Category Archives: Newspaper Extracts

300 evicted, Strokestown Massacre.

A list of 300 people evicted from Strokestown Estate.
Co. Roscommon

Mass Eviction

This list of 300 names was published by the Bishop of Elphin.


“The Strokestown Massacre Developed” A few years ago I was over in Strokestown house with some friends and being me I was photographing everything.  I have never published this list before it was hanging on the wall.  I am now loading these photographs at full size so that any whose families were evicted can see that this list was published in the Freeman’s Journal 29th April 1847.  The editorial was entitled “The Strokestown Massacre Developed”

 

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Munster News, Limerick & Clare Advocate : Extracts

The Munster News and Limerick and Clare advocate
Wednesday August 24, 1887

Sheriff’s Sale 
Robert Conway Dobbs Plaintiff
John O’Brien, Defendant
Farm of land at Knockgreen, Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick rent £220 a year.
H.S.J. Massy, Sheriff for the Co. of Limerick.


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The Allen, Larkin & O’Brien Memorial Committee called in all collecting cards with amount collected on them by 1st Steptember.

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Old hay, Rye grass and Clover for sale. : S. E. Collis, Tieraclea, Tarbert.

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The Proclamation Debate.
The debate on the Proclamation of the National League, which will come on in the House of Commons on Thursday night next, on Mr. Gladstone’s motion for an
Address to the Queen asking her to reverse the process will be one of the most important for this country that has ever taken place in any assemblage in
England……..

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Father Shannon and the drought (River Shannon in drought)
”How long has you on this planet my man?”
”Well, I was born in the year 1799, sir.”
Then you are 88 years of age. Now, tell me did you ever see the Shannon so low during all that time?
Well, sir, I know it well ; I was thirty years boss of a canal boat and I ought to know, and I never saw so little water in the river before.”

The scene of the foregoing conversation was the south bank of the Shannon at Killaloe ; the day, Sunday last, and the speakers a very old country man, and the citizens of Limerick who related the occurrence to us. He was expressing his wonder at the state to which the mighty Shannon was reduced all the way down
to limerick, and he could have applied his words to its condition for many miles below the city as well. It is so shallow at Killaloe, and at places near Castleconnell that it is really almost possible to walk across dry shod. At Limerick, about Corbally and below, between the bridges, there are also
extraordinary shallows or complete absence of water ; but still farther down is a more astonishing result of the drought, for at one point of the river about a mile below the quays, the mud has so silted up, that if it had consistency enough to bear, a person might walk from one bank to the other. Of course this
is entirely the result of the continued dry weather, the falling away in the quantities water in the upper stretches of the river and complete drying up of some of its tributaries. It is more remarkable at present than before as the Spring tides strip to such a great extent, and when they are now coming in they rush up headed by a (boar) at a rate that sweeps mud and everything else before them at a furious pace. During the first hour of the tide on Saturday and Sunday, the water must have risen nearly nine feet at the quays, but when it had fully ebbed again the beds and banks cleared as before. We read in an old history before us that as far back as 1667 Father Shannon conducted himself in a somewhat similar style and a poetic record in its pages says :-
“A drought excessive came, it was so great.
The Shannon from the city did retreat,
The Mayor and many more upon dry ground,
Outside the walls on foot did walk around”

