Barristers Cork
Ken Ferguson Vol 2, Barristers
B 1843-1908 Richard (Dick) Adams Journalist, Barrister Inns 1873, Q.C., 1869.Judge County Court Limerick 1894, Down Born Castletownbere, eldest son Brian Port Surveyor, Customs and Excise mother Frances (Fanny) O’Donovan sister of Doctor O’Donovan, Skibbereen. First cousin of Skibbereen O’Donovan family, Doctor Daniel and his 2 Doctor sons, they are of ‘Island’ branch and once owned town of Ross. 1880 Munster Bar, 20 Mountjoy Square, Dublin. Born Castletownbere, eldest son Brian Port Surveyor, Customs and Excise mother Frances (Fanny) O’Donovan sister of Doctor O’Donovan, Skibbereen. First cousin of Skibbereen O’Donovan family, Doctor Daniel Famine Doctor, his 2 Doctor sons, are of ‘Island’ branch and once owned town of Ross. 1880 Munster Bar, 20 Mountjoy Square, Dublin. Prosecuted Parnell for conspiracy and became Crown prosecutor for Cork. Journalist Cork and Freemans Journal, Defended James Fitzharris in Phoenix Park Murders, noted wit. From James Joyce ‘Ulysses’, ‘Dick Adams (Castletownbere born), the besthearted bloody Corkman the Lord ever put the breath of life in’ Journalist, Barrister, Defender of Parnell, Later County Court Judge Limerick
Ulysses: 7.679-80″ Buried St. Marys, Kensal Rise, London. Obit ILTSJ1908, 89 “Courtesy Ruth Cannon: from the Cork Examiner, 6 April 1908, this loving tribute to one of the Irish Bar’s most famous humorists, Limerick County Court Judge Richard Adams (b-l). Adams got much mileage out of his resemblance to King Edward VII (b-r), who he alleged once messaged him in the spa resort of Homburg requesting they dress differently to avoid confusion.
“Those who knew the late Judge Adams well will find it hardest to believe that he is dead. “Those who knew the late Judge Adams well will find it hardest to believe that he is dead. For with his personality, they associate all that was brightest and most vivifying in life.
“That said, the future judge does not appear to have greatly distinguished himself in his early days. His first professional calling was that of a bank clerk in the National Bank in Cork. He was entrusted with the duty of opening letters containing bank notes in separate halves, a favourite way of sending money in those days, and then gumming the two halves together. But his lack of acumen for bank business was such that he frequently gummed the wrong halves together – a terrible misadventure in any well-organized bank.
Having regard to this, and a general unsuitability for bank life, Richard Adams decided that he had mistaken his vocation. Accordingly, he subsequently got called to the Bar in the Hilary term of 1873. In actions for breach of promise of marriage his services were particularly sought, and it was one of the treats of the Four Courts to hear a speech on that congenial topic from one who was a master of humorous exposition. His admission to the Inner Bar was soon followed by his elevation to the Bench as County Court Judge of Limerick.
While not a profound lawyer, he did not himself at all mind jesting on the subject of his legal knowledge, and would tell how once he came into one of the Dublin Courts after the luncheon interval and heard a well-known solicitor proclaiming from the solicitors’ table to a cluster of minor lights ‘Adams! Oh, he has a fine nisi prius prescendi, but he knows absolutely no law,’ whereupon Adams himself put his genial countenance over the side barrier and said, ‘Look here, that’s slander of me in my business trade and profession, and it is actionable without proof of special damage, so look out for a writ.’ This was of course said with glorious good humour.
Judge Adams loved to go to health resorts on the continent. These sojourns were rendered doubly enjoyable by reason of his resemblance to the present King. ‘When in Homburg,’ he said, ‘the King’s Equerry came up to me and said ‘Mr. Adams, the King commands me to ask you as a personal favour not to be going about in a tall hat and frock coat. It is very embarrassing for his Majesty to be so often whacked on the back, and to be shouted at by gentlemen in Dublin accents, ‘Hello Dick, old man, how are all the boys in Dublin…’’
More stories about Judge Adams here:
His uncle
1808-, Edinburgh, died 1877 Dr. Daniel Donovan Senior MD Ed. Mr. Armstrong Classic School Rosscarbery, Dublin, Edinburgh. Doctor, Dispensary Officer Union Hall, Glandore 1830-1839, 1840. Magistrate, Donovan Daniel, sen, North street Retired 1870 suceeded by son. “Skibbereen 1847 distress meeting. Seeking equality of endowment in Catholic education 1859. Born at Ross of ‘island’ branch who formerly owned Ross town. Son Henry Solicitor died 1873. Probate to widow Henrietta £800 1877. 1859, Thomas Burke, M.D.,Skibbereen. Estate £1,500. Named Daniel Donovan, M.D., David Hadden, M.D., Daniel McCartie, brewer. 1877. Opening Skibbereen Railway
