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Balbriggan
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Balbriggan (Baile Brigín in Irish) is a town in north county Dublin, Ireland. The 2006 census population was 15,559 for Balbriggan and its environs.
According to P.W. Joyce the name arises from "Baile Bhrecan" which literally means "Brecan's Town"). Brecan is a common medieval first name and there are several other Brackenstowns in Ireland. There is also a possible link to the Bracken River. In this case the name could derive from Bhreac-ín (Little Trout). Many locals however have traditionally felt that Baile Brigín means "Town of the Little Hills", due to the relatively low hills that surround the town.
OriginThere is no chronological consensus about the "foundation" of the village, other than there may always have been a small settlement of fishermen, weavers and some sort of agricultural trade post.
An 18th century traveler described Balbriggan as " ..a small village situated in a small glin where the sea forms a little harbor - it is reckoned safe and is sheltered by a good pier. The village is resorted to in Summer time by several genteel people for the benefit of bathing."
The village, which is situated on the eastern coast and on the road from Dublin to the north of Ireland, owes its rise, from a small fishing village to a place of manufacturing and commercial importance, to the late Baron Hamilton, who, in 1780, introduced cotton manufacture, for which he erected factories, and who may be regarded as its founder.
It was also the location of the 19th-century Smith's Stocking Mill, which made stockings as well as men's "Long-Johns" called Balbriggans. Balbriggans are often mentioned in John Wayne movies.
Transport & communicationsBalbriggan is 32 km north of Dublin city, on the Belfast–Dublin main line of the Irish rail network. Commuter rail services serve Balbriggan railway station, which opened on 25 May 1844 and closed for goods traffic on 2 December 1974.. It is estimated that about 2,200 commuters use the station every working day. The Town is also located next to the M1 motorway, the Balbriggan Bypass, which was completed in 1998. Prior to this, the main Dublin-Belfast road went through the centre of the Town, with major traffic congestion on a daily basis. Balbriggan is the most northerly Town in Fingal (although the village of Balscadden lies further north within the county). The Town is situated very close to Drogheda.
Balbriggan is currently experiencing a building boom as a result of the demand for housing within the wider Dublin region. The population has exploded in recent years, due to new developments on the northwest of the Town. Most residents in these new estates have had no previous connection with the Town, and there are many from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately the infrastructure and services have not been put in place to cope with this new population, and there is strain on schools, public transport and other services.
AmenitiesThe River Bracken, which flows through the village, once formed a lake there known locally at "The Canal". This lake was reclaimed through land-fill in the early 1980s to create a public park.
DemographicsSixteen per cent of the town's population is non-ethnic Irish, six per cent being of African origin.
Education facilities- In September 2006 Balbriggan Opened a new National School, Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigín which is an Irish speaking school for 4-11 year olds.
- Balbriggan also has an Educate Together primary school.
- Several other schools are open in the area.
Buildings of note- Balbriggan Market House is a 5 bay 2 storey building dating from 1811.
EconomyThe Department of Foreign Affairs has located a passport production facility in Balbriggan. There is also a proposal to relocate the Drogheda International Seaport to the north (Bremore area) of the Town.
Over the Easter 2008 weekend precast engineering company Techrete relocated their production facility from Howth to Stephenstown Industrial Park with their head office set to follow suit in Autumn.
It is expected that the proposed Bremore Port and orbital motorway projects as well as the existing M1 motorway and Belfast - Dublin railway are major draws to prospective companies with large logistical sectors hoping to expand or set up in the Fingal area.
Balbriggan Town Hall, serving as the home to Balbriggan Town Council.
SportGaelic games
O'Dwyers GAA is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club. It was founded in 1918 and currently fields juvenile hurling and football teams from U-7 to U-18. There is three adult male football teams that play in AFL4, AFL9 and AFL12, a female adult team that play in Ladies AFL3, a Junior 1 Hurling team and a Camogie team.
