaugural History speakers addressed thirty eights sessions teenth and seventeenth centuries and W Festival of Ireland in 2012 as of the festival. touched on most of the major events in part of the Carlow Arts Festival, it Irish history which followed, - 1798, the seemed natural that the venue should be Our society participated for the first time, Great Famine, the Irish in the American his ancestral home in Lisnevagh. There, taking part in two sessions. One was a Civil war, the 1913 lockout, 1916 and the over the weekend of the 9'h and 1O'h of joint presentation with the Federation of War of Independence. On social issues June, thirty three participants/speakers Local History Societies, represented by the presentation on Single Mothers and took part in twenty diverse presentations Padraig Laffan, which discussed the Infanticide I 900 to I 9 5 0 stood out. on the Irish experience at home and problems and opportunities surrounding abroad. As befits someone working in the the presenting of local history lectures Local history was also catered for. Apart Irish media Turtle garnered extensive and publishing local history journals in from the society's contribution, men coverage in all media outlets ~ print, the new digital age. The second session tioned above, different contributions on radio & TV, and digital. was a presentation by members of the so the history of Duckett's Grove were ciety on the lives of four influential Car given and Carlow in the War of Inde Writing about the festival, (Carloviana low people. The session was chaired by pendence was also covered. 2012), Turtle identified some short com Carloviana editor, Jim Shannon, and the ings in the organisation and content of the papers delivered were : The only problem identified by Turtle in festival. Too few women speakers 2012 and which remained in 2013 was ( eleven out of thirty three), too many Jimmy O'Toole the small number of women speakers, speakers per session, and not enough di Judge Mary O'Toole Washington D.C. eleven out of thirty three in 2012 and six vergence of opinion among speakers teen out of fifty three in 2013. Norman McMillan were some of the issues he identified. John Tyndall Media coverage was again extensive and However the most striking aspect of the this was reflected in the estimated atten Pat O'Neill history festival was that Turtle's ability to dances, up from 1000 in 2012 to 1400 in Peter Fenlon Collier attract speakers and arrange session top 2013. ics was more than the resources of Lis Marc Ivan O'Gorman Congratulations to Turtle and his team ncvagh could deliver on. Sessions were Frank O'Meara and on to 2014. confined to two locations, the library in and a marquee in the grounds, and both Turtle had promised a "genealogical were stretched to accommodate the num angle" for 2013 and this was delivered on bers who attended. in the session where Nicola Morris of Timeline Research did a "Who do you For 2013 a new venue was imperative think you arc" on Nicky Byrne, formerly and, following agreement with Carlow of Westlife. County Council, arrangements were made to stage the festival at Duckett's In either 2012 or 2013 there was no over Grove, where with appropriate organisa all theme to the presentations ~ they tion, space would not be a problem. were indeed an eclectic mix. This is per Duckett's Grove provided four locations, haps part of the festivals charm and suc three for talks, the Barn Room, the cess ~ it is not burdened by thematic Walled Garden Marquee and the Theatre values. Marquee, and one, the Cinema Room, where short films were presented. This extra space was needed. Here over the Carloviana 2013-14 the food you couldn't laugh or join in. Mary Fitzgerald You were a dummy. One thing about them was this the boss would carve our John McDarby food first and I'd bring it out - whereas in other places staff got the scraps."
MARY FITZGERALD, Craanavonane, some days wouldn't be long enough. "I always think of another lady, she'd be Milford, Carlow died in her eighties in First of all the Dining Room had to be going over to poor Dan McGrath in Bren- February 2012. She wasn't a famous sci entist or politician - just a hard-working, kind Carlovian and a family friend who had a story to tell about her working life in service. I recorded an interview with her in the Sacred Heart Hospital on St. Stephen's Day 2011.
School Days
Mary attended Ballinabranna National School. Master Brennan and his daugh ter were teachers there. The daughter was an only child and went on to become Mrs McDonald - Tommy McDonald's mother of Mac's Menswear Carlow.
Mary Fitzgerald stayed in school until seventh class. She then went to the Tech for three years, studying cookery, laundry and needlework. Mary worked for Mrs. done and in the winter the fire had to be nan's Butchers - the time beef would be Rafter, who was a sister of Mrs. Dug cleaned down and set for the day. Mrs hanging in sides on the side of the street gan 's. Mrs Rafter had sold her farm in Duggan would light it when she came and there'd be no infection - this lady Ballytarsna and was living alone. Mary down. After breakfast all the beds in the would always look for a scrap for the found it a very lonely job being on her four bedrooms upstairs had to be stripped dog. But she had no dog. Her maid was own with Mrs. Rafter. Mary's mother everyday. There was only myself to do the dog." used to deal in Duggan 's of Dublin that." Street, Carlow. "And I used to be in with "I lived in a shared room at the top of the her," said Mary. "They must have passed "The Drawing Room had to be cleaned house at the back." some remark to know would I take up a on a Wednesday." I asked Mary if she little job." had to wear a uniforn1 and she answered "The family always had their dinner up "Go out of that, How many did you sec stairs on Sundays and in the Breakfast Working come without a uniform to the hall door? Room on other days. If I forgot some thing they'd ring the bell and I would go Mary worked for Duggans of Dublin There was a little uniform with a string up with it." Mary would have known Street, Carlow for seven years. It was a in front for the afternoons. All your work people working in other houses around live-in job. She had every second Sun should be done before that. There was a the area. day off and a half-day on a Wednesday big apron for the morning. It was a blue frock and a white apron. The evening from 3:30pm. "It was no good to you, it "The family would know all your busi would be dark when you'd get home," uniform was a head piece a string - and a small apron. The cook would cook for ness. When my mother got sick, my Mary said. "I often left home on a win brother came in for me and that was my ter's night in the pitch dark with nothing the family and set the tables and wait on the tables." last day there. My mother died shortly only a bicycle and an old flash lamp. Not afterwards." all roads were tarred at the time. One Food night I happened to look behind and there Mary told me that she very rarely went to was a light coming behind me. I turned ''Mr Duffy would be brought in during the Ritz cinema on her evening off. off the light and put up speed. I never the busy time when spring cleaning "Food (in those days) was all very plain seen anyone more after that night. " would be going on." Mary told me the - they have the food destroyed now," she job was secure and the pay for the cook concluded. May her gentle soul rest in Mary told me that she had very little time was £36 per year and she had near peace. to herself during the working week. enough the same. "If there was a joke or "You'd be working all the time. Maybe anything going on when you brought in END
Carloviana 2013-14 THE NEWSPAPER MAN
.JAMES CONWILL Cl 861 -1936)
Myles Kavanagh
passwords, oath, etc. of to the Chicago Tribune had sworn a the order, but actually tearful oath that never while he graced obtaining access to a the mayoral chair would the foot of a meeting and giving the newspaper man pollute the threshold of particulars of plans his private office. Yet soon after Mayor framed by it for the Washbume became chief executive of the defeat of certain city he recognised the young Conwill's candidates in a pending ability by giving him the appointment of election m Cook his private secretary, a position in which County. The matter he was able to add largely to his created a profound popularity and estimation among the City sensation all over Hall and county officials. America at the time. The Chicago Tribune on the 7th May After the rejection of 1892 had the following flattering notice James Conwill Gladstone's Home of the appointment of Mr James Con James Conwill the youngest of ten Rule Bill of 1886 for Ireland William O' well:- children was born to John Conwill and Brien MP for Mallow and John Dillon his wife Mary Carty on the 15th April initiated the "Plan of Campaign." A Good Appointment 1861 at Rathornan, Leighlinbridge, Co. O'Brien went on a fund raising visit to Carlow. John Conwill ( 1802-1880) the Canada in 1887. James Conwill of the "The best appointment that Mayor renowned school teacher was the first Chicago Morning News was the only Washburne has made since he was Principal of Ballinabranna National Chicago cotTespondent with the corps of elected, he made when he appointed Mr School from 1833 to 184 7 and Principal correspondents who accompanied the James Conwill his private secretary. Mr of Leighlinbridge National School from famous 19th century parliamentarian on Conwell is cautious and capable and is 1847 to 1877. James attended his tour of Canada. Conwill's regular making friends for the Mayor every day." Leighlinbridge National School and may reporting of this event enhanced his have taught there also for a short time, as reputation greatly. The same paper humorously applauds the did most of the Conwill children, before appointment in these terms:- venturing away from the home His reputation grew and he became a in Rathornan. well-known and most popular Chicago Mayor Conwill assumes power newspaper writer. As a political reporter In 1885 James emigrated to America and he represented over the years the leading "Yesterday his honour conferred the ho settled in the city of Chicago where he newspapers of the city, and his ready nour of mayor's secretary upon James started working as a newspaper reporter grasp of affairs, his quick and sound Conwill, whose principal occupation for with the Chicago Morning News which judgement, his keen intellect and his the last half dozen years has consisted in had been established by the newspaper facility to impress upon others the 'doing' the city hall for various publisher Melville Elijah Stone in 1881. conclusions he formed after careful newspapers. Has the mighty intellect In 1886 James Conwill unearthed the consideration, were the qualifications which watches over the welfare of the society known as the United Order of which brought him to the attention of western metropolis grown weary of the Deputies at that time. He did a full Hempstead Washbume of the Republican pulseless solitude to which it had expose of the secret society and it was the Party when he became the 27th Mayor of voluntarily relegated itself? Has that first time the existence of the Chicago in 1891. Mayor Washburne it great heart again throbbed responsive to organisation was known, publishing in seems had no great love for newspaper the prayers of those cast into the outer the Morning News not only the signs, reporters and on one occasion according darkness, where there is weeping and Carloviana 2013-14 THE NEWSPAPER MAN
wailing and stamping of feet? Whatever Conwill became a power, and his strong and went to Chicago in '85 and has been the answers to these questions, it is now assistance was given and his able almost continually engaged in newspaper evident the newspapers of Chicago, advocacy offered to those principles work ever since. He was selected by including even the hated Tribune will which he believed to be the right and Melville Stone as the representative of again be admitted to the mayoral which the welfare of the people was, in the Chicago Morning News to accom confidence. For Jimmy Conwill is a his opinion, most chiefly concerned. pany the famous Irish Member of Parlia newspaper man and he will whisper soft ment William O'Brien during the latter's words into his chief's expansive ears and James and his wife Ellen, with one child campaign 111 Canada against the all will be well. As an acting mayor, Mr were now well settled in their home at governor-general; Marquis of Conwill cannot fail to be a dazzling Berwyn, one of Chicago's many suburbs. Lansdowne and his letters attracted much success. He has instmcted generations of He was described by many as strong in his attention. In 1891 he was selected by mayors how to mn the city government denunciation of wrong, gifted with great Mayor Washburne of Chicago as his and ought to be thoroughly familiar with power of pen, a natural and national flow private secretary. Mar. Conwill has the business." of wit, ever a true friend a charn1ing always been a prominent republican. His conversationalist and a thoroughly good father was John Conwill, a well-known When Mayor Washbume 's term of office hearted and kind representative, when he teacher under the national system of expired in 1893 James Conwill was was appointed first assistant secretary of education in Ireland. Mr Conwill 's offered and accepted the political the Senate of the state of Illinois in 1897. mother is still living at the home in editorship of the Chicago Evening Leighlin Bridge." Journal and filled the position in such a The following portrait and biographical manner as not merely to raise that paper sketch is taken from the Official In the 1930 United States Census James in public estimation, but at the same time Directory of the Fortieth General Conwill and his wife Ellen are recorded reflected very considerable credit upon Assembly of the Senate of Illinois as living in Chicago. He died on January himself. On the purchase of the latter Session of 1897 held in Springfield:- 3rd 1936 and was buried in All Saints paper by an Eastern American syndicate, Cemetery, Des Plaines, Cook, Illinois on James Conwill severed his connection Assistant Secretary James Conwell the 6th January 1936. therewith and accepted and acted in a similar capacity for the Chicago "James Conwill, first assistant secretary Dispatch where he became the of the state, is a well-known Chicago Sources: Illinois State Historical Library Springfield (Illinois State Capitol) newspaper man, having worked Biographical Hist01J1 of'tlze Amerium representative, and recognised as one of principally as political reporter on all the Irish in Chicago the brightest and most capable newspaper morning and afternoon papers of that city The Chicago Tribune writers of the West. during the last thirteen years. He was Baile no mBran11ach 1890 - 1990 born in 1861, in the town of A Centenary Celehratio11 In political affairs at this time James Leighlin Bridge, Carlow county, Ireland
Members of CHAS at the Glen View Folk Museum, Ballinamore. Co Leitrim September 2012.
Carloviana 2013-14
.------PADDY COYNE
THE CARLOVIAN
WHO WAS
IRISH HANDBALL
CHAMPION Martin Nevin
Photo:"The Nationalist and Leinster Times" Centenary Issue.
Paddy Coyne (1886-1966) was one interesting to note that he ranks among come from behind to win. This he Carlow's greatest exponents of the game Carlow's first 3-code players, recorded as did with Paddy Lyons, with Terry from the turn of the twentieth century. having played hurling and football for the O'Reilly, with George Robinson county during his great years as and, once, with J. J. Bowles. Born on the Dublin Road in Carlow a handballer. town, Paddy was one of the last of the Choice of ball meant a lot to Coyne professionals to represent the county. He Tom Elliott in his book Handball, The and in that long rubber with was Irish Professional Hardball Game, The Players, The History tells Bowles, the ball used by Coyne is Champion from 1910-1912. During his us that: said to have had a rebound of 3'6" career he amassed a vast collection of Coyne was one of the last of the on the wooden floor in Carlow, championship trophies. With pride of professionals to have known while in Limerick the rebound place among those were: the Murphy tossing from a flagstone near the was no more than 2'3"! One result Cup won in 1912, the Governey Cup of front wall. · of this was that the 10 games in 1917 and the Bergin of 1919. Limerick lasted in all for 176 He was a rugged player who relied minutes while those in Carlow, A carpenter by trade, Paddy Coyne had on his strength and endless where 10 games were also played, his workshop across the road from his endurance to wear down better lasted no more than 95 minutes. home. Later it was incorporated into St equipped opponents. In October Leo's Convent School. He also worked 1910 he played Johnny Bowles in In 1922 the Carlowman took part in the as a carpenter with the Irish Sugar Patrick Street, Limerick. At the end trials to represent Ireland in the Tailtean Company at Carlow for a long number of the day he had lost 8 of the 10 games but was beaten by J.J. Kelly of the of years. games played. A fortnight later, he Dublin/Ballymun club and later holder of faced him in the second leg of the the Irish Title from 1925-1929. Coyne was still playing handball in 1927. rubber at Carlow and won the 9 Prize money When in his early 40s he played Tommy games he required for the loss of I . Leahy from the Ballymore Eustace Club That was for the Irish title which, Long before the G.A.A. came into being, in Kildare who was only half his age. But two years later, he lost to Bowles there were great games, mostly despite his age, the Carlow man beat who won all the 11 games. challenges and for side-bets played in Leahy by 5 games to 1 at the the timber Carlow and all over the country. racquet court in Carlow town. But his He had probably the most splendid reign over Leahy was short lived, the collection of championship cups They were particularly common from younger Leahy turned the tables in the that I ever saw. He believed that a 1909 to 1924 throughout due to the second leg in his home court, winning 6 good trainer and a good manager absence of American players on Irish games giving a 7-5 victory, were worth many aces to a player courts. The challenge money varied from and he was well served by Tom a £5 a side for junior players, to £50 a As well as being an accomplished player, Lawlor of Thomas Street, (sic) side which was usual for more senior Paddy was the last of the professionals to Carlow. and by M. J. Doyle of the players, of whom .I .I Bowles and Paddy have made his mvn hardballs. unusually same town. Ile liked to play the first Coyne were the most prominent. fast and unusually hard (the old time half of a match in his opponent's hardball was made from goat skin). It's court and then, with the money on, Carloviana 2013-14 ::Xl'ary f'ofey, J3orris 'Go 'Garlow
tfSioneer Tom Joyce
Mary Foley was born in 1835 in arrived in 1913. The Sisters set up St. Barmona, Borris, Co. Carlow. According Mary's School and Convent which was to local records she had at least two opened and blessed on January, siblings Anne and Owne (perhaps 1st 1913." Owen). Her father was James Foley, a farmer and her mother was Judy Doyle. Mary was the only white woman in the The family emigrated to Philadelphia area and for roughly 4 years she did not during the Great Famine and they are see another. Luis and Mary subsequently recorded there in 1849. According to bought the hotel he had constructed and newspaper reports Mary earned money in Mary ran the store and the hotel while her the USA by dress making. At the age of husband worked on construction. It was 22 she married a sea captain called John while Mary was managing the shop and Mcintosh and moved to Boston. Her the hotel that she found time to teach husband died at sea in 1860 and Mary several aborigine natives to do moved back to Ireland again. In 1863 she housework, and she became a great was again on the move and emigrated to favorite amongst them on account of her Ipswich Australia, where she was Mary Foley many kindnesses. They in their turn reported to have friends. She joined the taught her how to swim, and she became vessel the "Fiery Star" in November an adept at the aborigine language. In 1863 at Queenstown. The ship took a Station, now known as Charleville, 1866 Mary witnessed a major altercation total of 13 weeks to reach its destination where they opened a store. Luis and between the Australian natives who had of Moreton Bay. Mary found work as a Mary were the first citizens come up river and joined the camps in domestic in Brisbane, before moving on of Charleville. Gowrie. The altercation went on for 3 to Ipswich and then to Dalby towards the days and the locals feared the worst but end of 1864. The history of the Catholic Church in after that time the natives moved on. Charleville really begins with Mary and In 1865 Mary met Luis Janetzky, a Polish Luis. As already stated, Mary and Luis This hotel was built in l 865 and was the builder, who had arrived in Dalby to were people of strong Catholic faith and first hotel erected in Charleville. It was work on the construction of a new hotel. even to this day The Catholic Diocese of built by Luis Janetsky for Robert Cooper. The romance of Luis Janetzky and Mary Toowoomba, Australia on their website Soon after it was purchased by Janetsky Foley takes little telling; they were both credit them with fostering the and known as Janetsky Hotel, later the ardent Catholics and independent spirits, Catholic faith - Victoria Hotel. The parlour of this hotel they both seemed to have known just was used in l 866 for a celebration of the what they wanted, and each of them had "Louis and Mary Janetzky - a small first mass in Charleville. It was the advantage of having travelled group of 23 Catholics gathered in their demolished early m the 1890s considerably. Sunday by Sunday they hotel one Saturday evening in 1866 to and re-built. saw each other home from Mass. There pray the Rosary. The next morning they is a letter available that leads us to were to gather again for the celebration In 1872 Mary and Luis left Charleville believe that it was owing to the absence of Mass which took place in the for the Gold Rush at Charters Towers. As of Father Devitt from Dalby at this time hotel parlour. per usual with Mary, she and her husband that they were not married there. Mary were among the first on the field. They followed Luis on to Roma, where they The first leaders of the faith community had by this time 2 children, Mary and were married by Father William Joseph were therefore, lay people - the Janetzky Louisa. Luis subsequently died on the Larkin in 1865. They settled in Sadlier's family who with their daughter, Louise, Charters Towers goldfields and Mary Waterhole, Angella Creek, now known as and Miss Isabel Crozier kept the faith returned to Brisbane with her two Alice Downs. Life here was too quiet for alive by teaching the children Catechism children. Unfortunately her eldest child this adventurous couple and they left and preparing them for the Sacrament of Mary died in Brisbane in 1875 aged just shortly afterwards and moved to Gowrie Confirmation until the Sisters of Mercy 6 years and is buried at St. Vincent's
Carloviana 2013-14 MARY FOLEY, BORRIS, CO. CARLOW - PIONEER
Cemetery Nudgee. Mary's second daughter Louisa, who afterwards became Mrs. Adrian, stayed on at All Hallows School until the following year, when her mother again married and became Mrs. Furlong. Mr. Furlong was an over seer on one of the stations close to Charlevillc. They went to Brisbane, and calling at All Hallows Convent, took Louisa with them, and we find them keeping a hotel at Rockhampton for two years. When Louisa was 11 years of age we find her back again at All Hallows, where she stayed for seven years, and in 1885 she returned to Charleville. Mary died at Charleville in June, 1912 at the age of 72. This hotel was built in 1865 and was the.first hotel erected in Charleville. It was built by Luis Janetsky for Robert Cooper. Soon after it was purchased by Janetsky and known as Janetsky Hotel, later the Victoria Hotel. The parlour olthis hotel was used in 1866for a celebration of the first mass in Charleville. It was demolished early in the 1890s and re-built.
shorter kinds, such as old favourite bright Lovely 'Little Carlow' blue 'Professor Anton Kippen-berg, 'Jenny' with double purple-red flowers, densely packed and 'Lady in Blue' with leads the aster revival blue flowers, all to knee-height. 'Little Pink Beauty' is pale pink and about the Reproduced with pern1ission of the author, Gerry Daly same height. Taller kinds include Andeken an Alma 'LITTLE Carlow' is a variety of aster, or autumn colour too as the pale blue Potchske, a salmon-pink colour; 'Barr's Michaelmas daisy, and it is leading a heightens the effect of yellow, orange and Violet, violet-blue; 'Patricia Ballard, revival of interest in these excellent red shades. It also looks superb with intense pink; 'Harrington's Pink, light flowers. Very poplar decades ago, the feathery grasses. shiny pink and 'Ernest Ballard', deep red. forturnes of asters waned somewhat for The asters are completely hardy and will two good reasons. Given the name, 'Little Carlow' might be grow in cold areas, and to reduce mildew expected to have a Carlow connection, the soil must not be too dry or too fertile. Many kinds were just too tall and they but, if it has, it is obscure. The variety The smaller kinds are self-supporting and were prone to unsightly mildew disease. was raised by Margaret Thornely, a the taller ones are fine in all but exposed In recent years, shorter varieties have prolific breeder of asters, in Wiltshire in gardens, if not over-fed. Asters last for come to the fore and mildew, though still England in the Thirties. It was given an years and can be planted out present on many kinds, is not as obvious Award of Garden Merit in 1993. in November. on smaller plants. The plant is a hybrid between two A very beautiful flower of bushy shape American species: one is the New York to about one metre tall, 'Little Carlow' aster with good colourful flowers and the carries generous sprays of pale violet other the heart-leaved aster with large blue flowers with contrasting centres of airy sprays of smallish white to pale-pink pale mustard, fading to red-purple. It is flowers. The hybrid takes something long-flowering in September and well from both parents, the attractive blue into October and makes good contrast colour from one and the sprays of flowers with all kinds of yellow daisies. from the other.
It works well with any plant that shows Other varieties to look out for include the
Carloviana 2013-14 was brought across the bridge and placed in the hole where the stone was and the blacksmith would frame the iron band to go around it, then heat the iron band in Yesteryears the fire and with the help of two or three ,; other men carried the red hot iron band in out with grips and placed it round the wooden wheel. Little hammers were then used to tap all around the wheel until the "Bagenafstown iron band was burned into the wood.
In the Back Lane at that time was a little triangular wall and every evening the old Myles Kavanagh in coversation with Micheal Jones men of Kilcarrig Street would assemble and one man each evening would be selected to read the daily newspaper and Micheal Jones lives with his wife Chris going in to what was called the "Back this was followed by a discussion on the in the Parade Bagenalstown close to the Lane". Walk in that road today and you topics of what was read out. In the Lower Stream, the bank of the Grand will find two circle stones ( one small & summer evenings children would gather Canal and the river Barrow. As we sit in one big) embedded in the ground, and a there also listening to all that was being the front room of his house Micheal hole in the centre of the big stone. A read and discussed but when 9.00 points to where the new apartments are plaque is on the wall there with the o'clock came there was a break and that and states that in his young days the gas following inscription: was the signal for the children to go work building was on that site, home as they should not be out after 9.00 surrounded by a wall and there also a Blacksmith's Stone pm. Johnny Kelly, the shoemaker was house in which lived the gas works one of the head men of that gathering and manager. The walls around the gas works Timber cart wheel placed on stone. Hub when he died he was buried in Dunleck became known as the "hot walls". Men of wheel in centre of stone. Half inch iron ney and the words that were inscribed on from the town would gather there, hands plate fixed to outside of wheel, after his headstone were "Johnny Kelly, behind their backs, lean against the hot being forged in Blacksmith's Shop. Shoemaker and Chairman of the wall and chat away. Children also met Kilcarrig Street Parliament." there at times warming themselves and Cross over Kilcarrig Bridge in time gone listening to the men. by and there was a Wheel Wright In the year 1932 the Eucharistic Congress workshop where big wooden wheels was held in Dublin and while the event Micheal was born on the 7th of October were made for the carts of that time. was taking place, Mrs Darcy got a chair 1920 in Kilcarrig Street. Two years When the wooden wheel was made, it and brought it outside the house in before that the RIC (Royal Irish Kilcarrig Street, put it up against the Constabulary) had raided the house looking for his father Peter, a member of the Old IRA who was not there that day. Mrs Jones was in the bed resting with her new born son Liam. The RIC officers searched the house, pulled Mrs Jones with child from the bed and on not finding anyone else present left. Mrs Doyle a neighbour had been watching and after the officers left came rushing in to the house to find Mrs Jones with child under the mattress. This story of events was told to Micheal many years later by Mrs Doyle but never mentioned by his mother. Micheal states, only for the prompt action of Mrs Doyle he would not have been born.
Kilcarrig Street then was the most populated area of the town. At the top of the street, just above where the barber Micheal Jones. Michael Maher, Joe Appleby, Charlie Neill, Willie Walsh, shop is now, were a forge and a road Michael Byrne, John McClean, Edward Byrne, Richard Clarke, Stephen McDonell. standing on the frozen Brewe1y Pondin 1938.
Carloviana 2013-14 YESTERYEARS IN BAGENALSTOWN wall, got a picture of the Pope. put it standing up on the chair, then got a slip of paper and wrote on it "God bless my Pope" and stuck it on the chair. The "'Hunter" Walsh came across the street and read it. He then went home brought out a chair and put it up against the wall outside his house, then got a slip of paper and wrote on it" God bless my Pope too" and stuck it on his chair.
Above Lawlor's house there is a road off Kilcarrig Street going into where the present office block is now and on the left before the office block (which was built in recent years) is the "Back Lane". The road in from Kilcarrig Street was known as New Street and it continued up at the other side of the office block parallel with the Back Lane and many Post Office, Bai.rnalstown. houses were on this street in those days. Ned Byrne had his stone cutters yard in this area where the finest crosses were grounds and were allowed out only in train excursion which began in Borris carved out and sold all over the country. exceptional circumstances. The nuns Station and then collected the People from around would often gather came out in to the grounds clapping Bagenalstown team at the station in the there and watch the stone cutters at work hands and joined in the celebrations from town. The railway line to Borris went as and marvel at the craftsmanship of the within the walls. The crowd then far as Ballywilliam in Co. Wexford and final products. marched back to Kilcarrig Street during that time provided transport for and dispersed. beet to Carlow sugar factory. Chapel Lane is situated between Bagenalstown railway station was the Lawlor's Supermarket and Lawlor's Pub In that time also a nun by the name of Sr. only station on the line with a turntable. and back in time houses were all the way Aloysius lived in the Convent who was a There was an engine shed on the far side up on one side to the top of the lane and personal friend of Eamon De Valera. She of the line opposite the station house the first entrance to St. Andrews Church. was once described as "a red roaring where the engine drove into and then out On the left hand side of the church gate rebel" and was known to hide messages to the turntable on the other side, the men was a small little house where the and letters for the Old IRA. One day the then pushed the engine around the sacristan and his wife lived. That house R.I.C. came to raid the Convent looking turntable and the train was driven is still there today uninhabited. Altar boys for such letters but Sr. Aloysius spotted out again. often had a cup of tea there after serving them before they arrived, she got the Mass. Inside in the chapel grounds at the letters, rolled down the window blinds, Another transport means for the sugar back of the Sacristan's house and at the stuffed the letters into the blinds and beet was via the canal boats. On the bank back of the present sacristy Fr. Lynam rolled them up again. The R.I.C. officers of the river Barrow on the opposite side had a fish pond built with cement cop searched all over the Convent but failed of the swimming pool was a big concrete ing around it. The altar boys however, to find any letters. Sr. Aloysius told this bank where the farmers would dump the used it for other purposes at times. This story afterwards and when asked how she beet which was then loaded on to the was the place of initiation of new altar thought of hiding the letters in that way, canal boats and transported to the sugar boys, as those of that time experienced, she replied "I don't know but I'd say Our factory in Carlow. Entrance to the including two Bambrick boys who later Lord had something to do with it." concrete bank was via Killinane.The became priests. A Baker's shop was also bank is still there today but now covered in Chapel Lane and two more in One of the first football matches played over with bramble etc. Kilcarrig Street. in the town was played in the field on Station Road where Breda Nolan's house During the life time of Micheal Jones up Every New Year's Eve people gathered is now. The match was between Muine to now six Parish Priests have served in in Kilearrig Street and marched around Bheag and Shankill Paulstown. The Bagenalstown: Fr. Matthew Cullen, Fr. the town led by Mick Kennedy playing referee was Tom Kinsella. The Interme Ambrose Lynam, Mons. James Conway, his melodeon and the people singing. diate Football Final in 1940 was between Fr Edward Dowling, Fr Pierce Murphy & There was a stop outside the Presentation Ballymurphy and Bagenalstown. The Fr Declan Foley. Convent in Regent Street where they first match, played in Carlow was a draw entertained the nuns who at that time and that led to a replay. Transport to both One day Fr Seal, one of the curates, set were confined to the convent and matches for the teams was via a special out to cross the fields to the golf course Carloviana 2013-14 YESTERYEARS IN BAGENALSTOWN from the Parochial House and on his way Brown and Crosthwaite Flour Mills was it is and now go home and tell your met an old woman who said, "I'm glad I a major source of employment in times mother I'm no longer your father". The met you Fr, would you ever help me with gone by and on every St. Stephen's Day young fellow looked at him and said "Me a few shillings to get food for the kids." the children were brought down to the Mammy told me to tell you that you were "Look" he said, "I never bring money mill and received three pence each. There never my father". with me when I'm golfing." He had a is a story told about one of the workers light jacket on him which he wore when whom a lady pointed to as being the William Jones and Paddy Appleby joined he played golf. "Come back to the father of her child and she claimed main the army in the early years of the 1st Parochial House in about an hour and a tenance from him which he consented to World War. They joined as bakers but half and I'll have something for you." pay. When the child was strong enough after two weeks they were in the front She said "God bless you Fr but maybe and able to walk he arrived at the gate of with rifle in hand. William was killed in you might have something." He put his the flour mills every Friday evening the war and his nephew Micheal has a hand in to his jacket pocket and to his saying to the man "Me Mammy sent me little prayer book that was the only surprise found half a crown, gave it to the down for me money" and the money was memento that came back to the family. woman and rushed straight back to the handed over promptly. This went on until Parochial House. He met Fr Haden and the boy was sixteen years of age when Micheal Jones has many memories of declared "a miracle Fr Pat", "What was the man decided to end the payment. The events and stories of yesteryears and the it?" said Fr Pat. Fr Seal then told him the boy arrived at the gate as usual and said above are just some which he recalls with full story. Fr Pat then looked at him and "Me Mammy sent me down for me clarity and fondness of those years. said "if you put your own jacket on you money". The man handed over the in future there'll be no miracle". money in the usual way and said "There
A double spouted kettle used to fill two cups at the one time.
Photo courtesy of the propriator of Glen View Museum, Ballinamore, Co. leitrim.
Carloviana 2013-14 On the I st May 1793 the Protestant public school was established in Dunleckney. In October of 1822 the first application of aid for Bagenalstown Parochial School was received by the Kildare Place Society. This was for a new TMirisn school being built on land provided by the Newton family at a cost of £300 and cnristian 'Brotners it included separate accommodation at the back for the principal teacher. The application was well received and aid in 'Ba9enaCstown was granted. In September 1823 the pupils from Dunleckney transferred to the new school on the site, on which 1870-1886 stands the present St. Mary's Church and National School, with Michael Brophy as Myles Kavanagh the teacher and on rolls 62 boys and 40 girls. In 1825 Elizabeth Brophy joined Michael as mistress in the school; Michael received a gratuity (bonus) from submitted to the National Board of classroom coul accommodate 50 pupils. the Society of£ IO while Elizabeth got Education on the 27th May after his visits The master lived on the second floor over £2-10-0. In 1826 Elizabeth Brophy was on the 7th and 19th of May 1874, the boys' room and the mistress over the trained at Kildare Place, and she and the Bagenalstown Parochial was now under girls' classroom. Tn 1824 Fr. Michael master received gratuities of £ 12-10-0 the name of"Bagenalstown Mixed (Male applied to the Kildare Place Society for and £8-0-0 respectively in 1826 and 1827 & Female)" National School, situated as aid to carry out repairs and improvements and slightly lower gratuities in 1828. stated above, built of granite with slated to the school. In accepting aid he had to From then on the funds of the Society roof and classroom measurements 27ft adhere to the rules of the Society but the were quite limited. In 1838 these two by I Oft and height 11 ft l O inches. The teachers were replaced by John and Sarah male teacher was Mr John McGlinn, Brophy, and by January 1840 the age 47 years and he was assisted by teachers listed are G.Dudley and his wife Mrs Jane McGlinn age 44 Catherine Dudley. The managers listed years. The school hours were l Oam to for the period are Walter Newton, James 3pm. Bagenalstown Infant School Bessanett, Rev. J. Chapman and Rev. was under the same committee as Hans Atkinson. Bagenalstown Mixed and was situated one eigth of a mile from the It was in Bagenalstown Parochial School Mixed School in the Old Dispensary, that the renowned teacher John Conwill in a row of houses well ventilated and of Rathornan taught and was trained in lighted with a yard in the rear and the system recommended by the Kildare with offices for children. The Place Society and had his training classroom measured 24ft by 14ft and certified by Michael Brophy on the 28th height l 2ft. Margaret James, age 60 September 1829. years, was the teacher and school hours were the same. Tn Griffiths In the early 1830s Bagenalstown Infant Valuation of the 1850s this school is School was established and was listed as situated in Chapel Street. connected to the Established Church in Ireland and the Church Education Fr. Michael Prendergast was Society. The Parochial School and Infant appointed Parish Priest m School later registered as National Bagenalstown in 1798 and he Schools and on the 18th March 1874 Rev established Bagenalstown Free Charles Grogan Vicar of Dunleckney School in Chapel Lane on land leased sought aid from the National Education from Walter Bagenal. The new Board and in his application stated that school, a two storied slated building Fr. Patrick Morrin PPBagenalstown he awaited salaries of £70-12-6 (total) for with earthen floor, opened on the I st (1855 - 1881) invited the Irish Christian the teachers of both schools for the year April 1807 and cost the Catholics of Brothers to Bagenalstown in 1865. 1873. Details of both schools were the town £200-0-0 to build. The contained in the application and in Mr building contained 2 classrooms, each Edward Downing's, District Inspector of measuring 20ft. by l 6ft., one for the P2/241 Published with the permission of National Schools report that was boys and the other for the girls. Each the Delany Archive
Carloviana 2013-14 THE IRISH CHRISTIAN BROTHERS IN BAGENALSTDWN
Douay New Testament could be read aware of the poverty of the city of the Convent school and nearly all were during school hours. The teachers in the Waterford and of the narrow streets and able to read. The school time table was 3 school at that time were Edmond dark alleyways where miserable hovels hours of literacy instruction and 3 hours Brennan and Sarah Costello. However, were gathered together. In 180 I he rented of industrial instruction. The school had the school left the system of the Society some livery stables at New Street Water no separate room for industrial in November 1825, as did most schools ford and converted them into makeshift instruction. The Board informed Fr under Catholic management. In Griffith's classrooms. He and two companions, Lawlor on the 2nd August 1853 that a Valuation of the 1850s the school 1s who had joined him, opened a school in separate apartment was required for the recorded in Chapel Lane. 1802 in the stables for poor boys and the industrial class and it would hold over on three of them began a form of the request of salary payment until it In the early l 800's there were a few other community life, living in temporary heard from him. small schools in the town that were accommodation over the stables. similar to "hedge Schools". Mr Joseph H In 1803 they moved to a purpose built Fr. Patrick Morrin became Parish Priest Thomas a graduate of TC D conducted a school and monastery in Ballybrickcn, of Bagcnalstown in 1855 and on the I 0th school called Bagenalstown Academy in which was named '' Mount Sion" by October 1861 applied to the National the 1820s. A Mr Lakes private adventure Bishop Hussey because of its position Board of Education for aid to pay the school is recorded in the town later in overlooking the city of Waterford. salaries of teachers, Patrick Coleman 20 the 1800s. Edmund had embarked on a great years of age and Daniel Carton 38 years venture and he gathered round him a of age who he had appointed. Both The school conditions improved in the body of young men who were of like previously had taught in Hollywood, town with the arrival of the Presentation mind and the Irish Christian Brothers Co. Wicklow. Sisters on the 4th August 1838. The movement grew with a rapidity that no Orange Lodge in Regent Street became one could foresee. He prepared men for In an Inspector's Report to the National their first Convent in the town and the religious life and teaching and they Education Board in 1865 we find the Primary School opened I 0th September spread throughout Ireland. However, the following details of Bagenalstown Male 1838 as a National School. Fr. Michael brothers in separate dioceses were not National School: School Rooms 2 Prendergast P.P. had died in 1836 and in under his control but the Bishop's. This measurements - one 25ft by 20ft, height his will he left his house and property for created problems when Brothers were l 7ft 6 inches and one 40ft by 25ft, height education. It was through this bequest, needed to be transferred. So Edmund l 7ft 6 inches. the Presentation Convent and school sought and ultimately obtained approval were founded. A small library was built from Pope Pius VI 1 for his brothers to be Principal Teacher - Edward Fitzgerald by the Sisters in 1842 and in 1852 a new made into a Pontifical congregation with Teachers -Daniel Healy Assistant - school was built and the convent Edmund as Superior General; he was appointed in this school 14th July 1866 enlarged. This school lasted until a new then able to move brothers to wherever (age 27 years, taught in Croghcroney Na primary school was built in the Long they were needed. In 1838, at the age of tional School ,Co. Tipperary - left there Range in 1957.The Sisters continue to 76, he retired from leadership of the 30th June 1866) live in the town and celebrate 175 years congregation. He died on the 29th August of service to the Bagenalstown 1844. He was declared to be Blessed Patrick Kearney Probationer community this year. Edmund Rice by Pope John Paul 11 on Monitors John Somers and the 6th October 1996 and his feast day in Michael Sharpe. On the 1st June 1762 Edmund Rice, the Catholic Church is the 5th May. founder of the congregation of the Irish A small select class claimed the Christian Brothers, was born to Robert The initial application for a National principal 's attention in the school, and and Margaret Rice, prosperous tenant School grant for Bagenalstown was made from it he formed some few smart farmers, at Westcourt, Callan, Co. to the National Education Board on the scholars. The work in the rest of the Kilkenny. He attended the local "hedge 9th September 1834. Bagenalstown Free school did not attain a satisfactory level. school" in Callan and then the School established in 1807, came into Play or lunch hour found no place on the commercial academy in Kilkenny. In operation some years later as timetable, because it was alleged if the 1779 he was apprenticed to his uncle, Bagenalstown Boys National School, boys got out for either purpose they Michael Rice, in the victualing, under the management of a Principal would not return. Thus the new National provisions and shipping business in Wa teacher and assistants. On the 21st March School did not quite satisfy those terford City. At the age of twenty four 1853 Rev Denis Lawlor Parish Priest interested in education, and a desire for a his uncle signed over the flourishing applied to the National Education Board change became almost general. The girls business to him and under his steward for payment of a salary for an Industrial from Bagenalstown Free School had ship it prospered greatly making him a teacher Anne Murphy, 18 years of age transferred to the Presentation Sisters wealthy businessman. who had received her training in the National School in Regent Street and Convent school. The subjects would Bagenalstown community were well In that era the children of the poor were include embroidery, crochet, sewing, satisfied with the level of education being greatly neglected in the realm of plain and fancy knitting. The pupils were delivered by the Sisters. education. Edmund became very much youths who had all received education in In 1865 Father Morrin acquired a new Carloviana 2013-14 THE IRISH CHRISTIAN BROTHERS IN BAGENALSTOWN four acre site leased from Philip J. premises proposed for the house and the work will begin. Newton and thereon had two rooms school, and promised the Parish Priest erected, built entirely of native granite. that he would send two School Brothers With respect, I am, These were well ventilated and and one Lay Brother in the autumn of My Most Dear Brother Superior, lightsome, and considered large enough 1870. Fr. Morin was well pleased with Your affectionate Brother, for the size of the town. Fr. Morrin was the offer, and on his side engaged to P. Barry. very much aware of the concern of all to provide £ I 05 a year for the support of the improve the education standards of the Brothers, as well as to furnish the When the committee met it was decided boys in the town and in order to explain residence and school. He purchased the to ask the Superior General for two to his people a scheme he had in view, house and garden above mentioned for Brothers to conduct the primary classes called a meeting of those interested in the £230, subject to an annual rent of£ 13, and a third to teach classics. The general matter. On the appointed day the meeting and expended £290 on remodelling the wish was that there would be a paying took place, Fr. Morrin told the assembly residence and £ 134 on furniture. On the department, but in any case, the that he had for some time entertained the furnishing of the school he spent £ 16. committee agreed to support three idea of inviting the Christian Brothers, Having secured Brothers for the school, Brothers. The Superior General did not explaining in homely words the Fr. Morrin wished to extend the work by agree to the proposal of a paying advantages that would come to the parish opening a classical department. department and was unable to meet the by establishing them in the town. His Accordingly, on January 5th 1870 he request of the third School Brother but words were received in reverent silence, wrote to Brother Patrick Barry, who was assured the Parish Priest and the people but with cordial approval and a then Superior of Borris National School: that the Brothers would come and so all committee was appointed to help on the began to prepare the house and school in good work. Bagenalstown, real earnest. The residence with the January 5th 1870 garden was taken over, and tradesmen The Principal of the existing School was were set to work on the transformation in possession and enjoyed some My Dear Brother Barry, and renovation of the house. popularity. On this account it was thought well to wait for a time before We are to have a meeting here next Fr.Morrin did not forget that it fell on him making the desired change. He was Sunday, after Mass, about the Christian to supply funds for the foundation. So named for an lnspectorship, and was Brothers' School. Is not thirty five one Sunday, at the last Mass, at which looking out for the day when he should pounds for each Brother or £ 105 for the there was always a large congregation, he be called to take up the duties of that two teachers and Lay Brother, the turned to the people, and said: "You position. The way was, however, to be stipend? l hear also I will be asked could know the Christian Brothers are coming otherwise cleared. Early in the spring of a classical teacher be added, and if he and we must support them. I will give 1870 he unexpectedly got ill and died. would be granted in addition, what would £1,000." Then addressing a gentleman in After his death the number of pupils be the additional salary to be given? the gallery, he asked: Mr Ward "What dwindled away, and the survivors of the Would it be £35 more? I want to be will you give?" "Five pounds" was the staff had to look elsewhere, as no prepared to answer all questions answer." Fr. Morrin, turning to another external help was given towards accurately. I will expect a reply from you gentleman said: "Mr Brady, how much reorganisation. The Rev. P. Morrin had on Saturday. will you give?" "Ten pounds" replied Mr written on April 22nd 1868, to Br. J.A. Brady. At once Mr Ward arose and said: Hoare, Superior General of the Irish Believe me, faithfully yours, "I beg your pardon, Fr. Morrin, I will Christian Brothers: P. Morrin give ten pounds." The collection proceeded in this way, until it amounted "I wish to know, if I procure a suitable From Brother Patrick Barry to Superior to nearly £ 1,000. When initial expenses residence and schools for the Christian General:- were deducted, Father Morrin found that Brothers, at what time may I reasonably Borris, enough was not left for the support of the calculate on their occupying them? I have January 11th, 1870. Brothers. Nothing daunted, he made up a good new school built with a lease of his mind that ample means should be some hundreds of years. I have in My Most Dear Brother Superior, provided in the near future. To augment contemplation to purchase a house and l saw Fr. Morrin on Sunday, and funds for the maintenance of the Brothers garden near the Catholic Church, with answered him according to your he held two collections each year. The out-offices and a lease of 130 years. At direction. He seemed quite satisfied and people never failed to contribute your convenience, will you favour me anxious only to be prepared for questions cheerfully and generously. This was with a reply?" that might be asked at the meeting. continued during the remainder of Fr. Immediately after Mass, the meeting was Morrin's life, a period of twelve years. The Superior General of the Brothers held, and Fr. Morrin wrote his name for replied that he would not be able to £1,000. Other Subscriptions followed, The Brothers arrived in Bagenalstown on supply the Brothers to Bagenalstown and will be continued on Sunday next. September 16th 1870. Brother Patrick before eighteen months. Subsequently he Mr Ward told me that as soon as an Barry was the first Superior. Much of the visited Bagenalstown, inspected the estimate is accepted by the Committee preliminary negotiations for the Carloviana 2013-14 THE IRISH CHRISTIAN BROTHERS IN BAGENALSTOWN
introduction of the Brothers were carried direction of Brother Andrew Ryan and he and it had failed to bring in any dividends on between him and Father Morrin, as he was succeeded in 1879 by Brother Peter for the upkeep of the Brothers. Mr was then Superior in the neighbouring Bonfil as Superior and Brother John William Ward was a prominent member house of Borris. Brother Carthage O Sharrock as Domestic Brother who died of the parish in church and civil matters Kane was the second school Brother, and 1884 and was replaced by Brother Joseph and had been on the committee set up by Brother Peter Tierney the Lay Brother. Ryan. The number of Brothers in Father Morrin, responsible for dealing The school was opened on September Bagenalstown continued to remain with all matters concerning the Brothers. 19th, with an attendance of 154 boys. at three. He had the confidence of all the people From the start the most cordial relations and favoured the retention of the prevailed between the Brothers and the Father Morrin was described as one who Brothers. Father O Neill dismissed him pupils. Every morning the granite blocks imbibed the apostolic spirit from the and other members of the committee on the side of the road in front of the great Bishop Doyle, and in matters from all parish activities and opposed school became a waiting bench for the educational he tried to realise the ideals him and other members of the Ward pupils while they awaited the arrival of of Cardinal Cullen. He was austere to family in other areas also. A number of the Brothers. As soon as the Brothers himself, all kindness to others, and misfotiunes happened to the Ward family appeared all filed into school after their wonderfully laborious in the exercise of and people began to say "There is a teachers in an orderly manner. The his ministry. "I remember his coat and 'mi-adh' over the Wards because they teachers and boys knelt for a few hat" said one who knew him; "the former went against their P.P." An aura of moments in devout prayer, and then the was weather-worn and well mended, and anxiety crept into the parish. work of the day began. Many months had the latter in keeping with the colour of his A climax was reached when Father O' not elapsed after the arrival of the coat." After his death in 1881, Father Neill told Brother Matthew that unless he Brothers in the town when the good Bernard O Neill who had been P.P. in brought the school U11der the National resulting from their presence was visible Graiguenamanagh was appointed Parish Board of Education the Brothers would to all concerned. Among the first pupils Priest ofBagenalstown. In the beginning have to leave. The Brothers were not was Patrick Foley, afterwards Bishop of of 1884 Brother Peter Bonfil was under the National Board in any of their the diocese; Martin Maher a Jesuit priest, transferred to Carlow, and Brother established schools. They withdrew from and several others who became religious Matthew O Brien succeeded him as Bagenalstown in 1886. School boys or priests including Rev. Dr Brophy who Superior of Bagenalstown. Brother broke the school windows on the day of died in Australia, Brother A. Kinsella, Matthew was the teacher in the senior departure but Father O'Neill prosecuted Brother Basil Maher, and his nephew room of 60 boys and along with teaching them and made their fathers repair Brother Leo Maher who went to India. the nonnal subjects he produced school the damage. Others included Joseph McGrath who concerts of songs and recitations. Father became Registrar of the Old National O Neill and the curates were invited and Not long after these events Father O Neill University (Dublin) and Mr Paul Ryan gladly accepted the invitation. The boys fell into disfavour with his Bishop (James who became a millionaire and lived in a acquitted themselves with credit in the Lynch 1888 - 1896) in connection with mansion in Derbyshire. parts assigned to them. Father O Neill politics and for twelve months previous made a speech on the occasion in which to his death his priestly faculties were After some two years Brother Patrick he paid a high tribute of praise to Brother suspended. He died on the 27th January Barry was transferred back to Borris, as Matthew for the excellent training shown 1892. In 1890 Father Edward Burke was his Superior hoped that it would suit by the boys. However, soon afterwards appointed Parish Priest ofBagenalstown. better his delicate health. His successor, he began telling the people from the altar, The school continued on in the care of proved to be a light-headed individual from time to time, during the whole year, the lay staff with Mr William Hay as whose folly made him an object of that the Brothers were self-sacrificing, Principal. He resigned on the 13th April, unfavourable criticism in the town and but the parish was too poor to support 1888 and Edward Conwill replaced him country round. He addressed a them. He also announced he would not on the 1st May as Principal. Edward was voluminous and foolish letter to Father have any more collections for them. the eldest son of John Conwill and had Morrin on the financial state of the house. Some of the people of the parish had of replaced his father in Leighlinbridge. He Father Morrin forwarded the letter to the fered pecuniary help to the Brothers but resigned from Leighlinbridge on the 24th Superior General of the Brothers. This they were told that the Brothers on October 1877 and was appointed Brother was soon after removed to one of principle would not accept such, unless it Principal in Tinryland National School the Communities in England. Brother came through the hands of the Parish on the 3rd of December 1877. He Patrick Barry was once more brought Priest. The large parish debt due the resigned from there on 30th April 1888 back to Bagenalstown to the great reconstruction of St. Andrew's Church, and came to Bagenalstown. Soon after satisfaction of the priests and the people. the extension to the teacher's residence the arrival of the new Parish Priest, He continued the good work earnestly in Ballinkillen and the ground rent of the Father Burke, the people began to and successfully up to the day he left in school which was paid to Philip Newton express their desire and hope that the 1876 to become a priest and join the of Dunleckney also contributed to the Brothers would come back. Father Burke American Mission. The school then financial situation of the parish. Father feeling that this desire among the people closed for a short time, but at the request Morrin had invested £ 1,000 of his own was gathering strength announced that of Father Morrin re-opened under the for the Brothers in the Hibernian Bank the Brothers would return. He invited the Carloviana 2013-14 THE IRISH CHRISTIAN BROTHERS IN BAGENALSTOWN
De La Salle Brothers. teacher and Martin Crawford, cook. Parish of Bagenalstown Web Site James Sharkett succeeded Michael The De La Salle Brothers arrived in the Deasy as Principal. It cost the town £700 The Church of Ireland College of town on the I st September, 1893 and to bring the Brothers to the town. The De Education. when the people saw them at first they La Salle Brothers served the uttered 'They are not our own Brothers." Bagenalstown community and Kildare Place Society Records However, the new Brothers were soon surrounding areas well for over I 05 years Brennan's Schools ofKildare and Leigh/in. made very welcome. Edward Conwill until they withdrew in 1998. remained as assistant teacher until the Griffith's Valuation. 18th of September 1893 and then took up the position of Principal in Ballinakill Sources: National School in Co. Laois where after The National Archives of Ireland a short illness he died aged 60 years on (Education Section) the 4th December, 1906. The members Education Records of the Irish Christian of the De La Salle Brothers that arrived Brothers in 1893 were Michael Deasy aged 23 years, Superior and Principal of the Origins and Development of School, James Sharkett, aged 20 years Bagenalstown, Catherine Ann Power
De La Salle Brother James Sharkett who arrived in Bagenalstown in 1893 pictured here in St. Bridgid's NS. in 1943 with Bishop Thomas Keogh and pupils after 50 years service.
P4/56 Published with the permission of the Delany Archive
Carloviana 2013-14 Wilfred Haughton -- F.li1:aheth Wilkinson Continued from Carloviana 2012 p53 & 54 To next page Isaac (B. 1663) I Eleancr Wilson (8 children)
h I ._... BcnJamin(B.1705) I !JizabcthPicrson(]Ochildrcn) Jonathan(B.1707) Anne Eves .. Samuel Pierson (B 1748) By his 2nd wifo ± had 3 wives and 18 children. Jane Boakc (7 children) BenJ.amt.n (R. 1744 I Abigail Boakc (9 children) Joseph (B. 1731) I Anne, dau. ot of Carlow. Maurice 1 yrrel! Bcnpmm (B. 1781) lstAnnc Murrp.hy (4 children) Jonathan N. \\ilham Samuel (B 1787) -,- I Sarah Hancock (~ children) (B. 1763 ) Hamct fyrrcll of Carlow. 2nd Rachel Malcolmson(S children) o.fthc 2nd 1.narr.rngc was David (B. Mary Anne (Jarret Tymdl ! 832) = Adelaide, dau. of Dr Tof Grange Castle. w (icorgc Tyrrell, M.D. (5 children) of Co Kildare. (Sec Cl'. which Bcnpmm Alfred= Janet Burke's Landed Samuel (B 1821) His kinswoman ~ Samuel (b. 1849) Helena Casey Majestrate, Ceylon Civil Service 0 Samuel :\1urphy (8. 1811) Agnus Fli1:abeth Frankland (3 children) ...I Cl'. (1 children) 00 "'~. ~ & ~. ~ 0, ::: '§'. e, e, ai ~ ~ cl ] = '§ -" 0.," "' Cl" § ] "' ,C ~ ~ iii 0., '@ u ~ ,C -j ,-'; ] -~ ~ ~mm~fomr~inmrH, lJnie 0., ~ L To next page And by his 3rd. wife Mary Pim Samuel Pierson ...L rvtary Pim (3rd wife) (B. 1745) I (6 children) _l_ Mary Ann Barcroft Juhn(U. 1796 Louise Courtauld Osborne B. ·i James ( 1795) (5 children) Owner of ( IO children) rhomas(!.3. 1788) James was uni\ersa!!y Barrow Milb known a~ "'Vegetable Haughton" a fomous Elizabeth Jane (B. ! 825) reformer & philnnthropist. h ±-"""The Venerable follov.-' arrows for the Benjamin (H 1823) Emma Isabella Kelly She man-aicd Samud R. Gra\·cs J.P. in '·Dictionary of National Archckacon J. Jameson Civil engineer. remainder of John & Chaimrnn of ''The Liverpool Biographies"': incidemly a successor to Louise children w Shipowners Ass"" Emma Thendera Jameson I vegetarian. He wa~ also a Rarrow Mills. Cl'. T great anti-slavery advocate. <( William Henry 0 htnnaurice of the Fitzmaurice ...J descendants of the Fit,n1aur1(es ~ - the l--,arl'>ofKeJTJ. Cu1Tent head Constance Flizaheth Graves of (ierald Fitnnaurice. She married in ! 876 Edward Percy Hate~, son of 0 K.C.M.G .. Q.C. Judge of z Sir Edward Rate~. BT. M.P. 2nd Hamnet. Of their lntcrnaticmal Court l)fthe l lague. <( 7 sons. J were. successively, chatrman of The Legal :.idvi-.,er to H.l'v1. Govern Cunard Steamship Company: the last hcing ( 'olonel John Gilbert EmmaMuria ment. 3 Denis Haughton Rates. D.S.O. ,M.C. 0 (B. 1851) rrmvel ...J Lived in Ceylon. Cl'. Walter Rnleigh Lilian Bailey William Haratio Rosamund Atherton New·ton <( _l [J (B 1855J (2 children) (B 1858) T (3 children) -st Civil engineer Captain P & 0 I LL Indian railway~ Steam~hip Line~ -C') 0 DrThomus.\V1lfn:::d rvtD. William Steel 18. Jane Elitabcth 0 UJ (B. 18521 1869J Lcyaltin-Puxlcy N z Special st, I st Pauline Dmvman John Kdly(H 19101 ro 0 Henry Osburne T Stccvcn 's Hospita,I (B 1909) - 2nd Pamla May Married Betty Champion § f ·;:;: I Dublin.The pioneer (Total 4 childn:n) of X-Ray.c, rn 0 ~ .:::: :::J Ireland. Sec ref. I I ro <( British \1cdical Bv 1st \\ifC Bv 2nd \VilC u I Journal. n llau. Patrica - I w 1~--'----..--1---,1 ...J La\Hcncc Rubin Pend ope ID Nov\ Ii\ iug in Calgary, <( Alberta, Canada ~ Wilhelmina Geraldine Charks Godfrcy-,l\1a:,,~y Helena Byrdc ( R. J 8X7) Samuel Francis f le\\ itt Isabel (13. 1910. Cl'. Marned Captain Charlkes ( B. l 913) '.->urgcon Cap- M:.irricd John Frederick <( m. 1x80 Dav,:,,on (family of Lord fvtas:-.y). L Duv Roval Artillery. tain R.n. and R.A.Kn. \Vi!dc. ("onsult:.int Sarah Elly Re\. William Steele ~ . . . married '."v1ary Jotham Pyehiartist, Vlanchcstcr. (B 1825) Rector of Oc\-ct1i'.h w Mary William Daniel Louisa .J.._ Her Kinsman. flenry O'iburne Now living in Au:-.trali:.L Parish. Enni::..k1llcn a:: (B 1826) Latimer (1:3 1828) the grent Professor (B 1832) Co Fermanagh & -- Civil Samuel Haughton Went to U.S.A. w I lcadmastcr of I Indian FR.S. of Trinity Potora Roya! School Frank Aldricks(B I- College. Duhlin is T U.S.A. in the "Dictionary 1869) of National Henry Oshurne I Biographies·· Denis Staunlon Ma:,,sey °!'Jora married LL Col. (B 1898) l'.S.A c- c, ~ Dawson, Lieut. R.N. Derek Lang of the ~. g c- g ! Their :,,on: I lcnry (hhurnc I Commandc the first sub Cameron I ligh!nnders a: o:i o:i Rev. \Vm. Babington Steele. I 1930) l:.S.A. marine to be lost in World e abo Rector. [kncnish. War II - with all hands; - "' -"" l--aithful l--amily 11.M.S. ''Seahorse"' i ~ i His;tori,m. maintained many i I laughton reconb. Brought out the"! !aughton Memoirs'". which \Ilaria Loubc I \\ ere financed by Thomas Wil- Sophia Aldrieks ill 1959) fh:d I [aughton ill 1961 I lJ.S.A Jui~fon ~tnMH,1nie (B 1855) ~cc further back. U.S.A. John Penelope Welby James Matilda (B 1835) of the family of (B 1836) Dau. of Francis Sadleir. Major General R.A. Sir Glynne Earl Welby. son of Frances Matilda. '·Jack the gunner" B.T. Denton Abhey, dau. of the Hon. Grantham Lines Eyre Masse. son of Lord w Massey. ~ (4 children) <( Ed Ward 0 (B 1839) _J 1 John Welby Florence Audrey Major 98 h Regt. ~ (B 1866) (D 1950) ShoubndgcDau of Lt Later known as the St,,ffordshire regt .. 0 Medical Dr. in practice Col all his life in Falmouth, Hubc1 t Shoub11dgc There is a beautiful z Stained glass window <( Cornwall. lndianAnnv to (4 ch1!d1en) him, erected by his 3 Hugh U1timer brother officers. in 0 I I-- l (B 1870) Killcshin Church, _J Henry Wilfred __ Mary Charlotte Louise Victoria Major Indian Army -- John Wilfred Estelle Josephine Seton Carlow. \vhere several ~ (B 1862) Seaton (B 1867) Matron of Guy's 9:zn-iPunjab Cmu,tance Ethel Hugh MotTis other Carlow Haughtons <( Lt Commander D.S.C. Lt. Colonel, Hospital, London I Reg I. (B 1869) YyvYan were buried. & IlarR. N. R "i" Ll D.S.0.,0.B.f. Awarded, R.R.C., l st class. Married Kathleen Sec Burke'sPeeragc ...... (B 1907 The window contains I LL "16th Lancers" I st Class is the highest dcco Elizabeth Paterson. & the Haughton coat~of M ...... 0 Royal Bucks Hussars rationin the Q.A.R.A.N.C. He was contempary baronctagc the baronets arrns. as Edward's regi- (Queen Alexandra's Royal 0 [I) in Indian Army with family of mental colours. N Army Nursing Corps). z General Henry YyvYan he was unmarried. e:l 0 Universal name: ''Dear Aunt Lawrence Haughton § I Lou··. another ''H L Haughton" ·::; I They were so regulary 0 l!J Jane Pickering confused with one :J Christopher John Welby ] (m 1960) another by various <( (b 1935) u l\fajor Royal Artillery authorities, the General I once told me. w Nor did it stop at that, _J as there were al so ID S.G.S. Haughton. also <( in the Indian Army then "' which was quite enough ~ <( for the powers that be to Samuel (Il 1833) Francis Elizabeth Elliott Sopia Alricks even further scramble 2 Was East India ( 5 children) (6 children) the Haughtons in India. w merchant in Liv a:: crpoll with his w Louise Steuart kinsman, John I Joceiyll Estelle Anna Melissa I (3 children) Cobbc Clowes. Timothy Welby I- (b 1960) (B 1961) (B 1969) I Clare Catherine Shaver Mary Elliott James Mabel William Odell (3 children) (Il 1866) Haughton Kathleen ~1rnpson Heard (8 1870) I-- Elizabeth Chandler Powell Elizabeth Simpson John Early Francis (B 1906) I of Chesham. Bucks. Bucks tcnni~ cham Dorothea Pmvcll pion, 4th in line in IB 1968) ~amg~tID11;lJamrri, lJnie family solicitors firm U.S.A. "Simpsons & How", Chesham. Walter died in 1813.5 Follow tion on Thomas Kavanagh. He was not a ing the death of his brothers he committed politician but seemed deter inherited the Borris, Wexford mined to be elected as a means to power and Westmeath estates and the and influence. According to the current Thomas Kavanagh house at Borris. This according Kavanagh of Borris House, Morgan, he to one article left Thomas Ka would have opposed the Act of Union vanagh in possession of lands and as a member of the last parliament and the in the region of thirty thousand would have good reason to fear for the acres in Carlow (16051), Wex loss of power when the parliament ford (5013), Kilkenny (7341) moved to London. 11 The Kavanaghs were and Westmeath (620). 6 How nothing if not pragmatic however and he People of Borris, ever this does not count the would have also seen opportunities from lands in Ballyragget, which the Act of Union. In March 1799 he re would bring the total much signed his seat and accepted the position higher. These lands in Bal of the Office of Escheator of Munster. 12 Co. Carlow, lyragget were still in Kavanagh hands as Thomas' second wife It is difficult to reason why exactly the Lady Harriet retired there in two Kavanaghs had decided to convert 1790-1837 the late nineteenth century. 7 He and also why they had left it so late. One moved back to Borris and took idea mooted is that of foreign influence over the running of the estates while being educated abroad and also the soon after Walter's death but it influence of Trinity College in Tom Joyce seems he may have been in- education. 13 Kavanagh would have fallen volved in the running of the es into both of these categories as he spent tates much earlier than this. He time studying at Trinity College and af had at this stage been elected MP for terward went abroad to serve in the Aus Introduction Kilkenny in the last Irish parliament be trian army before returning home to take fore the union in 1799. 8 over the running of Ballyragget. 14 From Thomas Kavanagh II was born on the 10 1703-1799, 5 ,650 Catholic converts were March, I 767 the fourth son and ultimate Following the death of his first wife in recorded in the Convert-Rolls. 15 The ma heir of Thomas Kavanagh J and Susanna 1822 he married again three years later jority of these were recorded in the early Butler, sister of John Butler, 17th Earl of the formidable Lady Harriet Le Poer or middle part of the century at a time 1 Ormonde. Marrying into the Butler fam Trench, daughter of the Earl ofClancarty. when penal laws and disbarring from ily would be a pattern repeated by He had four more children from his sec some professions were real issues for the Thomas Kavanagh II, as he married John ond marriage the most famous being the Catholic landed gentry. Only ninety-five Butler's daughter Elizabeth with whom limbless Arthur who went on to great converts are listed between I 790 and 2 he had nine daughters and one son. Al success in politics and other fields. 9 Lo 1999, and Kavanagh is listed among though never possessing an English cally it has always been presumed that he these as is his brother Walter in 1790. In noble title the Kavanagh 's were seen as converted when he married his second deed there are two Thos Kavanaghs listed suitable marriage partners among the no wife Lady Harriet, who was of a staunch in the Convert-Rolls. One Kavanagh, bility, probably as were descendants of Protestant faith. As we will see he in fact Thos of Burris [sic], Coy [sic] Carlow is 3 the last High Kings ofLeinster . Thomas converted much earlier than this. There listed as converting in 1792 and one Ka first inherited estates in Ballyragget in is no concrete information to suggest vanagh, Thos of Borris, Coy [sic] of Car Kilkenny from the Butler family and he why Thomas chose to convert but he low Esq., is listed as converting in 22 at first became known as Thomas Ka would certainly have been aware of the January 1799 .16 It is the 1799 conversion vanagh of Ballyragget. Robert Butler political advantage of doing so. Accord that is most likely as it is followed with willed Ballyragget to his two surviving ing to one account the family at this time Esq., as is the reference to his brother brothers, in succession during their life were curiously ambivalent with regard to Walter in 1790. The other Kavanagh is times, and the remainder to his cousin, religion, as Morgan his brother, remained possibly some of the other many Ka Thomas Kavanagh, of Borris House. Catholic until his death in 1804 but Wal vanaghs that populated Borris at the Robert Butler's wish was to secure the ter his other brother had converted in time. 17 One possible reason for Ka estate in catholic hands to the exclusion 10 1790 • Andrew Kavanagh of Borris vanagh's conversion may have been to of his relatives, the Ormond and Mount House recorded an interview for Irish enable him to sit in the last Irish parlia Garret families, who had embraced the Life and Lore in 2001 and he described ment, which commenced on the 9th Jan Protestant religion. Before Robert was how the Kavanaghs had managed to hold uary 1798 and to which he was elected ten years dead, Thomas Kavanagh be on to lands by being efficient and ruthless MP for Kilkenny. 18 4 come a Protestant. decision makers. He describes how mar riages and politics had been used at dif The village of Borris is a beautiful village Thomas Kavanagh's older brother Mor ferent stages to ensure the keeping of the situated in the southern part of Co. Car gan died in 1804 and his eldest brother land. This would concur with informa- low. In the early part of the 1800s it was Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS KAVANAGH AND THE PEOPLE OF BORRIS l 790-1 837 in the parish of Clonagoosc and had a did not seem to use his influence with his can be found among others ranging from population of 671 inhabitants. 19 The tenants for political gain. He urged them 22-31 years. 31 Wakefield in his study re parish of Clonagoosc had a total popula in a letter to use their franchise as they lated how up as far as 1809 leases were tion of 2152 in 1821, which was split wished and that he would defend that still being given for 31 years on the Ka evenly between male and female. It right by force if nccessary. 25 Kavanagh vanagh estate in Borris.32 seemed to be a prosperous parish, only while sympathetic to the Catholics, was twenty houses out of 380 uninhabited. associated with those in Carlow who be Hugh Wallace a landlord from Co. Down Lady Kavanagh of Borris Housesup lieved that while Emancipation was ac gave evidence to a House of Commons ported a school of76 boys and 36 girls. 20 ceptable, the raising of the political status committee in 1825 that the usual lease It is unclear if this was one of Thomas of the lower orders was not. 26 Kavanagh was for twenty-one years or one lifc. 33 Kavanagh's sisters or his wife. It was was not a natural politician. In actual fact This displayed that Kavangh was willing here in BoITis House that the Patriarch of he never seems to have made a speech to put faith in his tenants and give them the Kavanagh's resided (see Fig. 2.). The and his only public appeal to the public surety of tenure, which would encourage parish is bordered on the cast by Co. for their vote was in a quietly worded let them to improve their land. Indeed he Wexford and on the West by Co. ter in the Carlow Sentinel which was ex kept quite a detailed log of each tenant Kilkenny. The river BatTow flows tremely short and to the point.27 As P.J. and how they maintained their land and through the village at the back of the Ka Kavanagh described in his article what they had done to improve it. He was vanagh residence making its way from Thomas Kavanagh M.P, 1767-1837 and also quick to spot tenants who did not im there through nearby St. Mullins before his political Contempories he addressed prove their plot and notes such as "indo entering the sea at New Ross. In the im the voters in a letter in the Sentinel with lent tenant" are written beside names in mediate vicinity of Borris, Thomas Ka a suavity and sense of possession of his his ledgers. In some of the sections of the vanagh took control of 747 acres, while class. He proposed no definite pro ledger there are notes to serve ejection in the local environs this extended to gramme, merely mentioning his former notices and in others it seems he was some 2000 acres. 21 Thomas' predecessor record, which he didn't elaborate on, as willing to negotiate lower rcnts. 34 Wake and brother, Walter was not much inter sufficient reason for the voters to vote for field also made the interesting observa ested in the running of the estates. He him. 28 He must have been disappointed tion that although Kavanagh had read his was an intellectual recluse who enjoyed with the result of several of the elections recantation the locals still regarded him reading and indoor life more than out and must also have been disappointed as belonging to their body. Kavanagh it door pursuits offered by BotTis. He built with many of his tenants siding with the would seem was more adept at politics the BotTis House Library and renovated clergy against him. He eventually reacts than would at first appear, as he seemed the rest of the house to the magnificent against his tenants and the clergy but at to be able to convince the locals that he structure that it is today.n that stage it is too late to tum the tide and was still a Catholic while having already his power was on the wane from then on. converted. It is also interesting to note McCormick describes Walter as a recluse The inhabitants of Borris had probably that Wakefield believed "the Protestants and bibliophil [sic]. Several of the articles good reason to be loyal to the Kavanaghs. scarcely look on a convert as a member mention Walter as the person who was in There is little evidence that any of the of their church".35 This would concur control of BotTis House until his death in "Monarchs" ofBotTis had ever been any with other opinions which will be exam 1813 and technically this is cotTcct. How thing but fair to the tenants of Borris. In ined later in the piece. ever Walter did not seem in the slightest deed Edward Wakefield in his Statistical bit interested in running the estate and it and Political Account of'Jreland in 1812 Ejection notices were not the first option would seem that he left everything to his indicated that Walter Kavanagh believed for Kavanagh or other landlords of the brother Thomas to take care of. 23 that the leases at BotTis were too gener time. It would seem that the custom at ous as it placed too much power in the this time was to leave the tenant up to six hands of middlemen. 29 At the time it months in atTears. 36 From Kavanagh 's 1790-1812 would not seem out of the ordinary to ex ledger in 1820 we can see that his atTears tend leases for three lives to middlemen ledger totalled almost 15,000 pounds. 37 Thomas Kavanagh would have been of a but the Kavanaghs seemed willing to This was quite a considerable amount of generation of landlords that saw them give these terms to most ordinary money when suggestions arc that his in selves threatened by Daniel O Connell tcnants. 30 Equipped with this infonnation come for the time was circa £7000 per and the clergy's advocacy of the rights of one would have expected Thomas Ka annum at this time. 38 This was a danger the lower class24. Kavanagh 's position vanagh to shorten the leases and retain ous practice as losing the entire amount was somewhat different to the majority control. However on examination of the was a very real possibility. It also how of his compatriots. Having converted leases and rental books of Thomas Ka ever gave the landlord a weapon to use if form the Catholic faith he would have felt vanagh it can be ascertained that he con he wished to get rid of a tenant. If a tenant first hand the discrimination of not being tinued with this practice. One such lease caused the landlord any problems then he able to join Parliament and being in gen in 1762 to the widow Kavanagh and son would immediately demand the arrears eral treated differently from the ruling Daniel for 31 years is renewed again and as the tenant would usually not be class. Kavanagh would have had an in inl 793 for a further 31 years. In fact able to come up with six months rent he stinctive understanding of the lower some of the leases in the I 790s were for could be legitimately be evicted without classes drive for power. To his credit he longer. Leases for 4-5 lives or 46 years question. This method was certainly used Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS KAVANAGH AND THE PEOPLE OF BORRIS 1 790-1 837 after elections to punish freeholders who confronted with an angry crowd.44 One the United Irishmen were well resourced had the temerity to vote against the land ofKavanagh's sisters Honora had written and organised as evidence shows that lord. 39 The other reason that the tenants to Morgan asking that he and his brothers they were able to post bail of£ I 00 a man had good reason to be loyal to Kavanagh should come to England and stay with when charged.47 Martial Law was de is that he was a major source of employ her such was the upheaval that was oc clared on the 30th April 1798 and so ment to the locals in Borris. Examina curring in and around Borris. It cites the began pitch capping, half-hanging and tions of Kavanagh 's accounts reveal that lucky escape that Walter had lately which flogging of prisoners to extract informa on any particular day up to and over fifty would indicate that action was afoot in tion. The system of Free Quarters was people were employed at Borris House. Borris.45 Walter Kavanagh sent a letter to commenced in Kilkenny which basically Looking over some of the weeks it can Dublin Castle on the l st November 1797 meant that the troops were allowed do as be seen that different names appear on asking for reinforcements as the "con they pleased. Asgill threatened to do the different weeks so perhaps as many as spirators" in the area had thrown off all same in Carlow if arms were not handed sixty or more inhabitants of the local area disguise and had proceeded to plunder up and a letter to the same effect was read received a wage from Borris House. Con every farmer in the district of their from all Masses in Carlow. 48 Kavanagh sidering the population of Borris to be arms.46 The United Irish movement was and others seem to have decided on a 671 in the 1831 Census then a little shy expanding rapidly throughout Carlow. A more carrot than stick approach and had of ten percent of the village were em stepping up in the arrests of United Irish considerable success in securing arms by ployed by Kavanagh, certainly enough to men commenced. It would also seem that amnesty and protection and it is this sue- make the local inhabitants wary of get ting on his wrong side. Fig. 1. The Kavanaghs it would seem also had an influence in the area in the period leadingup to the 1798 Rebellion. The area in and around Borris had been rela tively quiet up to the rising in 1798. . CoolmMI Some commentators have ascribed this to • the influence of the Butler and Kavanagh families in the area.40 Both families had • maintained an unthreatening religious = climate in the area, compared to the sec tarian tensions so evident in North-Wex ford.41 An example of the ecumenism that existed in the area is a letter to Finn '.s· Le inster Journal on the 22nd of November 1797 from the inhabitants of Graiguena managh only five miles from Borris. In it forty-eight prominent citizens of the area pledged themselves to "prevent any dis turbances in our Neighbourhood and to protect and to bring to justice .... all mis guided wretches styling themselves UNITED IRISHMEN". Leading the sig natories were the Protestant and Catholic curates of the area and also trades men, farmers and middle landlords of both persuasions. 42 This spirit of ecumenism would soon change as political as well as religious pressure was brought to bear. The outbreak of the 1798 Insurrection in Wexford must have caused Kavanagh se rious concern. Local disturbances in the area had caused him problems in the past. In 1780 his father had been shot and wounded by Whiteboys when he de fended the home of a local wool mer chant named Doyle.43 Early in 1798 his brother Morgan was lucky to escape with County Carlow, 1798. his life just outside of Athy when he was Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS KAVANAGH AND THE PEOPLE OF BORRIS 1 790-1 837 cess that may have attracted the United Irishmen to attack Borris in search of weapons. 49 On the 25th May 1798 the first attack on Borris House began. Maurice Kavanagh of St. Mullins a distant relation of the Bor ris Kavanaghs and a defector from his yeomanry was heavily involved in this at tack50. This first attack seemed to be a more localised affair with some people putting it down to a hope to gain some of 1 the estate if successful5 • Some sources put the rebel numbers at 500052 but Sir Charles Asgill confirms a more realistic figure of300-500 rebels in a letter to Gen eral Lake. While many of the accounts credit Walter Kavanagh with the defence of the house that night it is more likely that his brother Thomas took care of the battle. Certainly Donald McConnick and Daniel Gahan, in their respective books both credit Thomas with defending the house. 53 The rebels soon realised much to their cost that pikes and muskets and even a small cannon would be of little use against a stoutly defended strong stone building (see Fig 2). One consequence of the at tacks on Borris House was that any local Borris House involved, and there certainly were some, wasalmost assured of being recognised by the Catholic Yeomanry who had remained one ofthe body which made the attack on Protestant civilians, which he had saved loyal to Kavanagh. This left them with lit the mansion ofM,: Kavanagh. He was a from summary execution and torture. He tle choice but to leave their homes and join benevolent man and the kindest of land also speaks well of his Protestant neigh the Wexford militia to continue the ris lords. Some ofmy ancestors rented a con bours at the time and at the sadness of the ing. 54 siderable tract of country under him and atrocities that were carried out by both his ancestors, some few hundred acres of sides.59 This is in sharp contrast to some Walter was certainly not in control of the which descended to me; many of his yeo of the books written of personal accounts yeomanry when the second attack com manry were also either friends or relatives from other contributors such as Edward 60 menced on Borris House. A letter by Wal ofmine. Many persons did ascribe the at Hay and George Taylor. ter Kavanagh to his brother Morgan tack on his house to malice; but contrary describes how he assembled his cavalry was the fact, for I can confidently assert, The capture and execution of some of the and prepared to charge the rebels until that the people had no bad feelings to rebels also seemed to have caused confronted with unexpected cannon fire wards him. Mr. Kavanagh, though having Thomas Kavanagh's brother Walter they retreated to Kilkenny in search of externally withdrawn from the religion of major concern. David Byrne was a mem assistance. 55 The house was then de his ancestors was, nevertheless, a decided ber ofKavanagh's yeomanry in 1798 and fended successfully by the Donegal Mili enemy to bigotry and oppression, and was convinced that if given the choice, tia, which was stationed at Borris House rarely was public vengeance directed Kavanagh would certainly not have cho and Thomas Kavanagh. Walter Ka against the mansions or properties of sen to hang these rebels at Borris House. vanagh in the same letter to his brother those gentlemen whose character stood so His description of the execution of a 58 Morgan details how Asgill made Thomas high as Mr. Kavanagh s. twenty-year old rebel at Borris House is Kavanagh his Aide de Camp and he con chilling in its simple brutality. Byrne also fesses that he is bewildered with the Cloney's account of the Rebellion is in recounts how the Kavanaghs were vengeance of the rebels but that Tom has teresting as if we are to believe him he watched suspiciously by the hardliners an understanding of it. 56 Thomas Cloney was a reluctant rebel who was effectively on the Government side, During the trou the rebel leader of the second attack on forced to join the rising. What adds cred ble, though no man could man(fest more Borris House describes how he had cer ibility to Cloney's account is that he crit loyalty, he was narrowly watched by tain misgivings about this manoeuvre,57 icises both sides for the slaughter that those about him. I never saw himguilty of ensued. He also has written confirmation a cruel act himse(f- and do believe he It gave me no small degree ofpain to be at his subsequent trial from several was humane enough to have spared the Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS KAVANAGH AND THE PEOPLE OF BORRIS 1 790-1 837 unfortunate youth, whose sad story I would leave bitterness and tension in the following day. 76 have related61 Kavanagh's Catholic yeo minds of the local inhabitants. Kavanagh mamy remained loyal throughout the re would have realised that fair-mindedness The emergence of Sir John Milley Doyle, bellion. 62 Only two of these men can be and long leases would not save him if his an Trish Catholic, and Walter Blackney, a traced to have deserted and joined the power were removed. It seemed that repealer, supported by Bishop Doyle rebels. One was Maurice Kavanagh and local Whiteboyism was still a problem (J.K.L)., as candidates in the 1831 elec the other was a John Deveraux of Wex after the 1798 Rebellion. A letter sent tion caused Kavanagh and Bruen such a ford. Deveraux was eventually trans from William Wickam Chief Secretary, shock that they withdrew from the con ported for life while Maurice Kavanagh to Borris House in 1803, demanding ac test beforehand. In 1832 Blackney and was sentenced to be hanged in Borris.63 tion against "Corcoran and his gang" Thomas Wallace the Liberal candidate Kavanagh's yeomanry was almost en would indicate that passions were still defeated Kavanagh and Bruen. 77 The tirely made up of Catholics, which was high in the area. 71 Sentinel was furious with this and placed unusual for the time. 64 Thomas Cloney the blame squarely on the shoulders of also made the point in his book that as Elections 1826-1835 the Walsh priests of Borris. It encouraged they passed through the parish of Clona the government to take control of the sit goose (Borris) on their way to and from Thomas Kavanagh had effectively uation in Borris where exclusive dealing Kilkenny they were not well received in dropped out of the public eye from 1799 and Whitefoot crime was taking hold. 78 area. 65 At this time it would seem that the to 1826 when he was elected uncontested Kavanagh and Bruen petitioned the tenants and the locals in general were with Henry Bruen of Carlow his son in House of Commons against the result. loyal to their landlord. What is also re law. This may have something to do with The Sentinel reported that the priests markable is that at John Deveraux's trial the fact that he had married twice be would contribute ten pound each to con after the rebellion Thomas Kavanagh tween these dates; his first wife Elizabeth test the petition and levy the rest on the gave a verbal reference stating that Dev Butler died in 1822. He had by now fa farmers. The Sentinel urged JKL to pre eraux, as already stated a deserter from thered fourteen children and had also vent his priests carrying out such a thing. the Borris yeomanry, had always con buried his brothers Morgan ( 1803), Wal It also accused Fr. Walsh of encouraging ducted himself well while, in the Borris ter (1813), and his son Walter (1820). 72 a boycott of those men who signed the corps. 66 Kavangh did not seem to hold When Catholic Emancipation had passed address to Kavanagh. It urged Kavanagh the same level of bitterness as others after in 1829 the political scene changed to take action against the tenants that the rebellion even though he had good quickly. 73 Emancipation had not been voted against him. 79 The petition stated reason to. granted, it had been taken. The Protestant that many persons had been registered Bishop of Armagh, Lord John Beresford that had not subscribed the oaths required Several instances during the Rebellion predicted that Catholics would not rest by law and that others were registered would have caused both the Kavanaghs until they had overthrown the Protestant that had not sufficient value while others and the local inhabitants to consider with establishment. 74 The clergy in Borris had not been in possession for the neces great suspicion their co-inhabitants of would have undoubtedly agreed. Still the sary six months previous to the election. 80 Borris. The burning of the small village power was with the landlord as the vote The Committee returned a verdict against of Kiledmond by the rebels would have was public and it would take a brave man Kavanagh and Bruen on qualification of infuriated the locals both Protestant and who would publicly vote against his the voters objected to, and the Petition Catholic. 67 The slaughter of the locals at landlord. 75 The battle for allegiance be against Blackney also failed. 81 The Sen Kilcumney by Sir Charles Asgill and his tween landlord and clergy began with tinel, 4th May 1833 called Father Walsh government forces would live long in the vigour. In the 1830 election, another an "ignorant agitator, a man processing locals' memories. It is estimated that up landlord Horace Rochfort whom they de less knowledge of Latin or polite litera to one hundred and forty men women feated opposed Kavanagh and Bruen. An ture than one of our office messengers, and children were killed indiscriminately indication of things to come was the riot "A vulgar imperious demagogue regard by Asgill's troops. 68 The inhabitants that broke out in Carlow on the 3rd day less of the consequences". It also threat would also remember the burning of the of the poll Wednesday the 11th August, ened to refer a speech made by Fr. Walsh town of Borris by the rebels who were 1830. Polling had to be deferred until the in Ballymurphy Church to the British unsuccessful in their assault on Borris House. On the government side the burn Table 1 ing of over one hundred Protestants at nearby Scullabogue would not be easily Year Canditates Political Affiliation Votes 69 forgotten. In particular the description 1826 Thomas Kavanagh Conservative Unopposed in George Taylor's book of the slaughter Henry Bruen Conservative Unopposed at Scullabogue is chilling in its detail. The same author, however, brushes over 1830 Thomas Kavanagh Conservative 216 the flogging of prisoners before the re Henry Bruen Conservative 242 bellion and fails to mention the locals Horace Rochfort Liberal 174 killed at Kilcumney and rather intimates that everybodykilled there was during Walter Blackney Repealer 657 battle. 70 All these massacres on both sides Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS KAVANAGH AND THE PEOPLE OF BORRIS 1 790-1 837 House of Commons and urged the impo vanagh for lands in Ballinagrane. There Coroner for County Carlow between Mr. sition of martial law. 82 was also an ejectment order against the Sunbury a Protestant and a Mr. Gorman parish priest of St. Mullins. This priest Fr. a Catholic. Kavanagh backed the By August 1833, it would appear that Ka- Martin Doyle was the organiser of the Catholic candidate while the Walshes backed Sunbury. When Gorman was 1832 Thomas Wallace Liberal 657 elected the Sentinel heaped praise on Ka Henry Bruen Conservative 483 vanagh but also Gonnan who they de scribed as a Roman Catholic Gentleman Thomas Kavanagh Conservative 470 of character. The new Coroner would 1835 I" Election Henry Bruen Conservative 588 have a crucial part to play in Borris dur 88 Thomas Kavanagh Conservative 587 ing the year. The 1835 elections would prove to be the most bitter and hard Maurice O Connell Liberal-Repealer 554 fought in the history of Carlow. The Tory Michael Cahill Liberal-Repealer 553 candidates Kavanagh and Bruen were On Petition Bruen and Kavanagh unseated and new election called ready for the election and won the seats narrowly from Daniel O Connell's son Maurice and Michael Cahill. On petition Kavanagh and Bruen were unseated and 1835 2nd Election Nicholas Vigors Liberal-Repealer 627 a new writ issued. In the subsequent elec Alexander Raphael Liberal 626 tion Alexander Raphael and Nicholas Ay Thomas Kavanagh Conservative 572 lard Vigors defeated Kavanagh and Bruen. On petition from Bruen and Ka Henry Bruen Conservative 571 vanagh, Raphael and Vigors were un On Petition Vigors and Raphael unseated and Kavanagh and Bruen declared elected seated and Kavanagh and Bruen were declared elected. 89 lnfim11ation courtesy o/John F. Scott, The Elections in Carlow. Carloviana 1996 and Donal A Select Committee Enquiry in to the pe lffcCartney, Parliamentary Representations and Electoral Politics in Carlm,: s3 titions and the elections probed the grubby politics at play during the elec tion. It appears that after Daniel O Con vanagh had also had enough of the priests Tithe protest in Graignamanagh. It re nell 's son had been defeated in the first and those who opposed him. The Sentinel ported that the land was property of Mr. election in 1835 his father effectively of reports that Kavanagh had begun to take Carroll of Wicklow and Fr. Walsh has fered the seat to Raphael for 2000 action against those who voted against been in possession for 20 years. Although pounds, which Raphael paid over, only to him. It details how he employed the Walsh had paid his rent he held the land discover afterwards inaccuracies in some means of demanding arrears to bring his with others who had not. Kavanagh again of what O Connell had relayed to him. tenants to heel. The Sentinel also reported demanded arrears and as a result of non Raphael claimed that he had been misled that ricks of turf belonging to Fr. Walsh payment all were ejected totalling sixty by O Connell, a charge that O'Connell Jnr. had been wantonly damaged, hinting in number. 85 If the clergy had their loop denied. An offer from O'Connell of a that it may have been carried out by those holes to avoid the Tithe Proctor the land Baronetcy for Raphael also fell through. influenced to vote against Kavanagh. Fr. lords also had theirs to get rid of This infuriated Raphael so much that he Walsh replied to this editorial denying troublesome tenants. The land was set to would not contest the petition and Ka that any of his turf had been destroyed. four Protestants for the purposes of win vanagh and Bruen were elected.90 They had it seems been knocked down ning subsequent elections according to by accident and the locals responded to the Kilkenny Moderator. The individual O'Connell escaped censure for his actions this misfortune by bringing the turf home who took up Walsh's land apparently be by claiming that the money went to ex to the priest the following day. Edmund came ashamed of his actions and gave up penses but it certainly caused a stir in Car Hagarty of BmTis replied to this letter in the land. Walsh again took possession of low but also as far as Parliament in no uncertain manner by declaring Fr. the land. 86 This story was carried in other London where O'Connell was severely Walsh was telling lies. He described how papers such as the Morning Registet; criticised for his role in the mattcr. 91 K.T. Fr. Walsh had declared from the altar in Evening Mail, Evening Packet and the Hoppcn describes Carlow as one of Ire Borris how the turf was destroyed mali Dublin Evening Post. The papers go land's leading contenders in the cmrnption ciously and now he was claiming it was quiet from here until 18th January 1834 stakes, declaring that it was unambigu an accident. Fr. Walsh ofBmTis again re when Fr. Walsh Snr. is reported in the ously up for sale to the highest biddcr."2 futed this by way of letter to the Sentinel Sentinel organising a meeting, as it saw, The highest bidder in fact in this election but not too convincingly. 84 opposing Kavanagh and Bruen at next was on the Tory side. Henry Bruen ex election. The next election was over a pended £5000 on only one of the 1835 The Kilkenny Journal of 22nd October year away at that stage so the clergy were elections.93 Lack of political leadership 1833 reports of an ejectmcnt order served going to mount a long campaign. 87 would only fuel the unrest on both sides. on Rev John Walsh Snr. by Thomas Ka- Early in I 835 there was an election for To give an idea of how much Borris was Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS KAVANAGH AND THE PEOPLE OF BORRIS 1 790-1 837 split during this period; one troop of Dra the Pilot, ''Poor Kavanagh! Alas poor was keeping an eye on him. Cloney re goons and one company of the 51 st Reg Kavanagh. lfhe had not made a disgrace fused this offer and Kavanagh offered to iment were stationed in Borris during the ful connection he would have died in put him up at Borris House until he could elections of 1835.94 Desmond Keenan in peace and not have the cats and dogs of attempt to get the order rescinded. All of his book Ireland 1800-1850 writes ofbit the neighbourhood thrown into his grave fers were refused by Cloney and Ka ter infighting in Carlow in January 1835 along with him". 100 While it might be un vanagh had no choice but to aITest him. 103 between Catholics who wished to vote thinkable nowadays for a politician to Cloney later recounts how his sister made for the local landlord and the priests who make such a speech, considering the sec representations to Kavanagh about the wished to support O Connell. The new tarianism contained in the press at the treatment that he was receiving in jail and bishop Dr. Edward Nolan who had suc time this is not that surprising. Kavanagh immediately agreed to apply ceeded Bishop Doyle added fuel to the for his release. Kavanagh even went as fire by allowing political priests to can Thomas Kavanagh emerges from all of far as putting up bail for Cloney, which vass Catholic voters. 95 the disputes and altercations with a cer was refused. Cloney is in no doubt how tain dignity that many of his opponents ever that his subsequent release was It was also during this 1835 election that did not. Kavanagh never seemed to get down to Kavanagh's intcrvention. 104 This Kavanagh was accused of cooping his drawn into the sectarianism that penne is all told in Cloncy's book and he had as freeholders at Borris House. 96 This was ated many of the exchanges between the little reason to lie about Kavanagh 's con reported in the Sentinel just before the opposing factions. Several examples duct as Kavanagh had for intervening on second election of 1835. At a meeting in point to Kavanagh's generous nature, and his behalf. St. Mullins held ostensibly to protest his ability to forget previous transgres against the Tithes but really to drum up sions mark him out as a person of high By all accounts and from all sections of support for the Liberal candidates, Fr. integrity and generous spirit. Examples the media, Kavanagh 's death was a Walsh and Thomas Cloney, leader of the of these are littered throughout each source of much grieving in Borris and 1798 attack on Borris House, addressed event in his life. The example already surrounding arcas. 105 It is interesting to the gathering. Kavanagh had obviously given of John Dcvcraux's trial where Ka note that Thomas Kavanagh is not buried prior notice of the meeting and he arrived vanagh gave a positive verbal reference in the Crypt in St. Mullins Church, the with a troop of military from Gores for a man who had, as he would have usual resting place for the Kavanaghs. bridge. He seems to have persuaded his seen it, deserted his yeomanry. It would (Lady Haniet for example who survived tenants to travel with him to Borris have been quite easy for Kavangh to ei him is interred there.) This it would ap House where they were "protected" until ther ignore the request for a reference or pear was a compromise between those polling day. 97 Lady Harriet Kavanagh de to give a negative reference to Deveraux, who wished him to be buried Catholic scribes in her diaries how over sixty of but he choose to give what he felt was a and those who wished him buried a the freeholders were brought to stay by fair report. A similar situation arose with Protestant. There is no headstone erected Charles Doyne, Kavanagh 's agent, in Thomas Cloney who was the leader of to him in the cemetery. Both Morgan and July 1835 before the second election. The the second attack on Borris House in Andrew Kavanagh of Borris House be Borris House Chapel was prepared as 1798. When Cloney returned in 1803 lieve that this was a compromise between their dormitory. There is mention of ale after being transported for his part in the the locals and the family. 106 He had been and dancing and she recounts that she 1798 Rebellion he decided to settle in a fair and enterprising Landlord and had was "without sleep yesterday". 98 If this Graignamanagh, a parish adjoining Bor enhanced the village of B John Bernard Burke. A Genealogical and land, p.304.; Trinity College, Manu Transportation in the 1830s, Borris, Heraldic Dictionary of'the Landed Gen scripts & Archives Research Library Old 2007, pp. 21-22. try of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 1., Library, email correspondence on 3rd 26 Kavanagh, 'Thomas Kavanagh and London, 1847, p 663. November 20 I 0. Trinity College Dublin. his Political Contemporaries', pp.4-6. 3 P.J. Kavanagh, 'Thomas Kavanagh and The Picture of Parliment containing a bi 27 Carlow Sentinel, 4th January 1835. his Political Contemporaries' in Carlo ographical dictionary of the Irish mem 28 Ibid. viana, ii, no.26 ( 1978-79), pp 4-6. ; John bers The Origin, Constitution, Forms, 29 Edward Wakefield, An Account of1re Burke. John Bernard Burke, A Genealog Powers, And Privileges Of Parliament; A land, Statistical and Political. vol. I, ical and Heraldic Dictionary of' the Statistical List, Showing The Counties, London, 1812, p 248. Landed Gentry of'Great Britain and Ire Cities, and Towns in Ireland-the late 3° Kevin Whelan, 'An Underground land. Vol. 1, p 663.; John Ryan. The His and present Members for each-their Gentry? Catholic Middlemen in Eigh tory and Antiquities of the County of' town and Country residences-the num teenth Century Ireland', in Eighteenth Carlow (Dublin, 1833), pp. 369-371. ber of Parliaments they served in-the Century Ireland, x (1995), pp.7-25, 4 Aislinn Centre Ballyragget, The his length and breadth of each County in 27-68. ; R. Timothy Campbell, Stephen tory of Ballyraggct Lodge forn1erly The miles-its area in Plantation acres-the A. Royle, 'The Country House and its Mercy Convent, Ballyraggct, number of baronies and parishes in Demesne in County Carlow', In Carlow http://www.aislinn.ie/the-charity/historyI each-the population- the amount of Histoty and Society Interdisciplinary es 5 Kavanagh Papers, NLI. ; Burke. A Ge each class of Freeholders-the Gover says on the history ofan Irish County, ed. nealogical and Heraldic Dictionary, p nors of each County - and the principal Thomas McGrath, Dublin, 2008. p738. 663. territorial proprietors who influence elec 31 Kavanagh Papers, NLI. 6 Seamus Murphy. 'Some landowners in tions ; Together With A Variety of inter 32 Wakefield, An Account o(Ireland, Sta the County Carlow in the 1870s', in esting information relating to the house tistical and Political, vol. I, p 248. Carloviana, ii, no. 31 ( 1983), p.13 ; Irish of commons , London, 1831, p 44. 33 House of Commons, First Report from Life and Lore, Interview with Andrew 15 Finnegan, Catholic Convert Rolls, pp. the Select Committee on the State of Ire Kavanagh of Borris, 2001. 73-82. land 1825. 7 Donald McCormick. The Incredible Mr 16 Carlow County - Ireland Genealogical 34 Kavanagh Papers, NLI. Kavanagh, London, 1960, p 195. Projects, Catholic Convert Rolls. ; The 35 Wakefield, An Account o(Ireland, Sta 8 Ibid, pp. 13-14. ; Kavanagh, 'Thomas Picture of Parliment containing a biogra tistical and Political, vol. II. pp. 598-9. Kavanagh and his Political Contempo phical dictionary of the Irish members, p 36 J.H. Whyte, 'Landlord Influence at raries', pp. 4-6. 45. Elections in Ireland 1760-1885', in The 9 McCormick. The Incredible Mr Ka 17 Pcader McSuibhne, '98 in Carlow", English Historical Review, lxxx, no. 317 vanagh, pp.13-14. in Carloviana, 2005. McSuibhne in his (Oct., 1965), pp. 740-760. 10 Sister Maura Duggan, 'The Structure article described how Kavanagh had con 37 Kavanagh Papers, NLI, Dublin; of Politics and Power' in Carloviana, i, verted in 1792. It may have been as a re House of Commons, First Report from no.20 ( 1971 ), p.35-40. ; Carlow County sult of the first Thos Kavanagh listed the Select Committee on the State of Ire - Ireland Genealogical Projects, Catholic above was also from Burris, Co. Carlow. land 1825. This report confirms that this Convert Rolls Catholic Convert Rolls, There is no Esq. listed beside this person. was a common occurrence. Denis 1703-1838. Available at ix George Boyce, Nineteenth Centwy Browne's testimony to this is that "the http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/-irl Ireland, Revised Ed. (Dublin 2009), p 11. freeholders arc afraid to go against us car2/Catholic Convert Rolls.htm, ac 19 Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dic (the landlords), as they generally owe us cessed 15th February 2011. tionary ofireland. compromising the sev double what they have to pay". This is 11 Desmond Keenan, Ireland I 800-1850. eral counties, cities, boroughs, backed up by evidence from Hugh Wal Dublin. 2001, chapter 13. Keenan refer corporate, market. and post towns, lace. ence that the majority of Catholics in parishes, and villages, with historical 38 Sister Maura Duggan, 'The economic Carlow were in favour of the Union due and statistical descriptions, 2nd Ed., Vol and social scene in the County Carlow in to its perceived connection with Emanci 1, London 1840. ; Online Historical Pop the 1790s' in Carloviana, ii, no.24 pation backs this up. Opposition was ulation Reports University of Essex, (1975), p.15. ; Wakefield, An Account of strong among Protestant ascendancy; 1831 Census, www.histpop.org, accessed Ireland, Statistical and Political, vol. I, p Morgan Kavanagh, Borris House Borris on the 11th February 2011. 247. Co. Carlow telephone conversation on 20 Online Historical Population Reports 39 Whyte, 'Landlord Influence at Elec November 12th 2010. University of Essex, 1831 Census. tions in Ireland l 760-1885'pp. 740-760. 12 Morgan Kavanagh, Borris House Bor 21 Kavanagh Papers, NLI. 40 Joyce, John, Graiguenamanagh A Var ris Co. Carlow. Email correspondence 22 McCormick. The incredible Mr Ka ied Heritage, Graigucnamanagh, 2009, 6th January 2011. vanagh, p28. p43. 13 Francis Finegan, 'The Irish Catholic 23 McCormick. The Incredible Mr Ka 41 Ibid. Convert Rolls', in Studies: An Irish vanagh, pp.27-8. 42 Ibid, p45. Quarterly Review. xxxvl 11, no. 149 24 Kavanagh, 'Thomas Kavanagh and 43 Finn :s- Journal (Newspaper), January (Mar,. 1949), pp. 73-82. his Political Contemporaries', pp 4-6. 3rd 1780, p 4. 14 The Journal of the Royal Historical 25 Tom Murphy, The Fathers Walsh of 44 Kavanagh Papers, NLI. and Archaeological Association of Ire- Borris Political Intrigue, Murder & 45 Ibid. Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS KAVANAGH AND THE PEOPLE OF BORRIS 1 790-1 837 46 Kinsella, Mick, Edward N. Moran and nary essays on the history of an Irish ris, pp. 25-27. Conor Murphy. Kilcumney '98 Its Ori County, ed. Thomas McGrath, Dublin, 79 Ibid. gins, Aftermath and Legacy. Gores 2008. p569. 80 House of Commons, The Minutes of bridge, 1998, pp. 27-28. 63 T.B. Howell, Thomas, Howell. A Evidence and Proceedings taken before 47 Ibid, pp. 32-36 Complete Collection of State Trials and the Select Committee on the Carlow Bor 48 Ibid, pp. 27-39; Maura Duggan, Proceedings for High Treason and other ough Election Petitions Part II, Printed 'United Irishmen, Orangemen and the Crimes and Misdemeanours from the 17 July 1839.; House of Commons, re 1798 Rebellion in County Carlow', In earliest period to the year 1783, and con port from the Select Committee on Car Carlow Histmy and Society Interdiscipli tinued from the year 1783 to the present low Election Petitions; together with the nary essays on the histmy of an Irish time, Proceedings on the trial of John De minutes of Evidence taken before them, County, ed. Thomas McGrath, Dublin, veraux, junior of Shilbeggan in the Printed 11 March 1836 2008. p562. County of Wexford, for rebellion; tried 81 Ibid. 49 Ibid, pp. 47-8. ; Duggan, 'United before a court martial, holden at Cork, on 82 Murphy, The Fathers Walsh o/Borris, Irishmen, Orangemen and the 1798 Re the 27th, 29th and 30th days of Novem pp. 25-27 bellion in County Carlow', p560. ber, on the 2nd ,3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 83 McCartney, Parlimentary Represena 5° Kinsella, Moran, Murphy, Kilcumney I 0th, and 11th days of December, and on tion and Electoral Politics in Carlow, '98, pp. 64-69. the 6th and 9th days of January: 40 p497. ; Scott, The Elections in Carlow, 51 John Ryan. The History and Antiqui George III. A.O. 1799-1800, vol. xxvii, p.37. ties of the County of Carlow (Dublin, London, 1820, pp. 1137-1189.; Kinsella, 84 Murphy, The Fathers Walsh o/Borris, 1833), p 321. Moran, Murphy, Kilcumney '98, pp.64- pp. 11-45. 52 Ibid. ; Sir Richard, Musgrave. Mem 69 85 Ibid, pp. 35-45. oirs of the Different Rebellions in Ire 64 Ibid, p45. 86 Ibid land, quoted in Kinsella, Moran, Murphy, 65 Cloney. A personal narrative of those 87 Ibid. Kilcumney '98, pp. 47-57. transactions in the county Wexford, p 83. 88 Ibid, pp.47-50. 53 Daniel Gahan, The People's Rising 66 Ibid. 89 McCartney, Parliamentary Represen Wexford 1798, Dublin, 1995, pl67; Mc 67 Kinsella, Moran, Murphy. Kilcumney tation and Electoral Politics in Carlow', Cormick. The Incredible Mr Kavanagh, '98, p78. ; Maura Duggan, 'United Irish p497. p28. men, Orangemen and the 1798 Rebellion 90 House of Commons, The .Minutes of 54 Joyce, Graiguenamanagh A Varied in County Carlow', In Carlow History Evidence taken before the Committee on Heritage, p 54.; Maura Duggan, 'United and Society Interdisciplinary essays on the County Carlow Election Petition (Mr Irishmen, Orangemen and the 1798 Re the history of an Irish County, ed. Arthur Trevor) Ordered, by the House of bellion in County Carlow', p569. Thomas McGrath, Dublin, 2008. p576. Commons, to be printed 11 May 183 7. ; 55 Gahan, The People's Rising Wexford 68 Cloney, A Personal Narrative of those McCartney, 'Parlimentary Represenation 1798, pp.167-8. ; Kinsella, Moran, Mur transactions in the county of Wexford, and Electoral Politics in Carlow ', p496. phy. Kilcumney '98, p56. pp. 83-88. ; Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Ed 56 Kinsella Moran, Murphy. Kilcumney 69 Ibid, pp.44-51. inburgh, xxxyiii, July-September 1835, '98, p56. 70 Taylor. A history of the rise, progress pp. 720-30. 57 Joyce John, Graiguenamanagh A and suppression of the rebellion in the 91 The Annual Register, or a view of the Town and its People, 2nd Ed., Graigue county of Wexford. History, Politics, and Literature of the namanagh, 2001, pl43. 71 Kavanagh Papers, NU. year 1836, London, 1837, pp. 181-204. 58 Thomas Cloney. A personal narrative 72 Kavanagh Papers NU. 92 K.T. Hoppen. Elections, Politics and of those transactions in the county Wex 73 Elizabeth Malcolm, ' 'The Reign of Society in Ireland, 1832-85, (Oxford, ford, in which the author was engaged, Terror in Carlow': The Politics of Polic 1984), pp. 77-84. during the awful period of 1798. Dublin, ing Ireland in the Late 1830s', in Irish 93 Malcolm, "The Reign of Terror in Car 1832, p 50. Historical Studies, xxxii, no. 125 (May, low', pp.64- 65. 59 Ibid, 2000), pp.64- 65. ;Donal McCartney, 94 Murphy, The Fathers Walsh ofBorris, 60 George, Taylor. A history of the rise, 'Parliamentary Representation and Elec p89. progress and suppression of the rebellion toral Politics in Carlow ', In Carlow His 95 Keenan, Ireland 1800-1850, chapter in the county of Wexford in the year tory and Society Interdisciplinary essays 13. 1798, Dublin, 1829. ; Edward, Hay. His on the history of an Irish County, ed. 96 McCartney, 'Parliamentary Represen tory of the Irish insurrection of 1798. Thomas McGrath, Dublin, 208. p495. tation and Electoral Politics in Carlow ', New York, 1847. 74 John F. Scott, The Elections in Car p496. ; Murphy, The Fathers Walsh of 61 David Byrne. Hibemicus or The Mem low', p.37 Borris, p48-50. oirs of An Irishman now in America, 75 Kavanagh, P.J. 'Nicholas Aylward 97 Ibid, p48. quoted in Kinsella, Moran, Murphy, Kil Vigors M.P. 1786-1840' in Carloviana, 98 Diary of Lady Harriet Kavanagh, Bor cumney '98, p52. 110. 30, 1983, pp. 15-19. ris, County Carlow, which makes a num 62 Ibid, pp.44-52. ; Maura Duggan, 76 John F. Scott, 'The Elections in Car ber of references to the elections in 'United Irishmen, Orangemen and the low', in Carloviana, no.44 (1996), p.37. County Carlow, c 1835-1839 (PRONI, 1798 Rebellion in County Carlow', In 77 Ibid. 0/3235, 3617), Carlow History and Society Interdiscipli- 78 Murphy, The Fathers Walsh of Bor- 99 Bolger, Coonogue Evictions, p60. ; Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS KAVANAGH AND THE PEOPLE OF BORRIS 1 790-1 837 McCartney, 'Parliamentary Representa 102 Joyce, Graiguenamanagh A Town and vanagh, Interview Irish Life and Lore. tion and Electoral Politics in Carlow ', its People, pl 43. 107 Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary p496. ; The London Quartc1ily Review, 1113 Cloney. A personal narrative of"those oflreland. volume )xviii, June and September 1841, transactions in the county Wexford, 108 Murphy, The Fathers Tf'alsh a/Borris. p 307. pp.150-158. p 7. 100 Murphy, The Fathers Walsh ofBorris, 104 Ibid, pp.166-167. pp. 194-195. 