There would be no difficulty in accomplishing this feat now, for as many years beyond the ambit which was then marked by ramparts, there is no water whatsoever. So little is there to oppose the incoming tide, that within the past week salt or brackish water ran right up to Sarsfield bridge ; and the same
old history tells us that this occurred in 1723 when “there was so little rain that year that salt water fish came up to the quay and ling was taken between the two towers” That was as far up as Thomond bridge. Sixty two years later than that the history in 1785 “The summer of this year was so remarkably dry
and warm there was scarcely any water in the Shannon between Baal’s Bridge and the new bridge, in which place numbers of eels, flat fish and salmon peale were taken by boys out of the bed of the river” But that was before the day of gas, for when they began to make it at Watergate and let the tar run in to the
stream they so poisoned its bed that all fish forsook it. The most serious results though are the accumulation of mud which the uprushes of the tide have left abreast of the quays. There are now some four feet of water on the sill of the Floating Dock, whilst outside the pier-head the mud has formed a bar right across to the north shore. It is hoped that the winter floods will sweep the hundreds of thousands of tons of mud away to the depths from whence it came, but to look at it now this seems scarcely possible. The Harbour Engineer calculates that some couple of millions of tons of mud have shifted up stream since the first of June. No doubt he is right, and it will require large outlays and hard work with the dredgers to get the channel back to its normal condition.
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The Waterford and Limerick Railway Company held their half yearly meeting on yesterday at Waterford on which Sir James Spaight, Chairman presided. He was able to show a satisfactory state of affairs since last meeting……
It was a feather in the Chariman’s cap, that he was able to speak of the struggle with the Midland Company about the Ennis and Athenry line….
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We publish the programme for the military tournament to be held in the Market’s Fields in support of Barrington’s Hospital. The dates now fixed for the attractive display are Friday and Saturday, 16th and 17th September, the change being made in order not to interfere into the preparations for the Gaelic Sport. The military too, engaged in the exhibition have entered into the necessary practice for the different events in the warmest spirit, and are determined to make the entertainment one of the best of its kind. The grounds will be prepared for the occasion in the most satisfactory manner, and we anticipate large attendances, and good results for the hospital.

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The next of the Market’s Trustees’ New Fairs will be held on Friday, 6th September. The most elaborate arrangements will be made for the accommodation of
sellers and buyers, in the extensive grounds……………..

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Mr. Ryan of Robert Street, returns his sincere thanks to Mr. Murphy, M.P., for payment in full of his account for grates supplied to the West Clare
Railway…………

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The “boar” came up with a rush on Monday, and drove one of the tug boats anchored in the Poel, from her moorings and into collision with the dredge boat.  No material damage occurred to either, and they swung clear as the tide rose. There was no-one on board the tug to look after her safety.

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At Roxboro on Sunday the Hurling Tournament was continued.  In the match between the South Liberties and the Plan of Campaign Clubs, the former won by two goals to nil. In the match between the Treaty stone and Fedamore the former gained a victory by three goals and four points to two points and a forfeit point.

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The Jesuit Fathers
The Provincial of Jesuits has sanctioned a number of changes in the missions of the fathers which have considerable interest for the citizens. It has been decided to form or rather restore the Missionary Society of the distinguished Order in Ireland, and so the following Rev. gentlemen have been appointed for that purpose, to reside at Miltown Park, Co. Dublin :
Rev. Father Ronan, Rev. Father Vincent Byrne, Rev. Father Naughton and Rev. Father O’Farrell. The two latter Rev. Gentlemen are natives of Limerick as our fellow citizens generally may know. Rev. Father Ronan so long associated with the Church of the Sacred heart in Limerick and the College at Mungret, for the improvement of which he undertook such an arduous but very successful mission in America, will be greatly missed in this City, where he has endeared himself to numbers of its residents. Rev. Father Hughes, S.J., (Cr)escent House, will replace father Ronan at Mungret; and father Daly and Father Flynn of
the Crescent also are removed, the first to Clongowes and the second to Galway College.
The important positions vacated by these gentlemen will be filled by Rev. Father Head, S.J., from Mungret College ; Rev. Fathre Fottrell, S.J., from St. Bueno’s, Wales ; and rev. Father Wheeler, S.J., from Miltown Park.

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The Sacred Heart College
The College re-commences its scholastic business on Thursday, September 1st, when the students are expected to resume their work,……………

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Augustinian Church
Sunday next, the 8th august, being the Feast of St. Augustine, the great Doctor of the Church will be a day of Special Devotion and plenary Indulgence in the
above Church…..

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The panegyric of the Saint will be preached…..by the rev. T. Hammeraly, O.P.
Sermon in the evening by Rev. E.A. Selley, O.S.A., Cork.
Benediction : Most. Rev. Dr. O’Dwyer, Lord Bishop of Limerick.

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September 4th being the Feast of our Mother of Consolation
Sermon: Rev. J. Locke, O.S.A., Rome.

