Aghavrin Mass Rock

• Name — Aghavrin • Type — townland • Translit Lang1 — Irish • Translit Lang1 Type — Derivation: • Translit Lang1 Info — Achadh Bhroin, Achadh Bhrain • Translit Lang1 Type1 — Meaning: • Translit Lang1 Info1 — "Byrne's, Burns' or Bron's field" • Grid Name — Irish grid ref • Grid Position — W439758 • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Ireland • Subdivision Type1 — County • Subdivision Name1 — County Cork • Subdivision Type2 — Barony • Subdivision Name2 — Muskerry East • Subdivision Type3 — Civil parish • Subdivision Name3 — Aghabullogue • Leader Title — Council • Leader Name — Cork County Council • Leader Title1 — Ward • Leader Name1 — Blarney-Macroom EA • Parts Type — Settlements • Parts Style — para • P1 — Aghabullogue, Coachford • Area Total Ha — 270.05 • Area Total Acre — 667.32

The townland is referred to as 'Aghrin' in the Down Survey Maps (1656-1658), Aghawrinmore and Aghawrinbeg are listed as sub-denominations, and the proprietor is listed as Lord Muskry (Muskerry). The Ordnance Survey name book (c. 1840) gives an alternate Irish name of Ath a buirinn to the townland and also lists Ahavrinbeg and Ahavrinmore as sub-denominations. It describes the townland as the property of John Bowin (Bowen), Esq. of Oak Grove, and John Bowin Gumbleton, Esq. Its condition was said to be of mixed quality, principally cultivated, but containing some boggy land, rocks and furze. The townland was said to have several waterfalls to the south-west, and places included Bowing's (Bowen's) Pond, Good's Pond, Poulahourane (Waterfall), Poulanassig (Waterfall), Ahavrinmore, Ahavrieg, Ahavringrove, Ahavrin Castle (Crooke's Castle), Carrigacubbeen and Clashagorrave River. O'Donoghue (1986) holds Achadh Bhroin to mean Bron's field, and that Bron was father of Maolmuadh, king of Munster in 959, and grandfather of Cian. O'Murchú (1991) holds upon local authority that Achadh Bhroin may refer to Byrne's or Burns' field. The Placenames Database of Ireland gives an alternate Irish name of Achadh Bhrain to the townland.

• Illustration — A ruined clapper bridge within Mullinhassig Wood Places of note within the townland include Mullinhassig Wood, a forested amenity which is managed by Coillte and contains a number of waterfalls. Crooke's Castle, also known as the Admiral’s Folly or Agharria Castle, is a 19th century ornamental tower built on Carrigaknubber Rock by the former owners of Aghavrin House. It is included on the Record of Protected Structures maintained by Cork County Council. To the south and at the foot of Carrigaknubber Rock is a Mass rock which is formed by a 'sort of ledge or stone altar'. According to P.J. Hartnett, writing in 1939, it was used for the celebration of Catholic religious services in Penal times.

As of the 2011 census, Aghavrin townland had a population of 116 people. Historical census records include: Townland population • Year — Pop. • 1841 — 346 • 1851 — 214 • 1861 — 165 • 1871 — 220 • 1881 — 174 • 1891 — 118 • 1901 — 92 • 1911 — 99 Earlier versions of townland name • Year — Form • 1602-25 — Aghowryn more & Aghowryeg (Inq. temp Jac I) • 1656-8 — Aghrin/Aghawrinmore & beg (Down Survey) • 1784 — Ahavrin • 1811 — Aghaburrin (Bath's Grand Jury map) • 1814 — Ahavrin (Crook's map) • 1840 — Ahavrin/Aghavrin