TRACTON

RC Parish of Tracton (or Kinalea), comprises the Civil Parishes of Ballyfoyle, Kilpatrick, Kinnure, Nohoval and Tracton.

(CJ 7/11/1763) - WHEREAS Timothy Hallahane, Labourer, with the assistance of his wife Elinor, late of Cullcolloths, in the barony of Kinalea, and county of Corke, has threatened, and intends to burn my house, by putting fire in the thatch, for which examinations are lodged against him, and a warrant issued for apprehending him; This is therefore to give notice that, I will give five pounds reward to any person or persons, who shall within six calendar months from the date hereof, apprehend the said Timothy Hallahane, and lodge him in any of his Majesty's goals, in order to his being prosecuted according to law. Given under my hand this 31st day of Oct. 1763 - WILLIAM BARTER

(Tuckey's Cork Remembrancer) - AD 1775 - Dec. 22 - About seven o clock this night the marquis of Rockingham transport, from Portsmouth, with three companies of the 32d regiment and their baggage on board, besides women and children, was in a heavy gale of wind driven into Robert's cove, and at three the following morning was dashed to pieces on the rocks, and every soul on board perished, except three officers and about thirty privates and two of the crew.. The officers who perished were lieutenant Marsh and ensign Sandiman, besides the wives of lieutenant Marsh and Dr. Barker. The officers saved were captain Glover, lieutenants Booth and Carter, and the doctor's mate. 'Tis impossible to paint the distress of the officers and soldiers who were saved, the greatest part of whom being cast on the rocks had their flesh torn in a shocking manner, and instead of receiving the least assistance from the inhabitants, were attacked by a great number of the common people, who carried off every article that could be saved out of the wreck.

1837 BALLYFOYLE – Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary - BALLYFOIL, a parish, in the barony of KINNALEA, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 10 miles, (E. by N.) from Kin- sale; containing 1291 inhabitants. This parish, which is called also Bealfoyl and Poliplicke, was formerly part of the possessions of Tracton Abbey, and from time immemorial was reputed free from tithes, till brought within the operation of the tithe composition act. It is situated on the southern coast, and comprises 1304 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The soil is fertile, and about one-half of the land is under tillage; the remainder is in dairy farms. The system of agriculture is improved; the only manure is sea-sand, which is brought into Rocky bay and Roberts’ Cove, two small coves in the parish, in large boats, of which several are employed in this trade. At Roberts’ Cove is a valuable slate quarry belonging to Sir Thomas Roberts, Bart., but is not worked to any considerable extent. Britfieldstown, the seat of Sir Thomas Roberts, Bart., is pleasantly situated in a secluded spot above Roberts’ Cove. On the same estate is Fort Richard, the residence of J. Gaiwey, Esq. The Cove affords a commodious shelter for vessels of 200 tons’ burden, which occasionally arrive laden with coal, and return with cargoes of slate. The coast-guard station here is the most westerly of the eight stations that constitute the district of Cove. A little to the west on the summit of Roberts’ Head, is a ruined sig nal tower from which is an interesting and extensive prospect. It is an impropriate curacy, in the diocese of Cork, and is part of the union of Tracton, where the Protestant inhabitants attend divine worship; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Shannon. The tithes amount to £109. 4. 6. the whole of which is payable to the impropriator. The church has long been a ruin. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Kinnalee or Tracton. The parochial male and female schools are supported by the Cork Diocesan Society; there is also a hedge school in the parish.

1837 KILPATRICK – Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary - KILPATRICK, a parish, partly in the barony of KERRYCIJRRIHY, but chiefly in that of KINNALEA, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (S.) from Carrigaline, on the road to Robertscove; containing 1142 inhabitants. It comprises 1428 statute acres, as applot ted under the tithe act, and chiefly under tillage: the soil is generally poor and badly cultivated. The strand of Ringabella bay furnishes sea sand for manure, in the conveyance of which about 10 boats belonging to this parish and Tracton are employed, and great quantities are landed at the bridge over the river Minane. The principal seats are Ballea Castle, that of E. Hodder, Esq.; Fountainstown, of G. Hodder, Esq.; Gurtnagrenan, of Luke Shea, Esq.; and Broomley, of G. Daunt, Esq. It is an impropriate cure, in the diocese of Cork, forming part of the union of Tracton; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Shannon; the tithes amount to £120. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Tracton. There is a private school, in which about 40 children are educated in summer. The ruins of the old church, which was dedicated to St. Patrick, are at the head of a picturesque glen.

