The Ferney area of Mahon, gets its name from Ferney House (now demolished) and Ferney Cottage, (now Oakgrove Leisure Centre). The original Ferney House was built in 1785 and was eventually demolished in the 1970s. Ferney House, was a substantial house, that overlooked, Lough Mahon, and it’s 25 acre estate took in much of theContinue reading “Ferney House, A History.”
Tag Archives: Local Heritage
The Castle at Dundanion: A Treasure Trove of History.
Introduction Dundanion Castle is only about 700 metres from Blackrock village. Stroll from the village up the Marina towards Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Walk through the first open field on your left towards Dundanion House on the hill and there nearly hidden in the trees to the right of the Dundanion House lie the ruins ofContinue reading “The Castle at Dundanion: A Treasure Trove of History.”
Ringmahon House: from Big House to Youthreach Centre.
Ringmahon House, has being part of the landscape of the Mahon area, for almost two hundred years. From its elevated site, it overlooks the local community and when built stood proudly over Lough Mahon and the River Lee. This “Big House” has the unique distinction of being home to two of Ireland’s most prominent businessContinue reading “Ringmahon House: from Big House to Youthreach Centre.”
Pairc Ui Rinn: a Local “Field of Dreams” on the Boreenamanna Road.
Pairc Ui Rinn, a Local Field of Dreams on the Boreenamanna Road. The first competitive soccer game on the famous Flower Lodge ground was in 1957, when AOH Football Club played Sligo in the FAI Cup. According to Plunkett Carter (From The Lodge to the Box) the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) purchased the 11.5Continue reading “Pairc Ui Rinn: a Local “Field of Dreams” on the Boreenamanna Road.”
The Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway, the Past, Present and Future.
By the 1840s, there was a market for good travel facilities between Cork and some of the villages in Cork Harbour, including Passage and onwards by ferry to Cove. At one stage it looked as if Passage might be developed as a major trans Atlantic port so a direct rail connection could be profitable. FinallyContinue reading “The Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway, the Past, Present and Future.”
The Lovely Lakes of Ballinure.
Described once by local historian, Paddy O’Driscoll as “A part of my heaven”, the islands and lakes at the south western corner of Bessborough, still remain as peaceful tranquil as ever as they silently await their fate. Located alongside the Bishops Walk, this complex of five wooded islands and lakes, appears to have been constructedContinue reading “The Lovely Lakes of Ballinure.”
Ballinure House.
The attached photos show the old Ballinure House in the 1970s, it was demolished soon afterwards. It was located in the present day grounds of the Nagle College, some trees from the estate still stand on these grounds and in Loughmahon Park. The large imposing entrance was located on the old Ballinure road and theContinue reading “Ballinure House.”
The Marina Folly, a Colourful Past, a Potential Future?
One of the more unusual hidden ruins off the Marina is Barrington’s Folly, which is located about 100 metres to the south of the old Blackrock railway line (present-day greenway), as one approaches the Atlantic Pond. It can be seen from the railway line during the winter months. It is located on the grounds ofContinue reading “The Marina Folly, a Colourful Past, a Potential Future?”
Joe McHugh Park
Joe McHugh Park is located on the northern rim of the Mahon Peninsula, alongside the Douglas Estuary. The park is on land, that once formed part of the great Crawford Lakelands Estate. The Crawford’s were a very wealthy family in Cork in the late 18th and 19th century. (The Crawford family name today can be foundContinue reading “Joe McHugh Park”
The Atlantic Pond: a Nearby Oasis of Wildlife.
The Atlantic Pond is an artificially made, lake alongside the Marina. The pond is reached by a short walk from Blackock village or from the old railway line and also from Ballintemple village, and it is always worth a stroll around. The pond has fantastic biodiversity; including mallard ducks, swans, herons, moor hens, and egrets.Continue reading “The Atlantic Pond: a Nearby Oasis of Wildlife.”
Ferdia O' Mahony 