Ballincollig Heritage

Water Flowing in Canal near Mill

ballincollig — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:03:51 +0000

Our walk in the eastern side of Ballincollig Regional Park (where the Gunpowder Mill and former Visitor’s Centre is) on Saturday afternoon started at the Mill. The image below shows the recently repaired Mill housing, with water flowing in the canal near it. Damage to the protective”shed” housing the Mill, in 2011 caused outrage among those concerned with heritage in Ballincollig itself and beyond. The timber “shed” surrounding the only surviving mill (which is fully functional due to extensive restorative work several years ago) has been repaired….you can see the lighter coloured wood. The canal alongside it now has water flowing in it…in an effort to keep vandals out of the Mill and Blast wall area which used to be part of the highlight of a visit to the Gunpowder Mills Heritage centre. Congratulations to all those involved in getting the recent repair work done and the canal working again….it doesn’t happen without a lot of effort and determination. Jenny Webb, Patricia Power (Cork County Council) and Fred Hammond all contributed to bringing these repairs about.

Canal and Mill (Jan 2012)

Mill which shows repair work

Above is a close up of the mill showing the repair work and the blast walls behind it.

Window grille added 2011, gone already

Walking along the path which has many ruined buildings visible through the overgrowth, you can see efforts by the authorities to close off the buildings. One of these, shown above shows that one of the metal grilles which was added in mid-2011, is already completely removed.

Gunpowder Magazine

Our leisurely walk took us of the beaten path where you come across other ruined buildings such as the Magazine shown above. There are many ruined buildings, all of which had a purpose in the grand scheme which was the Gunpowder Mills. Now, they are mysterious, eerie and exciting to stumble into, while walking in the park.

Rambling back to the Mills, we couldn’t resist taking another shot of the Mill.

Former Visitors' Centre...new arrivals?

Surprisingly, the door of the former Visitors’ Centre was open….with people moving items into the building. Could this be the new tenants? According to the Cork Independent 19th Jan. 2011, these tenants are The Cork Screen Commission, established jointly by the Cork City and County Councils and managed by the Cork Film Centre).

The Long Range

We got back into the car and took a small side trip to photograph the Long Range which used to be workers cottages. Then up the hill with another side trip to the Landing Field.

Culm Store near "The Landing Field" and Water Treatment Centre

The above image shows a Culm Store (coal store) which is at the side of the Water treatment plant and the Landing Field area now used for soccer matches. With a muddied car, we carried on up the hill to the main road and home.

Apparently, walking trails are planned for Ballincollig….and these will encompass the Regional Park and Military Barracks areas. This can only be good!

Old Postcard showing Eastern Approach to Ballincollig

ballincollig — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:19:02 +0000

Ballincollig Postcard showing approach from eastern end of the town

This image was sent to me by Eileen O’Shea, grand daughter of James O’Shea of Ballincollig. The back of the postcard states “Published by O’Brien, Ballincollig”.

Winter Walk on the Wildside – Ballincollig Regional Park

ballincollig — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:38:18 +0000

Here is a poster relating to a fabulous walk planned for 12 noon, Saturday 5th November, 2011 in the Ballincollig Regional Park. It wil be led by TED COOKE, Environmentalist/Tree and Plant Scientist, The Lee Valley Environmental Group.

Ballincollig Regional Park - Winter Walk

OPW choose Heritage Week to demolish Historic House in Ballincollig

ballincollig — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:49:44 +0000

The old Garda Station, which has been the subject of previous posts on this blog, is going to be demolished htis week. Ironically, it is Heritage Week!

Previous posting with images:Demolition Planned for Ballincollig Heritage

Here are the latest images of a house, so long part of Ballincollig’s heritage, soon to be gone:

Sad demise of Garda Station - before the ultimate crushing blows (21st August 2011)

22nd August 2011 - 1

22nd August 2011 - 2

22nd August 2011 - 3

Update 26th August 2011

STOP!

Demolished (photo 28th August 2011)

Ballincollig Heritage Association – Heritage Week 2011

ballincollig — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:46:34 +0000

Ballincollig Heritage Association
Heritage Week 2011: 20-28th August

This year Ballincollig Heritage Association (BHA) is offering two events which highlight Ballincollig Castle and also a guided walk in the Gunpowder Mills area and Regional Park.

