Click Here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Oo91DNzZmJwsRyNdvt-K5nr_XvlbNTOXKLKsg-K5BsE/edit

What started as a mere report on a Magistrates meeting turned out to be something far more substantial.  The Cork Examiner reported lampooned Alexander O’Driscoll for instigating the meeting citing his own troubles., Actually the loyal magistrates of West Cork had in effect been reeling from a catalogue of misfortune from the easing of the Penal Laws mid 18th century, entry of Catholics to the Legal profession 1790s, the attempted rising 1798, by about 1820 in Cork City at least by concentrating on business the Catholics had far surpassed to cities Protestants, Catholic Emancipation.  Daniel O’Connell repeal is dealt with later.  The Magistrates’ travails were to continue until independence of the larger part of the Island of Ireland in 1922.  In His memoirs Lord shandon (Ignatious O’Briedn) was Lord Chancellor was scathing in his comments.,  His observations on the early action of the Irish Free State are reproduced later.

However every time Alexandr O’Driscoll appears in a newspaper report it throws light not only on his own venality but on the atrocious condition endured by the majority of the population,  In a mixed religious area there were also many poor Protestants.

1841, West Cork  density,  comparable to China, Haita, India and Rwanda.

1841, population density.  This map is taken from The Atlas of the Irish Famine, John Crowley, William J. Smyth and Mike Murphy, Cork University Press 2012.  The population density of the populated areas is calculated by excluding mountain, lake and bog.  The result is a density comparable to China, India and Haiti.

Courtesy Atlas of The Irish Famine also

Introduction, p. 1

1841, West Cork  density,  comparable to China, Haita, India and Rwanda., p.1843 Meeting in Bandon of West Cork Magistrates Fear of Rebellion, p. 3

Cork Examiner/Freeman’s Journal, p. 5-14

West Cork Landlords, p. 14

Lord Shandon Magistrate Criticism, p. 16

Daniel O’Connell, Repeal and Apprehensions, p. 16

Listing of most of the West Cork Magistrates in Attendance at Bandon Meeting, p. 18-30

Alexander O’Driscoll, p. 31

Game License List appeared in THE NEW CORK EVENING POST for Monday 24 March 1800, p. 31

1826. Donor to Durrus Churches, p. 31

1827 dispersed Skibbereen mob, p. 32

1844 Trustee Marriage Settlement, p. 34

Alexander O’Driscoll Landlord, Magistrate, Skibbereen, In trouble Again before the Lord Chancellor,

Tithes, p. 34

1816   Fracas at Mass in Skibbereen, p. 35

Background to Alexander O’Driscoll’s suspension as a Magistrate, p. 39

1844 Commentary on Memorial for O’Driscolls reinstatement, p. 50

1843 Skibbereen Meeting to divide Co. Cork for Assizes, p. 54

1844 O’Driscoll restored to the Bench petition allegedly  signed by 22,900 persons, p. 54

1844 raised in the House of Lords by Earl Fortesque, p. 59

Grand Juror 1845, p. 62

1845 Railway Provisional Committee Bandon to Bantry, p. 62

1845 Alexander O’Driscoll Again, p. 65

1845 Attending funeral of Lady Carbery, p. 70

1845 Alleged conversion to the Church of Ireland, p. 71

1821 Bridge at Bealkenmara (Béal Cinn Mara) instigated by The O’Donovan, of Bawnlahan, authorised by Cork Grand Jury, Patrick Crowley contractor not paid by  1845, p. 71

1821 Bridge Referred to in the Diary of The O’Donovan, p. 74

Memorials, p. 76

Including

1807 Marriage settlement of Alexander O’Driscoll to Frances Haly (Healy?), Cork.  Note the multiplicity of different landlords recited

Here 1799  Timothy O’Driscoll known locally as Tim the Gauger father of Alexander possibly got revenue job due to closeness to Beecher family:

Alexander O’Driscoll in Chief Secretary Papers it is assumed it is the man referred to here, p.88

1847 Viscount Bernard speech to Parliament re Lawlessness in West Cork. p. 93

Comment, Alexander de Tocqueville, p. 94

1819- 1823, Diary of The O’Donovan, General Richard O’Donovan, Bawnlahan, Castlehaven. p. 117

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNRiD6clm-alLgSfeN4Cq47_rMNLep6ODlQeJsjR5yp5ZRnF1jGXNO3JfqVwZ_JzA/photo/AF1QipNtsijbY5QQExtLzIgGIdiFOjHwJnvxlaGpOIPD?key=YUlaamIzcDFiQmthdzBwMUVocHZOdVNTM1A5ZlVn

Magistrates and others attending famine relief meeting Dunmanway, Cork Examiner 28th August 1846

This is a snapshot of those wielding influence in West Cork in the famine period.

