Ballingarry

History

Evidence of ancient settlement around Ballingarry includes several ringfort and holy well sites. A number of early medieval religious houses, including a preceptory associated with the Knights Templar or Knights Hospitaller, were founded nearby from the 12th century. On Knight Street, within the village, is the 15th century Ballingarry Castle. This Norman tower house is traditionally associated with the De Lacy family. The village's Church of Ireland church was built, in 1820, at the site of an earlier church and graveyard enclosure. The current Roman Catholic church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and opened in 1879. These churches are among seven buildings, in Ballingarry, included in the Record of Protected Structures for County Limerick. Ballingarry had a significant weaving and linen industry until the Great Famine of the mid-19th century.

Most-observed species

• Common Carder Bee

  Bombus pascuorum (Scopoli, 1763) · Insecta
  231
• European Robin

  Erithacus rubecula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  179
• Rook

  Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  178
• White-tailed Bumble Bee

  Bombus lucorum (Linnaeus, 1761) · Insecta
  169
• Common Wood-Pigeon

  Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  152
• Western Jackdaw

  Coloeus monedula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  152
• Eurasian Blackbird

  Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  123
• Eurasian Wren

  Troglodytes troglodytes (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  111