Compiled by Brian Gabriel
Harvest Home at Blarney – October 1850
We witnessed, last Saturday, one of those delightful entertainments, which are annually given by St. John Jefferyes, Esq., the distinguished and enterprising proprietor of Blarney, to his labourers. The day propitious, the sun shone with autumnal splendour, invigorating young and old; the demesne, with all its varied beauties, lending enchantment to the view, while the lake mirrored the surrounding objects on its calm and tranquil surface, and the sweet Rock-close, the pride of song, displayed in its diversified scenery, the beauties of nature and art. The spirited and enlightened proprietor of Blarney, foremost in the field of improvement, has devoted his attention to the cultivation of the soil, expended large sums of money in draining, sub-soiling, and reclaiming waste lands, and is giving employment to hundreds of poor people, many of whom are the unfortunate outcasts of impoverished landlords. To express his gratitude to Providence, for the abundant harvest, and testify his approbation of the manner in which his people conducted themselves in his employment, he entertained them in the most plentiful manner. The tables were laid out for three hundred, and though arranged on the most economical plan, there was not sufficient room for the great number of labourers and their families who attended. All were amply satisfied, by the unremitting attention and urbanity of the noble entertainer. Among the ladies and gentlemen who took an interest in the proceedings, we noticed Sir George Colthurst, Bart., Ardrum; Horace Townsend, Esq., and Lady, Woodside; Captain Shaw and Lady, Ballincollig; Rev. Mr. Peyton, P.P.; Rev. Mr. Kenefick, R.C.C.; Nicholas Mahony, Esq., and Lady, Blarney; Mrs. Woodlock, A. O’Connor, Esq., Mallow; Dr. Lee, Blarney, and many other ladies and gentleman, who came from the surrounding neighbourhood to enjoy the amusements. Full justice having been done to the splendid joints of mutton, beef etc., under which the tables groaned, dancing commenced, and was kept up in an animated manner by the old and young until tea was announced. The Blarney band attended, and contributed much to the enjoyment of the day, by playing a variety of spirit-stirring airs.
When all had been plentifully regaled with the pleasing beverage, Mr. Jefferyes rose and thanked them for their attendance. He said they had reason to be grateful to Divine Providence, for the splendid and abundant harvest vouchsafed to them: that this was the 18th anniversary, in which he had the pleasure of meeting them at harvest-home dinner, and as their conduct, during trying and difficult times and on all occasions, had been most satisfactory, he hoped they would continue diligent and faithful in their employment, and as their interest and his own were so blended together, they might feel convinced that the prosperity and well-being of one would conduce to the comfort and happiness of the other. He always felt a pleasure in giving employment, and hoped as the price of provisions were now so low, they would be more comfortable in future.
The Rev. Mr. Peyton, P.P., rose, and in the name of the people returned his grateful acknowledgments to Mr. Jefferyes, for the hospitable manner in which he entertained them. He said it was truly delightful to see a gentleman, who farms so extensively, and employs such a number of people, manifest towards them such kind and considerate feelings. Not ashamed of his country, nor willing to impoverish it, by squandering in foreign lands, the hard-earned industry of his tenants and labourers, Mr. Jefferyes delights in being constantly with his people, and laying out his money in the improvement of his property, thereby affording to the poor and industrious, constant and beneficial employment, and to the absentee, a noble example worthy of imitation. The Rev. Gentleman proceeded to say – when I look around, and, after years of famine and pestilence, behold so many cheerful, ruddy and healthful faces, and we recognise amongst many hardy veterans, who have grown grey in his service, countenances which are familiar to me, when I was curate in this parish, I do assert with sincerity and without fear of contradiction, that Mr. Jefferyes has faithfully discharged his duties to his people, as a Christian and a gentleman. When famine stalked through the land, and death mowed down in countless thousands the labouring population, his cry at the relief committee was “do not let the people starve, give them enough to eat: while I have a stack of corn in my haggart, they shall not want.”
