Bantry:

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Bantry,+Co.+Cork/@51.6808918,-9.4486028,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x48450a56fb9974b9:0x0a00c7a99731a220

Bandon:

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Bandon,+Co.+Cork/@51.7461234,-8.7318174,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x4844f4296d3db1af:0x0a00c7a99731fbb0

1796, Bandon Catholic Chapel being built by Father Shinwick, List of Subscribers includes at least 49 Protestants.  Bantry Catholics in 1796 acknowledge the Liberal Donation for the proposed Chapel of Lord Viscount Kenmare and thank Richard Simon and Hamilton White for their Generous Benefaction.

Parish History

http://www.corkandross.org/parishHistory.jsp?parishID=11

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Ballynakilla,+Co.+Cork/@51.6285032,-9.8755619,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48457f2326389c1f:0x2600c7a819bb5012

Ballinakilla Churchyard, Bere Island, on the site of a Pre-Reformation Church containing Table Tomb to O’Sullivan, Mill Cove. Agent to Lord Bantry and to the parents of Denis Murphy the father of William Martin Murphy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bere_Island

William Martin Murphy, Bantry and the Noel Brown connection.

April 1862, Proposal to form Joint Stock Company, ‘Bantry Bay Slate and Slab Company’ already operational at White Horse, Kilcrohane, under Captain O’Flaherty, used by John Moss, Durrus, in building Glenlough House 1850 and contractor William Murphy (father of William Martin Murphy) in building Lord Clintons Residence at Crookhaven, Testimonials from F Lisabe, W Thomas and E H Blake of Dublin.

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Abbey,+Co.+Cork/@51.6755658,-9.4787845,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x48450ae74e1778df:0xcf5b987d07037e66

The 1602 Destruction of the Franciscan Abbey in Bantry by the O’Sullivans after its use by the English Garrison under Captain Thomas Flower.  Grant of local lands by Elizabeth 1 to Richard Beacon not taken up as James 1 granted then to Valentine Browne 1620 later forming part of the Kenmare Estate.

The Abbey site is now the Bantry Cemetery.

It has been suggested that part of the stones from the ruined abbey were used to build Blackrock House by the Hutchinsons nearly this formed the basis of the present Bantry House.  Some of thr stones may have come from the McCarthy Castle at Scart, about 2 miles away which was replaced around 1620 by the Durrus Castle.

http://www.corkandross.org/parishHistory.jsp?parishID=11

https://durrushistory.com/2014/08/31/sir-george-carew-writes-to-lord-deputy-mountjoy-13th-may-1602-from-camp-at-bantry-abbey-prior-to-siege-of-dunboy-they-lie-in-such-incredible-strengths-of-huge-mountains-and-ugly-glynns-of-bog-and-woo/

Inventory, list and description of hundreds of historical coins found at Sea View, near the Abbey, Bantry, West Cork 1834 as described in Gentleman’s Magazine.

W Cowley and James White sitting with Jury in Cork February 1541 Deputies of the King’s Commission for Co. Cork forfeiting Monasteries, Abbey of the Cave of St. Finbarr or Gill Abbey (including lands at Kilcrohane and Bantry, West Cork), Benedctine Priory of Rosscarbery with Church and Buttery, Carmelite House, Kinsale.

Letter from Sir George Carew to Lord Deputy Mountjoy, from camp at the Abbey, Bantry, 1602.

kenmare estate:

Some records of the Kenmare Estate for Bantry District

Middle men Bantry area 1740s of Kenmare (Brown) Estate: Michael Murphy Newtown, Casey Miller, Newtown, Thomas Hutchins, Ballylickey, Various Galweys, Gilbert and Richard Mellefont Donemark, Beversham Harman Laheran, Henry Puxley Gortaneer, John Young Direenkallig Robert Young Droominateenly, Isaac and Joshua Doe, Forester

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Durrus,+Co.+Cork/@51.6988592,-9.471449,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48459fe7ccd270df:0x231e3744ac95441a

