THE name Pollerton is derived from the family
name of Pollard, and the area was once called Pollardstown. This
name can be found on the 1640 census of Ireland.
Stretching from the Shamrock Square to the
Railway Line Bridge we have Lower Pollerton Road, from here Upper
Pollerton Road starts, with the cutting and then the 'twelve houses'
both on the left hand side. 'Out in the country' we have Pollerton
Big.
When the cutting which was a banked row of
houses, was demolished, a 12' high wall was built. This wall
immediately lent itself to use as a handball court, which became
famous throughout Carlow for its matches that lasted long into the
summer nights. A dancing board also stood nearby and it was a source
of entertainment.
The twelve houses which were opposite Magee's
field, once incorporated a school house. This was the end of
Pollerton Road, from here it was out to the country, and the Yellow
Loch, a pond formed by the Askea (or Ascagh) stream. The site of
which is now part of the grounds of the Presentation School.
For the children, summer afternoons were spent
out in the 'three corner field' (on the Rathvilly Road) and 'tigh'
was the main game played. Lady Denny's Estate, with its huge,
rambling house and orchard was another favourite spot. During the
freezing winter nights the children made sure to throw water down
the hill at the railway bridge to ensure that they would have their
own ice rink the following day.
During the '40s Pollerton Road had a number of
shops and businesses. One of the well known families were Powers.
John Power was an undertaker and prior to the era of the motor car,
the hearse was drawn by two black plumed horses. Available for hire
from Powers was a 'brake', a horse drawn vehicle which held up to 20
people and was often the transport used to travel to matches. Powers
also owned a race horse called 'Pollerton Boy'.
- Ned Haughney's Coal yard on Pollerton Road.
Carlow.
- Ned played for O’Hanrahan’s “The Blues” on
the 1928 /30 County Championship winning teams. He was related to the
Rossiters who had a small shop on Accommodation Road, now demolished.
- From the Shamrock Square go up Pollerton Road
and the shed is on the left just below the Railway Bridge.
Mickey “The Guy” Brennan had a forge and coal yard on Accommodation
Road just around the corner. His son Leo runs a fuel depot there now.
Mickey was a brother to Dan Brennan who had the forge opposite the old RIC barracks in Graigue.
- Ned Haughney died in 2004
aged over 90 years old.
- Donated by "Carloman"
|
- One of Leo O'Brien's many
photographs entitled 'Decoration'. Courtesy of Gret Bohanna.
No. 1: Ml. Doyle of the Shamrock owned this
premises which was and still is being used as a store.
No. 1A: Ned and Mary Kehoe lived here. Ned
worked in the Sugar Factory. Their children were Ned, Peter, Paddy,
Michael and daughter Maria, who emigrated to America.
No. 2: Michael McDonald was a soldier in the
British Army for some years, he later worked in the Barrow Mills.
Michael came from Bagenalstown and his wife Hannah (nee Redmond) was
from Wexford. Hannah was a great musician, playing the melodeon and
concertina. Hannah, Margaret, May, Bridie were their daughters and
Luke was a son,
No. 3: Willie Murphy married Eilis O'Sullivan.
Willie is a technician in Erin Foods. Their children were Pat,
married Cathy Keating from Mullingar and works in Braun. Tommy
married Noelle Kenny from Pollerton Road. William works in Cyntax in
Clare. Michael works in Lapple and is married to Lorraine Furlong
from Arklow. Paul works in Thermo Air. They have one daughter
Elizabeth.
No. 4: George Hoare. George was from
Graiguecullen and played for Laoise. He married a Timmons from
Barrack Street. They had two daughters, Lil married Paddy Waters,
and Nancy married and moved to England.
-
- Rath's
Superstore at 4 Pollerton Rd in Carlow
No. 5: Margaret and Jimmy Kelly were next.
Margaret hailed from Wicklow. Children: John worked in the Sugar
Factory, Paddy was a carpenter, Jimmy worked in the Sugar Factory
and later in the E.S.B. He was a musician in local bands.
No. 6: Christy Nolan and his wife Annie
(O'Reilly) lived here. Christy worked in the Sugar Factory. Their
son Christy 'Crook' married Gladys Martin from England and worked in
England for many years.
No. 7: Thomas Maher married Nan Green and had a
large family. They went to England. They had one daughter, Kathleen,
who is now living in Kernanstown.