And when it was difficult for the poor man to support his family out of his scanty earnings, on account of the high price of provisions, he generously raised the daily wages of his labourers, thereby enabling them to overcome the horrors of destitution, and preserve a grateful recollection of his generosity. He has likewise given an acre of ground whereon to build a commodious school-house, and promised a yearly subscription towards the payment of the teacher. These traits of kindly feeling and liberality are treasured up, not alone in the memory of a grateful people, but in the archives of Heaven. They proclaim a mind superior to petty prejudices or party feeling, and a heart formed on the practical principles of Christian charity. The Rev. Gentleman then proposed “Long life, happiness, and prosperity, to Mr. Jefferyes,” which was received with all the enthusiasm he so well deserved.
The Rev. Mr. Peyton again rose, and claimed their indulgence, while he proposed the health of Mrs. Jefferyes, an amiable lady, who felt a deep and lively interest in the welfare and happiness of her people, who participated in Mr. Jefferyes’ anxiety to promote their comforts, alleviate their wants, and make them content with their station in life; a lady endowed with fine feelings and exquisite taste, to which were united a suavity of manner, and a blandness of disposition, which have won the esteem and affectionate regard, of all who came within the sphere of her influence. This toast was received with every demonstration of respect and delight. The health of Lady Colthurst was then proposed, which was responded to by Sir G. Colthurst, after which, the entire company, delighted with the happy entertainment and all the fun and hilarity of the day, separated, pouring down blessings on their generous benefactor and employer.
The above article was originally printed in the Cork Examiner Wednesday 16th October 1850.
Blarney Petty Sessions November 28 1870
Before Messrs. N. Mahony and N. Dunscombe
The Rev. Mr. Cooper, Protestant clergyman, prosecuted a batch of boys, named Reilly, Dooley, Atkinson, Bryan, Joyce, Lynch and a young man named Lee, for unseemly conduct at the churchyard, Blarney, during the performance of the burial service. He said a funeral took place on the previous Tuesday, at which he officiated; and as soon as the funeral party passed from the gate towards the church, a number of boys crowded about the gate, making a considerable amount of noise and loud laughter, which was very unseemly. The first portion of the service took place in the church, and during that time those who entered the church behaved themselves correctly, but a number who remained outside continued talking very loudly. When they came out into the churchyard to complete the service, the boys ran about in all directions, shouting very loudly and during the conclusion of the service there was also a great deal of noise.
Mr. Dunscombe – Did they impede you in the discharge of your duty?
Rev. Mr. Cooper – Oh, I believe there was nothing at all disrespectful intended to myself personally but the noise disturbed me very much and I thought it a very unseemly thing in the presence of death.
Mr. Mahony – It was extremely wrong.
Mr. Dunscombe pointed out to the defendants that they had made themselves liable to a fine not exceeding £5 or imprisonment (without the option of a fine) not exceeding two months.
The defendant Lee said he was the length of a field distant while the service was going on.
The Rev. Mr. Cooper said he could not identify any of the defendants.
Wm. Hudson, sexton, deposed that Lee was close to the church wall when he called out – “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; if God don’t take you the devil must.” Seeing a constable approaching, he then ran up The Hill, and continued shouting there so that his echo was heard all over the graveyard. Those who remained in the graveyard, encouraged by his shouts, made still greater noise below. Lee was the ring-leader. This was the second time he had so mis-conducted himself. The other defendants, Dooley especially, were shouting and huzzaing through the graveyard.
Dooley denied having shouted.
Lee said he only shouted when he heard others shouting. He did not know the difference of it.
Other witnesses having corroborated Hudson’s evidence,
Constable Slattery deposed he was standing at the police station door when he heard the noise, and proceeded at once to the churchyard. With the exception of Lee, who went up The Hill, the defendants ran from the gate to where the clergyman was, and back again, shouting. He stopped them and took their names.
Mr. Mahony strongly condemned the defendants conduct, especially that of Lee, from whom as a grown man better things might have been expected.
Lee expressed his regret and promised not to repeat the offence.
The Bench fined Lee 10shillings and costs, with the alternative of fourteen days imprisonment and fined the boys 1 shilling each, adding that in any future case of the kind they would send the defendants to gaol with-out the option of a fine.
The above article appeared in the Cork Examiner 30th November 1870
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