EMO HUNT RACES
1848 – 1850
Ronnie Mathews

From a very early date, the Curragh in County Kildare had always
enjoyed the premier position in the Irish horseracing calendar. And while
one often comes across mention of horse racing on the “Great Heath of
Maryborough”, which was for many years the second most important
“flat” race meeting in the country, little has been recorded of the “Emo
Hunt Races” which were first held in March 1848. The following reports
give an insight into these races, and are all taken from contemporary
issues of the Leinster Express newspaper. They tell an extraordinary tale
of how the whole venture ended in personal acrimony, including a lengthy
court hearing. In fact the time spent before the judge and jury may have
exceeded the total time spent by the jockeys and their mounts in the
three years of horse racing.
Some of those involved in staging the Heath races decided, in the
summer of 1847, that it might be a good idea to try and have a winter
“jump” meeting which would likely appeal to members of the hunting
fraternity. It appears that the Marquis of Drogheda, from Moore Abbey,
Monasterevin, who was master of the Emo Hunt, not only gave the idea
his full support but he also donated a silver trophy, with some cash added,
for the main race of the meeting. At the time the Marquis was looked
on as one of the keenest and most influential supporters of horse racing,
both here and in England. However while the 2nd Earl of Portarlington
was a keen horseman, and the kennels of the Emo Hunt were on his
estate, his successor the 3rd Earl appears not to have supported the
pack or horse racing in general. Even so one of the Earl’s agents, Mr
Kirkpatrick, entered and rode without success, “Clinker”, a chestnut
horse of his own, in the second race on the first day. The organizing of
the meeting itself was left mainly to Mr. Thomas Turpin, who lived near
Maryborough, and who was also similarly involved both as secretary and
treasurer of the race meetings on the Heath.
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The earliest mention of the Emo Hunt and its racing calendar that
I came across was the following advertisement, which appeared in the
Leinster Express in mid-February 1848.
Emo Hunt Steeple Chase.
On Wednesday, 29th March, 1848.
1st Race – The Drogheda Cup
Value Of 50 S0vs., Presented By The Marquis Of Drogheda, to a Stake
of 5 sovs. each: 12 stone. Horses to be bona fide property of Members of the
Emo Hunt, prior to the 1st of January, 1848, and to be in their possession st
one month before the day of Racing. To be Ridden by Members of the Hunt.
2 sovs. entrance. Any horse entered for this race, to be out with the Hounds
within one fortnight before the day of Racing. The Winner of the Cup three
successive years to become the owner. 3 miles over a Sporting Country.
2nd Race – Sweepstakes
Of 5 sovs. each., with 50 sovs. added. Second horse to save his stakes. 3
miles, over the same course as for the Cup. Weight for Age. Three years old,
9st. 7lb. Four, 10st. 10lb. Five, 11st. 4lb. Six and aged, 11 st. st st. 11lb. 8lbs allowed st
to Mares and Geldings. I sov. each entrance. 5 Subscribers or no Race. The
Winner of a Steeple Chase or Hurdle Race, value 50 sovs., to carry 5lbs
extra. Winner of 100 sovs., or upwards, to carry 9lbs extra.
3rd Race – Sweepstakes
Of 2 sovs. each, to which will be added not less than 20 sovs., for horses,
the bona fide property, and 12 months in the possession of farmers resident
within the Emo Hunt district. 1 1/ 1 2 / Mile heats, over the same Course as
Cup Race. Four Subscribers or no Race. Weight for age, 3 years old, 8st.
10lb.; 4 years old, 9st. 10lb.; 5 years old, 10st. 6lb.; 6 years old and aged, 11st;
3lbs. allowed to mares and geldings. Any Horse Winner of a steeple Chase
or Hurdle Race, value £20 and upwards, entering for this Race to carry
10lbs. extra.
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Horses to be entered with and the stakes paid to Thomas Turpin, Esq., at Jones
Hotel, Monasterevan on Thursday, 22ND March, before 5 o’clock, pm.
In case of a walk over, no money will be added in any of the Races.
The decision of the Stewards to be Final in all cases.
To come off within Mr. Clarkes Farm, at Dunamace, near Maryborough,
on the day above named, weather permitting. First Race to commence precisely
at 1 o’clock.
Admittance to the course. Carriages, 3s; Jaunting Cars, 1s 6d; Horsemen,
1s. To be appropriated to the Racing fund. – Tents, 7s 6d each.
Stewards
The Marquis Of Drogheda,
Colonel Dunne, M.p.,
Henry P. Pigott, Esq.,
Charles L Sandes, Esq.
The Emo Hunt committee were so delighted with the response
received to this notice; they decided to make it a two-day event. In doing
so they created a major social event in the local calendar, with many
guests staying overnight in “the big houses” and also in local hotels and
inns. Wednesday’s programme was restricted to members of the hunt,
while the second day was open to farmers, particularly those over whose
lands the hunt operated.
The following report of the races was published in the Leinster
Express.
Emo Hunt Steeple Chase
These races came off on Wednesday and Thursday last, over the beautiful
course marked off on Mr. Clarke’s farm, at the Rock of Dunamace. The
ground chosen was most admirably adapted for Steeple Chase running, and
with the addition of a few barriers, the three-mile course comprised sixteen
jumps. The walls and grass covered ruins of an ancient fortress afforded a
good view of the ground to numbers of spectators, but the principal point
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was the hill in the centre of the Castle-park, whence nearly every stretch
of the horses could be seen with little inconvenience, by pedestrians. The
attendance was large, and the demeanour of the people was orderly. The
weather was, on the whole, most propitious for the season and the number
of fashionables present evinced the great interest excited by the picturesque
locality, and the time honoured associations of the place, not less than by the
character of the horses entered and the prizes to be contended for.
In addition to the Stewards – the Marquis of Drogheda, Captain
Sandes, and H.P. Pigott, Esq. – amongst the gentlemen present we observed
the following: - Hon. Co. Westerna, Capt. Bernard, Messrs. P. Gale, Robert
Archbold, M.S. Cassan, H.D. Carden, Lewis Moore, R.S. Hawkesworth,
W.W. Despard, M. Dunne, R. Cassidy, Horace Rochfort, R.M. Alloway,
Fishbournes (3), H. Fitzmaurice, J. Moore, Charles Sandes, T. Cannon, H.H.
Cooper, Captain Armstrong, J. Armstrong, W. Johnson, A. Alloway, Hans,
Charles and R. White, T. Turpin, A.M. Mosse, J. Baldwin, T.W. Jelly, T.
Pillsworth, Ackland, A. Dunne, Blaney Roper, T. Budds, jun., Kirkpatrick,
Corcorans (2), T.A. Bailey, J.O. Lloyd, Webb (Geashill), Osborne, Abbott,
Doctors Tabuteau, J. Clarke, H. Smith, Perceval, Gray,&c., &c. The full
results for both days racing followed.
Later that night…
There was a ball on a magnificent scale on the Thursday evening, at Moore
Abbey, the residence of the Marquis of Drogheda, which was attended by the
Marquis of Headfort, the Ladies Taylor, and the principal gentry of the surrounding
neighbourhood. The festivities did not conclude until some hours after the sun
had brightened the horizon the following morning.
“The Prince of Swindlers” – John Sadlier M.P.
(1813-1856)
Five months later, on Tuesday, August 15th, there was another
highly important social event at Emo Park when the new Countess
of Portarlington arrived to take up residence on the estate. The
chairman of the festivities at Emo Park was a Mr. John Sadlier, of
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whom a book has recently been published. This interesting autobiography
by James O’Shea is tellingly entitled “Prince of Swindlers
-- John Sadlier M.P. 1813 -1856”.
It seems that Sadlier had been appointed as official receiver
for the Emo Estate and as such he was in control of all money
transactions connected with Emo and its tenants. At one point he
seems to have given the impression that he was even the owner of
all Lord Portarlington’s estate and surrounding lands. However at
this time no one suspected him of any wrong doings and he was
