Blackrock, County Cork

Blackrock is a village and suburb contained within Cork City, Ireland. It began as a small fishing village about 5km from Cork City but the growth of the city has meant the village became incorporated into the city. Despite this, Blackrock retains its village centre. Blackrock has a rich GAA tradition and is famous for producing some of the association's most recognisable names.

Places of interest

A short distance from the village is Blackrock Castle. There has been a castle on the site since medieval times but the present castle was built in the mid 19th century in mock-baronial style. It now houses an observatory and planetarium.

The Marina, a picturesque, tree lined avenue (not strictly a marina) runs along the southern bank of the River Lee from Blackrock Village past Páirc Uí Chaoimh and is a popular spot for recreational activities such as walking and cycling. The Atlantic Pond, in the shadow of Páirc Uí Chaoimh is also a popular area for walkers and is populated by wildlife, mainly ducks and swans.

Dundanion Castle, overlooking the Marina but difficult to access, is the ruins of a 16th century castle. It is from this spot that William Penn sailed on his first voyage to America in 1682 before founding the state of Pennsylvania. [ [http://www.ballintemplens.ie/dundanioncastle.htm dundanioncastle ] ]

Transport

Blackrock was formerly served by the narrow gauge Cork, Blackrock and Passage Railway. The railway station opened on 8 June 1850, but finally closed on 12 September 1932. [cite web | title=Blackrock station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-09-12] the old railway line is now used by walkers as an amenity.

The Number 2, Number 10, Number 10a and Number 19 bus routes link Blackrock to the city.

port

Blackrock is home to [http://www.stmichaelsgaa.com St. Michaels's Gaelic Football Club] (nicknamed The Dazzlers) which has recently opened new playing pitches in Mahon and [http://www.blackrockhurling.org Blackrock National Hurling Club] (nicknamed The Rockies) which is located on Church Road. The latter is one of Ireland's most successful clubs, with 32 Senior Hurling Championship titles, 4 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championships and a number of notable inter-county hurlers over the years [ [http://www.blackrockhurling.org/ Blackrock National Hurling Club ] ]

Blackrock is also home to Blackrock Karate club, which has won a number of international event trophies.Fact|date=April 2008 The Beaumont area of Blackrock is home to the underage section of Avondale United Football, who play in the Munster Senior League. St.Michaels Tennis Club is located on Church Road. There is also a lawn bowls club next to the Tennis club's grounds. Blackrock has long been a centre of rowing and is home to Cork Boat Club [ [http://www.corkboatclub.com/ Cork Boat Club Rowing Club - Home ] ] and Shandon Rowing Club [ [http://www.shandonboatclub.com/ HOME : Shandon Boat Club - Corks no. 1 rowing club ] ] .

Famous Residents

George Boole, inventor of Boolean algebra, which is the basis of all modern computer arithmetic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Boole] lived in Blackrock during his time as Professor of Mathematics at University College Cork and is now buried in the grounds of St.Michael's Church of Ireland on Church Road.

References