Ballincollig (Irish: Baile an Chollaigh) is a satellite town in Metropolitan Cork approximately 8 km west of Cork city in County Cork, Ireland. It is located beside the River Lee on the R608 regional road. In 2006 the population of Ballincollig DED was 16,308.[6] The nearest towns include: Ballinora, Ovens, Killumney, Inniscarra, Blarney (home of the Blarney Stone), and Tower. It is near the Cork suburbs of Bishopstown and Wilton.
Ballincollig
Baile an Chollaigh | |
---|---|
Town | |
Ballincollig Castle | |
Country | |
Province | Munster |
County | County Cork |
Population (2006) | |
• Total | 16,308 |
Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
Irish Grid Reference | W553699 |
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1841 | 1,287 | — |
1851 | 789 | −38.7% |
1861 | 917 | +16.2% |
1871 | 524 | −42.9% |
1881 | 1,130 | +115.6% |
1891 | 836 | −26.0% |
1901 | 746 | −10.8% |
1911 | 815 | +9.2% |
1926 | 220 | −73.0% |
1936 | 260 | +18.2% |
1946 | 300 | +15.4% |
1951 | 986 | +228.7% |
1956 | 1,105 | +12.1% |
1961 | 1,151 | +4.2% |
1966 | 1,246 | +8.3% |
1971 | 2,110 | +69.3% |
1981 | 7,231 | +242.7% |
1986 | 10,522 | +45.5% |
1991 | 12,124 | +15.2% |
1996 | 13,288 | +9.6% |
2002 | 14,591 | +9.8% |
2006 | 15,760 | +8.0% |
[1][2][3][4][5] |
History
The Barrett family (after whom the barony which contains Ballincollig is named) built Ballincollig Castle during the reign of Edward III. 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. 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 1 Field Artillery Regiment and 8 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.
Churches
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.[7]
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.[8]
Other religious groups including Hindus, Sikhs, and Greek Orthodox also have services at various locations in Ballincollig.
Amenities
The amenities located in Ballincollig include a library, a multiplex cinema, playgrounds, shopping centres[9] and a large park (Ballincollig Regional Park). Ballincollig is home to several creches, four primary schools, and two secondary schools. More recently a children's activity centre has been established with a synthetic skating rink, Supernova, which offers skating on a plastic surface. The Oriel Hotel and Leisure Centre offers facilities including a swimming pool, gym and related classes.
The two secondary schools in Ballincollig are Coláiste Choilm and Ballincollig Community School (B.C.S) which are located near the two opposite ends of the town. B.C.S is located in West Ballincollig and is next to the 'Church of Christ Our Light' and Scoil Barra (primary school). Coláiste Choilm is located in East Ballincollig and is near a doctor's practice and the main town of Ballincollig. Scoil Eoin and Scoil Mhuire (primary schools) are located near St Mary's and St John's church.
Places of interest
The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills along with its visitor centre / museum is to be found on the north side of the town. Some buildings in the Gunpowder Mills are now in disrepair but the area is still open to walkers.
The grave of Rory Gallagher is located at St Oliver's Cemetery, on the Model Farm Road, just outside Ballincollig. His headstone is a replica of an award he received in 1972 for International Guitarist of The Year.
Transport & communications
As a satellite town of Cork, public transport links to the town are relatively frequent. A bypass road around the town was opened in September 2004, and reduced journey times from Cork to Killarney on the N22 and reduced traffic volumes through the town centre.
There was a rail line running from Station House (at the south end of Station Road) to Cork, that has been unused for decades. Local politicians have voiced plans to build a metro system to service the growing needs of the town.[10] Ballincollig railway station was opened on 12 May 1866, closed to passenger traffic on 1 July 1935, closed to goods traffic on 10 March 1947 and finally closed altogether on 1 December 1953.[11]
The nearest airport is Cork Airport.
Sport
Active sports clubs in the town include: Ballincollig Athletic Club, Ballincollig Basketball Club, Ballincollig GAA Club, Belvedere Hockey Club, Ballincollig Soccer Club,[12] Ballincollig RFC and a Muay Thai club.[13]
See also
References
- ^ Census for post 1821 figures.
- ^ http://www.histpop.org
- ^ http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/census
- ^ Lee, JJ (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.
- ^ Mokyr, Joel; O Grada, Cormac (November). "New Developments in Irish Population History, 1700-1850". The Economic History Review. Volume 37 (Issue 4): 473–488. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0289.1984.tb00344.x.
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- ^ Ballincollig Roman Catholic Parish
- ^ Bible Baptist Church Ballincollig
- ^ Ballincollig County Cork Ireland Tourism Guide
- ^ Minutes of Proceedings at Meeting of Cork County Council 26th February 2007
- ^ "Ballincollig station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
- ^ http://ballincolligafc.net/
- ^ http://www.spartanthaiballincollig.com