No. 8: John Redmond and family were next. John,
originally from Wexford, was a lamp-lighter. The children were May,
Hannah, Bridie and Luke. Luke married Maisie Monks from
Graiguecullen, they had two children. John married in Birmingham and
Mai Jackie Owens, Drogheda.
No. 9A: Jim Byrne married Ellen Hadden from
Tullow. Jim worked in Doyles of The Shamrock making wheels for cars
and Ellen was a nurse in St. Dympna's. Jim and Ellen had four
children: Bridie married Charlie Smith from Waterford. Mary married
Seamus Carson from Ducketts Grove and they now life at St. Patrick's
Ave. Ellen married George Roberts in England. Mick married Josie
Nolan from New Street and is now living at Church Street,
Graiguecullen and Seamus married Betty Murphy from Milford.
No. 9B: Next was John Brady of Pollerton Road
and his wife Annie Moran, Staplestown Road. They had three sons.
Michael, Aiden, who worked in the Post Office and now lives in
London; James, who married Breda Rea, Bridewell Lane, now living in
New Oak Estate, they have three children. James appointed a Peace
Commissioner in 1982 and elected to Carlow U.D.C. in 1985, is
currently Eire Og Club Secretary.
No. 10: William Hpgan worked in the Sugar
Factory and was in the army. He married Kathleen Keogh from
Pollerton Road who worked in Doyles Bread Shop. William and Kathleen
had five children. Willie married Mary Farrell from Charlotte St.
and played football for Eire Og. Mary married James O'Connor from
Browne St. Brigid married Peter Bond (England). Joe, who also played
for Eire Og, married Jean Brudeherst (England) and Kathleen married
Colm Coogan from Kilkenny.
No. 11: James Kehoe married Mary Butler from
Pollerton Road and their children were Margaret, married John Moore,
and Liz, who married William McGrath and lived at No. 23.
No. 14: Mary Kavanagh married Joe Keogh, both
were originally from Pollerton Road. They had two daughters, Sarah
(Mrs. Tremblin) and Mary, who married Murta Conville and lived at
Little Barrack Street.
No. 15: Brigid Doyle, single, was next. She
worked in the laundry in the Fever Hospital.
No. 16: Peter Kelly, a plumber, worked with the
Council. He was married to Hannah Kavanagh from Bridge Street. Peter
played with O'Hanrahans and later teamed up with his uncle Bertie
Kelly, to play with the Shamrocks. Their children were Denis, Jim
and Mary & Bridie. Denis married Elizabeth McGrath from the 12
houses, they have children and live at Roncalli Place. Jim is
married and living in Dublin. Mary married John Kinsella from
Bridewell Lane and lives in St. Mary's Park. Bridie married Patsy
Donovan and lives in Graigue-cullen, they have four children.
No. 17: May Fitzpatrick lived here with her
brother Mickey, both were single.
No. 18: Tom Kenny married Nancy Swain, their
son Mile married and lived next door.
No. 19: Mike Kenny married Polly Waters and
their children are Tom, married to Anne-Marie Meyer; Ann, married to
Brian Walsh; Brigid. John, who married Breda Comerford; Maurice,
whose wife is Clare McDermot; Margaret. Noel and Michael.
No. 20: Ml. Murphy married Mary McGrath, both
were from Pollerton Road. Michael 'Rickie' worked in the Sugar
Factory and Mary worked in the Boot Factory. They had two sons and
three daughters, the lads both played football for the Shamrocks.
No. 21: Thomas McGrath, Shoemaker married Mag
Moore. They had three children, Liz, Mag and Tom, who all emigrated
to England.
No. 22: Was occupied by James and Harriet
Byrne. Harriet (nee Murphy) was from Clonegal. Jim who worked in
Thompsons for over 60 years, played with the Shamrocks at one time.
They had two children, Maura a nurse in New York and Jim, married to
Margaret Walker from Graiguecullen, they have two children. Jim was
involved with Eire Og from its infant years in Pert Nolan's field.
No. 23: William McGrath and his wife Liz (nee
Kehoe) were next. Their children Jamie, Maudie, Sheila, Teresa and
Tom all left Carlow.
