Ballyfermot
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Ballyfermot (Baile Formaid in Irish) is a predominantly working-class suburb in south west Dublin, Ireland. It is approximately 8 kilometers from the city centre, and lies just south of the Phoenix Park. It is bordered to the north by Chapelizod, to the south by Walkinstown. Other adjoining or nearby suburbs are Inchicore, Palmerstown, Clondalkin, Neilstown, and Bluebell.
The name comes originally from the Irish Baile Diarmuid (town of Dermot), after a Celtic chieftain who owned the land in the 12th century. The 19th century ghost-story writer Sheridan Le Fanu may have lived in the area. Le Fanu Road is named after him.
The best-known road in Ballyfermot is Kylemore Road, the address for many large companies and industrial estates.
Some notable people coming from Ballyfermot are RTÉ presenter Joe Duffy, TV presenter Lorraine Keane, the folk group The Fureys, musician and singer/songwriter Declan O'Rourke, fiddle player Steve Wickham of The Waterboys, research scientist Joseph Ó Ruanaidh and convicted drug criminal John Gilligan.
Ballyfermot is also home to Ballyfermot College of Further Education, which runs a music performance course (also known as the rock school). Notable graduates from the rock school include Damien Dempsey, Eurovision star Mickey Joe Harte and Mundy
[edit] Sport
Ballyfermot soccer club Cherry Orchard take part in the FAI Carlsberg Senior Cup competition. Many players who got their start in this team have gone on to play professional football in the English Premier Division and and lower leagues. Andy Reid of Charlton Athletic, Willo Flood of Cardiff City, Alan Quinn of Sheffield United and Glenn Whelan of Sheffield Wednesday played for Cherry Orchard. Seán O'Connor, a local Ballyfermot footballer, plays for Saint Patrick's Athletic in the League of Ireland Premier League.
Other local soccer clubs include Black Diamonds F.C., C.I.E. Ranch, OLV Football Club and Ballyfermot United.
Ballyfermot also has 2 Gaelic Athletic Association clubs. Ballyfermot De La Salle, (formed in 1953 as Ballyfermot Gaels) play their games in Glenaulin Park. They have 2 senior teams, the first and second team, which play in Dublin's AFL Division 6 and Division 11 respectivly.
Liffey Gaels are also based in Ballyfermot, and play their home games in East Timor Park, Sarsfield Road.
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