Ballybeg, County Waterford


Ballybeg is a largely working class district in Waterford, Ireland. The area consists of four council housing estates - Ballybeg, Priory Lawn, Clonard Park and Ardmore Park, and a private housing estate, Glencarra.
As of 2007, the community was reported as being "approximately 750 houses". The community was originally created to provide low-income housing.

Location and access

Ballybeg is accessed via the N25 junction outside the 'Waterford Crystal' factory, the N25 junction past the 'Cartamundi' games factory, and the Ballybeg Link Road off the Kilbarry road.
The area of Ballybeg is situated within the wider Kilbarry area. This area was reputedly home to a priory of the Knights Templar and later became the Irishtown of Waterford. Many cities and large towns in Ireland have an area called Baile Beag Baile Bocht i.e. 'Ballybock' in Dublin, Ceathrú Rua or simply "Irish Town".

Amenities

Ballybeg is served by a church, a primary school, two supermarkets, a takeaway, and a parish centre / sports hall. It also has several sporting organisations, including a GAA club, a soccer club and a boxing club, as well as being near to the Waterford Crystal "sports and social" centre, two other soccer clubs and Waterford City Rugby Club. Waterford United also play their home games close by, in the Regional Sports Centre. There is also youth centre in the area.
Local community groups include several community development projects and a joint venture between the local community and local industry in the LEDC which has already built a creche and community sports facility. The community also has a representative group called the Ballybeg Action Group which works for the "improvement of facilities in the local community".