Those listed are described as  noblemen and gentlemen.  Not strictly accurate even here. One benefit of independence is there are no  more meetings of noblemen and gentlemen.

Of those 72 listed, around 37 are landlords or their land agent, Payne in Bantry for the White Estate, Swanston in Bandon for the Devonshire estate.some with enormous holding, some like Bantry businessman John O’Connell comparatively small holdings.

Influence of Large Landowners.

As landowners, Irish Conservative MPs, like their English counterparts, were prominent in local government. They were well represented as magistrates on the Grand Juries, which played a key role both in local government and in the administration of justice at the local level. These positions also enhanced their influence in their localities. More senior appointments, like that of High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenants and Lord Lieutenants of counties, had a higher status and were usually reserved for larger landowners. Lord Lieutenants, in particular, had considerable say in the distribution of local patronage, particularly in the appointment of magistrates.  To secure appointment as Lord Lieutenant was a clear sign of government favour, a fact that may account for the relatively low number of Conservative MPs appointed to this position during the years covered by this book. Throughout this period, Irish landowners retained a strong presence in Irish local government, the real decline in their influence coming only after the electoral reforms of 1884-85.

Ian D’Alton in his seminal work remarks that Cork Landlords were not particularly well off.  50% of the Estate were less then 400 acres, 80% less than 1,000.  Very few would fall into the category of ‘A great landowner’ having a rental of £10,000.  Furthermore as became evident with the advent of the Landed Estates Court many estates were heavily encumbered.

From the early 19th century falling rents and arrears of rent payments by middlemen further strained the finances of the estate.  On some estates management and legal expenses were reckoned at 30% of gross rental.

A certain amount of fractiousness was observed in 1822 ‘the magistrates in the south can scarcely ever be prevailed upon to act together from their entertaining so many petty jealousies and animosities towards each other’

Then succeeding decades would not be kind to Landlords.  The encumbered estates court, landed estates court in effect enabling lands heaving mortgaged to the dry cleaned and clear title given to the purchaser.   The Land Wars of the 1880s destroyed any landlords and tenant relationships that may have existed…..,

Click here:

Magistrates and others attending Famine Relief Meeting. Dunmanway. 1846

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JU6q0soyFv6Q9f9_qVcCuPI6SZWWABJvWxeqCUC5hgc/edit?pli=1

Schools Co. Cork in Receipt of Grants fro Books or Teachers Salary

From British Parliamentary Papers, Digitalised by the University of Southampton:

https://www.dippam.ac.uk/eppi/documents/11607/pages/271461

Erection of Schools Grants:

1841 Co. Cork Schools:

The chilling information here is that many of the pupils were to die in the famine.

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The County Gaol features having at some stage a pupil:

n 1881 the Valparaiso Herald made its bow to the public. It was edited by P. O’Sullivan, was full of news and met with favor apparently, but after three years it passed out of existence.

Introduction, p.1

General Charles Vallancey (1731-1812) Survey Report 1778, p.3

Sir Richard Griffiths report to Parliament 1828, p.3

An earlier account 1819 of the Mizen peninsula, Eliza (Dizzie) Townsend (Mrs. Lionel Fleming), p.4

Rev. Caesar Otway 1831, p.5

Projected Bandon to Bantry Railway 1845, p.6

Appeal to Sir Robert Peel to make Bantry a packet station, p.7

Courthouse meeting Dunmanway re projected railway, p.9

Report of Commission re Irish Packet Stations background, p.10

Extracts re West Cork report of Commission re Irish Packet Stations, p.12

Thomas Hungerford, Inspector Coastguards, family background, p.29

Emigration from Cork 1847-1850, p.34

Anthony Marmion author The Ancient and Modern History of the Maratime Ports of Ireland, p. 35

