Of Howe and history at Kilbrittain

OUR trailhead is Howe Strand, where a few cars can park but space is limited. The beach looks out onto Courtmacsherry Bay and beyond it, the open ocean. Westward are the Seven Heads, and to the east, the Old Head of Kinsale.

The strand is named for the Howe family, local landowners from Cromwellian times. Guy’s Postal Directory of 1914 lists Howe owners of Killeens House and Glanavirane House; the latter is still occupied by a Howe family today. A stream crosses the beach, fed by the reed beds behind. The beach is little frequented except in summer.

Walking down the right hand side of the beach, we look across at the huge, gaunt ruin on the left (eastern) side. This was the Howe Strand Coastguard and Telegraph Station burnt by the IRA in 1920. According to the witness statement made to the Irish Bureau Of Military History by John O’Driscoll, captain of the Timoleague Company Irish Volunteers, the station was first attacked by Timoleague Volunteers in April 1920. The seven coastguards present surrendered and seven rifles were seized. Later that year, 18 volunteers from the Bandon Battalion, supported by 24 men blocking the approach roads, attacked the station again. The 15 coastguards manning the station surrendered after a brief fight. Fifteen rifles and 1,000 rounds of ammunition were captured. The station was burnt and was subsequently abandoned by the Coastguard.