accepted locally at the highest level of social life. Though oddly
at the welcoming speeches to the new Countess, having said how
delighted all present were, as well as all the tenants, to have the
Countess to come and live amongst them, he went on at some
length to congratulate the Marquis of Drogheda for his support
of the Emo Hunt.
Eight years later the same John Sadlier, in total disgrace, took
his own life. This as the consequence of not only breaking a
Tipperary bank, but also of financially ruining many of his friends
and business acquaintances. It is interesting to surmise that he
likely contributed to the overall debt of the Emo estate, though
this has never been recorded as far as I can ascertain. For Lord
Portarlington, these events must been also devastating, as he had
personally promoted Sadlier in his political career for the Carlow
“seat”.
This is an extract from Leinster Express report of the above social
event at Emo:-
About two hundred gentlemen and farmers, the invited guests of Mr.
Sadlier, then repaired to the barn, where the tables were laid out with a
most sumptuous repast. In addition to the solids and fluids usually supplied
on such occasions, which were in the greatest abundance, and of excellent
quality, profusion of delicacies, pies, tarts, jellies, blancmanges, pineapples,
and – thanks to the facilities of railway transit – lobsters which had that
morning been careering over the rocks at Kingstown, graced the board.
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The band was stationed on a platform overlooking the scene and played
appropriate airs to the different toasts. Mr. Sadlier occupied the chair. Mr.
Pigott, filled the vice-chair.
There were also present – The Earl of Portarlington, the Marquis of
Drogheda, H.P. Pigott, M.S. Cassan, R.M. Alloway, Richard Kennedy,
Robert Cassidy, Michael Dunne, Joseph Lyons, J. Armstrong, Arthur W.
Alloway, T. W. Jelly, J. Clarke, M.D., J.W. Clarke, Esqs., &c &c.
After the viands had been done ample justice to, the chairman rose and
said, he would propose a toast, which he was certain would be received in
this circle with every mark of enthusiasm …
Sadlier eulogized at considerable length on the admirable qualities
of the Marquis and Marchioness of Drogheda and on the benefits that
they had bestowed upon the district since they had taken up residence
in Moore Abbey. Returning thanks the Marquis expressed gratification
with the kind words and warm reception. In alluding to the Hunt, he said
he had been amply repaid by their approval for anything he had done to
afford them good sport. He thanked all who had assisted him. His speech
was greeted with loud cheers.
The Second Year
The following report was published in the Leinster Express edition
of 3 March 1849.
The Emo Hunt Steeple Chase
In our advertising columns will be found the articles of the above Races.
It must prove satisfactory to our sporting friends, in this and in the adjoining
counties, to find the interests of the turf are not neglected, amid the
turmoil and conflict of political and social opinions. The Emo Hunt Races
last year were well attended, and the running was capital – equal to some
of the happiest days of the Curragh or Great Heath. The course is peculiarly
adapted for sporting amusement, being the extensive park ground which
encompasses the celebrated Rock of Dunamace, which is but something
over two miles from the Maryborough Railway Station, and capable
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of affording a very large assemblage, commanding views of the running
horses going over the various stiff leaps. The names of the stewards, and
the indefatigable Secretary and Treasurer, Thomas Turpin, Esq., are a sufficient
guarantee that nothing will be left undone to make the Emo Hunt
Steeple Chase worthy the attendance (as is anticipated) of rank and fashion
from the metropolis, as well as from the interior of the country.
The report of the races was published in the Leinster Express edition
of the following week:
Stewards --- The Marquis of Drogheda; Colonel Dunne, M.P.; Henry P.
Pigott, Esq.; Charles L. Sandes, Esq.; John G. Adair, Esq.; Michael Dunne,
Esq.
These races came off at Mr. Clarke’s farm at the Rock of Dunamace, on
Wednesday and Thursday last, in presence of a numerous attendance, by
whom the best order was preserved during the day’s sport. The weather was
most favourable, and from the clearness of the atmosphere, a distinct view
of the whole course, and of the beautiful country about, was afforded, from
the summits of the surrounding hills. The field beside the racing ground
was thickly studded with tents, and an ordinary from Mathew’s Hotel,
Maryborough, was provided in a manner highly creditable at the farm
house of Mr. Clarke, to whom the greatest thanks are due for his kindness
on the occasion.
In addition to the stewards, we observed amongst those present, Lord
Lurgan, Lord Dunkellin, Sir R. Newman; Messrs. C. Coote, C. Coote
jun., C.H. Bowen, M.S. Cassan, T. Cannon, Moore, Seymour, J. Lyons,
H. Sandes, P. Gale, Harvey, 17th Lancers, Lord, 17th Lancers, Joseph Butler,
James Butler, J. Armstrong, E. Irwin, J. Baldwin, T.W. Jelly, A. M. Mosse,
B.F. Mosse, W. Clarke, J. Clarke, T. Budds, R. Budds, F. Budds, Burrowes
Kelly, Balfe, Bestell, J. G. Murphy, W.R. Brennan, Boylan, T. Turpin, G.O.
Lloyd, T. Jacob, J. Roe, Abbott, C. Bailey, G. Cullen, T. Pilsworth, A. H.
W. Talbot, Marcus Talbot, J.L.Talbot, Hudson, Dunne, Smith, Moyles,
Brophy, J. Fitzgerald, Dixon, Morgan, Graham, Corcoran, &c.
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The full results followed. The result of the feature event on the first
day’s racing (Wednesday), the Drogheda Cup, was hotly disputed. This is
the report of the race from the Leinster Express:
The Drogheda Cup, value 50 sovs, presented by the Marquis of
Drogheda, to a stakes of 5 sovs each; 12st; horses to be the bona fide property
of members of the Emo hunt prior to the 1st of January, 1849, and to be in st
their possession one month before the day of racing; to be ridden by members
of the Emo Hunt; 2 sovs. entrance.
The following horses started for the above:-
Mr. Butler’s b h Peacock, 6 yrs. old – (owner).
Lord Drogheda’s c h Westmeath – (J.G.Adair, Esq.)
Lord Drogheda’s ch h Waverly – (H. Moore, Esq.)
The issue of this race was disputed, and the decision of the judges is still
pending. Westmeath took the lead at the commencement, with Waverley
second, and Peacock following close at his heels; at the third field Peacock
passed both, and kept the lead until the beginning of the second round,
where Waverley fell, and Westmeath again took the lead, which he kept
up to the winning post, the bay coming in close after him. The cause of the
dispute is the statement that Mr. Adair had gone at the wrong side of one of
the posts, he alleging that he turned and afterwards went right.
The dispute regarding the running of The Drogheda Cup Race, which
began on the first day, continued throughout Thursday …
Mr. Joseph Butler, of Athy, being dissatisfied with the decision of the
Stewards in awarding the Cup to the Marquis of Drogheda, in the late
disputed race, has instituted proceedings against Mr. Turpin, the Treasurer,
for its recovery. It is usual to select the Stewards on such occasions; and,
we regret, if he Mr. Butler considered himself aggrieved, that he should
have proceeded against a gentleman who had no voice in the award; and
through whose exertions such meetings have been chiefly promoted in the
Queen’s County”.
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The Court Case
Unable to satisfy him, the aggrieved Mr. Butler, then formally began
a legal action against the Emo Hunt which, in July, came up for hearing
before a jury at the King’s Bench in Tullamore. The details of the case
were published in full in the Leinster Express. The following are extracts
from the hearing.
Butler a. Turpin,
Counsel for the Plaintiff – Messrs. - Battersby, Q.C., -- Hayes and
Johnson, solicitors. Agent – Mr. Thomas C Butler.
Counsel for the Defendant – Messrs. - Macdonagh, Q.C., -- W.F. Mara
and Ball, solicitors. Agent – Mr. Turpin.
Just as counsel was preparing to state the case, Mr. Butler, the agent for
the plaintiff, caused some “stir” in the court, by giving strong expression to
