1934 Debate in Dáil (Irish Parliament) on Flax Bill, Deputy Thomas Hales, Fianna Fáil, Bandon ‘West Cork is isolated. It is no man’s land as far as industries go. It is too far away and too far out of the world. It must be remembered that flax must have a poor soil and that the land that is suitable for the growing of wheat or beet may not be suitable for the growing of flax. Flax does absorb an enormous amount of potash out of the land, but generally, in speaking of poor land, I have seen cliffs where flax can be grown.  Deputy  Timothy Joseph O’Donovan, Fine Gael ‘In times gone by, when an alien Government was here, when there was a slump in the linen trade, they compelled the clergymen, in order to encourage the development of the Irish linen trade, to wear linen surplices and cypresses at funerals and church services generally. That was, at that time, a great incentive to the development of the Irish linen industry, and if our Government were to go on these lines and to do something similar, they would help to bring back one of our oldest and one of our greatest industries, an industry that would give a great deal of employment.

A glimpse of the 18th and early 19th century Linen/Flax Industry in Durrus and Schull, West Cork, from the Lost Census of 1766, 1821, 1841, 1851, with names Cole, Croston, Webb, Whitley, Johnson. 1836 Evidence of Father John Kelleher (Early Statistician) and Reverend Edward John Alcock both Durrus to Poor Laws (Ireland) relating to Spinning in Area.

Flax Growing in West Cork.

1869, Skibbereen, West Cork, Becher Scutching Mill being Extended, for Scutching, Wool Carding, Cutting Furze, Hay, Oats, Wheel for Sale, Drinagh Mill ‘a Little of Repair’ Fine Water Power Suitable for Flax

https://durrushistory.wordpress.com/wp-admin/edit.php?s=flax&post_status=all&post_type=post&action=-1&m=0&cat=0&paged=1&action2=-1

1891, An unfortunate dispute between the local Scutch Mill owners as to the relative claims of Clonakilty, Dunmanway or Ballineen, West Cork to have a flax market was the means of preventing northern buyers attending the Southern markets and Flax growing in Ireland generally.

Flax Growing in West Cork.

Mr. Thomas Hales

(05/03/1892 – 29/04/1966)

Party: Fianna_Fáil (Fianna_Fáil members of the 8th Dáil)
Details

Defeated in the 1937 election.

Mr. Timothy Joseph O’Donovan

(04/04/1881 – 28/06/1957)

Profession: Farmer
Party: Cathaoirleach (Cathaoirleach members of the 6th Seanad)
Details

Defeated in 1944 election
Seanad – Leas-Chathaoirleach 25 October 1944
Seanad – Cathaoirleach 21 April 1948
Seanad – Leas-Chathaoirleach 7 November 1951
Died 1951

 

 

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail1936042200017?opendocument