Posted by administrator on Monday 2 September 2024 at 13:36
Traditionally the territory of the McCarthy's,with their two castles at Dunmanway and Togher, the lands were confiscated by the English Crown in 1688, and later acquired by Sir Richard Cox, who is regarded as the founder of the town. Born in Bandon, on his retirement as Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Speaker of the House of Lords in 1703 , he came to live permanently in Dunmanway. He put great effort into making the town a success establishing woolen and cotton industries , while his grandson , who succeeded him in 1733, established a linen industry. From this date we can visualise the rapid growth of the town. By 1747 there were 87 flax wheels and 51 woolen wheels in operation in the town and linen mills were erected in Kilronan , Knocks , Connaugh and Ballineen. On the 1st of May each year wheels were displayed on the Green in town , and the day was spent in entertainment. One of the ceremonies was to choose the Master Weaver of the Year: his reward was a good house , rent free for a full year. In 1798 a Mr.J.Atkins erected a tannery in River Lane and two years later it commenced production of leather for boot and harness making. By 1810 a considerable trade in corn was carried on, a market was held every Tuesday , and fairs chiefly for cattle, were held four times a year, in May, July, September and November.
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