In obedience to the board's order directing me to
prepare a statement of the measures which in my opinion will be necessary to
bring into a state of improved cultivation the Crown Lands called the lands of
Pobal O'Keeffe, in the barony of Duhallow and county of Cork, and to submit
any observations or suggestions which may appear to me likely to assist the
board in the consideration of the expediency of undertaking, at the expense of
the crown, the execution of such improvements, with reference to the
instructions contained in the treasury letter, transmitting copy of their
Lordships minute; on this subject dated 21st January; I have
attentively perused those Instructions, and the reports adverted to the
Treasury minute, and I now beg leave to lay before the board the following
statement:
The board will recollect that the object of my first
inspection of this estate in the Autumn of1828, was to enable me to form an
opinion whether the board might safely proceed on the survey and valuation of
it made in the year 1821 under the direction of the late Commissioners of
Crown Lands Inquiry; it being intended to offer the pre-emption of it, at a
price founded on that valuation to the representatives of the late Crown
lessee, and in the event of his refusal of the offer, to enter into a treaty
for the sale of it to one of the many parties who have made proposals for the
purchase. In my progress through the southern District, upon that occasion, I
was greatly struck by the general aspect of the country situated to the
south-west of Limerick. Until then, it was known to me only historically, as
the theatre of a desolation warfare in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth
and James the First, as the refuge of outlaws in the reign of King William and
Queen Ann, and as the scene of the recent insurrection under the pseudonymous
banner of Captain Rock. I could scarcely credit the evidence of my senses that
such extensive tracks of land, presenting a variety of fertile soils, and
combining many other natural advantages, which are obviously capable of
contributing largely to the wealth and prosperity of the nation, had not
participated in the general improvement of the country during the preceeding
30 years, and that, previously to the commencement of the new roads then in
progress of construction, the entire district must have remained neglected
by the hand of civilisation from the period at which its ancient
proprietors, the late Earl of Desmond, had been dispossessed of it in the
Reign of Queen Elizabeth, and after I had penetrated to the Crown estate, and
taken a cursory view of its capabilities , and obtained a general insight into
the character and condition of the numerous population which is scattered over
this extensive district.
I became strongly impressed with an opinion that if I
could convey to the minds of the commissioners an accurate description of all
the circumstances of the Crown property in question they would feel that
considerations of a higher nature than those which usually govern them in the
management of the revenues placed under their charge ought to influence their
decision on an ultimate disposition of that property
. Under that impression, I extended my enquiries into the nature of the
public works then in progress under the direction of Mr Griffith, which
had been undertaken by Government for the employment of the poor, during the
scarcity which prevailed in the summer of 1822; but two several reports of Mr
Griffiths proceedings, in execution of that service, having being printed by
order of the House Of Commons, in which he describes the state of the country
previously to the commencement of the new roads, and the benefits which have
already been derived from the execution of them, I submit the following
passages extracted from those reports, as conveying the most accurate
information to be obtained on the subject:
“The eastern part of the county of Limerick, the
northern part of County Cork, and the western part of the County of Kerry, are
composed of limestone, covered by rich and fruitful soil. These tracks are
crossed in every direction by good roads, are very populous, are interspersed
with towns and villages, and contain the residences of the gentry”
The limestone and fertile plains of Limerick, Cork and
Kerry are separated from each other by a wild, neglected, and deserted
country, which has hitherto formed nearly an impassable barrier between them.
This tract is bounded on the north by the river Shannon, between Loughill and
Tarbert; on the south, by the river Blackwater between Mallow and Millstreet;
and from thense by the southern mountains to the westwards of Killarney.
The country is hilly but not mountainous, the soil is wet and clayey,
and the strata of which it is composed consists of coal, and of rocks which
usually accompany that substance.
“This large district of country comprehends
altogether 970 square miles, British statute measure. In many parts it is very
populous; it contains, however, but two small villages, and but two
resident land proprietors, namely, the Knight of Glyn on the banks of the
river Shannon, and Mr. Leader of Dromagh on the banks of the river Blackwater;
the distance between whose houses is 38
British miles”.
“As might be expected under such circumstances, the
people are turbulent; and their abodes being nearly inaccessible
for want of roads, their wickedness has frequently escaped
punishment”.
“This district is situated on the confines of
counties of Cork, Limerick and Kerry, and chiefly belongs to absentee
proprietors; these circumstances combined have been the cause of its neglected
state.
“The grand juries of Cork and Limerick were
unwilling to expend their funds in making roads at the extremity of their
counties; and the grand jury of Kerry, though anxious to open communication
with Cork and Limerick, had not the power to do so beyond its own limits. It
is not therefore surprising, that during the disturbances of the winter of
1821 and spring of 1822, this district was the focus of and asylum of
Whiteboys, smugglers and robbers; and that stolen cattle were driven into it
from the surrounding flat and fertile country, as to a safe and impenetrable
retreat. “Notwithstanding its present desolate state, this country contains
in itself the seeds of future improvement and industry. Its clayed soil when
drained and manured with lime, soon becomes fertile, and produces excellent
grass. Anthracite or culm is abundant in many parts; and beds of solid coal
are not unfrequently met with
particularly near the southern extremity. The district is ever where
surrounded by limestone and several hills containing that substance occur in
the interior. Nothing then is wanted but good roads to facilitate the
transport and interchange of these different mineral productions, to make this
country susceptible of the highest improvement; a fact which is incontestably
proved by the comparative fertility of the country in the vicinity of
Newmarket and Kanturk, where the soil is similar, but where there are passable
communications with the neighbouring limestone country.
“
The communications between the northern part of County Kerry and the City of
Cork, which is the market for produce of every kind are now very circuitous.
“From
returns which I have received from the weigh house of Cork it appears that
upward of 30000 firkins of butter present value £52000, are annually sent
from the northern part of county Kerry, and the immediately adjoining district
of the county of Limerick to be sold in Cork.
“In
order to save the great length of road by Tralee and Killarney, the small
farmers are in the habit, during the summer season, of sending their butter on
the back of horses, by the present mountain path, as far as Newmarket, where a
few can join together and place the butter in carts, in which it is drawn to
Cork. The distance between Newmarket and Listowel, the nearest part from
whence the butter is sent, is nearly 32 miles British; and for this distance,
from eight to 12 horses, and as many men are employed to convey 24 firkins of
butter, the common load for a single horse-cart. Similar facts might be stated
respecting other species of agricultural produce, were it necessary to
particularise them.
“In
the present state of the south of Ireland, the coal-mines situated
on the north bank of the river Blackwater, are of the utmost importance
to its agricultural prosperity, as it is chiefly from the coal supplied by them
that the lime is burned, which is
principal manure used in raising corn crops throughout a district of 40 miles
in diameter.
“The
principal colliery now at work is Dromagh, which has continued without
interruption for nearly a century. Within the last four years, great exertions
have been made, and a considerable capital has been expended on useful works
connected with this colliery, which is now in good order, and capable of
supplying any demand; but unfortunately, owing to the depression of
agriculture produce, the coal sales have lessened nearly in the proportion
with which the facility of supplying them has increased; the farmers finding
themselves unequal to the expense of sending long distances for coal, and
necessarily returning with light loads over bad and hilly roads.
As a result of this report the village of
Kingwilliamstown (Ballydesmond) was built in 1833 as were some of the roads
throughout Sliabh Luachra.
