Ballyheigue

Ballyheigue (also spelled "Ballyheige," Irish: "Baile Uí Thaidhg") is a coastal village in County Kerry in the province of Munster, Ireland.

Geography

It is approximately km to mi | 18 | abbr=yes | precision=0 north of Tralee on the R551. It is a scenic resort town with many miles of beaches that connect to Banna Strand to the south, and Kerry Head to the north. The bay of Ballyheigue or Kerryhead which latter is situated in lat. 52° 24´ 40" (N.), and lon. 9° 54´ (W.). Ballyheigue is twinned with Gosné in Brittany, France.

Population

Ballyheigue has a total population of 2,035. This is made up of 1460 people from the Ballyheigue area and 575 people from the Kerryhead DED area(CSO 2006).

"Census"

Note: the Civil Parish of Ballyheigue ceased to be used for census purposes in the mid 19th century when District Electoral Divisions (DEDs) were introduced."

Ballyheigue comprises the DEDs of Ballyheigue and Kerryhead. [http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlker/bheige1.html See map of Ballyheigue and its townlands]

Ballyheigue DED includes the townlands of Ballinclemesig, Ballyheigue, Ballyronan, Booleenshere, Buncurrig, Caherulla, Castleshannon, Cloghanebane, Cloghaneleesh, Dirtane, Doonamontane, Dromgower, Glenlea, Heirhill, Knockane, Tiershanaghan and Toanreagh.

Kerryhead DED includes the townlands of Ballylongane, Dreenagh(The Ghetto), Dromatoor, Glandahalin East and West, Glenderry, Maulin and Tiduff.

History

The Cantillons came to Ireland in the wake of the invasion by Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke (in Wales), alias "Strongbow", the leading Cambro-Norman of the day, and with the consent of Henry II of England, who was also Duke of Normandy, and Count of Anjou.

Thadhg Cantillon gave Ballyheigue (Baile Uí Thaidhg) its name (Town of Thadhg). Another origin of the name may be explained by the fact that Ballyheigue is located near a beach which in old Irish is "traigh" modern tra.In the sixteenth century the Cantillon lands were confiscated by Elizabeth I and granted to the Crosbies. One of the Cantillon descendants who fled to France was recognised officially there as "Baron de Ballyheigue".

The village is overlooked by a castle built by the Crosbie family in 1812, the castle was burnt down by the Irish Republican Army during the War of Independence. The castle was allegedly haunted, and a paranormal appearance of a cavalier dubbing a visitor was recorded in June 1962 by Patrick Denis O'Donnell, who vacationed there. The appearance was linked to the famous Danish Silver Raid in 1731, as it occurred on its anniversary. The castle grounds have since been turned into a golf course.

GAA

Ballyheigue Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in 1892. The field which is named after John Joe O'Sullivan was purchased in the 1950s. Club rooms were later built in 1974. There is a new ball alley, dressing rooms and a meeting room which was opened in 2006. It is mainly a hurling club but has two under age football teams, under 12 and under 14. Ballyheigue has a great record of victories from under 10 two senior level.

Hurling Honours
*Senior County Senior Championship 1946, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2000
County Senior Hurling League (Div.1) 1996, 2002, 2005
North Kerry Senior Championship 1946, 1995, 1996, 1999
North Kerry Senior League 1991, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2007

*Intermediate County Intermediate Championship 1975
North Kerry Intermediate League 2007
North Kerry Intermediate Championship 1969, 1975

*Junior County Junior Championship 1915, 1933, 1946, 1992
North Kerry Junior Championship 1926

*U.21 County U.21 Championship 1980, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
North Kerry U.21 Championship 1979, 1980, 1984, 1994, 1995

*MinorCounty Minor Championship 1960, 1982, 1992
County Minor League (Div 1) 1991
North Kerry Minor Championship 1991, 1994, 1996

*U.16County Championship 1975, 1980, 1989, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000

*U.15County Championship 1979

*U.14County Championship 1988, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1997
Feile na Gael Championship 1977, 2000

