Ballyknockan: Granite, Mountains and Blessington Lakes

Ballyknockan lies on the north-western side of the Wicklow Mountains, overlooking Blessington Lakes. At the same time, its streets, buildings and walls tell of the village’s industrial past. Here, granite is more than a feature of the landscape: its quarrying and working have shaped the village’s history right up to the present day. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Ballyknockan, you can expect a combination of mountain and lakeside scenery, stonemasonry traditions and distinctive local stories.

A Changing Landscape

Its location in the Wicklow Mountains and views of Blessington Lakes give Ballyknockan its landscape setting. This has not remained unchanged: in 1940, the valley was flooded to create Poulaphuca Reservoir. This dramatically altered the landscape seen from Ballyknockan. Today’s view therefore also tells of a profound intervention that reshaped the valley and its appearance.

Those interested in the area will encounter two perspectives at once: its setting by the mountains and the changes brought about by the reservoir. This is a striking part of the village’s history and a good starting point for seeing Ballyknockan not just as a point on the map, but as a shaped landscape.

Granite and Stonemasonry Traditions

Quarrying began in Ballyknockan in 1840, when Christopher McEvoy started work there. The business was registered in 1865—a distinct later step in its history. In the past, granite from Ballyknockan was transported to Dublin by horse and cart. Ballyknockan granite was also used there at the Custom House. Its connection to the capital shows that the local stone became significant beyond the village, while keeping these two details about transport and use distinct rather than combining them into a single event.

Working with the material is not just a thing of the past. At Ballyknockan Quarry, the McEvoy family is now in its fifth generation of stonemasons. Some stonemasons in Ballyknockan also continue to make memorials and gravestones, mainly from stored granite. Around the quarries, partly preserved sculptures and other scattered elements illustrate the skill of earlier stonemasons. Together with the visible streets, buildings and walls, they give the village a tangible history shaped by granite.

Local Stories and Film Locations

Film history is also part of Ballyknockan: in 1994, the village was a filming location for “Widows’ Peak”, starring Mia Farrow, Joan Plowright and Natasha Richardson. Ballyknockan was also used as a filming location in 2007 for “P.S. I Love You”, starring Hilary Swank. The two films were made in different years, and each marks a distinct thread in the village’s history.

Another story is associated with the Barn Cinema. The building originally served as both a cinema and a dance hall, and is now a private residence. It is this changing role over time that links Ballyknockan to a chapter of local everyday and entertainment history. The remains of what is known as the House in a Day and a plaque about its history can also be seen from the roadside. This brief discovery goes well alongside the traces of stonemasonry, without the two stories being one and the same.

What Matters When Choosing a Holiday Destination

When deciding between Ballyknockan and another holiday destination, different interests may be the deciding factor: are you most drawn to its setting in the Wicklow Mountains, with views of Blessington Lakes, or would you particularly like to explore its quarrying and craftsmanship history? Ballyknockan offers both as part of its local story. Families can use the film stories, the former cinema and the roadside remains as concrete starting points for exploring and talking together.

A holiday rental in Ballyknockan is a fitting option if this particular landscape and the village’s character are what interest you. The historical details are quite distinct: the reservoir changed the landscape, the granite tells of work and craftsmanship, and the stories of films and buildings lead to other chapters in the village’s history. Which of these you would like to shape your trip is a useful question to consider before choosing your holiday destination.

More destinations for reference: An Láithreach, Donard, Hollywood, Wicklow, Oldbridge, Arklow, Tinahely and Blessington.

For the wider travel overview: County Wicklow.