From A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1837 BLARNEY, a
village, in the parish of GARRYCLOYNE, barony of EAST MUSKERRY,
county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 5 miles (N. W. by W.)
from Cork; containing 417 inhabitants. It is situated on a river
of the same name, over which is a handsome bridge of three
arches, on the road from Cork to Kanturk, and comprises 57
houses, which are small but well built and slated. The noted
castle of Blarney was built in 1446, by Cormac McCarthy,
surnamed Laidir, who was descended in a direct line from the
hereditary kings of Desmond or South Munster, and was equally
distinguished by his extraordinary strength and feats of
chivalry as by elegance and grace both of body and mind. It is
situated on an isolated rock of limestone rising boldly over the
junction of the rivers Blarney and Comane, and is the third
castle occupying the site: the first was rather a hunting post
of Dermot McCarthy, King of South Munster, and was built of
timber; the second was built in the year 1200