Crookhaven, p.36

Berehaven, p.41

Dunbeacon/Dunmanus, p.51

Viscount Bernard/Lord Bandon, p.55

1847 Report a memorial presented to the Lords of the Admiralty with regard to the Harbours and Lighthouses of Co. Cork, p.59

1863.  Julius Reuter and William Siemens  and  the South-Western of Ireland Telegraph Company, Linking Cork to Crookhaven by Telegraph  and  British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Company, Cork to Cape Clear, p.59

The start of the Communication Revolution, Picture of ‘The Atlantic Telegraph Cable Fleet’ at Berehaven, Bantry Bay, 28th July 1866, held at Cable and Wireless Archive, p.59

Bere Island British Naval Base, p.61

Introduction

Traditionally a packet station was a port used to carry mails or passengers over short channels.  Here, in the 1851 report,  however, what is contemplated is what port on the west coast of Ireland  would be suitable for vessels going or coming to America.

The introduction of steam engines changed everything and competition with the Americans also.   The level of technical detail considered in making their choice is fascinating.  Then 8 years later they laid the first transatlantic cable for communication across the Atlantic from Valentia. That put the packet station to bed.

In terms of the earlier background you have  a paradox, from the late 17th century West Cork was just off some of the main shipping lines in the world. At the same time transport links even to Cork were limited. By the end of the 18th century reasonable roads connected the main towns to Cork some had been built as turnpikes, an early version of tolled..

Click here:

1851 Proposed West Cork Packet Stations General Background.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FLpxJZX0PnDg1V5F-H2WgxlyseAUS5QfrDZqrhJ7CpM/edit

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https://www.dippam.ac.uk/eppi/documents/12900/pages/325732

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https://www.dippam.ac.uk/eppi/documents/12900/pages/325715

Emigration Returns Cork, 1847-1850:

1795 deed.  

Richard Donovan/O’Donovan here as well as having lands at O’Donovan Cove in Durrus held under long lease from Lord Riversdale held the ancient family land at Ballyhadowen, Drimoleague/Caheragh.

1725 deed, William and Mary Sullivan leased land at Dereeny to George Wood, Dereeny.  Witnesses,  Timothy Donovan, Gent., Ballaghadown.  I assume Timothy ancestor of the O’Donovan family of O’Donovan’s Cove, Durus

Another O’Donovan of Clann Cathail held land by way of 999 year lease from Lord Riversdale and their house was at Tullig, O’Donovan’s Cove near Ahakista. 

It is conjectured that this branch of the O’Donovans are O’Donovan Bán, an offshoot of Clan Cathaill

It is interesting that the wider O’Donovan family (Protestant) were related by marriage to the Lord Riversdale/Hull/Tonson family by marriage in the early 18th century and this may be a factor in the Durrus O’Donovans acquiring the Estate from Lord Riversdale’s extended family.  Jeremy Donovan, a Protestant sold his lands around Leap to the Tonsons c 1737.

Dr. James O’Regan, Mallow,  is a descendant of Sir Teague O’Regan whose land was forfeit built restored to his minor descending by the ‘Court’ at Chichester House in Dublin. the land remained with the family until the land acts c 1905.

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Jack O’Mahony, life, ancestors ‘piss weavers’, p. 1-4

Jimmy Coakley, Tureen, Kilcrohane, Memoir (1995)   With Contribution by Jack Sheehan Frank O’Mahony, Solicitor, Bantry, p. 1

Funeral description, p. 5-10

Funeral attendance, 11

Genealogical chart prepared by the late Frank O’Mahony, solicitor, Bantry, p. 22-29

Florence O’Mahony (1853-1932), life and times, politics, p. 30

Florence O’Mahony, kingpin of the fishing industry, maritime disasters, p. 33, 40, 46, 55

Florence O’Mahony, funeral, p. 57

Jeremiah O’Mahony, (1847-1915), Magistrate, p. 62

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Click here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FWMOJo8tOHE37kIKX1Ru9CE7erQ2qNSRtbUowhDjbQM/edit

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Black Jack (John) O Mahony, (1810-1909), Kileen

The funeral attendance captures the local importance of the the local power networks of people now largely forgotten