Durrus and District History Modern

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Durrus is an area of West Cork in Ireland. For earlier history, see Durrus and District History

Contents 1 1900-2000 1.1 James Gilhooley M.P. and Elections 1910 1.2 World War One 1914-1918 1.3 1916 Election 1.4 Troubles 1.5 1927 Charles A. Lindbergh 1.6 Economic War 1.7 Agricultural Show 1.8 The Emergency, War Years 1.9 Post War Years 1.10 Development from 1960s 1.11 Quarries/Mines 1.12 Mill 1.13 Markets 1.14 Dairying and The Creamery 1.15 Petty Sessions Court 1.16 RIC 2 Churches. 2.1 Catholic 2.2 Church of Ireland 3 Schools 3.1 Catholic Four Mile Water 3.2 Rossnacaheragh 3.3 Dunbeacon 3.4 Church of Ireland Schools 3.5 Aughagoheen Church of Ireland 3.6 Church of Ireland Durrus 3.7 Rooska School 3.8 Cashelane Church of Ireland School 3.9 Methodist 3.10 Church Society Schools 3.11 Secondary School 3.12 Lace School under the Congested Districts Board 3.13 Sea Urchin Fishery 1960s to 1980s 3.14 Scalloping 3.15 Perriwinkles 3.16 Travellers 3.17 Distinguished People local parishes 4 Recreation 4.1 Athletics 4.2 GAA 4.3 Bowling 4.4 Cards 4.5 Music 4.6 Regattas 4.7 Coach Service 4.8 Steamer Service 4.9 Railways 4.10 Telephones 5 Parish Priests. 5.1 Curates 6 Ministers Church of Ireland 6.1 School folklore project 1937-1939 6.2 Local Heroes 6.3 Forges: 6.4 Traveling Folk 6.5 Cures: 6.6 Pigot's Directory, Bantry, 1824, 6.7 Slater’s Directory Bantry 1846 6.8 Cork County Directory 1862 from Thom’s Directory 6.9 Property Owners County Cork 187- 6.10 Guys Directory 1875 6.11 Subscribers to Cusack's History of the City and County of Cork 1875 6.12 Guy’s Postal Directory 1912 6.13 Marriage Agreement Burke Family 1896 6.14 Irish in ordinary speech 1930s 7 References

[edit] 1900-2000

[edit] James Gilhooley M.P. and Elections 1910

James Gilhooley MP (he had been a merchant in Bantry, and was jailed on a number of occaasions under the Coercion legislation during the Land War 1880s) addressed an enthusiastic meeting on Friday presided over by Mr. John D. Sullivan. Bonfires were lighted in the street, it was market day in the village and large numbers of country people were present. Mr Gilhooley contested the two elections of the year as an Independent, his opponent was Mr. O'Leary the U.I.L. (United Ireland League) candidate. In examining the type of questions raised by Mr. Gilhooley at Westminister one is struck at the similarity with those raised by a typical country Teachta Dála, at Dail Eireann. Gilhooley attended a monster meeting in Bantry in 1888 attended by 5-6,000 people, to set up a branch of the United Traders Association and Industrial League, the purchase of Irish goods and the boycott of English goods.

[edit] World War One 1914-1918

When war was declared there was support from the Irish Parliamentary Party and Carson for the war and men were encouraged to join up, which they did in considerable numbers. Many who had emigrated to Britain, the U.S., Canada or Australia joined the defence forces at those locations. After the initial euphoria and when the war of attrition began and casualties mounted the mood changed. This intensified with the Easter Rebellion in 1916 and the executions after together with the threat of conscription in 1917. On the home front it was a period of great prosperity with high prices for cattle and agricultural produce. Bere Island was the base of the British Atlantic fleet and was also used as the operating base for a flotilla of small boats and trawlers engaged in anti-U-Boat activities. It also had a kite balloon station used on anti U-Boat activities on a 67 acre site. These balloons went up during the day and had a wicker basket suspended from wire in which an observer with a telescope looked out for enemy shipping or U-Boats. They were a common sight in Bantry Bayin 1919. Bere Island was the location of a military hospital opened in 1915 when many wounded were brought back to recuperate before being sent home or sent back to war. It was also a training camp, in July, 1915 approximately 1,500 of the Fourth Connaught Rangerstrained there but only 300 returned alive and many wounded. After the US joined the war in 1917 the US Navy based some craft in Castletown. The US Navy's Air Wing established a seaplane base was on the eastern end of Whiddy Island which became operational on the 25th. September in1918 when the first two planes arrived. They controlled an area around Fastnet. One of the planes crashed on the 22nd. October 1918 killing one. The base had an operational radio station receiving messages from as far as The US and Russia. Five planes were based in Whiddy. With the end of the War in November 1918 the rational ended and the station closed in January 1919.

[edit] 1916 Election

David O'Leary (Barrister, Friendly Cove) elected MP in by- election following death of James Gilhooly Irish Parliamentary. He was born at Glendart House in the nearby parish of Caheragh, Daniel O'Connell the Liberator had been a regular visitor to his family home. He died in 1954.

[edit] Troubles

The recent publication of the memoirs of Willie Kingston, Solicitor, Skibbereen 1885-1965, provide an interesting insight into the period of the troubles from a person from a Protestant background. He was born into a Methodist family and qualified as a Solicitor working in the office of his cousin Jasper Wolfe. He sympathised with the objects of Sinn Fein but abhorred the brutalities committed by both sides. He describes his shock at the killings of William Connell and Matt Sweetman by the IRA on the 19th. February 1921. He says that the end of 1920 when it became apparent that the troubles would continue for some time there was a wave of emigration including some of his own friends. He later describes the period after the truce when in April 1922 there was a wave of killings by Irregulars including Solicitor Francis Fitzmaurice in Dunmanway whom he had considered joining in practice earlier. Others were shot around this time and it was rumoured there was to be a general massacre of Protestants. He considered that it was like a volcano about to erupt and decided to 'clear off to Dublin' on the 29th. April 1922. He describes the train from Cork to Dublin full of frightened Protestants going to Dublin or England. In the course of the journey there is an explosion at the tunnel in Cork and shots are fired at Limerick Junction and he saw a man with a revolver in his hand.

• Attack by 5th Battalion, Cork No.3 Brigade led by Ted O'Sullivan, on Durrus RIC Barracks, no serious injuries. O’Farrell claims one RIC man killed
• Bantry Courthouse Burned 25th. June 1920
• Bantry R.I.C. Barracks burnt 1920, now part of Bantry Bay Hotel.
• Bigg's Mill burned at the Quay in Bantry on the 25th. July 1920. G.W.Biggs wrote a letter to a newspaper stating that this was not the work of Sinn Féin
• The barytes mine was raided for explosives
• Vickeries Hotel burnt May, 1921
• Two bridges were blown up at the creamery and Dunbeacon Road formerly stone arched now concrete replacement
• Ambush on RIC on Bog Road, Clonee, Constable Brett killed on the 21st. June 1920, he was a native of Waterford and had been in the R.I.C. for 30 years the last 8 in Bantry. On the day in question he gave escort to Constable Cleary, together with Sergeant Driscoll and Constables Cuniffe and Quinn as Clery served juror's summons for the forthcoming Quarter Sessions. They were on bicycles and as they approached Clonee Wood on the road to Durrus from Bantry they were raked by gunfire. It was reported that between 20 and 30 assailants were involved. The inquest in Bantry was presided over by Coroner Neville and the jurors called were John Sweeney, Marine Street, Vitner, William B. Roycroft, Bridge Street, Auctioneer, James Downey, Main Street, Shoemaker, Florence Connolly, Main Street Publican, Richard Swanton, William Street, Flour Merchant, George Symes, Blackrock Terrace, Shop Manager, Charles O'Donovan J.P., Main Street, Draper, Edward Brooks, Marino Street, Shop Assistant, David Mahony, Gurtha, Farmer, Michael O'Driscoll, Gearhies, Shopkeeper, James J. McCarthy, Wolfe Tone Square, Hotel Keeper, Arthur O'Connor, Blackrock Road, Artisan. When the names were called out, only Roycroft, Swanton and Symes answered the others had a fine of twenty shillings imposed. It was said at the inquest that no policeman that ever came to Bantry was more popular, and, deservedly so.
• Incident with Solicitor Jasper Woulfe (later TD for West Cork) described by Willie Kingston, Solicitor, in Skibbereen Historical Journal. Willie Kingston was a cousin of Jasper Wolfe, Solicitor and Crown prosecutor in Skibbereen. Wolfe at the time had friends in both camps. In April 1921, Wolfe, Kingston and Miss Brown motored to Durrus where he had a case at Petty Sessions. Kingston had been in Bantry earlier where he saw two men coming towards him, one saying to the other 'that's him’, he thought it was a case of mistaken identity. Later he met Jasper at the hotel and a man came out of the shadows and peered at his face. Jasper had met (Bawnie) T.T. McCarthy, cattle dealer earlier and offered him a lift to Skibbereen. They all went to Durrus in Jasper's car driven by a chauffer and had tea in Miss Brown's mother's house. Leaving Durrus for Caheragh McCarthy was in front with Jasper but his profile indicated him as a cattle dealer rather than the Crown Prosecutor. In Caheragh as they rounded a corner a whistle was blown violently suggesting the man was running and giving a pre-ordained signal. Kingston and Miss Brown crouched down but nothing happened. Jasper had a few drinks and slept through the entire episode. When they got back to Skibbereen they heard that an ambush was being laid for Jasper, he thought that the unexpected lift to the cattle dealer had the effect of calling off the ambush.
• Willie Kingston also describes attending the Dail Courts at The Land and Labour Hall Skibbereen, Fahoura School, at a field at Derryclough, a stable at Ballyorane and a mill at Donemark. His attendance at the Derryclough was photographed by an American lady and appeared in the American papers and later reached Skibbereen.
• Workers hut and equipment at Durrus Road Railway Station destroyed by fire.

[edit] 1927 Charles A. Lindbergh

In Penelope Durrel's book on Dursey she relates how on the late morning of the 21st May, 1927 a Ryan Monoplane appeared out of the western skies, past Dursey in an eastern direction towards Paris. This was The Spirit of St. Louis and piloted by Charles Lindberg, he had taken off from Long Island the previous day and as he passed he was only a few hours from the first solo non stop flight over the Atlantic. Now every few minutes a plane bound either way is in the air over the district as it is on one of the main Aerial Atlantic routes

[edit] Economic War

This was a time of great hardship for farmers as cattle could not be exported and it was necessary to kill the calves and sell their skins for twelve shillings. Bullocks sold for as little as £2 and 12 dozen eggs for 24 pence. There were no buyers for butter.

[edit] Agricultural Show

The committee and judges in 1937 included Canon McManaway, Tom Deane, Jim Pyburn, Richard Sweetnam, Eddie Hurst of Beach Bantry, and Jack Minihane.