Saturday 20th August:

Jenny Webb will conduct a guided tour of Gunpowder Mills and Regional Park. The walk will start at 2:00 p.m. outside the former Visitors’ Centre (near the GAA pitches). Wear good footwear!

Friday 26th August:

Dr Paul MacCotter, UCC will give a lecture on Medieval Ballincollig, with special emphasis on Ballincollig Castle, at 8pm in Oriel House Hotel. Entry fee: €3 (includes coffee and biscuits)

Sunday 28th August:

Dr Paul MacCotter will give a tour of the environs of Ballincollig Castle. Meet at 2pm in Maglin View, from where the group will walk to the castle.

Cafe Chico in the Park

ballincollig — Thu, 12 May 2011 17:00:55 +0000

A new welcome initiative in the Ballincollig Regional Park is of great benefit to the public. It is “Cafe Chico“…..open from Wednesday to Sunday. A local lady started this mobile coffee kiosk in April 2011 and she is getting an enthusiastic response from the walkers and visitors to the Ballincollig Regional Park who can now sit and enjoy the ambience of the park while they have a coffee or cappuccino or latté with a delicious slice of cake…all made with the best quality ingredients.

Cafe Chico in Ballincollig Regional Park

Burial Records for Ballincollig Military Cemetery online

ballincollig — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:31:37 +0000

Anne Donaldson

Anne Donaldson has been involved with the development of Ballincollig for many years. Through her life long interest in local history and heritage she has been associated with many projects. Her research for the Cork City Gaol project led her to study for an M. Phil. though the University of wales.

Some years ago, Anne was alerted to the possible loss of records from The British Military Burying Ground at Ballincollig. With the support of the local community and The Heritage Council of Ireland, she researched and in 2003, produced the book: British Military Graveyard, 1810-1922: Ballincollig, Co. Cork, Ireland. Anne later co-authored a book on the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills which co-existed with the military presence in the town.

In March 2011, Anne has added to her previous success by uploading the burial records for the Ballincollig Military Cemetery, to the internet. This is a wonderful aid to anyone researching burials connected with the British Military, in Ballincollig.

Below is a link to the spreadsheet containing these burial records which Anne Donaldson collected during her extensive research for the book on the military cemetery:

British Military Burial records

Anne is also evaluating the possibility of compiling a comprehensive list of all the men who served in Ballincollig and perhaps erecting an official wall plaque in Ballincollig. As the records are in the UK mainly and they are probably in the thousands, it will depend on generous people donating information from their own records.

If you wish to support this project, and you have some information, please email: Margaret Jordan who runs this blog: m.jordan246@gmail.com and she will see that your information gets to Anne as well.

Conservation of Buildings in Regional Park/Gunpowder Mills

ballincollig — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:40:28 +0000

The Cork County Council is undertaking conservation work on some of the buildings comprising the Gunpowder Mills, Ballincollig. Initially at the request of the Cork County Council, reports were prepared by (i) Frank Donaldson and (ii) David Kelly. These reports identified the buildings, their history and original uses and included suggestions for future use.

Watch_house at west end of Regional Park

The Watch House above is located at the west end of the Regional Park in the public car park. Recently re-roofed, with repairs to the brickwork and white washed with a distinctive plaque added (see photo below), this conservation work done by the Cork County Council, makes the round Watch house at the west end of the Regional Park, picture postcard pretty.

Watch-house Plaque

Further Conservation Work at the east end of the Regional Park/Gunpowder Mills:(updated 3rd Nov. 2010)

Conserved Building

Conserved Building from front

Charcoal Mill (front left)

Charcoal Mill (front right)

Petition to save Ballincollig Heritage…please sign

ballincollig — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:24:05 +0000

Please sign the petition to save the Garda Station (see previous post) from demolition:

Petition to Save Ballincollig Garda Station building from Demolition

Update: the petition is now closed [Dec. 2010] and there is no reprieve for the Garda Station.

More Demolition Planned for Ballincollig Heritage

ballincollig — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:43:55 +0000

More demolition is planned. This time the Garda Station will make way for the car park to go with the new Garda Station which is being build where another 19th century red brick edifice stood until it was demolished in 2010.

Garda Station to be demolished (photo: Noel McCarthy)