105 Murphy, The Fathers Walsh ofBorris, 101 Cloney. A personal narrative ofthose pp. 194-195. transactions in the coun(v Wexfi1rd, 1116 Morgan Kavanagh, email correspon pp. I 50-158. dence 17th February 20 I l, Andrew Ka- Some have gone, some have faded Garryhunden Gate Lodge Carloviana 2013-14 I~vCaiJ-iev[;t~A~w-rv of I velcvvul, T~ of CC<¥Low ( No-rtfvK~ W~18tfv& 19-tfvlvfety. Brendan Delaney, Archive & Heritage Manager ESB Business Service Centre On Saturday 18th May at 10.00 am a operation at the time of the visit and Monsignor also invited the Group to visit group from the Industrial Heritage IHAI members had a rare opportunity to the Library in Carlow College to view the Association oflreland led by Dr Michael view the detailed working of this stunning Harry Clarke stain Conry, !HAI member and author of mini-scheme at very close quarters. glass windows. several important publications on various aspects oflreland's cultural heritage was The group then proceeded to Later in the afternoon Pat O'Neill, met by Martin Nevin local historian at Clogrennane Lime Works, one of the Chairman of Carlow Historical & Carlow Train Station. The THAI's two oldest surviving companies in Co Archaeological Society gave a short day programme of visits commenced Carlow, where they were welcomed by briefing to THAT members on their with a talk from Martin on William Joe Connolly who made an excellent activities and "Carloviana" which has Dargan ( 1799-1867) Carlowman & presentation on the history and current earned the reputation of being one of the Railway Engineer at the plaque in the operations of the company as well as best Historical Journals in the country. Station dedicated to Dargan who is conducting a guided tour of the works. The afternoon session in the Visual Art perhaps one of the greatest engineers this Centre was concluded by a wonderful country has ever produced. At one time A very enjoyable lunch was provided in lecture by Paul Lyons on the history of Dargan was the largest railway projector Lennon's Award Winning Restaurant sugar production in Carlow including a m Ireland and one of its before THAI members were provided full briefing on the operation of "The greatest capitalists. with a conducted tour of the very Trish Sugar Company". This lecture was impressive Visual Arts Centre by of huge interest to !HAI members and The next destination for the Group was a Monsignor Kevin O'Neill who provoked a very lively and interesting visit to Milford Mill hosted by John highlighted some of the key design question and answer session. Alexander who briefed the group on the features of this landmark building. The history of his family and the Mill. The Group learned that Carlow Town was the first town in Ireland ( 1891) to have an electrically powered public lighting system which was put in place by the Alexander family replacing the old Gas system. A modified hydro-system still provides electricity to the National Grid and John Alexander explained how the present hydro system still operates. The !HAI at Clogrennane Limeworks with Dr Michael Conry and Martin Nevin Kaplan turbine was in Courtesy: Dr Colin Rynne Carloviana 2013-14 THE INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND On Saturday evening following a Dinner provided a wonderful insight into the Museum. The Coal Mining Museum at the Dolman Hotel local man, Edward heritage of some of the older buildings comprises a 45 minute tour through M Byrne who is a member ofIHAI gave including the main House which was Castlecomer's coal mining past. The a very informative talk on traditional occupied by both the Cooke and Bruen exhibition is an interactive multi-media building materials. Edward's superb families. John Hogan Station Manager display that takes the visitor on a journey knowledge and mastery of his topic provided a very informative tour of the through time. Starting with the formation ensured the talk was stimulating and grounds which included a briefing on the of the coal 300 million years ago, it enjoyable as he challenged many operation of the National Meteorological brings the visitor through more than 300 "stereotypes" including the definition of Station sited in Oak Park. years of coal mining history to the what should constitute a closure of the mines in 1969. "Protected Structure." The last destination for the IHAI Group was the Discovery Park in Castlecomer. The IHAI would like to record their On Sunday morning the Group enjoyed The Group enjoyed a great lunch at the appreciation to the many individuals and a wonderful tour of the facilities in Oak Jarrow Cafe before being given a organisations that assisted with the Park which is the Headquarters for fascinating introductory talk on the preparations to make our visits to all Teagasc. Presentations were made by history of coal mining in Castlecomer these locations so informative, enjoyable Paddy Browne Head of Research on the and its environs by Earl Delany. The visit and memorable in so many ways. history and day to day management of to Discovery Park concluded with an the organisation, while Pat Comeford opportunity to view the Coal Mining Milford Lodge. Ode to a Lodge The rushing sound of water, 'Tis my own dear piece of Heaven, As it flows out o'er the Weir, Down by the Barrowside, ls such a haunting melody, It nestles in a wooded Grove, 'Tis music to the ear. It is my greatest pride. The Old Mill stands beside the Bridge, It's been there o'er a century, Majestic, oh so tall, And hasn't changed therein, Its turbines still churn out their power, The old brick walls and roof of Tin, To light up every hall. Ha(f doors that welcome in. A hundred years have come and-gone, The open fire ablazing bright, Many changes it has seen, With logs from 'round-the grounds, In my dear little Mi(ford Lodge, Makes such a warming glow at night, No changes have there been. The peace it knows no bounds. By the gates to the manor House, The stillness o(the morning ai1; Long may I live my life ofease, Away from the maddening throng, In my little Lodge where I have found, The noise is broken only by, Contentment, Joy and Peace. Birds thrilling out their song. D.M. Christmas '98 Carloviana 2013-14 A Vv a.recv of Co-: Ca.rlow venow vteei for th Name Address Died Age Patk Bolger Ballinrcc June, 1974 94 Tim Brennan Knocksquire December, 1974 92 Anne Brennan Knocksquire October, 1980 91 Catherine Brennan Ballinree January, 1917 100 James Coleman Knockroe June, 1958 89 B Curry Knockroc November, 1961 89 Paul Doyle Rathanna November, 1976 86 Michael Doyle Rathanna Rathanna 96 E Doyle Knockroe February, 1915 87 Maria Kirwan Knockroe July, 1945 90 James Doyle Raheen December, 1981 86 Luke Doyle Raheen April, 1951 86 Andy Doyle Ballymurphy January, 1981 89 Ml. Kehoe Knocksquire June, 1945 90 Luke Dwyer Ballinrce May,1980 84 Simon Neville Ballinree April,1980 84 Ellen Furlong Knockroe December, 1977 89 Mary Kavanagh Rathanna May,1897 86 Laurence Lawler Ballybrack November, 1874 82 Maria Lawler Ballybrack November, 1889 80 Mary Kay Lawler Ballybrack November, 1970 80 Maria Lennon Rathanna February, 1946 84 Patk. McDonald Rathanna (Tomduff) November, 1948 84 Andrew McDonald Rathanna (Tomduff) January,1950 89 James McDonald Rathanna (Tomduff) May, 1956 87 James McDonald Rathanna (Tomduff) August, 1980 80 Ellen McDonald Rathanna (Tomduff) February, 1977 90 Patk. McConnack Knockroe June, 1916 87 Thomas McDonald Rathanna August, 1983 95 Ann McDonald Killedmond September, 1961 90 James McEvoy Knocksquire May, 1896 94 Mary Murphy Rathanna February, 1840 94 Mary Murphy Rathanna May 1880 80 Mgt. Murphy Rathanna May, 1836 94 Mary Murphy Rathanna May,1980 80 Mgt. Murphy Rathanna July, 1981 93 Patk. Murphy Rathanna December, 1902 90 Richard Myers Ballinree February, 1932 84 William Murphy Ballinree May, 1941 84 Richard Myers Ballinree July, 1962 95 John O'Neill Killedmond December 1961 84 Mgt. Scully Rathanna July, 1977 88 Matt Scully Rathanna June, 1980 86 Mary Shannon Rathanna January, 1977 87 Marcelia Breen Ballybrack June 1849 108 Nicholas Blanch Coonogue April, 1950 88 Path. Bolger Rathgeran November, 1937 84 Julia Breen Knockmore August, 1957 88 Mary Brennan Ballymurphy February, 1980 85 Hanna Byrne Ballymurphy May, 1953 84 Gerald Byrne Ballymurphy August, 1958 87 Bridget Byrne Ballymurphy November, 1958 85 Simon Byrne Ballymurphy January, 1949 94 Ml Byrne Ballymurphy February, 191 7 JOO Thomas Byrne Ballymurphy February, 1975 86 Carloviana 2013-14 AN AREA OF CO. CARLOW RENOWNED FDR THE LONGEVITY OF ITS PEOPLE Peerie Coady Ballymurphy December. 1982 86 Murt Coleman Ballybrack March, 1823 88 Mary Doran Coonogue June. 1839 86 James Doran Coonogue April, 1888 90 Ml Doran Ballymurphy December, 1905 93 Frank Doyle Ballymurphy January, 1943 88 John Doyle Ballymurphy February, 1946 86 Ml Doyle Ballymurphy February, 1894 88 Chris Doyle Knoekmore January, 1970 90 Pat Doyle Knockmore December, 1974 97 James Doyle Knockmore May, 1978 93 Pat Fenlon Bal lymurphy June, l 942 90 Mary Fogarty Ballymurphy February, l 912 92 Thomas Hanlon Ballymurphy January, 1966 89 Ml. Hayden Ballymurphy April, 1877 90 Brigid Hennessy Ballymurphy July, 1979 98 Edward Joice Ballymurphy January, 1922 95 Pkt. Joyce Ballymurphy January, 1845 89 John Joyce Ballymurphy March, 1837 88 Pkt. Joyce Ballymurphy January, 1964 93 James Ryan Ballymurphy July, 1975 93 Art. Kavanagh Ballybrack April,1924 93 Anne Kealy Ballybrack April, 1927 93 Wm. Kealy Ballybrack May, 1981 88 Pkt. Kennedy Ballybrack May, 1972 90 Jack Kennedy Ballymurphy February, 1984 91 Maty Lennon Ballymurphy August, 1948 87 Luke Long Ballymurphy February, l 977 93 Pkt. Molloy Ballymurphy January, 1919 89 Brigid Meaney Ballymurphy September, 1963 91 Ann Murphy Ballymurphy September. 1869 90 John Murphy Ballymurphy September. l 927 96 Catherine Murphy Ballymurphy October, 1864 92 Andrew Murphy Ballymurphy July, 1883 90 Thomas Murphy Ballymurphy May. 1960 92 Ma1y Murphy Ballymurphy December, I 893 90 John Murphy Ballymurphy February, 1968 91 Thomas Murphy Ballymurphy March, 1954 90 Stephen MuJTin. Ballymurphy March, l 941 88 Brigid O'Connor Ballymurphy February, 1981 91 Art Phelan, Ballymurphy February, 1943 98 Elizabeth Phelan Ballymurphy February, 1948 96 James Redmond Ballymurphy November, 1891 90 Brigid Ryan Ballymurphy May. 1929 89 Johanna Ryan Ballymurphy December, I 922 90 Michael Shaughnesy Ballymurphy October, 1928 92 Pkt. Tobin Ballymurphy February, 1962 91 The Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland (IHAI) on a visit to Milford Mill on Saturday 18th May. There they were met by John Alexander who gave them a tour of the generating station. Carloviana 2013-14 In Pursuit of Paradise CARLOW'S GARDEN HERITAGE Mary Stratton Ryan Introduction The following article on County Carlow's Garden History, 600c-2013 is the result of an oft'-shoot of explorations to the many interested enquiries the authoress received following her Car/avian article in last years issue on Jonathan Swift's Carlow Connections. Swift's friendship with Sir William Temple ( 1628-1699) of The Turrets, Staplcstown Carlow and of Moore Park Farnham, led to interesting developments in Irish Garden History. Temples Gardens in The Turrets influenced many other Carlow Gardens of the 17th century and his book "Upon The Gardens of Epicu rus or of Gardening in the Year 1685 sets Sir William Temple Ladv Dorothy Temple nee Oshorne Carlow Garden History on a pedestal of hy Sir Peter Lely NPG Artist unknown importance in the annals of European Garden Literature, for it was here in Car 696 in South Co Carlow on the banks of should be a foretaste of heaven. The next low 1656 that Temple first planted the the River Barrow between the Blackstairs garden of impmiance, was placed at the seeds of his gardening philosophy and Mountains and the Brandon Hills. head of the Church, this was a Paradise practise. Famous for its beautifully illustrated Garden filled with flowers and manuscript The Book of Moling held in ornamental shrubs, from which the "The use of Gardens according to Sir Trinity College Library, the original flowers that adorned the altar William Temple as it has been the Monastery was ravaged by the Viking were chosen. inclination of Kings and the choice of invaders in 951 and by fire in 1138. philosophers, so it has been the common There is an illustration in The Book of The Vegetable Garden, was essential as favourite of public and private men; a Moling of plans for the building of the monks ate more vegetables and fish than pleasure of the greatest and the care of Monastery and its Gardens. 1 other foods. The range of vegetables the meanest; and indeed an employment grown was small, for example coleworth, and a possession for which no man is too The walled gardens of the monastery the ancestor of cabbage, parsnip, leeks high nor too low". followed a similar plan to other European and onions were common. Silvcrweed, Gardens and were divided into a central and mustard were also planted. The -Sir William Temple.1628-1699. garden placed at the heart of the vegetables, healing herbs, fruits and monastery, this was named the Cloister berries produced in the gardens supplied Early Monastic Gardens. Garth, which was a quadrangle of the household as well as the local corridors surrounding a lawn along markets. Lavender was grown to perfume Carlow's earliest formal Gardens were which monks walked to meditate, study rooms and beeswax used to make the enclosed walled gardens of Monastic and pray. The garden was a green space candles, the community was a wonderful settlements established along the River with no plants. This emptiness at the example of self-sufficiently, using only Barrow and the River Slaney. Amongst heart of the cloisters symbolized the natural resources around them. the earliest was the St Mullins Monastery mystery of God. In accordance with or Hem1itage founded by St Moling 614- mediaeval thought a monastery garden Within these enclosed gardens the Carloviana 2013-14 In 'Pursuit of 'Paradise - CARLOW'S GARDEN HERITAGE members of the community toiled to the Gardens. 3 He went on to write that the Butlers most famous family members sounds of a hoe, the chime of a bell woods were illuminated with a large was Pierce Butler 17 44-1822 signatory accompanied by music of birds song and number of Lamps, placed in regular of the American Constitution. To day the chant of a prayer. They tended their rides, after the manner of Ranelagh. The within its walled gardens there is a bee-hives and with all this busy buzz of beautiful Cascade is adorned with elegant wonderful organic vegetable garden industry produced sweet honey for mead statues, some Originals brought from cared for by the desccndents of the same and elderflower wine to go with salmon Italy. Although the life of a Garden is Butler family. and trout from the River Barrow. seasonal and short Burton Hall gardens today are still carefully tended and Rose Hill -Altamount. Saint Willibrord. very beautiful. On the opposite bank of the Slaney from Another very important monk St. Ballintemple and the Knights Templar. Ballintemplc there is a site which housed Willibrord, 680c originally from both a Monastery and its sister house or Northumberland, came to study at the There were many monastic settlements nunnery known as Rose Hill, now called Monastery of Clonmclsh (Rathmclsigi) in Carlow. Lewis's Topographical Altamont Gardens, Tullow. The Georgian in Garryhundon, Co. Carlow one of the Dictionary of Ireland states that in 1837 house is build on an ancient 12thc largest and most important monastic there was at Ballintemple "the ruins of foundation of very thick walls and arrow settlements in Ireland. Its gardens were an old church, beautifully situated on the slit windows. The Garden was created by extensive providing food for over one margin of the River Slaney". All the Fielding Leckey Watson and his daughter thousand monks and visiting pilgrims. In evidence would suggest that Corona North, descendents of the famous 690 Willibrord embarked on a mission to Ballintemple belonged to the Knights Carlow Huntsman John Watson. The the Low Countries and became Bishop of Templar, it was their sanctuary, while on Watson family were of the Quaker faith Utrecht and the national saint of leave from the Crusades. The Knights who settled in Co Carlow in the 1640s, Luxembourg. 2 The Monastery Gardens Templar were established in 1119 by the Fielding Leckcy Watson moved into of Garryhundon survived and developed Papacy to protect pilgrims travelling to Altamont in 1923. over the centuries. In the I 8thc Samuel Jerusalem. By 1129 they had come under Molyneux and William Chetwood wrote the influence of St Bernard ofClairvaux, Some of the highlights of this beautiful about the ·magnificent gardens in founder of the Cistercian Order. The garden, are its walled garden, its Garryhundon. Inl 749. Molyneux saw" a lands of Ballintemple were donated by commcrativc garden to Corona North nee very pretty new improved garden of William Marshal after his marriage to Watson, in which a new boarder has been grass, greens, gravel etc. A large Bason Aoife, Strongbows daughter in the late created with strong links to the history of and fountain in the middle of the 12th century, to the Knights Templar. 4 Irish Gardening, including a Ligularia Garryhundon garden and a noble Canal They created well planned productive found by the plant hunter Dr Augustine at the end of it". gardens on the banks of the River Slaney Henry( 1857-1930) ,and a Tibetan rose ,as well as building castles and gardens collected by Seamus O'Brien. Old Burton Hall. at Killerig, Leighlinbridge, Muincbheag French roses for example the heavenly and Tullow. William Marshal, Lord of scented snow white Rosa Mme Hardy. Samuel Molyneux describes the gardens Leinster, founded a Cistercian monastery Splendid trees among them, the white at Burton Hall Carlow, as being ·• after by the waters of the Duiske stream at flowering hankerchicf tree (Davidia the new manner" Grass and Gravel and Graiguenamanagh c 1204. One of the involucrate ), Liriodendron tulipifcra they arc indeed handsome, particularly finest preserved monastic churches in (Tulip Tree) Wellingtonia the Bowling Green and a large gravel Ireland is the Cathedral at Old Leighlin. (Sequiadcndron giganteum) and a walk at the end of the wood. On either In 630 A.O. a very significant church collection of ancient Irish oaks. hand is prettily cut into Walks and synod was held there to set the date of the Avenues to the Garden. ceremony of Easter worldwide. The 5thc. The woodland walks and the One Romanesque Church ruins at Killeshin Hundred Steps of Carlow granite were William Chctwood writes a lengthy on the Laois- Carlow boarder is an influenced by Irish born gardener description of this famous Carlow excellent example of the masons craft, William Robinson, ( 1838-1935) whose Garden at Burton Hall, which estate sat with beautiful carvings. The first ideas about natural gardens or wild on the boarder of Carlow and Kildare. In Carmelite house in Ireland was founded gardens inspired the movement that is his Tour Through Ireland 1749, he writes; in Leighlinbridge c 1270 by the still recognised as the English Cottage The Avenue that leads to the beautiful Barrow Bridge. Garden Movement. He advocated House is at least an English mile long ... planting flowers for a more natural effect. a wood not forty years old, cut into The Butler Family's long association The lee Age Glen, The lily covered Lake, variety of Vistas. The house is much the with Ballintcmplc which began with The riverside Walk. The Temple of the same age as the wood. He also describes Thomas Butler who built Clogrennan Four Winds and the Wisteria Walk all a stone wall nine feet high surrounding Castle close to the banks of the river lead one on a magical journey around the estate and at the end of a vista a statue Barrow and the Clogrennan Hills, had at Altamont. It is cared for today by the of a Gladiator a Good copy of that one period 30,000 acres of Carlow land Office of Public Works .5 finished Original now in Hampton Court including Ballintemple. One of the Carloviana 2013-14 In Pursuit of Taradlse - CARLow's GARDEN HERITAGE Huntington Castle Gardens, Clonegal. Heritage on a pedestal in the annals of many ways Temple rewrites Epicurus. Irish Garden History. His writings which While in Carlow Temple also translated Huntington Castle, named after the include the influential essay of Ancient for Dorothy, Virgil's great poem Esmond families estate in Lincoinshire and Modern Learning and his Memoirs "Georgics", 2,000 lines based on farming was built by Sir Laurence Esmond in and Correspondence reveal him as a and of man's relationship with the land. 1625 and named Huntington Castle by writer of balanced prose. Most important his grandson. It was Clonegal Abbey, from a Carlovian perspective, is his book We learn valuable practical knowledge and its village Cluan na nGall translates '' Upon the Gardens of Epicurus; or of from Temple and can easily apply it to into "Meadow of the Foreigners" Sir Gardening in the Year 1685." After his today's garden. Although little remains of Laurence Esmond used the Irish oak maITiage to Dorothy Osborne in 1655, he his gardens at Staplestown, there are the beams and Carlow granite stone from the moved with his new wife and first born ruined arches of his house The Turrets original priory and part of the Abbey, son, five month old John to his father's ,this is due to the great credit of the built by the Franciscan monks in the 13th estate in Carlow, arriving on I 0th May present owners, an ancient tower and century to build his new castle. The 1656. Here he spent five full years and evidence of the walled garden whose monks had planted a fine garden and also two further years part time ,both farming shape is still outlined and preserved as a Yew Tree Walk with one hundred and 1,500 acres and developing his well as the gateway leading past the twenty yews. Today their evergreen surrounding landscape. He created a beautiful perfect little estate church of branches arc woven together in the most wonderful garden in which he introduced Staplestown. beautiful natural architectural form, many new trees ,fruits and plants into the mirroring the ribbed vaults of a great Carlow landscape. The Turret's garden Temples first Garden was The Turrets at green Cathedral. which included, a walled garden and a Staplestown, he made another Garden at woodland garden as well as a deer park, Sheen and later created his beloved More Sir Laurence married an Irish woman with the river Burren running through it. Park Garden near Farnham in Surrey Ailish O'Flaherty from Connemara, The village developed into the self based on Moor Park in Hertfordshire the grand daughter of the Pirate Queen Grace sufficient, model village of Staplestown, subject of his eulogy. O'Mallcy. However Ailish did not settle with its own Mill, Forge, Coach House , in Clonegal and stoic away with her baby the Crown Inn and everything held When he died in 1698 he bequeathed his son Thomas, back to her family. Sir within its triangular shaped settlement heart to the little spot of Mother Earth Laurence did not waste time before with its apex formed by Temples Turrets near the sun-dial in his beloved Garden taking a new wife! On his death his son and Gardens. The Castle on top of Castle in More Park (this spot now lost and Thomas who was brought up by the Hill and The Crown Inn formed the other unmarked ) and the rest of his ashes rest O'Flaherty's in Connemara, inherited two points of this triangle.6 A daily in Westminster Abbey. Cloncgal.[ 6] however he spent most of Coach from Dublin to Kilkenny stopped his life fighting in France and Spain. at the Crown Inn and Coach House so the In the world of Gardening Literature Sir family were not isolated. William Temple will be remembered for To day the avenue to the Castle is lined his reference, in his book to Chinese with magnificent French lime trees, In his book on Gardening he draws on a Gardens and his phrase "Sharawadgi" of leading to a conservatory perfumed by life time of first hand experience as a "Careless Grace". The word itself has Jasmine Amongst its treasures there is a passionate gardener, and a well travelled long puzzled scholars, a wonderful splendid vine grafted from a Hampton garden visitor, Temple borrows from Chinese whisper-word which Temple Court vine presented to Anne Boleyn by Montaigne the story of Heraclitus who used to describe the Chinese spirit of the Cardinal Wolsey. In the carpeted green turned away from disputations and public Perfect Garden. lawns one finds a classical statue of affaires and quit the government of his Atlanta. An Italian Garden, a Bog city to retire to his garden. Temple, did Temple had never visited China, but had Garden, water features, and a bountiful the same thing and found tranquillity of conversed with many who had, and he vegetable and herb garden all nestle close mind in the Garden. He was inspired by studied paintings, drawings and silk to the Castle. In the cellars of the Castle the Greek philosopher Epicurus who embroideries of Chinese Gardens. is a modern Temple dedicated to the passed his whole life in "The Garden"; it Egyptian goddess Isis. Within the estate was there that he studied, exercised and The first real accounts of Chinese chapel is an ancient sacred well known taught philosophy. Gardens came in Father Jean Denis as St Brigid's Well famous for its Attiret's (1702-1768) famous letter home healing powers. Temple admires certain qualities that from his little studio inside the sacred were an integral part of the spirit of the walls of Ch'ien-lung, the Emperor's The Turrets ,Staplestown and ideal Athenian Garden- namely the Summer retrca t- The Garden of Perfect Sir William Temple. (1628- 1698) sweetness of air, the greenness of plants, Brightness - which was published in the pleasure of their scent and above all Paris in 1749 and translated into English Sir William Temple of The Turrets, the sense that only in the garden can a in 1752. Later all things Chinese, both Staplestown, (also known as man achieve that exemption from cares Chinoiserie and Sharawadgi would cause Ballinacarrig) renowned diplomat and and solicitude that promotes the case of a fascination in both Garden and Interior author, sets Carlow's Gardening both body and mind. Design in Europe. Temple could be Carloviana 2013-14 In Tursuit of Tarad1se - CARLow's GARDEN HERITAGE considered, far in advance of his time as Tree or Paulownia p. tomentosa also Oak Park - Forest Park. the original organic or eco gardener. His called a Foxglove tree from China, on protege Jonathan Swift continued his which Lady Rathdonnell has written an Once home of the Bruen Family, 11 the ideals by encouraging gardening among article in Irish Garden's Magazine. A present house is the result of four periods his friends throughout the Irish splendid flowering Euoryphia, a rare of remodelling between 1707-1902. It is Landscape. Lengthy correspondence ldesia polycarpa is royaly robed in large occupied today by the Agricultural with his friend Pope in England gives heart shaped green leaves and striking Research Centre. In the last century Oak great insight into his work in this area, es scarlet stems. An arched yew walk and a Park was the essence of self-sufficiency pecially the development of the Roman small walled garden, a pool and rock with its own sawmill, sourcing raw tic-Poetic Garden, which was a garden are all perfectly placed.9 material from the surrounding woodland. particularly Irish development at this pe 1t had a deer park, extensive fruit, riod.8 Borris House Gardens. vegetable and flower gardens. A walk through these woodlands, is a wonderful 19th Century Carlow Gardens. Borris House, a magnificent walled experience especially in early spring estate of 600 acres is the ancestral home when they are filled with bluebells and The allure ofa Secret Garden epitomised of the McMurrough Kavanagh 's. wild Carlow violets. Colour coded in Frances Hodgson's Burnett's book, Although the house has seen many circular walkways of varying lengths "The Secret Garden" extends far beyond changes, it has been rebuild, altered and with excellent accessible surfaces and its outstanding literary qualities, where enlarged since the original keep was built easy gradients make it enjoyable for all. "depending on how you look at things in the 9th century. It holds an honourable They include Butlers Wood Loop, The you can find the whole world in a position in the Carlow landscape, holding Lake Path, Fox Covert Track, and Sally Garden." Many people may desire a fast to the Kavanagh Charter Hom which Island Trail. All walks arc Wheelchair hidden garden -private, secluded, has been in the family for centuries. accessible and ideal for picnics with over beautiful and sometimes even neglected Numbered among its treasures is the 120 acres of mature mixed species and overgrown, sheltering and enclosing Shrine of St Moling's Book, a bronze and woodland with a predominance of beech, one making the occupier or visitor silver box decorated with rock crystals oak, scots pine ,silver fir, larch immune from the upheavals of the and enamel inscribed with a date of 1642. and sycamore. outside world. Inside it birds sing, St Moling who was Bishop of Fems was flowers bloom, the air is fresh and a clan member of the McMurrough Kilgraney Herb Gardens. fragranced. It is a very powerful theme in tribe. 111 literature and Art, from the Garden of Although few full scale monastic or Eden, the paintings of Paradise, in early The woods which surround the house are convent gardens survive completely Persian Manuscripts to the Madonna's filled with ancient well cared for trees in tact the convent garden of the Poor Garden, the hortus conclusus of and young saplings, a Fairy Walk, and a Clares, Graigcullen is a fine example. Medieval times, the giardino segreto of Victorian garden are all The most splendid of all convent the Italian Renaissance the Impressionist carefully tended. Garden's in Co. Carlow was the walled Garden to our Modern Gardens. garden adjoining the Convent and Chapel of the Presentation Sisters, Muinebheag which survived until the early 1980s and Lisnavagh Gardens. Hardymount Gardens. has been replaced today with a modern rose garden. One may visit a modern In Carlow we can trace clearly our In Hardymount Gardens one will find interpretation of a medieval Monastic garden history from the early 600s to the one of the two most splendid specimen's Herb Garden in Kilgraney where this present day. Amongst our finest gardens of Spanish Chestnuts in Ireland and Herb Garden on a Summers day is as is Lisnavagh, home of the McClintock magnificent Beech and Oaks. A sensually alluring to people as it is to Bunbury family. The gardens in addition wonderful walled garden behind the bees and butterflies the warmly aromatic to the house were designed by Daniel house contains many unusual plants and marjoram with the small purple flower Robertson in 1850, who also designed flowers in the herbaceous border, this clusters that bees love; the delicate Powerscourt in Wicklow and Johnstown garden is the canvas of a very passionate feathers of aniseed-scented fennel, the in Wexford. Lady Jessica Rathdonnell's and skilful gardener. It is filled with heady tang of chamomile, parsley, sage, creative skills, her hard work and that of Californian tree popies Chinese rosemary and petite leaves of spicy her family have ensured that the Gardens foxgloves, Persian shield's, Blue thyme, mints and bergamot. There is so continue to be an inspiration and a agapanthus, plum scabious, elegant much to explore, within a series of delight to visit .Eye catching elements in penstemon and splashes of velvet orange interconnecting herbal gardens. A large Lisnavagh gardens are its mixed and yellow nasturtiums, tall hollyhocks kitchen garden or potager, as well as a tea herbaceous boarders, shrubberies and its ,red hot pokers (kniphofia) rose beds, walk, and a medicinal herb courtyard informal natural woodland gardens, a herbs, vegetables an ancient sundial and which is surrounded by an Irish colourful collection of foxgloves, Fine a wisteria tunnel all create many Oak Cloister. Trees for example an impressive elements of a French Impressionists Wellingtonia and a magnificent Empress Garden. Carloviana 2013-14 In Tursuit of Taracfise - CARLow·s GARDEN HERITAGE The Most Glorious Garden Village mixture of formal and informal Duckett in 1825, casts a fairy tale spell of Leighlinbridge. landscaping. It has beautiful sculptures on the Carlow landscape and is worthy of and it is a wonderful facility for visitors a Walt Disney film set. It was this year A great sense of pride and work to of all ages and interests. the perfect setting for the very successful preserve and enhance this beautiful and ever growing Irish History Festival, village, is the inspiration for the tireless held in June, and The Plein-air Painting energy the community of this unique Pride of Place event in honour of Carlow artist Frank village displayed in the range of gardens Ballon 's Wild flower Garden. 0' Meara held as part of the Bennekerry designed and built by the Gathering in July. local community. The village community of Ballon have planted wild flowers on the approach and County Carlow may well be the second These gardens commemorate several exit to their village one is greeted with smallest county in Ireland, with three aspects of village life. sapphire blue cornflowers, poppies, hundred and forty -six square miles of corncockles, followed by a cascade of rich arable land, however every sod one They include The Millennium Garden colourful hanging baskets and flower turns holds a rich history. It's soil hosts a which contains seven individual themes filled tubs. There are many towns and vibrant tapestry of wild flowers, lime using local materials and plants to tell the villages in Carlow, all with great "pride loving plants such as wild cowslip, water story of life. The Themes, are creatively of place". The community from adults to parsnip, purple harebells, wild orchids, displayed as follows: local primary school children make a ragged robin, scarlet pimpernel, Tranquillity, Happiness, Friendship, great and admirable effort, sometimes for cornflowers, ox-eyed dasies and poppies Reconciliation, Hope, Harmony and the tidy town competition but always to name just a few. Splendid trees, for Eternity. with an excellent community spirit and example oak, hazel, hawthorn, beech, sense of fun. common ash, silver birch, willow and For Music lovers The Vivaldi Garden is grey poplar are common in the fields, based on Vivaldi's musical concerto The lt is a delight to see meadow flowers pastures and on the riverbanks of the Four Seasons and is based on four formal growing on The Long Acre, as well as River's Barrow, Slaney and Burrcn. gardens. hosts of primroses, cowslips and golden 0 gorse on the road side banks and Garden Festival and Trails • The Garden of Remembrance beside the roundabouts,all provide a welcome River Barrow commemorates the men refuge for insects and wildlife, as well as Now in its twelfth year the very who lost their lives in WWI. a blaze of colour. successful Carlow Garden Festival gives visitors a wonderful opportunity for The Sculpture Garden is dedicated to Duckett's Grove, Rainstown restored budding or seasoned gardeners and three of Leighlinbridge's most famous gardens. nature lovers to obtain practical advice offspring Cardinal Patrick Francis Moran from some of Irelands best known and who was Australia's first Cardinal, John Due to the foresight and industry of the most respected gardening personalities. Tyndall, the mountaineer and scientist Carlow Co. Council, who in September and Captain Myles Keogh 2nd in 2005 acquired Duckett's Grove 12 and set Armed with Carlow Tourism's two Command to General Custer who was about the mammoth task of restoring two brochures Carlow:~ Garden Trail with killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn inter-connecting walled gardens. It was eighteen garden treasures and Carlow's in 1876. officially opened in September 2007 for Trail of the Saints with fifty one use as a public park, and is one of ecclesiastical gems, incorporating three This Glorious Village with its wonderful Carlow's finest garden treasures. The fascinating Trails of St Patrick, St., Mol Gardens is the winner of many Gold first garden the Upper Walled Garden has ing and St. Lazerian it is well worth Medals including the European Entente been planted with ancient shrub roses, while, when embarking on a journey "In Florale 2001, Gold Medal Winner in the and a fine collection of Chinese and Pursuit of Paradise" to "Follow me up to Tidy Towns 2004-2010, winner of Japanese peonies. It is also planted with Carlow"! Carlow's inaugural Pride of Place 2004, flowering shrubs Echium, Watsonia, and the National Pride of Place 2003, Acanthus, Javellana, Daphniphyllum, Endnotes; overall winner in the Barrow Awards Cornus and ornamental bananas. 2001& 2003 and Carlow's Floral Pride 1 The museum in Saint Mullins, Carlow. winner all around. The second garden The Lower Garden Trinity College Library- The Book of' was once the site of the family's orchard, Moling. Delta Sensory Gardens. now contains a variety of fruits, berries, and a special historical collection of 2. Article on Saint Willibrord by Dermot This Modern Garden opened to the Irish Apples. Mulligan, Museum Curator, Carlow public in May 2007 consists of sixteen Heritage, Carlow Co. Council (sec web interconnecting gardens. The Award Its magnificent Castellated Gothic site.) winning gardens have a therapeutic focus revival style of architecture designed by and benefits people of all abilities. It is a Thomas A Cobden for John Davidson 3. Lost Demesnes Irish Landscape Carloviana 2013-14 In 'Pursuit of 'Paradise - CARLOW'S GARDEN HERITAGE Gardening 1660-1845. by Edward Walsh N.T. "Carloviana" 1948. Carlow Gentry, by Jimmy O'Toole, pub. Malins & The Knight of"Glin, ppl3-14. by The leinster Leader Ltd.,Naas, Co. & pp 31-52. re Jonathan Swift. Mrs 8. "Carloviana", 2012, Jonathan Swift's Kildare. 1993. Delaney and Friends. Pub. by BatTie & Carlow Connections. pp 32-41. by Mary 12. Duckett Family of Duckets Grove, Jenkins Ltd.,1976. Stratton Ryan. Carlow Gentry by Jimmy O'Toole, pub. by The leinster Leader, Naas, Co. 4. Ballintemple; Dark Knights, Blue 9. Lisnavagh Gardens, Guide to Irish Kildare. 1993. Bells, by Turtle Bunbury. (see web site Gardens by Shirley Lanigan, ill, by for book list and articles.) Aileen Caffrey. Pub by O'Brien Press, lllustrations: Dublin. 2001. pp 3-13. 5. The O.P.W. brochure onAltamount. I. Portrait of Sir William Temple by Sir 10. Borris House, History of the Mc Peter Lely NPG 6. Huntington Castle History by Turtle Murrough Kavanagh's in Carlow Gentry 2. Portrait of Lady Dorothy Temple nee Sunbury. (see web site for book list and by Jimmy O'Toole. Pub. by The leinster Osborne. (artist unknown) Broadlands articles.) Leader Ltd, Naas, Co. Kildare. 1993. Coll. 7. History ofStaplestown c 1660 by". 11. Oak Park and the Bruen Family, A viewfimn thefountain in Bagenalstown in the 1940s Photo: Courtesy Tommy Lawler A viewfrom thefountain in Bagenalstmvn in 2013 Photo: Martin Nevin Carloviana 2013-14 Nicholas O'Toole of Hacketstown James P. Shannon icholas O'Toole was born in emerged as a natural leader. the 21st Hussars from Carlow, com 1842, the son of Nicholas O' manded by Major Collier and Lieutenant N Toole of Scotland, Hacketstown With the establishment of the Land Fowler; a company of the 2"d Battalion of and his second wife Frances O'Connell League at the end of the 1870s Nicholas the Oxfordshire Light Infantry from the of Rathnagrew, Hacketstown (] 8 I 3- first made his mark. He and John Lyons Curragh, under Captain Douglas and 1885). There were two other children of ofBallykillane were the two most promi Lieutenant Delzel, and a party of con the marriage, Michael, who emigrated to nent Land Leaguers in the Hacketstown stabulary under the command of Mr. the United States and settled in St. Paul, area. They organised the movement in Hickson, S.I. The entire operation was Minnesota, and Sarah, who married the locality and threw themselves enthu overseen by two Resident Magistrates, Michael Kealy of Ballasalla, Hacket siastically into the struggle to achieve Major Forbes, R.M. from the Curragh stown. ownership of the land for those who and Captain A. M Hutchinson, R.M. worked it. When the government eventu The first wife of Nicholas senior had ally decided to get tough with the League A sizeable crowd of neighbours had gath been a widow Fogarty and there were both of them, along with Edward P. Kelly ered to show sympathy and support, but two children of that marriage, Ann, who of Main Street, Hacketstown, who was no disturbance occurred. The two O' - married a Roche of Eagle Hill, and James secretary of the local League branch, Toole families quietly surrendered pos (1811-1883) who married Mary O'Neill. were arrested as "suspects" under the Co session of their residences to the ln the words of Nicholas's great-grand ercion Act and lodged without trial or Sub-Sheriff. Nicholas's wife and family son, the late Kevin O'Toole, "the mar charge in Naas Prison. [They were sus took up residence in the local corn mill riage of James O'Toole and Mary pected of advising tenants on the Guin where they remained until they were re O'Neill didn't work out very well for ness estate to refuse to pay rent in instated in their holding some months Nicholas, the father, so he divided the accordance with the "No Rent Mani later. holding of eighteen Irish acres and built festo"] This happened on December 1st the house we are living in and married 1881 and they remained in prison until Nicholas O'Toole played a full part in the again." Family folklore holds that the two the end of March the following year. This sporting and community life of his area. men divided everything equally between of course burnished their credentials as In 1875 he had been a member of the them, down to the spoons on the dresser. popular leaders and martyrs for the cause, committee that raised funds to establish Whether the parting was amicable we but it must necessarily have involved a brass band in Hacketstown. In Novem don't know, but they certainly took no hardship for the wives and young fami ber 1883 he was one of a number of men precautions to keep any barrier between lies who depended on them. who met in the Courthouse, Hacketstown them. Nicholas built his new house for the purpose of trying to get the pro within a few feet of the old family home, While they were in jail the owner of the posed Baltinglass-Tullow railway exten then occupied by James and his wife, and estate, Charles Davis Guinness, pro sion to come by way of Hacketstown. A for generations afterwards the descen ceeded to carry out a number of evictions deputation was sent to meet the Directors dants of the two continued to share the for non-payment of rent. [Mr. Guinness of the railway, but nothing came of it. same water supply, a pump located in was in an unenviable position. He had re Nicholas's farmyard. Furthermore when cently, on coming of age, inherited the es In December 1883 Nicholas chaired a they divided the land they took every sec tate from his grandfather, Charles Davis, meeting of prominent citizens in Kealy's ond field rather than trying to ensure that but along with it he had inherited a debt hotel for the purpose of considering the each would have his few acres together of £4,500 which in those days was quite advisability of establishing a race meet in a convenient parcel. Both farms have a sum. Now he found that his creditors ing in the town. The meeting decided to grown considerably over the generations, required to be paid, but that his tenants go ahead and the races were duly held in but as a result of this arrangement some were engaging in a rent strike.] Among January 1884. Nicholas acted as one of of the land of each is surrounded by the those selected for eviction were Nicholas the stewards at the meeting, which was other. O'Toole, who was still in Naas Prison, successful in attracting a large crowd of and his half-brother James. According to spectators to watch the horses run "over Nicholas O'Toole junior in the course of the Carlow Sentinel they "held, under a very nice course under the brow of time inherited his father's holding and in one lease, snug farms, with comfortable Eagle Hill. "ii 1867 he married Bridget O'Connor of residences." i The suggestion was that Rathnagrew ( 1850-1905). He was a man they were refusing to pay rent out of sol Nicholas was also involved in the Hack of considerable ability and initiative. As idarity with the Land League, and not be etstown G.A.A. club, becoming a mem the son of a small tenant farmer in nine cause of any inability to pay. ber of the committee of that club on its teenth century Ireland his educational op reorganisation after a threatened split in portunities were severely limited, but his On the day of the evictions the Sub-Sher early 1889. He also took an interest in innate abilities enabled him to achieve iff, Mr. Jameson, was taking no chances hare coursing. At a meeting in Ballykil considerably more than might have been and he ensured that he had plenty of lane in March 1900 his dog "Focus" was expected of one so circumstanced and he backing. This was provided by a troop of beaten in the second round of the Mem- Carloviana 2013-14 NICHOLAS O 'TOOLE OF HACKETSTOWN bers' Stakes by the eventual winner. At and Lyons, including legal challenges to on the latter's death. The Chairman re the 1904 meeting another dog, "Madadh the validity of some of the votes cast in fused to allow any motion unconnected Dubh", after being beaten in the first their favour. This however had been ex with the business of the board. Mr. 0' - round of the Hacketstown Stakes, went pected and the Nationalists had their own Toole read his resolution anyway, which on to win the Consolation Stakes for him. legal representatives, Mr. Paul Brown was as follows: "That this board offer to and his brother S.J. Brown, who suc the next of kin of the late Mr. W.E. In the year 1883, he and John Lyons were ceeded in beating back these challenges. Forster their hearty condolence in consid elected to the Board of Guardians of Shil It was a difficult struggle and the count eration of the eminent services he ren lelagh Workhouse. They were to serve as took all of three days, so determined was dered the National cause by his efforts in Guardians for many years. Of the two the Conservative legal challenge and so driving discontent under the surface, John Lyons was the more prominent in steadfast the refutation of it by the Brown thereby saving our leader much anxiety, the sense of being the acknowledged brothers. Nicholas O'Toole in a letter to because by so doing he brought the best leader, but Nicholas was no mere fol the Nationalist, dated April 14th 1886, as men to the front: and as a consequence lower. He had his own principles and his cribed the victory of the Nationalist can Home Rule to our land many years be own ideas and he became a very active didates (by a margin of 46 votes) to the fore it otherwise would come. Overlook and outspoken advocate for nationalist success of these men in "spiking the great ing altogether the gentleness of the rights and for social justice. guns" of their opposition.;, deceased in using buckshot to shoot down Irish peasants instead of bullets, we When the next Board of Guardians elec In 1887 the Conservatives nominated Mr. wish copies of this to be sent to the tion came round in March 1884 the Con W.E. Jones once again, accompanied on proper quarter by our clerk." The Chair servative party in the area fielded two this occasion by a Mr. Hopkins of man refused to put this resolution to the candidates, Jones and Hinch, in a very Stranakelly. This time around they almost board and Mr. O'Toole said he would determined effort to unseat Lyons and succeeded in unseating Lyons and O' - propose it again at the next meeting.' O'Toole. Making full use of the regula Toole, principally by arranging to have a tion that allowed proxy votes, they col number of Nationalist supporters disen At the next meeting of the Shillelagh lected no less than 75 such proxies. They franchised on grounds of non-payment of Board of Guardians on April 30'h 1886 almost succeeded, but when all was over rates. However the sitting Guardians Nicholas O'Toole again came into con the Nationalist candidates emerged vic managed to hang on, though by a margin flict with the Chairman, Mr. R.V. torious with 129 votes each to the Con of only four votes. The defeated candi Lawrenson, J.P., D.V.C. The background servatives' 114. The return of the winners dates appealed the result and in July 1887 was as follows: Fr. Boland, Parish Priest to Hacketstown on the evening of this tri a sworn inquiry was held in the board of Hacketstown had served for the previ umph was marked by enthusiastic victory room of the Shillelagh workhouse. Mr ous year as a member of the Committee celebrations. "The brass band, followed Paul Brown once again ably defended the of Management of the Hacketstown and by an immense crowd, marched through interests of the Nationalist Guardians and Coolkenno Dispensary District. To be el the streets playing National airs. The pop the result of the enquiry was that the igible for membership of this committee ular PLGs addressed the crowds at Local Government Board decided that he needed to be a resident in the relevant length, explaining their actions in the the election result should stand. district and paying rates in the district of boardroom, and returning thanks for the at least £30 per annum. It had emerged honours done them by the people. Rev. P. As a member of the Shillelagh Board of that while Fr. Boland did pay that amount Boland, P.P., also addressed the people, Guardians Nicholas O'Toole always of rates some £3 of it was in respect of and during his remarks said, the best showed his Nationalist convictions and property in an adjoining district. The proof of the valuable services rendered frequently his combative side. In an age Board of Guardians had appointed him a by Messrs. Lyons and O'Toole was to be when political divisions ran deep and re member of the committee for the current found in the Orange "ring" that had been sentment of British misgovernment in year subject to the sanction of the Local formed for their overthrow.";;; Ireland was widespread it was not un Government Board. (At the meeting that usual for public men to be emphatic in made that decision Nicholas O'Toole In the 1885 election Messrs. Lyons and their use of language, and certainly this stated that Major Newton, who had re O'Toole were the only candidates nomi particular public representative was not marked that the law must be observed, nated. Their political opponents evidently in any way inhibited in expressing his "should have lived 150 years ago when saw no hope of unseating them on this deeply held beliefs. there was a price on a priest's head.") occasion. The Hacketstown branch of the The Local Government Board had now National League had been ready to cam The first meeting of the new Shillelagh written to the Board of Guardians stating paign vigorously in their favour if they Board on April l 6'h 1886 provided a good that Fr. Boland was not qualified to act as had been opposed, but in the event this example of his outspokenness. During a member of the committee in question. was unnecessary. the division on the election of a chairman The Chairman said that that created a va and vice-chairman he called a newly cancy on the committee and he was pro The following year the Conservative in elected Guardian, Mr. Jones, a "common posing to fill it by appointing somebody terest made another attempt to defeat usurper," and referred to another member else. Mr. O'Toole objected to this and the them. Mr. Jones of Woodside, Hacket of the board as a "snake-like informer." result was a long argument between him stown, and Mr. Bobby Taylor ofTinahely He then announced that he wished to pro self and the Chairman. Mr. O'Toole were the candidates nominated against pose a vote of condolence to the friends wanted to propose a resolution, but the them. The Conservative backers used of the late Chief Secretary, Mr. Forster, Chairman was reluctant to allow him to every possible means to defeat O'Toole Carloviana 2013-14 NICHOLAS O 'TOOLE OF HACKETSTOWN do so. Eventually John Lyons and others a revolver, let alone an asked the Chairman to read out Mr. 0 ' - old muzzle loader." Toole's resolution, which he did. The res olution was, "that this board regret their The Nationalist in Jan inability to keep the Rev. P. Boland on the uary 1891 published an committee, he having more than suffi other letter from cient rating only for a slight geographical Nicholas, this one relat difficulty: and we request the Local Gov ing to the Parnell split ernment Board to strike out the word that had followed the "therein" from section 7, relating to dis verdict of the divorce pensary committees, in order that we may court in the O'Shea v. still keep Fr. Boland, who is most effi Parnell case. In this let cient, retained on the committee." ter Nicholas came out strongly against Parnell The Chairman was unwilling to have and rejoiced that almost anything to do with this resolution, which all those who had been he described as "ridiculous nonsense." his comrades in Naas He asked Mr. O'Toole if he wanted an Prison were of like Act of Parliament changed in order to ac mind with him on this commodate his "slight geographical dif issue. He pointed out ficulty." To this query Mr. O'Toole coolly that he had been a loyal replied, "Certainly." supporter of Parnell, that he and the other After further argument the Chairman Hacketstown "suspects" eventually put the resolution to the board had been quite happy to and it was carried, but he recorded his pay their rents and need own protest against its being forwarded never have seen the in on the minutes. vi side of Naas Prison, but that they had obeyed the In this particular incident Nicholas O' "No Rent Manifesto" & Toole showed the dogged side of his when Parnell issued it, Mr. Mrs. Nicholas O 'Toole character. He persisted in pushing his res in an effort to get their olution, despite the hopelessness of the leader freed from Kil- Nicholas continued active in the anti-Par situation. Even his colleague John Lyons mainham. Furthermore at the time of the nellite cause. In August 1891 he and John recognised and openly stated that the res Parnell Testimonial he personally had Lyons were among the Hacketstown con olution would have no affect whatever on marched from Hacketstown to Killamoat tingent at a great public meeting of the the Local Government Board, but as far with the Hacketstown Brass Band, carry anti-Parnellite National Federation held as Nicholas was concerned his side had ing a flag with the Parnell Testimonial in in Rathvilly. to be defended and he was there to defend large letters upon it. He concluded by it. Fr. Boland was restored to the com 1 giving his opinion that Parnell would be On October l 6 h 1891 the Hacketstown mittee some time later and even, in 1889, beaten even in his native county of Wick- Dispensary Committee met to appoint a became its chairman. medical officer for the Hacketstown and Coolkenno Dispensary District. The On August 23rd 1890 the Nationalist car His next epistle was published in the Na members divided along political (and ried a letter from Nicholas O'Toole in tionalist on June 27r1i 1891. An anti-Par sectarian) lines. The Hon. H.W. which he complained of the action of Mr. nellite M.P., Jeremiah Jordan, unaware Boscawen proposed the election of Dr. Kennedy, the Resident Magistrate, who that Fr. Boland was on his deathbed, had Jackson. John Lyons proposed Dr. Es had refused to grant a gun license to called on him in connection with the monde .. Nicholas O'Toole, supporting Nicholas's son. Nicholas argued a per forthcoming Carlow by-election. A Dr. Esmonde, said that as a Catholic doc suasive case in which he said that he crowd of Parnellites had gathered and tor in the person of Dr. Esmonde had ap could see no moral objection to "a young loudly expressed their feelings. Mr. O' - peared on the scene he felt obliged to man in his leisure hours amusing himself Toole was outraged at the lack of respect vote for him. He and his fellow with a gun and learning how to use it." If to the dying priest which this conduct guardians, he said, had learnt that lesson Mr. Kennedy had done as he asked ac showed, and he condemned it in unam from the Protestant guardians in the room cording to the statute there would have biguous language, calling on all those who were never known to miss an oppor been no illegality. Now, of course, his son with votes to use them against the Parnel tunity of supporting men of their own re would carry the gun illegally. Would he lite candidate. He deplored the fact that ligion, therefore it was necessary for be anything the less dangerous to the "it would seem as if groaning and insult them to go and do likewise.viii state on that account? He concluded by ing the clergy is a necessary accompani saying, "I daresay that if my son joined ment to Parnellism-gone-mad, as it has The vote was then taken and Dr. Es Smith-Barry or Neddy Hamilton's gang become quite the custom, and even while monde had the support of seven members he would soon get a license to carry even I am writing it is going on." - John Lyons, PLG; Nicholas O'Toole, Carloviana 2013-14 NICHOLAS O'TOOLE OF HACKETSTOWN PLG; Pierce Butler, PLG; John Kelly, meet their views he would now move a be gorgeous? PLG; E.J. Ferris, PLG; and Pierce Butler. resolution in a different shape to that of See the lustre it will shed on the reign of Dr. Jackson had six supporters - Hon. his former one on the subject. He did not the Georges. H.W. Boscawen; Major Newton; W.E. think it was either ridiculous or nonsen As I will show they had sense, though Jones, J.P.; A. Lawrenson; T.F. Haskins, sical or that the Board would be made a history so cruel PLG; and John Young. Dr. Esmonde was laughing-stock ofby adopting it. He was Says of them that the last was only a fool. thus elected, the first Catholic doctor ever sorry to see that the people were going to Now r hope you will pass this and show elected in the Shillelagh Union. the dogs in this way, and that there were to every stranger so many tramps coming into the house. That we will act the part no longer of the In late 1896 Nicholas embarked on a dog in the manger, campaign to rectify what he saw as an Chai1man -1 don't think that is what the And have it sent to every board that cir outrageous and unchristian injustice. The people complain of, but they complain cles round Athlone, Shillelagh Board of Guardians had made that while they have to work on poor And for once let them see we have a res an order that pauper tramps were to be means these gentry go about the country olution of our own. given cold baths in winter. The motiva drinking all day and then come in here at They will stop the talk of saying we are tion was tolerably clear - a tramp faced night. about to become a "patent sewer", with the ordeal of a cold bath would be For passing other people's resolutions as more likely to seek the overnight hospi Mr. 0 'Toole -A very bad state of affairs. anyone of brains can see this one is orig tality of some farmer's hayshed, thus sav I have a resolution to propose which inal and pure." ing the Union (i.e. the ratepayers) the cost might help you if you adopt it. of housing and feeding him. This drastic Chairman - What do you mean me to He then read his resolution: measure however offended Mr. 0 ' - take that for? Toole's sense of justice. Typically he went right ahead and gave notice to the "No doubt, sir, the ratepayers have just cause to explain, Mr. O'Toole -As a resolution sir. Now I Board meeting that on that day fortnight think if you pass that and send it round to he would "move to rescind the order of That it has been since and during the present reign, the other boards it will have the desired the Board for giving cold baths in winter effect. We have adopted a number of res to pauper tramps, and should the medical That the workhouses in Ireland have been made an hotel, olutions from other boards, and we will officer deem it necessary to bath them For every one of those vile tramps who be duly paying them back in their own that warm baths be substituted; and coin. whether bathed or not that they be given may feel unwell warm water with a little Vaseline to bathe From the effects of the porter she gives licenses to sell- Chai1man - I give you credit for so much their feet at bedtime."i, Unfortunately the common sense, but beyond that I will not motion failed to find a seconder and he So that when night comes on the guardians must provide beds go. I know you don't expect me to re was forced to drop the matter for that ceive that resolution. time. For all of those people to sleep off their bad heads. Mr. O'Toole I do, sir, or if not I expect He returned to the subject of tramps at a Our sole consolation for this expense and you to fix up one of your own. You are in Board meeting in May 1897, when he trouble then, the habit of cutting out anything you proposed the following resolution: "That Is to keep back their breakfast until half don't like, and I won't object if you her Majesty the Queen be requested to past ten. amend my resolution a trifle. signalise her Jubilee reign by devising What good this does the ratepayers now some means to prevent the deplorable I fail to see, After some discussion the chairman re state of society as evidenced by the num But ifwe could try just for once to agree, fused to accept the resolution and the bers of tramps and unemployed. The And petition our Sovereign on her grand matter dropped.'i English sent out millions to evangelise, day of Jubilee, Christianise, and civilise the people in To revive the old plan not altogether yet In the year 1898 the Electoral Divisions foreign countries, but they wanted civili quite forgot, of Clonmore, Hacketstown and Harold sation a great deal more at home. The And have every mother's babe of those stown were transferred from the Shille government ought to do something to customers shot, lagh Union to the Baltinglass Union, so civilise the people at home."' The chair Who tramp round disturbing at unreason the long association between Nicholas man said he did not see what they could able hours, and Shillelagh came to an end. He con do and ruled the resolution out of order. The good master or any other official of ours. tinued however to play his part in public Nothing daunted, Nicholas brought up It would be a much better plan to deal life and to represent the nationally the subject again at a Board meeting in with those crooks minded voters of Hacketstown for some June. He was sorry, he said, to sec that In this way than to be fetching them be years thereafter. tramps were still giving trouble. The last fore Mr. Brookes. time he had been on the subject he had He may send them a month down to The year 1898 also saw the passage of the been told by the members at his own side Wexford's fair city- Local Government Act, which abolished of the Board that they would support his Sad to find he can't hang them - more is the old landlord-controlled Grand Juries resolution ifhe put it in another form. To the pity. and established County Councils and If you pass this resolution, why, won't it District Councils in their place. This was Carloviana 2013-14 NICHOLAS O'TOOLE OF HACKETSTOWN a revolutionary change in its way since it sonal argument resulted between himself John Lyons won quite easily (by 209 once and for all destroyed the power of and a Mr. O'Neill who evidently felt that votes to 115 ), but the contest was a bitter the landlords in local government and ratepayers' money should not be spent on one and continued in the pages of the Na transferred it to the elected representa luxuries like tobacco for workhouse in tionalist for some considerable time after tives of the ratepayers. On the last Sun mates. The argument degenerated into a the election, with charges and counter day of February 1899 four hundred slanging match about the Boer War, then charges being thrown by the two sides at people attended a meeting in Hacket raging. Mr. O'Toole was pro-Boer. Mr. their opponents. In the course of this cor stown to select candidates for the forth O'Neill was not. Each taunted the other respondence Nicholas was described by coming elections to the new councils. Fr. with lacking the courage to volunteer for Pierce Butler as Fr. Monahan 's "able Thomas Monahan, P.P. chaired this meet the side he supported. Eventually Mr. henchman," and again as Fr. Ramsbot ing, having been proposed as chairman O'Toole was called to order by the chair tom 's ''able lieutenant." In a strongly by Nicholas O'Toole. After the chairn1an man for telling Mr. O'Neill that "Some worded reply Nicholas proudly signed had addressed the meeting at some length body must be a renegade belonging to himself "Henchman Lieutenant O' - Maurice Roche of Ballyshane proposed you." Toole," thus departing the political scene John Lyons as a candidate. James Shan in typically flamboyant manner. xviii non seconded this proposal. Nicholas In March 1901 he succeeded in having a O'Toole then delivered a long speech in motion passed by the Rural District He still continued to take an interest in support, in the course of which he greatly Council expressing strong criticism of the what was happening around him and he praised his old friend, recalling their time Coronation Oath required of the new was as fo1ihright as ever in expressing his together in Naas prison as guests of King Edward, which oath was deeply of views. When, in 1903, the clerk of Balt "Buckshot" Forster. Patrick Shannon of fensive to the king's loyal English inglass Union commented at a meeting of Eagle Hill proposed James Kealy of the Catholic subjects. As for Irish Catholics, the Board of Guardians that the fact that Hotel, Hacketstown. This nomination said Mr. O'Toole, they did not care what there were four cases of wife desertion in was supported by Lar Brennan. the king of England said or did. The res the area "spoke badly for Hacketstown" olution was passed unanimously and Nicholas was quick to reply. In a letter The meeting then moved on to select can copies were ordered to be sent to the to the Nationalist he expressed his sur didates for District Councillors. Three Prime Minister, to John Redmond, M.P., prise that neither of the sitting Guardians candidates were selected, Lar Brennan, to John Hammond, M.P., and to Tim for the area, though present at the time, Patrick Cullen and Nicholas O'Toole.'ii Healy, M.P.''i had seen fit to vindicate the good name ofHacketstown. He then went on to show In the election in early April, John Lyons In December 1901 a meeting was held in that three of the four wife-deserters were took the County Council seat, defeating Hacketstown to establish a branch of the not, and had never been, resident in the James Kealy by 180 votes to 154. Patrick United Irish League, the political organ Hacketstown area and that the fourth had Cullen and Nicholas O'Toole were isation that would operate to organise only recently moved to Hacketstown elected Rural District Councillors with support for the newly re-united Irish Par from Rathdangan. He threatened that un 132 and 122 votes respectively, to Lar liamentary Party, which had at long last less "the clerk mends his manners and Brennan's 69.xiii put the Parnell Split behind it. Nicholas that our two representatives learn to say O'Toole was one of the main speakers on "boo" to a falsehood ... I will seriously In his new capacity as Rural District this occasion and proposed a series of consider whether I will not vote for Larry Councillor Nicholas continued actively resolutions expressing support for the re Brennan next time the elections come to forward the interests of his people. We united party, calling for compulsory pur round. "xix find him in April 1900 proposing at a chase finally to settle the Land Question, Council meeting that the road from welcoming the revival of the Irish lan He continued also his involvement in the Hacketstown to Knockananna be guage, and demanding that emphasis be United Irish League, serving as chainnan widened at the corner of Peter Byrne's put on the revival of Irish industry so as of the Hacketstown branch of that organ plot at Rathnafishogue, the cost not to ex to prevent emigration.X\ii isation in 1904. In March of that year the ceed £25. Then on June 6'h 1900 he wrote branch elected him as one of six dele to the Board of Guardians of Baltinglass When the 1902 elections came round gates to the divisional Executive for the Union urging that Poor Law Relief Nicholas decided that the time had come year, and along with John Lyons and Lau should be given to an elderly couple, for him to retire from public life. He did rence Brennan as a delegate to the Na John and Catherine Lawler. His elo not go forward for re-election that sum tional Convention of the League.'' quence on this occasion failed to per mer and his place as Patrick Cullen's run suade the Board and the relief was ning mate was taken by Mr. J. Ellis of His wife, Margaret, died in 1905 at the refused. xi, In February 190 l he proposed Knocknaboley. John Lyons was again early age of fifty, and from then on he and carried a motion in the Baltinglass nominated for the County Council seat, faded out of the limelight. His family Board of Guardians that "the Medical Of but there was a bit of a split in the camp were now grown up and settled. He him ficer be requested to allow I oz. tobacco and one of the local curates, Fr. Byrne, self was not in good health and it was be weekly to the deserving inmates of the put forward Pierce Butler as a rival can coming clear that he would not much Infirm class over 60 years of age."" This didate. Mr. Lyons was strongly supported longer be able to continue running the minor act of generosity did not pass with by the parish priest, Fr. Monahan, by the farm. He carried on for a while, with the out opposition on the part of some of his other curate, Fr. Ramsbottom, and, of help of his younger children. In the end fellow Guardians. Indeed a bitter and per- course, by Nicholas O'Toole. In the end his second eldest son Nicholas, who had Carloviana 2013-14 NICHOLAS O'TOOLE OF HACKETSTOWN emigrated to Australia in 1898 and had tion. Pat determined to become a teacher Mary. She emigrated at the age of six there married Elizabeth Foley from and fill his father's place. Mrs. Quill teen to the United States and settled in the Knockananna, came home in 1911 to came out of retirement to take the job Washington, D.C. area. She qualified as take over the farm. He and Elizabeth until Pat would be ready, and in due an attorney and achieved such distinction went on to rear a numerous family of course Pat qualified and took over his fa in her profession that she was appointed their own, and in 1920 Nicholas followed ther's job, which he held until his own re as a judge of the Washington Municipal in his father's footsteps as a public repre tirement. [Pat had quite a reputation as a Court by President Warren G. Harding, sentative when he was one of four Sinn local historian and by one of the ironies becoming the first woman ever to serve Fein candidates elected to Carlow of history when the Land Commission di in that capacity. She was subsequently County Council from the Tullow elec vided the former estate, at Ballybeg, reappointed by President Herbert Hoover. toral area. Tinahely, of Major Newton, his grandfa She served with distinction until forced ther, Nicholas's, old adversary, Pat be by ill health to retire. In 1924 she visited Three other sons, Mike, Tom and Phil, came the owner of the former Newton Ireland and at an "at home" held in her emigrated to the United States, all settling residence.] honour in Hacketstown Town Hall she in St.Paul, Minnesota. Tom worked in was described by one of the speakers, Mr. the Post Office there, Phil became a Two other daughters of Nicholas and Kealy, as "the brainiest of a brainy fam newspaper editor and Mike ended up Bridget O'Toole entered religious life as ily." owning a movie theatre, and a liquor members of the Sisters of Charity and store near the stockyards. Saint Paul, an order whose mother house Nicholas himself continued to be trou was at Selly Park in Banbury, England. bled by health problems. He moved from Nicholas's daughter Sarah became a Na Frances, known in the family as Fanny, Hacketstown to his daughter, Elizabeth's tional Schoolteacher and in 1906 she entered in 1898 taking the name in reli home at Crossbridge. In time his illness married John Quill, an R.I.C. constable gion of Sister Mary Martha. She served became too bad for home care and he from Co. Kerry. After the death of her in various capacities in different convents ended his days in the care of the Little husband she went to the United States to of the order and she was one of the Sisters of the Poor in their Hospice, St. her sister Mary, but disliked America and founder members of the order's first Patrick's House, Rathfarnham, where he came home, settling eventually in Water branch house in Ireland at Kilfinane, Co. died on March 31 '' 1919. His death cer Street, Hacketstown. Another daughter, Limerick, where she was assigned as a tificate gives the cause of death as cere Elizabeth also became a National cookery teacher from 1903 to 1925. Later bral haemorrhage of three years' Teacher. She was appointed assistant (1936-47) she was the Superior of the duration. mistress in Crossbridge N.S., Co. Wick Community at the order's mother house low. An interesting condition was at at Selly Park, serving also on the General i Carlow Sentinel, December 17, 1881 tached to the appointment - she would Council of the order. She died in 1965 at ii Carlow Nationalist, January 26th 1884 have to give up riding her bicycle. One the age of 96. Her younger sister Julia en iii Carlow Nationalist, March 29th 1884 would love to know just how riding a bi tered the same order in 1904 at the age of iv Carlow Nationalist, April 17th 1886 cycle offended against faith, morals or 20. She became Mother Mary Madeline. v The Wicklow News-letter, April 17th decorum, but there it was, and if she She spent all the rest of her life in Eng 1886 wanted the job she had to agree. Eliza land, and from 1925 to 193 7 she was vi The Wicklow News-letter, May 1st, beth took the job, gave up her bicycle, Novice Mistress at Selly Park and a 1885 and in 1907 she married James Mulhall, member of the order's General Council. vii Carlow Nationalist, January 17th 1891 a fanner in the area. Another sister, Brid She died at Se\ly Park in 1958 at the age viii Carlow Nationalist, October 24th get, had meanwhile married a local of 74. 1891 farmer, Edward Ellis of Ballasallagh. ix Carlow Nationalist, January 2"d 1897 Of all Nicholas's children the one who x Carlow Nationalist, May 22nd 1897 The third teacher in the family was made the greatest mark in the world was xi Carlow Nationalist, June 5th 1897 James, who became Principal of Rath xii Carlow Nationalist, March 4th 1899 meigue National School near Knock xiii Carlow Nationalist, April gth 1899 ananna. He lived in Main Street, xiv Carlow Nationalist, July 14th 1900 Hacketstown, and cycled to work. Appar ently it was acceptable for male teachers xv Carlow Nationalist, February 23rd to use bicycles, or else the parish priest 1901 was less concerned about such matters xvi Carlow Nationalist, March 23rd 1901 than his counterpart in Killavaney parish. xvii Carlow Nationalist, December 28th In any case the bicycle was the cause of 1901 his early death. Cycling home from work xviii Carlow Nationalist, June 14th 1902 one afternoon he fell off the bicycle on a xix Carlow Nationalist, September 9th downhill slope quite near the family 1903 homestead at Scotland and suffered head Judge Mary O 'Toole being xx Carlow Nationalist, April 23rd 1904 injuries from which he never recovered. sworn in, after her When he died, in 1927, he left a widow and five sons, the eldest of whom, Pat, reappointment by President was just finishing his secondary educa- Herbert Hoove,; 1930 Carloviana 2013-14 running the Castle and overseeing their properties. The Chief Administrator was known as a Seneschal i.e. Steward. The principal responsibility of the ADMINISTRATION Seneschal was to protect his Lord's interests in all matters large and small within the sphere of his jurisdiction. As well as being a representative of his Lord, FROM he was also an officer of the King, and when swearing the appointment to his of fice as Seneschal he also swore an oath to serve the King and account to the CARLOW CASTLE Royal Government at Dublin in all matters pertaining to the King's rightful interests within his area ofresponsibility. The income of the Carlow District IN THE derived from many sources, such as the revenues of comis, the growing and sale of grain and live stock, and the commercial activities of fairs and THIRTEENTH CENTURY markets. The Seneschal had to supervise and answer for the conduct of these and many other activities. He had to know of methods of accounting, law and court procedures, techniques of agriculture and Sean O'Shea animal husbandry, the organisation and conduct of fairs and markets, military tactics and logistics and many other matters. Some thirteen years after the death of the of modern County Carlow, part of As can be seen the Seneschal had to be Earl Richard de Clare (Strongbow,) his County Wexford and portions of present an experienced and trained official and daughter Isabel married William Le day Leix and Kildare. She was married was compensated accordingly with a Mareschal (Marshal) in 1189. William's three times. Her first husband was Hugh salary of one hundred pounds per annum grandfather John was the first to hold the Bigod, third Earl of Norfolk. They had which was considered high at that time. office ofMarshalship of England to King two sons Roger and Hugh. Her husband Henry I st, and from that office, which died in 1225. Matilda herself died in The officer next in rank to the Seneschal became hereditary, the family derived the 1248, and following her death, Roger her was the Treasure,~ whose main duty was surname. By his marriage to Isabel, eldest son, then fourth Earl of Norfolk to handle funds pertaining to the Marshal acquired the Earldom of inherited the title Mareschal of England Lordship's properties. In this respect the Pembroke and the Lordship of Leinster and Lord of Carlow. He died without Castle maintained its own Exchequer, (with the exception of the present county issue in 1270, with his honours and (Patterned after the Royal Exchequer in Dublin), and his right to the castles, possessions devolving to his nephew the England) where constables, sheriffs, buildings and lands attached to the fifth Earl of Norfolk, also named Roger. reeves and other officials submitted Lordship. He died in 1219 and was their accounts. buried in the new Temple at London. Roger died in 1306 again without issue, and with his death the Earldom of The Treasurer periodically travelled William and Isabel had five sons and five Norfolk became extinct in the Bigod about the Carlow District collecting daughters. The sons succeeded in turn to family. Roger had constituted King rents, but some areas of the District were the Earldom of Pembroke, Marshalship Edward his heir , resulting in the Lord far flung and collection was facilitated by of England and the Lordship ofLeinster, ship of Carlow becoming the property of the appointment of Receivers, usually but all the sons died young without male the crown. resident in these areas. His duties also issue. On the death of the last son included the purchase of supplies to be Anselum in 1245, the lordship of During all of the thirteenth century, the sent to the Earl in England or Wales. He Leinster was partitioned and divided period under consideration, The Marshal was also responsible for the purchase and between their five daughters or their and Bigod families were the owners of distribution of uniforms to be worn by all heirs. Matilda, the eldest daughter was Carlow Castle and the Ancient District of Administration Officers above the rank apportioned the ancient district of Carlow. They appointed Administrators of Reeve. Carlow, which at that time comprised all to deal with the complex business of Carloviana 2013-14 ADMINISTRATION FROM CARLOW CASTLE IN THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY The Treasurer had judicial powers in his (through irregular activities) his Carlow properties with the aid of his own Court of the Exchequer, with the The chief sergeant assisted by his auditors who came from England and right to impose penalties in the fonn of sub-sergeant, usually took over from the Wales. They travelled extensively fines. He maintained his office and court sheriff such routine duties as serving throughout the county district, auditing in a wooden out building adjacent to the writs, choosing juries, levying fees, the accounts, questioning the accounting Castle. Money collected was first put in collecting fines and making distraints. He officials and recording statements. They sacks of canvas or hide and then packed supplemented his income by such had considerable authority and on in chests or barrels for safe keeping, and irregularities as keeping portions of occasions issued orders to the Seneschal stored in a vault in the Castle or shipped distrained goods, accepting payments and Treasurer. One finds them ordering to the Earl's receivers in Wales. The from those wishing to avoid jury duty, lands to be bought and sold, houses built, Treasurer's annual salary was about and suppressing writs. He was frequently certain kinds of crops to be sown etc. The thirteen pounds per annum. an important landholder and could Earl's auditors were required to make occasionally have writs to serve which yearly visits. The Castle possessed considerable were inimical to his own interests. The privileges and immunities including the office could be dangerous on occasion The officials already mentioned were the right to jurisdiction in its own court over when the sergeant's duties took him to the Earl's principal administrative officers all pleas except crimes committed which border areas. and below them were a group of lesser were under the jurisdiction of the crown functionaries such as Reeves who ie rape, arson, and forestall. Constables were based in Carlow, Old supervised the daily affairs of towns and Ross, Fenagh, Forth, lnsura, and New manors through out the district. Other There were at least two narrators on the Ross. Apart from their duties being lesser officials included keepers of permanent staff in the Castle who were primarily police and military functions, meadows, bailiffs, master shepherds etc. required to be familiar with and know the constables appear as custodians of law. Their duties were specifically to account rolls, they collected rents and There are few references to native Irish safeguard the interests of the Earl in legal bought oats for seed. The constable of as part of the Earl's administrative matters and represent him in courts as Carlow, being resident m the system. None of the officers above the pleaders. There was an apparent headquarters of the administrative system rank of Reeve seems to have a truly difference in rank between the two also acquired other duties such as native Irish name. officers. The senior narrator served as a conferring with auditors and assisting the member of the Earl's council and wore Seneschal in various ways with general There is little account of the Bothach 's the same type of uniform as the seneschal administrative matters. There are many (Gaelic for free tenants) who were and treasurer. He received an annual references to the fees and duties of the directly subject to the Lord to whom they salary of five pounds. The other narrator's constable in the accounts of the castle. paid dues or services for land. One may uniform applied to the lesser officials ie. Their duties were very inclusive, almost suppose that in any event it made no constables, sheriffs etc., and while having indistinguishable from other officials practical difference to their way of life or the same duties as the senior narrator, i.e. bailiffs. prospects whether a MacMurragh King was not a member of the Earl's council. or a Bigod Earl held the lands of ancient The principal interests of the Earls were County Carlow. The sheriff of the Carlow district assisted of course in England and Wales, where the seneschal in his military and police they resided with occasional visits to duties, which at the time were difficult, Carlow. The actual control of the castle References: due to the constant presence of the Irish and properties was largely left to the The Castle and Manor of Carlow. on the borders of the area. He proclaimed Seneschal, with the Earls exercising their Lord Walter Fitzgerald statutes, executed writs and enforcement control through the interchange of Carlow in the Middle Ages. oflaw and order within the district. Each messengers and the annual visits W.F. Nugent year the sheriff made a tour of the of auditors. Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. district, holding his court in the principal towns. He was assisted in his duties by a were much more than privately fairly large staff including the chief employed postmen (unfamiliar with the sergeant. The sheriff received a salary in documents they carried). They came on the region of ten pounds each year. specific errands for the Earl about which they were well informed, and frequently The chief sergeant received no fee. On stayed for many weeks to see the matter the contrary, it appears he paid in the through. They had a certain degree of order of thirteen pounds a year for the authority, although on the whole they right to hold the office. The legal and seem to have acted through the Seneschal proper emoluments of the office are not or Treasurer in matters relating to the in clearly defined. It was, however a ternal affairs of the castle. profitable position and afforded the holder opportunities to enrich himself Control was exercised by the Earl over Carloviana 2013-14 re locations of various land marks of archaeological interest which were constantly being received from "fieldmen" According to Alice Tracey there was a strong bond of friendship, though O' Donovan admitted that his influence was unable to keep Mangan away from his great weakness, strong drink. "He cannot give up the drink" complained John. 'Now and again he writes a short poem which he composes moves like a shadow along the streets and writes in public houses in which he gets pen and ink gratis. One short poem of his exhibits seven different inks and seven different varities of handwriting, written in seven different public houses". Some time ago I met with John Mr. Shane Lawler, waited on the Bishop, Schwatschke, whose father Franz I and read an address. From 1820 onwards he adopted the remembered from when he was an middle name Clarence and after the electrical engineer with the Irish Sugar Among the teachers at Everton was famine he began writing poems with a Company at Carlow Sugar Factory back Jeremiah Joseph Callanan, whose poem, strong nationalist bent, including in the late 1950s. " Gouganne Barra," is familiar to all of influential works such as My Dark us. Another of his poems is entitled " A Rosaleen (Raisin Dubh) and ;4 Vision of In conversation with John he related many Sprig of Mountain Heather," and recalls Connaught in the Thirteenth Century. instances of his youth in Carlow Town. One his stay at Everton: particular instance should be of Mangan was a lonely and difficult man interest. He told me that Dr Green who "No more the morning mists shall break who suffered from mood swings, lived at Everton House told him that it was Around Clogrennan's towering peak." depression and irrational fears, and there that James Clarence Mangan wrote became a heavy drinker. His appearance My Dark Rosaleen in 1846. He also told me Another teacher was James McAuliffe who was eccentric, and later in life he was that two sisters by the name of Mangan also had a school in Tullow Street, Carlow. often seen wearing a long cloak, green lived in Coal Market in Carlow town and spectacle. that Charles visited them whenever he was O' Hanlon continued, it was at Everton House at Everton. He was not sure if there was also that James Clarence Mangan, Ireland's O my Dark Rosaleen, a connection. National Poet wrote, or rather translated from Do not sigh, do not weep! the Irish "My Dark Rosaleen." The priests are on the ocean green, Everton House, within the parish of They march along the deep. Killeshin, Co Laois was erected at a cost of Clarence Mangan ( 1803-1849) was the There 's wine from the royal Pope, £3,000 before the year 1820 by Jocelyn son of a fonner hedge school teacher who Upon the ocean green; Thomas, and had an excellent orchard and took over a grocery business and And Spanish ale shall give you hope, garden attached. About 1823 George eventually became bankrupt. Born in My Dark Rosaleen! Alexander Lynch opened a Catholic Dublin, he was educated at a Jesuit My own Rosaleen! Boarding College for boys at Everton. The school where he learned the rudiments of Shall glad your heart, shall give you hope, pension for boarders was £40 per annum Latin, Spanish, French, and Italian. Shall give you health, and help, and hope, and in 1823 there were 32 pupils on the roll, Obliged to find a job in order to support My Dark Rosaleen! all boarders. his family, he became a lawyer's clerk, and was later an employee of the Over hills, and thro' dales, Mary O'Hanlon in her article "The Ordnance Survey and an assistant in the Have I roam'd for your sake; Stately Homes of Carlow" ( Carloviana) Library of Trinity College, Dublin. All yesterday I sail'd with sails 1959 p23 & 24 states that: When Dr. On river and on lake. Doyle was leaving Old Derrig, which is A colleague of his at the O.S. was John The Erne, at its highest flood, quite close to Everton, the young pupils O'Donovan whose job was mostly the I dash'd across unseen, of the Academy clubbed together and translation of the place names from Gaelic For there was lightning in my blood, purchased a splendid silver vase for into English and generally preparing to My Dark Rosaleen! J.K.L. A deputation of youths, including have accurate replies ready for the queries My own Rosaleen! Carloviana 2013-14 O MY DARK ROSALEEN 0, there was lightning in my blood, 'Tis you shall reign, shall reign alone, My fond Rosaleen! Red lightning lighten'd thro' my blood. My Dark Rosaleen! Would give me life and soul anew, My Dark Rosaleen! A second life, a soul anew, Over dews, over sands, My Dark Rosaleen! All day long, in unrest, Will I fly, for your weal: To and fro, do I move. Your holy delicate white hands 0, the Erne shall run red, The very soul within my breast Shall girdle me with steel. With redundance of blood, Is wasted for you, love! At home, in your emerald bowers, The earth shall rock beneath our tread, The heart in my bosom faints From morning's dawn till e'en, And flames wrap hill and wood, To think of you, my Queen, You'll pray for me, my flower of flowers, And gun-peal and slogan-cry My life of life, my saint of saints, My Dark Rosaleen! Wake many a glen serene, My Dark Rosaleen! My fond Rosaleen! Ere you shall fade, ere you shall die, My own Rosaleen! You'll think ofme through daylight hours, My Dark Rosaleen! To hear your sweet and sad complaints, My virgin flower, my flower of flowers, My own Rosaleen! My life, my love, my saint of saints, My Dark Rosaleen! The Judgement hour must first be nigh, My Dark Rosaleen! I could scale the blue air, Ere you can fade, ere you can die, I could plough the high hills, My Dark Rosaleen! Woe and pain, pain and woe, 0, I could kneel all night in prayer, Are my lot, night and noon, To heal your many ills! (1846 To see your bright face clouded so, And one beamy smile from you Like to the mournful moon. Would float like light between But yet will I rear your throne My toils and me, my own, my true, Again in golden sheen; My Dark Rosaleen! Where are the now? The gates and railings that once formed the entrance to Carlow Railway Station Carloviana 2013-14 Miguel DeArce, 1 Deirdre McGing, 2 and Norman McMillan,3 1) Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, IRELAND l()el!fcf 2) [email protected] 3) N [email protected] b11 1 It has been noted that some writers referred to John Tyndall as "the poet of science," such was the nature of his prose. But the fact that in his youth he actually wrote poetry has remained Johtl( Tjl(lall obscured, although his poems were published in his local newspaper, The Carlow Sentinel, in the latter quarter of 1841, while he was working in Youghal and Kinsale (Co. Cork) for the Ordnance Survey. He himself, when sending his second batch of poems to the editors2, used as an excuse "the success (1811) of my previous experiment," that is to say, his first two poems, which are presented below. As he was writing for a local paper, he used a pseudonym,3 "W.S." to conceal his identity, which was reasonable in this case since the poems were of a political nature, and Carlow was in the middle of an election campaign. In presenting two forgotten poems by the Carlow physicist John Tyndall ( 1820-1893) to a general readership we are aware that this could scarcely be justified on their literary value alone. It could be said, nonetheless, that they work moderately well as poems, and that they clearly reveal a taste for words-for their meaning and sound-and a good classical education. Beyond that, the interest of the poems is mainly historic, serving to illumine two areas of Tyndall studies; they reveal his unusual cultural roots among the rural Irish Protestant tenantry, and how the fundamental lines of his own future intellectual and even his scientific work were, in an embryonic form, already there in the early 1840s, with all the parts visible in place as budding limbs are in the early embryo. The poems were found in the process of reviewing Friday's Catalogue of the Correspondence of John Tyndall in search of material for the accompanying paper on Tyndall's Carlow family. A reference was found in a letter to his father about poems that he had published in the Carlow Sentinel in October. A more detailed search of the newspaper produced six poems, of which two were unknown to the Database of John Tyndall's Correspondence based in York University (Toronto, Canada). The poems were titled Landlord and Tenant and The Battle of' the Constitution is to be fought at the Registry. A preliminary edition of the text, but preserving the punctuation as found, with comments to guide the reader to appreciate their aesthetic and biographical value, are the objects of this paper. Carloviana 2013-14 ,. Beneath a towering time which widely throws " Its bear-clad arms round, --the good old man TJ-fT POT:M.S " Resigned, his breath-his son has also trod, " Full twenty years ago, the darksome vale. " The hoary scion of this most revered stock, " I, till the spot, "here once its foliage bloomed ; Landlord and Tenant '· My daughters portioned off, a hardy son "Remained with me-the incense of whose prayer "Ascends with mine to heaven's high throne, and calls "Look on this picture - and on this" " Who gave us all-when upon blight fell, " When whirlwinds premature have wildly swept "Across earth's bosom, laying waste our fields " With desolating power-meagre and chill Nature had burst night's trammels, and the sun " Gaunt poverty has scowled upon our hearth ; From the rich glowing portals of the East- " His smile benignant ever has dispelled Had shed a flood of radiance on the plains. " The sable shades which gathered round my soul ! The accident had sent its zephyr forth "When from life's tendril, like the blighted leaf, To pour the perfume of the mountain flower " I trembling hang-in prayer my dying tongue In sweet abandon to the infant day. " Shall falter feebly forth 'God bless my Landlord.'" From every budding petal trembling hung A diamond dew-drop like the glistening tear II That lingers in the bright beauty of brilliant eye; The parting ray of the autumnal sun While her fair cheek is dimpled by a smile, Was slumbering on each ivy mantle pile The earliest ray had woo'd me from my couch Which crowned in hoary grandeur every hill. To watch the rosy wing of morning flap I neared my home -anticipation cast The murky shades of away; The shroud of time aside - each playmate dear I stood upon a verdant hill, and waxed Before me smiling stood, and breathed a welcome ; On natures chessboard which before me lay, How sweet the thought - the kind, the warm embrace In varying beauty spread-the infant ear Absorbed reflection - happy, happy youth ! Had burnt his emerald shroud and flimsily Ideal time. when an utopian wing Shrunk from the balmy breeze's bland caress. Sweet fancy gaily soars on air ambrosial ; The meadow spread its carpet to the sun, Alas! that item reality should crush On which the brightest gems in Flora's crown, Thy visionary towers -I reached my home Like topaz blushed-on the horizon's verge, And eyes that once beamed kindly passed me by In far perspective azure mountains rose, Unheedingly -dark strife had raised her flag Bathing their peaks in ether-rapt I stood, Where kindred hearts had throbbed in unison. And viewed the lovely scene-the immortal mind Expanded, and sought converse with the skies. One smiling mom, by inclination led, Acknowledging the goodness infinite, I wandered forth reflecting as I went I bowed before creation's God, and mine ! On bygone days - There is a peaceful spot A hoary occupier of the soil (thought I) where discord has not raised its head; Approached the flower-crown'd hillock where I stood' I'll to't and view fair happiness once more. I marked his placid eye-the impetuous fire I climbed a hill and from its mossy peak Which burned there once was dimmed-and in its place I viewed that scene -no smoky curl A calm and holy glow lit up its cheek. Danced on the eddies of the atmosphere. Full seventy winter on his furrowed brow Onward I went towards the happy spot Had spent their vehemence-yet smiling sat --for so I deemed it still-no sound arose Contentment there as lingers day's last beam, To wake the sleeping echoes of the shade ; In peaceful radiance on the rugged cliff. Each tree appeared to weep, as from the bough And in my kindest accents bade-"good moming" The leaflets seared and severed dropped to earth ; The customary salutation passed- A sad foreboding filled my anxious mind The weather was our theme, from that anon When what I sought now burst upon my slew ! The smiling scene which lay before our eyes. Black, desolate and dreary -roofless walls Upreared themselves, on which each passing breeze " See," said the patriarch, "where yon distant wreath Lavished a sigh-fixed to the spot I stood " Of sapphire smoke, upon the mountain air, And traced the work of ruin's ruthless hand. "Is borne sunward-where the sheltering trees "Preclude alike the sunbeam and the blast. Upon a rugged stile a being sat ; " There is my home-within the selfsame shade He seemed inanimate-as if his mind "The boyhood ofmy father's father passed; Abstracted from the earth, had wondered from Carloviana 2013-14 Its tenement, which waited its return. Strike! Oh strike ! the golden string ! His forehead pale was by a grisly hand When carpet lords ignobly hung Intensely pressed.- I , wondering, asked the cause On ladies eyes from day to day, Of all I saw.-He started at my voice, Thy gallant son-the fearless "ONE"* And like a reckless maniac answered-"THERE!" Pronounced the fiat-"Serfs away!" " The darkest shroud is cast o'er all my hopes ; The icy shackles of the tomb " THERE have I lived in happiness-and THERE Of ten years growth are burst, and now ; " My aged father heaved his dying sigh ; A ray from heav'n dispels the gloom " I see his angry ghost indignant frown Which darkened o'er the nation's brow. "Upon his guilty son-Oh! Here I might Old sated gaze, and shrill and clear "Have spent a happy life, wer't not for ONE ! Her thrilling pibroch then did blaw, " Damn h'm, ye furies !-on the guilty thing And hoary Lomond stooped to hear "Heap burning coals, and oh, ye veng-ful skies The joyous notes of Whigs awa' ! " Rain back perdition on his lonely grave ! When once the conquering eagle rose, " Oh ! I could the darksome thoughts which now revolve With purple wing above the slain, " Within my tortured mind, be quick enrobed As havock sheathed his reeking sword, "In hottest flame !-and were my burning breast Upon Pharsalia's bloody plain. "A thunder-cloud to roll the lightning on- Did Caesar linger ? Shadowy bands " In dire explosion, on the miscreant's head, Of crimson Munda, is it so? " I'd showered the vengeance of a ruined man ! Resounding o'er her arid lands, " Curst be the hour he came with silver tongue, The voice of Sybia answers ; 'No.' "And Syren sounds to woo me to my doom ! Men of Carlow! Now's the time; "To suit my taste a bauble first he dressed, Rush to the embattled walls, "And called it "Freedom"- God! I've found it false ! Writhing in his filthy slime "False as the fruit that blooms in Hell's abyss ! Crush the Hydra as she sprawls ! " He talked of pampered tyranny---he said Onward ! spirits of the free " I was a slave-and I, poor fool, believed. Join the glorious Spartan band ; " Miseries, till then unknown, sprung up before Let your thrilling watchword be; "My jaundiced view---imaginary wrongs BRUEN and our native land!' " Lent fuel to the furnace of my brain. "And viper-like, I turned and madly stung *O'Connell gives him this honour. "(Oh ! base ingratitude,) the man that fed me. " 'I was done !-He cast the reptile from his breast " Deserted by the fiend who worked my woe- " A wretched houseless wanderer I roam." Comments On Landlord and Tenant. This poem was published in the The Battle of the Constitution is Carlow Sentinel on 11 (first part) and 18 December 1841. The Carlo>t' Sentinel and Leinster Agricultural, Litera,y and to be fought at the Registry Commercial Advertiser was a large-format, four-page weekly which Tyndall read regularly in his period in Youghal and Child of the North:- the fairest scene for thee Kinsale (Co. Cork). The paper published at least one poem The native mountain's wild sublimity every week, on the top right corner of page 4, except for the Which proudly from their kindred clouds look down, last quarter of that year, when the lists of voters took that place. White snows eternal finn their dazzling crown, In addition, sometimes a second poem was printed on the lower Thou lov'st to see the foaming Geyser rise, central columns of page 3, the position occupied by all of Bounding from earth in mingle with the skies ; Tyndall's poetic contributions. This prominent position was And tho' the truant feet may widely roam, given to these poems, perhaps, because they made reference Thy fondest thoughts still linger round thy home. as distinct from the more conventional poems on page 4-to Thus, Carlow, thus-wherever my lot may be, then current political affairs. At that time in 1841 Carlow was Fond mem'ry clings tenaciously to thee ! in the throes of a divisive election campaign. Hail ! thou theme of wide-spread story, Well and bravely hast thou done ; Tyndall's poems were signed "W.S." which, as his Snatched the mead of dreadful glory. correspondence reveals,6 was John Tyndall's shorthand for "IRELAND'S BATTLE" fought and won! "Walter Snooks," a sobriquet that he used from time to time but Shall the harp of Erin slumber that could, in this author's opinion, be meant also as a belated On the Oak-a silent thing ? reference to the nationalist Romanticism of Sir Walter Scott as Wake, Oh wake ! the tuneful number, a source of inspiration. In the last term of that year another four Carloviana 2013-14 poems by W.S. were carried by the paper. is really the main but unstated character in the poem. "Radiance," as in solar radiance or even body heat, appears The poem does not follow any regular traditional form. Meter twice, and this was to become one of his major subjects later, and rhyme are irregular, but there are two stylistic devices linked with spectroscopy, or with the effect of solar radiation which lend music to the poem; one is a scattering of internal when finding gases in its path. "Absorbed reflection" seems to rhyme, mostly minor, and the other, very frequent alliterations be an early attempt to describe a physical phenomenon related ("balmy breeze's bland caress," "a diamond dew-drop"or "falter to body heat-the warmth felt in the embrace-which is, after feebly forth," for instance). There are three voices in the poem; all, radiation of some fonn, bodily perceived. He already takes a man who is re-visiting the home he left long time ago, which "accident" or chance as the source of natural causality, although is obviously self-referential, and two local characters; these are the world is "God-given." To watch the nearly Homeric "rosy not, as the title would suggest, a landlord and his tenant, but wing of morning flap" and the poetically incongruous but rather, a lucky tenant and an unlucky one, as both refer to their scientifically daring "mountain peaks bathing in ether" became landlord in dramatically different ways. Although their religion very productive exercises for the physicist, although at this is not explicitly stated, one, happy and industrious, is the point he could not have acquired the experience of ice and snow Protestant tenant. He is not free from natural disaster such as which would necessitate Alpine altitudes. "Reality should crush weather and blight, but he is able to fight them, or at least, he thy towering vision" would suggest a sound principle of the is contented with his lot, his home having stood for generations. contemplative of nature before the speculations of the harried "God bless my Landlord" are his parting words. The other, academic that needs to explain his existence through his wretched, would appear to be the Catholic tenant, now home scientific output. less, the home where he spent a happy childhood and where his father died, and where "I might have spent a happy life" On The Battle of the Constitution is to be Fought at the destroyed, through the landlord's deceit, "A wretched houseless Registry. The poem appeared in The Carlow Sentinel on 27 wanderer I roam" is the summary of his statement, but not with November. The poem was addressed to the "child of the North," out suggesting that in this case, these were "imaginary wrongs." a specific sector of the voting population of Carlow. 7 In Tyndall does not make a moral judgement between the two, as particular, the last line reveals that the poem is to rally Bruen 's to whether one was good and the other wasn't. It was his unique supporters. Thus the military guise of the later part of the poem experience having lived and having befriended real people in is appropriate because Henry Bruen was a Captain in the British both camps, so he simply acknowledged their different forms Army, as well as a Magistrate in Carlow, the largest landowner of existence; the first, not blaming God, the second, putting the in the county, with about 16,500 acres of land, with four large blame for all his sorrows at the gate of the landlord. houses, in Carlow, Dublin and London, and after the election, Representative for the County in Parliament,8 together with A dramatic effect is achieved by contrasting the respective Thomas Bunbury. Tyndall quickly moves into the metaphor of surrounding landscapes, which are intensely observed, with the the mountains and the snow-which were much closer to him causes of the misfortunes of the two tenants. The visitor meets in Cork where he wrote than in Carlow where the poem was the two characters with different expectations; the happy tenant read, which is situated in a large plain where mention of is "the hoary scion of this revered stock," the unhappy tenant mountains is metaphorical-a device to separate the superior in his present dispossession, "a reckless maniac." from the inferior, or to put it bluntly, Protestant from Catholic. The reference to the geyser, with its intermittent upwellings of Ostensibly the poem is a political statement, compressed in the hot water, would appear to be out of place, unless it is meant to last words from the lucky tenant; "God bless my Landlord." be a symbol for the Ascendancy, but this in a short poem of a But in view ofTyndall 's later life, the poem could be considered bellicose nature only contributes to confuse the issue. The lines rather as a foreword to his scientific creativity, which is present "And tho' the truant feet may widely roam/Thy fondest thoughts there as in embryonic form. And he who delighted in still linger round thy home./Thus, Carlow, thus-wherever my speculation about the origin of scientific creativity, would lot may be/Fond mem'ry clings tenaciously to thee ! "/ are an probably have taken pleasure in seeing his later interests stated original description of the nostalgia of the forced emigrant for so early and so clearly by himself. However, it would seem that the home left behind, although their role in the poem is unclear, he did not go back often to his youthful poems as expressing and can be seen as an untimely intrusion of the self. "Thy gallant the root-cause of his work, perhaps because they were a bit of son" is obviously one confronting O'Connell, but this is made an embarrassment, the work of a still orthodox believer, an clear using a singularly unpoetic procedure, a footnote. At the attitude that he was later to renounce for the sake of science. end of the poem we learn that this is Bruen, one of the local landlords that was politically involved and who ran for election It is curious that to approach both scenes the visitor in the poem in Carlow against O'Connell and the Catholics. Pebroch or "climbs" a hill to gain a view. Leighlin stands beneath the Pibroch is a form of music of the Scottish Highlands. For those Killeshin Ridge with magnificent views to the Blackstair in the know, the poem attempts to equate the election campaign Mountains. then under way in Carlow with famous classic battlefields; Pharsalia, where Julius Cesar defeated Pompei (48BC), and Subjects that would concern the natural philosopher and the Munda (Southern Spain) where Caesar obtained the decisive scientist in later life are already present here, when he is just victory that put an end to the Civil War (45 BC). Sparta was twenty years of age and has had no formal instruction in the prominent militarily in Greece around 500BC. natural sciences. So, he starts with the keyword "Nature," which Carloviana 2013-14 In my opinion this poem works less well than landlord and as well as The Battle and Alp lusgen, begin with a look Tenant for two reasons; first, the link between the title of the upwards, to the sun, the sky or the mountain peaks. This is an poem and the text is less obvious in this case, and second, be initial search for energy, for the source, which is the object of cause the author mixes too many emotions in a short space. The the whole poem. In all cases the landscape is read minutely, it word "Registry" in the title does not recur or is further is interrogated as to its works and origin. Some stylistic features explained or alluded to. In brief the poem means; in the election remain unchanged from the early to the latter poems; the the registry (or the ballot box, in current parlance) could be to abundance of internal minor rhymes ("rounded mounds," us Protestants what Pharsalia was to Caesar, an important "green ... streams," "marigolds ... knolls""heath ... leaves," victory. When we read "Ireland's battle fought and won," we "paints against" etc.) and a near absence of consonant rhymes are projecting the future on to the past, while in the classic at the end oflines. The foot is still irregular and so is the meter. allusions, the past is projected into the future, to the confusion Light and colour, temperature and sound were constant cues of the reader. With regard to the mixed emotions; the poem is a recurring in all poems, and some times their messages are statement of tribal identity and superiority, a battle cry, the interchanged in what Brown appropriately calls synaesthesia. nostalgia of the emigrant for home, and a survey of Caesar's When Tyndall tells us that "each particular blade trembles in military victories, all laced with a sharp observation of the song" he would seem to be invoking the Impressionists' attitude landscape. The hydra, being a microscopic organism, might to light, perhaps van Gogh in particular, who observed the perhaps be described as slimy, but hardly as fearsome, and plants in the landscape leaf by leaf, and who stood still in the would have been unknown to most people. Medusa, hydra's open air to feel the sun on his skin. larger sister, would have done more appropriately. The fact that the poem is explicitly an ode to Captain Bruen's military By the time Alp lusgen was finally printed, Tyndall had been prowess very likely helped to have it published. exposed to poetic, aesthetic, religious, philosophical and scientific influences from many quarters, so it is truly In brief, the poems were successful locally at the time because remarkable that after such deluge the youth poems~virgin of they expressed a local tribal situation, taking sides in a relatively the influence of the Alps, Carlyle, Darwin, Faraday, Forbes, sophisticated way, which could go over the head of ignorant Lange, Lucretius, the X Club and so many others, in brief, a readers. You needed to read between the lines and have an purer Tyndall~still echo so strongly, both in the form and in element of sensitivity and classic education to grasp them. Still the ideas, fifty years later, suggesting that there is, as it were, more briefly, you needed to be Protestant to enjoy them. But it within the intellectual life of the author, and perhaps of all was precisely for those reasons, their local and temporary value, authors, a principle of conservation of cultural momentum that that their appeal was not universal, that they were not great Tyndall would have relished to enunciate. poetry, and that they were forgotten. The use of a pseudonym probably helped to erase them from memory. A Morning on Alp Lusgen From Kinsale to Alp Lusgen The sun has cleared the peaks and quenched the flush Of orient crimson with excess of light. The only Tyndall poem that has attracted critical attention is his The tall grass quivers in the rhythmic air mature A morning on Alp lusgen, which Tyndall signed in his Without a sound ; yet each particular blade own name. There arc many versions of this poem but we Trembles in song, had we but ears to hear. include the one that was published in New Fragmenti/. When The hot rays smite us, but a quickening breeze read immediately after the youthful poems we are struck by the Keeps languor far away. Unslumbering, idea that this is a more serious, more universal, and so more The soul enlarged takes in the mighty scene. far-reaching work of poetry, where Tyndall deals with a bigger The plummet from this height must sink afar issue, the very possibility of true knowledge. It would seem that To reach yon rounded mounds which seem so small. Tyndall began working towards this poem already in 1872, They shrink in the embrace of vaster forms, about twenty years before its final publication, a fact which Though, placed amid the pomp of Cumbrian Fells, attracted Francis O'Gorman 10 to study the nature of the textual These hillock crests would overtop them all. variations in search of the evolution of Tyndall's own ideas. Steep fall the meadows to the vale in slopes O'Gorman observed that throughout the editorial process, Of freshest green, scarred by the humming streams, Tyndall appears gradually to lose confidence in evolution as an And flecked by spaces of primeval pine. explanation of his own aesthetic experiences in the Alps. More recently, a study of Alp lusgcn has formed a chapter in Daniel Unplanted groves ! whose pristine seeds, they say, Brown's study of The poetry of' Victorian Science. 11 from the Were sown amid the flames of nascent stars viewpoint of the reactions Tyndall elicited in the circle of The --How came ye thence and hither'? Whence the craft Red Lion, which included Maxwell, Tait, Thompson and other Which shook these gentian atoms into form, Scottish scholars. And dyed the flower with azure deeper far Than that of heaven itself on days serene '? Both parts of landlord and Tenant, which came out separately, What built these marigolds? What clothed these knolls Carloviana 2013-14 With fiery whortle leaves ? What gave the heath Footnotes; Its purple bloom-the Alpine rose its glow? I O'Gorman, F. 1997. John Tyndall as poet: Agnosticism and 'A Shew us the power which fills each tuft of grass morning on Alp Lusgen.' Review of English studies, 48: 353-358. With sentient swarms? - the art transcending thought, 2 John Tyndall 26 October 1841. Letter to the Editor, The Carlow "Which paints against the canvas of the eye Sentinel. Letter O105, Tyndall Correspondence Database (henceforth These crests sublime and pure, and then transmutes TCD No. XXXX). The picture into worship ? Science dumb Oh babbling Gnostic ! cease to beat the air. 3 Ruth Barton (2013) Personal communication. Throughout the 1840s We yearn, and grope, and guess, but cannot know. Tyndall used several pseudonyms to sign his contributions to newspapers and magazines. W. S. was probably the first, but other Low down, the yellow shingle of the Ehone poetry was signed as "Andie!". Hems in the scampering stream, which loops the sands 4 Friday, James R., McLeod, Roy M. and Shepherd, Philippa 1974. In islands manifold. Beyond, a town, John Tyndall, Natural Philosopher 1829-1893. Catalogue of Whose burnished domes flash back the solar blaze correspondence, journals and collected papers. Mansell (microfiche -Proud domes for town so small ! But here erewhile edition). henceforth FMS No.) Unfurled itself the Jesuit oriflamme, And souls were nurtured in the tonic creed 5 John Tyndall 26 October 1841 to John Tyndall (sr). FMS Letter No. Of Loyola. Grand creed ! if only true. 34 with short summary. Oh! sorrowing shade of him, who preached through life Obedience to the Highest ! could men find 6 John Tyndall to John Tyndall (sr) FMS No. 35, dated Kinsale, That Highest much were clear ! Yon tonsured monk November 1841. Will face the flames obedient to a power Which he deems highest, but which you deem damned. 7 One of Tyndall's many pseudonyms was "A Belfast Man," although Cut by a gorge, the vale beyond the town he was born in Carlow. Breaks into squares of yellow and of green 8 -Of rye and meadow. Through them winds the road Henry Bruen is not mentioned either in the Oxford Dictiona,y of National Biography or in its Irish equivalent, but ~ould appear to be Which opened to the hosts of conquering France a subject worthy of research. He seems to have been largely an Lombardian plains-sky-touching Simplon Pass absentee landlord who travelled the world fighting campaigns for the -Flanked by the Lion Mountain to the left, Empire, and operated his estates through land agents. The notes While to the right the mighty Fletschorn lifts mentioned come from Thom's Directory for 1842 (entry for Co. A beetling brow, and spreads abroad its snows. Carlow) and from Anonymous (1876) Returns of Owners of Land of Dom, Cervin-Weisshom of the dazzling crown one acre and upwards in the several counties, counties of cities and Ye splendours of the Alps ! Can earth elsewhere counties of towns in Ireland (Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Bring forth a rival ? Not the Indian chain, Inc., Baltimore MD 1988). Though shouldered higher o'er the standard sea, 9 Tyndall, John (1892) New Fragments. Appleton, New York p497- Can front the eye with more majestic forms. 503. From one vast brain yon noble highway came; ' Let it be made,' he said, and it was done. 10 O'Gorman, F (1997) See Note l. In one vast brain was born the motive power Which swept whole am1ies over heights unsealed, 11 Brown, D (2013) The poetry of Victorian science. Cambridge, And poured them, living cataracts, on the South. pp158-163. Or was it force of faith-faith waiTanted By antecedent deeds, that nerved these hosts And made Napoleon's name a thunderbolt? What is its value now ? This man was called Acknowledgements 'A mortal God !' Oh, shade before invoked, You spoke of Might and Right; and many a shaft The author is grateful to Dr James Elwick, of The Tyndall Barbed with the sneer, 'He preaches force-brute force, Correspondence Project, York University in Toronto, Canada, 'Has rattled on your shield. But well you knew for supplying transcripts of some of the letters mentioned, and Might, to be Might, must base itself on Right, to Ruth Barton, from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, Or vanish evanescent as the deeds co-editor of the forthcoming Volume I of the Tyndall Of France's Emperor. Reflect on this, Correspondence for personal communications with regard to Ye temporary darlings of the crowd. Tyndall's pseudonyms. Nicola Morris from Timeline Research To-day ye may have peans in your ears; scanned the microfilmed copies of The Carlow Sentinel To-morrow ye lie rotten, if your work* available in the National Library of Ireland. Deirdre McGing Lack that true core which gives to Right and Might and Norman MacMillan made many comments and proof-read One meaning in the end. the manuscript. Carloviana 2013-14 Sniyyets :No II Sean O'Shea Many legends abound regarding Carlow castle; some true, some false, but the under mentioned account given by Mr and Mrs S.C. Hall in their writings on "freland, Its Scenery, Character etc" may be difficult to give credence to, neverthe less may contain an element of fact. The article was compiled in the early nine The above view of Carlow Castle was drawn by Lieutenant Daniel Grose teenth century. when he visited Carlow in 1792 and was included in hisfirst volume of " The Antiquities ofIreland" "We have been favoured with the following, as among the most popular of the many legends connected with the after a short time had nearly consumed front wall to which, on the inside, the ancient castle. It is given in the words of all their provisions; and water, which you staircase was fixed, was, in fact, the only a gossiping old man whom our informant know will not keep fresh for any length point that would yield at all to their ar had the good fortune to meet as he stood of time, was the first to fail them. There tillery. In short, after some time, they to take an admiring view of the venerable happened to be in the castle two or three agreed on the following terms - that she, ruin. "Do you see that large round breach, old women, servants of the governor, and being sent back to the castle, should, in the middle of the wall opposite there as the loss of these was to be preferred to about the middle of the ensuing night sir?" was the question demanded of us, that of a single soldier - of whom there ascend the stairs that conducted to the in reply to an inquiry respecting the were barely enough to maintain the siege battlement parapet surrounding the origin of its present dismantled appear line recourse was had to the sending of summit of the walls, and standing by its ance. "Yes" we answered. "Pray can you them during the night to the river, which, edge, should hold forth a burning torch tell us how or by whom it was effected?" as you may see, runs hard by, for the to signify the place where the frailty lay. "To be sure I can. 