No In an initiative to help finance the new Whiddy Island Hall, we are selling off blocks to be used in the build. For each block bought your name will appear on the block in the finished building.
The blocks are on sale at the price of 100€ each, please help in the construction of the islands hall, and have your name appear on it for future generations.
The following is a list of names of the people who have bought blocks so far. This list will be updated regularly as people buy more blocks.
Breda Lymer
Breda Lymer
Breda Lymer
Breda Lymer
Breda Lymer
Breda Lymer
Breda Lymer
Breda Lymer
Breda Lymer
Breda Lymer
Seán O’Leary
Maighréad O’Leary
Noreen O’Leary
Mary Ross
Donal Ross
Danny O’Leary
Danny O’Leary
Danny O’Leary
Danny O’Leary
Danny O’Leary
Danny O’Leary
Danny O’Leary
Danny O’Leary
Danny O’Leary
Danny O’Leary
O’Learys of Bantry
Tim O’Leary
Tim O’Leary
Joan McSweeney
Dan Desmond
Jack Desmond
Margaret Furlong
Claire and Les Dear
James O’Leary
Pat Coughlan Agri.
Curly Hourihan
James O’Leary
Síle and Darren McCarthy
Liam O’Leary
Albie Andrews
Connie O’Leary
Tadgh Furlong
Alec O’Donovan
Martin, Mary and the Murray Family
Tommy and Finn Walsh and Family
Eoin Furlong
John Casey
Brian O Rourke
Tommy and Eileen Cunney
Caha Coaches
Mike and Frances Burke and Family, Pearl River, New York
John and Anna Hutchinson
The Hutchinsons, Jack, Danny, Ellie and Donogh, Dunbeacon
Bantry Blues GAA Club
Bantry Blues GAA Club
Bantry Blues GAA Club
Stephen O’Donovan
Tommy O’Donoghue
Martin Spillane
Cillian Sheehan
Ann and Brendan O’Mahony
William and Kathleen Swanton
Karen and Sharon Swanton
Patrick, Elaine, Kevin, Darragh and Aisling Courtney
Patrick Courtney Ltd.
Patrick Courtney Ltd
Patrick Courtney Ltd
Patrick Courtney Ltd
O’ Leary Design and Print
Jimmy Burke and Caroline Shillcock
Tommy Edgeworth
Willie Joe and Rita Donaldson
Jim Collins
Pat Burke and Majella Gilman-Burke
Evan and Adam Gilman-Burke
Gavin and Luke Gilman-Burke
Simone and Shauna Gilman-Burke
Seán Bishop
Josephine Bishop
Bantry Driving Academy
Pat and Louise Delaney
Connie and Irene O’Connor
Andrew & Jane Hodnett, Raheen, Bantry
Tom Spillane
Padraig Desmond
Euro Smart Discount Shop, Main St. Bantry
The Stuffed Olive, Bantry
The Stuffed Olive, Bantry
Eileen and Joe Coughlan
Timmy and Deirdre McCarthy
Brendan Burke and Family
Gordon and Siobhan O’Sullivan
Megan O’Connor
Shane Swanton
Denis and Una Coughlan
Mike O’Leary
Ber O’Leary
James Courcey
Aileen Courcey
Eimer Courcey
Ciara Courcey
Áine Courcey
Seán Courcey
Lochlan McCarthy
Eamonn McCarthy
Niall Twohig
O’Connor Family, Rooska
Kearney Family, Maughanaclee, Kealkil
Mike Wiseman, Caher, Bantry
Majella and Eammon McCarthy
Tim Coakely
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
Bantry Hire and Sales Center
Ellie and Jake Dear
The Dálaís and The Boneys
Paddy O’Flynn Agri Contractor
O’Donovan, Murphy and Partners
Pasty and Mags O’Sullivan, Kealkill
Donal O’Sullivan, Cloonee, Durrus
Eugene and Angela Murnane
Mike, Ann and Gearoid Hurley, Gortdromagh, Bantry
Liam Walsh
John Delaney
Lorraine Delaney
Shane Delaney
Sam Delaney
Tara Delaney
Louis and Ita
John, Sheila, Eillie and Seán O’Sullivan
Rita and Bill Cunney, Kealkil
Jimmy O’Leary
Sam Kingston, Drinagh
The Quays Bar
Drinagh Co-Op
Drinagh Co-Op
Stephen Hourihan
Paddy O’Keeffe
Jim O ‘Keeffe
Brian O’Keeffe
MSL Engineering Ltd.
MSL Engineering Ltd.
MSL Engineering Ltd.
MSL Engineering Ltd.
MSL Engineering Ltd.
Helen Courcey
Shane Shannon
Patrick, Norma, Sophie and Dylan Daly, Letterlickey
Sam, Noreen, Gavin, Sophie and Sam Óg O’Sullivan, Colomane West
Francis and Angela Hourihane, and Family, Baurgorm
PJ and Eileen Hourihane, and Family, Baurgorm
F.P.P. Ltd.
