Hollyford village comprises of a supermarket, pubs, a credit union office, a community hall, a sawmill and a formerly independent co-operative creamery. The gushing, gurgling river Multeen flows through the town from the "Sweat House". this form of sauna was used in the treatment of rheumatism but unfortunately it is not accessible to the general public. It is a small beehive-shaped stone house with a low entrance. A turf fire was lit inside and kept lit until the interior was heated all over. The fire was then extinguished and the patient, wrapped in a blanket, went in and sat down. The entrance was sealed except for an air hole. After some time the perspiring patient came out and dipped in the stream. The treatment was undoubtedly enhanced by the copper in the water, there are copper mine shafts of the 1800's nearby.

On the right hand side of the village, where two roads meet, stands the former Royal Irish Constabulary barracks, (RIC 1836 -1922) refurbished in the late 1980's as a private dwelling. The road to its right leads to viewing points at Piperhill and Glencarber, both local beauty spots. The quarry further on the left is of scientific interest because of 'an outcrop of fractured Wenlocklan (Silurian) rock exposed - a rare occurrence in Ireland'. Look out for the sign beside the Metal Bridge in the village, which informs you that this area is the burial place of Éamon an Chnoic. (Ned of the Hills) He was murdered in 1724 for the reward on offer for his capture. His head and body were reputedly buried in separate graves, 1840's lore pinpointed a site in Curraheen townsland as one of the burial places.

Clan Name

Hollyford is part of the ancestral home of the O'Ryans and forms a stage of the Beara-Breifne Greenway which is based on the historic march of O'Sullivan Beara in 1603.

Greenways Festival 2003

Hollyford is talking part in the Greenways Festival in summer 2003 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the legendary 1603 march of O’Sullivan Beara from the Beara Peninsula to the Breifne area. Click here for info on the events