Tom Dillon recounts story of the ‘Prince Farmer’
NORTH Kerry’s reputation for agricultural brilliance is not just a modern phenomenon.
Take it from Kerry Historian-in-Residence Tom Dillon and his research into a pioneering 19th Century figure from his home town of Listowel, the man remembered today as the Prince Farmer of North Kerry, George Hewson.
Tom delivered a fascinating overview of Hewson’s life and times at a recent lecture in the Kerry Writers’ Museum, attended by over 100 history fans as well as the descendants of George Hewson himself, his great-grandson Bill Hewson and his children William and Natalie from Castlehewson, County Limerick. The lecture was part of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society’s 2020 programme of events.
“George Hewson lived in my own locality at Ennismore House, six miles west of Listowel, and was one of the most influential people in County Kerry during the 19th century,” Mr Dillon said.
“He was best known as an improving farmer and was known all over Ireland and the UK as a judge of livestock, through which he met the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, on a number of occasions.
“The first threshing machine was introduced to the county by him in the 1850s and later the first cream separator, which was used in the production of his top-class butter. George was a very industrious person, and it was remarked at the talk how he is an example to follow today with the work that he did for the whole district.
“Along with employing hundreds of labourers to help farm his estates and keep a herd of 400 dairy cattle, he was the driving force behind the building of the railways in North Kerry, he encouraged the tourist trade in Ballybunion, and he set up export links which saw his butter sent to the British market and the salmon from his fisheries in the Rivers Feale and Cashen to the famous Billingsgate Market in London,” said Tom.
“All of this obviously benefited him personally, but at the same time the whole district as well, indeed in some instances well beyond his lifetime and to the present day. It was fantastic to see so many family, friends and neighbours in the audience. Thanks to everyone for coming along and for those who sent their best wishes,” Tom said.