Mary Blake's ENNISTYMON

Ennistymon (Clare)

The picturesque facades of Blake and Linnane have featured worldwide on postcards, calendars and brochures and are protected structures. This pair of semi-detached houses (Nos. 13 & 14 Old Town Street, Ennistymon) were built sometime between 1820–40. The original Liscannor-slated roofing dates back to that time. Prior to the Famine, this house was occupied by GLANCY & CONWAY.  In the 1850s, it was the home of John MALONY.

The iconic shopfront was added to the building in the 1870s, first appearing in the name of QUINN, publican. It was re-named BLAKE the early 20th century (when Quinn's inheriting daughter married in 1901) and has since lent its name to  "Blake's Corner" at the Ennistymon Bridge junction of the Ennis and Lahinch Roads.

MESSERS CONWAY & CLANCY

In the mid-19th-century the premises (now known as Blake's) was recorded as No. 14 Old Town Street, Ennistimon (sic). Its situation is now mapped as "Bridge Street". 

In 1845, at the time of the Ordnance Survey, No. 14 Old Town Street, Ennistymon registered in the name of Glancy, the proprietor of the house (who held a "lease forever") and sub-let part of it to Conway "a painter who sold oils and colours". No first names were recorded. 

MOLONEY'S

In 1855, at the time of Griffith's Valuation, No. 14 Old Town Street (the premises now known as Blake's) was recorded in the name of John Maloney as a "house and yard" valued at £3 8s. As other houses on this street were denoted "(shop)" where applicable, it is unlikely Maloney was trading from here.  His landlord was Captain McNamara (later Col. Francis McNamara D.L.) of Ennistymon House. The building attached to the rear of #14 was "in ruins" at that time. Next to that lived Daniel Moloney, a cooper. Across the road, Thady Maloney was trading as a blacksmith. The Molony name produced blacksmiths in Ennistymon for generations.  

 

QUINN'S BAR & BAKERY

As early as 1870  John Quinn (1826–1890) was trading in Ennistymon where he appears in Commercial Directory listings as a "baker" [Slater's 1870] and later as a "meal and flour dealer" in Ennistymon  [Slater's 1881].

In 1845, John Quinn is listed twice for houses in the townland of Ennistymon: a "house" valued at £ 4 8s, a "house, office and yard" valued at £5.

When he died, age 64, John's son, Denis Quinn, was present in 1890. Quinn's will left effects of £260 to his widow, Bridget. 

In 1901, Bridget Quinn (1841-) and two adult children were recorded here on the Ennistymon Census for "Old Town Road". Bridget, a widow, was recorded as shopkeeper fluent in Irish and English. James Quinn b.1866 was a District Councillor and  Brigid 'Delia' Quinn b. 1880 was a shop assistant.  The premises was recorded as "Public House" with 6 rooms occupied by the family.  (Linnane's, next-door was a building contractor's "warehouse" and family home. Healy's pub being the nearest neighbour on the other side). As was customary for many shops in the town at that time, the Quinns ran a bakery, bar and grocery business here. 

 

QUINN > BLAKE 

In February 1909, in Ennis, Delia Quinn, shopkeeper, married Peter Blake, blacksmith (son of the blacksmith John Blake & Mary McInerney) of Ennistymon.

In 1911, newlyweds Peter Blake (1874-1946) and Delia Quinn (1880-1937)  are recorded here on the Ennistymon Census for "Old Town Road".  

Peter Blake & Delia Quinn had five children: John, Patrick Joseph 'Paddy' b.1916, Mary, Bridie, and Kathleen (resided there circa 1996).

PROTECTED BUILDING

Derelict for many years, this pair of buildings at "Blake's Corner" has been threatened with demolition (to allow for a roundabout to regulate summertime tourist traffic). 

Following appeals from the Save Ennistymon’s Heritage campaign, Clare County Council's plans to demolish Blake and Linnane's have recently been scrapped .

[Building Research & Reverse Genealogy by Rua Mac Diarmada] 

~ Ancestors related to this building? Post your connection below ~

 

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