Talk:Modern history of Durrus and District

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New pages?[edit]

I suggest creating new pages for each of these topics and linking to them from this page. Peter Clarke 11:44, 13 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]


It's verbal d– but this is exactly how a seanachie would tell it in the local pub. No context but lots of details.86.42.213.51 16:43, 4 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Language[edit]

I removed a long list of Irish words/phrases. RJFJR (talk) 13:36, 12 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Dairying and The Creamery[edit]

I removed this long list of people (without context) RJFJR (talk) 20:34, 12 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

    • 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, William Sr. (Bill) Ward and son Thomas (Toss) Ward, Pat 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
  • William Sr. (Bill) Ward and son Thomas (Toss) Ward 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

Aughagoheen Church of Ireland[edit]

I removed this long list of children RJFJR (talk) 20:36, 12 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

  • 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.


Parish priests[edit]

I removed this long list RJFJR (talk) 20:37, 12 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

  • 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 September 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

Curates[edit]

  • Rev John Kelleher C.C. 28 Jan1830
  • Rev D Meagher (?) C.C. 1822-1823
  • Rev Jim O'Mahony C.C. 14 August 1824
  • Rev Edward Jefford C.C.24 November 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 February 1849
  • Rev Jeremiah Cummins C.C. 24 Jan 1850-1850

• *Rev J Collins (?) 13 February 1851 • *Rev D C O'Brien (?) 8 February 1853 • *Rev Ml Haly(?) 5 February 1856 • *Rev J Cronin C.C. 3 Sept 1858 • *Rev J B Barry C.C. 20 October 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 November 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 November 1878-1879
  • Rev Florence Crowley C.C. 8 February 1880-1881 (?)
  • Rev Timothy O’Leary C.C. 4 February 1882-1886

• Rev Sylvester Cotter C.C. 8 February 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 February 1899-1901 • Rev Timothy Murphy C.C. 9 February 1902-1905 • *Rev John Callanan C.C. 10 Feb1906-1911 • *Rev O'Sullivan 28 February 1905, 11 February 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. Fr. Kearney moved from Blair's Cove to Durrus Court in March 1887 and the property was later sold in July 1947 for £1,800.

Section moved from article[edit]

I moved this section of 'cures' and 'directories' from the article RJFJR (talk) 03:33, 13 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Cures[edit]

  • 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 that's what Willie (his grandfather) did. The next thing it all died away
  • Holy Well at Rosska
  • Local Landlord (Colcolaughta), Mr. Henry Wright 1880-1930s

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

  • 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

Slater's Directory Bantry 1846[edit]

  • 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

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

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

Property Owners County Cork 187-[edit]

  • Earl of Bandon 40,941 acres (165.7 km2)
  • Earl of Bantry 69,500 acres (281.3 km2)
  • Michael H. Morris, Durrus, 1,157 acres (4.7 km2)
  • William Morris, Durrus, 36 acres (150,000 m2)
  • Kate O’Donovan, O’Donovan's Cove, Durrus, 1,243 acres (5.03 km2)
  • Richard O’Donovan, Carrigboy, 193 acres (0.78 km2)
  • William Sullivan, Cashel Lane, Durrus, 304 acres (1.23 km2)

Guys Directory 1875[edit]

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

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

• 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

Guy's Postal Directory 1912[edit]

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, Carrigboy • Philip Shanahan, Dunbeacon • See full list for occupations landowners etc

RIC[edit]

Unclear what a 'RIC' is, moved from article to talk RJFJR (talk) 03:36, 13 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

  • 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


1927 Charles A. Lindbergh[edit]

In Penelope Durrel's book on Dursey she relates how on the late morning of 21 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 Lindbergh, 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


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

Is this significant? RJFJR (talk) 03:39, 13 October 2009 (UTC) James Gilhooley MP (he had been a merchant in Bantry, and was jailed on a number of occasions 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 Dáil Éireann. 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.[reply]


1916 Election[edit]

Is this significant? RJFJR (talk) 03:41, 13 October 2009 (UTC) Daniel O'Leary (Barrister, Friendly Cove) elected MP in by-election in 1916 following death of James Gilhooly Irish Parliamentary. He was born at Glandart 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. Aislings Ma.[reply]


Travellers[edit]

moved from article RJFJR (talk) 03:45, 13 October 2009 (UTC) • 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[reply]


Ministers Church of Ireland[edit]

  • 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 commemorated 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.

School folklore project 1937-1939[edit]

  • 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

Local heroes[edit]

  • Brothers Thomas and Robert Shannon, Brahalish, threw a 7 lb (3.2 kg). weight 80 feet (24 m).
  • 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 7 lb (3.2 kg). weight 85 feet (26 m).
  • Denis Lynch of Gouladoo (his throw of the half hundredweight for 25 feet (7.6 m) was unequalled) weight throwers and bowlers
  • Peter Cary, reputed to have walked from Bantry to Kealties with 140 lb (64 kg). meal on his back.
  • Rev. Levis, Rector of Durrus, ran 30 miles (48 km) 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 (3.2 km).
  • 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 (6,100 m2) in one day. Mr T. Burke and Mr. E. Driscoll could mow 2 acres (8,100 m2) 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 and won medals at Feiseanna. His favourite steps were Irish reels, hornpipes and jigs. Other 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.

Forges[edit]

  • 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.

Travelling folk[edit]

  • 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 than 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 scrolls' 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)


Marriage Agreement Burke Family 1896[edit]

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 30 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 1 May and 1 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 (57,000 m2), … 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.

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