Ballybane (Irish: An Baile Bán, meaning 'the white homestead') is a suburb of Galway city in County Galway, Ireland.[1][2][3] Ballybane is an ill-defined area, but is roughly bounded by the Old Dublin Road (R338) to the south, Mervue to the west, Ballybrit to the north, and Doughiska to the east.
Ballybane
An Baile Bán | |
|---|---|
Suburb | |
 A housing estate in Ballybane | |
  Ballybane Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 53°17′03″N 9°00′23″W / 53.28413°N 9.00633°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | County Galway |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
History
editAs of the 2020s, there were a number of reports of antisocial behaviour in the area.[2][3][4][5]
In January 2024, as part of Irish anti-immigration protests, a demonstration was held in Ballybane by local residents in opposition to the planned introduction of 150 refugees in the locality.[6] Locals complained that they weren't consulted in the plans.[6]
Education
editThe Galway city branch of the Atlantic Technological University (formerly GMIT until April 2022) is located at the southern end of the suburb, next to the Old Dublin Road. Owing to its proximity, many students live in the Ballybane area, and student residences have been built, such as Glasán Student Village.[7]
The Ballybane Community Resource Centre offers community education courses, including in subjects such as cookery, yoga, beauty courses and D.I.Y.[8]
Facilities
editBallybane Shopping Centre is located in the suburb. Until November 2021, a branch of Irish supermarket Joyce's existed onsite until the chain was purchased by Tesco Ireland.[9][10]
A pub named the Lantern Bar operated in Ballybane until 2019 when it was closed following complaints and incidents in which Garda Síochána (Irish police) callouts were required.[4] A 2022 news article, on GalwayBeo, suggested that the pub "could reopen soon".[4]
St. Brigid's Catholic church is located off Castlepark Road.[11]
Community groups in the locality include a men's shed[12] and Ballybane community garden.[8] Ballybane is also the site of one of only three libraries that are operated by Galway City Council in the environs of the city.[13]
Notable residents
editFormer or current residents of the suburb have included:
- Baba Adeeko (born 2003), Irish professional footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic
- Michael Faherty (1934–2010), Ballybane pensioner who died in Ireland's first reputed case of death by spontaneous human combustion.[14][15][16]
- Gerry Healy (1913–1989), Irish-born British political activist, was born in Ballybane
See also
edit- St James' GAA
- Merlinpark Castle, a nearby castle dating from the 12th century
References
edit- ^ "Galway city suburbs summary map". galwaytransport.info. GalwayTransport.info. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ a b Sassone, Erika (19 May 2023). "Galway's 'seven roughest areas' as people warn tourist identifying spots to 'watch out for'". GalwayBeo. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ a b Kelly, Briain (15 October 2018). "Ballybane is the most heavily littered urban area in Ireland". Galway Daily. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Sassone, Erika (7 September 2022). "Notorious Irish pub closed by court for being 'out of control' reopening as works underway". GalwayBeo. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Berry, Darragh; McCarron, Jamie (18 November 2024). "Army and gardai evacuate Galway houses as video shows 'suspected bomb' planted". GalwayBeo. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ a b Telford, Thomas (15 January 2024). "LIVE: 'Angry' Galway residents 'have enough' as protests kick off over alleged asylum centre". GalwayBeo. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Home Page". glasan.com. Glasán Student Village. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Ballybane Mervue: The Ballybane Mervue Local Community Development Office". gcp.ie. Galway City Partnership. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Slattery, Laura (30 November 2021). "Tesco Ireland buys Galway supermarket business Joyce's". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Fanneran, Vinny (10 November 2022). "Irish shopping centre store reopens as photos show brand new shop drawing huge crowds". GalwayBeo. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "St. Brigid's Parish Ballybane, Galway. Welcome, Fáilte, Ekabo". stbrigidsparishballybane.com. stbrigidsparishballybane.com. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Ballybane Men's Shed". menssheds.ie. Irish Men's Sheds Association. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "Where is the library in Galway City? There are three libraries in Galway City:". galwaycity.ie. Galway City Council. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "'First Irish case' of death by spontaneous combustion". BBC News. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ McDonald, Brian (20 May 2020). "Man died from spontaneous human combustion, inquest finds". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ Ensor, Josie (23 September 2011). "Irish pensioner 'died of spontaneous human combustion'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2011.