1868. Election Committee of McCarthy Downing, Solicitor and landlord, Skibbereen, West Cork . He was a very influential figure in West Cork mid 19th century. It was reported that he was angling to be elevated to the House of Lords. A major purchased of distressed estates post famine.
His committee at it s nucleus contains manu active in anti tithe agitation, O’Connell politics , Repeal. As well there a number of Protestant neighbours, Doctors and business people with a very strong clerical element.
McCarthy Downing, of Prospect House, Skibbereen, owned over 3400 acres in county Cork at the same time.
| Died 1879 | McCarthy Downing Esq | Solicitor, MP | Prospect House, Skibbereen. Subscriber (5 copies) Dr. Daniel Donovan ‘History of Carbery, 1876. | Probate to Rev. Charles Davis, Rosscarberry and Francis Joseph McCarthy, Queenstown Esq two of the Universal Legtees | Effect under £9,000 | Landed estate sale of Becher Estate sons, Charles Edward b 1845, Francis Henry named as life in a number of leases b 1846 |
https://durrushistory.com/2016/02/26/estimonial-of-john-ohea-esq-died-clonakilty-co-cork-1847/
Magistrates on Committee:
Westropp D(awson?) Alleyn, 1860, Ballyvackey, Clonakilty, Non-Resident. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Dr. Phillip A. Armstrong, M.D., Castletownbere, listed 1875-6. Regarded as popular and hard working. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Francis Robert Bailey, Ringview, Passage West, Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
John Edward Barrett, 1856, Carriganass Castle, Bantry, Resident, £279, sitting Bantry 1862, related to O’Sullivans of Beara who previously occupied Castle. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868. Assisted in getting piers built Muintervara 1888. James Gilhooly MP alleged he was sitting in Skibbereen Quarter Sessions 1887 outside his district.
James Redmond Barry, -1879), Pre 1820, Glandore and 11 Great Denmark St., Dublin, Fishery Commissioner advocate of fishery development in West Cork, Improving Landlord, Petitioned House of Lords to Vote 1821 as Representative of dormant title of Viscount Buttevant from 1405. Involved with Richard Townsend, Castletownsend and Thomas Somerville, Drishane in setting up Agricultural and Country Bank in Skibbereen, April 1835Subscriber Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837. Attended Reformers Dinner Bandon 1839 for Daniel O’Connell, MP, 1870, Dublin, 439 acres. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868. Son Captain FitzJames Barry, J.P., grandson Richard Fitzwilliam Barry, JP, solicitor, Clerk of the Crown, King’s County, listed 1885-6. Left £1,500.Subscriber memorial John O’Hea JP, Clonakilty, 1847. Member as James , Bandon, Commission on Magistrates 1838
John Richard Hedges Becher, Esq., (1826-1901), Esq., 1891, Lough Ine, Skibbereen, brother Rev. J.R.H. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Edmund Burke D.L., 1864, Lota Park, Glanmire, Cork, Resident, £90. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, subscriber Cusack’s Cork History 1875.
Daniel Cronin-Coltsmann DL, Glenflesk Castle, Killarney, Catholic? Also JP, Co. Kerry Co. Kerry son Daniel JP, Glenflesk Castle. Member Election Committee, Alexander McCarthy, 1855, voted 1850 for Denis Galwey as High Constable for Ibane and Ballyroe (Clonakilty), subscriber 1861 to Smith’s History of Cork. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868. 1870, 4,478 acres.
William G. B. Creagh, Creagh Castle, Doneraile, listed 1838, sitting Blarney, Subscriber Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868. Ballygarrett, Mallow, 1870, listed 1,124 acres.
Thomas Hinton Gallwey, 1864, Glenburne, Glanmire, Resident, £90, listed 1875-6. 1870, listed 282 acres. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
James Harding, 1857, Glenlough Lodge, Coachford, Resident, £555, Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Henry Hassett Esq., Died 1870, Woodlands, Bandon. Chairing Bandon 1869, Member Election Committee, Rickard Deasy, Clonakilty (later Attorney General) 1855. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868. Executors Margaret and John Hassett.
