Ballinspittle
| Ballinspittle Irish: Béal Átha an Spidéil | |
| County Cork | |
|---|---|
 Ballinspittle village centre | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | W587461 |
| Location: | 51°39’58"N, 8°35’50"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 224 (2016) |
| Local Government | |
Ballinspittle is a village in County Cork, in the Barony of Courceys about five miles south-west of Kinsale, on the R600 road. It is near Garrylucas and Garrettstown, with its beaches.
The name of the village is from the Irish Béal Átha an Spidéil meaning 'Ford mouth of the hospital'.[1]
The village is a community with new housing estates, businesses, a post office, a national school and a Gaelic Athletic Association facility known as the Jim O' Regan Memorial Park.
Moving statue
In the summer of 1985, Ballinspittle received national and international attention when inhabitants claimed to have witnessed a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary moving spontaneously, and no just after closing time. As news of the phenomenon spread, thousands of pilgrims and spectators flocked to the site of the statue. Many visitors claimed to have observed the spontaneous movements.
Sport
- Football: De Courcey Albion, likewise based in Ballinspittle and Ballinadee.
- Gaelic sports: Courcey Rovers GAA, based in Ballinspittle and Ballinadee
Events
A summer festival has been held in the town since 2001. It features live bands on the Village Centre Festival Stage. The neighbouring village of Ballinadee hosts events on the weekend prior to Ballinspittle Festival. The village receives an annual influx of summer visitors mainly from Cork City.
Community events include fancy dress parades, historical walks, road bowling, markets, family athletics, a visit by the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat, and a number of other events.
About the village
Ancient historical sites include Ballycatten Fort, which dates from the sixth century, and Curtapurteen, which, according to legend, St Patrick once visited (a claim made by most old places in Ireland).
The most southerly tip, the Old Head of Kinsale, is a site of ancient and present-day lighthouses, as well as a golf links. Templetrine Church stands nearby.
Outside links
References
- ↑ Béal Átha an Spidéil/Ballinspittle | Logainm.ie Placenames Database of Ireland. Retrieved: 2013-02-07.