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

B609/

reprisal for an execution in Cork’ [see also B609/9/A/43]. On 28 February 1934 Bennett inspected two setters sired by his dog Billy and trained by I Whelan, and selected the dog Shot for himself, giving the other to Whelan. The log itself covers the seasons from 1895 to 1934. At the front of the volume season totals for 1890 to 1913 are recorded, and at the back totals for 1913 to 1930 are tallied. Loose pages from a different log covering the years 1892 and 1894-95 are placed inside the back cover. Also placed there are a number of newscuttings regarding shooting, mainly from ‘The Field’ newspaper. Also present is a note of a ‘Peculiar Snipe’ shot on 24 January 1908 by Dr Richard Fitzgerald. Attached to the fly leaf at the back of the volume is a letter from EH Bennett to his brother William H Bennett (father of John H Bennett), referring to the latter’s feat of killing two woodcocks with one shot [a note by John H Bennett dates the letter ‘about the year ’61’]. Pasted to the front fly leaf is a printed copy of the poem ‘A Father’s Advice’ by Mark Beaufoy’, which ends ‘”All the pheasants ever bred/Wont repay for one man dead”’. B609/9/A/58 John H Bennett, Notebook ‘Some Notes in Diary Form on The Great War, Aug 4 1914 to Nov 11 1918’. The notes seem to have been written after the war’s end. Bennett generally records news concerning the progress of the war, although he does write of his son Jack’s departure in August 1915 and his death in October. Bennett also notes his wife’s death on 10 April 1916. The entry for 24 April 1916 records the Easter Monday Sinn Fein rebellion in Ireland. He notes ‘feeling of people round here at first dismay at rising subsequently sympathy with rebels when ringleaders were shot after surrender’. In his final note, dated 9 December 1918, Bennett gives thanks to God and praises ‘the unconquerable spirit of her [Great Britain’s] race’. Among pages for May 1915 is a postcard dated 10 May 1915 to Bennett from Rt WB Holmes, 1 st Irish Guards. In a note in the margin, Bennett writes ‘Poor Holmes was killed on 18 th May in a big attack in which his Regt lost 700’. The volume contains a number of newscuttings, including one from 1927, and a complete copy of ‘The Times’ Review of the Year for 1918. The latter part of the book contains what seems to be an ms fragment of a play [possibly by Jack Bennett; see B609/9/C/2]. B609/9/A/59 John H Bennett, ‘Notes re Business continued from Previous Books Nov 1926, Particulars barley Season &c.’. Diary-form record of barley seasons and business activities, November 1926 to August 1934. Bennett writes of barley growing, the effects of the weather, drying and malting, and dealings with AGS. Some additional information has been added in red ink to some entries. In July 1932 he notes the beginning of ‘Economic War’ between Britain and the Irish Free State. In his final entry, August 1934, Bennett records AGS’s intention to build a brewery in London and remarks on the ‘prejudicial’ effects on general business in Dublin and on Irish manufacturers of malt. Some newscuttings present, including obituaries of Lord Iveagh and TC Purser, AGS, and Sir Horace Plunkett. Inside the front cover is a note dated 23 November 1927 of ‘Particulars regarding the issue of Spratt Archer barley for general cultivation in Ireland’ in 1915. Inside the back cover is a note of ‘Square Feet of Malt House Floors, May 1913’. While concerned with the business of JHB, this diary is placed

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