An Rinn

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An Rinn or Reen is a townland of 111 hectares or 275 acres and in the early part of the 20th century, 113 individual fields were mapped in this townland.</div>

It is in the Electoral Division of Myross, in Civil Parish of Myross and the Roman Catholic Parish of Castlehaven and Myross.

An Rinn is bordered by An Liag (The League), An Ráithín (Raheen) and Meall Uí Chorráin (Maulicarrane) to the north.

OpenStreetmap contributors, with input from the Castlehaven & Myross History Society, have created a detailed townland map including all its minor placenames. Zoom in for further detail.

Etymology

An Rinn can be interpreted as the headland or promontory. According to Bruno O'Donoghue, the townland was also written as Rinn tSiar (west headland)

History

Famine: It is said that a resident of Reen was the first person to die of hunger in County Cork during the Famine (1845 -1850). Underneath are excerpts from many papers reporting on the terrible tragedy that befell this townland during that period.

Nicholas Cummins, a justice of the peace from Cork city visited Reen in December 1846 and what he saw shocked him; "It is situated on the eastern side of Castlehaven Harbour and is named South Reen, in the parish of Myross. Being aware that I should have to witness scenes of frightful hunger, I provided myself with as much bread as five men could carry, and on reaching the spot I was surprised to find the wretched hamlet apparently deserted. I entered some of the hovels to ascertain the cause, and the scenes that presented themselves were such no tongue or pen can convey the slightest idea of. In the first six, famished and ghastly skeletons, to all appearance dead, were huddled in a corner on some filthy straw, their sole covering what seemed a ragged horse-cloth, naked above the knees. I approached in horror, and found by a low moaning they were alive, they were in fever - four children, a woman, and at what had once been a man. It is impossible to go through the details, suffice to say, that in a few minutes I was surrounded by at least 200 of such phantoms, such frightful spectres as no words can describe. By far the greater number were delirious, either from famine or fever. Their demonic yells are still yelling in my ears, and their horrible images fixed upon my brain"

"In the district of Reen drawn up on the strand of Blind Harbour, I saw upwards of 21 excellent and well-built boats, lying completely useless, and requiring only the usual gear to render them complete. These boats, I was informed, have remained in this position for the last four or five weeks, without earning a single penny for their owners, many of whom are engaged upon working upon the roads, working for 8d a day"

"I cannot give you a better idea of the former comfort and comparative independence of these fishermen than by mentioning the terms on which they procured those boats. Mr. Attridge, an extensive merchant in the locality, supplied the people of Reen with over 20 boats, furnished with masts, sails, and the necessary gear, at the cost of from £12 to £13 for each boat, and, with two exceptions, these honest and industrious men cleared every penny of their liabilities in less than two years."

"Where the greatest amount of mortality prevails is along the seacoast. The population of Carrigillihiy, of North Reen, and South Reen, are nearly annihilated, amounting to several hundreds. There was not, in Ireland, a hardier and more industrious race than the inhabitants of these fishing hamlets before the dire famine that is stalking through the land had prostrated them."

"Sir – I fear I have too often troubled you with this thrice told tale of deaths unnumbered, yet I am particularly anxious to give readers of the Cork Examiner an idea of the indescribable woe and desolation witnessed on Sunday last. That morning I proceeded, accompanied by a friend of mine, to the Parish of Myross, about six miles distant from this town. The first village we arrived at was Reenbeg, consisting of about fourteen thatched and newly constructed cabins, apparently unfit for human habitations. Here the unbroken silence of a churchyard reigned; not even the barking of a dog or the crowing of a cock could be heard. We then felt apprehensive lest none were alive.

We perceived smoke coming from a crevice that occasionally served as a door, and on obtaining entrance, we could perceive through a cloud of smoke a wretched woman seated on the ground, evidently watching her little girl, who appeared to be in the last stage of famine consumption. She then turned round to us, and said in a subdued tone, “I wish to God this child was with her father and the rest of our family.” From the deplorable condition of both these creatures I concurred in the reasonableness of her wish. Then imagining she meant America, and enquiring what country she meant, she coolly said. “the grave.” She went on to say, “my husband and four children died of hunger; my eldest girl fourteen years old, died in the Skibbereen Workhouse, and I brought her corpse on my back and buried it in Myross churchyard.” She then said, with a sigh, “I fear none will be alive to bury myself.” I asked her to give me some idea of the number of deaths that took place in the neighbourhood during the last three month. She said she did not well know, but she recollected Michael Walsh, her own husband and four children; James Molony, his wife and six children; Jerry Wholane and four in family, and many others whom she could not then name. “There,” said she, pointing to an old house “is the place where the Moloneys’ all died. I entered and there saw the floor strewed with the tattered garments of the late inhabitants. A few torn old hats and other fragments of furniture were all that remained of wretched mortals. The wet floor was divided into different cells or apartments by rude flags, sunk in the ground, as if for the greater comfort of the suffering occupants.