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Death of the Rev. P. O’Carroll, P.P., Croagh.
Again we have the duty of recording the death of one of the respected Priests of this
Diocese, in the person of the Rev. Patrick Carroll, .P.P., Croagh. The Rev. gentleman
was educated at Mayooth, and was since his ordination on the Limerick Mission. He has
been ailing for some time, but his death was not anticipated. He was connected with
some of the oldest and most respected Catholic families of this city and county, by whom
he was held in great affection, and by his parishioners and general acquaintances no
Clergyman could be held in higher respect. He was a zealous and self sacrificing Priest
– a most reliable guide in spiritual matters, and a safe adviser in temporal affairs.
He will be remembered by the poor of Limerick Union particularly with feelings of the
deepest gratitude for the devotion with which he exerted himself on their behalf, during
his connection as one of the Clergymen with the workhouse here. The Office and High
mass will be solemnized tomorrow (Thursday), 25th, inst., at Croagh Patrick Church, at
eleven o’clock.

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The Osequies of the Late Rev. D. Quin, P.P.
The internment of the late Rev. Father Quin, P.P., took place on Monday at Kilcoleman
Church. The edifice was filled to suffocation by relatives and friends of the deceased
Clergyman, and the keenness of sorrow manifested shows how greatly he was regretted.
From some of the estates in the locality the tenantry came in bodies to the funeral to
manifest their sorrow for one of the best friends they had in the whole district, as his
services to the farmers were inestimable. The Lord Bishop, the Most Rev. Dr. O’Dwyer
presided at the Offices and High Mass. The very Rev. Father Mulqueen, P.P., V.F., was
celebrant at the Mass. Rev. Dr. Hallinan, C.C., Deacon ; Rev. M. McCarthy, C.C., Adare
Sub-Deacon ; Rev. J. McCoy, P.P., Bulgaden Master of Ceremonies.
Chanters: Rev. T.R. Shanahan, P.P., and Rev. J. Bourke, P.P. There were about sixty
Clergymen in the choir, including very Rev. Archdeacon Halpin, P.P., V.G. ; Very rev.
Dr. Hammond, P.P., V.G.
The chief mourners were : Rev. J. O’Shaughnessy, C.C. ; Mr. J. O’Shaughnessy, J.P.
nephews of deceased ; and Mr. P. Murray, J.P., first cousin. Amongst the general body
of the laity were Mr. John White, D.L. ; Mr. Robert Hunt, J.P. ; Captain O’Leary, Mr.
James Meade, Mr. Stephen Pegum, Glin ; Dr. Hayes, J.P., etc. etc.

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New Steel Gates at the Docks
A very interesting and at the same time critical operation in connection with the Docks,
was successfully (…..t) through on the evening of Saturday and Monday last, vis. – the
removal of the old gates (which had been in use since 1852) and the fitting of the new
ones recently completed in the Graving Dock, and the work reflects the highest credit on
the Harbour Engineer (Mr. W. J. Hall, B.E.) under whose personal supervision it has been
carried on…………..
The old gates were built in their berths between two coffer dams, and could thus be
adjusted with the greatest accuracy. They took 14 months to complete and cost £5,520
and weighed 56 tons each. The present work will cost about £2,670. The Contractors are
essrs Cincaid & Co. of Greenock. The mechanical details of construction were arranged
by Mr. alex \b. Wilson, Constructing Engineer of Holywoo(?d). The Contractors are
represented by Mr. J. Millar who had the entire charge of the work while Mr. Thomas
Leech acted as Clerk of Works on behalf of Harbour Commissioners………

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The Queen Street Houses were sold today at the Mart62 William Street, by Mr. Joseph P.
McNamara, Auctioneer, for £362 and fees to Mr. Buckley, Thomas Street.

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Todd & Co., placed large orders with Irish Manufacturers for delivery in August and are
now showing the Goods in Great Varsity of Styles and Fabri(cs)
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This Day’s Telegrams
Special Critical News & other telegrams to
The Munster News
Today

The Clare County demonstrations
Telegrams from Mr. Dillon, M.P.
From our Ennis correspondent
Ennis, Wednesday – the following telegram was received by the Secretary of the Ennis
Branch National league – from John Dillon, Dublin to Patrick McInerney, Ennis.
Must adjourn meeting to Sunday 4th September……….
It is expected to be one of the largest meetings ever in Clare.

