On this Sunday evening, August 29th 2021, with almost all of us whinging and moaning about having to cocoon within our warm, comfortable homes; with our fully stocked refrigerator; our arses firmly planted on soft couches; watching repeats of “Love Island” on our 50 inch big screen TV’s; that bottle of Dry Sauvignon Blanc cooling in the icebox and the Crottin de Chavignol, waiting to be consumed on our cheese boards; then watch this slide show immediately hereunder and thank our God, whom ever we conceive Him to be, for having been given birth during this current generation.
Note: The images contained in this slide show, hereunder, were photographed between the years 1852 and 1856. They show, as well as the dereliction, the filth, hunger and poverty then being experienced by Tipperary local, landless inhabitants, in a God forsaken country, under British rule, just four to five years after the Great Famine (1845-1849) here in Ireland.
The man responsible for the images in the slide show above, you may have gathered, was photographer, Colonel Alfred Capel-Cure, an English soldier and a pioneer of early photography. He was bornon December 8th 1826 and died 70 years later, on July 29th 1896, the second son to parents Alfred Capel-Cure (High Sheriff of Essex), and Frederica Cure (Nee Cheney). He had at least three brothers named as Robert Capel-Cure; Reverend Edward Capel-Cure, M.A.; Reverend Laurence George Capel-Cure, and two sisters Rosamund Harriet Cure and Emmeline Cure. There possibly may have been two further children in the family unit, bringing the number of children in total to eight.
The family motto was: “Fais que doit arrive que pourra”, loosely translated from the French, “Do your duty, come what may”. We know little about him, but the limited information available is gathered together hereunder.
Alfred Capel-Cure joined the British army at the age of 18 years, rising through the ranks in active service to the level of Major in 1855. He served here in Ireland almost 150 years ago; having been possibly stationed in army barracks at Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Roscrea and Templemore, Co. Tipperary, Capel-Cure was commissioned into the 55th Foot, but later transferred to the Grenadier Guards. He would be promoted a Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in 1858 and Colonel in 1863.
Note: A ‘Brevet’ rank was an honorary promotion given to an officer (or occasionally, an enlisted man) in recognition of gallant conduct or other meritorious service, but may not have conferred the authority, precedence, or even the pay of the real true rank.
Firstly, we need to remember that the world’s first photograph made; using a camera, was taken in 1826 by Joseph Nicéphore Ni épce. That photograph was taken from the upstairs windows of Niépce’s own estate, in the Burgundy region of France.
Alfred Capel-Cure was first introduced to photography by his uncle, latter the watercolour painter and photographer Robert Henry Cheney. In 1852 he started taking photographs in his own right, emerging as a distinct talent from among the first generation of amateur photographers.
His early photographs are calotypes, a process invented by William Henry Fox Talbot. This less sharp process used a paper negative to make a print, thus making it possible to turn out multiple copies.
While many of the landed gentry in the early to mid-1800’s became involved in this new art of photography, [The word ‘photograph’ derives from the Greek word ‘photo’, meaning light and ‘graph’, meaning to draw, hence ‘drawing with light’] the photographs produced by them rarely contained images of the labouring, working classes.
Alfred Capel-Cure through his photography, made studies of everything; his beloved dogs “Pharaoh”, “Jet” and “Peter” (1854-1860), still life images, trees, horses, castles, antiquities, army recruits (including those later killed in battle), landscapes, his country houses at Blake Hall and Badger Hall, churches, cathedrals and abbeys, historic ruins, his family, visiting gentry, and portraits of those regarded as lower class individuals.
Back in the early days of photography exposure was down to light levels and sensitivity of the medium used to capture the image, be it a glass plate or treated paper. For this reason in those days subject matter had to keep still, while having their photo taken, resulting in the reason that few if any persons are seen to smile in old photographs, due to the length of each exposure.
