Glangevlin is a small Village or Hamlet in West Cavan. The nearest towns are Dowra 6 miles, Swanlinbar 7 miles and Blacklion about 12 miles, it is mentioned in the Book of The Four Masters AD 1390 as “GALVA” – “GLEANN GAIBHLE” the glen of the river or Road Forks; it is also mentioned on page 528, ‘Irish Names of Places’, by P W Joyce in 1875 as Glengavlin, entry reads “there is a remarkable Valley between the mountains of Sleive-An-Ierann and Quilcagh, near the source of the river Shannon. (Shannon rises in this Village) now called Glengavlin,”’ it was given Independent Status as a Parish in 1750, and had a Church and Priests from that date with a school built in 1820 and called Glangevlin School.
So it is then surprising to learn that the Post Office called this village “Glangoolin” from 1858 to 1896, when they then changed it to its proper name of Glangevlin, the above is well recorded in the Postmaster Generals Minutes, which is kept in the Post Office Archives in London, it is referred to on 19 No occasions between 1858 and 1907. Until 100 yrs ago most of this Village Spoke Irish, so when the Post Office Inspector or Surveyor translated, “Glenn—Gaibhle” this maybe the reason for it being called Glangoolin, the Post Office guide of 1894 gives it as Glangoolin Dowra 6 miles, then the Post Office Guide of 1896 gives it as Glangevlin Dowra 6 miles. Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim has always been its Main Sorting Office from 1860, most of the people who emigrated from this village went to America, some noteable exiles being Joe Tomulty, Sec. to President Woodrow Wilson, Sir P. McGovern who built the 6 mile tunnel under New York and General Phil Shoridan US Cavalry Leader and Sen. McGovern, and its in America that I think we should find past marks of the two names used:
In James A MacKay’s ‘Sub Post Office Rubber Date Stamps of Ireland’ book, gives an illustrated Plate XXVI fourth row, an illustration of the Glangoolin, Rubber Postmark 28/Dec 1894. I have not seen a Glangevlin Rubber Postmark, but I would expect there should be one of it, I have seen single ring cancels of the 1920’s in English to 1929, and Glenn—Ghaible 1930 Double ring to date. I have not seen a rubber of the Irish version either.
The present Postmistress is Miss P Dolan who has held the appointment since 1948 and her father Mr Peter Dolan was Postmaster from 1905 to 1948, before then Miss Dolan’s Grandfather Peter McCauley was Postmaster to 1905, (appointment date not known). The following is the 19 No entries in the Postmaster Generals Minutes.
Page 483. Vol 48. 1858/59.
1. “Glangoolin Gavratee Post”
refers to the establishment of a guarantee Post from Blacklion to Glangoolin.
Page 163. Vol 1. 16 Jan 1860. CK—on-Shannon.
2. The Postmaster General.
As it appears from this report that Margaret Dolan is a Publican, I submit that her appointment as Sub Postmistress may be cancelled.
Minutes 626. Vol 5. 1862. CK—on—Shannon.
3. Glangoolin guarantee Post further time allowed guarantee for payment of deficiency.
4th July 1862 – Under the circumstances stated in the report to the Surveyor, I submit that in this instance, the persons who have entered into a guarantee for the cost of the Glangoolin Post, maybe allowed an additional period of four months for the payment of the required deficiency of £5.16s/5d – as there is sometimes considerable difficulty in obtaining payment in Ireland of the accounts due under the guarantees entered into for local posts, I submit that the guarantor maybe required in future to pay the sums due in advance.
Page 954. Vol 13. 1867. 14 Dec 1876.
4. Glangoolin Sub—Office Closed.
The Parish of Dowra to Glangoolin (CK-on—Shannon) 2 days a week post; is now far from self-supporting and as it appears from the accounts, of the letters which have just being kept that the amount to about 40 a week, only which will not cover the cost of a post even once a week. I think that the circumstances do not warrant any office arrangement for serving this district and I submit that the post may be abolished altogether, the Sub—Postmaster of Glangoolin Office, whose office will be closed should receive the usual gratuity.
Postmasters General Minutes. 373. Vol 19. 1872.
5. glangoolin (down) should be Dowra re-establishment of 5.0. at. Re-established of sub office of Glangoolin near (down) Dowra CK-on-Shannon.
Mins No 288. Vol 26. 1876.
6. Dowra and Glangoolin Messengers Wages allowed (50675).
924. vol 40. 1884.
7. Increased frequency proposed by Mr Biggar (Local MP) (131650).
Minute 1065. vol 51. 1888.
8. Dowra – Glangoolin Post increased in frequency to 6 days a week.
The Postmaster General.
In reply to a question addressed to you in the House of Commons on 25th August last, you informed Mr Biggar MP that the cost of the present service to Glangoolin 4 days a week already largely exceeds the available revenue and that you regretted the circumstances did not warrant a more frequent delivery, you will observe from the further report of the Surveyor upon this letter from Mr Biggar MP. that the question of improving the Post referred to was again considered in June last when it was found that the correspondence for the Branch Post from Dowra to Glangoolin had increased to the extent of 50 letters a week, leaving a deficiency of revenue as compared with expenditure of the rate of £3.12s/8d a year to increase the frequency of the post from 4 to 6 days a week would entail an additional expenditure of £6.10s/4d a year and would bring the present deficiency up tp (Two Pence) £lO.3S/- a year, I shall be glad to receive your instructions in the matter.
Reply – I think as the letters are increasing a six—day
Post may be sanctioned – H.C.R Aug 2 1888.
Minute 1115. Vol 53. 1889.
