Ballincollig

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Ballincollig
Baile an Chollaigh

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
51°53′18″N 8°35′14″W / 51.888306, -8.587275

Irish grid reference
W553699

Statistics

Population (2006)

16,308

Ballincollig (Irish: Baile an Chollaigh) is a satellite town in Metropolitan Cork about 8 km west of Cork in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. It is located beside the River Lee on the R608 from Ballincollig to Cork City. The population of Ballincollig DED is 16,308 (Census 2006)^[1]. The nearest towns include: Ovens, Killumney, Inniscarra, Blarney (Home of the famous Blarney Stone), and Tower. It is near the Cork suburbs of Bishopstown and Wilton.

1 History
2 Churches
3 Amenities
4 Places of interest
5 Transport & communications
6 Sport
7 See also
8 References
9 External links

[edit] History

Ballincollig Castle

The Barrett family (after whom the barony which contains Ballincollig is named) built Ballincollig Castle during the reign of Edward III. The castle was taken from Andrew Barrett by rebels in 1641, but they were expelled by English Parliamentary forces under Murrough O'Brien Earl Inchiquinn, in 1645. It was garrissioned for James II in 1689, during the Williamite war in Ireland then remained unoccupied after his defeat, and fell into decay.

The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills were opened in 1794 by Charles Henry Leslie, a prominent Cork businessman. Eleven years later, they were bought by the British, who were preparing for war with Napoleon, and the barracks were built to protect the supply of gunpowder. In 1837, the mill employed several hundred workers, and by 1880, Ballincollig was one of the largest industrial establishments in Cork, with the mill employing around many men and boys from the area.

With the closure of the Gunpowder Mills in the early 1900s, Ballincollig became little more than a small village on the road from Cork City to the larger market town of Macroom. The 3rd Royal Munster Fusiliers (Reserve) Battalion were stationed there during the Great War. Other Regiments stationed in the Barracks before it was decommissioned were 1 Field Artillery Regiment and 8 Field Artillery Regiment (FCÁ).^[2] The recently decommissioned Murphy Barracks was a major source of employment. In the 1970s, Ballincollig developed as much more of a satellite town, with many housing developments constructed around the old village, and housing people who worked in Cork City or its suburbs. This expansion continued through the late 80's and really took off in the late 90s and consequently the town's population has risen dramatically, particularly with the westward expansion of the town.

St. Mary's and St. John's Church as seen from Station Road

[edit] Churches

Two Catholic churches are located in the town. The modern 'Church of Christ Our Light' is located on the west side of the town, while the old 'Church of St Mary and St John' is located near the centre of the town, on Station Road.^[3]

The Bible Baptist Church meets Sundays and Wednesdays in the Westgate Foundation on the west end of town. The church is associated with the Cork Bible Institute and other Gospel ministries.^[4]

Other religious groups including Hindus, Sihks, and Orthodox Greeks also have services at various locations in Ballincollig.

[edit] Amenities

Among the amenities located in Ballincollig are included a library, a multiplex cinema, playgrounds, 3 shopping centres and a large park (Ballincollig Regional Park). A new shopping centre opened in October 2005.^[5] Ballincollig is home to a several creches, four primary schools, and two secondary schools and most recently children's activity centre and synthetic skating rink, Supernova, which offers skating on a plastic surface. The Oriel Hotel and Leisure Centre offers facilites including swimming pool, gym and classes such as Circuits.

[edit] Places of interest

The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills along with its visitor centre / museum is to be found on the north side of the town. Some buildings in the Gunpowder Mills are now in disrepair but the area is still open for walks.

[edit] Transport & communications

As a satellite town of Cork, public transport links to the town are relatively frequent. A bypass road around the town was opened in September 2004, and reduces journey times from Cork to Killarney on the N22 and reduces traffic volumes through the town centre.

There was a rail line running from Station House (at the south end of Station Road) to Cork, that has been unused for decades. Local politicians have voiced plans to build a metro system to service the growing needs of the town..^[6] Ballincollig railway station was opened on 12 May 1866, closed to passenger traffic on 1 July 1935, closed to goods traffic on 10 March 1947 and finally closed altogether on 1 December 1953.^[7]

The nearest airport is Cork International Airport.

[edit] Sport

Active sports clubs in the town include: Ballincollig Athletic Club, Ballincollig Basketball Club, Ballincollig G.A.A., Belvedere Hockey Club, Ballincollig Soccer Club, and Ballincollig RFC.