The old Knockmourne Church, Conna

 

The present parish of Conna is made of 5 pre-Reformation parishes. They were Aghern, Knockmourne, Mogeely North, Templevalley and Ballynoe. The present Church of Ireland parish of Knockmourne is served by St Luke’s church in Curraheen, to the east of the village. However, its forerunner, a ruined church, is located in the townland of the Glebe, to the west. The Glebe is only a little over 4 acres in size and is the smallest townland in the parish of Conna.

1) Just to the west of the old church there are traces of the foundations of a much earlier Christian church. It is believed that this church was associated with St. Chuaran, who dates from the 7th Century. Knockmourne derives its name from the saint, Cnoc-moChuaran meaning Chuaran’s Hill. It is likely that St. Chuaran was the patron saint of the pre-Reformation parish of Knockmoume. The townland of Kilcoran in the north of the parish also gets its name from St.Chuaran.

The original part of this present church was built in the l2th Century. There is a tradition that there was an abbey established here by the Knights Hospitallers of St. John relating to the Crusades and L’Estrange in his book “Conna & Desmond” talks of “white-robed monks with long beards singing anthems in soft Italian accents with swords and armour under red-crossed gowns”. Unfortunately, there is no evidence to support this scenario. It is likely that Knockmourne church was confused with Mourneabbey, near Mallow, which indeed did have a church founded by the Knights Hospitallers.

3) The church itself is approx. 17 metres long and 8.5 metres wide. There is evidence of much alteration and rebuilding at different times. The church was originally a larger building and a west gable was inserted at some stage. A shallow rectangular chancel was also added to the east gable. The north and south walls also show signs of repair. There is an arched medieval doorway in the south wall and there are two narrow windows in the north wall. There are traces of base batter on the south elevation.

4) It is probable that everything was peaceful in this church until the upheaval of the Reformation around 1540 when Henry Viii set up the State Protestant Church in Ireland. This building was taken over along with other Catholic churches all over the country and Tithes were then to be paid to Protestant ministers. Apparently the building was entirely burnt down by the White Knight in the Desmond Rebellion in 1570. It was later restored but was again destroyed in the Insurrection of 1641. Church of Ireland services continued to be held in the building until the end of the 1700’s when the building became derelict. In the early 1800’s services were held in a small schoolhouse near the gateway entrance and later in the old market house in Conna which is now the dispensary. Finally in 1815 a new church was built in Curraheen and services have been held there ever since.

5) Cork County Council has responsibility for the upkeep of the property but in fact the Corporation of Waterford are the legal owners of Knockmourne church and graveyard. In November 1584 Knockmourne was granted to the mayor, sheriffs and citizens of Waterford and the Rectorial Tithes were paid to them.

6) The first recorded clergyman’s name is John Bride who appears as Vicar of Knockmourne in 1591.

7) Some notable clergymen were Thomas Spread Campion and his son Robert Deane Campion who served here between 1795 and 1876 which is 81 years. However taking into account that the son was also Curate for 21 years while the father was Vicar gives the two of them a combined service at Knockmourne of 102 years. Robert Campion married Mary Charlotte Nason of Thomhill where Pat and Margaret O’Leary now live.

8) Both Catholics and Protestants were buried here long before the services ceased in the church. It seemed that this was a common occurrence in many graveyards with each denomination having their own allotment. The McCarthy family from Clashagannive have headstones dating back to 1745. Descendants of that family still reside not too far away in Coole, The Joyce family of Aghern are mentioned at least as far back as 1777.

10) Three sisters Avis, Joanna and Jane Germaine who died in a fire in Conna Castle in 1653 are buried here. An old tombstone to their memory said they “went up to heaven like Elijah in a chariot of fire”. Rev. Thomas Campion discovered the tombstone in 1850. In the ground beneath he found a silver urn containing ashes. The tombstone was later broken and the urn disappeared.

11) There is an underground family vault close to the East gable of the church. It has a ramp leading down to it and an iron gate protecting it. Unfortunately the entrance is now covered over with rubbish. The vault belongs to Rev. Stephen Rolleston and family of Bridepark House where the Kelleher family now live. Rev Rolleston who died in 1780 ministered in Knockmourne parish for 38 years. Buried there are his wife Dorothea and  his son Rev. James Rolleston. Also buried there are his daughter Elizabeth, her husband Rev. John Macbeth and their son John. Their details are inscribed on horizontal slabs just to the East of the family vault.

12) There is an unusual monument in the South East section of the graveyard. It commemorates Mary Carey who died in 1844 aged 11. The grave is surrounded by a 4 foot high wall with access over a stile on the South wall. There is an inscribed plaque on the gable-shaped West wall

13) A more recent notable grave is that of Liam Heffernan who was a native of this locality. . He served in the War of Independence and was based in Midleton. He was shot dead by a member of the Royal Irish Constabularly in Castlemartyr on November 27th 1920. He was 22 years of age. There is also a monument to him in Castlemartyr.

