About Jack White's Inn + Jack White's History

Jack White’s Inn is a landmark pub that dates back to the Eighteen Hundreds.

Because of England’s restrictive trade laws against Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries smuggling was rampant through all levels of society. Nearly everyone benefited from clandestine trade, from magistrates, clergymen, Justices of the Peace, down to the tenant farmer, boat owner and peasant. All groups contrived in some way or another to keep smuggling going In most of the county’s anti-commerce laws concerned the shipping of goods out of Ireland to foreign destinations and the importation of merchandise from abroad.

One of the most flouted taws was one by which England insisted that all foreign trade in and out of this country had to be conducted in English ships. This was all very fine when Europe was at peace but if England was at war with any neighboring country it meant that no Irish goods could be sent to that country. Outside of the United Kingdom lreland’s principal business market was France. Unfortunately, for much of the 17th and 18th centuries England and France were enmeshed in war and Ireland’s trade consequently suffered.

img-history1

As often as not during these times smuggling on a grand scale between Ireland and France was the only, way in which their trade could be conducted. So widespread was smuggling along the coast by all and sundry that it was hardly regarded as a crime at all. Except in tintes of invasion scares, or when the government coffers ran so low they faced bankruptcy, did the ineffectual revenue men try to crack down Such action was rarely successful, however, because there were so many vested interests lined up against enforcement.

Jack Whyte or White which tradition states lived at the turn of the 17th century, was reputed to be a first class smuggler. He regularly arranged for shipments of Wicklow wool to be sent abroad to France in exchange for wine, brandy and French luxury goods Operating out of Ardinary and “Jack’s Hole”, the French ships would anchor long enough there to load up bales of wool and hides and off-load the spirits. Other than the odd English naval ship patrolling in the Irish Sea, or an over-zealous revenue officer in the district (which was not very often), the risk of being caught smuggling was slight It was the gentry who were the main customers for luxury goods and spirits and it was these same people who were supposed to enforce the law.

img-history2

 

White had a close `business arrangement’ with Thomas Acton of Kilmacurragh in the sale and distribution of smuggled goods. Acton was a powerful and important patron in the area. He was a Justice of the Peace and part-time magistrate. On the old coach-road from the sea coast to the interior of the county’ in the townland of Ballinpark, Jack White kept a sheebeen or whiskey house. It was here the recipients came to receive their `cut’ of the spoils, each getting a portion of the smuggled materials in keeping with outlay In either 1700 or 1731, tradition is not clear which year, a particularly rich cargo of goods were landed at ‘Jack’s Hole’ and conveyed to White’s Here a falling out occurred between Acton and the smuggler over the contraband. In the ensuing quarrel Acton, who shared many an illegal cargo organized by lack White, had him arrested.

White was tried by Acton and another Wicklow gentleman magistrate William Hoey of Dunganstown, who was also a regular user of his services. They sentenced him to death. Jack White was believed to have been hanged by the sea on a cliff overlooking `Jack’s Hole’, (now the site Of the old Coastguard buildings). “Jack White’s of the Cross” was named because it was very near the smuggler’s original premises, or because it may occupy the actual ground. No burial place for him is known, nor is there likely to be one, as the bodies of almost all felons executed at that time were usually simply thrown into the sea.

Our Team


Clare & Tadhg

Owners


Sue

Administrator


Gary

Chef



Some of the gang

Jack White offers its customers the option of purchasing Gift Cards online. All you have to do is ring us, and pay with your credit/debit card over the phone.

Our Jack White Gift Card is fast and efficient to use, and makes a great gift. Please contact us for more details.

Jack White’s Inn is a landmark pub that dates back to the Eighteen Hundreds.

Because of England’s restrictive trade laws against Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries smuggling was rampant through all levels of society. Nearly everyone benefited from clandestine trade, from magistrates, clergymen, Justices of the Peace, down to the tenant farmer, boat owner and peasant. All groups contrived in some way or another to keep smuggling going In most of the county’s anti-commerce laws concerned the shipping of goods out of Ireland to foreign destinations and the importation of merchandise from abroad.

One of the most flouted taws was one by which England insisted that all foreign trade in and out of this country had to be conducted in English ships. This was all very fine when Europe was at peace but if England was at war with any neighboring country it meant that no Irish goods could be sent to that country. Outside of the United Kingdom lreland’s principal business market was France. Unfortunately, for much of the 17th and 18th centuries England and France were enmeshed in war and Ireland’s trade consequently suffered.

img-history1

As often as not during these times smuggling on a grand scale between Ireland and France was the only, way in which their trade could be conducted. So widespread was smuggling along the coast by all and sundry that it was hardly regarded as a crime at all. Except in tintes of invasion scares, or when the government coffers ran so low they faced bankruptcy, did the ineffectual revenue men try to crack down Such action was rarely successful, however, because there were so many vested interests lined up against enforcement.

Jack Whyte or White which tradition states lived at the turn of the 17th century, was reputed to be a first class smuggler. He regularly arranged for shipments of Wicklow wool to be sent abroad to France in exchange for wine, brandy and French luxury goods Operating out of Ardinary and “Jack’s Hole”, the French ships would anchor long enough there to load up bales of wool and hides and off-load the spirits. Other than the odd English naval ship patrolling in the Irish Sea, or an over-zealous revenue officer in the district (which was not very often), the risk of being caught smuggling was slight It was the gentry who were the main customers for luxury goods and spirits and it was these same people who were supposed to enforce the law.

img-history2

 

White had a close `business arrangement’ with Thomas Acton of Kilmacurragh in the sale and distribution of smuggled goods. Acton was a powerful and important patron in the area. He was a Justice of the Peace and part-time magistrate. On the old coach-road from the sea coast to the interior of the county’ in the townland of Ballinpark, Jack White kept a sheebeen or whiskey house. It was here the recipients came to receive their `cut’ of the spoils, each getting a portion of the smuggled materials in keeping with outlay In either 1700 or 1731, tradition is not clear which year, a particularly rich cargo of goods were landed at ‘Jack’s Hole’ and conveyed to White’s Here a falling out occurred between Acton and the smuggler over the contraband. In the ensuing quarrel Acton, who shared many an illegal cargo organized by lack White, had him arrested.

White was tried by Acton and another Wicklow gentleman magistrate William Hoey of Dunganstown, who was also a regular user of his services. They sentenced him to death. Jack White was believed to have been hanged by the sea on a cliff overlooking `Jack’s Hole’, (now the site Of the old Coastguard buildings). “Jack White’s of the Cross” was named because it was very near the smuggler’s original premises, or because it may occupy the actual ground. No burial place for him is known, nor is there likely to be one, as the bodies of almost all felons executed at that time were usually simply thrown into the sea.


Clare & Tadhg

Owners


Sue

Administrator


Gary

Chef



Some of the gang

Jack White offers its customers the option of purchasing Gift Cards online. All you have to do is ring us, and pay with your credit/debit card over the phone.

Our Jack White Gift Card is fast and efficient to use, and makes a great gift. Please contact us for more details.

Design & Development