Farranree

Farranree is a mainly residential townland and suburb in Cork, Ireland.

It partly consists of terraced houses, some of which are council housing owned by the Cork City Council. Other housing in the area is privately owned.

Farranree is bordered by the larger suburbs of Blackpool, Churchfield and Fairhill.

History
As of the early 20th century, Farranree was a rural area to the north of Cork City. It had a large field called "Fairfield" to which farmers from around County Cork brought their cattle for sale. Beside it were smaller fields where farmers would spancel their cattle as they waited to be sold. This area, on the hillside beside the "Fairfield", was called Spangle or Spancel Hill.

In the 1940s, plots of land for growing potatoes were given to the people of the district at a half-crown per year. Only a piece of twine separated the plots and neighbours often tended each others plots as well as their own since blight on one could mean blight on all.

Cork Corporation subsequently developed a number of housing schemes in the area, which was then known as Spangle Hill. From the 1930s, the city gradually began to expand and houses were built in areas such as Farranferris (1939 & 1951), Fairfield (1956), Knockpogue (1956), Knockfree (1959/1960) and Closes (1961).

In 1957, the Catholic Bishop of Cork, Cornelius Lucey, commenced construction on a new church in the district. Built as one of several "rosary churches", intended to serve the expanding city, it was called the Church of the Resurrection.

Amenities
Farranree has a local Gala Express shop, a credit union, a butchers and a public park. It also has a Catholic church named the Church of the Resurrection.

The local GAA club is Na Piarsaigh Hurling, Camogie and Football Club.

The main schools serving the Farranree area include Scoil Aiséirí Chríost, North Presentation Secondary School, the North Monastery and Scoil Íosagain.

The suburb sits on the 203 bus route and the 201 bus route.

Notable residents

 * John Gardiner, Na Piarsaigh and Cork senior hurler and All Ireland winner
 * Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Na Piarsaigh and Cork senior hurler; footballer and All Ireland winning captain
 * Mae Agnes "Maisie" Kelly Gleason was born at Farranree; mother of Jackie Gleason
 * Fiona Shaw, actress, born at Farranree
 * John O'Shea, professional darts player, BDO World Masters winner