The Late Father Coombes wrote of the importance of the early potato crop in the Clonakilty district and of the trade in potatoes going to Cork by boat.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qEWcoQlOMUYoodZ7rDhGa15aznhanSpKfGddsjiiOiU/edit

1843-1844. Alexander O’Driscoll Landlord, Magistrate, Skibbereen, In trouble Again before the Lord Chancellor, He Had 40 Men Dig the Potatoes Of a Defaulting Tenant, while there cattle from a neighbouring farm strayed and were seized by his Drivers, Another Incident of Whipping a Boy on the Hunt. Maintains a Local Vendetta Against Him. Charges Concocted by a certain class of Individuals named ‘The Arbitration Committee of the Repeal Association’ consisting of A Dealer of Tapes and Small Cottons, A Village Schoolmaster, A Ci-Devant Village Saddler, A former Maker of Felt Hats and A Bankrupt Corn Dealer.

https://durrushistory.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=36225&action=edit

At Bawnlahan, (Bán Leathan/Broad Lea), Skibbereen, West Cork, House of ‘The O’Donovan’, Lieutenant General Richard O’Donovan (1768-1829), Potatoes, Using Grufán 4th February, Planting Earlies ‘American’ 19th February, Main Crop after St. Patrick’s Day, Kidney Potatoes, Brown Fancy, Beldrums, White Eyed Potatoes, 1823′ Apple Potatoes’. Using Sea Sand as Fertilizer

.\https://durrushistory.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=34710&action=edit

 Justice for Sale, Skibbereen Area, West Cork  Evidence of Father Collins, parish Priest,’ I have known Magistrates who had no other visible means of support but the trade they carried on as Magistrates, Receiving Presents to a large amount, having their work done, presents of potatoes, corn and cattle and presents of money too’. Alexander O’Driscoll, ‘Several in That part of the County Called Trading Magistrates,  Who are Understood to Sell Justice to the Party Who Pays them Best’   Perjury at Elections Mr. McCarthy, Magistrate. From the Westminster Review.

https://durrushistory.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=32226&action=edit

1801 Potatoes in Drill

https://durrushistory.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=30882&action=edit

January 1739, Loss of Potato Crop due to Severe Frost, Plea from Cork Corporation to Stop Export of Oats, Chief Support of Poor. 1766. Ordered, that a Memorial be sent to thee Lords Justices, in the name of the Mayor, &c., praying an order of Government to prevent the exportation of all sorts of grain, meal, and potatoes for a limited time,as corn in general has failed this season and a great scarcity dreaded next winter and spring.

https://durrushistory.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=30215&action=edit

Fern Hill was later acquired by the Wright family solicitors, barristers, judges, land agents, landlords.

William Travers Arkin features in an article by Rodney Sullivan and Robin Sullivan, Memorialising Irish Australians in Brisbane, 1872-2017.

Robert Travers Atkin, (1841-1871), born in Fernhill, Clonakilty, the son of William Francis Atkin and his wife Alice Hungerford (née Stewart). In 1863, he emigrated to Queensland, Journalist Member Queensland Assembly. Father of Lord Atkin, Judge 1932 in Landmark Case on Law of Negligence Donoghue v Stevenson. Died of T.B. A monument was erected to his memory by the members of the Hibernian Society of Queensland, of which he was vice-pres. Relative of Thomas Davis. The Wright Brothers of Fernhill, Clonakilty, Lawyers and some Landowners.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/37151

In the 19th century up to 30% of the population of Ireland was Protestant. It is unfortunate that Ireland unlike The Netherlands and Germany was unable to resolve religious difference.

https://www.academia.edu/37737533/Memorialising_Irish_Australians_in_Brisbane_1872_2017

From the early 19th century many members of the West Cork Landlord families settle in Australia the prospects at home being grim.