'Twas Crummel Oliver purpose of drawing water to the castle. Like a fool, as she must undoubtedly Crummel, sir, who did it," replied the Well, as chance would have it , some of have been, and like a wretched dupe as man, warming as he spoke, and assuming Crummel's soldiers wandering about at she proved herself, she kept her word and a tone ofno small importance, as it were, the time, fell in with the old woman and exhibited at the appointed hour the signal to show how fully he was acquainted carried her off to the their camp, agreed on; and Crummel who had been with the subject. "Now, sir, if you were determined to have some sport out of the most anxiously awaiting her appearance, to see the castle on the other side, or to "Hirish hag." Learning, however, the instantly discharged his shot in the enter it and climb its walls, as I have object of the errand in which they had direction where the light was seen, and often done in my youth, you would see surprised her, and that she had been an continued to battery until he succeeded that the spot in which the breach is, is the inmate of the castle they resolved to turn in compelling the garrison to surrender. weakest and least thick of any in the the circumstance to their best advantage, And now, let me tell you, that she was the entire building; and well the crafty, and accordingly promised her restoration first to meet her death on that occasion - cunning Crummel knew that, when he of freedom and a reward, provided she the old hag, as she deserved, having been planted his cannon right fornenst that could conduct them into the fortress or blown to atoms - the victim of her very part." "But how did he become inform them of any way by which they own treachery." acquainted with the fact of it being so?" would be likely to succeed in their de we asked. "Why, then, ['II tell you that signs. Frightened almost out of her wits Grose's drawings also capture the too, sir" rejoined our friend. "Well, you by their threats, and now encouraged by excavations undertaken in the late see, when the castle was besieged, the their promises, she acquainted them with eighteenth century when the edges of the poor fellows who were shut up within it, the fatal secret that that portion of the mound on which the castle was erected Carloviana 2013-14 SNIPPETS No. II were removed, possibly to improve or that the Duke was "every inch a king" Marble was also processed in Carlow reconstruct Castle Hill road way. and created a most favourable impression some two hundred years ago. The marble among all who joined in bidding him a was black with a white stratum running Unfortunately the quarrying hindered Dr welcome to Tiny Park. through it. The quarrying took place in Kieran O'Connor archaeologist in his the area of the old Dublin Road, which investigations in the summer of 1996 The game at the call of time was a draw. fonned part of a larger area known as the from identifying what type of earthwork, 'Quarries'. The Quarries extended from or timber castle was the first fortification Following the match it was claimed that the former town park, Athy Road, at Carlow or what type of outer defensive Terry entertained the Duke at his house. crossing through Greenbank to part of the work once existed there. This provided the local wags with College ground at the back of Statham's endless speculation as to whether or not old garage. The old Dublin Road cut Grose sketched many castles in England, the Duke sat in Terry's special chair, through the Quarries and acquired the Scotland and Wales prior to coming to which only Terry alone and no one else sobriquet "Marble Hill". On one Ireland. He died shortly after recording was allowed to use. occasion the Dublin coach toppled into Carlow Castle and his "Antiquities of the quarry, necessitating the roadway Ireland" was completed by another artist. Shortly afterwards the Duke was being fenced. betrothed to Princess Mary of Teck and Terence Byrne and the his wedding was to take place on the 27th When the foundations of the present Duke of Clarence February 1892. A collection was parochial house were being dug a sample arranged throughout the county for a of the marble was unearthed. When reconstruction works were being suitable presentation to be made by the undertaken at White's former chemist people of County Carlow, but Carlow Marble fireplaces were installed premises and adjoining property, unfortunately the Duke succumbed to an in many of the old houses in the town, formerly Hayden's of Tullow Street, a infectious disease on the 14th January with some few surviving up to fifty years sign bearing the word 'Dealer' was 1892, leaving his brother George V to ago. Two of these fireplaces could be uncovered and the question of what type succeed to the throne. seen in the administrative offices of the of dealing had taken place in the area VEC (old parochial house) Athy Road, was asked. Marble Hill but were removed during refurbishing a number of years ago. It appears that a Terence Byrne had Marble is any limestone that is hard resided previously at Hayden's and enough to take polish. In the geological References: carried on a horse dealing business at the sense it is limestone that has changed Kilkenny Black Marble, Ted Nevill rear of the property. Terry was a through the action of heat far below the "Carloviana" 1956 well-known citizen of the town and also earth's surface. All marble is composed operated a carriage for hire service. His of crystals of the minerals 'calcite' or Gallows Hill five minutes of fame occurred when it 'dolomite' which when pure are perfectly was said he entertained the Duke of white and called statuary marble. During excavation work some time ago, Clarence, during his visit to Carlow, to Coloured marbles result from the pres in the Strawhall area, it was reported that play polo in the County Grounds at Tiny ence of other minerals mixed with calcite human remains were unearthed. I am not Park. At the time the Duke was stationed or dolomite. Decorative red marble was aware of the outcome or if any action was with his regiment - the 10th Hussars - at extracted in County Cork (Little Island, taken in the matter, but when undertaking the Curragh. Fcrmoy) and black marble in Kilkenny other research, my attention was drawn and Galway. to the following which may offer The match arranged between the Carlow an explanation. County team and the Hussars took place Kilkenny City, sometimes referred to as on the 24th September 1891. It is the 'Marble City' was once famous for its '1829 when the "Commissioners for the recorded that the military team arrived black marble, which was first raised and erection, establishment and regulation of from the Curragh at Carlow station on the processed on a commercial basis c 1730. asylums for the lunatic poor in Ireland" half past three train and were driven by Prior to that it appears the quarry be were considering the establishment of a Terry in a well-appointed brake to the longed to nobody in particular, lying in hospital in Carlow, notice was given that playground. The Duke, who was common for all the townsmen, who at a meeting was to take place at the Court appropriately attired for the game, moved any time fetched as much out of it as they House Carlow on Monday the 14th De leisurely around the ground until time for required, without paying anything for it. cember 1829 to swear a jury to value cer play and many of the spectators had the However, around the above mentioned tain lands and premises without Dublin pleasure of being introduced to him. date an Anglo-Irish family of 'Colics' Gate. Lands mentioned in the notice re took charge of the quarry and for nearly lating to the Strawhall area were recorded The Duke was the eldest son of Edward 200 years ( 1730-1920) engaged in one of as follows "Land of Strawhall otherwise Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) Ireland's unique industries of raising and known as Gallows Hill". and was in direct line to the throne. At the processing marble. time of his visit to Carlow it was claimed Many areas throughout Ireland were Carloviana 2013-14 1--- SNIPPETS No. 11 known as Gallows Hill and some still of Carlow became the property of the particularly his French barons. lt can retain that name. Crown. Prince Thomas de Brotherton, scarcely be suspected that William son of King Edward I was then granted Marshal was an instrument of or had any I do not know the origin of the name but possession of the Castle and Manor. hand in the nefarious doings of King letters collected during the progress of an John, or the death of young Arthur. ordnance survey carried out in County Thomas had no male heir and on his Carlow in 1839 in relation to the Ballon death, John de Seargrave, who was However, Shakespeare subsequently parish gives the following information: married to his daughter Margaret, considered John a suitable subject for one succeeded to the lordship of Carlow of his many plays and introduced our Ballon Parish Castle and Manor. John and Lady Carlow one time Lord of the Manor in to Gallows Hill Mr Fitzpatrick Margaret also had no male heir and his play "King John". He would appear subsequently the lordship of Carlow to have viewed the character of the Earl "On the boundary of Castlegrace passed to John Mowbray who was in a favourable light, as is evident from townsland, a small elevation on which, it married to their daughter Elizabeth. From some of the lines attributed to him by the is said, a gallows was erected, suppos their union descended the Mowbrays Bard of Avon, relating to the death of edly in the time of Cromwell. Many Dukes of Norfolk with titular lordship of Arthur. Accordingly it might be of human bones were unearthed here this Carlow. ln tum the titles and properties interest to quote some of these words. year (1839) by labourers making a ditch passed to John's son and grandson, also and tilling the ground, and the soil was named John. With the death of the latter Act IV black with the decomposition of in 14 7 5, the mate tine of that branch of animal matter". the family became extinct, Leaving his ln a state room John sits in the presence only daughter and sole heir Anne the of Pembroke, Salisbury and others when Reference is also made to "Gallows Hill" beneficiary of all the honours and estates Hubert enters (Hubert whispers to the in Carloviana 1953 as follows: of the family. King). Pembroke eyes him "When the present Roman Catholic frowningly, saying : Church, the Church of the Holy Cross The betrothal of Anne Mowbray and the Killeshin was being erected, it was young Prince Richard took place during "This is the man should do the bloody deed; necessary to remove the remains of the the Wars of the Roses. Richard's father He showed his warrant to a friend of mine. stocks and gallows as the site was on Edward IV of the House of York died in The image of a wicked heinous fault, Gallows Hill". 1483 leaving Richard and his older Lives in his eye; that close aspect of his brother Edward heir to the throne, in the Does show the mood ofa much troubled breast; From the foregoing it would appear that care of their uncle Richard, Duke of And I do fearfully believe 'tis done, Gallows Hill was the name given to sites Gloucester. Richard, who was What we so feared he had a chance to do. of execution during turbulent periods of subsequently named Protector of the our history and it is likely would account Realm, imprisoned the two young SALISBURY for the human remains unearthed brothers in the Tower of London. lt is The colour of the King doth come and go, at Strawhall. believed that they were smothered to Between his purpose and his conscience, death there by one of Richard's nobles Like heralds twixt two dreadful battles set; Carlow's link with the but no proof of such a crime exists and His passion is so rife it needs must break. War of the Roses the fate of the youths remains a mystery. Richard then became Richard Ill. PEMBROKE In the year 1477 Richard Duke of York, And when it breaks, 1 fear will issue thence son of King Edward IV of England and Anne Mowbray never married and con The foul corruption of a sweet child's death. Elizabeth Woodville was betrothed to tinued the remainder of her life as the Anne Mowbray, daughter of John Duchess Dowager and Lady of Carlow. KING JOHN titular lordship of Carlow. John had died We cannot hold mortality's strong hand, two years earlier leaving Anne a Marshal and the Bard of Avon Good lords, although my will to give is living. substantial heiress. Richard and Anne The suit which you demand is gone and dead - were four years old at the time of the William Earl Marshal owner of Carlow He tells us Arthur is deceased to-night. betrothal. Their marriage never took Castle and Lordship of Leinster rose to place as Richard died mysteriously in the the highest pinnacle of power under King SALISBURY Tower of London in 1483. John who created him Earl of Pembroke Indeed we feared the sickness was past in room of the deceased Strongbow. cure. Included in Anne's inheritance was the Castle and Manor of Carlow. She John succeeded his brother Richard the PEMBROKE succeeded to the Carlow property in the Lionheart as King of England. His rule following way: -After the death of Roger began badly, through inept politics and Indeed we heard how near his death he was, le Bigot Earl of Norfolk and Lord of the mysterious death of his nephew Before the child felt he was sick. Carlow ( a direct descendant of William Arthur (the rightful heir to the crown). He This must be answered either here or hence. Marshal) in 1306, the Castle and Manor lost the allegiance of many of his barons, Carloviana 2013-14 SNIPPETS ND. 11 KING JOHN To the yet unbegotten sin of times; gentleman in King James's anny who by Why do you bend such solemn brows on me? And prove a deadly bloodshed but a jest, the misfortune of the world went for Think you I bear the shears of destiny? Exampled by this heinous spectacle." France after the surrender of Limerick Have I a commandment on the pulse oflifc? and that for the want of friends or The words expressed by Pembroke in the substance I missed the opportunity of SALISBURY play show how thoroughly the bard was learning a trade, that for that reason I was It is apparent foul play; and 'tis shame conversant with the character of obliged to go to serve the several persons That greatness should so grossly offer it. Strongbow's son-in-taw. Ryan in his following, viz., Wm. Brown, Wm. So thrive it in your gan1e: and so farewell. book "The History and Antiquities of the Bumbery and John Humphries of the Co. County of Carlow" states that "the pen of Carlow, gent, in whose several PEMBROKE of the Bard of Avon has done ample services I behaved myself very gentle Stay yet, Lord Salisbury; go with thee justice to the transactions of this dark and honest until the 9th May last that And find the inheritance of this poor child. period of our annals". (King John 1199 Hugh Connor a proclaimed rapparee im His little kingdom of a forced grave. to 1216). peached me for being in some robberies, That blood which owned the breadth ofall the isle. along with him, which when I understood Three foot ofit doth hold. Bad world the while! Last Speech of Condemned Rapparee to save my life I went to the road along This must not be thus borne: this will break out with my fellow sufferers. I declare before To all our sorrows, and ere long, I doubt. The following speech was given by God and the world that I was never guilty condemned rapparee Maurice Fitzgeratd of any roguish rascally actions nor of SALISBURY (at the prison of Arthur). prior to his execution on December 27th murder, nor of robbing any poor traveller, This is the prison. What is he lies here? 1717 at Blessington. This speech with a man or woman, though l was betrayed by (seeing Arthur). number of others of the same kind is one John Reilly my own confederate and among pamphlets in the Bradshaw unfortunately taken by sergeant PEMBROKE collection in the Cambridge Alexander and his company of soldiers. O death made proud with pure and University library. I forgive the said Hugh Connor. John princely beauty! Reilly and all the world besides. l am The earth hath not a hole to hide this deed! "l Maurice Fitzgerald, was born in the about 27 years. l die a Roman Catholic. All murders past do stand excused in this; county of Kildare and bred in the county And the Lord have mercy upon my soul, And this so sole and so unmatchable, of Carlow of very honest parents, and Amen. Shall a give a holiness, a purity, that my father Garret Fitzgerald was a Maurice Fitzgerald." Early Chief Governors of Ireland John Name and Titles When Constituted Meiler Fitz-Henry natural Son ofK. Henry I 1199 Hugh De Lacy the younger, Lord of Meath 1203 Henry 11 Meiler Fitz-Henry returns 1205 Hugh De Lacy, Lord of Meath April 1173 King John in Person June 1210 Rich. De Clare. Earl of Pembroke surnamed Strongbow 1173 John De Gray, Baron of Norwich. August 1210 Reymond le Gros, by the council elected 1177 Henry De Loundres, Abp of Dublin July 1213 John Earl of Morton, Son of King Henry 1177 Geffry De Mariscis July 1215 Wm. Fitz-Adelm de Burgo 1177 Hugh De Lacy, Lord of Meath 1179 Henry Ill John De Lacy, Constable of Chester, Baron of Halton Castle May 1181 Geffry De Mariscis 1216 Richard de Peche, Baron of Coventry 1181 Henry De Loundres Abp. of Dublin April 1219 Hugh De Lacy, Lord of Meath. August 1181 William Earl Marshal, the younger 1224 Philip De Braos alias Philip of Worcester 1184 Geffry De Mariscis August 1226 John Earl of Morton, Son of King Henry April 1185 Hubert De Burgh, after Earl of Kent March 1227 John De Courcy, Earl of Ulster Sept 1185 Richard De Burgo 1227 Maurice Fitz-Girald 1229 Richard 1 Geffry De Mariscis 1230 Hugh De Lacy, the younger, Lord of Meath 1189 Maurice Fitz-Girald returned Sept. 1232 William Earl of Pembroke, Marshal of England, Sir John Fitz- Geffry De Mariscis Nov. 1245 Lord of Leinster 1191 Theobald Butler, Lord of Carrick, and J Cogan 1247 Peter Pipard 1194 Sir John Fitz - Geffry De Mariscis 1248 Hamode Valois, a Gent of Suffolk 1197 Prince Edward, Eldest Son of King Henry 111 1252 Alan De La Zouch, England 1255 Carloviana 2013-14 SNIPPETS No. II Stephen De Long Espee, Son of the Earl of Salis bur; 1259 William Den 1260 Sir Richard De Rupella or Capella 1261 Reference: Sir John Fitz-Geffry de Mariscis 1266 Liber Munerum Publicorum Hiberniae (Voluml) Sir David de Barry I 267 A Synoptical Table (From Ware's Antiquities) (Part 111) Sir Robert de Uffort 1268 Richard de Exonia or Dexter 1269 Sir James Audley or de Adlithe' 1270 Maurice Fitz-Maurice Fitz-Girald elected June 1272 Bleinheim Castle The birth place of' Winston Churchill visited hy Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society August 23rd 2013 Carloviana 2013-14 FURTHER NOTES ON THE GENEALOGY AND SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE CARLOW FAMILY OF L10HN TYNDALL ( 1 820-1 893) Miguel DeArce, 1 Deirdre McGing,2 Emma O'Riordan, Norman McMillan, 3 Martin N evin4 and James Elwick5 ( 1) Corresponding author. Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin Ireland Email: [email protected] (2) Email: [email protected] (3) [email protected] Director, Droptechnology, Tallagh Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland Email: [email protected] (4) [email protected] (5) Tyndall Correspondence Project, University ofYork, Toronto, Canada. Email: [email protected] A Tyndall legend search of the Renaissance scholar and around that time. The family moved to which enabled John to claim descent the police station in nearby Numey where The fragmentary biographies of John from a martyr who died as a dissident, a they spent five years until 1833, when Tyndall currently available have focused figure into which John appeared to cast John was thirteen years of age. The their attention on some of his very himself before the religious period in Numey did not mean a change prominent friends, 1 whom he met establishment of his time. We are aware of school, because Leighlin, Numey and through his work; Huxley, Hooker, Hirst, of only one local effort to investigate the school are roughly equidistant. From Spencer, and the rest of the X Club. John Tyndall's Carlow roots,4 and to this 1833 to 1836 the family moved again, Attention has also focused recently on his we can now add new findings on the this time to more distant wife Louisa Hamilton, 2 who came from genealogy and social history of his Castlebellingham (Co. Louth), returning a distinguished family that was to join the Carlow family. to Leighlinbridge when John was sixteen. British Royal family tree in recent In his spare time Mr Tyndall worked as a • decades when Diana Spencer married Parents cobbler. Eve and Creasy tell us also7 that Prince Charles. John also boasted of his Little is known about his parents5 John while in Carlow both his father and descent from William Tyndale, 3 possibly Tyndall ( 1792-184 7) and Sarah grandfather were land agents for the the most famous of the 16th century McCassey (d.1867). All of Tyndall's (William) Steuart estate, and as agents translators of the Greek and Latin books biographical notes mention that his father their job was to collect rent, oversee the of the Bible into English during the reign joined the Irish Constabulary in 1828, but necessary maintenance required for the of Henry VIII, when doing any such Jim Herlihy's6 Index of RIC officers and production that was expected from each thing was regarded as heretical and trea men (1816-1922), which purports to letting, etc. The salary paid by other sonable, and thus deserving an ugly include all the men that ever joined the landlords to their local agents was £25 death, which came in due course in force, does not list any John Tyndall per annum. 8 According to local historian Carloviana 2013-14 THE GENEALOGY & SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF .JOHN TYNDALL Michael Purcell9 "The Steuarts were spondence (see below). Valuation of Ireland, 15 printed in 1852, Scottish Presbyterians that were banished shows that John Tyndall lived in house from Scotland in 1638. The main house His mother was of Quaker farming stock, No. 22 of Bridge Street, in the Town of in the estate, where William Steuart lived and the common opinion that she was Leighlinbridge, Parish of Agha, in the (1752), was Steuart's Lodge, and was from Ballynabranna, also in the County, Barony of Idrone. The house and yard joined by marriage to the larger Duckett has been challenged, 13 in favour of were rented from William R. Stewart at estate ofDuckett's Grove fame. In 1843, Ballybrommell, the property of William £1 5s per year, similar to many other William's son, William Richard Steuart, Malone, her father, since the 1780s. She properties in the street. Since there is only High Sheriff of County Carlow in 1821, was well read and had been a companion one such valuation, we do not know married Elizabeth Dawson-Duckett of to one of the sisters in the Lecky when the Tyndalls first moved to Duckett's Grove. The Steuarts did not household that produced the Trinity Garrison House in Leighlinbridge, or if enjoy the prosperity of the Ducketts College historian William Edward this is the same house they occupied because by the middle of the nineteenth Hartpole Lecky (1838-1903). She had a before and after moving to century, Elizabeth Dawson Steuart, then brother called Jonathan, or John for short, Castlebellingham. The footprint of this a widow, owned a much reduced estate born in Co. Carlow in 1778, where he house where the Tyndall family are said of 650 acres. When she died in March married and had seven children. Leaving to have lived in Carlow is a substantial 1893, she left the property to her nephew, the family behind, he emigrated to the space where, even allowing enough room Major Charles Edward Henry Duckett US, being buried in Ripon, Fond du Lac for an archway on the right leading to the (1850 - 1904) who adopted the Steuart County, Wisconsin, in 1861. In a letter to entrance to the yard before the name, and he married the London actress, her son, Mrs Sarah Tyndall clarified her headquarters of the local Irish Annie Seymore. Their only son, William own local origin and fortunes; 14 Constabulary-a building that is today Steuart Duckett Steuart, died in 1930." In quite intact-leaves generous space for a the 1840s landlords wielded tremendous "My grandmother's family were people house at least as good as any of the other power over their tenants, and a delay of of wealth and property; their name was houses in what is now Main Street in a few days in paying the rent could see Malone. But my grandmother marrying Leighlinbridge. We contend that no the tenant brought to court by the agent. out of meeting she was denied by them. beggars lived in Main Street In attempting to work out where John Her father left three townlands, one each Leighlinbridge. With John (senior) a Tyndall (sr) stood among his peers, we to her brothers: Ballybrommell to member of the Orange order, and Sarah ought to bear in mind that the Ducketts William, Ballintrain to Thomas, and coming from a formerly Quaker (and presumably their employee, Mr Killkay to Pim-I believe that is household, their own roots reveal them as Tyndall) were highly principled and Nehemiah-and to my grandmother one industrious, keen on self-education and fervent Protestants who avoided shilling. This however never altered the well connected locally, at least to the employing Catholics in their estate, affection of her husband for her, and they Protestant sector of the community, the considering them incapable of governing had abundance while they lived. They minority where power and influence themselves. Locally, the late 1840s cover had one son, and that was my father, and resided. The legend of "poor Johnny" potato famines, rural revolts on the issue she reared him as she was herself reared may not be sustainable when local of rent, and massive emigration. John (ir) as a Quaker, and I went along with him circumstances are considered. took the boat early, and was not at home to a meeting where Mrs. Le_ckie, first to see the events, but followed them saw me." Father-son correspondence closely. His father was a member of the Orange Order, which at the time had two All these circumstances have combined Friday's microfiche edition of John lodges operating in Carlow, Nos. 846 and to produce a mythology about John Tyndall's Catalogue ofCorrespondence 16 1005, which at present contain no growing up as the son of a poor rural Irish lists and summarises 74 letters passed relevant information. 10 We know that at family, a story that in his more successful between father and son from 6 May 1840, some point community relations in days, having penetrated through when John began to work away from Carlow turned nasty, certainly between enormous personal efforts into the home in Youghal Co. Cork, until 18 the Brennan and the Purcell families, London scientific elite, he relished to November 1843, when he was about to with the murder of Matthew Brennan recall. The romantic story of little John leave Preston. In these letters we see a allegedly by the Purcells as the grimmest going to school barefoot, and bringing mostly unhappy young man, politically episode, due to land disputes. Matthew home sods of turf gathered from the alert, disgusted with the progress the had offended the Purcells by buying the fields on the way back, could very well Catholics were making, keen on writing farm from which one of the Purcells had be true, but this was something that many and even trying his hand at poetry, been evicted. 11 Although we know that Irish country folk of a good age religiously inclined but at the same time, the local police were involved in trying remember fondly even to this day as dissatisfied and controversial. He to keep the sides apart, we do not know quite normal and enjoyable, hardly a attempted to go to America but the Mr. Tyndall's views or role, if any. We symbol of a disadvantaged situation requisite credentials from local people must be content with keeping Mr. Tyn in life. did not materialise. dall's Orange Order sash in the County Council Museum, 12 and to document his Garrison House His father's financial position throughout activities turning to the father-son corre- The volume for Carlow of the Griffith~· this period was poor, and on 23 March Carloviana 2013-14 THE GENEALOGY & SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF JOHN TYNDALL 1841 17 writing from Youghal, John told the RIC with badge No. 6148. George her home. Searches of death notices or his father that he had asked a "Wm. Hay died aged 4 7 on 14 November 1860,2 9 gravestones have proved fruitlcss.35 don" to send money to his father. On 3 thus having been born in 1813, and August 1841 18 writing from his new married to Emma for 19 years. Current The above would suggest that the posting with the Ordnance Survey in local memory would have it that there estimate of Emma's birth date given by Kinsale Co. Cork, we learn that things at were no children from this marriage, but Eve and Creasey was the local home were not going well, as the family see below for evidence against this. On recollection collected by Louisa Tyndall had to move to uncle Bill's house to pre 13 December 1865 there is another in her visit to Carlow in 1894, but that vent a possible outrage on their home, marriage record for Emma Young,30 Emma was most likely younger than and from his letter of l O August19 we widow, to Mr (George?) William John, having been born around 1826. learn that Catholics were boycotting his Hargrave, a sergeant of the police, (badge father's business, and that he offered his No.4763 31 ) also living in Slyguff, but In the record of her marriage to William father money. On 24 September20 he tells born in Monaghan in 1822, where his Hargrave, Emma's father is said to be his father how he would dearly like to father Francis had a farm. Thus Emma Caleb Tyndall, but since her father had make him independent. On 20 Novem Young became Emma Hargrave. The died in 184 7 and her brother John was ber21 he announces that he will not be name Hargrave or any of its variants abroad, uncle Caleb would have been the able to go home for Christmas, and he does not feature in any other Church of one on hand to give her away on behalf mentions his surprise at Emma's intended Ireland (COI) record of births, marriages of the family. The husband's marital marriage. In July22 and August23 1843 or deaths in the County of Carlow before status is said to be a bachelor, and the John mentions that he would be glad to or after that date, or in Griffiths wife (Emma) is noted as a widow. see Emma in Preston, but that finding ac Valuation, suggesting that this was a Witnesses were exchanged between bride commodation there was difficult. By 12 name imported into Carlow through the and groom. Caleb Tyndall is witness for September, he reported Emma's arrival RIC. It was a common practice in the the husband, and a James Gregory is the and that she was in good health.24 Force to bring to every station many witness for the wife. agents that were not local. The Census of Uncle Bill Ireland for 1901 32 mentions Emma In the 1901 Census form the religion of Hargrave as living with the family of her the Holmes is noted as Roman Catholic, Uncle Bill, William Tyndall (1800- ?) daughter Dorothea (Dorah, aged 58 and of Emma, Irish Church. From Dorah must have been a formidable presence in then), her son-in-law, John Holmes (aged onwards, all her female descendants the life of the Tyndall family of 70 at the time?), and their children Dorah leading to the McGing (2013) have Leighlinbridge, representing the paternal, (aged 26) Samuel (22) and grandson married wealthy Catholics, some of the doctrinaire, hard core Protestant tradition, James (aged I), all living in the same men, ironically, having had active who were also highly principled and house in Vicarstown, Co. Laois. The Republican allegiance. Taking the ages religiously strict. He was able to provide older Dorah's birth occurred therefore in given in the 1901 Census at face value alternative accommodation for the family 1843, within one year of Emma's (which requires a little stretching of the in the times when their business was marriage to George Young (see above). imagination), we are confirmed that boycotted by Catholics25 and they feared We will see how this appears to have Emma was born around 1826. an outrage against their home. 26 been an interesting year for Emma. The age given for Emma in this document is Eve and Creasey mention a letter from Sister Emma 75, which makes her birth to have Hirst to Tyndall dated 17 February 1891 36 occurred in 1826. Lastly, her death where at a dinner party, Lecky, a Carlow John's sister Emma is mentioned several certificate33 states that Emma Hargrave, man who had known John's mother many times in Eve and Creasy's biography,27 a widow, had died of cerebral apoplexy years before ( see above), was sitting saying that she was three years his senior on 7 September 1904, at her home in No. close to Herbert Spencer talking about (p I), which would indicate her birth 42 Hardwicke St (Dublin I W). Emma's Tyndall's sister Emma, saying that she occurred in 1817. In the absence of a age at her death is stated to be 80, with was "out of her mind," and the birth or baptism certificate to verify this the corresponding birth date in 1824. Her biographers mention some form of date, we have tried to pin down her dates 1904 address would have been very "religious hysteria" that possessed her through other events. We found that the fashionable some decades earlier but this from time to time. According to family assumed date of her birth is probably part of the city was already then decaying tradition, Emma was indeed very incorrect. into a slum34 and in any case she did not religious, and had her Holmes Catholic own the house but was a tenant, sharing grandchildren re-baptised in the Church There is a marriage certificate from the the room with a Mrs. Handy. Other of Ireland. Church of Ireland parish at Slyguff, people living in the house had Carlow where Emma Tyndall married a Mr connections, and this plus the cheap rent Some state of poor mental health could George Young,28 from the parish of must have been what brought the explain the observation that Emma had Lorum, on 22 November 1841, which widowed Emma to that address. An an encounter with the local police in tallies exactly with the transcripts additional factor making this address Carlow on 5 March 1866,37 when she mentioned above, and she became Emma suitable for Emma being the proximity of was detained for trespassing and damage Young. Herlihy lists a George Young in two Protestant churches within sight of to property in Slyguff(it seems she broke Carloviana 2013-14 THE GENEALOGY & SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF ..JOHN TYNDALL a large glass window). She was fined£ I police had already taken place, it became it is a thing can be done I would wish to and costs of 6/6 or a month in the Carlow clear that Emma needed some have him out of the town, but I believe it Gaol. It is reasonable to think that the supervision and that her daughters would will be done ifit is a thing that can, as far family tried to see if a change of undertake this, thus incurring some ex as Mrs Steuart's interest goes which I environment would help her, hence pense. It is possible that William Har believe is very great. sending her to relations or acquaintances grave had already died. With regard to in Dublin. Family tradition indicates that "Mrs. Tyndall," if she was not their The meaning of this text is not easy to un she and her two daughters moved to mother (deceased 1867), she must have derstand, perhaps because she wanted to Vicarstown where they ran a pub, and been their uncle Caleb's wife Mary Anne, be oblique, warning her father "to keep this is where the 190 I census found her. married around the year 1876 (see this in the most secret manner." We are She returned to Dublin to die there below). "The girls" could refer to given to understand-but this is less than in 1904. Emma's or Caleb's daughters (see below, clear-that she had gone to Preston to Caleb had three little daughters between forget the unwanted attentions of some Emma's correspondence 1876 and 1881) or other female relatives. local man, but we prefer not to speculate. There are currently two different cata The third letter is JT/1/T/1484 and is We mentioned that Emma had married logues to the collection of John Tyndall's dated 23 January 1865, addressed to his George Young, policeman, in 1841, so correspondence, one by Frank James at mother who would die shortly she was married a few months when she the Royal Tnstitution, 38 and another in afterwards. This is a very tender letter went to Preston. The letter suggests in microfiche form by Friday, McLeod and which reflects a sensitive young man Emma a wisdom beyond her years ( in our Shepherd. 39 Both mention the same three who is also full of faith. reckoning she was about sixteen at the letters; JT/l/T/82, dated 22 May 1876 time). Eve and Creasey-apparently passed between Hector Tyndale and his In addition to those, there are two typed unaware of Emma's sufferings at the Carlow cousin Emma Tyndall. Hector transcripts made by Louisa, not listed in time-say about her trip to Preston that who had joined the US Cavalry just the catalogues mentioned above. One is it was "a visit," but this would not ex before the American Civil War, was by dated 23 October 1840,40 addressed to clude Emma seeking refuge from local then a national hero living in Emma-then aged thirteen, if we go by gossip. It seems that John was in Preston Philadelphia. In the 1840s, both Emma the Census reckoning-by her brother from 1842 to November 1843. Emma, and John had considered going to John while he was in Youghal (Cork). ft writing to her father from Preston on 22 America, but he dissuaded them. is an amusing letter where he tells her the August 1843 42 tells him of her progress, reason why he could not write before, as and that she is living, not in the same Letter JT/1/T/1483 is dated 23 January he had to look after the other five place as John, but with a lady friend of 1876 (the date on the transcript is 1870 younger-and wilder-men who lived in his who looks after her very well. Her but this is obviously an error), and in it his house. new husband is not mentioned, giving the John announced his engagement to impression that she was there by herself. Louisa Hamilton whom he married This included the son of Captain Wright, shortly afterwards. The first the Chief Constable at Leighlinbridge at The above mentioned letter has an un announcement had gone to Hirst just the the time. The other dates from 18 dated note attached to it which again day before. John tells his sister; August41 and was written by Emma to refers to her past troubles. It is addressed her father m Carlow, and sent to an unknown lady: "I talked to her (Louisa's) father and I from Preston. was pleased to find one of his first "Dear Madam remarks to be that the care of you must The substance of the letter can be seen I think it high time for me to redeem my remain sacred. Of course I would not do from the following lines; pledge which I made to you previous to anything that could impair my power of my leaving Leighlin Bridge. Being maintaining you in comfort. Give my 'The interest which you have taken in my removed from scenes which only remind regards to Mrs. Tyndall and the girls." sufferings binds me to you more than me of the treachery of pretended friends, ever, and I believe when it is worn away and having other objects to occupy my Several questions arise from these lines. it is the best turn that ever crossed me attention, I find rnyselfrecruiting rapidly. By 1876 both Tyndall parents were through life. It will show me human My mind enjoys comparative ease, and I deceased, Emma was aged around 50, character in its true light and my mind trust that ere long the remembrance of married to an RIC man and with her own tells me that it is all for the better and that past mortifications will cause me very children grown up. In these the Lord will work everything together little pain. This is a sweet place the circumstances we can question whether for my good. I thought he was to become suburbs of Preston are very beautiful, a Emma was in need of her brother's a sober man ~ at least he told me so. It is lovely river flows beside the town. I "maintenance," or if the concept had a bad beginning he has made to be drunk have taken many pleasant walks along its been just a nicety mentioned between the ever since. They thought that they would grassy banks. Indeed I feel much happier two gentlemen and picked up later by never have him sober when him and I fell than I anticipated. I cannot lay down my John with his usual maladroit manner. out and perhaps they might be sorry pen without tendering my best thanks for Since by then Emma's incident with the longer than I would. Certainly, Father, if the kind interest you have taken in me, Carloviana 2013-14 THE GENEALOGY & SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF .JOHN TYNDALL and with feelings of genuine gratitude I brother's very public development of his daughter, Jane Elizabeth (b. 1878) was 48 now subscribe myself." religious views. The answer to the first not in the house • The family home was question is most probably his readings in Rathellen, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. For the moment, the nature of Emma's after 1842 and his student days at They were all in farming, literate and troubles in the early 1840s in Slyguff, Marburg, and to the second, that she Church of Ireland. By the Census of 1911 their connection with her going to Pre probably did, surrounded as she was in the family were not registered there. ston and with her marriage, remain un later life by Roman Catholics of the rural Caleb is the only Tyndall buried in known. But clearly it was a traumatic Irish variety-the Holmes household Slyguff Cemetery, and there are no Har experience for her. were all Catholic-which probably was graves there either. something of a challenge for her. There is a long postal silence between John and Emma from 1843 to the mid Caleb Tyndall Concluding remarks 1870s, but when correspondence is resumed, it does not go to Carlow but to It would appear that the severe Having explored the immediate Carlow Gorey. In a letter to Emma dated 1875,43 conservatism of local Carlow Protestants based family of John Tyndall, as well as John says: "I hope all continues well at in the second half of the nineteenth the family's local circumstances, we find 44 Gorey," and in 1878 ; "Greetings to all century had a particular expression in the to our regret that in spite of the 160 years my Gorey friends." In March 1875,45 choice of forenames for their children, passed since the events narrated here, commenting on the weather, he wrote; "I making the same name recur many times local sensitivities appear to be still alive dare say it is not quite so bitter in Gorey." through several generations, which to some issues regarding the family, It would appear from this evidence that makes genealogical studies a historian's which should remain veiled. This is al least from March 1875 to September minefield. understandable because in trying to do 1878 Emma lived in Gorey, presumably local history, issues of land or religion because her husband's R.I.C. unit had The forename Caleb occurred at least which are very personal cannot be been detailed there. three times in three successive separated easily from genealogy or generations of the Tyndalls of Carlow. individual motivation, which are their The next batch of letters date from the The first Caleb Tyndall was a brother of academic counterpart. late 1880s and early 1890s. Eve and John (sr) and William, who had been Creasy's biography of Tyndall mention a born in the 1790s, and so the three of Revealing the tribal roots of John Tyndall letter from him to Emma46 written when them were paternal uncles of John and is necessary to understand the man who John and Louisa had moved to a small Emma. William was a member of the left such a copious legacy of influential hut in the moors in Hind Head while they Tullow masonic lodge. According to texts and correspondence with so many awaited for the completion of their more local Bagenalstown tradition, when public characters of his time. Whether definitive residence bearing that name, Caleb married a Catholic girl from this through their own industry, or some describing John's pleasure m town a certain Miss' Elizabeth Robinson, attenuated form of social privilege, the the location. the marriage being witnessed by a rural Irish Protestant tenantry would Roman Catholic priest, the father shut appear to have been less abject in their In brief, the correspondence reveals a him out of the family and even refused poverty than their Catholic counterparts, very united family and a caring and him ent1y to his dying mother. Caleb later and John Tyndall clearly had that edge, religiously inclined son and brother. In crept up the lane while the funeral of his which started with an unusually this family, living in difficult times mother was taking place and took a prolonged schooling to which he was economically and politically, and being photograph of this ceremony. 47 He had a very receptive. Already among his male ostracised (boycotted) by the majority son who was the second Caleb in our friends in Carlow, or later in Kinsale and Catholic population, perhaps not without reckoning, who was 64 at the time of the Preston, he showed a gift for leadership reasonable motive, what was exceptional Census of 190 l, indicating his year of and great capacity for learning, even was John's successful efforts, and not so birth as 1837. His wife was Mary Anne, when his conditions were poor. much the relative misfortunes of his who was aged 58 at the time of the father and sister. It is these that put Census, thus having been born in 1843. It would not be fair to compare John to Tyndall's success in perspective. The Their eldest child was Dorothea Rebecca, Emma in their intellectual capacity or letters and our findings here also confirm who was 24 in 190 I, suggesting that this achievements. Even if she had similar that John was a man of stable dispositions second Caleb married probably around opportunities in her education, and who could maintain steady personal 1876 or 1877, at the age of 40, when equally sympathetic teachers, Emma relationships for decades; about 65 years Mary Anne was 34. We ought to notice appears to have been a differently had elapsed between the first and the last that Caleb's daughter Dorothea, or Dorah endowed or a less lucky scholar; she did of the letters to Emma mentioned above. Tyndall should not be confused with not persevere with her History, 50 or later 51 They beg the question of the Emma's daughter, nee Dorah Young, or with her or later with her French , but circumstances in which John lost the Dora Holmes after her marriage to John from an early time her life was more dif youthful practice of his religious faith, Holmes. Other children living in the ficult, as was usually the case with and whether Emma kept hers in working house were Emily Mary (aged 21) and women, and she found herself tied to the order, and if she was influenced by her John William (aged 19). The second ground in a rural setting, married to a Carloviana 2013-14 THE GENEALOGY & SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF ..JOHN TYNDALL common man and with a child, possibly Emma's alleged mental disturbance, fea Press, p223. before the age of twenty, while John had tured among the factors that caused 9 Purcell, M. (undated) County Carlow the liberty of roaming about Europe un Louisa to delay the publication of her IGP Website - Roots Web -Ancestry.com attached. When John suggested to her, husband's never completed volume of 10 Grand Orange Lodge oflreland (2013) while she was in Preston, to learn French, "Life and Letters," especially since her Personal communication. she was pregnant with her first daughter. own side of the family was among the 11 Norton, D. op. cit. p224. bluest British aristocracy. 12 Dermot Mulligan, Curator, Carlow But there was much in common between County Council Museum, College St, them. Both siblings came from a home Acknowledgements Carlow. where religion was taken seriously, and 13 McMillan N., and Nevin, M. both were deeply religious throughout The authors are grateful to the John (1978/79). See Ref 4 above, pp22-24. their life. Their religion did not take the Tyndall Correspondence Project, from 14 Letter of J. Tyndall to Mrs. Tyndall, form of collective piety. Although both the University of Toronto in Canada, for Gorey, September 8, 1863. Part of Mrs. were keen to hear sermons, it was often having made available transcripts of the Tyndall's Collected Biographic Papers at to criticise the preacher.52 Their religion John - Emma letters. the Royal Institution. Code a 15. Quoted was based on a free, individualistic in ref. 13 above. reading of the Bible, which John was able I We include here from Eve, A. S. and to quote in his old age. He followed the Creasey, C. H. ( 1945) life and work of 15 We have consulted an online copy, father's very action-oriented strand of John Tyndall, MacMillan (London) to available for free at http://www.ask Protestantism, which would make him a Brock, W. S., McMillan, N. D. and aboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/ fiery apostle of his causes and a fighter Mullen, J. (1979) John Tyndall Natural 16 Friday, James R., McLeod, Roy M. for the rest of his life, an attitude that Philosopher, Royal Dublin Society, as and Shepherd, Philippa 1974. John contrasted with the higher social manners well as penetrating partial studies such as Tyndall, Natural Philosopher 1829-1893. of many of his later colleagues. Emma Barton, R. (1987) John Tyndall Pantheist: Catalogue of correspondence, journals followed with wholehearted conviction A re-reading of the Belfast Address. and collected papers. Mansell (micro the milder, more pious ways of the Osiris. series 2 1987, 3: 111-134, and fiche edition). henceforth FMS No.) A Quaker in her mother. Religious doctrine Barton, R. ( 1990) An influential set of copy of this catalogue is available in Car was for both a lifelong concern, and both chaps: The X Club and Royal Society low County Council Library. were seekers of the truth along their own politics ( 1865-1880). British Journal for 17 RI MS JT/l/TYPl0/3215-16. This and separate paths. the History of Science 23:1 53-81. form ofrcference to the Royal Institution Manuscripts of John Tyndall, typed Excessive emphasis on the contrast 2 McGing, D. and O'Riordan, E. manuscripts, will henceforth be between the famous man of science and ( unpublished). compressed just to the last number. his sister who died alone and a pauper, if 18 3234 (see Ref. 17) it is made with a view to taint John in the 3 This mention occurs in the foreword of 19 3235 (see Ref. 17) discharge of his family duties, would Hector Tyndale (1882). A memoir ofHec 20 3245 (see Ref. 17) appear to us to be unfair as well. We have tor Tyndale, Philadelphia US, and 21 3254-55 (see Ref. 17) seen that he was assiduous in his probably originated from discussion 22 3292 (see Ref. 17) generosity to Emma until his final days, between Hector and John Tyndall in 23 3293 (see Ref. 17) sending her £60 from Hind Head in 1872. A copy of this book can be found 24 3297 (see Ref. 17) 1891 .53 The cheque appears to be in the Library of Carlow County Council. 25 FMS No. 26 dated l O August 1841.. unsolicited, and John mentions that it 4 McMillan N., and Nevin, M. (1978/79) (See Ref. 16) should reach her before 28 May, John Tyndall ( 1820-1893 ). Carloviana 26 FMS No. 25 dated 3 August 184 l. suggesting that this was a significant date 2:27, 22-27. (See Ref. 16) for Emma. Besides, there were Emma's 5 Brock, W. H. John Tyndall ( 1820-1893) 27 Eve and Creasey (1945) See Ref. 1. daughters and in-laws who were closer to In Oxford Dictionary ofNational Bi 28 Church of Ireland CW-CI-MA-1937 her and had their duty of care for her. The ography edited by H. C. G. Matthew and p6, entry 16. Web record; views of Louisa on the matter would Brian Harrison. Oxford: OUP, 2004. On http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ch have to be considered as well, and after line ed., edited by Lawrence Goldman, urchrecords/details/a22d870023639 John's resignation from the Royal October 2006. 29 Church oflreland entry number 135 Institution and the completion of Hind http://www.oxforddnb.com/view /arti record identifier CW-CI-BU-5515. Web Head House, their (and after his death in cle/27948 (accessed September 19, ewcord http://churchrecords.irishgeneal 1893, her own) income was greatly 2013). ogy.ie/churchrecords/details/f74l060019 diminished,54 consisting largely of 6 Herlihy, J. (1994) Index o[Royal Irish 064 royalties for his publications, which Constabulary officers and men (! 816- 3° Church of Ireland entry number 44 dwindled rapidly. 1922). Four Courts Press. record identifier CW-CT-MA-2498. Web 7 Eve and Creasey ( 1945) See Ref I record; http://churchrccords.irishgeneal Lastly, we could only speculate as to above, pl. ogy.ie/churchrecords/dctails/e8b55c0024 whether the knowledge of the very hum 8 Norton, D., (2006) landlords, Tenants, 200 ble origins of her husband, and of Famine. University College Dublin 31 Herlihy, J. (1994) The Royal Irish Carloviana 2013-14 THE GENEALOGY & SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE FAMILY OF .JOHN TYNDALL Constabulary. Lists of o{ttcers and men, from Hardwicke Street. We also scanned p228 1816-1922. Four Courts Press, pl 94. the death notices of The Irish Times, The 47 Purcell, M. (undated) County Carlow 32 Census for Ireland 1901. Available on Independent and the Journal. We con IGP Website - Roots Web -Ancestry.com the web. clude that Emma probably died as a pau 48 Census ofireland for 1901 and Church 33 See volume for Deaths corresponding per and was buried in a communal grave. of Ireland records as can be seen at to 1904, quarter 3, p323 in the Registry 36 Eve and Creasey ( 1945) See Ref. 1, http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ch of Irish Bi1ths, Marriages and Deaths, p271 u re h records/ search .j s p? diocese= Irish Life Building, Dublin 1. 37 See Carlow R.I.C. records, entry for CARLOW+(COI)&parish=WELLS 34 Thom's Dublin Directory for 1904 the date mentioned. &submit=Sea evaluated the house at £25. It was owned 38 See Ref. 17 49 by a Mr. Richard Ellidge. We think the 39 See Ref. 16 50 3192 (See Ref. 17) house still stands, as a disused funeral 40 3192 (See Ref. 17) 51 3295 (See Ref. 17) parlour. Already in 1904 most of the 41 3294/2 (See Ref. 17) 52 FMS letter 29, dated Kinsale 2 street was developed as tenements. 42 3295 (See Ref. 17) September 1841. 35 We have searched the records of 43 3318 (See Ref. 17) Dated Brieg 24 53 3321 (See Ref. 17) Mount Jerome and Glasnevin cemeteries, September 1878 54 3321 (See Ref. 17) as well as all the Quaker burials in Coun 44 3318 (See Ref. 17) Dated London ties Dublin and Carlow, and the local November 1875 cemeteries attached to St. George's 45 3317 (See Ref. 17) Church and The Temple, both visible 46 Eve and Creasey ( 1945) See Ref. 1, Where are they now? The railings and gates that once formed the road boundary of the Carlow Poor Law Union Workhouse on the Kilkenny Road. The site is now occupied by the Vocational School. The site was cleared.for the construction ofthe school in the 1960s. Photo: Courtesy of Joe Rattigan Carloviana 2013-14 Thomas Traynor 1882 - 1921 Christopher P. McQuinn The Early Years as a boot and shoemaker. 1v homas Traynor was born on 27 May 1882 in the Canons Quarter, Courtship and Marriage T Tullow, Co. Carlow. Tom met his future wife, Lizzie Davis while enjoying a day out in St. Stephen's Thomas' parents were Patrick and Mary Green, Dublin. She was with her sister, (nee Neill). He was baptised in the while Tom was in the company of a Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Tullow friend. on 30'11 May. Thomas' godparents were Edward McNally and Mary Harty. Elizabeth Davis was born in 1881, the daughter of a builder. She was of the The Traynor family had links with Mul Protestant faith. Because of family op linahone, Co. Tipperary_i This was the position to their relationship, she and village associated with Charles J. Kick Thomas were married before they told ham, author of"Knocknagow".ii anyone - they eloped. v Thomas Traynor's father, Patrick, was a She was a very quiet and religious person Union card of Thomas Traynor miller, employed by Mr. Burgess, in Bal who read the Bible every day, and re lymurphy, Tullow.iii Patrick and Mary mained a Protestant.vi formed his family that he was "expecting Traynor had ten children. a bit of trouble, but don't worry". The Easter Week 1916 family did not see him again for five Due to the father's early death, the family Thomas Traynor was a member of the 3,J months. They did not know if he was alive or dead. vii moved to Dublin when Thomas was in Battalion of the Volunteers. On Easter his teens. Thomas was later apprenticed Monday he dressed in his uniform, in- During Easter Week 1916, Traynor served as a member of the Boland's Mill garrison, which was commanded by Eamon de Valera. Giving his father's oc cupation as a miller, it was a remarkable coincidence that he was to see action in Ireland's best known flour mill. A, B and D Companies of the 3rd Battal ion had mustered in Great Brunswick Street, (which was to be the scene of his fateful capture in 1921 ). C Company mustered in Earlsford Terrace. The Boland's Mills standard was a green flag with a harp.viii The flag had been placed on an unoccupied tall building in the complex. Due to the confusion caused by the fail ure of the German boat, Aud, to land anns at Tralee Bay, and the order by Eoin MacNeill cancelling the Easter Sunday "parades",just one fifth of the men allot The ruins of the old mill at Canons Quarter, workplace of Thomas Traynor's ted to de Valera's command responded to father. The Traynor family home was situated close to this. the Easter Monday mobilization order.i' Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS TRAYNOR 1 882-1 921 mond Barracks. On the way Street (now Pearse Street). they were jeered by onlookers. Thomas Traynor was to become caught up in this battle, in an area quite close to Pearse, Clarke and McDonagh Boland's Flour Mills, where he had seen were shot by firing squads in action five years before. the early hours of their first morning at Richmond Bar A group of volunteers, including Sean racks. In the following days McBride, were involved in action against eleven other leaders were ex a British detachment of Auxiliariesxix. ecuted.xiv Thomas Traynor The Crown forces were transported from was subsequently interned in Dublin Castle by a Rolls Royce armoured Frongoch in Walesxv. In car and two tenders for the purpose of Frongoch he was appointed master shoe maker by Michael Collins' General Council.xv' Under the general amnesty of 1917, Thomas Traynor re turned to Dublin and resided at 142 McCaffrey Street, Boland's Mill. Photo courtesy of Myriam Cahill Mount Brown, and opened a Wall plaque on 144 Pearse Street com shoe shop near Crown Alley. memorates those who died, including Thomas Traynor. Photo courtesy of The battalion deployed at Boland's Mill While not active in the armed struggle, Myriam Cahill. and Bakery, Grand Canal Street, West he served in Military Intelligence, until land Row Station, and Mount Street the evening of 14'" March 1921 when he Bridge. Mount Street Bridge com failed to return home. "ii carrying out a raid on 144 Great manded the main road from Kingstown Brunswick Streetxx. (now Dun Laoghaire). There a handful Executions in Mountjoy of insurgents, under the command of The morning of l 4'h March 1921 saw the This house was the headquarters of the Captain Michael Malone, inflicted half of execution, by hanging, in Mountjoy Dublin Brigade of the IRA.xxi The time the casualties suffered by the British dur prison, of six members of the IRA:xviii of this incident was about 8 p.m. ing that week'. Thomas Whelan had been found guilty, by military court-marshal of the murder A short while before a grenade had ex The assault on de Valera's men did not of Capt. G.T. Baggally, an English Secret ploded outside the Central Police Station come until the Wednesday morning. Of Service Officer, and Patrick Moran had (now Pearse Street Garda Station). A the 180 men'i under de Valera's com been found guilty of the murder of Lieut. civilian (a volunteer named Doran who mand, 9 were killed.Xii De Valera gave A. Aimes. Both killings had occurred on had thrown the grenade) had sustained the order to evacuate the bakery on the the morning of 20 November 1920, serious injury which necessitated his leg Friday of Easter Week. Having nowhere "Bloody Sunday." Both accused were having to be amputated. xxii to go, they reoccupied the premises, sur convicted despite strong alibis. rendering on the following Sunday. Doran was member of "B" Company Four other volunteers: Frank Flood, which was under the command of Cap In fact, Pearse had already surrendered a Patrick Doyle, Thomas Bryan and tain Peadar O'Mara. day before word would reach de Valera. Bernard Ryan had been found guilty of De Valera accompanied a British cadet to treason. They had taken part in an am Following a night's patrol where they had Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital, where he sur bush of Crown forces on 21 January 1921 not encountered any British forces, the rendered to the British military. His at Tolka Bridge, Drumcondra. The am Company was returning to No. 144 to Vice-Commandant, Joseph O'Connor led bush had failed, resulting in their capture, hand over their revolvers to the men who the men out ofBoland's Mill a short time conviction and hanging. would be on "bridge duty" or street later. They were then joined by de Valera parading the next night.''iii and were marched off, four abreast, to the Battle of Great Brunswick Street Royal Dublin Society show grounds at As the city was coming to terms with The Auxiliary convoy slowed down be Ballsbridge_xiii these highly publicised executions, that fore the leading tender reached No. 144. very same evening of I 4'h March, one of The convoy stopped and a "ding dong" After two days in Ballsbridge, de Valera the largest gun battles to have taken place xxivbattle ensued, fire taking place from and the others were marched under heav in Dublin took place on Great Brunswick the direction of Upper Sandwith Street."' ily armed guard, across the city to Rich- Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS TRAYNOR l 882-1 921 "Our men were both inside and outside ident of the court martial being the same dence he was asked by the Prosecutor, the house and some of them gained van person who had presided over the trial of "Did he say anything when handed over tage points in adjoining buildings."xxvi Patrick Moran. The counsel stated that to your'. Defence Counsel, Nolan Whe had he and his client been given proper lan objected on the ground that this was In the engagement three or four civilians notice of the composition of the court, not contained in the Summary of Evi were killedxxvii. Also wounded was Vol they would have objected to a person dence. This objection was overruled. unteer Leo Fitzgerald, of the 3,ct Battal they felt was biased. ion, who was a member of a well-known The Counsel for the Prosecution then family. He was captured and later died Case for the Prosecution asked a witness in relation to a conversa from his wounds. The evidence against Traynor was that tion alleged to have taken place in the car after the firing had been going on for being brought down to Dublin Castle, British casualties were Constable Cadet some little time an officer, who had been "Did the accused speak first?" The an Farrell who was wounded, and subse in the annoured car, stated he saw a man swer was that Traynor spoke first. The quently died from his wounds, and Cadet running by the armoured car on the south officer was asked to state in his own Bernard Beard. side of the street on the pavement on his words what Traynor had said in the car right. This man came from the head of on the way. Mr. Whelan again objected Writing in 1965, Piaras Beaslai remarked the convoy i.e. from where the firing had on the grounds that the accused had on the prolonged period for which the started which resulted in the death of not been cautioned. The Judge Advocate fighting had lasted.xxviii This was because Cadet Farrell. asked if the statement had been the normal tactics of the IRA were to at made voluntarily. The witness replied tack quickly, and then to withdraw This officer jumped off the armoured car "Voluntarily". quickly from a battle. and caught the man at the comer of Great Brunswick Street and Upper Sandwith When asked what the voluntary state Capture of Thomas Traynor Street - the eastern comer. He collared ment was, the answer was, "I am only a Thomas Traynor was captured and was him and brought him down, and said that soldier like yourself, and I have it to do". found to be carrying a pistol. they fell to the ground, the officer being When asked did the accused admit hav on top of this man who was lying on his ing fired on that occasion, the answer was It is reported that after his arrest, Traynor back on the pavement. that he admitted having fired. Mr. Nolan was taken to Dublin Castle, where he was Whelan ascertained from an Auxiliary badly beaten by the "Igoe gang" named This man (Traynor) had an automatic pis witness the raid of the convoy had taken after its leader, Captain Igoe_xxix tol in his hand with four live rounds in the place due to a report of"a certain number magazine and one live round in the of gunmen there". Unlike the other men hanged in Moun chamber. When he was searched very tjoy, the time between Thomas Traynor's shortly afterwards in his coat was found This concluded the evidence by the arrest and his execution was relatively a clip with six live rounds of automatic Crown. short - just over three weeks. pistol ammunition. Mr. Nolan Whelan, at the outset of the Court Martial Another officer swore that while he was trial, had asked for the production of wit At City Hall on 4 April, 1921 Thomas being held on the ground, Traynor said, nesses - General Macready and Colonel Traynor was brought before a general "For God's sake shoot me now", and ei Johnstone, the head of the D.M.P. - the court martial, and charged that he 'on 14'h ther before that or after it this officer said, object being to show that a state of war March 1921, feloniously and with malice "Shoot him out of hand". Traynor was existed between the armed forces of the aforethought, did kill and murder Francis taken under arrest, put into the armoured Republic and Great Britain. They were Joseph Farrell'. car and taken to Headquarters, Dublin not produced. District, where he was searched. The of The President of the comi was Major F.S. ficer examining the pistol found one Statement to the Court by Thomas Montague Bates, Officer Commanding round in the chamber and four in the Traynor Dublin District"' and the jury was made magazine. The accused then said, "I am a boot up of Lieutenant Colonel E.H. Chapman, maker by trade and I carry out a small OBE, Major E.L. Macken, Major A.W. No. 144 was raided but nothing was business on my own in the city assisted Langley, Captain A.G.M. Sharpe and found in it, but a dead civilian was found only by my two boys. I have a wife and H.G. Moor Gwynn.'"i on the steps of No. 145. This civilian was ten children. Under these circumstances alleged to have a bull-dog revolver under it takes me all my time to earn enough to The defence counsel representing him which had five chambers, two of keep them. Thomas Traynor was Mr. Nolan Whelan, which contained an expended round and instructed by solicitor, Michael Noyk_xxxii three live rounds. I have never been asked by the Republi At the outset of the trial the defence can Party to take any active part in the counsel strenuously objected to the Pres- When one of the officers was giving evi present activity, but as an old member I Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS TRAYNOR 1 882-1 921 was in the Army in 1916. I would be Mr. Nolan Whelan maintained that a state On Thursday 21 April, Traynor was in considered as a proper person to do a of war, rather than a state ofrebellion ex formed that his death sentence had been message. The pistol in question was left isted between the Irish Republican Army confirmed by General Macready. on the Monday with the words: 'Bring and the Crown forces. Because of this this to 144 Great Brunswick Street at Traynor was entitled to be judged by the Statement from Dublin Castle about 8 o'clock and you will find some rules of war and therefore could not be Dublin Castle issued a statement to the one there to take it from you'. found guilty of murder. press. This stated that Thomas Traynor had been convicted by court-martial of I proceeded to 144 at about 10 minutes With regard to the defendant's saying the murder of Temporary Cadet Farrell past 8. I had just crossed Brunswick something like, "Shoot me now" or "Do and was to be executed. Details were Street on the right side, and as I advanced me in now", Nolan Whelan said that this given of the gun-battle on the night in about 4 or 5 yards toward 144 a military had undoubtedly prejudiced his case, es question at Brunswick Street and how an car passed me and stopped just in front of pecially in a military court. It was Nolan officer seated in the rear of the armoured me opposite 144. Just then firing broke Whelan's opinion that in saying this, the car had shot at a civilian running past and out. I stood against the railings and defendant expressed a wish not to share then sprang from the car, chased the civil when the firing ceased I took the thing the fate of McKee, Clancy and Clune, ian, and brought him down with a Rugby out of my pocket and ran back towards "who were tortured and butchered in the tackle, at the same time calling another Sandwith Street. Castle the previous November"xxxiii_ officer to his assistance. I was caught at the corner of Sandwith Summing up by the Prosecution The prisoner was Traynor, who had in his Street. When I was put in the armoured The prosecution argued that the fact that hand a Gennan automatic, with four car car the men in the armoured car covered Thomas Traynor was at the scene and tridges in the breech, and a clip of car me with revolvers. I said, 'You may put was armed was sufficient evidence to tridges in his pocket. The Section Leader, them down'. I said, 'You are soldiers'. convict him, by association, of the mur Beard subsequently died from his They put them down. That is all I said der of Cadet Farrell. What was the mean wounds. Three civilians were found while I was in the armoured car. ing o( "For God's sake shoot me now", dead, one of whom was in possession of if he was there on a mere innocent mis a revolver; another had ammunition. The last witness that was examined here sion? What was he doing with a clip of says that I admitted firing shots; that is ammunition in his pocket? "Temporary Cadet Farrell was an Irish not true. He asked me a lot of questions man, born in Dublin. He was 28 years such as, 'Did you kill our men; did not The members of the "so called Irish Re of age, and had served with distinction in you fire at our people', and to end those publican Army" were "civilians one mo the war, being once wounded and men questions I said: 'If I did I will answer ment, and the next nothing short of tioned in despatches. At the time of the for it'. He afterwards used to boast that murderers".xxxiv They did not accord Armistice he was Adjutant of his battal I admitted firing. That is all I have to with The Schedule of the Hague Conven ion" .xxxvi say". tion which states that soldiers must ( 1) be commanded by a person responsible for Section Leader Beard had risen rapidly to Case for the Defence his subordinates; (2) must have a fixed Acting Brigade Major in the WW 1, and The defence argued that it was reasonable distinctive sign recognizable at a dis had been awarded the Military Cross. to accept that the defendant had not been tance; (3) must carry arms openly; (4) called out to fight in recent times due to must conduct their operations in accor Calls for Reprieve of Sentence his family responsibilities, his age and the dance with the laws and customs of war. In Mountjoy D wing was cleared of pris fact that the Irish Republican Army had Traynor was not too old to be on the spot oners, and Traynor was transferred to the a considerable number of men at its dis in the middle of a fight involving mem ground floor. Calls were made to the posal. bers of a movement to which he be Viceroy, Lord French, by individuals and longed. organisations such as the Archbishop of It was a coincidence that Traynor hap Cashel and the Irish Transport Union for pened to be at the scene when the fighting The Verdict and the Sentence a reprieve. A Dublin Castle source was began. There had been firing from a "The court was then closed at 8 minutes quoted as saying 'there can be no post number of parts of the street. There were past 6 o'clock to consider its findings and ponement'. xx xvii no flashes seen from his automatic when returned at 6.15 (seven minutes). he was at the railings. No empty case Peace Moves was produced which corresponded to the At 6.20 the court was closed for consid During the time between Thomas automatic found in the pocket of the ac eration of the sentence which was that he Traynor's trial and execution the first cused. There was no evidence that he was found guilty and sentenced to death. serious move for peace was enacted. It had fired the pistol, and that it was a co Poor Traynor was subsequently was hoped that Traynor's life would be incidence that he had arrived just as the hanged". xxxv spared as he had a wife and large family. attack began. "Unfortunately other people rushed into Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS TRAYNOR 1 882-1 921 print and made what we considered im ers, two sisters, and other relatives and He was only allowed short interviews possible suggestions or proposals. It friends. The visitors were allowed in in with his wife. Long conversations with killed that effort to stop the war and groups of 3 or 4 at a time. They spoke her made him sad. 'I leave my wife and Traynor was executed. "xxxviii of the courtesy of the prison staff_xhi children to God and the Irish Republic. It is a big price to pay, but not too big for Fellow Prisoners His sister reported, "His son, Francis was Heaven.' While awaiting execution, Thomas with me, and he said with a smile, 'Don't Traynor was befriended by Sean fret, Frank, boy, and keep on with the His holy old mother has been a daily MacEoin,xxxix who shared the same death pipes (Irish bag-pipes) as if I were there communicant for 30 years. She gave cell. MacEoin described Thomas Traynor to hear you playing them.xlvii him great consolation by telling him that as 'one of the real men who knew the he only did his duty. price he had to pay in the struggle and he Thomas Traynor stood outside his cell to gallantly paid that price with a smile in share a last goodbye with his family, and Sometimes he looked sad while his his own inimitable way. ''1 saluted them. friends were talking to him but the men tion of Heaven instantly brought a smile Joe Guilfoyle, interned with Thomas His wife, Lizzie, broken-hearted, was the to his face. Traynor, described him as the most gal last to leave. Thomas stood at the door lant Irishman he had ever met. and gave Lizzie a salute.xlviii 'Since his death', writes a special friend, 'I called one day at his workplace. There Bray Volunteer Tommy Brien received a Visits to Thomas Traynor by Sisters of I found his two eldest sons busily en Sacred Heart medal and a pair of socks Charity gaged working at their trade. The eldest from his Mountjoy 'neighbour'. The following is an account of visits to of two pointed to his Father's watch Thomas Traynor by the Sisters of Char hanging on a nail on the wall; the same John McDarby, Graiguecullen, was in ity. on which his Father used to keep it. The terned in a cell near Tom Traynor. His boys were very sad, but proud of their Fa tiny autograph book contained the names Friends who visited the prisoners in ther, and determined to do their best for offellow prisoners, including the follow Mountjoy declare that none met death their Mother. ' 1 ing entry, "T. Traynor to be executed 25'h more bravely than Thomas Traynor. He April, 1921.'li was aged 39 years and left a young wife Thomas Traynor's Last Morning (about the same age) and ten children. After a night of undisturbed sleep, His Last Sunday He was an ideal husband and father, de Thomas Traynor greeted the prison chap On his last Sunday over 90 people visited voted to his home and family. His wife lains, Canon Watters and Fr. McMahon, him. His brother is reported to have said, is a convert. He left her his rosary beads when they entered his cell at 7 a.m. His 'He laughed and talked freely as if he and asked her to say it every day that Our last Confession was heard; he attended were sitting in the shop attending his Lady might make her strong in the Faith. two Masses, and received the last Sacra trade'. xiii 'I laid no commands on her,' he said, 'but ment. Two of his guards -Auxiliaries - I requested that she should not live with received Holy Communion with him. On his last night when smoking a ciga her mother who is still a Protestant, for rette he blew rings. He remarked to a fear that there might be a change in the A message was sent from outside the cell guard, 'Imagine, one of those will be Children's Faith.' He was confident that suggesting that he remove his collar and around my neck tomorrow'. xi iii all the suggestions made to her by him tie. This he did while uttering prayers. and his mother would be carried out:1;, He asked that his watch and chain be Thomas Traynor asked that there be no He had studied the character of each of given to one of his boys and his prayer vengeance for his death, 'I bear no ill-will his children and told his friends how he book be given to his wife.Ii to any man. No rancour is in my heart. handled each character. He had two vi I forgive from my heart all that have ever olins for use of himself and his children, The Execution of Thomas Traynor done me a bad turn'. xliv also three sets of fretwork for the boys. Before mounting the scaffold Thomas 'I believe in keeping them usefully em handed his watch and other articles to the When asked by a friend for a souvenir, he ployed.' One boy also played the pipes. Chaplain, with the request that they be wrote a pencilled note with the words, (On visiting his home after his death his given to Mrs. Traynor and members of "Fight on; not for vengeance but for free friends found it just as he described. The their family and friends. 1 dom". He then signed the note: v walls were decorated with fretwork and cork framed made by him and the boys. Thomas Traynor's hands were tied. Last Goodbye There were also little games for the chil When adjusting the neck of his shirt the Early in the afternoon and again later in dren made by his own hands.) 'If my executioner whispered to him, "Look at the evening Thomas was visited by his home were not happy', he said, 'I would me, please - we won't hurt you". The mother, his wife and children, two broth- not stay in it.' prisoner did as requested and kept repeat- Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS TRAYNOR l 882-1 921 ing, "Lord Jesus, receive my soul. 1ii the people. The report compared and De Valera visit to Traynor Household contrasted the impressiveness of the Joseph O'Connor recalled as follows: He walked the 15 yards to the scaffold scene with that of the execution of Kevin ''On the morning of Tom Traynor's exe without assistance. His arms and his legs Barry in 1920. Here was no young man, cution President De Valera came to me to were pinioned and the executioner placed but "a man of riper years, the responsible express his grief at the loss of a good sol a white cap on him covering his head, head of a family, and the father of ten dier and well-tried patriot. He had re face and neck.1tii children, most of them little ones, and membered him from the Rising in 1916, some mere babes". and was anxious to accompany me to the Thomas repeatedly kissed the relic of the As eight o'clock approached "the sun Traynor household where he would ex True Cross that was held to his lips, say shone out gloriously .... The prayers for press the sympathy of the State to his ing, 'By Thy Most Precious Blood, 0 spiritual comfort now became prayers for widow and orphans in this hour of trial. Lord, Thou hast redeemed the world'. the repose ofa gallant soul". As a prison This I did, and he and I were in Traynor's warder was about to affix the notice of house consoling Mrs. Traynor when The rope was then adjusted, and the bolt execution on the jail gates it was torn Monsignor Watters, Chaplain at Moun drawn. His voice rang loud in prayer from his hand. A woman's voice rang tjoy, called to offer his sympathy, and to under the scaffold, "Lord, Jesus, receive out: 'May the Lord have mercy on that tell Mrs. Traynor that her husband had my soul", and then became silent. He man's soul.' The crowd responded, died fortified by the rites of Holy Church was at once anointed and prayers were 'Amen,' and prayers rose again. The sob and in peace with all men. I was deeply said for his departing soul.liv bing of a little boy was heard, one of the moved on that occasion. executed man's sons. He was helped Thomas Traynor was executed by hang away weeping bitterly. My wife had visited him after he was ing in Mountjoy at 8am on 25 April 1921. condemned and brought me a very touch He was aged 39 years. Mrs. Traynor had spent the morning at ing message of faith in our movement the jail gate. She collapsed into the arms and loyalty to the cause oflrish freedom. The Scene outside Mountjoy Prison of friends, was escorted to a cab, and You will remember that it was he who Under the headline "ANOTHER IRISH taken away. Thomas Traynor's elderly was struck by a bullet just as we launched MARTYR - Thomas Traynor Walks to mother attended Mass for the repose of our bayonet attack on the enemy troops 1 the Scaffold Calmly and With Head his soul at Clarendon Street. She told a during the fighting in l 916." vii Erect", the Freeman sJournal of26 April Freeman s Journal representative: 'I am carried a detailed report of the scenes out proud of my son. He died for his coun Poem written by Thomas Traynor's side Mountjoy. The sub-heading read try. •Iv Brother-in Law "Early Morning Vigil: Crowds Pray Fer Thomas Traynor's brother-in-law, Patrick vently: Aged Mother's Pride in Brave Request for Release of Thomas O'Sullivan was being held in Canterbury Son". Traynor's Remains prison at the time of Thomas' execution. That same day, Under Secretary, Andy He marked Thomas' death by writing the From 7 am large crowds had gathered. Cope, wrote rejecting an application for following poem: the body, made, on behalf of the fam Brother Tom ily, by Solicitor, Mv heart is/id! ofsorrow, as low I kneel Michael Noyk. 1vi to pray, His remains were For the soul ofbrother Thomas ivho God interred in an un chose to call away, marked grave in He had carried his cross.few Ireland 'till un-consecrated his time had come to go, ground in Moun To take his rewa,d in Heaven God had tjoy prison. ordained it so, Thomas Traynor left a widow and lvfay the Blessed Virgin Marv, the Mother family of ten, the ofus all, Members ofCumann na mBan recite the Rosary in their eldest aged eight Protect his wife and childrenforfear that ranks outside Moun~joy on the day of Thomas Traynor's een and the thev should/all, execution. Photo courtesy of National Library oflreland youngest five Intercede for the soul o( Thomas and months. They con those souls gone on before, tinued to press for And to our unhappy countrv send peace The Rosary in Irish recited by the the release of his remains for many years. for ever more_friii Cumann na mBan, was followed by the singing of'Hail Queen of Heaven,' by all Carloviana 2013-14 ~- THOMAS TRAYNOR 1 882-1 921 Sympathy from the Dublin Corpora old RIC District Inspector, named Gilbert tcr would be released unhanned provided tion Potter, a married father of four children. that the British authorities release On 2 May 1921, Dublin Corporation Within days two young families were to Thomas Traynor. "Potter was aware of passed a resolution expressing sympathy be left widowed and orphaned. this and he was very optimistic that the with the family of the late Thomas British Authorities would consider his Traynor. life-time of loyal service and reprieve In April, after Thomas Traynor's court Thomas Traynor to secure his own re Councillor Lyons, proposing, said that he martial, Potter was captured by the IRA lease."1xiv had known Traynor from his youth, and held in the hope of his being ex A special courier, thought to be Miss "Traynor had a mind far above his oppor changed for Traynor. Inspector Potter Kathleen or Miss Eileen Davin of Rath tunities, and a philosophical outlook". was living in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, the sallagh, was sent to Dublin Castle by car county where the Traynors had family two days before the execution.1'v There Mrs. Sheehy Skeffington said she appre links. Born in Dromahair, Co. Leitrim, was no reply. Dan Breen1xvi in My Fight ciated the devoted sacrifice of Mrs. Potter had served in the police for 21 for Irish Freedom suggests that the Traynor and her wonderful spirit. years. Dublin Castle circle never transmitted this offer for discussion. 1xvii The British The Chairman (Mr. Sean Mac Caoilte) About 40 members of the No. I Flying had been informed that, in the event of said that Thomas Traynor showed heroic Column of the 3rd Tipperary Brigade had Traynor's execution, Potter would be ex qualities in death as in life. It was fitting, been lying in wait for a group of British ecuted as a reprisal. Thus "there was no because "the name, Traynor, in Irish soldiers who were escorting stores and hope for him."lxviii meant a brave man"1ix_ provisions by horse-vehicles. A battle took place for most of the afternoon "He was a rather jolly type of man and, Thomas Traynor Fund opened which also involved engaging with despite his attempt to escape, we had be The plight of the Traynor family aroused British reinforcements.1'i come quite friendly with him during the considerable national concern. A number The Dublin Castle weekly review stated time he was a prisoner in our hands. of letters appeared in the newspapers en that: 'On 22"ct inst., a party of 15 military When told he would be executed he took closing donations for this needy family. with a G.S. wagon, were ambushed at it well and showed no signs of bitterness Curraghcloney, Cahir, by about I 00 towards his captors. In fact any com On 13 May it was reported that a provi arn1ed men; but after a short engagement plaint he had to make was against his sional committee had been formed to in in which 3 soldiers were wounded ( one own authorities."lxix augurate a fund for the widow and mortally), the attack was abandoned."1xii orphans of the late Thomas Traynor. "He was a very gentlemanly, nice kind Just before the firing at the horse-drawn of man and though he was fanatically at Mr. G. Ward was the Chainnan; Mr. F.P. vehicles had begun, Potter had driven tached to doing what he considered to be Carey, Secretary; and Mr. T.J. Cullen, alone in his motor car into the ambush his duty, he also admired our adherence Treasurer. Offices were taken at 20 position. He was stopped and taken into to duty ... we put it to him that we would Fownes Street. a field. Being in civilian clothes, he was allow him to escape provided he gave us not recognised. A search of his pockets his word of honour. .. that he would take IRA Policy of Reprisals revealed his true identity and he was no further action against us ... he would Leading up to the execution of Kevin taken prisoner. The volunteers did not not give his word as required by us, but 1 Barry, Republicans maintained that as a dare release him "for fear he might sub said he must do his duty as he saw it." '' prisoner of war his killing was illegal. sequently identify the members of the As a result of these executions the IRA column, so we had no option but to take South Tipperary Brigade Intelligence Of embarked on a policy of retaliation. The him with us."lxiii ficer, Tom Carew, came into Clonmel on 1 execution of Patrick Moran led to an am the evening of the 25 h April disguised as bush in Roscommon which resulted in After the battle the Flying Column a farmer. He waited until 9 pm when the the killing of three policemen. Two po marched their prisoner a distance of 40 "Evening Herald" was available. He saw licemen were killed in Clifden, Co. Gal miles from the scene, cross country over the heading on the paper: "Thomas way as a reprisal for the execution of the Comeragh Mountains. Over the next Traynor hanged in Mountjoy prison this Thomas Whelan. These were Constable week or ten days Potter was detained in morning". Tom Carew then remarked: Reynolds, aged 33 and married, from various houses, in three different loca "Potter, I am sorry for you", took the Roscommon, and Constable Sweeney, tions, being moved by night. On one oc "Evening Herald" with him and drove 1 aged 24 and single, from Aughrim, Co. casion he managed to slip away, but was away in the horse and cart. ''; 1 Galway. ' soon recaptured, having been found hid ing in a bush. The Execution of District Inspector Capture of District Inspector Potter Gilbert Potter Thomas Traynor's life and death were to Offer of Prisoner Exchange "So, when we finally got the order from become intertwined with that of a 42 year The Brigade staff made an offer that Pot- Brigade Headquarters to can-y out his ex- Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS TRAYNOR 1 882-1 921 ecution, we did it regretfully ... took place in South Tipperary where A Remarkable Coincidence On this dark night Potter was marched off fourteen homes were destroyed. While serving in the Royal Navylxxviii, to his execution up to where the newly Gilbert Charles Potter met a service man opened grave was on the hill- from Ireland named Traynor, side." District Inspector Potter whose father, according to his died with great bravery. lxxii service record, had been exe cuted by the British during the Press Reports of D.I. Potter's Irish War of Independence. Execution Charles believed him to be the Under the heading: RE son of the man in retaliation PORTED FATE OF MISSING for whom his own father had OFFICER, 'SENTENCED TO been shot.lxxix DEATH', the Irish Independent of 29 April, 1921 carried the In 1966 Charles Potter re following report: turned to Ireland for the first time. He met with Dan Breen 'Dist. Inspector Gilbert Potter, who was by then living in a having been legally tried and nursing home in Co. Wicklow. convicted, was sentenced to Dan Breen had been involved death, which sentence was duly in the detention of D.I. Potter carried out on Wed., 27 April.' and in the abortive attempt at 1 prisoner exchange. ''' "That was the statement con tained in a typewritten letter Charles Potter was surprised, which Mrs. Potter, wife ofD.I. but pleased, to learn from the Potter, Cahir, received yester locals that the people in the day in a plain envelope un Cahir area, across the political stamped. The note which bore spectrum, held his father in a Cahir postmark, added that the highest regard as a kindly during the time of custody the and honourable man, notwith officer was well treated and standing his participation on shown every consideration. Thomas Traynor the "wrong side" of the The address on the letter was war.lxxxi written in Irish, and at the end of the no Re-interment of the Remains of tification was signed 'O.C.' Greatly Gilbert Potter Elizabeth Traynor and her family - the upset by this intimation, Mrs Potter, who During the Truce, the remains of Gilbert aftermath has young children is confined to bed. Potter were exhumed by the IRA from The memory of her Thomas' execution The district inspector had been stationed the secret grave, handed over to his had a profound effect on Elizabeth in Cahir for a number of years, and was widow, and then buried with full military Traynor. It left her in a "state of shock". very popular. He did much it is stated to honours in Kilconnor, Cahir on 30 She never told her children about these keep the town quiet .... Mr. Potter was August l 92 l.1xxvi momentous events for years. 1xxxii son of the late Rev. Mr. Potter, Let terkenny, Dean ofRaphoe".1xxiii Potter Family moves to England On the other hand, her grandchildren re Soon after these events Mrs. Lilias Potter member her as "jolly, hearty person, al On 8 May, Potter's widow received a par moved to Tunbridge Wells with her four ways up for a laugh".lxxxiii cel. It contained her husband's diary, children, where they lived in dire finan will, signet ring, his gold watch and a let cial straits until Potter's dependents were It is ironic that most of Thomas and Eliz ter to her. 1xxiv awarded £12,000 compensation. She abeth Traynor's children were forced to died in 1926. Two of her children died a emigrate to England or to the United The artefacts were later lost when their short time later. The surviving two, Hilda States in search of employment. son's ship was torpedoed during World and (Gilbert) Charles, were reared by an War 11.ixxv uncle in Liverpool. Elizabeth never mentioned her husband, Gilbert Charles joined the royal Navy, and may have visited his grave in Moun British Reprisals survived his ship being torpedoed during tjoy only once. It was bureaucratically 1 On l 8 h May, an officially sanctioned mil World War II, and lived to see his daugh difficult to get into Mountjoy to visit itary reprisal, ordered by Col. Comman ter married.lmii these graves, and the families were not dant N.J.G. Cameron, commanding 16'h afforded privacy, as the Prison Governor Infantry Brigade and Military Governor, had to be present at all times. Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS TRAYNOR l 882-1 921 Thomas and Elizabeth's grandchildren Traynor came from the Old Leighlin Mr. Monahan regretted that Mrs. Eliza were not told much about their grandfa quarries; the figure weighs 1.5 tons. The beth Traynor, who was then over 80, 1 ther. The erection of a monument to him material for the steps came from Strad could not attend the ceremony. xxxix 1 in Tullow aroused their interest. xxxiv bally and weighs 4.5 tons. The base of the statue weighs 7 tons. 1xxxvi Re-interment of the Remains of "The Memorial Cross erected in Mountjoy Forgotten Ten" On 8th October 1961, President de Valera The Memorial to Thomas Traynor was On J 't November 2000, the 80'h anniver unveiled a memorial cross in Mountjoy unveiled on Sunday 15th August, 1965. sary of the execution of Kevin Barry, the Prison at the graves of the ten patriots Thousands followed the parade led by Government announced plans to exhume who were executed during the War ofin bands through the town. Behind walked the bodies of the Mountjoy Martyrs, in dependence. veterans of the 1916 rebellion, including cluding that of Thomas Traynorxc. surviving members of B. Co., 3rc1 Batt., The ceremony was attended by the Dublin Brigade; Boland's Mills Garrison, On 14'h October 2001 nine of these bod Taoiseach, Mr. Sean Lemass, members and representatives of the 1916 Veterans' ies were re-interred in Glasnevin Ceme of the Government and Oireachtas, rela Association. tery with full State honours. This tives of the patriots, Easter Week veter followed a private service at Mountjoy, ans, Old LR.A., Cumann na mBan, and In attendance also was the renowned and Mass in St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral. members of the Kilmainham Restoration Simon Donnelly who figured in the Kil- The tenth, Patrick Maher was re-interred Committee. in Ballylanders. Co. Limerick, in accordance with his own The President thanked the expressed wish, and that of his Minister for Justice, Mr. family. Oscar Traynor, who was the Brigadier in whose command Known as the Forgotten Ten, most of these young men had these members of the Irish Re served, for having seen to it publican Army were executed that the graves did not remain by British Forces following unmarked. court-martials in 1920-1921. Their names are Kevin Barry, Among those present at the Patrick Moran, Frank Flood, ceremony was General Sean Thomas Whelan, Thomas MacEoin T.D., Thomas Traynor, Patrick Doyle, Traynor's cell-mate of forty Thomas Bryan, Bernard Ryan, 1 years previously. xxxv The remains of Thomas Traynor on their way to re-interment Edmond Foley and Patrick in Glasnevin Cemetery, Sunday 14th October 2001 Maher. In the early 1960s a commit tee was established in Tullow The families and relations of to be responsible for the fundraising and mainham Jail escape with Ernie O'Mal the "Forgotten Ten", including the erection of a suitable memorial to ley and Frank Teehan.1xxxvii Traynor family, were given pride of place Thomas Traynor in his native town. at the ceremonies. The oration was given by Eamonn Mac Its founding members were Sean Mon Thomais, Ath Cliath. Sean Monahan was "His spirit is free now n.«; aghan PC (chairman), William O'Connor the M.C., and the parade marshal was (secretary), Seamus Kavanagh (trea Seamus Roche, Tullow. The memorial Thomas Traynor - National Flag Tul surer), Denis Nolan (assistant secretary), was then blessed by Rev. Sean Kelly, low Presentation Laurence Murphy (assistant treasurer), C.C., Tullow ("an IRA man's son"). 1xxxviii At the Tullow Easter Sunday Thomas Frank Mallin, Henry Hickey MCC, The unveiling was performed by Thomas Traynor Memorial Ceremony, 2010, the Joseph Dooley, James McGrath, Patrick Traynor's eldest son Frank. As a National Flag, which had draped Thomas Dawson, Thomas Nolan, Peter Rooney, teenager, Frank was one of the last people Traynor's coffin, at its re-interment, was Patrick Byrne, John Browne, Michael to see his father alive (see above). For presented by his first grand-daughter, Ms. Kenny, Patrick Hickey, Joseph O'Mara the ceremony, Frank had travelled from Winefrid Murray to Mr. Paddy Hickey, and James Roche. the United States, where he had been liv Chairman of the Thomas Traynor Com ing for some years. He had made a con mittee, who accepted it on behalf of the Mr. Arthur J. Breen of Collins Avenue tribution of $1,200 towards the cost of people of Tullow. Whitehall was chosen as the sculptor. the memorial. In his youth Frank was the Paddy Hickey was a member of the orig (Mr. Breen had Rathvilly forebears). Irish champion bantam weight boxer, and inal Thomas Traynor Memorial Commit reached the finals of 1928 Amsterdam tee in 1965. The limestone for the figure of Thomas Olympics. Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS TRAYNOR 1 882-1921 The Donated Flag now rests in Tullow's Thomas Traynor:~ soul is now safe with Irish Rebel. New York: Chas. P. Young Museum. God. Company The sacrifice.for his land is made, Ballad of Thomas Traynor In the prison grounds is his body laid, Ryle Dwyer, T. ( 1991) Eamon de Valera. (Air: The Croppy Boy) With the sainted martyrs of liberty - Dublin: Poolbeg Press Ltd. Who died that Ireland might soon be.free. It was early, early, on a Monday morn Farrell, S. Our Count,y Our History. As the birds all sang in the.flush ofdawn Wexford: Privately published On a Monday morning. on the gallows Bibliography high Hopkinson, M. (2002) The Irish Wc1r of News pa - Independence. Dublin: Gill & Macmil- pers Ian Ltd. Freeman's Journal National Graves Association (2001) Ho Irish Inde nouring the Mountjoy Martyrs (The For pendent gotten Ten) The Irish Times Thom:~ Official Directory 1920/1921. The Nation Dublin: Alex Thom & Co. Limited alist and Le- inster Times DVD Maher, M. (Director), King, S. (Re Letters searcher) (2002) Never Forgotten. Kilmain Dublin: DIT School of Media ham Gaol Thomas Traynor's grave, Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin and Mu- seum Websites Thom as www.wikipedia.org Traynor i National Graves Association, Honour Brave Thomas Traynor was led forth to National Archives ing The Mountjoy Martyrs, p. 32 die. Bureau of Military History 1913-1921 ii Charles J. Kickham (1828-1882) had Carlow County Library Newspaper been one of the original Fenians. A poet, Led forth to die in his manhood~- prime; Archive writer and journalist, he was sentenced to No flag did.flutter; no bell did chime, Carlow County Museum 14 years penal servitude in the 1860s for But the Rosary spoken, came sweet and Glasnevin Cemetery his treasonable writings. For several clear Irish Newspaper Archives years before he died he was the leader of From the people all gathered round the Kilmainham Gaol and Museum the reorganised l.R.B. All his life, Kick jail gate nea,: Manuscript Collection, Trinity College, ham had struggled with ill health, includ Let my loving wife neither weep nor sigh, Dublin ing bad eyesight and poor hearing, the For Ireland:~ sake I am proud to die, National Library of Ireland result of an explosion of a powder flask I am proud to die though my children Tullow Museum when he was 13. John Devoy called him dear "the finest intellect in the Fenian move A.fathers voice never more shall hear. Books ment, either in Ireland, or in America". Carey, T. (200 I) Hanged.for Ireland 'The iii The Nationalist and Leinster Times,30 Fight not for vengeance when I am dead, Forgotten Ten' Executed 1920-1921. A April, 1921 Nor from duty s path let your minds be Documented History. Dublin: Blackwa iv Ibid. led, ter Press ' Mrs. May Byrne, their eldest child, who But.fight.for freedom -for the cause I die in 1916 was aged 13, interviewed in Connell Jr., J.E.A. (2009) Dublin in Re 1991 on a family video which was fea And place your trust in Great God on bellion A Directmy 1913-1923. Dublin: tured in Never Forgotten, a DVD pro high. The Lilliput Press duced by DIT School of Media vi Ibid. Like music soft on the mountain air Coogan, T.P. (2001) 1916: The Easter ,ii Ibid. The people~· voices rise in murmured Rising. London: Cassell & Co. prayer, viii Joseph E.A. Connell Jnr., Dublin in The bolt is drawn, tight the.fatal cord. Devoy, J. (1929) Recollections of an Rebellion. A Directo1y 1913-1923, p 328 ix Ibid. p.127 Carloviana 2013-14 THOMAS TRAYNOR 1 882-1 921 ' Tim Pat Coogan, I 9 I 6: The Easter Ris stable Eugene Igoe came from a Co. MacEoin was eventually released to rat ing, p. 105 Mayo Catholic farming family. The ify the Truce in the Dail at the insistence xi DeValera was the only battalion com "Igoe Gang" were officially known as the of Michael Collins. He supported the mander who did not allow women in his Combined Intelligence Services (CIS), Treaty and became Chief of Staff of the garrison. Connell, op. cit. p. 127 reporting to Col. Ormonde Winter. It National Army of the Free State in 1923. xi, Joseph E.A. Connell Jnr., op. cit. p. 329 was made up of plainclothes policemen He was TD for Sligo and Longford xiii T. Ryle Dwyer, Eamon De Valera, p.25 from all over the country who patrolled (1929-65) and was an unsuccessful can xiv Ibid p. 26 the streets of Dublin looking for wanted didate for Fine Gael in two presidential xv O'Connell Jnr, op. cit. p. 382 men. It proved a serious threat to Collin's elections, 1945 and 1959. MacEoin was rn Sean Farrell, Our Count,y, Our His operation and was never penetrated by Minister for Justice ( 1948-1951) and De tory, p. 70 the IRA. In fact "the Igoe gang" caught fence (1951 and 1954-57). xvii DTT School of Media, Never Forgot a volunteer whom Collins had brought to xi National Graves Association, The ten Dublin to identify Igoe. After the War of Mountjoy Martyrs, p. 32 xviii Tim Carey, op. cit. p. 129 Independence Igoe went to work for spe xii The Nationalist and Leinster Times, xix In July 1920 a force was organised cial branches in other countries and never August 20, 1965 composed of veteran army officers, to be returned to his farm in Mayo. known as the Auxiliary Division of the "' Brig. Gen. Francis Stuart Montague xiii Ibid. p. 149 RIC. In all 2214 auxiliaries were re Bates CB., CMG., DSO. (1873-1954) xliii The Nationalist and Leinster Times, 30 cruited, including 281 who had been dec was commissioned in the East Surrey April 1921 orated for gallantry and three holders of Regiment in 1900. He served in the xliv Irish Independent, 25 April 1921 the VC. c.f. Michael Hopkinson, The South African War, the Canadian forces, xiv Ibid. Irish War of Independence, p. 50 and during World War 1, in France, Egypt xlvi Ibid. '' Bureau ofMilitary History 1913-1921, and Salonika. He was mentioned in dis ,ivii Mrs. May Byrne, op. cit. Witness Statement 707, Michael Noyk, patches six times. In 1921 he was ap xlviii Mrs. Traynor fulfilled her late hus Solicitor, Legal Advisor to Arthur Grif pointed OC, Dublin Castle. In August band's wishes diligently bringing up their fith and Michael Collins, who instructed 1922 he returned to England and com children in the Catholic faith - conversa Nolan Whelan, Council for the Defence. manded the 1' 1 Battalion, East Surrey tion with Mrs. Audrie! Byrne, their Noyk's offices were situated at 12 tol4, Regiment from 1923 to 1932. He retired grand-daughter, with the present writer, College Green and 65 Lower Leeson in 1932, serving in the Home Guard dur Easter Sunday, 2013 Street. He appeared in the Dail/Republi ing WW II. xiix Carey, op. cit. p.152 I can courts during the War of Independ xxxi Tim Carey, op. cit. p. 137 The Nationalist and Leinster Times, 30 ence, and gave advice to the Dail. He xxxii Bureau, op. cit. p. 83 April 1921 was solicitor for Eamon (Ned) Broy xxxiii Bureau, op. cit. p. 94 Ii Irish Independent, April 26, 1921 when Broy was imprisoned at Arbour xxxiv Carey, op. cit. p. 146 Iii DIT School of Media, op.cit., and Irish Hill. xxxv Bureau, Noyk, op. cit. p. 95 Independent, op. cit. xxi Tim Carey, Hanged/or Ireland, 'The xxxvi Carey, p. 148, quoting Freeman '.1' !iii The Nationalist and Leinster Times, Fmgotten Ten', p.136. Thom's Official Journal, 25 April 1921 April 30, 1921, and Irish independent, Directory 1920/1921 lists the occupants xxxvii Ibid., p. 149 , quoting Freeman s April 26, 1921 of 144 Great Brunswick Street as being Journal, 25 April 1921 !iv Carey, op. cit. p. 150 "St. Andrew's Catholic Club". xxxviii Bureau, O'Connor, op. cit. p. 51 " Ibid., quoting General Prison Board xxi, Freeman:~ Journal, 15 March 1921 xxxi, Sean Mac Eoin was known as "the (GPB), 1921, 3345 ,,;,; Bureau of Military History 1913- Blacksmith ofBallinalee". He was Com Ivi Bureau, O'Connor op. cit. p. 51 1921, Witness Statement 487, Joseph O' - pany Captain and Director of Operations h,i Carey, op. cit. p. 152, courtesy of the Connor, 152 Rathfarnham Road, Dublin, for the Longford Brigade, 1917-1920. Traynor Family Captain "A" Company 3,d Battalion Arrested and badly wounded in March !viii Irish Independent, May 3, 1921 Dublin Brigade, 1916; Commandant do. 1921, he was returned unopposed to the lix Carey, op. cit. p. 154 1 p.48 Second Dail. He was sentenced to death ' Bureau of Military History 1913-1921, AXiV ibid. p. 49 in June 1921 for the murder of District Witness Statement II 27, Edward G. "'Bureau of Military History 1913-1921, Inspector T.J. McGrath. In an interview Glendon, 30 Gladstone Street, Clonmel, Noyk, op. cit. p. 83 in the Irish Independent on Feb. 6, 1969 Co. Tipperary, Adjutant ·c Company 811i "'' Bureau of Military History 1913- MacEoin recalled how Thomas Traynor Battalion South Tipperary Brigade, Ad 1921,, O'Connor, op. cit. p. 49 had given him a plan of the courtroom in jutant 8t11 Battalion do., Member ofN0.1 rn,i Freeman:~ Journal, 15 March 1921 City Hall from which he had hoped to es Flying Column 3rd Tipperary Brigade, p. xxvii, Irish Independent, May 26, 1965, p cape during his own trial. Taking a sign 8 7 to be the result of his prayers, Mac Eoin Ix, Carey, op. cit. p. 155, quoting Irish In '"' Tim Carey, op. cit. p. 137. Head Con- decided not to attempt this escape. dependent, 29 April, 1921 Carloviana 2013-14 t THOMAS TRAYNOR l 882-1 92 l !xii Bureau, op. cit. p. 8 was referred to by General Richard 1"'Goulden Papers 7282a/l 96 txiii Ibid. p. 8 Mulcahy in the heated debates on the lxxxi D.I.T. School of Media, op. cit. !xiv Bureau of Military History I 913- Treaty in Dail Eireann on 22"d December txxxii Conversation with Mrs. Audrie! 