John Hassett, Forest, Macroom. Extensive land owner. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
James L. Holmes, Carrickmore, patron Skibbereen Masonic Concert, 1862. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Arthur Hutchins, 1855, Ballylickey, Bantry, Resident, £60, Attending Railway meeting Drimoleague 1856, subscriber Dr. Daniel Donovan ‘History of Carbery’, 1876. Arthur listed 1843 at Reendonegan, Bantry. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Robert Lambkin, Feltrim, Blackrock, 1865 Director of South of Ireland Fishing Co. Ltd with William Shaw, Beaumont and Nicholas Murphy, MP, company had 16 vessels. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
James Shine Lawlor, Castlelough, Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Captain Thomas Leonard Leader, 1865, Ashgrove House, Macroom, Non-Resident, Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Denis McCarthy, Rathroe, Millstreet, l Denis married Mary Ann Deasy the youngest daughter of Richard Deasy, Clonakilty on 14 July 1836 and they had eleven children (13). Mary Ann was the sister of Rt. Hon Richard Morgan Deasy M.P for Cork between 1855 and 1861 and he also held the position of Attorney General of Ireland in 1862. Denis was actively involved in the political issues of the day. He was Chairman of the local Millstreet Repeal movement in 1844. He was a member of the Finance Committee of the Cork Tenant League, a member of the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland, a member of the Kanturk Board of Guardians and later the Millstreet Board of Guardians. He served as Justice of the Peace and treasurer of the Cullen Relief Committee. He was a great supporter of Daniel O’Connell, Richard Deasy and Alexander McCarthy in their campaigns to be elected M.Ps. Denis and his family left Rathroe House in the early 1860’s and went to live in Dublin. He resided at No 4. Ely Place Upper for a brief period, the current address for the law firm of former Deputy Alan Shatter. This was also the address for a period of time for Henry Chinnery Justice (d. 1859) who is buried in St Anna’s Church of Ireland graveyard Millstreet. Listed 1854. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
John McCarthy, Rathduane, subscriber 1861 to Smith’s History of Cork. John married Anne Harding of Firville, Macroom the daughter of Philip Harding on 21 February 1852 and they had six children. John McCarthy J.P. and D.L. went to reside at Rathduane House after the death of his brother Eugene in 1853. He allowed the railway company to pass though his lands, converted workmen’s houses to create a chapel in Rathduane and in 1869 built the local school (14). But eventually in 1874 he found himself in the Landed Estate Court. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen.
John McSwiney, Macroom, Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Richard Henry Notter, 1857, Lissacaha House, Lowertown, Schull, Resident, £16, sitting Bantry Quarter Sessions, 1862 (listed as R.J.), Ballydehob road presentments 1863. subscriber Dr. Daniel Donovan ‘History of Carbery, 1876. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Cornelius O’Brien M.P. Esq., Pre 1830, Milcor, sitting Rathcormac, 1835, 1835 Subscriber Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837, listed 1838. Possible member listed as ‘C.W.’ Rathcoursey election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Thomas O’Brien, 1861, Mount Eagle, Kildorrery, Usually Resident, £177. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Timothy O’Donovan (1790–1874), 1818, O’Donovan’s Cove, in ruins 1875, Durrus, listed 1838 , son Richard Esq. and Jane d Alexander O’Donovan, Squince. Correspondent with Antiquarian Dr. John O’Donovan re O’Donovans of Carbery. Brother of Dr O’Donovan and Richard O’Donovan JP and uncle of Richard O’Donovan JP. 835 Subscriber Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837. Landlord and political organiser. Member Election Committee, Rickard Deasy, Clonakilty (later Attorney General) 1855 Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen. Land record, 1870, Kate O’Donovan, O’Donovan’s Cove, 1,940 acres and Reps Timothy O’Donovan 1,940 acres. Probate to daughter Mrs Anne Barry, widow, effects £2,000.
Richard O’Donovan 1818, Fort Lodge, Durrus listed 1838 , son Richard Esq. O’Donovan Cove, and Jane d Alexander O’Donovan, Squince. Father of Richard O’Donovan JP History Brother of Timothy and Dr. Daniel O’Donovan JP He married Maria O’Sullivan on the 15th October 1833, her father was Murty Og, of Ceimatringane House, Castletownbere. She died at Fort Lodge, aged 52, voted 1850 for Denis Galwey as High Constable for Ibane and Ballyroe (Clonakilty). Land record, in Chancery as ‘Donovan’ 1870, 205 acres. Land record, Carrigboy,1870, 193 acres. Member election at Ahakista committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Patrick O’Flynn, Parish Priest Muintervara (Durrus) check not PP, Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Daniel O’Sullivan Esq., Sydney Place, Cork, Committee, Alexander McCarthy, 1855, returned as Sheriff for Cork City, 1863. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, as ‘ex-JP’ Skibbereen, 1868.
