Ballymacash

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Ballymacash is a housing estate in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

Previously a village, George Camlin wrote of it:

Dear Ballymacash, my native place

In thee I spent my early days

Though many years have passed since then

It gives me joy to sing your praise,

Your fine green fields hills and meadows broad,

Your groves and walks and rivers clear,

Where many happy hours I played

With those to whom my heart were dear.

Ballymacash no longer resembles this, as it is now a large housing estate.

The area is known locally for its yearly bonfire, lit on the green in the middle of the estate. The bonfire is an attraction to some with hundreds of people crowding the estate to watch the blaze, which is known to burn on for days after it is lit. [1]

The bonfire takes place around The Twelfth (an annual holiday commemorating Battle of the Boyne). As such, there are strong sectarian overtones to the event.

The Canadian businessman and politician William Workman was born in the area.