Welcome to Ballyboden

Ballyboden is a wonderful townland in Dublin, Ireland. Its name means "Boden's town" in Irish. Isn't that fun? Just like you and your friends have names, places have names too!

Long, long ago, before your grandparents were born, Ballyboden was full of farms and fields. People grew vegetables and raised animals. It was very different from the busy place it is today.

One special thing about Ballyboden is the old tower called St. Colmcille's Well. This well was named after a famous Irish saint. People believe it has been there for over a thousand years! Wow, that's older than your teacher!

Ballyboden is also home to an old church, St. Mary's Church, which was built way back in the 19th century. It's like stepping into a time machine when you go there!

Today, Ballyboden is known for its great schools, sports clubs, and lovely homes. But its history is always remembered and cherished. Isn't it amazing how places change over time? Just like you're growing and changing, so is Ballyboden!

  1. What does the name Ballyboden mean in Irish?
  2. What is one special thing about Ballyboden?
  3. What is Ballyboden known for today?
  4. How has Ballyboden changed over the years? Provide specific examples from the text.
  5. Why do you think it's important to remember and cherish the history of a place? Use your own ideas as well as information from the text.

All About Ballyboden

Ballyboden is a special place in Dublin, Ireland. Known for its wide, welcoming streets like Taylors Lane, it's a place of charm and character. As you walk down the streets, you will encounter rows of pretty houses and green parks. One of the famous places to visit here is the Ballyboden St. Enda's GAA Club, where kids indulge in sports like hurling and football.

The region is abundant in natural beauty. Diverse species of trees and flowers, such as oak trees and daffodils, adorn the surroundings. If you're lucky, you may even spot some of Ireland's native wildlife, like robins and foxes.

The street furniture in Ballyboden is quite interesting as well. Bright red post boxes waiting for letters and lovely benches where you can sit and enjoy an ice cream are common sights.

Adding to its charm is its location near the Dublin Mountains. These towering hills are perfect for a fun walk, offering breathtaking views of the city. Though Ballyboden doesn't have any rivers, the nearby Dodder River is a beautiful place to visit.

With its mix of urban and natural elements, Ballyboden is indeed a great place filled with fun things to see and do!

  1. What kind of sports do kids in Ballyboden commonly play?
  2. Describe the natural beauty you might encounter in Ballyboden.
  3. What is unique about the street furniture in Ballyboden?
  4. Using a map, can you locate Ballyboden and the nearby Dublin Mountains and Dodder River?
  5. Explore Ballyboden yourself and describe something of geographical interest that you discovered.

My Family and Ballyboden

Hi, I'm Lee and I'm 8 years old. I live in a cool place called Ballyboden. It's in Ireland, you know. I love it here because there's always something to do. I live right near the Dublin Mountains. They're really big and green and sometimes we go for hikes there. It's a lot of fun and you can see for miles and miles when you're at the top.

Close to my house is the huge St. Colmcille's Community School. It's so big! I can't wait till I'm old enough to go there. There's also the Ballyboden St. Enda's club where they play Gaelic football and hurling. I tried hurling once but I think I need to grow a bit more before I'm really good at it.

I have a lot of friends here and we like to play in the Marlay Park. It's massive and there's even a fairy tree. Some people say fairies live there. I'm not sure if I believe them but it's fun to imagine. Ballyboden is a really great place to grow up. I can't wait to see what I'll experience here next!

  1. Can you describe the Dublin Mountains?
  2. What is special about St. Colmcille's Community School?
  3. Can you explain what Gaelic football and hurling are?
  4. What can you do at Marlay Park?
  5. What do you think about the fairy tree?

The Logainm of Ballyboden

Ballyboden is a place in Ireland. The word 'Ballyboden' is actually made up of two parts. 'Bally' comes from the Irish word 'baile' which means 'town', and 'boden' comes from 'both dĂșin' that means 'black fort'. So, Ballyboden translates to 'town of the black fort' in English.

Long ago, people believe there was a big, dark fort in Ballyboden. It was so big and strong that everyone knew about it. Over time, the fort disappeared, but the name stayed. That's why even today, we call it Ballyboden, remembering the old black fort that once stood there.

Now, Ballyboden is a busy place with houses, schools, and parks. Even without the black fort, it's still a special place. And every time someone says 'Ballyboden', they're also telling a little bit of the story of the old black fort that used to be there.

  1. What does 'Ballyboden' mean in English?
  2. What does 'baile' and 'both dĂșin' mean in Irish?
  3. What was Ballyboden known for a long time ago?
  4. What is Ballyboden like today?
  5. How does the name 'Ballyboden' tell a story about the past?

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