Ballincollig (Irish: Baile an Chollaigh)[8] is a suburban town within the administrative area of Cork city in Ireland.

In 2016 it was the largest town in County Cork, at which time the Ballincollig Electoral Division had a population of 18,621 people.

Historically home to the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills which is now a Regional Park, the town has seen much growth in recent years as a satellite of Cork city.

[10][11] The castle was taken from Andrew Barrett by rebels in 1641, but they were expelled by English Parliamentary forces under Murrough O'Brien, Earl Inchiquinn, in 1645.

It was garrisoned for James II in 1689, during the Williamite war in Ireland, then remained unoccupied after his defeat, and fell into decay.

The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills were opened in 1794 by Charles Henry Leslie, a prominent Cork businessman.

Eleven years later, the mills were bought by the British, who were preparing for war with Napoleon, and the barracks were built to protect the supply of gunpowder.

With the closure of the Gunpowder Mills in the early 1900s, Ballincollig became little more than a small village on the road from Cork city to the larger market town of Macroom.

[14] Other religious groups including Hindus, Sikhs, and Greek Orthodox also have services at various locations in Ballincollig.

[15] The amenities located in Ballincollig include a library, a multiplex cinema, playgrounds and shopping centres.

[26] A number of proposals, such as the 'Project Ireland 2040' transport plan, include a potential feasibility study into a possible suburban light rail project in the area connecting Ballincollig to Mahon point via UCC and Cork city centre.