The Kinsale Record is a special publication for lifelong residents and newcomers to the area as the range of articles tells the well-known stories of our past and has encouraged research into some lesser-known history. This latest volume, number 31, is an unusual mixture of past and present. Many members have never read the early volumes, which are long out of print, and say that while they are available online thanks to Cork County Council, there is nothing like the printed version.
That is why this Record is something of a first, as we have included a number of previous articles of special interest to inform our readers and hopefully inspire some new research. Angela Perkins wrote about the special history of Ringcurran Church and researched the reading preferences of the members of the old library in the Municipal Hall. Vincent Murphy and Donal O’Leary showed why Dunderrow is always of special interest, and Paul Ryan recalled the beginnings of local democracy in the town, which contrasted with the current situation.
Our most prolific writer, Fergal Browne, has two contrasting articles, The History of Ballintobber House and the Lord Mayor's Dinner Service and Fergal Browne and also tells of the work in promoting old photographs of Kinsale. John McCarthty’s article on the Bandon River is of special interest, as are William Butler's questions about Charles Fort. Michael Mulcahy wrote of the history of the Kinsale Cloak. John Collins provides the history of the invaluable Lawrence Collection, and Leo McMahon writes about the colourful history of the Piper family. Donal O'Leary and Vincent Murphy wrote Milling in Kinsale, and Niall Stewart tells stories about the end of old English in Kinsale. C.J.F. McCarthy collected a lot of information on Kinsale in his notes, and Paul Ryan's article on the Beginnings of Democracy contrasts with the present regime. Angela Perkin's article on Ringcurran Church shows how much has changed since her time, and Colm Gimblette has researched another article by Gerald Gimblette. Percival was one of the hate figures of Charles Fort, and Paul Ryan wrote about his subsequent career. The Record also includes an index of all previous articles by topic and author.
