Horse & Jockey Thurles Remembers The Past

Horse & Jockey Station

An event, which will take place at the Horse & Jockey tomorrow Thursday 7th June, is expected to attract a large attendance. This event is an attempt to take a long look back at the past historical associations with this immediate area, here in Co. Tipperary.

A descriptions to be found in Bassett’s Directory 1889 informs us that the now village of Horse and Jockey was, quote:-

Horse and Jockey, a village of 6 houses, in the parish of Moycarkey, barony of Eliogarty, is a station on the Southern Railway, 5  3/4 miles, English, south-east of Thurles. The land of the district has a limestone basis, and is good for pasture and tillage. It is excellent sheep country. There are extensive remains of the castle of Moycarkey, on the estate of Mr. John Max. It was at one time occupied as the residence of the Cantwell family, and has a large square tower, with high surrounding wall. A fissure in the tower was caused by lightning over a hundred years ago.

This immediate area is of national historical significance. For example, the village has a close historical association with the infamous murder, on Sat. 30th June 1826, of Richard Chadwick by one Paddy Grace, born near Ballytarsna castle, who foolishly volunteered to become the formers executioner. Latter was eventually tried & ordered to be hanged where he had committed the crime, but tradition is that he was hanged, then tied to a dray car & dragged along the road from Clonmel via Cashel accompanied by his chaplain, Rev. Ed. Brennan, together with a large force of Police & Military. What remained of his body was not given to his relatives as was usual, but he was taken to Cashel infirmary for dissection & burial later in the infirmary grounds. His gloves were handed by a relative to an old man named John Russell of Curaheen, Horse & Jockey, as a keepsake. (I wonder where those gloves are now.)

Then of course, close-by, saw the arrest of the Young Ireland 1848 leaders, T.F. Meagher, M.R. Leyne & P. O’Donohue, who were identified loitering at midnight on Chadwick’s Bridge and lodged in a cell, before being sent next day to Thurles jail, under armed escort.

November 1823 saw the attack on the mail coach at Horse & Jockey. Large stones & horse carts had been placed across the road to stop the coach & even shots were fired luckily without effect. The driver or his guard got the coach past the obstructions, but in doing so, the coach was turned over against a ditch. The fusillade continued until locals came, attracted by the gun shots. Attackers then decamped & the coach was set to rights. When it reached Cashel, however a passenger, the Hon. Mr. Brown, brother of Lord Kenmare, was found missing. During the attack he had alighted on the opposite side of the coach & had taken refuge in a neighbouring house, from whence he arrived in Cork the next day in a Post Chaise, thankfully nothing the worse for his adventure.

There are so many historical associations with this area, but on hand to-morrow night will be GAA County Board Chairman Sean Nugent, former government minister Martin Mansergh & Rev.Norman Gamble, who will enlighten their audience with “Tales of the Unexpected,” so do try to be there sharp at 8.00 pm in the Horse & Jockey Hotel.

Boys Oh Boys could I tell you tales of the goings-on in that den of iniquity known as the Horse & Jockey, but I have sworn a solemn oath to keep my mouth tightly shut till after this event.”

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11 Responses to Horse & Jockey Thurles Remembers The Past

  1. Kevin Barry says:

    Have travelled many lands as teacher, missionary and school administrator but the Jockey, its people and its culture have a special place in my heart. Few now would remember the Jockey team in black and white and the volunteer work done on the handball alley where I won my first medal. The beet loading at the station, the threshings, the pitch and toss, youths listening enthralled to elders’ tales of glory, farm products and politics always on the agenda. “Ni beidh a leitheid aris ann.” ( Irish Translated: The likes of it will never be seen again.) “Downunderexile”.

    • George says:

      Nice to hear from you Kevin. Come back and talk to us more often. Keep in touch.

    • Lucy Hammerton-Barry says:

      Hi Kevin

      This may be a bit of an odd email, however I am trying to chase my “Barry” family who are from horse & Jockey. My Mother is Maureen Barry who is the daughter of Clare and Kevin Barry. Kevin moved to London and my mother was born in 1953. Clare and Kevin seperated and my mother lost all contact with him and his family. All I know is my grandfather (who I believe is deceased) was called Kevin and from Horse and Jockey.

      Kind Regards

      Lucy Hammerton-Barry

  2. Anne cleary says:

    Kevin Barry is my mother’s brother. There is also one other sibling of Ned and Kate Barry still alive. I met Kevin when I was very young. Have visited Horse and Jockey as a student in 1986.

  3. Tara Flynn says:

    Hi, I am attempting to trace my grandfathers mothers family who had a house in Horse and Jockey in the late 1800’s/early1900’s. Her name was Margaret Shanahan. If anyone has any info that would be great.

  4. Liam Ó Donnchú says:

    More information on the Horse and Jockey can be got from the following books published some years ago. Some copies are still available, costing twenty euro.
    Horse and Jockey Remembers its Past – A Pictorial Record.
    Pouldine School – Inné agus Inniu – A History of Moycarkey National School

    Contact: – Liam Ó Donnchú, Ballymoreen, Thurles Co. Tipperary.

  5. Pat Mockler says:

    Are there any relations/descendants of Thomas and Robert (Bob) Mockler still living in Horse and Jockey. Thomas was my grandfather. Bob the well known hurler.
    Regards
    Pat Mockler

    • George says:

      I am not aware there are, but matter is under investigation currently. I trust you have a copy of that great book by Liam O’Donoghue, “Tom Semple & The Thurles Blues”. A full page (Ref: Page 342) refers to Bob Mockler, who was an official in Croke Park on “Bloody Sunday”.

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