Ballyvourney

Ballyvourney (Baile Bhuirne) is a small town in south-west County Cork, Ireland on the border with County Kerry. It is north-west of Cork city close to Macroom in the Derrynasaggart Mountains and is in the Muskerry region.

Tourism and the Irish language

It is a great tourist attraction and is an official Gaeltacht. It is also an area rich in architectural heritage; the local abbey contains a Sheela na Gig and there are a number of stone circles, stone rows and fulachtaí fia in the area. The town is associated with Saint Gobnait and is host to St. Gobnait's Well, which is visited by the local faithful every February 11.

Ballyvourney is also the home of Ionad Cultúrtha (website - ) which is a regional cultural centre for the traditional and contemporary arts. It holds many interesting music and visual art events, and helps to keep traditional music alive and growing.

School

The local national school is called Scoil Aban Naofa. The school was named after Aban who was one of the main saints of Ballyvourney. The local secondary school is called "Coláiste Ghobnatan." It is named after one of the other main saints of Ballyvourney. The grounds of the former De Salle College Coláiste Íosagáin where A Song for a Raggy Boy was filmed, can still be seen in Ballyvourney.

Amenities

The bar/restaurants in Ballyvourney are "The Mills Inn", 'The Abbey Hotel' "The Hibernian" and 'The Crúiscín Lán'.

Transport and communications

Ballyvourney is located on the N22 road
Nearest airport Cork Airport

Employment

Employment opportunities in Ballyvourney range from agricultural, industrial to hospitality sectors. Údarás na Gaeltachta provide grants for businesses, many of which are situated in Ballyvourney's industrial estate.

Sport

Gaelic games

There is a strong Gaelic Athletic Association tradition in Ballyvourney. The Senior Gaelic football club, Naomh Abán GAA, Named after a local Saint, has many championship titles to its name. Anthony Lynch, a native of Ballyvourney and a player on the local football team also plays for the Cork senior football team.

Soccer

Sullane F.C. , named after the river which runs through Ballyvourney, is the local soccer club. The team competes in the West Cork league in senior and underage divisions.