his astonishment at seeing a learned counsel standing up for the defendant,
to whom he had previously offered a retainer. He had waited on Mr.
Macdonagh, and—
Court – I cannot listen to your observations.
Mr. Butler – Will you not hear me, my Lord, for the sake of public
justice?
His Lordship (smiling) – Then indict Mr. Macdonagh in the other
court.Mr. Butler – If I did so my Lord, it would be acting in the proper way.
Mr. Macdonagh (who seemed indignant at Mr. Butler’s observation)
said he hoped His Lordship would not permit such an infringement of the
decorum of his Lordship’s court to pass unnoticed. This man (Mr. Butler)
had called on him at the Library of the Four Courts to take a fee; he
informed him that he could not take it as he had been already engaged by
Mr. Turpin, who told him he had a case in Tullamore from the Common
Pleas, in which he was personally concerned, and wished to retain him. As
a member of the Bar and one of her Majesty’s Counsels, he felt himself too
closely identified with the character of the Bar, and felt too much for his
own reputation, to permit any one for a moment to accuse him of any thing
not consistent with the rules of his profession.
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His Lordship said – I must say that it is a very unwarrantable
attack…
Mr. Battersby, Q.C., stated the case. There was a race run at Dunamace
on 23rd March last, at which three horses started namely – the Marquis rd
of Drogheda’s Westmeath, Mr. Butler’s Peacock, and Waverly, which also
belonged to the owner of Westmeath. The stakes were 5 sovs. each, and the
Drogheda Cup, value for 50 sovereigns. Besides this, there were bets pending
between Mr. Butler and the Marquis; the latter having bet the former
75 to 15 on the race, so certain was he that Westmeath would win. If the
horse did win fairly, there would be no objection to abide by the terms of
the race. Learned counsel here read the Articles of the Race, and in continuation
observed that the three horses spoken of complied with the terms,
and were all duly entered. The race came off on the day appointed, and an
account given of it by a gentleman from Bells Life (a sporting publication)
who especially attended for that purpose.
Mr. Battersby read the report from Bells Life, in which it was stated
that Westmeath ran at the wrong side of the Post, the consequence of which
was that Peacock won the race, as coming in the second horse. Mr. Turpin
was the Secretary and Treasurer of the Emo Hunt Steeple Chase Club; and
as such they had no cause to complain of him; he behaved fairly, and in a
most gentlemanly manner all through towards them; and though the action
was taken against him in his capacity as Steward and Treasurer, if it went
against him, and he had to pay, the Marquis of Drogheda was both able
and willing to compensate him. They might discharge from their minds all
anxiety about Mr. Turpin, for he was sure to come out of it free whatever
way it went.
Mr. Battersby described the course and the running, and made some
jocular allusions to Mr. John George Adair’s rabbit kind of running; first
he went to the wrong side; then he went a second time, and then he came
back and run wrong again; he went to the right side of the second post; but
he did not do so at first; he did not run over the course which he ought to
have crossed; immediately after the race Mr. Butler came up and claimed
the stakes; Mr. Dunne handed him the Drogheda Cup; but Mr. Turpin had
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his pockets buttoned; perhaps he did not ask him for the stakes at the time;
however, he was handed the cup; on the next day the Marquis was not satisfied
that he did not win the stakes and the cup; it happened, unfortunately
for Mr. Butler, that he was only a gentleman like one of themselves; and it
was also unfortunate that if people in the country came in contact with a
Coronet, they immediately became dazzled by the light which shines from
it. This light of the Coronet so broke the vision of some of the gentleman
stewards, that on the next day one of them wrote a letter to Mr. Butler. The
steward who did so was Mr. Dunne, the very Gentleman who gave him
the cup. Mr. Battersby here read the letter from Mr. Dunne to Mr. Butler.
It was to the effect, that he thought it would be better to return the cup to
him until the race would be decided; such a course could not in any manner
affect the disposal of it. There was a meeting in Maryborough to take the
matter into consideration. Mr. Butler returned the cup, writing at the same
time to say, that he would be very sorry to do anything contrary to the usual
practice of sporting. He begged Mr. Dunne to keep it to himself until the
decision. He wished the stewards had decided it on the first day. He could
not help thinking that if it was he who had made the mistake instead of
Mr. J. C. Adair, that there would be no difficulty in the decision. He was
under no obligation to the stewards, and was it not for him (Mr. Dunne)
he would resort to litigation…
Mr. John Hoysted was sworn and examined by Mr. Johnson -- I recollect
the 21st, March last, when the races came off at the Rock of Dunamace. st, st
I know Mr. Turpin, I entered a horse with him; I frequently entered with
him. Mr. Macdonagh said Mr Turpin admitted himself to be the Secretary
and Treasurer of the Emo Hunt Steeple Chase Club.
A map was handed to Mr. Hoysted, and examination by Mr. Johnson
resumed, -- I see where the horses ran. They had to go around the course up
to the winning post. Three horses started. I know “Peacock”, it belongs to
Mr. Butler. The other horses were “Waverley” and “Westmeath”. This is the
post (points to map); Mr. J. G. Adair passed on the left side of the post; he
then turned around, but still passed on the left side of the post, - and went
on, “I have had considerable experience in racing”.
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To the Court -- He left the post upon his left both times…
Captain John Rose, of the 60th. Regiment, was sworn and examined by th. th
Mr. Battersby – I was quartered in Dublin at the time of the Emo Hunt
Steeple Chase. I attended the races on March21st. last; it was not the first
race I had seen; I have seen races pretty often; and I have ridden races,
especially steeple chases: I saw the horses run for the “Drogheda Cup” at the
Rock; I saw the horse “Westmeath” passing the post which is the subject of
controversy: according to the rules of racing the horse was at the wrong side
of the post; I saw Mr. J. C. Adair return to correct his error, but re repeated
his error: According to the practice and rules of racing the ----
Mr. Macdonagh (interrupted the witness) – I object to the practice and
rules of racing, for such are not known to law.
Mr. Battersby – They are just as well as a Doctor’s or Mid-wife’s practice
(laughter).
Court – What the gentleman says is that he is experienced in racing, and
that the horse “Westmeath” ran at the wrong side of the post…
Mr. Christopher Graham, was sworn and examined by Mr. Battersby
– I am Mr. Butler’s brother-in-law; I recollect the first day of the race,
I saw Mr. Pigott and Mr. Dunne the stewards, on the course; and recollect
something having occurred at the race with regard to the Marquis of
Drogheda’s horse Westmeath going at the wrong side of the Post; Mr. Pigott,
Mr. Butler, Mr. Dunne and Capt. Sandes were standing together talking of
the race; they refused to take evidence from Mr. Butler on the ground, as to
where the horse went; all he wanted to decide whether the horse went right
or wrong; they did agree as to the side he did go, which was the wrong one;
I was there the second day, when I saw Mr. Butler ask admission into a
house where the stewards were; I was with him; he went up and was half
ways in when he was put forcibly out’
Mr. Battersby – Was he told he was impertinent? No.
Mr. Macdonagh – It did not get to that, my Lord…
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The case for the plaintiff having closed, Mr. Macdonagh called on his
Lordship for a non suit. He cited in support of his view of the case, which
was that the decision of the stewards was final, the authorities of Barons