[edit] The Emergency, War Years

The end of the economic war was welcomed by farmers who now had an outlet for their produce on the British market. After war was declared there was a market for all their produce. During World War I there was a huge increase in agricultural prices and consequental prosperity but this time prices did not increase to the same extent. The imposition of rationing of tea and other items entailed sacrifices but not the hardship experienced in the war zone. There was compulsory tillage which was a percentage of tilled land. There were four cars in the Parish at the outbreak of war, the Priest, the Minister, Dinny John L. O'Sullivan and Barry both of whom operated a hackney service. The train took 4 hours to reach Cork, coal was unavailable and the train stopped at reach station to take on timber and turf. The Luftwaffe High Command flew weather reconnaissance aircraft over the area and used the lighthouse at Dursey Island as a navigation buoy. The keepers got used to a Junkers plane that used to fly from Merignac near Bordeaux. On the 23 July 1943 the aircraft crashed on the island killing the crew of 4. It might be noted that in the National Library's Photographic Archive there are photographs taken by the Luftwaffe's aerial photographic wing of military barracks, the airport, railway stations and city centre of Dublin. A German Plane was hit by the Royal Navy's S.S. Major C. and crashed into Cashelane Hill, Dunbeacon on the 5th February 1941, killing 5 of its crew and 1 taken as prisoner of war. Miss Daisy O’Mahony from Ahagouna was one of a number to view the wreckage but she drank poisoned water and died soon after. A German Airplane crash landed on Mount Gabriel on the 3rd. March 1942 killing all the crew, they were interred in the Abbey in Bantry. Many natives of the district emigrated to England, a number serving in the armed forces others worked in hospitals and factories. Times were hard and many would have had great difficulty but for credit advanced by shopkeepers such as Jackie Cronin and Chrissie O’Sullivan (Mrs. Leahy). Jacky Cronin used to go to Cork with a truckload of pigs and return with fresh bread. In this era Bernie O’Leary showed films in the village hall once or twice a week. There was little local employment except for seasonal work on the extensive bogs at Barnagaoithe, Clonee, Glanlough, Liseenacreagh, the turf when saved was transported to Bantry railway station and thense to the Cork Hospitals. One of the trucks was driven by the late Mrs. O'Callaghan (later owned the Bantry Bay Hotel), then of Ahakista another by Jackie Cronin. There was a big trade in rabbits which were caught in snares or dazzled. The price of rabbits went from a half crown (2s 6d) to 3 and 6 and were bought by Jackie Cronin, the Creamery and Mr. O'Sullivan a dealer from Dunmanway. The Durrus River had a good run of salmon and it was not unknown for a salmon to be speared under the creamery bridge with a hay fork. There were no artificial manures and sea sand and coral were used and were landed at the ‘Sand Quay’, opposite the ‘Good Times Café'.

[edit] Post War Years

It was a time of emigration widespread poverty and stagnation apart from a brief uplift in the late 1940s. John Crowley, formerly the Creamery Manager recalls going to a funeral in Kilcrohane with the then chairman of Drinagh Co-Op. As they drove west passing ruined houses the Chairman remarked that it was only a matter of time before there was no one left on the Peninsula. Political excitement was provided by a new political party ‘Clann Na Poblachta’. Shaun Dillon of Clashadoo had inherited a licenced premises near the railway station in Bantry from his aunts and for a period this was a centre of political gathering for the new party. Bottled gas, yellow for Kosangas and silver and red for Calor gas came in. It was a great assistance for cooking and for lighting using a silk mantle. People continued to use paraffin and tilly lamps for lighting. In the late 1950s Rural Electrification brought electricity. This was preceded by a campaign to sign people up. It is said that sometimes people believed that when the cost of the dam at Ardnacrusha was paid for that electricity would be free. Some of the older people distrusted electricity and after the poles and meter had got as far as their house insisted on it being removed. The work in electrifying the area was hard and temporary staff were hired including John Sullivan, Gearameen. The Land Projectstarted with the aim of increasing farm productivity by reclamation, drainage and general improvement of animal husbandry. It was a common sight to see lorries with lime, sea sand, pipes and machinery began to work at reclamation assisted by grants. Tractors were used with hay cutting and saving machinery. The old cattle breeds were replaced over with the superior strains from artificial insemination, from the 160s the black Anglias of the bullmen was a common sight as the inseminators were so called. This was usually commenced with a request to the creamery to call the bullman when the cow 'went to dairy'.

[edit] Development from 1960s

From the early 1960s a move began to rebuilt old cowhalachts (old houses/ruins). One of those who were involved was Mrs. Burton, an Englishwoman. She redeveloped the cottage at Ahagouna Bridge, Tom Mahony's house, the O'Sullivan house both in Coomkeen and The Old Mill, Ballycomane Road. In the mid-1960s Gulf Oil started the building of the oil storage complex on Whiddy Island. Part of it was erected on the farm of Mr. Con O’Sullivan who bought a replacement farm at Ballycomane formerly in the ownership of the Deane and Vickery families. The building of Gulf’s Oil complex started a boom in the area, large numbers of people came to work and stay in the district. It also gave an opportunity for local people to acquire skills in construction and many followed with these skills in the building of major projects such as Pfizers in Cork and Alcan Aluminium in Limerick. The first supertanker Universe Ireland arrived at Whiddy in October 1968. The tankers were serviced by four tugs, Bantry Bay, Dingle Bay, Brandon Bay, Tralee Bay. The terminal closed following the explosion on the 8 January 1979 when the Betelgeuse exploded killing fifty people. Tourism developed with a large influx of English visitors. They were catered for in B&Bs and premises such as Ballyrooster House in the village were refurbished for accommodation and to provide a craft shop. Sometimes they rented horse drawn caravans supplied by Joe O'Reilly travel in Cork. The advent of the troublesin Northern Ireland and the popularity of Spain hugely reduced the number of visitors

[edit] Quarries/Mines

• Rossmore slate quarry

It was worked by a Liverpool Company in 1865 and slates were exported to England, Scotland and France. The quarry ceased operations in 1917, the remains of the powder store and tool shed are still extant.

• Friendly Cove Slate Quarry

Opened from 1870s by Mr. Morris, Friendly Cove and in 1875 employing many men

• Scart Barytes Mines

This mine supplied the paint factory of Mr. Harris of Donemark, Bantry in 1886. The transport of the barytes gave much employment and many horses and carts were hired.. The ground barytes were bagged and exported in loads of 200-300 tons for porcelain manufacture. The paint was made also of amber and fired in a furnace.

• Rooska and Killeveenogue Silver and Lead Mine.

Henry Thomas attempted to establish a mine and sold 65 tons of lead and 70 ounces of silver between 1849 and 1852 but ran out of capital.

• Quarry owned by Timothy McCarthy 1912
• Dereenalomane Barytes Mine

This was originally worked as a copper mine by the Rev. Traill of Schull assisted by Captain William Thomas in 1840 and they sold 19 tons of copper. They discovered barytes or barium sulphate a heavy white mineral, (used for paint, papermaking) for which in the 1850s there was a limited market. An early use was by Josiah Wedgewood in the making of pottery. T.D. Triphook , a Geologist, (his father was Rector of Schull 1847-1881), was involved in the mine in 1854 when it was known as the Bandon Barytes Mines as the mine was on the Bandon Estate. From 1860 the mine was managed by Charles Thomas, a Conish Mining Captain. George Ellis a Cornish Mining Captain was involved in the 1870s. From 1820-1920 intermittently when 2,500 tons were raised in 1851 compared to only 800 tons in three other centres in the former United Kingdom. The material was washed and dried crushed and milled. It was then produced as barytes flour, this was packed into bags and sent to an island jetty in Dunmanus Bay by an aerial ropeway 1.23 miles long from 1909 prior to that it went by horse and cart to Schull pier.. The mine also produced a small tonnage of copper (bornite) and approx 22,000 tons of fine barytes. It was worked by a Liverpool Company controlled by the Roe Brothers, one of the assistant Managers was Mr. Barton. The mine used to be all lit up at night it looked like a city. Bells tolled to call the labourers to work in the morning. In 1917 a major fire caused extensive damage including the underground workings. Although repairs were carried out the mine never recovered to its former level of activity. Grenville. A.J. Cole, 1922 the authority on mining history regarded it as the first in Ireland and one of the earliest in the world. The companies listed as having worked the mine were, Marty Dennis and Co., British Barytes Co., Durrrus Baryes Co., Mount Gabriel Barytes and Umber Co., Irish Barytes nd Umber Co., Dereenlomane Barytes Mines Ltd., Dunmanus Barytes Mines Ltd.

[edit] Mill

The Moynihan family had a water mill in the village fed by a sluice from the Durrus River starting at the Creamery and continuing to the Mill behind the village. Corn (wheat) and oats were milled, it had extensive use during the Second World War. Mr. Moynihan was also the headmaster in the school, his son Joe died in the late 1998. In the 19th. Century there is also listed in Griffiths Valuations a scutch mill.

[edit] Markets

In 1912 there were butter markets on Wednesdays and Fridays near the present creamery. The main market was in Bantry with fair day the first Friday each month, the pig fair on a Thursday. Cattle would be walked to the Fair with a very early start. In the early 20th Century Bantry was considered to have the fourth largest fair in Ireland.. When the railway was running there were 'specials' with as many as eight carriages to carry cattle and pigs to Cork. The annual horse fair then as now was Ballibui in August in Dunmanway. When the marts started especially Bandon and Skibbereen (started by Cork Co-Operative Marts in 1958) it sounded the death knell of the fair for cattle. Durrus Fair used to be held near Creamery. It was revived in 1937 had been dormant for 20 years previously, held on the third Monday of every month.

[edit] Dairying and The Creamery

In Gaelic Ireland a person's wealth was reckoned by reference to the number of cattle he had, a wealthy man was reckoned to be 'fear mile bo' a man of a thousand cows. The Brehon laws devoted a large part of the legal code to affairs relating to cattle ownership. The diet before the introduction of the potato had a major dairy products component. Around 1630 the practice of packing butter for export in wooden firkins (56lb.) was introduced into Ireland. By 1730 Cork Merchants were distributing firkins to small farmers in Munster ensuring that the butter would be returned in good quality containers. By the mid-18th.century there was a thriving trade in butter to the Cork Market, but the round trip by horse drawn cart from Skibbereen could take eight days. Butter did not always go directly to Cork. In the 1730s a group of Cork Merchants came to Bantry every summer primarily in connection with the pilchardtrade but also directly bought and exported butter from Bantry. In addition farmers and car men faced the hazards of highwaymen seeking their cash on the return journey. Many of those going to Cork did not use carts as evidenced by the comments of Sir John Carr in 1805, 'peasants with horses carrying barrels of butter to Cork secured as usual with ropes of hay' as did Sir Richard Colt Hoare in 1806, who said numerous troops of pack horses conveying casks of salt butter from the interior to Cork. Patrick and Andrew Gallwey of Bantry wrote in 1737 that the butter output of the small cows in the district would have ranged from half to two thirds of a hundredweight of butter per annum. In the post famine era with consolidation of holdings and the collapse of grain prices with the passing of the Corn Laws, dairying assumed a greater importance in the local economy. The mercants would receive butter in amounts of 20 or 30 lbs and salt and make it up to 56lb. the measure of a firkin, they would pay the same as applied in the Cork Butter Market. The coming of the railway to Durrus Road reduced the time to take butter to market by 75%. William Warner of Bantry, owned creameries at Killarney, Enniskeane and Ballinacarriga and developed a brand of butter aimed at the export market. In partnership with James Manders who later left the partnership he started a factory at William Street, by 1886 its production was £6,000 in the summer and employed a hundred men including fifty coopers. Before the introduction of the Land Acts, transferring ownership to the tenants in the early 20th century it was common for land to be worked by a combination of owner and dairyman. In one such case the Sullivan family who had been dairymen at Moulivard and elsewhere agreed in 1897 to work lands at Rusheenisca as follows

By Agreement of 13th January 1897 between Robert Phillips, Church House, Clowes, Worcestershire, England, and John Sullivan of Durrus, the Owner agreed to give the milk and produce of 27 in-calf cows and any cows that the Owner may buy, to make up the above number and calves, on or above 15th May 1898 for the Dairy Year of 1898. The Dairyman was given liberty to graze 6 sheep, and to grow potatoes for his own use, and he was to be provided with dairy utensils and to get a half tonne of bran for the use of the dairy cows, at such times as he may require it. He is also to be permitted to sow last year’s tillage to oats and wheat for his own use, and the straw to be the Owner’s property. In returned, the Dairyman was to pay Mr. Phillips £6.15.0d. for each cow and the Owner will allow John Sullivan £6.0s.0d. for properly saving the hay. The Dairyman was to pay the sum of £100 0s.0d., and the balance to be secured by Promissory Note. Should the Dairyman decide not to renew the Dairy Agreement for the year 1898, he will be allowed such sum of root crops and ….. need two persons as nominated by the Dairyman and the Owner shall deem proper. It might be noted that around this period Willie Kingston of Skibbereen’s brother-in-law was a Bank Clerk of some years standing and earned £120 per annum. A major influence in establishing the creamery in 1933 was Canon McManaway and it was largely built by cross community voluntary labour. Work started in 1933 and it opened in the spring of 1934. Farmers gave a week at a time with horse and cart. Gravel was sourced from the strand and rock was quarried east the Ballycommane Road, the ground was soft and took a great deal of fill. It was necessary to register 1,000 cows and guarantee £1,000 over 3 years. Canon McManaway was also involved in starting the creamery at Kilcrohane and Dunmanway nd worked closely with Fr. McSweeney. The creamery was opened before those at Caheragh, Kealkil and Bantry and apart from Durrus farmers, others suppliers from those areas sent their milk there on floats carrying 15 or more churns of milk. Before the creamery butter was sold to Jeremiah O'Sulivan's (Jehr the shop) stores for 4d a lb and was packed in 56lb. boxes. It went from his store by horse and cart to Durrus Road Station and thense to Cork. Apart from taking in milk the creamery operated as a general store where farmers could make purchases against their cheques. It purchased chickens and turkeys and supplied meal and other farm supplies.

