Checkpoint 2: The Arch, Blarney St
Congratulations on reaching Checkpoint 2!
| This illustration marks our second checkpoint and was drawn by local artist - Síomha Callanan. It is a depiction of a scallop shell that features in the centre of the pediment above the doorway of the house known as "The Arch". We don't know why this was chosen by the owners, perhaps they walked the Camino de Santiago and wanted to commemorate the pilgrimage by including the shell above their doorway. |
People who lived on Blarney Street, the longest street in Cork City.
This street was once home to sculptor John Burke. He attended the Crawford School of Art and later created the aeroplane sculptures on the Wilton roundabout. When he died, John asked to be buried standing up in the Watergrasshill graveyard so that he could face the mountains of his native County Tipperary.
Another famous resident was Frank O’Connor, who was known for his short stories including "Guest of the Nation" which was adapted into a film. He once lived in house number 251, Blarney Street.
The Architecture of the Arch
"The Arch" was constructed around 1740, nearly 300 years ago! One of the main features of this fine building is the segmented carriage archway. Carriages were never left on the street like cars are today.
Sash windows
Like North Mall Street, the Arch is also Georgian in style. It has ten sash windows at the front. The windows on street level are always the largest and most impressive. In contrast, the windows on the top floor were the smallest and least impressive because there were the servant's rooms. Early sash windows had lots of small panes of glass but as glass making improved, larger individual panes could be made.
Doorway
Like North Mall, the Arch had an ornate doorway known as "lugged" or "ear style" because the top of the architrave extends like ears from the door. Above this, is a pointed pediment, which again shows the Georgians love for classical Greek architecture.
| CLUE 2: With the river to your back, turn right and follow Blarney Street. At the junction, climb the hill in search of numbers 22 and 23 on Shandon Street. |
