Baltinglass

Baltinglass, historically known as Baltinglas[2][3] (Irish: Bealach Conglais, meaning 'road (or way) of Conglas'), is a town in south-west County Wicklow, Ireland.

It was the name of a palace at Baltinglass, where, according to the Irish etymologist Patrick Weston Joyce, the powerful Leinster king Branduff resided in the sixth century.

A nineteenth-century explanation is found in Samuel Lewis' A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, where he says that the name, "according to most antiquaries," comes from Baal-Tin-Glas, meaning the "pure fire of Baal," and that this suggests that the area was a centre for "druidical worship".

[8] The surrounding hills of the area are rich in archaeological and historical sites, including the Rathcoran passage structure.

On the highest point of the Baltinglass Hill, north-east of the village, the passage grave from the Stone Age whose outer walls are finished in chalk not native to the area, is said on bright days to be visible from Kildare's Curragh 48 km (30 mi) away.

To the north end of the village on the weir of the River Slaney lies the ruins of an ancient monastery, Baltinglass Abbey, that has had many additions over the centuries; the original church is said to date from around 700 A.D.

Sir Maurice did much to promote the development of the town, building a church, a school and a bridge, and encouraging new settlers.

[10][11] Telegraph poles and phone lines were cut in protest and a shop run by the Farrell family was boycotted.

Farrell resigned in December 1950 and Cooke was appointed to the role as sub-postmistress, a position she retained until her retirement in 1962.

[24] The statue is made from Sicilian marble depicts Sam McAllister holding a rifle in his left hand and his right arm in a sling.

[citation needed] The local Gaelic Athletic Association club, Baltinglass GAA, has several pitches and teams.

This route is operated by JJ Kavanagh and Sons, and it stops in Baltinglass outside Burkes shop, to pick up/drop off passengers.

[30] The Baltinglass local electoral area of County Wicklow consists of the electoral divisions of Aghowle, Ballingate, Ballinglen, Ballinguile, Ballybeg, Baltinglass, Blessington, Burgage, Carnew, Coolattin, Coolballintaggart, Coolboy, Cronelea, Donaghmore, Donard, Dunlavin, Eadestown, Hartstown, Hollywood, Humewood, Imael North, Imael South, Kilbride (in the former Rural District of Baltinglass No.1), Killinure, Lackan, Lugglass, Money, Rath, Rathdangan, Rathsallagh, Shillelagh, Stratford, Talbotstown, The Grange, Tinahely, Tober, Togher and Tuckmill.

Statue of Sam McAllister
Apartments and weir on the River Slaney in Baltinglass