Tom Finn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 St Lukes, Knockmourne Parish

 

The old church

The old Knockmourne parish church, to the west of Conna village, was falling into disrepair towards the end of the 18^th century. It had endured many assaults at various times such as the Desmond Rebellion 1569-1573 and the Insurrection of 1641. In 1694 it was recorded that “The church of Knockmourne was burnt by the Irish in the late war”. Subsequently the structure needed major repairs. It is evident a new west gable was inserted at some stage and a shallow rectangular chancel was also added to the east gable. Eventually the church was deemed unsuitable for use and a small schoolhouse, close to the churchyard gate, was used for service at the beginning of the 19^th century. The old market house in Conna, which is now the Dispensary, was also used for some time.

 

The new church

Thomas Spread Campion was Vicar of the Knockmourne and Ballynoe parishes at this time. In 1805 it was recorded that six Protestant families resided in Knockmourne parish. The size of the parish was recorded as 4.25 miles long and 2.75 miles wide.

The need for a new church was now urgent and on June 21^st 1814 the Privy Council ordered that the site of the Knockmourne church be changed to one situated two miles east of Conna village, in Curraheen. A new church, dedicated to St Luke, was then built in the corner of a field. It was consecrated in 1815, capable of accommodating 100 people. It was built with stone from a quarry on lands presently owned by the Mangan family. The cost of the building is unknown other than £276-18s-5d was granted as a loan by the Board of First Fruits.  

Records

In 1830 it was recorded that the Protestant population of Knockmourne was 86 and Ballynoe 48.

 In 1837 it was recorded that “One Curate employed at a stipend of £75 per annum, who resides in the glebe-house, with incumbent”.

 In 1860 it was recorded that “21.5 acres of glebe in Vicar’s use. Divine service once on all Sundays and usual holidays. Sacrament monthly; average of communicants 13, and at festivals average 18. Five children attend a school maintained by the Vicar. The Protestant population is 69. The rent charge is £401. The land is worth £23. Total value £424 with residence”.

            The church contained a cup plated on copper inscribed “Knockmourne Church 1845” and two patens plated on copper inscribed “Knockmourne Church 1838”.  Earlier there was a silver cup inscribed “W.H., L.F., for the parish of Knockmourne, 1640”.

 

Alterations

In 1860 it was recorded that “A vestry lately added to the church”.

The following is a report from the Church of Ireland Gazette in 1901;

“During the past few months many important changes have been made in Knockmourne Church, which have added, not only to the comfort of the worshippers, but also to the beauty of the building. Foremost among these is the heating of the church, with small-bore hot water pipes—a system which has worked most satisfactorily. The walls and ceiling have been coloured and the pews varnished. Handsome encaustic tiling has been laid inside the communion rails and also in the small baptistry to which the font has been moved from its former position in front of the rails. A carved oak lectern and a prayer desk of oak have also been provided and new carpeting and kneeling mats. Funds were not sufficient to replace the present pulpit by an oak one but it is hoped that the day may not be far distant when such an improvement may be made. Grateful thanks are due to the many kind friends who have generously helped in the work already done in this little church on the outskirts of the diocese”.

In 1902 the vestry window was moved from the north to the south side of the tower and other improvements were carried out including coping for the churchyard wall. The pews were taken from the Tallow church when it closed in the late 1960’s.

In 1951 it was recorded that a new harmonium was purchased for £12.

According to the Gazette of May 1969, “A meeting of the Diocesan Council was held on Tuesday April 29^th at 7 pm. The Bishop presided and there were 23 other members present. The Representative Body was asked to allocate the proceeds of the sale of Tallow Church back avenue to the parish of Knockmourne, towards the cost of removing the east window from Tallow Church and installing it in Knockmourne Church”. This was a stained glass window which can now be seen on the east wall of St Lukes. This was originally donated to Tallow Church in memory of the Perceval family in 1894.

 

Matilda Gumbleton

An excerpt from the Gazette in 1904:

“Mogeela Union----Auxiliary Fund.

 On Thursday November 10^th the Rev. W.E. Flewett B.D. Organising Secretary for the Union Diocese, addressed a meeting in support of the above fund at Knockmourne Rectory. There was a very representative attendance of parishioners, many of whom came long distances. The Union of Mogeela includes the parishes of Mogeela, Knockmourne and Ballynoe and covers a very large district with a sparse and scattered Church population. Mr Flewett’s able and earnest appeal was listened most attentively. A vote of thanks to the speaker, having been proposed by the Rev J.G. Nason and seconded by R.P.O’Grady Esq. Carrigeen Hall, the chairman Rev S.H. Dorman, Rector of the parish mentioned that since the appeal in aid of the Auxiliary Fund was first issued, Mrs Gumbleton of Glanatore had most generously contributed £500 to the Parish of Knockmourne, for the purpose of increasing the stipend of the Incumbent and his successors. At the close of the meeting subscriptions amounting to over £100 were paid or promised to the Auxiliary Fund”.

