Ballincollig has a rich and diverse history spanning centuries. It is a history that McInerney Homes is proud to recognise as they move their community values into this growing area of Cork.

History
Much like the area itself, the history of Ballincollig is a lively one. The Barrett family (after whom the barony which contains Ballincollig is named) built Ballincollig Castle during the reign of Edward III. The rebel county stayed true to its name when in 1641 the castle was taken from the Barretts by rebels, but the freedom fighters were expelled in 1645 by English Parliamentary forces. Ballincollig Castle became a garrison for James II in 1689 but after his defeat in the Williamite war in Ireland it fell into decay.

Gunpowder Mills
Out of the turmoil of royal war the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills were opened in 1794 by prominent Cork businessman, Charles Henry Leslie. Eleven years later the Mills were bought by the British, who were preparing for war with Napolean. By the end of the 1800s Ballincollig was one of the largest industrial establishments in Cork, employing hundreds of men from the area.

With the closure of the Gunpowder Mills in the early 1900s, the once thriving town of Ballincollig became little more than a small village on the road from Cork City to the larger market town of Macroom. Although the use of the Murphy Barracks was a major source of employment, they too were decommissioned after the Great War.

Re-Emergance & Significant Growth
By the 1970’s Ballincollig re-emerged as a satellite town with many new housing developments constructed around the old village. This expansion continued through the late 1980’s and accelerated in the 1990’s with Ballincollig developing as more than just a commuter community. The town’s centre expanded substantially with significant growth in commercial, professional, recreational and financial services.

Now Ballincollig has regained its former glory and become a community sought out by young professionals and families alike.