Caesar Otway, Skull to Bantry, 1822.

West Cork History

Caerar Otway 1780-1842 was a Minister and publisher among others of William Carleton  and co-operated with George Petrie in the first edition of  the Dublin Penny Journal.  They published an article about a journey to Durrus:

http://durrushistory.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=373&action=edit

This account is from The Grand Tour of Cork by Cornelius Kelly, Cailleach Books, 2003.

I proceeded to take my leave of Skull…on my way to Bantry I passed the dark and lofty Mount Gabriel to the left, and took my dreary way over a comfortless tract of country, the peninsula of Ivaugh, the ancient territory of O’Mahony Fune; princes these O’Mahonys were of bogs and rocks enough: here the tribe of the O’Mahonys has contrived to increase and multiply, and has replenished these wastes with Paddies, pigs, and potatoes.  Let no one say after looking at these moors, studded over with cabins, and those cabins crowded with children, pigs, goats, cocks and…

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A Tale of Four Churches

Roaringwater Journal

Kilcoe Medieval Church

Kilcoe is a magical place. The story of its four churches leads us from the dawn of Christianity in Ireland through turbulent times and many centuries when religious differences and sectarian strife marked all aspects of life in Ireland.

The four churches: 1, Kilcoe Medieval Church. 2, Mass Rock. 3, Kilcoe 19th Century Church. 4. Kilcoe Modern Church of the Most Holy Rosary

We love going down to the Medieval church at Kilcoe or wandering the boreens along the Roaringwater River. Those boreens are now part of the Fastnet Trail Network and last weekend, at the Launch, we were treated to a talk about the locality from Fr Patrick Hickey, Parish Priest of Timoleague and a noted scholar of West Cork History. This blog post was inspired by that talk – thank you, Fr Hickey!

Inside the church, showing the ogival windows, the altar, piscina or stoup…

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1826, United Parishes of Durrus and Muintervara, The Rev,. Richard Quinn P.P. begs leave to offer his most Respectful Thanks to to the Right Reverend Dr. Murphy, Lord Carbery, and the undermentioned Ladies and Gentlemen by which he has been enable to nearly complete two churches in the United Parishes. Right Rev. Dr. Murphy £10, Lord Carbery £3.3, Mrs. Baldwin £10, Mrs. O’Donovan, O’Donovan’s Cove £40, Rev Alcock, £2, R. Evanson Esq., Four Mile Water, £1, D Macguillcuddy Esq., £3, Dr O’Donovan, O’Donovan Cove, £5, William Wise Esq., £2, Charles Evanson, Esq £2.2, William Beamish, Esq., £5.5, Jeremiah Murphy, Esq., £10, James Murphy Esq., £3.3 Daniel Murphy Esq., £1, Nicholas Murphy Esq., £1.10, John Murphy Esq., £1 Alexander O’Driscoll. Esq., Clover Hill, £2.2, T O’Donovan, Glanlough Cottage, £5, T O’Donovan, Esq., £5, Rossquinough Richard O’Donovan Esq., O’Donovan’s Cove, £3, Captain O’Donovan, Killbrinogue £1.1 Richard Levins (Levis) Esq., £1.1i Timothy Sullivan, Esq., Bantry £2

West Cork History

1826, United Parishes of Durrus and Muintervara, The Rev,. Richard Quinn P.P. begs leave to offer his most Respectful Thanks to to the Right Reverend Dr. Murphy, Lord Carbery, and the undermentioned Ladies and Gentlemen by which he has been enable to nearly complete two churches in the United Parishes. Right Rev. Dr. Murphy £10, (Bishop of Cork)
Lord Carbery £3.3,(Landlord, Ballycomane),
Mrs. Baldwin £10,
Mrs. O’Donovan, O’Donovan’s Cove £40, (Landlord)
Rev Alcock, £2, (Vicar)
R. Evanson Esq., Four Mile Water, £1, (Landlord)
D Macguillcuddy Esq., £3,
Dr O’Donovan, O’Donovan Cove, £5,(Doctor probably author of History of Carbery)
William Wise Esq., £2, (Possibly Cork Distilling Family)
Charles Evanson, Esq £2.2,
William Beamish, Esq., £5.5,
Jeremiah Murphy, Esq., £10,
James Murphy Esq., £3.3
Daniel Murphy Esq., £1,
Nicholas Murphy Esq., £1.10,
John Murphy Esq., £1
Alexander O’Driscoll. Esq., Clover Hill, £2.2, (Probably Middleman on Mizen)
T O’Donovan, Glanlough Cottage, £5, (Landlord)

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Dr. John O’Donovan, The O’Daly Family (Bards Muintervara) 1852, Extract

