Chetwynd - Cheat The Wind - 219 Acres
formally Baile an Ghiolláin - Ballyginnane
This Townland is unique in that it is the only one to have completely lost its original name in favour of a foreign one. Chetwynd , from the Old Welsh - " Cheat The Wind " - was the name imposed on it as of 1750 when the new landowners cruelly and arrogantly disposed of the older name. Its correct and ancient name was Baile an Ghiolláin or Ballingillan as noted by the Down Survey of 1658. The original name would have referred to the Ginnane family and the townland as being their home , as it predates the Norman Invasion of 1170. The possibility exists that the Ring Fort located in the Townland off Lios Cross may even have been their home. However by the time of the Cromwellian Confiscations of the 1650s we find the Ronaynes dispossessed and the Townland handed over to the Piggotts. It had a succession of tenants down through the years but finally in 1950 the Sweetnam family bought the property and land outright and still farm there today.
Chetwynd had 2 big houses with the same name , one fronting onto Spur Hill ( Sweetnams as of 1950 ) acting as a farmhouse with another located on Meaghers Lane off Mahers Lane. Sadly this was demolished in 2018 with just its outbuildings remaining. It is perhaps most famous for the Chetwynd Viaduct , half of which is located inside its boundary. An original overbridge still exists on Mahers Lane. Chetwynd now plays host to the parish Cemetery , St. James. Many private builds are located around the Townland most predominantly on Mahers Lane.
Chetwynd has two internal streams which both join up with the Glasheen River and one which originates in Knocknamallavoge and flows on to turn west towards the Glasheen River near the viaduct. The Cork Bandon railway line once ran through the Townland and this is thankfully still evident by the presence of the two previously mentioned structures. The sport of bowling is famously connected with the Chetwynd Viaduct with Mick Barry " lofting the viaduct " in 1955. N.B.* - The Townlands southern boundary appears to have been moved several times since the 1840s which leaves the ring fort outside its borders. However the Blog will treat the original boundary in favour of the ring fort being in Chetwynd.
Addresses ( Modern Era )
Mahers Lane ( various private builds )
Meaghers Lane ( various private builds )
Viaduct Bar
Sweetnams Farm( Chetwynd House )
Chetwynd Viaduct
St. James Cemetery
Addresses/Structures ( Historical Era )
Ring Fort
Chetwynd House ( Demolished 2018 )
Chetwynd Viaduct ( Still extant )
Bandon Railway Line ( removed )
Mahers Lane overbridge ( still extant )
Water Pump ( still in situ )
Boundary ( shown in red on map )
From a point on the Bandon Road turning east to the rear of St. James cemetery cross country to emerge on Spur Hill by the water pump. Moving southwards along Spur Hill before turning west after the old Hegarty Sisters derelict cottage moving cross country to emerge once more on the Bandon Road just before the Viaduct Bar to follow the Glasheen Stream to the point started from.
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