1921, Witness Statement No. 1,100, John 1921 Byrne, her grand-daughter, and the pres Sharkey, "Glencar" Tolrrnaheena, txxvi Wikipedia, Gilbert Potter ent writer, September 2013 Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Battalion I.O. 4,h Jxxvii The meeting is said to have place Jxxxiii DTT School of Media, op. cit. Battalion, South Tipperary Brigade, aboard HMS Diana on the South China lxxxi, Irish independent, October 9, 1961, 1919-, Acting 1.0. South Tipperary Seas. Dan Breen mentioned it to Carlton p.9 Brigade, 1918-1921, p. 14 Younger when he was researching Ire- lxxxv The Nationalist and Leinster Times, lxvDan Breen (1894-1969) August 20, 1965 was born in Grange, Donohill lxxxvi Ibid. Parish, Co. Tipperary. He lxrn ii Ibid. was an IRA volunteer during lxxxvii, Ibid. the War oflndependence and txxxix A sketch map had been the Civil War. On 21 '' Janu given by an anny officer at gen ary 1919, the day the first eral Headquarters, Portobello Dail met, Breen took part in Barracks, Dublin, to a Captain 1 an ambush under the leader Stafford on April 9 h 1923 which ship of Sean Tracey, which showed the location of the each resulted in two RIC men grave. This sketch map proved being killed. This is regarded to be absolutely accurate. A as the first incident of the team of archaeologists led by War of Independence. Dan Mr. Tom Condit ofDuchas - the Breen was elected as an Anti Heritage Service (now the Na Treaty TD in 1923, became tional Monuments Service of the first Anti-Treaty to take Dept. of Arts, Heritage and the his seat in 1927, and served Gaeltacht), and including Ms. as a Fianna Fail TD from Isabella Mulhall from Tullow, 1932 to his retirement in excavated the site. The late Dr. 1965. Maire Delaney, formerly of the !xvi National Graves Associa Dept. of Anatomy, Trinity Col tion, The Mountjoy Martyrs, lege Dublin, and former State p.32 Pathologist, Dr. John Harbison, !xvii Bureau of Military His were also involved. Prison tory, op. cit. p. 9 records of height of prisoners !xviii Ibid. p. 9 etc. ensured correct identifica- txix Bureau of Military His Mrs. Winifred Murray, grand-daughter of Thomas tion. Dr. Delaney was able to tory 1913-1921, Witness Traynor, presenting the National Flag to Mr. Patrick tell the families that the men had Statement 881, James Kil Hickey, Chairman, at the 2010 annual Thomas undoubtedly received a proper martin, Cutteen, Monard Co. Traynor Easter Commemoration in Tullow. Christian burial. They were Tipperary, Member of Irish found intact, and properly laid Volunteers, Solohead, Co. out. -Irish Times. October 13, Tipperary, 1917-; Second in 2001 Command, No. I Flying Column yct Tip land's Civil Wai'. Younger dismissed it '" Conversation between Frank Bulger, perary Brigade, p. 15 "as a nice story, but an old man's fancy", Una Woods, Leonard O'Sullivan, grand 1 " Bureau, Sharkey, W.S. No. 1,100, p. p. 146. The story is recalled in corre children of the late Thomas Traynor, DIT 14 spondence between Charles Potter and School of Media, op. cit. lxxi Bureau, Kilmartin, W.S. No. 881, p. J.P. Goulden in the 1960s. Goulden Pa 16 gives a graphic account of D.I Pot pers, Manuscript Collection TCD) ter's execution lxxviii Thomas Traynor's son, Thomas, ixxii Carey, op. cit. p. 155 having emigrated to England, was con lxxiii cf. Wikipedia article on Gilbert Potter, scripted into the British Anny during where his will, diary and last letters are WWII. (Present writer's conversation reproduced with Mrs. Audrie! Byrne, grand-daughter lxxiv Ibid. ofThomas Traynor, Easter Sunday 2012) txxv Carey, op. cit. p. 155. Potter's death txxix See Note 46 Carloviana 2013-14 The River Barrow - My Childhood Companion Betty Ryan-O'Gorman he Gasworks is gone, the Bishop area. Around that part of the river there or men walking their dogs were the only no longer resides in his monu was a concentration of very strong people I came across; they usually ig Tmental palace and Carlow Sugar smells. Up river the lagoons that the beet nored me unless they knew me. I never beet Factory is demolished. Canal barges factory used for depositing the sludge met a woman and I never once saw an are only plied for pleasure but the Barrow gave off a disgusting stink during the other child in all my expeditions. I was River flows eternally to join with its two campaign. The smell from the factory mitching from school so didn't expect to sister rivers and enter the sea at New when the beet was being pulped and meet other children. I was content with Ross. The memories that lie in that time cooked was pleasant. The sweet smell of my own company; I enjoyed my sur less water and the untold stories that orig the cooking sugar and the strange aroma roundings and loved reading. inate from the mossy banks will forever from the pulp was always a well loved remain a mystery. Tales of life and death forenmner of Christmas. Getting back to the landmarks; Dr lie submerged in its silent depths as it Kelly's boathouse was next to the grave makes its unrelenting way to the sea. In the beginning I had to climb over a yard. There was a cement slip for his boat barbed wire fence and cross the back to access the river. In the boathouse was The Barrow river flowed by the end of an drain to get to the track line or else tra kept a highly varnished motor boat which old quarry behind our house. J always verse Montgomery Street. Carlow Coun was launched on rare occasions. The loved that river from my youngest days. cil took over the quarry, as it was a part boathouse was the dividing line between When I was old enough to go alone I of the George Bernard Shaw bequest. Kelvin Grove and the Old Graves. Kelvin would go out of our garden gate into The hollows were filled in, the mounds Grove belonged to St Dympna's Mental Grave Lane and navigate an uneven route levelled out and all was grassed over. The Hospital. It had a stately house standing through the quarry. At the end was the en Shaw Park came into being on the once out of sight of the track line close to the trance to a cemetery which was known derelict site. Tarmac footpaths, flower Athy Road. The grounds were tilled by locally as The Old Graves. Many famous beds, a sandpit, climbing frames, chil male patients and frnit and vegetable people were buried there. They had or dren's swings and roundabouts were pro crops grew profusely. The main house nate monuments and walls with railings vided - these latter gifted by the Lions held elderly, long term patients; I think at surrounding their graves. There were Club. By co-incidence a park keeper, the time there were only females residing graves covered with flat tables of stone named Shaw, was appointed. He was a there. Stately trees lined a walk on top of with undecipherable writing on them. My great disciplinarian. He rnled with a rod the hill overlooking the river. I often saw cousins and I spent many happy hours of iron and the park was kept in pristine an elderly patient there who would wave playing among the overgrown tomb order. We were even afraid to walk on to me. This was a lovely little country stones. We vainly tried to decipher the the grass in case he shouted at us. A little woman with rosy cheeks by the name of engravings on the old headstones but concrete bridge was built over the back Julia. She used to come to the wall of the they were either too faint or else in Latin. drain with a double iron gate and a turn Shaw Park and talk to us. She always The sun always seemed to shine when we stile for pedestrian access. No more ended up crying because she had been were there and butterflies were abundant scratched legs from scaling barbed wire left in the Hospital the whole of her adult amongst the weeds and wildflowers. It or no long walk through Montgomery life; her brothers never claimed her out. was a peaceful, happy place to play in. Street. Her straight white hair had the usual se vere hospital cut. Julia wore a crossover, Opposite the graveyard there was a high The Barrow Track was my escape route flowery apron with pockets in it. Her wall, towering over it were two huge to dreams. Walking by the ancient grave pockets bulged with red eating apples tanks. This was the Gasworks and before yard, with its leaning tombstones and from the orchard which she gave to us. J it came into sight you could get the tarry, silent monuments always gave me a felt really sorry for Julia, her sadness and gassy smell. I could have found my way sense of calmness. During autumn and loneliness were evident. Whatever men to the river by following that distinctive, spring when I ventured along the river tal break down had occurred that caused overpowering smell that permeated the side I never met another child. Fishermen her to be certified insane and incarcer- Carloviana 2013-14 THE RIVER BARROW - MY CHILDHOOD COMPANION ated, had long been cured. fussed and flurried and made busy sorties a kind of dog paddle. Once I found my in and out of the willows that overhung self out of my depth and still afloat I de After Kelvin Grove was the Bishop's the river. Once I saw an otter sunning it cided to continue across the river to the palace, Braganza, high on a bluebell cov self briefly on a little Island, the dark, far bank. That bank was much further ered hill. It was an imposing building glistening skin caught my eye. It must than I thought but I was afraid to tum which had a little wooden bridge over the have been aware of my approach as it back so kept going. When I was a few back drain to gain access from the track. slipped into the water before I got time to yards from the opposite bank there were A wooden door surrounded by barbed study it; sadly I never saw it again. In the reeds and weeds to negotiate, not pleas wire was locked to keep intruders out. It evening bats flew low, emitting strange, ant but needs must. Sitting on that bank was difficult but not impossible for an nearly soundless squeaks. They never the river seemed to have got wider; my agile child to gain entry. Once when com bothered me as I had read that they could friends seemed very far away. There was ing home I couldn't resist the bluebells. I avoid objects because they had some nothing for it only to swim back, I was carefully negotiated my way over and kind of radar. My cousins were te1Tified confident of staying afloat it was just that through the barbed wire. I was busily that they would get entangled in their the distance seemed to have grown. Thus picking the bluebells on the hillside when hair. I was alone in my liking of the began my love affair with the Barrow. I I became aware of a dark shadow above strange little creatures. Midges made our was happiest when I was in the water; I me. "You shouldn't steal the Bishop's heads itchy, the bats were probably flying loved its soft caress. I felt as ifit was my flowers" a stern voice commanded. I low catching their supper on the wing. mother holding me safely in her arms. nearly passed out when I looked up and The river was my friend, the sister I never saw a gigantic figure in a long black One day I had my brother's fishing rod. had. All that summer the sun shone on the gown towering over me. Dropping the Lying on my stomach I gazed into the water making it sparkle and smile. It flowers I tumbled down the hill, to this greeny, brown depths in the harbour at flowed slower, its banks got higher. The day I can't remember how I managed to the back of the factory. I could see fish water was so low that I could walk on a scale the barbed wire without impaling swimming near the bottom. I impaled a ridge down the middle of the river before myself. grub on the hook, cast the line and waited the end of one long summer. I spent all patiently. After what seemed like hours I day, every day swimming. This was the last building before the felt a tug on the line and when I reeled it Sugar Beet Factory. The only thing of in there was an eel wriggling on the end Jimmy O'Neill, who was the backbone of note was a concrete stand on the river of it. This was not what I was expecting the Carlow Swimming Club, asked me to bank which we knew as the Scotsman's. but I was excited just the same. I man join the club. He told me that there were Nobody knew exactly why it went by that aged to remove the eel from the hook and no girl members and would I bring my name. This marked the half mile swim threw it on the grass. I resumed my fish cousins and other friends from Mont for competitions to the Swimming Club ing but was acutely aware of the eel's gomery Street and the Athy Road along. pavilion. At this point I could see the contortions. I could stick it no longer so They were about to knock the wall down huge pipe that brought the sludge from I put aside the rod and found a rock - I that divided the dressing rooms and let washing the beet across the river to the banged the eel several times with the rock the men and boys have the whole prem settling lagoons. During the campaigns but it still moved - eventually I couldn't ises. I was only too pleased to become a the stench from these lagoons pe1meated stand its wriggling and threw it back into member of the club. The pavilion was the whole town. It was the most sour, vile the river. It was probably well dead and closer to my home and it was a treat to be smell one could imagine. Carlow people ended up food for Pike. I had no evidence able to get changed in the privacy of the didn't realize where it came from or what of my one and only catch. I gave up the girls changing room. From then on the caused it. I was embarrassed when fishing after that episode. Swimming Club became my home from strangers to Carlow enquired about the home. Shortly after joining, Jimmy asked obnoxious smell. It was only years later I learned to swim in the tributary of the me if I would compete in the Leinster that I realized where it emanated from. Barrow, the Lerr. The day I was able to Championships in the pool in the Cur The reason that the smell became so bad take my toe off the bottom was a red let ragh. I agreed, not knowing anything was because the stagnant contents of the ter day for me. I graduated to the Barrow about competitive swimming or never lagoon were agitated from the tare from the very next day. I went with my cousins having swum in a pool in my life. I was washing of beet during the campaign. to the place where the pipe went across mortified when I realized that the other from the factory and the water was fairly competitors knew how to do a racing On my expeditions I was always aware low near the bank. I didn't know how to dive and I had to tell the surprised starter of the water hens. Those busy little birds swim properly but kept myself up doing that I would have to stand in the pool as had their habitat on the far bank. They Carloviana 2013-14 THE RIVER BARROW - MY CHILDHOOD COMPANION I didn't know how to dive. When I saw doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve for'. what I had experienced on my beloved the distance the divers gained as they Barrow. dived over my head I made up my mind The tales that could be told about those that the next time I was in a competition years when we were members of Carlow I would be diving too. Jimmy showed me Swimming Club and our adventures in how to do a racing dive when I got back and on the river and its banks could fill Carlow 800 to Carlow. many a journal. The friendships that were forged still remain to this day. The inno Pat O'Neill The swimming club had been declining cent fun that was derived from the Bar before us girls joined. We suggested that row River remains a treasured memory. the Annual Gala Dance should be up Those successful swimming galas we or As part of the Gathering Ireland 2013 graded to a supper dance. We thought it ganized and participated in are distant Carlow celebrated the 800'h anniversary would be a good idea to feed the visiting memories now. The many great swim of the construction of Carlow Castle and swimmers in particular. Many of the mers and divers that Carlow Swimming in a series of events recorded some of the competitors travelled from Dalkey, Sea Club produced were legendary in Lein events of those 800 years and the back point, Tullamore, Athlone and Mullingar. ster. I treasure my Leinster medals and ground to the creative and cultural town We knew that they would be hungry; remember with pride the achievements of of today. there were no chippers those times where our members in Life Saving and in River The Carlow 800 events were staged in food could be purchased. It took quite a races. I was a member of a ladies team Heritage Week and were organised by lot of persuasion to get the Honorary which competed in the finals of the Le Carlow Town Council. Our society was Treasurer, Jackie Keating, to agree to inster Life Saving Championships. We represented on the organising committee fund the food. My cousins Cathleen and didn't win but we compared very by Pat O'Neill and Martin Nevin. Una and friend Mary Carpenter were ap favourable to teams that had the luxury pointed to take charge of the catering. We of heated pools for twelve months while The event the society was most closely hadn't a clue but we were full of confi we swam in the river only during the involved with was the Carlow 800 His dence, the confidence that ignorance and summer. tory Conference which is dealt with in a youth bestows. My catering career began separate article. in a grotty little room in the Ritz ballroom The Barrow was a means of conveying that served as kitchen. Our first task was goods when I began my river watching The program of events around the festival to fill the Burco boiler with water to days. The canal barges were a regular was comprised of exhibitions and con make our chosen dessert, Sherry trifle. sight. Brawny men in discoloured vests certs, a craft and artisan food fair and an We couldn't see into the Burco as it was gave us friendly waves as they chugged Irish chef's world culinary challenge. The too tall and it never entered our heads to by on their laden boats. Small terriers younger age groups were catered for in rinse it out. Having waited for what chased imaginary cats around the deck, adventure and storytelling events. seemed hours for the water to boil we barking madly. Washing fluttered gaily The final event of the program was the proceeded to turn the tap on over the from makeshift clotheslines. Smoke rededication of the Old Burial Ground on enamel basins that the jellies were in. trailed from little metal chimneys. the Athy Road. Carlow Town Council has Next thing we noticed there were black thought it must be lovely to live on a commissioned a care and conservation objects floating in the Jelly. We realized barge on the river. We occasionally plan for this ancient burial place which that spiders must have been residing in helped the taciturn lock - man to open the hopefully will give it the long term care the empty Burco. Not having time to re Lock gates to let the barges through; at and maintenance it deserves and requires. fill the Burco and not wanting to waste least we thought that we were helping by our jellies we scooped out the boiled spi applying our lithe bodies to the huge arm ders and continued with our Trifle mak that opened them. It was fascinating to ing. A bottle of Sherry poured over the watch the level of the water change be sponges salved our consciences regard tween the gates and to see the barge men ing the dead spiders and we decided that skilfully navigate the big, laden barges they had been well sterilized anyway. The safely through. When I eventually went visitors and our own lads loved the trifle to London I was drawn to the Thames. and asked for second helpings. Re-filling Studying the lifestyle on the working their dishes we hid our grins. I remember boats that traversed that busy waterway I thinking of the saying - 'what the eye thought that they didn't hold a candle to Carloviana 2013-14 Penal Crosses found in Co. Carlow: the significance of 18th and 19th century devotional crucifixes in early modem Ireland. Louise Nugent Introduction crosses because On a visit to the Carlow County Museum many of them were in 2012, J noticed two small artefacts made during the time associated with early modem pilgrimage when a series of laws in Ireland. The artefacts in question are known as penal laws two small crucifixes (CCM 80/47 & were imposed on CCM80/46) which are generally referred Catholics and non to as Penal Crosses (Pl.l & 2). conformist religions in Ireland to force What are Penal crosses? them to conform to The term 'penal cross' describes a small the established Angli group of wooden crucifixes dating to can Church (Lucas early eighteenth- early nineteenth cen 1954, 146). There are tury. The crucifixes were manufactured a small number of ar by Irish peasants living near Lough Derg, ticles available on in I Co. Donegal and subsequently sold to dividual and small people attending the pilgrimage on Sta groups of penal tion Island in Lough Derg (Fig 1; Lucas crosses (Begley 1938; 1954, 145). Lough Derg has been a site Evans 1951; Biggar, of pilgrimage from at least the twelfth 1907, 1909; 6 century and by the eighteenth and nine Muireadhaigh 1929; Pl. I : CCM 80/47 teenth centuries the site attracted large Wall 1935). The group numbers of pilgrims from all over Ire as a whole has been discussed in depth yew (Lucas 1954, 146-153). The major land. Along with Lady's Island in Co. by Lucas (1954) and more recently by 6 ity of the crucifixes have a perforated Wexford it was one of the few Irish pil Fearghail (2012). Today examples of the projection at the top of the cross, pierced grim sites to have official church ap crucifixes can be seen on display at the from side to side to accommodate a cord proval during the eighteenth and National Museum oflreland exhibition at and allowing it to be worn as a pendant nineteenth century (Turner & Turner Turlough Park, Co. Mayo, National Sci or attached to rosary beads ( ibid., 153; 2011, 257-259). ence & Ecclesiastical Museum at NUI Pl.3 & Fig. 2). Lucas's study suggests Maynooth, the Hunt Museum in Limer that the smaller crucifixes are later in date The crucifixes are referred to as "penal ick city and the County Museums at and were produced from the end of the Armagh, Monaghan and Carlow & eighteenth century (Lucas 1954, 146, the Cashel folk park. 153). Among the Hunt Museum collection is a Design and Form small lead cross which appears to have Penal crosses as a group conform to been based on the design of the wooden a standard shape, a simple Latin penal crosses. This is one of only four cross with short arms and a figure of known surviving lead crosses (Anon Christ carved in high relief. The size 2002, 132). Lucas does not refer to any of the crucifix can vary from 400 mm other lead examples in his paper which, to 200 mm in height. Each one is may suggest that this is a rare occurrence. carved from a single piece of solid He does however make note of a small wood, which accounts for the short number of crosses carved from bone, am1 span of the cross. As of yet there which like the lead example confonn in has not been a detailed study of the style to the wooden crosses. The bone types of wood used in their manufac- crucifixes are similar in style and size to PL2 : CCM 80/46 ture but a small number that have the later examples of the wooden crosses been identified were confirmed as (Lucas 1954, 153 ). Carloviana 2013-14 PENAL CROSSES FOUND IN Co. CARLOW As a general rule of thumb the front side or cross-staff formerly carried by pil mass produced and sold cheaply which of all the crucifixes have the title INRI grims to Lough Derg' (1965, 301 ). meant the lower classes could more eas (Jesus Nazarenus Rex ludaeorum) over ily get hold of such images (Ryan 2007 the head of the of the Christ figure. The 111-12). Depictions of scenes of the pas majority of the crosses are decorated with Symbols of the Passion found on the sion on surviving metal artefacts, de symbols of the passion (Fig. 2 & 3 ), al Crucifixes scriptions in literature and funerary though some like the two examples in Studies have shown that the medieval monuments dating from the fifteenth Carlow County museum are undecorated. souvenirs purchased by pilgrims were seventeenth century show the continuing In those that are decorated the majority decorated with symbols of the saint or Irish interest in the passion (ibid. 114). of decoration is located beneath the feet scenes from his/her death, his/her relics This devotion to the passion continued of Christ (Lucas 1954, 155). and shrine (Spencer 1998). There is no into the eighteenth century and symbols definitive evidence for the production of of the passion are found on contemporary The back of the cross usually has the date medieval pilgrim souvenirs in Ireland al funerary monuments across Ireland of purchase. In the earlier examples the though souvenirs from foreign pilgrim (Pl.5). date runs down the length of the shaft shrines have turned up in Ireland (Nugent while in the later editions the letters are 2010 Vol. II, 43-51). The penal crosses Lough Derg was also known as Patrick's smaller. The letters IHS purgatory and tradition (Iesous, Huios, Soter/ held that while St Patrick Jesus, Son, Saviour) with was fasting on Saint's Is a cross rising from the bar land in a cave he caught a of the H into the upper glimpse of purgatory. shaft are present on all Throughout the late me crosses (6 Feraghail dieval period Lough Derg 2012, 140). On some of was a place of penitential the decorated examples pilgrimage and pilgrims immediately below the would come to the island text IHS are the three nails in the hopes of imitating of the crucifixion Patrick's visions. The cave arranged in a fanwise was filled in, in the eigh arrangement (Lucas 1954, teenth century but the 156). One of the Lough Derg penitential nature of the Maynooth crosses ( Cat. site remained and the pil no. 9.14) bears the inscrip- gnmage continued to tion "Pray for Thom Frei" on its side are the first known souvenirs produced in have a strong association with purgatory while on the back is the date 1823 and the Ireland. and the afterlife. The passion symbols faded initials J. G., perhaps implying the show Christ's death on the cross to atone cross had two owners (Pl.4). The Frei Lough Derg is associated with St Patrick for the sins of humanity and make salva cross was presented to the museum by a yet the crucifixes do not show any sym tion possible for all Christians. The sym B. Crehan, of Elphin, Co. Roscommon bolism of the saint. One can postulate bols of the passion are very fitting as for but no other information is given that the symbolism of the passion were the island pilgrimage. According to 6 (Maynooth museum catalogue, 1955; chosen due to the great devotion to the Fergaill (2012, 140) the symbols of the McKeith 1995). Many of the crosses also passion in medieval and early modern passion on the penal cross were graphic have scourges on the back. Ireland and the association of the island reminders of Christ's death. Perhaps the with penance and purgatory. pilgrims by looking at these symbols while undergoing the rigors of the Lough The origins of the penal cross are not The imagery of the passion was a popular Derg pilgrimage (three days of fasting, clear and there are a number of vague ref part of late medieval and early modern abstaining from sleep and walking in erences to crosses or cross staffs being devotion. Salvador Ryan (2007, 111) bare feet) could hope to understand the used in the eighteenth century by pil notes that suffering of Christ on the Cross and give grims at Lough Derg for example, Rev them hope for their own salvation though John Richardson in 1727 noted of Lough Perhaps at no other time in his the suffering of their pilgrimage. Derg pilgrims tory has the theme of Christ's passion and death more confi Due to the constraints of space only a se In their Circuitings and Peram dently occupied the devotional lect number of the passion symbols were bulations, they move with a stage than during the later Mid used to decorate the crosses. The most cross-staff in their Hands (Lucas dle Ages .... popular motif is cock and pot, found on 1954, 167). 87 of the crucifixes recorded by Lucas. With the advent of the printing press The table below shows a list of the 14 6 Gallachair suggests the penal cross printing of wood cuts and engravings al symbols that are present on the crosses as may have developed from ' ... rude cross lowed the passion iconography to be a group. Carloviana 2013-14 PENAL CROSSES FOUND IN Co. CARLOW Symbols of the Passion found on the Cock and Pot: The image relates to an length and the arm span of the cross is Penal Crosses Meaning of Symbols apocryophal story of Judas. After betray 125 mm. Fig 2 (Image from museum in Cords: Cords bound Christ to pillar ing Christ, Judas returned home to hang Donegal). Dice: Roman soldiers casting lots for himself; his wife who was roasting a Christ's clothes Appear only 4 crosses cock on the fire, tried to calm him down carry this motif. In 2 cases the dice is ac telling him it companied with hammer and pincers. was as likely Jug/Basin: Pilate washing his hands. that Christ Jug isn't found on crosses but basin - half would nse oval or hour glass found on the lower again on the shaft or on the transom below the right third day, as arm of Christ and is often covered the cock with horizontal lines. cooking in Stars: Recall sun, moon and stars of the pot to Inscription on the Friel Cross biblical stories or a legendary story come to life. associated with Adam. The cock then flew out of the pot and The Carlow Crucifixes The Pincers: Pincers are often associated crew. In an Irish version of the tale the Both of the crucifixes at Carlow County with the hammer, and symbolise the tak cock flew out of the pot clapping his Museum, CCM 80/4 7 & CCM80/46 are ing of Christ off the cross. wings proclaiming Ta Mac na hOighe plain and date from the late eighteenth to Spear: Piercing of Jesus' side by the Slan (the son of the Virgin is safe). The early nineteenth century. Both crosses lance. Shown on the right hand side in motif is found on the majority of penal were found within the county of Carlow penal crosses. crosses as well as being found on a yet little is known about their history. Skull and Cross Bones: Symbolises an number of fifteenth century tombs with CCM80/46 is 100 mm in length from the association with Adam. The image is passion symbolism. top of the cross to the base and 50mm usually below the feet of Christ and Ladder: Act of crucifixion and taking across the arms of the cross and 4 mm in carved in relief with crossed bones body from the cross, and the ascension thickness. The cross is slightly curved incised beneath it, or skull bones are into heaven. Found on Left hand side of and it is likely that this was the result of incised sometimes skull replaced by Penal crosses. the natural shape of the piece of wood it winged cherub. Hammer: Nailing Christ to the cross. was carved from. At the top of the cross Scourges: Symbolises the whipping of Nails: They are usually found on back of is a small projection for accommodating Christ, short moulded handles lashes, crucifixes. They most commonly occur in a string (Pl. 1). three knotted cords or thongs. three arranged like a fan, usually found I could not identify what type of wood it on back of cross in lower shaft was carved from but it had a very fine immediately below the transom. grain, light weight with a light beige Fig. 1. Table of Symbols of the colour. This cross is undecorated with the passion based on discussion of exception of the text INRI at the top and Lucas (1954), O'Keeffe (1999) & the figure of Christ on the cross. The fig 6 Fergaill (2012). ure of Christ is carved in high relief and The symbols not included arc the takes up most of the surface area of the purse and thirty pieces of silver cross. The Christ figure is wearing a loin representing the betrayal of Christ cloth and the features are represented by by Judas, the Lantern which sym pin prick like holes for the eyes and bolised the arrest of Christ in mouth. A circular shaped halo surrounds Gethsemane or the ear of the head. The anns are placed high above Malchus. The pillar of flagella the head, the knees are bent with a spaces tion, usually depicted as a classi carved between the knees and the cross, cal column with the cords that the feet are crossed where they are nailed bound Christ around it and with to the cross. The edge of the upper face cock sitting on top to signify the of the cross shows a faded incised hori denial by Peter of Christ is not zontal line design along the edge. present. The sponge or the cup on a pole, the seamless robe, the five The back of the cross is plain while at the wounds of Christ or the palm top are the letters IHS with a Latin cross leaves are also excluded. extending upwards from the H and very smooth apart from the date 1790 written Pl. 3 a crucifix from the Mon length wise down the shaft of the cross. aghan County Museum represents The date is confined to the lower region an example of penal cross with of the central cross shaft. PU : Crucifix from Monaghan County passion symbols. This cross bears CCM80/47 is slightly smaller than Museum the date 1750 and is 410 mm in CCMS0/46. It is carved from the same Carloviana 2013-14 PENAL CROSSES FOUND IN Co. CARLOW type of wood as CCM80/46, and is light boat sank while crossing from the main pilgrimage. I bought a weight and beige in colour. This cross is land to the island. The date on the cross handful of these crucifixes not as finely carved as the first. It is 86 was 1792 which suggest it was purchased for a shilling (Campbell mm in length and 40 mm wide at cross by the owner while on a previous pil 1846, 82; also see Lucas arms of the cross and 5 mm in thickness. grimage to Lough Derg. The cross was 1954, 166). The figure of Christ fills most of the cross brought back with her on the occasion of while above the head are the worn letters her second ill-fated pilgrimage A note written on a drawing by Du Noyer INRI. The figure of Christ is crudely (MacGuinness 2000, 50-53). The cross of one such cross states carved, the arms stretch back above the remained in the lady's family until 1953 head while no features are visible on when it was donated to the Prior of "Lough Derg Crosses. These face. It is possible the features could been Lough Derg. rude crosses are made of yew worn away from handling. The halo tree and sold to those going on around the head is also present but it is Lucas's paper which recorded 129 pilgrimage to Lough Derg. Sev poorly carved. The lower legs appear to crosses suggests those who purchased the eral people make a livelihood be crossed at the feet and are also poorly crosses were predominantly from the by this traffic. In a number I carved. The back of the cross is plain northern half of the island. His break purchased at Pettigo there arc while at the top are the letters IHS with a down of the location of the crosses is as two dated 1839 on the back Latin cross extending upwards from the follows; 44 were from Ulster, 5 from which differ. .. " (Lucas 1954, H. The date on the back of the cross is Munster, 46 from Leinster and 34 from 166). 1809 and is written lengthwise down the Connacht. He also noted that 111 of these base of the cross-shaft. come north of the Galway-Dublin line The purchasing and acquiring of sou which suggests the bulk people made venirs by pilgrims has a long history. Little is known of the history of the cru their pilgrimage on foot (Lucas 1954, Most ofus are familiar with modern pil cifixes at Carlow County Museum. The 169). grims who visit Lourdes, Knock, Fatima only information about CCM80/47 is that etc. returning from their pilgrimage with it comes from the townland of Knock souvenirs, holy medals, rosary beads, nagee. Cross CCM80/46 was found in Penal crosses as Souvenir of pilgrim bottles of holy water and statues. Even the Barrow Track graveyard close to the age those who frequent smaller sites such as grave of Dr James Keeffe the founder of The penal crosses provide definitive evi holy wells will bring water home after a St Patrick's, Carlow College (fd in 1782) dence for the manufacture of pilgrim sou visit to the well in plastic containers. Ear and Roman Catholic Bishop of Kildare venirs in early modern Ireland. In 1954 lier pilgrims were not so different in their and Leighlin. At present there is no way Lucas recorded 129 examples of the behaviour and the need to bring home a of knowing ifit was his cross, or ifit be penal crosses and believes that this high memento of the pilgrimage has been doc longed to another burial in the graveyard level of surviving artefacts made of wood umented as far back as the 3"1 Century or if it was dropped by someone visiting represent only a fraction of the crucifixes AD (Nugent 20 I 0, Vol. l. 90). The earli the graveyard. Both crosses are very which were produced in large numbers est souvenirs consisted of dirt/earth from smooth and were likely used quite often (Lucas 1954, 170). the saint's grave, cloth touched against in prayer by the owners. Little is known the saint's shrines or oil from the lamps about the history of the majority of the The historical sources suggest that they that burned at the shrine (ibid). This prac crosses and Lucas noted were made by local people and sold to tice continued throughout the medieval pilgrims coming to Lough Derg in the period. Accounts of nineteenth century Many of them were given as summer months. No doubt this cottage pilgrimages in Ireland, at sites such as deathbed gifts to priest attend industry helped to supplement household Ardmore and Clonrnacnoise, record pil ing to administer the last rites of incomes (Gallachair 1965, 296; Lucas grims taking holy earth from the grave of the church and others have 1954, 146). the saint home with them (Power 1919, passed from hand to hand as cu 15; Harbison 1991, 115). riosities and "antiquities" until In 1846 Thomas Campbell wrote: their locality is completely It was not until the twelfth century that undiscoverable ( 1954, 168-9). As I drove the road to the mass produced souvenirs began to be lake, some children ran out sold to pilgrims at pilgrim sites across the O'Gallachair (in 1965, 300) noted one of two or three peasants' Christian world (Nugent 20 I 0, Vol. I, 92- crucifix found at a mass rock at Dunarec huts on the roadside, with 3). These souvenirs consisted primarily townland Donaghmoyne parish. One handfuls of rudely carved of lead badges or ampullae (tiny flasks cross where the story of the cross is little wooden crucifixes, to used to hold holy water or oil); some sou recorded is that of the cross on display at offer me for sale. These venirs were made of paper or leather and Lough Derg. After a tragic ferry accident are sold to the pilgrims on the shrine of St James at Santiago de on Lough Derg in 1795, a penal cross their way to the 'station,' Compostella sold perforated scallop was recovered from the hands of its and are afterwards pre shells and later metal replicas of the owner a Miss O'Donnell from Derry who served by them with the shells (ibid). These survive in their thou was one of 90 pilgrims to die after their greatest devotion, as sands in the archaeological record, which proofs or trophies of their Carloviana 2013-14 PENAL CROSSES FOUND IN Co. CARLOW suggest that they were very popular. families as well as cherished devotional Early 19th Century Irish Tomb-stones. The sale of souvenirs was a very lucrative objects. VI. EastCountyLouth. JRSAI 78, 170- business and the church went to great 1 7 4 lengths to keep control of it, excommu Acknowledgements Longfield, A 1954. Some 18th Centurv nicating non authorised vendors. It is in Irish Tomb-stones VII. Cl(mmel. Kiltoo:Z. teresting to note that not every shrine Many thanks to Dermot Mulligan Cura Seir Keiran etc. JRSAI 84, 173-178. produced souvenirs, and to date no sou tor of the Carlow County Museum & Lucas, A. T. 1954. '"Penal" Crucifixes' venirs have been found from any me Niall McKeith Curator of the National Jown, Louth Arch. Soc. Vol. XIII (no. 2), dieval Irish or Welsh pilgrim centres. Science Museum Maynooth (which also 145-174. This may suggest that they were not house an ecclesiastical collection which MacGuinness, J. 2000. Lough De,g. St made in either country or if manufactured the crosses arc part of) for allowing me Patrick s Purgatory. Dublin: The were made of less durable material such access to the crosses in their collections Columba Press. as wood or leather. This is not to say that and for pe1mission to reproduce images Irish and Welsh pilgrims were not inter of the crosses here. Thanks also to McKeith, N. E. (revised re-editied) 1995. ested in souvenirs as souvenirs from for Theresa Loftus of the Monaghan County St Patrick :S· College Maynooth Museum eign pilgrim shrines have been found in Museum for all her help with regard to of Ecclesiology. A catalogue of Eccle both countries. Excavations in Ireland the Monaghan crosses. I would also like sisastical items spanning two centuries have revealed a number of medieval buri to thank Colum Hardy and Deirdre Kear of the history of the College. Maynooth: als containing scallop shells from Santi ney for insightful comments on early St Patrick's college Maynooth. ago and souvenirs from Canterbury, drafts of this paper. Finally thanks to Di Worcester, Rome, and Amiens have armuid O'Keeffe for access to his un 6 Gallachair, P. 1965. 'Pilgrim Cruci turned up in excavations of medieval de published thesis. fixes of Lough Derg', Clogher Journal posits in the cities of Dublin and Water Vol. 5, 296-302. ford (Nugent 2010, Vol.I, 94 ). There is Bibliography 6 Fearghail, F. 2012. 'The Penal Cross', tentative evidence for possible produc Anon. 2002. The Hunt Museum. Essen In Ryan,S. & Leahy, B. (eds) 2012. tion of badges at Ardmore Co Waterford tial Guide. London: Scala Publishers in Treasures of Irish Christianity. Dublin: in the form of a now missing badge association with the Hunt Museum. Veritas Press, 139-141. mould, but the penal crosses are the first Brady, Rev. J. 1953. 'Catholics and O'Keeffe, D. 1999. Instruments of the definitive proof of the production and Catholicism in the Eighteenth-Century passion on eighteenth and nineteenth cen sale of souvenirs to pilgrims in Ireland. Press', Archivium Hibernicum Vol. XVII, tury gravestones in south Tipperary. Un 113-176. published thesis UCC Conclusion Begley, J. 1938. The diocese of Limerick The Carlow crosses and their counter from! 691 to the Present Time. Dublin , 6 Muireadhaigh, L 1929. Catholic Cen parts are important for a number of rea Browne and Nolan, tenary Record, Dublin, 83. sons; most importantly they provide a Biggar, J. 1909 Irish penal Crosses 1713- glimpse of devotion and pilgrimage ritual 1781. Pamphlet Phelan, M. 1996. The O Kerin School of in early modem Ireland. Monumental Sculpture in Oss01y and its Evans, E. 1951. Mourne Country. Land They are personal items owned by pil Environs in the Sixteenth and Seven scape and Life in South Down. Dundalk: grims and their purchase records a unique teenth Century , JRSAI, 126, .16 7-181. Dundalgan Press, 194-195 pilgrimage event. Longfield, A, 1943. 'Some 18th Centurv Power, Rev. P 1919. A Popular Guide to The penal crosses also represent part of a Irish Tomb-stones. 1. Introduction. De; the Holy City. (Repr. from "The Catholic tiny corpus of eighteenth and early nine nis Cullen ofMonaseed'. JRSAI 73, 29- Record.") published Waterford. teenth century folk art that survives from 3 9 Ryan, S. 2007. 'Weapons of Redemption: Ireland. Folk art from this date is so rare Longfield, A 1944. Some 18th Century Piety, Poetry and the Instruments of the in Ireland as Lucas states: Irish Tomb-stones. fl. Miles Brien. JRSAI Passion in Late Medieval Ireland' In 74, 63-72. Laugerud, H. & Skinnebach, L. (eds) In In comparison with the rich de Longfield, A 1945. Some 18th Century struments ofDevotion. The Practices and velopment in other European Irish Tomb-stones. III James Byrne and Objects of Religious Piety from the Late countries of sculpture, wood his School. JRSAI 75 (1945) p.76-88 Middle Ages to the 2(J!" Centurv. Aarhus: carving, metalwork, ceramic Longfield, A 1946. Some 18th Century Aarhus University Press, 111-123. and textiles any sort of folk art Irish Tomb-stones. IV. J Butler, Hugh may be said to be almost non Rogan, David Doyle etc. JRSAI 76, 81 - Spencer, B. 1998, Pilgrim Souvenirs and existent in Ireland (1954, 145). 8 8 Secular Badges: Medieval Finds from Along with the eighteenth century tomb Longfield, A 194 7. Some Late 18th and Excavations in London. London: stone, both the crosses and headstones Early 19th Century Irish Tomb-stones. V HMSO depict symbols of the passion pointing to Subjects not related to the Crucifixion. Turner, V. & Turner, E. 201 l(reprint a strong devotion of the passion in eigh Saints. and Scenes by Kehoe, at St 1978). Image and Pilgrimage in Christian teenth and early nineteenth century Ire Mullins, and by an unknown Carve,; at Culture. New York: Columbia Press. land. These crosses were a source of Termonfeckin. JRSAI 77, 1-4 Wall, T. 1935. The Knockbeg Annual, 4 income for their makers and struggling Longfield, A 1948. Some Late 18th and Carloviana 2013-14 ' Carlow in Fact and Fiction: A Response to "Lucinda Sly -A Woman Hanged." Shay Kinsella n Wednesday 3rct April 2013, a new book was launched to an MERCY enthusiastic audience in the his O TO T•I toric surrounds of Carlow Shopping Cen tre as paii of the International Pan Celtic Festival. The novel, Lucinda Sly - A CHIEF OF SINNERS: Woman Hanged, by Maidhc Dain in 6 Se, and translated from the original Irish by A NARRATIVE. Gabriel Fitzmaurice, marks the first fic tional publication on the subject of the H ?RI last woman to be hanged in Carlow. The REV. WILLIAM BLOOD, A.M., novel has since enjoyed considerable commercial success, earning the distinc WJTR AK IKT&ODUO'l'IOK •r TR• tion of becoming a bestseller in two lan guages.' With the much-lamented and BEV. WILLlAII C. BROWNLEE, D.D., untimely passing of its author in August (Of &be Coll.,W• au1nh, New-Tork,) of this year, Lucinda S~v now holds the added distinction of being the author's final major work TWELFTH EDITION'. For a swansong, 6 Se could not have landed on a more stimulating or dramatic subject. However, this is not the first time that Lucinda Sly's deeds have in TO WHICH H n•raxao 4 ISOt.T 4CCOUJfT o, '1111 spired a best-selling publication in her W&ICk o, na home county. Almost 180 years previ ously, a pamphlet appeared in Carlow "AMAZON" STEAMER. town which was devoured and savoured by the local population, morbidly fasci BJ the AuTaoa, one of the 8u.nh'on. nated with the details of the life and death of the local woman who had conspired with her younger lover, John Dempsey, LOWDOII ! lt•f'&llf, •&&IIULL, AND 00, to murder her husband. First published in 1835 by local clergyman Rev. William IIIUIUCOBHI: a. A, W, TATLOI, IJlUOJl fflU1'. Blood, shortly after the executions, the LIAMU,GIOJC: I, 01.0VII, text had the unique selling point of being llllOIIIOl'C W, I. T&l'l.01 (L&TI Lll'HBD), •TATlONIB, written by the man who had attended Sly 16 • 17, BUT t'fl.llT, and Dempsey in their final hours, pleaded with them to repent and seek God's for 1851. giveness, and who escorted them to the gallows, comforting them in their final a moving account of how they were reader a voyeuristic window into Lucinda moments. The publication, originally en brought together one last time for their Sly's cell as death approached. However, titled Mercy to the Chiefof'Sinners. in the final meeting in a dark cell of Carlow the spiritual merits of the text soon came case of Mrs. Lucinda Slv and John Gaol, the night before their execution.ii to the notice of many Irish protestant Dempse_v -who were executed in Car/o,v, First issued as a 36-page pamphlet in clerics and it was enthusiastically re on the 3(Y" March, 1835 was filled with tended for a local readership in 1835, the viewed by several religious journals of intimate details of the criminals' final 500 copies of its first print run sold out the day_iii These readers believed it pos hours, detailed accounts of their mental within two months of its appearance. It sessed great potential as an evangelical anguish, replete with pages of dialogue had a huge appeal for a wide readership tract, which could be used as a pedagog they had spoken in prison, and containing with its gory details which allowed the ical tool for the instruction of moral be- Carloviana 2013-14 ' A RESPONSE TD "LUCINDA SLY - A WOMAN HANGED haviour and spiritual conversion as exem his 1853 novel The Luck of Bany Lyn time. •,ii However, none of these works plified by Sly and Dempsey under Rev. don, William Makepeace Thackeray used has become an undeniable feature on Blood's sympathetic and supportive his own travel experiences in the county Carlow's cultural horizon, which begs the hand. A second edition was ordered in from ten years earlier to enliven the question: Why? 1836, and by 1852 it was in its twelfth scene. The inhabitants of the town are The answer may lie in the fact that his edition, the text having been greatly drawn lightly, their interests confined to torical accuracy and literary aesthetics added to and enlarged, swelling to a book local politics, scandal and sport, the most have never been easy bedfellows, and of over 100 pages, now simply entitled developed character being an innkeeper Carlow's body of historical fiction is no Mercy to the Chief of Sinners: A Narra enthralled by the gentry, yet eager to exception to this phenomenon. As tive. It was also published in England, squeeze as much income as possible from renowned Carlow historian, Padraig 6 Canada and America and was translated his well-heeled patrons. Carlow also fea Snodaigh has claimed, 'the historian into French.iv tures briefly in Elizabeth Bowen's classic must remain ill at ease with the However, this fascinating insight into the novel of the Irish War of Independence, novelist. •viii The writing of history and most publicised Carlow crime of the The Last September (1929). Depicting the writing of fiction are related but dis nineteenth century is now a rare, obscure the fight for independence as seen tinct crafts, and while one may inspire the and forgotten text. The story of Lucinda through the windows of the Anglo-Irish other, a fusion of the two can prove Sly faded into folklore, the very real his Big House, Bowen (who had cousins in highly problematic for critics and readers torical details of her life being superseded Carlow) deliberately chooses to have of both. On the one hand, the historian by a new ghostly identity in the twenty some of her main characters, the Mont demands facts, accuracy and objectivity first century. While the actual facts of her morencys, arrive in rebel Cork from this in the cold light of day. In direct contrast, life and death are unknown to many, she quiet Leinster county. In doing so, she the novelist is often inspired by subjec now appeals to Carlovians of 2013 as an attempts to convey the sense of doom ex tivity and drama, the poetry of twilight intriguing supernatural presence that re perienced by a nervous gentry couple as and dawn. To successfully fuse the two mains uneasy within the walls of the old they leave the apparent safety of Carlow genres requires skill and sensitivity, often gaol, now Carlow Shopping Centre- her to spend some time with friends in war out of the reach of many writers. Histo alleged haunting of the premises being torn Cork: rians sigh when artistic licence is used to regularly referred to by local print and 'Listen, Richard,' said Francie; 'are you suggest possible motivation or to bridge broadcast media. With the arrival of 6 sure we will not be shot at if we sit out gaps in the historical evidence, while Se's impressive novel, Lucinda Sly's late on the steps?' novelists decry the reduction of dramatic story has once again been launched back Sir Richard laughed and they all shared personalities and events to dry chrono into the public consciousness and begs his amusement. [ ... ] logical data. Given that they both em for a reconsideration of her life and times. 'No, but Richard, seriously -· began ploy the pen as a sword, criticisms and But can a historical novel offer the detail, Francie, then, as they all stared, laughed rebukes are often stinging and unmerci accuracy and insight which this very real and had to give up and go on laughing. ful. Such was the fate of Nolan's They true story deserves? All things consid Now in County Carlow they had said First Arose when reviewed by 6 ered, Carlow has not fared too badly at things were bad around here, that she Snodaigh in his '98 and Carlow: A Look the hands of the historical novelist. Al made a grave mistake in coming at all. at the Historians (1979). ix Here, 6 though it cannot hope to compete with But then, as Richard would certainly say, Snodaigh is unequivocal in his criticism the success and brilliance of Dublin's that was County Carlow all over.'1 of the author for refusing to submit to Strumpet City (James Plunkett, 1969), However, Carlow also enjoys the privi 'the tyranny of the facts'. Bitterly disap Mayo's The Year of the French (Thomas lege of being the setting for a number of pointed with the novel's chronology and Flanagan, 1979) or Tipperary's famous full-length novels by local authors, which assertions, he dismissed Nolan's work for Knocknagow (Charles J. Kickham, have enjoyed significant critical and 'reducing acceptability through the vio 1879), the second smallest county in the commercial success, from William lence done to the easily accessible histor country has produced its fair share of lit Nolan's They First Arose (1967) to ical facts'. He proceeds to dissect the erary output that channels its action Michael Farrell's majestic Thy Tears novel's faults claiming that imaginary through an historical lens. Might Cease (1963). The fonner is a de leaps were 'artistically unnecessary and The county even features in some hugely tailed narrative of one man's journey that it spoils the nearest approach to the celebrated texts by world-famous au through the revolutionary period of 1798 United Irishmen of Carlow that we have thors. For example, an argument can be in a local context. The latter --a sweep so far in the literature on the period.' made that Carlow is the inspiration for ing, poetic narrative of life, love and But Nolan had already defended himself many of William Carleton's Traits and longing to the backdrop of the War ofin from such criticism - perhaps anticipat Stories of the Irish Peasantry (1834), dependence in Carlow- has recently ing it - in the foreword of his novel where given the time he spent teaching in the been included in a list of 'Ireland's Top he proclaimed: large boys' school of St. Mary's Parish in Ten novels' by New York Times best This book is not authentic history, nor is the early 1820s. In choosing Carlow selling writer Frank Delaney, and an it presented as such. Therefore, the critic town (' a wretched place enough', accord early dust-jacket for the work proclaimed who sets himself to demonstrate the ex ing to the author') as a minor setting in it as 'one of the great Irish novels of all tent to which the incident related may Carloviana 2013-14 ' A RESPONSE TD "LUCINDA SLY - A WOMAN HANGED have deviated from the facts of known on Sly's fascinating story, 6 Se settled in front of Carlow Gaol, designer Ros history will be tilting at windmills.' upon a tale which has long been popular Murphy has created a haunting and mov Whatever the literary merits of Nolan's in Carlow folklore and superstition, and ing visual introduction to 6 Se 's story book, its prospects were certainly dimin was perfectly ripe for the picking as a and deserves huge credit. ished by the debate over its historical re subject for a historical novel. 6 Sc also The text itself is accessible and eminently liability. By mixing the genres and has the advantage of choosing a less well readable. Anybody seeking poetic apparently failing to uphold the tenets of known era in Carlow's history, unlike the metaphors or mood imagery has come to both, the novel failed to become essential 1798 and War of Independence periods, the wrong place. The author's writing reading. A similar fate was in store for and so he arguably suffers less from the style is plain and unomamented, but is all David Cohen's Kavanagh MP: An Inspi pressure of subscribing to 'the tyranny of the more realistic and powerful for that. rational Story, a 2005 biography of the facts'. Indeed, apart from Rev. William The text is as straight-forward and gritty limbless Arthur McMurrough Ka Blood's first-hand contemporary account, as the characters who inspired it. 6 Se vanagh.'; Although employing many of mentioned above, and Seamus Breath- succeeds excellently in portraying the or the archival skills of the historical dinary routines of Carlow's biographer and enjoying the privi rural poor in the 1830s, detail lege of research visits to the Ka ing the minutiae of daily life vanagh archives at Borris House, with telling and incisive de Cohen opted to write over one tails. The author's rural back quarter of his book as an imagi LUCINDA SLY ground shines through in his nary diary in which he allowed his keen awareness of the chang subject to speak in completely fic ing seasons and the text bene tional asides. While entertaining fits from his supreme and stimulating, the overall effect HANGED agricultural knowledge. The of the book is unsatisfactory. In stage he creates for his char partaking of both fact and fiction, acters is effortlessly real and it ultimately succeeds in neither grounded in the mundane. In and lacks credibility in both. It imagining the reality of life cannot be relied on for historical under Walter Sly's roof, 6 Se accuracy and remains superficial achieves the purpose of any as a fictitious portrait of Ka historical novel: it transports vanagh. The resulting text is a the reader back into a real and strange melange which failed to credible location in the past in secure a wide readership and un order to tell an instructive or surprisingly, the book has since entertaining tale. gone out of print. The text is rich with details of While Farrell's Thy Tears Might social customs, cooking and Cease enjoys regular critical ac the contemporary diet. His de claim and is a work of undeniable scriptive skills make much of literary power, the novel is ar husbandry and housework, guably too erudite and scholarly to and in his world, the fireside be universally accessible, and its and hearth are elevated to a Carlow is too thickly disguised as university of deep thinking Glenkilly to be instantly recognis and soliloquy for the rural able. Perhaps this is the reason it population. The narrative is has not taken its rightful place in peppered with an amazing the local popular imagination. stock of local proverbs and It is in the wake of such renowned colloquialisms, which enrich but troubled predecessors, that a new nach's writing on the Lucinda Sly case in the text and connect the story with the novel confidently made its way onto Car Carloviana and on his website, the topic earth and fields it sprang from, such as low's literary stage in 2013, promising to has not been the subject of any sustained Lucinda's desire for honesty from Sly be write a new page in that history. With or dedicated historical analysis to date.''; fore agreeing to a marriage: 'I am too Gabriel Fitzmaurice's translation from First impressions of the novel are excel long on the road and too long in the tooth the Irish of Maidhc Dainin 6 Se 's work, lent. It is handsomely printed with un to buy a pig in a poke.' (p. 59) Indeed, and the publication by Liberties Press of doubtedly, one of the most atmospheric one of the book's strongest features is 6 Lucinda S!v: A Woman Hanged, a new and enthralling covers of any historical Se 's dialogue where he allows Lucinda, contender arrived with the potential to novel this country has produced. In de Dempsey and Walter Sly to speak their claim the crown of Carlow's greatest his picting a sombre elderly woman in nine minds to each other bluntly, and would torical novel. In choosing to concentrate teenth century dress on the cobbled street serve admirably as a scaffold for any Carloviana 2013-14 ' A RESPONSE TD "LUCINDA SLY - A WOMAN HANGED filmic screenplay of this story- a devel and all the more powerful for the author's blurb. While it would be ill-advised to opment that this novel certainly invites. restraint. tilt at windmills by scanning the text for While there are several characters in the The last chapter of the book resembles a faults, the historian in this reader simply book, it is clear where 6 Se's primary in newspaper account of the trial - an ad cannot resist pointing out some minor terest lies, and he remains firmly in Lu mirable summary but at great variance historical inaccuracies. The likelihood of cinda's corner throughout; in fact, with the preceding narrative style. In Captain James Battersby being an Oxford Dempsey does not appear until the final deed, it is at this juncture that the novel graduate is slim, and the depiction of third of the text. The author has obvi suffers most, for it is here that Lucinda Sly's drinking buddy (and witness at his ously spent a long time in the title char Sly disappears from the text as a major murder trial), Frances Campbell, being acter's head, and sympathises with the character. She withdraws into herself and the wife of a British peer is highly fanci violently cruel situation she found herself into her cell and speaks no more, the ful. A reference to the Land League in following her marriage to Sly. Lu scant references to her remaining few (p.15) is premature, given that it wasn't cinda Sly comes alive in his words: we weeks of life being culled directly from founded for another fifty years, and it hear her thoughts, we see her actions, we contemporary reports. Tantalisingly, in would be quite hard for Lucinda's mother sympathise with her longings. her literal time of trial, 6 Se pulls back to sing the lyrics of"She Moved Through He portrays her as a direct, capable and from his protagonist and reverts instead the Fair", as their author, Padraic Colum, independent woman who, despite her to a documentary-style presentation of did not publish the verses until 1909. best plans and efforts, remains at the the facts. He pulls the carpet from under However, these are minor quibbles and mercy of the men in her life: her son, her an eager readership by removing her seem pedantic. husband, her minister. The author skil from the action, telling us that 'she had The novel is most successful in being fully offers an insight into the contempo lost her mind' and was speaking only gib provocative and it invites a reassessment rary female psyche, helpless and berish. (p. 140) It is perhaps the novel's of Lucinda Sly's place in Carlow history. dependent on the whims of a chauvinistic greatest weakness that he chooses not to The fact that she was the first and only world, where all social, financial and po plough into Lucinda's apparent madness. woman to be hanged in Carlow in the litical power was monopolised by men. The reader yearns for 6 Se to use his con nineteenth century, and the last ever to be With quiet indignation, 6 Se documents siderable literary talents to address this so executed in the county guarantees her Walter Sly's domestic tyranny, showing void. How emotional and intriguing it a place in the county narrative, but she re the futility of female complaint and the would have been for him to continue his mains a far more important subject for injustice of Lucinda's subjugation in a monologues in Lucinda's voice as her ex other reasons.xiii While Lucinda's rela male-dominated universe. Lucinda loses ecution beckoned. In its current form, we tionship with Dempsey and the killing of her dowry and cottage and is rewarded are denied the voice of the character we Sly would certainly have ensured that the only with violent abuse. The author really want to hear, an absence all the case received public attention, these facts shows how Walter Sly's ejectment of Lu more obvious given the vibrancy, realism alone did not guarantee the longevity the cinda to the stable after a savage attack, and detail of the characterisation up to case has enjoyed. 6 Se's narration main is the natural consequence of his repeated this point. tains that much of the interest in the case assessment that a marriage was, essen However, in making Lucinda Sly a ghost was because 'nothing like this had hap tially, a horse deal: 'She would be a good before her death, the author certainly per pened in Carlow in living memory'. (p. workhorse. It wasn't for racing he wanted petuates her allure and mystique. 6 Se 139) However, this is not the case. The her.' (p. 50) 6 Se laments the fact that, appears to have been attracted to the su elements of murder and an adulterous af at the trial, it appeared 'the beatings and pernatural elements of this story and uses fair with a much-younger man certainly whippings she received from Sly from his own ghostly character to link the Car add intrigue and drama to the story, but the day they married were of no account.' low of 1835 with that of the 2l5t century. there were similar incidents in the county (p. 150) So incensed is the author with The novel's modern framing device only a few short years before the Sly the injustice of Lucinda's lot that he pro (whereby the author himself meets the case, which have been completely forgot claimed at the book's launch last April, ghost of Captain James Battersby, the ten. that Lucinda would have been awarded a main policeman investigating the case) is For example, in March of 1830, Cather medal nowadays for committing the jarring, and frankly unnecessary, given ine Smith of Tomduff, Borris, was con same act of murder on her husband - the quality of the writing and the story victed of the murder of her husband which drew a sympathetic round of ap beyond it. This tale does not need the Nathaniel, in January of that year. Bear plause from the assembled audience in ghost of James Battersby to propel it back ing a striking resemblance to Lucinda's the surrounds of the old jail. into the popular imagination; instead, story, this forty-year old mother of four, John Dempsey enters the story as Lu Maidhc Dainin 6 Se can take full credit conspired with her eighteen-year old cinda's saviour, bringing much-needed for this. neighbour and lover, William Styles, to affection, laughter and protection into her So how does the novel bear up as a his murder her husband, promising him mar life. Their relationship is described ten tory? Very well, in fact, especially in riage and all her property. The pair duly derly and almost as a natural love story, painting the social landscape, and the attacked Nathaniel Smith with a pitch and a remedy to the horrors smTounding publisher, Liberties Press, actually cate fork, leaving him senseless for days, and them. The murder scene itself is gripping gorises the book as "Non Fiction" on its his wife proceeded to poison him over Carloviana 2013-14 ' A RESPONSE TD "LUCINDA SLY - A WOMAN HANGED the next few days which ultimately re houses and were small landlords them John Walsh's death fails to make any ref sulted in his death. The case was made selves in their own right. Interestingly, erence to the murder trial of his sister-in even more sensational when Smith's the Walter Sly of 6 Se's work appears to law:vii Both stories feed into each other eleven-year old daughter was brought to hanker after a gentry lifestyle, aping gen and a full understanding of either is im testify against her mother at the trial, and try dress and courting traditions, and call possible in isolation. it also emerged that Catherine was preg ing his house 'Sly's Manor'. (p. 56) In With the recent emergence of Rev. nant with her lover's child. When both making the fictional Sly a proud and de William Blood's narrative of her final were sentenced to death, Catherine was fiant upholder of the rights and privileges hours ( offering crucial new information granted a stay of execution on the of Protestant Carlow, the author is very such as Lucinda's final admission of guilt grounds of her pregnancy. She duly de close to historical reality in setting the prior to her execution, and fascinating livered a son in prison that September, Slys apart from the vast majority of the new details such as her illiteracy, her drift and she died a month later. Reports tell population. Which brings up another from the practising of her religion, her us that she suffered an attack while exer fundamental factor in explaining the im motherhood of five children etc.), and the cising in the yard of Carlow Gaol, having portance of Lucinda's case - her marriage vast wealth of information available on been told that the wooden construction in into arguably the most controversial and the case in the Carlow 'Outrage Reports' the yard was actually the gallows on Protestant family in the entire county. in the National Archives, a thorough which she would soon die. William Much historical research begs to be done study of Lucinda Sly's life and times is Styles was transported for life.xiv and there is a great need for a detailed now possible and would hugely benefit Certainly it can be argued that Lucinda historical study of the Slys of Carrig our knowledge of the period. An interro Sly's fate eclipses this story in that she nafecca, Bagenalstown in the 1820s and gation of her wider family connections went on to suffer the horror of a public 1830s. Documentary evidence shows would investigate the complex tensions hanging which elevated her in popular that Walter and his brother Archibald Sly and animosities at play in Carlow at that memory above that of Catherine Smith, were renowned for their arrogance and critical juncture, which helped to elevate but there are other contextual factors at aggression to their neighbours, in their her story way above the ordinary. play which need to be remembered when zeal for social and financial advance But for now, huge credit is due to 6 Se's analysing the importance of the case. ment." Often the victims or instigators book. In promoting Lucinda Sly's case 1835 was undoubtedly Carlow's most vi of violence, they had an infamous repu and invigorating public interest, his novel olent year in the nineteenth century, when tation in the locality. When Lucinda mar is a very worthy and welcome publica the county was engulfed in a whirlwind ried into this family, the warning signs tion. In particular, it reasserts the human of political, social and sectarian violence. were patently clear, and there is some ev tragedy at the heart of this story: by the Landlords and tenants were at each idence to suggest that Walter's mother winter of 1835, the hearth in Walter Sly's other's throats, overseen by a vehement and 'Archy' were very active influences cottage was cold and empty, its three for clergy, all of whom were eager for polit on her married life.xvi By the time 1835 mer inhabitants all having died a violent ical, social and financial gain or reform. came around, the Slys virtually domi death in the previous year. With 6 Se's The pages of Carlow's newspapers were nated all coverage of Carlow's current af recent sad passing, this book can be held crammed with dramatic and horrific sto fairs. Walter's murder and Lucinda's up as testimony of his skills in character ries of assault and vengeance, and politi execution were followed by another mur isation and empathy, and will surely cal violence and corruption in the county der trial in which a Sly was the main sus prove a cornerstone of the author's sig became one of the main topics of an in pect. Following the suspicious death of nificant literary legacy. It may be argued quiry by a Select Committee of the Fr. John Walsh at Kilgraney in July of that the purpose of the historical novel is House of Commons the following year. 1835, the finger of suspicion was imme to provoke and elucidate, but ultimately Into this unforgiving cauldron stepped diately pointed at Archibald Sly and a it may be to move and entertain. In all of Lucinda Sly whose Protestantism and os prolonged trial for murder ensued the fol these areas 6 Se has succeeded ad tensible seduction of an innocent young lowed year. Although ultimately acquit mirably and in this regard, he has done Catholic man would have been leaped on ted, his case, and indeed the whole story Carlow's body ofliterature and historiog by Catholic Liberals as an indication of of the Slys in these years, can be seen to raphy a very great service indeed. the moral and religious rot at the heart of encapsulate and represent all the venom, the Protestant ascendancy. Her ve1y pri antagonisms and resentments which shaycarlow@ya hoo. ie vate troubles were held up to satisfy a characterised life in Carlow in these public, liberal agenda, and her case was formative years. An elucidation of this i Carlow People, 16 Apr. 2013. certainly hijacked, to a certain extent, to context is essential to appreciating the ii No copy of the original publication ap satisfy a Catholic demand for vengeance importance attached to Lucinda's execu pears to have survived. The title is against their Protestant neighbours. tion. Sadly no historical account to date taken from an advertisement in The It should be remembered that Lucinda has attempted to address the wider story Baptist Magazine, March 1836, p. 112. and Walter Sly were at odds ~ reli of the Slys and link the two main stories. iii See Reviews included in Rev. William giously, socially and politically ~ with 6 Se 's novel makes no reference to Blood, A.M., Mercy to the Chief of Sin most of their neighbours and countrymen Archibald, and Maura Cronin's excellent ners: A Narrative (London, 1852), in the fact that they owned their lands and recent study of Archibald Sly's role in Fr. Carloviana 2013-14 ' A RESPONSE TD "LUCINDA SLY - A WOMAN HANGED Twelfth edition, p. 95-9. iv Rev. William Blood, A.M., Mercy to National Schools History Prize 2013 the Chief of Sinners: A Narrative (Lon don, 1852), Twelfth edition, p. xix. v William Makepeace Thackeray, The While the number of entrants for our annual History Prize competition for National Irish Sketchbook, 1842 (Gloucester, Schools was down on 2012 we are still very pleased with the level of interest shown. 1990), p. 35. First published 1843. Numbers may have been down but the standard of entry most certainly was not and vi Elizabeth Bowen, The Last September students, teachers and schools are to be congratulated on this. (London, 1929), p.23. Vil Ballon National School continued their strong track record in this competition, cap http://www.thegua rd ian .com/books/20 turing second and third places this year. 04/sep/07/toplOs.irish viii A copy of this text is available at This year's prizewinners were http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ir lcar2/1798 and Carlow.htm, by kind 1'' Prize : Louise Colgan : Duckett'., Grove permission of Michael Purcell. Accessed 15th July 2013. Pupil Rathvilly National School ix Ibid. x William Nolan, They First Arose (Naas, 1967), p.7. xi David Cohen, Kavanagh MP: An lnspi- 2"d Prize : David Lalor : St.Mullin'., Monastery rational Story (Psychology News Press, 2005). Pupil Ballon National School xii Seamus Breathnach, "The Last Woman to be Publicly Hanged in Car- low", Carloviana 2003, pp. 87-93; See also his writing on the case on 3,ct Prize: Donncha Murphy : Kevin Bany http://irishcriminology.com/lOc.html xiii For a list of females publicly hanged Pupil Ballon National School in Ireland in the nineteenth century, see http://www.capitalpunishment.org/fe As we promised last year the presentation of prizes was to take place at a separate mpublic.html. function and we thank Dermot Mulligan, Curator Carlow County Museum who hosted xiv Details of the Smith I Styles case can a presentation ceremony in the museum on the 23rd April, where family, teachers and be found in Carlow Morning Post, 22 friends celebrated with the prizewinners. Thanks also to all who submitted entries Mar. 1830; Annual Register of the Year and especially to the parents and teachers who helped them. 1830 (London, 1831), pp.40-1; and in Evory Kennedy, Observations on Obstet ric Auscultation(Dublin, 1833), pp. 193- 5. xv See for example the cases mentioned in the Pat Purcell Papers at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ir lcar2/PP papers 30.htm and at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ir lcar2/PP papers 27.htm. Accessed 15th July 2013. xvi See Seamus Breathnach, 'The Last Woman to be Publicly Hanged in Car low', Carloviana 2003, p. 91. xvii Maura Cronin, The death of Fr. John Walsh at Kilgraney: community tensions in pre-Famine Carlow (Dublin, 2010). Carloviana 2013-14 ' The Kehoes of Williamstown A Family's Ancestry in the Context of Local and National Historic Events Patrick Kehoe One of a family of six children, Pat Kehoe grew up on a farm in Williamstown, Rathvil~v. He was educated at St Marys College, Knockbeg and University College Dublin where he graduated with a B. Agr. Sc. in Agricultural Economics and an M.A. in Economics. He has worked in the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Pigs and Bacon Commission and An Bord lascaigh Mhara (BIM). He was ChiefExecutive ofBIM for eleven years until his retirement in 2007. Married to Siobhan Curtin withfrJUr grown up children, he has been living in Dublin for many years. Dedicated to our late parents and all the tion on both sides of the family which ated by his predecessor in Rathvilly, the generations of Kehoes and other rela was only to be expected given that his fa great Edward O'Toole and to the latter's tives who have gone before us. ther and mother (first cousins of my grand-daughter Noreen O'Keefe who mother and father respectively) were re was so helpful and with whom I had Foreword and Acknowledgements sponsible for successfully introducing a lengthy conversations at her home in 58 year old fanner from Williamstown to Terenure. I am grateful for the informa ue to the limited and recent na the 32 year old Murphy girl from Balli tion provided by Trish Leonard from the ture of official records, most nacrow; to my cousins, Harry Kehoe for Rathvilly Parish Archive and for the as family histories are confined to D merly of Mount Lucas/The Moate, Mrs sistance of people in UCD, the National the visible tip of a huge historical iceberg. Eileen Kehoe of Tynock and her sons Library, the National Archives and the As we delve back further in time, the John and Brendan and Padraig Murphy RDS. Finally I want to thank my imme paucity and, eventually, the total lack of diate family for their help and indul family information leaves us with little gence; to Killian, Diarmaid and Anne alternative but to extend our enquiries to Marie for their encouragement; to David the townland, the parish, the county and for enlightening me on the finer points of further afield. For this reason, I have en Microsoft Word before he flew the nest deavoured to put what little I know of the and last but not least to Siobhan who lov Ke hoes' family history in the context of ingly allowed me to commandeer the lap what I considered to be relevant local and top without any complaint and with her national historical events. usual grace. This labour of love was made easy be Historical Backdrop cause of the help and co-operation I re ceived from a number of people. I wish Gaelic Origins to thank my siblings and their families for their assistance; to John and Katie Kehoe It is believed that the name Mac in Williamstown for hosting fact-finding Eochaidh and its anglicised derivatives family get-togethers and unearthing old Keogh and Kehoe originated from documents from yesteryear; to Vincent 'eachach' or horseman, 'each' being an and Margaret Kehoe in Coolmanagh; to old Irish word for steed. In his history of Kathleen and Eamon Gaul in Ballyjames- County Carlow, John Ryan; refers to the duff; and to Mary and Greg Byrne in of Mount Neill for shedding light on struggles of Eochaidh Cinseleach against Adelaide, Australia. their wings of the family. the High King, Niall of the Nine Hostages who is reputed to have reigned I wish to record my appreciation for the I am indebted to my primary school from AD 375 to AD 402. Eochaidh;; was special help I received from a number of teacher, Michael Moloney, former Prin the son ofEanna Cinsealach, King of the others; to my double cousin Andy Kehoe cipal ofTobinstown National School, lat Principality of Hy Kinsellagh in south of Clough who was a mine of infonna- terly ofRathvilly, for guiding me towards Leinster whose seat was at the Moate the rich reservoir of local history gener- Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN near Rathvilly. Another ofEanna's sons, who were Earls of Kildare extended their their transfer to the Earl of Onnonde. Crimthan, who succeeded as King is re dominion from their castles at Athy and puted to have been baptized by St Patrick Castledermot into Rathvilly and sur The Butlers-Defenders of the Realm along with his wife and infant son at rounding area. Meanwhile, the O'Bymes and Power in the Land Patrick's Well in AD 450 - a scene occupied the country between Rathdrum In tracing the origins of the Butler dy which is depicted in a mural in St and Shillelagh while the O'Tooles based nasty, Adrian Empey' points out that the Patrick's Church, Rathvilly. themselves in north Wicklow. The manor of Tullow and its dependant tene O'Byrnes, like the O'Tooles, were note ments, originally held by a man called In his seminal study of The Surnames of worthy for their persistent and largely Jordan, were granted around 1192 to Ireland, Edward Mc Lysaghe;; identified successful resistance to English rule op Theobald Fitzwalter by King John in his three septs or branches of Mac Eochaidh, erating from their family seat at Ballina capacity as Lord of Ireland. Fitzwalter otherwise Keoghs or Kehoes in Ireland cor in the valley of Glenmalure. In this held the title of Chief Butler of Ireland viz: regard, their most famous hero, during and his descendants adopted the surname the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, was Fiach the Keoghs in the vicinity of Butler. Upon his father's death in 1321, Mac Hugh O'Byme (1544-1597) who Ballymackeogh in south Tipper James Butler became the 7' 11 Chief Butler was prominent in rebellion throughout aiy; of Ireland and, finding favour with the his life until his eventual capture and ex Court, was elevated to l st Earl of Or ecution in 1597. With the decline of the Keogh's Country m south monde by King Edward Ill in Gaelic clans during the 1600s, it appears Roscommon and 1328.Since 1391, the main branch of the that various branches of the Keoghs and Butlers, initially Earls and later Dukes of the County Wicklow sept more Kehoes which had been associated with Ormonde, were based at their stronghold often called Kehoe and best the O'Byrnes moved further south into of Kilkenny Castle. The Ormonde Estate known as hereditary bards to the Counties Carlow and Wexford. Papers in the National Library of Ireland O'Byrnes. 11 From Anglo-Norman Domination to (NLI) reveal that Peter Butler, 8' Earl of In medieval Ireland, bards were em Protestant Ascendancy Ormonde was given the castle and town ployed by the powerful Gaelic clans to of Rathvilly (as well as Clonmore, Tul chronicle their acts of bravery and pres While the Wicklow mountain passes and low, Powerstown, Kellistown, Leighlin tige. It should be noted, though, that redoubts of the native Irish were to re and Arklow) as a reward for helping to bards were also known to tum to satire main largely outside the purview of suppress the above mentioned rebellion when the relationships with their patrons Dublin Castle (at least until the building of Silken Thomas in 1534. turned sour. The Keoghs or Kehoes of of the military road through Glenmalure Under an indenture'; dated 6/8/1576, Sir south Leinster boasted many fine bards in the early 1800s), the northern part of Thomas Butler, Earl of Carrick, Onnonde and poets. The Four Masters and more re Co Carlow in the area around the current and Ossory granted/leased to James and cently Douglas Hyde;' described Maol towns of Rathvilly, Tullow and Hacket Margaret O'Byme "the house manor and muire Mac Keogh as 'chief professor of stown if not formally within the Pale was sittie (sic) of Rathvillie". The Downe poetry' in 1534. From the thirteenth cen nevertheless under Anglo/Irish or English Survey of Ireland which was carried out tury, the fortunes of the Kehoes in south control from the thirteenth century on to facilitate the Cromwellian Plantation Leinster were closely intertwined with wards. After the Fitzgeralds of Kildare, refers to "an indenture dated 20/10/1576 the more numerous and better docu who held sway over north Carlow for between the same Sir Thomas Butler and mented O' Byrnes and a brief review of over 200 years, another powerful Nor Gilpatrick Moyle McFeylyne Oge of the early history of the latter sect pro man family, the Butlers or Ormondes, Williamstown where the Earl granted vides some insight into the origins and whose estates ranged from Tipperary and Williamstown with the castles, meases movements of the Ke hoes. Kilkenny into Carlow came to have the predominant influence in this area of etc to the said Gilpatrick"';;. Turtle Sun About the time of the Anglo-Norman in north Co Carlow. The turning point in bury of Lisnavagh refers to other leases vasion, the O'Tooles and the O'Byrnes favour of the Butlers was the rebellion of by the Earl of Ormonde dated 1633 were driven from their original territory Silken Thomas (Fitzgerald) in 1534 in the where ''the manor of Rathvillie" is leased in Co Kildare and settled in the wilder, reign of Henry VIII which ended in the to R Meredyth ofTobinstown and the site mountainous country of County Wicklow fonner's defeat and execution along with of the Abbey ofSkan (Acaun?) to H Mas about the year 1200. About this time, a that of his five uncles and the forfeiture terson and the lands of Lisnavagh and castle was built at Rathvilly by John De of all Fitzgerald lands in Carlow and Williamstown to R Cope. He raises the Lacy and subsequently, the Fitzgeralds, possibility that H Masterson may well be Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN Henry Masterson of County Wexford re England ensured that Ormonde became a ominous arrangements were getting un ferred to in depositions taken after the Protestant by having him raised and edu- derway, Ormonde had fled to France to 1641 rebellion. cated at Lambeth in London and this de- continue his support for the young spite most of the family remaining Charles II, the exiled son of the executed The unsettled and dangerous state of af Catholic. This was a time of great up king. Soon, the tide of history was to turn fairs which existed in the area ofHacket heaval in England and Ireland. During again and with it the future of Ormonde's stown/ Williamstown in the early 1600s the 1640s, England was convulsed by the estates, including Williamstown. With the and the on-going menace posed by the civil war between King Charles I and the restoration of Charles II to the English O'Byrnes from the 'badlands' of County parliamentary forces headed by Oliver throne in 1661, Onnonde was generously Wicklow is well illustrated by William Cromwell which culminated in the king's repaid for his loyalty by not only recov Nolan viii in his essay on social conditions execution in 1649. With the imposition of ering all his estates but was showered in County Carlow during this period. He Penal Laws against Catholics and the loss with honours and titles. He was elevated writes ofa certain William Brereton who of their lands under the recent Plantation to Duke of Ormonde and, inter alia, to travelled to Hacketstown from Dublin on of Ulster, Ireland was also in open insur Lord Steward of the Household, Lord 14 July 1635. Towards evening "his party rection starting with the rebellion of 1641 High Steward of England, Privy Council passed through troublesome and danger and the setting up of the Catholic Con lor, Lord Lieutenant ofireland and Chan ous ways and woods and (would have) federation of Kilkenny. At a local level, cellor of Trinity College Dublin and wandered all night had (they) not hired the castles at Clonmore, Tullow, furthermore was financially recompensed an Irish guide." They lodged in "a little, Rathvilly and Hacketstown were seized for the fortune he had previously spent in low, poor thatched castle". In this inhos by Confederate forces and at a national the service of the king. Thus having diced pitable place, an enterprising Lancashire level the greater part ofireland was under with personal and material extinction, the man Mr Watson had constructed, on a 50 their control. House of Ormonde was now one of the year lease from Ormonde, the town most prominent members of the Anglo called in Irish 'Haggers town'. Brereton The Confederate forces were initially at Irish aristocracy and as well as playing a was not enthusiastic with its location war against the Royalists led by Or powerful role in Irish and English affairs "most inconveniently seated amongst the monde. However by 1649 they forn1ed a it copper-fastened its hold on its enor mountains, a barren dry soil, and not eas joint alliance under Ormonde's command mous estates. By the end of the 1600s the ily improved or made rich". Watson had to resist Cromwell's New Model Army Ormonde lands in Counties Carlow, set land from 2s up to 3s 4d per acre in which invaded Ireland 111 1649. Kilkenny and Tipperary ran to some dicating that he was "endeavouring to es Cromwell's ruthless and merciless subju 36,000 Irish plantationix acres (58,000 tablish a regular plantation village in the gation of Irish resistance was followed in statute acres) of which Carlow accounted English style with a dainty new church 1652 by the infamous Cromwellian Plan for 8,000 plantation acres ( 13,000 statute and a good minister". Later in the same tation and this resulted in the confiscation acres). essay, Nolan goes on to say that townland ofOrmonde's extensive estates including farms leased for a set tenn of years were those in north Carlow. To pave the way The Bunburys and the Wolseleys- a feature of reformed tenurial structures for the forthcoming plantation, Sir Local Landlords and Pillars of the Es in the Ormonde lordship. He points out William Petty, Surgeon General of the tablishment that a certain "Richard Gibson, a justice English Army, was commissioned to sur of the peace who had leased 423 (planta vey all forfeited lands and estates in ad Two other Anglo-Irish families were to tion) acres from the Duke of Ormonde in vance of their being settled by English play an important role in the fortunes of Williamstown, south of Rathvilly, 'Adventurers' and Cromwellian soldiers. north Carlow and especially claimed that incursions from the Byrne The Down Survey which was carried out Williamstown and its environs, namely sept led to losses of£ 1880 for stock and under his auspices in 1656-58 shows that the Bunburys and Wolscleys. The Sun rentals of£400 per annum. His three ser the entire town land of Williamstown ex bury family' came from Cheshire in the vants, Daniel Ryan, William Isaacs and tending to 400 Irish plantation acres, in 1660s and settled initially at Killerig and Peter Rudden corroborated Gibson's ev common with other Ormonde lands, was later at Lisnavagh as tenants of the Duke idence". to be forfeited and made available for set of Ormonde. Like the Ormondes, they tlement. The map notes the existence of had sided with the Royalists against the 11 James Butler 12t Earl of Ormonde a castle in the townland and that the land Parliamentarians during the English civil ( 1610-1688) was without doubt the most was variously 'arable and heathy'. war and therefore did not benefit in the powerful and influential in the long line first instance from the Cromwellian Plan of this family dynasty. King James 1 of Meanwhile, at the same time as these tation. The original lease on Lisnavagh Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN was granted by Richard Butler, Viscount mg for the time-gap between the two who had neither cabin nor garden. A wan of Tulloch and Earl of Arran ( brother of transactions, it is still remarkable that Mr dering family would settle where they Lord Ossory and nephew of the first Baily was paying Sir Charles Butler an could--building a hovel with a few Duke of Ormonde) to Benjamin Sunbury annual rent of £37 for the whole of sticks, furze, fems etc; if the neighbour of Killerig in 1676 and Lisnavagh was Williamstown, while he or his successor hood wanted hands or took no notice of purchased outright in 1702. The Bun was charging 'poor' Mr Sunbury a rent them, the hovel grew into a cabin and, if burys were important members of the rul of £155 per annum for the same town lucky, there would be the possibility of ing protestant ascendancy in l 8'h century land. Alas, we have no record of the total fann work and renting a patch of ground Ireland both as Members of Parliament in amount of rent, if any, that Mr Sunbury for potatoes. Dublin and Westminster and also in the was able to extract from the tenant farm administration and enforcement of the ers of Williamstown in the 1720s but it is Even though Lisnavagh is the neighbour law in County Carlow for Dublin Castle. most unlikely that he was at a loss. ing townsland, it was not the Bunburys In 1879, Thomas McClintock Sunbury of but the Wolseleys who were to become Lisnavagh who succeeded his uncle to The Englishman, Arthur Young'iii, who the landlords of Williamstown. The become Lord Rathdonnell had estates to reviewed agriculture and society in Ire Wolseley Estate had some 2500 acres in talling 4,900 acres. Successive genera land over the three year period 1776-79, County Carlow and approximately 2600 tions of the Sunbury family have retained was scathing of the widespread practice acres in County Wicklowxiv_ The family's the title and continue to live on a dimin whereby there were several layers of earliest engagement with Ireland went ished but still substantial estate at Lisnav middle-men between ( often absentee) back to William Wolseley who fought agh up to the present day. landlords and tenants who were profiteer- with King William of Orange at the ing at the expense of the latter. Writing Boyne. The Battle of the Boyne which It appears that at no time did the Bun about the middle-men, Young writes that was fought in 1690 between two rival burys come into ownership of "living upon the spot, surrounded by their claimants to the English throne - the Williamstown. The Orn1onde Estate Pa little under-tenants, they prove the most Catholic King James and the Protestant pers'i in the NLI dated 1723 record the oppressive species of tyrant that ever lent King William was the turning point in lease "from (Sir) Charles (Butler) Earl of assistance to the destruction of a country. James' unsuccessful attempt to regain the Arran to John Bayly of the town and They relet the land at short tenures to the crown and ultimately ensured the lands of Williamstown containing 600 occupiers of small farms and often give strengthening of the penal laws against plantation acres at a yearly rent of £36 no leases at all. Not satisfied with screw Catholics and the continuation of the 14s 4d". However, according to Turtle ing up the rent to the utmost farthing they Protestant ascendancy in Ireland. Family Bunburyxii, his ancestor Thomas Sunbury are rapacious and relentless in the collec lore had it that when William's horse of Kill (where Bolgers of Kill now live) tion of it." sank in the river mud, Wolseley dis noted in his diary that on 14 November mounted and gave the king his black 1764 he "left home early this morning for The relentless financial pressure on horse. Only then did the king make the Dublin where I was this day decreed to small-scale tenant farmers from extor crossing of the Boyne. Brigadier Wolse pay Jno Baily the Exchequer £850 for the tionate landlords and middle-men created ley, however, was not rewarded as he profit rent of Williamstown for 5 and a misery and poverty on a large scale, might have expected even though Dutch half years, halfofwhich sum is to be paid sometimes resulting in starvation and and other military men who fought with in 3 months". The profit rent was a rent death. But if the conditions of tenant the king received substantial grants of charged by an agent or middle-man who farmers were bad, those of the confiscated lands. Eventually, Mount leased lands from a landlord and rented labourer/cottier class were much worse. Arran (later renamed Mount Wolseley) them out usually in smaller holdings to As Young points out, in the late 1700s, with its modest demesne of 180 acres but tenants at higher rents, thus relieving the the labourer or cottier would typically with extensive estates including landlord of the odious and sometimes live in a mud-walled cabin and rent an Williamstown was purchased from Sir dangerous task ofrent collection. It is not acre of ground from a tenant farmer for Charles Butler, Earl of Arran sometime possible to establish with any certainty potatoes and the grass of a cow. He after 1725. whether the apparent middle-man in this would buy hay etc for over-wintering and transaction, Mr John Bayly, who rented work for the farmer for 6 to 7 pence per The Wolseleys were Members of the Irish Williamstown from the Earl of Arran in day. A tally would be kept-a notch for Parliament for extended periods in the 1723 is the same John Baily who re-let each day's labour--and the balance be 1700s and Richard Wolseley whose fa Williamstown in 1764 to Thomas Sun tween rent and labour settled every 6 ther served at the Boyne was made a bury at a much higher rent. Even allow- months or year. There were also people Baronet in 1745. During the 1800s, sue- Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN cessive Baronets were absent from Car same time as land ownership was becom houses in the town were set on fire to pro low on military servicev. Reverend Sir ing more concentrated in the hands of as vide a smokescreen as the rebels at John Richard Wolseley (1834-1874) few as 8,000-10,000 mainly Protestant tempted to capture the stone-built served in the Crimean War and when he proprietorsxvii, the seeds of impending in barracks. Several hundred rebels were died aged 40 the title passed to his stability were evident from the fact that killed and after they failed to take the bar brother Sir Clement James Wolseley who the Catholic population by the tnm of the racks, the military evacuated it and re was the last to occupy the family seat of century, despite the misery, had been treated to the safety of Tullow. Captain Mount Wolseley. The four daughters of growing rapidly over the previous hun Hardy was killed in the course of the Rev Sir John Richard Wolseley sold the dred years. The total population of Ire fighting and a monument to his memory Mount Wolseley house and demesne to land grew from about 2 million in 1700 is located in Hacketstown's Protestant Nicholas Archdale in 1890 and this was to over 5 million in 1800 and, of course, churchyard. subsequently sold on for £4500 to the Pa was destined to continue its upward tra trician Brothers in 1925, despite clauses jectory, reaching 8. 7 million by 1846. After the rebellion was crushed, the in an earlier Wolseley family will pro British government, under Prime Minis hibiting this. The estates outside the The Presbyterians and other non-con ter William Pitt (the Younger), embarked demesne were not included in the sale formists, mainly concentrated in the determinedly on a course which would and the Wolseley sisters, with others, north-east of Ireland, also suffered under lead to the union of Great Britain and Ire continued as Landlords of Williamstown the penal laws. Influenced by republican land. The Catholic hierarchy was, by and until they were bought out under various ideas from America and revolutionary large, in favour of union because they Land Acts starting with Gladstone's Land France, the Presbyterians came together were given to understand that Catholic Act of 1881 and culminating in with their Catholic counterparts to form Emancipation would not be far behind Wyndham's Land Law Act of 1903'vi. the Society of the United Irishmen in and with it the end of Protestant domina 1791. Under the leadership of Wolfe tion. Not surprisingly, the Protestant Frederick Wolseley (a younger brother of Tone, their objective was to unite Irish Parliament initially voted against Gamet Wolseley referred to in footnote Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter so as the proposed Union by 109 votes to 104 below) and his business partner Herbert to break the connection with England and when it was first brought before it in Austin returned to England from Aus this led to the rising of 1798.The United 1799. After this defeat, the Dublin Castle tralia in the 1890s and established com Irishmen's plans for a nationwide revolt Administration headed by Lord mercial car manufacturing plants in did not however come to pass and the ris Castlereagh set about buying the support Birmingham and thus gave their names ing was mainly concentrated in counties of the opposing Members of Parliament to famous makes of cars which continued Antrim and Wexford and, to a lesser ex through a mixture of compensation for in mass production until the 1970s. tent, in Wicklow and Carlow. lost seats, bribery and the award of peer ages and other honours. When the pro Turbulent Times-late 1700s/early After initial success, the insurgents in posal for union was returned to the Irish 1800s Wexford were eventually defeated at the Parliament the following year it was Battle of Vinegar Hill. From a local per passed by 158 votes to 115 and Ireland In contrast to the widespread discontent spective, the most serious fighting took and suffering of the Catholic population place in Hacketstown"iii which was the became part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 1st January which was worsened by the affliction of scene of two battles. The first, on 25'h 1801. Once Union was achieved it took the penal laws, the late 1700s marked the May, was little more than a skirmish another 28 years and a vigorous cam apogee of Protestant power in Ireland. when the poorly anned United Irishmen paign by Daniel O'Connell to overcome Helped by the establishment of the Irish returning from defeat in Carlow town, at Protestant opposition and that of the King Volunteers, Grattan's Parliament consist tempted to take the town of Hacketstown and his Govemment'ix before Catholic ing of Protestant Members elected by a but were easily driven off by the garri Emancipation was secured in 1829.This Protestant electorate won legislative free son's troops led by Captain Hardy. In the milestone marked the beginning of the dom from Britain in 1782. second battle on 25' 11 June, several thou end for the Protestant Ascendancy in Ire sand rebels led by Garrett Byrne of Bal The percentage of the land ofireland that land. lymanus, and including Michael Dwyer was Catholic-owned had fallen from and his followers, tried to capture the mil close to I 00% in the mid-l 500s to less Family History and the Changing itary barracks with its store of firearms than 20% in the mid- l 600s after the Ul Times and ammunition. The fighting lasted for ster and Cromwellian Plantations and to nine hours and most of the thatched Tracing Irish ancestors back through the as low as 5% by the late 1700s. At the Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN 1800s and earlier is greatly handicapped by the destruction of the Public Records Office in the Four Courts in 1922 and the lack of census information from 1821 until the end of the century. Our colonial status prior to independence is also un helpful insofar as what records did exist in those times mainly related to Protes tant, propertied families, clergymen and gentry as distinct from poorer Catholic tenant farmers and peasantry. When it came to the Kehoes of Williamstown, pre-existing family knowledge along with the national censuses of 1901 and 1911 enabled family antecedents to be identified back to the latter part of the nineteenth century. In the absence of cen sus data for the 1800s, the most useful al ternative sources of information proved to be: The General Register Of Births, Mar riages and Deaths from 1864 onwards (GROXX) Griffith's Valuation of 1847-64 (on-line) The Tithe Applotment Books of 1823-37 (National Archives) Rathvilly Catholic Church Records 1797 to date (Rathvilly Parish Archive and Na tional Library) Carlow Sentinel Newspaper 1832-49 John Kehoe of Williamstown (1852 - 1926) (National Library) Courtesy of John Kehoe Sr., Williamstown liable evidence of our antecedents in parents, Thomas and Elinor Kehoe of Williamstown are the Rathvilly Church Graige(sic), the sponsors being Matt Kehoes of Williamstown records of the marriages of Thomas Doolin and Eliza Dempsey and that Anne Kehoe to Elinor Cleary on 8'h May 1803 Kehoe was baptised on 7'11 August 1806 An examination of the Rathvilly Church and that of John Kehoe to Elizabeth for the parents, John and Elizabeth records in the early 1800s shows that Nowlan on 15'h September 1805. The Kehoe, the sponsors being Pat Kelly and there were quite a few families with the witnesses for the first marriage were Elizabeth Neill. The witnesses and spon surname Kehoe, in the parish of Darby Dempsey and John Doyle and sors, respectively, for the marriage of Rathvilly. In particular there were fami those for the second were Ned Drum John Kehoe and the baptism of his lies of Kehoes in Mount Neill (whose goole and Pat Kelly. These marriage daughter are readily identifiable from the provenance is well known) but there records, as was normal at the time, did families that lived nearby but this is not were also Kehoes in Knocklishen and in not record the townland, but from subse the case for the records pertaining to Williamstown and it is not possible to quent baptismal records we know, be Thomas Kehoe. However, any doubts as state whether or not these latter families yond reasonable doubt, that they lived at to the residency of Thomas Kehoe are were related to us or not. However, of all the Graigue Lane end of Williamstown. banished by the baptismal record for his the records which have been examined, I The latter records show that Mary Kehoe daughter which states that he and his wife am satisfied that the earliest and most re- was baptised on 3,J February 1804 for the Elinor were living in Graige(sic). As re- Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN records were simply indecipherable. Not knowing whether the illegibility might be due in some cases to the age and wear of the micro-film (which was done in 1958) as distinct from the quality of the original records, it was decided to consult the original paper records in the Rathvilly Church archive but, alas, the outcome was still the same. As will be seen later, the Tithe Applotment Book for 1826 give Thomas and John Kehoe (in that order) as the occupiers of a holding in Williamstown extending to 19 Irish plan tation acres, 3 roods and 10 sq Irish perches ( equivalent to 32 statute acres). It is very likely that the Thomas and John Kehoe given as occupiers in 1826 are the same Thomas and John Kehoe who got married in 1803 and 1805. Given that Thomas' address was given as Graige(sic) and that he was given first mention in the Tithe Applotment Book, it is likely that Thomas was the main occu pant living in what we now regard as the old ancestral home at the end of Graigue Lane and that John was living in a dwelling which, along with some out-of fices, were located on John's Land (and possibly hence the name). The outline of both sets of dwellings and farm buildings are clearly discernible from Ordnance Survey maps compiled c.1835. Based on Catherine Kehoe (nee Healy), 1856 - 1926 all the above information, the balance of Courtesy of John Kehoe, Sr., Williamstown the evidence would lead one to believe that the Thomas Kehoe of Graige( sic) gards the records for John and Elizabeth dication that John and Elizabeth Kehoe and Elinor Cleary who got married in Kehoe it should be noted that Neills and who married in September 1805 were 1803 were our great, great grandfather Kellys lived in adjoining houses and also living at the Graigue Lane end of and grandmother. farmyards to the front and back of the Williamstown. Kehoe homestead. But, of course one The early 1800s must have been a rela One of the conundrums in tracing a direct cannot be definitive that these sponsors tively propitious time for Thomas and line of descent for the Kehoes in the first originated from either family. Secondly, John Kehoe to get married and start a half of the 1800s is that there are no bap the witnesses to the Kehoe/Nowlan mar family, despite the rack-rents and other tismal records (aside from the birth of the riage in 1805 were Ned Drumgoole and mJustices being experienced by two daughters) showing that any further Pat Kelly. The Drumgooles lived up Catholics. From 1803, the Napoleonic children were baptised or born to either Graigue Lane on a farm now owned by Wars had engulfed a large part of Europe family. An examination of the micro the Byrnes of Ballyoliver and their land ranging from the United Kingdom and filmed records for Rathvilly Church in is adjoining a separate patch of land the Iberian Peninsula in the west, to Rus the National Library shows that there was farmed by the Kehoes since time imme sia in the east and the resultant boom in great variation in the punctiliousness with morial kuown as John's Land. The rarity agricultural commodity prices led to a which records were kept from one curate of the name Drumgoole as opposed to measure of prosperity for Irish tenant to the next. The pens or pencils used also Kelly in the general area is a further in- farmers. However, the prosperity turned varied greatly and some micro- filmed Carloviana 2013-14 THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN to slump after Napoleon's defeat at Wa including a 12 year-old boy were hung mitted to positions of public office and terloo in 1815. From 1816 onwards, a outside Carlow Jail on 6'h and IO'h August the professions and could take seats in catastrophic fall in farm prices was ac 1822. Parliament. However to limit the influx companied by bad weather and partial, of Catholic MPs, the right to vote was intermittent failure of the potato crop, and Many Catholic bishops and clergy, while somewhat restricted by raising the annual this led to widespread discontent, hard not condoning the lawlessness and vio rental threshold from 40 shillings to £ I 0. ship and occasional hunger in the poorer lence from either side, were nevertheless Nevertheless Catholics as well as Protes regions and sections of the population. In actively campaigning against the unjust tants who were sympathetic to the cam the midst of this distress, tenant farmers tithes. Their most prominent and articu paign against tithes could now be elected of all persuasions and none were still re late spokesman was Dr. James Doyle, to parliament. quired to pay tithes to fund the Estab Bishop of Kildare and Leighlinxxiv (known lished Church (the Church oflreland) and as JKL). In his 'Letters on the State of Meetings to campaign against tithes were this became a source of anger and agita Ireland', he condemned the iniquitous convened around the country and espe tion and a cause of increasing violence. system under which the impoverished cially in south Leinster. The Carlow Sen Catholic tenantry, in addition to voluntar tinel of 28 April 1832 recorded "a great Against the Tithes ily contributing to the upkeep of their tithe meeting" which took place in own church were obliged by law to fund Rathvilly on Monday 23 April 1832 Since 173yx;, only tillage land was sub another church to which they did not be under the auspices of the Parish Priest, ject to tithes and this placed the heaviest long and whose members were associ Rev Fr John Gahan and under the chair burden firstly on the smallest tenant hold ated with their oppression. The initial manship of a Mr. Philip Germaine. The ings who had to cultivate most of their response of the London Government, in meeting adopted a resolution proposed land to stay alive and secondly on farm an effort to bring greater transparency to by Mr. James Gahan and seconded by ers in the south-east where tillage farm the tithe system, was to carry out a re Mr. John Enright which resolved that "no ing was predominant. Thus the war assessment of the liability for tithes of human law founded on justice, and against tithes which gathered pace in the every farm in Ireland over one plantation certainly no divine law renders it obliga 1820s and 1830s was mainly concen acre in size over the period 1823-37. tory on seven eighths of the people oflre trated in Leinster and within Leinster in While it did little to alleviate opposition, land to contribute the tenth of their soil, the counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford the Tithe Applotment Books which re capital and industry to the luxurious and Laois. This period saw the emer sulted from the survey have given us a emolument of a Church with which they gence of secret societies such as the useful source of information. The Tithe have no communion or connection and Whiteboys, Ribbonmen and Molly Applotment for Williamstown was which now engrosses the largest and Maguires who engaged in numerous out signed off by Messrs John Smith and most exorbitant revenue enjoyed by any rages against Protestant clergy, their Philip Germaine on 30'h October 1826 other in the world, for which there is not tithe-proctorsxxii and landlords and this in and gave an acreage of 679 acres I rood the slightest remuneration made, and vited harsh responses from the Crown's and 22sq perches (Irish Plantation Meas which is wrung from the sweat and yeomanry and militias. In the early ure) for the whole townlandxxv with a tithe labour of the poorest people on the 1820s, a secret society called the Moll liability of £92. As mentioned earlier, earth". A second resolution was proposed Doyles was operating in the Rathvilly Thomas and John Kehoe are listed as oc by Mr. M Nolan and seconded by Mr. area who were attacking the houses of cupying a farmxxvi of 19 Irish acres 3 John Kehoe which "resolved that we tenants who had offended against their roods and IO sq. perches (32.1 statute pledge ourselves to support our County agrarian code e.g. by buying confiscated acres) with a tithe liability of £1-11 s-4d. Members at a future election, having livestock. A notorious gang from Pat Mulhallxxv;; had a holding of IO Irish proved by their zealous and patriotic con Rathvilly called the Finnegansxx;;; carried acres which bisected the farm occupied duct that they are entitled to our un out numerous robberies and other crimes by the Kehoes and this tenancy was in bounded confidence and that a petition including an attack on a Protestant Min corporated in the Kehoe holding some founded on the foregoing resolutions be ister, Reverend Trench near Carlow town. considerable time later. presented by them to Parliament and that Messrs Bunbury ofLisnavagh and Bruen James Grattan and Daniel O'Connell of Oak Park along with others con Running alongside the agitation against Esqrs. be requested the prayer of same tributed £50 each as a reward towards tithes was Daniel O'Connell's campaign and that it be presented to the House of their being apprehended and convicted. for Catholic Emancipation which reached Lords by Lord King". It is not possible to The gang was eventually arrested and a successful conclusion in 1829. From establish if the John Kehoe who sec convicted and arising from this, ten men then on, Catholics could inter alia, be ad- onded this proposal hailed from Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN Williamstown but the two resolutions give a flavour of the strength of opposi tion to the tithes among the tenant farm ers of Rathvilly and surrounding areas. During the 1830s, the authorities, follow ing the nation-wide Tithe Applotment Survey, believed that they now had a fair and transparent method of assessing lia bility and they escalated their campaign against tithe defaulters by the seizure and confiscation of livestock and other chat tels. This led to increased violence and in 1831 the authorities recorded 242 homi cides, 1, 179 robberies, 401 burglaries, 568 burnings, 280 cases of cattle-maim ing, 161 assaults, 203 riots and 723 at tacks on property all of which were directly attributed to seizure order en forcement. Confronted by the general lawlessness and mayhem, the Govern ment eventually changed tack by passing the Tithe Commutation Act in 1838. Under this Act the tithes were reduced by one quarter and responsibility for the payment of remaining tithes was to rest with landlords who were to recoup them in the rents paid by their tenants. It took another 30 years before the indirect bur den of the tithes would be lifted from the shoulders oflrish tenant farmers with the passage of the Irish Church Act of 1869 which disestablished the Church of Ire land. Kehoe Lease, 1868 Famine Times Courtesy of John Kehoe Sr., Williamstown enforced sub-division of holdings during million fled the country, two thirds of No sooner had Ireland won a victory of penal times. Population growth was es whom were destined for the United sorts with the Tithe Commutation Act of pecially facilitated by the massive in States, causing the total population to fall 1838 and was availing of its new-found crease in the cultivation ofpotatoesxxxi by from 8.7 million to 6.5 millionxxxn_The freedom following Catholic Emancipa tenant farmers and labourers /cottiers dreadful plight of the population was tion than it was plunged into the most who came to rely on this food as their made much worse by the huge upsurge in devastating disaster ever to plague the main and often only source of suste evictions of tenants from their home people of Ireland, namely the Great nance. In these circumstances, the arrival steads. To avail of famine relief, families Famine of 1845-1852. Current esti of blight in Ireland in the autumn of 1845 were required to surrender their tenancies matesxxviii show that Ireland's population and the almost total failure of the potato but, otherwise, tenant fanners who did was growing at the extraordinary rate of crop in 1846 and certain subsequent not have the where-with-all to pay the 2-2.5% per annum from the mid-l 700s, years, resulted in widespread famine and rent were faced with eviction by land to reach 5 million by 1800, over 7 million associated diseases such as cholera and lords or their agents. In the period 1849- by 1821 and 8.7 million by mid-1846xxix_ typhus. Between 1846 and 1857, it is es 54, a total of 250,000 families were The reasons for this rapid growth were timated that close to one million people evicted from their holdings and landlords manifold and complex and were related died while a further one and a quarter availed of this calamitous opportunity to to the landlord/tenant system'xx and the Carloviana 2013-14 THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN clear their estates of small tenancies and Williamstown (who most probably was the same Thomas Kehoe referred to consolidate farms into larger holdings. the son of the Thomas Kehoe reported as above committed himself to pay Sir John The so-called 'clearances' of estates by living there in 1826) was sufficiently well Richard Wolseley an annual rent of £4 l landlords, enabling a switch from tillage positioned to get married and start a fam l 3s-6d under a 31 year lease for land and to cattle rearing, was given added impe ily around the year 1851. His wife's buildings extending to 29 Irish acres and tus by the repeal of the Corn Laws in maiden name was Anne Bryan ( or Brien) 9 sq. perches (47 statute acres). This ten 1846 under which duties on imports of and she gave birth to their first child, ancy agreement incorporated the IO Irish corn from North America were reduced John, in 1852. This child was baptised in acres previously rented by Patrick Mul to virtually zero. Rathvilly Catholic Church on 17th July hallxxxvii_ At this stage, Thomas Kehoe had 1852 and the sponsors were Pat Kehoe a wife and four children ranging from the While the province of Leinster was and Mary Bryan. Thomas and Mary eldest 16 year old son, John, to his deeply affected by the famine, the impact Kehoe went on to have three further chil youngest son Edward or Ned who was 7 was not nearly so catastrophic as in the dren: Patrick in 1855, Mary in 1856 (bap years old. case of Connaught, followed by west tised in Rathvilly on 3,a September 1856; Munster and west and south Ulster. Some sponsors ~John and Winnifred Brien), Coming towards the end of a boom in fundamental reasons for these differences Edward in 1861 (baptised in Rathvilly on farm prices, a rent of almost £42 for a were that Leinster, xxxiiiapart from having 20'h January 1861; sponsors -Nicholas farm of 49 statute acres with a significant lower rainfall, was blessed with only and Eliza Brien). proportion of wet and marshy land seems 13.3% ofboggy/mountain land compared exorbitant and compares with Griffith's with 23.9% for Ulster, 29.6% for Munster Griffith's Valuation, which in the case of combined valuationxxxviii for the Kehoe and over 33% for Connaught. However Co Carlow was carried out in 1852, and Mulhall fam1s of £31-15s in 1852. these overall generalisations conceal sig shows that Thomas Kehoe was the tenant It should be pointed out that£ 1sterling in nificant variations by region and class. In occupier of a holding rented from Rev Sir 1868 would be worth £92 sterling in County Carlow, smaller tenant farmers John Richard Wolseley amounting to 33 2012 and the rent of £41-13s-6d would on marginal land and the poorer labour statute acres, 2 roods and 23 sq. perches be equivalent to €4,459.22xxxix in today's ers/cottiers were seriously affected by the and carrying a rateable valuation of £24. money. The rental agreement stipulated failure of the potato crop and the out Patrick Mulhall's holding (which, as al that the landlord retained ownership of break of epidemic diseases. Under the ready mentioned, bisected the Kehoes' any minerals, gravel, sand quarries, ways Poor Law Act of 1838, a workhouse was farm) consisted of 15 statute acres, the and right of making ways, water, water set up in Carlow Town for the relief of land being valued at £6- l 5s-Od and the courses, bog moss, turf, timber, trees, un distress but the poor and indigent of the house and buildings at £ 1 giving a total derwoods and shrubs, growing or to county also availed of workhouses out valuation of £7- l 5s. Griffith's Valuation grow, all game, wild fowl, fish, rabbits side the county in Baltinglassxxxiv, Shille also states that Thomas Kehoe had rented and beasts of chase with full and free lib lagh, Enniscorthy and New Ross. At the out two small houses on his holding to erty of ingress and egress in the exercise peak of the faminexxxv in January 1847, Denis Neill and Timothy Kelly, each car of his or his agents' rights. The rent was these five workhouses had a total of rying a rateable valuation of 5 shillings. payable in two moieties on 25 1h March 3, 723 inmates of which 527 were The adjoining farms and farmyards occu and 2 9,1i September each year. If the rent recorded as suffering from illnesses or pied by the Neills and Kellys were of or any part thereof remained unpaid for disease and 1, 712 were children under similar size to that of the Kehoes but the 21 days after these gale days, the landlord the age of 15 years. Illustrative of the neighbouring fam1er James Healy had a or his agents retained the right to enter deprivation and possible hunger occur holding extending to 81 acres, l rood and the tenant's premises to distrain, lead, ring in the Rathvilly area were the ac 18 sq. perches, the land being valued at drive and take away and dispose of same counts of individuals walking from the £45 and buildings at £3-5s, giving a total in settlement of monies owed. village to Mount Lucasxxxvi to steal pota valuation of £48-5s which was over twice toes and to milk a cow into a can, only to that of the Kehoes. Depression, Agitation and Land Re have their theft reported to the authorities form by the "servant man to Dr. Edward Heath Despite continuing emigration and pop Needless to say there was no provision of Rathvilly" in May 1840. ulation decline, the 1850s and 60s saw a recovery in agricultural prices and land for any rent review in the lease agreement Post-Famine Recovery rentals over this period were increased to and Thomas Kehoe was not to know unsustainable levels. Under a tenancy when he embarked on his 31 year lease Despite the generally dreadful conditions agreement dated 17th November l 868, that Ireland and indeed the wider world obtaining in the country, Thomas Kehoe, was to enter what came to be known as Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN the Long Depression from 1873 to 1896. ster attended by up to 30,000 people took farmer, Patrick Neill, who was also a ten In the 1870s, economies in continental place in Tullow on 28'11 September 1879. ant of the Wolseleys, managed to secure Europe and North America were slow to In Coolmanagh, all the tenants of the an 'Order Fixing Fair Rent' from the recover from the aftermath of the Franco Guinness estate were evicted and were Land Court, dated 17' 11 May 1898, under Prussian War and the American Civil War living in wooden huts by the roadside. which the rent was reduced from £22 to respectively. The rapid development of Edward O'Toole writes in his memoirs £ 16- lOs per annum. It is most likely that railways made it easier and cheaper to that John Redmond, his brother Willie John Kehoe, my grandfather, who was import grain from the Ukraine and the and a Miss Keppel stayed in Rathvilly for burdened by a penal rent of almost £42 North American Prairies and refrigeration two to three months during 1881 and per annum, since 1868, would have had made it possible to import unsalted meat drove out to Coolmanagh every day to recourse to the Land Court shortly after from Argentina and Australia into Eu tend to the needs of the dispossessed fam it was established in the early 1880s and rope. The prolonged depression in farm ilies. there is evidence to show that the rent on prices was compounded by bad weather his holding payable to the Wolseleys had and a series of poor harvests after 1874. In an attempt to restore law and order, the been reduced to £23 by 1905. Later land As a result, an increasing number of ten London Government, commencing in acts in 1885 (Ashbourne), 1887 (Bal ant farmers found themselves unable to 1881, introduced over 100 Coercion four), 1903 (Wyndham), and 1909 (Bir pay the exorbitant rents and this led to a Acts, the most notable being the Protec rell) provided substantial loans for the spate of evictions around the country, the tion of Person and Property Act and an outright purchase of tenant holdings from worst affected area being Connaught Act for the More Effectual Suppression landlords and this led to the most radical which was bordering once again on of Local Disturbances and Dangerous change in Irish land ownership since the famine. It is not surprising then to find Associations in Ireland. Under the new Cromwellian Plantation in the middle of that it was a Mayoman by the name of laws, the Land League was proscribed the seventeenth century. By the end of Michael Davitt who, along with Charles and Davitt, Parnell and countless others March 1921, as many as 9,459 estates, Stewart Parnell, founded the Irish Na were arrested without trial and flung into comprising 270,396 holdings on 9.03 tional Land League in October 1879. The jail, the only effect of which was to make million acres, were sold under these Acts objects of the Land League were: people more militant and drive them into for £85.9 million, excluding sales under the ranks of the more radical Irish Repub the Congested Districts Board (COB) To put an end to rack-renting, eviction lican Brotherhood (otherwise known as provided for in the 1891 Land Act. By the and landlord oppression by securing the the Fenians). time the COB was abolished in 1923, it three Fs: fair rent, fixity of tenure and had purchased 874 estates, totalling 1. 