TullogherRosbercon

BOGUS CALLS

The public should be very aware of the bogus telephone calls circulating in the last few weeks. Calls perpetrating to be from Revenue and asking for personal details should be immediately culled and calls ended. Do not under any circumstances give details about your bank or other relevant data to these bogus callers. Revenue do not operate in this way.

GARVEY’S OF ANNAGHS

The family of Garveys, who originated in Annaghs had some very contrasting fortunes. The success story was that of William Garvey, who emigrated to Spain in 1780 and where he found employment with Deveraux, Sheil and Co of Cadiz, a firm wellknown in the wine trade.

Within a few years William set up his own Bodega of San Patricio at Jerez de la Frontera. This Bodega and winery were to become the largest in Spain producing the world-famous Garvey Sherries which is still available world-wide. A very interesting aspect of William’s story is that only his direct descendants could become shareholders in the firm.

Now to the black sheep of the family, who by now has re-positioned themselves at Brownsford Castle. Here, one Pierce Francis Garvey was to become one of the most hated landlords in County Kilkenny. In common with most of his ilk he looked for increase in rents which his unfortunate tenants could not afford to pay. Evictions were then ordered and carried out by the police under Resident Magistrate Bodkin and Police Inspector, William J. O’Hara on a harsh winter’s day. Over 20 families in great distress saw their little cabins being demolished, and only the four walls left standing. In time Garvey would use the stones from these to build a wall around his property.

Some of the evicted families emigrated to America and one such emigrant wrote home to a former neighbour asking her to send out a stone or even a pebble from the cabin which she was born in. A feature of those going to America was the ‘American Wake’ held the night beforehand and which we will feature in a future edition of this paper.

Some years ago, I had a phone call from the late Terri Garvey of RTÉ looking for details of her roots in the parish. She was thrilled with the story of William Garvey but less enamoured indeed when I told her about the notorious landlord, Pierce Francis Garvey of Brownsford Castle.

BROTHERS VS BROTHERS

In the 1934 Kilkenny Senior Football Final, we had an unusual situation when two sets of brothers lined out against each other. Tullogher faced Mullinavat at Nowlan Park Kilkenny looking for their third county title in that grade. Jim Dwyer lined out for Tullogher while brother, Paddy, figured on the Mullinavat team. Tom Conway captained Mullinavat and his brother Ned, wore the black and amber of Tullogher.

Tullogher had to find some new blood in their team which they did with Tom Bird, Jack Hendrick and Jim Dwyer, as the Duggan brothers of Tory Hill, who had already won county finals with Tullogher were now in the Mullinavat line-out.

On a horrid day for football, with the pitch saturated from overnight rain and a gale blowing from the town end, it was going to be a survival of the fittest. Tullogher were fast out of the traps and by half time were leading 1-3 to 0-0.

Conditions deteriorated in the second period with heavy rain and scores were hard to come by. Both teams added only a point apiece to their tally leaving it at the final whistle, Tullogher 1-4, Mullinavat 0-1.

Tullogher team, Mick Malone (Hoodsgrove, goal), Jim Cody (Smithstown), John Maddock (Listerlin), Luke Gaule (Slievecorragh), Luke A Roche (Ballycurran), Jim Dwyer (Listerlin), Tom, Martin ‘Butt’ and Martin J Malone Hoodsgrove), Wat Ryan (Guilcough), Dick Barron (Darbystown), Ned Conway (Listerlin), Tom Bird (Hoddsgrove, Jack Hendrick (Ballyneale) and Jack Barron (Darbystown.

LATE PADDY MERNAGH

The death occurred during last week of Patrick ‘Paddy’ Mernagh from Forristalstown. He was a well-known and popular person in the area. Every Sunday, he was one of the first to arrive for the 11 o’clock Mass in the Church of the Assumption Rosbercon and for many years gave elderly people a lift to the celebration. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic his funeral was private to Glenmore Cemetery. Sincere condolences to his wife and the extended family in their sad loss.