After leaving Templemore, Alfred Capel-Cure served in the Crimean War and was wounded at Redan, in a fight between his own British force and a Russia force, on September 8th 1855. Same battle ground was part of the Siege of Sevastopol, the fall of which would lead to Russian defeat in that same war.
His last photo appears to date as 1860 and it is believed he simply quit photography, coinciding with the same time his aging uncle also abandoned the art.
A plaque on the wall of Badger Church, states that, “He succeeded his Uncle Edward Cheney at Badger Hall and for many years devoted himself to the welfare of his tenants, his neighbours and those dependent upon him.”
In 1867, Alfred Capel-Cure bought himself out of the army, as was permitted in the latter half of the 1800’s, at no little cost to himself.
Twenty Nine years later, aged 70 years, Alfred Capel-Cure died on July 29th, 1896, in an accidental explosion, while attempting to dynamite tree roots in his park at Badger Hall.
St. Mary’s Day, Sunday August 15th is celebrated on the Feast of the Assumption, when Mary the mother of Jesus ascended into Heaven. It was a Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church and observed as a festival in the Anglican Communion.
Back in 1856, history recalls that on this same date, a Roscommon protestant landlord, named Guy Lloyd, of Croghan House made headlines, when he sacked some 22 Roman Catholic labourers, who refused to work on the Feast of the Ascension of St. Mary, the mother of Jesus.
News of the sackings quickly spread creating a major scandal at that time, resulting in donations pouring in from all over Ireland, England and further afield; into a fund established by then Rev. Peter C. O’Connor, Parish Priest of Croghan, and his Curate Rev. Fr. Thomas O’Beirne C.C. on behalf of the sacked Croghan labourers.
The name Mary was very often given as a middle name for boys (e.g. Joseph Mary Plunkett, Irish nationalist, poet, journalist, and revolutionary leader of the 1916 Easter Rising) and as a double Christian name to multiple girls of the same family (e.g. Mary Kate, Mary Jo,etc).
The Christian name Mary / Marie has long been a popular name bestowed on Irish girls, with as many as one-quarter of the population of Ireland christened “Mary” back in 1923.
Devotion to Naomh Muire (the Blessed Virgin Mary or St. Mary) came to Ireland first with the Normans in the 12th century, who later established shrines and chapels in her honour, all across this island.
Up until more recent years the premises operated by Mr William (Billy) Brophy, pictured hereunder in Parnell Street, Thurles, sold ‘Car Accessories’.
Mr Billy Brophy himself operated independently as a very accomplished motor and truck mechanic in Thurles. Back in the 1980’s you could find his shop open very late into the evening, which was much appreciated, particularly on winter evenings, for those in search of a replacement car battery.
W. Brophy’s shop as it stands today, is situated west on Parnell Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Photo: G.Willoughby
Mr Brophy could accurately diagnose most car engine problems from the often rudimentary descriptions offered by unqualified customer drivers; none of today’s complicated computer diagnostics were needed.
Same shopfront, west on Parnell Street, Thurles, photographed back around 1930.
Today, the shop retains the almost exact exterior it displayed back in the 1930’s when occupied by the Connaughton family, latter who operated a General Grocery establishment.
Note, the same tile protected, easy cleaned areas, positioned under the windows, still remain fully intact protecting the shop front from the constant mire caused by passing traffic, positioned as it is on the edge of a narrow street; the turned wooden glass window frame supports, possibly pitch pine, latter running perpendicular to the ground as you enter through the shop door, and the beautiful stained opalescent iridescent glass, found high up on the main display windows, all evidence of a very early 20th century shop front.
The Connaughton family would later move their premises to the busier central Liberty Square shopping area, across the street from Hayes Hotel, where, alas, today the friendly family business no longer exists.
A memorial is expected to be unveiled on July 25th next, 2021, in the C.J. Kickham’s GAA Club grounds at Mullinahone, Thurles, Co. Tipperary; latter to honour six players from the club, who played in Croke Park, on Bloody Sunday 1920. The unveiling and commemoration were previously delayed, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and is now expected to take place following 11.30am Mass in St. Michael’s Church on Sunday afternoon next.