West Cork History

Original Book Cornell University, New York

Prom the Genealogical Table given at p. 4, it is clear that
Cuchonnacht na Sgoile O'Daly, who died at Clonard, in 1139,
was the first man of the O'Dalys who was celebrated for his
learning. Prom his period forward poetry became a profession
in the family, and the Corca-Adaim sent forth poetical
professors to various parts of Ireland. About the middle of
the twelfth century Eaghnall O'Daly settled in Desmond, and
became chief professor of poetry to Mac Carthy, king of Des-
mond. Prom him, no doubt, the O'Dalys of Muintir-Bhaire, in the south-west of the County of Cork, are descended ; but their pedigree has not been preserved by the O'Clery's or Mac Pirbises, and it is to be feared that it is irrecoverably lost. Dr. O'Brien, indeed, asserts in his Irish Dictionary (voce dala), that the O'Dalys of Munster are descended from…

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Evanson Family and Estates, Durrus

West Cork History

Gearhameen, originally McCarthy Castle then Durrus Court c 1740:

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Gearhameen,+Co.+Cork/@51.6261045,-9.5602202,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48459e28b250bf55:0x4d51dc58ca16170f

Ardgoeena from c 1740 still there in ownership of Gallagher family:

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Ardogeena,+Co.+Cork/@51.6122037,-9.5242018,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x48459fb8f9c0f5c7:0x7554b4a819007bca

Friendly Cove/Murreagh probably from c1790:

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Murreagh,+Co.+Cork/@51.6143184,-9.5429485,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x48459fcb224cb7e3:0x5f4e5fce7b3b237d

There were two large crypts at the sea ward side of St. James Church of the Evanson until a cemetery clearance in the 1930s. The family in England had paid for their maintenance from the late 19th century and when after WW2 they discovered the loss of the tombs with all their detail they were most upset.

Branches of the family were sugar planters and slave owners in Barbados. They expanded into Bandon and Cork whee one was Mayor. It is difficult to distinguish whether at time the were based in both Bandon and Durrus the house name ‘Brookfield’ may be either Durrus Court or a Bandon House.

Evansons

Dive Downe’s was the bishop of Cork and Ross and in 1700 toured…

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Parliamentary Commission on Law and Practise In Respect of the occupation of land in Ireland Evidence taken at Bantry, Bandon, KInsale, Bandon, 1844 re Land, Michael Murphy, Donemark, Farmer and Miller, 200 years under Lord Kenmare, William O’Sullivan Esq., his son training to be Barrister, Dublin, Carriganass Castle, has 500-600 acres, in youth put out of family lands by Lord Kenmare, John Collins Gent., Farmer, Oldcourt, Skibbereen, Labourers Wages 6d to 8d a day, Patrick Tobin, Gortavallig, No Oppression on Estate of Lord Bantry, Allegations of Bribery against Denis Sullivan, Driver to Christopher Gallwey, Agent to Lord Kenmare, James McCarthy, Middleman, Goleen, Difficulty of Eliminating Middle men due to Complex Marriage settlements, Large Middleman Rev AlLeyn Evanson Durrus, Timothy O’Donovan, O’Donovan’s Cove holding from Mr. Congreve, Waterford and Lord Riversdale.

West Cork History

Parliamentary Commission on Law and Practise In Respect of the occupation of land in Ireland Evidence taken at Bantry, Bandon, KInsale, Bandon, 1844 re Land, Michael Murphy, Donemark, Farmer and Miller, 200 years under Lord Kenmare, William O’Sullivan Esq., his son training to be Barrister, Dublin, Carriganass Castle, has 500-600 acres, in youth put out of family lands by Lord Kenmare, John Collins Gent., Farmer, Oldcourt, Skibbereen, Labourers Wages 6d to 8d a day, Patrick Tobin, Gortavallig, No Oppression on Estate of Lord Bantry, Allegations of Bribery against Denis Sullivan, Driver to Christopher Gallwey, Agent to Lord Kenmare, James McCarthy, Middleman, Goleen, Difficulty of Eliminating Middle men due to Complex Marriage settlements, Large Middleman Rev AlLeyn Evanson Durrus, Timothy O’Donovan, O’Donovan’s Cove holding from Mr. Congreve, Waterford and Lord Riversdale.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@51.6808918,-9.4486028,11z

Michael Murphy, Donemark, Farmer and Miller, 200 years under Lord Kenmare, William O’Sullivan Esq., his son training to be…

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The Tobins of Kilcrohane, West Cork, the Seven Sisters of Gloun early 19th Century and John F Kennedy Connection, 1740s Lease of Donemark Mills, 1820s Lease of Part of Whiddy Island, ‘King’ Tobin and Lord Bantry.

West Cork History

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Letter+Lower,+Co.+Cork/@51.5628999,-9.7606008,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x484583af7861609f:0x51bba18059bc3c3b

The Tobins of Kilcrohane, West Cork, the Seven Sisters of Gloun early 19th Century and John F Kennedy Connection, 1740s Lease of Donemark Mills, 1820s Lease of Part of Whiddy Island, ‘King’ Tobin and Lord Bantry.