• • Butter Merchants
• D. Lucy 1912
• James Newman 1912
• Jehr (the shop) Sullivan, 1912, later in his shop Tim Daly and farm Patsy Hartigan and Paddy Daly
• Richard Tobin 1912

• • Cattle Buyers
• Timmie McCarth, Joe Neill, Bill Ward, Thomas (Toss) Ward, John Joe Murnane, all Durrus
• Mikie Attie, Connie Miah McCarthy, Bantry, Tommie How Ballineen, Mick Leary, Wilsons Bandon, Mick Lucey Dunmanway,
• Paddy Spillane, Michael Daly both Kilcrohane, Pete Neill Goleen.

• • Pig Dealers
• Seano McCarthy, Justin McCarthy, Connie Miah McCarthy, Bantry.
• Joe Crowley, Colomane he bought for the factories and after collection by truck a cheque arrived from the factory.

• • Horse Dealers
• Sonny Sweeny Dunbittern
• O'Donovan Bawn family, Northside
• Keohanes Durrus Cross

• • Travelling Shops
• Jackie Cronin, Rita McCarthy (neeShannon), Richard Cashman
• Bill Ward and his son Thomas (Toss) were travelling butchers
• Paddy (Murt) O'Donovan, his forge was 300 metres west of the Catholic Church, one of three brothers all blacksmiths (Jerry Kealties, Jack Kilcrohane). Mr Brien on the High Road.

• • Doctors
• Dr. William B.Lane 1862
• Dr. James O'Connolly 1875
• Dr John Wood Levis (trained Edinburgh) 1901
• Dr J. F.O'Mahony 1912
• Dr. Michael McCarthy

[edit] Petty Sessions Court

The Court House is still in the village between O'Sullivans and the Sheep's Head public houses. These courts were set up in the early 1800s before that the magistrates administered justice according to their whim frequently on their own. Fr. Collins Administrator of Skibbereen giving evidence to select committees of House of Lords and Commons in 1824 referred to 'presents' being given to the Magistrates of corn, cattle money and having their turf cut. The Government pressurised the Magistrates to hold the Petty Sessions in public with three or four sitting in March 1822. This was formalised under the Petty Sessions Act of 1827. The petty session’s nearest modern equivalent is the District Court except that the Petty Sessions operated with the involvement of local prominent people with no legal qualifications. Under the Peace Preservation Act 1814 the resident magistrates appointed were generally strangers and therefore immune to pressures applied to local magistrates.

• Clerk, David Burleigh 1862, 1872,
• G. T. Nicholson, Bantry 1912

[edit] RIC

• Robert MacDermott 1875
• James McCarthy 1875
• Uriah Piper 1875
• Sergeant Ingham
• Sergeant McElligott (from Kerry), 1901
• Eugene McAuliffe (From Limerick), 1901
• William Fitzmaurice (from Waterford), 1901
• Sergeant McDonald 1912

[edit] Churches.

[edit] Catholic

• It is believed that there was a thatched church on the site of the Old Mill, now Cois Abhann built around 1750. There were also Mass Rocks, one in Coomkeen in the lands of the late Timmy Whelly and one at Kealties. There are the ruins of a church at Kealties, this was a thatched church erected c.1780. The old Durrus Church at Moulivard was in use mid-17th century but according to Brady was in ruins by 1699. According to tradition there was a church at Coolculachta. After the 1798 Rebellion and the arrival of the French Armada in Bantry the church was forced to close. The former church at Chapel Rock (on the site of the present National School) was built by Fr. Quinn in 1820 and was a slated structure. Fr. Richard Quinn was from Onoyne, in Co. Tipperary and came to the parish in 1818. In 1820 he started the parish register of births, marriages and deaths.

• It was replaced when the Church of the Sacred Heart was built in 1901. This was built on a site of one acre by way of lease to Fr. O'Leary from the Earl of Bandon for 990 years at a rent of 10 shillings per annum lease dated November, 1898. The first sod was cut by Dan Keohane and John Sullivan, Clonee. The contractor was Daniel O'Donovan, Bantry and the stone was provided from a quarry at Fahies, Clashadoo owned by the Shannon family and drawn to the site by Patrick Crowley of Ahagouna. The cost of the church was £2,900 and the Architect was Maurice Alphonsus Hennessy from the South Mall, Cork There is a mural tablet to the Blair family of Blairscove and outside a Celtic Cross in memorial to the Tobin family in Irish and English.
• The Stations are an old tradition going back to Penal times. In each townland families in turn rotated to have mass in the house where the parish dues were taken. It was and is a time of great preparation with help from neighbours in the preparations. A wax candle blessed on Candlemas Day February 2nd. was used. Stations used to start at 9a.m. but are now generally in the evenings.

[edit] Church of Ireland

• Brady mentions a church and chancel in Durrus in 1615 and the Rector Thomas Barnam says in 1639 it was in good condition unlike Kilcrohane. The Cork Directory of 1875 mentions a ruined church near Durrus Court the then residence of Lord Bandon. In 27 November 1792 by order of the Lord Lieutenant in Council the parishes of Kilcrohan, Durrus and Kilmacomoge were divided and the new parish of Durrus and KIlcrohan were created. St. James, Church of Ireland, built 1792, at a cost of £461 10s. 9.25d. Aisle rebuilt later following collapse, South Aisle added 1867 to a design of William Atkins. The Rectory (Glebe) was built by the Rev. Edward Jones Alcock in 1831, the former Glebe being at Cappanahola. Licensed places of Worship and Glenlough and Rooska 1852-1866 these were in schoolhouses. . This church was closed in January 1988. In 1935 the entrance was widened, railings were erected and gates were added. This work was done by Dick Gay and Eddie Brooks and paid for a former parishioner Mr. Hosford resident in England. In 1940 the Vestry Room was built, 1949 Calor Gas lighting installed and electricity came in the early 1960s. In 1989 extensive renovations carried out. A parochial hall was built partly by voluntary labour at the Rectory and opened on the 22 August 1951. The new Rectory was completed in 1965. The parishes of Durrus and Kilcrohane seem to have been separated between 1634 and 1639 but reunited by 1663.

• Rooska

Some of the services and sermons at these places of worship were in Irish c. 1850 when the Rev. Crosthwaite preached was attended by thirty converts and several poor Protestants who would have to travel six to ten miles if the attended the Parish Church.. Rooska Church built 1866 to a design of William Atkins. This Church was closed in January 1988.

• Methodist
• The church was built in 1827 as Four Mile Water Church Hall in village. The last church on the Dunbeacon Road, was built c. 1930, and closed in the early 1950s. Durrus was part of the Skibereen circuit which included the Berehaven Mines, Fivemile Water, Durrus and Drimoleague, with a Minister resident in Bantry. There were a number of Methodist families including two Brooks, and Kingstons in Dromreagh, Vickeries in Ballycomane and Rooska, Millars in Coolcolacta.
• Ministers
• Rev. W.J.Christie
• Rev. Clerk

[edit] Schools

The Commission of Public Instruction, Ireland, produced a report in 1835 setting out on a parish the state of local education provision. The following are the details for ‘Durruskilcrohane’:

• Female school kept by Eliza Daly with an annual grant from the 'British and Irish Ladies' School Society of £12, it had 83 females, average daily attendance of 55 and increasing. Instruction consisted of reading, writing, arithmetic, needlework, the scriptures, and Church catechism
• Day school kept by James Kingston, with an annual grant from the Association for Discontinuing Vice of £8; house, rent free, and an acre of ground from the vicar. 30 males average daily attendance 22 stationary. Instruction consisted of reading, writing, arithmetic, the scriptures, and Church catechism to the Protestants
• Day school kept by Samuel Hatfield, subscriptions from the vicar and others and the payment by the children of 1s. 6d.a quarter, males 29, females 16. Instruction consisted of reading, writing, arithmetic, the scriptures, and Church catechism, established June 9, 1834.
• Day school kept by Timothy Daly, an annual grant from the London Hibernian Society of 1s. per quarter for each child, and payments by the children of 1s per quarter, established 1832. 91 males and 11 females average daily attendance 65 increasing. Instruction consisted of reading, writing, arithmetic, and the scriptures.
• National School kept by John McCarthy, annual grant from the Board of £8, and payment of 6d. a quarter by the children. 61 males 39 females average daily attendance 55 increasing. Instruction consisted of reading, writing, arithmetic, and the Roman Catholic Catechism
• Female school kept by Margaret Forbes, annual grant from the London Ladies Society of £12, 14 males 72 females average daily attendance 35 increasing. Instruction consisted of reading, writing, arithmetic, needlework, the scriptures.
• Hedge School kept by Thomas Toomey, payment by the children, from 1s. 6d. to 3s. a quarter, males 58 females 10 summer attendance 40. Instruction consisted of reading, writing, arithmetic, and the Roman Catholic Catechism
• Sunday school books from the Sunday School Society males 25 females 55 average 40 increasing, the scriptures

The National school system was begun in 1831.

[edit] Catholic Four Mile Water

There was an application to register the Female school in 1853, 1860 and 1865 which succeeded but the school was struck off in 1880 and restored later. The Male school applied in 1868 and 1883. In 1868 there was an application for the payment of a salary of an assistant teacher, Mr John Leary, aged 17 years. There was no monitor as the former monitor, John Canty resigned on September, 1868. The principal was Denis Leary who taught 3rd. class and there were 97 pupils with an average attendance of 63.3-64.8, with 62 present on the day of inspection. The manager was Fr. O’Flynn P.P. In view of the increasing attendance the application was approved. In 1875 there were 131 boys and 161 girls.

• Teachers
• John McCarthy 1835
• Denis Leary, 1868-
• John Leary, 1868-
• Agnes Gilhooly, 1875
• J.P. Moynihan 1912, Mrs. McCarthy, 1912

[edit] Rossnacaheragh

In 1875 it had 136 pupils

• Teacher, Mary Sullivan

[edit] Dunbeacon

• Teachers
• John O'Mahony

[edit] Church of Ireland Schools

These schools remained outside the National School system until later in the 19th. century and were supported by the Church Education Society, in the 1840s the Rev. Crosthwaithe received support for schools from the Coast and Islands Society and this continued until towards the end of the century.