Following Mass, a parade, led by a lone piper, will proceed to the unveiling of the Memorial in the Club’s sports ground. An oration will be delivered by Mr Seamus McCarthy of the Tipperary Bloody Sunday Memorial Committee.
Relatives of ‘Bloody Sunday’ victims and members of the British military outside Jervis Street Hospital. [Note: Jervis Street Hospital closed in November 1987, before being redeveloped in the early 1990s to create the Jervis Shopping Centre. Only the facade of the original hospital remains today.]
The Club has expressed their thanks to the Brett family, latter who generously sponsored the memorial, thus ensuring a fitting tribute to those Tipperary men who witnessed player Michael Hogan, aged just 24 years and twelve match spectators, all unarmed, including Tipperary’s James Teehan aged 26, and Daniel Carroll aged 31, all gunned down by members of the RIC and Black & Tans in the sporting venue.
Huge thanks are also expressed to Mr Malachy Sheehan, latter who built the area in which the memorial will be housed.
Bloody Sunday
November 21st 1920, known as Bloody Sunday, was a day of extreme violence in Dublin city, over 100 years ago during the Irish War of Independence. Earlier in the morning, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) had mounted an operation against British intelligence officers and their informers, killing in total 15 identified operatives.
The Dublin Gaelic football team were scheduled to play the Tipperary team later on that same afternoon, in the Gaelic Athletic Association’s (GAA) major sports ground, known as Croke Park.
In retaliation, inside these grounds, shots were fired by police supposedly intending to search spectators for weapons.
Ammunition fired on that day included 114 rounds of rifle ammunition together with other projectiles fired over the heads of spectators from revolvers and an armoured car machine-gun. Just 90 seconds later, seven people lay dead, and five more lay wounded so badly that they later died of their injuries. Another two people were killed; same trampled and crushed by the panicking crowd. The dead included Ms Jane Boyle, who was due to be married five days later. Two boys aged ten and eleven were both shot dead. Two football players, Michael Hogan and Jim Egan were also shot; Egan survived, however, Hogan succumbed to his wounds; the only player fatality on that darkest of Sunday afternoons.
Patrick Jerome Gleason, (April 25th 1844 – May 20th 1901) known then to American’s as “Paddy” to others as “Battle-Axe”, was born in Fishmoyne, (Fia Múin), Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Co. Tipperary; latter situated east of the river Gramoge. He was one of ten children born into a family, with a long tradition of fighting local oppression. His father had once boasted, before a magistrate in court, that he was the father of nine boys and he thanked God that each one was a rebel.
The smallest of his nine brothers, Patrick in his prime, stood 6ft-1in in height and weighed almost 18 stone (250 lbs). As a young adult, he excelled at boxing and was a champion local shot putter.
Patrick emigrated to New York at the age of 18 years, in 1862, and fought alongside four of his brothers, for the Union side, in the American Civil War.
War over, he moved to California where his knowledge gained from the manufacture and distillation of contraband Poitín (single malt whiskey) in the remote rural area of Borrisoleigh, (Note: Poitin remained illegal here in Ireland from 1661, until the 7th March 1997) and shrewd speculation in a portfolio of invested stocks, quickly made him a small fortune in California.
He now settled east in Long Island City, setting up a trolley car line, bringing visitors to Calvary Cemetery. Later he would lease personal property to the school district, and form the ‘Citizens Water Supply Co.’ attempting to sell water to Long Island City from his wells.
It was from here he would get involved in local politics and at the age of 42 become the elected mayor of Long Island City; in all three times; from 1887–89; 1890–92, and serving as its last mayor from 1896–97, before his office was eventually incorporated into the City of Greater New York in 1898.
