Ballyliffin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ballyliffin (Baile Liffin) is a small village located in the North Western tip of Inishowen.
The surrounding landscapes are highly picturesque, with the village being encapsulated by Pollan Strand, Binion hill and Crockaughrim hill.
Ballyliffin is the birthplace of "The Heretic" John Toland, who coined the ideals of Pantheism. Folklore tells us that John Toland exchanged his soul for a book of wisdom on Binion hill, in a Faustian pact with the devil. It is now understood that these stories are derived from Toland's stance opposing the Catholic church.
Local history of the area is covered in Charles McGlinchey's publication, The Last of the Name. It includes accounts of feuds between landlords and tenants, battles and other nuances.
A small island off Pollan Bay called Glashedy is located roughly one mile off the coast. The English translation of the name is the Island of the Green Cloak derived from the layer of grass present on the top. Throughout the ages various ships have become wrecked near to the island, which provide rich fishing grounds and also contributed the rat population to the island.
Ballyliffin also has two 18 holes golf courses. Among Nick Faldo's favourite links courses, the courses were designed by top course designers. An "equalitarian" quality of the course is that it has reasonable annual membership fees, many of its members are on social services and unemployed. These members can be found playing beside highly paid executives.
