West Cork

Fastnet is an iconic West Cork structure. Built at the turn of the century, it is a testament to the skill and dedication of those involved in its construction. The scale of the undertaking was quickly realised and the Commissioners for Irish Lights built houses to accommodate the work men at Rock Island near Crookhaven, and commissioned a purpose-built work boat, the steamer SS Ierne. CIL engineer William Doughlas designed almost all aspects of the tower, though was unable to oversee some of the construction due to ill health. The lighthouse was essentially prefabricated in Cornwall by Freeman and Sons of Penrhyn. Each granite course was prepared and set in place at the quarry to ensure a perfect fit, then disassembled and shipped to Ireland. The Herculean achievement of James Kavanagh, a Wicklow stone mason who was foreman at the site, is well documented. It is said that he personally oversaw the laying of each of the 2074 granite blocks in the 89 courses, during the four years of construction. He had also supervised the site preparation from 1896 to 1899. Sadly he died soon after the completion of the tower.

Castletownshend grew around the seat of the Townshend family, Castle Townshend. Comprising a long main street descending to the harbour, with a short street leading off to the north, it is a compact village. Much of its eighteenth century character survives, apparent in the buildings’ steeply pitched roofs, substantial chimneystacks and fenestration patterns. A delightful mix of substantial detached dwellings, regularly proportioned terraced houses and quirky vernacular houses makes for a village of great character and charm. Sommerville and Ross, the well known joint authors of many books including Some Experiences of an Irish R.M., spent much of their lives at Drishane House and are buried in St.Barrahane’s graveyard. St. Barrahane’s was designed by renowned architect James Pain and contains some beautiful Harry Clarke stained glass windows. Castletownshend once played an important administrative role in the local area, containing the coastguard station for the district of Skibbereen, the custom house for the port of Baltimore and an RIC barracks, but is now primarily residential.