https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Skibbereen,+Co.+Cork/@51.5559239,-9.2621303,12z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4845a5b8ee671cad:0x28dab316351c3ffb

Taken from a dark microfilm quality poor. Skibbereen Eagle, National Library

Meeting of Directors of West Cork Railway (Henry Winthrop O’Donovan (The O’Donovan), JP Chairman, James Hutchinson Swanton, JP, DL. McCarthy Downing, Solicitor) with Robert Peel re bringing Railway to Skibbereen, November 1861, Guarantees sought from major Landowners.

O’Donovan is ‘The O’Donovan’ the head of the Clan.  He is from the Protestant branch of the family and not all members accepted that line’s entitlement to the title.

Swanton is the miller and businessman from Rineen.  The extended Swantons family emanating from Ballydehob was a  major business family and mainly Methodist.

McCarthy Downing was from Kerry, he became the most prominent Lawyer in the area and MP, at one point it was mooted that he would go to the House of Lords in London, England.  A major purchaser of Estates before the Landed Estates Court owning over 7,000 acres.  Major figure in Famine Relief.  Son succeeded in legal practice.

On the railway guarantee the Bandon Estate rent books from 1885 in the Durrus area make a provision on the rents for railway guarantee.

https://durrushistory.com/2012/01/29/map-cork-bandon-and-south-coast-railway-c1900/https://durrushistory.com/2014/08/24/railways-pre-1961-schull-ballydehob-creagh-skibbereen-west-cork/

https://durrushistory.com/2014/02/09/successful-action-in-compelling-the-fat-of-the-attorney-general-in-action-to-injunct-the-closure-of-west-cork-railway-system-march-1961-untimely-unsuccessful-as-it-was-permitted-under-transport-act-of/