No. 24A: James Bolger from Tinryland married
Henrietta Keating from Sleaty Road. James worked in the Boot
Factory. Children: Jim married Phylis Condron and they live in
Graiguecullen. Jim used to train soccer teams. Gretta married Tom
Dunbar from Wicklow. Breda married Michael Corcoran and lives in
Graigue. Catherine and Brendan went to America. Tom married Monica
O'Connor from Kerry. Mary married Joe Fitzpatrick from McGamhna Road
and Oliver married Mary Aylsbury from Graigue. Brendan won an
All-Ireland event with Carlow Rowing Club.
No. 24B: John (Jack) Lawler married Liz
Morrissey. One son 'Locky' Lawler is now living at Staplestown Road.
No. 25: Patrick Dempsey married Mary Maher,
Leighlinbridge. He worked in Knockbeg College. Children; Lou, Denis
married Elizabeth Redmond, he worked in St. Dympna's and later the
Sugar Factory, they had 3 children and lived at O'Hanrahan Ave. Jack
worked in the Post Office, he married Peg Haughney and they moved to
America. Terry married Eileen O'Brien and moved to Clonmel where he
worked as a driver from Clonmel Post Office. Mick, whoalso worked in
the Post Office, married Mona Cooney and lived at College Street.
No. 26: Here dwelt Patrick Green from
Staplestown Road, married to Katie Meaney, originally from
Leighlinbridge. Their children are Michael, known as 'Lou', Christy,
both of whom still live here. Kathleen married Paddy Sullivan who
starred on the Tinryland and Co. Teams of yesteryear and received
the Eire Of Hall of Fame Award in 1984. Kathleen and Paddy lived at
J.K.L. and have six children.
No. 27: Thomas Roche was originally from
Staplestown Road. When he married Annie Watchorn they moved to 27
Pollerton Road. Thomas played for O'Hanrahans around 1929, he also
played hurling. He worked in the Sugar Factory and in later years
became caretaker of the Tennis Club. Children: One son died young,
Michael, single; Ann married Paddy O'Brien and they live in England;
Imelda married Joe O'Neill and they now reside in Rathnapish.
No. 28: Jack Ryan married Kate Moore from
Brewery Lane. Jack was a well-known bird catcher. The only surviving
child, Jimmy, worked in the Sacred Heart Home.
No. 29: Patrick Byrne married Margaret < nee
Byrnei. Margaret was from Rathanna and Patrick was a farm labourer.
They had one daughter — Mary. Mary married Joe Pender, who worked in
the Malt House in Graiguecullen. Mary and Joe lived in the 'Cutting'
on Pollerton Road and later moved to No. 5 where their daughter
Sarah now lives.
No 30: Jack and Julia Kehoe were next. They had
one son, Charlie who went to England.
31: Here dwelt James 'Smut' Deegan and his
sister Kathleen, both were single.
- Photo: 'Smut' Deegan in Pollerton
Road, 1932.
- Photo courtesy of Aggie Hennessy.
No. 32: Thomas O'Brien was English, he married
to Allie Bohanna. Thomas worked as a poultry farm instructor in
England before moving here. Their children were Leo, Laz and 'Dodie'.
Leo was a' well-known photographer and many of his photographs are
still to be found in Carlow. He later married and moved to
Cambridge, as did Laz. 'Dodie' was single and he died young. Leo
served during the 2nd World War as a reconnaissance pilot with the
Royal Air Force.
No. 41A: Was owned by Mr. and Mrs William
Jackson, they both ran a little shop. Jacksons son Jim became a
priest in England and their daughter Maureen became a nun. The
business is now owned by John O'Toole.
- Photo: Mr. and Mrs. Jackson
with Maureen Jackson and Tom Rice.
- Courtesy of Pat Healy.
Jacksons
shop on Pollerton Road today (2010)
Source of image: Google Maps.
No. 41B: Mr. and Mrs. Jim Mooney were next.
Jim worked as a baker in Mary Walshe's Cake Shop (now Celtic Linen).
Mooneys had no family.