[edit] Aughagoheen Church of Ireland

There was an application from Rev. William O’Grady on a ‘Bantry Club’ letterhead seeking the entry of the school into the National System. It had been under the Church Education Society (founded 1839) and this involvement would finish on recognition. The patrons were Rev William O’Grady and E.E. Leigh White Esq. It was proposed to carry out certain work and to provide privies. It was suggested that George Patison aged 18.5 would be the teacher and he would have a house provided by the parish. An inspection disclosed the school hours of 10 am to 2.30 pm with religion 2-2.30. There were 16 pupils 9 males and 6 females. It was later suggested that Annie Stephens be permitted to teach she had been a monitor at Carrigbui up to 3rd. class and was in sole charge for 10 months (this may have been Durrus C of I school), she would be eligible to act as a substitute and was to go for training later. The file indicated that there was no provision to supplement the teacher’s salary and Rev O’Grady replied that the parish was very poor but later proposed to pay £10 in addition to the state salary. The teacher in any event was prepared to work without a local subvention. In the event the appointment went to Miss Susanna Perrott aged 20 from 1 September 1902, she had trained at the Church of Ireland College at Kildare Street. The school was expected to have 29 plus pupils including 2 from Scart Catholic School which at that time had an attendance averaging between 24.9 and 38.4. After recognition the roll was 17 boys and 6 girls and the attendance ranged between 10. and 18.5. Miss Rebecca Kingston resigned as teacher from 10 March 1910 and it was suggested that the school be closed and the children go to Bantry at a conveyance cost of £63 per annum. The Rev O’Grady appealed this on hardship grounds as pointing out that many of the children had to come up side road. The Inspector conducted an enquiry looking at the distances the children had to travel their ages and in the end it was suggested that the school stay open. The family names of the children were Swanton (3 families), Love, Foley, Jago, Sullivan, Shannon and Deane. Miss Florence M. Clarke resigned from 28 August 1914 and Ella Newman took over (she had been a junior literary mistress in Bantry) from 8 August 1911. She had trained at St. Mary’s Shandon passed the relevant exam and was given provisional recognition from 22 October 1915, the non payment of salary while her appointment was being sanctioned caused hardship.

• Teachers
• Miss Susanna Perrott, 1902
• Miss Rebecca Kingston, - 1910
• Miss Jennings 1912
• Miss Florence M Clarke 191?-1914

List of Schoolchildren 1910.

• Children of Young Swanton – ¼ Mile from School

Name Age May Swanton 6 ¾ Annie 3 ¾ Joseph 10 ¼ Young 11 ¼ Michael 12 ¼

• Children of James Swanton – ½ Mile from School

Name Age Susie S wanton 5 ½ Grace Swanton 7 ¾ Mary Swanton 10 ¼

• Children of J. Swanton, Clonee – 1 ½ Miles from School

Name Age James Swanton 11 ¼ Susie Swanton 14 ½

• Children of Sam Swanton – 2 ¼ Miles from School (1 ½ miles in dry weather)

   Name                            Age

Annie Swanton 6 Sarah Swanton 10 ¼ Samuel Swanton 11 ¾

• The Love Family

Lily Love 5 ¾ Mary A. Love 7 ¼ Francis Love 8 ¾ John Love 12 ¼ Cathy Love 13 ¾ Michael Love 15 ½

• Charles Foley 6 ¼

• May J. Jagoe 8 ¾

Willie Jagoe 15

• Thomas Sullivan 12 ¾

Michael Sullivan 11 ¾ 1 1/8 miles through the fields in good weather Dinah Sullivan 12 ¾

• Willie Shannon 15 ¾

Nellie Shannon 14 ¾

• James Deane

The ages of the children and the distance from the School were given, as there was an enquiry by the School Inspector as to whether the School should be closed down, and the children transferred to Bantry, and as to whether this would constitute hardship. The ultimate conclusion was that the School should remain open, in view of the potential hardship to the children.

[edit] Church of Ireland Durrus

• The original school at Clashadoo was built c.1780, in 1875 there were 60 pupils. It was replaced by the school at Ahagouna in 1937 after a diphtheria epidemic when several children died including three of the Shannon children from Rossmore.. This school cost £1,600. There were 60 pupils and a second teacher was employed. This school in turn is about to be replaced by a new school under construction (2006) on an adjoining site acquired from John McCarthy. There were also schools at Rooska and Dunbeacon. In 1947-50 school transport was provided by Mrs. Lottie Dukelow by pony and trap, earlier Bert Dukelow provided transport with a horse and trap for the children on the south side of the bay.

• Teachers Clashadoo/Ahagouna
• James Kingston, 1835
• Mr Robert Rice 1875
• Mrs. T.D. Dukelow, (nee Crichton from Northern Ireland, married to Murt Dukelow, Clashadoo, farm now occupied by John McCarthy c1923-1933
• Liam Blennerhassett, Principal (from Dingle) 1933-
• Netta Swanton, Assistant
• Miss Daunt, Assistant
• Pearl Lynch, Principal
• Miss Desmond
• Miss Moore
• Miss Spillane
• Closed 2 years
• Miss Pollard (Now Mrs. O'Neill)
• Miss Anderson

[edit] Rooska School

There was an application by the Rev. Pratt for the school to be recognised as a National School in 1898. The file in the National Archives sheds light on the old school which according to Rev. Pratt was built around 1822/1823 when old Captain White gave a lease for ever over a free site whereabouts of lease unknown, the informant being the previous rector Rev. Alcock. The school was inspected by the District Inspector Mr. R.W. Hughes on the 9th February 1898. He reported the building in fair condition, one room, no privies, stone and mortar, slated and drew attention to some improvements needed. The local schools were Gurtalasa, 1 mile 70 attending, manager Rev D. Foley P.P., Four Mile Water 3 miles males 68 females 55 Manager Rev. D. Foley P.P., Durrus 2.5 miles Manager Rev. Pratt 40 pupils. Other schools shown on a plan were Bantry, Whiddy, Rusnacaharagh and Morragh (Methodist Durrus). Normally a school would have to be more than 3 miles from another school but in this case the application was approved from the 1at January 1898 in the exceptional circumstances of the mountain range preventing children from attending. It was stated that the teacher had been Mr. John Wolfe who had taught to great satisfaction for over 50 but was now old and infirm. He had two sons teachers. One, John C. Wolfe was to teach in the school from 1898. He was 36, had trained at Marlborough Street in Dublin qualifying in 1881/2 and had previously taught at Rossharbour, Co. Fermanagh up to December 1897. The school had been supported by the Island and Coast Society £20, The Church Education Society £7, The Diocesan Board £5 and the Manager £3 and this support was to continue. The roll was males 12, females 6, on the day of inspection males 10 females 6. The average attendance for the previous period was August 10.8, September 12.1, October 3.3 (measles), November 9.6, December 13.3, January 15.2. The manager felt the numbers would continue and that a number of Protestant Orphans were expected. Mr. Hughes in accordance with regulations had consulted with Canon O’Grady and the approval of this on the file is struck out and it is stated that he had written to the P.P. no reply but the Curate in Bantry had no objection. Friction developed between Mr. John Wolfe and parents and he resigned in 1903, he was replaced by Mr. Patison (Clashadoo) as a locum tenens. His appointment was approved from The 4th May, 1903, he being uncertified in the exceptional circumstances as the manager Rev. Pratt was unable to secure a certified teacher.

• Rooska Teachers
• John Woulfe Snr. 1848-1897
• John Woulfe Jnr, 1898-1903
• George Pattison 1903-
• Miss Crighton ( sister of Mrs Dukelow, Clasadoo)

[edit] Cashelane Church of Ireland School

There was an application by the Rev. R. H. Carroll the Manager of Altar Rectory, Toormore, for a grant to build a new school. This was in his name, and that of Rev. J.T. Levis of Durrus and Rev. Brady of Ballydehob, the existing school was unsuitable due to distance for pupils. The school would have 30 children mixed, the school had been inoperative since 1902 as a teacher could not be located. In 1902 the average attendance was 10.7-11. The nearby Catholic School at Dunbeacon had an average attendance of 54.8-68.3, and included 11 Established Church children and had an assistant teacher. It was expected that the enrolment of the new school would be 21 males and 13 females. There was no objections to the development from Rev O' Callaghan P.P but Fr. O'Connor whose school at Dunbeacon would lose 11 children objected as did Rev W. Caldwell, the Manager of the Methodist School at Morragh.. The previous teacher Mrs. Griffin resigned in December 1902 and the School was technically taken off the roll from that date to be restored on completion of the new school on July 1906. Ms. Trinder, who had qualified from the Church of Ireland College in 1894and had taught at Kilcoe/Corrovally was appointed and the new manager was Rev. A.J. Brady as the school was now in his parish. In October 1906 the attendance was 10 boys and 10 girls out of a possible enrolment of 22.

• Teachers
• Mrs. Griffin, -1902
• Ms. Trinder, 1906-)

[edit] Methodist

The school was at Morragh. There was an application to have the school registered as a National School in 1882 and 1883. The site of the school and teacher’s residence was leased from Richard Tonson Evans the 1st May 1862 by way of lease of the Three lives, Arthur Jagoe son of William Jago, Robert Evans Hadden son of David Hadden Alexander Bailie McKee son of Thomas Andrew McKey, Weslian Minister and the term of 61 years from the death of the latest survivor of the lives aforesaid, the interest was transferred to the Trustees, William Jagoe, Thomas Alexander McKee, Samuel Dunlop, James Swanton, Robert Ballen, John Hunter Harte, John Atkins, John Hamilton Bryan, and a moiety of rent was paid by G.R. Wedgood, 20, Mount Charles, Belfast. It was proposed to amalgamate the school in 1907 with the Established Church (Church of Ireland) school in Durrus. Even though the school was under Methodist Management only 4 of the 30 pupils were Methodist the remainder Church of Ireland, at that stage Durrus School had 40 pupils and could accommodate the extra children. The other schools in the area Cashelane, Ahogoheen , Durrus all EC and Four Mile Water RC. The school was removed from the roll from the resignation of Mr. Daniel Boyd the teacher who emigrated to Canada. The manager was the Rev. Cathcart who replaced Rev. Caldwell

• Teachers
• Mr Cole 1875
• Mr. Daniel Boyd to 1907

[edit] Church Society Schools

There were schools at Knockroe, Gearhies and Gortalassa in the care of Irish speaking teachers including Seamus O Suilleabhain of the Ui Shuilleabhain Fachdnaidh at Bonane near Kenmare. It is believed that the Irish Society was active in this regard.

[edit] Secondary School

The Mercy Order arrived in Bantry in and their school for girls started in 1863, initially on a National School Curriculum. By 1885 they had broadened the curriculum and this later expanded to include bookkeeping, agriculture, horticulture, mechanical drawing, dressmaking and cookery. Art, craft and design vocal, choral and instrumental music and song were included. Children were prepared for Civil Service exams and trained as monitors who would move on to teach in the National Schools. The Intermediate Course started in 1911 and in 1927 a Secondary 'top' was attached to the National School. In 1878 the two schools became distinct and the convent school was the only one in the area providing full time second level education ?. In the absence of transport the secondary school was of limited use to children in outling areas such as Durrus. Where families could afford it boarding schools were utilised. The children of Jehr (the shop) O'Sullivan, Chrissie (Mrs. Leahy), Maisie (Mrs. O'Mahony, Maeve (Mrs. McGovern) went to the Urselines in Cork in the 1930s, The Crowley sisters of Ahagouna, Nonnie (now Sr. Arsinesas of the Sisters of Mercy, Dublin), and Bridie (now Mrs. Blackburn formerly of Bordeaux) went to the Mercy Convent in Dunmanway in the early 1930s

[edit] Lace School under the Congested Districts Board

The Sisters of Mercy in Bantry started The Convetual Industries a development of training and employment and they restarted the dormant lace making industry in 1902. This was to last into the 1950s

• Miss Cosgrove 1912

[edit] Sea Urchin Fishery 1960s to 1980s

There was a thriving fishery in sea urchins in Dunmanus Bay, in the area bounded by Mannion’s Island Ahakista and the ruined Dunmanus Castle. The waters are shallow and this encouraged the growth of the urchins. The fishery was operated by John Arthur of Kenmare and the other included John and Dermot Murphy of Bantry, the boatmen were Joe and Mick Flynn of Gearameen Durrus. At different stages four or five boats would have operated. The urchins were caught by divers and John Arthur said that he would often spend four hours in the water. The urchins were sold on the French market live and were shipped through Cork Airport and were very perishable. The fishery was effectively wiped out with the sudden onset of red tide in the early eighties. The Lucey family of Waterville and a French Company operating out of Crookhaven were also in the business.

