Ballinora Baile an Óraigh | |
|---|---|
Townland | |
 Farm buildings in Ballinora townland | |
  Ballinora Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates:51°51′16″N8°33′55″W / 51.8545°N 8.5653°W /51.8545; -8.5653 | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Munster |
| County | County Cork |
Ballinora orBallynora (Irish:Baile an Óraigh orBaile Nóra)[1] is a small rural parish andtownland nearCork city andBallincollig inCounty Cork,Ireland.[2] The townland, which lies in thecivil parish of Kilnaglory,[3][4] is home to several education facilities and sporting clubs. The village ofWaterfall is nearby.
Evidence of ancient settlement in the townland of Ballinora include a number ofringfort andfulacht fiadh sites.[5][6] A cross-inscribed stone was also discovered in the area.[7]
The parish church in Ballinora, St. James' Church, was builtc. 1820.[8] The church, which is in theRoman Catholic Diocese of Cork and Ross,[9] underwent a major renovation in 2009.[10] The formerBishop of Cork and Ross,Cornelius Lucey (1902–1982), went to school in the area.[6]
Ballinora is home to a community hall, Ballinora and Ballymaw GAA grounds, a scout hall (used by the 109th CorkScouting Ireland group),[11] a pub, a garden centre, and Ballinora National School.[citation needed] As of 2024, Ballinora National School had 300 pupils enrolled.[12]
The local GAA club,Ballinora GAA, was founded in 1924. The club's colours are green and red, and it fieldshurling andGaelic football teams in theMuskerry division ofCork GAA. Ballinora GAA's main pitch is adjacent to Ballinora National School.[citation needed]
Richmond FC is the localassociation football (soccer) club. Founded in 1980, the club has pitches at Ballyhank in Waterfall and Garranedarra in Bishopstown.[citation needed]Alan Bennett, who is from the area and received a number of caps the national team, began his football career with the club.[13]
CO085-137---- [..] Cross-inscribed stone (present location) : Ballynora [..] An irregularly shaped stone [..] Carved close to the top of the stone is a [..] plain single-lined Greek cross [..] The stone was found in a load of landfill material during roadworks
[Bennett] used to play in the blue and white hoops of Richmond Football Club [..] arguably of most importance to the Ballinora man, in his time with Cork City, he won two league titles
