Ballybunion
| Ballybunion Irish: Baile an Bhuinneánaigh | |
| County Kerry | |
|---|---|
 Ballybunion Castle and coastline | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | Q862415 |
| Location: | 52°30’36"N, 9°40’19"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,618 (2022) |
| Local Government | |
Ballybunion or Ballybunnion is a coastal town and seaside resort in County Kerry, on the Wild Atlantic Way, nine miles from the town of Listowel. As of the 2022 census, Ballybunion had a population of 1,618.
Name
The Placenames Database of Ireland associates the town's Irish language name, Baile an Bhuinneánaigh or the 'town(land) of An Buinneánach', with the Anglo-Norman surname "Bunyan". The Bunyan (Bonzon) family were historically associated with Ballybunion Castle.[1]
History
Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes promontory fort and ring fort sites in the townlands of Ballybunion and Doon West.[2]
Ballybunion Castle was built in the early 16th century, on the site of an earlier promontory fort, by the (Geraldine) Fitzmaurice family.[3] The castle was associated with the Bunyan family until the late 16th century, when William Óg Bunyan's lands were confiscated following the Desmond Rebellion.[1] The castle has been a protected national monument since the 1920s.[3]
A number of buildings within the town itself date to the 19th century, with the former Church of Ireland church (now a public library) and the Roman Catholic church dating to 1879 and 1897 respectively.[4][5]
Tourism
Ballybunion has two main beaches, divided by the Castle Green. The Ladies Beach is to the right and the Men's Beach to the left – names arising from the fact that both sexes previously swam on separate beaches.[6] Further to the left of the Men's Beach lies the Long Strand, a 3.2 km stretch of sand, overlooked by the sand dunes of Ballybunion Golf Club.
In the summer, Ballybunion attracts tourists, and the beaches near Ballybunion are a common surfing site, with a dedicated surf school on the Men's Beach. Other traditions include seaweed baths, featuring sea water with serrated wrack. The town itself has a number of restaurants, pubs and cafes, and schools. A statue in the town commemorates a golfing visit, in 1998, by then US President Bill Clinton.[7]
Sport
- Gaelic sports: Beale GAA
Golf
Ballybunion Golf Club was founded in 1893 and was previously ranked at number seven in Golf Digest’s "100 Best Courses Outside the USA".[8] There are 2 courses, the Old Course and the Cashen Course, both situated beside the beach. The club hosted the Irish Open in 2000 and the Palmer Cup in 2004.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ballybunion Castle". https://www.ballybunion.ie/things-to-do/attractions/ballybunion-castle.html. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ Toal, Caroline, ed (1995). North Kerry Archaeological Survey. Brandon. ISBN 0863221866.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Ballybunion Castle". http://www.megalithicireland.com/Ballybunion%20Castle,%20Kerry.html. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ "Ballybunnion Library, Sandhill Road, Ballybunnion, Ballybunnion, Kerry". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/21400118/ballybunnion-library-sandhill-road-ballybunnion-ballybunnion-co-kerry. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ "Saint John's Catholic Church, Church Road, Ballybunnion, Ballybunnion, Kerry". National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/21400116/saint-johns-catholic-church-church-road-ballybunnion-ballybunnion-co-kerry. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ "Ballybunion Beaches". https://www.ballybunion.ie/things-to-do/attractions/ballybunion-beaches.html. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ "Clinton Ballybunion trip swung after €300m golf wager with Tánaiste Dick Spring". 30 December 2021. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/clinton-ballybunion-trip-swung-after-300m-golf-wager-with-tanaiste-dick-spring/41193394.html. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ Brice, David (20 November 2009). "Ballybunion: A name that thrills every golf aficionado". Golf International Inc.. PGA Tour. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110629091455/http://www.pgatour.com/2009/tourlife/travel/11/17/cow/index.html. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ↑ "Milstones". https://www.ballybuniongolfclub.com/the-club/milestones/. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- Baile an Bhuinneánaigh / Ballybunnion: Placenames Database of Ireland
- Houlihan, Danny (2011). Ballybunion: An Illustrated History. History Press. ISBN 9781845889999.