Welcome to Balbriggan

Balbriggan, a town in County Dublin, Ireland, has a fascinating history. Did you know it's famous for making stockings and socks? Back in the 18th century, a man named Bartholomew Teeling started a cotton factory there. This factory made Balbriggan one of the most important places for making cotton in all of Ireland. People from all around came to Balbriggan to get the cotton they needed to make their clothes.

During World War II, a very important event happened in Balbriggan. In 1941, a German plane dropped a bomb on the town. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, but it was a big surprise for the people living there!

Balbriggan is also home to a beautiful lighthouse. It was built around 1760 and is a symbol of the town's rich history connected to the sea. It's a great place for a visit if you ever find yourself in this charming town. Balbriggan truly has a history as colourful as the socks and stockings it used to make!

  1. What is Balbriggan famous for making?
  2. Who started a cotton factory in Balbriggan in the 18th century?
  3. What important event happened in Balbriggan during World War II?
  4. Why do you think the lighthouse is a symbol of Balbriggan's history?
  5. If you were to visit Balbriggan, what place mentioned in the text would you like to see and why?

All About Balbriggan

Balbriggan is a magical seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland. It's a place where you can hear waves crashing on a sandy beach, and see colourful boats bobbing in the harbour. There's a busy main street called Drogheda Street, filled with shops and cafes where people love to visit.

One of the most famous spots in Balbriggan is the Bremore Castle. You can imagine kings and queens living there long ago! There's also the Ardgillan Castle and Demesne, which has a beautiful park with lots of trees, flowers and even a playground.

Balbriggan is full of nature's treasures. The coastal area is home to many birds like seagulls and ducks. If you're lucky, you might spot a playful seal in the sea! There are also plenty of parks and green spaces where you can find flowers, trees, and even the occasional squirrel.

The town doesn't have any mountains, but it's near the River Delvin. This river is a fun place to play near on a warm day, and try to spot fishes swimming in it. In Balbriggan, every day can be a new adventure!.

  1. What is the name of the main street in Balbriggan?
  2. Describe two significant landmarks in Balbriggan and explain what makes them interesting.
  3. What kinds of wildlife can you find in Balbriggan?
  4. Using a map, can you locate Balbriggan and the River Delvin? Try to describe their relative locations to each other.
  5. Explore Balbriggan yourself. Can you find something of geographical interest that wasn't mentioned in this article? Describe what you found and why it is interesting.

My Family and Balbriggan

Hi, I'm Emery and I just turned 8! I live in a pretty cool spot called Balbriggan, in Co. Dublin. Balbriggan is by the sea, so I get to build sandcastles and find seashells all the time! I love watching the waves and sometimes, we even see seals!

One of my favourite places to go is Ardgillan Castle. It's not like the castles in fairy tales, but it's still really cool. The castle has big gardens where I play hide and seek with my friends. There's also a playground with the best swings and slides!

Another place I like is Balbriggan Market Green. My family shops at the farmers market here. We get to pick out fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes, we even get honey from local bees!

There's so much more to explore in Balbriggan. I can't wait to grow up here and see everything it has to offer!

  1. What is one of Emery's favourite activities to do at the beach?
  2. Describe Emery's experience when visiting Ardgillan Castle.
  3. What does Emery's family do at Balbriggan Market Green?
  4. How does Emery feel about growing up in Balbriggan?
  5. Can you suggest what else Emery might want to explore in Balbriggan?

The Logainm of Balbriggan

Do you know the name of our town, Balbriggan, comes from the Irish word "Baile Brigín" which means "Bridget's Town"? It got this name because there was a very special woman named Bridget, who lived here many, many years ago. Just like we have our teachers and principals to guide us in school, Bridget was a guide to people in her time. She was very kind and wise, and people believed she could perform miracles! That's why they named the town after her.

Now, in the olden days, people used to speak Irish all the time. But as years went by, English became more commonly used. So, the name Baile Brigín was translated to Balbriggan. Even though we don’t speak Irish all the time now, we still remember our history through these names.

Today, we live in this wonderful town of Balbriggan. We go to school here, we play in its parks and we celebrate our festivals here. Though times have changed, our town still carries the name of that kind and wise woman, Bridget. Isn't that cool?

  1. What does the name Balbriggan mean in English?
  2. Who was the town of Balbriggan named after and why?
  3. Why do you think the name was changed from Baile Brigín to Balbriggan?
  4. How does the name of our town help us remember our history?
  5. Can you name some activities that you do in Balbriggan today?

Slideshow - Balbriggan
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Balbriggan