The “Old Butter House” building at Blackgate dates from the 1890's. It was once a busy trading centre for the people from the north and west of the peninsula who were able to sell home produced butter and eggs there. Provisions of animal feeds for pigs and cattle, flour for baking and general groceries were available and the shop was a thriving business which employed many local people over the years. After the Butterhouse closed in the early 1950's it gradually fell into disrepair until Alice West, an English born artist, moved to the area in1968 and started the renovations. Alice bought the building with a legacy from her grandfather, Dublin born Francis Horner, who had emigrated to England in 1868. Her interest in the local folk history inspired her to gather items of interest from within the local community so that the heritage connected to these items and the lives and customs of the people would be preserved. The building was bequeathed to the people of Muintir Bhaire and is now the Alice West Museum.
External Links:
https://livingthesheepsheadway.com/black-gate/