About Blarney & District Historical Society

July 12^th 2025 heralds the 40^th Anniversary of the foundation of The Blarney and District Historical Society.

Founded by Mr. Griffith O’Driscoll and inaugurated on 12^th July 1985. The draft constitution and rules of the Society were presented at a meeting on 25^th October 1985. A brief but intense discussion took place and, having being proposed and seconded; they were accepted by the group. The main object of this non-political and non-denominational society is to endeavour to record for posterity matters of local historical interest and also endeavour to preserve and protect local heritage. A not-for-profit organisation, it was sincerely hoped the society would succeed in its aims and objectives.

In a rapidly changing society, the tendency is not just to overlook, but to forget the past and confine it to history and, through a mixture of apathy and neglect, let it slip permanently from view. We, in the Society, endeavour to collect and record as many aspects of local history and heritage as possible and through a series of lectures each year and the publication of the fourteen issues of ‘Old Blarney’ Journals, plus five issues of ‘Old Blarney’ Photo-journals we try to share with and return to the people of Blarney and District the information gathered, in an affordable form. These journals contain many excellent and invaluable theses, essays, articles, poems, photographs and general information about Blarney and district right up to present times. Contributors over the years have included many noted researchers and historians and, of course, many of our own committee, society members and members of the general public.

The importance of being able to reproduce these pictures cannot be over emphasised as they record and recall a time of life now long since passed and, in some cases, changed beyond all recognition. The Blarney and District Historical Society thanks all who selflessly lent us their precious photographs, albums and memories for our projects for without these important contributions, the publications would not have been possible.

‘Old Blarney’ Journals are available at our monthly lectures, on line at www.blarneyhistory.ie or contact 087 215 3216. These are an ideal gift for family and friends living abroad.

Likewise, our list of lecturers, both male and female, is excellent and it has to be, in order to retain an ongoing public interest. These speakers are also greatly appreciated for turning out in all kinds of weather, and sometimes from quite long distances, to impart their knowledge to an eager listenership. All lectures are held in Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál (Blarney Secondary School) and usually take place on the first Thursday of each month. The lectures are open to the general public and visitors are welcome. These events are well attended by the local populace, which shows their interest in what the Society is doing for the locality. There is a nominal charge for non-members.

Landowners and business owners who afford the Society access through their premises and property for field trips are highly commended for their interest and sincerely thanked.

Membership of the Society in 2024/25 stands at a healthy 73 subscribed members and we are constantly striving to increase this figure.

Currently the individual annual membership fee is €20, while yearly membership for a couple, at the same address costs €25. We feel this surely represents excellent value for money in an age of severe cash shortages and spiralling prices for, on average, twelve events per year.

We have promoted walking tours of Blarney Village during the summer months for locals, tourists and other visiting historical societies. Our members have given many class talks and have led conducted tours of the area for the pupils of the local schools.

In recent times, printing and production costs have risen very sharply and this in turn has stretched our very limited finances to the utmost. We rely entirely on our membership fees and the income generated from the sale of the journals, which goes to reimburse the speakers’ expenses, insurance, every-day running costs and of course, towards the cost of funding the “next” journal. Surplus profits made on the sale of the publications have been redistributed to a selection of local charities such as Blarney Care of the Aged/Meals on Wheels and the Blarney Branch of St. Vincent de Paul, since 2006.

Our website is at www.blarneyhistory.ie where up-to-date information about the Society’s activities is constantly uploaded. Details of lectures and the ‘Old Blarney’ publications are also available as well as other items of interest.

Interest in the Society has gone from strength to strength over the years but we are always looking for new members to join and help us continue this very valuable and interesting work for future generations to enjoy.