The Gazette 1917 under the heading A Handsome Bequest reports : “Under the will of the late Mrs Gumbleton of Glanatore, Tallow, Co Waterford and Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, stands to benefit considerably. After sundry bequests, including £1,000 to Women and Children’s Hospital, £100 and a collection of stamps to the Incurable Home and a legacy of plate, pictures, carriages and furniture to the Distressed Irish Ladies Society, the testatrix said, “I leave the residue of my property to the Protestant Bishop of Cork for the Sustentation Fund, on condition he always keeps a clergyman, a Protestant in every sense of the word, with a salary of £400 a year at Knockmourne”.  The estate of the late Mrs Gumbleton has been proved at £108 4s 5p and after paying family and other private legacies it is estimated the residue conveyed by the above-quoted claim will not amount to less than £70,000, which would produce an annual income of £3,500 per annum. The parish of Knockmourne referred to is part of the Union of Mogeely, Ballynoe and Knockmourne, of which the Rev S.H. Dorman is at present Incumbent”.  

Mrs Isabella Matilda Gumbleton was the daughter of the Hon. Judge Des Barres of St John’s, Newfoundland and was Lady of the Manor of Twyning, Gloucester. She was sister of both Edward Albert Des Barres of Carrigeen Hall and Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres of Mogeely House. On November 4^th 1858 she married Richard John Maxwell Gumbleton of Glenatore.

  Mrs Gumbleton’s two children, Isabella Mary (6) and Richard Augustus Maxwell (4) died in 1866. Her husband Richard died on September 6^th 1889. The three are buried in St Luke’s churchyard. Mr Gumbleton was the possessor of one of the finest herds of Booth Shorthorns in the country and won many prizes at shows in both Ireland and Britain. These Shorthorns were a beefy type of the breed.

 On his death at Malvern, Worcestershire, Mr Gumbleton bequeathed his property to his wife for her lifetime. Mrs Gumbleton spent six months each year at Twyning Manor, taking her staff with her. She died in Gloucester in 1917. The Glenatore estate was then inherited by the son of his late niece, Emma Jane Smith, who was the Right Rev Homfray Maxwell Gumbleton D.D. (1872-1952). Rev Gumbleton was Bishop of Ballarat in the State of Victoria from 1917 to 1927. The estate was divided up and sold off in portions. According to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue the estate and effects were valued at £15,733 16s 10p--quite a lot of money at the time.
 James Dawson purchased the house and some surrounding land c. 1919. This is now occupied by the O’Leary family. The Hill family farm much of the upper section of the original estate.

 

 

The Campions

 Rev. Thomas Davies, Vicar of Knockmourne and Ballynoe, died on 9^th November 1793. On December 24^th 1795 he was succeeded as Vicar by Rev. Thomas Spread Campion, who was born in 1761. He oversaw the building of St Luke’s Church and remained as Vicar until 1848 when he resigned as Vicar of Knockmourne but retained Ballynoe Vicarage until his death in 1852.He was buried in Kilworth on October 11^th 1852, having reached the age of 91. He married Anne, daughter of Alderman Johnson of Cork in 1801.

Rev. Campion resided in Fermoy until he built Knockmourne Glebe-House in 1828 at a cost of £1,223-1s-6p. It was built on 19.50 acres of land owned by the Duke of Devonshire. A loan of £830-15s-4p was granted and £92-6s-1p as a gift by the Board of First Fruits. The residue of £300 was supplied out of private funds of the incumbent. In 1837 it was recorded that “Incumbent and his Curate are constantly resident in the glebe-house”. The building is a fine example of late Georgian classical architecture.

Rev. Campion was succeeded as Vicar of Knockmourne in 1848 by his son Rev. Robert Deane Campion. He had been licensed to the Curacy of Knockmourne in July 1827. He was ordained on 28^th January 1827. On July 1^st 1847 he married Mary Charlotte, only daughter of William Washington Nason of Thornhill, Conna. They had one son, Thomas Spread Campion.  Rev. R. D. Campion died in 1876 and the parish of Knockmourne was re-united with Ballynoe under Rev. William Agar. Between them the father and son of the Campions served the parish of Knockmourne for 81 years. Rev. Robert Deane Campion died on 8^th December 1876 aged 74 years and was buried in St Luke’s churchyard.

Rev R.D. Campion had a brother, Rev Melian Spread Campion (1819-1877), who married Arabella Peard (1829-1916). She was daughter of Henry Peard and his wife Charity (Greene) of Carrigeen Hall.

 

 Rectors who served at St Luke’s Church

1795-1848: Rev. Thomas Spread Campion. He was a native of Kilworth where he was buried in 1852.

1848-1876: Rev. Robert Deane Campion. He died on 8^th December 1876 and was buried in St Luke’s churchyard.

1876- 1881: Rev. William Agar.

1881- 1891: Rev. William Hyde Perrot. He had previously been Curate of Aghabullogue since 1878. In 1891 he became Vicar of Doneraile and in 1901 he resigned and left the Diocese.

1892-1951: Rev. Samuel Hobart Taylor Dorman. He was ordained to the Curacy of Youghal and became Curate of Knockmourne in 1891. He was instituted as Incumbent the following year. He was Rural Dean of Castletownroche and entered the chapters of St Fin Barres and St Colemans as Canon of St Michael and Brigown in 1932. His wife Jane Caroline died on March 11^th 1944 aged 81 and was buried at St.Lukes. He later married Charlotte Emily Aline, daughter of Major General Henry Bond of Castlelyons. He died on 19^th March 1951aged 87 and was buried in St Luke’s churchyard, alongside his first wife. Canon Dorman was a keen gardener and won awards for his tidy Rectory plot. In July 1945 he noted in the Preacher’s Book; “Began paying C. Willis 2/6 per week”. (Mr Willis was church sexton).

