The Cappoquin Iron works were built by the Earl of Cork, Richard Boyle in the 1620's. The Iron works specialised in the manufacture of cannons which were used in the 30 Years War. Cannon were exported as far away as Amsterdam. The Iron works was one of the main industries to emerge from the Munster Plantation.
Richard Boyle also built a 600-ton wooden bridge over the Blackwater river at this time which was the only bridge between Fermoy and the sea for about two centuries. The wooden bridge was destroyed in the 1640's but was rebuilt by an Act of Parliament. The current bridge was built in the mid 1860's due to the Famine Relief Act.