The Cullinanes in particular those of Bantry and Skibbereen were probably of old Gaelic stock with an infusion of Protestant Swanton blood.  In the earlier references it is not possible to say if this is the Cullinane family due to the variety of spelling variation of Irish names to English.

In the Baronies of the Carberies and  Bantry and Bere from the mid 18th century emerged a class of Catholic and Protestant of business families with no connection to the local Landlords or their agents.  Through acute business acumen they prospered in a bleak landscape.  The Catholic ones from the early 19th century were actively engaged in politics, anti tithe agitation, Rereal, Fenian Activity, the Land League,  the Irish Parliamentary party ultimately culminating in independence for the greater part of the Island of Ireland in 1922.

There is little memory now of the Cullinanes; it seems the relations are those of Australia descendants of Jeremaih Cullinane, forced as a political exile to flee his native land from British oppression.  He and his family prospered in Australia.

What is contained here is largely newspaper snippets in which it throws light on many aspects of local circumstance such as the emergence of the Catholic Church, political activism than the Cullinanes a s power brokers and their involvement in local administration.  They and their allies deposed the Earl of Bantry and his agent the Pauynes as local overlords from the late 19th century.

There are ironies here in 1889 in Mr. Culinane in Bantry places his yacht at the disposal of the distinguished (unidentified) visitor.  This visitor was of considerable interest to the authorities  of Dublin Castle and he was tailed by the RIC.  It shows the wealth of the Cullinanes.   Similarly supported the  Land League and they were also Landlords.

The Cullinanes were part of ‘The Bantry Gang’  Often used as a term of decision comprising a network of individuals and families from or with associations from the greater Bantry area.  Tim Healy’s position was not helped by constant derision in the works of James Joyce for his perceived part in the downfall of Charles Stewart Parnell  The Cullinanes were related by marriage and  close to William Martin Murphy.  Perhaps one of Ireland’s greatest businessmen.  He had the misfortune to be in charge of the employer federation during the infamous 1913 lockout. Since then a cottage industry has grown up to discredit him.

Click:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dDNUgc3EJbOKX1v_kIkfqWEk9OQdyEwTrqlLosJC_-4/edit?pli=1

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The Cullinanes of Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Bantry, Gympie, Queensland, Australia. Jeremiah and Patrick Cullinane Associates of Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa.

Introduction, p, 7

Australian Cousins, p, 8

Swanton ancestry, p. 11

Cullinane Magistrates, p., 11

]1895 dearth Charles Cullinane, Bantry, p.12

1900 Death J. Cullinane Bantry, p. 13

1935 funeral of JOhn G.Cullinane, Clonakilty, p. 15

1414.  Treatise on Medicine translated by John O’Cullinane physician to Donal McCarthy Reagh and his tutor Pierce Ó h-Uallacháin, begun at Kilbrittain Castle 1414., 

1560s.  Fiants of Queen Elizabeth 1 of England with West Cork References Multiple Pardons (McCarthys. O’Driscolls/Crowleys/O’Crowleys/Dalys/O’Mahonys/O’Cullanes/Collins for ‘Rebels’. The format of the surnames is different to that now used.  Might be Cullinane.p.19

1585.  Earliest representation of West Cork person, 1585, Catherine Cullinane, Ballynacarriga (Townland of the Stones) Castle, Dunmanway., p.19

Kinsale (St. Multose) Register 1692, p.19

1691  Convert Rolls, p.19

Dorothy Callanan 1752 Creagh Ross Dr Casey has a Dorothy Cullinane marrying Daniel Pearse 1752 name different but more associated with Creagh then Callanan, p.19

Margarett Holmes Will 1732 and other wills, p.19

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1414.  Treatise on Medicine translated by John O’Cullinane physician to Donal McCarthy Reagh and his tutor Pierce Ó h-Uallacháin, begun at Kilbrittain Castle 1414., p.13

1560s.  Fiants of Queen Elizabeth 1 of England with West Cork References Multiple Pardons (McCarthys. O’Driscolls/Crowleys/O’Crowleys/Dalys/O’Mahonys/O’Cullanes/Collins for ‘Rebels’. The format of the surnames is different to that now used.  Might be Cullinane.  p.13

1585.  Earliest representation of West Cork person, 1585, Catherine Cullinane, Ballynacarriga (Townland of the Stones) Castle, Dunmanway., p, 13

Kinsale (St. Multose) Register 1692, p. 13

1691  Convert Rolls

Dorothy Callanan 1752 Creagh Ross Dr Casey has a Dorothy Cullinane marrying Daniel Pearse 1752 name different but more associated with Creagh then Callanan, p. 13

Margarett Holmes Will 1732, p. 13

1744 Denis O’Cullane aged 24 Drimoleague claim to ancient properties in East Carbery, p. 15

1761 Cork Cullinane, p. 18

1783.  Hamilton White, Esq., Bantry lease, p. 18

Irish Flax Growers, 1796, p. 19

Tobin weddings, p. 19

1825 Myross Select Vestry, p., 25

1829 – Kilmacanogue Tithe Applotment (Partial) Index, p. 20

Bantry Anti-Tithe meeting October  1832., p., 20

1835 Bantry Catholic Rent. listed in order of amount., p.21

1842 Jeremiah Culliane, Skibbereen, an old extensive trader, p. 23