Overview
handball alley — Ballymacward is recorded as handball alley in Galway. Freestanding mass-concrete handball alley, built c.1950, now disused. Rectangular plan with higher playing wall to north end, and sloping side walls.
Why it was built
The saved account records: Freestanding mass-concrete handball alley, built c.1950, now disused.
People and work
The saved account records: Rectangular plan with higher playing wall to north end, and sloping side walls.
How it changed
The saved account records: Square-headed entrance opening to south, partially blocked up.
What survives
The saved account records: Remains of iron posts to top of rear and side walls.
Why it mattered
handball alley — Ballymacward matters for the exact reasons given in its official assessment, rather than merely because it is an old structure. The source records: Once to be found in most towns and villages, handball alleys are becoming rare. Handball was one of the sports promoted by the Gaelic Athletic Association and was a very popular sport with communities throughout Ireland during the first half of the twentieth century. This alley has social significance for the area and contributes to the architectural diversity of Ballymacward. This explains what the place adds to local life, the street or the surviving built history.
History checked 15 August 2026 against the named sources below.
Places near here
- water pump — Ballymacwardbuildingunder 0.1 miles
- Catholic Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul — Ballymacwardbuildingunder 0.1 miles
- R. C. Chapel — Alloon Uppermonumentunder 0.1 miles
- Church in Ballymacwardmonument0.4 miles
- Ballymacward Cemeterymemorial0.4 miles
- Grave Yard — Ballymacwardmonument0.4 miles
- Ballymacward Bridgebuilding0.5 miles
- Mount Venture — Mountventuremonument0.5 miles
- Corn Mill — Whiteparkmonument0.5 miles
- Church View — Ballymacwardbuilding0.6 miles
- Mapped cemetery — County Galwaymemorial0.6 miles
- Fairy fort / ringfort in Alloon Uppermonument0.7 miles
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