In the surramen distribution post 1845 in the Registration districts:

http://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/civil-perform-search.jsp?namefm=&namel=tobin&location=&yyfrom=&yyto=&type=B&submit=Search

The name is clearly based in the West Waterford, South Tipperary and South Kilkenny areas. There are outliers in Clonakilty and Bantry. The Bantry ones are most likely based in Kilcrohane or people who were originally based there.

There are long standing links between Waterford and Kilcrohane. In the 1780s ledgers of the Cathedral of St.Finbarrs of Cork there are townland of Kilcrohane listed. This probably arises from the Norman Monastery of St. Catherines? of Waterford having an interest which later transferred to the Earl of Cork.

In family lore the seven Tobin sisters were from Gloun in the farm currently farmed…

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Light Station on Fort in Townland of Rooska West, within Two Chains of the Seashore, Overlooking Bantry Bay, from 1841 Orthography by Ordnance Survey.

West Cork History

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Rooska+West,+Co.+Cork/@51.6494923,-9.5463847,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x48457573e84b9b47:0xfb22e18bb8d9ea03

Light Station on Fort in Townland of Rooska West, within Two Chains of the Seashore, Overlooking Bantry Bay, from 1841 Orthography by Ordnance Survey.  Reference B 628 MFP  1/047

Rounds, Holy Wells, at Rooska, Moulivard and Father Bernane from 1938 School Folklore Collection, Carrigboy National School, Durrus, West Cork.

http://durrushistory.com/2014/06/25/progress-of-island-and-coast-society-proselytising-education-activities-in-west-cork-1853-bere-island-capaneel-muintervarra-doonore-roskeera-rooska-geahies-dunmanus-bay-then-irish-speaking/

1741 Deed of contemplated Marriage Rooska, Barony of Bantry and Bere, West Cork, names mentioned Varian, Vickery, Baker, Denis, Ferguson, Daly, Croston. 1790 Vickery/Warner Marriage.

http://durrushistory.com/2015/02/28/pishogs-christian-taboos-old-cures-holy-wells-from-sherkin/

19th Century Mines and Quarries, Rossmore and Friendly Cove Slate Quarries, Durrus, Copper Clonee, Scart, Bantry Barytes, Rooska and Killoveenogue Silver and Lead Mine, West Cork

http://durrushistory.com/2015/01/10/mr-john-wiseman-rooska-bantry-west-cork-cosen-april-1926-to-represent-ireland-at-the-international-fiddling-competition-at-lewiston-maine-usa-by-the-ancient-order-of-hibernians-of-america-th/

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Centenary of Carrigboy (Durrus, formerly Four Mile Water) National School, 1915-2015.

West Cork History

Centenary of Carrigboy (Durrus, formerly Four Mile Water) National School, 1915-2015.

The appendix of the book contains a listing of pupils from 1915 to 2014, by Register Roll Number, name, townland.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Durrus-National-School/130239756998979

In earlier times a Bardic School existed in Kilcrohane which was famous throughout Ireland.  This catered for elite, giving training in poetry, genealogy and law.  It is not clear what was the extent of the education provided to ordinary children.  Under English rule, state policy was anglicisation and protestantism which were enforced by the Penal Laws.  The relevant Act of William III of 1695 said that no person whatsoever of the popish religion shall publicly teach school or instruct youth in learning. This was clearly disregarded as is  evident by the records. The Church of Ireland was given statutory responsibility to provide elementary parish schools however the limited efforts in this regard were linked to prosyletisation.

In 1824…

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Bandon Estate Rentals 1854-8, 1874-7, part Durrus, Caheragh, Mizen, West Cork and the Evanson, Dukelow and Jeremy (Jeremiah) Coghlan/Coughlan (Ó Cochláin) family of Carrigmanus Mizen

West Cork History

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Durrus,+Co.+Cork/@51.6217107,-9.521993,11z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48459fe7ccd270df:0x231e3744ac95441a

The predecessor of the Cork Archives acquired the papers of the former firm of Wheeler Doherty, Bandon, Solicitors and Land Agents to the estate of the Earl of Bandon in 1971.  It is an enormous collection and part was recently archived the inventory runs to over 70 pages.

The Bandon Estate was somewhat unusual insofar as it was not acquired by conquest but on the earnings of Francis Bernard as a barrister in Dublin in the early 18th century and added to later by judicious marriages and purchase.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bernard_(lawyer)

Reading the inventory it is possible to look at the estate as a commercial concern, the rents paid by the tenants supported a large organization employing many in Bandon in Castle Bernard.  At its height the estate ran to over 40,000 acres mainly in Co. Cork but  in Dublin and other parts of the country.  It was managed professionally from…

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