Page 52 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2018

neck of the woods | sister cities

Today, with a population of nearly 7,000 residents, Bandon
moves at a slower pace, but remains a vibrant destination for
tourists and history enthusiasts keen on discovering the town’s
colorful past. Additionally, the annual Bandon Music Festival is
held in early June, and a Walled Town Festival takes place every
year on the last weekend of August.

From the vantage point on Kilbrogan Hill above the north riverbank,
I glimpsed many of Bandon’s well-known landmarks, including the
original town walls, two Gothic Revival Catholic churches, and the
Protestant Christ Church that now serves as the West Cork Heritage
Center. Built in 1610, the former house of worship features an old
classroom, a traditional village pub, medieval stocks and several dis-
plays chronicling 400 years of activity.

John Hurley, the Heritage Center’s secretary gave me a private tour,
graciously providing a fascinating crash course on all things Bandon.
Regarding the questionable title of Lord Bennett, he confirmed there
had been local Bennetts with ties to Irish gentry, but any designation
would have been inherited and most likely long extinct by the time
of George Bennett’s departure.

My subsequent return to Oregon was met with the dreaded jet
lag, stacks of unopened mail and scornful looks from my cats say-
ing, “Where have you been?!” But as soon as I caught up on sleep
and resumed my routines, I began to plot other similarly-themed
Beaver State adventures. Dundee to Dundee? Or how about Florence
to Florence? Surely there must be a Gianni Bennettoni or Angus Ireland is the only country in the world that uses
Bennettson with an indomitable, immigrant spirit and a story waiting a music instrument as its national symbol.
to be told. Stay tuned.