Village row over plans for Blarney's 250th birthday

A row has erupted in one of Ireland’s best-known tourist villages over plans to mark its 250th birthday.

Objections have been raised to proposals to erect a statue of 16th century Blarney Castle owner Chieftain Cormac Teige McCarthy on a site overlooking the world-famous Cork village as part of Blarney Chamber’s work to mark the anniversary.

A petition with 100-plus signatures has been presented to Cork County Council objecting to the statue project, which was tentatively earmarked to be placed near the village’s Catholic church.