1951-1963: Rev. Abraham Hobson. His ministry began with Curacies in Dublin and Belfast, after which he served on the mission field in West Africa, before returning as        Rector of Dingle. He entered the United Dioceses in 1932 as Rector of Innishannon, where he served for 20 years before coming to Knockmourne.  He was the last rector to reside in Knockmourne Glebe-House. He was instituted to the new Incumbancy of Knockmourne and Aghern Union in 1955.For many years he acted as Editor of the Diocesan Magazine, which position he filled with distinction. According to his obituary “He will always be remembered for his forthright statements on Missionary Enterprise. Serving in later years under the disability of failing health he was always loved of his parishioners for his sincerity and devotion to duty”.  He died on 21^st January 1963, aged 69, and was buried in St Luke’s churchyard. His wife Ada Elizabeth died on 29^th March 1981and was also buried at St Lukes.

1963-1972: Canon Charles Foster. He lived in Tallow Rectory.

1972-1990: Canon Gordon Charles Pamment (1931-2010). He was born in Edmonton, Middlesex and was Vicar with the Church of England. In 1965 he took his family to Ireland and was attached to Inniscarra Union of Parishes. In 1971 he moved to the Rathcormac Union of Parishes, which was merged into the Fermoy Union of Parishes in 1980. He served the Fermoy Union of Parishes until 1990 when he retired due to ill health. He resided in Glenville Rectory. He died in 2010.

1990-1996: Rev. John Haworth. He and his wife Rose lived in Fermoy.

1997- 2006: Very Rev. Alan Marley. He resided in Fermoy. Present Dean/Rector of the Cloyne Union.

2006-       :  Rev Eileen (Lake) Cremin. Previously Curate-Assistant with the Douglas Union of Parishes. She is also Rural Dean of North East Cork Deanery and resides in Fermoy.  She is a native of Hackney, East London and moved to Ireland in 2001. Her husband Tom is a native of Passage West, Co Cork.

 

The churchyard

Although St Luke’s church was consecrated in 1815 the first internment did not take place in the churchyard until 1864.

 A feature of the churchyard is the very distinctive broken column monument. It is dedicated to the Des Barres family. The column and other emblems around the monument indicate that Joseph Frederick Wallet Des Barres who died in 1887 was a member of the Freemasons. He was a brother of Matilda Gumbleton who supported Knockmourne parish so generously.

There is also a very poignant memorial to the Creed family. Dr Charles Creed of Ballymurphy Lodge died on January 2^nd 1885. This closely followed the deaths of his two children, Frederick William Russell, aged 5, who died on 21^st December 1884 and Lizzie Lindsey, aged 11, who died on Christmas Day 1884.

Tom Finn  tomtosh2012@gmail.com

 

 

The late Mary Daly, Conna

The sad passing of Mrs Mary Daly, in December 2009, marks the end of an era. Two sisters, Elsie and Mary Beecher, grew up in Shanbally in the early years of the twentieth century and went on to leave an indelible mark in their native parish. Their contribution to the social life of the community was immense and they will always be remembered for the voluntary work done by them for the betterment of their beloved Conna. They were so much part of the parish scene that their passing leaves a gap that will never be filled.

It is only fitting that we should give a little background information on the lives of these two sisters for the benefit of the younger generation.

Tom Arnold of Shanbally married Mary Downing of Coolrue in Conna church in 1881. Tom was son of William Arnold. His mother was Margaret Carey from Waterpark.  Tom’s brother, Ned, was thrown from a horse near Ballyclough graveyard, Killmagner and was killed. Tom’s sister, May, and brother, Patsy, emigrated to the USA.

Tom and Mary had six children; John, William, Mary (Polly), Margaret, Nora and a stillborn boy.  Only the three sisters, Polly, Margaret and Nora lived into adulthood as John and William died before reaching the age of ten.

Tom Arnold died in 1919 and Mary died in 1938.

 Polly worked in a shop in West Street in Tallow. She bought a shop from Michael Roche in Conna village. The shop was closed at the time and she reopened it as Arnold’s Stores. Michael Roche lived for about a year in the premises until his death. He had served in the Royal Irish Constabulary and had been stationed at Aghern Barracks. He became caretaker of Conna Castle at the turn of the century and kept visitors books, which still survive. As part of his job he often occupied the little two-storey building which once adjoined the castle to the east side. Access to the castle could only be gained through this house.

Polly Arnold’s sister, Margaret, who was two years younger, married Ned Beecher c 1917. Margaret and Ned had two daughters, Elsie and Mary.

The third sister, Nora Beecher married Patrick Colbert from Ballynoe.

Ned Beecher died in 1959 and Margaret died in 1978. Both are buried in Tallow churchyard.

Elsie Beecher succeeded her aunt, Polly, in running the shop in Conna. The latter died in 1965.

Elsie  married Michael Power from Cappoquin. They had two  daughters Marian and Lucy.  The latter died young.

Mary Beecher married Patrick Daly of Ballyduff and lived and worked on the farm in Shanbally. They had one son Eamonn.