77 In the early 1880s, under pressure from free sale and million acres for £8.9 million. After inde the Irish Parliamentary Party led by Par pendence in I 923, the monies advanced To put it in the power of every Irish nell, the UK Government, headed by were to be repaid to the British Govern farmer to become the owner, on fair Prime Minister Gladstone, recognised ment in annuities which were fixed at terms, of the land he tills. that as well as dealing with the symptoms £250,000 per annum from 1925. The of social unrest and civil disturbances, the Irish Land Commission continued its op Branches of the Land League were set up underlying issue ofland reform had to be erations at a much reduced level until all over Ireland, the first branch in Lein urgently addressed. The first attempt at 1983 when it ceased to acquire land and ster being set up in Tullow, in 1880, and real reform was made in the Irish Land it was finally abolished in 1999. the second branch shortly afterwards in Act of 1881 which provided increased se 1 Rathvilly' • The campaign consisted of curity for tenants, entitled them to com While the benefits of land reform for the organising monster protest meetings, pensation for improvements carried out tenant farming class were beyond ques rent strikes, and boycotts'li. As happened during their tenancy and provided for the tion, other categories of people were to during the tithe war earlier in the century, establishment of the Irish Land Commis lose out. In pre-1900 Ireland, the estates the countryside descended to a state of sion and a Land Court to adjudicate on 1 of the gentry' ;; were an important source lawlessness, intimidation and violence. In rents. Though the 1881 Act did not pro of employment in rural Ireland for trades the Rathvilly/Tullow area, the land agita vide facilities to enable tenants to buy out men, gardeners, agricultural labourers tion was fuelled by the refusal of Lord their holdings from landlords, the newly 1 and domestic staff' ;;;_ Labourers who Rathdonnell to reduce the excessively established Land Courts were widely would lose their jobs with the break-up high rents being charged to his tenants at used to secure a downward re-adjustment of the big estates were strongly opposed Constable Hill near Hacketstown and of rack-rents. In this regard, there is doc to the Land League's campaign. A poster Roscat near Tullow and as a consequence umentation to show that the adjoining circulating in Baltinglass and neighbour- the first monster protest meeting in Lein- Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN ing parishes in the early 1880s, called on a Land Court adjudication to secure a rent Having obtained their agreement to va fellow labourers to attend a forthcoming reduction at some point in the early cate the site and move to a new location, Land League meeting in Baltinglass, pro 1880s. It is not known when Thomas or the Parish Priest, Fr. P Nolan, also had to claiming "Down with the Land Leaguers; his wife, Anne, passed away but it is clear secure permission of Lord Rathdonnell as if the farmers are our masters they will that his three sons and daughter contin landlord. This ambitious project necessi work the marrow out of our bones and we ued to live and work in Williamstown. tated an extensive fund-raising campaign will be no better than slaves" and asking The eldest son, John, must have felt that both within the parish and among rela "will they give us good wages, constant he was moving up in the world when he tives and friends ofRathvilly abroad, es employment and a comfortable house to fell in love with and married Kate Healy pecially in North America. Almost all the dwell in?". The conditions and indeed in 1880, the daughter of the bigger neigh construction work was carried out by status associated with working on the big bouring farmer James Healyxliv referred to local tradesmen with the Hanlys of estates were generally much more prefer above. The marriage took place in the old Williamstown figuring prominently as able to the labourer than that offered by Catholic Churchxiv in Rathvilly on 11th stonemasons and with carpenters and strong farmers or the other 'nouveaux November 1880, when John was 28 and manual labourers coming from the vil proprietaires'. Kate was 24 years old. The witnesses lage and surrounding area. The greater were John's younger brother, Patrick, part of the building stone came from It is also important to note that not every who was four years his junior and Kate's granite quarries 111 Williamstown, landlord fitted neatly into the harsh younger sister Alice (Healy) who was Haroldstown and Broughillstown. The stereotypical image of the period. The just 18 at the time. By 1883, Patrick shell of the new churchxlvi was completed Fitzwilliams of Coolatin were liberal Kehoe had married Mary Harmon of in October 1887 and following the trans landlords who charged lower rents and Tynock who in turn was destined to in fer of the altar, organ and seats from the paid higher wages than the norm, were herit a farm from her uncle who, at that old church, the first Mass was celebrated tolerant of Catholics even in penal times stage, was in his declining years. The in November 1887 with final dedication and invested in local educational and third eldest in the Kehoe household, on St Patrick's Day 1889. other charitable activities. To redress ear Mary, (baptised 3rd September 1856) was lier accounts of the Rathdonnells of Lis 24 years old when John got married and The laying of the railway line from Balt navagh, the Rathvilly Catholic Church though she became blind at some stage inglass through Rathvilly to Tullow and 111 records show that "on 11 February during her twenties she continued living the construction of bridges along the 1875, Col Kane Bunbury of Moyle, Co and working in Williamstown for the rest route as well as a station house on the Carlow, directed his Executors to invest of her life. The youngest brother Ned edge of the village brought a further in £1,000 in 3% Government Stock. The (baptised on 20'11 January 1861) was just flux of officials and engineers from the first moiety of the annual dividends was 19 when his brother, John, got married Great Southern Railway Company and to be distributed by the Protestant Rector and he continued living and working on provided additional employment for local to the poor Protestants of the Parish of the farm in Williamstown until well into tradesmen and labourers. When the line Rathvilly and the second moiety to be his fifties. was completed in 1886, Rathvilly was no paid to the Roman Catholic Parish Priest longer an isolated village. Prior to that, to be distributed by him every Christmas The New Klondyke in Rathvilly the quickest passenger route to Dublin to the poor R.C. inhabitants (except those was to catch the mail coach in Baltin receiving Workhouse Relief)". Two very substantial developments took glass, a journey which took six hours, place in Rathvilly during the 1880s while agricultural produce and other mer Life Goes on in Williamstown which lifted the local rural economy out chandise was transported by 'carmen' of the doldrums of the Long Depression. using horses and carts travelling in con Meanwhile back 111 Williamstown, The first was the building of the new voy. Now the journey to Dublin for peo Thomas Kehoe and his family were con Catholic Church which commenced in ple and merchandise could be completed tinuing to eke out a living and at the same August 1883 and the second was the lay in less than two hours and in much time earn enough to service their boom ing of the new railway line from Baltin greater comfort. time rent in the midst of the social unrest glass to Rathvilly and on to Tullow which and the stagnating farm prices associated was begun in 1885. The new church was A New Generation of the Kehoes with the Long Depression. The lease to be built on a site occupied partly by the agreement setting the annual rent at al Kearns family where they had their farm John and Kate Kehoe, my grandfather most £42 was to run until 1899 but, as house, haggard and out-offices and paiily and grandmother, who as was mentioned mentioned earlier, it is most likely that ei by a forge operated by Thomas Cleary. earlier were married on 11 November ther Thomas or his son, John, availed of 1880, had a large family of five boys and Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN four girls born on dates between 1882 beg. The following is a resume of the Grange to visit us in Williamstown dur and 1900.In common with other tenant Kehoe family members and their biogra ing the 1950s and he never arrived with farmers, my grandfather, sometime after phical milestones: out a bag of sweets. In the latter months 1905, availed of the Land Acts (most of his life he was partly paralysed from a likely the Wyndham Act of 1903) to pur My Aunt Annie was born in 1882. She stroke and he died on 8' 11 September 1956. chase his farm holding from his land was quite artistic and some of her draw lords, the Wolseleys. Ned my ings from her time at the Brigidine Con My Aunt Mary known as Pollie was grand-uncle, who by all accounts was a vent Secondary School in Tullow still born on 13 September 1885. She also was very good worker, helped his brother, survive. In 1907, at the age of 25, she got quite artistic and some of her drawings John, with the farmwork while his sister married to Patrick Kehoe (aged 40) of are still to be seen in Williamstown. After Mary, despite being blind, was apparently Mount Neill. He had a comf011able, well her secondary education with the able to carry out all types of household situated farmhouse on a fine, fcrti le I 00 Brigidines, she joined the Sisters of the and fannyard chores. At peak, there were acre freehold farm (with no rent liabili Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Chig nine children and four adults in what was ties) on the banks of the Slaney. My fa well near London on 21 '' August 1904 a relatively small 'three up/ two down' ther remembered her 'intended' coming when she was almost 19 years old. Her house and living conditions had to be to sec her in Williamstown on a white final profession of vows took place on 11 1 11 horse before they got married. She had 20' August 1906 and she took the name very crampedx v • All of the children were born at home in Williamstown with the twin girls, Kathleen and Brigid, within Sister Gonzaga. She taught in various help of a local midwife and from about two years of rnaiTiage and a son Gerald schools run by the Order in the London the age of five they attended Knocklishen the following year. Kathleen married area. Pollie died in The London Hospital national school which was about a 20 James Murphy!, Old Leighlin and they at the relatively young age of 50 and is minute walk across the fields. Three gen had three children: Ann who lives near buried in St Patrick's Catholic Cemetary, erations of the famous D' Arey Family Mountmellick, married with three sons Langthorne Road, Leytonstone, London taught in Knocklishen starting with Ed and four daughters, Christopher who El I 4HL. ward in the 1830s, when it was a Hedge lives in the homeplace in Banagagole My father, John, was born on 12'h Sep SchooL and subsequently as a National married with two daughters and Padraig, tember 1886 which made him a year (all School with his son Thomas and then still a bachelor, who lives in Mount Neill. but a day) younger than his sister, Pollie. with his grand-son, Michael and grand Annie's husband, Patrick, died in 1913 His birth certificate carries the mark of daughter, Helen. Helen eventually be and she herself died in 1970 aged 88 Mary Dempsey, the mid-wife who at came a Presentation nun as did two of her years. tended at his bit1h (who was presumably sisters, one of whom, Elizabeth:1v,i, was My Uncle Tommy was born in 1884. His illiterate). He finished primary school in the foundress of the Presentation Order name was not Iisted in either the 1901 or Knocklishen about the turn of the century in Australia. One of her brothers was Pro the 1911 census because he had already and then stayed at home to work with his fessor of Music in Carlow College and started work and boarded out as a shop father and his Uncle Ned. Farn1 income another became a Vincentian Priest. assistant, initially in E. P. Kelly's and during and after the First World War was My grandmother is reputed to have been Fintan Doyle's of Baltinglass and for a greatly boosted by the scarcity of food ambitious for her children's education. much longer period in O'Tooles grocery and resultant high prices. Nevertheless, it 11 and hardware shop in Tullow. Perhaps it was still a struggle to live up to (and pro Her sister. Mother Austin (Healy),' ' taught in the Brigidinc Convent in Tul was this experience which led him to vide the finance for) my grandmother's low in what was the mother-house of the marry into a shop-cum-post office in educational ambitions for the younger Brigidine Order. Undoubtedly, this Grange about three miles beyond Tullow. siblings on a mere 49 acres of middling played a part in my grandparents' deci In latter years, the union was less than land and he, along with his Uncle Ned, sion to send their daughters as boarders harmonious and when his wife died in the had to supplement the family income to the Brigidine Convent Secondary early 1950s she left her house and estate through contract road building, which in School in Tullow. The position with the to the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. cluded certain stretches of the 'new line' boys was more varied with my father, After her death, Tommy had to meet with between Coolmanagh and Hacketstown. John, staying at home on the farm after the Bishop, Dr. Thomas Kehoe in Bra My father often talked about an incident Knocklishen. Tom, who was the eldest ganza, (which was then the Bishop's sometime after the Easter Rising and boy. may have got a year or two of sec Palace in Carlow) to ensure that he could most likely during the War of Independ ond level education and some of the other live in the house for his lifetime. I recall ence. when he and his brother, Joe, were boys attended boarding school in Knock- Tommy cycling on a regular basis from rounded up by British auxiliaries to help Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN clear roads in Haroldstown which the saleable and the government introduced My father died on Sunday 25th November IRA had blocked with fallen trees. It was a bounty to promote their slaughter. Iron 1973 (aged 87 years) from a heart attack early in the morning when the soldiers ar ically, farmers, despite their new-found having just climbed over a gate on his rived at the house in Williamstown as all penury, were still required to pay rent to way to herd cattle on land rented from the occupants were in bed. A few soldiers the Land Commission but many farmers, McCalls ofRathvilly. My mother was di proceeded upstairs and, though John and including my father, took part in organ agnosed with cancer in 1982 and she died Joe were immediately dragooned into ised rent strikes. On each occasion that on 6'h April 1984 in St Dymphna's Hos service, the soldiers left Patrick behind in my father failed to pay the rent on time pital, Carlow, aged 71 years. bed because, with his longish hair, they he was issued with a Court Warrant for 1111 thought he was a girl. On the way down, the arrears and he ended up having to pay My Uncle James was bom on 9,1i Octo one of the soldiers took a tumble, falling not just the rent but the additional fees for ber 1888. After primary school in Knock all the way down the stairs. the Warrant Notice. Eventually, De lishen he attended Ballyhaise Valera came to realise the foolhardiness Agricultural College. After some initial 11 When Dunne's neighbouring farm , ex of his policies and in 1938 he reached a years on the farm in Williamstown, he tending to 36 acres I rood and 23 sq settlement with Britain whereby the Irish moved to Mount Neill where he managed perches, was put up for sale by public government paid £10 million up front in and operated the farm for his sister Annie auction on I 6'h September 1918, my fa lieu of the £250,000 per annum that following the death of her husband in ther had no option but to pay the 'war would otherwise have been payable for 1913. At that point, Annie's son, Gerald, time boom' price of £695-lOs-Od the next 4 7 years and the import duties was only three years of age. When Mount (inclusive of £33 in commission). How were then removed. My father was never Lucas farm, across the road from Mount ever, farm prices declined considerably politically active but his experience of De Neill, came on the market in 1922 James in the 1920s and when the other neigh Valera in the thirties turned him res set about trying to purchase it. Mount bouring farm (37 acres 2 roods and 31 sq olutely against him and his paiiy for the Lucas had a period farmhouse and 285 perches) owned by Annie Kelly, came on rest of his life. acres of generally good quality land. It the market in 1926 the purchase price of was owned by a Protestant named £400 was almost 40% less than that paid After the darkness came the dawn as far William Malone who had been the stew for Dunne's farm which was of roughly as Irish farmers were concerned and the ard at Lisnavagh. William Malone had similar size and quality. It so happened forties ushered in a new era of fanning married Eva Emily Arthur in 1890 and that my grandfather had died on 26th Feb prosperity with the outbreak of the Sec they had three children, William Arthur, ruary 1926 and the public auction took ond World War. By the mid-forties, my John Alexander and Margaret Ann. John place in Kelly's yard next day while my father had lived a bachelor existence with Alexander fought in in the First World grandfather was being waked. My grand his brother, Joe, for the previous thirty War as a member of the British Army and mother died later that year on 28'h De years and at the very mature age of 59, he was killed in action in 1915. cember 1926. decided it was time for him to get mar ried. My mother, Rosanna Murphy was James needed a substantial bank loan to The 1930s were undoubtedly the most introduced to my father by Andy and fund the larger portion of the agreed pur difficult period for Irish farming in all of May Kehoe 111 of Clough, the former being chase price of £6700 and to make this the twentieth century. When De Valera related to the Murphys, and the latter to possible he managed, with the support of and his Fianna Fail party came to power the Kehoes. My parents got married on Monsignor Delaney PP Rathvilly, to per in 1932 he decided, in a fit of nationalis 30'h October 1945 in Baltinglass Church, suade O'Tooles of Tullow (where tic fervour, to withold the payment of the the best man being my Uncle Joe and the Tommy was obviously in good stead), his land annuities to Britain which amounted bridesmaid being Sheila Nolan, whose Uncle Dan (Healy) in Williamstown and to £250,000 per annum. Britain's imme father, Joe Nolan, Freynestown, was my his Uncle Paddy (Kehoe) in Tynock to go diate response was to impose duties on mother's first cousin. My mother was guarantor for the bank loan. It is pre all Irish imports into the UK, the main born on 5th July 1912 and was 33 when sumed that the finances of the Kehoes of brunt of which fell on Irish agriculture. she got married. My parents had six chil Williamstown were already stretched by The Irish government reacted by increas dren, Kathleen, John (who with his wife the purchase of Dunne's farm in 1918 ing its own import duties and urged peo Katie, son John Jnr and the latter's wife and from the cost of putting my Uncle ple to "bum everything British except Julie are still farming in Williamstown), Patrick through medical school (1918- their coal". As a result, fann prices col Pat (myself), Vincent (Coolmanagh) and 1923) to the point where a guarantee lapsed and fat cattle fell to £5 per head. Mary (Adelaide) who are twins and Joe from that source would not provide the Calves in many instances were un- (Williamstown). bank with the security it required. In Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN 1924, James got married to Bridget Blake give birth to my older brother, John, my seven years but from the late sixties she of Laney, Tullow who brought a consid Aunt Bridget stepped into the breach by was allowed home more frequently. After erable dowry with her to Mount Lucas. taking care of her one year old daughter her retirement in London, she was sent to James and Bridget had four children as Kathleen. Her 18 year old maid, Eileen work for a period at the Order's convent follows: Kathleen, born October 1925, Roche was delighted with the new ar in Sacramento, California. Returning to qualified as a nurse and has long since rival. The arrangement continued for England, she finished up at St. Teresa's been living in England. She married some weeks to the point where Bridget Convent, Dockenfield, Near Farnham, Richard Higgs, now deceased, and they and especially the maid developed a very Surrey which cared for women with spe have one son and two daughters. Sean, close relationship with the baby girl and cial needs and she died there on 7'h July born on 12 July 1928, inherited the main eventually both my parents and my aunt 1975. part of the farm at Mount Lucas. He mar were happy to make the arrangement per ried Olive Doyle in 1962 and they have manent. My Uncle Joe was born on I 2'h February three sons and five daughters. Sean died 1897. After Knocklishen, he went to in 1991. Rita, born in 1933 married Eddie The fam1 however was proving too much Knockbeg College for 1-2 years and then Nolan (now deceased) ofBlackrath, Col for my aunt and she came to a tentative returned home to work on the farm per binstown, Co Kildare in 1961 and they agreement with my Uncle Joe whereby haps around the time when his Uncle Ned have three sons and six daughters. Harry, she would hand over the farm to him if had left Williamstown for Tynock. He born on IO'h June 1935, married Maura he was prepared to come to Liscolman had a good life-long working relationship Donoghue from Athenry and they have and take charge of it, in return for paying with my father and he spent all his life in four sons and one daughter. He joined the her£ 1 per week. He took up the offer on Williamstown except for the three month Agricultural Institute shortly after its a trial basis in 1949. For whatever reason, hiatus referred to above in Liscolman. foundation in 1960 (latterly part of Tea he decided, after only one week in Lis My uncle could mix work with pleasure gasc) and is well known for his research colman, not to go ahead with the arrange and was more out-going though not quite and development of new, high yielding, ment and returned to Williamstown. The as hard-working as our father. The two disease resistant potato varieties. Harry following year, my aunt sold the farm (to brothers' bachelor existence continued inherited that part of Mount Lucas lo Corrigans who were her neighbours for over 30 years and after their parents cated at The Moate which is now being across the river Dereen) and she moved passed away they hired maids to keep farmed by his son, Martin. From about with Kathleen who was then three years house and cook meals in addition to one the late 1930s, James contracted some old to Baltinglass where she had bought or two fannhands. It must therefore have form of paralysis and was confined to a comer house on Weaver's Square from been a huge adjustment to my Uncle Joe bed for a long number of years. He died the Presentation Sisters. The house was when my father decided to get married in on 5th December 1957 and his wife Brid quite spacious but in a very poor condi 1945. When my father inherited the farm get died in 1961. tion and after refurbishment she was able from his parents, my Uncle Joe was given to complement her widow's pension by some entitlement which, inter alia, re My Aunt Bridget was born on 12 Janu renting out accommodation for a number sulted in the two brothers having a joint ary 1890. Her schooling at Knocklishen of years. She died on 23,ct September bank account and a requirement for joint and Tullow followed the same pattern as 1967. signatures on all cheques. Before my fa her other sisters. After the Brigidines, she ther got married he bought out my spent a year at Wandsworth College in My Aunt Lena (Helena) was born on uncle's entitlement for £550 but my uncle London, presumably at the instigation of 14'h May 1891. After the usual schooling continued to live and work m her sister, Pollie, who had already been in Knocklishen and Tullow she followed Williamstown. in a convent in London for several years. in her sister's footsteps and entered the She married Arthur Treacy who had a Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and My father and uncle shunned the internal 100 acre farm at Liscolman on the Tobin Mary in London on 28'h August 1909. combustion engine and all their lives stown side of Tullow. She had no chil Her profession of final vows took place stuck to traditional farming methods, 1 dren and her husband, Arthur passed on 26 h August 1911 and her name in re using two horses and a pony, at a time away in the 1940s. After she was wid ligion was Sister Benigna. The latter part when other neighbours in the area had owed, she retained a workman and of her teaching career was spent at Pield modernised. When my father eventually housemaid and my father and Uncle Joe Heath House School in Uxbridge, Lon bought a very old Austin A40 in 1956 helped out occasionally on the farm es don. During the fifties and early sixties from Dow lings of Rathvilly, it fell to my pecially at harvest time. When my she was allowed home to visit her family uncle to learn how to drive it and this mother went into hospital in June 1948 to and relations in Ireland only once every made him indispensible for any journey Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN or occasion that necessitated a car. It was at the untimely age of 43 years on 21st statute acre which is based on an English not until 1965 after my brother, John, had November 1943. perch of five and a half yards. Thus an taken charge of the farm that the horses Irish acre relative to a statute acre is the were replaced by a new Ford 2000 tractor Concluding Remarks ratio of the square of seven to the square and I remember my father's and uncle's of five and a half or 49 : 30.25. In effect, In researching this family history, I was dismay at having to cut the shafts off all this means that one statute acre equals struck by the huge changes which have the carts and implements for the 0.617 Irish acres. Similarly, an Irish mile taken place in Ireland politically, eco changeover. My uncle outlived my father vs an English mile is in the ratio of 7 : 5.5. nomically, socially and otherwise over by just two and a half years even though Hence an English mile is 0.786 Irish the past 200 years. Indeed, the repeated he was more than IO years younger. He miles. Up to my parents' time, Irish acres cyclical patterns in human and economic died on l 6111 July 1976 in Bagcnalstown and Irish miles were more commonly fortunes over that period help to put our Hospital. used than their English equivalent. most recent boom and bust into perspec x Postings to website www.turtlebun My Uncle Patrick was born in 1900. tive. Plus ca change plus c 'est la meme bury.com/ by Turtle Bun bury, Lisnavagh, After schooling in Knocklishen and chose. Looking back over hand-written Rathvilly, Co Carlow. Knockbeg he went to UCD in 1918 and documents which were up to 200 years xi Ormonde Papers; Manuscript No studied medicine. His university educa old was both fascinating and awe-inspir 48373/23; National Library of Ireland tion represented a severe financial burden ing when one thinks of the people behind xii Postings to website www.turtlebun because it coincided with the purchase of them and their struggle to survive in the bury.com/ by Turtle Bunbury, Lisnavagh, Dunne's farm in 1918 and was fol lowed, face of great difficulties and limitations. Rathvilly, Co Carlow. as mentioned earlier, by a period when Despite the momentous changes through xiii Arthur Young's Tour in Ireland 1776- farm prices were in the doldrums. These which they lived, I could find little evi 1779; Volume 2; pages 26 and 29; Library were generally unsettled times in Ireland dence in my research of any significant of the Royal Dublin Society. as the War of Independence was in full involvement by the Kchoes in the politi xiv O'Toole,Jimmy; The Carlow Gentry; swing while he was a student there. cal, social and military movements and 1993. Kevin Barry, the patriot, from Tombeagh activities of those times. Perhaps they xv The Wolseley with the most successfu I had attended primary school in Rathvilly were hard at work and too busy carving military career was Viscount Garnet and he began medicine in UCD the fol out a future for themselves and their fam Wolseley whose grandfather was born in lowing year in 1919. As college classes ilies and for the benefit of future genera Tullow. He was Commander-in-Chief of were quite small in those years, it is likely tions. the British Army from 1895 to 1901. that the two students who hailed from the i Ryan, John; History and Antiquities the xvi Dunne's farm in Williamstown was Parish of Rathvilly must at least have County of Carlow; 1833; bought out from the Wolseleys under known each other. Sadly, Kevin Barry ii Other variations of Mac Eochaidh are the 1903 Act in 1908 and was subse was captured for his involvement in an O' hEocha, Hoey and Haughey. quently purchased by my father John ambush of a party of British soldiers on iii Mac Lysaght, Edward; The Surnames of Kehoe on 16th October 1918. Church Street on 20111 October 1920 and Ireland; First published 1980; 5th Edition xvii Dooley,Terence AM; Estate Ownership following a trial by Court Martial he was Dublin 1991. and Management in Nineteenth and hanged in Mountjoy Jail on l ' 1 Novem iv Hyde, Dr Douglas; Library History of Ire Early Twentieth Century Ireland ber1iv. Patrick went on to complete his land; National Library of Ireland. xviii Hacketstown History; www.hacket medical studies in UCD and qualified as v Empey ,Adrian; The Liberties and Coun stown parish. ie/ a doctor in 1923. Apart from some stints ties of Carlow in the High Middle Ages. xixwary of the influence which Catholic as a locum he was unable to get a practice vi Ormonde Deeds; Volume 5, No 232; Na Bishops could exercise over their flocks, in Ireland and within a few years he em tional Library of Ireland. the British Government and Parliament, igrated to London. While in London he vii Ormonde Deeds; Volume 5, No 289; for several years after 1801, sought a met and married an Irish girl who hailed National Library of Ireland veto on the appointment of Irish Catholic from County Cork and they had one son viii Nolan, William; County Carlow, 1641- Bishops in return for emancipation. Oliver who subsequently became a solic 1660, Geography, Land Ownership and Under the Penal Laws, Catholics were ef itor. Indications are that my uncle may Society; Carlow History and Society, ed fectively prevented from voting in elec not have been as good at looking atler his ited by Thomas McGrath. tions and were not allowed to hold seats own health as he was at tending to the ix An Irish plantation acre (often short in parliament. Ironically when Catholic health of others. In the latter years of his ened to Irish acre), is based on an Irish Emancipation was eventually granted in life he gained a lot of weight and he died perch of seven yards as opposed to a 1829, the franchise was restricted by Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN raising the rental requirement from 40 contributed to the spread of potato cul that he at least survived the Great shillings to £10 per annum. tivation. John Feehan in his essay on 'The Famine. xx General Register Office, Irish Life Cen potato: root of the Famine' in the Atlas xxxviii Griffith's valuation was based on an tre, Dublin2 of the Irish Famine, mentioned above, nual rental income having regard to nat xxi Following agitation by stock breeders, refers to the '1742 Act to Encourage the ural soil fertility and the value of pasture the Irish Parliament's Tithe Agistment Reclaiming of Unprofitable Bogs' which or crops that could be produced there Act of 1735 exempted pasture land from made it lawful 'for every Papist, or per from. tithes and Ulster Presbyterians were also son professing the Popish religion' to xxxix Based on UK inflation rates for the successful in excluding flax which had lease 50 plantation acres of such bog and period 1868-2012 and an exchange rate become the main crop in Ulster. one half acre of arable land thereunto of €1 = £0.86Stg. xxii Tithe-proctors assessed and collected adjoining 'as a site for a house, or for the xi See O'Toole, Edward; Whist for your tithes from tenant farmers on behalf of purpose of delving for gravel or lime life, that's treason: Recollections of a Church of Ireland clergy charging a com stone for manure'. To qualify as unprof Long Life. Pages 34-38 mission of up to two shillings in the itable, the bog had to be at least 4 feet xii Captain Charles Boycott, agent for Lord pound for their trouble. deep after reclamation and a minimum Erne in Co Mayo, was successfully os xxiii See McCarthy, Donal; The Dawning of of 10 acres had to be reclaimed. In return tracised by the local community in Democracy, 1800-1870, page 93. the tenant would be free from 'all tithes, reprisal for his wholesale eviction of ten xxiv McDonagh, Michael; Bishop cesses or applotment' for the first 7 ants in 1880. Doyle,1896 years after reclamation. xiii See O'Toole, Jimmy; The Carlow Gen xxv As might be expected, the survey xxxi It is extraordinary that the potato try: What will the neighbours say; 1994; techniques used in the Tithe Applotment which became such a staple for the Irish pages 62-65. were much more precise and yielded people did not exist in Ireland prior to xi;;; As recently as the 1930s, over 70 peo very different estimates of acreage to 1586. It was introduced to Europe by the ple were employed on Lord Rathdon that of the Down Survey carried out Spanish conquistadores returning from nell's estate in Lisnavagh. some 170 years earlier. South America in the mid-1500s and is xliv James Healy's wife (Kate's mother) xxviln addition to this acreage, Thomas likely to have arrived in Ireland in 1586. was Julia Barret. She may have been one and John Kehoe were entitled to 'half of By famine times, the most popular po of the Barrets of Knocklishen whose farm a free bog' amounting to 1 Irish acre and tato variety, Lumper, was renowned for was adjoining that of the Kehoes. Julia 3 roods and carrying a tithe of 3s per its high yields but unfortunately proved was born in 1830 and James in 1831. annum. Ordinance Survey maps for the very susceptible to late blight. xiv Ordnance Survey maps c.1835 show 1830s clearly show the outline of the xxxii In addition to the sources quoted in the location of the old church at the vil homesteads and out-offices for the Ke the above footnotes, for a dispassionate lage end of the graveyard between the hoes, Neills and Kellys which were adja account of the history of the Great Irish present Phoenix Centre (or old school) cent to each other and which were to Famine please refer to The Graves Are and St Patrick's Lane. continue largely unchanged until the Walking by John Kelly published in 2012. xlvi The new Catholic Church was de 1970s.The Mulhall dwelling and out-of xxxiii Smyth, WJ; The province of Leinster signed in a 'gothic revival style' by the fices, long since demolished, were lo and the Great Famine; Atlas of the Great well-known ecclesiastical architect cated some 300 yards away. Irish Famine 1845-52; page 325 William Hague, Dublin, who was a pro xxvii The area occupied by the Mulhall xxxiv The workhouse, now demolished, tege of the famous English architect A. family is still called Mulhall's Field and was located beside the present Baltin W. N. Pugin. The marble pulpit, bap the ruins of their dwelling was only fi glass District Hospital which itself was tismal font and statue of St Brigid was nally demolished in the 1950s. formerly the fever hospital attached to made some years later by Edmund xxviii Smyth,WJ; 'Mapping the People': the the workhouse. Sharp, monumental sculptor, Dublin, growth and distribution of the popula xxxv O'Cathaoir, Eva; The Poor Law in commissioned by Monsignor Delaney PP. tion; Atlas of the Great Irish Famine County Carlow 1838-1923; Carlow His xlvii It is not known if the vacant farm 1845-52; Cork University Press, 2012. tory and Society; Thomas McGrath. house on John's Land was brought into xxix In Ordnance Survey maps from the xxxvi For a full account see the Pat Purcell use at this stage to relieve the congestion 1830s it is possible to identify six addi Papers 1740-1860 which are available or if an out-office loft was adapted for tional dwellings which existed on on-line. human habitation. Graigue Lane in for which not even ruins xxxvii There is no record of what became xlvii 1Elizabeth was known in religion as are discernible today. of Patrick Mulhall and his family but from Mother Stanislaus. For an account of her xxx Some Acts of Parliament may have Griffith's Valuation it can be established life see Salter, Anne Mary; Stand Firm: Carloviana 2013-14 ' THE KEHOES OF WILLIAMSTOWN Mother Stanislaus D'Arcy 1850-1934; phy of Ballinacrow. The mother of the With the large families, she must have Congregation of Presentation Sisters, Lis present Andy Kehoe was May Nolan of had a thriving business. more, NSW, Australia 1979 Hobartstown before marriage. Her fa liv Edward O'Toole who was Kevin Barry's xlix Mother Austin (Healy), who was chris ther, Edward Nolan was married to Mar Principal Teacher in Rathvilly lobbied tened Mary, joined the Brigidines in Tul garet Healy, Williamstown who was a strongly as did many others in Ireland for low on 16th July 1877 and died in Tullow sister of my grandmother, Kate Healy. a reprieve of his death sentence but to on 31st May 1937. Of the 60 years she i;;; The GRO record shows that the mid no avail. His execution caused wide spent as a Brigidine nun, 55 were spent wife attending at James' birth in spread horror and indignation and in Tullow convent and the other 5 in Williamstown was again Mary Dempsey. nowhere more so than in Rathvilly. Goresbridge convent. Anna Parnell Address I James Murphy's brother, Fr David Mur phy, was a curate in Rathvilly for a long number of years. 1;Under a deed dated lQth June 1901, Patrick Neill handed over the tenancy of his farm, stock, chattels, farm imple ments and other property to William Dunne, eldest son of Jerome Dunne of Coolmanagh on condition that "the said Jerome Dunne agrees in consideration to maintain and keep the said Patrick Neill and his sister Mary Neill in a manner suited to their state of life and also agrees to give the said Patrick and Mary Neill a decent and Christian Burial". It is noteworthy that the Neil ls were holding the father accountable rather than the unproven 18 year old son. The 1901 Cen sus records Patrick Neill as being aged 79, Mary Neill aged 74 and William Dunne their cousin aged 18. By the time of the 1911 Census, the two Neil ls had passed away and William Dunne was in stalled in what was Neill's house and farm with his 24 year-old wife, Mary Anne. Progressive man that he was, Willie Dunne entered a Land Purchase Agreement with Frances Wilhelmina Wolseley et al on 29 September 1908 for the purchase price of £396 under the terms of the Wyndham Land Act. An an nual rent £14-17s was payable to the Land Commission. As mentioned earlier, Kehoe's house and farmyard was The illuminated address presented originally to Anna Parnell by the ladies hemmed in between Dunne's house and of the Graiguecullen and Killeshin branch of the Irish National Land League finds a new home. farmyard on one side and Kelly's on the other. The Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society teamed up with i;; The father of the present Andy Kehoe Carlow County Museum to fund the purchase at auction of this of Clough was Andy and his grandfather beautiful and historic document. also named Andrew was married to Mar Pictured at the handover to the museum of the document are (left to right): garet Murphy from Ballinacrow who was Pat O'Neill, President CHAS, Professor Donal McCartney, Patron CHAS, a sister of my grandfather, Patrick Mur- and Dermot Mulligan, Curator of Carlow County Museum. Carloviana 2013-14 ' Eagle Hill, Hacketstown, its Environs and Characters (Contd.) Patrick M. Byrne The homesteads stories would be told, starting with the wouldn't work. oldest man in the house, and any man Around the general area of Eagle Hill in who visited the house that night was ex We know today that most of this was pure the late 1800s and early 1900s were dot pected to tell a story. Be they tramps, superstition but at least 70% of the coun ted numerous small farmhouses. The tra beggars or travelling craftsman, all were try at that time believed in it. ditional small farmhouse in this locality obliged to contribute some story or item had three bedrooms and was either of news that might have happened in the Old oral tradition tells us that when a suf thatched or covered with galvanised nearby village of Hacketstown or some ferer came to Wan Stokin looking for a sheeting, while those who could afford of the surrounding towns or villages. cure for ringworm Paddy, speaking flu better had two-story houses and slated Sometimes a literate neighbour would ently in Bog Latin, began to offer up roofs. Nearly all these houses had what bring a newspaper and by the flickering prayers and incantations for the afflicted were known as half doors, which were light of a candle he would read aloud the person, and this went on for about ten very useful in the spring and summer for most interesting articles to all those as minutes. After this Paddy applied a mix letting fresh air come in, and at the same sembled around the big open fire. Most ture of cows' urine, sulphur and honey to time it kept the farm animals out, all ex or all of the men present in the house the ringworm, and he told the patient that cept the hens and chickens that in their would have been smoking twist tobacco this had to be done at the same time each dozens populated every farmyard in the in clay pipes, which cost only about six day for three days, after which, he as locality. There were Rhode Island Reds, pence a dozen. sured them, the ringworm would curl up white Wyandottes, Light Sussex and and die. White Leghorns, as well as ducks, geese Some of the articles from the paper and guinea hens, and these guinea hens would now be discussed and commented Some ofus might agree that the foul con kept telling you to "go back, go back, go on by most of those present, with the ex coction that Paddy smeared on the ring back," or at least that is what their call ception of the women who were expected worm could by some slim chance bring sounded like. Most of these hens and to carry on with their household duties about a cure, but most people would say guinea fowl were able to fly across the right up to bedtime. Some nights the dis that his claim to cure whooping cough half door into the kitchen to hunt for cussion would centre around a neighbour and mumps was way out in the realm of scraps of food around the floor. It was not or someone in the locality who had sud fantasy. at all uncommon in those days to see denly fallen ill, and it would be said and hens hatching eggs in specially prepared agreed by all present to have been the To cure the whooping cough, which was cubicles under the kitchen dresser. On the work of the fairies. As there was a strong better known as chin cough in those days, dresser there would be an array of shining belief in the presence of fairies in those the baby or young child would be mugs for the tea as well as china cups and years, the only option now they would brought to Wan Stokin, usually by its fa plates and possibly some wooden plates say, was to bring the sick person to the ther or grandfather, who would request and platters as well, and usually hanging local wise man or fairy doctor to obtain a the cure. At this point Paddy seemed to on a large cup hook on the side of the cure. go into a trance. He would stare wide dresser would be several wooden butter eyed at the infant for several minutes and pats. The Fairy Doctor then, like a pagan medicine man, he would begin to mumble some sort of in Most of the houses had very small win In the 1880s the local fairyman, or fairy cantations that nobody else could under dows, which meant that their interiors doctor as some people called him, was a stand. The next part of the so-called cure were dull and dark even on fine summer little old man who went by the name of involved carrying the infant out to the days, and the only light they had at night Paddy Wan Stokin (one stocking) be pigsty. Paddy would now explain that for came from a candle, an oil lamp, or just cause he only ever wore one stocking as the cure to work the baby or child would the glow from the big open fire. This fire he claimed they were bad for your feet, have to be carried around the pigsty nine was raked out at night and some of the and the only reason he wore one on his times. After all this had happened Paddy ashes would be placed over sods of turf right foot was because of chilblains on would take the unfortunate child into the that were still glowing and burning, so that very foot. pigsty and rub its head three times on a that it was easy to get the fire started pig's back. Then he would declare to the again the following morning. Built into Paddy lived in a small thatched cabin on child's father that the cough had now the fireplace was an iron crane with sev about 1 Yi acres of land, and he was re been passed to the pig. eral large hooks for holding three-legged puted to be able to cure the chin cough pots, pans, bake pans and kettles. Close (whooping cough) as well as mumps and Wan Stokin's cure for mumps was even to the fire there was usually a settle bed ringworm, and to remove fairy darts from more bizarre than the above. On arrival which was used as a seat during the day any part of the body. Paddy always in at Paddy's house the afflicted person was and as a bed at night time. Some of the sisted that if you were coming to him for given a pinch of salt on the back of their houses only had clay floors, but mostly a cure you had to first wash yourself in left hand; Paddy then told them to go they were paved with flagstones. pure spring water from head to toe, but over to the fire and cast the salt into the not your hair, and you had to be accom flames. While they were doing this he Around the fire on long winter evenings panied by another person or else the cure was taking a dried frog skin from a cubby Carloviana 2013-14 ' EAGLE HILL, HACKETSTOWN hole near the fire and he would now pro According to Hacketstown parish records John attempting to reload said he would ceed to anoint the sufferer's neck with John Conran of Borklemore married spend ages foostering about with powder, this piece of long dead amphibian. The Maggie Byrne on February l '1 1859 in shot and wads before tamping it down next part of the mumps cure now moved Killamoate Church and the witnesses with the ramrod and firing the next shot. from the bizarre to the ridiculous. The were James Lyons and Brigid Byrne. At sufferer was now taken outside in rain, this point in their lives John was forty In the late spring of 1893 John realised hail, snow or fine weather, and Paddy years of age and Maggie was almost that he was no longer able to work the placed a donkey's winkers on their head. thirty. Over the next thirty years they both farm, and that it would also be too big a As in the last cure he then led them worked hard and well together and their task for Maggie to take on on her own. around the pigsty nine times and he farm prospered, and they were very well After pondering on what he should do he brought them inside the pigsty with the liked by all their neighbours. They had eventually decided on a plan of action winkers still on their head. At this point no living children and in 1893, thitiy four and, without consulting Maggie, he sent he placed one hand on the person's neck years after their marriage, this was about for and met with his brother Patrick from and his other hand on the nearest pig and to become a major problem. In 1892 John Kildare, and between themselves they after chanting in Bog Latin for a short pe was suffering a lot from rheumatism and came up with a plan to keep the farm in riod he declared that the afflicted person other fonns of ill health and it was be the Conran family, so that it wouldn't be will be completely cured in twelve days. coming almost impossible for him to passed on to outsiders whenever John Of course most people then did not know work and take care of the farm. He had died. Patrick now agreed to purchase the that the mumps would have run its course two brothers that we know of, Michael farm from John and pay him a reasonable in that period of time anyway. who was resident in America and was price for it, and he also agreed to build a said to be worth somewhere in the region new house for John and Maggie if they As well as pigs Paddy also kept a donkey, of £80,000, which was a vast fortune in wished to leave the old one. As well as although for what purpose nobody those days, and Patrick, who lived in all this he would see to it that they were seemed to know, as he never yoked him south Co. Kildare and was a cattle dealer well provided for in their latter years, or put him to work. In years when grass and exporter. was scarce on his little bit of land Paddy It seemed like the answer to all John Con could be seen pulling grass on the road By early 1893 John's condition was be ran 's prayers; he could now retire from side verges and filling it into a large sack, coming very painful, and to have any the laborious work of looking after the and this he would take home to feed the hope of moving around the house and farm and start taking things easy for a donkey. The only tacklings the donkey yard he had to use two sticks, and those change. A few days later, when he told ever wore was the famous winkers used who saw him said that he did so very Maggie of his plans, all 'hell broke loose by Paddy in the so-called mumps cure. clumsily especially if the weather was and things started going downhill rapidly. cold, frosty or wet. However on a few oc She told John in no uncertain terms that The Borklemore murders casions in the spring of 1893, when the this situation was not going to happen sun shone and the days were dry and now or at any time in the future and that A small thatched farmhouse in the town mild, John was seen with a stick in one he and his brother Patrick could forget land of Borklemore, similar in structure hand and a spade in the other, trying to their highhanded plans and schemes. and layout to most of the other houses in plant cabbage in small drills and potatoes Maggie Conran was now about to throw the area, had been home to generations of in ridges in his garden near the house. a very large spanner in the works as she the Conran family, and it was situated loudly reminded John of the agreement about fifty yards in from the main Hack To keep the rooks off his potatoes and the he signed and gave her on the morning of etstown to Baltinglass road and about pigeons off his cabbage John kept a sin their wedding. two miles from Hacketstown village. gle-barrel muzzle-loading shotgun on brackets that were screwed to the wall John was now in a quandary, not know It was said that in the mid 1850s John over the fireplace in the kitchen. On fine ing which way to tum, and, as the old Conran was on the lookout for a suitable mild days, when his rheumatism wasn't story tellers said, with each passing day young woman to marry and hopefully quite so bad, he would often get Maggie he became more and more gruamach. So raise a family with, so that the Conran or a workman to take the gun down off began a period of bitter rows and argu name would be carried forward into the the rack for him, as it was extremely dif ments in the once peaceful Conran future. Shortly after consulting a local ficult for him to do this himself. He household. Mary Farrell, who was the matchmaker John was introduced to a would load the gun out in the yard, Conrans' live-in housekeeper and a neb young woman named Maggie Byrne who spilling powder and shot in the process. ulous relation of the family, was often was ten years younger than himself, and When the gun was loaded he would caught up in these bitter verbal ex after a short courtship a date was set for slowly make his way out behind the cow changes, and she often told neighbours their wedding, which was to take place in house to lie in wait for woodpigeons that that she had no great liking for John any Killamoate Church. Because of the ten were eating his freshly planted cabbages. more as he was "a rale oul' divil." Mary year difference in their ages a legal doc It seems, as the old local telling of the also made it known that John threatened ument is supposed to have been drawn up story goes, that John could raise and fire Maggie on several occasions that he and signed by John to the effect that if the the gun at pigeons, rooks or rabbits when would take down the gun and shoot her, couple remained childless and Maggie he needed to control them as long as he and then he would say that the only thing outlived him then the farm of almost could lean back against something like a stopping him was that her family would forty acres would go to her and her peo tree or a wall. The big problem for him see him hanged. Maggie's usual retort to ple. Unfortunately for John and Maggie came in trying to reload the gun for a sec this was, "I suppose you would take this agreement, whether verbal or written, ond shot, as this was no easy task for a down the ould gun if you were able, but was destined to lead to a terrible tragedy man with severe rheumatism. Several you're not." in later years. farm workers who at various times saw Carloviana 2013-14 ' EAGLE HILL, HACKETSTOWN A travelling woman, well known in this The two women shot in this terrible inci man present in the house on the night of area at that time, named Mary Clifford, dent of mayhem and murder were Mag the murder with access to a gun, as well also known as Moll the Carder, often vis gie Conran and the housekeeper Mary as powder and shot, and so a few days ited the Comans and sometimes during Farrell, and both had been killed in later they arrested John and took him the long winter nights she and Maggie Mary's little room. The walls behind and away in handcuffs on a sidecar to Wex would spend hours chatting about Moll's beside the bed where Mary Farrell lay ford Jail. When passing through Hacket exploits and travels. Sometimes after were splattered with blood as were the stown that day the police had to protect these chats Moll would be invited to stay bedclothes that partially covered her, him from a very angry mob of townspeo and sleep there for the night, especially if while on the floor beside the bed lay ple, who stopped the sidecar and were the weather was bad. Moll called in to see Maggie Conran in a pool of her own about to beat him with cudgels on the Maggie during the first week of May blood. Those who were first on the scene town square. On at least two occasions 1893 and as night approached Maggie said it was the most horrific thing they while he was in custody in Wexford Jail asked Moll if she would like to stay and had ever witnessed. it was reported that he tried to kill himself sleep there that night. Moll said that she by somehow slashing his wrists, and so was very grateful for the offer and she John Conran had not yet been arrested he had to be watched very closely by the would like to sleep on the settle bed as he but he was now firmly in the frame as the prison warders. usually did when visiting the Comans. It Number 1 suspect. As the R.I.C. were seems however that John from his bed trying to piece together what had hap After almost seven months, at the Wick 1 room overheard this conversation, and, pened and how the murders were com low Assizes on December 6 h 1893, John according to local oral tradition and what mitted John was protesting his innocence Conran was tried only for the murder of Moll said later, John shouted loudly at to all who were willing to listen to him his wife. He pleaded not guilty to the Maggie saying, "She is not staying here and especially to the detectives who were charge of wilful murder. The trial lasted tonight and you won't be staying much assigned to the case. He was suggesting three days and the court heard evidence longer either; there will be no more free to everyone that he had a fairly good idea from both defence and prosecution wit 1 nights' lodgings here for your friends." as to who organised this terrible deed and nesses. On Friday, December 8 h, the jury Moll also said that John was grinding his why it was done. retired to consider their verdict, and in teeth with temper and that he threatened less than two hours they returned a ver to kill his wife. During several interviews with the police dict of "guilty as charged." The judge before his arrest John seemed to be hint now asked John Conran if he had any Shortly after this episode John sent for ing that his brother Patrick might have or thing to say before sentence ,was passed and met with his brother Patrick on sev ganised the murders, but this seems to and he is said to have replied, "It is eral occasions and it was said that these have been dismissed as highly unlikely. thanks to those who swore against me meetings were held somewhere in Balt Forensic science and ballistics were very that I am in this fix, but remember this, inglass. The brothers were still trying to basic in 1893, so we have to ask the ques Your Honour, I am not guilty of this figure out a way to keep the farm in the tion could the police have overlooked crime." The judge now donned the black Conran family. some vital pieces of evidence at the crime cap and sentenced him to be hanged on scene. the 81h January 1894 in Wexford Jail. It On the morning of l 61h May 1893 the vil was decided later that at almost 75 years lage of Hacketstown was buzzing with John at this point was telling the police of age John Conran was too old to re the news that two women had been shot that a man wearing a slouched hat had en ceive the death sentence, and so in early and murdered in Borklemore, just over tered the house shortly after midnight and January 1894 his sentence was com two miles from the town. This news shot the women and that he had an ac muted to life in prison. He was trans spread quickly because a man named complice outside in the yard. He also said ferred to Maryborough (Portlaoise) Jail Dunne who had been sent to the police that this man took the doorkey and where he died three years later in July barracks in Hacketstown to alert locked him in, and then he heard the 1897 from severe rheumatism which in Sgt.Thornton about the double murder sound of the key being thrown down on tum had weakened his heart. also told every person he met on the road, the yard, and this, he said, was what pre and crowds soon gathered around the vented him from going to the neighbours Most people would agree that John Con Conran home. for help. The detectives however seemed ran was in some way implicated in the very sceptical about this story and they killing of his wife and Mary Farrell, but By 9 a.m. that Tuesday morning the decided to keep a very close eye on it seems highly improbable that he car R.I.C. from Hacketstown were on the John's movements and utterances. ried it out himself. So let me be Devil's scene and very quickly established that a Advocate while I pose the following muzzle-loading single-barrel shotgun Approximately one week after their bur questions: Were the police correct in as hanging over the fireplace had recently ial both women's bodies were exhumed suming that John committed the murders been fired. We must remember here that and a very detailed post mortem got just because his gun had been recently on the afternoon before the murders a under way with the assistance of a doctor fired? We must remember that he fired man named Byrne who worked for the from the Royal College of Surgeons in the gun at woodpigeons the evening be Comans saw John fire the gun at pigeons Dublin, the end result being that the doc fore the double murder. that were eating his cabbage plants. tors were sure that the women had been shot separately by two shotgun blasts by If John used this muzzle-loader to kill his By 10.30 a.m. on the morning of the dou a person or persons unknown. wife and Mary Farrell why on the ble murder a doctor from Kiltegan had evening of this terrible event did Maggie pronounced both women dead, and gave A short time after this verdict was deliv or Mary not notice it was missing from it as his opinion that both of them could ered the police quickly came to the con its usual prominent position over the fire have been killed by a single shot. clusion that John Conran was the only place, and ask John where it was? Carloviana 2013-14 ' EAGLE HILL, HACKETSTOWN surface occasionally. Tug-o' -war still gets an airing from time to time with maybe one side of the hill pulling against the other i.e. Knockananna area versus Clon more area. In the 1920s and 30s there was a peculiar game called Pushball played in this area and the surrounding villages especially at sports, field days and carnivals. It was a game played by two opposing teams on a field usually 140 yards long by 50 yards wide, with a canvas covered ball that was six feet in diameter and fifty pounds in weight. The sides or teams numbered eleven players each, so each team had five forwards, two right wings, two left wings and two goalkeepers. The goals consisted of two upright poles twenty feet apart, with a crossbar seven feet from the Kiltegan Field Day, 15th August 1935. Hacketstown v Kiltegan at Push ball. ground. The game would last for two Getting ready for the signal to lift. half-hour periods, with a fifteen minute break at half time. The large ball had to John Conran walked noisily about with women or organised it he never let it be be held high off the ground. During play the aid of two sticks. How, in this condi known and in the month of July 1897 he each team tried to push and work their tion, did he manage to creep up behind took the secret to the grave with him. way towards the opponents' goalposts. two women and fire the first shot, killing one of them? Pastimes in the area Pushing the ball under the bar counted as five points, while lifting and throwing it If we make the presumption that John We will end this article on "Eagle Hill over the bar counted as eight points and fired at and killed his wife first, he now and its Environs" by mentioning that a touchdown behind the end line counted had to reload the gun to deal with Mary some of the old traditional sports still sur as two points. By the end of the 1930s Farrell to eliminate her as a witness. This vive in the area, from the formation in this game had sunk without trace, and is process, for a man on two sticks, and suf 1887 of the Hacketstown "Mick Mc now only vaguely remembered. fering from severe rheumatism, could Quaids" Football Club right up to the take anything up to 15 minutes to com present Clonmore GFC. From the sum We have come to the end of our meander plete, so why did Mary not get out of bed mit of Eagle Hill we can look down and ings for now around the parish ofHack and run past him, as in his condition he see their pavilion and playing pitches and etstown in olden times and all that could not have prevented her? from our lofty perch we can see evidence remains for me to say is "Quod scripsi, of other sporting activities such as shoot scripsi," and for the moment "Goodbye When John was going out to shoot pi ing, fishing, athletics and soccer. Meg to the Hill." geons or rooks he would call on Maggie gers, bowls and tennis have more or less or one of the farmhands to take the gun died out, as has handball, and they only down from over the fireplace for him, and as we already know he would spend ages loading it, as well as dropping pow der and shot on the ground at his feet, as due to his condition he was very clumsy. How could he have taken down the heavy gun and loaded it on the evening of the murders without being seen by either Mary Farrell or his wife Maggie? How did he manage to put the gun back on the rack over the fireplace afterwards? If, as it seems, John Conran was inca pable ofkilling the women, did either he or his brother Patrick (who was anxious to purchase the farm) or both of them, hire a hitman or men to kill Maggie, shooting Mary Farrell in the process be cause she was a witness to this terrible event? If John Conran knew who killed the " Up she rises" Carloviana 2013-14 ' Ducketts' Grove Louise Colgan Winner of the 2013 History Prize Introduction When William Duckett died on June 22"ct Following extensive and sensitive reno 1908 he left his estates to his widow and, vation the walled gardens and the woods ucketts Grove is the ruins of an in the absence of a male heir, he left a are now opened for the public. The re old castle, which was once the small legacy to his nephew John Hardy stored brick-lined walls are still studded D family home of the Ducketts. It Rowland Eustace of Castlemore, with a with the original vine eyes and fruit nails was built in 1830 by William Duckett. condition that the name Duckett be af as reminders of the generations of men fixed to Eustace. and women who tended the gardens Eleven acres of Ducketts Grove was there. opened by Carlow County Council for In 1916 Mrs Maria Duckett abandoned use as a public park in September 2007, the estate. She was the last person to live The Upper Walled Garden, hedged with following extensive renovation. This is there. She died in 1937. In 1939there boxwood, is planted with historical vari small compared to the 12,000 acre estate was a court case in Dublin about her will. eties of shrub roses, a collection of Chi of which it was once part, but it is the The estate at the time of her death was nese and Japanese peonies, and a great most important part. valued at £97,735. Her only daughter range of flowering shrubs including had been disinherited. The beneficiaries Echium, Jovellana, Daphniphyllum, Iris Keep reading to find out about the Duck of this large fortune were British-based and Euphorbia. ett family, the Walled Gardens and the Protestant Charities. After a 12-day hear Castle itself. ing everything was agreed between the The Lower Walled Garden contains a va riety of fruits once again, including figs, The History of the Ducketts. two sides. Mrs. Olive O'Grady got the interest for life on £7,000 with the capital redcurrants, blackcurrants, rhubarb, The Ducketts were major landowners in to revert back into the estate after her pears, plums and Irish varieties of apples Carlow. Thomas Duckett was the first of death. After the payment of £10,000 including Irish Peach and Kerry Pippin. the family to settle in Ireland. In 1695 he legal fees the remainder was given in The borders contain varieties of shrubs purchased Kneestown and other estates amounts between £500 and £5,000 to which are all planted with the Ducketts in County Carlow from Thomas Crosth eighteen different charities. Grove gardens and people associated waite. Kneestown was less than 500 with them in mind. There are also birds acres. This is where the family home, that have set up home in the gardens fol The Estate Ducketts Grove, was later built. The ear lowing the renovations. Some of the birds that have been spotted include wagtails, liest origins of a house here date back to Following the departure of the Ducketts wrens, thrushes, blackbirds and robins. the mid-eighteenth century, but this is the estate was managed by an agent until thought to have been a rather normal 1921, then by local farmers and later by house. The Ducketts Grove that we the Land Commission. The division of know today is the old house which was the lands was completed by 1930. Duck The Castle built onto by William Duckett (Thomas etts Grove was destroyed by fire in April Duckett's son) after marrying an heiress. 1933 but the cause of the fire has not The gothic styled castle was designed by By the mid-nineteenth century the Duck been detennined. Thomas A. Cobden in 1825. (He also de ett estate had spread across five counties. Carlow County council decided to pur signed Carlow Cathedral) The building chase the property in 2005. They wanted includes numerous towers and turrets of Huge festivities were held at Ducketts to use it as a tourist attraction. They took different shapes and many sizes. One tall Grove when on the J 9th of November possession of it on the S'h of September octagonal turret rises from the structure. 1895 William Duckett aged 73 married 2005. They bought over ten acres. They Ducketts Grove was highly ornamented his second wife Maria Georgina Thomp restored the walled garden and developed with niches containing statues. Several son. Mrs Thompson had one daughter the forest walk and nature trail. statues surround the building and line the Olivia from her first marriage. approaches. Carloviana 2013-14 ' 0UCKETT'5 GROVE Inside the building steel braces now sup However the reason I like Ducketts Which will be offered in One Lot. port the walls, preventing any further col Grove is not all because of the gardens or And consist lapse of the building. The ground floor the nature trail (though that's not to say Of Governor's Four Storied is one of many parts of the building l'm still not interested in them). lt's Dwellinghouse containing Board which have caved in. If you stand in the mostly because of the history of the Room, Governor's Office, Parlour, basement now you can see the sky (the house and the people who lived in it. For Prison Chapel, 8 Bedrooms, 2 only problem is that nobody is allowed example I wonder why Mrs. Olive O' Kitchens, Sculleries, Pantries. W.C. : inside the old castle as it is much too dan Grady was disinherited. Or why they gerous, so the chance of you viewing the needed to employ eleven men full-time Matron's Two Storied Dwelling sky from the basement ofDucketts Grove just to maintain the lawns and gardens. house, with suitable apartments : is very limited.) There is still a window All this can only add up to the fact that Female Prison of 30 Cells: Wash frame left in the crumbling walls that be the Ducketts were very, very wealthy and House, Stables, Coach House, Straw longs to the original castle. also very powerful. House, Male and Female Hospital ( twostories ), Convalescent Ward The entrance gate to Ducketts Grove was Another thing I like about Ducketts ( two stories ) designed by John MacDuff Derick. It Grove is the gothic style of the building Debtors Prison ( two stories ) Con was built between 1853-1855. lt is one and how even in the nineteenth century vict Prison( three stories ) contain of the most spectacular castellated gate they were able to craft all those statues ing 34 cells, all fixed with double ways in Ireland. It has two amazing arch and make everything so fairytale-like. It wrought iron doors, bolts and locks ways leading to two distinct driveways. really is worth the drive in the summer It also contains many defence towers. just to look at the castle while on the road Tread Mill and Three Throw Pumps, There are three windows on the ground with the two fields of oilseed rape on ei House of Correction ( two stories ) level of the gatehouse and two in the cen ther side of you. for male and female prisoners, Un tral section, with three narrower ones on tried Prisoners Department ( two the third storey. Moulding and other de stories) for male and female prison tail can be seen over the windows on the ers, Two GateKeepers' Apartments From the Nationalist & Lein ground floor. The gatehouse is now in (two stories). ster Times very poor condition with the floor heavily The Lot stands upon Two Statute rotted and collapsing in many places. 23rd January 1897 Acres, and is completely sur rounded by a 20 foot wall built of Although the castle was destroyed by fire TOWN OF CARLOW limestone and coped with granite, in 1933 it is still one of the most beautiful TO CONTRACTORS,CAPITALISTS, in which is a magnificent cut granite structures in Carlow, even ifit is in ruins. AND INVESTORS. It was also the place which once housed gate entrance. some of most important people in Carlow VALUABLE FREEHOLD PROPERTY All cells and buildings are floored of the time. FOR SALE with granite or flags except coach Suscriber has received instructions house and stables. from the Grand Jury of the County This lot includes a fine Walled-in Ducketts Grove Today. of Carlow Garden of about Half to Sell by an Acre. The lot is held Free of Rent for Ever. Now, Ducketts Grove is somewhere to go PUBLIC AUCTION on a fine day. It has many craft and food Immediate possession will be given. fairs throughout the year and there are tea ON THE PREMISES rooms in the grounds. The tea rooms are For further particulars apply to ON TUESDAY gTH FEBRUARY, 1897 opened every Sunday from 12 ~ 5 p.m. MESSRS. CHARLES THORP & SON and there are even tables outside, so you At ONE o'Clock are still getting your fresh air! Ducketts Solicitors,Bagenalstown : or Grove is now the perfect day out for any The Extensive and Valuable family and there's enough going on to Premises known as ROBERT BELL, keep you busy for the whole day. THE OLD GAOL Auctioneer, Carlow Carloviana 2013-14 ' Emmanuel, the Prince Consort; 26 Au 'CARLOW'S CIVIL AND RAILWAY ENGINEER gust 1819 - 14 December 1861) the hus WHO LAID FOUNDATIONS FOR A NATION' band of Victoria. The fact Dargan proposed this exhibition and then pushed it through to its realisation at a time when he was simultaneously running, probably something approaching, ten other major BOOK REVIEW - WILLIAM DARGAN: projects (not least of which was his own Dublin and Wicklow Railway which AN HONOURABLE LIFE 1 799-1 867 Mulligan christened 'Dargan's Own FERGUS MULLIGAN Railway' for many reasons including the need to repeatedly finance the project!), Lilliput Press, Dublin 2013-08-29 make the achievement even more re markable. By any standards, the 1853 Dublin Exhibition should be seen as an incredible success, despite the Logan McMillan and Norman McMillan considerable losses incurred, and today can be seen as a landmark event in the 'William Dargan: An honourable life employ 30,000 by way of Famine Relief. building of the Irish Republic. After their 1799-1867" by Fergus Mulligan is quite A letter dated 17 June 1845 highlights the first visit to the Darganaeum, Queen clearly a vital study for not just Carlow problems caused by "groups of destitute, Victoria and Albert drove out to Dargan's but the whole of Ireland. Dargan was semi-starving men arriving to demand home, which overlooked Dublin Bay at arguably as important a figure to modern work to do and disrupting the works in Mount Anville, to see the man who had Ireland as any other historic personage, their disappointment." The benefits of delivered such an incredible project. O'Connell included. Throughout his life, Dargan's works for a nation in turmoil Albert of course must have fully realised he proved to be a proud Carlowman, even can be seen in Mulligan's comprehensive the size of the achievement at the time though it is reluctantly acknowledged 'Chronological Listing of Dargan's thanks to his own personal experiences that he was born just outside Carlow in Projects' (Appendix 2) where 19 major with the London Hyde Park International County Laois. His unrivalled record as an projects, carried out in the period 1830- Exhibition. As legend now has it, Dargan entrepreneur will probably never be 45 and an incredible 43 projects in the refused the offer of a Knighthood which, equalled in this country and most notably, period 1841-55 are listed. The open Mulligan firmly believes was not due to his incredible life as a contractor ran question here is; what would Ireland have any nationalist conviction, but rather geographically counter in career looked like without Dargan's industry at because it would have disrupted Dargan 's progression to nearly every other Irish such a critical time? business activities to accept such an civil engineer; Dargan began his career honour. Mulligan gives details of the on the British mainland and then moved Carlow is certainly proud of this man expenditures the establishment of the on to develop the vast majority of his who also heroically provided an National Gallery acquired in recognition projects in Ireland. Dargan's lesson, writ inspiration to all of Ireland shortly after of the International Exhibition, outside of large for our debt ridden country, is one the Famine, through his personal which stands the statue of Dargan (with of business integrity and work standards financing, logistical management and hand symbolically in his pocket), and that in his day became synonymous with construction of the 1853 Dublin most importantly gives an objective his name. Mulligan also highlights "International" Exhibition. The incredi assessment on its legacy in which the Dargan's loyalty to his employees, whose ble celebration of Ireland's industry is 1853 receipts of £53,000 are quite telling combined efforts made possible Dargan's dealt with in chapter 6, 'The Dar as they were greater than those of the enormous contributions that went on to ganaeum: The 1853 Dublin Exhibition later 1865 Exhibition of £45,000. The inspire an emergent nation. The Dargan and the National Gallery of Ireland' London Crystal Palace had returned workforce, almost unbelievably, which provided, despite the country's profits of £ 186,000 but Dargan took a numbered more than 50,000 in the 1850s. distressed state, a vision for the future of personal loss of £20, 911, despite an An incredible number, especially the country. The fact a single individual overall attendance of 1,149,369 and the considering it was in the aftermath of the could fund such an international event sale of50,123 catalogues. The loss would Famine and, considering this context, it and on such scale is probably, in the his have been considerably less if the RDS is clear that this singular man was tory of mankind, almost unique. The Dar members and Dargan's own friends had providing the backbone of employment gan Crystal Palace he built on Leinster not used their membership privilege to at a time of unprecedented national crisis. Lawns (Then the home of the Royal gain free entry despite the fact the society Interestingly, no word on Dargan's views Dublin Society) ran for two years after was not financially risking anything and on the Famine are recorded here, but it is the far more celebrated London Hyde still gaining the limelight by hosting this mentioned that he did make several Park International Exhibition of 1851, magnificent exhibition. Dargan gave proposals via Lord George Bentinck's which was organised by a committee led £2,000 as one of the major bill in 1847, which proposed to spend by Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and philanthropists to fund the establishment £ 16,000 and where Dargan would Gotha (Francis Albert Augustus Charles of the National Gallery which, as usual, Carloviana 2013-14 ' WILLIAM DARGAN: AN HONOURABLE LIFE 1 799-1 867 was something that only came out very legacies that still stand and recorded the Board with all the additional much later, being here revealed in others that were unfortunately lost to responsibilities to the shareholders, just his will. time. Unsurprisingly, Dargan was an at the time when his health was failing, inspiration for the Young Ireland requiring him in 1864 to step down. The regard of Ireland, North and South, Movement of his day but he should Dargan was a driven man, who even for this Carlowman was perhaps importantly be an inspiration to today's while mixing with the business people of unrivalled for a businessman and youth. How could such a luminous entity his day, always managed to keep to the transcended the sectarian divide. Dargan appear? Dargan was fortunate in his fore a vision that was largely for the sake carried out heroic works in the North and training on the A52 project, working with of his own country. One of the secrets of the chronology makes the reasons for this Thomas Telford (1857-1834) on the last Dargan's success is revealed here by obvious. Bambridge town centre 1831, stretch of that major project of London to Mulligan; Dargan worked on the Ulster Canal 1833, Bann reservoir 1838, Holyhead. His supervisions on the transformation of the country with a Belfast Harbour I 1839, Ulster railway to construction works crossing the wetland number of Quaker business partners and Armagh 1848, Foyle reclamation 1841, and embankment on the Stanley Sands in was throughout his career sponsored by Solitude reservoir 1841, Belfast 1823 to Holy island would prove useful and worked in partnership with, in Ballymena railway 1846, Newry for his later works in Ireland. This was particular from the earliest D&KR days, Enniskillen 1846, Newry Warrenpoint & Dargan's first major engineering project Thomas Pim and James Perry ( 1799- Restrevor railway 1846, Dublin Belfast and one he remained proud of, as can be 1858) who played a particularly junction railway, Belfast harbour 2, seen by his taking of his Dublin important role in the success of a number Belfast & Co. Down railway and Belfast Kingstown engineer, the celebrated of Dargan's projects. Holywood railway all before 1850. His Charles Vignoles, to view the works work on navigations in Belfast created in 1832. The legend that Dargan was a driven what was known as Dargan's Island, nationalist is shown by Mulligan to be renamed in 1849 to Queen's Island for Dargan was a protege of Telford and myth. The fact that he came from a Victoria's imminent visit. Notably, the worked immediately with him on the Catholic family, married a strict address one immediately associates with Howth Road on the completion of the Protestant in an Anglican Church and this island is Harland and Wolff Heavy A52. He stepped out from his early work took the last rites from a Catholic priest Industries Ltd Queen's Island, Belfast. mostly in Ireland and a few projects in resolves the mystery 6f his religious BT3 9DU. Northern Ireland. United Britain on canals and making rivers beliefs. There are important insights Kingdom. Mulligan's book detailed this navigable to secure and construct, very given, which provide reasons for his historic episode in Dargan's career in early in his career, the Kingstown many successes and the sympathetic Chapter 4, 'Northern Waters and Early Railway after winning the D&KR treatment shown in the reasons for his Railways in Ireland and England'. contract. The success of this railway is failures. Mulligan has conclusively Importantly, Mulligan has used his own legendary and here we find details of the shown that despite Dargan's personal observation of the extant sites, taking for remarkable logistics of Dargan's fears that he was bankrupt, as his instance a photograph of the now derelict operation that he established to build the enormous project portfolio and failing Charlemont, the first lock on the Ulster pioneering railway, even when judged by health made it impossible for him to hold Canal where it enters the Blackwater. the standards of those constructed in onto the strings prior to his death in 1865, Given Mulligan's perhaps unrivalled Britain by Stephensons and other that he was in fact solvent. The myth that knowledge of Irish railway history, such contractors. The undoubted hero of he died a bankrupt thankfully is dispelled careful research of the subject makes this British engineering Isambard Kingdom once and for all. Mulligan shows that his an authoritative study. Dargan of course Brunel ( 1806-1859) constructed for estate was indeed carefully administered, was careful to avoid political issues, but example the cliff railway line from Bray by his judicious decision to hand over its Mulligan conjectures whether he became to Greystones, a troublesome but running to Valentine O'Brien O'Connor, a Mason, which would have helped him beautiful stretch, when in the Beresford Place and Richard Martin, in his dealings in the North. His religious employment of Dargan. The extension Merrion Square, when he was finally commitments will be dealt with below. of the Kingstown railway had seen the sticken down by ill health and liver development of the 'Atmospheric cancer. His estate at the time of his death Unquestionably, Dargan left an Railway' which ran for a decade to was administered by his nephew James unprecedented legacy to the entire Island; Dalkey. In 1854 the D&KR decided to Dargan who, acting as executor, railways we use today; the infrastructure convert to normal traction and Dargan disposed of what in today's money was of the North; industries that sustained the was awarded the contract to do the several million to various beneficiaries. Free State and later the Republic, with works. The book catalogues the whole Dargan's wife's last years were well some enduring to recent times such as saga of the extension of this railroad and secured and the book ends by clearly sugar beet, distilling, flax; and not least the much more protracted history of the establishing that she enjoyed a quiet the incredible agricultural legacy with the Dublin & Wicklow Railway which economically secure retirement in South extensive farm production on reclaimed became such a trial for the Carlowman. East London in Penge after her husband's lands in especially the North and He was initially the contractor but would death. The book does not pull punches. Wexford slobs. Mulligan has importantly later become one of those financing the Dargan's heavy drinking is exposed, identified many of his architectural project as well as serving as Chairman of which contributed to his cirrhosis of the Carloviana 2013-14 ' WILLIAM DARGAN: AN HONOURABLE LIFE l 799-1 867 liver and cancer that took his life. The of the project and even initially running most other contractors. Not only that but crisis in his business affairs importantly the railway lines to enable lines to the likes of the Jeffs brothers made a did not come from his ill health but rather operate after they were completed. All fortune exploiting their own men with the from a Financial Storm, as Mulligan these and more are given consideration 'trucking system' of paying for work in describes it, with Black Friday 11th May and weighed in this biography. tokens that could only be spent in the l 866's collapse of Overard, Gurney & company's store where inflated prices Co. that brought down both the major Mulligan mentions that Marx had some were robbing men with shoddy goods British railway contractors Samuel Peto harsh words to say about Dargan in his and where liquor was sold in an and Edward Betts. Dargan's business Das Kapital ( 1867) on the industrial unscrupulous way to men with extended empire, as Mulligan shows, was able to accident that occurred in his flax credit trapping them and their families in survive the collapse of the railway mania scotching mill Kildinan near Cork in a cycle of misery. Dargan notably was bubble and this is also much to the which six fatalities and sixty mutilations accused of operating the trucking system man's credit. of men, women and children occurred in in 1845 and his response was to the period 1852 to 1856. Marx and publicly detail the arrangements and shut Indeed Mulligan manages a balanced and Engels claimed "every one of which these down despite hardship to his objective researched view of the man might have been prevented by the workforce rather than be connected to whose activities have been long obscured simplest appliances, at the cost of a few this system which he despised. A man of in the depths of undecipherable company shillings". In the Manifesto of the contradictions perhaps, but one of accounts and minutes, difficult to trace Communist Party we find surprisingly fairness and clearly a man with concern newspaper accounts of his brief public one of the most elegant paeans to the for the socially despised 'navvies' who speeches at the opening of railway lines, industrial capitalist class of whom worked in their legions for him on his minutes of Railway Enquiries at which Dargan was of course the most important construction projects. Mulligan points he gave evidence, diaries of the engineer representative in Ireland. out how Dargan wrote in the Dublin Le Foy and others who had direct Evening Mail revealing with clarity working relationships with Dargan, and "The bourgeoisie, during its rule of everything about his employment other hard to track down sources. This is scarce one hundred years, has created policies thus:- perhaps the main reason that this book more massive and more colossal has had to wait for almost 150 years to be productive forces than have all preceding Dublin, 19 February 1845 published and needed a PhD study to generations together. Subjection of unlock the details and nuances of the Nature's forces to man, machinery, Sir, I am the contractor for the second story. Mulligan's unrivalled knowledge application of chemistry to industry and division of the Cashel Railway. I have of Irish railway history and personal agriculture, steam-navigation, railways, never paid less than Is 6d a day and passion was enough to keep him mining electric telegraphs, clearing of whole always in cash, never in goods. I have the seams of historical information that continents for cultivation, canalisation of worked at public contracts for over 14 were so poor in detail that it was only by rivers, whole populations conjured out of years and in time have paid £800,000 in major effort that he was able to deliver the ground - what earlier century had wages. I never directly or indirectly used this biography. even a presentiment that such productive truck or allowed an employee to use it. forces slumbered m the lap of The book thus brings together material social labour?" I am, sir, etc. that provides for the first time a satisfactory and chronological This describes in a positive way the role William Dargan explanation of the man. The portrait ofan played by Dargan in the pages of history. individual whose workload was Mulligan deals with the fraught issue of Dargan's skilled men were paid 4s a day. superhuman; sustained by the support of Dargan 's labour policies at some length Two subcontractors who ran shops in the wife Jane, standing with him in a and it is clear he was typical of his day Adamstown and Ballyfermot supplied more active way than would have been with the sternest views on labour such decent value goods that locals possible if they had had a family; the combinations. He notes his enlightened flocked to them, but these Dargan forced close involvement in his projects by views on labour in advance of others at to close rather than be tarred with the trusted family members playing team that time and presented in the 1844 trucking stigma. It is nice to note the ap roles in his numerous projects; his House of Commons Railway Enquiry; preciation paid in this work by Mulligan engineers fulfilling interchangeable roles Dargan 's views were in particular in to the decades of research done by Martin of project managers to keep projects sharp contrast, Mulligan notes, to those Nevin on Dargan which was the catalyst moving and delivering (usually) on time; of another notable Irish engineer/ in so many ways for this much needed a backroom team who were clearly top contractor Sir John Macneill. In this work. This book is a must read for those performers and many living, it would enquiry, Dargan was warned not to take interested in Irish history and willing to seem in large part, itinerant lives; and on any more men and indeed threatened see past the veneer of political history, to fellow Directors of companies who either with the urgent need to lay off men he the all important industrial history offered support for Dargan on the Board already had in his employ. Dargan paid, oflreland. or later inviting him onto the Board so as for example, 2s a day on the Belfast line to give security from his financing much and this was in the sharpest contrast with Carloviana 2013-14 ' Review of Three Recently Published Books Leighlin Remembered for "The Gath but this book is a powerful contribution clears up the errors and inconsistencies ering" to the history of Leighlinbridge and will of previous writers, including the folklore be used by research students for many surrounding the attack on the house in Martin Nevin 151pp years. 1798, and provides a clear chronological narrative of the source of finance neces They say that old editors never die, they Let us hope that there are more untold sary, the work completed by Walter Ka just go out of print. Thankfully our soci stories for a second volume. vanagh and the changes made by his ety's f01mer chairman and editor, current brother Thomas Kavanagh,( 176 7 - assistant editor and prolific contributor to 1837). Carloviana is still very much with us and Borris House, Co. Carlow and elite re definitely shows no sign of going out of The use of"a detailed and previously un gency patronage. print anytime in the near future. published probate inventory listing the contents of Borris House in 1818", which The poet John Donne wrote that "This Edmund Joyce. was prepared by the prominent Dublin love of place and precedency rocks us in Four Courts Press, 68pp €9.95 cabinet making fitm of Morgans, enables our cradles, it lies down with us in our Joyce to complete the story of the internal graves" and nowhere is this more thor Access to hitherto unpublished archival furnishings of Borris House in a way that oughly illustrated than in this collection material is the dream of every historian is not possible with other houses of the on the history ofLeighlinbridge or as the writing today, or indeed at any time. Ed same period. The full inventory is in author describes it ''this ancient and beau mund Joyce has been given access to cluded in the book. tiful place". such material at Borris House and this small book is the result. The book is well written, researched and Living most of his life in his native vil annotated (seven pages of notes) and eas lage Martin describes how listening to the Borris House stands on the site of an ear ily reaches the standard set by the series stories of the older generations, a life lier J 5'h century castle, "elements of editor "to reconstruct and explain some time of his own researches and the acqui which exist deep within the structure of thing of the realities of the local worlds sition of hundreds of photographs gave today's Borris House". Between 1720 that made up Ireland in the past". It is a him the material he needed to tell the and 1741 Bryan Kavanagh built there "a major contribution to the study of early story of Leighlinbridge. new classical style house" but the dra 19' 11 century Carlow, "a period in Irish ar matic transformation into the house we The result of this accumulation of chitectural and fine ai1 history which has know today took place in the early I 9'h knowledge has been arranged in seven for a long time been the poor relation of century when Walter Kavanagh ( 17 60 - teen chapters with titles such as "Leigh the 18'h century". 1818) remodelled the house under the di lin-the name and its origin", rection of Richard Morrison. This remod "Streetscapes", "Lanes", "Education" to elling was the first in Co. Carlow to adopt "Distinguished Persons". Interspersed the Gothic revival style. The "Ducks" of Borris with many local ballads, and writing with the enthusiasm of the native, Martin tells Joyce writes that "the importance of Bor Fr. Pierce Murphy 118 pp the story of the village by writing about ris House as a regency house designed by This lovely book was produced to mark the inhabitants, the men and women who an Irish architect, furnished by Irish the 50'h anniversary of the closing of the have made the place what it is. He has en craftsmen and occupied by a landed fam Bagenalstown to Ballywilliam railway hanced the narrative with the inclusion of ily of Gaelic descent deserves a thorough line in March 1963, an event commemo over three hundred and fifty photographs, study ... ". He states that Walter Kavanagh rated in a Railway Weekend Outing in dating from the late l 9'h century to the "decided to make an indelible mark on August last. present. the architectural landscape of County Carlow", otherwise why remodel a house Martin writes that "these pages arc prof The railway line from Bagenalstown to that was only seventy years old? fered as a modest contribution to the his Borris was opened in December 1858 al though it took another nine years to reach tory of this ancient and beautiful place" Industrious in using the archive, Joyce Carloviana 2013-14 ' BOOK REVIEWS Ballywilliam. The last train to use the tracks left Borris on the 23rd March 1963 Carlow Heritage Award and there is a photograph in the book of this train on the viaduct. artin Nevin received the Co. amember of the editorial committee. Fr. Murphy, in what was obviously a Carlow Heritage Award at a Until the mid 1990s Carloviana con labour of love, travelled the length of the M function in the Mount Wolse tained between thirty six and forty pages line to Ballywilliam. collecting old pho ley Hotel on Friday 16'11 November 2012. but Martin immediately pushed it up to tographs, taking many of his own, and ninety six pages, well on its way to the collecting the memories of people who The award was made in recognition of two hundred of today. With his friends. lived along the line. Almost one hundred Martin's dedication to the study, dissem the late Billy Ellis and Tommy Clarke, and twenty of these photographs appear ination and recording of the history and Martin visited, recorded and published in the book. antiquities of his native parish and the detail of many forgotten features of county. Carlow's history. In his travels down the line Fr. Murphy has documented and photographed the Martin has spent most of his adult life in In his articles in Carloviana, in the lec stations. the crossings and the twenty Leighlinbridge and has been involved tures he gave and the tours he organised nine bridges which were built for the rail with many groups at community, county he has championed Carlow people such way line. and national levels. He was a member of as the scientist John Tyndall, Cardinal Carlow County Council for twelve years Patrick Moran, railway builder William All told a charming book and invaluable and served as chairman in 1985-86. Dargan and others. He has increased in recording the state of the line fifty awareness of John Tyndall's contribution years after its closure. Martin joined our society (then known as to science beyond the boundaries of his the Old Carlow Society) in 1985. He be county As for the title, well you will have to pur came chairman in 1990, a position he re chase a copy to find out. tained until 2000. During his term as As well as his contributions to Carloviana chairman he revitalised the society. He Proceeds from the book will go to BEAM he has written extensively on Leighlin expanded the range of our winter lecture Services and Borris Tidy Towns. bridge and his latest publication is re series and ensured that, as far as was pos viewed in the books section of this issue. sible, lectures were held at locations throughout the county. He assisted the This was an award richly deserved and late Tommy Smyth as editor of Carlo we congratulate him and wish both Mar viana, and on Tommy's death became tin and Rosaleen many years of health joint editor. He continued as joint editor and happiness. until 2002 and since then has been Sponsor Paul Ryan (Stone Develop ments Ltd.) presents the Heritage award to Martin Nevin on 16th November 2012 Carloviana 2013-14 ' Carlow 800 History Conference he history conference, which This illustrative map is a conjectural view During the lunch break conference par took place on Friday the 23rd and of the castle as it might have looked in its ticipants were brought on a tour of the li 1 T Saturday the 24 h August, was an heyday and was prepared by Uto brary and archives department of St. integral part of the Carlow 800 program. Hogerzeill. The map was on display dur Patrick's College by Dr. Margaret Mur It was organised by Carlow Town Coun- ing the conference and a smaller framed phy. cil in partnership with St. Patrick's Col- version was presented to each of the con- lege, Carlow Tourism, Carlow County ference speakers. By kind permission The conference concluded at 6.00 pm Museum and the Carlow Historical and Carlow Town Council and Uto when, Society President Pat O'Neill, Archaeological Society. Hogerzeill our society has been allowed standing in for Monsignor Caoimhin reproduce this map on the front cover of O'Neill, President of St. Patrick's Col The organising committee for the confer Carloviana 2013. lege, thanked everyone who had attended ence was Cllr. Eileen Brophy, Cathaoir and those whose hard work had made the leach Carlow Town Council, Michael Carlow Town Council also commis conference a success. Brennan, Town Clerk, Dermot Mulligan, sioned a model of Carlow Castle and this Curator Carlow County Museum, Dr. was also on display during the confer The papers delivered and the speakers Margaret Murphy, lecturer in history in ence. The model was produced, using 30 were : Dr.Kieran O'Conor : Carlow St. Patrick's College and representing the technology, by Brian Lech of the Carlow Castle : origins and development. society, Pat O'Neill and Martin Nevin. Institute of Technology and his students. Keynote lecturer Dr Kieran O'Conor is a St. Patrick's College kindly made avail graduate of University College, Dublin able the Cobden Room in the college as The conference was opened at 6.45 pm and has a PhD from University College the venue and also provided facilities for on Friday night by Cllr. Eileen Brophy Cardiff, Wales. He worked during much lunch and coffee breaks. and the keynote lecture, Carlow Castle : origins and development, was then deliv of the 1990s for the Archaeological Sur In nine papers presented on Friday night ered by Dr. Kieran O'Conor. After this vey Branch of the National Monuments and on all day Saturday the history of lecture Fourmasters Press launched " Service (Duchas - The Heritage Service) Carlow town and county from 1213 was Ordnance Survey Letters ; Wicklow and and as part of this work he excavated outlined. The depth of knowledge and re Carlow. ". The book is edited by Profes Carlow Castle in 1996. He has taken part search brought by the speakers to their in sor Michael Herity MRIA, who attended in excavations and field surveys in Eng dividual areas of expertise ensued that the , and the launch was performed by land, Wales, mainland Greece and Crete. academic standard was of the first rank. Dr.Fearghus O'Fearghail, lecturer in He was appointed a research fellow at the Scripture in Mater Dei Institute, Dublin. Discovery Programme in 1997 and was The flow of the conference, especially then made director of Medieval Rural during the questions and answer sessions, After the conference reception was over Settlement project there in early 1999. He was managed by the session chairper all the participants moved from the Col joined the staff of NUI, Galway in Sep sons. They were Con Manning, senior ar lege to Carlow Castle. There, within tember 2000. In 1998 he published a chaeologist with the National which were once the walls of this ancient monograph entitled The Archaeology of Monuments Service, Dr. Donal McCart building a fascinating performance of an Medieval Rural Settlement in Ireland, ney, Professor Emeritus of Modem Irish cient Irish music, Music through the and in 2002 he co-edited (with J. History at University College Dublin and Ages, was given by Ancient Music Ire Kenyon) The Medieval Castle in Ireland Patron of the Carlow Historical and Ar land. Being there, one could easily imag and Wales. chaeological Society, and Dr. Maurice ine those same sounds having been heard Manning, Chancellor of the National there before, when the castle was a busy Rev. Dr. Adrian Empey : The Medieval University oflreland and Adjunct Profes social and administrative centre. The County of Carlow 1169 - 1245, the sor of Politics at University College weather held good for the perfonnance formative years. Dublin. and, though cold, one was left with a pal- Adrian Empey studied for his PhD in pable sense of history. As part of the Carlow 800 celebrations Anglo-Norman Irish history under the Carlow Town Council commissioned an Starting at 9.30 am on Saturday morning tutelage of the late Prof. A J Otway illustration of Carlow Castle, circa 1360. eight papers were delivered. Ruthven at Trinity College, Dublin. In his Carloviana 2013-14 ' CARLOW 800 HISTORY CONFERENCE early career he was Assistant Professor of Dr. Arnold Horner : Using maps to ex Maynooth Studies History at Central Washington State Uni plore the early development of Carlow versity. He was subsequently ordained in town. in the Church oflreland. He retired as prin cipal of the Church oflreland Theologi Dr Arnold Horner has written extensively Local History cal College in 2008. Adrian has on the geography of Ireland and on the contributed widely in the area of his ex- history of Irish maps. His published pertise, mainly in historical journals and works include books on the mapping of ith their first publica Festschrifts. His most recent publication Offaly, Meath and Sligo. In 1978 he pub tion in 1995, the local was the proctors' accounts of the parish lished a short article on the early maps of Whistory series is based of St Wcrburgh, Dublin, 1481-1629 (Four Carlow town. on the work of M.A. history stu Courts Press, 2009). dents. Very Rev.Robert Maccarthy : The Dr.Margaret Murphy : Growth & De Church of Ireland in Co. Carlow 1549 There are one hundred and eleven cline: The changing fortunes of Carlow to 2000. titles in the series so far, three of Town in the later medieval period. them relating to Carlow: Very Rev. Robert McCarthy was or Dr Margaret Murphy is a graduate of dained in St. Mary's Church of Ireland Carlow : the manor and Trinity College Dublin and is currently Church, Carlow in 1979 and served as the town 1674 1721. lecturing in history in Carlow College. curate in Carlow, Urglin and Staplestown She is the author (with Michael Potter from 1979 to 1981. Fonnerly Fellow and Thomas King ton) of The Dublin Region in the Middle Dean to St. Cross College, Oxford he has (1997) Ages. Settlement. Land-use and Econ retired as Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral, omy. (Four Courts Press, 2010). She is Dublin. engaged in several writing projects in Dr. Thomas McGrath : Bishop James The death of Fr.John cluding the preparation of the Irish His Keefe, 1702 -1787, and the foundation Walsh at Kilgreany toric Towns Atlas for Carlow. of Carlow College Maura Cronin Dr. Emmet O'Byrne: In the eye of the Dr Thomas McGrath is the author of a (2010) storm : Carlow in the age of the Irish three volume study of Bishop James resurgence. Doyle of Kildare and Leighlin (JKL) Dr Emmett O'Byrne is a graduate of both which won the Irish Historical Research Borris House, Co Carlow University College Dublin and Trinity Prize of the NUI. He is the editor of Car and regency patronage College Dublin, gaining his doctorate in low: History and Society. He holds a Edmund Joyce 2001. He is the author of War, Politics double doctorate and is Registrar of Car (2013) and the Irish ofLeinster 1156-1606 (Four low College. Courts Press, 2003) and co-edited The Jimmy O'Toole: 19'h Century: The old March in the Islands of the Medieval order changeth. West (Brill, 2012). Dr. O'Byrne is also a practicing solicitor and is the Principal of Jimmy O'Toole, a native of Rathbawn, O'Byrne Solicitors, Wicklow Town. He Tullow, Co. Carlow is the author of sev is also an associate lecturer at IT Carlow, eral local history books. His first Grange lecturing in law. - The Path To The Present was published in 1987; The Carlow Gentry (1993 ), Elaine Callinan: The 1641 Rebellion in Frederick York Wolseley (1995), Car Carlow : Causes & Consequences low s International Achievers (1999) and Elaine Callinan is a Humanities graduate his most recent book County Carlow, in of Carlow College and completed her M. collaboration with artist Roland Byrne, Phil. in Modern Irish History in Trinity was published in 2005. College Dublin in 2011. She currently lectures in history in Carlow College. Carloviana 2013-14 ' Minute Book from time to time. He continued to serve as churchwarden or vestryman, and his sons William and Robert were also appointed vestrymen THE FlSHBOURNE FAMILY during this period. 10 In 1767 the church roof maintenance job lNCARLOW was passed to one Robert Richardson and Joseph made no further appearance in the vestry minutes. 11 I have no death or burial information for him, but I surmise that Kaye Cole perhaps he had died by 1767. He would have been aged around 70. Joseph and Ann's children The First Two Generations 36 at St Mary's, Joseph was appointed to Five of the six Fishbourne children who the position of sidesman in the church, came to Carlow with their parents The Fishbourne surname is still quite and the next year he became a survived, the second son Jacob having well known in Carlow Town even though vestryman.~ The tithe list for 1745/6 died in 1744. 12 The eldest daughter Jane, no members of the family have lived shows the family living on the north side born in Monasterevin in 1722/3, never there for over l 00 years. The Fishbournes of Tullow Street, and paying 3/3 in tithes. married, and in adulthood seems to have were an upwardly mobile protestant In that same year the church paid Joseph lived at Castledobbs in County Antrim, family, who probably arrived in Ireland £7 .1.2 for painting and glazing work, and the seat of the Dobbs family. She was from northern England late in the 17th in April 1751 the churchwardens gave probably an upper servant of some kind. 1 century • Once they came to Carlow in him a contract for £22.15 plus £7 She appears in Betham's abstract of her the 18th century, they rose in a single annually, to keep the church roof "in brother Robert's will, 13 and in the generation from skilled tradesman to good and sufficient repair". In that same Registry of Deeds when Robert's gentleman freeholder, and by the next month he was elected churchwarden, and executor, his widow Ann Dale, assigned generation had become locally powerful his son William was listed among the sig to her the leases of certain land and as magistrates, burgesses and members of natories to his election.9 houses in Carlow Town for a considera the county Grand Jury. The story of this tion of£213. 14 family illustrates the role played by the Joseph continued to look after the church 18th and 19th century protestant gentry fabric for the next 15 years, payments for Elizabeth, born in Monasterevin in in the Irish ascendancy. his work being recorded in the Vestry 1724/5, is something of a mystery. The Joseph Fishbourne probably arrived in Carlow in 1738, as in that year he purchased a pew in St Mary's Church of Ireland. 2 He and his wife Ann brought with them six children: Jane, Anne, Elizabeth and William, born between 1722 and 1728 in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare\ and Jacob and Robert, born after 1728, possibly in Portarlington.4 Joseph was a glazier by trade5 and Carlow Town would have attracted him because of its recent increases in population. During the 1720s and 30s a number of new houses were constructed and St Mary's Church was being rebuilt. 6 Carlow's previous glazier George Wilkins and his son of the same name had been there since at least 1680, but by 1744 had disappeared from the applotment lists7, so there was probably plenty of work for Joseph. Moorelield Following his purchase of seat number Carloviana 2013-14 THE FISHBOURNE FAMILY IN CARLOW commodious house fit for the reception of a large family ... [with] stabling for 12 horses, 2 coach houses and 2 large gardens."25 Just who rented the house at this time I don't know, but Robert's younger brother William seems to have lived there for much of his life. William senior died in 1796,26 at the age of 68, having established his family comfortably in the gentry class, as members of Carlow's ruling protestant ascendancy. Robert, Joseph and Ann's youngest son born about 1735, had a watchmaking business in Carlow Town and possessed a range of properties in the town. He 27 married Ann Dale in 1767 , but there appear to have been no children of this marriage. Robert died in 1782 aged 4728, and luckily Sir William Betham made an abstract of Robert's wilF9 which named Hollymount his siblings and enabled me to connect the family back to their probable Irish beginnings in Monasterevin. only Elizabeth Fishbourne I can find in of rent rolls had risen, and as leases ended Carlow between 1738 and 1800, maITied rents could be increased. He was also in The Third Generation Thomas Delaney in 1764 15, a rather late a position to purchase long leases of marriage in my opinion, although not of larger tracts of land and then to sub Robert Moore Fishbourne ( 1765 - 1828) course impossible. My uncertainty is divide and sublet for higher rents and further compounded by Elizabeth's shorter tenures. 20 He had a particular William's eldest son, Robert Moore absence from Betham 's abstract 16 of her focus on acquiring vacant land in Carlow Fishbourne almost perfectly fulfilled his brother Robert's 1782 will. However, if Town, taking advantage of the town's family's aspirations to gentility. He lived Elizabeth Delaney nee Fishbourne is not growing population and the need for the life of a country gentleman on an Joseph's daughter, I don't know where additional housing. 21 He also held over elegant estate, participated in the local she does belong! The next sister Ann, 400 acres of rural land in Queen's County hunt club, and married into the ancient born in 1726 in Monasterevin, in 1760 and this was to remain in the family until Eustace family. He had certainly climbed married Edward Jackson, a tallow well into the 19th century. 22 a few rungs up the ladder from his chandler in Carlow Town, and had six grandfather, Joseph the glazier. children. 17 In 1765 William married Alice Moore at 23 St Mary's Church ofireland • I have not While his parents lived in Carlow Town, In 1766 William, the eldest son, appeared been able to identify Alice's father, but by 1792 Robert was living at for the first time in the Registry of Deeds, there were several likely Moore families Moorefield,30 a modest country property in the role of a witness, his occupation among the listings of Carlow tradesmen in Queen's Co. about two miles north of 1 being given as glazier N. In 1768 he was and merchants. Alice was some 15 years Carlow Town. The name suggests the listed as a Freeholder of the Town of William's junior, and was to bear him property may have come from his Carlow19 and thereafter began to style seven children, three sons and four mother's family, but I have not been able himself "Gentleman", all of which daughters. to establish this. suggests that by this time he had inherited some property from his father. He went In 1776 William leased a large house in In mid 1792 when he was 27 Robert 24 on to establish the family fortunes Tullow Street from Peter Gale . This married Lydia Semple at St Thomas. 31 through his land dealings, possibly on the house was occupied by members of the Dublin • She was the daughter of John basis of his father Joseph's initial Fishbourne family until at least 1850. and Lydia Semple, who belonged to an acquisitions. This may have been the house William's extended family of "leading ... eldest son Robert later advertised for tradesmen ... who as bricklayers, builders When William began to lease and sublet letting in the Freeman's Journal of 1811. and architects, made such an important land to others in the late 1760s the value It was described as "A most excellent and contribution to the buildings ofDublin."32 Carloviana 2013-14 - THE FISHBDURNE FAMILY IN CARLOW By the time of the marriage Lydia's taxes to undertake works which Carlow Town. Much of this probably parents must have been dead, as her improved the value of their own came from his father William, but his family is represented in the marriage properties rather than benefitting the property holdings would also have settlement by her two brothers, William community.43 However the government been increased through his two mar and John. 33 was apparently not too concerned, as nages. according to one writer "it considered Sadly Lydia died less than two years after that the county gentlemen were only As well as having tenants renting his 34 44 her marriage , leaving no children. cheating each other". land, Robert's will indicates that he Fifteen months later Robert was married owned sheep, cattle and farming again, this time to Catherine Maria Those who paid the tax, the tenants, had utensils 9, suggesting that he was also in 35 Eustace , the youngest daughter of little say in the works undertaken. Roman volved in farming on his own behalf. Robert Eustace and Catherine Whelan Catholics, who formed the vast majority and a descendant of the Castlemore of the population, were prohibited from By 1811 Robert and Catherine Maria had 36 Eustace family • In 1796 Robert and serving on grand juries until 1793, and seven children. Perhaps the house at Catherine Maria's first child William was because property ownership was Moorefield was getting a bit small, or born, followed early in 1798 by their concentrated in Protestant hands, even maybe they wanted something grander. second son, Henry Hamilton after that date Catholics remained very At all events in July 1811 Robert leased Fishbourne .37 much in the minority on grandjuries.45 Hollymount in the Queen's County from 50 Charles Ward for £800 a year . Where Robert and his young family were By 1805 Robert and Catherine Maria Hollymount is a much more elegant during the 1798 Rising is not known. Fishbourne had five children and were house than Moorefield, and the lease Assuredly they were not in Carlow Town. living in Tullow Street Carlow, possibly included some 262 acres Irish Plantation 51 It had become known that on May 25th in the house Robert's father had leased in measure (about 424 statute acres ). hundreds of United Irishmen planned to 1776.46 In 1805 Robert may have been ill, march on Carlow. The King's troops as in that year he made a will. 47 This will It is also possible that Robert was the cleared the town and lay in wait for the was never proved, as he lived for father ofan illegitimate son, Peter Henry rebels whom they slaughtered in large another 23 years and no doubt a number Fishbourne, born in about 1819 and 2 numbers. Many United Irishmen also of later versions of the document were married in Carlow in 18415 • The died when the houses in which they written. The will revealed Robert's quite marriage entry in the Carlow sheltered were set on fire. 38 Carlow Town extensive landholdings and his Presbyterian records does not name had a higher than usual proportion of considerable wealth. The provisions he Peter's mother but gives his father's Protestant inhabitants,39 which may have made for his wife and children illustrate name as Robert. Peter was trained as a been one reason for the planned attack. the family's comfortable lifestyle and coach builder and painter, and throughout also demonstrate the respect he had for his working life was associated with the By 1797 Robert had been appointed a his wife's judgement. coaching industry in Carlow and later 40 member of the Grand Jury for Carlow , Tullow,53 and then by 1865 moved to and served as such for the rest of his life. Robert estimated that in addition to his Inchicore in Dublin to build railway When he died in 1828 he held the landholdings his personal estate was coaches54 His eldest daughter Elizabeth position of Grand Jury treasurer,4 1 with valued at £3,750. Calculated on the basis Ann Fishbourne came to Australia in 55 responsibility for the management and of today's average earnings, this is equal 1863 , married Michael Gennaine from disbursal of the County tax collections. to over 3 million pounds.48 Rathvilly, and was my great grandmother. The grand jury system was a form of He left to his wife "my carriage and pair local government which operated at the of carriage horses and all my household My favourite picture of Robert Moore County level. Jurors were mostly goods ... together with her watch, jewels Fishbourne, country gentleman and landowners and were chosen by the High and wearing apparel. I order and direct possibly my three times great Sheriff of the county, a government that my executors ... shall in the first place grandfather, comes from the Carlow appointee. The responsibilities of the lay out at interest with the consent and Morning Post of February 5, 1818. 56 The grand jury included the provision and approbation of my said wife during her newspaper describes how the Emo Hunt repair of roads and bridges, construction life the sum of one thousand two hundred met to have breakfast at Hollymount and maintenance of dispensaries, county and fifty pounds and that the interest of before setting out in pursuit of the local infirmaries, lunatic asylums, courthouses the said sum ... shall be paid to my said foxes. Present were most of the local and gaols. These works were funded by wife during her natural life as further gentry, including William Jr. (Robert's a local tax called the county cess which provision for her." The balance of his nephew) Joseph (Robert's brother) and was paid by the land occupiers, that is by personal estate was to be divided among "Mr Fishbourne and three sons". From the tenants, rather than by the owners. 42 his children as they reached the age of 21. the sound ofit everyone except the foxes had a jolly good time! The grand jury system developed a The lands specified in the will arc in reputation for corruption and partiality, Carlow, Queen's County and Kildare, In February 1828 Robert died at the age local landowners being seen to use local and as well there are houses and land in of 63 and is buried in the Killeshin Carloviana 2013-14 THE FISHBDURNE FAMILY IN CARLOW Churchyard57 1821 his service between Carlow and had been appointed as members of the 79 Dublin was extended "by invitation" to Grand Jury for Carlow • This was William Fishbourne (1768 - 1855) Kilkenny, originally on three days William's earliest known public role, and weekly, 67 and soon expanded to a daily began his vigorous (if often questionable) William seems to have been a man of a service.68 involvement in local politics which totally different stripe from his elder continued until he was at least 80 brother. Where Robert chose the life of a In 1823 we are advised that the years old. 80 country gentleman, William was partnership involved in the Carlow Day aggressively entrepreneurial and Coach is dissolved, but the coach line By 1817 William had become a political, and clearly made a significant will continue.69 William must have magistrate for the County of Carlow. The mark in Carlow Town. bought out his partners; Nathaniel next year he was elected sovereign Proctor (his former brother in law), Ed (similar to mayor) of the Carlow Town In 1798 aged 30, William married ward Butler and Edward Box. 70 By 1824 Corporation8 l. This was a role he was to Penelope Elizabeth Gardiner, 58 who was both William's Fair Traveller and the Re fulfil many times during the next some IO years his junior. She was the taliator were carrying passengers from twenty years. youngest daughter of Major John Carlow to Dublin in about seven hours, Gardiner and his wife Mary Fisher. 59 while William's Kilkenny-Carlow The Borough of Carlow operated under a William and Penelope's first child, Dublin run took a full twelve hours. 71 charter granted to the town in 1674 by 82 another William, was born in 1799, and Charles IT . This charter established the he was followed by three daughters in the At some stage William brought his son corporation as cons1stmg of one next three years. 60 By 1820, four more Joseph (b. 1809) into the coachline sovereign and twelve burgesses. By sons and four more daughters had joined business, and by 1841 Joseph was clearly charter, the sovereign was a magistrate 61 72 the family. in charge • The business seems to have for the County, he was clerk of the expanded to include a car from Carlow to market, and returning officer for the The Coachline Business Ross which picked up passengers from election of the Borough's single Member the returning Dublin coach in the of Parliament. As a magistrate the It seems likely that in January 1819 afternoons, and a "caravan" which left sovereign, with other magistrates, William set up in business providing a for Dublin at 6 am and returned at 8.30 presided at the weekly Petty Sessions for local public transport service, the pm. 73 I wonder if this is the caravan the town. He had no fixed salary but "Carlow and Dublin Day Coach".62 which began in March 1844, as a joint received money from tolls and customs While the announcement of this new venture between the rival Messrs. charges from which the corporation's service does not mention any proprietor's Fishbourne and Purcell ?74 employees were paid, with the sovereign name, a later newspaper item about the retaining the balance. 