Overview
Ballinakill (Baile na Coille – “town of the wood”) sits on the R432 between Abbeyleix, Ballyragget and Castlecomer. With a 2016 population of 445, the village punches above its weight, offering a blend of history, horticulture and outdoor recreation. Public transport is served by a daily Town Link service (Slieve Bloom Coaches) linking Portlaoise and Borris‑in‑Ossory, and a TFI Local Link route 822 from Mountrath to Carlow.
Name and Heritage
The Irish name Baile na Coille reflects the village’s origins amid extensive woodlands that once surrounded it. Late‑16th‑century records note the lands of “Ballenekyll” were granted to Alexander Cosby. In 1606 Sir Thomas Coatch received a charter to hold a market and fair, establishing Ballinakill as a planned estate town. By 1611 Sir Thomas Ridgeway, later Earl of Londonderry, laid out the town’s street pattern, which largely survives today.
History
The commercial roots of Ballinakill date to the 1606 market charter – the Ballinakill Cattle Fair ran until 1963. In 1611 Sir Thomas Ridgeway acquired the town, erected a castle and promoted development, later becoming a parliamentary borough (1613‑1800). The 1641 Rebellion saw the castle and village besieged by the Earl of Castlehaven and Lord Mountgarret; a rare eyewitness account survives from a Patagonian servant of Captain Richard Steele, the only known such testimony in Irish archives.
A monument in the town square, unveiled in 1898, commemorates those who fell in the 1798 rebellion. The square also features the historic Market House and the 1798 monument, while two churches stand side‑by‑side on Church Street – a distinctive feature of the village’s ecclesiastical heritage. A former Quaker cemetery lies just south of the town, and a Gothic‑style folly in the Heywood demesne incorporates stone windows salvaged from nearby Aghaboe Abbey.
Heywood Gardens – Landscape and Design
Just north of the village lies Heywood Gardens, a nationally‑managed historic park owned by the Office of Public Works. The estate began as an 18th‑century romantic landscape created by Michael Frederick Trench, who reshaped hills, dug three artificial lakes and planted avenues after his Grand Tour. Trench consulted with James Gandon – the architect of Dublin’s Custom House – and named the house after his mother‑in‑law, Mary Heywood.
In 1950 Heywood House was destroyed by an accidental fire while owned by the Salesian Brothers; the demesne was transferred to State ownership in November 1993 and has remained open to the public. Early‑20th‑century interventions by Sir Edwin Lutyens – possibly with Gertrude Jekyll – added formal terraces, a sunken garden with an elliptical pool, and a red‑tiled loggia. Heywood Gardens is one of only four Lutyens‑designed gardens in Ireland and the only one in Laois.
Visitors can wander pollarded lime avenues, pause on terraces overlooking Trench’s lakes (kingfishers and moorhens are common), and explore the sunken garden where turtles seem to guard a grand fountain. The landscape bears the imprint of the Picturesque movement; a “Claud’s Seat” likely honours Claude Lorraine. A Gothic folly incorporates windows taken from Aghaboe Abbey, adding a medieval touch.
| Season | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| May – August | 08:30 – 21:00 |
| April & September | 08:30 – 19:00 |
| October – March | 08:30 – 17:00 |
| All year (grounds) | Open year‑round |
The gardens are free to enter, with limited disabled access. Facilities include a car park, toilets, a brochure desk and guided tours on request. Dogs are welcome on leads.
Community Outdoor Swimming Pool
The Ballinakill Outdoor Swimming Pool is a community‑run facility operating seasonally from June to September. Originally built by the Salesian Brothers as a 45 m pool, it now comprises a 30 m adult pool and a 10 m toddler pool. Recent upgrades added a modern playground and a small snack kiosk. The pool is managed by the Ballinakill Community Development Association with volunteer support. Admission is free for residents; a modest fee applies to non‑residents (check the local notice board for current rates).
Masslough Lake & Angling
Masslough Lake is a semi‑circular body of water fringed by native woodland and winding pathways that feel almost fair‑ytale‑like. Anglers can expect roach, perch and sizeable tench (up to 3 lb). Tickets are sold through the Ballinakill Angling Club. A nearby Gill’s Pond – named after an old woman who lived in a gate‑lodge type house at the entrance to the lake – also provides fishing.
Twin Trees Festival – Art & Culture
Every August the Twin Trees Heywood Art & Culture Festival transforms the gardens into an open‑air studio. The event is held on the former toll‑gate site at the “Twin Trees” – a historic entry point to the village. In 2023 the festival ran from 17 – 20 August, offering painting workshops, woodland sketch‑sessions and a village‑wide celebration of art and culture. The festival welcomes artists of all levels and draws visitors from across Ireland.
Literary Connections
Renowned poet Seamus Heaney once fished in Masslough Lake and later wrote a poem about the tench he caught there, adding a literary footnote to the lake’s natural appeal.
Local Flavours
- Heywood Haven – a cosy café on the main street serving homemade treats and coffee.
- G’s Gourmet Jam Farm Shop – a short drive out of town, offering locally produced jams, scones and outdoor seating.
Sport & Community
Ballinakill supports two Gaelic Athletic Association clubs – Ballinakill GAA and Spink GAA – where locals gather for hurling and football matches. The village playground, opened in 2022, adds another family‑focused amenity.
Community Pride and Events
Ballinakill was the Laois entry in the All‑Island Pride of Place competition in 2022 and won the award for settlements with a population of 300‑1 000. Judges were greeted at the historic “Twin Trees” toll‑gate site and treated to talks by local historian Ger Dunphy, who highlighted the town’s market charter, the 1641 siege, and quirky links such as a Mansfield family connection to John F. Kennedy. The event showcased the village’s vibrant community groups, recent upgrades to the outdoor pool and playground, and the ongoing work of the Ballinakill Community Development Association.
Nearby Attractions
- Emo Court – neo‑classical mansion and formal gardens, ~20 km north.
- Rock of Dunamase – hill‑top fortress with sweeping views, ~15 km east.
- Abbeyleix Bog Walk – boardwalk through restored bogland, gentle stroll.
- Laois Heritage Trail – a driving route linking historic sites across the county, including Ballinakill.
Practical Information
Getting Here: From Abbeyleix, follow the R432 southeast for 7 km to the Heywood Gardens entrance, adjacent to Heywood Community School. Parking is available on‑site for both the gardens and the outdoor pool (free, with a limited number of spaces during peak summer days).
Opening Hours: See the Heywood Gardens table above. The outdoor pool runs daily from early June until late September; exact times are posted locally (verify on arrival).
Admission: Heywood Gardens – free entry (limited disabled access). The outdoor pool is free for residents; a modest fee may apply for non‑residents (check local notice boards).
Accessibility: The gardens provide limited access for visitors with disabilities; pathways are uneven in places and the lake area has deep‑water warnings. The pool area is level and wheelchair‑friendly.
Facilities: Car parks, public toilets, a brochure desk, guided tours (by appointment), and a café at Heywood Haven. The pool site includes changing rooms and a snack kiosk.
Contact & Further Details:
- Heywood Gardens website: Heritage Ireland – Heywood Gardens
- Outdoor pool information: Ballinakill Outdoor Swimming Pool
- Twin Trees Festival enquiries: info@twintrees.ie
Plan your visit to Ballinakill for a mix of historic intrigue, garden splendour, family‑friendly recreation and vibrant arts – all set against the gentle rolling hills of County Laois.