Welcome to Ballincollig

Ballincollig is a special townland in Ireland with a rich history. A long, long time ago, around the 1800s, it was famous for its gunpowder mills. Gunpowder, you ask? That's right! It was used in cannons and guns, especially during wars.

The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills were the biggest in the whole world! People from all around came to work there. The mills were located near the River Lee, which was perfect because they used the water to help make the gunpowder.

But not only did Ballincollig make gunpowder, it also had a big, strong castle! Ballincollig Castle was built by a brave knight named David Barry in the 1400s. It was a place of protection and power.

Today, the gunpowder mills and the castle are not in use but they are still there. They remind us of how important Ballincollig was in history. When you visit Ballincollig, you can almost imagine the hustle and bustle of the busy gunpowder mills and the knights protecting the castle! Isn't it exciting to think about?

  1. What was Ballincollig famous for in the 1800s?
  2. Why were the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills located near the River Lee?
  3. Who built the Ballincollig Castle and when?
  4. Why do you think the gunpowder mills and the castle are not in use today, but are still present in Ballincollig? (Higher Order)
  5. How do the gunpowder mills and the castle contribute to the historical importance of Ballincollig? (Higher Order)

All About Ballincollig

Ballincollig is a lovely town in Ireland. It's quite famous for the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills, where they used to make gunpowder long ago! This site has now turned into a beautiful Regional Park, which is like a big playground for everyone! You can spot many trees, flowers, and even some friendly squirrels there.

Main Street is the heart of the town, lined with shops and cafes. Here you can see the special street furniture like fancy lamp posts and benches where people sit and chat.

A very important part of Ballincollig is the River Lee. It flows calmly alongside the town, and ducks love to swim in it. It's a great place for a picnic on a sunny day.

There aren't any mountains in Ballincollig, but the lovely green hills around make the town even prettier. They are home to many animals like rabbits, foxes, and different types of birds.

So, Ballincollig is a beautiful town with lots of nature, a lively street, and a historical park. It's a fun place to explore and learn more about our wonderful world!.

  1. What is the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills now used as?
  2. Describe the geographical features you can find in the Regional Park.
  3. Can you find the River Lee on a map of Ballincollig? Describe its path through the town.
  4. What animals might you find in the hills around Ballincollig?
  5. Visit the town of Ballincollig or research it online. Can you find a geographical feature not mentioned in the text? Describe it and explain why you find it interesting.

My Family and Ballincollig

Hi, I'm Sam, and I just turned 8! I live in a cool place called Ballincollig. It's in Ireland. You know what's really neat about Ballincollig? We have the best park ever, it's called Ballincollig Regional Park. It's so big, and there's loads of room to run around and play. I love going there with my friends and family, especially when the sun is shining.

There's also this old cool place called Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills. It's not a real gunpowder mill now, it's a part of our park. I like to imagine there are still people making gunpowder there a long time ago. It's like a secret hideout in my adventure games.

Oh, and did I mention the shopping centre? It's not as exciting as the park or the old mill, but it's where we get ice cream, so I guess that's pretty important too. I'm lucky to be growing up in Ballincollig, it's the best place ever!

  1. What is my name and how old am I?
  2. What is the name of the park I love to go to?
  3. What do I like to imagine about the Ballincollig Gunpowder Mills?
  4. Why do I like the shopping centre in Ballincollig?
  5. Why do I think I'm lucky to be growing up in Ballincollig?

The Logainm of Ballincollig

Ballincollig is a place in Ireland. The name 'Ballincollig' comes from Irish words - "Baile an Chollaigh". This means "the town of the boar". A boar is a wild pig that was common in Ireland long ago.

In the old times, people thought a brave warrior turned into a boar. This warrior was protecting a special well. Anyone who came to take water from it without permission would be chased away by this boar. So, people named the place after the boar to remember him.

Today, Ballincollig is a big town with lots of people and houses. It even has a park named "The Regional Park", which was once a place where gunpowder was made. But remember, it all started with a story of a brave boar.

  1. What does 'Ballincollig' mean in English?
  2. What is a boar?
  3. Why was the town named 'Ballincollig'?
  4. What is the 'The Regional Park' in Ballincollig today?
  5. How does the story of the boar connect to Ballincollig today?

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