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Election of the O’Gorman-Mahon today
The O’Gorman-Mahon Nationalist was elected today without opposition for the County
Carlow.
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Newcastle West National League
Special Meeting today
(special telegram)
The Newcastle West Barnch of the National League had a special meeting today. The very
Rev. Dr. Hamond, P.P., V.G., presided. It was resolved :- “That this branch having heard
that since their last meeting Mr. John Morrison’s farm at Farren has been grabbed by
parties who above all others should not injure Mr. Morrison, we condemn such a
proceeding as being the greatest defiance and insult to our national programme, at a
time with the league is in the throes of difficulty. We call on the neighbouring
branches to support Mr. Morrison in his present position”

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Parliament
House of Commons Today

……….
Mr. Gladstone’s Motion
Mr. Gladstone read the terms of his motion asking the House to allow the proclaimation
against the National League to continue in force in the absence of Information
justifying it.

House of Commons – yesterday
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to Mr. Cox, said that £5,000 assigned for the
encouragement of horse and cattle breeding in Ireland would be paid to the Royal Dublin
Society, whose show now being held at Ballsbridge was he was glad to say likely to be a
special success in consequence of the prospect of assistance to be given by the
Government.
Mr. Smith, replying to Mr. E. Robertson’s demand for the production of evidence on which
the Government had decided to proclaim the national League as a dangerous association,
said it was not the intention of the Government to lay on the table any further papers
on the subject.
……….

 

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To be continued.

We have weekly copies from this newspaper up to 26th October, 1887 and extracts will be added to this page on a weekly basis.

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Old Irish Newspaper Abstracts

We do have some old newspaper abstracts on this website (which can be found here) and I always remember one day as I was copying some material in the National Library in Dublin laughing to myself because life had not changed that much.  The bit I was transcribing was advising people to take their keys out of their front doors because thieves were just able to walk into houses.  The thing is, the paper had been published in the 1830’s, and then it was about 2006, and only that week my mother had begun to bring her car key into the house at night instead of leaving it sitting in the car.  My mother was a medical Doctor and getting called out at night was a regular thing so leaving her key in the car saved her the trouble of having to look for it when called out.


Ireland Old News – a newspaper site giving ‘abstracts’ from Old Irish Newspapers. Came across this website earlier today (I had forgotten it!)  and I am or was the 399248th visitor since the year 2000.

Ireland Old News

We tend to forget the things that so many people have done, especially in this day and age of advanced technology.  Many of you don’t remember the days when the Irish Census returns were not on the internet, many of you don’t know about the days when you had to go to the Irish Civil Records office to get the references for births, marriages and deaths.  Today, we can get those references if they exist on the internet (for the most part).  We all forget so easily about how it was so hard back then and about what we owe to the dedicated people who transcribed material and put it up on the net for the rest of us to see.

Ireland Old News contributors:
Cathy Joynt Labath who I believe did most of the transcribing and who created the website.
Jim McNamara (and I think he told me recently it was 1999 we first met) and
Brian Magaoidh who I am still in contact with.
Alison & Kathryn who I knew through lists.
Dennis Ahearne (RIP) who contributed so much to people researching their Irish ancestry.

Some examples of the earliest years covered for any county – extracts from other newspapers are included on the site, I’ve just taken the first extract for any county as an example.

The Armagh Guardian, Dec 3rd, 1844
Cavan Herald, July 14, 1818
Ennis Chronicle (Co. Clare), 1793
Corke Journal, 1756
Londonderry Journal (Derry) 1772
Ballyshannon Herald 1832 (Donegal)
Dublin 1705
The Enniskillen Chronicle & Erne Packet 1813 (Fermanagh) Connaught Journal, Galway 1823
The Kerry Examiner, 1847
The Kildare Observer 1915
The Kilkenny Independent 1826
The Leitrim Journal & Carrick-on-Shannon Advertiser 1868 The Limerick Chronicle 1769
The Drogheda Conservative, or Meath, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan Advertser 1837
The Ballina Chronicle, 1849 (Mayo)
The Meath Chronicle 1899
The Northern Standard, & Monaghan, Cavan and Armagh Advertiser 1839
The Midland Tribune, 1901 (Offaly/King’s Co.)
Roscommon & Leitrim Gazette,, 1822
Sligo Champion, 1887
The Clonmel Advertiser, 1818 (Tipperary)
The Strabane Morning Post, 1812 (Tyrone)
Jackson’s Oxford Journal 1804 (Waterford)
Belfast Newsletter (Antrim & Down) 1749
The Bray & South Dublin Herald, 1916 (Wicklow)
The Newry Commercial Telegraph, 1813 (Co. Down)

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Excitement at National Library, Dublin

I arrived at the National Library on Tuesday to find everyone who had been in there standing outside and the fire alarm was going.


