Blarney Woollen Mills, Woollen mill in Blarney, County Cork, Ireland

Blarney Woollen Mills is a stone mill complex begun in 1823 by Martin Mahony & Bros Ltd and rebuilt after a Christmas 1869 fire. Water from a dam on the Martin river drove the mill wheel through a millstream and millrace. The buildings now hold an Irish heritage shop, a 47-room boutique hotel and a restaurant.

The mill began operations in 1823 when the Mahony family established it. The business changed direction significantly in 1975 when the Kelleher family took over and greatly expanded what it offered.

The mill specialised in tweeds, woolen worsted cloths, knitting wools and hosiery, a niche it carved out while textiles boomed in 19th-century Ireland. Christy Kelleher, who started work there at 13 in 1928 and rose to supervisor, bought and reopened the mills in 1975; the Kelleher family still owns the business.

International visitors can receive tax refunds at checkout and arrange free shipping of purchases abroad. Gift wrapping and personalized engraving services are also available at no extra charge.

The site was originally a working mill powered by water before being transformed into a retail and hotel destination. Today visitors can still see parts of the old milling infrastructure built into the newer structures.