Checkpoint 2: The Arch, Blarney St

Congratulations on reaching Checkpoint 2!

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.

Checkpoint 3