A LOOK AT THE YEAR 1900

Looking at some notable events at the turn of the century in the year 1900, we continue with a ‘personal selection’ from the pen of the late TA Barry, Rathcormac in this mini-series.

In July, Fermoy Commercial Cricket Club was founded. Members included Mr Stack (chair), JS Troy (sec), J Lombard (treas and capt), M Finn (v-capt), A Corcoran, M O’Callaghan, J Crowley, D Creedon, J Rehill, T O’Sullivan, J Ryan, M Ring, R Magnier, E Quinlan, P Kelleher.

The first match was played against Tralee in Fermoy, which the home side won on the slenderest of margins, 91 runs to 90. The return match was played in Tralee on Monday, July 30, when the Tralee side recaptured the honours. Fermoy eleven: WR Harman, Sanderson, JE McCausland, Fitzgerald, J Deane, Bartram, JK Gorman, Major Mainsey, Major Achesone, H Carroll, RJ Strong.

DROWNING TRAGEDY

On Wednesday, August 15, a deaf and dumb mute, Thomas Collins, who worked as a travelling harness-maker, accidently drowned while washing himself in the Blackwater at a dangerous spot opposite Castlehyde. After appearing to plunge in head foremost, he began to struggle. A young boy, Joseph O’Keeffe, who had been bathing and who was on the bank at the time but unable to render assistance, ran for help.

Two soldiers refused to believe him, but some civilians came up and tried without success to effect a rescue. O’Keeffe then ran for the police and Head Constable Blessing cycled at once to the spot. Blessing dived in but could not find the body in the discoloured water. He then got a boat and after half an hour recovered it with the hook. An army doctor, Dr Hartnett, came on the scene and they made every effort at resuscitation but without success. The life buoys on the walk at Barnane, it appeared, had been stolen.

At an inquest on Thursday, Coroner Rice commended the actions of O’Keeffe, Blessing and the civilians. He deplored the conduct of the soldiers and the culprits who tampered with the life buoys. He hoped that the proprietors of the Inches would have no objection to the erection of ‘Dangerous Bathing’ warning signs.

INQUEST ON JAMES SMYTH

Towards the end of August an inquest was held by Coroner Rice on the body of James Smyth, Fermoy. Mr Smyth had died on Wednesday the 22nd in reduced circumstances, a fact which had given rise to allegations around the town that he had been neglected. He had a wife, two sons Henry and John, and a daughter, Sarah, all at home, while another daughter Amelia, lived in Cork. A member of the Church of Ireland, he had a shop in Patrick St.

Dr Dilworth, having made a post mortem, deposed that the emanciated condition of the deceased was accounted for by the fact that he was in the third or final stage of consumption, and suffering from diarrhoea. He found everything consistent with death from natural causes rather than from starvation. Dr Williams while agreeing with Dr Dilworth, thought there may have been an element of starvation. Mr Smyth’s sons and daughters gave evidence that he had never been ill-treated or imprisoned by Mrs Smyth.

However, a bankrupt law suit and loss of business within the last year or so, had left him in poor financial straights. The jury brought in a verdict that he had died from natural causes, i.e. exhaustion, consequent on diarrhoea, consequent on consumption.

BALLINDANGAN EXCURSION TO MELLERAY

In early September, 34 young school boys from Ballindangan embarked on a memorable excursion to Mount Melleray. Accompanied by musical instruments of every description they made the journey in two waggonettes, via Kilworth, Ballyduff, Lismore and Cappoquin. The day was hardly an ideal one, but nothing was allowed to dampen their youthful spirits. Upon reaching Lismore, the lunch baskets were unpacked, and a great picnic was ravenously enjoyed. The instruments were then brought out and a selection of Irish airs played around the historic town.

Upon reaching Mount Melleray, the party was sumptuously entertained by the hospital monks, whose monastery and its beautiful grounds excited the most enthusiastic admiration in all. Reluctantly they bade farewell to their hosts, and as shades of evening began to descend, they reached Bay Lough. Many of the party elected to climb up for a closer inspection of the legendary lake.

A pleasant hour’s drive next brought them to Clogheen, where the fun and the frolics were enjoyed to banish the tedium of the remaining stages via Ballyporeen and Mitchelstown for home. They arrived in Ballindangan at twelve o’clock midnight in the best of humour and were received with ringing cheers and applause from the old folks (CE 25.9.00).

BARTLEMY HORSE FAIR

The annual Great Horse Fair of Bartlemy was held on Tuesday, September 4. This fair was now enjoying a worldwide reputation, almost equal to that of Cahirmee. The beautiful day saw a large crowd of sightseers and people of all ranks and conditions. Horses of every class were represented from the common cart horse to the finished hunter. There was a large number of buyers but not a very large number of sales. A quantity of draught horses were readily disposed of, but there was no great demand for hunters. Some hunters, however, realised good prices.

Overall, the fair was not up to the usual standard either for quantity or quality. One frequent customer, a southern buyer, was quoted as remarking, “We have only the refuse of the country, still it is better than we expected.

Messrs Lawton, Carrigtwohill bought 10 hunters, at prices averaging about £0 to £70. Mr Poole, Epsom, bought a five year old by Jacobite, from Mr J O’Callaghan, Glanworth for £70; a grey gelding, by Lord Edward, from Mr Kent, Castlelyons for £70; a four year old gelding, by Courtier, from Mr J Cotter, Rathcormac for £67-10s. Mr Roberts, Craven Arms, Shropshire bought about 15 hunters at prices varying from £85 to £100.

Mr Healy, Clondulane, Fermoy sold a chestnut two-year old gelding to Rev Fr Browne, Ballycotton for £35. Mr B Higgins, Ballinahina, sold a five-year old for £80, and a six-year old for £70. Mr Walsh,

Buttevant, bought a chestnut horse, by Young Speculation, from Mr O’Shea, Bartlemy for £50. Messrs O’Brien Brothers, Limerick bought eight hunters averaging £70, and three colts averaging £40. Messrs Widger, Waterford bought some good hunters, one a splendid animal, 4 years old, by Arrival, from Mr Colbert, Midleton for £120. Some good prices were obtained, though a large number of horses went home unsold.

The second and concluding fair was held on Wednesday 19. Though the circumstances were ideal, the supply of animals was rather limited. However, there was a good sprinkle of well-bred horses and these were quickly purchased at high prices. The weather was delightful, with the sun shining brightly after cooling showers of rain, and the turf in excellent condition for testing purposes. The attendance of buyers was very large, and business correspondingly brisk. Dealers from Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Dublin, Belfast and England, as well as local buyers Messrs Lawton and Sons, Carrigtwohill were represented.

Several of the sales ran into three figures, and had the supply been equal to demand, the fair would have been beyond the average of recent years. Examples: Mr Winslow, Bristol, bought a 5 year old grey horse by Lord Edward, from Mr Ryan, Bluebell for £44; and a few troopers at good prices. Mr Nugent, Dublin, bought a bay gelding also by Lord Edward from Mr Batt Curtin, Rathcormac, for £85.