Father J. M. Cronin, visit to Bantry in 1959, Historian, (Rosminian from Glengariff area), his Inspection of Vatican Documents of 1199, in time of Pope Innocent 111, re Inis Cuinge/Chapel Island Bantry Bay, his Theories St Ruan, Carrignat and Kilcatherine named after St. Cait, Colomane and Dromina after St. Aine, Derryconnery after St. Ceannaire, St. Gobbain relative of St. Eltan, Glengariff after Garbhán, a Priest, old Churches made of Wood, ancestral lands of Cardinal Cushing in Bowen family of Bowenscourt (Elizabeth Bowen) receiving forfeited Estates

Inis Cuinge:

http://www.corkandross.org/parishHistory.jsp?parishID=11

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Durrus,+Co.+Cork/@51.6497011,-9.4265841,12z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48459fe7ccd270df:0x231e3744ac95441a

Sunday, 7th August, 1983 New York Times Article, Co. Cork with Photo, Casey’s Bar, Durrus, ‘Not many English people Visit Now because of the Troubles Up North’

These records used to be accessible now they can only be viewed behind a paywall.

Coomkeen

Irish Reproductive Loan Fund Records

Local Loans Schull

1.Durrus Reproduction

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Church+View,+Radharc+Alainn,+Co.+Cork/@51.5812581,-9.70351,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x484582d4581477bd:0x696f510b9d461537

Building of Star of the Sea Church, Kilcrohane, West Cork, 1897, for £1,750, Builder Patrick Sullivan of Seskin, Bantry, Architect, Samuel F Hynes FRIBA, 41, South Mall, Cork, the Contractor was Father Kearney who is to supply local stone, gravel and sand and carriage from Durrus Road station or the landing Place, Dunmanus Bay.

Memorial Stone, Photo, Townlands and 1899 Subscribers for new Catholic Church, Muintir Bhaire (Durrus), West Cork including, California, New York, Staten Island, Boston, Malden Mass., Francis O’Neill Chief of Police Chicago and Compiler of Irish Music, Queensland, Western Australia, London and neighbouring Parishes, site given free by Lord Bandon, Architect Hennessy Cork, Builder D. Donovan Bantry, Sculptor High Altar Davis Cork, Lead Lights Messrs Watson Youghal, Iron Work Messrs McGloghlin Dublin, Pulpit by Richard Power Bantry, Dedication and Durrus Churches, Catholic, Church of Ireland and Methodist

Stained glass including Tower of Glass (An Túr Gloinne) 1908 designed by A. E. Childs managed by Sarah Purser and Harry Clarke Studios commissioned by Father Jimmy O’Sullivan, Pastor of Kilcoe and Lisheen Parish, West Cork, born Shannonvale, Clonakilty 1841, ordained Louvain Belgium 1870 died 1926.

Samuel Hynes, Architect, (1854-1931), among his Commissions, Convent of Mercy Chapel and Munster and Leinster Bank, Bantry, Kilnamartyra School. Star of the Sea Church, Kilcrohane, West Cork, Presentation Convent, Melbourne, Australia.

His list of commissions shows the dramatic expansion of Catholic Educational Establishments and Churches in the later 19th century and that of the Munster and Leinster Bank (now part of AIB), the Australian Commission shows the spread of Cork Religious Orders.

http://www.dia.ie/architects/view/2706/HYNES-SAMUELFRANCIS

http://www.dia.ie/architects/view/2706/HYNES-SAMUELFRANCIS#tab_works

1847. Bowling Score at Castlemary, Cloyne, Co. Cork.

Bowlers Aughaville, Dromore, Colomane, Durrus, West Cork.  Bill Barrett, Patrick O’Driscoll, Richard Barrett, John Connolly, Jimmy Crowley, J.J. Sullivan, Donald Crowley, Eugene Daly and Possible Origins in Co. Armagh and The North of England.

It has been suggested that road bowling was introduced to West Cork by weavers who came in in t18th century from the North of England.

Flor Crowley, a National Teacher from Dunmanway who taught in Bandon founded An Bol Cumann.  He wrote extensively on local matters and is books are now collectors items.

Thanks to Peter O’Driscoll, San Francisco and Donal O’Mahony, Cobh.

Bill Barrett who always wore white tennis shoes.    Patrick O’Driscoll of Aughavile was recognised as a reasonable good bowler he was the man that guided Bill Barrett during his early days as a bowler.