No. 57-57A: John Hutton married Brigid Doody
from Portlaoise. The Hutton family owned a lot of land in the area,
including the sites of St. Mary's Park and the plots. John was in
the market gardening business. Their children were Jack, Tom, Ned,
Billy, Jim and Agnes, Cis, Mary and Nan. Jack and Tom both worked in
Jack Walshe's Bakery (now Dunnys). Jack married Elizabeth Bowling,
Brownshill and lived in Kernanstown. Tom married Noeleen Doyle and
lived at Rutland Terrace. Agnes (Aggie) married James Hennessy from
Graiguecullen and lived at O'Hanrahan Avenue, her brother Jim,
single lived here also. Ned worked in the Sugar Factory and married
Peggy Shannahan. Billy was married to Marcella Lawler, and they
lived at St. Patrick's Avenue before moving to Pollerton Big. May
and Cis both married and lived in Kent. Nan married Andrew Fullard
from Roscommon and moved to London. The Hutton Family has very
strong Eire Og connections, Jim and Billy were involved from the
early days. Jim was a committee member and Billy served two periods
as Chairman of the club. Jamsie Hennessy was also a club official
and sons John-Jo was a player and Ber, involved both on and off the
field, is currently a trustee.
No. 58: Ned Walsh married 'Nownie' Burke and
they had one daughter named Lil. Lil married James Fenlon and lived
at No. 12 Little Barrack St. Ned's brother Jack owned the bakery
mentioned above (Hutton Family).
No. 59: John Browne married Kate Byrne.
Children: Mick married Betty Germaine. Mick worked in Drummonds and
Sugar Factory. They had 6 children. Mick lives in Whitney Place,
Graiguecullen. John Married Josie O'Brien and he worked in
Drummonds. They had 4 children and lived in St. Killian's Crescent.
Billy married Judy Hutton, Staplestown Road. Bill worked in Jacksons
Garage around the 1930's where the Post Office is/was. He worked in
industrial vehicles in Athy.
They had 4 children and lived in Athy. Molly
was married but had no family. She lived in England. Chrissie
married Billie Bunce, she was a bookies-clerk with Slaters. They had
one son and lived in England. Rosie (single) worked in England.
Kitty married and worked in England. Joe married, they had one child
and he worked in Drummonds.
No. 60: Pat and Mary (Nolan) Healy. The Healy
Family were originally from Bestfield and Mary Nolan was from the
Fighting Cocks. Pat and Mary had two children, Mary and Richard.
Mary married James Reed from Bennekerry who worked in the Sugar
Factory. Richard married Kathleen (Brennan) from Castlecomer. He was
a keen athlete and did long distance running with Carlow Rovers.
Dick became manager of Slaters Bakery in Tullow Street. Dick and
Kathleen now live in College Street.
No. 61: Thomas Burke from Pollerton Road
married Julia Walsh from Co. Kilkenny. Thomas worked on the railway,
he was a bandmaster. Tommy (Jnr.) married and emigrated to
Australia. Johnny, single, lives at McGamhna Road. Jim is in
England, Richie married Kathleen Connors from Ballinabranna and
worked in the Sugar Factory as did Eddie who married Rita Moore and
lives in Dereen Heights. Judy married James Nolan who was from the
Numbers, he worked in Corcorans. Judy now lives in O'Hanrahans
Avenue.
No. 62: Willie Treacy, single, worked in
Leverette and Fry.
No. 63: Bill Fleming worked as a keeper in St.
Dympna's, his wife was
Mary Hade and they had two children. Helen,
single, lives in Potato Market and works in the Ard Ri Cleaners,
Tullow Street. Mollie married Jack Fitzpatrick from Potato Market.
No. 64: Was occupied by the Pierce Family, the
girls, Mary married Paddy Puddin' Byrne of Staplestown Road and they
went to England, and Chrissie married Peter Ryan, who worked for
Carberys, they lived here before coming to St. Patrick's Avenue
where they still reside.
No. 65: Mr. and Mrs. Lambe, John Lambe married
Mary Nugent from Moone, their children were Judy, Angela, single,
living at McGamhna Road. John, a superintendent in the Gardai is
married and living in Limerick. Jimmy and Frank were both Civil
Servants and Frank is now in Dublin.
No. 66: Patrick Norris married Annie (O'Neill).
Annie was originally from Tullow. Both Annie and Patrick Norris were
psychiatric nurses. They had six children. Annie now lives with
their son Denis and family at McGamhna Road. Cathleen married Eamonn
Long. Michael lives in Tullow, he married Helena Callinan. Michael
was a butcher. Annie married and was a nurse. Denis married Celina
Doyle from Rathvilly and lives at McGamhna Road, they also have a
son called Peter. Frank married Una Smith from Graigue. Both Frank
and Denis worked in Thompsons.
