Head-line act: History of peninsula told in new book

THE Old Head Peninsula in County Cork is renowned for its beautiful beaches, stunning views, and international golf course.

It was also the closest point of land to the final resting place of the tragic RMS Lusitania.

Padraig Begley, Jerome Lordan and Eugene Dennis took on the huge task of documenting the lives of the peoples that have called this part of Cork home, through pictures and recollections.

Attics and understairs nooks were raided in search of precious pictures that would give these three determined men a comprehensive view into the lives of those that call, and called, this beautiful part of Cork their home.

The book, called Peninsula People. Photographic Memories From The Old Head of Kinsale, was the brain- child of Eugene Dennis back in 2012.

He worked as a teacher in Bishopstown, was also a journalist, and had undertaken a similar project in Lismore, Co Waterford.

He had spent many a holiday with his cousins on the Old Head as his father was native to the area. Eugene wanted to create a record of it for future generations.

Padraig Begley, a resident in the area, who is a huge driving force behind the Signal Tower restoration plans and greatly involved with Kinsale and District Local Historical Society, as well as being Chair of Courceys Rural Development, also got on board for the project.

The third person involved in the book is Jerome Lordan, author and local historian with a B.A. in archaeology and an M.A. in local history, and also with strong links to the area.

And so, the work began.

Jerome says that without the participation of the community, the project would never have come to fruition.

The trio knocked on the doors of welcoming neighbours and trawled though the various family archives to find photographs that would build a story for the reader.

Their story tells of lives, loves and losses of the local people from the 1800s to the present day.

At first, they felt intrusive when calling to their neighbours’ homes, but Eugene’s energy, humour and enthusiasm was infectious, and before long everyone was searching through their personal belongings for glimpses into the past.

A total of 450 pictures from the 600 collected were selected from the eight townlands - four on the peninsula and four from the surrounds, with titbits of information about the people as an accompaniment.

Jerome’s own family, the Lordans on his paternal side, and the Kinsale Dempseys on his mum’s side, gave him a wealth of information to use. He says many of his relatives were brought to life for him as he learned about their struggles and successes.

The sadness of emigration and abandoned homesteads is one of the themes that runs through this collection, tales that can be applied to all areas of our county.

After Eugene’s passing in August, 2018, Padraig and Jerome forged ahead with the work.

One of the earliest pictures they have is of Jerome’s great grandmother in 1890. Many more date from the 1920s and 1930s.

The book is divided into chapters covering everything from historical surrounds, farming, religion and education, sport, work life and family, summer visitors, the sea, transport and migration, and uniformed personnel.

Whether it is the old boathouse or the lighthouse keepers, the archaeology of the beaches, burial grounds, coastguard cottages, the endeavours of the local GAA, or the original signal tower, the reader is brought on a visual journey that is both touching and hugely impressive.

Padraig credits Jerome with the research, which is immaculate, and this allows the reader to sink into the past and glimpse the lives of those gone before us.

One of the joys you will take away from this book is how happy these people were. The smiles jump out from the pages and the contentment in what was a much simpler life is palpable. Farm work was undertaken with enthusiasm and community spirit was there in abundance.

The joys and the sorrows of each family were absorbed by the community as a whole.

Jerome says that his hope is that other communities, be they historical societies or perhaps transition year students using the Folklore Commission archives, will undertake similar projects to preserve the history of their areas.

The book retails at €40 and is available at the Bookstore in Kinsale, the shops in Ballinspittle village, and The Lusitania Museum and Signal Tower.

All profits are going to the Lusitania Museum project at the Old Head Signal Tower, who sponsored the production of the book.

The Signal Tower Museum will reopen for the season on St Patrick’s weekend 2024.

Plates and cutlery recovered from the Lusitania will be added to the exhibition for the March opening. Plans for the new museum will be submitted early next year.