The recorder of Clonaklity was a judicial office-holder in pre-independence Ireland.
He was chief magistrate of the town of Clonakilty, and a justice of the peace.
He presided over all important criminal cases and held a Court of Petty Sessions to deal with routine criminal and civil cases every Wednesday.
Like other Irish recorders, he was not a Crown appointment but was chosen by the townspeople: in this case, he was nominated by three burgesses of the town.
Commander John Townsend, Recorder 1801-1837, who was also the Seneschal (i.e. the representative of the Earl of Shannon, the dominant local landlord), had been a naval officer for many years.