History Origins to 1900

• 1600s

  Baile an Chollaigh derived its name from Robert Coll , Knight one time owner of Ballincollig Castle. This Castle is the oldest Building in Ballincollig and its History is mainly associated with the Barretts who bought it from Coll. However Ballincollig Village was founded much later and owes its origins to the growth of the Gunpowder Mills and the Army Barracks.

• 1794

  Charles Henry Leslie began the small scale production of Gun Powder on his own land along the South Bank of the river Lee. His success and the advent of War between Britain and France led to the purchase of the Mills by the British Board of Ordinance.

   

• 1805

  The Board enlarged Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills considerably including the Construction of Houses for the workers called Waltham Abbey Row ( where the club meeting rooms are today ). Additionally a Barracks was built to guard the Mills.

• 1835

  The Tobins from Liverpool bought the by now disused Mills and lived at Oriel House (Present Day Hotel ). By the middle of the Century over 500 people worked the Mills. By this time the Village had grown to a sizeable town of about 2,500 and was served by the Muskerry Tram.

• 1847

  The Great Famine brought huge emigration and the unorganised local sport of Hurling suffered. At the same time it was frowned upon by the Landlords who saw it as against them and they attempted to suppress the game.

• 1884

  Michael Cusack formed a single Body to organise and save the game and put it on a firm footing. The Gaelic Athletic Association for the preservation and cultivation of National Pastimes was formed.

• 1886

  Cork County Board was formed and Ballincollig along with 20 other clubs affiliated to it. ( More on the Club foundation.. )

• 1887

  First organised games. Ballincollig was represented by Carrigrohane in the 21 a side competition.

• 1888

  Internal strife with the formation of several boards with Ballincollig Siding with the Fr O Connor Board. Ballincollig entered the championship as Ballincollig Gladstonians.

• 1895

  First recorded major victory was against Barrs in the Bride Valley Tournament.

• 1896

  The club entered in Senior and Junior Hurling. The Seniors lost to Redmonds while Juniors lost to Blackrock in a game played at Turners Cross. Club also recorded its first Senior victory when they defeated United Nationals. Two club players were selected to play with Cork represented by Redmonds. John (Flocker) ONeill and Tim Hallihan whose medals are still on display in the Clubhouse.

• 1903

  Ballincollig did not affiliate with the County Board as the town declined with the closure of Gunpowder Mills. The black powder produced for over 100 years could no longer compete with the new invention of Dynamite.

• 1909

  The club was revived by Kilbrittain Priest Fr Dan O Donovan. The Mid Cork Leagues was formed and the club made an immediate impact winning the 1st Divisional title in Senior Hurling. At this stage the club played in the black , white and red striped jersey and were nicknamed the "Magpies". ( 1909 Champions Picture )