Dinnseanchas. The Naming of Houses After the Homeplace, Richard Wright, Clonakilty, ‘Carbery’, Glenageary, Methodist Rev. Earnest Donovan, Foronaught, Myross, Sandycove, Dublin, Richard Townsend ‘Dunbeacon’, Horton Australia

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/38363

Joshua Dowe M.D. (1813-1875), Carrigmanus, Goleen to Doctor Huntsville, Australian Coroner, Windsor, extended Family, Australian Connections

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/34988

Click here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jWpOL_m1-4M0OaTCmOyr74T8jvyE0Jlkq4KIuzKRDvA/edit

Eldon Potter, (1836-1906).  A Sterling Irishman’, Skibbereen Eagle, An Eye on the Tsar.   Sir John Gorst, M.P., Royal  Commissioner on Labour,   Aughadown, 1891

Eldon Potter, (1836-1906). businessman, editor and later owner of the paper commonly called the Skibbereen Eagle.  In 1891 he hosted Sir John Gorst in a historic  fact finding mission to West Cork and reported extensively.  There are harrowing descriptions of distress, absolute poverty and hopefulness.  In a sense for the poorer classes the ripple effect of the Famine lingered well into the 1890s with periodic partial crop failure agricultural depression.  It was not confined to just Catholics there  were many poor Protestants  in the districts west of Skibbereen.

Conversely post famine there was significant consolidation of farms holdings,  the commercial development of the towns.  This is a reflection in the rising number of readers of the Skibbereen Eagle and  the range of advertising of goods and services.

Potter was fiercely independent. Perhaps a legacy of his father being a United irishman.  A Patriot in Jonathan Swift’s description as one who grew 2 blades of grass where 1 grew before.  His enormous funeral is a testament to the respect he commanded from all walks of life regardless of politics or religion.

Magistrate, p. 1

Southern Star Centenary 1989 on history of Skibbereen Eagle and Eldon Potter, p. 2-42

Dublin Opinion Cartoon 1849, Dev and Stalin on Keeping an Eye on the Tsar, p. 16

Sir John Eldon Gorst, Conservative Rebel, p. 43

Grave and Funeral p. 44, p. 98-107

Sir John Eldon Gorst, 1891 hosted by Potter visit to West Cork p. 77-87

Commentary on figures mentioned local distress 1891, 87-91

Congested District Board, West Cork Baseline Survey, 1891, p. 91

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12DGQVZCawqHqn-S0obVhQYcFGTnTI_t4YfiEfVJ8Eo0/edit

Magistrate:

Daniel Burke (1861-1906), Bridge St. Lower, Skibbereen, 1901, farmer, family prominent one brother doctor, another barrister mother has Irish.

..

Brother

853-1 James Michael Burke JP Barrister, 1900, TD 1933 Cumann na nGaedheal Bridge St., 8th son of Patrick, brother of Daniel Magistrate.  University School. Skibbereen, Queen’s College, Brook Scholas, author ‘History of the Carberies’.1935 donor to Vincent de Paul. 1932, attending funeral of Michael Harrington, Merchant, Skibbereen.   1905 Funeral of Father O’Hea, Ardfield, Clonakilty.  Member of Blueshirts.   District Council 1914 assentors Timothy Sheehy, J.M. Burke,B.L.  1916 sent a telegram to funeral of Mrs. Mary McCarthy, Clonakilty. 1909 attending the funeral of Dr. William Jennings, J.P.

Brother:

Patrick Joseph Burke, M.B, B.ch, B.A.O.UCC Doctor Noted athlete. Brother, Daniel, farmer, Magistrate, mother , merchant, has Irish brother James W. Barrister “Attending funeral of 1932, Alexander McCarthy, Bishopsland Caheragh former Member Skibbereen Board of  Guardians.  1932, Miss Rebecca Beechinor, formerly Reenroe House, Skibbereen.

Sir John Wrixon Becher, Eton, Oxford, M.A. D.L., (1826 -1914), Descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages, (Northern Uí Neill). Through His Mother Eliza O’Neill.