The Arnold family of Shanbally is related to the Arnolds of Rathcormac/Bartlemy. Another branch of the clan resided in Longstown, Carrigtwohill.

We have given an insight into Elsie’s life and times in an earlier newsletter, so now we will a few brief details of Mary’s busy life. She grew up in Shanbally but unlike Elsie, who went to Shean National School, Mary attended Conna National School from the start. She had a happy and carefree childhood and was very involved in all aspects of the family farm which she loved. She and her neighbouring friends lead very busy social lives and were regularly seen at local events such as races, matches, concerts etc and their mode of transport was always the bicycle. She recalls one summer morning in 1938, herself and Elsie getting up early and frantically cycling to Ballyduff to catch the train. They just made it in time and travelled to Dublin to see the All-Ireland Hurling Final between Waterford and Dublin. They came home on the train to Ballyduff that evening and cycled home at the end of a long day.

In the 1930’s and 40’s people made their own entertainment and organized hurling and camogie matches, open air dances and all kinds of horse races. Mary’s area was no exception and Shanbally and Kilcoran were noted for their hurling and camogie teams. The local hurlers were called the Kill-Me-Deads and had deadly rivalry with other local teams such as John Mitchells of Currabeha. While the matches were invariably low in skill, they were always high in drama and the spectators got good value for their money and often took an active part in proceedings! More often than not the ball was but of secondary importance. A well known landmark in the area was called Pope’s Cross, better known as Barnearra, and thus the grand title of The Barnearra Kll-Me-Deads came about.

 The ladies played camogie under the name of the Mitchell Maids. Foremost on that team in the 1930’s were Elsie and Mary Beecher, Anna O’ Riordan, Dulcie Flynn, Maggie Sheehan, Eily and Mamie  O’Riordan, Kitty Douglas and Mary Cronin.

Mary always loved her farming and with her husband Paddy ran a successful dairy farm. For many years she was a familiar sight going Conna creamery with the churns of milk in her trailer. Whoever happened to be in front or behind her in the queue was only too happy to load and unload the heavy churns on and off the stand for her.  When creamery matters were attended to, she made her way back to the village where she parked outside Elsie’s little shop. Local and international matters and conflicts were discussed and teased out before she again headed off home.

Mary was especially generous in the amount of time given to others. It was something that perhaps was not obvious at the time but she went out of her way to provide transport for those who did not have any. She constantly brought people shopping, to mass or to visit relatives in hospital. If something needed to be done urgently then Mary would drop what she was doing and come to the rescue without a second thought. To his credit, Paddy was happy to go along with this also.

Mary was not involved as early in Muintir na Tire as Elsie but when she did get involved she took things very seriously. During the 1970’s and 80’s she devoted much of her time to Community Council affairs. The Council was by then an elected body. She was a member of different subcommittees from time to time such as Horticultural Show, Barbeque and Community Care. She also held officer positions for a number of years. In 1978 and ‘79 she was Joint Treasurer with John Finn. In 1980 and ’81 she was Honorary Secretary.  In 1982 and ’83 she held the position of PRO.

Mary Daly was somebody who lived life to the fullest. She was never one to complain about anything, she just got on with things in a cheerful optimistic manner. She accepted everything that came her way, whether good or bad. Her strong unwavering faith got her through many difficult situations. She was a daily mass goer and was Minister of the Eucharist for many years. She also regularly attended prayer meetings.

Mary had a hectic social life. It was rare to find her at home. When she was not visiting Eamonn in Dublin she busied herself with senior citizens activities or Social Centre events.

She also loved going to Knock and Lourdes on pilgrimage and was not adverse to going on outings with the Senior Citizens as well as concerts and various other events.

She packed a lot of living into her life and touched a lot of people through her example, her energy, her positive outlook and her deep faith.

Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar a anam dilis

Tom Finn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Conna to Queensland

 

 

An old picture postcard was unearthed in Conna in East Cork some years ago. It was slightly faded but otherwise in excellent condition. It showed a picture of the 17,000 tons turbine steamer ship “T.S.S. Mongolia” and also had views of its interior. The ship was owned by Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O).

The contents of the postcard brought back memories to some of the older generation. It described the voyage, in 1936, of two young sisters from Curraheen, Conna on the high seas on a one-way ticket to Australia. It was addressed to their school friend, Elsie Beecher, who later ran a shop in Conna for many years

 Eileen O’Brien (20) and her sister Gretta (18) had said goodbye to their parents and their friends to follow their vocations as nursing sisters with the All Hallows Convent of Mercy in Brisbane, Queensland.  Venerable Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland in 1831 and established a foundation in Australia in 1861. A convent was acquired by the Order in Brisbane in 1863 and renamed Convent of Our Lady of Mercy All Hallows’. They ministered in the fields of Health, Education and Social Welfare programs.

The O’Brien sisters were born and reared in Curraheen where the Leahy family now resides. Eileen was born on January 26^th 1916 and Gretta on August 22^nd 1918. Their parents were Maurice and Frances (nee Smyth). The lands were later divided up by the Land Commission and one of the fields is now the Community Sports Field. The two girls received their schooling at Curraglass National School and the Convent of Mercy in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary. It was at the latter school that they got the idea of joining the Order together. They had one elder sister who had earlier left home to get married. Thus the parting must have been a bittersweet and traumatic one for the parents as they knew they would never see their two younger daughters again. In those days the voyage to Eastern Australia would have taken several weeks and as well, nuns were rarely, if ever, allowed to go home.