Today, Gleason is remembered as one of the most colourful and charismatic figures in New York City’s history, but also one of the most reviled of characters. A totally domineering figure with a most violent temper he exercised control in the manner of a feudal lord, vastly expanding the size of local government by appointing close friends and supporters to key positions.
Often attacked by his enemies for his alleged corruption, buffoonery and brawling, he was also adored by the Long Island City’s Irish working class and especially school children, for whom he built the stately P.S1 High School, latter today a branch of the Museum of Modern Art.
Possibly best described as a ‘Democrat’, he was voted for simply as ‘Paddy’, and obeyed as ‘Paddy’, by the many people whom he controlled in a domineering, insistent and arrogant manner. Even those who were hostile to him, remembered him as ‘Paddy’ until his death.
PS1 once the largest high school on Long Island.
He had earned his nickname “Battle-Axe” when the Long Island Railroad (L.I.R.R.) brazenly fenced off its train line, allowing only ticketed passengers to cross its tracks and thus dividing the town from its waterfront, while blocking traffic to the ferry.
Gleason carefully orchestrated a raid against the L.I.R.R. in December 1888. He and some of his workmen converged on 2nd Street and Borden Avenue, informing railroad officials that they had just 30 minutes to remove their fencing, tracks and cars from 2nd Street. When the railroad failed to respond, Gleason, together with his Public Works Commissioner and 12 police officers, chopped down the fences and ripped up the tracks with crowds of delighted onlookers watching. This raid on the railroad earned Gleason the nickname “Battle Axe”, which he proudly adopted as a symbol of his office; wearing a diamond studded axe, as his favourite tie-pin.
Gleason’s volatile temper got him arrested twice. His relationship with the board of aldermen was often tempestuous leading to newspapers refusing to publish his photograph because of their intense dislike and disgust at his dominant actions.
When The New York Times printed an article detailing how Gleason had used his office, as City Mayor, to enrich himself, Gleason simply purchased almost every newspaper printed, greatly reducing the impact of their alleged claims.
In 1890, Gleason drunkenly approached an Associated Press reporter, one Mr George B. Crowley, in a hotel lobby and repeatedly insulted him, calling him a ‘loafer’ and a ‘thief’. Crowley ignored Gleason at first but when words were eventually exchanged, Gleason punched Crowley and kicked him repeatedly in the face. Bystanders took the bloodied Mr Crowley next door into the hotel’s restaurant. When Crowley later returned to the lobby to seek out his fallen spectacles; Gleason again grabbed him and threw him against a nearby cigar stand, breaking the stand’s front glass portal.
Because Gleason was Mayor, police declined to arrest him, without a warrant from a Judge. However, Gleason was eventually arrested and indicted for assault in the third degree, before being sentenced to five days imprisonment in the county jail, with a fine of $250.
The following year, Gleason dislocated the shoulder of yet another man at a meeting of the Board of Health. This time, Gleason was also arrested and charged with assault in the second degree.
Nevertheless under Gleason’s reign, in 1895, the “Queens Gazette” newspaper reported that in Long Island City, “one could walk from one end of Vernon Avenue to the other, the day after the recent (snow) storm and have a clear sidewalk to walk on.” The newspaper commented that this was probably not due to superior civic spirit by local residents, but because of new city ordinances requiring residents to remove snow from their own side-walks. [Maybe we should introduce a similar ordinance in Thurles.]
Gleason’s official office was eventually eliminated some three years later, in 1898, when Long Island City (today in the borough of Queens) joined the merger that created the five boroughs making up New York City.
Gleason’s death in 1901 (Note: he died bankrupt and discredited) was marked by a huge outpouring of grief and the largest funeral the area had then ever seen. Most notable were the hundreds of teary-eyed children who adored Gleason and lined the route to his burial place in Calvary Cemetery, which today can be found at Sec 9, Plot 585, Woodside, Queens County, New York, USA.
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