Flax and Linen Development Dunmanway, Bantry, Flax Ponds Durrus District.

 

https://durrushistory.com/2016/06/01/a-glimpse-of-the-18th-and-early-19th-century-linenflax-industry-in-durrus-and-schull-west-cork-from-the-lost-census-of-1766-1821-1841-1851-with-names-cole-croston-webb-whitley-johnson-183/

 

https://durrushistory.com/2016/02/27/munster-flax-society-visit-to-bantry-farms-1860-prizes-james-philips-james-vickery-ballycomane-charles-dukelow-best-dairy-coomkeen-improvements-on-bandon-estate-durrus-1869-praise-from-charle-2/

Flax Pond Brahalish

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Durrus,+Co.+Cork/@51.6247782,-9.5872759,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x48459fe7ccd270df:0x231e3744ac95441a!8m2!3d51.6217112!4d-9.521993

Development of Dunmanway

1822, Application for Spinning School, Bantry

 

Bantry Pigot’s Directory 1824

The linen trade, though in its infancy, is rapidly increasing, and cannot fail of having a most beneficial tendency, in ameliorating the condition of the poor

O’Connell John, linen draper, North St. Bantry

Vickery John linen draper, Main-st

Young Richard. inspector  of linens, Main St.

Bantry, Lewis 1837

Previously to the withdrawing of the protecting duties, the manufacture of coarse linen and cotton began to thrive here and afforded employment to several hundred persons; these linens, here called “Vitries,” were striped pieces chiefly used for bagging; and the sales frequently exceeded £4000 per annum.Flax Ponds:

Ballycomane:  abutting Durrus River on Sam Attridge farm.  Western end on O’Neill farm known as …

Probably at least on on Vickery (Now O’Sullivan) farm.

Brahalish: One almost on road on Joe Shannon’s farm. One almost gone in bushes on David Shannon (Eastern) farm.

Gearhameen, now gone of Attridge farm relatively recent probably 1940s.

KIlcrohane:  in lake (Which one?)

World War 2

There was a flax mill in Ballineen where Shorten’s Garage is now.  In the Durrus District Denis John L. O’Sullivan and his brother-in law Gerald McCarthy grew flax in Crottees on land rented from Mrs ‘Patie’ O’Sullivan in Crottees she lived in Bantry.  It is still known as ‘The Pit Field’. Benny Dukelow now owns the farm. There was a flax pond there abutting the Coomkeen river.

Jehr ‘Pad’ Moynihan, Coomkeen, grew flax and had a pond south just before the turn to Jeffa Bates bridge.

Gerard McCarthy and Jack Crowley Ahagouna, grew flax at Ahagouna and in Coolculaghta on Gerard’s farm.  This holding is now owned by Fintan Lupton.

Crowley farm Ahagouna by river

Brahalish on Joe Shannon’s land

Brahalish on David Shannon (Eastern)

Ballycomane at river on Sam Attridges farm

Ballycomane, on Gerry O’Neill’s farm to the north of grid entrance now forested

Ballycomae, south of O’Neill farm between main road

Ballycomane:  abutting Durrus River on Sam Attridge farm.  Western end on O’Neill farm known as …  

Probably at least on on Vickery (Now O’Sullivan) farm.

Clonee

Gearhameen, now gone of Attridge farm relatively recent probably 1940s.

Kilcrohane:  in lake (Which one?)
The flax would be pulled by hand and retted in the pond for 9 days, on the 10th day it was taken up, a dirty job involving the operative taking off his trousers and going into the mud.  There was a sever stench.

Prices were good when the flax was received at Ballineen, Jacky Cronin’s lorry would transport it for inspection by the buyer which was for the Northern Ireland market.

…