Local History - Innishannon.

The present Valley Rovers G.A.A. Ground is called "The Bleach".The origin of this name goes back to the 1700's when Thomas Adderley - "Thomas The Industrialist"- came to Innishannon. In 1748 he established a linen trade here. .Innishannon was ideal for linen making as the Bandon River provided hard water, which was good for bleaching the flax.The sorrounding lands were also very good for growing flax.The harvested flax was brought to the bleach.The water flowed in channels through the Bleach field.The flax was scutched, washed in these channels and left to dry (bleach) on the banks It was then spun and woven into linen cloth by the village spinners and weavers.