Daniel Donovan
David Hadden
John Levis, Glenview
S. W. Levis, Coroner
Dr. McCormack, Goleen
Dr. Popham, Bntry
Samuel Robinson
Dr. Swanton, Bantry
Dr. Sweetnam, Schull
” “In 1835 Dr Dan married Henrietta Flynn and they had a family of six daughters and five sons. In 1839
he was appointed to the Skibbereen Dispensary and he was elected the first medical officer of the
new Skibbereen Workhouse. Famine Diary of Doctor O’Donovan, Dispensary Doctor, Skibbereen, 1877 in poor circustances plea by British Medical Assocaio for inceased pension. 1854 attendig Patriotic Concert, Skibbeeen in aid of Crimean war widows and orphans. 1862 donor Skibbereen Relief Fund. 1846 attending famine relief meeting Bandon, Magistrates attending famine relief meeting Bandon, Cork Examiner 28th August 1846. The Earl of Bandon, Colonel Bernard, D. Conner, J.Wheeler, Masekelyne Alcock, R.H.H. Beecher, Rev., T. Tuckey, James Gillman, George Robinson, William J.Payne, Charles Evanson, James Swanston, Arthur Hutchinson, Lionel Fleming, Samuel Townsend,
” https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/164a5605c1527277?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1 “Dr Daniel Donovan – heroic figure of the Famine in Skibbereen
By Philip O’Regan, Skibbereen Heritage Centre.1877 Funeral Attendance of Dr. Daniel Donovan, Skibbereen, Procession Nearly a Mile and a half in Length. Buried in Family Tomb at Rosscabery of The O’Donovans of The Islands. Sons Dr.Daniel Junior, Dr.John Donovan, Ballincollig.” “Cholera, Myross, Board of Health. CSO/RP/1832/1813/2. Chairman, Richard Townsend, J.P.,
Names of persons interested in the Board:
Rev. Charles Bushe, Rector, Castlehaven
Rev. James Tuckey, curate
Rev. P. crowley, P.P
Rev. William Goulding, R.C. curate
Rev. ..Bert.., R.C. curate
Thomas Somerville, J.P
Thomas Townsend, Lieutenant, R.N.
Ralph Mansfield, J.P.
Daniel Donovan, M.D.”
1808-, 1822, 1840, 1859 Dr. Daniel Donovan Senior MD Ed. Mr. Armstrong Classic School Rosscarbery, Dublin, Edinburgh. Doctor, Dispensary Officer Union Hall, Glandore 1830-1839, 1840. Magistrate, Donovan Daniel, sen, North street 1847 seconded resolution at tenants rights meeting Skibbereen. Skibbereen 1847 distress meeting. Seeking equality of endowment in Catholic education 1859. Born at Ross of ‘island’ branch who formerly owned Ross town. Son Henry Solicitor died 1873. 1810, 1831, 1840, 1846 “In 1835 Dr Dan married Henrietta Flynn and they had a family of six daughters and five sons. In 1839
he was appointed to the Skibbereen Dispensary and he was elected the first medical officer of the
new Skibbereen Workhouse. Famine Diary of Doctor O’Donovan, Dispensary Doctor, Skibbereen, West Cork, Bodies Buried Coffinless in the Dead of Night in Dunmanus Weighed Down By Stones, to Prevent Starving Dogs From Getting At The Bodies, The Funeral Cry No Longer heard.
1837 sponsor for baptism of Micahel Galwey. Skibbereen workhouse 1855. Matron Honora Attridge, £30, Medical Officer Daniel Donovan £100, Apothecary, Jeremiah Crowley £35, Nurse Margaret Corcoran, £8, Julia Hurley £5, https://virtualtreasury.ie/item/ParliamentUK-10-32-165-143
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/164a5605c1527277?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1″ 1840 testimonial to Captain Lyttelton Lyster Esq. Union Hall, Rosscarbery, Subscriber Lewis Topographical Praised on leaving Union Hall 1840 for managing dispensary Loan Funds established by the Countess of Kingston, and given plate by Richard Townsend JP, Point House, Major Allen, Stoneville, Richard Townsend Junior, Clontaff, JP, Philip Somerville, Union Hall, Rev. Edward P. Thompson, Henry Townsend JP, Castletownsend, Thomas Somerville JP, Drishane, Rev James E. Somerville, DD, Union Hall, Richard Adams, Glandore Lodge, John Fitzhenry Townsend, J.R. Barry, JP, Glandore House, Lionel J Fleming, New Court, Father James Mulcahy, Myross, William Baldwin, Baltnathona “Dr Daniel Donovan – heroic figure of the Famine in Skibbereen
By Philip O’Regan, Skibbereen Heritage Centre”
First Cousin
1866, 1875, died 1880 Dr. Daniel Donovan Junior MD Doctor, Royal Navy, West Coast of Africa Daniel, jun, North street 1876 Public lecture 1867 on Madeira, Lisbon, Jamaica Skibbereen. Died typhus Skibbereen & West Carbery Eagle; or, South Western Advertiser 13 April 1867. Author Sketches in Carbery. Died aged 37. Son of Dr. Daniel O’Donovan. 1871 funeral Skibbereen, Timothy McCarthy Downing, solicitor, MP, landlord
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SbK24LpDBP8rFO_4XqjaRjYC37DyyResH_W_xMHtLuQ/edit?tab=t.0
West Cork History 