Survey Data
Reg No
30407307
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Cultural, Social
Original Use
Handball alley
Date
1940 - 1960
Coordinates
167480, 236777
Date Recorded
14/10/2009
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding mass-concrete handball alley, built c.1950, now disused. Rectangular plan with higher playing wall to north end, and sloping side walls. Square-headed entrance opening to south, partially blocked up. Remains of iron posts to top of rear and side walls. Set back from road gathering space to front and fieldstone wall to adjacent field.
Appraisal
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.