Stood on the side of the road wondering are we going to get in there at all?  Have I just wasted my time getting here and then I spotted the fire engines.

We had three fire engines, two fire cars and lots of firemen – all down the road outside the other section of the library.  So, there I was with the camera and what do I do when I have a camera “I take photos” :)  They aren’t actually that great and even though you can’t see it there is a second engine right behind this one.  Engine no. 3 came from the other end of the road and that was the engine I photographed as it drove away.

Excitement at the library – gave us all something to talk about

Firemen, firemen everywhere except you can't see them!

Firemen, firemen everywhere except you can’t see them!

Dublin Fire Brigade passing the National Library

Dublin Fire Brigade passing the National Library

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Irish National League: City and Cappamore Branches, 1887

Irish National League
Branch Meetings
City branch
Mr. Henry O’Shea, V.P., presided at the City Branch on Thursday night. The Chairman condemned the Coercion Bill proposed by the Government. Mr. Keating proposed and Mr. Anglim T.C., seconded – that Mr. T. Mason Stewart be elected member. Mr. Stewart returned thanks, and said he was indured to enter the National League because of Mr. Balfour’s unbelief in the existence of Protestant Home Rulers outside Parliament. Mr. O’H. Lawlor proposed the following resolution : “That we heartily condemn the action of Judge Boyd in committing the Rev. Father Ryan, C.C., Herbertstown to Kilmainham Gaol for refusing to disclose matters confided to him in his capacity as a Priest of the Catholic Church ; that we look on this conduct as the grossed and most contemptible tyranny, and we believe such a power was never contemplated by the Bankruptcy Laws, and it tends to bring that court into the greatest contempt ; and that we convey to Father Ryan our deepest sympathy in his prison cell, and feel sure that he will be comforted in his suffering by the knowledge that he has earned the gratitude and esteem of the Irish race at home and abroad in his noble and patriotic endeavour to shield the oppressed and rack rented people of his parish.”
Mr. David Begley, TC., seconded the resolution and it was adopted unanimously.
Mr. Keating proposed “That we in future give no work to priest hunting Carmen who drove police to Hospital for the purpose of arresting Father Ryan, and that we call on other branches of the League to expel persons who have been guilty of such misconduct.” He subsequently deferred its consideration to next meeting, at the insistence of the Chairman.


Irish National League.
Cappamore Branch
Rev. E. Hogan, C.C., presiding. The Rev. President and members of he Committee met to consider the sale of Mr. martin Ryan’s farm at Towerhill, but owing to the death of the lamented pastor, Rev. P. Cleary, the committee adjourned the meeting till next Sunday. Proposed by Mr. P. Walsh, P.L.G., and seconded by Mr. Thomas Meagher: “That we hereby offer our heartfelt condolence to the friends and relations of Father Cleary, P.P., who was a truly pious Priest, and a wise counselor to his flock, and was dearly beloved by them.” The large congregation that assembled in the church on the day of his internment was a full testimony of this. The Secretary was directed to send copies of the resoltion to his friends.
Taken from “The Munster News and Limerick and Clare Advocate”,
April 2, 1887

Irish National League.
Shanagolden Branch
Meeting for electing officers and committee. Mr. D. J. Hishon, Central Branch, conducted the election by ballot. The result was as follows:
Very Rev. J. Mulqueen, P.P., VF., President
Rev. T. O. Kelly, C.C., Treasurer
E.J. O’Sullivan, Hon Sec.
Committee
Messrs. William O’rien, PLG
L’ OBrien PLG
P. Madigan, PLG
William Hishon, junr.
J. Creaghan
W. Larner
M. Gearon
M. O’Connor
E. Eyre
M. Creaghan
T. ENright
T. Cahill
P. Murray
M. Leahy
J. O’Reilly
Taken from “The Munster News and Limerick and Clare Advocate”,
April 2, 1887

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Irish National League: Carrickerry and Shanagolden Branches, 1887