83 coach service does identify the propri By this time the projected railway line etors as Messrs. Fishbourne and Co. 63 was looming, and would reach Carlow in It is clear that the town of Carlow was a 1846. This clearly spelt doom to the "Pocket Borough", the electors being Public transport in Ireland before about coach passenger trade, the railway completely in the control of the Earl of 1815 had been confined to the early stage journey being both faster and cheaper. 75 Charleville, who was the "Patron" and and mail coaches which plied only However, in the early days there was still major landlord. All the burgesses had between major centres and carried few work for the coach lines transporting some connection with Lord Charleville passengers at considerable cost. In 1815 people from the Carlow railway terminus and were in effect his nominees. There Charles Bianconi, an Italian immigrant to Cork and other destinations in the were only a further 20 freemen of the who became an Irish businessman, set up south. 76 corporation who were eligible to vote for the first of a chain of transport links, ini As the railways developed, the the Borough's single MP. As there was no tially between smaller centres, using the Fishbourne coach lines were transformed secret ballot at this time voters were very two-wheeled Irish "Jaunting Car".64 This into a courier service linked to the much under the control of the major soon proved to be a successful business railway system. Thomas Edwards landholder, who could and did evict them venture, and others including William describes the fierce competition between if they didn't follow his voting Fishbourne, quickly took up the idea. Peter Purcell and Joseph Fishbourne for directions. 84 the contract with the railways for local William soon had a rival on his patch. On parcel delivery, a contract won by Joseph In 1829 the last of the penal laws was December 2 1820 a notice in Finn's in 1847. 77 By the early 1850s there was a removed and Roman Catholics could Leinster Journal suggests that a parallel network ofFishbourne agents and offices now stand for Parliament as well as coach service, the famous Retaliator, had stretching as far afield as Killarney, Cork, exercising the vote. In 1832 a £ 10 been established on the Carlow-Dublin Kerry, Wexford, Kildare, Dublin and franchise was introduced in the boroughs, 65 run, possibly by Peter Purcell. In the Fermanagh 78. and from then on elections in Carlow face of this challenge William did not became much more competitive. 85 A reduce his fares, but rather planned to Political Life good deal of electoral disturbance extend his service "to other parts of the occurred here and elsewhere, and 66 country as soon as possible. " In January In 1797 William and his brother Robert continued over the next decades, as the Carloviana 2013-14 THE FISHBOURNE FAMILY IN CARLOW conservative nobility and gentry fought refonn was slow in coming, and William, Apart from revealing William as a to retain the power they had enjoyed for his sons and his nephews, continued as somewhat doubtful character, his stint as the last 150 years. This is the background dominant members of the corporation a witness also provided a few interesting to William Fishbourne's behaviour as and continued to manipulate the voting snippets of information; for instance that sovereign, and to the repeated reports and lists until at least the end of the decade. he owned about 70 houses in the Town of 97 petitions which challenged Carlow elec In 1839 there were three Carlow Carlow , that he also held about 500 tions throughout the I 830s. 86 burgesses named William Fishbourne: - acres of land, and on a more personal William senior, his son William of note, he confessed that at the age of 71 he The government Commissioners' 1833 Fonthill and his nephew William of had become "A little hard of hearing; old report on Carlow states that the sovereign Hollymount, the son of his late brother age you know brings on these things". 98 and his deputy frequently alternated year Robert. 91 by year, and the same two gentlemen had In spite of being shown up as a person of been alternately sovereign and deputy In November 1837, when revising the dubious political morals, in 1840 William during the preceding 8 years. 87 At the county jury list as was required, William was again re-elected sovereign of the 99 time of the inquiry William Fishbourne and five of his fellow magistrates appear Borough ofCarlow • However his reign junior was sovereign and his father, the to have deleted from the list the names of was to be short-lived, for in that year the subject of these paragraphs, would over 300 qualified persons92 thought to government passed a bill abolishing the 93 100 presumably have been deputy. have been "of the Liberal persuasion" . existing municipal corporations. The As a result in 183 8 the six magistrates corporations were to be replaced by the Several years prior to this inquiry, about were dismissed from the Bench. 94 election of municipal commissioners 150 eligible residents had sought to be William however continued as a member with more closely restricted powers and admitted as Freemen but were rejected by of the corporation and again served as based on a broader franchise. 101 the corporation. According to the enquiry sovereign in 1839, in which capacity he the underlying reason was that the continued as a magistrate ex-officio. William as sovereign was directed to corporation did not wish them to have the convene a meeting of £5 householders to vote. 88 In 1839 there was another close-run decide whether to create a Town election for the Borough of Carlow and a Commission, and to provide for lighting, It also appears that the markets had been resulting petition and investigation by a cleansing and watching the town. A neglected by the sovereign and the select committee of the House of maximum rate of twelve pence could be corporation, who had failed to collect the Commons. The hearings of this levied. Occupiers of properties with a "poizeage" or tolls due from merchants, committee continued in London for at minimum £20 valuation would be or to identify defective weights and least nine weeks, and inquired eligible for election as commissioners. 102 measures in use in the markets. The extensively into all aspects of the salaries of the corporation's paid officers Borough election. Both William Prior to this meeting which took place on were m arrears. Fishbourne and his son Joseph were October 8th 1840, the liberal "Leinster called to London as witnesses, and Reformer" had countered conservative The inquiry concluded that detailed evidence was taken about the cries about over-taxation with the assessment of house values and whether statement that the £5 householders would "The corporation having in consequence individuals whose votes William had have the power of taxation in their own of the departure from the spirit of the refused as returning officer, had in fact hands, and "the thirteen burgesses will be charter by the exclusion of inhabitants, been entitled to vote under the £IO nicely laid out for decent burial". 101 dwindled to a few chiefly non-resident franchise. William was also closely nominees of the Patron, without any questioned as to whether he had evicted William Fishbourne as sovereign duly functions to perform or privileges to any of his own house tenants if they convened the meeting of £5 enjoy, do not continue to exist for any failed to vote for the conservative householders, while expressing the beneficial public purpose ... .The existing candidate. It is clear that where any such opinion that now was not the appropriate members of the corporation would not be tenants had no lease, they had indeed time to adopt the Act creating the Town injured by being deprived of offices from been evicted. 96 Commission. However, following which they derive but little benefit; and protracted debate and many objections by being mostly non- resident, the Questioned about his dismissal from the the conservatives, the meeting resolved incorporation of them in any new body Bench in the previous year, William by a large majority to adopt the Act would be attended with no advantage to denied that he, with five other abolishing the Corporation and the public."89 magistrates, had removed over 300 establishing Carlow's Town Commis names from the jury lists. He said the lists s10n. This situation was typical of borough had been tampered with by an unknown corporations throughout Ireland, as was young man after the jury review was The next step was to elect the confirmed by the Commissioners' later completed. This explanation had clearly commissioners. When a list of twenty report into municipal corporations not satisfied the government, who one people, seven of them conservatives, published in 1835. 90 However in spite of dismissed the six magistrates. was proposed, William, as the chair, these damning reports, constructive objected to the whole list, saying he Carloviana 2013-14 THE FISHBOURNE FAMILY IN CARLOW would not accept them as qualified until Carlow, he still had some access to power property, and for electing the Boards of they were validated as £20 householders and patronage, and by 1848, true to form, Guardians. 110 The work of these Boards by the vestry book. As the vestry book had become chairman of the Board of was closely supervised by the Poor Law 107 could not be found this led to very heated Guardians of the Carlow workhouse • Commissioners who were located in debate. When a revised list including nine Dublin. conservatives was proposed, William In 1838 the British Government had again refused "most peremptorily" to put legislated for the establishment of Poor The Carlow Poor Law Union covered the the resolution to the meeting. When Law Unions throughout Ireland, with the whole of the County plus a small portion pressed to do so he said emphatically "I aim of providing workhouses which of Queen's County. 111 The Carlow Board won't do it" and stamped oft~ vacating offered a minimal safety net to the initially had 40 members, ten being the chair. 104 poorest people in the community. There ex-officio magistrates selected by was no basic right to poor relief, the poor themselves. The other 30 guardians were A second meeting held on October 19th law guardians having the power to decide elected on the basis of electoral districts, was equally difficult, with accusations who would be accepted into the by voters with property valued at over £4. that the meeting was illegal. Liberals and workhouse. Originally relief was only People with higher value property had conservatives put forward their own lists, available to whole families who entered more votes, which of course favoured the and this time the vestry book was the workhouse (and were then split up) conservative landlords. 112 produced. The meeting demanded a poll and there was to be no outside which was agreed to, and which began assistance 1°8. William was joined on the workhouse the next day. Board by his son William Junior, also The legislation was deliberately representing Carlow Town, and his Eventually the first twenty one framed to make relief: nephew Joseph. the latter representing candidates on the list, all liberals, were Shrule in Queen's County. The Board elected overwhelmingly. 105 William's son "As unpalatable as possible, and since it was overwhelmingly made up of Protes Joseph Fishbourne was among the was difficult to create conditions in Irish tant conservatives, only seven of the defeated candidates. As the outgoing workhouses which would actually be thirty publicly elected members being sovereign William had the distasteful task worse than those outside, it was hoped liberals. 113 of swearing in the twenty one elected that a strict regime and a severely limited 6 109 candidates as commissionersw . Thus diet would deter all but the very poor" It took until November 1844 before the ended his career in local politics - Carlow workhouse was open for or almost. The workhouses were to be funded from business. The board of guardians was local taxation, with the aim of making responsible for appointing the paid staff The Carlow Workhouse Irish landlords take responsibility for and for managing the establishment, their local poor. Capital loans to construct which included contracting locally for the In fact before his term as sovereign the workhouses were made available by purchase of food and other supplies. By expired, William had been elected as an the government, but had to be repaid over August 1845 only 277 of the planned 800 ex-officio guardian of the local Poor-Law time from local rates. The legislation places in the workhouse were Union. While this was a far cry from divided Ireland into 130 Poor Law occupied, 114 such was the reluctance of being sovereign of the Borough of Unions as the basis for valuing and taxing people to incur the workhouse stigma. Many of the inhabitants were women, Cln1dren & Grandchl1dren ofJoseph & Ann Fishboume widows with dependent children, unmarried mothers, and physically and 15 1 • Ann mentally handicapped people be 17tNI m .. 1"'~'1 As the famine began to bite the situation changed dramatically. By the end of Elizabeth .\nn January 184 7 there were nearly 1200 b b 1724/S b 1'"'26 \fona~tcn:vm, \fnnm,tnevm '.\,lonasten·qn people crammed into the accommodation Kildare ?m. l 164 C.ulow m 1.,60 Catlo\\ d unm Thonm~ Ddanr;: E(h.vard Tackson meant for 800. The guardians had temporary sheds built in the yards and a further 250 were admitted to these. Robert \!oore \\illJ.Jm !·ranees -\haa l~hub..·th Everyone else had to be turned away b.l"'(,k b,l-74 b.c.17' b.c.!782 m.1""98 m 18tl4 m.180"' without help, as the provision of outdoor :'athamd relief was not allowed under the d 1855 En~lace. 116 d 1828 legislation. By mid 1847 the situation was so critical that the government amended the legislation to allow outdoor relief at the guardians' discretion. People were dying Carloviana 2013-14 THE FISHBDLIRNE FAMILY IN CARLOW Children ef U/tl/iam Fi.fhhourne l""Penelope !'.Lizabeth ( :ardmer of starvation in the streets because they \\'1lhll.ml•t\hhoum..: could not gain admission to the h.1~(,8(.arlo"' d l855C;ir]nw m l~<>ll(h,cn' overcrowded workhouse. However the d.JR<,![Al!Jl111 Carlow guardians were firmly against \\ilbam h f799Carlnw providing outdoor relief unless the d u,r:scarlu"" circumstances were exceptional. l•lli:abcth h.1800(,ar!,;w m1818Carlow Adding to the Board's problems, fever had spread through the workhouse and \hu: b 1801 C<1rlow d.1802 there were so many deaths the neighbouring graveyards were refusing h.1802Culow m.\f\4] Kdkshm. (}uccn\ t:u permission for workhouse burials. The ratepayers who supported the poor law Robert b.1804Car!ow system through local taxation were d themselves becoming destitute and the collection of the poor- rate became more and more difficult. 117 RobcrtTn:rdl h.18c:PCadow ( )f S1 Peter's Duhlm m 1815 Ktllesh1n. Queen'~ Co Conditions in the workhouse must have DmahWan,un b.c!RH, been appalling, if letters and reports in dl87(,l}uh!m m.1842 J 1~3 Carlow the Freeman's Journal early in 1850 are Edmund(;anlmcr hl811 Cllrlnw to be believed 118. Most inhabitants were Lydia Scn,rle Rohett Moore Cathenne \.f.ana The famine is generally regarded as b.1768 Dublin Fi~hboumc Fus race m. t 792 St Thomas h 1765 CarlowTo"wn b.1770 Carlow [)ublm d. 1828 Cullinswvod ru. m. 1795Tullow having faded out by about this time, but d.1794 Moorefield Dublin d.1835 Queens Co ~ lollymount <.)uecns Cu. in February 1850 there were still over 2500 inmates in Carlow workhouse Willi.un .\nna Maria Kelly b.1795 1,.c.1800 accommodation, almost half of them d. bcforel850 m. 1829 children, 119 many of them orphaned. Fifteen months later, in May 1851, 1275 Henry Hamilton Mary Harvey children under sixteen were still there. bli98 I,, m.1832 Dmccsc of \foarh It is not clear how much longer William Fishbourne continued to serve on the Robert lane aka Anne Grl'Crte b.1800 b.c.1809 d.1880 Dubhn m. 1833 Killagan Carlow Board of Guardians after 1848. d.1870 He died on October 9th 1855 120 and had been a well-known figure in Carlow for Cathcnnc Maria Alexander St Leger b.1802 McMahon much of his life. Most of the male m.1828Cl "On the 9th inst., at his residence, Carlow, in the 88th year of his age, died Carloviana 2013-14 THE FISHBDURNE FAMILY IN CARLOW William Fishbourne Esq. He was one of author.s possession, of the original MS. long! the sovereigns of the town during many held in the National Archives of Ireland. 37St Mary's C ofl Carlow Parish Register years, up to the period of the abolition of 14 Registry of Deeds 336/112/244085 op.cit. the municipal corporations- a justice of 15 St Mary.s C ofl Carlow Parish Register 38Musgrave, R. 1995, Memoirs of the the peace and one of the oldest members op.cit Different Rebellions in Ireland. Round of the grand jury- being first called on 16 Betham op.cit Tower Books, Indiana that body in the year 1797. During the 17 St Mary's C ofl Carlow Parish Regis 39 King, T. 1997, op.cit insurrection that took place in the ter op.cit 40 Dublin Evening Post 1797, May 20 following eventful year he was lieutenant 18 Registry of Deeds 245/6 /165/159085 41 House of Commons Parliamentary of a corps of yeomanry, and, with the late 19 Malcomson, R. 1872, Parliamentary Papers Online, Grand Jury treasurers, Captain Browne and Sir Richard Butler, Rolls comprising Lists of Knights of the Ireland, 1830-31 received the thanks of the Irish Shire and members for the Borough of 42 Carlow County Library, Catalogue government for the zeal and energy Carlow notes to the collection of Grand Jury displayed on that memorable occasion in 20 Cullen, L.M. 1981, Batsford, London. documents held at the County Library. assisting to suppress it. He was one of the www.carlowlibraries.ie/documents/archi oldest members of the Freemason Order 21 King, T. 2008, Carlow Town and its ves/grandjury.pdf in the kingdom, and a member of the Hinterland in the 18th Century, in Carlow 43 Ibid Carlow Knot of Friendly brothers." History and Society, ed. T. McGrath, 44 Keenan, D. 2006, Post Famine lreland Geography Publications, Dublin Social Structure, Chapter 6 p. 2. online The Standard (London) 1855, October 22 Griffith, R. 1847-1864, Primary vers10n. 16. Valuation of Ireland, digitised version http://www.deskeenan.com/6pochapter6. www.askaboutireland.ie/ htm 23 St Mary.s C ofl Carlow Parish Register 45 Ibid op.cit 46 LEC 011/051/1851 I This uncommon surname is mostly 24 Landed Estates Court 47 Fishbourne, Robert Moore, 1805, Will, found in County Durham and could (LEC)O 11/051/1851 photocopy of original ms held in the derive from the town of Fishbourne in 25 Freeman's Journal, 1811, October 19 National Archives of Ireland, reference that county. 26 Vicars, Arthur, Sir. Index to the T/1447. A transcription will be found on 2 St Marys Church of Ireland, Carlow Prerogative Wills of Ireland 1536-1810, the Carlow IGP site www.rootsweb. Vest1y Minute Book. Ms held at the Rep Archive CD Books Ireland, electronic ancestry. com/-irlcar2 resentative Church Body (RBC) Library, medium 48Measuring Worth, www.measuring Rathgar, Dublin. 27 Ossery Marriage License Bonds: Index worth.com 3 Monasterevin Parish Register. Ms held 1767, microform 49Fishbourne, Robert Moore, 1805, op.cit at the Representative Church Body 28 St Mary's C of I Carlow Parish 50LEC 122/029/1876 (RBC) Library, Rathgar, Dublin. Register op.cit. 29 Betl1am's abstract gives 51 0rdinance Survey Ireland 4 A Jacob Fishboume, a glazier, was listed 1781 as the date of Robert's death, www.osi.ie/en/faq as a freeholder of Portarlington in 1758, however, I prefer the St Mary's parish 52 Scots Church Records, Carlow 1839- most likely a family connection, and Im register burial date of October 1782 1845. Carlow IGP site suggesting that Joseph and his family 30Walker's Hibernian Magazine July www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/-irlcar2 may have spent part of the 10 years be 1792 53 Griffith, R. Op.cit; Tullow C of I Parish tween 1728,(the latest Fishbourne 31 lbid Register entry in the Monasterevin parish register) 32St Thomas. Dublin, Parish Register 54 Ireland, Civil Registration: Index to and 1738, in Portarlington. 1750-1791, ed. R. Refausse p. 9 deaths 1865, microform, entry for Sarah 5 St Mary.s C of I, Carlow Vestry Minute 33Registry of Deeds 450/289/291392 Jane Fishbourne [b. 1861 Tullow, Book op. cit. 34St Mary.s C ofl Carlow Parish Register Carlow] 6 King, T. 1997, Carlow: the Manor and op.cit. 55 Eliza Fishbourne, entry, passenger Town, 1674-1721, Irish Academic Press, 35Tullow C of I Parish Register, Ms. held manifest for ship: Western Ocean, arrived Dublin at the Representative Church Body Melbourne July 29 1863. Microform 7 Ibid (RBC) Library, Rathgar, Dublin 56 Carlow Morning Post 1818, February 8 St Mary's C of I, Carlow Vestry Minute 36Burke's Irish Family Records the 15, Co. Carlow Ireland Genealogical Book op.cit Carlow Fishbourne family moved off to Projects.www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/-ir 9 Ibid Dublin, to other parts of Ireland, to lcar2 10 Ibid Wales, to London, and some to Australia 57 Memorial inscnpt10n, Killeshin 11 Ibid and the USA. By the time of the 1911 Churchyard Co. Laois 12 St Mary.s Church of Ireland Carlow census there was no-one left in Carlow 58 Ossery Marriage License Bonds: Parish Register, digitised version bearing the Fishbourne surname. Index, microform. available at www.irishgenealogy.ie The irony does not escape me that those 59 Registry of Deeds 889/135/588136, 13 Betham, William, Sir. Genealogical descendants of the Carlow Fishbournes microfonn. abstracts of records of the Prerogative who are still living in Ireland today are 60 St Mary's C of I Carlow Parish Regis Court of Armagh. Photocopy in the from the illegitimate line to which I be- ter op. cit. Carloviana 2013-14 THE FISHBOURNE FAMILY IN CARLOW 61 Ibid 81 Carlow Morning Post ,1818, January 5 internal evidence, the local newspapers, 62 Carlow Morning Post 1819, January 28 www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/-irlcar2 the Carlow Sentinal and the Leinster www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/-irlcar2 82 House of Commons Parliamentary Reformer 63 Finn's Leinster Journal 1820 Papers Online (HCPP) First report of the appear to be its most likely sources. December 2 http://www.irish Commissioners appointed to inquire into 103 Ibid newsarchive.com.rp.nla.gov.au the municipal corporations in Ireland: 104 Ibid 64 Wallace, P. l 972, 'The Development of Borough of Carlow. l 833. National 105 Ibid Organised Public Transport on the Roads Library of Australia, licensed 106 Ibid of Co. Carlow in the Pre-Railway e-resources, publisher, Proquest, 107 Robins, J.A. "Carlow Workhouse dur Age", Carloviana 1972 2/21. I regard www.nla.gov.au ing the Famine Years'', Carloviana l 975 this paper with some reservations as it 83 Ibid 108 Crossman op.cit lacks citations, and in at least one 84 I 836 Evictions in Carlow: The Letters 109 Ibid p.46 instance is shown by a contemporary of Father James Maher, Pat Purcell 110 Ibid 19th century source ( Journal of Thomas Papers, www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/-irl 111 OCathaoir, E. 2008, The Poor Law in Edwards) to be in error. car2 County Carlow 1838-1923, in Carlow: 65 To date T have not found any direct 85 McCartney, D. 2008, Parliamentary History and Society, ed. T. McGrath, reference to Peter Purcell.s initial Representation and Electoral Politics in Geography Publications Dublin. ownership of this coach line, but in the Carlow, in Carlow: History and Society, 112 Ask About Ireland: Carlow Poor Law 1840s there are two mentions of ed. T. McGrath, Geography Publications, Union, www.askaboutireland.ie/ "Mr Purcell's Carlow coach", see Dublin 113 Ibid Freeman's Journal 1844, November l, 86 Foster, R.F. ed, 1989, The Oxford 114 OCathaoir op.cit and Brophy, P. .T. Illustrated History of Ireland, O.U.P. 115 Ibid "Social Life in Carlow 1800-1840", Oxford 116 Robins op.cit Carloviana 1948 no.2, which references 87 HCCP 1833 op.cit 117 Ibid the Journal of Thomas H. Edwards 88 Ibid 66 Finn's Leinster Journal, op.cit. 89 Ibid p. 370 118 Freeman's Journal op cit. 1850 67 Ibid, 1821 January 24 9°Crossman, V. 1994, Local Government January 16 & 17 68 Ibid, 1822 August 24 in Nineteenth -Century Ireland. Institute 69 Ibid 1823 January 15 of Irish Studies, Queen.s University 119 Robins op.cit 70 Ibid Belfast 71 Pigot's Commercial Directory of 91 Shearman.s Directory of Waterford, 120 The Standard (London) op.cit. Ireland, 1824, Leinster & Dublin Kilkenny and the South East: Directory Sections. Archive CD Books Ireland, of the Town of Carlow, 1839 electronic medium www.findmypast.ie 72 Hadden, W.V. 1966, "The Journal of 92 Freeman's Journal op.cit. 1838, Thomas Edwards" Carloviana, I /l 5NS May 19 1966. This article references the journal 93 The Times 1838 May 21 National of Thomas Henry Edwards ... 1840-47, Library of Australia, licenced e-resource, MS held in the National Library of Nineteenth Century British Library Ireland, Ref. N4704 Newspapers, publisher Gale Group, www.nla.gov.au 73 Brophy, P.J. Rev. 1948, "Social Life in 94 Ibid Carlow 1800-1840, illustrated from the 95 HCPP, Minutes of Evidence ... taken Journal of Thomas H. Edwards" before the Select Committee on the Carloviana 1948 vol. I Carlow Borough Election Petitions Part 74 Brophy op.cit. l. l May 1839- 3 June 1839 p. 802 [ page 75 Wallace op.cit. nos. as per digitized version]. 76 Ellis, W. "Railways and County 96 Ibid p. 804 passim Carlow" Carloviana 1990 no.3 7 97 Griffith.s 1851 valuation shows that 77 Brophy op.cit most of these properties were on the west 78 Griffith, R. Op.cit side ofTullow Street, opposite William's 79 The Standard (London) 1855 October own house on the corner of Green Lane. 16, [Obituary of William Fishbourne] 98 HCPP p. 1104 National Library of Australia, licenced 99 Freeman's Journal op.cit. 1840 July 3. e-resource, Nineteenth Century British 10° Crossman op. cit. Library Newspapers, publisher Gale IOI Ibid Group, www.nla.gov.au 102 O.Shea, S. "Carlow's First Town 80 Robins, J.A. 1975 "Carlow Workhouse Commission 1840-1854", Carloviana during the Famine Years" Carloviana 200 I, no.50. Unfortunately this article 1975 has no citations, however on the basis of Carloviana 2013-14 from the period 1907-8 outlines the list of the classes in which instruction was offered at that time. Among the subjects provided were: Arithmetic, English, THE EARLY DAYS OF Woodwork and Technical Drawing, Shorthand and English Correspondence. Two teachers, Mr. D. Fenlon and Mr. J. TECHNICAL EDUCATION Nicholson, are named in this prospectus and an additional teacher was to be appointed to instruct in shorthand.' These IN CARLOW classes were to be taught in rooms in Carlow Town Hall and other locations. Bernard Mulcrone Joe Rattigan The Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act of 1899 made no provision for the building of technical Carlow Vocational School has a long and classes in Agriculture Science and schools. In the early days, classes were proud tradition of providing an excellent Technical Instruction in various locations held in various locations in the town. educational service to the people of in both Carlow town and county. According to local tradition in Carlow, Carlow and the surrounding area. technical education began in the old The published DATI Minutes of the 7 Carlow Union Workhouse which was From modest nineteenth century May 190 l tell us that at the time Carlow situated on the site of the present beginnings in the Mechanics Institute, Urban and County Councils were Vocational School on the Kilkenny Vocational Education in Carlow co-operating to establish a Technical Road, Carlow." developed a more formal structure and School for Girls. Architectural plans had organisation under the auspices of the been drawn up and approved and the Department of Agriculture and Technical estimates for construction Instruction (DATI) in the early years of stood at £950. The scheme for twentieth century. These early the instruction of boys had not foundations and structures were further yet been settled.' developed and augmented with the advent of the Vocational Education Act In January 1902, the of 1930, which paved the way for the Nationalist and Leinster growth of Carlow Technical School as a Times documented the official thriving non-denominational post opening by the Rev. Dr. Foley, primary school and a major centre for Bishop of Kildare and apprentice and technical education. This Leighlin, ofnew school rooms institution provided much of the impetus in connection with the scheme that led to the establishment of a new for Technical Education for Regional Technical College (IT) in 1970 girls. By 1903, morning and and a new Vocational School in 1972. evening classes in 'Domestic Economy'for girls and women The Technical Instruction Act of 1899, in the subjects of Cookery and for the first time, recognised the role of Laundry, N ccdlework and the state in directly supporting technical Dressmaking were being held education. It empowered local in both Carlow town and authorities to aid technical education out county. 1 In the same year, of local rates and established the twelve competitive scholar Department of Agriculture and ships to the sum of £150 were Technical Instruction to implement the available to Carlow boys, Pictured at the official opening (if Carlow provisions of the Act. The Act provided between the age of 12 and 15, Technical School on Janua,y 29th 1936 were; Mr. the funds, an endowment of £55,000 per under the Department of Dillon, Manager ofthe National Bank; Fr. Dunny, annum, and the framework within which Agriculture and Technical Admin. Carlow; Department of Education the majority of the first schemes of Instruction. The qualifying official; B. 0 'Neill, C. E. 0.; J Burke, Department agricultural and technical education were examination was held in June of Education Inspector; T Derrig, TD. Minister established in Ireland.' in the subjects of Arithmetic, for Education; Father Millar, C. C. Carlow; D of E English and Freehand official; W Bennett; JA. Kehoe; N. Carpenter; P Shortly thereafter, a 'Committee of Drawing.4 MacGamhna; J Cuddy; D. Carbery, Contractor; Agricultural and Technical Instruction' Canon Ridgeway; M. Wall; Fr: Brennan; was established in Carlow. It provided A 'Prospectus of Classes' L. Nolan, Caretaker. Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW Playwright George Bernard Shaw's This new Committee was charged with Committee to include a large Gift to the Technical Instruction the task of providing continuation and Engineering workshop and a Domestic Committee. technical education in county Carlow. Science Kitchen. 111 The official opening of the renovated Technical In 1918, George Bernard Shaw donated Continuation education was seen 'to School was performed by Mr. Tom the Assembly Rooms in Dublin Street to continue and supplement education Derrig T.D., the then Minister for the Technical Instruction Committee provided in elementary schools and to Education, on the 26th of January 1936. through its chairman Rev. Dr. Foley, include general and practical training in The event was recorded in a photograph Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. Shaw preparation for employment in trades, taken outside the Assembly Rooms. stipulated that the premises should be manufactures, agriculture, commerce, used for public purposes. The ownership and other industrial pursuits and also After its expansion by the VEC in 1934, of the building was first vested in trustees general and practical training for the Assembly Rooms contained six and was later transferred to the Carlow improvement of young persons in the classrooms: kitchen, typing, woodwork, Urban District Council as, at that time, early stages of such employment.' metalwork, science and general subjects' the Technical Instruction Committee Technical Education was seen as having rooms. It also contained the office of the had no power to own property. By rais two main purposes, to train young people C.E.O., Mr. Bernard O'Neill. In 1936, ing loans, the Technical Instruction Com for entry to particular employments and the school community included five m itteeconverted the dilapidated building to improve the skills of those already teachers and seventy students. Mr. into a two-roomed Technical School employed.' O'Neill, C.E.O., continued during this which opened for the first time in 1923.' period to act as Principal of Carlow By this time the range of courses had increased considerably. In the prospectus for 1924, Dr John Ryan, Principal of the Technical School and Secretary to the Committee, advertised a wide range of courses. The classes would be conducted in the newly opened Technical School on Dublin Street. This school is reputed to have been the first co-educational second level school in Ireland. In keeping with George Bernard Shaw's wishes, the late 18th century fa9ade of the building was preserved by the Technical Committee. Happily this fa9ade is still intact and remains a notable feature of the architectural landscape of Dublin Street. In 1927, Dr. John Ryan retired as Principal. He was succeeded by Mr. Bernard O'Neill who took up duty in March of the same year. In 1928, two workshops were added to the School to Ms. Cynthia Deane C.E.O. of County Carlow Vocational Education Committee cater for the growing enrolments and the with retired CE.Os Mr. Laurence Kavanagh, Mr. Austin Waldron and expanding curriculum.' M1'. John O 'Kee[fe. Vocational Education Act 1930 The emergence of the newly independent The inaugural meeting of County Carlow Technical School. In 1940 Mr. George Irish State in 1922 also heralded a new Vocational Educational Committee Merne was appointed Vice Principal of approach to technical education in (VEC) took place on Monday the 27th the school and remained in this position Ireland. In 1927, the Report of the October 1930 in the Technical School on until 1951. The newly appointed Mr. Pat government appointed Commission on Dublin Street. Mr. Bernard O'Neill, the O'Mahony succeeded the engineering Technical Education was published. It newly appointed Chief Executive Officer teacher Mr. Bill Cleary in 1940. In identified the need for changes deemed (C.E.O.), presided. The first business of 1941-2, Mr. Andrew J. Crotty was essential to cater for the needs of trade the Committee was to appoint a appointed to the position of Vice and industry. The main principles and chairman. The Rev. Dr. Millar C.C. was Principal and served until 1951 when he proposals of the Commission Report unanimously appointed. The 1930 Act was appointed C.E.O. of County were embodied in the 1930 Vocational brought a more systematic approach to Wicklow VEC. Mr. O'Mahony was then Education Act. With the passing of this technical education in county Carlow. In appointed Principal and continued in this Act, Carlow's Joint Technical lnstrnction 1934, the entire school building on position until his retirement in 1978. 11 Committee was transformed into the Dublin Street was reconstructed and Vocational Education Committee (VEC). remodeled by the Vocational Educational This was a period of great expansion for Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW County Carlow VEC. The 1960s saw the realised that they had a Technical College was decided that apprentices and introduction of free second-level educa on their hands in all but name."" advanced courses would remain in tion and free post-primary school Dublin Street and the fulltime second transport throughout Ireland. These Carlow Technical School students level pupils would be moved to 1111tiat1ves were to produce vast represented Ireland in several national improvements in terms of a considerable and international Apprentice Competi increase in numbers attending tions against the cream of the world's second-level schools and the greater students from the 1940s to the present. mobility offered by free transport, which Carlow students competed in Cork, was coordinated across the county by Gern1any, Scotland, Spain, Portugal and County Carlow VEC. The 1960s also Japan and returned on numerous occa saw the introduction of the Intennediate sions with silver and bronze awards. and Leaving Certificate programmes to Hundreds of former students entered the Vocational Schools. This was in addition professions in teaching, engineering, to the Day Vocational Certificate agriculture and public service, while lit examination (Group Certificate) which erally thousands obtained apprentice had been introduced to schools in 194 7. ships in many different trades. Some Principal Seamus Reynolds, Principal Carlow Vocational School introduced the fonner students became substantial em (1978-1981) and student A. Doyle at Intermediate Certificate in 1969 and the ployers in Ireland, while others became Awards Day in 1979. Leaving Certificate in 1975. This captains of industry, holding important development added a new dimension to positions in national and multinational rented accommodation. the curriculum and opened up a number companies. Carlow students were also of avenues for the advancement of placed among the first three in public ex In 1964, Mr. Kevin O'Regan was students." aminations conducted by the Department appointed Assistant Headmaster in the of Education (Technical Instruction centre based in rented rooms, in the old In his biographical notes, Mr. O'Mahony Branch) in an almost unbroken sequence Presentation Primary School (now the sums up what he saw as an incredible and since 1940. 14 Library), on Tullow Street. He had unique development in Ireland at the responsibility for Post Primary girls and time; "The enrolment in 1940 was about Return to the Kilkenny Road Post Leaving Certificate Secretarial 50 girls and 25 boys in five classes. Courses. Mr. Bob Holohan was Teaching staff consisted of five A key figure in the development of appointed Assistant Headmaster in whole-time teachers, two part-timers and vocational education in Carlow was Mr. charge of Post Primary boys and was a C.E.O. who, from choice, took about Austin Waldron, who was appointed based in rented rooms in the old Christian five classes per week. Years later when C.E.O. of County Carlow VEC in 1956. Brothers School (now the Parish Centre) day enrolment topped about 500, evening From the start, he had set his sights on on College Street. classes were well over a 1,000, staff, 36 apprentice education and training, an whole-time and 45 part-time, the underdeveloped sector of education at the As time went on, other premises had to Department suddenly woke up and time. He immediately encouraged the be acquired until eventually 27 rooms in establishment of apprentice courses, initially in the Vocational School on Dublin Street. Carlow town had already distinguished itself in the area of apprentice training in the semi-state Sugar Company with the training of fitters, turners, blacksmiths and welders for the factory. These training programmes soon assumed national importance given the limited availability of any similar on-the-job training programmes in the country.15 Carlow Vocational School began, at this time, to expand as a major centre of education under the direction of Mr. O'Mahony, providing advanced courses for apprentices and later for technicians. Due to the great demand locally, the number of courses proliferated until Pat O 'Mahony, Principal of Carlow eventually the student population could John O'Keeffe, Principal o.(Carlow Vocational School 1951 - 1978. no longer be accommodated in the Vocational School 1981-1988 premises at Dublin Street. In 1964, it Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW nine different buildings were rented by Certificate Technical Instruction Branch, Company, Accountancy in rooms in the the Vocational School including: rooms the Royal Society of Arts. The latter led Presentation Convent (now the County in the Little Theatre, two rooms in to Professional Secretarial Qualifications. Library), while engineers taught Process Foresters Hall, rooms in the former Two Institute courses were also on offer Control and Instrumentation in the Church of Ireland National School on including one for the Institute of Cost and Boat Club. Shamrock Square, rooms in John's Works Accountants and a second for the Street, in Carlow Boat Club, in the Institute of Banking. A Diploma in Day classes ran from 9 am to 4 pm. Crofton Hotel (now the Seven Oaks Social and Economic Science and a Three evenings a week, classes were Hotel), in the CYMS Premises on Col Diploma in Local Administration and conducted from 4 pm to 6 pm, while, on lege Street, six rooms in the Christian Marketing were also offered. 1' the other two days, night classes ran from 7 pm to 9 pm. The mechanical The Building & Science prospectus apprentices from the Sugar Company offered courses in the Common studied turbines, diesels, maintenance, Intermediate Certificate, with both Junior machines and drawing. For the and Senior Technical Courses leading to apprentices from Thompson Ltd., a Manual Training Day Group training involved an emphasis on Certificate. The Senior Qualification machine manufacturing technologies. In prepared the students for the Department addition apprentices from Keenan Ltd. of Education's Technological were 'drafting' trainees on this course. examinations in Mechanical The quality of the training received by Engineering, for the London University the trainees undoubtedly contributed to General Certificate and also for Entrance the success of local businesses such as Scholarship into the Dublin Institute of Delaney's Engineering of Carlow and Technology. Also offered was a Senior Burnsides of Bagenalstown, leaders Science Course in Building Construction, today in the hydraulic ram business Carpentry and Joinery, Cabinet Making, worldwide. From time to time, special Woodwork, Draughtsmanship (including courses such as one for Sewing Machine mechanical, building, machine structural Skills for the Carlow Boot Factory were John Keehan, Principal of Carlow drawing and machine design) Physics also accommodated by the Vocational Vocational School 1987 -1990. and Chemistry. School. Martin Nevin, later Chairman of the County Council, who himself was Ten courses for The Irish Sugar a Sugar Company apprentice, remembers Brothers School in College Street and Company were conducted in Carlow Carlow being like a university town, in rooms in the old Presentation Primary Vocational School. The following 'Block that it drew in young men from all over School on Tullow Street. The Vocational and Day Release Courses' were the country. 18 School also acquired the use of the new provided; (Potential Supervisors, Sugar science laboratory in the Mercy Convent. Technology Foreman, Food Factory By the 1960s, the cmTiculum at Carlow Another room was acquired in the Re Foreman, and Supervisors, Appreciation Vocational School had reached such an search Building in the Sugar Factory.16 in Food Hygiene, Store-keeping, advanced level that County Carlow VEC Switch-board operation, Management and the Department of Education decided The Engineering & Allied Subjects course for Supervisors, Office to divide the existing Vocational School prospectus in 1964 included six trades Procedures and Systems, Public into two institutions under the (Apprentice block release carpentry and Speaking and Languages). Courses management of County Carlow VEC. electrical, draughtsmanship, electrical were also offered in arts, crafts, cookery, One institution would be a Vocational engineering, mechanical engineering, and needlework. In Science, students School with a comprehensive motor car engineering and physics & studied for a Department of Education post-primary curriculum. The other chemistry). It also contained six Food Technology Diploma. Cookery would be a technical college providing professional courses (Dip. Chem., Tech., was taught by Ms. Marie Byrne; Food education and training for apprentices in Chemistry, both A.M.I.Mech.E. and Technology 1 and 2 was taught by Mr. and technicians. Due to the number of A.M.l.E.D in Mechanical Engineering, Gordon Tucker whose reputation in well-established industries and its record both A.M.l.M.l. and A.M.l.R. T.E in developing Freeze Drying in the Sugar in providing education and training for Motor Engineering), and a B.Sc. external Company's R & D Division made him a apprentices, Carlow was the prime London University programme star lecturer; Accountancy, Costing and location in which to establish the in Science. Business Methods were taught by Mr. Regional Technical College and to build Kevin O'Regan. This class also received the new Vocational School. The most The Commerce and General Studies supplementary lectures from Mr. Con prominent courses on the curriculum prospectus included numerous courses. Moloney on the subject of Human were; Mechanical Engineering Evening One course led to an Intermediate Resource Management. The Domestic Classes 1940-71; Mechanical Certificate Commercial and others to Science classes were held on Dublin Engineering (Block Release) 1945; Secretarial Qualifications (Secretarial Street, the Food Technology in the Sugar Engineering Day Release (1953-71 ); Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW Motor Car (Day Release) 1955-71; maximum potential. direction of Mr. Keehan, and with the Structural Engineering (Day Release) support of school funds plus financial 1960-71; Food Technician (Day Release) Mr. Reynolds was appointed C.E.O. of support from the private sector and the 1964-69; Laboratory Technician (Block Bray Vocational Educational Committee VEC, the badly needed changing Release) 1966-70; Instrument Building in 1981 and Mr. John O 'Kceffe was facilities were built. The project could Apprentices (Block Release) 1966-71." appointed to replace him as Principal. not have been completed without a Irish education at the time faced major significant contribution from; Michael Carlow Regional Technical College challenges and the school, as it had done Charlton, Michael Daly, Liam Cole, opened in 1970 to cater for the education in the past, met the new challenges with caretaker Jack Sheehan and the Parents and trammg of apprentices and great vigour. Post Intermediate technicians. The opening in Carlow of Certificate courses were introduced in the one of the country's first RTCs can be areas of Engineering, Retail and attributed mainly to the pioneering Distribution, Diploma in General efforts of Mr. Waldron during his time as Reception and a new Post Leaving C.E.O. of County Carlow VEC. Certificate course was also established at this time. ln 1986, the school decided to The modern Carlow Vocational School introduce a specialised Repeat Leaving was officially opened in January 1972. Certificate course. Twenty eight The wheel had turned full circle with the students enrolled in the first year. The new school standing on the site of the old school population was expanding and the workhouse, on the Kilkenny Road, where Department of Education funded the DATI classes had first begun seventy provision of four new classrooms to the years previously. This welcome rear of the school. In 1985 Mr. Bob development brought all the different Holohan retired and Mr. Liam Hayden centres from around Carlow town under succeeded him as Vice Principal. one roof in a modern purpose built Brian Fitzharris. Deputy Principal of school.'0 Mr. John O'Keeffe was appointed C.E.O. Carlow Vocational School of County Carlow VEC in 1987 and Mr. 1990 - 1998 . . John Keehan, who had been a Science Carlow Vocational School I College of Further Education 1972-2013 Association. lt was also during Mr. Keehan's tenure that the Leaving The new Vocational School building was Certificate Vocational Programme designed to accommodate 450 students. (LCVP) was introduced to Carlow Initially, prov1s1011 for Leaving Vocational School. Certificate students was to be made in the school but, when the adjacent Regional Mr. Liam Hayden retired in 1990 and Mr. Technical College was under Brian Fitzharris was appointed Vice construction, the Department of Principal. Mr. Keehan retired as Education decided to locate the Leaving Principal in 1990 and Mr. Bernard Certificate classes there. This Mulchrone was appointed Principal. In arrangement continued until 197 5 when 1991, the school decided that the Second the Leaving Certificate classes Level programme of education would be transferred from Carlow IT to the complemented by the expansion of its Vocational School.21 The Vocational Post Leaving Certificate courses. Four School continued to provide its usual new courses were introduced: Art and wide range of educational services. This Design, Engineering, Accounting included courses from first year to Technician and Pre-Nursing/Health Leaving Certificate, Post Junior Science. The courses proved to be very Certificate courses and Post Leaving Liam Hayden, Vice Principal of Carlow popular and required the provision of six Certificate courses for Vocational School 1985 - 1990. extra classrooms, a staff room and extra Secretarial students. student facilities. teacher at the school since 1968, was Mr. Pat O'Mahony retired in 1978 and appointed Principal. At the time the In 1993, Carlow Vocational School Mr. Seamus Reynolds was appointed school did not have a physical education celebrated twenty one years on the Principal. He continued to promote the hall and the students did not have Kilkenny road. The celebrations were broad and inclusive ethos of the school changing accommodation for sports attended by local clergy, c1v1c and to introduce new programmes events. The Department declined to representatives, past pupils and parents. designed to meet the needs of the day provide the funding for this necessary A beech tree, planted in the school while encouraging students to reach their accommodation at that time. Under the grounds to mark the occasion, still adorns Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW the area today. The plaque at the school entrance hall bearing the inscription "Scoil Naomh Odran" was moved from the old school premises on Dublin Street and it serves as a reminder of the long history of the school in Carlow. The teaching staff in 1993 included eight teachers who had moved to the site in 1972. They were Jim Behan, Pat Collins, James Conway, Brian Fitzharris, John Keehan, Elizabeth Kennedy, Sheila Maher and Margaret Scully. The Post Leaving Certificate area continued to expand in response to labour market demands. In 1997, prompted by Brian Fitzharris and other senior staff, together with the support of the CEO Mr. John O'Keeffe and County Carlow VEC, the School decided to establish the Carlow Institute of Further Education as a distinct Post Leaving Certificate section of the school. In the initial phases, courses were provided in Health, Childcare, Business, Tourism, Marketing, Reception, Information and Communications Technology, Art and Bernard Mulchrone, Principal of Carlow Vocational School 1990 - 2010. Design, Engineering, Construction, Sports and Recreation, Beauty Therapy its Level 6 programme with the aim that and Holistic Health Studies. Most all students would have the opportunity Further Education courses have always to graduate at Level 6. contained a mandatory work experience module. The support of local employers Mr. Brian Fitzharris retired from the has been vital to the provision of this position of Vice Principal in 1998, after essential component of the Further a period of forty years service to the Education courses. Close links have school. Mr. Joseph Rattigan was been fostered with employers down appointed Deputy Principal to succeed through the generations and this him. The following year Mr. John O' continues today. The work experience Keeffe retired and Mr. Laurence programme has been painstakingly Kavanagh was appointed as C.E.O. of developed and promoted over the years County Carlow VEC. Education in by Brian Fitzharris, Patrick Farrell and Ireland was entering a new era. The Elizabeth Roche. Education Act of 1998 came into force. It was followed by the Education and Further Education courses, at this time, Welfare Act of 2001. These Acts ushered were provided at FETAC Level 5. The in many changes in education including Institute decided that it was appropriate the establishment of Boards of to look towards the provision of courses Management in Vocational Schools. The at Level 6. The first FETAC Level 6 inaugural meeting of the Board of course was introduced in September Management of Carlow Vocational 1996 when Carlow Institute of Further School took place on the 18th April 2002, Joseph Rattigan, Deputy Principal Education was chosen as one of just 20 in the school. of Carlow Vocational School centres in Ireland to run a course in 1998-2010 Applied Languages and Information The period following the appointment of Injury Management, Hairdressing, Technology. The course was designed to Mr. Rattigan saw the continued Multimedia, Music, Make-up Artistry meet the growth in the Telemarketing consolidation of the Second Level and Nail Technician, Animal Science and Industry and involved placing students in School and a further expansion of Post Security Systems Technology. The France and Germany for their work Leaving Certificate programme. Courses student population grew from just under experience module. In the following were introduced in Horticulture, Sports years, the Institute continued to expand 800 to 1, 100 and, eventually, the Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW Department of Education funded the provision of extra accommodation. Six classrooms, a library, an administration area and a student circulation area were erected. Mr. Laurence Kavanagh retired as C.E.O. in 2009 and Ms. Cynthia Deane was appointed to succeed him. In 2009, a new Physical Education Hall was built on the school grounds. No special funding was provided for this project by the Department of Education and Science. The hall was built and equipped with the support of County Carlow V.E.C and the C.E.O. Ms. Cynthia Deane, the Parents' Association, staff and students. The School, which hitherto used various off site premises for its sports and social programmes, now has an excellent facility on its own grounds. Due to the increased enrolment, Retirement Dinner in 1956.for M1'. Bernard O'Neill, C.E.O., Carlow Vocational School the Department of Education sanctioned Back row: L. Hayden, M. Dillion, H. Finlayson, J. Fit::gerald, T James, the position of second Deputy Principal. B. Conway, E. McGinley. Ms. Markita Mulvey, a staff member Second row: M. O'Hanlon, R. Holohan, M. Fen/01;, A. O'Driscoll, M. Dennehv, since 1990, was appointed to the new po J. Browne, M. Aughney, D. Coen, P O 'Mahony. . sition, in 2009. Front row: T O'Connell, Fr. J. Mooney, Mrs. 0 'Neill, B. 0 'Neill and J.A. Merne. During these years, Carlow Vocational Deputy Principals. School continued to thrive, providing a unique learning environment. The school comprehensive range of programmes in also operated an Italian exchange pro gramme which offered students in the The newly appointed management team Second Level Education. This included senior cycle the experience of living continues the long and proud tradition of the Junior Certificate, Transition Year abroad and the opportunity to improve providing a comprehensive second level Programme, Leaving Certificate, education to the people of Carlow and its Leaving Certificate Vocational their English language skills. Since 2004, environs, while, at the same time, Programme plus its specialised Repeat Italian students from the Province of Trentino Siidtirol have come to Carlow ensuring that the Institute of Further Leaving Certificate course. Vocational School, joined the existing Education continues to provide the wide Leaving Certificate class and sat the range of programmes which its students In 1999 the school joined the DEIS Leaving Certificate examination with a have come to expect. (Developing Equality of Opportunity in Schools) programme. This enabled the high degree of success. Today, Carlow Institute of Further school to appoint a full-time Home Carlow Institute of Further Education Education offers students the opportunity School Community Liaison to work towards certified qualifications Co-ordinator. The Programme offered continued to consolidate its position as while enjoying the lively ambience of supports to enable young people to stay one of the largest providers of Further Education in the South East. The Carlow as one of the major college towns in school and complete the Leaving Institute continued to adapt to meet the in Ireland. The Institute offers 32 courses Certificate. In 2010, 37% of the Leaving changing needs of its students and the in a diverse range of subjects. The Certificate students went on to Higher majority of courses are provided at Education, 58% continued on to Further increasing demands of the labour market. FETAC level 5 and at FETAC Level 6. Education, while 5% went directly Courses are also provided with into employment. Carlow Vocational School and qualifications by ITEC, CIBTAC, PIT MAN, JEB, CACHE, CIDESCO and Over the years students from other Institute of Further Education Today NCEF. countries including Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Sudan and China came Principal Bernard Mulchrone and Deputy This is a time of great change for to study at the school. Some joined in Principal Joseph Rattigan retired in education in general and for Further first year, studying through to Leaving August 2010. Deputy Principal Ms. Education in particular. Further Certificate while others entered the Markita Mulvey was appointed Principal Education is about to enter a new era senior cycle programme. This gave an and took up duty in September 20 I 0. At the same time, Dr. Nigel Quirke-Bolt and with the establishment of Education and international dimension to the school and Training Boards and the fonnation of was an enriching experience for all in a Mr. David Forde were appointed as Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW munity as well. The pantomime usually ran for three nights for the general public. Matinee performances for local National school children were also very popular and a special performance was staged for local senior citizens each year. Teachers and parents were involved in performing on stage with the students, helping out backstage and assisting with publicity and the hall. Chief Executive Officers of County Carlow Vocational Education Committee Mr Bernard O'Neill (1930 - 1956) Mr Austin Waldron ( 1956 - 1988) Mr John O 'Kceffe ( 1988 - 1999) Mr Laurence Kavanagh ( 1999 - 2009) Bovs Outside Carlow Technical School on Dublin Street in 193 7 Ms Cynthia Deane (2009 - Present) such bodies as Solas and QQT made that a new building for Carlow (Qualifications and Quality Ireland). Vocational School and Carlow Institute Past Pupils who became teachers in This will necessitate a new approach. of Further Education is to be constructed the school on a green field site. This will be of great Carlow Institute of Further Education is significance for the future development Mr Michael Daly, Ms Maria Scully well positioned to meet the exciting of educational services in Carlow. This Mr Jack Fitzgerald, Mr Liam Hayden, challenges that lie ahead. It has been welcome news helps to celebrate the Mr Pat Lawlor, Mr Patrick Farrell fortunate in having an excellent and fortieth anniversary of Carlow Vocational Mr Patrick Kinsella, Ms Bridget experienced teaching staff. Facilities School's move to the Kilkenny Road. McAssey, Ms Claire McDonald. include well equipped science labs, computer rooms, home economics room, From its modest nineteenth century workshops, art studios, music rooms, beginnings, Carlow Vocational School Caretakers and Administration Staff: canteen and library and a recently built has developed into a modern modem sports hall. The school has also multi-faceted educational institution Ms Patricia McDermott, Ms Bridget invested in the most up-to-date providing both a comprehensive second Sheehan, Ms Michelle Kane, technology which includes a language level curriculum and a wide ranging Ms Dorothy Shannon, Ms Marion laboratory, CAD and computer systems further education programme. It has Haughney, Ms Jacinta O'Toole, Ms Ruth and a campus wide Wi-Fi network. enjoyed the privilege of providing for the Doran, Ms Anne Smith, Ms Sinead O' educational needs of generations of Keeffe, Ms Emily Watchorn, Ms Kate Part-time adult education courses con students from Carlow town and its Grant, Ms Gosia Dziczek, Ms Maeve tinue to be provided at night time. These hinterland. It will continue to do so into Ryan, Ms Angela Fleming, Ms Celine courses have been designed and the future. Murray, Ms Audrey Conalty, developed to reach out and meet the Ms Annmarie Roche, Ms Anita Lawlor, needs of a very wide range of adult Pantomime Ms Dolores Pearson, Ms Maureen learners. The courses stretch across a O'Hanlon, Ms Sandra O'Sullivan, Ms broad range of topics and interests from For many years, the school staged an Jane Shannon, Mr L. Nolan, Mr Bill hobby and leisure to FETAC annual pantomime which was always a O'Brien, Mr Jack Sheehan, Mr Joe Kelly, accredited courses. great success. The highly successful Mr William Kelly, Mr Thomas Sheehan. variety show staged at Christmas 1973 Today, Carlow Vocational School and provided the platform for the production Carlow Vocational School Parents Carlow Institute of Further Education of "Gypsies", the school's first Association provide a diverse range of educational pantomime staged in Graiguecullen Hall, services for approximately 300 in January 1975. This was the beginning Chairperson: Ms Bridget Farrell second-level students, 800 post-Leaving of a tradition which would last for the Vice Chairperson: Mr Paul Murphy Certificate students and 700 adult and next eighteen years and would become a Secretary: Ms Irene O'Brien night school students. whole school event. Each year the Treasurers: Ms Bridget Sheehan pantomime not only involved students, Ms Annmarie Condron Recently, the exciting announcement was teachers and parents but the local com- Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW Carlow Institute of Further Education Student Council Mr Michael Byrne (Business & Humanities) Ms Dominika Kowalska (Arts, Crafts) Ms Meabh Grandon (Business & Hman Ms Marcella Fagan (Business & Humanities) Ms Dina Molloy (Education, Health & Welfare) Mr David Brennan (Education, Health & Welfare) Mr Chris Timursk (Arts, Crafts & Media) Ms Denise Kealy (Education, Health & Welfare) Mr Jonathan Horan Ms Kelly Hogan Board of Management The first Board met on 18 April 2002. Members: Ms Betty Culleton (Parent), Mr Robert Sheehan (Parent), Ms Elizabeth McGloughlin (Teacher), Mr Seamus Donohoe (Teacher), Mr Des Hurley (VEC), Mr Declan Alcock (VEC), Mr Laurence Kavanagh C.E.O., Mr Bernard Mulchrone (Secretary). Current Principal. Markita Mulvey and deputv principals. David Forde Carlow Vocational School and Dr Nigel Quirke-Bolt. All were appointed in 2010. Catchment Area Schools Bishop Foley Memorial School, Carlow; Fr Cullen Memorial School, Tinryland; Old Leighlin N.S.; Bennekerry N.S.; Ballinabranna N.S.; Holy Family GNS, Askea; Holy Family BNS, Askea; Car low N.S., Green Road; Scoil Muire gan Smal, Green Lane; Scoil Naisiunta Eoghan Ui Thuairisc; St. Fiacc's, Graiguecullen; Carlow Educate Together, Graiguecullen; Aries N.S.; Newtown N.S., Crettyard; Mayo N.S.; Killeshin N.S.; Killeen N.S.; Levitstown N.S.; Ardough N.S.; St. Lazarian's N.S., Leighlinbridge. Chaplains Fr. Kevin O'Neill, Fr. Tom McDonald, Fr. Con Moloney, Fr. John Fingleton, Rev. Garry Dowd, Fr. Ger Ahearn, Fr. John Dunphy. Mr Lee Cosgrove (Travel & Hospitality). Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW National and International Awards Hundreds oflocal, national and international awards and distinctions have been won by Carlow Vocational School students down through the years. The following list includes some of the more outstanding achievements. 1948 - Mary Looney; !st place in Ireland in Book-keeping and Commerce. 1948 - Pauline Sheehan; 1st place in Ireland in Shorthand. 1948 - Maureen Fitzroy; 1st place in Ireland in Book-keeping. 1949 - Mary Noctor; 1st place in Ireland in Shorthand. 1949 - Mary Looney; 1st place in Ireland in Commercial Arithmetic. 1951 - Maureen Fitzroy; 1st place in Ireland in Shorthand (Advanced). 1952 - Siobhan O'Neill; 1st place in Ireland in Commerce. 1952 - Siobhan O'Neill; 1st place in Ireland in Typewriting, etc. 1953 - Loreto Haughney; 3rd place in Ireland in Typewriting, etc. 1954 - Veronica King; 1st place in Ireland in Book-keeping. 1954 - Gerald Nash; 1st place in Ireland in Workshop Technology. 1955 - Veronica King; 1st place in Ireland in Commercial Arithmetic. 1955 - Josephine Murphy; 1st place in Ireland in Commerce. 1955 - Joseph Brennan; 3rd place in Ireland in Mathematics. 1956 -Ann Birmingham; 1st place in Ireland in Irish. 1957 - Martin Nevin; 1st place in Ireland in Fitter's Work (Senior). 1959 - Mary Morrissey; 1st place in Ireland in Cookery. 1959 - Christopher McGrath; 1st place in Ireland in Workshop Technology (Senior). 1959 - Michael Gregan; 2nd place in Ireland in Motor Vehicle Theory. 1960 - Mary Morrissey; 3rd place in Ireland in Shorthand. 1960 - Edward O'Brien; 1st place in Ireland in Book-keeping. 1961 - Thomas Kelly; 2nd place in Ireland in Woodwork and Drawing. 1961 - John Sharpe; 3rd place in Ireland in Metalwork and Drawing. 1961 - Peter Flood; 1st place in Ireland in Turner's Work (Senior). 1962 - Michael O'Neill; 2nd place in Ireland Mathematics 1963 - Edmund Cox; 3rd place in Ireland in Woodwork and Drawing. 1963 - John Sharpe; 1st place in Ireland in Machine Drawing (Intermediate). 1964 - Mary Kelly; 1st place in Ireland in Breadbaking. 1963 - Seamus Thornton, Duisburgh (Germany), Fitter's Work. International Apprentice Competition. 1965 - Todd Kelly, Glasgow (Scotland), 2nd place in House Wiring. International Apprentice Competition. 1968 - Tom Cloury, Berne (Switzerland). International Apprentice Competition. 1971 - Liam Corrigan, Tokyo (Japan). International Apprentice Competition. 1973 - Dennot Scully, Munich (Germany). International Apprentice Competition. 1977 - Paul Byrne, Utrecht (Holland). International Apprentice Competition. 1979 - Pat Pender, Cork. International Apprentice Competition. 1981 - Liam Shore, Atlanta (USA). International Apprentice Competition. 1985 -Anthony Kelly & Patrick Haughney; Finalists Young Scientist & Winners of the Carlow Science Competition. 1994 - Shane O'Neill; Senior An Post Award. 1996 -Andrew Griffin; highest marks in Ireland in the Junior Certificate. 2004 - Ian Barcoc; Winner of European Parliament Award (Strasbourg). 2006 - Brendan Bolger and Ian Malone; Third Level Scholarship Award Carlow Credit Union. 2006 - Holly Fennelly, Nigel Sheehan, Ian Hannan and Claire Walsh; Finalists in Fl Schools Competition. 2006 - Marian Kinsella; Winner of the IT Carlow Academic Scholarship Award. 2009 - Catherine Earl and James Kinsella; Carlow County Entreprise Champions. 2009 - Sam Woong; Doodle for Google, All Ireland Finalists. 2010 - Nigel Sheehan; Winner of the Austin Waldron Memorial Scholarship. 2011 - Rebecca Hade; Winner of European Parliament Award (Strasbourg). 2011 - Catherine Earl; Winner of the Austin Waldron Memorial Scholarship. 2012 - David Collins; Winner of the Austin Waldron Memorial Scholarship. 2013 - Dean Feeney; University College Cork Undergraduate Scholarship Music Award. Carloviana 2013-14 THE EARLY DAYS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN CARLOW 12 References: · The Nationalist and Leinster Times, (2003), pp.65-78. November 01, 1991. 13 1. Coolahan, John, Irish Education: Its • McMillan, Norman, 'Origins of Nevin, Martin, 'Remembering Carlow's Histo1y and Structure, (Dublin, 1981 ), p. Technical Education in Carlow,' 111 Most Famous Benefactor: George 86. Carloviana. (2003), p. 69. Bernard Shaw,' in Carloviana, (2006), 2 · McMillan, Norman, 'Origins of pp. 21-23. 14 Technical Education in Carlow,' in · ibid., p. 69. 15 Carloviana, (2003), p. 67. • ibid., p. 70. O'Neill, B., 'The Old Assembly 3 16 · The Nationalist and Leinster Times, · ibid., p. 70. Rooms,' in Carloviana, ( 194 7), pp. 53- 17 January 10, 1903. · ibid., p. 71. 61. 4 18 · McMillan, Norman, 'Origins of · ibid., pp.71-72. 19 Technical Education m Carlow,' m · ibid., p. 76. Primary Sources 20 Carloviana, (2003), p. 67. · ibid., p. 68. 5 21 · ibid., p. 67. The Nationalist and Leinster Times, County Carlow VEC Archive. 6 · ibid., p. 68. April 22, 1977. 7 O'Neill, B., 'The Old Assembly County Carlow Committee of Rooms,' in Carloviana, ( 194 7), p. 56. Bibliography Agriculture and Technical Instruction, 8· O'Neill, B., 'The Old Assembly Minutes of Meetings, 1902 1930, Rooms,' in Carloviana, (1947), p. 56. Coolahan, John, Irish Education: Its Carlow VEC Archive. 9 · Coolahan, John, Irish Education: Its History and Structure, (Dublin, 1981 ). Histo1y and Structure, (Dublin, 1981 ), The Nationalist and Leinster Times, pp. 95-100. County Carlow VEC, A Histo1y of January 10, 1903; April 22, 1977; No 10 . O'Neill, B., 'The Old Assembly County Carlow Vocational Educational vember 01, 1991. Rooms,' in Carloviana, (194 7), p. 56. Committee, (Carlow, 2005). 1 1. McMillan, Norman, 'Origins of Technical Education in Carlow,' in McMillan, Norman, 'Origins of Techni Carloviana, (2003), p. 69. cal Education in Carlow,' in Carloviana, WELCOME TO CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE Members of Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society visited Cheltenhem Racecourse on 25th August 2013 while on their annual outing which this year took them to Gloucester in England Carloviana 2013-14 Norn1an McMillan Joe Feeley Entrace to the Garrison House of{Main Martin Nevin Street, Leighlinbridge figures internationally in the hot debate over evolution in the second half of 19th century. Nevin put it to McMillan one The Tyndall Committee evolved from the day in the RTC canteen in 1973 that he Carlow Scientific Council and a group in should undertake some serious research the then new Regional Technical College. on Tyndall, a truly remarkable character Dr Barnie Crombie who was Director of from his local village. He said since his An Foras Taluntas in the Oak Park colleague was a physicist, spectroscopist Research Centre was the long serving and optical engineer that he was one of chairman of the CSC. It was from the few who could properly appreciate Barnie's suggestion that a Tyndall Tyndall's work and perhaps help his Schools Medal was established for the rehabilitation locally. The sub-text here best student in the county in Leaving was perhaps being Canadian McMillan Certificate science and mathematics. The would not be subject to the pressures silver medal was first awarded in 1974 Plaque on Tyndall :1, birthplace from clerical influences that had the son of the County Engineer whose contributed to his national neglect. The results were arbitrated by the work of the Tyndall Committee began Department of Education to be the best meeting of scientists, engineers and then with meetings in the RTC initially of in County Carlow in science subjects and educationalists from Oak Park, the R&D the three amigos Feeley, Nevin and mathematics. The award immediately in Sugar Company, Thompsons, the RTC, McMillan who began planning some was established as a highlight in the schools but also local professionals such serious efforts to tackle this problem of academic year. Barnie got this engraved as Mona McGarry the optician who raising a national and international medal in the first years at a Dublin served for many years on the committee awareness of Tyndall. There was a lot of jeweller until the job was taken over in and certainly CSC is worthy of a very preparatory work but there is not space 1977 by Ms M. Haddon who lived at the serious study in its own right. here to detail the extent of this work. top of the Tullow Road in Carlow. The Suffice to say a range of popular articles secretary of the committee Dr Norman In the new RTC the origin of the Tyndall were written over the next few years to McMillan was responsible following the Committee began in two Departments of promote Tyndall's reputation in local committee approving the award for Science and Engineering. Dr Charlie papers in both Carlow and Kilkenny 1 and making arrangements with the winning O'Hara, Mr Paul Kinsella and some of indeed in useful publications such as school. A special function was arranged the new staff in the Science Department Technologv Ireland and Ireland Today for the presentation of the Tyndall Medal encouraged the establishment of the and Cara. 2 Tyndall's pioneering work on by the Chairman of the Council. The Tyndall Student Science Society which education in 184 7 in what was the first Tyndall Medal was presented until well organised lectures on advanced scientific purpose built school/vocational college into the 1980s and only ended with the topics and the Society had an existence engineering laboratory in Queenwood winding up of the CSC which was for about the first decade of the RTC. In College Hampshire was of course of very undoubtedly one of the most important the Engineering Corridor of this new considerable importance historically3 but cultural organisations in the county. The building was the office of Joseph Feeley specifically to the new RTC. This end of the CSC perhaps was the result of and Martin Nevin who both had a serious required some proper research by the the strong growth and competition from interest in Irish history; in the case of Committee.4 An RDS initiative prompted national professional specialist Feeley prehistory and archaeology and by Dr Charles Malian their Science organisations namely the Institution of Nevin local hist01y but most specifically Officer established a committee to Chemistry in Ireland, Institute of Biology that of Leighlinbridge and its environs. promote a national science centre and oflreland, the IEI, the Institute of Physics This remarkable village was the McMillan joined Professor ETS Walton, and indeed others at this time. The CSC birthplace of both Cardinal Moran and Brendan Parsons (Third Earl of Rosse) was for decades a vital forum for the John Tyndall who were two of the main and others such as 'Wavebob'5 Entrepre- Carloviana 2013-14 TYNDALL COMMITTEE ncur, William Dick who at the time was the first instance the Tyndall at this time and since reasonably a Director of Irish Distillers and who is Demonstration Lecture Series based on important.7 The lecture series every year now living in Hacketstown; William was the Royal Institution (RI) Christmas is a powerful way of raising an awareness keen to see the Irish Distillers' premises Lectures that were for many years shown of the numerous facets of Tyndall's that later became the National College of on BBC but now Channel 4 in the week researches. Arts used for the proposed National Sci after Christmas. The Tyndall Series was ence Centre. The Carlow Committee un something suggested by Mr John A most notable development from the dertook to develop a national travelling Gallagher, Principal of the RTC who Tyndall Series was that the 1980 Lecturer exhibition to lead and promote this idea thought an Irish lecture series on the lines Professor Cyril Isenberg from University of an interactive exhibition. of the IEE's lecture for schools would be of Kent on his lecture on the science of a good idea. He gave support to bubbles. A suggestion by Dr McMillan in Nevin, McMillan and Feeley made McMillan to take this forward as an RTC a piece written in the institute of Physics serious efforts at this stage to plan a Carlow event with the sponsorship of the publication 'Physics Education' travelling science exhibition based on Irish branch of the Institute of Physics, suggested that the Tyndall Lecture be stands that could be easily assembled. Mr the RI and the RDS. The committee of extended to mainland UK. In the Feclcy's brother-in-law provided the first the Institute eliminated the sponsorship following year Eisenberg delivered his stands but they were not really a practical of the RI about 1985 and then sadly after lecture series to launch the lOP Schools solution. The project plans went through McMillan handed over the reins of Lecture Series which has been such an several stages of evolution but eventually national organiser in 1987 also the RTC important contribution to the promotion with regular meetings of the expanding sponsorship. The Tyndall Lecture is now of physics in the UK as can be readily committee crystallised and the ideas just an lOP in Ireland and RDS event. appreciated from the most recent series started to come together. The committee Professor Porter arranged for a number oftalks.8 The other notable development was at this time Chairman Joe Feeley; of important lecturers to come from the in the early years was Professor Al Baez's Secretary Norman McMillan; Treasurer RI in the first years of the series lecture entitled 'On Holography' that Martin Nevin; PRO Matt Diskin; beginning with the wonderful Professor went out live on a special 'Today Committee Annette Kelly,Librarian in Charles Taylor who held Tyndall's chair Tonight' programme hosted by Pat RTC; Members Dr Loranne Vallely; of Experimental Physics in the RI. Taylor Kenny. The Irish Sunday Tribune Maurice O Reilly, County Librarian; Mr 'Sounds of Music' lecture was a distributed special glasses for the first Eamon Nolan, owner of the pharmacy sensation and recorded by a RTE unit in ever 3D images transmitted on and later photographic shop owner; the RDS. These annual lectures are given terrestrial television. The Tyndall Michael Higgins a local model builder in four or five venues around the country National institute in Cork in recent times who worked in Crotty's Bakery as and are seen annually by audiences in ex has got into the act with its own Tyndall General Manager; Dr Crombie, cess of 4000. The lecture always features Series. 9 Chaim1an CSC and other members who in RDS venue and also always goes to a attended at various time in a less regular venue in the North. McMillan set the The plans for the travelling exhibition way usually when required to undertake series up so that the actual lecture in were advanced at this stage to the point some task such as John McQueen Carlow has the distinction of being THE McMillan and Nevin were able to agree lecturer in Art and Design in RTC. The TYNDALL LECTURE and the other with Walter Winton the mechanical committee were concerned to ensure that venues host just lectures in the series. An design of the stands based on the Science the sectarian issues that divided people autograph book was each year signed by Museum's design for their own travelling were put behind them and after some the lecturer and assistant at the Tyndall exhibitions. The content of the Tyndall serious consideration came up with the Lecture and the page illuminated by Sis Dargan Exhibition would feature some ingenious plan of an exhibition ter John Francis of the commemorating both the Unionist Poor Clares in Carlow Tyndall and the Nationalist icon William in old Celtic script. Dargan. Both, coincidentally were This book was taken Carlowmen : Tyndall was world famous by the !OP in Ireland for climate change researches, Dargan for in Dublin and is now running the 1853 Dublin Exhibition in with Dr David Rea the "Dublin Crystal Palace" constructed formerly in Fermoy on Leinster Lawns. 6 College who gets the lecturers to sign still ln 1977 the Tyndall Committee made every year. The useful contacts with the Noble Laureate distinction of the Tyn Professor George Porter who was dall Lecture here Tyndall's successor in the Royal has been lost unfortu institution (RI), London and Walter nately. The work of Winton, Curator in London's Science the Tyndall Commit Museum. From a visit to London came in tee in promoting Tyn Martin Nevin (l) and Norman McMillan (R) at the dall in the media were National Institute in Cork Carloviana 2013-14 TYNDALL COMMITTEE l 20 working experiments that had either nating an experimental cham been made famous by Tyndall himself or ber. The centre piece of the highlighted his own research discoveries. travelling exhibition was The exhibition was discussed in Royal provided by Maynooth's Institution with the Chief Technician the celebrated Professor Susan celebrated Bill Coates who Nevin was McKenna Lawlor on her photographed with that day standing Giotto Mission experiments. outside RI famous columned facade. The A circle of twelve stands heavy lifting in constructing this major stood around this central oc exhibition was done by Nevin and Feeley tagonal stand. Each stand was who for more than a year spent operating from a single elec collectively hundreds of hours in trical plug connection. The Martin's large but cold workshop back of the stands if there constructing this exhibition. The were bored parents bringing equipment for the exhibition was young children to the exhibi Martin Nevin (L), Professor Whatmore (Director provided by Philip Harris who on the tion featured a series of won- TN! and Norman McMillan (R) basis of the plans submitted to them at a derful landscape paintings of snugly in this unit with absolutely no cost of thousands of pounds. This Ireland donated by the Academician, Jim room for things to rattle about and get donation was arranged by McMillan who Flack from Athy. These included a water broken. This sponsorship was open ended colour of the JKL School in Bal and CIE undertook to deliver the Tyndall linabranna that Tyndall had attended with Dargan transport container to any school celebrated School master, John Conwill. in the country that requested a visit. The There were two heads of Tyndall and Carlow Nationalist printed an exhibition Dargan sculpted by Tommy McAssey booklet containing short biographies of from Leighlinbridge, who was a both Tyndall, Dargan, details of all the McAssey, like Tyndall's own mother. experiments on the twelve stands that Mike Higgins had constructed a working covered all areas of science and model of Dargan 's locomotive on what engineering (physics, biology, chemistry, was Ireland's first railway the Dublin geology, civil engineering, etc. and with Kingstown Railway today the celebrated space science at the centre), the Flack Bernard Lightman outside the !CA Dart. The exhibition was the main feature exhibition details and some words from pavillion which was built adjacent to at the entrance of the 1981 Young the sponsors Philip Harris. 10 The book the old school in Ballinabranna. Scientist of the Year (YSY) Exhibition was to sell for £ l and all those attending and was opened by Patrick Hillery, would be required to buy a book and in President oflreland. There was estimated this way the printing costs that had been attendance of a couple of hundred sponsored would be repaid. The thousand to the YSY exhibition and more exhibition went on the road, or more - than 120,000 visited the Tyndall-Dargan correctly the train, starting its national Exhibition. tour going to Blackrock College and then •• to a school in Sligo. Disaster struck in The sorry story of the subsequent history Carlow with a fork lift driver ramming of this brave project was that Carlow was the forks through the side of the container let down by the RDS who had promised and pushed it off the train. The tight to take the exhibition off the hands of the packing proved to be a disaster; all units Tyndall Committee when it was finished were smashed from the horizontal impact for national exhibition. The plan from the from the forks and when the container RDS Committee for a National Science fe II down off the back of the train it was Centre had been for the RDS to take the smashed again in the orthogonal Travelling Exhibition around the country direction! Nevin and Feeley could not be to promote the idea of establishing a E. TS. Walton the WaterfcJrd born asked to rebuild the entire thing and CIE national science centre. After mature scientist who split the atom unveiling informed the Tyndall Committee that reflection the RDS decided this was too the Tyndall Plaque on the old school they had sponsored the transportation but much of a commitment and they in Ballinabranna. not the insurance of the exhibition! withdrew their sponsorship of the Sothem's Auctioneers on Dublin Street. National Science Centre project. Carlow allowed the free use of their travelled to Liverpool to meet the Philip Subsequently, McMillan obtained help premises for a Youth Training Scheme to Harris marketing director. The from CIE for transportation of the be established expressly with the purpose experiments were all operational and exhibition in a standard CIE rail ofrebuilding the exhibition, but the high worked either by press button, lever container. Feeley and Nevin planned the quality work of Feeley and Nevin was operation or viewing after illumi- exhibition brilliantly so that it fitted Carloviana 2013-14 TYNDALL COMMITTEE unfortunately not possible from trainees. ing of Tyndall and said that serious police worked, and locally from family and The standard of handiwork that the investigations had ascertained this was friends ofTyndall's family. A significant trainees' supervisor delivered was not indeed a tragic accident. The police number of items were recovered from good enough to re-establish the enquiry was routine in this case of Mrs Eileen Breen in Bagenalstown that exhibition. The exhibition paid a accidental death but needed nevertheless were donated to the County Museum that couple of visits but only produced to be investigated. Tyndall had died came from Caleb Tyndall, who was a criticism of its amateurish unacceptable accidentally leaving behind more than civil engineer and had some personal standard and had to be put into storage in £ 15,000 and two houses. John was alive items inherited from his uncle. A packing Drummonds in Pembroke. It never was after the poisoning and explained the case that according to Mrs Breen again to be shown in public. Flack's circumstances of the mixing up of the contained items from the famous wonderful paintings were donated to the medicine and embrocation by his wife. scientists was stored in the solicitor Mr County Carlow Museum. Jocelyn's own father was there to tran John Foley's premises at Station Road, scribe statements on the sad event used Bagenalstown after Caleb's death by The 'Proby Library Bequest' was an subsequently at the inquest. Mr Proby Mrs Breen. impo1iant development coming from the promised to try and find this historic work of the Tyndall Committee to the document after his move to In 1979 the Tyndall Committee organised County Library. Louisa Tyndall died at Cambridgeshire, but this was never the erection of a plaque that was on the her home in Hindhead, Surrey at the age found. The conversation that night was of street-frontage of Tyndall's birthplace. of 95, and left Jocelyn Proby her nephew necessity rather fraught and lasted less The small dwelling was at this time in the house and he thereby inherited than an hour because of the urgency of poor repair and without a roof. It was to Tyndall's library. Nevin and McMillan packing household goods for the move the left of the Garrison House entrance led the last minute dash to save these next day. Once these books were secured which was widened by the demolition of Hindhead books from Tyndall's own by McMillan and Nevin, they were in house. Local legend has it that Tyndall's house collection. Mr Proby was retiring their entirety donated to the Carlow father operated a boot and shoe repair from his Osteopath practice in Arklow, County Library. A local company Braun shop from the home when he was Co. Wicklow and moving to Warmington Ireland was approached by McMillan and employed part-time as an RIC Officer. House, Warmington, Peterborough, generously agreed to provide the funding Brendan Parsons, Lord Rosse a direct Cambridgeshire. A trip to Arklow was for the bookcase to house the collection. descendant of the world famous necessary that very night as McMillan In addition, the Tyndall Committee also astronomers and engineers of Birr Castle, and Nevin found that Proby was leaving a few years later in 1981 secured a unveiled the plaque that was on the front the next day for England. Travelling after donation of the books recovered from of this building. That day the Garda work in the RTC, the pair arrived to Tyndall's climbing lodge in Bel Alp, Siochana searched the village after a Arklow at about 8pm, to find from Mr Proby that a librarian/representative from the Royal Society of London (RS) had been there the day previous. Mr. Proby explained that he was upset because the RS had cherry-picked the books taking the most valuable books from the collection. These he said were those inscribed by Darwin, Carlyle, Huxley and others presented to Tyndall by his personal friends. Proby told McMillan and Nevin, that had he known Carlow would have kept the collection together he would have donated them all to Tyndall's home county. The books he explained were all labelled by Mrs Tyndall herself and the Hindhead library had been carefully kept in the same order as when left by John Tyndall after his Plaque unveiling by Lord Ross at the birthplace of Tyndall death in 1893. The history of the library R-L John & Peg Phelan with son, John, Martin Nevin & Joe Feeley. was recently uncovered by Miguel Partly hidden Norman McMillan deArce and McMillan and it appears what Mr Proby told Nevin and McMillan Switzerland, by the late Mr. Eric bomb warning and being understandably that night was not the full story as half the Wiseman, who was a great friend and nervous after the murder of Mountbatten library was sold to the Huntingdon Tyndall enthusiast. Other material and a few weeks earlier in Mullaghmore, Co. Library in California. 11 artefacts were also recovered at this time Sligo. Mr Joe Feeley Chairman of the by the Tyndall Committee from the Royal Tyndall Committee was MC and gave an Mr. Proby spoke of the accidental poison- Institution of Great Britain where Tyndall outline of Tyndall's contributions to Carloviana 2013-14 TYNDALL COMMITTEE science and engineering. S&T. The Committee worked directly McMillan was involved in g1v111g a with the Tyndall Committee. There are lecture entitled 'John Tyndall ( 1920- Perhaps the most enduring contribution now something close to 60 national 1893) Natural Philosopher, Inventor and of the work of the Committee came from plaques erected to internationally Mountaineer'. Joss Lynam gave details the academic project of publishing a acclaimed Irish men and women or those of the 'Early Days of Irish series of studies on issues that the Tyndal I who carried forward Committee felt were missing or not well their principal work in known enough on Tyndall's life, Ireland but were born mountaineering and scientific elsewhere. These contributions. The plan when putting plaques give national together a series of new studies was to prominence to an expressly address new topics and absolutely vital tradition questions that had arisen from the work of science & technology of the Committee in preparing the stretching back to the Travelling Exhibition and other Tyndall middle ages but of projects. The 1981 RDS 250th Centenary course reaching further publication was an important landmark in back into prehistory Tyndall scholarship. The book 'John with astronomical Tyndall: Essays on a Natural monuments such as Philosopher' 12 has remained for almost Newgrange; many early a quarter of a century the standard work astronomic sites and on the Leighlin scientist. It involved monuments exist around Prof: Peter Thomas and Martin Nevin in an electrical important contributions from a Carlow Carlow and their astro- laboratory at Marburg University contributor Dr Con O'Rourke who wrote nomic alignments have on Tyndall's contribution to bacteriology; been studied and identified by the Tyn Mountaineering'. 15 The Tyndall McMillan and Nevin produced the dall Chairman Joe Feeley's imp01iant re Committee were centrally involved in definitive study on Tyndall's local roots searches. There will it is believed be running the 1993 Centenary event with and influences. The book with some 14 something approaching 200 plaques Carlow County Council and was other chapters marked out new when the project is complete. The sponsored by the Institute of Physics, understanding in Tyndall scholarship on national website is on the 'askaboutire Institute of Biology in Ireland, the 13 chemistry, climate change, physics, land' website • The truth is we have Institution of Engineers of Ireland and education, mountaineering, the come a long way since the day in 1973 many other professional bodies. A major assessment of Tyndall's important when Martin Nevin began recruiting international mountaineering event was fund-raising tour of the USA in I 872, people in the new Regional Technical run in Kilkenny by the TMC in the lecture style, contributions to literature College to try and gain some recognition Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny. Kevin and more. The authors of this book's for the work of his local Leighlin Higgins was a member of the Interna chapters were the leading Tyndall scientist. There is today indeed a tional Tyndall School (ITS) Week scholars of the last decades. flowering of studies in Irish S&T which was a tradition that was said to have been Muintir na Tire developed in of no great importance when the Tyndall Leighlinbridge the linear garden Committee was established! alongside the River Barrow later known as the Garden of Remembrance. In this It should also be noted here that a Local garden plaques are sited commemorating Improvement Group established what is the visit to Leighlinbridge and Carlow of referred to today as the Sculpture Brian Mulroney then Prime Minister of Gardens in Leighlinbridge across the Canada, the coming of Carmelites in road and adjacent to the Memorial 1271 and the 2002 War Memorial to Park. These gardens salute three of commemorate Carlovians who died in Leighlin's most famous sons, Cardinal the Great War 1914-1918. The Tyndall Moran, Tyndall and Myles Walter Keogh Committee played a role in the erection whose white hoofed horse, Commanche of plaques in the Memorial Park to was famously left at the battle of the Leighlin's Nicholas Vigors and John Little Big Horn. The details of these local Tyndall. These are both National features are to be found in Nevin's book 14 Committee for Commemorative Plaques on the Gathering · in Science & Technology (see www.irish scientists) plaques. The NCCPS&T was In 199 l the Tyndall Mountaineering Club originally established in collaboration (TMC) was established with a launch in Student accomodation where Tyndall with Bord Failte in 1996 with a view to the Club House in Kilkenny. A booklet resided while studying in Marburg establishing national tourist trails for was produced by Kevin Higgins, and Carloviana 2013-14 TYNDALL COMMITTEE Committee and led an ascent of the this visit in the late 1990s. Part of the and of course famously invented the Weisshom that year retracing the route of wider arrangements were made to visit respirator. These research contributions Tyndall's famous first ascent. Higgins Marburg University and then to are of course extremely relevant to the was the only ITS Committee member on investigate sites associated with Tyndall's debate on whose name to honour in this climb. The initial idea of an studies in Marburg. The visit was in renaming of the NMRC that became the international celebration came from October and made notable connections. Tyndall National Institute. Whether these Frank James a resident historian in The first port of call was the University contacts made any real difference in this Tyndall's Royal Institution. Frank where the TMC members were met by debate is questionable but one thing is contacted McMillan as the RI were Professor Peter Thomas and other sure, without the Tyndall Committee's perhaps shame faced at being unable in lecturers. Nevin delivered a talk on very effective and successful quarter of a 1993 to run any significant event in Tyndall and then the party were taken century campaign on behalf of Tyndall London. The details of this major around this small provincial university. such a development would have been week-long festival of S&T including Tyndall's PhD in mathematics was impossible. It is believed many on the several international conferences, event supervised in Marburg by the illustrious UCC Board strongly objected to this and performances that was collectively Robert Bunsen. The TMC group ended name change from the NMRC to TNI, called the ITS 's Week centred on their trip with refreshments and a small but today the fact that Tyndall was the Ballinabranna and Leighlinbridge was social before the party left to further re father of cleanroom fabrication and 16 given in Carloviana in 2008 • The main search Tyndall Marburg sites. The three monitoring technology has really gained venue was St. Patrick's College in Car photographs taken in Marburg on this trip international recognition. The name low and a varied programme for students are the fruits of this walking study. change is now seen as totally justified as was run in the ITC. The Patron was Mary Martin Nevin is seen outside of the the Leighlinman is unquestionably the Robinson, President of Ireland. The entrance of the old university, outside the father of all modern cleanroom proceedings of the ITS scientific research building accommodation from technology. conferences were published as Science, Tyndall's time and with Peter Thomas. Green Issues and the Environment: These photographs of course will cause The final contribution of the Tyndall 17 Ireland and the Global Crisis • Martin embarrassment but they can be Committee is the useful research it has The principal outcome of the ITS's Week seen as now being of some importance produced largely in the pages of perhaps came from the attendance of del beyond holiday snaps! Carloviana as can be seen from pursuing egates from three UK universities, East the Index 1947-2010 19 but in other places Anglia, Southampton and Manchester. The other internationally significant such as Encyclopaedias and other diverse 20 Shortly after they were in Carlow to event that has come from the Tyndall publications • This work has extended to listen to lectures from climate change Committee was that in the RTC (later studies on Tyndall's c01Tespondence with 21 researchers from all over the world and ITC) numerous undergraduate students the Irish physicist Stokes , Tyndall's role 22 that notably included some from Ireland undertook important projects on in evolution , work on other Carlow who worked in the Joint Research Centre environmental topics; hardware projects scientist/engineers such as Samuel 23 24 in Ispra, they established the Tyndall were developed by Feeney and Nevin in Haughton , Samuel Downing and the 18 Centre for Climate Change Research • Engineering while McMillan supervised social scientist and vegetarian William The founding of this Research Centre environmental projects in optoelectronics Haughton. presumably was associated with their and monitoring. These projects attendance at the ITS Week events. The developed organically from the interest Concluding comments Tyndall Centre now has nine partners of these three staff member in this area. having expanded to include Cambridge, McMillan was involved in the There is today enormous interest in Oxford, Sussex, Cardiff, Newcastle and development of the certificate, diploma Tyndall, not least of which is flowing significantly Fudan in China. The Tyndall and honours degree in applied physics from the current Tyndall Correspondence Centre is the clearest and certainly most from 1980 and two of his graduates Project in York University25 that will run important international recognition of Eleanor Baldwin and Padraig Hughes now for several years and the voluminous Tyndall's pioneering research that worked in the UCC National Centre for correspondence of Tyndall will appear in established the modern field of climate Microelectronics Research (NMRC). In more than a dozen volumes. The change research. One of the main centres discussions on the renaming of NMRC importance of this project 1s best in the world in climate change is that in there were various documents, papers explained by a quotation here. UCG; McMillan's friend Gerry Jennings and other supportive material sent by was involved in ITS Week and is one of McMillan on Tyndall to his students. The John Tyndall Correspondence the leading researchers in UCG and They fed this material into the discussion Project was initiated by Bernard graduated from Manchester with his PhD to inform those discussing this matter. lightman, Professor in the Division of and later his D.Sc in atmospheric physics. The relevant fact is that unquestionably Humanities at York University. The Tyndall developed the cleanroom project has expanded to include scholars A useful contact between Carlow came technology of filtration, particle from many other academic institutions from an associated trip of the TMC to monitoring, but furthermore developed around the world. The goal ofthe project Germany. The Tyndall Committee's the first rigorous biological sterilization is two~fold. First, we will publish a Martin Nevin played a leading role on by repeat heat treatment (Tyndallization) one-volume calendar of the Carloviana 2013-14 TYNDALL COMMITTEE scholars. around themes raised through publishing this book on what he called an intense study of John Tyndall's a"Unionist B .... " he said those involved correspondence. These themes include were to "throw the book at the the relationship between science and publisher". The printing was terrible with religion, the popularization and pages stuck in, references were not professionalization of science, and properly set and in truth really it was such advances in physics, glaciology, a bad job it could not be put on general climatology, and spontaneous sale. Copies were sent to Copyright generation, each of which individually Libraries with hand notes in the front of and collectively playedjimdamental roles the book explaining the reason for the in the development o_f modern science. bad print job; today this episode now can be seen by those associated with the The effort of the Tyndall Committee publication as a badge of honour. certainly paid fruits here as Bernie Lightman revealed on his trip to Carlow There was also a previous incident some last year that he was first flagged on five years earlier following the Tyndall Tyndall's importance by reading the Committee placing a plaque on the book "Tyndall the 'X'emplar' of school at Ballinabranna. Both Tyndall Scientific and Technological Education'26 and Moran had studied under John Lightman, DeArce and McMillan that was written by McMillan and Joe Conwill there, a celebrated former hedge Dec 2012 Meehan and illustrated by Nevin with the school teacher. The plaque noted this was assistance of Feeley. Bernie said he did the school Tyndall attended but correspondence ofthe Victorian physicist not notice the terrible print job as content importantly also stated that Conwill was John Tyndall (1820-1893) and issue his was informative! The Xemplar was his teacher. The Committee erected this collected correspondence, both in print being edited by the National Council for plaque to try and forestall the demolition (an expected twelve to.fourteen volumes) Education Awards (NCEA) and the plan of the one room school house. This and, eventually, in an accessible, was to use this book in the school was one of the only extant schools searchable, on-line format. The 'Complementary studies' programmes in built by Bishop JKL. Three signposts correspondence is expected to number the RTC system. A contract had been were erected to direct people to the just over 6000 items both to and from signed by NCEA to publish this book. school. Some locals objected to the Tyndall. Second, we hope to galvanize a The Director of the NCEA Padraig Tyndall connection being highlighted but community ofscholars at varied stages in MacDiarmada was a well known the Principal Mr Kavanagh and the their careers, from graduate students to nationalist figure and on discovering his majority locally were anxious to ensure postdoctoral researchers to senior organisation was committed to the school was retained and felt this was useful. Ireland's only Nobel laureate ETS Walton came and unveiled the plaque. A well reported event covered positively by the Nationalist. Shortly thereafter, one signpost was removed in the dead of night. The campaign to demolish the school was strongly resisted and on Stephen's Day in 1976 a sneak attempt to demolish the school was blocked successfully by Martin Nevin and other concerned locals. This protest was a success but over the next few years the historic school building was left to fall into disrepair and eventually was demolished incredibly to be replaced with a building that was the same size, but with a Tyndall plaque placed on church wall half way up the side of the new building where it was impossible to access, let alone read. Over the years the situation with the influential group who objected to Tyndall's connection with Ballinabranna being highlighted wained Marhurg University and the plaque a few years ago was brought out and is today sited on the wall at the front of the building. A plaque to Carloviana 2013-14 TYNDALL COMMITTEE Nationalist and Leinster Times, Part I, 'Tyndall, the first teacher of practical science and engineering', 21 July 1978: Part 2, Tyndall international teacher and philosopher of science, 28 July 1978: Part 3, Tyndall's role in the foundation of physics as a curriculum subject, 18 Aug. 1978. 5 See http://www.wavebob.com/wave bob-scoops-global-technology-award/ 6 Seehttp :// en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Great Industrial Exhibition (1853) 7 For example (i) Tyndall lecture 'Holog raphy' delivered by Professor A. Baez, produced as RTE Pat Kenny Special, Jan. 1981 contammg introduction by N.D.McMillan and with first ever stereoscopic effect on Irish TV. (ii) On rainbow, congeners and their application, N.D.McMillan, Tyndall Centenary Demonstration recorded at University of Dr McMillan at the tomb ofJohn Tyndall ~'father in the Lancaster 2 December 1993 Subse Cathedral graveyard in Old Leigh/in quently published in Phys. Educ. 29 (1994), 282-289 with offer of video Conwill is on the front of the building. Tyndall bookcase. Dr Miguel deArce is recording. (iii)Sound of Music, lecture This is a nice outcome to a sad loss of one to his left, McMillan to his right. Nevin delivered by Professor C. Taylor, R.I. of of JKL's original Catholic schools. is behind the camera. The new G.B., produced by N.D.McMillan for the information developing on Tyndall is of IOP Irish Branch and distributed free to The efforts of the Tyndall Committee are the greatest importance and future every member of the Physics School still paying dividends. The project articles will appear in Carloviana Scheme in 1993. (iv) Tyndall Lecture, involves McMillan as an editor of one of detailing the new discoveries. N.D.McMillan, lecture delivered to SPIE the volumes, Nevin as a chief advisor in International Symposium, San Diego 12 the Volume l being edited by the 1 (i) Carlow's scientific genius awaits due July 1993 to mark the centenary. well-known academic Geoffrey Cantor. recog111t10n, Feature article, N.D. There are important new developments McMillan, Nationalist and leinster 8 See http://www.iop.org/resources/ such as recently discovered connections Times, 15 April 1977. (ii) John Tyndall: videos/education/schools-and-colleges to Tyndall family through the Shining beacon to struggling youth, lecture/page_ 50044.html Correspondence project, but also Feature article, N.D.McMillan, Kilkenny importantly the recent direct link with People, 15 and 22 April 1977. (iii) John 9 https ://www.tyndall.ie/t_noti fications/ Deirdre McGing a great-granddaughter Tyndall Remembered everywhere but subscribe. of Emma Tyndall. The family history at home, N.D. McMillan, Kilkenny 10 See http://www.philipharris.co.uk/ uncovered by Deirdre of John Tyndall's People, 30 Sept. 1977. (iv) Tyndall: Tyndall and Dargan travelling exhibi sister throws of course new light on John Monuments all over the world, N.D. tion booklet, N.D. McMillan (Carlow Tyndall, but also perhaps more important McMillan, Nationalist and leinster Nationalist and Leinster Times, 1981). give important insights to the history of Times, 30 Sept. 1977. Sold to visitors to the national science Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th and engineering travelling exhibition century. The poems published in this vol 2 (i) Tyndall: A mountain of a man, developed in Carlow by N.D. McMillan, ume of Carloviana by Miguel deArce of N.D.McMillan, Ireland Today, 1978. M. Nevin and J. Feeley in collaboration TCD also are serious Tyndall schol (ii) John Tyndall, Irish Alpinist, with Science Museum London. arship that is evolving from the connec N.D.McMillan, Cara, In-flight magazine Exhibition shown at 1981 Young tion with the work of the Tyndall of Aer Lingus, Nov. 1980 Scientist of the Year in the RDS and Committee. Indeed Miguel's earlier study opened by the President of Ireland Dr. of the Tyndall Library was of great 3 N.D.McMillan, British physics-The Patrick Hillery. significance in resolving a mystery. Irish role in the origin, the differentiation Bernie Lightman, Editor-in-chief of the and organisation of a profession, Phy. 11 M. deArce, N.D. McMillan and M. Tyndall Correspondence Project visited Educ., 23 (1988), 272-278. Nevin, 2011. "What Tyndall Read": Carlow in 2012 and met Miguel, Provenance, contents and significance of McMillan and Nevin. Professor 4 Tyndall's contributions to pedagogy; the Proby Bequest in County Carlow Lightman is seen standing in front of the Feature series, N.D.McMillan, Carloviana 2013-14 TYNDALL COMMITTEE Library, Carloviana, 134-141" 2°For example see (i) John Tyndall, N.D. Carloviana, Dec. 2000, 39-42. McMillan, Dictionnaire des philosophes 12 John Tyndall: Essays on a natural de France, (Paris 1982 and second 22 N.D. McMillan and I. Slade, "Optics, philosopher, 1981 Eds. W.H. Brock, N.D. enlarged entry in 2nd Edition, 1993). (ii) evolution and myopia", Proc. of SPIE McMillan and C. Mollan (RDS, Dublin). The Encyclopaedia of Ireland, (Gill and 5827,p.669-689,2005. MacMillan, Dublin, 2003), In Press. 23 For example see N.D.McMillan, Rev. 13 hotlink www.irishscientists Entries on the Joly photometer; J. Joly; Samuel Haughton, Carloviana new LT. Wood; J. Tyndall; J.H. Jellett; Series: Part l, No. 28, 1980, 12-15: Part 14 M. Nevin, 2013 "Leighlin remembered M. Jellett; G. Minchin; Wireless 2, No. 29, 1981, 10-112 and for the Gathering" (Carlow) telegraphy. Wireless. (iii) Physicists of N.D.McMillan, The Rev. Samuel Ireland: Passion and precision, Ed. M. Haughton: A man remembered today for 16 N.D. McMillan, Part I, Tyndall McCartney and A.Whitaker, TOPP, a method of humane execution, Studies: Part l - Biography, 4-8: Part 2, Bristol, 2002. Entries on William Petty Carloviana, Dec. 1998, 8-11. Tyndall in the mountains, 44-45, Tyndall 1623-1687, William Molyneaux 1656- Mountaineering Club Commemorative 1698, with Patrick Wayman, John 24 N.D.McMillan, Sir John MacNeill's Book (Kilkenny, 1991 ). Tyndall 1820-1893 and Sam Haughton chosen successor: Samuel Downing, 1821-1897. (iv) Dictionary of Irish professor of engineering in Trinity 17 N. McMillan and M. Nevin, 2008 Biography, Royal Irish Academy, College Dublin and text book writer, "Beyond the Timetable", History ofRTC various, Entry on Tyndall, planned Carloviana, Dec. 1997, 13-15. and ITC Part 4, Carloviana, 95-116 but publication date 2005. (v) John Tyndall specifically details of ITS Week are in and the foundation of the sciences of 25 See http://www.yorku.ca/tyndall/ pages 99-10 I . infra-red spectroscopy and nephelometry, N.D. McMillan and L. Vallely, 26 N. McMillan and J. Meehan, 1981 ix D. McMillan, C. O'Rourke, D. Fry Technology Ireland, 21, No. 4, July/ Aug. Tyndall the 'X'emplar' of Scientific and N. McMillan 1995 Science, Green 1989, 37-40. (vi) N.D. McMillan, John and Technological Education', (NCEA, Issues and the Environment: Ireland Tyndall, Dictionnaire des philosophes de Dublin). and the Global Crisis, Tyndall Publi France, (Paris 1982 and second enlarged cations, Carlow. entry in 2nd Edition, 1993). 19 See http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/ 21 N.D.McMillan,Convergent opposites: E. O'Neill, 2011 Carloviana Index I 947- The correspondence of the Irishmen 2010, Carlow George Gabriel Stokes and John Tyndall, Where are they now? The entrance gates and railings of the Infirmary on the Dublin Road. The Sacred Heart Home novv occupies the site. Carloviana 2013-14 all his work by his own hand, however, many busy portrait painters at the time A 19tli century often employed studio assistants to paint in either the background and in many cases the costume of the sitter especially :Jvlasteryiece if the costume was very elaborate. The costume therefore was placed on a mannequin to be painted at leisure, freeing the sitter from several extra hours of a :Jvlaster sitting; this may be a contributory factor to a certain woodenness in some portraits of the period. 6y a :Jv1 aster Mary Stratton Ryan Cregan was Portrait painter to the Lord Lieutenant and painted right up to his In the archives of the Carlow Library in College. His step brother Martin Haverty death aged 82, when failing eyesight and a collection of miscellaneous documents, author of a Histo,y of Ireland, journalist the rivalry of a younger and more there is a carefully preserved little note. and librarian, was a friend of the sculptor fashionable painter gradually lessened This note dated 31st October, 1848 was John Hogan and had been to visit Hogan his practice. This young artist was written by Henry Sadlier Prittie, 2nd in Rome while he was working on his Stephen Catterson Smith (1806-1872) Baron Dunalley, MP for Carlow. It is most splendid commissioned sculpture of addressed to the Secretary of the Royal Bishop JKL Doyle for Carlow Cathedral. Many Irish Artists during the 19th Academy, London. In it Henry Pritty Joseph Patrick Haverty painted in all the century journeyed the length and breadth requests the Secretary to give to the adjoining counties of Wexford Waterford, of Ireland seeking commissions; they bearer of the note the Portrait by Joseph Wicklow and in Kilkenny. Some of his often struggled to make a living and so Patrick Haverty of Lord and Lady finest portraits hang in Rothe House, emigrated, either for short term or long Dunalley. This family portrait had been Kilkenny City; they are members of the term periods to England or the continent. given on loan to the Academy by Charles Powers of Kilfane. A lifesize Hunting It is significant that there was a flow of Latouche, Carlow Banker for inclusion portrait of "Sir John Power with his movement between both sides of the 1 in the Academy's Exhibition. favourite hound Godwin" and one of his water with a number of important brother Richard Power, Actor painted English artists coming here to visit and The subject of the portrait was Henry acting in the role of "Hamlet"" some stayed a lifetime. Pritty and his second wife, Emily Maude daughter of Cornwallis Maud, I st Meath Artist Martin Cregan. Numbered amongst these are two visiting Viscount Hawaeden and her niece. Pritty painters of Carlow interest, namely had been elected to the Irish House of Another Irish portrait painter born in Co. George Chinnery (1774-1852) and Commons for Carlow Borough in 1798, Meath who welcomed Carlow patronage Stephen Catterson Smith, PRHA. a seat he held until the Irish Parliament was Martin Cregan, PRHA ( 1788-1870 ) (1806-1872). was abolished in 1801. He was later A pupil of the painter Sir Martin Archer elected an Irish Representative Peer in Shee, he worked in Dublin from 1822. The Royal Dublin Society. 1828 and represented Carlow until his He was elected President of the Academy death in October, 1854 in October] 832, a position he held for The Royal Dublin Society ( RDS) had 3 twenty three years. Visiting Carlow been founded at a meeting in the rooms Galway Artist Joseph Patrick Haverty. in 1839-40 he painted members of the of the Philosophical Society, Trinity Alexander Family of Milford, Carlow, College, Dublin for the purpose of The artist who painted the Dunally John Alexander the first 1764-1843 and improving Husbandry, Manufactures Family was Galway born painter Joseph his wife Christian nee Nickson. Cregan and other useful arts and sciences in Patrick Haverty ( 1794-1864) one of had a very talented pupil who worked 1731. The Society today holds among its Ireland's leading portraitists. He is best with him on many of his commissions, Treasures three paintings with strong remembered for his gender pictures the almost forgotten, James O'Malley Carlow connections. A portrait by entitled "The Limerick Piper" and "The (1816-1888) born in Newport, Co. Mayo. Dublin born Historical and Portrait Blind Piper" (UL and NOL) and for his .During his very long career Cregan painter, Solomon Williams 1777-1824 many paintings of Daniel O'Connell occupied a foremost position as a portrait which portrays Carlow born including "The Monster Meeting at painter in Ireland and was a prolific Philanthropist Thomas Pleasants (1728- Clifden". (NGI.) a similar Monster worker, although not as fine a painter as 1818) and two full length portraits Meeting to the one held at Mullaghmast, Joseph Patrick Haverty; in a comparative painted by very accomplished between Ballytore and Burtown in 1843. study of both artists' work, one will English artists; A little less known are his two Carlow observe that Haverty's figures are alive, portraits of Bishop Doyle (1786-1834) whereas Cregan 's figures are sometimes A portrait entitled "Attention" (Study of known as J.K.L. which hang in Carlow rather stiff and wooden. Haverty painted Maria Vigne, reading) oil on canvas 48" Carloviana 2013-14 no family applied his life to altruistic purposes and was a supporter of the Dublin Society. He presented a valuable collection of rare books and also bequeathed his collection of paintings to the RDS. He built a wing in the old Meath Hospital, a female Orphanage and in 1815 he met the full expense for the erection of a large Shelter Stove in Brown Street South to provide all - weather accommodation for the weavers of the Dublin Liberties. He is depicted in Solomon Williams' full length portrait with plans for the Weavers' Shelter Stove, on the table beside him, his right hand pointing to it. He died in March 1818 leaving one of the longest Wills in Irish legal history.4 Artist Stephen Catterson Smith. The Artist Stephen Catterson Smith (1807-1885 ) was a highly respected portrait painter; he was the son of a York shire coach painter. He visited Ireland in 1839, after training in the RA Schools, London; he was patronized by the royal family and painted a charming picture of the nine year old Princess Victoria, in 1828. He was thirty three when he arrived to first settle in Derry and in 1845 moved to Dublin;5 his talent as a portrait painter is impressive and his work was very fashionable, especially amongst the ladies for he was exceptionally talented in a softening of the features and the painting of costume. There was a strong demand for his work. Stephen Catterson Smith visited Carlow in 1848-9 and Portrait ofJohn Watson by Stephen Catterson Smith painted a formal political portrait of Signed and dated 1861 Henry Prittie, Baron Dunalley, M.P. for Carlow. He also returned again in 1854 Royal Dublin Society to paint members of the next generation of the Alexander milling family, namely x 60" by George Chinnery and favourite painter Titian. At Bologna he that of John Alexander the second 1802- "A Portrait of John Watson" (Master) oil was admitted a member of the 1855 and his wife Ester nee Brinkley. on canvas 95" x 70 " by Stephen Clementine Academy. On his return to John Alexander was MP for Carlow Catterson Smith. Dublin he lived in Paradise Row, Dublin; Borough in Westminster at this period. his work was much in demand; he Catterson Smith became President of the A closer look at these three works sheds painted a portrait of King George 111 in RHA in 1859. He was appointed Director interesting light on Carlow society of the 1789 commissioned to hang in Dublin of the National Gallery of Ireland period and its relationship with the aiis. Castle, for which he received fifty in 1868. guineas. He was a founder member of the Artist Solomon Williams. Royal Hibernian Academy. Portrait of a Master. Solomon Williams (1777-1824) RHA His Portrait of Thomas Pleasants, Stephen Catterson Smith returned to was born in Dublin; he became a student Philanthropist, oil on canvas 63" x48" Carlow to paint a Portrait of John Watson at the Dublin Society Schools and in was presented by the artist to The Royal signed and dated 1861. Walter Strickland 1780 went to study in Rome and Bologna Dublin Society in 1820. It portrays a kind records that this picture was making many copies of the works of his man of considerable wealth, who having commissioned as a Presentation Portrait Carloviana 2013-14 by the Hunt members. The MFH, John Watson's love of Hounds made his painted by George Chinnery. Watson of Ballydarton was a famous kennels world famous, his hounds were 19th century Master of Foxhounds. The bred with fire, determination and loyalty The Artist was the son of William Painting was presented to the Society of and were highly prized and their Chinnery of 4 Gough Square, Fleet the RDS on permanent loan by the bloodline much sought after. In 1869 Street, London, an East India merchant Carlow County Club in 1925. It was when John Watson died full of years and of Cuddalore, Madras ,who was an presented outright by the Carlow Hunt honours he left behind him his son amateur artist. The artist's Grandfather Committee in 1967. George afterwards Master of the also called William was an author of a Melbourne Hounds; Robert, Master of book on Writing and Drawing. George This portrait is described in Ireland's the Carlow and Island; and William, joint Chinnery was born on 5th January 1774, Painters 1600-1940 by Anne Crookshank -Master of the Cotswolds. London. After studying in the Royal and the Knight of Glin p236 ; Academy Schools he came to Ireland in Artist George Chinnery. 