Ballyheigue

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Kerry Head

Ballyheigue (Irish: Baile Uí Thaidhg) is a coastal village in County Kerry in the province of Munster, Ireland. For local information visit the Ballyheigue Online website Ballyheigue is famous for its Blue Flag beach and its extraordinary views of the ocean,the mountains of the Dingle peninsula.

1 Geography
2 Population
3 History
4 Famous residents
5 References
6 Things to do
7 Public Houses
8 External links

[edit] Geography

It is approximately 11 miles (18 kilometres) north of Tralee on the R551 road. 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.

View from Kerryhead, Sunset on the Atlantic and Mt. Brandon

[edit] Population

Ballyheigue has a total population of 2,035. This is made up of 1460 people from the Ballyheigue DED 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 nineteenth century when District Electoral Associated Divisions (DEDs) were introduced.

Ballyheigue comprises the DEDs of Ballyheigue and Kerryhead. See map of Ballyheigue and it's 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, Dromatoor, Glandahalin East and West, Glenderry, Maulin and Tiduff.

[edit] 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.

Ballyheigue Castle

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 town is overlooked by a castle built by the Crosbie family in 1812, the castle was burnt down by the "old" IRA 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. Its grounds have since been turned into a renowned golf course, unfortunately following the destruction of much of the old castle's facade by the developers.

[edit] 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.

The cover of the film My Left Foot, based on Brown's life

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 Kerryhead 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 ballyheigueonlinefor 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 Kerryhead 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.