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which terminated by the French Admiral’s returning
into the bay. In 1691, a Dutch ship was captured in
the bay by the native Irish in the interest of Jas. II.,
but was retaken by Col. Becher, with the loss, on the
part of the Irish, of 36 men drowned and as many taken
prisoners. In March of the same year, Sir David Collier
with 300 men advanced to this place, where he encamp-
ed, and defeated a party of the Irish forces, of whom 70
were killed and 15 made prisoners: in the following
May, some smaller skirmishes took place here; and in.
June, Col. Townsend, with, his forces, killed 100 of the
rapparees or insurgent marauders, and brought away a
quantity of plunder. In 1697, a body of troops in the
service of Wm. III. arrived from Flanders, and landed
in the harbour; and in 1796, a French fleet with 15,000
men intended for the invasion of Ireland appeared in
the bay; but being dispersed by a storm, in which one-
fourth of their ships were lost, returned without attempt-
ing to make a descent upon the coast. In 1800, while
the main body of the Channel fleet was at rendezvous
here, the crew of his Majesty’s ship Tremeraire mutinied;
but by the spirited firmness of the captain, the late
Admiral Eyles, 20 of the ringleaders were seized, taken
to Portsmouth and tried, and thirteen of them were
executed at Spithead.
The town is situated at the northern extremity of the
bay to which it gives name, in a small valley encircled
by lofty mountains, which attracting the clouds in their
passage over the Atlantic, involve it in almost continual
rains. It consists of two parallel streets leading towards
the bay, on opposite sides of the river, over which are
two bridges, and a cross street, affording communication
between them: the streets are indifferently paved, and
not lighted; the inhabitants are supplied with water
from numerous springs. The approaches, with the ex-
ception of the new mail coach road along the margin of
the bay, are steep and incommodious, and are lined
with cabins of very inferior description. Little improve-
ment has been made in the town, except by the erection
of some very extensive stores by Mr. O’Connell and
Mr. Corkery, merchants of the place, and the enlarge-
ment of the principal hotel, which now affords ample
accommodation to the numerous tourists who, during
the summer season, frequent this place on their way to
Glengariff and the lakes. A new and important line of
road is in progress from Kenmare to Bantry, through
Glengariff; it will afford a view of some of the most
beautiful scenery in this part of the kingdom, embracing
Glengariff and Bantry bay, of which latter it will
command an extensive prospect, and is a continuation
of the new line from Killarney to Kenmare. New
roads have been opened from this town to Skibbereen,
which will be highly advantageous to the neighbourhood,
and other roads from Glengariff to Cork are also in
contemplation. Nearly adjoining the town is Sea Court,
the seat of the Earl of Bantry, situated on a gentle emi-
nence commanding a magnificent view of the noble har-
bour and bay, with the lofty mountains on the opposite
shore: the mansion is a spacious square edifice, con-
taining a fine collection of paintings and some pieces of
armour brought from the east by Viscount Bearhaven;
and immediately in front of it is the undulating and fer-
tile island of Whiddy, formerly a deer park, but now
converted into valuable farms, the picturesque appear-
ance of which is heightened by the ruins of an ancient
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castle, built by the O’Sullivans in the reign of Hen. VI.;
the eminence behind the house is finely planted, and
the demesne, including an extensive deer park, is taste-
fully laid out, and forms an interesting feature in the
landscape. The trade of the port was formerly very
considerable, and the town had attained a high degree
of commercial importance. Previously to the withdraw-
ing of the protecting duties, the manufacture of coarse
linen and cotton began to thrive here and afforded em-
ployment to several hundred persons; these linens, here
called “Vitries,” were striped pieces chiefly used for
bagging; and the sales frequently exceeded £4000 per
annum. Butter, pork, and beef were formerly shipped
from the port in great quantities, and, about the year 1775,
several cargoes of butter were sent annually to Portugal.
The only manufacture at present is that of flour, of which
the Bantry Mills, belonging to Messrs. Kingston and
Co., are capable of producing 12,000 bags annually. A
small porter brewery is carried on in the town by Mr.
L. Young; and at Donemark are the brewery and mills
of Mr. Michael Murphy. A considerable trade prevails
in corn raised in the neighbouring parishes, and since
1815 has been rapidly increasing; in 1835, not less
than 10,000 barrels of wheat and 3000 barrels of oats
were shipped from this port to the English markets.
A very lucrative pilchard fishery was for many years
conducted, but has long been discontinued, that fish hav-
ing left the shores. The present fishery is principally
confined to hake, in which 24 hookers are engaged, each
carrying 15 men; but mackarel, herrings, and sprats
are also taken. The fish are cured in houses formerly
called fish palaces, and of late the sales of the three last
kinds have produced more than £2000 per annum; they
find a ready market within a circuit of 50 miles. The
shores of the bay abound with a calcareous deposit which
forms a valuable manure, and which, about Glengariff
and in other parts of the bay, is so thickly impregnated
with coral as to be considered little inferior in strength
to pure lime: a considerable number of men are employed
in procuring it, and the quantity raised produces on the
average more than £4000 per annum. In the year end-
ing Jan. 5th, 1836, 31 vessels of the aggregate burden
of 1010 tons, principally laden with corn, cleared out-
wards from this port, and 26 vessels of the aggregate
burden of 814 tons entered inwards, of which, two were
foreign ships laden with timber from America, and the
remainder coasters with cargoes of salt, coal, earthen-
ware, and iron. The bay is spacious, safe, and com-
modious for ships of any burden. The principal market
is on Saturday, and is amply supplied with provisions of
all kinds; and there is also a market for provisions daily.
Fairs are held on March 19th, May 1st, June 9th, July
15th, Aug. 21st, Oct. 15th, and Dec. 1st. Here is a chief
constabulary police station. Petty sessions are held on
alternate Fridays; and the quarter sessions for the West
Riding of the county are also held here in February. The
court-house is a neat building ornamented with a cor-
nice and pediment supported by two broad pilasters,
between which is a handsome window; and behind it is
the bridewell for the barony. The parish church, a neat
edifice in the early English style, with a lofty tower, is
situated on the bank of the river, at the western ex-
tremity of the town; and on an eminence at the eastern
extremity is a large R. C. chapel, erected at an expense
of £2500. There is also a place of worship for Wes-