The post card was written on board the ship by the elder sister Eileen:

 “Gretta and myself are enjoying the trip very well. We had a nice crossing from Dublin on Thursday night (November 26^th 1936) and arrived in Hollyhead about midnight. We had a long train journey to London from 12:00 to 6:30 but we slept on the way. We met Dolly O’Brien in Dublin but had not very much time there as it was 5 o’clock in the evening when we got in. We had a great day in London, driving around the city in two busses, visiting all the important buildings such as Buckingham Palace etc. We left that evening for Tilbery Docks by train and got on board the ‘Mongolia’ at 6pm, (have a look at the card).

It was exciting the first evening getting our cabins, cases etc but we are settled down now, it is our fifth day. We are enjoying ourselves and have not time to get lonely as we have many amusements on board. Every night we have a game of cards with one of the priests. There are four of them aboard and every morning we have Mass, sometimes three! Can you imagine it with the waves rushing along outside.

The weather is getting fine now and we have sunshine every day. We are near the coast of Africa and we saw land yesterday. We are now heading for the Strait. Our letters will be posted on Thursday 3^rd December at Marseille. I suppose it will not reach Conna for awhile.

If you have time write soon so that there will be a letter over when we land. We write home as often as we can. I sent a card from Dublin and London. I hope they arrived OK”.

In due course the two O’Brien sisters did indeed become nursing sisters with the Sisters of Mercy and resided at All Hallows Convent, Brisbane. Eileen took the religious name Sr. Mary Francesco and Gretta took the name Sr. Mary St Maurice. Francesco and Maurice were probably taken in memory of their parents.

Both sisters entered the convent at the same time, January 11^th 1937. They took their first vows together on December 21^st 1939 and made their final profession on the same day, December 10^th 1942.

Years later they were able to visit their friends in Conna on a few occasions but their parents were dead by then. They also celebrated their Golden Jubilee in Conna in the summer of 1989. After mass in St Catherine’s church in Conna, a party was held in their honour in the Sports Complex. This was attended by many of their relatives and friends including, of course, their friend Elsie, who was now Mrs Elsie Power. Canon John Kelleher P.P. made a special presentation to the nuns to mark the occasion.

After many years of service in the Lord’s Vineyard the two sisters finally passed to their eternal reward. They died within less than a year of each other, having spent their long lives together. The younger sister, Gretta, died on June 10^th 2006, aged 88 years and Eileen died on February 22^nd 2007, aged 91 years. The two are buried close to each other in Nudgee Cemetery, Brisbane, Queensland.

Tom Finn

tomtosh2012@gmail.com

http://www.connacommunity.com

 

 

 

Friendly Brother Order

The following letters linked Dublin and Queenstown  (Cobh) in 1923.

“16, Molesworth Street,
Dublin.

18^th January 1923
 

My dear William,
I hope that you and Mrs Corker are fit and well. It seems a great many years since I saw you that Sunday in Queenstown in 1921.

            I know that you are having a very bad time, even worse than we are up here but hope that personally you and your wife are fit and well. I wonder if you could think of any way of helping about the following.

            I am a member of the Friendly Brother Order, which is, as I dare say you know, a very old Order, much like Masonic, and its branches, of which there are a number in Ireland (as well as in England)  are called “Knots”. Most of these Knots through this country have become defunct, as you can easily understand owing to alterations in conditions, and it has come to our knowledge that the books of the Mallow Knot from 1812 to 1859 are in the possession of the Rev. S. H. Dorman of Knockmourne Rectory, Conna, Co Cork. He is I believe a peculiar old gentleman, and got hold of these somehow, we don’t know, and we think he makes money out of selling things. We got to know that he had the books through his writing to the Secretary of the Order here, asking—if you please---where he could get more records! Dorman is not a member of the Order at all, and has not responded to the Secretary’s request that he should give the books over to the Order. It, of course has been the practice, when each Knot has been given up, that the books and properties of the Knot should be sent to the headquarters here, (22, Stephen’s Green) but it has, of course, sometimes happened that a Secretary of a local Knot has died, and then everything has not been got up, and we suppose that in the case of the Mallow Knot these books remain with the representatives of the late Secretary, who took no interest, not being members of the Order. We are anxious to get them and feel sure if Mr Dorman were not anxious to keep them for money (that is to sell them at a price) that he would do what I think anyone else ought to do, under such circumstances viz; to hand them over to the people who ought to have them, but from what we have ascertained, we believe we can only get them by paying for them. I personally would be quite prepared to give him what he paid for them for the purpose of handing them over to the Order, but I would not be prepared (and none of us would) to pay a big price when we think in all decency he ought not to keep the books, now he knows to whom they should be sent, and when he is not a member of the Order and has nothing to do with it.

            This is the whole position and it occurs to me that if you cannot suggest anything which might be done to get the books from Dorman, that nothing can be done. I know that you won’t mind my troubling you and that you will give it your personal interest, when it is for an old friend like myself.

