In Estudios Irlandes Vol 5, there is a fascinating article by Peter Clarke, of UCD, on the history of bookkeeping in Hedge Schools in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In the Report of The Commissioners of Irish Education 1826 it transpired that over 500,000 children over 70% of Irish children were being educated in hedge schools. Their curriculum was flexible and many included basic business education.
In the 18th century Irish Emigrants to the US including Cornelius Lynch 1740, and Terence O’Neill 1789 taught bookkeeping in New York. In Australia John Kenny taught double entry book keeping in Sydney in 1793.
Peter Clarke’s article suggests that the hedge schools had an important influence through Irish teachers on the curriculum of the American mid west and frontier.
The Hibernian Chronicle reported on the 6th december 1790 the death of Owen McCarthy Esq., ‘age 84, near Blarney,, ‘commonly called Master-na-Mona, or Lord or Master of the Preceptory of Moran, in this county. He was the last of that ancient and respectable family, except an only son, no Governor of Miranda and Colonel of (4th?) Regiment of Horse in the Portuguese service, where by his velour, he was promoted in a sovereign clime to honors, which he was rendered incapable of enjoying in his native country from the severity of penal laws. The deceased had fifteen brothers, thirteen of whom, on said account, emigrated for bread after losing their estates in this kingdom, and were promoted to high ranks in the different armies of France, Spain, Portugal,and Germany’.
In 1837 a Parliamentary Commission took evidence on the operation of Manor Courts. It heard evidence from John Jagoe. He was one of the main witnesses. He was from Bantry a Fish Merchant, had sat on a Fisheries Commission had engaged in correspondence with Dublin Castle on fisheries and non-denominatinal education. His mother was Young of the Bantry Fishing family who propably held the property, a former mill, now the Maritime Hotel on lease from the Bantry Estate. His father originated in Kilcolman, Dunmanway. At one stage he was reputed to have been a shopkeeper on the Bandon Road/Barrack St., Cork. His only son John became a Barrister. He was admitted to Grey’s Inns London in 1835 aged 34.
His wife was O’Connor may be related to Dr. Bryan O’Connor of Bantry sent to Botany Bay in Australia with Alexander McCarthy Barrister for being United Irishman. He had three brother officers in the British Army.
He wrote a book on Irish Fishery law, 1843:
In his evidence he said that there were Manor Courts in Bantry and Leamcon (Schull). They were generally held in public houses wiht a jury drawn from a low class. The Seneshal was drawn from a drunken class and paid £50-£80 per annum. His evidence suggested that the jury demanded cash or whiskey from the successful party. This was referred to as a ‘cob’. The jury did not retire but openly debated the verdict and onlookers could hear and influence. The more respectable class of person avoided the Manor Courts preferring the Session Courts which sat in Bantry once a year.
He had attended a Manor Court in Oughterard, Co. Galway which was entirely in Irish, he himself had only a little Irish. He was the father of barrister John Jagoe mother O’Connor.
He was the father of John Jagoe barrister his only son. Jago was in court appearing for an evicted O’Donovan family of long standing c 1846 who had expected their lease to be renewed by the Kenmare Estate.
He may also have been the mother of Esther Jagoe. She was the mother (Father Desmond Bantry Attorney) of Ann Marie Desmond (Mother Benigna) who set up education for women in Townsville Australia: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/desmond-anna-maria-5962
Davy Crocket’s ancestor James Crockett born c 1674 (may be later) was the child of one of the 13 Huguenots who worked with James Fontaine in a short lived fishing enterprise around the late 17th century to the early 1700s. He was Louise de Sax Crocketagne (Anglicised to Crockett) mother Antoine. The fishery was in the Castletown/Dursey area. Rev. Fontaine’s settlement was at Bank Harbour, 5 miles east of Castle Town Bere. The road down to the pier is the L8952.
Davy Crockett’s ancestor James Crockett born c 1674 (may be later) was the child of one of the 13 Huguenots who worked with James Fontaine in a short lived fishing enterprise around the late 17th century to the early 1700s. He was Louise de Sax Crocketagne (Anglicised to Crockett) mother Antoine. The fishery was in the Castletown/Dursey area.
From Bishop Dive Downes Tour 1700:
Interestingly Fontaine (James Fountain 1702) and his son James Fountaine Junior (1710) were appointed Justices of the Peace for Co. Cork suggesting that they were well connected.
A Huguenot settlement was established here about the year 1700. The organiser of the project was Jacques de la Fontaine, the son of a French Protestant minister. This adventurer came to England and carried on some small business for a time. He then became a Protestant clergyman, and in the year 1694 came to Cork, where he ministered to a small Huguenot congregation. He heard of the fisheries at Berehaven, which he thought offered a wider field for the exercise of his energies. He repaired hither, rented some land and houses, brought over his colonists, and formed a fishing company. He was soon appointed Justice of the Peace, and in this capacity became most obnoxious to the natives.
He made himself a busy tool of the Government, and interfered in matters which scarcely concerned him. Smuggling was carried on largely at the time, and he thought he would put a stop to it. The task was beyond his powers and brought him to grief. He was fully aware of the enmity of the natives and of those engaged in the smuggling trade, and he made preparations to protect himself in case he should be attacked. Having some knowledge of erecting forts, he raised earthworks around his residence, which got the name of the ” Sodfort.” His foresight was soon justified, for in June, 1704, a French privateer entered Bantry Bay and proceeded to storm the Sod Fort. Fontaine stood well to his guns, and after an engagement that lasted from eight in the morning until four in the afternoon, the privateer withdrew with the loss of three killed and seven wounded. The Government granted him a pension of five shillings a day for his skill and bravery in the action, and he was supplied with five guns which he was authorised to mount on the battery.
From University of Villa Nova, Joe McGarrity collection (from Carrickmore, Co.Tyrone associated with IRB in USA and later promoter of the Irish Sweeps associate of Dr. Patrick McCartan 1878-1963 who ran for Presidency of Ireland 1945.
In 1837 a 
West Cork History 