Hi, it is the boy from Barrystown, charming, charismatic, ebullient, witty, scholarly, erudite, fearless, innovative and—wily, always wily. My sincere apology for not getting to the lecture on the Barrystown mines by Dessie Cowman on Thursday night—I had another appointment that made it difficult to do so. After his article was published in the First Journal of the Bannow Historical Society I wrote to Dessie Cowman expressing my appreciation of his scholarship.

One of the jobs carried out by Travers R. Hawkshaw of Hillburn, Taghmon, was that of Coroner. He would have been Coroner during the Famine years so the inquests conducted by him yield intimate information about how some of the victims of the Famine died—as I wrote in an article many years ago such lifts the veil of anonymity from these victims. There was a big controversy over one inquest that Mr Hawkshaw did not have: three members of the Larkin family in Clonroche were found dead in their home in the appalling cold of February 1847. John Corcoran, the Enniscorthy solicitor, wrote an outraged protest to the newspapers about the tragedy. Mr Hawkshaw responded that Constable O’Gorman at the Clonroche Barracks had sent him a report that these people had died of other medical conditions. It was a laughable letter from a man with no medical expertise. Even in that era a post mortem examination of the levels of bile would determine if a person had starved to death. These were among the first Famine deaths in the Co. Wexford and it may be that Mr Hawkshaw feared that a verdict of starvation would ignite mass panic. Mr Hawkshaw worked hard in the Taghmon locality to help the stricken Famine victims and he tended to side with the Catholic community in the great controversies of his era. I hope that all my friends will come to my lecture on Mr Hawkshaw at the Stanville Hotel, Barntown on Thursday night April 24th at 8pm. It is two days after my birthday! The account of Mr Hawkshaw’s life is a window on life in the Taghmon locality circa 1840 and indeed in the Co. Wexford generally.

“A Bannow correspondent writes that on Sunday last a mad dog visited the district and is said to have bitten several other dogs there. The dog came on Sunday morning from the direction of Coolhull. He was roving around Carrig on Sunday snapping at every little cur that came in his way. Some boys commenced to fondle him. One young man had him in his arms for some minutes. They never dreamt the dog was mad. Another young man whose dog the rabid animal attacked actually had his fingers in its mouth trying to separate them. No harm so far is known to have been done but the dog was destroyed on Tuesday by Mr Tierney.”

The above is taken from The People on July 22nd 1893. In the nineteenth century ordinary people had no qualms about killing animals. There were associations for the prevention of cruelty to animals and a consciousness of animals as animate beings was slowing arousing.

Mr Malone V. S. reported inter alia to the Board of Guardians of Wexford Poor Law Union in August 1893 that he had found a sheep belonging Richard Dake, Coolshill (sic), Carrig-on-Bannow suffering from sheep scab; this animal was found diseased in Bannow Island. How did they get sheep out to Bannow Island and how did they get the sheep off it? For that matter how did Mr Malone get out there?

From The People on July 21st 1900:–

“Bannow House was quite a festive place on Saturday evening last when the return from the war of Lieutenant Arthur Boyse was celebrated with great rejoicings. A huge bonfire was lit a short distance from the mansion and the Bannow Fife and Drum Band having turned out a very large crowd assembled and were most hospitably entertained. Mr O’Gorman N. S. on behalf of those present congratulated Lieutenant Boyse on his safe return. The latter who was accompanied by his brother-in-law Captain Perry, responded and said they all knew that soldiers were now supposed to wear the Shamrock on St Patrick’s Day, or green if Shamrock could not be obtained. He had seen it worn in the furthest portions of South Africa where the Irish regiments were acknowledged to be the best soldiers in Her Majesty’s army. Captain Perry also addressed the people and emphasised Lieutenant Boyse’s remark by stating Irishmen when trained were the best soldiers in the world.

A dance on the green turf was soon organised and the merry-making was kept up until 11 o’clock.”

The People on July 5th 1884 stated:–

“We are glad to perceive in our present issue that Bannow is henceforth to be a money order office, etc. This is precisely as it should be: the only wonder being that this arrangement was not made long ago. From the importance of the district and the large number of business men resident therein; its close proximity to a dangerous coast, where shipwrecks frequently occur, the authorities should also provide telegraphic communications to the Bannow Post Office.” One would imagine that it would be on the internet.