SoccerBalbriggan has four soccer clubs.
Formerly known as Clonard Celtic (founded 1982), this club amalgamated with another club in the town, Balscadden Blues, in the 1990s. Balbriggan F.C. now fields numerous under age teams from under 8's right up to under 18's. The 3 senior teams currently play in the Leinster Senior League and work has now been completed on their new clubhouse located in Bremore, Balbriggan.
- Glebe North Football Club
Established in 1945, this club is the most successful in the town. Several past players have received international honours; both Anthony Guildea and Michael Reid were capped for Ireland at junior level. Market Green, the club's ground opened a new clubhouse on 31 May 1998The club has 2 Senior teams playing in the Leinster Senior League and 12 schoolboy/girl teams playing in the NDSL League's .The main pitch and clubhouse are located at market green, the club also has a fully floodlight all weather pitch.
- Ringcommon Wanderers Football Club
Established in late 1999, this club is the newest and probably the smallest in the village. Players hail from Balbriggan, The Naul and Balrothery. Currently it consists of women's and men's senior teams only. The Ringcommons Sports Centre is the club's homeground.
The club use the [Ring Commons] sports facilities. These include two soccer pitches & floodlit training areas, an 18 hole Pitch and Putt course, a Rugby pitch and plans are underway to open a further number of full size soccer pitches. The clubhouse includes a large meeting hall, as well as offices, kitchen, changing rooms, toilets and showers.
- Hyde Park Football Club also operate in the area.
Balbriggan Rugby Club was originally founded in 1925. They currently field two adult teams who play in the Leinster League, Div.3 and Leinster North East Area League (Mc Gee Cup). They also field several underage teams from U7's through to U18's and U20's. The Club started the 2007/2008 Season playing at the new Club Grounds Balrothery, Co. Dublin nextdoor to North County Cricket Club. The Club plan further major development which will see the building of a clubhouse, swimming pool, gyms and training areas. It is hoped these new facilities will be on stream for the start of 08/09 Season.
The Circket Clubs home ground is in the 'Town Park', beside the Catholic Church
Balbriggan Golf Club is an 18 hole parkland golf course situated in north County Dublin only minutes from Dublin Airport.
Located about 20 miles north of Dublin city, the course is easily accessible being just off the M1. Follow the sign to Balbriggan and we are on the right hand side as you approach the town from the South.To arrange a tee time please contact Nigel Howley our Club Professional.
Established in 1945, and after many phases of development, the course presents a challenge to all who play it.
The course is currently undergoing some further redevelopment with the new par of the course being 70. Gerald Gallen holds the current course record with a score of 69 that comprised 17 straight pars and a birdie on the 18th. Darragh Callaghan no longer holds the course record as a result of this round.
Historical events relating to BalbrigganMedieval battle
According to Ware, a Medieval Annalist, a battle took place there on Whitsun-eve, 1329, between John de Bermingham, Earl of Louth, (who bad been elevated to the 'palatine dignity' of the county), Richard, Lord of Malahide, and several of their kinsmen, against local rival families, the Verduns, Gernons, and Savages, who were opposed to the elevation of the earl; and in which the former, with 60 of their English followers, were killed.
William III camped here after the Battle of the Boyne,in July, 1690.
Sack of Balbriggan
The assault on the village's population by the British Black and Tans based in the nearby Gormanstown military barracks on 9 September 1920 was one of the more infamous acts of the Irish War of Independence. This event, known as the "Sack of Balbriggan", resulted in the destruction of 54 houses, a hoisery factory and the looting of four public houses. The attack received much international attention due to Balbriggan's position close to foreign news correspondents in Dublin. A subsequent delegation from the United States pledged to rebuild thirty homes in the village and a local factory. Other deaths followed during the war, most noticeably those of Seán Lawless and Séamas Gibbons who were bayoneted to death by the British forces on 20 September 1920. A plaque on Bridge Street in the town commemorates their murder.
See also
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