Ballyhalbert

Infobox Irish Place
name = Ballyhalbert
gaeilge = Baile Thalbóid
scots = Talsbotstoun
crest

motto =
map

pin coords = left: 191px; top: 98px
north coord = 54.495 | west coord = 5.459
area = | elevation =
province = Ulster
county = County Down
NI district = Ards Borough
UK constituency = Strangford
EU constituency = Northern Ireland
stdcode = 028, +44 28
posttown = Newtownards
postcode = BT22
population = 447
census yr = 2001
web =
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Ballyhalbert (derive|Irish|Baile Thalbóid|Talbot’s townland; also "Talsbotstoun" in Ulster Scots) is a small village in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is on the east (Irish Sea) coast of the Ards Peninsula between Ballywalter and Portavogie. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 447 people. It is largely residential and has a small harbour and large caravan site which was formerly a Royal Air Force (RAF) base, RAF Ballyhalbert, during World War II. It is within the Ards Borough Council area.

History

*The village takes its name from the Talbot family who settled in the area following the Anglo-Norman conquest led by John de Courcy in the 12th century.
*The village played a major role during the Second World War when an RAF airfield, RAF Ballyhalbert, was built. It had the important role of protecting Belfast and the eastern half of Northern Ireland. During its lifetime, Ballyhalbert was home to RAF, Army, Navy and United States Air Force (USAF) personnel. The airfield was sold to developers in March 1960, and is in use for several popular caravan parks.

References

* [http://www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk/ NI Neighbourhood Information Service]
* [http://www.emeraldtiger.com/countys/down/tour.htm Tour of the Ards Peninsula]
* [http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/town_Home.aspx?co=7&to=125&ca=0&sca=0&navID=1 Culture Northern Ireland]

External links

* [http://www.upperardshistory.org/PenHistProject2004.htm Ballyhalbert RAF Airfield]

ee also

*List of towns in Northern Ireland
*List of villages in Northern Ireland