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Ballincollig

Coordinates: 51°53′16.54″N 8°35′21.44″W / 51.8879278°N 8.5892889°W / 51.8879278; -8.5892889
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ballincollig
Baile an Chollaigh
Town
Ballincollig Castle
Ballincollig Castle
Ballincollig is located in Ireland
Ballincollig
Ballincollig
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 51°53′16.54″N 8°35′21.44″W / 51.8879278°N 8.5892889°W / 51.8879278; -8.5892889
CountryIreland
ProvinceMunster
CountyCork
Government
 • TypeCork City Council
 • Dáil ÉireannCork North-Central
 • European ParliamentSouth
Elevation
70 ft (20 m)
Population
 (2016)[1][2]
18,621
Time zoneUTC±0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (IST)
Eircode routing key
P31
Telephone area code+353(0)21
Irish Grid ReferenceW595708
Websiteballincollig.ie
Map of Ballincollig

Ballincollig (Irish: Baile an Chollaigh)[8] is a suburban town within the administrative area of Cork city in the Republic of Ireland. It is located on the western side of Cork city, beside the River Lee on the R608 road. In 2016 it was the largest town in County Cork, at which time the Ballincollig Electoral Division had a population of 18,621 people.[1] It is located beyond the green belt from the suburbs of Bishopstown and Wilton. Historically home to the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills which is now a Regional Park, the town has seen much growth in recent years as a satellite of Cork city. In 2024, Ballincollig was named the tidiest town in Ireland.[9]

Main Street in the late 19th century, and the view of the same houses in 2024

History

[edit]

Originally known as Maghmakeer as early as the 14th century, the town eventually came to be known after the Coll (or Cole) family who built Ballincollig Castle during the reign of Edward III, before selling it to the Barrett family in either 1468 or 1469.[10][11] The castle was taken from Andrew Barrett by rebels in 1641, but they were expelled by English Parliamentary forces under Murrough O'Brien, Earl Inchiquinn, in 1645. It was garrisoned for James II in 1689, during the Williamite war in Ireland, then remained unoccupied after his defeat, and fell into decay.

The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills were opened in 1794 by Charles Henry Leslie, a prominent Cork businessman. Eleven years later, the mills were bought by the British, who were preparing for war with Napoleon, and the barracks were built to protect the supply of gunpowder. It was one of the largest gunpowder mills in the British Isles. In 1837, the mill employed several hundred workers, and by 1880, Ballincollig was one of the largest industrial establishments in Cork, with the mill employing many men and boys from the area.

With the closure of the Gunpowder Mills in the early 1900s, Ballincollig became little more than a small village on the road from Cork city to the larger market town of Macroom. The 3rd Royal Munster Fusiliers (Reserve) Battalion were stationed there during the Great War. Other Regiments stationed in the Barracks before it was decommissioned were 1st Field Artillery Regiment and 8th Field Artillery Regiment (FCÁ). The recently decommissioned Murphy Barracks was a major source of employment. In the 1970s, Ballincollig developed as much more of a satellite town, with many housing developments constructed around the old village, and housing people who worked in Cork city or its suburbs. This expansion continued through the late 80s and 90s. Consequently, the town's population has risen dramatically, particularly with the westward expansion of the town and Ballincollig grew to be largest town in the county.

In 2019, as part of the boundary expansion of Cork City, Ballincollig was brought within the administrative area of Cork City Council.[12]

Religion

[edit]

Two Catholic churches are located in the town. The modern 'Church of Christ Our Light' (designed by a local architectural firm) is located on the west side of the town, while the old 'Church of St Mary and St John' is located near the centre of the town, on Station Road.[13]

The Bible Baptist Church meets in the Westgate Foundation on the west end of town. The church is associated with the Cork Bible Institute and other Gospel ministries.[14]

Other religious groups including Hindus, Sikhs, and Greek Orthodox also have services at various locations in Ballincollig.[citation needed]

Demographics

[edit]