[edit] Scalloping

Among those involved in the scallops were Willie Atteridge of Gearameen, Frank Arundel of Ahakistaand Paddy Barry of Sea Lodge in the 1960s.

[edit] Perriwinkles

Winkles have been harvested along the shores of Dunmanus Bay for many years, and in the past were purchased for the French Market by a Company operating from Crookhaven who stored them in ponds awaiting transportation. They collected on a regular basis by truck.

[edit] Travellers

• Johonny Calnan • Bart Coakley • Johonny Collins • Paddy Collins made brushes with horse hair • Bart Cronin • Jack Foill• John Daly • Daly the Fiddle, a native of Geaies he used to play the fiddle all over West Cork and to tourists in Glengarriff. He played in farmhouses and was paid 2d. as the people came to dance. • Jerry the Banks • Jerry the Quality • Dan Jehr • Jerry Lynch • Tom Malone. He was from Listowel and a gentleman and scholar rather than artisan. He had at one stage studied for the priesthood. His favourite was The Tailor and Ansty, he was a friend of Professor O'Rathaille, also from Listowel who kept him in clothes. Noted for his powers of speech referred to in Under Seefin, as the elite of the travelling men, educated witty and well read, he liked the company of priests and teachers, one of his sayings was Once upon a time it was Great Britain and Ireland, the day will come when it will be Great Ireland and Britain • Crochan O'Shea, a native of Kerry had been a teacher and was a great Irish speaker • John Rellaghan, an unqualified travelling vet, he treated sick animals and castrated stallions and bulls. • Maggie Spooney • Tim (Daly) the Tailor, he used to come and make clothes. He grew up in an Industrial School and was very learned. He would go from house making clothes • Johonny White • Annie Wall sold combs and hair brushes

[edit] Distinguished People local parishes

• James Swanton, (c1760-1828) joined Berwick's Irish Regiment in 1780 great grandfather of Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953)
• Sir Francis L.O’Callaghan, (1839-1909), Born Dunmanus, son of James O’Callaghan, JP, educated Queen’s College, Cork in Engineering, Consultant to the Government of India for State Railways, supervised construction of Railway bridge over River Indus and the railway through the Bolan Pass
• Robert Swanton from Ballydehob, United Irishman, Lawyer in New York, he chaired a meeting of 'the Friends of Ireland in New York' in 1825, possibly the first attempt to mobilise the Irish in America. He became a judge of the Marine Court in New York, he returned home in 1836 and died in Ballydehob in 1841, his grave inscription in Skibbereen states 'Do ghradhaigh se na Gaedhil agus an Gaeilge', he loved the Irish people and the Irish language.
• Thomas Swanton, Crannliath, Ballydehob, Merchant, Landlord and Gaelic Scholar, he tried to use the language in public, in 1848 he had posters printed in Irish advertising the new fair in Ballydehob from the first Thursday in May, 1848. He was a member of learned societies in Dublin.
• Capt Francis O'Neill 1848-1936, Tralibane, Collector of Irish Music Chicago
• Diarmuid O h-Eigeartaigh1856-1934, author of Tadhg Ciallmhar 1934 folklore of 18th century, Is Uasal Ceird memoirs of a teacher 1926.
• Patrick Joseph Sullivan, born Kilcrohane, Republican US Senator for Wyoming, 1929-1930.

[edit] Recreation

The pattern at Gougan Barra is still attended but in the past it was quite different. In the 18th Century and early 19th. Century patterns at holy wells or at Gougan Barra were very popular. In theory these were religious in practice they were a form of zealous recreation. In 1813, the folklorist Thomas Crofton Croker (1798-1854) attended a pattern at Gougan Barra on St.John's Eve the 23rd? June. There were large crowds on the shore of the lake multitudes in and around the chapels, those inside on their knees some with arms uplifted praying aloud others counting the beads on their rosaries or using a small pebble or cutting notches on a stick to indicate the number of prayers to be repeated. A rusty piece of iron was passed was passed from one pilgrim to the next and placed on the head three times, accompanied by a prayer. A man belonging to a mendicant order scratched the wall of the well with a piece of slate, following the imprint of the cross. The pieces of slate were sold to pilgrims afterwards as relics. Inside the door of the well were seven or eight people some with their arms some with their legs in the water exhibiting their sores. Outside little bottles of glass water were sold and applied to an infected part or sold on the spot. Women waited with naked infants to dip them into the waters of the well. On the shores of the lake were tents with whiskey porter and bread. In most tents was a piper and young people danced, the women choosing the partner. There were twenty or thirty people in each tent, drinking heavily singing rebellious songs which were greeted with howls of approval. By evening most were drunk, cudgels were brandished and there was general mayhem. He was impressed with the piety of the simple people but a confused uproar of prayers and oaths of sanctity and blasphemy sounded in the same instant of the ear. He noted the common loss of life due to faction fights at patterns. The Bishop of Cork, Dr. John Murphy banned the Gougan pattern in 1818. The Protestant clergyman Caesar Otway (1780-1842) visited in 1827 and counted 936 Paters, Aves and Credos.

[edit] Athletics

In the post famine era there was dejection and mass emigration. By the 1870s athletics became very popular and the schools folklore project has many references to races, weight throwing and events in Kilcrohane and Ahakista. It was common for people to cross Dunmanus Bay for events on the other side or to meet half way in Carbery Island

[edit] GAA

There are references to a club in Durrus in 1888 playing Skibbereen. However there was a near total failure of the potato crop in 1890 and a mood of panic gripped the area, resulting in a drop in the number of clubs from 38 to 2. In the early years rules were loose and matches sometimes developed into a melee. In the 1930s the playing field was in Clashadoo opposite the former schoolhouse. Teams would often travel to matches in the back of Jackie Cronin’s lorry. Over the years players from the area included Robert O’Sullivan (he is a brother of Danny O’Sullivan publican and later joined the Gardai) he played minor football for Cork in the 1960s.

[edit] Bowling

It has been suggested that the introduction of flaxin the mid-18th. Century followed by the introduction of weaving families from the North of Ireland introduced bowl playing to West Cork. With the improvement in the roads in the late 19th.century it begins to register in the folklore with names such as Skuse of Brahalish and Barrett of Colomane mentioned.

[edit] Cards

The games of 45 and 110were very popular.

[edit] Music

In the 1850s when Francis O'Neill (the great collector of Irish Music) was a child many musicians played in his parent’s house. In Durrus Nell Burke Coomkeen, played the melodian in her younger days. In the 1930s the Station Heights in Dunbeacon was a centre for dancing and music in particular the Daly house. Music was supplied by the two Mahony Brothers, Mine Road on the fiddle A wooden platform was used in Dunbeacon crossroads for dancing in the same period, it was in use over the weekend and put away on Sunday night.

[edit] Regattas

Bantry had a Regatta in 1833.

[edit] Coach Service

Before the extension of the railway from Drimoleague to Bantry, a coach service was provided from Bandon to Bantry, and the travel time by train and coach from Cork to Bantry was approximately 6½ hours. In 1875 the mail coach left Bandon at 3.40 a.m. for Bantry arriving at 9.20 a.m., the mail then left Bantry for Durrus and other outlying areas at 10 a.m. The Coach left Baantry for Bandon at 3.55p.m. arriving at 9.45 p.m. the fare was 4/=. The Cork and Bandon Company agreed with the Post Office to provide a conveyance of the mails from Cork to Bantry in May 1857. The Bantry mail service being given to Mr. Thomas Marmion of Skibbereen. A complaint was made in July 1864 of the late arrival of the Bantry Mail Car. Apparently the driver had fallen asleep on the car between Drimoleague and Bantry, having been plied with drink by a passenger. The Mail Inspector sought the removal of the driver, and an instruction was issued that he was not to be employed on mail cars. Marmion’s contract came up for renewal, and under later renewals from 1867, he was receiving £300 per annum, to conduct the mail from Bandon to Bantry.

[edit] Steamer Service

A Steamer Service operated between Cork and Dingle, between the late 1850s and 1905. The Clyde Shipping Company took over this service in 1876, calling at Bantry to pick up pig and millstuffs.

[edit] Railways

As early as 1836, the Consulting Engineer, Charles Vignoles, put forward a scheme to the Railway Commission for a trunk line from Dublito Cork, including a branch running from Blarney, through Macroomand Glengarriff, to Castletownebere. The report, however, made no mention of the line to service West Cork. A later scheme was the direct Dublin, Cork and Bantry Railway Company, which was provisionally registered in August 1845for a railway from Dublinto Bantry, via Kilkenny, Clonmel and Cork. The Scheme, however, did not proceed. A Company was set up to run a railway from Cork to Bandon in 1845, and in 1846 secured Parliamentary approval to proceed, which included a projected line to Bantry. There were discussions in the early 1850s, with a view towards extending the line to Bantry, and Lord Bandon in October 1850, suggested that the line go from Drumcoureen southwards to Dunmanus Bay. This was declined due to the depressed state of the money market. A memorial was submitted from the people of Durrus, seeking an extension of the line to Dunmanus, but to no avail. The Admiralityexpressed an interest in the possible extension of the line to Crookhaven, as they were examining its suitability as a Trans Atlantic Packet Station. Nothing developed from this however. Eventually work commenced on the line in November 1879,the contractor being William Martin Murphy and opened for business at the old station in Bantry, near the Hospital, in 1881. The West Cork Eagle & Co. Cork Advertiser had a letter from Mr. John E. Sloan, late Chief Engineer, Irish Lights, on 15th. September 1883 proposing a tramway from Skibbereen to Mizen Head with a branch northwards to Durrus Road Station. In the line’s heyday in the early 20th century, there were four services a day to and from Cork to Bantry, in the Durrus area, people used the station at Durrus Road. The journey took approximately three hours. The Company was anxious to develop a tourist business, as the line was already an important link in the “Prince of Wales Route” from Cork to Killarney via Bantry and Glengarriff. In 1902 the Company commended the opening of a circular route from Bantry to Dunmanus Bay. Inclusive fares were 13s.6d. First Class, 12s.0d. Second Class, and 10s.0d Third Class, to include luncheon at Ahakista Hotel and tea at Bantry. The Local Development Syndicate (which had acquired the coaching business of Mr. Vickery of Bantry) agreed to do the coach and provide refreshments at 7s.0d a head. The Company agreed to provide a special train to Bantry and back, and to contribute half the cost of the refreshments.

An interesting story is told whereby Sergeant Creagh was appointed as a Sergeant in Durrus in the early 1930s. When he arrived at the station, he was somewhat surprised that the village was located some distance from Durrus Road Station. He was told to put his bags onto the cart of a jennet, which was leaving the station. The jennet belonged to O’Sullivan’s shop in Durrus, and for a number of years the animal went to and from the station with a driver to pick up the Cork Examiner and return. The line suffered significantly during the Troubles and Civil War. There was an ambush on the train at Upton on 15th February 1921, six were killed, and two days later Scart Bridge near Bantry was blown up, stopping services west of Drimoleague. On 7th August 1922, (the Civil War had started in June 1922) Chetwynd Viaduct was severely damaged by explosives, traffic was suspended and there was great difficulty getting staff to conduct the repairs, and it was not until April 1923 that service was resumed to Bantry. In the intervening period, Signal Cabins and Staff Instruments were destroyed by fire at Durrus Road Station.

Numbers travelling on the line dropped to an average of 20 daily, but this improved with the introduction of a diesel rail car in 1954, and numbers increased to between 80 and 130. However, there was a policy of closing rail lines, and the loss of the Bandon section for the Year Ended March 1958, was Stg.£91,000, which together with the prevailing mood at the time, proved terminal for the entire West Cork system. The last train went from Bantry to Cork on Good Friday, 31st March 1961.