I quitted this human slaughter house with feelings I cannot well describe, and immediately at the door I was met by a gaunt female, who exhibited the living remains of her son. Death could not be more forcibly represented by any likeness of the human form, or any effort of art, yet he stretched out his fleshless hands to receive a few pence as he said in a faltering accent, “to buy a drink!” His bones may be numbered with accuracy; they were all that remained of his wasted skeleton. This terminated the woeful scene of Reenbeg. How frequently has the tear of sympathy dropped on the page that records the sufferings of some hero in a novel, whilst here the noblest works of God are left to languish, unaided, unknown, and unpitied? The village of South Reen, or more properly speaking, the village of the dead, presented, if possible to our view signs of great misery

Consists of about nineteen houses, nine of which sent the entire inhabitants to another, and I trust to a better, world. These thatched and deserted monuments strike the traveller with terror. He imagines himself in the centre of a lonely graveyard, surrounded by unenclosed tombs, whose tenants were secretly carried off for some anatomical purpose. I entered one that seemed to be a watch house. The inhabitants were alive, but nothing more. Another with four naked children, were fastened by weakness to the ground. “Here,” said the care-worn mother “is a boy of fourteen” – holding a figure of an infant in appearance, such as I never before saw. Just as we were speaking, the father entered, bringing some sea weed for breakfast. He placed them on a stool, but bashfulness prevented his devouring them; one of the children, who up to that moment seemed inanimate, crawled from where it lay and commenced eating with greediness. A neighbouring child came in and ate with equal avidity. The parents told tales of woe which I could by no means discredit. Our stay, though short, was extremely painful. These villages of North and South Reen, which I have but inadequately described, are already remarkable in the records of famine. They were visited by pestilence and death in a frightful manner; and are now with a few exceptions totally depopulated. The county for miles round, has not the slightest appearance of agricultural preparation. On enquiry we learned the neighbouring parishes of Kilmacabea and Castlehaven, are similarly situated. Another fatal step is to be taken on Saturday next by the bungling of the Board of Works.

Madam Townsend, of Castletownsend, has generously supplied over a hundred destitute persons every day with a quantity of very superior soup and has declared she will continue to do so long as there is a necessity for it."

The book, The Famine Story" lists the men from this townland that were working on the Myross Relief Scheme on 28th August 1846. These were public works that involved hard labour for a low wage for a workforce that were already weak and starving. The names were as follows: Patrick Hegarty, Denis Regan, Pat Minihane, Pat Carthy, John Dwyer, Michael Buckley, Jeremiah Driscoll

Bacús /Spanish Ovens: These are stone-lined trenche in Reen s and it is thought that they were used for heating shot by the Spanish in December 1601 and January 1602. It is believed that the Spanish used cannonballs made from granite or marble in this battle. These were also known in olden days as the Bácús which can be interpreted as a bakehouse or a pot oven.

Shipwreck: In 1874 during severe storm an Italian barque, Puncinella, with a cargo of grain hit rocks on the Reen side of Blind Harbour and was totally wrecked. She had a crew of twelve and all but one was drowned. The survivor was the seventeen old son of the captain and having clambered over the rocks he made his way across the fields until he arrived at the door of the O’ Sullivan homestead. On the arrival of the coastguard, he was transferred to their station at Castletownsend where he rested for a few days and arrangements were made for his return to Italy. The bodies of the drowned remained on the rocks at the mouth of Blind Harbour for some time as the locals of Myross refused to recover them until they were paid five shillings for each body brought on shore. Eventually the representative of the Italian government agreed to their demands. According to some accounts the bodies are buried in Myross Cemetery. The refusal to help is not an isolated event as some years later locals stood on the shores of Glandore Harbour and refused to come to the aid of those in a sinking ship.

A week late the wreck was put up for auction by the Sir, George Milro, the Italian Consul in Cobh. At an auction conducted by J. H. Swanton and Sons, Llyod's Agents, Skibberen the wreck was sold to a local landowner for £172..