Yours sincerely,

E. White” 

(Edward White, Solicitor)

 

“22^nd January 1923

My dear Ned,

Glad to hear from you again. I know Mr Dorman slightly and if you like will write him a friendly letter about the records you want and suggest that he should be refunded any expenses he has been at. He is a hard nut.

            Queenstown is quiet but our transport and postal services are bad and business very troublesome to transact. Personally we are quite well and hope your circle is the same.

Yours sincerely,

William Corker”.

 

“26^th January 1923

Dear Mr Dorman,

An old friend of mine, Mr Edward White of the Friendly Knot in Dublin, writes me to know if I would ask you about some old records of the Mallow Knot, which seem to have drifted into your hands, and the Lodge in Dublin would like to have in their own possession.

            At your convenience you might kindly let me know is this so and if you are at any expenses in the matter, which you think should be refunded you.

Yours faithfully,

William Corker”.

 

The contents of the above letters tell their own strange story. And what was the outcome of it all? Well, we don’t know but we presume the Rev. Dorman did the correct thing and handed the documents back to where they rightfully belonged.

What is also interesting is the brief allusion to the difficult conditions experienced by people during the Civil War in this country.

The Order referred to was officially titled The Ancient and most Benevolent Order of the Friendly Brothers of St Patrick. Members had the word “Friendly” inserted between their Christian name and surname. Apparently the Order was founded in the west of Ireland, sometime in the mid 1600's and established its headquarters in Dublin in 1750/51. The 17^th March was a significant day for its members as they marched in procession, long before the modern St Patrick’s Day parades.

            The principal stated aims of the Order at its foundation were: “To promote among men the practice and encouragement of the social virtues. To put down the barbarous practice of duelling, an activity unknown in the politest nations”. The Order was divided into two classes, The Regular Friendly Brothers and The Approved and Perfect Brothers. The latter were automatically entitled to become members of all their branches in the universe. The Order, like many similar organisations of olden times, had loads of trappings, regulations, customs, emblems and rules.

The assemblies of the Brethren were called Knots. These were either the General Grand Knot or Select Grand Knot, shades of the Orange Order and Free Masons. Every Knot had a Secretary and a Treasurer who kept books relating to all their proceedings and activities. Obviously these were the type of books the Rev Dorman laid his hands on, much to the consternation of the Brothers, especially the aforementioned Ned White. Apparently Arthur Guinness was very involved with the Friendly Brothers of Saint Patrick, even at one point serving as Secretary!

Tom Finn

 

Old fairs in Conna and neighbouring areas

 

 