Letter West Cork Eagle & Co. Cork Advertiser had a letter from Mr. John E. Sloan, late Chief Engineer, Irish Lights, on 15th. September 1883 proposing a tramway from Skibbereen to Mizen Head with a branch northwards to Durrus Road Station. In September 1928, a 'pig special' left Bantry after the Pig Fair held on the first Thursday of the month, drawn by two locomotives. At Scart Bridge four wagons became detached and 43 pigs were killed.

[edit] Telephones

The phone service arrived in , and consisted of a manual exchange located in the Post Office. The STD System did not come until circa 1981. In 1979 the Beltegeuse exploded at the jetty at Whiddy Oil Terminal, killing over 40 people. As a consequence the Tribunal Inquiry set up at the West Lodge Hotel, chaired by Mr. Justice Costello. At the time, a postal strike commenced in January of that year, and was to last until the end of June. This strike not only affected the postal service, but also closed down the phone service in those parts of the country still on manual exchanges, including Durrus. At that time, Bantry was still on the manual service, and each afternoon reporters covering the Tribunal had to race to Drimoleague to phone their report in, after enduring a long queue at the phone box, as Drimoleague was then on the STD service. It might be noted by way of contrast, that in the 1890s, a deputation from the Irish Co-Op movement headed by Sir Horace Plunkett, went on a study tour of southern Sweden, in the Upsala area, and were amazed to discover that most of the farmers in the area had phones.

[edit] Parish Priests.

• Auloffe Sullivan , ordained 1664
• Rev Humphrey O'Sullivan (Licensed) P.P. 1688-1714, in 1703 in accordance with the law requiring the registration of 'Popish' priests he was ordained in Normandy in 1664.
• Rev Timothy Crowley (Resided in Coomkeen Upper) P.P. 1776
• Rev Jeremiah O'Driscoll P.P. 1766-?
• Rev Dan McCarthy (Apostatised and married his ward Ms. Blair) P.P. 1790
• Rev Denis Barnane P.P. 1790-1818
• Rev Richard Quinn P.P. 1818-1849
• Rev John Horgan P.P. 10 June, 1849-1860
• Rev Patrick O’Flynn P.P. 21 Jan. 1860-1871
• Rev John Dulea (?), P.P. 1875
• Rev James Bowen P.P. 5 July 1877-1885
• Rev Michael Kearney P.P. 9 Feb.1886-1897
• Rev Timothy O’Leary P.P. 1898-1911
• Rev George McDonnell P.P. 23 Sept. 1911-1912
• Rev W Desmond (?)p. P.P. 20 April 1913
• Rev Michael Cotter P.P. 1922-1935
• Rev Matthew McSwiney P.P. 1935-1943
• Rev Michael Roche P.P. 1943-1957
• Rev Arthur Stritch P.P. 1957-1959
• Rev Patrick O’Sullivan P.P. 1959-1962
• Rev William J. Cashman P.P. 1962-4
• Rev Jim Horgan P.P. 1964-1965
• Rev T.J. Walsh P.P. 1965-1970
• Rev John McSweeney P.P. 1970-1973
• Rev Jerome Charles Lynch P.P. 1973-1977
• Rev Jim Byrne P.P. 1977-1980
• Rev Humphrey Mulcahy P.P. 1980-1982
• Rev Michael Murphy P.P. 1982-1985
• Rev Michael McCarthy P.P. 1985-1997
• Rev Gus Keating 1997-1999
• Rev Liam Crowley P.P. 1999-to date

[edit] Curates

• Rev John Kelleher C.C. 28 Jan1830
• Rev D Meagher (?) C.C. 1822-1823
• Rev Jim O'Mahony C.C. 14 Aug. 1824
• Rev Edward Jefford C.C.24 Nov 1825
• Rev R.Walsh C.C. 22 Jan 1826
• Rev. John Stawey (?) 14 July 1829
• Rev. Pat Begley C.C. 28--1834
• Rev Chris Freeman C.C. 27 June 1835
• RevD O'Connell (?) 2 July 1839
• Rev Simon Murphy C.C. 1 July 1840-1844
• Rev Chas McCarthy 25 June 1845
• Rev. J Barrett C.C. 20 Feb 1849
• Rev Jeremiah Cummins C.C. 24 Jan 1850-1850

• *Rev J Collins (?) 13 Feb 1851 • *Rev D C O'Brien (?) 8 Feb 1853 • *Rev Ml Haly(?) 5 Feb 1856 • *Rev J Cronin C.C. 3 Sept 1858 • *Rev J B Barry C.C. 20 Oct 1859 • *Rev Thomas Palmer C.C. 25 Jan 1860-1860 • *Rev James Hegarty C.C. 3 Feb1861-1863 • *Rev Michael Kearney C.C. 28 Jan 1864-1864 • *Rev John A. Daly C.C. 4 Nov 1865-1867 *Rev John (Daniel) O'Sullivan C.C. 1867-1868 (?)

• Rev James Hegarty C.C. 1861
• Rev Edmund Murphy C.C. 30 Jan 1869-1869
• Rev John O'Sullivan C.C. 1869-1872 (?)
• Rev Patrick O'Neill C.C. 1872-1873
• Rev Florence McCarthy C.C. 19 January1874-1874
• Rev John Crowley 23 Jan 1874 or 1873
• Rev Thomas F. Burke C.C. 1875-1876 (?)
• Rev Andrew Desmond C.C. 13 Jan 1877-1878 (?)
• Rev John Magner C.C. 2 Nov 1878-1879
• Rev Florence Crowley C.C. 8 Feb 1880-1881 (?)
• Rev Timothy O’Leary C.C. 4 Feb 1882-1886

• Rev Sylvester Cotter C.C. 8 Feb 1886-1889 • Rev James Bowen P.P. 1877-1885 • Rev Laurence Cummins C.C. 1879-1879 • Rev George McDonnell C.C. 24 Feb1889- 1889 • Rev Patrick O’Donovan C.C. 1889-1891 • Rev Denis O’Driscoll C.C. 1891-1911 • Rev John McSwiney C.C. 1897-1899 • Rev John Gould C.C. 4 Feb 1899-1901 • Rev Timothy Murphy C.C. 9 Feb 1902-1905 • *Rev John Callanan C.C. 10 Feb1906-1911 • *Rev O'Sullivan 28 Feb 1905, 11 Feb 1911 • *Rev Charles McCarthy C.C. 1 Sept 1912 • *Rev Charles Gould C.C. 7 Jan 1915-1918 • *Rev Hugh O’Neill C.C. 1918-1923 • *Rev Cornelius Creed C.C. 1923-1926 • *Rev Tom Daly C.C. 18 Sept 1926-1929 • *Rev Con O’Brien C.C. 23 Sept 1929-1935 • *Rev J Fehily C.C. 1934 • *Rev Tim McSwiney C.C. 1935-1938 • *Rev Michael O’Driscoll C.C. 1938-1939 • *Rev Jeremiah O’Sullivan C.C. 1938-1939 • *Rev Dick Harris C.C. 1939-1943 • *Rev David O’Leary C.C. 1943-1948 • *Rev Dan O’Flynn C.C. 1948-1955 • *Rev Peter Lucey C.C. 1955-1959 • *Rev John McCarthy C.C. 1960-1963 • *Rev Michael Riordan C.C. 1963-1964 • *Rev Patrick O’Sullivan P.P. 1959-1962 • *Rev Sean Buckley C.C. 1964-1965

• Rev Sean Sullivan C.C. 1965-1966
• Rev Paddy Keating C.C. 1967-1969
• Rev Kieran Boland C.C. 1970-1974
• Rev Sean Murray C.C. 1975-1978
• Rev Liam Crowley C.C. 1979-1985
• Rev Jim Duggan C.S.S.P.,

Note, The curates generally served in Kilcrohane and the last curate appointed there was Fr Jim Duggan. There was a priest's house in Ahakistain the 1940s now Shiros Japanese Restaurant, afterwards the curate lived in Kilcrohane.

It is recorded that Fr. Timothy Crowley, in 1766 lived in Upper Coomkeen, Fr. Dan McCarthy lived in Kealties. Fr. Barnane lived first at Fort Lodge, Tullig but moved to Bantry.

[edit] Ministers Church of Ireland

• Cornelius O'Sullivan, Vicar of the Rectory of Kilcrohane under the Abbot of St. Catherine, Waterford, 1591
• Thadeus McDonnell O'Sullivan Vicar, Durrus, 1615
• Thomas Barham 1625-1663
• Solomon Clarke 1639
• Thomas Holmes1663
• Richard Davies 1714-1734
• George Lloyd 1736-1737
• John Kenney 1737-1751
• Thomas Millerd 1751-1756
• John Barry 1756-1769
• John Kenney 1769-1793, he built the present Church in 1992
• Edward Herbert Kenney 1793-1799, he was later Rector Rosscarbery and his work in organising relief work (in the famine of 1822) and paying the workers in money or meal was praised by the Parish Priest for his 'meritorious conduct'
• Henry Jones 1799-1805
• Mason Alcock 1805-1829, non resident being infirm
• Edward James Alcock 1805-1842, built old rectory (Glebe House) in 1831. He sat on a committee in Bantry in 1824 to petition against the withdrawal of the bounty on linen production as had been agreed in the Act of Union.
• William Moore Crosthwaite 1842-1852, his family said that his death was brought on by a fever contacted in the famine when he was doing relief work. He attended the opening of the new Church of Ireland Church on Cape Clear in October 1849 when the Vicar the Rev. Edward Spring preached in Irish. The itinerant preacher Rev. Daniel Foley, accompanied by Rev. Fisher of Altar and Toormore, visited his parish in early 1849. He had a Curate paid for by the Irish Society in London.
• James Freke Vicar 1852-1865
• John Harding Cole Curate, 1860
• John Pratt, 1875-1902
• George T. Levis, 1902-1924, he was an athlete and cross country running champion
• A.A.Wilson, 1924-1928
• D.P.S. Wilson 1928-1932
• T.J. McManaway, 1932-1938, Instrumental in establishing the Creamery in Durrus, 1934, later Kilcrohane and Dunmanway. He is commerated in a poem by Charlie Dennis for his work in getting the road from Coomkeen to the North side started.
• W. Doherty 1938-1947
• E.J.R. Tobias, 1947-1950
• J. Pennyfeather, 1950-1952
• B.J. Sole 1952-1953
• C. Ralph, 1953-1955
• Leonard V. Buckley- Jones, 1955-1973, built new rectory in 1965 the contractor was Mr. McCarthy, Ballycommane (his son is the engineer for the new school), Sean Flynn carpenter, Ballycomane worked on the house,
• L.A. Elliott, 1973-1979
• J.P. Clarke, 1979-1982
• L. Cavan, 1982-1985
• Rev. Richard John McCoy 1985-1987
• C.L. Peters, 1987-
• Rev Conner,
• Rev. Paul Willoughby

Note, The parishes of Durrus and Kilcrohane seem to have been separated between 1634 and 1639 but reunited by 1663.

[edit] School folklore project 1937-1939

Durrus schools,  St. James, Carrigbui, Dunbeacon

• Poets:
• Charles Dennis, died 1961 aged 82 years

       Oh! Durrus, you were often fleeced,

In the good old days gone by And only for Mr. MacManaway You should lie down and die He's out to help industry Give every man fair play, His enterprising capitalist Will surely win the day His latest stunt is to build a road Through the fair valley of Coomkeen It starts at Crocawadra An ends in Gearameen We'll make of him a Bishop And that without a doubt, And he'll remove the Border, Between North and South.

• Batt the Fiddler

1880s born Gloundala, Dunmanway old lame man played the concertina, satire on Fr. Kearney, curate in Kilcrohane later Parish Priest of Durrus. Fr. Kearney was very anti-dancing and Batt played the concertina at cross roads and condemned Batt from the altar. and like wise Father Kearney I don't want to praise you failte For I played in Muintir Baire Before you knew your creed.