Park and Alderson. He altogether denied the correctness of his learned
friend Mr. Battersby’s statement, that this court was the place for the trial
of the decision of the judgment of the stewards. He cited the case of Benbow
v. Jones. He also gave the authority of Sergeant Talford and Whately, and
Baron Rolfe. Read the case of Evans v. Pratt from Third Manning and
Granger, page 769. All these authorities went to show that the decision of
the stewards was final.
Mr. Battersby – There is no adjudication of the stewards, unless the giving
up of the cup on the first day.
Mr. Macdonagh pressed for the non-suit. Mr. Battersby – Not unless we
find the stewards decided according to the law and the articles.
Court – In that case the assistant Barrister would have to decide in
every case from the Rock.
Mr. Macdonagh proceeded to address the jury for the defense. Captain
Sandes sworn and examined by Mr. W.F. Mara – I remember the late races
of the Rock; I attended them, as one of the stewards, and I acted as such; I
was there both days; I remember the race in question; I recollect after the
termination of the race the first day, that a dispute arose[ I heard it stated
that Mr. J. G. Adair who rode Lord Drogheda’s horse had gone the wrong
side of the Post; I heard of two Posts; I was close to one of them myself; Mr.
M. Dunne and Mr. H. P. Pigott were also stewards; I recollect an investigation
on the afternoon of the second day, before the three of us…
Captain Sandes, in continuation to Mr. W. F. Mara – We decided the
case as stewards of the course; we three were unanimous, and we decided
that the horse “Westmeath” won, and was entitled to the stakes and cup; we
directed Mr. Turpin to give them to Lord Drogheda; we decided on the evidence
of five persons, who swore directly contradictory to what was heard
here to-day; in other words that Mr. J. G. Adair rode “Westmeath” past the
Post; at this side and then returned and came back.
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Cross-examined by Mr. Battersby – The evidence was written and
signed by the stewards; I cannot say if it was signed by the witnesses; I cannot
say if Mr. Butler had been at Maryborough, at that time of the final
conclusion; he was at the door at the weigh-yard during the examination. I
was at the Post the first day at the time of the race. There was great talking
about the matter; I do not recollect saying that there was no doubt the fact
of Mr. J. G. Adair going the wrong way.
Mr. Battersby – Did you say you would refer it to “Bell’s Life”?
Captain Sandes – What I recollect about “Bell’s Life” is that Westmeath’s
going about the Post as described was a doubtful question; that we would
refer it to “Bell’s Life”, but not be bound by it; I was not present when Mr.
Butler got the cup; I did not think it was in his possession; the decision was
come to by us three.
Mr. Battersby – Do you recollect the names of the five witnesses who
swore he went at the proper side?
Mr. Macdonagh here objected to have the case tried a second time; and
sought for a non suit from his Lordship…
The learned Judge’s charge was brief. It was satisfactory to know from
a consent given by parties, that if his Lordship was mistaken in the view
of the law, that the parties would be saved from any additional expense. If
persons entering a horse for a race agreed to have the decisions of the steward’s
final, it ought to be final. It appeared that on a given day, three horses
ran a race. There were six stewards. Two of them were utterly disqualified,
the third was absent; and was it because they do not attend in their capacity
as stewards that the race should stand still? There were three stewards in
attendance, they took the entries and decided.
There was an allegation that the horse ran at the wrong side of the
course; these three stewards say they made a decision; and one of them
swears it was the only one made upon the race. Taking such for the truth,
in point of law, whether the decision was right or wrong it was not for the
jury to decide. The parties entered their horses, submitting to the articles
subject to the decision of the stewards; if the jury believed that the acting
stewards decided unanimously in the case, they would find for the defenLAOIS
HERITAGE SOCIETY JOURNAL 2004
47
dant. Mr. Hayes asserted that there was a decision on the first day, and Mr.
Jacob swears that Mr. Butler was desired to keep the cup as he had the best
right to it. Allowing such to have been said by Mr. Pigott, it was his observation
as an individual, and not the decision of the stewards.
The cup was won at a previous race by Mr. Butler and was in his possession,
and the observation by Mr. Pigott might be to the effect that as there
was a dispute about the cup that Mr. Butler had the best right to keep it in
the interim until the winner should be decided; in addition to this they had
Mr. Butler’s letter which he sent to Mr. Dunne, stating that he would be
sorry to keep the cup; he then did not set up his claim on the grounds of the
stewards having made a firm decision. In conclusion his Lordship told the
jury that if they believed the three stewards decided in favour of defendant,
they should find for him; but, that with consent of defendant’s counsel, he
would reserve leave of the plaintiff to move in the court above to change
that verdict into one for the plaintiff, to the amount of the stakes, if he
should be wrong in his opinion that the parties were conclusively bound by
the decision of the stewards.
To this charge Mr. Butler tendered the following exceptions.
Firstly – That his Lordship should tell the jury that the plaintiff was
not bound by the decision of three out of the whole number of six stewards;
and that if the believed that the horse Westmeath did not run the course
marked out by the stewards, according to the conditions of the race, that the
horse Peacock, did so run and came in next after Westmeath, they should
find for the plaintiff ’
Secondly – That he should tell the jury that if they believed the plaintiff
was excluded by the stewards from the enquiry, he was not bound by the
award.
Thirdly – That he should tell them, that if they believed that the stewards
refused to examine witnesses tendered by the plaintiff for examination,
he was not bound by the award.
Fourthly – For, that the witness Captain Sandes, holding the written
unstamped award of the stewards in his hands, was permitted to give
parole evidence of its contents, although objected to by plaintiff.
LAOIS HERITAGE SOCIETY JOURNAL 2004
48
The jury after a short deliberation found for defendant, Thomas
Turpin.
Sequel
As in most such squabbles the personalities on both sides had their
own following and in the end it proved to be “a no win situation” for all
concerned, the lawyers excepted. The Marquis and his victorious side
brought out a new rule for the following season, that anyone who had
disputed a steward’s decision could not enter the steeple-chase. Butler
and his friends decided to withdraw all support for any future event connected
with the Emo Hunt. The sad upshot was that, for lack of entries
in year three, the planned two-day meeting was reduced to a single
Saturday race meeting. This in turn proved to be the very last time the
Emo Hunt attempted to organize a steeple chase meeting.
Though the hunt kennels were on his estate, and the pack were
known as the Emo Hunt, the 3rd Earl of Portarlington does not seem to
have been a keen horseman. He managed to stay out of the argument,
while his new wife settled into Emo Park, where she entertained many
guests. Emo became central to the social scene in the Queen’s County. It
appears that when the 3rd Earl took over the Emo estate he also acquired
a modest stable of thoroughbreds, which had been built up by his predecessor.
These he sold off by public auction as he decided not to continue
with the venture.
Racing was to continue on the Heath for many more years. Thomas
Turpin devoted all his energies to improving the Heath race meetings,
with a special interest in getting a new stand built beside the course.
It had its own share of arguments, particularly in 1871. Some of those
involved resorted to writing letters to the Editor of the Leinster Express
trying to gain support for their personal point of view.