No. 67: Was occuped by the O'Neill Family.
Tommy, Johnny and their sister Mary, all single. The lads worked for
farmers in the area.
No. 68: Jimmy McGrath from Green Lane married
Elizabeth McGrath from Athy. Jimmy worked loading cattle onto ships
for England, he was also an All-Ireland handballer and used to go to
Liverpool to play charity matches. Jimmy and Elizabeth had thirteen
children, four of whom died young. Bridget (Biddy) married Bernie
Keating and lived in St. Killian's Crescent. Jim worked as a
yardsman in Shevlins — he used to play the accordian with Paddy
Quigley for Irish dancing in the Town Hall. Jim married Annie Tobin.
Paddy worked as a builder's labourer with Thompsons. He married Mary
Dowling from Castlecomer and they lived with his uncle Billy McGrath
in Green Lane. Vesty was a cattle loader, some time after the death
of his brother Jim, Vesty married Annie (Tobin) McGrath. They lived
in St. Killian's Crescent. Vesty played football for Shamrocks and
O'Hanrahans. He hurled for Marble Hill Rovers (Dublin Road). He
played handball also. Jack married Sarah Tobin from Graiguecullen
and worked in the Sugar Factory, both Jack and Vesty worked on the
building of Dr. Cullen Park. Anne married Paddy Cullen from Wexford.
Margaret married Martin Doyle who was a builder's labourer with
Thompsons and Carberys and lived in O'Hanrahans Ave.
No. 69: Thomas O'Brien was married to Bridget
Murphy from Muinebheag, both of who were attendants in St. Dympna's.
Their children were: Jimmy married to Rose Kearney from Birmingham,
won a minor football championship medal with O'Hanrahans and served
his time as a barber with Alec Burns, College Street. Tommy (Jnr.)
worked in St. Dympna's, he married Breda Cassidy and lives in
Birmingham. Pierre, a carpenter by trade, married Rose Moore of
Green Road and lives in London, he played football with St. Dympna's
team at one time. Mary, single, died young. Nancy who also worked in
St. Dympna's married John Dwyer from Tinryland, many will remember
John's father who used to switch on and off the electric lights in
the town (individually) .Their son Tommy played on the All-Ireland
team against Australia in 1985.
No. 81: Paddy Murphy married Mary McDonnell
from Kildavin. Paddy was a gardener for Haddens and Mary also worked
there as a housekeeper. Children: William married Eileen O'Sullivan,
now living in Graiguecullen, he works in the Sugar Factory. Annie
worked in the Blade Factory before her marriage to Michael Nevin,
they now live in England as does Sarah who married George Williams.
Nellie married 'Browney' Deere from Bridewell Lane. Marie married
Jim Nolan, Kevin Barry Avenue.
No. 82: John Kenny married Mary Creagh from No.
83. Willie married Iris Mungel, they lived in England, he played for
O'Hanrahans. Mollie was well-known for her step-dancing talents, she
married Leo Meaney from O'Hanrahan Ave. Ellen married John Ralph
from St. Patrick's Avenue.
No. 83: Here dwelt Timmy and Ellen Creagh.
Timmy originally from Cork, worked in Limerick at one time as a'
whipper'. The children were Lizzy (Moran) who worked in Tynan's
Hotel (later the Ritz). Lillie, single, Mick went to Limerick and
was a 'whipper'. Willie played for O'Hanrahans and later went to
Manchester. Maggie was married to Harry Martin and lived in England.
No. 84: John and Mary Nolan were next, John
worked in the Sugar Factory. Their only child Michael, married
Bridget Scully and they had seven children. Michael worked for the
County Council and Bridget now lives in St. Mary's Park.
No. 85: Was a shop owned at this time by Jackie
and Maisie Rossiter. Maisie (nee Haughney) was from Graiguecullen.
This shop is now being run by Paddy Byrne.
