Villages In North Cork – An Entertaining Video Series

Cork Videos produce short films of ordinary people, telling about ordinary things in towns and villages around County Cork, Ireland. I was delighted when Tony Kennedy, the producer of these films, e-mailed me to share his entertaining and informative amateur videos of North Cork villages.

These simple films share chats with locals, images of shops, points of interest, churches and schools - all-in-all a very thoughtful exploration of what makes these little communities tick.

Four milk churns by the roadside in County Cork

Now, since my family hail from North Cork, just outside Kildorrery, I simply had to share this little snapshot of the village I know so well.

Famous Kildorrery Town
Elizabeth Bowen
North Cork Videos - A Glance At Kildorrery, County Cork

Famous Kildorrery Town

Like many places in Ireland, Kildorrery even has it's very own song, entitled "Famous Kildorrery Town."

The town is so famous, you've probably never heard of it, but hopefully this little blog post will help remedy that. Here's the chorus of our famous song:

"Have you ever been up to Kildorrery

Indeed if you haven't that's quare

Sure it's only five miles from Ardpatrick

And three from the cross of Red Chair

And when at that cross you are landed

You will see a big hill looking down

And on top of that hill bare naked and chill

Stands famous Kildorrery town."

This song is sung by Kildorrery GAA supporters at matches throughout the county and province. I just had to highlight the lyrics in Kildorrery GAA blue.

Two storey thatched building restaurant in Kildorrery County Cork

Elizabeth Bowen

The writer, Elizabeth Bowen, whose family lived at Bowen's Court just outside the village, described the area as follows:

"Kildorrery is so placed as to be a landmark for miles. Cross-shaped, and of some size, it has the characteristics of a hill-village – rather sad weathered houses, sky seen through arches, draughty streets, an exposed graveyard, a chapel launched over the distance like a ship. Though its name means church of the oak grove, one can see no trees: the Ballyhouras are very near, to the north. Only when Kildorrery stands full in the sunset has it an all celestial smile."

- Elizabeth Bowen, 1942

It sounds like Elizabeth was in agreement with the "bare naked and chill" description by our local songwriter of years gone by.

Marshallstown Bridge over the River Funcheon near Kildorrery, County Cork, Ireland

North Cork Videos - A Glance At Kildorrery, County Cork

And so, without further ado, here is a little snapshot of the little corner of Ireland I love so well.

If you enjoyed this little glimpse of Kildorrery there are more short films of other Cork villages waiting to be viewed on the Cork Videos YouTube channel.

Thanks to Tony for giving me permission to share his work with you today.

Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.