Welcome to Balgaddy

Balgaddy is a special place in County Dublin, Ireland. It's like a small piece in a big puzzle that makes up the whole of Dublin. Now, it might seem like a normal townland, but it has a very interesting history!

Hundreds of years ago, people in Ireland lived in small areas called townlands, just like Balgaddy. Years and years ago, around the 16th century, Balgaddy was part of the land owned by a powerful family called the Aylmer family. They were very important people in those days.

There might not have been a big battle or a famous person born here, but Balgaddy's history is still important. It tells us a story of how people lived and worked together in a community. Nowadays, Balgaddy is a bustling place with homes, schools, and parks.

So, the next time you visit Balgaddy, remember that you're walking on a land that has been home to people for hundreds of years. Isn't that amazing? Remember, every place, no matter how small, has its own unique story, just like Balgaddy.

  1. What is a townland?
  2. Who were the Aylmer family?
  3. What does Balgaddy's history tell us about?
  4. Why do you think the history of a place like Balgaddy is important, even if there wasn't a big battle or a famous person born there?
  5. Imagine you are visiting Balgaddy. What things would you like to see or do, considering its history?

All About Balgaddy

Balgaddy is a wonderful place found in County Dublin, Ireland. It's not too big, nor too small, just perfect for a fun adventure! One of the first things you'll notice are the streets. They are laid out like a maze, with names like Balgaddy Road and Foxdene Avenue. It's fun to imagine exploring them like a treasure hunter! Did you know that Balgaddy has its own park? It's called Balgaddy Park, simple right? It's a great place to play, packed with lots of grass for running and trees for climbing. Speaking of trees, the area is full of beautiful greenery, with flowers and bushes that become home to small animals like birds and squirrels. Now, Balgaddy doesn't have any mountains or big rivers, but it does have lots of small streams. They're like nature's little highways for ducks and fishes! And don't forget to look for the interesting street furniture. You might find benches where you can rest, and unique bins to keep Balgaddy clean. So, whether you're exploring its streets or enjoying the park, there's always something exciting to discover in Balgaddy!

  1. Can you name some of the streets in Balgaddy and describe their layout?
  2. What is the name of the park in Balgaddy and what can you do there?
  3. What types of wildlife might you find in Balgaddy?
  4. Using a map of Balgaddy, can you identify the location of Balgaddy Park and some of the streams?
  5. Take a trip to Balgaddy or use an online map to find a geographical feature not mentioned in the article. What is it and why is it interesting?

My Family and Balgaddy

Hi there, I'm Casey and I'm 8 years old. I live in a cool place called Balgaddy in Co. Dublin. It's amazing growing up here because there's a lot of neat stuff to see and do.

Just near my house, we've got this big park called Balgaddy Park. I go there a lot with my friends after school to play football and sometimes we have picnics with my family there. It's really fun and there's always something exciting happening.

Close to my school, there's this place called Lucan Sarsfields GAA club. My dad says it's one of the biggest clubs in Dublin. I want to play hurling there when I grow up.

I also love going to the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre with my mom. It's massive and has so many shops and it also has a cinema where we watch movies on weekends.

Oh, and there's the Grand Canal too! It's not too far from my house and it's really fun to watch the boats go by.

That's all for now, bye!

  1. Can you describe Balgaddy Park and why Casey likes it?
  2. What is the importance of Lucan Sarsfields GAA club in Casey's life?
  3. What activities does Casey enjoy doing at the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre?
  4. How does the Grand Canal contribute to Casey's enjoyment of their local area?
  5. Can you recall some of the things Casey enjoys doing in their local area?

The Logainm of Balgaddy

Balgaddy is a special place in County Dublin, Ireland. The word 'Balgaddy' comes from two Irish words - 'Baile' and 'Gadai'. 'Baile' means 'town' and 'Gadai' means 'thief'. So, Balgaddy can be translated into English as 'Town of the Thief'. But don't worry, it doesn't mean the place is full of thieves! It's just a name from a long, long time ago.

Many years back, there might have been a famous story about a thief from the area, and that's how the place got its name. But today, the people of Balgaddy are very kind and friendly. It's a lovely place where families live, kids go to school, and everyone enjoys the beautiful Irish countryside.

So, even though Balgaddy means 'Town of the Thief', it's really a peaceful and safe place to live. It's wonderful how names can tell us about the history of a place, isn't it?

  1. What does the name 'Balgaddy' mean in English?
  2. What do the words 'Baile' and 'Gadai' mean in Irish?
  3. Why do you think Balgaddy was named 'Town of the Thief'?
  4. How is Balgaddy different today compared to the image its name suggests?
  5. Why is it important to know the meaning and history of place names?

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