County Cork - Towns

Half way between Mallow and Fermoy, a pretty little place. Close by are the graceful remains of Bidgetown Abbey, a 13th century Augustinian foundation. The house called Anne's Grove (3km NW), the home of Mr and Mrs Patrick Anesley, has delightful gardens which are open to the public. They are of the supremely romantic turn-of-the century style. The walled gardens and the azalea groves are glorious in most seasons, but connoissurs are most impressed by the water garden, laid out along a small tributary river, with winding riverside walks.

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Another pretty village is Castletownshend, on a sheltered haven which saw a memorable sea fight between English and Spanish squadrons in 1602. Three tower-like islands standing out from the shore are known as the 'Stags'. Castletownshend demesne is close to the village, and interesting remains include Glenbarrahane Castle and church, and an ancient stone fort with a souterrain and hut sites. Somerville and Ross, the two victorian ladies who wrote Tales of an Irish R.M. lived most of their lives here.

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In the cemetry at Charleville (Rath Luirc) is the grave of the celebrated Gaelic poet, Sean Clarach Mac Domhnaill (1691-1754). Charleville has one of the largest milk and cheese processing plants in Ireland. The name Charleville commemorated King Charles II, but the town changed back to its old Irish name in the 1920's. It is the home of Golden Vale Co-operative Creameries, one of the largest milk processing and cheese-making concerns in Ireland.

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A busy market town located near to several popular seaside resorts such as Inchadoney and Owenahincha. Fine 19th century mill buildings have been nicely adapted for modern use, and now house the town library and County Council offices. Nearby, a small disused Presbyterian Church has been put to service as the post office. Local planning authorities have encouraged the use of traditional hand painted signs with a special emphasis on the Irish language on business premises in the town. See also the fine statue of a pikeman. For a town of its size, the Roman Catholic Church is impressive, with fine glass and mosaics. A model village is being developed and will include a reproduction of the West Cork Railway and industrial development in the area during the period of World War 11. Michael Collins, one of the great heroes of the 1916-1922 period, was born at Woodfield, near here. He was General of the Free State Army, and his Dynamic and powerful personality made him a legend in his own lifetime. the small West Cork Museum in Clonakilty has many momentoes of the hero. The memorial to him at Sam's Cross was unveiled by General Tom Barry, himself a prominent figure in the Republican Movement. From Clonakilty westward the coast becomes bolder and more rugged, the sea carving deep inlets and bays as it rolls in from the Atlantic.

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Cloyne, a small town to the east of Cork Harbour, has associations with three remarkable though diverse personalities: Gerge Berkeley, the philosopher who was Bishop here from 1734 to 1753 before going onto found a university in Bermuda - largely with money donated by Vanessa, the mysterious lady friend of Johathan Swift, Dean of St Patrick's in Dublin and author of Gulliver's Travels. William Penn, founder of the State of Pennsylvania - the family home was at Shanagarry. Christy Ring, probably the greatest hurler Ireland ever produced, was born here and is commemorated by a sculpture of him in the town. Long before any of these, gentle St Coleman, a poet in Latin and Irish founded a monastery here, of which the 33m Round Tower still stands. In the medieval cathedral Berkeley is commemorated by a fine alabaster tomb.

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