No. 86: Was occupied by William Thompson and
his wife Kathleen (nee Fitzgerald). William worked for D.J. Carbery,
Building Contractors. Children: Mary married to Tom Pollard and
living in England, Michael and Ann living in O'Hanrahan Avenue;
Kitty married Noelie Proctor, they have three children and live in
New Oak Estate. Biddy married Michael Shannon. Richard worked in the
Sugar Factory, he married Annie O'Brien and they are now living on
the Tullow Road, as is his brother Willie. Neddy worked in Carberys,
he married Chrissie Bolger from Graiguecullen. They have three
children and live in Askea Lawns.
No. 87: Patrick Davis and his wife Catherine (Bohana)
dwelt here. Their children were Joe, single; William, Sean, living
in Pollerton Road; Frank, Delia, who married John Becker and lived
at No. 96, and Alice (O'Keeffe) who lives at St. Patrick's Avenue.
No. 88: Was owned by Mary-Ann and Paddy Devine,
Paddy worked for years in the Boot Factory, the family later went to
England.
No 89: Bill Leonard, an ex-British army man,
was married to Elizabeth Brennan from Barrack Street and they had
four daughters, two of whom died young. Elizabeth 'Lil' married Tom
Kelly from No. 99, Staplestown Road and now lives at Kevin Barry
Avenue. Esther lived in England with her husband Bill Evans.
-
- Pollerton Road 1986
No. 90: Was owned by Mrs. Alice Cummins (nee
Fleming) and family, Martin, Dick and their sister who went to
England. Dick was well-known for his music and played for the dances
on the Dancing Board which was on the Square, and on the 'Cutting'.
No. 91: William Hogan and family were next.
William married to Hannah Kavanagh from Pollerton Road. Their
children: Paddy married A. Keating from Graiguecullen. Bridget
married Bill Burr (England). James married Mary Hayden from
Bridewell Lane. Molly and Richard, both single. John 'Bollum'
married Elizabeth Slater, Graiguecullen. The Hogan family worked for
many years in the Ritz, the men were well-known footballers.
No. 92: Next was John Sweeney, fireman (already
mentioned in Accommodation Road). John was married late in life and
had no children.
No. 93: Edward Shaw from Pollerton Road spent
some years in the British Army, he later returned to Ireland. He
joined the Irish Army and married Johanna Haughney, Graiguecullen.
Edward and Johanna had ten children: Joan married Brendan McCormack
(electrical contractor) and lived at Bridge St. Colette, single,
lives at St. Killian's Crescent as does Kitty, married to Oliver
Scully from Killeshin. Margaret is married to Francis Lacey,
Graiguecullen. Paddy, Charlie and John are all married and live in
England, Eddie married Anne Scully, Dinny is married to Kathleen
Moran and Mick married Colette Amond and lives at Hanover.
No. 94: Was occupied by Joe Walsh and his wife
Liz (Nolan). Their children were Christy, single, and Jim who
married Bridget Farrell and lived at 114A, Staplestown Road.
No. 95: Mary A. Butler and family lived here.
The children were 'Wig' (Jer) who was married and lived at
Accommodation Road. Margaret married William Brooks, they had three
daughters and the family lived at St. Killian's Crescent. 'Monch'
was single and she lived with her sister Jenny (Mrs. Long) for some
years. Jenny now lives at O'Hanrahan Ave.
No. 96: Was owned by John Becker and his
brother Billy. Billy was known to a lot of people for his interest
in birds. Nancy O'Brien is a daughter of John Becker and now lives
at Riverside, Carlow.
No. 97-100: John Power from Grange married
Catherine Hanlon from Muinebheag. John, farmer and landowner, was
also an undertaker. The Power Family at one time owned 'the twelve
houses'. The children were: Alexandra, who was a buyer in Shaws,
where she worked for 31 years. Mary was a solicitor's clerk.
Madeline, single, lived at home. Francis married Michael Waters.
Georgina married Michael Smith, a building contractor, she worked in
Switzers.
No. 102: Michael Lawlor married Catherine
Moore. Michael's family had lived in Pollerton Road for many years.
Michael himself was a carpenter and he worked in the Mill. Catherine
and Michael had three children. Michael married in Northampton; Tom
married in London and Ena married to Gerry Purcell and is living in
Idrone Park.
No. 103A: Was a foundry which was owned by T.
McHugh.
No. 103B: Here dwelt Captain A. F. Dykes.
Captain Dykes was a vet and his wife kept borders. This house faced
Barrack Street and has since been knocked down.
