Bere Island
Encyclopedia
Bere Island or Bear Island is an island
off the west coast of County Cork
, Ireland
. It is roughly 11 km x 5 km in dimension and has a population of 210.
Legend says that the island was named by a 2nd Century king of Munster
, Mogh Nuadat, in honour of his wife, Beara, the daughter of Heber Mor, King of Castile.
in the western part of County Cork
, about 1.5 km off the port of Castletownbere
. It is served by two ferries, which can carry light vehicles. The highest point on the island is Knockanallig (270m). The main harbour is Lawrence Cove
, near the main village of Rerrin
(Raerainn), toward the eastern end of the island. The church and its graveyard are located in Ballinakilla.
Unlike many of the other islands off the Irish coast, the inhabitants of Bere Island are now native speakers of English
. Irish
ceased to be the spoken language of the majority of the native islanders between 1880 and 1885.
.
The island was the property of the O'Sullivan Bere clan and remained so until the power of the Gaelic chieftains was finally broken in 1602. This period also saw the first military interest in the island when Sir George Carew
ordered a road to be built across the island to transport the pro-English forces to the Siege of Dunboy
.
In December 1796 a French fleet entered Bantry Bay
, led by General Hoche under the direction of Wolfe Tone, the leader of the United Irishmen. Adverse winds prevented the main force landing and eventually caused the fleet to disperse and return home. In August 1798 there was a further invasion attempt, at Killala
in County Mayo
, following the Irish Rebellion
of that year.
The result of these events was that the British
authorities reviewed their defensive plans and in 1803, with the country once again at war with France
, Lieutenant-Colonel William Twiss
was sent to Ireland
to draw up a plan of defence for the country. As part of this review he was directed to examine what security could be given to Bantry Bay
.
Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Calder
, who commanded the naval squadron based in Bantry Bay
, wrote to the Rt. Hon. William Wickham on 22 December 1803 to request protection for his victualers and store ships, which were to be based at the Berehaven anchorage to supply his squadron . Wickham agreed that protection for the ships was necessary and instructed Lord Cathcart
to order his engineers to carry out the work.
The Bere Island towers were reported as ready on 2 February 1805 and were therefore probably the earliest Irish towers to be completed . The four, all circular in shape and built of rubble masonry, were sited to defend the anchorage between the mainland and the small harbour of Lawrence Cove
on Bere Island.
In addition to the Martello Towers, a signal tower, a barracks for 2 officers and 150 men, a quay and storehouses were also constructed.
After the end of the Napoleonic Wars
there followed a period of military stagnation. This ended in 1898 when the British Military raised a compulsory purchase order
on large areas of the island in order to construct additional fortifications in order to protect the British Fleet at anchor in the bay.
In 1922, under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty
that followed the Irish War of Independence
, the British
withdrew from most of Ireland but three deep water Treaty Ports
, at Berehaven, Queenstown
(renamed Cobh
) and Lough Swilly
, were retained as sovereign bases until 1938.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
off the west coast of County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is roughly 11 km x 5 km in dimension and has a population of 210.
Legend says that the island was named by a 2nd Century king of Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
, Mogh Nuadat, in honour of his wife, Beara, the daughter of Heber Mor, King of Castile.
Geography
The island is located in Bantry BayBantry Bay
Bantry Bay is a bay located in County Cork, southwest Ireland. The bay runs approximately from northeast to southwest into the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 3-to-4 km wide at the head and wide at the entrance....
in the western part of County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, about 1.5 km off the port of Castletownbere
Castletownbere
Castletownbere is a small town in County Cork in Ireland. It is located on the southwest coast of Ireland, in West Cork, on Berehaven harbour near the entrance to Bantry Bay. It is also known as Castletown Berehaven. The name of the town comes from the no longer extant MacCarty Castle, and not...
. It is served by two ferries, which can carry light vehicles. The highest point on the island is Knockanallig (270m). The main harbour is Lawrence Cove
Lawrence Cove
Lawrence Cove is a sheltered inlet on the north side of Bere Island, West Cork, Ireland, just to the west of the main village of Rerrin.One of the island's ferry services operates from here. It is also the location of a yachting marina.- External links :...
