Ballybunion

Ballybunion ( _ga. Baile an Bhuinneánaigh) is a coastal village in County Kerry, Ireland, 15 km (9 miles) from the town of Listowel. There are castle ruins near the town, although all that remains is a single wall, and two golf courses in the area including the famous Ballybunion Golf Club, a top class Links course founded in 1893 and host course to the Murphys Irish Open in 2000 and Palmer Cup in 2004. According to the Central Statistics Office, Ballybunion had a population of 1329 in 2002.

In the summer, Ballybunion attracts many families and young people to enjoy the sandy beach, warm Atlantic waters and the pubs along the high street. Nearby cliffs offer excellent scenery. Sometimes dolphins may be seen in the waters. The beaches near Ballybunion are a popular surfing site. Other traditions include the beachside Seaweed Baths, featuring sea water with kelp. In the summertime cooked periwinkles are salted and served in small paper bags along with a pin to extract the small sea snails. The village itself contains mostly pubs and amusement arcades, fast food restaurants, children's playground, a supermarket, Garda Station and a statue of Bill Clinton.

Local events

* In summer 2006 the town hosted the first ever "World Fleadh." Traditional Irish music was played throughout the six day mid-August festival, as well as music from non-Irish musicians who performed including the French group Gipsy Kings and the British group The Waterboys. Celebrities, including Jodie Marsh and Kathyrn Thomas, also attended World Fleadh.

* Each year, the Ballybunion International Bachelor Festival takes place. With bachelors from far and wide this is week long festival of music, drink, games and craic. The winning Bachelor is crowned on Saturday night and celebrated in the Golf Hotel. Sometime during the week is the Terrier Race (small dogs of mixed breed chase a 'rabbit' down the street), the Barmans (and Bar Owners) Race (where a tray of drink has to be carried at speed up and down the main street), and also a Girls Doll & Pram event and a Boys Tractor display.

Places of interest

*The beach promontory on the right features impressive tidal caves that can be explored at low tide.

*There are two commonly used beaches in Ballybunion, accessed by large, very steep concrete pavements, and divided by the cliff atop which stands the ruined castle. The beach to the left of the castle (if looking toward the sea) is called the "Men's Beach", and the one to the right the "Ladies Beach", given to the fact that men used to bathe on a separate beach from women and children. This practice has not been observed for decades. There is a small cafe, hot seaweed baths and ice cream shop on the women's beach. The large cliffs to the right of the women's beach have shallow caves. The sheer cliffs over the beach have a scenic walking path, featuring a blowhole, views of sea stacks and a multitude of wildlife. The path takes about 20 minutes to walk, and goes round to the "Nun's Beach", a beautiful beach with no access that is overlooked by a convent.

* The Listowel and Ballybunion RailwayThe Listowel and Ballybunion Railway was a highly unusual form of transport. It built to the Lartigue monorail system. Ballybunion railway station opened on 6 March 1888, but finally closed on 14 October 1924. [cite web | title=Ballybunion station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-09-10|format=PDF]

* The Tintán Theatre [http://www.tintean.com The Tinteán Theatre] , off Church Road, is a 500+ seat theatre opened in 2006. It regularly hosts plays, pantos, Irish dancing, comedy show (eg Jon Kenny, Brendan Grace) and music concert (Brendan Shine, Nyle Wolfe). In July 2007 the Tintán hosted a live RTÉ draw for the FAI.

* Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue This Rescue Unit is situated on the Ladies Beach. Founded in 1986, the volunteer unit provides 24x7 in-shore rescue cover. The unit has a D class RIB and an Atlantic 21 boat. Ranging along the coast from Ballyheigue to Glinn, and inland as far as Listowel, the unit rescues, recovers and searches for any soul in need, as well as providing First Aid and Ambulance assistance at a handful of horse races around the Ballybunion area.

* Ballybunion Health & Leisure CentreThis [http://www.ballybunionleisure.com Health & Leisure Centre] opened in 2007 and is situated on Kit Ahern Road. It has a heated 20m pool, sauna, jacuzzi, gym and exercise rooms. The existence of a swimming pool in Ballybunion has been sought for decades. The complex is open all year round and offers yearly and part-time membership.

port

The Ballybunion Community Centre host many sports, including regular training in Boxing, Basketball, Judo, Indoor Soccer and Kung Fu.

* GolfThe Ballybunion Golf Club was founded in 1893 and is home to arguably one of the best links courses in the world. There are 2 courses, the Old Course and the Cashen Course. Both are running along beside the beach. See above link for details.

* GAAStack Park is situated off Sandhill Road, and has an unofficial walk-in entrance off Central Park (mobile home part off Kit Ahern Road). This floodlight pitch provides training & matches for many divisions of players (incl under 8's, 10's, Junior, & Senior) as well as Ladies football.

The Ballybunion team are called the Beal team. Beal is a small town a couple of miles up the coast from Ballybunion. The Beal colours are Green with Red stripe.

ee also

*List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

References