The blue door across the street from the Equine Sculpture in Churchtown Village leads you into the Booney House in Churchtown. The original part of the Booney House was probably built in the late 1700s as a village house to be occupied by tenants of the Earl of Egmont. The Booney House was occupied by the O’Sullivan family up to the 1980s after which the house fell into disrepair. The derelict house was purchased by the current owners on 30th April 1999 house was restored and extended from 1999 to 2007 as a combined resident and community event space. 

O’Sullivan is a very popular name in Ireland and it was usual to add another name to distinguish one family from another by the use of a further appellation. In Churchtown’s case one O'Sullivan family and their realtions were distinguished by the name “Booney”.

Some say the Booney branch of the O’Sullivan’s in Churchtown stayed in the parish in 1603 rather than continue the long march of the O’Sullivan Beare clan from West Cork to Leitrim. Others say the origin of the word Booney is from a French battle cry. The image on the Booney logo is of the last Booney to occupy the house – Denis O’Sullivan.

Churchtown’s fine Georgian style buildings date from the early 1800s and are all clear to see as you look around the village. However, a hidden gem lies behind a simple stone fronted building. The Booney House took eight years to restore not so much because it was so large or complex but more because it was corroborative process between the owner, architects, interior designers and builder with no one in a hurry. 

Located mid way between Cork and Limerick, all of the ancient Irish province of Munster is within 90 minutes drive of Churchtown.

For further information:

www.churchtown.net

Photography     Priory Studios, Dublin and Churchtown Village Renewal Trust archives.