, near the main village of Rerrin
Rerrin
Rerrin is the name of the main village on Bere Island. The village is located on the north of the island and is next to the sheltered mooring of Lawrence Cove. It is also the name of the townland surrounding the village.-Rerrin Village:...
(Raerainn), toward the eastern end of the island. The church and its graveyard are located in Ballinakilla.
Demographics
The current population is approximately 200, but the past population was significantly higher. At the time of the 1841 census the population was 2,122 but by the 1851 census the population had decreased to 1,454 due to An Gorta Mór. The population decline continued in line with the national trend for emigration throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.Unlike many of the other islands off the Irish coast, the inhabitants of Bere Island are now native speakers of English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
ceased to be the spoken language of the majority of the native islanders between 1880 and 1885.
History
Early traces of human occupation include Megalithic tombs and Standing StonesMenhir
A menhir is a large upright standing stone. Menhirs may be found singly as monoliths, or as part of a group of similar stones. Their size can vary considerably; but their shape is generally uneven and squared, often tapering towards the top...
.
The island was the property of the O'Sullivan Bere clan and remained so until the power of the Gaelic chieftains was finally broken in 1602. This period also saw the first military interest in the island when Sir George Carew
George Carew
George Carew was an English diplomat and historian.-Life:He was the second son of Thomas Carew of Antony and brother of Richard Carew. He was educated at Oxford and entered the Inns of Court before travelling abroad. At the recommendation of Queen Elizabeth I, who conferred on him the honour of a...
ordered a road to be built across the island to transport the pro-English forces to the Siege of Dunboy
Siege of Dunboy
The Siege of Dunboy took place at Dunboy Castle on 5–18 June 1602, during the Nine Years' War in Ireland. It was one of the last battles of the conflict and was a victory for the English Army.-The Castle:...
.
In December 1796 a French fleet entered Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay is a bay located in County Cork, southwest Ireland. The bay runs approximately from northeast to southwest into the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 3-to-4 km wide at the head and wide at the entrance....
, led by General Hoche under the direction of Wolfe Tone, the leader of the United Irishmen. Adverse winds prevented the main force landing and eventually caused the fleet to disperse and return home. In August 1798 there was a further invasion attempt, at Killala
Killala
Killala is a village in County Mayo in Ireland, north of Ballina. The railway line from Dublin to Ballina once extended to Killala. To the west of Killala is a Townsplots West , which contains numerous ancient forts.- History :...
in County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, following the Irish Rebellion
Irish Rebellion of 1798
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 , also known as the United Irishmen Rebellion , was an uprising in 1798, lasting several months, against British rule in Ireland...
of that year.
The result of these events was that the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
authorities reviewed their defensive plans and in 1803, with the country once again at war with France
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
, Lieutenant-Colonel William Twiss
William Twiss
General William Twiss, , was a British Army Royal Engineer, responsible for the design of many military defenses.Probably born in Kent in 1744 or 1755, Twiss worked in the ordnance office at the Tower of London from 1760, before becoming overseer of works at Gibraltar. Receiving a commission in...
was sent to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to draw up a plan of defence for the country. As part of this review he was directed to examine what security could be given to Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay is a bay located in County Cork, southwest Ireland. The bay runs approximately from northeast to southwest into the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 3-to-4 km wide at the head and wide at the entrance....
.
Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Calder
Robert Calder
Admiral Sir Robert Calder, 1st Baronet, KCB was a British naval officer who served in the Seven Years' War, the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars.-Early life:...
, who commanded the naval squadron based in Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay is a bay located in County Cork, southwest Ireland. The bay runs approximately from northeast to southwest into the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 3-to-4 km wide at the head and wide at the entrance....
