Ballyseedy (Irish: Bailte Ó Síoda, meaning 'town of Sheedy')[2] is a townland in County Kerry, Ireland. It was historically situated in the parish of Ballyseedy, within the barony of Trughanacmy.[3] The townland contains a number of notable landmarks, including Ballyseedy Wood, a bridge over the Ballycarty River and a ruined Protestant church. There is also a large restored castle (Ballyseedy Castle) which is in use as a hotel.

Ballyseedy Bailte Ó Síoda
Townland
Ballyseedy Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°15′14″N 9°39′25″W
Country	Ireland
Province	Munster
County	County Kerry
Area
• Townland	14 km2 (5 sq mi)
Population  (2006)[1]
• Urban	474
Time zone	UTC+0 (WET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid Reference	Q869126

Location

Ballyseedy is located off the N21 road, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) southeast of Tralee. A section of the River Lee, from which Tralee takes its name,[4] forms the northern edge of the townland.

History

Ballyseedy Wood is an ancient woodland dating at least to the 16th century, when it was mapped by Sir Edward Denny.[5] The wood contains the ruins of Ballyseedy House (or Old Ballyseedy Castle). Alongside nearby "New" Ballyseedy Castle (now restored as a hotel). The main S block was remodelled in medieval-revival style by James Franklin Fuller.

This was the seat of the Blennerhassett family from around 1586 to 1967.[6]

Ballyseedy Massacre

The townland was the scene of an atrocity in the Irish Civil War in which eight anti-Treaty IRA prisoners were killed by their captors, members of the Free State forces. The lone survivor was Stephen Fuller TD.

Demographics

In the 2002 census, Ballyseedy had a population of 127.[1] By the 2006 Census, it had a population of 474.[1]

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland
• List of baronies of Ireland

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ballyseedy.