• Youthful Mary Minihan, Coomkeen, poetry
• Jim Driscoll, Dunbeacon, poetry
• Story-tellers, Mr. E. Driscoll and Mr. T. Burke of Dreenlomane

[edit] Local Heroes

• Brothers Thomas and Robert Shannon, Brahalish, threw 7lb weight 80 feet
• Denis Sullivan, Durrus, straightened the half hundredweight in one hand, to lift a half tierce above his head and walk up and down the street with it
• Thomas Hurley, Durrus, lifted with one hand a chair holding a man weighing 14 stone
• Skuce (lived mid 19th.century)
• Big Will Sullivan (unbeaten in his time threw the 7lb weight 85 feet)
• Denis Lynch of Gouladoo (his throw of the half hundredweight for 25 feet was unequalled) weight throwers and bowlers
• Peter Cary reputed to have walked from Bantry to Kealties with 140 lb. meal on his back
• Rev. Levis, Rector of Durrus, ran 30 miles in the Cork Cross Country
• Ned Atteridge and Bill Sullivan for running
• Whelly, Coomkeen., ran down a fresh hare
• Denis Sullivan, Gearameen, caught three wild goats in one day
• Thomas Dulellow, Gearameen, ran a fox down
• Frank Allen, Mick Kennedy, Thomas Dukelow, swam 2 miles
• A man called Ferguson used to leap the pound wall on a hunter in the late 19th. Century
• Dan Donovan a dwarf, won a 'bet' between Three Castle Head and Sheep's Head in the hop, skip and jump and the high jump.
• Daniel Coughlan never beaten in the mile run except by a black horny goat
• Daniel O'Mahony, of Dreenlomane weight thrower and jumper in both the long and high jump, won prizes in Cork and elsewhere his landlord boasted of his strength. Danno O'Mahony was from his family
• Mowers were Ned Roycroft of Cove the most he mowed was 1.5 acres in one day. Mr T. Burke and Mr. E. Driscoll could mow 2 aces in one day
• Keohane from Cahara famous weight thrower
• A speedy walker was Lawrence Griffin, he lived in 'sGeash an Oir' (Skeanore) in Ballydehob and prizes were offered for speedy walkers of a half sack of flour
• Mr. M. Mahony was a great dancer from Rathravane, he was taught by an old dancing master in Ballydehob won medals at Feiseanna his favourite steps were Irish reels, hornpipes and jigs. Others dancers were Michael Kelleher and John Goggin (little John) both of Glaun.
• Timothy O'Driscoll from Dun Manus able to take a bag of flour for a long distance

[edit] Forges:

• O'Sullivans on the High Road (Carraig Canon) on the roadside in 1938, his father also had same.
• O'Donovan's on the roadside a large stream flows past it.
• Paddy (Murt) O'Donovans on the Kilcrohane road.
• Coolcolaughta, c 1850 Mr. Thady O'Sullivan, son later carried on business where Mr. Colbert's house stands 1938.
• Carrigboy two story building occupied by Arnold family old forge kept by Mr. Smyth. He later moved to a premises further west occupied by a local carpenter.

[edit] Traveling Folk

• Peg na Gila/Peig na gCaora, Kitty the Hare may have been modelled on her
• Spooney (Tom Sullivan) a sweep and cage mender
• Coffey a tramp
• Coakley a tramp
• Danny the Fiddler a strolling player
• Johonny McNamara beggar
• Tom Malone beggar noted for his powers of speech (referred to in 'Under Seefin', as the elite of the travelling men, educated witty and well read, he liked the company of priests and teachers, one of his sayings was Once upon a time it was Great Britain and Ireland, the day will come when it will be Great Ireland and Britain'’. He was from Listowel and a gentleman and scholar rather than artisan. He had at one stage studied for the priesthood. His favourite was The Tailor and Ansty', he was a friend of Professor O'Rathaille, also from Listowel who kept him in clothes. Noted for his powers of speech referred to in Under Seefin, as the elite of the travelling men, educated witty and well read, he liked the company of priests and teachers, one of his sayings was Once upon a time it was Great Britain and Ireland, the day will come when it will be Great Ireland and Britain

Famine 1846-47 Soup house in Beamish's farm at Ardogeena One very charitable person Mrs. O'Donovan beggared herself in the process. A great number of 'cablacs' and ruined houses in the townlands of Drishane and Cashelane are believed to have contained large families pre-famine. It was said in every thirty acres of land no less then eight families inhabited it. They all died of hunger some were said to die by the fences and in a field just on the boundary of Drishane and Cashelane owned by the Hegarty family (1938) about one and a quarter of a mile from Dunbeacon school and it is said that about 40 persons died there and were eaten by dogs. Most of the people were buried and the burial grounds are still to be seen at Cashelane. There is a field called 'the Cill Field' which is believed to contain about two thousand people. Cart loads of corpses were carried there.

Mr. E Driscoll (1938) was told by his mother that in black 47 people walked to Ballydehob where the local depot for Indian Meal was. One day as Mrs. Driscoll was returning from town she was met by a horse pulling a cart of dead bodies which were picked up from the wayside. She compared the bodies to 'fir scolls' at night, they were later cast into a pit in Stuaic graveyard without distinction

Famine 1878 (Year of Crahawns/Criocans) Fr. Kearney and Dr. Donovan were very charitable. Sergeant Ingham distributed food from the barracks. Food was distributed according to the number of children. (Note: The year may be wrong Fr. Kearney was not in Durrus at this period, it may be the potate failure of 1889-1890)

[edit] Cures:

• Dr. McCarthy Cruaidh was blind and allegedly could cure any ailment
• Holy well: In Moulivard Church there is a holy well, people pay rounds especially at the grave of Fr. Barnane (In Frank O'Mahony's book Jimmy Coakley b.1915 Tooreen, Kilcrohane, says that Fr. Barnane had the gift of curing, he was brought to the Bishop in Cork who reprimanded him. He woulden’t take no for an answer. The Priest said: I'm dying, I'm in bad health, and when I'm dead. Ill cure the same as I do now. On the 28th. June that would be his anniversary. And every year on that day, the graveyard would be full of fathers and mothers bringing their complaints and children and all to that. They used to come down from Cork, women to do the catering, boiling cans and giving out sandwiches and things like that to make a few bob. You'd be there all night. What you do is take a fist of earth from the grave, rub it to the sore, and thats what Willie (his grandfather) did. The next thing it all died away
• Holy Well at Rosska
• Local Landlord (Colcolaughta), Mr. Henry Wright 1880-1930s

[edit] Pigot's Directory, Bantry, 1824,

• Nobleman, Clergy Gentlemen
• Rev. Ed. Jones Alcock, Sea Lodge
• Nathaniel Evanson, Four Mile Water
• Richard Evanson, Four Mile Water
• Richard O' Donovan, O'Donovan's Cove
• Liut. Daniel H.P. O'Donovan, Kealvenogue
• Rev. Richard Quinn, Meentervara

[edit] Slater’s Directory Bantry 1846

• Allen Evanson, The Court
• Richard Tomson (Tonson?) Evanson, Friendly Cove
• Nathaniel Evanson, Sea Lodge
• Richard Tom(n)son Evanson Jnr. Ardogina
• Daniel O’Donovan, Ahakista Cottage
• Richard O’Donovan, Fort Lodge

[edit] Cork County Directory 1862 from Thom’s Directory

• Magistrates,
• Rev James Freke, Durrus Glebe, Carrickbue.
• Tim O’Donovan, O’Donovan’s Cove

[edit] Property Owners County Cork 187-

• Earl of Bandon 40,941 acres
• Earl of Bantry 69,500 acres
• Michael H. Morris, Durrus,1,157 acres
• William Morris, Durrus, 36 acres
• Kate O’Donovan, O’Donovan’s Cove, Durrus, 1,243 acres
• Richard O’Donovan, Carrigboy, 193 acres
• William Sullivan, Cashel Lane, Durrus, 304 acres

[edit] Guys Directory 1875

Postmaster: John Moss, and Telegraph Office Dispensary Doctor; Dr James O’Connolly Petty Sessions Court; David Burleigh Quarter Sessions; Bantry, Resident Magistrate, Charles O’Connell Sub-Inspector Constabulary; Andrew M. Harper Constable; Uriah Piper Justice of the Peace; Morris Michael Hungerford , Friendly Cove Hotel; James Phillips Shops; Timothy Crowley, Jeremiah O’Brien’John Sullivan, John Moss, John Sullivan, Timothy Sullivan, Richard Tobin Principal Landholders Timothy Dillon, Ardogeena Charles Dukelow, Coomkeen Michael H. Morris, Murreagh Patrick Sheedy, Kilovenoge John Sullivan, Carrigboy William Sullivan, Cashelfane Richard Tobin Jnr., Carrigboy George Vickery, Ballycomane John Vickery, Ballycomane Henry Wright, Cashelfane

[edit] Subscribers to Cusack's History of the City and County of Cork 1875

• M. H. Morris, Friendly Cove • James McCarthy, R.I.C., Durrus • Robert McDermott, R.I.C., Durrus • James O' Connelly, M.D. • W.H. Norris, J.P. Friendly Cove • Florence O' Mahony, Kilcrohane West

[edit] Guy’s Postal Directory 1912

Doctor, Dr. J.F. O’Mahony, Schools, Rooska John Pattison, Durrus George H Pattison, Four Mile Water J.P. Moynihan Mrs. McCarthy, Dunbeacon John O’Mahony, RIC Sgt Thomas McDonald

Residents • R Beamish, Ardogeena • Beecher, Ahakista • P D C Cronin, O’Donovan’s Cove • Rev Desmond P.P., The Presbetry • Verity Evans, the Bungalow, Dunbeacon • T. H. Healy • Rev G.T. Levis B.A. Rector • D. McCarthy, Blairs Cove House • Patrick McCarthy, Friendly Cove House • Richard Morris, Morreagh • Rev. J O’Sullivan C.C., Ahakista • J. D.O ’Sullivan, Carrrigboy • Philip Shanahan, Dunbeacon • See full list for occupations landowners etc

[edit] Marriage Agreement Burke Family 1896

Before the introduction of Old Age Pensions in 1907, old age was time of great worry for older people, and they had a concern to make provision for themselves, and also where possible to try and provide for their children. It was often the case that a formal agreement would be entered into, in the form of a Marriage Agreement, and this was the case involving the proposed marriage of Jeremiah Burke of Coomkeen and Hannah Sullivan of Rusheenaska. The Burke Family farmed in Coomkeen, and Daniel Burke was a Gamekeeper who looked after the commonage of Coomkeen and Clashadoo, for Lord Bandon, to protect it for shooting and hunting purposes. In this context, the house was shot at during the Land War, and while the Burkes were still alive, it was possible to see the bullet hole in a settle in their house.

The Sullivan Family were Dairymen at that stage in Rusheenaska, but previously had been Dairymen in Moulivaird and other centres in the locality.

The Marriage Agreement is dated 30th January 1896 between Daniel Burke, Farmer and John Sullivan (father of Hannah Sullivan). The Deed describes the lands at Coomkeen being held from the Earl of Bandon as a Tenant from year to year, at the Yearly Rent of £6.14s.0d. payable half-yearly on 1st May and 1st November of each year. Daniel Burke agreed to assign his interest in the farm to his son, Jeremiah, in consideration of the payment to him by John Sullivan of £40 Sterling. The land contained approximately 14 acres, … crops, one heifer, one horse and cart, one cat ….. the farming implements, dairy utensils and household furniture. If any dispute should arise between them, Jeremiah Bourke was to allow Daniel Burke and his wife Mary, in their lifetime, the use of one-third of the farm. Jeremiah Burke and Hannah Sullivan married, and their children, Daniel, Jack, Hannie, Kit, Mollie and Nell. In the 1920s Hannie, Kit and Mollie went to Boston. Mollie worked as a Cook, and the others worked as Paramedics. Jack and Nell worked the farm until his death in 1961, and Dan had gone to work for the Vickery family, at Ballycomane until they sold their land, and moved to Carrigaline outside Cork, when he continued working for them at that location. He later became a Postman in Durrus. His friendship with the Vickery family continued until his death in 1980. Hannie, Kit and Mollie sent money to Ireland to have a new house built at Coomkeen in the early 1950s, and the house was subsequently extended in 1964, and they returned to Ireland permanently in 1966. They had toyed with the idea of retiring to Florida, but opted to return to their homeplace instead. At that time, they had one of the few TV sets in the area, and were extremely hospitable, and their house became a centre for neighbours to gather. Among them would be Denis Whelley, Jehr (Pad) Moynihan, Sonny Moynihan, Bridgee Cronin, Bob Dukelow and his daughter Sally Johnson, all from Coomkeen, as well as Brigie Bourke from Clashadoo. When Nell Burke died in 1990 (??), none of the family had married, and the name died out. The Burkes were cousins of the O’Mahony family of Derry.. of Schull, and they were a cousin of Danno O’Mahony (1912-1950), the World Wrestling Champion in the 1935. They were also cousins of the Crowley family, at Ahagouna, the O’Sullivan/Keohane family of Crotees / Durrus Cross, the Levis / Donovan family of Bantry.

