Ballincollig Baile an Chollaigh | |
---|---|
Town | |
Coordinates: 51°53′16.54″N8°35′21.44″W / 51.8879278°N 8.5892889°W | |
Country | Ireland |
Province | Munster |
County | Cork |
Government | |
• Type | Cork City Council |
• Dáil Éireann | Cork North-West |
• European Parliament | South |
Elevation | 70 ft (20 m) |
Population | 18,621 |
Time zone | UTC±0 (WET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (IST) |
Eircode routing key | P31 |
Telephone area code | +353(0)21 |
Irish Grid Reference | W595708 |
Website | ballincollig |
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1841 | 1,287 | — |
1851 | 789 | −38.7% |
1861 | 917 | +16.2% |
1871 | 524 | −42.9% |
1881 | 1,130 | +115.6% |
1891 | 836 | −26.0% |
1901 | 746 | −10.8% |
1911 | 815 | +9.2% |
1926 | 220 | −73.0% |
1936 | 260 | +18.2% |
1946 | 300 | +15.4% |
1951 | 986 | +228.7% |
1956 | 1,105 | +12.1% |
1961 | 1,151 | +4.2% |
1966 | 1,246 | +8.3% |
1971 | 2,110 | +69.3% |
1981 | 7,231 | +242.7% |
1986 | 10,522 | +45.5% |
1991 | 12,124 | +15.2% |
1996 | 13,288 | +9.6% |
2002 | 14,591 | +9.8% |
2006 | 15,760 | +8.0% |
2011 | 17,368 | +10.2% |
2016 | 18,621 | +7.2% |
[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [1] |
Ballincollig (Irish : Baile an Chollaigh) [8] is a suburban town within the administrative area of Cork city in Ireland. It is located on the western side of Cork city, beside the River Lee on the R608 regional road. In 2016 it was the largest town in County Cork, at which time the Ballincollig Electoral Division had a population of 18,621 people. [1] It is located beyond the green belt from the suburbs of Bishopstown and Wilton. Historically home to the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills which is now a Regional Park, the town has seen much growth in recent years as a satellite of Cork City. Ballincollig is within the Cork North-West Dáil constituency.
Originally known as Maghmakeer as early as the 14th century, the town eventually came to be known after the Coll (or Cole) family who built Ballincollig Castle during the reign of Edward III, before selling it to the Barrett family in either 1468 or 1469. [9] [10] 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 garrisoned 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, the mills were bought by the British, who were preparing for war with Napoleon, and the barracks were built to protect the supply of gunpowder. It was one of the largest gunpowder mills in the British Isles. 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 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 1st Field Artillery Regiment and 8th Field Artillery Regiment (FCÁ). 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 80s and 90s. Consequently, the town's population has risen dramatically, particularly with the westward expansion of the town and Ballincollig grew to be largest town in the county.
In 2019, as part of the boundary expansion of Cork City, Ballincollig was brought within the administrative area of Cork City Council. [11]
Two Catholic churches are located in the town. The modern 'Church of Christ Our Light' (designed by a local architectural firm) 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. [12]
The Bible Baptist Church meets in the Westgate Foundation on the west end of town. The church is associated with the Cork Bible Institute and other Gospel ministries. [13]
Other religious groups including Hindus, Sikhs, and Greek Orthodox also have services at various locations in Ballincollig.[ citation needed ]
As of the 2011 census, Ballincollig was 87% Catholic, 7% other religions, 5% no religion, with 1% not stated. Ethnically, the town is 83% white Irish, 10% other white, 3% black, 2% Asian, 1% other, and 1% not stated. [14]
The amenities located in Ballincollig include a library, a multiplex cinema, playgrounds, shopping centres [15] and the Ballincollig Regional Park.
The recreational park, Ballincollig Regional Park, includes the former gunpowder mill and measures approximately 135 acres (55 hectares), with 52 structures in varying stages of decay surviving from the gunpowder manufacturing process. The site is approximately 2.4 kilometres in length and the River Lee runs the northern length of the site. The site contains a system of canals used during the manufacturing process connecting all the process areas in a single flat system without locks. The canals are fed from the River Lee at the western end of the site. The park contains soccer pitches, a rugby pitch, walkways, a skateboard facility, and free-to-use outdoor fitness equipment - the latter installed on the park's western end in November 2011. As a result of a 2012 development plan, which outlined the future of the Regional Park by the Recreation & Amenity section of the local authority, [16] planning was approved for multi-use games areas and a children's playground. This work started December 2014 and is now completed.[ citation needed ] An eighty plot allotment scheme was also identified within the development plan, [16] and was opened in November 2013 at the Innishmore entrance to the Regional Park. A series of marked trails were laid-out in 2014, and consist of four looped walks, colour-coded according to length. The Military Trail begins at the Shopping Centre Square and continues to the Regional Park by a westerly route. Three other trails of varying lengths begin and end at the western end of the park at Inniscarra Bridge. [17]
There is also another playground near the Lidl on the western side of the town.