Irish National League.
Shanagolden Branch


Meeting for electing officers and committee. Mr. D. J. Hishon, Central Branch, conducted the election by ballot. The result was as follows:
Very Rev. J. Mulqueen, P.P., VF., President
Rev. T. O. Kelly, C.C., Treasurer
E.J. O’Sullivan, Hon Sec.
Committee
Messrs. William O’rien, PLG
L’ OBrien PLG
P. Madigan, PLG
William Hishon, junr.
J. Creaghan
W. Larner
M. Gearon
M. O’Connor
E. Eyre
M. Creaghan
T. Enright
T. Cahill
P. Murray
M. Leahy
J. O’Reilly

Irish National League.
Carrickerry Branch
The Rev. J. Ambrose presided. The case of Maurice Culhane whose cattle were seized on by his landlord, was considered, when it was proposed by Denis Lynch and seconded by Denis Liston ; “That having considered the case of Mrs. Widow T. Culhane and her treatment at the hands of her landlords, Mr. Alexander Tallis Yielding and Mrs. Hugh Yielding (the wife of Mr. Hugh E. Yielding of Newpark, Croagh, in the county of Limerick), we respectfully ask the committee of the Kilcoman branch of the League to afford us an opportunity for a consultation with a view to bringing public opinion to bear upon the landlords for their action in accumulating costs to the amount of £18 upon a rent of £25, in seizing only £50 or £60 worth of cattle to satisfy same.”
“That the Rev. Chairman be deputed to communicate with the Kilcolman branch to arrange time and place of proposed conference which he very kindly consented to do”
Taken from “The Munster News and Limerick and Clare Advocate”,
April 2, 1887

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Gaelic Athletic Association, Football, 1887

Football:
Thomas Davis Football Club, Ennis V. Cratloe, Newmarket on Fergus Football Club, a bye at Ennis on Sunday, May 1st.


Second Ties:
East Clare at Tulla, on Sunday 8th
West Clare at Ruan, on Sunday May 15th
Ennis at Crusheen, on Sunday May 22nd
Final Ties at Ennis, on Sunday June 5th.

The following resolutions were put from the chair and unanimously adopted :
“1st – that we the members of the County Committee G.A.A., recommend the several branches of the Association in the county, to arrange as far as possible amongst themselves branches of Temperance Associations, as we believe that habits of intemperance are fatal to the development of the athletic powers of the people. And also that the revenue derived by the Government from the sale of intoxicating drink would be better spent in developing the resources of the country, a consummation of which the G.A.A. in the county, to arrange as far as possible amongst themselves branches of Temperance Associations, as we believe that habits of intemperance are fatal to the development of the athletic powers of the people. And also that the revenue derived by the Government from the sale of intoxicating drink would be better spent in developing the resources of the country, a consummation of which the G.A.A., have in view. “
“2nd – That we request that these clubs throughout the country who have not yet been affililated to lose no time in doing so as the time for entering the County Championships has been extended to the 15th April, in order to give those clubs an opportunity of affiliating and competing.”
3rd “That we call upon the affiliated clubs of the country to decline in competing with non affiliated ones after the 15th of April next, under pain of expulsion from the G.A.A.”

Taken from “The Munster News and Limerick and Clare Advocate”,
April 2, 1887

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Licensing Act: Mrs. Mary Grace, Publican, Prosecuted, 1914

