Ballyhea
Encyclopedia
Ballyhea is a parish located in north County Cork
, Ireland
. It is situated on the main N20
Cork
–Limerick
road
, south of Charleville
. The parish has approximately 1,000 inhabitants.
Ballyhea covers a wide area and has five graveyards. These indicate the five parishes of Aglishdrinagh, Ardskeagh, Ballyhea (Ballyhay) Cooline, and Imprick which make up the area the Ballyhea means place of Aodb or Aedh. Aodb had his residence in the 900's in the townland known as Lisballyhea. His clan was one of the earliest to settle in the area.
It is on the main Limerick - Cork bus route with a stop adjacent to the local Parish Church. The nearby town Charleville has a station on Cork - Dublin (aka the Great Southern Line) Railway line. Ballyhea Covers quite a large physical area with its population spread throughout. It borders - Newtown Shandrum, Charleville, Ardpatrick, Effin, Churchtown, Liscarroll and Buttevant.
There has been a pilot cycle/walk route created from Ballyhea National School to Charleville and if successful it is anticipated that this will lead to the establishment of a number of routes in the Ballyhea/Charleville area.
Like many of its contemporaries Ballyhea Community Councils evolved in the 1970s from Munitir Na Tire Group.
They have meetings approximately 8 meetings a year. The AGM normally takes place in October. Amongst many activities they are involved in they organise and runs a Christmas meal for the elderly of the Parish every year.
Ballyhea Childcare Ltd.
A group of concerned parents came together September 2000 to address Childcare needs within Ballyhea and its hinterland and from this the Ballyhea Pre-school Group was formed. A Parent & Toddler Group was started within the first month of the group's existence and has been running successfully since. In Summer 2002 it created a Babysitters network, to whom they have provided training in first aid and child development.
Ballyhea Pre-school Group is addressing various needs within the community.
Primarily:
• The playgroup provides childcare and time for parents to engage in part-time employment, education or training.
• The playgroup aims to increase contact between parents and thus help alleviate the rural isolation experienced by many.
• Another of our major roles is to provide a social outlet for small children before the national school years.
Ballyhea National School Parent Association
Set up in 2004 mostly by Parents who had been involved with the establishment of Ballyhea Childcare Ltd. Formatively it’s function has been to fundraise for the National School but in recent years it has expanded incorporate information evenings for parents and encouraging healthier lifestyles by supporting the School’s Health Eating Policy and organizing events to encouraging children to exercise more.
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is situated on the main N20
N20 road
The N20 road is a national primary road in Ireland, connecting the cities of Cork and Limerick. Buttevant, Croom, Charleville, Mallow and Blarney are major towns along the route...
Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
–Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
road
Roads in Ireland
The island of Ireland, comprising Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, has an extensive network of tens of thousands of kilometres of public roads, usually surfaced. These roads have been developed and modernised over centuries, from trackways suitable only for walkers and horses, to...
, south of Charleville
Charleville, County Cork
Charleville or Ráth Luirc is a town in north County Cork, Ireland, situated in Ireland's Golden Vale, near the border with County Limerick. It is located on the "Glen" tributary river, which flows into the Maigue River in Co. Limerick...
. The parish has approximately 1,000 inhabitants.
Ballyhea covers a wide area and has five graveyards. These indicate the five parishes of Aglishdrinagh, Ardskeagh, Ballyhea (Ballyhay) Cooline, and Imprick which make up the area the Ballyhea means place of Aodb or Aedh. Aodb had his residence in the 900's in the townland known as Lisballyhea. His clan was one of the earliest to settle in the area.
Religion
There is one Roman Catholic church, St. Mary's, and a relatively modern cemetery, along with an older cemetery off the Limerick Road. There is also an older Catholic church in the graveyard in Ballyhea (Ballyhay), built circa 1200 by the Norman family De Cogans. It ceased religious service circa 1800 and has fallen into ruin over the last 200 yearsFeatures
The main estate in the area was one of a group owned by the Geraldines. Known as Castle Dod(d) even today some people refer to the area as Castle Dodd, there is a ruined Norman castle in the area of Castleharrison the family home of the Harrisons related to the O'Grady Family of Killballowen, Bruff. The old name for this estate was Castle Dodd it was leased to the Harrisons in 1750. The Castle was added to make up Castle Harrison Mansion. By the 1950s it was in disuse, the land having been acquired by the Land Commission. The "Great House" burnt down in 1957.GAA
The GAA club in Ballyhea has been in existence for over 115 years, being formed in 1884. During its history the club has won County Championships in Senior, Intermediate, Junior and Juvenile Hurling. In recent years a Camogie Club has been set up and two County Titles have already been won by this fledgling club. All-Ireland Hurling medals have come to the parish at most grades with the two Senior medals , in 1986 Johnny O Callaghan and 1999 Neil Ronan. More information can be found at [www.ballyheagaa.com].Facilities and Amenities
It has a series of marked Mountain walk ways at Ballinboola and is part of the Ballyhoura Trail. There is a large artificial lake (40 acres), created by the extraction of gravel, with range of wild life. This lake is at present is privately owned.It is on the main Limerick - Cork bus route with a stop adjacent to the local Parish Church. The nearby town Charleville has a station on Cork - Dublin (aka the Great Southern Line) Railway line. Ballyhea Covers quite a large physical area with its population spread throughout. It borders - Newtown Shandrum, Charleville, Ardpatrick, Effin, Churchtown, Liscarroll and Buttevant.
There has been a pilot cycle/walk route created from Ballyhea National School to Charleville and if successful it is anticipated that this will lead to the establishment of a number of routes in the Ballyhea/Charleville area.
Commercial / Industrial development
The greater Ballyhea area has a variety of businesses the largest being Lidl Warehouse of the N20 at Pike Cross, and Charleville Foods (aka Galtee Meats and Horgans). There are a number of SME in the area involved mostly in construction or related industries.Community Groups
Ballyhea Community CouncilLike many of its contemporaries Ballyhea Community Councils evolved in the 1970s from Munitir Na Tire Group.
They have meetings approximately 8 meetings a year. The AGM normally takes place in October. Amongst many activities they are involved in they organise and runs a Christmas meal for the elderly of the Parish every year.
Ballyhea Childcare Ltd.
A group of concerned parents came together September 2000 to address Childcare needs within Ballyhea and its hinterland and from this the Ballyhea Pre-school Group was formed. A Parent & Toddler Group was started within the first month of the group's existence and has been running successfully since. In Summer 2002 it created a Babysitters network, to whom they have provided training in first aid and child development.
Ballyhea Pre-school Group is addressing various needs within the community.
Primarily:
• The playgroup provides childcare and time for parents to engage in part-time employment, education or training.
• The playgroup aims to increase contact between parents and thus help alleviate the rural isolation experienced by many.
• Another of our major roles is to provide a social outlet for small children before the national school years.
Ballyhea National School Parent Association
Set up in 2004 mostly by Parents who had been involved with the establishment of Ballyhea Childcare Ltd. Formatively it’s function has been to fundraise for the National School but in recent years it has expanded incorporate information evenings for parents and encouraging healthier lifestyles by supporting the School’s Health Eating Policy and organizing events to encouraging children to exercise more.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland