The land around Blarney was sold early on to the Hollow Sword Blade Company of London.

They then sold the estate to Sir Richard Payne, the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland for £3,800 in April 1703. He quickly became fearful of a MacCarthy return, however, and sold it later the same year to Sir James Jefferyes, the Governor of Cork City.

Sir James, the new owner of Blarney, and ancestor of the current owner, was born in Scotland and spent much of his life as a soldier in Europe. He came to Ireland as part of William of Orange’s army.

Blarney Castle

The home of the Blarney stone