‘Shean’ is the Gaelic translation for ‘Old’ therefore you are standing on the Old Bridge, located at the Station Road Junction which also marks the start of the beautiful Martin Valley Trail to Waterloo, a 2.5km riverside, woodland walk leading to Waterloo Church, Gardens and Round Tower (built in 1845). Highly recommended for a leisurely…
Founded in 1892 by Nicholas and Ellen Mahony of Martin Mahony & Bros. Woollen Mills. It was occupied by the Sisters of Charity until 1990. Nothing remains except the Convent Hall which plays an important role for the Blarney community. The new convent is occupied by Missionary Sisters of Charity whose founder, Mother Teresa of…
SAINTS & SINNERS Roman Catholic Church – Church of the Immaculate Conception Land was donated for the construction of this church which was then built mainly through subscriptions and donations from the local parishioners, and especially from the Mahony’s. Built in 1894 overlooking Blarney Castle and the village square it is a prominent, eye-catching, gable-fronted…
Muskerry Arms Steeped in history, this building was originally built as the Corkeran’s Hotel. J.F. Corkeran lived nearby in Sunberry House. Subsequently renamed the Muskerry Arms after the Muskerry Tramline which serviced the village of Blarney until the 1930s. It also served as a carriage house which provided accommodation for weary travellers on their journeys…
Regardless of the fact that the majority of the population were Catholic, the Protestant church was a very important part of life in Blarney. Work commenced on the church in 1776, shortly after the village had been built so the church you see before you will be 250 years old in 2026. Design Unlike so…
In 1898 Sir George Colthurst, then owner of Blarney Castle, donated the site for the new village school. Built to accommodate 450 boys and girls from the village, it is now a co-ed primary school ‘Scoil Chroí Íosa’. Come to our next stop and find out how the castle owners kept warm in church.
Because of its proximity to the rivers, Blarney was a key part of the national linen industry. In 1766, to cater for this, James St John Jefferyes constructed a series of houses and a bleaching green. An 1801 map shows the weavers’ houses were located around the four sides of ‘The Square’. West Side Story…
Next to Stopford’s House the sloping structure of an original handball alley can still be seen. Irish handball has been played since at least the 16th century and was particularly popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Now come along and learn about the linen weavers who lived up the street.
No Stopping Stopford! You are standing before Stopford’s house, reputed to be the oldest house in the village. The older residents of Blarney remember it as the Emerald Isle Guest House and it has a very interesting history. It was built as the home of the Reverend Mr. Stopford who was the rector of the…
The Square – Calling a Spade a Spade! Although Blarney Castle dates back to the 15th Century, it wasn’t until 1765 that Blarney Village took its place on the map. An industrial village, it was built specifically for the linen industry which was its sole reason for being. The village green has stood sentry as…
