Ballyporeen

Ballyporeen (Irish: Beál Átha Poirín) is a village of 295 inhabitants in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is located within the local government area of South Tipperary, formerly known as "South Riding". It lies in a valley between the Galtee Mountains to the north and the Knockmealdowns to the south. The River Duag runs through the village. The nearest large towns are Mitchelstown and Cahir.

Ballyporeen is most well-known for being the ancestral home of United States President Ronald Reagan. His grandfather, Michael Regan (who changed the spelling of his name later on), was baptized in the town in 1828 and lived there until his emigration to the United States in the 1860s. President Reagan visited the town in 1984 and delivered a speech to its residents, during which he discussed his ancestry and what he called the "Irish-American tradition".

The Reagan visit to Ireland was accompanied by some protest, the main focus of which was US foreign policy, particularly Reagan's backing of the Contras in Nicaragua and Honduras. Irish folk singer Christy Moore recorded the song "Hey Ronnie Reagan" in protest to Reagan's visit. The song was written by University College Cork lecturer and peace campaigner Professor John Maguire.

The town is home to the Ronald Reagan Visitor Centre. This visitor centre was constructed shortly after Reagan's visit and operated by the Irish Tourist Board but is now closed because of a lack of tourists. The building is now used as a community centre. The village was previously home to The Ronald Reagan pub. While the building still stands, the Ronald Reagan Pub has closed and transferred its fittings and the famous sign to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Santa Barbara, California.

Ballyporeen is also home to the singer/songwriter Gemma Hayes whose hits include "Back of my Hand" from her debut album "Night on my Side" which was released to critical acclaim.

Skeheenarinky is a small community located within the parish of Ballyporeen. Ballyporeen and Skeheenarinky co-operate in areas such as Gaelic games and the Catholic church. The Gaelic football club is known as "Ballyporeen Football Club". The hurling club known as "Skeheenarinky Hurling Club". The Catholic Church and Priest based in Ballyporeen service both communities.

Sporting Facilities: Two Gaelic Games Fields (hurling/football), football field, two Gaelic Handball courts (60x40 and 40x20 indoor courts).

External links

* [http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/ Ronald Reagan Presidential Library]
* [http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/60384a.htm Remarks to the Citizens of Ballyporeen, Ireland] - text of Reagan's speech in 1984
* [http://www.skeheenarinky.com/ Skeheenarinky.com - Community Website]