Thanks to County Librarian and Staff and Anne Marie Heskin.


LAOIS HERITAGE OFFICE
UPDATE (2004)
By Catherine Casey (Laois Heritage Officer)

What is Heritage?
National heritage is defined as monuments, archaeological objects,
heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats,
landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens and parks, and
inland waterways. With the exception of seascapes, all of these aspects
of Irish Heritage are well represented in Laois.

Laois Heritage Forum
The Laois Heritage Forum was established in 2001 to oversee and
advise on the preparation and implementation of the County Laois
Heritage Plan. The membership of the Heritage Forum has been drawn
from a range of organisations with an interest in protecting and developing
the heritage of County Laois, including Laois Heritage Society. The
Laois Heritage Forum, which has 14 members, operates on the basis of
meaningful partnership for the benefit of heritage. The Forum is coordinated
and facilitated by a full-time Laois Heritage Officer, Catherine
Casey, who is responsible for the overall implementation of the Laois
Heritage Plan, as well as providing advice and raising awareness of heritage,
both within Laois County Council and in the wider community.
Laois Heritage Plan
The Laois Heritage Plan, co-ordinated by Laois County Council, is the
first Heritage Plan drawn up for Laois. Indeed, it was one of the first in
the country to be produced. It signals a new approach nationally, to look
at the needs of each county and to draw up a work plan that responds to
these. This reflects the growing appreciation of the importance of heritage
as an integral part of the county’s development. Before 2001, great
work was done in the conservation of heritage in Laois, through a range
of different agencies, interest groups and individuals but there was little
co-ordinated action on a county-wide basis. The Laois Heritage Forum
brings a wide spectrum of interests and backgrounds together to deliver
a strategic approach to heritage management in the future.
The plan is a proactive document, to work with the constantly evolving
dynamic of the county. In Laois, today there is an unprecedented level
of development and hand in hand with this is the increasing awareness of
quality of life as a major strength of the county, self-esteem and a desire
to promote the county as a tourist destination. We strongly support the
development of the county, and recognise the need to ensure that a concern
for all aspects of our heritage is integrated into planning at an early
stage in order to ensure that heritage protection and enhancement is an
integrated part of all development.
The focus of the Laois Heritage Plan is on gathering information,
making it available to the public, raising awareness, working with communities,
providing mechanisms for facilitating and enabling stakeholders
in heritage to take care of it. Community development, partnership
and working with the voluntary sector are central to the Plan. The key to
caring for and appreciation for our heritage is to have knowledge, understanding
and concern for it.

