[citation needed] Ballyadams is located in the east of the county, north of the River Douglas and west of the River Barrow (where it forms part of the border with County Kildare).

It is a limestone region, with some anthracite coal being mined in the past.

[5] Ancient chiefs in the area include the Uí Caollaidhe (Keely), who were chiefs of Críoch Uí mBuidhe.

[6] It is referred to in the topographical poem Tuilleadh feasa ar Éirinn óigh (Giolla na Naomh Ó hUidhrín, d. 1420): Críoch Ó mBuidhe an fhóid fhinntigh ós Bearbha mbuig mbraoinlinntigh; d’Ó Chaolluidhe as caomh an chríoch, aoghoire nár fhaomh eissíoth ("Crioch O-mbuidhe of the fair sod, Along the Barrow of the bright pools, To O'Caollaidhe the territory is fair, A shepherd prepared to encounter enemies.

")[7] The Uí Caollaidhe were expelled during the Laois-Offaly Plantation of the 16th century, and took land at Kylenabehy.