Welcome to Ballyduffy

Ballyduffy is a special little place in County Longford, Ireland. It's what we call a "townland", a little piece of Irish countryside, just like your neighborhood at home! Now, let's step into the time machine and discover its history.

Long, long ago, even before your great-great-great grandparents were born, Ballyduffy was full of life. It was home to hardworking farmers who loved their land. They grew crops and raised animals, just like the farmers you see on TV!

Even though we don't have a famous battle or a grand castle to talk about, Ballyduffy's story is about regular people doing extraordinary things. These people built their homes, raised their families, and passed on their love for this land through generations.

Over the years, Ballyduffy has seen many changes. New houses were built, roads were paved, and more people moved in. But, the heart of Ballyduffy, the love for its beautiful green fields and friendly people, remains the same.

So remember, every place, big or small, has its own story. And Ballyduffy's story is a warm tale of people and their love for their home.

  1. What is a "townland"?
  2. What did the people of Ballyduffy do many years ago?
  3. What changes has Ballyduffy seen over the years?
  4. How does the story of Ballyduffy reflect the lives of ordinary people doing extraordinary things?
  5. Why do you think the love for Ballyduffy's green fields and friendly people remains despite the changes?

All About Ballyduffy

Welcome to Ballyduffy, a wonderful little village in County Longford, Ireland! Ballyduffy doesn't have any big skyscrapers or noisy traffic, but it's full of beautiful nature and friendly people.

One thing you'd notice here is the greenness everywhere! The village is surrounded by lush fields and meadows, perfect for a picnic or a game of tag. If you're lucky, you might spot some of Ireland's native animals, like rabbits, foxes, or even a badger.

Ballyduffy doesn't have mountains, but it's near the lovely River Inny. This river is home to a variety of fish like trout and salmon. If you're quiet, you might even see a kingfisher bird diving for its dinner!

There aren't many streets in Ballyduffy, but the village has some charming houses with their unique Irish designs. You might find a post box painted bright green or a bench where the elderly people of the village like to sit and chat.

Ballyduffy might be small, but it's a place full of life and beauty. It's a great place to learn about the nature and culture of Ireland. So, pack your bags, we're going on an adventure to Ballyduffy!

  1. What kind of wildlife might you find in Ballyduffy and why is it important to preserve these species?
  2. How does the River Inny contribute to the local ecosystem of Ballyduffy?
  3. What are some unique characteristics of the houses in Ballyduffy? How do they reflect Irish culture?
  4. Using a map, can you find Ballyduffy in County Longford? What other landmarks or geographical features can you identify nearby?
  5. Plan a field trip to Ballyduffy. What geographical features or landmarks would you like to visit? Why?

My Family and Ballyduffy

Hi! I'm Zephyr and I'm 8 years old! I live in a little town called Ballyduffy in Co. Longford. Living here is really super fun. We have this really big park that's like, the biggest park in the world! I go there with my friends to play football. Then, there's this cool river called the Camlin, it's so beautiful! I love to watch the ducks swim in it.

Our town has an old school, it's like really old, but I love it. We do lots of fun things there like playing games and learning about animals. My favourite is the elephant, they are so big and strong!

My house is near the Ballyduffy Bog. It's a huge place where people cut turf. It's fun to watch, but my mum says it's hard work. I can't wait to be big enough to help!

Oh, and we have a farm with lots of cows and sheep. I help my dad feed them. They are really cute and fluffy. I love living in Ballyduffy, it's the best town ever!

  1. What is the name of the river mentioned in the blog?
  2. What does Zephyr like to do at the park?
  3. What are some things Zephyr helps with on the farm?
  4. How does Zephyr feel about living in Ballyduffy?
  5. What is a fun activity Zephyr does at school?

The Logainm of Ballyduffy

Have you ever wondered what the name of your town or village means? Let's explore the name of a place in Ireland called Ballyduffy. In Irish, the name "Ballyduffy" is "Baile Dhubthaigh". "Baile" means "town" and "Dhubthaigh" means "of the black-haired one". So, Ballyduffy means "town of the black-haired one" in English. Isn't that interesting?

Now, let's go back in time. Long ago, people didn't have last names like we do today. Instead, they were known by their characteristics. So, the "black-haired one" could have been a person who lived in that area with distinctive black hair. Over time, the place where he lived became known as Ballyduffy.

Today, Ballyduffy is a small but lovely village in County Longford. The name reminds us of the person who might have lived there long ago. Even though we don't know much about the "black-haired one", his name lives on in the place we call Ballyduffy.

  1. What does the Irish word "Baile" mean in English?
  2. What could the name "Dhubthaigh" possibly refer to?
  3. Why do you think people in the past were known by their characteristics?
  4. How does the name Ballyduffy remind us of its history?
  5. Can you think of any other place names that might have interesting stories behind them?

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