The Townland of Ballyknockan

Aerial View of Pollaphuca Reservoir

This is an aerial view of the Pollaphuca Reservoir. Ballyknockan lies to the north-east of the reservoir.

Courtesy of Wicklow County Libraries

Aerial View of Pollaphuca Reservoir
Courtesy of Wicklow County Libraries

Aerial View of Pollaphuca Reservoir

This is an aerial view of the Pollaphuca Reservoir. Ballyknockan lies to the north-east of the reservoir.

Courtesy of Wicklow County Libraries

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Ballyknockan Village is located on the north-west side of the Wicklow mountains, overlooking the Pollaphuca Reservoir.

Granite has been quarried there for almost two centuries.


Almost everything, from the stone farmhouses and cottages to the granite walls surrounding the fields, is made of local stone.

Locals like to say that if Wicklow is the Garden of Ireland, Ballyknockan is its rockery.

View of Blessington Lakes from Ballyknockan, Co Wicklow

Although only about twenty-five miles from Dublin city centre and seven miles from Blessington, Ballyknockan Village retains its old-world remoteness and scenic beauty to rival anywhere in Ireland. Courtesy of: http://homepage.eircom.net/ ~tbowen/introballyknockan.htm

Courtesy of Wicklow County Libraries

View of Blessington Lakes from Ballyknockan, Co Wicklow
Courtesy of Wicklow County Libraries

View of Blessington Lakes from Ballyknockan, Co Wicklow

Although only about twenty-five miles from Dublin city centre and seven miles from Blessington, Ballyknockan Village retains its old-world remoteness and scenic beauty to rival anywhere in Ireland. Courtesy of: http://homepage.eircom.net/ ~tbowen/introballyknockan.htm

Courtesy of Wicklow County Libraries

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Almost all of the Ballyknockan houses are of the direct-entry type. However, there are many variations of this style there.

In terms of size, nine out of ten houses have two or three rooms. The rest are either one roomed or have more than three rooms.

Three out of four are one-storey houses, and one in five has two storeys. The others are single storey with a loft over one end.

Deserted House in Ballyknockan

Deserted stone house in Ballyknockan, Co. Wicklow. This is a unique village, where most of the buildings are made from stone with high-quality craftsmanship.

Séamas Ó Maitiú & Barry O'Reilly

Deserted House in Ballyknockan
Séamas Ó Maitiú & Barry O'Reilly

Deserted House in Ballyknockan

Deserted stone house in Ballyknockan, Co. Wicklow. This is a unique village, where most of the buildings are made from stone with high-quality craftsmanship.

Séamas Ó Maitiú & Barry O'Reilly

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Every building in Ballyknockan village is made of stone. In fact, for over 170 years Ballyknockan has provided granite for many of Dublin's best-known buildings.

Door and window surrounds, chimneys, fireplaces and wall details are all fine examples of expert cutting.

Another interesting feature of these houses is their chamfered edges. This means that the corner block of the building has been bevelled, or cut off, at an angle of 45 degrees.

Landscape View Rathdrum

Landscape View Rathdrum with cottage.

© Lensmen Photographic Archive

Landscape View Rathdrum
© Lensmen Photographic Archive

Landscape View Rathdrum

Landscape View Rathdrum with cottage.

© Lensmen Photographic Archive

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In Ballyknockan, stonecutters showed their craftsmanship through building the town's houses.

In recognition of its cultural importance, the whole village is listed in the Wicklow County Development Plan.

Due to its unique buildings and beautiful location, Ballyknockan is seen as an area deserving of special protection.