Housing

As part of Griffiths Valuation in 1852, a survey of house quality was carried out to calculate what rates were due by each household. These were issued in the form of house books (Pg 1, Pg 2, Pg 3, Pg 4) and a guide on how to interpret these can be seen here. These show that 29 of the 34 houses in the townland at this time were Class 3. This means that they were thatched houses with stone walls with mud or puddle mortar. All were described as old (more than 25 years) with four being in repair and 25 being out of repair. The remaining five houses were Class 1 which means that they were slated dwelling houses built with stone or brick and lime mortar. The condition of four were described as medium (not new) with three being described as slightly decayed, but in good repair while one was deteriorated by age and not in perfect repair. The remaining Class 1 house was described as old, but in repair. All of the class 3 houses in the townland are between 5 foot (!) and 6 foot 6 inches tall which indicates that they were single storey at this time. The class 1 houses vary between 7 feet and 15 feet 6 inches tall.

By the 1901 census, there is a huge drop to 7 occupied houses and all have walls of stone, brick or concrete with roofs of slate, iron or tiles. Four of the houses have two, three or four rooms with two having two windows in front (which indicate that they are probably still single storey at this time) while one has three windows in front and another has five. One house has five or six rooms with five windows in front with the remaining two houses in the townland have seven, eight or nine rooms with seven windows in front.

When we advance to the 1911 census there are still 7 occupied houses and, not surprisingly, all have walls of stone, brick or concrete with roofs of slate, iron or tiles. Three of the houses now have two, three or four rooms with two having two windows in front (which indicate that they are probably still single storey at this time) while the other has three windows in front. Two houses now have five or six rooms with one having five windows in front and the other has six. The remaining two houses in the townland have seven, eight or nine rooms with both having seven windows in front.

Places of Interest

Quay: There is a quay and boat slip in this townland

Colonel’s Rock: This is a rock on the Reen side of Castlehaven Harbour

Reen Point: This is the point at the south-west point of Reen townland. There is a battery light here also. It was manned at night by locals at one stage (to keep the lamp lit). There was a plan at one stage to build a lighthouse but they were scrapped

Harbour: Reen has Castlehaven Harbour to the west and Blind Harbour to the east

Faill a’ Cholúir: This translates to the cliff of pigeons and is on the south side of Reen. There is another cliff on the western side of the townland known as Faill Fraoigh (meaning unknown)

Beach: There is a beach on the east side of Reen in Blind Harbour called Trá na Muilleen (the beach of the little heaps). Another beach is known as Tráigh Mór (big beach)

Oileán na Clé: This is an island off the south coast of Reen. It can be interpreted as the island of the hurdle and is known as Illaunnacleahy in English.

Carraig a Néalladóra: This is a rock overlooking the sea on the south side of Reen and translates to the rock of the spier. The job of the spier was to watch for fish movements and inform his fellow seine fishermen.

Burial Grounds:There are two ancient burial grounds in this townland.

Bacús/Spanish Ovens: See history section

Lios: There were two ringforts (liosanna) in this townland. A ringfort is a circular fortified settlement that were mainly built during the Bronze age up to about the year 1000. One can still be seen

Fort: There is a coastal promontory fort close to Reen Point. There is another fort in the south-east corner of Reen.

Cow Up A tree

Interesting Placenames

Other old field names in this townland have been captured as follows: Bán Fada (long field), Clais Maireád (Maireád's field), Clais an Uisce (the field of water), Peggy's Meadow, The Lios (ringfort), Cúilín Nancy (Nancy's back field - according to Lankford, Nancy may have been the grandmother or great grandmother of Cardinal Conway), Big Cílle Cuais, Small Cílle Cuais, Gairdín Shéain (Sean's garden), Páirc an Tobair (the field of the well), The Cathair (the name given to a field with a lios/ringfort), The Lios Field, Pairc an Aonaigh (fair field), Breannar (meaning unknown), Páirc a' Tuaig (meaning unknown), Bán Aonaigh (fair field), Páircín an Síneán (described by Lankford as the field of the pissemiers (ants)), Páirc Cuas na Claise, The Long Field, PTobar Brunaigh (according to Lankford this translates as Brown's well), Páirc Fhuar, Clais (field), Pollaí Giarraidhe Cháre, Gort na Ráclach Tuaig Theas, Gort na Ráclach Sior Siar, Bán a Bacus, Clais Iochtar (lower field). There is also an area of scrub beside the pier that is known as Ciad na Gainní

In addition some of the coastal features are listed as follows: Pollín Ding Dong (pollín is a little pool - Ding Dong named after the bell sound made by the waves here), Cuaisín Leaca Tobar, Cuas Thiar, Cuas na nDeargán (cove of the bream), Cuas Caol, Cuas na Claise, Cuas na Lach, Long Point, Cille Cuais. There is a rock known as Carraig Bád do Thalladh (rock of the boats across (the way) - some of the rock now obscured by foreshore development of steps and retaining wall). Another area is known as The Tunnel (more information*****)

