A chara, In response to Patsy McGarry's "Irishman's Diary", February 1st I wish to add that Admiral William Penn was granted lands in Co Cork by Cromwell in 1659. The place selected was the castle and manor of Macroom, but when Charles II came to the throne in 1660 he restored the property to its former owner. Penn was compensated with estates and a castle in the Barony of Imokilly at Shanagarry. He also held lands at Ballyroe and Lisanley, Cloyne.
In 1667 the admiral, then resident in London, sent his son William, then 23 years of age, to put the property in Shanagarry on a good footing. William gives us details of his sojourn in this area in his diary My Irish Journal Penn frequently stayed with Captain Bent, his father's tenant at Carrigacotta (now Castle Mary) Cloyne. A Mr Boles also held land from Penn's father and this man's name is perpetuated in "Boles Gates" near Cloyne.
While in Shanagarry he commenced work on his book The Great Case of Liberty of Conscience in which he combined and synthesised his convictions regarding religious freedom and political rights. He was consistent in advocating religious liberty and condemning the persecution of Catholics as well as Quakers. He was an advocate of non violence a passionate believer in human equality, a non conformist in religion to the point that he went to prison rather than compromise his beliefs.
Shanagarry and adjoining town lands continued to be held by representatives of the Penn family until purchased under the Land Acts in the early decades of this century. Mise, le meas, Editor, The Book of Cloyne, Cloyne, Co Cork.