Castle gets landmark protection

A bit of Ireland in Southern California

By DAN LAIDMAN

Los Angeles Daily News

LOS ANGELES - A well-known Sunland-Tujunga home that resembles an Irish castle gained Historic-Cultural Monument designation from the City Council on Friday.

Without discussion, the council voted unanimously to grant the distinction to the Blarney Castle, making it more difficult to alter or destroy the building.

''I want to preserve this house the way it was for the people of Sunland-Tujunga as well as myself,'' said Sarah Olson, who owns the castle and sought the designation.

''I really believe that this is such a unique structure that it would just break my heart that it could be torn down or an apartment building put in here.''

Olson's effort came after a conflict last summer over attempts to raze the nearby Weatherwolde Castle to make way for new houses. That structure was preserved after a neighborhood struggle.

While there is no immediate threat to Olson's castle, she said she sought the designation as a preventive measure.

The area's castle-style residences are legacies of the Depression Era, when Tujunga's abundant natural stone was the cheapest available building material, said Lloyd Hitt, president of the Little Landers Historical Society.

''The actual dream of 'your home is your castle' became a reality with some people,'' he said.

The Blarney Castle was built in 1919, supposedly modeled after the Irish landmark, Hitt said.

While little is known of the original builder, Hitt said the home was purchased in 1921 by Virginia Smith, the first female doctor in Tujunga and the proprietor of a nearby hospital.

The castle had various owners in the ensuing decades, and Olson, who works for Warner Bros., bought it a year and a half ago.

City planners surveyed the Blarney Castle and called it an ''excellent example of Craftsman-style architecture'' in one report.

Despite the castle's fortress-like composition of stone, wrought iron, dark wood, stained glass and arched doorways, Olson said it is not an imposing place to live.

''It's actually very warm. I've made it very comfy,'' she said.

Thanks for this one.

I can't find anything about this house on the web, bad day to look I guess.

Can't find anything else on this one, except there is a mention of a night club of the same name....?? in the building, or a neighbouring building..no pics.

 

 

Re the Wolftones;

They are now back in Dublin....with a huge success behind them. They ended the tour with a memorable "Irish Night" at the Blarney Castle, a swanky Los Angeles Night Club. Then the Group were each presented with the keys to the city. They became the first musicians since the Beatles to receive the honour.

........The restaurant is owned by Richard O'Neill, a member of the pioneering family that once owned all of Camp Pendleton (Rancho Santa Margarita) and Rancho Mission Viejo.  Mr. O'Neill at one point owned or co-owned around 30 restaurants, including the Blarney Castle, the Bull 'n Bush, and the HMS Bounty.

 

............Most date from the 1910-1920s. On the 10200 block of Tujunga Canyon Boulevard is the local Blarney Castle, a small version of the castle in Ireland.

Is this the one?

 

http://www.glo-con.com/property/property_no/AD1_19807/

Yup, I think so.