One time Conna was known in Irish as Conna of the Fairs. In the mid 1800’s there were four fairs or markets held there each year. The dates were 15th May (Ascension Day), 19th June, 2 October and 20th November. They were held in the street, on the fair green and also where Castlebrook housing estate is now located. Up to recent times this field was known as Pairc an Aonaigh (Fair Field). Roche’s field opposite the church was also a fair field. Apparently there was a lot of faction fighting during fairs and it was accepted by all except the authorities. After the fighting it was not unusual for the adversaries to retire to the local public houses and spend the evening together in harmony. A carnival atmosphere prevailed with drinks being served in tents and stalls to the sound of music and dancing. Mutton and pigs feet were boiled in cauldrons. Tough Irish cheese was sold by women with weighing scales. Some even ate the food on horseback. Each customer was given cutlery and a wooden plate. Eventually the fairs declined and died out due to changing circumstances. Originally cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and donkeys were bought and sold as well as all kinds of produce. An old toil board of dues paid for animals, goods and stalls is at present in the hall in Conna. This money was paid to the Duke of Devonshire’s agent, Hilery F. L’Estrange
About 50 years ago Conna people brought their livestock to monthly fairs in Fermoy, Tallow and Lismore which were well within walking distance. Then the fair was one of the most important events in rural Ireland and also a big social occasion with plenty of colour, excitement and sometimes controversy. Many people still have memories of towns full of cattle crowding the streets with buyers and sellers arguing noisily. Thankfully there was no further sign of any faction fighting and the food was a lot more refined! Most people were affected by the fairs in one way or another, even the people who had to clean up the mess on the pavements, walls, doors etc. The school children who helped in driving the animals to the fair, and of course had the day off, loved the magic of it all. Suddenly the fairs were there no longer, being replaced by the better organised and more professional marts in the mid ‘50’s. Fermoy mart was actually built in the field where the old fairs were once held.
A few of the old horse fairs contiuue to be held. There is an annual one in Tallow and one in Cahirmee. The Bartlemy horsefair has been revived and is also flourishing. It is said that Napoleon’s famous white charger ‘Marengo’ was bought at Bartlemy fair. This famous horse was foaled in Co. Wexford in 1796 and sold at Bartlemy before the year 1800 to a French officer. Napoleon bought it and continued to ride it until the Baffle of Waterloo in 1815. It is also reputed that the Duke of Wellington’s charger in that battle was bought at Cahirmee fair c. 1810.
The drover played a very important role in the holding of cattle fairs. He was responsible for moving herds of cattle to different places and from fair to fair. Very often he was a professional who was hired by the owner. Tie livestock had to be moved by road before the railways were built or where there were no railway lines available. It was common for a drover to move cattle well over 100 miles visiting different fairs until they were sold. Billy Coleman of Tallow was one such drover. Until comparatively recent times a drover and his cattle had the right of way on Irish roads.
Another character involved with fairs was the tangler. He was a very good judge of horseflesh, was quick witted and was a good actor. His job was to sniff out a bargain price for his client or else buy animals himself and sell them again for a tidy profit. Sometimes the tangier was known as a blocker, meaning someone who softened up the seller. If a buyer was unable to complete a deal he may go away and allow the blocker to move in and make a new bid for the livestock. The bid was always a lot less than the genuine buyer and he would refuse to increase it while he continued to bargain and haggle loudly and dramatically. Often he pointed out exaggerated faults with the animals leaving the owner confused and anxious. When the tangler eventually departed without buying that would be the signal for the genuine buyer to move back in. Generally the owner was so glad of a better offer that he would be in the mood to sell. In Fermoy, the Walshs, Fentons, Barrys and Hawes were well known tanglers or jobbers.
In the old days the breeds of cattle in rural Ireland were mainly Shorthorns and Herefords (Whiteheads). There was also a black breed called Aberdeen Angus which were beef animals.
Fermoy fair stretches back to at least the turn of the last century whereas Tallow fair only got going in the early 1950’s. When going to Fermoy people had to get up in the very early hours of the morning or not go to bed at all. Then they collected the animals from the fields and hit the road. Some of the younger men may have just come home early from a dance and certainly would not have seen bed. After the Muiutir na Tire hall in Conna was built in 1945 dances were held regularly on Sunday nights and these often clashed with early mornings for a fair. Often when the timing of a dance was being discussed at a meeting someone would moan “But that’s the night before the fair”! Many people going to the fair in Tallow often lodged their cattle in Paddy Flynn’s field in the town the night before.
Cattle and sheep were sold at Fermoy fair on the first Monday of every month and pigs were sold the next Monday. The fair field contained pens to hold the livestock and whoever came early claimed one of these. Then just one person was needed to look after the animals for the rest of the day instead of the three or four who brought them in. Ideally four were needed to drive the herd to the fair, one in front, one behind and one at each side for crossroads. Very often two or three families combined and drove the cattle as one big herd. If the weather was bad it was just tough luck because there were no oilskins in those days and the only solution was a hot whiskey or two in one of the early opening pubs.
Another thing that was dreaded was driving cattle past a field with a bull in it. If the cattle broke in there would be serious trouble! Animals were marked on the sides or back with an identifying letter to help trace them. This was done with tar or paint.
Having arrived at the fair tired and very often drenched wet, a good place would have to be found to stand the animals. If the pens were full then another suitable place would have to be found. More often than not this was on the street. At one time the street from the Courthouse up as far as the Square was taken up with assorted groups of cattle and sheep. When things had settled down and plans for the day were made then it was time for some of the weary helpers to get some refreshment. For some of the younger fellows it simply meant finding some place to catch up on lost sleep. Others went in search of a good breakfast. Cotters and John Colls were two well known restaurants. They were both located in Kent Street below where Shaws are now. Others went for liquid refreshment and called at places like Jack Dalys at the Square, O’Bnens and Rices. Many of these pubs had a special licence and opened very early in the morning. However, for most it was a matter of staying at their post, without eating, until as long as it took to sell the animals. Of course there was nothing as frustrating as having to drive them home again unsold in the evening. This often happened when prices were particularly bad.
While some people were getting a break uptown, the main business was continuing around the fair field. The buyers and tanglers were busy at work doing what they did best, snapping up bargains here and there. Many farmers dreaded them and regarded them as a nuisance. Just when they thought they had a new buyer they realised it was just another tangler taking up their time. The residents of the houses on the street were kept busy all day endeavouring to keep the animals away from their front doors. The brush and the shovel were in constant use. They must have felt hard done by because mostly they got no benefit from the fair except plenty of fresh manure!
When a deal was finally struck with a genuine buyer, luck money had to be given to the buyer to go with the cattle. Often a big time buyer would give a ticket to the owner. After having lunch in the hotel he would visit the bank and draw out a large sum of money. At the Square he handed over the cash to the farmers with tickets. It was then he was given the luck money. In many cases the seller would already have taken the livestock up to the railway station and got his ticket marked by the men up there.. Each buyer had his own allotment of railway carriages. There was always a big queue there. Hired drovers sometimes took the animals to the station but some could not be trusted. Often it was part of the deal to take the animals to the railway carriages.
Rarely were women involved in organising fairs or hiring drovers. They often helped their husbands with the cattle or sheep but apparently they were generally viewed with some suspicion. Fairs were always regarded as a man’s job. In those days few women visited pubs after either. If a brave woman did go into a pub she was steered away from the public bar and taken instead into a little room called the snug. In some cases she was entertained in the “parlour”. Mostly she was given a drop of port wine or sherry which was regarded as being appropriate for a woman.

Tom Finn

 

email: tomtosh2012@gmail.com

Conna Community Council web site   http://www.connacommunity.com