Ballincollig is home to several crèches, five primary schools, and two secondary schools. The two secondary schools in Ballincollig are Coláiste Choilm and Ballincollig Community School. Ballincollig Community School is located in West Ballincollig and is next to the 'Church of Christ Our Light'. Coláiste Choilm is located in East Ballincollig and is near a doctor's practice and the town centre of Ballincollig. Two of the primary schools, Scoil Eoin and Scoil Mhuire, are located in the town centre near St Mary's and St John's church. [18] Three of the primary schools, Scoil Barra, Gaelscoil Uí Ríordáin and Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin are located outside the centre. Several of the area's schools are Gaelscoileanna (Irish-speaking schools), providing for a large number of pupils who learn through the Irish language in the area. [19]
In 2018 and 2023, the town won the "Large Urban Centre" category at the annual Tidy Towns awards. [20]
The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills is located on the north side of the town next to the River Lee. Some buildings in the Gunpowder Mills are now in disrepair but the area is still open to walkers in the Regional Park. The park is popular with locals and features a playground, skate-park, fairy-walk and many walking trails. [21] The park has been extended westward in recent years to the River Lee Walk at the Fionn Laoi housing estate. [22]
The grave of Rory Gallagher is located at St Oliver's Cemetery just outside Ballincollig. His headstone is a replica of an award he received in 1972 for International Guitarist of The Year.
The Coolroe Lime Kiln is an example of the historic quarrying in the Coolroe area of the town. [23]
The Cork to Macroom rail line served Station House (at the south end of Station Road).
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. [24]
Ballincollig is served by a number of Bus Éireann bus routes. These include route 220 (to Carrigaline, via UCC, Cork City Centre, and Douglas), route 220X, (similar route via the Lee Fields rather than Bishopstown), and route 233 (Cork City Centre to Macroom via Ballincollig).
A number of proposals, such as the 'Project Ireland 2040' transport plan, include a potential feasibility study into a possible suburban light rail project in the area connecting Ballincollig to Mahon point via UCC and Cork City Centre. [25] [26]
Ballincollig was situated on the N22 from Cork to Tralee. A bypass around the town was opened in September 2004, which resulted in reduced journey times from Cork to Killarney on the N22 and reduced traffic volumes through the town centre. The N40 starts on the eastern side of the town that continues as the Cork southern bypass. The N40 and N22 both share exit 1.
The former alignment of the N22 is now the R608 regional road which goes through the town centre.
The nearest airport is Cork Airport which is about 14 km away.
Notable sports clubs in the town include: Ballincollig GAA Club and Ballincollig RFC. Mycro Sportsgear, which manufactures equipment for hurling, is based in Ballincollig. [27]
Macroom is a market town in County Cork, Ireland, located in the valley of the River Sullane, halfway between Cork city and Killarney. Its population has grown and receded over the centuries as it went through periods of war, famine and workhouses, forced emigration and intermittent prosperity. The 2011 census gave an urban population of 3,879 people, while the 2016 census recorded 3,765 people.
The N22 road is a national primary road in Ireland which goes through counties Kerry and Cork, from Tralee in the west through Killarney, Macroom and Ballincollig to Cork City Centre in the east.
Ovens, formerly also Athnowen, is a small village adjacent to the town of Ballincollig, County Cork, Ireland. The 2006 census recorded that the population of the village was 1,703 - an increase of 62.1% from the 2002 Census. Ovens is within the Cork North-West Dáil constituency.
Glanmire is a suburban town 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from Cork city centre, in the civil parish of Rathcooney, County Cork, Ireland. Glanmire is within the administrative area of Cork City Council and the Dáil constituency of Cork North-Central.