John O’Sullivan, Sidney Place, Cork, Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
John Warren Payne, Bantry, Agent Lord Bantry. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Dr. Maurice Power, (1811-1870) M.D., listed 1838, born Deelish, Skibbereen, 4th son of Andrew Power, Ed Stonyhurst College. Nephew of Father John Power, PP, Kilmacabea reputed to have miracles attributed to him Travelled to USA where his brothers were prominent in New York m Catherine Livingston in 1832 her father Judge Henry Brockholst Livingston. On return to Ireland involved in Repeal politics, appointed Magistrate sat Clonakilty 1843 resigned when a fellow magistrate dismissed by Lord Chancellor for attending political meeting.He was re appointed in 186 and sat in Cobh. MP Cork 1847-1852. Appointed Lieutenant-Governor St.Lucia resigned moved to Germany back to Cork 1860s Bought Ringacoltig House and grounds. Through his wife be became a significant property owner in New York and owned 2,000 acres in Cork. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868. Buried Rosscarbery family plot
Edmund Burke Roche (1815-1874), M.P. Cork 1837-1855, D.L., Created Lord Fermoy 1855. Lord Lieutenant Co. Cork 1856-74. Liberal MP Marylebone 1859-65. Married Elizabeth Thursby 1848. Report on 1850 dinner for Sir Robert Kane, President Queens College, supported tenant’s rights, Belgooly, 1850. Member as Colonel E. Roche, election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Captain Thomas Somerville (1818-1891), The Prairie, Schull, subscriber Dr. Daniel Donovan ‘History of Carbery, 1876. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868. Poor Law Guardian, Skibbereen 1884. James Gilhooly MP alleged he was sitting in Skibbereen Quarter Sessions 1887 outside his district, he may have been living at Durrus Court at that stage. Probate died at Beach Bantry, 1891 to wife Millicent Hart M.E., (Evans relation?) Ardrala, Newcourt, Skibbereen she died aged 63, 1898, £568. Widow’s probate to Robert Symms, Skibbereen, £970, Plaque in St. Brendan’s Church, Bantry put up by three daughters.
Captain Spenser Stewart, 1857, Elm Vale/Springfort Hall, Mallow, Resident, £162, listed 1875-6. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
John Henry Townsend, Dunbeacon, Durrus, Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868.
Samuel Nugent Townsend, St. Keames,
John Henry Townsend, Dunbeacon, Durrus.
Dr. Bartholomew W. Verling (1803-1893), M.D., 1856, Springfield Lodge (Oxclose), Newmarket, Kanturk, Resident, £6, Catholic, sitting Cobh 1850, son of Edward and Anne nee Ronayne. M 1. Mary d Thomas Walsh of Youghal she died aged 30, 2.Sabina d Walter hervey Kavanagh, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny. 1835 Subscriber Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837. Executor James Verling, Queenstown, Inspector of Hospitals Ordnance Medical Department, at soiree for John O’Connell, M.M. 1850, listed 1885, subscriber 1861 to Smith’s History of Cork. Voted for Leader 1865 election. Member election committee McCarthy Downing, Skibbereen, 1868. Owned 110 acres Co. Cork and post Griffith 1883 Co. Limerick. Newmarket Graveyard: HERE LIETH THE REMAINS OF BARTHOLOMEW VERLING HE DIEd AT OXCLOSE JULY 20TH 1865 AGED 12 YRS ALSO ARABELLA VERLING SHE DIED AT QUEENSTOWN DEC’R 4TH AGED 19 YRS THEY WERE THE CHILDREN OF BATHOLOMEW VERLING ESQR OF OXCLOSE AND HIS WIFE SABINA KAVANAGH GRAND-DAUGHTER OF MORGAN KAVANAGH OF THE ANCIENT HOUSE OF BORRIS BY HIS WIFE LADY FRANCES BUTLER SISTER TO JOHN THE 16TH EARL OF ORMOND Probate £1,792 described as retired surgeon Royal Navy, executor son from 2nd marriage, Walter Kavanagh Verling, surgeon.
West Cork History 
Pingback: September 1868 in View of the Coming Election a Conference of the Catholic Dioceses of Ross Held Presided over by Bishop, and Deanery at Bantry. The Unanimous Choice was that of McCarthy Downing for Selection as MP. Following Parishes represented, Durrus,