1837 KINNURE – Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary - KINNURE, a parish, in the barony of KINNALEA, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 6 miles (E.S.E.) from Kinsale; containing 1095 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the southern coast, occupying a peninsulated tract of land projecting boldly into the Atlantic and terminating on Kinure Point. It is bounded on the west by Oyster Haven, and on the east by the Creek of Donbogue; and comprises 1180 statute acres. The land is generally good and chiefly under tillage, but the system of agriculture is in a very unimproved state: the chief manure is sea sand; lime is not to be obtained within less than 9 miles distance, and is consequently beyond the means of the ordinary farmer. Walton Court is the residence of T. Walton Roberts, Esq. Off Kinnure or Keroda Point is a shoal above high water mark, nearly half a cable’s length from the west side. At Pallis is a coast-guard station belonging to the district of Kinsale. It is an impropriate curacy, in the diocese of Cork, forming part of the union of Tracton; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Shannon. The tithes amount to £86. 8. 11., payable to the impropriator. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Tracton. There are some remains of the church near the shore of Oysterhaven; and at the Point is a small peninsula of about two acres, called Doong, which is joined to the mainland by an exceedingly narrow isthmus, of which the sides rise perpendicularly to more than 100 feet above the level of the sea.

1837 NOHOVAL – Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary - NOHOVAL, a parish, in the barony of KINNALEA, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 8 miles (E.) from Kinsale, on the old road to Robert’s-cove; containing 1260 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the southern coast, and comprises 2439 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £1537 per annum. The land is generally good, though the soil is light; about four-fifths are under tillage, the remainder being rough pasture and furze brakes: the manure chiefly used is sea sand, landed at the bays along the coast, all of which are very much exposed and dangerous. The incumbent, the Rev. W. R. Townsend, has written a practical treatise on agriculture, which he has gratuitously distributed among the working farmers, hoping to improve the system of husbandry, but hitherto he has not witnessed the desired result, as the old system is everywhere followed. At Nohoval Cove are some extensive slate quarries, the property of W. Whitney, Esq., whence great quantities are shipped to Cork, the boats returning with limestone, burnt generally here for the purposes of building. Not far distant, on the same estate, are some veins of manganese, in a state of decomposition, but, from the numerous springs here impregnated with this mineral, it is quite evident that a great body of the ore is deposited in the immediate vicinity. Very clear and beautiful crystals of quartz are scattered among the soil in most parts of the parish. The Cove is a romantic retreat, at the termination of a deep winding glen, in which many thousands of young trees have lately been planted, which, if they thrive, will form a great ornament to this barren spot: the entrance to the Cove is marked by three pyramidal rocks of considerable height. In calm weather, coal, cuim, and lime stone may be landed here, but in the winter scarcely a vessel ever ventures into so dangerous a place. At Dunbogue is a small well sheltered cove, having a good landing-place. The village consists of 25 small houses. Nohoval House is the property of W. Hungerford, Esq.; the Lodge, the residence of W. Whitney, Esq.; and the glebe-house, of the Rev. W. R. Townsend. It is a rectory and perpetual cure, in the dio cese of Cork, the rectory forming part of the union of St. Peter’s and of the corps of the archdeaconry of St. Finbarr, Cork; the perpetual cure is united with Kilmonogue, and in the gift of the Archdeacon. The tithes amount to £215, of which £140 is payable to the archdeacon, and £75 to the curate, who has also the glebe-house and land. The glebe-house is a neat and commodious edifice, erected by aid of a gift of £450, and a loan of £50, in 1817, from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises 2i 0r. 4p. The church is a small, but very neat, edifice, without a tower, spire or bell; it is furnished with a small, fine-toned organ. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Tracton: the chapel is a small building in the village. The parochial school is endowed with two acres of land by the rector: there are also a private school and a Sunday school, the latter under the superintendence of the Protestant clergyman. The most prominent headland in the parish is Barry’s Point, where formerly a very strong castle stood, which was taken down during the late war to build a signal tower, now also in ruins.

