Blarney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blarney
An Bhlarna
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Town
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The countryside around Blarney
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 Blarney
Location in Ireland
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| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Munster |
| County | County Cork |
| Elevation | 55 m (180 ft) |
| Population
(2022)
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2,779 |
| Irish Grid Reference | W610759 |
Blarney is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Its name, An Bhlarna, means "the little field" in Irish. Blarney is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north-west of Cork City. It is famous for Blarney Castle and the legendary Blarney Stone.
Contents
Visiting Blarney: Top Attractions
Blarney is a very popular place for tourists in Cork. Most visitors come to see the famous castle, kiss the Blarney Stone, and shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills.
The Blarney Stone: A Special Kiss
People say that if you kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, you will get the "Gift of the Gab." This means you will become very good at talking, persuading, or giving compliments. There are many stories about how this legend started, often involving the old rulers of Blarney Castle, the MacCarthy dynasty.
Blarney Woollen Mills: Shopping and History
Blarney Woollen Mills started in 1823 as Mahony's Mills. It used water power to make wool products like tweeds. In the early 1970s, the mill closed down. Then, a local businessman named Christy Kelleher turned it into a large gift shop. Today, it is a popular place for tourists to buy souvenirs.
The Square: A Village Green
The Square is a grassy area in the middle of Blarney village. Locals often gather here, especially in summer. People have tried to build on the square over the years, but the local community has always wanted to keep it as it is. In the past, the square was used for markets.
Getting Around Blarney
Blarney used to have its own small train station. The Cork and Muskerry Light Railway connected Blarney to Cork City. This railway opened in 1887 but closed in 1934. There have been talks about building a new train station for Blarney on the main Dublin-Cork railway line, but it is still just a plan.
Today, you can get to Blarney by bus. Bus Éireann offers services like the number 215 bus, which runs every half hour from Mahon Point through Cork city centre. The number 235 bus also runs from Cork city, but less often.
The closest airport is Cork Airport.
Blarney's Economy and Local News
Blarney's economy relies a lot on tourism, especially from the United States. There are many hotels and guest houses in the area for visitors.
The Muskerry News is the local newspaper for Blarney and nearby areas. It comes out once a month. You can also listen to local radio stations like RedFM, C103, 96FM, and CUH FM in Blarney.
Who Lives in Blarney?
Blarney used to be managed by Cork County Council. But after a change in 2019, it is now part of the area managed by Cork City Council.
In 2022, the town of Blarney had a population of 2,779 people. Most residents (85%) were white Irish. About 7.5% were from other white backgrounds. Less than 1% were black, and 2.5% were Asian.
When it comes to religion, 77% of people in Blarney were Catholic. About 4.3% followed other religions, and 18% said they had no religion.
Schools in Blarney
Blarney has several schools:
- Scoil Chroí Íosa is a Roman Catholic primary school for both boys and girls. It was formed in 2012 when the old boys' and girls' schools joined together. About 300 students attend this school.
- Gaelscoil Mhuscraí is an Irish language primary school. It opened in 2002 and had about 170 students in 2022.
- Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál is a secondary school in Blarney. It was started in the 1950s. In August 2022, it had over 800 students.
Sports and Music in Blarney
Blarney has active sports and music groups:
- Blarney United FC is the local soccer club. They have both a grass field and an all-weather field, along with changing rooms. Their senior team plays in the Premier Division of the Munster Senior League.
- Blarney GAA is the local GAA club. Their hurling team won the All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship in 2009 and the Cork-County Intermediate Hurling Championship in 2008.
- Blarney also has a Camogie team, which started again in 1999.
- The local cycling club was restarted in 2010.
- The Blarney Brass and Reed Band was formed in 1981. It is a community music group for all ages. The band has a music education program and has won awards at the South of Ireland Band Championships.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Blarney para niños