Miss O’Neill and the Beechers:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CZcXi15W5Dpp9adCg6u8xnGaV2E2KrhOF8WBxudeVcU/edit

Courtesy BBC:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-56216763

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/28450

SKETCHES FROM IRELAND 1847 PROCEEDS FOR STARVING OF CAHERAGH, INCLUDING POEM ‘THE HOLY WELLS’\

\

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

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/22818

Pishógs (Pre-Christian Taboos), Old Cures, Holy Wells from Sherkin Island, West Cork.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/22818

The Bishop of Cork , John Murphy, wrote on the 9th June 1817, to the parish priest of Inchigeela, Macroom, the Reverend. Jeremiah Holland. He imposed the penalty of excommunication on those who attended the Pattern at Gougán.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/18615

The Reverend Alcock, Church of Ireland Minister, Journey in a Gig from Durrus to Gougán Barra, West Cork, 1827, aftermath of Whiteboys 1823 at Keimineagh, attempts to use Irish Testament complaint about futility of Holy Wells unsuccessful attempt to set up Irish school in the area.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/7942

Lough Hyne Holy Wells

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/7692

Devotions to Father Bernane, Moulivard, Durrus, 28th June, Holy Well Visitation at Kil-na-Comoge, Kealkil, Lady’s Day 15th August, Pilgrimage to St. Finbarr, Gougán Barra, West Cork, 25th September.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/6048

Courtesy Southern Star, Centenary Edition 1989

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pMXVMM3LeqTj6Mj7gDY-W-UBdbO3OxmRDRd0uHhv4LM/edit#

This is an extract from Memoirs of James Stanley Vickery, written c 1889 Australia, a good chance the master Healy wa the grandfather of the Healy brothers coming from Donoughmore again likely to be of salem extended family as John Hely Hutchinson Lord Donoughmore

c 1835 Then I was sent to the usual infant school where I presume I learnt something as when about eight a more advanced school was chosen. Unfortunately there was no great choice, the national school then newly established or a private one conducted by a man named Healy. The Irish protestants from the very first were prejudiced against the national system of schools describing them “poor schools”. The result being they were almost from the commencement under the wing of the R.C. priests. Healy the teacher of the small private school was a self taught man attaining as many self-taught men do a fair knowledge of mathematics but seemingly holding in contempt all other branches of learning. He was a little man essentially a tyrant cruel to a degree whose great delight was to make the unfortunate little come trembling and sobbing into his presence. In certain aspects of his character he exceeded any thing depicted by the pen of Dickens. The treatment I received thus early in my life at this man’s hands must have had an ill effect on me throughout life. He was a Roman Catholic but my grandfather insisted that I should learn so many verses of the bible every day. In the repeating of these and other lessons the rod was continually shaking over us and that rod was usually a well seasoned holly one with the sharp points adhering. I had to endure it all silently having no one to complain to. As an instance of his treatment I may relate the following. The school room was a rough one with an open roof, over one of the rafters one day he threw a small rope tied under my arms and then hoisted me up swinging me too and fro at the same time letting me feel the holly rod greatly to the amusement of the other boys. His wife happened to see him at this, to his pleasant, occupation when she rushed in and released me at the same time giving him some of her mind. He was eventually had up before the Magistrates and fined for cruelly treating some other scholars whose friends became aware of the fact.

The Healy brothers father Maurice became Master of the Bantry Workhouse at the age of 20. The person he replaced Spenser ran a guerilla warfare campaign against the Union being a self styled union accountant advising client on how to avoid rates.

Thomas Francis O’Higgins (23 July 1916 – 25 February 2003) was an Irish Fine Gael politician, barrister and judge who served as Chief Justice of Ireland from 1974 to 1985, a Judge of the Supreme Court from 1974 to 1985, a Judge of the European Court of Justice from 1985 to 1991, a Judge of the High Court from 1973 to 1974, Deputy Leader of Fine Gael from 1972 to 1977 and Minister for Health from 1954 to 1957. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1948 to 1969.

His son Kevin, a solicitor, some years ago President of the Law Society of Ireland, his brother a prominent auctioneer South Dublin.