Licensing Act


Mrs. Mary Grace, publican, Market street, Thomastown was prosecuted for a similar offence on the same date.
William Kennedy, Ballyroe and John Hale, Morteen, Thomastown were summoned for being on the premises.
Constable Hennessy, in reply to head-constable Connell stated that on Sunday night, the 18th October, he called at Mrs. Grace’s premises at 8.30 o’clock. He was admitted to the shop by James Power, who was employed on the premises, and who was in charge of the door. On entering the shop he asked Power if he had any persons on the premises and he said “A few” but did not designate or or distinguish any person in particular. Witness opened the door of a snug on the left hand side of the shop door, and on looking in saw Hale and Kennedy there. Hale lived in the town of Thomastown, and Kennedy’s place of abode was about two miles from the publichouse. They were sitting in the snug, and there were four or five porter bottles and glass measures in front of them. Two of the glass measures were about three quarters full of porter. Hale tendered no explanation of his presence there, but Kennedy said he was after coming in from Kilkenny and that he came in for some refreshment. Daniel Grace, the publican’s brother in law was inside the bar, and witness drew his attention to Hale and kennedy, but he only looked at them and left the bar immediately. Patrick Grace, the publican’s son then came in.
Chairman: Is the publican here?
Witness: No.
Mr. Patrick Grace said that it being a fair day in Thomastown his mother was busy and could not come there, but he represented her.
Chairman: You cannot represent for her.
Mr. Grace: She was not there at all that day. We are the case ; we are not denying that the men were there.
Chairman : You cannot appear for your mother. You should appear by a solicitor if you wanted to appear at all.
The defendant saud that they were in Kilkenny that Sunday at Redmond’s Volunter Meeting and had nothing to eat or drink all day. He was out from 7 o’clock in the morning until late in the evening.
Chairman: Are you an old soldier?
Kennedy: Yes. Continuing, he said the Thomastown Volunteers “fell in” at 11 o’clock that Sunday morning at the school house and marched to the railway station. There was no room for them on the first or second trains to Kilkenny, and they had to remain on th platform until close to 2 o’clock. On arrival in Kilkenny, they again “fell in at the railway station and marched to the market where they were kept for about twent minutes to 6. That left them very little time before the departure of the train to get any refreshments in Kilkenny. We went into one public house – about one hundred of us – but there was no-one serving there but two women and some of us had to come without any drink. Some of them who wee in the back yeard said that the porter was rotten (laughter)
Chairman: Was that Mrs. Grace’s porter?
Kennedy: Oh, no, but the Kilkenny porter (laughter), and I said “If it is rotten for you it is rotten for me” (renewed laughter), so I came away without the drink. When I came to Thomastown I rapped at Mrs. Grace’s door and the man at the door asked who was there. I said “A Traveller”. He said “You are not a Traveller” and I said “I am Travelling all day” and “I think I am entitled to a drink”. He said then “Come in.” We had only one drink taken when the constable came in ; we were not two minutes in the public house.
Chairman: Is the oher man a volunteer also?
Kennedy: Yes, he belongs to the band and was beating the side-drum all day (laughter)
Replying to the Chairman, Sergeasnt Gormley said that on 5th March 1912, Mrs. Grace was convicted of a technical offence against the Licensing Laws and fined 2s. 6d., and costs.
Head-constable Connell said it was in defendants favour that the admitted the offence.
Mr. Patrick Grace : I did not know these men were in the shop at all that evening, and I told that to Consable Hennessy.
Constable Hennessy: That is so.
Kennedy: I can prove it if necessary that Mr. Grace did not know we were in the shop. I am already at a loss of 2s. for my coming here and I think that is enough punishment (laughter)
Chairman: The publican must be fined £1. It is the second offence and we cannot fine her less. The two gallant Volunteers seem to have been labouring under an impression that the had a right to have a drink there that evening, but they were wrong in so thinking. To show them we respect their doubt about it we will fine them 1s instead of 5s.
In reply to the Chariman, Head-constable Connell said that as the offence had been admitted he would not make an application to thave the conviction recorded on the publican’s licence.
Taken from ‘The Kilkenny People‘, November 7th, 1914

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Licensing Act: John Sheehy, Publican, Prosecuted, Thomastown, 1914

THE LICENSING ACT
Brace of Prosecutions in Thomastown
Two Publicans Convicted
Penalties inflicted in both cases


At the Petty Sessions held on Tuesday last in Thomastown, before Mr. C. P. Creaghe, R.M. ; Col. W. T. Butler, Mr. W. Pilsworth and Mr. M. J. Ryan.

John Sheehy, publican, Market street, Thomastown, was charged by District Inspector Silcock with a breach of the Licensing Act on Sunday 18th October. Philip Lennon, Logan Street, Thomastown and Patrick Murphy, Market Street, do., were summoned for being found on Sheehy’s premises.

In the absence of Mr. Silcock, the case was conducted by head-constable Connell.

