Thriving modern life in historic centre of Mallow

ONCE a regular victim of seasonal flooding, in more modern times the Mallow areas of the Spa, St. Joseph’s Road and Bridge Street have received a facelift and today is a hive of activity.

Gallows Lane, Muddy Hill, Dogs Heads, Brass Castle, Mary Ann’s Field, The Steps, Lime Kiln, Gas Works and The Long Room were all very much associated with the Spa area of Mallow in times past. Bridge Street was always active in the retail business with plenty of shops. Today, the area can boast top class restaurants and local eateries along with a thriving nightlife.

The Spa area combines Mallow’s historic past with thriving modern living. It’s the combination of old and new that makes this part of Mallow a special place.

For example, Gallows Lane, now St. Joseph’s Road, once boasted a gallows tree where many victims met their death. In the past St. Joseph’s Road was a quiet area of town with very little houses. The road was well known for bowling and each Sunday shirt-sleeved men lofted iron bowls along its hills and hollows which attracted a huge following and a few gamblers who backed their favourite player on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

During World War Two St. Joseph’s Road was home to many regular soldiers who were stationed there during the Emergency. Today the road boasts several estates of family homes as well as the Mallow GAA Complex at Carrigoon.

The Muddy Hill was once a dirt road where regular dumping took place but in modern times it’s a busy link road between the Spa and O’Brien Street. The area now has a grotto carefully installed in the old cave face.

The recently revamped Mallow landmark Spa House is a popular landmark and Spa Park now called after Tip O’Neill is a clean recreation area The Dogs Heads were once part of Mallow history as it supplied Spa water, sourced from the well at the Spa House, to the towns people who dragged buckets, saucepans and pot fulls of water to their households for domestic use.

The Gas Works once occupied the entire area which today features the Corkman offices down to the service station. The Gas Works employed up to 10 men and was an integral part of Mallow life with its high walls and Brass Castle entrance.

Mary Ann’s Field was also popular with the youngsters of the day. In modern times it became Tip O’Neill Park, part of Mallow’s enduring connection with Washington DC.

At the back of the Clock House stood the Clock House Bottling Plant, which operated up to the 1970s where porter and minerals and, especially the popular and fizzy Clock House red lemonade was bottled.

At the end of Spa Terrace the Spa Steps were situated which brought pedestrians from the area up to the back of the old mart, now Market Square.

Meanwhile, the swimming pool in the Grove, near the iconic Spa House, was a popular venue for many local children in the hazy lazy days of summer. The spring pool was banked by dry mud which was lovingly executed by the young people themselves and maintained on a regular basis.

The Long Room in the Clock House in Spa Square was the venue for the early meetings of Mallow UDC before business was moved to the Town Hall. Today, the area has busy outlets including, shops, bars, restaurants, take-aways, hairdresser and more.

And, since Cork County Council took over Mallow Castle in recent years the castle grounds has become a cultural and leisure focal point for the town. As well the history and grandeur of the old and ‘new’ castles, the castle grounds now host regular festival days throughout the summer, such as the recent artisan food fare and family day during the Mallow racing Home For Easter Festival.