Blarney Castle owner donates family archives

THE owner of Blarney Castle has donated his entire family archive, some of which dates from the 17th century, to the Cork City and County Archives.

The Colthurst collection, which includes 4,000 items, provides a remarkable insight into the lives of three of Cork’s great merchant families over three centuries.

The Colthursts are prominent Anglo-Irish landowners best known for their links to Blarney Castle. The Colthurst Baronetcy in Co Cork was created in 1744 for John Colthurst, who represented Doneraile, Youghal and Castlemartyr in the Irish House of Commons.