Ballyboy
Encyclopedia
Ballyboy or Ballaboy is a village in County Offaly
, Ireland
. It is about two kilometres east of Kilcormac
.
Although now a small village of several houses, a pub and a primary school, it was an important and thriving hub in the Middle Ages. During this era, the town had a hat and glove factory, a large mill and even its own mint. It also had a mill called The Jacksons mill; the mill was used for making flour grinding corn and cutting timber. The ruins of the mill are still standing today and can be seen as one leaves the village and heads in the direction of Ballyoran. The mill, one of several in the area was powered by water from the Silver River
which is a tributary of the River Brosna
.
There is also a ring fort in the village environs which legend has it is linked by underground tunnel to the Ballyboy church about 400 metres distant. The church in Ballyboy was originally a Catholic Church but was later dedicated as a Church of Ireland
(C 0 I). It is now derelict and in ruins.
The graveyard contains the graves of many both Catholic and Church of Ireland families of the area for many generations.
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
, 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...
. It is about two kilometres east of Kilcormac
Kilcormac
Kilcormac is a village in County Offaly, Ireland, located on the N52 at its junction with the R437 regional road, between the towns of Tullamore and Birr....
.
Although now a small village of several houses, a pub and a primary school, it was an important and thriving hub in the Middle Ages. During this era, the town had a hat and glove factory, a large mill and even its own mint. It also had a mill called The Jacksons mill; the mill was used for making flour grinding corn and cutting timber. The ruins of the mill are still standing today and can be seen as one leaves the village and heads in the direction of Ballyoran. The mill, one of several in the area was powered by water from the Silver River
Silver River (Ireland)
The Silver River flows from the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the south of County Offaly in central Ireland. The village of Cadamstown, on the river, is home of The Silver River Geological Reserve.-Course:...
which is a tributary of the River Brosna
River Brosna
The River Brosna is a river in Ireland, flowing through County Westmeath and County Offaly.The river rises in Lough Owel north of Mullingar and is a tributary of the River Shannon. It meets the Shannon at Shannon Harbour.-Course:...
.
There is also a ring fort in the village environs which legend has it is linked by underground tunnel to the Ballyboy church about 400 metres distant. The church in Ballyboy was originally a Catholic Church but was later dedicated as a Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
(C 0 I). It is now derelict and in ruins.
The graveyard contains the graves of many both Catholic and Church of Ireland families of the area for many generations.