Our born-and-raised Irish tour guide friend has been showing us around her childhood home in County Kerry. In addition to the great personal tour, a theme that stands out is the large number of towns and villages that start with Bally. So many, my curiosity was peeked and with a little research I’ve learned that Bally derives from baile na which means “place of” and simular to home, settlement, or town. There are over 5,000 places that start with Bally in Ireland. With that in mind, here is a little about the first few Bally’s we have visited and we are just getting started!
Ballyduff where our good friend is from and were they have a family fun farm were we are staying. We were fortunate enough to get in on an impromptu family gathering, when her brothers and a couple of sisters, plus family showed up to help with a small teardown project. After the task was finished it was tea and sweets around the old family dining table.
Ballybunion is a seaside town with beautiful beaches, cliffs, and the remains of a castle from 1200. There is a walking path along the top of the cliffs that weaves down to the sandy beaches, both paved and through the seagrass.
Ballyheigue, another seaside town with long beaches and small islands that danced in the clouds. At both beaches swimmers were in the water, hardy souls at 16 degrees C and they appeared to be enjoying it!
Ballyfinnane a very small village consisting of a small school and the local pub, The Shanty Bar. Great bartender and dive bar decor. Nice stop for a Powers Irish Whiskey, the best-selling in Ireland.
Travels Unraveled 