1795. He arrived in Cork to paint a "Occasionally, as in the portrait in the miniature and a full size portrait of Sir RDS of the famous Master of Fox The third painting of Carlow interest in Broderick Chinnery a family relative, Hounds, John Watson dated 1861, he (ie the Treasures of The Royal Dublin who had married his second cousin Stephen Catterson Smith) achieved Society (RDS.) Collection is entitled Margaret Chinnery daughter of Nicholas success by jettisoning baroque trappings "Attention"oil on canvas 48" x60" Chinnery. They too had a son also born and painting his sitter relaxed in home surroundings."6 So the painting heralds a new approach for the artist, very much in keeping with the subject's character. This Portrait of "A Hunting Master" by a "Master Artist" is truly a "Masterpiece". In a book entitled The Foxhounds of Great Britain and Ireland the portrait is described as follows ; In the Club -room in Carlow hangs a life size portrait of Mr John Watson, the founder and first Master of the Hunt. It was painted by Catterson Smith, PRHA, and presented to the M.F.H. by the members of the Hunt. It is valuable as a work of decided merit and worthily represents the noble countenance and grand physique of the Old Master, who with a favourite hound at his knee, is seated in a chair, horn in hand and in full hunting costume."7 Noteworthy is the rug on which Master and hound rest on for it is the pelt of the last noble Irish wolf. The composition and setting bears a striking resemblance to the earlier work of Joseph Patrick Haverty's painting portraying John Watson's friend Sir John Power of Kilfane ( Rothe House, Kilkenny). Watson's home of Ballydarton, Carlow had been for many years the centre of sport even before the days of Mr John Watson, however the history of foxhunting in Carlow is simply a page from the lives of the Watson Family, for in their hands the sport was founded, the country organised and foxhunting Royal Dublin Society established . Carloviana 2013-14 NG.I. 1000 "TheArtist's Wife" by George Chinnery, 1774-1852 Irish, 19th century Oil on canvas 74*59cm. Photo copyright National Gallery ofIreland. Carloviana 2013-14 in 1774 called George; this caused a little Several Irish and English Artists were Sketch" with our two Portraits of Carlow confusion and at times George the artist doing very well there and he also had a connections Mrs Eustace and The Artist's was thought to be Irish. George brother John Terry Chinnery who owned Wife (Marianne Vigne) are very well Chinnery began teaching in Dublin in the a factory at Cuddalore, and had been worthwhile viewing. Life Drawing Class of the Dublin Society settled there since 1792. In June 1802 he Drawing School from 1796 and became set sail for Madras, on board the ship the As well as leading artists Joseph Patrick Exhibition Secretary. He organised an Gilwell; it was not possible for him at Haverty, Martin Cregan, Solomon exhibition for the Society of Artists in this period to bring his young family with Williams, Stephen Catterson Smith (the Ireland in 1800. A Silver palette him. In order to travel to India one had to elder) George Chinnery and Carlow presented to Chinnery in I 801 by the apply to the East India Company for born, pioneering plein air artist Frank Artists of Dublin is inscribed; permission to do so; Chinnery was O'Meara (1853-1888) there is another refused his first application, which may very fine Irish painter with strong Carlow "In testimony of his Exertion in have included his family and so had no family links; promoting the Fine Arts in Ireland." choice but to travel alone. Five years later he moved to Calcutta; during these Frederic William Burton. In 1799 George Chinnery married years he was joined occasionally by his Marianne Vigne daughter of James Vigne wife and children. Chinnery's son John The art of Frederic William Burton a jeweller of 27 College Green and his Eustace Chinnery died of jungle fever ( 1816-1900) has received well deserved, wife Elizabeth daughter of James Eustace shortly after arriving in 1821 and was national recognition as a result of his of Castlemore, Co Carlow. Castlemore buried at Berhampore. Matilda married beautiful watercolour Hellelil and was a castellated mansion just outside in India, a Judge James Cowley Brown Hildebrand; Meeting on the Turret Stairs Tullow, (now in ruins). In the National and had a large family from which there 1864 being voted Ireland's Favourite Gallery of Ireland hang two portraits by are many descendants. Marianne was Painting, in 2012. George Chinnery one of the artist's wife once again left behind by Chinnery while Marianne Vigne and the second of her he decamped to escape from his debts The Burton Family originally came from grandmother Mrs Elizabeth Eustace, and he eventually settled in Macao. After Yorkshire and Shropshire to Ireland in born Elizabeth Hardy daughter of John a failed attempt to follow her husband to the 17th century. The Artist was born into Hardy of Kilballyhue, Co Carlow. Macao, Marianne returned to Europe and the Clifden branch, Corofin, Inchiquin, lived with her granddaughter in Brighton Co Clare.9 Frederic was a cousin of the Marianne had two sisters and four where she died on 23rd December, I 865. Burtons of Burton House and of brothers; the eldest sister Catherine For almost 50 years George Chinnery Pollarton Carlow. His brother, the Rev. married without her Huguenot father's lived abroad, a very talented and Robert Nathaniel Burton was vicar of consent, Michael Gaven of Dublin. The eccentric genius; he lived a flamboyant Clonagoose, Borris, Co. Carlow. He youngest sister Maria, is the subject of life style and died poor. In recent years married Isabella Walsh, second daughter George Chinnery's painting "Attention" there has been a greater appreciation of of William Hamilton Walsh, Gortalowry The painting was exhibited in the Dublin his work with exhibitions in China and House, late Captain in the 8th Foot Reg. Exhibition of 1800 and purchased by the England. His Irish work is still amongst and grand-daughter to Claudius Royal Dublin Society for sixty two the finest of his oeuvre. Hamilton, Esq., of Beltrim Castle, Co. pounds eleven shillings and three pence.8 Tyrone. They married on the 1st August, Chinnery painted each member of the His capacity for work and rapidity of 1833 in Cookstown Co Tyrone. 10 Isabelle Vigne family and his own Chinnery execution was phenomenal , his choice died on 26th Sept, 184 7 in Clonagoose, family. He also painted portraits of The of subjects was as diversified as the Borris, 11 leaving a large family of small Hon. Mrs Whaley in a landscape setting, medium he used. He painted in oil and children, including four daughters, and and the infamous Thomas Buck Whaley watercolour with equal success; drew in six sons. Rev Robert Nathaniel Burton 1766-1800, ofCastletown, Co. Carlow in pencil and Indian ink, and was successful did wonderful work in Carlow during the 1795, in hunting costume with his in miniature and pastel portraiture. Great Hunger with the local Catholic servant and hound; both Whaley portraits Always original in his technique, he priest; he fed and comforted the sick and are to date untraced, recorded as lost in devised a process which combined the dying. A native of Co Clare, he was the early 1800s. softness of pastel with the brilliancy of educated in Trinity College Dublin; he watercolour, a sort of gouache which he read the bible in Irish to his parishioners George Chinnery and Marianne had two also applied to miniatures, and in which regardless of their religious denomina children, the first a daughter Matilda born he did some striking work. tion. While engaged in his work he con 1880 and a son John Eustace Chinnery tacted typhus and died in Clonagoose, born Dublin, September 1801. His painting "Attention" in the RDS and Borris on 26th December, 1850. His his several works in our NGI, among brother Frederic William Burton true to Although Chinnery found ample them "A portrait of a Mandarin", "A his kind nature, adopted his nine children employment for his brush in painting Chinese Scene Fishermen" "A Chinese Isabella, Hannah, Emily, Mary, William portraits in both oil and miniature in Scene ,Women making Tea", "A Chinese b 1840, Frederic b 1841, Edward b I 842, Ireland he became restless and decided to Scene, Boats by a Lake", and "A portrait Henry b.1843 and Alfred b.1844, the try his fortune in the East. of Mrs Conyngham", "A Self Portrait youngest son John George had died on Carloviana 2013-14 N.G.I. 999 Portrait of Mrs Eustace by George, 1774-1852 Irish 19th century Oil on canvass 76*63cm. Photo copyright National Gallery ofIreland Carloviana 2013-14 16th March 1849 in Borris. with "Puckish high spirits". Amongst her Killeshin graveyard. But it remains friends was Willie Pearse, Padraic's obscure as to where the family resided It is unrecorded whether Frederic younger brother, who was training to be from the birth of William in 1799 until William Burton painted the Carlow a sculptor. Having spent 1907-8 studying 1807. There is definite proof of him landscape or sketched its ancient at the Slade School of Art, London she attending a Mr Taylor's school at Castle monuments, on his many visits here, or returned to work in Dublin as an illustra Hill in Carlow town and went on to work indeed whether he painted the children of tor and caricaturist. Grace's sister Muriel in a surveyor's office in the town. his adopted Carlow family, and so this married Thomas MacDonagh and Grace question invites further research. married Joseph Plunkett on the eve of his It has been gleaned by Shay Kinsella execution on 3rd May 1916; both men from the Alexander papers that an It is most interesting that Rev Robert had signed their names to the Irish Edward Dargan (smith) had land rented Nathaniel Burton's daughter, Isabella Proclamation for Freedom in 1916. around the Milford area and close by the Julia Burton married Frederick Gifford entrance to Alexanders from 1810. Part of 8 Hardwicke St, Dublin, Land and Grace drew two posthumous portraits of payment for the land was through his Law Agent; they met at the National Joseph Plunkett; she was anti- treaty and smithwork. Was Edward the connection College of Art in Kildare Street when was later imprisoned with two of her that William had with the Alexanders? both were students there and by this sisters in Kilmainham Jail for three The above Edward Dargan died in 1857, marriage had six sons, and six daughters. months where she decorated the walls of aged 80 yrs and is buried down the road The second youngest of the twelve her cell with paintings ( one study of a at Killogan. Was he an uncle to William? children was Grace Evelyn Gifford twin very beautiful Madonna and child). Her Edward's mother alias Doran died in sister to Edward Cecil, born the 4th work is represented in the Dublin City, 1798, aged 41 years and is also buried in March 1888 at her home in Temple Hugh Lane Gallery. Killogan. The question is were they at Villas, Palmerstown Road, Rathmines, Milford before 1810? Dublin. 12 Aged sixteen Grace entered the In 1862 Stephen Catterson Smith painted Dublin Metropolitan School of Art Carlovian, William Dargan 1799-1867. At the young age of 20 yrs he was on his ,taught by William Orpen, who claimed The exact place of birth of this self way to England to work under Scottish she was his best student; he painted a confessed Carlow man has yet to be Engineer, Thomas Telford arranged by splendid portrait of her entitled 'The detennined. We do know that the family Sir Henry Parnell M.P. for Co. Laois and Spirit ofYoung Ireland" a masterpiece by farmed at Crossleighjust outside Carlow John Alexander of Milford. Among the a master, in which the granddaughter of town on the Co. Laois side of the River major projects from which he gained Rev Robert Burton, is portrayed with her Barrow from 1807 and that his mother, considerable engineering experience auburn red hair framing an impish Elizabeth and father, Patrick are buried were the Liverpool Docks and the bridge teenage face and described as smiling along with 4 siblings who died young in across the notorious Menai Straits. He was recommended by Telford for a Parliamentary grant to complete the London-Holyhead-Dublin road that lay in his native land before going to build Ireland's first railway, the Kingstown Dublin line. It heralded the start of a new transport age and William Dargan went on to build the greater part of Ireland's existing lines. He was a member of the Royal Dublin Society and also helped establish The National Gallery of Ireland. In 1853 he funded the Great Dublin exhibition held in Leinster Lawn. His portrait by Stephen Catterson Smith was commissioned by the Dargan Committee and presented to the National Gallery of Ireland in 1862. It is an excellent likeness and was originally a full length study; however, it was scaled down to a halflength canvas 72 x57after Portrait of Maria Vigne, entitled "Attention" by George Chinnery. its acquisition (Refno. 141 N.G.I.) There is a very fine bronze statue of him by Royal Dublin Society Thomas Farrell erected in 1864 in front Carloviana 2013-14 9 of the Gallery looking out upon Endnotes; · Artist, Sir Frederic William Burton. Merrion Square. Irelands Favourite Painting "The Carlow has a very rich artistic heritage I Carlow County Library coll. of miscel Meeting on the Turret stairs", by with many treasures to be explored. laneous documents, Ref code P2/ 0026. Marie Bourke N.G.I., "History Ireland" note by Baron Dunalley M.P. Sept/Oct. pp34-37. Vol 20 1105. 2012. Acknowledgements; "Victorian Enchantment", Frederic 2 · Artist Joseph Patrick Haverty, William Burton, by Peter Murray. I would like to thank Gerard Whelan "Vignettes of Family Life" by Mary Irish Arts Review Winter 2012. pp. 110- Librarian and The Royal Dublin Society Stratton Ryan, Irish Arts Review, Vol 25 115. for kind permission to publish the three Spring 2008. paintings; 10 Belfast newsletter. 9th August 183 3. 3 · Artist Martin Cregan ,( 1788-1870 ) Ref to marriage at Cookstown of Rev. 1 Portrait of Thomas Pleasants 1728- Dictionarv of'lrish Artists by Walter G. Robert Nathaniel Burton on the 1st to 1818. by William Solomon 1777-1824. Strickland. I 913. Isabella second daughter of William Hamilton Walsh esq late Captain in the 2 4 Portrait of Master John Watson painted · Artist William Solomon,( 1777-1824) 8th Foot. in 1861. by Stephen Catterson Smith A Dictionary of'lrish Artists 1913. 1806-1872. Portrait of Thomas Pleasants ( 1728- Clare Newspaper;. 1818) Treasures of The Royal Dublin Also ref. in the Clare Journal of 12th 3 "Attention" portrait of Maria Vigne by Society cat. no 116. pp 46 & 65. a August 1833 as follows; George Chinnery 1774-1852. summary catalogue of works compiled At Cookstown, Robert Nathaniel Burton Copyright Royal Dublin Society. by James White and Kevin Bright. 1998. Esq., grandson of the late E.W.Burton of Clifden, in this county (ie Clare.) to Is 5 wish to thank The National Gallery of · Artist Stephen Catterson Smith,( 1806- abella second daughter of William Ireland, for permission to publish two 1872 ) Dictionary of' lrish Artists by Hamilton Walsh Esq., late Captain 8th portraits by George Chinnery from their Walter G. Strickland.1913 Regiment, and grand-daughter to collection. Claudius Hamilton Esq., of Beltrim 6 · Portrait of John Watson. Described in Castle, Co Tyrone. 5 The Artists Wife, (Marianne Vigne, Painters oflreland 1600-1940 by Anne 1 reading) Crookshank and the Knight of 1. Carlow Archives. Parish Registers for Glin p 236. Clonagoose, no999/ 562. 6 Mrs Elizabeth Eustace, (nee Hardy of Ref. death of Isabella J. Burton 26th Sept. 7 Kilballyhue, Carlow.) · Portrait of John Watson described in 1847.wife of Rev, Robert Burton. Copyright National Gallery of Ireland. The Foxhounds of' Great Britian and 12 Ireland. Their Masters and Huntsmen. · Grace Gifford, daughter of Isabella For assistance with research on the by Humphry Francis De Tafford, pub by Burton of Borris, whose father was Rev. Burton family history my heartfelt thanks Walter Southwood & Co. 1906. London. Robert Nathaniel Burton, "Unlikely to Peter Beirne, Clare Librarian. Rebels" by Anne Clare. Pub by Mercier 8 · Artist George Chinnery (1774-1852) Press, Cork. 2011. For assistance with research on the "The Treasures of The Royal Dublin Alexander family, and the Eustace Society" compiled by James White and Hardy family, my thanks to historian Kevin Bright. Pub by RDS, 1998. p7 l, Shay Kinsella. and no 137. p49. Carlow Historical & Archaeological Society on tour in England. Photo taken outside Anne Hathaway s Cottage where William Shake speare courted his future wife. The cottage is one mile f,-om Stra(!ord-on Avon Carloviana 2013-14 Charlie Keegan Thomas Sunderland's picture at the winding up ofBallinree Sports in May 1993. ON May 26, 1993, Ballinree Sports was Front: from left: Bertie Murray, Mary Carroll (holding the cup dedicat.ed to her officially wound up, bringing to an end a grandfather, Luke Dwyer), Tommy Meaney (deceased) ·with cheque for Bally County Carlow sporting institution lough~n Social Club, Mick Gorman, Aileen Broderick, with cheque.for St Lazerian's which had its origins 90 years earlier. Special School, Carlow, Tom Doran, with cheque for Enniscorthy Special School, Johnnv Kane. Back row: left to right: Joan Power, Breda Connors, Johnny Tobin It was in 1903 that Ballinree Sports was (dece~sed), Bridget Some,'.s (St. Lazerian :S), Sheila Murray, Maureen Connors, founded, bearing the original name Ballinree Gymkhana. Tommy Kinsella (deceased), Sean Connors, Paul O'Neill, Stella Doran. The vast majority of Irish athletic Sports Ballinree officers were: chairman, P. J. Irish step dancing. were located in cities and towns but Sheridan; secretary, M. J. O'Connell; Ballinree was different in that it is a dis committee: Messrs M O'Connell, The music judges were P. Maher, Bally tinctly rural area in the parish ofMyshall T. Gibson, A. Watters, J. O'Connell, P. loughan and Andrew Nolan, Myshall. and Drumphea, without even a village Dwyer, P. O'Connell, P. McDonald, J. street to call its own. lt is simply a town Kelly, P. Doyle, M. Cummins, D. Tier The handicapper and starter were J. land - an enclave of farms and houses. ney, J. Watters, T. Fenlon, M. Brennan, J. Clowry, Ballaghamore and M. Millett, Walsh, J. Quirke, J. Clowry, N. Doyle, J. Borris. But it was an area with a strong athletic Egan, P. Doyle, M. Cahill, J. Skelton. tradition. There was no known reason for The oldest press cutting still in existence this tradition- it was simply a sporting There were nine track and field events at relating to Ballinree Sports, dates from fact - and Ballinree Sports went on to that inaugural meeting: 100 yards, 880 1906, when a newspaper advertisement, become one of Ireland's most prestigious yards flat, Siamese Race, one mile flat, presumably from The Nationalist, events of its kinds. old men's race, one mile confined, high informed readers of the upcoming event jump, long jump and 56 lbs w/f on Sunday, September 9. That cutting That prestige was underlined by the fact (without follow). remains in the possession of Sheila that Ballinree was regularly allocated Murray, Ballintrane, Fenagh, Ballinree's All-Ireland and Leinster championships There were five cycling races - one mile, last secretary, serving from 1975 down the years - championships which five miles, seven miles, 10 miles flat, until 1993. attracted some of the cream of Irish three miles flat. Cycle racing was to form runners to the rural meeting. The national a very popular and highly competitive The programme for the 1906 Sports 3-mile championship was regularly aspect of Ballinree for many years. involved nine athletics events, five cycle allocated to Ballinree Sports by the races and two dancing competitions. One National Athletic and Cycling Dancing and music competition were of the cycle races was a ladies half mile Association of Ireland (NACA). also a feature of the early years of the event. The handicapper and starter was J. sports. There were men's singles, McCarthy from Kilkenny. Admission to Ballinree was staged initially under the four-hand reel dancing as well as a flute the Sports was advertised at 3d, cars at rules of the Gaelic Athletic Association contest and a violin competition. 2/-, enclosure 6d. The name of M. (GAA) before falling under the adminis O'Connell, Honorary Secretary, was trative umbrella of the NACA. There was also a special prize in 1903 for included at the end of the advertisement. T. Curry and John Murphy, both from At its foundation in 1903 the first Bagenalstown, who gave an exhibition of Ballinree Sports continued as an annual Carloviana 2013-14 BALLINREE SPORTS event up to 1912. during which time the following names were added to the committee: T. Doran, Seskin; W. Hayden, Cranagh; W. Dillon, Ballinree; J. Hayden, Cranagh; and P. Tuite. There followed a break in continuity of the sports from 1912 to 1920, in the latter year Ballinree re-emerged fleetingly as the 'IRA Sports' - that title no double reflecting the Troubled Times in Ireland of that time. It was to be a further 23 years before Ballinree Sports came back into being. The man primarily behind the revival of the event was Luke Dwyer from The.field is spread during the 880yds race at Ballinree Sports held on the Killoughternane. Luke was a small-scale grounds ofCorries House in 1960. ln the lead is the eventual winner Fin farmer and a man of strong Republican tan Walsh of Waterford AC being tracked by English ofBlackrockAC beliefs. Dublin and the eventual runner up Bertie Murray ofBallinree. He was to remain the major administra J. Hogan, T. Kinsella, H. Ashmore, J Bertie Murray was a stalwart of tive force behind the sports up to the time O'Neill. Field Events: Seamus Joyce, J. Ballinree. A very fine miler Bertie had of his death in 1980 and a greatly liked J. Browne, J. F. McGrath, P. Ryan, J. Fox, athletics in his blood. His father, William and respected figure within Carlow F. Byrne, P. Quirke. Lap Keeper: J. Bar Murray from Dunleckney, Bagenal athletics. Luke was Ballinree Sports rett; Competitors' Numbers: Thomas stown, was an Irish international athlete President for many years and, following Kane, L. Gordon. Gate Stewards: M. of note. As there was no athletic club in his death in 1980, the Luke Dwyer Cup Brien, G. Lucas, W. Skelton, M. Tobin, J. Bagenalstown at the tim~, William ran in was presented to his granddaughter, Tobin. Enclosure: M. Dunphy, John the colours ofDonore Harriers in Dublin, Mary Carroll, Rathanna, Borris. Tobin. Corner Stewards: G. Daly, Joe being a noted miler. He would take the Byrne, T. Ryan, T. Foley, J. Stapleton, J. train from Bagenalstown to compete Luke's home was the club meeting place O'Connor, T. Kinsella, P. Joyce. Prizes: with Donore. and remained so for some after his C. Kane, D. Joyce, Joe Browne, M. passing - that was how strong the Quirke. Programmes: J. Ryan, M. Kane, William, a farmer, was a member of the association was between Luke Dwyer J. Walsh, J. Rossiter, M. Joyce. Car Park: Irish team which competed in track and and Ballinree Sports. J. Quirke, J. Coady. First Aid: P. Tuite. field, as well as cross-country in Catering: J. S. Vigors, P. Minchin, M. 1913-'14. He was part ofan Irish team In 1953 Ballinree Sports celebrated its Minchin, H. Kelly, J. Walsh, M. Tobin, which defeated Scotland, taking part in Golden Jubilee, at a time when the Jas. Kelly, V. Doyle. Field Stewards: D. the mile race. That international meeting popularity of the event was at its height. Tobin, T. Gahan, T. Walsh (senior), T. was held in Belfast and Bertie Murray A comprehensive programme was Browne, P. Byrne, T. Nolan, Jas. Kane, J. proudly retains a framed photograph of produced by The Nationalist to mark that Kane, J. Kelly, F. Walshe, K. Byrne, L. the entire Irish entourage from that milestone the Sports was staged on O'Neill, R. Smith, S. Smyth, J. Tobin, C. occasion. Sunday, August 9 in a field kindly Barrett, M. Kane, H. Quirke, P. Keegan, provided with the permission of D. Drennan, W. Coady, W. Kelly, M. The Murray family subsequently went to W. Kelly. Kelly, M. Farrell, Joe Kinsella, T. Daly, live and farm at Ballydarton, Fenagh. S. O'Connor, P. Brennan, P. O'Rourke. The Patrons of the Sports in 1953 were: In 1914 William Murray competed for Rt. Rev. Msgr. Conway, P.P., V.G., The Golden Jubilee was rounded off with Ireland in the World Cross Country Muinebeag; H.T.T. Bayliss, D.S.O., a Sports dance on the night in Championships held in Bucking R.N.; Rev. T. S. McDonald, C.C., Myshall Hall. hamshire, England and was the first Irish Muinebeag; Rev. P. Maher, C.C., runner home. Muinebeag; V. Rev. C. O'Connor, P.P., Ballinree Sports had no fixed home. In Myshall; Rev. S. Shine, C.C., Myshall. its third year, the event was staged "'over Bertie remembers vividly as a 14-year The Ballinree Sports officers of 1953 a well prepared course, kindly lent by Mr old schoolboy seeing the renowned John were: President: J. J. O'Connell, P.C. Watters." As a moveable sporting feast, Joe Barry from Tipperary, competing in Chairman, J. S. Vigors. Vice-Chairman, the Sports was staged in various fields Ballinree and winning the mile race. He M. Breen. Treasurers: P. Minchin, P. kindly provided by local farmers who had great admiration for the Tipperary Ryan. Secretaries: L. Dwyer, P. Ryan. were kindly disposed towards the sport athlete. Committee: Judges, Cycling and Track: of athletics. Carloviana 2013-14 BALLINREE SPORTS Known as The Ballincurry Hare, Barry Bertie commented: "My proudest religion should never enter sport was was a hugely charismatic athlete who achievement was when I won the wise counsel, resolutely observed by the achieved tremendous success as a Leinster 1,500 metres title in 1960 in Ballinree Sports committee members. middle-distance runner, beating front of all the Carlow people." He won all-comers in the mile and upwards by that provincial championship title in These days the Odium Cup for the the time he was 20. Although born in Ballinree and would never forget the county's top senior athletic club is fought Joliet, Illinois, John Joe Barry lived in encouragement and support he received out annually between Tinryland AC and lreland from the age of two, the family from the spectators during the race. "I St Laurence O'Toole AC. But in 1956 settling in The Commons, Ballingarry beat the Irish half-marathon champion at and 1963 Ballinree claimed that title. after his mother inherited her father's the time" Bertie recalled with pride. small farm holding. And, on an individual level, Bertie In 1960 the Ballinree athlete was 2rd in Murray won the Carlow senior cross Bertie Murray was a highly the All-Ireland 1,500 metres at the Cork country title six times in a row 1958, accomplished runner, his favourite City Sports in The Mardkyke while the 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963. He distances being the mile or 1,500 metres. same year in the Irish championship mile remembers that these races were His good friend and former athletic at The Iveagh Grounds in Dublin, Bertie contested in venues such as Gotham, on opponent Dan Carbery from Carlow has was runner-up. In 1961 he finished 3rd in the lands of the Beresford estate in no doubt that Bertie would have won the All-Ireland senior mile event in Fenagh, in Corries, on the lands of international recognition but for the Fermoy. On that particular occasion, Corries House, at Grothier's of Fenagh, infamous split in Irish athletics between Bertie had thinned beet on the Murray and Stanley's of Quinagh, Carlow. the NACA and the Amateur Athletics family farm in Ballydarton until I pm, Union (AAU). The split in Irish athletics then hired a Morris Minor car from Pat Ryan, Corries served as secretary of occurred in April 193 7 when a number of Tully's of Carlow. Ballinree up to 1972 when the role was clubs seceded from the NACA. Bertie taken over by Myles Kavanagh from was a committed NACA member while In 1960 at Dublin's College Park, Bertie, Bagenalstown. In the summer of 1975 Dan ran under the AA U banner. affectionately known as 'The Ballinree Sheila Murray assumed the position and Hare' had set a personal best time of continued in that capacity until the Sports Running in the white singlet and black 3.56.5 for the 1,500 metres. The race was formally wound up in May of 1993. togs of the Ballinree club, Bertie really winner, Kevin Gormley (Pheonix Among the prominent athletes of the day brought the attention of the County Harriers), set a national record of 3.56. who competed at Ballinree Sports was Carlow club to national attention through Third placed Harry Thomas (Inchicore) the famous John Joe Barry, Gerry his achievements on the track. Bertie finished in 3.57 the first three athletes Kiernan, Frank Murphy, Noel Carroll holds the record of winning the Carlow breaking the existing Irish record for and Denis Noonan. championships in the 220, 440, 880, mile the distance. and three mile in the same year, 1959 - Kiernan, the Listowel native, is currently winning the latter four titles on the one Bertie retired in 1966, having - appropri an RTE athletics analyist. He competed day. It is a record that will never be ately - won the half-mile in Ballinree. So in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los matched in the county. he went out of a winning note. Angeles, finishing 9th in a race in which John Treacy ofVilliarstown won a silver He was originally to run for the Bagenal But while he put the running spikes medal. A former Irish national champion stown club but when Ballinree's Luke away, his love of the sport of athletics over 3,000 metres, the Kerryman, who Dwyer and Tommy Kinsella, Curranree, meant Bertie stayed very much involved. ran for Clonliffe Harriers, was also a sub came calling to Ballydarton, where He had met his wife, the former Sheila 4-minute miler. Bertie was born, he threw in his lot with Hunter from Ardattin through athletics - Ballinree. they married in June 1963 in Aghade He also won the Dublin City Marathon Church of Ireland. The Murrays in 1982 and 1983. His first win in Ballinree colours was in celebrated their Golden Wedding an 1955 when, at the age of 16, he won the niversary this summer. Frank Murphy, another Clonliffe Harrier, county novice championship at won the 1,500 metres at the European Coolnamara, Borris. Bertie said that on occasions one would Championships in Athens in 1969 in a be standing on a wet field, soaked to the time of 3 .39 .51, having represented Ire Competing at Leinster Youths level, skin, but it was all for the love of the land the previous year at the Summer Bertie was 2nd in the half mile and miles sport. He just felt he had to stay involved. Olympics in Mexico City. races at Bunclody in 1957 and the Besides serving as joint treasurer of following year at the St. Dympna's Ballinree club, Bertie also acted as a race The late Noel Carroll, an 880 yards grounds in Carlow he won the 880 yards starter at many athletics meetings. European champion, and 14 times Irish and mile races. His time for the mile was champion in the quarter and half mile, 4.38, an improvement of eight seconds He spoke about the great camaraderie competed at the Tokyo Olympics and on his 1957 time. that existed within the club, stating that represented Ireland in the 400 metres and Luke Dwyer's dictum that politics or 800 metres at the 1968 Mexico Carloviana 2013-14 BALLINREE SPORTS The late Brendan O'Reilly, the factor which killed off Ballinree, RTE Sports commentator which did not offer monetary prizes but competed in the high jump rather cups, medals etc." Ballinree em while weight throwers, the braced the Corinthian spirit of sport. Moody brothers (Ballyhack ett), Martin Kelly, a native of lt was, of course, a great pity to see the St Mullins and Nicksy sp01is fold up and disappear into oblivion Comerford from Castle but the event simply wasn't sustainable comer were always any more as the track and field winners prominent at the meeting. for the final few years of the event were mediocre compared to the quality of Top cyclists who competed athlete who had competed in years at the County Carlow venue gone by. included Bertie Dom1elly, an Olympic cyclist and national lt was decided at a meeting in Bally Fintan Walsh (Waterford AC) winning the 880yds champion, another Irish loughan Hall on May 19, 1993 to wind race at Ballinree Sports in 1959, with Bertie Murray champion, J. J. McCormack up Ballinrce Sports after half a century of (Ballinree) coming in 2nd. from Birr, Mick Cahill of the continuous staging of the event and to The Harp Cycling Club in divide the monies in hand to the Dublin, whose people origi- following beneficiaries: Ballyloughan Olympics. A native of Annagassan, Co nated in the Ballinree area, Frank O'Sul Social Club (£200); St Lazerian's Special Louth he led the group which founded livan from Fennoy, who held a number School, Carlow (£500); a school for the the Dublin City Marathon. He died oflrish half-mile titles, Mick Finnegan severely handicapped in Enniscorthy suddenly in October 1998, while training and Frank Baird, both from The Harp (£500) (there were children from the area in Belfield. Cycling Club. attending both schools). Sean O'Sullivan from Toumafulla, Bertie Murray enthuses when he A week later, on May 26, the formal County Limerick, was an outstanding remembers the great cyclists who winding up took place when the financial cross country athlete who was a staunch competed in Ballinree, where there could contributions were distributed to the supporter of Ballinree. O'Sullivan, a be anything up to 20 competitors in a representatives of the three beneficiaries. Caltex Award winner in athletics, won a race. Aileen Broderick and Bridget Somers total of 35 Irish cross-country champi represented St. Lazerian's, Mr and Mrs onships at distances from 2 to ten miles. So there can be no denying the fact that Tom Doran, Numey, represented the Then there was the great Mick Molloy by attracting such big names to Ballinree, Enniscorthy school while Tommy from Oughterard, County Galway, Irish the Sports held a significant place in the Meaney, Maureen Connors and Breda marathon champion in 1968-'69, who pantheon of Irish country sports. Connors were present on behalf of competed with distinction in the world Ballyloughan Social Club. cross country championships in Tunisia During the heyday of Ballinree, the in 1969 and finished a highly creditable national newspapers - particularly the The following club members were in 13th in the European marathon of 1969 Irish Press and Irish Independent - would attendance: Tommy Kinsella (deceased), in Athens. sent staff reporters to cover the event, as Bertie Murray, Sheila Murray, Michael well as a photographer. Ballinree would O'Gorman, Johnny Kane, Paul O'Neili, Another great athlete who regularly then feature prominently in Monday's Tommy Meaney ( deceased) Johnny competed in Ballinree was the late Peter editions. Tobin ( deceased) and Tom Browne. McArdle from Blackrock, County Louth, Thomas Sunderland, Nationalist photog who held 12 national titles for distance The Sports itself was funded through a rapher, attended and photographed the from one to six miles and represented number of fund-raising events. There presentation of the monies. America, to where he had emigrated, in was an annual dance in Bagenalstown's the 1964 Toyko Olympics. McGrath Memorial Hall, a cabaret each On that occasion also the Luke Dwyer year in O'Connor's of Borris and a Cup was presented to Luke's grand Mick Hickey from Dundrum, the late Fr dinner/dance in Rathcrogue House. daughter, Mary Carroll. Paddy Coyle from County Louth, Johnny Downes from Clare and Garry Gorman, In 1972 it cost £179.96 to run the Sports The minutes of that final meeting St Augustine's were other fine athletes and through prudent management, the disclose that Joan Power provided a who came regularly to Ballinree. organising committee was always in lovely tea with Sheila Murray supplying funds. Why then, did Ballinree Sports go the cakes and sandwiches. The club high In the field events Torn Power, out of existence in 1993? Bertie Murray jump foam was sold to TinrylandAthletic Ballyloughan was a multiple winner of had a simple answer to that question. Club and the curtain then came down on the shot putt, competing in the colours "The advent of road racing, which of Ballinree Sports. of Ballinree. fered money prizes for the winners, was Carloviana 2013-14 Introduction In this article we explore the historical context for early Irish migrations to Ear7.:YN~ North America with special emphasis on the contribution of the Calvert family in promoting settlement of Nolan families CwNeMJI~ in Newfoundland and Maryland. The Calvert Family and,,lvJcuyU' Carloviana 2013-14 EARLY NDLANS IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND MARYLAND Wexford, near present-day Bunclody. migratory fishery, setting up plantations the firm of Saunders and Sweetman Clohamon was also strategically located mostly on Newfoundland's western which, in 1770, had established a base in in the heart of an area known for its shores. They had used the fine beach at Ireland at Waterford, and favoured Irish strong Nolan presence and its alliance Plaisance (later Placentia) to dry their "servants" to those of the English West with the Kavanagh family, both strong fish and, seeing its strategic potential as country. At its peak the firm owned a supporters of Catholic interests a military stronghold, proposals for a shipyard, a general store, several farming in Ireland. colony were put forward as early as and woods operations, and a dozen ocean 1655, and by 1664 adequate funding had going vessels, employing or supplying In 1627 Lord Baltimore inspected his been found to proceed. Contrary to the several hundred men and shipping cod to New World venture on the Avalon English colonies in Newfoundland, the markets all around the North Atlantic. Peninsula bringing with him additional colony at Plaisance (Placentia) was a Many young men, including many settlers, most of the Roman Catholic royal colony, founded by the French Nowlans and Nowlands, came out to faith, fleeing English penal laws and, no Crown to serve the interests of the state, Placentia on the merchants' ships, doubt some Nolans from the Clohamon not one sponsored by private investors or promising to work to pay their passage. area. Enthused with what he found in the individuals. After paying off their passage, some Avalon colony he returned the following continued to work for the merchants, year with his family intending to make it In 1676, an Irish merchant from while others moved on to other parts of his permanent residence. However, after Waterford was reported to have visited Newfoundland and North America. spending one winter in the colony, he the French Colony at Placentia which reported to Charles I (the new king, remained in French hands until 1713 Maryland James I's son) that winter living condi when it was ceded to the English under tions were much harsher than anticipated the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht. In 1629, Lord Baltimore, albeit and, confident of the king's favour, he Amongst other things, France kept the disappointed but not daunted, set sail had decided to set sail for Virginia hoping neighbouring small islands of St Pierre from the colony of Avalon for to obtain a new charter for a settlement and Miquelon to support their migratory Jamestown, Virginia. However, once further south in the area of Virginia. fishery but they also obtained a major there, he was refused residency on concession on the religious front, that is religious grounds and forced to return to By that time Calvert however had spent that the presence of the Catholic England to pursue his quest for a new roughly £20,000 (about $4 million today) faith was top some degree be tolerated at charter on lands in the area of Virginia. on building a reinforced stone waterfront Placentia site of Plaisance, the former at Ferry land similar to those found in the French capital). This was a major conces After some negotiations, boundaries for English West Country. Having spent so sion on the part of the English govern a new colony to the north of Virginia and much he was not about to totally abandon ment when one considers that, at the to be named Maryland were established his Avalon colony and left behind a time, the presence of Catholic priests in and a new charter drawn up for the lands representative in his manor house at Newfoundland towns was not allowed between the Potomac River and Ferryland to tend to his business interests and, that, prior to 1781, it was unlawful Delaware Bay, i.e. all the lands of in the Avalon colony. for more than two Catholics to live in the present-day Maryland and Delaware. same house unless it was owned by Unfortunately Lord Baltimore died in In 1637 for services rendered to the a Protestant. 1632, five weeks short of the official Crown in making gains against the signing of the charter which, by the law French in North America, David Kirke Because of its strategic position and of primogeniture, was made out to and his partners were rewarded with the proven defensibility, Placentia was George Calvert's son Cecil who also grant of a royal charter for the whole of chosen as Newfoundland's new capital inherited the title and estate of Lord Newfoundland. Presuming that George and, interestingly enough, perhaps Baltimore, not to mention the earlier Calvert had abandoned his Avalon because of the requirement for religious charter for Avalon. colony, the English Parliament had tolerance, the first soldiers sent by overlooked Calvert's existing charter for England to provide protection for In 1633, Cecil Calvert (1606-1675), the a part of Newfoundland. This, of course, Placentia were four companies of Irish new Lord Baltimore established his provoked strong objections from the soldiers. Once the English garrison brother Leonard Calvert (cl610-47) as Calvert family who were forced to pursue established merchants and fishing firms the first governor of Maryland. the Kirkes in English courts until they from the English West Country soon finally obtained a ruling in their favour arrived bringing each year more and In March 1634, Leonard Calvert arrived in 1660. With its charter rights for the more Irish servants, apprised of the new in the colony and, after purchasing land province of Avalon now reaffirmed and religious tolerance which existed at from the Indians, founded St. Mary's uncontested, the Calvert family resumed Placentia. Such were their numbers that with an initial population of its business and colonizing activities in by 1770, the population of Placentia was approximately 150 souls. Newfoundland. 75% Trish. As it turned out, St. Mary's was not the Besides the English, the French had for In this context, one firm came to first settlement within the borders of the many years engaged in the flourishing dominate the trade at Placentia. This was new colony. William Clayborne, a Carloviana 2013-14 EARLY NOLANS IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND MARYLAND Protestant and member of the Virginia window in time, Irish Catholics could closely related is highly doubtful. Rather assembly, had set up a fur trading post on find a haven in Maryland. Among these it is believed that they came from several Kent Island and was now objecting to his we find the following known Nolan im families who lived upriver from land becoming a part of Catholic-led migrants: Waterford and New Ross, the main Maryland. His supporters offered some fishery ports in southern Ireland, or close resistance but could not defeat Calvert's • Pierce Noland (cl658-1714), married to the Calvert's base of operations at forces. In the hopes of settling the issue to a Katherine in Ireland, who settled in Clohamon, near Bunclody, in County in his favour, Clayborne went to England Cecil county, MD, then in Charles Wexford. but to no avail. county, MD, and finally in nearby Stafford county, VA; their children were: The reader will recall that, in 1660, the His next chance came in 1645 when a Stephen ( 1682), Philip (1684 ), Pierce Calvert family regained its charter rights Protestant settler, Richard Ingle, led a (1696), Thomas (1698), Charles (1698) for the Avalon colony in Newfoundland rebellion, attacking the Catholic settlers. and William (1703). and, having resumed its operations there, Joining him, William Clayborne, it is likely that some of the Nolans who succeeded in taking over the government Philip Noland (Cl662-1733) who arrived in Maryland starting in the late of Maryland, forcing Cecil Calvert to arrived around 1685; he married Bridget 1670s had first worked a few years in the take refuge in Virginia. However, within Nelson and settled in Loudoun Co., VA, Newfoundland fishery. Supporting this the year, Calvert had returned with paid eventually moving on to Stafford Co., theory is the fact that, in 1681, at Petty soldiers and successfully reasserted VA, where he died in 1733. Harbour, at the northern tip of the Avalon his authority. colony, we have record of a Thomas Henry Noland (cl657-l 706), who Noland working in the fishery there. In 1649, the new colony's Assembly married someone named Lettice in Conceivably he could have been a Nolan passed a "Law Concerning Religion" also Ireland, and settled around 1679 in Kent recruited in the area of the Calvert base known as the "Maryland Toleration Act" county, MD, with their two sons, Henry of operations in Ireland at Clohamon, which mandated religious tolerance. and Richard. near Bunclody, Co. Wexford. Thomas Noland ( c 1659- A L A \V •• 1728) who sailed from RYLAND Waterford in 1677 with his brother William ("Shillam") and, after marrying a Mary Parrish, settling down in Anne Arundel county, MD; their children were named: Daniel, In 1651, with Oliver Cromwell as the Sarah, Edward and Thomas. new government leader in England, William Clayborne was appointed to a • William Noland (cl665-l 719) who commission charged with subduing and sailed from Waterford in 1677 with his managing the colonies of Virginia and brother Thomas, marrying around 1680 Maryland. Seizing on this opportunity, and dying in St. Mary's county in 1719. with the help of his partner, Richard Bennett, Clayborne again overthrew the Desmond Noland who arrived in government of Maryland and, in 1654, America in 1680, settling in Cecil county revoked the Toleration Act. In 1658, in the area of Warwick, east of Bohemia however, things returned to normal when manor, close to the present-day border Oliver Cromwell himself returned with Delaware; he is known to have had control of the Maryland colony to the one son named Darby who, in turn, had Calvert family who promptly reinstated at least 4 children: Richard, James, Henry the Toleration Act. & Mary. However, in 1692, after William of These Nolans were no doubt the sons of Orange, in his "Glorious Revolution", formerly prominent Irish landowners had won a moral victory against the who had been dispossessed as a result of Catholics at the Battle of the Boyne in the Cromwellian confiscations of the 1690 and deposed the openly Catholic 1650s and who, despite calls for King James II (2nd surviving son of restitution after the re-establishment of James I) the Maryland Toleration Act the monarchy with Charles II had not was finally repealed. regained possession of some if not all of their former lands. The net effect of all this is that, for a brief That they were all siblings or somehow Carloviana 2013-14 THE SOCIETY'S TRIP TO THE COTSWOLDS, GLOUCHESTER Sunday 25th The morning opened with a visit to Worcester Porcelain Museum. The museum nestles amidst Victorian factory buildings in the centre of historic Worcester and the collections date back to 1751 when the shapes and patterns were copied from the Far East to use in the houses of the very rich. Church ceremonies followed. A much looked forward to visit, Cheltenham, well known to the steeplechase horse racing fraternity, is a large town in Gloustershire on the outskirts of the Cotwolds. Having visited the Race Course the rest of the day was free to browse around the town. Monday 26th It was an early rise as preparations had to be made before setting out for Fishguard on the first stage of the journey home. Museum ofRoyal Worcester On our way back the trip through the Forrest-of-Dean, associated with Dick Whittington, greatly enhanced and shortened the journey. lt was a very pleasant crossing to Rosslare arriving back in Carlow about 8pm. Worcester Cathedral Hidcote Stilt Garden Strafford-upon-Avon William Shakespeare:~ Birthplace Some porcelain items on display at Worcester Museum Carloviana 2013-14 Jhe ~ociety :S- tr{-p to the T;ot.$Wof~, '!i;fouce~ter Bertie Watchorn & Martin Nevin Trips every second year across the water have become an ex citing part of the Society's tour arrangements in recent years. This year the trip to Gloucester in Engalnd proved to be very successful despite the take up by just 20 plus people. Starting on Thursday 22nd August at 6.20am by bus from Carlow rail way station and from there to Rosslare where we boarded the ferry at 9am for Fishguard. A most enjoyable trip through the Welsh countryside followed before crossing the Severn into England over the longest bridge in the British Isles. After a three and a half hour bus ride, the Holiday Inn in Gloucester provided the base for a four day tour of interesting historical and tourist attractions. Thanks Thanks to our guide, who had done her homework and made the trip interesting and most enjoyable from start to finish. To the driver, who was most familiar with the journey and the sites Holiday Inn the Society s base for the visited, contributed enormously to making the tour safe and four day stay in England. worth while. To Bertie and Irene Watchorn who were at the heart of organising the outing and made such a terrific job of it, our heart felt thanks. Friday 23rd It was an early trip to the village of Woodstock in Oxfordshire where we visited Blenheim Palace, the 187 roomed home of Sir Winston Churchill's ancestors. Built between 1705 and 1732 in Baroque style designed by architect, Sir John Van brugh. The Palace was a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. The Society spent a few hours there before moving on to Hidcote Manor and gar dens in the afternoon. Ten years after purchasing the lands at Hidcote in 1900, Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke and Duchess of Laurence Johnston and his mother, Gertrude turned the fields Marlborough and the birth place ofSir Winston Churchill. into the key features of the gardens and by 1920s em ployed 12 fulltime gardeners. Anne Hathaway's Saturday 24th Cottage On Saturday we visited the cottage where William Shakespeare courted his future bride, Anne Hathaway. The cottage is a thatched farm house with stunning gar dens in Shottery, a hamlet just one mile from Stratford upon-Avon. In the afternoon we visited Warwick Castle. The Castle is medieval, situated on the River Avon in Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire. Carloviana 2013-14 HISTORY OF THE RTC & ITC This is part 9 of the 'Carlow Regional Technical College - Institute of CONTINUED (PART 9) Technology Carlow History' with previous material published since 2003 in Carloviana. The material in this and Edited by Norman McMillan & Martin Nevin previous parts of this series are those of the various named authors or interviewees and do not constitute official view of the Institute. History of Postgraduate Studies in with the first American PhD degrees set up as an TOT Institute, Dr Martina McGuinness, awarded by Yale in I 86 I (Park, 2005). independently of School of Science From the early 20th century, Canadian, the RIC system. British, and Australian students were also The principal The first research-based PhD (Doctor of able to study for PhD degrees in their function of Philosophy) degree involving completion native universities (Park, 2005). In IOTs, by law, and successful defence of a dissertation Ireland, the first PhD degree was is ... to provide John Tyndall of original research, as we know it today, awarded by Trinity College Dublin vocational and was awarded by a German university in (TCD) in the mid-1930s (Dean of technical education and training for the the early 19th century (Wellington et al., Graduate Studies, TCD, 2009). In the economic, technological, scientific, 2005). The first Carlovian to be awarded year 2011-2012, the number of PhD commercial, industrial, social and a PhD was John Tyndall who graduated graduates had risen to 549 PhD cultural development of the State with from Marburg University, Germany in graduates from Irish Institutes of particular reference to the region served 1850. His PhD research project was a Technology (IOTs) and 7,892 PhD by the college ..... (Ireland, Regional mathematical study of screw surfaces graduates from Irish traditional universi Technical Colleges Act 1992, s 5) supervised by Robert Bunsen (of Bunsen ties (HEA, 2012a). burner fame) entitled " Die Schrauben The Organisation for Economic tlaeche mit Geneigter Erzeugungs-Linie Ireland still retains a binary system in Co-operation and Development's und die Bedingungen des Gleichgewichts third level education, i.e. both traditional (OECD) Review of Higher Education in fur Solche Schrauben". At this time, universities and IOTs. There are seven Ireland in 2004 (OECD, 2004) American students had to travel to traditional universities recognised under recognised the role played by IOTs: in European universities to pursue PhD Irish legislation, and a total of 14 IOTs local economic development, in degrees. However, from the mid 19th which were set up in the late 1960s as encouraging wider participation through century, American students were able to Regional Technical Colleges (RTCs). local catchment, their support for undertake research-based PhD The exception to this was the Dublin apprenticeship and craft skill training and programmes in American universities Institute of Technology (DIT) which was the provision of ladders of opportunity ITCarlow School of"Sciuence PhD graduates L-R: Drs James Egan, Olivia Odhiambo, Bernadette Gallagher (Kearney), Clare Menton, Douglas McMillan. Carloviana 2013-14 HISTORY OF RTC & ITC CONTINUED (PART 9) through different education levels, and in and Skills (DES) Hunt Report (2011) programmes. However, the current the applied character of their 'Strategy towards Higher Education article will not include level 9 Master's work (p. 20). to 2030' (DES, 2011) recommended that graduates because the focus is on how the 'a consistent quality framework should ITCarlow environment contributes to the Historically, level 10 PhD education be developed for Irish PhD education, academic and professional development programmes at Irish IOTs and traditional based on critical mass, i.e. a demanding of the longer-term level 10 universities have been based on the British framework that meets or exceeds PhD graduates. system and are assessed on the basis of a international standards for PhD education final written thesis or dissertation, oral should be applied consistently across all It was only in 2003 that the level 10 (or presentation and oral examination with higher education institutions, as an PhD) cycle was formally incorporated in few, if any, taught modules. The definition essential underpinning of the Irish PhD the Bologna Process. In 2005, the EU A's of a PhD, written by the National brand. This should lead to greater Salzburg Declaration recognised level 10 Academy for Academic Awards in the UK consolidation and collaboration among PhD training as the 'third cycle' of higher and accepted by most British universities providers, with stronger offerings for education in Europe, following (Bentley, 2006) is as follows: students' (p74). undergraduate (first) and Master's (second) cycles, and took the first steps The PhD is awarded to a candidate who, Clearly, there is a move towards more to define a common approach to PhD having critically investigated and structured level 10 PhD programmes (level I 0) education in third level evaluated an approved topic resulting in nationally, as well as internationally, institutions throughout all of Europe an independent and original contribution incorporating both discipline-specific (EUA, 2005). In Ireland, the Higher to knowledge and demonstrated an and transferable skills training so as to Education Authority (HEA) endorsed the understanding of research methods better prepare PhD graduates for the 21st Salzburg principles (EUA, 2005), a set of appropriate to the chosen field, has century workplace. ten basic principles of level IO PhD presented and defended a thesis, by oral programmes, in 2006 (HEA, 2006). examination, to the satisfaction of the Structure and content of level 10 PhD examiners (p .12). training programmes The Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB) (IUQB, 2009) published PhD In this system, students register to On the international stage, the 1999 guidelines proposing that Ireland move research an independent topic de novo Bologna Declaration, an intergovern towards level 10 PhD programmes that under the supervision of an experienced mental agreement currently signed by a maintain a research-based education that academic researcher also known as total of 47 EU and non-EU countries, led is supported by activities that encourage a supervisor. to the definition of standards for level 6 the development of a range of relevant to level 9 (up to Master's level) studies specialist and generic skills. The IUQB In contrast, in many American in the European Universities Association 2009 guidelines for Irish higher universities, level 10 PhD training (EUA) Bologna Process (EUA, 1999). education institutions replace the 2006 programmes are more structured with The European Credit Transfer System IUQB PhD guidelines for Irish students spending the first two years (ECTS) is a student-centred system universities and recognise that higher taking taught discipline-specific defining the student workload required to education in Ireland includes both modules. Assessment in the American achieve level 6 to level 9 awards and was traditional universities and other third system is based on both the taught implemented as part of the Bologna level institutions including IOTs (IUQB, modules and the de novo research project Process. Five ECTS credits typically 2006, 2009). The PhD skills outlined by as presented in a thesis, oral presentation represent 100 hours of study (including the IUQB are guidelines, rather than and oral examination. More recently, the both contact hours and independent standards, and are compatible with the UK and Australia are moving towards an study). A full-time undergraduate ten Salzburg principles (EUA, 2005), and intermediate level 10 PhD structure academic year represents 60 ECTS; with endorsed by the HEA (HEA, 2006). where students take some taught modules 180 ECTS awarded a level 7 general These skills include research expertise in parallel with their de novo Bachelors degree and 240 ECTS and a range of generic and transferable research project. awarded a level 8 honours Bachelors skills and competencies, and are degree. A level 9 Masters degree is designed to ensure that level 10 PhD Back here in Ireland, the Irish Advisory equivalent to an additional 90-180 ECTS graduates are broadly employable within Council for Science, Technology & (post-level 8). A level 10 PhD is the economy, not only within their Innovation (ACSTI) recommended in equivalent to 270-360 ECTS (post-level discipline but also in sectors and roles not 2009 that structured PhD programmes 8), with at least 240 of these ECTS directly linked to their academic should both deepen the students' awarded for novel research. background. understanding of their discipline and develop in-depth knowledge of research There have been a number of level 9 The Bologna Process ended in 2010 with approaches, techniques and methods Master's graduates from each of the the Salzburg II Recommendations (EUA, that are critical to the value of PhD Schools at ITCarlow, some graduates 2010) which focus on the implementa degrees in enterprise (ACSTI, 2009). having pursued taught programmes while tion of the ten principles from Salzburg I Recently, the Department of Education others pursued research-based (EUA, 2005) and the setting up of the Carloviana 2013-14 HISTORY OF RTC & ITC CONTINUED (PART 9) European Higher Education Area and efficiently in a professional world Awards of Ireland and Northern Ireland (EHEA). Between 1999 and 2010, the will be developed. at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin, Mr Bologna Process focused on creating the Sunderland opposed the notion of EHEA which became a reality with the The level 10 PhD training programme in the spreading the Irish governments higher Budapest-Vienna Declaration of March, School of Science at ITCarlow is education resources around evenly, i.e. 2010 (EHEA, 2010). The EHEA consistent with the IUQB description of a giving the same to top universities as a recognises the role of individual structured PhD as evidenced by the fact that "Ballygobackwards RTC". universities in the knowledge triangle of the School of Science received delegated education, research and innovation. authority from the Higher Education More recently, in 2012, in a confidential While strongly supporting universities Training and Awards Council (HETAC) to paper prepared by the Irish Universities setting up structured level 10 PhD award level 10 PhD degrees in 2009. Association (IUA) for the HEA which was training programmes and schools, the seen and reported by the Irish Times (Flynn, Salzburg II Recommendations emphasise Higher education in IOTs versus 2012 ), presidents of Irish traditional univer the individual character of the PhD traditional universities in Ireland sities said that there is "no persuasive degree and the need to use institutional evidence that the demand for quality, structures to support and give space to In Ireland, in recent years, there has been advanced technical education cannot be met the development of the individual PhD considerable controversy surrounding the within the existing system ofseven universi student and his/her research project. merit of level 10 PhD programmes in ties and 14 institutes oftechnolo1:,,y". It says existing IOTs and in the proposed a significant "re-engineering" would be At larger traditional universities, Technological Universities (TUs). The required to bring many IOTs up to the nationally and internationally, students Organisation for Economic Co-operation standard expected of universities or highly are often integrated into the activities of and Development's (OECD) Review of regarded TUs in other countries (Flynn, a defined and often discipline-specific Higher Education in Ireland in 2004 2012) and points out the relatively low university postgraduate trammg (OECD, 2004) stated that the relatively number of PhD students in IOTs when programme, and as such don't have the small size of IOTs by international compared to traditional universities. In 2011- same level of direct interaction with standards becomes important when 2012, there were 549 PhD graduates from supervisors, institutional departments, issues of research concentration and IOTs compared with 7,892 PhD graduates and outside collaborators as do students postgraduate numbers have to be from Irish raditional universities (HEA, from the more regional Irish IOTs. addressed because of the high cost of 2012a). Traditionally, the regional geographical providing the appropriate infrastructure, location of lOTs, and their history of both physical, in terms of facilities, and Even third level teachers themselves collaboration with industry, has played an human, in terms of size of research teams express concerns. In 2012, the Teachers' important role in contributing to the and technical and other support (p. 19). Union of Ireland (TUI) with 15000 success of their unique postgraduate members, including 4000 from IOTs, warned research training programmes. Over the The OECD Review goes on to that the IOTs which have 'fallen over each years, research in the School of Science recommend that PhD awarding powers other' to be upgraded (to TU s) are not suited at ITCarlow included collaborations should be restricted to the university to university status (Loughlin, 2012). At the locally with the Irish Sugar Factory and sector and that doctoral students working 2012 TUI annual congress the general the Teagasc Oak Park Research Centre in in institutes of technology should always secretary, John MacGabhann, said that it was Carlow. At ITCarlow, the philosophy be registered for university degrees and 'not good enough to make a second-rate behind the level 10 PhD research training under a university supervisor, but with a university of a first-rate institute' and that programme is that (i) by working closely joint supervisor in the institute. Where amalgamation of some IOTs to form TUs with one or two supervisors on a research doctoral awarding powers have been 'would not serve students, the region, the project, a PhD student will have the granted by HETAC they should be economy or our society'(Murray, 2012). opportunity to mature in an educational rescinded except in the case of environment designed to nurture the DIT (p. 37). As recently as April 2013, Denis Cummins, needs of the individual postgraduate President ofDundalk Institute ofTechnology student, (ii) by working on a research Many negative views on the role of IOTs and chainnan of Institutes of Technology project that is more applied than purely in education have been expressed Ireland suggested that the IOT sector ' academic, and designed to address an including the comment of Sir Peter continues to battle against negative issue of regional or national interest, Sutherland, Chairman of British perceptions and old-fashioned academic stakeholders can potentially benefit Petroleum (BP), Goldman Sachs elitism' (Cwnmins, 2013). Clearly, there is directly from the results of a postgraduate International. the London School of dishannony in both academic and non-aca research project, and (iii) by integrating Economics and Political Science (LSE) demic circles as to the merits of higher levels and liaising with ITCarlow staff across Council, Governor of the LSE, former of education at IOTs and/ or proposed TUs. all departments as well as outside Attorney General of Ireland, and fonner collaborators (because of smaller student EU Commissioner, in the Irish Survey of ITCarlow School of Science and staff numbers than at the majority of Independent (Walshe, 2010) where he PhD graduates (2000-2012) third level institutions) the postgraduate referred to "Ballygobackwards RTCs". students' ability to function effectively At the launch of the Undergraduate Recently, a survey of level 10 PhD Carloviana 2013-14 HISTORY OF RTC & ITC CONTINUED ( PART 9) graduates in the School of Science at identify biofertilisers in oil seed rape. ITCarlow was carried out to evaluate how well the PhD graduates were Duration of PhD programme prepared for, and succeeded in, the workplace and the results of this survey Twenty-eight per cent (5/18) ofITCarlow will be discussed in the current article level 10 PhD School of Science (McGuinness, 2013). Between 2000 and graduates graduated in less than 4 years, 2012, 32 students graduated from this with 11 % (2/ 18) of graduates requiring School with PhD degrees. These 32 more than seven years to graduation. graduates represented the potential group (McGuinness, 2013) The Salzburg of questionnaire respondents. Question Declaration (EUA, 2005) states that PhD naire data were analysed using Microsoft programmes should operate within Excel (numerical data) and content appropriate time frames, three to four analysis (qualitative data, i.e. text). Email years full-time as a general rule. In their contact information for 27 of the 32 !OT 'Guidelines', the IUQB suggests four School of Science level IO PhD years as ideal but acknowledges in some graduates was obtained (i.e. 84% of 32 instances that time allowed for potential study participants). These 27 completion could be extended to six or contactable graduates were sent a more years (IUQB, 2009). The average questionnaire with 27 questions [both time to completion at ITCarlow was closed-ended (quantitative) and found to be greater than five years. open-ended (qualitative) questions] Dr Sergio Moreira Based on EUA and IUQB guidelines, subdivided into four sections (i) PhD therefore, ITCarlow School of Science education, (ii) Transition to employment, to 41 % by the late 1990s (NSF, 2006). In level IO PhD graduates took longer than (iii) Research output, and (iv) Employ the current study, female graduates ideal to complete their PhD training represented more than half of the level IO ment. Completed questionnaires were programme. received from 18 graduates (18/27 = 67% PhD graduates from the ITCarlow response rate) and evaluated. A survey School of Science between 2000 and Funding response rate of 67% is in line with 2012 reflecting very favourable PhD projections of 70% by Dillman (2007) programme participation rates At least 83% (15/18) of level 10 PhD when the initial email with questionnaire by females. graduates had secured financial funding attached is followed up by reminders. from research grants (McGuinness, PhD graduates from the School of 2013). Funding came from a range of Gender of PhD graduates Science at ITCarlow include individuals funding bodies, both national and originally from Ireland, France, Spain, international. The Salzburg Declaration Nineteen ( 59%) of the 32 level 10 PhD Portugal, India, China, and Kenya. (EUA, 2005) states that the development graduates from the School of Science and successful completion of quality were female and 13 (41 % ) were male. In Sergio Moreira graduated from ITCarlow PhD programmes, requires adequate, 2011-2012, enrolment of PhD students in in 2012 with a Ph.D. in Population sustainable and PhD-specific funding the 14 IOTs in Ireland was 549, with 306 Genetics. Sergio is originally from opportunities. Financial support was also Lisbon, Portugal. After receiving a B.Sc. (56%) males and 243 (44%) females identified by Rudd and Simpson ( 1975), (Honours) in Agricultural Biotechnology (HEA, 2012a). That same year, Bain et al. (2010) and Edwards (2002), in 2005 from the University of the enrolment of PhD students in the seven as one of the four factors contributing to Azores, Portugal, Sergio came to Ireland traditional universities in Ireland was graduate success. It is important to note to work at the Teagasc Oak Park 7892, with 3953 (50%) males and 3939 that although 83% (11/18) of PhD (50%) females (HEA, 2012a). The Research Centre in Carlow. He then went graduates secured funding for their PhD percentage of female PhD graduates in on to carry out his PhD research at both training programme, it was not always ITCarlow and Teagasc Oak Park. His the School of Science (2000-2012) at for the entire duration of their training. In PhD research project focused on the ITCarlow (i.e. 59%) was greater than some instances, this resulted in graduates potential risks involved in importing female PhD enrolments in either Irish seeking employment to subsidise their exotic bumblebees into Ireland for use in traditional universities or all IOTs in living expenses, leading to longer the horticultural industry and particularly 2011-2012 (HEA, 2012a). Some years completion times. Analysis of (i) the on the genetic structural relationships earlier, in 2006, the National Science number of years to PhD graduation, and between native and exotic bumblebee Foundation (NSF) in the USA reported (ii) whether or not the graduate was that American universities awarded more subspecies. This research was funded by employed during their training, showed than 1.3 million doctoral degrees from the Department of Agriculture, Food and that the average time to graduation of the 1920 to 1999 (NSF, 2006). Males the Marine, ITCarlow and Teagasc. five PhD graduates who were not accounted for 73% of the graduates, but Currently, Sergio is working with the employed during their PhD training Drthe proportion of PhDs earned by EnviroCORE research group at programme was less than five years. This ITCarlow on a project that aims to females had risen, from 15% in the 1920s is less than the average number of years Carloviana 2013-14 HISTORY OF RTC & ITC CONTINUED (PART 9) for the group of 18 PhD graduates who The most recent HEA survey results of in the higher education sector. took part in this study, suggesting that Irish PhD graduates available are in the there may be a relationship between (i) 2008 graduate report (HEA, 2010). These Edwina Brennan graduated in 2010 with time to graduation and (ii) employment HEA surveys of Irish third level a PhD in Biotechnology, Molecular and outside of the programme. graduates have been produced annually Environmental Science. Edwina is from since 1982 by the Statistics Section of the Ballyloo, Numey, attended St Leo's Employment during PhD programme HEA. Nine months after graduation secondary school in Carlow, and began (April 2009) surveys were carried out by her studies at ITCarlow in 2001. She Seventy two per cent (13/18) of careers officers in the seven traditional graduated with a B.Sc. (Honours) in graduates were employed during their universities and colleges of education, 2006 and decided to continue her studies ITCarlow level 10 PhD programme. and by HETAC on behalf of IOTs. The at ITCarlow as she was interested in (McGuinness, 2013). Of these 13 2008 survey of level 10 Irish PhD continuing to work on her undergraduate graduates, one graduate had a full-time graduates showed that 81 % of PhD final year project investigating bacterial teaching position and continued to work graduates who responded were enzymes that can degrade toxic full-time during the level IO PhD training employed. The results from the current pollutants in soil with a view to 'cleaning programme. The number of hours that study compare very favourably with up' the environment. She received students were in employment outside of these HEA data, with 94% (17 /18) of funding for her postgraduate studies from their training programme varied from ITCarlow School of Science graduates in the Irish Research Council for Science, less than four to greater than 20 (with one employment were surveyed Engineering and Technology. Currently, student employed full-time). The (McGuinness, 2013). Edwina is a lecturer in the Royal College majority of PhD graduates (77%) were of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical employed for the entire duration of their Interestingly, a large percentage (41 %, University in Bahrain. PhD programme with almost all (92%) of i.e. 7/17 graduates in employment) were PhD graduates employed for at least half employed in management-type positions, In summary, the longer than average PhD of the duration of their PhD training perhaps reflecting the ability to work completion time noted in the current programme. study may be related to the fact that the majority (72%) of level PhD graduates The most common type of employment were in employment during their PhD (56% or 10/18 PhD graduates) was training programme. Although, 83% of teaching at ITCarlow. This opportunity to these graduates had financial funding as teach at ITCarlow was listed by 11 % students, it was not always for the full (2/18) of graduates as one of the duration of the PhD training programme. strengths of their PhD programme and However, the majority (56%) of suggested as an opportunity that could be graduates in employment during their offered to current PhD students so as to PhD training programme were employed enhance their PhD training programme as part-time lecturers at ITCarlow, which experience. Clearly, the opportunity to was also a skill listed as (i) one of the teach was identified by PhD graduates as skills developed during the training a positive aspect of the PhD training programme, and (ii) suggested as a programme. valuable opportunity that could be offered to current PhD students so as to Employment status after graduation improve the PhD current training programme. As 35% of the PhD The success of the School of Science Dr Edwina Brennan graduates surveyed in this study are now PhD training programme at ITCarlow is on 2011 ITCarlow propectus employed in the higher education sector reflected by the fact that 94% of both in Ireland and overseas, this graduates were employed when this independently listed as a skill gained by opportunity to teach offered the students survey was carried out in Spring 2013 24% (4/17) of graduates, and listed as a valuable work experience despite the fact (McGuinness, 2013). Of those PhD strength of this PhD programme by 53% that it may have contributed to longer graduates who were employed, 41 % (9/17) of graduates. The HEA survey of completion times. were in management positions, while 2008 PhD graduates reported that 75% of 35% were in the higher education sector. those employed found employment in Salary It would appear that the unique IOT PhD Ireland, with almost half of those graduate environment, albeit with fewer employed in the Irish higher education A total of67% (12/18) ofITCarlow School students and resources, contributes to a sector (HEA, 2010). In the current study, of Science PhD graduates answered a holistic learning and training experience 88% (15/17) of PhD graduates found question regarding salary, and 50% of producing PhD graduates who are employment in Ireland with 24% (4/17) those who answered this question reported independent thinkers and planners, good employed in the Irish higher education salaries greater than €40K (McGuinness, communicators, with valuable sector. The two PhD graduates (2/1 7 = 2013). In the HEA survey (HEA, 2010) of teaching experience. 12%) employed overseas were both also the 20.9 % of respondents who answered Carloviana 2013-14 HISTORY OF RTC & ITC CONTINUED (PART 9) a question regarding salary, 53% reported 2nd ed., New York: Wiley. General. salaries of between E25-45K, and 41 % Edwards, B. (2002). Postgraduate Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB). reported salaries greater than E45K. supervision: ls having a PhD enough? In: (2006). National Guidelines of Good Salaries reported for PhD graduates (2000- Australian Association for Research in Practice in the Organisation of PhD 2012) in the survey are, therefore, in line Education Conference, Problematic Programmes in Irish Universities. with HEA salary figures for PhDs Futures: Educational Research in an Era [online ].available:http://iuqb.ie/info/goo graduating in 2008 nationally from both of Uncertainty. December 1st-5th 2002. d__practice _guides.aspx [accessed 3 May IOTs and traditional universities. Brisbane, Australia. 2013] European Higher Education Area Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB) Conclusions (EHEA) (2010) [online]. available: (2009). National Guidelines of Good http://ww.ehea.info [accessed 3 May Practice in the Organisation of PhD The European Universities Association 2013] Programmes in Higher Education. [on Salzburg II Recommendations (EUA, European Universities Association line ].available:http://iuqb.ie/info/good__p 2010) emphasise the individual character (EUA). ( 1999). Bologna Declaration. ractice_guides.aspx [accessed 3 May of the PhD degree and the need to use [online].available: 2013] institutional structures to support and http://www.eua.be/eua-work-and-policy Loughlin, E. (2012). 'Second-rate' give space to the development of the area/building-the-european-higher university risk for ITs seeking status individual PhD student and his/her education-area/bologna-basics.aspx [ac upgrade, Irish Daily Mail, 29 May, p .17. research project. The School of Science cessed 3 May 2013] McGuinness, M (2013) Evaluation of at ITCarlow provides this supportive European Universities Association level 10 PhD education in the School of individualised environment for PhD (EUA). (2005). Report on the Bologna Science at an Irish Institute of students in the current PhD training seminar: doctoral programmes for the Technology. Unpublished (M.A) thesis. programmes. These PhD graduates are European knowledge society, Salzburg, Institute of Technology Carlow. successful in the workplace despite the 3-5 February, 2005. [online]. available: Murray, N. (2012). Institutes' rush to fact that IOTs are not considered to have http://www.eua.be/fi leadmin/user_ secure university status 'could do more critical mass for PhD training, a major upload/files/EU Al_documents/Salzburg damage than good', Irish Examiner, 11 concern of the OECD (2004), EUA _Report_ final.1129817011146. pdf [ ac April, p. 6. (2010) and HEA (2012b), and a fact cessed 3 May 2013] National Science Foundation (NSF). frequently used in arguments against European Universities Association (2006). U.S. Doctorates in the 20th level 10 PhD programmes at the (EUA). (2010). Salzburg II Century. [online]. available: proposed TUs. Recommendations. European http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf06319/ universities' achievements since 2005 in [accessed 1 May 2013] References implementing the Salzburg Principles Organisation for Economic Co-operation [ online ]. available: http://www.eua.be/ and Development (OECD). (2004). Advisory Council for Science, LibrariesPublications_homepage_ list/Sal Review of Higher Education in Ireland in Technology and Innovation (ACSTI). zburg_II_ Recommendations.sflb.ashx 2004. [ online]. available: (2009). The Role of PhDs in the Smart [accessed 2 May 2013] http://www.hea.ie/en/webfm_ send/877 Economy. Dublin: Forfas. Bain, Flynn, S. (2012). Establishment of [accessed 24 April 2013] S.,Fedynich, L., Knight, M. (2011). The technological universities opposed, Irish Park, C. (2005). New Variant PhD: The successjitl graduate student; a review of Times, 23 January, p. 9. Changing Nature of the Doctorate in the factors for success. Journal o_f'Academic Higher Education Authority (HEA). UK. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Business Ethics, 3, pp. 1-9. (2006). Graduate education forum-key and Management, 27, pp. 189-207. Bently, P.J. (2006). The PhD Application guiding principles. Dublin: HEA Rudd, E. and Simpson, R. (1975). The Handbook, Berkshire: Open University Higher Education Authority (2010) Highest Education: A Study of Graduate Press. 'What do graduates do? The class of Education in Britain. London: Routledge Cummins, D. (2013). "Institutes of 2008'. [online ]. available: and Kegan Paul. technology are still victims of academic http://www.hea.ie [accessed 3 May Walshe, J (2010) Universities should elitism", Irish Times, 9 April, p. 16. 2013] sack 'incompetent professors', Irish Dean of Graduate Studies, Trinity Higher Education Authority (HEA). Independent, [microfilm], 23 January, College Dublin (TCD). (2009). The (2012a). Enrolments 2011/2012. [online]. 2010, p. 10. Trinity PhD: How does excellence available: http://www.hea.ie [accessed Wellington, J, Bathmaker, A.M., Hunt, evolve. Dublin: TCD. 3 May 2013] C., McCullough, G, and Sikes, P. (2005). Department of Education and Skills Higher Education Authority (HEA). Succeeding with your doctorate, London: (DES) Report. (2011 ). National Strategy (2012b). Towards a Future higher Sage Publications. for Higher Education to 2030. education landscape. [online]. available: [online ]available:http://www.hea.ie/files/ http://www.hea.ie/fi !cs/Towards Postgraduate Studies Develop from files/DES_ Higher_Ed_ Main_ Report. pdf a Future Higher Education School of Science to Engineering, [accessed 25 Nov 2012] Landscape.pdf[accessed 3 May 2013] Dr Norman McMillan, Emeritus, ITC Dillman, D.A. (2007). Mail and Internet Ireland, Regional Technical Colleges Act Surveys: The Tailored Design Method. 1992, s 5 Dublin: Office of The Attorney A pioneering development that owes its Carloviana 2013-14 HISTORY OF RTC & ITC CONTINUED (PART 9) origin to the Carlow researches of ITCarlow Schools of Sience and McMillan and Kennedy by Kevin Norman McMillan has recently become Engineering. The NAMBOT co-director Tiernan in 2008 entitled "Drop a European wide research activity with was Dr Brian O'Rourke (Chemistry) and Photometer Design". Greg Doyle the establishment of the MPNS COST supervision of postgraduates was pro completed his PhD in a computer science MP1302 Action (see vided internally from David Denieffe study supervised by McMillan and http://www.cost.eu/domains _ actions/mp (Engineering); and later after his own Murtagh in London University entitled ns/Actions/MP1302) for NanoSpec studies were completed by Greg Doyle "New statistical and data mining troscopy. McMillan is the Irish (Computing). External supervision came approach to the analysis of tensiographic Management Representative in this new from Dr Eon O'Mongain, Applied and other multivariate sensor data. A Action that will network with leading Physics in UCD; Dr Habil Reinhard second ITCarlow staff member, the laboratories and industries in Europe that Miller in the Colloid and Surfaces Group redoubtable Des Carbery, completed his typically involves the collaboration of in the Max-Planck Institute; Professor PhD study entitled "Drop metrology more than 20 countries. The group that Andy Augousti, University of Kingston, dynamic testing and analysis" supervised pioneered this development of Surrey; Professor SRP Smith, Dean of by McMillan and Kennedy in the DIT. NanoSpectroscopyorigins are traced in Science and Engineering in University of Douglas McMillan was supervised by the 1980s to McMillan. The pioneering Essex; Professor Fionn Murtagh, Head of O'Rourke in a PhD completed in 2010 research was conducted in a series of Computing in University of London and explained fully by the title "A multi laboratories, initially in Carlow, then Editor-in-chief of the Computer Journal disciplinary investigation of the impact working in Dr Odilla Finlayson's ( oldest computer journal in the world); on the aquatic habitats, focussing on laboratory in DCU, then in a research and finally from the DIT from Professors colour and turbidity analysis, as the basis laboratory in Teagasc and finally and David Kennedy (Mechanical Engineer for developing a new environment most importantly in Dr Eon O'Mongain's ing in Bolton Street) and Gerry Farrell tensiographic technology". Philippe laboratory in UCD. The RTC at this time (Optics and Telecommunications in Pringuet completed his ITCarlow were not allowed to undertake research Kevin Street). computer science modeling PhD study and Dr Nonnan McMillan had to "The construction and validation of a conduct this R&D entirely in his own The first NAMBOT PhD study based in numerical tensiotrace simulation model time and furthermore had to raise the the was that of Martina O'Neill an IT and investigation of a modelled platform funds to do this. The involvement from Carlow-Essex University Optoelectron for fingerprinting wine'' supervised by 1993 of the Carl Stuart Group in Tallaght ics graduate in a thesis entitled "New Smith in Essex University and has played a vital role in bringing tensiographic signal processing and McMillan.The telecommunications study forward what is today recognised as a multivariate methods with confirmatory of James Egan was completed in 2011 international field of spectroscopy with measurement programmes in brewing, entitled "New data-entropy and data important applications in analytical bioengineering and pure liquids" in 2001. scatter methods for optical telecommuni chemistry and applied biology. The Carl This research was partially carried out in cations PhD systems for signal analysis" Stuart NAMBOT Laboratory was UCD. Denis Morrin's study in applied supervised by Doyle and McMillan in established in 1995 in the Innovation surface science and pharmaceutical ITCarlow. Anne-Charlotte Bertho in Centre and the acronym comes from science was supervised by O'Rourke and 2012 completed her applied spectroscopy Nano and Meso Biological Optical McMillan and entitled "'Experimental study entitled "Drop Spectroscopy" Telecommunications. This group studies in tensiography" in 2007. Sven supervised by O'Rourke and McMillan. developed as a collaboration between Riedel working in the NAMBOT Gavin Dunne undertook his programme laboratory but regis of PhD research on protein surface tered m Kingston kinetics supervised by McMillan and University completed O'Rourke in the ITCarlow and Reinhard his studies in 2007 Miller in the Max-Planck Institute, with an electronic and Potsdam. software thesis super vised by McMillan and The innovation in Carlow has seen a full Augousti entitled "De development of Non-collimated Light velopments in tensio Spectroscopy (NCLS). This approach graphic multivariate has broken the taboo on light having to analysis leading to a be collimated (parallele) as in laser new approach with sources. Rather, in this new approachthe prevalent applicability rays oflight spread out in paths of differ for fingerprinting and ent lengths as they pass through drops or data representation". meniscuses. The instruments developed The laboratory pro are for both standing sessile drops or Kevin Tiernan at centre with two examiners at front aper duced a DIT PhD study in a second tensiograph the optical analy his PhD viva for thesis entitled 'Drop Photomehy'. His two focusing on instrumen sis is of a signal derived from a grow supervisors Professor David Kennedy, DITformerly IT tation and data mining ing pendant (hanging) drop. The first Carlow and Dr McMillan at back. methods supervised by patent relating to NCLS is that of Carloviana 2013-14 HISTORY OF RTC & ITC CONTINUED (PART 9) Framework Project Water come contamination problems with ten Quality Surveillance siographic drophead because of its ultra Techniques for Early sens1tlv1ty of the technique. The Warning by Tensiographic sensitivity indeed required the develop Sensors Contract num ment of autolevelling technology to ber: EVK1-CT2000-00066 better than 0.005° and quartz drophead for smart monitoring in for pendant method that are simple to early warning of pollution decontaminatevi_ In optical tensiography, for priority pollutants at a method of measuring dynamic surface ppb levels (PAH and sev tension in a single drop based on eral others from 32 priority monitoring a series of tensiotraces in a pollutants). Simultane quantum of sample in a drop that does ously the analyser flagged not detach from the measurement head solvent or surfactant can certainly be described as 'smart'. The McMillan with Drop Technology in 2012 stand discharges at ppm levels technique enables profiling of the prop showing three lead-out UV-vis drop spectrophotome from the dynamic surface erties and spectra of a OUT.vii ters for measuring samples of 1 microlitre. The work tension measurement in CarlowofMcMillan's groupfrom late 1980 now is of the drop-under-test On this first cuvetteless track, an early seen as the very first development oftoday's important (DUT)iv. High quality opti indication that tensiography could open research field ofNanoSpectroscopy. cal dispersion measure- up a new spectroscopic analysis approach ments are also obtained came in 1995 with the work of Liu and while simultaneously the Dasgupta in Texas. They evolved drop McMillan ( 1988)' and McMillan et al 11 in bulk UV-visible spectra is obtained. The analysis into a new and independent tech a 1992 publication gave details of how concept of a DUT is one introduced by nique for gas analysis using the drop as a this approach could be implemented in a McMillan. This pendant drop technology windowless optical cell for spectroscopic practical situation. The tensiograph was measurements in a flow systemviii and perhaps the first ever 'smart' technology inspired the first sessile drop Nano Drop Corporation nanovolume patents by developed in science and details of this their system aimed to provide analytical Charles Robertson in 2001 v of which chemistry in a drop;'. They reported development are summarized in a chap ter of textbook on 'Bubbles and Drops';;;_ more will be said below. The NanoDrop world record sensitivity for the detection today is the largest selling spectrophoto of chlorine in the auto-sampler they de Tensiography's principal spectroscopic metric laboratory instrument on the mar vised based on a drop analyserx. From application is in environmental monitor ket. A considerable amount of research there, they proceeded to review drop ing ofreal waters developed in an EU 5th in tensiography was required to over- techniques in their amusingly titled review 'A Liquid Drop: What is it good for?'xi. Following from this initiative, the significance of the drop analyser has been emphasized with two review papers by Miller and Synovec';; and Song et al';;;. Developing from smart microvolume pendant drop techniques there have been recent important developments of' surface-science-base nanovolume sessile drop technologiesxiv in which neither the source and detector fibers are not in contact with the OUT but inside the quartz drophead; nanodrop samples are placed on drophead with a pipette. The optimised design quartz drophead does not suffer irreversible contamination and indeed cleaning solutions and cleaning tools in a kit have been developed for both the Transmitted Light Drop Analyser (TLDA) instrumentsxv PhD graduation photograph of Des Carbe1y for thesis entitled 'Drop Metrology' and spectrometer accessories. Real drop 20 I 0. Seen congratulation are shaking hand ofDes Dr R. Neavyn. President ITC. spectroscopy' is the first NCLS method To the left is Des' brother Eugene, Head of Electronics, to right David Denieffe, with claimed measurement advantage Head of School of Engineering, now Registrar. Dr McMillan his supervisor is next to Dr Neavyn. over traditional collimated approaches Carloviana 2013-14 HISTORY OF RTC & ITC CONTINUED (PART 9) that are extended to microvolume own right that will feature in later parts tometer. Inventor Charles William techniques of typically samples of 1 of this history. What is clear from the Robertson. Filed Feb. 19, 2002. microlitre.The competitive microvolume history of the NAMBOT Group is that a vi For example see European Patent spectrometers also pipette drop samples successful commercial venture has Application No. 06708399.8 but the measurement requires these developed supported by a commercial "Tensiographic Drophead" nanosamples to be then squashed sponsorship from the Carl Stuart Group. MCMILLAN, Norman; SMITH, Stuart; between fibers, or sucked into a capillary; Today this can be seen as the pioneering BAKER, Michael; Stephen R.P. Smith the methods cannot truely be described work in the important researearch field of vu McMillan, N.D., O'Rourke, as drop spectroscopy NanoSpectroscopy. B.,Morrin, D., Pringuet, P., Smith, S.R.P., O'Neill, M., Hammond, J., Riedel S. and McMillan's strong research background References Carbery D., A new optical method of included pioneering developments in continuously analysing the surface helping build one of the first chopped fil Apparatus and method of measuring a properties of a single pendant drop while beam UV-visible spectroscopic property of a liquid: US Patent obtaining quality bulk spectral and developments in the National Physics 4,910,402. Filed 31/3/88. Ser. 175,836. refractive index measurements of the Laboratory, Teddington; in the (ii) European App. No. 88303147.8 Date liquid-under-test, Journal of Physics: development of the first ever solid-state 8/4/88. GO! N21/l7 0 286 419 filed in Conference Series 178 (2009) 012007 laser and the Gunn diode microwave Germany, UK, France and Italy. doi: I 0.1088/1742-6596/178/ 1/012007 today found in every mobile phones; in The fibre drop analyser: A new Sensors & their Applications XV inventing the first ever non-volatile multi-measurand analyser with viii Liu H and Dasgupta P K 1996 Anal. microcircuit memory system for applications in sugar processing and for Chim. Acta 326 13 computers in Elliott Scientific; in the analysis of pure liquids, N.D. ix Liu H and Dasgupta P K 1996 Trends working in the Nottingham University McMillan, 0. Finlayson, F. Fortune, M. Anal. Chem. 15 468 Andrews' celebrated group where the Fingelton, D. Daly, D. Townsend, D.D.G. ' Liu H and Dasgupta P K 1996 Anal. MRl was invented in work supervised by McMillan and M.J. Dalton, Meas. Sci. Chem. 67 4221 Stan Clough on quantum mechanica Technol. 3 (1992) 746-764. xi Liu H and Dasgupta P K 1997 tunelling of methyl groups. McMillan iii N.D. McMillan, S.R.P. Smith, M. Microchem. J. 57 127 later developed the first ever computer O'Neill, K. Tiernan, D. Morrin, P. xii Miller K E and Synovec R E 2000 games simulation in the 1980s and Pringuet, G. Doyle, B. O'Rourke, A.C. Talanta 51 921 computer interface technologies Bertho, J. Hammond, D.D.G. McMillan, xiii Song Q, Zhang G X and Qiu ZR 2005 including patented keyboard overlays S. Riedel, D. Carbery, A. Augousti, N. Opto-Electron. Rev. 13 I and electronic interface the HUCI which Wiistneck, R. Wiistneck, F. Colin, P. xiv For example see International was an anticipation of today's Wii. The Hennerbert, G. Pottecher, D. Kennedy, Application No. PCT/EP2012/056835 subsequent development of drop N. Barnett, The Tensiograph Platform for "Optical instruments" MCMILLAN, spectroscopy and tensiography has Optical Measurement, in "Bubble and Norman; O'NEILL, Martina; involved numerous patents all relating to Drop Interfaces", Vol. 2, Progress in ARTHURE, Kevin SMITH, Stuart; NCL methods. Colloid and Interface Science, Brill Stephen R.P. Smith Pub!., Leiden, 2011, p. 401-480. xv McMillan, N., O'Neill, M., Smith, S., Concluding Comments iv Contract number: EVK1-CT2000- Hammond, J., Riedel, S., Arthure, K. and Dr McGuinness has desacribed in the 00066, Water Quality Surveillance Smith, S., Reliable TLDA-microvolume earlier section of this article the structure Techniques for Early Warning by UV spectroscopy with applications in and success of the PhD research Tensiographic Sensors, Fourth Periodic chemistry and biosciences for microlitre programme in the School of Science at Report (Sections 1 to 6) Period covered: analysis and rapid pipette calibration, J. ITCarlow. This contribution by Dr February 1, 2004 to January 31, 2005, Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt. 11, 2009. McMillan is an interesting addendum Final Detailed Report 2001-2005, and showing how research spread from one follow-up study C. Lambert, M.Eng. An School to another, ie Science to Engi Application of Tensiographic Sensor neering. The earliest research work in the Techniques for the Analysis of IT Carlow was that of Dr Jimmie Parkes Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in in the 1980s. Jimmie's research has been Road Runoff, University of Dublin, M. documented in an earlier part of the A. I. (Recurrent Education) 2011. History of the RTC-ITCarlow. v Patents citing McMillan prior art. (i) McMillan's work began at about the Patent No. US 6,628,382 B2 Date of same time, but as explained here Patent: Sep. 30, 2003 Liquid Photometer straddled the Schools of Science and using Surface Tension to Contain Engineering. The collaboration between Sample. Inventor Charles William. Filed McMillan and David Denieffe has been Feb. 15, 2002. (ii) Patent No. US touched on only briefly, but David has 6,809,826 B2 Date of Patent: May. 29, conducted engineering research in his 2012. Dual Sample Mode Spectropho- Carloviana 2013-14 Mike O 'Donaghue, Carlow, wins the Ras Tailteann of 1973 Dermot Mulligan, Carlow County Museum n Sunday July 8'h 1973 thou area was used regularly as a base for cy over 10 gruelling days. It was not uncom sands gathered on a sunny after cling training camps. Outside of cycling mon for a race stage to be over 200 kilo Onoon in the Phoenix Park, Joe among many things led a march of metres (124 miles) in length. Dublin, to witness the conclusion of the over 10,000 people to Dail Eireann to twenty first edition oflreland's great bike protest about unemployment in the The Ras Tailteann's nationalist, indeed race, the Ras Tailteann. This ten day gru 1950s, the first post war mass demonstra republican undertones, in its early politi elling race had visited each of the four tion in Dublin. He was embroiled in na cal outlook helped shape its name. The provinces and the final stage saw Car tional politics and he led raids on at least ancient Irish Tailteann Games (pre dating low's Mike O'Donaghue in the coveted two British Army Barracks in Northern the ancient Olympics) had had a revival yellow jersey of race leader. After twenty Ireland in the 1950s. from 1924 to 1932 during the early years laps of the Phoenix Park's Polo Ground of Irish independence. The name gave it circuit Mike crossed the line as the only an instant recognition that people could Carlow man so far and the first from the have empathy with. Through its tough south east to win the Ras Tailteann. ness and endurance it quickly became a legendary race among the Irish people In 1953 the first staging of the Ras Tail making heroes of its competitors and teann had taken place over two days household names of its winners. Many under the auspices of the National Cy cyclists considered it an honour and in cling Organisation (NCA). The race deed the career highlight to have simply founder and the Race Director from 1953 completed the race in full. The inter to 1972 was a larger than life character county rivalry of teams, based upon that Joe Christle (see Carloviana 2002). Dur Mike O 'Donaghue in Phoenix Park, of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) ing the late 1940s and early 1950s an ap en route to proved to be a hit with the public. This petite was developing for stage racing in winningl973 Ras Tailteann was clearly emphasised in the 1955 race Ireland. Joe had spent some time trying Photo courtesy of: An Post Ras when Steve Abbott, Dublin beat Gene to develop a national tour of Ireland and Mangan, Kerry in a sprint finish on the came very close to doing so prior to 1953 streets ofTralee. Steve, was Irish cycling but unacceptable sponsorship demands The first Ras in 1953 was modest, com champion in 1957, had Carlow connec put paid to that. peted for over just two stages, from tions on his mother's side and he lived for Dublin to Wexford. On the following day many years in Tullow following his re Joe along with a small committee over the return journey passed through Car tirement back to Ireland from England. saw its development through its difficult low. Based on the close Christle family Earlier this year and not long before his early years. In fact much of its develop connections to county Carlow it's not sur death in June Steve recounted to me with ment from a two day race to an eight day prising that Carlow featured on the sec fondness and a chuckle that afternoon in race was subject to the race not causing ond stage. Even less surprising is that the Tralee where the locals, who turned up in any financial burden on the NCA. Joe Leighlin area featured and thus began their thousands, were not happy that their was able to generate much national and decades of a close relationship with the hero Gene was not only beaten in his local publicity for the Ras; at times he Leighlin area and the Ras Tailteann. The home county but it was by a Dubliner! courted controversy for the Ras, such as ascent of the Butts above Old Leighlin is having the lead car fly a large tricolour classed as a Category 1 climb where the In the early decades the starting point of while travelling from Newry to Armagh long steep climb is crucial to determining the race was the GPO, O'Connell Street, in 1956 which resulted in the Royal Ul many stage outcomes. In the 1997 Ras it Dublin with the finish always on a Sun ster Constabulary (RUC) drawing their was the punishing finish of the individual day afternoon in the Phoenix Park. The batons. With his socialist background Joe time trial which started just over eleven arrival of the Ras into towns was wel invited mainly eastern European teams miles away at the Institute of Technology comed by large crowds wanting to see over to add an international dimension to Carlow. these men of iron; it wasn't unusual for the Ras, the first being a national team tens of thousands to attend the final stage from Poland in 1963. A Dubliner, Joe's Based on the success of both the race and in the Phoenix Park, while that same af father Jim was from Offaly while his the publicity it generated the first Ras ternoon just a few miles down the road mother Johanna O'Keeffe was from Se Tailteann quickly developed into at least Croke Park was also hosting similar skin, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. During eight days in length and many from the crowds attending championship games. the 1950s and 1960s the Old Leighlin mid 1960s to the mid 1970s were held The majority of the Irish competitors in Carloviana 2013-14 MIKE O'DONAGHUE, CARLOW, WINS THE RAS TAILTEANN OF 1 973 the race were amateurs, making their was his lead that Mike was able to sit up, for the first stage of the 1964 Ras. Joe achievements all the more spectacular. In show off his Carlow tri-colour jersey went as far as putting together a Carlow 1953 the first international team from sponsored by Corcoran & Co. Ltd much team choosing none other than legendary Poland participated and over the years to the delight of the home crowd. Ras Cyclist Kerry man Gene Mangan to since, the Ras has hosted many foreign Such was Mike's versatility he completed be Mike's team mate. Mike's ambition teams. The 'peleton' usually in excess of an amazing double in September 1967. was simply to compete in the Ras and 150 riders is made up of amateur, semi hopefully survive the ten days and cross professional and professional cyclists. the finish line in the Phoenix Park. The Ras left the traditional starting point of In 1960 a fourteen year old Mike O'Don the GPO on O'Connell Street and the fin aghue read an advert for a beginners race ish line was outside St. Leo's Secondary in the Nationalist & Leinster Times School on the then Dublin Road (now the newspaper. Mike cycled the 37km (23 Old Dublin Road). Gene Mangan, Mike's miles) from his home just outside Carlow teammate was in the leading group. At town to Monasterevin, Co. Kildare and the vicinity of where Alyesbury Court entered the race. Although not having a housing estate is now Gene made his proper racing bike Mike won and thus move. He apparently mounted the foot began a great cycling career. Following Mike O 'Donaghue winning Stage 9 path and broke from the group and pro this early success Mike developed his cy of the 1969 Ras Tailteann at ceeded to win. Mike crossed the line in cling skills and with dedication his talent the Staplestown Road, Carlow Town an excellent sixth place. The presentation quickly emerged. As well as racing on the Photo courtesy of An Post Ras of the stage prizes was made on the steps roads Mike enjoyed the thrills & indeed He won the Dublin to Tralee Invitational, of Carlow Courthouse. Gene didn't com spills of fast paced track racing. It was on Ireland's longest race, 308km (192 miles) plete the Ras and Mike therefore without these tracks he set many Irish records. from Dublin to Tralee, Co. Kerry and any team mates finished his first Ras in From the track circuit he emerged as a three weeks later he won the Sprint the Phoenix Park in sixth place overall. sprinter of some note. During those early Championship oflreland, Ireland's short Mike in jest reflecting on his first Ras felt years like many of his compatriots Mike est race, a 200 metres track race in he could have done better but his father, cycled to the race location, cycled the Dublin. The Dublin to Tralee victory and concerned for his son's safety, told him race and cycled home. His track bike, like subsequent two races clearly show just before the start to take it easy. all track bikes, has no gears or brakes and Mike's ability, dedication and stamina. must be continually pedalled. Mike re The race left Dublin early on a Saturday For much of his career Mike wore the calls cycling this bike over the Wicklow morning and quite a number of the riders distinctive Carlow tri-colour jersey. He mountains to a race, winning the race and didn't finish due to the extreme length of was probably the first Irish cyclist to have making the return journey on the same the race. A weekend of racing was organ a sponsor - Carlow's famous mineral day. ised as part of the Rose ofTralee Festival water company Corcoran & Co. Ltd. In a then held in September. On the Sunday number of hand written letters to Mike, Mike wasn't just a sprinter, he was well and Monday evenings the town ofTralee Paddy Governey Snr ofCorcoran's wrote able to compete over longer distances and hosted a 'round the houses' race. Round to Mike congratulating him on his vari make progress up the climbs. Certainly the house(s) race were quite common ous successes and in one letter dated the competitors were wary of Mike in the throughout Ireland where cyclists rode l 4'h of July 1967 states 'You certainly closing stages of a race, if they hadn't around a street circuit of a town for one gave Carlo Orange & Lemon plenty of shaken him off earlier in the stage they hour and then cycled ten more laps. The publicity and we hope you will allow us would have a battle to beat Mike in a majority of the cyclists who took part in to sponsor you next year again'. Depend sprint. Like all good sprinters the final Tralee round the houses races hadn't un ing on Corcoran's wishes Mike wore 200 - 300 meters was the strike range dertaken the arduous journey from names such as 'Carlo Orange', 'Carlo and Mike had the ability to make a deci Dublin on the Saturday, Mike undaunted Lemon' and 'Castle Orange' across his sive move at the right time and take race won the race on Sunday and was second jersey and on his shorts. Incidentally on victory. Several photos of Mike in the on Monday. the winning podium in the 1973 Ras 1960s and 1970s emphasise this, includ whether by accident or not Mike wore his ing a great photograph of Mike winning In 1962 Mike set his ambitions on enter Corcoran & Co emblazed tracksuit top Stage 9 of the 1969 Ras Tailteann on the ing the Ras, then a ten day gruelling race thus covering the yellow jersey spon Staplestown Road in Carlow Town. Mike over 1,000 miles (1609 kilometres). In sored by Tayto. In the south east and sur along with Jean Pierre Cabassut, France 1962 and 1963 he followed the race as a rounding areas the Corcoran's truck was and Jim McConville of Down were lead spectator around Ireland and he then de often present near the race finish line. It ing the race down the Tullow Road and cided to enter the 1964 Ras. Mike was was by all accounts a good promotional on towards the finish line on the lower just nineteen years of age in 1964 and he opportunity for the company and indeed Staplestown Road. In classic Mike style is credited as the first Carlow cyclist to the cyclists appreciated sampling the he made his burst with a few hundred take on the challenge. Joe Christle, never merchandise to satisfy their thirst after a meters to go and had a ten to fifteen one to miss an opportunity, decided that day in the saddle. Mike was one of the meter lead as he crossed the line. Such Carlow town would be the stage finish few Irish riders to wear sunglasses while Carloviana 2013-14 MIKE O' DONAGHUE, CARLOW, WINS THE RAS TAILTEANN OF 1 973 racing, indeed such was the vir cyclists he was friendly with, in tual absence of cycling glasses in particular Kildare man Paddy the country he wore nonnal sun Flannagan with whom Mike had glasses. Mike with his tri trained and raced for years. In coloured jersey, sunglasses and return for supporting each other's haircut (part of his pre Ras prepa efforts on the road Mike knew he rations) cut quite a dash as he had some temporary team mates. raced along the high ways and by This was crucial because Mike ways of Ireland. Mike also sam had the misfortune on the next pled international cycling, he two stages from Belmullet to was the third cyclist to represent Donegal and Donegal to Clones Ireland at both road and track to have a puncture on each stage. races. One French newspaper, Mike recalls that on Stage 7 Quest France in August 1974 when he received his first punc after a race victory by Mike in ture he managed to get back to France referred to him as an un the group and cycled to the front orthodox cyclist. In essence so everybody was aware that he Mike spotted an opportunity a lit was still in the race. On Stage 8 tle further out than the usual when he punctured the peleton 200/300 meters to make his final (main bunch) decided to race move and burst into the lead. The hard as there now was an oppor group of mainly French riders tunity for a new race leader to were simply caught unawares by take over from Mike. Mike man Mike who make good his advan aged to catch up to the bunch but tage and won, somewhat to their deliberately stayed at the back of annoyance and this was reflected the group. Many of the riders in the subsequent newspaper re were unaware of Mike's presence, port. According to Mike's Carlow Mike O 'Donaghue posing for a photograph promoting still thinking they haq an oppor contemporaries Eddie Dawson his sponsor, Carlow company Corcoran & Co. Ltd. tunity of taking over as race and Billy Archibold Mike was an Photo courte",y of' Mike O 'Donaghue leader they maintained a fast astute and 'class' cyclist. Much of pace. In particular the threat was his work was done in training from the French and Cork teams prior to races. Billy well remem- who had riders in second and bers Mike's tactical astuteness and Carlow to Waterford and again winning third place. Eventually Mike made his knowledge of his competitors. Before a Stage 4 from Macroom to Tralee, Co. way through the bunch and no doubt his race Mike would talk to his fellow Car Kerry on the Monday, both in sprints. It presence was a deflation to his closely low team mates about the course and was on the Wednesday that Mike made ranked competitors. Mike's progress was which cyclists to watch out for and in national sporting headlines, when after reported widely in the daily newspapers deed follow. Mike himself stated that he Stage 6 from Gort, Co. Galway to Bel and on the Sunday morning of July 8'11 would plan his races and his training ac mullet, Co. Mayo Mike took over as race many proud Carlovians made the journey cordingly; if an upcoming race was to be leader and for the first time wore the to the Phoenix Park to witness the arrival relatively flat he concentrated on speed famed yellow jersey. Although cycling is of the final stage from Navan. If Mike work; if a race would be mountainous he an individual sport, being part of a cy had no disaster enroute and stayed with concentrated the training on hill work. In cling team is also very important. Many the bunch for the twenty laps of the Polo preparation for the Ras Mike would cer cyclists win races with the help of team Ground circuit he would become the first tainly undertake at least fifty mile daily mates such as assisting with pace mak rider from not only Carlow but from the cycles increasing this up to one hundred ing, following race breaks, leading out a south east to win the famed Ras Tail miles over a weekend. team mate for the final sprint. During this teann. Indeed this came to pass, no doubt period Carlow rarely had a large team to it must have been hugely satisfying for When Mike entered his ninth Ras in 1973 enter the Ras while counties like Dublin, Mike on those last few laps knowing that he had become one of Ireland's top cy Kerry and Meath might have two teams he was going to win. He was second clists. Mike enlisted Ballon man and ex involved. This in mind it was spectacular overall in 1972 and he felt that would be perienced cyclist Eddie Dawson as his that Mike had managed to become race the best he would achieve in the Ras, but manager for the race. Eddie, Mick Kin leader and that he could seriously have just twelve months later he completed a sella and Mike were the members of the the expectation of holding onto it for the worthy and deserved victory. Among his Carlow team in the 1969 Ras. The twenty next four stages. Mike's tactical astute close supporters that day was his preg first edition of the Ras started on the ness came to the fore, he knew the talents nant wife Jeanne who had played her part 1 of most of his competitors and he used evening of Friday June 29 h 1973 at the in Mike's training by assisting with pace GPO with Carlow as the stage finish. On their abilities to his advantage. He also setting on her "Garelli" moped. the Saturday Mike won Stage 2 from made some gentlemen's agreements with Carloviana 2013-14 MIKE O'DONAGHUE, CARLOW, WINS THE RAS TAILTEANN OF 1 973 During his time competing in the Ras he clists passing through counties Cork, Tip Sunday July I st Stage 3 Waterford - won it in 1973, was second in 1972 and perary, Kilkenny and Laois. The lead rid Macroom, Co. Cork (172.2 Km/I 07 he won a total of nine stages. He won his ers that afternoon reached speeds of over Miles) first stage in 1965, in 1969 he won three 50kms per hour on the final sprint along Stage Winner: Mick Nulty, Meath Flora stages, a stage in 1971 and in 1972 & Barrack Street. The Stage Winner in Car Race Leader: Paddy Flanagan, Kildare 1973 he won two stages in each race. In low was Rico Rogers of the Azerbaijan 1965 and 1969 he won stages into his Synergy Baku Cycling Team while the Monday July 2nd Stage 4 Macroom - home town of Carlow. He retired in 1978 General Classification (Yellow Jersey) Tralee, Co. Kerry (170.6 Km/106 but decided to return in 1980 and finished was retained by Marcin Bialoblocki of Miles) competitive cycling in 1983. Such is the the UK Youth Pro Cycling Team. In fact Stage Winner: Mike O'Donaghue, Car significance of cycling in Mike's life he Marcin Bialoblocki was the An Post Ras low still cycles at least forty miles every day. 2013 winner when the race finished on Race Leader: Paddy Flanagan, Kildare In 2011 he was the recipient of the Hall Sunday May 26'11 in Skerries, Co. Dublin. of Fame award at the County Carlow On Saturday May 25'h after a parade from Tuesday July 3rd Stage 5 Tralee - Gort, Sports Star awards night. the Greenbank car park down Dublin Co. Galway (169 Km/105 Miles) Street the cyclists departed from the Post Stage Winner: Noel Clarke, Meath Dis The Ras Tailteann, or the An Post Ras, as Office on Burrin Street. The peleton trav cover Ireland it is now known, has been held annually elled across the county and into Tullow Race Leader: Paddy Flanagan, Kildare without interruption since its inception 60 and then headed towards Shillelagh. The years ago in 1953. The Ras regularly vis stage end was in Naas after they had eight Wednesday July 4th Stage 6 Gort - Bel its County Carlow with both Carlow serious climbs in the Wicklow Moun mullet, Co. Mayo (193.1 Km/120 Miles) town and Tullow hosting stage finishes. tains. Stage Winner: Larry Clarke, Meath Dis Two of Mike's Carlow team mates have cover Ireland had prominent roles in the Ras. In 1982 Two excellent reference books on the his Race Leader: Mike O'Donaghue, Carlow Bennekerry man Billy Archibold was the tory of the Ras Tailteann are: 'The Ras, a Ras Race Director while today Ballon day by day diary of Ireland's great bike Thursday July 5th Stage 7 Belmullet - man Eddie Dawson is the Assistant Race race' by Jim Traynor, 2008 and 'The Ras, Donegal (196.34 Km/122 