1837 TRACTON – Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary - TRACTON, a parish, in the barony of KINALEA, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 4 miles (S.) from Carrigaline, on the road to Roberts-cove, and on that from Ringabella to Kinsale; containing 2838 inhabitants. An abbey of Cistercian monks was founded here by the family of McCarthy in 1224, the monks having been brought from Whiteland, in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, called also “De Alba Landa,” and “Albo Tractu,” whence the name of this parish is thought to be derived. In 1375, Edw. III. confirmed the several possessions which had been granted to it. According to Dr. Smith, great numbers of pilgrims annually visited this place on Holy Thursday, to pay their devotions to a piece of the real cross that the monks were reputed to possess, which was presented by Barry Oge, and preserved here with religious veneration until the suppression of the monasteries. The abbot regularly sat as a lord of parliament. In 1568 the abbey and its possessions were granted by Queen Elizabeth to Henry Guilford and Sir James Craig, on payment of a fine of 7. 15; the latter afterwards assigned his interest in it to Richard, first Earl of Cork, who obtained a grant of it in the 7th of Jas. I.; it now forms part of the estate of the Earl of Shannon.

The parish comprises 2558 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The land is very good, and is chiefly in dairy farms; about one- fourth is arable, producing mostly wheat and potatoes: the manure used is principally sea-sand, which is brought to Minane bridge, or Ringabella creek, in boats manned with three men each; where also sea-coal, the fuel mostly used, is landed. Near Tracton is a small bog. At Ahnacarriga, the property of the Earl of Shannon, are valuable lead mines, worked some years since but now discontinued. At Ringabella are very extensive works, conducted by an English company of min ers, and employing upwards of 400 persons; the ore raised is very good. Not far from the church are rocks of excellent slate, but the quarries are very indifferently worked. The river is navigable for hook ers up to Menane bridge, about three miles from the bay; it is very intricate on account of the serpentine course it takes, but not danger ous. A canal has been contemplated, to commence at the bridge and to continue through the valley to Belgooley, about ten miles, which would be very beneficial, as great quantities of manure are obliged now to be carried overland. The gentlemen’s seats are Ringabella, the residence of S. A. Austin, Esq.; Gurtnagrenane, of L. Shea, Esq.; Broomley, of G. Daunt, Esq.; and Fountainstown, of F. Hodder, Esq.

The living is an impropriate cure, in the diocese of Cork, united to those of Kilmony, Kilpatrick, Ballyfoyle, Kinnure, and Clontead, and in the patronage of the Earl of Shannon, in whom the rectory is impropriate: the tithes amount to £403. 10., wholly payable to the impropriator. The income of the perpetual curate arises from £25 from the Earl of Shannon, and £50 from the Ecclesiastical Cominissioners. The glebe-house was erected by aid of a gift of £450 and a loan of £50, in 1814, from the late Board of First Fruits; the glebe comprises 24 acres: both the house and land have been given up to the original proprietor from whom the Board purchased the land, although £650 had been expended in building and £500 as a fine, so as to reduce the rent of the land. The church, surrounded by a grove of trees at the bottom of a deep valley, forms a pleasingly picturesque object; it is a plain building, with a small tower and low spire, erected upon the site of the ancient abbey, by aid of a loan of £1000, in 1817, from the same Board. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, also called Kinalea, comprising this parish and those of Nohoval, Kilpatrick, Ballyfoyle, and Kinnure; and containing two chapels; that at Minane bridge is a large neat edifice, recently enlarged and improved by subscription. About 200 children are educated in the parochial and two other schools. Inconsiderable remains of the old abbey may be traced; and numerous sculptured stones, scattered around the neighbourhood, afford some idea of the magnificent character of the structure. Tracton gave the title of Baron to James Dennis, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, in 1781, which title is extinct; a splendid monument of white marble has been erected to his memory in the cathedral- at Cork. A chalybeate spring exists here, but is not now used.