Theresa and Tony O’Leary
Anita Schwarz
Eoin Schwarz
Marian and Patricia Burke
Bernadette and Francis Burke
Mark and Debbie Delaney
Mark and Debbie Delaney
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
The Yanks from America – The O’Leary Clan
Timmy O’Sullivan & Family, Ballycommane, Durrus
Johnny Burke, Kilmore, Whiddy Island and Parade Field, Bantry
Robin Atticus Hamilton
The Family of the late Peggy O’Regan (nee O’Leary), Kilmore, Whiddy Island
Maureen Hourihan
Brenda Hourihan
Kathleen and Bruce Tessyman
Gerry and Marian Monaghan
Fundy Shellfish Products Ltd.
Merlin Tanner
Danny Collins
Nell Fox
Dermot and Mary Daly, Bantry and Florida
Bernie, John, Rachel, James and John Jr. Crowley
J.J. Crowley’s Bar
Taidgh and Mason Campbell
Angie Fleming
Christy Minehane
The Twohig Family
Richie Reynolds
Alan Reynolds
Bantry – Whiddy Island Coursing Club
The Collins Brothers, Coolanuller
Eileen and Brendan Minihane
Erika Loughlin
Liam and Mary Cunney, Kealkill, Ballingeary and Sydney
Declan Barron
Charlie Boston and Susan Moloney
Andy, Chiara, Laina & Jayne Maher Sealodge,Bantry
Diarmuid McCarthy, Seskin
Teddy Deasy
Judge Con O’Leary and Geraldine
Wade Westwood
Charlos, Sukie and Christine
Anne (Hannah) O’Leary
Margaret O’Leary (nee O’Sullivan)
Eli Tanner & Claire O’Sullivan (Big Dan). Amelia, Christie
The Cronin (Cupps) Family
Eileen and Philip Wagstaff
Eamon and Ann Wiseman, Joe and Deirdre Wiseman and Family Rooska
Seán Burke
Fr. Joe McCarthy
O’Mahony’s Caheragh and Bantry
Gerald, Catherine and Stephen O’Mahony, Kilburn
John and Marian Minehane
Mike, Rose, Mick and Luke O’ Sullivan
Bocks can also be bought and dedicated to the memory of somebody. The following is a list of these blocks and will be regularly updated as they are sold.
Jim O’Leary
Jer and Ellie Shanahan, Mary Casey
Mick and Tess O’ Leary
Denis and Nellie Burke Drishane
Bill O’Donnell
Tui O’Donnell
Timmy, Miah, Con and Sam O’Sullivan (Close )
Denny and Donal Burke
James and Maggie O’Leary (Close)
Tommy and Josephine Aylmer
Denis, Eileen and Donie Burke (Crowangle South)
Con and Ellen O’Brien (Glounruin Kilcrohane)
Maureen Greene Minehane
Jane Levis (Nee Burke), Drishane, Dunbeacon & Whiddy Island
Mort O’Sullivan
William O’Sullivan
Denis O’Leary
Peg O’Leary
John and Liz O’Sullivan
Eileen O’Grady
Tim and Anna O’Leary
Danny O’Leary (Close)
Mary O’Mahony (née Burke), Blackrock Rd and Whiddy Island
Allison O’Shea
Seán Cronin (Cupps)
Kitty O’Sullivan (née Burke), Beach and Whiddy Island
Danny and Maura Burke, Moulakieve and Whiddy Island
Christie and Mary Ellen Minehane, Crowangle, Whiddy Island
Gretta McDonald (née O’Leary) Wyoming and Close, Whiddy Island.
Samuel and Sarah Vickery, Trawnahaha
Their daughter Bessie and William Warner (who she married)
Their five children Sarah, Esther, Samuel, William and Bessie Warner
William Warner (who married secondly) and Esther Warner
Their daughter Hester Warner
Gerry (John) and Ellen O’Sullivan, Garraha
Timothy O’Leary, Seafield, Bantry and Reenaknock, Whiddy Island
Tim and Mary O’Leary, Kealkill and Close, Whiddy Island
Tacker from Linco
Adam O’Leary, Duleek
Tim and Margaret O’Leary, Close, Whiddy Island
Donie Sheehan
Donie Sheehan
Barry Desmond
Seán McGrath
Seán and Patrick Courcey, Whiddy Island
Lilly Griffin, Glenlough West
Ger O and Johnny O’Sullivan, Garraha
Frankie Whelton
Jerry Burke, Crowangle
Paddy and Kathleen Burke
Kevin and Larry Burke
John F. Burke, Crowangle, Whiddy Island
Pat (Spannie) and Winnie Hurley
Nora, Mai, Margaret, Eileen, Sheila, Breda, Timmy and Michael O’Leary, also Margaret and Denis (their parents) Reenacnoic, Whiddy Island
Margaret Hanbury (nee O’Leary), Castlerea, Co. Roscommon and Reenacnoic, Whiddy Island
Denis Burke (Kildare) and Julia (Lulu) Burke, Whiddy Island
Donal and Christine Hutchinson, Blackrock Road, Bantry
Lena and Florence O’Leary, Reenacnoic, Whiddy Island
Jimmy and Peggy O’Regan (nee O’Leary), Kealanine
James and Kate Cronin (Cupps)
Tim and Minnie O’Leary, Kilmore, Whiddy Island
Con and Lily O’Sullivan. Ballycommane, Durrus and formally of Whiddy Island
Paudie Cronin (Cupps)
Nellie O’Rourke (Burke)
Anna Sheppard (Burke)
The Goggin Family, Kilmore, Whiddy Island
Laurie and Peg Harte, Bantry
John and Katie Dolan (nee Goggin) Kilmore, Whiddy Island
John Minihane, Tranaha, Whiddy Island
Dylan McCarthy (Dálaí)
Dan and Peggie O’Mahony, Cooldaniel, Toames, Macroom
Jerry and Mary Daly and their 9 children, Kilmore , Whiddy
Denis and Evelyn O’Driscoll
Tim O’Driscoll
Anne Healy (nee O’Driscoll)
Paddy and Joan O’Driscoll
Christy and Helen (nee O’Driscoll) Crowley
Tade and Maureen (nee O’Driscoll) Shanahan
Timothy and Kate Ann O’Driscoll (Kilmore and Tranaha)
Larry Gogan