Laois Heritage Plan Projects taking place in 2004
Below is a selection of the Laois Heritage Plan projects taking place
in 2004, many of them in partnership with other agencies, and partfunded
by the Heritage Council.
Study of sustainability options for Laois Museums
A joint Laois Heritage Office – Laois Leader project
There are a number of museums in Laois, at varying stages of development
and covering a range of topics. These include the Irish Fly Fishing
and Game Shooting Museum (Attanagh), Donaghmore Workhouse
Museum (Donaghmore), the Steam Museum (Stradbally), Mountmellick
Work Museum (Mountmellick), Heritage House (Abbeyleix), the People’s
Museum (Portarlington), GAA Collection (Portlaoise) and the Poet’s
Cottage (Camross). Following initial discussions with museums groups,
a museums specialist, Robert Heslip, has been contracted to work with
each of the museums and heritage centres in Laois in order to develop
strategic plans for medium and long-term development. These plans will
be specific to each site, as they are all at different stages of development. Advice as appropriate will be given on conservation and care of
collections, staffing and finance, education and outreach, marketing and
a range of other topics. The consultant will also assess the status of the
museums sector in Laois generally and make recommendations in relation
to the issues of a County Museums Service.

Field Survey of Mills of County Laois
County Laois has a rich industrial legacy dating back to the 16th
century, encompassing industries such as milling, brewing and textiles.
In 2003, a desk survey of industrial heritage sites in Laois was carried
out, based on the Sites and Monuments Record, cartographical and historical
sources. The survey has been used to create a database, the Laois
Industrial Archaeology Record, which is fully integrated with the Laois
County Council GIS system.
The documentary survey has found 138 separate mill sites, 47 of which
have more than one function, eg corn milling and wool fulling. This
information is now being used as the basis for a complete field survey of
Mills in Laois. The information collected will be used to make recommendations
on what type of protection is appropriate for each case. Data
will be integrated with Laois County Council’s GIS, to ensure that all
relevant Departments, including heritage, planning, roads etc, will have
access to the information. The information will be collated and made
available for researchers and those with general interest in local history,
through the local history section of the Laois Library Service.

Training for best practice in hedgerow management
A joint Laois Heritage Office – Laois Leader project

Hedgerow management is an issue of crucial importance in the
natural heritage of all counties in Ireland. It is also an issue which generates
much public concern. A programme of intensive training and
pilot management studies is planned for County Laois, in preparation
for the introduction of a Golden Mile Competition. The Golden Mile
competition encourages communities and individuals to “adopt” a mile
of hedgerow and mange it for the benefit of wildlife and nature conservation.
However, a competition judged in summer is essentially judging the
management a hedge has undergone during the previous year. A preparatory
phase is therefore felt to be important.

For County Laois in 2004, it is planned that the Heritage Officer and
Laois LEADER will work with community groups, Tidy Towns groups
and landowners, to raise awareness of the intrinsic value of hedgerows,
the importance of adequate management and what exactly constitutes
this good management in practice. The importance of consultation
between community groups and landowners will also be emphasised.
Celebrating Laois Heritage Conference
This conference was held in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise on
Saturday 11th of September 2004. It was part of the National Heritage
Week celebrations. The theme of the conference was “Celebrating Laois
Heritage”. Speakers dealt with a range of topics, including biodiversity,
community involvement with heritage projects, woodlands, museums,
mills, houses, and heritage gardens.

Pilot study to examine best practice in social history
recording
A joint Laois Heritage Office – Laois County Development Board
project

Three pilot groups and two interested individuals have been receiving
training on a range of skills related to setting up and running a reminiscence
group. Further training sessions are planned, to look at troubleshooting,
and to review lessons learned. In addition, the groups have
been provided with background reading and mini-disc recorders, and
have started to plan and carry out oral history recording projects on the
themes of Education and School-days (Abbeyleix); Women in Agriculture
(Ballinakill) and Mountmellick (Embroidery) Work (Mountmellick).
The individual projects will focus on Memories of Returned Emigrants
(Rathdowney) and Local Traditional Musicians (Durrow). A “best practice”
manual on how to set up and run an oral history recording project
will be produced by the Heritage Office as part of this project, based on
the experiences of the pilot groups.
Support for community heritage awareness through Laois

Federation of Tidy Towns
A joint Laois Heritage Office – Laois County Council Environment
Section project

There will be a greater emphasis on heritage in this year’s Laois Tidy
Towns competition. In preparation for this, the Heritage Officer gave a
talk on natural heritage in towns to the Laois Federation of Tidy Towns,
distributed a newly produced leaflet on Wildlife in Towns and Villages
and has given practical advice to numerous Tidy Towns groups on
improving the natural heritage in their villages. Two judges, with expertise
in the built and natural heritage, have been appointed, and will judge
the entrants in July and August.

Other Laois Heritage Office Projects
Biodiversity of Laois Poster: A poster detailing the rich natural heritage
of Laois has been prepared (jointly with the Offaly Heritage Officer)
and will be launched at the Celebrating Laois Heritage Conference in
September
Laois Heritage Postcards: Postcards have been produced depicting Laois
Heritage, to raise awareness of what heritage is in general, and how rich
the heritage of Laois is in particular .
National Dawn Chorus Day was celebrated in County Laois for the first
time this year, with two early morning walks to hear birdsong, in Durrow
and Clonaslee. The walks started at 5am on May 9th, and breakfast was
hosted afterwards at both locations. These events were very popular and
expansion is planned for next year.
Portlaoise Town Heritage Trail: Laois Heritage Society and the Laois
Heritage Office are co-operating closely in the development of information
plaques for a range of important buildings and other sites in the old
town of Portlaoise, with funding from the Heritage Council.
Graveyard recording: A database for recording and storing genealogical
and monument information in graveyards has been developed, in association
with the Offaly Heritage Officer and the National Monuments
Service locally. This will be tested using data collected in both Laois and
Offaly, before being rolled out for use in graveyard recording projects
nationally.

