Ballykinler
Encyclopedia
Ballykinler or Ballykinlar is a village
in County Down
, Northern Ireland
. It lies 12 kilometres south west of Downpatrick
, in the parish
of Tyrella and Dundrum. In the 2001 Census
it had a population of 348 people. It is within the Down District Council
area.
It is a linear settlement running parallel to the Irish Sea
coast and bordered by an army camp to the west and south west. It is a residential village with a high level of community facilities and a good bus service.The village is within the Lecale Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
. The surrounding landscape consists of low drumlins and marshes.
The sprawling site of the army base was pressed into service as an internment camp during the Irish War of Independence
in 1919. After the Partition of Ireland
, the new Government of Northern Ireland
continued to use the base for internment. There appear to have been attempts by those incarcerated to maintain a normal social structure within the confines of the camp and evidence exists of an orchestra and some examples of typical prisoner art are still available for viewing in museum collections in Ireland
, including examples of humorous cartoons.
A former IRA prisoner, Louis J. Walsh (a native of County Londonderry
and later a judge in County Donegal
), published a book in 1921 about his experiences in various institutions in Northern Ireland including a chapter about his time in Ballykinlar Camp which describes, amongst other things, having to march for three miles, handcuffed and carrying luggage, only to be placed in bare huts with nothing to sleep in except damp straw. He continues in a second chapter to describe how the prisoners set up their own 'Council' which then began to negotiate with the military authorities for better food and conditions within the camp. "The camp regime was notoriously brutal - prisoners were shot dead for minor infractions, such as standing too close to the barbed wire fence that kept them penned in (the camp magazine was titled Barbed Wire)." After peace was declared in 1921 the internees were released but it does appear that their ordeal did not necessarily end after leaving as evidence exists that a train carrying released prisoners from Ballykinlar was attacked at Thurles
, County Tipperary
, injuring three Sinn Féin
passengers and several members of the crowd.
In World War I
the 36th Ulster Division formed from the Ulster Volunteers did much of its training at Ballykinlar. A journalist of the time waxed lyrical about the location describing it as a "camp situated in the centre of picturesque country, with the mountains of Mourne forming an imposing background. On the edge of the camping ground, and within easy walking distance of the tents, is an arm of Dundrum Bay, and here the men will have swimming and bathing drills. Within sight of the camp is the beautifully situated demesne of Tyrella."
In World War II
the camp continued to be a military training establishment and the North Irish Horse record moving there to take over Valentine Tank
s and convert to an armoured regiment. Troops from the United States
, including those from the 1st Armored Division
also trained at Ballykinlar.
As peace has returned to Northern Ireland the British
troops based there were withdrawn from the streets with the ending of Operation Banner
and are now Garrison
troops. In 2008 it was announced that the Battalion
of the 2nd Rifles based at Ballykinlar would be deployed to Kosovo
to "combat fresh violence between ethnic Albanians and minority Serbs."
Sandes Home, the civilian charity which provides leisure and restaurant facilities in some bases, has had a presence at Ballykinlar Camp for over 100 years. In 1974 the premises at Ballykinlar were destroyed by an IRA bomb but the building was subsequently rebuilt and continues to offer services. In early 2009 a car bomb was found close to the base, which was thought to have been abandoned by dissident republicans.
van bomb killed two British Army
soldiers, injured many others and destroyed some buildings on the base. For more information, see: The Troubles in Ballykinler
.
Fund of £128,472 to provide a new children's playgroup area.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It lies 12 kilometres south west of Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
, in the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Tyrella and Dundrum. In the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
it had a population of 348 people. It is within the Down District Council
Down District Council
Down District Council is a Local Council in County Down in Northern Ireland. The Council is headquartered in Downpatrick. Other towns in the Council area are Ardglass, Ballynahinch, Castlewellan, Clough, Crossgar, Dundrum, Killough, Killyleagh, Newcastle, Saintfield, Seaforde and Strangford...
area.
It is a linear settlement running parallel to the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
coast and bordered by an army camp to the west and south west. It is a residential village with a high level of community facilities and a good bus service.The village is within the Lecale Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Lecale Coast AONB
The Lecale Coast AONB is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Lecale peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is located between Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains and has a low, sometimes sandy, rocky or grassy shoreline. Its southern tip lies along an extensive sand dune...
. The surrounding landscape consists of low drumlins and marshes.
Places of interest
- Ballykinlar is the site of a major British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
base. - The Four Roads Inn is a popular pub/bar in Ballykinlar and has regaular live music performances, discos and quizzes. Bingo every Sunday night in the lounge 7pm. Free minibus transport to and from Ballykinlar village.
