Ballykinler (Irish: Baile Coinnleora),[1] often transcribed as Ballykinlar, is a village and civil parish in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies 12 kilometres south west of Downpatrick, in the parish of Tyrella and Dundrum. In the 2001 census it had a population of 348 people. It is within the Newry, Mourne and Down area and runs parallel to the Irish Sea coast. Located within the Lecale Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the village is surrounded by low drumlins and marshes.[2] It is also the site of a former British Army base and internment camp known as Abercorn Barracks.
Ballykinlar
| |
|---|---|
 Commons Road | |
  Ballykinlar Location within County Down | |
| Population | 348 (2001 Census) |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Downpatrick |
| Postcode district | BT30 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
Etymology
editAt the time of the conquest of Ulster by John de Courcy around 1177, Ballykinlar was called Lesscummalscig. The tithes from the area went to Christ Church, Dublin to pay for wax candles hence it became from Irish Baile Coinnleora 'townland of the candles'.[3][4]
Amenities
editThe village has a shop and filling station.[5] Public houses in the area include The Four Roads Inn (2 miles from the village) and the Minerstown Tavern (3 miles to the east).[citation needed]
The preschool playgroup in the village has received some funding from the National Lottery.[6]
Visitors to the area include walkers and hikers on the Ballykinlar to Killough walk which passes the Blue Flag beach at Tyrella.[7] A nearby coastal path is maintained by the Ministry of Defence, although access is prohibited when shooting ranges are active.[8]
Transport
editBallykinlar Halt railway station was opened in March 1915, but closed on 16 January 1950.[9]
A regular bus service runs between Downpatrick and Ballykinlar, via Clough.
Sport
editBallykinlar has three sports pitches, including two changing facilities. It also has several association football teams.[citation needed]
The local Gaelic Athletic Association club, Ballykinlar GAA (Baile Choinnleora in Irish), was founded in 1932. The grounds for this Gaelic football club is named in memory of the Irish nationalist, trade unionist and journalist Tadhg Barry.[10][11]
Civil parish
editThe civil parish is in the historic barony of Lecale Upper and contains the settlement of Ballykinler.[12] The civil parish also contains the townlands of Ballykinler Lower, Ballykinler Middle, and Ballykinler Upper.[12]
See also
editBibliography
edit- Prisoners of War - Ballykinlar Internment Camp 1920-1921, Liam O'Duibhir 2013 ISBN 978 1 78117 0410
- The Ulster Defence Regiment: An Instrument of Peace?, Chris Ryder 1991 ISBN 0-413-64800-1
References
edit- ^ "Baile Coinnleora/Ballykinler". logainm.ie. Placenames Database of Ireland.
- ^ Ards Down Area Plan 2015 Down District Settlement Proposals (PDF) (Report). March 2009. p. 111. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2019.
- ^ Blair, Philip (2020). "Shining the Light on Ballykinlar". Lecale Review. 18: 47.
- ^ "Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla (Ó Dónaill): coinnleoir". www.teanglann.ie. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ "Ballykinler Filling Station". cylex-uk.co.uk.
- ^ "National Lottery announce funding for fourteen local projects". newry.ie. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "Ballykinlar-Killough". Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 17 June 2008.
- ^ "Ballykinler Ranges Bye-Laws" (PDF). Statutory orders. 1940. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ "Ballykinlar Halt" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
- ^ Ballykinlar, County Down, downgaa.net. Accessed 1 October 2022.
- ^ Ballykinlar, down.gaa.ie. Accessed 1 October 2022. Archived 19 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Ballykinler". IreAtlas Townlands Database. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
External links
edit- Drumaroad History (archived 2008)
- Ballykinler Catholic Church
- BFBS radio in Ballykinler on 107.5 fm (archived 2008)