As of the 2011 census, Ballincollig was 87% Catholic, 7% other religions, 5% no religion, with 1% not stated. Ethnically, the town is 83% white Irish, 10% other white, 3% black, 2% Asian, 1% other, and 1% not stated.[15]

Amenities

[edit]

The amenities located in Ballincollig include a library, a multiplex cinema, playgrounds and shopping centres.[16] Ballincollig Regional Park, a large park which includes the former gunpowder mill site, contains a number structures and canals associated with its former industrial use.[17] The 135-acre (55-hectare) park contains several sports pitches, a playground and a series of marked trails.[18]

Ballincollig is home to several crèches, five primary schools, and two secondary schools. The two secondary schools in Ballincollig are Coláiste Choilm and Ballincollig Community School. Ballincollig Community School is located in West Ballincollig and is next to the 'Church of Christ Our Light'. Coláiste Choilm is located in East Ballincollig and is near a doctor's practice and the town centre of Ballincollig. Two of the primary schools, Scoil Eoin and Scoil Mhuire, are located in the town centre near St Mary's and St John's church.[19] Three of the primary schools, Scoil Barra, Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin and Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin are located outside the centre. Several of the area's schools are Gaelscoileanna (Irish-speaking schools), providing for a large number of pupils who learn through the Irish language in the area.[20]

In 2018, 2023 and 2024, the town won the "Large Urban Centre" category at the annual Tidy Towns awards.[21] In 2024, it was named the tidiest town in Ireland.[22]

Places of interest

[edit]
Outdoor fitness equipment in Ballincollig Regional Park

Ballincollig Regional Park, incorporating parts of the former Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills,[23] is on the north side of the town, along the River Lee. The 20-acre park contains a number of walking and cycling routes.[24]

The grave of Rory Gallagher is located at St Oliver's Cemetery just outside Ballincollig. His headstone is a replica of an award he received in 1972 for International Guitarist of The Year.

The Coolroe Lime Kiln is an example of the historic quarrying in the Coolroe area of the town.[25]

Transport & communications

[edit]

Rail

[edit]

The Cork to Macroom rail line served Station House (at the south end of Station Road). Ballincollig railway station was opened on 12 May 1866, closed due to passenger traffic on 1 July 1935, closed due to goods traffic on 10 March 1947 and finally closed altogether on 1 December 1953.[26]

A number of proposals, such as the 'Project Ireland 2040' transport plan, include a potential feasibility study into a possible suburban light rail project in the area connecting Ballincollig to Mahon point via UCC and Cork city centre.[27][28]

Bus

[edit]

Ballincollig is served by a number of Bus Éireann bus routes. These include route 220 (to Carrigaline, via UCC, Cork city centre, and Douglas), route 220X, (similar route via the Lee Fields rather than Bishopstown), and route 233 (Cork city centre to Macroom via Ballincollig).

Roads

[edit]

Ballincollig was situated on the N22 from Cork to Tralee. A bypass around the town was opened in September 2004, which resulted in reduced journey times from Cork to Killarney on the N22 and reduced traffic volumes through the town centre. The N40 starts on the eastern side of the town that continues as the Cork southern bypass. The N40 and N22 both share exit 1.

The former alignment of the N22 is now the R608 road which goes through the town centre.

Air

[edit]

The nearest airport is Cork Airport which is about 14 km away.

Clubs and sport

[edit]

Notable sports clubs in the town include: Ballincollig GAA Club and Ballincollig RFC. Mycro Sportsgear, which manufactures equipment for hurling, is based in Ballincollig.[29]

