Blarney Castle Estate

• Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's oldest and most historic castles.An ancient stronghold of the MacCarthys,Lords of Muskerry, and one of the strongest fortresses in Munster. Its walls are in places 18 feet thick.
  
  
• Blarney Stone:The famous Blarney Stone is embedded in the battlements.The stone has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it.
  The word blarney was introduced into the English language by Queen Elisabeth I and is described as pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. Locally the power transferred is better known as acquiring the gift of the gab, that is being able to talk on or out of everything.
  The stone is set in the walls below the battlements, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards (grasping an iron railing) from the parapet walk.
  
  
• The Rock Close: In the grounds of the castle the Rock Close and its surroundings is a curious place of ancient trees an far more ancient stones, by legend a garden of druidic origin and a centre of worship in pre-Christian days. The place has an aura of magic and mystique with Wishing Steps, Witche's Kitchen, druids' cave and many other delights, telling a story of centuries past.
  
  
• Blarney House: Blarney House is one of the most elegant and gracious of the Great Houses of Ireland. Built in 1874 it is beautifully situated overlooking Blarney Lake.It has corner turrets and bartizans with conical roofs and now restored inside with fine rooms and stairwell.It also contains a collection of early furniture, Family Portraits, Tapestries, and works of art.
  

• Mass Rocks:
  Lughane, Blarney - 3 miles from Blarney; and Ballyshoning, Berrings -5 miles from Blarney, Mass was celebrated at these rocks in penal days; and it is said that the profile of a priest's face can be seen in the rock at ballyshonin.
  
• Medieval Ring Forts:
  Ringforts were built in the 7th and 8th Centuries by the Danes with two or three banks and ditches made of stone. Within these enclosures stood the ancient farmstead of early Christian times. Lisnaraha is one of the largest ringforts in Ireland and is three miles from Blarney Ballynahara is five miles from Blarney
  
• Round Towers:
  The origin of the Round tower was that in the event of an invasion, the monks could store their chalices and valuables at the top of the tower by climbing a rope ladder and pulling the ladder up behind them. Waterloo, which is one mile from Blarney, was built by Fr. Matt Horgan, the then parish priest of Blarney,
  He also built Whitechurch Round Tower approximately four miles from Blarney.
  
• St. Olan's Well:
  Aghabullogue, is ten miles from Blarney.The Well And ruins of St. Olan's church can be seen today

Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills.

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  Location: The Gunpowder Mills are five miles from Cork City on the N22 - the main Kerry/Killarney road.
  
  The Gunpowder Mills, Ballincollig Co. Cork is a unique and exciting Industrial Complex, which meanders along the bank of the river Lee.
  
  The mills were established in 1794 by Charles Henry Leslie a leading Cork bank family. Eleven years later, when Napoleon's control of France posed a grave threat to Britain the British Board of Ordnance bought the mills from Leslie. As well as this the Army Barracks was built in town to protect the supply of gunpowder.
  
  In 1837 the mills employed about 200 workers and produced about 16,000 barrels of gunpowder. By the mid 1880's the Gunpowder Mills, Ballincollig was one of the largest Industrial establishments in the Cork area. About 500 men and boys were employed and a wide range of skills were in use in the mills - coopering, millwrighting, carpentry as well as other skills associated with gunpowder production.
  
  The many buildings used in the manufacture of gunpowder are still scattered along the main canal and millraces which stretched along for about a mile and a half along the Southern bank of the River Lee. The mills complex covers over 130 acres. One of the most important features of the mills was the main canal which acted both as a means of transport and also provided power to drive the waterwheels and a water turbine which worked the sawmills. The canal was fed from a weir on the River Lee. The entrance was controlled by sluice gates which have recently been restored.
  
  The Gunpowder Mills visitor centre offers an exciting interpretation of events on the site. The day to day work carried out as well as serious explosives which occurred. The centre houses an exhibition gallery, slide show, coffee shop and craft shop facilities.
  
  

Cork City Sights

• St. Fimbarr's Cathedral:
  This is a splendid triple-spire example of French Gothic Architecture. It stands where St. Finbarr established his monastic school around 650 A.D. among its most striking Features are the fine Rose window, the Mosaic pavements and the elaborate carving throughout.
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• St. Annes Church, Shandon:
  Built in 1720, the pepper Pot Top of the Steeple are unusual in that two sides of the the tower are in Limestone and two in Sandstone.The tower contains the famous Shandon Bells which visitors may ring. the view from the top of the 120 foot steeple is well worth the effort to get there.
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• Firkin Crane Center
  Converted from its former use as a Cooperage to a Centre for the Arts and Live Theatrical Performances.
  
• The Butter Exchange:
  Is close by Shandon Church. opened in 1770. it was the largest Butter Exchange in the World. Today it houses the Shandon Craft Centre.
  
• Cork City Gaol:
  Despite its majestic appearance, this prison housed 19th century Prisoners in wretched conditions.Furnished cells, lifelike characters, sound effects and a sound and image presentation showing contrasting life styles in 19th Century Cork and why people turned to crime ( open 7 days).
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• Cork Vision Centre:
  Cork Vision Centre offers visitors an opportunity to appreciate a fine example of conservation in action, and to explore Cork's evolution from past, through present, and onwards to future development.
  
  
• Crawford Art Gallery:
  Emmet Place, originally built in 1724, as the Customs House. It houses an active Gallery, with frequently-changing exhibitions.
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• Red Abbey:
  Off Sullivan's Quay. is the oldest piece of Architecture surviving in the city.A late Medieval Abbey of the Canons Of St. Agustine.
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• Christchurch Archive Centre:
  South Main Street.This former church has being converted into an archives centre for the city.If you're searching for Cork roots, a visit to the centre may prove most informative. Open Monday to Friday (by appointment). Tel.00353/21/277809.
  
• Elizabeth Fort:
  Off Barrack Street, was built in the late 16th century and converted into a prison in 1835. Open to the public, the Fort commands fine views of the city from it's walls.
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• University College Cork:
  Enjoy a ramble through the grounds taking time to visit the Honan Chapel, the main feature of which is a series of stained glass windows. Guided Tours available.
  
• Fitzgerald Park:
  Off the Western road, is a pleasant place to relax.The Municipal Museum in the Park contains a collection of exhibits, which trace the history of Cork from the earliest of time to the present day.
  
  
• General Links:
  Architecture of Cork