Ballyadams (
Etymology
Ballyadams barony is named after Ballyadams Castle, a 15th-century
fortified house near
Ballylynan.
Geography
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.
History
Ancient chiefs in the area include the Uí Caollaidhe (Keely), who were chiefs of Críoch Uí mBuidhe.
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 River Barrow of the bright pools, To O'Caollaidhe the territory is fair, A shepherd prepared to encounter enemies.")
The Uí Caollaidhe were expelled during the Laois-Offaly Plantation of the 16th century, and took land at Kylenabehy.
List of settlements
Below is a list of settlements in Ballyadams barony:
