placenames.ie
Townland

Ballybeg

An Baile Beag

Archaeological work across Ballybeg and neighbouring Aghnameadle distinguished buried traces of burning from natural features and later farming.

Recorded locationBallybeg52.83695° N · 7.98392° WInteractive map supplied by OpenStreetMap.
Recorded place location · Logainm.ie

The name

bailetownland, town, homesteadbeagsmall

These Irish name elements are associated with this record in the Logainm glossary.

An element’s translation is a clue, rather than a complete explanation of the name. Its form and meaning depend on local history and the full Irish name.

Recorded forms

  • An Baile Beag · Irish · main form · validated name
  • Ballybeg · English · main form

Place & story

Three features in the test trenches

In September 2021, Niall Gregory investigated a proposed quarry extension across Ballybeg and Aghnameadle near Toomevara. Many geophysical anomalies proved geological or related to modern agriculture, but excavation identified three small hearths or kilns. One yielded metalworking residue; none contained associated artefacts. Samples were sent for radiocarbon dating, so the report’s suggestions about their age remained provisional. Steep ground prevented survey and testing in parts of the northern area. [2]

Watching later phases

Gregory subsequently monitored topsoil removal for the quarry extension. The first phase, on 8 and 9 April 2024, reached natural subsoil without further archaeological discoveries. A second phase on 3 and 4 September 2025 likewise found no archaeology in the area stripped. These results concern the monitored plots; they do not erase the earlier hearth discoveries or establish an absence of remains throughout either townland. [3] [4]

Geographic information

Place type
Townland
County
Tipperary
Civil parish
Aghnameadle
Coordinates
52.83695, -7.98392
Mapped area
2.95 km²
Logainm ID
46139 ↗

People & family history

Census figures refer to the matched historical census area for each year. Boundaries and spellings can change over time.

Sources & further reading

  1. Logainm.ie — Ballybeg. Place names and geographic record, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  2. Ballybeg and Aghnameadle, 2021:300, licence 21E0599 · Niall Gregory, Excavations.ie
  3. Ballybeg and Aghnaneadle, 2024:337, licence 21E0599 extension · Niall Gregory, Excavations.ie
  4. Ballybeg and Aghnaneadle, 2025:280, licence 21E0599 extension · Niall Gregory, Gregory Archaeology, Excavations.ie
  5. Boundary geometry retains its source attribution and licence in the downloadable geographic record. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Name record retrieved 2026-10-25 · Source record modified 2025-01-10. How this page was prepared.