Blarney is a suburban town within the administrative area of Cork City in Ireland. It is located approximately 8 kilometres (5 mi) north-west of the city centre. It is the site of Blarney Castle, home of the legendary Blarney Stone. Blarney is part of the Dáil constituency of Cork North-Central. It is surrounded by the suburban villages of Tower, Cloghroe and Kerry Pike, all on the outskirts of Cork City.
The River Lee is a river in Ireland. It rises in the Shehy Mountains on the western border of County Cork and flows eastwards through Cork, where it splits in two for a short distance, creating an island on which Cork's city centre is built, then passing through Cork Harbour on the south coast, one of the largest natural harbours in the world, to empty into the Celtic Sea. The catchment area of the River Lee is 1,253 km2. The long-term average flow rate of the River Lee is 40.4 cubic metres per second (m3/s)
Ballyvourney is a Gaeltacht village in southwest County Cork, Ireland. Ballyvourney is also a civil parish in the barony of Muskerry West, and an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cloyne. The village is part of the Cork North-West Dáil Constituency.
Metropolitan Cork is a semi-official term which refers to the city of Cork, Ireland, its suburbs, the rural hinterland that surrounds it, and a number of the towns and villages in that hinterland. Some of the latter towns and villages are within the administrative area of County Cork.
The Church of St Mary and St John is the older of two Roman Catholic churches in the town of Ballincollig, County Cork, Ireland. The church was built in the 1860s, funded by donations from the local people of the time, and officially opened on 28 October 1866. The church is in a Gothic Revival style, combined with some features of other periods. It is built of ashlar limestone with roof slates.
Oriel House is a hotel in the west end of the town of Ballincollig, County Cork, Ireland. It was built early in the 19th century to house administrating officers of the Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills site.
The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills was one of three Royal gunpowder mills that manufactured gunpowder for the British Government. Located in Ballincollig, Cork city, Ireland, largely in what is now the Ballincollig Regional Park, the powder mills were originally opened in 1794 as a private enterprise, before being taken over by the British Government during the Napoleonic Wars.
Kilnamartyra is a village and civil parish in County Cork, Ireland. It is located around half-way between Killarney and Macroom. The parish is a kilometre from the L3402 local road which joins the N22 road, three kilometres away.
Crookstown is a small village in County Cork in Ireland, about 12 km east of the town of Macroom and about 1 km off the N22 Cork–Killarney road. It had a population of 183 at the 2022 census, down from 203 in the 2016 census.
Dripsey is a village in County Cork on the R618 regional road around 20 km (12 mi) west of Cork City. It is situated on a tributary of the River Lee, the Dripsey River. It is in the Catholic parish of Inniscarra. The Dripsey area hosts a water treatment plant, the Cork offices of the Environmental Protection Agency, and an award-winning garden center. The village has one pub, a primary school and a pre-school.
Farran is a village in County Cork, Ireland, in the parish of Ovens. It lies on the southside of the River Lee. Farran is 12 miles (19 km) west from Cork City on the N22 road.
Killumney is a village in Ovens in County Cork, Ireland. The village is part of the Ovens/Farran Parish. Killumney is part of the Dáil constituency of Cork North-West.
Carrigrohane is a village and civil parish situated on the south bank of the River Lee to the west of the city of Cork in Ireland. It is connected by the Carrigrohane Straight, 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Cork and is also in the northeastern part of Ballincollig. It contains St Peter's Church of the Resurrection. In 1837, it had a population of 1921 inhabitants. The civil parish is almost evenly split between the baronies of Muskerry East to the west and the Barony of Cork to the east.
The N40 road is a national primary road in Cork City, Ireland. It is partial ring road skirting the southern suburbs of the city, from the N22 west of Ballincollig, via the Jack Lynch Tunnel under the River Lee, to the Dunkettle Interchange where it meets the N25 and N8/M8. The present N40 designation was created on 23 February 2012 via statutory instrument by renaming parts of the N22 and N25. The N40 serves as both a commuter route and a bypass of the city centre for traffic between parts southwest and east. The National Transport Strategy envisages building a "Cork North Ring Road" to complete the circuit in the 2030s.
The R608 road is a regional road in Ireland, located in County Cork and Cork City. It intersects the N22 three times and goes from Cork city centre to Ballincollig via Wilton and Bishopstown.
The R584 road is a regional road in Ireland. It is a road in west County Cork.
Ballincollig is entailed and was purchased in the 8th year of Edward IV from Robert Coll, a knight
Mick Mannock [..] was born at Ballincollig Barracks in County Cork on 24 May 1887