9. Dowra-Glangoolin Rural Post. Mr Biggar MP. for Sunday Service.
With reference to the enclosed application of Mr Biggar MP. for a Sunday delivery to Glangoolin a small Village served by Dowra (CK-on_Shannon S.O) it appears on inquiry that the Post is now conducted at a loss to the revenue of £10.3S/- a year, which would increased if the service were made more frequent, even therefore were the requirements of the department complied with as regards the proportion of the correspondence received by the persons decisions of the change, the circumstances would not admit on financial grounds of the compliance with the application with your approval I propose a reply to Mr Biggar to this report. AJ 22 Aug 1889.
Reply – What would be the cost of Sunday delivery. H.C.R Sept 1889
1239. Vol 54. 16 Sept 1889.
10. “The Postmaster General”. Further to Sunday Post.
The cost of a Sunday Post to Glangoolin would be 1S/5d a week and if a Sunday Post be given the deficit and the whole would be increased from £10.3S/- to £13/16s.1Od a year — H.J.
Reply — I think the Sunday Post may be granted if a guarantor can be obtained, but before conceding this, it would be necessary to ascertain the local wishes in the usual manner H.C.R Sept 1889.
Mm 326. Vol 57. 1891.
11. “As to Connecting with Blacklion”
The Postmaster General.
With reference to the question put to you in the House of Commons on the 5th ultimo by Mr Knox MP. I submit the preceeding report from the Secretary in Dublin fully explaining the result of the inquiry into the case, the arrangements desired would infuriously effect the Postal Service and entail a very large additional expenditure which there is not revenue to meet this is the first of four subjects, which Mr Knox is to bring under your notice at his interview tomorrow – S.A.B. 4 March 1891.
Mm 439. Vol 57. 1891.
12. Dowra – Glangoolin Post re—arranged further S.A.B.(No details)
Mm 706. Vol 58. 19 June 1891.
13. The Postmaster General.
The representations last made to you by Mr Knox MP. in support of the suggested Post to Dowra and Glangoolin from Blacklion under Enniskillen instead of Carrick-on-Shannon, were to the effect that all the interests of the persons concerned lay in the direction of Enniskillen and Belfast rather than with Dublin and the South of Ireland and careful returns have been taken with the object of testing this view, the result shows that of 606 letters for Dowra, 194 come from Ulster and 412 from other parts and that 169 letters were for Glangoolin, 61 come from Ulster and 108 from other parts. The proportion of letters which would accelerated under the change suggested would be just one third of the whole, while the remaining two thirds have would be beneficial and a good many delayed, but this is not the only drawback, to the alteration assuming that the great majority of residents, would be content with much less favorite hours of arrival and dispatch, which it would involve. It has been shown that an additional expenditure of not less than £12 a year would be necessary, and towards this there is absolutely no margin of revenue whatever, indeed there is a small deficiency, even now of about £5.00 per year. Perhaps you will approve of a further letter being written to Mr Knox explaining these circumstances and expressing your regrets that the wishes he has put forward, cannot be complied with, a similar might be written to Mr Macarthey, who also interested himself in the matter. 27 May 1891. A.J.
Reply – Let Earl Morley also be informed. H.C.R June 1 1891.
Min342. Vol 70. 20 Apri1 1895.
14. Drumkerrin – Glangoolin service by Mail Car in
Mm 987. Vol 71.
15~ Drumkerrin and Glangoolin New Car Service J McPartlin and J Keegan displaced – both Postmen refuse other employment “Situation declared Vacant”.
The Postmaster General.
The 2 foot Postman to be dismissed by the establishment of the Main Car Service between Drumkerrin and Glangoolin, which you authorised in March, both decline to accept transfer to other walks, thinking that the introduction of the Car Service should not on this account be indefinitely postponed, I have caused the men to be informed that should they persist in declining employment elsewhere, their services would be of necessity be dispensed with, they still decline and I submit that their situations be declared vacant. S.W. 19/7/1895.
Reply – Give them a little longer and see if their reasons are genuine.
Mm 1515. Vol 84. 26 Oct 1899.
16. (Glangevlin) 1st time correct name of village used Glangevlin to Derrylahan, Bursan, Knockgorm and Cuppanagh More, Rural Post eatab1ished. Allowances for delivery, salary refused, above all town land names in Glangevlin.
17. 17 Dec 1900, Delivery increased to Derrylaham.
Mm 130. Vol 107. 17 Jan 1907.
18. Increased Mail to Cuppanaghmore.
Mm 872. Vol 108. 4 April 1907.
19. Post delivered 3 days per week to Bursan, increased allowances for acconodation and delivery.
After reading the Postmaster Generals minutes, then turn to “Hansards” Parlimentary debates in the House of Commons first to August 25th 1887, when Mr Biggar MP for Cavan West asked the P.M.G Mr H C Raikes, “if he will arrange to have letters delivered 6 days a week at Glangevlin Co. Cavan”, and on the second occasion on 5th February 1891, Mr Knox Mp for Cavan West, “ I beg to ask the P.M.G whether he will connect the Post Offices of Glangevlin and Dowra in the County Cavan with the Post Office at Blacklion”. Each M.P. used the proper name of the Village to the P.M.G. yet the Post Office issued a Glangoolin Postmark in 1894, (7 years later) did the P.M.G not write down the above questions, surely he or some of his helpers, should have noticed the difference in the names, also the Post Office Guide of 1896, had the proper name, yet it does not appear in the P.M.G’s minutes until 1899, also when Mr Biggar proposed a Sunday Post in 1889 by letter to the P.M.G he will have used the proper name! Maybe they did not want to admit that they had got it wrong, for over 38 yrs, or who cares about the name of a faraway place, when you have thousands of little Post Offices to run from London, we will never know.
H McGOLDRICK