(CE 12/2/1844) - TRACTON AND NOHOVAL - O CONNELL TRIBUTE FOR 1843 - Ballyfeard House, Feb. 9., 1844 - DEAR SIR – With great pleasure I transmit by Mr. CHARLES SHEA, £20.12.2, for the O CONNELL ANNUITY, from the patriotic Parishoners of TRACTON and NOHOVAL. Though unable to roof their New Chapel, or protect themselves from the inclemency of the winter during Divine Service, they are able to revere their benefactor, and to appreciate O CONNELL more highly in the hour of his trial, than of the triumph which must follow. However these State Prosecutions eventuate, whether in a prison for O CONNELL, or a pillory for SMITH, or a dismissal for PEEL, the cause of Ireland and Constitutional liberty, must be benefitted. No verdict in this instance can injure the cause of the people, orserve the cause of the crown – Justice, alone, can extinguish discontent among Freemen – discontent must produce agitation except among slaves. The Liberator’s position was never more glorious – he has, by a Ministerial Railway removed the Corn Exchange to the Four Courts – ardent Agiatators have made way for able advocates – Staunton, Steele and Daunt have surrendered their functions to Moore, and Henn, and Whiteside – these men at at this moment immortalizing their cause and their country by the exhibition of powers not excelled in the palmiest days of the Irish Bar – they are worthy of the cause – the cause is worthy of them; - they are addressing not an aggregate meeting of partisans and patriots, on behalf of Ireland and O Connell: no, they are addressing the functionaries of Justice – a Jury of their country – the Bar – the Press – the wealth, the intelligence of Dublibn – the people, princes, courts, and cabinets of Christendom. - These proceedings will evoke a spirit of enquiry amongst people abroad – will create a new mind amongst those at home – which, will act as a barrier aginst the remorseless encroachment of State power upon the constitutional rights of an injured nation. - I have the honour to be, very sincerely yours, dear SIR, CORNS. CORKRON, P. P.

(CC 11/2/1845) – SPRING WHEAT – THIS is a Superior WHEAT, very Productive with a Thin Skin, remarkalby suitable for this Climate, and might be Sown any time of the years previous to the 1^st of May. Any quantity of this Wheat for Seed can be held on application to the Steward, JAMES AHERN, Ringabella, Carrigaline.

(CE 18/1/1847) – TO THE EDITOR OF THE CORK EXAMINER - SIR – Knowing your kind and humane disposition, I make bold to lay my case and the case of a large young and helpless family before you and the public – my husband, John Dinneen of Renies, in the parish of Nohoval, is a mason by trade, and has hitherto been enable to support me and my family, nine in number, of tender age, by the employment which he obtained from Luke J. Shea, Esq., but the works having been completed upon which he had been engaged, he was obliged to seek employment elsewhere; he obtained letters of recommendation to Sir Thomas Deane, but alas! The union of trades prevented him, as all other country tradesmen, from obtaining any employment in the city of Cork. He then applied with similar testimonials to Mr. Benson, the County Surveyor, but with similar success; the Board of Works had made no provision for the employment of tradesmen. He sought work in Cove, but could obtain none. Where, in the name of God, was he to turn to with a starving family looking up to him for food? Disappointed everywhere, the rules of the City Trades against him, the regulation of the Board of Works discouraging him, he left home in despair. - I, his disconsolate wife, and his helpless family, know not where to seek him, but having heard that youy are a good gentleman to the poor, you will do an act of charity by publishing my statement in order that I may obtain some information concerning him. - MARY DINANE - I hereby certify that the foregoing statement is correct. – LUKE J. SHEA, JP

(CE 13/3/1847) – TO MINERS – WANTED - from 20 to 30 able Miners at Wheal Mary Consols Mines near Ringabella Bay, Cork, on Tutwork and Tribute; every encouragement will be given to men of good character. – Dated 13^th March, 1847.

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Cork Ancestors

corkgen.org

Name	Served in…/Discharged	Covering Dates
BARTER, THOMAS	Or Barler. Born Kinnelea. Cork Militia. Discharged aged 46. Covering date year of discharge	1822
DRINON, GEORGE	Born Tracton Abby. 5^th Foot Regt.; 114^th Foot Regt.; Invalids or Supernumerary Invalids; 8^th Royal Veteran Battalion. Dishcarged aged 57	1794
MAHONY, CAIN	Born Ballyfoyle. 29^th Foot Regt. Discharged aged 34	1825-1842
MARA, EDWARD	Born Roberts Cove. 8^th Foot Regt. Discharged aged 42	1804-1825
NEALE, TIMOTHY	Born Kilpatrick. 11^th Foot Regt. Discharged aged 18	1838-1839

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