Murty John O’Sullivan, Kilmore
Patrick and Annie, John and Eileen Minehane, The Quays
Seán and Kitty Desmond
Jerry and Berna Ryan, Knocknanuss, Ballinascarthy
Julia and Mick O’Leary, Whiddy and Swansea
Noreen Keohane
Elliette & Maurice Steenssens
Con and Kitty O’Leary, Newtown
Derry Flynn
Mossie Quinlan, Jarama, 1937
Remembering Connie O’Regan always, his loving family.
Michael and Maureen Ross, Clountiquirke, Dunmanway
Nora Desmond, Macroom
The Gilman Family, Aughaville, Bantry
Linda Margaret O’Leary, Duleek
Denis O’Mahony, Caheragh and Julia O’Leary, Coosane
Whiddy Island Development Association (WIDA) CLG is an organisation which endeavours to take care of all Whiddy Islanders needs.
Watch a short film here which gives some ideas of what we do
It has been active for about 30 years in one form or another.
WIDA has undertaken many projects on the Island over the years. These projects would include one off events or also annual duties on the Island.
We have taken care of the annual hedge cutting with all of the verges on the Island being trimmed once a year.
We also took it upon ourselves to maintain the graveyard on the Island. Mass takes place yearly now at what was once an inaccessible wilderness. The graveyard is cut now about five times a year. We have cleared away all tress and scrub from the grounds and planted a hedge around its perimeter. We have also cleaned the headstones and repaired some graves railings. We have installed a kissing gate at the entrance to repel invading sheep. Even though there are no plans for anyone else to be buried at this graveyard we are very proud to maintain it in honour of our ancestors.
WIDA has provided an amenity area at Baltunta strand with stone benches and tables for picnicking visitors. This is one of the most beautiful places on the Island and is well worth a visit.
WIDA has opened a heritage trail on the Island providing information boards at some of the most beautiful points on the Island. At these boards you can learn of some of Whiddy’s history and folklore while taking in some of the most picturesque of scenery.
Information on the Sheep’s Head way is included on these boards as a loop walk of the Sheep’s Head Way exists on Whiddy.
The community has provided services and material to Bantry Bay Harbour board helping it to place a pontoon at an area called the Bank. This is of great benefit to visiting boats and yachts and has definitely boosted tourism on the Island.
A project that has been in the pipeline for some years now is the building of a multipurpose community hall for the Island. At present there are no community facilities on Whiddy. Land was leased from Bantry Bay Port Company, full planning has been granted a few years back and the project is now awaiting Leader approval for funding. This is the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the Whiddy Island Community and will cost in the excess of 300 thousand euro. There are many functions planned for this facility but perhaps the most import of all is that it is planned to record all the family histories of people who live or have lived on Whiddy Island over the generations. Who lived where, when they lived there or when they left the Island. Who occupied the various farms over the years or perhaps the naming of fields all over the Island. Perhaps pictures of various families could hang on the walls. It is planned to afford wall spaces to each family to display their various photographs or memorabilia. This is all information which is on the verges of being lost forever if something is not done to preserve it. This hall would be a permanent home to this type of thing for generations to come, it would be an absolute shame if all this information wasn’t stored on the Island for posterity.
Proposed Plans below, click for enlargement
This year’s projects for WIDA are the providing of stone seating at various intervals along.
the Sheep’s Head Way loop walk and the raising and revamping of the picnic area at Baltunta strand.
All these projects cost money so we run a fortnightly draw call ‘Split the Pot’. This has been in existence now for almost five years and we are very grateful to all the buyers and sellers of tickets every fortnight. We are also very grateful to various bodies who have helped us with projects especially Cork County Council. We have five ticket outlets in Bantry Town, The Bantry Inn, The Boston Bar, The Cosy Cabin, J.J. Crowleys, and De Barras restaurant. Tickets can also be obtained from any committee member.
If anybody wishes to contact the Whiddy Island Development Association you can do so by emailing your queries to the following email address; maireadoleary12@gmail.com