Ballykinlar
| |
|---|---|
 Commons Road | |
  Ballykinlar Location withinCounty Down | |
| Population | 348 (2001 Census) |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Downpatrick |
| Postcode district | BT30 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| |
Ballykinler (Irish:Baile Coinnleora),[1] often transcribed asBallykinlar, is avillage andcivil parish inCounty Down,Northern Ireland. It lies 12 kilometres south west ofDownpatrick, in theparish of Tyrella and Dundrum. In the2001 census it had a population of 348 people. It is within theNewry, Mourne and Down area and runs parallel to theIrish Sea coast. Located within theLecale Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the village is surrounded by low drumlins and marshes.[2] It is also the site of a formerBritish Army base andinternment camp known asAbercorn Barracks.
At the time of the conquest ofUlster byJohn de Courcy around 1177, Ballykinlar was calledLesscummalscig. Thetithes from the area went toChrist Church, Dublin to pay for wax candles hence it became from Irish Baile Coinnleora 'townland of the candles'.[3][4]
The village has a shop andfilling station.[5] Public houses in the area include The Four Roads Inn (2 miles from the village) and the Minerstown Tavern (3 miles to the east).[citation needed]
The preschool playgroup in the village has received some funding from theNational Lottery.[6]
Visitors to the area include walkers and hikers on the Ballykinlar toKillough walk which passes theBlue Flag beach at Tyrella.[7] A nearby coastal path is maintained by theMinistry of Defence, although access is prohibited when shooting ranges are active.[8]
Ballykinlar Halt railway station was opened in March 1915, but closed on 16 January 1950.[9]
A regular bus service runs between Downpatrick and Ballykinlar, via Clough.
Ballykinlar has three sports pitches, including two changing facilities. It also has severalassociation football teams.[citation needed]
The localGaelic Athletic Association club, Ballykinlar GAA (Baile Choinnleora inIrish), was founded in 1932. The grounds for thisGaelic football club is named in memory of the Irish nationalist, trade unionist and journalistTadhg Barry.[10][11]
Thecivil parish is in thehistoric barony ofLecale Upper and contains the settlement of Ballykinler.[12] The civil parish also contains the townlands of Ballykinler Lower, Ballykinler Middle, and Ballykinler Upper.[12]
