Ballintemple

Ballintemple (from the Irish Gaelic ’"Baile an Teampaill"’, the town of the church) is a suburb of Cork city, Ireland. The village is situated on the east side of the city with its limits extending to the River Lee and the village of Blackrock further to the east. Originally, Ballintemple was a separate village but today it has been enclosed by the city.

The Village

The Blackrock Road runs through the heart of the village which has a post office, some small shops, and two public houses – The Venue and The Temple Inn (known locally as ’"Longboats"’). The Lavanagh Centre is also located in the village, and offers different services to the physically handicapped of all ages, including physical therapy in its own swimming pool.

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Páirc Uí Rinn is located near the village itself as is Páirc Uí Chaoimh, both of which are Gaelic Games stadia owned by the Gaelic Athletic Association and used by various Cork GAA teams and clubs for hurling and Gaelic football matches. Páirc Uí Rinn neighbours the Temple Hill grounds of Cork Constitution, the well-known rugby club.

History

The ruins of Dundanion Castle lie close to Páirc Uí Chaoimh by the Lee. William Penn, the founder of the state of Pennsylvania, is said to have departed from here on his journey to the United States in 1682. Some time earlier, Sir Walter Raleigh is reported to have spent some time here before setting off on his final voyage to the West Indies in August 1617.

George Boole, the famous mathematician and inventor of Boolean algebra, lived in Ballintemple during the 19th century whilst professor at University College Cork. He died in December 1864, after catching pneumonia as the result of a rain storm whilst walking the four miles between his house and the university to give a lecture.

Other Landmarks

The old, abandoned Beaumont Quarry lies adjacent to Páirc Uí Rinn and Temple Hill. In its time, it provided limestone blocks for some of the fine buildings visible in Cork City. The showgrounds of the Munster Agricultural Society adjoin Páirc Uí Chaoimh and are used for occasional agricultural exhibitions.