SNIPPET: An article on Bandon, Cork, by Alannah HOPKIN was featured in the Sept/Oct 2005 issue of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine, accompanied by no less than twenty-two photos. Bandon, the gateway to West Cork, was previously a place that tourists passed through, heading for Bantry or the villages around Roaring Water Bay. Where its neighbours on either side, Kinsale and Clonakilty, are fun, brightly-coloured little towns full of restaurants and bars, Bandon is the sober, sensible one, all grey cut stone, schools and churches. Today, you find a new energy in Bandon, renovation of old buildings, new businesses, apartment development, projects and ideas. Bandon developed on both north and south banks of the river. It was given two market houses, one on each side, and two Church of Ireland churches. The earliest, in Kilbrogan, dates from 1610, deconsecrated in 1973, and is now the state-of-the art West Cork Heritage Centre. Last year Bandon celebrated the 400th anniversary of its foundation, at which time President McALEESE unveiled a fine sculpture which symbolises wildlife along the Bandon River. While the town still abounds in quiet charm, (allowing visitors to experience the everyday life of the local people), education, location and recent renovation is attracting new residents and tourists. The two communities are no longer polarised as Nationalist and Loyalist, but work together on many levels. Location-wise, Cork City and Airport are just a few miles away. The coast at Coolmaine, near Kilbrittain, has sandy beaches, surfing and sailboarding. Rivers are excellent for game angling, and there is nearby deep sea angling. Tourists enjoy golfing on a course laid out around the ruins of Castlebernard, and the town offers gentle riverside walks, one of them following the tracks of the old West Cork Railway This line was closed in 1961. Bandon's railway station has been painted in red and white, the county's colors, and converted into Council Offices. The town has a little bookstore. On Monday's there is a busy cattle mart with farm stock auctioned - evidence of Bandon's position as the hub of a large rural community. . Elizabeth O'BRIEN, an Independent Town Councillor, is typical of the new generation. A daughter of Ivan McCUTCHEON, legendary headmaster of Bandon Grammar School from 1944-1972, she married a Catholic, her late husband, Dominic O'BRIEN. She and her husband were well-known fundraisers for the Chernobyl Children's Project. Bandon hosts about 25 children from the stricken area of Belarus each summer, giving them a much-needed break from their contaminated atmosphere. The Project is one of several charitable enterprises enthusiastically supported across the community. Per Elizabeth - Last October, during the Bandon400 celebration, there was a very symbolic and touching Ecumenical Service of Light. Services were held in each of the three churches - Catholic, Church of Ireland and Methodist, and then everyone proceeded down to the car park in the centre of town, carrying a flame from each Church. There were a few prayers, then one torch was lit from the three, and everyone turned around and shook hands. --- CIVIL PARISHES (1851) BANDON TOWN (CORK) KEY: Townland AKA Acres County Barony Civil Parish PLU Province: BANDON T. xx Cork, W.R. East Carbery (E.D.) Ballymodan Bandon Munster BANDON T. xx Cork, W.R. Kinalmeaky Ballymodan Bandon Munster BANDON T. xx Cork, W.R. Kinalmeaky Kilbrogan Bandon Munster Above from the all-Ireland IreAtlas search engine at the Leitrim-Roscommon website.