Index to Administration Bonds Dioceses of Cork and Ross 1612-1858

Prior to the reorganisation of the Irish Judicial system in the 1860s the Church of Ireland had a function in probate matters. Each Dioceses maintained a control over the issue of Administration Bonds necessary in the Probate process. These are catalogued and retained at the National Archive, the relevant volume is WW8.

[edit] Irish in ordinary speech 1930s

• Adhastar, a halter
• Ascail, armful, hay, straw
• Aiteann Gaelach, Tufts of furze
• Bacan, treadle of spade
• Bainbhin, little banbh (piglet)
• Bainncin,
• Balcais, tattered clothes
• Bainne bui, beasting (first milk of cow)
• Barra liobar, numbness in finger, parathesia
• Barrfhod, top sod as in bog when turf cuting
• Bastun, blockhead, eejit
• Beach Gabhair, a wasp
• Beart, bundle on back
• Birineach
• Blathach, buttermilk
• Bladaire, a flatterer, blower
• Bothan, hut, hovel
• Bro, a quern
• Brosna, firewood, kippins
• Buachalan, ragworth, noxious weed
• Buarach, spancel
• Budan, stump of animal's horn
• Buaileann Sciath, boaster
• Cabog, a rustic labourer
• Caibin, an old hat
• Caillichin, ash plant (cattle herding)
• Caoch, blind
• Caoran, small piece of dried turf
• Ceis, a young sow
• Codladh griffin, Pins &needles
• Cois ceim na trocaire, Three return steps with an oncoming funeral
• Cip-idir-ril, commotion
• Cisean, basket
• Cleamhas, made match
• Cleas-na-peiste, a type of knot which kills worms in cattle
• Cliotar, clatter
• Cniopaire, a miser
• Coincin, upturned nose
• Cabaire
• Cadarail
• Cailleach, an old hag
• Caisearbhan, dandelion
• Caol-fhod, narrow sod in furrow
• Ceannrach, a halter or bridle
• Ciarog, beetle or cockroach
• Ciotog, left handed person
• Ciseach, path in wet ground, bog
• Clais, furrow
• Cliamhain isteach, Son-in-law in bride's house,
• Corra mhiol, midge
• Craobhabhar, Sty(eye)
• Crobhnasc, Rope foreleg to horn
• Cruibin, Pig's hoof
• Cuingeal, Coupling rope ploughing
• Culog, Riding behind another(horse)
• Cupog, dock plant
• Cliotar, clatter
• Cnaimseail, Complaining
• Cniopaire, A miser
• Codladh griffin, Pins & needles
• Coincin, Upturned nose
• Cois ceim na trocaire, Three return steps with an oncomini
• Corra-giob, posterior
• Corrabhuais, smirk, concern
• Crain, sow
• Creathan, small potato
• Croitin
• Cuigion, churn
• Cuirliun, curlew
• Cunsog, nest of honey bees
• Deoch an dorais, One for the road
• Diabhal, devil
• Doirnin, Handle of scythe
• Dorn, fist
• Driodar, dregs (liquid)
• Duileasc, edible sea weed
• Dreoilin, Wren
• Duchas, heritage
• Eascu luachra, a lizard
• Feochadan, thistle
• Fite fuaite, mixed up, entwined
• Fluirse, plenty
• Fothain, shelter
• Fuachtan, chillblain
• Fustaire, a fussy person
• Fionnan, coarse grass on the hillside
• Flaithiuil, generous
• Follain, healthy
• Fraochan, hurtleberrry
• Fuadar, rush hurry
• Gabhail, as much as can be taken between one's arms
• Gam, a foolish person
• Garsun, a young boy
• Gearrach, a nestling
• Giobal, rag
• Glib, hair hanging over eye
• Gliogar, an addled egg
• Grafan, grubber
• Griosach, red coals in ashes
• Hum no Ham, word or movement
• Iomaire, ridge of potatoes
• Ladhar
• Lairin, a little mare
• Leadhb, a useless person
• Leath Sceal, excuse
• Liudraman, useless lazy person
• Luban, loop, tangle
• Madhbhan, edible seaweed
• Gaillseach, an earwig
• Gam, foolish person
• Garbhog, large nest of honey bees
• Gealas, braces, suspenders
• Gibiris, foolish talk
• Glaise, stream
• Gligin, hairbrained person
• Gob, beak like mouth
• Grideal, griddle
• Hulla builin, outcry, noise of hunt
• Ologon, wailing
• Laincis, spancel
• Lamh laidir, violence
• Leadranach, lingering, slow
• Liobar, untidy, hanging lip
• Lubaire, a rogue
• Luidin, little finger
• Mointean, reclaimed bogland
• Meiscre, cracked skin on hand
• Meascan Mearai, bewilderment
• Meitheal, a group of helpers
• Mi-adh, misfortune
• Mi na Meala, honeymoon
• Mile Murdail, horror of horrors
• Mothal, bushy hair
• Munlach, animal urine
• Muing, a fen, morass
• Ologon, wailing
• Piseog, superstious practice
• Plucamas, the mumps
• Pocan gabhar, male goat
• Portach, bog
• Puca padhail, a toadstoll
• Ruthail, rooting (pig)
• Ruaille Buaille, commotion
• Siogan,

* Sceabha, askew

• Sciollan, cut potato seed
• Scolb, thatching spar
• SEan Saor, Cheap Jack, dealer
• Sibin, Illict pub
• Slean, turf-spade
• Slisne, thin wedge, (under nail)
• Spagai, clumpy legs
• Oinseach, foolish woman
• Pilibin Miog, lapwing, plover
• Pleidhche, simpleton, fool
• Poc-leim, jump with joy
• Poitin, poteen, illict whiskey
• Praiseach bui, stirabout
• Raidhse, plenty
• Ri-ra, fuss, commotion
• Rogaire, rogue
• Scailp, sod, a scraw
• Sceach, a thorn bush
• Sceartan, tick, bug
• Scrogall, throat
• Si-gaoithe, whirlwind
• Slachtmhar, tidy
• Slibire, a tall ungainly man
• Slog, a gulp of liquidSpairt
• Spailpin, migratory labourer
• Spairt, poor quatity turf
• Stail, stallion
• Stracail. struggling
• Staimpi, potato cake
• Straille, untidy girl
• Sugan, rope of straw oe hay
• Suiste, flail for threshing
• Taith-fheithleann, honeysuckle
• Taoibhin, patch on the side of a shoe
• Taoscan, a small quantity
• Teaspach, exhuberance
• Tochas, itch
• Traithnin, aa strong blade of grass
• Trom Lui, nightmare
• Tri cois ceimeanna na trocaire, about turn and take three steps with oncoming funeral
• Tuistiun, a four penny piece
• Utamail, fumbling, groping
• Taoscan, a small quantity
• Tri co is ceimeanna na trocaire, about turn and take three steps with oncoming funeral
• Toin, bottom
• Tomhaisin, a small quantity
• Tri-na-cheile, confused
• Tuairgin, a pounder
• Uisce beatha, whiskey
• Uisce faio talamh, intrigue

These phrases were collected from the ordinary speech of Durrus people in the 1930s by Joe O’Driscoll, Dunbeacon.

[edit] References

• Bantry Historical Journal, Vol 1,2.
• Evelyn Bolster: A History of the Diocese of Cork, Tower Books, Cork, 1982, ISBN 0-902568-11-6,Catholic Central Library, Dublin
• James I.C.Boyd, The Schull and Skibbereen Railway, the Oakwood Press, 1999 ISBN 0-85361-534-9
• W.Maziere Brady: Clerical and Parochial Records of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, (3 Vols, Dublin, 1864).
• Tim Cadogan and Jeremiah Falvey, A Biographical Dictionart of Cork, 2006, Four Courts Press ISBN 1-84682-030-8
• Seamus Cahalane, Cartographer's Carbery 1581 Map, Mizen Journal 1997
• Archive of Dioceses of Cork and Ross, Paddy O'Keeffe, archive for list of priests, handwritten, dates preferred to those in diocesan archive
• M.F.Cusack: History of the City and County of Cork, Guys, Cork, 1875, Catholic Central Library, Dublin
• David Dickson:Old World Colony, Cork and South Munster 1630-1830, Cork University press, 2005,ISBN 1-85918-355-7
• 'Under the Shadow of Seefin' Ann McCarthy
• Irish words collected by Joe O'Driscoll N.T. Dunbeacon and Dublin in 1930s
• John Quinn: Down in the Free State, War Time Crashes, W.W.11 (1) W.G. 1999, ISBN 0-9525496-5-4
• Uilliam O Dalaigh:The O Dalys of Muintir Bhaire and the bardic tradition, 2006, Clolucht Bhearra.
• Frank O’Mahony, The story of Kilcrohane
• T.P. O'Neill, 'The Administration of Relief ', Studies in Irish history, the great famine 1845-52, Dublin 1956 p. 242
• J.G.White: History and Topographical Notes, Catholic Central Library, Dublin
• The Fold Magazine (Cork Dioceses), 2001, re Durrus Catholic Church
• Fr. T.J.Walsh (Parish Priest of Durrus), An Irish Rural Parish past and Present Muinter Bhaire, Capuchin Journal 1972
• Padraig O Maidin, Cork Examiner 19 November 1960 re tithes (from POK papers)
• Donal J. O'Sullivan 'The history of Caheragh Parish, 'The Captain Francis O'Neill Memorial Company Ltd'., Caheragh, 2002
• Reference; ‘A Census of Ireland c1659 ,from the Poll Money Ordinances 1660-1661’, edited Seamus Pender Irish Manuscript Commission, Dublin 2002 ISBN 1-874280-15-0
• Colin Rynne: At the sign of the Cow, the Cork Butter Market 1770-1924,The Collins Press, 1998,ISBN 1-898256-60-8.
• Richard S.Harrison: Bantry in olden days, 1992, published by author, also on Warner's butter, Southern Star 24 January 1990, Flax Growing in West Cork Southern Star 2 February 1991, Methodists in West Cork, Southern Star 9 February, 1991
• Willie Kingston: From Victorian Boyhood to the Troubles: A Skibbereen Memoir, Skibbereen Historical Journal Vol 1 2005, extracts edited by his niece Daisy Swanton and Jasper Ungoed-Thomas, grandson of Jasper Wolfe, and Vol 2.
• Mizen Journals 1-12.
• Bantry Historical and Archarological Society Journal. vol 2, 1994 ISSN 0791-6612 Journal
• Office of Public Works Archaeological Inventory of Co. Cork
• Penelope Durrell, Dursey
• West Cork Railway inc. Colm Creedon’s Works, Privately published Magazine Road, Cork
• Diarmuid O Murchadha, Battle of Callann A.D. 1261, JCHAS, 1961 no. 204 p. 105/116
• Index to Administration Bonds Dioceses of Cork and Ross 1612-1858, WW8
• [1], Durrus Graveyards