At its monthly meeting in September 1884 the Carrig-on-Bannow branch of the Land League (nominally the Irish National Federation) decided to expel a Bannow man from the branch, erase his name from the roll of membership and return his subscription to him.

Francis King and others (presumably his siblings and cousins) informed the Board of Guardians of the Wexford Poor Law Union that he intended to evict Richard Fowler of Barrystown. Fowler certainly did not go to the Workhouse as he was still around the area much later and mentioned in branch reports.

Patrick Neville sued somebody or other over a silly row at the Petty Sessions at Taghmon in August 1884. The case is important in that in that evidence showed that Pat Neville and Walter Neville worked in a blacksmith’s forge in Ballinglee.

The Kilkevan and Bannow Dispensary advertised for a resident medical assistant, duly qualified in The Wexford Independent January 7th, 1837. The election for this post were to take place in the Post Office on Thursday, January 19th , 1837. Candidates were to send their qualifications to the Rev. Edward Moore, Bannow Glebe, the day before the election. I think that they were looking for a doctor.

The Wexford Independent reported on January 18th 1837 that a coming Presentment Session would consider proposals for—

“No I—To make ? perches of the new road from the manure bank of Barrystown, Maudlintown and Kiltra to the high road from Duncormack and Carrig by Wellingtonbridge to New Ross, between the manure landing place at Barrystown and the crossroads of Barrystown.” What road are they talking about? Maybe some of my readers will inform me?

At the Duncormack Petty Sessions in August 1861 Jonas King of Barrystown and his first cousin Christian Wilson were the magistrates on the Bench. George Galvin (who watched the shore-line for Boyse) prosecuted John Roche, Martin Tierney and Laurence Devereux for trespassing on the Bannow strand and taking seaweed therefrom. They were severally ordered to pay 5shillings and 1 shilling and 6 pence costs.

The People on August 28th 1909 reported of the Duncormack Petty Sessions:–

“Mrs Roche, licensed publican, Tullicanna, applied for an exemption order to open her licensed premises at six a.m. instead of seven a.m. on fowl market mornings every Monday.

Chairman—I will leave it to the local magistrates.

Mr Roche said he presumed Mrs Roche merely wanted to open her premises more for the purpose of selling groceries, soft goods, etc, to the women upon fowl mornings than to sell drink. It was a very well conducted house.

Mrs Roche said it was more to sell groceries, etc, than to sell drink, she wanted the exemption order. At present she could not open until seven a.m. and by that time the market was over and the people generally gone home.

Mr Ennis said he would be in favour of the application. It was a remarkably well conducted house.

An order was made allowing the applicant to open at half-past six a.m. instead of seven a.m. upon fowl market mornings every Monday as long there is a fowl market in Tullicanna.”

From The People on July 17th 1895:–

“On Friday evening about 5 p.m. an engine belonging to Mr Colfer, Bannow, was drawing two loaded wagons up Ballyclemock Hill, near Cullenstown, when through some cause or other, probably the breaking of a coupling, the hinder wagon, became detached and rolled down the hill at a rapid rate ere any effort could be made to stop its progress. Some distance below it on the road was an ass and car in which there were two children, a boy named Moses Furlong and a girl, Mary Fitzgerald. Both jumped before the wagon reached them, no doubt saving their lives by their own prompt action, for the donkey was killed immediately by the collision and the car made a total wreck.”

From the Bannow And District Notes in The People on July 29 1960:–

St Mary’s camogie team, Carrig-on-Bannow suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of more experienced exponents from St Leonard’s. The score five goals to nil, in no way indicated the merits or demerits of either team. St Mary’s put up a splendid show in their first public appearance and have the makings of a championship team. Their trainer in his address, after the game, stressed the necessity for constant practice and expressed the hope that in the near future a county championship would be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Hall, Bannow.”

Colonel Miller, Colonel Strong and Frank Leigh of Rosegarland were the magistrates on the bench at Taghmon Petty Sessions in January 1890. This is part of the report of the Sessions in The People:–

“John E. Barry J. P., Wexford and Pierce Kelly, solicitor, Waterford summoned Richard Fardy, Ballymitty, for allowing a cow and two heifers to trespass on the farm from which he had been evicted. Mr J. T. Evans Boyd for the complainants. The defendant was not represented.