His grand son Peter O’Driscoll was told by Tom Hayes from Aughaville whom he met in San Francisco. Tom Hayes came to America & San Francisco in 1910, at the age of 17 years he was in the first World War, he died in 1974 and is buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetry. He never married.
Bill Barrett in his younger days was a senior class bowler. This was before you had tar and crushed rock surfaced roads.

Richard Barrett from Colomane Wood he would be a cousin to Bill Barrett, Richard brothers were Pat, Bob, Steven and John.  Older men around Colomane often said that John Barrett had the ability to a great bowler.
Richard was a local good bowler not quit a senior class bowler.

John Connolly of Colomane West was a senior class bowler.
Jimmy Crowley of Colomane was a local good bowler He was from the family that owned the trashing machine.
Donald Crowley of Colomane Pub was a local good bowler.

J.J. Sullivan of Coomane north was a local good bowler, he came to America about 1958 he was a cousin to  John Crowley’s family. My best guess is that John Crowley’s mother was J.J. Sulivan’s aunt.

The up and coming star was  Eugene Daly of Dromore  in 1960 and the later arrivals in San Francisco have told Peter O’Driscoll  that Eugene was a senior class bowler.

Around Drimoleague and Drinagh, there was a family of Sheen’s (Sheehan?) three brothers John, Jerry and Michael. also a Humphrey O’Leary was a senior class bowler.
These are bowlers that that bowled on a Sunday evening along the main road from O’Driscolls pub in Aughaville to Crowleys pub in Colomane.

The score of bowl started from the roadside sign post about two hundred yard east of the Aughaville cross-roads and ended at the sign post about two hundred yards west of Colomane pub, a distance of two miles.
There are other bowlers that came from Bandon and places near Cork City to bowl from Aughaville to Colomane.

In the Durrus area Danny O’Mahony of Ahagouna reckoned to be the best 84 yard loft with Mick Barry.  In his early years on the Dunbeacon Road sometimes Bill Barrett  would mark for him.

In the local folklore a son of one of the O’Donovan Landlord families (either That of Timothy of the Cove or Richard of the Fort) was reckoned to be a good bowler.   There is an excellent painting in the Crawford Art Gallery Cork of a member of the landlord Smith Barry family of East Cork bowling early 19th century in all his finery.

It has been said that road bowing was introduced to West Cork by weavers from the North of England.  In the Durrus/Schull are the Crostons were a weaving family who may have originated in Croston, Lancashire.  Another location for bowling is Armagh.  Here too there were may families introduced in connection wiht weaving/linen/flax to West Cork in the early 18th century from Co. Armagh, names such as Johnson, Richardson, Shannon. Williamson adn Young among others..

Photograph Committee Durrus Agricultural Show 1937, West Cork.

Held in the vicinity of school.

Centre Canon McManaway a driving force in getting the creamery established, the new road over the hill from Coomkeen to Bantry, the first Church of Ireland School at Ahagouna in the Free State

Tom Deane, tall at back, former Dublin Metropolitan Police, Crottees he was so tall the Police had to have a special bicycle made for him.  Community activist, member Church of Ireland Diocesan Synod.

Jim Pyburn, Dunbeacon, middle row, third ro left.

Richard Sweetnam, Dunbeacon?

Eddie Hurst (front row, left), model farmer, Beach House Bantry now the property of the Wagner family maried to Shannon Clashadoo also model farmers, father of Hazel Vickery, Bantry.

Jack Minihane (far, right)

Courtesy St. James’ Durrus. A Parish History.

Meeting Durrus Agricultural Show Committee, 1938

https://durrushistory.com/2015/03/01/john-rye-macroom-co-cork-early-agriculturalist-1730-on-the-burnng-of-lime/https://durrushistory.com/2014/11/24/minutes-of-balineen-co-cork-agricultural-society-1845-7-ordered-that-pamphlet-on-turnips-be-translated-into-irish-for-some-of-the-protestant-famers-turnips-flax-growing-plight-of-labourers-att/

Bantry, West Cork, Agricultural Show (Taisdáeantas Cuireadgineachta Bheantraí), 1947 names and addresses of competitors, Curriculum of Vocational Educational Committee Day and Evening, Kingdom Show Band in the Stella Ballroom