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CASTLETOWNSHEND.
On turning the right angle bend at the top of Castletownshend village this small Old World village is seen to nestle in an unusual and curious coastal setting. Neat and interesting houses built on both sides of the street, lead down a steep and precipitous incline to the Townshend Castle and quayside whence the village gets its name.
The village of Castletownshend grew up around the castles built by the Townshend family from 1650 onwards. There was no village in that location before then, and most of the present village was built circa 1745. That is how the village took its name "Castletownshend". The old village was further west in the townland of Castlehaven at the western end of the harbour, near the Glen of St. Barrahane, where the ruins of the old church are and the graveyard, near the castle of the O'Driscoll's , called Castlehaven castle. Both the harbour and the parish are "Castlehaven", having been there long before the village grew up in Castletownshend.
Both churches are called St. Barrahane's after the local 5th century hermit saint, St. Barrahane.
The earlier history of Castletownshend and associated families begins at the time of the battle of Kinsale in 1601. From the main Spanish fleet a smaller flotilla of 6 ships were guided into Castlehaven harbour by local clan chief Donogh O'Driscoll and his brothers - the O'Driscolls were then in possession of Castlehaven castle.
The Spanish ships under the command of Don Pedro de Zuibar, were later attacked by British Admiral Levison. He sunk one ship and drove three others on to the rocks. After the battle of Kinsale the Spanish surrendered the O'Driscoll Castle to Captain Roger Harvey. Thereafter began the plantation of this part of West Cork. The O'Driscolls lost their possessions and many were forced to emigrate to Spain as part of the nation-wide exodus of the "Flight of the Earls".
Alderman Phane Becher, who founded Bandon, moved westward to Castlehaven in 1603. In 1616 George Touchet who had taken part in the Battle of Kinsale became Lord Audley, Earl of Castlehaven. In 1689 Colonel Richard Townshend having successfully repulsed an attack by a Colonel O'Driscoll (fighting on behalf of James II) was rewarded as an officer of the Long Parliament, by being granted large estates under the Act of Settlement. In 1690 Mac Fineen O'Driscoll again failed to take the Castle. In the same year descendants of the Reverend William Somerville, a Scottish Episcopalian Minister, made their way to Castletownshend. By the mid-eighteenth century the settlers had become well established, estates were improved and stately houses built. The Bechers, Townshends and Somervilles became wealthy until the post famine years of 1845, the Land Acts and the World Wars claimed the sons of many families who sought adventure in defence of the British Empire.
SKIBBEREEN.
Skibbereen , "the Capital of the Carberies", originally was just a small trading post along the river Ilen. When, in 1631 its seaport twin, Baltimore, was raided by Algerian pirates, many survivors moved up the river to safer homesteads.
It is a lively, cosmopolitan town, noted for its shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as being home of the West Cork Arts Centre.
As the town nestles in the heartland of West Cork it is the hub of tourism in an area of panoramic beauty washed by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream current. This Southwest corner of Ireland with its scattered mountain ranges, natural harbours and sheltered valleys, its ancient castles and abbeys will always continue to fascinate.
From Skibbereen, there are many options for touring, as the town is gateway to the Mizen Peninsula and so much more spectacular scenery as you travel further into Ireland's magical mystical West . . .
UNION HALL.
This lovely fishing port is sheltered in an almost hidden corner of Glandore Harbour.
The small port has always had a strong seafaring tradition and in most recent years it has become home for the regions deep-sea fleet. Besides providing a safe shelter for its own active fishing fleet it also provides safe anchorage to pleasure boats, and calm water for skiing, diving and canoeing.
Union Hall is a remarkably Irish village with its roots steeped in history. Archaeological remains dot the area. Castle ruins and forts can be searched out and the Ceim Hill Museum displays innumerable artefacts and archaeological pieces discovered in the area.
Its quaintness and charm have been recognised by artists through the years,
enticing photographers, painters, poets and writes with its distinct character. In the early 1700's it was lauded by the great patriot dean of Ireland, Jonathan Swift. More recently it was chosen by the director/producer David Puttnam as the venue for one of his latest films "War of The Buttons."
Surrounding townlands are rural, with many scenic choices ranging from a leisurely stroll along the causeway to more serious hiking and cycling over country roads bordered by meadows, woods and sea cliffs. Its rugged coastline has numerous coves and inlets for swimming and boating, plus islands for exploration.
Sports enthusiasts will find tennis and basketball courts, a football pitch and a pitch and putt course. Scuba diving and snorkelling provide even more alternatives for the more athletic. There is a strong tradition of Gaelic Football in the area and Union Hall has supplied some star players to the cause through the Castlehaven club.
A wide choice of angling activities can be enjoyed: the freshwater loughs yield pike and trout and the sea offers shore angling and deep-sea fishing.
There are two well-stocked general stores, a craft shop, a bureau de change/post office, numerous B & B's and an excellent hostel built in the old stone schoolhouse.
The local pubs provide good craic and entertainment and during the holiday seasons and summer months, bar snacks and meals. Seafood is a must, with salmon, crab, mussels and prawns being specialities of the area.
Each year in June a week-long festival of street music, races, games and a wide range of other activities focus around the popular Annual Regatta in which the local Myross Rowing Club is a feared competitor.