- Source: Ballybane
Ballybane (Irish: An Baile Bán, meaning 'the white homestead') is a suburb of Galway city in County Galway, Ireland. Ballybane is an ill-defined area, but is roughly bounded by the Old Dublin Road (R338) to the south, Mervue to the west, Ballybrit to the north, and Doughiska to the east.
History
As of the 2020s, there were a number of reports of antisocial behaviour in the area.
In January 2024, as part of Irish anti-immigration protests, a demonstration was held in Ballybane by local residents in opposition to the planned introduction of 150 refugees in the locality. Locals complained that they weren't consulted in the plans.
Education
The Galway city branch of the Atlantic Technological University (formerly GMIT until April 2022) is located at the southern end of the suburb, next to the Old Dublin Road. Owing to its proximity, many students live in the Ballybane area, and student residences have been built, such as Glasán Student Village.
The Ballybane Community Resource Centre offers community education courses, including in subjects such as cookery, yoga, beauty courses and D.I.Y.
Facilities
Ballybane Shopping Centre is located in the suburb. Until November 2021, a branch of Irish supermarket Joyce's existed onsite until the chain was purchased by Tesco Ireland.
A pub named the Lantern Bar operated in Ballybane until 2019 when it was closed following complaints and incidents in which Garda Síochána (Irish police) callouts were required. A 2022 news article, on GalwayBeo, suggested that the pub "could reopen soon".
St. Brigid's Catholic church is located off Castlepark Road.
Community groups in the locality include a men's shed and Ballybane community garden. Ballybane is also the site of one of only three libraries that are operated by Galway City Council in the environs of the city.
Notable residents
Former or current residents of the suburb have included:
Baba Adeeko (born 2003), Irish professional footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic
Michael Faherty (1934–2010), Ballybane pensioner who died in Ireland's first reputed case of death by spontaneous human combustion.
Gerry Healy (1913–1989), Irish-born British political activist, was born in Ballybane
See also
St James' GAA
Merlinpark Castle, a nearby castle dating from the 12th century