1931 Funeral of Tim Healy, Bantry Born, M.P., Barrister, Governor General of Irish Free State. Genealogy (by John T. Collins 1944) of O’Healys/Healys/Hely from 5th Century, Patron Saint of Family St. Lachtin died 622 AD.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/37834

1885, House of Commons, London, A Lash of Tim Healy’s , MP, Tongue, The Earl of Bantry Off Chasing Kangaroos in Australia instead of Sitting on Cork Lunacy Board and Non Attending Board Member 90 Year old Earl of Mount Cashel.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/20243

Tim Healy Governor General Irish Free State Census Return 1901

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/1370

At the fireplace in the Anchor Hotel Bantry, the Future Governor General Tim Healy (1855-1931) with friends asked as a parting gift that ‘something be done about the path from Adrigole to Lauragh’ now the Healy Pass and Bill O’Donnell’s Memoir ‘The Shortest Way Home.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/17559

1890, Will of Denis Murphy, Builder, Bantry, Builder of Bantry Pier, Father of William Martin Murphy. 1919, William Martin Murphy, Derrymihan, Beara and Dublin, businessman. Estate £250,000. He left a range of businesses with a substantial asset value, including Dublin’s tramway system, hotels in Dublin and Glengariff, Cleary’s Department store, a range of railway shares and various properties including a builders yard in Bantry (which is still in business). He had also invested heavily in the Dublin newspaper industry.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/36675

William Martin Murphy, Magistrate, 1884, The Square, Bantry, and Dartry Rathmines, Dublin, listed 1913.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/18582

A love affair between Samuel Beckett’s father Bill and Eva Murphy frustrated by her father William Martin Murphy

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/28745

Associated with William Martin Murphy was the Chance family who sponsored Noel Browne, (Doctor, Minister for Health in coalition Government 1948-1951, through his medical studies. They had Bantry connection to the 1960s.

Courtesy Southern Star, Skibbereen, 1989 Centenary Supplement:

Photo c 1890 Ballabuidhe Horse Fair and Races, 1614 Charter to Randal Óg Hurley of Fair, Re Randal Óg Hurley it is possible that the Protestant Hurley family of nearly Kilmeen are successors.  They repeatedly use Randal as a Christian name, farmers, teacher and latterly doctors.

The probability is that the horse fair goes back to the dawn of time.. I don’t think the Annals of the Four Masters were into horse fairs.

https://www.ria.ie/library/catalogues/special-collections/medieval-and-early-modern-manuscripts/annals-four-masters

Ballabuidhe Horse Fair

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C2XO0yGIpMPcXX5IkgQkZwJ7LDqLjNSp_xwd6-pUn6k/edit#

1684.  John Bourk, Phylomath, Almanac, With Faires and Markets, of Ireland, 10th April Bandon, August Enniskeane, Timoleague. Dunmanway Fairs.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/35189

 Ballygurteen Fair, Dunmanway

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/33310

 Surrender and Regrant.  Patent of James 1 of England, Court of Pie Powder Reserved to Donnell O’Donovan for Fairs, Ascension Thursday and Townlands Listed from Castledonovan to Castlehaven, Caheragh, Glandore, Squince, Brahalish in Durrus. Manor of Castledonovan Power to Hold Court of Leet and Baron,  Friday Market at Rahine, Tuesday market at Drimoleague.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/33156

 Sale of Lordship of Manor of Dunmanway (Town Charter 1693), The Purchaser will be Entitled as Lord of the Manor, To Hold  a Court of Pie Powder, To Adjudicate at Disputes Arising From Fairs.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/33130

1616. Ancient Bawnlahan, Leap, Fair Day, Ascension Thursday

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/32070

The Manors of Bantry and the Manor of Altham are granted by Charles II, King of Great Britain and Ireland, 1660-85, Chancery Roll of 6 February 1679 to the Earl of Anglesea.

https://wordpress.com/post/durrushistory.com/28803