Miles) Director. The 2013 edition of the An Post the story oflreland's unique bike race' by Stage Winner: Paddy Flanagan, Kildare Ras was the forty fourth consecutive year Tom Daly, 2003. Sincere thanks to Mike, Race Leader: Mike O'Donaghue, Carlow Eddie was involved in the Ras. Jeanne O'Donaghue & family for assis tance and access to Mike's archive for Friday July 6'h Stage 8 Donegal - To commemorate the fortieth anniversary both the exhibition and research. Clones, Co. Monagahan (144.8 Km/90 of Mike's great win Carlow County Mu Miles) semn developed a special exhibition ti An Ras Tailteann 1973 Race Statistics Stage Winner: Mick Nulty, Meath Flora tled 'Mike the man of the Ras '73'. The General Classification: Race Leader: Mike O'Donaghue, Carlow exhibition was officially launched on Fri 1' 1 Mike O'Donaghue, Carlow day May 24'11 2013 by Mel Christle, son 41 hours, 4 minutes, 16 sec- Saturday July 7'11 Stage 9 Clones - of Joe Christle, the founder of the Ras. onds Navan, Co. Meath (135.2 Km/84 Miles) Mel, now a Senior Counsel, rode the Ras 2nd Bernard Dupin, France Stage Winner: John Mangan, Kerry in 1971 and is believed to be the youngest @ 1 minute and 28 seconds Race Leader: Mike O'Donaghue, Carlow ever competitor at just thirteen years of 3rd Mick Cahill, Cork age. Similar to many cyclists of that era @ 1 minute and 58 seconds Sunday July 8'11 Stage 10 Navan - he emphasised that he simply wanted to Phoenix Park, Dublin (75.6 Km/47 complete the race. He was joined on the Total Distance Cycled: 1474.16 Km or Miles) night by his brother Terry, both of them 916 Miles over ten stages Stage Winner: John Mangan, Kerry multi Irish champion boxers. Race Leader & Winner: Mike O'Don Friday June 29'h Stage 1 Dublin - Car aghue, Carlow The exhibition launch coincided with low (77.25 Km/48 Miles) Stage 6 of the 2013 An Post Ras stage Stage Winner: Denis Mangan, Kerry finishing on Barrack Street, Carlow Race Leader*: Denis Mangan, Kerry Town earlier that afternoon. Carlow * County Museum has asked the An Post Yellow Jersey Ras to hold a stage end/start in Carlow to mark the anniversary. The An Post Ras Saturday June 301h Stage 2 Carlow - embraced the opportunity and with the Waterford (140 Km/87 Miles) assistance of Carlow County Museum as Stage Winner: Mike O'Donaghue, Car Stage End Coordinator the riders cycled low just over l 54kms from Mitchelstown, Co Race Leader: Cork. This was the second longest stage Shay O'Hanlon, Dublin of this year's An Post Ras with the cy- Carloviana 2013-14 "A Crime Unparalleled": The Stapletons at Milford Cross, 1828 Shay Kinsella et in an unspecified area of the King's Bench west of Ireland, some of the in for Ireland from Ssights into courtroom theatre ex 1822 to 1841. pressed in the famous Irish R.M. stories lt was Bushc by Somerville and Ross may be traced to who presided the experiences of a relative in Carlow over the trial of town in the early nineteenth century. Vi the Stapletons olet 'Martin Ross' had Carlow connec in 1828, a Car tions (her grandmother was Mary Ellen low couple ac Blackney of Ballyellen), but the authors cused of the also had a common ancestor who had highway rob been very active on the local legal circuit. bery and at When they wrote their hugely popular ac tempted rape of counts of the adventures of Major Yeates, a younger they regularly set their scene in the cou1i woman at Mil house of a provincial Irish town, where ford crossroads. the magistrates worked 'in endurance of Perhaps on a conditions which test even those expo lesser level nents of the art of being jolly in creditable but of great rel circumstances.'' The courtroom itself is evance to the typically described as drab and damp, in local context extension of the atmosphere of the cases the case is im and characters it sheltered. In one story, portant because the Resident Magistrate of the title de the trial drew spairs of another long session in the local considerable at The Right Honourable Charles Kendal Bushe, Lord Chief Justice hall of justice: tention to Car of Ireland. From a p01irait by Martin Cregan. Courtesy of the The next Petty Sessions Day was wet; the low town's legal National Library oflreland. tall windows of the Court House were infrastructure, grey and streaming, and the reek of wet highlighting the leled' i' However, most significantly of humanity ascended to the ceiling. As I embarrassing inadequacy of facilities in all, the case is important because if the took my scat on the bench I perceived the old courthouse (now Deighton Hall), death sentence handed down to James with an inward groan that the services of and constituted a major factor in the cam Stapleton had been carried through, it the two most eloquent solicitors in Ske paign to build a new Courthouse befitting would have been an enormous miscar bawn had been engaged. This meant that a prosperous and ambitious county town. riage of justice. It was an embarrassing Justice would not have run its course till On a broader stage, the case is significant and remarkable instance when Bushe had Heaven knew what dim hour of the after not only as a case study of contemporary completely misread a case and rubbcr noon, and that that course would be de mores, criminology and penology, or as stampcd the wrong verdict on the greater vious and difficult.ii an insight into assumptions regarding charge. In painting this picture, the authors did gender roles, but is also important in legal not rely solely on their artistic imagina history as the convictions established The case centres around the characters of tions but arguably drew on the extensive legal precedence for cases of its kind James and Catherine 'Kitty' Stapleton, experiences of one of the most renowned (robberies committed by a married cou and their violent encounter with a and celebrated figures in the Irish legal ple). It was an uncommon occasion in younger woman called Mary Quinn, who system in the early nineteenth century, the long career ofBushe, the most senior was walking from Kilkenny towards her and their mutual great-grandfather, figure in the Irish legal system at that home in Dublin on 20'h April 1828. The Charles Kendal Bushe (1767 - 1843).iii time, when he felt uncertainty in judging three met at the Royal Oak near Bagenal Known as 'silver-tongued Bushe', he was the entirety of the case and sought advice stown early that afternoon, but by the a lawyer and judge who rose to become from a panel of the judiciary ('The time they had reached Milford cross Solicitor-General for Ireland from 1805 Twelve Judges of Ireland') to consider roads, their polite conversations about to 1822 and Lord Chief Justice of the what he described as 'a crime unparal- news and current affairs had descended Carloviana 2013-14 "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" into aggression and brutal violence. Leighlinbridge fair that Easter Monday, die she carried on her shoulder. She was When the case reached court three where police led by Sergeant Valentine also wearing a cloak, and a 'gown' she months later, there were accusations of were attacked and then fired above the evidently thought was worth some heavy drinking and evidence of sexual in heads of an angry group, many of whom money. In a pocket of this dress, she car nuendo between the three principals, with were subsequently sentenced to hard ried two £1 notes in a pocketbook. The some witnesses suggesting open flirtation labour.vii source of this money was never estab between James Stapleton and Quinn. The scene of the alleged attack carried lished and proved contentious in the court Doubts were raised about the integrity of out by the Stapletons was the highroad case. most of the personalities involved, but between the Royal Oak and Milford, a Having left the Royal Oak behind her, the hearing ultimately resulted in the sen busy thoroughfare for human and com Quinn was approached by a friendly tencing of James Stapleton to death for mercial traffic. It bore all the stage woman who inquired where she was robbery and attempted rape, or 'an as coaches travelling to the capital from going and suggested they travel together sault with intent to violate her person' as Kilkenny, Waterford and Cork. For these to Carlow. According to Quinn, Kitty it was put. It seems it drew such signifi reasons, it was a stretch of road preferred Stapleton wondered aloud whether they cant attention in the local and national by highway robbers who sought out vul should put any property they had together press because his wife had allegedly nerable pedestrians and wealthy coach for safe-keeping. It was then that Mary aided and abetted Stapeton in both the passengers. Ironically, to inveigle Mary Quinn told of her pocketbook and its con crime of robbery and his attempts to vio Quinn into her confidences, Kitty Staple tents, assuring Stapleton of its safety on late his victim on the public road. It was ton advised her that they should travel to her person. Kitty then tried another av such details that elevated the coverage of gether, warning 'that they were on a enue and feigned interest in the pocket the case above other brutal crimes in Car dangerous part of the road'. Highway book itself. She claimed that she wanted low that April. The murder of a musician robbery was a recurring feature in Car one very much for herself and asked at the recent Tullow fair (for apparently low's news, and one of the earliest sur Mary Quinn to show the one she carried, playing a tune requested by one party be viving papers from the county, dated which she did. Despite the fact that a fore that of another), and the jealousy-fu October 1788, carries a report of a crime newspaper reporter expressed admiration elled rampage of the wife of 'a tinker in which bears a remarkable similarity to of Kitty's criminal stratagems here (de Graigue' (who attacked him with a razor) the case in hand here: a young girl suf scribing them as 'very ingenious inter received short shrift in the news in com fered an attempted robbery on a road near rogatories 'x), her questions may instead parison with that enjoyed by the Staple Oak Park, and was stripped when her at offer a fleeting but poignant glimpse into tons' case.v In addition, one is confronted tackers failed to find the two guineas her personality and private longings. with the fact that while the crimes of rob carefully hidden on her person.viii So sig Kitty Stapleton may perhaps have been bery and rape were age-old, the punish nificant was the threat to safety on Car expressing a genuine interest in the pretty ments meted out to the Stapletons were low's thoroughfares that in the latter half pocketbook and the status it implied, very much of their time and invite a re of the nineteenth century, the local gentry given the instability and evident poverty visiting of the events that took place at a and commercial travellers took to carry of her life; she even inquired of Mary quiet country crossroads one spnng ing valueless brass tokens in an attempt Quinn how much it had cost her. How evening in 1828. to thwart highwaymen who were out to ever, her feminine interest in this dainty rob their guineas- samples of which are article evaporated when she became 'A dangerous part of the road' preserved in the collections of Carlow aware of the approach of a traveller from To assist a reconstruction of the scene, County Museum." behind them as they approached Milford facts may be deduced from reports in the Mary Quinn was particularly vulnerable cross: her husband, James. Carlow Morning Post and other newspa in the fact that she was alone as she It is hard to construct a detailed picture pers, which describe the case in some de walked that afternoon. A native of of James Stapleton from surviving ac tail as it was tried at the petty sessions Dublin, she had been visiting an uncle in counts and guess work is necessary. We and at Carlow Summer Assizes in 1828. vi Callan and was returning towards Carlow do not know where exactly in the county The incident took place on Sunday, the town on her homeward journey. Her he hailed from, but it is clear that he lived 20th of April, a full fortnight after Easter exact age is unknown but we can say and worked in county Carlow for many when any Lenten sacrifices respecting al with some certainty that she was signifi years. We know that he was literate, and cohol and other indulgences were over cantly younger than either of her attack at his trial his previous good character for another year. Talk of Emancipation ers. She is repeatedly referred to as a was vouched for by the protestant was in the air and Daniel O' Connell's 'girl' in the newspaper reports and landowner, Singleton Gardiner ( 1790- name was heavy on the lips of the Carlow Charles Kendal Bushe, as judge, con 1846) who lived in the Tullow area. Gar people, as elsewhere, assuming mythic trasted the victim Mary Quinn ('a feeble diner claimed that he knew James status and embodying the great mass of girl') with her attacker Kitty Stapleton ( 'a Stapleton for eleven years, so the latter expectation and hope among the Catholic strong young woman'). Quinn claimed may have worked as a farn1 labourer on population. It was a period ofrestlessness to live in Gardiner St. in the capital and his lands.xi However, the evidence sug and anticipation, characterised by a wide may have worked as a seamstress given gests that after his marriage to Catherine spread yearning for change in the that a number of clothes, a silver thimble Blake and by April of 1828, Stapleton processes of law and order. Contempo and a bodkin (a blunt, thick needle with had fallen on hard times and was wont to rary frustrations had resulted in a riot at a large eye) were found among the bun- heavy drinking and anti-social behaviour. Carloviana 2013-14 "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" When arrested, he initially gave a false bridge to Carlow from south to name ('Thomas') to the police, and al north, and the road from Milford though he hotly contested and denied the to Tullow running from west to allegation of rape, it is certain that he had east. In picturing the place at robbery in mind when he met Mary this time, an invaluable, if crude Quinn that day. The fact that he and his map of the cross from 1807 has wife were passing between lodging survived (among the Alexander houses on the weekend of the robbery papers of Milford House), as does not necessarily imply a lack of re drawn by Lawrence Nowlan, a spectability and prosperity - they might surveyor in great demand with just have been on a drinking spree - but the local gentry.Xii Accused of it could also be construed that they were being a United Irishman, his of no fixed abode at this time. mapping skills were so valued On the day before the robbery, the Sta that they saved him from hang pletons were in Leighlinbridge. At 5 o' - ing on two occasions in 1798.'iii clock, Kitty entered Thomas Kelly's Nowlan 's map of the cross was lodging house alone and engaged a room, commissioned by landlord John where she was joined by her husband five Alexander of Milford, and out hours later. They remained at Kelly's on lines only one holding in detail: Sunday morning and did not leave until that held by Edward Dargan, a after 3 o'clock, heading south towards tenant of Alexander's on the the Royal Oak, where Mary Quinn was Clochristic side of the cross, but approaching in the opposite direction. there may have been more which Although not stated in court, it is clear were not part of his estate. Dar Original plan of Milford Cross, showing the that the intention to rob Mary Quinn gan (certainly related to, and pos Dargan homestead, Drawn by Lawrence stems from this time: the Stapletons sibly the uncle of the engineer Nowlan. From the Alexander Papers, Milford clearly had not intended to travel the road William Dargan) held 2 acres and House. towards Carlow that day but changed 2 perches from Alexander and their minds when they spied a vulnerable was a blacksmith.'iv A marking showing approach to tell the time of day.xv Daniel girl on her own, carrying an alluring bun a building could possibly be Dargan 's O'Connell himself had passed through dle. The attack appears to have been forge and dwelling. By 1828, there were Milford Cross less than a fortnight previ purely opportunistic, rather than the re many other dwellings in the vicinity. A ously en route to Carlow and Dublin sult of careful planning by skilled high number of families including the Bro from Cork. xvi Even though the evening way robbers. Times were evidently phys, the Cummins, the farming Lennons of20'h April 1828 would have been espe tough, and the Stapletons decided to take and MacDarbys and the widow O'Neill cially quiet given the late hour and the a chance. As the controlling figure in the lived within sight of the cross, and there fact that Milford Mills closed every Sun marriage, James probably instructed his was also a dram shop there, selling spirits day, the area was nonetheless populated wife to approach Quinn alone, not wish to locals and passers-by. The western enough for Mary Quinn - a stranger to ing to frighten her. He would follow at a arm of the cross ran safe distance behind. By the time they to Milford Mills, less got to Milford, Kitty would have assured than half a mile dis Quinn of her safety and he could easily tant -the largest insert himself into their company as her and most successful husband, without suspicion. According milling firm in the to Quinn herself, the three conversed eas country at this time. ily and happily, 'discoursing about the Normally this road situation of the country'. When they would have been reached the crossroads, it was after 8 o' chock-a-block with clock in the evening and it was beginning loaded carts, mes to get dark. Quinn announced her inten sengers, carriages tion to seek lodgings in the immediate and workers ( over vicinity. For the Stapletons, it was time 100 men were em to make or break. Two pounds was a lot ployed at the mills), of money and it was easily within their returning or ventur grasp. ing to their shifts, Milford crossroads was an important site some with sprinkles Modern-day Milford Cross Photo: S. Kinsella at this time. Unlike the current staggered of white flour in their junction, its nineteenth century counter hair and clothes. In addition, a number part was a direct (but not perpendicular) of stage coaches went through the junc the locality - to describe it as 'the town intersection, of the road from Leighlin- tion every day, and locals often used their of Milford'. Carloviana 2013-14 "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" When she and the Stapletons reached the face ('which was cross, Kitty explained that she and James much lacerated 'would go no farther than Milford by blows and the tonight.' They bade goodbye to each road gravel') so other and parted ways, the Stapletons as to enable her turning down towards Milford and Quinn husband to locate proceeding towards Carlow. Quinn was the pocket book soon overtaken by John Brophy, a local with the money boy of fifteen who lived in nearby and go through Cloughna. She asked if she was on the the bundle. road to Dublin, if Carlow was far and as Quinn's clothes it was almost dark, if he would 'take her were tom in many bundle and herself to a lodging.' A shy places and her and diffident boy, Brophy explained he body marked. could not help her and advised her to However, she was travel to Carlow, before walking on no silent victim. Mary Quinn seeks the assistance of a petrified John Brophy at ahead of her. Just a few moments later She remonstrated the scene shortly after the incident. Artist: Paul Davis he heard 'a screech' and looked back to physically and wards the crossroads where a violent en shouted threats at both James and Kitty. bruised her in a cruel manner, and tore off counter was taking place. Her screams were heard by many in the her clothes and threw them about the vicinity. The widow Anne O'Neill was road. '"iii Before the alleged rape was Anatomy of a Crime frightened by them but left her cottage achieved, the widow O'Neill reached the Exact details of the attack are difficult to and went towards the cross to investigate. spot and saw Stapleton and his victim piece together given the conflicting and A farmer, James McDarby was returning stretched out on the road. She was ob disputed testimonies of the three princi home from a neighbour's house near the served by Quinn who screeched 'Woman, pals and four major witnesses involved, cross when he 'heard talk and a great deal woman, assist me', but as Anne O'Neill but a basic account can be attempted. of bawls on the road'. He too went to- admitted in court, she was too afraid to While young Brophy left the scene, Mary wards the scene. go near them. It was at Left to save herself, Quinn proved no this stage, shrinking violet. She explained in court Quinn al that she had held Stapleton by the pocket leged, that for a considerable amount of time, and Stapleton throughout the entire ordeal, 'she shouted performed and threatened the other woman and the the act man', according to John Brophy. Soon, which ulti she managed to extricate herself from mately re Stapleton and ran towards the young man sulted 111 for help. She caught up with him, injured him receiv and in great distress, and asked him for mg the protection and to 'save her'. An alarmed death sen- Brophy lost his nerve when he saw James tence. Stapleton approaching, who shouted at Q U i 11 11 him to go about his business. On reach claimed that ing Quinn, Stapleton put his arms around as she Jay her neck. Despite her pleas (' Will you let prostrate, me be ill-used?'), Stapleton's shouts of Stapleton 'Be off' had the desired effect and Bro Artist's impression of the scene at Milford Cross on April 20th 'then de- phy left the scene in fear for himself. 1828 immediately prior to the Stapletons' attack on Mary Quinn. sired his Nevertheless, 'Quinn kept shouting and Artist: Paul Davis wife to go threatening.' away and at Brophy soon met James McDarby on his Quinn was approached stealthily from tempted to ill-use her' .xvii Kitty Stapleton way to the scene. McDarby had heard behind by the Stapletons. Quinn claimed got up and gathered Quinn's bundle in the woman's pleas to the young man and that James Stapleton grabbed her by the her arms before heading up the road in tried to persuade Brophy to 'return in cloak, tripped her and knocked her to the the direction of Carlow. When details of company and see what was the matter' ground, with Kitty assisting. She then the case were presented for consideration but he refused saying he was afraid, hav suffered a number of kicks to the body. by the Twelve Judges that November, it ing been threatened by a man. During In an act which was to form a major fea was reported that 'the husband then at this conversation, Kitty Stapleton ap ture of the reporting of the case, Kitty tempted to ravish the prosecutrix peared out of the darkness carrying the then proceeded to sit on Mary Quinn's [Quinn], and on her resistance, beat and stolen bundle and passed them by in a Carloviana 2013-14 "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" hurry. McDarby questioned her, but she The crime of rape normally resulted in Likewise, Pat Lennon (described by a re only called back, 'You know as much the heaviest possible penalty in Carlow's porter as 'a decent farmer') did not wel about it as me'. With that, McDarby de courts. There had been some controversy come the public spotlight and appeared cided to venture down the road to the in 1791 when the death sentence handed to rue the fact that his observations had scene of battle. Instead of returning him down to a man named James Fitzpatrick landed him in the midst of a contentious self, Brophy opted to call in on a neigh Knaresboro, the son of a Carlow squire court case as he was 'certainly one of the bour, farmer Pat Lennon, to ask him to go convicted of the crime (which he denied), most reluctant witnesses we ever saw' ac down and assist a woman in distress on was commuted 'for a voyage to Botany cording to an observer. The witnesses the road. Bay' because of the influence of his apparently felt the need to spruce them When McDarby came to Stapleton and friends among the gentry. According to selves up for such a public appearance Quinn, she had freed herself from his the reporter, 'a rape in Ireland is seldom and the 'well-dressed' appearance of grasp and complained to him that she had pardoned. 'xx It was not long before the Lennon and James McDarby was com just been robbed of £2. Mc Darby was supposed details of the Stapleton case mented upon by a journalist. They of soon joined there by Pat Lennon, which began circulating and it was first referred fered their simple testimonies and all four made four people at the scene. Lennon to in Carlow's newspaper on Thursday 24 identified James and Catherine Stapleton claimed that 'when he came up, it was all April ~just four days after the event. as the accused concerned in the com over - he heard the man's speeches'_,;, This short paragraph focuses on the dra plaint. Things did not look good and they Quinn repeated her complaint that 'the matic and sensational elements of the were fully committed for trial (both of man had ill-used her and took from her story, where the accusation for the great them for highway robbery, and James for all she had with her.' When this was est transgression was levelled at Kitty indecent assault) at the upcoming Sum queried by the two men, Stapleton denied Stapleton, rather than her husband. In fa mer assizes. While their robbery of it and soon became aggressive. Accord cilitating the attempted rape of a fellow Quinn's money and possessions would be ing to Lennon, when he approached to female, Kitty had elevated the case above difficult to deny, the charge of attempted search Stapleton, 'he took up a stone and the 'normal' horrors of a robbery or rape rape was another matter entirely and on used violent and threatening language'. case. She had somehow set a new prece a much higher level of gravity. The need Lennon also noticed that Kitty Stapleton dent in depravity and rumours about the for a good defence was all the more had by this stage returned to the scene. involvement of 'the virtuous wife' in the pressing given that this latter charge It was now completely dark. Quinn re attack became vicious. By the time the could incur the death penalty, For James mained in great distress, and loudly journalist of the Carlow Morning Post and Kitty, it was to be a very anxious sought assistance from the witnesses to wrote the first piece on the crime, it was three-month wait. achieve justice for the crimes she had suf being claimed that Kitty Stapleton 'actu fered. Her pitiable state was enhanced by ally encouraged her husband to violate The Trial and Verdict at Carlow Summer her torn clothes, a cut on her arm, the person of the unfortunate girl ! ! 'xxi Assizes scratches on her face and a wound under This aspect of the story spilled into the On the afternoon ofTuesday 16' 11 July, the her eye. Clothes from her person and her national press with the Dublin Evening High Sheriff for Carlow, John James bundle were scattered about the road. Post reporting in early May that 'the most Lecky left his home at Ballykealey in Despite attempts to apprehend the Staple disgusting feature in this transaction was Ballon on official business. He had many tons, they succeeded in leaving the scene the conduct of Stapleton's wife.' This re things to ponder on his journey, including and made their way back towards Leigh port was picked up and re-printed across the prospective building work on his linbridge. Details of the crime were im the Irish Sea in The Times.";i In those home (to a design by Thomas Cobden) mediately sent to Sergeant Valentine in early weeks, it was generally felt that which was to transform it into Bal the police barracks in that town and he in Kitty's role was most anathema and that lykealey Manor. However, he put budg terviewed Mary Quinn before venturing she had committed the greater crime ets and architect's drawings to the back in pursuit of the accused. At 11 o'clock against humanity. of his mind and set his eyes on the imme that night, he caught up with them near The case was brought before the local diate task ahead. He was about to meet Captain Vigors 's at Burgage. Kitty Sta magistrates at petty sessions on Thursday the foremost legal authority in the entire pleton was in a particularly desolate con 24th April. Quinn, who had presumably kingdom of Ireland: the Lord Chief Jus dition when she was apprehended, being returned to Dublin, was the only notable tice, Charles Kendal Bushe, who was to highly intoxicated and inexplicably, 'al who was not present. Public interest in preside at the trial of the Stapletons the most in a state of nudity.' According to the case was growing and the pressure on following day_xxiii Part ofLecky's official the Sergeant, he 'searched James Staple all four of the major witnesses (Anne O' duties included offering guidance and ton very minutely, but found nothing on Neill, James Brophy, James McDarby hospitality to visiting judges at the As him of the kind alleged to have been and Pat Lennon) on their first court ap sizes. At the bounds of the county, he stolen.' Nevertheless, he arrested both pearance was intense. They appear to welcomed the carriage carrying Bushe and brought them before local magistrate, have been respectable individuals who and his friend and colleague, Baron William Fishbourne of Fonthill that shared the common fear of the instru William Plunket, Chief Justice of the night, after which they were committed ments of law and order. Teenager John Irish Common Pleas.xxiv Lecky escorted to Carlow jail. Brophy displayed characteristic reticence the pair to Carlow town to lodge for the in the courtroom that day and 'exhibited night. As both judges were supporters of The case at Petty Sessions the utmost reluctance at taking an oath'. the bid for Catholic Emancipation, it is Carloviana 2013-14 "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" hardly surprising that the liberal Carlow carriage, drawn by a most beautiful and street. It was the second case to be called Morning Post celebrated their arrival in invaluable pair of English blood and Quinn was the first person to take the glowing terms: 'We were delighted at horses. 'xxviii They travelled together stand. Her statement was simple but seeing our highly-gifted countrymen ap down Dublin St. towards the courthouse. clear and aiiiculate, delivered in a confi parently in the enjoyment of best health.' At 11 o' clock, Bushe entered the crown dent fashion. Unfortunately, Bushe could not recipro Court, read the commission and swore in However, on cross-examination, details cate this delight on arriving in Carlow. the Grand Jury for the county. The list of began to emerge of another version of He had been born in Kilmurry, near names reads like a who's who of the most this story that would prove invaluable to Thomastown in neighbouring Kilkenny powerful and influential of Carlow's the Stapletons' defence. Up until this and was familiar with the town and its protestant elite: Henry Bruen MP, Sir point, Mary Quinn was accepted and pre courthouse from his days on the circuit as Thomas Butler, John Dawson Duckett sented as a young and innocent victim of a youthful barrister. On his return to Car etc. There must have been some embar a brutal and heinous attack. Newspaper low in 1828, he was in a much more ele rassment when Bushe chided them for accounts promoted her youthful inno vated position than before. Having built lack of progress in improving the legal cence ('a country girl', 'the unfortunate up a successful practice, he was cele buildings. girl') and lamented her injured virtue and brated as one of the best legal orators and There were twenty cases for considera degradation by two older strangers in a political writers of his day. He had been tion that day, which was below the typi- part of the world that was unfamiliar to an MP in the old Irish Parliament and her. However, small details began to was sworn of the privy council and was materialise that suggested that Quinn appointed Lord Chief Justice in 1822. was far from a lamb in the lion's den. Principled and widely popular, his skills Mr. Walker, who worked on the Sta as a judge were hugely admired!xv pletons' defence began researching However, Bushe had no major positive her background and found some in associations with Carlow as his early teresting details (probably uncovered correspondence attests. Writing to his by Kitty's brother, Michael Blake wife from the county town in August who travelled to Dublin to inquire 1795, he complained that 'there is about Quinn). He made suggestions scarcely any business here.' Later, that Quinn may have been familiar to when he did secure some briefs, he the police in Dublin on a charge of lamented 'I succeeded for none of my stealing. Walker's sources also in clients in Carlow, nor could anyone suc formed him that she may have lived ceed for them. •xxvi On recent visits to at one time with a Mrs. Monroe of the town as Lord Chief Justice, he had Dominick St. in the capital. This ob expressed concern about the state of scure charge was brought to Quinn's some of the public buildings and attention at the Assizes and was stressed that it was the responsibility of Lord Chief Justice Bushe, in robes and wig, strongly denied. The street in ques- the Grand Jury to address this matter. listens to evidence. From an engraving by tion is on Dublin's north side (now On the day of the Stapletons' trial, he William Stevenson. named Granby Row), connecting saw fit to begin proceedings by remind Courtesy National Library oflreland modern-day Dorset St. and Parnell ing the gentlemen of the county of their St."' The area might now be prop duties: erly described as socially disadvan- He would once again call their attention cal average number of cases at the taged, but in 1828 it was evidently a to the condition of the courthouse, and to Assizes, a fact Bushe and the Carlow street inhabited by the wealthy and gen the jail. These topics he had already dwelt Morning Post congratulated the county try. Col. John Staunton Rochfort ofC!o upon; but would henceforward give him on.xxix The day's calendar included cases grennane House, Carlow, had a house self no trouble on the subject. He had for passing base coin, animal stealing, as there for use when on business in the done his part of the duty prescribed; he sault, house-burning and swindling, city."'' One must be tentative in making had repeatedly besought and entreated among others. Mary Quinn's £2 paled in suppositions, but it appears that the im their especial attention to the cases in significance to the case where a man was plication of Walker's charge was that question- and the supply of the public charged with stealing £19 from another's Quinn had been working as a domestic wants, which devolved upon the Grand pocket. There was also another highway servant for Mrs. Monroe and had stolen Jury, he hoped, and did not doubt that robbery case, but the Stapletons' case re something from her employer. they would well perform.xxvii ceived by far the lengthiest coverage in In her denial of this charge, Quinn in Bushe was showing great patience with the press- one journalist describing it as sisted her address was Gardiner St. in the the Carlow gentry, but the proceedings of 'the only prominent one.' Mary Quinn north inner city. This Georgian street, in the days ahead exhausted all his supplies. was in the courtroom that morning, mak the north inner city was being abandoned 1 On the morning of Wednesday l6 h July, ing her first public appearance in Carlow by its wealthy inhabitants and was grad 'the amiable High Sheriff' John James since the assault. There was significant ually being let out as tenements. It would Lecky pulled up outside Bushe's accom public interest and the courtroom was become part of the infamous 'Monto' red modation in the official 'very splendid full, with many others outside on the light district in later decades.""; In his Carloviana 2013-14 "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" defence, James Stapleton tried to suggest her out as a formidable character. In just evidence, Nessy Murray claimed that that, far from being the innocent Irish two short paragraphs from a newspaper Quinn entered her house at the crossroads cailin, Quinn was a fonnidable, cunning report, one can gain a significant insight with the Stapletons at around five o'clock and streetwise urban woman, who may in into her personality and attitudes. She and ordered three naggins of whiskey. fact have worked as a prostitute. Witness comes across as a confident yet cynical She finished by claiming that all three James McDarby recalled hearing Staple woman who stands apart from all the were intoxicated when they left her prem ton say at Milford Cross that he 'had other witnesses in the case in her unfazed ises, 'they were well enough, they were given her [Quinn] a shilling for indulging and sardonic attitude to the court, its for hearty', which raised a laugh in the court him with liberties.' Although proof that malities and powers. One can almost pic room. Another new witness, Anne Quinn was a prostitute would have been ture her in the stand, arms folded, under Mahon, also claimed that she had seen no defence whatsoever against the charge no pressure to please anybody but her Quinn drinking spirits with the Stapletons of attempted rape, Stapleton wanted to self. She was in no way intimidated by in her father's dram shop at nearby Pow raise a question mark about Quinn's char the barristers or the judge, and pedalled erstown, earlier that afternoon. The acter and integrity. He engaged his her (hotly-contested) allegations against claims of both new witnesses did not add brother Michael Stapleton to investigate Mary Quinn in a relaxed, couldn't-care up with the previous evidence of Brophy Quinn on his behalf and prove that her £2 less manner. In introducing herself as a and Lennon who claimed that Mary had been earned illicitly. In a note he publican, she displayed a disregard for Quinn was 'sober in her manner' after the wrote from his prison cell in Carlow, the law by declaring, proudly and incident and 'did not appear to have James Stapleton 'expressed his wish that provocatively that she sometimes paid drank anything.' The most conclusive an inquiry should be made as to where the license, and sometimes didn't. She evidence in this regard was provided by the prosecutrix [Quinn] got the claimed not to have many customers and Sergeant Valentine who considered money. 'xxxiii A fortnight after the robbery mentioned that she had a sick husband Quinn to be perfectly sober, and had Michael Stapleton duly travelled to and children to care for. She then dented smelled her breath which was free from Callan in pursuit of the uncle Quinn the prosecution's case by alleging that the hint of any kind of liquor. In tum, the claimed to have been visiting and from Mary Quinn had entered her premises evidence of Nessy Murray and Anne whom she had received £2. However, that evening, had taken drink with Staple Mahon was rejected by the court and held Michael Stapleton could find no trace of ton and had been openly flirting with up for severe censure by Bushe who de this Tom Smith in the small town. He him. scribed the witnesses as 'two wretched produced one of the few instances of light The question of alcohol is central to the women.' This comment would not have relief at the court case when he told the case. It is clear that James and Kitty Sta particularly worried Nessy Murray much, assembled audience that in his search for pleton had been drinking heavily on the but when the Stapletons were sentenced, Quinn's uncle, he 'inquired of a brogue afternoon and evening of the robbery. At she may have been uneasy with the fact maker, who knew everybody - (laugh the trial, John Brophy and James Lennon that her testimony had thus made her li ter) and the brogue maker said that there alleged that they were 'both quite drunk', able to a conviction for 'the most corrupt was no such person as Thomas Smith even though they had made no mention and wilful perjury', which could carry the (laughter)'. Holes were appearing in of this at the petty sessions hearing. By sentence of transportation. xxxvi Quinn's credibility. There was certainly the time Sergeant Valentine apprehended So why did she and Anne Mahon put something suspicious about her visit to them, he claimed that Stapleton was their necks on the line in this manner? It Callan. Sergeant Valentine, who took 'nearly drunk' and that Kitty was 'beastly seems highly likely that they were part of Quinn's statement just after the robbery, drunk'. Whiskey would appear to have James Stapleton's scheme to bribe as insisted that she had given her uncle's been the popular liquor of choice and its many witnesses as possible in his favour, name as Thomas Smith, that he lived op abuse was seen as the cause of much so a plan he directed from his jail cell and posite the Market house in Callan and cial and political discontent in the local which was carried out by his brother that he had given her the £2. However, ity. In describing the riot in Michael. One letter of instruction was in the next morning she changed her story Leighlinbridge against Sergeant Valen tercepted by a turnkey in the jail who ob and gave his name as Thomas Kelly. The tine and his colleagues a fortnight before served Stapleton passing out a parcel of Sergeant noted that 'she appeared quite the robbery, the editor of the Carlow soiled linen tied up in a bundle, in which agitated' at the time she changed her ev Morning Post said it was 'one of those he found the paper, which was handed in idence. Whatever the truth, Mary Quinn riots, which whiskey so frequently gen as evidence and read out by Bushe to the alleged that Valentine had got it wrong erates in this country.'xxxiv Milford land court. In this missive, Stapleton urged and she insisted for the rest of the pro lord, John Alexander had also noted the his brother to investigate Quinn's deal ceedings that her uncle's name was Kelly. preference of the local population for ings in Callan and 'that a person named It was at this point that a fascinating new spirits rather than beer. 'Illicit distillation McDarby should be kept out of the way witness appeared to give evidence in the is going on to an enormous extent,' he ex by 'bribery'.' Stapleton seems to have case that was anything but flattering to plained; 'I was offered proof spirits for 3s met James McDarby before they con Mary Quinn. The woman's name was 6d per gallon ... The people are fond of fronted each other at the crossroads, and Nessy Murray and it was she who ran the whiskey. 'xxxv Stapleton was afraid that he would give shebeen at Milford Cross. She had not Throughout the case, Mary Quinn re evidence about his drunkenness. It is come forward with evidence before, but mained adamant that she 'never drank a possible that McDarby had been drinking her short testimony at the Assizes marks drop with the prisoners.' However, in her in Nessy Murray's shop when the Staple- Carloviana 2013-14 "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" tons arrived in with Quinn. McDarby money to pay for her drink but offered Kitty's brother Michael Blake (who himself admitted that when he went to her gown instead, which was refused. 'never heard anything about his dishon Quinn's assistance on the roadside, Sta When leaving the premises, Murray esty'), the defence for James Stapleton pleton had shouted a warning at him that claimed that Quinn intimated to her that was complete. With that, the trial ended he had seen McDarby drunk and that he Stapleton's wife was a bad girl, that Sta and the jury was addressed by Lord Chief 'would mark him.' However, the attempt pleton kept, and was not his wife at all, Justice Bushe. His summing-up is not to keep him out of the way was unsuc and that she had as good a right to Sta recorded, but it is obvious from com cessful. pleton as that woman~ and that Staple ments made after the verdict that he had While one letter was confiscated, it ton had a wife and two children in made his mind up about the Stapletons' seems that many other messages of in Carlow. guilt. With that the jury retired 'for some struction did get beyond the time' to decide on the two walls of the jail. Anne Power charges of robbery and an as was almost certainly bribed sault with intent to violate. and her late evidence lacks any When they returned, they de credibility. In addition, a care livered a verdict of guilty ful reading of her testimony against both defendants, on all shows that she was anxious not charges. to directly perjure herself. When pressed about Quinn's The Sentencing consumption of alcohol, she After this, the Stapletons were was careful to state that she taken to prison while Bushe 'saw Mary Quinn with a full ploughed ahead with the calen glass in her hand; did not see dar and heard cases of sheep her drink it; but saw her lay the stealing and larceny. The glass down empty.' It was sentencing was set for the fol hardly surprising that the pros lowing day, Thursday l 7'h July. ecuting barrister questioned if The alleged scene in Nessy Murray's shebeen on the after It must surely have been a rest anybody had approached her noon of Sunday April 20th 1828. Artist: Paul Davis less night for the Stapletons to influence her evidence. It who cannot have held out could also be argued that Pat Lennon, one The truth of this statement is impossible much hope for mercy. Despite the efforts of the chief witnesses, framed his evi to determine. What is obvious is Nessy of the defence team, it appears they dence in Stapleton's favour at the As Murray's disdain for Quinn. Perhaps this feared the worst and appealed to Staple sizes. Paradoxically, Lennon, who had older and work-weary landlady did not ton to plead guilty in the hope of attaining been remarkably nervous in the petty appreciate the impudent demeanour of mercy, which he did. It was grasping at court, becomes a far more assertive and this young girl, with her broad Dublin ac straws but worth a try. confident witness in the July trial, even cent, being saucy and suggestive under A curious crowd packed around the when questioned directly from the bench her roof. Whether envious of her youth courthouse the following morning as the by Bushe. In Stapleton's favour, Lennon and freedom, or critical of her bawdy be prisoners were brought in and awaited now claimed that James seemed 'indig haviour and her treatment of Kitty Sta their turn in the dock. Much noise was nant at the charge' of attempted rape on pleton, Nessy Murray felt no qualms generated which greatly irritated Bushe the night, and he also recalled Stapleton's about impugning Mary Quinn's character who was trying to hear evidence in other claim that Quinn had been drinking with in court. A bribe from Stapleton, would cases inside the building. When this was the couple in a house a short distance of course, have made the evidence even interrupted by this clamour, he lost all pa from the scene of the crime. more satisfying to give. Quinn was cer tience 'and cried out that "it was utterly Nessy Murray's evidence was also highly tainly a feisty young woman, and indeed, impossible for him to hear."' He then fabricated, if not entirely untrue. It seems infonning Kitty Stapleton of her pocket proceeded to harangue the Grand Jury for more than likely that Quinn had entered book and contents may have been a boast their neglect of this issue. How uncom Murray's shebeen with the Stapletons, rather than an innocent slip of the tongue. fortable the local magistrates and gentry even if she hadn't taken a drink, and she The completion of Nessy Murray's evi must have been when the senior legal au may have engaged in banter and mild flir dence resulted in the most raucous inci thority in the land observed that the tation with James. In construing that dent at the trial when Quinn showed marked neglect by the Grand Jury of all Quinn was playing the coquette and lead characteristic fervour and pugnacity by instructions in reference to a new and ing Stapleton on, Nessy Murray claimed screaming at Murray as she left the stand. properly situated Court House was the that James poured out glasses of whiskey A verbal cat-fight ensued, 'when a dread most scandalous thing he ever knew, and for himself and Quinn but neglected to ful scene of swearing, diametrically op emphatically said that he would never offer Kitty any: 'upon which his wife posed, ensued', according to the reporter. again sit in the present one. asked was she to get none; she was then With good character references from This was a marked and pointed dressing helped to a part.' According to her evi protestant landowners Singleton Gar down from a respected figure, renowned dence, the landlady was then approached diner of Tullow and Edward Payne of for his calmness and courtesy. The by Quinn who apologised for not having Dunleckney; Michael Stapleton and squirming in the reserved seats must have Carloviana 2013-14 ,----- "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" been intense and uncomfortable. Not le led". surprisingly, a campaign to build a new He went on to explain that - courthouse for Carlow was launched by highway robbery would Henry Bruen MP just a few months not automatically merit the later. ""'ii death sentence, but the at So when the moment of sentencing ar tempted rape was another rived, it is fair to say that Bushe was a lit matter altogether. He tle weary and annoyed. The sentences he pointed out that "the cir had already handed down that day made cumstances attendant upon any prayers for leniency useless: John your case are of a most ag McGrath had just been sentenced to gravated nature. You, a seven months' transportation because a strong young man, and stolen sheep had been discovered on his your wife, a strong young property. By the time he came to the Sta woman, have waylaid a pletons' case, Bushe 's mood would not stranger, a traveller, a fee have been improved by his conscientious ble girl [ ... ] She was and moral objections to passing a death thrown upon the road, you sentence, but in this case he had already mangled her, robbed her, Mary Quinn begs for mercy for James Stapleton on judged that it was the only fair punish and attempted to ravish bended knee in Carlow courthouse, July 17th 1828. ment, given that he had oaths to uphold. her, and your wife goes off Artist: Paul Davis In making this decision, he made clear to give you the opportu his acceptance of Mary Quinn's evidence nity of completing that of and his belief that James Stapleton had fence". not only robbed but also attempted to He was sentenced to be hanged, at an un rape her. In terms of the rape crime, he specified later date. A mysterious vindication saw no distinction in judgement between While James's fate was sealed, Kitty Sta One might imagine that spirited Mary the intention and the deed. One of his pleton had a gruelling wait ahead of her. Quinn would have taken solace and sat life-long mottos was 'Where there are Bushe was uncertain of her conviction isfaction from the convictions of her at any doubts, Mercy should turn the bal because he wondered if she was being tackers. Given the accusations she had lance [sic]. 'mviii In this case, it is clear coerced by her husband into taking crim made and the evidence she had given, it Bushe felt no shred of doubt whatsoever. inal action, which could have been used seems she hoped Stapleton would receive He first addressed himself to Kitty Sta as a defence for Kitty. Secondly, he won a severe punishment. However, her reac pleton and told her that he was com dered whether the very presence of the tion to the sentencing is significant and pletely convinced of her guilt in the husband could be inferred as a legal con suggests, not only that Mary Quinn may robbery. However, there was a legal clusion for the existence of coercive indeed have harboured affections for point which he could not decide upon and force. He had told the jury that if they James Stapleton, but also that the verac which he wanted to refer to the panel of believed Kitty acted under the coercion ity of her story was far from certain. the Twelve Judges. Kitty Stapleton's fate of her husband, they ought to acquit her; When Stapleton was sentenced, she let remained in limbo. but if they felt she had acted voluntarily, loose a torrent of emotion and supplica When James Stapleton saw Bushe don they ought to find her guilty if they be tion, bursting into tears and falling on her ning the black cap, he realised his plea of lieved the evidence. When the jury found knees 'at several times afterwards', guilty had made no difference and he lost her guilty of the charge of robbing Quinn, pleading with Bushe to repeal the sen his composure and called aloud to God, Bushe still reserved the point for extra tence. It could be certainly be maintained protesting his innocence. Bushe ignored consideration. Ten of the twelve judges that Quinn was expressing her horror at the interruption and proceeded with 'the assessed the merits of the case on 12 No the severity of the sentence and was painful and melancholy duty of pro vember, and nine held that the conviction morally concerned for her conscience, nouncing on you the sentence of the law.' was legal and appropriate. The case had that she would be responsible for the He dismissed Stapleton's interruptions become an important one in terms of death of another, or was she shocked that and pleas, declaring bluntly: legal precedent, because the panel had an exaggerated charge had been believed You have, assure yourself, no mercy to decided that where a husband and a wife and acted upon? The facts of the robbery expect in this world - if you imagine were both concerned in a case of high were beyond doubt, but was Mary Quinn that you have, you will be deplorably dis way robbery, the presence of the husband horrified about the possible consequences appointed [ ... ] Unhappy man, I hold at at the commission of the offence is only of her lie regarding the attempted rape? this moment in my hand your own peti presumptive evidence of coercion exer In her appeal to Bushe on bended knee, tion, presented to me this morning, con cised by him over his wife, which could 'what, she said, signified the loss of two fessing your guilt and craving my mercy; be repelled by other evidence.xxxix In pounds [to her] and all the abuse she re and you now have recourse to the most other words, in a case of robbery, coer ceived -she thought nothing of all in solemn asseverations of your innocence. cion by the husband could not be used as comparison with a life.' She makes no Unfortunate individual, the law must now a defence for the wife. Kitty Stapleton's mention of her wounded honour or the al take effect upon you for a crime unparal- conviction was sustained. leged crime against her innocence; only Carloviana 2013-14 "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" talk of her money and the scratches she the 'anonymous' articles on Carlow in Catholic Emancipation and a call for suffered. Mary Quinn may have exag 1798 as published in The Irish Magazine unity in the struggle. After a long speech gerated the case in anger and frustration in 1811. William graduated from Trinity in this vein, Counsellor Finn decided to against a man who had seemed to be College in 1805 and was called to the bar take advantage of the public stage and comiing her, but who had then proceeded (henceforward being referred to as Coun drew his captive audience's attention to to man-handle her and steal her money. sellor Finn). He became a friend of an unrelated matter: the developments in Her pride (significant, as her personality Daniel O'Connell, and married O' Con the Stapletons' case. proves) had been badly wounded and she nell's favourite sister, Alicia. O'Connell Firstly he corrected the earlier report of sought revenge. In concocting the story was a regular visitor to the Finns at their the Morning Post that it was down to the of an attempted rape, she probably never home in Cox's Lane in the town. Al Lord Lieutenant's clemency that James considered that it could result in Staple though relations between the two men and Kitty -'those poor people'- had ton's execution. The passion and inten were often troubled by differences in re been discharged. This was untrue and sity of her pleas for mercy simply do not lation to policy, they both shared a desire would not absolve the stigma of guilt tally with the image of a violated woman. for a greater liberality and justice for all from the Stapletons. Instead, Finn felt They more fittingly correspond to the in Irish society, and both were founding himself called upon to clearly and pub language of a woman who regrets mak members of The Catholic Association. licly declare that the Stapletons had been ing a false accusation: 'Were [his life] The Finns were an outspoken and princi released because it had been categorically taken away, she could never rest; she pled family and were not afraid to defend established they were innocent of the would soon die in the midst of the great controversial causes. When the revered charges, and because Mary Quinn had est unhappiness.' So heartfelt and gen Bishop J.K.L. criticised O'Connell at a been exposed as a liar. As he said: 'I owe uine was her distress that Bushe took pity later date, he suffered the wrath of this declaration to the character of those on her but made no promises and held out Thomas Finn in a full-page newspaper poor people who have already suffered no expectations. tirade where he claimed: 'I would sooner sufficiently without the loss of reputation And there the story disappeared from go to Lapland, and be dry nurse to a bear, in conveyance of[Quinn's] perjuries.' In public notice. A scan through the news than live under the temporal dominion of a few short sentences, Finn had afforded papers over the following weeks offers any clergyman in existence. 'xiii The James and Kitty a thorough and very no details of an execution. Then, on page Counsellor had once described himself as public vindication. three of the 11th August edition of the 'a radical reformer in church and state' Carlow Morning Post, one single sen and in 1828, at the time of the robbery Epilogue tence is printed which begins the process and trial, he was probably the most senior So what really happened at Milford Cross of vindication for the Stapletons and the political commentator amongst native that evening? It seems certain that a rob demise of Mary Quinn's story: Carlovians. He would surely have heard bery was committed on Quinn, but 'The execution of Stapleton, who had of the attack on Mary Quinn, and after whether or not her £2 was taken is un been, at our last Assizes, sentenced to the sentencing of the Stapletons, it seems clear. In weighing up the evidence, it death, for highway robbery and assault appeals were made to him to look into the seems as if the story of attempted rape upon the person of Mary Quinn, has been case, fearing that an enormous miscar was retaliation by Quinn against her at yesterday morning, stayed until further riage of justice was imminent. Although tacker. Not one of the witnesses ob orders, by mandate of the Lord Lieu the case was a very sensitive one involv served Stapleton tearing at Quinn's tenant". ing an outrageous charge, Finn was pre undergarments or exposing her flesh. Apparently, Henry Paget, I st Marquis of pared to investigate. The tears to her clothes could possibly Anglesey, had been alerted to some irreg With the Counsellor on their side, the have been made in his search for the ularity in the case which prompted him case was re-appraised and Mary Quinn's pocketbook, which was never found in to at least postpone the execution. The testimony was re-assessed. Some new his possession. He repeatedly denied the reasons for this decision were not forth evidence may have come to light or per greater charge, and Quinn herself seems coming and there are no references to it haps she retracted her claims regarding to have been appalled at the conse in the State of the Country Papers in the the attempted rape. In any case, Finn was quences of her allegations when the sen National Archives. However, we do able to report on Monday 20th January tence was announced. The brutality and know that by January of 1829, James and 1829 that Quinn 'was proved to have per horror of the physical attack made by Sta Kitty Stapleton had been 'discharged'.'1 jured herself in almost every word which pleton cannot be mitigated or condoned, Much of the credit for this result appears she swore upon the trial. 'xliii He referred but the charge of attempted rape was ac to lie in the fact that their case had been to her sardonically as 'Mary Quinn, the cepted without sufficient evidence. In taken up by one of Carlow's leading last of the reformers', a phrase that neatly stead, the attentions of many people politicians, Counsellor William Francis indicates the utter collapse of her credi focused on, and were distracted by Kitty Finn. bility by this time. He made these com Stapleton's apparent role in the violation. The Finns were a prominent Catholic ments at a public meeting of a new We hear no more about any of the three merchant family in Carlow, who proved reform group in the county entitled the principals but this affair was certainly a competent and efficient in political and Friends of Civil and Religious Liberty in climax in all their lives. James and Kitty 1 public fields.' i William's older brother Carlow. It drew a large crowd with atten Stapleton were free, but surely mentally Thomas ( 1772-1842) was a journalist and dees from both major religions, where and emotionally bruised, and probably historian, now famous as the author of speeches were made in support of suffered from the 'no-smoke-without- Carloviana 2013-14 "A CRIME UNPARALLELED" fire' disease for the rest of their days. Cronin of Carlow County Museum for Dictionary of Irish Biography (Cam What Mary Quinn's fate was, one can their assistance in locating and viewing bridge, 2009), vol. 2, pp. 94-6. only sum1ise. She may indeed have been these items, ref. Number CCM 02-25. xxvi Edith Somerville, An incorruptible prosecuted for perjury. One of the sad x Carlow Morning Post, 24 Apr. 1828. Irishman, p. 57 and 63. facts about the case is that in the demo xi For details of Gardiner, see records of xxvii Carlow Morning Post, 17 Jul. 1828 nization of Quinn, it was completely for his birth, marriage and death at xxviii Ibid. gotten that she had been savagely beaten http://ch u rch records. i rishgenealogy. ie/ xxix The full list of offences and cases for and attacked by two older people. It was church records/ deta i Is/ dOa 7280011222. Wednesday 16th July 1828 is given in judged to be by far the lesser of two evils. For his character reference of Staple Carlow Morning Post, 14 Jul. 1828. Her word and character had been totally ton, see Carlow Morning Post, 21 Jul. xxx There is a modern day Dominick St. discredited but Dublin was a long way 1828. There is a reference to Gardiner in Dun Laoghaire in Dublin, but the lo from Carlow in those days and she may in the Pat Purcell Papers at cation of the street in question here is have been able to start again. http://home.people.net.au/~ousie/Pat identified in Wilson's Dublin Directory It would be hugely interesting to learn of Pursell Papers 2.htm, accessed 20 (Dublin, 1829), p. 7. Judge Bushe's reaction to the develop Jul. 2013. xxxi Rochfort gives his address in a letter ments in this case. He had been com xii See illustration; original among the c. 1812; T2519/4/1378, Public record pletely hoodwinked by Quinn and she Alexander papers, Milford House, Car Office of Northern Ireland. As a mem must surely have made him question his low. ber of the Grand Jury of Carlow, credibility radar. He had made a serious xiii For details of Nowlan's experiences in Rochfort could possibly have offered in error in placing utmost faith in the word the rebellion of 1798 see William Far formation on Mrs. Monroe to the court, of this young girl. Counsellor Finn was rell, Carlow in '98 (Dublin, 1949), edited but he was away on the continent dur now condemning her as 'that vile by Roger McHugh, pp. 161-4. ing this trial. woman' ~ a sentiment Bushe had re xiv This map, which the author has re xxxii See Maria Luddy, Prostitution and served in his judgement for witness cently brought to the attention of Mar Irish Society, 1800-1940 (Cambridge, Nessy Murray. Surely, when the facts of tin Nevin, and Dargan's biographer, 2007), p. 35. the case's final resolution made their way Fergus Mulligan, has led Nevin to argue xxxiii Details of this letter were given at over the threshold of her shebeen at Mil that this site could possibly have been the July trial; Carlow Morning Post, 17 ford Cross, the indomitable landlady the original Dargan homestead in the Jul. 1828. would have poured herself a glass and locality. Edward Dargan is mentioned in xxxiv Carlow Morning Post, 10 Apr. 1828. raised a smug toast to His Honour and the the Alexander rentals at this site from xxxv Evidence of John Alexander, Fif infallible wheels of justice. 1824-57, when he died. He is buried at teenth report of the Commissioners of Killogen cemetery. Enquiry into the Excise Establishment: i Somerville and Ross, The Irish R.M. xv In her evidence, Nessy Murray times Malt (London. 1835), p. 216. (London, 2002), Preface, p.5. a particular incident to 'about the time xxxvi In 1839, John Daly (26) was trans ii Ibid, p. 327. the five o'clock coach goes by'; Carlow ported to Australia for 7 years, having iii Edith Somerville wrote a biography of Morning Post, 21 Jul. 1828. been convicted of perjury in a Carlow her great-grandfather, An Incorruptible xvi Ibid, 10 Apr. 1828. court. See National Archives of Ireland, Irishman (New York, 1932). xvii Quinn's evidence at Carlow Summer TR 3, P. 13. iv Carlow Morning Post, 21 Jul. 1828. Assizes; Carlow morning Post, 21 Jul. xxxvii See Edward McParland, "Carlow Details of the case as referred for con 1828. Courthouse and Railings", Carloviana sideration by Bushe can be found in xviii Jebb, Cases, Chiefly Relating to the (1973), p.9. Robert Jebb, Cases, Chiefly Relating to Criminal and Presentment Law, p. 93. xxxvm Somerville, An Incorruptible Irish the Criminal and Presentment Law, Re xix Lennon's evidence at the Petty Ses man, p. 67. served for Consideration and decided by sions of 24 Apr. 1828; Carlow Morning xxxix An example of the case being used the Twelve Judges of Ireland, from May Post, 28 Apr. 1828. to establish legal precedence can be 1822 to November 1840 (Dublin, 1841), xx The Times, 30 Apr. And 31 Aug. 1791. found in Edward Hayes, Crimes and pp. 93-4. This gentleman returned illegally from Punishments, or an analytical digest of v Carlow Morning Post, 24 Apr. 1928 his banishment in 1799 and petitioned the Criminal Statute Law of Ireland vi Unless otherwise stated, the following for a few days' freedom to organise his (Dublin, 1837), p. 18. Coincidentally, details of this case are expanded from affairs. See National Archives of Ire this volume was dedicated to Charles references in four short newspaper re land, PPC 3883. Kendal Bushe. ports in the Carlow Morning Post of 24 xxi Carlow Morning Post, 24 Apr. 1828. xi This is the vocabulary used by Coun Apr., 28 Apr., 17 Jul. and 21 Jul. 1828. xxii The Times, 8 May, 1828. sellor Finn, Carlow Morning post, 22 vii Carlow Morning Post, 24 Apr. 1828. xxiii For Lecky's role and Bushe's arrival in Jan. 1829. viii Carlow Mercury or Leinster Adver Carlow, see Carlow Morning Post,17 Jul. xii Details taken from Sean O'Shea, tiser, 25-29 Oct. 1788. 1828. 'Counsellor William Francis Finn' in "See Carloviana 1985/86, 'Museum Re xxiv For Plunket's career, see Carloviana (2010), pp. 42-3. port' by Alec Burns, p. 14. Sincere http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William Pl xiii Carlow Standard, 26 Jan. 1832 thanks to Dermot Mulligan and Damien unket. 1st Baron Plunket. xliii Carlow Morning Post, 22 Jan. 1829. xxv See James Quinn's entry on Bushe in Carloviana 2013-14 Carlow Grand Jury Presentments, Spring 1807 Tony Lyons The Grand Jury "This road is abominably bad, continu will require a certain sum per perch to he Grand Jury system was a ally over hills, rough, stony, and cut up. repair the same effectually. This applica fonn of local government which It is a turnpike, which in Ireland is a syn tion must be lodged with the clerk of the T was in operation from at least onymous tern1 for a vile road ; which is Grand Jury six days previous to the as the 17th century, lasting until the end of the more extraordinary, as the bye ones sizes, to be by him registered, to which the 19th century. While the earlier juries are the finest in the world. It is the effect registry all persons have access, and were involved in the administration of of jobs and imposition, which disgrace where they find a road applied for that justice, their range of functions were the kingdom; the presentment roads does not want repair, they have a power gradually increased to encompass many show what may be done, and render of traversing the presentment. If no such of those of today's county councils. The these villainous turnpikes the more dis traverse is entered, the parties applying Juries normally comprised about 20 gusting." generally get pennission to mend it; be members, being nominated prominent A Tour Through Ireland Vol Ip. 116 tween which time, and the ensuing as people, almost always landowners, sizes, they repair the road, and when farmers or merchants. Up to 1793, And later he says: accounted for, and audited by the Judge Roman Catholics were not pcrn1itted to and Grand Jury, they receive the amount. serve. By the beginning of the 19th "For a country, so very far behind us as The overseer has five per cent, upon the century, in addition to its role in dispens Ireland, to have got suddenly so much money expended.'' ing justice, and in the provision of court the start of us in the article of roads, is a houses, bridewells and gaols, the Grand spectacle that cannot fail to strike the Statistical Survey of' the County Jury had also assumed reponsibility for English traveller exceedingly. But from Meath ... etc. p.359. public health, including the building and this commendation the turnpikes in gen operation of county infinnaries, dispen eral must be excluded; they are as bad as The records give the names of the jurors, saries and mental hospitals as well as the the bye-roads are admirable. It is a com followed by the expenses for the County control of vennin. The county rates, or mon complaint that the tolls of the turn at Large, and then the presentments for cess, paid by the tenants of the county, pikes are so many jobs, and the roads left each barony in the county : funded the work of the Grand Jury. in a state that disgrace the kingdom." Carlow One of the Grand Jury's most important Idrone East A Tour Through Ireland Vol II pp. 151- functions was the responsibility for the Idrone West 2. construction and improvement of roads Forth Rathvilly and bridges. Any road which was not a Robert Thompson, in 1802, explained St. Mollins. turnpike road came under its control. how the Presentment system worked These bye-roads were often known as just five years before the records which I have kept to all the original spellings cross-roads when they ran across be are shown here. while transcribing these documents, ex tween two main roads. Each barony in cept in the case of the long (medial) 's' the county raised money for its own road 'The other roads (i.e non-turnpike roads) , which was used throughout. In each works, while it also made a contribution are repaired and made by presentment, at case I have substituted the terminal 's' to the cess on the county at large, which the expence of the barony, through which to make for easier reading. went to pay for hospitals, gaols etc. they run, and where a road is the mearing Works were given approval by the Jury between two baronies, the amount is Presentments, - Grand Juries of Ire only after having come through a 'pre- equally applotted between them. These land sentment' process which normally took are made by presentment before the May & July 1808 place just after the Spring and Summer Grand Jury at the county assizes in the CARLOW Assizes. following manner: Before a presentment County of Carlow. to mend a road is granted by the Grand An Account of the Presentments Arthur Young, writing in 1776-8 gave Jury, an affidavit must be made by two passed by the Grand Jury of Said high praise to Irish roads and the present- persons, to say, that they have measured County at the Spring Assizes 1807. ment system: it, and that it is out of repair, and that it Carloviana 2013-14 CARLOW GRAND .JURY PRESENTMENTS, SPRING 1 807 Which I certify to be a true Copy year's salary 20 0 0 71 16 6Yi Joseph Beare Clerk Crown, rent of an office John Derenzy & Charles Dunrock, to Treasurer of said County. 10 0 0 build an arch over Pennybrook ford Treasurer, rent of an office 9 16 0 SPRING ASSIZES, 2nd April 1807 10 0 0 N.A. Vigors & Darby Healy, to repair Clerk Peace, rent of two offices bridge of Old Leighlin 2 15 0 GRAND JURORS 20 0 0 J.S. Rochfort & Thomas James, to Sec. Grand Jury, rent of an office repair bridge on road from Carlow 1 William Garrett, esq p. 5 0 0 to Kilkenny 5 13 3 Capt. Rudkin Gaoler, half year's salary Wm. Browne, Robert Rochfort, 2 David Latouche jun. esq p. 20 0 0 Benj. Bunbury & Francis Murphy, to Bro' Same, for like, keeping house of cor- build a wall joining the workhouse 3 William Burton, esq p rection 2 10 0 in town of Carlow 10 0 0 Mr Duckett Robt. Brown, Clk. Grand Jury, for at William Browne & Francis Murphy, 4 J.S. Rochfort, esq p tendance 6 16 6 to repair Ballynacarrig bridge Father Clerk Peace, performing duties of 10 8 8 5 Sir Richard Butler, bart. p Militia Act 10 0 0 William Fishbourne, one year's rent Son Same, for like of Bakers Act of gaol 11 7 6 6 Sir Charles Burton, bart p 4 0 0 Robt. Kirwan, gaoler, for transmit Servant Same, for like of Civil Bill Act ting prisoners 5 0 0 7 Walter Kavanagh, esq 10 0 0 Same, for providing fuel 40 0 0 8 Philip Newton, esq Dudley Hill, for providing stationery Same, for providing a turnkey 9 William Knott, esq 3 8 3 10 0 0 10 N.A. Vigors, esq Treasurer, apportioning and applot- Same, providing necessary for gaol 11 William Browne, esq p. Dr. Fitz. ting presentments 5 0 0 4 12 4Yi 12 William P. Butler, esq p. J. Ca Same, for procuring and distributing Richard Richards, white-washing vanagh printed copies of presentments gaol 2 5 6 13 G. William Bagot, esq p. 5 0 0 Rev. Robert Rochfort, Treasurer of M.Burton, esq Amelia Carmichael, rent of an office county infirmary 28 6 0 14 Thomas Butler esq for Assize Records 10 0 0 Clerk Peace providing stationery 15 William Ducket, esq James Byrne, Coroner 22 15 0 10 0 0 16 Robert Marshall, esq Clerk Peace, filing Turnpike Affa- Same, fees prisoners acquit 17 Robert Cornwall, esq p. davits 3 0 0 11 2 0 A. Humfrey Michael Aylmer, Collector of Naas, Sir Charles Burton & William 18 John Humfrey, esq performing duties of Militia Laws Browne, to finish clock in town of 19 John Bennett, esq 25 0 0 Carlow 30 0 0 20 John Steuart, esq Clerk Peace, for prisoners acquit Messrs. Eustace & Fisher, for costs 21 Henry Colclough, esq 11 2 0 of proceedings relative to court- 22 Thomas Gurly, esq Treasurer, performing duties of For house 23 11 0 23Charles Burton, esq p. Servants feited Recognizance Act Treasurer, to provide presentment Robert Latouche, esq, Sheriff 10 0 0 books 10 0 0 Same, to reimburse his advance, for To provide bread for prisoners The said Grand Jurors did present conducting Michael Nowlan from 100 0 0 the following sums to be raised off London to Carlow 88 8 5 William Henry, Sub-Constable, for the County at large, and paid to: Robert Cornwall & Thomas Fagan, conducting prisoners to gaol £ s. d to repair a sewer at Myshall 10 13 6 7 19 2 Robert Cornwall - a bill of costs of Clerk of Crown, half year's salary Robt. Cornwall & Jas. Clowry, to fill ascertaining the value of the prem 10 0 0 up hollows between Ballybryan ises to be purchased for building a Treasurer, half year's salary sewer and the mill-stone new gaol 16 6 3 25 0 0 10 4 9 Gaoler, for providing candles Clerk Peace, half year's salary Benj. Desserell, Matt. Enright & 3 14 6 10 0 0 John Cullen, to repair bridge on Clk. Crown, fees prisoners acquit Dudley Hill, Sec. Grand Jury, half lands of Ballyoliver 36 11 3 Carloviana 2013-14 CARLOW GRAND ..JURY PRESENTMENTS, SPRING 1 807 Gaoler, for same 4 0 0 the Lime-kiln and Smith's Forge, on James Butler, Henry Rudkin & Jas. Doctor Fitzgerald, for care of prison- lands of Grange-ford 68 15 0 Brennan, to repair 20 perches road be ers 20 0 0 B. Banbury & Richd. Maher. to repair tween Jas. Butler's house and the Chan- Sub-Sheriff, fees of prisoners acquit 82 perches road between Mr. Kinshela 's nel at Browne-street 3 5 0 7 13 4 gate and the 4 roads at Kellystown P. Newton, Edw. Box, Chars. & James Edward Fitzgerald, local Inspector, 22 11 0 Timmin, to repair 191 perches road be distributing bread 5 0 0 Jos. Nicolson & John Byrne, to repair tween John Whitacre's house in Con Doctor Fitzgerald, inspector, half 130 perches road between the lane at nough and the Hearse-house at Burlim, year's salary 10 0 0 John Wheelan 's house and lane at on lands of Connough 35 16 3 Robt. M. Fishbourne, mending a Roche's house 30 10 0 Rev. John Read, Jos. Crawley & Jas. hole on the Lerr bridge 5 0 0 Phil. Watters, Joseph Fishbourne & Pat. Brennan, to repair 111 square yards Robert Ivers, for necessaries done McEvoy, to repair 64 perches road be pavement between the channel at the to gaol 2 8 9 tween the big bridge of Staplestown and end of Chars. Warner's house, Browne little bridge of Staplestown street and the channel in Dublin-street Charge on County at large .... 12 16 0 25 3 £873 6 4 Rev. F.E. Trench, Jos. Fishboume & J. Thomas Elliot & James Headon, to re Holden, to repair 50 perches road be pair 25 perches road between the Grand Jury Presentments Spring tween bounds of Moyle and the Lime- steeple, Kellystown, and Thomas El 1807 kiln gate 12 10 0 liott's gate at Kellystown 5 16 8 Barony of Carlow Wm. Ducket, Sam. Dowse, & Edw. Jas. Murphy, Jos. Crawley & Rev. John £ s. d. Bruder, to repair 102 perches road be Read, to repair 48 feet of stone-work to Joseph Smith, Edw. Holmes, Sam. tween Laur. Bym's house Fryarstown, curb the pavement in Browne-street Cope, Charles Sheehan, Pat. Wire, and white-thorn bush 30 12 0 I 19 0 George Cooper, Pierce Brereton,. & A.C. Best, Robt. M. Fishbourne, & Wm. Browne, Tim. Gorman & Pat. Wm. Hamey, Sub-Constables this Christ. Williams, to open 3 and half Gorman, to repair 74 perches road be barony 32 0 0 perches of an Island, in order to convey tween Tim. Gorman 's gate and Bally William Burton & John Holloway, to re the river straight to the arches of the nakill Bridge 13 17 6 pair 172 perches between Burton-hall & Lerr bridge, between Carlow and Athy Robt. M. Fishboume & Robt. Sherlock, cross-roads leading to Rutland, on lands 2 2 0 to repair 32 perches road between of Burton-hall and Ballynenan - Wm. Browne, Edw. Byrne & John Christopher William's gate and the Lerr at2s.8Yid. 16 10 5 Bennett, to repair 250 perches road be bridge 8 14 0 Sir Richd. Butler & Pat. Rice, to repair tween Jas. Mahon's cross-roads and Pat. Thos. Gurly, keeping in repair 222 148 perches road between Ballyrian Hughes's gate 56 5 0 perches road between Carlow and bridge and cross-roads at Ballyloo - at Jos. Fishbourne, Jas. Bolger & Thos. Colonel Bruen's gate, for two year's 3s. 91/zd. 28 1 2 Holden, to repair 67 perches road be salary 25 18 11 Wm. Browne & Jas. Brennan, to repair tween Fishboume's second gate and the James Holland, Conservator 10 0 0 85 perches road between the pump at hill over Holmes's house 11 14 6 James Prossor, Conservator, half year's Mich. Maginnesse 's, Tullow-street, and Hardy Eustace & Redmond Maher to salary 25 0 0 Maher's gate 38 5 0 repair 120 perches road between Henry Jas. Holland, H. Constable, paying Wm. Browne & Pat. Gorman, to repair Falkiner's gate, Castletown, and Wm. wives and families of militi 9 IO 9 149 perches road between Pat. Hughe's Blanches's house 27 0 0 Same, for collecting tax 16 0 11 Yi gate and cross-roads at Benekerry Wm. Burton & John Holloway, to repair Margaret Nowlan, for damages sus 28 4 11 160 perches road between Thos. tained by a road made by her house Rev. Robert Rochfort & Jas. Byrne, to Lawler's house and Berrin-place, near 7 9 8 repair 74 perches road between Widow O'Neal's, on lands of Little Thomas Byrne - for like damages Hanover-bridge and the late Francis Pollerton 24 0 0 16 15 11 Bogard's gate 38 17 0 Chars. Burton, Wm. Browne, Wm. John Walsh - for like damages Wm. Humfrey, Chars. McMahon & Fishboume & James Brennan, to repair 11 15 11 Jas. Timmin, to repair 61 perches road, 2,566 square yards powder pavement, Jos. Fishboume - for repairing a dan between the hearse-house and Major between Robert M. Fishboume's house gerous spot on road near Kellystown Eustace'scorner 15 5 0 and Wm. Fishbourne's house, Tullow- steeple 2 0 0 Wm. Ducket, Pat. Hanlon, & John Whe street 33 15 0 lan, to repair 275 perches road between Carloviana 2013-14 --~ ------ CARLOW GRAND ..JURY PRESENTMENTS, SPRING l 807 tween cross roads Lumclune and W. roads at bridge at Kilgrany and bridge at Charge on Barony 744 15 91h Nolan's house Cloneyga 35 0 0 Maher'smill 82 13 0 Barony's proportion of County charge Walter Blackney & Anthony Borris, to Gilb. Fitzgerald, Mich. Murphy & John 177 13 JOY. repair 172 perches road between cross Keegan, to repair 71 perches road be Total Charge on Barony 922 9 731. roads Ballycormick and Pat. Power's tween cross-roads at John Keegan's house, Donore, lands of Donore and lands of Currenranny and cross-roads at WE present Pat. Wire and Pierce Brier Glanaharay 34 8 0 Ballinsalogue 14 4 0 ton, Sub Constables for Barony of Car Gilb. Fitzgerald & Jas. Brophy, to re Phil. Waters & John Roney, to repair low, in room of Pat. Neville and Wm. pair 27 ps. road between the ford of 120 perches road between bridge of Bolton, who are dismissed, and £4 Ballinattin and Chas. Watters's D. Coolnapuckogue and Dan. Geehy's gate salary to Wire and Brierton. house 8 15 6 36 0 0 WE present. Jas. Brophy & Edm. Doran, to repair Robt. Cornwall & Emias Makessy, to James Holland, High Constable for this 30 perches road between bridge ofKil repair 60 perches road between Wm. Barony clony and Owen Kavanagh's house Makessy's house and John Watson's 6 15 0 gate 19 10 0 .Carlow Grand Jury Presentments Spring 1807 Walter Kavanagh & Denis Doherty, to Col. Latouche, Hen. Bradley, & Edw. Barony of I drone East repair 240 perches road between the Gregory, to repair 80 perches road be £ s. d. bounds of Kilgreny and bounds of Bal- tween church ofFennagh and Col. La Edw. Worthington, Wm. Henry, Wm. lyellan 54 0 0 touche's gate. [ I st presentment not Dillon, Edw. Gregory, Alex. Steuart, Philip Newton & Edward Smyth, to re proceeded on, £ l 8-0-0, included in £46- James Saunders,Wm Harris, & Denis pair 146 perches road between Thomas 16-0] 46 16 0 Roche, Sub-Constables, one year's Boyle's house Kilree and John Con- Gilb. Fitzgerald & Thos Whelan, to re salary 32 0 0 nolly's 25 11 0 pair 90 perches road between Stephen Wm. Maher, repairing a dangerous Philip Newton, John Aughey & Wm. Nowlan's house, Ballinree, and James breach between the houses of John Cul- May, to repair l 00 perches road be Whelan's Donore 54 0 0 loton & John Doherty 2 0 0 tween Chapel, Moneybeg, and Filam Robt. Cornwall, Benj. James, & Robt. Thomas & Wm. Little, to repair 280 Connor's house, lands ofKilcarigg Smyth, to repair I 08 perches road be perches road between Jas. McEvoy's 23 15 0 tween Ullard bridge and Fennagh house & bounds between Spaw-hill & Gilbert Fitzgerald & Owen Connolly, church 36 0 0 Balinattin, lands of Spaw-hill 70 0 0 to repair 50 perches road between John Sir R. Butler, John Watson, & Thos. John Bennett, John Brien, & Pat. Mc Connell's garden and Tho' Holmes's Kinsella, to repairlOO perches road be Donald, to repair I 08 perches road be house at Seskin 10 0 0 tween Kilmaglenny and Ballydarton's tween the Stoney Island river and Dan. Robt. Cornwall & Thos. Bradly, to re bounds ditch 27 IO O Welward's gap 24 6 0 pair 131 perches road between cross Philip Newton & Edw. Smyth, to repair Ja. Garrett, Francis Dillon, & Ja. Rose, roads at Luke Finn's house on lands of I 00 perches road between John Con to repair 75 perches road between end Garryhill 26 0 0 nolly' s house and Moneybeg 18 18 0 of new road Ballytimmin and bounds Wm. Burton, Edw. Dillon & Bryan Cos Walt. Blackny & Anth. Burrows, to ditch of Clonfert[ £24-7-6 included after grave, to repair 107 perches road be make 157 and I/4th perches of new in £45-15-0] 45 15 0 tween Wm. Kean's house on Miltown road between bounds of parish Sliguff John Eustace & John Watson, to repair 33 8 9 and a rock at Hugh Murphy's 39 6 3 186 perches road between cross roads at Col. Latouche, John Jenkinson, Jas. Mc Same, to repair 20 perches road be the chapel and Wm. Nowlan's 46 10 0 Donald, & James O'Neil, to repair 80 tween cross-roads ofBallycormick and Walter Kavanagh & Moses Kelly, to re perches road between Thomas Law- Jas. Shea's house, Ballycormick pair 284 perches road between cross less 's house Seskin, and bound strea - 3 0 0 roads near James Kelly's house and m, Carrigmore. [Not to be paid£l4-0-0, Waltr. Kavanagh & Mich Moran, to re bounds of lands of Borris 71 0 0 included in £16-12-0] 16 12 0 pair 754 perches road between the Thomas Gurly, Walter Kavanagh, Gar Thos. Little & Bryan Egan, to repair 36 demesne of Borris and bridge of Bar ret Doyle & John Sinnott, to repair 195 perches road between Thos. Little's rowmount 42 3 6 perches road between Tim Maher's and house and bounds of Spaw-hill Same, to repair 319 perches road be John Sinnot's 58 10 0 12 12 0 tween bounds of Ballytiglea and bridge Wm. Garrett, Sam. Watson & Edw. Gre Alex. Bisset & James Brennan, to re of Ballycoppigan 75 17 0 gory, to repair 117 perches road be- pair 174 perches road between cross- Jas. Garret, Fr. Dillon, & Jas Rose, to Carloviana 2013-14 CARLOW GRAND .JURY PRESENTMENTS, SPRING 1 807 repair 122 perches road between bounds Charge on Barony 1,390 8 7 house, Royal Oak, and Bagenal's bridge of Clonfert and widow Harricken 's Barony's proportion of County Charge 17 8 0 house, lands Ballyknocken. [To be ac- 206 I O John Steuart & John Rice, to repair 102 counted for] 45 15 0 Total Charge on Barony 1,596 9 7 perches road between Pat. Fullam 's Wm.Rudkin, Jas. Crow & Dan. Byrne, Which rates, at two shillings and one house and lands of Upper Seskin to repair 180 perches road between the halfpenny per acre,WE present. 20 4 0 bounds of Knockullard and cross-roads Same, to repair 130 perches road be of Currenree 32 5 0 Thos. Little, tween Thos. Maher's plot on Upper Se Col. Latouche, Hen. Bradly, & Edw. H. Constable for this Barony. skin and Th. Bryan's plot 94 14 4 Gregory, to repair 120 perches road be N.A. Vigors, John Steuart, & John Carlow Grand Jury Presentments tween Fennagh church and Wm. War Magra, to repair I 00 perches road be Spring 1807 ren's house, Ballyhubbock, oflands tween Thoumsack & Wm. Connolly's Barony of Idrone West Upton. [£44-16-0 to be accounted for in house, lands of Old Leighlin 25 0 0 £ s. d. £18.0.0) 44 16 0 John Steuart & James Lynch, to repair Thos Bolton, James Dwyer, John Col. Latouche, Jas. O'Neill, & Jas. mc 60 perches road between Michael Don Murry, John Keasberry, Thos. James, Donald, to repair 83 perches road be ahue's ditch of Seskin and Richard John Scanlon, & John Agar, Sub-Con tween Pat. Tonny's house and Carrigbeg Broughan 's pound, on lands of John stables, one year's salary 28 0 0 and bounds of Carrigmore, on the lands Duff''s wood 15 15 0 N.A. Vigars, Pat. Collins, & Jas. Mc of Carrig beg [ 2nd presentment to be John Steuart & John Fe1rnll, to repair Cabe, to repair I 08 perches road be paid] 16 12 0 128 perches road between cross-roads at tween Moor'e river and Pat Neal's Waltr. Kavanagh & Thos. Meany, to re William Timmins's and James Bren house on Clonmore 27 0 0 pair l 00 perches road between Bally nan's gate, on lands of Upper Seskin John Bennett, & John Maher, to make coppigan bridge and bounds of barony 25 12 0 ditches and lay out 43 perches road be of I drone East 17 10 0 N.A. Vigors, Fr. Dillon, & Jas. Brennan, tween the tum of old road at John Fr. Dillon, J.P. O'Brien, Thos. Bradley to repair 206 perches road between the Maher's house and tum at Edm. & Geo. O'Neill, to repair 182 perches Church gate of Old Leighlin and Jno. Maher's house 5 17 6 road (between) the cross roads at F. Dil Connolly's bounds 37 16 0 J.S. Rochfort, John Fitzmaurice, Nich. lons, Garryhill, and William Concoran's John Steuart & Jas. Lynch, to repair 52 Roche, & Wm. Thorpe, to repair 74 (Corcoran's?) house at Ballinakill perches road between John Fitzgerald's perches road between Mr. Roche's gate 59 3 0 field in Seskin and comer of Pat. and Mr. Fishboume's barn 18 10 0 Hen. Bradley, Conservator, half year's Walsh's garden 13 0 0 J.S. Rochfort, John Fitzmaurice, Fr. Ed salary 25 0 0 John Agar, Sub-Constable, one year's wards, & Anth. Slaven, to repair 150 Wm. Little, to repair 1032 perches salary, omitted last assizes 4 0 0 perches road between Tim. Hughes's road between John Barren's house at Thos. Donohue, H. Constable, for col house and John Fitzmaurice's gate Tomduff and Scolagh ford - one year's lecting tax 6 7 4 Y, 30 0 0 J.S. salary 25 6 8 Same, for executing the duty of that Rochfort, John Fitzmaurice, & Fr. Ed office 13 6 8 Thos. Little, H. Constable, for collect- wards, to repair 240 perches road be Charge on Barony 494 16 8 Y, ing Tax 23 11 5 tween John Curren's house and Trinity Barony's proportion of county charge Phil. Newton & Walter Blackny, to re bridge, on lands of Clogrennan 64 13 9 pair 450 perches road between the Total charge on Barony 559 IO 6 30 0 0 bounds of the parish ofSlyguff Same, to repair 234 perches road be 35 0 6 tween John Bolton's house and Thos. Which rates, at two shillings and three 1,405 0 Bolton's house, on lands of Clogrennan pence farthing and 39-1 OOth parts of a Represented - which was granted Spring 29 5 0 farthing per acre, Assizes, 1805, to contractors of a road N .A. Vigors, Martin Linchey, & Thos. WE present. in barony of I drone East - now in trea McDonald, to repair 190 perches road between Widow McDaniel's house and surer's hands, unaccounted for, to go in Thos. Donohue, aid of presentments granted to be raised John Duff"s wood, on the lands of Old on said Barony this Assizes Leighlin 53 0 10 H. Constable for this Barony. 14 II 6 Phil. Newton & Edw. Smyth, to repair 58 perches road between Jas. Neil's Carloviana 2013-14 CARLOW GRAND ..JURY PRESENTMENTS, SPRING l 807 Carlow Grand Jury Presentments Wm. Butler & John Barker, to repair Edw. Eustace, Thos. Nunan & John Spring 1807 305 perches road between the bounds of Kinsella , to repair 96 and half perches Barony of Forth. Crows-grove and bounds of Kilbride road between Pat. Cummin 's house and £ s d 122 0 0 John Kinsella 's bounds 24 2 6 Walter Magee, Edw. Jackson, John Ca W.G. Baggot & las. Dowling, to make Bryan O'Bryan, Thos. Nowlan & Philip vanagh, Edw. Eustace, Robt. Smyth, Jas I 08 perches road between the end of Butler, to repair 112 perches road be Kean, Wm. Hamilton & Peter Doyle, Shangarry road and Thos. Doolin's tween Ballykealey Ford and cross roads Sub-Constables this Barony, their year's bounds 40 19 0 at las. Nowlan's 28 0 0 salary 32 0 0 Same, to make 32 perches road between Robt. Cornwall & Thos. Colclough, to Robt. Cornwall & Robt. Smyth, for Mich. Dowling's bounds and Jas. Dowl- repair 235 perches road between Augha keeping the road 21 1 0 ing's house 11 4 0 lack bridge and Aughaleen bounds John Cavanagh, High Constable, for WP. Butler, Mich. Byrne & Edward 76 7 6 paying the wives of militia 1 9 4 Byrne, to repair 68 perches road be Geo. Baily & Pat. Nowlan, to repair 56 Same - for collecting tax 11 9 8 tween bounds of Kilbride and the new perches road between the Rice's farm W.G. Baggot & Jas. Dowling, to repair bridge 18 8 0 & John Sailer's house 19 12 0 52 perches road between Jas. Dowley's John Barry, B. Colclough, & Robt. W.G. Baggott & Jas. Dowling, to re and the widow Graham's 14 6 0 Moullon, to repair 209 perches road be pair 54 perches road between Widow Robert Cornwall & Robert Smyth, to tween Barnahusk bounds and Lang- Graham's house and John Dowling's repair 80 perches road between Dan ford's- lane 57 12 6 house on Ballinrush 14 17 0 Fenlon's house and Myshall bridge Col. Latouche, Robt. Cornwall, & Hugh James Warren & Maurice Fenlon, to re 36 0 0 Kelly to repair 186 perches road be pair 80 perches road between James Thos. & John Power, to repair 132 tween the bounds of barony of I drone Wadon 's house Shangarry and bounds perches road between cross-roads of East, and bounds of Graigbeg of Ball inrush 20 0 0 Miltown and the bridge of Miltown 51 3 0 Nich. Tomlinson & Pat. Murphy, to re 29 14 0 Robt. Cornwall, Wm. Corrogan, & Jos. pair 80 perches road between the cross Same- to repair 78 perches road be Smyth, to repair 140 perches road be roads at Jno. Pender's and Luke tween cross-roads at Scraugh and tween James Corrogan's house and Hogan's house 20 0 0 widow Brien's house 15 12 0 Laur. Kelly's house 21 0 0 Jno. Barry, Rich. Kerr, Mat. Brennan & Robt. Cornwall & Jas Clowry, to repair W.P. Burler, John Kinshela & James Pat. Brennan, to repair 120 perches road 241 perches road between Ullardmore Fox, to repair 111 perches road between between Carrigduff gate and lately re and Ullard Beg 9 0 9 Geo. Fox's gate and bounds of Crane paired road on Bennagerrow 33 0 0 Rev. Henry St. George, Geo. Bailly & 30 1 3 Sir Richard Butler, Wm. Kepper & Edward Conroy, to repair 180 perches Robt. Cornwall, Darby & Luke Ca Thomas Murray, to repair 204 perches road between Mrs. Wolsely's piers and a vanagh, to repair 112 perches road be road between cross roads Kilknock and sewer at Mr. St. Georges's tween Cranmore bounds and Aclare Daniel Murray's house 56 2 0 39 0 0 bridge 22 8 0 Jno. Feltus, keeping in repair 512 Col. Barry, Andrew Nowlan & Sam. Robt. Cornwall, Hen. James & Pat. perches road between Kilbranish Power, to repair 111 perches road be Smyth, to repair 202 perches road be bounds and cross roads at Ballinrusk tween Francis Tobin's haggard .... (?) tween Jenny Deer's bush and Ullard 12 16 0 27 15 0 bridge 45 9 0 Geo. Baily & Pat. Nowlan, to repair 60 Robert Cornwall & John N cal, to repair Charge on Barony I , 114 12 10 perches road between Mary Redmond's 90 perches road between Chars. Ka Barony's proportion of County Charge house and and widow Nowlan's gate vanagh's house and bounds ditch of 115 IO 7% 19 10 0 Clonruss 19 10 0 Total Charge on Barony John Barry, Richard Kerr, Pat Brennan, Wm. Hamilton & James Lynch, to re 1,230 3 5% Dennis Trainer & John Beaver, to repair pair I 02 perches road between widow Which rates, at two shillings and nine 150 perches road between Clody bridge Jackson's house and Crane road pence halfpenny and 13-20th parts of a and Power's piers45 0 0 25 10 0 farthing p. acre Edw. Eustace, John Kinshela & Thos. Hugh Murry & Mich. M'Daniel, to re We Present. Newnan, to repair 29 perches road be pair 130 perches of road between Mich. John Cavanagh, tween the Miller's cross-roads and Bal- Cosker's house and Robt. Eustace's High Constable of this Barony lynunry bridge 10 3 0 32 10 0 Carloviana 2013-14 CARLOW GRAND .JURY PRESENTMENTS, SPRING 1 807 Carlow Grand Jury Presentments Beauman Ryan, to repair 182 perches Ja. Bennett & Ja. Byrne, to repair 34 Spring 1807 road between cross-roads of Knockava perches road between Tim. Byrn's gap, Barony of Rathvilly and corner of Mich. Jolly's house - and Mich. Brand's ditch 13 19 0 £ s. d. lands of Rathvilly 45 l O O Wm. Watts, Sub-Constable, barony of John Boyle, H. Constable for collecting Fr. Thomas, Jas. Byrne, & Simon Car Rathvilly, and Ja. Malone, to be dis- tax 11 6 IV,, roll, to repair 65 perches road between missed 4 0 0 John Whealon, Conservator, half year's Geo. Kelly's gate and a sewer at the Geo. Giltrap, Tho. Young, Alexr. Gib salary 25 0 0 Castle of Clonmore 13 0 0 bons, Edw. Meredith, David Minorgan, Hen. Clark & Fred Thorpe, to repair Fr. Thomas, Rev. John Blanchfield & Ja. Malone, & Wm. Purcell, Sub-Con- 148 perches road between Merritt Mc John Dowling, to repair 274 perches of stables, one year's salary 18 0 0 Ganny's house and bridge ofMount- road between Smyth's ford and Deerin's Neill 25 18 0 gate 61 13 0 Charge on Barony 888 15 8 Y4 G. Wm. Baggot & Denis Lyons, to re Beauchp. & H. Colclough, John New Barony's proportion of County charge pair 44 perches road between the brook ton & Laurence Headon, to repair 294 238 19 11 Y4 at Mich. Barry's gate and cross-roads at perches road between Bennekerry Dennis Lyons's 17 3 0 cross-road and (blank) 51 9 0 Total Charge on Barony 1127 15 7 Y2 G. Wm. Baggot and Jno. Molloy, to re Robert Sheppard & Thomas Gorman, to Which rates, at one shilling and pair 98 perches road between Denis repair 329 perches road between cross twopence three farthings and 17 25th Dunn's house and the light Ford, roads, Ballybit, and cross-roads ofTo- parts of a farthing p. acre Croneska, lands of Ballynagusla binstown 65 16 0 WE present. 19 16 0 Wm. P. Butler, Mich. Lennon, & Mich. Samuel Simple, High Constable. Ben. Bunbury, Thos. Elliott & John Ferrall, to repair 66 perches road be Donohue, to repair 55 perches road be tween Liscolman ford and Raheen Carlow Grand Jury Presentments tween Tobinstown bridge and Wm. bounds 13 4 0 Spring 1807 McKenna's house, lands of Ballybit Ab. Jones, James Nowlan & Pat. Red Barony of St Mollin's 13 5 10 mond, to repair 61 perches road be £ s. d. Edward and Sylvester Eustace, & John tween Thomas Holloway's house and To eight Sub-Constables, viz : - Sam. Dugan, to repair 14 7 perches road be James Nowlan's gate 13 14 6 Jolly, Marmaduke Waddock, Thomas tween William Kelly's gate and Ger Rich. Cullen, Pat. Redmond & Hen. Colclough, James Ryan, Andrew rard Cullen's house, lands of Burgess, to repair 94 perches road be Nowlan, Hugh Murray, Thomas Ryan, Castlemore 29 8 0 tween John Keavy's house in Tullow and Philip Kennedy, for one year's Edw. Eustace & Thos. Timmin, to repair and Hen. Burgesse 's gate 21 3 0 salary 32 0 0 136 perches road between Dan. John Jones, John Jones jun., and Laur. Robt. Cummins, H. Constable, for pay- Gafney's gate and Tho. Mulhall's Norton to repair 306 perches road be ing the Militia 1 l O O house, lands Castlemore 25 l O O tween Hacketstown and Croonaska Same, for collecting tax 6 19 6 Ab. Jones & Pierce Byrne, to repair 269 58 0 3 Yi Walter Kavanagh & Thomas Byrne, to perches road between Ja. Brennan's John Leonard, Mich. Foyle, & Thos. repair 126 perches roads between the house, Harrold's-town and Icawn Doyle, to repair l 09 perches road be widow Neal's house and the Limekiln bridge 67 5 0 tween brook of Ballykillane, and Edw. ofRahana 37 16 0 Sir R. Butler & Tho. M'Culchy, to re Hughes's gate, Ballyhacket 29 10 5 Edw. Loftus & Mat. Grenal(?) to repair pair 194 perches road between Chapel Hen. Morton & Robt. Rhames, to repair I 03 perches road between bridge of of Hacketstown & Lane to Hen. Pol 70 perches road between the mill, Clon Drummin, and bounds of County Wex- lards, lands of Ballysalagh 36 7 6 more, and Lime-kiln of Millmand ford 46 7 0 Fr. & David Vanston & Wm. Sharp, to 14 0 0 Wm. P. Butler and James Ralph, to re repair 206 perches road between John Wm. Sane, Sam. Bennett & Thos. pair 110 perches road between town Gorman's and John Carthy's, lands of Young, to repair 94 perches road be land ofClonegall and Redmond's gate, Rathvilly 45 9 0 tween Galvin's-bridge and Constable- Clonegan 35 15 0 Wm. Duckit, Jas. Dowse & Edward hill 21 3 0 Walter Kavanagh, John & Owen Cur Brooder, to repair 180 perches road be Jno. Leonard, Wall Malone, & Ja. ragan, to repair 432 perches road be tween bounds of Grange watt and Bal Keary, to repair 197 perches road be tween lime-kiln on Ballyglishin, and lyhacket - Lands of Straboe 45 0 0 tween Ballyhacket cross-roads and the lime-kiln on Ballybeg 75 12 0 D. (?) H. Jackson, Edw. Thornton & high house at Ballyhacket 53 7 l John Derenzy, James Nowlan & John Carloviana 2013-14 CARLOW GRAND .JURY PRESENTMENTS, SPRING 1 807 Nowlan. to repair 41 perches road be between cross-roads Ballymurphy, and Walter Kavanagh, Chars. Corcoran tween bridge of Clonegall. & Mary John Lalor's house 35 14 0 &Maurice Kehoe - 606 perches road be Burke's house in Clonegall Walter Kavanagh, to repair 114 perches tween the lime kiln on Ballybagot & 15 7 6 road between bridge of Drummin and ford that divides Tara & Bahana John Barry, Beauchp & Thomas Col bounds of County Wexford 47 10 0 106 1 0 clough, to repair 203 perches road be Wm. P. Butler, Richd. & James Ralph, Charge on Barony 675 10 0 tween Kildavin bridge and Sherwood to repair 60 perches road between the Barony's proportion of county charge bounds 55 16 6 new bridge on the Slany, and an oak 70 7 I Thomas Bishop & Mich. Darcy, to re tree on Richd. Anderson's mearing in Total charge on Barony 745 17 pair 185 perches road between bridge Kilcarry 19 10 0 I Which rates at two shillings and that divides Basmorro(?) and James Walt. Kavanagh & Thos. (blank) to re ninepence halfpenny and 9/lOOths part Dalton's ditch 37 0 0 pair 186 perches road between bridge of of a farthing per acre We present, John Derenzy, Wm. Ralph, & Wm. Ballygan and road below Laur. Doyle's Wm. McGrath, High Constable Doyle, to repair 136 perches road be 53 9 6 By the Court, tween Richd. Nowlan's, Clonegall, and Thos. & Edm. Byrne, to repair 156 BENJAMIN RIKY Thos. Cummins's, Kilcarry 34 0 0 perches road between bridge of Deputy Clk. Crown Walter Kavanagh, Charles Curragan, & Graiguenemana and Thomas Molloy's Pat. Murphy, to repair 238 perches road house 35 2 0 Winter Lecture Series 2013-14 All lectures start at 8 p.m. DATE LECTURER TOPIC VENUE The bridges of Borris Vocational 16th October 2013 Francis Coady Carlow's Mountain River and its School tributaries Dr. Colmain Ogham Stones in Seven Oaks Hotel, 20th November 2013 Etchingham Co. Carlow Carlow The desperate fight to save the harvest of Tullow Community 15th January 2014 Padraig Laffan 1946 and the bad Centre winter of 1946-47 The carpet factory in Seven Oaks Hotel, 19th February 2014 Mairead Johnson Abbeyleix Carlow Seven Oaks Hotel, 19th March 2014 Fergus Mulligan William Dargan Carlow Presentation-De La The Bagenalstown - 9th April 2014 Fr. Pierce Murphy Salle College, Borris Railway Bagenalstown Carloviana 2013-14 Message from the President This year has been a busy one for the so Our outings this year were again organ Since our last issue three of our long ciety and its officers. ised by Bertie and Irene Watchorn and standing members, Joseph Brennan of took us in June to Dublin, St Doulagh's Strawhall, Michael Smith of Newtown At our annual general meeting in April Church and Glasnevin Cemetery and in and Michael Lawler of Athy Road, two people who have given many years August to the Gloucester and Worcester Carlow have passed away. of service, Eddie McDonald and Rev. areas of the U.K. Dermot McKenna, were presented with Our involvement with the History Festi honorary life membership of the society. We have made good progress during the val oflreland 2013, Carlow 800 and the Also in April our patron, Donal McCart year in communication with our mem Carlow 800 History Conference kept us ney brought to our attention an item ap bers by email and will continue to do so quite busy during the normally quiet pearing m a Dublin auction, an as much as possible in the future. Very summer months. illuminated manuscript address to Anna shortly we also hope to introduce our Parnell by the ladies of the Graiguecullen new website. I want to thank all the members of our and Killeshin branch of the Irish National committee and subcommittees for the Land League. The item was purchased, We were very pleased to see another of hard work they have put in during the co-funded with Carlow County Museum, our past chairmen receive the County year. I also want to thank Jim Shannon, and has now joined the museum's Parnell Carlow Heritage Award last November. Martin Nevin and the editorial board and collection. Richly deserved and congratulations to our many contributors for another excel Martin. lent publication. Pictured at the launch of Carloviana 2012 are (from left) Pat O'Neill, President CHAS, Professor Donal McCartney, Patron CHAS, and Professor Kevin Whelan, who launched thejournal. Carloviana 2013-14 2013 Officers and Members of the Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society Patron Professor Donal McCartney President Pat O'Neill Vice President Bertie Watchorn Secretary Deirdre Kearney Treasurer Catherine McGuill Public Relations Officer Noreen Whelan Editor Jim Shannon Committee Pat O'Neill, Bertie Watchorn, Deirdre Kearney, Catherine McGuill, Noreen Whelan, Jim Shannon, Martin Nevin, Dan Carbery, Joe Brennan, Seamus Murphy, Padraig Dooley, Richard Codd, Margaret Minchin, Peadar Cullen, John Burke, Honorary Life Members Kevin Kennedy, Rose Murphy, Seamus Murphy, Martin Nevin, Willie White, Rev. Dermot Mckenna, Edward McDonald. Members Declan Alcock, 96 Pearse Road, Graiguecullen, Carlow Ivor Bowe, Bowe Consulting, Strawhall Ind.Est. Carlow Noel Alcock, 42 Staunton Avenue, Graiguecullen, Carlow John & Bernadette Boyd, 8 Shaw Park, Athy Road, Carlow Thomas Alcock, Oisin, Derrymoyle, Carlow Dr. Geoffrey Bremble, Chapel House, 11 Cothill, John Alexander, Milford, Co.Carlow Oxford OX 136JN Andrew Ashmore, Ballaghmoon House, Carlow Joseph & Mary Brennan, 63 Green Road, Carlow Bernie Atkinson, 56 The Downs, Pollerton Big, Carlow Phyllis Brennan, 32 College Gardens, Granby Row, Carlow Robert Aughney, Lumcloone Cross, Fenagh, Co. Carlow Sheila Brennan, 32 College Gardens, Granby Row, Carlow Margaret Baragry, 8 Larkfield, Carlow Ms Brid Brett, Ballyhide, Carlow James Bolger, 7 Henry Street, Graiguecullen, Carlow Edward Brophy, 1 Sycamore Road, Rathnapish, Carlow Michael Boyce, "Mulroy", 14 Braganza, Carlow Gregory Brophy, Castlemore, Tullow, Co. Carlow Carloviana 2013-14 MEMBERS Mrs. Brigid Brophy, Slievereagh, Rathdangan, Co. Wicklow Michael P. & Anne Doyle, Innisfree, Railway Road, Carlow John Burke, "Aghaboe", Knocknagee, Carlow Thomas & Patricia Doyle, Brownshill Ave., Carlow Fcrgal Browne, "Churchview", Rutland, Carlow Thomas Doyle, Chapel Hill, Baltinglass, Co.Wicklow Turtle Sunbury, Old Fort, Tobinstown, Tullow, Co. Carlow Percy Orea, Wells, Bagenalstown, Co.Carlow Msgr Brendan Byrne, Teach Moling, Oak Park Road, Carlow Dr Colmain Etchingham, Ballinguilky, Hacketstown Rev. Gerald Byrne P.P., Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny James Farrell, Grosvenor, Kilkenny Road, Carlow Margaret Byrne, 16 Sutton Grove, Sutton, Dublin 13 Leslie & Cora Farrer, Crosneen, Carlow Joseph & Sarah Callinan, The Field, Pollerton Little, Carlow Joseph Feeley, Moytura, Dunleckney, Bagenalstown Dan & Attracta Carbery, Glencarrig, Green Road, Carlow George Fitzgerald, 25 Riverside, Carlow Kay Carbery, 58 Monaeurragh, Carlow William Fitzgerald, 50 Sycamore Road, Rathnapish, Carlow Eugene & Patricia Carbery, Mortarstown, Carlow Mary Flynn, St. Martins, Blackbog Road, Carlow Michael Carbery, 1 Pembroke, Carlow Dr Tom Foley, Leighlinbridge, Co.Carlow Sr. Mary Cannody, 4 Pinewood Avenue, Carlow Desmond & Jean Foot, Pound Lane, Borris, Co. Carlow Brigid A. Carroll, 19 Cathedral Close, Tullow Street, Carlow Tony & Olive Fortune, 16 Sharon Avenue, Brownshill Road Mrs Claire Carroll, 7 Braganza, Athy Road, Carlow Andreas & Mary Froelich, Sandfield, Oakpark Road, Carlow Matthew Cleary, Erindale Lodge, Kilkenny Road, Carlow Sean Gavin, Garryduff House, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny Francis & Aine Coady, 43 Barrow Lock, Leighlinbridge Thomas & Marian Geoghegan, Ballincarrig, Carlow Richard Codd, Munny, Coolkenno, Tullow, Co. Carlow Bernard Geraghty, Oakpark, Carlow Mrs. Frances Cole, Ballybar, Carlow Christopher & Mai Glancy, 16 Oak Grove, Royal Oak Road, Sr Eileen Comerford, Apt.7, Poachers Lock, Leighlinbridge Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Ann Connolly, Red Mills, Goresbridge, Co.Kilkenny Mrs. Kathleen Goodwin, 7 Aylesbury, Dublin Road, Carlow Michael Conry, Avila, Tullow Road, Carlow Robert & Betty Graham, Crossneen, Carlow James & Brenda Conway, Coppenagh, Tullow, Co. Carlow Derek Hardy, Knocknagee, Carlow L.V. & Rita Conway, Straboe, Tullow, Co.Carlow Patrick Healy, Pollerton Castle, Carlow John Conway, Rathvinden, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow Rory Healy, Pollerton Castle, Carlow John & Dawn Coogan, Castlemore, Tullow, Co. Carlow Mrs Muriel Hendy, Narraghmore Manor, Athy, Co.Kildare Gemma Corrigan, 9 Cathedral Close, Tullow Street, Carlow Mrs. Anna Hennessy, Ballytiglea, Borris, Co. Carlow Thomas Corrigan, Knockfield, Castledermot, Co. Kildare Seamus & Mary Hogan, Rathrush, Rathoe, Co.Carlow Claire Cotter, 33 College Gardens, Granby Row, Carlow Paddy Holohan, Ballycarney, Blackbog Road, Carlow Thomas & Kathleen Cox, Ballyknockan, Fenagh, Co.Carlow Michael & Pauline Hosey, The Boulders, Tinryland Norman & Christine Cree, Ballyknockan, Leighlinbridge William & Kathleen Hosey, Castlemore, Tullow, Co. Carlow Damien Cronin, 22 Highfield Manor, Leighlin Road, Carlow Robert Gerald Howson, Carlow Road, Leighlinbridge Ken & Maureen Crowe, Derrymoyle, Carlow Mrs. Betty Hughes, Ballinabranna, Co.Carlow Kathleen Cullen, Killamoat, Rathdangan, Co. Wicklow John Hughes, Kildrenagh, Bagenalstown, Co.Carlow Peadar Cullen, Killamoat, Rathdangan, Co. Wicklow Robin & Nora James, "The Dormer", Brownshill Rd.,Carlow Michael Daly, Caherea, Browneshill, Carlow Brigid A. Johnson, 36 Eastwood, Bagenalstown, Co.Carlow Pat & Eileen Darcy, Crossneen, Carlow Jim & Helen Jordan, Ratheadan House, Leighlinbridge Michael & Martina Darcy, 8 The Glen, Mortarstown, Carlow Mrs Pauline Jordan, Church Road, Bagenalstown, Co.Carlow James & Marlene Davis, 2 Borlum Wood, Green Rd., Carlow Thomas Joyce, Rathgorvan, Ballymurphy, Borris, Co. Carlow James Deane, The Shop, Tinryland, Co.Carlow Una Kane, Castledermot, Co. Kildare Cynthia Deane, Co. Carlow VEC, Athy Road, Carlow Dan Kavanagh, Rathshanmore, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow Eamon & Cathleen Delaney, Tobacco Meadows, Carlow Larry Kavanagh, 17 Shillelagh Grove, Tullow, Co.Carlow Paul & Breda Delaney, 22 Heatherfield, Dublin Road, Carlow Myles Kavanagh, 10 Oak Grove, Royal Oak Road, James & Catherine Dempsey, Ballinacarrig, Carlow Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Randall Dempsey, Hanover Cross, Carlow Darryl Kealy, Shroughan, Tullow, Co. Carlow Hugh Dolan, 35 Oakley Park, Tullow Road, Carlow Paul Keane, 2 Lacken Rise, Tullow Road, Carlow John & Mary Dollard, 8 Monacurragh, Carlow Deirdre Kearney, "Ardmore", Brownshill Road, Carlow James Donegan, St. Killian's Crescent, Carlow Anne Keating, 95 Beechwood Park, Carlow Eddie Donohoe, Rathvarrin, Ardattin, Co.Carlow Thomas Kehoe, 57 Dublin Street, Carlow Margaret Donohoe, 13 Sherwood, Hacketstown Rd., Carlow Edward Kelly, 118 St. Clare's Road, Graiguecullen, Carlow Martin & Bernadette Doogue, Hillcrest, Baltinglass John Kelly, Raheen, Ballon, Co. Carlow Thomas & Mairead Doolan, Ballinacarrig, Carlow Michael Kelly, 17 Ashdale Close, Kinsealy Court, Swords Anthony & Phil Dooley, Barrowside, Carlow George Kenny, 4 Frederick Avenue, Carlow Padraig Dooley, 23 Dolmen Gardens, Carlow David Kenny, Crosslow, Tullow, Co. Carlow Mrs. Michelle Doorley, Kilree Street, Bagenalstown William & Brigid Kepple, Rathrush, Rathoe, Co. Carlow Michael Doran, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow Thomas King, 7 Sycamore Road, Rathnapish, Carlow Leslie & Cora Dowley, Oak Park, Carlow Rita Lacey, Closh, Ballylinan, Athy, Co. Kildare Anne E. Dowling, Kellistown, Carlow Michael & Margaret Lawlor, 20 New Oak Estate, Carlow John A. Dowling, Linkardstown, Carlow Rev. Andy Leahy P.P., Parochial House, Tullow, Co.Carlow James Downey Jnr, 20 Monacurragh, Carlow John Lohan, 33 Paire Mhuire, Muinebheag, Co. Carlow Owen Doyle, Tinnaslee, Graiguenamangh, Co. Kilkenny Martin J Lynch, 118 Beechwood Park, Pollerton, Carlow Mrs Lil Doyle, Ballycullane, Hacketstown, Co.Carlow Brian & Mary Lyons, Crossneen, Carlow Mrs Marian Doyle, 3 Dolmen Gardens, Pollerton, Carlow Paul & Cannel Lyons, Oakpark Road, Carlow Carloviana 2013-14 MEMBERS Tony Lyons, Boherbee, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny Carmel O'Dwyer, 14 Sharon Avenue, Brownshill, Carlow Mary Mackey, Ballypreacus, Bunclody, Enniscorthy, John O'Gorman Kincora, Athy Road, Carlow Co. Wexford Mrs. Betty O'Gonnan, 59 Dublin Street, Carlow Jim & Bridget Mathews, 12 Luttrellstown Green, Una O'Gorman, Cullenagh, Ballylinan, Co. Laois Luttrellstown Wood, Castleknock, Dublin 15 Anne O'Hara, 13 Frederick Avenue, Carlow Brendan May, Gardenfield, Tuam, Co. Galway P J O'Hare, Glenamoy, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow Mrs Pat Maye, "Atrium", Brownshill Road, Carlow John O'Keefe, Oakpark, Carlow Kathleen McCa11hy, Clonburrin House, Fenagh, Muine Bheag Des & Breda O'Mahony, "The Kerries", 22 Braganza, Carlow Michael McCarthy, Clonburrin House, Fenagh, Muine Bheag Gerry O'Malley, 64 Green Road, Carlow Cornelia McCarthy, Flanders Cross, Knocklonogad, Eilish O'Neill, 22 Bagenal Court, Court Place, Carlow Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Msgr. Kevin O'Neill, St.Patrick's College, Carlow Mel McDermott, 43 Friar's Green, Tullow Road, Carlow Maurice O'Neill, Kilmurry, Ballon, Co. Carlow Joseph McDonald, 4 Heatherfield Court, Carlow Nial O'Neill, 43 Connolly Villas, Ennis, Co.Clare Jim McDonnell, Hillview, Brownshill, Carlow Patrick O'Neill, 21 Bullock Park, Carlow Tony McEvoy, Cheshire Home, Tullow, Co. Carlow Paul O'Neill, Everton, Springhill, Carlow Rev. John McEvoy P.P., Paulstown, Co.Kilkenny Eileen O'Rourke, 35 Quinagh Green, Carlow Mrs Catherine McGuill, Sandbrook Lodge, Blackbog Road, Hugh O'Rourke, St. Anthony's, Ballyhide, Carlow Carlow Bernard O'Shea, 34 Bullock Park, Carlow Barry Mc Hugh, Mountain View House, Green Road, Carlow Rev. Philip O'Shea, Ballinakill, Garyhill, Co. Carlow Owen McManus, Church Road, Staplestown, Carlow James & Carmel O'Toole, Borlum House, Kilkenny Rd, Christopher McQuinn, 18 Shillelagh Grove, Tullow Carlow Fonsie Mealey, Georgian Mews, The Square, Castlecomer Mrs. Helen Pender, Russellstown, Palatine, Carlow Ann Meaney, Kilcarrig Street, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Teny Platt, Clonmore, Killeshin, Carlow Peter & Margaret Minchin, Coolnaeuppogue, Bagenalstown Muriel Poole Downey, Ryle Belle, Ballinaboley, Michael & Mary Monahan, Johnsduffwood, Old Leighlin Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow Ann Mooney, 42 Bourlum Wood, Green Road, Carlow Mrs Ann Power, 42 Kilcarrig St, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Charles & Ann L Moore, Tullow Lodge, Tullow, Co. Carlow Mrs Marie Quirke, Newtown, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Eamonn A. Moore, Link Road, Chapelstown, Carlow Mrs Eithne Reddy, 28 Borlum Wood, Green Road, Carlow Eunice Moore, 2 Clarendon Road, Scunthorpe, T.J. & Margaret Redmond, Heywood, Oakpark, Carlow North Lincolnshire Mrs Mena Rice, Main Street, Borris, Co. Carlow · Margaret Moran, 109 Beechwood Park, Pollerton, Carlow Patrick Roche, Coolnakisha, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow James Mulhall, Castlemore, Tullow, Co.Carlow Michael Roche, 20 Tanner Hall, Athy Road, Carlow Dermot Mulligan, 19 Marble Court, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny Brid De Roiste, 15 Clarence Gate, Kilkenny Road, Carlow Patrick & Joan Mulligan, Marian Ville, Tullow Rd, Carlow Peter & Anne Rose, Spahill House, Borris, Co. Carlow Frank Mulvey, 44 Feltham Hall, Blackbog Road, Carlow Des & Rose Scully, 8 Burrindale, Pollerton, Carlow Ann Murphy, Pollerton Little, Carlow Oliver & Philio Seery, Tinryland, Co. Carlow Eileen Murphy, Drumphea, Ganyhill, Co. Carlow Denis Shannon, Tinryland, Co. Carlow Ger & Kathyrn Murphy, "Duncar'', Browneshill, Carlow James Shannon, "Lorien", Scotland,Hacketstown, Co. Carlow Michael Murphy, Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow Jack Sheehan, Dunleckney, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Padraig Murphy, 65 Blackheath Park, Clontarf, Dublin 3 Richard Sheehan, Dunleckney, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Patricia Murphy, Killinure, Tullow, Co. Carlow John Sheil, Bohennore, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Patrick E.Murphy, Ratheadon, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Kae Slattery, "Windover" 15 Sycamore Rd, Patrick Murphy, 2 Oak Park Drive, Carlow Rathnapish, Carlow John Murphy, Killinure, Tullow, Co.Carlow Bernie Smyth, 12 Villarea Park, Glenageary, Co. Dublin Rody Murphy, 4 Oak Park Road, Carlow Seamus & Bridget Somers, Killinane, Bagenalstown Matthew & Kathleen Murray, Ballyhide, Carlow Emma Sparks, Kilnock, Ballon, Co. Carlow Mrs. Rosaleen Nevin, Carlow Road, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow Derek Stacey, Brannockstown, Naas, Co. Kildare Ann Nolan, Wayside, Station Rd, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow George & Anne Stephenson, Elmdale, Knockfiled, Breda Nolan, Station Road, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Castledermot, Co.Kildare Catherine Nolan, 6 Bagnal Court, Court Place, Carlow Jack Stratton, "Rockdale", Kilmeaney, Carlow Frank Nolan, "Sunnydale", Oak Park Road, Carlow Valerie Stratton, "Rockdale", Kilmeaney, Carlow Liam & Sheila Nolan, Newtown, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow Derek & Joan Treacy, 57 Highfield, Dublin Road, Carlow Eamonn A. Nolan, 90 Green Road, Carlow Robert & Irene Watchorn, Ballinakill, Ballickmoyler, Carlow Henry Nolan Snr, 7 Oaklawns, Dublin Road, Carlow Seosamh Watson, Glenview, Nurney, Co. Carlow Patrick M. Nolan, College Road, Kilkenny Oliver & Mary Whelan, 152 Seapark, Malahide, Co. Dublin Claire Nolan Moore, 6 The Orchards, Tullow Road, Carlow Mrs Noreen Whelan, 17 Sycamore Road, Rathnapish, Carlow Kennedy & Bernie O'Brien, Tinryland, Carlow Rev Edward Whelan, Ballon, Co. Carlow Teddy O'Brien, 19 Ashgrove, Tullow Road, Carlow Lynne Whelan, 66 Oakley Crescent, Graiguecullen, Carlow Seamus O'Connor, Carlow County Council, Athy Rd, Carlow Paul White, Oakpark, Carlow Mrs Eileen O'Connor, Rosemount, Borris, Co.Carlow Arthur Willis, Rathrush, Rathoe, Co. Carlow John O'Donovan, Kilnock, Ballon, Co. Carlow Tony Wynne, 92 Jennings Lane, Atherton, California Peter O'Dowd, Shankill, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny Anne O'Dwyer, The Forge, Castlemore, Tullow, Co. Carlow Carloviana 2013-14 Carfow CountJ Museum See what you're missing The Museum is located on College Street. Carlow County Museum opening hours as follows: June to August September to May Monday to Saturday Monday to Saturday 10.am to 5.oopm 10.00 am to 4.30 pm Bank Holidays & Sundays (Closed on Bank Holidays) 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm Admission is Free Interested in Volunteering? Web: www.carlowcountymuseum.ie Email: [email protected] We are always looking for new Tel: 059 913 1554 volunteers. If you have an interest in I] facebook.com/carlowcountymuseum history or would like to try something @carlowcountymus new you can contact us by email, telephone or just drop in to us. Email: [email protected] Tel: (059) 913 1554 Carloviana 2013-14 SPONSORS lnstitiuid Teicneolaiochta Cheatharlach Kilkenny Road, HOSEYS I NSTITUTE of Carlow, SUPERMARKET & POST OFFICE TECHNOLOGY Ireland. Staplestown Road, Carlow T: 059 91 70400 CARLOW Tel: 059 9131562 I 9132269 • F: 059 91 70500 Fax: 059 9140333 At the Heart of South Leinster W: www.itcarlow.ie GAELSCOIL EOGHAIN Ui THUAIRISC ELM CONSTRUCTION Garran na Fuinseoige, Ceatharlach Sandbrook Lodge, Blackbog Road, Carlow. F6n: 059 9131634. Faics: 059 9140861 Phone: 087 - 925 8081 I 059 - 913 7060 www.cgscoil.net Email: [email protected] MATT D. DOYLE A.I.B. MONUMENTAL WORKS 36-37 TULLOW STREET, CARLOW Pembroke, Carlow Serving Carlow since late 1880s Tel: 059 9142048. Mobile: 087 2453413. Branch Manager: Gerry Murtagh. Manager: Martin Kelly. Email: [email protected] Web: www.mattddoyleheadstones.com Tel: 059 9131758 Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Financial Regulator R. HEALY & SON ST. MARY'S, KNOCKBEG COLLEGE, CARLOW FUNERAL DIRECTORS COLAISTE MUIRE, CNOC BEAG, CEATHARLACH Pollerton Castle, Carlow Phone: 059 9142127 I 059 9143705 Fax: 059 9134437 Phone: 059 I 9131286 Email: [email protected] I Web: www.funeral-directors.ie 3 Green Lane, Carlow, Ireland. Tel: +353 (059) 9174000 Fax: +353 (059) 9131150 SHEEHY Email: [email protected] motor gro~ Web: www.sheehymotors.ie THE NATIONALIST Carlow s Newspaper since I 883 FIVE STAR CLEANING CONTRACTORS Tullow Road, Bennekerry, Co. Carlow. HANOVER HOUSE, HANOVER, CARLOW Tel: 059 9137737 Fax: 059 9146929 Mob: 087 2210964 Tel: 059 9170100. Fax: 059 9131107 Web: www.carlow-nationalist.ie Email: [email protected] ST. MARY'S ACADEMY, CARLOW Carloviana 2013-14