- Ballykinlar is a place of great natural beauty and many walkers and hikers who wish to observe the coastline of County Down undertake the convenient Ballykinlar to KilloughKilloughKillough is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the Irish Sea shore near Ardglass, five miles southeast of Downpatrick. It is notable for its sycamore-lined main street. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 845 people....
walk which passes the Blue Flag beachBlue Flag beachThe Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education that a beach or marina meets its stringent standards.The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE which is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member countries in Europe,...
at Tyrella.
Internment at Ballykinlar
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
in 1919. After the Partition of Ireland
Partition of Ireland
The partition of Ireland was the division of the island of Ireland into two distinct territories, now Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland . Partition occurred when the British Parliament passed the Government of Ireland Act 1920...
, the new Government of Northern Ireland
Government of Northern Ireland
The Government of Northern Ireland is, generally speaking, whatever political body exercises political authority over Northern Ireland. A number of separate systems of government exist or have existed in Northern Ireland....
continued to use the base for internment. There appear to have been attempts by those incarcerated to maintain a normal social structure within the confines of the camp and evidence exists of an orchestra and some examples of typical prisoner art are still available for viewing in museum collections in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, including examples of humorous cartoons.
A former IRA prisoner, Louis J. Walsh (a native of County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
and later a judge in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
), published a book in 1921 about his experiences in various institutions in Northern Ireland including a chapter about his time in Ballykinlar Camp which describes, amongst other things, having to march for three miles, handcuffed and carrying luggage, only to be placed in bare huts with nothing to sleep in except damp straw. He continues in a second chapter to describe how the prisoners set up their own 'Council' which then began to negotiate with the military authorities for better food and conditions within the camp. "The camp regime was notoriously brutal - prisoners were shot dead for minor infractions, such as standing too close to the barbed wire fence that kept them penned in (the camp magazine was titled Barbed Wire)." After peace was declared in 1921 the internees were released but it does appear that their ordeal did not necessarily end after leaving as evidence exists that a train carrying released prisoners from Ballykinlar was attacked at Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
, injuring three Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
passengers and several members of the crowd.
Military Uses
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
the 36th Ulster Division formed from the Ulster Volunteers did much of its training at Ballykinlar. A journalist of the time waxed lyrical about the location describing it as a "camp situated in the centre of picturesque country, with the mountains of Mourne forming an imposing background. On the edge of the camping ground, and within easy walking distance of the tents, is an arm of Dundrum Bay, and here the men will have swimming and bathing drills. Within sight of the camp is the beautifully situated demesne of Tyrella."
In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the camp continued to be a military training establishment and the North Irish Horse record moving there to take over Valentine Tank
Valentine tank
The Tank, Infantry, Mk III, Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during the Second World War. More than 8,000 of the type were produced in 11 different marks plus various purpose-built variants, accounting for approximately a quarter of wartime British tank production...
s and convert to an armoured regiment. Troops from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, including those from the 1st Armored Division
1st Armored Division (United States)
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
also trained at Ballykinlar.
As peace has returned to Northern Ireland the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
troops based there were withdrawn from the streets with the ending of Operation Banner
Operation Banner
Operation Banner was the operational name for the British Armed Forces' operation in Northern Ireland from August 1969 to July 2007. It was initially deployed at the request of the Unionist government of Northern Ireland to support the Royal Ulster Constabulary . After the 1998 Belfast Agreement,...
and are now Garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
troops. In 2008 it was announced that the Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of the 2nd Rifles based at Ballykinlar would be deployed to Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
to "combat fresh violence between ethnic Albanians and minority Serbs."
Sandes Home, the civilian charity which provides leisure and restaurant facilities in some bases, has had a presence at Ballykinlar Camp for over 100 years. In 1974 the premises at Ballykinlar were destroyed by an IRA bomb but the building was subsequently rebuilt and continues to offer services. In early 2009 a car bomb was found close to the base, which was thought to have been abandoned by dissident republicans.
The Troubles
In 1974 a 300 lb Provisional Irish Republican ArmyProvisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
van bomb killed two British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
soldiers, injured many others and destroyed some buildings on the base. For more information, see: The Troubles in Ballykinler
The Troubles in Ballykinler
The Troubles in Ballykinler recounts incidents during, and the effects of, The Troubles in Ballykinler, County Down, Northern Ireland.Incidents in Ballykinler during the Troubles resulting in two or more fatalities:1974...
.
Transport
- Ballykinlar Halt railway station was opened in March 1915, but was finally closed on 16 January 1950.
- An irregular bus service runs between Downpatrick and Ballykinlar. Not very dependable.
Sport
- Ballykinlar has three sports pitches, including two excellent changing facilities. It also has many successful football teams, U13's, U15's, U17's and a second and first team.
- Ballykinlar also has a Gaelic FootballGaelic footballGaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
team called Baile Choinnleora (which is IrishIrish languageIrish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
for Ballykinlar), founded in 1932.
Lottery Award
The village was selected for an award from the Big LotteryLottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
Fund of £128,472 to provide a new children's playgroup area.