A bit of a mouthful and pronounced with a silent ‘g’- (Cloh- heen- mill-kon), this is one of the most accessible local walks suitable for bikes, wheelchairs, runners and walkers. Follow the Slí na Sláinte signs! Over 100 acres of wildlife sanctuary, also known as ‘Blarney Bog’, attracts up to 83 species of birds and 10 species of small mammals annually. This ancient floodplain, wetland of the Blarney River was once a post-glacial lake and also one of Ireland’s last hiding places for wolves. Over a kilometer of public paths skirt the northern boundary, with spaced seating in between to allow you to rest and observe the wildlife. Look out for the stone tower created by sculptor Don Cronin ..and watch out for wolves!

This concludes our tour but there are other things to see and do in Blarney and the surrounding area. We hope you’ll explore and have a very pleasant stay.

Originally appearing in late 1801 map as the ‘Gothic Bridge’, the present Romanesque arch bridge seems to have been constructed about 1870. Located at Inchancomain (Inch of the Winding River) Park, close to the G.A.A. ground. Highly ornamented with gothic “quatrefoil” it has been suggested that it was put there solely as a focal interest, for the gentry of the old Blarney Mansion, when they took a walk along the river bank.

Across the road is the children’s playground erected by the County Council with the involvement of the local community.

From here the final stop on our tour is just a short walk to the site of the last wolves in Ireland.

Blarney was one of the first clubs to join the Gaelic Athletic Association, on its formation, in 1884.

A now defunct townland, Killishal, believed to contain the site of an ancient church, bordered this area. The Blarney G.A.A. Club established a permanent base at its present location in 1957 and is a thriving, hugely supported aspect of the community.

Scout Hall

The Blarney (C.B.S.I) Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland Club House is adjacent.

On your right is our next stop – the Gothic Bridge.

Lodges & Lodgers!

This is the gate lodge to Blarney Castle and the private entrance is in use daily.

Gate lodges or porter’s lodges began their existence in Ireland in the early 1700s as a method of security, guarding access to the homes of the landed gentry. By the late nineteenth century they had become merely symbols of wealth, power and taste when security was less of a concern. Ireland once had 10,000 gate lodges but only 60% of them survive, many of which are in ruins and unoccupied. Luckily, the gate lodge to Blarney Castle survived, is not in ruins and is occupied! If you pass by the gates in springtime you will be treated to the sight of this pretty little gate lodge standing sentry on an avenue resplendent in golden daffodils that stretch as far as the eye can see!

Continue walking for a few minutes to the grounds of one of the oldest GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) in the country.

PROSSER HOUSE – THE BUTLER DID IT!

In 1786 Thomas Prosser opened an eatery here and was offering Sunday lunch for sixpence. He had previously been employed as a butler in Blarney Castle so he was obviously an entrepreneur!

Thomas’s son John Prosser was deported to Van Dieman’s Land (now Tasmania) for crimes committed.

In 1826 this house is shown on the map as a Protestant school, in which John Cousins taught.

Continue walking to your left to see the Gate Lodge to the Castle.

Smith’s Hotel:

Originally known as Smith’s Hotel, the Blarney Castle Hotel has been in the Forrest family for three generations.

THE STOLEN LINEN

There were two Sinclair brothers living in the adjoining house. They had originally been brought to Blarney as weavers but subsequently raided a neighbouring linen establishment in in Six Mile Water, Whitechurch. It is said they stole a lot of linen! It’s likely to have been some form of protest, perhaps in relation to wages. Mr. Robert Gordon Esq. of New Grove didn’t take too kindly to having his linen manhandled, so he went vigilante and organised a gang and a loaded shotgun, caught the two brothers and handed them over to the police.

There is a reference to Mr. Gordon in Arthur Young’s ‘A Tour in Ireland, 1776-1779’

Come along next door to the Butler’s house.