Bennett's of Ballinacurra Descriptive List (Ref. B609)

B609/

B609/9/A/45 Diary, 1925. Bennett records of 14 February that it was ‘The best day’s shooting I ever had, & shot badly’. On 15 May he had a meeting at AGS at which was discussed what would happen to the business on his death. On 16 September he writes ‘profit larger than last year to which Farm has contributed very well’. On 8 October Bennett’s sister Avice died in Berlin. On 4 November Brookdale House, former home of Bennett’s friends, the Wellands, was burnt down accidentally. On his step-daughter Dorothy’s return on 6 December, he writes admiringly that she is ‘a wonderful young woman’ with ‘views of life both Oxonian and National – It is inspiring to listen to her conversation’. B609/9/A/46 Diary, 1926. On 17 February Bennett increased his offer to Eamon Rohan for Ramhill Paddocks [see also B609/6/C/3]. On 7 April Mrs Longfield and her daughter Cynthia came to stay, the latter giving an interesting account of her experiences as lepidopterist on the Pacific exploration voyage of the St George. On the 11 th they walked over Castlemary looking at buildings which are to be reconstructed as a residence. On 9 May Bennett threw in the ball at a hurling match between Ballinacurra and Cobh. On 20 May he informed workers of a reduction in wages, and that from next season wages would be those agreed between the Maltsters’ Association and the Transport Union. Bennett received the largest daily barley deliveries on record in early October, and on the 6 th photographs of sellers were taken, to compare with those taken thirty years earlier. About the same time, Bennett expresses the local protestant community to be ‘much scandalised’ by the Reverend Levingstone’s marriage to his Catholic servant girl. On 28 October Bennett received a letter from AGS reprimanding him for writing to the press as their agent regarding a report on the barley market. He notes’ these incidents show how extremely restricted are one’s actions and that no individuality is allowable’. On 12 November he records a good attendance at a meeting of the Cow Testing Association. B609/9/A/47 Diary, 1927. In early February, Shriver Roche left Bennett’s employ, as the latter could not offer him better terms, and he was needed at his father’s business in Enniscorthy. On 19 February he attended ‘The Big House’ by Lennox Robinson at Cork Opera House, finding its Armistice Day Tragedy reminded him of his son. In March there was much consideration regarding the future of the business, with Shriver Roche’s position, a possible partnership with Joe Bennett, and a role for Dorothy, as well as conversion to a limited liability company, all discussed with AGS. On 25 April Bennett attended a dinner for old boys of Midleton College organised by Lord Midleton to revive interest in and support for the school. On 10 September Bennett moved pigs into his new piggery. In the later months Bennett again experienced difficulty in securing his full quantity of barley owing to high prices and AGS restrictions.

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