Welcome to Ballymore

Ballymore is a wonderful place, located in County Leitrim, Ireland. This townland has a history as beautiful and interesting as a storybook tale. Ballymore is not famous for a big event, but it's the little things that make its history so special.

Hundreds of years ago, Ballymore was all green fields and forests. People lived simple lives, farming the land and taking care of animals. The houses were different than today, built from stones and thatch. Can you imagine living in such a house?

The townland was named Ballymore, which in Irish means 'Big Town'. But don't be fooled by the name, Ballymore was never a big town! It was always a peaceful, quiet place where everyone knew everyone.

In the past, Ballymore was part of a big estate owned by a wealthy family. They used to own the whole land, from the green fields to the blue lake. But times changed, and now Ballymore is a place where many different families live, sharing stories and making history every day.

Even though Ballymore might seem like a normal place, it has a special charm that makes it unique. Its history is like a quiet river, always flowing, always changing.

  1. What does Ballymore mean in Irish?
  2. How were the houses in Ballymore different hundreds of years ago?
  3. Who used to own the land of Ballymore in the past?
  4. Why do you think Ballymore is referred to as a 'Big Town' even though it was never a big town? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
  5. How does the text describe the history of Ballymore? What does this tell you about the town's past?

All About Ballymore

Ballymore is a lovely village in County Leitrim, Ireland. The village is nestled amidst picturesque landscapes that are perfect for exploration. One of the key locations in Ballymore is the Main Street, notable for its array of shops and houses.

The village is also rich in fauna. There, you can observe animals like cows and sheep grazing peacefully. The area is also home to many bird species such as robins and sparrows. If you're lucky, you might even spot a badger or fox!

The flora of Ballymore is equally captivating. The village is home to hawthorn and ash trees. In spring, the fields transform into a vibrant display of daffodils and bluebells.

Ballymore is laced by the Shannon-Erne river, a popular spot for fishing. It's also in proximity to the Sliabh An Iarainn mountains, which translates to "Mountain of Iron" in Irish. The village is designed to be welcoming, with benches and lampposts scattered around, and a postbox for sending letters to friends.

From its abundant nature, to its mountains, river, and friendly streets, Ballymore is a wonderful place for learning and play.

  1. What types of animals might you see in Ballymore?
  2. What types of trees can be found in Ballymore?
  3. What is the name of the river in Ballymore and what activities can you do there?
  4. Using a map of Ballymore, can you identify the Main Street and the location of the Sliabh An Iarainn mountains?
  5. Explore the area of Ballymore yourself. What geographical feature or landmark did you find interesting, and why?

My Family and Ballymore

Hi there! My name is Ollie and I'm 8 years old. I live in a super cool place called Ballymore in Co. Leitrim. It's a tiny but lovely place filled with fun things to do and see.

You might think living in a small place is boring, but not Ballymore! We have the biggest and greenest park in the whole wide world, well, at least that's what I think. It's my favourite place to play football with my friends. I love running around and feeling the wind in my hair.

We also have a beautiful lake called Lough Allen. It's so big and blue and sparkly, like a giant's bathtub. Sometimes, my family and I go for picnics here. We feed the ducks and watch the boats sailing. It's the best fun ever!

Then, there's this really, really old castle called Parke's Castle. It's like something out of my storybooks. I like to imagine I'm a brave knight protecting the castle when I visit.

So, as you can see, Ballymore is a pretty awesome place to grow up. I'm lucky to call it home. I can't wait to share more about my adventures with you!

  1. What is Ollie's favourite place in Ballymore?
  2. Why does Ollie like playing in the park?
  3. What activities does Ollie do at Lough Allen?
  4. What does Ollie imagine when visiting Parke's Castle?
  5. How does Ollie feel about growing up in Ballymore?

The Logainm of Ballymore

Ballymore is a town in County Leitrim, Ireland. The word 'Ballymore' is an English version of its original Irish name, 'Baile Mór'. In Irish, 'Baile' means 'town' and 'Mór' means 'big'. So, 'Baile Mór' means 'big town'. It was named this way because it was larger than other towns in the area when it was named many years ago.

Many years ago, people in Ireland spoke only Irish. But then English speakers came and started learning and using the Irish names for places. Sometimes they changed the names a little to make them easier to say in English. That's how 'Baile Mór' became 'Ballymore'.

Even though it's not a big town now, Ballymore is still important. It's a place where people live, work, and go to school. They remember its history and its Irish name. And by using the name 'Ballymore', they help keep the Irish language alive today.

  1. What is the original Irish name of Ballymore and what does it mean in English?
  2. Why was the town of Ballymore named 'Baile Mór'?
  3. How did 'Baile Mór' become 'Ballymore'?
  4. Why is it important to remember the Irish name of Ballymore?
  5. How does using the name 'Ballymore' help keep the Irish language alive today?

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