Ballybough
Encyclopedia
Ballybough is a district of north Dublin, Ireland
situated northeast of Summerhill, between the Royal Canal
and the River Tolka
. Adjacent areas are North Strand
, Fairview
and Drumcondra
/Clonliffe
. The name derives from the Irish
baile "town" and bocht "poor". In the 18th Century, Ballybough was known as Mud Island, owing to its proximity to the mud flats that now form Fairview and environs.
There is a old Jewish Cemetery, Ballybough Cemetery
on Fairview Strand near Ballybough Bridge.
In the past, it was a district that attracted characters of ill-repute, drunks, prostitutes and pirates and it was here that the authorities designated an area of burial known colloquially as 'the suicide plot' from which Bram Stoker
derived the idea of the cross for his novel 'Dracula,' the cross being the junction of Clonliffe Road and Ballybough Road.
During the land reclamation project of the 19th century, Mud Island was known, interchangeably, as Friend's Field or French Field, before it became known by its current name. The village of Ballybough traces its origins to a series of small dwellings known as Ballybough Cottages, which were later demolished to make way for the Dublin Corporation
housing project known as Ballybough House.
The area was, and still is, a predominantly working-class district of the North Inner City, but is not without its famous people such as the Luke Kelly
of The Dubliners
folk group for whom Ballybough Bridge over the River Tolka is named. The film director Jim Sheridan
(My Left Foot
, The Field
) is also from the area.
Close by at Jones's Road is Croke Park
, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association
. This sports stadium is among the most modern in Europe with a capacity of 83,000. In addition to hurling and gaelic football it is also used as a rock concert venue. It is here that U2
has played to some of its largest audiences. The stadium was also the venue where world boxing champion Muhammad Ali
defeated 'Al Blue' Lewis in a non-title fight in 1972.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
situated northeast of Summerhill, between the Royal Canal
Royal Canal of Ireland
The Royal Canal is a canal originally built for freight and passenger transportation from the River Liffey at Dublin to the River Shannon at Cloondara in County Longford in Ireland. It fell into disrepair, but since has been restored for navigation...
and the River Tolka
River Tolka
The River Tolka is one of Dublin's three main rivers, flowing from County Meath to Fingal, within the old County Dublin, and through the north of Dublin city, Ireland. It is one of Dublin's three main rivers, the others being the Liffey and the Dodder...
. Adjacent areas are North Strand
North Strand
North Strand is an area of the inner city on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. The area is bounded roughly by East Wall to the east, Ballybough to the northwest, and Fairview to the north...
, Fairview
Fairview, Dublin
Fairview is a coastal district on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland, in the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council. Part of the area forms Fairview Park, on land reclaimed from the sea.-Location and access:...
and Drumcondra
Drumcondra, Dublin
Drumcondra is a residential area and inner suburb on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. It is administered by Dublin City Council.The River Tolka and the Royal Canal flow through the area.-History:...
/Clonliffe
Clonliffe
For the Dublin athletic club, see Clonliffe HarriersClonliffe is an area of north Dublin, Ireland between Ballybough and Drumcondra. Clonliffe Road is the wide linking thoroughfare nearly a mile long forming the central artery. There is an entrance at the Drumcondra end, to Holy Cross College and...
. The name derives from the Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
baile "town" and bocht "poor". In the 18th Century, Ballybough was known as Mud Island, owing to its proximity to the mud flats that now form Fairview and environs.
There is a old Jewish Cemetery, Ballybough Cemetery
Ballybough Cemetery
Ballybough Cemetery in Fairview, is Dublin's oldest Jewish Cemetery.On the 28th of October 1718, Alexander Felix , Jacob Do Porto, and David Machado Do Sequeira, on behalf of the Ashkennazim leased a plot of land, from Captain Chichester Phillips of Drumcondra Castle...
on Fairview Strand near Ballybough Bridge.
In the past, it was a district that attracted characters of ill-repute, drunks, prostitutes and pirates and it was here that the authorities designated an area of burial known colloquially as 'the suicide plot' from which Bram Stoker
Bram Stoker
Abraham "Bram" Stoker was an Irish novelist and short story writer, best known today for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula...
derived the idea of the cross for his novel 'Dracula,' the cross being the junction of Clonliffe Road and Ballybough Road.
During the land reclamation project of the 19th century, Mud Island was known, interchangeably, as Friend's Field or French Field, before it became known by its current name. The village of Ballybough traces its origins to a series of small dwellings known as Ballybough Cottages, which were later demolished to make way for the Dublin Corporation
Dublin Corporation
Dublin Corporation , known by generations of Dubliners simply as The Corpo, is the former name given to the city government and its administrative organisation in Dublin between 1661 and 1 January 2002...
housing project known as Ballybough House.
The area was, and still is, a predominantly working-class district of the North Inner City, but is not without its famous people such as the Luke Kelly
Luke Kelly
Luke Kelly was an Irish singer and folk musician from Dublin, Ireland, notable as a founding member of the band The Dubliners.-Early life:...
of The Dubliners
The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
folk group for whom Ballybough Bridge over the River Tolka is named. The film director Jim Sheridan
Jim Sheridan
Jim Sheridan is an Irish film director. A six-time Academy Award nominee, Sheridan is perhaps best known for his films My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father, Get Rich or Die Tryin and In America.-Life and career:...
(My Left Foot
My Left Foot (film)
My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown is a 1989 drama film directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Lewis. It tells the true story of Christy Brown, an Irishman born with cerebral palsy, who could control only his left foot. Christy Brown grew up in a poor, working class family, and...
, The Field
The Field
The Field is a play written by John B. Keane, first performed in 1965. It tells the story of the hardened farmer "Bull" McCabe and his love for the land he rents. The play debuted at Dublin's Olympia Theatre in 1965, with Ray McAnally as "The Bull" and Eamon Keane as "The Bird" O'Donnell. The play...
) is also from the area.
Close by at Jones's Road is Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
. This sports stadium is among the most modern in Europe with a capacity of 83,000. In addition to hurling and gaelic football it is also used as a rock concert venue. It is here that U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
has played to some of its largest audiences. The stadium was also the venue where world boxing champion Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
defeated 'Al Blue' Lewis in a non-title fight in 1972.