*U.13North Kerry 1999

*U.12County Championship 1991, 2005

*U.10Blitz 1999, 2005

Football Honours
Novice Football Championship 1991
Junior County League (Div. 4) 2003
*U.12 St. Brendan’s League 2005

Famous residents

*The writer and painter Christy Brown ("My Left Foot"- Film version won two Oscars) was a resident of Ballyheigue.
*The military historian and writer, Patrick Denis O'Donnell, on vacation.
*Richard Cantillon, acknowledged by many historians as the first great economic "theorist" and who in 1734 introduced the term "entrepreneur" was born in Ballyheigue.

References

*"The Story of Ballyheigue", by Bryan MacMahon, published by Oidhreacht, Ballyheigue, County Kerry, May 1994 [ISBN 0-9517658-2-5]
*"The Crosbie Papers", including manuscripts relating to the "Danish Silver Raid", in documents of the "Estate of John Viscount Crosbie", NLI MS 5033, National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin.
*"New Light on the Golden Lion and the Danish Silver Robbery at Ballyheigue", by B. Mac Mahon, published in the Journal of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society. "Vol: 24 pp:113-149", 1991. Abstract: This article examines the robbery in 1731 of six chests of silver, part of the cargo of the 'Golden Lion' which was driven ashore at Ballyheigue during the previous year.
*"The Lively Ghosts of Ireland", by Hans Holzer, Wolfe Publishing Ltd., London, 1967, 1968, reprinted 1970. See Chapter on Ballyheigue, page 32, recalling earlier article in 1962 by Patrick Denis O'Donnell in "Ireland of the Welcomes".
*"North London Recording and Rehearsal Studios "Bally Studios", used by The Kinks, Coldplay, Snow Patrol and Shane McGowan & The Popes and Bernard Butler(Suede) got its name from Ballyheigue, as the manager's family is originally from the village.
*"Ballyheigue farm" in Hampden, Massachusetts is named after the North Kerry village. The farm is owned by John and Sheila Flynn. It was know as Dirtane farm for a period but was changed back to the original name 'Ballyheigue farm'.

Things to do

The sandy beach at Ballyheigue offers safe swimming and water sports and is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer months. Bass fishing is also a popular activity while rock fishing from nearby Kerry head can produce Mackerel, Pollock and Wrasse along with the occasional dogfish or conger eel.

Each summer a village festival is held and includes horse racing on the beach along with fun activities for families and children. Visit [http://www.ballyheigueonline.com ballyheigueonline] for details of dates and events.

A playground was opened in 2006. It is located beside the beach and contains equipment suitable for children of all ages.

The Beach and nearby Kerry head offer plenty of scenic terrain for walkers of all levels.

The local community centre also houses an Internet Cafe, Gym and laundry as well as providing local services.

Golfers can enjoy a testing challenge at the Ballyheigue Castle Golf Course. The 9 hole course is situated in the grounds of the old Crosby Castle estate and offers stunning views from every hole.

Public houses

Kirby's (KL), White Sands Hotel (Jimmy Browne's Pub), Reagan's, Flahive's, The Castle Arms, The Golf Club.

ee also

*List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

External links

* [http://www.claneire.com/connected/?com=ballyheigue Ballyheigue Online Website]
* [http://www.ballyheiguecastlegolfclub.com/ Ballyheigue Castle Golf Club]
* [http://homepage.tinet.ie/~ncasey/ Old Ballyheigue Page]
* [http://www.ballyheiguegaa.com/ Ballyheigue GAA Website]
* [http://homepage.eircom.net/~dinglemaps/genuki/KER/Ballyheigue/#Maps Other Ballyheigue Website]
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlker/bheige1.html Map of Ballyheigue & its townlands]
* [http://www.ballyheigue.com/ Ballyheigue Farm]
* [http://www.irelands-directory.com/Kerry/Ballyheigue/Tourism/photos.html/ Photos of Ballyheigue]