If you want to see the actual locations of any of these, go to detailed townland map on Open Street Maps. If you know any other field names or place names in this townland (or if you need to correct any or give further background information), please contact us at [email protected]

Folklore

Myross Poem: According to Lankford an old poem about Myross refers to the following:

Baile na Tóna agus paróiste Mhiodhruis

Meall Uí Chorráin agus dá Rinn theas

An t-Oileán Árd agus an t-Oileán Íseal

Oileán Molua agus Oileán Brighde

(Ballinatona and the parish of Myross, Maulicarrane and the two South Reens, High Island and Low Island, Horse Island and Rabbit Island)

Seance: According to Peter Somerville-Large in his book of West Cork, Boyle and Edith Somerville were interested in the occult and noted there were 17 sailors and one great lord buried in the ‘Spanish Graves’. In 1927 Boyle Somerville who shared his sister’s interest, summoned up one of these men with the aid of a medium. The ‘ wild figure with tangled hair” spoke in Spanish and was sad as he could hear the bell of his native Spain. A seance was performed in the graveyard.

Families and Notable Residents

The Tithe Applotment books of 1829 list the following family names:

North Reen:Sheehy, Sheehy, Sheehy, McKennedy, Buckley, Savage, Hallihane, Hallihane, Hallihane

South Reen: Hallihane, Dwyer, Donegan, Hourihane, Mountain, Mountain, Hallihane, McKennedy, Fuhill, Donogan, Donogan, Hourihane, Hallihane, Deasy, Fuhill, Hallihane, Nagle, Fuhill, Hallihane, Hourihane, Hallihane

Griffiths Valuation of 1853 lists the following family names: Sheehy, Hallihane, Sheehy, Sheehy, Sheehy, Morgan, McCarthy, Collins, Hallahane, Hegarty, Sweeny, Hallahan, Sheehy, Driscoll, Barry, Dunnigan, Leahy. Hourihane, Collins, McKennedy, Hallahane, Hallahane, Hourihane, Dwyer, Hallahan, Leahy, McCarthy

The Census of Ireland of 1901 lists the following family names: Collins, Sheehy (with Hallihan - servant), Sullivan (with Mahoney - grandchild and Haurihane- servant), Mahoney, Sheehy (with Hayes - lodger and McCarthy - servant), Hallahane and McCarthy

The Census of Ireland of 1911 lists the following family names: Sullivan, Sheehy (with Daly and Hallihane - both servants), Ó'Mathghamhna (with Ní Donabháin - servant), Sheehy, Keohane, Hallihane, MCarthy (with Hallihane (sister and brother-in-law)).

Note: the term 'with' refers to a person or persons of a different family name staying in the house. This may have been an in-law or other relative, a guest, or a farm labourer/housekeeper or domestic servant.

Demographics and Landholding

		*Occupiers	Population	Change	Link to record
1825	Tithe Applotment	30	180 (est)		North Reen South Reen
1841	Census of Ireland	70	359
1851	Census of Ireland	39 (Incl 3 unoccupied)	172
1853	Griffith's Valuation	19	114 (est)		1853
1861	Census of Ireland	18	102
1871	Census of Ireland	15	85
1881	Census of Ireland	11	74
1891	Census of Ireland	6 (Incl 1 unoccupied)	52
1901	Census of Ireland	7	40		1901
1911	Census of Ireland	7	30		1911

*Occupiers generally equate to households having a house and land but may also include households having houses but no land.

Between 1656 and 1658 the Down Survey mapped all areas of the country to track ownership of land after much had been granted to followers of Cromwell after the war of the 1650's. The most prominent proprietor (titulado) of this townland at that time was the Earl of Castlehaven. This townland was called The Rine at that time.

At the time of the Tithe Applotments in 1829, this townland was split into North Reen and South ReenThe proprietor of this townland in 1841 was Lord Audley of England (same family as Earl of Castlehaven). It was let on a lease to Lord Riversdale and sub-let to the representatives of Gerard Callaghan, Cork. South Reen was let again to Thomas Attridge of Castletownsend who sub-let it to tenants at will at lump rents.

In 1841, the soil was described as light, producing wheat, oats and potatoes. Fuel was described as scarce and the prevailing names were Hallihane and Sheehy..

Images

Old map

View of Reen from Castletownshend

Local Business & Services

Name

Cork Whale Watch

Description

Whale watching tours depart from Reen Pier on many days of the year (subject to weather - and demand during November and March). These trips are a minimum of 4 hours duration.

Contact

Tel: +353 (0)86 327 3226

Web: corkwhalewatch.com

Name