Constable Hennessy gave evidence to the effect that on Sunday 18th October, he was on duty in the town with Constable McCarthy. At 8-40 p.m. he called at Mr. Sheehy’s public house and demanded an admission. They were admitted through the hall door. After entering witness asked the publican’s assistant if he had any persons on the premises, and h said he had a few travelers. On going through the hall witness heard footsteps and a rush as if parties were hastily leaving the back kitchen or room and going towards the rere of the premises. He saw Mr. Sheehy, the publican, standing at an outhouse door, and asked him had he any persons on the premises, and he said he had a few travelers at the bar. He asked him was there any person in the outhouse, and he replied that there was not and that witness need not go look for anybody in there. Witness went into the back house, which was in darkness, he lit a match and saw Philip Lennon and Patrick Murphy crouched up in a corner against the wall, hiding. He called them out and asked them how could they account for their presence there ; they gave no explanation but subsequently said they were invited in. Defendant was present, and when asked by the witness to account for the presence of the two men on his premises he said that he had invited them in for a drnk.

Chairman (Mr. Creaghe) :It was a very odd place indeed, to put his guests (laughter)
Witness said: the bar was open and lighted. There were people there whom witness satisfied himself were travelers.
Publican: Did you see these men going into the store when you were coming in?
Witness: No
Chairman: He found them there, and that is all that matters.
Constable McCarthy corroborated the evidence of the previous witness

A boy named Michael Walsh was examined for the defence, and stated that on the Sunday evening in question he was present when r. Sheehy invited Lennon and Murphy in for a drink.
Head-constable: What time was that?
Witness: About 8 o’clock or so. The four of us were standing together at the time outside Mr. Sheehy’s door.
Chairman: Were you invited in?
Witness: No, I was not (laughter), but I was present when the two men were invited in by Mr. Sheehy, and I then walked away.
The defendant Lennon said he was invited in.
Chairman: What is the character of this house?
Head-constable Connell: Mr. Sheehy is not long a publican. The house has been well conducted since he came there.
Chairman: Is this his first offence?
Head-constable Connell : It is.
Chairman: He did not improve his position by telling so many lies about these boys. They undoubtedly were in there when they had no business to be there. If they were bone fide guests hey would not have gone and concealed themselves in the outhouse. I don’t believe a word of the evidence of that boy who was examined for the defence.
Sergeant Gormley said that Mr. Sheehy only got the licence for the premises six months ago when a transfer was granted to him from a man named Cuddihy.
Chairman: It is your first offence and I hope you won’t have another offence against you for a long time. It is just as well for you to take a wrinkle from what I say, and that is when the police visit your house and find you doing wrong you ought to tel them the truth. A man who comes before us and tells the truth – an honest man who admits he has committed a crime – gets out of it better than the man who tells lies. You will be fined 10s. and costs for this offence, and the two men found on the premised will be fined 5s. each.
Taken from ‘The Kilkenny People‘, November 7th, 1914

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Late Major P. M. Connellan, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

Late Major P. M. Connellan, Thomastown Magistrates’ Sympathy


At the Thomastown Petty Sessions on Tuesday last, the Chairman (Mr. P. C. Creaghe, R.M.) said: – “Before beginning the business of the court I desire to say that my three brother magistrates and I regret that we are the only representatives of a generally large bench of magistrates here, but such as we are we would like to express in the most public way possible our deep sympathy with Major J. H. Connellan and his family, and young Mrs. Connellan, widow of Major Peter Conellan. I am sure that everyone who knows Major Connellan must feel as we do here today, the deepest sympathy with him in this great trial that has been sent to him. Major Peter Connellan has died a glorious death which any of us – if we were given a choice on how to die – would certainly choose: he died for the sake of the Empire and his country. But, death always leaves its bereavement and sorrow, and so in the bereavement and sorrow that has fallen on Major Connellan and his family we as brother magistrates, wish to offer him our sincere sympathy and condolence.
Mr. Shannon, C.P.S., said he desired to be associated with his worship’s remarks.
Head Constable Connell – On behalf of the police, I wish to be permitted to associate myself with your worship’s kindly reference to Major Connellan’s death.
Mr. S. C. Webb, solicitor – On behalf of the solicitors’ profession I would like to associate myself with everything that your worship has said, and to say that we wish to extend out heartfelt sympathy to Major Connellan and Mrs. Connellan in their very terrible bereavement.

Taken from ‘The Kilkenny People‘, November 7th, 1914

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