Further information on the Laois Heritage Office, and projects and
publications are available from
Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage Officer,
Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae,
Portlaoise,
Tel: 0502-74348,
e-mail ccasey@laoiscoco.ie



‘LEST WE FORGET THOSE WHO
DIED IN WWI’
Patrick Hogarty

“LEST we forget” was the inscription on a wreath laid by the
British Legion during the unveiling ceremony at the War Memorial in
Maryborough (Portlaoise) in November, 1928.
To ensure that we don’t, hereunder are short biographical details
of some of the 17 officers and 160 NCOs and men of the Leinster
Regiment’s Fourth Battalion who died in the First World War and whom
the Memorial commemorates.
Sergt Patrick Doyle, Mountrath. Enlisted at The Heath. Military
medal. Killed at Frenzenburg Ridge, August 17, 1917. Name on Tynecot
Memorial.
Sergt Patrick Fitzmartin. Enlisted in Maryborough, born in
Killmurray, Co Clare. Killed in action in France, April 11, 1915.
L/Cpl James Scott, Mountmelllick. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed
in action in France, October 14, 1918. Name on Pozieres Memorial.
Cpl William Brown, Mountmellick. Enlisted in Maryborough.
Wounded in action near Aubers Ridge. Died of wounds in France, May
9, 1915. Name on Menin Gate in Ypres.
L/Cpl James Coady, born in Clough, son of Michael and Bridget
Coady, Clonking, Abbeyleix. Enlisted in Maryborough. Age 18. Died
in France, April 11, 1916. Buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery.
Cpl Thomas Connolly, Monasterevin. Enlisted in Curragh Camp.
Died of wounds in France, October 14, 1918.
L/Cpl Michael Dowling. Enlisted at The Heath. Died of wounds
received at Ginchy, September 12, 1916. Name on Thiepval Memorial,
The Somme.
Cpl Edward Hutchinson, Stradbally. Enlisted in Maryborough.
Wounded near Aubers Ridge. Killed in action in France, May 4, 1915.
Cpl John Newell, Philipstown, Co Offaly. Enlisted in Maryborough.
Killed in action in France, June 20, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
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Pte James Bland, Maryborough. Killed in action in France, June 14,
1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Patrick Bannon, Mountmellick. Enlisted at The Heath. Killed
in action near Aubers Ridge, May 12, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Anthony Byrne, Athy. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed in action
in France, April 28, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Martin Byrne. Born in Kildangan; home given as Monasterevin.
Killed at Ginchy in France, August 31, 1916.
Pte John Carthy, Mountrath. Enlisted at The Heath. Killed in action
near Aubers Ridge, May 12, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte John Collomy (Colloney), Monasterevin. Enlisted in
Mountmellick. Died in France, April 19, 1915, of wounds he received near
Menin Road. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Michael Corcoran, Roscrea. Enlisted in Birr. Age 22. Son
of Joseph and Mgt Corcoran; husband of Kate Corcoran, Benamre,
Roscrea. Died of wounds in France, March 16, 1915. Buried in Bailleul
Communal Cemetery.
Pte Henry Cummins, Maryborough. Enlisted at The Heath. Age 31.
Husband of Ellen Cummins, Well Road, Maryborough. Killed in action,
March 13, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Thomas Cunningham, Kilbride, Co Offaly. Enlisted in
Tullamore. Killed in action in Egypt, September 19, 1918.
Pte John Connolly, Birr. Enlisted in Birr. Killed in action in France,
October 20, 1918.
Pte John Connolly, son of John and Mary Connolly, Derryoughta,
Monasterevin. Killed in action, Sept 30, 1918. Buried in Hooge Crater
Cemetery.
Pte John Chester, Ballyroan. Enlisted in Maryborough. Home given
as Maryborough. Died at home, April 30, 1916.
Pte Wm Delaney, son of Michael and Mgt Delaney, Ballytore,
Co Kildare; husband of Lizzie Delaney (nee Gill), Chapel Street,
Ballinakill. Age 21. Killed in action, March 13, 1916. Buried in Benin
Road South Military Cemetery.
Pte James Dunne, son of Henry Dunne, Fontstown, Athy. Age 23.
Killed in action in France, February 14, 1915. No known grave. Name on
Menin Gate.
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Pte Robert Dewane, son of Christy and Mary Dewane, Upper
Coote, Mountrath. Age 25. Killed in action, May 2, 1915. Buried in
Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard.
Pte Andrew Dunne, born in Ballinsbell (sic), Co Laois. Enlisted in
Maryborough. Died of wounds in France, May 10, 1918.
Pte Michael Dunne, born in Dorroo (sic), Co Laois. Home given
as Rathdowney. Enlisted at Curragh. Died in Egypt, October 3, 1917.
Pte Thomas Fox, Athy. Enlisted at The Heath. Died of wounds in
France, July 13, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Patrick Feeney, Jamestown. Enlisted at The Heath. Killed in
action, February 14, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Michael Fitzpatrick, Mountmellick. Enlisted at The Heath.
Killed in action in France, May 12, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte James Farrell, Mountmellick. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed
in action in France, April 21, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte John Fenelly, Athy. Enlisted in Athy. Killed in action in France,
September 4, 1918. Name on Tynecot Memorial, Belgium.
Pte Michael Fitzpatrick, Mountmellick. Enlisted in Maryborough.
Fell in action near Messine Ridge, April 12, 1917. Name on Tynecot
Memorial.
Pte Patrick Foran, Kilbride, Co Offaly. Enlisted in Maryborough.
Killed in action in France, May 28, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Martin Flynn, Castletown. Home given as Maryborough. Enlisted
in Maryborough. Died in Egypt, October 31 1918.
Pte James Grace, Mountmellick. Enlisted in Birr. Died at sea, June
12, 1915.
Pte Martin Hensey, Tullamore. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed in
action in France, March 15, 1916. Name on Thiepval Memorial.
Pte Patrick Healy, son of Tim Healy, The Heath; husband of
Mary A Healy, Templeport, Bawnboy, Belturbet, Co Cavan. Age
26. Killed in action, June 22, 1917. Buried in Dickebusch New Military
Cemetery.
L/Cpl Patrick Horan, Raheen. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed in
action in France, February 14, 1915.
Pte Denis Hutchinson, Maryborough. Enlisted in Maryborough.
Died of wounds in France, July 21, 1917.
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Pte George Johnson, son of George and Anne Johnson, 43
Bunker’s Hill, Roscrea. Age 24. Killed in action, April 8, 1915. No
known grave. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte John Johnson, Athy. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed in action in
France, September 8, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte John Kelly, son of John and Mary Kelly, 4 Chapel Lane, Athy.
Age 20. Enlisted in Maryborough. Died of wounds, May 23, 1915. Buried
in Netley Military Cemetery.
Pte Owen Kelly, Athy. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed in action in
France, August 1, 1918. Name on Thiepval Memorial.
Pte Patrick Molloy, son of Mr C Molloy, Temperance Street,
Abbeyleix. Age 35. Died of pneumonia in France, April 17, 1915. Buried
in Erquinhem-Lys Churchyard.
Pte Stephen Mealy, Clough, Co Kilkenny. Home given as Wolfhill.
Enlisted in Athy. Killed in action in France, May 12, 1915.
Pte Wm Meylum, Maryborough. Enlisted in Maryborough. Died of
illness in France, June 26, 1915.
Pte Edward Mooney, Mountmellick. Enlisted in Maryborough.
Killed in action in France, February 14, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte James Moore, son of John and Kate Moore, New Row,
Abbeyleix. Age 38. Died of wounds in France, May 10, 1915. Buried in St
Sever Cemetery, Rouen-Seine-Maritime.
Pte James Marum, Maryborough. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed
in action in France, April 12, 1917. Name on Tynecot Memorial.
Pte Patrick Murphy, Portarlington. Enlisted at Heath Camp. Killed
in action in France, March 13, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Robert McWilliams, Athy. Enlisted in Athy. Killed in action at
Guillemont, September 9, 1916. Name on Thiepval Memorial.
Pte Michael O’Brien, born Raheen. Home given as Abbeyleix.
Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed in action in France, May 12, 1915. Name
on Menin Gate.
Pte John Phelan, Mountmellick. Enlisted in Mountmellick. Killed in
action in France, May 30, 1916. Name on Thiepval Memorial.
Pte Joseph Payne, Mountmellick. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed
in action in France, March 1, 1915.
Pte Joseph Pearce, Birr. Enlisted in Bonnybridge, Stirling. Home
given a Bonnybridge. Died at home, October 14, 1916.
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Pte George Quinn, Maryborough. Enlisted in Maryborough. Died at
sea, August 3, 1916.
Pte Michael Ryan, Mountmellick. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed
in action, March 13, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Michael Shortall, son of Stephen Shortall, Nelson Street,
Athy. Enlisted in Maryborough. Age 19. Killed in action, May 14, 1915.
Buried in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard.
Pte James Shea, Mountmellick. Enlisted in Maryborough. Died of
wounds, March 15, 1915. Name on Menin Gate.
Pte Thomas Shea, Mountmellick. Enlisted at The Heath. Killed in
action in France, January 23, 1915.
Pte Bartholomew Sheeran, son of Mrs J Sheeran, New Road,
Maryborough. Enlisted in Bradford. Home given as Bradford. Died at
home, May 2, 1916. Buried in new Cemetery, Portlaoise.
Pte Daniel Tinuin (Tynin), Killoughey, Co Offaly. Enlisted in
Tullamore. Home given as Tullamore. Died of wounds in France, June
26, 1918.
Pte Wm Wall, Athy. Enlisted in Maryborough. Killed in action in
France, February 10, 1916. Name on Thiepval Memorial.
Pte Patrick White, Rahan, Co Offaly. Enlisted at The Heath. Killed
in action in France, March 21, 1918.

