Ballynafeigh

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Ballynafeigh (Irish: Baile na Faiche; meaning townland of the raven) is a ward located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This south Belfast suburb is located on the mid Ormeau Road, beyond the bridge of the River Lagan. The area gets its name from the Irish Baile na Faiche, meaning town(land) of the raven. About 8,000 people live in the greater Ballynafeigh area. It is home to many great bars, restaurants, cafe's and countless corner shops.

It is considered to be an excellent example of a stable mixed community; and is being studied in order to help understand key factors in developing stable mixed communities. These include Protestant, Roman Catholic, Muslim, Chinese, Indian, and more recently Eastern Europeans, such as Polish people.

Two very important elements in maintaining this stability in the area are Ballynafeigh Community Development Association [BCDA], established in 1974, and Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship. Both have worked through the conflict to establish and develop strong links between identity groups in the area and to ensure that the locality thrives.

Tension can arise around the 12 July, with a large number of the Protestant community put up Union Jack and Red Hand of Ulster flags, which can be seen as offensive to other members of the community. Within the Protestant community there is the Ballynafeigh Apprentice Boys Flute Band. They have been stopped, however, from marching down the Lower Ormeau Road by concerned nationalist groups who feel it is totally unnecessary. In the Catholic community there are many Gaelic football clubs, there is also Rosario Youth Club which is famous for its football.