Notable people

[edit]
See also: Category:People from Ballincollig

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Ballincollig

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Census 2016 Sapmap Area: Electoral Division Ballincollig". Census 2016. Central Statistics Office. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Census 2016 results show Cork county population rose by 4.2%". The Corkman. Independent News & Media. 15 April 2017. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  3. ^ Census for post 1821 figures. Archived 20 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Histpop - The Online Historical Population Reports Website". www.histpop.org. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency - Census Home Page". Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  6. ^ Lee, J. J. (1981). "On the accuracy of the Pre-famine Irish censuses". In Goldstrom, J. M.; Clarkson, L. A. (eds.). Irish Population, Economy, and Society: Essays in Honour of the Late K. H. Connell. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press.
  7. ^ Mokyr, Joel; Ó Gráda, Cormac (November 1984). "New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700-1850". The Economic History Review. 37 (4): 473–488. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x. hdl:10197/1406.[dead link]
  8. ^ "Baile an Chollaigh/Ballincollig". Placenames Database of Ireland (logainm.ie). Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  9. ^ "TidyTowns 2024: Full list of winners as Ballincollig in Co Cork claims top prize". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  10. ^ MacCotter, Paul (2015). "Ballincollig's Medieval Origins" (PDF). Times Past 2014 - 2015, Journal of Muskerry Local History Society. 11: 3.
  11. ^ McCarthy, Philip (1985). "The Barretts and Ballincollig Castle" (PDF). Journal of the Ballincollig Community School Local History Society: 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2021. Ballincollig is entailed and was purchased in the 8th year of Edward IV from Robert Coll, a knight
  12. ^ "Cork City's footprint set to quadruple with boundary change". rte.ie. RTÉ. 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Ballincollig Roman Catholic Parish". Archived from the original on 28 March 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  14. ^ "Bible Baptist Church Ballincollig". Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  15. ^ "Cork County | All-Island Research Observatory". Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  16. ^ "Ballincollig County Cork Ireland Tourism Guide". Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. Retrieved 2 January 2008.
  17. ^ "Ballincollig Regional Park Development Plan" (PDF). Cork County Council. June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2014.
  18. ^ "Trails Map" (PDF). Cork County Council. June 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2015.
  19. ^ "Find a School - Result - Primary schools in County Cork". education.ie. Department of Education. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Enrolment at Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí". Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  21. ^ Kiely, Marguerite (18 October 2023). "Ballincollig celebrates SuperValu Tidy Towns success". Cork Independent. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  22. ^ Connor, Dyane (1 November 2024). "Ballincollig in Co Cork named Ireland's tidiest town". RTÉ News. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  23. ^ "Visit Regional Park Ballincollig with Discover Ireland". Discover Ireland.
  24. ^ "There's a new path to jog or cycle at Ballincollig's Regional Park". Yay Cork. 8 August 2019.
  25. ^ "COOLROE, Ballincollig, CORK". Buildings of Ireland - National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
  26. ^ "Ballincollig station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2007.
  27. ^ "Plans for Northern Ring Road and LUAS for Cork announced". Evening Echo. 16 February 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  28. ^ "Minutes of Proceedings at Meeting of Cork County Council 26 February 2007". Cork County Council. 26 February 2007. Archived from the original (DOC) on 18 December 2007.
  29. ^ "Hurling helmet supplier Mycro posts €244k hike in profits". www.irishexaminer.com. 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  30. ^ "The fearless Samantha Barry: From Ballincollig in Cork to editor of Glamour". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. 1 June 2020. Archived from the original on 4 September 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Review: The Sultan of Zanzibar by Martyn Downer". independent.ie. Independent News & Media. 19 February 2011. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  32. ^ "The big interview: Ballincollig's James Cronin can soar for Munster in 2020". echolive.ie. The Echo. 26 December 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  33. ^ "Colin Healy's Celtic career: Old Firm mayhem, Super Caley and helping the Hoops to a treble in 2001". echolive.ie. The Echo. 6 June 2020. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  34. ^ "Irish RAF pilot Major Edward 'Mick' Mannock remembered in Glasnevin". Irish Times. 27 July 2018. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  35. ^ Bunbury, Turtle (2014). The Glorious Madness – Tales of the Irish and the Great War. Gill & Macmillan. ISBN 9780717166145. Mick Mannock [..] was born at Ballincollig Barracks in County Cork on 24 May 1887
  36. ^ "Puspure seals place at Games". Irish Times. 24 May 2012. Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
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