Joeseph Daly, bailiff, deposed that he found the cattle trespassing on the farm, which was one mile from where the defendant is at present living.

Col. Miller—Did he trespass before?

Mr Boyd—Well, this is the first time we caught him.

Col. Miller—As it is only a case of simple trespass, we will find him 1 shilling, with 2 shillings and 6 pence costs.

Mr Boyd—In this case I must ask for professional costs. There is no doubt the defendant must have driven the cattle himself.

Col. Miller—I don’t see we can do that, as this was the first offence.

Mr Leigh—But this is an evicted farm and defendant is the man who was evicted from it.

Colonel Miller—That alters the case entirely. He has no right to put his cattle there to graze when he has been evicted. Why didn’t the complainants attend and conduct the case themselves?

Mr Boyd—Well that would be more expensive than by getting me, their solicitor, to attend. Mr Barry would have to come from Wexford and Mr Kelly from Waterford, and I think, under the circumstances, it is only reasonable we should get professional costs.

After a consultation the bench gave 10 shillings professional costs, in addition to the costs of court.”

I feel that if Frank Leigh had been more economical with his advice to Colonel Miller the Fardy man—impoverished enough by his eviction—would not have this extra burden of solicitor’s expenses placed on him.

From The People January 21st 1880:–

“To Be Sold

The interest in the licensed premises situate at Carrig-on-Bannow in which Mr W. F. Hayes has for many years and is still carrying on the business of Grocer, Draper, and the Provision trade. There are yards and suitable offices attached to the premises (including a bake house) with a walled in garden, well stocked with fruit trees.

There is also attached 12 Irish acres of good arable and pasture land. The whole are held under lease for an unexpired term of 30 years or one life still in being.

If not disposed of on or before the 13th day of February 1880, the licensed premises (alone), with the appurtenances, will be let to a solvent tenant.

For further particulars apply to

Gerald O’B Ryan, Solicitor , Monck Street, Wexford.

Mr W. F. Hayes will show the concern.

January 17, 1880.”

From The Free Press November 28th 1925:–

“Messrs Kehoe and Sons, auctioneers, sold on Thursday on behalf of Mrs Dora Power, her holding at Blackhall and Bannow Moor, containing 7 acres, 1 rood and 24 perches, subject to present payment in lieu of rent of £2 7 shillings and 4 pence to Mr Moran, Vernegly for £100. Messrs M. J. O’Connor and Co. Solicitors, Wexford had carriage [of sale].”

From The People December 6th 1884:–

“Harristown, Ballymitty, December 4th 1884.

Sir—I have been informed that a renewed and more vigorous effort is about being made to saddle the country with a perpetual tax for tramway construction. I consider it due to the cesspayers to apprise them of the fact that they may take the necessary steps to guard against what may become an intolerable burden. I understand the plan of action is to buy up existing interests in one or other of the schemes—Fraser’s I believe—which has already come before the public and to press for a perpetual guarantee for the capital necessary for its execution. It is needles to say more. Let the Tramways Opposition Committee hold a meeting and prepare for a more strenuous effort in resisting this fresh encroachment of speculators. I feel convinced that if the great majority of the cesspayers show that they are opposed to this tax for a guarantee, the gentlemen constituting the Grand Jury will not assume the grave responsibility of placing a burden on the shoulders of the tenant-farmers which can only result in reducing still more the value of property in this county—

Yours Truly, J. E. Meyler.”

Were they going to put trams across the Co. Wexford? It seems a daft idea.

The meeting of the Carrig-on-Bannow branch of the Land League in November 1884 has some complimentary comments on local people:–

“That we return thanks to those patriotic women who at the fowl market of Wellingtonbridge refused to support obnoxious persons; and trust that they long retain that patriotic spirit for which the daughters of Ireland were so noted.

That we thank Mr Busher, smith, Ballylannon, for his generous support of the cause by refusing to work for land-grabbers.”

On November 20th 1884 “at the Parish Church Rathangan, by the Rev. N. Roche C. C., Clongeen, cousin to the bride, assisted by the Rev. John Doyle Adm., Mr Laurence Devereux, Wexford to Ellen, eldest daughter of Mr John Stafford, The Castle, Coolhull, Carrig-on-Bannow.”