Innishannon

Innishannon is a large village in West Cork just 27 minutes from Cork City and 10 minutes drive to Bandon. Steeped in history with the earliest written documentation of Innishannon being in 837 A.D.

There are many old buildings, sculptures and markings to give a feel for the village in times gone by. The history surrounding Innishannon is that Cromwell granted the area of Innishannon to an Englishman called Thomas Adderley and he was responsible for the development of the current village and the planting of Dromkeen Wood in the 1700's and also the setting up The Bleach Linen Industry in Innishannon.

On entering Innishannon on the Cork-Bandon road you can view the impressive Horse and Rider Sculpture in commemoration of the original crossing point over the River Bandon, the Little Road to the Ford and that translated into Irish, Bothairín an Atha.

In olden times it was only by crossing the ford at Innishannon often on horseback that travellers could access the rest of West Cork so this sculpture makes the importance the Ford remembered. The Horse and Rider Sculpture is by sculptor Don Cronin also creator of the imposing Bull of Macroom.

On the left you will see the sign for the Old Cemetery and there you will find the old St Mary's Church Tower and graveyard where buried were to be found Huguenots, Protestants and Catholics.

Another main feature of Innishannon village is the arched stone wall known as Adderley Lawn Wall as was built by the landlord Thomas Adderley and it formed part of the wall surrounding the original Innishanon House in which he resided.

On leaving Innishannon and crossing over the Bridge over the River Bandon you will see the next beautiful sculpture which depicts a well loved deceased local member of the Innishannon community known as Billy the Blacksmith and it was here at this very point Billy would have shod many a local horse from near and far. The forge had been run by 5 generations of the O'Connell Family, the longest working forge of its time in Ireland. This sculpture was also complete by local sculptor Don Cronin.

Cor Castle can just about be seen through the trees and it overlooks the main crossing point of the Bandon River, owned at one stage by the Croker Family in the 1800's. The Castle was of Regency Gothic style but was destroyed in the Troubles of 1921. Family relations rebuilt the Castle to it former glory and so it stands proud. Deceased Croker Family members are buried in the grounds of the old St. Mary's Church in the family vault.

The area with the River Bandon on its door step is renowned for its game fishing with fish such as Sea Trout, Brown Trout and Salmon all in abundance for the keen fishing enthusiast.

Innishannon today is home to the well known author Alice Taylor, some of her well known books include 'To School through the Fields', 'The Village', 'Across the River', 'House of Memories and lots more. Alice is also know for her continued work in Innishannon helping raise money for many of the parish events and charities, including the refurbishment of the local church and helping preserve the local history.