, wrote to the Rt. Hon. William Wickham on 22 December 1803 to request protection for his victualers and store ships, which were to be based at the Berehaven anchorage to supply his squadron . Wickham agreed that protection for the ships was necessary and instructed Lord Cathcart
William Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart
General William Schaw Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart KT, PC, PC , Scottish soldier and diplomatist, was born at Petersham, and educated at Eton.-Military career:...
to order his engineers to carry out the work.
The Bere Island towers were reported as ready on 2 February 1805 and were therefore probably the earliest Irish towers to be completed . The four, all circular in shape and built of rubble masonry, were sited to defend the anchorage between the mainland and the small harbour of Lawrence Cove
Lawrence Cove
Lawrence Cove is a sheltered inlet on the north side of Bere Island, West Cork, Ireland, just to the west of the main village of Rerrin.One of the island's ferry services operates from here. It is also the location of a yachting marina.- External links :...
on Bere Island.
In addition to the Martello Towers, a signal tower, a barracks for 2 officers and 150 men, a quay and storehouses were also constructed.
After the end of the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
there followed a period of military stagnation. This ended in 1898 when the British Military raised a compulsory purchase order
Compulsory purchase order
A compulsory purchase order is a legal function in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland that allows certain bodies which need to obtain land or property to do so without the consent of the owner. It may be enforced if a proposed development is considered one for public betterment - for...
on large areas of the island in order to construct additional fortifications in order to protect the British Fleet at anchor in the bay.
In 1922, under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty
Anglo-Irish Treaty
The Anglo-Irish Treaty , officially called the Articles of Agreement for a Treaty Between Great Britain and Ireland, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and representatives of the secessionist Irish Republic that concluded the Irish War of...
that followed the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
, the British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
withdrew from most of Ireland but three deep water Treaty Ports
Treaty Ports (Ireland)
Following the establishment of the Irish Free State, three deep water Treaty Ports at Berehaven, Queenstown and Lough Swilly were retained by the United Kingdom as sovereign bases in accordance with the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 6 December 1921...
, at Berehaven, Queenstown
Cobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
(renamed Cobh
Cobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
) and Lough Swilly
Lough Swilly
Lough Swilly in Ireland is a glacial fjord or sea inlet lying between the western side of the Inishowen Peninsula and the Fanad Peninsula, in County Donegal. Along with Carlingford Lough and Killary Harbour it is one of three known glacial fjords in Ireland....
, were retained as sovereign bases until 1938.
Archaeology
- BatteryArtillery batteryIn military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
, Ardaragh West, Cloonaghlin West - Circular Enclosure, Greenane
- Hut Site, Ardaragh West
- Martello towerMartello towerMartello towers are small defensive forts built in several countries of the British Empire during the 19th century, from the time of the Napoleonic Wars onwards....
, Ardaragh West, Cloonaghlin West (also Telegraph Station) - Promontory fortPromontory fortA promontory fort is a defensive structure located above a steep cliff, often only connected to the mainland by a small neck of land, thus utilizing the topography to reduce the ramparts needed. Although their dating is problematic, most seem to date to the Iron Age...
- RingfortRingfortRingforts are circular fortified settlements that were mostly built during the Iron Age , although some were built as late as the Early Middle Ages . They are found in Northern Europe, especially in Ireland...
, Cloonaghlin West, Greenane - Signal Tower, Derrycreeveen
- Standing StoneMenhirA menhir is a large upright standing stone. Menhirs may be found singly as monoliths, or as part of a group of similar stones. Their size can vary considerably; but their shape is generally uneven and squared, often tapering towards the top...
, Greenane - Collapsed Wedge Tomb, Ardaragh West
Townland
- Ardra West
- Ardra East
- Ballinakilla - This townlandTownlandA townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
contains St Michael's Roman Catholic church and graveyard. Located nearby is a pub/general store. - Cloonaghlin West
- Cloonaghlin Upper
- Cloonaghlin Lower
- Derrycreeveen
- Greenane
- Ardagh
- RerrinRerrinRerrin is the name of the main village on Bere Island. The village is located on the north of the island and is next to the sheltered mooring of Lawrence Cove. It is also the name of the townland surrounding the village.-Rerrin Village:...