THE WILLIAM MOSSE ENIGMA
Teddy Fennelly
A marble memorial plaque commemorating one of Laois’ most famous
sons, Bartholomew Mosse, can be seen at Annefield House, Portlaoise,
which is situated adjacent to St. Mary’s Hall on the Dublin Road. Mosse
established the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin in 1745. It was the first lyingin
maternity hospital in these islands. The plaque was commissioned
and erected by Laois Heritage Society on 6 June 1996 to mark the 250th
anniversary of the founding of the hospital.
There is a Mosse Memorial in St. Peter’s Church, Portlaoise, in memory
of another member of the family, Lewis Tenison Mosse, who died in
1832. The names of his wife, Maria, their daughter, Mary Anna Eleanor,
and their youngest son, Charles, are also enshrined in the inscription.
The identity of Bartholomew Mosse is well established. So too is that
of Lewis Tenison, a nephew of Bartholomew, who was First Ordnance
Barrack Master of Islandbridge Yeomanry and formerly Captain of the
Maryborough Yeomanry, as the memorial proclaims. But the identity of
another member of the family mentioned at the bottom of the memorial
remains a mystery. This part of the inscription reads: “Their remains lie
beneath the site of the Communion Table in the Old Church, with those
of their Ancestor, the Reverend William Mosse, Chaplain to William III,
Rector of this (Maryborough) and adjacent parishes and Grandfather of
the above-named Lewis Tenison by Mary Boyle, his Wife, grand-daughter
of Richard Boyle the Great Earl of Cork.”
The reference to William Mosse is something of an enigma. He is
variously credited with being the father of Bartholomew and also his
grandfather, but historians and biographers have dismissed both claims.
They have, more or less, established that Bartholomew’s father was Revd
Canon Thomas Mosse (approx. 1662-1731). Among the reliable sources
to support this belief include that of the genealogy research of Charles
P. Macdonald of Buckingham in England, whose great-great grandfather,
Henry Francis Macdonald (1779-1840), married Mary Frances Mosse,
daughter of Revd Peter Mosse of Clonrusk (Clonrooske, Maryborough),
whose father was Andrew Mosse, brother of Bartholomew.
LAOIS HERITAGE SOCIETY JOURNAL 2004
32
A Rotunda Hospital historian also supports Thomas as being
Bartholomew’s father. In his book published in 1995 titled “Masters,
Midwives and Ladies in Waiting – The Rotunda Hospital (1745-1995)”,
the author Alan Browne, who was Master at the hospital, wrote:
“Bartholomew Mosse was born in 1712, the fifth child of Rev. Thomas
Mosse, Rector of the established Church of Ireland in Maryborough,
now Portlaoise. Thomas Mosse had come to Ireland as chaplain to King
William III. In the aftermath of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, he was
appointed Rector of Maryborough.” In a reference note, Mr. Browne
refers to Burke’s Landed Gentry, London, 1846, P.346 as his source.
Thomas was, indeed, Rector of Maryborough. But there is no record
in the archives of the Representative Church Body Library, Dublin of a
Revd William Mosse ever being Rector of Maryborough. Nor is there any
record of either Revd William Mosse or Revd Thomas Mosse as Chaplain
to William III in the Royal Archive in England. This information was
passed on to me by the above-mentioned Charles Macdonald, who
concedes that it is possible, however, that Chaplains to King William in
Ireland may not have been recorded in the Royal Archives.
From his research, Mr. Macdonald has identified Michael Mosse
of Cork as the father of Revd Thomas Mosse, and grandfather of
Bartholomew. Intriguingly he has established that Michael’s wife was a
Ms. Boyle of Timoleague, who seems likely to be the Mary Boyle mentioned
on the memorial.
So who was Revd William Mosse? Did he, indeed, ever exist? If he
didn’t, then how does his name appear on the memorial? And where does
Mary Boyle fit into the jig-saw?
One possible answer is that the person who gave the information for
the memorial to Lewis Tenison Mosse got it wrong. The memorial in St.
Peter’s Church at Market Square was commissioned, it must be remembered,
over a century after the death of Lewis Tenison’s grandfather,
whose legendary status as a reputed Chaplain to William III apparently
carried a greater currency that the mere detail of ensuring that the correct
name was inscribed.