Ballyadams


Ballyadams is a barony in County Laois, Republic of Ireland.

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. It is a limestone region, with some anthracite coal being mined in the past.

History

Ancient chiefs in the area include the Uí Caollaidhe, who were chiefs of Críoch Uí mBuidhe.
It is referred to in the topographical poem Tuilleadh feasa ar Éirinn óigh :
Críoch Ó mBuidhe an fhóid fhinntigh
ós Bearbha mbuig mbraoinlinntigh;
d’Ó Chaolluidhe as caomh an chríoch,
aoghoire nár fhaomh eissíoth''
The Uí Caollaidhe were expelled during the Laois-Offaly Plantation of the 16th century, and took land at Kylenabehy. Ballyadams went to the Bowen family, including Robert Bowen and Lucy Bowen.

List of settlements

Below is a list of settlements in Ballyadams barony: