1600s – Blayney Castle, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
The area of Muckno and Ballynalurgan was granted to Sir Edward Blayney under the Plantation of Ulster in 1607 and 1611.
From Lewi’s, A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland: “CASTLE-BLAYNEY, a market and post-town, in the parish of MUCKNOE, barony of CREMORNE, county of MONAGHAN, and province of ULSTER, 11 miles (S. E. by E.) from Monaghan, and 49 (N. N. W.) from Dublin; containing 1828 inhabitants. It derives its name and origin from Sir Edward Blayney, governor of the county of Monaghan in the reign of James I., who, in consideration of the dependence of his garrison at Monaghan and Newry for a supply of provisions, which was rendered precarious by the hostility of the intervening country, received a grant of two ballybetaghs of land here, on condition of his erecting a fort between Monaghan and Newry; Castle-Blayney was accordingly erected, as a secure halting-place for the royal troops, and Sir Edward received this extensive estate, which his descendants still enjoy. The collection of habitations formed in the vicinity never, however, assumed the appearance of a town until the establishment of the linen market, and the rebuilding of the houses with stone, in the latter part of the last century, by the late noble proprietor.
It is situated on the mail coach road from Dublin to Londonderry, and comprises 341 houses; is lighted by subscription, and has a respectable appearance. It consists of three streets meeting in the market-place, which is of a triangular form; and in the centre, on an elevated spot commanding every avenue, is the market-house, a very neat and ornamental building, with a spacious room on the second story, and a neat bell turret above the roof. Near the market-house are convenient shambles. The manufacture of linen, though not so extensive as formerly, furnishes employment to many persons in the surrounding districts; and there are three tanyards in the town. The principal market is on Wednesday, when considerable quantities of yarn and flax are sold: there are also markets for corn and butter on Tuesday and Friday; and fairs for live stock are held on the first Wednesday in every month. Here is a constabulary police station; also a neat sessions’-house, in which the quarter sessions for the county are held four times in the year, and petty sessions every alternate week; and a county bridewell, which affords the necessary accommodation for the classification of prisoners.
The mansion of Castle Blayney, the seat of Lord Blayney, is closely adjoining, and is encompassed by a demesne of great extent and beauty, which includes the Lake of Mucknoe and some fine woodland scenery: it is a handsome modern edifice, built near the site of the old castle. The ruins of an ancient fortress in Cornero wood, on the shore of the lake, are also within the demesne. The parish church of Mucknoe is in the town; it is very neat, with a handsome spire, and the interior has been comfortably fitted up by Lord Blayney, who has also planted the churchyard with trees and evergreens. There are also places of worship for Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and Wesleyan Methodists. The parochial school, situated here, has an average attendance of 35 children; and there is a school for girls, supported by Lady Blayney, with an average attendance of 70 children.
The area of Muckno and Ballynalurgan was granted to Sir Edward Blayney under the Plantation of Ulster in 1607 and 1611.
Also known as Blayney Castle after the plantation castle nearby (from which the town gets its name),
Built as a summer house for the Blayneys and used by the Hope family. Now largely disappeared, the front columns and wall are standing but covered in vegetation.
An unusual building on an awkward sloping site surrounded by streets on all sides. Poorly maintained, this building should be an attractive landmark for this end of Castleblayney.
Architect to the Board of First Fruits and subsequently to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, Joseph Welland died a couple of months before St.
Probably designed by James Hughes, of Charlemont, Co Armagh who died in 1875. The Builder of 7 August 1875 notes that ‘the deceased was an architect of ability’
Fine stableyard with accomodation set around three sides of a square and decorative stone archways set into the centre of the fourth.
Fine set of piers and gates flanked by matching gatehouses in an Italianate style. Up until recently the northern gatehouse was in poor repair while the southern house (the right in the postcards) has been restored.
When the 12th Lord Blayney died in 1874, his will provided money for the setting up of the Blayney Almshouses. Built of red brick with terracotta trim,
Former house circa 1860 converted for use as post office in 1909, to designs by John McGahon. Still in use today but missing the simple curvilinear pediment to the parapet.