TULLOGHERROSBERCON
OPENING UP
After a long period of closure churches will begin to open up again from June 29 We were well served during the enforced lockdown with Mass daily and weekly being freely available for viewing on the Web. Strict protocol will have to be observed in the re-opening of churches with social distancing being a priority. Still, regular Mass-goers will be relieved because once again they can practice their religion in their local church.
NEW HIGHWAY
The proposed new motorway between New Ross and Waterford has created a lot of interest to those especially along its intended path.
There are two options, one being the lower road or the one by the river, while the second route would be that somewhat more inland. But with the way things are going due to the state of the country after the Covid 19 pandemic, when will these plans be brought to fruition?
MURDER IN ROSBERCON
On January 2, 1835, a brutal murder was carried out in Annfield Lane Rosbercon. Dublin born barrister and landlord, Lundy Foot, who had property in the Rower as well as Rosbercon was fatally downed from several blows of a large stone.
One James Murphy, who was a tenant of Foot in the Rower had been evicted as Foot wanted to take over the land for himself to farm. After a heated argument which saw Murphy and his family dumped out on the roadside, Murphy swore revenge against Foot with fatal consequences as we will shortly see.
‘Lundy Foot, the tyrant, as you may understand.
He took from this poor Murphy, his houses and his land.
He daily terrorised the peasants all on his own estate.
Which caused him to be murdered in the lane near Annfield Gate’.
On the evening of January 2, 1835, Foot was travelling along Annfield Lane when he was confronted by Murphy. Here, another argument took place and the 71-year-old landlord was struck repeatedly on the head by a blunt instrument, later revealed to be a stone. Murphy was arrested later that evening and conveyed to the City Jail in Kilkenny.
After a lengthy trial he was sentenced to death by hanging, this to be carried out as was the law at that time, at the scene of the crime (Annfield Lane).
On the morning of March 11, 1835, Murphy was taken on a horse drawn chaise (cart) to his place of execution accompanied by a guard of 30 Royal Lancers seated on horseback. Another 20 police of the Royal Constabulary joined in at Inistioge and 20 more of the 51st Light Infantry met the cavalcade at the Ferry Bridge, so there was no possible route of escape for the unfortunate Rower man.
The execution was duly carried out and Murphy’s remains were taken back to Kilkenny to be buried in the grounds of the County Jail. Meanwhile the mortal remains of Lundy Foot were interred in St Matthew’s Cemetery, Irishtown Dublin.
FLOATING BALL
An unusual occurrence was witnessed in the Kilkenny Senior Football Final of 1938. Old-rivals, Tullogher and Glenmore faced each other in the decider at Grennan, Thomastown, that pitch being adjacent to the River Nore.
Midway through the second half, Glenmore had a healthy lead of 2-1 to 0-3 when a strange thing happened. One of the Tullogher players seeing that the game was slipping from their grasp, grabbed the ball and with a mighty kick lobbed it into the fast-flowing river. There being no replacement one available, the match was abandoned.
A replay was ordered by the Co Board for Barrett’s Park New Ross with Sergeant Stephen Keher (Eddie’s father) as referee. He kept strict control in a low-scoring game which Glenmore won by 1-2 to 0-2 score-line. But, oh, how things could have been much different in the closing stages as the Tullogher full-forward not once, but twice fumbled the ball with the goal at his mercy.